bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishment and identification of patient-derived xenograft model for oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: He Fei , Zhou Xiongming , Huang Gan , Jiang Qingkun , Wan Li , Qiu Jiaxuan
Published: May 2022

Objective:The study aim to construct patient-derived xenograft model of oral squamous cell carcinoma and to characterize whether it retained the clinicopathological features of the primary tumor.Materials and methods:The patient-derived xenograft model of oral squamous cell carcinoma was constructed by inoculating the surgically excised oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue under the skin of immunodeficient mice with special treatment, and the P1-P3 generations were used for seeding and identification. The tumor tissues of patient-derived xenograft model were identified by both hematoxylin–eosin staining and immunohistochemistry to to determine the histomorphological consistency and molecular phenotypic similarity between the patient-derived xenograft model and the primary tumor tissues.Results:Hematoxylin–eosin staining and immunohistochemical results showed that the pathological features and molecular phenotypic characteristics of the patient-derived xenograft model of oral squamous cell carcinoma were consistent with the primary tumor tissue.Conclusion:In this study, patient-derived xenograft model of oral squamous cell carcinoma that retains the clinicopathological characteristics of the primary tumor tissue was successfully constructed and can be stably transmitted.Clinical relevance:The patient-derived xenograft model of oral squamous cell carcinoma established in this study has significant implications for the study of oral squamous carcinoma, the personalized treatment of patients and the development of new anti-tumor drugs.Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the head and neck with high morbidity and mortality. At present, platinum-based chemotherapy is the conventional chemotherapy regimen for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. However, due to the heterogeneity of tumors and individual differences of patients, chemotherapy regimens lacking individualized evaluation of tumor patients are often less effective. Therefore, personalized tumor chemotherapy is one of the effective methods for the treatment of malignant tumors in the future. Patient-derived xenograft model is a relatively new tumor xenograft model, which relies on immunodeficient mice to retain the characteristics of the primary tumor. Therefore, patient-derived xenograft model combined with drug screening technology to explore new tumor chemotherapy is the key research direction of future tumor treatment. In this study, patient-derived xenograft model of oral squamous cell carcinoma was successfully established, and it was verified by hematoxylin–eosin staining and immunohistochemistry that the constructed patient-derived xenograft model retained the pathological and molecular biological characteristics of primary tumors.
Maximum and mean standardized uptake values of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw with bone SPECT/CT: comparison of mandibular pathologies, control and temporomandibular joints
Authors: Minami Yoshiyuki , Ogura Ichiro
Published: May 2022

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate maximum and mean standardized uptake values (SUVs) of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) with bone SPECT/CT, especially comparison of mandibular pathologies, control and temporomandibular joints. Materials and methods Thirty-nine mandibular patients with MRONJ underwent bone SPECT/CT. The maximum and mean SUVs of the mandibular lesions using a workstation and software (Xeleris 4DR and Q. Volumetrix MI) were compared by Friedman test with Bonferroni method or Mann-Whitney U test. A p value lower than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results The maximum and mean SUVs for opposite side of the lesions (4.4 ± 2.2 and 1.7 ± 0.8) were significantly lower than those for mandibular lesions (17.5 ± 7.7, p ＜ 0.001 and 6.3 ± 3.0, p ＜ 0.001), right side of the lesions (8.1 ± 4.4, p = 0.001 and 2.9 ± 1.5, p = 0.001) and left side of the lesions (8.2 ± 4.2, p = 0.001 and 2.9 ± 1.5, p = 0.001), respectively. Furthermore, the maximum and mean SUVs of the mandibular lesions were a significant difference for age, gender, and underlying disease.Conclusions The maximum and mean SUVs using Xeleris 4DR and Q. Volumetrix MI may be useful in clinical practice for the quantitative management of patients with MRONJ. Clinical relevance SPECT/CT SUVs plays an important role in assessing MRONJ for the quantitative evaluation.
Caves provide early warning of unprecedented decrease in rainfall recharge of groundwater
Authors: Priestley Stacey , Treble Pauline , Griffiths Alan , Baker Andy , Abram Nerilie , Meredith Karina
Published: May 2022

Billions of people worldwide rely on groundwater. As rainfall in many regions in the future is projected to decrease, it is critical to understand the impacts of climate change on groundwater recharge. In this study, five caves record a consistent response to a sustained decrease in rainfall across southwest Australia that began in the late 1960s, characterised by a pronounced increase or ’uptick’ in dripwater and speleothem oxygen isotopic composition (δ18O). It is demonstrated that the uptick is in response to the shallow karst aquifers becoming disconnected from recharge due to regional drying. Our findings imply that rainfall recharge to groundwater across this region is no longer reliably occurring. Examination of the longer speleothem record shows that this is unprecedented over at least the last 800 years. A global network of cave dripwater monitoring would serve as an early warning of reduced groundwater recharge elsewhere, while evidence for upticks in speleothem paleoclimate records would provide a longer-term context to evaluate if current groundwater recharge changes are outside the range of natural variability. This study also validates speleothems as recorders of past hydroclimate via amplification of the δ18O signal by karst hydrology highlighting that speleothem δ18O are records of recharge, rather than a direct proxy for rainfall.
Using short-interval landslide inventories to build short-term and overall spatial prediction models for earthquake-triggered landslides based on machine learning for the 2018 Lombok earthquake sequence
Authors: Xue Changhu , Chen Kejie , Tang Hui
Published: May 2022

During an earthquake sequence, there are often multiple recurring landslides. Understanding the spatial distribution of the landslides triggered by the first earthquake can help us predict the landslide susceptibility for subsequent shakes over a short term. This study used two landslide inventories from the Lombok earthquake sequence in Indonesia in 2018 to construct a short-term secondary disaster prediction model and an overall spatial prediction model using four machine learning algorithms. The average accuracy of the positive samples predicted by the prediction model was 7.1% lower than that of the short-term model. The highest accuracy of the overall prediction model was 14.9% higher, on average, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) score was 8.1% higher, on average, but the corresponding probability thresholds were lower. The reason for this difference is that, in the short-term prediction model, since most of the landslides in the first landslide inventory were prone to fail two or more times due to the effect of multiple earthquakes, the prediction results have a high positive rate. This feature of the short-term prediction model makes it suitable for landslide rescue guidance in a sequence of earthquakes. In contrast, the overall prediction model can better represent the spatial distribution of the earthquake-triggered landslides in the area.
Preparation and Impact-abrasive Wear Behavior of NbC Reinforced Iron Matrix Composites
Authors: Wang Shifeng , Li Guohua
Published: May 2022

Ceramic particle reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCS) have been recognized as a hot research hotspot as a local wear-resistant material for vital parts of mechanical equipment. Fe60 matrix and NbC particle (NbCp) reinforced Fe60 composites(NbCp/Fe60) were produced through vacuum sintering and tested on an MLD-10B Impact Wear Rig. As revealed by the results, NbCp played the role of fine grain strengthening. Under the mass fraction of 7% and at the sintering temperature of 1175℃, NbCp/Fe60 composite was found with uniform microstructure, superior hardness and relative density. The impact abrasive wear performance was higher than Fe60. NbCp/Fe60 composite with 7%NbC exhibited the optimal impact abrasive wear performance. Under the mass fraction of 8%, the composite begin to aggregate and the performance was significantly reduced. The impact abrasive wear mechanisms of NbCp/Fe60 composites primarily consisted of micro-cutting or micro-ploughing, impact plastic deformation and fatigue spalling.
Huaier Aqueous Boosts the Apoptosis of Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Gong He , Zhu Demiao , Yv Shengxue , Wei Ling , Li Jinglong , Wang Xuehua
Published: May 2022

Background
Triple Negative Breast Cancer(TNBC) may be a profoundly pernicious subtype about breast tumor. Because of the negative statement of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2), it will be presently without specificity targeted treatment. Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) Huaier Aqueous have anti-cancer effects, yet its component of activity will be even now vague. The latest research confirms that Huaier Aqueous can cause changes in various biological functions and gradually become a systemic adjuvant chemotherapy drug for cancer, so it is used in clinical anti-tumor treatment.
Methods
The Wound healing and Transwell test detects the relocation and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells. Flow cytometry detects cell cycle and apoptosis. qPCR and Western blot were used to identify the statement for MDA-MB-231 cell cycle and apoptosis proteins and genes. In vivo tumor creation and HE chemical staining were used to examine the impact about Huaier Aqueous on the burgeoning from claiming TNBC. Immunohistochemical might have been used to identify the statement of Caspase9 and CyalinD1. Tunel staining strategy detects the statement of apoptosis over TNBC tissues. The information utilization one-way ANAOV and two-way ANAOV measurable examination.
Results
Huaier Aqueous inhibits the burgeoning of MDA-MB-231 cells. What's more disrupts the cell cycle on S phase, thereby encouraging cell apoptosis. In addition, Huaier Aqueous inhibits the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, confining the downstream molecular of the pathway.
Conclusions
Huaier Aqueous inhibits the proliferation and cell cycle of MDA-MB-231 cells through PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, and pushes apoptosis.
Excessive serine from the bone marrow microenvironment impairs megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Zhou Wen , Kuang Chunmei , Xia Meijuan , An Gang , Liu Cuicui , Zhang Jingyu , Liu Zhenhao , Hu Cong , Meng Bin , Su Pei , Xia Jiliang , Guo Jiaojiao , Zhu Yinghong , Wu Xuan , Shen Yi , Feng Xiangling , He Yanjuan , Li Jian , Qiu Lugui , Zhou Jiaxi
Published: May 2022

Thrombocytopenia is a major complication in a subset of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, little is known about its development and significance during MM. Here, we show that thrombocytopenia is linked to poor prognosis in the MM patients. In addition, we identify serine, which is released from MM cells into the bone marrow microenvironment (BMME), serves as a key metabolic factor that suppresses megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis and eventually causes the thrombocytopenia. The impact of excessive serine on thrombocytopenia is mainly mediated through the suppression of megakaryocyte (MK) differentiation in the BM and the induction of apoptosis of platelets in the peripheral blood (PB). At the molecular level, the extrinsic serine molecules are transported into MKs through the channel protein SLC38A1 and downregulates the actin-binding protein Supervillin (SVIL) via S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM)-mediated tri-methylation of H3K9, ultimately leading to the impairment of megakaryopoiesis as well as thrombopoiesis. Inhibition of serine utilization or the treatment with thrombopoietin (TPO) enhances megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis and suppresses MM progression. Together, we identify serine as a key metabolic regulator of thrombocytopenia in MM, unveil novel molecular mechanisms governing MM progression, and provide potential new therapeutic strategies for treating MM patients by targeting thrombocytopenia.
Rapid simultaneous analysis of ten biogenic amines in aquatic products through ultra-high performance supercritical fluid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry
Authors: Du Yingqi , Tang Haiqing , Ou Changrong , Wu Caiye , Chen Zuman
Published: May 2022

A method for accurate, reliable, ultra-high-performance supercritical fluid chromatography (UHPSFC) coupled with mass spectrometry for the simultaneous determination of biogenic amines (BAs) in aquatic foods was optimized and validated. The BAs were separated using an ACQUITY UPC BEH column, and gradient elution was performed using a mixture of supercritical CO2 and methanol containing 0.2% ammonia at a rate of 1.2 mL/min. There stationary phases (BEH, HSS C18 SB and Torus 2-PIC) packed with sub-2-μm particles were selected, and the analytical conditions, including backpressure, flow rate and column temperature, were investigated to improve the separation. Under the optimized conditions, all 10 BAs were simultaneously separated and determined by UHPSFC-MS within 5 min. A good linear relationship ranging from 0.05 to 5 μg mL-1 was obtained for the BAs, and the detection limits of the BAs were 0.0010-0.0086 μg mL-1 (S/N=3). This strategy combines the high efficiency of ultra-efficient supercritical fluid chromatography with the high precision of mass spectrometry, enabling rapid detection of BAs in aquatic products. Furthermore, this method has the benefits of easy operation, rapid, remarkable separation, and avoidance of tedious sample derivatization. The separation technique for the analysis of the BAs not only satisfied the food safety and quality detection demands but also provided a technical approach for investigating the theoretical principle for the analysis of BAs.
Electrophysiological and Behavioural Responses of Sexually Immature Female Bactrocera Tryoni to Microbial Volatiles From Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Mas Flore , MANNING LEE-ANNE , TALLON ANAÏS K. , BOYD-WILSON KIRSTY , SUCKLING DAVID M.
Published: May 2022

The Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni) is a major polyphagous pest widespread in Australia and several Pacific Islands. Bacteria present on the host plant phyllosphere supply proteins, essential for egg development and the sexual maturity of female fruit flies. We investigated the role of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) to attract sexually immature females. Four Enterobacteriaceae commonly found on the host plant and in the gut of B. tryoni were cultured under different pH conditions and their MVOCs collected with two different headspace volatile collection methods (Tenax® filter and solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) fibre) for chemical comparison. Using electroantennographic detection, we assessed the olfactory response of sexually immature females to MVOCs and identified bioactive compounds. The production of MVOCs was strongly influenced by species and pH. Four compounds were found to trigger consistent electrophysiological responses: 2-phenylethanol, isoamyl alcohol, indole and phenol. Klebsiella oxytoca produced the most indole, whereas Citrobacter freundii specifically produced phenol. Tenax extracts from K. oxytoca invoked the strongest antennal response and attracted the most sexually immature females among all four bacteria. Further tests with electrophysiologically active MVOCs at different ratios under different environmental conditions are needed to develop a specific female lure for B. tryoni.
Construction of A Synthetic Methodology-Based Library and Its Application in Identifying the First GIT/PIX Protein–Protein Interaction Inhibitor
Authors: Gu Jing , Peng Rui-Kun , Guo Chun-Ling , Yang Jie , Yan Xiao , Zhou Qian , Li Hong-Wei , Zhu Jinwei , Ouyang Qin
Published: May 2022

The rapid and efficient hit discovery is highly dependent on the development of multifarious chemical libraries. In recent years, the flourishing of synthetic methodology studies has provided concise access to numerous molecules with new chemical space. These compounds form a large library with unique scaffolds, but their application in hit compounds screening has not been systematically evaluated. In the present work, we have established a synthetic methodology-based compound library (SMBL), integrated of compounds obtained from our synthetic researches, as well as their virtual derivatives in significantly larger scale. We further screened the library and identified the first small-molecule inhibitors to interrupt the protein–protein interaction (PPI) of GIT1/β-Pix complex, an unrevealed target involved in gastric cancer metastasis. The inhibitor 14-5-18 with a spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,3'-indolin]-2'-one scaffold, considerably retarded gastric cancer metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Since the PPI targets are considered “undruggable” that were hard to be targeted, the successful identification of the inhibitor illustrated the structural diversity and specificity of SMBL, demonstrating its potential to be utilized as compound source for targeting some challenging targets.
A comparison of clinical development pathways to advance tuberculosis regimen development
Authors: Chang Vincent , Phillips Patrick PJ , Imperial Marjorie Z , Nahid Payam , Savic Rada M
Published: May 2022

Background Current tuberculosis (TB) regimen development pathways are slow and in urgent need of innovation. We investigated novel phase IIc and seamless phase II/III trials utilizing multi-arm multi-stage and Bayesian response adaptive randomization trial designs to select promising combination regimens in a platform adaptive trial. Methods Clinical trial simulation tools were built using predictive and validated parametric survival models of time to culture conversion (intermediate endpoint) and time to TB-related unfavorable outcome (final endpoint). This integrative clinical trial simulation tool was used to explore and optimize design parameters for aforementioned trial designs. Results Both multi-arm multi-stage and Bayesian response adaptive randomization designs were able to reliably graduate desirable regimens in ≥95% of trial simulations and reliably stop suboptimal regimens in ≥90% of trial simulations. Overall, adaptive phase IIc designs reduced patient enrollment by 17% and 25% with multi-arm multi-stage and Bayesian response adaptive randomization designs respectively compared to the conventional sequential approach, while seamless designs reduced study duration by 2.6 and 3.5 years respectively (typically ≥8.5 years for standard sequential approach). Conclusions In this study, we demonstrate that adaptive trial designs are suitable for TB regimen development, and we provide plausible design parameters for a platform adaptive trial. Ultimately trial design and specification of design parameters will depend on clinical trial objectives. To support decision-making for clinical trial designs in contemporary TB regimen development, we provide a flexible clinical trial simulation tool that can be used to explore and optimize design features and parameters.
In-process Multi-physics Melt Pool Measurement and Correlation Analysis in Laser Powder Bed Fusion
Authors: Wang Rongxuan , Garcia David , Kamath Rakesh , Dou Chaoran , Ma Xiaohan , Shen Bo , Choo Hahn , Fezzaa Kamel , Kong Zhenyu , Yu Hang
Published: May 2022

Laser powder bed fusion still suffers from defects such as delamination and porosities due to the lack of understanding of melt pool dynamics. To study the fundamental of the melt pool behavior, both geometrical and thermal sensing with high spatial and temporal resolutions are necessary. This work applies and integrates three advanced sensing technologies: synchrotron X-ray imaging, high-speed IR camera, and high-spatial-resolution IR camera to characterize the melt pool dynamics, keyhole, porosity formation, vapor plume, and thermal evolution in Ti-64 and 410 stainless steel. This paper develops an effective algorithm for high-speed X-ray imaging data to identify melt pool geometries accurately. Pre-processing methods are also implemented for the IR data to estimate the emissivity value and extrapolate the saturated pixels. Quantifications on boundary velocities, melt pool dimensions, thermal gradient, and cooling rates are performed, which provides a thorough understanding of the melt pool with integrated geometrical and thermal perspectives. The study discovers a strong correlation between the thermal and X-ray data, enabling the feasibility of using relatively cheap IR cameras to predict features that currently can only be captured using the costly synchrotron X-ray imaging. Such correlation enables the thermal-based melt pool control as well.
PocketAnchor: Learning Structure-based Pocket Representations for Protein-Ligand Interaction Prediction
Authors: Li Shuya , Tian Tingzhong , Zhang Ziting , Zou Ziheng , Zhao Dan , Zeng Jianyang
Published: May 2022

Modeling and predicting protein-ligand interactions have a wide range of applications in drug discovery and biological research. Appropriate and effective protein feature representations are of vital importance for developing computational approaches, especially data-driven methods, for predicting protein-ligand interactions. However, existing sequence-based protein representation methods often fail to explicitly learn the spatial features of proteins, while current structure-based methods do not fully investigate the ligand-occupying regions in protein pockets. In this work, we propose a novel structure-based protein representation method, named PocketAnchor, for capturing the local environmental and spatial features of protein pockets to facilitate protein-ligand interaction-related learning tasks. We define "anchors" as probe points reaching into the cavities and those located near the surface of proteins, and we design a specific message passing strategy for gathering local information from the atoms and surface neighboring these anchor points. Comprehensive evaluation of our method demonstrated that it can be successfully applied to detect the ligand binding sites on a protein surface and greatly outperform existing baseline methods. Our anchor-based model also achieved state-of-the-art performance in the protein-ligand binding affinity prediction task and exhibited great generalization ability for novel proteins. Further analyses illustrated that the anchor features learned by PocketAnchor can successfully capture the geometric and chemical properties of subpockets. In summary, our anchor-based approach can provide effective protein feature representations for developing computational methods to improve the prediction of protein-ligand interactions.
Hybrid Electrochemical Additive and Subtractive Manufacturing (HEASM) based on Simultaneous Mask Electrochemical Deposition and Dissolution
Authors: Yang Wentao , Zhang Yan , Zhao Hantao , Han Guofeng , Cai Kangjie
Published: May 2022

This paper proposed a method for hybrid electrochemical additive and subtractive manufacturing (HEASM) to fabricate microstructures with high dimensional accuracy and good surface quality. Electrochemical additive manufacturing is achieved by applying positive pulses between the electrodes and then negative pulses are subsequently applied to achieve electrochemical finishing of the shape and surface. In this study, the formation of irregular surface defects was investigated, and a verification experiment was carried out. The inter-electrode pulse waveform and machining process were observed to characterize the electrochemical deposition and dissolution machining. The effects of pure electrodeposition, HEASM, and excessive electrolysis on the surface morphology were compared experimentally. The results indicate that HEASM can reduce the surface roughness by 45.5% but excessive electrolysis can cause a collapse of edge regions. Finally, Taguchi optimization experiments were carried out, and an optimized parameter combination for HEASM was obtained. A microstructure manufactured with an optimized pulse number ratio 0.6 × 10 −2 , peak current ratio 0.5, and pulse width ratio 1.0 had the best surface morphology and dimensional accuracy. And its surface roughness and height were 0.343 μm and 33.563 μm, respectively.
Novel protocol for criminal network disruption
Authors: Toledo A. S.O. , Carpi Laura C. , Atman A. P.F. , Scarpelli A. P. Baêta
Published: May 2022

Purpose: Identify and characterize criminal organizations as a network of collaborative individuals, exposing their underlying structure as a mul-tiplex network. Study different mechanisms to disrupt criminal networks and propose an effective protocol to assist the criminal investigation. Methods: From data collected by security intelligence from the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, we build crime networks using Graph Theory. Different strategies to break the network are tested based on key agents identified by the node properties, organized by different crimes in a multilayer structure. Results: The performance of nine different interruption strategies is quantified and analyzed, and a new protocol is proposed considering the greater efficiency compared to standard techniques. Conclusion: A protocol to disrupt crime networks is proposed which can effectively assist police operations to be targeted to remove key criminals. The proposed method of disruption based on key agents allows police to identify, visualize and qualify criminal activity, increasing the chances of a successful criminal network disruption.
Identifying and tailoring C-N coupling sites for efficient urea synthesis on diatomic Fe-Ni catalyst
Authors: Zhang Xiaoran , Zhu Xiaorong , BO SHUOWEN , CHEN CHEN , QIU MENGYI , Wei Xiaoxiao , HE NIHAN , xie chao , CHEN WEI , ZHENG JIANYUN , Chen Pinsong , Jiang San Ping , Li Yafei , Liu Qinghua , Wang Shuangyin
Published: May 2022

Electrocatalytic urea synthesis emerged as the promising alternative of Haber-Bosch process and industrial urea synthetic protocol. Here, we report that a diatomic catalyst with bonded Fe-Ni pairs can significantly improve the efficiency of electrochemical urea synthesis. Compared with isolated diatomic and single-atom catalysts, the bonded Fe-Ni pairs act as the efficient sites for coordinated adsorption and activation of multiple reactants, enhancing the crucial C-N coupling thermodynamically and kinetically. The performance for urea synthesis is up to an order of magnitude higher than those of single-atom and isolated diatomic electrocatalysts, successfully achieving a high urea yield rate of 20.2 mmol h-1 g-1 with corresponding Faradaic efficiency of 17.8%. The competing hydrogen evolution is in-situ suppressed by C-N coupling with a total Faradaic efficiency of about 100% for the value-added products. This work presents new insights into synergistic catalysis towards sustainable urea synthesis via identifying and tailoring the atomic site configurations.
The crucial role of adhesion in the transmigration of active droplets through interstitial orifices
Authors: Tiribocchi Adriano , Durve Mihir , Lauricella Marco , Montessori Andrea , Succi Sauro
Published: May 2022

Active fluid droplets are a class of soft materials exhibiting autonomous motion sustained by an energy supply. Such systems have been shown to capture motility regimes typical of biological cells and are ideal candidates as building-block for the fabrication of soft biomimetic materials of interest in pharmacology, tissue engineering and lab on chip devices. While their behavior is well established in unconstrained environments, much less is known about their dynamics under strong confinement. Here, we numerically study the physics of a droplet of active polar fluid migrating within a microchannel hosting a constriction with adhesive properties, and report evidence of a striking variety of dynamic regimes and morphological features, whose properties crucially depend upon droplet speed and elasticity, degree of confinement within the constriction and adhesiveness to the pore. Our results suggest that adhesion forces are instrumental in enabling the crossing through narrow orifices, in contrast to larger gaps where a careful balance between speed and elasticity is sufficient to guarantee the transition. These observations may be useful for improving the design of artificial micro-swimmers, of interest in material science and pharmaceutics, and potentially for cell
sorting in microfluidic devices.
A Greener Mechanochemical Approach to the Synthesis of Urea- Hydroxyapatite Nanohybrids for Slow Release of Plant Nutrients
Authors: de Silva Madhavi , Sandaruwan Chanaka , Hernandez Francisco C. Robles , Sahin Onur , Ashokkumar Meiyazhagan , Ajayan Pulickel M. , Karunaratne Veranja , Amaratunga Gehan A. J. , Kottegoda Nilwala
Published: May 2022

In a time where global agricultural stability is facing unprecedented challenges due to growing population, climate change, and emerging pandemics, the development of advanced organic-inorganic functional nanohybrids as advanced fertilizers could contribute significantly to meeting these challenges. They hold the potential of reducing overall fertilizer used per kilogram of produce while simultaneously increasing the yield per hectare. Even though there are many reports of recent nanofertilizer innovations, work on overcoming constraints of large-scale economic manufacture and sustainability has been limited. Herein, we report advanced urea-hydroxyapatite nanohybrids with a rare hydroxyapatite morphology as a more economical, scalable, biocompatible, and sustainable next-generation nitrogen fertilizer compared to the previously reported. A full life cycle assessment including components from synthesis, structure-property relationships, nutrient release behavior, bioefficacy, biocompatibility, and industrial scaling-up are included in this study. Coral-shaped urea-hydroxyapatite nanohybrids were synthesized via an energy-efficient, greener, one-pot bottom-up mechanochemical approach leading to a nitrogen loading up to ~ 43 %. Intermolecular interactions between the hydroxyapatite nanocorals and urea molecules have afforded slow and precise nitrogen release properties to these nanohybrids resulting in the cessation of immature loss of urea to the environment. The improved nitrogen utilization efficiency of the nanohybrids was demonstrated by the ~69 % increase in crop yields and improved plant growth of rice compared to standard nitrogen application in pot trials. Urea-hydroxyapatite nano-corals have significant potential in enhancing sustainable agriculture by acting as an efficient, economical, slow-release nitrogen fertilizer leading to the fulfillment of multiple United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Prognosis-related molecular subtypes and immune features associated with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ye Jiazhou , Lin Yan , Gao Xing , Lu Lu , Huang Xi , Huang Shilin , Bai Tao , Wu Guobin , Li yon , Luo Xiaoling , Liang Rong
Published: May 2022

Bioinformatics tools were used to identify prognosis-related molecular subtypes and biomarkers of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Differential expression analysis of four datasets (TCGA, GSE76427, GSE25097, and GSE14520) identified 3,330 overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the same direction in all four datasets. Those genes were involved in the cell cycle, FOXO signaling pathway, as well as complement and coagulation cascades. Based on non-negative matrix decomposition, two molecular subtypes of HCC with different prognosis were identified, with subtype C2 showing better overall survival than subtype C1. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that 217 of the overlapping DEGs were closely associated with HCC prognosis. The subset of those genes showing an area under the curve > 0.80 was used to construct random survival forest and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator models, which identified seven feature genes (SORBS2, DHRS1, SLC16A2, RCL1, IGFALS, GNA14, and FANCI) that may be involved in HCC occurrence and prognosis. Based on the feature genes, risk score and recurrence models were constructed, while a univariate Cox model identified FANCI as a key gene involved mainly in the cell cycle, DNA replication, and mismatch repair. Further analysis showed that FANCI had two mutation sites and that its gene may undergo methylation. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis showed that Th2 and T helper cells are significantly upregulated in HCC patients compared to controls. Our results identify FANCI as a potential prognostic biomarker for HCC.
Women are at higher risk of cardiometabolic diseases with the increase of visceral fat area to skeletal muscle mass ratio compared with men in a Chinese natural population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhang Shi , Huang Yaping , Li Jing , Wang Xiaohe , Wang Xincheng , Zhang Yanju , Du Meiyang , Zhang Minying , Lin Jingna , Li Chunjun
Published: May 2022

Background
Growing evidence has revealed that using BMI for assessment of obesity and cardiometabolic risk has some limitations. Visceral adiposity and skeletal muscle loss may be both correlated with cardiometabolic outcomes. This study aimed to explore the associations between the visceral fat area to skeletal muscle mass ratio (VSR) and the risk of several cardiometabolic diseases including metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), hyperglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia and hyperuricemia in a young and middle-aged Chinese natural population and further elucidate the differences of these associations between male and female.
Methods
A total of 5158 participants were included in this study. Body composition, anthropometrical and biochemical measurements were performed. The associations between VSR and cardiometabolic diseases were analyzed.
Results
Both in male and female, VSR was positively associated with the five cardiometabolic diseases and with the increase of VSR by one quartile, the ORs increased significantly for all the five cardiometabolic diseases (P trend<0.001). With regard to the highest versus the lowest quartile of VSR, the ORs for MAFLD, hyperglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia and hyperuricemia were 17.23 (95% CI, 12.52–23.71), 15.47 (95% CI, 7.1-33.72), 5.12 (95% CI, 3.88–6.76), 3.16 (95% CI, 2.33–4.28) and 1.89 (95% CI, 1.42–2.51) in male, respectively. In female, the corresponding ORs were 41.15 (95% CI, 25.80-65.63), 21.62 (95% CI, 7.87–59.36), 9.64 (95% CI, 6.88–13.53), 9.34 (95% CI, 6.63–13.14) and 6.58 (95% CI, 3.45–12.56). The results of restricted cubic splines showed there were significant positive non-linear relationships between VSR and the risk of MAFLD, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and hypertension in both sex (P for non-linearity < 0.05). The risk was relatively flat until when VSR reached 3.078 cm2/kg in men and 4.750 cm2/kg in women and started to increase rapidly afterwards. In men, however, the risk slowed down after VSR value got to around 4 cm2/kg and the curve became flat and even tended to decline.
Conclusions
VSR was positively associated with cardiometabolic diseases regardless of sex. As VSR increased, the risk of cardiometabolic diseases was significantly higher in women than in men. Women should be more alert to the risk of cardiometabolic diseases caused by the increase of VSR.
Integrated Metabolome and Transcriptome Analyses of the Effects of Elicitors Treated on Triterpene Accumulation in Sanghuangporus sanghuang
Authors: Zhou Linjiang , Zhang Xinyuan , Wang Tong , Wang Guangyuan , Zhou Liwei , Yu Hailong , Tian Xuemei
Published: May 2022

Background: Sanghuangporus sanghuang (S. sanghuang) is a large wood-decaying mushroom that is considered a traditional Chinese herbal medicine because of its high medicinal value. The fundamental bioactive substances produced mainly include flavonoids, triterpenoids, and others. The expression of some specific genes in fungi can be effectively and selectively induced by fungal elicitors. Methods: To investigate the mechanism of fungal elicitors on the metabolites of S. sanghuang, we performed the metabolic and transcriptional profiling with elicitor treatment (ET) and without elicitor treatment (WET). A correlation analysis showed significant differences in triterpenoid biosynthetic pathways in the ET and WET groups. In addition, the structural genes associated with triterpenoids and metabolites of different triterpenoids in both groups were verified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Results: The results displayed that three triterpenoids betulinol, betulinic acid, and 2-hydroxyoleanolic acid were detected. After the excitation treatment, the level of betulinic acid reached 2.62 times that in the WET and that of 2-hydroxyoleanolic acid increased 114.67 times that in the WET. The qRT-PCR results of the expressions of the four genes related to secondary metabolic pathways, defense gene activation, and signal transduction showed significant variations between the ET and WET groups. Conclusions: the fungal elicitors have great potential to aggregate pentacyclic triterpenoid secondary metabolites in S. sanghuang.
Association between smoking habits and dental care utilization and cost using administrative claims database and specific medical check-up data
Authors: Kawamura Kahori , Doi Takashi , Kano Keita , Matsui Masanori , Hattori Yuka , Onishi Fukutaro , Fukata Hirotsuka , Miyake Tatsuro
Published: May 2022

Background:
This study aims to evaluate the association between smoking habits and dental care utilization and cost in individuals registered with the Japan Health Insurance Association, Osaka branch.
Methods:
We used the administrative claims database and specific medical check-up data included 226,368 participants who visited dental institutions, underwent dental examination and underwent specific medical check-up with smoking data from April 2016 to March 2017. We calculated propensity scores with age, gender, exercise, eating habits, alcohol intake, and sleep. According to propensity score matching, 62,573 participants were selected for each group. We also compared dental care utilization with the total cost of each procedure.
Results:
Compared to non-smokers, smokers were younger, with a higher proportion of males. Smokers tended to skip breakfast, have dinner just before bed, and drink alcohol. After adjustment for potential confounding factors with propensity score matching, the median annual dental costs (38,790 (JPY) (Interquartile range (IQR): 19,220 − 71,065)) were significantly higher among smokers than non-smokers (34,530 (JPY) (IQR: 17,960 − 61,420)) (P < 0.001). We calculated the total number of disease codes, and differences between smokers and non-smokers Pulpitis, missing teeth, and periapical periodontitis were coded in smokers, while inlay detachment, caries, and dentine hypersensitivity were coded in non-smokers.
Conclusion:
The annual dental cost was significantly higher among smokers than non-smokers. The disease codes in smokers consisted of progressive dental caries, missing teeth, and uncontrolled acute inflammation that necessitated the use of medications. It is suggested that smokers tend to visit the dentist after their symptoms become severe.
The Effectiveness of Atrial Fibrillation Special Clinic on Oral Anticoagulants Use for High Risk Atrial Fibrillation Patient Managed in the Community
Authors: LAU Ka Man , CHEN Catherine Xiao Rui , LEUNG To Fung , LI Yim Chu
Published: May 2022

Background: There are service gaps existed in atrial fibrillation (AF) management in Hong Kong with relatively low utilization of oral anticoagulants. The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical effectiveness of Atrial Fibrillation Special Clinic (AFSC) by evaluating its impact on the oral anticoagulants use and the control of modifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in high risk AF patients.Method: This was a quasi-experimental, pre-test/post-test study in public primary care clinics. Participants included high risk AF patients with CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2, had been followed up (FU) for one year at 5 AFSCs of Kowloon Central Cluster (KCC) of the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong from 01 August, 2019 to 31 October, 2020. Our primary outcomes were 1) total number of patients agreed for novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC) treatment after recruitment at AFSC, and 2) modifiable CVD risk factors control including blood pressure (BP), Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) if diabetic and low-density lipoprotein-c (LDL-c) level, compared at baseline and after one year FU. Our secondary outcomes were drug-related adverse events, major bleeding and non-major bleeding episodes, stroke or systemic embolism events, Accident and Emergency Department attendance or hospitalisation episodes, survival and mortality rates after one year FU.Results: Among the 299 high risk AF patients included in the study, significant increase in NOAC utilization was observed from 58.5% to 82.6% after FU in AFSC (P <0.001). Concerning the CVD risk factors control, the average diastolic BP level was significantly reduced (P=0.009) and the satisfactory BP control rate in non-DM patients was significantly improved after one year FU (P=0.049). However, the average HbA1c and LDL-c level remained static. The annual incidence rate of ischaemic stroke/systemic embolism was 0.4%, intra-cranial haemorrhage was 0.4%, major bleeding episode was 3.2% and all-cause mortality was 4.3%, all of which were comparable to the literatures. Conclusion: AFSC is effective in enhancing NOAC use and maintaining optimal modifiable CVD risk factors control among high risk AF patients managed in primary care setting, therefore may reduce AF-associated morbidity and mortality in the long run.
Influence of hot-air drying on drying kinetics and some quality parameters of sliced chicken breast meat
Authors: Demiray Engin , Ergezer Haluk , Özünlü Orhan , Gökçe Ramazan
Published: May 2022

The present study investigated the influence of different drying temperatures (50, 60, and 70ºC) on the drying kinetics, drying rate, color, lipid oxidation, and protein oxidation of sliced chicken breast meat. In addition, color degradation, lipid oxidation, and protein oxidation kinetics during drying were also studied. The drying process takes place in a decreasing rate period at every drying temperature. Among the four tested kinetic models, the Page model showed the best fit to the experimental drying data. TBARS value was found to be lower due to the shortening of the drying time at high drying temperatures. Second-order and first-order kinetic models were fitted to lipid and protein oxidation respectively. Lipid oxidation occurs twice as fast as protein oxidation due to activation energy results. As the drying temperatures increased, the lightness values ​​of the samples did not change, while the redness, yellowness, and browning index values ​​increased, also whiteness index values decreased depending on the prolongation of the time.
Corrosion of the Fe-25Ni-15Cr superalloy under combined effects of marine atmospheric exposure and high temperature oxidation
Authors: Yang Yange , Sun Quanxiang , Zhang Bo , Zhang Dechuang , Lin Jianguo , Wang Fuhui
Published: May 2022

Corrosion of the Fe-25Ni-15Cr under the combined effects of marine atmospheric exposure and the subsequent high-temperature oxidation was investigated in the present work. The results indicated that high-temperature oxidation rate of the superalloy after field exposure was significantly accelerated due to the deposited salts and corrosion products. The oxidation kinetic process of the superalloy was clearly divided into two stages, resulting in changes in morphology, structure and composition of the oxide film. And also, the spontaneous passive state of the superalloy was changed to active dissolution by high–temperature oxidation, indicating a substantial deterioration in corrosion resistance. A degradation model for superalloy under the combined effects of electrochemical corrosion and high temperature oxidation was proposed.
Root distribution and traits in a young alley-cropping system: impacts on soil carbon storage, nutrient dynamics and microbial activity
Authors: Siegwart Lorene , Jourdan Christophe , Piton Gabin , Sugihara Sohs , Meersche Karel Van den , Bertrand Isabelle
Published: May 2022

Purpose
In alley-cropping systems, the root distributions and traits of the annual and perennial vegetation are poorly known, although they are recognized as factors fostering soil carbon (C) stocks through annual root C inputs and by impacts on microbial activity. This study aimed to evaluate the potential contribution of roots from the understory vegetation strip (UVS) and the crop to top- and subsoil C stocks (0-100 cm) in a 3-year-old alley-cropping system.
Methods
Root biomass, chemical composition, functional traits and anatomical structure were assessed in parallel to a characterization of soil physico-chemical and microbiological properties, including enzymatic activity, at different depths and locations perpendicular to the tree line, reflecting the effect of the distance to the tree.
Results
The root biomass and traits were heterogeneous in the young alley-cropping system due to the presence of different plant species and the heterogeneity of the soil mineral N content according to the location perpendicular to the tree line. The soil microbiological properties and organic C stocks did not vary horizontally at this stage of agroforestry, but the tight link between root stoichiometry and microbial extracellular enzymatic activities suggested a differentiation of the soil properties in the following years.
Conclusion
Altogether, our results suggested that increasing the root biomass in topsoil in agroforestry systems can positively contribute to increasing soil organic C stocks, but in deeper soil layers, an increase in litter inputs with high C:N could accentuate microbial N limitations and limit soil C storage.