bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Menin directs regionalized decidual transformation through epigenetically setting PTX3 to balance FGF and BMP signaling
Authors: Liu Mengying , Deng Wenbo , Tang Lu , Liu Meng , Bao Haili , Guo Chuanhui , Zhang Changxian , Lu Jinhua , Wang Haibin , Lu Zhongxian , Kong Shuangbo
Published: February 2022

During decidualization in rodents, uterine stroma undergoes extensive reprograming into distinct cells, forming the discrete regions defined as the primary decidual zone (PDZ), the secondary decidual zone (SDZ) and the layer of undifferentiated stromal cells respectively. Here we show that uterine deletion of Men1, a member of the histone H3K4 methyltransferase complex, disrupts the terminal differentiation of stroma, resulting in chaotic decidualization and pregnancy failure. Genome-wide epigenetic profile reveals that Men1 binding in chromatin recapitulates H3K4me3 distribution. Further transcriptomic investigation demonstrates that Men1 directly regulates the expression of PTX3, an extra-cellular trap for FGF2 in decidual cells. Decreased Ptx3 upon Men1 ablation leads to aberrant activation of ERK1/2 in the SDZ due to the unrestrained FGF2 signal emanated from undifferentiated stromal cells, which blunt BMP2 induction and decidualization. In brief, our study provides genetic and molecular mechanisms for epigenetic rewiring mediated decidual regionalization by Men1 and sheds new light on pregnancy maintenance.
Multimodal investigation of the association between shift work and the brain in a population-based sample of older adults
Authors: Bittner Nora , Korf Horst-Werner , Stumme Johanna , Jockwitz Christiane , Moebus Susanne , Schmidt Börge , Dragano Nico , Caspers Svenja
Published: February 2022

Neuropsychological studies reported that shift workers show reduced cognitive performance and circadian dysfunctions which may impact structural and functional brain networks. Here we tested the hypothesis whether night shift work is associated with resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC), cortical thickness and gray matter volume in participants of the 1000BRAINS study for whom information on night shift work and imaging data were available. 13 PRESENT and 89 FORMER night shift workers as well as 430 control participants who had never worked in shift (NEVER) met these criteria and were included in our study. No associations between night shift work, three graph-theoretical measures of RSFC of 7 functional brain networks and brain morphology were found after multiple comparison correction. Preceding multiple comparison correction, our results hinted at an association between more years of shift work and higher segregation of the visual network in PRESENT shift workers and between shift work experience and lower gray matter volume of the left thalamus. Extensive neuropsychological investigations supplementing objective imaging methodology did not reveal an association between night shift work and cognition after multiple comparison correction. Our pilot study suggests that night shift work does not elicit general alterations in brain networks and affects the brain only to a limited extent. These results now need to be corroborated in studies with larger numbers of participants.
Proteome analysis of the Gram-positive fish pathogen Renibacterium salmoninarum reveals putative role of membrane vesicles in virulence
Authors: Kroniger Tobias , Flender Daniel , Schlüter Rabea , Köllner Bernd , Trautwein-Schult Anke , Becher Dörte
Published: February 2022

Bacterial kidney disease (BKD) is a chronic bacterial disease affecting both wild and farmed salmonids. The causative agent for BKD is the Gram-positive fish pathogen Renibacterium salmoninarum. As treatment and prevention of BKD have proven to be difficult, it is important to know and identify the key bacterial proteins that interact with the host. We used subcellular fractionation to report semi-quantitative data for the cytosolic, membrane, extracellular, and membrane vesicle (MV) proteome of R. salmoninarum. These data can aid as a backbone for more targeted experiments regarding the development of new drugs for the treatment of BKD. Further analysis was focused on the MV proteome, where both major immunosuppressive proteins P57/Msa and P22 and proteins involved in bacterial adhesion were found in high abundance. Interestingly, the P22 protein was relatively enriched only in the extracellular and MV fraction, implicating that MVs may play a role in host–pathogen interaction. Compared to the other subcellular fractions, the MVs were also relatively enriched in lipoproteins and all four cell wall hydrolases belonging to the New Lipoprotein C/Protein of 60 kDa (NlpC/P60) family were detected, suggesting an involvement in the formation of the MVs.
Strain-induced quantum Hall phenomena of excitons in graphene
Authors: Berman Oleg L. , Kezerashvili Roman Ya. , Lozovik Yurii E. , Ziegler Klaus G.
Published: February 2022

We study direct and indirect pseudomagnetoexcitons, formed by an electron and a hole in the layers of gapped graphene under strain-induced gauge pseudomagnetic field. Since the strain-induced pseudomagnetic field acts on electrons and holes the same way, it occurs that the properties of single pseudomagnetoexcitons, their collective effects and phase diagram are cardinally different from those of magnetoexcitons in a real magnetic field. We have derived wave functions and energy spectrum of direct in a monolayer and indirect pseudomagnetoexcitons in a double layer of gapped graphene. The quantum Hall effect for direct and indirect excitons was predicted in the monolayers and double layers of gapped graphene under strain-induced gauge pseudomagnetic field, correspondingly.
Role of TRPC6 in kidney damage after acute ischemic kidney injury
Authors: Zheng Zhihuang , Tsvetkov Dmitry , Bartolomaeus Theda Ulrike Patricia , Erdogan Cem , Krügel Ute , Schleifenbaum Johanna , Schaefer Michael , Nürnberg Bernd , Chai Xiaoning , Ludwig Friedrich-Alexander , N’diaye Gabriele , Köhler May-Britt , Wu Kaiyin , Gollasch Maik , Markó Lajos
Published: February 2022

Transient receptor potential channel subfamily C, member 6 (TRPC6), a non-selective cation channel that controls influx of Ca2+ and other monovalent cations into cells, is widely expressed in the kidney. TRPC6 gene variations have been linked to chronic kidney disease but its role in acute kidney injury (AKI) is unknown. Here we aimed to investigate the putative role of TRPC6 channels in AKI. We used Trpc6−/− mice and pharmacological blockade (SH045 and BI-749327), to evaluate short-term AKI outcomes. Here, we demonstrate that neither Trpc6 deficiency nor pharmacological inhibition of TRPC6 influences the short-term outcomes of AKI. Serum markers, renal expression of epithelial damage markers, tubular injury, and renal inflammatory response assessed by the histological analysis were similar in wild-type mice compared to Trpc6−/− mice as well as in vehicle-treated versus SH045- or BI-749327-treated mice. In addition, we also found no effect of TRPC6 modulation on renal arterial myogenic tone by using blockers to perfuse isolated kidneys. Therefore, we conclude that TRPC6 does not play a role in the acute phase of AKI. Our results may have clinical implications for safety and health of humans with TRPC6 gene variations, with respect to mutated TRPC6 channels in the response of the kidney to acute ischemic stimuli.
The effect of the brood and the queen on early gene expression in bumble bee workers' brains
Authors: Santos Priscila K. F. , Galbraith David A. , Starkey Jesse , Amsalem Etya
Published: February 2022

Worker reproduction in social insects is often regulated by the queen, but can be regulated by the brood and nestmates, who may use different mechanisms to induce the same outcomes in subordinates. Analysis of brain gene expression patterns in bumble bee workers (Bombus impatiens) in response to the presence of the queen, the brood, both or neither, identified 18 differentially expressed genes, 17 of them are regulated by the queen and none are regulated by the brood. Overall, brain gene expression differences in workers were driven by the queen’s presence, despite recent studies showing that brood reduces worker egg laying and provides context to the queen pheromones. The queen affected important regulators of reproduction and brood care across insects, such asneuroparsinandvitellogenin, and a comparison with similar datasets in the honey bee and the clonal raider ant revealed thatneuroparsinis differentially expressed in all species. These data emphasize the prominent role of the queen in regulating worker physiology and behavior. Genes that serve as key regulators of workers’ reproduction are likely to play an important role in the evolution of sociality.
On unsteady 3D bio-convection flow of viscoelastic nanofluid with radiative heat transfer inside a solar collector plate
Authors: Farooq Umar , Waqas Hassan , Shah Zahir , Kumam Poom , Deebani Wejdan
Published: February 2022

Nanoparticles are used in industrial and engineering by allowing for faster heat transfer rates in microchips, vehicle cooling, food processing, and nuclear reactors. This research aims to scrutinize the three-dimensional bioconvectional flow performances of viscoelastic nanofluids through a elongating sheet with motile microorganisms. Radiative impact and solutal boundary conditions are studied here. The impacts of thermophoresis, Brownian motion, and bioconvection are also considered. By using suitable similarity transformations, the PDEs are converted into ODEs. The numerical and graphical results are calculated with the help of shooting scheme built-in function Bvp4c in computational tool MATLAB. The graphical and numerical importance of physical engineering parameters like local skin friction, local Nusselt, local Sherwood, and local motile microorganism numbers are discussed here. The thermal profile is enhanced for the higher estimations of the Brownian motion and thermophoresis parameter. The heat profile is boosted up for the increasing variations of the thermal radiation and the thermophoresis parameter. The energy profile is improved by increasing the estimations of solutal Biot number while declining for mixed convection parameter and unsteadiness parameter. The microorganism profile decays for Peclet and bioconvection Lewis number while rising for buoyancy ratio parameter and bioconvection Rayleigh number.
Novel volumetric imaging biomarkers for assessing disease activity in eyes with PCV
Authors: Vyas Chinmayi Himanshuroy , Cheung Chui Ming Gemmy , Jordan-Yu Janice Marie N. , Shimizu Hitoshi , Tan Anna Cheng Sim , Sim Shaun Sebastian , Fenner Beau James , Akiba Masahiro , Chakravarthy Usha , Teo Kelvin Yi Chong
Published: February 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate influence of baseline imaging features on visual and anatomical outcomes in eyes with PCV treated with anti-VEGF monotherapy. In this prospective study we enrolled participants with treatment-naïve PCV who followed a treat-and-extend protocol using intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) monotherapy. Baseline clinical features evaluatedincluded best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), traditional features such as lesion size, fluid-related OCT parameters and novel parameters using automated software. This included quantitative and qualitative pigment epithelium detachment (PED) parameters [height, volume]; and choroidal parameters. [choroidal thickness (CT), choroidal volume (CV) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI). We evaluated the predictive value of each parameter on visual and anatomical outcome at month 12. We additionally evaluated initial treatment response after 3 monthly injections with respect to month 12 outcomes. Fifty-two eyes from 52 participants were included in the study. The BCVA increased from 61.1 ± 13.2 to 69.6 ± 13.2 early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) letters (p < 0.01) and CRT reduced from 455.7 ± 182.4 µm to 272.7 ± 86.2 (p < 0.01) from baseline to month 12. The proportion of eyes with PED decreased significant from 100% at baseline to 80% at month 12 (p < 0.01). Reduction in the mean maximum height of PED (from 381.3 ± 236.3 µm to 206.8 vs ± 146.4 µm) and PED volume (from 1322 ± 853 nl to 686 ± 593 nl) (p < 0.01) was also noted from baseline to month12. Baseline features associated with better month 12 BCVA included baseline BCVA (β =  − 0.98, 95%CI − 3.38 to − 1.61, p = 0.02) and baseline CRT (β =  − 0.98, 95%CI − 1.56 to − 0.40, p = 0.04) while the disease activity at month12 was significantly associated with lower baseline CRT (366.0 ± 129.5 vs 612.0 ± 188.0 , p < 0.001), lower baseline PED height (242.0 ± 150.0 vs 542.0 ± 298.0 µm, p < 0.01), lower baseline PED volume (0.6 ± 0.3 mm3 vs 2.2 ± 1.3 mm3 vs, p < 0.01), lower proportion with marked CVH (17.9% vs 46.2%, p = 0.02) and lower mean CVI (61.8 ± 1.4 vs 63.0 ± 1.4, p < 0.02). Additionally, a larger decrease in CRT (per 100 nm) and larger PED volume reduction (per 100 nl) at month 3 from baseline were associated with greater BCVA gain and inactive disease. PED-related volumetric parameters have an additional predictive value to traditional biomarkers of disease activity in eyes with PCV undergoing anti-VEGF monotherapy. With increasingly precise quantification, PEDs can be a crucial biomarker in addition to traditional parameters and may aid in retreatment decisions.
Ultrahigh efficient spin orbit torque magnetization switching in fully sputtered topological insulator and ferromagnet multilayers
Authors: Fan Tuo , Khang Nguyen Huynh Duy , Nakano Soichiro , Hai Pham Nam
Published: February 2022

Spin orbit torque (SOT) magnetization switching of ferromagnets with large perpendicular magnetic anisotropy has a great potential for the next generation non-volatile magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM). It requires a high performance pure spin current source with a large spin Hall angle and high electrical conductivity, which can be fabricated by a mass production technique. In this work, we demonstrate ultrahigh efficient and robust SOT magnetization switching in fully sputtered BiSb topological insulator and perpendicularly magnetized Co/Pt multilayers. Despite fabricated by the magnetron sputtering instead of the laboratory molecular beam epitaxy, the topological insulator layer, BiSb, shows a large spin Hall angle of θSH = 10.7 and high electrical conductivity of σ = 1.5 × 105 Ω−1 m−1. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of BiSb topological insulator for implementation of ultralow power SOT-MRAM and other SOT-based spintronic devices.
Panel of human cell lines with human/mouse artificial chromosomes
Authors: Uno Narumi , Takata Shuta , Komoto Shinya , Miyamoto Hitomaru , Nakayama Yuji , Osaki Mitsuhiko , Mayuzumi Ryota , Miyazaki Natsumi , Hando Chiaki , Abe Satoshi , Sakuma Tetsushi , Yamamoto Takashi , Suzuki Teruhiko , Nakajima Yoshihiro , Oshimura Mitsuo , Tomizuka Kazuma , Kazuki Yasuhiro
Published: February 2022

Human artificial chromosomes (HACs) and mouse artificial chromosomes (MACs) are non-integrating chromosomal gene delivery vectors for molecular biology research. Recently, microcell-mediated chromosome transfer (MMCT) of HACs/MACs has been achieved in various human cells that include human immortalised mesenchymal stem cells (hiMSCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). However, the conventional strategy of gene introduction with HACs/MACs requires laborious and time-consuming stepwise isolation of clones for gene loading into HACs/MACs in donor cell lines (CHO and A9) and then transferring the HAC/MAC into cells via MMCT. To overcome these limitations and accelerate chromosome vector-based functional assays in human cells, we established various human cell lines (HEK293, HT1080, hiMSCs, and hiPSCs) with HACs/MACs that harbour a gene-loading site via MMCT. Model genes, such as tdTomato, TagBFP2, and ELuc, were introduced into these preprepared HAC/MAC-introduced cell lines via the Cre-loxP system or simultaneous insertion of multiple gene-loading vectors. The model genes on the HACs/MACs were stably expressed and the HACs/MACs were stably maintained in the cell lines. Thus, our strategy using this HAC/MAC-containing cell line panel has dramatically simplified and accelerated gene introduction via HACs/MACs.
Meso fracture characteristics of granite and instability evolution law of surrounding rock in deep cavern
Authors: Ao Yunhe , Sun Chuang , Jia Baoxin , Zhang Jianjun
Published: February 2022

In order to analyze the influence of meso-structure and meso-parameters on deep granite characteristics, a construction method of variable radius proportional clump model was proposed with particle flow method. The clump particle flow structure was constructed which suited the mechanical characteristics of granite. The deep cavern numerical calculation model of gradual particle density was constructed using the variable radius proportional clump model construction method, and the macroscopic fracture law of deep cavern surrounding rock was analyzed. The results show that meso parameters have lower effects on the compressive and tensile ratios of particle structures in the ball and clump models. It is also found that clump structure is greatly influenced by particle proportion and size while ball model is only slightly influenced by particle size. Furthermore, the compressive and tensile strength curves and fracture modes of numerical simulations and laboratory tests are in good agreement. In addition, the calculated results of the tunnel after simulated excavation are very close to the engineering practice. There are obvious shear failure areas on the right vault and left wall of the tunnel, and the shape and depth of the fracture area are basically the same.
Monitoring the interactions between alpha-synuclein and Tau in vitro and in vivo using bimolecular fluorescence complementation
Authors: Torres-Garcia Laura , P. Domingues Joana M. , Brandi Edoardo , Haikal Caroline , Mudannayake Janitha M. , Brás Inês C. , Gerhardt Ellen , Li Wen , Svanbergsson Alexander , Outeiro Tiago F. , Gouras Gunnar K. , Li Jia-Yi
Published: February 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are characterized by pathological accumulation and aggregation of different amyloidogenic proteins, α-synuclein (aSyn) in PD, and amyloid-β (Aβ) and Tau in AD. Strikingly, few PD and AD patients’ brains exhibit pure pathology with most cases presenting mixed types of protein deposits in the brain. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) is a technique based on the complementation of two halves of a fluorescent protein, which allows direct visualization of protein–protein interactions. In the present study, we assessed the ability of aSyn and Tau to interact with each other. For in vitro evaluation, HEK293 and human neuroblastoma cells were used, while in vivo studies were performed by AAV6 injection in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of mice and rats. We observed that the co-expression of aSyn and Tau led to the emergence of fluorescence, reflecting the interaction of the proteins in cell lines, as well as in mouse and rat SNpc. Thus, our data indicates that aSyn and Tau are able to interact with each other in a biologically relevant context, and that the BiFC assay is an effective tool for studying aSyn-Tau interactions in vitro and in different rodent models in vivo.
Radiomics and machine learning for the diagnosis of pediatric cervical non-tuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis
Authors: Al Bulushi Yarab , Saint-Martin Christine , Muthukrishnan Nikesh , Maleki Farhad , Reinhold Caroline , Forghani Reza
Published: February 2022

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection is an emerging infectious entity that often presents as lymphadenitis in the pediatric age group. Current practice involves invasive testing and excisional biopsy to diagnose NTM lymphadenitis. In this study, we performed a retrospective analysis of 249 lymph nodes selected from 143 CT scans of pediatric patients presenting with lymphadenopathy at the Montreal Children’s Hospital between 2005 and 2018. A Random Forest classifier was trained on the ten most discriminative features from a set of 1231 radiomic features. The model classifying nodes as pyogenic, NTM, reactive, or proliferative lymphadenopathy achieved an accuracy of 72%, a precision of 68%, and a recall of 70%. Between NTM and all other causes of lymphadenopathy, the model achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 89%. Between NTM and pyogenic lymphadenitis, the model achieved an AUC of 90%. Between NTM and the reactive and proliferative lymphadenopathy groups, the model achieved an AUC of 93%. These results indicate that radiomics can achieve a high accuracy for classification of NTM lymphadenitis. Such a non-invasive highly accurate diagnostic approach has the potential to reduce the need for invasive procedures in the pediatric population.
Cranial muscle reconstructions quantify adaptation for high bite forces in Oviraptorosauria
Authors: Meade Luke E. , Ma Waisum
Published: February 2022

Oviraptorosaurians are an unusual and probably herbivorous group of theropod dinosaurs that evolved pneumatised crania with robust, toothless jaws, apparently adapted for producing a strong bite. Using 3D retrodeformed skull models of oviraptorid oviraptorosauriansCitipati,Khaan, andConchoraptor, along with the earliest diverging oviraptorosaurian,Incisivosaurus, we digitally reconstruct jaw adductor musculature and estimate bite force to investigate cranial function in each species. We model muscle length change during jaw opening to constrain optimal and maximum gape angles. Results demonstrate oviraptorids were capable of much stronger bite forces than herbivorous theropods among Ornithomimosauria and Therizinosauria, relative to body mass and absolutely. Increased bite forces in oviraptorid oviraptorosaurians compared to the earliest diverging oviraptorosaurian result from expanded muscular space and different cranial geometry, not changes in muscular arrangement. Estimated optimal and maximum possible gapes are much smaller than published estimates for carnivorous theropods, being more similar to the herbivorous therizinosaurian theropodErlikosaurusand modern birds. Restrictive gape and high bite force may represent adaptation towards exploiting tough vegetation, suggesting cranial function and dietary habits differed between oviraptorids and other herbivorous theropods. Differences in the relative strength of jaw adductor muscles between co-occurring oviraptorids may be a factor in niche partitioning, alongside body size.
Semi-in vitro detection of Mg2+-dependent DNase that specifically digest mitochondrial nucleoids in the zygote of Physarum polycephalum
Authors: Urakawa Naoki , Nakamura Satoru , Kishimoto Mariko , Moriyama Yohsuke , Kawano Shigeyuki , Higashiyama Tetsuya , Sasaki Narie
Published: February 2022

The maternal/uniparental inheritance of mitochondria is controlled by the selective elimination of paternal/uniparental mitochondria and digestion of their mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). In isogamy, the selective digestion of mtDNA in uniparental mitochondria is initiated after mating and is completed prior to the elimination of mitochondria, but the molecular mechanism of the digestion of uniparental mtDNA remains unknown. In this study, we developed a semi-in vitro assay for DNase, wherein the digestion of mitochondrial nucleoids (mt-nucleoids) was microscopically observed using isolated mitochondria from Physarum polycephalum and the DNase involved in uniparental inheritance was characterized. When myxamoebae of AI35 and DP246 are crossed, mtDNA and mt-nucleoid from only the DP246 parent are digested. The digestion of mt-nucleoids was observed in zygotes 3 h after plating for mating. During the digestion of mt-nucleoids, mitochondrial membrane integrity was maintained. In the semi-in vitro assay, the digestion of mt-nucleoids was only observed in the presence of Mg2+ at pH 7.5–9.0. Moreover, such Mg2+-dependent DNase activity was specifically detected in mitochondria isolated from zygotes 3 h after plating for mating. Therefore, Mg2+-dependent DNase is potentially involved in uniparental inheritance. Our findings provide insights into the DNase involved in uniparental inheritance and its regulatory mechanism.
The common limitations in auditory temporal processing for Mandarin Chinese and Japanese
Authors: Eguchi Hikaru , Ueda Kazuo , Remijn Gerard B. , Nakajima Yoshitaka , Takeichi Hiroshige
Published: February 2022

The present investigation focused on how temporal degradation affected intelligibility in two types of languages, i.e., a tonal language (Mandarin Chinese) and a non-tonal language (Japanese). The temporal resolution of common daily-life sentences spoken by native speakers was systematically degraded with mosaicking (mosaicising), in which the power of original speech in each of regularly spaced time-frequency unit was averaged and temporal fine structure was removed. The results showed very similar patterns of variations in intelligibility for these two languages over a wide range of temporal resolution, implying that temporal degradation crucially affected speech cues other than tonal cues in degraded speech without temporal fine structure. Specifically, the intelligibility of both languages maintained a ceiling up to about the 40-ms segment duration, then the performance gradually declined with increasing segment duration, and reached a floor at about the 150-ms segment duration or longer. The same limitations for the ceiling performance up to 40 ms appeared for the other method of degradation, i.e., local time-reversal, implying that a common temporal processing mechanism was related to the limitations. The general tendency fitted to a dual time-window model of speech processing, in which a short (~ 20–30 ms) and a long (~ 200 ms) time-window run in parallel.
Untargeted sequencing of circulating microRNAs in a healthy and diseased older population
Authors: Streese Lukas , Demougin Philippe , Iborra Paula , Kanitz Alexander , Deiseroth Arne , Kröpfl Julia M. , Schmidt-Trucksäss Arno , Zavolan Mihaela , Hanssen Henner
Published: February 2022

We performed untargeted profiling of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in a well characterized cohort of older adults to verify associations of health and disease-related biomarkers with systemic miRNA expression. Differential expression analysis revealed 30 miRNAs that significantly differed between healthy active, healthy sedentary and sedentary cardiovascular risk patients. Increased expression of miRNAs miR-193b-5p, miR-122-5p, miR-885-3p, miR-193a-5p, miR-34a-5p, miR-505-3p, miR-194-5p, miR-27b-3p, miR-885-5p, miR-23b-5b, miR-365a-3p, miR-365b-3p, miR-22-5p was associated with a higher metabolic risk profile, unfavourable macro- and microvascular health, lower physical activity (PA) as well as cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels. Increased expression of miR-342-3p, miR-1-3p, miR-92b-5p, miR-454-3p, miR-190a-5p and miR-375-3p was associated with a lower metabolic risk profile, favourable macro- and microvascular health as well as higher PA and CRF. Of note, the first two principal components explained as much as 20% and 11% of the data variance. miRNAs and their potential target genes appear to mediate disease- and health-related physiological and pathophysiological adaptations that need to be validated and supported by further downstream analysis in future studies.

Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02796976 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02796976).
Self-oscillating chemoelectrical interface of solution-gated ion-sensitive field-effect transistor based on Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction
Authors: Sakata Toshiya , Nishitani Shoichi , Yasuoka Yusuke , Himori Shogo , Homma Kenta , Masuda Tsukuru , Akimoto Aya Mizutani , Sawada Kazuaki , Yoshida Ryo
Published: February 2022

The Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) self-oscillation reaction is an important chemical model to elucidate nonequilibrium chemistry in an open system. However, there are only a few studies on the electrical behavior of pH oscillation induced by the BZ reaction, although numerous studies have been carried out to investigate the mechanisms by which the BZ reaction interacts with redox reactions, which results in potential changes. Needless to say, the electrical characteristic of a self-oscillating polymer gel driven by the BZ reaction has not been clarified. On the other hand, a solution-gated ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) has a superior ability to detect ionic charges and includes capacitive membranes on the gate electrode. In this study, we carried out the electrical monitoring of self-oscillation behaviors at the chemoelectrical interface based on the BZ reaction using ISFET sensors, focusing on the pH oscillation and the electrical dynamics of the self-oscillating polymer brush. The pH oscillation induced by the BZ reaction is not only electrically observed using the ISFET sensor, the electrical signals of which results from the interfacial potential between the solution and the gate insulator, but also visualized using a large-scale and high-density ISFET sensor. Moreover, the N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm)-based self-oscillating polymer brush with Ru(bpy)3 as a catalyst clearly shows a periodic electrical response based on the swelling–deswelling behavior caused by the BZ reaction on the gate insulator of the ISFET sensor. Thus, the elucidation of the electrical self-oscillation behaviors induced by the BZ reaction using the ISFET sensor provides a solution to the problems of nonequilibrium chemistry.
Risk identification of coal spontaneous combustion based on COWA modified G1 combination weighting cloud model
Authors: Su Guorui , Jia Baoshan , Wang Peng , Zhang Ru , Shen Zhuo
Published: February 2022

To realize the scientific judgment of spontaneous combustion risk in the coal mine, the spontaneous combustion influence factors were analyzed from the three aspects of coal spontaneous combustion tendency, air leakage, and oxygen supply, heat storage and heat dissipation. And the basis for the evaluation of t spontaneous combustion grade was constructed. Combination ordered weighted averaging (COWA) calculation was introduced to optimizes G1 subjective weighting, and a COWA modified G1 combined weighting cloud model was proposed to identify the spontaneous combustion risk in the coal mine. Finally, the rationality of the model was verified with actual cases. The research results show that the spontaneous combustion risk level in the Lingquan coal mine is relatively safe, which is consistent with the actual situation. And the spontaneous combustion tendency of coal is the leading factor affecting spontaneous combustion risk.
An electronic biosensor based on semiconducting tetrazine polymer immobilizing matrix coated on rGO for carcinoembryonic antigen
Authors: Joshi Sowmya , Raj K. Aswani , Rao M. Rajeswara , Ghosh Ruma
Published: February 2022

Point-of-care devices are expected to play very critical roles in early diagnosis and better treatment of cancer. Here, we report the end-to-end development of novel and portable biosensors for detecting carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a cancer biomarker, almost instantly at room temperature. The device uses reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as the base conducting layer and a novel poly[(1,4-phenylene)-alt-(3,6-(1,2,4,5-tetrazine)/3,6-(1,2,4,5-dihydrotetrazine))] (PhPTz) as an immobilizing matrix for the CEA antibodies. Judiciously introduced nitrogen-rich semiconducting PhPTz brings multiple advantages to the device—(1) efficiently immobilizes anti-CEA via synergistic H-bonding with peptide and N-glycal units and (2) transports the charge density variations, originated upon antibody-antigen interactions, to the rGO layer. The CEA was dropped onto the anti-CEA/PhPTz/rGO devices at ambient conditions, to facilitate binding and the change in current flowing through the sensors was measured. A response of 2.75–33.7 μA was observed when the devices were tested for a broad range of concentrations (0.25 pg/mL to 800 ng/mL) of CEA. A portable read-out circuit was assembled using Arduino UNO and a voltage divider circuit, and a simple algorithm was developed for the classification of the CEA concentrations. The prediction accuracy of the interfacing electronics along with the algorithm was found to be 100%.
National water shortage for low to high environmental flow protection
Authors: Vanham Davy , Alfieri Lorenzo , Feyen Luc
Published: February 2022

Global freshwater biodiversity has been decreasing rapidly, requiring the restoration and maintenance of environmental flows (EFs) in streams and rivers. EFs provide many ecosystem services that benefit humans. Reserving such EFs for aquatic ecosystems, implies less renewable water availability for direct human water use such as agriculture, industry, cities and energy. Here we show that, depending on the level of EF protection, global annual renewable water availability for humans decreases between 41 and 80% compared to when not reserving EFs. With low EF protection, currently 53 countries experience different levels of water shortage, which increases to 101 countries for high EF protection. Countries will carefully have to balance the amount of water allocated to humans and the environment.
A sustainable natural clam shell derived photocatalyst for the effective adsorption and photodegradation of organic dyes
Authors: Qu Ting , Yao Xinxin , Owens Gary , Gao Liangjun , Zhang Hailong
Published: February 2022

In response to an increasing desire for modern industries to be both green and sustainable, there has been increasing research focus on the reutilization of natural waste materials to effectively remove and degrade toxic wastewater effluents. One interesting food industry waste product is clam shell. Here a new photocatalytic nanomaterial derived from marine clam shells was successfully prepared and characterized. Thereafter the material was applied for the removal of two target dyes from aqueous solution, where the effect of both catalyst dose and initial dye concentration on adsorption and photocatalysis was investigated. The maximum adsorption capacities of methylene blue (100 mg/L) and Congo red (500 mg/L) were 123.45 mg/g and 679.91 mg/g, respectively, where adsorption followed pseudo second order kinetics predominantly via a chemical adsorption process. The photodegradation removal efficiencies of the two dye solutions under visible light irradiation were 99.6% and 83.3% for MB and CR, respectively. The excellent degradation performance in a mixed dye solution, with strong degradation capability and low cost, demonstrated that the clam shell catalyst material was a good candidate for practical field remediation of dye contaminated wastewater.
Evaluation of an 131I-labeled HER2-specific single domain antibody fragment for the radiopharmaceutical therapy of HER2-expressing cancers
Authors: Feng Yutian , Meshaw Rebecca , McDougald Darryl , Zhou Zhengyuan , Zhao Xiao-Guang , Jannetti Stephen A. , Reiman Robert E. , Pippen Erica , Marjoram Robin , Schaal Jeffrey L. , Vaidyanathan Ganesan , Zalutsky Michael R.
Published: February 2022

Radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) is an attractive strategy for treatment of disseminated cancers including those overexpressing the HER2 receptor including breast, ovarian and gastroesophageal carcinomas. Single-domain antibody fragments (sdAbs) exemplified by the HER2-targeted VHH_1028 evaluated herein are attractive for RPT because they rapidly accumulate in tumor and clear faster from normal tissues than intact antibodies. In this study, VHH_1028 was labeled using the residualizing prosthetic agent N-succinimidyl 3-guanidinomethyl 5-[131I]iodobenzoate (iso-[131I]SGMIB) and its tissue distribution evaluated in the HER2-expressing SKOV-3 ovarian and BT474 breast carcinoma xenograft models. In head-to-head comparisons to [131I]SGMIB-2Rs15d, a HER2-targeted radiopharmaceutical currently under clinical investigation, iso-[131I]SGMIB-VHH_1028 exhibited significantly higher tumor uptake and significantly lower kidney accumulation. The results demonstrated 2.9 and 6.3 times more favorable tumor-to-kidney radiation dose ratios in the SKOV-3 and BT474 xenograft models, respectively. Iso-[131I]SGMIB-VHH_1028 was prepared using a solid-phase extraction method for purification of the prosthetic agent intermediate Boc2-iso-[131I]SGMIB that reproducibly scaled to therapeutic-level doses and obviated the need for its HPLC purification. Single-dose (SKOV-3) and multiple-dose (BT474) treatment regimens demonstrated that iso-[131I]SGMIB-VHH_1028 was well tolerated and provided significant tumor growth delay and survival prolongation. This study suggests that iso-[131I]SGMIB-VHH_1028 is a promising candidate for RPT of HER2-expressing cancers and further development is warranted.
Genome-wide diversity analysis to infer population structure and linkage disequilibrium among Colombian coconut germplasm
Authors: Muñoz-Pérez Jorge Mario , Cañas Gloria Patricia , López Lorena , Arias Tatiana
Published: February 2022

Genetic diversity and relatedness of accessions for coconut growing in Colombia was unknown until this study. Here we develop single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) along the coconut genome based on Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS) with the goal of analyze the genetic diversity, population structure, and linkage disequilibrium (LD) of a diverse coconut panel consisting of 112 coconut accessions from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Colombia. A comprehensive catalog of approximately 40,000 SNPs with a minor allele frequency (MAF) of > 0.05 is presented. A total of 40,614 SNPs were found but only 19,414 anchored to chromosomes. Of these, 10,338 and 4606 were exclusive to the Atlantic and Pacific gene pools, respectively, and 3432 SNPs could differentiate both gene pools. A filtered subset of unlinked and anchored SNPs (1271) showed a population structure at K = 4, separating accessions from the Pacific and Atlantic coasts that can also be distinguished by palm height, as found in previous studies. The Pacific groups had a slow LD decay, low Fixation Index (Fst) and low nucleotide diversity (π), while the Atlantic group had slightly higher genetic diversity and faster LD decay. Genome-wide diversity analyses are of importance to promote germplasm conservation and breeding programs aimed at developing new cultivars better adapted to the region.
The role of the endolithic alga Ostreobium spp. during coral bleaching recovery
Authors: Galindo-Martínez Claudia Tatiana , Weber Michele , Avila-Magaña Viridiana , Enríquez Susana , Kitano Hiroaki , Medina Mónica , Iglesias-Prieto Roberto
Published: February 2022

In this study, we explore how the Caribbean coral Orbicella faveolata recovers after bleaching, using fragments from 13 coral colonies exposed to heat stress (32 °C) for ten days. Biological parameters and coral optical properties were monitored during and after the stress. Increases in both, the excitation pressure over photosystem II (Qm) and pigment specific absorption (a*Chla) were observed in the stressed corals, associated with reductions in light absorption at the chlorophyll a red peak (De675) and symbiont population density. All coral fragments exposed to heat stress bleached but a fraction of the stressed corals recovered after removing the stress, as indicated by the reductions in Qm and increases in De675 and the symbiont population observed. This subsample of the experimentally bleached corals also showed blooms of the endolithic algae Ostreobium spp. underneath the tissue. Using a numerical model, we quantified the amount of incident light reflected by the coral, and absorbed by the different pigmented components: symbionts, host-tissue and Ostreobiumspp. Our study supports the key contribution of Ostreobiumspp. blooms near the skeletal surface, to coral recovery after bleaching by reducing skeleton reflectance. Endolithic blooms can thus significantly alleviate the high light stress that affects the remaining symbionts during the stress or when the coral has achieved the bleached phenotype.
Effects of pulse chirp on laser-driven proton acceleration
Authors: Permogorov Alexander , Cantono Giada , Guenot Diego , Persson Anders , Wahlström Claes-Göran
Published: February 2022

Optimisation and reproducibility of beams of protons accelerated from laser-solid interactions require accurate control of a wide set of variables, concerning both the laser pulse and the target. Among the former ones, the chirp and temporal shape of the pulse reaching the experimental area may vary because of spectral phase modulations acquired along the laser system and beam transport. Here, we present an experimental study where we investigate the influence of the laser pulse chirp on proton acceleration from ultrathin flat foils (10 and 100 nm thickness), while minimising any asymmetry in the pulse temporal shape. The results show a $$\pm 10\%$$

±
10
%

change in the maximum proton energy depending on the sign of the chirp. This effect is most noticeable from 10 nm-thick target foils, suggesting a chirp-dependent influence of relativistic transparency.
CYP2B6 allelic variants and non-genetic factors influence CYP2B6 enzyme function
Authors: Mangó Katalin , Kiss Ádám Ferenc , Fekete Ferenc , Erdős Réka , Monostory Katalin
Published: February 2022

Human CYP2B6 enzyme although constitutes relatively low proportion (1–4%) of hepatic cytochrome P450 content, it is the major catalyst of metabolism of several clinically important drugs (efavirenz, cyclophosphamide, bupropion, methadone). High interindividual variability in CYP2B6 function, contributing to impaired drug-response and/or adverse reactions, is partly elucidated by genetic polymorphisms, whereas non-genetic factors can significantly modify the CYP2B6 phenotype. The influence of genetic and phenoconverting non-genetic factors on CYP2B6-selective activity and CYP2B6 expression was investigated in liver tissues from Caucasian subjects (N = 119). Strong association was observed between hepatic S-mephenytoin N-demethylase activity and CYP2B6 mRNA expression (P < 0.0001). In less than one third of the tissue donors, the CYP2B6 phenotype characterized by S-mephenytoin N-demethylase activity and/or CYP2B6 expression was concordant with CYP2B6 genotype, whereas in more than 35% of the subjects, an altered CYP2B6 phenotype was attributed to phenoconverting non-genetic factors (to CYP2B6-specific inhibitors and inducers, non-specific amoxicillin + clavulanic acid treatment and chronic alcohol consumption, but not to the gender). Furthermore, CYP2B6 genotype–phenotype mismatch still existed in one third of tissue donors. In conclusion, identifying potential sources of CYP2B6 variability and considering both genetic variations and non-genetic factors is a pressing requirement for appropriate elucidation of CYP2B6 genotype–phenotype mismatch.
Motor symptom asymmetry predicts non-motor outcome and quality of life following STN DBS in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Voruz Philippe , Pierce Jordan , Ahrweiller Kévin , Haegelen Claire , Sauleau Paul , Drapier Sophie , Drapier Dominique , Vérin Marc , Péron Julie
Published: February 2022

Risk factors for long-term non-motor symptoms and quality of life following subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) have not yet been fully identified. In the present study, we investigated the impact of motor symptom asymmetry in Parkinson’s disease. Data were extracted for 52 patients with Parkinson’s disease (half with predominantly left-sided motor symptoms and half with predominantly right-sided ones) who underwent bilateral STN and a matched healthy control group. Performances for cognitive tests, apathy and depression symptoms, as well as quality-of-life questionnaires at 12 months post-DBS were compared with a pre-DBS baseline. Results indicated a deterioration in cognitive performance post-DBS in patients with predominantly left-sided motor symptoms. Performances of patients with predominantly right-sided motor symptoms were maintained, except for a verbal executive task. These differential effects had an impact on patients’ quality of life. The results highlight the existence of two distinct cognitive profiles of Parkinson’s disease, depending on motor symptom asymmetry. This asymmetry is a potential risk factor for non-motor adverse effects following STN DBS.
Symbolic iteration method based on computer algebra analysis for Kepler’s equation
Authors: Zhang Ruichen , Bian Shaofeng , Li Houpu
Published: February 2022

The Kepler’s equation of elliptic orbits is one of the most significant fundamental physical equations in Satellite Geodesy. This paper demonstrates symbolic iteration method based on computer algebra analysis (SICAA) to solve the Kepler’s equation. The paper presents general symbolic formulas to compute the eccentric anomaly (E) without complex numerical iterative computation at run-time. This approach couples the Taylor series expansion with higher-order trigonometric function reductions during the symbolic iterative progress. Meanwhile, the relationship between our method and the traditional infinite series expansion solution is analyzed in this paper, obtaining a new truncation method of the series expansion solution for the Kepler’s equation. We performed substantial tests on a modest laptop computer. Solutions for 1,002,001 pairs of (e, M) has been conducted. Compared with numerical iterative methods, 99.93% of all absolute errors δE of eccentric anomaly (E) obtained by our method is lower than machine precision $$\epsilon$$
ϵ
over the entire interval. The results show that the accuracy is almost one order of magnitude higher than that of those methods (double precision). Besides, the simple codes make our method well-suited for a wide range of algebraic programming languages and computer hardware (GPU and so on).
Investigating the association between severity of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy and neonatal outcomes
Authors: Dileep Anita , ZainAlAbdin Sham , AbuRuz Salah
Published: February 2022

Pregnant women with COVID-19 require special attention and care, since the infection does not only affect the mother, but also her neonate and adversely affects pregnancy outcomes. The main goal of this retrospective cohort study is to investigate association between the maternal COVID-19 severity and risk of developing adverse neonatal outcomes. Patients were stratified into asymptomatic/mild and moderate to severe COVID-19. The following neonatal outcomes were assessed: gestational age at the time of delivery, birth weight, neonatal infection, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. The average age of patients was 28.5 ± 1.4 years old and majority were multigravida (74.0%, n = 148). Of total 200 pregnant women with COVID-19, 26.5% (n = 53) had moderate/severe disease and presented with higher incidence of preterm delivery and low birth weight (88.7%, n = 47; p < 0.001). In addition, more than half of the newborns delivered by mothers with severe disease were infected by SARS-COV-2 (58.5%, n = 31) and majority were admitted to the NICU (95.0%, n = 52). Based on the multivariate logistic regression analysis, pregnant women with moderate to severe COVID-19 were at much higher risk of preterm delivery, lower birth weight, neonatal infection, as well as neonatal ICU admission (p < 0.001). In addition, multigravida women were at higher risk for preterm delivery and lower birth weight (p = 0.017 and p = 0.02; respectively). Appropriate protective measures and early detection of suspected COVID-19 should be addressed for more favorable obstetric outcomes.