bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Oil Production Data under Fines Migration and Productivity Decline
Authors: Loi Grace , Nguyen Cuong , Chequer Larissa , Russell Thomas , Zeinijahromi Abbas , Bedrikovetsky Pavel
Published: April 2023

Fines migration is a common cause of permeability and, consequently, injectivity and productivity decline in subterranean reservoirs. Many practitioners implement prevention or remediation strategies to reduce the impact of fines migration on field productivity and injectivity. These efforts rely on careful modelling of the underlying physical processes. Existing works have demonstrated the ability to predict productivity decline by quantifying the extent of particle decline at different fluid velocities. Fluid flows in porous media often involve multiple phases, which has been shown in laboratory experiments to influence the extent of particle detachment. However, no theory has directly accounted for this in a particle detachment model. In this work, a new model for fine particle detachment, expressed through the critical retention function, is presented, explicitly accounting for the immobile fines trapped within the irreducible water phase. The new model utilises the pore size distribution to allow for the prediction of particle detachment at different velocities. Further, an analytical model is presented for fines migration during radial flow into a production well. The model accounts for single-phase production in the presence of irreducible water, which has been shown to affect the extent of fines migration significantly. Combining these two models allows for the revealing of the effects of connate water saturation on well impedance (skin factor growth) under fines migration. It is shown that the higher the connate water saturation, the less the effect of fines migration. The appropriateness of the model for analyzing production well data is verified by the successful matching of 10 field cases. The model presented in this study is an effective tool for predicting the rate of skin growth, its stabilization time and final value, as well as the areal distribution of strained particles, allowing for more intelligent well remediation design. Further, the findings of this study can help for a better understanding of the distribution of fines within porous media and how their detachment might be influenced by pore structure and the presence of a secondary immobile phase.
HPV Vaccination for Cervical Cancer Prevention in Switzerland
Authors: Jeannot Emilien , Ben Abdeljelil Hassen , Viviano Manuela
Published: April 2023

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer worldwide. It is also responsible for a variety of other cancers including penile; vaginal; vulvar; anal; and oropharyngeal cancers at the base of the tongue and tonsils. There are a very large number of these HPVs, which are classified into groups from high to low risk based on their oncogenic potential. Every year in Switzerland, over 260 women develop cervical cancer, and nearly 90 of them will die from the disease. Cervical cancer affects young women and is the fourth most common cancer in women between the ages of 20 and 49 years. Among the high-risk HPV types, HPV-16 and -18 are the most common and most carcinogenic ones. Together, these two HPV types are responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases in developed countries. HPV-6 and -11 are directly responsible for 90% of genital warts. There are two effective public health interventions to prevent this cancer: screening and vaccination. The present entry provides an overview of current literature in order to present these preventative approaches and consider their use within a Swiss context. It is hoped that, going forward, this will encourage the implementation and uptake of such interventions.
Are Implant Threads Important for Implant Stability? An In Vitro Study Using Low-Density Polyurethane Sheets
Authors: Comuzzi Luca , Tumedei Margherita , Di Pietro Natalia , Romasco Tea , Montesani Lorenzo , Piattelli Adriano , Covani Ugo
Published: April 2023

Different strategies are known to improve implant primary stability (PS) and the bone-to-implant contact in post-extractive conditions, such as the macro-geometry of screws and apical threads, which can enhance the mechanical characteristics. In any case, the role of the apical area design in maintaining or improving the PS, especially in low-quality bone, still remains unclear. Thus, the present study aimed at evaluating in vitro the Insertion Torque (IT), Removal Torque (RT), and Resonance Frequency Analysis (RFA) of different implant apical threads in a cylindrical (EE) and in three conical implants (T3, TAC, Intra-lock) inserted in simulated post-extraction conditions on low-density polyurethane foams of 10 and 20 pounds per cubic foot (PCF), with and without the addition of a cortical sheet of 30 PCF in density. The IT, RT, and RFA values of all the implants tested were directly proportional to the polyurethane density and to the presence of the cortical sheet, but TAC and Intra-lock implants, which had the latest-generation thread design, always showed significantly higher values (e.g., IT: 18.6 and 18.6 Ncm, RT: 10.8 and 13.7 Ncm, RFA mean: 46 and 43 ISQ, in the 20 PCF density with the cortical sheet for TAC and Intra-lock, respectively). In particular, TAC implants also reached the highest RFA values in the lowest-density foam (19 ISQ). In conclusion, the present in vitro study demonstrated that TAC and Intra-lock apical designs and macro-geometries could play a key role in determining the PS and the polyurethane-implant contact in simulated post-extraction conditions in low-density artificial bone.
Rapid Prediction of Leaf Water Content in Eucalypt Leaves Using a Handheld NIRS Instrument
Authors: Johnson Joel B.
Published: April 2023

Leaf water content (LWC) is a crucial physiological parameter that plays a limiting role in the efficiency of photosynthesis and biomass production in many plants. This study investigated the use of diffuse reflectance near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for the rapid prediction of the gravimetric LWC in eucalypt leaves from Eucalyptus and Corymbia genera. The best-performing model for LWC gave a R2pred of 0.85 and RMSEP of 2.32% for an independent test set, indicating that the handheld NIR instrument could predict the LWC with a high level of accuracy. The use of support vector regression gave slightly more accurate results compared with partial least squares regression. Prediction models were also developed for leaf thickness, although these were somewhat less accurate (R2pred of 0.58; RMSEP of 2.7 µm). Nevertheless, the results suggest that handheld NIR instruments may be useful for in-field screening of LWC and leaf thickness in Australian eucalypt species. As an example of its use, the NIR method was applied for rapid analysis of the LWC and leaf thickness of every leaf found on an E. populnea sapling.
Very High Thermotolerance of an Adaptive Evolved Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Cellulosic Ethanol Fermentation
Authors: Zhang Bin , Geberekidan Mesfin , Yan Zhao , Yi Xia , Bao Jie
Published: April 2023

High thermotolerance is an important property of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for stable and efficient bioethanol production, especially for large-scale bioethanol production with weak heat transfer and the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of lignocellulosic biomass at high temperatures (above 40 °C). Despite extensive studies involving metabolic engineering and chemical mutagenesis, the improvement of thermotolerance in S. cerevisiae under harsh thermal stress (42–45 °C) has been limited. A highly thermotolerant strain, S. cerevisiae Z100, by a 91 days’ laboratory adaptive evolution in wheat straw hydrolysate was applied for cellulosic ethanol fermentation. The results showed that the cell survival ratio of S. cerevisiae Z100 at 50 °C improved by 1.2 times that of the parental strain. The improved thermotolerance of S. cerevisiae Z100 at 50 °C was found to contribute significantly to enhanced cellulosic ethanol fermentability. The ethanol production of S. cerevisiae Z100 increased by 35%, 127%, and 64% when using wheat straw as feedstock after being maintained at 50 °C for 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h, respectively. Transcriptome analyses suggested that the enhanced trehalose and glycogen synthesis, as well as carbon metabolism, potentially contributed to the improved thermotolerance and the ethanol fermentability of S. cerevisiae Z100. This study provides evidence that adaptive evolution is an effective method for increasing the thermotolerance of the S. cerevisiae strain for stable and efficient cellulosic ethanol production.
Target-Oriented Data Annotation for Emotion and Sentiment Analysis in Tourism Related Social Media Data
Authors: Alaei Alireza , Wang Ying , Bui Vinh , Stantic Bela
Published: April 2023

Social media have been a valuable data source for studying people’s opinions, intentions, and behaviours. Such a data source incorporating advanced big data analysis methods, such as machine-operated emotion and sentiment analysis, will open unprecedented opportunities for innovative data-driven destination monitoring and management. However, a big challenge any machine-operated text analysis method faces is the ambiguity of the natural languages, which may cause an expression to have different meanings in different contexts. In this work, we address the ambiguity challenge by proposing a context-aware dictionary-based target-oriented emotion and sentiment analysis method that incorporates inputs from both humans and machines to introduce an alternative approach to measuring emotions and sentiment in limited tourism-related data. The study makes a methodological contribution by creating a target dictionary specifically for tourism sentiment analysis. To demonstrate the performance of the proposed method, a case of target-oriented emotion and sentiment analysis of posts from Twitter for the Gold Coast of Australia as a tourist destination was considered. The results suggest that Twitter data cover a broad range of destination attributes and can be a valuable source for comprehensive monitoring of tourist experiences at a destination.
Spatial Dependencies and Neighbour Interactions of Wildfire Patterns in Galician Mountain Areas (NW Spain)
Authors: Barreal Jesús , Jannes Gil
Published: April 2023

Galicia is the Spanish region most affected by wildfires, and these wildfire patterns are the object of intense research. However, within Galicia, the mountain areas have certain socioeconomic and ecological characteristics that differentiate them from the rest of the region and have thus far not received any specific research attention. This paper proposes an analysis of the spatial wildfire patterns in the core Galician mountain systems in terms of the frequency, ratio of affected area, suppression time, and extension. The contiguity relations of these variables were examined in order to establish neighbour interactions and identify local concentrations of wildfire incidences. Furthermore, a spatial econometric model is proposed for these dependent variables in terms of a set of land cover (coniferous, transitional woodland–shrub) and land use (agricultural, industrial), complemented by population density, ecological protection, and common lands. The relevance of these parameters was studied, and it was found amongst other results, that economic value (agricultural and/or industrial) mitigates wildfire risk and impact, whereas ecological protection does not. In terms of land cover, conifers reduce the frequency and affected area of wildfires, whereas transitional land has a mixed effect, mitigating suppression time and extension but increasing the wildfire frequency. Suggestions for policy improvements are given based on these results, with a particular emphasis on the need for coordination of local policies in order to take into account the neighbour dependencies of wildfire risk and impact.
Different Mass Definitions and Their Pluses and Minuses Related to Gravity
Authors: Haug Espen Gaarder
Published: April 2023

The discussion of what matter and mass are has been going on for more than 2500 years. Much has been discovered about mass in various areas, such as relativity theory and modern quantum mechanics. Still, quantum mechanics has not been unified with gravity. This indicates that there is perhaps something essential not understood about mass in relation to gravity. In relation to gravity, several new mass definitions have been suggested in recent years. We will provide here an overview of a series of potential mass definitions and how some of them appear likely preferable for a potential improved understanding of gravity at a quantum level. This also has implications for practical things such as getting gravity predictions with minimal uncertainty.
Using the Carnivorous Sponge Lycopodina hypogea as a Nonclassical Model for Understanding Apoptosis-Mediated Shape Homeostasis at the Organism Level
Authors: Baghdiguian Stephen , Le Goff Emilie , Paradis Laure , Vacelet Jean , Godefroy Nelly
Published: April 2023

The dynamic equilibrium between death and regeneration is well established at the cell level. Conversely, no study has investigated the homeostatic control of shape at the whole organism level through processes involving apoptosis. To address this fundamental biological question, we took advantage of the morphological and functional properties of the carnivorous sponge Lycopodina hypogea. During its feeding cycle, this sponge undergoes spectacular shape changes. Starved animals display many elongated filaments to capture prey. After capture, prey are digested in the absence of any centralized digestive structure. Strikingly, the elongated filaments actively regress and reform to maintain a constant, homeostatically controlled number and size of filaments in resting sponges. This unusual mode of nutrition provides a unique opportunity to better understand the processes involved in cell renewal and regeneration in adult tissues. Throughout these processes, cell proliferation and apoptosis are interconnected key actors. Therefore, L. hypogea is an ideal organism to study how molecular and cellular processes are mechanistically coupled to ensure global shape homeostasis.
Comprehensive Genetic Analysis of Druze Provides Insights into Carrier Screening
Authors: Avnat Eden , Shapira Guy , Shoval Shelly , Israel-Elgali Ifat , Alkelai Anna , Shuldiner Alan R. , Gonzaga-Jauregui Claudia , Zidan Jamal , Maray Taiseer , Shomron Noam , Friedman Eitan
Published: April 2023

Background: Druze individuals, like many genetically homogeneous and isolated populations, harbor recurring pathogenic variants (PV) in autosomal recessive (AR) disorders. Methods: Variant calling of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 40 Druze from the Human Genome Diversity Project (HGDP) was performed (HGDP-cohort). Additionally, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) of 118 Druze individuals: 38 trios and 2 couples, representing geographically distinct clans (WES-cohort). Rates of validated PV were compared with rates in worldwide and Middle Eastern populations, from the gnomAD and dbSNP datasets. Results: Overall, 34 PVs were identified: 30 PVs in genes underlying AR disorders, 3 additional PVs were associated with autosomal dominant (AD) disorders, and 1 PV with X-linked-dominant inherited disorder in the WES cohort. Conclusions: The newly identified PVs associated with AR conditions should be considered for incorporation into prenatal-screening options offered to Druze individuals after an extension and validation of the results in a larger study.
Genome-Wide Identification of the KNOX Gene Family in Japanese Apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) and Functional Characterization of PmKNAT2 Genes
Authors: Bai Yang , Shi Ting , Huang Xiao , Zhou Pengyu , Ouma Kenneth Omondi , Ni Zhaojun , Gao Feng , Tan Wei , Ma Chengdong , Ma Yufan , Gao Zhihong
Published: April 2023

The Knotted1-like Homeobox gene is crucial for plant morphological development and growth. Physicochemical characteristics, phylogenetic relationships, chromosomal localization, cis-acting elements, and tissue-specific expression patterns of the 11 PmKNOX genes found in the Japanese apricot genome in this study were examined. Proteins of 11 PmKNOX were soluble proteins with isoelectric points between 4.29 and 6.53, molecular masses between 15.732 and 44.011 kDa, and amino acid counts between 140 and 430. The identified PmKNOX gene family was split into three subfamilies by jointly constructing the phylogenetic tree of KNOX proteins in Japanese apricot and Arabidopsis thaliana. Combined outcomes of the analyzed conserved motifs and gene structures of the 11 PmKNOX genes from the same subfamily displayed comparable gene structure and motif patterns. The 11 PmKNOX members were distributed across six chromosomes, while two sets of PmKNOX genes were found to be collinear. Analysis of the 2000 bp promoter upstream of the coding region of the PmKNOX gene revealed that most PmKNOX genes might be involved in the physiological metabolism, growth and development processes of plants. The PmKNOX gene expression profile revealed that these genes were expressed at varying levels in different tissues, and most of them were linked to the meristems of leaf and flower buds, suggesting that PmKNOX may be involved in plants’ apical meristems. In Arabidopsis thaliana, functional validation of PmKNAT2a and PmKNAT2b revealed that these two genes might be involved in regulating leaf and stem development. In addition to laying the groundwork for future research on the function of these genes, understanding the evolutionary relationships between members of the PmKNOX gene family provides opportunities for future breeding in Japanese apricots.
Genome-Wide Identification and Gene Expression Analysis of Sweet Cherry Aquaporins (Prunus avium L.) under Abiotic Stresses
Authors: Salvatierra Ariel , Mateluna Patricio , Toro Guillermo , Solís Simón , Pimentel Paula
Published: April 2023

Aquaporins (AQPs) are integral transmembrane proteins well known as channels involved in the mobilization of water, small uncharged molecules and gases. In this work, the main objective was to carry out a comprehensive study of AQP encoding genes in Prunus avium (cv. Mazzard F12/1) on a genome-wide scale and describe their transcriptional behaviors in organs and in response to different abiotic stresses. A total of 28 non-redundant AQP genes were identified in Prunus spp. Genomes, which were phylogenetically grouped into five subfamilies (seven PIPs, eight NIPs, eight TIPs, three SIPs and two XIPs). Bioinformatic analyses revealed a high synteny and remarkable conservation of structural features among orthologs of different Prunus genomes. Several cis-acting regulatory elements (CREs) related to stress regulation were detected (ARE, WRE3, WUN, STRE, LTR, MBS, DRE, AT-rich and TC-rich). The above could be accounting for the expression variations associated with plant organs and, especially, each abiotic stress analyzed. Gene expressions of different PruavAQPs were shown to be preferentially associated with different stresses. PruavXIP2;1 and PruavXIP1;1 were up-regulated in roots at 6 h and 72 h of hypoxia, and in PruavXIP2;1 a slight induction of expression was also detected in leaves. Drought treatment strongly down-regulated PruavTIP4;1 but only in roots. Salt stress exhibited little or no variation in roots, except for PruavNIP4;1 and PruavNIP7;1, which showed remarkable gene repression and induction, respectively. Interestingly, PruavNIP4;1, the AQP most expressed in cherry roots subjected to cold temperatures, also showed this pattern in roots under high salinity. Similarly, PruavNIP4;2 consistently was up-regulated at 72 h of heat and drought treatments. From our evidence is possible to propose candidate genes for the development of molecular markers for selection processes in breeding programs for rootstocks and/or varieties of cherry.
PMIDigest: Interactive Review of Large Collections of PubMed Entries to Distill Relevant Information
Authors: Novoa Jorge , Chagoyen Mónica , Benito Carlos , Moreno F. Javier , Pazos Florencio
Published: April 2023

Scientific knowledge is being accumulated in the biomedical literature at an unprecedented pace. The most widely used database with biomedicine-related article abstracts, PubMed, currently contains more than 36 million entries. Users performing searches in this database for a subject of interest face thousands of entries (articles) that are difficult to process manually. In this work, we present an interactive tool for automatically digesting large sets of PubMed articles: PMIDigest (PubMed IDs digester). The system allows for classification/sorting of articles according to different criteria, including the type of article and different citation-related figures. It also calculates the distribution of MeSH (medical subject headings) terms for categories of interest, providing in a picture of the themes addressed in the set. These MeSH terms are highlighted in the article abstracts in different colors depending on the category. An interactive representation of the interarticle citation network is also presented in order to easily locate article “clusters” related to particular subjects, as well as their corresponding “hub” articles. In addition to PubMed articles, the system can also process a set of Scopus or Web of Science entries. In summary, with this system, the user can have a “bird’s eye view” of a large set of articles and their main thematic tendencies and obtain additional information not evident in a plain list of abstracts.
LionVu: A Data-Driven Geographical Web-GIS Tool for Community Health and Decision-Making in a Catchment Area
Authors: Geyer Nathaniel R. , Lengerich Eugene J.
Published: April 2023

In 2018, the Penn State Cancer Institute developed LionVu, a web mapping tool to educate and inform community health professionals about the cancer burden in Pennsylvania and its catchment area of 28 counties in central Pennsylvania. LionVu, redesigned in 2023, uses several open-source JavaScript libraries (i.e., Leaflet, jQuery, Chroma, Geostats, DataTables, and ApexChart) to allow public health researchers the ability to map, download, and chart 21 publicly available datasets for clinical, educational, and epidemiological audiences. County and census tract data used in choropleth maps were all downloaded from the sources website and linked to Pennsylvania and catchment area county and census tract geographies, using a QGIS plugin and Leaflet JavaScript. Two LionVu demonstrations are presented, and 10 other public health related web-GIS applications are reviewed. LionVu fills a role in the public health community by allowing clinical, educational, and epidemiological audiences the ability to visualize and utilize health data at various levels of aggregation and geographical scales (i.e., county, or census tracts). Also, LionVu is a novel application that can translate and can be used, for mapping and graphing purposes. A dialog to demonstrate the potential value of web-based GIS to a wider audience, in the public health research community, is needed.
Analysis of Physiological and Biochemical Factors Affecting Flower Color of Herbaceous Peony in Different Flowering Periods
Authors: Zhang Dongliang , Xie Anqi , Yang Xiao , Yang Lijin , Shi Yajie , Dong Lingling , Lei Fuling , Sun Limin , Bao Mingyue , Sun Xia
Published: April 2023

Herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) is a famous ornamental plant, and the study of its flower color is of great significance for cultivating new flower varieties. To explore the factors driving the formation and change of herbaceous peony flower color, we selected five herbaceous peony varieties at four flowering stages to determine the change in flower color, petal area, and microstructure. We also examined the composition and content of petal pigments, soluble sugar and soluble protein content, pH value of cell fluid, and water content. Finally, we analyzed the correlations between each factor. We found that Pn3G5G, Pg3G5G, and Cy3G5G were the main anthocyanin components in red and purple petals. Qu3G, Qu7G, Is3G, and lutein play important roles in yellow petal formation. The change in herbaceous peony flower color during the flowering process is directly caused by changes in the anthocyanin and carotenoid content in petals. In addition, changes in other physiological indices also influence the change in flower color. This study explored the physiological and biochemical factors affecting the color of herbaceous peony petals, which has an important practical significance for studying the physiological mechanism of herbaceous peony flower color formation and color breeding of new flowers.
Study of the Use of Permethrin 5% Cream in Galicia (Spain) between 2018 and 2021
Authors: Vázquez-Prieto Severo , Vaamonde Antonio , Paniagua Esperanza
Published: April 2023

Drug utilization studies can provide direct insights into how a drug is used in real-world conditions and can give a rough estimate of the proportion of the study population treated with it. In the present work, we examined the consumption of permethrin 5% cream in the four provinces of Galicia (a Spanish autonomous community) and described the seasonal variability and the annual evolution of its consumption between 2018 and 2021. A descriptive, cross-sectional, and retrospective study of the consumption of this drug, expressed in defined daily dose per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID), was carried out. The results obtained revealed differences between the amounts consumed in the four Galician provinces (p < 0.001). No specific geographical pattern was observed; however, the results suggested a marked seasonality and a slightly increasing global trend in the consumption of permethrin 5% cream throughout the study period. Since the only authorized indication of this drug in the study area is the treatment of scabies, this work may give an idea of the epidemiological situation of the disease in Galicia and serve to establish public health strategies against this parasitosis.
Disentangling the Effects of Mindfulness, Savoring, and Depressive Symptoms among Emerging Adults
Authors: Cheung Rebecca Y. M. , Ng Melody C. Y.
Published: April 2023

The links between mindfulness, savoring positive experiences, and depressive symptoms have been well established in the literature. Nevertheless, little has been done to disentangle the prospective relations among these constructs. Clarifying the longitudinal relations is crucial, as it enables researchers and practitioners to discern potential trajectories of mental health interventions. In this study, 180 emerging adults between 18 and 27 years old were recruited twice at 3 months apart to complete self-reported measures including mindfulness, savoring positive experiences, and depressive symptoms. Cross-lagged path analysis indicated that savoring the moment was predictive of mindfulness three months later, whereas depressive symptoms were predictive of both mindfulness and savoring the moment three months later, above and beyond the effects of age, gender, and family income. Additionally, mindfulness, savoring positive experiences, and depressive symptoms were significantly correlated at baseline. The present study evidenced short-term inverse effects of depressive symptoms on mindfulness and savoring the moment, as well as a positive effect of savoring the moment on mindfulness. Hence, interventions geared towards reducing symptoms of depression are likely to carry concurrent and prospective benefits for psychological functioning, namely the ability to be present in the moment and to savor.
A Qualitative Approach to Explore Perceptions, Opinions and Beliefs of Communities who Experienced Health Disparities towards Chronic Health Conditions
Authors: Matos-Castro Jacob C. , Ramos-Lucca Axel , Rosa-Jiménez Ashley A. , Beauchamp-Lebrón Alessandra M. , Motta-Pagán Jorge L. , Morales-Torres Luisa M. , Castro-Figueroa Eida , Rosario-Maldonado Fernando J. , Vélez-Maldonado David A. , Rodríguez-Torruella Dorimar , Asencio-Toro Gloria , Marzán-Rodríguez Melissa , Jiménez-Chávez Julio
Published: April 2023

The prevalence of chronic medical conditions is associated with biological, behavioral, and social factors. In Puerto Rico (PR), events such as budget cuts to essential services in recent years have contributed to deepening health disparities. This study aimed to explore community perceptions, opinions, and beliefs about chronic health conditions in the southern region of Puerto Rico. Framed by a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach, this qualitative study developed eight focus groups (n = 59) with adults (age of 21 or older) from southern Puerto Rico, in person and remotely, during 2020 and 2021. Eight open-ended questions were used for discussions, which were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed via computer analysis. Content analysis revealed four main dimensions: knowledge, vulnerabilities, barriers, and identified resources. Relevant topics included: concerns about mental health—depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicide; individual vulnerabilities—risk behaviors, and unhealthy habits; economic factors—health access and commercialization of health. Resource identification was also explored, and participants discussed the importance of alliances between public and private sectors. These topics were addressed across all focus groups, with various recommendations. The results highlight the importance of prioritizing identified community needs, evaluating available resources, and promoting tailored-made interventions to reduce risk factors for chronic health conditions.
Binaural Listening with Head Rotation Helps Persons with Blindness Perceive Narrow Obstacles
Authors: Miura Takahiro , Okochi Naoyuki , Suzuki Junya , Ifukube Tohru
Published: April 2023

Orientation and mobility (O&M) are important abilities that people with visual impairments use in their independent performance of daily activities. In orientation, people with total blindness pinpoint nonsounding objects and sounding objects. The ability to perceive nonsounding objects is called obstacle sense, wherein people with blindness recognize the various characteristics of an obstacle using acoustic cues. Although body movement and listening style may enhance the sensing of obstacles, experimental studies on this topic are lacking. Elucidating their contributions to obstacle sense may lead to the further systematization of techniques of O&M training. This study sheds light on the contribution of head rotation and binaural hearing to obstacle sense among people with blindness. We conducted an experiment on the perceived presence and distance of nonsounding obstacles, which varied width and distance, for participants with blindness under the conditions of binaural or monaural hearing, with or without head rotation. The results indicated that head rotation and binaural listening can enhance the localization of nonsounding obstacles. Further, when people with blindness are unable to perform head rotation or use binaural hearing, their judgment can become biased in favor of the presence of an obstacle due to risk avoidance.
OsJRL40, a Jacalin-Related Lectin Gene, Promotes Salt Stress Tolerance in Rice
Authors: Gao Qinmei , Yin Xiaolin , Wang Feng , Hu Shuchang , Liu Weihao , Chen Liangbi , Dai Xiaojun , Liang Manzhong
Published: April 2023

High salinity is a major stress factor affecting the quality and productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Although numerous salt tolerance-related genes have been identified in rice, their molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we report that OsJRL40, a jacalin-related lectin gene, confers remarkable salt tolerance in rice. The loss of function of OsJRL40 increased sensitivity to salt stress in rice, whereas its overexpression enhanced salt tolerance at the seedling stage and during reproductive growth. β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter assays indicated that OsJRL40 is expressed to higher levels in roots and internodes than in other tissues, and subcellular localization analysis revealed that the OsJRL40 protein localizes to the cytoplasm. Further molecular analyses showed that OsJRL40 enhances antioxidant enzyme activities and regulates Na+-K+ homeostasis under salt stress. RNA-seq analysis revealed that OsJRL40 regulates salt tolerance in rice by controlling the expression of genes encoding Na+/K+ transporters, salt-responsive transcription factors, and other salt response-related proteins. Overall, this study provides a scientific basis for an in-depth investigation of the salt tolerance mechanism in rice and could guide the breeding of salt-tolerant rice cultivars.
Theaflavin Ameliorates Streptococcus suis-Induced Infection In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Gao Ting , Tan Yiqing , Wang Yanjun , Yuan Fangyan , Liu Zewen , Yang Keli , Liu Wei , Guo Rui , Li Chang , Tian Yongxiang , Zhou Danna
Published: April 2023

Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is one of the most important zoonotic pathogens that threaten the lives of pigs and humans. Even worse, the increasingly severe antimicrobial resistance in S. suis is becoming a global issue. Therefore, there is an urgent need to discover novel antibacterial alternatives for the treatment of S. suis infection. In this study, we investigated theaflavin (TF1), a benzoaphenone compound extracted from black tea, as a potential phytochemical compound against S. suis. TF1 at MIC showed significant inhibitory effects on S. suis growth, hemolytic activity, and biofilm formation, and caused damage to S. suis cells in vitro. TF1 had no cytotoxicity and decreased adherent activity of S. suis to the epithelial cell Nptr. Furthermore, TF1 not only improved the survival rate of S. suis-infected mice but also reduced the bacterial load and the production of IL-6 and TNF-α. A hemolysis test revealed the direct interaction between TF1 and Sly, while molecular docking showed TF1 had a good binding activity with the Glu198, Lys190, Asp111, and Ser374 of Sly. Moreover, virulence-related genes were downregulated in the TF1-treated group. Collectively, our findings suggested that TF1 can be used as a potential inhibitor for treating S. suis infection in view of its antibacterial and antihemolytic activity.
Detailing Protein-Bound Uremic Toxin Interaction Mechanisms with Human Serum Albumin in the Pursuit of Designing Competitive Binders
Authors: Dehghan Niestanak Vida , Unsworth Larry D.
Published: April 2023

Chronic kidney disease is the gradual progression of kidney dysfunction and involves numerous co-morbidities, one of the leading causes of mortality. One of the primary complications of kidney dysfunction is the accumulation of toxins in the bloodstream, particularly protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs), which have a high affinity for plasma proteins. The buildup of PBUTs in the blood reduces the effectiveness of conventional treatments, such as hemodialysis. Moreover, PBUTs can bind to blood plasma proteins, such as human serum albumin, alter their conformational structure, block binding sites for other valuable endogenous or exogenous substances, and exacerbate the co-existing medical conditions associated with kidney disease. The inadequacy of hemodialysis in clearing PBUTs underscores the significance of researching the binding mechanisms of these toxins with blood proteins, with a critical analysis of the methods used to obtain this information. Here, we gathered the available data on the binding of indoxyl sulfate, p-cresyl sulfate, indole 3-acetic acid, hippuric acid, 3-carboxyl-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furan propanoic acid, and phenylacetic acid to human serum albumin and reviewed the common techniques used to investigate the thermodynamics and structure of the PBUT–albumin interaction. These findings can be critical in investigating molecules that can displace toxins on HSA and improve their clearance by standard dialysis or designing adsorbents with greater affinity for PBUTs than HSA.
Identification of 7-Ketocholesterol-Modulated Pathways and Sterculic Acid Protective Effect in Retinal Pigmented Epithelium Cells by Using Genome-Wide Transcriptomic Analysis
Authors: Pariente Ana , Pérez-Sala Álvaro , Ochoa Rodrigo , Bobadilla Miriam , Villanueva-Martínez Ángela , Peláez Rafael , Larráyoz Ignacio M.
Published: April 2023

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in developed countries. AMD is characterized by the formation of lipidic deposits between the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the choroid called drusen. 7-Ketocholesterol (7KCh), an oxidized-cholesterol derivative, is closely related to AMD as it is one of the main molecules accumulated in drusen. 7KCh induces inflammatory and cytotoxic responses in different cell types, and a better knowledge of the signaling pathways involved in its response would provide a new perspective on the molecular mechanisms that lead to the development of AMD. Furthermore, currently used therapies for AMD are not efficient enough. Sterculic acid (SA) attenuates the 7KCh response in RPE cells and is presented as an alternative to improve these therapies. By using genome-wide transcriptomic analysis in monkey RPE cells, we have provided new insight into 7KCh-induced signaling in RPE cells, as well as the protective capacity of SA. 7KCh modulates the expression of several genes associated with lipid metabolism, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation and cell death and induces a complex response in RPE cells. The addition of SA successfully attenuates the deleterious effect of 7KCh and highlights its potential for the treatment of AMD.
Circulating Interlukin-32 and Altered Blood Pressure Control in Individuals with Metabolic Dysfunction
Authors: Tomasi Melissa , Cherubini Alessandro , Pelusi Serena , Margarita Sara , Bianco Cristiana , Malvestiti Francesco , Miano Lorenzo , Romeo Stefano , Prati Daniele , Valenti Luca
Published: April 2023

Fatty liver disease is most frequently related to metabolic dysfunction (MAFLD) and associated comorbidities, heightening the risk of cardiovascular disease, and is associated with higher hepatic production of IL32, a cytokine linked with lipotoxicity and endothelial activation. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between circulating IL32 concentration and blood pressure control in individuals with metabolic dysfunction at high risk of MAFLD. IL32 plasma levels were measured by ELISA in 948 individuals with metabolic dysfunction enrolled in the Liver-Bible-2021 cohort. Higher circulating IL32 levels were independently associated with systolic blood pressure (estimate +0.008 log10 per 1 mmHg increase, 95% c.i. 0.002–0.015; p = 0.016), and inversely correlated with antihypertensive medications (estimate −0.189, 95% c.i. −0.291–−0.088, p = 0.0002). Through multivariable analysis, IL32 levels predicted both systolic blood pressure (estimate 0.746, 95% c.i 0.173–1.318; p = 0.010) and impaired blood pressure control (OR 1.22, 95% c.i. 1.09–1.38; p = 0.0009) independently of demographic and metabolic confounders and of treatment. This study reveals that circulating IL32 levels are associated with impaired blood pressure control in individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease.
Gene Therapy Based on Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Adipose Tissue for the Treatment of Obesity and Its Metabolic Complications
Authors: Lopez-Yus Marta , García-Sobreviela Maria Pilar , del Moral-Bergos Raquel , Arbones-Mainar Jose M.
Published: April 2023

Obesity is a highly prevalent condition often associated with dysfunctional adipose tissue. Stem cell-based therapies have become a promising tool for therapeutic intervention in the context of regenerative medicine. Among all stem cells, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) are the most easily obtained, have immunomodulatory properties, show great ex vivo expansion capacity and differentiation to other cell types, and release a wide variety of angiogenic factors and bioactive molecules, such as growth factors and adipokines. However, despite the positive results obtained in some pre-clinical studies, the actual clinical efficacy of ADMSCs still remains controversial. Transplanted ADMSCs present a meager rate of survival and proliferation, possibly because of the damaged microenvironment of the affected tissues. Therefore, there is a need for novel approaches to generate more functional ADMSCs with enhanced therapeutic potential. In this context, genetic manipulation has emerged as a promising strategy. In the current review, we aim to summarize several adipose-focused treatments of obesity, including cell therapy and gene therapy. Particular emphasis will be given to the continuum from obesity to metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and underlying non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Furthermore, we will provide insights into the potential shared adipocentric mechanisms involved in these pathophysiological processes and their remediation using ADMSCs.
Preserving Porcine Genetics: A Simple and Effective Method for On-Site Cryopreservation of Ear Tissue Using Direct Cover Vitrification
Authors: Zhang Xia , Liu Xin , Liu Xiao-Li , Wu Dan-Ya , Zhou Kai , Yu Zhi-Sheng , Dou Cheng-Li , Xu Tian , Yu Mei , Miao Yi-Liang
Published: April 2023

Cell cryopreservation is widely used for porcine genetic conservation; however, isolating and freezing primary cells in farms without adequate experimental equipment and environment poses a significant challenge. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a quick and simple method to freeze tissues on-site, which can be used for deriving primary fibroblasts when needed to achieve porcine genetic conservation. In this study, we explored a suitable approach for porcine ear tissue cryopreservation. The porcine ear tissues were cut into strips and frozen by direct cover vitrification (DCV) in the cryoprotectant solution with 15% EG, 15% DMSO and 0.1 M trehalose. Histological analysis and ultrastructural evaluation revealed that thawed tissues had normal tissue structure. More importantly, viable fibroblasts could be derived from these tissues frozen in liquid nitrogen for up to 6 months. Cells derived from thawed tissues did not show any cell apoptosis, had normal karyotypes and could be used for nuclear transfer. These results suggest that this quick and simple ear tissue cryopreservation method can be applied for porcine genetic conservation, especially in the face of a deadly emerging disease in pigs.
Two-Component System Response Regulator ompR Regulates Mussel Settlement through Exopolysaccharides
Authors: Ma Wei , Wang Xiaoyu , Zhang Wen , Hu Xiaomeng , Yang Jin-Long , Liang Xiao
Published: April 2023

The outer membrane protein (OMP) is a kind of biofilm matrix component that widely exists in Gram-negative bacteria. However, the mechanism of OMP involved in the settlement of molluscs is still unclear. In this study, the mussel Mytilus coruscus was selected as a model to explore the function of ompR, a two-component system response regulator, on Pseudoalteromonas marina biofilm-forming capacity and the mussel settlement. The motility of the ΔompR strain was increased, the biofilm-forming capacity was decreased, and the inducing activity of the ΔompR biofilms in plantigrades decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The extracellular α-polysaccharide and β-polysaccharide of the ΔompR strain decreased by 57.27% and 62.63%, respectively. The inactivation of the ompR gene decreased the ompW gene expression and had no impact on envZ expression or c-di-GMP levels. Adding recombinant OmpW protein caused the recovery of biofilm-inducing activities, accompanied by the upregulation of exopolysaccharides. The findings deepen the understanding of the regulatory mechanism of bacterial two-component systems and the settlement of benthic animals.
Polymer Nanomaterials in Biomedicine
Authors: Yoon Hyeonseok
Published: April 2023

Polymer nanomaterials have emerged as a promising class of materials within the field of biomedicine, owing to their unique physical, chemical, and biological properties [...]
Vascular Stem Cells and the Role of B-Raf Kinase in Survival, Proliferation, and Apoptosis
Authors: Goyal Dipali , Limesand Sean W. , Goyal Ravi
Published: April 2023

Neovascularization is an essential process in organismal development and aging. With aging, from fetal to adult life, there is a significant reduction in neovascularization potential. However, the pathways which play a role in increased neovascularization potential during fetal life are unknown. Although several studies proposed the idea of vascular stem cells (VSCs), the identification and essential survival mechanism are still not clear. In the present study, we isolated fetal VSCs from the ovine carotid artery and identified the pathways involved in their survival. We tested the hypothesis that fetal vessels contain a population of VSCs, and that B-Raf kinase is required for their survival. We conducted viability, apoptotic, and cell cycle stage assays on fetal and adult carotid arteries and isolated cells. To determine molecular mechanisms, we conducted RNAseq, PCR, and western blot experiments to characterize them and identify pathways essential for their survival. Results: A stem cell-like population was isolated from fetal carotid arteries grown in serum-free media. The isolated fetal VSCs contained markers for endothelial, smooth muscle, and adventitial cells, and formed a de novo blood vessel ex vivo. A transcriptomic analysis that compared fetal and adult arteries identified pathway enrichment for several kinases, including B-Raf kinase in fetal arteries. Furthermore, we demonstrated that B-Raf- Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3)-Bcl2 is critical for the survival of these cells. Fetal arteries, but not adult arteries, contain VSCs, and B-Raf-STAT3-Bcl2 plays an important role in their survival and proliferation.
Full-Quantum Treatment of Molecular Systems Confirms Novel Supracence Photonic Properties
Authors: Wan Wei , Li Alexander D. Q.
Published: April 2023

Our understanding of molecules has stagnated at a single quantum system, with atoms as Newtonian particles and electrons as quantum particles. Here, however, we reveal that both atoms and electrons in a molecule are quantum particles, and their quantum–quantum interactions create a previously unknown, newfangled molecular property—supracence. Molecular supracence is a phenomenon in which the molecule transfers its potential energy from quantum atoms to photo-excited electrons so that the emitted photon has more energy than that of the absorbed one. Importantly, experiments reveal such quantum energy exchanges are independent of temperature. When quantum fluctuation results in absorbing low-energy photons, yet still emitting high-energy photons, supracence occurs. This report, therefore, reveals novel principles governing molecular supracence via experiments that were rationalized by full quantum (FQ) theory. This advancement in understanding predicts the super-spectral resolution of supracence, and molecular imaging confirms such innovative forecasts using closely emitting rhodamine 123 and rhodamine B in living cell imaging of mitochondria and endosomes.