bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction of ultrasound-responsive urokinase precise controlled-release nanoliposome applied for thrombolysis
Authors: Fan Yongliang , Liu Li , Li Fang , Zhou Hang , Ye Yizhou , Yuan Chunping , Shan Hongli , Zang Wangfu , Luo Yu , Yan Sijing
Published: August 2022

Urokinase is widely used in the dissolution of an acute pulmonary embolism due to its high biocatalytic effect. However, how to precisely regulate its dose, avoid the side effects of hemolysis or ineffective thrombolysis caused by too high or too low a dose, and seize the golden time of acute pulmonary embolism are the key factors for its clinical promotion. Therefore, based on the precise design of a molecular structure, an ultrasonic-responsive nanoliposome capsule was prepared in this paper. Singlet oxygen is continuously generated under the interaction of the ultrasonic cavitation effect and the sonosensitizer protoporphyrin, and the generated singlet oxygen will break the thiol acetone bond between the hydrophilic head and the hydrophobic tail of the liposome, and the lipid The body structure disintegrates rapidly, and the urokinase encapsulated inside is rapidly released, down-regulating the expression of fibrinogen in the body, and exerting a thrombolytic function. The in vitro and in vivo results show that the smart urokinase nanoliposomes prepared by us have sensitive and responsive cytocompatibility to ultrasound and good in vivo thrombolytic properties for acute pulmonary embolism, which provides a new strategy for clinical acute pulmonary embolism thrombolysis.
Transcriptome profiles of high-lysine adaptation reveal insights into osmotic stress response in Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Wang Jian , Yang Jian , Shi Guoxin , Li Weidong , Ju Yun , Wei Liang , Liu Jun , Xu Ning
Published: August 2022

Corynebacterium glutamicum has been widely and effectively used for fermentative production of l-lysine on an industrial scale. However, high-level accumulation of end products inevitably leads to osmotic stress and hinders further increase of l-lysine production. At present, the underlying mechanism by which C. glutamicum cells adapt to high-lysine-induced osmotic stress is still unclear. In this study, we conducted a comparative transcriptomic analysis by RNA-seq to determine gene expression profiles under different high-lysine stress conditions. The results indicated that the increased expression of some metabolic pathways such as sulfur metabolism and specific amino acid biosynthesis might offer favorable benefits for high-lysine adaptation. Functional assays of 18 representative differentially expressed genes showed that the enhanced expression of multiple candidate genes, especially grpE chaperon, conferred high-lysine stress tolerance in C. glutamicum. Moreover, DNA repair component MutT and energy-transducing NADH dehydrogenase Ndh were also found to be important for protecting cells against high-lysine-induced osmotic stress. Taken together, these aforementioned findings provide broader views of transcriptome profiles and promising candidate targets of C. glutamicum for the adaptation of high-lysine stress during fermentation.
Bioengineering of spider silks for the production of biomedical materials
Authors: Bittencourt Daniela Matias de C. , Oliveira Paula , Michalczechen-Lacerda Valquíria Alice , Rosinha Grácia Maria Soares , Jones Justin A. , Rech Elibio L.
Published: August 2022

Spider silks are well known for their extraordinary mechanical properties. This characteristic is a result of the interplay of composition, structure and self-assembly of spider silk proteins (spidroins). Advances in synthetic biology have enabled the design and production of spidroins with the aim of biomimicking the structure-property-function relationships of spider silks. Although in nature only fibers are formed from spidroins, in vitro, scientists can explore non-natural morphologies including nanofibrils, particles, capsules, hydrogels, films or foams. The versatility of spidroins, along with their biocompatible and biodegradable nature, also placed them as leading-edge biological macromolecules for improved drug delivery and various biomedical applications. Accordingly, in this review, we highlight the relationship between the molecular structure of spider silk and its mechanical properties and aims to provide a critical summary of recent progress in research employing recombinantly produced bioengineered spidroins for the production of innovative bio-derived structural materials.
Substrate-inducible and antibiotic-free high-level 4-hydroxyvaleric acid production in engineered Escherichia coli
Authors: Sathesh-Prabu Chandran , Tiwari Rameshwar , Lee Sung Kuk
Published: August 2022

In this study, we developed a levulinic acid (LA)-inducible and antibiotic-free plasmid system mediated by HpdR/PhpdH and infA-complementation to produce 4-hydroxyvaleric acid (4-HV) from LA in an engineered Escherichia coli strain. The system was efficiently induced by the addition of the LA substrate and resulted in tight dose-dependent control and fine-tuning of gene expression. By engineering the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of hpdR mRNA, the gene expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) increased by at least two-fold under the hpdH promoter. Furthermore, by evaluating the robustness and plasmid stability of the proposed system, the engineered strain, IRV750f, expressing the engineered 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (3HBDH∗) and formate dehydrogenase (CbFDH), produced 82 g/L of 4-HV from LA, with a productivity of 3.4 g/L/h and molar conversion of 92% in the fed-batch cultivation (5 L fermenter) without the addition of antibiotics or external inducers. Overall, the reported system was highly beneficial for the large-scale and cost-effective microbial production of value-added products and bulk chemicals from the renewable substrate, LA.
Influence of right coronary artery motion, flow pulsatility and non-Newtonian rheology on wall shear stress metrics
Authors: Kandangwa Pratik , Torii Ryo , Gatehouse Peter D. , Sherwin Spencer J. , Weinberg Peter D.
Published: August 2022

The patchy distribution of atherosclerosis within the arterial system is consistent with a controlling influence of hemodynamic wall shear stress (WSS). Patterns of low, oscillatory and transverse WSS have been invoked to explain the distribution of disease in the aorta. Disease of coronary arteries has greater clinical importance but blood flow in these vessels may be complicated by their movement during the cardiac cycle. Previous studies have shown that time average WSS is little affected by the dynamic geometry, and that oscillatory shear is influenced more. Here we additionally investigate effects on transverse WSS. We also investigate the influence of non-Newtonian blood rheology as it can influence vortical structure, on which transverse WSS depends; Carreau-Yasuda models were used. WSS metrics were derived from numerical simulations of blood flow in a model of a moving right coronary artery which, together with a subject-specific inflow waveform, was obtained by MR imaging of a healthy human subject in a previous study. The results confirmed that time average WSS was little affected by dynamic motion and that oscillatory WSS was more affected. They additionally showed that transverse WSS and its non-dimensional analogue, the Cross Flow Index, were affected still further. This appeared to reflect time-varying vortical structures caused by the changes in curvature. The influence of non-Newtonian rheology was significant with some physiologically realistic parameter values, and hence may be important in certain subjects. Dynamic geometry and non-Newtonian rheology should be incorporated into models designed to produce maps of transverse WSS in coronary arteries.
Novel 3-aminobenzofuran derivatives as multifunctional agents for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Hasanvand Zaman , Motahari Rasoul , Nadri Hamid , Moghimi Setareh , Foroumadi Roham , Ayati Adileh , Akbarzadeh Tahmineh , Bukhari Syed Nasir Abbas , Foroumadi Alireza
Published: August 2022

A novel multifunctional series of 3-aminobenzofuran derivatives 5a-p were designed and synthesized as potent inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). The target compounds 5a-p were prepared via a three-step reaction, starting from 2-hydroxy benzonitrile. In vitro anti-cholinesterase activity exhibited that most of the compounds had potent acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. In particular, compound 5f containing 2-fluorobenzyl moiety showed the best inhibitory activity. Furthermore, this compound showed activity on self- and AChE-induced Aβ-aggregation and MTT assay against PC12 cells. The kinetic study revealed that compound 5f showed mixed-type inhibition on AChE. Based on these results, compound 5f can be considered as a novel multifunctional structural unit against Alzheimer’s disease.
Recent advances on bifunctional catalysts for one-pot conversion of furfural to γ-valerolactone
Authors: Wang Jianhua , Xiang Zhiyan , Huang Zexing , Xu Qiong , Yin Dulin
Published: August 2022

γ-Valerolactone (GVL) is one of the most valuable compounds derived from furfural (FAL), which has been industrially produced from agricultural byproducts like corn cobs. It is extremely challenging to synthesize GVL from FAL efficiently via a one-pot cascade reaction due to the need for multiple active sites in a single pot. By focusing on the aspects of one-pot synthesis of GVL from FAL, the authors aim to shed light on the rational design and utilization of environmentally friendly bifunctional catalysts with high efficiency in this reaction. Perspectives regarding future research opportunities in bi- or multi-functional catalysts for one-pot GVL synthesis are also discussed.
Evolocumab enables rapid LDL-C reduction and inflammatory modulation during in-hospital stage of acute coronary syndrome: A pilot study on Chinese patients
Authors: Ou Ziwei , Yu Zaixin , Liang Benhui , Zhao Lin , Li Jianghua , Pang Xinli , Liu Qiyun , Xu Cong , Dong Shaohong , Sun Xin , Li Tangzhiming
Published: August 2022

Background and aims

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has long been considered a key regulator in lipid metabolism. Its role as a potential player in immune response has recently earned much attention. However, the effects of evolocumab, an approved PCSK9 monoclonal antibody, on lipid reduction and inflammation regulation in Chinese patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during their in-hospital stage after an index event are not well known.

Methods

We conducted a case-crossover pilot study (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/, NCT04730648) involving 31 patients hospitalized for ACS with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level (≥70 mg/dL despite high-intensity statin) and 8 age- and gender-matched patients without coronary heart disease (CHD) as the baseline control. The patients with ACS received one dose of subcutaneous evolocumab (140 mg) on top of 10 mg/day rosuvastatin during hospitalization. Blood samples at baseline and 72 h post-evolocumab administration were collected for lipid and cytokine assessments.

Results

The patients without CHD shared similar risk factors and LDL-C levels with the patients with ACS but exhibited a more activated inflammatory status. After single-dose in-hospital evolocumab, the median LDL-C level of patients with ACS decreased from 109.0 to 41.4 mg/dL as early as 72 h, accompanied with reductions in other atherogenic lipids. Systemic inflammatory pattern was also altered, rendering a decrease in pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Conclusion

In this case-crossover study of the effect of PCSK9 antibody among Chinese patients, evolocumab on top of high-intensity statin during hospitalization led to a remarkable and rapid reduction in atherogenic lipids and an alteration in inflammatory status at early-stage post-ACS.
Variables associated with pulmonary hypertension screened by echocardiography in chronic myeloid leukemia patients on dasatinib therapy
Authors: Jin Wenying , Yang Sen , Yu Chao , Zhu Tiangang , Jiang Qian
Published: August 2022

Background

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a rare but life-threatening adverse event (AE) of dasatinib, but the associated variables are not clear. This study aimed to explore the variables associated with PH by echocardiography in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase (CML-CP) receiving dasatinib therapy.

Methods

Echocardiography was performed to estimate the probability of PH and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP). Binary logistic analysis and Fine–Gray hazard model were used to identify the variables associated with PH by using cross-sectional and longitudinal data.

Results

Among the 243 patients in the cross-sectional dataset, with a median dasatinib therapy duration of 27 months, 30 (12.3%) were classified as having a high probability of PH. Increasing age (OR = 1.7, p = 0.002; OR = 1.5, p = 0.003) and pericardial effusion (OR = 4.3, p = 0.004; OR = 3.2, p = 0.014) were significantly associated with a high probability of PH and PASP ≥ 40 mmHg, respectively. Among the 161 patients in the longitudinal dataset, the 3-year cumulative incidences of a high probability of PH and PASP ≥ 40 mmHg were 9.3% and 22.1%, respectively. Pericardial effusion (HR = 3.8, p = 0.005) and cardiopulmonary comorbidities (HR = 3.2, p = 0.021) were significantly associated with a high probability of PH; increasing age (HR = 1.5, p < 0.001) and dasatinib as ≥ 3rd-line therapy (p = 0.032; 2nd-line vs. 1st-line, HR = 2.0, p = 0.200; ≥ 3rd-line vs. 1st-line, HR = 3.4, p = 0.047) were significantly associated with PASP ≥ 40 mmHg.

Conclusion

Increasing age, pericardial effusion, cardiopulmonary comorbidities, and dasatinib as ≥ 3rd-line TKI therapy were associated with PH in the patients with CML-CP on dasatinib therapy.
Comparing Direct Numerical Modeling Predictions With Field Evidence for Methane Vertical Microseepage in Two Geological Settings
Authors: Costanzo-Álvarez Vincenzo , Mendoza Jorge , Aldana Milagrosa , Jacome Maria , Díaz Marisel , Ramirez Keyla , Amon Cristina H.
Published: August 2022

The footprints of petroleum microseepage can be associated with chemical and microbial processes in initially homogeneous strata and/or with the fluid transport properties of the rocks through which oil and gas migrate. This work examines the role of such driving factors in two contrasting geological settings by comparing numerical modeling predictions for upward methane microseepage with some field evidence for hydrocarbons transport and accumulation. The two case studies are a monitoring borehole (BH8) from a landfill in southern Ontario, Canada, and an oil well (Saltarin 1A) from the Eastern Llanos Basin in Colombia. Profiles of relative methane concentrations versus depth were generated using a time-dependent, one-dimensional, simulation of the advection-diffusion equation applied to multiple strata of soils, and sediments. The model employs the layered sequences of these two geological settings. The results obtained hinge on the standard permeability values for the rock types involved and their corresponding flow velocities and diffusion coefficients. Resistivity logs were utilized as direct proxies of hydrocarbon concentrations. As additional evidence for petroleum microseepage, experiments of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) were carried out in drilling cuts of Saltarin 1A to measure traces of organic matter free radicals concentrations (OMFRC). Extractable organic matter (EOM) and magnetic susceptibility data were also considered in interpreting the EPR results. Qualitative comparisons between modeled methane profiles and their corresponding resistivity logs suggest that microseepage and hydrocarbon accumulations are conditioned by the fluid transport properties of the rocks contained by BH8 and Saltarin 1A. Moreover, in most of the Saltarin 1A sequence, the OMFRC profiles follow the trends displayed by the resistivity and modeled methane logs. Thus, the EPR data also indicates that hydrocarbon microseepage and accumulation are largely controlled by lithology. Conversely, EOM and magnetic susceptibility appear to be evidence for hydrocarbon-mediated near-surface chemical processes.
A mixed-method investigation into international university students’ experience with academic language demands
Authors: Russell Bruce , Barron Christine , Kim Hyunah , Jang Eunice Eunhee
Published: August 2022

Post-secondary education institutions with English as a medium of instruction have prioritized internationalization, and as a result, many universities have been experiencing rapid growth in numbers of international students who speak English as an additional language (EAL). While many EAL students are required to submit language test scores to satisfy university admission criteria, relatively little is known about how EAL students interpret admission criteria in relation to language demands post admission and what their language challenges are. This study, situated at a large Canadian university, integrated student and faculty member focus group data with data obtained from a domain analysis across three programs of study and a reading skills questionnaire. Findings suggest that many students and faculty members tend to misinterpret language test scores required for admission, resulting in surprise and frustration with unexpected level of language demands in their programs. Also, students experience complex and challenging language demands in their program of study, which change over time. Recommendations for increased student awareness of language demands at the pre-admission stage and a more system-wide and discipline-based approach to language support post-admission are discussed.
Perturbation on gut microbiota impedes the onset of obesity in high fat diet-induced mice
Authors: Yu Zhongjia , Yu Xiang-Fang , Kerem Goher , Ren Pei-Gen
Published: August 2022

High-calorie intake has become one of the most common causes of dietary obesity, which eventually develops into type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Microbiota, along with the length of the gastrointestinal tract, is related to metabolic disorders, but its shifts and following impact on metabolic disorders due to external perturbation are still unclear. To evaluate shifts of microbiota from the proximal to the distal intestine and their impact on metabolic disorders, we profiled jejunal and colonic microbiota with the perturbation using high salt (HS) and antibiotic-induced microbiota depletion (AIMD) in diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice and analyzed the association with parameters of both obesity and blood glucose. After ten weeks of feeding DIO mice with HS intake and AIMD, they failed to develop obesity. The DIO mice with HS intake had T2DM symptoms, whereas the AIMD DIO mice showed no significant difference in blood glucose parameters. We observed that the jejunal and colonic microbiota had shifted due to settled perturbation, and jejunal microbiota within a group were more dispersed than colonic microbiota. After further analyzing jejunal microbiota using quantified amplicon sequencing, we found that the absolute abundance of Colidextribacter (R = 0.695, p = 0.001) and Faecalibaculum (R = 0.631, p = 0.005) in the jejunum was positively correlated with the changes in BW and FBG levels. The predicted pathway of glucose and metabolism of other substances significantly changed between groups (p <0.05). We demonstrated that the onset of obesity and T2DM in DIO mice is impeded when the gut microbiota is perturbed; thus, this pathogenesis depends on the gut microbiota.
Insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling in the tumor microenvironment: Carcinogenesis, cancer drug resistance, and therapeutic potential
Authors: Nwabo Kamdje Armel H. , Seke Etet Paul F. , Kipanyula Maulilio J. , Vecchio Lorella , Tagne Simo Richard , Njamnshi Alfred K. , Lukong Kiven E. , Mimche Patrice N.
Published: August 2022

The tumor microenvironment fuels tumorigenesis and induces the development of resistance to anticancer drugs. A growing number of reports support that the tumor microenvironment mediates these deleterious effects partly by overexpressing insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 is known for its role to support cancer progression and metastasis through the promotion of neovascularization in transforming tissues, and the promotion of the proliferation, maintenance and migration of malignant cells. Anti-IGF therapies showed potent anticancer effects and the ability to suppress cancer resistance to various chemotherapy drugs in in vivo and in vitro preclinical studies. However, high toxicity and resistance to these agents are increasingly being reported in clinical trials. We review data supporting the notion that tumor microenvironment mediates tumorigenesis partly through IGF-1 signaling pathway. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of IGF-1 receptor targeting, with special emphasis on the ability of IGF-R silencing to overcome chemotherapy drug resistance, as well as the challenges for clinical use of anti-IGF-1R therapies.
Research progress on exosomes/microRNAs in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Niu Si-ru , Hu Jian-min , Lin Shu , Hong Yu
Published: August 2022

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leakage and obstruction of retinal microvessels caused by chronic progressive diabetes that leads to a series of fundus lesions. If not treated or controlled, it will affect vision and even cause blindness. DR is caused by a variety of factors, and its pathogenesis is complex. Pericyte-related diseases are considered to be an important factor for DR in many pathogeneses, which can lead to DR development through direct or indirect mechanisms, but the specific mechanism remains unclear. Exosomes are small vesicles of 40–100 nm. Most cells can produce exosomes. They mediate intercellular communication by transporting microRNAs (miRNAs), proteins, mRNAs, DNA, or lipids to target cells. In humans, intermittent hypoxia has been reported to alter circulating excretory carriers, increase endothelial cell permeability, and promote dysfunction in vivo. Therefore, we believe that the changes in circulating exocrine secretion caused by hypoxia in DR may be involved in its progress. This article examines the possible roles of miRNAs, proteins, and DNA in DR occurrence and development and discusses their possible mechanisms and therapy. This may help to provide basic proof for the use of exocrine hormones to cure DR.
Association between osteoporosis or osteopenia and taking antiplatelet agents in general US population of NHANES
Authors: Lv Hao , Wang Jiuxiang , Zhu Yujun , Hu Zhimu , Wang Ziwen , Qiao Mingzhu , Jiang Ting
Published: August 2022

Background

Osteoporosis (OP) and osteopenia are common bone disorders in old age, and lots of patients suffering from OP or osteopenia need to take antiplatelet agents to treat basic diseases. However, clinical data on the link between osteopenia or OP and antiplatelet agents are limited.

Methods

Data in this study were collected and screened from the NHANES from 2013 to 2014 and 2017 to 2018. The variables were extracted from interviews and compared between OP or osteopenia participants and normal. The relationship between OP or osteopenia and taking antiplatelet drugs was analyzed by weighted multivariate logistic regression

Results

After excluding individuals who were not eligible and had invalid data, we finally identified 894 participants for inclusion in the study. We found a negative association between OP or osteopenia and taking antiplatelet agents (OR = 0.53; 95% CI, 0.33–0.84; p < 0.05). These results did not change on multiple imputations (OR = 0.32, 95% CI, 0.19–0.56; p <0.01). In the subgroup analyses, the associations were more significant in women (OR = 0.18, 95% CI, 0.05–0.62; p <0.05).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the association between OP or osteopenia and taking antiplatelet agents was significant. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm the result by extending further research.
Numerical study on influence of wind on thermal performance of a solid particle solar receiver
Authors: Li Zhenzhong , Wang Bowen , Xu Liangjin , Wei Jinjia , Bu Shanshan , Chen Deqi
Published: August 2022

The effects of wind speed and wind attacking angle on the thermal performance of a solid particle solar receiver (SPSR) are studied by numerical simulation. In addition, the effect of aerowindow on the efficiency of the solar receiver is also explored. The results show that under different wind speeds and attack angles, wind can differently prevent hot air from flowing out and carry cold air into the solar receiver. These two effects compete with each other, resulting in the complex influence law of wind on receiver efficiency. Generally, the increasing wind speed will eventually lead to a negative effect on the thermal efficiency of the receiver. At the incident radiation aperture, the aerowindow formed by the air nozzle can effectively reduce convection heat loss and significantly improve the receiver efficiency. Under the simulation conditions of the present study, there is an optimal air jet velocity to maximize the protection effect of the aerowindow. The heat receiver efficiency increases from 41.7 to 58.2% when the wind is 2.5 m/s and the wind attacking angle is 135°. In the analysis of the energy balance inside the solar receiver, the proportion of radiation heat loss is about one-third, and it is not affected by the aerowindow. Thus, reducing radiation heat loss is very important for further improving the receiver’s efficiency of SPSR.
Two-Stage Dynamic Alliance Bidding for Incremental Distribution and Retail Companies Based on Complex Network Theory
Authors: Li Peiyue , Wang Zhijie , Jin Jiahui , Li Guibing
Published: August 2022

With the increase in renewable energy penetration, energy deviation settlement penalties are imposed on incremental distribution and retail companies (IDRCs). Most IDRCs are at financial risk. Given this background, a bidding model of the two-stage dynamic alliance is proposed to maximize IDRCs’ profits. In the first stage, potential alliances of IDRCs are established by the gravity model. In the second stage, the bi-level bidding model is modeled in energy and primary frequency regulation markets, where the upper level maximizes alliance profits by considering the cooperation costs and alliance constraints, and the lower level simulates market clearing. Then, the bi-level model is transformed into a mixed-integer linear programming model by the strong duality theory, Karush–Kuhn–Tucker conditions, and large M method. Verified by the complex network theory, results show that a complex alliance network has a high transmission efficiency and capacity to resist risk. Moreover, IDRCs with large capacity and superior location are important in the alliance. In addition, the proposed model increases the satisfaction rate by 20%, which increases IDRCs’ profits and reduces cooperation costs.
The Impact of Fiscal Policy on the Sustainable Development of China’s Photovoltaic Industry
Authors: Tong Xin , You Mingyang , Gu Liangjie
Published: August 2022

This article is to study the progressive impact of China’s fiscal policy on the sustainable development of the photovoltaic industry. On the one hand, the method based on characteristic facts, through the derivation of the evolutionary game theory of the two parties, finds the influence of the central and the local government on the alternate development of China’s photovoltaic industry production enterprises and power generation enterprises due to different policy subjects; on the other hand, from 2013 to 2018, the newly installed capacity of distributed photovoltaics in various provinces in China, through the method of measurement and empirical evidence, found that policy preferences (policy objects, methods, links, timing, and intensity) the effects of alternate development. This study believes that in terms of policy subjects, the central government should be the mainstay of the power generation, while in the production, considering the impact of the new crown epidemic and upstream raw materials, the joint efforts of the central and local governments are needed, and in terms of policy preferences, the Chinese government needs to give greater policy support to distributed photovoltaics in order to achieve carbon peaking in 2030 and carbon neutrality in 2060, which should not be interrupted by policies such as “whole county development” and “building surface photovoltaics.”
Taxonomy and tendencies in sustainable finance: A comprehensive literature analysis
Authors: Rodriguez-Rojas Maria del Pilar , Clemente-Almendros José Antonio , El Zein Samer Ajour , Seguí-Amortegui Luis
Published: August 2022

This study identifies the trends in the literature related to Sustainable Finance by means of an exhaustive literature review and a bibliometric analysis of publications taken from the Web of Science database (WoS). A search in WoS for the associated terms came up with a total of 9294 entries, showing a particularly noticeable growth in scientific production in the aftermath of the Paris Agreement of 2015. The analysis of the bibliometric networks was performed using VOSviewer (VOSviewer is a software tool for constructing and visualizing bibliometric networks), from which the analysis of key words was obtained. Using this analysis five cluster groups were identified, showing the main themes of research: Climate risk and adaptation, Low carbon energy economy or Low carbon economy, Environment, finance and governance, Low carbon emission technologies, Economic model and social cost. Further research is recommended into the themes of Low carbon energy economy and Environment, social and governance, considered key issues in the future.
Assessing the toxicity of polystyrene beads and silica particles on the microconsumer Brachionus calyciflorus at different timescales
Authors: Pawlak Julia , Noetzel Dominique C. , Drago Claudia , Weithoff Guntram
Published: August 2022

Environmental pollution by microplastics has become a severe problem in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and, according to actual prognoses, problems will further increase in the future. Therefore, assessing and quantifying the risk for the biota is crucial. Standardized short-term toxicological procedures as well as methods quantifying potential toxic effects over the whole life span of an animal are required. We studied the effect of the microplastic polystyrene on the survival and reproduction of a common freshwater invertebrate, the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus, at different timescales. We used pristine polystyrene spheres of 1, 3, and 6 µm diameter and fed them to the animals together with food algae in different ratios ranging from 0 to 50% nonfood particles. As a particle control, we used silica to distinguish between a pure particle effect and a plastic effect. After 24 h, no toxic effect was found, neither with polystyrene nor with silica. After 96 h, a toxic effect was detectable for both particle types. The size of the particles played a negligible role. Studying the long-term effect by using life table experiments, we found a reduced reproduction when the animals were fed with 3 µm spheres together with similar-sized food algae. We conclude that the fitness reduction is mainly driven by the dilution of food by the nonfood particles rather than by a direct toxic effect.
Measuring inclusive green total factor productivity from urban level in China
Authors: Guan Yongpan , Wang Huijuan , Guan Rong , Ding Lin
Published: August 2022

Background: Inclusive green development aims to combine economic inclusiveness with greenness, which is an important goal of current economic development for China to achieve common prosperity. Measuring inclusive green total factor productivity (IGTFP) is of great significance for evaluating the quality of inclusive economic growth and accelerating inclusive economic growth.

Method: This study establishes an index evaluation system of IGTFP from four aspects of high quality, efficient, fair, and sustainable development, using super-SBM to measure IGTFP based on panel data of 276 cities in China from 2006 to 2019, and conducts empirical comparative analysis from national central cities, provincial capitals, and ordinary prefecture.

Result: 1) The IGTFP and technical progress rate in the central city and the provincial capital are significantly higher than that of the ordinary prefecture, but there is no significant difference in technical efficiency; the growth rate of IGTFP in the most central city remains around 10%, which is significantly higher in the south than that in the north. 2) According to the index decomposition result, all cities have basically realized the double-line improvement of technological efficiency and technological progress rate, but the technological efficiency is mostly lower than the technological progress rate. 3) From the perspective of economic convergence, only the IGTFP of provincial capitals shows the σ convergence feature, that is, the phenomenon of intra-group convergence; the IGTFP of all cities in three levels shows the β convergence feature, indicating that there is an obvious catch-up phenomenon within the group.

Conclusion: The integration of “technology” and “efficiency” is the main driving force and path to realize the sustainable improvement of IGTFP in cities. Inclusive green growth needs to break “regional boundaries,” including north–south boundaries and urban boundaries.
Gender difference in the chinese middle-aged and elderly of pocket park use: A case study of zongbei park
Authors: Li Yaru , Niu Shaofei , Mou Yanchuan
Published: August 2022

Public parks are critical resources for physical activity (PA). Pocket parks within neighborhoods play an essential role in the elder’ daily life. A deep understanding of pocket park use and park-based PA for older adults supports the better design of outdoor spaces. Gender differences have been confirmed in previous studies. Indeed, it was observed that more males visit parks than females, and males are likely to be vigorously active. However, almost all the studies were conducted in western countries, and none has yet focused on the Chinese elderly. The main objective of this study is to investigate gender differences in park-based PA in the Chinese middle-aged and elderly population. In Zongbei Park (Chengdu, China), video recording is used from 07:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m. to document numbers, gender, age group, and type of activity. Demographic variations of park use patterns and energy expenditure are analyzed. The study findings indicated that most users (92.05%) were middle-aged and elderly. Significant gender variations were found in the number of total and five types of activities (p < 0.01), respectively. Although more old males than females were observed in Zongbei Park, the total METs and mean METs per male were lower than females. A majority (65.66%) of the older adults were seen playing cards/mahjong. It will lead to a significant number of sedentary older adults. As China faces severe healthcare challenges due to the problem of aging, it becomes essential to construct age-friendly design pocket parks. More attention should be paid to address the park-based PA gender gap.
Evolved high aerobic capacity has context-specific effects on gut microbiota
Authors: Hanhimäki Elina , Watts Phillip C. , Koskela Esa , Koteja Paweł , Mappes Tapio , Hämäläinen Anni M.
Published: August 2022

Gut microbiota is expected to coevolve with the host's physiology and may play a role in adjusting the host's energy metabolism to suit the host's environment. To evaluate the effects of both evolved host metabolism and the environmental context in shaping the gut microbiota, we used a unique combination of (1) experimental evolution to create selection lines for a fast metabolism and (2) a laboratory-to-field translocation study. Mature bank voles Myodes glareolus from lines selected for high aerobic capacity (A lines) and from unselected control (C lines) were released into large (0.2 ha) outdoor enclosures for longitudinal monitoring. To examine whether the natural environment elicited a similar or more pronounced impact on the gut microbiota of the next generation, we also sampled the field-reared offspring. The gut microbiota were characterized using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of fecal samples. The artificial selection for fast metabolism had minimal impact on the gut microbiota in laboratory conditions but in field conditions, there were differences between the selection lines (A lines vs. C lines) in the diversity, community, and resilience of the gut microbiota. Notably, the selection lines differed in the less abundant bacteria throughout the experiment. The lab-to-field transition resulted in an increase in alpha diversity and an altered community composition in the gut microbiota, characterized by a significant increase in the relative abundance of Actinobacteria and a decrease of Patescibacteria. Also, the selection lines showed different temporal patterns in changes in microbiota composition, as the average gut microbiota alpha diversity of the C lines, but not A lines, was temporarily reduced during the initial transition to the field. In surviving young voles, the alpha diversity of gut microbiota was significantly higher in A-line than C-line voles. These results indicate that the association of host metabolism and gut microbiota is context-specific, likely mediated by behavioral or physiological modifications in response to the environment.
Conceptualizing an individual full-trip tradable credit scheme for multi-modal demand and supply management: The MobilityCoin System
Authors: Servatius Philipp , Hamm Lisa , Loder Allister , Bogenberger Klaus
Published: August 2022

Economic instruments are considered promising to achieve the urgently needed reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. In this context, tradable credit schemes have received more and more attention in recent years. These cap-and-trade systems have the primary goal of limiting congestion, but they can also incorporate emission reduction goals. In this paper, we present the conceptual extension of a tradable credit scheme from a congestion and emission-oriented to a holistic, full-trip, multi-modal mobility traffic management system. In addition to the demand it also includes the management of the supply side. The integration of all existing modes into one holistic scheme ensures that the overall system goals are reached as all behavioral responses remain within the system boundaries. The system comprises two key innovations. First, a central agency has the possibility to provide full-trip incentives across modes to support the overall system’s goal. Second, users of the system can spend parts of their allocated mobility budget for transport infrastructure upgrades as an addition to paying for mobility or monetizing it on the market. Those innovations are a distinct extension to the idea of tradable credits. Commonly used smartphones would serve as the enabling technology of the proposed system. They offer all technical requirements and almost every citizen has access to one. Smartphones are affordable compared to dedicated traffic management infrastructure and they are flexible to accommodate system changes, e.g., new modes, through software updates. Besides the potential technical implementation, overall design questions, social aspects as well as general implications of the concept are covered.
Establish immune-related gene prognostic index for esophageal cancer
Authors: Guo Caiyu , Zeng Fanye , Liu Hui , Wang Jianlin , Huang Xue , Luo Judong
Published: August 2022

Background:Esophageal cancer is a tumor type with high invasiveness and low prognosis. As immunotherapy has been shown to improve the prognosis of esophageal cancer patients, we were interested in the establishment of an immune-associated gene prognostic index to effectively predict the prognosis of patients. Methods: To establish the immune-related gene prognostic index of esophageal cancer (EC), we screened 363 upregulated and 83 downregulated immune-related genes that were differentially expressed in EC compared to normal tissues. By multivariate Cox regression and weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), we built a prognostic model based on eight immune-related genes (IRGs). We confirmed the prognostic model in both TCGA and GEO cohorts and found that the low-risk group had better overall survival than the high-risk group. Results: In this study, we identified 363 upregulated IRGs and 83 downregulated IRGs. Next, we found a prognostic model that was constructed with eight IRGs (OSM, CEACAM8, HSPA6, HSP90AB1, PCSK2, PLXNA1, TRIB2, and HMGB3) by multivariate Cox regression analysis and WGCNA. According to the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis results, the model we constructed can predict the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer. This result can be verified by the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Patients were divided into two groups with different outcomes. IRGPI-low patients had better overall survival than IRGPI-high patients.

Conclusion:Our findings indicated the potential value of the IRGPI risk model for predicting the prognosis of EC patients.
Protective antigenic epitopes revealed by immunosignatures after three doses of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine
Authors: Peng Mian , Dou Xiaowen , Zhang Xiuming , Yan Mingchen , Xiong Dan , Jiang Ruiwei , Ou Tong , Tang Aifa , Yu Xiqiu , Zhu Feiqi , Li Weiqin
Published: August 2022

Background

SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) has infected millions of people around the world. Vaccination is a pillar in the strategy to control transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 spread. Immune responses to vaccination require elucidation.

Methods

The immune responses to vaccination with three doses of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine were followed in a cohort of 37 healthy adults (18–59 years old). Blood samples were collected at multiple time points and submitted to peptide array, machine learning modeling, and sequence alignment analyses, the results of which were used to generate vaccine-induced antibody-binding region (VIABR) immunosignatures (Registration number: ChiCTR2200058571).

Results

Antibody spectrum signals showed vaccination stimulated antibody production. Sequence alignment analyses revealed that a third vaccine dose generated a new highly represented VIABR near the A570D mutation, and the whole process of inoculation enhanced the VIABR near the N501Y mutation. In addition, the antigen conformational epitopes varied between short- and long-term samples. The amino acids with the highest scores in the short-term samples were distributed primarily in the receptor binding domain (RBD) and N-terminal domain regions of spike (S) protein, while in the long-term samples (12 weeks after the 2nd dose), some new conformational epitopes (CEs) were localized to crevices within the head of the S protein trimer.

Conclusion

Protective antigenic epitopes were revealed by immunosignatures after three doses of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine inoculation. A third dose results in a new top-10 VIABR near the A570D mutation site of S protein, and the whole process of inoculation enhanced the VIABR near the N501Y mutation, thus potentially providing protection from strains that have gained invasion and immune escape abilities through these mutation.
Erythropoietin mediates re-programming of endotoxin-tolerant macrophages through PI3K/AKT signaling and protects mice against secondary infection
Authors: Zhang Xue , He Dan , Jia Jialin , Liang Feihong , Mei Jie , Li Wenhua , Liu Tingting , Wang Zhiyu , Liu Yu , Zhang Fengxue , Zhang Zhiren , Luo Bangwei
Published: August 2022

Initial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure leads to a hypo-responsive state by macrophages to a secondary stimulation of LPS, known as endotoxin tolerance. However, recent findings show that functions of endotoxin-tolerant macrophages are not completely suppressed, whereas they undergo a functional re-programming process with upregulation of a panel of molecules leading to enhanced protective functions including antimicrobial and tissue-remodeling activities. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still elusive. Erythropoietin (EPO), a glycoprotein regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), exerts anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective activities. Nevertheless, the potential effects of EPO on functional re-programming of endotoxin-tolerant macrophages have not been investigated yet. Here, we found that initial LPS exposure led to upregulation of HIF-1α/EPO in macrophages and that EPO enhanced tolerance in tolerized macrophages and mice as demonstrated by suppressed proinflammatory genes such as Il1b, Il6, and Tnfa after secondary LPS stimulation. Moreover, we showed that EPO improved host protective genes in endotoxin-tolerant macrophages and mice, such as the anti-bacterial genes coding for cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide (Cnlp) and macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (Marco), and the tissue-repairing gene vascular endothelial growth factor C (Vegfc). Therefore, our findings indicate that EPO mediates the functional re-programming of endotoxin-tolerant macrophages. Mechanistically, we found that PI3K/AKT signaling contributed to EPO-mediated re-programming through upregulation of Irak3 and Wdr5 expression. Specifically, IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 3 (IRAK3) was responsible for inhibiting proinflammatory genes Il1b, Il6, and Tnfa in tolerized macrophages after LPS rechallenge, whereas WDR5 contributed to the upregulation of host beneficial genes including Cnlp, Marco, and Vegfc. In a septic model of mice, EPO pretreatment significantly promoted endotoxin-tolerant re-programming, alleviated lung injury, enhanced bacterial clearance, and decreased mortality in LPS-tolerized mice after secondary infection of Escherichia coli. Collectively, our results reveal a novel role for EPO in mediating functional re-programming of endotoxin-tolerant macrophages; thus, targeting EPO appears to be a new therapeutic option in sepsis and other inflammatory disorders.