bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insect Herbivory Caused Plant Stress Emissions Increases the Negative Radiative Forcing of Aerosols
Authors: Holopainen E. , Kokkola H. , Faiola C. , Laakso A. , Kühn T.
Published: June 2022

Plant stress in a changing climate is predicted to increase plant volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and thus can affect the formed secondary organic aerosol (SOA) concentrations, which in turn affect the radiative properties of clouds and aerosol. However, global aerosol‐climate models do not usually consider plant stress induced VOCs in their emission schemes. In this study, we modified the monoterpene emission factors in biogenic emission model to simulate biotic stress caused by insect herbivory on needleleaf evergreen boreal and broadleaf deciduous boreal trees and studied the consequent effects on SOA formation, aerosol‐cloud interactions as well as direct radiative effects of formed SOA. Simulations were done altering the fraction of stressed and healthy trees in the latest version of ECHAM‐HAMMOZ (ECHAM6.3‐HAM2.3‐MOZ1.0) global aerosol‐climate model. Our simulations showed that increasing the extent of stress to the aforementioned tree types, substantially increased the SOA burden especially over the areas where these trees are located. This indicates that increased VOC emissions due to increasing stress enhance the SOA formation via oxidation of VOCs to low VOCs. In addition, cloud droplet number concentration at the cloud top increased with increasing extent of biotic stress. This indicates that as SOA formation increases, it further enhances the number of particles acting as cloud condensation nuclei. The increase in SOA formation also decreased both all‐sky and clear‐sky radiative forcing. This was due to a shift in particle size distributions that enhanced aerosol reflecting and scattering of incoming solar radiation.
Sex differences in plasma p-tau181 associations with Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers, cognitive decline, and clinical progression
Authors: Tsiknia Amaryllis A. , Edland Steven D. , Sundermann Erin E. , Reas Emilie T. , Brewer James B. , Galasko Douglas , Banks Sarah J. ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: June 2022

Studies have shown that women on the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) continuum have more pathological tau in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), than men. Some studies have found that higher levels of tau biomarkers are more strongly associated with clinical AD, cognitive decline and neurodegeneration in women than in men. Despite major developments in the use of plasma tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 (p-tau181) as an AD biomarker, it is unknown whether these sex differences apply to plasma p-tau181. In 1060 Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) participants (47% women, 73.8 ± 7.6 years old), we examined sex differences in plasma p-tau181 levels and their association with other biomarkers, cognitive decline and incident AD. Linear regressions tested for an effect of sex on plasma p-tau181 levels and for plasma p-tau181 × sex interactions on CSF p-tau181, as well as entorhinal cortex tau, cortical amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition, and brain glucose metabolism, quantified using PET imaging. Linear mixed effects models tested for a sex × baseline plasma p-tau181 interaction on change in cognition over time. Finally, Cox models tested for a sex × plasma p-tau181 interaction on the risk of AD dementia in participants who were free of dementia at baseline. Despite similar plasma p-tau181 levels between sexes, women had lower brain glucose metabolism, greater brain Aβ and entorhinal cortex tau deposition, higher CSF p-tau181 and faster cognitive decline in relation to higher baseline plasma p-tau181 levels compared with men. Among Aβ positive, dementia-free participants, women had higher rates of incident AD dementia associated with increasing baseline plasma p-tau181 levels, relative to men. Our results suggest that sex may impact the clinical interpretation of plasma p-tau181 concentrations. If replicated, these findings could have important implications for the use of plasma p-tau181 as an accessible AD biomarker and screening tool for preventive and therapeutic clinical trials.
Functional screening reveals HORMAD1-driven gene dependencies associated with translesion synthesis and replication stress tolerance
Authors: Tarantino Dalia , Walker Callum , Weekes Daniel , Pemberton Helen , Davidson Kathryn , Torga Gonzalo , Frankum Jessica , Mendes-Pereira Ana M. , Prince Cynthia , Ferro Riccardo , Brough Rachel , Pettitt Stephen J. , Lord Christopher J. , Grigoriadis Anita , NJ Tutt Andrew
Published: June 2022

HORMAD1 expression is usually restricted to germline cells, but it becomes mis-expressed in epithelial cells in ~60% of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs), where it is associated with elevated genomic instability (1). HORMAD1 expression in TNBC is bimodal with HORMAD1-positive TNBC representing a biologically distinct disease group. Identification of HORMAD1-driven genetic dependencies may uncover novel therapies for this disease group. To study HORMAD1-driven genetic dependencies, we generated a SUM159 cell line model with doxycycline-inducible HORMAD1 that replicated genomic instability phenotypes seen in HORMAD1-positive TNBC (1). Using small interfering RNA screens, we identified candidate genes whose depletion selectively inhibited the cellular growth of HORMAD1-expressing cells. We validated five genes (ATR, BRIP1, POLH, TDP1 and XRCC1), depletion of which led to reduced cellular growth or clonogenic survival in cells expressing HORMAD1. In addition to the translesion synthesis (TLS) polymerase POLH, we identified a HORMAD1-driven dependency upon additional TLS polymerases, namely POLK, REV1, REV3L and REV7. Our data confirms that out-of-context somatic expression of HORMAD1 can lead to genomic instability and reveals that HORMAD1 expression induces dependencies upon replication stress tolerance pathways, such as translesion synthesis. Our data also suggest that HORMAD1 expression could be a patient selection biomarker for agents targeting replication stress.
Priority effects shape the structure of infant-typeBifidobacteriumcommunities on human milk oligosaccharides
Authors: Ojima Miriam N , Jiang Lin , Arzamasov Aleksandr A , Yoshida Keisuke , Odamaki Toshitaka , Xiao Jinzhong , Nakajima Aruto , Kitaoka Motomitsu , Hirose Junko , Urashima Tadasu , Katoh Toshihiko , Gotoh Aina , van Sinderen Douwe , Rodionov Dmitry A , Osterman Andrei L , Sakanaka Mikiyasu , Katayama Takane
Published: June 2022

Bifidobacteria are among the first colonizers of the infant gut, and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in breastmilk are instrumental for the formation of a bifidobacteria-rich microbiota. However, little is known about the assembly of bifidobacterial communities. Here, by applying assembly theory to a community of four representative infant-gut associated Bifidobacterium species that employ varied strategies for HMO consumption, we show that arrival order and sugar consumption phenotypes significantly affected community formation. Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis, two avid HMO consumers, dominate through inhibitory priority effects. On the other hand, Bifidobacterium breve, a species with limited HMO-utilization ability, can benefit from facilitative priority effects and dominates by utilizing fucose, an HMO degradant not utilized by the other bifidobacterial species. Analysis of publicly available breastfed infant faecal metagenome data showed that the observed trends for B. breve were consistent with our in vitro data, suggesting that priority effects may have contributed to its dominance. Our study highlights the importance and history dependency of initial community assembly and its implications for the maturation trajectory of the infant gut microbiota.
Gaps and opportunities in the treatment of relapsed-refractory multiple myeloma: Consensus recommendations of the NCI Multiple Myeloma Steering Committee
Authors: Kumar Shaji , Baizer Lawrence , Callander Natalie S. , Giralt Sergio A. , Hillengass Jens , Freidlin Boris , Hoering Antje , Richardson Paul G. , Schwartz Elena I. , Reiman Anthony , Lentzsch Suzanne , McCarthy Philip L. , Jagannath Sundar , Yee Andrew J. , Little Richard F. , Raje Noopur S.
Published: June 2022

A wide variety of new therapeutic options for Multiple Myeloma (MM) have recently become available, extending progression-free and overall survival for patients in meaningful ways. However, these treatments are not curative, and patients eventually relapse, necessitating decisions on the appropriate choice of treatment(s) for the next phase of the disease. Additionally, an important subset of MM patients will prove to be refractory to the majority of the available treatments, requiring selection of effective therapies from the remaining options. Immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs), proteasome inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and alkylating agents are the major classes of MM therapies, with several options in each class. Patients who are refractory to one agent in a class may be responsive to a related compound or to a drug from a different class. However, rules for selection of alternative treatments in these situations are somewhat empirical and later phase clinical trials to inform those choices are ongoing. To address these issues the NCI Multiple Myeloma Steering Committee formed a relapsed/refractory working group to review optimal treatment choices, timing, and sequencing and provide recommendations. Additional issues considered include the role of salvage autologous stem cell transplantation, risk stratification, targeted approaches for genetic subsets of MM, appropriate clinical trial endpoints, and promising investigational agents. This report summarizes the deliberations of the working group and suggests potential avenues of research to improve the precision, timing, and durability of treatments for Myeloma.
A very-hot food and beverage thermal exposure index and esophageal cancer risk in Malawi and Tanzania: findings from the ESCCAPE case–control studies
Authors: Masukume Gwinyai , Mmbaga Blandina T. , Dzamalala Charles P. , Mlombe Yohannie B. , Finch Peter , Nyakunga-Maro Gissela , Mremi Alex , Middleton Daniel R. S. , Narh Clement T. , Chasimpha Steady J. D. , Abedi-Ardekani Behnoush , Menya Diana , Schüz Joachim , McCormack Valerie
Published: June 2022

Background

Consumption of very-hot beverages/food is a probable carcinogen. In East Africa, we investigated esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) risk in relation to four thermal exposure metrics separately and in a combined score.

Methods

From the ESCCAPE case–control studies in Blantyre, Malawi (2017-20) and Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (2015-19), we used logistic regression models adjusted for country, age, sex, alcohol and tobacco, to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for self-reported thermal exposures whilst consuming tea, coffee and/or porridge.

Results

The study included 849 cases and 906 controls. All metrics were positively associated with ESCC: temperature of drink/food (OR 1.92 (95% CI: 1.50, 2.46) for ‘very hot’ vs ‘hot’), waiting time before drinking/eating (1.76 (1.37, 2.26) for <2 vs 2–5 minutes), consumption speed (2.23 (1.78, 2.79) for ‘normal’ vs ‘slow’) and mouth burning (1.90 (1.19, 3.01) for ≥6 burns per month vs none). Amongst consumers, the composite score ranged from 1 to 12, and ESCC risk increased with higher scores, reaching an OR of 4.6 (2.1, 10.0) for scores of ≥9 vs 3.

Conclusions

Thermal exposure metrics were strongly associated with ESCC risk. Avoidance of very-hot food/beverage consumption may contribute to the prevention of ESCC in East Africa.
Two-band optical gain and ultrabright electroluminescence from colloidal quantum dots at 1000 A cm−2
Authors: Jung Heeyoung , Park Young-Shin , Ahn Namyoung , Lim Jaehoon , Fedin Igor , Livache Clément , Klimov Victor I.
Published: June 2022

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are attractive materials for the realization of solution-processable laser diodes. Primary challenges towards this objective are fast optical-gain relaxation due to nonradiative Auger recombination and poor stability of colloidal QD solids under high current densities required to obtain optical gain. Here we resolve these challenges and achieve broad-band optical gain spanning the band-edge (1S) and the higher-energy (1P) transitions. This demonstration is enabled by continuously graded QDs with strongly suppressed Auger recombination and a current-focusing device design, combined with short-pulse pumping. Using this approach, we achieve ultra-high current densities (~1000 A cm−2) and brightness (~10 million cd m−2), and demonstrate an unusual two-band electroluminescence regime for which the 1P band is more intense than the 1S feature. This implies the realization of extremely large QD occupancies of up to ~8 excitons per-dot, which corresponds to complete filling of the 1S and 1P electron shells.
Inactivation of the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway promotes melanoma
Authors: Vittoria Marc A. , Kingston Nathan , Kotynkova Kristyna , Xia Eric , Hong Rui , Huang Lee , McDonald Shayna , Tilston-Lunel Andrew , Darp Revati , Campbell Joshua D. , Lang Deborah , Xu Xiaowei , Ceol Craig J. , Varelas Xaralabos , Ganem Neil J.
Published: June 2022

Melanoma is commonly driven by activating mutations in the MAP kinase BRAF; however, oncogenic BRAF alone is insufficient to promote melanomagenesis. Instead, its expression induces a transient proliferative burst that ultimately ceases with the development of benign nevi comprised of growth-arrested melanocytes. The tumor suppressive mechanisms that restrain nevus melanocyte proliferation remain poorly understood. Here we utilize cell and murine models to demonstrate that oncogenic BRAF leads to activation of the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway, both in melanocytes in vitro and nevus melanocytes in vivo. Mechanistically, we show that oncogenic BRAF promotes both ERK-dependent alterations in the actin cytoskeleton and whole-genome doubling events, which independently reduce RhoA activity to promote Hippo activation. We also demonstrate that functional impairment of the Hippo pathway enables oncogenic BRAF-expressing melanocytes to bypass nevus formation and rapidly form melanomas. Our data reveal that the Hippo pathway enforces the stable arrest of nevus melanocytes and represents a critical barrier to melanoma development.
Investigating water/oil interfaces with opto-thermophoresis
Authors: Kim Youngsun , Ding Hongru , Zheng Yuebing
Published: June 2022

Charging of interfaces between water and hydrophobic media is a mysterious feature whose nature and origin have been under debate. Here, we investigate the fundamentals of the interfacial behaviors of water by employing opto-thermophoretic tweezers to study temperature-gradient-induced perturbation of dipole arrangement at water/oil interfaces. With surfactant-free perfluoropentane-in-water emulsions as a model interface, additional polar organic solvents are introduced to systematically modify the structural aspects of the interface. Through our experimental measurements on the thermophoretic behaviors of oil droplets under a light-generated temperature gradient, in combination with theoretical analysis, we propose that water molecules and mobile negative charges are present at the water/oil interfaces with specific dipole arrangement to hydrate oil droplets, and that this arrangement is highly susceptible to the thermal perturbation due to the mobility of the negative charges. These findings suggest a potential of opto-thermophoresis in probing aqueous interfaces and could enrich understanding of the interfacial behaviors of water.
Structure of the Dicer-2–R2D2 heterodimer bound to a small RNA duplex
Authors: Yamaguchi Sonomi , Naganuma Masahiro , Nishizawa Tomohiro , Kusakizako Tsukasa , Tomari Yukihide , Nishimasu Hiroshi , Nureki Osamu
Published: June 2022

In flies, Argonaute2 (Ago2) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) form an RNA-induced silencing complex to repress viral transcripts1. The RNase III enzyme Dicer-2 associates with its partner protein R2D2 and cleaves long double-stranded RNAs to produce 21-nucleotide siRNA duplexes, which are then loaded into Ago2 in a defined orientation2–5. Here we report cryo-electron microscopy structures of the Dicer-2–R2D2 and Dicer-2–R2D2–siRNA complexes. R2D2 interacts with the helicase domain and the central linker of Dicer-2 to inhibit the promiscuous processing of microRNA precursors by Dicer-2. Notably, our structure represents the strand-selection state in the siRNA-loading process, and reveals that R2D2 asymmetrically recognizes the end of the siRNA duplex with the higher base-pairing stability, and the other end is exposed to the solvent and is accessible by Ago2. Our findings explain how R2D2 senses the thermodynamic asymmetry of the siRNA and facilitates the siRNA loading into Ago2 in a defined orientation, thereby determining which strand of the siRNA duplex is used by Ago2 as the guide strand for target silencing.
Long-term observation of the egg and chick size in the nests of Larus ichthyaetus in Lake Chany, Russia
Authors: Yurlov Alexander K. , Yurlova Natalia I. , Garyushkina Maria Yu. , Selivanova Marina A. , Doi Hideyuki
Published: June 2022

This data set describes the long-term observation and morphological study of the eggs of the great black-headed gull Larus ichthyaetus in the gull nesting colonies on the islands of Lake Chany. Lake Chany is located in the Baraba forest-steppe of the West Siberian Plain, Russia, between the Ob and Irtish rivers. Lake Chany is protected by the Ramsar Convention on the Wetlands of International Importance, indicating that the lake is an important site for migratory birds, including L. ichthyaetus. This dataset contains the size and fate of all eggs, as well as the size of hatched chicks in 1164 observed L. ichthyaetus nests from 1993 to 2003.
Confined acoustic line modes within a glide-symmetric waveguide
Authors: Moore Daniel B. , Ward Gareth P. , Smith John D. , Hibbins Alastair P. , Sambles J. Roy , Starkey Timothy A.
Published: June 2022

Confined coupled acoustic line-modes supported by two parallel lines of periodic holes on opposite surfaces of a glide-symmetric waveguide have a hybrid character combining symmetric and anti-symmetric properties. These hybrid coupled acoustic line-modes have a near constant group velocity over a broad frequency range as no band gap is formed at the first Brillouin zone boundary. We show that the hybrid character of these confined modes is tuneable as a function of the spacing between the two surfaces. Further we explore how the band-gap reappears as the glide symmetry is broken.
Spatial patterns and climate drivers of malaria in three border areas of Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana, 2016–2018
Authors: Wangdi Kinley , Wetzler Erica , Cox Horace , Marchesini Paola , Villegas Leopoldo , Canavati Sara
Published: June 2022

In 2020, 77% of malaria cases in the Americas were concentrated in Venezuela, Brazil, and Colombia. These countries are characterized by a heterogeneous malaria landscape and malaria hotspots. Furthermore, the political unrest in Venezuela has led to significant cross-border population movement. Hence, the aim of this study was to describe spatial patterns and identify significant climatic drivers of malaria transmission along the Venezuela-Brazil-Guyana border, focusing on Bolivar state, Venezuela and Roraima state, Brazil. Malaria case data, stratified by species from 2016 to 2018, were obtained from the Brazilian Malaria Epidemiology Surveillance Information System, the Guyana Vector Borne Diseases Program, the Venezuelan Ministry of Health, and civil society organizations. Spatial autocorrelation in malaria incidence was explored using Getis-Ord (Gi*) statistics. A Poisson regression model was developed with a conditional autoregressive prior structure and posterior parameters were estimated using the Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation with Gibbs sampling. There were 685,498 malaria cases during the study period.Plasmodium vivaxwas the predominant species (71.7%, 490,861). Malaria hotspots were located in eight municipalities along the Venezuela and Guyana international borders with Brazil.Plasmodium falciparumincreased by 2.6% (95% credible interval [CrI] 2.1%, 2.8%) for one meter increase in altitude, decreased by 1.6% (95% CrI 1.5%, 2.3%) and 0.9% (95% CrI 0.7%, 2.4%) per 1 cm increase in 6-month lagged precipitation and each 1 °C increase of minimum temperature without lag. Each 1 °C increase of 1-month lagged maximum temperature increasedP. falciparumby 0.6% (95% CrI 0.4%, 1.9%).P. vivaxcases increased by 1.5% (95% CrI 1.3%, 1.6%) for one meter increase in altitude and decreased by  1.1% (95% CrI 1.0%, 1.2%) and 7.3% (95% CrI 6.7%, 9.7%) for each 1 cm increase of precipitation lagged at 6-months and 1 °C increase in minimum temperature lagged at 6-months. Each 1°C increase of two-month lagged maximum temperature increasedP. vivaxby 1.5% (95% CrI 0.6%, 7.1%). There was no significant residual spatial clustering after accounting for climatic covariates. Malaria hotspots were located along the Venezuela and Guyana international border with Roraima state, Brazil. In addition to population movement, climatic variables were important drivers of malaria transmission in these areas.
Quantitative systems pharmacology modeling sheds light into the dose response relationship of a trispecific T cell engager in multiple myeloma
Authors: Abrams R. E. , Pierre K. , El-Murr N. , Seung E. , Wu L. , Luna E. , Mehta R. , Li J. , Larabi K. , Ahmed M. , Pelekanou V. , Yang Z.-Y. , van de Velde H. , Stamatelos S. K.
Published: June 2022

In relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), there are few treatment options once patients progress from the established standard of care. Several bispecific T-cell engagers (TCE) are in clinical development for multiple myeloma (MM), designed to promote T-cell activation and tumor killing by binding a T-cell receptor and a myeloma target. In this study we employ both computational and experimental tools to investigate how a novel trispecific TCE improves activation, proliferation, and cytolytic activity of T-cells against MM cells. In addition to binding CD3 on T-cells and CD38 on tumor cells, the trispecific binds CD28, which serves as both co-stimulation for T-cell activation and an additional tumor target. We have established a robust rule-based quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) model trained against T-cell activation, cytotoxicity, and cytokine data, and used it to gain insight into the complex dose response of this drug. We predict that CD3-CD28-CD38 killing capacity increases rapidly in low dose levels, and with higher doses, killing plateaus rather than following the bell-shaped curve typical of bispecific TCEs. We further predict that dose–response curves are driven by the ability of tumor cells to form synapses with activated T-cells. When competition between cells limits tumor engagement with active T-cells, response to therapy may be diminished. We finally suggest a metric related to drug efficacy in our analysis—“effective” receptor occupancy, or the proportion of receptors engaged in synapses. Overall, this study predicts that the CD28 arm on the trispecific antibody improves efficacy, and identifies metrics to inform potency of novel TCEs.
Foot contact forces can be used to personalize a wearable robot during human walking
Authors: Jacobson Michael , Kantharaju Prakyath , Jeong Hyeongkeun , Ryu Jae-Kwan , Park Jung-Jae , Chung Hyun-Joon , Kim Myunghee
Published: June 2022

Individuals with below-knee amputation (BKA) experience increased physical effort when walking, and the use of a robotic ankle-foot prosthesis (AFP) can reduce such effort. The walking effort could be further reduced if the robot is personalized to the wearer using human-in-the-loop (HIL) optimization of wearable robot parameters. The conventional physiological measurement, however, requires a long estimation time, hampering real-time optimization due to the limited experimental time budget. This study hypothesized that a function of foot contact force, the symmetric foot force-time integral (FFTI), could be used as a cost function for HIL optimization to rapidly estimate the physical effort of walking. We found that the new cost function presents a reasonable correlation with measured metabolic cost. When we employed the new cost function in HIL ankle-foot prosthesis stiffness parameter optimization, 8 individuals with simulated amputation reduced their metabolic cost of walking, greater than 15% (p < 0.02), compared to the weight-based and control-off conditions. The symmetry cost using the FFTI percentage was lower for the optimal condition, compared to all other conditions (p < 0.05). This study suggests that foot force-time integral symmetry using foot pressure sensors can be used as a cost function when optimizing a wearable robot parameter.
Poroelastic properties of rocks with a comparison of theoretical estimates and typical experimental results
Authors: Selvadurai A. P. S. , Suvorov A. P.
Published: June 2022

The paper develops theoretical estimates for the parameters that describe the classical theory of poroelasticity for a fluid-saturated porous medium, with a porous elastic skeleton that can exhibit imperfect grain contacts. The results for the poroelastic properties predicted from the modelling are compared with experimental results available in the literature.
Photosystem stoichiometry adjustment is a photoreceptor-mediated process in Arabidopsis
Authors: Ibrahim Iskander M. , McKenzie Steven D. , Chung Jae , Aryal Uma K. , Leon-Salas Walter D. , Puthiyaveetil Sujith
Published: June 2022

Plant growth under spectrally-enriched low light conditions leads to adjustment in the relative abundance of the two photosystems in an acclimatory response known as photosystem stoichiometry adjustment. Adjustment of photosystem stoichiometry improves the quantum efficiency of photosynthesis but how this process perceives light quality changes and how photosystem amount is regulated remain largely unknown. By using a label-free quantitative mass spectrometry approach in Arabidopsis here we show that photosystem stoichiometry adjustment is primarily driven by the regulation of photosystem I content and that this forms the major thylakoid proteomic response under light quality. Using light and redox signaling mutants, we further show that the light quality-responsive accumulation of photosystem I gene transcripts and proteins requires phytochrome B photoreceptor but not plastoquinone redox signaling as previously suggested. In far-red light, the increased acceptor side limitation might deplete active photosystem I pool, further contributing to the adjustment of photosystem stoichiometry.
Multiparameter laser performance characterization of liquid crystals for polarization control devices in the nanosecond regime
Authors: Marshall Kenneth L. , Kafka Kyle R. P. , Urban Nathaniel D. , Wallace Jason U. , Demos Stavros G.
Published: June 2022

Interactions of liquid crystals (LC’s) with polarized light have been studied widely and have spawned numerous device applications, including the fabrication of optical elements for high-power and large-aperture laser systems. Currently, little is known about both the effect of incident polarization state on laser-induced–damage threshold (LIDT) and laser-induced functional threshold (LIFT) behavior at sub-LIDT fluences under multipulse irradiation conditions. This work reports on the first study of the nanosecond-pulsed LIDT’s dependence on incident polarization for several optical devices employing oriented nematic and chiral-nematic LC’s oriented by surface alignment layers. Accelerated lifetime testing was also performed to characterize the ability of these devices to maintain their functional performance under multipulse irradiation as a function of the laser fluence at both 1053 nm and 351 nm. Results show that the LIDT varies as a function of input polarization by 30–80% within the same device, while the multipulse LIFT (which can differ from the nominal LIDT) depends on irradiation conditions such as laser fluence and wavelength.
HEAT SHOCK TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR B2b acts as a transcriptional repressor of VIN3, a gene induced by long-term cold for flowering
Authors: Jeong Goowon , Jeon Myeongjune , Shin Jinwoo , Lee Ilha
Published: June 2022

Vernalization, an acceleration of flowering after long-term winter cold, is an intensively studied flowering mechanism in winter annual plants. In Arabidopsis, Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2)-mediated suppression of the strong floral repressor, FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), is critical for vernalization and a PHD finger domain protein, VERNALIZATION INSENSITIVE 3 (VIN3), recruits PRC2 on FLC chromatin. The level of VIN3 was found to gradually increase in proportion to the length of cold period during vernalization. However, how plants finely regulate VIN3 expression according to the cold environment has not been completely elucidated. As a result, we performed EMS mutagenesis using a transgenic line with a minimal promoter of VIN3 fused to the GUS reporter gene, and isolated a mutant, hyperactivation of VIN3 1 (hov1), which showed increased GUS signal and endogenous VIN3 transcript levels. Using positional cloning combined with whole-genome resequencing, we found that hov1 carries a nonsense mutation, leading to a premature stop codon on the HEAT SHOCK TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR B2b (HsfB2b), which encodes a repressive heat shock transcription factor. HsfB2b directly binds to the VIN3 promoter, and HsfB2b overexpression leads to reduced acceleration of flowering after vernalization. Collectively, our findings reveal a novel fine-tuning mechanism to regulate VIN3 for proper vernalization response.
Dynamical law of the phase interface motion in the presence of crystals nucleation
Authors: Toropova Liubov V. , Alexandrov Dmitri V.
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we develop a theory of solid/liquid phase interface motion into an undercooled melt in the presence of nucleation and growth of crystals. A set of integrodifferential kinetic, heat and mass transfer equations is analytically solved in the two-phase and liquid layers divided by the moving phase transition interface. To do this, we have used the saddle-point method to evaluate a Laplace-type integral and the small parameter method to find the law of phase interface motion. The main result is that the phase interface Z propagates into an undercooled melt with time t as $$Z(t)=\sigma \sqrt{t}+\varepsilon \chi t^{7/2}$$

Z

(
t
)

=
σ

t

+
ε
χ

t

7
/
2

with allowance for crystal nucleation. The effect of nucleation is in the second contribution, which is proportional to $$t^{7/2}$$

t

7
/
2

whereas the first term $$\sim \sqrt{t}$$

∼

t

represents the well-known self-similar solution. The nucleation and crystal growth processes are responsible for the emission of latent crystallization heat, which reduces the melt undercooling and constricts the two-phase layer thickness (parameter $$\chi <0$$

χ
<
0

).
Investigating the role of heat shock protein 47 in fibrosis in Crohn’s disease
Authors: Kurumi Hiroki , Takata Tomoaki , Kanda Tsutomu , Sugihara Takaaki , Kakugawa Tomoyuki , Yokota Shin-ichi , Morisaki Tomohito , Akashi Taro , Isomoto Hajime
Published: June 2022

Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract that share similar genetic risk factors. However, while fibrotic stricture of the intestine is a major characteristic of CD; it is rarely observed in UC. Deposition of collagen in the extracellular matrix contributes to the formation of fibrotic strictures in CD, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. In the present study, we found that heat shock protein 47 (HSP47), a stress-response protein that acts as a molecular chaperone during the processing and secretion of collagen, expressed in the intestinal tissue from patients with CD. Serum HSP47 levels and anti-HSP47 antibody titers were significantly higher in patients with CD than in those with UC. Furthermore, anti-HSP47 antibody levels correlated significantly with fibrosis in CD. In addition, HSP47 inhibition significantly suppressed collagen production in fibroblasts in vitro. These findings suggest that HSP47 is a biomarker for differentiating fibrotic from non-fibrotic forms of CD. Additionally, we propose that HSP47 could be a potential target for treating fibrosis in patients with CD.
Concurrent presence of high serum uric acid and inflammation is associated with increased incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Korean adult population
Authors: Lee Kyung Won , Shin Dayeon
Published: June 2022

Although serum uric acid level and systemic inflammation have been highlighted as risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), little is known about these associations in the Korean population. Thus, we examined the individual and combined associations of serum uric acid and systemic inflammation (evaluated using high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP] measurement) with the future risk of T2DM. A total of 4152 Korean adults aged 45–76 years without T2DM, cancer, or gout at baseline in 2007–2008 from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study were followed up until 2016. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of T2DM according to sex-specific tertiles of serum uric acid and hs-CRP levels after adjustment for confounders. During the mean follow-up of 7.3 years, 548 participants developed T2DM. High serum uric acid and hs-CRP levels were independently associated with an increased incidence of T2DM. The multivariable-adjusted HRs (95% CIs) for the incidence of T2DM in the highest tertiles of serum uric acid and hs-CRP were 1.54 (1.24–1.93) and 1.90 (1.48–2.43), respectively. High levels of serum uric acid and hs-CRP in combination were associated with an increased incidence of T2DM (HR: 4.69; 95% CI: 2.81–7.84) compared to low levels of serum uric acid and hs-CRP. These findings suggest that the combination of high serum uric acid and hs-CRP levels was significantly associated with an elevated incidence of T2DM; however, their synergistic effects were not observed in middle-aged and elderly Korean adults.
Cell proliferation effect of deep-penetrating microcavity tandem NIR OLEDs with therapeutic trend analysis
Authors: Park Yongjin , Choi Hye-Ryung , Jeon Yongmin , Kim Hyuncheol , Shin Jung Won , Huh Chang-Hun , Park Kyoung-Chan , Choi Kyung-Cheol
Published: June 2022

Long wavelengths that can deeply penetrate into human skin are required to maximize therapeutic effects. Hence, various studies on near-infrared organic light-emitting diodes (NIR OLEDs) have been conducted, and they have been applied in numerous fields. This paper presents a microcavity tandem NIR OLED with narrow full-width half-maximum (FWHM) (34 nm), high radiant emittance (> 5 mW/cm2) and external quantum efficiency (EQE) (19.17%). Only a few papers have reported on biomedical applications using the entire wavelength range of the visible and NIR regions. In particular, no biomedical application studies have been reported in the full wavelength region using OLEDs. Therefore, it is worth researching the therapeutic effects of using OLED, a next-generation light source, and analyzing trends for cell proliferation effects. Cell proliferation effects were observed in certain wavelength regions when B, G, R, and NIR OLEDs were used to irradiate human fibroblasts. The results of an in-vitro experiment indicated that the overall tendency of wavelengths is similar to that of the cytochrome c oxidase absorption spectrum of human fibroblasts. This is the first paper to report trends in the cell proliferation effects in all wavelength regions using OLEDs.
Identification of a differentiation-related prognostic nomogram based on single-cell RNA sequencing in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Xia Zhi-Nan , Wu Jing-Gen , Yao Wen-Hao , Meng Yu-Yang , Jian Wen-Gang , Wang Teng-Da , Xue Wei , Yu Yi-Peng , Cai Li-Cheng , Wang Xing-Yuan , Zhang Peng , Li Zhi-Yuan , Zhou Hao , Jiang Zhi-Cheng , Zhou Jia-Yu , Zhang Cheng
Published: June 2022

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a kidney cancer that is originated from the lined proximal convoluted tubule, and its major histological subtype is clear cell RCC (ccRCC). This study aimed to retrospectively analyze single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, to explore the correlation among the evolution of tumor microenvironment (TME), clinical outcomes, and potential immunotherapeutic responses in combination with bulk RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and to construct a differentiation-related genes (DRG)-based prognostic risk signature (PRS) and a nomogram to predict the prognosis of ccRCC patients. First, scRNA-seq data of ccRCC samples were systematically analyzed, and three subsets with distinct differentiation trajectories were identified. Then, ccRCC samples from TCGA database were divided into four DRG-based molecular subtypes, and it was revealed that the molecular subtypes were significantly correlated with prognosis, clinicopathological features, TME, and the expression levels of immune checkpoint genes (ICGs). A DRG-based PRS was constructed, and it was an independent prognostic factor, which could well predict the prognosis of ccRCC patients. Finally, we constructed a prognostic nomogram based on the PRS and clinicopathological characteristics, which exhibited a high accuracy and a robust predictive performance. This study highlighted the significance of trajectory differentiation of ccRCC cells and TME evolution in predicting clinical outcomes and potential immunotherapeutic responses of ccRCC patients, and the nomogram provided an intuitive and accurate method for predicting the prognosis of such patients.
Stronger brain activation for own baby but similar activation toward babies of own and different ethnicities in parents living in a multicultural environment
Authors: Raghunath Bindiya Lakshmi , Sng Kelly Hwee Leng , Chen S. H. Annabel , Vijayaragavan Vimalan , Gulyás Balázs , Setoh Peipei , Esposito Gianluca
Published: June 2022

Specific facial features in infants automatically elicit attention, affection, and nurturing behaviour of adults, known as the baby schema effect. There is also an innate tendency to categorize people into in-group and out-group members based on salient features such as ethnicity. Societies are becoming increasingly multi-cultural and multi-ethnic, and there are limited investigations into the underlying neural mechanism of the baby schema effect in a multi-ethnic context. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to examine parents’ (N = 27) neural responses to (a) non-own ethnic in-group and out-group infants, (b) non-own in-group and own infants, and (c) non-own out-group and own infants. Parents showed similar brain activations, regardless of ethnicity and kinship, in regions associated with attention, reward processing, empathy, memory, goal-directed action planning, and social cognition. The same regions were activated to a higher degree when viewing the parents’ own infant. These findings contribute further understanding to the dynamics of baby schema effect in an increasingly interconnected social world.
Booster dose of BNT162b2 after two doses of CoronaVac improves neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant
Authors: Campos Guilherme R. F. , Almeida Nathalie Bonatti Franco , Filgueiras Priscilla Soares , Corsini Camila Amormino , Gomes Sarah Vieira Contin , de Miranda Daniel Alvim Pena , de Assis Jéssica Vieira , de Souza Silva Thaís Bárbara , Alves Pedro Augusto , da Rocha Fernandes Gabriel , de Oliveira Jaquelline Germano , Rahal Paula , Grenfell Rafaella Fortini Queiroz , Nogueira Maurício L.
Published: June 2022

Background

The emergence of the new SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, which is known to have a large number of mutations when compared to other variants, brought to light the concern about vaccine escape, especially from the neutralization by antibodies induced by vaccination.

Methods

Based on viral microneutralization assays, we evaluated in 90 individuals the impact on antibody neutralization induction, against Omicron variant, by a booster dose of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine after the CoronaVac primary vaccination scheme.

Results

Here we show that the percentage of seroconverted individuals 30 and 60 days after CoronaVac scheme was 16.6% and 10%, respectively. After booster dose administration, the seroconvertion rate increased to 76.6%. The neutralization mean titer against Omicron in the CoronaVac protocol decreased over time, but after the booster dose, the mean titer increased 43.1 times.

Conclusions

These results indicate a positive impact of this vaccine combination in the serological immune response against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.
The Miller–Urey Experiment's Impact on Modern Approaches to Prebiotic Chemistry
Authors: James Cleaves II H.
Published: June 2022

The 1953 Miller–Urey experiment was a ground-breaking attempt to understand stages in the origins of life on Earth. In the experiment, Stanley Miller added water and reduced gases to a sealed flask to simulate the primitive atmosphere and hydrosphere, then subjected the contents to an electric discharge to simulate atmospheric lightning. Miller's chemical analysis of the products revealed a number of amino acids used by modern organisms to construct coded proteins, suggesting these may then have been available for the construction of the first organisms. The experiment was inspired by both Oparin's early writings on the origins of life and Urey's conception of the primitive atmosphere. Since the publication of the original results, there has been considerable development in thinking regarding the nature of the primitive environment, as well as a proliferation of alternative, detailed models for the origins of life which do not necessarily hinge on the results of this kind of experiment. Nevertheless, while considerable uncertainty lingers regarding the primitive environment, the Miller–Urey experiment remains relevant to many modern origins of life models, and its impact on modern thinking regarding the origins of life cannot be overstated.
Computational study of interactions of anti-cancer drug eribulin with human tubulin isotypes
Authors: Rai Khushnandan , Kumbhar Bajarang Vasant , Panda Dulal , Kunwar Ambarish
Published: June 2022

A computational study of various human tubulin isotypes with the potent anti-cancer drug eribulin, which targets microtubule, has been performed in this work.
Sulfonated halloysite nanotubes as a novel cation exchange material for solid phase extraction of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Authors: Schlappack Tobias , Rainer Matthias , Weinberger Nikolaus , Bonn Günther K.
Published: June 2022

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are phytochemicals, which present a highly toxic class of compounds in multiple food resources and are therefore a late-breaking topic in food safety.
High performance transition metal-based electrocatalysts for green hydrogen production
Authors: Kwon Hee Ryeong , Park Hoonkee , Jun Sang Eon , Choi Sungkyun , Jang Ho Won
Published: June 2022

Focusing on catalysts based on metal alloys, LDH, TMDs, and SACs, researches about high-efficiency hydrogen production will be introduced.
[3]Foldarotaxane-mediated synthesis of an improbable [2]rotaxane
Authors: Koehler Victor , Gauthier Maxime , Yao Chenhao , Fournel-Marotte Karine , Waelès Philip , Kauffmann Brice , Huc Ivan , Coutrot Frédéric , Ferrand Yann
Published: June 2022

The wrapping of a helix around the axle of a [2]rotaxane induced compartmentalization by sequestrating the macrocycle around a part of the axle for which it has no affinity. It gave this way the opportunity to yield an improbable [2]rotaxane.
Barrier-free liquid condensates of nanocatalysts as effective concentrators of catalysis
Authors: Bedi Silky , Kumar Gaurav , Rose S. M. , Rakshit Sabyasachi , Sinha Sharmistha
Published: June 2022

Enhanced catalysis of nanocatalysts in a confined microenvironment outfitted with liquid–liquid phase separation.
Synthesis and characterization of thermally stable energetic complexes with 3,5-diaminopyrazolone-4-oxime as a nitrogen-rich ligand
Authors: Zhang Lu , Dong Wen-Shuai , Lu Zu-Jia , Wang Ting-Wei , Zhang Chao , Zhou Zun-Ning , Zhang Jian-Guo
Published: June 2022

Two thermally stable complexes based on DAPO were synthesized. The thermal decomposition temperatures were 287 °C and 344 °C, respectively. The detonation properties of the complexes were excellent with good detonation velocity and detonation pressure superior to that of TNT.
Organic radical emitters: nature of doublet excitons in emissive layers
Authors: Abroshan Hadi , Winget Paul , Kwak H. Shaun , Brown Christopher T. , Halls Mathew D.
Published: June 2022

Inter-molecular interactions significantly modulate the electronic properties of radical emitters. The doublet excitons in films demonstrate a significant CT character, impacting both radiative and non-radiative transitions in radical-based OLEDs.
Promoted photocarrier separation by dipole engineering in two-dimensional perovskite/C2N van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Wang Hui , Ma Jun , Chen Zheng , Yuan Yujie , Zhou Baozeng , Li Wei
Published: June 2022

A novel Cs3Bi2I9/C2N heterostructure with type-II band alignment and efficient charge separation for photocatalytic application.
Understanding the n → π* non-covalent interaction using different experimental and theoretical approaches
Authors: Panwaria Prakash , Das Aloke
Published: June 2022

A comprehensive perspective of the n → π* non-covalent interaction obtained using various experimental and theoretical approaches is presented.
Acidic polysaccharides from Buddleja officinalis inhibit angiogenesis via the Nrf2/ARE pathway to attenuate diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Zhu Juanjuan , Sun Hao , Kang Xinle , Zhu Haixue , Yan Xiaoteng
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this study was to verify that acid polysaccharides from Buddleja officinalis Maxim (APBOM) could relieve diabetic retinopathy (DR) through inhibition of angiogenesis via activation of the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.
Carbon quantum dots anchored on 1,2,3,5-tetrakis(carbazole-9-yl)-4,6-dicyanobenzene for efficient selective photo splitting of biomass-derived sugars into lactic acid
Authors: Yang Xiaopan , Liu Kangning , Ma Jiliang , Sun Runcang
Published: June 2022

The application of photocatalysis in biomass reforming meets the needs of contemporary society for green and sustainable development, and its comprehensive utilization is appealing but challenging.
Correction of moisture interference in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy detection of coal by combining neural networks and random spectral attenuation
Authors: Chen Ji , Li Qingzhou , Liu Ke , Li Xiangyou , Lu Bing , Li Guqiang
Published: June 2022

Increased humidity causes terrible accuracy in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy analysis of coal. The moisture interference was reduced using artificial neural networks (ANN) combined with random spectral attenuation in this study.
Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone): efficient ion-exchange polymer electrolytes for fuel cell applications–a versatile review
Authors: Maria Mahimai Berlina , Sivasubramanian Gandhimathi , Sekar Karthikeyan , Kannaiyan Dinakaran , Deivanayagam Paradesi
Published: June 2022

Fuel cell technology yields cleaner energy resources for diverse applications such as transport, power stationery, and portable devices.
Two quasi-spherical molecules [1,4-diazabicyclo(3.2.2)nonane]X (X = ClO4, ReO4) exhibit switchable phase transition, dielectric and second-harmonic-generation properties
Authors: You Xiuli , Rao Wenjun , Han Keke , Wang Lingyu , Zhang Mengxia , Wei Zhenhong
Published: June 2022

Two quasi-spherical molecules [3.2.2-Hdabc]X (1,4-diazabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane = 3.2.2-dabcn, X = ClO4, ReO4) with a high phase transition temperature exhibited switchable phase transition as well as dielectric and SHG properties.