bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular subtypes based on metabolic genes are potential biomarkers for predicting prognosis and immune responses of clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yi , Ji Hao , Zhu Bingye , Xing Qianwei , Xie Huyang
Published: November 2022

Due to the existence of tumor molecular heterogeneity, even patients having similar clinicopathological features could have vastly different survival rates. Hence, we aimed to explore novel metabolism‐associated genes (MAGs) related molecular subtypes for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and their immune landscapes for predicting prognosis and immune responses. Gene matrices and clinical information were downloaded from TCGA and ICGC datasets. Consensus clustering was conducted by the R “ConsensusClusterPlus” package. ccRCC patients were successfully divided into three clusters (MC1, MC2, and MC3) based on MAGs in both TCGA and ICGC datasets. Our established three MAGs were significantly associated with chemokine/chemokine receptor, IFN, CYT, angiogenesis, immune checkpoint molecules, tumor‐infiltrating immune cells, oncogenic pathways, pan‐cancer immune subtypes, and tumor microenvironment (TME) scores or expressions. Moreover, these three metabolic ccRCC subtypes could predict immunotherapeutic responses. We further constructed a characteristic index (LDAscore) in three metabolic ccRCC subtypes and identified LDAscore‐related modules by WGCNA. After deep data mining, 10 hub genes were obtained and seven genes (ATRX, BPTF, DHX9, EP300, POLR2B, SIN3A, UBE3A) were finally validated by qRT‐PCR. Our results successfully established a novel ccRCC subtype based on MAGs, providing novel insights into metabolism‐related ccRCC tumor heterogeneity and facilitating individualized therapy for future work.
Hemodynamic correlates of emotion regulation in frontal lobe epilepsy patients and healthy participants
Authors: Benzait Anissa , Krenz Valentina , Wegrzyn Martin , Doll Anna , Woermann Friedrich , Labudda Kirsten , Bien Christian G. , Kissler Johanna
Published: November 2022

The ability to regulate emotions is indispensable for maintaining psychological health. It heavily relies on frontal lobe functions which are disrupted in frontal lobe epilepsy. Accordingly, emotional dysregulation and use of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies have been reported in frontal lobe epilepsy patients. Therefore, it is of clinical and scientific interest to investigate emotion regulation in frontal lobe epilepsy. We studied neural correlates of upregulating and downregulating emotions toward aversive pictures through reappraisal in 18 frontal lobe epilepsy patients and 17 healthy controls using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Patients tended to report more difficulties with impulse control than controls. On the neural level, patients had diminished activity during upregulation in distributed left‐sided regions, including ventrolateral and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, angular gyrus and anterior temporal gyrus. Patients also showed less activity than controls in the left precuneus for upregulation compared to downregulation. Unlike controls, they displayed no task‐related activity changes in the left amygdala, whereas the right amygdala showed task‐related modulations in both groups. Upregulation‐related activity changes in the left inferior frontal gyrus, insula, orbitofrontal cortex, anterior and posterior cingulate cortex, and precuneus were correlated with questionnaire data on habitual emotion regulation. Our results show that structural or functional impairments in the frontal lobes disrupt neural mechanisms underlying emotion regulation through reappraisal throughout the brain, including posterior regions involved in semantic control. Findings on the amygdala as a major target of emotion regulation are in line with the view that specifically the left amygdala is connected with semantic processing networks.
Advances in “adiponcosis”: Insights in the inner mechanisms at the base of adipose and tumour tissues interplay
Authors: Pagano Cristina , di Zazzo Erika , Avilia Giorgio , Savarese Beatrice , Navarra Giovanna , Proto Maria Chiara , Fiore Donatella , Rienzo Monica , Gazzerro Patrizia , Laezza Chiara , Bifulco Maurizio
Published: November 2022

The epidemic spread of obesity is nowadays recognized as a global health and economic burden, arising great interest in the scientific community. The rate of adult obesity steadily increases concomitantly with the cancer incidence. As has been comprehensively reported, obesity is included among the multiple cancer risk factors and can progressively cause and/or exacerbate certain cancer types, as colorectal and breast cancers. The term adiponcosis was forged precisely to emphasize the interconnection between obesity and cancer onset and progression. The underlying mechanisms of adiponcosis have not been fully elucidated yet, may vary on cancer type, and depend on body fat distribution. It has been proposed that insulin resistance and related chronic hyperinsulinemia, increased insulin‐like growth factors production, chronic inflammation or increased bioavailability of steroid hormones could be responsible of cancer hallmarks. Additionally, it has been suggested that adipose tissue‐derived hormones, cytokines and adipokines, such as leptin, adiponectin and inflammatory markers, may reflect mechanisms linked to tumorigenesis. This review summarizes the current evidence on pathways, hormones, cytokines and low‐chronic inflammation subtending adiponconsis, focusing on breast and colorectal cancers. In addition, we analyzed the lifestyle interventions that could attenuate the driving forces of obesity‐related cancer incidence and progression. Moreover, current targets and drugs, their pros and cons, as well as new mechanisms and targets with promising therapeutic potential in cancer are discussed. Depicting this complex interconnection will provide insights for establishing new therapeutic approaches to halt the obesity impacts and thwart cancer onset and progression.
High‐resolution volumetric information fusion for depth of field enhancement in photoacoustic microscopy
Authors: Song Xianlin , Li Sihang , Wang Zhuangzhuang , Cao Xiongjun
Published: November 2022

Optical‐resolution photoacoustic microscopy suffers from limited depth of field due to the strongly focused laser beam. Here, a novel volumetric information fusion is proposed to achieve large volumetric and high‐resolution imaging. First, three‐dimensional stationary wavelet transform was performed on the multi‐focus data to obtain eight wavelet coefficients. Differential evolution based on joint weighted evaluation was then employed to optimize the block size of division for each wavelet coefficient. The proposed fusion rule using standard deviation for focus detection was used to fuse the corresponding sub‐coefficients. Finally, photoacoustic imaging with large depth of field can be achieved by the inverse stationary wavelet transform. Performance test shows that the depth of field of photoacoustic imaging can be doubled without sacrificing lateral resolution. The proposed volumetric information fusion can further promote the capability of volumetric imaging of optical‐resolution photoacoustic microscopy and will be helpful in the acquisition of physiological and pathological process.
Anatomy of chemically enhanced sewage settling by particle size distribution analysis
Authors: Duba Seyda , Sözen Seval , Dogruel Serdar , Olmez‐Hanci Tugba , Ozyildiz Goksin , Cokgor Emine , Orhon Derin
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the anatomy of organic carbon (as chemical oxygen demand, COD) removal from sewage through chemically assisted settling, by means of particle size distribution (PSD) analysis: it showed which size fractions were affected, aside from the particulate COD. The experiments were conducted on the effluent of the existing preliminary treatment plant before deep‐sea discharge into the Bosphorus. FeCl3, alum and polyaluminum chloride (PAC) were used as coagulants at different doses. The performance of the coagulants on the effluent COD was interpreted with PSD.

RESULTS

PAC at 25 mg L−1, selected as the optimum coagulant, reduced COD below soluble COD level, to around 145 mg L−1, with an overall efficiency of more than 70%. Although chemical settling was most effective on particulate COD at >450 nm, it also provided a COD removal of 28% in 220–450 nm of the colloidal range and 40% in 13–220 nm of the range, representing soluble hydrolysable COD. The lowest removal rate was observed in the soluble range, consisting of readily biodegradable (only 5%) and a part of the inert COD (<2 nm) identified as 12% – twice as high as ordinary domestic wastewaters, with only 1%.

CONCLUSION

PSD and COD fractionation analyses were instrumental in depicting the potential of chemically enhanced settling to reduce COD in the soluble range, identifying the distribution of remaining COD fractions in different size intervals. The results also suggested a novel treatment process with additional membrane filtration, namely membrane chemical reactor, (MCR), reflecting a potential for replacing the conventional activated sludge process. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of a neurovirulent Zika virus isolated from Cambodia in 2019
Authors: Zhang Yi‐Fei , Guo Jing‐Jing , Yang Fan , Zhou Hang‐Yu , Zhang Na‐Na , Xiong Xiao‐Chuan , Feng Yue , Deng Yong‐Qiang , Qin Cheng‐Feng
Published: November 2022

The geographic range of Zika virus (ZIKV) has expanded from Asia to the Americas, leading to the 2015–2016 pandemic with enhanced neurovirulence. At present, ZIKV is continuously circulating in many Southeast Asian countries. Unfortunately, the persistent evolution of ZIKV in Southeast Asia and its influence on the biological characteristics of the virus remain incompletely understood. In this study, the in vitro and in vivo properties of a new ZIKV isolate obtained from Cambodia in 2019 (CAM/2019) were characterized and compared with those of the Cambodian strain (CAM/2010). Compared with CAM/2010, the CAM/2019 virus showed similar plaque morphology and growth curves in cell cultures and induced comparable viremia and organ viral loads profiles in both BALB/c and A129 (IFNAR1−/−) mice upon intraperitoneal (i.p.) inoculation. Remarkably, the CAM/2019 virus exhibited enhanced neurovirulence in neonatal mice compared with CAM/2010, with a 74‐fold reduction in the 50% lethal dose (LD50). Consistently, CAM/2019 produced higher viral loads in the brains of BALB/c neonatal mice than CAM/2010 did. Sequence alignment showed that the CAM/2019 virus has acquired 12 amino acid substitutions, several of which were found to be associated with neurovirulence. In particular, the CAM/2019 virus shared an A1204T substitution in NS2A with the Thai isolate SI‐BKK02 that was isolated from a microcephaly case. Taken together, our results indicate that a ZIKV strain isolated with specific mutations has emerged in Cambodia, highlighting the need for extensive molecular and disease surveillance in Cambodia and other Asian countries.
Association between emphysema and other pulmonary computed tomography patterns in COVID‐19 pneumonia
Authors: Han Ke , Wang Jing , Zou Yulin , Zhang Yuxin , Zhou Lin , Yin Yiping
Published: November 2022

To evaluate the chest computed tomography (CT) findings of patients with Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) on admission to hospital. And then correlate CT pulmonary infiltrates involvement with the findings of emphysema. We analyzed the different infiltrates of COVID‐19 pneumonia using emphysema as the grade of pneumonia. We applied open‐source assisted software (3D Slicer) to model the lungs and lesions of 66 patients with COVID‐19, which were retrospectively included. we divided the 66 COVID‐19 patients into the following two groups: (A) 12 patients with less than 10% emphysema in the low‐attenuation area less than −950 Hounsfield units (%LAA‐950), (B) 54 patients with greater than or equal to 10% emphysema in %LAA‐950. Imaging findings were assessed retrospectively by two authors and then pulmonary infiltrates and emphysema volumes were measured on CT using 3D Slicer software. Differences between pulmonary infiltrates, emphysema, Collapsed, affected of patients with CT findings were assessed by Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon test, respectively. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The left lung (A) affected left lung 20.00/affected right lung 18.50, (B) affected left lung 13.00/affected right lung 11.50 was most frequently involved region in COVID‐19. In addition, collapsed left lung, (A) collapsed left lung 4.95/collapsed right lung 4.65, (B) collapsed left lung 3.65/collapsed right lung 3.15 was also more severe than the right one. There were significant differences between the Group A and Group B in terms of the percentage of CT involvement in each lung region (p < 0.05), except for the inflated affected total lung (p = 0.152). The median percentage of collapsed left lung in the Group A was 20.00 (14.00–30.00), right lung was 18.50 (13.00–30.25) and the total was 19.00 (13.00–30.00), while the median percentage of collapsed left lung in the Group B was 13.00 (10.00–14.75), right lung was 11.50 (10.00–15.00) and the total was 12.50 (10.00–15.00). The percentage of affected left lung is an independent predictor of emphysema in COVID‐19 patients. We need to focus on the left lung of the patient as it is more affected. The people with lower levels of emphysema may have more collapsed segments. The more collapsed segments may lead to more serious clinical feature.
G‐quadruplexes in the monkeypox virus are potential antiviral targets
Authors: Lv Lu , Zhang Leiliang
Published: November 2022

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a member of Orthopoxvirus in the Poxviridae family, causing a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The number of cases and geographic range has increased significantly in 2022. Identification of MPXV‐specific therapeutic targets is urgent. G‐quadruplex (GQ) secondary structures attract great attention as potential targets for antiviral strategy. Whether GQs are present in the MPXV genome remains inconclusive. In this study, we aim to characterize the GQs encoded by MPXV. Through a series of biophysical experiments, we characterized the formation potential of MPXV‐encoded GQs and evaluated the binding and stabilization abilities of GQ ligands including BRACO‐19, pyridostatin, and TMPyP4 to GQs encoded by MPXV. Moreover, GQ ligands suppressed the gene transcription of MPXV sequences containing GQ. BRACO‐19 and TMPyP4 were able to inhibit vaccinia virus replication. We demonstrated the existence of MPXV GQ and reinforced the idea that GQs could be novel antiviral targets. Targeting these GQ sequences with GQ‐binding molecules may represent a new approach for MPXV therapy.
Antibody response to BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in gingival crevicular fluid
Authors: Han Pingping , Moran Corey S. , Sulugodu Ramachandra Srinivas , Walsh Laurence J. , Ivanovski Sašo
Published: November 2022

Background

This prospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the antibody responses in non‐invasive gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and unstimulated whole saliva to the SARS‐CoV‐2 Spike unit 1 receptor‐binding domain (S1‐RBD) protein following administration of the mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine.

Methods

This longitudinal study recruited 37 participants with no prior COVID‐19 exposure (eight people recruited prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic – labeled pre‐COVID, 16 vaccinated and 13 non‐vaccinated participants). An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine antibody levels against S1‐RBD in saliva (n=90) and GCF (n=80) samples obtained at 1 and 3 weeks after dose 1, and 3 days, 7 days, and 3 weeks after dose 2. To determine previous SARS‐CoV‐2 infection status, anti‐nucleocapsid (N) Ig levels were determined in samples from the pre‐COVID (saliva as reference), non‐vaccinated (saliva and GCF), and vaccinated (saliva and GCF) participants at 1‐week post‐dose 1 using ELISA.

Results

Salivary levels of anti‐N antibodies measured in samples from vaccinated and nonvaccinated participants were comparable to those in pre‐COVID saliva samples collected between October 2018 and September 2019, thus confirming that all study participants had no prior SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Overall, the levels of anti‐S1‐RBD antibodies peaked at 3 weeks after dose 2 in both saliva and GCF for all three immunoglobulin isotypes. Notably, the concentration of anti‐S1‐RBD antibodies in GCF was significantly higher than in saliva at all time points.

Conclusion

This study establishes GCF and saliva as viable alternative non‐invasive sources to monitor levels of antibodies following vaccination, with GCF demonstrating feasibility as a biofluid source for the detection of antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 S1‐RBD antigen.
The contribution of Friedrich Albert Fallou to modern soil science
Authors: Feller Christian , Aeschlimann Jean‐Paul , Frossard Emmanuel
Published: November 2022

This article deals with Friedrich Albert Fallou (1794–1877), a lawyer by education with a strong interest for soil and geology who published “Pedologie oder allgemeine und besondere Bodenkunde” in 1862, that is, 20 years before Dokuchaev's (1883) “Russian Chernozem.” He is known for having coined the term of “pedology” but his role in the development of the soil science needs recognition, the opinions diverging this far with regard to his importance in terms of pedogenesis, soil profile, soil classification and influence on Dokuchaev. The authors of the present article have translated into French and analyzed in detail each of the chapters constituting the first part (“Allgemeine Bodenkunde” 198 pp.) of his book. These pages include many precise descriptions of the soils in a small area near Fallou's place of residence in a hilly part of Saxony (NE Germany) and bear evidence for his remarkable skills as nature observer. His field experience led him to strongly recommend that soils should be studied in situ, using existing cuts, either natural or artificial. He was first to strive for the “Earth” to be recognized as a “Kingdom” of its own and for the study of the soils to be established as an independent natural science for the benefit of a wide range of potential stakeholders. The present review is intended to demonstrate that despite some shortcomings due to his sticking to a few outdated basic scientific conceptions, Fallou fully deserves to be regarded as an important forerunner of modern soil science.
Revealing the chemical synergism in coloring tomatoes by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Campos Mariana T. C. , Maia Lenize F. , Dos Santos Hélio F. , Edwards Howell G. M. , de Oliveira Luiz F. C.
Published: November 2022

In this work, Raman spectroscopy and DFT calculations have been used to identify pigments biosynthesized during the ripening of tomatoes. In situ analysis of the exocarp from tomatoes at six stages of maturation showed Raman bands attributed mainly to carotenes and flavonoids. The Raman spectra of the exocarp in earlier stages (green and breaker) are rich in carotenoids with nine conjugated double bonds, while later stages (light‐red and red) are dominated by ones with 11 conjugated unsaturation. The Raman structural characterization of carotenoids biosynthesized from the phytoene, phytofluene, to β‐carotene is reported for the first time. Changes in carotenoid composition were observed along with the maturation; however, flavonoids/polyphenols that are concomitantly biosynthesized since the green stage presented the same spectral pattern along the process. Here, we present some clues based on Raman spectroscopy of the chemical synergism between carotenoids and flavonoids in coloring tomatoes.
Carbon and nutrient cycling in Antarctic landfast sea ice from winter to summer
Authors: Jones Elizabeth M. , Henley Sian F. , van Leeuwe Maria A. , Stefels Jacqueline , Meredith Michael P. , Fenton Mairi , Venables Hugh J.
Published: November 2022

Seasonal cycling in carbon, alkalinity, and nutrients in landfast sea ice in Hangar Cove, Adelaide Island, West Antarctic Peninsula, were investigated during winter, spring, and summer 2014–2015. Temporal dynamics were driven by changes in the sea‐ice physicochemical conditions, ice‐algal community composition, and organic matter production. Winter sea ice was enriched with dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and inorganic nutrients from organic matter remineralization. Variations in alkalinity (Alk) and DIC indicated that abiotic calcium carbonate (ikaite) precipitation had taken place. Relative to other nutrients, low phosphate (PO4) concentrations potentially resulted from co‐precipitation with ikaite. Seawater flooding and meltwater induced variability in the physical and biogeochemical properties in the upper ice in spring where nutrient resupply supported haptophyte productivity and increased particulate organic carbon (POC) in the interstitial layer. Rapid nitrate (NO3) and DIC (< 165 μmol kg−1) uptake occurred alongside substantial build‐up of algal biomass (746 μg chlorophyll a L−1) and POC (6191 μmol L−1) during summer. Silicic acid drawdown followed NO3 depletion by approximately 1 month with a shift to diatom‐dominated communities. Accumulation of PO4 in the lower ice layers in summer likely resulted from PO4 released during ikaite dissolution in the presence of biofilms. Increased Alk : DIC ratios in the lower ice and under‐ice water suggested that ikaite dissolution buffered against meltwater dilution and enhanced the potential for atmospheric CO2 uptake. This study revealed strong seasonality in carbon and nutrient cycling in landfast sea ice and showed the importance of sea ice in biogeochemical cycling in seasonally ice‐covered waters around Antarctica.
Detection of Lectin Clustering in Self‐Assembled, Glycan‐Functionalized Amphiphiles by Aggregation‐Induced Emission Luminophores
Authors: Banger Alexander , Pasch Peter , Blawitzki Luca‐Cesare , Weber Simon , Otten Marius , Monzel Cornelia , Schmidt Stephan , Voskuhl Jens , Hartmann Laura
Published: November 2022

Amphiphilic glycan‐functionalized oligomers are derived by solid‐phase polymer synthesis and applied in both, self‐assembled micelles as well as giant unilamellar vesicles, as simplified models of the cell's glycocalyx. Additionally, an aggregation‐induced luminophore is introduced into the amphiphilic glycomacromolecules showing no fluorescence when the molecule is free in solution. Combining glycomacromolecules carrying a binding glycan motif and the luminophore with glycomacromolecules or other amphiphiles with no binding motifs and no luminophore in self‐assembled structures, micelles and vesicles exhibiting no or only very little fluorescence are obtained. Only upon clustering of the binding glycan motifs through interaction with a multivalent lectin receptor, an increase in fluorescence is observed. Thus, clustering events within these self‐assembled structures can be detected and localized.
Synthesis of a DOPO Derivative to Improve the Fire Safety and Mechanical Performance of Epoxy Resin
Authors: Hua Yifang , Sun Jun , Jiang Shengling , Gu Xiaoyu , Zhang Sheng
Published: November 2022

A 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO) derivative is prepared. At first, an intermediate 4,4'‐((triazole)bis(azaneylylidene)bis(2,6‐dimethoxyphenol)) (SGA) is obtained from the Schiff‐base reaction between syringaldehyde (S) and 3,5‐diamino‐1,2,4‐triazole (GA). The further product DOPO‐SGA is then introduced into epoxy by blending to improve flame retardancy and mechanical properties. The flammability evaluation is implemented by limited oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94, and cone calorimeter tests. The presence of 3wt.% DOPO‐SGA increases the LOI to 33.2%, upgrades the UL‐94 rating to V‐0, and reduces the release of smoke and heat of epoxy. The tensile strength and impact strength are also enhanced after the introduction of DOPO‐SGA. The addition of 5% DOPO‐SGA increases the tensile strength and impact strength by 47% and 42%, respectively, compared with that of the control EP sample. It is suggested that the mechanical strengthening is ascribed to the ternary cross‐linked network among epoxy monomer, curing agent, and DOPO‐SGA. This work provides a feasible solution to obtain flame‐retardant epoxy resin with enhanced mechanical performance.
Induced Smectic E Phase in a Binary Blend of Side‐Chain Liquid Crystalline Polymers
Authors: Hida Naoki , Nakajima Tatsunaga , Hara Mitsuo , Seki Takahiro , Nagano Shusaku
Published: November 2022

Two liquid crystalline polymers containing an azobenzene or cyanobiphenyl mesogenic side chain that adopt smectic A phases are mechanically mixed at 1:1 mesogen molar ratio at an isotropic phase temperature and then cooled. The resultant binary polymer mixture behaves like a single component as revealed by polarized microscopy observation and differential scanning calorimetry, indicating that the binary mixture forms a fully compatible polymer blend. Moreover, the simple polymer blend unexpectedly leads to a higher‐ordered smectic E phase where a herringbone structure is formed with restricted mesogen axis rotation. These results suggest a specific intermolecular interaction between the two mesogens, thereby inducing unusual compatibilized polymer blends and the most ordered liquid crystal (LC) phase.
Anti‐IgLON5 Disease with Isolated Hemichorea: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Grossauer Anna , Hussl Anna , Mahlknecht Philipp , Peball Marina , Heidbreder Anna , Deisenhammer Florian , Djamshidian Atbin , Seppi Klaus , Heim Beatrice
Published: November 2022

Background

Anti‐IgLON5 disease is an autoimmune encephalopathy with sleep disturbances as a hallmark in the majority of reported cases. Additional clinical symptoms are heterogenous and include movement disorders, bulbar dysfunction, autonomic disorders, and neurocognitive impairment.

Case

Here, we report the case of an 87‐year‐old woman presenting with isolated progressive hemichorea. An extensive diagnostic work‐up revealed antibodies against IgLON5 in the serum. Neither history nor polysomnography (PSG) unveiled signs and features of sleep dysfunction typically reported in anti‐IgLON5 disease.

Literature Review

In an extensive literature review we identified twelve other studies reporting about patients with confirmed anti‐IgLON5 disease and chorea as extrapyramidal movement disorder in their clinical phenotype. Subsequently, clinical characteristics of these patients were carefully evaluated.

Conclusions

Our results support the diversity of clinical phenotypes in anti‐IgLON5 disease, adding isolated hemichorea to the spectrum of presenting symptoms. As sleep‐related disorders are often not the leading reason for consultation and only revealed by PSG examination, we suggest that screening for antibodies against IgLON5 should be considered in patients presenting with unexplained movement disorders, including isolated hemichorea.
Test on the law protection of minority investors in China: Perspective of misrepresentation in securities market
Authors: Fang Fang , Tian Wang , Yanfei Zhang
Published: November 2022

Under the background of effectively building the legal system of the capital market and strengthening investor protection, an evaluation of whether China's legal system's reformations have improved investor protection is of great significance. Based on the lawsuits of 663 listed companies from 1997 to 2021, this paper finds the average annual proportion of listed companies punished by the China Securities Regulatory Commission and prosecuted by the investors is 40%, and since 2017, it has stabilized at around 70%. This paper also finds the “head effect” of the number of investors and claims in the misrepresentation cases over the years and the advantages of China Securities Investor Services Center's support in investor protection. Then, the negative binomial regression method is used to empirically find that investor protection gets better and better with the reformation of China's laws. Reformations in the legal system and key provisions have all led to an increase in the number of sued investors and claims. However, the time of legal proceedings only depends on the reform of the entire legal system. Finally, to reduce litigation costs and make all investors actually receive compensation after being infringed, we should establish the class action mechanism in the future reformation of China's legal system.
A novel probe‐fed directional dielectric resonator antenna for mobile communication
Authors: Luo Wei , Jiang Lanlan , Yi Ren
Published: November 2022

A directional dielectric resonator antenna (DDRA) for 5G mobile communication system is proposed. The antenna is side‐fed with the metal probe to make it work in quasi‐TEδ11 mode, so as to realize the characteristics of directional radiation. The stacked structure is adopted, and the two side walls of the rectangular dielectric resonator parallel to the microstrip line are grooved to improve the frequency bandwidth of the antenna. Furtherly, the Koch snowflake fractal is used for the second iteration of the top cylindrical dielectric resonator, and the parasitic metal columns inside the DRA are also helpful for the enhancement of bandwidth. The prototype was fabricated and tested to verify the design, and the measured results show −10 dB impedance bandwidth of about 23% and an average gain of 5.2 dBi within the operation band.
Dual imaging modality of fluorescence and transmission X‐rays for gold nanoparticle‐injected living mice
Authors: Kim Taeyun , Lee Woo Seung , Jeon Miyeon , Kim Hyejin , Eom Mingi , Jung Seongmoon , Im Hyung‐Jun , Ye Sung‐Joon
Published: November 2022

Background

X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) imaging for metal nanoparticles (MNPs) is a promising molecular imaging modality that can determine dynamic biodistributions of MNPs. However, it has the limitation that it only provides functional information.

Purpose

In this study, we aim to show the feasibility of acquiring functional and anatomic information on the same platform by demonstrating a dual imaging modality of pinhole XRF and computed tomography (CT) for gold nanoparticle (GNP)‐injected living mice.

Methods

By installing a transmission CT detector in an existing pinhole XRF imaging system using a two‐dimensional (2D) cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) gamma camera, XRF and CT images were acquired on the same platform. Due to the optimal X‐ray spectra for XRF and CT image acquisition being different, XRF and CT imaging were performed by 140 and 50 kV X‐rays, respectively. An amount of 40 mg GNPs (1.9 nm in diameter) suspended in 0.20 ml of phosphate‐buffered saline were injected into the three BALB/c mice via a tail vein. Then, the kidney and tumor slices of mice were scanned at specific time points within 60 min to acquire time‐lapse in vivo biodistributions of GNPs. XRF images were directly acquired without image reconstruction using a pinhole collimator and a 2D CZT gamma camera. Subsequently, CT images were acquired by performing CT scans. In order to confirm the validity of the functional information provided by the XRF image, the CT image was fused with the XRF image. After the XRF and CT scan, the mice were euthanized, and major organs (kidneys, tumor, liver, and spleen) were extracted. The ex vivo GNP concentrations of the extracted organs were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) and L‐shell XRF detection system using a silicon drift detector, then compared with the in vivo GNP concentrations measured by the pinhole XRF imaging system.

Results

Time‐lapse XRF images were directly acquired without rotation and translation of imaging objects within an acquisition time of 2 min per slice. Due to the short image acquisition time, the time‐lapse in vivo biodistribution of GNPs was acquired in the organs of the mice. CT images were fused with the XRF images and successfully confirmed the validity of the XRF images. The difference in ex vivo GNP concentrations measured by the L‐shell XRF detection system and ICP‐MS was 0.0005–0.02% by the weight of gold (wt%). Notably, the in vivo and ex vivo GNP concentrations in the kidneys of three mice were comparable with a difference of 0.01–0.08 wt%.

Conclusions

A dual imaging modality of pinhole XRF and CT imaging system and L‐shell XRF detection system were successfully developed. The developed systems are a promising modality for in vivo imaging and ex vivo quantification for preclinical studies using MNPs. In addition, we discussed further improvements for the routine preclinical applications of the systems.
Structures and functions of cilia during vertebrate embryo development
Authors: Amack Jeffrey D.
Published: November 2022

Cilia are hair‐like structures that project from the surface of cells. In vertebrates, most cells have an immotile primary cilium that mediates cell signaling, and some specialized cells assemble one or multiple cilia that are motile and beat synchronously to move fluids in one direction. Gene mutations that alter cilia structure or function cause a broad spectrum of disorders termed ciliopathies that impact virtually every system in the body. A wide range of birth defects associated with ciliopathies underscores critical functions for cilia during embryonic development. In many cases, the mechanisms underlying cilia functions during development and disease remain poorly understood. This review describes different types of cilia in vertebrate embryos and discusses recent research results from diverse model systems that provide novel insights into how cilia form and function during embryo development. The work discussed here not only expands our understanding of in vivo cilia biology, but also opens new questions about cilia and their roles in establishing healthy embryos.
Model‐informed unsupervised deep learning approaches to frequency and phase correction of MRS signals
Authors: Shamaei Amirmohammad , Starcukova Jana , Pavlova Iveta , Starcuk Zenon
Published: November 2022

Purpose

A supervised deep learning (DL) approach for frequency and phase correction (FPC) of MRS data recently showed encouraging results, but obtaining transients with labels for supervised learning is challenging. This work investigates the feasibility and efficiency of unsupervised deep learning–based FPC.

Methods

Two novel deep learning–based FPC methods (deep learning–based Cr referencing and deep learning–based spectral registration), which use a priori physics domain knowledge, are presented. The proposed networks were trained, validated, and evaluated using simulated, phantom, and publicly accessible in vivo MEGA‐edited MRS data. The performance of our proposed FPC methods was compared with other generally used FPC methods, in terms of precision and time efficiency. A new measure was proposed in this study to evaluate the FPC method performance. The ability of each of our methods to carry out FPC at varying SNR levels was evaluated. A Monte Carlo study was carried out to investigate the performance of our proposed methods.

Results

The validation using low‐SNR manipulated simulated data demonstrated that the proposed methods could perform FPC comparably with other methods. The evaluation showed that the deep learning–based spectral registration over a limited frequency range method achieved the highest performance in phantom data. The applicability of the proposed method for FPC of GABA‐edited in vivo MRS data was demonstrated. Our proposed networks have the potential to reduce computation time significantly.

Conclusions

The proposed physics‐informed deep neural networks trained in an unsupervised manner with complex data can offer efficient FPC of large MRS data in a shorter time.
Adherence with mycophenolate mofetil in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases in coventry: Signs of progress but challenges remain
Authors: Chauhan Aarti , Bunting Helen , Dubey Shirish
Published: November 2022

Objective

The study investigated adherence with MMF treatment among patients attending rheumatology clinics at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust (UHCW) with Autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs).

Methods

This retrospective study collated hospital pharmacy data in patients who requested the prescription for MMF between January 2015 and December 2018. Clinical data were obtained from paper and electronic notes. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel. Ethical approval was obtained through Coventry University.

Results

We recruited 144 patients into this study with age range from 18 to 91 years, including 100 females and 44 males. There were 112 White patients, 22 of South Asian origin, 3 East Asian and 4 black patients. SLE (56), scleroderma (18), mixed connective tissue disease (15), myositis (13), vasculitis (13) were the commonest diagnoses. Overall adherence with Mycophenolate mofetil was 62%. The adherence rates were below 80% for all age groups with ∼60% of patients having adherence levels of >60%. Poor adherence with MMF correlated with 3‐fold increase in risk of flares compared to good adherence (p = 0.002). We also found a significant difference between Asian patients (mean adherence 47%) and White patients (mean adherence 65%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Adherence with MMF has improved considerably compared to historical studies, although these remain suboptimal. Certain population groups such as young adults, elderly and Asian patients continue to have lower adherence and higher risk of flares. Strategies are needed to improve adherence levels overall and specifically in the high‐risk groups to reduce risk of flares and organ damage.
Diagnostic characteristics of nerve conduction study parameters for vasculitic neuropathy
Authors: Davalos Long , Watanabe Maya , Gallagher Gary W. , Grewal Avneet , Fudym Yelena , Reynolds Evan L. , Callaghan Brian C. , Banarjee Mousumi , London Zachary N.
Published: November 2022

Introduction/aims

In vasculitic neuropathy (VN), a 50% side‐to‐side difference in the amplitude of compound muscle action potentials and sensory nerve action potentials is considered meaningful, but unequivocal evidence is lacking. The aim of this study is to characterize electrodiagnostic features that best distinguish VN from other axonal polyneuropathies.

Methods

We conducted a case–control study between January 2000 and April 2021. We reviewed the records of patients with VN who had bilateral nerve conduction studies (NCS) and evaluated different electrodiagnostic models to help distinguish VN from non‐inflammatory axonal polyneuropathies.

Results

We identified 82 cases, and 174 controls with non‐inflammatory axonal neuropathies. The amplitude percent difference Z‐score model showed the best discriminatory capability between cases and controls (area under the curve [AUC] 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.82, 0.93), and the number of nerves tested did not significantly influence the model. Individually, the ulnar motor nerve (AUC 0.86; 95% CI 0.77, 0.94) and median motor nerve (AUC 0.85; 95% CI 0.77, 0.94) showed the best discriminatory capability. A 50% amplitude difference between at least two bilateral nerves, either in the upper (AUC 0.85; 95% CI 0.77, 0.93) or lower (AUC 0.79; 95% CI 0.71, 0.87) extremity showed good discriminatory threshold for detecting VN.

Discussion

The best electrodiagnostic criteria for VN utilizes z‐scores of percent differences in nerve amplitudes, but this approach may be difficult to implement at the bedside. Alternately, a 50% amplitude difference in at least two nerves is a reasonable approximation.
Combination of Acoustic Telemetry and Side-Scan Sonar Advances Suppression Efforts for Invasive Lake Trout in a Submontane Lake
Authors: Siemiantkowski Michael J. , Guy Christopher S. , Koel Todd M. , Tronstad Lusha M. , Fredenberg Carter R. , Rosenthal Leo R.
Published: November 2022

Expansion of an invasive Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush population in Swan Lake, Montana, threatens a core area population of Bull Trout S. confluentus. Given the recent development of novel suppression methods, such as use of carcass analog pellets to cause high mortality of embryos, there was a need to quantify spawning season aggregation sites, site use, and spawning habitat for Lake Trout in Swan Lake. Acoustic tags were implanted in 85 Lake Trout during the summer in 2018 and 2019. Nightly tracking efforts during autumn in both years resulted in 1,744 relocations for 49 individual Lake Trout. Kernel density analysis was used to evaluate Lake Trout aggregation sites, identifying 10 distinct sites. All spawning sites were located in the littoral zone along areas of steep bathymetric relief, and these sites composed 48% of total relocations during both spawning seasons. In 2019, side-scan sonar imaging was used to classify and quantify the total area of spawning substrate, which constituted 12.8% of the total surface area estimated for spawning sites 1, 6, and 9 and 11.4% of the total surface area for aggregation sites 2–5, 7, 8, and 10. Simultaneous treatment of all spawning sites would require 205,709 ± 86 kg of carcass analog pellet material, resulting in 370.4 ± 0.2 kg of phosphorus inputs and 7,487.9 ± 3.1 kg of nitrogen inputs to Swan Lake. Thus, pellet treatment would increase the Carlson's trophic state index (TSI) values from 20.8 to 27.7 for total phosphorus and from 22.1 to 26.2 for total nitrogen. Based on a TSI threshold of less than 40 for an oligotrophic lake, the use of carcass analog pellets could be feasible for supplementing the gill-netting suppression of Lake Trout in Swan Lake.
Carboxylic acid catalysis on the imine formation versus aza‐Michael reaction in apolar aprotic solvent
Authors: Rufino Virginia C. , Pliego Josefredo R.
Published: November 2022

The reaction between primary amine and α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes and ketones can produce α,β‐unsaturated imines or aza‐Michael products. However, a theoretical reaction mechanism with the corresponding free energy profile compatible with experimental kinetics in aprotic apolar solvents has not been reported yet. In this work, we have used theoretical calculations to investigate the mechanism behind the 1,2‐addition and 1,4‐addition of benzylamine (BnNH2) to methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) in toluene solution. The calculation of the free energy profile was followed by a microkinetic analysis. According to our results, the experimentally observed formation of the aza‐Michael product is due to more favorable kinetics of the nucleophilic attack of the BnNH2 to the β‐carbon of s‐cis conformation of MVK. Furthermore, acetic acid can be present in MVK as a stabilizer. This contaminant catalyzes the transfer of protons for the formation of the aza‐Michael product and can also catalyze the imine formation. The present analysis indicates that catalysts for proton transfer are essential for the reaction to proceed in aprotic solvent and explain the use of carboxylic acids as an additive in aza‐Michael reactions. In the case of acetic acid, this species has a powerful catalytic effect, which explains why even a trace amount is enough for catalysis. A higher concentration of acetic acid could in principle favor the imine mechanism. However, a high concentration of acetic acid leads to the dimerization of this species, producing a low concentration of the free acid and limiting its ability to produce competitive kinetics for imine formation.
Effects of nitrogen deposition on carbon allocation between wood and leaves in temperate forests
Authors: Gao Meixia , Zhu Feifei , Hobbie Erik A. , Zhu Weixing , Li Shanlong , Gurmesa Geshere A. , Wang Ang , Fang Xiaoming , Zhu Jiaojun , Gundersen Per , Huang Kai , Wu Zhou , Fang Yunting
Published: November 2022

Societal Impact Statement

Increasing atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition represents a major global change factor, but its long‐term effect on tree growth and carbon (C) sequestration remains uncertain. Our manipulation experiment and meta‐analysis reveal that N deposition in temperate and boreal forests promoted tree growth and the allocation of more C into wood than into leaves in China and worldwide. Thus, N deposition may increase forest C sequestration through enhanced wood production and distribution of C into stable sinks. In the context of achieving “Carbon Neutrality,” understanding how N deposition affect long‐term forest C sinks will help us with mitigation strategies under climate change.

Increased nitrogen (N) deposition is driving many temperate and boreal forests in the Northern Hemisphere towards N saturation. However, it is uncertain how long‐term N deposition affects tree growth and carbon (C) allocation in these forests.

To investigate this, we treated temperate larch and mixed forests in northeastern China with N additions for 8 years. In addition, we collected data from 25 N‐addition experiments in temperate and boreal forests worldwide to reveal the overall effects of N on tree growth and C allocation.

Nitrogen additions significantly promoted total biomass increment by 24% in both study forests, with on average additional 8 kg C per kg N gain into woody biomass over the study period. Nitrogen additions increased the ratio of woody biomass increment to foliage litterfall production in the larch forest (by 34%). Literature data analysis also revealed greater N promotion on wood (24%) over foliage (9%) production. However, the positive effect on foliage diminished over time.

These results combined imply that N deposition may promote tree growth in temperate and boreal regions and drive proportionally more photosynthate allocation into wood than leaves, thus may enhance forest C sequestration in the long run.
Risk factors for recurrent respiratory tract infections and acute respiratory failure in children with spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Guo Wenhui , Meng Linghui , Cao Ling
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Assessment of and intervention for sleep‐disordered breathing and malnutrition are related to the prevention of recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) and acute respiratory failure (ARF) in children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). However, specific standards for sleep‐disordered breathing and malnutrition in the prevention of RRTIs and ARF have not been clarified.

Purpose

The study aimed to identify the risk factors and predictive indices for RRTIs and/or ARF in children with SMA.

Methods

In this retrospective study, the differences in clinical characteristics between patients with and without RRTIs and ARF were compared, and binary logistic regression analysis was carried out. The optimal cutoff points for positive predictors were obtained.

Results

SMA type 1 (odds ratio (OR) = 5.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50–18.17, p = 0.010) and the apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) (OR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.01–1.24, p = 0.026) were risk factors, while the body mass index z score (BMIz) (OR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.46–0.91, p = 0.013) and mean pulse oxygen saturation (MSpO2) (OR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.52–1.00, p = 0.049) were protective factors. A standard consisting of (i) MSpO2 < 96% and (ii) AHI > 10 events/h and/or BMIz < ‐1 predicted the occurrence of RRTIs and/or ARF in the next year with a sensitivity of 0.513 and a specificity of 0.957.

Conclusion

SMA type 1, BMIz, AHI and MSpO2 should be used to estimate the risk of RRTI and/or ARF in children with SMA. MSpO2 < 96% combined with AHI > 10 events/h or BMIz < ‐1 should be used as the intervention standard.