bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The newborn delivery room of tomorrow: emerging and future technologies
Authors: Batey Natalie , Henry Caroline , Garg Shalabh , Wagner Michael , Malhotra Atul , Valstar Michel , Smith Thomas , Sharkey Don ,   the European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR) Neonatal Resuscitation Section Writing Group, Niemuth Mara , Küster Helmut , Rozycki Henry , Solevåg Anne Lee , Lara-Cantón Inmaculada , Badurdeen Shiraz , Dekker Janneke , Davis Peter , Roberts Calum , te Pas Arjan , Vento Máximo , Simma Burkhard , den Boer Marieke , Herrick Heidi Meredith , Rüdiger Mario , Kaufmann Maxi , Aichner Heidi , Gupta Samir , deBoode Willem , Roehr Charles Christoph , Nakstad Britt , Hooper Stuart , Batey Natalie , Henry Caroline , Garg Shalabh , Wagner Michael , Malhotra Atul , Valstar Michel , Smith Thomas , Sharkey Don
Published: March 2022

Advances in neonatal care have resulted in improved outcomes for high-risk newborns with technologies playing a significant part although many were developed for the neonatal intensive care unit. The care provided in the delivery room (DR) during the first few minutes of life can impact short- and long-term neonatal outcomes. Increasingly, technologies have a critical role to play in the DR particularly with monitoring and information provision. However, the DR is a unique environment and has major challenges around the period of foetal to neonatal transition that need to be overcome when developing new technologies. This review focuses on current DR technologies as well as those just emerging and further over the horizon. We identify what key opinion leaders in DR care think of current technologies, what the important DR measures are to them, and which technologies might be useful in the future. We link these with key technologies including respiratory function monitors, electoral impedance tomography, videolaryngoscopy, augmented reality, video recording, eye tracking, artificial intelligence, and contactless monitoring. Encouraging funders and industry to address the unique technological challenges of newborn care in the DR will allow the continued improvement of outcomes of high-risk infants from the moment of birth.

Impact

Technological advances for newborn delivery room care require consideration of the unique environment, the variable patient characteristics, and disease states, as well as human factor challenges.

Neonatology as a speciality has embraced technology, allowing its rapid progression and improved outcomes for infants, although innovation in the delivery room often lags behind that in the intensive care unit.

Investing in new and emerging technologies can support healthcare providers when optimising care and could improve training, safety, and neonatal outcomes.
Siderophores as an iron source for picocyanobacteria in deep chlorophyll maximum layers of the oligotrophic ocean
Authors: Hogle Shane L , Hackl Thomas , Bundy Randelle M , Park Jiwoon , Satinsky Brandon , Hiltunen Teppo , Biller Steven , Berube Paul M , Chisholm Sallie W
Published: March 2022

Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus are the most abundant photosynthesizing organisms in the oceans. Gene content variation among picocyanobacterial populations in separate ocean basins often mirrors the selective pressures imposed by the region’s distinct biogeochemistry. By pairing genomic datasets with trace metal concentrations from across the global ocean, we show that the genomic capacity for siderophore-mediated iron uptake is widespread in Synechococcus and low-light adapted Prochlorococcus populations from deep chlorophyll maximum layers of iron-depleted regions of the oligotrophic Pacific and S. Atlantic oceans: Prochlorococcus siderophore consumers were absent in the N. Atlantic ocean (higher new iron flux) but constituted up to half of all Prochlorococcus genomes from metagenomes in the N. Pacific (lower new iron flux). Picocyanobacterial siderophore consumers, like many other bacteria with this trait, also lack siderophore biosynthesis genes indicating that they scavenge exogenous siderophores from seawater. Statistical modeling suggests that the capacity for siderophore uptake is endemic to remote ocean regions where atmospheric iron fluxes are the smallest, especially at deep chlorophyll maximum and primary nitrite maximum layers. We argue that abundant siderophore consumers at these two common oceanographic features could be a symptom of wider community iron stress, consistent with prior hypotheses. Our results provide a clear example of iron as a selective force driving the evolution of marine picocyanobacteria.
Association between FIASMA psychotropic medications and reduced risk of intubation or death in individuals with psychiatric disorders hospitalized for severe COVID-19: an observational multicenter study
Authors: Hoertel Nicolas , Sánchez-Rico Marina , Gulbins Erich , Kornhuber Johannes , Carpinteiro Alexander , Abellán Miriam , de la Muela Pedro , Vernet Raphaël , Beeker Nathanaël , Neuraz Antoine , Delcuze Aude , Alvarado Jesús M. , Cougoule Céline , Meneton Pierre , Limosin Frédéric ,   On behalf of AP-HP/Université de Paris/INSERM COVID-19 research collaboration/AP-HP COVID CDR Initiative/“Entrepôt de Données de Santé” AP-HP Consortium
Published: March 2022

The acid sphingomyelinase (ASM)/ceramide system may provide a useful framework for better understanding SARS-CoV-2 infection and the repurposing of psychotropic medications functionally inhibiting the acid sphingomyelinase/ceramide system (named FIASMA psychotropic medications) against COVID-19. We examined the potential usefulness of FIASMA psychotropic medications in patients with psychiatric disorders hospitalized for severe COVID-19, in an observational multicenter study conducted at Greater Paris University hospitals. Of 545 adult inpatients, 164 (30.1%) received a FIASMA psychotropic medication upon hospital admission for COVID-19. We compared the composite endpoint of intubation or death between patients who received a psychotropic FIASMA medication at baseline and those who did not in time-to-event analyses adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, psychiatric and other medical comorbidity, and other medications. FIASMA psychotropic medication use at baseline was significantly associated with reduced risk of intubation or death in both crude (HR = 0.42; 95%CI = 0.31–0.57; p < 0.01) and primary inverse probability weighting (IPW) (HR = 0.50; 95%CI = 0.37–0.67; p < 0.01) analyses. This association was not specific to one FIASMA psychotropic class or medication. Patients taking a FIASMA antidepressant at baseline had a significantly reduced risk of intubation or death compared with those taking a non-FIASMA antidepressant at baseline in both crude (HR = 0.57; 95%CI = 0.38–0.86; p < 0.01) and primary IPW (HR = 0.57; 95%CI = 0.37–0.87; p < 0.01) analyses. These associations remained significant in multiple sensitivity analyses. Our results show the potential importance of the ASM/ceramide system framework in COVID-19 and support the continuation of FIASMA psychotropic medications in these patients and the need of large- scale clinical trials evaluating FIASMA medications, and particularly FIASMA antidepressants, against COVID-19.
Mechanism of cooperative N-glycan processing by the multi-modular endoglycosidase EndoE
Authors: García-Alija Mikel , Du Jonathan J. , Ordóñez Izaskun , Diz-Vallenilla Asier , Moraleda-Montoya Alicia , Sultana Nazneen , Huynh Chau G. , Li Chao , Donahue Thomas Connor , Wang Lai-Xi , Trastoy Beatriz , Sundberg Eric J. , Guerin Marcelo E.
Published: March 2022

Bacteria produce a remarkably diverse range of glycoside hydrolases to metabolize glycans from the environment as a primary source of nutrients, and to promote the colonization and infection of a host. Here we focus on EndoE, a multi-modular glycoside hydrolase secreted byEnterococcus faecalis, one of the leading causes of healthcare-associated infections. We provide X-ray crystal structures of EndoE, which show an architecture composed of four domains, including GH18 and GH20 glycoside hydrolases connected by two consecutive three α-helical bundles. We determine that the GH20 domain is an exo-β-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminidase, whereas the GH18 domain is an endo-β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase that exclusively processes the central core of complex-type or high-mannose-typeN-glycans. Both glycoside hydrolase domains act in a concerted manner to process diverseN-glycans on glycoproteins, including therapeutic IgG antibodies. EndoE combines two enzyme domains with distinct functions and glycan specificities to play a dual role in glycan metabolism and immune evasion.
Loss of transcriptional plasticity but sustained adaptive capacity after adaptation to global change conditions in a marine copepod
Authors: Brennan Reid S. , deMayo James A. , Dam Hans G. , Finiguerra Michael B. , Baumann Hannes , Pespeni Melissa H.
Published: March 2022

Adaptive evolution and phenotypic plasticity will fuel resilience in the geologically unprecedented warming and acidification of the earth’s oceans, however, we have much to learn about the interactions and costs of these mechanisms of resilience. Here, using 20 generations of experimental evolution followed by three generations of reciprocal transplants, we investigated the relationship between adaptation and plasticity in the marine copepod,Acartia tonsa, in future global change conditions (high temperature and high CO2). We found parallel adaptation to global change conditions in genes related to stress response, gene expression regulation, actin regulation, developmental processes, and energy production. However, reciprocal transplantation showed that adaptation resulted in a loss of transcriptional plasticity, reduced fecundity, and reduced population growth when global change-adapted animals were returned to ambient conditions or reared in low food conditions. However, after three successive transplant generations, global change-adapted animals were able to match the ambient-adaptive transcriptional profile. Concurrent changes in allele frequencies and erosion of nucleotide diversity suggest that this recovery occurred via adaptation back to ancestral conditions. These results demonstrate that while plasticity facilitated initial survival in global change conditions, it eroded after 20 generations as populations adapted, limiting resilience to new stressors and previously benign environments.
Tig1 regulates proximo-distal identity during salamander limb regeneration
Authors: Oliveira Catarina R. , Knapp Dunja , Elewa Ahmed , Gerber Tobias , Gonzalez Malagon Sandra G. , Gates Phillip B. , Walters Hannah E. , Petzold Andreas , Arce Hernan , Cordoba Rodrigo C. , Subramanian Elaiyaraja , Chara Osvaldo , Tanaka Elly M. , Simon András , Yun Maximina H.
Published: March 2022

Salamander limb regeneration is an accurate process which gives rise exclusively to the missing structures, irrespective of the amputation level. This suggests that cells in the stump have an awareness of their spatial location, a property termed positional identity. Little is known about how positional identity is encoded, in salamanders or other biological systems. Through single-cell RNAseq analysis, we identified Tig1/Rarres1 as a potential determinant of proximal identity. Tig1 encodes a conserved cell surface molecule, is regulated by retinoic acid and exhibits a graded expression along the proximo-distal axis of the limb. Its overexpression leads to regeneration defects in the distal elements and elicits proximal displacement of blastema cells, while its neutralisation blocks proximo-distal cell surface interactions. Critically, Tig1 reprogrammes distal cells to a proximal identity, upregulating Prod1 and inhibiting Hoxa13 and distal transcriptional networks. Thus, Tig1 is a central cell surface determinant of proximal identity in the salamander limb.
Chromosome-scale and haplotype-resolved genome assembly of a tetraploid potato cultivar
Authors: Sun Hequan , Jiao Wen-Biao , Krause Kristin , Campoy José A. , Goel Manish , Folz-Donahue Kat , Kukat Christian , Huettel Bruno , Schneeberger Korbinian
Published: March 2022

Potato is the most widely produced tuber crop worldwide. However, reconstructing the four haplotypes of its autotetraploid genome remained an unsolved challenge. Here, we report the 3.1 Gb haplotype-resolved (at 99.6% precision), chromosome-scale assembly of the potato cultivar ‘Otava’ based on high-quality long reads, single-cell sequencing of 717 pollen genomes and Hi-C data. Unexpectedly, ~50% of the genome was identical-by-descent due to recent inbreeding, which was contrasted by highly abundant structural rearrangements involving ~20% of the genome. Among 38,214 genes, only 54% were present in all four haplotypes with an average of 3.2 copies per gene. Taking the leaf transcriptome as an example, 11% of the genes were differently expressed in at least one haplotype, where 25% of them were likely regulated through allele-specific DNA methylation. Our work sheds light on the recent breeding history of potato, the functional organization of its tetraploid genome and has the potential to strengthen the future of genomics-assisted breeding.
Stem cell architecture drives myelodysplastic syndrome progression and predicts response to venetoclax-based therapy
Authors: Ganan-Gomez Irene , Yang Hui , Ma Feiyang , Montalban-Bravo Guillermo , Thongon Natthakan , Marchica Valentina , Richard-Carpentier Guillaume , Chien Kelly , Manyam Ganiraju , Wang Feng , Alfonso Ana , Chen Shuaitong , Class Caleb , Kanagal-Shamanna Rashmi , Ingram Justin P. , Ogoti Yamini , Rose Ashley , Loghavi Sanam , Lockyer Pamela , Cambo Benedetta , Muftuoglu Muharrem , Schneider Sarah , Adema Vera , McLellan Michael , Garza John , Marchesini Matteo , Giuliani Nicola , Pellegrini Matteo , Wang Jing , Walker Jason , Li Ziyi , Takahashi Koichi , Leverson Joel D. , Bueso-Ramos Carlos , Andreeff Michael , Clise-Dwyer Karen , Garcia-Manero Guillermo , Colla Simona
Published: March 2022

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are heterogeneous neoplastic disorders of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The current standard of care for patients with MDS is hypomethylating agent (HMA)-based therapy; however, almost 50% of MDS patients fail HMA therapy and progress to acute myeloid leukemia, facing a dismal prognosis due to lack of approved second-line treatment options. As cancer stem cells are the seeds of disease progression, we investigated the biological properties of the MDS HSCs that drive disease evolution, seeking to uncover vulnerabilities that could be therapeutically exploited. Through integrative molecular profiling of HSCs and progenitor cells in large patient cohorts, we found that MDS HSCs in two distinct differentiation states are maintained throughout the clinical course of the disease, and expand at progression, depending on recurrent activation of the anti-apoptotic regulator BCL-2 or nuclear factor-kappa B-mediated survival pathways. Pharmacologically inhibiting these pathways depleted MDS HSCs and reduced tumor burden in experimental systems. Further, patients with MDS who progressed after failure to frontline HMA therapy and whose HSCs upregulated BCL-2 achieved improved clinical responses to venetoclax-based therapy in the clinical setting. Overall, our study uncovers that HSC architectures in MDS are potential predictive biomarkers to guide second-line treatments after HMA failure. These findings warrant further investigation of HSC-specific survival pathways to identify new therapeutic targets of clinical potential in MDS.
Changes in the excitability of primary hippocampal neurons following exposure to 3.0 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields
Authors: Echchgadda Ibtissam , Cantu Jody C. , Tolstykh Gleb P. , Butterworth Joseph W. , Payne Jason A. , Ibey Bennett L.
Published: March 2022

Exposures to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs, 100 kHz to 6 GHz) have been associated with both positive and negative effects on cognitive behavior. To elucidate the mechanism of RF-EMF interaction, a few studies have examined its impact on neuronal activity and synaptic plasticity. However, there is still a need for additional basic research that further our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of RF-EMFs on the neuronal system. The present study investigated changes in neuronal activity and synaptic transmission following a 60-min exposure to 3.0 GHz RF-EMF at a low dose (specific absorption rate (SAR) < 1 W/kg). We showed that RF-EMF exposure decreased the amplitude of action potential (AP), depolarized neuronal resting membrane potential (MP), and increased neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission in cultured primary hippocampal neurons (PHNs). The results show that RF-EMF exposure can alter neuronal activity and highlight that more investigations should be performed to fully explore the RF-EMF effects and mechanisms.
Artificial and natural silk materials have high mechanical property variability regardless of sample size
Authors: Greco Gabriele , Mirbaha Hamideh , Schmuck Benjamin , Rising Anna , Pugno Nicola M.
Published: March 2022

Silk fibres attract great interest in materials science for their biological and mechanical properties. Hitherto, the mechanical properties of the silk fibres have been explored mainly by tensile tests, which provide information on their strength, Young’s modulus, strain at break and toughness modulus. Several hypotheses have been based on these data, but the intrinsic and often overlooked variability of natural and artificial silk fibres makes it challenging to identify trends and correlations. In this work, we determined the mechanical properties of Bombyx mori cocoon and degummed silk, native spider silk, and artificial spider silk, and compared them with classical commercial carbon fibres using large sample sizes (from 10 to 100 fibres, in total 200 specimens per fibre type). The results confirm a substantial variability of the mechanical properties of silk fibres compared to commercial carbon fibres, as the relative standard deviation for strength and strain at break is 10–50%. Moreover, the variability does not decrease significantly when the number of tested fibres is increased, which was surprising considering the low variability frequently reported for silk fibres in the literature. Based on this, we prove that tensile testing of 10 fibres per type is representative of a silk fibre population. Finally, we show that the ideal shape of the stress–strain curve for spider silk, characterized by a pronounced exponential stiffening regime, occurs in only 25% of all tested spider silk fibres.
MiR-146a alleviates lung injury caused by RSV infection in young rats by targeting TRAF-6 and regulating JNK/ERKMAPK signaling pathways
Authors: Huang Zhi , Liu Xiaoxian , Wu Xi , Chen Min , Yu Wenfeng
Published: March 2022

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection in infants and children. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of miR-146a on RSV replication and the related mechanisms. Material and methods: We pretreated A549 and HEp-2 cells and young rats with miR-146a mimic before infection with RSV. The expressions of miR-146a and RSV-F mRNA in cells and lung tissues were detected by RT-qPCR, and production of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined by ELISA. The expression level of TRAF-6 and activation of the JNK/ERK/MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway was detected by Western blotting. Results: RSV infection significantly reduced miR-146a levels in both A549 and HEp-2 cells and rat lung tissues. RSV infection resulted in accelerated growth, increased release of inflammatory cytokines, increased expression of TRAF-6, and activation of the JNK pathway in cells, and the lung inflammatory infiltration and the pathological score increased in rats. Overexpression of miR-146a targeted down-regulation of TRAF-6 expression and JNK/ERK/MAPK/NF-κB pathway induced by RSV infection, reduced the production of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, and alleviate lung injury in young rats. We got similar results in both A549 and HEp-2 cell experiments. Conclusion: MiR-146a alleviates lung injury caused by RSV infection in young rats by targeting TRAF-6 and regulating JNK/ERK/MAPK signaling pathways.
Spatial monitoring technologies for coupling the soil plant water animal nexus
Authors: Ashworth Amanda J. , Kharel Tulsi , Sauer Tom , Adams Taylor C. , Philipp Dirk , Thomas Andrew L. , Owens Phillip R.
Published: March 2022

Systems-level studies aimed at determining how soil properties are linked to plant production and ultimately animal response spatially are lacking. This study aims to identify if grazing pressure is linked to soil properties, terrain attributes, and above-ground plant accumulation and nutritive value in a silvopastoral (or integrated tree-livestock) system. Overall, cattle prefer grazing native grasses (2.81 vs. 1.24 h ha−1 AU−1) and udic (dry) landscape positions compared to aquic (wet) areas (2.07 vs. 1.60 h ha−1 AU−1). Greater grazing frequency occurs in udic soils with greater phosphorus and potassium contents and with accumulated forage with less lignin (P ≤ 0.05), which correspond to reduced elevation and greater tree height and diameter (shade) during summer mob grazing. Combining spatial monitoring technologies (both soil and animal) with forage allowance can optimize grazing systems management and sustainability spatially and temporally.
Neural oscillation of single silicon nanowire neuron device with no external bias voltage
Authors: Woo Sola , Kim Sangsig
Published: March 2022

In this study, we perform simulations to demonstrate neural oscillations in a single silicon nanowire neuron device comprising a gated p–n–p–n diode structure with no external bias lines. The neuron device emulates a biological neuron using interlinked positive and negative feedback loops, enabling neural oscillations with a high firing frequency of ~ 8 MHz and a low energy consumption of ~ 4.5 × 10−15 J. The neuron device provides a high integration density and low energy consumption for neuromorphic hardware. The periodic and aperiodic patterns of the neural oscillations depend on the amplitudes of the analog and digital input signals. Furthermore, the device characteristics, energy band diagram, and leaky integrate-and-fire operation of the neuron device are discussed.
Quantifying agent impacts on contact sequences in social interactions
Authors: Dekker Mark M. , Blanken Tessa F. , Dablander Fabian , Ou Jiamin , Borsboom Denny , Panja Debabrata
Published: March 2022

Human social behavior plays a crucial role in how pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 or fake news spread in a population. Social interactions determine the contact network among individuals, while spreading, requiring individual-to-individual transmission, takes place on top of the network. Studying the topological aspects of a contact network, therefore, not only has the potential of leading to valuable insights into how the behavior of individuals impacts spreading phenomena, but it may also open up possibilities for devising effective behavioral interventions. Because of the temporal nature of interactions—since the topology of the network, containing who is in contact with whom, when, for how long, and in which precise sequence, varies (rapidly) in time—analyzing them requires developing network methods and metrics that respect temporal variability, in contrast to those developed for static (i.e., time-invariant) networks. Here, by means of event mapping, we propose a method to quantify how quickly agents mingle by transforming temporal network data of agent contacts. We define a novel measure called contact sequence centrality, which quantifies the impact of an individual on the contact sequences, reflecting the individual’s behavioral potential for spreading. Comparing contact sequence centrality across agents allows for ranking the impact of agents and identifying potential ‘behavioral super-spreaders’. The method is applied to social interaction data collected at an art fair in Amsterdam. We relate the measure to the existing network metrics, both temporal and static, and find that (mostly at longer time scales) traditional metrics lose their resemblance to contact sequence centrality. Our work highlights the importance of accounting for the sequential nature of contacts when analyzing social interactions.
Objectively measured physical activity was not associated with neighborhood walkability attributes in community-dwelling patients with stroke
Authors: Kanai Masashi , Izawa Kazuhiro P. , Kubo Hiroki , Nozoe Masafumi , Shimada Shinichi
Published: March 2022

Although the built environment may affect physical activity, there is little evidence on how neighborhood walkability attributes influence post-stroke physical activity. This study aimed to explore associations between objectively measured physical activity and neighborhood walkability attributes in community-dwelling patients with stroke. This cross-sectional study recruited patients who could ambulate outside free of assistance. We assessed objectively measured physical activity comprising the number of steps taken and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with an accelerometer. Neighborhood walkability attributes were evaluated using the Walk Score. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine whether the Walk Score was independently associated with the number of steps taken or MVPA. Eighty participants with a mean age of 65.9 ± 11.1 years were included. The participants took an average of 5900.6 ± 2947.3 steps/day and spent an average of 19.7 ± 21.7 min/day in MVPA. The mean Walk Score was 71.4 ± 17.2. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that no significant associations were found between the Walk Score and the number of steps taken or MVPA. No associations were found between objectively measured physical activity and neighborhood walkability attributes in community-dwelling patients with stroke in an Asian area.
Feasibility of substituting old corrugated carton pulp with thermal alkali and enzyme pretreated semichemical mechanical rice straw pulp
Authors: Lai Yu-Hsun , Sun Hao-Chen , Chang Ming-Hui , Li Ching-Chin , Shyu Jiann-Gwo , Perng Yuan-Shing
Published: March 2022

In this study, we separately used a laboratory Hollander beater, a pilot scale 12″ single-disc refiner and an expanded trial with a commercial paper mold mill to investigate the feasibility of using thermal-alkali/enzyme pretreated rice straw semi-chemical mechanical pulp to substitute portions of old corrugated carton board (OCC) pulp in the paper industry. In the laboratory plan, sequential treatments of NaOH at a 5–10% dosage and enzymes at a 0.2–4% dosage were applied to rice straw, followed by beating using a Hollander beater for 1–2 h to complete the rice straw semi-chemical mechanical pulping process. When the NaOH dosage, enzyme dosage and refining time were 10%, 0.2% and 1 h, the best quality rice straw pulp was obtained. Along with the increase in NaOH dosage, the pulp freeness decreased significantly, and the pulp accepted rate increased. Enzymatic treatment enhanced rice straw quality only after NaOH dosage treatment, which then reacted with rice straw to increase the quality of pulp. In the expanded trial, the rice straw semi-chemical mechanical pulp was blended with OCC pulp (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) to form handsheets. Along with an increase in rice straw proportions, the tensile index, burst index, and ring-crush index increased by 109–200%, 13–196%, and 124–187%, respectively. In an online commercial paper mold mill trial, blending rice straw pulp with OCC could successfully make paper-mold egg cartons, with both mill operation and product smoothness appearance being highly acceptable.
Assessing the impact of water use in conventional and organic carrot production in Poland
Authors: Kowalczyk Zbigniew , Kuboń Maciej
Published: March 2022

As global water resources are decreasing and the demand for it is constantly increasing, the problem of proper water management is becoming more pressing. Poland is one of the largest producers of vegetables in Europe, including carrots, with significant exports. However its freshwater resources are relatively small. The paper presents the results of research on the water footprint (WF) life cycle assessment (LCA) in conventional and organic carrot production. The methodology of calculating WF was used in accordance with PN-EN ISO 14046. It was found, e.g., that WF for organic production of carrot (WF = 1.9 m3 ha−1) is over five times lower, as compared to conventional production (WF = 10.4 m3 ha−1). In the case of conventional production, the fertilization process (67.0–67.7%) has the greatest impact on the shaping of WF in the individual impact categories, i.e. Human Health, Ecosystem Quality and resources. In organic production, the WF-shaping factor is carrot harvesting (41.9–43.1%). The research can be used to develop pro-ecological carrot production technologies, as well as to shape sustainable development plans in agricultural areas. It can also be used to outline policy directions regarding foreign trade in water-consuming agricultural products.
Grit increases strongly in early childhood and is related to parental background
Authors: Sutter Matthias , Untertrifaller Anna , Zoller Claudia
Published: March 2022

Grit has been identified as a very important non-cognitive skill that is positively related to educational achievements and labor market success. Recently, it has also been found to be malleable through interventions in primary schools. Yet, little is still known about its development in early childhood and the influence of family background. We present an experiment with 429 children, aged 3–6 years. We measure the level of grit as children’s perseverance in a real effort task and their willingness to challenge themselves successfully with another, more difficult task. Based on a principal component analysis, we find that grit increases strongly with age. Parents’ assessment of their child’s grit is correlated with the actual behavior of their child. Education of parents plays a role for perseverance. Yet, children’s level of patience is unrelated to their level of grit.
Prognostic significance of platelet-to-albumin ratio in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma receiving definitive radiotherapy
Authors: Huang Zhiyu , Zheng Qunhao , Yu Yilin , Zheng Hongying , Wu Yahua , Wang Zhiping , Liu Lingyun , Zhang Mengyan , Liu Tianxiu , Li Hui , Li Jiancheng
Published: March 2022

Accumulating evidence indicates that inflammation and nutrition status are associated with clinical outcomes in patients with various malignancies. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of the pretreatment platelet to albumin ratio (PAR) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients undergoing definitive radiotherapy. A total of 470 patients who underwent definitive radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy were enrolled. The optimal cut-off values of PAR and other indicators were determined by the X-tile. The Kaplan–Meier method, multivariate analyses Cox regression were conducted to identify the association between those indicators and the survival outcomes. The median follow-up time was 23.5 months. The optimal cut-off value of PAR was 5.7 × 109 and patients were stratified as the low PAR group and the high PAR group. In the univariate analysis, a low overall survival rate was significantly associated with T stage (P = 0.005), TNM stage (P < 0.001), Adjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.007), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (P = 0.006), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (P < 0.001), systemic immune-inflammation index (P < 0.001), prognostic nutritional index (P < 0.001) and platelet to albumin ratio (PAR) (P < 0.001). Patients with high PAR were associated with poorer OS and PFS than patients with low PAR. On multivariate analysis, TNM stage (P = 0.001), adjuvant chemotherapy (P < 0.001), and PAR (P = 0.033) were independent prognostic factors in ESCC treated with definitive radiotherapy. PAR is a novel, convenient, and inexpensive prognostic indicator for patients with ESCC undergoing definitive radiotherapy. Future validation from prospective larger-scale studies is warranted.
Unveiling genetic variants for age-related sarcopenia by conducting a genome-wide association study on Korean cohorts
Authors: Jin Heejin , Yoo Hyun Ju , Kim Ye An , Lee Ji Hyun , Lee Young , Kwon Seung-hyun , Seo Young Joo , Lee Seung Hun , Koh Jung-Min , Ji Yunmi , Do Ah Ra , Won Sungho , Seo Je Hyun
Published: March 2022

Sarcopenia is an age-related disorder characterised by a progressive decrease in skeletal muscle mass. As the genetic biomarkers for sarcopenia are not yet well characterised, this study aimed to investigate the genetic variations related to sarcopenia in a relatively aged cohort, using genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analyses of lean body mass (LBM) in 6961 subjects. Two Korean cohorts were analysed, and subgroup GWAS was conducted for appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) and skeletal muscle index. The effects of significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on gene expression were also investigated using multiple expression quantitative trait loci datasets, differentially expressed gene analysis, and gene ontology analyses. Novel genetic biomarkers were identified for LBM (rs1187118; rs3768582) and ASM (rs6772958). Their related genes, includingRPS10,NUDT3,NCF2,SMG7,andARPC5, were differently expressed in skeletal muscle tissue, whileGPD1Lwas not. Furthermore, the ‘mRNA destabilisation’ biological process was enriched for sarcopenia. Our study identifiedRPS10,NUDT3,andGPD1Las significant genetic biomarkers for sarcopenia. These genetic loci were related to lipid and energy metabolism, suggesting that genes involved in metabolic dysregulation may lead to the pathogenesis of age-related sarcopenia.
The hidden community architecture of human brain networks
Authors: Lee Byeongwook , Kang Uiryong , Chang Hongjun , Cho Kwang-Hyun
Published: March 2022

The organizational principles of the community architecture of human brain networks are still mostly unknown. Here, we found that brain networks have a moderate degree of community segregation but are specifically organized to achieve high community overlap while maintaining their segregated community structures. These properties are distinct from other real-world complex networks. Additionally, we found that human subjects with a higher degree of community overlap in their brain networks show greater dynamic reconfiguration and cognitive flexibility.
Analysis of serious adverse events in a pediatric community-acquired pneumonia randomized clinical trial in Malawi
Authors: Ginsburg Amy Sarah , May Susanne
Published: March 2022

Amoxicillin is recommended as first-line antibiotic treatment for community-acquired pneumonia, the leading infectious cause of mortality in children aged less than 5 years. We conducted a double-blind, randomized controlled non-inferiority trial comparing 3- to 5-day amoxicillin treatment for non-severe chest-indrawing pneumonia in HIV-negative children aged 2 to 59 months in Malawi. In a secondary analysis, we assessed the frequency of serious adverse events (SAEs) during the trial to evaluate the safety of treatment with amoxicillin. Enrolled children with non-severe chest-indrawing pneumonia were randomized to either 3- or 5-day amoxicillin and followed for 14 days to track clinical outcomes. In addition to evaluation for treatment failure (primary endpoint, day 6), relapse, and study drug adherence, children were assessed for adverse events, including SAEs, which were managed per local standard clinical practice until resolution or stabilization. Between March 2016 and April 2019, 3000 children were enrolled, with male and younger children (aged less than 24 months) demonstrating more SAEs (10.3% for males vs 8.1% for females, p = 0.04; 10.0% for 2–6 months, 10.8% for 7–11 months, 9.7% for 12–23 months and 5.6% for 24–59 months, p = 0.01). The most common SAEs were progression of or recurrent pneumonia (220 SAEs in 217 children), acute gastroenteritis (14 SAEs in 14 children), and fever (8 SAEs in 8 children); however, there were no significant or substantive differences in the percentage of children with pneumonia-related, acute gastroenteritis, or fever SAEs noted between the 3- versus 5-day amoxicillin treatment groups. In our pediatric community-acquired pneumonia trial evaluating amoxicillin treatment, there were relatively few SAEs overall and very few attributed to amoxicillin. Duration of amoxicillin treatment did not impact the frequency of SAEs. We found male and younger children appear to be more vulnerable to SAEs in our trial; however, our data support previous data demonstrating the safety of amoxicillin use in children with pneumonia.

Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02678195).
Objective evaluation of choroidal melanin loss in patients with Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography
Authors: Miura Masahiro , Makita Shuichi , Yasuno Yoshiaki , Azuma Shinnosuke , Mino Toshihiro , Yamaguchi Tatsuo , Iwasaki Takuya , Nemoto Rei , Shimizu Hiroyuki , Goto Hiroshi
Published: March 2022

In this study, sunset glow fundus was evaluated in patients with Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada (VKH) disease using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT). We evaluated 40 VKH eyes (20 patients) and 59 healthy eyes (59 age-matched controls). VKH eyes were divided into three groups according to color fundus images: sunset (17 eyes), potential sunset (13 eyes), and non-sunset (10 eyes). Choroidal melanin thickness (ChMeT) and the choroidal melanin thickness ratio (ChMeTratio) were calculated based on the degree of polarization uniformity from PS-OCT. ChMeT was significantly lower in sunset eyes than in non-sunset or control eyes (P = 0.003). The ChMeTratios of sunset or potential sunset eyes were significantly lower than those of non-sunset or control eyes (P = 0.04). Regional evaluation of ChMeT and the ChMeTratio showed that choroidal depigmentation predominantly occurred in the macula’s outer ring area (P = 0.002). The areas under receiver operating characteristic curves discriminating combined sunset (sunset and potential sunset) from non-sunset eyes were 0.983 and 0.997 for ChMeT and the ChMeTratio, respectively. Time course evaluation of 12 eyes from disease onset showed that ChMeT and the ChMeTratio significantly decreased over time. PS-OCT may be useful for objectively evaluating choroidal depigmentation in patients with VKH disease.
Short-term smoking increases the risk of insulin resistance
Authors: Cho Soo Hyeon , Jeong Sung Hoon , Shin Jaeyong , Park Sohee , Jang Sung-In
Published: March 2022

Insulin resistance can be affected directly or indirectly by smoking. This cross-sectional study aimed at examining the association between smoking patterns and insulin resistance using objective biomarkers. Data from 4043 participants sourced from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted from 2016 to 2018, were examined. Short-term smoking patterns were used to classify participants according to urine levels of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol and cotinine as continuous-smokers, past-smokers, current-smokers, and non-smokers. Insulin resistance was calculated using the triglyceride-glucose index from blood samples and was defined as either high or low. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between smoking behavior and insulin resistance. Men and women who were continuous-smokers (men: odds ratio [OR] = 1.74, p = 0.001; women: OR = 2.01, p = 0.001) and past-smokers (men: OR = 1.47, p = 0.033; women: OR = 1.37, p = 0.050) were more likely to have high insulin resistance than their non-smoking counterparts. Long-term smokers (≥ 40 days) are at an increased risk of insulin resistance in short-term smoking patterns. Smoking cessation may protect against insulin resistance. Therefore, first-time smokers should be educated about the health benefits of quitting smoking.
Chromosome-scale Echinococcus granulosus (genotype G1) genome reveals the Eg95 gene family and conservation of the EG95-vaccine molecule
Authors: Korhonen Pasi K. , Kinkar Liina , Young Neil D. , Cai Huimin , Lightowlers Marshall W. , Gauci Charles , Jabbar Abdul , Chang Bill C. H. , Wang Tao , Hofmann Andreas , Koehler Anson V. , Li Junhua , Li Jiandong , Wang Daxi , Yin Jiefang , Yang Huanming , Jenkins David J. , Saarma Urmas , Laurimäe Teivi , Rostami-Nejad Mohammad , Irshadullah Malik , Mirhendi Hossein , Sharbatkhori Mitra , Ponce-Gordo Francisco , Simsek Sami , Casulli Adriano , Zait Houria , Atoyan Hripsime , de la Rue Mario Luiz , Romig Thomas , Wassermann Marion , Aghayan Sargis A. , Gevorgyan Hasmik , Yang Bicheng , Gasser Robin B.
Published: March 2022

Cystic echinococcosis is a socioeconomically important parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of the canid tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, afflicting millions of humans and animals worldwide. The development of a vaccine (called EG95) has been the most notable translational advance in the fight against this disease in animals. However, almost nothing is known about the genomic organisation/location of the family of genes encoding EG95 and related molecules, the extent of their conservation or their functions. The lack of a complete reference genome for E. granulosus genotype G1 has been a major obstacle to addressing these areas. Here, we assembled a chromosomal-scale genome for this genotype by scaffolding to a high quality genome for the congener E. multilocularis, localised Eg95 gene family members in this genome, and evaluated the conservation of the EG95 vaccine molecule. These results have marked implications for future explorations of aspects such as developmentally-regulated gene transcription/expression (using replicate samples) for all E. granulosus stages; structural and functional roles of non-coding genome regions; molecular ‘cross-talk’ between oncosphere and the immune system; and defining the precise function(s) of EG95. Applied aspects should include developing improved tools for the diagnosis and chemotherapy of cystic echinococcosis of humans.
Over-expression of TaDWF4 increases wheat productivity under low and sufficient nitrogen through enhanced carbon assimilation
Authors: Milner Matthew J. , Swarbreck Stéphanie M. , Craze Melanie , Bowden Sarah , Griffiths Howard , Bentley Alison R. , Wallington Emma J.
Published: March 2022

There is a strong pressure to reduce nitrogen (N) fertilizer inputs while maintaining or increasing current cereal crop yields. We show that overexpression of TaDWF4-B, the dominant shoot expressed homoeologue of OsDWF4, in wheat can increase plant productivity by up to 105% under a range of N levels on marginal soils, resulting in increased N use efficiency (NUE). We show that a two to four-fold increase in TaDWF4 transcript levels enhances the responsiveness of genes regulated by N. The productivity increases seen were primarily due to the maintenance of photosystem II operating efficiency and carbon assimilation in plants when grown under limiting N conditions and not an overall increase in photosynthesis capacity. The increased biomass production and yield per plant in TaDWF4 OE lines could be linked to modified carbon partitioning and changes in expression pattern of the growth regulator Target Of Rapamycin, offering a route towards breeding for sustained yield and lower N inputs.
An exceptionally preserved Sphenodon-like sphenodontian reveals deep time conservation of the tuatara skeleton and ontogeny
Authors: Simões Tiago R. , Kinney-Broderick Grace , Pierce Stephanie E.
Published: March 2022

Sphenodontian reptiles are an extremely old evolutionary lineage forming the closest relatives to squamates (lizards and snakes) and were globally distributed and more diverse than squamates during the first half of their evolutionary history. However, the majority of their fossils are highly fragmentary, especially within sphenodontines—the group including its single surviving species,Sphenodon punctatus(the tuatara of New Zealand)—thus severely hampering our understanding on the origins of the tuatara. Here, we present a new sphenodontian species from the Early Jurassic of North America (Arizona, USA) represented by a nearly complete articulated skeleton and dozens of upper and lower jaws forming the most complete ontogenetic series in the sphenodontian fossil record. CT-scanning provides plentitude of data that unambiguously place this new taxon as one of the earliest evolving and oldest known sphenodontines. Comparisons withSphenodonreveal that fundamental patterns of mandibular ontogeny and skeletal architecture inSphenodonmay have originated at least ~190Mya. In combination with recent findings, our results suggest strong morphological stability and an ancient origin of the modern tuatara morphotype.
Boron-lead multiple bonds in the PbB2O– and PbB3O2– clusters
Authors: Chen Wei-Jia , Chen Teng-Teng , Chen Qiang , Lu Hai-Gang , Zhao Xiao-Yun , Ma Yuan-Yuan , Yan Qiao-Qiao , Yuan Rui-Nan , Li Si-Dian , Wang Lai-Sheng
Published: March 2022

Despite its electron deficiency, boron can form multiple bonds with a variety of elements. However, multiple bonds between boron and main-group metal elements are relatively rare. Here we report the observation of boron-lead multiple bonds in PbB2O– and PbB3O2–, which are produced and characterized in a cluster beam. PbB2O– is found to have an open-shell linear structure, in which the bond order of B☱Pb is 2.5, while the closed-shell [Pb≡B–B≡O]2– contains a B≡Pb triple bond. PbB3O2– is shown to have a Y-shaped structure with a terminal B = Pb double bond coordinated by two boronyl ligands. Comparison between [Pb≡B–B≡O]2–/[Pb=B(B≡O)2]– and the isoelectronic [Pb≡B–C≡O]–/[Pb=B(C≡O)2]+ carbonyl counterparts further reveals transition-metal-like behaviors for the central B atoms. Additional theoretical studies show that Ge and Sn can form similar boron species as Pb, suggesting the possibilities to synthesize new compounds containing multiple boron bonds with heavy group-14 elements.
Photo-induced lattice distortion in 2H-MoTe2 probed by time-resolved core level photoemission
Authors: Costantini R. , Cilento F. , Salvador F. , Morgante A. , Giorgi G. , Palummo M. , Dell’Angela M.
Published: March 2022

The optical excitation of a 2H-MoTe2 crystal leads to a lattice deformation in the out-of-plane direction which has a lifetime of about 600 ps. The atomic displacement results in a transient binding energy shift of the Te 4d core level.
Effects of colonic fermentation on the stability of fresh and black onion bioactives
Authors: Moreno-Ortega Alicia , Di Pede Giuseppe , Mena Pedro , Calani Luca , Del Rio Daniele , Moreno-Rojas José Manuel , Pereira-Caro Gema
Published: March 2022

The health properties related to onion intake are attributed mainly to the presence of bioactive compounds, particularly phenolic and organosulfur compounds (OSCs).
Ginsenoside compound K inhibits obesity-induced insulin resistance by regulation of macrophage recruitment and polarization via activating PPARγ
Authors: Xu Jie , Dong Jinxiang , Ding Hongyue , Wang Bei , Wang Yuqi , Qiu Zhidong , Yao Fan
Published: March 2022

This study demonstrates that ginsenoside CK could improve insulin resistance by reducing inflammation through PPARγ/NF-κB signaling pathway, which implies that ginsenoside CK may be an effective agent against obesity or early diabetes.
Elemental detection of fluorochemicals by nanospray-induced chemical ionization in afterglow of an inductively coupled plasma
Authors: White Samuel , Zheng Kunyu , Tanen Jordan , Lesniewski Joseph E. , Jorabchi Kaveh
Published: March 2022

Post-plasma chemical ionization of ICP-produced HF by barium-based reagent ions vastly improves F detection sensitivity compared to that of ICP-MS where ions are formed inside the plasma.
Design of NiCo2O4@NiMoO4 core–shell nanoarrays on nickel foam to explore the application in both energy storage and electrocatalysis
Authors: Meng Ya’nan , Liu Jiaqi , Yu Deyang , Guo Chunli , Liu Liangyu , Hua Yingjie , Wang Chongtai , Zhao Xudong , Liu Xiaoyang
Published: March 2022

NiCo2O4@NiMoO4 core–shell nanowires (NCNMW) and nanosheets (NCNMS) with high electrochemical capabilities were synthesized using a simple two-step hydrothermal reaction, together with a calcination process.