bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polymeric Membranes of Chitosan/Aloe Vera Gel Fabrication With Enhanced Swelling and Antimicrobial Properties for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Iqbal Dure N. , Munir Atira , Abbas Mazhar , Nazir Arif , Ali Zahid , Alshawwa Samar Z. , Iqbal Munawar , Ahmad Naveed
Published: April 2023

Since ancient times, medicinal plants have been used as traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Aloe vera (AV) gel’s therapeutic potential is one of the most effective approach in the fabrication of functional materials. The current study aimed to prepare the AV and chitosan (CS) membranes using various cross-linkers that were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Visible) techniques, as well as swelling ratio and antimicrobial studies. SEM analysis revealed that the membrane is porous, with interconnected pores. The inclusion of AV contents in the membrane improved thermal stability and crystallinity. The swelling ratio of the ACPG-3 membrane with a 2:1 CS to AV ratio was 366%. The membranes showed promising antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Pasteurella multocida strains. The findings revealed that polymeric CS/AV membranes have effective potential for use in the biomedical field.
Remote parole oral hearings: More efficient, but at what cost?
Authors: Peplow David , Phillips Jake
Published: April 2023

The Parole Board (PB) is responsible for deciding whether some prisoners are safe to be released into the community. COVID-19 accelerated the PB’s move towards using remote oral hearings. Little is known about how this shift towards remote working has impacted the work of the PB and prisoners. In this article, we present the findings from a study that sought to understand the differences between remote and in-person hearings. Through analysis of interviews with 15 PB panel members we identify benefits and disbenefits of remote hearings. We suggest that in-person hearings are perceived to be better and that remote hearings pose challenges to participation, especially for certain prisoners. However, we also find that remote hearings bring benefits, such as greater efficiency for the organisation. We conclude that the Board needs to reconcile the tension between the efficiency afforded by remote working and the risks to justice that exist in this context.
‘Versailles literature’ on WeChat Moments – humblebragging with digital technologies
Authors: Zuo Baiyao
Published: April 2023

Versailles literature is a newly emerged phenomenon on Chinese social networking sites. It is in essence an indirect form of self-praise. Despite its popularity on social media, there is little research on this phenomenon. This study investigates the pragmatic strategies for performing VL on WeChat Moments. The results showed that Versailles literature often includes strategies such as implicit self-praise, modified explicit self-praise, and self-praise through comments and replies, among which the tactics that have not been observed before, such as bragging in a foreign language, creating false ‘question–answer’ or ‘compliment–response’ interactions and commenting to the adverts. These strategies are implemented in various ways by virtue of the technological affordance of WeChat Moments, in order to balance the disclosure and the dissimulation of the object of praise. The study also discusses the distinctive features of VL and explains the absence of some frequent strategies of self-praising in Versailles literature.
Friendship theory for public health research and practice: a critical realist review
Authors: Doran D , Edgley A
Published: April 2023

Aims:

To critically analyse theories of friendship through privileging research on the experience of friendship among those who have experienced mental ill-health. To inform public health approaches that aim to facilitate friendship and assist those experiencing mental ill-health.

Method:

A selective, iterative, purposive review of theoretical and empirical studies, within a critical realist epistemology, is undertaken to provide an analysis.

Results:

Existing theories – exchange and equity, capital, identity, and attachment – all provide some insight into friendship when encountering mental ill-health. However, recognition theory is found to best capture and explain the experience.

Conclusion:

Recognition theory forms a substantial theoretical foundation for public health initiatives that address friendship and mental ill-health. Friendship can contribute to public mental health, and suggestions are made to give friendship itself recognition within public health frameworks.
Effect of Postoperative Ketorolac Administration on the Union Rate Following First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis
Authors: Kachooei Amir , Hester William , Gaston Tara , Corr Daniel , Winters Brian , Raikin Steven , Daniel Joseph
Published: April 2023

Background:

To decrease postoperative opioid consumption, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ketorolac, are considered a proper substitute with few side effects. Our null hypothesis is that a standard-dose, short-term ketorolac exposure does not increase the nonunion rate of a first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) arthrodesis.

Methods:

In a retrospective cohort study, we included 181 primary first MTPJ arthrodeses from 2016 to 2020 in a single surgeon practice. The surgical technique was identical using a dorsal locking plate after preparing the joint with the cup-and-cone technique. A 30 mg intravenous dose of ketorolac was administered perioperatively, followed by a post-operative oral course of 10 mg oral ketorolac every 6 hours for 5 consecutive days. Patients were placed in a heel weight-bearing CAM boot for a minimum of 6 weeks. Union was determined radiographically at 3 months postoperative. Radiographic nonunion was also categorized clinically as symptomatic versus asymptomatic.

Results:

At 3 months postoperative, a nonunion occurred in 15 (8.3%) patients. Of the 15 radiographic nonunions, 7 (45%) were clinically asymptomatic, while the other 8 (55%) were symptomatic. Six (75%) of the 8 symptomatic nonunions ultimately underwent revision surgery. The nonunion rate in our study compared to that described in the literature (5.4%) was similar and showed no significant difference (P = .067).

Conclusion:

The use of a short course of oral ketorolac (40 mg/day or less for a maximum of 5 days) does not seem to affect the union rate after first MTPJ arthrodesis and can be used safely and effectively in the management of post-operative pain to decrease opioid consumption following this procedure.

Levels of Evidence:

Level 4
The Role of Trait Impulsivity on Suicidality in the Emerging Adult in Kenya
Authors: Mwendwa-Karinge Caroline , MuehlenKamp Jennifer , Matthews Douglas , Mucherah Wilfridah
Published: April 2023

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are complex phenomenon and their relationship to trait impulsivity remains unclear. Although suicidal thoughts and behaviors are common among emerging adults, the availability and quality of data is scarce in countries like Kenya, due to stigmatization and illegality of suicidal behaviors. This research sought to determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in emerging adults in Kenya and examine the role of trait impulsivity. Data from 297 undergraduate students were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Barratt’s Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). Results showed that 15.8% ( n = 47) of students reported suicidal ideation only while 8.4% ( n = 25) reported suicide attempt. Significant gender differences were observed with females more likely than males to report suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Higher attentional impulsivity was observed in those with suicidal ideation and attempted suicide than those with no suicidality. These findings help highlight the magnitude of suicidality in Kenya.
RETRACTED: Comparative evaluation of Sapindus Mukorossi extract with 17% EDTA on smear layer removal in various parts of the tooth root
Authors: Farooq Asad , Bilgrami Afreen , Faraz Syed Abul , Qazi Fazal Ur Rehman , Maqsood Afsheen , Altamash Sara , Arora Suraj , Halim Mohamad Syahrizal , Ahmed Naseer , Das Gotam , Heboyan Artak
Published: April 2023

Objectives:

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of an experimental root canal irrigant and 17% Ethylene-di-amine tetra acetic acid for removal of the smear layer in the coronal, middle and apical portions of the root canal.

Materials and methods:

Ninety human single rooted maxillary and mandibular teeth were selected for this study. The teeth were randomly divided into two experimental groups and one control group as follows: Group A (Ethanolic extract of Sapindus Mukorossi), Group B (17% EDTA), and Group C (Distilled water). The root canals of all three groups were prepared with stainless steel K-files by means of the standard step-back technique and irrigated with 5.25% sodium hypo chloride. The teeth were decoronated, following the irrigation and divided longitudinally into two-halves and visualized using scanning electron microscope (SEM) for the amount of smear layer present utilizing the three-point score system. The observations were noted both before and after the treatment. Nonparametric tests were applied for the comparison and p-value ⩽ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results:

It was evident from that smear layer was completely removed in coronal portion of 27 out of 30 teeth in-group A. For middle and apical areas of group A, 24 and 19 teeth showed complete smear layer removal. In-group B it was found that there were 24, 21, and 3 teeth at coronal, middle and apical, areas respectively where smear layer were completely absent. Intra group comparison showed a significant difference ( p = 0.002) in smear layer removal was found for group A at coronal, middle and apical thirds. Similarly, a significant difference ( p = 0.001) was also found for group B; however heavy smear layer was found among the three parts of the canal for group C.

Conclusions:

Ethanolic extract of Sapindus Mukorossi have higher effectiveness in removing the smear layer from the root canal in comparison to 17% EDTA.
Mental Health Literacy and Its Relation to Sexual and Gender Minority Identity in a Diverse Sample of Undergraduate College Students
Authors: Brandt Stephan A. , Miles Rona , Krishnan Anjali , Rabin Laura A.
Published: April 2023

Research indicates that mental health literacy (MHL) can promote adaptive health behaviors and reduce stigma toward mental health problems. However, few studies have examined MHL among sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals, a population that is disproportionately affected by negative mental health outcomes due to experiences with minority stress. This study aimed to fill this gap in the literature by investigating the association between MHL and SGM identity in a sample of demographically diverse college students in New York City. In addition to using a comprehensive measure of MHL, we recorded participants’ self-reported history of a psychological disorder. Results indicated that SGM identity was associated with higher MHL than non-SGM identity over and above other sociodemographic characteristics. This association was fully driven by participants’ self-reported history of a psychological disorder, which was more frequently reported by SGM participants as compared to non-SGM participants. These findings suggest that SGM college students may have higher MHL than non-SGM college students due to their relatively greater likelihood of having personally experienced a psychological disorder. Early MHL intervention with SGM individuals may be warranted to increase MHL prior to a potential onset of psychopathology, with the larger goal of facilitating more positive mental health outcomes. Implications for interventions in school-based settings and future research initiatives are also discussed.
City-regional governance under state entrepreneurialism in China
Authors: Zhang Fangzhu , Wu Fulong , Wang Weikai
Published: April 2023

Facing de-globalisation, changing international politics, climate changes and new smart technologies in the post-pandemic era, city-regions become important spaces for economic, social and environmental governance. In China, this new city-regional form of governance is created under state entrepreneurialism, which means the state uses entrepreneurial endeavours to achieve its strategic vision and intention. The processes of city-region building include centralising the spatial planning system, inventing new spatial discourses, representing regional imaginaries and restructuring the state towards ecological goals. Instead of market-driven regional dynamics or redistributive politics, China’s city-regional governance demonstrates the role of the multi-scalar state in constructing and implementing economic, social and environmental policies at a regional scale.
Mitochondria and cytochrome components released into the plasma of severe COVID-19 and ICU acute respiratory distress syndrome patients
Authors: Chen Zhuo Zhen , Johnson Lloyd , Trahtemberg Uriel , Baker Andrew , Huq Saaimatul , Dufresne Jaimie , Bowden Peter , Miao Ming , Ho Ja-An , Hsu Cheng-Chih , dos Santos Claudia C. , Marshall John G.
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Proteomic analysis of human plasma by LC–ESI–MS/MS has discovered a limited number of new cellular protein biomarkers that may be confirmed by independent biochemical methods. Analysis of COVID-19 plasma has indicated the re-purposing of known biomarkers that might be used as prognostic markers of COVID-19 infection. However, multiple molecular approaches have previously indicated that the SARS-COV2 infection cycle is linked to the biology of mitochondria and that the response to infections may involve the action of heme containing oxidative enzymes.

Methods

Human plasma from COVID-19 and ICU-ARDS was analyzed by classical analytical biochemistry techniques and classical frequency-based statistical approaches to look for prognostic markers of severe COVID-19 lung damage. Plasma proteins from COVID-19 and ICU-ARDS were identified and enumerated versus the controls of normal human plasma (NHP) by LC–ESI–MS/MS. The observation frequency of proteins detected in COVID-19 and ICU-ARDS patients were compared to normal human plasma, alongside random and noise MS/MS spectra controls, using the Chi Square (χ2) distribution.

Results

PCR showed the presence of MT-ND1 DNA in the plasma of COVID-19, ICU-ARDS, as well as normal human plasma. Mitochondrial proteins such as MRPL, L2HGDH, ATP, CYB, CYTB, CYP, NDUF and others, were increased in COVID-19 and ICU-ARDS plasma. The apparent activity of the cytochrome components were tested alongside NHP by dot blotting on PVDF against a purified cytochrome c standard preparation for H2O2 dependent reaction with luminol as measured by enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) that showed increased activity in COVID-19 and ICU-ARDS patients.

Discussion

The results from PCR, LC–ESI–MS/MS of tryptic peptides, and cytochrome ECL assays confirmed that mitochondrial components were present in the plasma, in agreement with the established central role of the mitochondria in SARS-COV-2 biology. The cytochrome activity assay showed that there was the equivalent of at least nanogram amounts of cytochrome(s) in the plasma sample that should be clearly detectable by LC–ESI–MS/MS. The release of the luminol oxidase activity from cells into plasma forms the basis of a simple and rapid test for the severity of cell damage and lung injury in COVID-19 infection and ICU-ARDS.

Graphical Abstract
Modulating tumour metabolism enhances gold nanoparticle radiosensitisation in HPV-negative head and neck cancer
Authors: Feng Jie , Pathak Varun , Byrne Niall M. , Wang Tongchuan , Yin Cancan , Medina Reinhold J. , Coulter Jonathan A.
Published: April 2023

Background

Radiotherapy is a major therapeutic modality for locally advanced head and neck cancer. However, the effectiveness of radiotherapy is hindered by resistance mechanisms, most notably hypoxia, leading to unfavourable treatment outcomes. In this study, we investigate the radiosensitising potential of AuNPs in combination with the complex III electron transport chain inhibitor, using models of head and neck cancer.

Results

AuNP intracellular accumulation occurred in a concentration-dependent manner and was not influenced by microenvironmental oxygen levels, with citrate capped 15 nm AuNPs readily internalised, accumulating primarily within the cytoplasmic compartment. Pre-treatment with atovaquone had a profound and rapid impact on oxygen consumption, promoting a glycolytic switch under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions, a finding underlined by the concurrent increase in extracellular acidification. AuNPs alone sensitised FaDu cells to radiation under atmospheric oxygen conditions, producing a sensitiser enhancement ratio (SER) of 1.37. In combination with atovaquone, maximum dose enhancements were achieved yielding a SER value of 1.43 and 2.1 under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, respectively. Studies to elucidate the underlying mechanism of radiosensitisation revealed S-phase accumulation and a significant increase in apoptosis. Additionally, combined treatment significantly increased yields of unrepaired DNA double strand breaks, indicating increased yields of DNA double strand break damage.

Conclusions

Taken together, we believe this to be the first work providing evidence that AuNP radiosensitisation can be enhanced via metabolic modulation. This study reveals the dual action of both physical and biological pathways of AuNPs radiosensitisation, resulting in superior radiotherapeutic effects.
Genetic algorithm-based feature selection with manifold learning for cancer classification using microarray data
Authors: Wang Zixuan , Zhou Yi , Takagi Tatsuya , Song Jiangning , Tian Yu-Shi , Shibuya Tetsuo
Published: April 2023

Background

Microarray data have been widely utilized for cancer classification. The main characteristic of microarray data is “large p and small n” in that data contain a small number of subjects but a large number of genes. It may affect the validity of the classification. Thus, there is a pressing demand of techniques able to select genes relevant to cancer classification.

Results

This study proposed a novel feature (gene) selection method, Iso-GA, for cancer classification. Iso-GA hybrids the manifold learning algorithm, Isomap, in the genetic algorithm (GA) to account for the latent nonlinear structure of the gene expression in the microarray data. The Davies–Bouldin index is adopted to evaluate the candidate solutions in Isomap and to avoid the classifier dependency problem. Additionally, a probability-based framework is introduced to reduce the possibility of genes being randomly selected by GA. The performance of Iso-GA was evaluated on eight benchmark microarray datasets of cancers. Iso-GA outperformed other benchmarking gene selection methods, leading to good classification accuracy with fewer critical genes selected.

Conclusions

The proposed Iso-GA method can effectively select fewer but critical genes from microarray data to achieve competitive classification performance.
Deep learning-based prediction of osseointegration for dental implant using plain radiography
Authors: Oh Seok , Kim Young Jae , Kim Jeseong , Jung Joon Hyeok , Lim Hun Jun , Kim Bong Chul , Kim Kwang Gi
Published: April 2023

Background

In this study, we investigated whether deep learning-based prediction of osseointegration of dental implants using plain radiography is possible.

Methods

Panoramic and periapical radiographs of 580 patients (1,206 dental implants) were used to train and test a deep learning model. Group 1 (338 patients, 591 dental implants) included implants that were radiographed immediately after implant placement, that is, when osseointegration had not yet occurred. Group 2 (242 patients, 615 dental implants) included implants radiographed after confirming successful osseointegration. A dataset was extracted using random sampling and was composed of training, validation, and test sets. For osseointegration prediction, we employed seven different deep learning models. Each deep-learning model was built by performing the experiment 10 times. For each experiment, the dataset was randomly separated in a 60:20:20 ratio. For model evaluation, the specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, and AUROC (Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) of the models was calculated.

Results

The mean specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of the deep learning models were 0.780–0.857, 0.811–0.833, and 0.799–0.836, respectively. Furthermore, the mean AUROC values ranged from to 0.890–0.922. The best model yields an accuracy of 0.896, and the worst model yields an accuracy of 0.702.

Conclusion

This study found that osseointegration of dental implants can be predicted to some extent through deep learning using plain radiography. This is expected to complement the evaluation methods of dental implant osseointegration that are currently widely used.
Effects of tissue degradation by collagenase and elastase on the biaxial mechanics of porcine airways
Authors: Mariano Crystal A. , Sattari Samaneh , Ramirez Gustavo O. , Eskandari Mona
Published: April 2023

Background

Common respiratory illnesses, such as emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are characterized by connective tissue damage and remodeling. Two major fibers govern the mechanics of airway tissue: elastin enables stretch and permits airway recoil, while collagen prevents overextension with stiffer properties. Collagenase and elastase degradation treatments are common avenues for contrasting the role of collagen and elastin in healthy and diseased states; while previous lung studies of collagen and elastin have analyzed parenchymal strips in animal and human specimens, none have focused on the airways to date.

Methods

Specimens were extracted from the proximal and distal airways, namely the trachea, large bronchi, and small bronchi to facilitate evaluations of material heterogeneity, and subjected to biaxial planar loading in the circumferential and axial directions to assess airway anisotropy. Next, samples were subjected to collagenase and elastase enzymatic treatment and tensile tests were repeated. Airway tissue mechanical properties pre- and post-treatment were comprehensively characterized via measures of initial and ultimate moduli, strain transitions, maximum stress, hysteresis, energy loss, and viscoelasticity to gain insights regarding the specialized role of individual connective tissue fibers and network interactions.

Results

Enzymatic treatment demonstrated an increase in airway tissue compliance throughout loading and resulted in at least a 50% decrease in maximum stress overall. Strain transition values led to significant anisotropic manifestation post-treatment, where circumferential tissues transitioned at higher strains compared to axial counterparts. Hysteresis values and energy loss decreased after enzymatic treatment, where hysteresis reduced by almost half of the untreated value. Anisotropic ratios exhibited axially led stiffness at low strains which transitioned to circumferentially led stiffness when subjected to higher strains. Viscoelastic stress relaxation was found to be greater in the circumferential direction for bronchial airway regions compared to axial counterparts.

Conclusion

Targeted fiber treatment resulted in mechanical alterations across the loading range and interactions between elastin and collagen connective tissue networks was observed. Providing novel mechanical characterization of elastase and collagenase treated airways aids our understanding of individual and interconnected fiber roles, ultimately helping to establish a foundation for constructing constitutive models to represent various states and progressions of pulmonary disease.
Co-profiling reveals distinct patterns of genomic chromatin accessibility and gene expression in pulmonary hypertension caused by chronic hypoxia
Authors: Yu Dongdong , Zhang Ting , Zhou Guangyuan , Wu Zeang , Xiao Rui , Zhang Han , Liu Bingxun , Li Xiangpan , Ruiz Matthieu , Dupuis Jocelyn , Zhu Liping , Hu Qinghua
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Aberrant gene expression is a key mechanism underlying pulmonary hypertension (PH) development. The alterations of genomic chromatin accessibility and their relationship with the aberrant gene expressions in PH are poorly understood. We used bulk Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) of chronic hypoxia-exposed rats mimicking group 3 human PH.

Methods

Adult Sprague Dawley rats were commercially obtained from Hunan SJA (Hunan SJA Laboratory Animal Co., Changsha, China) and randomizedly allocated into four groups exposing to nomobaric hypoxia or normoxia for 1 or 28 days respectively. After the assessment of pulmonary hemodynamics, smooth muscle cells were isolated from intralobular arteries and simultaneously subjected to bulk Assay of ATAC-seq and RNA-seq.

Results

Hypoxic exposure for continuous 28-days, but not for 1-day, induced established PH phenotypes in rats. ATAC-seq revealed a major distribution of differential accessibility regions (DARs) annotated to the genome in out-of-promoter regions, following 1-day or 28-days hypoxia. 1188 DAR-associated genes and 378 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in rats after exposure to 1-day hypoxia, while 238 DAR-associated genes and 452 DEGs for 28-days hypoxia. Most of the DAR-associated genes or DEGs in 1-day did not overlap with that of 28-days hypoxia. A Pearson correlation analysis indicated no significant correlation between ATAC-seq and RNA-seq.

Conclusions

The alterations in genomic chromatin accessibility and genes expression of PASMCs in the initial stage of hypoxia are distinct from the established stage of hypoxia-induced PH. The genomic differential accessibility regions may not be the main mechanisms directly underlying the differentially expressed genes observed either in the initial or established stages of PH. Thus the time-course alterations of gene expression and their possible indirect link with genomic chromatin accessibility warrant more attention in mechanistic study of pulmonary hypertension.
Target response controlled enzyme activity switch for multimodal biosensing detection
Authors: Zhang Lu , Wu Haiping , Chen Yirong , Zhang Songzhi , Song Mingxuan , Liu Changjin , Li Jia , Cheng Wei , Ding Shijia
Published: April 2023

How to achieve delicate regulation of enzyme activity and empower it with more roles is the peak in the field of enzyme catalysis research. Traditional proteases or novel nano-enzymes are unable to achieve stimulus-responsive activity modulation due to their own structural limitations. Here, we propose a novel Controllable Enzyme Activity Switch, CEAS, based on hemin aggregation regulation, to deeply explore its regulatory mechanism and develop multimodal biosensing applications. The core of CEAS relies on the dimerizable inactivation of catalytically active center hemin and utilizes a DNA template to orderly guide the G4-Hemin DNAzyme to tightly bind to DNA-Hemin, thereby shutting down the catalytic ability. By customizing the design of the guide template, different target stimulus responses lead to hemin dimerization dissociation and restore the synergistic catalysis of G4-Hemin and DNA-Hemin, thus achieving a target-regulated enzymatic activity switch. Moreover, the programmability of CEAS allowed it easy to couple with a variety of DNA recognition and amplification techniques, thus developing a series of visual protein detection systems and highly sensitive fluorescent detection systems with excellent bioanalytical performance. Therefore, the construction of CEAS is expected to break the limitation of conventional enzymes that cannot be targetable regulated, thus enabling customizable enzymatic reaction systems and providing a new paradigm for controllable enzyme activities.

Graphical Abstract
Impact of leptin or melatonin on Sema4D overexpression-related bone metabolism
Authors: Lin Zhenen , Xiong Shengren , Lin Yu , Li Zhaohui , Xie Dan , Lin Xuchao , Chen Xuesheng , Lin Xueyi
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The current study aims to investigate the regulatory impact of leptin or melatonin on bone metabolism as well as the underlying mechanism in conjunction with Sema4D (monoclonal antibody to semaphorin 4D).

Methods

Rats were used to create the osteoporosis model utilizing the OVX (OVariectomize) technique. Rat tibial specimens from each side were collected for three-dimensional reconstruction and Micro-CT scanning examination. The Hematoxylin-osinstaining (HE) staining technique was used to determine the pathological condition of bone tissues. The ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) assay was used to measure the amount of estradiol present in the serum. In the current study, there were six groups: control, OVX, OVX + NL (no load group), OVX + Sema4D, OVX + Sema4D + leptin, and OVX + Sema4D + MT (melatonin). Rats were given injections of the Sema4D or leptin overexpressing vectors via the tail vein in accordance with the aforementioned classification. By using a high-resolution micro-CT technology, 3D bone structure was discovered. The activity of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRAP-5b) and bone-derived alkaline phosphatase (BALP) in serum was assessed using an ELISA. The number of osteoclasts in the metaphysis of the upper tibia was determined using TRAP (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase) staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to find leptin and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) expressions in bone tissue.

Results

The BV/TV (Bone volume/Tissue volume), Tb.N (Trabecular number), BMD (Bone Mineral Density), and BMC (Bone Mineral Content) levels were significantly higher in the OVX + Sema4D + leptin and OVX + Sema4D + MT groups compared to OVX + NL, while Tb.Sp (Trabecular separation) levels were significantly lower. In contrast to the OVX group, the bone trabeculae in the OVX + Sema4D + leptin and OVX + Sema4D + MT groups had a relatively complete structure and tended to be organized closely. The amount of bone trabeculae grew drastically, whereas the proportion of TRAP-positive osteoclasts declined dramatically. BMP-2 and leptin were also elevated, while BALP and TRAP-5b activity was reduced.

Conclusion

Leptin or melatonin improved Sema4d's role in trabecular bone microstructure, bone production, and repairment of trabecular bone loss in osteoporosis rats.
Equivalent values between anterior vertebral height, wedge ratio, and wedge angle for evaluating vertebral mobility and deformity in osteoporotic vertebral fractures: a conventional observational study
Authors: Sato Kozo , Kogawa Masakazu , Yamada Yuichiro , Yamashiro Masahiro , Kasama Fumio , Matsuda Michimasa
Published: April 2023

Background

Vertebral mobility (V-mobility) has been used to diagnose fresh osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) and determine bone union by setting cutoff values for these purposes. V-mobility is the difference in vertebral height on dynamic radiographs taken in the sitting and lateral decubitus or supine positions. The dimensions for V-mobility were presented as anterior vertebral height (Ha; mm), wedge ratio (WR; %), and wedge angle (WA; °) in previous reports. This study was performed to obtain WR and WA values equivalent to V-mobility of 1.0 mm in Ha.

Methods

Lateral radiographs of 284 OVFs (grade 1–3 deformed vertebrae) from T11 to L2 were obtained from 77 patients with OVF. V-mobility presented as Ha, posterior vertebral height, and WA was obtained by the difference in these dimensions on dynamic radiographs. The WR and WA values equivalent to 1.0 mm in Ha were obtained by dividing the V-mobility values for WR and WA by that for Ha.

Results

The mean WR values corresponding to 1.0 mm in Ha for grade 1, 2, and 3 vertebrae were 3.2% ± 1.4%, 3.2% ± 0.9%, and 3.4% ± 1.0%, respectively, and the corresponding value for grade 1–3 vertebrae was 3.3% ± 1.0%. The mean WA values corresponding to 1.0 mm in Ha for grade 1, 2, and 3 vertebrae were 1.5° ± 0.8°, 1.5° ± 0.6°, and 1.5° ± 0.8°, respectively, and the corresponding value for grade 1–3 vertebrae was 1.5° ± 0.7°.

Conclusions

The WR and WA values equivalent to V-mobility of 1.0 mm in Ha were 3.3% and 1.5°, respectively, in grade 1–3 vertebrae. These findings may be useful to secure a reliable value of V-mobility of OVFs using simultaneous measurements in three dimensions (Ha, WR, and WA) in clinical practice and to establish cutoff values for V-mobility to determine bone union.
Multiple local recurrences of primary sternal chondrosarcoma: tumor manipulation or self-seeding
Authors: Jalil Riad Abdel , Abdallah Farah A.
Published: April 2023

Background

Primary sternal chondrosarcoma, although rare, is the most common malignant tumor of the sternum. The gold standard treatment is complete surgical excision, which frequently causes the instability of the thorax necessitating future reconstruction. Local recurrence is common increasing the risk of distant metastasis.

Case presentation

A 60-year-old male patient was diagnosed with primary sternum chondrosarcoma and underwent surgical excision with negative resection margins. Later, he was found to have two local recurrences at 11 months and 37 months post initial excision. The two recurrences were surgically removed followed by local adjuvant radiation.

Conclusion

The seeding theories have been reported more frequently with relation to diagnostic biopsy procedures, tumor manipulation and self-seeding tumors. The patient developed two local recurrences despite total resection with negative margins, without concerns regarding seeding in distant metastasis.
Risk factors for postoperative acute kidney injury in overweight patients with acute type A aortic dissection
Authors: Xu Yu , Dai Shang-Tai , Liu Lin-Zhuo , Kong De-Mei , Guo Shi-Kui , Gong Kun-Mei
Published: April 2023

Objective

To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with overweight acute type A aortic dissection, and to explore the risk factors of acute kidney injury in patients with overweight acute type A aortic dissection.

Methods

From March 2019 to February 2022, the clinical data of 71 patients with acute type a aortic dissection diagnosed by CTA and undergoing surgical treatment with BMI > 24 in the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province were retrospectively analyzed, and analyzed by univariate and logistic multivariate analysis methods.

Results

The mean BMI of all included patients was 27.23, The mean surface area of all included human populations was 1.833. The mean age of all patients was (52.06 ± 10.71) years old, and 35 patients developed acute kidney injury after surgery. Multi-factor Logistics regression analysis confirmed the risk factors for postoperative acute kidney injury in overweight patients with acute type A aortic dissection, including gender, CPB transit time and intraoperative infusion of suspended red blood cells. Seven patients in the AKI group died in hospital after surgery and two patients died in the non-AKI group.

Conclusions

Among patients with overweight acute Type A aortic dissection, the incidence of AKI is 49.30%. According to multi-factor Logistics regression analysis, gender, CPB transit time and intraoperative suspended red blood cell volume are independent risk factors for postoperative acute kidney injury in patients with overweight acute Type A aortic dissection.
The functional and clinical roles of liquid biopsy in patient-derived models
Authors: Zhu Ziqing , Hu Erya , Shen Hong , Tan Jun , Zeng Shan
Published: April 2023

The liquid biopsy includes the detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and CTC clusters in blood, as well as the detection of, cell-free DNA (cfDNA)/circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the patient's body fluid. Liquid biopsy has important roles in translational research. But its clinical utility is still under investigation. Newly emerged patient-derived xenograft (PDX) and CTC-derived xenograft (CDX) faithfully recapitulate the genetic and morphological features of the donor patients’ tumor and patient-derived organoid (PDO) can mostly mimic tumor growth, tumor microenvironment and its response to drugs. In this review, we describe how the development of these patient-derived models has assisted the studies of CTCs and CTC clusters in terms of tumor biological behavior exploration, genomic analysis, and drug testing, with the help of the latest technology. We then summarize the studies of EVs and cfDNA/ctDNA in PDX and PDO models in early cancer diagnosis, tumor burden monitoring, drug test and response monitoring, and molecular profiling. The challenges faced and future perspectives of research related to liquid biopsy using patient-derived models are also discussed.
A simple, rapid method for simultaneous determination of multiple elements in serum by using an ICP-MS equipped with collision cell
Authors: Zhang Guofu , Zhang Fengquan , Liu Wannian , Liu Chili , You Jing , Tian Meichen , Cao Tingting , Jiang Jing , Yang Zhongzhi , Wu Hui , Wu Weidong
Published: April 2023

We developed an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method for testing 23 elements, namely, Mg, Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, W, Tl, Pb, and U, in human serum. The serum samples were analyzed after diluting 1/25 with 0.5% nitric acid, 0.02% Triton-X-100, and 2% methanol. Sc, In, Y, Tb, and Bi were assigned internal standards to correct the baseline drift and matrix interference. The kinetic energy discrimination mode of the instrument with helium gas as the collision gas eliminated polyatomic interference. All 23 elements exhibited excellent linearity in their testing range, with a coefficient of determination ≥ 0.9996. The limits of detection of the 23 elements were within the range of 0.0004–0.2232 µg/L. The intra- and inter-day precision (relative standard deviation) were < 12.19%. The recoveries of the spiked standard for all elements were 88.98–109.86%. Among the 23 elements of the serum reference materials, the measured results of Mg, Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Se were within the specified range of the certificate, and the results of the other elements were also satisfactory. The developed method was simple, rapid, and effective, and only 60 μL sample was consumed. A total of 1000 serum samples from healthy individuals were randomly selected from the Henan Rural Cohort, which reflects the status of serum elements in rural adults from the Northern Henan province of central China.
Engineering yeast mitochondrial metabolism for 3-hydroxypropionate production
Authors: Zhang Yiming , Su Mo , Chen Yu , Wang Zheng , Nielsen Jens , Liu Zihe
Published: April 2023

Background

With unique physiochemical environments in subcellular organelles, there has been growing interest in harnessing yeast organelles for bioproduct synthesis. Among these organelles, the yeast mitochondrion has been found to be an attractive compartment for production of terpenoids and branched-chain alcohols, which could be credited to the abundant supply of acetyl-CoA, ATP and cofactors. In this study we explored the mitochondrial potential for production of 3-hydroxypropionate (3-HP) and performed the cofactor engineering and flux control at the acetyl-CoA node to maximize 3-HP synthesis.

Results

Metabolic modeling suggested that the mitochondrion serves as a more suitable compartment for 3-HP synthesis via the malonyl-CoA pathway than the cytosol, due to the opportunity to obtain a higher maximum yield and a lower oxygen consumption. With the malonyl-CoA reductase (MCR) targeted into the mitochondria, the 3-HP production increased to 0.27 g/L compared with 0.09 g/L with MCR expressed in the cytosol. With enhanced expression of dissected MCR enzymes, the titer reached to 4.42 g/L, comparable to the highest titer achieved in the cytosol so far. Then, the mitochondrial NADPH supply was optimized by overexpressing POS5 and IDP1, which resulted in an increase in the 3-HP titer to 5.11 g/L. Furthermore, with induced expression of an ACC1 mutant in the mitochondria, the final 3-HP production reached 6.16 g/L in shake flask fermentations. The constructed strain was then evaluated in fed-batch fermentations, and produced 71.09 g/L 3-HP with a productivity of 0.71 g/L/h and a yield on glucose of 0.23 g/g.

Conclusions

In this study, the yeast mitochondrion is reported as an attractive compartment for 3-HP production. The final 3-HP titer of 71.09 g/L with a productivity of 0.71 g/L/h was achieved in fed-batch fermentations, representing the highest titer reported for Saccharomyces cerevisiae so far, that demonstrated the potential of recruiting the yeast mitochondria for further development of cell factories.
Autofermentation of alkaline cyanobacterial biomass to enable biorefinery approach
Authors: Demirkaya Cigdem , Vadlamani Agasteswar , Tervahauta Taina , Strous Marc , De la Hoz Siegler Hector
Published: April 2023

Background

Carbon capture using alkaliphilic cyanobacteria can be an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly process for producing bioenergy and bioproducts. The inefficiency of current harvesting and downstream processes, however, hinders large-scale feasibility. The high alkalinity of the biomass also introduces extra challenges, such as potential corrosion, inhibitory effects, or contamination of the final products. Thus, it is critical to identify low cost and energy-efficient downstream processes.

Results

Autofermentation was investigated as an energy-efficient and low-cost biomass pre-treatment method to reduce pH to levels suitable for downstream processes, enabling the conversion of cyanobacterial biomass into hydrogen and organic acids using cyanobacteria’s own fermentative pathways. Temperature, initial biomass concentration, and oxygen presence were found to affect yield and distribution of organic acids. Autofermentation of alkaline cyanobacterial biomass was found to be a viable approach to produce hydrogen and organic acids simultaneously, while enabling the successful conversion of biomass to biogas. Between 5.8 and 60% of the initial carbon was converted into organic acids, 8.7–25% was obtained as soluble protein, and 16–72% stayed in the biomass. Interestingly, we found that extensive dewatering is not needed to effectively process the alkaline cyanobacterial biomass. Using natural settling as the only harvesting and dewatering method resulted in a slurry with relatively low biomass concentration. Nevertheless, autofermentation of this slurry led to the maximum total organic acid yield (60% C mol/C mol biomass) and hydrogen yield (326.1 µmol/g AFDM).

Conclusion

Autofermentation is a simple, but highly effective pretreatment that can play a significant role within a cyanobacterial-based biorefinery platform by enabling the conversion of alkaline cyanobacterial biomass into organic acids, hydrogen, and methane via anaerobic digestion without the addition of energy or chemicals.
An attempt to simultaneously quantify the polysaccharide, total lipid, protein and pigment in single Cyclotella cryptica cell by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Xiufen , He Yuehui , Zhou Yuanyuan , Zhu Baohua , Xu Jian , Pan Kehou , Li Yun
Published: April 2023

Background

At present, the conventional methods for determining photosynthetic products of microalgae are usually based on a large number of cell mass to reach the measurement baseline, and the result can only reveal the average state at the population level, which is not feasible for large-scale and rapid screening of specific phenotypes from a large number of potential microalgae mutants. In recent years, single-cell Raman spectra (SCRS) has been proved to be able to rapidly and simultaneously quantify the biochemical components of microalgae. However, this method has not been reported to analyze the biochemical components of Cyclotella cryptica (C. cryptica). Thus, SCRS was first attempt to determine these four biochemical components in this diatom.

Results

The method based on SCRS was established to simultaneously quantify the contents of polysaccharide, total lipids, protein and Chl-a in C. cryptica, with thirteen Raman bands were found to be the main marker bands for the diatom components. Moreover, Partial Least Square Regression (PLSR) models based on full spectrum can reliably predict these four cellular components, with Pearson correlation coefficient for these components reached 0.949, 0.904, 0.801 and 0.917, respectively. Finally, based on SCRS data of one isogenic sample, the pairwise correlation and dynamic transformation process of these components can be analyzed by Intra-ramanome Correlation Analysis (IRCA), and the results showed silicon starvation could promote the carbon in C. cryptica cells to flow from protein and pigment metabolism to polysaccharide and lipid metabolism.

Conclusions

First, method for the simultaneous quantification of the polysaccharide, total lipid, protein and pigment in single C. cryptica cell are established. Second, the instant interconversion of intracellular components was constructed through IRCA, which is based on data set of one isogenic population and more precision and timeliness. Finally, total results indicated that silicon deficiency could promote the carbon in C. cryptica cells to flow from protein and pigment metabolism to polysaccharide and lipid metabolism.
Effects of epigenetic age acceleration on kidney function: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Pan Yang , Sun Xiao , Huang Zhijie , Zhang Ruiyuan , Li Changwei , Anderson Amanda H. , Lash James P. , Kelly Tanika N.
Published: April 2023

Background

Previous studies have reported cross-sectional associations between measures of epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) and kidney function phenotypes. However, the temporal and potentially causal relationships between these variables remain unclear. We conducted a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study of EAA and kidney function. Genetic instruments for EAA and estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were identified from previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analyses of European-ancestry participants. Causal effects of EAA on kidney function and kidney function on EAA were assessed through summary-based Mendelian randomization utilizing data from the CKDGen GWAS meta-analysis of log-transformed estimated glomerular filtration rate (log-eGFR; n = 5,67,460) and GWAS meta-analyses of EAA (n = 34,710). An allele score-based Mendelian randomization leveraging individual-level data from UK Biobank participants (n = 4,33,462) further examined the effects of EAA on kidney function.

Results

Using summary-based Mendelian randomization, we found that each 5 year increase in intrinsic EAA (IEAA) and GrimAge acceleration (GrimAA) was associated with − 0.01 and − 0.02 unit decreases in log-eGFR, respectively (P = 0.02 and P = 0.09, respectively), findings which were strongly supported by allele-based Mendelian randomization study (both P < 0.001). Summary-based Mendelian randomization identified 24% increased odds of CKD with each 5-unit increase in IEAA (P = 0.05), with consistent findings observed in allele score-based analysis (P = 0.07). Reverse-direction Mendelian randomization identified potentially causal effects of decreased kidney function on HannumAge acceleration (HannumAA), GrimAA, and PhenoAge acceleration (PhenoAA), conferring 3.14, 1.99, and 2.88 year decreases in HanumAA, GrimAA, and PhenoAA, respectively (P = 0.003, 0.05, and 0.002, respectively) with each 1-unit increase in log-eGFR.

Conclusion

This study supports bidirectional causal relationships between EAA and kidney function, pointing to potential prevention and therapeutic strategies.