bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D impacts on the intestinal health, immune status and metabolism in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)
Authors: Shao Rui , Liu Jiayu , Lan Yawen , Liao Xinmeng , Zhang Jinjin , Xu Weiqi , Mai Kangsen , Ai Qinghui , Wan Min
Published: January 2022

Vitamin D (VD) plays a vital role in various physiological processes in addition to its classic functions on maintaining the balance of Ca and P metabolism. However, there still are gaps to understand in depth the issues on the precise requirement, metabolic processes and physiological functions of VD in fish. In this study, we investigated the effects of VD on the growth, intestinal health, host immunity and metabolism in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.), one important commercial carnivorous fish in aquaculture, through the supplementation of different doses of dietary VD3 (0, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 μg VD3/kg diet). According to our results, the optimal VD3 level in the feed for turbot growth was estimated to be around 400 μg/kg, whereas VD3 deficiency or overdose in diets induced the intestinal inflammation, lowered the diversity of gut microbiota and impaired the host resistance to bacterial infection in turbot. Moreover, the level of 1α,25(OH)2D3, the active metabolite of VD3, reached a peak value in the turbot serum in the 400 μg group, although the concentrations of Ca and phosphate in the turbot were stable in all groups. Finally, the deficiency of dietary VD3 disturbed the nutritional metabolism in turbot, especially the metabolism of lipids and glucose. In conclusion, this study evaluated the optimal dose of dietary VD3 for turbot and provided the evidence that VD has a significant impact on intestinal health, host immunity and nutritional metabolism in fish, which deepened our understanding on the physiological functions and metabolism of VD3 in fish.
Dietary supplementation of thiamine enhances colonic integrity and modulates mucosal inflammation injury in goats challenged by lipopolysaccharide and low pH
Authors: Ma Yi , Wang Chao , Elmhadi Mawda , Zhang Hao , Liu Fuyuan , Gao Xingliang , Wang Hongrong
Published: January 2022

The current study aimed to investigate the protective effects of dietary thiamine supplementation on the regulation of colonic integrity and mucosal inflammation in goats fed a high-concentrate (HC) diet. Twenty-four Boer goats (live weight of 35·62 (sem 2·4) kg) were allocated to three groups (CON: concentrate/forage = 30:70; HC; concentrate/forage = 70:30 and HCT: concentrate/forage = 70:30 with 200 mg thiamine/kg DMI) for 12 weeks. Results showed that compared with the HC treatment, the HCT group had a significantly higher ruminal pH value from 0 to 12 h after the feeding. The haematoxylin–eosin staining showed that desquamation and severe cellular damage were observed in the colon epithelium of the HC group, whereas the HCT group exhibited more structural integrity of the epithelial cell morphology. Compared with the HC treatment, the HCT group showed a markedly increase in pyruvate dehydrogenase and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase enzymes activity. The mRNA expressions in the colonic epithelium of SLC19A2, SLC19A3, SLC25A19, Bcl-2, occludin, claudin-1, claudin-4 and ZO-1 in the HCT group were significantly increased in comparison with the HC diet treatment. Compared with the HC treatment, the HCT diet significantly increased the protein expression of claudin-1 and significantly decreased the protein expression of NF-κB-related proteins p65. The results show that dietary thiamine supplementation could improve the colon epithelial barrier function and alleviate mucosal inflammation injury in goats after lipopolysaccharide and low pH challenge.
Significance of application timing, formulation, and cytochrome P450 genotypic class on sweet corn response to dicamba
Authors: Landau Christopher A. , Bernards Mark L. , Hager Aaron G. , Williams Martin M.
Published: January 2022

Sweet corn (Zea mays L.) tolerance to dicamba and several other herbicides is due to cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated metabolism and is conferred by a single gene (Nsf1). Tolerance varies by CYP genotypic class, with hybrids homozygous for functional CYP (Nsf1Nsf1) being the most tolerant and hybrids homozygous for mutant CYP alleles (nsf1nsf1) being the least tolerant. The herbicide safener cyprosulfamide (CSA) increases tolerance to dicamba by stimulating the expression of several CYPs. However, the extent to which CSA improves the tolerance of different sweet corn CYP genotypic classes to dicamba is poorly understood. Additionally, the effect of growth stage on sweet corn sensitivity to dicamba is inadequately described. The objective of this work was to quantify the significance of application timing, formulation, and CYP genotypic class on sweet corn response to dicamba. Hybrids representing each of the three CYP genotypes (Nsf1Nsf1, Nsf1nsf1, nsf1nsf1), were treated with dicamba or dicamba + CSA at one of three growth stages: V3, V6, or V9. Across all timings, the nsf1nsf1 hybrid was the least tolerant to dicamba, displaying 16% higher crop injury levels 2 wk after treatment and 2,130 kg ha−1 lower ear mass yields compared with the Nsf1Nsf1 hybrid. The V9 growth stage was the most susceptible time for dicamba injury regardless of genotypic class, with 1.89 and 1,750 kg ha−1 lower ear mass yields compared with the V3 and V6 application timings, respectively. The addition of CSA to dicamba V9 applications reduced the injury from dicamba for all three genotypic classes; however, it did not eliminate the injury. The use of Nsf1Nsf1 or Nsf1nsf1 sweet corn hybrids along with herbicide safeners will reduce the frequency and severity of injury from dicamba and other CYP-metabolized herbicides.
Kinematics of the East Pacific Rise Retrodicted From Pacific and Farallon/Nazca Subduction‐Related Torques: Support for Significant Deep Mantle Buoyancy Controlling EPR Spreading
Authors: Rowley David B. , Forte Alessandro M.
Published: January 2022

Slab‐pull together with other boundary‐related torques of the Pacific and Farallon/Nazca plates are reconstructed from paleo‐agegrid datasets over the past 80 Ma in the no‐net rotation (NNR) frame of reference. The resulting reconstructions of both the retrodicted Pacific‐Farallon/Nazca age distribution and relative motion history of the East Pacific Rise (EPR) are compared with global plate kinematic reconstructions of these same aspects of Pacific basin evolution. There are mismatches between the predicted and observed age distributions and relative motion history of the EPR. Slab‐pull related torques mostly retrodict west to east motion of the EPR, whereas global kinematics result in south to north motions, orthogonal to each other. Slab‐pull torques are augmented with estimates of subduction and transform resistances together with spatially variable viscosities to assess their potential contributions to Pacific‐Farallon/Nazca relative motions and EPR motions in the NNR frame of reference. We argue that the discrepancies between these different reconstructed histories result from contributions associated with basal tractions acting on the Pacific and Farallon/Nazca plates resulting from deep mantle buoyancy. We propose that the latter has controlled the EPR evolution over the past 80 Ma and significantly contributed to driving plate motions at least in the Pacific basin.
Velocity Anomalies Around the Mantle Transition Zone Beneath the Qiangtang Terrane, Central Tibetan Plateau From Triplicated P Waveforms
Authors: Li Guohui , Bai Ling , Zhang Heng , Xu Qiang , Zhou Yuanze , Gao Yuan , Wang Mujiangshan , Li Zihao
Published: January 2022

The Qiangtang terrane exhibits many unique features compared with surrounding areas in the Tibetan plateau. It has been largely remodeled by the northward downwelling of the Indian lithosphere and the vertical upwelling of the Eurasian asthenosphere. Here, we investigate the P‐wave velocity around the mantle transition zone (MTZ) beneath the Qiangtang terrane using high‐frequency triplicated waveforms recorded by the China Digital Seismic Network. We found a low‐velocity layer (LVL) atop the MTZ and a high‐velocity anomaly (HVA) in the lower part of the MTZ. They are characterized by thickness of 36 km with velocity drop of −2.0% and 155 km with velocity increment of 1.2%, respectively. The 410 and 660 km discontinuities are depressed by different depths of 12 and 30 km, suggesting a thickened MTZ. In combination with previous multi‐disciplinary observations, we infer that the LVL is a hydrous partial melt affected by dehydration and high temperature, and the HVA is due to water and low temperature conditions. The downwelling cold continental lithosphere may have accumulated in the lower MTZ and induced the hydrous hot MTZ materials to upwelling until the shallow depths of the upper mantle beneath the Qiangtang terrane.
Effects of the Laschamps Excursion on Geomagnetic Cutoff Rigidities
Authors: Gao Jiawei , Korte Monika , Panovska Sanja , Rong Zhaojin , Wei Yong
Published: January 2022

Today's geomagnetic field can prevent energetic particles, including solar energetic particles and galactic cosmic rays, from directly hitting the Earth's atmosphere. However, when the geomagnetic field strength is significantly decreased during geomagnetic field excursions or reversals, the geomagnetic field shielding effect becomes less prominent. Geomagnetic cutoff rigidity, as a quantitative estimation of the shielding effect, can be calculated using trajectory tracing or theoretical equations. We use a recent high‐resolution continuous geomagnetic field model (LSMOD.2) to study the geomagnetic cutoff rigidity during the Laschamps excursion. Global grids of the geomagnetic cutoff rigidities are presented, in particular for the excursion midpoint when the geomagnetic field is weak and not dipole‐dominated anymore at Earth's surface. We compare the cutoff rigidity calculation results between a trajectory tracing program and theoretical equations and we find that the influence of the non‐dipole component of the geomagnetic field cannot be ignored during the excursion. Our results indicate that the exposure of Earth's atmosphere to energetic particles of cosmic and solar origin is high and nearly independent of latitude in the middle of the Laschamps excursion. Our results will be useful for future studies associated with cosmic radiation dose rate and cosmogenic isotope production rate during the Laschamps excursion.
Eastern‐Pacific and Central‐Pacific Types of ENSO Elicit Diverse Responses of Vegetation in the West Pacific Region
Authors: Wang Cong , Li Jing , Liu Qinhuo , Huete Alfredo , Li Longhui , Dong Yadong , Zhao Jing
Published: January 2022

The El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is one of the main factors causing extreme climate events and, thus, has a significant influence on global climate systems. However, the long‐term effects of ENSO on vegetation are not well understood due to the complexity of the ENSO phenomenon under global warming. Here, we examined the variations in the response of Leaf Area Index (LAI) to different types of ENSO from 1982 to 2017 in the west Pacific region and explored their relationship with climatic factors. Results show that about 34.5% of the vegetated area in the west Pacific region displayed LAI anomalies correlated with ENSO index from 1982 to 2017, which distributed differently across climatic types. Moreover, LAI anomalies elicited by the Central‐Pacific type and by the Eastern‐Pacific type of ENSO events were significantly different, which were contributed to the controls of the different types of ENSO on precipitation and temperature.
Simulating the Solar Wind‐Magnetosphere Interaction During the Matuyama‐Brunhes Paleomagnetic Reversal
Authors: Gong Fan , Yu Yiqun , Cao Jinbin , Wei Yong , Gao Jiawei , Li Hui , Zhang Binzheng , Ridley Aaron
Published: January 2022

During a paleomagnetic reversal, Earth's geomagnetic field is about 10% of today's magnitude and its topology is far more complex than dipolar. Revealing the solar wind energy transmission during the reversal is of importance for understanding the historic space environment. Using a global magnetohydrodynamic model implemented with a data‐reconstructed time‐dependent paleomagnetic field, this study simulates the solar wind‐magnetosphere interactions during the last Matuyama‐Brunhes reversal that occurred about 780,000 years ago. As the magnetosphere shrinks in the midst of the reversal, the stand‐off distance of the subsolar magnetopause approaches as close as 3 Re. Moreover, multiple magnetic reconnection sites emerge due to the irregular geomagnetic configuration, opening up many channels on the magnetopause surface for the solar wind to directly access. The power transmission efficiency through the magnetopause increases to 18%.
HMB Variations Measured by SuperDARN During the Extremely Radial IMFs: Is the Coupling Function Applicable in Radial IMF?
Authors: Wang Zhiwei , Lu Jianyong , Hu Hongqiao , Liu Jianjun , Hu Zejun , Wang Ming , Li Bin , Chen Xiangcai , Wu Yewen , Zhang Hua , Guan Haiyan
Published: January 2022

The effect of radial interplanetary magnetic field (IMF ) has been ignored in the solar wind‐magnetosphere‐ionosphere (S‐M‐I) coupling. We present a statistical study of IMF Bx effects on the Heppner‐Maynard Boundary (HMB) midnight latitude calculated from SuperDARN measurements between January 2002 and December 2017. The HMB represents the equatorward extent of the ionospheric convection pattern and can be used as a proxy for the equatorward boundary of the auroral oval. That is, the HMB expands toward lower latitude when the level of S‐M‐I coupling is enhanced. It is found that the averaged HMB midnight latitudes during both sunward and antisunward radial IMFs are around 64–65° magnetic latitude (MLAT). HMB midnight latitude is negatively correlated with the magnitude of IMF Bx as well as solar wind speed, while no significant trend is found between HMB midnight latitude and IMF Bz or By during radial IMF. For antisunward radial IMF, the relationship between upstream parameters and HMB is more dependent than in sunward radial direction. As the first long‐term statistical study focused on HMB during radial IMF conditions, this work provides observational evidence that the IMF Bx plays an important role in the coupling process and the traditional coupling function could not be applicable in the case of radial IMF.
Observations and Modeling of a Buoyant Plume Exiting Into a Tidal Cross‐Flow and Exhibiting Along‐Front Instabilities
Authors: Simpson Alexandra J. , Shi Fengyan , Jurisa Joseph T. , Honegger David A. , Hsu Tian‐Jian , Haller Merrick C.
Published: January 2022

Aerial image sequences of an ebbing river plume propagating into a tidal cross‐flow demonstrate the presence of along‐front instabilities at multiple scales, which appear to propagate along‐front in the direction of the shear flow. We hypothesize the instabilities are due to cross‐front shear in the along‐front velocity field. Image analysis quantifies the horizontal shear across the plume front as well as the length scales and propagation speeds of the instabilities. In situ measurements from cross‐front ship transects are also used to examine shear and the width of the shear layer. A non‐hydrostatic numerical simulation of an ebb plume in an idealized tidal cross‐flow was conducted using comparable flow parameters and confirms the presence of shear instabilities. An additional numerical simulation without a tidal‐cross flow demonstrates that shear instabilities are not present; rather, lobe‐and‐cleft structures on the nose of the gravity current emerge. According to the scaling of White and Helfrich (2013), utilizing both the observed and modeled parameters, it is shown that shear instabilities are likely in the observed and modeled cross‐flow scenario, and confirms that they are unlikely to emerge in the no cross‐flow model case.
Day‐To‐Day Variability of the MLT DE3 Using Joint Analysis on Observations From TIDI‐TIMED and a Meteor Radar Meridian Chain
Authors: Zhou Xu , Yue Xinan , Yu You , Hu Lianhuan
Published: January 2022

In the present work, daily variation of eastward propagating diurnal tide with zonal‐wave number 3 (DE3) is derived from joint analysis on observations from Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics Doppler Interferometer and a meteor radar chain around meridian 120°E during years of 2012–2015 and 2018–2020 via a novel method. Together with empirical tidal modes (ETMs), which are based on the Global Scale Wave Model, daily DE3 in horizontal winds are extracted. ETMs characterize the two‐dimensionally latitude‐altitudinal tidal structure with consideration of tidal dissipation, and thus makes it possible to obtain the DE3 tide extending to pole‐to‐pole in latitudes and covering 80–140 km on altitudes. Quantitatively analyzing day‐to‐day variability of mesosphere and lower thermosphere DE3 reveals that the variation of tidal phase is the main contributor to the DE3 day‐to‐day variability for both zonal and meridional winds. The strength of tidal‐phase induced variability has a clear seasonal dependence that is strong around June and December solstices. Prominent semiannual oscillation (SAO) for zonal (∼16%) and meridional (∼24%) winds are revealed, and annual oscillation (AO) is superposed on the SAO for the DE3 in meridional winds (∼9%). Tidal‐phase induced variability is generally stronger in solar minima (2018–2020) than that in solar maxima (2013–2015). Furthermore, a comparison with simulations using the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model eXtended is discussed. The simulations confirm that the primary role of tidal‐phase variations on the day‐to‐day variability. The model does not reproduce the SAO as shown in observations, while the AO in meridional winds is simulated well.
SENP2 regulates mitochondrial function and insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells
Authors: Nan Jinyan , Lee Ji Seon , Moon Joon Ho , Lee Seung-Ah , Park Young Joo , Lee Dong-Sup , Chung Sung Soo , Park Kyong Soo
Published: January 2022

Increasing evidence has shown that small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) modification plays an important role in metabolic regulation. We previously demonstrated that SUMO-specific protease 2 (SENP2) is involved in lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle and adipogenesis. In this study, we investigated the function of SENP2 in pancreatic β cells by generating a β cell-specific knockout (Senp2-βKO) mouse model. Glucose tolerance and insulin secretion were significantly impaired in the Senp2-βKO mice. In addition, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) was decreased in the islets of the Senp2-βKO mice without a significant change in insulin synthesis. Furthermore, islets of the Senp2-βKO mice exhibited enlarged mitochondria and lower oxygen consumption rates, accompanied by lower levels of S616 phosphorylated DRP1 (an active form of DRP1), a mitochondrial fission protein. Using a cell culture system of NIT-1, an islet β cell line, we found that increased SUMO2/3 conjugation to DRP1 due to SENP2 deficiency suppresses the phosphorylation of DRP1, which possibly induces mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, SENP2 overexpression restored GSIS impairment induced by DRP1 knockdown and increased DRP1 phosphorylation. Furthermore, palmitate treatment decreased phosphorylated DRP1 and GSIS in β cells, which was rescued by SENP2 overexpression. These results suggest that SENP2 regulates mitochondrial function and insulin secretion at least in part by modulating the phosphorylation of DRP1 in pancreatic β cells.
Structural and functional deficits and couplings in the cortico-striato-thalamo-cerebellar circuitry in social anxiety disorder
Authors: Zhang Xun , Suo Xueling , Yang Xun , Lai Han , Pan Nanfang , He Min , Li Qingyuan , Kuang Weihong , Wang Song , Gong Qiyong
Published: January 2022

Although functional and structural abnormalities in brain regions involved in the neurobiology of fear and anxiety have been observed in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD), the findings have been heterogeneous due to small sample sizes, demographic confounders, and methodological differences. Besides, multimodal neuroimaging studies on structural-functional deficits and couplings are rather scarce. Herein, we aimed to explore functional network anomalies in brain regions with structural deficits and the effects of structure-function couplings on the SAD diagnosis. High-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and resting-state functional MRI images were obtained from 49 non-comorbid patients with SAD and 53 demography-matched healthy controls. Whole-brain voxel-based morphometry analysis was conducted to investigate structural alterations, which were subsequently used as seeds for the resting-state functional connectivity analysis. In addition, correlation and mediation analyses were performed to probe the potential roles of structural-functional deficits in SAD diagnosis. SAD patients had significant gray matter volume reductions in the bilateral putamen, right thalamus, and left parahippocampus. Besides, patients with SAD demonstrated widespread resting-state dysconnectivity in cortico-striato-thalamo-cerebellar circuitry. Moreover, dysconnectivity of the putamen with the cerebellum and the right thalamus with the middle temporal gyrus/supplementary motor area partially mediated the effects of putamen/thalamus atrophy on the SAD diagnosis. Our findings provide preliminary evidence for the involvement of structural and functional deficits in cortico-striato-thalamo-cerebellar circuitry in SAD, and may contribute to clarifying the underlying mechanisms of structure-function couplings for SAD. Therefore, they could offer insights into the neurobiological substrates of SAD.
Real-time individual benefit from social interactions before and during the lockdown: the crucial role of personality, neurobiology and genes
Authors: Monninger Maximilian , Aggensteiner Pascal-M. , Pollok Tania M. , Reinhard Iris , Hall Alisha S. M. , Zillich Lea , Streit Fabian , Witt Stephanie-H. , Reichert Markus , Ebner-Priemer Ulrich , Meyer-Lindenberg Andreas , Tost Heike , Brandeis Daniel , Banaschewski Tobias , Holz Nathalie E.
Published: January 2022

Social integration is a major resilience factor for staying healthy. However, the COVID-19-pandemic led to unprecedented restrictions in social life. The consequences of these social lockdowns on momentary well-being are yet not fully understood. We investigated the affective benefit from social interactions in a longitudinal birth cohort. We used two real-time, real-life ecological momentary assessments once before and once during the initial lockdown of the pandemic (N = 70 participants; n~6800 observations) capturing the protective role of social interactions on well-being. Moreover, we used a multimethod approach to analyze ecological assessment data with individual risk and resilience factors, which are promising moderators in the relationship of social behavior, stress reactivity, and affective states (i.e., amygdala volume, neuroticism, polygenic risk for schizophrenia). Social contacts were linked to higher positive affect both during normal times and during the COVID-19-pandemic (beta coefficient = 0.1035), highlighting the beneficial role of social embedding. Interestingly, this relationship was differentially moderated by individual risk and resilience factors. In detail, participants with a larger left amygdala volume (beta coefficient = −0.0793) and higher neuroticism (beta coefficient = −0.0958) exhibited an affective benefit from more social interactions prior to the pandemic. This pattern changed during the pandemic with participants with smaller amygdala volumes and lower neurotic traits showing an affective gain during the pandemic. Moreover, participants with low genetic risk for schizophrenia showed an affective benefit (beta coefficient = −0.0528) from social interactions irrespective of the time point. Our results highlight the protective role of social integration on momentary well-being. Thereby, we offer new insights into how this relationship is differently affected by a person’s neurobiology, personality, and genes under adverse circumstances.
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron virus causes attenuated disease in mice and hamsters
Authors: Halfmann Peter J. , Iida Shun , Iwatsuki-Horimoto Kiyoko , Maemura Tadashi , Kiso Maki , Scheaffer Suzanne M. , Darling Tamarand L. , Joshi Astha , Loeber Samantha , Singh Gagandeep , Foster Stephanie L. , Ying Baoling , Case James Brett , Chong Zhenlu , Whitener Bradley , Moliva Juan , Floyd Katharine , Ujie Michiko , Nakajima Noriko , Ito Mutsumi , Wright Ryan , Uraki Ryuta , Warang Prajakta , Gagne Matthew , Li Rong , Sakai-Tagawa Yuko , Liu Yanan , Larson Deanna , Osorio Jorge E. , Hernandez-Ortiz Juan P. , Henry Amy R. , Ciuoderis Karl , Florek Kelsey R. , Patel Mit , Odle Abby , Wong Lok-Yin Roy , Bateman Allen C. , Wang Zhongde , Edara Venkata-Viswanadh , Chong Zhenlu , Franks John , Jeevan Trushar , Fabrizio Thomas , DeBeauchamp Jennifer , Kercher Lisa , Seiler Patrick , Gonzalez-Reiche Ana Silvia , Sordillo Emilia Mia , Chang Lauren A. , van Bakel Harm , Simon Viviana ,   Consortium Mount Sinai Pathogen Surveillance (PSP) study group, Alburquerque B. , Alshammary H. , Amoako A. A. , Aslam S. , Banu R. , Cognigni C. , Espinoza-Moraga M. , Farrugia K. , van de Guchte A. , Khalil Z. , Laporte M. , Mena I. , Paniz-Mondolfi A. E. , Polanco J. , Rooker A. , Sominsky L. A. , Douek Daniel C. , Sullivan Nancy J. , Thackray Larissa B. , Ueki Hiroshi , Yamayoshi Seiya , Imai Masaki , Perlman Stanley , Webby Richard J. , Seder Robert A. , Suthar Mehul S. , García-Sastre Adolfo , Schotsaert Michael , Suzuki Tadaki , Boon Adrianus C. M. , Diamond Michael S. , Kawaoka Yoshihiro
Published: January 2022

The recent emergence of B.1.1.529, the Omicron variant1,2, has raised concerns of escape from protection by vaccines and therapeutic antibodies. A key test for potential countermeasures against B.1.1.529 is their activity in preclinical rodent models of respiratory tract disease. Here, using the collaborative network of the SARS-CoV-2 Assessment of Viral Evolution (SAVE) programme of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), we evaluated the ability of several B.1.1.529 isolates to cause infection and disease in immunocompetent and human ACE2 (hACE2)-expressing mice and hamsters. Despite modelling data indicating that B.1.1.529 spike can bind more avidly to mouse ACE2 (refs. 3,4), we observed less infection by B.1.1.529 in 129, C57BL/6, BALB/c and K18-hACE2 transgenic mice than by previous SARS-CoV-2 variants, with limited weight loss and lower viral burden in the upper and lower respiratory tracts. In wild-type and hACE2 transgenic hamsters, lung infection, clinical disease and pathology with B.1.1.529 were also milder than with historical isolates or other SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Overall, experiments from the SAVE/NIAID network with several B.1.1.529 isolates demonstrate attenuated lung disease in rodents, which parallels preliminary human clinical data.
Reveals of quercetin’s therapeutic effects on oral lichen planus based on network pharmacology approach and experimental validation
Authors: Zhao Zhibai , Wang Linglin , Zhang Mengna , Zhou Chenyu , Wang Yanting , Ma Jiangmin , Fan Yuan
Published: January 2022

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a localized autoimmune disease of the oral mucosa, with an incidence of up to 2%. Although corticosteroids are the first-line treatment, they cause several adverse effects. Quercetin, a naturally occurring compound, has fewer side-effects and provides long-term benefits. Besides, it has powerful anti‑inflammatory activities. Here, we combined network pharmacology with experimental verification to predict and verify the key targets of quercetin against OLP. First, 66 quercetin-OLP common targets were analyzed from various databases. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed. Topology analysis and MCODE cluster analysis of common targets were conducted to identify 12 key targets including TP53, IL-6 and IFN-γ and their connections. Gene functions and key signaling pathways, including reactive oxygen species metabolism, IL-17 pathway and AGE-RAGE pathway, were enriched by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Then, in vitro experiments showed that quercetin interfered with Th1/Th2 balance by acting on IL-6 and IFN-γ to modulate the immune system in treating OLP. Quercetin considerably affected the apoptosis and migration of T lymphocytes in OLP patients. Our study reveals the potential therapeutic targets and signaling pathways of quercetin associated with OLP, and establishes the groundwork for future clinical applications.
Triboelectric charging of melt-blown nonwoven filters with high filtration efficiency
Authors: Wang Hong , Wu Yanjin , Wang Jiang
Published: January 2022

As a novel technology to convert low-frequency energy into electric power, the triboelectric nanogenerator is a hot research topic recently. However, the nature of charge carriers and their transfer mechanisms still remain poorly understood, especially for the cases of liquid–solid triboelectric nanogenerator. In this paper, charges produced by a triboelectric charging process were designed to provide melt-blown nonwoven fabrics with high filtration efficiency by making full use of the electrostatic attraction filtration mechanism. Influences of water conductivity and drying temperature on the filtration efficiency of melt-blown nonwoven fabrics were investigated. And the corresponding properties such as the surface charge potential and charge stability were analyzed by using the electrostatic voltmeter, bio atomic force microscope and thermally stimulated discharge technique. In addition, metal and inorganic elements in the masterbatch and water before and after triboelectric charging were measured in order to uncover the charge transfer mechanism. Melt-blown nonwoven fabrics with filtration efficiency as high as 96.8% was obtained through the triboelectric charging treatment by using water with the conductivity as low as 1.1 μS/cm for the first time. Negative and positive surface charge density appeared randomly on both sides of melt-blown nonwoven fabrics after the triboelectric charging treatment from the bio atomic force microscope measurement while only one kind of surface charge density can be achieved in the research of TENG, that is, negative or positive. It seems there are both electron and ion transfers during the triboelectric charging process and electron transfer seems to have more important contribution for the generation of charges.
Selecting molecules with diverse structures and properties by maximizing submodular functions of descriptors learned with graph neural networks
Authors: Nakamura Tomohiro , Sakaue Shinsaku , Fujii Kaito , Harabuchi Yu , Maeda Satoshi , Iwata Satoru
Published: January 2022

Selecting diverse molecules from unexplored areas of chemical space is one of the most important tasks for discovering novel molecules and reactions. This paper proposes a new approach for selecting a subset of diverse molecules from a given molecular list by using two existing techniques studied in machine learning and mathematical optimization: graph neural networks (GNNs) for learning vector representation of molecules and a diverse-selection framework called submodular function maximization. Our method, called SubMo-GNN, first trains a GNN with property prediction tasks, and then the trained GNN transforms molecular graphs into molecular vectors, which capture both properties and structures of molecules. Finally, to obtain a subset of diverse molecules, we define a submodular function, which quantifies the diversity of molecular vectors, and find a subset of molecular vectors with a large submodular function value. This can be done efficiently by using the greedy algorithm, and the diversity of selected molecules measured by the submodular function value is mathematically guaranteed to be at least 63% of that of an optimal selection. We also introduce a new evaluation criterion to measure the diversity of selected molecules based on molecular properties. Computational experiments confirm that our SubMo-GNN successfully selects diverse molecules from the QM9 dataset regarding the property-based criterion, while performing comparably to existing methods regarding standard structure-based criteria. We also demonstrate that SubMo-GNN with a GNN trained on the QM9 dataset can select diverse molecules even from other MoleculeNet datasets whose domains are different from the QM9 dataset. The proposed method enables researchers to obtain diverse sets of molecules for discovering new molecules and novel chemical reactions, and the proposed diversity criterion is useful for discussing the diversity of molecular libraries from a new property-based perspective.
Neutron imaging of an operational dilution refrigerator
Authors: Lawson C. R. , Jones A. T. , Kockelmann W. , Horney S. J. , Kirichek O.
Published: January 2022

The invention of the 3He/4He dilution refrigerator opened a new chapter in experimental ultra-low temperature physics. Dilution refrigerators became essential for providing ultra-low temperature environments for nuclear demagnetisation experiments, superconducting-qubit quantum processors and highly sensitive bolometers used in fundamental physics experiments. Development of dilution refrigeration technology requires thorough understanding of the quantum mechanical processes that take place in liquid helium at ultra-low temperatures. For decades the quantum fluids research community provided valuable information to engineers and designers involved in the development of advanced dilution refrigerators. However, the lack of methods that allow the measurement of physical parameters of liquid helium during the operation of a dilution refrigerator was hindering development of the technology. Here we show direct imaging of an operational dilution refrigerator using neutron radiography. This allows direct observation of the dilution process in 3He/4He mixtures and opens an opportunity for direct measurement of the 3He concentration. We observe the refrigerator behaviour in different regimes, such as continuous circulation and single shot, and show that our method allows investigation of various failure modes. Our results demonstrate that neutron imaging applied to the study of dilution refrigeration processes can provide essential information for developers of ultra-low temperature systems. We expect that neutron imaging will become instrumental in the research and development of advanced dilution refrigerators.
Imaging photoplethysmography as an easy-to-use tool for monitoring changes in tissue blood perfusion during abdominal surgery
Authors: Kamshilin Alexei A. , Zaytsev Valery V. , Lodygin Alexander V. , Kashchenko Victor A.
Published: January 2022

Evaluation of tissue perfusion at various stages of surgery is of great importance for the implementation of the concept of safe surgery, including operations on the abdominal organs. Currently, there is no accurate and reliable intraoperative method for assessing tissue perfusion that could help surgeons determine the risks of ischemia and improve outcomes. We propose novel method of intraoperative assessment of tissue perfusion using video camera synchronized with the electrocardiogram. The technique is referred to as imaging photoplethysmography (iPPG). It can be used continuously for monitoring blood supply to organs e.g., before and after anastomosis. In our study, we followed 14 different surgical cases (four stomach and ten colorectal cancers) requiring reconstruction of various organs with anastomosis. With iPPG, intraoperative blood perfusion was successfully visualized and quantified in all 14 patients under study. As most indicative, here we describe in detail two clinical demonstrations during gastrectomy for gastric cancer and right-sided hemicolectomy for cancer of the ascending colon. Feasibility of the iPPG system to assess blood perfusion in organs before and after anastomosis during open surgery was demonstrated for the first time.
Synergistic effects of laccase and pectin on the color changes and functional properties of meat analogs containing beet red pigment
Authors: Sakai Kiyota , Sato Yukihide , Okada Masamichi , Yamaguchi Shotaro
Published: January 2022

The widening gap between current supply of meat and its future demand has increased the need to produce plant-based meat analogs. Despite ongoing technical developments, one of the unresolved challenges of plant-based meat analogs is to safely and effectively imitate the appearance of raw and cooked animal-based meat, especially the color. This study aimed to develop a more effective and safe browning system for beet red (BR) in plant-based meat analog patties using laccase (LC) and sugar beet pectin (SBP). First, we investigated the synergistic effects of SBP and LC on BR decolorization of meat analog patties. We discovered that the red tones of LC-treated patties containing BR and SBP were remarkably browned after grilling, compared to patties that did not contain SBP. Notably, this color change by LC + SBP was similar to that of beef patties. Additionally, the hardness of LC-treated meat analog patties containing BR was higher than those that did not contain BR. Interestingly, the presence of SBP and LC enhanced the browning reaction and functional properties of meat analogs containing BR. This is the first report on a browning system for meat analogs containing BR using enzymatic methods to the best of our knowledge.
User experience of home-based AbC-19 SARS-CoV-2 antibody rapid lateral flow immunoassay test
Authors: Jing Min , Bond Raymond , Robertson Louise J. , Moore Julie , Kowalczyk Amanda , Price Ruth , Burns William , Nesbit M. Andrew , McLaughlin James , Moore Tara
Published: January 2022

The urgent need to scale up testing capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the rapid development of point-of-care diagnostic tools such as lateral flow immunoassays (LFIA) for large-scale community-based rapid testing. However, studies of how the general public perform when using LFIA tests in different environmental settings are scarce. This user experience (UX) study of 264 participants in Northern Ireland aimed to gather a better understanding of how self-administered LFIA tests were performed by the general public at home. The UX performance was assessed via analysis of a post-test questionnaire including 30 polar questions and 11 7-point Likert scale questions, which covers the multidimensional aspects of UX in terms of ease of use, effectiveness, efficiency, accuracy and satisfaction. Results show that 96.6% of participants completed the test with an overall average UX score of 95.27% [95% confidence interval (CI) 92.71–97.83%], which suggests a good degree of user experience and effectiveness. Efficiency was assessed based on the use of physical resources and human support received, together with the mental effort of self-administering the test measured via NASA Task Load Index (TLX). The results for six TLX subscales show that the participants scored the test highest for mental demand and lowest for physical demand, but the average TLX score suggests that the general public have a relatively low level of mental workload when using LFIA self-testing at home. Five printed LFIA testing results (i.e. the ‘simulated’ results) were used as the ground truth to assess the participant’s performance in interpreting the test results. The overall agreement (accuracy) was 80.63% [95% CI 75.21–86.05%] with a Kappa score 0.67 [95% CI 0.58–0.75] indicating substantial agreement. The users scored lower in confidence when interpreting test results that were weak positive cases (due to the relatively low signal intensity in the test-line) compared to strong positive cases. The end-users also found that the kit was easier to use than they expected (p < 0.001) and 231 of 264 (87.5%) reported that the test kit would meet their requirements if they needed an antibody testing kit. The overall findings provide an insight into the opportunities for improving the design of self-administered SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing kits for the general public and to inform protocols for future UX studies of LFIA rapid test kits.
The choice of the white clover population alters overyielding of mixtures with perennial ryegrass and chicory and underlying processes
Authors: Nölke Isabelle , Tonn Bettina , Komainda Martin , Heshmati Sara , Isselstein Johannes
Published: January 2022

Legume-based forage plant mixtures are known to increase biomass production over the mixture species grown as pure stands (overyielding), which has partly been attributed to enhanced nitrogen availability by legumes. However, the relative importance of underlying processes of these positive diversity effects and their drivers are not fully understood. Here we assessed if outcome and causes of diversity effects depend on the legume-species genetic identity. Over five years, we cultivated different white clover (Trifolium repens) populations, a grass and forb species in pure stands and clover-based mixtures and recorded biomass yield. Complementarity and selection effects of mixtures and relative yields of mixture species were calculated based on both unfertilized and nitrogen-fertilized non-leguminous pure stands. Results showed that the clover population altered the overall strength of diversity effects as well as the direction and magnitude of their temporal trends, at least for the grass component of mixtures. Differences in diversity effects between clover populations diminished when fertilized instead of unfertilized non-leguminous pure stands were considered. Hence, a part of these differences likely results from dissimilar effects of clover populations on nitrogen availability. The findings reveal the possibility to improve overyielding of legume-based forage plant mixtures by decisions on legume-species genetic identity.
Tracking the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern in South Africa using wastewater-based epidemiology
Authors: Johnson Rabia , Sharma Jyoti R. , Ramharack Pritika , Mangwana Noluxabiso , Kinnear Craig , Viraragavan Amsha , Glanzmann Brigitte , Louw Johan , Abdelatif Nada , Reddy Tarylee , Surujlal-Naicker Swastika , Nkambule Sizwe , Mahlangeni Nomfundo , Webster Candice , Mdhluli Mongezi , Gray Glenda , Mathee Angela , Preiser Wolfgang , Muller Christo , Street Renee
Published: January 2022

This study uses wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) to rapidly and, through targeted surveillance, track the geographical distribution of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (Alpha, Beta and Delta) within 24 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Western Cape of South Africa. Information obtained was used to identify the circulating variant of concern (VOC) within a population and retrospectively trace when the predominant variant was introduced. Genotyping analysis of SARS-CoV-2 showed that 50% of wastewater samples harbored signature mutations linked to the Beta variant before the third wave, with the Delta variant absent within the population. Over time, the prevalence of the beta variant decreased steadily. The onset of the third wave resulted in the Delta variant becoming the predominant variant, with a 100% prevalence supporting the theory that the Delta variant was driving the third wave. In silico molecular docking analysis showed that the signature mutations of the Delta variant increased binding to host proteins, suggesting a possible molecular mechanism that increased viral infectivity of the Delta variant.
A novel composite of ionic liquid-containing polymer and metal–organic framework as an efficient catalyst for ultrasonic-assisted Knoevenagel condensation
Authors: Sadjadi Samahe , Koohestani Fatemeh , Heravi Majid M.
Published: January 2022

1-Butyl-3-vinylimidazolium chloride was synthesized and polymerized with acrylamide to furnish an ionic liquid-containing polymer, which was then used for the formation of a composite with iron-based metal–organic framework. The resultant composite was characterized with XRD, TGA, FE-SEM, FTIR, EDS and elemental mapping analyses and its catalytic activity was appraised for ultrasonic-assisted Knoevenagel condensation. The results confirmed that the prepared composite could promote the reaction efficiently to furnish the corresponding products in high yields in very short reaction times. Moreover, the composite exhibited high recyclability up to six runs. It was also established that the activity of the composite was higher compared to pristine metal–organic framework or polymer.
On the feasibility of all-solid-state batteries with LLZO as a single electrolyte
Authors: Kravchyk Kostiantyn V. , Karabay Dogan Tarik , Kovalenko Maksym V.
Published: January 2022

Replacement of Li-ion liquid-state electrolytes by solid-state counterparts in a Li-ion battery (LIB) is a major research objective as well as an urgent priority for the industry, as it enables the use of a Li metal anode and provides new opportunities to realize safe, non-flammable, and temperature-resilient batteries. Among the plethora of solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) investigated, garnet-type Li-ion electrolytes based on cubic Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) are considered the most appealing candidates for the development of future solid-state batteries because of their low electronic conductivity of ca. 10−8 S cm−1 (RT) and a wide electrochemical operation window of 0–6 V vs. Li+/Li. However, high LLZO density (5.1 g cm−3) and its lower level of Li-ion conductivity (up to 1 mS cm−1 at RT) compared to liquid electrolytes (1.28 g cm−3; ca. 10 mS cm−1 at RT) still raise the question as to the feasibility of using solely LLZO as an electrolyte for achieving competitive energy and power densities. In this work, we analyzed the energy densities of Li-garnet all-solid-state batteries based solely on LLZO SSE by modeling their Ragone plots using LiCoO2 as the model cathode material. This assessment allowed us to identify values of the LLZO thickness, cathode areal capacity, and LLZO content in the solid-state cathode required to match the energy density of conventional lithium-ion batteries (ca. 180 Wh kg−1 and 497 Wh L−1) at the power densities of 200 W kg−1 and 600 W L−1, corresponding to ca. 1 h of battery discharge time (1C). We then discuss key challenges in the practical deployment of LLZO SSE in the fabrication of Li-garnet all-solid-state batteries.
Oxidative stress and motion sickness in one crew during competitive offshore sailing
Authors: Giacon Tommaso Antonio , Bosco Gerardo , Vezzoli Alessandra , Dellanoce Cinzia , Cialoni Danilo , Paganini Matteo , Mrakic-Sposta Simona
Published: January 2022

Competitive Offshore Ocean Sailing is a highly demanding activity in which subjects are exposed to psychophysical stressors for a long time. To better define the physiological adaptations, we investigated the stress response of subjects exposed to 3-days long ocean navigation with disruption of circadian rhythms. 6 male subjects were involved in the study and provided urine and saliva samples before setting sail, during a single day of inshore sailing, during 3-days long ocean navigation, and at the arrival, to measure oxidative stress, cortisol, nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) and metabolic response. Motion Sickness questionnaires were also administered during the navigation. The crew suffered a mean weight loss of 1.58 kg. After the long navigation, a significant increase in ROS production and decrease in total antioxidant capacity and uric acid levels were observed. Lipid peroxidation, NO metabolites, ketones, creatinine, and neopterin levels were also increased. Furthermore, a significant increase in cortisol levels was measured. Finally, we found a correlation between motion sickness questionnaires with the increase of NOx, and no correlation with cortisol levels. Physical and psychological stress response derived from offshore sailing resulted in increased oxidative stress, nitric oxide metabolites, and cortisol levels, unbalanced redox status, transient renal function impairment, and ketosis. A direct correlation between motion sickness symptoms evaluated through questionnaires and NOx levels was also found.