bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transmembrane Protein 170B is a Prognostic Biomarker and Associated With Immune Infiltrates in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhang Zilong , Shang Jin , Dai Zonglin , Yao Yutong , Shi Ying , Zhong Deyuan , Liang Yuxin , Lai Chunyou , Yang Qinyan , Feng Tianhang , Huang Xiaolun
Published: May 2022

Background: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is among the most common types of cancer with a poor prognosis. Transmembrane protein 170B (TMEM170B) has been reported to suppress breast cancer proliferation, metastasis, and tumorigenesis and is related to prognosis. However, its role in PAAD and the underlying molecular mechanisms are yet to be investigated.

Patients and methods: We performed a comprehensive analysis of RNA sequencing data obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases to determine TMEM170B expression. Immunostaining and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were done to determine TMEM170B expression in human pancreatic cancer cell lines and tissue specimens. Furthermore, the correlation of TMEM170B with clinicopathological features and PAAD prognosis was investigated, and the mechanisms were explored through enrichment analysis and immune cell infiltration analysis.

Results: TCGA and GEO dataset analysis revealed that TMEM170B expression in PAAD tissue samples was significantly lower than that in non-tumorous tissues, which was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Low TMEM170B expression was associated with poor differentiation (p = 0.014). Multivariate analysis identified that TMEM170B is an independent indicator for overall survival [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.116, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.014–0.995; p = 0.049] and disease-free survival (HR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.04–0.910; p = 0.038) in patients with PAAD. Additionally, TMEM170B was involved in immune-related gene sets, including those related to chemokine signaling pathways and innate and adaptive immunity. High TMEM170B expression was linked to antitumor immune microenvironment with a high infiltration of B cells, T cells, dendritic cells, monocytes, M1 macrophages, neutrophil, and natural killer cells and a low infiltration of Tregs and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (all p < 0.05).

Plain Language Summary: There is an urgent need to identify clinical prognostic biomarkers and targeted drugs for pancreatic cancer treatment. In this study, the expression status and prognostic value of transmembrane protein 170B (TMEM170B) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma were elucidated. Furthermore, TMEM170B, as a tumor suppressor gene, induced antitumor immune effects, including increased tumor infiltration of immune effector cells and reduced levels of inhibitory immune molecules and regulatory cells. Therefore, TMEM170B could be regarded as a novel target in preventing the progression of pancreatic cancer.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that low TMEM170B expression is remarkably correlated with poor PAAD prognosis, which might provide a therapeutic target for PAAD.
A Tunable Multifunctional Terahertz Asymmetric Transmission Device Hybrid With Vanadium Dioxide Blocks
Authors: Xu Boli , Zhong Renbin , Liang Zekun , Fang Zheng , Fang Jianhui , Zhang Huimin , Wu Zhenhua , Zhang Kaichun , Hu Min , Liu Diwei
Published: May 2022

A tunable multifunctional terahertz metamaterial asymmetric transmission device is proposed. The device is composed of three layers from top to bottom, i.e., Ge–SiO2–Ge. The germanium layer with a VO2 block enables it to work in two operating modes by controlling the state of the VO2 blocks, thereby flexibly realizing asymmetric forward and backward transmission with specific polarization. The device is endowed with a more flexible design of electromagnetic systems, rendering it suitable for applications in polarization converters, polarization filters, and other polarization modulators.
A 1-Bit Coding Metasurface With Polarization Conversion in X-Band
Authors: Gao Wen Hua , Chen Mao , Cheng Qiang , Cui Tie Jun
Published: May 2022

Polarization conversion metasurfaces are widely used in optical devices, microwave devices and communication systems, owing to their unique polarization modulation characteristics. However, in some applications (such as folded reflectarrays), the unit cell must be capable of polarization conversion and phase modulation. To the best of our knowledge, there are only a few related designs with both the functionalities. In this paper, we propose a well-performing 1-bit reconfigurable coding metasurface with polarization conversion. It realizes linear-to-linear polarization conversion in a 1.32 GHz bandwidth, and the conversion loss is within 1 dB. Simultaneously, the metasurface achieves a phase difference of approximately 180° by switching the working state of the PIN diodes. This metasurface has great potential for radar detection, folded reflectarrays, and other fields.
Transient Viral Activation in Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1-Infected Macaques Treated With Pomalidomide
Authors: Gutowska Anna , McKinnon Katherine , Sarkis Sarkis , Doster Melvin N. , Bissa Massimiliano , Moles Ramona , Stamos James D. , Rahman Mohammad Arif , Washington-Parks Robyn , Davis David , Yarchoan Robert , Franchini Genoveffa , Pise-Masison Cynthia A.
Published: May 2022

Human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) persists in the host despite a vigorous immune response that includes cytotoxic T cells (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells, suggesting the virus has developed effective mechanisms to counteract host immune surveillance. We recently showed that in vitro treatment of HTLV-1-infected cells with the drug pomalidomide (Pom) increases surface expression of MHC-I, ICAM-1, and B7-2, and significantly increases the susceptibility of HTLV-1-infected cells to NK and CTL killing, which is dependent on viral orf-I expression. We reasoned that by restoring cell surface expression of these molecules, Pom treatment has the potential to reduce virus burden by rendering infected cells susceptible to NK and CTL killing. We used the rhesus macaque model to determine if Pom treatment of infected individuals activates the host immune system and allows recognition and clearance of HTLV-1-infected cells. We administered Pom (0.2 mg/kg) orally to four HTLV-1-infected macaques over a 24 day period and collected blood, urine, and bone marrow samples throughout the study. Pom treatment caused immune activation in all four animals and a marked increase in proliferating CD4+, CD8+, and NK cells as measured by Ki-67+ cells. Activation markers HLA-DR, CD11b, and CD69 also increased during treatment. While we detected an increased frequency of cells with a memory CD8+ phenotype, we also found an increased frequency of cells with a Treg-like phenotype. Concomitant with immune activation, the frequency of detection of viral DNA and the HTLV-1-specific humoral response increased as well. In 3 of 4 animals, Pom treatment resulted in increased antibodies to HTLV-1 antigens as measured by western blot and p24Gag ELISA. Consistent with Pom inducing immune and HTLV-1 activation, we measured elevated leukotrienes LTB4 and LTE4 in the urine of all animals. Despite an increase in plasma LTB4, no significant changes in plasma cytokine/chemokine levels were detected. In all cases, however, cellular populations, LTB4, and LTE4 decreased to baseline or lower levels 2 weeks after cessation of treatment. These results indicated that Pom treatment induces a transient HTLV-1-specific immune activation in infected individuals, but also suggest Pom may not be effective as a single-agent therapeutic.
Neuronal Morphological Model-Driven Image Registration for Serial Electron Microscopy Sections
Authors: Zhou Fangxu , Chen Bohao , Chen Xi , Han Hua
Published: May 2022

Registration of a series of the two-dimensional electron microscope (EM) images of the brain tissue into volumetric form is an important technique that can be used for neuronal circuit reconstruction. However, complex appearance changes of neuronal morphology in adjacent sections bring difficulty in finding correct correspondences, making serial section neural image registration challenging. To solve this problem, we consider whether there are such stable "markers" in the neural images to alleviate registration difficulty. In this paper, we employ the spherical deformation model to simulate the local neuron structure and analyze the relationship between registration accuracy and neuronal structure shapes in two adjacent sections. The relevant analysis proves that regular circular structures in the section images are instrumental in seeking robust corresponding relationships. Then, we design a new serial section image registration framework driven by this neuronal morphological model, fully utilizing the characteristics of the anatomical structure of nerve tissue and obtaining more reasonable corresponding relationships. Specifically, we leverage a deep membrane segmentation network and neural morphological physical selection model to select the stable rounded regions in neural images. Then, we combine feature extraction and global optimization of correspondence position to obtain the deformation field of multiple images. Experiments on real and synthetic serial EM section neural image datasets have demonstrated that our proposed method could achieve more reasonable and reliable registration results, outperforming the state-of-the-art approaches in qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Neuronal Dysfunction Is Linked to the Famine-Associated Risk of Proliferative Retinopathy in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Fedotkina Olena , Jain Ruchi , Prasad Rashmi B. , Luk Andrea , García-Ramírez Marta , Özgümüs Türküler , Cherviakova Liubov , Khalimon Nadiya , Svietleisha Tetiana , Buldenko Tetiana , Kravchenko Victor , Jain Deepak , Vaag Allan , Chan Juliana , Khalangot Mykola D. , Hernández Cristina , Nilsson Peter M. , Simo Rafael , Artner Isabella , Lyssenko Valeriya
Published: May 2022

Persons with type 2 diabetes born in the regions of famine exposures have disproportionally elevated risk of vision-threatening proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in adulthood. However, the underlying mechanisms are not known. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the plausible molecular factors underlying progression to PDR. To study the association of genetic variants with PDR under the intrauterine famine exposure, we analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were previously reported to be associated with type 2 diabetes, glucose, and pharmacogenetics. Analyses were performed in the population from northern Ukraine with a history of exposure to the Great Ukrainian Holodomor famine [the Diagnostic Optimization and Treatment of Diabetes and its Complications in the Chernihiv Region (DOLCE study), n = 3,583]. A validation of the top genetic findings was performed in the Hong Kong diabetes registry (HKDR, n = 730) with a history of famine as a consequence of the Japanese invasion during WWII. In DOLCE, the genetic risk for PDR was elevated for the variants in ADRA2A, PCSK9, and CYP2C19*2 loci, but reduced at PROX1 locus. The association of ADRA2A loci with the risk of advanced diabetic retinopathy in famine-exposed group was further replicated in HKDR. The exposure of embryonic retinal cells to starvation for glucose, mimicking the perinatal exposure to famine, resulted in sustained increased expression of Adra2a and Pcsk9, but decreased Prox1. The exposure to starvation exhibited a lasting inhibitory effects on neurite outgrowth, as determined by neurite length. In conclusion, a consistent genetic findings on the famine-linked risk of ADRA2A with PDR indicate that the nerves may likely to be responsible for communicating the effects of perinatal exposure to famine on the elevated risk of advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy in adults. These results suggest the possibility of utilizing neuroprotective drugs for the prevention and treatment of PDR.
Value of Whole-Thyroid CT-Based Radiomics in Predicting Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Xu Han , Wang Ximing , Guan Chaoqun , Tan Ru , Yang Qing , Zhang Qi , Liu Aie , Liu Qingwei
Published: May 2022

The objective of this research is to explore the value of whole-thyroid CT-based radiomics in predicting benign (noncancerous) and malignant thyroid nodules. The imaging and clinical data of 161 patients with thyroid nodules that were confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed. The entire thyroid regions of interest (ROIs) were manually sketched for all 161 cases. After extracting CT radiomic features, the patients were divided into a training group (128 cases) and a test group (33 cases) according to the 4:1 ratio with stratified random sampling (fivefold cross validation). All the data were normalized by the maximum absolute value and screened using selection operator regression analysis and K best. The data generation model was trained by logistic regression. The effectiveness of the model in differentiating between benign and malignant thyroid nodules was validated by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. After data grouping, eigenvalue screening, and data training, the logistic regression model with the maximum absolute value normalized was constructed. For the training group, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 94.4% (95% confidence interval: 0.941–0.977); the sensitivity and specificity were 89.7% and 86.7%, respectively; and the diagnostic accuracy was 87.6%. For the test group, the AUC was 94.2% (95% confidence interval: 0.881–0.999); the sensitivity and specificity were 89.4% and 86.8%, respectively; and the diagnostic accuracy was 87.6%. The CT radiomic model of the entire thyroid gland is highly efficient in differentiating between benign and malignant thyroid nodules.
Survival Benefits for Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma With Malignant Pleural Effusion After Thoracoscopic Surgical Treatment: A Real-World Study
Authors: Li Xin , Li Mingbiao , Lv Jinshuang , Liu Jinghao , Dong Ming , Xia Chunqiu , Zhao Honglin , Xu Song , Wei Sen , Song Zuoqing , Chen Gang , Liu Hongyu , Chen Jun
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Malignant cells in the pleural fluid or pleural metastasis are classified as stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. Radical surgery is generally considered not suitable for such patients. The aim of our study was to discuss the effectiveness of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in such patients.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of the clinical records of 195 patients was performed. These patients were all diagnosed with locally advanced pulmonary adenocarcinomas with malignant pleural effusion (MPE, M1a) but no distant organ metastasis. The 195 patients included 96 patients who underwent VATS plus chemotherapy and 99 patients who received thoracic drainage plus chemotherapy. The baseline characteristics of the patients included age, gender, smoking history, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, and number of chemotherapy cycles (2–4 cycles or >4 cycles); we also analyzed clinical characteristics including the specific surgical options of the VATS group.

Results

In multivariate analysis, when compared to the thoracic drainage group, the VATS group remained significantly associated with the overall survival [HR=0.480 (95%CI 0.301-0.765)]; when compared to the lobectomy, the sub-lobectomy and the palliative surgery, remained significantly associated with the overall survival [HR=0.637 (95%CI 0.409-0.993) and HR=0.548 (95%CI 0.435-0.832), respectively]. The median survival time (MST) of patients who underwent VATS (n = 96, 49.2%) was 25 months (95% CI 22.373–27.627) whereas the patients who received thoracic drainage (n = 99, 50.8%) was 11 months (95% CI 9.978–12.022). For patients who underwent VATS, the MST of patients who received a lobectomy (n = 50, 52.1%) was 27 months (95% CI 22.432–31.568), the MST of patients who received a sub-lobectomy plus pleurodesis (n = 26, 27.1%) was 27 months (95% CI 19.157–34.843), and the MST of patients who received only pleurodesis (n = 20, 20.8%) was 12 months (95% CI 7.617–16.383).

Conclusion

For pulmonary adenocarcinomas with MPE, receiving a lobectomy or sub-lobectomy plus pleurodesis with VATS was associated with improved survival compared with patients who only received thoracic drainage and chemotherapy. Our results and previously published data may justify the use of VATS for treating pulmonary adenocarcinomas with MPE.
The Prognostic Impact of Lymph Node Dissection on Primary Tumor Resection for Stage IV Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Zhang Yudong , Zhang Yichi , Cheng Xinxin , Dai Keyao , Xu Bo , Liang Shujun , Chen Minsheng , Zhang Honglang , Chen Zhenguang
Published: May 2022

Objective

Selected patients with stage IV non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who underwent primary tumor resection have witnessed a survival benefit. Whether additional lymph node dissection (LND) would result in a better effect remain unknown. We investigated the prognostic impact of LND on patients with stage IV NSCLC who received primary tumor resection (PTR).

Methods

Patients with stage IV NSCLC who underwent PTR were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 2004 to 2016. Propensity-score matching was performed to minimize the confounding effect, and lung cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were compared after matching. Multivariable Cox regression was used to identify prognostic factors and to adjust for covariates in subgroup analysis. The effect of the number of lymph nodes examined on the CSS was evaluated by repeating the Cox analysis in a binary method.

Results

A total of 4,114 patients with stage IV NSCLC who receive surgery met our criteria, of which 2,622 (63.73%) underwent LND and 628 patients were identified 1:1 in LND and non-LND groups after matching. Compared with the non-LND group, the LND group had a longer CSS (median: 23 vs. 16 months, p < 0.001) and OS (median: 21 vs. 15 months, p < 0.001). Multivariable regression showed that LND was independently associated with favorable CCS [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69–0.89, P < 0.001] and OS (HR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.70–0.89, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis suggested that LND is an independent favorable predictor to survival in the surgical patients who were older age (>60 years old), female, T3-4, N0, and M1a stage and those who underwent sublobar resection. In addition, a statistically significant CCS benefit was associated with an increasing number of lymph nodes examined through 25 lymph nodes.

Conclusions

LND with a certain range of lymph nodes number examined was associated with improved survival for patients with stage IV NSCLC who received primary tumor resection. The results may have implications for guidelines on lymph nodes management in selective advanced NSCLC for surgery.
Immune-Related miRNA-195-5p Inhibits the Progression of Lung Adenocarcinoma by Targeting Polypyrimidine Tract-Binding Protein 1
Authors: Duan Lincan , Wang Juan , Zhang Dahang , Yuan Yixiao , Tang Lin , Zhou Yongchun , Jiang Xiulin
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common type of cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, resulting in a huge economic and social burden. MiRNA-195-5p plays crucial roles in the initiation and progression of cancer. However, the significance of the miRNA-195-5p/polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 (miRNA-195-5p/PTBP1) axis in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear.

Methods

Data were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. The starBase database was employed to examine the expression of miRNA-195-5p, while the Kaplan–Meier plotter, UALCAN, and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) databases were utilized to analyze the tumor stage and prognostic value of miRNA and PTBP1. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay was conducted to detect the expression levels of miRNA-195-5p in LUAD cell lines and tissues. The effects of miRNA-195-5p on cell proliferation and migration were examined using the cell growth curve, clone information, transwell assays, and wound healing assays.

Results

We found that miRNA-195-5p was down-regulated in LUAD cancer and cell lines. Importantly, its low levels were related to the tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, and poor prognosis in LUAD. Overexpression of miR-195-5p significantly inhibited cell growth and migration promotes cell apoptosis. Further study revealed that PTBP1 is a target gene of miRNA-195-5p, and overexpression of miRNA-195-5p inhibited the progression of LUAD by inhibiting PTBP1 expression. MiRNA-195-5p expression was related to immune infiltration in lung adenocarcinoma. Moreover, PTBP1 was negatively correlated with diverse immune cell infiltration and drug sensitivity.

Conclusion

Our findings uncover a pivotal mechanism that miRNA-195-5p by modulate PTBP1 expression to inhibit the progression of LUAD. MiRNA-195-5p could be a novel diagnostic and prognostic molecular marker for LUAD.
Loss of PTEN-Induced Kinase 1 Regulates Oncogenic Ras-Driven Tumor Growth By Inhibiting Mitochondrial Fission
Authors: Zhu Dantong , Han Fengtong , Sun Liuke , Agnihotri Sandeep K. , Hu Ying , Büeler Hansruedi
Published: May 2022

Mitochondrial metabolism and dynamics (fission and fusion) critically regulate cell survival and proliferation, and abnormalities in these pathways are implicated in both neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. Mitochondrial fission is necessary for the growth of mutant Ras-dependent tumors. Here, we investigated whether loss of PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) - a mitochondrial kinase linked to recessive familial Parkinsonism - affects the growth of oncogenic Ras-induced tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. We show that RasG12D-transformed embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from PINK1-deficient mice display reduced growth in soft agar and in nude mice, as well as increased necrosis and decreased cell cycle progression, compared to RasG12D-transformed MEFs derived from wildtype mice. PINK1 re-expression (overexpression) at least partially rescues these phenotypes. Neither PINK1 deletion nor PINK1 overexpression altered Ras expression levels. Intriguingly, PINK1-deficient Ras-transformed MEFs exhibited elongated mitochondria and altered DRP1 phosphorylation, a key event in regulating mitochondrial fission. Inhibition of DRP1 diminished PINK1-regulated mitochondria morphological changes and tumor growth suggesting that PINK1 deficiency primarily inhibits Ras-driven tumor growth through disturbances in mitochondrial fission and associated cell necrosis and cell cycle defects. Moreover, we substantiate the requirement of PINK1 for optimal growth of Ras-transformed cells by showing that human HCT116 colon carcinoma cells (carrying an endogenous RasG13D mutation) with CRISPR/Cas9-introduced PINK1 gene deletions also show reduced mitochondrial fission and decreased growth. Our results support the importance of mitochondrial function and dynamics in regulating the growth of Ras-dependent tumor cells and provide insight into possible mechanisms underlying the lower incidence of cancers in Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Impact of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Endometrial Cancer Survival: A Prospective Database Analysis
Authors: Njoku Kelechi , Agnew Heather J. , Crosbie Emma J.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an established risk factor for endometrial cancer but its impact on endometrial cancer survival outcomes is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pre-existing T2DM impacts survival outcomes in endometrial cancer.

Patients and Methods

Women diagnosed with endometrial cancer were recruited to a single centre prospective cohort study. Relevant sociodemographic and clinico-pathological data were recorded at baseline. T2DM status was based on clinical and biochemical assessment, verified by general practitioner records and analysed in relation to overall, cancer-specific and recurrence-free survival using Kaplan-Meier estimation and multivariable Cox-regression.

Results

In total, 533 women with median age and BMI of 66 years (Interquartile range (IQR), 56, 73) and 32kg/m2 (IQR 26, 39) respectively, were included in the analysis. The majority had low-grade (67.3%), early-stage (85.1% stage I/II), endometrial cancer of endometrioid histological phenotype (74.7%). A total of 107 (20.1%) had pre-existing T2DM. Women with T2DM had a two-fold increase in overall mortality (adjusted HR 2.07, 95%CI 1.21-3.55, p=0.008), cancer-specific mortality (adjusted HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.05-4.39, p=0.035) and recurrence rates (adjusted HR 2.22, 95% CI 1.08-4.56, p=0.030), compared to those without, in multivariable analyses.

Conclusion

T2DM confers an increased risk of death in endometrial cancer patients. Well-designed longitudinal studies with large sample sizes are now needed to confirm these findings.
Green and Roasted Coffee Extracts Inhibit Interferon-β Release in LPS-Stimulated Human Macrophages
Authors: Artusa Valentina , Ciaramelli Carlotta , D’Aloia Alessia , Facchini Fabio Alessandro , Gotri Nicole , Bruno Antonino , Costa Barbara , Palmioli Alessandro , Airoldi Cristina , Peri Francesco
Published: May 2022

The anti-inflammatory activity of coffee extracts is widely recognized and supported by experimental evidence, in both in vitro and in vivo settings, mainly murine models. Here, we investigated the immunomodulatory properties of coffee extracts from green (GCE) and medium-roasted (RCE) Coffea canephora beans in human macrophages. The biological effect of GCE and RCE was characterized in LPS-stimulated THP-1-derived human macrophages (TDM) as a model of inflammation. Results showed decreased amounts of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β and a strong dose-dependent inhibition of interferon-β (IFN-β) release. Molecular mechanism of IFN-β inhibition was further investigated by immunofluorescence confocal microscopy analysis that showed a diminished nuclear translocation of p-IRF-3, the main transcription factor responsible for IFN-β synthesis. The inhibition of IFN-β release by RCE and GCE was also confirmed in human primary CD14+ monocytes-derived macrophages (MDM). The main component of coffee extracts, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA) also inhibited IFN-β production, through a mechanism occurring downstream to TLR4. Inhibition of IFN-β release by coffee extracts parallels with the activity of their main phytochemical component, 5-CQA, thus suggesting that this compound is the main responsible for the immunomodulatory effect observed. The application of 5-CQA and coffee derived-phytoextracts to target interferonopathies and inflammation-related diseases could open new pharmacological and nutritional perspectives.
Machine Learning Methods Applied to the Global Modeling of Event-Driven Pitch Angle Diffusion Coefficients During High Speed Streams
Authors: Kluth G. , Ripoll J.-F. , Has S. , Fischer A. , Mougeot M. , Camporeale E.
Published: May 2022

Whistler-mode waves in the inner magnetosphere cause electron precipitation in the atmosphere through the physical process of pitch-angle diffusion. The computation of pitch-angle diffusion relies on quasi-linear theory and becomes time-consuming as soon as it is performed at high temporal resolution from satellite measurements of ambient wave and plasma properties. Such an effort is nevertheless required to capture accurately the variability and complexity of atmospheric electron precipitation, which are involved in various Earth’s ionosphere-magnetosphere coupled problems. In this work, we build a global machine-learning model of event-driven pitch-angle diffusion coefficients for storm conditions based on the data of a variety of storms observed by the NASA Van Allen Probes. We first proceed step-by-step by testing 8 nonparametric machine learning methods. With them, we derive machine learning based models of event-driven diffusion coefficients for the storm of March 2013 associated with high-speed streams. We define 3 diagnostics that allow highlighting of the properties of the selected model and selection of the best method. Three methods are retained for their accuracy/efficiency: spline interpolation, the radial basis method, and neural networks (DNN), the latter being selected for the second step of the study. We then use event-driven diffusion coefficients computed from 32 high-speed stream storms in order to build for the first time a statistical event-driven diffusion coefficient that is embedded within the retained DNN model. We achieve a global mean event-driven model in which we introduce a two-parameter dependence, with both the Kp-index and time kept as in an epoch analysis following the storm evolution. The DNN model does not entail any issue to reproduce quite perfectly its target, i.e., averaged diffusion coefficients, with rare exception in the Landau resonance region. The DNN mean model is then used to analyze how mean diffusion coefficients behave compared with individual ones. We find a poor performance of any mean models compared with individual events, with mean diffusion coefficients computing the general trend at best, due to their large variability. The DNN-based model allows simple and fast data exploration of pitch-angle diffusion among its multiple variables. We finally discuss how to conduct uncertainty quantification of Fokker-Planck simulations of storm conditions for space weather nowcasting and forecasting.
Coherence Analysis of Symmetric Star Topology Networks
Authors: Gao Haiping , Zhu Jian , Chen Xing , Zhang Long , Li Xianyong
Published: May 2022

The dynamics of complex networks are closely related to the topological structure. As an important research branch, the problem of network consensus has attracted more attention. In this paper, the first-order coherence of three kinds of symmetric star topology networks are studied by using the theory of network science. Firstly, three kinds of symmetric star topology network models are given. Secondly, the first-order coherence of these networks are calculated by using matrix theory. The relationships among the first-order coherence of the network and branch length and the number of branches change are obtained by numerical simulation. Finally, we found that the third network has the best consensus, and the change of branch length has more effective impact on network consensus.
Numerical Computations of Non-Newtonian Fluid Flow in Hexagonal Cavity With a Square Obstacle: A Hybrid Mesh–Based Study
Authors: Khan Y. , Majeed Afraz Hussain , Shahzad Hasan , Awan Farah Jabeen , Iqbal Kaleem , Ajmal Muhammad , Faraz N.
Published: May 2022

Thermal flow phenomena in a double lid–driven enclosure have many potential applications in numerous engineering domains. The present article theoretically investigates the heat transfer analysis of power-law fluid in a hexagonal cavity embedded with a square obstacle. The upper and lower lid walls of the cavity are considered heated along with the walls of the centered embedded square, while the rest of the cavity walls are thermally insulated. In addition, the horizontal lid walls of the cavity are uniformly moving in opposite horizontal directions. The mathematical modeling of the nonlinear fluid has been developed considering the continuity, momentum, and energy equations subjected to the appropriate boundary conditions. Due to the nonlinearity of the governing partial differential equations and of the viscosity models, we use the numerical scheme based on the finite element method The stable finite element pair (ℙ2/ℙ1) has been selected for the discretization purpose. The discretized nonlinear system is solved with the Newton method in conjunction with a direct linear solver in the inner iterations. The thermal flow features are exposed via streamlines and temperature contours for a set of governing parameters such as Reynolds number (Re), Prandtl number (Pr), and Grashof number (Gr) along with the power-law index (n). The values of local and average Nusselt numbers are calculated for the involved parameters. It is noted that the square obstacle has a strong impact for the formulation of streamlines and isotherms. Moreover, the power-law index has a strong impact on the values of the average Nusselt number and kinetic energy. The kinetic energy of the system increases with an increasing value of Gr and n, while Reynolds number has opposite effects on kinetic energy.
Quantitative Assessment of Angiogenesis in Skin Wound Healing by Multi-Optical Imaging Techniques
Authors: Li Lishuang , Sun Yanan , He Honghui , He Gaiying , Ma Shuhua , Yang Weifeng , Wang Yi
Published: May 2022

The primary goal of wound healing therapy is to quickly close the wound and form healthy and functional scar tissue. As capillary system regeneration is an important condition for skin wound healing, it is important to dynamically monitor angiogenesis with multiple methods based on the 3D reconstruction of dermal microcirculation. In this study, we established a quantitative system to comprehensively evaluate angiogenesis and perfusion during wound healing. Full-thickness skin wounds were generated on the back of rats. Laser Doppler anemometer (LDA), laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI), and medical electronic dermoscopy (MED) are used to observe the vasculature from the horizontal plane and quantify blood perfusion in wounds. We combined immunofluorescence staining and two-photon excited fluorescence microscopy (TPEF) to reconstruct 3D vessels for longitudinal quantification. These results indicated that new blood vessels around the wound grew parallel to the wound surface. The shape of the blood vessels changed from curved to straight, and the density of the surrounding vascular network gradually decreased as manifested by a decrease in the nodes and branches and the total length of the blood vessels. There were dense blood vessels that grew vertically to the wound surface in the center of the wound. This study established a real-time, non-invasive system to monitor re-epithelialization and angiogenesis and quantitatively assess blood vessels during wound healing, which facilitates the evaluation of new treatments for wound healing.
Sweet Potato New Varieties Screening Based on Morphology, Pulp Color, Proximal Composition, and Total Dietary Fiber Content via Factor Analysis and Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Leite Cláudio Eduardo Cartabiano , Souza Brunna de Kácia Ferreira , Manfio Candida Elisa , Wamser Gerson Henrique , Alves Daniel Pedrosa , de Francisco Alicia
Published: May 2022

A sample set of 18 sweet potatoes [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] segmented into six registered cultivars and 12 new varieties were evaluated. The 142 tuberous roots were obtained from a sweet potato germplasm bank (BAG-sweet potato; -27.417713768824555 and -49.64874168439556), specifically from plants belonging to a sweet potato breeding program. All samples were characterized according to their morphology, instrumental pulp color, proximate composition, and total dietary fiber. The analytical results were submitted to parametric and non-parametric statistical tests for sample variance data comparison. Moreover, the screening of the cultivars and new varieties was performed by exploratory statistical analysis, factor analysis (FA), and principal component analysis (PCA). From the sixteen independent variables that characterized the samples, the exploratory FA identified thirteen that had a communality greater than 0.7, with 92.08% of assertiveness. The PCA generated 4 principal components able to account for 84.01% of the explanatory variance. So, among the six registered cultivars, SCS372 Marina and SCS370 Luiza showed the capability to be employed as cultivars for production. Among the 12 sweet potato new varieties, samples 17025-13, 17125-10, and 17117 met the requirements for patent and registration. These results will be useful to farmers who wish to use these sweet potatoes in the development of their crops.
Examining the Inverted U-Shaped Relationship Between Benevolent Leadership and Employees’ Work Initiative: The Role of Work Engagement and Growth Need Strength
Authors: Li Huan , Sun Saisai , Wang Pu , Yang Yating
Published: May 2022

Benevolent leadership is generally considered to be beneficial for work initiative. However, based on social exchange theory, this paper explores an inverted U-shaped relationship between benevolent leadership and work initiative. Using a multilevel structural equation model that analyzed the data from 596 employees and 139 supervisors in multiple technology companies, our findings show that benevolent leadership had an indirect, negative curvilinear relationship with work initiativeviawork engagement at both the individual and team levels. Furthermore, we also indicate that growth need strength moderates the positive relationship between benevolent leadership and work engagement at the individual level. Theoretical and practical implications and future research directions are discussed.
Using Machine Learning for Timely Estimates of Ocean Color Information From Hyperspectral Satellite Measurements in the Presence of Clouds, Aerosols, and Sunglint
Authors: Fasnacht Zachary , Joiner Joanna , Haffner David , Qin Wenhan , Vasilkov Alexander , Castellanos Patricia , Krotkov Nickolay
Published: May 2022

Retrievals of ocean color from space are important for better understanding of the ocean ecosystem but can be limited under conditions such as clouds, aerosols, and sunglint. Many ocean color algorithms use a few selected spectral bands to perform an atmospheric correction and then derive the upwelling radiance from the ocean. The limitations in the atmospheric correction under certain conditions lead to many gaps in daily spatial coverage of ocean color retrievals. To address these limitations, we introduce a new approach that uses machine learning to estimate ocean color from top of atmosphere radiances or reflectance measurements. In this approach, a principal component analysis is used to decompose the hyperspectral measurements into spectral features that describe the scattering and absorption of the atmosphere and the underlying surface. The coefficients of the principal components are then used to train a neural network to predict ocean color properties derived from the MODIS atmospheric correction algorithm. This machine learning approach is independent of a priori information and does not rely on any radiative transfer modeling. We apply the approach to two hyperspectral UV/VIS instruments, the ozone monitoring instrument (OMI) and the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), using measurements from 320–500 nm to show that it can be used to reproduce ocean color properties in less-than-ideal conditions. This machine learning approach complements the current atmospheric correction ocean color retrievals by filling in the gaps resulting from cloud, aerosol, and sunglint contamination. This method can be applied to the future hyperspectral Ocean Color Instrument (OCI), which will be onboard NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) ocean color satellite set to launch in 2024.
Theory of Fluid Instabilities in Partially Ionized Plasmas: An Overview
Authors: Soler Roberto , Ballester José Luis
Published: May 2022

Partially ionized plasmas (PIP) are essential constituents of many astrophysical environments, including the solar atmosphere, the interstellar medium, molecular clouds, accretion disks, planet ionospheres, cometary tails, etc., where the ionization degree may vary from very weak ionization to almost full ionization. The dynamics of PIP is heavily affected by the interactions between the various charged and neutral species that compose the plasma. It has been shown that partial ionization effects influence the triggering and development of fluid instabilities as, e.g., Kelvin-Helmholtz, Rayleigh-Taylor, thermal, and magneto-rotational instabilities, among others. Here we review the theory of some classic fluid instabilities that are present in PIP and highlight the unique effects introduced by partial ionization. The main emphasis of the review is put on instabilities in the partially ionized solar atmospheric plasma, although other astrophysical applications are also mentioned. We focus on the mathematical and theoretical investigation of the onset and exponential growth of the instabilities. Results of the nonlinear evolution obtained from full numerical simulations are also discussed.
Ray Tracing of MHD Rossby Waves in the Solar Tachocline: Meridional Propagation and Implications for the Solar Magnetic Activity
Authors: Teruya André S. W. , Raphaldini Breno , Raupp Carlos F. M.
Published: May 2022

Rossby waves have been recently recognised for their role in the large-scale spatio-temporal organisation of the solar magnetic activity. Here, we study the propagation of magnetohydrodynamic Rossby waves in a thin layer, representing the solar tachocline. We consider the waves embedded in a meridionally varying background state characterised by a mean zonal flow, which mimics the differential rotation profile of the Sun, and a toroidal magnetic field. Two anti-symmetric toroidal magnetic fields are utilised: one having a global structure with the maximum at around 50o and the other characterised by a narrow band centered at around 20o. We show that for a global structure toroidal magnetic field, the MHD Rossby modes undergo significant meridional propagation, either equatorward or poleward. In addition, the latitude where the waves exhibit a stationary behaviour is sensitive to the strength of the background magnetic field. On the other hand, a narrow band toroidal magnetic field is shown to work as a waveguide for the fast branch of MHD Rossby waves.
Measurement of MHD Turbulence Properties by Synchrotron Radiation Techniques
Authors: Zhang Jian-Fu , Wang Ru-Yue
Published: May 2022

It is well known that magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence is ubiquitous in astrophysical environments. The correct understanding of the fundamental properties of MHD turbulence is a pre-requisite for revealing many key astrophysical processes. The development of observation-based measurement techniques has significantly promoted MHD turbulence theory and its implications in astrophysics. After describing the modern understanding of MHD turbulence based on theoretical analysis and direct numerical simulations, we review recent developments related to synchrotron fluctuation techniques. Specifically, we comment on the validation of synchrotron fluctuation techniques and the measurement performance of several properties of magnetic turbulence based on data cubes from MHD turbulence simulations and observations. Furthermore, we propose to strengthen the studies of the magnetization and 3D magnetic field structure’s measurements of interstellar turbulence. At the same time, we also discuss the prospects of new techniques for measuring magnetic field properties and understanding astrophysical processes, using a large number of data cubes from the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR) and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).
Food Losses in Consumer Cereal Production in Poland in the Context of Food Security and Environmental Impact
Authors: Łaba Sylwia , Cacak-Pietrzak Grażyna , Łaba Robert , Sułek Alicja , Szczepański Krystian
Published: May 2022

Food loss is a serious global problem, particularly in developed countries; in the European Union, approximately 20% of the food produced each year is wasted. Food losses occur in the entire agri-food chain, starting from primary production, through post-harvest operations and storage, processing, distribution and consumption. The paper presents the results of studies on the evaluation of food losses at the stage of primary production (agricultural production) of consumer cereals in Poland in the context of their impact on the environment and ensuring food security. It was shown that the amount of food losses in the first link of the agri-food chain in the cereal sector in 2017–2018 was on average 219.6 thousand tonnes per year. The level of losses per farm averaged 0.91 tonnes, which accounted for 1.7% of total production. The weight of consumer grain waste at the primary production stage, calculated on the basis of the results of food losses and taking into account the grain management methods, amounted to an average of 117.24 thousand tonnes/year, which accounted for 23.08% of all food waste generated at the primary production stage. By relating the amount of food losses in the primary production of consumer cereals in Poland to the assumed emission factor, it was calculated that food losses at the stage of production of consumer cereals during a year are responsible for the emission of 0.608 million tonnes of CO2.
Using a Soil Bioregeneration Approach to Reduce Soil Compaction and Financial Costs of Planting Winter Wheat and Rapeseed
Authors: Naujokienė Vilma , Lekavičienė Kristina , Šarauskis Egidijus , Bendoraitytė Asta
Published: May 2022

Achieving a positive balance between energy use and environmental protection requirements has shown that soil bioregeneration could reduce the main disadvantages of tillage, that lead to increased costs and reduced profits. The aim was to assess the impact of soil bioregeneration on tillage consumption, yield, financial costs, and farmers income. For three consecutive years in the spring, after the resumption of winter wheat and rapeseed vegetation, the soil was bioregenerated under seven different scenarios. The best results were obtained using a scenario where soil was bioregenerated with a solution consisting of plant essential oils, 40 species of various herbs, marine algae extracts, mineral oils, Azotobacter vinelandii bacteria, humic acids, gibberellic acid, copper, zinc, manganese, iron, calcium, and sodium molybdate. Soil bioregeneration research has identified that fuel consumption could decrease to 23%, financial costs could decrease to 40%, and yield and farmers income from crop production could increase to 28% compared with the scenario where the soil was not bioregenerated. By applying the discovered soil bioregeneration method, the savings could reach up to EUR 3 per ha−1.
Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Quality Protein Maize (Zea mays L.) Genotypes
Authors: Adeoluwa Olusola Oluyinka , Mutengwa Charles Shelton , Chiduza Cornelius , Tandzi Ngoune Liliane
Published: May 2022

Use of more nutrient-use efficient Quality Protein Maize (QPM) varieties will likely play a pivotal role in maintaining or increasing crop yields and nutritional values in fields where soils are degraded. This study aimed to: (i) assess the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of different QPM inbred lines at various levels of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application; (ii) determine the relationships among NUE indices and yield; and (iii) determine the appropriate rate of fertilizer application for QPM genotypes under conditions of this study. Thirty-two QPM inbred lines were evaluated at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg N ha−1 N fertilizer application in a split-plot randomized complete block design with two replicates at the University of Fort Hare Crop Research farm, South Africa. Results revealed highly significant differences (p ≤ 0.001) for total nitrogen in biomass (Bio Total N), total nitrogen in grain (G Total N), grain yield, NUE and almost all the indices estimated across N levels. The top three genotypes which showed high-yielding potential at 30 kg N ha−1 include L2 (6.24 t/ha), L3 (6.47 t/ha) and L4 (6.34 t/ha), and were considered the most N-efficient genotypes under low N soils. The highest grain yields (6.74 t/ha) and highest NUtE (Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency) (1.93 kg grain/total N) were obtained at 90 kg N ha−1. Highly significant and positive correlation coefficients were found between NUE and yield (+0.9), NUE and NUtE (+0.9), NUE and HI (Harvest Index) (+0.5), NUtE and yield (+0.99), HI and yield (+0.5) and NUtE and HI (+0.5). Highest nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUpE) was obtained from the lowest fertilizer rate, which was 30 kg N ha−1.