bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of quantitative trait loci for fiber quality, yield, and plant height traits in Upland cotton
Authors: Shrestha Navin , Zhang Kuang , Gowda S. Anjan , Abdelraheem Abdelraheem , Jones Don C , Kuraparthy Vasu
Published: February 2023

In cotton, most agronomic traits are controlled by polygenes. In this study, 110 F6 recombinant inbred lines (RILs), derived from Upland cotton cross NC05AZ06 x NC11‐2100, were used to develop a linkage map and to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for six fiber quality traits, three yield traits, and plant height. These RILs were genotyped using the CottonSNP63K array and phenotyped for fiber quality, yield traits, and plant height in 2‐year field trials. Analysis of variance revealed significant (p < 0.05) differences among RILs for all traits studied, and the heritability estimates were moderate (30%–60%) to high (> 60%). Both positive and negative correlations were observed for fiber quality and yield traits. A total of 3,774 polymorphic SNP markers were used to develop a genetic map with an average marker density of 1.54 SNP/cM. Thirty QTL for fiber quality traits, yield traits, and plant height were detected on 15 different chromosomes, explaining 6.80%–20.02% of the phenotypic variance (PVE). Of these, 14 were major QTL (PVE > 10%), and three major QTL were detected in both years. Candidate gene analysis in the major QTL detected in both years and plant height QTL with PVE of 20.02% revealed five putative genes for fiber quality traits and one putative gene for plant height. The linkage map and identified QTL along with the candidate genes in the study could serve as additional breeding resources for Upland cotton genetic improvement.
Artificial Photoenzymatic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol by Using Electron Mediator and Co‐factorAssembled ZnIn2S4 Nanoflowers
Authors: Zhao Hongqing , Qi Yanou , Zhan Peng , Zhu Qian , Liu Xiangshi , Guan Xinyao , Zhang Chenxi , Su Changsheng , Qin Peiyong , Cai Di
Published: February 2023

Increased absorption of visible light, low electron‐hole recombination, and fast electron transfer are the major objectives for highly effective photocatalysts in biocatalytic artificial photosynthetic systems. In this study, a polydopamine (PDA) layer containing electron mediator, [M], and NAD+ cofactor was assembled on the outer surface of ZnIn2S4 nanoflower, and the as‐prepared nanoparticle, ZnIn2S4/PDA@poly/[M]/NAD+, was used for photoenzymatic methanol production from CO2. Because of effective capturing of visible light, reduced distance of electron transfer, and elimination of electron‐holes recombination, a high NADH regeneration of 80.7±1.43 % could be obtained using the novel ZnIn2S4/PDA@poly/[M]/NAD+. In the artificial photosynthesis system, a maximum methanol production of 116.7±11.8 μm was obtained. The enzymes and nanoparticles in the hybrid bio‐photocatalysis system could be easily recovered using the ultrafiltration membrane at the bottom of the photoreactor. This is due to the successful immobilization of the small blocks including the electron mediator and cofactor on the surface of the photocatalyst. The ZnIn2S4/PDA@poly/[M]/NAD+ photocatalyst exhibited good stability and recyclability for methanol production. The novel concept presented in this study shows great promise for other sustainable chemical productions through artificial photoenzymatic catalysis.
Highly Active Interfacial Sites in SFT‐SnO2 Heterojunction Electrolyte for Enhanced Fuel Cell Performance via Engineered Energy Bands: Envisioned Theoretically and Experimentally
Authors: Rauf Sajid , Hanif Muhammad Bilal , Wali Faiz , Tayyab Zuhra , Zhu Bin , Mushtaq Naveed , Yang Yatao , Khan Kashif , Lund Peter D. , Motola Martin , Xu Wei
Published: February 2023

Extending the ionic conductivity is the pre‐requisite of electrolytes in fuel cell technology for high‐electrochemical performance. In this regard, the introduction of semiconductor‐oxide materials and the approach of heterostructure formation by modulating energy bands to enhance ionic conduction acting as an electrolyte in fuel cell‐device. Semiconductor (n‐type; SnO2) plays a key role by introducing into p‐type SrFe0.2Ti0.8O3‐δ (SFT) semiconductor perovskite materials to construct p‐n heterojunction for high ionic conductivity. Therefore, two different composites of SFT and SnO2 are constructed by gluing p‐ and n‐type SFT‐SnO2, where the optimal composition of SFT‐SnO2 (6:4) heterostructure electrolyte‐based fuel cell achieved excellent ionic conductivity 0.24 S cm−1 with power‐output of 1004 mW cm−2 and high OCV 1.12 V at a low operational temperature of 500 °C. The high power‐output and significant ionic conductivity with durable operation of 54 h are accredited to SFT‐SnO2 heterojunction formation including interfacial conduction assisted by a built‐in electric field in fuel cell device. Moreover, the fuel conversion efficiency and considerable Faradaic efficiency reveal the compatibility of SFT‐SnO2 heterostructure electrolyte and ruled‐out short‐circuiting issue. Further, the first principle calculation provides sufficient information on structure optimization and energy‐band structure modulation of SFT‐SnO2. This strategy will provide new insight into semiconductor‐based fuel cell technology to design novel electrolytes.
Optimizing Electronic and Geometrical Structure of Vanadium Doped Cobalt Phosphides for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Wang Zumin , Meng Cheng , Wang Ji , Song Zhifan , Yu Ranbo
Published: February 2023

Despite the expectation on transition‐metal phosphides as precious‐metal‐free electrocatalysts, the reported performance of these materials still necessitates further improvement. Ingenious regulations of both geometric and electronic structure have been proposed as an effective approach to boost their electrocatalytic properties. In this regard, the self‐supported V doped CoP nanowires on nickel foam are prepared to accommodate both optimized electronic structure and desired nanostructure, which enable large surface area, abundant active sites exposure, low charge transfer resistance, as well as favorable H* adsorption. As for the alkaline hydrogen evolution, it only requires a lower potential of 79 mV and 125 mV to drive 10 mA ⋅ cm−2 and 100 mA ⋅ cm−2 current with a Tafel slope of 47.41 mV ⋅ dec−1, which prevails over commercial Pt/C catalysts. The catalyst also exhibits excellent durability to retain activity unchanged for more than 16 h. Such a simple and convenient strategy by electronic tuning and structure design provides a new avenue toward the exploration of efficient electrocatalysts.
Investigations on Novel 1,3‐Diazetidine Based Four‐Membered N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes
Authors: Karl Leonard , Meisner Jan , Ganter Christian
Published: February 2023

Attempts towards the synthesis of two novel four‐membered 1,3‐diazetidine based N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) containing an organic backbone with a carbonyl functionality were undertaken. These carbenes cannot be isolated but the respective carbene dimers are obtained in quantitative yield which undergo a degradation and rearrangement sequence upon thermal exposure. Some of the species involved in these thermal reactions could be isolated and characterized, others were observed by mass spectrometric experiments. Ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) calculations provide a mechanistic rationale for the experimental observations. Since dimerization is strongly favored, classic carbene trapping reactions remain a goal to achieve.
Stereoselective Domino Semipinacol‐Schmidt Reaction: Diastereoselective Synthesis of 7 a‐epi‐(+)‐Lepadiformine C and Formal Synthesis of 7 a‐epi‐(−)‐Lepadiformine A
Authors: Puppala Manohar , Gore Sangram , Eyong Kenneth O. , Baskaran Sundarababu
Published: February 2023

A concise approach has been developed for the diastereoselective synthesis of the azatricyclic core of (−)‐7 a‐epi‐lepadiformine A (8 a) and (−)‐7 a‐epi‐lepadiformine C (8 b) using stereoselective domino semipinacol‐Schmidt reaction as a key step. In presence of TiCl4, the oxaspiropentane‐azide derivatives underwent stereoselective domino cyclization to furnish the corresponding angularly fused azatricyclic cores in very good yields. Moreover, azatricyclic core of (−)‐7 a‐epi‐lepadiformine A has also been realized, in a stepwise manner, through the intramolecular Schmidt reaction of azido‐spirocyclobutanone intermediate. The synthetic utility of domino semipinacol‐Schmidt reaction is further shown in the diastereoselective synthesis of (+)‐7 a‐epi‐lepadiformine C (7).
Photoacidity of Indolinospirobenzopyrans in Water
Authors: Berton Cesare , Pezzato Cristian
Published: February 2023

The reversible isomerism of indolinospirobenzopyrans is perhaps among the most studied phenomena in the field of molecular switches. Although they began to gain attention as early as 70 years ago following the seminal work of Hirshberg and Fischer, who were the first to recognize their photochromic behaviours, their implementation as photoacids emerged prominently only in the last decade. In this Review, we contextualize the prerequisites underlying the photo‐triggered proton release that occurs in these molecular switches, highlighting the most recent advances in their characterization and application as “metastable‐state photoacids” in water.
Pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine‐Dioxaborinine Hybrid Dyes: Synthesis and Substituent Effect in the Photophysical Properties
Authors: Tigreros Alexis , Aranzazu Sandra‐L. , Ríos María‐C. , Portilla Jaime
Published: February 2023

A novel family of pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine‐dioxaborinine (PP‐DB) hybrid dyes was synthesized by the direct construction of the dioxaborinine (DB) fragment on the pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine (PP) ring, which implies the formation of four new bonds in a one‐pot manner. The dyes’ optical properties were investigated and compared with the starting pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines; a study evidencing large fluorescence quantum yields in products (φfup to 69 %) due to an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) process from the PP core to a ring of DB (PP→DB) that is absent in precursors (φf=0.03–0.30). Time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculations confirmed the fluorescence process involved in the novel dyes, where their ICT limits the non‐radiative process due to the restricted rotation in the D−A system. The present work provides insight into how phenyl and DB ring incorporation impact the optical properties of this new group of hybrids dyes based on PP‐DB.
Enantioselective Synthesis of [b]‐Annulated Azepane Scaffolds
Authors: Aeissen Enno , von Seggern Aaron R. , Schmidtmann Marc , Christoffers Jens
Published: February 2023

Cyclopenta‐, benzo‐, and cyclohepta[b]‐annulated azepane scaffolds were prepared in two steps from optically active cyclic α‐allyl‐β‐oxoesters. The first step was ruthenium‐catalyzed olefin cross metathesis with acrylonitrile. The second step was palladium‐catalyzed dihydrogenation which consists of three consecutive processes: The hydrogenation of the C−C double and C−N triple bonds was followed by the reductive amination via the iminium ion formed in situ from the primary amino function and the endocyclic carbonyl group. This last step gave, stereoselectively, the annulated azepanes with relative trans‐configuration. The amino function and the ester group define two points for further diversification of the scaffolds. The trifluoroacetyl derivatives allowed to establish the enantiopurity of the products to be 97–98 % ee by GLC on a chiral phase. The relative trans‐configurations and in one case also the absolute (R,R)‐configuration was established by X‐ray crystallography.
TbEu(BTC) as a dNTP label for LAMP outcome in nucleic acid testing
Authors: Gao Chenfeng , Wong Joseph J. Y. , Hall Elizabeth A. H.
Published: February 2023

Lanthanide metal organic frameworks (MOFs), Eu(BTC) and TbEu(BTC) were assessed to follow uptake of deoxynucleotide triphosphate (dNTPs) in loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) using BST2.0. dNTPs could be determined below 150 μM. A ratiometic measurement of Tb3+:Eu3+ fluorescence in TbEu(BTC) gave a limit of detection of 2.08 μM for dNTPs. dNTP uptake slowed above 8 mM Mg2+. This correlated with end‐point and real‐time LAMP, using PicoGreen and SYBR green respectively. For the P.Mal‐Lau 18S rRNA primer set, with P. malariae a detection limit of 102.5 copies was obtained. Cross reactivity between P. malariae and P. knowlesi was shown with 18S rRNA primer sets.
Optimization and Comparison of Microwave-Assisted Extraction, Supercritical Fluid Extraction, and Eucalyptus Oil–Assisted Extraction of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Soil and Sediment
Authors: Kariyawasam Thiloka , Doran Gregory S. , Howitt Julia A. , Prenzler Paul D.
Published: February 2023

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent organic compounds of major concern that mainly accumulate in soils and sediments, and their extraction from environmental matrices remains a crucial step when determining the extent of contamination in soils and sediments. The objective of the present study was to compare the extraction of PAHs (phenanthrene, pyrene, chrysene, and benzo[a]pyrene) from spiked soil and sediment using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with ethanol as the modifier, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and eucalyptus oil–assisted extraction (EuAE). Recoveries of PAHs were comparable between the three methods, and >80% of applied pyrene, chrysene and benzo[a]pyrene were recovered. The most efficient method of extracting PAHs from naturally incurred soils with different levels of contamination was SFE. A longer extraction time was required for the EuAE method compared with SFE and MAE under optimized conditions. However, EuAE required lower extraction temperatures (15–20 °C) compared with SFE (80 °C) and MAE (110–120 °C), and consumed less solvent than SFE and MAE. Compared with hexane/acetone used in MAE, the use of ethanol in SFE and eucalyptus oil in EuAE can be considered as more sustainable approaches to efficiently extract PAHs from spiked/naturally contaminated soils and sediments. And, although less efficient for matrices containing higher carbon content, EuAE offered a cheap, low-tech approach to extracting PAHs. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:982–994. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Utilization of a Gender-Based Sorting Machine for Crustacean Selection in Bioconcentration Studies with the Freshwater Amphipod Hyalella azteca
Authors: Le Cocq Céline , Paiva Elsa , Bensetra Alaa , De Sonneville Jan , Van der Kolk Kees-Jan , Lejon David , Teisseire Marie-Laure , Léonard Marc , Sweetlove Cyril
Published: February 2023

Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) are determined by fish flow-through tests performed according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development test guideline 305. These are time-consuming and expensive and use a large number of animals. An alternative test design using the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca for bioconcentration studies has been recently developed and demonstrated a high potential. For bioconcentration studies using H. azteca, male amphipods are preferred compared with female organisms. Manual sexing of male adult amphipods is, however, time-consuming and requires care and skill. A new fully automatic sorting and dispensing machine for H. azteca based on image analysis has recently been developed by the company Life Science Methods. Nevertheless, an anesthesia step is necessary prior to the automatic selection. In the present study, we show that a single-pulse of 90 min of tricaine at the concentration of 1 g/L can be used and is recommended to select H. azteca males manually or automatically using the sorting machine. In the second part, we demonstrate that the machine has the ability to select, sort, and disperse the males of a culture batch of H. azteca as efficiently as manual procedures. In the last part of the study, BCFs of two organic substances were evaluated using the H. azteca bioconcentration test (HYBIT) protocol, with an anesthetizing step and robotic selection compared with manual selection without an anesthetizing step. The different BCF values obtained were in accordance with those indicated in the literature and showed that an anesthetizing step had no effect on the BCF values. Therefore, these data validated the interest in this sorting machine for selecting males to perform bioconcentrations studies with H. azteca. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1075–1084. © 2023 SETAC
An Amphibian Metamorphosis Assay Dietary Restriction Study: Lessons for Data Interpretation
Authors: Marini Joseph P. , Wolf Jeffrey C. , Mingo Valentin , Sayers Lee E. , Jamieson Stephanie Y. , Wheeler James R.
Published: February 2023

The amphibian metamorphosis assay (AMA) is a key in vivo endocrine screen to investigate chemicals with potential thyroid activity. The test guidelines and associated guidance consider that treatment-related effects on thyroid gland histomorphology automatically result in the assay being considered positive for thyroid activity, independent of the direction of change or conflicting results in the other biological endpoints. An AMA study was conducted with five different feeding rations equivalent to 50%, 30%, 20%, 10%, and 5% of the recommended feeding rate. Biological endpoints relating to growth and development, including thyroid gland histopathology, were evaluated, and the specificity of these endpoints for the determination of thyroid activity was assessed. There was no effect on survival or clinical signs of toxicity. Effects related to feed reduction generally occurred in a feeding ration–response manner and included reduced development stage; reduced body weight and body length metrics; decreased prevalence of thyroid follicular cell hyperplasia and hypertrophy, and the occurrence of thyroid atrophy; reduced liver vacuolation; and the occurrence of liver atrophy. The results indicate that treatment-related histopathological changes in the AMA can be induced by Non-chemical factors; therefore histopathological results are not necessarily diagnostically specific for chemically induced thyroid endocrine activity. Consequently, the interpretation of data from AMA studies should be adjusted accordingly. We recommend that the decision logic presented in the test guidelines and associated guidance be changed to reflect a requirement for directional agreement between the thyroid histopathology findings and the growth and developmental endpoints before it is concluded that a test substance has thyroid endocrine activity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1061–1074. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Abstract

Tadpoles were fed 50, 30, 20, 10 and 5% of the recommended feeding rations. Reduced development stage; body weight and length metrics; decreased prevalence of thyroid follicular cell hyperplasia and hypertrophy, and the occurrence of thyroid atrophy were noted in response. Data derived from this study indicate that treatment-related histopathological changes in the AMA can be induced by non-chemical factors; therefore, histopathologic results are not necessarily diagnostically specific for chemically-induced thyroid endocrine activity.
HQ controls, agency costs, and procedural justice
Authors: Chatzopoulou Erifili‐Christina , Lioukas Spyros , Voudouris Irini
Published: February 2023

Research Summary

Monitoring, incentive alignment, and social controls are used to minimize the agency costs to headquarters (HQ) resulting from subsidiaries' opportunistic behaviors by aligning subsidiaries' behaviors and interests with those of the HQ. Subsidiaries' motivation to comply with these controls, however, is contingent on the social context that links the subsidiary to the HQ. In this context, we propose to identify procedural justice as a motivational contingency that shapes the conditions under which agency‐driven controls can effectively minimize agency costs. Our results show that monitoring and social control reduce agency costs when procedural justice is high, whereas the use of incentive alignment mechanisms can have the opposite effect.

Managerial Summary

The headquarters (HQ) of multinational corporations use control mechanisms to ensure the alignment of their subsidiaries with the organization's interests and goals. However, these mechanisms do not always provide value to the corporation since subsidiaries may exhibit varying levels of motivation to comply with such controls, resulting in behaviors that range from resistance to compliance and ceremonial compliance to genuine compliance. We argue that the procedural justice applied by the HQ influences subsidiaries' motivation to comply with the controls implemented by the HQ. We find that in subsidiaries that operate in such a climate of fairness, monitoring based on rules, processes and procedures as well as social control can provide value, whereas the use of incentive alignment can lead to the opposite results.
Professors proceeding at their own risk: The limited protections of academic freedom for public intellectuals
Authors: Thelin John R.
Published: February 2023

This chapter explores whether academic freedom extends to the work of academic public intellectuals through a historical analysis of landmark cases and episodes. It leads to the sobering conclusion that “professors proceed at their own risk if and when they take on the role of a public intellectual,” noting that the presence of academic freedom as a binding policy in academic organizations or professional associations is marginal and faculty protections for statements in the media are arbitrary and uncertain.
An analysis of key stakeholder policy perspectives in the proposed e‐cigarette regulations in New Zealand
Authors: Hardie Lucy , McCool Judith , Freeman Becky
Published: February 2023

Issue addressed

The use of e‐cigarettes is increasing; New Zealand (NZ) has witnessed a rapid rise in consumption. Policymakers face a challenge to balance the impacts of regulation on those who use e‐cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool while protecting people who do not smoke from the harms of e‐cigarette use, particularly young people. Previous research has demonstrated varying perspectives on e‐cigarette regulation according to different stakeholders and interest groups. This study examined key stakeholders' positions on the drafted legislation to regulate e‐cigarettes in NZ.

Methods

Using written submissions made during public consultation in 2020, we conducted a content analysis to determine levels of support for e‐cigarette regulations. Submissions made by the e‐cigarette industry and the health sector were included for analysis.

Results

The tobacco industry is heavily invested in ensuring that e‐cigarettes continue to be promoted and available in NZ with minimal restrictions. On the contrary, health organisations supported the introduction of regulations to reduce marketing to, and use of e‐cigarettes by youth and people who do not smoke.

Conclusions

The industry opposes restrictions using similar approaches employed against tobacco control measures. Despite perceptions of division, the health sector is generally unified in support of e‐cigarette restrictions.

So what?

Policymakers must protect public health policies from commercial interests and be cautious of opposition framed as public health concerns.
Serum perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate and risk of postmenopausal breast cancer according to hormone receptor status: An analysis in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial
Authors: Chang Vicky C. , Rhee Jongeun , Berndt Sonja I. , Moore Steven C. , Freedman Neal D. , Jones Rena R. , Silverman Debra T. , Gierach Gretchen L. , Hofmann Jonathan N. , Purdue Mark P.
Published: February 2023

Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly persistent endocrine‐disrupting chemicals that may contribute to breast cancer development; however, epidemiologic evidence is limited. We investigated associations between prediagnostic serum levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and postmenopausal breast cancer risk, overall and by hormone receptor status, in a nested case‐control study of 621 cases and 621 matched controls in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. PFOS and PFOA levels were determined based on serum metabolomic profiling performed using ultraperformance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. We used multivariable conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between each PFAS and breast cancer risk, overall, by estrogen receptor (ER) or progesterone receptor (PR) status, and by joint ER/PR status. We found little evidence of association between PFOS or PFOA and breast cancer risk overall. However, in subtype‐specific analyses, we observed statistically significant increased risks of ER+, PR+, and ER+/PR+ tumors for the third vs lowest quartile of serum PFOS (ORs [95% CIs] = 1.59 [1.01‐2.50], 2.34 [1.29‐4.23], and 2.19 [1.21‐3.98], respectively) and elevated but nonstatistically significant ORs for the fourth quartile. Conversely, for PFOA, modest positive associations with ER−, PR−, ER+/PR−, and ER−/PR− tumors were generally seen in the upper quartiles. Our findings contribute evidence supporting positive associations between serum PFOS and hormone receptor‐positive tumors, and possibly between PFOA and receptor‐negative tumors. Future prospective studies incorporating tumor hormone receptor status are needed to better understand the role of PFAS in breast cancer etiology.
Hydrogen sulfide alleviates beryllium sulfate‐induced ferroptosis and ferritinophagy in 16HBE cells
Authors: Liu Xiuli , Li Guilan , Chen Shaoxiong , Jin Huiyun , Liu Xiaodong , Zhang Linfang , Zhang Zhaohui
Published: February 2023

Beryllium sulfate (BeSO4) can result to lung injuries, such as leading to lipid peroxidation and autophagy, and the treatment of beryllium disease has not been well improved. Ferroptosis is a regulated cell death process driven by iron‐dependent and lipid peroxidation, while ferritinophagy is a process mediated by nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4), combined with ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) degradation and release Fe2+, which regulated intracellular iron metabolism and ferroptosis. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has the effects of antioxidant, antiautophagy, and antiferroptosis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of H2S on BeSO4‐induced ferroptosis and ferritinophagy in 16HBE cells and the underlying mechanism. In this study, BeSO4‐induced 16HBE cell injury model was established based on cellular level and pretreated with deferoxamine (DFO, a ferroptosis inhibitor), sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, a H2S donor), or NCOA4 siRNA and, subsequently, performed to detect the levels of lipid peroxidation and Fe2+ and the biomarkers of ferroptosis and ferritinophagy. More importantly, our research found that DFO, NaHS, or NCOA4 siRNA alleviated BeSO4‐induced ferroptosis and ferritinophagy by decreasing the accumulation of Fe2+ and lipid peroxides. Furthermore, the relationship between ferroptosis, ferritinophagy, H2S, and beryllium disease is not well defined; therefore, our research is innovative. Overall, our results provided a new theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of beryllium disease and suggested that the application of H2S, blocking ferroptosis, and ferritinophagy may be a potential therapeutic direction for the prevention and treatment of beryllium disease.
The effect of nutritional interventions reducing oxidative stress on behavioural and gastrointestinal problems in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Colak Hatice , Sariyer Esra Tansu , Nogay Nalan Hakime
Published: February 2023

Background and aims

Although the exact cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is a neurodevelopmental disorder, is not known, it is thought that environmental factors are also effective in addition to genetic risk factors. Studies are showing an increase in oxidative stress markers and a decrease in some antioxidant enzymes in individuals with autism. This study aims to try to explain the effect of nutritional interventions that reduce oxidative stress on behavioural and gastrointestinal problems in ASD based on a literature review.

Methods

All relevant studies from 2000 to 2021 were identified through a systematic search in the PubMed and Web of Science databases by using key search terms. A systematic search of the electronic databases resulted in a total of 3235 potential articles, and data were extracted from 24 studies.

Results

There were 9 clinical trials and 15 animal studies. Most studies find statistically significant results for nutritional supplementation compared with placebo ASD symptoms.

Conclusion

Most studies on the interventions of nutritional supplements that reduce oxidative stress in individuals with ASD have found improving effects on ASD symptoms, and no serious side effects have been observed. However, more interventional studies are needed to determine the precise effects of oxidative stress‐reducing nutritional supplementation.
Network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis on the underlying mechanisms of baicalein against oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tang Bohan , Dong Yue
Published: February 2023

Background and aims

This study performed a network pharmacology analysis to explore the potential anticancer activity of baicalein against oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methods

The differentially expressed genes in OSCC were identified by the OSCC, and the key module related to OSCC was acquired by the weighted gene co‐expression network analysis from GSE30784. Baicalein targets were obtained from GeneCards, SwissTargetPrediction and TCMSP (the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform) databases. Apart from GSE30784, OSCC‐related genes were acquired from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database and DisGeNET platform. The baicalein targets and OSCC‐related genes were overlapped to acquire the drug–disease interaction genes. We input the candidate drug–disease interaction genes into the STRING database and created the protein–protein interaction network. The hub genes in the network were identified by cytoHubba. The expression levels of hub genes between cancer tissues and normal tissues were evaluated based on The Cancer Genome Atlas. Moreover, we performed the cancer immune infiltration analysis and evaluated the association between the expression of HIF1A and the abundance of infiltrating immune cells. The molecular docking between HIFA and baicalein was also performed and visualized. Additionally, the enrichment analysis was performed based on Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database.

Results

After overlapping the candidate baicalein targets with OSCC‐related genes, 34 candidate drug–disease interaction genes were obtained. cytoHubba identified the top 10 genes with high centrality measures from the network, including AKT1, CD44, EGFR, HIF1A, IGF1, MMP2, MYC, PTGS2, STAT3 and TP53. The enriched biological process terms included regulation of apoptotic signaling pathway, regulation of cysteine‐type endopeptidase activity and cellular response to chemical stress. The top five enriched pathways comprised Kaposi sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus infection, hepatitis C, p53 signaling pathway, Epstein–Barr virus infection and proteoglycans in cancer. The expression of HIF1A was positively associated with the infiltration levels of CD4 + T cells (cor = 0.131, p = 0.004) and dendritic cells (cor = 0.098, p = 0.03), whereas negatively associated with B cells (cor = −0.098, p = 0.03).

Conclusion

Our results suggested that baicalein might be a candidate drug against OSCC. More studies are necessary to validate its anticancer effect and explore the underlying mechanisms.
Studying the mechanism underlying lipid metabolism in osteosarcoma based on transcriptomic RNA sequencing and single‐cell data
Authors: Li Zhe , Jin Chi , Lu Xinchang , Zhang Yan , Zhang Yi , Wen Jia , Liu Yongkui , Liu Xiaoting , Li Jiazhen
Published: February 2023

Background

We aimed to provide a new typing method for osteosarcoma (OS) based on single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) and bulk RNA‐seq data from the perspective of lipid metabolism and examine its potential mechanisms in the onset and progression of OS.

Methods

Scores for six lipid metabolic pathways were calculated by single‐sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) based on a scRNA‐seq dataset and three microarray expression profiles. Subsequently, cluster typing was conducted using unsupervised consistency clustering. Furthermore, single‐cell clustering and dimensionality‐reduction analyses identified cell subtypes. Finally, an analysis of cellular receptors was performed using CellphoneDB to identify cellular communication.

Results

OS was classified into three subtypes based on lipid metabolic pathways. Among them, patients in clust3 showed poor prognoses, whereas those in clust1 and clust2 exhibited good prognoses. In addition, ssGSEA analysis showed that patients in clust3 had lower immune cell scores. Moreover, the Th17 cell differentiation pathway was significantly differentially enriched between clust2 and clust3, with lower enrichment scores for metabolic pathways in the former relative to clust1 and clust2. In total, 24 genes were upregulated between clust1 and clust2, whereas 20 were downregulated in clust3. These observations were validated by single‐cell data analysis. Finally, through scRNA‐seq data analysis, we identified nine ligand–receptor pairs particularly critical for communication between normal and malignant cells.

Conclusions

Three clusters were identified and the single‐cell analysis revealed that malignant cells dominated lipid metabolism patterns in tumors, thereby influencing the tumor microenvironment.
The extremal average distance of cubic graphs
Authors: Chen Yi‐Ze , Li Xin , Zhang Xiao‐Dong
Published: February 2023

The average distance of a simple connected graph is the average of the distances between all pairs of vertices in . We prove that for a connected cubic graph on vertices, , if ; and , if . Furthermore, all extremal graphs attaining the upper bounds are characterized, and they have the maximum possible diameter. The result solves a question of Plesník and proves a conjecture of Knor, Škrekovski, and Tepeh on the average distance of cubic graphs. The proofs use graph transformations and structural graph analysis.
DP color functions versus chromatic polynomials (II)
Authors: Zhang Meiqiao , Dong Fengming
Published: February 2023

For any connected graph , let and denote the chromatic polynomial and Dvořák and Postle (DP) color function of , respectively. It is known that holds for every positive integer . Let (resp., ) be the set of graphs for which there exists an integer such that (resp., ) holds for all integers . Determining the sets and is an important open problem on the DP color function. For any edge set of , let be the size of a shortest cycle in such that is odd if such a cycle exists, and otherwise. We denote as if . In this paper, we prove that if has a spanning tree such that is odd for each , the edges in can be labeled as with for all and each edge is contained in a cycle of size with , then is a graph in . As a direct application, all plane near‐triangulations and complete multipartite graphs with at least three partite sets belong to . We also show that if is a set of edges in such that is even and satisfies certain conditions, then belongs to . In particular, if , where is a set of edges between two disjoint vertex subsets of , then belongs to . Both results extend known ones by Dong and Yang.
Oriented discrepancy of Hamilton cycles
Authors: Gishboliner Lior , Krivelevich Michael , Michaeli Peleg
Published: February 2023

We propose the following extension of Dirac's theorem: if is a graph with vertices and minimum degree , then in every orientation of there is a Hamilton cycle with at least edges oriented in the same direction. We prove an approximate version of this conjecture, showing that minimum degree guarantees a Hamilton cycle with at least edges oriented in the same direction. We also study the analogous problem for random graphs, showing that if the edge probability is above the Hamiltonicity threshold, then, with high probability, in every orientation of there is a Hamilton cycle with edges oriented in the same direction.
Deep Learning‐Based Acceleration of Compressed Sensing for Noncontrast‐Enhanced Coronary Magnetic Resonance Angiography in Patients With Suspected Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Wu Xi , Deng Liping , Li Wanjiang , Peng Pengfei , Yue Xun , Tang Lu , Pu Qian , Ming Yue , Zhang Xiaoyong , Huang Xiaohua , Chen Yucheng , Huang Juan , Sun Jiayu
Published: February 2023

Background

The clinical application of coronary MR angiography (MRA) remains limited due to its long acquisition time and often unsatisfactory image quality. A compressed sensing artificial intelligence (CSAI) framework was recently introduced to overcome these limitations, but its feasibility in coronary MRA is unknown.

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of noncontrast‐enhanced coronary MRA with CSAI in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Study Type

Prospective observational study.

Population

A total of 64 consecutive patients (mean age ± standard deviation [SD]: 59 ± 10 years, 48.4% females) with suspected CAD.

Field Strength/Sequence

A 3.0‐T, balanced steady‐state free precession sequence.

Assessment

Three observers evaluated the image quality for 15 coronary segments of the right and left coronary arteries using a 5‐point scoring system (1 = not visible; 5 = excellent). Image scores ≥3 were considered diagnostic. Furthermore, the detection of CAD with ≥50% stenosis was evaluated in comparison to reference standard coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). Mean acquisition times for CSAI‐based coronary MRA were measured.

Statistical Tests

For each patient, vessel and segment, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of CSAI‐based coronary MRA for detecting CAD with ≥50% stenosis according to coronary CTA were calculated. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to assess the interobserver agreement.

Results

The mean MR acquisition time ± SD was 8.1 ± 2.4 minutes. Twenty‐five (39.1%) patients had CAD with ≥50% stenosis on coronary CTA and 29 (45.3%) patients on MRA. A total of 885 segments on the CTA images and 818/885 (92.4%) coronary MRA segments were diagnostic (image score ≥3). The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy were as follows: per patient (92.0%, 84.6%, and 87.5%), per vessel (82.9%, 93.4%, and 91.1%), and per segment (77.6%, 98.2%, and 96.6%), respectively. The ICCs for image quality and stenosis assessment were 0.76–0.99 and 0.66–1.00, respectively.

Data Conclusion

The image quality and diagnostic performance of coronary MRA with CSAI may show good results in comparison to coronary CTA in patients with suspected CAD.

Evidence Level

1.

Technical Efficacy

2.
Sphondin efficiently blocks HBsAg production and cccDNA transcription through promoting HBx degradation
Authors: Ren Fang , Hu Junchi , Dang Yongjun , Deng Haijun , Ren Jihua , Cheng Shengtao , Tan Ming , Zhang Hui , He Xin , Yu Haibo , Zhang Juan , Zhang Zhenzhen , Chen Weixian , Hu Jieli , Cai Xuefei , Hu Yuan , Huang Ailong , Chen Juan
Published: February 2023

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss and seroconversion, which is considered as functional cure of chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, is rarely achieved even after long‐term antiviral treatments. Therefore, new antiviral strategies interfering with other HBV replication steps are required, especially those that could efficiently inhibit HBsAg production. Here, we identified novel anti‐HBV compounds that could potently block HBsAg expression from cccDNA by screening a natural compound library derived from Chinese traditional medical plants by a novel screening strategy. The combination of ELISA assay detecting the HBsAg and real‐time PCR detecting HBV RNAs as indicator for cccDNA transcriptional activity were used. The antiviral activity of a candidate compound and underlying mechanism were evaluated in HBV‐infected cells and a humanized liver mouse model. Herein, we selected a highly effective low‐cytotoxic compound sphondin, which could effectively inhibit both intracellular HBsAg production and HBV RNAs levels. Moreover, we found that sphondin markedly inhibited cccDNA transcriptional activity without affecting cccDNA level. Mechanistic study found sphondin preferentially bound to HBx protein by residue Arg72, which led to increased 26S proteasome‐mediated degradation of HBx. Sphondin treatment significantly reduced the recruitment of HBx to cccDNA, which subsequently led to inhibition of cccDNA transcription and HBsAg expression. The absence of HBx or R72A mutation potently abrogated the antiviral effect induced by sphondin in HBV‐infected cells. Collectively, sphondin may be considered as a novel and natural antiviral agent directly targeting HBx protein, which effectively inhibited cccDNA transcription and HBsAg expression.
Circulation pattern and genetic variation of human respiratory syncytial virus in China during 2008–2021
Authors: Song Jingjing , Zhu Zhen , Song Jinhua , Mao Naiying , Cui Aili , Xu Wenbo , Zhang Yan
Published: February 2023

To better understand the circulation pattern and genetic characterization of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) in China during 2008–2021, a total of 3967 HVR2 sequences were obtained from 20 provinces in China for phylogenetic analysis and sequence variation analysis. The results showed that the HRSV subtype presented the prevalence pattern of “ABBAABAABAAABB.” Further genotyping identified seven genotypes for HRSVA and nine genotypes for HRSVB. Multiple genotypes of HRSV were cocirculating during 2008–2015, while ON1 and BA9 became the only predominant genotypes for HRSVA and HRSVB, respectively, since 2015. A genotype switch from NA1 to ON1 for HRSVA occurred in approximately 2014, while genotype BA9 of HRSVB had been the predominant genotype for at least 14 years. ON1 strains could be divided into four lineages with no temporal or geographical distribution tendency. In contrast, BA9 strains could be divided into three lineages with noticeable temporal clustering. Sequence variation analysis showed that two ON1 sequences in 2017 had 10 nucleotide deletion and compensatory extension at the C‐terminal; 15 BA9 sequences during 2019–2021 had novel insertions between K225 and E226, along with 6 identical amino acid variant sites. This study further enriched the genetic data of HRSV circulating in China and provided an important basis for the development of HRSV vaccines and drugs as well as the formulation of prevention and control strategies.
Ubiquitin E3 ligase β‐TrCP negatively regulates surface protein of hepatitis B virus
Authors: Tu Wenhui , Liu Jin , Qian Feng , Zhu Li , Li Ming , Zheng Hui , Zhu Chuanwu
Published: February 2023

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) still cannot be cured currently, while the pursuit of a functional cure seems to be an accessible goal, in which the condition mainly depends on the serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels. HBsAg may be downregulated by protein ubiquitination, which may facilitate finding a new potential intervention target for functional cure of CHB. We confirmed that β‐transducin repeat‐containing protein (β‐TrCP) was the E3 ubiquitin ligase of HBsAg. β‐TrCP specifically downregulated the expression of Myc‐HBsAg. The degradation of Myc‐HBsAg occurred via the proteasome pathway. Knockdown of β‐TrCP increased Myc‐HBsAg levels in HepG2 cells. The study further indicated that β‐TrCP could affect the K48‐linked polyubiquitin chain by acting on Myc‐HBsAg. The GS137G motif of HBsAg protein is required for β‐TrCP‐mediated degradation. Furthermore, we found that β‐TrCP could significantly inhibit both intracellular and extracellular HBsAg levels produced by pHBV‐1.3. Our study demonstrated that the E3 ubiquitin ligase β‐TrCP induces K48‐linked polyubiquitination of HBsAg, promotes the ubiquitination degradation of HBsAg, and downregulates intra‐ and extracellular HBsAg levels. Therefore, using the ubiquitination degradation pathway of HBsAg, it is possible to reduce HBsAg levels in CHB patients, which may be helpful in obtaining the goal of functional cure in the treatment of CHB patients.
Parainfluenza virus 5 is a next‐generation vaccine vector for human infectious pathogens
Authors: Wang Ting , Zheng Lilan , Zhao Qiujian , Yao Yazhou , Zhou Feng , Wei Fang , Cai Qiliang
Published: February 2023

Parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) is a negative‐sense, single‐stranded RNA virus that can infect humans and many species of animals. Infection in these reservoir hosts is generally asymptomatic and has few safety concerns. Emerging evidence has shown that PIV5 is a promising vector for developing vaccines against human infectious diseases caused by coronaviruses, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, rabies, HIV, or bacteria. In this review, we summarize recent progress and highlight the advantages and strategies of PIV5 as a vaccine vector to improve future vaccine design and application for clinical trials.
Classification of agricultural land consolidation types based on soil security to improve limiting factors adapted to local soil conditions
Authors: Zhao Rui , Zhang Xiaodan , Gabriel Jose Luis , Rodríguez Martín Jose Antonio , Wu Kening
Published: February 2023

Agricultural land consolidation (ALC) is an effective tool to ensure national food security. The current ALC is a government‐led systematic behavior with regional characteristics, most ALC types are classified according to difficulty without considering the safety of soil systems, resulting in randomness in the site selection of projects. Given the soil complexity, ensuring soil security (SS) is a prerequisite for efficiently completing ALC. ALC that gives full play to the soil's functional advantages is an effective means of securing SS. The main goal of this study is to establish a new set of technical processes for classifying the types of ALC from the perspective of SS, including the agricultural SS evaluation system and the identification method of land‐improvable limiting factors. We used a generalized mean model to evaluate and analyze SS in multiple dimensions and identified 11 combinations of limiting factors in Wen County through the k‐means clustering method. The combination of the limiting factor clustering area with the SS spatial distribution patterns guided five ALC types. When compared using the spatial pattern comparison method, the new ALC guideline avoids the singularity of ALC types, selects the field patch as the evaluation and decision‐making unit, and improves the accuracy of land management measures. The results indicate that incorporating SS into ALC policy planning and decision‐making can provide complex and multifaceted knowledge of factors affecting SS, and potential solutions to make agricultural soils safer, enabling higher quality and sustainability of agricultural land use.