bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utsana Phloengtham'sThe Story of Jan Daraas a Buddhist modernist novel
Authors: McBain Paul Lewis
Published: April 2023

Utsana Phloengtham'sThe Story of Jan Darais one of the most widely known stories in Thailand. It is remembered as ‘erotic fiction’ as well as an ‘immortal classic’. It has also been praised as a Buddhist treatise. Yet, despite being replete with Buddhist terminology and references, it has never been analysed in English as a work of Buddhist fiction. This article argues thatJan Darais one of the very few examples of Thai Buddhist modernist literature, and a highly original and highly layered one at that. The novel employs a diverse number of techniques and concerns derived from modernist authors such as D.H. Lawrence to explore sexual life in an aristocratic mansion of the 1930s. Understood with reference to the literary modernist tropes it employs and the debates in Buddhist cosmology and morality at the time of writing, it can be shown to be a scathing indictment of old-fashioned moralistic ‘hypocrites’ who practice decadent lives ‘while mouthing the Buddhist precepts’.
Crystal structure of encorafenib, C22H27ClFN7O4S
Authors: Kaduk James A. , Dosen Anja Vieira , Blanton Thomas N.
Published: April 2023

The crystal structure of encorafenib, C22H27ClFN7O4S, has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Encorafenib crystallizes in space group P21 (#4) with a = 16.17355(25), b = 9.52334(11), c = 17.12368(19) Å, β = 89.9928(22)°, V = 2637.50(4) Å3, and Z = 4. The crystal structure consists of alternating layers of stacked halogenated phenyl rings and the other parts of the molecules perpendicular to the a-axis. One molecule participates in two strong N–H⋯N hydrogen bonds (one intra- and the other intermolecular), which are not present for the other molecule. The intermolecular hydrogen bonds link molecule 2 into a spiral chain along the b-axis. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).
Proactive and reactive aggression: Developmental trajectories and longitudinal associations with callous–unemotional traits, impulsivity, and internalizing emotions
Authors: Vaughan Erin P. , Speck Julianne S. , Frick Paul J. , Walker Toni M. , Robertson Emily L. , Ray James V. , Wall Myers Tina D. , Thornton Laura C. , Steinberg Laurence , Cauffman Elizabeth
Published: April 2023

Research on proactive and reactive aggression has identified covariates unique to each function of aggression, but hypothesized correlates have often not been tested with consideration of developmental changes in or the overlap between the types of aggression. The present study examines the unique developmental trajectories of proactive and reactive aggression over adolescence and young adulthood and tests these trajectories’ associations with key covariates: callous–unemotional (CU) traits, impulsivity, and internalizing emotions. In a sample of 1,211 justice-involved males (ages 15–22), quadratic growth models (i.e., intercepts, linear slopes, and quadratic slopes) of each type of aggression were regressed onto quadratic growth models of the covariates while controlling for the other type of aggression. After accounting for the level of reactive aggression, the level of proactive aggression was predicted by the level of CU traits. However, change in proactive aggression over time was not related to the change in any covariates. After accounting for proactive aggression, reactive aggression was predicted by impulsivity, both at the initial level and in change over time. Results support that proactive and reactive aggression are unique constructs with separate developmental trajectories and distinct covariates.
Comparison of Disaster Medicine Education in Emergency Medicine Residency and Emergency Medical Services Fellowship in the United States
Authors: Sandifer Sara P. , Wexler Bryan J. , Flamm Avram
Published: April 2023

Introduction:

Disaster Medicine (DM) is defined by Koenig and Shultz as the “disciplines and organizations involved with governmental public health, public and private medical delivery including Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and governmental emergency management.” The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) sets curriculum requirements and standards for Emergency Medicine (EM) residencies and EMS fellowships, which include a limited portion of the DM curriculum topics recommended by the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM). The ACGME does not currently approve DM fellowships, as DM is not recognized as a subspecialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). This lack of nationally standardized guidelines for DM training leads to variability in disaster-related knowledge and skills, even among physicians trained by ACGME-accredited programs.

Study Objective:

The objective of this study is to analyze the DM components covered in EM residency and EMS fellowship in the United States and compare those to SAEM DM fellowship curriculum guidelines.

Methods:

The DM curriculum components of EM residencies and EMS fellowships were evaluated, using the SAEM DM curriculum as a control. Overlapping topics, as well as gaps between the programs, were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results:

Of the DM curriculum components developed by SAEM, EMS fellowship covered 15 of 19 (79%) major curriculum components and 38 of 99 (38%) subtopics, while EM residency covered seven of 19 major curriculum components (37%) and 16 of 99 (16%) subtopics. Together, EM residency and EMS fellowship cover 16 of 19 (84%) major curriculum components and 40 of 99 (40%) subtopics.

Conclusion:

While EMS fellowship covers a large portion of the DM major curriculum components recommended by SAEM, there are several important DM subtopics that are not covered either in EM residency or EMS fellowship. Furthermore, there is no standardization for the depth and manner that DM topics are addressed in either curriculum. Time constraints in EM residency and EMS fellowship may also prevent extensive review of important DM topics. Disaster Medicine covers a distinct body of knowledge, represented in the curriculum subtopics, that are not covered in either EM residency or EMS fellowship. The development of an ACGME-accredited DM fellowship and recognition of DM as a distinct subspecialty could allow for more effective DM graduate medical education.
Fingerprint of Climate Change on Southern Ocean Carbon Storage
Authors: Wright R. M. , Le Quéré C. , Mayot N. , Olsen A. , Bakker D. C. E.
Published: April 2023

The Southern Ocean plays a critical role in the uptake, transport, and storage of carbon by the global oceans. It is the ocean's largest sink of CO2, yet it is also among the regions with the lowest storage of anthropogenic carbon. This behavior results from a unique combination of high winds driving the upwelling of deep waters and the subduction and northward transport of surface carbon. Here we isolate the direct effect of increasing anthropogenic CO2 in the atmosphere from the indirect effect of climate variability and climate change on the reorganization of carbon in the Southern Ocean interior using a combination of modeling and observations. We show that the effect of climate variability and climate change on the storage of carbon in the Southern Ocean is nearly as large as the effect of anthropogenic CO2 during the period 1998–2018 compared with the climatology around the year 1995. We identify a distinct climate fingerprint in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), with elevated DIC concentration in the ocean at 300–600 m that reinforces the anthropogenic CO2 signal, and reduced DIC concentration in the ocean around 2,000 m that offsets the anthropogenic CO2 signal. The fingerprint is strongest at lower latitudes (30°–55°S). This fingerprint could serve to monitor the highly uncertain evolution of carbon within this critical ocean basin, and better identify its drivers.
The Faroe‐Shetland Channel Jet: Structure, Variability, and Driving Mechanisms
Authors: Chafik L. , Nilsson J. , Rossby T. , Kondetharayil Soman A.
Published: April 2023

The Faroe‐Bank Channel (FBC) is a key gateway through which dense overflow water of the Nordic Seas supplies the lower limb of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. Most recently, it was discovered that a deep jet through the Faroe‐Shetland Channel carries the bulk of this overflow water, but numerous questions regarding its structure, seasonality, and interannual variability as well as its linkage to atmospheric forcing remain poorly understood. A realistic high‐resolution ocean reanalysis (GLORYS12; 1993–2018) is, therefore, employed to address these questions. We first confirm that the Faroe‐Shetland Channel Jet is a permanent feature in GLORYS12 as well as in an ensemble of low‐resolution reanalyses. On seasonal time scales, we find a strong transport covariability between this deep jet and the observed FBC overflow. On interannual time scales, the strength of this deep jet is governed by the wind‐forced circulation in the Nordic Seas. Due to the largely barotropic structure of these flows, they have a signature detectable in satellite sea‐surface heights. Further, we suggest that the structure of the deep jet is qualitatively consistent with a geostrophic dynamical model that accounts for along‐isobath density variations. This study indicates that GLORYS12 is a promising product to study the dense water pathways and dynamics in the Nordic Seas.
Nitrous Oxide Fluxes in Permafrost Peatlands Remain Negligible After Wildfire and Thermokarst Disturbance
Authors: Schulze Christopher , Sonnentag Oliver , Voigt Carolina , Thompson Lauren , van Delden Lona , Heffernan Liam , Hernandez‐Ramirez Guillermo , Kuhn McKenzie , Lin Sisi , Olefeldt David
Published: April 2023

The greenhouse gas (GHG) balance of boreal peatlands in permafrost regions will be affected by climate change through disturbances such as permafrost thaw and wildfire. Although the future GHG balance of boreal peatlands including ponds is dominated by the exchange of both carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), disturbance impacts on fluxes of the potent GHG nitrous oxide (N2O) could contribute to shifts in the net radiative balance. Here, we measured monthly (April to October) fluxes of N2O, CH4, and CO2 from three sites located across the sporadic and discontinuous permafrost zones of western Canada. Undisturbed permafrost peat plateaus acted as N2O sinks (−0.025 mg N2O m−2 d−1), but N2O uptake was lower from burned plateaus (−0.003 mg N2O m−2 d−1) and higher following permafrost thaw in the thermokarst bogs (−0.054 mg N2O m−2 d−1). The thermokarst bogs had below‐ambient N2O soil gas concentrations, suggesting that denitrification consumed atmospheric N2O during reduction to dinitrogen. Atmospheric uptake of N2O in peat plateaus and thermokarst bogs increased with soil temperature and soil moisture, suggesting sensitivity of N2O consumption to further climate change. Four of five peatland ponds acted as N2O sinks (−0.018 mg N2O m−2 d−1), with no influence of thermokarst expansion. One pond with high nitrate concentrations had high N2O emissions (0.30 mg N2O m−2 d−1). Overall, our study suggests that the future net radiative balance of boreal peatlands will be dominated by impacts of wildfire and permafrost thaw on CH4 and CO2 fluxes, while the influence from N2O is minor.
Critical transition and reversion of tumorigenesis
Authors: Shin Dongkwan , Cho Kwang-Hyun
Published: April 2023

Cancer is caused by the accumulation of genetic alterations and therefore has been historically considered to be irreversible. Intriguingly, several studies have reported that cancer cells can be reversed to be normal cells under certain circumstances. Despite these experimental observations, conceptual and theoretical frameworks that explain these phenomena and enable their exploration in a systematic way are lacking. In this review, we provide an overview of cancer reversion studies and describe recent advancements in systems biological approaches based on attractor landscape analysis. We suggest that the critical transition in tumorigenesis is an important clue for achieving cancer reversion. During tumorigenesis, a critical transition may occur at a tipping point, where cells undergo abrupt changes and reach a new equilibrium state that is determined by complex intracellular regulatory events. We introduce a conceptual framework based on attractor landscapes through which we can investigate the critical transition in tumorigenesis and induce its reversion by combining intracellular molecular perturbation and extracellular signaling controls. Finally, we present a cancer reversion therapy approach that may be a paradigm-changing alternative to current cancer cell-killing therapies.
CCL12 induces trabecular bone loss by stimulating RANKL production in BMSCs during acute lung injury
Authors: Ma Chao , Gao Juan , Liang Jun , Wang Feizhen , Xu Long , Bu Jinhui , He Bo , Liu Guangpu , Niu Ru , Liu Guangwang
Published: April 2023

In the last three years, the capacity of health care systems and the public health policies of governments worldwide were challenged by the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 mainly resulted from the development of acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Moreover, millions of people who survived ALI/ARDS in SARS-CoV-2 infection suffer from multiple lung inflammation-induced complications that lead to disability and even death. The lung-bone axis refers to the relationship between lung inflammatory diseases (COPD, asthma, and cystic fibrosis) and bone diseases, including osteopenia/osteoporosis. Compared to chronic lung diseases, the influence of ALI on the skeleton has not been investigated until now. Therefore, we investigated the effect of ALI on bone phenotypes in mice to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. In vivo bone resorption enhancement and trabecular bone loss were observed in LPS-induced ALI mice. Moreover, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 12 (CCL12) accumulated in the serum and bone marrow. In vivo global ablation of CCL12 or conditional ablation of CCR2 in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) inhibited bone resorption and abrogated trabecular bone loss in ALI mice. Furthermore, we provided evidence that CCL12 promoted bone resorption by stimulating RANKL production in BMSCs, and the CCR2/Jak2/STAT4 axis played an essential role in this process. Our study provides information regarding the pathogenesis of ALI and lays the groundwork for future research to identify new targets to treat lung inflammation-induced bone loss.
LncRNA KIAA0087 suppresses the progression of osteosarcoma by mediating the SOCS1/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway
Authors: Gong Haoli , Tao Ye , Xiao Sheng , Li Xin , Fang Ke , Wen Jie , He Pan , Zeng Ming
Published: April 2023

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), widely expressed in mammalian cells, play pivotal roles in osteosarcoma (OS) progression. Nevertheless, the detailed molecular mechanisms of lncRNA KIAA0087 in OS remain obscure. Here, the roles of KIAA0087 in OS tumorigenesis were investigated. KIAA0087 and miR-411-3p levels were detected by RT-qPCR. Malignant properties were assessed by CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, wound healing, and transwell assays. SOCS1, EMT, and JAK2/STAT3 pathway-related protein levels were measured by western blotting. Direct binding between miR-411-3p and KIAA0087/SOCS1 was validated by a dual-luciferase reporter, RIP, and FISH assays. In vivo growth and lung metastasis were evaluated in nude mice. The expression levels of SOCS1, Ki-67, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin in tumor tissues were measured by immunohistochemical staining. Downregulation of KIAA0087 and SOCS1 and upregulation of miR-411-3p were found in OS tissues and cells. Low expression of KIAA0087 was associated with a poor survival rate. Forced expression of KIAA0087 or miR-411-3p inhibition repressed the growth, migration, invasion, EMT, and activation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway and triggered apoptosis of OS cells. However, the opposite results were found with KIAA0087 knockdown or miR-411-3p overexpression. Mechanistic experiments indicated that KIAA0087 enhanced SOCS1 expression to inactivate the JAK2/STAT3 pathway by sponging miR-411-3p. Rescue experiments revealed that the antitumor effects of KIAA0087 overexpression or miR-411-3p suppression were counteracted by miR-411-3p mimics or SOCS1 inhibition, respectively. Finally, in vivo tumor growth and lung metastasis were inhibited in KIAA0087-overexpressing or miR-411-3p-inhibited OS cells. In summary, the downregulation of KIAA0087 promotes the growth, metastasis, and EMT of OS by targeting the miR-411-3p-mediated SOCS1/JAK2/STAT3 pathway.
Overlooked KCNQ4 variants augment the risk of hearing loss
Authors: Oh Kyung Seok , Roh Jae Won , Joo Sun Young , Ryu Kunhi , Kim Jung Ah , Kim Se Jin , Jang Seung Hyun , Koh Young Ik , Kim Da Hye , Kim Hye-Youn , Choi Murim , Jung Jinsei , Namkung Wan , Nam Joo Hyun , Choi Jae Young , Gee Heon Yung
Published: April 2023

Pathogenic variants of KCNQ4 cause symmetrical, late-onset, progressive, high-frequency-affected hearing loss, which eventually involves all frequencies with age. To understand the contribution of KCNQ4 variants to hearing loss, we analyzed whole-exome and genome sequencing data from patients with hearing loss and individuals whose hearing phenotypes were unknown. In KCNQ4, we identified seven missense variants and one deletion variant in 9 hearing loss patients and 14 missense variants in the Korean population with an unknown hearing loss phenotype. The p.R420W and p.R447W variants were found in both cohorts. To investigate the effects of these variants on KCNQ4 function, we performed whole-cell patch clamping and examined their expression levels. Except for p.G435Afs*61, all KCNQ4 variants exhibited normal expression patterns similar to those of wild-type KCNQ4. The p.R331Q, p.R331W, p.G435Afs*61, and p.S691G variants, which were identified in patients with hearing loss, showed a potassium (K+) current density lower than or similar to that of p.L47P, a previously reported pathogenic variant. The p.S185W and p.R216H variants shifted the activation voltage to hyperpolarized voltages. The channel activity of the p.S185W, p.R216H, p.V672M, and p.S691G KCNQ4 proteins was rescued by the KCNQ activators retigabine or zinc pyrithione, whereas p.G435Afs*61 KCNQ4 proteins were partially rescued by sodium butyrate, a chemical chaperone. Additionally, the structure of the variants predicted using AlphaFold2 showed impaired pore configurations, as did the patch-clamp data. Our findings suggest that KCNQ4 variants may be overlooked in hearing loss that starts in adulthood. Some of these variants are medically treatable; hence, genetic screening for KCNQ4 is important.
Comparative oncology: overcoming human cancer through companion animal studies
Authors: Oh Ji Hoon , Cho Je-Yoel
Published: April 2023

Comparative oncology is a field of study that has been recently adopted for studying cancer and developing cancer therapies. Companion animals such as dogs can be used to evaluate novel biomarkers or anticancer targets before clinical translation. Thus, the value of canine models is increasing, and numerous studies have been conducted to analyze similarities and differences between many types of spontaneously occurring cancers in canines and humans. A growing number of canine cancer models as well as research-grade reagents for these models are becoming available, leading to substantial growth in comparative oncology research spanning from basic science to clinical trials. In this review, we summarize comparative oncology studies that have been conducted on the molecular landscape of various canine cancers and highlight the importance of the integration of comparative biology into cancer research.
Glutathionylation on RNA-binding proteins: a regulator of liquid‒liquid phase separation in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Choi Hyun-Jun , Lee Ji Young , Kim Kiyoung
Published: April 2023

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) containing low-sequence complexity domains mediate the formation of cellular condensates and membrane-less organelles with biological functions via liquid‒liquid phase separation (LLPS). However, the abnormal phase transition of these proteins induces the formation of insoluble aggregates. Aggregates are pathological hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The molecular mechanisms underlying aggregate formation by ALS-associated RPBs remain largely unknown. This review highlights emerging studies on various posttranslational modifications (PTMs) related to protein aggregation. We begin with the introduction of several ALS-associated RBPs that form aggregates induced by phase separation. In addition, we highlight our recent discovery of a new PTM involved in the phase transition during the pathogenesis of fused-in-sarcoma (FUS)-associated ALS. We suggest a molecular mechanism through which LLPS mediates glutathionylation in FUS-linked ALS. This review aims to provide a detailed overview of the key molecular mechanisms of LLPS-mediated aggregate formation by PTMs, which will help further the understanding of the pathogenesis and development of ALS therapeutics.
Epicardioid single-cell genomics uncovers principles of human epicardium biology in heart development and disease
Authors: Meier Anna B. , Zawada Dorota , De Angelis Maria Teresa , Martens Laura D. , Santamaria Gianluca , Zengerle Sophie , Nowak-Imialek Monika , Kornherr Jessica , Zhang Fangfang , Tian Qinghai , Wolf Cordula M. , Kupatt Christian , Sahara Makoto , Lipp Peter , Theis Fabian J. , Gagneur Julien , Goedel Alexander , Laugwitz Karl-Ludwig , Dorn Tatjana , Moretti Alessandra
Published: April 2023

The epicardium, the mesothelial envelope of the vertebrate heart, is the source of multiple cardiac cell lineages during embryonic development and provides signals that are essential to myocardial growth and repair. Here we generate self-organizing human pluripotent stem cell-derived epicardioids that display retinoic acid-dependent morphological, molecular and functional patterning of the epicardium and myocardium typical of the left ventricular wall. By combining lineage tracing, single-cell transcriptomics and chromatin accessibility profiling, we describe the specification and differentiation process of different cell lineages in epicardioids and draw comparisons to human fetal development at the transcriptional and morphological levels. We then use epicardioids to investigate the functional cross-talk between cardiac cell types, gaining new insights into the role of IGF2/IGF1R and NRP2 signaling in human cardiogenesis. Finally, we show that epicardioids mimic the multicellular pathogenesis of congenital or stress-induced hypertrophy and fibrotic remodeling. As such, epicardioids offer a unique testing ground of epicardial activity in heart development, disease and regeneration.
Safety assessment of subchronic feeding of insect-resistant and herbicide-resistant transgenic soybeans to juvenile channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
Authors: Xiang Dan , Luo Mingzhong , Jiang Fukun , Wen Zhengrong , Chen Xiaoyun , Wang Xiaofu , Xu Xiaoli , Wei Wei , Xu Junfeng
Published: April 2023

Transgenic soybean is one of the most planted crops for human food and animal feed. The channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) is an important aquatic organism cultured worldwide. In this study, the effect of six different soybean diets containing: two transgenic soybeans expressing different types of cp4-epsps, Vip3Aa and pat genes (DBN9004 and DBN8002), their non-transgenic parent JACK, and three conventional soybean varieties (Dongsheng3, Dongsheng7, and Dongsheng9) was investigated in juvenile channel catfish for eight weeks, and a safety assessment was performed. During the experiment, no difference in survival rate was observed in six groups. The hepatosomatic index (HSI) and condition factor (CF) showed no significant difference. Moreover, comparable feed conversion (FC), feeding rate (FR), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were found between transgenic soybean and JACK groups. Assessment of growth performance showed that the weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) of channel catfish were consistent. In addition, there were no changes in enzyme activity indexes (lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)) in channel catfish among treatments. The research provided an experimental basis for the aquaculture feed industry to employ transgenic soybean DBN9004 and DBN8002 for commercial purposes.
Comparative transcriptomics of aphid species that diverged > 22 MYA reveals genes that are important for the maintenance of their symbiosis
Authors: Argandona Jacob A. , Kim Dohyup , Hansen Allison K.
Published: April 2023

Most plant-sap feeding insects have obligate relationships with maternally transmitted bacteria. Aphids require their nutritional endosymbiont, Buchnera aphidicola, for the production of essential amino acids. Such endosymbionts are harbored inside of specialized insect cells called bacteriocytes. Here, we use comparative transcriptomics of bacteriocytes between two recently diverged aphid species, Myzus persicae and Acyrthosiphon pisum, to identify key genes that are important for the maintenance of their nutritional mutualism. The majority of genes with conserved expression profiles in M. persicae and A. pisum are for orthologs previously identified in A. pisum to be important for the symbiosis. However, asparaginase which produces aspartate from asparagine was significantly up-regulated only in A. pisum bacteriocytes, potentially because Buchnera of M. persicae encodes its own asparaginase enzyme unlike Buchnera of A. pisum resulting in Buchnera of A. pisum to be dependent on its aphid host for aspartate. One-to-one orthologs that explained the most amount of variation for bacteriocyte specific mRNA expression for both species includes a collaborative gene for methionine biosynthesis, multiple transporters, a horizontally transmitted gene, and secreted proteins. Finally, we highlight species-specific gene clusters which may contribute to host adaptations and/or accommodations in gene regulation to changes in the symbiont or the symbiosis.
Longitudinal association of dietary habits and the risk of cardiovascular disease among Iranian population between 2001 and 2013: the Isfahan Cohort Study
Authors: Mohseni Maryam , Mohammadifard Noushin , Hassannejad Razieh , Aghabozorgi Mahnaz , Shirani Fatemeh , Sadeghi Masoumeh , Roohafza Hamidreza , Sarrafzadegan Nizal
Published: April 2023

There has been a steady rise in the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Iranian population. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between Global Dietary Index (GDI) and CVD risk among the Iranian adult population. This study was conducted based on Isfahan Cohort Study, a longitudinal study that collected data between 2001 and 2013 on 6405 adults. Dietary intakes were assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire to calculate GDI. All participants were followed every two years by phone call to ask about death, any hospitalization, or cardiovascular events to examine CVD events. The Average age of participants was 50.70 ± 11.63 and the median of GDI score was 1 (IQR: 0.29). A total of 751 CVD events (1.4 incidence rate, per 100 person-year) occurred during 52,704 person-years of follow-up. One-unit GDI increase was associated with a higher risk of MI by 72% (HR: 1.72; 95% CI 1.04–2.84), stroke by 76% (HR: 1.76; 95% CI 1.09–2.85) and CVD by 30% (HR: 1.48; 95% CI 1.02–2.65). In addition, a one-unit GDI increase was associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease more than 2 times (HR: 2.32; 95% CI 1.50–3.60) and CVD mortality and all-cause mortality over than 3 times [(HR: 3.65; 95% CI 1.90–7.01) and (HR: 3.10; 95% CI 1.90–5.06), respectively]. Higher GDI had a significant relationship with the increased risk of CVD events and all-cause mortality. Further epidemiological studies in other populations are suggested to confirm our findings.
The evaluation of tumorigenicity and characterization of colonies in a soft agar colony formation assay using polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Nakamura Daichi
Published: April 2023

In regenerative medicine, the tumorigenic potency of cells in cellular therapy products (CTPs) is a major concern for their application to patients. This study presents a method—the soft agar colony formation assay using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)—to evaluate tumorigenicity. MRC-5 cells, contaminated with HeLa cells, were cultured for up to 4 weeks in soft agar medium. Cell-proliferation-related mRNAs, Ki-67 and cyclin B, could be detected in 0.01% of HeLa cells after 5 days of culture, whereas cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) could be detected after 2 weeks. On the other hand, CDK2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and minichromosome maintenance protein 7 (MCM7) were not useful to detect HeLa cells even after 4 weeks of culture. The cancer stem cell (CSC) markers, aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) and CD133 in 0.01% of HeLa cells, could be detected 2 and 4 weeks after culture, respectively. However, another CSC marker CD44 was not useful because its expression was also detected in MRC-5 cells alone. This study suggests that the application of the PCR method to the soft agar colony formation assay could evaluate not only the tumorigenic potency in the short-term but also characterize the colonies, eventually improving the safety of CTPs.
Studying pathogens degrades BLAST-based pathogen identification
Authors: Beal Jacob , Clore Adam , Manthey Jeff
Published: April 2023

As synthetic biology becomes increasingly capable and accessible, it is likewise increasingly critical to be able to make accurate biosecurity determinations regarding the pathogenicity or toxicity of particular nucleic acid or amino acid sequences. At present, this is typically done using the BLAST algorithm to determine the best match with sequences in the NCBI nucleic acid and protein databases. Neither BLAST nor any of the NCBI databases, however, are actually designed for biosafety determination. Critically, taxonomic errors or ambiguities in the NCBI nucleic acid and protein databases can also cause errors in BLAST-based taxonomic categorization. With heavily studied taxa and frequently used biotechnology tools, even low frequency taxonomic categorization issues can lead to high rates of errors in biosecurity decision-making. Here we focus on the implications for false positives, finding that BLAST against NCBI’s protein database will now incorrectly categorize a number of commonly used biotechnology tool sequences as the pathogens or toxins with which they have been used. Paradoxically, this implies that problems are expected to be most acute for the pathogens and toxins of highest interest and for the most widely used biotechnology tools. We thus conclude that biosecurity tools should shift away from BLAST against general purpose databases and towards new methods that are specifically tailored for biosafety purposes.
Axl alleviates DSS-induced colitis by preventing dysbiosis of gut microbiota
Authors: Yee Su-Min , Choi Harim , Seon Jeong-Eun , Ban Yu-Jin , Kim Min-Jae , Seo Jae-Eun , Seo Ja Hun , Kim Sehyeon , Moon Seo Hee , Yun Chul-Ho , Lee Hyang Burm , Kang Hyung-Sik
Published: April 2023

Axl is a tyrosine kinase receptor, a negative regulator for innate immune responses and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The gut microbiota regulates intestinal immune homeostasis, but the role of Axl in the pathogenesis of IBD through the regulation of gut microbiota composition remains unresolved. In this study, mice with DSS-induced colitis showed increased Axl expression, which was almost entirely suppressed by depleting the gut microbiota with antibiotics. Axl−/− mice without DSS administration exhibited increased bacterial loads, especially the Proteobacteria abundant in patients with IBD, significantly consistent with DSS-induced colitis mice. Axl−/− mice also had an inflammatory intestinal microenvironment with reduced antimicrobial peptides and overexpression of inflammatory cytokines. The onset of DSS-induced colitis occurred faster with an abnormal expansion of Proteobacteria in Axl−/− mice than in WT mice. These findings suggest that a lack of Axl signaling exacerbates colitis by inducing aberrant compositions of the gut microbiota in conjunction with an inflammatory gut microenvironment. In conclusion, the data demonstrated that Axl signaling could ameliorate the pathogenesis of colitis by preventing dysbiosis of gut microbiota. Therefore, Axl may act as a potential novel biomarker for IBD and can be a potential candidate for the prophylactic or therapeutic target of diverse microbiota dysbiosis-related diseases.
Corneal higher-order aberrations in corneal endothelial decompensation secondary to obstetric forceps injury
Authors: Kasamatsu Hirotsugu , Yagi-Yaguchi Yukari , Yamaguchi Takefumi , Nishisako Sota , Murata Toshinori , Shimazaki Jun
Published: April 2023

Forceps corneal injuries during infant delivery cause Descemet membrane (DM) breaks, that cause corneal astigmatism and corneal endothelial decompensation. The aim of this study is to characterise corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) and corneal topographic patterns in corneal endothelial decompensation due to obstetric forceps injury. This retrospective study included 23 eyes of 21 patients (54.0 ± 9.0 years old) with forceps corneal injury, and 18 healthy controls. HOAs and coma aberrations were significantly larger in forceps injury (1.05 [0.76–1.98] μm, and 0.83 [0.58–1.69], respectively) than in healthy controls (0.10 [0.08–0.11], and 0.06 [0.05–0.07], respectively, both P < 0.0001). Patient visual acuity was positively correlated with coma aberration (rs = 0.482, P = 0.023). The most common topographic patterns were those of protrusion and regular astigmatism (both, six eyes, 26.1%), followed by asymmetric (five eyes, 21.7%), and flattening (four eyes, 17.4%). These results indicate that increased corneal HOAs are associated with decreased visual acuity in corneal endothelial decompensation with DM breaks and corneal topography exhibits various patterns in forceps injury.
Chemical labeling achieves 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine mapping in the microRNA transcriptome
Authors: Fan Changjiang , Meng Xinyue , Yang Wei , Wang Peiyan , Chang Wenguang , Li Peifeng , Wang Jianxun
Published: April 2023

A robust methodology, APSC-8-oxoGua-seq, for the sequencing of 8-oxoGua in the microRNA transcriptome at the single-base resolution has been developed.
First principles terahertz spectroscopy of molecular crystals: the crucial role of periodic boundary conditions benchmarked with experimental l-ascorbic acid spectra
Authors: Wang Ying , Ma Huifang , Yang Yanzhao , Qi Jiantao , Zhang Guiming , Ren Hao , Guo Wenyue
Published: April 2023

An appropriate periodic boundary condition is essential to correctly assign and analyze the THz vibration spectra of molecular crystals.
The challenge of peptide nucleic acid synthesis
Authors: Nandhini K. P. , Shaer Danah Al , Albericio Fernando , de la Torre Beatriz G.
Published: April 2023

The main strategies for the synthesis of Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs): key molecules as DNA/RNA mimics that can hybridize complementary chains of nucleic acids with high affinity and specificity.
Emerging electrolytes with fluorinated solvents for rechargeable lithium-based batteries
Authors: Wang Yuankun , Li Zhiming , Hou Yunpeng , Hao Zhimeng , Zhang Qiu , Ni Youxuan , Lu Yong , Yan Zhenhua , Zhang Kai , Zhao Qing , Li Fujun , Chen Jun
Published: April 2023

This review provides a detailed analysis and summary of the design principles and strategies for the synthesis of fluorinated electrolyte solvents for Li-based batteries.
Large-scale and solvent-free synthesis of magnetic bamboo-like nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes with nickel active sites for photothermally driven CO2fixation
Authors: Guo Yingchun , Wang Xinxin , Feng Lei , Liu Feng , Liang Jinsheng , Wang Xiaomei , Zhang Xu
Published: April 2023

The development of a method for the large-scale and solvent-free preparation of hierarchical pore single-atom catalysts is highly desirable but challenging.
Sensitive colorimetric assay of T4 DNA ligase by the oxidase nanozyme of LaMnO3.26 coupled with a hyperbranched amplification reaction
Authors: Guo Aohuan , Sun Jie , Yan Menghua , Wang Guang-Li
Published: April 2023

A new oxidase nanozyme based on LaMnO3.26 nanomaterials was constructed and served as a probe for the quantitative detection of T4 DNA ligase assisted by a hyperbranched amplification reaction for signal amplification.
Topotactic synthesis of high-entropy sulfide nanosheets as efficient pre-catalysts for water oxidation
Authors: Guo Min , Li Pengfeng , Wang Anran , Wang Jiale , Chen Jinyue , Lei Fengcai , Hao Pin , Sun Xu , Xie Junfeng , Tang Bo
Published: April 2023

Herein, quinary CoFeNiCuCr sulfide nanosheets with a high-entropy feature and rough surface were fabricated via a topotactic transformation pathway, and display facile pre-oxidation and improved intrinsic activity towards the robust oxygen evolution reaction.
Interfacial covalent bonding of the MXene-stabilized Sb2Se3nanotube hybrid with fast ion transport for enhanced sodium-ion half/full batteries
Authors: Lv Chengkui , Tai Linlin , Li Xiao , Miao Xiaowei , Wei Huaixin , Yang Jun , Geng Hongbo
Published: April 2023

An interfacial covalent bonding strategy is proposed to synthesize the MXene-stabilized Sb2Se3nanotube hybrid.
Surface modification enhances the bulk proton conductivity of Prussian blue
Authors: Takahashi Akira , Matsubayashi Yasuhito , Sakurai Atsushi , Sugiyama Yutaka , Noda Keiko , Kawamoto Tohru
Published: April 2023

Surface-modified Prussian blue shows 102 times higher bulk proton conductivity (0.018 S cm−1) than that of unmodified Prussian blue.
First-principles study of interfacial features and charge dynamics between spiro-MeOTAD and photoactive lead halide perovskites
Authors: Pecoraro Adriana , Fasulo Francesca , Pavone Michele , Muñoz-García Ana B.
Published: April 2023

This first-principles study addresses the charge transfer process between spiro-MeOTAD and MAPI and trication photoactive perovskites, highlighting its time scale (∼ps) and its dependance on surface termination and composition.
DNA-encoded librariesvialate-stage functionalization strategies: a review
Authors: Sahu Rajesh , Yadav Saurav , Nath Suvadeep , Banerjee Joydeep , Kapdi Anant R.
Published: April 2023

The hit finding strategy in drug discovery has undergone a tremendous change in the past decade with the advent of DNA-encoded libraries with diverse chemical libraries.
Improper ferroelastic phase transition in a hydrogen-bonded metallocyanide-based (azetidinium)2(H3O)[Co(CN)6] framework
Authors: Moskwa Marcin , Sobieszczyk Paweł , Mikurenda Julia W. , Zieliński Piotr , Rok Magdalena
Published: April 2023

A novel hydrogen-bonded metallocyanide-based (azetidinium)2(H3O)[Co(CN)6] framework with a strongly discontinuous improper (antiferrodostortive) phase transition was successfully synthesized and characterized.
Facile fabrication of a SnS2/Ag3VO4 Z-scheme heterojunction for boosting visible-light photocatalytic activity
Authors: Li Qiang , He Shiwu , Wang Lijie , Song Jupu , Wang Jiapeng , Shao Chunfeng , Tian Zhenfei , Liu Yi
Published: April 2023

A SnS2/Ag3VO4 Z-scheme heterojunction was prepared for the first time. The SnS2/Ag3VO4 hybrid photocatalyst can efficiently degrade MB, and it possessed higher photoactivity and better stability than the single catalyst.
Metallocene-coupled cumulenes: a quest for chiral single-molecule magnets
Authors: Das Soumik , Misra Anirban , Shil Suranjan
Published: April 2023

Nickelocene acts as a single-spin source; however, chromocene has spin polarization within it. This causes the difference in the magnetic behaviour of di-nickelocene complexes and nickelocene–chromocene mixed complexes.
Correction: Evaluation of intra- and inter-lab variability in quantifying SARS-CoV-2 in a state-wide wastewater monitoring network
Authors: Davis Angela , Keely Scott P. , Brinkman Nichole E. , Bohrer Zuzana , Ai Yuehan , Mou Xiaozhen , Chattopadhyay Saurabh , Hershey Olivia , Senko John , Hull Natalie , Lytmer Eva , Quintero Anda , Lee Jiyoung
Published: April 2023

Correction for ‘Evaluation of intra- and inter-lab variability in quantifying SARS-CoV-2 in a state-wide wastewater monitoring network’ by Angela Davis et al., Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00737A.
Experimental, theoretical, and astrochemical modelling investigation of the gas-phase reaction between the amidogen radical (NH2) and acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) at low temperatures
Authors: Douglas Kevin M. , Li Lok Hin Desmond , Walsh Catherine , Lehman Julia H. , Blitz Mark A. , Heard Dwayne E.
Published: April 2023

The reaction of NH2 and CH3CHO becomes fast at low temperatures, and may be a potential source of CH3CO radicals in the interstellar medium.
A recyclable rhodium catalyst anchored onto a bipyridine covalent triazine framework for transfer hydrogenation of N-heteroarenes in water
Authors: Everaert Jonas , Leus Karen , Rijckaert Hannes , Debruyne Maarten , Van Hecke Kristof , Morent Rino , De Geyter Nathalie , Van Speybroeck Veronique , Van Der Voort Pascal , Stevens Christian V.
Published: April 2023

Bipyridine covalent triazine framework (bpyCTF) was used as a support material for the development of a highly efficient Rh catalyst. The heterogeneous catalyst was applied for both batch and flow transfer hydrogenation of various N-heteroarenes.
Asymmetric hydrogenation using a covalently immobilized Ru-BINOL-AP@MSNs catalyst
Authors: Lakhani Pratikkumar , Modi Chetan K.
Published: April 2023

Ru-BINOL-AP@MSNs catalyst was synthesized using a state-of-the-art pathway without protecting or deprotecting groups. It achieved 84% conversion in an asymmetric hydrogenation reaction, with enantioselectivity >90% of the R-isomer.
Diatomic-doped carbon layer decorated Na3V2(PO4)2F3as a durable ultrahigh-stability cathode for sodium ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Xuntao , Tian Hualing , Zhang Yanhui , Cai Yanjun , Yao Xiang , Su Zhi
Published: April 2023

Na3V2(PO4)2F3cathode materials with excellent performance for sodium ion batteries.
Facile fabrication of PANI/g-C3N4/MXene composites as electrode materials for supercapacitors
Authors: Xie Hangming , Guo Zhibiao , Wang Mingkun , Ma Shiyu , Kong Zhe , He Zhiwei
Published: April 2023

A ternary PANI/graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)/MXene (PCM) composite has been successfully prepared by introducing graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and shows excellent electrochemical properties when used as an electrode for supercapacitors.
Optimisation of collaborative supply transportation based on traffic road network topology
Authors: Wang Aihui , Han Xiaobo , Liao Wudai , Liu Ping , Song Jingwen , Li Daming
Published: April 2023

With the rapid development of China's economy, enterprises need to plan their logistics transportation routes reasonably in advance. This will make the transportation service more efficient. For the supplier's transportation service problem, an analysis method of critical path nodes is provided and a multi‐supplier collaborative transportation strategy is designed in this article. First, a model for minimising the transportation cost was established, then a path diagram was simulated and the optimal and alternative transportation paths of suppliers based on the k‐shortest path algorithm were calculated. In addition, path node availability during COVID‐19 is used as a research context in this article. A multi‐stage path analysis method was provided by discussing different cases of critical path nodes, which can make a reasonable selection of paths in a timely and effective manner. Finally, simulations of collaborative transportation for suppliers were performed in three scenarios and the results verified the effectiveness of the collaborative transportation strategy. The proposed collaborative transportation strategy of suppliers not only strengthened the synergistic cooperation among suppliers, but also cultivated the potential customer for suppliers in this article. Furthermore, the strategy could improve the flexibility of the supply chain, maximise the overall efficiency and also provide a new solution for the development of logistics and transportation services.
CNN‐based received signal strength prediction: A frequency conversion scheme
Authors: Huang Siyi , Zhang Xingqi
Published: April 2023

To support the design and deployment of emerging high‐frequency wireless systems in various applications such as intelligent transportation, advanced received signal strength (RSS) simulation tools for radio coverage prediction are needed. In railway transportation, the vector parabolic equation (VPE) method is a commonly used approach for radio wave propagation modelling in large guiding structures such as tunnels. However, running VPE simulations at high frequencies in such an environment is computationally expensive, as the discretization parameters are closely related to the wavelength. In this letter, the authors propose a convolutional neural network‐based model that can efficiently provide RSS prediction at high frequencies by leveraging data obtained from VPE simulations at a lower frequency as an anchor. This proposed model can significantly improve the efficiency of VPE for high‐frequency RSS predictions and has been validated against conventional VPE in various tunnel cases.
Eco‐friendly polypropylene power cable insulation: Present status and perspective
Authors: Li Jianying , Yang Kai , Wu Kangning , Jing Zhenghong , Dong Jin‐Yong
Published: April 2023

Environmental protection is the future trend of power equipment development, and is also a research hotspot in the field of power cable insulation in recent years. Due to the excellent electrical properties and recyclability, polypropylene (PP) based composites are regarded as promising insulating materials for eco‐friendly next‐generation power cables. However, the high modulus and hardness of pure PP make it difficult to be directly employed as cable insulations, which needs to be further optimised. General methods of mechanical performance regulation often result in the deterioration of electrical performance, such as breakdown strength, space charge and so on. Therefore, it is recognised that the major challenge impeding practical applications of PP power cable insulation arises from the synergetic regulation of multi‐performances. The multi‐level structures influencing the multi‐performances of PP are introduced by the authors and the researches on the performance enhancement of PP through nanoscale structure regulation in recent years are reviewed in detail. Seven kinds of modification methods including nano‐doping, chemical grafting, in‐suit copolymerisation, heat treatment, nucleating agent, voltage stabiliser and elastomer blending are paid special attention. Based on the full understanding of the research status, the challenges and issues of future research are put forward for eco‐friendly PP power cable insulation.