bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamic Surprises of Cu(II)-Amylin Complexes in Membrane Mimicking Solutions
Authors: Dzień Emilia , Dudek Dorota , Witkowska Danuta , Rowińska-Żyrek Magdalena
Published: December 2021

Membrane environment often has an important effect on the structure, and therefore also on the coordination mode of biologically relevant metal ions.This is also true in the case of Cu(II) coordination to amylin analogues – rat amylin, amylin1-19, pramlintide and Ac-pramlintide, which offer N-terminal amine groups and/or histidine imidazoles as copper(II) anchoring sites. Complex stabilities are comparable, with the exception of the very stable Cu(II)-amylin1-19, which proves that the presence of the amylin C-terminus lowers its affinity for copper(II); although not directly involved, its appropriate arrangement sterically prevents early metal binding.Most interestingly, in membrane-mimicking solution, the Cu(II) affinities of amylin analogues are lower than the ones in water, probably due to the crowding effect of the membrane solution and the fact that amide coordination occurs at higher pH, which happens most likely because the α-helical structure, imposed by the membrane-mimicking solvent, prevents the amides from binding at lower pH, requiring a local unwinding of the α-helix.
Has Green Finance Facilitated China's Low-Carbon Economic Transition?
Authors: Wenqi Li , Fan Jingjing , Zhao Jiawei
Published: December 2021

The development of green finance helps to promote the transition to a low-carbon economy. Using data from 30 provinces in China from 2001-2019, we empirically examine the impact of green finance on the transition to a low-carbon economy and further explore the mediating role of low-carbon technological innovation in this facilitation process. The study finds that (1) green finance can significantly contribute to the transformation of the low-carbon economy from China as a whole. However, when China is divided into four regions: east, central, west and northeast, the contribution of green finance to the low-carbon economic transition in the west is not significant. (2) After adding low-carbon technologies to the model, green finance still has a significant contribution to the low-carbon economic transition, but this contribution decreases with the intervention of low-carbon technologies. (3) There is a strong spatial dependence between green finance development and low-carbon economic transformation in 30 Chinese provinces. However, the dependence among provinces tends to weaken after 2011. And the overall green financial development in China shows a positive spillover effect on the low-carbon economic transition. Based on the analysis results, several countermeasures are proposed to promote the further development of China's low-carbon economy.
Phenotypic plasticity in adults of Anticarsia gemmatalis exposed to sub-doses of Bt-based bioinsecticide
Authors: Fernandes Fabricio Oliveira , de Souza Tamires Doroteo , Sanches Ariadne Costas , Carvalho Ivan Ricardo , Dias Naymã Pinto , Desiderio Janete Apparecida , Polanczyk Ricardo Antonio
Published: December 2021

Anticarsia gemmatalis Hünber, 1818 is one of the main defoliating species in the soybean crop. Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, 1915, is a bacterium used in the biological control of this pest species. Resistant populations and their sublethal effects caused by the use of the bacteria have already been reported; however, there are no studies on phenotypic plasticity in adulthood exposed to Bt-based bioinsecticide sub-doses. This study aimed to evaluate the morphometry of A. gemmatalis adults under laboratory conditions submitted to the Bt-based bioinsecticide Dipel SC over the three generations. The body segments mensuread were width, length, and area of the anterior and posterior wings, the weight of the integument, chest, abdomen, wings, and the whole adult of males and females. Among the treatments, LC5 in the first generation and CL10 in the second generation were those with lower thresholds in relation to the weight of the chest and abdomen, considering the proportions of the body smaller than the females. The female’s weight adulthood was reduced by 10% about males, and, only in the first generation. Males have larger body size and more pronounced phenotypic plasticity than females. Here, we demonstrate the first study assessing the phenotypic plasticity of A. gemmatalis adults.
Radiological study of the nasal septal body
Authors: aydın canset , önay övsen , gözükara melih gaffar , Ulubay Hakan
Published: December 2021

Objectives

The nasal septal body (NSB) is the thickened area of the septum located superior to the inferior turbinates and anterior to the middle turbinates. NSB contributes to nasal breathing via functionally and anatomically. The aim of the present study was to analyze NSB size and its association with such variables as age, septal deviation, and nasal turbinate size
Material and Methods

This retrospective study included 381 randomly selected patients that underwent paranasal sinus CT between 2014 and 2019. NSB size, septal deviation angle, and middle and inferior turbinate size were analyzed.
Results

NSB, inferior turbinate, middle turbinate, and inferior turbinate-P were significantly smaller on the deviated side. NSB, inferior turbinate, middle turbinate, and inferior turbinate-P size according to nasal septal angle was also significantly smaller on the deviated side. NSB and inferior turbinate size was positively correlated.
Conclusion

The NSB is an important structure for the regulation of air flow in the nose and should be evaluated in routine examination of the nose especially before the nasal surgery.
Post-Diagnostic Beta Blocker Use and Breast Cancer-Specific Mortality: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Scott Oliver William , TinTin Sandar , Elwood J Mark , Cavadino Alana , Habel Laurel A , Kuper Marion , Campbell Ian , Lawrenson Ross
Published: December 2021

Purpose Beta blockers (BB) have been associated with improved, worsened, or unchanged breast cancer outcomes in previous studies. This study examines the association between the post-diagnostic use of BBs and death from breast cancer in a large, representative sample of New Zealand (NZ) women with breast cancer. Methods Women diagnosed with a first primary breast cancer between 2007 and 2016 were identified from four population-based regional NZ breast cancer registries and linked to national pharmaceutical data, hospital discharges, and death records. The median follow up time was 4.51 years. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard of breast cancer-specific death (BCD) associated with post-diagnostic BB use. Results Of the 14,976 women included in analyses, 21% used a BB after diagnosis. BB use (vs non-use) was associated with a small and non-statistically significant increased risk of BCD ( adjusted hazard ratio: 1.11; 95% CI: 0.95-1.29). A statistically significant increased risk confined to short-term use (0-3 months) was seen (HR=1.40; 1.14-1.73), and this risk steadily decreased with increasing duration of use and became a statistically significant protective effect at 3+ years of use (HR=0.54; 0.34-0.87). Conclusion Our findings suggest that any increased risk associated with BB use may be driven by risk in the initial few months of use. Long-term BB use may be associated with a reduction in BCD.
A Telemonitoring Programme in Patients with Heart Failure in France: A Cost-Utility Analysis
Authors: Caillon Mégane , Sabatier Rémi , Legallois Damien , Courouve Laurène , Donio Valérie , Boudevin Florence , de Chalus Thibault , Hauchard Karine , Belin Annette , Milliez Paul
Published: December 2021

Background

Certain telemedicine programmes for heart failure (HF) have been shown to reduce all-cause mortality and heart failure-related hospitalisations, but their cost-effectiveness remains controversial. The SCAD programme is a home-based interactive telemonitoring service for HF, which is one of the longest-running and largest telemonitoring programmes for HF in France. The objective of this cost-utility analysis was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the SCAD programme with respect to standard hospital-based care in patients with HF.
Methods

A Markov model simulating hospitalisations and mortality in patients with HF was constructed to estimate outcomes and costs. The model included six distinct health states (three ‘not hospitalised’ states, two ‘hospitalisation for heart failure’ states, both depending on the number of previous hospitalisations, and one death state. The model lifetime in the base case was ten years. Model inputs were based on published literature. Outputs (costs and QALYs) were compared between SCAD participants and standard care. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to assess uncertainty in the input parameters of the model.
Results

The number of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) was 3.75 in the standard care setting and 4.41 in the SCAD setting. This corresponds to a gain in QALYs provided by the SCAD programme of 0.65 over the ten-year lifetime of the model. The estimated total cost was €30,932 in the standard care setting and €35,177 in the SCAD setting, with an incremental cost of €4,245. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for the SCAD programme over standard care was estimated at €4,579/QALY. In the deterministic sensitivity analysis, the variables that had the most impact on the ICER were HF management costs. The likelihood of the SCAD programme being considered cost-effective was 90% at a willingness-to-pay threshold of €11,800.
Conclusions

Enrolment of patients into the SCAD programme is highly cost-effective. Extension of the programme to other hospitals and more patients would have a limited budget impact but provide important clinical benefits. This finding should also be taken into account in new public health policies aimed at encouraging a shift from inpatient to ambulatory care.
Spatio-temporally Varying Manning Roughness in Rivers and Streams: A calibration approach using in-situ water level and UAS altimetry
Authors: Liu Jun , Jiang Liguang , Bandini Filippo , Kittel Cécile Marie Margaretha , Balbarini Nicola , Hansted Nisha Gill , Grosen Henrik , Bauer-Gottwein Peter
Published: December 2021

Hydraulic roughness (expressed in terms of e.g. Manning's roughness coefficient) is an important input to hydraulic and hydrodynamic simulation models. One way to estimate roughness parameters is by hydraulic inversion, using observed water surface elevation (WSE) collected from gauging stations, satellite platforms or UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) −based altimeters. Specifically, UAS altimetry provides close to instantaneous observations of longitudinal profiles and seasonal variations of WSE for various river types, which are useful for calibrating roughness parameters. However, it is computationally expensive to run high−resolution hydrodynamic models for long simulation periods (e.g. multiple years), and thus global optimization of spatially and temporally distributed parameter sets for such models, e.g., spatio−temporally varying river roughness, is still challenging.This study presented an efficient calibration approach for hydraulic models, using a simplified steady-state hydraulic solver, UAS altimetry datasets, and in-situ observations. The calibration approach minimized the weighted sum of a misfit term, spatial smoothness penalty, and a sinusoidal a priori temporal variation constraint. The approach was first demonstrated for several synthetic calibration experiments and the results indicated that the global search algorithm accurately recovered the Manning–Strickler coefficients M for short river reaches in different seasons, and M varied significantly in time (due to the seasonal growth cycle of the aquatic vegetation) and space (due to, e.g. spatially variable vegetation density). Subsequently, the calibration approach was demonstrated for a real WSE dataset collected at a Danish test site, i.e., Vejle Å. Results indicated that spatio-temporal variation in M was required to accurately fit in-situ and UAS altimetry WSE observations. This study illustrated how UAS altimetry and hydraulic modeling can be combined to achieve improved understanding and better parameterization of small and medium-sized rivers, where conveyance is controlled by vegetation growth and other spatio-temporally variable factors.
Reporter System Controlled by the Involucrin Promoter as a Tool to Follow the Epidermal Differentiation
Authors: Fernandes Myrian Thiago Pruschinski , Santos Jeniffer Farias dos , Freitas Bruna Letícia , Reigado Gustavo Roncoli , Antunes Fernanda , Tessarollo Nayara , Chambergo Felipe Santiago , Strauss Bryan Eric , Nunes Viviane
Published: December 2021

Different approaches have been explored to study skin biology, including the use of stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from umbilical cord can be safely and easily obtained, however a simple strategy to monitor their differentiation is essential. Involucrin is a marker of keratinocyte terminal differentiation, and its promoter (pINV) directs stratum-specific expression of this protein. We designed a reporter system containing EGFP under control of pINV to assess MSC differentiation into keratinocytes. The functional sequence of pINV was inserted into a lentiviral vector, originating LeGO-GpINV. MSC were transduced with the LeGO-GpINV and induced to differentiate into keratinocytes upon cultivation with Keratinocyte Serum Free Medium supplemented. MSC differentiation was confirmed by morphological changes and by the expression of epidermal markers, by flow cytometry, quantitative PCR and western blot. The activity of kallikreins 5, 6 and 7 was detected using fluorogenic substrates. After 14 days of differentiation, MSC transduced with LeGO-GpINV showed an increase in EGFP fluorescence and expressed CK10, CK14, involucrin and filaggrin. There was also an increase in the kallikrein activity. This reporter system allowed to temporally assess the epidermal differentiation, simultaneously with involucrin expression, opening perspectives for the in vivo study of skin biology and in regenerative medicine.
Collaboration Networks of the Implementation Science Centers for Cancer Control (ISC3): A Social Network Analysis
Authors: Jacob Rebekah R , Korn Ariella R , Huang Grace C , Easterling Douglas , Gundersen Daniel A , Ramanadhan Shoba , Vu Thuy , Angier Heather , Brownson Ross C , Haire-Joshu Debra , Oh April , Schnoll Robert
Published: December 2021

Background: Multi-center research initiatives offer opportunities to develop and strengthen connections among researchers. These initiatives often have goals of increased scientific collaboration which can be examined using social network analysis.Methods: The National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded Implementation Science Centers in Cancer Control (ISC3) initiative conducted an online social network survey in its first year of funding (2020) to examine early scientific linkages among members (faculty, staff, trainees) and recognize areas for network growth. Members of the seven funded centers and NCI program staff identified collaborations in: planning/conducting research, capacity building, product development, scientific dissemination, practice/policy dissemination.Results: Of the 192 invitees, 182 network members completed the survey (95%). The most prevalent roles were faculty (60%) and research staff (24%). Almost one-quarter (23%) of members reported advanced expertise in implementation science (IS), 42% intermediate, and 35% beginner. Most members were female (69%) and white (79%). Across all collaboration activities, the network had a density of 14%, suggesting high cohesion for its first year. One-third (33%) of collaboration ties were between members from different centers. Degree centralization (0.33) and betweenness centralization (0.07) measures suggest a fairly saturated network (no one or few central member(s) holding all connections). The most prevalent and densely connected collaboration network was for planning/conducting research (1470 ties; 8% density). Practice/policy dissemination had the fewest collaboration ties (284), lowest density (3%), and largest number of non-connected members (n=43). Median degree (number of collaborations) varied across member characteristics and collaboration activities. Members with advanced IS expertise were more connected than intermediate/beginner groups for most activities (e.g., advanced IS members had a median of 24 capacity building collaborations (range: 4-58) vs. intermediate (median 9; range 2-53) and beginner (median 7; range 1-49) members. The number of practice/policy dissemination collaborations were similarly low across IS expertise levels (median degree 3 for advanced, 2 intermediate, 2 beginner). Conclusions: Results provide important directions for interventions within the ISC3 network to increase scientific collaboration and capacity, with a focus on growing cross-center collaborations and increasing engagement of under-represented groups. Findings will be used to capture infrastructure development as part of the initiative’s evaluation.
Freeze-thaw Assessment of Plants Based on Envelope Analysis of Stem Volume Water Content Sequence
Authors: Tian Hao , Gao Chao , Zhang Xin , Xiao Hongbing , Yu Chongchong
Published: December 2021

Background: Frost stress is an abiotic stressor for plant growth that impacts the health and the regional distribution of plants. The freeze-thaw characteristics of plants during the overwintering period help to understand relevant issues in plant physiology, including plant cold resistance and cold acclimation. Therefore, we aimed to develop a non-invasive instrument and method for accurate in situ detection of changes in stem freeze-thaw characteristics during the overwintering period. Results: A sensor was designed based on standing wave ratio method (SWR) to measure stem volume water content (StVWC). We were able to measure stem volume ice content (StVIC) and stem freeze-thaw rate of ice (StFTRI) during the overwintering period. The resolution of the StVWC sensor is less than 0.05 %, the mean absolute error and root mean square error are less than 1 %, and the dynamic response time is 0.296 s. The peak point of the daily change rate of the lower envelope of the StVWC sequence occurs when the plant enters and exits the overwintering period. The peak point can be used to determine the moment of freeze-thaw occurrence, whereas the time point corresponding to the moment of freeze-thaw coincides with the rapid transition between high and low ambient temperatures. In the field, the StVIC and StFTRI of Juniperus virginiana L., Lagerstroemia indica L. and Populus alba L. gradually increased at the beginning, fluctuated steadily during, and then gradually decreased by the end of the overwintering period. The StVIC and StFTRI also showed significant variability due to differences among the tree species and latitude.Conclusions: The StVWC sensor has good resolution, accuracy, stability, and sensitivity. The envelope changes of the StVWC sequence and the correspondence between the freeze-thaw moment and the ambient temperature indicate that the determination of the freeze-thaw moment based on the peak point of the daily change rate of the lower envelope is reliable. The results show that the sensor is able to monitor changes in the freeze-thaw characteristics of plants and effectively characterize freeze-thaw differences and cold resistance of different tree species. Furthermore, this is a cost-effective tool for monitoring freeze-thaw conditions during the overwintering period.
Global pattern of ecosystem respiration tendencies and its implications on terrestrial carbon sink potential
Authors: Yu Peixin , Zhou Tao , Luo Hui , Liu Xia , Shi Peijun , Zhang Jingzhou , Zhang Yajie , Zhou Peifang , Xu Yixin
Published: December 2021

As the largest component of carbon export from terrestrial ecosystems, ecosystem respiration (RECO) determines the carbon stock changes in terrestrial ecosystems. It is essential to accurately simulate the response of RECO to climate change. In this study, by constructing an optimal deep learning model for simulating global-scale RECO, we found that there is a 1–2 years' lagged response of RECO to changes in water conditions and an inconsistency in carbon input (NPP) and output (RECO) trends. The NPP growth trend in global terrestrial ecosystems is greater than that of RECO, with a trend showing increasing carbon sinks, particularly in the northern extra-tropics; while the carbon sink capacity of tropical regions has gradually saturated, showing that the changing trend of RECO is close to that of NPP, which poses a potential risk to the sustainable carbon sink capacity of global ecosystems in the future.
Inhibitory Activity and Mechanism of Silver Nanoparticles Against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1
Authors: Pan Xuanhe , Zhang Yapeng , Zhao Yiming , Yao Siqi , Guan Chaxiang , Wang Linqian , Chen Liyu
Published: December 2021

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a common pathogen that infects 50-90% of the world's population and causes a variety of diseases, some of which can be life-threatening. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been proven to have broad spectrum antiviral activity. In this study, we investigated the activity of AgNPs against HSV-1 by means of some antiviral tests and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results of antiviral tests demonstrated that AgNPs effectively inhibited the plaque formation and progeny production of HSV-1, reduced the genomic load and interfered with the mRNA expression and the protein synthesis of HSV-1. TEM observed that AgNPs could interact with HSV-1 and deform the HSV-1 particles. Furthermore, AgNPs could affect HSV-1’s entry into cells, HSV-1’s release and cell-to-cell spread. AgNPs could also down-regulate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines upon HSV-1 infection. In addition, the combined treatment of AgNPs and Acyclovir (ACV) confirmed that AgNPs could significantly enhance the inhibitory effect of ACV against HSV-1. Our findings offer a new insight into clarifying the mechanism of AgNPs against HSV-1, thus providing a theoretical basis for its clinical application.
A Shift From Competition To Facilitation With Abiotic Stress is Limited For Two Codominant Grass Species
Authors: Gray Jesse E. , Smith Melinda D.
Published: December 2021

It remains unclear how competitive exclusion is avoided between two ecologically, economically, and culturally important codominant grass species in the tallgrass prairie of the Great Plains, Andropogon gerardii and Sorghastrum nutans. These functionally similar C4 grasses appear to coexist despite considerable niche overlap, and asymmetric competition and drought tolerance in favor of A. gerardii. According to the stress gradient hypothesis, it may be that the sum of interactions between these species, which is typically negative (competitive) due to similar resource requirements, shifts to positive (facilitative) as abiotic stress increases. For instance, if the canopy cover of the stronger competitor reduces losses of subcanopy humidity or shallow soil moisture, recruitment of S. nutans tillers may be extended further into the drought event than would occur in the absence of A. gerardii. As later months of the growing season are drier on average where these species are codominant, such a mechanism may enable S. nutans to recover from early season asymmetric competition and stabilize their codominance. We tested this hypothesis in a greenhouse experiment in which we manipulated community composition and water availability in the latter half of the growing season. We found no evidence that a shift from a negative to positive interaction occurs, with each species performing similarly in mixed communities and monocultures. The similarities of the two species in their functional traits and responses to water limitations may limit such a shift in interaction net effects and suggests that other mechanisms are determining coexistence of these co-occuring C4 grasses.
Comparing The Efficacy of Sevoflurane To Propofol For Inflammatory Response During Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Zhang Rongzhi , Huang Jian , Yang Jianbao , Cheng Xingdong , Zhai Kerong , Wei Shilin , Li Jian , Li Yongnan , Gao Bingren
Published: December 2021

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a clinical syndrome resulting from intrapulmonary and/or extrapulmonary causes, is characterized by refractory hypoxemia. Currently, venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) is considered as a reasonable alternative to salvage ARDS, but it requires sedation of the patient. Several studies suggest that anesthetics, such as sevoflurane and propofol, have lung protective and immunomodulatory functions. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of sevoflurane and propofol on ARDS in VV ECMO rat models.Methods: To establish the ARDS model, male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were injected with 100mg/kg oleic acid (OA). Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into two groups: sevoflurane group (Sevo group) and propofol group (Pro group). The basic vital signs of rats in each group were continuously monitored using a life monitor, and arterial blood gas tests were performed at the following three time points: T0 (baseline), T1 (the time to ARDS), and T2 (after weaning from ECMO for 1 h). Bicinchoninic acid assay (BCA) method was used to determine protein concentration in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF), whereas hemotaxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate the lung pathological scores in each group. In addition, inflammatory factors (IL-1b, TNF-a, and MPO) in BALF, serum, and lung were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry (IHC).Results: With regard to the blood gas index, the Sevo group exhibited a better effect in improving the oxygenation function than the Pro group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in mean arterial pressure (MAP) between the two groups (P>0.05). After VV ECMO assistance, the degree of lung injury and inflammatory changes in the Sevo group were significantly reduced compared to the Pro group.Conclusion: This study shows that sedation with sevoflurane during VV ECMO assisted ARDS in rats improved lung injury and inflammation, and was better than propofol in improving the oxygenation function.
Novel Gene Rearrangement in the Mitochondrial Genome of Anastatus Fulloi (Hymenoptera Chalcidoidea) and Phylogenetic Implications for Chalcidoidea
Authors: Yi Jiequn , Wu Han , Liu Jianbai , Li Jihu , Lu Yinglin , Zhang Yifei , Cheng Yinjie , Guo Yi , Li Dunsong , An Yuxing
Published: December 2021

The genus Anastatus comprises a large group of parasitoids, including several biological control agents in agricultural and forest systems. The taxonomy and phylogeny of these species remain controversial. In this study, the mitogenome of A. fulloi Sheng and Wang was sequenced and characterized. The nearly full-length mitogenome of A. fulloi was 15,692 bp, compromising 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes and a control region (CR). The total A + T contents were 83.83%, 82.18%, 87.58%, 87.27%, and 82.13% in the whole mitogenome, 13 PCGs, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and CR, respectively. The mitogenome presented negative AT skews and positive GC skews, except for the CR. Most PCGs were encoded on the majority strand, started with ATN codons, and ended with TAA codons. Among the 3736 amino acid-encoding codons, TTA (Leu1), CGA (Arg), TCA (Ser2), and TCT (Ser2) were predominant. Most tRNAs had cloverleaf secondary structures, except trnS1, with the absence of a dihydrouridine (DHU) arm. Compared with mitogenomes of the ancestral insect and another parasitoid within Eupelmidae, large-scale rearrangements were found in the mitogenome of A. fulloi, especially inversions and inverse transpositions of tRNA genes. The gene arrangements of parasitoid mitogenomes within Chalcidoidea were variable. A novel gene arrangement was presented in the mitogenome of A. fulloi. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 13 protein-coding genes of 20 parasitoids indicated that the phylogenetic relationship of 6 superfamilies could be presented as Mymaridae + (Eupelmidae + (Encyrtidae + (Trichogrammatidae + (Pteromalidae + Eulophidae)))). This study presents the first complete mitogenome of the Anastatus genus and offers insights into the identification, taxonomy, and phylogeny of these parasitoids.
Two-Dimensional Biocompatible Plasmonic Lenses for Color Blindness Correction
Authors: Roostaei N. , Hamidi S. M.
Published: December 2021

Color blindness, or color vision deficiency (CVD), is an ocular disease that suppresses the recognition of different colors. Recently, tinted glasses and lenses have been studied as hopeful devices for color blindness correction. In this study, 2D biocompatible and flexible plasmonic lenses were fabricated using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and an innovative, low-cost, and simple design based on the soft nano-lithography method. These lenses were investigated for correction of red-green (deuteranomaly) color blindness. The plasmonic lens proposed herein is based on the plasmonic surface lattice resonance (SLR) phenomenon and offers a good color filter for color blindness correction. The biocompatibility, low cost, and simple fabrication of these contact lenses can offer new insights for applications of color blindness correction.
Dating submarine landslides using the transient response of gas hydrate stability
Authors: Portnov Alexey , You Kehua , Flemings Peter , Cook Ann , Heidari Mahdi , Sawyer Derek
Published: December 2021

Submarine landslides are prevalent on the modern-day seafloor, yet an elusive problem is constraining the timing of slope failure. Herein, we present a novel technique for constraining the age of submarine landslides without sediment core dating. Underneath a submarine landslide in the Orca Basin, Gulf of Mexico, in 3D seismic data we map an irregular bottom simulating reflection (BSR), which mimics the geometry of the pre-slide seafloor rather than the modern bathymetry. Based on the observed BSR, we suggest that the gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ) is currently adjusting to the post-slide sediment temperature perturbations. We apply transient conductive heat flow modeling to constrain the response of the GHSZ to the slope failure, which yields a most likely age of ~8 ka demonstrating that gas hydrate systems can respond to slope failures even on the millennia timescales. We also provide an analytical approach to rapidly determine the age of submarine slides at any location.
An Investigation of the Mechanism on Interfacial Charge Transformation of the TiB2/Cu Composites Studied by the First Principles
Authors: Shu Yao , Wang Juan , Xiong Yongnan , Luo Xing , He Jiazhen , Yin Cuicui , Gao Fei , Zhang Shaowen , Zheng Kaihong , Yin Fuxing , Pan Fusheng
Published: December 2021

The charge communications have been widely existed in the metal materials when they are under the processing, the modeling and the failing. We studied the interfacial charge transformation of the TiB2/Cu composites via the first principles method. The layer thickness was predicted by the interfacial charge communications performed on the regions of the TiB2/Cu interfaces. The layer thickness of the Ti-terminated (TT)TiB2/Cu were predicted longer than those of the B-terminated(BT) TiB2/Cu and contrasting with their average vales as 0.75 (nm) and 0.65 (nm), respectively. The Mulliken population was applied to investigate the bond length, bond population and charge transformation of the six TiB2/Cu models. The Ti-Cu bond was only detected in TT-HCP interfaces among the all TT-TiB2/Cu models, which was further confirmed that the metallic bond of the Ti-Cu with the bond length and population as 2.5 Å and 0.22, respectively. Nevertheless, the B-Cu bond were detected in all BT-TiB2/Cu models, and the bond length and population higher than those of B-Cu bond in chemical complexes. The 5 atomic layers were involved in quantitative analyses of the interfacial charge transformation. The results indicate that the charges lost by interfacial Ti atom were inequivalent obtained by Cu and B atoms which nearby the interfacial Ti atoms of the TT-TiB2/Cu. Comparing with the BT-TiB2/Cu models, the charges acquired by the interfacial B atom were most from the Ti and less from the Cu atoms surrounded the interfacial B atoms.
Knockdown of TRIM66 Suppresses the Proliferation, Migration, Invasion and Glycolysis in Cholangiocarcinoma Cells
Authors: Jiang Lei , Li Yuqiang , Li Yan , Yang Tao , Li Dongsheng , Li Nan , Yang Weiwei
Published: December 2021

Background: The tripartite motif (TRIM) family proteins feature highly conserved order of domains in the RBCC motif and most of them play an essential role in various cellular processes. Recently, increasing evidence has shown association of TRIM proteins with cancer development. In this study, we examined the expression pattern and biological functions of TRIM66 in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA).Methods: Western blot was performed for the protein levels of TRIM66, E-cadherin, α-catenin, N-cadherin, vimentin, p-PI3K, PI3K, p-Akt and Akt. MTT assay, wound healing assay and transwell assay were conducted for cell proliferation, migration and invasion, respectively. Glucose uptake and lactate production were determined using specific kits.Results: TRIM66 was overexpressed in CCA tissues and cell lines. In addition, knockdown of TRIM66 significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis of CCA cells. Moreover, TRIM66 silencing obviously decreased levels of phosphorylated PI3K and Akt in CCA cells.Conclusion: Our study provided a novel insight into the roles of TRIM66 in CCA and suggested TRIM66 as a promising therapeutic target for CCA treatment.
Changes in Ciliate Communities Reveal Modification of Lake Functioning Over the Last Century
Authors: Cécilia Barouillet , Vasselon Valentin , Keck François , Millet Laurent , Etienne David , Galop Didier , Rius Damien , Domaizon Isabelle
Published: December 2021

Ciliates are unicellular heterotrophic organisms that play a key role in the planktonic and benthic food webs of lakes, and represent a great potential as bioindicator. In this study, we used the top-bottom paleolimnological approach to compare the recent and past (i.e. prior to major anthropogenic impacts) ciliate communities of 48 lakes located along an elevation gradient using metabarcoding techniques applied on sedimentary DNA (sed-DNA). Our results show an overall decline in the β-diversity in recent time, especially in lowland lakes which are more strongly expose to local human pressure. Analyses of the functional groups indicate important restructuration of the trophic food web and changes that are consistent with several well documented environmental changes such as the widespread increase in deep water anoxia, changes in thermal stability and nutrient cycling. Our study demonstrates the potential offered by sed-DNA to uncover information about past ciliate communities on a wide variety of lakes and the potential of using ciliates as valuable indicators, integrating information from the pelagic to the benthic profundal (and littoral) zones. Through trait-based functional community approach, the ciliates provide additional valuable information on ecosystem functioning, thus offering more a holistic view on the long-term changes of aquatic ecosystems.
Dosimetric Feasibility of Moderately Hypofractionated/dose Escalated Radiation Therapy for Localised Prostate Cancer With Intensity-modulated Proton Beam Therapy Using Simultaneous Integrated Boost (SIB-IMPT) and Impact of Hydrogel Prostate-rectum Spacer
Authors: Khalil Dalia Ahmad , Jazmati Danny , Geismar Dirk , Wulff Jörg , Bäumer Christian , Kramer Paul-Heinz , Steinmeier Theresa , Schulze-Schleitthoff Stefanie , Plaude Sandija , Bischoff Martin , Tschirdewahn Stephan , Hadaschik Boris , Timmermann Beate
Published: December 2021

Purpose: To examine the dosimetric feasibility of hypofractionated/dose escalated radiation therapy in patients with localized prostate carcinoma using simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated proton beam therapy (SIB-IMPT) in absence or presence of prostate-rectum spacer. Methods: IMPT technique was implemented in 23 patients with intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer treated at West German Proton Therapy Centre from March 2016 till June 2018, using SIB technique prescribing 60 GyRBE and 72 GyRBE in 30 fractions to PTV1 (prostate and seminal vesicle) and PTV2 boost (prostate and proximal seminal vesicle), respectively. In 15 patients, a transperineal injection of hydrogel was applied prior to radiotherapy to increase the distance between prostate and rectum. Planning and all treatments were performed with a 120 ml fluid-filled endorectal balloon customised daily for each patient. For each patient, 2 lateral IMPT beams were implemented taking a field-specific range uncertainty (RU) into account. Dose volume histograms (DVH) were analyzed for PTV2, PTV2 with range uncertainty margin (PTV2RU), rectum, bladder, right/left femoral heads, and penile bulb. For late rectal toxicities, the normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCP) were calculated using different biological models. A DVH- and NTCP-based dosimetric comparison was carried out between non-spacer and spacer groups. Results: For the 23 patients, high-quality plans could be achieved for target volume and for other organs at risk (OARs). For PTV2, the V107% was 0% and the Dmax did not exceed 106.2% of the prescribed dose. The volume PTV2RU covered by 95% of the dose ranged from 96.16- 99.95%. The conformality index (CI) for PTV2RU was 1.12±0.057 and the homogeneity index (HI) was 1.04±0.014. Rectum Dmax and rectal volume receiving 73 to 50 Gy could be further reduced for the spacer-group. Significant reductions in mean and median rectal NTCPs (stenosis/necrosis, late rectal bleeding ≥ 2, and late rectal toxicities ≥ 3) were predicted for the spacer group in comparison to the non-spacer group. Conclusion: Hypofractionated/dose escalated radiotherapy with SIB-IMPT is dosimetrically feasible. Further reduction of the rectal volumes receiving high and medium dose levels (73 -50 Gy) and rectal NTCP could be achieved through injection of spacers between rectum and prostate.
WNT pathway alteration is related to dysplastic cortical tissue and not to adjacent tissue of patients with FCD and refractory epilepsy
Authors: Marinowic Daniel , Zanirati Gabriele G. , Majolo Fernanda , Xavier Fernando A. C. , Rodrigues Felipe V. F. , Neto Eliseu P. , Palmini André L. F. , de Abreu José G. , Machado Denise C. , Costa Jaderson C. da
Published: December 2021

Background

Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is a malformation of the cortical development that cause medical refractory seizures and the only treatment may be surgical resection of the affected area of the brain. People affected by FCD may present seizures of variable severity since childhood. The physiopathology of the disease is not yet understood, however it is known that several genes alterations may play their role. The WNT/β-catenin pathway is associated with cell transformation and migration and for this reason may be crucial for understanding FCD’s aetiology. The aim of this study was to explore genes related to the WNT/β-catenin pathway in patients with FCD type II.
Methods

Dysplastic tissue and tissue adjacent to the primary dysplastic lesion of patients with FCD type II were obtained from two patients who underwent surgical treatment. The analysis of the relative expression of genes was performed by a qRT-PCR array containing 84 genes related to the WNT pathway.
Results

In patient 1, the analysis showed a difference in the expression of seven genes, demonstrating an increase in AXIN2, FRAT2, FZD9, KREMENI and PP2R1A genes and a reduction in CSNK1G3 and PPP2CA genes in dysplastic tissue. In patient 2, the analysis showed increased expression of CSNK1A1, FZD4 and PPP2CA genes, as well as reduced of CTNNBIP1 gene in dysplastic tissue.
Conclusion

Dysregulation in the expression of genes that control the receptors of the WNT pathway keeps it in an inactivated state. Therefore, a eventual manipulation of this pathway focusing on its activation may influence molecular manifestations underlying the epileptogenic status in injured brain tissue, which could act as a therapeutic alternative to FCD type II. The WNT/ β-catenin signaling pathway is crucial for the control of embryonic development, which takes place through the regulation of cell differentiation, migration and proliferation, and apoptosis process.
Peroxiredoxin 6 Mediates the Protective Function of Curcumin Pretreatment in Acute Lung Injury Induced by Serum From Patients Undergoing One-lung Ventilation in Vitro
Authors: Li Hui-Ting , Tan Fang , Zhang Tian-Hua , Cao Long-Hui , Tan Hong-ying , Lin Wen-Qian , Zeng Wei-An , Chi Xin-Jin
Published: December 2021

Background: Curcumin has attracted much attention due to its wide range of therapeutic effects. In this study, we used serum collected from patients undergoing one-lung ventilation (OLV) to establish an in vitro acute lung injury (ALI) model to explore the potential protective mechanism of curcumin on ALI to provide a new reference for the prevention and treatment of ALI induced by OLV.Methods: A549 cells were treated with 20% serum from patients undergoing OLV to establish an in vitro ALI model. Curcumin, at a dose of 40 μg/ml, was administered two hours prior to this model. The levels of inflammation and oxidative stress markers were observed by Western blot, qRT–PCR, ELISA and reactive oxygen species assay. Additionally, the expression of peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) and proteins involved in the NF-κB signaling pathway were evaluated.Results: Twenty percent of serum collected from patients undergoing OLV downregulated the expression of Prdx6, leading to the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, which was associated with the subsequent overproduction of inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species. Pretreatment with curcumin restored Prdx6 downregulation and inhibited NF-κB pathway activation by suppressing the nuclear translocation of P65, eventually reducing inflammation and oxidative stress damage in A549 cells.Conclusions: Prdx6 mediated the protective function of curcumin by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB pathway in ALI in vitro.
Macadamia Volatiles Affect the Attraction of the Moth Gymnandrosoma Aurantianum to (E)-8-Dodecenyl Acetate the Main Component of its Sex Pheromone
Authors: Campuzano Alvaro , Malo Edi A , Gomez Jaime , López-Guillén Guillermo , Cruz Leopoldo
Published: December 2021

The macadamia nut borer moth Gymnandrosoma aurantianum, is the main pest of macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) in Central America. This study investigates the effect of the host (M. integrifolia) on attraction of G. aurantianum to its sex pheromone. Y-Tube bioassays showed that females G. aurantianum were attracted to volatiles from M. integrifolia leaves and flowers, while males responded to volatiles from flowers. Both sexes had significantly different electroantennographic responses (EAG) to the extracts of volatiles from flowers, fruits and leaves and (E)-8-dodecenyl acetate (main component of the sex pheromone of G. aurantianum). Females G. aurantianum exhibited electroantennographic responses by CG-EAD to phenylacetaldehyde, (1Z)-3-methylbutanal oxime and (E)-β-ocimene, while the males showed antennal activity in response to phenylacetaldehyde, (1E)-3-methylbutanal oxime, (1Z)-3-methylbutanal oxime, present in the extracts of M. integrifolia. The EAG dose-response with ocimene (mix of isomers) showed that female antennal activity increases as the dose increases, while with males, the highest dose elicited a response that was significantly different from the control. In field tests, the mixture (ocimene/(E)-8-dodecenyl acetate) with the proportion of 10:1 was the treatment that captured the highest number of males and females. Also, we observed that the lowest number of male captures was obtained with the proportion of 1:1, compared to the traps baited with only (E)-8-dodecenyl acetate. These results suggest that the binary mixture of ocimene plus (E)-8-dodecenyl acetate in a proportion of 10:1 could be an option for monitoring this pest because we obtained captures of both sexes.
Universal approach to in situ light-coupled NMR spectroscopy without fibre optics
Authors: Bramham Jack , Golovanov Alexander
Published: December 2021

In situ illumination of liquid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) samples makes it possible for a wide range of light-dependent chemical and biological phenomena to be studied by the powerful analytical technique. However, the position of an NMR sample deep within the bore of the spectrometer magnet renders such illumination challenging. Here, we demonstrate a photo-NMR insert device (NMRtorch) where a lighthead containing an LED array is attached directly to the top of an NMRtorch tube. The wall of the tube itself acts as a light guide, illuminating the sample from the outside. We explore how this new setup performs in a number of photo-NMR applications, including photoisomerisation and photo-chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarisation (photo-CIDNP), and demonstrate the potential for ultraviolet (UV) degradation studies with continuous online NMR assessment. This setup enables users of any typical liquid-state spectrometer to easily perform in situ photo-NMR experiments, using a wide range of wavelengths.
CHD7 regulates otic lineage differentiation and deafness gene expression in human inner ear organoids
Authors: Nie Jing , Ueda Yoshitomo , Solivais Alexander , Hashino Eri
Published: December 2021

Mutations in the chromatin remodeling enzyme CHD7 cause CHARGE syndrome, which affects multiple organs including the inner ear. We investigated how CHD7 mutations affect otic development in human inner ear organoids. We found loss of CHD7 or its chromatin remodeling activity leads to complete absence of hair cells and supporting cells, which can be explained by dysregulation of key otic development-associated genes in mutant otic progenitors. Further analysis of the mutant otic progenitors suggested that CHD7 can regulate otic genes through a chromatin remodeling-independent mechanism. Results from transcriptome profiling of hair cells revealed disruption of deafness gene expression as a potential underlying mechanism of CHARGE-associated sensorineural hearing loss. Notably, co-differentiating CHD7 knockout and wild-type cells in chimeric organoids partially rescued mutant phenotypes by restoring otherwise severely dysregulated otic genes. Taken together, our results suggest that CHD7 plays a critical role in regulating human otic lineage differentiation and deafness gene expression.