bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilizing network pharmacology and experimental validation to investigate the underlying mechanism of phellodendrine on inflammation
Authors: Hu Lili , Wang Jue , Wu Na , Zhao Xiaoge , Cai Donghui
Published: September 2022

Background

Phellodendrine, one of the characteristic and important active components of Cortex phellodendri, has been proven to show anti-inflammatory effects. However, the underlying mechanism of phellodendrine on inflammation remains largely unclear.

Aim of the study

In this study, network pharmacology and experimental validation were used to explore the underlying mechanism of phellodendrine on inflammation.

Materials and Methods

PubChem and SwissADME database were used to evaluate the drug-likeness and other characteristics of phellodendrine. The targets of phellodendrine for the treatment of inflammation were analyzed with multiple databases. Other extensive analyses including protein–protein interaction, Gene Ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment were accomplished with the STRING database, Cytoscape software, and DAVID database. Moreover, the effect of phellodendrine on anti-inflammation was proven in RAW264.7.

Results

The network pharmacology results indicated that phellodendrine had drug potential. Phellodendrine acted directly on 12 targets, including PTGS1, PTGS2, HTR1A, and PIK3CA, and then regulated cAMP, estrogen, TNF, serotonergic synapse, and other signaling pathways to exert anti-inflammatory effects. The experimental results showed that phellodendrine reduced the levels of IL-6 compared with the LPS group in 24 h and changed the mRNA expression of PTGS1, PTGS2, HSP90ab1, AKT1, HTR1A, PI3CA, and F10.

Conclusion

Our research preliminarily uncovered the therapeutic mechanisms of phellodendrine on inflammation with multiple targets and pathways. Phellodendrine may be a potential treatment for inflammation-related diseases related to the cAMP and TNF signaling pathways.
Analysis of inferior nasal turbinate volume in subjects with nasal septum deviation: a retrospective cone beam tomography study
Authors: Shetty Shishir , Al-Bayatti Saad , Alam Mohammad Khursheed , Al-Rawi Natheer H. , Kamath Vinayak , Tippu Shoaib Rahman , Narasimhan Sangeetha , Al Kawas Sausan , Elsayed Walid , Rao Kumuda , Castelino Renita
Published: September 2022

Background

The association of the linear dimensions of the inferior turbinate hypertrophy with nasal septal deviation has been studied recently. However, the volumetric dimensions provide a more accurate status of the turbinate hypertrophy compared to linear measurements. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of inferior nasal turbinate volume with the degree of nasal septal deviation (NSD).

Methods

A retrospective evaluation of the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 412 patients was carried out to obtain 150 scans which were included in the study. The scans were categorized into three groups. Group 1 comprised of 50 scans of patients with no inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH) and no nasal septal deviation. Group 2 comprised of 50 scans of patients with ITH and no NSD; whereas Group 3 included 50 scans of patients with ITH and NSD. The total turbinate volume of inferior turbinates (bilateral) were determined by using Vesalius 3D software (PS-Medtech, Amsterdam, Netherlands).

Results

The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between the volumetric estimations performed by the two radiologists was 0.82. There were no significant age and gender related changes in the total turbinate volume. Patients in Group 3 had significantly higher (p = 0.001) total turbinate volume compared to Group 2 and Group 1. There was a positive and significant correlation (r = 0.52, p = 0.002) between the degree of septal deviation and total turbinate volume. When the total turbinate volume of the patients with different types of septal deviation was compared in Group 3, a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001) was observed. Regression analysis revealed that the septal deviation angle (SDA) (p = 0.001) had a relationship with total turbinate volume. From the results of the study we can conclude that the total turbinate volume is higher in patients with nasal septal deviation. It can also be concluded that the septal deviation angle has a positive correlation with total turbinate volume. The data obtained from the study can be useful in post-surgical follow up and evaluation of patients with nasal septal deviation and hypertrophied inferior nasal turbinate.
Dental caries as a risk factor for bacterial blood stream infection (BSI) in children undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT)
Authors: Abduweli Uyghurturk Dawud , Lu Ying , Urata Janelle , C. Dvorak Christopher , Den Besten Pamela
Published: September 2022

Background

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a potentially curative therapy for a wide range of pediatric malignant and nonmalignant diseases. However, complications, including blood stream infection (BSI) remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality. While certain bacteria that are abundant in the oral microbiome, such as S. mitis, can cause BSI, the role of the oral microbial community in the etiology of BSI is not well understood. The finding that the use of xylitol wipes, which specifically targets the cariogenic bacteria S. mutans is associated with reduced BSI in pediatric patients, lead us to investigate dental caries as a risk factor for BSI.

Methods

A total of 41 pediatric patients admitted for allogenic or autologous HCT, age 8 months to 25 years, were enrolled. Subjects with high dental caries risk were identified as those who had dental restorations completed within 2 months of admission for transplant, or who had untreated decay. Fisher’s exact test was used to determine if there was a significant association between caries risk and BSI. Dental plaque and saliva were collected on a cotton swab from a subset of four high caries risk (HCR) and four low caries risk (LCR) children following pretransplant conditioning. 16SrRNA sequencing was used to compare the microbiome of HCR and LCR subjects and to identify microbes that were significantly different between the two groups.

Results

There was a statistically significant association between caries risk and BSI (p < 0.035) (Fisher’s exact test). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed children in the high dental caries risk group were 21 times more likely to have BSI, with no significant effect of age or mucositis severity. HCR subjects showed significantly reduced microbial alpha diversity as compared to LCR subjects. LEfse metagenomic analyses, showed the oral microbiome in HCR children enriched in order Lactobacillales. This order includes Streptococcus and Lactobacillus, both which contain bacteria primarily associated with dental caries.

Discussion

These findings support the possibility that the cariogenic microbiome can enhance the risk of BSI in pediatric populations. Future metagenomic analyses to measure microbial differences at, before, and after conditioning related to caries risk, may further unravel the complex relationship between the oral microbiome, and whether it affects health outcomes such as BSI.
Trend, Growth and Instability Analysis of Wheat Crop in Central India
Authors: Khemraj . , Chaure N. K. , Chandrakar G. , Tegar Ajay , Singh Krishan Pal , Shukla Rajshree , Haldar Purnima , Thakur Nootesh K. , Vedprakash . , Kesharwani Rudresh
Published: September 2022

Information about agricultural trends can help policymakers identify strategies that will result in a sustained rise in food output. The present investigation has been undertaken to study the Growth, Trend and Instability in Area, Production and Productivity of Wheat Crop in Chhattisgarh Plains. Time series data for wheat were collected for the period (1990-91 to 2014-15). The linear, quadratic and exponential functions are fitted in order to analyse the trend in area, production and productivity of wheat crop. Besides these compound growth rate, coefficient of variation, instability index of area, production and productivity of this crop have also been recorded. In the entire Chhattisgarh Plains, the average compound growth rate for wheat area is (0.41%). Dhamtari District has the lowest compound growth rate (-8.22%) while Raigarh District has the highest (3.4%) under wheat-growing areas. The negative growth rate under area of wheat in Dhamtari district is causing a switch from winter wheat to summer rice. The average compound growth rate of wheat production across the entire Chhattisgarh Plains is positive (2.42%), which is a good indicator of the rising trend in wheat production in the Chhattisgarh Plains. The highest compound growth rate of wheat production is found in Kawardha District (7.62%), while the lowest is in Dhamtari District (-4.33%).The average compound growth rate for wheat productivity across the entire Chhattisgarh Plains is (1.51%), with Kawardha District having the highest rate (5.00%) and Raigarh District having the lowest (0.60%).
Environmental Tax and Wage Inequality when Pollution Impacts Health or Agricultural Productivity in Developing Economy
Authors: Gao Lili , Wang Dianshuang
Published: September 2022

Many developing countries face severe environmental pollution and the preservation policy, such as the environmental tax, is widely adopted by many governments. This paper investigates the impacts of an increase in environment tax on wage inequality between skilled and unskilled labor when pollution affects labor health or agricultural productivity. We first build a basic model and assume pollution affects labor health and drives parts of labor out of the factor market. And we obtain that the elasticity of substitution between labor and dirty input in the unskilled sector determines the result of an increase in environmental tax on wage inequality. And when skilled and unskilled labor raise its cost of self mitigation, wage inequality will be narrowed down.The robustness of the basic model on the impact of a stricter environmental protection and the self-mitigation cost of unskilled labor is substantiated by the extended model that incorporates the bad externality of pollution on agricultural production; however, the impact of increased cost of mitigation of skilled labor on wage gap in the extended model is different, depending on the elasticity of pollution.
The Capacities of Learning and Knowledge Management in the Performance of Organizational Mediations in the Telecommunications Sector
Authors: Deswira Nova , Zainal Veithzal Rivai , Nawangsari Lenny Christina
Published: September 2022

The telecommunication industry is rapidly developing along with the development of technology infrastructure. These conditions force telecommunications companies to improve the company's performance to be able to grow a competitive advantage over other competitors. This study aims to identify important factors in improving company performance. The data in this study were collected from 290 questionnaires filled out by workers from one of the government-owned telecommunications companies, which were divided into several units within one Directorate of Finance and Risk Management. The data obtained in the process using the PLS-SEM data analysis technique with an exploratory approach. This study found the relationship between organizational trust and organizational performance was found to have a positive and significant influence, the relationship between leadership and organizational performance was found to have no influence. The relationship between organizational trust and organizational learning capability was found to have a positive and significant influence. organizational trust was found to have a positive and significant influence on knowledge management. Leadership was found to have a positive and significant influence on Knowledge Management. knowledge management had a positive and significant effect on organizational learning capability. organizational learning capability was found to have a positive and significant effect on organizational performance. knowledge management has a positive and significant effect on organizational performance. In indirect relationship found organizational learning capability and knowledge management are essential in mediating the relationship between organizational trust and leadership. The results in this study can be used as references and suggestions for both the company and further researchers.
The possibility of accounting measurement of the costs of environmental performance of Iraqi industrial companies: Application study at National Company for Chemical and Plastic Industries 2018-2020
Authors: Abbood Abbas Hadi
Published: September 2022

The aim of the study is to identify environmental costs and types in industrial companies, particularly the company in question, and to identify the accounting measurement of environmental costs and constraints facing the company in measurement. The study found that some environmental costs can be measured in accounting, environmental liability in the company is limited to the Industrial Protection Department and the Maintenance Department through the distribution of work to its subdivisions (Safety, Control, Civil Defense and Environmental Health), and so on difficulty in identifying and identifying environmental costs and the absence of adequate information provided by the accounting system on environmental activities. The study recommended that care should be taken to enact laws and legislation that protect the environment and disclose the harmful environmental impacts, take care to measure environmental costs and set up a specialized unit in the company to help in measuring them, minimize environmental damage resulting from the companys work and help in selecting suitable alternatives and taking appropriate decisions.
Financial Outcomes Associated With the COVID-19 Pandemic in California Hospitals
Authors: Wang Yu , Witman Allison E. , Cho David D. , Watson Ethan D.
Published: September 2022

Importance

The COVID-19 pandemic challenged the financial solvency of hospitals, yet there is limited evidence examining hospital financial performance through the first 15 months of the pandemic.

Objective

To assess the financial outcomes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in California hospitals.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study tracked the financial performance of 348 hospitals in California using Hospital Quarterly Financial and Utilization Data from the State of California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. Hospital financial performance was examined from January 2019 to June 2021 for all hospitals in aggregate and by safety-net status.

Exposures

Pre–COVID-19 financial outcomes vs COVID-19 period outcomes.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Quarterly revenues, expenses, and profits.

Results

In 348 California hospitals, hospital financial performance was highly variable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Losses were reduced by COVID-19 relief funding and strong equities market performance starting in the second quarter of 2020. Non–safety net hospitals maintained positive operating margins throughout the pandemic, while safety-net hospitals experienced large losses. Between the first quarter of 2020 and the second quarter of 2021, California safety-net hospitals’ net operating losses were more than $3.2 billion.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study of California hospitals, hospital financial performance was tracked between the first quarter of 2019 and the second quarter of 2021. Although hospitals experienced reduced profits between January 2020 and June 2021, the interventions of government assistance programs were able to mitigate more detrimental fiscal consequences. When compared with non–safety net hospitals, safety-net hospitals were confronted with more concentrated financial losses.
Low‐Temperature Plasma Sintering of Inkjet‐Printed Metal Salt Decomposition Inks on Flexible Substrates
Authors: Leung Tammy Sue-Wuen , Ramon Eloi , Martínez-Domingo Carme
Published: September 2022

Due to their complex formulation, conductive nanoparticle inks for inkjet printing are limited in terms of the types of metals and substrates that can be utilized. A new and simplified class of inks called metal salt decomposition (MSD) inks has the potential to introduce a multitude of metals, which can be printed directly onto a wide range of substrates. Here, the use of atmospheric oxygen plasma to develop polycrystalline Au and Pt films at processing temperatures near room temperature (≈33 °C) with excellent conductivities up to 105 S m−1is demonstrated. The conformal nature of the ink allows metal films to be printed onto a broad range of temperature‐sensitive substrates including polymers, papers, and fabric. The Au ink is then used to build a simple light‐emitting diode circuit showing its flexibility, durability, and long‐term stability as deposited thin metal films. Additionally, such inks cost less than one‐third the price of similar nanoparticle inks highlighting their overall affordability and good stability.
Enhancing the Performance of Bi2S3 in Electrocatalytic and Supercapacitor Applications by Controlling Lattice Strain
Authors: Zhang Hao , Diao Jiefeng , Ouyang Mengzheng , Yadegari Hossein , Mao Mingxuan , Wang Jiaao , Henkelman Graeme , Xie Fang , Riley David Jason
Published: September 2022

Lattice‐strained Bi2S3 with 3D hierarchical structures are prepared through a top‐down route by a topotactic transformation. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) confirm the lattice spacing is expanded by prolonged sulfuration. Performance studies demonstrate that Bi2S3 with the largest lattice expansion (Bi2S3‐9.7%, where 9.7% represents the lattice expansion) exhibits a greater electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity compared to Bi2S3 and Bi2S3‐3.2%. Density functional theory calculations reveal the expansion of the lattice spacing reduces the bandwidth and upshifts the band center of the Bi 3d orbits, facilitating electron exchange with the S 2p orbits. The resultant intrinsic electronic configuration exhibits favorable H* adsorption kinetics and a reduced energy barrier for water dissociation in hydrogen evolution. Operando Raman and post‐mortem characterizations using XRD and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveal the generation of pseudo‐amorphous Bi at the edge of Bi2S3 nanorods of the sample with lattice strain during HER, yielding Bi2S3‐9.7%‐A. It is worth noting when Bi2S3‐9.7%‐A is assembled as a positive electrode in an asymmetric supercapacitor, its performance is greatly superior to that of the same device formed using pristine Bi2S3‐9.7%. The as‐prepared Bi2S3‐9.7%‐A//activated carbon asymmetric supercapacitor achieves a high specific capacitance of 307.4 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, exhibiting high retention of 84.1% after 10 000 cycles.
Super‐Resolution Near‐Infrared Fluorescence Microscopy of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes Using Deep Learning
Authors: Kagan Barak , Hendler-Neumark Adi , Wulf Verena , Kamber Dotan , Ehrlich Roni , Bisker Gili
Published: September 2022

Single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have unique optical and physical properties, with numerous biomedical imaging and sensing applications, owing to their near‐infrared (nIR) fluorescence which overlaps with the biological transparency window. However, their longer emission wavelengths compared to emitters in the visible range result in a lower resolution due to the diffraction limit. Moreover, the elongated high‐aspect‐ratio structure of SWCNTs poses an additional challenge on super‐resolution techniques that assume point emitters. Utilizing the advantages of deep learning and convolutional neural networks, along with the super‐resolution radial fluctuation (SRRF) algorithm for network training, a fast, parameter‐free, computational method is offered for enhancing the spatial resolution of nIR fluorescence images of SWCNTs. An average improvement of 22% in the resolution and 47% in signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) compared to the original images is shown, whereas SRRF leads to only 24% SNR improvement. The approach is demonstrated for a variety of SWCNT densities and length distributions, and a wide range of imaging conditions with challenging SNRs, including real‐time videos, without compromising the temporal resolution. The results open the path for accelerated and accessible super‐resolution of nIR fluorescent SWCNTs images, further advancing their applicability as nanoscale optical probes.
Catalytic Chemodivergent Annulations ofo‐Aminotrifluoroacetophenone and Allenyl Imide through β’‐C−H Functionalization or β/γ‐Bisfunctionalization
Authors: Wang Yu‐Hao , Jyoti Kalita Subarna , Li Wang‐Lai , Xiang Bing‐Sen , Chen Min , Huang Yi‐Yong
Published: September 2022

Lewis base and Brønsted base controlled chemodivergent annulations of α‐methyl substituted allenyl imide ando‐aminotrifluoroacetophenones are realized to afford highly valuable furo[3,2‐b]indol‐2‐ones and dihydroquinolines bearing a CF3‐substituted quaternary stereogenic center. The possible reaction mechanisms are proposed through deuterium labelling experiments. This work demonstrates the unprecedented dual reactivities of α‐methyl substituted allenyl imide with electrophilic−nucleophilic compounds in annulation reactions, and features chemodivergence in transforming allenyl imide through β’‐C−H functionalization via phosphine catalysis and β/γ‐bisfunctionalization via Brønsted base catalysis.

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An Ultralow Power LixTiO2‐Based Synaptic Transistor for Scalable Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc‐Anh , Schneegans Olivier , Salot Raphaël , Lamy Yann , Giapintzakis John , Mai Van Huy , Oukassi Sami
Published: September 2022

Artificial synapses based on electrochemical synaptic transistors (SynTs) have attracted tremendous attention toward massive parallel computing operations. However, most SynTs still suffer from downscaling limitations and high energy consumption. To overcome such drawbacks, a complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) back‐end‐of‐line compatible solid‐state SynT is presented, which includes an ultrathin (10 nm thick) quasiamorphous LixTiO2 channel. A nonvolatile conductance modulation (<75 nS) is achieved through reversible lithium intercalation into the channel, and synaptic functions, such as long‐term potentiation/depression involve ultralow switching energy of 2 fJ µm−2. Moreover, this SynT shows excellent endurance (>105 weight updates) and recognition accuracy (>95% on the MNIST data test using crossbar simulations). Furthermore, a comprehensive electrochemical study allows deeper insight into the specific pseudocapacitive mechanism at the origin of conductance modulation. These results underline the high potential of LixTiO2‐based SynTs for energy‐efficient neuromorphic applications.
A General Strategy for the Asymmetric Preparation of α‐Stereogenic Allyl Silanes, Germanes, and Boronate Esters via Dual Copper Hydride‐ and Palladium‐Catalysis
Authors: Levi Knippel James , Ni Anton Z. , Schuppe Alexander W. , Buchwald Stephen L.
Published: September 2022

α‐Stereogenic allyl metalloids are versatile synthetic intermediates which can undergo various stereocontrolled transformations. Most existing methods to prepare α‐stereogenic allyl metalloids involve multi‐step sequences that curtail the number of compatible substrates and are limited to the synthesis of boronates. Here, we report a general method for the enantioselective preparation of α‐stereogenic allyl metalloids utilizing dual CuH‐ and Pd‐catalysis. This approach leverages a stereoretentive Cu‐to‐Pd transmetalation of an in situ generated alkyl copper species to allow access to enantioenriched allyl silanes, germanes, and boronate esters with broad functional group compatibility.
Engineering of Reversible NIR‐II Redox‐Responsive Fluorescent Probes for Imaging of Inflammation In Vivo
Authors: He Long , He Lin‐Hui , Xu Shuai , Ren Tian‐Bing , Zhang Xing‐Xing , Qin Zuo‐Jia , Zhang Xiao‐Bing , Yuan Lin
Published: September 2022

The second near‐infrared (NIR‐II) fluorescent imaging shows great potential for deep tissue analysis at high resolution in living body owing to low background autofluorescence and photon scattering. However, reversible monitoring of redox homeostasis using NIR‐II fluorescent imaging remains a challenge due to the lack of appropriate probes. In this study, a series of stable and multifunctional NIR‐II dyes (NIR‐II Cy3s) were constructed based on trimethine skeleton. Significantly, introducing the 1,4‐diethyl‐decahydroquinoxaline group to theNIR‐II Cy3snot only effectively increased the wavelength, but also served as an effective response site for HClO, which can be restored by reactive sulfur species (RSS). Based on this,NIR‐II Cy3swere used for reversible monitoring of HClO/RSS‐mediated redox processes in the pathophysiology environment. Finally,NIR‐II Cy3‐988was successfully utilized for assessment of the redox environments and drug treatment effects in acute inflammation model.
A design tool for core‐back timing in foam injection molding
Authors: Taki Kentaro , Menale Marco , Pisante Giovanni , Di Maio Ernesto
Published: September 2022

A visual observation experiment mimicking the pressure history in foam injection molding was utilized to infer the bubbles formation in core‐back operations. The different stages of bubble nucleation, dissolution, and re‐nucleation, corresponding to injection, packing, and core‐back opening, respectively, were studied. A reduction of the number density of re‐nucleated bubbles with respect to first nucleation was observed. In order to understand this observation, the evolution of the blowing agent concentration around the dissolved bubbles was analyzed. A characteristic time was introduced, required to achieve blowing agent uniformity or, equivalently, required to cancel the mass transport‐mediated memory of the system. A numerical model, assuming Fickian behavior, was derived and validated with the experimental results. The study allowed for the development of a predictive tool to design core‐back operations in foam injection molding.
Malic acid production by Aspergillus oryzae: the immobilized fungal fermentation route
Authors: Brink Hendrik G. , Geyer‐Johnson Monique , Swart Reuben M. , Nicol Willie
Published: September 2022

It has been proposed that the microbial bioproduction of chemical precursors could reduce societal overreliance on the petrochemical industry. However, economic implementation remains elusive due to a lack of understanding of the mechanisms involved. The current study evaluated malic acid production using a novel immobilized Aspergillus oryzae fungal bed bioreactor. The experimental procedures involved two different nitrogen sources (urea and (NH4)2SO4), two‐phase growth/production and simultaneous single‐step growth/production runs, the presence and absence of added CO2, the presence and absence of pH control, and the use of glucose and dl‐malate as the carbon sources. The experimental malic acid titers were remarkably poor (between 1.7 and 3.3 g.L−1) in comparison with CaCO3 buffered malic acid titers from literature (concentrations in excess of 100 g.L−1 have been reported reported). In contrast, citric acid was observed to be the main metabolite. The dl‐malate carbon source was consumed with concomitant growth, indicating A. oryzae′s ability to utilize both d and l enantiomers of malic acid. Detailed metabolic flux analyses predicted partial consumption of urea during growth, while (NH4)2SO4 was fully utilized. During the urea runs, significant amounts of glycogen were accumulated in the biomass – which were utilized as substrate during the production run. Nitrogen limitations induced significant lipid production, corresponding to citric acid accumulation in the media; the mechanism for fungal lipid biosynthesis involves citric acid excretion at the expense of malic acid. These results indicate a possible calcareous trigger for malic acid production as opposed to the traditionally accepted nitrogen starvation mechanism – nitrogen starvation resulted in lipid accumulation with corresponding malate loss. © 2022 The Authors. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Gene essentiality and variability: What is the link? A within‐ and between‐species perspective
Authors: Dubois‐Mignon Tania , Monget Philippe
Published: September 2022

A gene is considered essential when its loss of function results in a deleterious phenotype, hugely reducing the organism's viability or fitness. However, the link between the essentiality of a gene and its degree of polymorphism is unclear. In this review, we show that there is a place for a certain degree of variability, even for essential genes. We first study the role of infectious diseases in the prevalence of genetic disorders among humans: balancing selection has selected harmful variants due to the selective pressure of pathogens because the heterozygous carrier can resist them. Then we show that the environment can induce adaptation of species by rapidly evolving genes. We also study the role of positive selection on speciation, particularly upon genes of the immune, reproductive and nervous systems. Finally, we highlight the role of regulatory sequences in changes in morphology between species and adaptation to the environment within species.
Lambda‐PCR for precise DNA assembly and modification
Authors: Tanniche Imen , Fisher Amanda K. , Gillam Frank , Collakova Eva , Zhang Chenming , Bevan David R. , Senger Ryan S.
Published: September 2022

Lambda‐polymerase chain reaction (λ‐PCR) is a novel and open‐source method for DNA assembly and cloning projects. λ‐PCR uses overlap extension to ultimately assemble linear and circular DNA fragments, but it allows the single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) primers of the PCR extension to first exist as double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA). Having dsDNA at this step is advantageous for the stability of large insertion products, to avoid inhibitory secondary structures during direct synthesis, and to reduce costs. Three variations of λ‐PCR were created to convert an initial dsDNA product into an ssDNA “megaprimer” to be used in overlap extension: (i) complete digestion by λ‐exonuclease, (ii) asymmetric PCR, and (iii) partial digestion by λ‐exonuclease. Four case studies are presented that demonstrate the use of λ‐PCR in simple gene cloning, simultaneous multipart assemblies, gene cloning not achievable with commercial kits, and the use of thermodynamic simulations to guide λ‐PCR assembly strategies. High DNA assembly and cloning efficiencies have been achieved with λ‐PCR for a fraction of the cost and time associated with conventional methods and some commercial kits.
Electrostatic potential difference between tumor and paratumor regulates cancer stem cell behavior and prognose tumor spread
Authors: Zhao Haoran , Zhang Weijie , Tang Xiaowei , Galan Edgar A. , Zhu Yinheng , Sang Gan , Khutsishvili Davit , Zheng Honghui , Ma Shaohua
Published: September 2022

Tumor spread is responsible for most deaths related to cancer. Increasing the accuracy of cancer prognosis is critical to reducing the high mortality rates in cancer patients. Here, we report that the electrostatic potential difference (EPD) between tumor and its paratumor tissue is a prognostic marker for tumor spread. This finding is concluded from the patient‐specific EPD values and clinical observation. The electrostatic potential values were measured on tissue cryosections from 51 patients using Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). A total of ~44% (15/34) patients of Vtumor–paratumor > 0 were featured with tumor spread, whereas only ~18% (2/11) patients of Vtumor–paratumor < 0 had tumor spread. Next, we found the increased enrichment of cancer stem cells in paratumors with lower electrostatic potentials using immunofluorescence imaging, which suggested the attribution of tumor spread to the galvanotaxis of cancer stem cells (CSCs) toward lower potential. The findings were finally validated in breast and lung spheroid models composed of differentiated cancer cells and cancer stem cells at the ratio of 1:1 and embedded in Matrigel dopped with negative‐, neutral‐ and positive‐charged polymers and CSCs prefer to spread out of spheroids to lower electrostatic potential sites. This work may inspire the development of diagnostic and prognostic strategies targeting at tissue EPDs and CSCs for tumor therapy.
A Selenium‐Substituted Heptamethine Cyanine Photosensitizer for Near‐Infrared Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Sun Jinghan , Feng Erting , Shao Yutong , Lv Fangyuan , Wu Yingnan , Tian Jiarui , Sun Han , Song Fengling
Published: September 2022

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a relatively safe approach to cancer treatment without significant systemic side effects or drug resistance. However, the current PDT efficiency is unsatisfactory due to the lack of near‐infrared (NIR) photosensitizers. Heptamethine cyanine (Cy7) dyes are well‐known NIR fluorophores and are also used as photosensitizers. But their singlet oxygen quantum yields (ΦΔ) are not ideal. Herein, we developed an NIR photosensitizer with a long‐lived excited triplet state (τ=4.3 μs) by introducing a selenium atom into the structure of a Cy7 dye. The new NIR photosensitizer exhibits a significantly high singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ=0.11). Its good PDT effect was demonstrated in the living cells. Considering that the selenium‐substituted photosensitizer has a very low dark cytotoxicity and good chemical stability, we conclude that it will have a promising future in biomedical and clinical applications.
A rare coincidence of Turner syndrome and bronchiectasis: A case report
Authors: Almoshantaf Mohammad Bader , Swed Sarya , Ezzdean Weaam , Kashkash Fateh , Ghaith Hazem S. , Sawaf Bisher , Motawea Karam R.
Published: September 2022

Similar to bronchiectasis, Turner syndrome is possible to have more pathological manifestations or etiologies than what has already been documented. Slower recovery process is expected when treating a patient with several comorbidities like Turner syndrome. Turner syndrome patients are vulnerable and should be extensively monitored to lower late presentation rates.
Unifying genetic association tests via regression: Prospective and retrospective, parametric and nonparametric, and genotype‐ and allele‐based tests
Authors: Zhang Lin , Sun Lei
Published: September 2022

Genetic association analysis, which evaluates relationships between genetic markers and complex, heritable traits, is the basis of genome‐wide association studies. The many association tests that have been developed can generally be classified as prospective versus retrospective, parametric versus nonparametric, and genotype‐ versus allele‐based. While method classifications are useful, it can be confusing and challenging for practitioners to decide on the “optimal” test to use for their data. We go beyond known differences between some popular association tests and provide new results that show analytical connections between tests, for both population‐ and family‐based study designs.
Intercropping with the potential cadmium hyperaccumulator Solanum photeinocarpum, and its post‐grafting generations, decrease cadmium uptake and promote growth of cherry
Authors: Xiao Yunying , Zhou Lianying , Liu Linxi , Liao Qiuyu , Li Wanzhi , Lin Lijin
Published: September 2022

Cadmium (Cd)‐contaminated soil has affected the fruit production safety. To decrease the Cd accumulation in the fruits, the effects of intercropping with the potential Cd‐hyperaccumulator Solanum photeinocarpum and its post‐grafting generations on the Cd uptake in cherry (Cerasus pseudocerasus) were studied by the pot experiments. Intercropping increased the biomass of cherry seedlings to some extent, and decreased the biomass of S. photeinocarpum and its post‐grafting generations. Intercropping decreased the Cd contents in cherry seedlings, and increased the Cd contents in S. photeinocarpum and its post‐grafting generations. Compared with their respective monoculture, intercropping decreased the shoot Cd content in cherry seedlings by 31.37%–60.70%, and increased the shoot Cd contents in S. photeinocarpum its post‐grafting generations by 18.50%–28.76%. In addition, intercropping also decreased the root‐to‐shoot Cd translocations in both plant species, and decreased the Cd content in the branches and fruits of fruiting cherry trees and the Cd extractions of S. photeinocarpum and its post‐grafting generations. Therefore, intercropping with S. photeinocarpum and its post‐grafting generations can be used to reduce Cd accumulation in cherry for fruit production safety.
Adverse Outcome Pathways for Chronic Copper Toxicity to Fish and Amphibians
Authors: Brix Kevin V. , De Boeck Gudrun , Baken Stijn , Fort Douglas J.
Published: September 2022

In the present review, we synthesize information on the mechanisms of chronic copper (Cu) toxicity using an adverse outcome pathway framework and identify three primary pathways for chronic Cu toxicity: disruption of sodium homeostasis, effects on bioenergetics, and oxidative stress. Unlike acute Cu toxicity, disruption of sodium homeostasis is not a driving mechanism of chronic toxicity, but compensatory responses in this pathway contribute to effects on organism bioenergetics. Effects on bioenergetics clearly contribute to chronic Cu toxicity with impacts at multiple lower levels of biological organization. However, quantitatively translating these impacts into effects on apical endpoints such as growth, amphibian metamorphosis, and reproduction remains elusive and requires further study. Copper-induced oxidative stress occurs in most tissues of aquatic vertebrates and is clearly a significant driver of chronic Cu toxicity. Although antioxidant responses and capacities differ among tissues, there is no clear indication that specific tissues are more sensitive than others to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress leads to increased apoptosis and cellular damage in multiple tissues, including some that contribute to bioenergetic effects. This also includes oxidative damage to tissues involved in neuroendocrine axes and this damage likely alters the normal function of these tissues. Importantly, Cu-induced changes in hormone concentrations and gene expression in endocrine-mediated pathways such as reproductive steroidogenesis and amphibian metamorphosis are likely the result of oxidative stress-induced tissue damage and not endocrine disruption. Overall, we conclude that oxidative stress is likely the primary driver of chronic Cu toxicity in aquatic vertebrates, with bioenergetic effects and compensatory response to disruption of sodium homeostasis contributing to some degree to observed effects on apical endpoints. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2911–2927. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Freshwater Environmental Risk Assessment of Down-the-Drain Octinoxate Emissions in the United States
Authors: Burns Emily E. , Roush Kyle S. , Csiszar Susan A. , Davies Iain A.
Published: September 2022

Organic ultraviolet (UV) filters are used in a variety of cosmetic and personal care products (CPCPs), including sunscreens, due to their ability to absorb solar radiation. These UV filters can be washed down the drain through bathing, cleansing, or the laundering of clothing, therefore UV filters can enter the freshwater environment via wastewater treatment plant effluent, and so a freshwater risk assessment is necessary to establish the environmentally safe use of these important CPCP ingredients. In the present study, an environmental safety assessment for a UV filter of regulatory concern, octinoxate, was conducted. An established risk assessment framework designed specifically for CPCPs released to the freshwater environment in the United States was used for the assessment. A distribution of predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) representative of conditions across the region was calculated using the spatially resolved probabilistic exposure model iSTREEM. A review of available hazard data was conducted to derive a predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC). The safety assessment was conducted by comparing the PEC distribution to the PNEC. A substantial margin of safety was found between the 90th percentile PEC, which is representative of the reasonable worst-case environmental exposure, and the PNEC. Owing to this finding of negligible risk, further refinement of the risk assessment through the generation of experimental data or refinement of conservative assumptions is not prioritized. These results are critical for demonstrating the environmental safety of UV filters in the US freshwater environment and will help guide future work. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:3116–3124. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Does human resource system strength help employees act proactively? The roles of crisis strength and work engagement
Authors: Song Qi , Guo Peiqi , Fu Rong , Cooke Fang Lee , Chen Yang
Published: September 2022

Many empirical studies have elucidated the antecedents and psychological mechanisms of employees' proactive behaviors. However, there is limited knowledge about how a human resource (HR) system helps employees proactively adjust to their changing work environment. Drawing on social exchange theory and event system theory, we developed a theoretical model to examine whether, how, and when perceptions of the HR system strength impact employee proactive behavior during crises. Results from a three‐wave time‐lagged survey of 305 employees in 65 teams in eight Chinese companies indicate that HR system strength creates a strong situation by alleviating employees' uncertainty about how to behave during crises, which stimulates employees' work engagement and subsequent proactive behaviors. Moreover, employees' perceptions of HR system strength are more likely to influence work engagement when employees perceive the COVID‐19 crisis as more severe. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of the findings and outline important future research directions.
Time‐dependent natural convection fluid flow of stably stratified fluid in an asymmetrically heated vertical channel filled with an anisotropic porous material
Authors: Jha Basant K. , Musa Muhammad K. , Ajibade Abiodun O.
Published: September 2022

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the combined effects of anisotropic porous material and thermal stratification on the transient natural convection fluid flow in an asymmetrically heated vertical parallel channel. The solutions of the governing equations for the temperature and velocity fields are obtained using Laplace transform technique, Riemann sum approximation, and the D'Alembert method. The choice of the D'Alembert method is to provide a simple decoupling procedure for the coupled governing equations while still retaining their original orders. The research established that owing to the layering effect induced by the thermal stratification , the temperature and the velocity distributions of the fluid are found to be attenuated with an increase in thermal stratification. It is also observed that the inclusion of anisotropic parameters in the transport equations aids in regulating the fluid velocity, temperature, Nusselt number, skin friction, and mass flow rate. In addition, by neglecting the anisotropic parameter and taking into account the adiabatic stratification of the fluid, the numerical values for the mass flow rate of the present research favorably compared with the numerical results obtained by Singh et al.
The incidence of neoplasm of uncertain behavior of uterus diagnosed after surgery for presumed leiomyoma: A national population‐based study
Authors: Yuk Jin‐Sung , Lee Jung Hun
Published: September 2022

Objective

To investigate the incidence of neoplasm of uncertain behavior of uterus (NUBU) diagnosed after hysterectomy, myomectomy, or hysteroscopy for presumed leiomyomas.

Methods

We performed this population‐based retrospective cohort study using the Korean national health insurance database between January 2002 and December 2018. Women with or without NUBU diagnosed after surgery were extracted using diagnosis codes and procedure codes.

Results

The median age of patients who underwent surgery for presumed leiomyomas was 39 years (interquartile range [IQR] 31–47 years). The median age of women diagnosed with NUBU after surgery was 45 years (IQR 38–49 years). The incidence of NUBU diagnosed after surgery for presumed leiomyomas was 1.89%. The incidences of NUBU diagnosed after hysterectomy, myomectomy, or hysteroscopic myomectomy for presumed leiomyomas were 2.03%, 1.84%, or 1.64%, respectively. There was no difference in the incidence of NUBU according to these surgical methods.

Conclusions

Regardless of the surgical procedure performed, the incidence of NUBU diagnosed after surgery was higher than that of unexpected uterine malignancy diagnosed after hysterectomy (0.19%), myomectomy (0.12%), or hysteroscopic myomectomy (0.86%) for presumed leiomyoma. Compared with unexpected uterine malignancy, NUBU seems to occur in relatively young women.
Therapeutic plasma exchange as adjunct therapy for bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Phachu Deep , Elali Ibrahim , Garay Barbara , Attique Hassan , Kaplan Andre
Published: September 2022

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a rare autoimmune blistering disease caused by pathogenic antibodies which deposit into the dermo‐epidermal junction. We present a case of bullous pemphigoid in a young female refractory to initial therapy with immunosuppressives and steroids who experienced significant improvement in blister burden after a course of adjunct therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). This case report provides valuable insight into the benefit of utilizing TPE for BP and provides treatment specifics regarding use of TPE in a patient with BP.
A simple unstructured kinetic model for anaerobic treatment of a class of agro‐industrial waste
Authors: Arroyo Claudio B. , Mendez‐Acosta Hugo O. , García‐Sandoval Juan P. , Leal‐Ascencio Teresa , Hernandez‐Martinez Eliseo
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND

Dynamic modeling of the anaerobic treatment of agro‐industrial waste can help determine optimal operating conditions to maximize the process performance. For this, it is necessary to select an appropriate model and adapt it to the specific conditions of the substrate. In this work, a simple unstructured kinetic model for the anaerobic treatment of different agro‐industrial waste is proposed. The proposed model considers the three most relevant stages of anaerobic digestion (AD) and can be adapted for the treatment of different substrates, modes of operation (batch or continuous), and/or generated products (VFA or methane production), thus requiring a minimum of process macroscopic measurements.

RESULTS

To evaluate the scope of the model, two case studies were analyzed: (i) methane production from tequila vinasse and agave hydrolysates, and (ii) volatile fatty acids (VFA) and biogas production from raw cheese whey. For each case, parameter estimations were performed using the Levenberg – Marquardt algorithm, which yielded a simplified model with high determination coefficients (R2 > 0.95). Moreover, the kinetic parameters estimated were consistent physically and statistically.

CONCLUSION

Numerical results show that the proposed model can satisfactorily describe the dynamic behavior of the key variables of the three types of agro‐industrial waste evaluated. Therefore, the proposed model might be advantageous to determine the conditions that maximize performance without risking process stability. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).