bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CTLA-4-Ig internalizes CD80 in fibroblast-like synoviocytes from chronic inflammatory arthritis mouse model
Authors: Miura Yoko , Isogai Shyuntaro , Maeda Shinji , Kanazawa Satoshi
Published: September 2022

CD80 interact with CD28 and CTLA-4 on antigen-presenting cells, and function in the co-stimulatory signaling that regulates T cell activity. CTLA-4-Ig is used to treat RA by blocking co-stimulatory signaling. Chronic inflammatory arthritis was induced in D1BC mice using low-dose arthritogenic antigens and treated with CTLA-4-Ig. We performed histopathology of the joints and lymph nodes, serological examination for rheumatoid factors, and flow cytometric analysis of isolated synovial cells, including CD45−FLSs and CD45+synovial macrophages. CTLA-4-Ig treatment ameliorated the chronic inflammatory polyarthritis. There was a decrease in the number of infiltrating lymphoid cells in the joints as well as in the levels of RF-IgG associated with a decrease in the number of B cells in the lymph nodes; more than 15% of CD45−FLSs expressed CD80, and a small number of them expressed PD-L1, indicating the presence of PD-L1/CD80 cis-heterodimers in these cells. CTLA-4-Ig internalized CD80, but not PD-L1, in isolated synovial cells. Gene ontology analysis revealed that CTLA-4-Ig internalization did not significantly alter the expression of inflammation-related genes. The therapeutic effect of CTLA-4-Ig appears to extend beyond the lymph nodes into the inflamed synovial compartment through the synergistic inactivation of T cells by the CD80 and PD-L1 axes.
Quantitative dual-energy CT as a nondestructive tool to identify indicators for fossilized bone in vertebrate paleontology
Authors: Hamm Charlie A. , Hampe Oliver , Mews Jürgen , Günter Christina , Milke Ralf , Witzmann Florian , Savic Lynn J. , Hecht Lutz , Meister Sabine , Hamm Bernd , Asbach Patrick , Diekhoff Torsten
Published: September 2022

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is an imaging technique that combines nondestructive morphological cross-sectional imaging of objects and the quantification of their chemical composition. However, its potential to assist investigations in paleontology has not yet been explored. This study investigates quantitative DECT for the nondestructive density- and element-based material decomposition of fossilized bones. Specifically, DECT was developed and validated for imaging-based calcium and fluorine quantification in bones of five fossil vertebrates from different geological time periods and of one extant vertebrate. The analysis shows that DECT material maps can differentiate bone from surrounding sediment and reveals fluorine as an imaging marker for fossilized bone and a reliable indicator of the age of terrestrial fossils. Moreover, the jaw bone mass of Tyrannosaurus rex showed areas of particularly high fluorine concentrations on DECT, while conventional CT imaging features supported the diagnosis of chronic osteomyelitis. These findings highlight the relevance of radiological imaging techniques in the natural sciences by introducing quantitative DECT imaging as a nondestructive approach for material decomposition in fossilized objects, thereby potentially adding to the toolbox of paleontological studies.
Muscle function and functional performance after pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a prospective observational study
Authors: Pancera Simone , Bianchi Luca N. C. , Porta Roberto , Villafañe Jorge H. , Buraschi Riccardo , Lopomo Nicola F.
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to measure changes in different properties of skeletal muscles and evaluate their contribution and relationship to changes in functional performance after pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD outpatients attending 5 weeks of conventional PR were recruited. Functional performance [5-repetitions sit-to-stand (5STS), and 4-m gait speed (4mGS)], and muscle function (maximal isometric strength, power, force control, and relative concentric and eccentric activation during 5STS) were assessed after PR and 3 months of follow-up. Twenty patients (71 years; 52% of predicted FEV1) completed the study. 4mGS and relative concentric activation during 5STS decreased respectively by 7.7% and 26% between the beginning of PR and follow-up. Quadriceps strength, power, and force control improved by 10.4%, 27.3%, and 15.2%, respectively, from the beginning of PR to follow-up the relative eccentric activation during 5STS explained 31% of the variance in 4mGS changes. In conclusion, functional performance appeared to decline after conventional PR, whereas several properties of skeletal muscles were maintained at follow-up in COPD outpatients. Of note, eccentric contractions might play a role in the improvement of functional performance. Therefore, future studies with interventional design should include eccentric training in PR programs during clinical COPD practice.
Lipidic profiles of patients starting peritoneal dialysis suggest an increased cardiovascular risk beyond classical dyslipidemia biomarkers
Authors: Lluesa Julia Hernández , López-Romero Luis Carlos , Monzó José Jesús Broseta , Marugán Marta Roca , Boyano Iris Viejo , Rodríguez-Espinosa Diana , Gómez-Bori Aina , Orient Amparo Soldevila , Such Ramón Devesa , Perez Pilar Sánchez , Jaras Julio Hernández
Published: September 2022

Patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and an atherogenic lipid profile generated by exposure to high glucose dialysis solutions. In the general population, the reduction of classic lipids biomarkers is associated with improved clinical outcomes; however, the same results have not been seen in PD population, a lack of data this study aims to fulfill. Single-center prospective observational study of a cohort of CKD patients who started renal replacement therapy with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. The differences in the lipid profile and analytical variables before and 6 months after the start of peritoneal dialysis were analyzed. Samples were analyzed on an Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography system. Thirty-nine patients were enrolled in this study. Their mean age was 57.9 ± 16.3 years. A total of 157 endogenous lipid species of 11 lipid subclasses were identified. There were significant increases in total free fatty acids (p < 0.05), diacylglycerides (p < 0.01), triacylglycerides, (p < 0.01), phosphatidylcholines (p < 0.01), phosphatidylethanolamines (p < 0.01), ceramides (p < 0.01), sphingomyelins (p < 0.01), and cholesterol esters (p < 0.01) from baseline to 6 months. However, there were no differences in the classical lipid markers, neither lysophosphatidylcholines, monoacylglycerides, and sphingosine levels. 6 months after the start of the technique, PD patients present changes in the lipidomic profile beyond the classic markers of dyslipidemia.
Effects of different doses of synthetic oxytocin on neonatal instinctive behaviors and breastfeeding
Authors: Zhou Yun , Liu Wenwen , Xu Yang , Zhang Xiaoyan , Miao Yiqun , Wang Aihua , Zhang Yuanyuan
Published: September 2022

Synthetic oxytocin is the current domestic first-line agent of induced labor and labor augmentation, and its potential effects on neonatal neurobehavioral development is currently attracting increased attention. To explore the effect of different doses of synthetic oxytocin on neonatal instinctive breastfeeding behavior and breastfeeding by observing neonatal behaviors during skin-to-skin contact with mothers after delivery. Observations and comparisons of neonatal instinctive behaviors were conducted by using Widström's 9 Stages method. According to the total dosage of oxytocin administered during labor, participants were divided into a low dose group (≤ 2.5 U) of 39 pairs, a medium dose group (> 2.5 U) of 38 pairs, a high dose group (> 7.5 U) of 38 pairs and a control group (no synthetic oxytocin use) of 39 pairs. The occurrence time of newborns' instinctive movements and the duration of each behavior stage for the four groups were also analyzed. The number of exclusive breastfeeding sessions within 3 days after birth and the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months were collected and compared. There were significant differences among the four groups in the occurrence time of raising head or turning head (p = 0.004), eating hands (p = 0.011), moving body (p = 0.001), locating areola (p < 0.001), licking nipples (p = 0.002), containing nipple (p = 0.001), sucking (p < 0.001). There were significant differences among the four groups in the duration of activity (p = 0.004), clawing (p = 0.001), familiarization (p = 0.001), and sucking (p < 0.001). There was also a significant difference in the number of exclusive breastfeeding sessions of 24 h (p = 0.011), 48 h (p < 0.001), 72 h (p = 0.001) after birth among the four groups, but there was no statistical difference in the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months after birth. The intrapartum administration of synthetic oxytocin was associated with the expression of neonatal instinctive breastfeeding. With increases in drug dose, the effect of breast seeking activity and breast attachment was more significant, and the association of synthetic oxytocin on sucking and breastfeeding was dose-dependent.
Mutations conferring SO42− pumping ability on the cyanobacterial anion pump rhodopsin and the resultant unique features of the mutant
Authors: Doi Yuhei , Watanabe Jo , Nii Ryota , Tsukamoto Takashi , Demura Makoto , Sudo Yuki , Kikukawa Takashi
Published: September 2022

Membrane transport proteins can be divided into two types: those that bind substrates in a resting state and those that do not. In this study, we demonstrate that these types can be converted by mutations through a study of two cyanobacterial anion-pumping rhodopsins, Mastigocladopsis repens halorhodopsin (MrHR) and Synechocystis halorhodopsin (SyHR). Anion pump rhodopsins, including MrHR and SyHR, initially bind substrate anions to the protein center and transport them upon illumination. MrHR transports only smaller halide ions, Cl- and Br-, but SyHR also transports SO42−, despite the close sequence similarity to MrHR. We sought a determinant that could confer SO42− pumping ability on MrHR and found that the removal of a negative charge at the anion entrance is a prerequisite for SO42− transport by MrHR. Consistently, the reverse mutation in SyHR significantly weakened SO42− pump activity. Notably, the MrHR and SyHR mutants did not show SO42− induced absorption spectral shifts or changes in the photoreactions, suggesting no bindings of SO42− in their initial states or the bindings to the sites far from the protein centers. In other words, unlike wild-type SyHR, these mutants take up SO42− into their centers after illumination and release it before the ends of the photoreactions.
Comparison of image registration methods for combining laparoscopic video and spectral image data
Authors: Köhler Hannes , Pfahl Annekatrin , Moulla Yusef , Thomaßen Madeleine T. , Maktabi Marianne , Gockel Ines , Neumuth Thomas , Melzer Andreas , Chalopin Claire
Published: September 2022

Laparoscopic procedures can be assisted by intraoperative modalities, such as quantitative perfusion imaging based on fluorescence or hyperspectral data. If these modalities are not available at video frame rate, fast image registration is needed for the visualization in augmented reality. Three feature-based algorithms and one pre-trained deep homography neural network (DH-NN) were tested for single and multi-homography estimation. Fine-tuning was used to bridge the domain gap of the DH-NN for non-rigid registration of laparoscopic images. The methods were validated on two datasets: an open-source record of 750 manually annotated laparoscopic images, presented in this work, and in-vivo data from a novel laparoscopic hyperspectral imaging system. All feature-based single homography methods outperformed the fine-tuned DH-NN in terms of reprojection error, Structural Similarity Index Measure, and processing time. The feature detector and descriptor ORB1000 enabled video-rate registration of laparoscopic images on standard hardware with submillimeter accuracy.
SNP discovery and association study for growth, fatness and meat quality traits in Iberian crossbred pigs
Authors: Óvilo C. , Trakooljul N. , Núñez Y. , Hadlich F. , Murani E. , Ayuso M. , García-Contreras C. , Vázquez-Gómez M. , Rey A. I. , Garcia F. , García-Casco J. M. , López-Bote C. , Isabel B. , González-Bulnes A. , Wimmers K. , Muñoz M.
Published: September 2022

Iberian pigs and its crosses are produced to obtain high-quality meat products. The objective of this work was to evaluate a wide panel of DNA markers, selected by biological and functional criteria, for association with traits related to muscle growth, fatness, meat quality and metabolism. We used 18 crossbred Iberian pigs with divergent postnatal growth patterns for whole genome sequencing and SNP discovery, with over 13 million variants being detected. We selected 1023 missense SNPs located on annotated genes and showing different allele frequencies between pigs with makerdly different growth patterns. We complemented this panel with 192 candidate SNPs obtained from literature mining and from muscle RNAseq data. The selected markers were genotyped in 480 Iberian × Duroc pigs from a commercial population, in which phenotypes were obtained, and an association study was performed for the 1005 successfully genotyped SNPs showing segregation. The results confirmed the effects of several known SNPs in candidate genes (such as LEPR, ACACA, FTO, LIPE or SCD on fatness, growth and fatty acid composition) and also disclosed interesting effects of new SNPs in less known genes such as LRIG3, DENND1B, SOWAHB, EPHX1 or NFE2L2 affecting body weight, average daily gain and adiposity at different ages, or KRT10, NLE1, KCNH2 or AHNAK affecting fatness and FA composition. The results provide a valuable basis for future implementation of marker-assisted selection strategies in swine and contribute to a better understanding of the genetic architecture of relevant traits.
Optical heating and luminescence thermometry combined in a Cr3+-doped YAl3(BO3)4
Authors: Elzbieciak-Piecka K. , Marciniak L.
Published: September 2022

The possibility of optical heating with simultaneous control of the generated light within a single phosphor is particularly attractive from the perspective of multiple applications. This motivates the search for new solutions to enable efficient optical heating. In response to these requirements, based on the high absorption cross-section of Cr3+ ions, the optical heater based on YAl3(BO3)4:Cr3+ exhibiting highly efficient heating is developed. At the same time, the emission intensity ratio of 2E(g) → 4A2(g) and 4T2(g) → 4A2(g) of Cr3+ bands, thanks to the monotonic temperature dependence, enables remote temperature readout of the phosphor using luminescence thermometry technique. The combination of these two functionalities within a single phosphor makes YAl3(BO3)4:Cr3+ a promising, self thermally controlled photothermal agent.
Evaluation of electrolyte element composition in human tissue by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)
Authors: Winnand Philipp , Boernsen K. Olaf , Bodurov Georgi , Lammert Matthias , Hölzle Frank , Modabber Ali
Published: September 2022

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) enables the direct measurement of cell electrolyte concentrations. The utility of LIBS spectra in biomarker studies is limited because these studies rarely consider basic physical principles. The aim of this study was to test the suitability of LIBS spectra as an analytical method for biomarker assays and to evaluate the composition of electrolyte elements in human biomaterial. LIBS as an analytical method was evaluated by establishing KCl calibration curves to demonstrate linearity, by the correct identification of emission lines with corresponding reference spectra, and by the feasibility to use LIBS in human biomaterial, analyzing striated muscle tissues from the oral regions of two patients. Lorentzian peak fit and peak area calculations resulted in better linearity and reduced shot-to-shot variance. Correct quantitative measurement allowed for differentiation of human biomaterial between patients, and determination of the concentration ratios of main electrolytes within human tissue. The clinical significance of LIBS spectra should be evaluated using peak area rather than peak intensity. LIBS might be a promising tool for analyzing a small group of living cells. Due to linearity, specificity and robustness of the proposed analytical method, LIBS could be a component of future biomarker studies.
Isolation and characterization of a Vibrio owensii phage phi50-12
Authors: Lin Ling-Chun , Tsai Yu-Chuan
Published: September 2022

Vibrio owensii is a widely distributed marine vibrio species that causes acute hepatopancreatic necrosis in the larvae of Panulirus ornatus and Penaeus vannamei, and is also associated with Montipora white syndrome in corals. We characterized V. owensii GRA50-12 as a potent pathogen using phenotypic, biochemical, and zebrafish models. A virulent phage, vB_VowP_phi50-12 (phi50-12), belonging to the N4-like Podoviridae, was isolated from the same habitat as that of V. owensii GRA50-12 and characterized. This phage possesses a unique sequence with no similar hits in the public databases and has a short latent time (30 min), a large burst size (106 PFU/infected cell), and a wide range of pH and temperature stabilities. Moreover, phi50-12 also demonstrated a strong lysis ability against V. owensii GRA50-12. SDS-PAGE revealed at least nine structural proteins, four of which were confirmed using LC–MS/MS analysis. The size of the phi50-12 genome was 68,059 bp, with 38.5% G + C content. A total of 101 ORFs were annotated, with 17 ORFs having closely related counterparts in the N4-like vibrio phage. Genomic sequencing confirmed the absence of antibiotic resistance genes or virulence factors. Comparative studies have shown that phi50-12 has a unique genomic arrangement, except for the well-conserved core regions of the N4-like phages. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that it belonged to a group of smaller genomes of N4-like vibrio phages. The therapeutic effect in the zebrafish model suggests that phi50-12 could be a potential candidate for application in the treatment of V. owensii infection or as a biocontrol agent. However, further research must be carried out to confirm the efficacy of phage50-12.
Cross-sectional study of passive opiate smoking in relation to stroke and some of stroke attributable risk factors in women
Authors: Jalali Nazanin , Khalili Parvin , Bahrampour Saeed , Mahmoudabadi Mohammad , Esmaeili Nadimi Ali , Jalali Zahra
Published: September 2022

Opiate use is related to neuropathological disorders, stroke and stroke attributable risk factors. However, secondary exposure to opiate in relation to the above-mentioned complications is studied only in animal models and remains to be evaluated in human populations. We tested whether passive exposure to opiate is associated with stroke and the known stroke predictive factors. We carried out a cross-sectional study of 1541 never smoker women who participated in the Rafsanjan Cohort Study (RCS) with their husbands (2015–2017 recruitment phase). RCS is one of the 19 geographic districts of the Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran (PERSIAN cohort study). Unadjusted and adjusted multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between second-hand opiate exposure (husband opiate smoking after marriage) and the odds ratio of stroke and the following stroke risk factors and predictive parameters: overweight/obesity (BMI > 25), cholesterol (chol) > 200 mg/dl, fasting blood sugar (FBS) > 125 mg/dl, low density lipoprotein (LDL) > 100 mg/dl, triglyceride (TG) >  = 150 mg/dl, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic headache. We observed a significant increased adjusted odds ratio (OR) of stroke (OR = 3.43, 95% CI:1.33–8.82) and its risk factors LDL > 100 mg/dl (OR = 1.37, 95% CI:1.01–1.87) and FBS > 125 mg/dl (OR = 1.58, 95% CI:1.08–2.30) in women associated with husbands’ opiate smoking. This relationship was observed after adjusting for the confounding parameters including age, education years, and first-degree family history of the relevant diseases. The increased odds ratio for stroke and high LDL displayed a dose-sensitive trend with years of husband’s opiate smoking after marriage (respective p-trends: 0.02 & 0.01). We did not observe a significant association between passive opiate smoking and high TG, high Chol or the diseases diabetes, hypertension and chronic headache. However, 89% increased odds ratio of chronic headache was observed to be associated with passive opiate smoking for more than 10 years (OR = 1.89, 95% CI:1.02–3.50). We found an increased risk of stroke and high LDL and FBS in women associated with passive opiate smoking. Furthermore, a dose-sensitive connection was found between the risks of stroke, high LDL and chronic headache with the years of passive opiate exposure. Our results point to the necessity of the future analyses, which further assess whether passive opiate exposure could be considered as an independent risk factor for stroke and metabolic diseases.
Spatial distribution characteristics and evaluation of soil pollution in coal mine areas in Loess Plateau of northern Shaanxi
Authors: Wang Na , Luo Yuhu , Liu Zhe , Sun Yingying
Published: September 2022

The ecological environment in Loess Plateau of Northern Shaanxi is fragile, so the soil pollution caused by the exploitation of coal resources cannot be ignored. With Shigetai Coal Mine in Loess Plateau of Northern Shaanxi as the object of study for field survey and sampling, the content of heavy metals in soil is analyzed, the environmental pollution in the research area is evaluated by the single factor pollution index method, comprehensive pollution index method and potential ecological risk index method, and the spatial distribution characteristics of heavy metals are discussed by the geostatistics method. According to the study results, the average contents of heavy metals Hg, Cd, Pb and Cr are 2.03, 1.36, 1.11 and 1.23 times of the soil background values in Shaanxi Province respectively and the average contents of other heavy metals are lower than the soil background values in Shaanxi Province; Hg and Cd show moderate variation while As, Pb, Cr, Zn, Ni and Cu show strong variation; the skewness coefficients and kurtosis coefficient of Cd, As and Cu in the soil within the research area are relatively high, and these elements are accumulated in large amounts. Single factor pollution index (Pi) and potential ecological risk index (E) indicate that heavy metal Hg is the main pollution factor and mainly distributed in the east and north of the research area. The comprehensive index of potential ecological risk (RI) of the research area is 1336.49, showing an extremely high ecological risk, and the distribution characteristics of potential ecological risk are consistent with that of potential ecological risk index (E) of Hg. The results of ecological risk warning show that Hg is in a slight warning status, while Cd, Pb and Cr are in a warning status. The areas with high ecological risk warning values are mainly distributed in the east and north, and the whole research area shows relatively obvious zonal distribution law. The soil is disturbed greatly during the coal mining, so the ecological governance of the mine area shall adapt to the local natural conditions and regional environmental characteristics and follow the principle of “adjusting governance measures based on specific local conditions and classifications”. An environmentally sustainable governance manner shall be adopted to realize the protection of the ecological environment and high-quality development of coal resources.
Study on the rupture surface morphology and ultimate bearing capacity of a self-anchored test pile
Authors: Zhu Lin , Ma Hailong
Published: September 2022

The expression of the ultimate bearing capacity of the upper uplift pile and the lower compressive pile of a self-anchored test pile was obtained by studying their rupture surface morphology. The upper uplift pile had a composite shear rupture surface shape, and the lower compressive pile had the Meyerhof rupture surface shape. Since the interaction between the upper pile and lower pile of a self-anchored test pile is negligible, the expression form of the ultimate bearing capacity of a self-anchored test pile was obtained based on the transformation formula of its bearing capacity. Under the test conditions, the rupture surface morphology of a self-anchored test pile belongs to the situation when the equilibrium point is inside the rupture surface of the lower compressive pile. The theoretical rupture surface is approximately 0.09 m away from the pile side at ground level (1.8 d, where d is the pile diameter). Compared with the distance of the measured rupture surface of the upper uplift pile to the pile side, the difference value is -2.17%. The calculated ultimate bearing capacities of the upper uplift and lower compressive piles are 1287.34 N and 1201.65 N, respectively. The ultimate bearing capacity of the self-anchored test pile is approximately 2726.16 N. Compared with the experimental values of the upper pile and lower pile of the self-anchored test pile, the difference values are + 0.97% and − 7.57%, respectively. Compared with the experimental values of the traditional test piles, the difference value is − 2.64%. The rupture surface morphology and the expression of the ultimate bearing capacity of the self-anchored test pile in this paper can provide a research basis reference for calculating the ultimate bearing capacity of the self-anchored test piles with different pile sizes and soil properties.
Evolutionary implications of new Postopsyllidiidae from mid-Cretaceous amber from Myanmar and sternorrhynchan nymphal conservatism
Authors: Drohojowska Jowita , Zmarzły Marzena , Szwedo Jacek
Published: September 2022

Nymphs of extinct sternorrhynchan hemipterans are extremely rare, although very important for understanding of evolutionary traits of these insects. A protopsyllidioid nymph, in mid-Cretaceous amber from Kachin, Myanmar, placed in the family Postopsyllidiidae, is the first nymph of this family to be found in the fossil. Postopsyllidiidae previously comprised the sole genus Postopsyllidium with a few species: P. rebeccae, P. grimaldii and P. burmaticum from Kachin amber (Cenomanian) and P. emilyae from Turonian amber of New Jersey. Here, we report a new genus and species of postopsyllid Megalophthallidion burmapteron gen. et sp. nov. (imago) and the first known nymph of the family ascribed to the same genus. An overview of the fossil record of sternorrhynchan nymphs, and the importance of this finding, unlocking a new and complementary window to understanding the evolutionary traits of Protopsyllidioidea and other Sternorrhyncha hemipterans are presented.
Amiodarone improves anemia in a murine model of sickle cell disease and is associated with increased erythrocyte bis(monoacylglycerol) phosphate
Authors: Venugopal Jessica , Wang Jintao , Guo Chiao , Eitzman Daniel T.
Published: September 2022

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with altered plasma and erythrocyte lipid profiles. In a previous study, SCD mice with deficiency of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) were observed to have more severe anemia and increased sickling compared to control SCD mice. Although PCSK9 affects circulating low density lipoprotein (LDL) by regulation of the LDL receptor, the effect of PCSK9 on anemia was independent of LDL receptor expression. In the current study, erythrocyte metabolomics were performed and revealed altered erythrocyte lipid species between SCD mice with and without PCSK9. Of particular interest, the late endosome-specific lipid bis(mono)acylglycerol phosphate (BMP) 44:12 was markedly decreased in erythrocytes from SCD mice deficient in PCSK9 mice relative to control SCD mice. Incubation of sickle erythrocytes with a neutralizing antibody to BMP increased erythrocyte sickling in vitro. In vitro treatment of SCD erythrocytes with amiodarone (1.5 μM) or medroxyprogesterone (6.75 μM), two pharmacologic compounds known to increase BMP, resulted in reduced erythrocyte sickling. Treatment of SCD mice with amiodarone (10 mg/kg) for 2 weeks resulted in increased BMP, improvement in anemia with reduced reticulocytosis, and decreased ex vivo sickling. In conclusion, severity of anemia in SCD is improved with amiodarone treatment, an effect which may be mediated through increased erythrocyte BMP.
Effect of foveal morphology on visual acuity in 4–6-year-old children with retinopathy of prematurity: a J-CREST study
Authors: Nishi Tomo , Ueda Tetsuo , Mizusawa Yuutaro , Shinomiya Kayo , Mitamura Yoshinori , Kimura Naoki , Gomi Fumi , Miki Akiko , Nakamura Makoto , Kinoshita Takamasa , Obata Shumpei , Ohji Masahito , Tsuji Takuya , Yoshida Shigeo , Ogata Nahoko
Published: September 2022

Laser therapy is the most effective treatment considered for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). We compared the foveal morphology of the retina in eyes with a history of ROP to that of full-term children. This cross-sectional comparative study included 74 patients with a history of ROP, aged 4–6 years. Among them, 41 underwent laser treatment for ROP. The clinical findings and retinal morphology in these patients were compared to that of 33 patients who had spontaneous ROP regression and 30 age-matched full-term controls. All the patients with ROP had 20/40 or better best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). The foveal thickness was significantly thicker in laser-treated ROP eyes than in regressed ROP eyes and controls. The outer nuclear layer was significantly thicker, and the inner segment (IS) of the photoreceptors and the inner retinal layer were significantly thicker in the laser-treated ROP eyes than that in the control eyes. In the patients with ROP and controls, better BCVA was associated positively with deeper foveal depression, which was associated with a later gestational age. Our results suggest that prematurity and laser treatment affect the foveal morphology and BCVA.
Addressing racial disparities in surgical care with machine learning
Authors: Halamka John , Bydon Mohamad , Cerrato Paul , Bhagra Anjali
Published: September 2022

There is ample evidence to demonstrate that discrimination against several population subgroups interferes with their ability to receive optimal surgical care. This bias can take many forms, including limited access to medical services, poor quality of care, and inadequate insurance coverage. While such inequalities will require numerous cultural, ethical, and sociological solutions, artificial intelligence-based algorithms may help address the problem by detecting bias in the data sets currently being used to make medical decisions. However, such AI-based solutions are only in early development. The purpose of this commentary is to serve as a call to action to encourage investigators and funding agencies to invest in the development of these digital tools.
Increased very low frequency pulsations and decreased cardiorespiratory pulsations suggest altered brain clearance in narcolepsy
Authors: Järvelä Matti , Kananen Janne , Korhonen Vesa , Huotari Niko , Ansakorpi Hanna , Kiviniemi Vesa
Published: September 2022

Background

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disease characterized by daytime sleep attacks, cataplexy, and fragmented sleep. The disease is hypothesized to arise from destruction or dysfunction of hypothalamic hypocretin-producing cells that innervate wake-promoting systems including the ascending arousal network (AAN), which regulates arousal via release of neurotransmitters like noradrenalin. Brain pulsations are thought to drive intracranial cerebrospinal fluid flow linked to brain metabolite transfer that sustains homeostasis. This flow increases in sleep and is suppressed by noradrenalin in the awake state. Here we tested the hypothesis that narcolepsy is associated with altered brain pulsations, and if these pulsations can differentiate narcolepsy type 1 from healthy controls.

Methods

In this case-control study, 23 patients with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) were imaged with ultrafast fMRI (MREG) along with 23 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). The physiological brain pulsations were quantified as the frequency-wise signal variance. Clinical relevance of the pulsations was investigated with correlation and receiving operating characteristic analysis.

Results

We find that variance and fractional variance in the very low frequency (MREGvlf) band are greater in NT1 compared to HC, while cardiac (MREGcard) and respiratory band variances are lower. Interestingly, these pulsations differences are prominent in the AAN region. We further find that fractional variance in MREGvlf shows promise as an effective bi-classification metric (AUC = 81.4%/78.5%), and that disease severity measured with narcolepsy severity score correlates with MREGcard variance (R = −0.48, p = 0.0249).

Conclusions

We suggest that our novel results reflect impaired CSF dynamics that may be linked to altered glymphatic circulation in narcolepsy type 1.
Origin and Emission of Volatile Biomarkers in Breath: End-tidal Perspective
Authors: Ruzsanyi V. , Lochmann F. , Jürschik S. , Mochalski P. , Unterkofler K. , Mayhew C. A.
Published: September 2022

Exhaled human breath is a complex chemical environment containing a large number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at trace concentrations (typically in the range from subparts per trillion by volume up to hundreds of parts per million by volume) and variable levels that create the breath volatilome. The concentrations of these VOCs often reflect metabolic and oxidative stress processes in the body, which can be influenced by external factors, such as VOCs that are directly associated with or metabolized from chemicals present in the environment, food, drugs and drink. The use of exhaled breath VOCs as biomarkers enhances noninvasive clinical diagnosis, screening and monitoring because these small molecular species are often the final products or by-products of vital metabolic pathways occurring in the human organism, or they are exogenous compounds that are not metabolized. They predominantly originate from the blood and symbiotic bacteria in the gut. Diseases, infections, treatments and medications alter the breath volatilome. Infections include pathogenic bacteria, viruses and fungi, which may be present in the bloodstream, lungs, upper airways and mouth. This chapter provides a detailed review of the origins and emissions of VOCs found in breath and their potential promise for use as biomarkers or indicators for health, infection, and disease and for their value in therapeutic monitoring.
Origin and Emission of Volatile Biomarkers from Feces
Authors: Slater R. , Farrow O. , George M. , Probert C. S.
Published: September 2022

Diagnosis and monitoring of gastrointestinal disorders usually require invasive procedures. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from biological matrices detected in feces serves as an expression of diet, intestinal microbiome and disease states. This chapter focuses the analysis, sources and use of VOCs from feces in gastrointestinal disorders, referring to two main tools. The first is gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), which identifies and quantifies specific VOC components and their concentrations. The second is sensors array or e-noses, which analyze collective VOC patterns of feces, which is a faster and more affordable approach for point-of-care applications. The application of these modalities to colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome are presented and discussed.
Origin and Emission of Volatile Biomarkers from Urine
Authors: Taunk Khushman , Kalita Bhargab , Tamhankar Anup , Naiya Tufan , Rapole Srikanth
Published: September 2022

Since ancient times, urine has been used as an important biofluid for the diagnosis of disease. Being a rich source of biomolecules, urine provides information about alterations in critical metabolic processes affected by diseases or other conditions. This chapter discusses the potential of the identification and quantification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in urine for screening severe diseases among large populations to achieve an early diagnosis. It shows that urinary VOCs can be used as an efficient screening tool, especially in countries having poor healthcare facilities. Although in its early stage of development, urinary VOC biosignatures have gained confidence among researchers in terms of the applicability from bench to bedside.
Origin and Emission of Volatile Biomarkers from Genital Fluid
Authors: Rodriguez-Esquivel Miriam , Flores-Valdivia Alejandra , Salcedo Emmanuel , de Jesús Nambo-Lucio María , Salcedo Mauricio
Published: September 2022

Gynecological diseases are comprised of a series of conditions that affect the female reproductive tract by their communicable or noncommunicable status. To date, gynecological cancers, such as cervical, ovarian and endometrial, represent a serious public health concern worldwide that requires urgent attention, largely due to the lack of diagnostic markers and screening methods (cervical cancer is an exception). Different omics approaches have been used, highlighting the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which stand out as a fast, economical and sensitive alternative to screening. The analysis of genital fluids, unlike urine, blood and breath, has been rare. The origin of the VOCs harbored in the genital fluids of healthy women and cervical cancer patients is discussed in the current chapter, as well as how these, alongside VOCs present in other fluids such as blood and urine, could become involved in the design of screening tools for early detection of disorders.
Signal Transfer and Transduction between Cells
Authors: Serasanambati Mamatha , Hashoul Dina , Haick Hossam
Published: September 2022

Cell-to-cell communication has a critical role during tumor development and progression, allowing cancer cells to reprogram not only the surrounding tumor microenvironment, but also cells located at distant sites. This chapter focuses on the potential role of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as signaling/communication agents that exchange over relatively long distances between cells and/or from one cell to another destination. The chapter also discusses VOC signaling as an alternative and/or complementary perspective to proteomic and genomic approaches in monitoring cancer development.
Monitoring Drug Pharmacokinetics
Authors: Schmidt F. , Osswald M. , Zenobi R. , Kohler M.
Published: September 2022

Monitoring of drug pharmacokinetics is used in personalized therapy, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), toxicology assessments, doping controls and clinical drug development. Drugs are predominantly measured in plasma, serum or urine. Monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in breath has so far not received much attention, but nevertheless it has many advantages over conventional approaches. This chapter presents the principles of basic pharmacokinetics, focusing on volatiles and related physiological concepts. It also offers a comprehensive overview of drugs detected in exhaled breath. Finally, it also presents the necessary analytical and sensing tools to monitor volatile organic drugs, with selected pharmaceutical examples by which their potential is discussed.
Adaptive and Biocompatible Technologies
Authors: Zniber Mohammed , Khatib Muhammad , Huynh Tan-Phat
Published: September 2022

Adaptive and biocompatible technologies are highly required in health applications, including point-of-care and wearable devices for monitoring volatile biomarkers. The current chapter introduces adaptive technologies that occur at the device level, such as self-healing, flexibility and stretchability but also those that take place on the control system related to signal processing and multivariate analysis of VOCs data. The chapter also discusses biocompatible materials and their implementation as collection kits for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and related sensing devices.
Data Analysis
Authors: Ionescu R. , Jaimes-Mogollón A. L.
Published: September 2022

Data analysis aims to decipher a useful meaning behind the signals acquired by analysis systems of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Signal processing determinedly depends on the technique employed to analyze the samples. As presented in previous chapters, a big difference is noted between the chromatograms provided by the data-rich analytical techniques and the multivariate sensor signals and is reflected in how they are analyzed. Machine learning and artificial intelligence are applied for training a classification model and learning a specific VOCs pattern associated with a certain health condition, which is then searched for in any new sample analyzed. Statistical tests are employed to find significant differences between samples and between specific compounds in the samples, which could eventually represent possible disease biomarkers. Statistical methodologies are also applied to assess the performance of the diagnostic tests developed based on VOC samples analysis. All these aspects are presented and discussed in this chapter, in which the most relevant approaches employed in data analysis applied in the field of volatile biomarkers for human health are presented, without pretending, however, to achieve full exhaustiveness.
Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Marco Santiago
Published: September 2022

Current untargeted volatilomics aimed at predicting phenotypes from the analysis of biofluids and discovering informative biomarkers are largely based on machine learning methods. This chapter reviews the main tools and challenges in the development of the predictive machine learning model from the study design to the validation phase. Biomarker discovery based on feature selection is also reviewed.
Volatile Biomarkers in Clinical Decision Support Systems
Authors: Haick Hossam
Published: September 2022

This chapter offers a brief overview of the integration of medical instruments and sensors with artificial intelligence (AI) for advanced clinical decision support systems, which could help decision makers and healthcare systems to improve in the approach to information, insights and surrounding contexts of health, as well as to promote the uptake of personalized medicine. Relying on these systems, volatile organic compound (VOC) sensing devices could enable interactive and evolving clinical decisions for use in evidence-based analysis and recommendations as well as for personalized monitoring of disease progress and treatment. The ongoing challenges and future opportunities associated with VOC-enabled medical sensors in clinical decisions are presented and discussed.
Advances and future trends in selective oxidation catalysis: a critical review
Authors: Yadav Ganapati D. , Mewada Rajubhai K. , Wagh Dipti P. , Manyar Haresh G.
Published: September 2022

Selective or partial oxidation of organic compounds has great industrial significance and the intermediates formed in oxidation reactions are used to synthesize pharmaceuticals, perfumes, plastics, pesticides, petrochemicals, dyes, and agrochemicals.
Valence-variable thiospinels for ampere-scale water electrolysis
Authors: Bo Shuowen , Tang Fumin , Su Hui , Zhang Xiuxiu , Yu Feifan , Zhou Wanlin , Liu Meihuan , Cheng Weiren , Han Juguang , Liu Qinghua
Published: September 2022

We design a new class of valence-variable metal modified thiospinel v-M–CuCo2S4/NF catalysts for large current density OER performance, which promotes the generation of an oxyhydroxide-like active phase with a contractive interatomic Co–Co distance.
Texture evolution in rhombohedral boron carbide films grown on 4H-SiC(0001̄) and 4H-SiC(0001) substrates by chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Souqui Laurent , Sharma Sachin , Högberg Hans , Pedersen Henrik
Published: September 2022

Boron carbide in its rhombohedral form (r-B4C) is grown epitaxially by chemical vapor deposition on 4H-SiC.
Selective recognition and extraction of arsenate by a urea-functionalized tripodal receptor from competitive aqueous media
Authors: Dey Sandeep Kumar , Gil-Hernández Beatriz , Gobre Vivekanand V. , Woschko Dennis , Harmalkar Sarvesh S. , Gayen Firdaus Rahaman , Saha Biswajit , Goswamee Rajib Lochan , Janiak Christoph
Published: September 2022

A urea-functionalized tripodal receptor facilitated the selective extraction of pentavalent arsenate trianion (AsO43−) from aqueous media in the presence of several competitive anions by encapsulation of the oxoanion within a capsular assembly.
Isoelectronic Pt(ii) complexes of cyclometalating C^N^N ligands with phenyl/(benzo)thiophenyl and pyridyl/(benzo)thiazolyl moieties
Authors: Krause Maren , Friedel Joshua , Buss Stefan , Brünink Dana , Berger Annemarie , Strassert Cristian A. , Doltsinis Nikos L. , Klein Axel
Published: September 2022

A photophysical study on cyclometalated Pt(ii) complexes [Pt(C^N^N)X] (X = Cl, CCPh, CCC6F5) with extended variations of the C^N^N ligand moieties.
IL-4-activated C/EBPβ is involved in alveolar macrophage polarization towards the M2 phenotype during pulmonary fibrosis induced by single-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Zhu Jiaojiao , Yang Shuxin , Yao Zhuomeng , Zhao Sujuan , Wang Yan , Zhou Chengfan , Zhu Qixing , Shen Tong
Published: September 2022

IL-4-activated C/EBPβ participated in SWCNT-mediated M2 AM polarization and fibrogenesis, and IL-4 may serve a therapeutic target for nanoparticle-induced fibrogenesis.
Role of the gut microbiota in dietary patterns rich in torularhodinviaOSA colon-targeted delivery
Authors: Liu Chang , Li Xingming , Li Jiayi , Yang Fangwei , Guo Yahui , Yao Weirong , Qian He , Cheng Yuliang
Published: September 2022

Torularhodin is a carotenoid with various functions, and carotenoids can be used by the gut microbiota.
In vitro gastrointestinal bioaccessibility and colonic fermentation of lignans from fresh, fermented, and germinated flaxseed
Authors: Hussain Zaki Umi Kalsum , Fryganas Christos , Trijsburg Laura , Feskens Edith J. M. , Capuano Edoardo
Published: September 2022

Fermented flaxseed improves lignan (SECO) bioaccessibility in the gastrointestinal phase, release and conversion to enterolactone during colon fermentation.
Recent trends in covalent organic frameworks (COFs) for carbon dioxide reduction
Authors: Sarkar Priyanka , Chowdhury Ipsita Hazra , Das Surya , Islam Sk. Manirul
Published: September 2022

The review provides a concise report on various types of COFs, current trends, their application in CO2reductionviaphotochemical, electrochemical and photo coupled electrochemical pathways.
Design of LCST-type phase separation of poly(4-hydroxystyrene)
Authors: Inaba Natsuki , Hashimoto Kota , Kubota Miwa , Matsuoka Keitaro , Sada Kazuki
Published: September 2022

Designed LCST-type phase separation in organic media.
Heterogeneous Ni3P/Ni nanoparticles with optimized Ni active sites anchored in N-doped mesoporous nanofibers for boosting pH-universal hydrogen evolution
Authors: Fu Changle , Feng Liangliang , Yin Hongyan , Li Yuhang , Xie Yajie , Feng Yongqiang , Zhao Yajuan , Cao Liyun , Huang Jianfeng , Liu Yipu
Published: September 2022

A novel tactic of synergetic electronic coupling is successfully developed for rendering metal-rich phosphides as an efficient pH-universal electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction.
Synthesis of 10H-indolo[1,2-a]indol-10-ones via palladium-catalyzed C–H bond activation and difluorocarbene transfer
Authors: Hu Chengxian , Mou Dan , Zhang Xi , Fu Ying , Huo Congde , Du Zhengyin
Published: September 2022

A Pd-catalyzed annulation between 1-(2-iodophenyl)-1H-indoles and sodium difluorochloroacetate has been developed to synthesize 10H-indolo[1,2-a]indol-10-one derivatives via C–H bond activation and difluorocarbene transfer.