bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An integrase toolbox to record gene-expression during plant development
Authors: Guiziou Sarah , Maranas Cassandra J. , Chu Jonah C. , Nemhauser Jennifer L.
Published: April 2023

There are many open questions about the mechanisms that coordinate the dynamic, multicellular behaviors required for organogenesis. Synthetic circuits that can record in vivo signaling networks have been critical in elucidating animal development. Here, we report on the transfer of this technology to plants using orthogonal serine integrases to mediate site-specific and irreversible DNA recombination visualized by switching between fluorescent reporters. When combined with promoters expressed during lateral root initiation, integrases amplify reporter signal and permanently mark all descendants. In addition, we present a suite of methods to tune the threshold for integrase switching, including: RNA/protein degradation tags, a nuclear localization signal, and a split-intein system. These tools improve the robustness of integrase-mediated switching with different promoters and the stability of switching behavior over multiple generations. Although each promoter requires tuning for optimal performance, this integrase toolbox can be used to build history-dependent circuits to decode the order of expression during organogenesis in many contexts.
Towards the ground state of molecules via diffusion Monte Carlo on neural networks
Authors: Ren Weiluo , Fu Weizhong , Wu Xiaojie , Chen Ji
Published: April 2023

Diffusion Monte Carlo (DMC) based on fixed-node approximation has enjoyed significant developments in the past decades and become one of the go-to methods when accurate ground state energy of molecules and materials is needed. However, the inaccurate nodal structure hinders the application of DMC for more challenging electronic correlation problems. In this work, we apply the neural-network based trial wavefunction in fixed-node DMC, which allows accurate calculations of a broad range of atomic and molecular systems of different electronic characteristics. Our method is superior in both accuracy and efficiency compared to state-of-the-art neural network methods using variational Monte Carlo (VMC). We also introduce an extrapolation scheme based on the empirical linearity between VMC and DMC energies, and significantly improve our binding energy calculation. Overall, this computational framework provides a benchmark for accurate solutions of correlated electronic wavefunction and also sheds light on the chemical understanding of molecules.
Chance promoter activities illuminate the origins of eukaryotic intergenic transcriptions
Authors: Xu Haiqing , Li Chuan , Xu Chuan , Zhang Jianzhi
Published: April 2023

It is debated whether the pervasive intergenic transcription from eukaryotic genomes has functional significance or simply reflects the promiscuity of RNA polymerases. We approach this question by comparing chance promoter activities with the expression levels of intergenic regions in the model eukaryoteSaccharomyces cerevisiae. We build a library of over 105strains, each carrying a 120-nucleotide, chromosomally integrated, completely random sequence driving the potential transcription of a barcode. Quantifying the RNA concentration of each barcode in two environments reveals that 41–63% of random sequences have significant, albeit usually low, promoter activities. Therefore, even in eukaryotes, where the presence of chromatin is thought to repress transcription, chance transcription is prevalent. We find that only 1–5% of yeast intergenic transcriptions are unattributable to chance promoter activities or neighboring gene expressions, and these transcriptions exhibit higher-than-expected environment-specificity. These findings suggest that only a minute fraction of intergenic transcription is functional in yeast.
Amyloid-polysaccharide interfacial coacervates as therapeutic materials
Authors: Peydayesh Mohammad , Kistler Sabrina , Zhou Jiangtao , Lutz-Bueno Viviane , Victorelli Francesca Damiani , Meneguin Andréia Bagliotti , Spósito Larissa , Bauab Tais Maria , Chorilli Marlus , Mezzenga Raffaele
Published: April 2023

Coacervation via liquid-liquid phase separation provides an excellent opportunity to address the challenges of designing nanostructured biomaterials with multiple functionalities. Protein-polysaccharide coacervates, in particular, offer an appealing strategy to target biomaterial scaffolds, but these systems suffer from the low mechanical and chemical stabilities of protein-based condensates. Here we overcome these limitations by transforming native proteins into amyloid fibrils and demonstrate that the coacervation of cationic protein amyloids and anionic linear polysaccharides results in the interfacial self-assembly of biomaterials with precise control of their structure and properties. The coacervates present a highly ordered asymmetric architecture with amyloid fibrils on one side and the polysaccharide on the other. We demonstrate the excellent performance of these coacervates for gastric ulcer protection by validating via an in vivo assay their therapeutic effect as engineered microparticles. These results point at amyloid-polysaccharides coacervates as an original and effective biomaterial for multiple uses in internal medicine.
Shorter leukocyte telomere length protects against NAFLD progression in children
Authors: Wojcicki Janet M. , Gill Ryan M. , Wilson Laura , Lin Jue , Rosenthal Philip
Published: April 2023

Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) gets shorter with each cell division and is also sensitive to reactive oxygen species damage and inflammatory processes. Studies in adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have found that increased fibrosis but not ALT levels are associated with shorter LTL. Few pediatric studies have been conducted; as such, we sought to evaluate potential associations between LTL and liver disease and liver disease progression in pediatric patients. Using data from the Treatment of NAFLD in Children (TONIC) randomized controlled trial, we assessed the potential predictive relationship between LTL and liver disease progression based on two successive liver biopsies over 96 weeks. We assessed the potential relationship between LTL and child age, sex, and race/ethnicity and features of liver disease including components of histology. We subsequently evaluated predictors for improvement in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) at 96 weeks including LTL. We also assessed predictors of lobular inflammation improvement at 96 weeks using multivariable models. Mean LTL at baseline was 1.33 ± 0.23 T/S. Increasing lobular and portal inflammation were associated with longer LTL. In multivariable models, greater lobular inflammation at baseline was associated with longer LTL (Coeff 0.03, 95% CI 0.006–0.13; p = 0.03). Longer LTL at baseline was associated with worsening lobular inflammation at 96 weeks (Coeff 2.41, 95% CI 0.78–4.04; p < 0.01). There was no association between liver fibrosis and LTL. The association between LTL and pediatric NASH does not parallel adults with no association between fibrosis stage and NASH. Conversely, longer LTL was associated with more lobular inflammation at baseline and increased lobular inflammation over the 96-week period. Longer LTL in children may indicate greater risk for future complications from NASH.
Dynamics of inflammatory cytokine expression in bovine endometrial cells exposed to cow blood plasma small extracellular vesicles (sEV) may reflect high fertility
Authors: Abeysinghe Pevindu , Turner Natalie , Mosaad Eman , Logan Jayden , Mitchell Murray D.
Published: April 2023

Aberrant inflammation in the endometrium impairs reproduction and leads to poor fertility. Small extracellular vesicles (sEV) are nanoparticles 30–200 nm in-size and contain transferable bioactive molecules that reflect the parent cell. Holstein–Friesian dairy cows with divergent genetic merit, high- (n = 10) and low-fertile (n = 10), were identified based on fertility breeding value (FBV), cow ovulation synchronization and postpartum anovulatory intervals (PPAI). In this study, we evaluated the effects of sEVs enriched from plasma of high-fertile (HF-EXO) and low-fertile (LF-EXO) dairy cows on inflammatory mediator expression by bovine endometrial epithelial (bEEL) and stromal (bCSC) cells. Exposure to HF-EXO in bCSC and bEEL cells yielded lower expression of PTGS1 and PTGS2 compared to the control. In bCSC cells exposed to HF-EXO, pro-inflammatory cytokine IL1-α was downregulated compared to the untreated control, IL-12α and IL-8 were downregulated compared to the LF-EXO treatment. Our findings demonstrate that sEVs interact with both endometrial epithelial and stromal cells to initiate differential gene expression, specifically genes relate to inflammation. Therefore, even subtle changes on the inflammatory gene cascade in the endometrium via sEV may affect reproductive performance and/or outcomes. Further, sEV from high-fertile animals acts in a unique direction to deactivate prostaglandin synthases in both bCSC and bEEL cells and deactivate pro-inflammatory cytokines in the endometrial stroma. The results suggest that circulating sEV may serve as a potential biomarker of fertility.
A smart privacy preserving framework for industrial IoT using hybrid meta-heuristic algorithm
Authors: Kumar Mohit , Mukherjee Priya , Verma Sahil , Kavita  , Shafi Jana , Wozniak Marcin , Ijaz Muhammad Fazal
Published: April 2023

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) seeks more attention in attaining enormous opportunities in the field of Industry 4.0. But there exist severe challenges related to data privacy and security when processing the automatic and practical data collection and monitoring over industrial applications in IIoT. Traditional user authentication strategies in IIoT are affected by single factor authentication, which leads to poor adaptability along with the increasing users count and different user categories. For addressing such issue, this paper aims to implement the privacy preservation model in IIoT using the advancements of artificial intelligent techniques. The two major stages of the designed system are the sanitization and restoration of IIoT data. Data sanitization hides the sensitive information in IIoT for preventing it from leakage of information. Moreover, the designed sanitization procedure performs the optimal key generation by a new Grasshopper–Black Hole Optimization (G–BHO) algorithm. A multi-objective function involving the parameters like degree of modification, hiding rate, correlation coefficient between the actual data and restored data, and information preservation rate was derived and utilized for generating optimal key. The simulation result establishes the dominance of the proposed model over other state-of the-art models in terms of various performance metrics. In respect of privacy preservation, the proposed G–BHO algorithm has achieved 1%, 15.2%, 12.6%, and 1% enhanced result than JA, GWO, GOA, and BHO, respectively.
Effects of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on left ventricular performance in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Kim Se-Eun , Seo Jiwon , Kwon Younghoon , Cho Iksung , Shim Chi Young , Ha Jong-Won , Hong Geu-Ru
Published: April 2023

We investigated myocardial performance concerning obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity and the benefits of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. In this randomized sham-controlled trial, 52 patients (mean age, 49 years; 92%, males; mean AHI, 59) with severe OSA were randomly assigned to receive either CPAP or sham treatment for 3 months. The severity of OSA was determined using the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI), percentage of sleep time below 90% oxygen saturation (T90), and average O2 saturation during sleep (mean SpO2). We compared the changes in myocardial work after 3 months of CPAP (n = 26) versus the sham group (n = 26) at rest and during an exercise stress test. Unlike AHI or ODI, indices of hypoxemia including T90 and mean SpO2 were significantly correlated with global constructive work, as defined by work of left ventricle (LV) that contributes to LV ejection during systole (T90, β = 0.393, p = 0.012; mean SpO2, β = 0.331, p = 0.048), and global wasted work (GWW), as defined by work of LV that does not contribute to LV ejection (T90, β = 0.363, p = 0.015; mean SpO2, β =  − 0.370, p = 0.019). After 3 months, GWW decreased (80.0 ± 49.2 to 60.8 ± 26.3, p = 0.009) and global work efficiency increased (94.0 ± 4.5 to 95.7 ± 2.0, p = 0.008) in the CPAP group compared to those in the sham group. At the 3-month follow-up exercise stress echocardiography, worsening of GWW during exercise was significantly decreased in the CPAP group compared to that in the sham group (p = 0.045 at 50 W). Hypoxemia indices were closely associated with myocardial performance in patients with severe OSA. CPAP treatment for 3 months improved left ventricular myocardial performance by decreasing wasted work and increasing work efficacy compared to the sham treatment.
Guilt-inducing interaction with others modulates subsequent attentional orienting via their gaze
Authors: Zhao Wen , Yang Jiajia , Hu Zhonghua
Published: April 2023

Gaze direction can trigger social attentional orientation, characterised by a speeded reaction time in detecting targets appearing in a gazed-at location compared with those appearing in other locations. This is called the ‘gaze-cueing effect’ (GCE). Here, we investigated whether a feeling of guilt established through prior interaction with a cueing face could modulate the gaze-cueing effect. Participants first completed a guilt-induction task using a modified dot-estimation paradigm to associate the feeling of guilt with a specific face, after which the face that had established the binding relationship was used as the stimulus in a gaze-cueing task. The results showed that guilt-directed faces and control faces induce equal magnitudes of gaze-cueing effect in 200 ms of stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA), while guilt-directed faces induce a smaller gaze-cueing effect than control faces in 700 ms SOA. These findings provide preliminary evidence that guilt may modulate social attention triggered by eye gaze at a later stage of processing but not in the earlier stages.
Suppressive effects of increasing mungbean density on growth and reproduction of junglerice and feather fingergrass
Authors: Matloob Amar , Mobli Ahmadreza , Chauhan Bhagirath Singh
Published: April 2023

Increased planting density can provide crops a competitive advantage over weeds. This study appraised the growth and seed production of two noxious grassy weeds, i.e. feather fingergrass (Chloris virgata SW.) and junglerice [Echinochloa colona (L.) Link] in response to different mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] densities (0, 82, 164, 242, and 328 plants m−2). A target-neighbourhood study was conducted using a completely randomized design with five replications, and there were two experimental runs in 2016–2017. The leaf, stem, and total aboveground biomass of C. virgata was 86, 59, and 76% greater than E. colona. For seed production, E. colona outnumbered C. virgata by producing 74% more seeds. Mungbean density-mediated suppression of height was more pronounced for E. colona compared with C. virgata during the first 42 days. The presence of 164–328 mungbean plants m−2 reduced the number of leaves of E. colona and C. virgata by 53–72% and 52–57%, respectively. The reduction in the inflorescence number caused by the highest mungbean density was higher for C. virgata than E. colona. C. virgata and E. colona growing with mungbean produced 81 and 79% fewer seeds per plant. An increase in mungbean density from 82 to 328 plants m−2 reduced the total aboveground biomass of C. virgata and E. colona by 45–63% and 44–67%, respectively. Increased mungbean plant density can suppress weed growth and seed production. Although increased crop density contributes to better weed management, supplemental weed control will be needed.
Adsorption of methylene blue from textile industrial wastewater using activated carbon developed from Rumex abyssinicus plant
Authors: Fito Jemal , Abewaa Mikiyas , Mengistu Ashagrie , Angassa Kenatu , Ambaye Abera Demeke , Moyo Welldone , Nkambule Thabo
Published: April 2023

Methylene blue (MB) is abundantly found in textile industrial effluent which can cause severe health problems for public and environmental ecology. Therefore, this study aimed to remove MB from textile wastewater using the activated carbon developed from Rumexabyssinicus. The adsorbent was activated using chemical and thermal methods, and then it was characterized by SEM, FTIR, BET, XRD, and pH zero-point charge (pHpzc). The adsorption isotherm and kinetics were also investigated. The experimental design was composed of four factors at three levels (pH (3, 6, and 9), initial MB concentration (100, 150, and 200 mg/L), adsorbent dosage (20, 40, and 60 mg/100 mL), and contact time (20, 40, and 60 min)). The adsorption interaction was evaluated using response surface methodology. The characterization of a Rumexabyssinicus activated carbon was found to have multiple functional groups (FTIR), an amorphous structure (XRD), crack with ups and down morphology (SEM), pHpzc of 5.03 and a high BET-specific surface area of 2522 m2/g. The optimization of MB dye removal was carried out using the Response Surface methodology coupled with the Box Behnken approach. The maximum removal efficiency of 99.9% was recorded at optimum conditions of pH 9, MB concentration of 100 mg/L, the adsorbent dosage of 60 mg/100 mL, and contact time of 60 min. Among the three adsorption isotherm models, the Freundlich isotherm model was the best fit with an experimental value at R2 0.99 showing the adsorption process was heterogeneous and multilayer whereas the kinetics study revealed that pseudo-second-order at R2 0.88. Finally, this adsorption process is quite promising to be used at an industrial level.
Modelling impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activities on inflows and sediment loads of wetlands: case study of the Anzali wetland
Authors: Mahdian Mehran , Hosseinzadeh Majid , Siadatmousavi Seyed Mostafa , Chalipa Zohreh , Delavar Majid , Guo Ming , Abolfathi Soroush , Noori Roohollah
Published: April 2023

Understanding the effects of climate change and anthropogenic activities on the hydrogeomorpholgical parameters in wetlands ecosystems is vital for designing effective environmental protection and control protocols for these natural capitals. This study develops methodological approach to model the streamflow and sediment inputs to wetlands under the combined effects of climate and land use / land cover (LULC) changes using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The precipitation and temperature data from General Circulation Models (GCMs) for different Shared Socio-economic Pathway (SSP) scenarios (i.e., SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5) are downscaled and bias-corrected with Euclidean distance method and quantile delta mapping (QDM) for the case of the Anzali wetland watershed (AWW) in Iran. The Land Change Modeler (LCM) is adopted to project the future LULC at the AWW. The results indicate that the precipitation and air temperature across the AWW will decrease and increase, respectively, under the SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. Streamflow and sediment loads will reduce under the sole influence of SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 climate scenarios. An increase in sediment load and inflow was observed under the combined effects of climate and LULC changes, this is mainly due to the projected increased deforestation and urbanization across the AWW. The findings suggest that the densely vegetated regions, mainly located in the zones with steep slope, significantly prevents large sediment load and high streamflow input to the AWW. Under the combined effects of the climate and LULC changes, by 2100, the projected total sediment input to the wetland will reach 22.66, 20.83, and 19.93 million tons under SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, respectively. The results highlight that without any robust environmental interventions, the large sediment inputs will significantly degrade the Anzali wetland ecosystem and partly-fill the wetland basin, resulting in resigning the wetland from the Montreux record list and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
Patients with ACPA-positive and ACPA-negative rheumatoid arthritis show different serological autoantibody repertoires and autoantibody associations with disease activity
Authors: Cunningham Kevin Y. , Hur Benjamin , Gupta Vinod K. , Arment Courtney A. , Wright Kerry A. , Mason Thomas G. , Peterson Lynne S. , Bekele Delamo I. , Schaffer Daniel E. , Bailey Marissa L. , Delger Kara E. , Crowson Cynthia S. , Myasoedova Elena , Zeng Hu , Rodriguez Moses , Weyand Cornelia M. , Davis John M. , Sung Jaeyun
Published: April 2023

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can test either positive or negative for circulating anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) and are thereby categorized as ACPA-positive (ACPA+) or ACPA-negative (ACPA−), respectively. In this study, we aimed to elucidate a broader range of serological autoantibodies that could further explain immunological differences between patients with ACPA+ RA and ACPA− RA. On serum collected from adult patients with ACPA+ RA (n = 32), ACPA− RA (n = 30), and matched healthy controls (n = 30), we used a highly multiplex autoantibody profiling assay to screen for over 1600 IgG autoantibodies that target full-length, correctly folded, native human proteins. We identified differences in serum autoantibodies between patients with ACPA+ RA and ACPA− RA compared with healthy controls. Specifically, we found 22 and 19 autoantibodies with significantly higher abundances in ACPA+ RA patients and ACPA− RA patients, respectively. Among these two sets of autoantibodies, only one autoantibody (anti-GTF2A2) was common in both comparisons; this provides further evidence of immunological differences between these two RA subgroups despite sharing similar symptoms. On the other hand, we identified 30 and 25 autoantibodies with lower abundances in ACPA+ RA and ACPA− RA, respectively, of which 8 autoantibodies were common in both comparisons; we report for the first time that the depletion of certain autoantibodies may be linked to this autoimmune disease. Functional enrichment analysis of the protein antigens targeted by these autoantibodies showed an over-representation of a range of essential biological processes, including programmed cell death, metabolism, and signal transduction. Lastly, we found that autoantibodies correlate with Clinical Disease Activity Index, but associate differently depending on patients’ ACPA status. In all, we present candidate autoantibody biomarker signatures associated with ACPA status and disease activity in RA, providing a promising avenue for patient stratification and diagnostics.
Pyrazole derivatives of pyridine and naphthyridine as proapoptotic agents in cervical and breast cancer cells
Authors: Alharthy Rima D. , Rashid Faisal , Ashraf Abida , Shafiq Zahid , Ford Steven , al-Rashida Mariya , Yaqub Muhammad , Iqbal Jamshed
Published: April 2023

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The increasing prevalence and resistance to chemotherapy is responsible for driving the search of novel molecules to combat this disease. In search of novel compounds with pro-apoptotic potential, pyrazolo-pyridine and pyrazolo-naphthyridine derivatives were investigated against cervical cancer (HeLa) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. The anti-proliferative activity was determined through the MTT assay. Potent compounds were then analyzed for their cytotoxic and apoptotic activity through a lactate dehydrogenase assay and fluorescence microscopy after propidium iodide and DAPI staining. Flow cytometry was used to determine cell cycle arrest in treated cells and pro-apoptotic effect was verified through measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential and activation of caspases. Compounds 5j and 5k were found to be most active against HeLa and MCF-7 cells, respectively. G0/G1 cell cycle arrest was observed in treated cancer cells. Morphological features of apoptosis were also confirmed, and an increased oxidative stress indicated the involvement of reactive oxygen species in apoptosis. The compound-DNA interaction studies demonstrated an intercalative mode of binding and the comet assay confirmed the DNA damaging effects. Finally, potent compounds demonstrated a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and increased levels of activated caspase-9 and -3/7 confirmed the induction of apoptosis in treated HeLa and MCF-7 cells. The present work concludes that the active compounds 5j and 5k may be used as lead candidates for the development of lead drug molecules against cervical and breast cancer.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: A fractional order nonlinear
model of the love story of Layla and Majnun
Authors: Sabir Zulqurnain , Said Salem Ben
Published: April 2023

In this study, a fractional order mathematical model using the romantic
relations of the Layla and Majnun is numerically simulated by the Levenberg–Marquardt
backpropagation neural networks. The fractional order derivatives provide more realistic
solutions as compared to integer order derivatives of the mathematical model based on
the romantic relationship of the Layla and Majnun. The mathematical formulation of this
model has four categories that are based on the system of nonlinear equations. The
exactness of the stochastic scheme is observed for solving the romantic mathematical
system using the comparison of attained and Adam results. The data for testing,
authorization, and training is provided as 15%, 75% and 10%, along with the twelve
numbers of hidden neurons. Furthermore, the reducible value of the absolute error
improves the accuracy of the designed stochastic solver. To prove the reliability of
scheme, the numerical measures are presented using correlations, error histograms, state
transitions, and regression.
Unsigned surprise but not reward magnitude modulates the integration of motor elements during actions
Authors: Jamous Roula , Takacs Adam , Frings Christian , Münchau Alexander , Mückschel Moritz , Beste Christian
Published: April 2023

It seems natural that motor responses unfold smoothly and that we are able to easily concatenate different components of movements to achieve goal-directed actions. Theoretical frameworks suggest that different motor features have to be bound to each other to achieve a coherent action. Yet, the nature of the “glue” (i.e., bindings) between elements constituting a motor sequence and enabling a smooth unfolding of motor acts is not well understood. We examined in how far motor feature bindings are affected by reward magnitude or the effects of an unsigned surprise signal. We show that the consistency of action file binding strength is modulated by unsigned surprise, but not by reward magnitude. On a conceptual and theoretical level, the results provide links between frameworks, which have until now not been brought into connection. In particular, theoretical accounts stating that only the unexpectedness (surprisingness) is essential for action control are connected to meta-control accounts of human action control.
Association of circulating serum free bioavailable and total vitamin D with cathelicidin levels among active TB patients and household contacts
Authors: Acen Ester Lilian , Worodria William , Kateete David Patrick , Olum Ronald , Joloba Moses L. , Akintola Ashraf , Bbuye Mudarshiru , Andia Irene Biraro
Published: April 2023

The free hormone hypothesis postulates that the estimation of free circulating 25 (OH)D may be a better marker of vitamin D status and is of clinical importance compared to total vitamin D fraction. The unbound fraction is involved in biological activities since it is able to penetrate into the cell. Studies have shown that cathelicidin/LL-37 inhibits the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a vitamin D-dependent manner and therefore adequate vitamin D is required for its expression. The study aimed to determine the association between serum bioavailable and total vitamin D with LL-37 levels in ATB patients, LTBI, and individuals with no TB infection. This was a cross-sectional study in which bioavailable vitamin D and LL-37 levels were measured using competitive ELISA kits and total vitamin D was measured using electrochemilumiscence and consequently determined their association. The mean (SD) bioavailable vitamin D levels of the study participants were 3.8 ng/mL (2.6) and the median (IQR) of LL-37 levels were 320 ng/mL (160, 550 ng/mL). The mean (SD) of total vitamin D levels was 19.0 ng/mL (8.3) ng/mL. Similar weak correlations were observed between the bioavailable and total vitamin D with LL-37 levels, therefore, deviating from our hypothesis.
Sex differences in post-exercise fatigue and function in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome
Authors: Friedberg Fred , Adamowicz Jenna L. , Bruckenthal Patricia , Milazzo Maria , Ramjan Sameera , Zhang Xiaoyue , Yang Jie
Published: April 2023

To assess biobehavioral sex differences in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) utilizing a low burden exercise protocol, 22 females and 15 males with ME/CFS and 14 healthy controls underwent two six-min walk tests. Fifteen daily assessments were scheduled for fatigue and function ratings and heart monitoring. Six-min walk tests were conducted on days 8 and 9. The ME/CFS group showed high self-report fatigue and impaired physical function, whereas healthy controls did not show fatigue or function abnormalities. In patients, no significant post-exercise changes were found for heart rate variability (HRV); however, heart rate decreased in ME/CFS males from Day 14 to Day 15 (p = 0.046). Female patients showed increased fatigue (p = 0.006) after the initial walk test, but a downward slope (p = 0.008) in fatigue following the second walk test. Male patients showed a decrease in self-report work limitation in the days after exercise (p = 0.046). The healthy control group evidenced a decrease in HRV after the walk tests from Day 9–14 (p = 0.038). This pilot study did not confirm hypotheses that females as compared to males would show slower exercise recovery on autonomic or self-report (e.g. fatigue) measures. A more exertion-sensitive test may be required to document prolonged post-exertional abnormalities in ME/CFS.

Trial registration: NCT NCT03331419.
Comparable GHG emissions from animals in wildlife and livestock-dominated savannas
Authors: Manzano Pablo , del Prado Agustín , Pardo Guillermo
Published: April 2023

Pastoralism in Old World savannas is known to emit a significant share of global livestock-sourced greenhouse gases (GHG). Here, we compare calculated emissions from animals in a wildlife-dominated savanna (14.3 Mg km−2), to those in an adjacent land with similar ecological characteristics but under pastoralism (12.8 Mg km−2). The similar estimates for both, wildlife and pastoralism (76.2 vs 76.5 Mg CO2-eq km−2), point out an intrinsic association of emissions with herbivore ecological niches. Considering natural baseline or natural background emissions in grazing systems has important implications in the analysis of global food systems.
Enhanced impact of the Aleutian Low on increasing the Central Pacific ENSO in recent decades
Authors: Chen Shangfeng , Chen Wen , Yu Bin , Wu Renguang , Graf Hans-F. , Chen Lin
Published: April 2023

In this study, we reveal a marked enhanced impact of the early-spring Aleutian Low (AL) on the following winter El Niño and Southern Oscillation (ENSO) after the late-1990s. This enhanced impact of the early-spring AL may have an important contribution to the increased emergence of the central Pacific ENSO during recent decades. After the late-1990s, decrease (increase) in the early-spring AL strength tends to induce an anomalous cyclone (anticyclone) over subtropical North Pacific via wave-mean flow interaction. The associated westerly (easterly) wind anomalies to the south side of the subtropical anomalous cyclone (anticyclone) over the tropical western Pacific contribute to occurrence of central Pacific-like El Niño (La Niña) in the following winter via tropical Bjerknes feedback. Further, the subtropical anomalous cyclone (anticyclone) leads to sea surface temperature (SST) increase (decrease) in the equatorial Pacific in the following summer via wind-evaporation-SST (WES) feedback, which further contributes to succeeding central Pacific-like El Niño (La Niña). Enhanced impact of early-spring AL on ENSO is attributable to enhancement of the mean circulation over the North Pacific, which leads to increased wave-mean flow interaction and strengthened WES feedback after the late-1990s. The results offer the potential to advance our understanding of the factors for the reduced prediction skill of ENSO since the late-1990s.
Multi-tissue DNA methylation aging clocks for sea lions, walruses and seals
Authors: Robeck Todd R. , Haghani Amin , Fei Zhe , Lindemann Dana M. , Russell Jennifer , Herrick Kelsey E. S. , Montano Gisele , Steinman Karen J. , Katsumata Etsuko , Zoller Joseph A. , Horvath Steve
Published: April 2023

Age determination of wild animals, including pinnipeds, is critical for accurate population assessment and management. For most pinnipeds, current age estimation methodologies utilize tooth or bone sectioning which makes antemortem estimations problematic. We leveraged recent advances in the development of epigenetic age estimators (epigenetic clocks) to develop highly accurate pinniped epigenetic clocks. For clock development, we applied the mammalian methylation array to profile 37,492 cytosine-guanine sites (CpGs) across highly conserved stretches of DNA in blood and skin samples (n = 171) from primarily three pinniped species representing the three phylogenetic families: Otariidae, Phocidae and Odobenidae. We built an elastic net model with Leave-One-Out-Cross Validation (LOOCV) and one with a Leave-One-Species-Out-Cross-Validation (LOSOCV). After identifying the top 30 CpGs, the LOOCV produced a highly correlated (r = 0.95) and accurate (median absolute error = 1.7 years) age estimation clock. The LOSOCV elastic net results indicated that blood and skin clock (r = 0.84) and blood (r = 0.88) pinniped clocks could predict age of animals from pinniped species not used for clock development to within 3.6 and 4.4 years, respectively. These epigenetic clocks provide an improved and relatively non-invasive tool to determine age in skin or blood samples from all pinniped species.
Triglyceride cycling enables modification of stored fatty acids
Authors: Wunderling Klaus , Zurkovic Jelena , Zink Fabian , Kuerschner Lars , Thiele Christoph
Published: April 2023

Triglyceride cycling is the process of continuous degradation and re-synthesis of triglyceride in cellular stores. We show in 3T3-L1 adipocytes that triglycerides are subject to rapid turnover and re-arrangement of fatty acids with an estimated half-life of 2–4 h. We develop a tracing technology that can simultaneously and quantitatively follow the metabolism of multiple fatty acids to study the triglyceride futile substrate cycle directly and with molecular species resolution. Our approach is based on alkyne fatty acid tracers and mass spectrometry. The triglyceride cycling is connected to modification of released fatty acids by elongation and desaturation. Through cycling and modification, saturated fatty acids are slowly converted to monounsaturated fatty acids, and linoleic acid to arachidonic acid. We conclude that triglyceride cycling renders stored fatty acids accessible for metabolic alteration. The overall process facilitates cellular adjustments to the stored fatty acid pool to meet changing needs of the cell.
Global survey shows planners use widely varying sea-level rise projections for coastal adaptation
Authors: Hirschfeld Daniella , Behar David , Nicholls Robert J. , Cahill Niamh , James Thomas , Horton Benjamin P. , Portman Michelle E. , Bell Rob , Campo Matthew , Esteban Miguel , Goble Bronwyn , Rahman Munsur , Addo Kwasi Appeaning , Chundeli Faiz Ahmed , Aunger Monique , Babitsky Orly , Beal Anders , Boyle Ray , Fang Jiayi , Gohar Amir , Hanson Susan , Karamesines Saul , Kim M. J. , Lohmann Hilary , McInnes Kathy , Mimura Nobuo , Ramsay Doug , Wenger Landis , Yokoki Hiromune
Published: April 2023

Including sea-level rise (SLR) projections in planning and implementing coastal adaptation is crucial. Here we analyze the first global survey on the use of SLR projections for 2050 and 2100. Two-hundred and fifty-three coastal practitioners engaged in adaptation/planning from 49 countries provided complete answers to the survey which was distributed in nine languages – Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish. While recognition of the threat of SLR is almost universal, only 72% of respondents currently utilize SLR projections. Generally, developing countries have lower levels of utilization. There is no global standard in the use of SLR projections: for locations using a standard data structure, 53% are planning using a single projection, while the remainder are using multiple projections, with 13% considering a low-probability high-end scenario. Countries with histories of adaptation and consistent national support show greater assimilation of SLR projections into adaptation decisions. This research provides new insights about current planning practices and can inform important ongoing efforts on the application of the science that is essential to the promotion of effective adaptation.
Cold temperature extends longevity and prevents disease-related protein aggregation through PA28γ-induced proteasomes
Authors: Lee Hyun Ju , Alirzayeva Hafiza , Koyuncu Seda , Rueber Amirabbas , Noormohammadi Alireza , Vilchez David
Published: April 2023

Aging is a primary risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders that involve protein aggregation. Because lowering body temperature is one of the most effective mechanisms to extend longevity in both poikilotherms and homeotherms, a better understanding of cold-induced changes can lead to converging modifiers of pathological protein aggregation. Here, we find that cold temperature (15 °C) selectively induces the trypsin-like activity of the proteasome in Caenorhabditis elegans through PSME-3, the worm orthologue of human PA28γ/PSME3. This proteasome activator is required for cold-induced longevity and ameliorates age-related deficits in protein degradation. Moreover, cold-induced PA28γ/PSME-3 diminishes protein aggregation in C. elegans models of age-related diseases such as Huntington’s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Notably, exposure of human cells to moderate cold temperature (36 °C) also activates trypsin-like activity through PA28γ/PSME3, reducing disease-related protein aggregation and neurodegeneration. Together, our findings reveal a beneficial role of cold temperature that crosses evolutionary boundaries with potential implications for multi-disease prevention.
Ladder-shaped microfluidic system for rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing
Authors: Nguyen Ann V. , Yaghoobi Mohammad , Azizi Morteza , Davaritouchaee Maryam , Simpson Kenneth W. , Abbaspourrad Alireza
Published: April 2023

Rapid identification of antibiotic-resistant bacteria will play a key role in solving the global antibiotic crisis by providing a route to targeted antibiotic administration. However, current bacterial infection diagnoses take up to 3 days which can lead to antibiotic treatment that is less effective. Here we report a microfluidic system with a ladder shaped design allowing us to generate a twofold serial dilution of antibiotics comparable to current national and international standards. Our consolidated design, with minimal handling steps cuts down the testing time for antibiotic susceptibility from 16–20 h to 4–5 h. Our feasibility testing results are consistent with the commercial antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) results, showing a 91.75% rate of agreement for Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial isolated from canine urinary tract infections (UTI) and may be used without prior isolation or enrichment. This platform provides an adaptable and efficient diagnostic tool for antibiotic susceptibility testing.
Evidence of solvent-mediated proton transfer during H2O2activation in titanosilicate-catalyzed oxidation systems
Authors: Yu Yunkai , Wang Jianhao , Fang Nan , Chen Zhen , Liu Dongxu , Liu Yueming , He Mingyuan
Published: April 2023

A protic solvent (ROH/H2O) acts as a mediator to promote the proton transfer during H2O2activation.
Intramolecular hydrogen bonds of gossypol imine derivatives
Authors: Dykun Oleksii M. , Anishchenko Viktor M. , Redko Andrii M. , Rybachenko Volodymyr I.
Published: April 2023

Study of the intramolecular hydrogen bonds of gossypol imine derivatives helps in understanding and predicting tautomeric transitions in different media.
An oxygen-assisted conversion of butanol to value-added products on nanocarbon catalysts: tuning product selectivity via nitrogen doping
Authors: Dai Xueya , Li Fan , Wang Di , Guo Miao , Bai Yunli , Qi Wei
Published: April 2023

The activity and mechanistic and kinetic analysis of nB conversion on NCNT were investigated, and the high ODH activity stems from the donated electrons from nitrogen to ketonic carbonyl groups.
Single-particle measurements and estimations of activity coefficients for semi-volatile organic compounds in organic aerosol of known chemical speciation
Authors: Hilditch Thomas G. , Hardy Daniel A. , Stevens Natasha J. , Glover Peter B. , Reid Jonathan P.
Published: April 2023

Organic aerosol is a highly complex mixture of ∼104 to 105 unique compounds all possessing their own set of physico-chemical properties such as saturation vapour pressure and hygroscopicity.
In situ study of Au nanoparticle formation in a mechanochemical-aging-based method
Authors: Richard Austin J. , Ferguson Michael , Fiss Blaine G. , Titi Hatem M. , Valdez Jesus , Provatas Nikolas , Friščić Tomislav , Moores Audrey
Published: April 2023

We probed the solid-state formation of gold nanoparticles through mechanochemically-activated aging. The acquired data allowed for the establishment of the first kinetic model for solid-state nanoparticle formation.
Enhanced and stabilized photoluminescence of perovskite cesium lead bromide nanocubes through ordered assemblies
Authors: Sasaki Moeka , Hashimoto Shota , Iso Yoshiki , Oaki Yuya , Isobe Tetsuhiko , Imai Hiroaki
Published: April 2023

The quantum yield of photoluminescence and the photostability of perovskite cesium lead bromide nanocubes were improved by the formation of two-dimensional ordered arrays on a substrate.
Facile synthesis of pyrazolopyridine pharmaceuticals under mild conditions using an algin-functionalized silica-based magnetic nanocatalyst (Alg@SBA-15/Fe3O4)
Authors: Hassanzadeh-Afruzi Fereshte , Amiri-Khamakani Zeinab , Saeidirad Mahdi , Salehi Mohammad Mehdi , Taheri-Ledari Reza , Maleki Ali
Published: April 2023

Pyrazolopyridines are common scaffolds in various bioactive compounds, which have several therapeutic effects and unique pharmacological properties.
Highly stable CsFAPbIBr perovskite solar cells with dominant bulk recombination at real operating temperatures
Authors: Romero Beatriz , Delgado Silvia , Glowienka Damian , Chang Cheng-Tsung , Pozo Gonzalo del , Arredondo Belén , Martín-Martín Diego , Contreras Pedro , Galagan Yulia
Published: April 2023

Ideality factor vs. temperature obtained from the dependence of open circuit voltage on the irradiation level (inset).
Cyclic(alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC)- and bicyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (BICAAC)-derived glyoxal radical cations with excellent stability
Authors: Das Bindusagar , Yadav Ritu , Sharma Ankita , Karmakar Tarak , Kundu Subrata
Published: April 2023

Air- and moisture-stable glyoxal radical cations derived from CAAC and BICAAC were isolated, and show incredible stability towards acidic, basic, and biological media. UV-Vis, XRD, CV, TGA, IR, and DFT analysis revealed their exciting properties.
Co-catalysis of rhodium/phosphoramidite catalyst and ZSM-35(10) for the tandem hydroformylation–acetalization of olefins
Authors: Shu Zhe , Zhao Xiu-Xiu , Zheng Zhaohui , Zhang Xueqing , Zhang Yushuang , Sun Shuhui , Chen Jianbin , Xie Congxia , Yuan Bing , Jia Xiaofei
Published: April 2023

The Rh/BINAPa and ZSM-35(10) co-catalyzed tandem hydroformylation–acetalization of olefins is developed to afford the corresponding acetals with high regioselectivities and excellent catalytic activities.
Ultra-selective, ultra-clean 1D rotating-frame Overhauser effect spectroscopy
Authors: Gates Emma L. , Smith Marshall J. , Bradley Jonathan P. , Johnson Myron , Widmalm Göran , Nilsson Mathias , Morris Gareth A. , Adams Ralph W. , Castañar Laura
Published: April 2023

A new ultra-selective 1D ROESY method which enables clear, unambiguous assignment of through-space interactions, providing insight into 3D structure and conformation.
Recent advances in single-cell subcellular sampling
Authors: Sahota Annie , Monteza Cabrejos Anthony , Kwan Zoe , Paulose Nadappuram Binoy , Ivanov Aleksandar P. , Edel Joshua B.
Published: April 2023

Recent advances and applications in subcellular sampling in single-cell systems are reviewed, along with their promise and current limitations.
Concurrent tandem catalysis enabled by nanomechanical motion in heteroleptic four-component dual-catalyst machinery
Authors: Elramadi Emad , Kundu Sohom , Mondal Debabrata , Schmittel Michael
Published: April 2023

The stochastic motion (45 kHz) of a biped in a dynamic slider-on-deck kicks out a basic organocatalyst into solution while parallel freeing a silver(i) site with both synergistically running a tandem Michael addition/hydroalkoxylation cyclization.
Coinage metal complexes of multidentate Pacman phosphane ligands
Authors: Ohms Leon , Eickhoff Liesa , Kramer Pascal , Villinger Alexander , Bresien Jonas , Schulz Axel
Published: April 2023

A new way to play “Pac-Man™”: We have synthesized two different Pacman phosphanes as a new kind of multidentate phosphane ligands and used them to complex coinage metals.
Access to high-performance Li-rich layered oxide cathodes via ammonium phosphate surface treatment
Authors: Huang Xiaobao , Zhang Ding , Xu Shoudong , Chen Liang , Duan Xiaochuan
Published: April 2023

Constructing a multi-component surface integrated structure of a Li-rich oxide cathode material by ammonium phosphate surface treatment to enhance its electrochemical performance.
Sensitivity optimization in pulse EPR experiments with photo-labels by multiple-echo-integrated dynamical decoupling
Authors: Sannikova Natalya E. , Melnikov Anatoly R. , Veber Sergey L. , Krumkacheva Olesya A. , Fedin Matvey V.
Published: April 2023

Refocusing pulse trains with multiple echo integration enhances sensitivity in pulse EPR experiments with photo-labels, aiding in applications of light-induced pulsed dipolar spectroscopy.
An electrochemical sensor based on metal–organic framework–chiral ionic liquid composites for the enantiorecognition of tryptophan enantiomers
Authors: Hou Huipeng , Tang Shanshan , Liu Miao , Zhang Fulai , Liang Axin , Sun Liquan , Geng Lina , Xie Bingteng , Yi Yue , Luo Aiqin
Published: April 2023

Metal organic framework–chiral ionic liquid composites Fe-CIL was first used to construct the chiral sensor, which could be used to chiral recognize tryptophan (Trp) enantiomers based on the DPV peak potential difference (ΔEp) of l/d-Trp.
Adsorption of water and formic acid molecules on the (104) surface of calcite: a theoretical study by DFT-D3
Authors: Zhao Mengli , Li Simei , Wang Mengli , Guan Xuemao , Zhao Ruiqi
Published: April 2023

The adsorption preferences of water and formic acid on different surfaces of calcite were systematically studied with density functional theory simulations.
Hydrothermally prepared MnSe electrode as a promising pseudocapacitive material for high-performance supercapacitor
Authors: Duan Haisong , Wang Shaolan , Li Beijun , Ma Shuan
Published: April 2023

Energy storage devices (ESDs) need designing and development of high electrochemical performance and promising electrode materials.