bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular characterization of bread quality contributing high & low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits in Pakistani spring wheat genotypes
Authors: Bashir Muhammad Ammar , Kashif Muhammad , Habib Imran , Nazir Shahid , Mumtaz Amer , Sajid-ur-Rehman Sajid-ur-Rehman
Published: January 2023

To date, both quality related high-molecular-weight (HMW) and low-molecular-weight (LMW) glutenin genes related to dough extensibility and viscoelasticity traits were investigated separately in wheat. Therefore, the present study was designed to molecularly characterize nine spring wheat genotypes for desirable bread quality attributes by using gene/allele-specific DNA markers for both HMW and LMW glutenin and validating these results by conducting different bread quality analysis. The PCR results indicated that Uaf-10137 and Akbar-19 genotypes carried those HMW & LMW-Gs alleles that had previously been associated with good bread quality. These genotypes had Ax2*, Bx7 + By8 and Dx5 + Dy10 allelic combinations at Glu-1 loci, while gluA3b and gluB3b alleles were only present in Uaf-10137 at Glu-3 loci. However, Akbar-19 only had gluB3b allele at Glu-3 loci. Furthermore, the PCR investigation in Uaf-10123, Subhani-21, Uaf-10136 and Dilkash-20 genotypes confirmed the presence of some unknown alleles at both Glu-1 and Glu-3 loci thus indicating moderate bread making quality. In contrary to this, Uaf-9515 and M.H-21 showed the presence of unknown alleles at Glu-A1, Glu-B1, Glu-A3, Glu-B3 loci and gave poor performance for bread quality parameters. Similar results were observed by using various bread quality-related tests such as farinograph, extensograph, sedimentation and bread volume. The results of these tests were in line with the findings of molecular investigations performed at the same wheat genotypes. In conclusion, genotypes UAf-10137 and Akbar-19 were identified for having good bread making quality attributes and can be used as parents or as a good source of bread quality genes/alleles in future breeding programs.
Genome-Wide View and Characterization of Natural Antisense Transcripts in Cannabis Sativa L.
Authors: Liu Jingting , Wu Bin , Liu Chang
Published: January 2023

Natural Antisense Transcripts (NATs) are a kind of complex regulatory RNAs that play vitriol roles in gene expression and regulation. In recent years, due to the tremendous economic and medicinal values of cannabinoids, the genome of Cannabis Sativa L. was sequenced and the the biosynthetic pathway of cannabinoids was deciphered. Moreover, the regulation of non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs involved in the biosynthesis of cannabinoids were predicted. However, the NATs in C. sativa remain unknown. In this study, we predicted C. sativa NATs genome-wide by a computational pipeline using strand-specific RNA sequencing (ssRNA-Seq) data. Then, we performed a comprehensive analysis and validated the expression profiles by strand-specific quantitative reverse transcription PCR (ssRT-qPCR). As a result, 260 NATs were predicted in C. sativa, including 92 cis- and 168 trans-NATs. The primary type of cis-NATs was sense transcripts (STs) containing NATs. The expression profiles of 92% of transcripts of ssRNA-Seq were consistent with those of the ssRT-qPCR. Functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that the C. sativa NATs potentially participated in growth and development, stress resistance, and the biosynthesis of compounds. Finally, 12 cis- and 278 trans- NAT-ST pairs were predicted to produce 476 cis- and 2342 trans- small interfering RNA (nat-siRNAs), respectively. These nat-siRNAs were potentially involved in the biosynthesis of cannabinoids, fatty acids, and cellulose. All these results will shed light on the regulation of NATs and nat-siRNAs in C. sativa.
A piston-cylinder-configured nano-motor prototype
Authors: He Longbing , Shangguan Lei , Gao Yu-Tian , Yang Sen , Ran Ya-Ting , Lu Zi-Yu , Zhu Jiong-Hao , Wang Bin-Jie , Sun Litao
Published: January 2023

Manipulation of nano-objects is fascinating as it not only facilitates the understanding of the essential properties of nanomaterials, but also enlightens the design of future nano-devices beyond current micro-electro-mechanical systems. In this paper, a piston-cylinder-configured nano-motor prototype is designed and fabricated, in which nanometer-sized Te segments are electrically controlled to reciprocate inside the carbon cylinder serving as nano-pistons. The nano-motor prototype has a length of ~ 550 nm, an outer diameter of ~ 150 nm, and a piston diameter of ~ 30 nm, respectively. Electron-wind and thermal expansion are two reciprocal forces that create a dynamic equilibrium on the Te pistons and enable the circulating motions. With bias control, a piston circulating rate of 0 ~ 4.3 counts per second has been achieved. This prototype is the smallest piston-cylinder-type nano-motor that has ever been reported.
The value of MRI-based radiomic nomograms in differential diagnosis and metastasis prediction of rhabdomyosarcoma and neuroblastoma in children
Authors: Wu Jiheng , Jia Xuan , Shou Xinyi , Wang Wenqi , Liu Lei , Wang Jinhu , Ni Hongfei , Zhang Hongxi , Ni Shaoqing
Published: January 2023

Background: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and neuroblastoma (NB) are highly malignant soft tissue sarcoma with tendency to metastasize. Due to the similarities in clinical manifestations and imaging features between RMS and NB, they are often misdiagnosed, which resulted in improper treatment progression of the mass. On the other hand, the treatment paradigm for patients with metastasis RMS/NB and non-metastasis RMS/NB is different. Preoperative abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide valuable information for differential diagnosis and metastasis prediction to support surgical decisions. This study aimed to develop MRI-based whole-volume tumor radiomic signatures for differential diagnosis and metastasis prediction.
Methods: We retrospectively sampled 40 patients (21 patients with RMS and 19 patients with NB). Using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and stepwise logistic regression, a classification model and a metastasis prediction model based on MRI radiomic signatures were constructed. Nomograms were established by integrating the MRI information for better classification and prediction. Harrell's concordance index (C-index) and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used as performance evaluating metrics.
Results: The nomograms consisting of radiomic signatures demonstrated good discrimination and calibration in classification (area under the curve [AUC]=89.97%) and metastasis prediction (AUC=82.25%). The calibration curve and GiViTI calibration belt value analysis indicated that the radiomic nomograms can be used in clinical practice.
Conclusions: MRI-based whole-tumor radiomic signatures have excellent performance for differential diagnosis and metastasis prediction in pediatric RMS and NB. Radiomic nomograms may aid in preoperative risk assessment and guide personalized treatment strategies for pediatric soft tissue sarcomas.
Complex dynamics of knowledgeable monopoly models with gradient mechanisms
Authors: Li Xiaoliang , Fu Jiacheng , Niu Wei
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we explore the dynamics of two monopoly models with knowledgeable players. The first model was initially introduced by Naimzada and Ricchiuti, while the second one is simplified from a famous monopoly introduced by Puu. We employ several tools based on symbolic computations to analyze the local stability and bifurcations of the two models. To the best of our knowledge, the complete stability conditions of the second model are obtained for the first time. We also investigate periodic solutions as well as their stability. Most importantly, we discover that the topological structure of the parameter space of the second model is much more complex than that of the first one. Specifically, in the first model, the parameter region for the stability of any periodic orbit with a fixed order constitutes a connected set. In the second model, however, the stability regions for the 3-cycle, 4-cycle, and 5-cycle orbits are disconnected sets formed by many disjoint portions. Furthermore, we find that the basins of the two stable equilibria in the second model are disconnected and also have complicated topological structures. In addition, the existence of chaos in the sense of Li-Yorke is rigorously proved by finding snapback repellers and 3-cycle orbits in the two models, respectively.
Efficacy of the unmodified and modified water indices for saline wetland ecosystems
Authors: Singh Varun , Sharma Laxmikant , Naik Rajashree
Published: January 2023

Wetlands are world’s most significant, and diversified ecosystems, including an exclusive combination of water and land in both marine, and inland settings. Inland saline wetlands predominantly occur in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Our study area the Sambhar Salt Lake is a halite-rich basin, which is India’s largest inland saline lake and situated in a semi-arid region, Eastern part of Thar Desert. Index methods are predominantly used for area change finding, and inspection purpose which split the water from its background on the basis of a threshold value. In this study we used 6 indices for surface area change detection of the lake from December 2018 and December 2021, for which we used Sentinel–2B data. We also analysed the physical parameters of water along with nitrate, and phosphate. The results showed decrease in concentration of EC, TDS, and salinity in 2018 to 2021 except pH. This may be due to rise in water level of the lake. Extracted surface water area increased in December 2021 compared to December 2018 by ~ 57 km2. This change in extracted surface water area reflects the human’s influence on lake. The NDWI index shows maximum area change ~ 13.35%. while overall best result was shown by AWEIsh and SWI indices. We found AWEIsh based algorithms achieved high accuracy 93.33% and kappa coefficient 0.9134 in compared to others. To conserve this highly deteriorating precious ecosystem there is need of proper monitoring and strict rules & regulation for its resources use.
Resource Allocation Algorithm for UAV-Aided Symbiotic Radio Communication System
Authors: Zhang Yaping , Zhu Qi
Published: January 2023

Aiming at the issue of how to improve the system transmission rate in a multiple Internet of things (IoT) device application scenario, we propose the resource allocation algorithm of the symbiotic radio communication system under multiple backscatter devices (BDs) assisted by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). We consider the base station sends signals to cellular users, and multiple terrestrial BDs collect energy and backscatter the RF signals sent by the base station. The UAV receives the backscatter signals of all BDs and collects the data of them, that is, all BDs share the RF sources with the cellular users, forming a symbiotic radio system. We formulate the optimization problem of maximizing BDs’ sum rate by jointly optimizing the time allocation, BDs’ reflection coefficient and UAV location under constraints of BD’s harvested energy, quality of service (QoS) of cellular users and UAV. Since the optimum problem is non-convex, it is difficult to solve directly. Therefore, the iterative algorithm based on block coordinate descent (BCD) method can be adopted, which decomposes the optimization problem into three sub-problems: time allocation, reflection coefficients of BDs and UAV location. For non-convex sub-problems, we utilize the successive convex approximation (SCA) technique to transform it into convex optimization problems, and we prove that the conversion is convex optimization problems. Simulation results show that our proposed algorithm converges fast, and significantly improves system transmission rate compared with other schemes.
Unacceptable leg length discrepancy in skeletally mature patients with osteosarcoma?
Authors: Xu Hairong , Li Yuan , Yu Feng , Liu Weifeng , Hao Lin , Zhang Qing , Niu Xiaohui
Published: January 2023

Introduction Correction of leg length discrepancy (LLD) in skeletally mature patients with osteosarcoma was rarely reported and quite challenging. This study aimed to propose a treatment strategy of staged lengthening and reconstruction with a standard static prosthesis to address LLD and restore limb function. It also evaluated the effectiveness of the strategy in terms of leg lengthening, functional outcomes, and complications.
Methods The strategy for lengthening included three stages. In stage 1, the previous prosthesis was removed and an external fixator with a temporary rod-cement spacer was placed. In this stage, the external fixator was used to lengthen the limb to the appropriate length. In stage 2, the external fixator was removed and the old rod-cement spacer was replaced with a new one. In stage 3, the rod-cement spacer was removed and the standard static prosthesis was planted. Nine skeletally mature distal femoral osteosarcoma patients with unacceptable LLD were treated in our institution from 2019 to 2021. We performed a chart review on nine patients for the clinical and radiographic assessment of functional outcomes, LLD, and complications.
Results The mean (range) leg lengthening was 7.3 cm (3.6–15.6). The mean (range) LLD of the lower limbs decreased from 7.6 cm (4.1–14.2) before the lengthening to 0.3 cm (–0.3 to 2.1) at the final follow-up with statistical significance (P = 0.000). The mean (range) Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score improved from 30.3% (16.7%–53.3%) before the lengthening to 96.3% (86.7%–100%) at the final follow-up with statistical significance (P = 0.000). Three patients (33.3%) had a minor complication; none needed additional surgical intervention.
Conclusions In the short term, the current staged lengthening and reconstruction with standard static prosthesis provided satisfactory functional outcomes and LLD correction with few complications. The long-term effects of this method need further exploration.
Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic study
Upregulated extracellular matrix-related genes and impaired synaptic activity in dopaminergic and hippocampal neurons derived from Parkinson's disease patients with PINK1 and PARK2 mutations
Authors: Stern Shani , Tripathi Utkarsh , Rosh Idan , Ezer Ran Ben , Nayak Ritu , Choudhary Ashwani , Djamus Jose , Manole Andreea , Houlden Henry , Gage Fred
Published: January 2023

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease. Primary symptoms of PD arise with the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta, but it affects the hippocampus and cortex also, usually in its later stage. Approximately 15% of PD cases familial with a genetic mutation. Two of the most associated genes with autosomal recessive (AR) early-onset familial PD are PINK1 and PARK2. There is a need for in-vitro studies of these genetic mutations in order to understand the neurophysiological changes in patients' neurons that may contribute to neurodegeneration. In this work, we generated and differentiated DA and hippocampal neurons from iPSCs derived from two patients with a double mutation in their PINK1 and PARK2 (one homozygous and one heterozygous) genes and assessed their neurophysiology compared to two healthy controls. We showed that the synaptic activity of PD neurons generated from patients with the PINK1 and PARK2 mutations is impaired in the hippocampus and dopaminergic neurons. Mutant dopaminergic neurons had enhanced excitatory post-synaptic activity. In addition, DA neurons with the homozygous mutation of PINK1 exhibited more pronounced electrophysiological differences compared to the control neurons. Signaling network analysis of RNA sequencing results revealed that Focal adhesion and ECM receptor pathway were the top 2 upregulated pathways in the mutant PD neurons. These phenotypes are reversed to PD phenotypes of other mutations, suggesting that the interaction of the two mutations may yield different mechanisms of PD.
Atezolizumab versus Pembrolizumab for First-line Treatment in Non-small-cell Lung Cancer with High PD-L1 Expression: A Network Meta-analysis and Cost-effectiveness Analysis from Chinese Perspectives
Authors: Cheng Shuqiao , Li Jianhuang , Li Bin , Tang Lanhua , Yin Tao , Liu Shao
Published: January 2023

Background: Atezolizumab and pembrolizumab have been approved for treating metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with high programmed cell death - ligand 1(PD-L1) expression in the first-line setting. This study aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of the two ICI monotherapies in this patient population, from the perspective of Chinese payer's.
Material and Methods: Using network meta-analysis and partitioned survival model, we conducted cost-effectiveness analysis for atezolizumab and pembrolizumab for the first-line treatment of NSCLC. Clinical information was gathered from phase 3 randomized clinical trials. Costs and health state utilities data were derived from previous literature or calculated from perspectives of payers in China. Uncertainty of the model was explored by performing one-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Scenario analysis was conducted to investigate the influence of drug assistance projects on the cost-effectiveness of certain group of people.
Results: In base case analysis, atezolizumab improved 0.18 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), accompany with a decreased overall cost of $100, resulting in its dominance of pembrolizumab. The scenario analysis showed that with the drug assistance projects, the use of atezolizumab increased cost of $9,564 compared with pembrolizumab, which led to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $54,475 per QALY.
Conclusion: In this economic evaluation comparing two ICI monotherapies for high PD-L1 expression metastatic NSCLC patients, atezolizumab was the dominant treatment strategy compared with pembrolizumab. In scenario analysis, we explored the influence of drug assistance projects for ICIs and found that atezolizumab was not cost-effective compared with pembrolizumab at a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of $38,431 per QALY.
Combination of traditional Chinese medicine and PDE5i for diabetic erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Xu Huali , Zhang Xiaolong , Zhu Zhirong , Tang Guiliang
Published: January 2023

Although phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) have a therapeutic effect on diabetic erectile dysfunction, its therapeutic effect is not as good as that of non-diabetic population. In recent years, several randomized controlled trials(RCTs) found that the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) combined with PDE5i on diabetic erectile dysfunction may be better than that of PDE5i alone, and we now conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of these studies. We searched China national knowledge internet (CNKI), Wanfang database, Pubmed, and Embase database. Mean difference (MD) or pooled odds ratio (OR), as well as their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Risk bias tool was used to evaluate the quality of RCTs included in the meta-analysis. Publication bias was estimated by Begg’s funnel plots and Egger’s test. Results of this systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that the change in the IIEF-5 score of TCM + PDE5i group was significantly higher than that of PDE5i group(MD = 3.6, 95% CI [2.34, 4.86]). The clinical efficacy of TCM + PDE5i group was significantly higher than that of PDE5i group(OR = 2.86, 95% CI [1.83, 4.48]). Furthermore, the sexual satisfaction of TCM + PDE5i group was significantly higher than that of PDE5i group (OR = 3.07, 95% CI[1.63, 5.80]). There was no significant difference of the number of adverse events between TCM + PDE5i group and PDE5i group(OR = 0.93, 95% CI [0.49,1.78]). According to the meta-analysis, compared with using PDE5i alone, the regimen combined TCM plus PDE5i has more advantages in terms of IIEF-5, efficiency, and sexual satisfaction, with no increase in adverse effects for erectile dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. More strict and larger sample size RCTs are needed to verify the findings of this meta-analysis.
Electron cooling in graphene enhanced by plasmon-hydron resonance
Authors: Yu Xiaoqing , Principi Alessandro , Tielrooij Klaas-Jan , Bonn Mischa , Kavokine Nikita
Published: January 2023

Evidence is accumulating for the crucial role of a solid's free electrons in the dynamics of solid-liquid interfaces. Liquids induce electronic polarization and drive electric currents as they flow; electronic excitations, in turn, participate in hydrodynamic friction. Yet, the underlying solid-liquid interactions have been lacking a direct experimental probe. Here, we study the energy transfer across liquid-graphene interfaces using ultrafast spectroscopy. The graphene electrons are heated up quasi-instantaneously by a visible excitation pulse, and the time evolution of the electronic temperature is then monitored with a terahertz pulse. We observe that water accelerates the cooling of the graphene electrons, whereas other polar liquids leave the cooling dynamics largely unaffected. A quantum theory of solid-liquid heat transfer accounts for the water-specific cooling enhancement through a resonance between the graphene surface plasmon mode and the so-called hydrons -- water charge fluctuations --, particularly the water libration modes, that allows for efficient energy transfer. Our results provide direct experimental evidence of a solid-liquid interaction mediated by collective modes and support the theoretically proposed mechanism for quantum friction. They further reveal a particularly large thermal boundary conductance for the water-graphene interface and suggest strategies for enhancing the thermal conductivity in graphene-based nanostructures.
Small-cell lung cancer tumor microenvironment associated with molecular subtypes and platinum resistance
Authors: Park Charny , Kim Jihyun , Kim Sunshin , Park Seong-Yun , Lee Geon Kook , Lim Kun Young , Kim Jin Young , Hwang Jung-Ah , Yu Namhee , Kang Eun Hye , Hwang Mihwa , Song Bo Ram
Published: January 2023

Although molecular subtypes of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) have been proposed, their therapeutic implications remain unclear. We dissected SCLC subtypes to delineate the tumor-associated microenvironment (TME) implicated in platinum-drug resistance: ASCL1+ (SCLC-A) subtype to be neuroendocrine type resembled RB1/TP53-mutant non-SCLC; inflammatory (SCLC-I) subtype presented CD8+/PD-L1 + T-cell infiltration and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT); NEUROD1 (SCLC-N) subtype showed neurotransmission process activation; and POU2F3+ (SCLC-P) subtype showed upregulated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Meanwhile, EndMT population was abundant to platinum-resistant SCLC. To overcome platinum resistance, we interrogated drug candidates from high-throughput screening. Cell cycle inhibitors were no longer susceptible to platinum resistance, as against SCLC-A/N. The bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitor JQ1 exhibited sensitivity to EndMT promoted by platinum resistance. BET inhibitors are therefore novel therapeutic candidates for overcoming platinum resistance.
Drivers of Antarctic sea ice advance
Authors: Himmich Kenza , Vancoppenolle Martin , Madec Gurvan , Sallée Jean-Baptiste , Holland Paul , Lebrun Marion
Published: January 2023

Antarctic sea ice is mostly seasonal. While important changes in the sea ice seasonal cycle have been observed in the past decades, the lack of process understanding remains a key challenge to interpret these changes. Here, we address this knowledge gap by exploring the processes driving the ice season onset, termed sea ice advance, using remote sensing and in situ observations. We find that seawater freezing drives sea ice advance in most of the inner seasonal ice zone. By contrast, in an outer band a few degrees wide, advance is due to the import of drifting ice into warmer waters. Yet, everywhere in the seasonal ice zone, we show that the date of advance is strongly related to the heat stored in the summer ocean mixed layer. This heat is largely controlled by the timing of sea ice retreat, explaining why the dates of retreat and advance are tightly linked.
iRGD-modified exosomes encapsulate anti-miR-25-3p for targeted pancreatic cancer therapy
Authors: liu rui , Wang Ning , Zuo Duo , Ji Zhi , Wang Xia , Zhou Yunli , Zhang Run shi , Zhao Tiansuo , Deng Ting , ba yi
Published: January 2023

Background
Pancreatic cancer has a high malignancy and rapid progression. It is very easy to metastasize in clinical cases. In recent years, molecular targeted therapy has made some progress in the treatment of some tumors. In this study, we explored the application of miR-25-3p in targeted therapy of pancreatic cancer to improve the survival time of patients with this treatment in the future.
Methods
qRT‒PCR, scratch healing experiments and transwell experiments were applied in this study. iRGD peptide-modified exosomes carrying anti-miR-25-3p and in situ model mice were constructed. The HEK-293T cell line overexpressing the CD63-iRGD-3×FLAG fusion protein and overexpressing the miR-25-3p antisense sequence was obtained by fluorescence sorting using flow cytometry, and exosomes in the culture supernatant of this cell line were obtained by ultracentrifugation. Treatment of pancreatic cancer was simulated by regular tail vein injections of BALB/c nu mice overexpressing CD63-iRGD-3×FLAG fusion protein and loaded with miR-25-3p antisense sequence. The liver and spleen of the mice were stained with HE after a certain course of treatment, and the effect of treatment with exosomes overexpressing CD63-iRGD-3×FLAG fusion protein and loaded with miR-25-3p antisense sequence on liver metastasis of pancreatic cancer was observed.
Results
There was a positive correlation between miR-25-3p and the invasive migration ability of pancreatic cancer cell lines in the Panc-1 and Panc-3 cell lines, and the invasive migration ability of pancreatic cancer was enhanced by overexpression of miR-25-3p (P < 0.05). Treatment with exosomes overexpressing the CD63-iRGD-3×FLAG fusion protein and loaded with the miR-25-3p antisense sequence slowed the weight loss of mice, and pancreatic cancer cell lines showed specific high uptake of such exosomes in mice. Treatment with exosomes overexpressing the CD63-iRGD-3×FLAG fusion protein loaded with the miR-25-3p antisense sequence significantly inhibited liver metastasis and spleen metastasis of pancreatic cancer in mice.
Conclusion
Exosomes overexpressing the CD63-iRGD-3×FLAG fusion protein and loaded with the miR-25-3p antisense sequence inhibited the invasive migration of pancreatic cancer cell lines both in vivo and ex vivo, which hopefully provides a new idea for molecular targeted therapy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer to improve the quality of life and prolong the survival time of pancreatic cancer patients.
A potential role for early hyponatremia in the diagnosis of Borna-virus encephalitis?
Authors: Lourbopoulos Athanasios , Schnurbus Lea , Guenther Ricarda , Steinlein Susanne , Ruf Viktoria , Herms Jochen , Jahn Klaus , Huge Volker
Published: January 2023

Background
The first case of fatal Borna Virus-1 encephalitis (BoDV-1) was reported in 2018. Here, we report another fatal case of BoDV-1 encephalitis with early severe hyponatremia, indicative of neurohypophysial dysfunction.
Case presentation:
A 77-year-old female living in southern Germany was admitted to hospital in 2020 due to rapidly progressing word-finding difficulties, personality changes, global disorientation, diffuse cognitive slowness, and gait ataxia, initially without fever. After a rapid deterioration with fever, gait instability and ataxia, rapid cognitive decline, meningism, epileptic seizures, aphasia, and signs of latent right hemiparesis, the suspicion of a (meningo-)encephalitis was set. Furthermore, an unexplained, severe hyponatremia had been present since admission. Laboratory workup in cerebrovascular fluid (CSF) and serum as well as brain imaging was negative. Despite extensive empirical antiviral, antimicrobial, and immunosuppressive treatment efforts, the patient fell into coma (day 5), lost all brainstem functions (day 18), and remained fully dependent on invasive mechanical ventilation. Finally, she clinically developed a status of brain death and died 42 days after initial admission. Brain autopsy confirmed an extensive, diffuse, and severe affection of neocortical, subcortical and cerebellar structures as well as the neurohypophysis due to infection with BoDV-1. In light of the autopsy results, the hyponatremia could imply an early basal brain involvement, which could narrow down the initial differential diagnosis.
Conclusion
The diagnosis of BoDV-1 encephalitis remains clinically challenging. The disease progresses quickly to irreversible brain damage. An early, unexplained, hyponatremia in the presence of severe and rapidly evolving encephalitis may narrow down the diagnosis.
Point Spread Functions of aberrated Leaky annular apertures with defect-of-focus
Authors: Sabitha N. , Rani S. Vidya , Venkanna M. , Sagar D. Karuna
Published: January 2023

The point spread function of the optical system in the presence of defocus and primary spherical aberration with the complex Hanning filter with amplitude and phase has been investigated. A substantial improvement in the intensity profile of the impulse response of the optical system has been achieved. When the optical system is subjected to higher orders of aberration and apodization, the optical system behaves like a super-resolver with lateral resolution of the central peak being improved radically. The presence of first minima with zero intensity suits the optical system to be applied for two-point resolution studies in terms of Rayleigh criterion.
CD147 promotes cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer by inhibiting FOXM1 degradation via PI3k/Akt-GSK3β pathway
Authors: li yu , wang Miao , Fan Tian , Wang Yu , Chen Lin , Zhu Chunyu , Li Zhixian , Mou Lei , Zhang Zhen , Chen Lin , Ali Arshad , Dai Jing-yao , Yang Hong
Published: January 2023

CD147 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is highly expressed in a number of human cancers, including ovarian cancer. The antibody drug Licartin®, which targets CD147, has been approved by the Chinese Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and entered clinical treatment. Some studies have shown that CD147 plays a role on drug resistance, but the molecular mechanism remains elusive. This study sought to investigate the role and mechanism of CD147 in cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer. We found that CD147 regulated ubiquitination and degradation of FOXM1 by activating PI3k/Akt-GSK3β pathway in ovarian cancer cells and further regulated the expression of DNA damage repair genes. The CUT&Tag-seq data showed that FOXM1 can directly bind to the promoter regions of several DNA damage repair (DDR) genes such as BRIP1, RRM1, FEN1, RAD50, and PMS2, thereby regulating their transcription. The siRNA against CD147 decreased the expression of FOXM1 and DDR genes, attenuating cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer in vivo and in vitro experiments. Our results showed a novel cisplatin-resistant mechanism and suggest that the combination of cisplatin with a CD147 suppression is a prospective treatment plan for ovarian cancer that is resistant to cisplatin.
Performance Analysis of Wireless Powered Uplink NOMA System with User Cooperation over Nakagami-m Fading Channels
Authors: N Deepan , B Rebekka , J Bala Vishnu , Ram Saswat Kumar
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we develop a novel user cooperation assisted wireless powered communication network(UC-WPCN) based on non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) protocol. The proposed network model consists of a two uplink user terminals, defined as UE1, and UE2, respectively, and one hybrid access point (HAP). Here, HAP is helps to coordinate the energy beamforming and information gathering for the user terminals. In this system, we assume that the both UE’s are energy constrained devices such that it first harvest energy from HAP in the downlink (DL) prior to the data transmission in the uplink (UL). In addition, we also assume that, the UE1 is located much closer to HAP than UE2, hence, a full-duplex (FD) relaying operation with power domain multiplexing techniques is exploited at UE1, in order to facilitate UE2 information transmission. A new form of mathematical expressions are derived, which then is used to evaluate the system performance such as outage probability, and sum throughput for the proposed system model. Further, an optimal power allocation scheme is introduce to minimize the system outage notably. Based on the numerical findings, it is clear that the proposed NOMA enabled UC-WPCN system enhances the cell edge user (i.e., UE2) performance significantly and experiences a larger system throughput as compared to existing UC-WPCN system. Furthermore, the accuracy of the derived theoretical results are validated through Monte-Carlo simulations.
Effect of gyroscopic moments on the attitude stability of a satellite in an elliptical orbit
Authors: Zhao Jie , Zhong Xue , Yu Kaiping , Xu Minqiang
Published: January 2023

The gyroscopic moments generated by flywheels or control moment gyroscopes have important applications in spacecraft attitude stability and control. However, most of the current research has focused on the effect of gyroscopic torques on the attitude stability of spacecrafts on circular orbits, with little discussion of the case of elliptical orbits. In this paper, we investigate the stability of a particular cylindrical precession in an elliptical orbit by simplifying the spacecraft to a dynamically symmetric gyrostat consisting of a rotor and a platform. In the case of circular orbits, the system discussed here is autonomous, whereas in the case of elliptical orbits it is a periodic Hamiltonian system. The stability of cylindrical precession has been investigated analytically for the case of circular orbits. In the case of elliptical orbits, Floquet theory was used to numerically obtain the unstable regions and linear stable regions of the cylindrical precession. The nonlinear stability was further investigated in the linear stability region of the cylindrical precession. The results indicated that, in the case of the circular orbit, the cylindrical precession can be stabilized as long as the gyroscopic moment is large enough. However, the system may lose its stability even if the gyroscopic torque is sufficiently large in an elliptical orbit. Moreover, we present the effect of gyroscopic moments on the stability of cylindrical precession in three different elliptical orbits with eccentricities of 0.05, 0.2, and 0.5, using stability diagrams.
A multiomic approach to examine the molecular signatures differentiating people with obesity alone from those with obesity and metabolic complications
Authors: Mir Fayaz , Mall Raghvendra , Ullah Ehsan , Iskandarani Ahmad , Cyprian Farhan , Samra Tareq A. , Alkasem Meis , Abdalhakam Ibrahem , Farooq Faisal , Taheri Shahrad , Abou-Samra Abdul-Badi
Published: January 2023

Motivation
To examine the hypothesis that obesity with metabolic syndrome, compared to simple obesity, has distinct molecular signatures and metabolic pathways.
Methods
We analyzed a cohort of 39 patients with obesity that includes 21 subjects with metabolic syndrome, age-matched to 21 subjects with simple obesity. We measured in whole blood samples 754 human microRNAs (miRNAs), 704 metabolites using unbiased mass spectrometry metabolomics, and 25,682 transcripts, which include both protein coding genes (PCGs) as well as non-coding transcripts. We then identified differentially expressed miRNAs, PCGs, and metabolites and integrated them using databases such as mirDIP (mapping between miRNA-PCG network), Human Metabolome Database (mapping between metabolite-PCG network) and tools like MetaboAnalyst (mapping between metabolite-metabolic pathway network) to determine dysregulated metabolic pathways in obesity with metabolic complications.
Results
We identified 8 significantly enriched metabolic pathways comprising 8 metabolites, 25 protein coding genes and 9 microRNAs which are each differentially expressed between the subjects with obesity and those with obesity and metabolic syndrome. By performing unsupervised hierarchical clustering on the enrichment matrix of the 8 metabolic pathways, we could approximately segregate the simple obesity strata from that of obesity with metabolic syndrome.
Conclusions
The data suggest that at least 8 metabolic pathways, along with their various dysregulated elements, identified via our integrative bioinformatics pipeline, can potentially differentiate the patients with obesity from those with obesity and metabolic complications.
Monitoring and management of Aceria litchii (Acari: Eriophyidae) in lychee orchard in São Paulo
Authors: Ramos João Tenorio , Mineiro Jeferson Luiz Carvalho , Sato Mario Eidi
Published: January 2023

Aceria litchii (Keifer) is considered one of the main pest of lychee, and can severely compromise the fruit production. The research was conducted with the objective of evaluating some strategies for the management of A. litchii and the associated erinose on lychee plants. The study was carried out in a commercial lychee orchard in Botucatu County, state of São Paulo, Brazil, using the following treatments: 1) Bordeaux mixture + lime sulfur; 2) Release of predatory mites (Neoseiulus californicus) + lime sulfur; 3) Lime sulfur (grower standard). Lychee leaf samples were collected monthly to evaluate the diversity of phytophagous (Eriophyidae) and predatory (Phytoseiidae) mites, and evaluate the population fluctuation of the most abundant mite species. We also evaluated the percentage of leaves with symptoms of erinose in shoots of lychee plants, for the different treatments. Phytoseius woodburyi De Leon (82.8%), Amblyseius herbicolus (Chant) (11.2%) and Amblyseius compositus Denmark & Muma (3.2%) were the most abundant species of predatory mites (Phytoseiidae) observed on the lychee plants. A significant correlation was observed between the population densities of A. litchii and P. woodburyi, indicating that this predatory mite represents an important natural enemy of the erinose mite. The use of the Bordeaux mixture and lime sulfur showed a significant effect in reducing the incidence of erinose and establishment of the pest mite in lychee orchard. The release of N. californicus contributed significantly to the reduction of the population density of A. litchii, as well as the percentage of leaves with erinose, in lychee plants.
Potential therapeutic targets for glioblastoma patients based on a prognostic risk model
Authors: Zhou Junlin , Li Feng
Published: January 2023

Purpose: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of glioblastoma (GBM) affects prognosis and the reason is unknown. In our analysis, we aimed to build a prognostic risk model, and find out some potential therapeutic targets.
Methods: The data were from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA), and , we screened for (DEGs) related to overall survival (OS). The prognostic model related to DEGs were constructed by Lasso regression analysis and we verified that the model was associated with prognosis. Then GSEA enrichment analysis was used to explore the difference of KEGG signal pathway between high and low risk groups. In addition, we also studied the immune correlation characteristics between the high and low risk groups of the model and the drug sensitivity analysis of the positive contribution of the model risk.
Results: Six DEGs (PTPRN, PTPRN2, RUFY2, CRNDE, ZNF581, SLC25A48) significantly related to the prognosis of GBM were screened, and the model of DEGs related to prognosis of GBM was successfully constructed. In addition, several signal pathways might promote tumor progression in the high risk group. Drug sensitivity analysis of chemotherapeutic drugs based on model risk genes expression.
Conclusion: This model is not only an independent prognostic index of GBM, but also has higher prediction accuracy than
Study on Molecular Targets and Mechanisms of Gegen Qinlian Decoction in the Treatment of Cognitive Dysfunction based on Network Pharmacology
Authors: Li Juncheng , Xu Ruirui , Zhao Canbin , liu chunmei
Published: January 2023

Objective
Gegen Qinlian Decoction (GQD) is well supported by data from the animal experiments and clinical efficacy in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction. This study aims to determine its molecular targets and therapeutic mechanisms through network pharmacology and molecular docking.
Methods
The targets of the drug are confirmed using the TCMSP platform with setting conditions of oral bioavailability (OB)≥30% and drug-like properties (DL)≥0.18. Potential targets of cognitive dysfunction are obtained by searching DisGenNET, DrugBank, GeneCard, PharmGKB and Therapeutic Target Database. The core targets of Gegen Qinlian Decoction and cognitive dysfunction have been determined by building a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network through the intersection of two sets of genes so as to carry out the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. After screening key components and target genes, AutoDock software is used for molecular docking to select the best binding target and verify the binding activity.
Results
Finally, it is determined that there are 140 active ingredients and 2,660 targets of Gegen Qinlian Decoction, of which 269 targets are retained after deleting duplicates. There are 1,514 potential targets of cognitive dysfunction and 85 common target genes of the Gegen Qinlian Decoction and cognitive dysfunction. VEGFA, IL1B, AKT1, IL6 and MMP9 are identified as potential core genes by PPI network protein analysis. GO analysis results reveal 2,142 entries (P<0.05), in which biological processes such as response to oxidative stress, extracellular stimulus and peptides are significantly enriched. KEGG enrichment analysis has identified 30 signaling pathways, mainly including lipid metabolism and nerve cell senescence, among which genes are extremely enriched in the AGE−RAGE signaling pathway and PI3K−Akt signaling pathway. Through the component-target-pathway network and molecular docking, it shows that the three active ingredients of Gegen Qinlian Decoction have good affinity with the six core targets, which may be the key to the treatment of cognitive dysfunction.
Conclusion
By preliminarily discussing the active molecules, targets and pathways of Gegen Qinlian Decoction involved in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction, this study suggests that the therapeutic mechanism of cognitive dysfunction can be attributed to the inflammatory response, cellular senescence and regulation of cellular metabolism.
Staphylococcus aureus cell wall phenotypic changes associated with biofilm age and water stress: a key contributing factor for biocide resistance
Authors: Parvin Farhana , Rahman Md. Arifur , Deva Anand K. , Vickery Karen , Hu Honghua
Published: January 2023

Staphylococcus aureus biofilms are tolerant to antibiotics and disinfectants. Staphylococci cell walls, principally composed of peptidoglycan, are a key target for antimicrobial agents. S. aureus proteomics and cell walls, grown as planktonic organisms, 3-day hydrated biofilm, 12-day hydrated biofilm and 12-day dry surface biofilm (DSB) were analysed. High-throughput tandem mass tag-based mass spectrometry showed upregulation of proteins involved in cell wall synthesis in biofilms compared to planktonic growth. Bacterial cell wall width (measured by transmission electron microscopy) and peptidoglycan production (detected using a silkworm larva plasma system) increased with biofilm culture duration (P < 0.001) and dehydration (P = 0.002). Similarly, disinfectant tolerance was greatest in DSB, followed by 12-day hydrated biofilm, then 3-day biofilm and least in planktonic bacteria, suggesting cell wall is one of the key determinants for S. aureus biofilm biocide resistance. Our findings shed light on possible new target to combat biofilm-related infections and hospital dry surface biofilms.
Travel distance, frequency of return and the spread of disease
Authors: Heine Cate , O'Keeffe Kevin P. , Santi Paolo , Yan Li , Ratti Carlo
Published: January 2023

In 2020 and 2021, the spread of COVID-19 was globally addressed by imposing restrictions on the distance of individual travel. Recent literature has uncovered a clear pattern in human mobility that underlies the complexity of urban mobility: r*f, the product of distance traveled r and frequency of return f per user to a given location, is invariant across space. This paper asks whether the invariant r*f also serves as a driver for epidemic spread, so that the risk associated with human movement can be modeled by a unifying variable r*f. We use two large-scale datasets of individual human mobility to show that there is in fact a simple relation between r and f and both speed and spatial dispersion of disease spread. This discovery could assist in modeling spread of disease and inform travel policies in future epidemics---based not only on travel distance r but also on frequency of return f.
NEK2 Promotes the Migration, Invasion, Proliferation and Drug Resistance of ESCC Through the E2F1-IGF2 Pathway
Authors: Gu Shaorui , Wang Mengying , Zhu Pengyuan , Yasen YakuFujiang , Zhou Yongxin , Wang Wenli
Published: January 2023

Purpose:Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) is a disease with a high incidence rate and high mortality worldwide. The Never in Mitosis A (NIMA) family member NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2) plays an important role in mitosis. However, the role of NEK2 in the pathogenesis of ESCC remains unclear.
Patients and methods:The expression and function of NEK2 in TCGA and GEO data sets were analyzed by bioinformatics.We verified the expression of NEK2 in ESCC tissues and cell lines by Western blotting and immunohistochemical methods and further explored the relationship between tumor stage and NEK2 expression. The differences in NEK2 expression and survival in patients with EC were verified by bioinformatics analysis. ESCC cell lines with stable knockdown of NEK2 were established by lentivirus-mediated shRNA delivery. The effects of NEK2 on ESCC cells were analyzed on the cytological level with assays including CCK-8, EdU, cell scratch, Transwell migration and invasion, colony formation, flow cytometry and apoptosis assays. Tumor growth was measured in a mouse xenograft model.
Results: We found that NEK2 is highly expressed in ESCC tissues and ESCC cells and that the high expression of NEK2 is associated with poor tumor healing. Knockdown of the NEK2 gene inhibits the migration, proliferation, invasion and cell cycle of ESCC cells. Biologic analysis shows that NEK2 is involved in biological processes such as progression and apoptosis of esophageal cancer, and is related to E2F.Mechanistically, NEK2 knockdown decreases the expression levels of E2F1 and IGF2. NEK2 competes with the transcription factor E2F1 to bind CDC20, resulting in decreased degradation and increased expression of E2F1. There is a positive correlation between E2F1 expression and IGF2 expression; thus, IGF2 expression is also increased, which promotes the expression of thymidylate synthase, further promoting the drug resistance of ESCC cells.
Conclusion: NEK2 is highly expressed in ESCC and can promote the migration, proliferation and invasion of ESCC cells. The NEK2-E2F1-IGF2 signaling pathway has great significance for the treatment of ESCC.