bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between lung function and the risk of atrial fibrillation in a nationwide population cohort study
Authors: Lee Su Nam , Ko Seung-Hyun , Her Sung-Ho , Han Kyungdo , Moon Donggyu , Kim Sung Kyoung , Yoo Ki-Dong , Ahn Yu-Bae
Published: March 2022

We investigated the association between lung function and atrial fibrillation (AF) in 21,349 adults without AF aged ≥ 40 years who underwent spirometry. The study participants were enrolled from the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey between 2008 and 2016. The primary outcome was new-onset non-valvular AF identified from the National Health Insurance Service database. During the median follow-up of 6.5 years, 2.15% of participants developed new-onset AF. The incidence rate of AF per 1000 person-years was inversely related to the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC quartile. After adjustment for multiple variables, the AF risk in the lowest FEV1 quartile was 1.64-fold higher than that in the highest quartile (hazard ratio (HR) 1.64 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26–2.12) for lowest FEV1 quartile). The lowest quartile of FVC had 1.56-fold higher AF risk than the highest quartile (HR 1.56 (95% CI 1.18–2.08) for lowest FVC quartile). Although the lowest FEV1/FVC quartile was associated with an increased risk of AF in the unadjusted model, this increased risk was not statistically significant in the multivariable analysis. Compared to those with normal lung function, participants with restrictive or obstructive lung function had 1.49 and 1.42-fold higher AF risks, respectively. In this large nationwide cohort study, both obstructive and restrictive patterns of reduced lung function were significantly associated with increased AF risk.
Mathematical analysis of a two-strain tuberculosis model in Bangladesh
Authors: Kuddus Md Abdul , McBryde Emma S. , Adekunle Adeshina I. , White Lisa J. , Meehan Michael T.
Published: March 2022

Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne infectious disease that causes millions of deaths worldwide each year (1.2 million people died in 2019). Alarmingly, several strains of the causative agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)—including drug-susceptible (DS) and drug-resistant (DR) variants—already circulate throughout most developing and developed countries, particularly in Bangladesh, with totally drug-resistant strains starting to emerge. In this study we develop a two-strain DS and DR TB transmission model and perform an analysis of the system properties and solutions. Both analytical and numerical results show that the prevalence of drug-resistant infection increases with an increasing drug use through amplification. Both analytic results and numerical simulations suggest that if the basic reproduction numbers of both DS ($${\text{R}}_{{0{\text{s}}}}$$

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) TB are less than one, i.e. $$\max \left[ {{\text{R}}_{{0{\text{s}}}} ,{\text{ R}}_{{0{\text{r}}}} } \right] < 1,$$

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the disease-free equilibrium is asymptotically stable, meaning that the disease naturally dies out. Furthermore, if $${\text{R}}_{{0{\text{r}}}} > {\text{max}}\left[ {{\text{R}}_{{0{\text{s}}}} ,1} \right]$$

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, then DS TB dies out but DR TB persists in the population, and if $${\text{R}}_{{0{\text{s}}}} > {\text{max}}\left[ {{\text{R}}_{{0{\text{r}}}} ,1} \right]$$

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both DS TB and DR TB persist in the population. Further, sensitivity analysis of the model parameters found that the transmission rate of both strains had the greatest influence on DS and DR TB prevalence. We also investigated the effect of treatment rates and amplification on both DS and DR TB prevalence; results indicate that inadequate or inappropriate treatment makes co-existence more likely and increases the relative abundance of DR TB infections.
The preoperative geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is an independent prognostic factor in elderly patients underwent curative resection for colorectal cancer
Authors: Hayama Tamuro , Hashiguchi Yojiro , Ozawa Tsuyoshi , Watanabe Makoto , Fukushima Yoshihisa , Shimada Ryu , Nozawa Keijiro , Matsuda Keiji , Fujii Shoichi , Fukagawa Takeo
Published: March 2022

The world is becoming longer-lived, and the number of elderly colorectal cancer patients is increasing. It is very important to identify simple and inexpensive postoperative predictors in elderly colorectal cancer patients. The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a marker of systemic nutrition and is associated with poor survival in various kinds of cancers. A few reports have investigated recurrence factors using preoperative GNRI with CRC (colorectal cancer) patients. This study aimed to investigate whether preoperative GNRI is associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in elderly patients with CRC. This study retrospectively enrolled 259 patients with Stage I–III CRC who were more than 65 years old and underwent curative surgery at a single institution in 2012–2017. We classified them into low GNRI (RFS: ≤ 90.5, OS ≤ 101.1) group and high GNRI (RFS: > 90.5, OS > 101.1) group. Multivariable analyses showed low GNRI group was an independent risk factor for 3-year RFS (P = 0.006) and OS (P = 0.001) in the patients with CRC. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed 3-year RFS and 3-year OS were significantly worse in the low GNRI group than in high GNRI group (p = 0.001, 0.0037). A low-preoperative GNRI was significantly associated with a poor prognosis in elderly CRC patients.
Standardized evaluation of the quality and persuasiveness of mobile health applications for diabetes management
Authors: Geirhos A. , Stephan M. , Wehrle M. , Mack C. , Messner E.-M. , Schmitt A. , Baumeister H. , Terhorst Y. , Sander L. B.
Published: March 2022

This study evaluates diabetes self-management mobile health applications available from European app stores with respect to quality, concordance with recommended self-management tasks and implementation of persuasive system design principles. The European Play Store and Apple App Store were systematically searched and relevant apps were tested. Two raters independently assessed app quality using the Mobile Application Rating Scale and conducted a content analysis of provided persuasive system design principles and self-management tasks. A total of 2,269 mobile health applications were identified and 120 could be included in the evaluation. The overall quality was rated as moderateM = 3.20 (SD = 0.39, min = 2.31, max = 4.62), with shortcomings in the subcategories of engagement (M = 2.80,SD = 0.67) and information quality (M = 2.26,SD = 0.48). Scientific evidence is available for 8% of the apps. The reviewed apps implemented a median of three persuasive system design principles (range 0–15) and targeted a median of 4.5 (range 1–8) self-management tasks, however, with a lack of information about psychosocial coping strategies. Most available diabetes self-management apps lack a scientific evidence base. Persuasive system design features are underrepresented and may form a promising tool to improve app quality. Furthermore, the interaction of physical and behavioral health should be improved in existing diabetes self-management mobile health applications.
Pretrained transformer framework on pediatric claims data for population specific tasks
Authors: Zeng Xianlong , Linwood Simon L. , Liu Chang
Published: March 2022

The adoption of electronic health records (EHR) has become universal during the past decade, which has afforded in-depth data-based research. By learning from the large amount of healthcare data, various data-driven models have been built to predict future events for different medical tasks, such as auto diagnosis and heart-attack prediction. Although EHR is abundant, the population that satisfies specific criteria for learning population-specific tasks is scarce, making it challenging to train data-hungry deep learning models. This study presents the Claim Pre-Training (Claim-PT) framework, a generic pre-training model that first trains on the entire pediatric claims dataset, followed by a discriminative fine-tuning on each population-specific task. The semantic meaning of medical events can be captured in the pre-training stage, and the effective knowledge transfer is completed through the task-aware fine-tuning stage. The fine-tuning process requires minimal parameter modification without changing the model architecture, which mitigates the data scarcity issue and helps train the deep learning model adequately on small patient cohorts. We conducted experiments on a real-world pediatric dataset with more than one million patient records. Experimental results on two downstream tasks demonstrated the effectiveness of our method: our general task-agnostic pre-training framework outperformed tailored task-specific models, achieving more than 10% higher in model performance as compared to baselines. In addition, our framework showed a potential to transfer learned knowledge from one institution to another, which may pave the way for future healthcare model pre-training across institutions.
A new method of intraoperative pelvic neuromonitoring: a preclinical feasibility study in a porcine model
Authors: Schuler Ramona , Goos Matthias , Langer Andreas , Meisinger Maximilian , Marquardt Christoph , Fritsch Helga , Konschake Marko
Published: March 2022

Low anterior resections (LAR) are frequently associated with complications such as urinary and fecal incontinence as well as sexual disorders. Typical risk factors are rectal cancer with low tumor location, preoperative radiotherapy, and surgery-related damage of pelvic autonomic nerves. As preserving the pelvic autonomic nerves without any technical assistance is challenging, the objective of this preclinical study was to investigate the technical feasibility of a new method for intraoperative pelvic neuromonitoring. Twelve female pigs undergoing low anterior resections were involved in a prospective preclinical study. Intraoperative pelvic neuromonitoring included direct pelvic nerve stimulation and tissue impedance measurement on the urinary bladder and the rectum for the identification of efferent pelvic nerves in the surgical area. Immunohistochemistry was used to verify the results. Smooth muscle contraction of the urinary bladder and/or the rectum in response to direct stimulation of the innervating nerves was detectable with impedance measurement. The macroscopic contraction of both the urinary bladder and the rectum correlated with a change in tissue impedance compared to the status before contraction. Thus, it was possible to identify pelvic nerves in the surgical area, which allows the nerves to be preserved. The results indicate a reliable identification of pelvic autonomic nerves, which allows nerve damage to be prevented in the future.
Study on the application and imaging characteristics of optical coherence tomography in vulva lesions
Authors: Xu Lida , Ma Qian , Lin Shaochong , Ju Juan , Feng Shuo , Shi Zhongna , Bai Yang , Song Junzhai , Du Junpeng , Wang Baojin
Published: March 2022

In this study, a prospective study was conducted by using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the in vivo detection of vulvar diseases. The clinical efficacy of the OCT we investigated in the detection of vulvar diseases, and the characteristics of the OCT images were defined. Overall, this study recruited 63 patients undergoing the colposcopy for vulvar lesions in three Chinese hospitals from December 20th, 2018 and September 24th, 2019. The colposcopy and the OCT examination were performed successively, and the OCT images were compared with the relevant tissue sections to characterize different lesions. The OCT diagnoses where categorized into 7 types, including normal and inflammatory vulva, condyloma acuminata, papilloma, lichen sclerosus, atrophic sclerosing lichen, fibrous epithelial polyp as well as cysts. The structural characteristics of the vulva tissue can be clearly observed in the OCT image, which are consistent with the characteristics of the tissue section. Compared with the pathological results, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the OCT examination reached 83.82% (95% confidence interval, CI 72.5%–91.3%), 57.89% (95% CI 34.0%–78.9%) and 78.16%, respectively. The OCT is found with the advantages of being noninvasive, real-time and sensitive and with high resolution. It is of high significance to screening vulva diseases, and it is expected as one of the methods to clinically diagnose vulva diseases.
UCHL5 controls β-catenin destruction complex function through Axin1 regulation
Authors: Han Wonhee , Koo Youngmu , Chaieb Leila , Keum Byeong-Rak , Han Jin-Kwan
Published: March 2022

Wnt/β-catenin signaling is crucially involved in many biological processes, from embryogenesis to cancer development. Hence, the complete understanding of its molecular mechanism has been the biggest challenge in the Wnt research field. Here, we identified ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase like 5 (UCHL5), a deubiquitinating enzyme, as a novel negative regulator of Wnt signaling, upstream of β-catenin. The study further revealed that UCHL5 plays an important role in the β-catenin destruction complex, as it physically interacts with multiple domains of Axin1 protein. Our functional analyses also elucidated that UCHL5 is required for both the stabilization and the polymerization of Axin1 proteins. Interestingly, although these events are governed by deubiquitination in the DIX domain of Axin1 protein, they do not require the deubiquitinating activity of UCHL5. The study proposes a novel molecular mechanism of UCHL5 potentiating the functional activity of Axin1, a scaffolder of the β-catenin destruction complex.
Evaluation and analysis of the projected population of China
Authors: Dai Kaixuan , Shen Shi , Cheng Changxiu
Published: March 2022

The population has a significant influence on economic growth, energy consumption, and climate change. Many scholars and organizations have published projections for China's future population due to its substantial population amounts. However, these projections have not been evaluated or analyzed, which may lead confusion to extensional studies based on these datasets. This manuscript compares several China's projection datasets at multiscale and analyzes the impacting factors affecting projection accuracy. The results indicate that the slow of actual population growth rates from 2017 is earlier than most datasets projected. Therefore, the turning point of population decline probably comes rapidly before these datasets expected during 2024 and 2034. Furthermore, the projections do not reveal the population decline from 2010 in the Northeast provinces such as Jilin and Heilongjiang, and underrate the population increase in the southern provinces such as Guangdong and Chongqing. According to the results of regression models, the rate of population changes and the number of migrations people play a significant role in projection accuracy. These findings provide meaningful guidance for scholars to understand the uncertainty of those projection datasets. Moreover, for researchers performing population projections, our discoveries provide insights to increase the projection accuracy.
An exceptionally stable and widespread hydrated amorphous calcium carbonate precipitated by the dog vomit slime mold Fuligo septica (Myxogastria)
Authors: Garvie Laurence A. J. , Németh Péter , Trif László
Published: March 2022

Biogenic amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) is typically metastable and can rapidly transform through aging, dehydration, and/or heating to crystalline calcium carbonate. Gaining insight into its structure and properties is typically hampered by its tendency to crystallize over short time periods once isolated from the host organism, and also by the small quantities that are usually available for study. Here we describe an exceptionally stable hydrated ACC (HACC) precipitated by the cosmopolitan slime mold Fuligo septica (L.) F.H. Wigg. (1780). A single slime mold can precipitate up to a gram of HACC over the course of one night. Powder x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, transmission electron microscopy images, infrared absorption spectra, together with the lack of optical birefringence are consistent with an amorphous material. XRD simulations, supported by thermogravimetric and evolved gas analysis data, are consistent with an intimate association of organic matter with ~ 1-nm-sized ACC units that have monohydrocalcite- and calcite-like nano-structural properties. It is postulated that this association imparts the extreme stability of the slime mold HACC by inhibiting loss of H2O and subsequent crystallization. The composition, structure, and thermal behavior of the HACC precipitated by F. septica collected over 8000 km apart and in markedly different environments, suggests a common structure, as well as similar biochemical and biomineralization mechanisms.
Soil-transmitted helminthiasis and undernutrition among schoolchildren in Mettu town, Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Yeshanew Solomon , Bekana Teshome , Truneh Zemenay , Tadege Melaku , Abich Embiet , Dessie Habtamu
Published: March 2022

Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STHs) and undernutrition are common health problems in developing countries. Several reports showed that STH and undernutrition are often associated. The main aim of this study was to determine the association of STH and undernutrition among schoolchildren in Mettu town, Southwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design was employed. To collect socio-demographic data, semi-structured questionnaire and physical observation were used. Kato-Katz technique and Anthropometric measurements were also considered to see STH infection and determine the nutritional statuses of the study participants respectively. Then, the data generated from the study was managed using Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis to determine the association of demographic variables with infections of helminthes and assess the risk factors for nutritional status of the study participants respectively. As a result, among the 392 study schoolchildren, 331 (84.4%) children were positive for different species of STH and undernutrition accounted 32.6%. Ascaris lumbricoides (39.0%), Trichuris trichiura (32.9%) and hookworm (28.1%) are the predominant STH identified from the study participants. Age, maternal educational and occupation status, and fingernail status of children were found significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the risk of getting STH. Bivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, age (AOR 2.18, 95% CI 1.53, 6.59), maternal illiteracy (AOR 0.13, 95% CI 0.91, 0.34) and maternal occupation (AOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.08, 5.91) were major co-founding factors for the prevalence of STH among study participants. In addition, children with T. trichiura infection were more likely (P < 0.01) to suffer from undernutrition (AOR 0.52, 95% CI 0.31, 0.83). Thus, the findings revealed the high prevalence of STH and it has significant association with undernutrition among school age children in the study area. Anti-helminthic mass drug administration and maternal health education should be anticipated to curve the tragedy.
Research on parameters optimization of digital imaging system in red–yellow jadeite color measurement
Authors: Liu Ziyuan , Guo Ying , Shang Yanran , Yuan Bin
Published: March 2022

The application of digital imaging to color measurement is more and more extensive, which also provides new ideas for gemology. In this paper, the single-factor experiment method and orthogonal experiment design are used to study the influence parameters of the digital imaging system (DIS) on gem color measurement. Among them, the illuminance has the most significant impact on the measurement results, followed by the exposure time, and the change of the measurement distance has an insignificant impact on the results; through range analysis and analysis of variance, the most suitable measurement parameters for red jadeite are 1600 lx, 12,500 μs, 25 cm.
Implementing efficient selective quantum process tomography of superconducting quantum gates on IBM quantum experience
Authors: Gaikwad Akshay , Shende Krishna , Arvind  , Dorai Kavita
Published: March 2022

The experimental implementation of selective quantum process tomography (SQPT) involves computing individual elements of the process matrix with the help of a special set of states called quantum 2-design states. However, the number of experimental settings required to prepare input states from quantum 2-design states to selectively and precisely compute a desired element of the process matrix is still high, and hence constructing the corresponding unitary operations in the lab is a daunting task. In order to reduce the experimental complexity, we mathematically reformulated the standard SQPT problem, which we term the modified SQPT (MSQPT) method. We designed the generalized quantum circuit to prepare the required set of input states and formulated an efficient measurement strategy aimed at minimizing the experimental cost of SQPT. We experimentally demonstrated the MSQPT protocol on the IBM QX2 cloud quantum processor and selectively characterized various two- and three-qubit quantum gates.
Customized 3D-printed stackable cell culture inserts tailored with bioactive membranes
Authors: Dogan Asli Aybike , Dufva Martin
Published: March 2022

There is a high demand in various fields to develop complex cell cultures. Apart from titer plates, Transwell inserts are the most popular device because they are commercially available, easy to use, and versatile. While Transwell inserts are standardized, there are potential gains to customize inserts in terms of the number of layers, height between the layers and the size and composition of the bioactive membrane. To demonstrate such customization, we present a small library of 3D-printed inserts and a robust method to functionalize the inserts with hydrogel and synthetic membrane materials. The library consists of 24- to 96-well sized inserts as whole plates, strips, and singlets. The density of cultures (the number of wells per plate) and the number of layers was decided by the wall thickness, the capillary forces between the layers and the ability to support fluid operations. The highest density for a two-layer culture was 48-well plate format because the corresponding 96-well format could not support fluidic operations. The bottom apertures were functionalized with hydrogels using a new high-throughput dip-casting technique. This yielded well-defined hydrogel membranes in the apertures with a thickness of about 500 µm and a %CV (coefficient of variance) of < 10%. Consistent intestine barrier was formed on the gelatin over 3-weeks period. Furthermore, mouse intestinal organoid development was compared on hydrogel and synthetic filters glued to the bottom of the 3D-printed inserts. Condensation was most pronounced in inserts with filters followed by the gelatin membrane and the control, which were organoids cultured at the bottom of a titer plate well. This showed that the bottom of an insert should be chosen based on the application. All the inserts were fabricated using an easy-to-use stereolithography (SLA) printer commonly used for dentistry and surgical applications. Therefore, on demand printing of the customized inserts is realistic in many laboratory settings.
A spatiotemporally explicit paleoenvironmental framework for the Middle Stone Age of eastern Africa
Authors: Timbrell Lucy , Grove Matt , Manica Andrea , Rucina Stephen , Blinkhorn James
Published: March 2022

Eastern Africa has played a prominent role in debates about human evolution and dispersal due to the presence of rich archaeological, palaeoanthropological and palaeoenvironmental records. However, substantial disconnects occur between the spatial and temporal resolutions of these data that complicate their integration. Here, we apply high-resolution climatic simulations of two key parameters, mean annual temperature and precipitation, and a biome model, to produce a highly refined characterisation of the environments inhabited during the eastern African Middle Stone Age. Occupations are typically found in sub-humid climates and landscapes dominated by or including tropical xerophytic shrubland. Marked expansions from these core landscapes include movement into hotter, low-altitude landscapes in Marine Isotope Stage 5 and cooler, high-altitude landscapes in Marine Isotope Stage 3, with the recurrent inhabitation of ecotones between open and forested habitats. Through our use of high-resolution climate models, we demonstrate a significant independent relationship between past precipitation and patterns of Middle Stone Age stone tool production modes overlooked by previous studies. Engagement with these models not only enables spatiotemporally explicit examination of climatic variability across Middle Stone Age occupations in eastern Africa but enables clearer characterisation of the habitats early human populations were adapted to, and how they changed through time.
A preliminary study on the inorganic carbon sink function of mineral weathering during sediment transport in the Yangtze River mainstream
Authors: Zhang Xinbao , Luo Jingcheng , Wang Xiaoguo , Tang Jialiang , Peng Tao
Published: March 2022

This study proposed that the dissolution of calcium and magnesium minerals in river sediment could sequester CO2 and function as a carbon sink. Based on the published study, "the contents and chemical and mineral compositions of the suspended particulate materials in the Yangtze River and their geological environmental implications” by Ding Tiping, the contents of CaO, MgO, calcite and dolomite in suspended sediment collected from 25 sampling points in the mainstream and 13 sampling points in the tributaries of the Yangtze River in 4 sampling campaigns during 2003–2007 were used to calculate the total inorganic carbon sink (TCS) capacity and nonsubstantial and substantial inorganic carbon sink (NSCS and SCS) capacities of suspended sediment along the river. Due to the reduction in the sediment yield, the TCS, NSCS and SCS of the Cuntan–Datong section during 2006–2019 decreased by 18.52 × 106 tons, 12.24 × 106 tons and 8.72 × 106 tons, respectively, compared to the period before 2002. The average annual sedimentation of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) was 114.5 × 106 tons, and the related TCS and SCS losses were 6.76 × 106 tons and 2.29 × 106 tons, respectively, which were equivalent to 7.9 and 2.7 percent of the 85.8 × 106 tons of CO2 emissions reduced by the clean energy production of the Three Gorges Hydropower Station. The TCS of global rivers was estimated as 757 × 106 tons (the SCS was more than one quarter of the TCS), which is equivalent to 71.6% of the TCS by global rock weathering with 1.06 × 109 tons of sequestered CO2. The collision and erosion of river sediment caused by turbulence in the processes of sediment transport (off-site rock weathering) could promote the dissolution of minerals. Therefore, it is reasonable that the dissolution rate of calcium and magnesium minerals for offsite rock weathering was much higher than that for in situ rock weathering.
Differential expression of podoplanin in metastatic lymph node is associated with extranodal extension in oropharyngeal cancer
Authors: Lee Hye Ran , Roh Jin , Gu Ga Young , Lee Ju Ho , Shin Yoo Seob , Jang Jeon Yeob , Kim Chul-Ho
Published: March 2022

This study aimed to investigate the spatial distribution and clinical significance of podoplanin expression in the metastatic lymph nodes of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs). The immunohistochemical podoplanin expression in the metastatic lymph nodes was evaluated in the pathologic specimens of 47 consecutive OPSCC patients. Clinicopathologic factors, including podoplanin expression and extranodal extension (ENE) status, were analyzed. Podoplanin was significantly expressed in the perinodal stroma (p = 0.001), and the average score of podoplanin was higher (p = 0.008) in ENE-positive lymph nodes than ENE-negative lymph nodes, although intranodal podoplanin expression did not differ significantly between the groups. Multivariable analysis revealed perinodal podoplanin expression as an independent marker of ENE in all the patients and the human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive group (p = 0.007 and p = 0.018, respectively). Podoplanin is differentially expressed in the metastatic lymph nodes in OPSCC, and its expression in perinodal stroma is associated with ENE, suggesting that podoplanin can be used clinically as a diagnostic biomarker.
Patients with low muscle mass have characteristic microbiome with low potential for amino acid synthesis in chronic liver disease
Authors: Yamamoto Kenta , Ishizu Yoji , Honda Takashi , Ito Takanori , Imai Norihiro , Nakamura Masanao , Kawashima Hiroki , Kitaura Yasuyuki , Ishigami Masatoshi , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro
Published: March 2022

Sarcopenia is thought to be related to the microbiome, but not enough reports in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients. In addition to the differences in microbiome, the role of the microbiome in the gut is also important to be clarified because it has recently been shown that the microbiome may produce branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in the body. In this single-center study, sixty-nine CLD patients were divided by skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) into low (L-SMI: n = 25) and normal (N-SMI: n = 44). Microbiome was analyzed from stool samples based on V3-4 region of bacterial 16S rRNA). L-SMI had a lower Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio than N-SMI. At the genus level, Coprobacillus, Catenibacterium and Clostridium were also lower while the Bacteroides was higher. Predictive functional profiling of the L-SMI group showed that genes related to nitrogen metabolism were enriched, but those related to amino acid metabolism, including BCAA biosynthesis, were lower. The genes related to 'LPS biosynthesis' was also higher. The microbiome of CLD patients with low muscle mass is characterized not only by high relative abundance of gram-negative bacteria with LPS, but also by the possibility of low potential for amino acid synthesis including BCAAs.
PPARγ regulates the expression of genes involved in the DNA damage response in an inflamed endometrium
Authors: Mierzejewski Karol , Paukszto Łukasz , Kurzyńska Aleksandra , Kunicka Zuzanna , Jastrzębski Jan P. , Makowczenko Karol G. , Golubska Monika , Bogacka Iwona
Published: March 2022

Inflammation is a biological response of the immune system, which can be triggered by many factors, including pathogens. These factors may induce acute or chronic inflammation in various organs, including the reproductive system, leading to tissue damage or disease. In this study, the RNA-Seq technique was used to determine the in vitro effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) ligands on the expression of genes and long non-coding RNA, and alternative splicing events (ASEs) in LPS-induced inflammation of the porcine endometrium during the follicular phase of the estrous cycle. Endometrial slices were incubated in the presence of LPS and PPARγ agonists (PGJ2or pioglitazone) and a PPARγ antagonist (T0070907). We identified 169, 200, 599 and 557 differentially expressed genes after LPS, PGJ2, pioglitazone or T0070907 treatment, respectively. Moreover, changes in differentially expressed long non-coding RNA and differential alternative splicing events were described after the treatments. The study revealed that PPARγ ligands influence the LPS-triggered expression of genes controlling the DNA damage response (GADD45β, CDK1, CCNA1, CCNG1, ATM). Pioglitazone treatment exerted a considerable effect on the expression of genes regulating the DNA damage response.
Simulated visual hallucinations in virtual reality enhance cognitive flexibility
Authors: Rastelli Clara , Greco Antonino , Kenett Yoed N. , Finocchiaro Chiara , De Pisapia Nicola
Published: March 2022

Historically, psychedelic drugs are known to modulate cognitive flexibility, a central aspect of cognition permitting adaptation to changing environmental demands. Despite proof suggesting phenomenological similarities between artificially-induced and actual psychedelic altered perception, experimental evidence is still lacking about whether the former is also able to modulate cognitive flexibility. To address this, we measure participants’ cognitive flexibility through behavioral tasks after the exposure to virtual reality panoramic videos and their hallucinatory-like counterparts generated by the DeepDream algorithm. Results show that the estimated semantic network has a flexible structure when preceded by altered videos. Crucially, following the simulated psychedelic exposure, individuals also show an attenuated contribution of the automatic process and chaotic dynamics underlying the decision process. This suggests that simulated altered perceptual phenomenology enhances cognitive flexibility, presumably due to a reorganization in the cognitive dynamics that facilitates the exploration of uncommon decision strategies and inhibits automated choices.
Naturally occurring deamidated triosephosphate isomerase is a promising target for cell-selective therapy in cancer
Authors: Enríquez-Flores Sergio , Flores-López Luis A. , De la Mora-De la Mora Ignacio , García-Torres Itzhel , Gracia-Mora Isabel , Gutiérrez-Castrellón Pedro , Fernández-Lainez Cynthia , Martínez-Pérez Yoalli , Olaya-Vargas Alberto , de Vos Paul , López-Velázquez Gabriel
Published: March 2022

Human triosephosphate isomerase (HsTIM) is a central glycolytic enzyme and is overexpressed in cancer cells with accelerated glycolysis. Triple-negative breast cancer is highly dependent on glycolysis and is typically treated with a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Deamidated HsTIM was recently proposed as a druggable target. Although thiol-reactive drugs affect cell growth in deamidated HsTIM-complemented cells, the role of this protein as a selective target has not been demonstrated. To delve into the usefulness of deamidated HsTIM as a selective target, we assessed its natural accumulation in breast cancer cells. We found that deamidated HsTIM accumulates in breast cancer cells but not in noncancerous cells. The cancer cells are selectively programmed to undergo cell death with thiol-reactive drugs that induced the production of methylglyoxal (MGO) and advanced glycation-end products (AGEs). In vivo, a thiol-reactive drug effectively inhibits the growth of xenograft tumors with an underlying mechanism involving deamidated HsTIM. Our findings demonstrate the usefulness of deamidated HsTIM as target to develop new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancers and other pathologies in which this post translationally modified protein accumulates.
Changes in the liver transcriptome and physiological parameters of Japanese Black steers during the fattening period
Authors: Kim Minji , Masaki Tatsunori , Ikuta Kentaro , Iwamoto Eiji , Uemoto Yoshinobu , Terada Fuminori , Roh Sanggun
Published: March 2022

We investigated the physiological changes during the fattening period and production characteristics in Japanese Black steers bred and raised using the typical feeding system in Japan. Here, 21 Japanese Black steers aged 12 months were used, with experimental period divided into early (12–14 months of age), middle (15–22 months), and late fattening phases (23–30 months). The liver transcriptome, blood metabolites, hormones, and rumen fermentation characteristics were analyzed. Blood triglyceride and non-esterified fatty acid concentrations increased, whereas blood ketone levels decreased, with fattening phases. Blood insulin increased with fattening phases and was positively correlated with carcass weight and marbling in late fattening phases. Rumen fermentation characteristics showed high propionate levels and low butyrate levels in late fattening phases, likely due to increased energy intake. Genes related to glucose metabolism, such as SESN3, INSR, LEPR, and FOXO3, were down-regulated in late fattening phases. Genes related to lipid metabolism, such as FABP4, were up-regulated, whereas FADS1 and FADS2 were down-regulated. These findings suggest that the physiological changes resulted from changes in the energy content and composition of diets. Liver metabolism changed with changes in fat metabolism. Insulin was strongly associated with physiological changes and productivity in Japanese Black cattle.
Murine glial progenitor cells transplantation and synthetic PreImplantation Factor (sPIF) reduces inflammation and early motor impairment in ALS mice
Authors: Ambrożkiewicz Karolina A. , Kozłowska Urszula , Haesler Valerie , Barnea Eytan R. , Mueller Martin , Kurpisz Maciej
Published: March 2022

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive motor neuronal disorder characterized by neuronal degeneration and currently no effective cure is available to stop or delay the disease from progression. Transplantation of murine glial-restricted precursors (mGRPs) is an attractive strategy to modulate ALS development and advancements such as the use of immune modulators could potentially extend graft survival and function. Using a well-established ALS transgenic mouse model (SOD1G93A), we tested mGRPs in combination with the immune modulators synthetic PreImplantation Factor (sPIF), Tacrolimus (Tac), and Costimulatory Blockade (CB). We report that transplantation of mGRPs into the cisterna magna did not result in increased mice survival. The addition of immunomodulatory regimes again did not increase mice lifespan but improved motor functions and sPIF was superior compared to other immune modulators. Immune modulators did not affect mGRPs engraftment significantly but reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Finally, sPIF and CB reduced the number of microglial cells and prevented neuronal number loss. Given the safety profile and a neuroprotective potential of sPIF, we envision its clinical application in near future.
Photo-induced antiferromagnetic-ferromagnetic and spin-state transition in a double-perovskite cobalt oxide thin film
Authors: Zhang Yujun , Katayama Tsukasa , Chikamatsu Akira , Schüßler-Langeheine Christian , Pontius Niko , Hirata Yasuyuki , Takubo Kou , Yamagami Kohei , Ikeda Keisuke , Yamamoto Kohei , Hasegawa Tetsuya , Wadati Hiroki
Published: March 2022

Investigation of ultrafast dynamic behaviors can provide novel insights about the coupling mechanisms among multiple degrees of freedom in condensed matters, such as lattice, magnetism and electronic structure. Here we investigate both the ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) dynamics of a strongly correlated oxide system, GdBaCo2O5.5 thin film by time-resolved x-ray magnetic circular dichroism in reflectivity (XMCDR) and resonant magnetic x-ray diffraction (RMXD). A photo-induced AFM-FM transition characterized by an increase of the transient XMCDR (sensitive to FM order) beyond the unpumped value and a decay of RMXD (sensitive to AFM order) was observed. The photon-energy dependence of the transient XMCDR and reflectivity could be interpreted as a concomitant photo-induced spin-state transition (SST). The AFM-FM transition and SST couple with each other in the time domain, resulting in unusual dynamic behaviors of the magnetism.
Targeting chemokine receptors from the inside-out: discovery and development of small-molecule intracellular antagonists
Authors: Billen Margaux , Schols Dominique , Verwilst Peter
Published: March 2022

Intracellular, allosteric antagonists for chemokine receptors hold great promise for the therapeutic modulation of chemokine responses.
In situ synthesis of Pt nanoparticles encapsulated in silicalite-1 zeolite via a steam-assisted dry-gel conversion method
Authors: Zhang Siyu , Zhang Xiaomin , Dong Lei , Zhu Shengjie , Yuan Yangyang , Xu Lei
Published: March 2022

Pt NPs with high thermal stability and activity were directly encapsulated in MFI-type zeolite via a steam-assisted dry-gel conversion method.
Time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy: the continuing evolution of a mature technique
Authors: Schuurman Michael S. , Blanchet Valérie
Published: March 2022

In this perspective, we discuss the current state of the art of time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy to probe nonadiabatic dynamics, including ab initio approaches for its simulation and new experimental efforts.
Electronic and optical properties of a novel two-dimensional semiconductor material TlPt2S3: a first-principles study
Authors: Yang Xin , Shen Yanqing , Liu Jiajia , Meng Xianghui , Gao Xu , Lv Lingling , Zhou Min , Zhang Yu , Zheng Yangdong , Zhou Zhongxiang
Published: March 2022

A novel two-dimensional semiconductor material TlPt2S3 for photocatalysis.
2D graphdiyne: an emerging carbon material
Authors: Fang Yan , Liu Yuxin , Qi Lu , Xue Yurui , Li Yuliang
Published: March 2022

This review highlights the fundamental and applied research on graphdiyne in various fields, along with the challenges and future opportunities.
Phosphorescent Ir(iii) complexes derived from purine nucleobases
Authors: Lorenzo-Aparicio Carmen , Gómez Gallego Mar , Ramírez de Arellano Carmen , Sierra Miguel A.
Published: March 2022

Novel types of neutral (orange-red emitters,ϕ=0.42–0.65) and cationic (yellow-green emitters,ϕ= 0.24–0.32) phosphorescent Ir(iii) complexes based on 6-phenylpurine nucleosides and nucleotides were prepared.
Formation of mononuclear N,O-chelate zirconium complexes by direct insertion of epoxide into tetrakis(dimethylamido)zirconium: highly promising approach for developing an ALD precursor of ZrO2 thin films
Authors: Jiang Jianwei , Choi Sohee , Oh Jaehyun , Choi Jihyun , Sun Ho-Jung , Yoon Sungho
Published: March 2022

A non-classical and highly effective approach for the preparation of a mononuclear N,O-chelate Zr compounds was developed. The produced precursor enables ALD of ZrO2 at a satisfying growth rate (0.93 Å per cycle).
Antioxidant properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional fermented yak milk and their probiotic effects on the oxidative senescence ofCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Li Wenyuan , Gao Li'e , Huang Wenkang , Ma Ying , Muhammad Ishaq , Hanif Anum , Ding Zitong , Guo Xusheng
Published: March 2022

The current study was conducted to screen antioxidant lactic acid bacteria strains isolated from traditionally fermented Tibetan yak milk, and to evaluate their probiotic effects on the oxidative senescence of C. elegans.
Synthesis of a fluorinated pyronin that enables blue light to rapidly depolarize mitochondria
Authors: Gao Zhe , Sharma Krishna K. , Andres Angelo E. , Walls Brandon , Boumelhem Fadel , Woydziak Zachary R. , Peterson Blake R.
Published: March 2022

2,7-Difluoropyronin B accumulates in cellular mitochondria, reacts with amines, and undergoes oxidation promoted by blue light to trigger mitochondrial depolarization.
Bayesian optimization for material discovery processes with noise
Authors: Diwale Sanket , Eisner Maximilian K. , Carpenter Corinne , Sun Weike , Rutledge Gregory C. , Braatz Richard D.
Published: March 2022

An augmented Bayesian optimization approach is presented for materials discovery with noisy and unreliable measurements.
Chiral nematic liquid crystal droplets as a basis for sensor systems
Authors: Paterson Daniel A. , Du Xiaoxue , Bao Peng , Parry Adele A. , Peyman Sally A. , Sandoe Jonathan A. T. , Evans Stephen D. , Luo Dan , Bushby Richard J. , Jones J. Cliff , Gleeson Helen F.
Published: March 2022

For a series of phospholipid coated calamitic nematic liquid crystal droplets the addition of chiral dopant leaves the sign of surface anchoring unchanged but changes the director structure from Frank–Pryce to nested-cup inducing a strong optical change suitable for sensing.
Luminescence enhancement effects on nanostructured perovskite thin films for Er/Yb-doped solar cells
Authors: Hu Zhelu , González María Ujué , Chen Zhuoying , Gredin Patrick , Mortier Michel , García-Martín Antonio , Aigouy Lionel
Published: March 2022

A luminescent up-converting Er/Yb doped nanocrystal is scanned above a nanostructured perovskite surface to observe light localization and enhancement effects.
A first-principles and machine-learning investigation on the electronic, photocatalytic, mechanical and heat conduction properties of nanoporous C5N monolayers
Authors: Mortazavi Bohayra , Shahrokhi Masoud , Shojaei Fazel , Rabczuk Timon , Zhuang Xiaoying , Shapeev Alexander V.
Published: March 2022

Phononic thermal transport, mechanical/failure response, electronic, optical and photocatalytic properties of the C5N monolayer are explored using the density functional theory and machine-learning interatomic potentials.
Fabrication and electrical properties of printed three-dimensional integrated carbon nanotube PMOS inverters on flexible substrates
Authors: Deng Jie , Li Xiaoqian , Li Min , Wang Xin , Shao Shuangshuang , Li Jiaqi , Fang Yuxiao , Zhao Jianwen
Published: March 2022

The low resolution of current printing technology (usually 10–100 μm) limits the number of printed thin film transistors (TFTs) per processable area, resulting in the low integration of printed circuits.
Closed-shell d10–d10 in [AuCl(CNR)]n and [AuCl(CO)]n (n = 1, 2; R = –H, –CH3, –Cy) complexes: quantum chemistry study of their electronic and optical properties
Authors: Mendizabal Fernando , Miranda-Rojas Sebastián
Published: March 2022

The [AuCl(CNR)] and [AuCl(CO)] (R = –H, –CH3, –Cy) complexes were modeled and their electronic and optical properties described.
Goethite/montmorillonite adsorption coupled with electrocoagulation for improving fluoride removal from aqueous solutions
Authors: Kang Jiali , Li Junfeng , Ma Chengxiao , Yi Lijuan , Gu Tiantian , Wang Jiankang , Liu Shenglin
Published: March 2022

A new material GMS is produced as electrodes in the electrocoagulation (EC) process for F− removing from aqueous environments. The removal rate reaches 99.47% through the EC/GMS. Adsorption and co-precipitation are the main F− removal pathways.
Li4SiO4 Doped-Li7P2S8I solid electrolytes with high lithium stability synthesised using liquid-phase shaking
Authors: Hikima Kazuhiro , Ler Ho Jia , Indrawan Radian Febi , Muto Hiroyuki , Matsuda Atsunori
Published: March 2022

The galvanostatic cycling test results demonstrate that the Li7P2S8I·10Li4SiO4 has excellent long-term cycling stability in excess of 680 cycles (1370 h), indicating that it is highly compatible with Li anode.
Diazido macrocyclic sulfates as a platform for the synthesis of sequence-defined polymers for antibody drug conjugates
Authors: Forsythe Neil L. , Tan Mikayla F. , Maynard Heather D.
Published: March 2022

We report a new method for the synthesis of functional, sequence-defined polyethers and apply the material to antibody conjugation.
Investigating the morphological transitions in an associative surfactant ternary system
Authors: Honaryar Houman , LaNasa Jacob A. , Hickey Robert J. , Shillcock Julian C. , Niroobakhsh Zahra
Published: March 2022

Ternary phase diagram for a system of a cationic surfactant, a polar oil, and water is established using experiment and simulation. The morphological phase transitions (micelle-to-lamellar and vesicle-to-lamellar) across the diagram are investigated.
Finding the sweet spot: a library of hydrogels with tunable degradation for tissue model development
Authors: Pandala Narendra , LaScola Michael A. , Hinton Zachary , Korley La Shanda T. J. , Lavik Erin
Published: March 2022

By varying the degradable and non degradable components, gels can be made to support tissue development for in vitro models for long term and high throughput applications.
Recent advances in flexible and wearable chemo- and bio-sensors based on two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes)
Authors: Zhu Shuihong , Wang Di , Li Mancai , Zhou Chuan , Yu Deshuai , Lin Youhui
Published: March 2022

Due to their excellent hydrophilicity, outstanding conductivity, unique structures, and physicochemical properties, MXenes have become a potential candidate material for flexible and wearable chemo- and bio-sensors.