bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elevated air quality index and fine particulate matter levels contribute to the poor prognosis and progression of nonsmall‐cell lung cancer: A cohort study combined with external validation
Authors: Li Jing , Wei Xiaoying , Gu Ling , Qiu Linya , Xiang Mengqi , Zhang Huachuan , Xia Lei , Pan Wenying , Yang Zhenyu , Zhou Xiaoli , Zeng Daxiong , Jiang Junhong
Published: March 2022

Background

Poor air quality can result in a variety of respiratory disorders. However, the air quality index (AQI) and the level of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on the progression and prognosis of nonsmall‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are unclear.

Methods

We launched a cohort study focused on the relationship between air quality and overall survival as well as progression, incorporating data from 590 patients with NSCLC in our medical center between November 1, 2013 and March 1, 2016. Forty‐nine patients from Sichuan Cancer Hospital were used for validation.

Results

Cases with poorer AQI 6 months before NSCLC diagnosis were more likely to progress to stage III to IV NSCLC than controls (OR = 2.61, 95% CI 1.35–5.24, p = 0.005). Similarly, if exposed to high levels of PM2.5 during these 6 months, overall survival was poor (HR [95% CI] = 1.53 [1.13, 2.07], p = 0.006). According to multivariate analysis, age, gender, KPS, PM2.5, hyperlipemia, and NSCLC stage were independent risk factors of overall survival. A predictive model developed by these factors above yielded a favorable agreement (C‐index = 0.758) on the calibration curve. External validation was conducted by 46 patients from Sichuan Cancer Hospital displaying an AUC of 0.724 (0.684–0.763).

Conclusions

PM2.5 and AQI levels affect disease progression and long‐term survival in NSCLC patients. An overall survival prediction model based on the PM2.5 level can help clinicians predict the risk of death in NSCLC.
Evaluation of Two Water Deficit Models on Phenolic Profiles and Antioxidant Activities of Different Peach Fruits Parts
Authors: Guizani Monia , Dabbou Samia , Maatallah Samira , Montevecchi Giuseppe , Antonelli Andrea , Serrano Maria , Hajlaoui Hichem , Rezig Mourad , Kilani‐Jaziri Soumaya
Published: March 2022

The present work was designed to evaluate the effects of two water shortage strategies on the phenolic profile and antioxidants activities of four Prunus persica L. cultivars (Flordastar, Early May crest, Rubirich and O'Henry). Over the course of two successive seasons (2016 and 2017), three different irrigation strategies were tested: full irrigation (FI: 100 % crop evapotranspiration (Etc)), sustained deficit irrigation (SDI: 50 % ETc), and cyclic deficit irrigation (CDI: irrigation at 100 % field capacity with a soil moisture of 50 % field capacity). HPLC‐UV/VIS profile of phenolic compounds, enzymatic and non‐enzymatic antioxidant activities were assessed in exocarp and mesocarp. The results showed that deficit irrigation improved the content of phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activities. In O'Henry, ascorbate peroxidase activity increased significantly under CDI in exocarp (249 %). In conclusion, most cultivars showed an improvement of the fruit quality under SDI, whereas O'Henry fruits gathered the highest phenolic amounts and displayed the best antioxidant activity under CDI.
Chemodiversity, Biological Activities and Molecular Docking Studies ofLeptadenia pyrotechnica(Forssk.) Decne: A Comprehensive Approach to Validate Its Medicinal Use.
Authors: Zubair Momina , Nazir Mamona , Saleem Muhammad , Raiz Naheed , Touseef Saba , Khan Saima , Zengin Gokhan , Ehsan Mazhar Muhammad , Imran Tousif Muhammad
Published: March 2022

Leptadenia pyrotechnica(Forssk.) Decne is growing in Cholistan desert, and is known for its laxative, analgesic, anabolic and astringent, antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumor, hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic properties. The present study disclosed the metabolic picture ofL. pyrotechnicaand validates its folk uses. LP‐H fraction constitute 25.79±0.11 mgGAE/g extract and 20.64±0.33 mgRE/g extract of phenolic and flavonoid content, respectively, followed by LP‐E (23.15±0.33 mgGAE/g extract and 19.40±0.13 mgRE/g extract), however, LP‐E exhibited the highest free radical scavenging (DPPH: 21.05±0.45mgTE/g and ABTS: 68.12±0.53 mgTE/g) and metal reducing (FRAP: 44.93±1.66, CUPRAC: 117.42±1.28 mgTE/g, respectively) activities. The total antioxidant capacity in Phosphomolybdenum assay (1.52±0.14 mmolTE/g) and ferrous ion chelating (11.57±0.29 mgEDTAE/g) activities were observed highest for LP‐H extract. In cholinesterase's inhibitory assays, the LP‐E and LP‐W extracts exhibited inhibitory values as 2.43 and 2.40±0.07 mgGALAE/g extract, respectively against AChE, while against BChE the LP‐H displayed the highest value as 5.98±0.44 mgGALAE/g extract. The LP‐H fraction also showed the highest inhibition potential (7.72±0.14 mmol ACAE/g and 0.55±0.01 mmol ACAE/g, respectively) against α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase enzymes, while, in tyrosinase inhibitory assay, all the fractions exhibited significant activities in the range of 59.35±0.29 to 55.18±0.49 mgKAE/g extract. RP‐UHPLC/MS analysis of LP‐M disclosed the presence of 57 metabolites of various classes. A multivariate analysis and molecular docking study was also carried out to establish relationships between the metabolites and the biological activities, which finally validate the use ofL. pyrotechnicaas herbal medicine or component nutraceutical, food and cosmetic industry.
Conformationally Constrained Sialyl Analogues as New Potential Binders of h‐CD22
Authors: Forgione Rosa Ester , Nieto Ferran Fabregat , Di Carluccio Cristina , Milanesi Francesco , Fruscella Martina , Papi Francesco , Nativi Cristina , Molinaro Antonio , Palladino Pasquale , Scarano Simona , Minunni Maria , Montefiori Marco , Civera Monica , Sattin Sara , Francesconi Oscar , Marchetti Roberta , Silipo Alba
Published: March 2022

Here, two conformationally constrained sialyl analogues were synthesized and characterized in their interaction with the inhibitory Siglec, human CD22 (h‐CD22). An orthogonal approach, including biophysical assays (SPR and fluorescence), ligand‐based NMR techniques, and molecular modelling, was employed to disentangle the interaction mechanisms at a molecular level. The results showed that the Sialyl‐TnThr antigen analogue represents a promising scaffold for the design of novel h‐CD22 inhibitors. Our findings also suggest that the introduction of a biphenyl moiety at position 9 of the sialic acid hampers canonical accommodation of the ligand in the protein binding pocket, even though the affinity with respect to the natural ligand is increased. Our results address the search for novel modifications of the Neu5Ac‐α(2‐6)‐Gal epitope, outline new insights for the design and synthesis of high‐affinity h‐CD22 ligands, and offer novel prospects for therapeutic intervention to prevent autoimmune diseases and B‐cell malignancies.
Dexmedetomidine attenuates hypoxia‐induced cardiomyocyte injury by promoting telomere/telomerase activity: Possible involvement of ERK1/2‐Nrf2 signaling pathway
Authors: Wu Wei , Du Zhen , Wu Lei
Published: March 2022

Dexmedetomidine (Dex), an α2‐adrenergic receptor (α2‐AR) agonist, possesses cardioprotection against ischemic/hypoxic injury, but the exact mechanism is not fully elucidated. Since telomere/telomerase dysfunction is involved in myocardial ischemic damage, the present study aimed to investigate whether Dex ameliorates cobalt chloride (CoCl2; a hypoxia mimic agent in vitro)‐induced the damage of H9c2 cardiomyocytes by improving telomere/telomerase dysfunction and further explored the underlying mechanism focusing on extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK1/2)‐NF‐E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. The result showed that Dex increased cell viability, decreased apoptosis, and reduced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy as illustrated by the decreases in cell surface area and the biomarker levels for cardiac hypertrophy including atrial natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic peptide, and myosin heavy chain β messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein in CoCl2‐exposed H9c2 cells. Intriguingly, Dex increased the telomere length and telomerase activity as well as telomere reverse transcriptase protein and mRNA levels in H9c2 cells exposed to CoCl2, indicating that Dex promotes telomere/telomerase function under hypoxia. In addition, Dex remarkably diminished the reactive oxygen species generation, reduced malondialdehyde content, and increased antioxidative signaling as evidenced by the increases in superoxide dismutase and plasma glutathione peroxidase activities. Furthermore, Dex increased the ratio of P‐ERK1/2/T‐ERK1/2 and P‐Nrf2/T‐Nrf2 and enhanced Nrf2 nuclear translocation in CoCl2‐subjected H9c2 cells, suggesting that Dex promotes the activation of the ERK1/2‐Nrf2 signaling pathway. These novel findings indicated that Dex attenuates myocardial ischemic damage and reduces myocardial hypertrophy by promoting telomere/telomerase function, which may be associated with the activation of the ERK1/2‐Nrf2 signaling pathway in vitro.
Mitral valve edge‐to‐edge repair versus indirect mitral valve annuloplasty in atrial functional mitral regurgitation
Authors: Rottländer Dennis , Golabkesh Milad , Degen Hubertus , Ögütcü Alev , Saal Martin , Haude Michael
Published: March 2022

Objectives

We aimed to compare indirect mitral annuloplasty using the Carillon Mitral Contour System and edge‐to‐edge repair via MitraClip in atrial functional mitral regurgitation (aFMR).

Background

In patients with left ventricular dilation, both edge‐to‐edge repair and indirect mitral annuloplasty are effective in reducing mitral regurgitation, while no clinical trial has compared both interventional methods in aFMR.

Methods

In a retrospective single‐center analysis, 41 patients with aFMR underwent either edge‐to‐edge mitral valve repair (MitraClip group, n = 20) or indirect annuloplasty (Carillon group, n = 21).

Results

Both treatment groups showed high procedural success (100%) and low complication rates. Both treatment groups showed a comparable reduction of New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification postimplantation, after 3‐ and 12‐months follow‐up. Quantitative reduction in echocardiographic FMR parameters was significantly pronounced in the MitraClip group (reduction in vena contracta MitraClip vs. Carillon: postimplantation −74.6 ± 25.8 vs. −29.1 ± 17.8%, 3‐months follow‐up −65.8 ± 31.2 vs. −33.9 ± 17.5%, 12‐months follow‐up −50.8 ± 27.9 vs. −23.9 ± 17.0%, p < 0.05). Qualitative mitral valve assessment showed improved FMR class postimplantation, at 3‐and 12‐months follow‐up in both treatment groups. Edge‐to‐edge repair revealed better results with lower average FMR classification compared to indirect coronary sinus‐based annuloplasty. After 12‐months left atrial (LA) volume was significantly reduced in the Carillon group, while in the MitraClip group no LA remodeling was found (reduction in LA volume MitraClip vs. Carillon at 12 months: +9.6 ± 25.1% vs. −12.3 ± 12.7%, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Both indirect mitral valve annuloplasty and edge‐to‐edge repair are feasible and safe in patients with aFMR, while the reduction in FMR was pronounced in the edge‐to‐edge repair group.
Contrast‐Induced encephalopathy following diagnostic coronary angiography
Authors: Rashid Hytham , Brown Jonathan , Nix Emily , Fisher Covin Alan
Published: March 2022

Contrast‐induced encephalopathy (CIE) is a rare, reversible complication of coronary angiography that can mimic acute strokes. This case illustrates the diagnostic challenges for a patient presenting with confusion following coronary angiography and raises awareness for CIE as diagnosis of exclusion.
Durable Electrooxidation of Acidic Water Catalysed by a Cobalt‐Bismuth‐based Oxide Composite: An Unexpected Role of the F‐doped SnO2 Substrate
Authors: Du Hoang‐Long , Chatti Manjunath , Kerr Brittany , Nguyen Cuong K. , Tran‐Phu Thanh , Hoogeveen Dijon A. , Cherepanov Pavel V. , Chesman Anthony S. R. , Johannessen Bernt , Tricoli Antonio , Hocking Rosalie K. , MacFarlane Douglas R. , Simonov Alexandr N.
Published: March 2022

Aiming to design a catalyst for stable electrooxidation of water at low pH, the present work explores the properties and structural features of electrodeposited composite oxides based on Bi and Co, which were anticipated to provide stability and catalytical activity, respectively. Materials deposited as very thin (ca 50 nm) films on F‐doped SnO2 (FTO) substrate do not initially exhibit high activity in 0.1 M H2SO4, but are activated during operation through the electrooxidatively‐induced enrichment of the catalytic surface with Co and Sn oxides. The latter originate from the FTO support and are identified as an important component of the catalyst through control experiments with a Sn‐free substrate and with Sn2+ intentionally added at the electrodeposition stage. A distinctive feature of the Co−Bi−Sn‐based electrocatalyst is the slow but persistent improvement in the activity during operation in 0.1 M H2SO4 at both ambient and elevated (60 °C) temperatures, which contrasts with the continuously degrading behaviour of state‐of‐the‐art oxygen evolution catalysts at low pH. This is demonstrated by 9‐day‐long galvanostatic tests at 10 mA cm−2, during which the Co−Bi−Sn‐based thin film catalyst shows no degradation and sustains stable water oxidation at ca 1.9 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode. The effects of tin leaching from the support detected herein might have implications to other acidic water oxidation catalysts supported on high‐surface area doped SnO2 materials.
Polysulfide Synthesis Using Waste Cooking Palm Oil via Inverse Vulcanization
Authors: Nayeem Abdullah , Ali Mohd Faizal , Shariffuddin Jun Haslinda
Published: March 2022

Elemental sulfur and waste cooking palm oil (WCO) are abundant industrial by‐products from petrochemical and food processing industries, respectively. WCO was used as a crosslinker to prepare a high‐sulfur‐content polymer through inverse vulcanization. Polysulfides were generated under vigorous stirring of WCO with elemental sulfur at different temperatures, crosslinking ratios, and reaction times. The physicochemical properties of the produced polysulfides were determined and the thermal stability was analyzed. The FTIR spectra including the breakdown of C=C and formation of C–S bond confirmed the change of functional groups between WCO and produced polymer. The effect of saturated and unsaturated triglycerides of WCO is clearly visible in SEM micrographs. The polysulfide with a 70 wt % sulfur feed ratio showed excellent morphological and thermal properties.
A national quality improvement study identifying and addressing cancer screening deficits due to the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Joung Rachel H. , Nelson Heidi , Mullett Timothy W. , Kurtzman Scott H. , Shafir Sarah , Harris James B. , Yao Katharine A. , Brajcich Brian C. , Bilimoria Karl Y. , Cance William G.
Published: March 2022

Background

Cancer‐related deaths over the next decade are expected to increase due to cancer screening deficits associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Although national deficits have been quantified, a structured response to identifying and addressing local deficits has not been widely available. The objectives of this report are to share preliminary data on monthly screening deficits in breast, colorectal, lung, and cervical cancers across diverse settings and to provide online materials from a national quality improvement (QI) study to help other institutions to address local screening deficits.

Methods

This prospective, national QI study on Return‐to‐Screening enrolled 748 accredited cancer programs in the United States from April through June 2021. Local prepandemic and pandemic monthly screening test volumes (MTVs) were used to calculate the relative percent change in MTV to describe the monthly screening gap.

Results

The majority of facilities reported monthly screening deficits (colorectal cancer, 80.6% [n = 104/129]; cervical cancer, 69.0% [n = 20/29]; breast cancer, 55.3% [n = 241/436]; lung cancer, 44.6% [n = 98/220]). Overall, the median relative percent change in MTV ranged from –17.7% for colorectal cancer (interquartile range [IQR], –33.6% to –2.8%), –6.8% for cervical cancer (IQR, –29.4% to 1.7%), –1.6% for breast cancer (IQR, –9.6% to 7.0%), and 1.2% for lung cancer (IQR, –16.9% to 19.0%). Geographic differences were not observed. There were statistically significant differences in the percent change in MTV between institution types for colorectal cancer screening (P = .02).

Conclusion

Cancer screening is still in need of urgent attention, and the screening resources made available online may help facilities to close critical gaps and address screenings missed in 2020.

Lay Summary

Question: How can the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on cancer screening be mitigated?

Findings: When national resources were provided, including methods to calculate local screening deficits, 748 cancer programs promptly enrolled in a national Return‐to‐Screening study, and the majority identified local screening deficits, most notably in colorectal cancer. Using these results, 814 quality improvement projects were initiated with the potential to add 70,000 screening tests in 2021.

Meaning: Cancer screening is still in need of urgent attention, and the online resources that we provide may help to close critical screening deficits.
SISTA: Learning Optimal Transport Costs under Sparsity Constraints
Authors: Carlier Guillaume , Dupuy Arnaud , Galichon Alfred , Sun Yifei
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we describe a novel iterative procedure called SISTA to learn the underlying cost in optimal transport problems. SISTA is a hybrid between two classical methods, coordinate descent (“S”‐inkhorn) and proximal gradient descent (“ISTA”). It alternates between a phase of exact minimization over the transport potentials and a phase of proximal gradient descent over the parameters of the transport cost. We prove that this method converges linearly, and we illustrate on simulated examples that it is significantly faster than both coordinate descent and ISTA. We apply it to estimating a model of migration, which predicts the flow of migrants using country‐specific characteristics and pairwise measures of dissimilarity between countries. This application demonstrates the effectiveness of machine learning in quantitative social sciences. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Recent Approaches in the Catalytic Transformation of Biomass‐Derived 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural into 2,5‐Diformylfuran
Authors: Hoang Tran Phuong
Published: March 2022

The conversion of biomass into a great variety of valuable chemicals, polymers, and fuels gives a sustainable alternative for the insufficiency of non‐renewable fossil fuel resources and reduces environmental pollution. 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), converted from sustainable carbohydrates, is a significant building block chemical, and the selective oxidation of HMF into 2,5‐diformylfuran (DFF) presents an ongoing challenge. DFF is a versatile platform molecule derived from biomass and has promising application in pharmaceuticals and polymers. This Review provides an overview of the latest developments of efficient catalytic systems for the sustainable conversion of HMF to DFF.
A New Family of Renewable Thermosets: Kraft Lignin Poly‐adipates
Authors: Di Francesco Davide , Rigo Davide , Reddy Baddigam Kiran , Mathew Aji P. , Hedin Niklas , Selva Maurizio , Samec Joseph S. M.
Published: March 2022

Thermosetting polymeric materials have advantageous properties and are therefore used in numerous applications. In this study, it was hypothesized and ultimately shown that thermosets could be derived from comparably sustainable sub‐components. A two‐step procedure to produce a thermoset comprising of Kraft lignin (KL) and the cross‐linker adipic acid (AdA) was developed. The cross‐linking was activated by means of an acetylating agent comprising isopropenyl acetate (IPA) to form a cross‐linking mixture (CLM). The cross‐linking was confirmed by FTIR and solid‐state NMR spectroscopy, and the esterification reactions were further studied using model compounds. When the KL lignin was mixed with the CLM, partial esterification occurred to yield a homogeneous viscous liquid that could easily be poured into a mold, as the first step in the procedure. Without any additions, the mold was heated and the material transformed into a thermoset by reaction of the two carboxylic acid‐derivatives of AdA and KL in the second step.
Energy optimized resource and power allocation in an uplink‐based underlay device‐to‐device communication for 5G network
Authors: Nagarajan Rajkumar , Vali Mohamad Noor Mohammed
Published: March 2022

Fifth generation (5G) and beyond fifth generation (B5G) networks are expected to provide more energy efficiency, spectral efficiency, and very high data rate with minimum latency to an ultradense environment. To meet the requirements of 5G and B5G standards, the network infrastructure can be network‐centric approach where the network is modified with respect to new radio signals and waveforms. The other approach is device centric where the existing network infrastructure can be efficiently utilized. Device‐to‐Device (D2D) communication is a key technique in device centric approach that supports 5G and B5G networks. We propose a Sequential Best Throughput Seek Algorithm (SBTSA), to compute the interference threshold for each Cellular User Equipment (CUE), and optimum resource blocks (RBs) are assigned to D2D pairs which provide best throughput to D2D pairs without affecting the Quality of Service (QoS) of the CUEs. The transmit power is optimized using genetic algorithm (GA) to effectively handle the interference between cellular users and D2D pairs. Proposed algorithm is compared with existing methods, and best results are obtained in terms of system throughput, battery utilization and energy efficiency.
In sync with your child: The potential of parent–child electroencephalography in developmental research
Authors: Turk Elise , Vroomen Jean , Fonken Yvonne , Levy Jonathan , van den Heuvel Marion I.
Published: March 2022

Healthy interaction between parent and child is foundational for the child's socioemotional development. Recently, an innovative paradigm shift in electroencephalography (EEG) research has enabled the simultaneous measurement of neural activity in caregiver and child. This dual‐EEG or hyperscanning approach, termed parent–child dual‐EEG, combines the strength of both behavioral observations and EEG methods. In this review, we aim to inform on the potential of dual‐EEG in parents and children (0–6 years) for developmental researchers. We first provide a general overview of the dual‐EEG technique and continue by reviewing the first empirical work on the emerging field of parent–child dual‐EEG, discussing the limited but fascinating findings on parent–child brain‐to‐behavior and brain‐to‐brain synchrony. We then continue by providing an overview of dual‐EEG analysis techniques, including the technical challenges and solutions one may encounter. We finish by discussing the potential of parent–child dual‐EEG for the future of developmental research. The analysis of multiple EEG data is technical and challenging, but when performed well, parent–child EEG may transform the way we understand how caregiver and child connect on a neurobiological level. Importantly, studying objective physiological measures of parent–child interactions could lead to the identification of novel brain‐to‐brain synchrony markers of interaction quality.
Environmental enrichment decreases anxiety‐like behavior in zebrafish larvae
Authors: Gatto Elia , Dadda Marco , Bruzzone Matteo , Chiarello Enrico , De Russi Gaia , Maschio Marco Dal , Bisazza Angelo , Lucon‐Xiccato Tyrone
Published: March 2022

The development of anxiety disorders is often linked to individuals’ negative experience. In many animals, development of anxiety‐like behavior is modeled by manipulating individuals’ exposure to environmental enrichment. We investigated whether environmental enrichment during early ontogenesis affects anxiety‐like behavior in larval zebrafish. Larvae were exposed from hatching to either an environment enriched with 3D‐objects of different color and shape or to a barren environment. Behavioral testing was conducted at different intervals during development (7, 14, and 21 days post‐fertilization, dpf). In a novel object exploration test, 7 dpf larvae of the two treatments displayed similar avoidance of the visual stimulus. However, at 14 and 21 dpf, larvae of the enriched environment showed less avoidance, indicating lower anxiety response. Likewise, larvae of the two treatments demonstrated comparable avoidance of a novel odor stimulus at 7 dpf, with a progressive reduction of anxiety behavior in the enriched treatment with development. In a control experiment, larvae treated before 7 dpf but tested at 14 dpf showed the effect of enrichment on anxiety, suggesting an early determination of the anxiety phenotype. This study confirms a general alteration of zebrafish anxiety‐like behavior due to a short enrichment period in first days of life.
Bees in the six: Determinants of bumblebee habitat quality in urban landscapes
Authors: Conflitti Ida M. , Arshad Imrit Mohammad , Morrison Bandele , Sharma Sapna , Colla Sheila R. , Zayed Amro
Published: March 2022

With growing urbanization, it is becoming increasingly important to design cities in a manner that sustains and enhances biodiversity and ecosystem services. Native bees are critical pollinators that have experienced substantive declines over the past several decades. These declines have captured the attention of the public, particularly urbanites, prompting a large interest in protecting pollinators and their habitats in cities across North America and Europe. Unfortunately, we currently lack research about specific features of urban environments that can enhance the fitness of pollinators. We carried out an intensive study of Bombus impatiens, the Common Eastern Bumblebee, in the city of Toronto (Canada's largest city), to better understand landscape parameters that provide high‐quality habitat for this species and likely other generalist bees. We divided the city into 270 grid cells and sampled a large number of worker bees, which were then genotyped at twelve hypervariable microsatellite loci. The genetic data allowed us to quantify the effective number of colonies and foraging distance for bumblebees in our study area. We then asked how the city's landscape and human population demography and income are associated with the availability of high‐quality habitat for B. impatiens. Several aspects of Toronto's landscape influenced colony density and foraging range. Urbanization had a clear effect on both colony density and foraging distance of workers. On the other hand, functional (i.e., not cosmetic) green space was often associated with higher quality habitats for bumblebees. Our study suggests several planning strategies to enhance habitat quality for bumblebees and other pollinators in cities.
Neutralizing antibodies to SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron variant after third mRNA vaccination in health care workers and elderly subjects
Authors: Haveri Anu , Solastie Anna , Ekström Nina , Österlund Pamela , Nohynek Hanna , Nieminen Tuomo , Palmu Arto A. , Melin Merit
Published: March 2022

The emergence of SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) with major spike protein mutations has raised concern over potential neutralization escape and breakthrough infections among vaccinated and previously SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected subjects. We measured cross‐protective antibodies against variants in health care workers (HCW, n = 20) and nursing home residents (n = 9) from samples collected at 1–2 months, following the booster (3rd) dose. We also assessed the antibody responses in subjects infected before the Omicron era (n = 38) with subsequent administration of a single mRNA vaccine dose. Following booster vaccination, HCWs had high IgG antibody concentrations to the spike protein and neutralizing antibodies (NAb) were detectable against all variants. IgG concentrations among the elderly remained lower, and some lacked NAbs against the Beta and Omicron variants. NAb titers were significantly reduced against Delta, Beta, and Omicron compared to WT virus regardless of age. Vaccination induced high IgG concentrations and variable titers of cross‐reactive NAbs in previously infected subjects, whereas NAb titers against Omicron were barely detectable 1 month postinfection. High IgG concentrations with cross‐protective neutralizing activity were detected after three Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccine doses in HCWs. However, lower NAb titers seen in the frail elderly suggest inadequate protection against Omicron breakthrough infections, yet protection against severe COVID‐19 is expected.
Temporal Trends of Organochlorine and Perfluorinated Contaminants in a Terrestrial Raptor in Northern Europe Over 34 years (1986–2019)
Authors: Bustnes Jan Ove , Bårdsen Bård-Jørgen , Herzke Dorte , Bangjord Georg , Bourgeon Sophie , Fritsch Clementine , Eulaers Igor
Published: March 2022

Fourteen legacy organochlorine (OC) contaminants and 12 perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were measured in eggs of tawny owls (Strix alueco) in central Norway (1986–2019). We expected OCs to have reached stable equilibrium levels due to bans, and that recent phase-out of some PFASs would have slowed the increase of these compounds. ∑OC comprised on average approximately 92% of the measured compounds, whereas ∑PFAS accounted for approximately 8%. However, whereas the ∑OC to ∑PFAS ratio was approximately 60 in the first 5 years of the study, it was only approximately 11 in the last 5 years. Both OC pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) showed substantial declines over the study period (~85%–98%): hexachlorocyclohexanes and chlordanes seemed to be levelling off, whereas p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p′-DDE) and hexachlororbenzene (HCB), and most PCB congeners still seemed to decline at a more or less constant rate. While the concentration of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), the dominating PFAS, was reduced by approximately 43%, other perfluorinated sulfonates (PFSAs) showed only minor changes. Moreover, the median concentrations of seven perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) increased approximately five-fold over the study period. Perfluorononanoic acid and perfluoroundecanoate acid, however, seemed to be levelling off in recent years. In contrast, perfluorododecanoic acid, perfluorodecanoate acid, perfluorotridecanoic acid, and perfluorotetradecanoic acid seemed to increase more or less linearily. Finally, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was increasingly likely to be detected over the study period. Hence, most legacy OCs and PFOS have not reached a lower threshold with stable background levels, and voluntary elimination of perfluoroalkyl carboxylates still has not resulted in declining levels in tawny owls in central Norway. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1508–1519. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Aggregation‐induced emission luminogens for augmented photosynthesis
Authors: Liu Haixiang , Yan Neng , Bai Haotian , Kwok Ryan T. K. , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: March 2022

Photosynthesis is promising in sequestrating carbon dioxide and providing food and biofuel. Recent findings have shown that luminescent materials could shift the wavelength of light to a more usable range for augmented photosynthesis. Among them, aggregation‐induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) have advantages of efficient light conversion, high biocompatibility, large Stokes’ shift, and so on. In this perspective, emerging reports of augmented photosynthesis with luminescent materials, especially the AIEgens are included. We emphasized the spectra shift characteristics, material formation, and sustainable development based on augmented photosynthesis.
Detection and isolation of typical gut indigenous bacteria in mice fed corn starch, bread flour or whole wheat flour
Authors: Takei Natsumi , Kuda Takashi , Handa Natsumi , Takahashi Hajime , Kimura Bon
Published: March 2022

Whole wheat flour (WWF) is regarded to have preventive effects on life‐style diseases. Detection, identification and isolation of WWF‐responsive gut indigenous bacteria (RIB) should reveal the gut microbiota‐mediated properties of WWF. To confirm the existence and roles of bread flour (BF)‐ and WWF‐RIB, Institute of Cancer Research mice were fed a diet containing corn starch (CS), BF or WWF as the starch source for 14 days. WWF increased in defecation. BF‐ and WWF‐RIB were detected using 16S rRNA(V4) gene amplicon sequencing. Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) of Lactobacillus johnsonii‐like bacteria in both BF and WWF groups (respective relative abundance: 9.3% and 9.4%) were higher than those in the CS group (0.5%). While Lactobacillus intestinalis‐ and Limosilactobacillus reuteri‐like bacteria ASVs were high in the WWF group (0.8% and 1.7%, respectively), these were not detected in the CS group. In contrast, ASVs of Blautia‐, Clostridium saudiense/disporicum‐, Lactobacillus murinus‐, Muribaculaceae‐, Phocaeicola vulgatus‐ and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum‐like bacteria in CS‐fed mice were higher than those in the other mice. Among these BF‐ and WWF‐RIB, L. johnsonii and L. reuteri could be isolated. Further studies on the isolation of the RIB from the human gut are required.
Diet and human reproductive system: Insight of omics approaches
Authors: Ma Xiaoling , Wu Luming , Wang Yinxue , Han Shiqiang , El‐Dalatony Marwa M. , Feng Fei , Tao Zhongbin , Yu Liulin , Wang Yiqing
Published: March 2022

Nutrition and lifestyle have a great impact on reproduction and infertility in humans, as they are essential for certain processes such as implantation, placental growth, angiogenesis, and the transfer of nutrients from the mother to the fetus. The aim of this review is to provide the interconnection between nutrition and reproductive health through the insight of omics approaches (including metabolomics and nutrigenomics). The effect of various macronutrients, micronutrients, and some food‐associated components on male and female reproduction was discussed. Recent research work was collected through database search from 2010 to 2020 to identify eligible studies. Alterations of metabolic pathways in pregnant women were deliberated with an emphasis on different strategies of lifestyle and dietary interventions. Several nutritional methods, which are important for embryonic and child neurological development, nutritional supplements to lactation, and improved gestational length along with birth weight have been emphasized. Considerable advances in omics strategies show potential technological development for improving human reproductive health.
Morphological and chemical characterizations of jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) to select superior accessions
Authors: Khadivi Ali , Beigi Fatemeh
Published: March 2022

The fruits of jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) are consumed worldwide as food and herbal medicine because of their impact on human health and benefits. Here, phenotypic and chemical variation of this species was investigated to select superior accessions. The selected accessions showed significant differences based on the measured characteristics. Fresh fruit weight varied from 2.72 to 6.42 g with an average of 4.54, while dry fruit weight ranged from 0.89 to 2.57 g with an average of 1.55. Total phenolic content ranged from 1.69 to 14.05 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) g−1 fresh weight (FW) and total flavonoid content varied from 0.25 to 2.01 mg quercetin equivalents (QE) g−1 FW. Total anthocyanin content varied from 5.98 to 76.32 µg CyE g−1 FW. Radical scavenging activity (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picryl‐hydrazyl‐hydrate [DPPH]) ranged from 1.32 to 5.82 mg ascorbic acid equivalents (AsAE) g−1 FW, while ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) varied from 35.37 to 93.35 µM FeSO4. The present study showed high diversity in morphological and chemical properties of jujube accessions. Based on the traits related to fruit quality such as fruit weight, fruit skin color, and fruit flavor, as well as in terms of chemical characteristics related to medicinal properties such as total anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity, 13 accessions were superior and are recommended to use in breeding programs. The commercial orchard of those best accessions should be extensively constructed to take advantage of the high yield of this tree as a crop and its medicinal properties.
Fe3O4@PDA/MIL‐101(Cr) as magnetic solid‐phase extraction sorbent for mycotoxins in licorice prior to ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry analysis
Authors: Tang Zhentao , Han Qingrong , Yu Gang , Liu Fei , Tan Yuzhu , Peng Cheng
Published: March 2022

Magnetic solid‐phase extraction (MSPE) strategy based on the Fe3O4@PDA/MIL‐101(Cr) has been proposed to separate and purify five common mycotoxins in licorice, including aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin G1, sterigmatocystin, zearalenone, and ochratoxin A. Integrating the MSPE and solid–liquid extraction/partitioning, a modified QuEChERS was established to adapt to the complex licorice samples. The Fe3O4@PDA/MIL‐101(Cr) was successfully synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms. Sorbents with superior advantages for exclusion of matrix interference and extraction of target analytes in a short time were obtained, according to their ability of magnetic separation, high surface area (287.75 m2/g), large pore volume (0.61 cm3/g), and nanosized structure with mesopores. Prior to analysis with ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐MS/MS), several key parameters that would affect the sorbents’ extraction efficiency were extensively investigated. Under the optimized conditions, the practicality of the developed method for analysis of mycotoxins in licorice samples was confirmed by adequate linearity (R2 ≥ 0.9967), high sensitivity (LODs and LOQs, respectively, in the ranges 0.01–0.09 and 0.02–0.30 μg/kg), acceptable recovery (78.53%–116.28%), satisfactory reusability, and good interbatch precision of the sorbents (RSDs in the ranges 6.70%–11.20% and 6.02%–10.35%, respectively). The results indicated that the established method was feasible and reliable for the environment‐friendly and rapid screening of mycotoxins in complex licorice samples.
Persistent Parental RNAi in the Beetle Tribolium castaneum Involves Maternal Transmission of Long Double‐Stranded RNA
Authors: Horn Thorsten , Narov Kalin D. , Panfilio Kristen A.
Published: March 2022

Parental RNA interference (pRNAi) is a powerful and widely used method for gene‐specific knockdown. Yet in insects its efficacy varies between species, and how the systemic response is transmitted from mother to offspring remains elusive. Using the beetle Tribolium castaneum, an RT‐qPCR strategy to distinguish the presence of double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) from endogenous mRNA is reported. It is found that injected dsRNA is directly transmitted into the egg and persists throughout embryogenesis. Despite this depletion of dsRNA from the mother, it is shown that strong pRNAi can persist for months before waning at strain‐specific rates. In seeking the receptor proteins for cellular uptake of long dsRNA into the egg, a phylogenomics profiling approach of candidate proteins is also presented. A visualization strategy based on taxonomically hierarchical assessment of orthology clustering data to rapidly assess gene age and copy number changes, refined by sequence‐based evidence, is demonstrated. Repeated losses of SID‐1‐like channel proteins in the arthropods, including wholesale loss in the Heteroptera (true bugs), which are nonetheless highly sensitive to pRNAi, are thereby documented. Overall, practical considerations for insect pRNAi against a backdrop of outstanding questions on the molecular mechanism of dsRNA transmission for long‐term, systemic knockdown are elucidated.
Mind the gap: Performance metric evaluation in brain‐age prediction
Authors: de Lange Ann‐Marie G. , Anatürk Melis , Rokicki Jaroslav , Han Laura K. M. , Franke Katja , Alnæs Dag , Ebmeier Klaus P. , Draganski Bogdan , Kaufmann Tobias , Westlye Lars T. , Hahn Tim , Cole James H.
Published: March 2022

Estimating age based on neuroimaging‐derived data has become a popular approach to developing markers for brain integrity and health. While a variety of machine‐learning algorithms can provide accurate predictions of age based on brain characteristics, there is significant variation in model accuracy reported across studies. We predicted age in two population‐based datasets, and assessed the effects of age range, sample size and age‐bias correction on the model performance metrics Pearson's correlation coefficient (r), the coefficient of determination (R2), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE). The results showed that these metrics vary considerably depending on cohort age range; r and R2 values are lower when measured in samples with a narrower age range. RMSE and MAE are also lower in samples with a narrower age range due to smaller errors/brain age delta values when predictions are closer to the mean age of the group. Across subsets with different age ranges, performance metrics improve with increasing sample size. Performance metrics further vary depending on prediction variance as well as mean age difference between training and test sets, and age‐bias corrected metrics indicate high accuracy—also for models showing poor initial performance. In conclusion, performance metrics used for evaluating age prediction models depend on cohort and study‐specific data characteristics, and cannot be directly compared across different studies. Since age‐bias corrected metrics generally indicate high accuracy, even for poorly performing models, inspection of uncorrected model results provides important information about underlying model attributes such as prediction variance.
Hepatic kinome atlas: An in‐depth identification of kinase pathways in liver fibrosis of humans and rodents
Authors: Creeden Justin F. , Kipp Zachary A. , Xu Mei , Flight Robert M. , Moseley Hunter N. B. , Martinez Genesee J. , Lee Wang‐Hsin , Alganem Khaled , Imami Ali S. , McMullen Megan R. , Roychowdhury Sanjoy , Nawabi Atta M. , Hipp Jennifer A. , Softic Samir , Weinman Steven A. , McCullumsmith Robert , Nagy Laura E. , Hinds Terry D.
Published: March 2022

Background and Aims

Resolution of pathways that converge to induce deleterious effects in hepatic diseases, such as in the later stages, have potential antifibrotic effects that may improve outcomes. We aimed to explore whether humans and rodents display similar fibrotic signaling networks.

Approach and Results

We assiduously mapped kinase pathways using 340 substrate targets, upstream bioinformatic analysis of kinase pathways, and over 2000 random sampling iterations using the PamGene PamStation kinome microarray chip technology. Using this technology, we characterized a large number of kinases with altered activity in liver fibrosis of both species. Gene expression and immunostaining analyses validated many of these kinases as bona fide signaling events. Surprisingly, the insulin receptor emerged as a considerable protein tyrosine kinase that is hyperactive in fibrotic liver disease in humans and rodents. Discoidin domain receptor tyrosine kinase, activated by collagen that increases during fibrosis, was another hyperactive protein tyrosine kinase in humans and rodents with fibrosis. The serine/threonine kinases found to be the most active in fibrosis were dystrophy type 1 protein kinase and members of the protein kinase family of kinases. We compared the fibrotic events over four models: humans with cirrhosis and three murine models with differing levels of fibrosis, including two models of fatty liver disease with emerging fibrosis. The data demonstrate a high concordance between human and rodent hepatic kinome signaling that focalizes, as shown by our network analysis of detrimental pathways.

Conclusions

Our findings establish a comprehensive kinase atlas for liver fibrosis, which identifies analogous signaling events conserved among humans and rodents.
Loss of Sam50 in hepatocytes induces cardiolipin‐dependent mitochondrial membrane remodeling to trigger mtDNA release and liver injury
Authors: Chen Li , Dong Jun , Liao Siyang , Wang Siyou , Wu Zhida , Zuo Meiling , Liu Bing , Yan Chaojun , Chen Yong , He He , Meng Qingtao , Song Zhiyin
Published: March 2022

Background and Aims

Sam50, a key component of the sorting and assembly machinery (SAM) complex, is also involved in bridging mitochondrial outer‐membrane and inner‐membrane contacts. However, the physiological and pathological functions of Sam50 remain largely unknown.

Approach and Results

Here we show that Sam50 interacts with MICOS (mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system) and ATAD3 (ATPase family AAA domain‐containing protein 3) to form the Sam50‐MICOS‐ATAD3‐mtDNA axis, which maintains mtDNA stability. Loss of Sam50 causes mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) aggregation. Furthermore, Sam50 cooperates with Mic60 to bind to cardiolipin, maintaining the integrity of mitochondrial membranes. Sam50 depletion leads to cardiolipin externalization, which causes mitochondrial outer‐membrane and inner‐membrane (including crista membrane) remodeling, triggering Bax mitochondrial recruitment, mtDNA aggregation, and release. Physiologically, acetaminophen (an effective antipyretic and analgesic)–caused Sam50 reduction or Sam50 liver‐specific knockout induces mtDNA release, leading to activation of the cGAS‐STING pathway and liver inflammation in mice. Moreover, exogenous expression of Sam50 remarkably attenuates APAP‐induced liver hepatoxicity.

Conclusions

Our findings uncover the critical role of Sam50 in maintaining mitochondrial membrane integrity and mtDNA stability in hepatocytes and reveal that Sam50 depletion–induced cardiolipin externalization is a signal of mtDNA release and controls mtDNA‐dependent innate immunity.
Entropy generation minimization on electromagnetohydrodynamic radiative Casson nanofluid flow over a melting Riga plate
Authors: Obalalu Adebowale Martins , Adebayo Lawal Lanre , Colak Ilhami , Ajala Adebayo Olusegun , Wahaab Fatai Adisa
Published: March 2022

Minimizing entropy generation is a technique that helps improve the effectiveness of real processes by studying the associated irreversibility of system performance of nanofluid. This study examines the entropy generation analysis of electromagnetohydrodynamic radiative Casson flow induced by a stretching Riga plate in a non‐Darcian porous medium under the influence of internal energy change, Arrhenius activation energy, chemical reaction, and melting heat transfer. The thermophysical features of the fluid are assumed constant in most of the literature. However, this current research bridges this gap by considering viscosity, conductivity, and diffusivity as temperature‐dependent variables. Also, the exponential decaying Grinberg term is used as a resistive force in this investigation due to the electromagnetic properties of the Riga plate in the momentum conservation equation. Some suitable dimensionless variables are introduced to remodel the transport equations into unitless ones and then solved numerically by employing Galerkin Weighted Residual Method. Analyses reveal that the Casson parameter declines the fluid velocity, while the existence of the melting parameter has the opposite effect. Also, this article includes some future recommendations.