bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fraying at the Edges: A Subsystems/Normative Power Analysis of the EU's “One China Policy/Policies”
Authors: Brown Scott A.W.
Published: September 2022

The European Union's position on “one China” has stood since the establishment of diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1975. As a union of distinct member states, the nature of the European Union's (EU) foreign policymaking complicates efforts to maintain coherent common positions. Its effective “one China policy” (and those of its member states) is no exception. In recent years, the edges of the bloc's long-standing policy have started to fray as the EU–PRC relationship has become more fraught and many member states have sought to deepen their effective, if “unofficial,” engagement with Taiwan. I explore these changes to the EU's effective “one China policy” by employing a subsystems framework, starting from the position that the EU has foreign policies (rather than a singular policy) created through three subsystems. Through the Normative Power Europe lens, I explore the extent to which the actors pulling at these “threads” at the edges of the EU's policy are motivated by normative concerns. I argue that the “fraying” of the EU's “one China policy” is not the result of a conscious decision by the EU as a collective normative actor but stems from shifting preferences within the national and supranational subsystems.
Projective invariants of images
Authors: OLVER PETER J.
Published: September 2022

The method of equivariant moving frames is employed to construct and completely classify the differential invariants for the action of the projective group on functions defined on the two-dimensional projective plane. While there are four independent differential invariants of order
$\leq 3$
, it is proved that the algebra of differential invariants is generated by just two of them through invariant differentiation. The projective differential invariants are, in particular, of importance in image processing applications.
Local pulmonary administration of factor VIIa (rFVIIa) in massive pulmonary haemorrhage in post-operative cardiac infant
Authors: Hamadah Hussam K , Kabbani Mohamed S.
Published: September 2022

Diffuse pulmonary haemorrhage is an ominous condition that has a high paediatric mortality rate. Recombinant activated factor VIIa (rFVIIa) is a powerful haemostatic agent which has been used intravenously in life-threatening haemorrhage in variety of conditions in which conventional medical or surgical therapy are unsuccessful. We report off-label successful use of endotracheal rFVIIa for massive life-threatening respiratory haemorrhage following aspiration and cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a 3-month-old infant who was anticoagulated with enoxaparin following corrective cardiac surgery with other comorbidities. Off-label administration of endotracheal rFVIIa permitted rapid safe control of massive pulmonary haemorrhage and prevented further detrimental decline in respiratory function with satisfactory outcome.
LHX6promoter hypermethylation in oncological pediatric patients conceived by IVF
Authors: Dangoni Gustavo Dib , Teixeira Anne Caroline Barbosa , Vince Carolina Sgarioni Camargo , Novak Estela Maria , Gimenez Thamiris Magalhães , Maschietto Mariana , Odone Filho Vicente , Krepischi Ana Cristina Victorino
Published: September 2022

The multifactorial etiology of pediatric cancer is poorly understood. Environmental factors occurring during embryogenesis can disrupt epigenetic signaling, resulting in several diseases after birth, including cancer. Associations between assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such asin vitrofertilization (IVF), and birth defects,imprintingdisorders and other perinatal adverse events have been reported. IVF can result in methylation changes in the offspring, and a link with pediatric cancer has been suggested. In this study, we investigated the peripheral blood methylomes of 11 patients conceived by IVF who developed cancer in childhood. Methylation data of patients and paired sex/aged controls were obtained using the Infinium MethylationEPIC Kit (Illumina). We identified 25 differentially methylated regions (DMRs), 17 of them hypermethylated, and 8 hypomethylated in patients. The most significant DMR was a hypermethylated genomic segment located in the promoter region ofLHX6, a transcription factor involved in the forebrain development and interneuron migration during embryogenesis. An additional control group was included to verify theLHX6methylation status in children with similar cancers who were not conceived by ART. The higherLHX6methylation levels in IVF patients compared to both control groups (healthy children and children conceived naturally who developed similar pediatric cancers), suggested that hypermethylation at theLHX6promoter could be due to the IVF process and not secondary to the cancer itself. Further studies are required to evaluate this association and the potential role ofLHX6promoter hypermethylation for tumorigenesis.
Gas Fluxes and Steady State Saturation Anomalies at Very High Wind Speeds
Authors: Stanley Rachel H. R. , Kinjo Lumi , Smith Andrew W. , Aldrett Danielle , Alt Helene , Kopp Emily , Krevanko Callan , Cahill Kevin , Haus Brian K.
Published: September 2022

Gas exchange at high wind speeds is not well understood—few studies have been conducted at wind speeds above 20 ms−1 and significant disagreement exists between gas exchange models at high wind speeds. In this study, noble gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe) were measured in 35 experiments in the SUSTAIN wind‐wave tank where the wind speeds ranged from 20 to 50 m s−1 and mechanical waves were generated as monochromatic or with a short‐crested JONSWAP frequency spectrum. Bubble size spectra were determined using shadowgraph imagery and wave statistics were measured using a wave wire array. The steady state saturation anomalies and gas fluxes initially increased as wind speeds increased but then leveled off, similar to prior studies of heat and momentum flux coefficients. Noble gas fluxes and steady state saturation anomalies are correlated most strongly with bubble volumes for the less soluble noble gases and with wind speed and wave Reynolds number for the more soluble noble gases. In the JONSWAP experiments, significant wave height was the most important predictor for gas steady state saturation anomalies with correlation coefficients of greater than 0.92 for He, Ne, and Ar (P < 0.05). Furthermore, invasion fluxes were larger than evasion fluxes when other conditions were similar. Taken together, these lab‐based experiments suggest more attention should be paid to parameterizations based on wave characteristics and bubbles and that current wind‐speed based gas exchange parameterizations should not be applied to conditions with very high wind speeds.
Quantitative Comparison of 3D Pore Space Properties With Magnetic Pore Fabrics—Testing the Ability of Magnetic Methods to Predict Pore Fabrics in Rocks
Authors: Zhou Y. , Pugnetti M. , Foubert A. , Lanari P. , Neururer C. , Biedermann A. R.
Published: September 2022

Pore fabrics characterize the anisotropy of pore space in rocks and influence the direction of fluid flow. This is important in reservoir characterization, and petroleum and geothermal energy exploitation. X‐ray computed micro‐tomography (XRCT) is commonly used to analyze pore fabrics, but limited by the micron‐scale resolution for representative 1‐inch rock cores. The magnetic pore fabric (MPF) method has been proposed to capture pores down to 10 nm. Although empirical relationships between MPF and pore space properties or permeability anisotropy are available, their application is compromised by large variability. This study integrates He pycnometry and XRCT‐derived pore space models with MPFs, and provides a quantitative comparison for calcarenite (∼50 vol% porosity and complex pore structure), and molasse sandstone (10%–30% porosity and relatively homogeneous pore fabrics). The preferred orientation of pores obtained from XRCT is described by a total shape ellipsoid, calculated by summing the second‐order tensors reflecting the best‐fit ellipsoids of individual pores. This ellipsoid is then compared to the MPF magnitude ellipsoid in terms of fabric orientation, degree and shape of anisotropy. The MPF and total shape ellipsoids are generally coaxial. The MPF has a smaller anisotropy degree than the total shape ellipsoid, and their relationship depends on the ferrofluid properties. The anisotropy shapes show large variability. Nevertheless, the good agreement of principal directions in most samples makes MPFs a valuable and efficient complementary tool to analyze a large number of samples, in combination with XRCT on selected samples, for a field‐scale pore space characterization.
Where and When Does Streamflow Regulation Significantly Affect Climate Change Outcomes in the Columbia River Basin?
Authors: Harrell Jane , Nijssen Bart , Frans Chris
Published: September 2022

The Columbia River basin is a large transboundary basin located in the Pacific Northwest. The basin spans seven US states and one Canadian province, encompassing a diverse range of hydroclimates. Strong seasonality and complex topography are projected to give rise to spatially heterogeneous climate effects on unregulated streamflow. The basin's water resources are economically critical, and regulation across the domain is extensive. Many sensitivity studies have investigated climate impacts on the basin's naturalized hydrology; however, few have considered the large role of regulation. This study investigates where and when regulation affects projected changes in streamflow by comparing climate outcomes across 80‐member ensembles of unregulated and regulated streamflow projections at 75 sites across the basin. Unregulated streamflow projections are taken from an existing data set of climate projections derived from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project version 5 Global Climate Models. Regulated streamflow projections were modeled by the US Army Corps of Engineers and the US Bureau of Reclamation by using these unregulated flows as input to hydro‐regulation models that simulate operations based on current and historical water demands. Regulation dampens shifts in winter and summer streamflow volumes. Regulation generally attenuates changes in cool‐season high flow extremes but amplifies shifts in warm‐season and annual high flow extremes at historically snow‐dominant headwater reservoirs. Regulation reduces dry‐season low flow changes in headwater tributaries where regulation is large but elsewhere has little effect on changes in low flows. Results highlight the importance of accounting for water management in climate sensitivity analysis particularly in snow‐dominant basins.
Quantity or Efficiency: Strategies of Self‐Organized Xerophytic Shrubs to Harvest Rain
Authors: Yuan Chuan , Guo Li , Levia Delphis F. , Rietkerk Max , Fu Bojie , Gao Guangyao
Published: September 2022

Canopy structure alters net precipitation inputs, partly governing the quantity of water recharging soil moisture. Clumped and scattered shrublands are structured with aggregated and isolated canopies, respectively, demonstrating contrasting self‐organized patterns. However, the influence of self‐organization on rain harvesting is largely unknown. Hence, we compared rainfall redistribution patterns of different self‐organized shrubs of Vitex negundo and soil moisture responses during the 2020–2021 rainy seasons on the Loess Plateau of China. Our results indicated that the scattered shrubs harvested more throughfall (85.6% vs. 74.7%) and net precipitation (90.8% vs. 83.8%) than clumped shrubs. Comparatively, stemflow of clumped shrubs was initiated (57.2 vs. 60.4 min) and peaked (198.9 vs. 207.7 min) earlier, ceased later (84.4 vs. 54.5 min), lasted longer (8.9 vs. 8.4 hr), transported more swiftly (397.0 vs. 373.8 mm h−1), and yielded a larger quantity (400.8 vs. 355.1 mL), respectively. This flux was funneled more efficiently (160.1 versus 140.5 fold compared to rain), and was more productive (1.768 vs. 1.346 mm g−1) per unit biomass investment. For both self‐organized patterns, more throughfall led to wetter soils, but more stemflow resulted in quicker response of soil moisture. Comparatively, the top‐layer soil moisture remained more stable post rain under clumped shrubs. Therefore, via rainfall partitioning, the scattered organization was conducive for V. negundo to harvest more rain, but the clumped shrubs harvested rain more efficiently. This might relate to morphological adaptations of shrubs to resist drought and consequent formation and maintenance of self‐organizations at the landscape scale.
Diazotrophs are overlooked contributors to carbon and nitrogen export to the deep ocean
Authors: Bonnet Sophie , Benavides Mar , Le Moigne Frédéric A C , Camps Mercedes , Torremocha Antoine , Grosso Olivier , Dimier Céline , Spungin Dina , Berman-Frank Ilana , Garczarek Laurence , Cornejo-Castillo Francisco M
Published: September 2022

Diazotrophs are widespread microorganisms that alleviate nitrogen limitation in 60% of our oceans, thereby regulating marine productivity. Yet, the group-specific contribution of diazotrophs to organic matter export has not been quantified, which so far has impeded an accurate assessment of their impact on the biological carbon pump. Here, we examine the fate of five groups of globally-distributed diazotrophs by using an original combination of mesopelagic particle sampling devices across the subtropical South Pacific Ocean. We demonstrate that cyanobacterial and non-cyanobacterial diazotrophs are exported down to 1000 m depth. Surprisingly, group-specific export turnover rates point to a more efficient export of small unicellular cyanobacterial diazotrophs (UCYN) relative to the larger and filamentous Trichodesmium. Phycoerythrin-containing UCYN-B and UCYN-C-like cells were recurrently found embedded in large (>50 µm) organic aggregates or organized into clusters of tens to hundreds of cells linked by an extracellular matrix, presumably facilitating their export. Beyond the South Pacific, our data are supported by analysis of the Tara Oceans metagenomes collected in other ocean basins, extending the scope of our results globally. We show that, when diazotrophs are found in the euphotic zone, they are also systematically present in mesopelagic waters, suggesting their transport to the deep ocean. We thus conclude that diazotrophs are a significant part of the carbon sequestered in the deep ocean and, therefore, they need to be accounted in regional and global estimates of export.
A neuro-computational account of procrastination behavior
Authors: Le Bouc Raphaël , Pessiglione Mathias
Published: September 2022

Humans procrastinate despite being aware of potential adverse consequences. Yet, the neuro-computational mechanisms underlying procrastination remain poorly understood. Here, we use fMRI during intertemporal choice to inform a computational model that predicts procrastination behavior in independent tests. Procrastination is assessed in the laboratory as the preference for performing an effortful task on the next day as opposed to immediately, and at home as the delay taken in returning completed administrative forms. These procrastination behaviors are respectively modeled as unitary and repeated decisions to postpone a task until the next time step, based on a net expected value that integrates reward and effort attributes, both discounted with delay. The key feature that is associated with procrastination behavior across individuals (both in-lab and at-home) is the extent to which the expected effort cost (signaled by the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex) is attenuated by the delay before task completion. Thus, procrastination might stem from a cognitive bias that would make doing a task later (compared to now) appear as much less effortful but not much less rewarding.
Single cell atlas of spinal cord injury in mice reveals a pro-regenerative signature in spinocerebellar neurons
Authors: Matson Kaya J. E. , Russ Daniel E. , Kathe Claudia , Hua Isabelle , Maric Dragan , Ding Yi , Krynitsky Jonathan , Pursley Randall , Sathyamurthy Anupama , Squair Jordan W. , Levi Boaz P. , Courtine Gregoire , Levine Ariel J.
Published: September 2022

After spinal cord injury, tissue distal to the lesion contains undamaged cells that could support or augment recovery. Targeting these cells requires a clearer understanding of their injury responses and capacity for repair. Here, we use single nucleus RNA sequencing to profile how each cell type in the lumbar spinal cord changes after a thoracic injury in mice. We present an atlas of these dynamic responses across dozens of cell types in the acute, subacute, and chronically injured spinal cord. Using this resource, we find rare spinal neurons that express a signature of regeneration in response to injury, including a major population that represent spinocerebellar projection neurons. We characterize these cells anatomically and observed axonal sparing, outgrowth, and remodeling in the spinal cord and cerebellum. Together, this work provides a key resource for studying cellular responses to injury and uncovers the spontaneous plasticity of spinocerebellar neurons, uncovering a potential candidate for targeted therapy.
Predictive model for cytoneme guidance in Hedgehog signaling based on Ihog- Glypicans interaction
Authors: Aguirre-Tamaral Adrián , Cambón Manuel , Poyato David , Soler Juan , Guerrero Isabel
Published: September 2022

During embryonic development, cell-cell communication is crucial to coordinate cell behavior, especially in the generation of differentiation patterns via morphogen gradients. Morphogens are signaling molecules secreted by a source of cells that elicit concentration-dependent responses in target cells. For several morphogens, cell-cell contact via filopodia-like-structures (cytonemes) has been proposed as a mechanism for their gradient formation. Despite of the advances on cytoneme signaling, little is known about how cytonemes navigate through the extracellular matrix and how they orient to find their target. For the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway in Drosophila, Hh co-receptor and adhesion protein Interference hedgehog (Ihog) and the glypicans Dally and Dally-like-protein (Dlp) interact affecting the cytoneme behavior. Here, we describe that differences in the cytoneme stabilization and orientation depend on the relative levels of Ihog and glypicans, suggesting a mechanism for cytoneme guidance. Furthermore, we have developed a mathematical model to study and corroborate this cytoneme guiding mechanism.
Estimating individual treatment effect on disability progression in multiple sclerosis using deep learning
Authors: Falet Jean-Pierre R. , Durso-Finley Joshua , Nichyporuk Brennan , Schroeter Julien , Bovis Francesca , Sormani Maria-Pia , Precup Doina , Arbel Tal , Arnold Douglas Lorne
Published: September 2022

Disability progression in multiple sclerosis remains resistant to treatment. The absence of a suitable biomarker to allow for phase 2 clinical trials presents a high barrier for drug development. We propose to enable short proof-of-concept trials by increasing statistical power using a deep-learning predictive enrichment strategy. Specifically, a multi-headed multilayer perceptron is used to estimate the conditional average treatment effect (CATE) using baseline clinical and imaging features, and patients predicted to be most responsive are preferentially randomized into a trial. Leveraging data from six randomized clinical trials (n = 3,830), we first pre-trained the model on the subset of relapsing-remitting MS patients (n = 2,520), then fine-tuned it on a subset of primary progressive MS (PPMS) patients (n = 695). In a separate held-out test set of PPMS patients randomized to anti-CD20 antibodies or placebo (n = 297), the average treatment effect was larger for the 50% (HR, 0.492; 95% CI, 0.266-0.912; p = 0.0218) and 30% (HR, 0.361; 95% CI, 0.165-0.79; p = 0.008) predicted to be most responsive, compared to 0.743 (95% CI, 0.482-1.15; p = 0.179) for the entire group. The same model could also identify responders to laquinimod in another held-out test set of PPMS patients (n = 318). Finally, we show that using this model for predictive enrichment results in important increases in power.
USP14 promotes tryptophan metabolism and immune suppression by stabilizing IDO1 in colorectal cancer
Authors: Shi Dongni , Wu Xianqiu , Jian Yunting , Wang Junye , Huang Chengmei , Mo Shuang , Li Yue , Li Fengtian , Zhang Chao , Zhang Dongsheng , Zhang Huizhong , Huang Huilin , Chen Xin , Wang Y. Alan , Lin Chuyong , Liu Guozhen , Song Libing , Liao Wenting
Published: September 2022

Indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. However, IDO1 inhibitors have shown disappointing therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials, mainly because of the activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Here, we show a post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism of IDO1 regulated by a proteasome-associated deubiquitinating enzyme, USP14, in colorectal cancer (CRC). Overexpression of USP14 promotes tryptophan metabolism and T-cell dysfunction by stabilizing the IDO1 protein. Knockdown of USP14 or pharmacological targeting of USP14 decreases IDO1 expression, reverses suppression of cytotoxic T cells, and increases responsiveness to anti-PD-1 in a MC38 syngeneic mouse model. Importantly, suppression of USP14 has no effects on AhR activation induced by the IDO1 inhibitor. These findings highlight a relevant role of USP14 in post-translational regulation of IDO1 and in the suppression of antitumor immunity, suggesting that inhibition of USP14 may represent a promising strategy for CRC immunotherapy.
Genetic analysis of seed traits in Sorghum bicolor that affect the human gut microbiome
Authors: Yang Qinnan , Van Haute Mallory , Korth Nate , Sattler Scott E. , Toy John , Rose Devin J. , Schnable James C. , Benson Andrew K.
Published: September 2022

Prebiotic fibers, polyphenols and other molecular components of food crops significantly affect the composition and function of the human gut microbiome and human health. The abundance of these, frequently uncharacterized, microbiome-active components vary within individual crop species. Here, we employ high throughput in vitro fermentations of pre-digested grain using a human microbiome to identify segregating genetic loci in a food crop, sorghum, that alter the composition and function of human gut microbes. Evaluating grain produced by 294 sorghum recombinant inbreds identifies 10 loci in the sorghum genome associated with variation in the abundance of microbial taxa and/or microbial metabolites. Two loci co-localize with sorghum genes regulating the biosynthesis of condensed tannins. We validate that condensed tannins stimulate the growth of microbes associated with these two loci. Our work illustrates the potential for genetic analysis to systematically discover and characterize molecular components of food crops that influence the human gut microbiome.
Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic 4-pyridinylation via electroreductive substitution reaction
Authors: Ding Weijie , Li Mengfan , Fan Jinkun , Cheng Xu
Published: September 2022

The enantioselective pyridinylation is important for providing chiral compounds bearing heterocycles of pharmaceutical interests. 4-CN-pyrinde is extensively applied in the radical pyridinylation reaction, however, its’ enantioselective application is highly challenging. To achieve this goal, we propose an electrochemical catalytic activation of 4-CN-pyridine with a chiral transition metal complex instead of direct cathodic reduction. The chiral catalyst acts as the electron mediator and the transition metal catalysis in turn. The radical species from 4-CN-pyridine is captured via radical rebound by chiral catalyst, and undergoes enantioselective pyridinylation reaction. Here, we show the first method for catalytic asymmetric allylic 4-pyridinylation reactions using 4-CN-pyridine under electrochemical conditions.
Pleistocene climate variability in eastern Africa influenced hominin evolution
Authors: Foerster Verena , Asrat Asfawossen , Bronk Ramsey Christopher , Brown Erik T. , Chapot Melissa S. , Deino Alan , Duesing Walter , Grove Matthew , Hahn Annette , Junginger Annett , Kaboth-Bahr Stefanie , Lane Christine S. , Opitz Stephan , Noren Anders , Roberts Helen M. , Stockhecke Mona , Tiedemann Ralph , Vidal Céline M. , Vogelsang Ralf , Cohen Andrew S. , Lamb Henry F. , Schaebitz Frank , Trauth Martin H.
Published: September 2022

Despite more than half a century of hominin fossil discoveries in eastern Africa, the regional environmental context of hominin evolution and dispersal is not well established due to the lack of continuous palaeoenvironmental records from one of the proven habitats of early human populations, particularly for the Pleistocene epoch. Here we present a 620,000-year environmental record from Chew Bahir, southern Ethiopia, which is proximal to key fossil sites. Our record documents the potential influence of different episodes of climatic variability on hominin biological and cultural transformation. The appearance of high anatomical diversity in hominin groups coincides with long-lasting and relatively stable humid conditions from ~620,000 to 275,000 yearsbp(episodes 1–6), interrupted by several abrupt and extreme hydroclimate perturbations. A pattern of pronounced climatic cyclicity transformed habitats during episodes 7–9 (~275,000–60,000 yearsbp), a crucial phase encompassing the gradual transition from Acheulean to Middle Stone Age technologies, the emergence ofHomo sapiensin eastern Africa and key human social and cultural innovations. Those accumulative innovations plus the alignment of humid pulses between northeastern Africa and the eastern Mediterranean during high-frequency climate oscillations of episodes 10–12 (~60,000–10,000 yearsbp) could have facilitated the global dispersal ofH. sapiens.
Mildly elevated diastolic blood pressure increases subsequent risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women in the Health Examinees-Gem study
Authors: De la Torre Katherine , Shin Woo-Kyoung , Huang Dan , Lee Hwi-Won , Shin Aesun , Lee Jong-koo , Lee Hae-Young , Kang Daehee
Published: September 2022

Epidemiological evidence suggests that hypertension is associated with breast cancer risk. However, previous studies disregard blood pressure components in the healthy population. We aimed to examine the relationship between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and breast cancer risk in a Korean population-based prospective cohort. A total of 73,031 women from the Health Examinees Gem Study were followed from baseline (2004 to 2013) through 2018. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured by trainee physicians at baseline recruitment and then categorized based on the international guidelines for clinical hypertension. Associations between systolic and diastolic blood pressure with overall breast cancer and stratified by premenopausal and postmenopausal status were evaluated using adjusted multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression. A total of 858 breast cancer cases were recorded for a median follow-up period of 9 years. Compared with the normal DBP category (< 85 mmHg), the normal-high category was positively associated with breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women (85–89 mmHg, HR 1.73 95% CI 1.28–2.33), but not in premenopausal women (85–89 mmHg, HR 0.87 95% CI 0.56–1.35). Similar results were found when all cases of self-reported hypertension were excluded. Results for SBP did not show a significant association with breast cancer risk. The association between DBP and breast cancer suggests DBP could be an important factor in cancer prevention, especially for women after menopause. Our study provides a first detailed approach to understanding the importance of diastolic blood pressure for breast cancer prevention and warrants further investigation.
Crosslinking effect of borax additive on the thermal properties of polymer-based 1D and 2D nanocomposites used as thermal interface materials
Authors: Chen Geyang , Yadav A. A. , Jung In-Woo , Lee Junho , Choi Kyungwho , Kang Seok-Won
Published: September 2022

Recently, polymer-based materials have been used in various filed of applications, but their low thermal conductivity restricts their uses due to the high interfacial thermal resistance. Therefore, in this study, one-dimensional thin-walled carbon nanotube (1D-TWCNT) and two-dimensional boron nitride nanosheet (2D-BNNS) fillers were used to enhance the thermal properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). An important factor to be considered in enhancing the thermal properties of PVA is the interfacial configuration strategy, which provides sufficient pathways for phonon transport and the controlled loss of the intrinsic thermal properties of the filler nanomaterial. In this study, the effect of sodium tetraborate (borax) additive on the thermal properties of 1D-TWCNT/PVA and 2D-BNNS/PVA nanocomposites was explored. Borax is a well-known crosslinking additive that can be used with PVA. The crosslink density of the PVA-borax nanocomposite was controlled by changing its borate ion concentration. The addition of borax into nanocomposites improves the conductivity of 1D-TWCNT/PVA nanocomposites up to 14.5% (4 wt.% borax) and of 2D-BNNS/PVA nanocomposite up to 30.6% for BNNS (2 wt.% borax). Thus, when borax was added, the 2D-BNNS/PVA nanocomposite showed better results than the 1D-TWCNT/PVA nanocomposite.
Risk of earlier atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in women with low bone mineral density
Authors: Park Jiesuck , Kim Kyoung Min , Yoon Yeonyee E. , Hwang In-Chang , Cho Goo-Yeong
Published: September 2022

Low bone mineral density (BMD) is associated with higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in women. We investigated whether the association between low BMD and ASCVD differs according to the age at ASCVD occurrence. We retrospectively analyzed 7932 women aged 50–65 years who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. ASCVD was defined as a composite of ASCVD death, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke. When we classified participants into no event (n = 7803), early ASCVD (< 70 years) (n = 97), and late ASCVD (≥ 70 years) (n = 32) groups, age gradually increased across groups (median, 58, 60, and 63 years, respectively). However, the estimated BMD T-score at the age of 65 years was lowest in the early ASCVD group (median − 0.9, − 1.1, and − 0.5, respectively). Lower BMD was an independent predictor for early ASCVD (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.34 [1.08–1.67] per 1-SD decrease in T-score), but not for late ASCVD (0.88 [0.60–1.30]). The inverse trend between early ASCVD risk and BMD T-score was consistent regardless of the number of accompanied clinical risk factors. Thus, low BMD is an independent predictor for early ASCVD in women. BMD evaluation can provide prognostic benefit for risk stratification for early ASCVD.
Association of serum leptin at 24–28 weeks gestation with initiation and progression of labor in women
Authors: Branham Ki’ara K. R. , Sherman Elizabeth , Golzy Mojgan , Drobnis Erma Z. , Schulz Laura C.
Published: September 2022

Concentrations of the hormone leptin, which is produced by adipose tissue, increase with increasing BMI, whereas leptin sensitivity often declines with higher BMI. Thus, altered leptin signaling may play a role in reproductive health risks observed with increasing BMI, which include later onset and slow progression of labor. Conflicting evidence from clinical, animal and in vitro studies have suggested that leptin either promotes or inhibits labor. We hypothesized that serum leptin concentrations or serum leptin: body mass index (BMI) ratios in women may be associated with the initiation and progression of labor. Following informed consent, serum samples were collected from 90 women with singleton pregnancies at the time of routine glucose-challenge testing, for measurement of leptin. The potential influence of leptin on gestation length and cervical dilation timing were examined by multiple linear regression. Data were analyzed from 63 participants who met exclusion and inclusion criteria. Leptin concentrations (log-transformed) at 24–28 weeks gestation were not significantly correlated with first trimester BMI . Log serum leptin and leptin: BMI ratio each were significantly associated with shorter total gestation length in uncomplicated, term pregnancies. In contrast, the mid-pregnancy leptin concentrations were not associated with progression of labor, assessed by cervical dilation over time. The association between higher serum leptin and shorter gestation length is consistent with the hypothesis that leptin promotes, or is permissive for, the onset of labor.
Ionic complexation improves wound healing in deep second-degree burns and reduces in-vitro ciprofloxacin cytotoxicity in fibroblasts
Authors: Sanchez María Florencia , Guzman María Laura , Flores-Martín Jesica , Cruz Del Puerto Mariano , Laino Carlos , Soria Elio Andrés , Donadio Ana Carolina , Genti-Raimondi Susana , Olivera María Eugenia
Published: September 2022

The development of new treatments capable of controlling infections and pain related to burns continues to be a challenge. Antimicrobials are necessary tools, but these can be cytotoxic for regenerating cells. In this study, antibiotic-anesthetic (AA) smart systems obtained by ionic complexation of polyelectrolytes with ciprofloxacin and lidocaine were obtained as films and hydrogels. Ionic complexation with sodium alginate and hyaluronate decreased cytotoxicity of ciprofloxacin above 70% in a primary culture of isolated fibroblasts (p < 0.05). In addition, the relative levels of the proteins involved in cell migration, integrin β1 and p-FAK, increased above 1.5 times (p < 0.05) with no significant differences in cell mobility. Evaluation of the systems in a deep second-degree burn model revealed that reepithelization rate was AA-films = AA-hydrogels > control films > no treated > reference cream (silver sulfadiazine cream). In addition, appendage conservation and complete dermis organization were achieved in AA-films and AA-hydrogels. Encouragingly, both the films and the hydrogels showed a significantly superior performance compared to the reference treatment. This work highlights the great potential of this smart system as an attractive dressing for burns, which surpasses currently available treatments.
Serum biomarkers associated with SARS-CoV-2 severity
Authors: de Morais Batista Fabiani , Puga Marco Antonio Moreira , da Silva Patricia Vieira , Oliveira Roberto , dos Santos Paulo Cesar Pereira , da Silva Bruna Oliveira , Tatara Mariana Bento , Tsuha Daniel Henrique , dos Santos Pires Maria Aparecida , Gonçalves Crhistinne Cavalheiro Maymone , Pessoa e Silva Rômulo , Ferreira Nathália Tavares , de Barros Albuquerque Amanda Pinheiro , da Silva Duarte Giselle , Consolaro Márcia Edilaine Lopes , Negrão Fabio Juliano , Ferrari Idalina Cristina , de Goes Cavalcanti Luciano Pamplona , Trinta Karen Soares , Ribeiro Guilherme S. , de Melo Rêgo Moacyr Jesus Barreto , Boyton Rosemary J. , Siqueira André Machado , Altmann Daniel M. , Croda Julio
Published: September 2022

Immunity with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the acute phase is not sufficiently well understood to differentiate mild from severe cases and identify prognostic markers. We evaluated the immune response profile using a total of 71 biomarkers in sera from patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, confirmed by RT-PCR and controls. We correlated biological marker levels with negative control (C) asymptomatic (A), nonhospitalized (mild cases-M), and hospitalized (severe cases-S) groups. Among angiogenesis markers, we identified biomarkers that were more frequently elevated in severe cases when compared to the other groups (C, A, and M). Among cardiovascular diseases, there were biomarkers with differences between the groups, with D-dimer, GDF-15, and sICAM-1 higher in the S group. The levels of the biomarkers Myoglobin and P-Selectin were lower among patients in group M compared to those in groups S and A. Important differences in cytokines and chemokines according to the clinical course were identified. Severe cases presented altered levels when compared to group C. This study helps to characterize biological markers related to angiogenesis, growth factors, heart disease, and cytokine/chemokine production in individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2, offering prognostic signatures and a basis for understanding the biological factors in disease severity.
Upregulation of interleukin-19 in saliva of patients with COVID-19
Authors: Saheb Sharif-Askari Fatemeh , Saheb Sharif-Askari Narjes , Hafezi Shirin , Goel Swati , Ali Hussain Alsayed Hawra , Ansari Abdul Wahid , Mahboub Bassam , Al-Muhsen Saleh , Temsah Mohamad-Hani , Hamid Qutayba , Halwani Rabih
Published: September 2022

Cytokines are major players in orchestrating inflammation, disease pathogenesis and severity during COVID-19 disease. However, the role of IL-19 in COVID-19 pathogenesis remains elusive. Herein, through the analysis of transcriptomic datasets of SARS-CoV-2 infected lung cells, nasopharyngeal swabs, and lung autopsies of COVID-19 patients, we report that expression levels of IL-19 and its receptor, IL-20R2, were upregulated following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of 202 adult COVID-19 patients, IL-19 protein level was significantly higher in blood and saliva of asymptomatic patients compared to healthy controls when adjusted for patients’ demographics (P < 0.001). Interestingly, high saliva IL-19 level was also associated with COVID-19 severity (P < 0.0001), need for mechanical ventilation (P = 0.002), and/or death (P = 0.010) within 29 days of admission, after adjusting for patients’ demographics, diabetes mellitus comorbidity, and COVID-19 serum markers of severity such as D-dimer, C-reactive protein, and ferritin. Moreover, patients who received interferon beta during their hospital stay had lower plasma IL-19 concentrations (24 pg mL−1) than those who received tocilizumab (39.2 pg mL−1) or corticosteroids (42.5 pg mL−1). Our findings indicate that high saliva IL-19 level was associated with COVID-19 infectivity and disease severity.
Comparison of the role of alcohol consumption and qualitative abdominal fat on NAFLD and MAFLD in males and females
Authors: Sogabe Masahiro , Okahisa Toshiya , Kurihara Takeshi , Kagawa Miwako , Ueda Hiroyuki , Kawaguchi Tomoyuki , Fukuya Akira , Kagemoto Kaizo , Tanaka Hironori , Kida Yoshifumi , Tomonari Tetsu , Taniguchi Tatsuya , Okamoto Koichi , Miyamoto Hiroshi , Sato Yasushi , Nakasono Masahiko , Takayama Tetsuji
Published: September 2022

The clinical difference between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) between the two sexes is unclear. This study aimed to determine the influences of alcohol consumption and qualitative abdominal fat between male and female patients with NAFLD and MAFLD. This cross-sectional study examined 11,766 participants who underwent health check-ups comparing lifestyle habits, biochemical features, and noninvasive liver fibrosis scores, between non-MAFLD and MAFLD groups. Furthermore, differences in alcohol consumption and qualitative abdominal fat were examined between male and female patients with NAFLD and MAFLD. The prevalence of metabolic dysregulation, ratio of visceral fat area to subcutaneous fat area, and noninvasive liver fibrosis scores were significantly higher in male patients with MAFLD than in those with NAFLD (p < 0.05), but these were not significantly different in female patients. Among male patients with an alcohol consumption of > 70 g/week, several noninvasive liver fibrosis scores were significantly higher in the MAFLD group than in the NAFLD group (all p < 0.05). The influences of alcohol consumption and qualitative abdominal fat on NAFLD and MAFLD were different between sexes. The development of liver fibrosis should be considered in male patients with MAFLD who exceed mild drinking.
Environmental conditions experienced upon first breeding modulate costs of early breeding but not age-specific reproductive output in peregrine falcons
Authors: Zabala Jabi , Martínez José E. , Gómez-Moliner Benjamín , Zuberogoitia Iñigo
Published: September 2022

Although once considered uncommon, there is growing evidence of widespread senescence in wildlife populations. However, few studies have examined the traits involved, inter-sexual differences, and environmental correlates of age-specific performance in raptors. We studied age-specific reproductive performance and actuarial senescence (decrease in survival probability with age) in a peregrine falcon population monitored for 21 years. We analysed changes with age in the number of offspring produced and incubation start date. We also inspected variation in lifespan and breeding lifespan (number of breeding occasions in a lifetime). In every case, we assessed associations between variations in traits and age, sex, recruitment age, and environmental conditions (cumulative rainfall during breeding season) experienced upon the first breeding attempt. We found scarce evidence for reproductive senescence. Only the incubation start date in females, which was delayed after approximately 8 cy (calendar years), suggested reproductive senescence in our study population. Regarding actuarial senescence, our data did not support it as we only found evidence of higher juvenile mortality. Furthermore, expected lifespan in peregrines recruited at 2 cy was associated with conditions experienced upon the first breeding attempt. The lifespan and breeding career of individuals recruited as yearlings and experiencing low rainfall upon first breeding did not significantly differ from those recruited as adults. However, those recruited as yearlings and experiencing poor environmental conditions upon the first breeding attempt showed reduced lifespan and breeding lifespan.
Glycosphingolipid GM3 prevents albuminuria and podocytopathy induced by anti-nephrin antibody
Authors: Kawashima Nagako , Naito Shokichi , Hanamatsu Hisatoshi , Nagane Masaki , Takeuchi Yasuo , Furukawa Jun-ichi , Iwasaki Norimasa , Yamashita Tadashi , Nakayama Ken-ichi
Published: September 2022

Podocytopathy, which is characterized by injury to podocytes, frequently causes proteinuria or nephrotic syndrome. There is currently a paucity of effective therapeutic drugs to treat proteinuric kidney disease. Recent research suggests the possibility that glycosphingolipid GM3 maintains podocyte function by acting on various molecules including nephrin, but its mechanism of action remains unknown. Here, various analyses were performed to examine the potential relationship between GM3 and nephrin, and the function of GM3 in podocytes using podocytopathy mice, GM3 synthase gene knockout mice, and nephrin injury cells. Reduced amounts of GM3 and nephrin were observed in podocytopathy mice. Intriguingly, this reduction of GM3 and nephrin, as well as albuminuria, were inhibited by administration of valproic acid. However, when the same experiment was performed using GM3 synthase gene knockout mice, valproic acid administration did not inhibit albuminuria. Equivalent results were obtained in model cells. These findings indicate that GM3 acts with nephrin in a collaborative manner in the cell membrane. Taken together, elevated levels of GM3 stabilize nephrin, which is a key molecule of the slit diaphragm, by enhancing the environment of the cell membrane and preventing albuminuria. This study provides novel insight into new drug discovery, which may offer a new therapy for kidney disease with albuminuria.
A clinical trial of a unidirectional porous tricalcium phosphate filling for defects after resection of benign bone lesions: a prospective multicenter study
Authors: Ikuta Kunihiro , Nishida Yoshihiro , Ota Takehiro , Tsukushi Satoshi , Kozawa Eiji , Nakashima Hiroatsu , Yamada Kenji , Yamashita Satoshi , Imagama Shiro
Published: September 2022

Affinos (Kuraray, Japan) is a β-tricalcium phosphate bone substitute with a unidirectional porous structure. This study aimed to investigate its efficacy on the healing process after filling for bone defects. Fifty-six patients who met the inclusion criteria were divided into cohort 1 (n = 30), including bones other than phalanges and metacarpal/tarsal bones, and cohort 2 (n = 26), including phalanges and metacarpal/tarsal bones. Semi-quantified scores for material resorption and trabeculation through the defect were evaluated with radiographs after surgery. In some patients, levels of bone metabolic markers were assessed. The values of resorption and trabeculation increased steadily with time, and trabeculation progressed compared with resorption in both cohorts. In cohort 1, multiple regression analyses showed that the diaphyseal lesion, smaller defect volume, and increased resorption values at 3 months were associated with increased values of resorption 12 months after surgery (R2 = 0.66, p < 0.001). The trabeculation values at 2 months were positively related to the trabeculation values 12 months after surgery (R2 = 0.35, p = 0.002). In cohort 2, the increased resorption values at 2 months and smaller defect volume significantly correlated with the increased resorption values 12 months after surgery (R2 = 0.58, p < 0.001). The ratio from the baseline of pyridinoline cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen at 3 months was negatively associated with the trabeculation values 12 months after surgery (R = − 0.791, p = 0.004). Evaluation of radiographic images and bone metabolic markers in the early postoperative period may predict the healing status at 12 months postoperatively in the defects followed by Affinos filling.
Natural glass alteration under a hyperalkaline condition for about 4000 years
Authors: Kikuchi Ryosuke , Sato Tsutomu , Fujii Naoki , Shimbashi Misato , Arcilla Carlo A.
Published: September 2022

Silicate glasses are durable materials in our daily life, but corrosion rate accelerates under alkaline aqueous environment. Such situation has raised concerns, for example, in nuclear waste disposal where vitrified wastes encounter to alkaline leachate from surrounding concrete materials. Here we report volcanic glass example surviving with a hyperalkaline groundwater (pH > 11) and high flow rate for about 4000 years. The tiny glass fragments were extracted from the volcanic ash layer sandwiched between ultramafic sediments using microanalytical techniques. Sharp elemental distributions at the glass surface, where amorphous-like smectite precursors and crystalline smectites coexist, suggest the corrosion by an interface-coupled dissolution–precipitation mechanism rather than inter-diffusion. The corrosion rate was maintained at, the minimum, 2.5 orders of magnitude less than the rate observed for fresh glass, even in the presence of Fe and Mg that might have consumed Si through the silicate precipitation.
Tailoring the exposed facets of anatase titania and probing their correlation with photocatalytic activity – an experimental and statistical study
Authors: Sandhu Sofia , Kaur Manpreet , Sharma Nandni , Kaur Navneet , Singh Vasundhara
Published: September 2022

The present study is an attempt to understand the relation between the individual synthesis parameters of titania synthesized using deep eutectic solvent (DES) and the growth formation of reactive facets.
Medium-chain triglycerides and conjugated linolenic acids in functional yogurts: impact of GIT and potential biological activities
Authors: Machado Manuela , Sousa Sérgio , Morais Pilar , Miranda Arménio , Rodriguez-Alcalá Luís M. , Gomes Ana Maria , Pintado Manuela
Published: September 2022

It is technologically viable to partially transpose the predominant saturated fatty acid profile of milk fat to a more balanced lipid profile. Functional yogurts were capable to modulated lipid accumulation.
Association of plant-based dietary patterns with the risk of colorectal cancer: a large-scale case–control study
Authors: Wu Batubayan , Zhou Ruo-Lin , Ou Qing-Jian , Chen Yu-Ming , Fang Yu-Jing , Zhang Cai-Xia
Published: September 2022

PDI and hPDI were significantly associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, whereas uPDI was positively associated with colorectal cancer risk.