bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ArsH Protein Product of the Paracoccus denitrificans ars Operon Has an Activity of Organoarsenic Reductase and Is Regulated by a Redox-Responsive Repressor
Authors: Sedláček Vojtěch , Kryl Martin , Kučera Igor
Published: May 2022

Paracoccus denitrificans ArsH is encoded by two identical genes located in two distinct putative arsenic resistance (ars) operons. Escherichia coli-produced recombinant N-His6-ArsH was characterized both structurally and kinetically. The X-ray structure of ArsH revealed a flavodoxin-like domain and motifs for the binding of flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). The protein catalyzed FMN reduction by NADPH via ternary complex mechanism. At a fixed saturating FMN concentration, it acted as an NADPH-dependent organoarsenic reductase displaying ping-pong kinetics. A 1:1 enzymatic reaction of phenylarsonic acid with the reduced form of FMN (FMNH2) and formation of phenylarsonous acid were observed. Growth experiments with P. denitrificans and E. coli revealed increased toxicity of phenylarsonic acid to cells expressing arsH, which may be related to in vivo conversion of pentavalent As to more toxic trivalent form. ArsH expression was upregulated not only by arsenite, but also by redox-active agents paraquat, tert-butyl hydroperoxide and diamide. A crucial role is played by the homodimeric transcriptional repressor ArsR, which was shown in in vitro experiments to monomerize and release from the DNA-target site. Collectively, our results establish ArsH as responsible for enhancement of organo-As(V) toxicity and demonstrate redox control of ars operon.
CiteSpace-Based Bibliometric Review of Pickup and Delivery Problem from 1995 to 2021
Authors: Zang Xinming , Zhu Yuanyuan , Zhong Yongguang , Chu Tao
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we adopt the bibliometric analysis software CiteSpace to analyze the research status quo and evolution trend of pickup and delivery problem (PDP), an important real-world issue occurring in logistics and transportation. We obtain 819 documents with the topic of PDP that were published in the Web of Science core collection during the period 1995–2021, and acquire their basic situation of posting trend and category distribution. Next, we employ CiteSpace to draw scientific knowledge maps and perform the corresponding visualization analysis, which mainly include the following aspects: (a) collaboration analysis of author, country, and institution; (b) co-citation analysis of author, journal, and reference; (c) citation burst detection of keyword; (d) co-citation clustering analysis of reference. The results show that PDP research has gradually become interdisciplinary and highly comprehensive, and the evolution trend of hot topics also reflects that the research directions involve multiple academic disciplines and professional areas ranging from algorithm design to logistics management. The changing knowledge components reveal the fact that the development of PDP research is highly related to the diversity and uncertainty of realistic logistics industry contexts. Study in this paper provides comprehensive understandings of PDP research for scholars and logistics practitioners, inspiring its further investigation.
Numerical Analysis of Laser Pattern Effects to Residual Stress on Metal 3D Printing
Authors: Jung Chang-ho , Lee Moon Gu , Nam Chanhyuk , Jeon Yongho
Published: May 2022

In this study, a metal 3D printing process was simulated using finite elements methods (FEM), and the specimens were printed under the same conditions. Subsequently, residual stress was measured to validate the results. The thermal-structure two-way coupled analysis confirmed the phenomenon that occurred during the additive process, thereby allowing the residual stress to be calculated more realistically. In addition, to simulate the printing process, a subroutine was configured to account for the laser heat input path and layer. The process of stacking and hatching in a snake pattern for an area measuring 5 mm × 5 mm was simulated. Four cases with different rotation angles of the layer pattern were calculated using FEM. The specimens were printed compared with the analysis results. To verify the printed condition of the specimen, computed tomography was performed to confirm the appearance of pores and cracks in the specimen. Cracks appeared in the 180° specimen, and the cause was analyzed based on the analysis results. Subsequently, the residual stress was measured by an X-ray diffractometer and compared; it was confirmed that the average error of the specimen without cracks is 8.86%, which is similar to the analysis results. These results confirm that the FEM model conducted in this study can be used to analyze residual stress and cracks in a material, which are difficult to analyze in previous studies. The FEM model constructed in this study is expected to facilitate investigations into 3D printing phenomena as well as enable a more efficient process design.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Analysis of Anaerobic Microbial Metabolic Response to Benzalkonium Chloride Disinfectant
Authors: Freemantle Ryan , Butson Nick , Goodfellow Janet , Konzuk Julie , Longstaffe James G.
Published: May 2022

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are disinfection agents used in industrial cleaning processes that are known to interfere with the proper functioning of anaerobic waste digestion directly impacting the quality and quantity of the biogas produced (i.e., CO2 and CH4). While the impact of these contaminants on waste digestors are well known, the impact these compounds have on the metabolic profile of an anaerobic digestor is less understood. This paper describes the use nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as a non-targeted tool to monitor variations in the metabolic profile of anaerobic bioreactor microcosms simulating the treatment of food production wastewater exposed to benzalkonium chloride (BAC), a key QAC. Using NMR, the variation in the metabolic profile of these wastewater microcosms is compared to variations in the quality and quantity of the biogas produced. A clear development of propionic, isobutyric, isovaleric, and other volatile fatty acids (VFAs) is observed indicating a disruption to the overall ability of the system to convert fatty acids to methane. The ability of NMR to successfully identify the overall metabolic profile, the occurrence of the individual VFAs, and the occurrence of BAC itself in one analysis helps to provide valuable information on the metabolic pathways involved in the disruption of these anaerobic processes.
Dust Climatology of Turkey as a Part of the Eastern Mediterranean Basin via 9-Year CALIPSO-Derived Product
Authors: Aslanoğlu S. Yeşer , Proestakis Emmanouil , Gkikas Antonis , Güllü Gülen , Amiridis Vassilis
Published: May 2022

Turkey is located in the heart of complex transition geography between Eurasia and the Middle East. In the grand scheme, the so-called eastern Mediterranean Basin is located almost in the middle of the dusty belt, and is a hot spot of climate change. The downstream location of dust-carrying winds from close desert sources reveals Turkey as an open plane to particulate matter exposure throughout the year. In order to clarify this phenomenon, this paper aims to determine the desert dust climatology of Turkey via CALIPSO onboard Lidar. This prominent instrument enables us to understand clouds, aerosols and their types, and related climatic systems, with its valuable products. In this study, a 9-year CALIPSO-derived pure dust product dataset was formed to explain horizontal and vertical distributions, transport heights and case incidences. The results indicated that the pure dust extinction coefficient increased as the location shifted from west to east. Moreover, in the same direction of west to east, the dominant spring months changed to summer and autumn. Mountain range systems surrounding Anatolia were the main obstacles against lofted and buoyant dust particles travelling to northern latitudes. Even if high ridges accumulated mass load on the southern slopes, they also enabled elevated particles to reach the ground level of the inner cities.
Interdecadal Variation of the Antarctic Circumpolar Wave Based on the 20CRV3 Dataset
Authors: Lu Zhichao , Zhao Tianbao , Zhou Weican , Zhao Haikun
Published: May 2022

As a large-scale ocean–atmosphere coupling system in the Southern Hemisphere, the Antarctic Circumpolar Wave (ACW) greatly impacts the global climate. However, the interdecadal variation of the ACW has rarely been studied due to the lack of long-term data. In this research, the latest 20th Century Reanalysis Version 3 dataset is used to analyze the interdecadal variations of sea level pressure (SLP) and sea surface temperature (SST) signals in the ACW during 1836–2015. The results indicate that the ACW has not always been present in the recent 180 years, and it has remarkable interdecadal variations. Specifically, the ACW was hard to distinguish before the 1870s. The SLP anomalies propagated eastwards over the South Pacific and South Atlantic during part of the 1880s–1940s. The SST anomalies also have an eastward propagation in the 1880s–1960s. The most active period of the SLP signal is in the 1950s–1990s, while that of the SST signal is in the 1980s–1990s. The ACW has not been significant since the 21st century. The interdecadal variation of the SLP may be related to the variations of the long-term Southern Annular Mode and Pacific-South American pattern, while the interdecadal variation of the SST is more associated with the ENSO.
Subtype-Specific Tumour Immune Microenvironment in Risk of Recurrence of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: Prognostic Value of HER2
Authors: Solek Julia , Chrzanowski Jedrzej , Cieslak Adrianna , Zielinska Aleksandra , Piasecka Dominika , Braun Marcin , Sadej Rafal , Romanska Hanna M.
Published: May 2022

Increasing evidence suggests that the significance of the tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) for disease prognostication in invasive breast carcinoma is subtype-specific but equivalent studies in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are limited. The purpose of this paper is to review the existing data on immune cell composition in DCIS in relation to the clinicopathological features and molecular subtype of the lesion. We discuss the value of infiltration by various types of immune cells and the PD-1/PD-L1 axis as potential markers of the risk of recurrence. Analysis of the literature available in PubMed and Medline databases overwhelmingly supports an association between densities of infiltrating immune cells, traits of immune exhaustion, the foci of microinvasion, and overexpression of HER2. Moreover, in several studies, the density of immune infiltration was found to be predictive of local recurrence as either in situ or invasive cancer in HER2-positive or ER-negative DCIS. In light of the recently reported first randomized DCIS trial, relating recurrence risk with overexpression of HER2, we also include a closing paragraph compiling the latest mechanistic data on a functional link between HER2 and the density/composition of TIME in relation to its potential value in the prognostication of the risk of recurrence.
Three-Dimensional Bioprinted Controlled Release Scaffold Containing Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Lyosecretome for Bone Regeneration: Sterile Manufacturing and In Vitro Biological Efficacy
Authors: Bari Elia , Scocozza Franca , Perteghella Sara , Segale Lorena , Sorlini Marzio , Auricchio Ferdinando , Conti Michele , Torre Maria Luisa
Published: May 2022

Recently, 3D-printed scaffolds for the controlled release of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) freeze-dried secretome (Lyosecretome) have been proposed to enhance scaffold osteoinduction and osteoconduction; coprinting of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with alginate hydrogels allows adequate mechanical strength to be combined with the modulable kinetics of the active principle release. This study represents the feasibility study for the sterile production of coprinted scaffolds and the proof of concept for their in vitro biological efficacy. Sterile scaffolds were obtained, and Lyosecretome enhanced their colonization by MSCs, sustaining differentiation towards the bone line in an osteogenic medium. Indeed, after 14 days, the amount of mineralized matrix detected by alizarin red was significantly higher for the Lyosecretome scaffolds. The amount of osteocalcin, a specific bone matrix protein, was significantly higher at all the times considered (14 and 28 days) for the Lyosecretome scaffolds. Confocal microscopy further confirmed such results, demonstrating improved osteogenesis with the Lyosecretome scaffolds after 14 and 28 days. Overall, these results prove the role of MSC secretome, coprinted in PCL/alginate scaffolds, in inducing bone regeneration; sterile scaffolds containing MSC secretome are now available for in vivo pre-clinical tests of bone regeneration.
(Dis)similarities between the Decidual and Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Krstic Jelena , Deutsch Alexander , Fuchs Julia , Gauster Martin , Gorsek Sparovec Tina , Hiden Ursula , Krappinger Julian Christopher , Moser Gerit , Pansy Katrin , Szmyra Marta , Gold Daniela , Feichtinger Julia , Huppertz Berthold
Published: May 2022

Placenta-specific trophoblast and tumor cells exhibit many common characteristics. Trophoblast cells invade maternal tissues while being tolerated by the maternal immune system. Similarly, tumor cells can invade surrounding tissues and escape the immune system. Importantly, both trophoblast and tumor cells are supported by an abetting microenvironment, which influences invasion, angiogenesis, and immune tolerance/evasion, among others. However, in contrast to tumor cells, the metabolic, proliferative, migrative, and invasive states of trophoblast cells are under tight regulatory control. In this review, we provide an overview of similarities and dissimilarities in regulatory processes that drive trophoblast and tumor cell fate, particularly focusing on the role of the abetting microenvironments.
Spatial Instability during Precision Grip–Lift in Children with Poor Manual Dexterity
Authors: Nishi Yuki , Nobusako Satoshi , Tsujimoto Taeko , Sakai Ayami , Nakai Akio , Morioka Shu
Published: May 2022

Although children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) show impaired precision grip control due to a sensory-motor integration deficit, their spatial instability (such as changes in force direction and object roll during a precision grip task) is unclear. Herein, we investigated the spatial instability in the precision grip force control of children with poor manual dexterity. We divided 66 school-aged children who performed a precision gripping and lifting of heavy- or lightweight objects into those with low manual dexterity (n = 11) and those with high manual dexterity (n = 55) as revealed by the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (2nd edition). The group and weight effects were then determined. The results revealed that the total trajectory lengths of the center of pressure (COP) were longer in the lightweight object data of the children in the low-manual-dexterity group and were related to the children’s grip force. The low-manual-dexterity group also showed a shifted COP position from the center of the object in the medial–lateral direction and in the object roll regardless of the object’s weight; these were closely related in both weights’ tests. These results demonstrated that children with poor manual dexterity show spatial instability and different adaptations to the weight of objects during a precision grip task. Further studies are needed to determine whether these findings would be replicated in children with a diagnosis of DCD.
T1w/T2w Ratio and Cognition in 9-to-11-Year-Old Children
Authors: Langensee Lara , Rumetshofer Theodor , Behjat Hamid , Novén Mikael , Li Ping , Mårtensson Johan
Published: May 2022

Childhood is a period of extensive cortical and neural development. Among other things, axons in the brain gradually become more myelinated, promoting the propagation of electrical signals between different parts of the brain, which in turn may facilitate skill development. Myelin is difficult to assess in vivo, and measurement techniques are only just beginning to make their way into standard imaging protocols in human cognitive neuroscience. An approach that has been proposed as an indirect measure of cortical myelin is the T1w/T2w ratio, a contrast that is based on the intensities of two standard structural magnetic resonance images. Although not initially intended as such, researchers have recently started to use the T1w/T2w contrast for between-subject comparisons of cortical data with various behavioral and cognitive indices. As a complement to these earlier findings, we computed individual cortical T1w/T2w maps using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study (N = 960; 449 females; aged 8.9 to 11.0 years) and related the T1w/T2w maps to indices of cognitive ability; in contrast to previous work, we did not find significant relationships between T1w/T2w values and cognitive performance after correcting for multiple testing. These findings reinforce existent skepticism about the applicability of T1w/T2w ratio for inter-individual comparisons.
Paracrine IL-6 Signaling Confers Proliferation between Heterogeneous Inflammatory Breast Cancer Sub-Clones
Authors: Morrow Riley J. , Allam Amr H. , Yeo Belinda , Deb Siddhartha , Murone Carmel , Lim Elgene , Johnstone Cameron N. , Ernst Matthias
Published: May 2022

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) describes a highly aggressive form of breast cancer of diverse molecular subtypes and clonal heterogeneity across individual tumors. Accordingly, IBC is recognized by its clinical signs of inflammation, associated with expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and other inflammatory cytokines. Here, we investigate whether sub-clonal differences between expression of components of the IL-6 signaling cascade reveal a novel role for IL-6 to mediate a proliferative response in trans using two prototypical IBC cell lines. We find that SUM149 and SUM 190 cells faithfully replicate differential expression observed in a subset of human IBC specimens between IL-6, the activated form of the key downstream transcription factor STAT3, and of the HER2 receptor. Surprisingly, the high level of IL-6 produced by SUM149 cells activates STAT3 and stimulates proliferation in SUM190 cells, but not in SUM149 cells with low IL-6R expression. Importantly, SUM149 conditioned medium or co-culture with SUM149 cells induced growth of SUM190 cells, and this effect was abrogated by the IL-6R neutralizing antibody Tocilizumab. The results suggest a novel function for inter-clonal IL-6 signaling in IBC, whereby IL-6 promotes in trans proliferation of IL-6R and HER2-expressing responsive sub-clones and, therefore, may provide a vulnerability that can be exploited therapeutically by repurposing of a clinically approved antibody.
Compassionate Use Program of Ipilimumab and Nivolumab in Intermediate or Poor Risk Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Large Multicenter Italian Study
Authors: Basso Umberto , Paolieri Federico , Rizzo Mimma , De Giorgi Ugo , Bracarda Sergio , Antonuzzo Lorenzo , Atzori Francesco , Cartenì Giacomo , Procopio Giuseppe , Fratino Lucia , D’Arcangelo Manolo , Fornarini Giuseppe , Zucali Paolo , Cusmai Antonio , Santoni Matteo , Pipitone Stefania , Carella Claudia , Panni Stefano , Deppieri Filippo , Zagonel Vittorina , Tortora Giampaolo
Published: May 2022

This is a retrospective analysis on the safety and activity of compassionate Ipilimumab and Nivolumab (IPI-NIVO) administered to patients with metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC) with intermediate or poor International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) score as a first-line regimen. IPI was infused at 1 mg/kg in combination with Nivolumab 3 mg/kg every three weeks for four doses, followed by maintenance Nivolumab (240 or 480 mg flat dose every two or four weeks, respectively) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. A total of 324 patients started IPI-NIVO at 86 Italian centers. Median age was 62 years, 68.2% IMDC intermediate risk. Primary tumor had been removed in 65.1% of patients. Two hundred and twenty patients (67.9%) completed the four IPI-NIVO doses. Investigator-assessed overall response rate was 37.6% (2.8% complete). Twelve-month survival rate was 66.8%, median progression-free survival was 8.3 months. Grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 67 patients (26.9%). IMDC intermediate risk, nephrectomy, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, and steroid use for toxicities correlated with improved survival, while age < 70 years did not. IPI-NIVO combination is a feasible and effective regimen for the first-line treatment of intermediate-poor IMDC risk mRCC patients in routine clinical practice.
Hepatitis C Virus Elimination Using Direct Acting Antivirals after the Radical Cure of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Suppresses the Recurrence of the Cancer
Authors: Kuromatsu Ryoko , Ide Tatsuya , Okamura Shusuke , Noda Yu , Kamachi Naoki , Nakano Masahito , Shirono Tomotake , Shimose Shigeo , Iwamoto Hideki , Kuwahara Reiichiro , Arinaga-Hino Teruko , Niizeki Takashi , Zaizen Yuki , Takaki Hiroshi , Shirachi Miki , Koga Hironori , Torimura Takuji
Published: May 2022

It remains unclear whether hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients can be suppressed by the elimination of the virus using direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) after radical HCC treatment. We evaluated the sustained inhibitory effect of DAAs on HCC recurrence after curative treatment. This multicenter retrospective study included 190 HCV-positive patients after radical treatment for early-stage HCC. Patients were classified into the DAA treatment group (n = 70) and the non-DAA treatment group (n = 120) after HCC treatment. After propensity score matching (PSM), 112 patients were assessed for first and second recurrences using the Kaplan–Meier method and analyzed using a log-rank test. The first recurrence rates at 1 and 3 years were 3.6% and 42.1% in the DAA treatment group and 21.7% and 61.9% in the non-DAA treatment group, respectively (p = 0.0026). Among 85 patients who received radical treatment, the second recurrence rate at 3 years was 2.2% in the DAA treatment group and 33.9% in the non-DAA treatment group (p = 0.0128). In HCV-positive patients with early-stage HCC, the first and second recurrences were suppressed by DAA therapy after radical treatment, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of DAA therapy on HCC recurrence was sustained.
Fabrication of a Heterobinuclear Redox Cycle to Enhance the Photocatalytic Activity of BiOCl
Authors: Li Dongmei , Liu Guisheng , Li Xiaojie , Gao Zhuo , Shao Hangqi , Tian Zhongzhen
Published: May 2022

La3+ and Ni2+-doped BiOCl were prepared by sol–gel method and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques. Their photocatalytic performances were investigated by the degradation of gentian violet under visible light. The results indicated that the co-doping of Ni and La significantly enhanced the photocatalytic performance of BiOCl. The photodegradation efficiency of LaNiBiOCl reached 95.5% in 105 min, which was 1.5 times that of BiOCl. This significant enhancement in photocatalytic activity was mainly attributed to the effective capture and transfer of photogenerated electrons between heterobinuclear La and Ni redox cycle, which benefited the photodegradation of active h+ and the formation of active •O2−. Furthermore, the photodegradation activity did not show an obvious drop after five recycles, indicating that LaNiBiOCl was a promising semiconductor photocatalyst for the degradation of gentian violet.
Formation Mechanism of Carbon-Supported Hollow PtNi Nanoparticles via One-Step Preparations for Use in the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Kim Dong-gun , Sohn Yeonsun , Jang Injoon , Yoo Sung Jong , Kim Pil
Published: May 2022

Hollow Pt-based nanoparticles are known to possess the properties of high electrocatalytic activity and durability. Nonetheless, their practical applications as catalytic materials are limited because of the requirement for exhaustive preparation. In this study, we prepared carbon-supported hollow PtNix (x = the moles of the Ni precursor to the Pt precursor in the catalyst preparation step) catalysts using a one-step preparation method, which substantially reduced the complexity of the conventional method for preparing hollow Pt-based catalysts. In particular, this hollow structure formation mechanism was proposed based on extensive characterizations. The prepared catalysts were examined to determine if they could be used as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Among the investigated catalysts, the acid-treated hollow PtNi3/C catalyst demonstrated the best ORR activity, which was 3 times higher and 2.3 times higher than those of the commercial Pt/C and acid-treated particulate PtNi3/C catalysts, respectively.
Humanized β2 Integrin-Expressing Hoxb8 Cells Serve as Model to Study Integrin Activation
Authors: Bromberger Thomas , Klapproth Sarah , Sperandio Markus , Moser Markus
Published: May 2022

The use of cell-based reporter systems has provided valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of integrin activation. However, current models have significant drawbacks because their artificially expressed integrins cannot be regulated by either physiological stimuli or endogenous signaling pathways. Here, we report the generation of a Hoxb8 cell line expressing human β2 integrin that functionally replaced the deleted mouse ortholog. Hoxb8 cells are murine hematopoietic progenitor cells that can be efficiently differentiated into neutrophils and macrophages resembling their primary counterparts. Importantly, these cells can be stimulated by physiological stimuli triggering classical integrin inside-out signaling pathways, ultimately leading to β2 integrin conformational changes that can be recorded by the conformation-specific antibodies KIM127 and mAb24. Moreover, these cells can be efficiently manipulated via the CRISPR/Cas9 technique or retroviral vector systems. Deletion of the key integrin regulators talin1 and kindlin3 or expression of β2 integrins with mutations in their binding sites abolished both integrin extension and full activation regardless of whether only one or both activators no longer bind to the integrin. Moreover, humanized β2 integrin Hoxb8 cells represent a valuable new model for rapidly testing the role of putative integrin regulators in controlling β2 integrin activity in a physiological context.
Glycogen Storage Disease Phenotypes Accompanying the Perturbation of the Methionine Cycle in NDRG3-Deficient Mouse Livers
Authors: Sohn Hyun Ahm , Lee Dong Chul , Park Anna , Kang Minho , Yoon Byoung-Ha , Lee Chul-Ho , Kim Yong-Hoon , Oh Kyoung-Jin , Kim Cha Yeon , Park Seong-Hwan , Koo Han , Kim Hyoung-Chin , Yoon Won Kee , Lim Dae-Sik , Kim Daesoo , Park Kyung Chan , Yeom Young Il
Published: May 2022

N-Myc downstream regulated gene 3 (NDRG3) is a unique pro-tumorigenic member among NDRG family genes, mediating growth signals. Here, we investigated the pathophysiological roles of NDRG3 in relation to cell metabolism by disrupting its functions in liver. Mice with liver-specific KO of NDRG3 (Ndrg3 LKO) exhibited glycogen storage disease (GSD) phenotypes including excessive hepatic glycogen accumulation, hypoglycemia, elevated liver triglyceride content, and several signs of liver injury. They suffered from impaired hepatic glucose homeostasis, due to the suppression of fasting-associated glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. Consistently, the expression of glycogen phosphorylase (PYGL) and glucose-6-phosphate transporter (G6PT) was significantly down-regulated in an Ndrg3 LKO-dependent manner. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that NDRG3 depletion significantly perturbed the methionine cycle, redirecting its flux towards branch pathways to upregulate several metabolites known to have hepatoprotective functions. Mechanistically, Ndrg3 LKO-dependent downregulation of glycine N-methyltransferase in the methionine cycle and the resultant elevation of the S-adenosylmethionine level appears to play a critical role in the restructuring of the methionine metabolism, eventually leading to the manifestation of GSD phenotypes in Ndrg3 LKO mice. Our results indicate that NDRG3 is required for the homeostasis of liver cell metabolism upstream of the glucose–glycogen flux and methionine cycle and suggest therapeutic values for regulating NDRG3 in disorders with malfunctions in these pathways.
To Detach, Migrate, Adhere, and Metastasize: CD97/ADGRE5 in Cancer
Authors: Aust Gabriela , Zheng Leyu , Quaas Marianne
Published: May 2022

Tumorigenesis is a multistep process, during which cells acquire a series of mutations that lead to unrestrained cell growth and proliferation, inhibition of cell differentiation, and evasion of cell death. Growing tumors stimulate angiogenesis, providing them with nutrients and oxygen. Ultimately, tumor cells invade the surrounding tissue and metastasize; a process responsible for about 90% of cancer-related deaths. Adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs) modulate the cellular processes closely related to tumor cell biology, such as adhesion and detachment, migration, polarity, and guidance. Soon after first being described, individual human aGPCRs were found to be involved in tumorigenesis. Twenty-five years ago, CD97/ADGRE5 was discovered to be induced in one of the most severe tumors, dedifferentiated anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. After decades of research, the time has come to review our knowledge of the presence and function of CD97 in cancer. In summary, CD97 is obviously induced or altered in many tumor entities; this has been shown consistently in nearly one hundred published studies. However, its high expression at circulating and tumor-infiltrating immune cells renders the systemic targeting of CD97 in tumors difficult.
A Comparative Study of the Role of Formins in Drosophila Embryonic Dorsal Closure
Authors: Tóth Krisztina , Földi István , Mihály József
Published: May 2022

Dorsal closure is a late embryogenesis process required to seal the epidermal hole on the dorsal side of the Drosophila embryo. This process involves the coordination of several forces generated in the epidermal cell layer and in the amnioserosa cells, covering the hole. Ultimately, these forces arise due to cytoskeletal rearrangements that induce changes in cell shape and result in tissue movement. While a number of cytoskeleton regulatory proteins have already been linked to dorsal closure, here we expand this list by demonstrating that four of the six Drosophila formin type actin assembly factors are needed to bring about the proper fusion of the epithelia. An analysis of the morphological and dynamic properties of dorsal closure in formin mutants revealed a differential contribution for each formin, although we found evidence for functional redundancies as well. Therefore, we propose that the four formins promote the formation of several, and only partly identical, actin structures each with a specific role in the mechanics of dorsal closure.
LINC00665: An Emerging Biomarker for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics
Authors: Zhong Chenming , Xie Zijun , Shen Jinze , Jia Yunhua , Duan Shiwei
Published: May 2022

Long intergenic noncoding RNA 00665 (LINC00665) is located on human chromosome 19q13.12. LINC00665 was upregulated in eighteen cancers and downregulated in two cancers. LINC00665 not only inhibits 25 miRNAs but also directly affects the stability of ten protein-coding genes. Notably, LINC00665 also encodes a micro-peptide CIP2A-BP that promotes triple-negative breast cancer progression. LINC00665 can participate in five signaling pathways to regulate cancer progression, including the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, TGF-β signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway. Aberrant expression of LINC00665 in breast cancer, gastric cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma can be used for disease diagnosis. In addition, aberrant expression of LINC00665 is closely associated with clinicopathological features and poor prognosis of various cancers. LINC00665 is closely associated with the effects of anticancer drugs, including gefitinib and cisplatin in non-small cell lung cancer, gemcitabine in cholangiocarcinoma, and cisplatin-paclitaxel in breast cancer. This work systematically summarizes the diagnostic and prognostic values of LINC00665 in various tumors, and comprehensively analyzes the molecular regulatory mechanism related to LINC00665, which is expected to provide clear guidance for future research.
Association between Serum Total and Specific Immunoglobulin E Levels and Body Height: A Cross-Sectional Study of Children and Adolescents
Authors: Chang Ling-Sai , Li Jou-Hui , Wang Pei-Ming , Huang Chih-Fang , Kuo Ho-Chang
Published: May 2022

Background: The atopy rate in children has increased significantly. Atopy and growth are connected in a multifactorial manner and are important health issues for children around the world. The principal research question in this cross-sectional investigation concerned the association between serum total, specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, and body height (BH)/weight (BW)/body mass index (BMI). Methods: A total of 993 subjects were enrolled for analysis retrospectively with allergic diseases and aged from 6 months to 18 years during the years 2015–2016. A complete panel of 36 allergen-specific IgE was taken from each participant using the MAST allergen test as well as their BH, BW, BMI, and total IgE levels. Results: There was a statistically significant positive association between the total IgE levels with BH (N = 348) and BW (N = 623) in the preschool age group (<6 years old, p-values of 0.009 and 0.034, respectively). In the preschool group, the total IgE levels showed a positive association with house dust (p < 0.001), cockroach mix (p < 0.001), Dermatophagoides farina (p < 0.001), and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (p < 0.001). After performing a general linear model followed by a backward selection of variables with age, sex, specific IgE, and total IgE, egg white sensitization demonstrated a significant negative association with BH (p = 0.009), and Dermatophagoides farina sensitization showed a significant positive association with BH (p = 0.006). The analysis showed that, in this model, the level of total IgE was not associated with BH. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the level of total IgE was not associated with BH in the preschool age group. Future studies are needed to replicate the results in outcome with follow-up allergic cohorts.
Growth, Magnetic Anisotropies and Exchange Bias of Thin Ni0.95Fe0.05/NiFeO Multilayers
Authors: Anyfantis Dimitrios I. , Ballani Camillo , Kanistras Nikos , Barnasas Alexandros , Kapaklis Vassilios , Schmidt Georg , Papaioannou Evangelos Th. , Poulopoulos Panagiotis
Published: May 2022

Ni0.95Fe0.05/NiFeO multilayers were fabricated by radio frequency magnetron sputtering and natural oxidation. Doping of Ni by only 5 at. % Fe results in enhanced layering quality as X-ray reflectivity reveals. Due to magnetostatic anisotropy, the multilayers were found to be in-plane magnetized. The influence of mild thermal annealing (T = 525 K) on the magnetic properties of NiFe/NiFeO multilayers is also investigated. Annealing results in the enhancement of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, mainly due to an increase in the uniaxial volume anisotropy term. Temperature-dependent hysteresis measurements between 4–400 K revealed considerable enhancement of coercivity and appearance of exchange bias effect.
Efficiency Properties of Cerium-Doped Lanthanum Chloride (LaCl3:Ce) Single Crystal Scintillator under Radiographic X-ray Excitation
Authors: Tseremoglou Stavros , Michail Christos , Valais Ioannis , Ninos Konstantinos , Bakas Athanasios , Kandarakis Ioannis , Fountos George , Kalyvas Nektarios
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study is to evaluate the suitability of crystalline scintillator LaCl3:Ce for possible use in hybrid medical imaging systems, such as PET/CT and SPECT/CT scanners. For this purpose, a single crystal (10 × 10 × 10 mm3) was irradiated by X-rays within the tube voltage range from 50 to 150 kVp, and the absolute efficiency (AE) was measured experimentally. The energy absorption efficiency (EAE), quantum detection efficiency (QDE), and the spectral compatibility with various optical detectors were also calculated with the use of mathematical formulas. The results were compared with published data for Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO), Lu2SiO5:Ce (LSO), and CdWO4 single crystals of equal dimensions, commonly used in medical imaging applications. The luminescence efficiency values of the examined crystal were found to be higher than those of LSO, BGO, and CdWO4 crystals, within the whole X-ray tube voltage range. In the matter of EAE, LaCl3:Ce demonstrated reduced performance with respect to LSO and CdWO4 crystals. The emission spectrum of LaCl3:Ce was found to be compatible with various types of photocathodes and silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). Considering these properties, LaCl3:Ce crystal could be considered suitable for use in hybrid medical imaging systems.
Band Gap and Topology of 1D Perovskite-Derived Hybrid Lead Halide Structures
Authors: Marchenko Ekaterina I. , Fateev Sergey A. , Goodilin Eugene A. , Tarasov Alexey B.
Published: May 2022

The unprecedented structural flexibility of hybrid halide perovskites is accompanied by a wide range of useful optoelectronic properties, causing a high interest in this family of materials. However, there are no systematic studies yet on the relationships between the topology of structures derived of chain 1D hybrid halide perovskites and their optoelectronic properties such as the band gap as already reported for 3D and 2D hybrid halide perovskites. In the present work, we introduce a rational classification of hybrid lead iodide 1D structures. We provide a theoretical assessment of the relationship between the topology of 1D hybrid halide perovskite-derived structures with vertex-connected octahedra and show that the distortions of geometry of the chains of PbI6 octahedra are the main parameters affecting the band gap value while the distance between the chains of vertex-connected octahedra has a minor effect on the band gap.
Identification of CT Values That Could Be Predictive of Necrosis (N-CTav) in Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Lenvatinib Treatment
Authors: Chuma Makoto , Yokoo Hideki , Hiraoka Atsushi , Ueda Kazuhiko , Yokoyama Takahiro , Tsuji Kunihiko , Shimada Noritomo , Uojima Haruki , Kobayashi Satoshi , Hattori Nobuhiro , Okubo Tomomi , Atsukawa Masanori , Ishikawa Toru , Takaguchi Koichi , Tsutsui Akemi , Toyoda Hidenori , Tada Toshifumi , Saito Yoshinori , Hirose Shunji , Tanaka Takaaki , Takeda Kazuhisa , Otani Masako , Sekikawa Zenjiro , Watanabe Tsunamasa , Hidaka Hisashi , Morimoto Manabu , Numata Kazushi , Kagawa Tatehiro , Sakamoto Michiie , Kumada Takashi , Maeda Shin
Published: May 2022

Purpose: To assess the utility of measurement of the computed tomography (CT) attenuation value (CTav) in predicting tumor necrosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who achieve a complete response (CR), defined using modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST), after lenvatinib treatment. Method: We compared CTav in arterial phase CT images with postoperative histopathology in four patients who underwent HCC resection after lenvatinib treatment, to determine CTav thresholds indicative of histological necrosis (N-CTav). Next, we confirmed the accuracy of the determined N-CTav in 15 cases with histopathologically proven necrosis in surgical specimens. Furthermore, the percentage of the tumor with N-CTav, i.e., the N-CTav occupancy rate, assessed using Image J software in 30 tumors in 12 patients with CR out of 571 HCC patients treated with lenvatinib, and its correlation with local recurrence following CR were examined. Results: Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed an optimal cut-off value of CTav of 30.2 HU, with 90.0% specificity and 65.0% sensitivity in discriminating between pathologically identified necrosis and degeneration, with a CTav of less than 30.2 HU indicating necrosis after lenvatinib treatment (N30-CTav). Furthermore, the optimal cut-off value of 30.6% for the N30-CTav occupancy rate by ROC analysis was a significant indicator of local recurrence following CR with 76.9% specificity and sensitivity (area under the ROC curve; 0.939), with the CR group with high N30-CTav occupancy (≥30.6%) after lenvatinib treatment showing significantly lower local recurrence (8.3% at 1 year) compared with the low (<30.6%) N30-CTav group (p < 0.001, 61.5% at 1 year). Conclusion: The cut-off value of 30.2 HU for CTav (N30-CTav) might be appropriate for identifying post-lenvatinib necrosis in HCC, and an N30-CTav occupancy rate of >30.6% might be a predictor of maintenance of CR. Use of these indicators have the potential to impact systemic chemotherapy for HCC.
Feeding Behavior of Coralliophila sp. on Corals Affected by Caribbean Ciliate Infection (CCI): A New Possible Vector?
Authors: Montano Simone , Aeby Greta , Galli Paolo , Hoeksema Bert W.
Published: May 2022

Coral reefs in the Caribbean are known to be affected by many coral diseases, yet the ecology and etiology of most diseases remain understudied. The Caribbean ciliate infection (CCI) caused by ciliates belonging to the genus Halofolliculina is a common disease on Caribbean reefs, with direct contact considered the most likely way through which the ciliates can be transmitted between infected and healthy colonies. Here we report an observation regarding a Coralliophila sp. snail feeding in proximity to a cluster of ciliates forming the typical disease band of CCI. The result of this observation is twofold. The feeding behavior of the snail may allow the passive attachment of ciliates on the body or shell of the snail resulting in indirect transport of the ciliates among colonies, which makes it eligible as a possible disease vector. Alternatively, the lesions created from snail feeding may enhance the progression of the ciliates already present on the coral as well as promoting additional infections allowing pathogens to enter through the feeding scar.
Multi-Layer Web Services Discovery Using Word Embedding and Clustering Techniques
Authors: J. Obidallah Waeal , Raahemi Bijan , Rashideh Waleed
Published: May 2022

We propose a multi-layer data mining architecture for web services discovery using word embedding and clustering techniques to improve the web service discovery process. The proposed architecture consists of five layers: web services description and data preprocessing; word embedding and representation; syntactic similarity; semantic similarity; and clustering. In the first layer, we identify the steps to parse and preprocess the web services documents. In the second layer, Bag of Words with Term Frequency–Inverse Document Frequency and three word-embedding models are employed for web services representation. In the third layer, four distance measures, namely, Cosine, Euclidean, Minkowski, and Word Mover, are considered to find the similarities between Web services documents. In layer four, WordNet and Normalized Google Distance are employed to represent and find the similarity between web services documents. Finally, in the fifth layer, three clustering algorithms, namely, affinity propagation, K-means, and hierarchical agglomerative clustering, are investigated for clustering of web services based on observed similarities in documents. We demonstrate how each component of the five layers is employed in web services clustering using randomly selected web services documents. We conduct experimental analysis to cluster web services using a collected dataset consisting of web services documents and evaluate their clustering performances. Using a ground truth for evaluation purposes, we observe that clusters built based on the word embedding models performed better than those built using the Bag of Words with Term Frequency–Inverse Document Frequency model. Among the three word embedding models, the pre-trained Word2Vec’s skip-gram model reported higher performance in clustering web services. Among the three semantic similarity measures, path-based WordNet similarity reported higher clustering performance. By considering the different word representations models and syntactic and semantic similarity measures, we found that the affinity propagation clustering technique performed better in discovering similarities among Web services.
A New Method for the Assessment of Myalgia in Interstitial Lung Disease: Association with Positivity for Myositis-Specific and Myositis-Associated Antibodies
Authors: Sambataro Gianluca , Ferrara Chiara Alfia , Spadaro Carla , Torrisi Sebastiano Emanuele , Vignigni Giovanna , Vancheri Ada , Muscato Giuseppe , Del Papa Nicoletta , Colaci Michele , Malatino Lorenzo , Palmucci Stefano , Cavagna Lorenzo , Zanframundo Giovanni , Ferro Francesco , Baldini Chiara , Sambataro Domenico , Vancheri Carlo
Published: May 2022

In this study, it was found that myositis-specific and myositis-associated antibodies (MSAs and MAAs) improved the recognition of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) in interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients. The objective of this study is to propose a clinical method to evaluate myalgia in respiratory settings as a possible tool for the recognition of MSA/MAA positivity in ILD patients. We prospectively enrolled 167 ILD patients with suspected myositis, of which 63 had myalgia evoked at specific points (M+ILD+). We also enrolled in a 174 patients with only myalgia (M+ILD-) in a rheumatological setting. The patients were assessed jointly by rheumatologists and pulmonologists and were tested for autoantibodies. M+ILD+ patients were positive for at least one MAA/MSA in 68.3% of cases, as were M-ILD+ patients in 48.1% of cases and M+ILD- patients in 17.2% of cases (p = 0.01 and <0.0001, respectively). A diagnosis of IIM was made in 39.7% of M+ILD+ patients and in 23.1% of the M-ILD+ group (p = 0.02). Myalgia was significantly associated with positivity for MSA/MAAs in ILD patients (p = 0.01, X2: 6.47). In conclusion, myalgia in ILD patients with suspected myositis is associated with MSA/MAA positivity, and could support a diagnosis of IIM. A significant proportion of M+ILD- patients also had MSA/MAA positivity, a phenomenon warranting further study to evaluate its clinical meaning.
Steady-State Thermodynamics of a Cascaded Collision Model
Authors: Li Lu , Man Zhong-Xiao , Xia Yun-Jie
Published: May 2022

We study the steady-state thermodynamics of a cascaded collision model where two subsystems S1 and S2 collide successively with an environment R in the cascaded fashion. We first formulate general expressions of thermodynamics quantities and identify the nonlocal forms of work and heat that result from cascaded interactions of the system with the common environment. Focusing on a concrete system of two qubits, we then show that, to be able to unidirectionally influence the thermodynamics of S2, the former interaction of S1−R should not be energy conserving. We finally demonstrate that the steady-state coherence generated in the cascaded model is a kind of useful resource in extracting work, quantified by ergotropy, from the system. Our results provide a comprehensive understanding on the thermodynamics of the cascaded model and a possible way to achieve the unidirectional control on the thermodynamics process in the steady-state regime.