bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A large, curated, open-source stroke neuroimaging dataset to improve lesion segmentation algorithms
Authors: Liew Sook-Lei , Lo Bethany P. , Donnelly Miranda R. , Zavaliangos-Petropulu Artemis , Jeong Jessica N. , Barisano Giuseppe , Hutton Alexandre , Simon Julia P. , Juliano Julia M. , Suri Anisha , Wang Zhizhuo , Abdullah Aisha , Kim Jun , Ard Tyler , Banaj Nerisa , Borich Michael R. , Boyd Lara A. , Brodtmann Amy , Buetefisch Cathrin M. , Cao Lei , Cassidy Jessica M. , Ciullo Valentina , Conforto Adriana B. , Cramer Steven C. , Dacosta-Aguayo Rosalia , de la Rosa Ezequiel , Domin Martin , Dula Adrienne N. , Feng Wuwei , Franco Alexandre R. , Geranmayeh Fatemeh , Gramfort Alexandre , Gregory Chris M. , Hanlon Colleen A. , Hordacre Brenton G. , Kautz Steven A. , Khlif Mohamed Salah , Kim Hosung , Kirschke Jan S. , Liu Jingchun , Lotze Martin , MacIntosh Bradley J. , Mataró Maria , Mohamed Feroze B. , Nordvik Jan E. , Park Gilsoon , Pienta Amy , Piras Fabrizio , Redman Shane M. , Revill Kate P. , Reyes Mauricio , Robertson Andrew D. , Seo Na Jin , Soekadar Surjo R. , Spalletta Gianfranco , Sweet Alison , Telenczuk Maria , Thielman Gregory , Westlye Lars T. , Winstein Carolee J. , Wittenberg George F. , Wong Kristin A. , Yu Chunshui
Published: June 2022

Accurate lesion segmentation is critical in stroke rehabilitation research for the quantification of lesion burden and accurate image processing. Current automated lesion segmentation methods for T1-weighted (T1w) MRIs, commonly used in stroke research, lack accuracy and reliability. Manual segmentation remains the gold standard, but it is time-consuming, subjective, and requires neuroanatomical expertise. We previously released an open-source dataset of stroke T1w MRIs and manually-segmented lesion masks (ATLAS v1.2, N = 304) to encourage the development of better algorithms. However, many methods developed with ATLAS v1.2 report low accuracy, are not publicly accessible or are improperly validated, limiting their utility to the field. Here we present ATLAS v2.0 (N = 1271), a larger dataset of T1w MRIs and manually segmented lesion masks that includes training (n = 655), test (hidden masks, n = 300), and generalizability (hidden MRIs and masks, n = 316) datasets. Algorithm development using this larger sample should lead to more robust solutions; the hidden datasets allow for unbiased performance evaluation via segmentation challenges. We anticipate that ATLAS v2.0 will lead to improved algorithms, facilitating large-scale stroke research.
Improvement of eukaryotic protein predictions from soil metagenomes
Authors: Belliardo Carole , Koutsovoulos Georgios D. , Rancurel Corinne , Clément Mathilde , Lipuma Justine , Bailly-Bechet Marc , Danchin Etienne G. J.
Published: June 2022

During the last decades, metagenomics has highlighted the diversity of microorganisms from environmental or host-associated samples. Most metagenomics public repositories use annotation pipelines tailored for prokaryotes regardless of the taxonomic origin of contigs. Consequently, eukaryotic contigs with intrinsically different gene features, are not optimally annotated. Using a bioinformatics pipeline, we have filtered 7.9 billion contigs from 6,872 soil metagenomes in the JGI’s IMG/M database to identify eukaryotic contigs. We have re-annotated genes using eukaryote-tailored methods, yielding 8 million eukaryotic proteins and over 300,000 orphan proteins lacking homology in public databases. Comparing the gene predictions we made with initial JGI ones on the same contigs, we confirmed our pipeline improves eukaryotic proteins completeness and contiguity in soil metagenomes. The improved quality of eukaryotic proteins combined with a more comprehensive assignment method yielded more reliable taxonomic annotation. This dataset of eukaryotic soil proteins with improved completeness, quality and taxonomic annotation reliability is of interest for any scientist aiming at studying the composition, biological functions and gene flux in soil communities involving eukaryotes.
CF-Seq, an accessible web application for rapid re-analysis of cystic fibrosis pathogen RNA sequencing studies
Authors: Neff Samuel L. , Hampton Thomas H. , Puerner Charles , Cengher Liviu , Doing Georgia , Lee Alexandra J. , Koeppen Katja , Cheung Ambrose L. , Hogan Deborah A. , Cramer Robert A. , Stanton Bruce A.
Published: June 2022

Researchers studying cystic fibrosis (CF) pathogens have produced numerous RNA-seq datasets which are available in the gene expression omnibus (GEO). Although these studies are publicly available, substantial computational expertise and manual effort are required to compare similar studies, visualize gene expression patterns within studies, and use published data to generate new experimental hypotheses. Furthermore, it is difficult to filter available studies by domain-relevant attributes such as strain, treatment, or media, or for a researcher to assess how a specific gene responds to various experimental conditions across studies. To reduce these barriers to data re-analysis, we have developed an R Shiny application called CF-Seq, which works with a compendium of 128 studies and 1,322 individual samples from 13 clinically relevant CF pathogens. The application allows users to filter studies by experimental factors and to view complex differential gene expression analyses at the click of a button. Here we present a series of use cases that demonstrate the application is a useful and efficient tool for new hypothesis generation. (CF-Seq: http://scangeo.dartmouth.edu/CFSeq/)
Protective Policy Index (PPI) global dataset of origins and stringency of COVID 19 mitigation policies
Authors: Shvetsova Olga , Zhirnov Andrei , Adeel Abdul Basit , Bayar Mert Can , Bayrali Onsel Gurel , Catalano Michael , Catalano Olivia , Chu Hyoungrohk , Giannelli Frank , Muftuoglu Ezgi , Rosenberg Dina , Seyis Didem , Skopyk Bradley , VanDusky-Allen Julie , Zhao Tianyi
Published: June 2022

We have developed and made accessible for multidisciplinary audience a unique global dataset of the behavior of political actors during the COVID-19 pandemic as measured by their policy-making efforts to protect their publics. The dataset presents consistently coded cross-national data at subnational and national levels on the daily level of stringency of public health policies by level of government overall and within specific policy categories, and reports branches of government that adopted these policies. The data on these public mandates of protective behaviors is collected from media announcements and government publications. The dataset allows comparisons of governments’ policy efforts and timing across the world and can serve as a source of information on policy determinants of pandemic outcomes–both societal and possibly medical.
Amplified spontaneous emission from all-inorganic perovskite on a flexible substrate with silk fibroin
Authors: Yang Chin-Yi , Jian Liang-Yu , Lee Yi-Ting , Tseng Zong-Liang , Lin Ja-Hon
Published: June 2022

Stretchable microcavity lasers reveal potential application in flexible displays, biomedicine, and wearable devices in the near future. In this work, we investigated the characteristic of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) from all inorganic CsPbBr3 QDs on a flexible PET substrate with the assistance of biocompatible silk fibroin (SF) film. In comparison with the sample on PET directly, the ASE of all-inorganic perovskite film revealed a lower threshold of 32.7 μJ/cm2, higher slope efficiency, and a larger gain coefficient of around 100.0 cm−1 owing to the better stack and good arrangement of the CsPbBr3 QDs on top of the SF film. For the temperature-dependent ASE measurement, the larger characteristic temperature of around 277 K is obtained from CsPbBr3 QD/SF film, and the emission peak reveals a slight shift with temperature variation, which indicates its temperature-insensitive property. As the curvature of flexible substrate increases under the mechanical bending, the lasing threshold of CsPbBr3 QD/SF film was reduced along with the increase in slope efficiency owing to the enhancement in the index guiding effect.
Myxozoan infection in thinlip mullet Chelon ramada (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae) in the Sea of Galilee
Authors: Gupta Aditya , Haddas-Sasson Michal , Gayer Kfir , Huchon Dorothée
Published: June 2022

Mullets (Mugilidae) are economically important fish in Israel. Two species of mugilids (i.e., the thinlip mullet Chelon ramada and the flathead grey mullet Mugil cephalus) have been stocked in the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret) in order to increase fishermen’s income and lake water quality. These catadromous species do not reproduce in the lake, consequently, fingerlings have been introduced every year since 1958. Few additional mugilid species have been introduced unintentionally together with these two species, including C. labrosus. Following a survey of myxozoan infections in the Sea of Galilee, we described Myxobolus pupkoi n. sp. infecting the gill arches of C. labrosus, and reported Myxobolus exiguus from visceral peritoneum and gall bladder of C. ramada. Our study indicates that the parasites infecting C. ramada and C. labrosus belong to a lineage of myxozoans infecting mugilids. This result suggests that the infection took place in the Mediterranean Sea, where the fingerlings were caught, before their introduction into the Sea of Galilee. Since 2018 only farm-raised fingerlings have been introduced. We thus recommend to closely monitor the presence of these parasites in the future to determine if the presence of parasites disappear with the introduction of farm-raised fingerlings.
Leptin modulated microRNA-628-5p targets Jagged-1 and inhibits prostate cancer hallmarks
Authors: Rios-Colon Leslimar , Chijioke Juliet , Niture Suryakant , Afzal Zainab , Qi Qi , Srivastava Anvesha , Ramalinga Malathi , Kedir Habib , Cagle Patrice , Arthur Elena , Sharma Mitu , Moore John , Deep Gagan , Suy Simeng , Collins Sean P. , Kumar Deepak
Published: June 2022

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules that play a regulatory role in gene expression and cancer cell signaling. We previously identified miR-628-5p (miR-628) as a potential biomarker in serum samples from men with prostate cancer (PCa) (Srivastava et al. in Tumour Biol 35:4867–4873, 10.1007/s13277-014-1638-1, 2014). This study examined the detailed cellular phenotypes and pathways regulated by miR-628 in PCa cells. Since obesity is a significant risk factor for PCa, and there is a correlation between levels of the obesity-associated hormone leptin and PCa development, here we investigated the functional relationship between leptin and miR-628 regulation in PCa. We demonstrated that exposure to leptin downregulated the expression of miR-628 and increased cell proliferation/migration in PCa cells. We next studied the effects on cancer-related phenotypes in PCa cells after altering miR-628 expression levels. Enforced expression of miR-628 in PCa cells inhibited cell proliferation, reduced PCa cell survival/migration/invasion/spheroid formation, and decreased markers of cell stemness. Mechanistically, miR-628 binds with the JAG1-3′UTR and inhibits the expression of Jagged-1 (JAG1). JAG1 inhibition by miR-628 downregulated Notch signaling, decreased the expression of Snail/Slug, and modulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition and invasiveness in PC3 cells. Furthermore, expression of miR-628 in PCa cells increased sensitivity towards the drugs enzalutamide and docetaxel by induction of cell apoptosis. Collectively our data suggest that miR-628 is a key regulator of PCa carcinogenesis and is modulated by leptin, offering a novel therapeutic opportunity to inhibit the growth of advanced PCa.
Correlation between air pollution and prevalence of conjunctivitis in South Korea using analysis of public big data
Authors: Nam Sanghyu , Shin Mi Young , Han Jung Yeob , Moon Su Young , Kim Jae Yong , Tchah Hungwon , Lee Hun
Published: June 2022

This study investigated how changes in weather factors affect the prevalence of conjunctivitis using public big data in South Korea. A total of 1,428 public big data entries from January 2013 to December 2019 were collected. Disease data and basic climate/air pollutant concentration records were collected from nationally provided big data. Meteorological factors affecting eye diseases were identified using multiple linear regression and machine learning analysis methods such as extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), decision tree, and random forest. The prediction model with the best performance was XGBoost (1.180), followed by multiple regression (1.195), random forest (1.206), and decision tree (1.544) when using root mean square error (RMSE) values. With the XGBoost model, province was the most important variable (0.352), followed by month (0.289) and carbon monoxide exposure (0.133). Other air pollutants including sulfur dioxide, PM10, nitrogen dioxides, and ozone showed low associations with conjunctivitis. We identified factors associated with conjunctivitis using traditional multiple regression analysis and machine learning techniques. Regional factors were important for the prevalence of conjunctivitis as well as the atmosphere and air quality factors.
Lethal effect of blue light on Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Taniyama Katsuya , Hori Masatoshi
Published: June 2022

In our previous studies, we found that blue light has a lethal effect on various insect species and demonstrated that the most effective wavelength to control the hygiene pest, the mosquito, Culex pipiens form molestus (Diptera: Culicidae), is ~ 420 nm through all developmental stages. The genera Aedes and Culex include many globally crucial hygiene pest species that transmit serious diseases to humans and animals. However, effective lethal wavelengths have been shown to differ among insect species. In this study, we investigated the lethal effects of blue light on the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, using light-emitting diodes. Blue-light irradiation had a lethal effect on the larvae, pupae, and adults of Ae. albopictus. In particular, the 417-nm blue-light wavelength had a strong lethal effect on the larvae, showing 100% mortality before pupation at the photon flux density of 10 × 1018 photons·m−2·s−1. In contrast, no blue-light wavelength had a lethal effect on the eggs. Moreover, the 417-nm wavelength had the strongest effect on the pupae among the tested blue-light wavelengths. Our findings indicate that ~ 420 nm is the most promising blue-light wavelength to control populations of Ae. albopictus and C. pipiens f. molestus.
Transition metals doped effects for the crystal stabilization of the cerium oxides with the first principle calculation
Authors: Nishimura Takaki , Kodama Tatsuya , Genta Sakane , Ishii Tomohiko
Published: June 2022

In recent years, hydrogen energy has been attracting attention, and the hydrogen gas production using solar thermal energy has been conducted. The studies of Kodama et al. were reported that the cyclic reaction can efficiently produce the hydrogen gas through a two-step thermal redox reaction with the cerium oxide. The transition metal doping into the cerium oxide improved the reaction efficiency. We considered the doping effect on the thermal two-step redox reaction. As a result of the calculation by the DV-Xα method, it was clarified that the doped cerium oxide becomes a strong bond, the large BOP value without changing the ceria crystal structure in the two-step thermal redox reaction. The theoretical calculation results corresponded to the reaction efficiency improvement of the thermal reaction in experimental results.
Artificially-reconstructed brain images with stroke lesions from non-imaging data: modeling in categorized patients based on lesion occurrence and sparsity
Authors: Sutoko Stephanie , Atsumori Hirokazu , Obata Akiko , Nishimura Ayako , Funane Tsukasa , Kiguchi Masashi , Kandori Akihiko , Shimonaga Koji , Hama Seiji , Tsuji Toshio
Published: June 2022

Brain imaging is necessary for understanding disease symptoms, including stroke. However, frequent imaging procedures encounter practical limitations. Estimating the brain information (e.g., lesions) without imaging sessions is beneficial for this scenario. Prospective estimating variables are non-imaging data collected from standard tests. Therefore, the current study aims to examine the variable feasibility for modelling lesion locations. Heterogeneous variables were employed in the multivariate logistic regression. Furthermore, patients were categorized (i.e., unsupervised clustering through k-means method) by the charasteristics of lesion occurrence (i.e., ratio between the lesioned and total regions) and sparsity (i.e., density measure of lesion occurrences across regions). Considering those charasteristics in models improved estimation performances. Lesions (116 regions in Automated Anatomical Labeling) were adequately predicted (sensitivity: 80.0–87.5% in median). We confirmed that the usability of models was extendable to different resolution levels in the brain region of interest (e.g., lobes, hemispheres). Patients’ charateristics (i.e., occurrence and sparsity) might also be explained by the non-imaging data as well. Advantages of the current approach can be experienced by any patients (i.e., with or without imaging sessions) in any clinical facilities (i.e., with or without imaging instrumentation).
Using network analysis to model the effects of the SARS Cov2 pandemic on acute patient care within a healthcare system
Authors: Kohler Katharina , Jankowski Matthew D. , Bashford Tom , Goyal Deepi G. , Habermann Elizabeth B. , Walker Laura E.
Published: June 2022

Consolidation of healthcare in the US has resulted in integrated organizations, encompassing large geographic areas, with varying services and complex patient flows. Profound changes in patient volumes and behavior have occurred during the SARS Cov2 pandemic, but understanding these across organizations is challenging. Network analysis provides a novel approach to address this. We retrospectively evaluated hospital-based encounters with an index emergency department visit in a healthcare system comprising 18 hospitals, using patient transfer as a marker of unmet clinical need. We developed quantitative models of transfers using network analysis incorporating the level of care provided (ward, progressive care, intensive care) during pre-pandemic (May 25, 2018 to March 16, 2020) and mid-pandemic (March 17, 2020 to March 8, 2021) time periods. 829,455 encounters were evaluated. The system functioned as a non-small-world, non-scale-free, dissociative network. Our models reflected transfer destination diversification and variations in volume between the two time points – results of intentional efforts during the pandemic. Known hub-spoke architecture correlated with quantitative analysis. Applying network analysis in an integrated US healthcare organization demonstrates changing patterns of care and the emergence of bottlenecks in response to the SARS Cov2 pandemic, consistent with clinical experience, providing a degree of face validity. The modelling of multiple influences can identify susceptibility to stress and opportunities to strengthen the system where patient movement is common and voluminous. The technique provides a mechanism to analyze the effects of intentional and contextual changes on system behavior.
Temperature induced phase transformation in Co
Authors: Sewak R. , Dey C. C. , Toprek D.
Published: June 2022

Temperature dependent phase transformation behavior in cobalt from hexagonal close-packed (hcp) to face centered cubic (fcc) has been found to be contradictory to that reported earlier. It is found that hcp phase stabilizes at both low and high temperature ($$\sim $$
∼
873 K) while fcc phase is stabilized at $$\sim $$
∼
500 K. At 298 K, hcp Co has been found to be predominant ($$\sim $$
∼
70%) where hcp magnetic phase is $$\sim $$
∼
60%. At 973 K, hcp phase is again predominant ($$\sim $$
∼
73%), but it is mainly the non-magnetic phase ($$\sim $$
∼
67%). Contrary to present results, it was found earlier that fcc phase was stabilized at high temperature and hcp to fcc transformation occured at $$\sim $$
∼
700 K. Present results from perturbed angular correlation measurements, therefore, requires a new theoretical interpretation for Co phase transformation. From present measurements, hyperfine magnetic fields in Co at room temperature for the hcp and fcc phases have been found to be 18.7(6) and 12.8(3) T, much lower than earlier reported results. The hyperfine magnetic fields at $$^{181}$$

181

Ta impurity atom have been calculated by density functional theory (DFT) employing the full potential (linearized) augmented plane wave method (FP-LAPW). Present calculated results for both hcp and fcc phases corroborate our experimental results.
In-depth comparative analysis of Tritrichomonas foetus transcriptomics reveals novel genes linked with adaptation to feline host
Authors: Alonso Andrés M. , Schcolnicov Nicolás , Diambra Luis , Cóceres Veronica M.
Published: June 2022

Tritrichomonas foetus is a flagellated parasite able to infect cattle, cats, and pigs. Despite its prevalence, feline tritrichomonosis has received markedly less attention than venereal infection, and little information about the molecular mechanisms that participate in feline host infection is available. Through a bioinformatics approach, we integrated public transcriptomic data for three T. foetus isolates and explored the differences at transcript level with a focus on pathogenesis and adaptation processes, particularly for the feline isolate. Our analysis revealed higher abundance levels of predicted virulence factors, such as proteases and surface antigens. Additionally, by a comparative and expression analysis of T. foetus genes, we proposed putative virulence factors that could be involved in feline infection. Finally, we identified a great proportion of predicted transcription factors of the MYB protein family and, by a promoter analysis, we revealed that MYB-related proteins could participate in the regulation of gene transcription in T. foetus. In conclusion, this integrated approach is a valuable resource for future studies of host–pathogen interactions and identifying new gene targets for improved feline tritrichomonosis diagnosis and treatment.
Tacrolimus dose adjustment is not necessary in dose to dose conversion from a twice daily to a prolonged release once daily dose form
Authors: Tiankanon Kanitha , Kerr Stephen J. , Thongthip Siriwan , Udomkarnjananun Suwasin , Sodsai Pimpayao , Vorasittha Athaya , Panumatrassamee Kamol , Takkavatakarn Kullaya , Tungsanga Kriang , Eiam-Ong Somchai , Praditpornsilpa Kearkiat , Avihingsanon Yingyos , Townamchai Natavudh
Published: June 2022

Twice daily TAC (BID TAC) and prolonged released once daily dose tacrolimus (OD TAC) have different pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles in kidney transplant (KT) recipients. Precise dose adjustment recommendations when converting from BID TAC to OD TAC remain inconclusive. A single center, PK study was conducted in stable KT recipients taking constant doses of TAC, mycophenolic acid, and prednisolone. The area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) 0–24 and Ctrough were measured before and 4 weeks after 1:1 conversion from BID TAC to OD TAC without subsequent dose adjustment. A 90% confidence interval (CI) of geometric mean ratio (GMR) of OD TAC/BID TAC within the range of 0.9–1.11 was utilized to indicate equivalence of the narrow therapeutic index drugs. The roles of CYP3A5 genotypic polymorphism on PK parameters were also assessed. There were 20 patients with median time since transplantation of 18 months. The mean of CKD-EPI eGFR was 60.7 ± 16.43 mL/min/1.73 m2. The median total daily TAC dose of 0.058 mg/kg/day. The geometric means (%CV) of AUC0-24 of OD and BID TAC were 205.16 (36.4%) and 210.3 (32.5%) ng/mL × h, respectively, with a GMR of 0.98 (90%CI 0.91–1.04). The geometric means (%CV) of Ctrough of OD TAC and BID TAC were 5.43 (33.1%) and 6.09 (34.6%) ng/mL, respectively. The GMR of Ctrough was 0.89 (90%CI 0.82–0.98), which was below 0.9. The newly calculated target Ctrough level of OD TAC was 4.8–6.2 ng/mL. The best abbreviated AUC0-24 was AUC = 0.97(C0) + 5.79(C6) + 18.97(C12) − 4.26. The GMR AUC0-24 was within the range of 0.9–1.11 irrespective of CYP3A5 genotypic polymorphism while the GMR of Ctrough was below 0.9 only in the CYP3A5 expressor patients. The 1:1 conversion from BID TAC to OD TAC without subsequent dose adjustment provided similar AUC0-24 regardless of CYP3A5 genotypic polymorphism. However, the Ctrough was lower in the CYP3A5 expressor group. Therefore, it is not necessary to routinely increase the OD TAC dose after conversion.

Trial registration: Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20210715002).
Alteration of circulating unconventional T cells in cerebral ischemia: an observational study
Authors: Zhou Chao , Rao Wei , Zhou Xinhua , He Dan , Li Zhen , Dashtsoodol Nyambayar , Ren Yue
Published: June 2022

Immune reactions provoked by cerebral ischemia play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of brain damage and contribute to tissue regeneration processes. While functions of many immune cell types in post-ischemic inflammation have been well studied in experimental stroke, the exact roles played by unconventional T cells in pathogenesis of the clinical stroke remain to be precisely determined. In the present study, we investigated the frequencies and absolute cell numbers of peripheral blood T lymphocyte subpopulations including those of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, CD3+CD56+ NKT-like (NKTL) cells, and γδ T cells from patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI), chronic cerebrovascular disease (CCD) or chronic cerebral circulation insufficiency (CCI) by flow cytometry, and analyzed their association with the disease severity and the clinical outcome. We observed significantly reduced cell numbers of circulating iNKT cells, NKTL cells and γδ T cells in cerebral ischemia patients as compared with the healthy controls. Of note, we also demonstrated that numbers of peripheral blood iNKT and γδ T cells are significantly reduced in patients with ACI when compared among different cerebral ischemia patient groups. Moreover, the reduced number of iNKT cells is significantly associated with the disease severity and recovery in cerebral ischemia patients. Our results demonstrate for the first time the reduction of peripheral blood NKTL, iNKT and γδ T cells in patients with the cerebral ischemia, and particularly reduced iNKT and γδ T cells in the acute phase. The reduction of iNKT cells seems to be significantly associated with the disease severity and recovery. We hope that our findings might lead to the identification of predictive and prognostic values of human peripheral unconventional T cell subsets in the cerebral ischemia.
Stabilizing magnetic skyrmions in constricted nanowires
Authors: Al Saidi Warda , Sbiaa Rachid
Published: June 2022

Magnetic skyrmions are topologically-protected chiral nano-scale spin structures that offer low power and high-density functionalities for spintronic devices. They behave as particles that can be moved, created and annihilated. These characteristics make them promising information-carrying bits, hence a precise control of the skyrmion motion is essential. This study shows that stabilizing skyrmion is possible using a stepped nanowire geometry. The nanoconstriction dimension and materials properties are found to strongly affect the pinning, depinning and annihilation of the skyrmion. It is also observed that near the stepped region, the skyrmion slows down and its velocity changes direction before its stability. Moreover, a reduction of skyrmion size as it squeezes through the stepped region is observed. Our results will open a new strategy for the design and development of skyrmion-based devices.
Ultra-fast fabrication of Bi2Te3 based thermoelectric materials by flash-sintering at room temperature combining with spark plasma sintering
Authors: Zhang Zhiwei , Sun Minna , Liu Jinchao , Cao Lili , Su Mengran , Liao Qingwei , Deng Yuan , Qin Lei
Published: June 2022

Highly crystalline Bi2Te3based compounds with small grain size were successfully synthesized by flash sintering (FS) method in 10 s at room temperature under suitable current density using Bi, Te and Se powders. The instantaneously generated local Joule heat at grain boundary is regarded as the main reason for the rapid completion of chemical reaction and crystallization. By combining FS synthesis method with spark plasma sintering (SPS), Bi2Te3based bulk materials with high relative density were fabricated in 10 min. Suitably prolonging sintering temperature and holding time in SPS process can decrease carrier concentration and phonon thermal conductivity, while increasing carrier mobility. Hence, the sample prepared at 753 K for 3 min shows 20% higherZTvalue than that of the sample prepared at 723 K for 3 min. Compared with common zone melting or powder metallurgy methods taking several hours by complex operation, this method is time-saving and low cost.
Smurf2 inhibition enhances chemotherapy and radiation sensitivity in non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Chaudhary Kunal R. , Kinslow Connor J. , Cheng Haiying , Silva Jose M. , Yu Jiyang , Wang Tony. J. , Hei Tom K. , Halmos Balazs , Cheng Simon K.
Published: June 2022

Lung cancer has been the most common cancer worldwide for several decades. The outcomes of patients with locally advanced lung cancer remain dismal, and only a minority of patients survive more than 5 years. However, tumor therapeutic resistance mechanisms are poorly studied. Identification of therapeutic resistance pathways in lung cancer in order to increase the sensitivity of lung tumor cells to therapeutic agents is a crucial but challenging need. To identify novel genes that modulate the response to platinum-based therapy, we performed a genome-wide high-throughput ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) screen via transfection of human lung cancer (PC9) cells with a viral short hairpin RNA (shRNA) library. We further validated a potential target via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and clonogenic survival assays on PC9 and A549 lung tumor cells transfected with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to successfully downregulate protein expression and then treated with increasing doses of cisplatin or X-ray radiation. We determined protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) after chemoradiotherapy and analyzed gene expression-based survival outcomes in two cohorts of human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The screen identified several targets involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), including Smurf1, Smurf2, YAP1, and CEBPZ, and glycolytic pathway proteins, including PFKFB3. Furthermore, we found that the small molecule proteasome inhibitor bortezomib significantly downregulated Smurf2 in lung cancer cells. The addition of bortezomib in combination with cisplatin and radiation therapy in PC9 and A549 cells led to an increase in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) double-strand breaks with increased numbers of γ-H2AX-positive cells and upregulation of apoptosis. Finally, we found that Smurf2 protein expression was upregulated in situ after treatment with cisplatin and radiation therapy in a relevant cohort of patients with stage III NSCLC. Additionally, Smurf2 gene expression was the strongest predictor of survival in patients with squamous NSCLC after chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. We successfully identified and validated Smurf2 as both a common modulator of resistance and an actionable target in lung cancer. These results suggest the urgent need to investigate clinical Smurf2 inhibition via bortezomib in combination with cisplatin and radiation for patients with locally advanced NSCLC.
The influence of laser-induced alignment on Z-scan properties of 2D carbon nanomaterials suspension dependent on polarization
Authors: Zhang Qiuhui , Wu Xinghui , Han Jinghua
Published: June 2022

The Z-scan technique uses a single beam that can be used for observing the nonlinear or optical limiting properties of materials. For the first time, the Z-scan properties dependent on the polarization of 2D carbon nanomaterial suspension were experimentally investigated using optical Z-scan technology. The Z-scan curves of graphene and graphene oxide (GO) in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone suspensions exhibited strong polarization-dependent characteristics. In paper, a reverse saturated absorption (RSA) dip surrounded the lens focus when the horizontal polarized beam was focused in the suspension, and two saturated absorption (SA) peaks appeared adjacent to the dip. However, for the vertical polarized beam, only one RSA dip surrounded the lens focus, and the threshold was higher than the SA for a horizontally polarized beam. The transmission of RSA for the GO suspension was evidently lower than that of the graphene suspension. The polarization-dependent characteristic can be ascribed to the laser-induced alignment in case the suspension is moved in or out of the beam focal point. Furthermore, the polarization-dependent 2D carbon nanomaterial suspension can be applied in several practical purposes such as 2D material-based optical and opto-fludic devices.
Genome-wide meta-analysis of iron status biomarkers and the effect of iron on all-cause mortality in HUNT
Authors: Moksnes Marta R. , Graham Sarah E. , Wu Kuan-Han , Hansen Ailin Falkmo , Gagliano Taliun Sarah A. , Zhou Wei , Thorstensen Ketil , Fritsche Lars G. , Gill Dipender , Mason Amy , Cucca Francesco , Schlessinger David , Abecasis Gonçalo R. , Burgess Stephen , Åsvold Bjørn Olav , Nielsen Jonas B. , Hveem Kristian , Willer Cristen J. , Brumpton Ben M.
Published: June 2022

Iron is essential for many biological processes, but iron levels must be tightly regulated to avoid harmful effects of both iron deficiency and overload. Here, we perform genome-wide association studies on four iron-related biomarkers (serum iron, serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, total iron-binding capacity) in the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), the Michigan Genomics Initiative (MGI), and the SardiNIA study, followed by their meta-analysis with publicly available summary statistics, analyzing up to 257,953 individuals. We identify 123 genetic loci associated with iron traits. Among 19 novel protein-altering variants, we observe a rare missense variant (rs367731784) in HUNT, which suggests a role forDNAJC13in transferrin recycling. We further validate recently published results using genetic risk scores for each biomarker in HUNT (6% variance in serum iron explained) and present linear and non-linear Mendelian randomization analyses of the traits on all-cause mortality. We find evidence of a harmful effect of increased serum iron and transferrin saturation in linear analyses that estimate population-averaged effects. However, there was weak evidence of a protective effect of increasing serum iron at the very low end of its distribution. Our findings contribute to our understanding of the genes affecting iron status and its consequences on human health.
Biotic induction and microbial ecological dynamics of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2
Authors: Connock Gregory T. , Owens Jeremy D. , Liu Xiao-Lei
Published: June 2022

Understanding the causal mechanisms of past marine deoxygenation is critical to predicting the long-term Earth systems response to climate change. However, the processes and events preceding widespread carbon burial coincident with oceanic anoxic events remain poorly constrained. Here, we report a comprehensive biomarker inventory enveloping Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 that captures microbial communities spanning epipelagic to benthic environments in the southern proto-North Atlantic Ocean. We identify an abrupt, sustained increase in primary productivity that predates Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 by ∼220 ± 4 thousand years, well before other geochemical proxies register biogeochemical perturbations. During the event, recurrent photic zone euxinia triggered a major marine microbial reorganization accompanied by a decrease in primary production. These findings highlight how organic carbon burial drivers operated along a continuum in concert with microbial ecological changes, with antecedent, localized increases in primary production destabilizing carbon cycling and promoting the progressive marine deoxygenation leading to Oceanic Anoxic Event 2.
In situ self-assembly of polydopamine inside injectable hydrogels: antibacterial activity and photothermal therapy for superbug-infected wound healing
Authors: Zhu Yi , Lin Ling , Xie Yuntao , Wang Qinghua , Gu Chenghong , Chen Yu , Song Yeping , Han Guohao , Lu Weipeng , Guo Yanchuan
Published: June 2022

Ideal antibacterial hydrogel wound dressing triggered by the in situ self-assembly of the PDA NPs inside the gel.
Self-boosting stimulus activation of a polyprodrug with cascade amplification for enhanced antitumor efficacy
Authors: Zong Qingyu , Xiao Xuan , Li Jisi , Yuan Youyong
Published: June 2022

We propose a polyprodrug (TSCA/DOX) with cascade amplification of triggering agents and drug activation by incorporating both a ROS signal amplifier (TACA) and a drug activation amplifier (SIPDOX) into a delivery system.
How a quantum computer could accurately solve a hydrogen-air combustion model
Authors: Becerra Alejandro , Diaz-Ibarra Oscar Homero , Kim Kyungjoo , Debusschere Bert , Walker Eric A.
Published: June 2022

A quantum circuit method for modeling steady state behavior of homogeneous hydrogen-air combustion is presented.
Seventeen novel angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides from the protein hydrolysate ofMytilus edulis: isolation, identification, molecular docking study, and protective function on HUVECs
Authors: Suo Shi-Kun , Zhao Yu-Qin , Wang Yu-Mei , Pan Xiao-Yang , Chi Chang-Feng , Wang Bin
Published: June 2022

This study suggested that bioactive peptides from blue mussel could serve as a therapeutic alternative in the treatment of hypertension because of their ACE inhibitory activity and protective effects on oxidative damaged HUVECs.
Distinguishing the respective determining factors for spectral broadening and concentration quenching in multiple resonance type TADF emitter systems
Authors: Huang Feng , Fan Xiao-Chun , Cheng Ying-Chun , Wu Hao , Shi Yi-Zhong , Yu Jia , Wang Kai , Lee Chun-Sing , Zhang Xiao-Hong
Published: June 2022

Through studying intermolecular interactions and kinetics in MR-TADF derivatives, spectral broadening and concentration quenching determined by excimer formation and triplet annihilation in their OLEDs are distinguished, respectively.
Synthesis of porous high-temperature superconductors via a melamine formaldehyde sacrificial template
Authors: Luke Emily J. , Potticary Jason , Terry Lui R. , Doan Huan V. , Hinoplen Roemer , Cross Sam , Ting Valeska P. , Friedemann Sven , Hall Simon R.
Published: June 2022

The synthesis of porous high-temperature superconductors has been achieved for the first time using melamine formaldehyde as a sacrificial template.
Eosin-Y/Cu(OAc)2-catalyzed aerobic oxidative coupling reactions of glycine esters in the dark
Authors: Chowdhury Raghunath
Published: June 2022

The ground-state reactivity of eosin-Y in the presence of a catalytic amount of Cu(OAc)2 was explored for aerobic oxidative coupling reactions of glycine esters with β-keto acids, indoles, naphthols, and pyrrole in the dark.
Strategy for enhanced performance of silicon nanoparticle anodes for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Chen Xusheng , Zheng Jian , Li Luming , Chu Wei
Published: June 2022

The rational structural design of the spherical carbon and TiO2 shell results in a significant improvement in the lithium storage performance of commercial silicon nanoparticles, particularly in terms of cycling stability.
Boosting the singlet oxygen production from H2O2 activation with highly dispersed Co–N-graphene for pollutant removal
Authors: Yu Yang-Yang , Quan Wen-Zhu , Cao Yuanyuan , Niu Qijian , Lu Yilin , Xiao Xiang , Cheng Liang
Published: June 2022

A graphene-supported highly dispersed cobalt catalyst with abundant Co–Nx active sites was synthesized to boost 1O2 production from H2O2 activation, exhibiting excellent degradation efficiency towards the model organic pollutant methylene blue.
Electron-beam lithography of cinnamate polythiophene films: conductive nanorods for electronic applications
Authors: Bojanowski N. Maximilian , Huck Christian , Veith Lisa , Strunk Karl-Philipp , Bäuerle Rainer , Melzer Christian , Freudenberg Jan , Wacker Irene , Schröder Rasmus R. , Tegeder Petra , Bunz Uwe H. F.
Published: June 2022

Electron beam lithography patterns selectively cinnamate-substituted polythiophene thin films via [2+2]-cycloaddition. A nanoscale organic field effect transistor is constructed using cross-linked and doped polythiophene as electrodes.
Molecular imprinting as a simple way for the long-term maintenance of the stemness and proliferation potential of adipose-derived stem cells: an in vitro study
Authors: Nazbar Abolfazl , Samani Saeed , Yazdian Kashani Sepideh , Amanzadeh Amir , Shoeibi Shahram , Bonakdar Shahin
Published: June 2022

Culturing adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on the biomimetic ADSC-imprinted substrate is a simple way for long-term maintenance of their stemness and proliferation potential.
Molecular mechanisms of cystic fibrosis – how mutations lead to misfunction and guide therapy
Authors: Farinha Carlos M. , Callebaut Isabelle
Published: June 2022

Cystic fibrosis, the most common autosomal recessive disorder in Caucasians, is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which encodes a cAMP-activated chloride and bicarbonate channel that regulates ion and water transport in secretory epithelia. Although all mutations lead to the lack or reduction in channel function, the mechanisms through which this occurs are diverse – ranging from lack of full-length mRNA, reduced mRNA levels, impaired folding and trafficking, targeting to degradation, decreased gating or conductance, and reduced protein levels to decreased half-life at the plasma membrane. Here, we review the different molecular mechanisms that cause cystic fibrosis and detail how these differences identify theratypes that can inform the use of directed therapies aiming at correcting the basic defect. In summary, we travel through CFTR life cycle from the gene to function, identifying what can go wrong and what can be targeted in terms of the different types of therapeutic approaches.
New lipid sources in the insect industry, regulatory aspects and applications
Authors: Lorrette Bénédicte , Sanchez Lorena
Published: June 2022

Edible insects constitute a sustainable and alternative source of nutrients: they have potential to become a valuable protein source for addressing animal and human markets addressing part of the global food demand. After protein, the second largest fraction of the insect is constituted of lipids. Lipids can represent 10 to 15% of the insect in dry matter, making this fraction one of the major co-products of insect industry. The composition of the insect fat may change in terms of quantity and composition of fatty acids profile. Insect species, stage of growth, extraction technologies are some parameters that can impact the fat quality. Many applications of insect fat are naturally focusing on animal nutrition to replace vegetal or fish oil in poultry or aqua feed. Health or human food applications are also envisaged to replace vegetal oil or butter in processed foods, and some technical and sensory tests are reported in this review. However, these last applications, concerning food are submitted to the regulation and especially to the Novel Food EU regulation. For these reasons, it is important to have more data about safety and innocuity of insect fats: a first study is dealing with this aspect, showing an absence of toxicity. Finally, some energy or surfactant applications can also be considered.
Perceptions and Attitudes toward COVID-19 Vaccination among Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals
Authors: Siegel Molly R. , Lumbreras-Marquez Mario I. , James Kaitlyn , McBay Brandon R. , Gray Kathryn J. , Schantz-Dunn Julianna , Diouf Khady , Goldfarb Ilona T.
Published: June 2022

Objective This study aimed to characterize attitudes toward novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and to evaluate factors associated with vaccine uptake among pregnant individuals.

Study Design An anonymous survey was distributed to a convenience sample of pregnant individuals receiving prenatal care at two large urban academic hospitals in a single health care network in Massachusetts. Individual demographic variables were included in the survey along with questions assessing attitudes toward COVID-19 and vaccination in pregnancy. Data were analyzed using parametric or nonparametric tests when appropriate, and associated odds ratios (OR) were calculated via univariable logistic regression.

Results There were 684 surveys distributed, and 477 pregnant and postpartum individuals completed the survey, for a response rate of 69.7%. Overall, 233 (49.3%) had received or were scheduled to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Age, White race, non-Hispanic or Latinx ethnicity, working from home, and typical receipt of the influenza vaccine were associated with COVID-19 vaccination. Further, 276 respondents (58.4%) reported that their provider recommended the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy; these participants were more likely to have received a vaccine (OR = 5.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.68–9.26, p < 0.005). Vaccinated individuals were less likely to be worried about the effects of the vaccine on themselves (OR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.12–0.27, p < 0.005) or their developing babies (OR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.11–0.26, p < 0.005). Unvaccinated individuals were less likely to report that it is easy to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.34–0.93, p = 0.02), to travel to receive a vaccine (OR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.10–0.36, p < 0.005), and to miss work to receive a vaccine (OR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.18–0.48, p < 0.005).

Conclusion Strategies are needed to improve patient education regarding vaccine side effects and safety in pregnancy. Policy changes should focus on making it feasible for patients to schedule a vaccine and miss work without loss of pay to get vaccinated.

Key Points