bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of Novel Bio-Adsorbent And Its Application For The Removal of Cu(II) From Aqueous Solution
Authors: Zhao Dianjia , Ye Wenkang , Cui Wenxuan
Published: July 2021

As an eco-friendly adsorption material, hydroxyapatite (Ha) have received widely attention from researchers owing to their excellent biocompatibility and adsorption performance. However, the inconvenient in separating Ha powder from adsorbed processes following use has limited their application. Herein, a novel alginate-based composite beads encapsulation with cellulose and Ha (named HCA) was designed to remove Cu(II) from aqueous solution. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used for characteristic analysis. The impacts of samples compositions, various Cu(II) concentration, adsorption equilibrium time, and regeneration performance on the adsorption process were investigated. The results suggested that beads exhibited their maximum adsorption capacity for Cu(II) was obtained to be 64.14 mg/g at pH=5 for 8 h, best fitted into Langmuir isotherm models and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. In addition, the biocompatible beads not only increase the sorption sites, but also have good regenerability, would be a promising bio-adsorbent for heavy metal ion removal.
Efficient Removal of Cd (II) From Aqueous Solution By Chitosan Modified Kiwi Branch Biochar
Authors: Tan Yuehui , Wan Xirui , Ni Xue , Wang Le , Zhou Ting , Sun Huimin , Wang Nong , Yin Xianqiang
Published: July 2021

A novel chitosan-modified kiwi branch biochar (CHKB) was successfully fabricated as cut-price modified biochar to remove Cd (II) from wastewater. Characterization experiments with SEM-EDS, FTIR and XPS suggested that CHKB had more cations and surface functional groups compared with the original kiwi biochar (KB). The adsorption experiment results of Cd (II) on CHKB showed that the adsorption isotherms can be described best by the Langmuir model and that the pseudo-second-order model fits the Cd (II) adsorption kinetics well, indicating that the process was monolayer and controlled by chemisorption. CHKB exhibited the Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity of Cd (II) (126.58 mg g-1), however, that of KB is only 4.26 mg g-1. The adsorption ability of CHKB was improved by the increase of the surface area and abundant surface functional groups (-OH, -NH, C=O and so on). And the cation exchange, electrostatic interaction, surface complexation and precipitation were main mechanisms in the sorption of Cd (II) on CHKB. In addition, CHKB can be regenerated and reused for Cd (II) sorption by the eluent of EDTA-2Na. Excellent adsorption performance, low-cost, and environmental-friendly made CHKB become the fantastic adsorbent to remove Cd (II) in wastewater.
Can Environmental Tax Bring Strong Porter Effect? Evidence From Chinese Listed Companies
Authors: Lei Zhuojun , Huang Lingyun , Cai Yao
Published: July 2021

Existing researches verify Porter hypothesis mainly through one of its core establishment paths, innovation compensation, but ignore the other one, first-mover advantage. To further clarify the mechanism of Porter hypothesis, this paper considers both paths and further distinguishes between environmental R&D and non-environmental R&D. Based on the principle of the smooth transition of "charge to tax" in China, this paper, taking Chinese A-share listed companies that have disclosed environmental R&D from 2008 to 2017 as sample and predicting environmental tax by pollution charge, analyses the relationship between environmental tax and firm performance and the transmission mechanism between them. Our results show that environmental tax can improve firm performance and this influence remains in long term. After introducing instrument variable (IV) to deal with endogeneity and conducting a series of robustness tests, we find that the relationship between environmental tax and firm performance is robust causality. Furthermore, using mediating effect model to analyse the transmission mechanism, we prove that environmental tax can affect firm performance through innovation compensation and first-mover advantage, which confirms the two core paths of Porter hypothesis. This study reveals the micro mechanism of environmental tax on firm performance, provides evidence from China to support strong Porter hypothesis, and helps guide environmental tax reform and corporate green strategy management.
Global Identification of C2 Domain Contain Proteins And Characterization Of Genetic Variations For Involved Abiotic Stress Tolerance In Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Zhang Hongjia , Zeng Yuting , Seo Jeonghwan , Kim Yu-Jin , Kim Sun Tae , Kwon Soon-Wook
Published: July 2021

BackgroundC2DPs (C2 domain contain proteins) have been identified in different genomes that contain single or multiple C2 domains in their C or N-terminal, it possesses higher functional activity in the cell membrane between the cytoplasm and nucleus. Despite the identification of MCTPs and NTMC2s in rice, Arabidopsis, and cotton in a previous study, however, the C2DP gene family in rice has not been comprehensively studied, and the role of the C2DP gene in rice in response to abiotic stress is unclear.ResultsIn this study, we identified 82 C2DPs in the rice genome and divided them into seven groups through phylogenetic analysis. Synteny analysis revealed that duplication events were either exhibited within the genome of rice or between the genome of rice and other species. Through the analysis of cis-acting elements in promoters, expression profiles, and qRT-PCR results, the functions of OsC2DPs were found to be widely expressed in diverse tissues and were extensively involved in phytohormones and abiotic stress in rice. Prediction of the miRNA targets of OsC2DPs revealed that some of the homolog genes were regulated by consistent miRNAs and may carry out redundancy function. Notably, OsC2DP50/51/52 as a co-tandem duplication exhibited similar expression variations and involved the coincident miRNA-regulation pathway. Moreover, the results of SNP genotyping and haplotype analysis revealed that OsC2DP17, OsC2DP29, and OsC2DP49 possessed diverse haplotypes for impacted cold tolerance owing to genomic variations.ConclusionsThese findings provide a comprehensive sight for characterized OsC2DPs in rice and their roles for abiotic stress. Further, the genetic variation supports the theoretical reference for molecular breeding in rice.
Diagnostic Performance of MRI, SPECT, and PET in Detecting Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yin Qihua , Xu Huiting , Zhong Yanqi , Ni Jianming , Hu Shudong
Published: July 2021

Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Noninvasive imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and positron emission tomography (PET), have been involved in increasing evolution to detect RCC. This meta-analysis aims to compare to compare the value of MRI, SPECT, and PET in the diagnosis of RCC, and to provide evidence for decision-making in terms of further research and clinical settings.Methods: Electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library were systemically searched. Studies concerning MRI, SPECT, and PET for the detection of RCC were included. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), with their respective 95% confidence interval (CIs) and the area under the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve (AUC) were calculated.Results: A total of 44 articles were finally detected for inclusion in this meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivities of MRI, SPECT, and PET were 0.80, 0.81, and 0.88, respectively. Their respective overall specificities were 0.90, 0.54, and 0.87. Results in the subgroup analysis of the performance of SPECT that the pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of the prospective SPECT studies included were 0.80, 0.42, 0.80, respectively. In the analysis of 18F-FDG PET, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 0.88, 0.86, and 0.92, respectively. PET studies showed a pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of 0.80, 0.85, and 0.85, respectively in the diagnosis of primary RCC. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of PET studies in detecting recurrent or metastatic RCC were 0.93, 0.88, and 0.94.Conclusion: Our meta-analysis manifests that MRI and PET present better diagnostic value for the detection of RCC in comparison with SPECT. PET is superior in the diagnosis of recurrent or metastatic RCC.
Evaluating the Multifunctional Resilience of River Health to Human Service Demand: A Comparison among Fuzzy Logic, Entropy and AHP Based MCDM Models
Authors: BHATTACHARYA RAJ , Chatterjee Nilanjana Das , Das Kousik
Published: July 2021

Ecosystem services of river for human beings are guided by harmonious relationship; however over growing human service demands (HSDs) are leading to deteriorate the river health connotation. In this study, an assessment index system of monsoonal quarried river health including twenty indicators consisting of riparian, morphological, hydroecological and social structure were established to detect the multifunctional threshold of river system integrity in respect to HSDs at upper (US), middle (MS), lower segments (LS) of Kangsabati River using fuzzy logic, AHP and entropy based multi-criteria decision matrix (MCDM) methods i.e. vlseKriterijumska optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR), simple additive weighing (SAW), complex proportion assessment of alternatives (COPRAS), weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS), technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). The results revealed that overall indicators performance is generally healthy in MS, medium health level in US but mostly unhealthy in LS; and AHP and fuzzy MCDM methods assigned as high priority rank to MS, medium rank to US and least rank to LS, while entropy MCDM methods gives highest rank to US, medium rank to MS and least rank to LS, respectively. According to model validation performances, fuzzy and AHP MCDM methods are signified to HSDs, and results are closer to real problems, whereas entropy MCDM methods are rationalized to harmonic relationship of riverine system. With the acceptability of AHP SAW and WASPASS, it can be concluded that over HSDs is main culprit for river health degradation, and research results are identified the sick sites for ecological restoration.
Evaluation of Qualitative Traits In Modified Iranian Red Rey Onion And Comparison Genetic Resistance With Primary Mass Selection And Red Azar-Shahr cv To Fusarium Oxysporum Using Laboratory And Molecular Markers
Authors: Shokrgozar Sayyedeh Mahsan Taghi , Khodadadi Mohsen , Abdossi Vahid , nia Vahid Zarrin , far Ramin Hajiyan
Published: July 2021

The aim of this study is to evaluate the storage and qualitative feature of modified Red Rey Iranian Onion. Firstly, the modified population was obtained by the selection of superior bulbs, cultivation, its self-pollination and consequently the identification of the best families and implement open pollination between them. In next level, the Red Rey Iranian modified with basic population and Red Azar-shahr cultivar (comparative) was crossed. Our results showed that the selection procedure has leading to improvement in variety of traits in population. Also, the modified Red Rey is significantly superior to the base mass in qualitative traits such as: bulb stiffness, bulb dry matter, TSS, total sugar and glucose; So that the percentage of dry bulb content increased from 10.4% in the basal mass to 11.1% in the modified Red Rey; while spouring and rotting, minerals, and dry matter, vitamin C and fructose-reducing sugar was not affected by genotype. In the second step, resistances to Fusarium wilt disease (laboratory and molecular markers) were evaluated. Based on the results of phenotypic evaluation, the modified Red Rey had the lowest rate and level of infection and the highest score. According to the results of genotypic evaluation, there is a very high genetic affinity between resistant and susceptible cultivars.
Study on Flexible Polishing Force and Polishing Temperature of Flap Disc
Authors: Liu De , Pan Xiaoming , Gu Zhiyang , Qiu Hui
Published: July 2021

Polishing determines the final surface quality of the aero engine, which have great influence on its working performance and working life. By analyzing the structure and working principle of the flexible self-adaptive polishing platform of the blisk, the abrasive cutting model of the flap disc is established. The theoretical calculation of the effect of elastic deformation during the polishing process on the contact length of flap disc and blisk. The model of polishing force, polishing heat and temperature field during the polishing process of the flap disc are established and analyzed. Single factor method is used to analyze the influence of process parameters on polishing force, polishing temperature, roughness and specific polishing energy. Finally, the polishing test shows that the optimized process parameters improve the polished surface quality and meet the requirements of the blade polishing process.
Development and Verification of an IoT-Enabled Air Quality Monitoring System Based on Petri Nets
Authors: Lin Yi-Nan , Wang Sheng-Kuan , Chiou Gwo-Jen , Yang Cheng-Ying , Shen Victor R. L. , Su Zhi Yang
Published: July 2021

An IoT (Internet of Things) system for monitoring campus environmental parameters was successfully developed in this study. Various sensors were adopted in the front of IoT system for sensing air pollutants. The architecture of LongRange (LoRa) in Class C uses low-power and long-distance transmission technologies, which has been set up on the large campus, so that the terminal equipment can reach a balance between downlink latency and battery life, making it the best transmission communication protocol. In addition, this monitoring system uses the Petri net software tool to build a correct IoT platform based on the fundamental working processes, and to demonstrate the feasibility of the IoT system through simulation-based verification. Finally, the experimental results have shown that the IoT system for monitoring the campus environmental parameters achieves the goal of an acceptable data transmission success rate of more than 95%. Thus, it can facilitate the air quality trends for policy making as well as the hazardous prediction and prevention.
Peptide formation as on the early Earth: from amino acid mixtures to peptides in sulphur dioxide
Authors: Trapp Oliver , Sauer Fabian , Haas Maren , Sydow Constanze , Siegle Alexander , Lauer Christoph
Published: July 2021

The formation of peptide bonds is one of the most important biochemical reaction steps. Without the development of structurally and catalytically active polymers, there would be no life on our planet. Intensive research is being conducted on possible reaction pathways for the formation of complex peptides on the early Earth. Salt-induced peptide formation (SIPF) by metal catalysis is one possible pathway for abiotic peptide synthesis. The high salt concentration supports dehydration in this process. However, the formation of large, complex oligomer systems is prevented by the high thermodynamic barrier of peptide condensation in aqueous solution. Liquid sulphur dioxide proves to be a superior alternative for copper-catalysed peptide condensation. Compared to water, the amino acids are activated in sulphur dioxide, which leads to the incorporation of all 20 proteinogenic amino acids into the resulting proteins and thus to a large variety of products. Strikingly, even extremely low initial reactant concentrations of only 50 mM are sufficient for extensive peptide formation, leading to an overall yield of 2.9% for dialanine in 7 days. The reactions carried out at room temperature and the successful use of the Hadean mineral covellite as a catalyst, suggest a volcanic environment for the formation of the peptide world on early Earth as a likely scenario.
Protective Effects of Taurine Against Inflammation and Apoptosis in Cadmium-Induced Hepatotoxicity
Authors: Zheng Jiaming , Qiu Guobin , Zhou Yewen , Ma Kezhe , Cui Sheng
Published: July 2021

Cadmium (Cd), a heavy metal contaminant,which seriously threatens human and animal health. Taurine (Tau) has been used to against hepatotoxicity caused by different environmental toxins. However, it has not been elucidated whether Tau exerts its protective function against Cd-induced hepatotoxicity. The aim of this study was thus to evaluate the ameliorative function of Tau on Cd-induced liver toxicity in mice. The histopathologic and ultrastructure changes, as well as alterations in indexes related to liver function, antioxidant biomarkers, inflammatory and apoptosis were evaluated. The results showed that Tau alleviated the vacuolar degeneration, nuclear condensation, mitochondria swelling and cristae lysis of hepatocytes induced by Cd. In addition, Tau treatment significantly restored the ALT, AST levels in serum, and inflammatory factor TNF-α and IL-1β in liver tissue. Furthermore, Tau treatment decreased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and cleaved caspase-3 protein expression levels. Taken together, these observations demonstrate that Tau has important hepatic protective function against the inflammation and apoptosis induced by Cd.
Renewable Energy Consumption and Local Environmental Effects for Economic Growth: The Role of Financial Development and Foreign Direct Investment
Authors: khan Itbar , han lei , khan Hayat
Published: July 2021

The use of renewable energy improves environmental quality by reducing carbon emission and influence economics growth where carbon emission also effect economic growth of a country. The economic theory of tourism also indicates that tourism development enhance economic growth though spillovers as well contribute to climate change. The inflow of FDI and financial development enhance economic growth however its also effect environmental quality. Based on the ongoing debate, the present research trying attempts to explore the effect of CO2 emission and renewable energy consumption, FDI and financial development on economic growth in different income grouped countries to know whether these impacts are the same for the low income, middle income and high income countries on economic growth? Using panel data for high income, low income & middle income countries for the period of 1980–2018, the current study found that all variables effect economic growth significantly where FDI and carbon emission are positive while renewable energy consumption and financial development are negative for economic growth in the whole sample while its differ in the income groups. These studies have shown that these variables are not the same as the economic growth of economic growth and different income groups are not the same, but it changes. In addition, the foundation of this study has a great deal of recommendations for income Group economic decision make-up.
CD34 is a target for covalent EGFR inhibitors to eliminate stem/progenitor cells in acute and chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Lu Ying , Xia Li , Yang Li-Xue , Liu Hong-Chen , Jiang Yue , Kang Zhi-Jie , Zhang Cheng-Tao , Gao Bei-Bei , Zhang Xuehong , Waller Edmund , Yan Jinsong
Published: July 2021

The effect of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was discovered over one decade ago. However, clinical trials of EGFR inhibitors in AML have yielded controversial outcomes. Leukemia cells lack EGFR expression, and the mechanism by which EGFR inhibitors affect leukemia cell growth is unknown, obscuring the precise subset of AML patients that might be targeted by these compounds. Since myeloid leukemia arises from malignant stem/progenitors, here we evaluated the effect of EGFR inhibitors on primary leukemia stem/progenitors that expressed the stem cell marker CD34 which were sorted from leukemia patients. EGFR inhibitors induced significant apoptosis of primary CD34+ but not CD34− cells derived from AML and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients both in vitro and in patient-derived xenotransplantation model. Using two EGFR inhibitors osimertinib and afatinib, we demonstrated binding and covalent adducts of the inhibitors with the cysteine(C) 199 residue of the CD34 protein, which downregulated phosphorylation of tyrosine 329(Y329) of CD34, leading to the dissociation of CD34 from tyrosine kinase Src and thereafter the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation. Most importantly, administration of osimertinib yielded clinical responses in two CD34-high AML patients identified by quantitative proteomics with reduced levels of Y329 phosphorylation of CD34 after treatment. Collectively, these findings delineate a novel molecular pathway whereby EGFR inhibitors kill leukemia and reveal that the CD34 antigen is a targetable signaling molecule that mediates cell survival signals via connecting to Src-STAT3 pathway.
Target deconvolution of HDAC pharmacopoeia highlights MBLAC2 as common off-target
Authors: Lechner Severin , Malgapo Martin , Grätz Christian , Baron Agnes , Rüther Patrick Leopold , Nadal Simon , Stumpf Carmen , Loos Christina , Ku Xin , Prokofeva Polina , Lautenbacher Ludwig , Heimburg Tino , Würf Vivian , Meng Chen , Sippl Wolfgang , Wilhelm Mathias , Kleigrewe Karin , Pauling Josch , Kramer Karl , Pfaffl Michael , Linder Maurine , Kuster Bernhard , Médard Guillaume
Published: July 2021

HDAC drugs have entered the pharmacopoeia in the 2000s. However, some enigmatic phenotypes suggest off-target engagement. Here, we developed a chemical proteomics assay using three promiscuous chemotypes and quantitative mass spectrometry that we deployed to establish the target landscape of 53 drugs. The results highlight 14 direct targets, including 9 out of the 11 human zinc-dependent HDACs, question the reported selectivity of widely-used molecules, notably for HDAC6, and delineate how the composition of HDAC complexes influences drug potency. Unexpectedly, metallo-beta-lactamase domain-containing protein 2 (MBLAC2) featured as a frequent target of hydroxamate drugs. This ill-annotated palmitoyl-CoA hydrolase is inhibited by 24 HDAC inhibitors at low nM potency. Both enzymatic inhibition and knocking down the protein led to the accumulation of extracellular vesicles. Given the importance of exosome biology in neurological diseases or cancer, this HDAC-independent drug effect creates the incentive for considering MBLAC2 as a target for drug discovery.
Analysis of Axillary Management Following Mastectomy With a Positive Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
Authors: James Ted A. , Pardo Jaime A. , Fan Betty , Mele Alessandra , Valero Monica , Recht Abram , Davis Roger B.
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND: Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) with or without postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) was traditionally the standard of care for patients with a positive sentinel node following mastectomy. However, recent clinical trial data has led to an interest in de-escalating therapy and a debate over optimal axillary management. We sought to assess current practice patterns and the impact of different approaches to managing positive sentinel nodes following mastectomy. METHODS: Using the National Cancer Database (NCDB), patients with clinical T1-2 N0 M0 breast cancer from 2012-2015 treated with a mastectomy who were found to have a single positive sentinel node were analyzed. A logistic regression model stratified by patients’ characteristics in association to the type of axillary treatment received was performed.RESULTS: We identified 12,137 women with a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) at the time of mastectomy. Of these, 4,221 had an ALND; 1,609 received PMRT; 1,565 underwent combination therapy, and 4,742 had no further treatment following SLNB (NFT). Factors associated with an increased likelihood of further axillary treatment included younger age (<40), Midwest location, larger primary tumor size (T2), and high grade. There was no difference in short-term overall survival among these approaches. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates significant practice variation in the axillary management of patients with metastasis limited to a single sentinel node undergoing mastectomy. The clinical variation observed raises the possibility of unnecessary or overtreatment of the axilla. These findings suggest a need to expand the adoption of evidenced-based clinical protocols to improve quality of care.
A Low Complexity Adaptive Scheme for Massive MIMO Systems with MRC Receiver
Authors: Radbord Amin
Published: July 2021

This paper evaluates a low-complexity Multiuser Adaptive Modulation (MAM) scheme for an uplink massive multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) systems with maximum-ratio combining linear receivers, which requires only slow-varying large-scale shadowing information for the users. For a channel that includes both small-scale and large-scale fading, the probability density function of signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio is analytically calculated for the first time and verified by simulation. Also, closed-form expressions are derived for the average spectral efficiency and bit error outage. Since, the MRC is desirable in low transmit power, the previous expression is approximated at low power values. Moreover, the paper investigates different users’ arrangements around the base station to achieve the maximum possible bit rate. For MAM with joint power control, optimal power adaptation strategy switching thresholds are also acquired. Compared to the research literature, the proposed adaptive scheme by the MRC receiver, gives similar performance as a proper adaptive method at low power transmission.
Research And Simulation of The Sheet Leveling Machine Manufacturing Capabilities
Authors: Gribkov Eduard P. , Kovalenko Andrii K. , Hurkovskaya Svetlana S.
Published: July 2021

One of the main tasks to determine the technological settings of the sheet leveling machine (leveler) is to identify the maximum roll overlap. In the well-known works on the study of sheet metal-roll leveling, the overlaps are set on the basis of experimental data, that is applicable for the leveling sheets from material with the 800 MPa yield strength. But for materials with a higher yield strength additional research is required. The purpose of this work is to establish criteria affecting the maximum allowable overlap for the working rolls by the leveler and to determine the dependencies for the most rational working rolls adjustment. When solving the set tasks, developed by the authors, a numerical analytical mathematical model of the leveling process was used as an objective function, that allows to determine the energy-power characteristics and the sheet curvature after leveling, depending on the individual settings of the leveler rolls. Within the framework of studies, an algorithm of a mathematical model was developed that allows to determine the leveler technological settings necessary for correcting the longitudinal curvature and comes down to determining the aligning coordinates for each of the movable rolls depending on the known characteristics of the metal being processed, the leveler geometric parameters, and the permissible value of the sheet residual curvature after leveling. In consequence of studying the influence of the working rolls setup on the sheet metal-roll quality during leveling on a multi-roll leveling machine, the laws for the rational rolls positioning were established. The linear and sinusoidal laws were identified as optimal ones. Boundary factors were also established as affecting the maximum overlap of the rolls. These factors included the condition of the pickup and the condition of the rolls strength. Using the example of implementing the developed finite element model of the sheet leveling process at the leveler of NKMZ (Ukraine), it was found that the pickup condition has a dominant influence when leveling sheets with a thickness of less than 6 mm, and with larger thicknesses the condition of the rolls strength is prevailing. With a decrease in the yield strength of the material or the width of the sheets, this ratio will be redistributed towards the pickup condition.
Autophagy promotes cell survival by maintaining NAD(H) levels
Authors: Sedlackova Lucia , Kataura Tetsushi , Seranova Elena , Sun Congxin , Otten Elsje , Cohen Malkiel , Chipara Miruna , Palhegyi Adina , Shapira David , Scialo Filippo , Stefanatos Rhoda , Ishikawa Kei-ichi , Kenneth Niall , Zhang Tong , Panda Prashanta , Zatyka Malgorzata , Silva Luiz , Torresi Jorge , Kauffman Kevin , Zhang Shupei , Maetzel Dorothea , Varga Thiago , Ward Carl , Cartwright David , Lavery Gareth , Sahay Gaurav , Buganim Yosef , Anderson Daniel , Acharjee Animesh , Bascom Charles , Tasseff Ryan , Isfort Robert , Oblong John , Gsponer Joerg , Miwa Satomi , Lazarou Michael , Papamichos-Chronakis Manolis , Wang Haoyi , Imoto Masaya , Saiki Shinji , Maddocks Oliver , Sanz Alberto , Rosenstock Tatiana , Jaenisch Rudolf , Korolchuk Viktor , Sarkar Sovan
Published: July 2021

Autophagy is an essential catabolic process that promotes the clearance of surplus or damaged intracellular components1. As a recycling process, autophagy is also important for the maintenance of cellular metabolites to aid metabolic homeostasis2. Loss of autophagy in animal models or malfunction of this process in a number of age-related human pathologies, including neurodegenerative and lysosomal storage diseases, contributes to tissue degeneration3-9. However, it remains unclear which of the many cellular functions of autophagy primarily underlies its role in cell survival. Here we have identified an evolutionarily conserved role of autophagy from yeast to humans in the preservation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+/NADH) levels, which are critical for cellular survival. In respiring cells, loss of autophagy caused hyperactivation of PARP and Sirtuin families of NADases. Uncontrolled depletion of NAD(H) pool by these enzymes resulted in mitochondrial membrane depolarisation and cell death. Supplementation with NAD(H) precursors improved cell viability in autophagy-deficient models including human pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons with autophagy deficiency or patient-derived neurons with autophagy dysfunction. Our study provides a mechanistic link between autophagy and NAD(H) metabolism, and suggests that boosting NAD(H) levels may have therapeutic benefits in human diseases associated with autophagy dysfunction.
Herbivore Fish as Sustainable Alternative for Nutrition Security: Food Habits and Nutritional Composition of the Acha Fish (Medialuna Ancietae) in Northern Chile.
Authors: Lozano-Muñoz Ivonne , Giorgio Castellaro , Jurij Wacyk , German Bueno
Published: July 2021

Sustainability in aquaculture is a necessity of the future, not only as the most promising means of supplying the protein that the world will require to feed its growing population but to offer needed conservation of the world’s ocean resources. The use of wild fish inputs in farm-raised fish outputs has been a primary concern of sustainability in aquaculture production. Herbivorous fish are more efficient convertors of protein into fish flesh. Species of the genus Medialuna fish have been reported as a fast-growing, short-lived species. The endemic Acha fish (Medialuna ancietae) in the Northern part of Chile is an over-exploited fish that has been associated with aquatic vegetation as a food source. We studied the eating habits and nutritional composition of M. ancietae. For this, we developed a reference collection of marine macroalga (epidermis and nutritional composition) observed in the diet of individuals of this species for the study of digestive material. More than 90% of the components found were marine macroalgae, indicating that M. ancietae is an herbivorous fish. Compared to non-herbivorous fish our results showed that most of the nutrients present in the Medialuna diet are found at much lower levels including n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (49.7%) and protein (13–60%). M. ancietae meat provides essential components of human nutrition with a significant protein content (18.99 ± 0.26%) and the presence of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Most fed aquaculture non-herbivorous species rely on wild-captured fish for these essential nutrients, while M. ancietae can obtain and has the ability to concentrate them from potentially cultivable macroalgae. M. ancietae has potential for a sustainable aquaculture production as a contribution to nutrition security and re-stocking of wild populations.
Aptamer-assisted tumor localization of bacteria for enhanced biotherapy
Authors: Geng Zhongmin , Cao Zhenping , Liu Rui , Liu Ke , Liu Jinyao , Tan Weihong
Published: July 2021

Despite bacterial-mediated biotherapies have been widely explored for treating different types of cancer, their implementation has been restricted by severe side effects and low treatment efficacies, due largely to the absence of tumor-specific accumulation following administration. Here, the conjugation of aptamers to bacterial surface is described by a simple and cytocompatible amidation procedure, which can significantly promote the localization of bacteria in tumor site after systemic administration. The surface density of aptamers can be easily adjusted by varying feed ratio and the conjugation is able to increase the stability of anchored aptamers. Optimal bacteria conjugated with an average of 2.8 × 105 aptamers per cell present the highest specificity to tumor cells in vitro, separately generating near 2- and 5-times higher accumulation in tumor tissue at 12 and 60 hours compared to unmodified bacteria. In both 4T1 and H22 tumor-bearing mouse models, aptamer-conjugated attenuated Salmonella show strikingly enhanced antitumor efficacy, along with highly activated immune responses inside the tumor. This work demonstrates how bacterial behaviors can be tuned by surface conjugation and supports the potential of aptamer-conjugated bacteria for both targeted intratumoral localization and enhanced tumor biotherapy.
A Canonical Correlation Analysis of Factors that Influence Quality of Life Among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Based on QLICD-COPD (V2.0)
Authors: Liu Yuxi , Ruan Jinghao , Wan Chonghua , Tan Jianfeng , Wu Bin , Zhao Zhihuan
Published: July 2021

Background
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the diseases with the highest morbidity and mortality globally. The Quality of Life Instrument for Chronic Diseases(QLICD)-COPD(V2.0) was designed to assess the health condition of patients with COPD. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of patients, the influential clinical factors, and the relationships between QOL and clinical objective indicators.
Methods
Two hundred and sixty-one in-patients with COPD in the acute exacerbation stage were evaluated using the QLICD-COPD(V2.0) and data on clinical objective indicators were collected. The relationships between QOL and the clinical objective indicators were determined using canonical correlation analysis.
Results
The standardized scores for the patients in four domains, namely physical function, psychological function, social function, and a disease-specific module, were 49.00 ± 12.91, 59.89 ± 13.51, 68.59 ± 11.94, and 51.84 ± 13.58, respectively. The total score for the QOL of patients was 57.17 ± 10.26. Two pairs of canonical correlation variables were statistically significant (P < 0.05), with coefficients of 0.35 and 0.26. These variables respectively accounted for 45.8% and 33.8% of the variance. The levels of total protein, albumin, serum sodium, and alkaline phosphatase and the percentages of neutrophils and lymphocytes were correlated with the QOL.
Conclusion
During COPD treatment, clinicians should pay close attention to the levels of total protein, albumin, serum sodium, and alkaline phosphatase and the percentages of neutrophils and lymphocytes to improve the QOL of patients.
Quasiparticle tunneling as a probe of Josephson junction quality and capacitor
material in superconducting qubits
Authors: Kurter Cihan , Murray Conal , Gordon Ryan , Wymore Benjamin , Sandberg Martin , Shelby Robert , Eddins Andrew , Adiga Vivek , Finck Aaron , Rivera Elmer , Stabile Adam , Trimm Bryan , Wacaser Brent , Balakrishnan Karthik , Pyzyna Adam , Sleight Jeffrey , Steffen Matthias , Rodbell Ken
Published: July 2021

Non-equilibrium quasiparticles are possible sources for decoherence in superconducting qubits because they can lead to energy decay or dephasing upon tunneling across Josephson junctions (JJs). Here, we investigate the impact of the intrinsic properties of two-dimensional transmon qubits on quasiparticle tunneling (QPT) and discuss how we can use quasiparticle dynamics to gain critical information about the quality of JJ barrier and device performance. We find the tunneling rate of the non-equilibrium quasiparticles to be sensitive to the choice of the shunting capacitor material and their geometry in qubits. In some devices, we observe an anomalous temperature dependence of the QPT rate below 100 mK that deviates from a constant background associated with non-equilibrium quasiparticles. We speculate that high transmission sites/defects within the oxide barriers of the JJs can lead to this behavior, which we can model by assuming that the defect sites have a smaller effective superconducting gap than the leads of the junction. Our results present a unique in situ characterization tool to assess the uniformity of tunnel barriers in qubit junctions and shed light on how quasiparticles can interact with various elements of the qubit circuit.
Metagenomic Analysis of Non-Apis Wild Insect Pollinators and Predators Shows Virus Threat to Their Survival
Authors: Li Nan Nan , Huang Yi Zhao , Li Wei , Wang Deya
Published: July 2021

Background: Insect pollinators provide major pollination services for wild plants and crops, this is necessary for both agriculture and ecology, we should protect their population size and diversity as much as possible. Currently, we have known that the virus disease of honeybee can cause serious damage to bee colony, but we know little about the virus of other wild pollinating insects. Here we investigated the virus host wild insect pollinators as a reminder that they are facing virus threaten too.Methods: Transcriptome sequencing was used to investigate the viruses of Non-Apis insect pollinators and predators. Furthermore, host and replicability of several novel viruses that weakly related to honey bee viruses were determined by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results: Three honey pathogenic virus, five viruses host insect and twenty-six novel viruses were detected. Seven novel viruses showed weakly similarity to honeybee pathogenic viruses and five of them were determined can be replicated their genomes in the corresponding host by detected complementary strands of viral genomes, suggests that they may be pathogenic to the corresponding host.Conclusion: So many novel viruses detected in wild insect pollinators and their predators indicates that we don’t have a clear understanding of the virus composition in pollinator insect and related species. The same living environment provides the conditions for virus cross infection, we should be alert to this situation in the protection of pollinating insects.
Simultaneous Viscum Pleurodesis and Bullectomy in Patients With Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Authors: Jung Hee Suk , Kim Hyun Jung
Published: July 2021

Objectives: Although surgery is the gold standard for treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP), recurrence after surgery remains a concern. This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of simultaneous pleurodesis using Viscum album (VA) extract and bullectomy for the treatment of PSP.Methods: From March 2016 to November 2020, 196 patients with PSP underwent bullectomy and intraoperative pleurodesis with VA extract at a single institution. All operations were performed through video-assisted thoracic surgery by one surgeon. Upon completion of bullectomy, a polyglycolic acid sheet was used to cover the stapler lines, and 40 mg of VA extract was instilled over the entire chest wall before chest tube placement.Results: The mean operating time was 18.5±5.0 minutes (range, 10­–65) and the mean indwelling time of chest drainage was 1.8±0.5 days (range, 2–6). There were no postoperative complications over grade 3. During the median follow-up period of 36.3±18.4 months (range, 2–57), no recurrence of pneumothorax was observed.Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that simultaneous Viscum pleurodesis and bullectomy provides a feasible and effective treatment option for preventing postoperative pneumothorax in patients with PSP.
Deciphering the tumor-specific immunopeptidome in vivo with genetically engineered mouse models
Authors: Jacks Tyler , Jaeger Alex , Stopfer Lauren , Sanders Emma , Sandel Demi , Freed-Pastor William , III William Rideout , Naranjo Santiago , Fessenden Tim , Winter Peter , Kohn Ryan , Schenkel Jason , Shanahan Sean-Luc , Shalek Alex , Spranger Stefani , White Forest
Published: July 2021

Effective immunosurveillance of cancer requires the presentation of peptide antigens on major histocompatibility complex Class I (MHC-I). Recent developments in proteomics have improved the identification of peptides that are naturally presented by MHC-I, collectively known as the “immunopeptidome”. Current approaches to profile tumor immunopeptidomes have been limited to in vitro investigation, which fails to capture the in vivo repertoire of MHC-I peptides, or bulk tumor lysates, which are obscured by the lack of tumor-specific MHC-I isolation. To overcome these limitations, we report here the engineering of a Cre recombinase-inducible affinity tag into the endogenous mouse MHC-I gene and targeting of this allele to the KrasLSL-G12D/+; p53fl/fl (KP) mouse model (KP; KbStrep). This novel approach has allowed us to isolate tumor-specific MHC-I peptides from autochthonous pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) in vivo. With this powerful analytical tool, we were able to profile the evolution of the LUAD immunopeptidome through tumor progression and show that in vivo MHC-I presentation is shaped by post-translational mechanisms. We also uncovered novel, putative LUAD tumor associated antigens (TAAs). Many peptides that were recurrently presented in vivo exhibited very low expression of the cognate mRNA, provoking reconsideration of antigen prediction pipelines that triage peptides according to transcript abundance. Beyond cancer, the KbStrep allele is compatible with a broad range of Cre-driver lines to explore antigen presentation in vivo in the pursuit of understanding basic immunology, infectious disease, and autoimmunity.
Pre- Versus Post-Operative Untargeted Plasma Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Metabolomics of Pheochromocytoma And Paraganglioma
Authors: Bliziotis Nikolaos Georgios , Kluijtmans Leo AJ , Soto Sebastian , Tinnevelt Gerjen H , Langton Katharina , Robledo Mercedes , Pamporaki Christina , Engelke Udo FH , Erlic Zoran , Engel Jasper , Deutschbein Timo , Nölting Svenja , Prejbisz Aleksander , Richter Susan , Prehn Cornelia , Adamski Jerzy , Januszewicz Andrzej , Reincke Martin , Fassnacht Martin , Eisenhofer Graeme , Beuschlein Felix , Kroiss Matthias , Wevers Ron A , Jansen Jeroen J , Deinum Jaap , Timmers Henri JLM
Published: July 2021

Purpose: Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas (PPGL) result in chronic catecholamine excess and serious health complications. A recent study obtained a metabolic signature in plasma from PPGL patients; however, its targeted nature may have generated an incomplete picture and a broader approach could provide additional insights. We aimed to characterize the plasma metabolome of PPGL patients before and after surgery, using an untargeted approach, and to broaden the scope of the investigated metabolic impact of these tumors.Design: A cohort of 36 PPGL patients was investigated. Blood plasma samples were collected before and after surgical tumor removal, in association with clinical and tumor characteristics.Methods: Plasma samples were analyzed using untargeted nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy metabolomics. The data were evaluated using a combination of uni- and multi-variate statistical methods.Results: Before surgery, patients with a nonadrenergic tumor could be distinguished from those with an adrenergic tumor based on their metabolic profiles. Tyrosine levels were significantly higher in patients with high compared to those with low BMI. Comparing subgroups of pre-operative samples with their post-operative counterparts, we found a metabolic signature that included ketone bodies, glucose, organic acids, methanol, dimethyl sulfone and amino acids. Three signals with unclear identities were found to be affected.Conclusions: Our study demonstrates how the pathways of glucose and ketone body homeostasis are affected in PPGL patients. BMI-related metabolite levels were also found to be altered, potentially linking muscle atrophy to PPGL. At baseline, patient metabolomes could be discriminated based on their catecholamine phenotype.
High Sensitivity And Ultra-High Quality Factor For An All-Optical Temperature Sensor Based On Photonic Crystal Technology
Authors: Elhachemi Kouddad , Rafah Naoum , Leila Dekkiche
Published: July 2021

In our work, we propose a novel temperature sensor design based on a two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystal resonant cavity structure designed to detect and monitor temperature under very harsh environmental conditions from 0 °C to 500 ºC. The sensitivity of the proposed structure is 109.8 pm/ºC, an ultra-high quality factor, high transmission efficiency and ultra-compact size. The characteristics of the proposed sensor under different temperatures are simulated using the Plane Wave Expansion (PWE) method and Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method to calculate, respectively, the Photonic Band Gap (PBG) and transmission efficiency. The results obtained show that the wavelength of the resonant cavity increases linearly with increasing temperature. Our sensor is suitable for applications based on nanotechnology.
The receptor kinase SRF3 coordinates iron-level and flagellin dependent defense and growth responses in plants
Authors: Platre Matthieu , Satbhai Santosh , Brent Lukas , Gleason Matias , Grison Magali , Glavier Marie , Zhang Ling , Cao Min , Gaillochet Christophe , Göschl Christian , Giovannetti Marco , Enugutti Balaji , von Reth Marcel , Alcázar Rubén , Parker Jane , Vert Gregory , Bayer Emmanuelle , Busch Wolfgang
Published: July 2021

Iron is critical for host-pathogen interactions. While pathogens seek to scavenge iron to spread, the host aims at decreasing iron availability to reduce pathogen virulence. Thus, iron sensing and homeostasis are of particular importance to prevent host infection and part of nutritional immunity. While the link between iron homeostasis and immunity pathways is well established in plants, how iron levels are sensed and integrated with immune response pathways remain unknown. We identified a receptor kinase, SRF3 coordinating root growth, iron homeostasis and immunity pathways via regulation of callose synthase activity. These processes are modulated by iron levels and rely on SRF3 extracellular and kinase domain which tune its accumulation and partitioning at the cell surface. Mimicking bacterial elicitation with the flagellin peptide flg22 phenocopies SRF3 regulation upon low iron levels and subsequent SRF3-dependent responses. We propose that SRF3 is part of nutritional immunity responses involved in sensing external iron levels.