bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Removal and identification of external protein corona members from RBC‐derived extracellular vesicles by surface manipulating antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Singh Priyanka , Szigyártó Imola Cs. , Ricci Maria , Gaál Anikó , Quemé‐Peña Mayra Maritza , Kitka Diána , Fülöp Lívia , Turiák Lilla , Drahos László , Varga Zoltán , Beke‐Somfai Tamás 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIn the last years, extracellular vesicles (EVs), secreted by various cells and body fluids have shown extreme potential in biomedical applications. Increasing number of studies suggest that a protein corona could adhere to the surface of EVs which can have a fundamental effect on their function, targeting and therapeutical efficacy. However, removing and identifying these corona members is currently a challenging task to achieve. In this study we have employed red blood cell‐derived extracellular vesicles (REVs) as a model system and three membrane active antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), LL‐37, FK‐16 and CM15, to test whether they can be used to remove protein corona members from the surface of vesicles. These AMPs were reported to preferentially exert their membrane‐related activity via one of the common helical surface‐covering models and do not significantly affect the interior of lipid bilayer bodies. The interaction between the peptides and the REVs was followed by biophysical techniques, such as flow‐linear dichroism spectroscopy which provided the effective applicable peptide concentration for protein removal. REV samples were then subjected to subsequent size exclusion chromatography and to proteomics analysis. Based on the comparison of control REVs with the peptide treated samples, seventeen proteins were identified as external protein corona members. From the three investigated AMPs, FK‐16 can be considered as the best candidate to further optimize EV‐related applicability of AMPs. Our results on the REV model system envisage that membrane active peptides may become a useful set of tools in engineering and modifying surfaces of EVs and other lipid‐based natural particles.
Extracellular vesicles from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells alleviate acute rejection injury after liver transplantation by carrying miR‐22‐3p and inducing M2 polarization of Kupffer cells
Authors: Zhou Minjie , Hui Jialiang , Gao Lin , Liang Jingyi , Wang Chengxinqiao , Xu Jian 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundAcute rejection (AR) is a major problem following liver transplantation. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are involved in various pathological processes including liver disease. The present study investigated the effect of EVs derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on AR injury after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in mice.MethodsBMSCs and EVs were isolated and identified. The OLT mouse model was established using Kamada's two‐cuff method and injection with EVs, followed by liver function detection and measurement of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin‐10, interferon‐γ, and tumor necrosis factor‐α), M1 and M2 markers (tumor necrosis factor‐α, inducible nitric oxide synthase, resistin like alpha, and Arg1) were detected. Kupffer cells (KCs) were cultured and treated with lipopolysaccharides. miR‐22‐3p expression was detected. The effect of EVs‐shuttled miR‐22‐3p on Kupffer cell polarization was studied. Binding relation of miR‐22‐3p and interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8) was verified. The effect of IRF8 on KC polarization was verified.ResultsBMSC‐EV treatment enhanced liver function of OLT mice and alleviated AR and apoptosis, which were annulled after removing KCs. EVs induced KC M2 polarization. Mechanically, EVs carried miR‐22‐3p into KCs, upregulated miR‐22‐3p in KCs, and inhibited IRF8 expression. Upregulation of IRF8 in KCs inhibited EV‐induced KC M2 polarization.ConclusionsBMSCs‐EVs carry miR‐22‐3p into KCs and upregulate miR‐22‐3p, inhibit IRF8 expression, induce KC M2 polarization, and attenuate AR injury after liver transplantation.
Spanners in randomly weighted graphs: Euclidean case
Authors: Frieze Alan , Pegden Wesley 
Published: March 2023

AbstractGiven a connected graph and a length function we let denote the shortest distance between vertex and vertex . A ‐spanner is a subset such that if denotes shortest distances in the subgraph then for all . We study the size of spanners in the following scenario: we consider a random embedding of into the unit square with Euclidean edge lengths. For constant, we prove the existence w.h.p. of ‐spanners for that have edges. These spanners can be constructed in time. (We will use to indicate that the hidden constant depends on ). There are constraints on preventing it going to zero too quickly.
KIR2DL4/HLA‐G polymorphisms were associated with HCV infection susceptibility among Chinese high‐risk population
Authors: Feng Zepei , Huang Peng , Zhang Jinwei , Xia Xueshan , Zhang A‐mei , Zeng Tian , Chen Qiong , Zhu Chuanlong , Tan Weilong , Zhang Yun , Yue Ming 
Published: March 2023

AbstractKiller‐cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors 2DL4 (KIR2DL4) and the human leukocyte antigen class I‐G (HLA‐G) display vital parts in immune responses against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We select four potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of KIR/HLA to explore the associations between KIR2DL4/HLA‐G genetic variants and HCV infection results. In the present case‐control study, a total of 2225 HCV‐infected high‐risk subjects, including 1778 paid blood donors (PBD) and 447 drug users were consecutively recruited before treatment from 2011 to 2018. KIR2DL4‐rs660773, KIR2DL4‐rs660437, HLA‐G‐rs9380142, and HLA‐G‐rs1707 SNPs were sorted as genotypes in the subdivided groups, involving 1095 uninfected controls subjects, 432 spontaneous HCV clearance subjects and 698 HCV persistent infection subjects. After genotyping experiments using the TaqMan‐MGB assay, modified logistic regression was used to calculate the correlation among the SNPs and HCV infection. The SNPs were functionally annotated using bioinformatics analysis. Following adjusting by age, sex, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, IFNL3‐rs12979860, IFNL3‐rs8099917, and the infection route, the logistic regression analysis discovered that KIR2DL4‐rs660773 and HLA‐G‐rs9380142 were correlated with vulnerability to HCV infection (all p < 0.05). In a locus‐dosage way, compared with subjects carrying the rs9380142‐AA or rs660773‐AA genotypes, subjects with rs9380142‐AG or rs660773‐AG/GG (all p < 0.05) were more vulnerable to HCV infection; the overall impact of their risk genotypes (rs9380142‐AGrs660773‐AG/GG) was correlated with an elevated incidence of HCV infection (ptrend < 0.001). In the Haplotype analysis, patients with haplotype AG were more likely to contract HCV compared to those with the highest common AA haplotype (p = 0.002) were higher in susceptibility to infect HCV. The SNPinfo web server estimated that rs660773 is a transcription factor binding site, whereas rs9380142 is a potential microRNA‐binding site. In two Chinese high‐risk population (PBD and drug uesrs), KIR2DL4 rs660773‐G and HLA‐G rs9380142‐G alleles polymorphisms are related to HCV susceptibility. KIR2DL4/HLA‐G pathway genes might affect the innate immune responses by regulating KIR2DL4/HLA‐G transcription and translation play a potential role in HCV infection.
Incidence and risk factors of myocarditis in hospitalized patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Keller Karsten , Sagoschen Ingo , Konstantinides Stavros , Gori Tommaso , Münzel Thomas , Hobohm Lukas 
Published: March 2023

AbstractMyocarditis as cardiac involvement in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19)‐infection is well known. Real‐world data about incidence in hospitalized COVID‐19‐patients and risk factors for myocarditis in COVID‐19‐patients are sparse. We used the German nationwide inpatient sample to analyze all hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID‐19‐diagnosis in Germany in 2020 and stratified them for myocarditis. Overall, 176 137 hospitalizations (52.3% males, 53.6% aged ≥70 years) with confirmed COVID‐19‐infection were coded in Germany in 2020 and among them, 226 (0.01%) had myocarditis (incidence: 1.28 per 1000 hospitalization‐cases). Absolute numbers of myocarditis increased, while relative numbers decreased with age. COVID‐19‐patients with myocarditis were younger (64.0 [IQR: 43.0/78.0] vs. 71.0 [56.0/82.0], p < 0.001). In‐hospital case‐fatality was 1.3‐fold higher in COVID‐19‐patients with than without myocarditis (24.3% vs. 18.9%, p = 0.012). Myocarditis was independently associated with increased case‐fatality (OR: 1.89 [95% CI: 1.33−2.67], p < 0.001). Independent risk factors for myocarditis were age <70 years (OR: 2.36 [95% CI: 1.72−3.24], p < 0.001), male sex (1.68 [95% CI: 1.28−2.23], p < 0.001), pneumonia (OR: 1.77 [95% CI: 1.30−2.42], p < 0.001), and multisystemic inflammatory COVID‐19‐infection (OR: 10.73 [95% CI: 5.39−21.39], p < 0.001). The incidence of myocarditis in hospitalized COVID‐19‐patients in Germany was 1.28 cases per 1000 hospitalizations in 2020. Risk factors for myocarditis in COVID‐19 were young age, male sex, pneumonia, and multisystemic inflammatory COVID‐19‐infection. Myocarditis was independently associated with increased case‐fatality.
Comparing the incubation period, serial interval, and infectiousness profile between SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron and Delta variants
Authors: Guo Zihao , Zhao Shi , Mok Chris Ka Pun , So Ray T. Y. , Yam Carrie Ho Kwan , Chow Tsz Yu , Chan Tony Chin Pok , Wei Yuchen , Jia Katherine Min , Wang Maggie Haitian , Chong Ka Chun , Yeoh Eng Kiong 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIn January 2022, the SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron variants initiated major outbreaks and dominated the transmissions in Hong Kong, displacing an earlier outbreak seeded by the Delta variants. To provide insight into the transmission potential of the emerging variants, we aimed to compare the epidemiological characteristics of the Omicron and Delta variants. We analyzed the line‐list clinical and contact tracing data of the SARS‐CoV‐2 confirmed cases in Hong Kong. Transmission pairs were constructed based on the individual contact history. We fitted bias‐controlled models to the data to estimate the serial interval, incubation period and infectiousness profile of the two variants. Viral load data were extracted and fitted to the random effect models to investigate the potential risk modifiers for the clinical viral shedding course. Totally 14 401 confirmed cases were reported between January 1 and February 15, 2022. The estimated mean serial interval (4.4 days vs. 5.8 days) and incubation period (3.4 days vs. 3.8 days) were shorter for the Omicron than the Delta variants. A larger proportion of presymptomatic transmission was observed for the Omicron (62%) compared to the Delta variants (48%). The Omicron cases had higher mean viral load over an infection course than the Delta cases, with the elder cases appearing more infectious than the younger cases for both variants. The epidemiological features of Omicron variants were likely an obstacle to contact tracing measures, imposed as a major intervention in settings like Hong Kong. Continuously monitoring the epidemiological feature for any emerging SARS‐CoV‐2 variants in the future is needed to assist officials in planning measures for COVID‐19 control.
Toxic heavy metal/oxyanion tolerance in haloarchaea from some saline and hypersaline ecosystems
Authors: Tavoosi Nazanin , Akhavan Sepahi Abbas , Amoozegar Mohammad Ali , Kiarostami Vahid 
Published: March 2023

AbstractToxic heavy metal/oxyanion contamination has increased severely through the last decades. In this study, 169 native haloarchaeal strains were isolated from different saline and hypersaline econiches of Iran. After providing pure culture and performing morphological, physiological, and biochemical tests, haloarchaea resistance toward arsenate, selenite, chromate, cadmium, zinc, lead, copper, and mercury were surveyed using an agar dilution method. On the basis of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), the least toxicities were found with selenite and arsenate, while the haloarchaeal strains revealed the highest sensitivity for mercury. On the other hand, the majority of haloarchaeal strains exhibited similar responses to chromate and zinc, whereas the resistance level of the isolates to lead, cadmium, and copper was very heterogeneous. 16 S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequence analysis revealed that most haloarchaeal strains belong to the Halorubrum and Natrinema genera. The obtained results from this study showed that among the identified isolates, Halococcus morrhuae strain 498 had an exceptional resistance toward selenite and cadmium (64 and 16 mM, respectively). Also, Halovarius luteus strain DA5 exhibited a remarkable tolerance against copper (32 mM). Moreover, strain Salt5, identified as Haloarcula sp., was the only strain that could tolerate all eight tested heavy metals/oxyanions and had a significant tolerance of mercury (1.5 mM).
Synergistic effect of biotic and abiotic factors drives microbiota succession and assembly in medium‐temperature Daqu
Authors: Pan Qianglin , Huang Jun , Zhang Suyi , Qin Hui , Dong Yi , Wang Xiaojun , Mu Yu , Tang Huifang , Zhou Rongqing 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe feasibility of fortification techniques to improve the quality of medium‐temperature Daqu (MTD) by inoculation functional isolates has been demonstrated. However, it is unclear what is the effect of inoculation on the controllability during the MTD fermentation process. Here, inoculated a single strain of Bacillus licheniformis, and the microbiota composed of Bacillus velezensis and Bacillus subtilis, were used to investigate the synergistic effect of biotic and abiotic factors on the succession and assembly of the MTD microbiota during the process.RESULTSThe biotic factors promoted the proliferation of microorganisms that arrived early at the MTD. Subsequently, this alteration might inhibit microorganisms that colonized later in the MTD microecosystem, thereby assembling a different but more stable microbial community. Moreover, the biotic factors making bacterial community assembly were dominated by variable selection earlier, whereas the fungal community assembly was dominated mainly by extreme abiotic factors rather than biotic factors. Interestingly, fermentation temperature and moisture were significantly associated with the succession and assembly of the fortified MTD community. Meanwhile, the effect of the environmental variables on endogenous variables was also significant. Thus, changes in endogenous variables could be mitigated by adjusting environmental variables to regulate the process of MTD fermentation.CONCLUSIONBiotic factors cause rapid changes of the microbiota during the MTD fermentation process, which could be controlled indirectly by regulating environmental variables. Meanwhile, a more stable MTD ecological network might be beneficial for enhancing the stability of MTD quality. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Geography of minimal surfaces of general type with Z22$\mathbb {Z}_2^2$‐actions and the locus of Gorenstein stable surfaces
Authors: Lorenzo Vicente 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIn this note, the geography of minimal surfaces of general type admitting ‐actions is studied. More precisely, it is shown that Gieseker's moduli space contains surfaces admitting a ‐action for every admissible pair such that or . The examples considered allow to prove that the locus of Gorenstein stable surfaces is not closed in the KSBA‐compactification of Gieseker's moduli space for every admissible pair such that .
Patient Experiences With Thyroid Nodules: A Qualitative Interview Survey
Authors: Naunheim Matthew R. , von Sneidern Manuela , Huston Molly N. , Okose Okenwa C. , Abdelhamid Ahmed Amr H. , Randolph Gregory W. , Shrime Mark G. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo qualitatively explore the broad set of preferences and attitudes patients have about thyroid nodules, which influence the decision‐making process.Study DesignA descriptive survey design was administered as interviews.SettingOutpatient thyroid surgery clinic.MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted with 20 patients presenting for initial evaluation of thyroid nodules at a surgeon's office. Probative, open‐ended questions were posed regarding diagnosis, treatment, risk attitudes, and the decision‐making process. Thematic analysis was used to develop code‐transcribed interviews, and an iterative refinement resulted in underlying themes.ResultsDuring the diagnostic process, patients integrated emotional responses (fear, anxiety, and shock) with rationale concerns (likelihood of cancer, risk assessment), and ultimately relied heavily on expert opinion and recommendation. Contextualization with other personal or familial health problems served as helpful touchstones for decision‐making. Overtreatment and overdiagnosis were not commonly discussed. When thinking about potential therapies, there was a strong bias to action rather than surveillance among patients. Surgical risk and the possibility of lifelong medication, however, were strong motivators for a subset of patients to seek nonsurgical alternatives.ConclusionPatients describe a decision‐making process that incorporates emotional response and rational consideration of risks, contextualized within the personal experience and physician expertise. The bias for action and intervention is strong, and most patients strongly weighted physicians' recommendations. Themes from this qualitative analysis may serve as the backbone for future stated preference research pertaining to thyroid disease.
Fine‐tuning the antimicrobial activity of β‐hairpin peptides with fluorinated amino acids
Authors: Chowdhary Suvrat , Pelzer Tim , Saathoff Mareike , Quaas Elisa , Pendl Johanna , Fulde Marcus , Koksch Beate 
Published: March 2023

AbstractAntimicrobial peptides (AMPs) possess bactericidal activity against a variety of pathogens depending on an overall balance of positively charged and hydrophobic residues. Selective fluorination of peptides serves to fine‐tune the intrinsic hydrophobicity and that could improve AMP bioactivity without affecting the sequence length. Only a few studies have focused on the impact of this unique element on antimicrobial potency and came to somewhat contractionary results. Moreover, the influence of fluorinated amino acids on peptide proteolysis is yet not fully understood. In this work, we tackle the link between side chain fluorination and both antimicrobial activity and proteolytic stability for two series of amphiphilic β‐hairpin peptides. In particular, a synergy between antimicrobial activity and peptide hydrophobicity was determined. All peptides were found to be barely hemolytic and non‐toxic. Most surprisingly, the fluorinated peptides were susceptible to enzymatic degradation. Hence, the distinctive properties of these polyfluorinated AMPs will serve for the future design of peptide‐based drugs.
Translation of outdoor tandem PV module I–V measurements to a STC power rating
Authors: Steiner Marc , Siefer Gerald 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe procedures for the power rating of tandem‐cell‐based concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules defined in the international standard IEC 62670‐3 are adapted to the requirements of tandem‐cell‐based flat plate PV modules. The adjusted procedure describes how to translate outdoor measured PV current–voltage characteristics to standard test conditions (STC): 1000 W/m, 25°C cell temperature, AM1.5g spectral conditions. In this work, we describe how to obtain all required input parameters: thermal transient measurements to determine the module temperature coefficients, categorizing and filtering the prevailing spectral irradiance conditions using spectral matching ratios, and determining the 25°C module open‐circuit voltage from dark current–voltage curves. Three specimen PV modules (triple‐junction, III‐V on Silicon and III‐V on Germanium) have been measured for several months outdoors on a dual axis tracking unit at Fraunhofer ISE in Freiburg. In this work, we demonstrate that the CPV module power rating procedures in IEC 62670‐3 are also—in a modified form—to be recommended for the outdoor rating of tandem‐cell‐based flat plate PV modules.
A polyelectrolyte handle for single‐molecule force spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Junpeng , Kouznetsova Tatiana B. , Xia Jianshe , Ángeles Felipe Jiménez , de la Cruz Monica Olvera , Craig Stephen L. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractSingle‐molecule force spectroscopy is a powerful tool for the quantitative investigation of the biophysics, polymer physics and mechanochemistry of individual polymer strands. One limitation of this technique is that the attachment between the tip of the atomic force microscope and the covalent or noncovalent analyte in a given pull is typically not strong enough to sustain the force at which the event of interest occurs, which makes the experiments time‐consuming and inhibits throughput. Here we report a polyelectrolyte handle for single‐molecule force spectroscopy that offers a combination of high (several hundred pN) attachment forces, good (~4%) success in obtaining a high‐force (>200 pN) attachment, a non‐fouling detachment process that allows for repetition, and specific attachment locations along the polymer analyte.
Breast cancer treatment disparities in patients with severe mental illness: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kisely Steve , Alotiby Meshary Khaled N. , Protani Melinda M. , Soole Rebecca , Arnautovska Urska , Siskind Dan 
Published: March 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe incidence and mortality rates of breast cancer in individuals with pre‐existing severe mental illness (SMI), such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression, are higher than in the general population. Reduced screening is one factor but there is less information on possible barriers to subsequent treatment following diagnosis.MethodsWe undertook a systematic review and meta‐analysis on access to guideline‐appropriate care following a diagnosis of breast cancer in people with SMI including the receipt of surgery, endocrine, chemo‐ or radiotherapy. We searched for full‐text articles indexed by PubMed, EMBASE, PsycInfo and CINAHL that compared breast cancer treatment in those with and without pre‐existing SMI. Study designs included population‐based cohort or case‐control studies.ResultsThere were 13 studies included in the review, of which 4 contributed adjusted outcomes to the meta‐analyses. People with SMI had a reduced likelihood of guideline‐appropriate care (RR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.77–0.90). Meta‐analyses were not possible for the other outcomes but in adjusted results from a single study, people with SMI had longer wait‐times to receiving guideline‐appropriate care. The results for specific outcomes such as surgery, hormone, radio‐ or chemotherapy were mixed, possibly because results were largely unadjusted for age, comorbidities, or cancer stage.ConclusionsPeople with SMI receive less and/or delayed guideline‐appropriate care for breast cancer than the general population. The reasons for this disparity warrant further investigation, as does the extent to which differences in treatment access or quality contribute to excess breast cancer mortality in people with SMI.