bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Numerical modeling reveals improved organelle separation for dielectrophoretic ratchet migration
Authors: Koh Domin , Sonker Mukul , Arriaga Edgar A. , Ros Alexandra 
Published: August 2023

AbstractOrganelle size varies with normal and abnormal cell function. Thus, size‐based particle separation techniques are key to assessing the properties of organelle subpopulations differing in size. Recently, insulator‐based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) has gained significant interest as a technique to manipulate sub‐micrometer‐sized particles enabling the assessment of organelle subpopulations. Based on iDEP, we recently reported a ratchet device that successfully demonstrated size‐based particle fractionation in combination with continuous flow sample injection. Here, we used a numerical model to optimize the performance with flow rates a factor of three higher than previously and increased the channel volume to improve throughput. We evaluated the amplitude and duration of applied low‐frequency DC‐biased AC potentials improving separation efficiency. A separation efficiency of nearly 0.99 was achieved with the optimization of key parameters—improved from 0.80 in previous studies (Ortiz et al. Electrophoresis, 2022;43;1283–1296)—demonstrating that fine‐tuning the periodical driving forces initiating the ratchet migration under continuous flow conditions can significantly improve the fractionation of organelles of different sizes.
Effect of vitamin D3 on lipid droplet growth in adipocytes of mice with HFD‐induced obesity
Authors: Zhang Jingjing , Zhang Yuanfan , Zhou Yong , Zhao Wenxin , Li Jialu , Yang Dan , Xiang Lian , Du Tingwan , Ma Ling 
Published: August 2023

AbstractVitamin D‐regulating action of PPARγ on obesity has been confirmed on adipocyte differentiation. However, it is not clear whether vitamin D affects the morphological size of mature adipocytes by influencing the expression of PPARγ in vivo. Our hypothesis was that Vitamin D3 (VitD3) inhibits the growth of adipocyte size by suppressing PPARγ expression in white adipocytes of obese mice. Five‐week‐old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal diet and high‐fat diet groups. After 10 weeks, the body weight between the two groups differed by 26.91%. The obese mice were randomly divided into a high‐fat diet, solvent control, low‐dose VitD3 (5000 IU/kg·food), medium‐dose VitD3 (7500 IU/kg·food), high‐dose VitD3 (10,000 IU/kg·food), and PPAR γ antagonist group, and the intervention lasted for 8 weeks. Diet‐induced obesity (DIO) mice fed high‐dose VitD3 exacerbated markers of adiposity (body weight, fat mass, fat mass rate, size of white and brown adipocytes, mRNA, and protein levels of ATGL and Fsp27), and the protein level of ATGL and Fsp27 decreased in the low‐dose group. In conclusion, high‐dose VitD3 possibly via inhibiting the ATGL expression, thereby inhibiting lipolysis, increasing the volume of adipocytes, and decreasing their fat‐storing ability resulted in decreased Fsp27 expression. Therefore, long‐term high‐dose oral VitD3 may not necessarily improve obesity, and we need more clinical trials to explore the intervention dose and duration of VitD3 in the treatment of VitD3 deficiency in obese patients.
Wogonin inhibits hepatoma cell proliferation by targeting miR‐27b‐5p/YWHAZ axis
Authors: Ma Ming‐Yue , Wang Qian , Wang Shou‐Mei , Feng Xiao‐Jun , Xian Zhi‐Hong , Zhang Shu‐Hui 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWogonin (5,7‐dihydroxy‐8‐methoxyflavone), a natural flavonoid compound in herbal plants, can suppress growth in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles that are influenced by wogonin have not been thoroughly described. To explore the novel miRNAs and the biological mechanism underlying the effect of wogonin on HCC cells. The effect of wogonin on Huh7 cell growth was assessed both in vitro and in vivo. The expression profiles of miRNAs were obtained by small RNA sequencing. Luciferase reporter experiment and bioinformatics analysis were conducted to determine whether tyrosine 3‐monooxygenase/tryptophan 5‐monooxygenase activation protein zeta (YWHAZ) can bind to miR‐27b‐5p. Effects of the ectopic expression of YWHAZ and miR‐27b‐5p on Huh7 cells proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated. Furthermore, the cell cycle, apoptosis and multiple signaling pathway‐related molecules were detected by Western blot analysis. Wogonin substantially inhibited the growth of Huh7 cells both in vitro and in vivo. Seventy miRNAs exhibited greater than twofold changes in wogonin‐treated cells. Upregulation of miR‐27b‐5p inhibited Huh7 cell proliferation, and the anticancer effect of wogonin was reversed after miR‐27b‐5p knockdown. miR‐27b‐5p directly targeted YWHAZ in HCC cells. The proliferation‐inhibiting effect of miR‐27b‐5p was revoked by YWHAZ overexpression. Meanwhile, inhibition of HCC growth was achieved by downregulating YWHAZ. Wogonin exerted antitumor activity through multiple signaling molecules, such as focal adhesion kinase, protein kinase B, mammalian target of rapamycin and molecules related to apoptosis and cell cycle by upregulating miR‐27b‐5p and downregulating YWHAZ. Our findings suggest that miR‐27b‐5p/YWHAZ axis contributes to the inhibitory effect of wogonin in HCC by targeting related genes and multiple signaling pathways.
Association of inactivated COVID‐19 vaccination with maternal coagulation function in early pregnancy
Authors: Zhao Yan , Zhao Yongbo , Zhu Jianlong , Lei Lei , Zhang Baohua , Xu Xianghong , Jin Liping 
Published: August 2023

AbstractReports of rare but severe thrombotic events after receiving some COVID‐19 vaccines brought concerns for the possibility of vaccine‐induced coagulation abnormality. However, no study has reported the impacts of COVID‐19 vaccination on coagulation function in pregnant women. We aimed to explore whether vaccination with inactivated COVID‐19 vaccines before pregnancy was associated with coagulation changes in pregnant women. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary‐care hospital in Shanghai, China. A total of 5166 pregnant women were included, of whom 2721 (52.7%) completed vaccination before conception. Compared with unvaccinated women, the mean serum levels of prothrombin time (PT) and fibrinogen (FIB) were lower in vaccinated women by 0.09 (β = −0.09, 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.13, −0.05) mg/L and 0.11 (β = −0.11, 95% CI, −0.15, −0.07) mg/L, and the mean D‐Dimer (D‐D) levels were higher by 0.12 (β = 0.12, 95% CI, 0.09, 0.15) mg/L. However, no significant association was observed between COVID‐19 vaccination and serum levels of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen degradation product (FDP) or thrombin time (TT). Our findings suggested that inactivated COVID‐19 vaccination before conception resulted in a small change in maternal coagulation function, but this might not have clinical significance.
How does grassland degradation affect soil enzyme activity and microbial nutrient limitation in saline‐alkaline meadow?
Authors: Yang Jingjing , Wu Xuefeng , Ruan Hang , Song Yueqing , Xu Man , Wang Shengnan , Wang Deli , Wu Donghui 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSoil enzyme activity and its stoichiometry are excellent representatives of soil microorganisms' response to changing conditions, and act as a good indicator of microbial energy and nutrient demands. However, how soil enzyme activity and microbial nutrient limitation will be modified by grassland degradation is not well understood, especially in the saline‐alkaline meadow. Here, we presented how soil enzyme activity and microbial nutrient limitation shifted along a well‐characterized gradient of salinized degraded grasslands (non‐degraded, moderately degraded, and severely degraded). Our results showed soil enzyme activity was the highest in moderately degraded grasslands, which was mainly regulated by soil bacterial diversity. Soil microbial community metabolism in alkali‐saline meadow grasslands was limited by both carbon and phosphorus. Microbial carbon limitation showed a hump‐shaped pattern along the grassland degradation gradient, while microbial phosphorus limitation showed a gradually decreasing trend. Soil bacterial diversity is a key regulator of soil microbial carbon limitation, but the structure of the soil bacterial and plant community determines microbial phosphorus limitation. Taken together, our findings, taken together, provide evidence that soil bacteria are direct drivers of soil enzyme activity and microbial nutrient limitation along a grassland degradation gradient with salinization and suggest that these changes are regulated by soil salinity.
MurKy waters: Modeling the succession from r to K strategists (diatoms to dinoflagellates) following a nutrient release from a mining facility in Florida
Authors: Chen Yuren , Li Ming , Glibert Patricia M. , Heil Cynthia 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe impacts of pulsed nutrient injections or extreme runoff events on marine ecosystems are far less studied than those associated with long‐term eutrophication, particularly in regard to mechanisms regulating the response of plankton community structure. Over 800 million liters of nutrient‐rich water from a fertilizer mine were discharged over a 2‐week period into Tampa Bay, Florida, in 2021, providing a unique opportunity to document the plankton response. A 3D‐coupled hydrodynamic biogeochemical model was developed to investigate this response and to understand the observed succession of a large, short diatom bloom followed by a secondary Karenia brevis bloom that lasted through the summer. The model reproduced the observed changes in nutrient concentration, total chlorophyll a, and diatom and K. brevis biomass in Tampa Bay. With a faster growth rate and spring temperature close to the optimal window of growth, diatoms had an initial competitive advantage, with 2/3 of the nutrient uptake due to ammonium and 1/3 due to nitrate. However, exhaustion of external nutrients led to the rapid decline of the diatom bloom, and the associated particular organic nitrogen sank onto the bay sediment. Enhanced sediment release of ammonium during the weeks following, and summer remineralization of dissolved organic nitrogen provided sufficient regenerated nitrogen to support slow‐growing K. brevis that could capitalize on low nutrient conditions. Modeling analysis largely confirmed Margalef's conceptual model of r to K‐selected species succession and provided additional insights into nutrient cycling supporting the initial diatom bloom and the subsequent bloom of a slow‐growing harmful algal species.
Theory of Hybrid Microwave–Photonic Quantum Devices
Authors: Jirauschek Christian 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe Maxwell–Lindblad transmission line (MLT) equations are introduced as a model for hybrid photonic and microwave‐electronic quantum devices. The hybrid concept has long enabled high‐bandwidth photodetectors and modulators by using waveguide structures supporting microwave–optical co‐propagation. Extending this technique to quantum‐engineered lasers provides a route for greatly improved short‐pulse and frequency comb operation, as impressively demonstrated for quantum cascade lasers. Even more, the self‐organized formation of coupled microwave and optical oscillation patterns has recently enabled photonics‐based ultralow‐noise microwave generation. The MLT model provides a suitable theoretical description for hybrid quantum devices by combining optical and microwave propagation equations with a Lindblad‐type approach for the quantum active region dynamics. A stable numerical scheme is presented, enabling realistic device simulations in excellent agreement with experimental data. Based on numerical results and analytical considerations, it is demonstrated that the functionality of the investigated hybrid quantum devices does not only rely on local coupling effects, but rather benefits from microwave‐optical co‐propagation, settling an ongoing debate. The MLT equations provide the basis for systematic device development and extension of the concept to other quantum‐engineered hybrid devices based on, for example, quantum dot or interband cascade structures, as well as for simplified analytical models providing additional intuitive insight.
High‐Power AlGaN‐Based Ultrathin Tunneling Junction Deep Ultraviolet Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Zhou Shengjun , Liao Zhefu , Sun Ke , Zhang Ziqi , Qian Yinzuo , Liu Pengfei , Du Peng , Jiang Jingjing , Lv Zhenxing , Qi Shengli 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTunnel junctions (TJs) offer a unique approach to utilizing nonequilibrium tunneling injection of holes and have demonstrated potential applications in ultraviolet (UV) emitters. However, high operating voltage caused by the wide bandgap of the III‐nitrides has impeded the further promotion of TJ. Here, 275 nm n+‐Al0.45Ga0.55N/p+‐Al0.5Ga0.5N ultrathin tunnel junction (UTJ) deep‐UV light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) are developed for minimizing the electrical losses and achieve, to the current knowledge, the lowest operating voltage (5.7 V) at 300 mA reported to date. This study discovers that Mg‐Si co‐doping occurs in the n+‐Al0.45Ga0.55N layer during the growth of n+‐Al0.45Ga0.55N/p+‐Al0.5Ga0.5N UTJ due to the memory and diffusion effect of Mg, which leads to the formation of Ohmic contact between high‐work‐function Ni/Au and Mg‐Si co‐doped n+‐ Al0.45Ga0.55N layer in UTJ. The Zener diode, fluorine resin, and optimally designed glass lens are incorporated into the chip encapsulation to enhance the reliability and optical performance of the device. Furthermore, a high‐efficiency sterilization deep‐UV light source is developed integrated with 120 UTJ deep‐UV LED chips. Complete surface inactivation at a long irradiation distance (20 cm) is achieved within only seconds using the high‐power sterilization deep‐UV light source. These results indicate that UTJ is promising in developing deep UV LEDs and their integrated light sources.
Antimicrobial copper ion‐graphene oxide composite to inhibit Pseudomonas Aeruginosa keratitis in rabbits
Authors: Zhang Min , Huang Yueyue , Zhuang Yangyang , Chen Yan , Zhou Yunlong 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBiofilms and their associated infections have posed serious threats to the society from both an economical concern and a healthcare perspective. Graphene oxide (GO) has recently prompted the emergence of applications in the area of antibacterial materials owing to its high biocompatibility and surface functionalization. However, the weak biological interactions with microbial cells limit the antibiotic activity of GO. Herein, by combining GO with currently utilized antibacterial metal ions, copper ion‐graphene oxide composite (Cu2+@GO) with exceptional bactericidal activity is achieved in this work. Cu2+@GO composite possessed more than 95% antimicrobial efficiency of both Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) compared with the Cu2+ only group or GO only group. Additionally, the composite inhibits the formation of bacterial biofilms, making it a potential candidate for the development of alternative antimicrobials. Antibacterial mechanism study shows that Cu2+@GO has both bacteria‐binding ability and the property of producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) to cause the bacterial destruction. In vivo experiments indicate that Cu2+@GO possess an inhibition effect to P. aeruginosa‐induced keratitis. Overall, this work demonstrates that Cu2+@GO may be promising antibacterial agents for the treatment of bacterial infection, which contributes to designing more antibiotic and safe graphene‐based materials.
Cost‐Effectiveness Analysis of PET‐CT Surveillance After Treatment of Human Papillomavirus‐Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Lin Matthew E. , Castellanos Carlos X. , Acevedo Joseph R. , Yu Jeffrey C. , Kokot Niels C. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the cost‐effectiveness of surveillance imaging with PET/CT scan among patients with human papillomavirus‐positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.Study DesignCost‐effectiveness analysis.SettingOncologic care centers in the United States with head and neck oncologic surgeons and physicians.MethodsWe compared the cost‐effectiveness of 2 posttreatment surveillance strategies: clinical surveillance with the addition of PET/CT scan versus clinical surveillance alone in human papillomavirus‐positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients. We constructed a Markov decision model which was analyzed from a third‐party payer's perspective using 1‐year Markov cycles and a 30‐year time horizon. Values for transition probabilities, costs, health care utilities, and their studied ranges were derived from the literature.ResultsThe incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio for PET/CT with clinical surveillance versus clinical surveillance alone was $89,850 per quality‐adjusted life year gained. Flexible fiberoptic scope exams during clinical surveillance would have to be over 51% sensitive or PET/CT scan cost would have to exceed $1678 for clinical surveillance alone to be more cost‐effective. The willingness‐to‐pay threshold at which imaging surveillance was equally cost‐effective to clinical surveillance was approximately $80,000/QALY.ConclusionDespite lower recurrence rates of human papillomavirus‐positive oropharyngeal cancer, a single PET/CT scan within 6 months after primary treatment remains a cost‐effective tool for routine surveillance when its cost does not exceed $1678. The cost‐effectiveness of this strategy is also dependent on the clinical surveillance sensitivity (flexible fiberoptic pharyngoscopy), and willingness‐to‐pay thresholds which vary by country.
Multi‐institutional Analysis of Endoscopic Sellar Surgical Volumes During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Salmon Mandy K. , Eide Jacob G. , Kshirsagar Rijul S. , Blue Rachel , Yoshor Daniel , Sean Grady Michael , Lee John Y.K. , Palmer James N. , Adappa Nithin D. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractObjectiveWe sought to quantify trends in operative volumes and complications of endoscopic sellar surgery before and after the COVID‐19 pandemic onset.Study DesignWe performed a retrospective analysis.SettingTriNetX database analysis.MethodsAll adults undergoing neuroendoscopy for resection of pituitary tumor (Current Procedural Terminology code 62165) with diagnosis of benign/malignant neoplasm of pituitary gland (D35.2/C75.1) or benign/malignant neoplasm of craniopharyngeal duct (D35.3/C75.2) were included using the TriNetX database for 2 years before (pre‐COVID group) and 2 years after (post‐COVID group) February 17, 2020.ResultsA total of 1238 patients in the pre‐COVID group and 1186 patients in the post‐COVID group were compared. Age, gender, and race were statistically similar between the groups (P > .05). Surgical volume decreased by 6% in the post‐COVID group. In 2020 Q2, operative volume decreased by 19%, and in 2021 Q4 (peak COVID‐19 caseload in the United States), operative volumes decreased by 29% compared to 2 years prior. Postoperative complications including meningitis (P = .49), cerebrospinal fluid leak (P = .36), visual field deficits (P = .07), postoperative pneumonia or respiratory failure (P = .42), and 30‐day readmission rates (P = .89) were similar between the 2 groups.ConclusionOverall, endoscopic sellar surgery may continue to fluctuate with increased COVID‐19 outbreaks. Patient outcomes do not appear to be worsened by decreased operative volumes or delays in nonurgent surgeries.
Registration of three sweet sorghum lines with high tolerance to sorghum aphid (Melanaphis sorghi)
Authors: Knoll Joseph E. , Uchimiya Minori , Hayes Chad M. , Punnuri Somashekhar M. , Harris‐Shultz Karen R. , Smith J. Spencer 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] stalks contain sugary juice, which is used to produce syrup and has potential for biofuel production. Since 2013, the sorghum aphid (Melanaphis sorghi, previously known as sugarcane aphid, M. sacchari) has become a major pest of sorghum in North America. GTS1903 (Reg. no GP‐945, PI 702423), GTS1904 (Reg. no. GP‐946, PI 702424), and GTS1905 (Reg. no. GP‐947, PI 702425) represent the first publicly released sorghum aphid‐tolerant sweet sorghum germplasm. All three derive from the initial cross A1N109 × No. 5 Gambela. In four environments GTS1903, GTS1904, and GTS1905 sustained less aphid damage than the check cultivar ‘Top 76‐6’, and in one environment they harbored significantly fewer aphids than Top 76‐6. Under sorghum aphid infestation the juice Brix, an estimate of sugar content, averaged 17.0, 15.9, and 17.0 °Bx for GTS1903, GTS1904, and GTS1905, respectively, all greater than Top 76‐6 (12.7 °Bx). The juice of these three lines also contains greater trans‐aconitic acid concentration (26.8–37.1 mM) than Top 76‐6 (5.5 mM), which may contribute to sorghum aphid tolerance. GTS1903, GTS1904, and GTS1905 flower approximately 74, 89, and 76 days after planting, respectively. GTS1905 is the tallest, averaging 279 cm. All three lines have shown resistance to leaf anthracnose (caused by Colletotrichum sublineola). Genetic markers confirmed that all three lines contain the region of SBI‐06 from PI 257599 that is associated with sorghum aphid resistance.
Transcriptomic investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam and the pyrethroid lambda‐cyhalothrin in Euschistus heros (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
Authors: Lira Ewerton C , Nascimento Antonio RB , Bass Chris , Omoto Celso , Cônsoli Fernando L 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDLaboratory‐selected resistant strains of Euschistus heros to thiamethoxam (NEO) and lambda‐cyhalothrin (PYR) were recently reported in Brazil. However, the mechanisms conferring resistance to these insecticides in E. heros remain unresolved. We utilized comparative transcriptome profiling and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) calling of susceptible and resistant strains of E. heros to investigate the molecular mechanism(s) underlying resistance.RESULTSThe E. heros transcriptome was assembled, generating 91 673 transcripts with a mean length of 720 bp and N50 of 1795 bp. Comparative gene expression analysis between the susceptible (SUS) and NEO strains identified 215 significantly differentially expressed (DE) transcripts. DE transcripts associated with the xenobiotic metabolism were all up‐regulated in the NEO strain. The comparative analysis of the SUS and PYR strains identified 204 DE transcripts, including an esterase (esterase FE4), a glutathione‐S‐transferase, an ABC transporter (ABCC1) and aquaporins that were up‐regulated in the PYR strain. We identified 9588 and 15 043 nonsynonymous SNPs in the PYR and NEO strains. One of the SNPs (D70N) detected in the NEO strain occurs in a subunit (α5) of the nAChRs, the target site of neonicotinoid insecticides. Nevertheless, this residue position in α5 is not conserved among insects.CONCLUSIONSNeonicotinoid and pyrethroid resistance in laboratory‐selected E. heros is associated with a potential metabolic resistance mechanism by the overexpression of proteins commonly involved in the three phases of xenobiotic metabolism. Together these findings provide insight into the potential basis of resistance in E. heros and will inform the development and implementation of resistance management strategies against this important pest. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.