bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A recombinant spike‐XBB.1.5 protein vaccine induces broad‐spectrum immune responses against XBB.1.5‐included Omicron variants of SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: He Cai , Alu Aqu , Lei Hong , Yang Jingyun , Hong Weiqi , Song Xiangrong , Li Jiong , Yang Li , Wang Wei , Shen Guobo , Lu Guangwen , Wei Xiawei 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe XBB.1.5 subvariant has drawn great attention owing to its exceptionality in immune evasion and transmissibility. Therefore, it is essential to develop a universally protective coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine against various strains of Omicron, especially XBB.1.5. In this study, we evaluated and compared the immune responses induced by six different spike protein vaccines targeting the ancestral or various Omicron strains of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in mice. We found that spike‐wild‐type immunization induced high titers of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against ancestral SARS‐CoV‐2. However, its activity in neutralizing Omicron subvariants decreased sharply as the number of mutations in receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of these viruses increased. Spike‐BA.5, spike‐BF.7, and spike‐BQ.1.1 vaccines induced strong NAbs against BA.5, BF.7, BQ.1, and BQ.1.1 viruses but were poor in protecting against XBB and XBB.1.5, which have more RBD mutations. In sharp contrast, spike‐XBB.1.5 vaccination can activate strong and broadly protective immune responses against XBB.1.5 and other common subvariants of Omicron. By performing correlation analysis, we found that the NAbs titers were negatively correlated with the number of RBD mutations in the Omicron subvariants. Vaccines with more RBD mutations can effectively overcome the immune resistance caused by the accumulation of RBD mutations, making spike‐XBB.1.5 the most promising vaccine candidate against universal Omicron variants.
Three‐dimensional diffusion MRI using simultaneous multislab with blipped‐CAIPI in a 4D k‐space framework
Authors: Liu Simin , Zhang Jieying , Shi Diwei , Guo Hua 
Published: April 2023

PurposeTo develop an efficient simultaneous multislab imaging method with blipped‐controlled aliasing in parallel imaging (blipped‐SMSlab) in a 4D k‐space framework, and to demonstrate its efficacy in high‐resolution diffusion MRI (dMRI).Theory and MethodsFirst, the SMSlab 4D k‐space signal expression is formulated, and the phase interferences from intraslab and interslab encodings on the same physical z‐axis are analyzed. Then, the blipped‐SMSlab dMRI sequence is designed, with blipped–controlled aliasing in parallel imaging (blipped‐CAIPI) gradients for interslab encoding, and a 2D multiband accelerated navigator for inter‐kz‐shot phase correction. Third, strategies are developed to remove the phase interferences, by RF phase modulation and/or phase correction during reconstruction, thus decoupling intraslab and interslab encodings that are otherwise entangled. In vivo experiments are performed to validate the blipped‐SMSlab method and preliminarily evaluate its performance in high‐resolution dMRI compared with traditional 2D imaging.ResultsIn the 4D k‐space framework, interslab and intraslab phase interferences of blipped‐SMSlab are successfully removed using the proposed strategies. Compared with non–CAIPI sampling, the blipped‐SMSlab acquisition reduces the g‐factor and g‐factor‐related SNR penalty by about 12%. In addition, in vivo experiments show the SNR advantage of blipped‐SMSlab dMRI over traditional 2D dMRI for 1.3‐mm and 1.0‐mm isotropic resolution imaging with matched acquisition time.ConclusionRemoving interslab and intraslab phase interferences enables SMSlab dMRI with blipped‐CAIPI in a 4D k‐space framework. The proposed blipped‐SMSlab dMRI is demonstrated to be more SNR‐efficient than 2D dMRI and thus capable of high‐quality, high‐resolution fiber orientation detection.
The relationship between nutrition, gut dysbiosis, and pediatric sickle cell pain outcomes: A pilot study
Authors: Dike Chinenye R. , Hanson Corrine , Davies H. Dele , Obaro Stephen , Yu Fang , Harper James , Grace Helen , Lebensburger Jeffrey , Raulji Chittalsinh , Ma Jihyun , Mannon Peter 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundNutritional deficiencies are prevalent in sickle cell disease (SCD) and may be associated with worse pain outcomes. Gut dysbiosis has been reported in patients with SCD and may contribute to both nutritional deficiencies and pain.ObjectivesWe tested the association of nutrition, fat‐soluble vitamin (FSV) deficiency, and gut microbiome composition on clinical outcomes in SCD. Second, we measured the association between diet and exocrine pancreatic function on FSV levels.MethodsUsing case control design, we enrolled children with SCD (n = 24) and matched healthy controls (HC; n = 17, age, sex, race/ethnicity). Descriptive statistics summarized demographic and clinical data. Wilcoxson‐rank tests compared FSV levels between cohorts. Regression modeling tested the association between FSV levels and SCD status. Welch's t‐test with Satterthwaite adjustment evaluated associations between microbiota profiles, SCD status, and pain outcomes.ResultsVitamin A and D levels were significantly decreased in participants with HbSS as compared to HC (vitamin A, p = < .0001, vitamin D, p = .014) independent of nutritional status. FSV correlated with dietary intake in SCD and HC cohorts. Gut microbial diversity was reduced in hemoglobin SS (HbSS) compared to hemoglobin SC (HbSC) and HC, p = .037 and .059, respectively. The phyla Erysipelotrichaceae and Betaproteobacteria were higher in SCD children reporting the highest quality‐of‐life (QoL) scores (p = .008 and .049, respectively), while Clostridia were higher in those with lower QoL scores (p = .03).ConclusionFSV deficiencies and gut dysbiosis are prevalent in children with SCA. Gut microbial composition is significantly different in children with SCD with low QoL scores.
The utility of the self‐controlled study design for pharmacoepidemiological studies without an active comparator medication using a medical information database: An application to assess the risk of varenicline on cardiovascular outcomes
Authors: Yokoyama Ryo , Takeuchi Yoshinori , Kumamaru Hiraku , Matsuyama Yutaka 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPurposeTo illustrate the utility of the self‐controlled study design for studies without an active comparator, we compared the results of a cohort design study with a non‐user comparator with those of a self‐controlled design study in evaluating the risk of varenicline on cardiovascular outcomes, using a Japanese medical claims database.MethodsThe participating smokers were identified from health‐screening results collected between May 2008 and April 2017. Using a non‐user‐comparator cohort study design, we estimated the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of varenicline on initial hospitalization with cardiovascular outcomes using Cox's model adjusted for patients' sex, age, medical history, medication history, and health‐screening results. Using a self‐controlled study design, the within‐subject HR was estimated using a stratified Cox's model adjusted for medical history, medication history, and health‐screening results. The estimate from a recent meta‐analysis was considered the gold standard (risk ratio: 1.03).ResultsWe identified 460 464 smokers (398 694 males [86.6%]; mean (standard deviation) age: 42.9 [10.8] years) in the database. Of these, 11 561 had been dispensed varenicline at least once, and 4511 had experienced cardiovascular outcomes. The estimate of the non‐user‐comparator cohort study design exceeded the gold standard (HR [95% CI]: 2.04 [1.22–3.42]), whereas that of the self‐controlled study design was close to the gold standard (within‐subject HR [95% CI]: 1.12 [0.27–4.70]).ConclusionsThe self‐controlled study design is useful alternative to a non‐user‐comparator cohort design when evaluating the risk of medications relative to their non‐use, based on a medical information database.
In‐situ study of degradation in PTB7:PCBM films prepared with the binary solvent additive DPE:DIO
Authors: Schwaiger Dominik M. , Lohstroh Wiebke , Wolf Marcell , Garvey Christopher J. , Müller‐Buschbaum Peter 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBlend films of poly[[4,8‐bis[(2‐ethylhexyl)oxy]benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b']dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl][3‐fluoro‐2‐[(2‐ethylhexyl)carbonyl]thieno[3,4‐b]thiophenediyl]] (PTB7) in combination with 6,6‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric‐acid‐methyl‐ester (PCBM) are a model system for low bandgap organic photovoltaics. Typically, solvent additives are used to improve the power conversion efficiencies of the resulting devices but possibly also decrease the device stability. In this study, we use the binary solvent additive 1,8‐diiodooctane:diphenylether (DIO:DPE) for PTB7:PCBM blend films and study how different film drying procedures influence the physical and chemical stability of the polymer blend. The strong influence of the drying procedure on the stability against photoinduced degradation of the PTB7:PCBM films, produced with solvent additives, is shown with data from UV–visible (UV–vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. The addition of solvent additive molecules DIO:DPE to the PTB7:PCBM blend accelerates the degradation compared with the pristine blend. At higher annealing temperature a removal of the additives is bringing degradation back to the level of the pristine blend films, which is promising for photovoltaic applications.
The relationship between Rating of Everyday Arm‐use in the Community and Home (REACH) scale affected arm‐use assessment, activity and participation after stroke
Authors: Obembe Adebimpe O. , Simpson Lisa A. , Eng Janice J. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesWhile arm function has been traditionally used as a primary goal for upper extremity rehabilitation post‐stroke, we propose a simple measure of arm use, which may translate into better activities and participation. The aim was to determine the relationship between arm use and measures of activity and participation.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional study with evaluative components involving community‐dwelling individuals with chronic stroke. The Rating of Everyday Arm‐Use in the Community and Home (REACH) Scale was used to assess affected arm use, Barthel Index and activity domain of the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) for activities, and participation domain of the SIS for participation. The participants were also asked if they resumed driving after the stroke.ResultsForty‐nine individuals (mean age = 70.3 ± 11.5 years, male sex = 51%) living with the effects of a stroke for at least 3 months participated in this study. There was a positive relationship between affected arm use and activities (Barthel Index score – rs = 0.464; SIS activities – rs = 0.686), participation (rs = 0.479), and driving (rs = 0.581). The Barthel Index scores were higher for individuals with dominant arm hemiparesis (p = 0.003) or left hemisphere lesions (p = 0.005). There was also greater arm use in left hemisphere lesions (p = 0.018).ConclusionsAffected arm use in individuals with chronic stroke is related to activities and participation. Given the importance of arm use in activities and participation after stroke, rehabilitation therapists may consider utilizing the REACH Scale, a simple and quick outcome measure, as a means to assess arm use and implement effective interventions for improving arm use.
An interaction network in Bacillus subtilis coproporphyrinogen oxidase is essential for the oxidation of protoporphyrinogen IX
Authors: Wang Baifan , Sun Lu , Wen Xin , Xi Zhen 
Published: April 2023

AbstractCoproporphyrinogen oxidase (CPO) plays important role in the biosynthesis of heme by catalyzing the coproporphyrinogen III to coproporphyrin III. However, in earlier research, it was regarded as the protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) because it can also catalyze the oxidation of protoporphyrinogen IX to protoporphyrin IX. Identification of the commonalities in CPO and PPO would help us to get a further understanding of the enzyme function. In this work, we explored the role of a non‐conserved residue, Asp65 in Bacillus subtilis CPO (bsCPO), whose corresponding residues in PPO from various species are neutral or positive residue (arginine in human PPO or asparagine in tobacco PPO, etc.). We found that Asp65 performs its function by forming a polar interaction network with its surrounding residues in bsCPO, which is important for enzymatic activity. This polar network maintains the substrate binding chamber and stabilizes the micro‐environment of the isoalloxazine ring of FAD for the substrate–FAD interaction. Both the comparison of the crystal structures of bsCPO with PPO and our previous work showed that a similar polar interaction network is also present in PPOs. The results confirmed our conjecture that non‐conserved residues can form a conserved element to maintain the function of CPO or PPO.
Action of the fungal compound citrinin, a bioherbicide candidate, on photosystem II
Authors: Yang Qian , Guo Yanjing , Wang He , Luo Zhi , Chen Ying , Jiang Mengyun , Lu Huan , Valverde Bernal E. , Qiang Sheng , Strasser Reto Jörg , Chen Shiguo 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDBioherbicides are becoming more attractive as safe weed control tools towards sustainable agriculture. Natural products constitute an important source chemicals and chemical leads for discovery and development of novel pesticide target sites. Citrinin is a bioactive compound produced by fungi of the genera Penicillium and Aspergillus. However, its physiological‐biochemical mechanism as a phytotoxin remains unclear.RESULTSCitrinin causes visible leaf lesions on Ageratina adenophora similar to those produced by the commercial herbicide bromoxynil. Phytotoxicity bioassay tests using 24 plant species confirmed that citrinin has a broad activity spectrum and therefore has potential as a bioherbicide. Based on chlorophyll fluorescence studies, citrinin mainly blocks PSII electron flow beyond plastoquinone QA at the acceptor side, resulting in the inactivation of PSII reaction centers. Furthermore, molecular modeling of citrinin docking to the A. adenophora D1 protein suggests that it binds to the plastoquinone QB site by a hydrogen bond between the O1 hydroxy oxygen atom of citrinin and the histidine 215 of the D1 protein, the same way as classical phenolic PSII herbicides do. Finally, 32 new citrinin derivatives were designed and sorted according to free energies on the basis of the molecular model of an interaction between the citrinin molecule and the D1 protein. Five of the modeled compounds had much higher ligand binding affinity within the D1 protein compared with lead compound citrinin.CONCLUSIONCitrinin is a novel natural PSII inhibitor that has the potential to be developed into a bioherbicide or utilized as a lead compound for discovery of new derivatives with high herbicidal potency. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Plant and insect virus‐like particles: emerging nanoparticles for agricultural pest management
Authors: Xue Qi , Swevers Luc , Taning Clauvis Nji Tizi 
Published: April 2023

AbstractVirus‐like particles (VLPs) represent a biodegradable, biocompatible nanomaterial made from viral coat proteins that can improve the delivery of antigens, drugs, nucleic acids, and other substances, with most applications in human and veterinary medicine. Regarding agricultural viruses, many insect and plant virus coat proteins have been shown to assemble into VLPs accurately. In addition, some plant virus‐based VLPs have been used in medical studies. However, to our knowledge, the potential application of plant/insect virus‐based VLPs in agriculture remains largely underexplored. This review focuses on why and how to engineer coat proteins of plant/insect viruses as functionalized VLPs, and how to exploit VLPs in agricultural pest control. The first part of the review describes four different engineering strategies for loading cargo at the inner or the outer surface of VLPs depending on the type of cargo and purpose. Second, the literature on plant and insect viruses the coat proteins of which have been confirmed to self‐assemble into VLPs is reviewed. These VLPs are good candidates for developing VLP‐based agricultural pest control strategies. Lastly, the concepts of plant/insect virus‐based VLPs for delivering insecticidal and antiviral components (e.g., double‐stranded RNA, peptides, and chemicals) are discussed, which provides future prospects of VLP application in agricultural pest control. In addition, some concerns are raised about VLP production on a large scale and the short‐term resistance of hosts to VLP uptake. Overall, this review is expected to stimulate interest and research exploring plant/insect virus‐based VLP applications in agricultural pest management. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Identification of leaf chloroplast‐specific promoter to efficiently control of Colorado potato beetle with reduced dsRNA accumulation in potato tubers
Authors: Liao Jianghua , Rong Haoling , You Lili , Xia Kai , Wang Minghui , Han Peng , Li Chao , Zhang Jiang 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDBy expressing double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) in potato plastids targeting the β‐Actin (ACT) gene of the Colorado potato beetle (CPB), transplastomic plants can trigger the beetle's RNA interference response to kill the CPB larvae. High expression of dsACT driven by rrn16 promoter (Prrn) in the leaf chloroplasts of transplastomic plants confers strong resistance to CPB. However, there are still residual amounts of dsRNA in the tubers, which are unnecessary for CPB control and may raise a potential food exposure issue.RESULTSIn order to reduce dsRNA accumulation in the tubers while maintaining stable resistance to CPB, we selected two promoters (PrbcL and PpsbD) from potato plastid‐encoded rbcL and psbD genes and compared their activities with Prrn promoter for dsRNA synthesis in the leaf chloroplasts and tuber amyloplasts. We found that the dsACT accumulation levels in leaves of transplastomic plants St‐PrbcL‐ACT and St‐PpsbD‐ACT were significantly reduced when compared to St‐Prrn‐ACT, but they still maintained high resistance to CPB. By contrast, a few amounts of dsACT were still accumulated in the tubers of St‐PrbcL‐ACT, whereas no dsACT accumulation in tubers was detectable in St‐PpsbD‐ACT.CONCLUSIONWe identified PpsbD as a useful promoter to reduce dsRNA accumulation in potato tubers while maintaining the high resistance of the potato leaves to CPB. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
SDHI resistance in Pyrenophora teres f teres and molecular detection of novel double mutations in sdh genes conferring high resistance
Authors: Sautua Francisco José , Carmona Marcelo Aníbal 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDNet blotch (NB), caused by Pyrenophora teres f. teres (Ptt), is an important disease of barley worldwide. NB control is commonly achieved through the use of fungicide mixtures including strobilurins, triazoles and carboxamides. Succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHI) are important components of fungicide management programs of barley diseases. However, during the last growing seasons in Argentina, barley fields sprayed with mixtures containing SDHI fungicides have shown failures in NB control. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of Argentine Ptt strains resistant to SDHI fungicides.RESULTSCompared against a sensitive (wild‐type) reference strain collected in 2008, all 21 Ptt isolates collected in 2021 exhibited resistance to pydiflumetofen and fluxapyroxad both in vitro and in vivo. Concordantly, all of them presented target‐site mutations in any of the sdhB, sdhC and sdhD genes. Although the mutations detected have been previously reported in other parts of the world, this study documents for the first time the occurrence of double mutations in the same Ptt isolate. Specifically, the double mutation sdhC‐N75S + sdhD‐D145G confers high resistance to SDHI fungicides, while the double mutations sdhB‐H277Y + sdhC‐N75S and sdhB‐H277Y + sdhC‐H134R confer moderate levels of resistance in Ptt.CONCLUSIONSSDHI‐resistance in Argentine Ptt populations is expected to increase. These findings emphasize the urgent need to perform a wider survey and a more frequent monitoring of SDHI sensitivity of Ptt populations and to develop and implement effective antiresistance tactics. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Theoretical study on the electronic properties and quantum capacitance ofZr2CO2MXenewith atomic swap
Authors: Yin She‐Hui , Cui Xing‐Hao , Li Xiao‐Hong , Wang Shi‐Jie , Zhang Rui‐Zhou , Cui Hong‐Ling , Yan Hai‐Tao 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMXenes have the excellent electrochemical properties as electrode of supercapacitors. Using density functional theory, we investigated the electronic properties and quantum capacitance of Zr2CO2with atomic swap. The atomic swap results in the appearance of Frenkel‐type defect and Schottky defect. The negative binding energy confirms the stability of the studied systems. The atomic swap makes ZrC1, ZrC2, ZrO1, ZrO2, CO2 systems maintain the indirect semiconductor character, and CO2 system has the direct semiconductor character. The thermionic emission performance of Zr2CO2MXene is greatly improved by atomic swap. ZrO1 and ZrO2 systems in aqueous system are appropriate anode materials. The wide voltage has little effect on the electrode type for perfect Zr2CO2, ZrO1, ZrO2, CO1, and CO2 systems, but changes ZrC1 and ZrC2 systems from cathode material in aqueous system to anode material in ionic/organic system. The work function and effective mass are also explored.
Genetic variants of G‐protein coupled receptors associated with pubertal disorders
Authors: Suzuki Erina , Miyado Mami , Kuroki Yoko , Fukami Maki 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe human hypothalamic–pituitary‐gonadal (HPG) axis is the regulatory center for pubertal development. This axis involves six G‐protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) encoded by KISS1R, TACR3, PROKR2, GNRHR, LHCGR, and FSHR.MethodsPrevious studies have identified several rare variants of the six GPCR genes in patients with pubertal disorders. In vitro assays and animal studies have provided information on the function of wild‐type and variant GPCRs.Main FindingsOf the six GPCRs, those encoded by KISS1R and TACR3 are likely to reside at the top of the HPG axis. Several loss‐of‐function variants in the six genes were shown to cause late/absent puberty. In particular, variants in KISS1R, TACR3, PROKR2, and GNRHR lead to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in autosomal dominant, recessive, and oligogenic manners. Furthermore, a few gain‐of‐function variants of KISS1R, PROKR2, and LHCGR have been implicated in precocious puberty. The human HPG axis may contain additional GPCRs.ConclusionThe six GPCRs in the HPG axis govern pubertal development through fine‐tuning of hormone secretion. Rare sequence variants in these genes jointly account for a certain percentage of genetic causes of pubertal disorders. Still, much remains to be clarified about the molecular network involving the six GPCRs.
Finite‐time sub‐optimal control design for control affine nonlinear systems
Authors: Yao Jie , Xin Ming 
Published: April 2023

AbstractA finite‐time suboptimal control strategy named technique is proposed for the control of a class of control‐affine nonlinear dynamic systems in this study. The nonlinear dynamic is expressed as a pseudo‐linear form without linearization. By adding vanishing perturbation terms into the quadratic cost functional and using a power series to represent the co‐state, an approximate solution to the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equation can be obtained through solving a differential Riccati equation offline and a series of linear Lyapunov equations with analytical solutions. The obtained suboptimal controller is in a state feedback closed‐form. By tuning the parameters in the perturbation terms, semi‐global stability can be guaranteed. In contrast to the finite‐time state‐dependent Riccati equation technique, the proposed method does not need intensive and iterative numerical computations, which facilitates real‐time implementation. Two examples are utilized to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of this proposed technique.