bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel magnetic iron–nickel/poly(ethersulfone) mixed matrix membranes for oxygen separation potential without applying an external magnetic field
Authors: Nady Norhan , Salem Noha , Kandil Sherif H. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThis work presents novel magnetic mixed matrix poly(ethersulfone) (PES) membranes that combine the advantages of low-cost common PES polymer and low-cost iron–nickel magnetic alloys. Moreover, the presented magnetic mixed matrix PES membranes were fabricated and used without applying an external magnetic field during either the membrane casting or the separating process. The fabricated magnetic membranes were prepared using the phase inversion technique and N-methylpyrrolidone and N,N‐Dimethylformamide solvents mixture with volumetric ratio 1:9 and Lithium chloride as an additive. The used iron–nickel magnetic alloys were prepared by a simple chemical reduction method with unique morphologies (Fe10Ni90; starfish-like and Fe20Ni80; necklace-like). The fabricated membranes were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Scanning-Transmission Electron Microscope (STEM) imaging, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Thermogravimetric (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Also, static water contact angle, membrane thickness, surface roughness, membrane porosity, membrane tensile strength as well as Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) analysis and oxygen transition rate (OTR) were determined. Moreover, the effect of alloy concentration and using Lithium chloride as an additive on the properties of the fabricated blank PES and magnetic mixed matrix PES membranes were studied. The presented novel magnetic mixed matrix PES membranes have high coercivity up to 106 (emu/g) with 3.61 × 10–5 cm3/cm2·s OTR compared to non-oxygen permeable blank PES membranes. The presented novel magnetic mixed matrix PES membranes have good potential in (oxygen) gas separation.
A disturbed balance between blood complement protective factors (FH, ApoE) and common pathway effectors (C5a, TCC) in acute COVID-19 and during convalesce
Authors: Laudanski Krzysztof , Okeke Tony , Siddiq Kumal , Hajj Jihane , Restrepo Mariana , Gullipalli Damodar , Song Wen-chao 
Published: August 2022

AbstractA complement effect on homeostasis during infection is determined by both cytotoxic (activate complement component 5 (C5a) terminal cytotoxic complex (TCC)), and cytoprotective elements (complement factor H (FH), as well as apolipoprotein E (ApoE)). Here, we investigated the gap in knowledge in their blood milieu during SARS-CoV-2 infection with respect to the viral burden, level of tissue necrosis, and immunological response. 101 patients hospitalized with a PCR-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 had blood collected at H1 (48 h), H2 (3–4 Days), H3 (5–7 days), H4 (more than 7 days up to 93 days). Pre-existing conditions, treatment, the incidence of cerebrovascular events (CVA), a history of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), and mortality was collected using electronic medical records. Plasma C5a, TCC, FH, and ApoE were considered as a complement milieu. Tissue necrosis (HMGB1, RAGE), non-specific inflammatory responses (IL-6, C-reactive protein), overall viral burden (SARS-CoV-2 spike protein), and specific immune responses (IgG, IgA, IgM directed αS- & N-proteins) were assessed simultaneously. C5a remained elevated across all time points, with the peak at 5–7 days. Studied elements of complement coalesced around three clusters: #0 (↑↑↑C5a, ↑↑TCC, ↓↓ApoE), #1 ↑C5a, ↑TCC, ↑↑↑FH); #2 (↑C5a, ↑TCC, ↑FH, ↑↑↑ApoE). The decline in FH and ApoE was a predictor of death, while TCC and C5a correlated with patient length of stay, APACHE, and CRP. Increased levels of C5a (Δ = 122.64; p = 0.0294; data not shown) and diminished levels of FH (Δ = 836,969; p = 0.0285; data not shown) co-existed with CVA incidence. C5a correlated storngly with blood RAGE and HMGB1, but not with viral load and immunological responsiveness. Remdesivir positively affected FH preservation, while convalescent plasma treatment elevated C5a levels. Three clusters of complement activation demonstrated a various milieu of ApoE & FH vs C5a & TCC in COVID-19 patients. Complement activation is linked to increased necrosis markers but not to viral burden or immune system response.
Discovery of anti-Formin-like 1 protein (FMNL1) antibodies in membranous nephropathy and other glomerular diseases
Authors: Bruschi Maurizio , Cavalli Andrea , Moll Solange , Candiano Giovanni , Scapozza Leonardo , Patel Jigar J. , Tan John C. , Lo Ken C. , Angeletti Andrea , Ghiggeri Gian Marco , Prunotto Marco 
Published: August 2022

AbstractEvidence has shown that podocyte-directed autoantibodies can cause membranous nephropathy (MN). In the present work we investigated sera of MN patients using a high-density peptide array covering the whole coding sequences of the human genome encompassing 7,499,126 tiled peptides. A panel of 21 proteins reactive to MN sera were identified. We focused our attention on Formin-like 1 (FMNL1), a protein expressed by macrophages in MN patients tissues. High levels of anti-FMNL1 IgG4 were demonstrated in sera of MN patients with an orthogonal methodology (ELISA) contemporary demonstrating FMNL1 positive cells in kidney co-staining with CD68 in glomeruli. High levels of circulating anti-FMNL1 IgG4 were associated with lack of remission of proteinuria, potentially indicating that autoantibodies directed against cells other than podocytes, involved in tissue repair, might play a role in MN disease progression. High serum levels of anti-FMNL1 IgGs were also observed in other non-autoimmune glomerolonephrites, i.e. idiopathic and genetic FSGS, IgAGN. These findings are suggestive of a broader role of those autoantibodies in other glomerular disease conditions.
A 13-gene signature to predict the prognosis and immunotherapy responses of lung squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Yang Qin , Gong Han , Liu Jing , Ye Mao , Zou Wen , Li Hui 
Published: August 2022

AbstractLung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) comprises 20–30% of all lung cancers. Immunotherapy has significantly improved the prognosis of LUSC patients; however, only a small subset of patients responds to the treatment. Therefore, we aimed to develop a novel multi-gene signature associated with the immune phenotype of the tumor microenvironment for LUSC prognosis prediction. We stratified the LUSC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset into hot and cold tumor according to a combination of infiltration status of immune cells and PD-L1 expression level. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that hot tumors were associated with shorter overall survival (OS). Enrichment analyses of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the hot and cold tumors suggested that hot tumors potentially have a higher immune response ratio to immunotherapy than cold tumors. Subsequently, hub genes based on the DEGs were identified and protein–protein interactions were constructed. Finally, we established an immune-related 13-gene signature based on the hub genes using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator feature selection and multivariate cox regression analysis. This gene signature divided LUSC patients into high-risk and low-risk groups and the former inclined worse OS than the latter. Multivariate cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that the risk model constructed by the 13 prognostic genes was an independent risk factor for prognosis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed a moderate predictive accuracy for 1-, 3- and 5-year OS. The 13-gene signature also performed well in four external cohorts (three LUSC and one melanoma cohorts) from Gene Expression Omnibus. Overall, in this study, we established a reliable immune-related 13-gene signature that can stratify and predict the prognosis of LUSC patients, which might serve clinical use of immunotherapy.
Intense isolated attosecond pulses from two-color few-cycle laser driven relativistic surface plasma
Authors: Mondal Sudipta , Shirozhan Mojtaba , Choudhary Shivani , Nelissen Kwinten , Tzallas Paraskevas , Charalambidis Dimitris , Varjú Katalin , Kahaly Subhendu 
Published: August 2022

AbstractUltrafast plasma dynamics play a pivotal role in the relativistic high harmonic generation, a phenomenon that can give rise to intense light fields of attosecond duration. Controlling such plasma dynamics holds key to optimize the relevant sub-cycle processes in the high-intensity regime. Here, we demonstrate that the optimal coherent combination of two intense ultrashort pulses centered at two-colors (fundamental frequency, $$\omega$$
ω
and second harmonic, $$2\omega$$

2
ω

) can lead to an optimal shape in relativistic intensity driver field that yields such an extraordinarily sensitive control. Conducting a series of two-dimensional (2D) relativistic particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations carried out for currently achievable laser parameters and realistic experimental conditions, we demonstrate that an appropriate combination of $$\omega -2\omega$$

ω
-
2
ω

along with a precise delay control can lead to more than three times enhancement in the resulting high harmonic flux. Finally, the two-color multi-cycle field synthesized with appropriate delay and polarization can all-optically suppress several attosecond bursts while favourably allowing one burst to occur, leading to the generation of intense isolated attosecond pulses without the need of any sophisticated gating techniques.
Pseudoprogression and peritumoral edema due to intratumoral necrosis after Gamma knife radiosurgery for meningioma
Authors: Jung In-Ho , Chang Kyung Won , Park So Hee , Jung Hyun Ho , Chang Jong Hee , Chang Jin Woo , Chang Won Seok 
Published: August 2022

AbstractPeritumoral cerebral edema is reported to be a side effect that can occur after stereotactic radiosurgery. We aimed to determine whether intratumoral necrosis (ITN) is a risk factor for peritumoral edema (PTE) when gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is performed in patients with meningioma. In addition, we propose the concept of pseudoprogression: a temporary volume expansion that can occur after GKRS in the natural course of meningioma with ITN. This retrospective study included 127 patients who underwent GKRS for convexity meningioma between January 2019 and December 2020. Risk factors for PTE and ITN were investigated using logistic regression analysis. Analysis of variance was used to determine whether changes in tumor volume were statistically significant. After GKRS, ITN was observed in 34 (26.8%) patients, and PTE was observed in 10 (7.9%) patients. When postoperative ITN occurred after GKRS, the incidence of postoperative PTE was 18.970-fold (p = 0.009) greater. When a 70% dose volume ≥ 1 cc was used, the possibility of ITN was 5.892-fold (p < 0.001) higher. On average, meningiomas with ITN increased in volume by 128.5% at 6 months after GKRS and then decreased to 94.6% at 12 months. When performing GKRS in meningioma, a 70% dose volume ≥ 1 cc is a risk factor for ITN. At 6 months after GKRS, meningiomas with ITN may experience a transient volume expansion and PTE, which are characteristics of pseudoprogression. These characteristics typically improve at 12 months following GKRS.
The mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis of Rhacophorus rhodopus
Authors: Chen Wei , Qin Haifen , Zhao Zhenkun , Liao Jiahong , Chen Hongzhou , Jiang Lichun , Dayananda Buddhi 
Published: August 2022

AbstractClassification of the genusRhacophorushas been problematic. In particular there has been considerable controversy surrounding the phylogenetic relationships amongRhacophorus rhodopus,R. bipunctatus,andR. reinwardtii. To examine the relationship among theseRhacophorusspecies, we assembled the complete mitochondrial genome sequence ofR. rhodopus. TheR. rhodopusgenome is 15,789 bp in length with 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs) (losing ND5), two ribosomal genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a control region (D-loop). Base composition of the overall sequence was 60.86% for A + T content and 39.14% for C + G content. Most of the PCGs used ATG as a start codon, except for the COX I gene, which used the ATA start codon. COX I and ND6 used AGG and ATP8 stop codons respectively, while ND3 and ND4L used the TAA stop codon. For the remaining seven genes, the stop codons was incomplete. In addition, both 5' and 3' of the control areas had distinct repeating regions. Based on three datasets and two methods (Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML)), we reconstructed three phylogenetic trees to explore the taxonomic status of the species and the phylogenetic relationship amongR. rhodopus,R. bipunctatusandR. reinwardtii. Our results indicated that these three species are non-monophyletic; thus, the phylogenetic relationship among them is complex and difficult to determine. Further,R. rhodopusis divided into three lineages from different parts of China. The twoRhacophorussamples showed very close phylogenetic relationship withR. rhodopus. Our results add to the mitochondrial genome database of amphibians and will help to disentangle the phylogenetic relationships within the Rhacophoridae.
Catheter-related bloodstream infections in infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units: a single center study
Authors: Kochanowicz Julian F. , Nowicka Agnieszka , Al-Saad Salwan R. , Karbowski Lukasz M. , Gadzinowski Janusz , Szpecht Dawid 
Published: August 2022

AbstractSepsis in neonates carries a high morbidity and mortality rate and is among the most feared complications in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) are a common etiology of late-onset sepsis. The aim of this study was to compare risk factors and characteristics between patients according to the type of catheter that was utilized and according to birth weight classification. The study included 51 newborns with confirmed CRBSI, which were hospitalized in our level 3 NICU between January 2017 and December 2018. The study population was stratified according to the type of venous catheter utilized (peripherally inserted central catheter, central venous catheter (CVC), and peripheral venous catheter). Infants with low birth weight and those who required prolonged parenteral nutrition were most likely to develop CRBSI in our study group. The type of venous catheter was not associated with blood culture results. Also, infants with a birth weight of < 1500 g and > 1500 g did not differ in sepsis etiology. Further research is required to assess venous catheters relative risk of causing sepsis and if the outcome can be traced back specifically to catheter type or patient characteristics.
Red blood cell distribution width is associated with increased interactions of blood cells with vascular wall
Authors: Ananthaseshan Sharan , Bojakowski Krzysztof , Sacharczuk Mariusz , Poznanski Piotr , Skiba Dominik S. , Prahl Wittberg Lisa , McKenzie Jordan , Szkulmowska Anna , Berg Niclas , Andziak Piotr , Menkens Hanna , Wojtkowski Maciej , Religa Dorota , Lundell Fredrik , Guzik Tomasz , Gaciong Zbigniew , Religa Piotr 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe mechanism underlying the association between elevated red cell distribution width (RDW) and poor prognosis in variety of diseases is unknown although many researchers consider RDW a marker of inflammation. We hypothesized that RDW directly affects intravascular hemodynamics, interactions between circulating cells and vessel wall, inducing local changes predisposing to atherothrombosis. We applied different human and animal models to verify our hypothesis. Carotid plaques harvested from patients with high RDW had increased expression of genes and proteins associated with accelerated atherosclerosis as compared to subjects with low RDW. In microfluidic channels samples of blood from high RDW subjects showed flow pattern facilitating direct interaction with vessel wall. Flow pattern was also dependent on RDW value in mouse carotid arteries analyzed with Magnetic Resonance Imaging. In different mouse models of elevated RDW accelerated development of atherosclerotic lesions in aortas was observed. Therefore, comprehensive biological, fluid physics and optics studies showed that variation of red blood cells size measured by RDW results in increased interactions between vascular wall and circulating morphotic elements which contribute to vascular pathology.
Water quality assessment of Lugu Lake based on Nemerow pollution index method
Authors: Su Kai , Wang Qin , Li Linxiao , Cao Rong , Xi Yingwei 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn this paper, three monitoring sections were set up in Lugu Lake, and water samples were collected in 2019, 2020, and 2021 for the determination of physical and chemical properties such as permanganate index, chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and so on. By using the single factor pollution index method and the Nemerow pollution index method, the water quality of three monitoring sections and the whole Lugu Lake was assessed, and the temporal and spatial changes of water quality were analyzed. The findings demonstrate that Lugu Lake's overall water quality is excellent, and that it has not altered significantly in three years.The results of evaluating the water quality by the single factor pollution index method show that, in the past three years, the water quality of the three monitoring sections and the whole of Lugu Lake is Category I, which belongs to no pollution, and the measured indicators all meet the water quality standard of Category I. It can be seen from the evaluation results of the Nemerow index method that the water quality pollution index of Lugu Lake is between 0.22 and 0.34 in the past three years and the water quality evaluation of Changdao Bay, Lake center, Zhaojia Bay and the whole are Category I standards in 2019, 2020 and 2021. In terms of time changes, the water quality of Lugu Lake has remained stable between 2019 and 2021, and the water quality has been good. From the perspective of spatial changes, in 2019 and 2020, the water quality in Lake center is better than the monitoring sections of Changdao Bay and Zhaojia Bay.
Biological evaluation, molecular modeling and dynamics simulation of phenanthrenes isolated from Bletilla striata as butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors
Authors: Liu Yi , Tu Yanbei , Kang Yunyao , Zhu Chao , Wu Chuanhai , Chen Gang , Liu Zerong , Li Yanfang 
Published: August 2022

AbstractAs part of our continuous studies on natural cholinesterase inhibitors from plant kingdom, the 95% ethanol extract from tubers of Bletillastriata showed promising butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition (IC50 = 8.6 μg/mL). The extracts with different polarities (petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water) were prepared and evaluated for their inhibition of cholinesterases. The most active ethyl acetate extract was subjected to a bioassay-guided isolation and afforded twenty-two bibenzyls and phenanthrenes (1–22). All isolates were further evaluated for their BChE inhibition activity, and five phenanthrenes presented promising capacity (IC50 < 10 μM). Further kinetic studies indicated their modes of inhibition. Compounds 6, 8, and 14 were found to be mixed-type inhibitors, while compounds 10 and 12 could be classified as non-competitive inhibitors. The potential interaction mechanism of them with BChE was demonstrated by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation, showing that they could interact with catalytic active site and peripheral anionic site of BChE. These natural phenanthrenes provide new scaffold for the further design and optimization, with the aim to discover new selective BChE inhibitors for the treatment of AD.
Efflux dynamics of the antiseizure drug, levetiracetam, through the P-glycoprotein channel revealed by advanced comparative molecular simulations
Authors: Behmard Esmaeil , Barzegari Ebrahim , Najafipour Sohrab , Kouhpayeh Amin , Ghasemi Younes , Asadi-Pooya Ali A. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractUnderstanding the precise mechanistic details of the possible binding and transport of antiseizure medications (ASMs) through the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux pump is essential to find strategies for the treatment of patients with epilepsy resistant to ASMs. In the present work, conventional molecular dynamics, binding free energy calculations, steered molecular dynamics and umbrella sampling were applied to study the interactions of levetiracetam and brivaracetam with P-gp and their possible egress path from the binding site. Comparative results for the control drugs, zosuquidar and verapamil, confirmed their established P-gp inhibitory activity. Brivaracetam, a non-substrate of P-gp, demonstrated stronger static and dynamic interactions with the exporter protein, than levetiracetam. The potential of mean force calculations indicated that the energy barriers through the ligand export were the lowest for levetiracetam, suggesting the drug as a P-gp substrate with facile passage through the transporter channel. Our findings also stressed the contribution of nonpolar interactions with P-gp channel lining as well as with membrane lipid molecules to hamper the ASM efflux by the transmembrane exporter. Appropriate structural engineering of the ASMs is thus recommended to address drug-resistant epilepsy.
A multimodal study regarding neural correlates of the subjective well-being in healthy individuals
Authors: Jung Hye-Yeon , Pae Chongwon , An Iseul , Bang Minji , Choi Tai Kiu , Cho Sung Joon , Lee Sang-Hyuk 
Published: August 2022

AbstractAlthough happiness or subjective well-being (SWB) has drawn much attention from researchers, the precise neural structural correlates of SWB are generally unknown. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the associations between gray matter (GM) volumes, white matter (WM) microstructures, and SWB in healthy individuals, mainly young adults using multimodal T1 and diffusion tensor imaging studies. We enrolled 70 healthy individuals using magnetic resonance imaging. We measured their SWB using the Concise Measure of Subjective Well-Being. Voxel-wise statistical analysis of GM volumes was performed using voxel-based morphometry, while fractional anisotropy (FA) values were analyzed using tract-based spatial statistics. In healthy individuals, higher levels of SWB were significantly correlated with increased GM volumes of the anterior insula and decreased FA values in clusters of the body of the corpus callosum, precuneus WM, and fornix cres/stria terminalis. A correlational analysis revealed that GM volumes and FA values in these significant regions were significantly correlated with severity of psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and quality of life. Our findings indicate that GM volumes and WM microstructures in these regions may contribute to SWB, and could be the neural basis for psychological symptom severity as well as quality of life in healthy individuals.