bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of CD226 is upregulated on Tr1 cells from neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients
Authors: Chen Ping , Wu Mingmei , Wang Ning , Xia Feng , Du Fang , Liu Zhirong , Wang Jinchun , Jin Jingyi , Jin Boquan , Zhao Gang , Chen Lihua , Yi Jing , Fang Liang 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundNeuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a central and acute demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with unusual clinical course. The development of novel biomarkers for NMOSD is critical for implementing effective clinical treatment. CD226 is known to be expressed on many types of peripheral lymphoid cells. However, the expression level and function of CD226 on type 1 T regulatory (Tr1) cells during NMOSD is unknown.MethodsEighteen patients with NMOSD and 10 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the test group to probe the difference of CD226 expression on Tr1 cells using flow cytometric analysis.ResultsThe expression of CD226 on Tr1 cells exhibited significantly increased tendency in NMOSD patients. Additionally, methylprednisolone and rituximab treatment decreased the expression of CD226 on Tr1 cells. Furthermore, the expression of CD226 on Tr1 cells was correlated with disease severity.ConclusionThis study provides a new basic insight into CD226 expression pattern on Tr1 cells, which have great potential to be biomarkers for monitoring the development and treatment of NMOSD.
Molecular landscape and therapeutic alterations in Asian soft‐tissue sarcoma patients
Authors: Gan Meifu , Zhang Chen , Qiu Liqing , Wang Yue , Bao Hua , Yu Ruoying , Liu Rui , Wu Xue , Shao Yang , Hou Peifeng , Fei Zhenglei 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundSoft‐tissue sarcoma (STS) is a rare solid malignant tumor with numerous histologic subtypes. Current studies on targeted therapy for STS are in preclinical and early‐phase trials. Genomic differences largely influence the prognosis of patients even with the same subtype. To investigate the genomic alterations (GAs) and the potential of targeted therapy in STS, we analyzed the genomic landscape, the therapeutic GAs, and biomarkers of immunotherapy in Chinese STS patients.MethodsTargeted sequencing covering 425 genes was performed, from which we obtained the results of tissue samples from 351 Chinese STS patients of all ages covering different histologic subtypes. Bioinformatics analysis of altered genes with nonsynonymous mutations, copy‐number variations, and gene fusions were performed. OncoKB therapeutic GAs and relevant biomarkers including TMB, MSI, and HRD were further examined for potential targeted therapy.ResultsIn total, 2743 GAs were identified in 330 genes with a median of 6 (1–38) per case. The top 11 frequently altered genes were: TP53, MCL1, MDM2, CDK4, MYC, CDKN2A, GNAS, RB1, ATRX, CDKN2B, and FGFR1. OncoKB defined therapeutic GAs were found in 23 genes in 43% of the patients. In general, 9.4% of the patients had high‐TMB, 2.8% had MSI, and 13.7% had HRD. A significant difference in the percentage of patients with OncoKB therapeutic GAs were observed between the most frequent two subtypes, leiomyosarcoma and liposarcoma. Altogether, 54% of the patients had the potential to respond to a targeted therapy.ConclusionThis study indicated the potential efficacy of targeted therapy on many STS patients, and also provided insight for novel precision therapy. The clinical efficacy of combining targeted therapy and immunotherapy can be further investigated.
Minimal residual disease assessment of papillary thyroid carcinoma through circulating tumor cell‐based cytology
Authors: Innaro Nadia , Gervasi Rita , Ferrazzo Teresa , Garo Nastassia C. , Curto Lucia S. , Lavecchia Annamaria , Aquila Isabella , Donato Giuseppe , Malara Natalia 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe overall estimated risk of recurrence after an apparently complete thyroid cancer resection ranges from <1% to 55%, and the high‐quality pathology report is crucial for proper risk stratification. The neck ultrasound (US) and serum thyroglobulin (Tg) and anti‐Tg antibody (TgAb) assays are the mainstays for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (DTC) follow‐up. However, the neck US includes a high frequency of nonspecific findings and despite the serum, Tg unmasks the presence of thyrocytes, it is not discriminating between normal and malignant cells. In this study, to improve post‐surgery follow‐up of minimal residual disease in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients, blood‐derived cytology specimens were evaluated for the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). The presence of CTCs of thyroid origin was confirmed by cytomorphological and tissue‐specific antigens analysis (Thyroid Transcription Factor‐1/TTF‐1 and Tg) and proliferative profile (percentage of cells in S‐phase). Our data revealed an unfavorable’ prognostic risk in patients with >5% CTCs (p = 0.09) and with >30% S‐phase cells at baseline (p = 0.0015), predicting ≤1 year relapsing lesion event. These results suggest a new intriguing frontier of precision oncology forefront cytology‐based liquid biopsy.
Nitrogen Disturbance Awakening the Intrinsic Activity of Nickel Phosphide for Boosted Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Yang Caixia , Wang Zhiqiang , Li Zhendong , Pan Yichen , Jiang Linwei , Li Caicai , Wang Chao , Sun Qingfeng 
Published: May 2022

AbstractNickel phosphide (Ni2P) has emerged as a promising candidate to substitute Pt‐based catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to the hydrogenase‐like catalytic mechanism and concomitantly low cost. However, its catalytic activity is still not comparable to that of noble‐metal‐based catalysts, and innovative strategies are still urgently needed to further improve its performance. Herein, a self‐supported N‐doped Ni2P on Ni foam (N−Ni2P/NF) was rationally designed and fabricated through a facile NH4H2PO2‐assisted gas‐solid reaction process. As an HER catalyst in alkaline medium, the obtained N−Ni2P/NF revealed excellent electrocatalytic performance with a distinctly low overpotential of 50 mV at 10 mA cm−2, a small Tafel slope of 45 mV dec−1, and long‐term stability for 25 h. In addition, the spectroscopic characterizations and density functional theory calculations confirmed that the incorporation of N regulated the original electronic structure of Ni2P, enhanced its intrinsic catalytic property, optimized the Gibbs free energy of reaction intermediates, and ultimately promoted the HER process. This work provides an atomic‐level insight into the electronic structure modulation of metal phosphides and opens an avenue for developing advanced transition metal phosphides‐based catalysts.
Association of alcohol drinking with incident type 2 diabetes and pre‐diabetes: The Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study
Authors: Li Mei Jiao , Ren Jing , Zhang Wei Sen , Jiang Chao Qiang , Jin Ya Li , Lam Tai Hing , Cheng Kar Keung , Thomas G. Neil , Xu Lin 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAimsWe examined associations of baseline alcohol drinking with incident type 2 diabetes (T2D) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and explore whether the associations were modified by genetic polymorphisms of aldehyde dehydrogenase‐2 (ALDH2) and alcohol dehydrogenase‐1B (ADH1B).Materials and methodsAll participants were aged 50+ (mean = 60.45; standard deviation = 6.88) years. Information of alcohol consumption was collected at baseline from 2003 to 2008. Incident T2D was defined as fasting glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L or post‐load glucose ≥11.1 mmol/L at follow‐up examination (2008–2012), self‐reported T2D and/or initiation of hypoglycaemia medication or insulin during follow‐up. Impaired fasting glucose was defined as fasting glucose ≥5.6 mmol/L and <7 mmol/L.ResultsOf 15,716 participants without diabetes and 11,232 participants without diabetes and IFG at baseline, 1624 (10.33%) developed incident T2D and 1004 (8.94%) developed incident IFG during an average 4 years of follow‐up. After multivariable adjustments, compared with never drinking, occasional or moderate alcohol drinking was not associated with risk of incident hyperglycaemia (T2D + IFG) (odds ratio (OR) = 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.95–1.27, and 0.90 (0.69–1.18), respectively), whereas heavy alcohol drinking was associated with a higher risk of incident hyperglycaemia (T2D + IFG) (OR = 1.82, 95% CI 1.24–2.68). No interactions of sex, overweight/obesity and genetic polymorphisms of ADH1B/ALDH2 genes with alcohol drinking on incident T2D and/or IFG were found (P for interaction from 0.12 to 0.85).ConclusionsOur results support a detrimental effect of heavy alcohol use on IFG and T2D. No protective effect was found for those carrying lower risk alleles for ADH1B/ALDH2 genes.
Whole plant traits of coastal dune vegetation and implications for interactions with dune dynamics
Authors: Walker Shannon L. , Zinnert Julie 
Published: May 2022

AbstractCoastal dunes are important protective features against sea level rise and coastal storms. Interactions between dune plant aboveground structures and sediment trapping that allow for dune building and maintenance are well established. More recently, studies documenting belowground biomass for promoting erosion resistance in dominant dune species have been conducted, yet a knowledge gap remains regarding species‐specific characterization of whole plants, specifically with respect to roots, rhizomes, and belowground stems. Our objective was to quantify above‐ and belowground traits of four dominant dune grasses to document the potential for species‐specific effects on dune growth, maintenance, and erosion resistance. We examined above‐ and belowground traits among four prominent dune grasses of the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of North America: Ammophila breviligulata, Panicum amarum, Spartina patens, and Uniola paniculata. Whole plant samples of each species were collected from the foredune at the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center's Field Research Facility in Duck, North Carolina, USA, and quantified for several above‐ and belowground traits (e.g., stem height, rhizome number and length, root surface area by diameter class, root tensile strength, and mycorrhizal percent infection). Belowground factors known to impact important dune processes, such as rhizome length, mycorrhizal percent infection, and root traits, differed substantially among species. When visualized in multivariate space, all species significantly differed in suites of above‐ and belowground traits. When considering belowground only, Ammophila and Spartina were similar, despite differences in biomass allocation. Species separated along axes related to mycorrhizal association, biomass allocation, and root construction. The four co‐occurring dune grass species were dissimilar in suites of plant traits. Belowground trait differences were driven by those describing root construction, biomass allocation, and mycorrhizal infection. Dissimilarity in above‐ and belowground suites of traits may demonstrate different approaches for surviving the dune environment. Incorporating belowground traits into modeling will enhance predictions of dune response to climate change through interactions between vegetation and dune dynamics that facilitate coastal resistance and resilience.
Seedlot Selection Tool and Climate‐Smart Restoration Tool: Web‐based tools for sourcing seed adapted to future climates
Authors: St.Clair John Bradley , Richardson Bryce A. , Stevenson‐Molnar Nikolas , Howe Glenn T. , Bower Andrew D. , Erickson Vicky J. , Ward Brendan , Bachelet Dominique , Kilkenny Francis F. , Wang Tongli 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe Seedlot Selection Tool and Climate‐Smart Restoration Tool are web‐based tools designed to match seedlots with planting sites assuming that seedlots are adapted to the past climates in which they evolved, primarily with respect to temperature and aridity. The tools map the climatic match of seedlots with the past or projected climates of planting sites. The challenge is that future climates are a moving target, which means that seedlots must be adapted to the near‐term climates as well as the climates of the mid‐ to late‐21st century. Because climate projections are uncertain, the prudent approach is to aim for the warmest climate that may be expected while ensuring that seedlots moved from warmer to colder locales are not moved so far that they risk cold damage. Uncertainty in climate projections may be mitigated by ensuring genetic diversity through mixing seed sources and having collections from many parents per seed source. Three examples illustrate how to effectively use the web tools: (1) choosing seedlots targeting different future climates for a mid‐elevation Douglas‐fir site in the Washington Cascades, (2) finding current and future seed sources for restoration of big sagebrush after fires in the Great Basin and Snake River Plain, and (3) planning to ensure that a Douglas‐fir seed inventory includes seedlots suitable for future climates in western Oregon and Washington.
Inflammasome activation in end‐stage heart failure‐associated atrial fibrillation
Authors: Kugler Szilvia , Onódi Zsófia , Ruppert Mihály , Sayour Alex Ali , Oláh Attila , Benke Kálmán , Ferdinandy Péter , Merkely Béla , Radovits Tamás , Varga Zoltán V. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAimsInflammatory pathways are increasingly recognized as an important factor in the pathophysiology of both heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is no data about inflammation‐related histological and molecular alterations in HF‐associated AF. The objective of our study was to investigate inflammatory pathways and fibrosis in end‐stage HF‐associated AF.Methods and resultsLeft atrial samples of 24 male patients with end stage ischemic HF undergoing heart transplantation were analysed. Twelve patients suffered from sustained AF while the others had no documented AF. The expression of inflammasome sensors and their downstream signalling were investigated by Western blot. No differences were observed in the expression of inflammasome sensors between the two groups, while cleaved caspase‐1 increased tendentiously in the AF group (P = 0.051). Cleaved caspase‐1 also showed significant correlation with the expression of interleukin‐1β and its cleaved form in the total population and in the AF group (P < 0.05). The presence of myocardial and epicardial macrophages were assessed by ionized calcium‐binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) immunostaining. Number of macrophages showed a tendency towards elevation in the left atrial myocardium and epicardium of AF compared with SR group. The amount of total and interstitial fibrosis was determined on Masson's trichrome‐stained sections. Histological assessment revealed no difference between AF and SR groups in the amount of either total or interstitial fibrosis.ConclusionsThis is the first study on inflammation‐related differences between HF with SR or AF showing elevated inflammasome activity and enhanced macrophage infiltration in left atrial samples of patients with AF.
Multi‐variable biomarker approach in identifying incident heart failure in chronic kidney disease: results from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort study
Authors: Janus Scott E. , Hajjari Jamal , Chami Tarek , Mously Haytham , Badhwar Anshul K. , Karnib Mohamad , Carneiro Herman , Rahman Mahboob , Al‐Kindi Sadeer G. 
Published: May 2022

AimsHeart failure (HF) is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the ever‐growing population of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). There is a need to enhance early prediction to initiate treatment in CKD. We sought to study the feasibility of a multi‐variable biomarker approach to predict incident HF risk in CKD.Methods and resultsWe examined 3182 adults enrolled in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) without prevalent HF who underwent serum/plasma assays for 11 blood biomarkers at baseline visit (B‐type natriuretic peptide [BNP], CXC motif chemokine ligand 12, fibrinogen, fractalkine, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, myeloperoxidase, high‐sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT), fibroblast growth factor 23 [FGF23], neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin, fetuin A, aldosterone). The population was randomly divided into derivation (n = 1629) and validation (n = 1553) cohorts. Biomarkers that were associated with HF after adjustment for established HF risk factors were combined into an overall biomarker score (number of biomarkers above the Youden's index cut‐off value). Cox regression was used to explore the predictive role of a biomarker panel to predict incident HF. A total of 411 patients developed incident HF at a median follow‐up of 7 years. In the derivation cohort, four biomarkers were associated with HF (BNP, FGF23, fibrinogen, hsTnT). In a model combining all four biomarkers, BNP (hazard ratio [HR] 2.96 [95% confidence interval 2.14–4.09]), FGF23 (HR 1.74 [1.30–2.32]), fibrinogen (HR 2.40 [1.74–3.30]), and hsTnT (HR 2.89 [2.06–4.04]) were associated with incident HF. The incidence of HF increased with the biomarker score, to a similar degree in both derivation and validation cohorts: from 2.0% in score of 0% to 46.6% in score of 4 in the derivation cohort to 2.4% in score of 0% to 43.5% in score of 4 in the validation cohort. A model incorporating biomarkers in addition to clinical factors reclassified risk in 601 (19%) participants (352 [11%] participants to higher risk and 249 [8%] to lower risk) compared with clinical risk model alone (net reclassification improvement of 0.16).ConclusionA basic panel of four blood biomarkers (BNP, FGF23, fibrinogen, and hsTnT) can be used as a standalone score to predict incident HF in patients with CKD allowing early identification of patients at high‐risk for HF. Addition of biomarker score to clinical risk model modestly reclassifies HF risk and slightly improves discrimination.
Mixed‐Ligand Metal‐Organic Frameworks: Synthesis and Characterization of New MOFs Containing Pyridine‐2,6‐dimethanolate and Benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate Ligands
Authors: Mylonas‐Margaritis Ioannis , Mayans Júlia , Efthymiou Constantinos G. , McArdle Patrick , Papatriantafyllopoulou Constantina 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe development of synthetic approaches towards new mixed‐ligand metal organic frameworks (MOFs) has been attracting considerable attention recently as they display fascinating properties due to the synergistic effect between the different ligands. Herein, the initial combination of pyridine‐2,6‐dimethanol (H2pdm) with benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid (H2bdc) has provided access to three new mixed‐ligand MOFs, [M3(bdc)2(Hpdm)2]n (MII=ZnII, 1; MnII, 2) and [Mn3(bdc)3(H2pdm)2]n (3). 1–3 are the first MOFs containing H2pdm in its neutral or anionic form. 1 and 2 are isostructural 2D MOFs with a square lattice (sql) framework topology, while 3 is a 3D MOF possessing a primitive cubic (pcu) topology. Dc magnetic susceptibility measurements for 3 demonstrate antiferromagnetic interactions between the MnII ions which is a combination of intra‐ and intertrimer exchange pathways.
1H‐Pyrazole‐Appended Pyridines and Their 1,2,4‐Triazine Precursors: A Rational Synthesis and in silico and in vitro Evaluation of Anti‐Cancer Activity
Authors: Krinochkin Alexey P. , Shtaitz Yaroslav K. , Rammohan Aluru , Butorin Ilya I. , Savchuk Maria I. , Khalymbadzha Igor A. , Kopchuk Dmitry S. , Slepukhin Pavel A. , Melekhin Vsevolod V. , Shcheglova Anna V. , Zyryanov Grigory V. , Chupakhin Oleg N. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAn operationally facile and high yielding one‐pot protocol has been developed for the preparation of pyridines appended with pyrazole via NH linker. This protocol includes SNipso/aza‐Diels‐Alder reactions in up to 54 % yields starting from 1,2,4‐triazine precursors. All the synthesized compounds have been evaluated for their in silico activity against JAK1, SYK, and FAK1 kinases. The most promising compound was tested in vitro using A‐172, Hs578T, and HepG2 cancer cell lines and exhibited considerable cytotoxicity with IC50 values <50 μM in A‐172 and HepG2 cell lines. Anticancer in vitro activity correlates well with the predicted in silico data.
Cobalt‐Catalyzed C(sp2)−O Bond Formation by Directing Group Assisted C−H Activation
Authors: Park Jinhwan , Son Jongwoo 
Published: May 2022

AbstractMetal‐catalyzed Csp2−H oxygenation is a synthetically invaluable transformation that enables the incorporation of synthetically useful functional groups, such as ethers and acetates, using a simple protocol. Compared to the well‐developed palladium catalysis, the catalysis of cobalt, a 3d‐transition metal, is recognized as a sustainable alternative for Csp2−H oxygenation because of the natural abundance of cobalt and cost‐effectiveness of the catalyst. In this Review, recent advances in cobalt‐catalyzed Csp2−H alkoxylation and acetoxylation are highlighted and several types of directing groups are discussed.
Pandemic responses at the subnational level: Exploring politics, administration, and politicization in Swedish municipalities
Authors: Sparf Jörgen , Petridou Evangelia , Granberg Mikael , Becker Per , Onn Beatrice 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe Swedish response to the pandemic at the national level has attracted considerable international attention, but little focus has been placed on the way municipalities dealt with the crisis. Using Hay's dimensions of politicization, namely the capacity for human agency, deliberation in the public domain, and social context, we analyze the politicization of the municipal response to the pandemic in Sweden. We do this based on the analysis of the decision making process to activate (or not) an extraordinary crisis management committee. We find inter alia, that (i) only a quarter of the municipalities activated the committee while a majority of them had an alternate special organization in place; (ii) support to the existing organizational structure was more salient than creating an extraordinary organization, and (iii) a robust municipal structure was deemed to be one able to withstand shocks without resorting to extraordinary governance arrangements. We find a ‘conditioned politicization’ of the response, privileging administration over politics.
Discovery of versatile bat‐shaped acceptor materials for high‐performance organic solar cells ‐ a DFT approach
Authors: Siddique Sabir Ali , Altaf Sadia , Ahmed Ejaz , Naveed Sabiha , Siddique Muhammad Bilal Ahmed , Hussain Riaz , Liu Xin , Rauf Abdul , Arshad Muhammad 
Published: May 2022

SummaryTo address the growing demand for competent photovoltaic materials, the electronic structure, and optoelectronic properties of eight molecules X1 (thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene), X2 (5,5′‐bithiazole), X3 (2,2′‐bithiophene), X4 (furan), X5 (1H‐pyrrole), X6 (furo[3,2‐b]furan), X7 (5‐(1H‐imidazol‐5‐yl)oxazole), X8 (3H,3′H‐4,4′‐biimidazole) designed via π‐spacer modification were investigated by extensive density functional theory (DFT) based calculations. The calculated HOMO‐LUMO energy (Eg) values of these designed molecules are less than alkoxy‐substituted benzothiadiazole and a rhodamine end group reference (R, Eg = 2.55 eV), whereas X8 shows the lowest (Eg = 2.17 eV) suggesting a greater charge transfer rate upon blending with donor polymer PTB7‐Th. The values of open‐circuit voltages for designed molecules are 2.30, 2.52, 2.23, 2.52, 2.37, 2.19, 2.53, and 2.18 V for X1‐X8, respectively, where X3, X6, and X8 shown lower voltages than the reference R (2.30 V). Similarly, the 0.13 eV difference of reorganization energy value of X1 compared to reference R, demonstrates higher charge transfer by X1 due to its lower hole mobility. The findings suggest potentially superior performance of organic solar cells (OSCs) fabricated with the designed molecules (X1‐X8).