bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identifying radiation responsive exon-regions of genes often used for biodosimetry and acute radiation syndrome prediction
Authors: Schüle Simone , Ostheim Patrick , Port Matthias , Abend Michael 
Published: June 2022

AbstractGene expression (GE) analysis of FDXR, DDB2, WNT3 and POU2AF1 is a promising approach for identification of clinically relevant groups (unexposed, low- and high exposed) after radiological/nuclear events. However, results from international biodosimetry exercises have shown differences in dose estimates based on radiation-induced GE of the four genes. Also, differences in GE using next-generation-sequening (NGS) and validation with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was reported. These discrepancies could be caused by radiation-responsive differences among exons of the same gene. We performed GE analysis with qRT-PCR using TaqMan-assays covering all exon-regions of FDXR, DDB2, WNT3 and POU2AF1. Peripheral whole blood from three healthy donors was X-irradiated with 0, 0.5 and 4 Gy. After 24 and 48 h a dose-dependent up-regulation across almost all exon-regions for FDXR and DDB2 (4–42-fold) was found. A down-regulation for POU2AF1 (two- to threefold) and WNT3 (< sevenfold) at the 3’-end was found at 4 Gy irradiation only. Hence, this confirms our hypothesis for radiation-responsive exon-regions for WNT3 and POU2AF1, but not for FDXR and DDB2. Finally, we identified the most promising TaqMan-assays for FDXR (e.g. AR7DTG3, Hs00244586_m1), DDB2 (AR47X6H, Hs03044951_m1), WNT3 (Hs00902258_m1, Hs00902257_m1) and POU2AF1 (Hs01573370_g1, Hs01573371_m1) for biodosimetry purposes and acute radiation syndrome prediction, considering several criteria (detection limit, dose dependency, time persistency, inter-individual variability).
Early prediction of functional prognosis in neurofibromatosis type 2 patients based on genotype–phenotype correlation with targeted deep sequencing
Authors: Teranishi Yu , Miyawaki Satoru , Nakatomi Hirofumi , Ohara Kenta , Hongo Hiroki , Dofuku Shogo , Okano Atsushi , Takayanagi Shunsaku , Ota Takahiro , Yoshimura Jun , Qu Wei , Mitsui Jun , Morishita Shinichi , Tsuji Shoji , Saito Nobuhito 
Published: June 2022

AbstractRegardless of treatment, the clinical progression of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), particularly in terms of hearing, swallowing, and gait, tend to worsen throughout the patients’ lives. We performed a retrospective analysis of functional outcomes in Japanese NF2 patients to predict their functional prognosis. We analyzed genotype–phenotype correlation based on genetic data from a cohort of 57 patients with a mean follow-up of 14.5 ± 6.0 years. Their functional outcomes, including hearing, swallowing, and ambulation, were reviewed. Performing a targeted deep sequencing, germlineNF2mutations were identified in 28 patients (49.1%), and mosaic NF2 was identified in 20 patients (20, 35.0%). The functional preservation period and outcome differed significantly depending on clinical/genetic factors. Among these factors, “Truncating”, “Mosaic”, and “Age of symptom onset ≥ 25” had the most significant effects on functional disability. By applying a combination of anNF2mutation type/location, and age of symptom onset, we classified different degrees of functional preservation and progression, schwannoma growth rate and total interventions per year per patient. The prediction of detailed functional outcomes in NF2 patients can plan better strategies for life-long disease management and social integration.
Comparison of the extractability of organophosphorus flame retardants in landfill media using organic and green solvents
Authors: Sibiya Innocentia Velaphi , Okonkwo Okechukwu Jonathan 
Published: June 2022

AbstractOrganic solvents are mainly used in the extraction of organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) because of their availability and having been tested as good extracting solvents for most environmental pollutants. However, organic solvents are toxic, flammable, and costly. Hence, there is an ongoing quest for less hazardous chemicals such as green deep eutectic solvents (DES) that are cheap, recyclable, non-toxic and degradable in the environment, which can be used to extract organic pollutants such as OPFRs in environmental samples. This study assessed the extractability of OPFRs in municipal landfill leachate and sediment, using organic solvents and DES. Of the fourteen targeted OPFRs, 11 (80%) and 7 (50%) were detected in the leachate and sediment samples, using hexane; whereas 14 (100%) and 13 (90%) OPFRs were detected in the same order of samples using DES. The concentrations of OPFRs obtained for the leachate using optimum organic and DES ranged from below the limit of quantification (< LOQ)—516 ± 8.10 ng/L and < LOQ—453 ± 8.10 ng/L respectively. Correspondingly, the concentrations of OPFRs in sediment samples ranged from < LOQ—135 ± 2.89 ng/g dw and < LOQ—395 ± 2.24 ng/g dw, respectively. The results from this study, therefore, highlight the potential of DES to extract more OPFR from complex matrices such as landfill leachate and sediment. This finding infers that green hydrophilic DES can serve as good replacement for organic solvents such as hexane in liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) and solid–liquid extraction (SLE) techniques for landfill leachate and sediment.
Differences in the plasma phospholipid profile of patients infected with tick-borne encephalitis virus and co-infected with bacteria
Authors: Groth Monika , Łuczaj Wojciech , Dunaj-Małyszko Justyna , Skrzydlewska Elżbieta , Moniuszko-Malinowska Anna 
Published: June 2022

AbstractTick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an infectious viral disease, the pathogenesis of which is still not fully understood. Additionally, TBE can be complicated by co-infections with various bacteria that are also transmitted by ticks, which can affect the proper diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate changes in the plasma phospholipid (PL) and ceramide (CER) profile of patients with TBE and patients with bacterial co-infection (B. burgdorferi or A. phagocytophilum) in relation to healthy subjects. For this purpose, a high-resolution LC-QTOF-MS/MS platform as well as univariate and multivariate statistics were used. The results of this study showed that the levels of phosphatidylcholines (PC) and lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC) species were increased in the plasma of patients with TBE and patients with TBE co-infected with bacteria. On the other hand, observed differences in the content of phosphoethanolamines (PE) and sphingomyelins (SM) make it possible to distinguish TBE patients from patients with co-infections. The opposite direction of changes was also observed in the CER content. This study showed significant modifications to the metabolic pathways of linoleic (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA), as confirmed by the quantitative analysis of these fatty acids. The obtained results allow to distinguish the pathomechanism of TBE from TBE with bacterial co-infection, and consequently may improve the diagnostic process and enable more efficient pharmacotherapy against both pathogens.
Effect of remelting heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of SnBi solder under high-speed self-propagation reaction
Authors: Wan Yang , Zhou Longzao , Wu Fengshun 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe heat source based on the self-propagation reaction of Al/Ni thin foil has the characteristics of concentrated heat, fast temperature rise/fall rate and small heat-affected zone; it can complete the melting and solidification crystallization of solder within milliseconds to realize solder interconnection, which can solve the problems of damage to heat-sensitive materials and components caused by monolithic heating of package structure. However, due to the highly non-stationary interconnection process, the resulting microstructure morphology may affect the service performance of the interconnected joints. In view of this, to investigate the post-solder microstructure of solder based on the self-propagation reaction, this paper analyzes the effect of the initial microstructure on the post-solder microstructure by heating 300-μm-thick SnBi solder with a 40-μm Al/Ni thin foil. The results indicated that the short melting time could resulted in the incomplete melting of heterogeneous phases and the non-uniform distribution of elements during the melting process, which had a significant effect on the morphology and composition distribution of the solidified microstructure, as well as the hardness distribution of the melted zone. The above conclusions have the potential to improve the interconnection process based on the self-propagation reaction, which is critical for both theoretical guidance and engineering application.
The efficacy and safety of intravenous tranexamic acid on blood loss during total ankle replacement: a retrospective study
Authors: Tan Gang , Xie Li wei , Yi Shi Jiu , Chen Yu , Liu Xi , Zhang Hui 
Published: June 2022

AbstractOnly a few of studies have reported whether Tranexamic acid (TXA) has the same benefits during total ankle replacement as hip and knee replacements. In our study, we hypothesized that TXA was effective in reducing the perioperative blood loss without increasing the risk of symptomatic venous thromboembolism of patients during total ankle replacement. We retrospectively reviewed 71 patients who underwent total ankle replacement at the foot and ankle surgery center of our institution between January 2017 and May 2021. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they received intravenous tranexamic acid or not. Patients who received intravenous TXA showed significantly lower estimated intraoperative blood loss, hidden blood loss and total blood loss. The early AOFAS score and ROM at the first month follow up of TXA group were better than the NO-TXA group and the incidence of early wound infection and poor healing (< 1 month postoperative) was significant lower than NO-TXA group. Use of TXA was not associated with significant changes in the incidence of postoperative symptomatic venous thromboembolism. We conclude that intravenous TXA can safely and effectively reduce perioperative blood loss and the incidence of early wound infection and poor healing in total ankle replacement, without increasing the risk of symptomatic venous thromboembolism.The application of TXA following total ankle replacement helped improve ankle function and patient quality of life during the early stage.
Real-time single particle characterization of oxidized organic aerosols in the East China Sea
Authors: Liu Zhe , Chen Hui , Li Li , Xie Guangzhao , Ouyang Huiling , Tang Xu , Ju Ruiting , Li Bo , Zhang Renhe , Chen Jianmin 
Published: June 2022

AbstractKnowledge of the chemical characteristics and sources of organic aerosols (OA) over marine is needed for evaluating their effects on climate change and air quality. Here, a quadrupole aerosol chemical speciation monitor (Q-ACSM) and a single-particle aerosol mass spectrometry (SPAMS) were synchronously employed to investigate the chemical composition, mixing state, and oxidation degree of oxidized organic aerosols (OOA) in PM1over the East China Sea (ECS) from 3 to 27 June 2017. Both aerosol mass spectrometers demonstrated that a higher oxidation state of OOA in aerosol particles could be generated during marine air mass-dominated periods (MDP) than that generated during land air mass-dominated periods (LDP). Two OOA factors including semi-volatile oxidized organic aerosol (SV-OOA) and low-volatility oxidized organic aerosol (LV-OOA) were distinguished based on Q-ACSM. Fifty-seven percent of the total detected particles with obvious signals of organic markers were identified as oxidized organic carbon (OOC) particles via SPAMS and further divided into lower oxidized organic carbon (LOOC) particles and more oxidized organic carbon (MOOC) particles. All OOC-containing particles were clustered into seven particle subgroups. The EC and K subgroups dominated the LOOC and MOOC particles, respectively, during periods controlled by land air masses, indicating that notable OOC formation was influenced by continental sources. OOA with higher oxygen states were found to dominate near ports. This suggested that OOA chemical characteristics over the ESC are seriously affected by continental, ship, and port emissions, which should be synergistically considered in evaluating their effects on solar radiation transfer and cloud processes.
An analytic model of the tropical cyclone outer size
Authors: Wang Shuai , Toumi Ralf 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThere are simple conceptual models of tropical cyclone intensification and potential intensity. However, such a framework has been lacking to describe the evolution of the outer circulation. An analytic growth model of the tropical cyclone outer size is derived from the angular momentum equation. The growth model fits a full-physics idealized tropical cyclone simulation. The lifecycle composite of the best-track outer size growth shows a strong super-linear nature, which supports an exponential growth as predicted by the growth model. The climatology of outer size growth measured by the radius of gale-force wind in the North Atlantic and Eastern Pacific during the period 2004–2017, can be understood in terms of four growth factors of the model: the initial size, the growth duration, the mean growth latitude, and the mean top-of-boundary-layer effective local inflow angle. All four variables are significantly different between the two basins. The observed lifetime maximum size follows a lognormal distribution, which is in line with the law of the proportionate effect of this exponential growth model. The growth model fits the observed outer size well in global basins. The time constant of the exponential size growth is approximately equal to the product of the Coriolis parameter and the mean effective inflow angle above the boundary layer. Further sensitivity experiments with the growth model suggest that the interannual variability of the global lifetime maximum size is largely driven by the variation of growth duration.
Symmetry progression and possible polar metallicity in NiPS3 under pressure
Authors: Harms Nathan C. , Matsuoka Takahiro , Samanta Subhasis , Clune Amanda J. , Smith Kevin A. , Haglund Amanda V. , Feng Erxi , Cao Huibo , Smith Jesse S. , Mandrus David G. , Kim Heung-Sik , Liu Zhenxian , Musfeldt Janice L. 
Published: June 2022

Abstractvan der Waals solids are ideal platforms for the discovery of new states of matter and emergent properties under external stimuli. Under pressure, complex chalcogenides like MPS3 (M = Mn, Ni, Co, V) host sliding and structural transitions, insulator-to-metal transitions, the possibility of an orbitally-selective Mott state, piezochromism, and superconductivity. In this work, we bring together diamond anvil cell techniques, infrared and Raman scattering spectroscopies, and X-ray diffraction with a detailed symmetry analysis and first-principles calculations to uncover a series of high-pressure phases in NiPS3. Remarkably, we find five different states of matter between ambient conditions and 39 GPa—quite different than in the other MPS3 materials. Even more strikingly, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction combined with a symmetry analysis reveal both metallicity and loss of the inversion center above ~23 GPa suggesting that NiPS3 may be a polar metal with a P3m1 space group under these conditions and P1 symmetry under maximum compression. In addition to identifying a candidate polar metal ripe for further inquiry, we suggest that pressure may tune other complex chalcogenides into this elusive state.
Electronic friction and tuning on atomically thin MoS2
Authors: Shi Bin , Gan Xuehui , Yu Kang , Lang Haojie , Cao Xing’an , Zou Kun , Peng Yitian 
Published: June 2022

AbstractFriction is an energy dissipation process. However, the electronic contribution to energy dissipation channels remains elusive during the sliding friction process. The friction and dissipation on atomically thin MoS2 with semiconductive characteristics are studied and tuned by the gate-modulated carrier concentration. The electronic contribution to energy dissipation of friction on atomically thin MoS2 was confirmed and regulated through tuning the strength of the electron-phonon coupling. The electron-phonon coupling can be strengthened and depressed to increase and decrease friction by the gate-modulation of the carrier concentration. The fitting of the friction on atomically thin MoS2 and carrier concentration is approximately linear which is in accordance with Langevin equation induced friction. Then the active, dynamical, and repeated tuning of friction on atomically thin MoS2 with semiconductive properties is achieved by the active modulation of carrier concentration with gate voltage. These observations help us to understand the electronic friction in essence, provide a utility approach to tune the friction intelligently on atomically thin two-dimensional materials with semiconductive properties and achieve superlubric properties for the application in various micro-and nanoelectromechanical systems.
Stony coral tissue loss disease decimated Caribbean coral populations and reshaped reef functionality
Authors: Alvarez-Filip Lorenzo , González-Barrios F. Javier , Pérez-Cervantes Esmeralda , Molina-Hernández Ana , Estrada-Saldívar Nuria 
Published: June 2022

AbstractDiseases are major drivers of the deterioration of coral reefs and are linked to major declines in coral abundance, reef functionality, and reef-related ecosystems services. An outbreak of a new disease is currently rampaging through the populations of the remaining reef-building corals across the Caribbean region. The outbreak was first reported in Florida in 2014 and reached the northern Mesoamerican Reef by summer 2018, where it spread across the ~450-km reef system in only a few months. Rapid spread was generalized across all sites and mortality rates ranged from 94% to <10% among the 21 afflicted coral species. Most species of the family Meandrinadae (maze corals) and subfamily Faviinae (brain corals) sustained losses >50%. This single event further modified the coral communities across the region by increasing the relative dominance of weedy corals and reducing reef functionality, both in terms of functional diversity and calcium carbonate production. This emergent disease is likely to become the most lethal disturbance ever recorded in the Caribbean, and it will likely result in the onset of a new functional regime where key reef-building and complex branching acroporids, an apparently unaffected genus that underwent severe population declines decades ago and retained low population levels, will once again become conspicuous structural features in reef systems with yet even lower levels of physical functionality.
Three dimensional reconstruction of the mouse cerebellum in Hedgehog-driven medulloblastoma models to identify Norrin-dependent effects on preneoplasia
Authors: Pokrajac Nenad T. , Gurdita Akshay , Tachibana Nobuhiko , Tokarew Nicholas J. A. , Wallace Valerie A. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractSpontaneous mouse models of medulloblastoma (MB) offer a tractable system to study malignant progression in the brain. Mouse Sonic Hedgehog (Shh)-MB tumours first appear at postnatal stages as preneoplastic changes on the surface of the cerebellum, the external granule layer (EGL). Here we compared traditional histology and 3DISCO tissue clearing in combination with light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) to identify and quantify preneoplastic changes induced by disrupting stromal Norrin/Frizzled 4 (Fzd4) signalling, a potent tumour inhibitory signal in two mouse models of spontaneous Shh-MB. We show that 3DISCO-LSFM is as accurate as traditional histology for detecting Norrin/Fzd4-associated changes in PNL formation in Ptch+/− mice and EGL hyperplasia in Neurod2-SmoA1+/− mice. Moreover, we show that the anti-tumour effect of Norrin/Fzd4 signalling is restricted to the posterior region of the cerebellum and is characterized by defective neural progenitor migration away from the EGL. In conclusion, 3DISCO-LSFM is a valid way to monitor tumour initiation events in mouse MB models and reveals an unanticipated regional restriction of stromal signalling in constraining tumour initiation.
Molecular mechanisms of exceptional lifespan increase of Drosophila melanogaster with different genotypes after combinations of pro-longevity interventions
Authors: Shaposhnikov Mikhail V. , Guvatova Zulfiya G. , Zemskaya Nadezhda V. , Koval Liubov A. , Schegoleva Eugenia V. , Gorbunova Anastasia A. , Golubev Denis A. , Pakshina Natalya R. , Ulyasheva Natalia S. , Solovev Ilya A. , Bobrovskikh Margarita A. , Gruntenko Nataly E. , Menshanov Petr N. , Krasnov George S. , Kudryavseva Anna V. , Moskalev Alexey A. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAging is one of the global challenges of our time. The search for new anti-aging interventions is also an issue of great actuality. We report on the success of Drosophila melanogaster lifespan extension under the combined influence of dietary restriction, co-administration of berberine, fucoxanthin, and rapamycin, photodeprivation, and low-temperature conditions up to 185 days in w1118 strain and up to 213 days in long-lived E(z)/w mutants. The trade-off was found between longevity and locomotion. The transcriptome analysis showed an impact of epigenetic alterations, lipid metabolism, cellular respiration, nutrient sensing, immune response, and autophagy in the registered effect.
Synchronous vegetation response to the last glacial-interglacial transition in northwest Europe
Authors: Engels Stefan , Lane Christine S. , Haliuc Aritina , Hoek Wim Z. , Muschitiello Francesco , Baneschi Ilaria , Bouwman Annerieke , Bronk Ramsey Christopher , Collins James , de Bruijn Renee , Heiri Oliver , Hubay Katalin , Jones Gwydion , Laug Andreas , Merkt Josef , Müller Meike , Peters Tom , Peterse Francien , Staff Richard A. , ter Schure Anneke T. M. , Turner Falko , van den Bos Valerie , Wagner-Cremer Frederike 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe North Atlantic region experienced abrupt high-amplitude cooling at the onset of the Younger Dryas stadial. However, due to chronological uncertainties in the available terrestrial records it is unclear whether terrestrial ecosystem response to this event was instantaneous and spatially synchronous, or whether regional or time-transgressive lags existed. Here we use new palynological results from a robustly dated lake sediment sequence retrieved from lake Hämelsee (north Germany) to show that vegetation change started at 12,820 cal. yr BP, concurrent with the onset of changes in local climate. A comparison of the Hämelsee results to a compilation of precisely dated palynological records shows instant and, within decadal-scale dating uncertainty, synchronous response of the terrestrial plant community to Late-Glacial climate change across northwest Europe. The results indicate that the environmental impact of climate cooling was more severe than previously thought and illustrates the sensitivity of natural terrestrial ecosystems to external forcing.