bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The appearance of phagocytic microglia in the postnatal brain of Niemann Pick type C mice is developmentally regulated and underscores shortfalls in fine odor discrimination
Authors: Rava Alessandro , La Rosa Piergiorgio , Palladino Giampiero , Dragotto Jessica , Totaro Antonio , Tiberi Jessica , Canterini Sonia , Oddi Sergio , Fiorenza Maria Teresa 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe loss of NPC1 or NPC2 function results in cholesterol and sphingolipid dyshomeostasis that impairs developmental trajectories, predisposing the postnatal brain to the appearance of pathological signs, including progressive and stereotyped Purkinje cell loss and microgliosis. Despite increasing evidence reporting the activation of pro‐inflammatory microglia as a cardinal event of NPC1 disease progression at symptomatic stages both in patients and preclinical models, how microglia cells respond to altered neurodevelopmental dynamics remains not completely understood. To gain an insight on this issue, we have characterized patterns of microglia activation in the early postnatal cerebellum and young adult olfactory bulb of the hypomorphic Npc1nmf164 mouse model. Previous evidence has shown that both these areas display a number of anomalies affecting neuron and glial cell proliferation and differentiation, which largely anticipate cellular changes and clinical signs, raising our interest on how microglia interplay to these changes. Even so, to separate the contribution of cues provided by the dysfunctional microenvironment we have also studied microglia isolated from mice of increasing ages and cultured in vitro for 1 week. Our findings show that microglia of both cerebellum and olfactory bulb of Npc1nmf164 mice adopt an activated phenotype, characterized by increased cell proliferation, enlarged soma size and de‐ramified processes, as well as a robust phagocytic activity, in a time‐ and space‐specific manner. Enhanced phagocytosis associates with a profound remodeling of gene expression signatures towards gene products involved in chemotaxis, cell recognition and engulfment, including Cd68 and Trem2. These early changes in microglia morphology and activities are induced by region‐specific developmental anomalies that likely anticipate alterations in neuronal connectivity. As a proof of concept, we show that microglia activation within the granule cell layer and glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb of Npc1nmf164 mice is associated with shortfalls in fine odor discrimination.
Prenatal alcohol exposure and child sleep problems: A family‐based quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Lund Ingunn Olea , Ystrom Eivind 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundWe examine whether associations between prenatal exposure to hazardous maternal alcohol consumption during the first trimester of pregnancy and sleep problems in young children represent a causal association.MethodsThe population‐based sample consists of 15,911 mothers with 30,395 offspring from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) and the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN). Women self‐reported pre‐pregnancy alcohol consumption and consumption during the first trimester of pregnancy twice: at gestational weeks 17 and 30. Mothers reported their children's sleep problems, when they were 1.5 and 3 years (mean = 50; SD = 10). We tested models adjusting for (1) measured confounders, (2) unmeasured familial risk factors by sibling design, and (3) maternal hazardous drinking in the 3 months prior to pregnancy as an instrumental variable within the sibling design.ResultsChildren of mothers with hazardous drinking during the first trimester were at increased risk of sleep problems at 1.5 (β = 1.14, 95%CI 0.04–2.25) and 3 (β = 2.86, 95%CI 1.85–3.87) years of age. These associations were reduced to close to zero and non‐significant at 1.5 (β = −0.32, 95%CI −1.91–1.26) and 3 (β = 0.06, 95%CI −1.56–1.64) years when controlling for both familial and measured environmental risk factors.ConclusionsThere is a moderate association between maternal hazardous drinking during pregnancy and offspring sleep problems up to age three. This association is explained by risk factors differing between families and does not reflect a cause‐effect relationship.
Cross neutralization of SARS‐CoV‐2 omicron subvariants after repeated doses of COVID‐19 mRNA vaccines
Authors: Luczkowiak Joanna , Rivas Gonzalo , Labiod Nuria , Lasala Fátima , Rolo Marta , Lora‐Tamayo Jaime , Mancheno‐Losa Mikel , Rial‐Crestelo David , Pérez‐Rivilla Alfredo , Folgueira María Dolores , Delgado Rafael 
Published: November 2022

AbstractWe have measured the humoral response to messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines in COVID‐19 naïve and convalescent individuals. Third doses of mRNA COVID‐19 vaccines induced a significant increase in potency and breadth of neutralization against SARS‐CoV‐2 variants of concern (VoC) including Omicron subvariants BA.1, BA.2, and BA.2.12.1, that were cross‐neutralized at comparable levels and less for BA.4/5. This booster effect was especially important in naïve individuals that only after the third dose achieved a level that was comparable with that of vaccinated COVID‐19 convalescents except for BA.4/5. Avidity of RBD‐binding antibodies was also significantly increased in naïve individuals after the third dose, indicating an association between affinity maturation and cross neutralization of VoC. These results suggest that at least three antigenic stimuli by infection or vaccination with ancestral SARS‐CoV‐2 sequences are required to induce high avidity cross‐neutralizing antibodies. Nevertheless, the circulation of new subvariants such as BA.4/5 with partial resistance to neutralization will have to be closely monitored and eventually consider for future vaccine developments.
Design of a stable single sided 11T static random access memory cell with improved critical charge
Authors: Sachdeva Ashish 
Published: November 2022

AbstractRadiation‐induced soft errors are becoming a key challenge in satellite‐based communication. The worst‐hit component of such devices is static random‐access memory bit‐cells, owing to their high density, large area, and low‐operating voltage. The unsuitability of conventional 6T SRAM for this purpose is ascertained by weak stability constraints, higher variability during process variations, and less tolerance capability in such a harsh environment. In this work, we have presented an improved, feedback charge‐boosted, and read decoupled 11 transistors based (FC11T) SRAM cell. Its performance is assessed by comparing it with other low power, high stability, and soft‐error‐immune SRAM cells, namely, Asymmetric 8T (AS8T), Quatro 10T, PPN based 10T (PP10T), and loop cutting 10T (LC10T) cells over various design metrics. The attained observations establish that the proposed FC11T shows 1.13×/1.38×/0.90×/1.04×/1.03× improvement in critical charge compared to 6T/PP10T/AS8T/Quatro10T/LC10T cell. The read access time of proposed FC11T cell is reduced by 1.31×/1.17×/1.31×/1.41×/1.01× compared to 6T/PP10T/AS8T/Quatro10T/LC10T cell. The proposed cell further strengthens read stability by 1.97×/0.98×/1.91×/1.24×/1× when equated to 6T/PP10T/AS8T/Quatro10T/LC10T cell. Improved Inter‐cell and Intra‐cell soft error ratios represent improved soft error mitigation capability of the proposed 11T cell over 0.5 to 1 V supply voltage and 27 to 125 C temperature variation range. In addition to this, the proposed 11T cell also shows improved read stability and writability.
Development of late spring–early summer rainstorms in southern East Asia from the eastward propagating mid‐tropospheric cyclones of South Asia
Authors: Chen Tsing‐Chang , Tsay Jenq‐Dar , Matsumoto Jun , Black Amanda S. , Chen Jau‐Ming 
Published: November 2022

AbstractFrom mid‐May to late June, the eastward propagation of some mid‐tropospheric cyclones (MTCs) originating in the Bay of Bengal (BOB)‐Burma (BUM) region across northern Indochina and southwest China to East Asia are observed. From 1979 to 2016, 137 MTCs were identified for the BOB‐BUM region. Eighty‐eight MTCs were trapped over northern Indochina, but 49 were propagated by the southwesterly flow of the BOB mid‐tropospheric trough to reach East Asia. Thirty‐one moved across Taiwan, but 18 did not. Eventually, all these MTCs moved to Okinawa. The former group of rainstorms produced rainfall ≥100 mm·day−1 over Taiwan, while 44 rainstorms generated rainfall ≥50 mm·day−1 over Okinawa. The 49 eastward propagating through‐Indochina MTCs exhibited the following salient features: (a) initial formation mostly occurred in the mid‐troposphere ahead/within the BOB trough in the morning over the BOB, but in the afternoon‐evening over BUM. (b) The eastward propagating BOB‐BUM MTCs underwent two descending processes: descending one mandatory level 6 hr after formation, and descending again from 700 to 925 hPa over southeastern China to interact with a low‐level cyclonic shear flow. (c) Intensified (weakened) by dipole anomalous circulation cells, the confluent monsoon southwesterly flow west (east) of Taiwan facilitated the merger of the MTC with a local front. (d) Rainfall produced by rainstorms over Taiwan/Okinawa was maintained by the intensified convergence of water vapour flux toward Taiwan/Okinawa. This hydrological process was stronger toward Taiwan than Okinawa and generated more rainfall in the former region. The impact of the BOB‐BUM MTC on East Asian weather is confirmed by this study.
Evaluation of ERA5, ERA‐Interim, JRA55 and MERRA2 reanalysis precipitation datasets over the Poyang Lake Basin in China
Authors: Li Xiangxiang , Qin Xiaochen , Yang Jun , Zhang Yizhi 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIncreasing variability of precipitation induced by climate change raises uncertainties for ecosystem services and agricultural production in the Poyang Lake Basin (PLB), China. Reanalysis precipitation datasets (RPDs) are attractive alternatives for monitoring the hydro‐climate cycles. However, their applicability in China has mainly been evaluated at the national scale, while less attention has been paid to the PLB or southeastern China. Here, we apply various metrics to evaluate the magnitude and spatial similarity of annual, monthly, different intensities and the spatial structure of precipitation from four reanalysis—the fifth global atmospheric analysis dataset of the European Center for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) (ERA5), Interim ECMWF Reanalysis (ERA‐Interim), Japanese 55‐year Reanalysis project (JRA55) and Modern‐Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA‐2), against the rain‐gauges over the PLB during 1980–2018. The results showed that the detection capacity of ERA5 and MERRA2 shifted around 2002, whereas that of ERA‐Interim and JRA55 did not substantially change. Before 2002, ERA‐Interim had the lowest biases for the magnitude of annual, monthly and different intensities of precipitation (except for heavy rain), while ERA5 and MERRA2 had strengths in capturing spatial correlation. Notably, ERA5 and MERRA2 had region‐wide wet and dry biases, respectively, before 2002, which can be attributed mainly to the estimation of flood season precipitation (from April to June) and heavy rain. In contrast, the fractional contribution of light–moderate rain was underestimated and overestimated by ERA5 and MERRA2, respectively. However, after 2002, because of the improved reproducibility of flood season precipitation and heavy rain magnitude, the systematic biases of ERA5 and MERRA2 significantly decreased, especially for ERA5, which outperformed other RPDs on all aspects of precipitation. The conclusions of this paper suggest that the variation of applicability over time should be seriously tested before the utilization of RPDs in hydro‐climate analyses.
Genotypic variation in the tolerance to moderate cadmium toxicity among 20 maize genotypes with contrasting root systems
Authors: Wu Yujie , An Tingting , Gao Yamin , Kuang Qiqiang , Liu Shuo , Liang Liyan , Xu Bingcheng , Zhang Suiqi , Deng Xiping , Chen Yinglong 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDCadmium (Cd) contamination in farmland is a serious environmental and safety issue affecting plant growth, crop productivity, and human health. This study aimed to investigate genotypic variation in root morphology and Cd accumulations under moderate Cd stress among diverse maize genotypes. Twenty maize genotypes with contrasting root systems were assessed for Cd tolerance 39 days after transplanting (V6, six‐leaf stage) under 20 μmol L−1 CdCl2 using a semi‐hydroponic phenotyping platform in a glasshouse.RESULTSCadmium stress significantly inhibited plant growth across all genotypes. Genotypic variation in response to Cd toxicity was apparent: shoot dry weight varied from 0.13 (genotype NS2020) to 0.35 g plant−1 (Dongke301) with deductions up to 63% compared with non‐Cd treatment (CK). Root dry weight of 20 genotypes ranged from 0.06 (NS2020) to 0.18 g plant−1 (Dongke301) with a deduction up to 56%. Root length ranged from 2.21 (NS590b) to 9.22 m (Dongke301) with a maximal decline of 76%. Cadmium‐treated genotypes generally had thicker roots and average diameter increased by 34% compared with CK. Genotypes had up to 3.25 and 3.50 times differences in shoot and root Cd concentrations, respectively. Principal component and cluster analyses assigned the 20 genotypes into Cd‐tolerant (five genotypes) and Cd‐sensitive (15 genotypes) groups.CONCLUSIONSMaize genotypes varied significantly in response to moderate Cd stress. Cadmium‐tolerant genotypes optimized root morphology and Cd accumulation and distribution. This study could assist in the selection and breeding of new cultivars with improved adaptation to Cd‐contaminated soil for food and feed or land remediation purposes. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Regression of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma after the development of pembrolizumab‐induced bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Iinuma Shin , Hayashi Kei , Ishida‐Yamamoto Akemi 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBullous pemphigoid is a rare complication of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. We report a case of pembrolizumab‐induced bullous pemphigoid in a patient with malignant melanoma and concomitant cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma that regressed. A 77‐year‐old woman with metastatic malignant melanoma and a 3‐year history of a growing skin nodule on her left calf was treated with pembrolizumab. Histopathological examination of the skin nodule established the diagnosis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Seven months after the initiation of pembrolizumab treatment, the patient developed bullous pemphigoid. Discontinuation of pembrolizumab and initiation of oral prednisolone resulted in the resolution of the skin blisters. Additionally, complete response of the metastatic malignant melanoma was noted after pembrolizumab treatment. Furthermore, the cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma completely resolved after the development of bullous pemphigoid. This case supports the hypothesis that the development of bullous pemphigoid is indicative of a sufficient antitumor response after immunotherapy.
Formation mechanism and sustainable productivity impacts of non‐grain croplands: Evidence from Sichuan Province, China
Authors: Liang Xinyuan , Jin Xiaobin , Liu Jing , Yin Yanxing , Gu Zhengming , Zhang Junyi , Zhou Yinkang 
Published: November 2022

AbstractNon‐grain cropland is a typical phenomenon with some common characteristics globally. As the most populous country, China's non‐grain cropland threatens global food supply stability and affects food production sustainability under the current complex situation of international food security. This paper used Sichuan Province, China, to explore the formation mechanism of non‐grain cropland and its potential impact on sustainable productivity, given the regional environment complexity and socioeconomic representativeness. High‐precision land survey data were used to detect multiscale non‐grain influencing factors and discuss non‐grain impacts on soil state to fill the knowledge gap on microlevel development of non‐grain issues. Results show that rotation type is the region's most abundant and widely distributed cropland type, accounting for about 59.38% of the total cropland area; the second is abandonment type. Urbanization indicators are the common factors affecting the non‐grain spatial distribution on the global scale; environmental variables' impact on non‐grain shows significant differences in geographical locations on the local scale. Overall, cash type and intercrop type aim at improving production conditions. Rotation type and fallow type mostly occur in areas with low production capacity and are prominently driven by policies. Abandonment type is subject to terrain constraints, production conditions, and social economy. Additionally, non‐grain trends have not caused significant damage to soil sustainable productivity except for the positive promotion of field biodiversity. Non‐grain cropland can be divided into three clusters according to the corresponding average soil fertility state, rotation, intercrop, cash, abandonment, and fallow. Policymakers must implement specific policies for different cropland types and formulate more refined farming management plans.
Analysis of penetration depth and healing process of a needleless laser lancet using swept‐source optical coherence tomography
Authors: Mun Do Hyun , Chung Phil‐Sang , Woo Seung Hoon , Eom Joo Beom 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesNeedleless laser lancets have been used to reduce needle pain in people who undertake self‐monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). Although clinical trials have been conducted to understand the degree of pain associated with the developed laser blood sampling device, it is only judged by the patients’ subjective judgment. This study aimed to analyze the performance and healing process of a needleless laser lancet. In particular, the penetration depth and healing process of a conventional lancet and a needleless laser lancet were quantitatively analyzed using a swept‐source optical coherence tomography (SS‐OCT) system.Materials and MethodsTo reduce unnecessary animal sacrifice, pig skin was used to establish and set the conditions for needleless laser lancets (wavelength of 2.94 μm; LMT‐5000; Lameditech), and the penetration depth and healing process were quantitatively assessed at 0, 6, 9, and 16 h after laser (energy, 150–270 mJ in stages; voltage, 7.4 Vdc; pulse width, approximately 200 microsecond) irradiation using 7‐week‐old male BALB/c nude mice. The penetration depth and healing process were measured using homemade SS‐OCT, and histopathological examination was performed to observe the healing process.ResultsFour 7‐week‐old male BALB/c nude mice were tested at intensity levels of 1–3 using a needleless laser lancet and compared with the experimental values using a conventional lancet. After the lancet test, the diameter and depth of the puncture were measured using SS‐OCT and the healing process was confirmed using SS‐OCT and pathological slides. The puncture diameter of the needleless laser lancet was about 0.5 mm regardless of the level. In addition, the average depths at Levels 1, 2, and 3 of the measured needleless laser lancet were approximately 1.05, 1.18, and 1.52 mm, respectively, and the last common lancet was approximately 0.9 mm. In addition, the healing process of the needleless laser lancet and conventional lancet was confirmed through the SS‐OCT system.ConclusionAfter using the needleless laser lancet, quantitative indicators such as the diameter of puncture, penetration depth, and healing process were confirmed through two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional images of the homemade SS‐OCT system and microscopic imaging of pathological slides.
POR overexpression induces tamoxifen‐resistance in breast cancer through the STAT1/c‐Myc pathway
Authors: Chen Si , Wu Dingjie , Liu Qiannan , Jin Feng , Yao Fan , Fang Yue 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBreast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Although tamoxifen (TAM), a selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator, is widely used to treat ER‐positive breast cancers, resistance to TAM remains a major clinical problem. NADPH‐dependent cytochrome P450 reductase (POR) is known to participate in drug metabolism and steroid metabolism. Recent studies showed that high POR expression was correlated with poor outcomes in triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC), and POR might be a prognostic biomarker in TNBC. However, the role of POR in TAM resistance is still elusive. In this study, we found that high POR expression was associated with poor prognosis of ER‐positive and TAM‐treated breast cancer patients. In addition, COX analysis showed that POR expression was an independent prognostic biomarker for ER‐positive as well as TAM‐treated breast cancer patients. Furthermore, our results suggested that POR overexpression promoted TAM resistance by activating the STAT1/c‐Myc pathway in ER‐positive breast cancer cells. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that high POR/STAT1 expression was correlated with poor prognosis in TAM‐treated breast cancer patients. Notably, combined treatment with TAM and a specific STAT1 inhibitor Fludarabine was more effective for inhibiting TAM‐resistant breast cancer cells. Altogether, our findings suggested that POR overexpression induced TAM resistance through STAT1/c‐Myc pathway and might serve as an independent prognostic biomarker in TAM‐treated breast cancer patients. Combining TAM and STAT1 inhibitors might be an effective strategy for treating POR‐induced TAM‐resistant breast cancer.
A 4.5–7.5 GHz highly integrated transceiver front‐end for UWB application
Authors: Hu Jianquan , Ma Kaixue 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIn this letter, a 4.5–7.5 GHz highly integrated transceiver front‐end, incorporating two single‐pole three‐throw (SP3T) transmit/receive (T/R) switches, a low‐noise amplifier (LNA), a power amplifier (PA), and a bypass path for UWB positioning and communication systems applications, is reported. The mode switches among transmitting, receiving, and bypass are achieved by utilizing two control voltages through integrating a 2–4 decoder. Meanwhile, to ensure low‐power dissipation in different modes, the LNA and PA work in different modes (enable or disable) for transmitting and receiving status while both the LNA and PA are disabled for bypass mode. Fabricated by using 0.5‐μm GaAs pHEMT process, the presented FEM achieves 20‐dB gain, and 2.5‐dB typical noise figure for receiving mode, 8‐dB gain, and 16‐dBm OP1dB for transmitting mode, and 1.8 dB insertion loss for bypass mode, with a compact chip area of 1.5 mm × 1.7 mm. To the best of authors' knowledge, the presented circuits are the highest integrated and smallest chip area transceiver front‐end for UWB application among all previously reported UWB‐related RF front‐end chips.