bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activation of eIF4E‐binding‐protein‐1 rescues mTORC1‐induced sarcopenia by expanding lysosomal degradation capacity
Authors: Crombie Elisa M. , Kim Seonyoung , Adamson Stuart , Dong Han , Lu Tzu‐Chiao , Wu Yiju , Wu Yajun , Levy Yotam , Stimple Nolan , Lam Wing Moon R. , Hey Hwee Weng D. , Withers Dominic J. , Hsu Ao‐Lin , Bay Boon Huat , Ochala Julien , Tsai Shih‐Yin 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundChronic mTORC1 activation in skeletal muscle is linked with age‐associated loss of muscle mass and strength, known as sarcopenia. Genetic activation of mTORC1 by conditionally ablating mTORC1 upstream inhibitor TSC1 in skeletal muscle accelerates sarcopenia development in adult mice. Conversely, genetic suppression of mTORC1 downstream effectors of protein synthesis delays sarcopenia in natural aging mice. mTORC1 promotes protein synthesis by activating ribosomal protein S6 kinases (S6Ks) and inhibiting eIF4E‐binding proteins (4EBPs). Whole‐body knockout of S6K1 or muscle‐specific over‐expression of a 4EBP1 mutant transgene (4EBP1mt), which is resistant to mTORC1‐mediated inhibition, ameliorates muscle loss with age and preserves muscle function by enhancing mitochondria activities, despite both transgenic mice showing retarded muscle growth at a young age. Why repression of mTORC1‐mediated protein synthesis can mitigate progressive muscle atrophy and dysfunction with age remains unclear.MethodsMice with myofiber‐specific knockout of TSC1 (TSC1mKO), in which mTORC1 is hyperactivated in fully differentiated myofibers, were used as a mouse model of sarcopenia. To elucidate the role of mTORC1‐mediated protein synthesis in regulating muscle mass and physiology, we bred the 4EBP1mt transgene or S6k1 floxed mice into the TSC1mKO mouse background to generate 4EBP1mt‐TSC1mKO or S6K1‐TSC1mKO mice, respectively. Functional and molecular analyses were performed to assess their role in sarcopenia development.ResultsHere, we show that 4EBP1mt‐TSC1mKO, but not S6K1‐TSC1mKO, preserved muscle mass (36.7% increase compared with TSC1mKO, P < 0.001) and strength (36.8% increase compared with TSC1mKO, P < 0.01) at the level of control mice. Mechanistically, 4EBP1 activation suppressed aberrant protein synthesis (two‐fold reduction compared with TSC1mKO, P < 0.05) and restored autophagy flux without relieving mTORC1‐mediated inhibition of ULK1, an upstream activator of autophagosome initiation. We discovered a previously unidentified phenotype of lysosomal failure in TSC1mKO mouse muscle, in which the lysosomal defect was also conserved in the naturally aged mouse muscle, whereas 4EBP1 activation enhanced lysosomal protease activities to compensate for impaired autophagy induced by mTORC1 hyperactivity. Consequently, 4EBP1 activation relieved oxidative stress to prevent toxic aggregate accumulation (0.5‐fold reduction compared with TSC1mKO, P < 0.05) in muscle and restored mitochondrial homeostasis and function.ConclusionsWe identify 4EBP1 as a communication hub coordinating protein synthesis and degradation to protect proteostasis, revealing therapeutic potential for activating lysosomal degradation to mitigate sarcopenia.
Effects of HMW‐GSs at Glu‐B1 locus on starch–protein interaction and starch digestibility during thermomechanical processing of wheat dough
Authors: Peng Pai , Wang Xiaolong , Liao Mei , Zou Xiaoyang , Ma Qianying , Zhang Xiaoke , Hu Xinzhong 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe composition of glutenin protein significantly affects protein–starch interactions and starch digestion characteristics in wheat dough matrices. To elucidate the effects of high molecular weight glutenin subunits at the Glu‐B1 locus on dough processing quality, the detailed structural changes of protein, starch, and their complexes were compared in Mixolab dough samples of two near isogenic lines 7 + 8 and 7 + 9.ResultsThe results showed that the degree of protein aggregation increased continuously during dough processing, as did the destruction and rearrangement of the gluten network. Compared to 7 + 8, the stronger and more stable protein network formed in 7 + 9 dough induced intensive interactions between protein and starch, primarily through hydrogen bonds and isomeric glycosidic bonds. In 7 + 9 dough, the more compact and extensive protein–starch network significantly inhibited starch gelatinization during dough pasting, while during the dough cooling stage [from C4 (82.8 °C) to C5 (52.8 °C)], more protein–starch complexes composed of monomeric proteins and short‐chain starch were generated, which remarkably inhibited starch retrogradation. All protein–starch interactions in the 7 + 9 dough improved the starch digestion resistance, as reflected by the high content of resistant starch.ConclusionThe more extensive and intensive protein–starch interactions in the 7 + 9 dough inhibited the gelatinization and enzymatic hydrolysis of starch, thereby producing more slowly digestible starch and resistant starch. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of optimizing the texture and digestibility of wheat‐based food products by regulating the behavior and interactions of proteins and starch during dough processing. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Influence of land use and different plant residues on isotopic carbon distribution of total and water extractable organic matter in an incubation experiment with weathered tropical soil
Authors: da Silva Silézio Ferreira , Spaccini Riccardo , de Rezende Carlos Eduardo , Canellas Luciano Pasqualoto 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIn weathered tropical soils, the inherent pedoclimatic characteristics strengthen the role of soil organic matter (SOM) pools within the carbon cycle for both forest and agricultural ecosystems. The fast SOM turnover and the humid climate hasten the impact of land use and emphasize the importance of water extractable organic matter (WEOM) on soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. The goal of this study was to determine the short‐term dynamics of bulk SOM and WEOM pool in weathered Brazilian soil, as conditioned by both land use and type of plant inputs. To this aim we used the appraisal of the natural δ13C‐OC signature to follow the variation of SOC pools and to overcome the analytical issues related to low OC concentration of WEOM fractions. In a one‐year laboratory incubation, soil samples from a natural forest and an adjacent site under sugarcane monoculture were amended with either forest litter or sugarcane straw to evaluate SOM and WEOM dynamics. The bulk SOM was mainly affected by inherited conditions rather than on the organic amendments. The incorporation of sugarcane residues in the forest site produced a partial replacement of the original SOC, while the amendments to the cultivated soil promoted a stable increase in SOC. The analysis of WEOM highlighted its influence as a reactive pool in the short‐term SOM dynamics. The δ13C variation of WEOM from cultivated soil corroborated the significant ponderal rate of OC input from forest litter that accounted for 22% of total dissolved carbon. Unexpected evidence on the shift of isotopic dilution between SOC pools indicates that the evaluation of δ13C to determine the origin of the SOC fraction should be conservatively adopted. The results outline that the steady state of SOM in forest systems may undergo a rapid decline with limited counteracting effects of exogenous OM inputs. Conversely, OC depleted agricultural soils may benefit from organic amendments, thus acting as an effective sink for SOC accumulation.
Tunable On‐Chip Terahertz Isolator Based on Nonreciprocal Transverse Edge Spin State of Asymmetric Magneto‐Plasmonic Waveguide
Authors: Zhao Dan , Fan Fei , Tan Zhiyu , Wang Hao , Chang Shengjiang 
Published: November 2022

AbstractTerahertz (THz) isolators are crucial to one‐way transmission in THz application systems. However, it is still challenging to implement THz isolators with integrated structure and tunable characteristics. Herein, a THz isolator based on a magneto‐plasmonic waveguide (MPWG) has been demonstrated. In this InSb‐air‐metal asymmetric waveguide, the plasmonic band gap is excited and thermally tuned by surface plasmons. Moreover, under weak external magnetic fields (EMFs), magneto‐plasmons excite nonreciprocal transverse edge spin states, which break the time‐reversal symmetry of the MPWG and lead to a pair of isolation bandgaps that only allow one‐way transmission. The experimental results of both broadband time‐domain spectrum system and single‐frequency system confirm this isolator can achieve more than 20 dB isolation and only 4 dB insertion loss. More importantly, its isolation can be actively modulated by EMFs from 0 to 0.23 T, and also realize broadband tuning of over 1 THz frequency range by controlling the temperature from 80 to 280 K. This topological edge band structure of transverse spin states and its active manipulation mechanism are helpful to deepen the understanding of nonreciprocal plasmon propagation, and this broadband tunable THz on‐chip isolator is significant to urgently apply in strong THz sources and ultra‐sensitive detectors.
A novel tissue mechanics‐based method for improved motion tracking in quasi‐static ultrasound elastography
Authors: Kheirkhah Niusha , Dempsey Sergio , Sadeghi‐Naini Ali , Samani Abbas 
Published: November 2022

AbstractPurposeMost cancers are associated with biological and structural changes that lead to tissue stiffening. Therefore, imaging tissue stiffness using quasi‐static ultrasound elastography (USE) can potentially be effective in cancer diagnosis. USE techniques developed for stiffness image reconstruction use noisy displacement data to obtain the stiffness images. In this study, we propose a technique to substantially improve the accuracy of the displacement data computed through ultrasound tissue motion tracking techniques, especially in the lateral direction.MethodsThe proposed technique uses mathematical constraints derived from fundamental tissue mechanics principles to regularize displacement and strain fields obtained using Global Ultrasound Elastography (GLUE) and Second‐Order Ultrasound Elastography (SOUL) methods. The principles include a novel technique to enforce (1) tissue incompressibility using 3D Boussinesq model and (2) deformation compatibility using the compatibility differential equation. The technique was validated thoroughly using metrics pertaining to Signal‐to‐Noise‐Ratio (SNR), Contrast‐to‐Noise‐Ratio (CNR) and Normalized Cross Correlation (NCC) for four tissue‐mimicking phantom models and two clinical breast ultrasound elastography cases.ResultsThe results show substantial improvement in the displacement and strain images generated using the proposed technique. The tissue‐mimicking phantom study results indicate that the proposed method is superior in improving image quality compared to the GLUE and SOUL techniques as it shows an average axial strain SNR and CNR improvement of 44% and 63%, and lateral strain SNR and CNR improvement of 130% and 435%, respectively. The results of the phantom study also indicate higher accuracy of displacement images obtained using the proposed technique, including improvement ranges of 7–84% and 26–140% for axial and lateral displacement images, respectively. For the clinical cases, the results indicate average improvement of 48% and 64% in SNR and CNR, respectively, in the axial strain images, and average improvement of 40% and 41% in SNR and CNR, respectively, in the lateral strain images.ConclusionThe proposed method is very effective in producing improved estimate of tissue displacement and strain images, especially with the lateral displacement and strain where the improvement is highly remarkable. While the method shows promise for clinical applications, further investigation is necessary for rigorous assessment of the method's performance in the clinic.
Investigating the influence of plasma treated polyethylene powder, carbon fibers in enhancing the mechanical properties of polymer composites using rotomoulding method
Authors: Sumesh Keerthiveettil Ramakrishnan , Ghanem Zoya , Spatenka Petr , Jenikova Zdenka 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIn this research, rotomoulded samples of polyethylene (PE) were mechanically tested to find better applications. The mold was kept in an oven at 260°C with forced convection. Total fabrication time depended on peak internal air temperature (PIAT) used with 200, 220 and 240°C to confirm the fabrication conditions. The plasma treatment of PE and recycled carbon fiber (CF) was used for the improvement of properties. Maximum tensile strength (TS) of 23.1 MPa was observed in 10 wt% CF/PE composites. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) results revealed good mechanical interlocking with higher chemical interaction of carbon fiber of up to 10 wt% with plasma polyethylene leading to good mechanical properties in the composites. Flexural strength (FS) of 19.98–26.02 MPa in the properties was observed plasma treated in the PE with CF (3–10 wt%) combination. Agglomeration in the carbon fiber lowered flexural properties of 13, 15 wt% filler with both plasma and non‐plasma PE. The CF (3–10 wt%) with plasma PE showed enhanced impact strength (IS) from 6.84 to 8.64 KJ/m2. Maximum TS, FS and IS were observed with peak internal air temperature (PIAT) of 200°C. Surface images showed even distribution of fiber and resin in the plasma treated matrix in 5 wt% CF combinations. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results do not show fluctuations in the melting and crystallization temperatures of the samples after plasma treatment.
A cable‐driven highly compact single port laparoscopic surgical robot with sequentially inserted arms
Authors: Yang Jianlin , Sun Zhijun , Chen Jinyan , Guo Yu 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe single port surgical robot causes only one incision and brings many benefits to patients. It is very challenging to design a single port surgical robot that causes a smaller incision than current products.MethodsThis paper presents a highly compact single port laparoscopy surgical robot, which makes full use of the space of the port and only needs a 15 mm‐diameter port. The robot is composed of a camera manipulator and two operating manipulators. The non‐fully cylindrical manipulators enter the port sequentially, and the equivalent diameter of each operating manipulator is 12 mm. An additional 9 mm‐diameter channel is left for other surgical tools to pass through after all manipulators entering the port.ResultsThe kinematics model of the robot is established, including detailed forward kinematics model and inverse kinematics solution based on geometric iteration method. The teleoperation experiment shows that the manipulator can complete the object‐grasping, object‐transfer and weight‐lifting tasks.ConclusionsThe proposed single port surgical robot design concept can also be extended to the field of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgical robots.
Learning about an academic statistical consulting center through data
Authors: Niu Xiaoyue 
Published: November 2022

SummaryWhat does an academic statistical consulting center look like? What missions does it fulfill? Who are the clients and what kind of help are they getting? We collected 8 years of data of all consultation meetings in a consulting center at a land‐grant university. In this article, we demonstrate how the collected data could be used to learn about the daily operation in a consulting center, how various scientific fields use statistics, and changes over the years. We offer some practical guidance for academic consulting centers on how to evaluate their effectiveness and impact using appropriate metrics and data.
Assessment of the Properties of Modified Pearl Millet Starch
Authors: John B Anu , Jeyan J. V. Muruga Lal , NT Jyothi , Kumar Abhinav 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe starch from pearl millet is sequestered and modified using acidic, hydrothermal, and enzymatic processes. The yield, protein, moisture, ash, swelling power, solubility, color, water binding capacity, bulk density, sediment volume, gel consistency, freeze‐thaw stability, pasting capabilities, and paste clarity of native and different modified starches are characterized. Both the swelling power and solubility increase as a result of hydrothermal modification (HTMS). For acid and enzymatically modified starches (EMS), L value is greater. For acid modified starch (AMS) and EMS, a substantial decrease (p < 0.05) in residue volume and water binding aptitude is noted. All adjustments see a drop in peak viscosity values. However, the freeze‐thaw stability and paste clarity of EMS and AMS are enhanced.
Co‐exposure to molybdenum and cadmium triggers pyroptosis and autophagy byPI3K/AKTaxis in duck spleens
Authors: Chu Xuesheng , Dai Xueyan , Pu Wenjing , Guo Huiling , Huang Gang , Huang Bingyan , Cui Ting , Zhang Caiying 
Published: November 2022

AbstractExcessive amounts of molybdenum (Mo) and cadmium (Cd) are toxicant, but their combined immunotoxicity are not clearly understood. To estimate united impacts of Mo and Cd on pyroptosis and autophagy by PI3K/AKT axis in duck spleens, Mo or/and Cd subchronic toxicity models of ducks were established by feeding diets with different dosages of Mo or/and Cd. Data show that Mo or/and Cd cause oxidative stress by increasing MDA concentration, and decreasing T‐AOC, CAT, GSH‐Px and T‐SOD activities, restrain PI3K/AKT axis by decreasing PI3K, AKT, p‐AKT expression levels, which evokes pyroptosis and autophagy by elevating IL‐1β, IL‐18 concentrations and NLRP3, Caspase‐1, ASC, GSDME, GSDMA, NEK7, IL‐1β, IL‐18 expression levels, promoting autophagosomes, LC3 puncta, Atg5, LC3A, LC3B, LC3II/LC3I and Beclin‐1 expression levels, and reducing expression levels of P62 and Dynein. Furthermore, the variations of abovementioned indexes are most pronounced in co‐treated group. Overall, results reveal that Mo or/and Cd may evoke pyroptosis and autophagy by PI3K/AKT axis in duck spleens. The association of Mo and Cd exacerbates the changes.
Evaluation of zoledronate for the treatment of canine stage III osteosarcoma: A phase II study
Authors: Smith Ashley A. , Lindley Stephanie E.S. , Almond Greg T. , Bergman Noelle S. , Matz Brad M. , Smith Annette N. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundGreater than 90% of dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma will develop pulmonary metastasis despite the standard of care. Available treatments have limited efficacy for stage III disease. Zoledronate, a bisphosphonate, induces apoptosis of canine osteosarcoma cells and appears to modulate the tumour microenvironment.ObjectivesThis prospective, single institutional phase IIa trial investigated the use of single agent zoledronate in dogs with pulmonary metastases from osteosarcoma.MethodsZoledronate was administered once monthly, and thoracic radiographs were used to assess response.ResultsEleven dogs were enrolled. Stable disease was achieved in two of eight dogs available for response assessment. The median progression‐free survival was 28 days (range: 4–93 days). The median stage III‐specific survival time was 92 days. Adverse events were reported in four dogs; two dogs developed grade III or higher toxicities. Notable adverse events included conjunctivitis, fever, hypocalcaemia, and hypophosphatemia.ConclusionsZoledronate appears to have limited efficacy as a single agent for stage III osteosarcoma and may be associated with unexpected toxicity in this population. This clinical trial was registered on the AVMA Animal Health Studies Database (AAHSD004396).
Development and molecular dynamics simulation of green natural rubber composites with modified sisal microcrystalline cellulose
Authors: Chen Dongming , Huang Bin , Wang Zhen , Zheng Zijian , Li Zhenlu , Zhou Hua , Li Dacheng , Ye Liangdong , Huang Zhiyi , Li Shanrong , Li Ziwei , Lu Shaorong 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIn this study, green composites were prepared using natural rubber (NR) as the matrix and the sisal microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as the filler. Three modifying agents oleic acid (OA), γ‐aminopropyltriethoxylsilane (KH550), and bis‐γ‐(triethoxysilylpropyl)‐tetrasulfide (Si69) were individually tested to modify the MCC to improve the interfacial compatibility of the NR and MCC. Combined with modern instrumental analysis technology and molecular dynamics simulation, the reinforcing effect and microscopic mechanism of modified MCC on NR were analyzed. The structure–activity relationship of NR and MCC composites was further revealed, and the interaction between the two components was clarified. At the same time, the reinforcing and compatibilizing effect of three kinds of modified MCC in NR matrix were also revealed. The results showed that the properties of NR/Mod‐MCC composites were better than those of NR/MCC composites, where NR/OA‐MCC presented the highest tensile strength, followed by NR/Si69‐MCC. In addition, NR/Si69‐MCC exhibited higher elongation at break and NR/KH550‐MCC exhibited higher vulcanization characteristics. Molecular model systems were constructed through molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the interactions between the three modified cellulose molecules and the NR molecules. OA‐cellulose has a better interaction with NR than KH550‐cellulose and Si69‐cellulose, The simulation results were consistent with the experimental results.
Intracerebral foreign body: A needle in a dog's brain
Authors: Lehner László , Czeibert Kálmán 
Published: November 2022

AbstractAn 8‐year‐old Maltese dog was referred for surgery due to an intracranial foreign body. The dog had been hit by a car and had experienced three generalised tonic‐clonic seizures. Examination by computed tomography revealed an intracranial metallic object oriented in a vertical direction. The ventral end protruded by 2 mm, in close proximity to the temporomandibular joint. Furthermore, moderate bilateral ventricular dilatation was observed. During the surgery, object removal was initially attempted via the oral cavity, but due to deep coverage by the neighbouring tissues, a rostrotentorial craniotomy was subsequently chosen to remove the foreign body from the brain. The foreign body was identified as a sewing needle. Postoperative computed tomography revealed that the intracranial part of the needle had been removed completely, leaving only the extracranial part, which had become detached from the rest of the needle. Antiepileptic drugs have been continued postoperatively, and the dog is currently symptom‐free.
COP26 and the dynamics of anti‐fossil fuel norms
Authors: van Asselt Harro , Green Fergus 
Published: November 2022

AbstractNotwithstanding the clear contribution of fossil fuel production and consumption to global greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuels have remained largely outside the focus of the international regime established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The 2021 Glasgow Climate Change Conference (COP26) marked an important change, however, with fossil fuels featuring prominently in the intergovernmental negotiations as well as on the side‐lines of the conference. Here we discuss these developments as a site for contestations around “anti‐fossil fuel norms.” We argue that anti‐fossil fuel norms are increasingly being adopted and institutionalized. However, ongoing contestation among proponents and opponents of measures to tackle fossil fuels raises important questions over the specific content of emerging norms, the role of the fossil fuel industry in climate governance, the extent to which these norms “fit” with their broader normative context, and the conditions of North–South cooperation in which such norms are to be implemented.This article is categorized under:
Policy and Governance > International Policy Framework
Policy and Governance > Private Governance of Climate Change