Science Research Program Research Articles

Comparative Transcriptomic Profiling of Organs Associated With Metabolic Dysfunction in Cancer-Induced Cachexia

Abstract Objectives Approximately 50–80% of cancer patients suffer from cachexia represented by weight loss mainly due to loss of skeletal muscle. Cancer-induced cachexia is a complex metabolic syndrome associated with not only systemic inflammation but also perturbations to energy metabolism. In this study, we profiled gene expression patterns of different organs in CT-26 tumor bearing mice in order to understand metabolic dysfunction in cancer cachexia. Methods The transcriptomic profiles of skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and liver of CT26-tumor bearing mice were generated using SurePrint G3 Mouse Gene Expression 8 × 60 K v2 (Agilent, Inc.). Functional and network analyses were performed using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (QIAGEN). Results We identified 299, 508, and 1,311 genes differentially regulated in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and liver, respectively. In the skeletal muscle, lipid biosynthetic process and mitochondrial electron transport were negatively regulated and network involved in glutamine metabolism was up-regulated. In adipose tissue, tricarboxylic acid cycle was down-regulated and lipid metabolism was associated with several genes including Thrsp, Plvap, and Sphk1. In the liver, regulation of gluconeogenesis was down-regulated, while production of lactic acid and uptake of D-glucose were related with H6pd and Pkm whose expression was up-regulated during cancer cachexia. Furthermore, the top network matched by genes commonly up-regulated in all organs included Bcl3, Csf2rb, Fcgr2a, and Lilrb3, which are known to be associated with inflammation and muscle wasting. Conclusions Our data suggest that skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and liver present distinct gene expression profiles associated with inflammation and energy metabolism and several genes up-regulated in all organs might be candidate biomarkers for the prevention and early detection of cancer cachexia. Funding Sources This work was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education.

Dietary Total Antioxidant Capacity Was Associated With Bone Mass and the Risk of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract Objectives Antioxidant intake has been suggested to be associated with the risk of osteoporosis. However, the effect of dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) on bone health is not clear. The aim of the present study was to assess the hypothesis that dietary TAC was positively associated with bone mass and negatively with the risk of osteoporosis in Korean women. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2008–2011. Dietary TAC was estimated by using task automation technique and algorithm to calculate the theoretical TAC from one day of 24-hour recall data using a TAC database comprising antioxidant capacities of 42 dietary antioxidants, developed for common Korean foods. In total, 8230 women were divided into a postmenopausal and premenopausal group, and each group was subdivided into four groups according to quartiles of dietary TAC. Multiple regression analysis was performed to assess relationships between dietary TAC with bone mass and the risk of osteoporosis risk. Results Dietary TAC was negatively associated with the risk of osteoporosis (odds ratio: 0.73, 95% confidence interval: 0.54–0.99; p-trend = 0.045) in postmenopausal women, but not in premenopausal women. Dietary TAC was positively associated with bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density of the femoral neck and lumbar spine in postmenopausal women, and BMC of total femur and lumbar spine in premenopausal women. Conclusions The present study suggested that dietary TAC was inversely associated with the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, and positively associated with bone mass in pre- and post-menopausal women. Further long-term cohort or intervention study will be necessary to confirm the effect of a high dietary TAC diet on bone health. Funding Sources This research was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Korean government.

Dietary Scopoletin Ameliorates Diabetes-Associated Impairment of Bone Turnover via Activation of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 Pathway

Abstract Objectives Diabetes induces bone deteriorateion leading to osteopenia, increased risk of fracture and osteoporosis. Thus, diabetes-induced bone fragility has been recently recognized as a diabetic complication. However, the pathophysiological effects of hyperglycemia on osteoclastogenesis and osteoblastogenesis remain unclear. Scopoletin, a coumarin family, is naturally found at notably high concentrations in chicory, leaves of stinging nettle, passion flower and noni. The purpose of this study was to identify that scopoletin was capable of preventing diabetic impairment of bone remodeling through BMP-2 pathway. Methods The in vitro study employed osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells that were exposed to 33 mM glucose in the presence of 1–20 μM scopoletin. In addition, murine macrophage Raw 264.7 cells were incubated with RANKL for differentiation to multi-nucleated osteoclasts and treated with 33 mM glucose for 5 days in the presence of 1–20 μM scopoletin. The in vivo study was conducted with the db/db mice that were orally administrated 10 mg/kg scopoletin daily for 10 weeks. Results High glucose diminished TRAP activity and bone resorption in RANKL-differentiated osteoclasts, indicating that osteoclast activation may be impaired under diabetic conditions. In contrast, scopoletin elevated osteoclastic differentiation and activation reduced by glucose. On the other hand, high glucose attenuated the ALP activity of osteoblastic cells, which was enhanced by treating 1–20 μM scopoletin to cells. Oral administration of scopoletin elevated plasma levels of osteoprotegerin, RANKL and osteocalcin reduced in diabetic mice, and increased trabecular bone formation and ephiphyseal disc thickness of growing bone. Finally, scopoletin enhanced the induction of Runx2 and BMP-2 in osteoblasts dampened by high glucose. Conclusions Scopoletin improved aberrant bone remodeling in diabetic osteoblasts and osteoclasts through induction of Runx2 and BMP-2. These findings suggest the possibility that scopoletin could be a potential agent for the treatment of diabetes-associated bone diseases. Funding Sources This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (2019R1A2C1003218), and was supported by Basic Science Research Program through NRF funded by the Ministry of Education (2020R1A6A3A0110009611).

Effects of Dietary Butyrate on Diet-Induced Obesity and Lipid Metabolism

Abstract Objectives We examined the effects of dietary butyrate, a short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on body weight control and metabolism in a diet-induced obesity rat model. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats fed with high-fat diet for 14 weeks. Sodium butyrate was administrated through diet supplementation at 3% wt/wt for long-term (14 weeks) or drinking water at 1% for short-term (2 weeks). Serum and feces were collected. Colon and liver tissues used for analyzing mRNA expression. To assess the effects of butyrate on lipid metabolism, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with sodium butyrate and sodium-3-hyroxybutyrate during adipogenic differentiation. Results On the high-fat diet, dietary supplementation of butyrate protected against body weight gain. Interestingly, food intake was increased and consistently colonic Proglucagon (Gcg), encoding Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) involved in appetite-suppression, was decreased. In contrast, short-term administration of butyrate did not affect body weight and food intake. Free fatty acid receptor 2 (Ffar2), a G-protein coupled receptor recognizing SCFAs and stimulating GLP-1 production, was decreased in colon. The colonic Hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2 (Hcar2) and Tight junction protein-1 (Tjp1) marginally increased but expression of inflammatory cytokines was not altered, implicating that anti-obesity effects of butyrate were not primarily through colon. In the liver, butyrate showed significantly decreased Ffar2 and Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-γ (Ppar-γ). In the butyrate group, aberrant phenotypes were observed including hyperlipidemia and alteration of serum level of adiponectin without change in fecal energy density. Intriguingly, in the 3T3-L1 cell line, fat accumulation was significantly stimulated at lower concentration of butyrate with elevated expression of Ffar2 and Ppar-γ. High concentration of butyrate reduced Ffar2 and Ppar-γ and suppressed adipocytic fat accumulation. Conclusions Our results suggested that dietary butyrate prevented diet-induced obesity despite increased food intake. Moreover, butyrate may regulate lipid metabolism in a dose-dependent manner. Funding Sources This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the NRF funded by the Ministry of Education. J.S is grateful for financial support from Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation.

(Invited) Theoretical Frequency Limit of Organic Rectifier Diodes

In this communication, a new theoretical model for the ac transit frequency of organic rectifier diodes is proposed. The model is built upon a full description of the drift-diffusion current in the rectifier diode for the entire forward bias regime. Such a method precisely correlates the transit frequency to a number of materials, geometrical, and operational parameters in particular the charge-Injection barriers. By systematic variation of parameters, it is found that a rectifier operating beyond 1 GHz is observable only with a highly injecting anode. Other parameters to reach that regime of operation are discussed.This work was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF-2018R1D1AB07048877), and by Materials, Components & Equipment Research Program funded by the Gyeonggi Province.

AGE COMPOSITION CHANGES OF RIGA AGGLOMERATION RING

Over the course of several previous decades the post-socialist countries of Central and Eastern Europe have experienced notable population disposition and composition changes in the vicinity of large cities. Despite this, age composition related studies have rarely paid attention to changes within these city regions. Thus, the aim of this paper is to shed light on age composition changes of Riga agglomeration ring. For this study official statistical data, along with population ageing index is utilized. Changes are studied for the entire ring and its structures of urban and rural areas for the years 2000, 2011 and 2020. Results indicated that, despite a decrease, the 25-44 year old age group remained the most populous. 15-24 year old group had the largest decrease. Pre-working age and the two oldest groups were the ones which had tended to increase the most in comparison to situation in 2000. However, ring and urban areas first saw a decrease of pre-working age population leading up to 2011, followed by a more notable growth. Population ageing index values showed that for all territory types population ageing had slowed after 2011. Also, urban areas of Riga agglomeration have been ageing more rapidly than rural ones. This study was supported by National Research Program Project grant number VPP-IZM-2018/1-0015.

Long-term outcomes of empirical extra-pulmonary vein linear ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): This work was supported by grants [HI18C0070] and [HI19C0114] from the Korea Health 21 R&D Project, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and a grant [NRF-2020R1A2B01001695] from the Basic Science Research Program run by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF). Background Although extra-pulmonary vein (PV) left atrial (LA) linear ablation has been performed during catheter ablation (CA) of persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF), the long-term efficacy and safety of this procedure have not yet been verified. Purpose We investigated whether an anterior line (AL) and posterior box ablation (POBA) in addition to circumferential PV isolation (CPVI) improves the rhythm without worsening the LA function in PeAF patients. Methods We retrospectively compared the additional AL + POBA and CPVI alone groups in 604 patients with PeAF who underwent regular rhythm follow-ups (16.9%; males 79.3%, 58.5 ± 10.7 years of age) after propensity score matching. The primary endpoint was AF recurrence after single procedures and secondary endpoints were the cardioversion rate, response to anti arrhythmic drugs, LA changes, and re-conduction rates of the de-novo ablation lesion set. Results After a mean follow-up of 45.2 ± 33.6 months, the clinical recurrence rate did not significantly differ between the two groups (log-rank p = 0.554) despite longer procedure times in the AL + POBA group (p < 0.001). Atrial tachycardia recurrences (p = 0.001) and the cardioversion rates after ablation (p < 0.001) were higher in the AL + POBA group than CPVI group. AL + POBA was associated with better rhythm outcomes in patients with large anterior LA volume indices (p for interaction 0.037) and low mean LAA(left atrial appendage) voltages (p for interaction 0.019). In repeat procedures, the LA pulse pressure elevation was significant after the AL + POBA. Conclusion In patients with PeAF, an AL + POBA in addition to the CPVI did not improve the rhythm outcomes nor influence the long-term safety, and lead to more extended procedures. Procedure outcomes OverallAL + POBACPVIp-value(n = 604)(n = 302)(n = 302)Procedure time, min190.8 ± 62.6226.9 ± 49.4154.6 ± 52.8<0.001Ablation time, sec5079 ± 19566420 ± 13723738± 1475<0.001Overall complications24 (4.0)13 (4.3)11 (3.6)0.835Early recurrence, n (%)277 (45.9)129 (42.7)148 (49.0)0.142Recurrence type AT, n (% in early recur)77 (27.8)51 (39.5)26 (17.6)<0.001Clinical recurrence within 1-year, n(%)116 (19.2)52 (17.2)65 (21.5)0.256Recurrence type AT, n (% in clinical recur)60 (23.1)46 (30.7)14 (12.7)0.001Cardioversion, n (% in total recur/ % overall)105 (40.4/17.4)74 (49.3/24.5)31 (28.1/10.3)<0.001POBA, posterior box ablation; AL, anterior line; CPVI, circumferential pulmonary vein isolation; AT, atrial tachycardia;Abstract Figure. Long term ablation outcome

Computational modeling for antiarrhythmic drugs for atrial fibrillation according to the genotypes

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): This work was supported by a grant [HI19C0114] from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Additionally, the work was funded by grants [NRF-2019R1C1C100907512], and [NRF-2020R1A2B01001695] from the Basic Science Research Program run by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) under the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning (MSIP). Background The efficacy of antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) can vary in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and the PITX2 gene affects the responsiveness of AADs. We explored the virtual AAD (V-AAD) responses between wild-type and PITX2+/- deficient AF conditions by realistic in-silico AF modeling. Methods We tested the V-AADs in AF modeling integrated with patients’ 3D-computed tomography and 3D-electroanatomical mapping, acquired in 25 patients (68% male, 59.8 ± 9.8 years old, 32.0% paroxysmal type). The ion currents for the PITX2+/- deficiency and each AAD (amiodarone, sotalol, dronedarone, flecainide, and propafenone) were defined based on previous publications. Results We compared the wild-type and PITX2+/- deficiency in terms of the action potential duration (APD90), conduction velocity (CV), maximal slope of restitution (Smax), and wave-dynamic parameters, such as the dominant frequency (DF), phase singularities (PS), and AF termination rates according to the V-AADs. The PITX2+/- deficient model exhibited a shorter APD90 (p < 0.001), a lower Smax (p < 0.001), mean DF (p = 0.012), PS number (p < 0.001), and a longer AF cycle length (AFCL, p = 0.011). Five V-AADs changed the electrophysiology in a dose dependent manner. AAD-induced AFCL lengthening (p < 0.001) and reductions in the CV (p = 0.033), peak DF (p < 0.001) and PS number (p < 0.001) were more significant in PITX2+/- deficient than wild-type AF. PITX2+/- deficient AF was easier to terminate with class IC AADs than the wild-type AF (p = 0.018). Conclusions The computational modeling-guided AAD test was feasible for evaluating the efficacy of multiple AADs in patients with AF. AF wave-dynamics and electrophysiological characteristics are different among the PITX2 deficient and the wild-type genotype models. BaselineChanges after AADClass ICClass IIIWild-typePITX2+/-p-valueWild-typePITX2+/-p-valueWild-typePITX2+/-p-valueWild-typePITX2+/-p-valueAPD90, (ms)243.7 ± 33.8184.4 ± 15.5<0.00138.2 ± 37.343.4 ± 56.20.223275.9 ± 43.5219.0 ± 39.2<0.001284.9 ± 32.8233.8 ± 71.4<0.001CV, (m/s)0.78 ± 0.320.70 ± 0.210.347-0.15 ± 0.18-0.20 ± 0.260.0330.63 ± 0.320.53 ± 0.300.0270.60 ± 0.360.43 ± 0.33<0.001Mean Smax0.787 ± 0.280.531 ± 0.18<0.0010.005 ± 0.260.115 ± 0.24<0.0010.828 ± 0.310.694 ± 0.320.0030.768 ± 0.320.608 ± 0.27<0.001Mean AFCL, (ms)146.96 ± 24.61164.78 ± 22.730.01122.62 ± 24.5537.92 ± 32.72<0.001165.44 ± 36.96190.85 ± 35.61<0.001169.05 ± 25.26203.35 ± 34.78<0.001Peak DF, (Hz)10.68 ± 2.9711.82 ± 3.340.211-2.98 ± 4.94-5.46 ± 4.66<0.00110.01 ± 4.397.23 ± 4.20<0.0016.30 ± 4.325.80 ± 4.070.301Mean DF, (Hz)6.80 ± 0.886.22 ± 0.710.012-1.95 ± 2.44-2.20 ± 1.990.2065.75 ± 1.784.53 ± 2.00<0.0014.14 ± 2.393.69 ± 2.000.077PS Number, (N)101086 ± 9608814150 ± 24778<0.001-59322 ± 99288-7409 ± 27856<0.00150579 ± 6523611568 ± 21868<0.00132951 ± 558643524 ± 8302<0.001PS Life Span, (ms)109.36 ± 113.90102.24 ± 226.640.889-24.87 ± 72.06-41.38 ± 126.350.073103.36 ± 180.6868.05 ± 162.790.14871.91 ± 141.8655.99 ± 217.970.454Table. Effects of AADs in the Wild-type and PITX2+/- Deficiency groupAbstract Figure. Wild-type vs. PITX2+/- baseline model

First evaluation of wastewater discharge influence on marine water contamination in the vicinity of Arctowski Station (Maritime Antarctica)

In Antarctica, waste is generated mainly during scientific research programmes and related logistics. In this study, the impact of wastewater on the western shore of Admiralty Bay was investigated during austral summer in 2017 and 2019. A range of physicochemical parameters and the presence of selected trace metals, formaldehyde and different groups of surfactants were determined in wastewater coming from Arctowski Station and in nearby coastal waters. The presence of selected trace metals (e.g., Cr: 2.7–4.4 μg/L; Zn: 15.2–37.3 μg/L; and Ni: 0.9–23.3 μg/L) and the sums of cationic (0.3–1.5 mg/L), anionic (3.1–1.7 mg/L), and non-ionic (0.6–2.4 mg/L) surfactants in wastewater indicated the potential influence of anthropogenic factors on sea water. The determined surfactants are found in many hygiene products that end up in the waste water tank after human use and, if untreated, can be released into surface waters with discharge. In addition, the levels of some trace metals indicate that they cannot come only from natural sources, but are the result of human activity. The reported data show disturbances in the marine environment caused by non-treated wastewater discharge, e.g. by comparing the obtained results from the values of the no observed effect concentrations (NOECs) on selected Antarctic bioindicators, and provide information for the implementation of proper wastewater treatment at any Antarctic station in the future.

Research on the ions’ axial temperature of a sympathetically-cooled 113Cd+ ion crystal* *Project supported by the Beijing Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. 1202011), the Tsinghua University Initiative Scientific Research Program, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 12073015), and the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2016YFA0302101).

Molecular dynamics simulation of a sympathetically-cooled 113Cd+ ion crystal system is achieved. Moreover, the relationship between ions’ axial temperature and different electric parameters, including radio frequency voltage and end-cap voltage is depicted. Under stable trapping condition, optimum radio frequency voltage, corresponding to minimum temperature and the highest cooling efficiency, is obtained. The temperature is positively correlated with end-cap voltage. The relationship is also confirmed by a sympathetically-cooled 113Cd+ microwave clock. The pseudo-potential model is used to illustrate the relationship and influence mechanism. A reasonable index, indicating ions’ temperature, is proposed to quickly estimate the relative ions’ temperature. The investigation is helpful for ion crystal investigation, such as spatial configuration manipulation, sympathetic cooling efficiency enhancement, and temporal evolution.

Time to Start Up: CT-Basted Radiomics in Children’s Lung Diseases

Time to Start Up: CT-Basted Radiomics in Children’s Lung Diseases

Impact assessment of common bean availability in Brazil under climate change scenarios

CONTEXTBrazil is one of the main producers of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), which have high nutritional value as human food. The climate changes predicted in the 21st century might be a possible threat to the planet’s food security, given the expected population increase, and hence, increased demand for food. OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to project the impact of climate change on common bean cropping systems using an upscaling climate approach and crop modeling to represent the Brazilian production regions. METHODSWe considered the representative CO2 concentration pathway scenarios (RCPs) 4.5 and 8.5 presented by the 5th IPCC Assessment Report from 20 atmospheric global circulation models covering the main bean-producing region in Brazil. The well-calibrated CROPGRO-Drybean crop model simulated two representative cultivars of the “black” and “colors” types and three cropping seasons applied by Brazilian farmers. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSOn average, we found that yield increased by 5.56% and 9.12% for the RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios, respectively. Increased photosynthetic efficiency due to the increased atmospheric CO2 concentration was identified as the main cause of this yield increase. Crop respiration rates increased due to the raised air temperature, and were responsible for increasing the probability (production risk) of not meeting the future domestic demands for grains to 10.13% and 8.34% for the RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios, respectively. For the national supply of grains, estimates pointed to a future in which crop production will probably rely more on area expansion than yield gains by crop intensification. SIGNIFICANCEOur findings emphasize the need for new policies for land utilization and investments in scientific research programs aimed towards genetic adaptation in all main Brazilian crops in the face of potential climate change.

322 Comparisons of clinical and polysomnographic characteristics between negative and positive sleep state misperception in insomnia

Abstract Introduction Most of insomnia patients tend to underestimate their sleep duration and quality. In current study, we classified insomnia patients into negative sleep state misperception (NSSM) group and positive sleep state misperception (PSSM) group according to difference between subjective and objective sleep duration. We compared clinical and polysomnographic characteristics between two groups. Methods Objective sleep measures using nocturnal polysomnography (nPSG) and subjective measures including Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and subjective questionnaire at the morning after overnight nPSG of 150 insomnia patients were reviewed. The questionnaire included subjective total sleep time (subjective TST), subjective sleep latency (subjective SL). Additionally, TST/SL discrepancy was calculated by subtracting objective variables of nPSG from the morning subjective questionnaire. We calculated misperception index (MI) using the following method; MI=(objective TST-subjective TST)/objective TST. According to MI value, insomnia patients were classified into NSSM (MI>0, n=115), and PSSM (MI<0, n=35) groups. Results There were no significant differences in nPSG parameters, except N3 sleep (%); the PSSM group had significantly higher N3 sleep than NSSM group (p=0.002). On the subjective measures, the NSSM group had significantly higher PSQI score (p<0.001), longer subjective SL (p=0.001) and higher SL discrepancy (p=0.001). In the NSSM group, MI showed positive correlations with N1 sleep proportion (r=0.250, p=0.011), PSQI (r=0.250, p=0.011), BDI (r=0.211, p=0.032), subjective SL (r=0.441, p<0.001) and SL discrepancy (r=0.453, p<0.001). Meanwhile, there were no significant correlations of MI with subjective measures in PSSM group. In the multiple regression analysis, MI was related with SL discrepancy and BDI (R2=0.216, p=0.004) in NSSM group. For belonging the PSSM group, associated factors were N3 sleep (OR=1.075, p=0.001), PSQI (OR=0.813, p=0.002) and SL discrepancy (OR=0.956, p<0.001) on binary logistic regression analysis. Conclusion In the NSSM group, MI was related with high SL discrepancy and depressive mood. High N3 sleep, low PSQI score, and low SL discrepancy were associated factors in the PSSM group. Perception of sleep should be properly evaluated and managed, since they vary with different characteristics of sleep state misperception. Support (if any) This study was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2018R1D1A1B07049704).

Band alignment in SiC-based one-dimensional van derWaals homojunctions* *Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation ofChina (Grant No. 11864011), the Youth Project of Scientific and Technological Research Program of Chongqing Education Commission, China (Grant Nos. KJQN202001207 and KJQN202101204), and the Fund from the Educational Commission of Hubei Province, China (Grant No. T201914).

The density functional theory method is utilized to verify the electronic structures of SiC nanotubes (SiCNTs) and SiC nanoribbons (SiCNRs) one-dimensional (1D) van der Waals homojunctions (vdWh) under an applied axial strain and an external electric field. According to the calculated results, the SiCNTs/SiCNRs 1D vdWhs are direct semiconductors with a type-II band alignment and robust electronic structures with different diameters or widths. Furthermore, the SiCNTs/SiCNRs 1D vdWhs are direct semiconductors with a type-I band alignment, respectively, in a range of [–0.3, –0.1] V/Å and [0.1, 0.3] V/Å and change into metal when the electric field intensity is equal to or higher than 0.4 V/Å. Interestingly, the SiCNTs/SiCNRs 1D vdWhs have robust electronic structures under axial strain. These findings demonstrate theoretically that the SiCNTs/SiCNRs 1D vdWhs can be employed in nanoelectronics devices.

The Utility of Hierarchical Genetic Testing in Pediatric Liver Disease

Background: Genetic factors underlie a substantial proportion of pediatric liver diseases. Hereditary liver diseases have considerable genetic heterogeneity and variable clinical manifestations, which bring great challenges to clinical and molecular diagnoses. Method: In this study, we investigated a group of pediatric patients with varying degrees of liver dysfunction using a hierarchical strategy. We first applied a sequencing panel encompassing 166 known causal genes of liver disease. We then used exome sequencing (ES) in those patients whose cases remained undiagnosed to identify the genetic etiology of their symptoms. Findings: In total, we enrolled 131 unrelated pediatric patients with liver disease of Chinese Han ethnicity. We first applied targeted gene sequencing of 166 genes to all patients and yielded a diagnostic rate of 35.9% (47 of 131). Eighty-four patients who remained undiagnosed after target gene sequencing were subjected to ES. As a result, eight (8/84, 9.5%) of them obtained molecular diagnoses, including four patients suspected of abnormal bilirubin metabolism and four idiopathic cases. Non-typical genetic findings, including digenic inheritance and dual molecular diagnosis, were also identified. Through a comprehensive assessment of novel candidate variants of uncertain disease association, eleven patients of the remaining undiagnosed patients were able to obtain likely molecular diagnoses. Interpretation: Our study presents evidence for the diagnostic utility of sequential genetic testing in a cohort of patients with pediatric liver disease. Our findings expand the understanding of the phenotypic and mutational spectrum underlying this heterogeneous group of diseases. Funding Information: This research was funded in part by the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Municipality (JQ20032 to N.W., 7191007 to Z.W.), National Natural Science Foundation of China (81822030 and 82072391 to N.W., 81930068 and 81772299 to Z.W., 81972037 to T.J.Z.), Tsinghua University-Peking Union Medical College Hospital Initiative Scientific Research Program, CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (CIFMS 2020-I2M-C&T-B-030 to T.J.Z.), Non-profit Central Research Institute Fund of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2019PT320025), and Capital characteristic project (Z181100001718030 to M.Z.). Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital (IRB ID: 2020078D). Consent forms were obtained from all patients or guardians.

Metalanguage within disciplinary discourse for scientific research programs: Invitation to a debate

Modern economic science is experiencing difficulties in solving theoretical and practical problems, including its inability to predict future economic crises, and, after their onset, the effective ways to overcome them. This is largely due to the fact that representatives of different theories have different assessments of the ongoing processes in the economy and offer essentially different and often mutually exclusive ways to solve economic problems. The search for a common language and ways to unite the efforts of economists in achieving social progress is on the agenda. The paper addresses the possibilities of productive interaction between scientific programs in economics via mutual enrichment of ideas, and shows what role metalanguage plays in this process. It claims that metalanguage will allow representatives of various research programs to form a realistic view of each other’s concepts, and not to criticize the caricatures of their opponents’ theories.

India prioritizes new research foundation, biotech, and health in proposed budget

India’s 2021–22 budget proposal claims a massive increase in health-care spending and prioritizes biotechnology and health research while cutting funds for other science research programs. It also ...

India prioritizes new research foundation, biotech, and health in proposed budget

India’s 2021–22 budget proposal claims a massive increase in health-care spending and prioritizes biotechnology and health research while cutting funds for other science research programs. It also ...

ARCHAEOLOGIST S. G. MATVEEV: NOTES TO THE BIOGRAPHY

The article contains materials for the biography of the archaeologist Sergey Matveev, who in 1926 led the first Soviet archaeological expedition invited to the Votsk Autonomous region on the initiative of The scientific society for the study of the Votsk region. In addition to S. G. Matveev, the expedition was attended by A. P. Smirnov, a post-graduate student of the Institute of archeology and art studies, for whom the Udmurt theme will later become one of the key ones in scientific research. His work has been repeatedly analyzed in the archaeological literature. Unfortunately, biographical information about S. G. Matveev is very sparse: the dates of his life are unknown, and information about his place of work is contradictory. In various sources, Russian archival and museum collections managed to collect as yet little information about the scientist. They need to be systematized in order to get a first approximation of the personality of the archaeologist, who is the author of two scientific research programs on the archaeological study of the territory of Udmurtia. The first of them was set out in a letter to the Votsk regional Executive Committee during the discussion of plans for the work of metropolitan archaeologists in the region in 1926, the second a year later in 1927 when discussing research for subsequent years. Biographical information about S. G. Matveev is of interest for understanding the development of Udmurt archeology. It is significant in the context of the formation of the first Soviet generation of Russian archaeologists, including the fact that S. G. Matveev was a student of the outstanding Russian archaeologist V. A. Gorodtsov.

Б О Т А Н И К И - Р Е С У Р С О В Е Д Ы В И Л А Р : ИДЕИ, РЕАЛИЗАЦИЯ, ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ

The article describes the resource research of medicinal plants by VILAR employees from a historical point of view. The approaches to planning research work, organizational forms of research, the scientific community and research programs in floristry, the search for new medicinal plants, botanical resource studies, and population ecology are briefly described. Researchers and their dissertations for the period of 1950–1990 years are presented, research prospects are assessed.