bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Children avoid inefficient but fair partners in a cooperative game
Authors: Prétôt Laurent , Gonzalez Gorana , McAuliffe Katherine
Published: June 2020

Human adults use a range of social cues to obtain information about potential partners in cooperative contexts: we prefer partners who are competent, wealthy and generous, and those who abide by moral and social rules. One factor that carries particular weight is whether a prospective partner is fair. Here we ask whether children share this preference for fair partners and, if so, whether a prospective partner’s past fair behaviour influences children’s behaviour in a cooperative dilemma. Six- to nine-year-olds chose between partners who accepted or rejected resource allocations that were either strongly advantageously unequal, strongly disadvantageously unequal, or equal. They then played a one-shot Prisoner’s Dilemma Game with their chosen partner. Children overwhelmingly preferred to play with the partner who accepted rather than rejected allocations. Regardless of their partner choice decisions, children tended to defect in the Prisoner’s Dilemma Game, yet expected that their partners would be relatively more cooperative. Finally, children were more likely to cooperate with those they believed would cooperate. Together, these findings shed new light on the links between partner choice, fairness and cooperation in child development.
G-CSF Inhibits Pulmonary Fibrosis by Promoting BMSC Homing to the Lungs via SDF-1/CXCR4 Chemotaxis
Authors: Zhao Fei-yan , Cheng Tian-yin , Yang Lei , Huang Yan-hong , Li Chen , Han Jian-zhong , Li Xiao-hong , Fang Li-juan , Feng Dan-dan , Tang Yi-ting , Yue Shao-jie , Tang Si-yuan , Luo Zi-qiang , Liu Wei
Published: June 2020

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have multi-lineage differentiation potential and play an important role in tissue repair. Studies have shown that BMSCs gather at the injured tissue site after granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) administration. In this study, we first investigated whether G-CSF could promote BMSC homing to damaged lung tissue induced by bleomycin (BLM) and then investigated whether SDF-1/CXCR4 chemotaxis might be involved in this process. Next, we further studied the potential inhibitory effect of G-CSF administration in mice with lung fibrosis induced by bleomycin. We examined both the antifibrotic effects of G-CSF in mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in vivo and its effects on the proliferation, differentiation and chemotactic movement of cells in vitro. Flow cytometry, real-time PCR, transwell and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays were used in this study. The results showed that both preventative and therapeutic G-CSF administration could significantly inhibit bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. G-CSF enhanced BMSC migration to lung tissues, but this effect could be alleviated by AMD3100, which blocked the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis. We also found that BMSCs could inhibit fibroblast proliferation and transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts through paracrine actions. In conclusion, G-CSF exerted antifibrotic effects in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis, in part by promoting BMSC homing to injured lung tissues via SDF-1/CXCR4 chemotaxis.
Comparative transcriptomics revealed differential regulation of defense related genes in Brassica juncea leading to successful and unsuccessful infestation by aphid species
Authors: Duhlian Lianthanzauva , Koramutla Murali Krishna , Subramanian S. , Chamola Rohit , Bhattacharya Ramcharan
Published: June 2020

Productivity of Indian mustard (B. juncea), a major oil yielding crop in rapeseed-mustard group is heavily inflicted by mustard aphid,L. erysimi. Mustard aphid, a specialist aphid species on rapeseed-mustard crops, rapidly multiplies and colonizes the plants leading to successful infestation. In contrary, legume specific cowpea aphid,A. craccivorawhen released onB. junceaplants fails to build up population and thus remains unsuccessful in infestation. In the present study, differential host response ofB. junceato the two aphid species, one being successful insect-pest and the other being unsuccessful on it has been studied based on transcriptome analysis. Differential feeding efficiency of the two aphid species on mustard plants was evident from the amount of secreted honeydews. Leaf-transcriptomes of healthy and infested plants, treated with the two aphid species, were generated by RNA sequencing on Illumina platform andde novoassembly of the quality reads. A comparative assessment of the differentially expressed genes due to treatments revealed a large extent of overlaps as well as distinctness with respect to the set of genes and their direction of regulation. With respect to host-genes related to transcription factors, oxidative homeostasis, defense hormones and secondary metabolites,L. erysimiled to either suppression or limited activation of the transcript levels compared toA.craccivora. Further, a comprehensive view of the DEGs suggested more potential of successful insect-pests towards transcriptional reprogramming of the host. qRT-PCR based validation of randomly selected up- and down-regulated transcripts authenticated the transcriptome data.
A Geomorphological Regionalization using the Upscaled DEM: the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Area, China Case Study
Authors: Zhang Bin , Fan ZeMeng , Du ZhengPing , Zheng JiLin , Luo Jun , Wang NaNa , Wang Qing
Published: June 2020

Characterizing geomorphological patterns based on digital elevation models (DEMs) has become a basic focus of current geomorphology. A new DEM upscaling method based on the high-accuracy surface modelling method (HASM-US method) has been developed to improve the accuracy of current models and the subjectivity of macroscopic geomorphological patterns. The topographic variables of elevation (EL), slope (SL), aspect (AS), relief amplitude (RA), surface incision (SI), surface roughness (SR), and profile curvature (PC) with a spatial resolution of 1 km × 1 km in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) area of China have been obtained by using the HASM-US method combined with the principal component analysis (PCA) method in terms of the elevation data of the SRTM-4 DEM, meteorological station location information, and field measurements with a GPS receiver. A geomorphological regionalization pattern has been developed to quantitatively classify the geomorphological types in the BTH area by combining the seven topographic factors of EL, SL, AS, RA, SI, SR, and PC that have significant spatial variation. The results show that the upscaling accuracy of elevation (mean difference only −2.32 m) with the HASM-US method is higher than that with the bilinear interpolation method and nearest neighbour interpolation method. The geomorphologic distribution in the BTH area includes 11 types: low plain, low tableland, low hill, low basin, middle plain, middle hill, low mountain with low RA values, low mountain with medium RA values, middle mountain with low RA values, middle mountain with medium RA values, and middle mountain with high RA values. The low plain is the dominant geomorphological type that covers 40.58% of the whole BTH area. The geomorphological distribution shows the different significant characteristics: the elevation rapidly decreases from the Taihang Mountains to the eastern area, gradually decreases from the Yanshan Mountains to the southern area, and first increases and then decreases from the Bashang Plateau to the southeastern area in the whole BTH area.
Quantifying solvent action in oil paint using portable laser speckle imaging
Authors: Baij Lambert , Buijs Jesse , Hermans Joen J. , Raven Laura , Iedema Piet D. , Keune Katrien , Sprakel Joris
Published: June 2020

The exposure of oil paintings to organic solvents for varnish removal or to water for the removal of surface dirt can affect the chemical and physical properties of oil paint in an undesired way. Solvents can temporarily plasticise and swell the polymerised oil paint binding medium, enhancing both the thermal mobility and mechanical displacement of pigments embedded in this film. The enhancement of these microscopic motions can affect both the chemical and physical stability of the object as a whole. In order to minimise solvent exposure during cleaning, an analytical method that can quantitatively measure the microscopic motions induced by solvent uptake, is required first. In this study, we use Fourier Transform Laser Speckle Imaging (FT-LSI) and a newly developed portable FT-LSI setup as highly resolved motion detection instruments. We employ FT-LSI to probe pigment motion, with high spatiotemporal resolution, as a proxy for the destabilising effects of cleaning solvents. In this way, we can study solvent diffusion and evaporation rates and the total solvent retention time. In addition, qualitative spatial information on the spreading and homogeneity of the applied solvent is obtained. We study mobility in paint films caused by air humidity, spreading of solvents as a result of several cleaning methods and the protective capabilities of varnish. Our results show that FT-LSI is a powerful technique for the study of solvent penetration during oil paint cleaning and has a high potential for future use in the conservation studio.
Climate drives intraspecific differentiation in the expression of growth-defence trade-offs in a long-lived pine species
Authors: Vázquez-González Carla , Sampedro Luis , Rozas Vicente , Zas Rafael
Published: June 2020

Intraspecific variation in plant defences is expected to be the result of adaptive and plastic responses to environmental conditions, where trade-offs between growth and defences are thought to play a key role shaping phenotypic patterns in defensive investment. Axial resin ducts are costly defensive structures that remain imprinted in the tree rings of conifers, therefore being a valuable proxy of defensive investment along the trees’ lifespan. We aimed to disentangle climate-driven adaptive clines and plastic responses to both spatial and temporal environmental variation in resin duct production, and to explore growth-defence trade-offs. To that aim, we applied dendrochronological procedures to quantify annual growth and resin duct production during a 31-year-period in a Mediterranean pine species, including trees from nine populations planted in two common gardens. Both genetic factors and plastic responses modulated annual resin duct production. However, we found no evidence of adaptive clines with climate gradients driving population differentiation. Our results revealed a marked physiological trade-off between growth and defences, where the slope of the trade-off was genetically variable and associated with climatic gradients. Our results help to enlighten the evolutionary patterns and genetic basis of defensive allocation within species, particularly revealing a key role of growth-defence trade-offs.
Small vertebrates are key elements in the frugivory networks of a hyperdiverse tropical forest
Authors: Carreira Daiane C. , Dáttilo Wesley , Bruno Dáfini L. , Percequillo Alexandre Reis , Ferraz Katia M. P. M. B. , Galetti Mauro
Published: June 2020

The local, global or functional extinction of species or populations of animals, known as defaunation, can erode important ecological services in tropical forests. Many mutualistic interactions, such as seed dispersal of large seeded plants, can be lost in large continuous forests due to the rarity of large-bodied mammalian frugivores. Most of studies that try to elucidate the effects of defaunation on seed dispersal focused on primates or birds, and we lack a detailed understanding on the interactions between ground-dwelling fauna and fleshy fruits. Using camera traps in forest areas with different degrees of defaunation, we described the organization of frugivory networks involving birds, mammals and plants. We recorded 375 frugivory interactions between 21 frugivores and 150 fruiting trees of 30 species of fleshy fruit plants in six sites in continuous Atlantic forest of Brazil. We found that small frugivores—particularly small rodents and birds—were responsible for 72% of the events of frugivory. Large frugivores, such as tapirs and peccaries, were responsible for less than 21% of frugivory events. Our results indicate that the interactions between flesh fruiting plants and frugivores are dominated by small frugivores, an indication of a functional loss of large frugivores in this endangered biome.
Peritumoral and intratumoral radiomic features predict survival outcomes among patients diagnosed in lung cancer screening
Authors: Pérez-Morales Jaileene , Tunali Ilke , Stringfield Olya , Eschrich Steven A. , Balagurunathan Yoganand , Gillies Robert J. , Schabath Matthew B.
Published: June 2020

The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) demonstrated that screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is associated with a 20% reduction in lung cancer mortality. One potential limitation of LDCT screening is overdiagnosis of slow growing and indolent cancers. In this study, peritumoral and intratumoral radiomics was used to identify a vulnerable subset of lung patients associated with poor survival outcomes. Incident lung cancer patients from the NLST were split into training and test cohorts and an external cohort of non-screen detected adenocarcinomas was used for further validation. After removing redundant and non-reproducible radiomics features, backward elimination analyses identified a single model which was subjected to Classification and Regression Tree to stratify patients into three risk-groups based on two radiomics features (NGTDM Busyness and Statistical Root Mean Square [RMS]). The final model was validated in the test cohort and the cohort of non-screen detected adenocarcinomas. Using a radio-genomics dataset, Statistical RMS was significantly associated with FOXF2 gene by both correlation and two-group analyses. Our rigorous approach generated a novel radiomics model that identified a vulnerable high-risk group of early stage patients associated with poor outcomes. These patients may require aggressive follow-up and/or adjuvant therapy to mitigate their poor outcomes.
The shutting down of the insulin pathway: a developmental window for Wolbachia load and feminization
Authors: Herran Benjamin , Geniez Sandrine , Delaunay Carine , Raimond Maryline , Lesobre Jérôme , Bertaux Joanne , Slatko Barton , Grève Pierre
Published: June 2020

Using the isopodArmadillidium vulgareas a case study, we review the significance of the "bacterial dosage model", which connects the expression of the extended phenotype to the rise of theWolbachiaload. In isopods, the Insulin-like Androgenic Gland hormone (IAG) induces male differentiation:Wolbachiafeminizes males through insulin resistance, presumably through defunct insulin receptors. This should prevent an autocrine development of the androgenic glands so that females differentiate instead: feminization should translate asIAGsilencing and increasedWolbachiaload in the same developmental window. In line with the autocrine model, uninfected males expressed IAG from the first larval stage on, long before the androgenic gland primordia begin to differentiate, and exponentially throughout development. In contrast in infected males, expression fully stopped at stage 4 (juvenile), when male differentiation begins. This co-occurred with the only significant rise in theWolbachiaload throughout the life-stages. Concurrently, the raw expression of the bacterial Secretion Systems co-increased, but they were not over-expressed relative to the number of bacteria. The isopod model leads to formulate the "bacterial dosage model" throughout extended phenotypes as the conjunction between bacterial load as the mode of action, timing of multiplication (pre/post-zygotic), and site of action (soma vs. germen).
Plant palatability and trait responses to experimental warming
Authors: Dostálek Tomáš , Rokaya Maan Bahadur , Münzbergová Zuzana
Published: June 2020

Climate warming is expected to significantly affect plant–herbivore interactions. Even though direct effects of temperature on herbivores were extensively studied, indirect effects of temperature (acting via changes in host plant quality) on herbivore performance have rarely been addressed. We conducted multiple-choice feeding experiments with generalist herbivore Schistocerca gregaria feeding on six species of genus Impatiens cultivated at three different temperatures in growth chambers and a common garden. We also studied changes in leaf morphology and chemistry. We tested effects of temperature on plant palatability and assessed whether the effects could be explained by changes in the leaf traits. The leaves of most Impatiens species experienced the highest herbivory when cultivated at the warmest temperature. Traits related to leaf morphology (specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content and leaf area), but not to leaf chemistry, partly mediated the effects of temperature on plant palatability. Herbivores preferred smaller leaves with lower specific leaf area and higher leaf dry matter content. Our study suggests that elevated temperature will lead to changes in leaf traits and increase their palatability. This might further enhance the levels of herbivory under the increased herbivore pressure, which is forecasted as a consequence of climate warming.
Mechanistic insights on the mode of action of an antiproliferative thiosemicarbazone-nickel complex revealed by an integrated chemogenomic profiling study
Authors: Baruffini Enrico , Ruotolo Roberta , Bisceglie Franco , Montalbano Serena , Ottonello Simone , Pelosi Giorgio , Buschini Annamaria , Lodi Tiziana
Published: June 2020

Thiosemicarbazones (TSC) and their metal complexes display diverse biological activities and are active against multiple pathological conditions ranging from microbial infections to abnormal cell proliferation. Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is considered one of the main targets of TSCs, yet, the existence of additional targets, differently responsible for the multifaceted activities of TSCs and their metal complexes has been proposed. To set the basis for a more comprehensive delineation of their mode of action, we chemogenomically profiled the cellular effects of bis(citronellalthiosemicarbazonato)nickel(II) [Ni(S-tcitr)2] using the unicellular eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism. Two complementary genomic phenotyping screens led to the identification of 269 sensitive and 56 tolerant deletion mutant strains and of 14 genes that when overexpressed make yeast cells resistant to an otherwise lethal concentration of Ni(S-tcitr)2. Chromatin remodeling, cytoskeleton organization, mitochondrial function and iron metabolism were identified as lead cellular processes responsible for Ni(S-tcitr)2 toxicity. The latter process, and particularly glutaredoxin-mediated iron loading of RNR, was found to be affected by Ni(S-tcitr)2. Given the multiple pathways regulated by glutaredoxins, targeting of these proteins by Ni(S-tcitr)2 can negatively affect various core cellular processes that may critically contribute to Ni(S-tcitr)2 cytotoxicity.
Mitochondrial DNA genomes revealed different patterns of high-altitude adaptation in high-altitude Tajiks compared with Tibetans and Sherpas
Authors: Chen Yu , Gong Liang , Liu Xinyuan , Chen Xingshu , Yang Shenghong , Luo Yongjun
Published: June 2020

High-altitude Tajiks (HA-Tajiks), Tibetans and Sherpas are three groups of high-altitude native people in China. The differences in the mtDNA genome between the three populations and the role of the mtDNA genome in the high-altitude adaptation of HA-Tajiks were seldom investigated. In this study, 80 HA-Tajiks were enrolled, and their whole mtDNA genomes were sequenced. The haplogroup of each subject was determined by comparison to the revised Cambridge Reference Sequence (rCRS). Ten additional populations from East Asia and Central Asia, including Tibetans and Sherpas, were selected as references. The top haplogroup was U, followed by H, T and J. Principle component analysis and genetic distance analysis indicated that HA-Tajiks showed a close relationship with Wakhi Tajiks, Pamiri Tajiks and Sarikoli Tajiks, indicating that they should be considered one nation scattered around the Pamirs. The difference in the mtDNA genome between HA-Tajiks and Sherpas was significantly greater than that between HA-Tajiks and Tibetans. Among the 13 genes related to the OXPHOS pathway encoded by the mtDNA genome, HA-Tajiks showed more significant differences in ND3 and CYTB compared to Tibetans. Compared to Sherpas, HA-Tajiks showed more significant differences in ND1, ND2, COX1, ATP8, ATP6, ND3, ND4L, ND4, ND5 and CYTB. The associated functional changes and underlying molecular mechanisms should be explored by molecular and biochemical investigations in further studies.
Selection and identification of a novel bone-targeting peptide for biomedical imaging of bone
Authors: Bang Jinho , Park Heesun , Yoo Jihye , Lee Donghyun , Choi Won Il , Lee Jin Hyung , Lee Young-Ran , Kim Chungho , Koo Heebeom , Kim Sunghyun
Published: June 2020

The global burden of bone-related diseases is increasing in the aging society; thus, improved bone targeted imaging for their early identification and treatment are needed. In this study, we screened novel peptide ligands for hydroxyapatite, a major inorganic component of teeth and bones, and identified a peptide enabling in vivo bone targeting and real-time fluorescence bone detection. To isolate peptides highly specific for hydroxyapatite, we used negative and positive selection from a randomized 8-mer peptide phage library and identified hydroxyapatite-specific peptides (HA-pep2, HA-pep3, and HA-pep7). Among these three peptides, HA-pep3 showed the highest binding capacity and superior dissociation constant towards hydroxyapatite surfaces over time (~ 88.3% retained on hydroxyapatite after two weeks). Furthermore, HA-pep3 was highly specific for hydroxyapatite compared to other calcium salt-based materials. Using this superior specificity, HA-pep3 showed higher accumulation in skull, spine, and joints in comparison with scrambled control peptide during real-time whole-body imaging. Ex vivo analysis of the major organs and bone from mice demonstrated that the fluorescence intensity in bone was about 3.32 folds higher in the case of HA-pep3 than the one exhibited by the scrambled control peptide. Our study identified a novel approach for targeting ligands for bone specific imaging and can be useful for drug delivery applications.
A novel FRET peptide assay reveals efficient Helicobacter pylori HtrA inhibition through zinc and copper binding
Authors: Bernegger Sabine , Brunner Cyrill , Vizovišek Matej , Fonovic Marko , Cuciniello Gaetano , Giordano Flavia , Stanojlovic Vesna , Jarzab Miroslaw , Simister Philip , Feller Stephan M. , Obermeyer Gerhard , Posselt Gernot , Turk Boris , Cabrele Chiara , Schneider Gisbert , Wessler Silja
Published: June 2020

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) secretes the chaperone and serine protease high temperature requirement A (HtrA) that cleaves gastric epithelial cell surface proteins to disrupt the epithelial integrity and barrier function. First inhibitory lead structures have demonstrated the essential role of HtrA in H. pylori physiology and pathogenesis. Comprehensive drug discovery techniques allowing high-throughput screening are now required to develop effective compounds. Here, we designed a novel fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) peptide derived from a gel-based label-free proteomic approach (direct in-gel profiling of protease specificity) as a valuable substrate for H. pylori HtrA. Since serine proteases are often sensitive to metal ions, we investigated the influence of different divalent ions on the activity of HtrA. We identified Zn++ and Cu++ ions as inhibitors of H. pylori HtrA activity, as monitored by in vitro cleavage experiments using casein or E-cadherin as substrates and in the FRET peptide assay. Putative binding sites for Zn++ and Cu++ were then analyzed in thermal shift and microscale thermophoresis assays. The findings of this study will contribute to the development of novel metal ion-dependent protease inhibitors, which might help to fight bacterial infections.
The effect of rapid high-intensity light-curing on micromechanical properties of bulk-fill and conventional resin composites
Authors: Par Matej , Marovic Danijela , Attin Thomas , Tarle Zrinka , Tauböck Tobias T.
Published: June 2020

Rapid high-intensity light-curing of dental resin composites is attractive from a clinical standpoint due to the prospect of time-savings. This study compared the effect of high-intensity (3 s with 3,440 mW/cm2) and conventional (10 s with 1,340 mW/cm2) light-curing on micromechanical properties of conventional and bulk-fill resin composites, including two composites specifically designed for high-intensity curing. Composite specimens were prepared in clinically realistic layer thicknesses. Microhardness (MH) was measured on the top and bottom surfaces of composite specimens 24 h after light-curing (initial MH), and after subsequent immersion for 24 h in absolute ethanol (ethanol MH). Bottom/top ratio for initial MH was calculated as a measure of depth-dependent curing effectiveness, whereas ethanol/initial MH ratio was calculated as a measure of crosslinking density. High-intensity light-curing showed a complex material-dependent effect on micromechanical properties. Most of the sculptable composites showed no effect of the curing protocol on initial MH, whereas flowable composites showed 11–48% lower initial MH for high-intensity curing. Ethanol/initial MH ratios were improved by high-intensity curing in flowable composites (up to 30%) but diminished in sculptable composites (up to 15%). Due to its mixed effect on MH and crosslinking density in flowable composites, high-intensity curing should be used with caution in clinical work.
A lipophilic ionic liquid-based dye for anion optodes: importance of dye lipophilicity and application to heparin measurement
Authors: Mizuta Tatsumi , Takai Shu , Nishihata Toshiki , Sueyoshi Kenji , Endo Tatsuro , Hisamoto Hideaki
Published: June 2020

A fully lipophilic ionic liquid comprising a lipophilic fluorescein anion and a trihexyltetradecylphosphonium cation was synthesized and used as the plasticizer for a PVC membrane optode, demonstrating high sensitivity, rapid, and reversible responses toward anions and heparin.
Enhancing the activity of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from CdSe quantum dots with a polyoxovanadate cluster
Authors: Edwards Emily H. , Fertig Alex A. , McClelland Kevin P. , Meidenbauer Mahilet T. , Chakraborty Saikat , Krauss Todd D. , Bren Kara L. , Matson Ellen M.
Published: June 2020

Adding metal-cluster hole scavengers enhances photocatalytic hydrogen production by quantum dots.
Multicomponent benzannulation of allylic P-ylides with isocyanates or aldehydes for construction of anilines and biaryls
Authors: Babu Kaki Raveendra , Li Yang , Xu Wenbo , Tang Yuhai , Zhang Wenquan , Xu Silong
Published: June 2020

Benzannulation of allylic phosphorus ylides with isocyanates or aromatic aldehydes is developed for the synthesis of anilines and biaryls, respectively.
A search of a quantitative quantum-chemical approach for radiolytic stability prediction
Authors: Smirnova Anastasiia , Mitrofanov Artem , Matveev Petr , Baygildiev Timur , Petrov Vladimir
Published: June 2020

The first semi-quantitative model of the radiolytic stability based on the quantum chemistry simulations was suggested and validated by the experimental data.
Quasi-classical trajectory analysis with isometric feature mapping and locally linear embedding: deep insights into the multichannel reaction on an NH3+(4A) potential energy surface
Authors: Shi Weiliang , Jia Tian , Li Anyang
Published: June 2020

Two manifold learning methods, isometric feature mapping and locally linear embedding, are applied to the analysis of quasi-classical trajectories for multi-channel reaction NH++ H2→ N + H3+/NH2++ H.
Molecular dynamics simulations on fullerene surfactants with different charges at the air–water interface
Authors: Li Yunzhi , Wei Yaoyao , Leng Xia , Liu Guokui , Xia Qiying , Wang Honglei
Published: June 2020

The location of fullerene surfactants at the air–water interface or in an aqueous solution is charge dependent.
Electron-donating strength dependent symmetry breaking charge transfer dynamics of quadrupolar molecules
Authors: Niu Xinmiao , Kuang Zhuoran , Planells Miquel , Guo Yuanyuan , Robertson Neil , Xia Andong
Published: June 2020

The solvent induced excited state symmetry breaking processes of donor–acceptor–donor quadrupolar dyes are successfully tracked in real-time.
High pressure ammonia decomposition on Ru–K/CaO catalysts
Authors: Sayas Salvador , Morlanés Natalia , Katikaneni Sai P. , Harale Aadesh , Solami Bandar , Gascon Jorge
Published: June 2020

Potassium-promoted ruthenium supported on CaO is a very efficient catalyst for ammonia decomposition, surpassing the performance of other Ru-supported solids.
Capacity degradation of Li4Ti5O12 during long-term cycling in terms of composition and structure
Authors: Bai Xue , Li Tao , Bai Yu-Jun
Published: June 2020

The performance decay of Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) associates with the ever-increasing residual Li+ and Ti3+ in the delithiated LTO, structure disordering, gradually reduced conductivities, and escalated polarization besides the electrolyte decomposition.
Wet chemical epitaxial growth of a cactus-like CuFeO2/ZnO heterojunction for improved photocatalysis
Authors: Jiang Tengfei , Xu Cong , Zhang Yihan , Xue Huaiguo , Tian Jingqi
Published: June 2020

A wet chemical epitaxial growth method was employed to fabricate a cactus-like CuFeO2/ZnO heterojunction for the photocatalytic reduction of benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol.
Luminescent halogen-substituted 2-(N-arylimino)pyrrolyl boron complexes: the internal heavy-atom effect
Authors: Rodrigues Ana I. , Krishnamoorthy Paramasivam , Gomes Clara S. B. , Carmona Nicolas , Di Paolo Roberto E. , Pander Piotr , Pina João , Sérgio Seixas de Melo J. , Dias Fernando B. , Calhorda Maria José , Maçanita António L. , Morgado Jorge , Gomes Pedro T.
Published: June 2020

New luminescent halogen-substituted 2-iminopyrrolyl boron complexes exhibited an internal-heavy atom effect depending on the position of the halogen atom, and activity in OLEDs.
Ru single atoms and nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes as multifunctional catalysts
Authors: Fernandes Diana M. , Rocha Mariana , Rivera-Cárcamo Camila , Serp Philippe , Freire Cristina
Published: June 2020

We report the application of Ru/CNT for the catalytic reduction of nitroarenes and the electrocatalytic oxygen reactions (ORR/OER).
A four-parameter system for rationalising the electronic properties of transition metal–radical ligand complexes
Authors: Mews N. M. , Reimann M. , Hörner G. , Kaupp M. , Schubert H. , Berkefeld A.
Published: June 2020

A heuristic four-parameter scheme captures and predicts the electronic properties of radical-ligand transition metal compounds, overcoming ligand specific descriptions.
Metallic elements and Pb isotopes in PM2.5 in three Chinese typical megacities: spatial distribution and source apportionment
Authors: Xu H. M. , He K. L. , Feng R. , Shen Z. X. , Cao J. J. , Liu S. X. , Ho K. F. , Huang R.-J. , Guinot B. , Wang Q. Y. , Zhou J. M. , Shen M. X. , Xiao S. , Zhou B. H. , Sonke J. E.
Published: June 2020

Heavy metal pollution in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a serious environmental and health concern in China, particularly during winter.
Relevance of formation conditions to the size, morphology and local structure of intrinsic plutonium colloids
Authors: Micheau Cyril , Virot Matthieu , Dourdain Sandrine , Dumas Thomas , Menut Denis , Solari Pier Lorenzo , Venault Laurent , Diat Olivier , Moisy Philippe , Nikitenko Sergey I.
Published: June 2020

Fundamental knowledge about plutonium intrinsic colloids is a key issue for the prediction of plutonium transport and release rates in the environment.
Lieb–Oxford bound and pair correlation functions for density-functional methods based on the adiabatic-connection fluctuation-dissipation theorem
Authors: Erhard Jannis , Fauser Steffen , Kalaß Simon , Moerman Evgeny , Trushin Egor , Görling Andreas
Published: June 2020

Compliance with the Lieb–Oxford bound is investigated for density-functional methods based on the ACFD theorem to treat correlation. Correlation pair densities resulting from such methods are compared with highly accurate reference values.
High-throughput fabrication of cell-laden 3D biomaterial gradients
Authors: Guimarães Carlos F. , Gasperini Luca , Ribeiro Raquel S. , Carvalho Andreia F. , Marques Alexandra P. , Reis Rui L.
Published: June 2020

A fully high-throughput (HT) microfluidic platform for the generation of novel multi-material, multi-crosslinking 3D cell-laden gradients as screening libraries.
Interaction of the motor protein SecA and the bacterial protein translocation channel SecYEG in the absence of ATP
Authors: Winkler Klemens , Karner Andreas , Horner Andreas , Hannesschlaeger Christof , Knyazev Denis , Siligan Christine , Zimmermann Mirjam , Kuttner Roland , Pohl Peter , Preiner Johannes
Published: June 2020

The SecA–SecYEG complex is stable in the absence of nucleotides due to a dual recognition mechanism.
Fabrication of a hydrazine chemical sensor based on facile synthesis of doped NZO nanostructure materials
Authors: Rahman Mohammed M. , Ahmed Jahir , Asiri Abdullah M. , Alamry Khalid A.
Published: June 2020

In this approach, nickel-doped zinc oxide (NZO) nanostructure materials were synthesized by the solution method in the basic phase.
Use of remote acyl groups for stereoselective 1,2-cis-glycosylation with fluorinated glucosazide thiodonors
Authors: Hamala Vojtěch , Červenková Šťastná Lucie , Kurfiřt Martin , Cuřínová Petra , Dračínský Martin , Karban Jindřich
Published: June 2020

Introducing remote O-acyl protecting groups enabled 1,2-cis stereoselective glycosylation with fluorinated glucosazide glycosyl donors.
Genetic dereplication driven discovery of a tricinoloniol acid biosynthetic pathway in Trichoderma hypoxylon
Authors: Liu Huan , Pu Yu-Han , Ren Jin-Wei , Li Er-Wei , Guo Li-Xia , Yin Wen-Bing
Published: June 2020

Three new sesquiterpene tricinoloniol acids were found by a genetic dereplication approach in combination with coordinated gene expression of biosynthetic gene clusters of tri and tra. The biosynthetic pathway was identified by targeted deletion of terpene cyclase traA.
End-functionalised glycopolymers as glycosaminoglycan mimetics inhibit HeLa cell proliferation
Authors: Yang Chendong , Gao Lei , Shao Meng , Cai Chao , Wang Lihao , Chen Yifan , Li Jianghua , Fan Fei , Han Yubing , Liu Ming , Linhardt Robert J. , Yu Guangli
Published: June 2020

A novel glycopeptide mimetic, prepared by end-functionalised conjugation of iRGD peptide on a glycopolymer, could effectively enter HeLa cells and inhibit signalling pathways involved in tumour cell proliferation.
Electrochromic Os-based metallo-supramolecular polymers: electronic state tracking by in situ XAFS, IR, and impedance spectroscopies
Authors: Yoshida Takefumi , Bera Manas Kumar , Narayana Yemineni S. L. V. , Mondal Sanjoy , Abe Hitoshi , Higuchi Masayoshi
Published: June 2020

In this study, the electronic states of Os-based metallo-supramolecular polymers (poly(OsL)2+) during electrochromism were tracked by in situ X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS), infrared (IR), and impedance spectroscopies.
Non-aqueous solvent extraction of indium from an ethylene glycol feed solution by the ionic liquid Cyphos IL 101: speciation study and continuous counter-current process in mixer–settlers
Authors: Deferm Clio , Onghena Bieke , Nguyen Viet Tu , Banerjee Dipanjan , Fransaer Jan , Binnemans Koen
Published: June 2020

Speciation studies give insight into the mechanism of non-aqueous solvent extraction of indium from ethylene glycol solution by the ionic liquid Cyphos IL 101.
Lanthanide complexes based on a new bis-chelating carbacylamidophosphate (CAPh) scorpionate-like ligand
Authors: Olyshevets Iryna , Ovchynnikov Vladimir , Kariaka Nataliia , Dyakonenko Viktoriya , Shishkina Svitlana , Sliva Tatiana , Ostrowska Małgorzata , Jedyńczuk Aleksandra , Gumienna-Kontecka Elżbieta , Amirkhanov Vladimir
Published: June 2020

A new bis-chelating scorpionate type CAPh ligand and its lanthanide complexes in solid state and solution.
Poly(vinylamine-co-N-isopropylacrylamide) linear polymer and hydrogels with tuned thermoresponsivity
Authors: Fischer Thorsten , Demco Dan E. , Fechete Radu , Möller Martin , Singh Smriti
Published: June 2020

Poly(vinylamine-co-N-isopropylacrylamide) linear polymers and hydrogels with tuned thermoresponsivity have been synthetized. They morphology and chain dynamics where investigated by rheology and1H NMR spectroscopy, relaxometry and diffusometry.
Inflammation product effects on dilatational mechanics can trigger the Laplace instability and acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Barman Sourav , Davidson Michael L. , Walker Lynn M. , Anna Shelly L. , Zasadzinski Joseph A.
Published: June 2020

Capillary pressure across a 50 μm bubble in a glass capillary is oscillated to measure the dynamic surface tension of lysolipids.
Escape of a passive particle from an activity-induced energy landscape: emergence of slow and fast effective diffusion
Authors: Chaki Subhasish , Chakrabarti Rajarshi
Published: June 2020

Activity can also slow down the escape dynamics in dense environment by incorporating ruggedness in the energy landscape, as revealed in our analytical calculations.
Grafting conductive polymers on graphene oxide through cross-linker: a stepwise approach
Authors: Khan Rizwan , Nishina Yuta
Published: June 2020

A three-step reaction furnished a composite of graphene and a conductive polymer.
Enzyme-responsive turn-on nanoprobes for in situ fluorescence imaging and localized photothermal treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections
Authors: Du Xuancheng , Wang Weijie , Wu Chun , Jia Bingqing , Li Weifeng , Qiu Lin , Jiang Pengju , Wang Jianhao , Li Yong-Qiang
Published: June 2020

An enzyme-responsive turn-on nanoprobe is presented for in situ fluorescence imaging and localized photothermal treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
Expanding the hole delocalization range in excited molecules for stable organic light-emitting diodes employing thermally activated delayed fluorescence
Authors: Zheng Xinyuan , Cao Fangyi , Wang Chao , Tsuboi Taiju , Zhu Yunhui , Ai Qi , Deng Chao , Wang Dan , Su Liwu , Liu Zhang , Zhang Qisheng
Published: June 2020

The degradation in TADF OLEDs is found to be governed by the radical electrophilic substitutions between two charge-transfer (CT) excitons. Expanding the mean localization distance (RLOL) of hole in the CT state can improve device stability.
Exploiting bandgap engineering to finely control dual-mode Lu2(Ge,Si)O5:Pr3+ luminescence thermometers
Authors: Sójka Małgorzata , Brites Carlos D. S. , Carlos Luís D. , Zych Eugeniusz
Published: June 2020

Bandgap engineering allows tuning the performance of a dual-mode luminescence thermometer in the 17–700 K range of temperature.
Identification of feature autophagy-related genes in patients with acute myocardial infarction based on bioinformatics analyses
Authors: Du Yajuan , Zhao Enfa , Zhang Yushun
Published: June 2020

Objective: To identify feature autophagy-related genes (ARGs) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and further investigate their value in the diagnosis of AMI.

Methods: Gene microarray expression data of AMI peripheral blood samples were downloaded from the GSE66360 dataset. The data were randomly classified into a discovery cohort (21 AMI patients and 22 healthy controls) and a validation cohort (28 AMI patients and 28 healthy controls). Differentially expressed ARGs between patients with AMI and healthy controls in the discovery cohort were identified using a statistical software package. Feature ARGs were screened based on support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE), and an SVM classifier was constructed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to investigate the predictive value of the classifier, which was further verified in an independent external cohort.

Results: A total of seven genes were identified based on SVM-RFE. The SVM classifier had an excellent discrimination ability in both the discovery cohort (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.968) and the validation cohort (AUC = 0.992), which was further confirmed in the GSE48060 dataset (AUC = 0.963). Furthermore, the SVM classifier showed outstanding discrimination between AMI patients with and without recurrent events in the independent external cohort (AUC = 0.992). The identified genes are mainly involved in the cellular response to autophagy, macroautophagy, apoptosis, and the FoxO signaling pathway.

Conclusion: Our study identified feature ARGs and indicated their potential roles in AMI diagnosis to improve our understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the occurrence of AMI.
From diagnosis to therapy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Babbs Arran , Chatzopoulou Maria , Edwards Ben , Squire Sarah E. , Wilkinson Isabel V.L. , Wynne Graham M. , Russell Angela J. , Davies Kay E.
Published: June 2020

Genetic approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of inherited muscle diseases have advanced rapidly in recent years. Many of the advances have occurred in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a muscle wasting disease where affected boys are typically wheelchair bound by age 12 years and generally die in their twenties from respiratory failure or cardiomyopathy. Dystrophin is a 421 kD protein which links F-actin to the extracellular matrix via the dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC) at the muscle membrane. In the absence of dystrophin, the DAPC is lost, making the muscle membrane more susceptible to contraction-induced injury. The identification of the gene causing DMD in 1986 resulted in improved diagnosis of the disease and the identification of hotspots for mutation. There is currently no effective treatment. However, there are several promising genetic therapeutic approaches at the preclinical stage or in clinical trials including read-through of stop codons, exon skipping, delivery of dystrophin minigenes and the modulation of expression of the dystrophin related protein, utrophin. In spite of significant progress, the problem of targeting all muscles, including diaphragm and heart at sufficiently high levels, remains a challenge. Any therapy also needs to consider the immune response and some treatments are mutation specific and therefore limited to a subgroup of patients. This short review provides a summary of the current status of DMD therapy with a particular focus on those genetic strategies that have been taken to the clinic.
Full-length galectin-8 and separate carbohydrate recognition domains: the whole is greater than the sum of its parts?
Authors: Cagnoni Alejandro J. , Troncoso María F. , Rabinovich Gabriel A. , Mariño Karina V. , Elola María T.
Published: June 2020

Galectin-8 (Gal-8) is a tandem-repeat type galectin with affinity for β-galactosides, bearing two carbohydrate recognition domains (CRD) connected by a linker peptide. The N- and C-terminal domains (Gal-8N and Gal-8C) share 35% homology, and their glycan ligand specificity is notably dissimilar: while Gal-8N shows strong affinity for α(2-3)-sialylated oligosaccharides, Gal-8C has higher affinity for non-sialylated oligosaccharides, including poly-N-acetyllactosamine and/ or A and B blood group structures. Particularly relevant for understanding the biological role of this lectin, full-length Gal-8 can bind cell surface glycoconjugates with broader affinity than the isolated Gal-8N and Gal-8C domains, a trait also described for other tandem-repeat galectins. Herein, we aim to discuss the potential use of separate CRDs in modelling tandem-repeat galectin-8 and its biological functions. For this purpose, we will cover several aspects of the structure–function relationship of this protein including crystallographic structures, glycan specificity, cell function and biological roles, with the ultimate goal of understanding the potential role of each CRD in predicting full-length Gal-8 involvement in relevant biological processes.
The Risk of Penetration–Aspiration Related to Residue in the Pharynx
Authors: Steele Catriona M. , Peladeau-Pigeon Melanie , Barrett Emily , Wolkin Talia S.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Reference data from healthy adults under the age of 60 years suggest that the 75th and 95th percentiles for pharyngeal residue on swallows of thin liquids are 1% and 3%(C2-4)2, respectively. We explored how pharyngeal residue below versus above these values prior to a swallow predicts penetration–aspiration.

Method

The study involved retrospective analysis of a previous research data set from 305 adults at risk for dysphagia. Participants swallowed six thin boluses and three each of mildly, moderately, and extremely thick barium in videofluoroscopy. Raters measured preswallow residue in %(C2-4)2units and Penetration–Aspiration Scale (PAS) scores for each swallow. Swallows were classified as (a) “clean baseline” (with no preswallow residue), (b) “clearing” swallows of residue with no new material added, or (c) swallows of “additional material” plus preswallow residue. Frequencies of PAS scores of ≥ 3 were compared across swallow type by consistency according to residue severity (i.e., ≤ vs. > 1%(C2-4)2and ≤ vs. > 3%(C2-4)2.

Results

The data set comprised 2,541 clean baseline, 209 clearing, and 1,722 swallows of additional material. On clean baseline swallows, frequencies of PAS scores of ≥ 3 were 5% for thin and mildly thick liquids and 1% for moderately/extremely thick liquids. Compared to clean baseline swallows, the odds of penetration–aspiration on thin liquids increased 4.60-fold above the 1% threshold and 4.20-fold above the 3% threshold (mildly thick: 2.11-fold > 1%(C2-4)2, 2.26-fold > 3%(C2-4)2). PAS scores of ≥ 3 did not occur with clearing swallows of moderately/extremely thick liquids. Lower frequencies of above-threshold preswallow residue were seen for swallows of additional material than for clearing swallows. Compared to clean baseline swallows, the odds of PAS scores of ≥ 3 on swallows of additional material increased ≥ 1.86-fold above the 1% threshold and ≥ 2.15-fold above the 3% threshold, depending on consistency.

Conclusion

The data suggest that a pharyngeal residue threshold of 1%(C2-4)2is a meaningful cut-point for delineating increased risk of penetration–aspiration on a subsequent swallow.