bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the nuclear and cytosolic transcriptomes in human brain tissue reveals new insights into the subcellular distribution of RNA transcripts
Authors: Zaghlool Ammar , Niazi Adnan , Björklund Åsa K. , Westholm Jakub Orzechowski , Ameur Adam , Feuk Lars
Published: February 2021

Transcriptome analysis has mainly relied on analyzing RNA sequencing data from whole cells, overlooking the impact of subcellular RNA localization and its influence on our understanding of gene function, and interpretation of gene expression signatures in cells. Here, we separated cytosolic and nuclear RNA from human fetal and adult brain samples and performed a comprehensive analysis of cytosolic and nuclear transcriptomes. There are significant differences in RNA expression for protein-coding and lncRNA genes between cytosol and nucleus. We show that transcripts encoding the nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins are significantly enriched in the cytosol compared to the rest of protein-coding genes. Differential expression analysis between fetal and adult frontal cortex show that results obtained from the cytosolic RNA differ from results using nuclear RNA both at the level of transcript types and the number of differentially expressed genes. Our data provide a resource for the subcellular localization of thousands of RNA transcripts in the human brain and highlight differences in using the cytosolic or the nuclear transcriptomes for expression analysis.
Neutron Bragg-edge transmission imaging for microstructure and residual strain in induction hardened gears
Authors: Su Yuhua , Oikawa Kenichi , Shinohara Takenao , Kai Tetsuya , Horino Takashi , Idohara Osamu , Misaka Yoshitaka , Tomota Yo
Published: February 2021

A time-of-flight Bragg-edge neutron transmission imaging was used to investigate the microstructure and strain distributions in a gear hardened by a newly developed two-step induction-heating method: precursor (Sample 1) and final product (Sample 2). The edge-position and edge-broadening were determined and mapped with high spatial resolution, which enabled us to confirm the two-dimensional distributions of the microstructure and residual strain. A deep hardened layer was made for Sample 1 in which martensite was formed on the entire teeth and the outer peripheral portion of the gear body. Sample 2 was subjected to double induction-hardening, where a tempered martensite was formed as the thermal refined microstructure between a fine-grained martensite at the tooth surface and a ferrite-pearlite microstructure at the core. The relationship between edge-broadening and the Vickers hardness described by a linear equation was employed to derive the elastic residual strain. The residual strain map for Sample 2 revealed that a steep compressive strain was introduced into the fine-grained martensite at the tooth surface by the super rapid induction-heating and quenching process. The reversal of tension was speculated to occur below 2 mm from the tooth tip, and the strain was almost zero in the core region.
Reduction of the molecular hamiltonian matrix using quantum community detection
Authors: Mniszewski Susan M. , Dub Pavel A. , Tretiak Sergei , Anisimov Petr M. , Zhang Yu , Negre Christian F. A.
Published: February 2021

Quantum chemistry is interested in calculating ground and excited states of molecular systems by solving the electronic Schrödinger equation. The exact numerical solution of this equation, frequently represented as an eigenvalue problem, remains unfeasible for most molecules and requires approximate methods. In this paper we introduce the use of Quantum Community Detection performed using the D-Wave quantum annealer to reduce the molecular Hamiltonian matrix in Slater determinant basis without chemical knowledge. Given a molecule represented by a matrix of Slater determinants, the connectivity between Slater determinants (as off-diagonal elements) is viewed as a graph adjacency matrix for determining multiple communities based on modularity maximization. A gauge metric based on perturbation theory is used to determine the lowest energy cluster. This cluster or sub-matrix of Slater determinants is used to calculate approximate ground state and excited state energies within chemical accuracy. The details of this method are described along with demonstrating its performance across multiple molecules of interest and bond dissociation cases. These examples provide proof-of-principle results for approximate solution of the electronic structure problem using quantum computing. This approach is general and shows potential to reduce the computational complexity of post-Hartree–Fock methods as future advances in quantum hardware become available.
Melody complexity of infants’ cry and non-cry vocalisations increases across the first six months
Authors: Wermke Kathleen , Robb Michael P. , Schluter Philip J.
Published: February 2021

In early infancy, melody provides the most salient prosodic element for language acquisition and there is huge evidence for infants’ precocious aptitudes for musical and speech melody perception. Yet, a lack of knowledge remains with respect to melody patterns of infants’ vocalisations. In a search for developmental regularities of cry and non-cry vocalisations and for building blocks of prosody (intonation) over the first 6 months of life, more than 67,500 melodies (fundamental frequency contours) of 277 healthy infants from monolingual German families were quantitatively analysed. Based on objective criteria, vocalisations with well-identifiable melodies were grouped into those exhibiting a simple (single-arc) or complex (multiple-arc) melody pattern. Longitudinal analysis using fractional polynomial multi-level mixed effects logistic regression models were applied to these patterns. A significant age (but not sex) dependent developmental pattern towards more complexity was demonstrated in both vocalisation types over the observation period. The theoretical concept of melody development (MD-Model) contends that melody complexification is an important building block on the path towards language. Recognition of this developmental process will considerably improve not only our understanding of early preparatory processes for language acquisition, but most importantly also allow for the creation of clinically robust risk markers for developmental language disorders.
Chromatic intervention and biocompatibility assay for biosurfactant derived from Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del
Authors: Panchariya Vishal , Bhati Vishal , Madhyastha Harishkumar , Madhyastha Radha , Prasad Jagdish , Sharma Priyal , Sharma Paras , Harish  , Saini Mahesh Kumar , Rajput Vishnu D. , Nakajima Yuichi , Kothari S. L. , Gour Vinod Singh
Published: February 2021

Extraction of biosurfactants from plants is advantageous than from microbes. The properties and robustness of biosurfactant derived from the mesocarp of Balanites aegyptiaca have been reported. However, the dark brown property of biosurfactant and lack of knowledge of its biocompatibility limits its scope. In the present work, the decolorization protocol for this biosurfactant was optimized using hydrogen peroxide. The hemolytic potential and biocompatibility based on cell toxicity and proliferation were also investigated. This study is the first report on the decolorization and toxicity assay of this biosurfactant. For decolorization of biosurfactant, 34 full factorial design was used, and the data were subjected to ANOVA. Results indicate that 1.5% of hydrogen peroxide can decolorize the biosurfactant most efficiently at 40 °C in 70 min at pH 7. Mitochondrial reductase (MTT) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays on M5S mouse skin fibroblast cells revealed that decolorized biosurfactant up to 50 µg/mL for 6 h had no significant toxic effect. Hemolysis assay showed ~ 2.5% hemolysis of human RBCs, indicating the nontoxic effect of this biosurfactant. The present work established a decolorization protocol making the biosurfactant chromatically acceptable. Biocompatibility assays confirm its safer use as observed by experiments on M5S skin fibroblast cells under in vitro conditions.
Association between fluoroquinolone resistance and MRSA genotype in Alexandria, Egypt
Authors: Alseqely Mustafa , Newton-Foot Mae , Khalil Amal , El-Nakeeb Mostafa , Whitelaw Andrew , Abouelfetouh Alaa
Published: February 2021

Antimicrobial stewardship isn’t strictly observed in most Egyptian hospitals, raising antibiotic resistance. Epidemiology of Egyptian MRSA isolates, or associations with resistance to other antibiotics remain largely unknown. We identified MRSA genotypes in Alexandria Main University Hospital (AMUH) and investigated rates of moxifloxacin resistance, an alternative MRSA treatment, among different genotypes. Antibiotic susceptibility of 72 MRSA clinical isolates collected in 2015 from AMUH was determined by disc diffusion and broth microdilution. spa- and Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing were performed; with multi-locus sequence typing conducted on isolates representing major genotypes. Resistance to moxifloxacin, levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were 69%, 78% and 96%, respectively. spa type t037 (57%) was commonest, followed by t127 (12.5%), t267 (8%) and t688 (6%). SCCmec III predominated (57%), all of these were moxifloxacin resistant and 97.6% t037 (ST241). SCCmec IV, IV E and V represented 15%, 7% and 11% of the isolates, respectively, 79% of these were moxifloxacin susceptible and of different spa types. t127 (ST-1) was associated with SCCmec V in 56% of the isolates, mostly moxifloxacin susceptible. Moxifloxacin resistance was high, most resistant isolates belonged to t037 and SCCmec III, suggesting local dissemination and antibiotic pressure. We recommend caution in treating MRSA infections with moxifloxacin.
The effect of fertilizing soils degraded by the metallurgical industry on the content of elements in Lactuca sativa L.
Authors: Kicińska Alicja , Wikar Justyna
Published: February 2021

The aim of the study was to determine the content of macroelements (Ca, K, P, S, Mg) and microelements (Fe, Cr, Ni, Mn, Zn, Pb, Zn, Ti) in the leaves of Lactuca sativa grown in soils contaminated by the mining and metallurgical industry. The plants were cultivated using four fertilization variants: (a) unfertilized soil, (b) mix of straight fertilizers, (c) multinutrient fertilizer and (d) organic fertilizer, namely granular cattle manure. The study also involved an analysis of metal accumulation degree in the edible parts of lettuce by means of calculating a bioaccumulation index—transfer factor (TF). The analysis of the impact of fertilization on the content of the elements in the edible parts of fertilized versus unfertilized lettuce demonstrated that phytoavailability of the metals was most effectively limited by the multinutrient fertilizer and the mix of straight fertilizers. The organic fertilizer proved to be the least effective. The highest TF values (> 0.1) were recorded for macroelements, which denotes their intense and moderate accumulation. Poor bioaccumulation was observed for Cr, Mn, Ni and Zn (0.01 ≤ TF < 0.1), whereas in the case of Fe, Pb and Ti—trace bioaccumulation or no bioaccumulation was found (TF ≤ 0.01).
Real-world data of fulvestrant as first-line treatment of postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Blancas I. , Olier C. , Conde V. , Bayo J. L. , Herrero C. , Zarcos-Pedrinaci I. , Carabantes F. , Baena-Cañada J. M. , Cruz J. , Ruiz-Borrego M.
Published: February 2021

Goals of endocrine therapy for advanced breast cancer (ABC) include prolonging survival rates, maintaining the quality of life, and delaying the initiation of chemotherapy. We evaluated the effectiveness of fulvestrant as first-line in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive ABC with relapse during or after adjuvant anti-estrogenic therapy in real-world settings. Retrospective, observational study involving 171 postmenopausal women with ER-positive ABC who received fulvestrant as first-line between January 2011 and May 2018 in Spanish hospitals. With a median follow-up of 31.4 months, the progression-free survival (PFS) with fulvestrant was 14.6 months. No differences were seen in the visceral metastatic (14.3 months) versus non-visceral (14.6 months) metastatic subgroup for PFS. Overall response rate and clinical benefit rate were 35.2% and 82.8%. Overall survival was 43.1 months. The duration of the clinical benefit was 19.2 months. Patients with ECOG performance status 0 at the start of treatment showed a significant greater clinical benefit rate and overall survival than with ECOG 1–2. Results in real-world settings are in concordance with randomized clinical trials. Fulvestrant continues to demonstrate clinical benefits in real-world settings and appears be well tolerated as first-line for the treatment of postmenopausal women with ER-positive ABC.
Synthesis of short-range ordered aluminosilicates at ambient conditions
Authors: Lenhardt Katharina R. , Breitzke Hergen , Buntkowsky Gerd , Reimhult Erik , Willinger Max , Rennert Thilo
Published: February 2021

We report here on structure-related aggregation effects of short-range ordered aluminosilicates (SROAS) that have to be considered in the development of synthesis protocols and may be relevant for the properties of SROAS in the environment. We synthesized SROAS of variable composition by neutralizing aqueous aluminium chloride with sodium orthosilicate at ambient temperature and pressure. We determined elemental composition, visualized morphology by microscopic techniques, and resolved mineral structure by solid-state29Si and27Al nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Nitrogen sorption revealed substantial surface loss of Al-rich SROAS that resembled proto-imogolite formed in soils and sediments due to aggregation upon freezing. The effect was less pronounced in Si-rich SROAS, indicating a structure-dependent effect on spatial arrangement of mass at the submicron scale. Cryomilling efficiently fractured aggregates but did not change the magnitude of specific surface area. Since accessibility of surface functional groups is a prerequisite for sequestration of substances, elucidating physical and chemical processes of aggregation as a function of composition and crystallinity may improve our understanding of the reactivity of SROAS in the environment.
Collagen I triggers directional migration, invasion and matrix remodeling of stroma cells in a 3D spheroid model of endometriosis
Authors: Stejskalová Anna , Fincke Victoria , Nowak Melissa , Schmidt Yvonne , Borrmann Katrin , von Wahlde Marie-Kristin , Schäfer Sebastian D. , Kiesel Ludwig , Greve Burkhard , Götte Martin
Published: February 2021

Endometriosis is a painful gynecological condition characterized by ectopic growth of endometrial cells. Little is known about its pathogenesis, which is partially due to a lack of suitable experimental models. Here, we use endometrial stromal (St-T1b), primary endometriotic stromal, epithelial endometriotic (12Z) and co-culture (1:1 St-T1b:12Z) spheroids to mimic the architecture of endometrium, and either collagen I or Matrigel to model ectopic locations. Stromal spheroids, but not single cells, assumed coordinated directional migration followed by matrix remodeling of collagen I on day 5 or 7, resembling ectopic lesions. While generally a higher area fold increase of spheroids occurred on collagen I compared to Matrigel, directional migration was not observed in co-culture or in 12Z cells. The fold increase in area on collagen I was significantly reduced by MMP inhibition in stromal but not 12Z cells. Inhibiting ROCK signalling responsible for actomyosin contraction increased the fold increase of area and metabolic activity compared to untreated controls on Matrigel. The number of protrusions emanating from 12Z spheroids on Matrigel was decreased by microRNA miR-200b and increased by miR-145. This study demonstrates that spheroid assay is a promising pre-clinical tool that can be used to evaluate small molecule drugs and microRNA-based therapeutics for endometriosis.
The incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke in head and neck cancer patients
Authors: Kwon Hyun-Keun , Han Kyung-Do , Cheon Yong-Il , Shin Sung-Chan , Lee Minhyung , Sung Eui-Suk , Lee Jin-Choon , Lee Byung-Joo
Published: February 2021

Various treatment modalities are used for head and neck cancer (HNC). This study analyzed the incidence and risks of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke by cancer site and treatment modality in 22,737 patients newly diagnosed with HNC registered in the Korean National Health Insurance Service database in 2007–2013. An additional 68,211 patients without HNC, stroke, or MI were identified as the control group. The risks for MI (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24–1.53), stroke (HR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.37–1.60), and mortality (HR = 5.30, 95% CI 5.14–5.47) were significantly higher in the HNC group. Analysis by cancer site showed the risk of MI and mortality was highest in hypopharynx cancer, while the risk of stroke was highest in nasopharynx and paranasal sinus cancer. Analysis by treatment modality showed the highest risks for MI (HR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.31–2.69) and mortality (HR = 2.95, 95% CI 2.75–3.17) in HNC patients receiving chemotherapy (CT) alone, while HNC patients receiving CT with surgery had the highest risk for stroke (HR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.14–2.88). Careful attention to MI and stroke risks in HNC patients is suggested, especially those who received both CT and radiotherapy.
The association between dietary fatty acid intake and the risk of developing preeclampsia: a matched case–control study
Authors: Li Shu-na , Liu Yan-hua , Luo Ze-yan , Cui Yun-feng , Cao Yuan , Fu Wen-jun , Dou Wei-feng , Duan Dan-dan , Zhao Xian-lan , Chen Yu-ming , Lyu Quan-jun , Chen Qing-shan , Zeng Fang-fang
Published: February 2021

The association between dietary fat intake during pregnancy and the risk of developing preeclampsia has been examined in many epidemiological studies, but the results remain inconsistent. The aim of this study was to clarify this association in pregnant Chinese women. After conducting 1:1 matching, 440 pairs consisting of pregnant women with preeclampsia and hospital-based, healthy pregnant women matched by gestational week (± 1 week) and age (± 3 years) were recruited. A 79-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire administered during face-to-face interviews was used to estimate the participants’ dietary intake of fatty acids. We found that the intakes of arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were inversely associated with the risk of developing preeclampsia. Compared with the lowest quartile intake, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of the highest quartile intake were 0.42 (0.26–0.68, p-trend < 0.001) for EPA, 0.52 (0.3–0.83, p-trend = 0.005) for DHA, and 0.41 (0.19–0.88, p-trend = 0.007) for AA. However, we did not observe any significant associations between the intake of total fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, and mono-unsaturated fatty acids and the risk of developing preeclampsia. Our results showed that the dietary intake of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (i.e., EPA, DHA, and AA) may protect pregnant Chinese women against the development of preeclampsia.
Correlation between corneal thickness, keratometry, age, and differential pressure difference in healthy eyes
Authors: Colakoglu Ahmet , Colakoglu Iffet Emel , Cosar Cemile Banu
Published: February 2021

To determine the use of differential pressure difference (DPD), in air-puff differential tonometry, as a potential biomechanical measure of the cornea and elucidate its relationship with the intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness, corneal curvature, and age. This study comprised 396 eyes from 198 patients and was conducted at Acibadem University, School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Istanbul, Turkey. The central corneal curvature and refraction of the eyes were measured using an Auto Kerato-Refractometer (KR-1; Topcon Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). IOP and central corneal thickness were measured using a tono-pachymeter (CT-1P; Topcon Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), wherein two separate readings of IOP were obtained using two different modes: 1–30 and 1–60. The difference between these two readings was recorded as the DPD. The factors affecting the DPD were determined by stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. DPD varied over a dynamic range of − 3.0 to + 5.0 mmHg and was weakly correlated with the central corneal thickness (r = 0.115, p < 0.05). DPD showed no significant correlation with IOP 1–30 (p > 0.05). A weak but statistically significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation of DPD was observed with age (r = 0.123), Kavg (r = 0.102), and the CCT (r = 0.115). There was a significant correlation between DPD and Kavg, CCT, and age. There was no significant correlation between DPD and IOP 1–30. Age-related changes in the corneal ultrastructure may be a plausible explanation for the weak positive association between age and DPD. The proposed method may prove a valid non-invasive tool for the evaluation of corneal biomechanics and introduce DPD in the decision-making of routine clinical practice.
Stiffness increases with myofibroblast content and collagen density in mesenchymal high grade serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Mieulet Virginie , Garnier Camille , Kieffer Yann , Guilbert Thomas , Nemati Fariba , Marangoni Elisabetta , Renault Gilles , Chamming’s Foucauld , Vincent-Salomon Anne , Mechta-Grigoriou Fatima
Published: February 2021

Women diagnosed with high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOC) are still likely to exhibit a bad prognosis, particularly when suffering from HGSOC of the Mesenchymal molecular subtype (50% cases). These tumors show a desmoplastic reaction with accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins and high content of cancer-associated fibroblasts. Using patient-derived xenograft mouse models of Mesenchymal and Non-Mesenchymal HGSOC, we show here that HGSOC exhibit distinct stiffness depending on their molecular subtype. Indeed, tumor stiffness strongly correlates with tumor growth in Mesenchymal HGSOC, while Non-Mesenchymal tumors remain soft. Moreover, we observe that tumor stiffening is associated with high stromal content, collagen network remodeling, and MAPK/MEK pathway activation. Furthermore, tumor stiffness accompanies a glycolytic metabolic switch in the epithelial compartment, as expected based on Warburg’s effect, but also in stromal cells. This effect is restricted to the central part of stiff Mesenchymal tumors. Indeed, stiff Mesenchymal tumors remain softer at the periphery than at the core, with stromal cells secreting high levels of collagens and showing an OXPHOS metabolism. Thus, our study suggests that tumor stiffness could be at the crossroad of three major processes, i.e. matrix remodeling, MEK activation and stromal metabolic switch that might explain at least in part Mesenchymal HGSOC aggressiveness.
Molecular and pathological analyses of gastric stump cancer by next-generation sequencing and immunohistochemistry
Authors: Watanabe Masahiro , Kuwata Takeshi , Setsuda Ayumi , Tokunaga Masanori , Kaito Akio , Sugita Shizuki , Tonouchi Akiko , Kinoshita Takahiro , Nagino Masato
Published: February 2021

Gastric stump cancer (GSC) has distinct clinicopathological characteristics from primary gastric cancer. However, the detailed molecular and pathological characteristics of GSC remain to be clarified because of its rarity. In this study, a set of tissue microarrays from 89 GSC patients was analysed by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation. Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) was expressed in 98.9% of tumour-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) and 6.7% of tumour cells (TCs). Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) was detected in 18 patients (20.2%). Overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and deficiency of mismatch repair (MMR) protein expression were observed in 5.6% and 1.1% of cases, respectively. Moreover, we used next-generation sequencing to determine the gene mutation profiles of a subset of the 50 most recent patients. The most frequently mutated genes were TP53 (42.0%) followed by SMAD4 (18.0%) and PTEN (16.0%), all of which are tumour suppressor genes. A high frequency of PD-L1 expression in TIICs and a high EBV infection rate suggest immune checkpoint inhibitors for treatment of GSC despite a relatively low frequency of deficient MMR gene expression. Other molecular characteristics such as PTEN and SMAD4 mutations might be considered to develop new treatment strategies.
Symmetric square shaped metamaterial structure with quintuple resonance frequencies for S, C, X and Ku band applications
Authors: Ramachandran Tayaallen , Faruque Mohammad Rashed Iqbal , Islam Mohammad Tariqul
Published: February 2021

This study explores the effect of symmetrical square shaped metamaterial design for microwave frequency applications. The latest technology demands of advanced performance and research studies of metamaterial integration in the related bands are increasing tremendously. Therefore, this motivates us to explore the metamaterial design structure that has a high possibility to be applied in more than two resonance bands using a compact design structure. This study emphasis on a compact 14 × 14 mm2 and 1.524 mm thick substrate material known as Rogers RT6002. Seven distinct square shaped metamaterial (SQM) rings were constructed on the substrate material to achieve the goal of this research study. Besides that, the investigations of the metamaterial electromagnetic properties and effective medium parameters were carried out by utilising the Computer Simulation Technology Microwave Studio (CST) software. According to the numerical simulation results, the proposed SQM unit cell manifested quintuple resonance frequencies precisely at 3.384 (S band), 5.436, 7.002 (C band), 11.664 (X band), and 17.838 GHz (Ku band). Meanwhile, for the validation process, the comparison between the simulation and measurement results was analysed and data showed that the first and third resonance frequencies were increased by 0.336 and 0.139 GHz, respectively while other frequencies were reduced by 0.186, 0.081, and 0.709 GHz in sequential order. The numerical simulation of the metamaterial design was conducted in a High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) to further validate the results. Furthermore, the proposed SQM manifested left handed characteristics at the second to fifth resonance bands. In a nutshell, the SQM successfully achieves the objectives of this research work and can be applied to multi band applications.
Nasal displacement of retinal vessels on the optic disc in glaucoma associated with a nasally angled passage through lamina cribrosa
Authors: Sawada Yu , Araie Makoto , Shibata Hitomi , Iwase Takeshi
Published: February 2021

To investigate nasal displacement of central retinal vessel (CRV) on the optic nerve head (ONH) in glaucoma in association with its passage through lamina cribrosa (LC). This cross-sectional study included 113 eyes with glaucoma and 60 normal eyes. Horizontal spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scans of the ONH were acquired, and point where CRV emerged on the ONH surface was defined as the position of the CRV. Next, radial scans of the ONH were acquired, and angle of the CRV passing through the LC was measured. These parameters were compared between glaucomatous and normal eyes by t-test, and their relationship with possible confounders was assessed by multiple regression analyses. In glaucoma, CRV was significantly more nasally displaced than it was in normal eyes (66.0 ± 8.6 vs. 54.3 ± 9.5, P < 0.0001), and eyes with more vessel displacement exhibited significantly worse glaucomatous visual field defects (P = 0.0004). Greater nasal displacement of the CRV was significantly associated with a more nasally angled path through the LC (rs = 0.569, P < 0.0001). By using SD-OCT, we confirmed that nasal displacement of the CRV on the ONH was associated with glaucoma and was induced by its nasally angled path through the LC.
Using hyperspectral imagery to investigate large-scale seagrass cover and genus distribution in a temperate coast
Authors: Clarke Kenneth , Hennessy Andrew , McGrath Andrew , Daly Robert , Gaylard Sam , Turner Alison , Cameron James , Lewis Megan , Fernandes Milena B.
Published: February 2021

Seagrasses are regarded as indicators and first line of impact for anthropogenic activities affecting the coasts. The underlying mechanisms driving seagrass cover however have been mostly studied on small scales, making it difficult to establish the connection to seagrass dynamics in an impacted seascape. In this study, hyperspectral airborne imagery, trained from field surveys, was used to investigate broadscale seagrass cover and genus distribution along the coast of Adelaide, South Australia. Overall mapping accuracy was high for both seagrass cover (98%, Kappa = 0.93), and genus level classification (85%, Kappa = 0.76). Spectral separability allowed confident genus mapping in waters up to 10 m depth, revealing a 3.5 ratio between the cover of the dominant Posidonia and Amphibolis. The work identified the absence of Amphibolis in areas historically affected by anthropogenic discharges, which occasionally contained Posidonia and might be recovering. The results suggest hyperspectral imagery as a useful tool to investigate the interplay between seagrass cover and genus distribution at large spatial scales.
Mapping of functional elements of the Fab-6 boundary involved in the regulation of the Abd-B hox gene in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Postika Nikolay , Schedl Paul , Georgiev Pavel , Kyrchanova Olga
Published: February 2021

The autonomy of segment-specific regulatory domains in theBithoraxcomplex is conferred by boundary elements and associated Polycomb response elements (PREs). TheFab-6boundary is located at the junction of theiab-5andiab-6domains. Previous studies mapped it to a nuclease hypersensitive region 1 (HS1), while theiab-6PRE was mapped to a second hypersensitive region HS2 nearly 3 kb away. To analyze the role of HS1 and HS2 in boundary we generated deletions of HS1 or HS1 + HS2 that haveattPsite for boundary replacement experiments. The 1389 bp HS1 deletion can be rescued by a 529 bp coreFab-6sequence that includes two CTCF sites. However,Fab-6HS1 cannot rescue the HS1 + HS2 deletion or substitute for another BX-C boundary –Fab-7. For this it must be combined with a PRE, eitherFab-7HS3, orFab-6HS2. These findings suggest that the boundary function ofFab-6HS1 must be bolstered by a second element that has PRE activity.
Synthesis of novel phytol-derived γ-butyrolactones and evaluation of their biological activity
Authors: Gliszczyńska Anna , Dancewicz Katarzyna , Gabryś Beata , Świtalska Marta , Wietrzyk Joanna , Maciejewska Gabriela
Published: February 2021

The synthesis of phytol-derived γ-butyrolactones as well as their evaluation for deterrent activity towards peach-potato aphid Myzus persicae and antiproliferative activity against four selected cancer cell lines are reported. Products were obtained in good yields (19–96%) and their structures were fully characterized by spectroscopic data (NMR, HRMS). Four synthesized δ-halo-γ-lactones (4–7) are new and have not been previously described in the literature. In the choice test phytol (1) appeared deterrent to M. persicae, whereas modifications of its structure did not cause the avoidance of the treated leaves by the aphids. In contrast, aphids were attracted to the leaves treated with the new trans-δ-chloro-γ-lactone (6). Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG) technique applied to explore the aphid probing and feeding activity revealed that neither phytol nor lactone 6 affected aphid probing and the consumption of phloem sap, which means that both phytol and the lactone 6 might have acted as postingestive modifiers of aphid behavior. The results of in vitro antitumor assays showed that obtained phytol derivatives exhibit cytotoxic activity against studied cancer cell lines (leukemia, lung and colon carcinoma and its doxorubicin resistant subline). Halolactones 4–6 were identified as the compounds, which arrest cell cycle of leukemia cells mainly in G2/M and S phases.
Human induced pluripotent stem cell-based platform for modeling cardiac ischemia
Authors: Häkli Martta , Kreutzer Joose , Mäki Antti-Juhana , Välimäki Hannu , Lappi Henna , Huhtala Heini , Kallio Pasi , Aalto-Setälä Katriina , Pekkanen-Mattila Mari
Published: February 2021

Ischemic heart disease is a major cause of death worldwide, and the only available therapy to salvage the tissue is reperfusion, which can initially cause further damage. Many therapeutics that have been promising in animal models have failed in human trials. Thus, functional human based cardiac ischemia models are required. In this study, a human induced pluripotent stem cell derived-cardiomyocyte (hiPSC-CM)-based platform for modeling ischemia–reperfusion was developed utilizing a system enabling precise control over oxygen concentration and real-time monitoring of the oxygen dynamics as well as iPS-CM functionality. In addition, morphology and expression of hypoxia-related genes and proteins were evaluated as hiPSC-CM response to 8 or 24 h hypoxia and 24 h reoxygenation. During hypoxia, initial decrease in hiPSC-CM beating frequency was observed, after which the CMs adapted to the conditions and the beating frequency gradually increased already before reoxygenation. During reoxygenation, the beating frequency typically first surpassed the baseline before settling down to the values close the baseline. Furthermore, slowing on the field potential propagation throughout the hiPSC-CM sheet as well as increase in depolarization time and decrease in overall field potential duration were observed during hypoxia. These changes were reversed during reoxygenation. Disorganization of sarcomere structures was observed after hypoxia and reoxygenation, supported by decrease in the expression of sarcomeric proteins. Furthermore, increase in the expression of gene encoding glucose transporter 1 was observed. These findings indicate, that despite their immature phenotype, hiPSC-CMs can be utilized in modeling ischemia–reperfusion injury.
Biochemical characterisation of a collagenase from Bacillus cereus strain Q1
Authors: Hoppe Isabel J. , Brandstetter Hans , Schönauer Esther
Published: February 2021

Collagen is the most abundant protein in higher animals and as such it is a valuable source of amino acids and carbon for saprophytic bacteria. Due to its unique amino acid composition and triple-helical tertiary structure it can however only be cleaved by specialized proteases like the collagenases secreted by some bacteria. Among the best described bacterial collagenases are ColG and ColH fromClostridium histolyticum. ManyBacillus species contain homologues of clostridial collagenases, which play a role in some infections caused byB. cereus. Detailed biochemical and enzymatic characterizations of bacillial collagenases are however lacking at this time. In an effort to close this gap in knowledge we expressed ColQ1 fromB. cereusstrain Q1 recombinantly, investigated its metal dependency and performed peptide, gelatin and collagen degradation assays. Our results show that ColQ1 is a true collagenase, cleaving natively folded collagen six times more efficiently than ColG while at the same time being a similarly effective peptidase as ColH. In both ColQ1 and ColG the rate-limiting step in collagenolysis is the unwinding of the triple-helix. The data suggest an orchestrated multi-domain mechanism for efficient helicase activity.
A broad spectrum anti-bacterial peptide with an adjunct potential for tuberculosis chemotherapy
Authors: Rao Komal Umashankar , Henderson Domhnall Iain , Krishnan Nitya , Puthia Manoj , Glegola-Madejska Izabela , Brive Lena , Bjarnemark Fanny , Millqvist Fureby Anna , Hjort Karin , Andersson Dan I. , Tenland Erik , Sturegård Erik , Robertson Brian D. , Godaly Gabriela
Published: February 2021

Alternative ways to prevent and treat infectious diseases are needed. Previously, we identified a fungal peptide, NZX, that was comparable to rifampicin in lowering M. tuberculosis load in a murine tuberculosis (TB) infection model. Here we assessed the potential synergy between this cationic host defence peptide (CHDP) and the current TB drugs and analysed its pharmacokinetics. We found additive effect of this peptide with isoniazid and ethambutol and confirmed these results with ethambutol in a murine TB-model. In vivo, the peptide remained stable in circulation and preserved lung structure better than ethambutol alone. Antibiotic resistance studies did not induce mutants with reduced susceptibility to the peptide. We further observed that this peptide was effective against nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), such as M. avium and M. abscessus, and several Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In conclusion, the presented data supports a role for this CHDP in the treatment of drug resistant organisms.
Clinical outcomes and risk factors of hepatopulmonary syndrome in children
Authors: Kim Kwang Yeon , Kim Tae Hyeong , Lee Jeong-Moo , Yi Nam-Joon , Kim Hyun-Young , Moon Jin Soo , Ko Jae Sung
Published: February 2021

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is defined as three distinct features: liver disease, hypoxemia, and intrapulmonary vasodilation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical outcomes of pediatric HPS and to identify the risk factors for HPS in children with biliary atresia (BA). We performed a retrospective cohort study of all children who were diagnosed with HPS between 2000 and 2018 at Seoul National University Hospital. The clinical features and outcomes of the 10 patients diagnosed with HPS were reviewed. To clarify the risk factors of HPS in patients with BA, we reviewed 120 patients diagnosed with BA. Underlying liver disease was BA in 8 patients, portal vein agenesis in 1 patient, and portal vein thrombosis in 1 patient. A total of 7 patients underwent liver transplantation (LT). Currently, all seven patients, including 3 patients with severe HPS, survived after LT. The prevalence of HPS in children with BA was 7%. Polysplenia/interrupted inferior vena was the only risk factor for HPS in BA patients in multivariate analysis. The Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease score was not associated with the development of HPS. Children with severe HPS undergoing LT had excellent outcomes. Screening for HPS in children with BA is required regardless of the severity of liver diseases.
Multiple endogenous seed-born bacteria recovered rice growth disruption caused by Burkholderia glumae
Authors: Akimoto-Tomiyama Chiharu
Published: February 2021

Burkholderia glumae is a causal agent of bacterial grain and seedling rot in rice, and is a threat to stable global food supply. The virulence of B. glumae was suppressed when it was inoculated on budding seed rather than on non-budding seed. To clarify the phenomena, pathogen titer inside the rice plant was measured by serial dilution plating of lysates from budding rice seedlings. Surprisingly, morphologically different types of colonies were observed on the plates. These ‘contaminated’ rice seed-born bacteria (RSB) were identified by sequencing 16S rRNA genes as three strains of Pseudomonas putida (RSB1, RSB10, RSB15) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (RSB2). All bacteria and B. glumae were simultaneously inoculated onto rice seeds, and all three P. putida RSBs suppressed the growth disruption caused by B. glumae, whereas RSB2 had no effect. Thus, the virulence was synergistically suppressed when co-treated with RSBs. The effect could be dependent on the high biofilm formation ability of RSB2. By comprehensive microbiota analysis, endogenous rice flora were changed by RSBs treatment. These results suggest the possibility of novel pathogen control through pre-treatment with endogenous beneficial microorganisms. The method would contribute substantially to the implementation of sustainable agriculture stated in Sustainable Development Goals of United Nations.
Smart composite nanofiber mats with thermal management functionality
Authors: Kizildag Nuray
Published: February 2021

Nanofibers with thermal management ability are attracting great attention in both academia and industry due to the increasing interest in energy storage applications, thermal insulation, and thermal comfort. While electrospinning is basically a fiber formation technique, which uses electrostatic forces to draw ultrafine fibers from a wide variety of polymers, with the addition of phase change materials (PCMs) to the electrospinning solution it enables the production of shape stabilized phase change materials with thermal management functionality. In this study, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers containing paraffinic PCMs were produced by electrospinning method and the composite nanofibers obtained were characterized in terms of their morphology, chemical structure, thermal properties, stability, thermal degradation behaviour and hydrophobicity. Besides, PCMs with different phase transition temperatures were added simultaneously into the nanofiber structure in order to investigate the tunability of the thermoregulation properties of the nanofibers. Uniform nanofibers with thermal management functionality were obtained. It could be possible to obtain composite nanofibers showing thermoregulation ability over a wider temperature range by simultaneous addition of PCMs with different melting points into the nanofiber structure. 50 wt% PCM could be added to PAN nanofiber structure wherein the resulting nanofiber exhibited 58.74 J g−1 of enthalpy storage during heating and 57.41 J g−1 of heat release during cooling. The composite nanofibers maintained their cylindrical fiber morphology, structure and composition after multiple heating–cooling cycles and retained their thermal management functionality. The contact angle measurements showed that the addition of PCMs imparted hydrophobicity to the nanofibers.
Trends and associated maternal characteristics of antidiabetic medication use among pregnant women in South Korea
Authors: Noh Yunha , Choe Seung-Ah , Shin Ju-Young
Published: February 2021

The prevalence of diabetes during pregnancy and the need for the treatment are increasing. We aimed to investigate antidiabetic medications (ADM) use among pregnant women and their characteristics. Using Korea’s nationwide healthcare database, we included women aged 15–49 years with births during 2004–2013. The prevalence and secular trend of ADM use were assessed in 3 periods: pre-conception period, first trimester, and second/third trimesters. To compare maternal characteristics between pregnancies with and without ADM prescription, we used the χ2 or Fisher’s exact test and Cochran-Armitage trend test. The prescription patterns analyzed by calendar year, age, insurance type, income, area, and medical institution. Of 81,559 pregnancies, 222 (0.27%) and 305 (0.37%) were exposed ADM during pre-conception and pregnancy periods, respectively. ADM prescriptions increased significantly by an 11.3-fold in second/third trimesters, while a 2.9-fold in first trimester. ADM use is more prevalent in women aged older and living in urban areas. Metformin was most used in the pre-conception period, while insulins were most during pregnancy. About 0.4% of women received ADM during pregnancy; a rate was lower than that in western countries. Non-recommended medications were more common in first trimester, which warrants pregnancy screening for women taking ADM.
Supramolecular AIE polymer-based rare earth metallogels for the selective detection and high efficiency removal of cyanide and perchlorate
Authors: Zhang Qi , Zhang You-Ming , Yao Hong , Wei Tai-Bao , Shi Bingbing , Lin Qi
Published: February 2021

Two novel supramolecular AIE polymer-based rare earth metallogels (PT-GEu and PT-GTb) have been rationally designed and synthesized for the efficient detection and removal of cyanide (CN−) and perchlorate (ClO4−).
A CeP nanoparticle-reduced graphene oxide hybrid: an efficient electrocatalyst for the NH3 synthesis under ambient conditions
Authors: Ji Yuyao , Li Lei , Cheng Wendong , Xiao Yu , Li Chengbo , Liu Xingquan
Published: February 2021

In 0.1 M HCl, CeP–rGO achieves a large NH3 yield of 28.69 μg h−1 mgcat.−1 and a high faradaic efficiency of 9.6% at −0.40 V, and it also shows good stability. DFT calculations show that CeP–rGO can efficiently catalyze the synthesis of NH3.
Recent advances in the synthesis of indole embedded heterocycles with 3-diazoindolin-2-imines
Authors: Suleman Muhammad , Lu Ping , Wang Yanguang
Published: February 2021

The preparations, reactivity and synthetic applications of 3-diazoindolin-2-imines, a valuable class of α-diazo amidines, are reviewed.
N-Hydroxyphthalimide imidate esters as amidyl radical precursors in the visible light photocatalyzed C–H amidation of heteroarenes
Authors: Li Long-Hai , Wei Yin , Shi Min
Published: February 2021

N-Hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) imidate esters were used as amidyl radical precursors in the visible light photocatalyzed C–H amidation of heteroarenes, affording the desired amidation products in moderate to good yields.
The atomic-level regulation of single-atom site catalysts for the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction
Authors: Qu Qingyun , Ji Shufang , Chen Yuanjun , Wang Dingsheng , Li Yadong
Published: February 2021

Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is a promising way to remove CO2 and convert it into useful industrial products. Single-atom site catalysts provide opportunities to regulate the active sites of CO2RR catalysts at the atomic level.
Practical AMC model based on SAE with various optimisation methods under different noise environments
Authors: Li Zerun , Wang Qinglin , Liu Weisong , Xu Qiang , Xing Zuocheng , Li Yongzhong
Published: February 2021

Automatic modulation classification (AMC) has recently attracted widespread attention nowadays due to its desirable features of generalisability and requirement of little prior knowledge through artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The authors propose a stacked auto‐encoder (SAE) based on various optimisation methods structure to intelligently process a feature space that includes spectral‐based features and high‐order cumulants. To unify the dimensionality of the features, they apply different normalisation methods to the feature space before training the SAE model to decide corresponding normalisations under different noise environments. Linear normalisation is superior when signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) is low, and standardisation is superior when SNR is between ‐1 and 4 dB. Regularisation works best when SNR is greater than 5 dB. To increase the recognition accuracy of the proposed model, they introduce the unconstrained optimisation theory to adjust the proposed SAE model, including Nelder‐Mead method, Newton optimisation method, conjugate gradient method and quasi‐Newton method. They observe that the quasi‐Newton method offers desirable performance when optimising SAE model. It is the first time to compare these data normalisation methods and discuss unconstrained optimisation theory together to recognise modulation types. The recognition accuracy of this model for eight modulation types can reach 99.8% when SNR ranges from to 10 dB.
Comparative assessment of supercapacitor bank switching techniques under constant resistor, constant current, and constant power loads
Authors: Ronanki Deepak , Dasari Yashwanth , Williamson Sheldon S.
Published: February 2021

High specific power density and longer cycle life features made the supercapacitors as the most prominent option in managing the transient demands of the pulsed power loads. However, the discharging characteristics of supercapacitors confine them from the utilisation of their entire energy. Reflecting on these concerns, this study aims to provide an extensive review of various bank switching circuits of supercapacitors to enhance their energy utilisation. Also, a comprehensive analysis of these switching circuits in terms of power delivery duration, SC cell energy utilisation, terminal voltage variations, system efficiency, and total cost is carried out for the constant resistor, constant power, and constant current loads.