bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transient and persistent acute kidney injury phenotypes following the Norwood operation: a retrospective study
Authors: Gist Katja M. , Borasino Santiago , SooHoo Megan , Soranno Danielle E. , Mack Emily , Hock Kristal M. , Rahman A.K.M. Fazlur , Brinton John T. , Basu Rajit K. , Alten Jeffrey A.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Acute kidney injury is a common complication following the Norwood operation. Most neonatal studies report acute kidney injury peaking within the first 48 hours after cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate if persistent acute kidney injury (>48 postoperative hours) after the Norwood operation was associated with clinically relevant outcomes.

Methods:

Two-centre retrospective study among neonates undergoing the Norwood operation. Acute kidney injury was initially identified as developing within the first 48 hours after cardiac surgery and stratified into transient (≤48 hours) and persistent (>48 hours) using the neonatal modification of the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes serum creatinine criteria. Severe was defined as stage ≥2. Primary and secondary outcomes were mortality and duration of ventilation and hospital length of stay.

Results:

One hundred sixty-eight patients were included. Transient and persistent acute kidney injuries occurred in 24 and 17%, respectively. Cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross clamp duration, and incidence of cardiac arrest were greater among those with persistent kidney injury. Mortality was four times higher (41 versus 12%, p < 0.001) and mechanical ventilation duration 50 hours longer in persistent acute kidney injury patients (158 versus 107 hours; p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, persistent acute kidney injury was not associated with mortality, duration of ventilation or length of stay. Severe persistent acute kidney injury was associated with a 59% increase in expected ventilation duration (aIRR:1.59, 95% CI:1.16, 2.18; p = 0.004).

Conclusions:

Future large studies are needed to determine if risk factors and outcomes change by delineating acute kidney injury into discrete timing phenotypes.
Double-chambered right ventricle masquerading as bipartite right ventricle
Authors: Ahmed A. Shaheer , Agarwal Tushar
Published: July 2021

A 10-day-old neonate with pulmonary consolidation was referred for echocardiography to rule out CHD. At first glance, the morphology appeared to be a bipartite right ventricle with normal tricuspid and pulmonary valves. In-depth analysis, however, of the images showed a double-chambered right ventricle, in which the inlet and outlet portions of the right ventricle were isolated from the apical component of the right ventricle, which itself communicated with the left ventricle through a ventricular septal defect. There was a normal pulmonary valve and tricuspid annulus.
Beta-blocker use after complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot: an analysis of a national database
Authors: Villarreal Enrique G. , Farias Juan S. , Tweddell James S. , Loomba Rohit S. , Flores Saul
Published: July 2021

Introduction:

In patients with right ventricular diastolic dysfunction after complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot, some employ the use of beta-blockade. The theoretical benefit of this therapy is felt to be one of the two: 1) reduction in heart rate with subsequent increase in diastolic filling time and stroke volume; 2) halting or reversal of right ventricular remodelling. This study aimed to characterise the use of beta-blockade in paediatric admissions with complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot and characterise the effects of beta-blockade on admission characteristics.

Methods:

Admissions from 2004 to 2015 in the Pediatric Health Information System database with complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot were identified. Characteristics between admissions with and without beta-blockade were compared by univariate analysis. Next, regression analyses were conducted to determine the independent association of beta-blockade on length of admission, billed charges, cardiac arrest, and inpatient mortality while controlling for demographic variables and comorbidities.

Results:

A total of 3594 admissions were included in the final analyses. Of these, 371 employed beta-blockade. Admissions with beta-blockade were more likely to have heart failure and tachyarrhythmias. These admissions also tended to be longer by univariate analysis. Regression analyses demonstrated that beta-blockade was independently associated with a 2.8-day increase in length of stay and no statistically significant change in billed charges, cardiac arrest, or inpatient mortality.

Conclusions:

Beta-blockade after complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot is associated with a longer length of stay but did not statistically significantly impact billed charges, cardiac arrest, or inpatient mortality.
The value within multiform commodities: North African phosphates and global markets in the interwar period
Authors: Gruskin Rebecca
Published: July 2021

Phosphates mined in France’s North African empire fed interwar Europe’s voracious appetite for chemical fertilizers. In critique of histories vesting commodities themselves with the agency to make the modern world, I trace not the substance but the value embedded within it. By following value, I argue that the ‘commodity’ is not a stable unit of analysis. Rather, commodities are multiform. They can acquire myriad properties when the value embedded within them changes across time and place. During the interwar period, phosphates’ character as a commodity transmuted in relation to flows of other goods, movements of labour, global financial exigencies and imperial considerations. As phosphates assumed new forms, the geographic scales over which they operated changed too. Through North African phosphates, I explore value-making processes that perpetuated capital-intensive farming, allowing for a history not of the commodity-as-substance but of the commodity-as-historical-object whose analytical boundaries and forms shifted across contexts.
A Pareto Multi‐Objective Optimization Approach for Anisotropic Shale Models
Authors: Zidan A. , Li Y. E. , Cheng A.
Published: July 2021

When the elastic parameters of rocks such as shales vary with the propagation direction of a passing seismic wave that rock is called anisotropic. Modern seismic data are typically acquired over a wide azimuth range using long offsets. For such data, optimum imaging and subsequent quantitative amplitude interpretation requires taking subsurface anisotropy adequately into account during execution of the quantitative interpretation workflow. Here, we present a multi‐objective approach to find an optimal solution using both well logs and seismic data. We include minimization of a seismic match objective function as a constraint to narrow the uncertainty distribution around model parameters and to ensure that the model is consistent with seismic as well as well log data. Consequently, the resulting anisotropy model can be used for both well logs and seismic data analysis. First, the Hudson‐Cheng crack model is used to obtain rock matrices properties and aspect ratio of a set of ellipsoidal cracks. Then, we obtain a set of non‐dominated solutions, which minimizes the rock physics model multi‐parameter objective function and the Amplitude‐Versus‐Offset objective function. The approach is applied to field data with one vertical well log and pre‐stack migrated seismic data. In spite of the low signal‐to‐noise ratio of the seismic data, the overall results are consistent with the rock physics model and fit the seismic amplitude variations, particularly for the confidently interpretable mid‐to‐far angles of incidence. Furthermore, we extend the approach to predict seismic anisotropy away from well calibration, to map the occurrence of high‐quality organic‐rich shales.
Hidden Stores of Organic Matter in Northern Lake Ice: Selective Retention of Terrestrial Particles, Phytoplankton and Labile Carbon
Authors: Imbeau Elise , Vincent Warwick F. , Wauthy Maxime , Cusson Mathieu , Rautio Milla
Published: July 2021

Around 50% of the world's lakes freeze seasonally, but the duration of ice‐cover is shortening each year and this is likely to have broad limnological consequences. We sampled freshwater ice and the underlying water in 19 boreal and polar lakes to evaluate whether lake ice contains an inoculum of algae, nutrients, and carbon that may contribute to lake ecosystem productivity. Boreal and Arctic lakes differed in ice duration (6 vs. >10 months), thickness (70 vs. 190 cm), and quality (predominantly snow ice vs. black ice), but in all lakes, there were consistent differences in biological and biogeochemical composition between ice and water. Particulate fractions were often more retained while most dissolved compounds were excluded from the ice; for example, the ice had more terrestrial particulate carbon, measured as fatty acid biomarkers (averages of 1.1 vs. 0.3 µg L−1) but lower dissolved organic carbon (2.2 vs. 5.7 mg C L−1) and inorganic phosphorus concentrations (4.0 vs. 7.5 µg C L−1) than the underlying water. The boreal ice further had three times higher chlorophyll‐a, than the water (0.9 vs. 0.3 µg L−1). Of the dissolved fractions, the contribution of protein‐like compounds was higher in the ice, and this in all lakes. These labile compounds would become available to planktonic microbes when the ice melts. Our results show that freshwater ice has an underestimated role in storage and transformation in the biogeochemical carbon cycle of ice‐covered lake ecosystems.
Mostafavi Receives 2020 Fred L. Scarf Award
Authors:   AGU
Published: July 2021

Parisa Mostafavi received the 2020 Fred L. Scarf Award at AGU’s virtual Fall Meeting 2020. The award is “given annually to one honoree in recognition of an outstanding dissertation that contributes directly to solar–planetary science.”
A SNAI2-PEAK1-INHBA stromal axis drives progression and lapatinib resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer by supporting subpopulations of tumor cells positive for antiapoptotic and stress signaling markers
Authors: Hamalian Sarkis , Güth Robert , Runa Farhana , Sanchez Francesca , Vickers Eric , Agajanian Megan , Molnar Justin , Nguyen Tuan , Gamez Joshua , Humphries Jonathan D. , Nayak Anupma , Humphries Martin J. , Tchou Julia , Zervantonakis Ioannis K. , Kelber Jonathan A.
Published: July 2021

Intercellular mechanisms by which the stromal microenvironment contributes to solid tumor progression and targeted therapy resistance remain poorly understood, presenting significant clinical hurdles. PEAK1 (Pseudopodium-Enriched Atypical Kinase One) is an actin cytoskeleton- and focal adhesion-associated pseudokinase that promotes cell state plasticity and cancer metastasis by mediating growth factor-integrin signaling crosstalk. Here, we determined that stromal PEAK1 expression predicts poor outcomes in HER2-positive breast cancers high in SNAI2 expression and enriched for MSC content. Specifically, we identified that the fibroblastic stroma in HER2-positive breast cancer patient tissue stains positive for both nuclear SNAI2 and cytoplasmic PEAK1. Furthermore, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) express high PEAK1 protein levels and potentiate tumorigenesis, lapatinib resistance and metastasis of HER2-positive breast cancer cells in a PEAK1-dependent manner. Analysis of PEAK1-dependent secreted factors from MSCs revealed INHBA/activin-A as a necessary factor in the conditioned media of PEAK1-expressing MSCs that promotes lapatinib resistance. Single-cell CycIF analysis of MSC-breast cancer cell co-cultures identified enrichment of p-Akthigh/p-gH2AXlow, MCL1high/p-gH2AXlow and GRP78high/VIMhigh breast cancer cell subpopulations by the presence of PEAK1-expressing MSCs and lapatinib treatment. Bioinformatic analyses on a PEAK1-centric stroma-tumor cell gene set and follow-up immunostaining of co-cultures predict targeting antiapoptotic and stress pathways as a means to improve targeted therapy responses and patient outcomes in HER2-positive breast cancer and other stroma-rich malignancies. These data provide the first evidence that PEAK1 promotes tumorigenic phenotypes through a previously unrecognized SNAI2-PEAK1-INHBA stromal cell axis.
Correction: Calcium sensing receptor protects high glucose-induced energy metabolism disorder via blocking gp78-ubiquitin proteasome pathway
Authors: Wang Yuehong , Gao Ping , Wei Can , Li Hongzhu , Zhang Li , Zhao Yajun , Wu Bo , Tian Ye , Zhang Weihua , Wu Lingyun , Wang Rui , Xu Changqing
Published: July 2021

Since online publication of this article, the authors noticed that there was an error in Figs. 2 and 4. In Fig. 2c the samples were mislabelled, the correct labelling order is ‘Control, HG, HG + NPS R568, HG + Calhex231’. In Fig. 4c, an incorrect image was used to compile the HG + NPS R568 group, meaning the control was accidentally duplicated. The corrected images are provided below. The authors confirm that these errors did not influence the reported data, discussion, or conclusion. The authors apologise for any inconvenience to readers arising from this error.
Predictors of incident malnutrition—a nutritionDay analysis in 11,923 nursing home residents
Authors: Torbahn Gabriel , Sulz Isabella , Großhauser Franz , Hiesmayr Michael J. , Kiesswetter Eva , Schindler Karin , Sieber Cornel C. , Visser Marjolein , Weber Jasmin , Volkert Dorothee
Published: July 2021

Background/Objectives

Malnutrition (MN) in nursing home (NH) residents is associated with poor outcome. In order to identify those with a high risk of incident MN, the knowledge of predictors is crucial. Therefore, we investigated predictors of incident MN in older NH-residents.

Subjects/Methods

NH-residents participating in the nutritionDay-project (nD) between 2007 and 2018, aged ≥65 years, with complete data on nutritional status at nD and after 6 months and without MN at nD. The association of 17 variables (general characteristics (n = 3), function (n = 4), nutrition (n = 1), diseases (n = 5) and medication (n = 4)) with incident MN (weight loss ≥ 10% between nD and follow-up (FU) or BMI (kg/m2) < 20 at FU) was analyzed in univariate generalized estimated equation (GEE) models. Significant (p < 0.1) variables were selected for multivariate GEE-analyses. Effect estimates are presented as odds ratios and their respective 99.5%-confidence intervals.

Results

Of 11,923 non-malnourished residents, 10.5% developed MN at FU. No intake at lunch (OR 2.79 [1.56–4.98]), a quarter (2.15 [1.56–2.97]) or half of the meal eaten (1.72 [1.40–2.11]) (vs. three-quarter to complete intake), the lowest BMI-quartile (20.0–23.0) (1.86 [1.44–2.40]) (vs. highest (≥29.1)), being between the ages of 85 and 94 years (1.46 [1.05; 2.03]) (vs. the youngest age-group 65–74 years)), severe cognitive impairment (1.38 [1.04; 1.84]) (vs. none) and being immobile (1.28 [1.00–1.62]) (vs. mobile) predicted incident MN in the final model.

Conclusion

10.5% of non-malnourished NH-residents develop MN within 6 months. Attention should be paid to high-risk groups, namely residents with poor meal intake, low BMI, severe cognitive impairment, immobility, and older age.
Comparative survival analysis of multiparametric tests—when molecular tests disagree—A TEAM Pathology study
Authors: Bartlett John M. S. , Bayani Jane , Kornaga Elizabeth , Xu Keying , Pond Greg R. , Piper Tammy , Mallon Elizabeth , Yao Cindy Q. , Boutros Paul C. , Hasenburg Annette , Dunn J. A. , Markopoulos Christos , Dirix Luc , Seynaeve Caroline , van de Velde Cornelis J. H. , Stein Robert C. , Rea Daniel
Published: July 2021

Multiparametric assays for risk stratification are widely used in the management of both node negative and node positive hormone receptor positive invasive breast cancer. Recent data from multiple sources suggests that different tests may provide different risk estimates at the individual patient level. The TEAM pathology study consists of 3284 postmenopausal ER+ve breast cancers treated with endocrine therapy Using genes comprising the following multi-parametric tests OncotypeDx®, Prosigna™ and MammaPrint®signatures were trained to recapitulate true assay results. Patients were then classified into risk groups and survival assessed. Whilst likelihoodχ2ratios suggested limited value for combining tests, Kaplan–Meier and LogRank tests within risk groups suggested combinations of tests provided statistically significant stratification of potential clinical value. Paradoxically whilst Prosigna-trained results stratified Oncotype-trained subgroups across low and intermediate risk categories, only intermediate risk Prosigna-trained cases were further stratified by Oncotype-trained results. Both Oncotype-trained and Prosigna-trained results further stratified MammaPrint-trained low risk cases, and MammaPrint-trained results also stratified Oncotype-trained low and intermediate risk groups but not Prosigna-trained results. Comparisons between existing multiparametric tests are challenging, and evidence on discordance between tests in risk stratification presents further dilemmas. Detailed analysis of the TEAM pathology study suggests a complex inter-relationship between test results in the same patient cohorts which requires careful evaluation regarding test utility. Further prognostic improvement appears both desirable and achievable.
Removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater: a comprehensive and critical review
Authors: Qasem Naef A. A. , Mohammed Ramy H. , Lawal Dahiru U.
Published: July 2021

Removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater is of prime importance for a clean environment and human health. Different reported methods were devoted to heavy metal ions removal from various wastewater sources. These methods could be classified into adsorption-, membrane-, chemical-, electric-, and photocatalytic-based treatments. This paper comprehensively and critically reviews and discusses these methods in terms of used agents/adsorbents, removal efficiency, operating conditions, and the pros and cons of each method. Besides, the key findings of the previous studies reported in the literature are summarized. Generally, it is noticed that most of the recent studies have focused on adsorption techniques. The major obstacles of the adsorption methods are the ability to remove different ion types concurrently, high retention time, and cycling stability of adsorbents. Even though the chemical and membrane methods are practical, the large-volume sludge formation and post-treatment requirements are vital issues that need to be solved for chemical techniques. Fouling and scaling inhibition could lead to further improvement in membrane separation. However, pre-treatment and periodic cleaning of membranes incur additional costs. Electrical-based methods were also reported to be efficient; however, industrial-scale separation is needed in addition to tackling the issue of large-volume sludge formation. Electric- and photocatalytic-based methods are still less mature. More attention should be drawn to using real wastewaters rather than synthetic ones when investigating heavy metals removal. Future research studies should focus on eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable materials and methods.
Transforming obstetric ultrasound into data science using eye tracking, voice recording, transducer motion and ultrasound video
Authors: Drukker Lior , Sharma Harshita , Droste Richard , Alsharid Mohammad , Chatelain Pierre , Noble J. Alison , Papageorghiou Aris T.
Published: July 2021

Ultrasound is the primary modality for obstetric imaging and is highly sonographer dependent. Long training period, insufficient recruitment and poor retention of sonographers are among the global challenges in the expansion of ultrasound use. For the past several decades, technical advancements in clinical obstetric ultrasound scanning have largely concerned improving image quality and processing speed. By contrast, sonographers have been acquiring ultrasound images in a similar fashion for several decades. The PULSE (Perception Ultrasound by Learning Sonographer Experience) project is an interdisciplinary multi-modal imaging study aiming to offer clinical sonography insights and transform the process of obstetric ultrasound acquisition and image analysis by applying deep learning to large-scale multi-modal clinical data. A key novelty of the study is that we record full-length ultrasound video with concurrent tracking of the sonographer’s eyes, voice and the transducer while performing routine obstetric scans on pregnant women. We provide a detailed description of the novel acquisition system and illustrate how our data can be used to describe clinical ultrasound. Being able to measure different sonographer actions or model tasks will lead to a better understanding of several topics including how to effectively train new sonographers, monitor the learning progress, and enhance the scanning workflow of experts.
Magnetism in quasi-two-dimensional tri-layer La2.1Sr1.9Mn3O10 manganite
Authors: Tiwari Jeetendra Kumar , Kumar Birendra , Chauhan Harish Chandr , Ghosh Subhasis
Published: July 2021

The tri-layer La$$_{3-3x}$$

3
-
3
x

Sr$$_{1+3x}$$

1
+
3
x

Mn$$_{3}$$

3

O$$_{10}$$

10

manganites of Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) series are naturally arranged layered structure with alternate stacking of ω-MnO$$_2$$

2

(ω = 3) planes and rock-salt type block layers (La, Sr)$$_2$$

2

O$$_2$$

2

along c-axis. The dimensionality of the RP series manganites depends on the number of perovskite layers and significantly affects the magnetic and transport properties of the system. Generally, when a ferromagnetic material undergoes a magnetic phase transition from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic state, the magnetic moment of the system becomes zero above the transition temperature (T$$ _{C} $$

C

). However, the tri-layer La$$_{2.1}$$

2.1

Sr$$_{1.9}$$

1.9

Mn$$_{3}$$

3

O$$_{10}$$

10

shows non-zero magnetic moment above T$$ _{C} $$

C

and also another transition at higher temperature T$$ ^{*} \approx $$

∗

≈

263 K. The non-zero magnetization above T$$ _{C} $$

C

emphasizes that the phase transition in tri-layer La$$_{2.1}$$

2.1

Sr$$_{1.9}$$

1.9

Mn$$_{3}$$

3

O$$_{10}$$

10

not a ferromagnetic to paramagnetic state. We show here the non-zero magnetic moment above T$$ _{C} $$

C

is due to the quasi-two-dimensional nature of the tri-layer La$$_{2.1}$$

2.1

Sr$$_{1.9}$$

1.9

Mn$$_{3}$$

3

O$$_{10}$$

10

manganite. The scaling of the magnetic entropy change confirms the second-order phase transition and the critical behavior of phase transition has been studied around T$$_C$$

C

to understand the low dimensional magnetism in tri-layer La$$_{2.1}$$

2.1

Sr$$_{1.9}$$

1.9

Mn$$_{3}$$

3

O$$_{10}$$

10

. We have obtained the critical exponents for tri-layer La$$_{2.1}$$

2.1

Sr$$_{1.9}$$

1.9

Mn$$_{3}$$

3

O$$_{10}$$

10

, which belong to the short-range two-dimensional (2D)-Ising universality class. The low dimensional magnetism in tri-layer La$$_{2.1}$$

2.1

Sr$$_{1.9}$$

1.9

Mn$$_{3}$$

3

O$$_{10}$$

10

manganite is also explained with the help of renormalization group theoretical approach for short-range 2D-Ising systems. It has been shown that the layered structure of tri-layer La$$_{2.1}$$

2.1

Sr$$_{1.9}$$

1.9

Mn$$_{3}$$

3

O$$_{10}$$

10

results in three different types of interactions intra-planer ($$ J_{ab} $$

J

ab

), intra-tri-layer ($$ J_{c} $$

J
c

) and inter-tri-layer ($$ J' $$

J
′

) such that $$ J_{ab}> J_{c}>> J' $$

J

ab

>

J
c

>
>

J
′

and competition among these give rise to the canted antiferromagnetic spin structure above T$$ _{C} $$

C

. Based on the similar magnetic interaction in bi-layer manganite, we propose that the tri-layer La$$_{2.1}$$

2.1

Sr$$_{1.9}$$

1.9

Mn$$_{3}$$

3

O$$_{10}$$

10

should be able to host the skyrmion below T$$ _{C} $$

C

due to its strong anisotropy and layered structure.
Identification of anticancer drug target genes using an outside competitive dynamics model on cancer signaling networks
Authors: Tran Tien-Dzung , Pham Duc-Tinh
Published: July 2021

Each cancer type has its own molecular signaling network. Analyzing the dynamics of molecular signaling networks can provide useful information for identifying drug target genes. In the present study, we consider an on-network dynamics model—the outside competitive dynamics model—wherein an inside leader and an opponent competitor outside the system have fixed and different states, and each normal agent adjusts its state according to a distributed consensus protocol. If any normal agent links to the external competitor, the state of each normal agent will converge to a stable value, indicating support to the leader against the impact of the competitor. We determined the total support of normal agents to each leader in various networks and observed that the total support correlates with hierarchical closeness, which identifies biomarker genes in a cancer signaling network. Of note, by experimenting on 17 cancer signaling networks from the KEGG database, we observed that 82% of the genes among the top 3 agents with the highest total support are anticancer drug target genes. This result outperforms those of four previous prediction methods of common cancer drug targets. Our study indicates that driver agents with high support from the other agents against the impact of the external opponent agent are most likely to be anticancer drug target genes.
Pre-harvest spray of GABA and spermine delays postharvest senescence and alleviates chilling injury of gerbera cut flowers during cold storage
Authors: Mohammadi Meisam , Aelaei Mitra , Saidi Mehdi
Published: July 2021

Short vase life, capitulum wilting, neck bending, and postharvest chilling injury (CI) are major disorders have negative impact on quality and marketing of gerbera cut flowers. Low storage temperatures prolonging the vase life, but on the other hand leads serious CI which decreases the quality and consumer preferences. Spermine (SPER) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were identified as anti-aging factors delay the senescence and elevate the chilling tolerance in many species. Greenhouse-grown gerbera cv. ‘Stanza’ sprayed with 2 mM SPER and 1 mM GABA twice (2 T) or thrice (3 T). Cut flowers were stored at 1.5 °C and 8 °C postharvest to study the effects of GABA and SPER on senescence and CI. Vase life, CI and quality of cut flowers were improved by GABA and SPER treatments. No CI was observed in GABA-treated flowers at 1.5 °C; while, flowers sprayed with water showed severe CI. GABA treatments efficiently prolonged the vase life for 6–7 days more than the control (15 days). GABA and SPER increased the fresh weight, solution uptake, protein and proline contents, catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities, while decreased the electrolyte leakage, H2O2, and malondialdehyde contents, polyphenol oxidase, lipoxygenase, and phospholipase D activities. GABA and SPER significantly prolonged the vase life and prevented degradation of proteins and chilling damage and increased capacity of detoxifying and scavenging of H2O2 and reactive oxygen species (ROS), led to alleviate the negative consequences of the senescence and CI.
Trends in underweight, stunting, and wasting prevalence and inequality among children under three in Indian states, 1993–2016
Authors: Karlsson Omar , Kim Rockli , Sarwal Rakesh , James K. S. , Subramanian S. V.
Published: July 2021

Child undernutrition remains high in India with far-reaching consequences for child health and development. Anthropometry reflects undernutrition. We examined the state-level trends in underweight, stunting, and wasting prevalence and inequality by living standards using four rounds of the National Family Health Surveys in 26 states in India, conducted in 1992–1993, 1998–1999, 2005–2006, and 2015–2016. The average annual reduction (AAR) for underweight ranged from 0.04 percentage points (pp) (95% CI − 0.12, 0.20) in Haryana to 1.05 pp (95% CI 0.88, 1.22) in West Bengal for underweight; 0.35 pp (95% CI 0.11, 0.59) in Manipur to 1.47 (95% CI 1.19, 1.75) in Himachal Pradesh for stunting; and − 0.65 pp (95% CI − 0.77, − 0.52) in Haryana to 0.36 pp (95% CI 0.22, 0.51) in Bihar & Jharkhand for wasting. We find that change in the pp difference between children with the poorest and richest household living standards varied by states: statistically significant decline (increase) was observed in 5 (3) states for underweight, 5 (4) states for stunting, and 2 (1) states for wasting. Prevalence of poor anthropometric outcomes as well as disparities by states and living standards remain a problem in India.
Significance of peripheral blood indexes in differential diagnoses of SARS-CoV-2 and New Bunia virus
Authors: He Wentao , Liu Xiaoyi
Published: July 2021

We aimed to provide a laboratory basis for differential diagnosis of COVID-19 and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS). Clinical data were collected from 32 COVID-19 patients (2019-nCoV group), 31 SFTS patients (SFTS group) and 30 healthy controls (control group). For each group of hospitalized patients, a retrospective analysis was performed on specific indices, including cytokines, T-lymphocyte subsets, routine blood parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for the indices revealed the differences among groups. Compared with the 2019-nCoV group, the SFTS group had a significantly and greatly decreased counts of WBC, absolute lymphocyte, PLT and absolute CD4+ T lymphocyte (P < 0.05); the IL-6, TNF-α, D-D and PCT levels of the SFTS group were higher than those of the 2019-nCoV group (P < 0.05). Compared with those of the SFTS group, the CRP and FIB levels of the 2019-nCoV group were greatly increased (P < 0.05). The ROC curves showed that area under the curves (AUCs) for FIB, PLT and TNF-α were greater than 0.85, demonstrating high diagnostic value. At the initial stage of SARS-CoV-2 or SFTS virus infection, PLT, FIB and TNF-α have definitive clinical value for the early and differential diagnosis of these two infections.
Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis provides insight into the regulation of leaf senescence in rice
Authors: Xue Jiao , Lu Dongbai , Wang Shiguang , Lu Zhanhua , Liu Wei , Wang Xiaofei , Fang Zhiqiang , He Xiuying
Published: July 2021

Leaf senescence is one of the most precisely modulated developmental process and affects various agronomic traits of rice. Anti-senescence rice varieties are important for breeding application. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the metabolic regulatory process of leaf senescence in rice. In this study, we performed transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of the flag leaves in Yuenong Simiao (YN) and YB, two indica rice cultivars that differ in terms of their leaf senescence. We found 8524 genes/204 metabolites were differentially expressed/accumulated in YN at 30 days after flowering (DAF) compared to 0 DAF, and 8799 genes/205 metabolites were differentially expressed in YB at 30 DAF compared to 0 DAF. Integrative analyses showed that a set of genes and metabolites involved in flavonoid pathway were significantly enriched. We identified that relative accumulation of PHENYLALANINE AMMONIA-LYASE (PAL), CINNAMATE 4-HYDROXYLASE (C4H), 4-COUMAROYL-COA LIGASE (4CL), CHALCONE SYNTHASE (CHS) and CHALCONE ISOMERASE (CHI) in YN30/0 was higher than that in YB30/0. Three flavonoid derivatives, including phloretin, luteolin and eriodictyol, showed lower abundances in YB than in YN at 30 DAF. We further revealed a MYB transcription factor, which is encoded by OsR498G0101613100 gene, could suppress the expression of CHI and CHS. Our results suggested a comprehensive analysis of leaf senescence in a view of transcriptome and metabolome and would contribute to exploring the molecular mechanism of leaf senescence in rice.
In vitro Interleukin-7 treatment partially rescues MAIT cell dysfunction caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Hubrack Satanay , Al-Nesf Maryam Ali , Agrebi Nourhen , Raynaud Christophe , Khattab Mohammed Abu , Thomas Merlin , Ibrahim Tayseer , Taha Salma , Dermime Said , Merhi Maysaloun , Kulinski Michal , Steinhoff Martin , Tang Patrick , Lo Bernice
Published: July 2021

MAIT cells have been shown to be activated upon several viral infections in a TCR-independent manner by responding to inflammatory cytokines secreted by antigen-presenting cells. Recently, a few studies have shown a similar activation of MAIT cells in response to severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In this study, we investigate the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the frequency and phenotype of MAIT cells by flow cytometry, and we test in vitro stimulation conditions on the capacity to enhance or rescue the antiviral function of MAIT cells from patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our study, in agreement with recently published studies, confirmed the decline in MAIT cell frequency of hospitalized donors in comparison to healthy donors. MAIT cells of COVID-19 patients also had lower expression levels of TNF-alpha, perforin and granzyme B upon stimulation with IL-12 + IL-18. 24 h’ incubation with IL-7 successfully restored perforin expression levels in COVID-19 patients. Combined, our findings support the growing evidence that SARS-CoV-2 is dysregulating MAIT cells and that IL-7 treatment might improve their function, rendering them more effective in protecting the body against the virus.
EGR1 and RXRA transcription factors link TGF-β pathway and CCL2 expression in triple negative breast cancer cells
Authors: Gorbacheva Alisa M. , Uvarova Aksinya N. , Ustiugova Alina S. , Bhattacharyya Arindam , Korneev Kirill V. , Kuprash Dmitry V. , Mitkin Nikita A.
Published: July 2021

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is the main cytokine responsible for the induction of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of breast cancer cells, which is a hallmark of tumor transformation to the metastatic phenotype. Recently, research demonstrated that the chemokine CCL2 gene expression level directly correlates with the TGF-β activity in breast cancer patients. CCL2 attracts tumor-associated macrophages and is, therefore, considered as an important inductor of breast cancer progression; however, the precise mechanisms underlying its regulation by TGF-β are unknown. Here, we studied the behavior of the CCL2 gene in MDA-MB-231 and HCC1937 breast cancer cells representing mesenchymal-like phenotype activated by TGF-β. Using bioinformatics, deletion screening and point mutagenesis, we identified binding sites in the CCL2 promoter and candidate transcription factors responsible for its regulation by TGF-β. Among these factors, only the knock-down of EGR1 and RXRA made CCL2 promoter activity independent of TGF-β. These factors also demonstrated binding to the CCL2 promoter in a TGF-β-dependent manner in a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, and point mutations in the EGR1 and RXRA binding sites totally abolished the effect of TGF-β. Our results highlight the key role of EGR1 and RXRA transcription factors in the regulation of CCL2 gene in response to TGF-β pathway.
Quantifying superspreading for COVID-19 using Poisson mixture distributions
Authors: Kremer Cécile , Torneri Andrea , Boesmans Sien , Meuwissen Hanne , Verdonschot Selina , Vanden Driessche Koen , Althaus Christian L. , Faes Christel , Hens Niel
Published: July 2021

The number of secondary cases, i.e. the number of new infections generated by an infectious individual, is an important parameter for the control of infectious diseases. When individual variation in disease transmission is present, like for COVID-19, the distribution of the number of secondary cases is skewed and often modeled using a negative binomial distribution. However, this may not always be the best distribution to describe the underlying transmission process. We propose the use of three other offspring distributions to quantify heterogeneity in transmission, and we assess the possible bias in estimates of the mean and variance of this distribution when the data generating distribution is different from the one used for inference. We also analyze COVID-19 data from Hong Kong, India, and Rwanda, and quantify the proportion of cases responsible for 80% of transmission,$$p_{80\%}$$p80%, while acknowledging the variation arising from the assumed offspring distribution. In a simulation study, we find that variance estimates may be biased when there is a substantial amount of heterogeneity, and that selection of the most accurate distribution from a set of distributions is important. In addition we find that the number of secondary cases for two of the three COVID-19 datasets is better described by a Poisson-lognormal distribution.
Differential effects of body mass index on domain-specific cognitive outcomes after stroke
Authors: Lee Minwoo , Oh Mi Sun , Jung San , Lee Ju-Hun , Kim Chul-Ho , Jang Min Uk , Kim Young Eun , Bae Hee-Joon , Park Jaeseol , Kang Yeonwook , Lee Byung-Chul , Lim Jae-Sung , Yu Kyung-Ho
Published: July 2021

Although the obesity paradox is an important modifiable factor in cardiovascular diseases, little research has been conducted to determine how it affects post-stroke cognitive function. We aimed to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and domain-specific cognitive outcomes, focusing on the subdivision of each frontal domain function in post-ischemic stroke survivors. A total of 335 ischemic stroke patients were included in the study after completion of the Korean-Mini Mental Status Examination (K-MMSE) and the vascular cognitive impairment harmonization standards neuropsychological protocol at 3 months after stroke. Frontal lobe functions were analyzed using semantic/phonemic fluency, processing speed, and mental set shifting. Our study participants were categorized into four groups according to BMI quartiles. The z-scores of K-MMSE at 3 months differed significantly between the groups after adjustment for initial stroke severity (p = 0.014). Global cognitive function in stroke survivors in the Q1 (the lowest quartile) BMI group was significantly lower than those in Q2 and Q4 (the highest quartile) BMI groups (K-MMSE z-scores, Q1: − 2.10 ± 3.40 vs. Q2: 0.71 ± 1.95 and Q4: − 1.21 ± 1.65). Controlled oral word association test findings indicated that phonemic and semantic word fluency was lower in Q4 BMI group participants than in Q2 BMI group participants (p = 0.016 and p = 0.023 respectively). BMI might differentially affect cognitive domains after ischemic stroke. Although being underweight may negatively affect global cognition post-stroke, obesity could induce frontal lobe dysfunctions, specifically phonemic and semantic word fluency.
Sound vs. light: wing-based communication in Carboniferous insects
Authors: Schubnel Thomas , Legendre Frédéric , Roques Patrick , Garrouste Romain , Cornette Raphaël , Perreau Michel , Perreau Naïl , Desutter-Grandcolas Laure , Nel André
Published: July 2021

Acoustic communication is well-known in insects since the Mesozoic, but earlier evidence of this behavior is rare. Titanoptera, an ‘orthopteroid’ Permian-Triassic order, is one of the few candidates for Paleozoic intersex calling interactions: some specimens had highly specialized broadened zones on the forewings, which are currently considered—despite inconclusive evidence—as ‘resonators’ of a stridulatory apparatus. Here we argue that the stridulatory apparatus hypothesis is unlikely because the Titanoptera lack a stridulatory file on their bodies, legs or wings. Instead, comparing these broadened zones with similar structures in extant locusts, flies, and fossil damselflies, we find evidence that the Titanoptera used their wings to produce flashes of light and/or crepitated sounds. Moreover, we describe the first Carboniferous (~310 Mya) Titanoptera, which exhibits such specialized zones, thus corresponding to the oldest record of wing communication in insects. Whether these communication systems were used to attract sexual partners and/or escape predators remain to be demonstrated.
A novel DNA binding protein-based platform for electrochemical detection of miRNA
Authors: Umer Muhammad , Aziz Nahian B. , Mahmudunnabi Rabbee G. , Shim Yoon-Bo , Salomon Carlos , Shiddiky Muhammad J. A.
Published: July 2021

We present a DNA binding protein-based novel amplification-free sandwich type platform assay for electrochemical detection of miRNA.
Electrochemiluminescence of water-dispersed nitrogen and sulfur doped carbon dots synthesized from amino acids
Authors: Chen Yanhua , Lin Jiasheng , Zhang Ruizhong , He Shuijian , Ding Zhifeng , Ding Lan
Published: July 2021

A facile one-pot hydrothermal approach for synthesizing water-dispersed nitrogen and sulfur doped carbon dots (NS-CDs) with high luminescence quantum yield and ECL efficiency was explored, using cysteine and tryptophan as precursors.
Manganese dioxide nanozyme for reactive oxygen therapy of bacterial infection and wound healing
Authors: Liu Li , Wang Cheng , Li Yuting , Qiu Lin , Zhou Shuwen , Cui Pengfei , Jiang Pengju , Ni Xinye , Liu Runhui , Du Xuancheng , Wang Jianhao , Xia Jiang
Published: July 2021

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the weapons of neutrophiles against bacterial pathogens, and also the central effectors in reactive oxygen therapy for skin and soft tissue infection.
Correction: Anti-osteosarcoma effect of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles both in vitro and in vivo by downregulating the FAK/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Renxian , Liu WeiFeng , Wang Qian , Li Guangping , Wan Ben , Sun Yuyang , Niu Xiaohui , Chen Dafu , Tian Wei
Published: July 2021

Correction for ‘Anti-osteosarcoma effect of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles both in vitro and in vivo by downregulating the FAK/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway’ by Renxian Wang et al., Biomater. Sci., 2020, 8, 4426–4437, DOI: 10.1039/D0BM00898B.
All-inorganic lead-free metal halide perovskite quantum dots: progress and prospects
Authors: Tang Yuanqian , Tang Songzhi , Luo Ming , Guo Yanmei , Zheng Yingping , Lou Yongbing , Zhao Yixin
Published: July 2021

All kinds of all-inorganic lead-free metal halide perovskite quantum dots prepared by replacing lead with non-toxic metal cations.
From thiophosphate to chalcohalide: mixed-anion AgSxCly ligands concurrently enhancing nonlinear optical effects and laser-damage threshold
Authors: Gao Lihua , Chu Yu , Wu Xiaowen , Zhang Bingbing , Wu Kui
Published: July 2021

The introduction of mixed-anion AgSxCly groups into the crystal structure provides a feasible design strategy to concurrently enhance the NLO effect and laser-damage resistance.
Conferences in the time of COVID: Perspectives on organising ISXB-4 Virtual
Authors: Esterhuysen Catharine
Published: July 2021

With COVID-19 interfering with conferences across the globe, organisers have been faced with the choice of delaying or going virtual. The ISXB-4 organising committee describes the experience of taking their conference online, with advice for organisers of future online meetings.
Realizing cool and warm white-LEDs based on color controllable (Sr,Ba)2Al3O6F:Eu2+ phosphors obtained via a microwave-assisted diffusion method
Authors: Ranjith P. , Sreevalsa S. , Patra Pritha , Som Sudipta , Menon Ammu , Jayanthi K. , Annapurna K. , Krishnan N. M. Anoop , Allu Amarnath R. , Das Subrata
Published: July 2021

A broadband emitting Sr1.75Ba0.2Al3O6F: 0.05Eu2+ phosphor emitting cool white light under NUV (Fig. a(i)) and blue LEDs (Fig. b(i)). With a preferred red phosphor, this system produced natural white light with a higher CRI (Fig. a(ii) & b(ii).
A flat-lying dimer as a key intermediate in NO reduction on Cu(100)
Authors: Kuroishi Kenta , Al Fauzan Muhammad Rifqi , Pham Thanh Ngoc , Wang Yuelin , Hamamoto Yuji , Inagaki Kouji , Shiotari Akitoshi , Okuyama Hiroshi , Hatta Shinichiro , Aruga Tetsuya , Hamada Ikutaro , Morikawa Yoshitada
Published: July 2021

The reaction of nitric oxide (NO) on Cu(100) is studied by scanning tunneling microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations.
Selective oxidation of methane to methanol on dispersed copper on alumina from readily available copper(ii) formate
Authors: Meyet Jordan , van Bavel Alexander P. , Horton Andrew D. , van Bokhoven Jeroen A. , Copéret Christophe
Published: July 2021

The direct conversion of methane to methanol attracts increasing interest due to the availability of low-cost methane from natural gas.
Chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) consumption and lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Silva Luciana de Abreu , Verneque Bárbara Júlia Fonseca , Mota Ana Paula Lucas , Duarte Camila Kümmel
Published: July 2021

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is an annual herbaceous plant, originally from southern Mexico and northern Guatemala – nowadays grown all over the world.
Supplementation of egg white peptides on attenuating skin mechanical damage symptoms: a promising way to accelerate wound healing process
Authors: Ge Huifang , Jiang Yiqun , Ning Zhenzhen , Hu Zhiqing , Ma Sitong , Shao Yin , Liu Jingbo , Zhang Ting
Published: July 2021

EWPs have high antioxidant activity without toxicity, which can also promote HSF cell migration in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, EWPs can accelerate wound healing process by supplementing amino acids and inhibiting oxidative stress.
Selective oxidation of alkenes to carbonyls under mild conditions
Authors: Xu Jun , Zhang Yilan , Yue Xiaoguang , Huo Jie , Xiong Daokai , Zhang Pengfei
Published: July 2021

This study demonstrates a photo-induced and tetrahydrofuran (THF)-based radical strategy for the selective oxidation of alkenes to carbonyls using O2 as the sole oxidant and water as the sole solvent.
Development of hyperbranched poly-(amine-ester) based aldehyde/chrome-free tanning agents for sustainable leather resource recycling
Authors: Liu Xinhua , Wang Youyou , Wang Xuechuan , Jiang Huie
Published: July 2021

A series of epoxy-terminated hyperbranched poly-(amine-ester) materials were synthesized as aldehyde/chrome-free tanning agents for sustainable leather manufacturing.
Biosynthesis of plant-specific alkaloids tetrahydroprotoberberines in engineered Escherichia coli
Authors: Zhao Wanli , Liu Manyu , Shen Chen , Liu Kemeng , Liu Hanqing , Ou Chenhui , Dai Wenling , Liu Xiufeng , Liu Jihua
Published: July 2021

Tetrahydroprotoberberines (THPBs) exhibit a variety of pharmacological activities however further investigation into their pharmaceutical utility is limited by the product quantity. In this paper, a greener strategy has been developed for the production of high-value THPBs.
Continuous flow heterogeneous catalytic reductive aminations under aqueous micellar conditions enabled by an oscillatory plug flow reactor
Authors: Wernik Michaela , Sipos Gellért , Buchholcz Balázs , Darvas Ferenc , Novák Zoltán , Ötvös Sándor B. , Kappe C. Oliver
Published: July 2021

An oscillatory plug flow reactor that combines active and passive mixing enables heterogeneous catalytic reductive aminations under aqueous micellar conditions in an inherently scalable manner.
CMOS–MEMS VOC sensors functionalized via inkjet polymer deposition for high-sensitivity acetone detection
Authors: Perelló-Roig Rafel , Verd Jaume , Bota Sebastià , Soberats Bartomeu , Costa Antonio , Segura Jaume
Published: July 2021

This work demonstrates the potential of using a fully integrated CMOS–MEMS platform coated with a specific polymer to sense acetone in the ppb range.
The effect of mechanical strain on the Dirac surface states in the (0001) surface and the cohesive energy of the topological insulator Bi2Se3
Authors: Das Soumendra Kumar , Padhan Prahallad
Published: July 2021

Tuning of the pz – orbital population of Bi on the (0001) surface of Bi2Se3, which forms the Dirac cone at the Γ point, can be achieved under uniaxial, biaxial, or volume conservation strain.
Correction: Engineering strategies for rational polyketide synthase design
Authors: Klaus Maja , Grininger Martin
Published: July 2021

Correction for ‘Engineering strategies for rational polyketide synthase design’ by Maja Klaus et al., Nat. Prod. Rep., 2018, 35, 1070–1081, DOI: 10.1039/C8NP00030A.
Transition metal-based layered double hydroxides for photo(electro)chemical water splitting: a mini review
Authors: Gao Rui , Zhu Jia , Yan Dongpeng
Published: July 2021

The review examines the areas: (i) routes for synthesis of transition metal-based LDHs, (ii) recent developments in transition metal-based LDHs for photo(electro)chemical water splitting, (iii) a summary of the structure–property relationships therein.