bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Citizens as Complicits: Distrust in Politicians and Biased Social Dissemination of Political Information
Authors: BØGGILD TROELS , AARØE LENE , PETERSEN MICHAEL BANG
Published: September 2020

Widespread distrust in politicians is often attributed to the way elites portray politics to citizens: the media, competing candidates, and foreign governments are largely considered responsible for portraying politicians as self-interested actors pursuing personal electoral and economic interests. This article turns to the mass level and considers the active role of citizens in disseminating such information. We build on psychological research on human cooperation, holding that people exhibit an interpersonal transmission bias in favor of information on the self-interested, antisocial behavior of others to maintain group cooperation. We posit that this transmission bias extends to politics, causing citizens to disproportionally disseminate information on self-interested politicians through interpersonal communication and, in turn, contributes to distrust in politicians and policy disapproval. We support these predictions using novel experimental studies, allowing us to observe transmission rates and opinion effects in actual communication chains. The findings have implications for understanding and accommodating political distrust.
Triatoma infestans susceptibility to different Trypanosoma cruzi strains: parasite development and early escape from anterior midgut
Authors: Paranaiba Larissa F. , Soares Rodrigo P. , Guarneri Alessandra A.
Published: September 2020

The escape kinetics from the anterior midgut (AM) of Trypanosoma cruzi during the initial steps of infection was assessed in Triatoma infestans, as well as its ability to survive migration in the digestive tract of the vector. All the four strains evaluated survived and reached variable parasite densities. After 49–50 days, YuYu [discrete typing units (DTU) I] strain reached the highest parasite numbers in the rectum followed by Bug (DTU V), CL-Brener (DTU VI) and Dm28c (DTU I). All strains accomplished metacyclogenesis. Bug strain reached the highest numbers of metacyclic trypomastigotes followed by YuYu and CL-Brener/Dm28c. A remarkable parasite reduction in the AM for Bug strain, but not Dm28c was noticed at 72 h of infection. In the posterior midgut + rectum high densities of parasites from both strains were detected at this period indicating the parasites crossed the AM. For Dm28c strain, in infections initiated with trypomastigotes, parasites left AM faster than those starting with epimastigotes. In conclusion, T. cruzi strains from different DTUs were able to infect T. infestans reaching variable parasite densities. The kinetics of migration in the digestive tract may be affected by strain and/or the evolutive form used for infection.
COHERENCE, LOCAL INDICABILITY AND NONPOSITIVE IMMERSIONS
Authors: Wise Daniel T.
Published: September 2020

We examine 2-complexes $X$ with the property that for any compact connected $Y$, and immersion $Y\rightarrow X$, either $\unicode[STIX]{x1D712}(Y)\leqslant 0$ or $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}_{1}Y=1$. The mapping torus of an endomorphism of a free group has this property. Every irreducible 3-manifold with boundary has a spine with this property. We show that the fundamental group of any 2-complex with this property is locally indicable. We outline evidence supporting the conjecture that this property implies coherence. We connect the property to asphericity. Finally, we prove coherence for 2-complexes with a stricter form of this property. As a corollary, every one-relator group with torsion is coherent.
Cohesional Slip on a Plate Subduction Boundary During a Large Earthquake
Authors: Kameda Jun , Hamada Yohei
Published: September 2020

The frontal part of the Japan Trench plate boundary fault, which slipped during the 2011 Tohoku‐Oki earthquake (Mw 9.0), is enriched in smectite and is intrinsically weak owing to the high swelling pressure of this mineral. Our rheometric experiments using analog fault materials demonstrate that “cohesional slip,” rather than frictional slip, is a realistic faulting process in the studied fault zone. The cohesional slip can be described by the Bingham plastic model. Consequently, the coseismic shear stress is described by the yield stress and plastic viscosity. Comparison of the results with the average shear stress derived from a previous study suggests that the slip zone thickness for cohesional slip is ~1.3 cm or less. This finding is consistent with textures characterized by discrete slip planes of comparable thickness observed in the recovered fault rocks, suggesting that these slip planes were activated during the Tohoku‐Oki earthquake.
Integrated Borehole, Radar, and Seismic Velocity Analysis Reveals Dynamic Spatial Variations Within a Firn Aquifer in Southeast Greenland
Authors: Killingbeck S. F. , Schmerr N. C. , Montgomery L. N. , Booth A. D. , Livermore P. W. , Guandique J. , Miller O. L. , Burdick S. , Forster R. R. , Koenig L. S. , Legchenko A. , Ligtenberg S. R. M. , Miège C. , Solomon D. K. , West L. J.
Published: September 2020

Perennial water storage in firn aquifers has been observed within the lower percolation zone of the southeast Greenland ice sheet. Spatially distributed seismic and radar observations, made ~50 km upstream of the Helheim Glacier terminus, reveal spatial variations of seismic velocity within a firn aquifer. From 1.65 to 1.8 km elevation, shear‐wave velocity (Vs) is 1,290 ± 180 m/s in the unsaturated firn, decreasing below the water table (~15 m depth) to 1,130 ± 250 m/s. Below 1.65 km elevation, Vs in the saturated firn is 1,270 ± 220 m/s. The compressional‐to‐shear velocity ratio decreases in the downstream saturated zone, from 2.30 ± 0.54 to 2.01 ± 0.46, closer to its value for pure ice (2.00). Consistent with colocated firn cores, these results imply an increasing concentration of ice in the downstream sites, reducing the porosity and storage potential of the firn likely caused by episodic melt and freeze during the evolution of the aquifer.
Progression-free survival at 24 months and subsequent survival of patients with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma: a China Lymphoma Collaborative Group (CLCG) study
Authors: Yang Yong , Wang Ying , Liu Xin , He Xia , Zhang Li-Ling , Wu Gang , Qu Bao-Lin , Qian Li-Ting , Hou Xiao-Rong , Zhang Fu-Quan , Qiao Xue-Ying , Wang Hua , Li Gao-Feng , Zhu Yuan , Cao Jian-Zhong , Wu Jun-Xin , Wu Tao , Zhu Su-Yu , Shi Mei , Xu Li-Ming , Su Hang , Song Yu-Qin , Zhu Jun , Zhang Yu-Jing , Huang Hui-Qiang , Hu Chen , Qi Shu-Nan , Li Ye-Xiong
Published: September 2020

Limited evidence supports the use of early endpoints to evaluate the success of initial treatment of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL) in the modern era. We aim to analyze progression-free survival at 24 months (PFS24) and subsequent overall survival (OS) in a large-scale multicenter cohort of patients. 1790 patients were included from the China Lymphoma Collaborative Group (CLCG) database. Subsequent OS was defined from the time of PFS24 or progression within 24 months to death. OS was compared with age- and sex-matched general Chinese population using expected survival and standardized mortality ratio (SMR). Patients who did not achieve PFS24 had a median OS of 5.3 months after progression, with 5-year OS rate of 19.2% and the SMR of 71.4 (95% CI, 62.9–81.1). In contrast, 74% patients achieved PFS24, and the SMR after achieving PFS24 was 1.77 (95% CI, 1.34–2.34). The observed OS rate after PFS24 versus expected OS rate at 5 years was 92.2% versus 94.3%. Similarly, superior outcomes following PFS24 were observed in early-stage patients (5-year OS rate, 92.9%). Patients achieving PFS24 had excellent outcome, whereas patients exhibiting earlier progression had a poor survival. These marked differences suggest that PFS24 may be used for study design and risk stratification in ENKTCL.
Benchmarking microbial growth rate predictions from metagenomes
Authors: Long Andrew M , Hou Shengwei , Ignacio-Espinoza J Cesar , Fuhrman Jed A
Published: September 2020

Growth rates are central to understanding microbial interactions and community dynamics. Metagenomic growth estimators have been developed, specifically codon usage bias (CUB) for maximum growth rates and “peak-to-trough ratio” (PTR) for in situ rates. Both were originally tested with pure cultures, but natural populations are more heterogeneous, especially in individual cell histories pertinent to PTR. To test these methods, we compared predictors with observed growth rates of freshly collected marine prokaryotes in unamended seawater. We prefiltered and diluted samples to remove grazers and greatly reduce virus infection, so net growth approximated gross growth. We sampled over 44 h for abundances and metagenomes, generating 101 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), including Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, SAR406, MGII archaea, etc. We tracked each MAG population by cell-abundance-normalized read recruitment, finding growth rates of 0 to 5.99 per day, the first reported rates for several groups, and used these rates as benchmarks. PTR, calculated by three methods, rarely correlated to growth (r ~−0.26–0.08), except for rapidly growing γ-Proteobacteria (r ~0.63–0.92), while CUB correlated moderately well to observed maximum growth rates (r = 0.57). This suggests that current PTR approaches poorly predict actual growth of most marine bacterial populations, but maximum growth rates can be approximated from genomic characteristics.
The triterpenoid sapogenin (2α-OH-Protopanoxadiol) ameliorates metabolic syndrome via the intestinal FXR/GLP-1 axis through gut microbiota remodelling
Authors: Xie Zhifu , Jiang Haowen , Liu Wei , Zhang Xinwen , Chen Dakai , Sun Shuimei , Zhou Chendong , Liu Jia , Bao Sheng , Wang Xiachang , Zhang Yinan , Li Jia , Hu Lihong , Li Jingya
Published: September 2020

Gypenosides, extracts of Gynostemma yixingense, have been traditionally prescribed to improve metabolic syndrome in Asian folk and local traditional medicine hospitals. However, the mechanism of its action remains unclarified. In this work, our results indicated that chronic administration of 2α-OH-protopanoxadiol (GP2), a metabolite of gypenosides in vivo, protected mice from high-fat diet-induced obesity and improved glucose tolerance by improving intestinal L-cell function. Mechanistically, GP2 treatment inhibited the enzymatic activity of bile salt hydrolase and modulated the proportions of the gut microbiota, which led to an increase in the accumulation of tauro-β-muricholic acid (TβMCA) in the intestine. TβMCA induced GLP-1 production and secretion by reducing the transcriptional activity of nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR). Transplantation of GP2-remodelled fecal microbiota into antibiotic-treated mice also increased the intestinal TβMCA content and improved intestinal L-cell function. These findings demonstrate that GP2 ameliorates metabolic syndrome at least partly through the intestinal FXR/GLP-1 axis via gut microbiota remodelling and also suggest that GP2 may serve as a promising oral therapeutic agent for metabolic syndrome.
DRAM1 plays a tumor suppressor role in NSCLC cells by promoting lysosomal degradation of EGFR
Authors: Geng Ji , Zhang Rong , Yuan Xiao , Xu Haidong , Zhu Zhou , Wang Xinxin , Wang Yan , Xu Guoqiang , Guo Wenjie , Wu Junchao , Qin Zheng-Hong
Published: September 2020

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. DNA damage-regulated autophagy modulator 1 (DRAM1) plays an important roles in autophagy and tumor progression. However, the mechanisms by which DRAM1 inhibits tumor growth are not fully understood. Here, we report that DRAM1 was decreased in nonsmall-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and was associated with poor prognosis. We confirmed that DRAM1 inhibited the growth, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells in vitro. Furthermore, overexpression of DRAM1 suppressed xenografted NSCLC tumors in vivo. DRAM1 increased EGFR endocytosis and lysosomal degradation, downregulating EGFR signaling pathway. On one side, DRAM1 interacted with EPS15 to promote EGFR endocytosis, as evidence by the results of proximity labeling followed by proteomics; on the other, DRAM1 recruited V-ATP6V1 subunit to lysosomes, thereby increasing the assemble of the V-ATPase complex, resulting in decreased lysosomal pH and increased activation of lysosomal proteases. These two actions of DRAM1 results in acceleration of EGFR degradation. In summary, these in vitro and in vivo studies uncover a novel mechanism through which DRAM1 suppresses oncogenic properties of NSCLC by regulating EGFR trafficking and degradation and highlights the potential value of DRAM1 as a prognostic biomarker in lung cancers.
Chemical engineering of quasicrystal approximants in lanthanide-based coordination solids
Authors: Voigt Laura , Kubus Mariusz , Pedersen Kasper S.
Published: September 2020

Tessellation of self-assembling molecular building blocks is a promising strategy to design metal-organic materials exhibiting geometrical frustration and ensuing frustrated physical properties. Appearing in two-dimensional quasiperiodic phases, tilings consisting of five-vertex nodes are regarded as approximants for quasicrystals. Unfortunately, these structural motifs are exceedingly rare due to the complications of acquiring five-fold coordination confined to the plane. Lanthanide ions display the sufficient coordinative plasticity, and large ionic radii, to allow their incorporation into irregular molecule-based arrays. We herein present the use of ytterbium(II) as a five-vertex node in a two-dimensional coordination solid, YbI2(4,4′-bipyridine)2.5. The semi-regular Archimedean tessellation structure verges on quasicrystallinity and paves the way for lanthanide-based metal-organic materials with interesting photonic and magnetic properties.
Wood hemicelluloses exert distinct biomechanical contributions to cellulose fibrillar networks
Authors: Berglund Jennie , Mikkelsen Deirdre , Flanagan Bernadine M. , Dhital Sushil , Gaunitz Stefan , Henriksson Gunnar , Lindström Mikael E. , Yakubov Gleb E. , Gidley Michael J. , Vilaplana Francisco
Published: September 2020

Hemicelluloses, a family of heterogeneous polysaccharides with complex molecular structures, constitute a fundamental component of lignocellulosic biomass. However, the contribution of each hemicellulose type to the mechanical properties of secondary plant cell walls remains elusive. Here we homogeneously incorporate different combinations of extracted and purified hemicelluloses (xylans and glucomannans) from softwood and hardwood species into self-assembled networks during cellulose biosynthesis in a bacterial model, without altering the morphology and the crystallinity of the cellulose bundles. These composite hydrogels can be therefore envisioned as models of secondary plant cell walls prior to lignification. The incorporated hemicelluloses exhibit both a rigid phase having close interactions with cellulose, together with a flexible phase contributing to the multiscale architecture of the bacterial cellulose hydrogels. The wood hemicelluloses exhibit distinct biomechanical contributions, with glucomannans increasing the elastic modulus in compression, and xylans contributing to a dramatic increase of the elongation at break under tension. These diverging effects cannot be explained solely from the nature of their direct interactions with cellulose, but can be related to the distinct molecular structure of wood xylans and mannans, the multiphase architecture of the hydrogels and the aggregative effects amongst hemicellulose-coated fibrils. Our study contributes to understanding the specific roles of wood xylans and glucomannans in the biomechanical integrity of secondary cell walls in tension and compression and has significance for the development of lignocellulosic materials with controlled assembly and tailored mechanical properties.
Rapid incorporation of Favipiravir by the fast and permissive viral RNA polymerase complex results in SARS-CoV-2 lethal mutagenesis
Authors: Shannon Ashleigh , Selisko Barbara , Le Nhung-Thi-Tuyet , Huchting Johanna , Touret Franck , Piorkowski Géraldine , Fattorini Véronique , Ferron François , Decroly Etienne , Meier Chris , Coutard Bruno , Peersen Olve , Canard Bruno
Published: September 2020

The ongoing Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has emphasized the urgent need for antiviral therapeutics. The viral RNA-dependent-RNA-polymerase (RdRp) is a promising target with polymerase inhibitors successfully used for the treatment of several viral diseases. We demonstrate here that Favipiravir predominantly exerts an antiviral effect through lethal mutagenesis. The SARS-CoV RdRp complex is at least 10-fold more active than any other viral RdRp known. It possesses both unusually high nucleotide incorporation rates and high-error rates allowing facile insertion of Favipiravir into viral RNA, provoking C-to-U and G-to-A transitions in the already low cytosine content SARS-CoV-2 genome. The coronavirus RdRp complex represents an Achilles heel for SARS-CoV, supporting nucleoside analogues as promising candidates for the treatment of COVID-19.
In vivo localization of chronically implanted electrodes and optic fibers in mice
Authors: Király Bálint , Balázsfi Diána , Horváth Ildikó , Solari Nicola , Sviatkó Katalin , Lengyel Katalin , Birtalan Eszter , Babos Magor , Bagaméry Gergő , Máthé Domokos , Szigeti Krisztián , Hangya Balázs
Published: September 2020

Electrophysiology provides a direct readout of neuronal activity at a temporal precision only limited by the sampling rate. However, interrogating deep brain structures, implanting multiple targets or aiming at unusual angles still poses significant challenges for operators, and errors are only discovered by post-hoc histological reconstruction. Here, we propose a method combining the high-resolution information about bone landmarks provided by micro-CT scanning with the soft tissue contrast of the MRI, which allowed us to precisely localize electrodes and optic fibers in mice in vivo. This enables arbitrating the success of implantation directly after surgery with a precision comparable to gold standard histology. Adjustment of the recording depth with micro-drives or early termination of unsuccessful experiments saves many working hours, and fast 3-dimensional feedback helps surgeons avoid systematic errors. Increased aiming precision enables more precise targeting of small or deep brain nuclei and multiple targeting of specific cortical or hippocampal layers.
Evaluating the informativeness of deep learning annotations for human complex diseases
Authors: Dey Kushal K. , van de Geijn Bryce , Kim Samuel Sungil , Hormozdiari Farhad , Kelley David R. , Price Alkes L.
Published: September 2020

Deep learning models have shown great promise in predicting regulatory effects from DNA sequence, but their informativeness for human complex diseases is not fully understood. Here, we evaluate genome-wide SNP annotations from two previous deep learning models, DeepSEA and Basenji, by applying stratified LD score regression to 41 diseases and traits (average N = 320K), conditioning on a broad set of coding, conserved and regulatory annotations. We aggregated annotations across all (respectively blood or brain) tissues/cell-types in meta-analyses across all (respectively 11 blood or 8 brain) traits. The annotations were highly enriched for disease heritability, but produced only limited conditionally significant results: non-tissue-specific and brain-specific Basenji-H3K4me3 for all traits and brain traits respectively. We conclude that deep learning models have yet to achieve their full potential to provide considerable unique information for complex disease, and that their conditional informativeness for disease cannot be inferred from their accuracy in predicting regulatory annotations.
Pressure-stabilized divalent ozonide CaO3 and its impact on Earth’s oxygen cycles
Authors: Wang Yanchao , Xu Meiling , Yang Liuxiang , Yan Bingmin , Qin Qin , Shao Xuecheng , Zhang Yunwei , Huang Dajian , Lin Xiaohuan , Lv Jian , Zhang Dongzhou , Gou Huiyang , Mao Ho-kwang , Chen Changfeng , Ma Yanming
Published: September 2020

High pressure can drastically alter chemical bonding and produce exotic compounds that defy conventional wisdom. Especially significant are compounds pertaining to oxygen cycles inside Earth, which hold key to understanding major geological events that impact the environment essential to life on Earth. Here we report the discovery of pressure-stabilized divalent ozonide CaO3 crystal that exhibits intriguing bonding and oxidation states with profound geological implications. Our computational study identifies a crystalline phase of CaO3 by reaction of CaO and O2 at high pressure and high temperature conditions; ensuing experiments synthesize this rare compound under compression in a diamond anvil cell with laser heating. High-pressure x-ray diffraction data show that CaO3 crystal forms at 35 GPa and persists down to 20 GPa on decompression. Analysis of charge states reveals a formal oxidation state of −2 for ozone anions in CaO3. These findings unravel the ozonide chemistry at high pressure and offer insights for elucidating prominent seismic anomalies and oxygen cycles in Earth’s interior. We further predict multiple reactions producing CaO3 by geologically abundant mineral precursors at various depths in Earth’s mantle.
Author Correction: A role for Biofoundries in rapid development and validation of automated SARS-CoV-2 clinical diagnostics
Authors: Crone Michael A. , Priestman Miles , Ciechonska Marta , Jensen Kirsten , Sharp David J. , Anand Arthi , Randell Paul , Storch Marko , Freemont Paul S.
Published: September 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
In vitro hyperthermic effect of magnetic fluid on cervical and breast cancer cells
Authors: Bhardwaj Anand , Parekh Kinnari , Jain Neeraj
Published: September 2020

Self-regulating temperature-controlled nanoparticles such as Mn–Zn ferrite nanoparticles based magnetic fluid can be a better choice for magnetic fluid hyperthermia because of its controlled regulation of hyperthermia temperature window of 43–45 °C. To test this hypothesis magnetic fluid with said properties was synthesized, and its effect on cervical and breast cancer cell death was studied. We found that the hyperthermia window of 43–45 °C was maintained for one hour at the smallest possible concentration of 0.35 mg/mL without altering the magnetic field applicator parameters. Their hyperthermic effect on HeLa and MCF7 was investigated at the magnetic field of 15.3 kA/m and frequency 330 kHz, which is close to the upper safety limit of 5 * 109 A/m s. We have tested the cytotoxicity of synthesized Mn–Zn ferrite fluid using MTT assay and the results were validated by trypan blue dye exclusion assay that provides the naked eye microscopic view of actual cell death. Since cancer cells tend to resist treatment and show re-growth, we also looked into the effect of multiple sessions hyperthermia using a 24 h window till 72 h using trypan blue assay. The multiple sessions of hyperthermia showed promising results, and it indicated that a minimum of 3 sessions, each of one-hour duration, is required for the complete killing of cancer cells. Moreover, to simulate an in vivo cellular environment, a phantom consisting of magnetic nanoparticles dispersed in 1 and 5% agarose gel was constituted and studied. These results will help to decide the magnetic fluid based hyperthermic therapeutic strategies using temperature-sensitive magnetic fluid.
Multilevel structural evaluation of signed directed social networks based on balance theory
Authors: Aref Samin , Dinh Ly , Rezapour Rezvaneh , Diesner Jana
Published: September 2020

Balance theory explains how network structural configurations relate to tension in social systems, which are commonly modeled as static undirected signed graphs. We expand this modeling approach by incorporating directionality of edges and considering three levels of analysis for balance assessment: triads, subgroups, and the whole network. For triad-level balance, we develop a new measure by utilizing semicycles that satisfy the condition of transitivity. For subgroup-level balance, we propose measures of cohesiveness (intra-group solidarity) and divisiveness (inter-group antagonism) to capture balance within and among subgroups. For network-level balance, we re-purpose the normalized line index to incorporate directionality and assess balance based on the proportion of edges whose position suits balance. Through comprehensive computational analyses, we quantify, analyze, and compare patterns of social structure in triads, subgroups, and the whole network across a range of social settings. We then apply our multilevel framework to examine balance in temporal and multilayer networks to demonstrates the generalizability of our approach. In most cases, we find relatively high balance across the three levels; providing another confirmation of balance theory. We also deliver empirical evidence for the argument that balance at different levels is not the same social phenomenon measured at different scales, but represents different properties (triadic balance, internal cohesion and external division of subgroups, and overall network polarization), and should therefore be evaluated independently from one another. We propose a comprehensive yet parsimonious approach to address this need.
Downregulation of the CCL2/CCR2 and CXCL10/CXCR3 axes contributes to antitumor effects in a mouse model of malignant glioma
Authors: Shono Kenji , Yamaguchi Izumi , Mizobuchi Yoshifumi , Kagusa Hiroshi , Sumi Akiko , Fujihara Toshitaka , Nakajima Kohei , Kitazato Keiko T. , Matsuzaki Kazuhito , Saya Hideyuki , Takagi Yasushi
Published: September 2020

Glioblastoma multiforme involves glioma stem cells (GSCs) that are resistant to various therapeutic approaches. Here, we studied the importance of paracrine signaling in the glioma microenvironment by focusing on the celecoxib-mediated role of chemokines C–C motif ligand 2 (CCL2), C-X-C ligand 10 (CXCL10), and their receptors, CCR2 and CXCR3, in GSCs and a GSC-bearing malignant glioma model. C57BL/6 mice were injected with orthotopic GSCs intracranially and divided into groups administered either 10 or 30 mg/kg celecoxib, or saline to examine the antitumor effects associated with chemokine expression. In GSCs, we analyzed cell viability and expression of chemokines and their receptors in the presence/absence of celecoxib. In the malignant glioma model, celecoxib exhibited antitumor effects in a dose dependent manner and decreased protein and mRNA levels of Ccl2 and CxcL10 and Cxcr3 but not of Ccr2. CCL2 and CXCL10 co-localized with Nestin+ stem cells, CD16+ or CD163+ macrophages and Iba-1+ microglia. In GSCs, celecoxib inhibited Ccl2 and Cxcr3 expression in a nuclear factor-kappa B-dependent manner but not Ccr2 and CxcL10. Moreover, Ccl2 silencing resulted in decreased GSC viability. These results suggest that celecoxib-mediated regulation of the CCL2/CCR2 and CXCL10/ CXCR3 axes may partially contribute to glioma-specific antitumor effects.
Changes in subclass-specific IgG Fc glycosylation associated with the postnatal maturation of the murine immune system
Authors: Barrientos Gabriela , Habazin Siniša , Novokmet Mislav , Almousa Yahia , Lauc Gordan , Conrad Melanie L.
Published: September 2020

Early postnatal life is characterized by a critical time period in which the developing neonatal immune system transitions from passive immunity, induced by protective maternal antibodies, to the competence of a fully functioning immune system. The inflammatory capability of both maternal and neonatal antibodies is governed by N-linked glycosylation of the Fc region, and though this has been examined extensively in adults, there is currently little information regarding antibody glycosylation patterns during early postnatal life. To characterize the murine IgG Fc glycosylation profile during early life, we used nano-LC-ESI-Qq-TOF mass spectrometry analysis to assess subclass specific Asn-297 glycosylation patterns in the serum of BALB/c mice from 5–60 days of age. From birth to adulthood, we observed a decline in proinflammatory Fc glycosylation in all IgG subclasses. This was shown by significantly reduced agalactosylated and monogalactosylated structures combined with increased sialylation after weaning at 45 and 60 days of age. This information indicates that the transition between neonatal life and adulthood in mice is accompanied by reduction of inflammatory IgG antibodies. Our study contributes to a growing body of literature indicating the importance of IgG Fc glycosylation and its association with inflammation during different life stages.
Prolonged ursodeoxycholic acid administration reduces acute ischaemia-induced arrhythmias in adult rat hearts
Authors: Ferraro Elisa , Pozhidaeva Lidia , Pitcher David S. , Mansfield Catherine , Koh Jia Han Benjamin , Williamson Catherine , Aslanidi Oleg , Gorelik Julia , Ng Fu Siong
Published: September 2020

Acute myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion (I–R) are major causes of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with a history of coronary artery disease. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has previously been shown to be antiarrhythmic in fetal hearts. This study was performed to investigate if UDCA protects against ischaemia-induced and reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in the adult myocardium, and compares the effect of acute (perfusion only) versus prolonged (2 weeks pre-treatment plus perfusion) UDCA administration. Langendorff-perfused adult Sprague–Dawley rat hearts were subjected to acute regional ischaemia by ligation of the left anterior descending artery (10 min), followed by reperfusion (2 min), and arrhythmia incidence quantified. Prolonged UDCA administration reduced the incidence of acute ischaemia-induced arrhythmias (p = 0.028), with a reduction in number of ventricular ectopic beats during the ischaemic phase compared with acute treatment (10 ± 3 vs 58 ± 15, p = 0.036). No antiarrhythmic effect was observed in the acute UDCA administration group. Neither acute nor prolonged UDCA treatment altered the incidence of reperfusion arrhythmias. The antiarrhythmic effect of UDCA may be partially mediated by an increase in cardiac wavelength, due to the attenuation of conduction velocity slowing (p = 0.03), and the preservation of Connexin43 phosphorylation during acute ischaemia (p = 0.0027). The potential antiarrhythmic effects of prolonged UDCA administration merit further investigation.
Anomalous tensile response of bacterial cellulose nanopaper at intermediate strain rates
Authors: Santmarti Alba , Liu Hon Wah , Herrera Natalia , Lee Koon-Yang
Published: September 2020

Nanocellulose network in the form of cellulose nanopaper is an important material structure and its time-dependent mechanical response is crucial in many of its potential applications. In this work, we report the influences of grammage and strain rate on the tensile response of bacterial cellulose (BC) nanopaper. BC nanopaper with grammages of 20, 40, 60 and 80 g m−2 were tested in tension at strain rates ranging from 0.1% s−1 to 50% s−1. At strain rates $$\le$$
≤
 2.5% s−1, both the tensile modulus and strength of the BC nanopapers stayed constant at ~ 14 GPa and ~ 120 MPa, respectively. At higher strain rates of 25% s−1 and 50% s−1 however, the tensile properties of the BC nanopapers decreased significantly. This observed anomalous tensile response of BC nanopaper is attributed to inertial effect, in which some of the curled BC nanofibres within the nanopaper structure do not have enough time to uncurl before failure at such high strain rates. Our measurements further showed that BC nanopaper showed little deformation under creep, with a secondary creep rate of only ~ 10–6 s−1. This stems from the highly crystalline nature of BC, as well as the large number of contact or physical crosslinking points between adjacent BC nanofibres, further reducing the mobility of the BC nanofibres in the nanopaper structure.
Nonlinear dynamic analysis of the pure “buckling” mechanism during blow-out trauma of the human orbit
Authors: Zmuda Trzebiatowski Marcin Adam , Kłosowski Paweł , Skorek Andrzej , Żerdzicki Krzysztof , Lemski Paweł , Koberda Mateusz
Published: September 2020

Considering the interplay between orbital bones and intraorbital soft tissues, commonly accepted patterns of the blow-out type of trauma within the human orbit require more thorough investigation to assess the minimal health-threatening impact value. Two different three-dimensional finite element method (FEM) models of the human orbital region were developed to simulate the pure “buckling” mechanism of orbital wall fracture in two variants: the model of orbital bone elements and the model of orbital bone, orbit and intraorbital tissue elements. The mechanical properties of the so-defined numerical skull fragment were applied to the model according to the unique laboratory tensile stress tests performed on small and fragile specimens of orbital bones as well as using the data available in the literature. The nonlinear transient analysis of the contact problem between bodies that differ substantially in terms of the Young’s modulus was carried out to investigate the interaction of different bodies within an instant injury. Potential damage areas were found within the lower orbital wall as well as the destructive load values for both FEM skull models (7,660 N and 8,520 N). Moreover, numerical simulations were validated by comparing them with computed tomography scans of real injuries.
Characterization of raffinose metabolism genes uncovers a wild Arachis galactinol synthase conferring tolerance to abiotic stresses
Authors: Vinson Christina C. , Mota Ana P. Z. , Porto Brenda N. , Oliveira Thais N. , Sampaio Iracyara , Lacerda Ana L. , Danchin Etienne G. J. , Guimaraes Patricia M. , Williams Thomas C. R. , Brasileiro Ana C. M.
Published: September 2020

Raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) are implicated in plant regulatory mechanisms of abiotic stresses tolerance and, despite their antinutritional proprieties in grain legumes, little information is available about the enzymes involved in RFO metabolism in Fabaceae species. In the present study, the systematic survey of legume proteins belonging to five key enzymes involved in the metabolism of RFOs (galactinol synthase, raffinose synthase, stachyose synthase, alpha-galactosidase, and beta-fructofuranosidase) identified 28 coding-genes in Arachis duranensis and 31 in A. ipaënsis. Their phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, protein domains, and chromosome distribution patterns were also determined. Based on the expression profiling of these genes under water deficit treatments, a galactinol synthase candidate gene (AdGolS3) was identified in A. duranensis. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing AdGolS3 exhibited increased levels of raffinose and reduced stress symptoms under drought, osmotic, and salt stresses. Metabolite and expression profiling suggested that AdGolS3 overexpression was associated with fewer metabolic perturbations under drought stress, together with better protection against oxidative damage. Overall, this study enabled the identification of a promising GolS candidate gene for metabolic engineering of sugars to improve abiotic stress tolerance in crops, whilst also contributing to the understanding of RFO metabolism in legume species.
Early origin and global colonisation of foot-and-mouth disease virus
Authors: Aiewsakun Pakorn , Pamornchainavakul Nakarin , Inchaisri Chaidate
Published: September 2020

In this study, we compiled 84-year worth (1934–2017) of genomic and epidemiological data of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), and performed comprehensive analyses to determine its early origin and transmission route. We found that recombination is a key feature of FMDV, and that the genomic regions coding for structural and non-structural proteins have markedly different evolutionary histories, and evolve at different rates. Despite all of these differences, analyses of both structural and non-structural protein coding regions consistently suggested that the most recent common ancestor of FMDV could be dated back to the Middle Age, ~ 200 to 300 years earlier than previously thought. The ancestors of the Euro-Asiatic and SAT strains could be dated back to the mid-seventeenth century, and to the mid-fifteenth to mid-sixteenth century, respectively. Our results implicated Mediterranean counties as an early geographical origin of FMDV before spreading to Europe and subsequently to Asia and South America.
Polymerization shrinkage behaviour of resin composites functionalized with unsilanized bioactive glass fillers
Authors: Par Matej , Mohn Dirk , Attin Thomas , Tarle Zrinka , Tauböck Tobias T.
Published: September 2020

Previous work has shown that partial replacement of reinforcing fillers with unsilanized silica particles can diminish polymerization shrinkage stress of dental resin composites. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether such an effect can be attained by using unsilanized bioactive glass (BG). Incorporating BG fillers into resin composites is interesting due to their potential for exerting caries-preventive effects. Experimental light-curable composites with a total filler load of 77 wt% were prepared. Reinforcing fillers were partially replaced with 0–60 wt% of BG 45S5 and an experimental low-sodium fluoride-containing BG. The following properties were investigated: linear shrinkage, degree of conversion, shrinkage stress, maximum shrinkage stress rate, and time to achieve maximum shrinkage stress rate. The diminishing effect of BG 45S5 on shrinkage stress was mediated by a decrease in degree of conversion caused by this BG type. In contrast, as the degree of conversion remained unaffected by the experimental BG, the resulting shrinkage behaviour was governed by the effect of varying amounts of silanized and unsilanized fillers on material’s viscoelastic properties. The replacement of silanized reinforcing fillers with unsilanized BG did not reduce polymerization shrinkage stress unless the reduction was attained indirectly through a diminished degree of conversion.
Single-cell RNA-seq identifies unique transcriptional landscapes of human nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus cells
Authors: Fernandes Lorenzo M. , Khan Nazir M. , Trochez Camila M. , Duan Meixue , Diaz-Hernandez Martha E. , Presciutti Steven M. , Gibson Greg , Drissi Hicham
Published: September 2020

Intervertebral disc (IVD) disease (IDD) is a complex, multifactorial disease. While various aspects of IDD progression have been reported, the underlying molecular pathways and transcriptional networks that govern the maintenance of healthy nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) have not been fully elucidated. We defined the transcriptome map of healthy human IVD by performing single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) in primary AF and NP cells isolated from non-degenerated lumbar disc. Our systematic and comprehensive analyses revealed distinct genetic architecture of human NP and AF compartments and identified 2,196 differentially expressed genes. Gene enrichment analysis showed that SFRP1, BIRC5, CYTL1, ESM1 and CCNB2 genes were highly expressed in the AF cells; whereas, COL2A1, DSC3, COL9A3, COL11A1, and ANGPTL7 were mostly expressed in the NP cells. Further, functional annotation clustering analysis revealed the enrichment of receptor signaling pathways genes in AF cells, while NP cells showed high expression of genes related to the protein synthesis machinery. Subsequent interaction network analysis revealed a structured network of extracellular matrix genes in NP compartments. Our regulatory network analysis identified FOXM1 and KDM4E as signature transcription factor of AF and NP respectively, which might be involved in the regulation of core genes of AF and NP transcriptome.
Expression and functional analysis of the nobiletin biosynthesis-related gene CitOMT in citrus fruit
Authors: Seoka Mao , Ma Gang , Zhang Lancui , Yahata Masaki , Yamawaki Kazuki , Kan Toshiyuki , Kato Masaya
Published: September 2020

Nobiletin, a polymethoxy flavone (PMF), is specific to citrus and has been reported to exhibit important health-supporting properties. Nobiletin has six methoxy groups at the 3′,4′,5,6,7,8-positions, which are catalyzed by O-methyltransferases (OMTs). To date, researches on OMTs in citrus fruit are still limited. In the present study, a novel OMT gene (CitOMT) was isolated from two citrus varieties Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) and Ponkan mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco), and its function was characterized in vitro. The results showed that the expression of CitOMT in the flavedo of Ponkan mandarin was much higher than that of Satsuma mandarin during maturation, which was consistent with the higher accumulation of nobiletin in Ponkan mandarin. In addition, functional analysis showed that the recombinant protein of CitOMT had methylation activity to transfer a methyl group to 3′-hydroxy group of flavones in vitro. Because methylation at the 3′-position of flavones is vital for the nobiletin biosynthesis, CitOMT may be a key gene responsible for nobiletin biosynthesis in citrus fruit. The results presented in this study will provide new strategies to enhance nobiletin accumulation and improve the nutritional qualities of citrus fruit.
Green tea consumption increases sperm concentration and viability in male rats and is safe for reproductive, liver and kidney health
Authors: Opuwari Chinyerum , Monsees Thomas
Published: September 2020

Green tea is a popularly consumed beverage worldwide and contains polyphenols, whose antioxidant activities could improve sperm parameters and fertility thereof. We investigated the effect of green tea on the male rat reproductive system as well as its safety. Male Wistar rats were administered 2 and 5% aqueous extract of green tea for 52 days’ ad libitum, while the control group received tap water. Total polyphenol, flavanol, flavonol and soluble solids significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro (P < 0.01). Weights of body, testis, epididymis, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and liver, serum levels of testosterone, ferric reducing antioxidant power, creatinine, and sperm motility, remained unchanged (P > 0.05). Kidney weight, sperm concentration and vitality, spontaneous acrosome reaction increased (P < 0.05), while alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels decreased (P< 0.05). Catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione and lipid peroxidation remained unchanged in the testes, liver and kidney (P > 0.05). Histological sections of testis, epididymis, kidney and liver showed no conspicuous alteration. Diameter and epithelial height of seminiferous tubule decreased, while caudal epididymis epithelial height increased (P < 0.01). Consumption of green tea in the conditions used in the present study seems to be safe and improved sperm parameters. However, subtle structural changes observed in the decreased diameter and epithelial height of the seminiferous tubule and increased acrosome reaction needs further investigation.
Endothelial dysfunction in small arteries and early signs of atherosclerosis in ApoE knockout rats
Authors: Berenji Ardestani Simin , Eftedal Ingrid , Pedersen Michael , Jeppesen Per Bendix , Nørregaard Rikke , Matchkov Vladimir V.
Published: September 2020

Endothelial dysfunction is recognized as a major contributor to atherosclerosis and has been suggested to be evident far before plaque formation. Endothelial dysfunction in small resistance arteries has been suggested to initiate long before changes in conduit arteries. In this study, we address early changes in endothelial function of atherosclerosis prone rats. Male ApoE knockout (KO) rats (11- to 13-weeks-old) were subjected to either a Western or standard diet. The diet intervention continued for a period of 20–24 weeks. Endothelial function of pulmonary and mesenteric arteries was examined in vitro using an isometric myograph. We found that Western diet decreased the contribution of cyclooxygenase (COX) to control the vascular tone of both pulmonary and mesenteric arteries. These changes were associated with early stage atherosclerosis and elevated level of plasma total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride in ApoE KO rats. Chondroid-transformed smooth muscle cells, calcifications, macrophages accumulation and foam cells were also observed in the aortic arch from ApoE KO rats fed Western diet. The ApoE KO rats are a new model to study endothelial dysfunction during the earlier stages of atherosclerosis and could help us improve preclinical drug development.
Upconversion luminescence detection of ascorbic acid based on NaGdF4:Yb,Er@NaYF4 nanoparticles and oxidase-like CoOOH nanoflakes
Authors: Chen Hongqi , Wang Huihui , Xia Wanying , Zhang Jianguo , Wang Lun
Published: September 2020

An upconversion luminescence system was developed for the determination of ascorbic acid by using NaGdF4:Yb,Er@NaYF4 nanoparticles and oxidase-like CoOOH nanoflakes.
Selective and efficient solid-phase microextraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water by robust two-dimensional zinc oxide nanosheets grown on a superelastic nickel–titanium alloy fiber prior to determination by HPLC-UV
Authors: Zhou Hua , Liu Pei , Du Junliang , Wang Feifei , Wang Xuemei , Du Xinzhen
Published: September 2020

Oriented 2D ZnO nanosheets were directly grown on a pretreated NiTi fiber without a seeding layer by precisely controllable electrodeposition.
Expanding the analytical applications of nucleic acid hybridization using junction probes
Authors: Wang Xuchu , Tao Zhihua
Published: September 2020

Nucleic acid hybridization is crucial in target recognition with respect to in vitro and in vivo nucleic acid biosensing.
Ultralow-temperature synthesis of small Ag-doped carbon nitride for nitrogen photofixation
Authors: Wang Yingzhi , Zhao Rui , Wang Fan , Liu Yong , Yu Xiaohu , Chen Lungang , Yao Yue , Lu Shuxiang , Liao Xiaoyuan
Published: September 2020

A low-temperature-reduction–deposition method is used to prepare homogeneously dispersed Ag0/g-C3N4 for efficient N2 photofixation.
Surface decoration accelerates the hydrogen evolution kinetics of a perovskite oxide in alkaline solution
Authors: Hu Chun , Hong Jinhua , Huang Jian , Chen Wei , Segre Carlo U. , Suenaga Kazu , Zhao Wei , Huang Fuqiang , Wang Jiacheng
Published: September 2020

A surface-decorated perovskite oxide can serve as a highly active and stable electrocatalyst toward hydrogen evolution in alkaline solution.
(Nano)microplastics promote the propagation of antibiotic resistance genes in landfill leachate
Authors: Shi Jianhong , Wu Dong , Su Yinglong , Xie Bing
Published: September 2020

Municipal landfill leachate is a huge reservoir of (nano)microplastics (N/MPs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs).
Thermally activated delayed fluorescence exciplex emitters for high-performance organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Zhang Ming , Zheng Cai-Jun , Lin Hui , Tao Si-Lu
Published: September 2020

Owing to their natural thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) characteristics, the development of exciplex emitters for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) has witnessed booming progress in recent years.