bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In situ structure and organization of the influenza C virus surface glycoprotein
Authors: Halldorsson Steinar , Sader Kasim , Turner Jack , Calder Lesley J. , Rosenthal Peter B.
Published: March 2021

The lipid-enveloped influenza C virus contains a single surface glycoprotein, the haemagglutinin-esterase-fusion (HEF) protein, that mediates receptor binding, receptor destruction, and membrane fusion at the low pH of the endosome. Here we apply electron cryotomography and subtomogram averaging to describe the structural basis for hexagonal lattice formation by HEF on the viral surface. The conformation of the glycoprotein in situ is distinct from the structure of the isolated trimeric ectodomain, showing that a splaying of the membrane distal domains is required to mediate contacts that form the lattice. The splaying of these domains is also coupled to changes in the structure of the stem region which is involved in membrane fusion, thereby linking HEF’s membrane fusion conformation with its assembly on the virus surface. The glycoprotein lattice can form independent of other virion components but we show a major role for the matrix layer in particle formation.
Programmable site-selective labeling of oligonucleotides based on carbene catalysis
Authors: Lee Yang-Ha , Yu Eunsoo , Park Cheol-Min
Published: March 2021

Site-selective modification of oligonucleotides serves as an indispensable tool in many fields of research including research of fundamental biological processes, biotechnology, and nanotechnology. Here we report chemo- and regioselective modification of oligonucleotides based on rhodium(I)-carbene catalysis in a programmable fashion. Extensive screening identifies a rhodium(I)-catalyst that displays robust chemoselectivity toward base-unpaired guanosines in single and double-strand oligonucleotides with structurally complex secondary structures. Moreover, high regioselectivity among multiple guanosines in a substrate is achieved by introducing guanosine-bulge loops in a duplex. This approach allows the introduction of multiple unique functional handles in an iterative fashion, the utility of which is exemplified in DNA-protein cross-linking in cell lysates.
Prospective contributions of biomass pyrolysis to China’s 2050 carbon reduction and renewable energy goals
Authors: Yang Qing , Zhou Hewen , Bartocci Pietro , Fantozzi Francesco , Mašek Ondřej , Agblevor Foster A. , Wei Zhiyu , Yang Haiping , Chen Hanping , Lu Xi , Chen Guoqian , Zheng Chuguang , Nielsen Chris P. , McElroy Michael B.
Published: March 2021

Recognizing that bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) may still take years to mature, this study focuses on another photosynthesis-based, negative-carbon technology that is readier to implement in China: biomass intermediate pyrolysis poly-generation (BIPP). Here we find that a BIPP system can be profitable without subsidies, while its national deployment could contribute to a 61% reduction of carbon emissions per unit of gross domestic product in 2030 compared to 2005 and result additionally in a reduction in air pollutant emissions. With 73% of national crop residues used between 2020 and 2030, the cumulative greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction could reach up to 8620 Mt CO2-eq by 2050, contributing 13–31% of the global GHG emission reduction goal for BECCS, and nearly 4555 Mt more than that projected for BECCS alone in China. Thus, China’s BIPP deployment could have an important influence on achieving both national and global GHG emissions reduction targets.
Xbp1s-FoxO1 axis governs lipid accumulation and contractile performance in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Schiattarella Gabriele G. , Altamirano Francisco , Kim Soo Young , Tong Dan , Ferdous Anwarul , Piristine Hande , Dasgupta Subhajit , Wang Xuliang , French Kristin M. , Villalobos Elisa , Spurgin Stephen B. , Waldman Maayan , Jiang Nan , May Herman I. , Hill Theodore M. , Luo Yuxuan , Yoo Heesoo , Zaha Vlad G. , Lavandero Sergio , Gillette Thomas G. , Hill Joseph A.
Published: March 2021

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is now the dominant form of heart failure and one for which no efficacious therapies exist. Obesity and lipid mishandling greatly contribute to HFpEF. However, molecular mechanism(s) governing metabolic alterations and perturbations in lipid homeostasis in HFpEF are largely unknown. Here, we report that cardiomyocyte steatosis in HFpEF is coupled with increases in the activity of the transcription factor FoxO1 (Forkhead box protein O1). FoxO1 depletion, as well as over-expression of the Xbp1s (spliced form of the X-box-binding protein 1) arm of the UPR (unfolded protein response) in cardiomyocytes each ameliorates the HFpEF phenotype in mice and reduces myocardial lipid accumulation. Mechanistically, forced expression of Xbp1s in cardiomyocytes triggers ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of FoxO1 which occurs, in large part, through activation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase STUB1 (STIP1 homology and U-box-containing protein 1) a novel and direct transcriptional target of Xbp1s. Our findings uncover the Xbp1s-FoxO1 axis as a pivotal mechanism in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic HFpEF and unveil previously unrecognized mechanisms whereby the UPR governs metabolic alterations in cardiomyocytes.
Author Correction: Self-assembly and regulation of protein cages from pre-organised coiled-coil modules
Authors: Lapenta Fabio , Aupič Jana , Vezzoli Marco , Strmšek Žiga , Da Vela Stefano , Svergun Dmitri I. , Carazo José María , Melero Roberto , Jerala Roman
Published: March 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21969-9
Impact of temperature-dependent phage expression on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation
Authors: Bisht Karishma , Moore Jessica L. , Caprioli Richard M. , Skaar Eric P. , Wakeman Catherine A.
Published: March 2021

Pseudomonas aeruginosais a ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen that forms robust biofilms in the different niches it occupies. Numerous physiological adaptations are required as this organism shifts from soil or aquatic environments to a host-associated lifestyle. While many conditions differ between these niches, temperature shifts are a factor that can contribute to physiological stress during this transition. To understand how temperature impacts biofilm formation in this pathogen, we used proteomic and transcriptomic tools to elucidate physiological responses in environment-relevant vs. host-relevant temperatures. These studies uncovered differential expression of various proteins including a phage protein that is associated with the EPS matrix inP. aeruginosa. This filamentous phage was induced at host temperatures and was required for full biofilm-forming capacity specifically at human body temperature. These data highlight the importance of temperature shift in biofilm formation and suggest bacteriophage proteins could be a possible therapeutic target in biofilm-associated infections.
Benthic and coral reef community field data for Heron Reef, Southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia, 2002–2018
Authors: Roelfsema Chris , Kovacs Eva M. , Markey Kathryn , Vercelloni Julie , Rodriguez-Ramirez Alberto , Lopez-Marcano Sebastian , Gonzalez-Rivero Manuel , Hoegh-Guldberg Ove , Phinn Stuart R.
Published: March 2021

This paper describes benthic coral reef community composition point-based field data sets derived from georeferenced photoquadrats using machine learning. Annually over a 17 year period (2002–2018), data were collected using downward-looking photoquadrats that capture an approximately 1 m2 footprint along 100 m–1500 m transect surveys distributed along the reef slope and across the reef flat of Heron Reef (28 km2), Southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Benthic community composition for the photoquadrats was automatically interpreted through deep learning, following initial manual calibration of the algorithm. The resulting data sets support understanding of coral reef biology, ecology, mapping and dynamics. Similar methods to derive the benthic data have been published for seagrass habitats, however here we have adapted the methods for application to coral reef habitats, with the integration of automatic photoquadrat analysis. The approach presented is globally applicable for various submerged and benthic community ecological applications, and provides the basis for further studies at this site, regional to global comparative studies, and for the design of similar monitoring programs elsewhere.
Hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia in non-anaesthetized Göttingen minipigs induces a counter-regulatory endocrine response and electrocardiographic changes
Authors: Lyhne Mille K. , Vegge Andreas , Povlsen Gro Klitgaard , Slaaby Rita , Kildegaard Jonas , Pedersen-Bjergaard Ulrik , Olsen Lisbeth H.
Published: March 2021

The potentially fatal cardiovascular effects of hypoglycaemia are not well understood and large animal models of the counter-regulatory responses and cardiovascular consequences of insulin-induced hypoglycaemia are needed to understand the mechanisms in humans. The aim of this study was to develop a human-like minipig model of hypoglycaemia including healthy and diabetic pigs to investigate endocrine, electrocardiographic and platelet effects. Hypoglycaemia was induced using a hyperinsulinaemic, hypoglycaemic clamp and an insulin bolus protocol. Plasma glucose, glucagon, C-peptide, insulin, epinephrine and platelet aggregation responses were measured before, during and after hypoglycaemia. Continuous electrocardiographic recordings were obtained. Hypoglycaemia at a plasma glucose concentration of 0.8–1.0 mM in the clamp induced 25-fold increase in epinephrine and sixfold and threefold increase in glucagon for healthy and diabetic pigs, respectively. The hypoglycaemic clamp induced QTc-interval prolongation and increase in cardiac arrhythmias. In the bolus approach, the non-diabetic group reached plasma glucose target of 1.5 mM and QTc-interval was prolonged after insulin injection, but before glucose nadir. The diabetic group did not reach hypoglycaemic target, but still demonstrated QTc-interval prolongation. These results demonstrate effects of hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia closely resembling human physiology, indicating the minipig as a translational animal model of counter-regulatory endocrine and myocardial effects of hypoglycaemia.
Ion conformation and orientational order in a dicationic ionic liquid crystal studied by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Majhi Debashis , Dvinskikh Sergey V.
Published: March 2021

Ionic liquids crystals belong to a special class of ionic liquids that exhibit thermotropic liquid-crystalline behavior. Recently, dicationic ionic liquid crystals have been reported with a cation containing two single-charged ions covalently linked by a spacer. In ionic liquid crystals, electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions in ionic sublayer and van der Waals interaction in hydrophobic domains are the main forces contributing to the mesophase stabilization and determining the molecular orientational order and conformation. How these properties in dicationic materials are compared to those in conventional monocationic analogs? We address this question using a combination of advanced NMR methods and DFT analysis. Dicationic salt 3,3′-(1,6-hexanediyl)bis(1-dodecylimidazolium)dibromide was studied. Local bond order parameters of flexible alkyl side chains, linker chain, and alignment of rigid polar groups were analyzed. The dynamic spacer effectively “decouples” the motion of two ionic moieties. Hence, local order and alignment in dicationic mesophase were similar to those in analogous single-chain monocationic salts. Bond order parameters in the side chains in the dicationic smectic phase were found consistently lower compared to double-chain monocationic analogs, suggesting decreasing contribution of van der Waals forces. Overall dication reorientation in the smectic phase was characterized by low values of orientational order parameterS. With increased interaction energy in the polar domain the layered structure is stabilized despite less ordered dications. The results emphasized the trends in the orientational order in ionic liquid crystals and contributed to a better understanding of interparticle interactions driving smectic assembly in this and analogous ionic mesogens.
Dynamic consolidated bioprocessing for innovative lab-scale production of bacterial alkaline phosphatase from Bacillus paralicheniformis strain APSO
Authors: Abdelgalil Soad A. , Soliman Nadia A. , Abo-Zaid Gaber A. , Abdel-Fattah Yasser R.
Published: March 2021

To meet the present and forecasted market demand, bacterial alkaline phosphatase (ALP) production must be increased through innovative and efficient production strategies. Using sugarcane molasses and biogenic apatite as low-cost and easily available raw materials, this work demonstrates the scalability of ALP production from a newfound Bacillus paralicheniformis strain APSO isolated from a black liquor sample. Mathematical experimental designs including sequential Plackett–Burman followed by rotatable central composite designs were employed to select and optimize the concentrations of the statistically significant media components, which were determined to be molasses, (NH4)2NO3, and KCl. Batch cultivation in a 7-L stirred-tank bioreactor under uncontrolled pH conditions using the optimized medium resulted in a significant increase in both the volumetric and specific productivities of ALP; the alkaline phosphatase throughput 6650.9 U L−1, and µ = 0.0943 h−1; respectively, were obtained after 8 h that, ameliorated more than 20.96, 70.12 and 94 folds compared to basal media, PBD, and RCCD; respectively. However, neither the increased cell growth nor enhanced productivity of ALP was present under the pH-controlled batch cultivation. Overall, this work presents novel strategies for the statistical optimization and scaling up of bacterial ALP production using biogenic apatite.
Differential diagnostic value of rheumatic symptoms in patients with Whipple’s disease
Authors: Feurle Gerhard E. , Moos Verena , Stroux Andrea , Gehrmann-Sommer Nadine , Poddubnyy Denis , Fiehn Christoph , Schneider Thomas
Published: March 2021

Most patients with Whipple’s disease have rheumatic symptoms. The aim of our prospective, questionnaire-based, non-interventional clinical study was to assess whether these symptoms are useful in guiding the differential diagnosis to the rheumatic disorders. Forty patients with Whipple’s disease, followed by 20 patients for validation and 30 patients with rheumatoid-, 21 with psoriatic-, 15 with palindromic- and 25 with axial spondyloarthritis were recruited for the present investigation. Patients with Whipple’s disease and patients with rheumatic disorders were asked to record rheumatic symptoms on pseudonymized questionnaires. The data obtained were subjected to multiple logistic regression analysis. Episodic pain with rapid onset, springing from joint to joint was most common in patients with palindromic arthritis and second most common and somewhat less conspicuous in Whipple’s disease. Continuous pain in the same joints predominated in patients with rheumatoid-, psoriatic-, and axial spondyloarthritis. Multiple logistic equations resulted in a predicted probability for the diagnosis of Whipple’s disease of 43.4 ± 0.19% (M ± SD) versus a significantly lower probability of 23.8 ± 0.19% (M ± SD) in the aggregate of patients with rheumatic disorders. Mean area under the curve (AUC) ± SD was 0.781 ± 0.044, 95% CI 0.695–0.867, asymptotic significance p < 0.001. The logistic equations predicted probability for the diagnosis of Whipple’s disease in the initial series of 40 patients of 43.4 ± 0.19% was not significantly different in the subsequent 20 patients of 38.2 ± 0.28% (M ± SD) (p = 0.376). The data may be useful in a predictive algorithm for diagnosing Whipple’s disease. The project is registered as clinical study DRK S0001566.
Creation and validation of models to predict response to primary treatment in serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Gonzalez Bosquet Jesus , Devor Eric J. , Newtson Andreea M. , Smith Brian J. , Bender David P. , Goodheart Michael J. , McDonald Megan E. , Braun Terry A. , Thiel Kristina W. , Leslie Kimberly K.
Published: March 2021

Nearly a third of patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) do not respond to initial therapy and have an overall poor prognosis. However, there are no validated tools that accurately predict which patients will not respond. Our objective is to create and validate accurate models of prediction for treatment response in HGSC. This is a retrospective case–control study that integrates comprehensive clinical and genomic data from 88 patients with HGSC from a single institution. Responders were those patients with a progression-free survival of at least 6 months after treatment. Only patients with complete clinical information and frozen specimen at surgery were included. Gene, miRNA, exon, and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression, gene copy number, genomic variation, and fusion-gene determination were extracted from RNA-sequencing data. DNA methylation analysis was performed. Initial selection of informative variables was performed with univariate ANOVA with cross-validation. Significant variables (p < 0.05) were included in multivariate lasso regression prediction models. Initial models included only one variable. Variables were then combined to create complex models. Model performance was measured with area under the curve (AUC). Validation of all models was performed using TCGA HGSC database. By integrating clinical and genomic variables, we achieved prediction performances of over 95% in AUC. Most performances in the validation set did not differ from the training set. Models with DNA methylation or lncRNA underperformed in the validation set. Integrating comprehensive clinical and genomic data from patients with HGSC results in accurate and robust prediction models of treatment response.
Effects of age-related hearing loss and hearing aid experience on sentence processing
Authors: Vogelzang Margreet , Thiel Christiane M. , Rosemann Stephanie , Rieger Jochem W. , Ruigendijk Esther
Published: March 2021

Age-related hearing loss typically affects the hearing of high frequencies in older adults. Such hearing loss influences the processing of spoken language, including higher-level processing such as that of complex sentences. Hearing aids may alleviate some of the speech processing disadvantages associated with hearing loss. However, little is known about the relation between hearing loss, hearing aid use, and their effects on higher-level language processes. This neuroimaging (fMRI) study examined these factors by measuring the comprehension and neural processing of simple and complex spoken sentences in hard-of-hearing older adults (n = 39). Neither hearing loss severity nor hearing aid experience influenced sentence comprehension at the behavioral level. In contrast, hearing loss severity was associated with increased activity in left superior frontal areas and the left anterior insula, but only when processing specific complex sentences (i.e. object-before-subject) compared to simple sentences. Longer hearing aid experience in a sub-set of participants (n = 19) was associated with recruitment of several areas outside of the core speech processing network in the right hemisphere, including the cerebellum, the precentral gyrus, and the cingulate cortex, but only when processing complex sentences. Overall, these results indicate that brain activation for language processing is affected by hearing loss as well as subsequent hearing aid use. Crucially, they show that these effects become apparent through investigation of complex but not simple sentences.
Deconvolution of hemodynamic responses along the cortical surface using personalized functional near infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Machado A , Cai Z , Vincent T , Pellegrino G , Lina J-M , Kobayashi E , Grova C
Published: March 2021

In functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), deconvolution analysis of oxy and deoxy-hemoglobin concentration changes allows estimating specific hemodynamic response functions (HRF) elicited by neuronal activity, taking advantage of the fNIRS excellent temporal resolution. Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is also becoming the new standard reconstruction procedure as it is more accurate than the modified Beer Lambert law approach at the sensor level. The objective of this study was to assess the relevance of HRF deconvolution after DOT constrained along the cortical surface. We used local personalized fNIRS montages which consists in optimizing the position of fNIRS optodes to ensure maximal sensitivity to subject specific target brain regions. We carefully evaluated the accuracy of deconvolution when applied after DOT, using realistic simulations involving several HRF models at different signal to noise ratio (SNR) levels and on real data related to motor and visual tasks in healthy subjects and from spontaneous pathological activity in one patient with epilepsy. We demonstrated that DOT followed by deconvolution was able to accurately recover a large variability of HRFs over a large range of SNRs. We found good performances of deconvolution analysis for SNR levels usually encountered in our applications and we were able to reconstruct accurately the temporal dynamics of HRFs in real conditions.
Concomitant drugs associated with increased mortality for MDMA users reported in a drug safety surveillance database
Authors: Cohen Isaac V. , Makunts Tigran , Abagyan Ruben , Thomas Kelan
Published: March 2021

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is currently being evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If MDMA is FDA-approved it will be important to understand what medications may pose a risk of drug–drug interactions. The goal of this study was to evaluate the risks due to MDMA ingestion alone or in combination with other common medications and drugs of abuse using the FDA drug safety surveillance data. To date, nearly one thousand reports of MDMA use have been reported to the FDA. The majority of these reports include covariates such as co-ingested substances and demographic parameters. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was employed to uncover the contributing factors to the reported risk of death among MDMA users. Several drug classes (MDMA metabolites or analogs, anesthetics, muscle relaxants, amphetamines and stimulants, benzodiazepines, ethanol, opioids), four antidepressants (bupropion, sertraline, venlafaxine and citalopram) and olanzapine demonstrated increased odds ratios for the reported risk of death. Future drug–drug interaction clinical trials should evaluate if any of the other drug–drug interactions described in our results actually pose a risk of morbidity or mortality in controlled medical settings.
Thermolabile drug storage in an ambulatory setting
Authors: do Pazo-Oubiña Fernando , Alorda-Ladaria Bartomeu , Gomez-Lobon Ana , Boyeras-Vallespir Bàrbara , Santandreu-Estelrich María Margalida , Martorell-Puigserver Clara , Gomez-Zamora María , Ventayol-Bosch Pere , Delgado-Sanchez Olga
Published: March 2021

More thermolabile drugs are becoming available, and in most cases, these medications are dispensed to ambulatory patients. However, there is no regulation once medications are dispensed to patients and little is known with regard to what happens during transport and home storage. Previous studies suggest that these drugs are improperly stored. The present study was designed to determine the storage conditions of thermolabile drugs once they are dispensed to the patient in the Hospital Pharmacy Department. This is a prospective observational study to assess the temperature profile of 7 thermolabile drugs once they are dispensed to ambulatory patients at a tertiary care hospital. A data logger was added to the medication packaging. Temperature was considered inappropriate if one of the following circumstances were met: any temperature record less than or equal to 0 °C or over 25 °C; temperatures between 0–2 or 8–25 °C for a continuous period over 30 min. The time series of temperature measurements obtained from each data logger were analyzed as statistically independent variables. The data shown did not undergo any statistical treatment and must be considered directly related to thermal measurements. One hundred and fourteen patients were included and 107 patients were available for the analysis. On the whole, a mean of 50.6 days (SD 18.3) were measured and the mean temperature was 6.88 °C (SD 2.93). Three data loggers (2.8%) maintained all the measurements between 2 and 8 °C with less than 3 continuous data (< 30 min) out of this range but no data over 25 °C or below or equal to 0 °C. 28 (26.2%) data loggers had at least one measurement below zero, 1 data logger had a measurement greater than 25 °C and 75 (70.1%) were between 0 and 2 °C and/or between 8 and 25 °C for more than 30 min. In conclusion, once dispensed to patients, most thermolabile drugs are improperly stored. Future studies should focus on clinical consequences and possible solutions.
Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus cohnii and Staphylococcus urealyticus isolates from German dairy farms exhibit resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and divergent penicillin-binding proteins
Authors: Lienen Tobias , Schnitt Arne , Hammerl Jens Andre , Marino Stephen F. , Maurischat Sven , Tenhagen Bernd-Alois
Published: March 2021

Non-aureus staphylococci are commonly found on dairy farms. Two rarely investigated species are Staphylococcus (S.) cohnii and S. urealyticus. Since multidrug-resistant S. cohnii and S. urealyticus are known, they may serve as an antimicrobial resistance (AMR) gene reservoir for harmful staphylococcal species. In our study, nine S. cohnii and six S. urealyticus isolates from German dairy farms were analyzed by whole-genome sequencing and AMR testing. The isolates harbored various AMR genes (aadD1, str, mecA, dfrC/K, tetK/L, ermC, lnuA, fexA, fusF, fosB6, qacG/H) and exhibited non-wildtype phenotypes (resistances) against chloramphenicol, clindamycin, erythromycin, fusidic acid, rifampicin, streptomycin, tetracycline, tiamulin and trimethoprim. Although 14/15 isolates lacked the blaZ, mecA and mecC genes, they showed reduced susceptibility to a number of beta-lactam antibiotics including cefoxitin (MIC 4–8 mg/L) and penicillin (MIC 0.25–0.5 mg/L). The specificity of cefoxitin susceptibility testing for mecA or mecC gene prediction in S. cohnii and S. urealyticus seems to be low. A comparison with penicillin-binding protein (PBP) amino acid sequences of S. aureus showed identities of only 70–80% with regard to PBP1, PBP2 and PBP3. In conclusion, S. cohnii and S. urealyticus from selected German dairy farms show multiple resistances to antimicrobial substances and may carry unknown antimicrobial resistance determinants.
A national survey assessing public readiness for digital health strategies against COVID-19 within the United Kingdom
Authors: Sounderajah Viknesh , Clarke Jonathan , Yalamanchili Seema , Acharya Amish , Markar Sheraz R. , Ashrafian Hutan , Darzi Ara
Published: March 2021

There is concern that digital public health initiatives used in the management of COVID-19 may marginalise certain population groups. There is an overlap between the demographics of groups at risk of digital exclusion (older, lower social grade, low educational attainment and ethnic minorities) and those who are vulnerable to poorer health outcomes from SARS-CoV-2. In this national survey study (n = 2040), we assessed how the UK population; particularly these overlapping groups, reported their preparedness for digital health strategies. We report, with respect to using digital information to make health decisions, that those over 60 are less comfortable (net comfort: 57%) than those between 18 and 39 (net comfort: 78%) and lower social grades are less comfortable (net comfort: 63%) than higher social grades (net comfort: 75%). With respect to a preference for digital over non-digital sources in seeking COVID-19 health information, those over 60 (net preference: 21%) are less inclined than those between 18 and 39 (net preference: 60%) and those of low educational attainment (net preference: 30%) are less inclined than those of high educational attainment (net preference: 52%). Lastly, with respect to distinguishing reliable digital COVID-19 information, lower social grades (net confidence: 55%) are less confident than higher social grades (net confidence: 68%) and those of low educational attainment (net confidence: 51%) are less confident than those of high educational attainment (net confidence: 71%). All reported differences are statistically significant (p < 0.01) following multivariate regression modelling. This study suggests that digital public health approaches to COVID-19 have the potential to marginalise groups who are concurrently at risk of digital exclusion and poor health outcomes from SARS-CoV-2.
Prevalence and associated factors of pistol grip deformity in Japanese local residents
Authors: Taniguchi Takaya , Harada Teiji , Iidaka Toshiko , Hashizume Hiroshi , Taniguchi Wataru , Oka Hiroyuki , Asai Yoshiki , Muraki Shigeyuki , Akune Toru , Nakamura Kozo , Kawaguchi Hiroshi , Yoshida Munehito , Tanaka Sakae , Yamada Hiroshi , Yoshimura Noriko
Published: March 2021

Pistol grip deformity (PGD) may be the main factor in femoroacetabular impingement development. This study aimed to clarify the epidemiological indices and factors related to PGD in Japanese people. This population-based cohort study included 1575 local Japanese residents. PGD, center edge angle, and joint space width were measured radiographically. We investigated the relationship between PGD and spino-pelvic parameters. Factors associated with PGD were examined using multiple logistic regression analysis, with the presence/absence of PGD as an objective variable, and sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and the presence/absence of hip pain or spino-pelvic parameters as explanatory variables. In the entire cohort, 4.9% (10.6% men, 2.1% women) had PGD on at least one side. A trend was observed between PGD and increasing age in both men and women (men: p < 0.0001, women: p = 0.0004). No relationship was observed between PGD and hip pain (risk ratio 1.0 [95% confidence interval 0.97–1.03]). Factors significantly associated with PGD were age, sex, and BMI in the multivariate model. Acquired factors may be related to PGD in Japanese people as the PGD prevalence increased with age and PGD was not significantly associated with hip pain. This study provides new insights into the etiology and clinical significance of PGD.
Effects of vitamin D deficiency on the improvement of metabolic disorders in obese mice after vertical sleeve gastrectomy
Authors: Zhang Jie , Feng Min , Pan Lisha , Wang Feng , Wu Pengfei , You Yang , Hua Meiyun , Zhang Tianci , Wang Zheng , Zong Liang , Han Yuanping , Guan Wenxian
Published: March 2021

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) is one of the most commonly performed clinical bariatric surgeries for the remission of obesity and diabetes. Its effects include weight loss, improved insulin resistance, and the improvement of hepatic steatosis. Epidemiologic studies demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is associated with many diseases, including obesity. To explore the role of vitamin D in metabolic disorders for patients with obesity after VSG. We established a murine model of diet-induced obesity + VDD, and we performed VSGs to investigate VDD's effects on the improvement of metabolic disorders present in post-VSG obese mice. We observed that in HFD mice, the concentration of VitD3 is four fold of HFD + VDD one. In the post-VSG obese mice, VDD attenuated the improvements of hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, intestinal inflammation and permeability, the maintenance of weight loss, the reduction of fat loss, and the restoration of intestinal flora that were weakened. Our results suggest that in post-VSG obese mice, maintaining a normal level of vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining the improvement of metabolic disorders.
Characterization of microbial antifreeze protein with intermediate activity suggests that a bound-water network is essential for hyperactivity
Authors: Khan N. M.-Mofiz Uddin , Arai Tatsuya , Tsuda Sakae , Kondo Hidemasa
Published: March 2021

Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) inhibit ice growth by adsorbing onto specific ice planes. Microbial AFPs show diverse antifreeze activity and ice plane specificity, while sharing a common molecular scaffold. To probe the molecular mechanisms responsible for AFP activity, we here characterized the antifreeze activity and crystal structure of TisAFP7 from the snow mold fungus Typhula ishikariensis. TisAFP7 exhibited intermediate activity, with the ability to bind the basal plane, compared with a hyperactive isoform TisAFP8 and a moderately active isoform TisAFP6. Analysis of the TisAFP7 crystal structure revealed a bound-water network arranged in a zigzag pattern on the surface of the protein’s ice-binding site (IBS). While the three AFP isoforms shared the water network pattern, the network on TisAFP7 IBS was not extensive, which was likely related to its intermediate activity. Analysis of the TisAFP7 crystal structure also revealed the presence of additional water molecules that form a ring-like network surrounding the hydrophobic side chain of a crucial IBS phenylalanine, which might be responsible for the increased adsorption of AFP molecule onto the basal plane. Based on these observations, we propose that the extended water network and hydrophobic hydration at IBS together determine the TisAFP activity.
Conspicuousness, phylogenetic structure, and origins of Müllerian mimicry in 4000 lycid beetles from all zoogeographic regions
Authors: Motyka Michal , Kusy Dominik , Masek Michal , Bocek Matej , Li Yun , Bilkova R. , Kapitán Josef , Yagi Takashi , Bocak Ladislav
Published: March 2021

Biologists have reported on the chemical defences and the phenetic similarity of net-winged beetles (Coleoptera: Lycidae) and their co-mimics. Nevertheless, our knowledge has remained fragmental, and the evolution of mimetic patterns has not been studied in the phylogenetic context. We illustrate the general appearance of ~ 600 lycid species and ~ 200 co-mimics and their distribution. Further, we assemble the phylogeny using the transcriptomic backbone and ~ 570 species. Using phylogenetic information, we closely scrutinise the relationships among aposematically coloured species, the worldwide diversity, and the distribution of aposematic patterns. The emitted visual signals differ in conspicuousness. The uniform coloured dorsum is ancestral and was followed by the evolution of bicoloured forms. The mottled patterns, i.e. fasciate, striate, punctate, and reticulate, originated later in the course of evolution. The highest number of sympatrically occurring patterns was recovered in New Guinea and the Andean mountain ecosystems (the areas of the highest abundance), and in continental South East Asia (an area of moderate abundance but high in phylogenetic diversity). Consequently, a large number of co-existing aposematic patterns in a single region and/or locality is the rule, in contrast with the theoretical prediction, and predators do not face a simple model-like choice but cope with complex mimetic communities. Lycids display an ancestral aposematic signal even though they sympatrically occur with differently coloured unprofitable relatives. We show that the highly conspicuous patterns evolve within communities predominantly formed by less conspicuous Müllerian mimics and, and often only a single species displays a novel pattern. Our work is a forerunner to the detailed research into the aposematic signalling of net-winged beetles.
The combined effect of coating treatments to nisin, nano-silica, and chitosan on oxidation processes of stored button mushrooms at 4 °C
Authors: Sami Rokayya , Elhakem Abeer , Alharbi Mona , Benajiba Nada , Fikry Mohammad , Helal Mahmoud
Published: March 2021

Agaricus bisporus is an edible fungus with a limited shelf life due to high moisture loss, browning, respiration, self-dissolve, lack of physical protection, rotting, and microbial attack. Mushrooms have been coated with nisin, nano-silica, and chitosan films in order to extend the shelf life, preserve quality and oxidation activities. The results showed that treating the mushrooms with chitosan and nano-silica (CH-AN-SILICA) increased superoxide dismutase activity (SOD—6.53 U kg−1), total phenolic content (TPC—0.39 g kg−1), and malondialdehyde content (MDA—1.63 µmol kg−1). CH-AN-SILICA treatment exhibited the highest scavenging against 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals. While, CH-AN-SILICA with the addition of nisin as an antimicrobial agent preserved almost the reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl radicals (OH—0.33 µmol g−1), superoxide anion (O2•−—0.271 mmol s−1 kg−1), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2—21.54 µmol g−1). Besides, both CH-AN-SILICA and CH-AN-SILICA/N enhanced the catalase (CAT) activity and reduced the respiration rate. The results indicated that the combination of nisin, nano-silica, and chitosan coating films was effective in providing a longer storage life with acceptable quality in mushrooms.
Genomic investigation of the coronavirus disease-2019 outbreak in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Kim Jeong-Min , Park Sung Yong , Lee Daesang , Kim Jun-Sub , Park Youngjoon , Gwack Jin , Kim Mi Young , Song Dong Hyun , Jeong Seong Tae , Chung Yoon-Seok , Yoo Cheon Kwon , Lee Ha Youn , Han Myung-Guk
Published: March 2021

The South Korean government effectively contained the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak primarily associated with a religious group. We conducted SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing of 66 cases to investigate connections among the initial South Korean cases and the religious group outbreak. We assessed the accuracy of genomic investigation by comparing the whole genome sequences with comprehensive contact tracing records. Five transmission clusters were estimated among the 15 initial cases. The six close-contact cases and two potential exposure pairs identified by contact tracing showed two or fewer nucleotide base differences. Additionally, we identified two transmission clusters that were phylogenetically distinct from the initial clusters, sharing common G11083T, G26144T, and C14805T markers. The strain closest to the two additional clusters was identified from a pair of identical sequences isolated from individuals who traveled from Wuhan to Italy. Our findings provide insights into the origins of community spread of COVID-19.
Effects of surgery on survival of patients aged 75 years or older with oral tongue squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Li Yujiao , Chu Chu , Hu Chaosu
Published: March 2021

The objective of this study is to assess prognostic value of surgery for elderly oral tongue squamous cell carcinomas (OTSCC) patients. Patients with OTSCC were extracted from the SEER database between 2010 and 2014. The distributions of categorical demographic and clinicopathological characteristics were determined for different age groups: the 75–79, 80–84, and 85–102 years old groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the effects of each variable on survival. A total of 1064 patients were analyzed. 75–79 years old patients tended to be male and rate of surgery declined with advancing age (P < 0.001). 75–79 years old patients more frequently presented with advanced stage compared to their older peers (P = 0.002). Compared to surgery groups, the hazard ratios for no surgery groups were 2.856 (95% CI 2.267–3.599; (P < 0.001)) for OS and 3.687 (95% CI 2.561–5.308; (P < 0.001)) for CSS in multivariable analysis. In subgroup analysis, the effect of no surgery was significantly associated with a higher risk of poor CSS in patients aged 75–79 years, 80–84 years and 85–102 years (P < 0.001, respectively). Our results showed that there were a series of factors contributing to poor outcomes in the elderly OTSCC patients, including clinicopathological characteristics and surgical management. Surgical resection is significantly associated with an improved OS and CSS, but further exploration in larger prospective clinical trials and better prognostic and predictive tools for select old patients for surgery are needed.
Association between serum oestradiol level on the hCG administration day and neonatal birthweight after IVF-ET among 3659 singleton live births
Authors: Liu Yu , Li Jing , Zhang Wanyu , Guo Yihong
Published: March 2021

Oestradiol, an important hormone in follicular development and endometrial receptivity, is closely related to clinical outcomes of fresh in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. A supraphysiologic E2 level is inevitable during controlled ovarian hyper-stimulation (COH), and its effect on the outcome of IVF-ET is controversial. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the association between elevated serum oestradiol (E2) levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) administration and neonatal birthweight after IVF-ET cycles. The data of 3659 infertile patients with fresh IVF-ET cycles were analysed retrospectively between August 2009 and February 2017 in First Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Patients were categorized by serum E2 levels on the day of hCG administration into six groups: group 1 (serum E2 levels ≤ 1000 pg/mL, n = 230), group 2 (serum E2 levels between 1001 and 2000 pg/mL, n = 524), group 3 (serum E2 levels between 2001 and 3000 pg/mL, n = 783), group 4 (serum E2 levels between 3001 and 4000 pg/mL, n = 721), group 5 (serum E2 levels between 4001 and 5000 pg/mL, n = 548 ), and group 6 (serum E2 levels > 5000 pg/mL, n = 852). Univariate linear regression was used to evaluate the independent correlation between each factor and outcome index. Multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for confounding factors. The LBW rates were as follows: 3.0% (group 1), 2.9% (group 2), 1.9% (group 3), 2.9% (group 4), 2.9% (group 5), and 2.0% (group 6) (P = 0.629), respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidences of neonatal LBW among the six groups. We did not detect an association between peak serum E2 level during ovarian stimulation and neonatal birthweight after IVF-ET. The results of this retrospective cohort study showed that serum E2 peak levels during ovarian stimulation were not associated with birth weight during IVF cycles. In addition, no association was found between higher E2 levels and increased LBW risk. Our observations suggest that the hyper-oestrogenic milieu during COS does not seem to have adverse effects on the birthweight of offspring after IVF. Although this study provides some reference, the obstetric-related factors were not included due to historical reasons. The impact of the high estrogen environment during COS on the birth weight of IVF offspring still needs future research.
An antibody-based amperometric biosensor for 20S proteasome activity and inhibitor screening
Authors: Barsan Madalina M. , Diculescu Victor C.
Published: March 2021

The 20S proteasome is immobilized through specific interactions with antibodies and its activity is evaluated by electrochemical methods.
Rapid, highly sensitive and quantitative detection of interleukin 6 based on SERS magnetic immunoassay
Authors: Wang Xiaomei , Ma Li , Sun Shijiao , Liu Tingwei , Zhou Hao , Liu Xinghui , Guan Ming
Published: March 2021

We have developed a SERS magnetic immunoassay method based on the principle of sandwich method for rapid and quantitative detection of IL-6. The developed SERS method has the advantages of high sensitivity and detection time is only 15 min.
Bicyclic RGD peptides enhance nerve growth in synthetic PEG-based Anisogels
Authors: Vedaraman Sitara , Bernhagen Dominik , Haraszti Tamas , Licht Christopher , Castro Nava Arturo , Omidinia Anarkoli Abdolrahman , Timmerman Peter , De Laporte Laura
Published: March 2021

aECMs imparting integrin selectivity (α5β1 and αvβ3) and directional guidance cues are developed using MMP degradable PEG hydrogels, functionalized with bicyclic RGD peptides, and including aligned magnetic, short fibers for 3D oriented nerve growth.
Pressure induced topochemical polymerization of solid acrylamide facilitated by anisotropic response of the hydrogen bond network
Authors: Maity Sayan , Gangan Abhijeet S. , Anshu Ashwini , V. Valappil Rashid Rafeek , Chakraborty Brahmananda , Ramaniah Lavanya M. , Srinivasan Varadharajan
Published: March 2021

Our first-principles studies reveal the mechanism of pressure-induced polymerization in solid acrylamide. Pressure not only drives a topochemical mechanism but also lowers the polymerization barrier at room temperature.
Structural, vibrational and electronic properties of α′-Ga2S3 under compression
Authors: Gallego-Parra S. , Vilaplana R. , Gomis O. , Lora da Silva E. , Otero-de-la-Roza A. , Rodríguez-Hernández P. , Muñoz A. , González J. , Sans J. A. , Cuenca-Gotor V. P. , Ibáñez J. , Popescu C. , Manjón F. J.
Published: March 2021

We report a joint experimental and theoretical study of the low-pressure phase of α′-Ga2S3 under compression. The structural, vibrational, topological and electronic properties have been evaluated to reveal the relevance of the vacancy channels and the single and double lone electron pairs in the pressure behaviour of this system.
Ion regulation of ionic liquid electrolytes for supercapacitors
Authors: Feng Jianze , Wang Yan , Xu Yongtai , Sun Yinglun , Tang Yu , Yan Xingbin
Published: March 2021

As a member of the liquid electrolyte family, ionic liquids (ILs) possess distinctive chemical and electrochemical stability, offering a pathway to realize supercapacitors (SCs) with both outstanding energy density and high safety.
Goat and cow milk differ in altering microbiota composition and fermentation products in rats with gut dysbiosis induced by amoxicillin
Authors: Butts Christine A. , Paturi Gunaranjan , Hedderley Duncan I. , Martell Sheridan , Dinnan Hannah , Stoklosinski Halina , Carpenter Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2021

Goat and cow milk differed in their effects on gut microbiota composition and metabolism following antibiotic-induced dysbiosis in rats.
Maillard conjugates of whey protein isolate–xylooligosaccharides for the microencapsulation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus: protective effects and stability during spray drying, storage and gastrointestinal digestion
Authors: Liao Yang , Hu Yu , Fu Nan , Hu Juwu , Xiong Hua , Chen Xiao Dong , Zhao Qiang
Published: March 2021

The Maillard reaction products (MRPs) of whey protein isolate (WPI) and xylooligosaccharides (XOS) were prepared by a moist heat method for use as protectants to encapsulate Lactobacillus rhamnosus via spray drying.
DHA-enriched phosphatidylserine ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and intestinal dysbacteriosis in mice induced by a high-fat diet
Authors: Zhou Yafeng , Tian Shanshan , Qian Li , Jiang Su , Tang Yunping , Han Tao
Published: March 2021

DHA-enriched phosphatidylserine could likely be used as an effective dietary supplement or functional food to ameliorate high-fat diet induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and intestinal dysbacteriosis.
Multi-oscillation microrheology via acoustic force spectroscopy enables frequency-dependent measurements on endothelial cells at high-throughput
Authors: Nguyen Alfred , Brandt Matthias , Muenker Till M. , Betz Timo
Published: March 2021

We present a novel method for frequency-dependent microrheology on endothelial cell monolayer at high throughput and fluid flow.
Dislocation-toughened ceramics
Authors: Porz Lukas , Klomp Arne J. , Fang Xufei , Li Ning , Yildirim Can , Detlefs Carsten , Bruder Enrico , Höfling Marion , Rheinheimer Wolfgang , Patterson Eric A. , Gao Peng , Durst Karsten , Nakamura Atsutomo , Albe Karsten , Simons Hugh , Rödel Jürgen
Published: March 2021

Dislocations are mobile at low temperatures in surprisingly many ceramics but sintering minimizes their densities. Enabling local plasticity by engineering a high dislocation density is a way to combat short cracks and toughen ceramics.