bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The first 8 months of COVID-19 pandemic in three West African countries: leveraging lessons learned from responses to the 2014–2016 Ebola virus disease outbreak
Authors: Impouma Benido , Williams George Sie , Moussana Fleury , Mboussou Franck , Farham Bridget , Wolfe Caitlin M. , Okot Charles , Downing Katrina , Tores Claudia Codeço , Flahault Antoine , Pervilhac Cyril , Ki-Zerbo Georges , Clement Peter , Shongwe Steven , Keiser Olivia , Fall Ibrahima Socé
Published: September 2021

Experience gained from responding to major outbreaks may have influenced the early coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic response in several countries across Africa. We retrospectively assessed whether Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the three West African countries at the epicentre of the 2014–2016 Ebola virus disease outbreak, leveraged the lessons learned in responding to COVID-19 following the World Health Organization's (WHO) declaration of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). We found relatively lower incidence rates across the three countries compared to many parts of the globe. Time to case reporting and laboratory confirmation also varied, with Guinea and Liberia reporting significant delays compared to Sierra Leone. Most of the selected readiness measures were instituted before confirmation of the first case and response measures were initiated rapidly after the outbreak confirmation. We conclude that the rapid readiness and response measures instituted by the three countries can be attributed to their lessons learned from the devastating Ebola outbreak, although persistent health systems weaknesses and the unique nature of COVID-19 continue to challenge control efforts.
Case report: double lung en bloc procurement from a donor after arterial switch operation
Authors: Stukov Yuriy , Staples Edward D. , Jacobs Jeffrey P. , Peek Giles J. , Machuca Tiago N. , Bleiweis Mark S.
Published: September 2021

The growing unmet demand for suitable organ donors increases each year. Despite relative contraindications for thoracic organ donation after previous cardiac surgery, experienced programmes and surgeons can successfully utilise the lungs from select donors who have undergone prior cardiac surgery. This is the first reported case of double lung en bloc procurement from a donor who had a previous arterial switch operation as an infant.
Attention and the Free Play of the Faculties
Authors: Williams Jessica J.
Published: September 2021

The harmonious free play of the imagination and understanding is at the heart of Kant’s account of beauty in theCritique of the Power of Judgement, but interpreters have long struggled to determine what Kant means when he claims the faculties are in a state of free play. In this article, I develop an interpretation of the free play of the faculties in terms of the freedom of attention. By appealing to the different way that we attend to objects in aesthetic experience, we can explain how the faculties are free, even when the subject already possesses a concept of the object and is bound to the determinate form of the object in perception.
FDG-PET/CT and MR imaging for target volume delineation in rectal cancer radiotherapy treatment planning: a systematic review
Authors: Olanloye Elizabeth E. , Ramlaul Aarthi , Ntekim Atara I. , Adeyemi Segun S.
Published: September 2021

Aim:

The aim of this systematic review was to synthesise and summarise evidence surrounding the clinical use of fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for target volume delineation (TVD) in rectal cancer radiotherapy planning.

Methods:

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, CINAHL, Web of Science and Scopus databases and other sources were systematically queried using keywords and relevant synonyms. Eligible full-text studies were assessed for methodological quality using the QUADAS-2 tool.

Results:

Eight of the 1448 studies identified met the inclusion criteria. Findings showed that MRI significantly delineate larger tumour volumes (TVs) than FDG-PET/CT while diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) defined smaller gross tumour volumes (GTVs) compared to T2 weighted-Magnetic Resonance Image. CT-based GTVs were found to be larger compared to FDG-PET/CT. FDG-PET/CT also identified new lesions in 15–17% patients and TVs extending outside the routinely used clinical standard CT TV in 29–83% patients. Between observers, delineated volumes were similar and consistent between MRI sequences, whereas interobserver agreement was significantly improved with FDG-PET/CT than CT.

Conclusion:

FDG-PET/CT and DW-MRI appear to delineate smaller rectal TVs and show improved interobserver variability. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the amount of attention in the research literature that has been paid to imaging for TVD in rectal cancer.
Insights into the genetic basis of the pre-breeding potato clones developed at the Julius Kühn Institute for high and durable late blight resistance
Authors: Blossei Johanna , Uptmoor Ralf , Thieme Ramona , Nachtigall Marion , Hammann Thilo
Published: September 2021

Due to the high yield losses caused by late blight in potato cultivation, the development of resistant pre-breeding material is of great importance for cultivar breeding. The gene pool of the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) includes a large collection of resistant clones whose resistance has not yet been analysed in detail with markers for relevant resistance genes. A panel of 52 pre-breeding potato clones developed at the JKI via interspecific crosses and highly resistant to late blight were tested for the presence of seven resistance genes (Rpi-blb1/Rpi-sto1, Rpi-blb2, Rpi-blb3/R2/Rpi-abpt, R1, R3a, R3b, Rpi-phu1) and one QTL allele (QTL_phu-stn) from Solanum species S. bulbocastanum, S. demissum, S. phureja and S. stoloniferum, respectively. Molecular marker assays based on sequence-specific primers revealed that 36 of the 52 pre-breeding clones carried either 1, 2, 3 or 4 resistance genes introgressed from these wild Solanum species. Results indicate that these resistance genes were retained over generations of breeding. Although highly resistant to late blight, 16 pre-breeding clones did not carry any of these resistance genes. Resistance in the gene pool may, thus, be based not only on individual resistance genes but also on QTL effects. Results help to better understand both inheritance and expression of late blight resistance of this unique gene pool and may be used for breeding programmes.
“The influence of Melody upon man in the wild state of nature”: Enslaved Parishioners, Anglican Violence, and Racialized Listening in a Jamaica Parish
Authors: Ryan Maria
Published: September 2021

In 1827, George Wilson Bridges, the outspoken proslavery rector of the parish of St. Ann, Jamaica, published a pamphlet of music that he had written to be used as the choral service at his church. The Bishop of Jamaica condemned Bridges's musical innovations on the grounds that they were not suitable to be heard by “a congregation chiefly composed by people of colour & negroes.” On the Bishop's orders, Bridges's music stopped, and by 1828 he reported that his pews were once more empty. The congregation of St. Ann parish church was almost entirely enslaved Africans and Afro-descendants who could choose their place of worship. However, in Bridges's own household, the people he claimed as property had little opportunity to escape his ministering. In 1829 Bridges came to the attention of British abolitionists for his brutal flogging of Kitty Hylton, a woman he claimed to own. This article uses Black feminist approaches to archival materials to explore the relationship between the music promoted by Bridges, conflicting views held by white religious leaders about what music was appropriate for African and African-descended people to listen to, and Bridges's violence towards enslaved people; in so doing exploring the inescapable entanglement of religious music, race, and violence in colonial Jamaica.
Understanding aggression and microaggressions by and against people of colour
Authors: Williams Monnica T. , Ching Terence H. W. , Gallo Jade
Published: September 2021

Efforts to understand racial microaggressions have focused on the impact on targets, but few studies have examined the motivations and characteristics of offenders, and none has examined microaggressions committed by members of racialized groups. The purpose of this study is to determine if racial microaggressions should be conceptualized as a form of aggression when committed by racialized individuals by examining the relationship between propensity to commit microaggressions and aggressive tendencies to help inform interventions. This nationwide survey recruited 356 Asian, Black and Hispanic American adults. Participants completed measures of likelihood of committing anti-Black microaggressions, aggression, negative affect, and ethnic identity. There was a significant negative correlation between ratings by diversity experts of microaggressive interactions being racist and participants’ likelihood of engaging in those same interactions. For each ethnoracial group, likelihood of committing anti-Black microaggressions was significantly positively correlated with all measures of aggression examined. The correlation between microaggressions and aggression was strongest for non-White Hispanic participants and weakest among Asian participants. A linear regression showed that aggression uniquely predicted microaggression likelihood, after controlling for respective co-variates within groups. Among non-White Hispanic participants, there was a significant positive correlation between negative affect and propensity to commit microaggressions, but this association disappeared in the regression analysis after accounting for aggression. A positive ethnic identity was not correlated with microaggression likelihood among Black participants. Findings indicate that microaggressions represent aggression on the part of offenders and constitute a form of behaviour that is generally socially unacceptable. Implications and cognitive behavioural treatment approaches are discussed.

Key learning aims

(1)

People of colour generally recognize that racial microaggressions are unacceptable.

(2)

People of colour may commit microaggressions against other people of colour.

(3)

Anti-Black microaggressions are correlated to aggression in perpetrators.

(4)

Microaggressions are not solely attributable to negative affect or low ethnic identity.

(5)

Therapists should address microaggressions, even when committed by people of colour.
Measuring subjective stress among young people in Hong Kong: validation and predictive utility of the single-item subjective level of stress (SLS-1) in epidemiological and longitudinal community samples
Authors: Wong S. M. Y. , Lam B. Y. H. , Wong C. S. M. , Lee H. P. Y. , Wong G. H. Y. , Lui S. S. Y. , Chan K. T. , Wong M. T. H. , Chan S. K. W. , Chang W. C. , Lee E. H. M. , Suen Y. N. , Hui C. L. M. , Chen E. Y. H.
Published: September 2021

Aims

Brief measurements of the subjective experience of stress with good predictive capability are important in a range of community mental health and research settings. The potential for large-scale implementation of such a measure for screening may facilitate early risk detection and intervention opportunities. Few such measures however have been developed and validated in epidemiological and longitudinal community samples. We designed a new single-item measure of the subjective level of stress (SLS-1) and tested its validity and ability to predict long-term mental health outcomes of up to 12 months through two separate studies.

Methods

We first examined the content and face validity of the SLS-1 with a panel consisting of mental health experts and laypersons. Two studies were conducted to examine its validity and predictive utility. In study 1, we tested the convergent and divergent validity as well as incremental validity of the SLS-1 in a large epidemiological sample of young people in Hong Kong (n = 1445). In study 2, in a consecutively recruited longitudinal community sample of young people (n = 258), we first performed the same procedures as in study 1 to ensure replicability of the findings. We then examined in this longitudinal sample the utility of the SLS-1 in predicting long-term depressive, anxiety and stress outcomes assessed at 3 months and 6 months (n = 182) and at 12 months (n = 84).

Results

The SLS-1 demonstrated good content and face validity. Findings from the two studies showed that SLS-1 was moderately to strongly correlated with a range of mental health outcomes, including depressive, anxiety, stress and distress symptoms. We also demonstrated its ability to explain the variance explained in symptoms beyond other known personal and psychological factors. Using the longitudinal sample in study 2, we further showed the significant predictive capability of the SLS-1 for long-term symptom outcomes for up to 12 months even when accounting for demographic characteristics.

Conclusions

The findings altogether support the validity and predictive utility of the SLS-1 as a brief measure of stress with strong indications of both concurrent and long-term mental health outcomes. Given the value of brief measures of mental health risks at a population level, the SLS-1 may have potential for use as an early screening tool to inform early preventative intervention work.
Evolution of Sea Surface Temperature in the Southern Mid‐latitudes From Late Oligocene Through Early Miocene
Authors: Guitián José , Stoll Heather M.
Published: September 2021

Large Antarctic ice volume changes characterized the middle to Late Oligocene and the first million years of climate evolution during the Miocene. However, the sea surface temperature (SST) evolution over this period remains poorly constrained, as only a few records from contrasting proxies are available. In this study, we present a long‐term alkenone‐derived SST record from sediments drilled by the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) at Site 1168 in the west Tasmanian Sea spanning 29.8 Ma to 16.7 Ma. The SST record highlight that the long‐term warming in the Late Oligocene linked to the end of the Middle Oligocene Glacial Interval can be recognized also at mid‐to‐high latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere. Warmer average temperatures (25.5°C) characterize the period from 24.6 to 22 Ma; average temperatures then decrease by 1°C–2°C into the Miocene and stabilize by 20.1 Ma. The reconstructed temperatures are highly variable in the warm Late Oligocene waters, and more stable and slightly colder in the Early to Middle Miocene. We confirm that this temperature trend is not an artifact of the latitudinal drift of the site, as the temperature anomaly relative to the modern water temperature at the paleolocation confirms the SST trends of the Oligocene. This is the first alkenone‐derived continuous record to reproduce the long‐term Oligocene climate trend previously interpreted from the benthic δ18O, which recorded a warming and/or reduction in ice volume from the Middle Oligocene Glacial Interval through the latest Oligocene.
The Cause of the Large Cold Bias in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean
Authors: Feng Jie , Lian Tao , Chen Dake , Li Yanjie
Published: September 2021

Common biases of climate models in simulating sea surface temperature (SST) greatly limit our understanding of future climate change. The cold SST bias in the northwestern Pacific (NWP), one of the most distinct and persistent biases in all generations of climate models, was previously attributed to the local and remote influences of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, but has never been related to the Indian Ocean. By analyzing simulations from 52 state‐of‐the‐art CMIP6 models and a series of model experiments, we find the strong cold bias in the NWP is primarily caused by the weak cold bias in the tropical Indian Ocean (TIO). Eliminating the TIO bias induces a prominent pressure high over the NWP, which favors a SST warming there through the enhancement of warm oceanic Ekman advection. Our results indicate that the large NWP cold bias could be reduced by ∼66% once the weak TIO bias is corrected.
Development of a biomechanical model for dynamic occlusal stress analysis
Authors: Duanmu Zheng , Liu Lu , Deng Qi , Ren Yuanyuan , Wang Meiqing
Published: September 2021

The use of traditional finite element method (FEM) in occlusal stress analysis is limited due to the complexity of musculature simulation. The present purpose was to develop a displacement boundary condition (DBC)-FEM, which evaded the muscle factor, to predict the dynamic occlusal stress. The geometry of the DBC-FEM was developed based on the scanned plastic casts obtained from a volunteer. The electrognathographic and video recorded jaw positional messages were adopted to analyze the dynamic occlusal stress. The volunteer exhibited asymmetrical lateral movements, so that the occlusal stress was further analyzed by using the parameters obtained from the right-side eccentric movement, which was 6.9 mm long, in the stress task of the left-side eccentric movement, which was 4.1 mm long. Further, virtual occlusion modification was performed by using the carving tool software aiming to improve the occlusal morphology at the loading sites. T-Scan Occlusal System was used as a control of the in vivo detection for the location and strength of the occlusal contacts. Data obtained from the calculation using the present developed DBC-FEM indicated that the stress distribution on the dental surface changed dynamically with the occlusal contacts. Consistent with the T-Scan recordings, the right-side molars always showed contacts and higher levels of stress. Replacing the left-side eccentric movement trace by the right-side one enhanced the simulated stress on the right-side molars while modification of the right-side molars reduced the simulated stress. The present DBC-FEM offers a creative approach for pragmatic occlusion stress prediction.
Underweight and early childhood caries among young children in rural Cambodia: a pilot study
Authors: Kubota Yu , Pech Nhep San , Durward Callum , Ogawa Hiroshi
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To investigate the association between underweight and early childhood caries (ECC) among children aged one to three years in rural Cambodia.

Materials and methods

A total of 200 Cambodian children aged one to three years at several villages in Kampong Cham province participated in this study. The children whose Z scores were below two and three standard deviations were considered as moderately-underweight and severely-underweight. Children whose mid-upper arm circumstance (MUAC) was below 12.5 cm, were regarded as having malnutrition. ECC was recorded following the WHO guidelines. Associated factors were obtained through interviews with caregivers.

Results

33.5% and 7.0% of the children were identified as being moderately-underweight and severely-underweight, respectively. The prevalence of ECC was 61.5%. ECC was significantly associated with children being moderately-underweight (P < 0.05). The prevalence of ECC was higher prevalence of those who with severely-underweight, although significant differences were not observed (P = 0.054). Logistic regressions showed that those with low birth weight (OR = 2.57; 95% CI = 1.03–6.40) and malnutrition (OR = 4.71; 95% CI = 1.08–20.62) were likely to be moderately-underweight and severely-underweight, whereas those who with ECC had more moderately-underweight, although it was not significant (OR = 2.21; 95% CI = 0.97–5.00). Those with low birth weight (OR = 10.68; 95% CI = 2.95–38.65) and ECC (OR = 6.67; 95% CI = 1.02–43.61) were likely to be severely-underweight.

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that low birth weight, malnutrition and ECC were associated factors of underweight in this population.
UCHL1 as a novel target in breast cancer: emerging insights from cell and chemical biology
Authors: Mondal Milon , Conole Daniel , Nautiyal Jaya , Tate Edward W.
Published: September 2021

Breast cancer has the highest incidence and death rate among cancers in women worldwide. In particular, metastatic estrogen receptor negative (ER–) breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtypes have very limited treatment options, with low survival rates. Ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1), a ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase belonging to the deubiquitinase (DUB) family of enzymes, is highly expressed in these cancer types, and several key reports have revealed emerging and important roles for UCHL1 in breast cancer. However, selective and potent small-molecule UCHL1 inhibitors have been disclosed only very recently, alongside chemical biology approaches to detect regulated UHCL1 activity in cancer cells. These tools will enable novel insights into oncogenic mechanisms driven by UCHL1, and identification of substrate proteins deubiquitinated by UCHL1, with the ultimate goal of realising the potential of UCHL1 as a drug target in breast cancer.
PRMT7 targets of Foxm1 controls alveolar myofibroblast proliferation and differentiation during alveologenesis
Authors: He Huacheng , Chen Jilin , Zhao Jian , Zhang Peizhun , Qiao Yulong , Wan Huajing , Wang Jincheng , Mei Mei , Bao Shilai , Li Qiuling
Published: September 2021

Although aberrant alveolar myofibroblasts (AMYFs) proliferation and differentiation are often associated with abnormal lung development and diseases, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), epigenetic mechanisms regulating proliferation and differentiation of AMYFs remain poorly understood. Protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7) is the only reported type III enzyme responsible for monomethylation of arginine residue on both histone and nonhistone substrates. Here we provide evidence for PRMT7’s function in regulating AMYFs proliferation and differentiation during lung alveologenesis. In PRMT7-deficient mice, we found reduced AMYFs proliferation and differentiation, abnormal elastin deposition, and failure of alveolar septum formation. We further shown that oncogene forkhead box M1 (Foxm1) is a direct target of PRMT7 and that PRMT7-catalyzed monomethylation at histone H4 arginine 3 (H4R3me1) directly associate with chromatin of Foxm1 to activate its transcription, and thereby regulate of cell cycle-related genes to inhibit AMYFs proliferation and differentiation. Overexpression of Foxm1 in isolated myofibroblasts (MYFs) significantly rescued PRMT7-deficiency-induced cell proliferation and differentiation defects. Thus, our results reveal a novel epigenetic mechanism through which PRMT7-mediated histone arginine monomethylation activates Foxm1 transcriptional expression to regulate AMYFs proliferation and differentiation during lung alveologenesis and may represent a potential target for intervention in pulmonary diseases.
Smoking shifts human small airway epithelium club cells toward a lesser differentiated population
Authors: Rostami Mahboubeh R. , LeBlanc Michelle G. , Strulovici-Barel Yael , Zuo Wulin , Mezey Jason G. , O’Beirne Sarah L. , Kaner Robert J. , Leopold Philip L. , Crystal Ronald G.
Published: September 2021

The club cell, a small airway epithelial (SAE) cell, plays a central role in human lung host defense. We hypothesized that subpopulations of club cells with distinct functions may exist. The SAE of healthy nonsmokers and healthy cigarette smokers were evaluated by single-cell RNA sequencing, and unsupervised clustering revealed subpopulations of SCGCB1A1+KRT5loMUC5AC− club cells. Club cell heterogeneity was supported by evaluations of SAE tissue sections, brushed SAE cells, and in vitro air–liquid interface cultures. Three subpopulations included: (1) progenitor; (2) proliferating; and (3) effector club cells. The progenitor club cell population expressed high levels of mitochondrial, ribosomal proteins, and KRT5 relative to other club cell populations and included a differentiation branch point leading to mucous cell production. The small proliferating population expressed high levels of cyclins and proliferation markers. The effector club cell cluster expressed genes related to host defense, xenobiotic metabolism, and barrier functions associated with club cell function. Comparison of smokers vs. nonsmokers demonstrated that smoking limited the extent of differentiation of all three subclusters and altered SAM pointed domain-containing Ets transcription factor (SPDEF)-regulated transcription in the effector cell population leading to a change in the location of the branch point for mucous cell production, a potential explanation for the concomitant reduction in effector club cells and increase in mucous cells in smokers. These observations provide insights into both the makeup of human SAE club cell subpopulations and the smoking-induced changes in club cell biology.
Use of a small molecule integrin activator as a systemically administered vaccine adjuvant in controlling Chagas disease
Authors: Lokugamage Nandadeva , Chowdhury Imran H. , Biediger Ronald J. , Market Robert V. , Khounlo Sayadeth , Warier Navin D. , Hwang Shen-An , Actor Jeffrey K. , Woodside Darren G. , Marathi Upendra , Vanderslice Peter , Garg Nisha Jain
Published: September 2021

The development of suitable safe adjuvants to enhance appropriate antigen-driven immune responses remains a challenge. Here we describe the adjuvant properties of a small molecule activator of the integrins αLβ2 and α4β1, named 7HP349, which can be safely delivered systemically independent of antigen. 7HP349 directly activates integrin cell adhesion receptors crucial for the generation of an immune response. When delivered systemically in a model of Chagas disease following immunization with a DNA subunit vaccine encoding candidateT. cruziantigens, TcG2 and TcG4, 7HP349 enhanced the vaccine efficacy in both prophylactic and therapeutic settings. In a prophylactic setting, mice immunized with 7HP349 adjuvanted vaccine exhibited significantly improved control of acute parasite burden in cardiac and skeletal muscle as compared to vaccination alone. When administered with vaccine therapeutically, parasite burden was again decreased, with the greatest adjuvant effect of 7HP349 being noted in skeletal muscle. In both settings, adjuvantation with 7HP349 was effective in decreasing pathological inflammatory infiltrate, improving the integrity of tissue, and controlling tissue fibrosis in the heart and skeletal muscle of acutely and chronically infected Chagas mice. The positive effects correlated with increased splenic frequencies of CD8+T effector cells and an increase in the production of IFN-γ and cytolytic molecules (perforin and granzyme) by the CD4+and CD8+effector and central memory subsets in response to challenge infection. This demonstrates that 7HP349 can serve as a systemically administered adjuvant to enhance T cell-mediated immune responses to vaccines. This approach could be applied to numerous vaccines with no reformulation of existing stockpiles.
Cells of the human intestinal tract mapped across space and time
Authors: Elmentaite Rasa , Kumasaka Natsuhiko , Roberts Kenny , Fleming Aaron , Dann Emma , King Hamish W. , Kleshchevnikov Vitalii , Dabrowska Monika , Pritchard Sophie , Bolt Liam , Vieira Sara F. , Mamanova Lira , Huang Ni , Perrone Francesca , Goh Kai’En Issac , Lisgo Steven N. , Katan Matilda , Leonard Steven , Oliver Thomas R. W. , Hook C. Elizabeth , Nayak Komal , Campos Lia S. , Domínguez Conde Cecilia , Stephenson Emily , Engelbert Justin , Botting Rachel A. , Polanski Krzysztof , van Dongen Stijn , Patel Minal , Morgan Michael D. , Marioni John C. , Bayraktar Omer Ali , Meyer Kerstin B. , He Xiaoling , Barker Roger A. , Uhlig Holm H. , Mahbubani Krishnaa T. , Saeb-Parsy Kourosh , Zilbauer Matthias , Clatworthy Menna R. , Haniffa Muzlifah , James Kylie R. , Teichmann Sarah A.
Published: September 2021

The cellular landscape of the human intestinal tract is dynamic throughout life, developing in utero and changing in response to functional requirements and environmental exposures. Here, to comprehensively map cell lineages, we use single-cell RNA sequencing and antigen receptor analysis of almost half a million cells from up to 5 anatomical regions in the developing and up to 11 distinct anatomical regions in the healthy paediatric and adult human gut. This reveals the existence of transcriptionally distinct BEST4 epithelial cells throughout the human intestinal tract. Furthermore, we implicate IgG sensing as a function of intestinal tuft cells. We describe neural cell populations in the developing enteric nervous system, and predict cell-type-specific expression of genes associated with Hirschsprung’s disease. Finally, using a systems approach, we identify key cell players that drive the formation of secondary lymphoid tissue in early human development. We show that these programs are adopted in inflammatory bowel disease to recruit and retain immune cells at the site of inflammation. This catalogue of intestinal cells will provide new insights into cellular programs in development, homeostasis and disease.
Early phase of effective treatment induces distinct transcriptional changes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis expelled by pulmonary tuberculosis patients
Authors: Shaikh Ambreen , Sriraman Kalpana , Vaswani Smriti , Oswal Vikas , Rao Sudha , Mistry Nerges
Published: September 2021

Effective treatment reduces a tuberculosis patient's ability to infect others even before they test negative in sputum or culture. Currently, the basis of reduced infectiousness of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) with effective treatment is unclear. We evaluated changes in aerosolized bacteria expelled by patients through a transcriptomic approach before and after treatment initiation (up to 14 days) by RNA sequencing. A distinct change in the overall transcriptional profile was seen post-treatment initiation compared to pretreatment, only when patients received effective treatment. This also led to the downregulation of genes associated with cellular activities, cell wall assembly, virulence factors indicating loss of pathogenicity, and a diminished ability to infect and survive in new host cells. Based on this, we identified genes whose expression levels changed with effective treatment. The observations of the study open up avenues for further evaluating the changes in bacterial gene expression during the early phase of treatment as biomarkers for monitoring response to tuberculosis treatment regimens and provide means of identifying better correlates of Mtb transmission.
Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy versus incisional biopsy in soft tissue sarcoma: an institutional experience
Authors: Cernakova Miroslava , Hobusch Gerhard M. , Amann Gabriele , Funovics Philipp T. , Windhager Reinhard , Panotopoulos Joannis
Published: September 2021

Core needle biopsy (CNB) is gaining in importance due to its advantages in the matter of patient morbidity, time and cost. Nevertheless, controversies still exist regarding the biopsy technique of choice for the accurate diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma (STS). This retrospective cohort study compared the diagnostic performance between ultrasound-guided CNB and incisional biopsy (IB), both performed by orthopedic surgeons. The aims of the study were to answer the following questions: (1) Is ultrasound-guided CNB a highly reliable modality for diagnosing STSs? (2) Is CNB equally useful to IB for identifying histologic subtype? (3) Had patients who underwent CNB a reduced risk of complications? One-hundred and fifty-three patients who underwent resection of soft tissue sarcoma were classified into two groups according to biopsy technique prior to surgery; CNB group (n = 95) and IB group (n = 58). The final surgical specimens were in 40 patients liposarcoma (myxoid, pleomorphic and dedifferentiated), 39 undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS), 33 myxofibrosarcoma, 10 synovial sarcoma, 10 leiomyosarcoma and in the remaining 21 patients different soft tissue sarcoma entities. Sarcoma location of 71 patients was in the thigh, 19 in the lower leg, 22 in the upper arm and shoulder area; 10 in the knee and gluteal region, 9 in the thoracic region, the residual 12 in other body areas. Malignancy was correctly diagnosed in 87% (83 of 95) for the CNB group and 93% (54/58) for the IB group. Correct identification rate of histologic subtype was 80% (76 of 95) in the CNB group and 83% (48 of 58) in the IB group. There were no significant differences in the correct diagnosis rates of malignancy and subtype between the two techniques. No complications were seen in the CNB group, whereas 2 patients in whom IB was performed developed pulmonary embolism and 1 patient surgical site infection. Ultrasound-guided CNB is highly accurate and not inferior to IB in diagnosing the dignity of lesions and histologic subtype in patients with suspected STSs.
Mechanism of charge accumulation of poly(heptazine imide) gel
Authors: Seo Goichiro , Saito Yuki , Nakamichi Miyu , Nakano Kyohei , Tajima Keisuke , Kanai Kaname
Published: September 2021

Photo-stimuli response in materials is a fascinating feature with many potential applications. A photoresponsive gel of poly(heptazine imide), PHI, termed PHIG, exhibits photochromism, photoconductivity, and photo-induced charge accumulation, and is generated using ionic liquids and PHI. Although there are several examples of ionic liquid gels that exhibit photochromism and photoconductivity, this is the first report of an ionic liquid gel that exhibits both these properties as well as charge accumulation. We conducted experimental and theoretical investigations to understand the mechanism of the photostimulus response of PHIG, especially charge accumulation. The proposed model explains both the mechanism of charge accumulation and dark photocatalysis by PHI and provides new concepts in the field of photofunctional materials.
Publisher Correction: Age-dependent ataxia and neurodegeneration caused by an αII spectrin mutation with impaired regulation of its calpain sensitivity
Authors: Miazek Arkadiusz , Zalas Michał , Skrzymowska Joanna , Bogin Bryan A. , Grzymajło Krzysztof , Goszczynski Tomasz M. , Levine Zachary A. , Morrow Jon S. , Stankewich Michael C.
Published: September 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Analysis of the forced convection of two-phase Ferro-nanofluid flow in a completely porous microchannel containing rotating cylinders
Authors: Aghamiri Hamidreza , Niknejadi Mohammadreza , Toghraie Davood
Published: September 2021

In the present work, the forced convection of nanofluid flow in a microchannel containing rotating cylinders is investigated in different geometries. The heat flux applied to the microchannel wall is 10,000 W m−2. The effects of Reynolds number, the volume fraction of nanoparticles, and the porosity percentage of the porous medium are investigated on the flow fields, temperature, and heat transfer rate. Reynolds number values vary from Re = 250–1000, non-dimensional rotational velocities 1 and 2, respectively, and volume fraction of nanoparticles 0–2%. The results show that increasing the velocity of rotating cylinders increases the heat transfer; also, increasing the Reynolds number and volume fraction of nanoparticles increases the heat transfer, pressure drop, and Cf,ave. By comparing the porosity percentages with each other, it is concluded that due to the greater contact of the nanofluid with the porous medium and the creation of higher velocity gradients, the porosity percentage is 45% and the values of are 90% higher than the porosity percentage. Comparing porosity percentages with each other, at porosity percentage 90% is greater than at porosity percentage 45%. On the other hand, increasing the Reynolds number reduces the entropy generation due to heat transfer and increases the entropy generation due to friction. Increasing the volume fraction of nanoparticles increases the entropy generations due to heat transfer and friction.
Organochlorine pesticide residues in plants and their possible ecotoxicological and agri food impacts
Authors: Chandra Rachna , Sharpanabharathi N. , Prusty B. Anjan Kumar , Azeez P. A. , Kurakalva Rama Mohan
Published: September 2021

Scientific investigations on levels of Organochlorine Pesticide (OCP) residues in plants largely consider the edible parts (crops, vegetables, and fruit plants). Though the non-edible parts of plants are not eaten by human beings directly, these parts are consumed by livestock and other animals, thereby facilitating the flow of chemical residues through the food chain. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the concentration of OCP residues in non-edible plant parts to provide insights on their potential ecotoxicological impacts. Eighteen OCP residues were extracted in nine different plant species (banana Musa acuminate, brinjal Solanum melongena, Casuarina equisetifolia, Eucalyptus globulus, lotus Nelumbo nucifera, paddy Oryza sativa, sugarcane Saccharum officinarum, tapioca Manihot esculenta, tomato Lycopersicon esculentum) following QuEChERS method. The concentrations of OCP residues in plant extracts were determined using Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). The OCP residues, namely: γ-HCH (lindane), heptachlor epoxide isomer, dieldrin, endrin, endrin aldehyde and endrin ketone were found predominantly in seven plant species. Residues of γ-HCH (lindane) were reported in different parts of plant species such as stem (581.14 ng/g in paddy and 585.82 ng/g in tapioca) and leaf (583.3 ng/g in tomato). Seven samples contained residues of heptachlor epoxide isomer (512.53 to 1173.8 ng/g). Dieldrin was found in paddy stem (489.97 ng/g), tapioca stem (490.21 ng/g) and tapioca leaf (490.32 ng/g). The detected OCPs in the present study were 10–50 times higher than the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL, 0.01–0.1 mg/Kg) as prescribed in the Codex Alimentarius of the FAO/WHO. Their elevated concentrations in the plant parts therefore pose risk of contamination to the consumers in the food chain, including human beings those are dependent on the animals as source of protein. The findings of this study are the first report on residue levels of OCPs in non-edible plant parts in the agricultural landscape of Puducherry region, India. Since, this study assumes significance for the strategic location of Oussudu Lake, an interstate lake spread over Puducherry and Tamil Nadu states, regular monitoring of OCP residues in different environmental segments in strategic locations in both the states is suggested, which will help the authorities in devising a comprehensive environmental management plan aiming at the ecosystem at large.
Impact of extreme (flat and steep) keratometry on the safety and efficacy of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE)
Authors: Luft Nikolaus , Siedlecki Jakob , Reinking Franziska , Mayer Wolfgang J. , Schworm Benedikt , Kassumeh Stefan , Priglinger Siegfried G. , Dirisamer Martin
Published: September 2021

Little is known about the connection between preoperative keratometry and postoperative results of myopic small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). To determine the influence of extreme (flat and steep) corneal keratometry on the safety and efficacy of SMILE, the databases of the Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany, and SMILE Eyes Linz, Austria, were screened for patients with steep and flat keratometry who had undergone SMILE. In this cross-sectional matched comparative cohort study, eyes with markedly flat (< 42.0 diopters; D) or steep (≥ 47.0D) preoperative corneal keratometry were matched to a cohort of eyes with regular keratometry (42.0–46.9D) by preoperative manifest refractive spherical equivalent and cylinder, age, corrected distance visual acuity and surgical SMILE parameters. The standardized graphs and terms for refractive surgery results were applied to compare the three groups. Changes in higher order aberrations (HOAs) were evaluated on Scheimpflug imaging. In total, 63 eyes (21 each) of 54 patients with a mean refractive spherical equivalent of  − 5.21 ± 1.59 D were followed up for a mean of 9.2 ± 6.1 (minimum ≥ 3) months. Mean baseline keratometry was 41.3 ± 0.7D (flat), 45.5 ± 1.0D (regular) and 47.7 ± 0.6D (steep) (p < 0.0001). Compared to the regular group, the flat and the steep cornea group resulted in a non-inferior percentage of eyes within ± 0.50 D of target refraction (p = 0.20), uncorrected distance visual acuity (p = 0.95) and corrected distance visual acuity (p = 0.20). Flat corneas however experienced a stronger induction of spherical aberration (SA) compared to the steep group (p = 0.0005). In conclusion, non-inferior outcomes of SMILE can also be expected in eyes with steep (≥ 47D) or flat (< 42D) preoperative keratometry, while SMILE however induces more SA in eyes with a flat keratometry.
Polarization insensitivity characterization of dual-band perfect metamaterial absorber for K band sensing applications
Authors: Hakim Mohammad Lutful , Alam Touhidul , Almutairi Ali F. , Mansor Mohd Fais , Islam Mohammad Tariqul
Published: September 2021

Polarization insensitive metamaterial absorbers (MA) are currently very attractive due to their unique absorption properties at different polarization angles. As a result, this type of absorber is widely used in sensing, imaging, energy harvesting, etc. This paper presents the design and characterization of a dual-band polarization-insensitive metamaterial absorber (MA) for K-band applications. The metamaterial absorber consists of two modified split ring resonators with an inner cross conductor to achieve a 90% absorption bandwidth of 400 MHz (21.4–21.8 GHz) and 760 MHz (23.84–24.24 GHz) at transverse electromagnetic (TEM), transverse electric (TE), and transverse magnetic (TM) mode. Polarization insensitivity of different incident angles for TE and TM mode is also investigated, which reveals a similar absorption behavior up to 90°. The metamaterial structure generates single negative (SNG) property at a lower frequency of 21.6 GHz and double negative property (DNG) at an upper frequency of 24.04 GHz. The permittivity and pressure sensor application are investigated for the proposed absorber, which shows its useability in these applications. Finally, a comparison with recent works is also performed to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed structure for K band application, like sensor, filter, invasive clock, etc.
Digital printing of selective and reversible ion optodes on fabrics: toward smart clothes for epidermal chemical sensing
Authors: Brady Brock , Wang Renjie , Cheong Rosemary , Wang Xuewei
Published: September 2021

Inkjet printing of hydrophobic sensing chemicals including dyes, ionophores, and ion exchangers on real activewear fabrics creates chemical sensors for pH and electrolyte ions.
Smartphone-based colorimetric detection system for portable health tracking
Authors: Balbach Samira , Jiang Nan , Moreddu Rosalia , Dong Xingchen , Kurz Wolfgang , Wang Congyan , Dong Jie , Yin Yixia , Butt Haider , Brischwein Martin , Hayden Oliver , Jakobi Martin , Tasoglu Savas , Koch Alexander W. , Yetisen Ali K.
Published: September 2021

The use of colorimetric sensors is encouraged by their simple operation, but limited by the lack of standardization. This article reports on a smartphone application to precisely readout urine strips via color mapping and RGB-to-HSV transposition.
Rapid determination of trace Cu2+ by an in-syringe membrane SPE and membrane solid-phase spectral technique
Authors: Li Long , Xu Kehan , Huang Zuohua , Xu Xinxin , Iqbal Jibran , Zhao Liang , Du Yiping
Published: September 2021

A new in-syringe membrane SPE and solid-phase visible spectral method was proposed for rapid extraction and visible spectral determination of Cu2+. The Cu(DDTC)2 complex can be determined without elution and applied in water and blood plasma samples.
Construction of hierarchical-porous metal–organic frameworks through esterification reaction for efficient catalysis
Authors: Wang Peng , Zhang Peng , Shen Yu , Wang Liu , Li Hongfeng , Zhang Wenlei , Gu Zhida , Zhang Xinglong , Fu Yu , Zhang Weina , Huo Fengwei
Published: September 2021

A solvent-assisted strategy was proposed through controlling the coordination equilibrium to fabricate hierarchical-porous metal–organic frameworks (HP-MOFs).
Toward sustainable syntheses of Ca-based MOFs
Authors: Crickmore Tom S. , Sana Haamidah Begum , Mitchell Hannah , Clark Molly , Bradshaw Darren
Published: September 2021

We report the use of benign and green precursors including waste chicken eggshells and PET from recycled plastic bottles, for the facile synthesis of calcium-based metal–organic frameworks using sustainable synthesis techniques.
Participation of S and Se in hydrogen and chalcogen bonds
Authors: Scheiner Steve
Published: September 2021

The heavier chalcogen atoms S, Se, and Te can each participate in a range of different noncovalent interactions. They can serve as both proton donor and acceptor in H-bonds. Each atom can also act as electron acceptor in a chalcogen bond.
Microstructures and electronic characters of β-Ga2O3 on different substrates: exploring the role of surface chemistry and structures
Authors: Zhu Naxin , Xue Xiangyi , Su Jie
Published: September 2021

This work revealed the growth mechanisms, microstructures, and electronic characters of β-Ga2O3 on different substrates using the first-principles calculations, and provided a scientific basis for improving the quality and performance of β-Ga2O3.
Correction: Ultrafast vibrational wave packet dynamics of the aqueous tyrosyl radical anion induced by photodetachment
Authors: Yusof Muhammad Shafiq Bin Mohd , Lim Yong Liang , Loh Zhi-Heng
Published: September 2021

Correction for ‘Ultrafast vibrational wave packet dynamics of the aqueous tyrosyl radical anion induced by photodetachment’ by Muhammad Shafiq Bin Mohd Yusof et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2021, 23, 18525–18534, DOI: 10.1039/D1CP02975D.
Evaluation of Sn(ii) aminoalkoxide precursors for atomic layer deposition of SnO thin films
Authors: Parish James D. , Snook Michael W. , Johnson Andrew L.
Published: September 2021

A series of homo- and hetero-leptic Sn(ii) aminoalkoxide complexes have been synthesised, characterised and the thermal properties of the homoleptic complexes assesed for their potential as ALD precursors for SnO thin films.
Insights into the factors influencing mercury concentrations in tropical reservoir sediments
Authors: Baptista-Salazar Carluvy , Quadra Gabrielle R. , Sobek Anna , Jonsson Sofi
Published: September 2021

Significantly lower total mercury concentrations were observed in sediments in larger (∼1300 km2) compared to smaller reservoirs (<100 km2), suggesting reservoir size to be a critical driver of the amount of Hg accumulating in the sediments.
Spatio-temporal maneuvering of impacting drops
Authors: Han Xing , Tang Xin , Zhao Haibo , Li Wei , Li Jiaqian , Wang Liqiu
Published: September 2021

Spatio-temporal control of impacting drops can be achieved by a combination of a nonwetting fin and a wetting stripe on a nonwetting surface.
Influence of the ultrasonic-assisted synthesis on Al distribution in a MOR zeolite: from gel to resulting material
Authors: Olszowka Joanna E. , Pashkova Veronika , Kornas Agnieszka , Dedecek Jiri , Brus Jiri , Urbanova Martina , Tabor Edyta , Klein Petr , Brabec Libor , Mlekodaj Kinga
Published: September 2021

Two Al-rich mordenite samples were prepared by the same synthesis procedure except for the activation of the gel for which classical stirring and ultrasonic pretreatment was used.
A “turn-on” small molecule fluorescent sensor for the determination of Al3+ ion in real samples: theoretical calculations, and photophysical and electrochemical properties
Authors: Tümay Süreyya Oğuz , Şenocak Ahmet , Mermer Arif
Published: September 2021

The fluorescence sensing properties of a naphthalene-based acetohydrazide (3) were investigated. A highly selective “turn-on” response was obtained towards Al3+ ions, and this was used for real sample analysis and development of paper test strips.