bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lavender essential oil induces oxidative stress which modifies the bacterial membrane permeability of carbapenemase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Yang Shun-Kai , Yusoff Khatijah , Thomas Warren , Akseer Riaz , Alhosani Maryam Sultan , Abushelaibi Aisha , Lim Swee-Hua-Erin , Lai Kok-Song
Published: January 2020

Misuse of antibiotics in the clinical and agricultural sectors has caused the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae which contributes a threat to human health. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of lavender essential oil (LVO) as an antimicrobial agent in combinatory therapy with meropenem in suppressing the growth of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-KP). Synergistic interactions between LVO and meropenem were detected, which significantly reduce the inhibitory concentration of both LVO and meropenem by 15 and 4-fold respectively. Comparative proteomic profiling identified a disruption in the bacterial membrane via oxidative stress that was indicated by loss of membrane and cytoplasmic proteins and the upregulation of oxidative regulators. As a proof of concept, zeta potential measurements showed a change in cell surface charge while outer membrane permeability measurement indicated an increase in membrane permeability following exposure to LVO. This was indicative of a disrupted outer membrane. Ethidium bromide influx/efflux assays demonstrated no significant efflux pump inhibition by LVO, and scanning electron microscopy revealed irregularities on the cell surface after exposure to LVO. Oxidative stress was also detected with increased level of ROS and lipid peroxidation in LVO-treated cells. In conclusion, our data suggest that LVO induced oxidative stress in K. pneumoniae which oxidizes the outer membrane, enabling the influx of generated ROS, LVO and meropenem into the bacterial cells, causing damage to the cells and eventually death.
Lethal methemoglobinemia in the invasive brown treesnake after acetaminophen ingestion
Authors: Mathies Tom , Mauldin Richard E.
Published: January 2020

The invasive brown treesnake(Boiga irregularis)has extirpated much of Guam’s native birdlife and poses significant threats to other parts of the western Pacific. Acetaminophen (APAP) is a proven lethal oral toxicant in reptiles but the physiological mechanism is unknown. The effects of a lethal APAP oral dose on methemoglobin (MetHb, non-oxygen carrying form) levels and other blood parameters were examined in brown treesnakes. Co-oximetry was used to measure MetHb (%) and other hemoglobin species. Assessment of red blood cell integrity, white blood cell differential counts, and plasma biochemical analyses were conducted to evaluate tissue damage, stress, and liver function. Changes in oxygen carrying capacity were noted in APAP-treated snakes indicated by a 50–60% increase in methemoglobin levels and a 40% decrease in oxyhemoglobin (oxygen-carrying form) levels compared to controls. APAP-treated snakes had decreased lymphocyte and increased monocyte counts while also having increased levels of blood analytes associate with impaired liver function and muscle damage. The proximate cause of death in APAP-treated snakes was likely acute methemoglobinemia and respiratory failure due to severe hypoxia with no observed signs of distress or pain. An orally-ingested lethal dose of APAP appears to be a humane method for lethal control of this species.
Phytoremediation potential of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), two United States native varieties, to remove bisphenol-A (BPA) from aqueous media
Authors: Phouthavong-Murphy Jacob C. , Merrill Alyssa K. , Zamule Stephanie , Giacherio David , Brown Beverly , Roote Carol , Das Padmini
Published: January 2020

Plastic wastes burdening Earth’s water and accumulating on land, releasing toxic leachates, are one of the greatest global threats of our time. Bisphenol-A (BPA), a potent endocrine disrupting compound, is a synthetic ingredient of the polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins used in food containers, cans, and water bottles. Bisphenol-A’s rising concentrations in the environment require a sustainable alternative to current removal practices, which are expensive and/or ecologically unsafe. Switchgrass offers a safe alternative. To investigate its potential for BPA removal, two United States native switchgrass varieties where tested in hydroponic media. Results show minimal hydrolysis and photolysis of BPA over 55 days, confirming its persistence. Both generic and heavy metal switchgrass exhibited statistically significant (p < 0.0001) BPA removal (40% and 46%, respectively) over approximately 3 months, underscoring switchgrass’s effectiveness for BPA removal. Significantly higher (p < 0.005) BPA accumulation in roots than shoots and nonsignificant variances in biomass, chlorophyll (p > 0.19), and peroxidase between BPA-treated and untreated plants indicates substantial BPA tolerance in both varieties. Kinetic parameters of BPA removal and translocation factors were also determined, which will inform the design of BPA removal phytotechnologies for a variety of soil conditions, including landfills where BPA accumulation is greatest.
Acclimation, priming and memory in the response of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings to cold stress
Authors: Leuendorf Jan Erik , Frank Manuel , Schmülling Thomas
Published: January 2020

Because stress experiences are often recurrent plants have developed strategies to remember a first so-called priming stress to eventually respond more effectively to a second triggering stress. Here, we have studied the impact of discontinuous or sustained cold stress (4 °C) onin vitrogrownArabidopsis thalianaseedlings of different age and their ability to get primed and respond differently to a later triggering stress. Cold treatment of 7-d-old seedlings induced the expression of cold response genes but did not cause a significantly enhanced freezing resistance. The competence to increase the freezing resistance in response to cold was associated with the formation of true leaves. Discontinuous exposure to cold only during the night led to a stepwise modest increase in freezing tolerance provided that the intermittent phase at ambient temperature was less than 32 h. Seedlings exposed to sustained cold treatment developed a higher freezing tolerance which was further increased in response to a triggering stress during three days after the priming treatment had ended indicating cold memory. Interestingly, in all scenarios the primed state was lost as soon as the freezing tolerance had reached the level of naïve plants indicating that an effective memory was associated with an altered physiological state. Known mutants of the cold stress response (cbfs,erf105) and heat stress memory (fgt1) did not show an altered behaviour indicating that their roles do not extend to memory of cold stress inArabidopsisseedlings.
Targeting of EGFR by a combination of antibodies mediates unconventional EGFR trafficking and degradation
Authors: Jones Sylwia , King Peter J. , Antonescu Costin N. , Sugiyama Michael G. , Bhamra Amandeep , Surinova Silvia , Angelopoulos Nicos , Kragh Michael , Pedersen Mikkel W. , Hartley John A. , Futter Clare E. , Hochhauser Daniel
Published: January 2020

Antibody combinations targeting cell surface receptors are a new modality of cancer therapy. The trafficking and signalling mechanisms regulated by such therapeutics are not fully understood but could underlie differential tumour responses. We explored EGFR trafficking upon treatment with the antibody combination Sym004 which has shown promise clinically. Sym004 promoted EGFR endocytosis distinctly from EGF: it was asynchronous, not accompanied by canonical signalling events and involved EGFR clustering within detergent-insoluble plasma mebrane-associated tubules. Sym004 induced lysosomal degradation independently of EGFR ubiquitylation but dependent upon Hrs/Tsg101 that are required for the formation of intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) within late endosomes. We propose Sym004 cross-links EGFR physically triggering EGFR endocytosis and incorporation onto ILVs and so Sym004 sensitivity correlates with EGFR numbers available for binding, rather than specific signalling events. Consistently Sym004 efficacy and potentiation of cisplatin responses correlated with EGFR surface expression in head and neck cancer cells. These findings will have implications in understanding the mode of action of this new class of cancer therapeutics.
Digging deeper - A new data mining workflow for improved processing and interpretation of high resolution GC-Q-TOF MS data in archaeological research
Authors: Korf Ansgar , Hammann Simon , Schmid Robin , Froning Matti , Hayen Heiko , Cramp Lucy J. E.
Published: January 2020

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry profiling is the most established method for the analysis of organic residues, particularly lipids, from archaeological contexts. This technique allows the decryption of hidden chemical information associated with archaeological artefacts, such as ceramic pottery fragments. The molecular and isotopic compositions of such residues can be used to reconstruct past resource use, and hence address major questions relating to patterns of subsistence, diet and ritual practices in the past. A targeted data analysis approach, based on previous findings reported in the literature is common but greatly depends on the investigator’s prior knowledge of specific compound classes and their mass spectrometric behaviour, and poses the risk of missing unknown, potentially diagnostic compounds. Organic residues from post-prehistoric archaeological samples often lead to highly complex chromatograms, which makes manual chromatogram inspection very tedious and time consuming, especially for large datasets. This poses a significant limitation regarding the scale and interpretative scopes of such projects. Therefore, we have developed a non-targeted data mining workflow to extract a higher number of known and unknown compounds from the raw data to reduce investigator’s bias and to vastly accelerate overall analysis time. The workflow covers all steps from raw data handling, feature selection, and compound identification up to statistical interpretation.
Anthranilamide-based Short Peptides Self-Assembled Hydrogels as Antibacterial Agents
Authors: Aldilla Vina R. , Chen Renxun , Martin Adam D. , Marjo Christopher E. , Rich Anne M. , Black David StC. , Thordarson Pall , Kumar Naresh
Published: January 2020

In this study, we describe the synthesis and molecular properties of anthranilamide-based short peptides which were synthesised via ring opening of isatoic anhydride in excellent yields. These short peptides were incorporated as low molecular weight gelators (LMWG), bola amphiphile, and C3-symmetric molecules to form hydrogels in low concentrations (0.07–0.30% (w/v)). The critical gel concentration (CGC), viscoelastic properties, secondary structure, and fibre morphology of these short peptides were influenced by the aromaticity of the capping group or by the presence of electronegative substituent (namely fluoro) and hydrophobic substituent (such as methyl) in the short peptides. In addition, the hydrogels showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus 38 and moderate toxicity against HEK cells in vitro.
Head motion predictability explains activity-dependent suppression of vestibular balance control
Authors: Dietrich H. , Heidger F. , Schniepp R. , MacNeilage P. R. , Glasauer S. , Wuehr M.
Published: January 2020

Vestibular balance control is dynamically weighted during locomotion. This might result from a selective suppression of vestibular inputs in favor of a feed-forward balance regulation based on locomotor efference copies. The feasibility of such a feed-forward mechanism should however critically depend on the predictability of head movements (HMP) during locomotion. To test this, we studied in 10 healthy subjects the differential impact of a stochastic vestibular stimulation (SVS) on body sway (center-of-pressure, COP) during standing and walking at different speeds and compared it to activity-dependent changes in HMP. SVS-COP coupling was determined by correlation analysis in frequency and time domains. HMP was quantified as the proportion of head motion variance that can be explained by the average head trajectory across the locomotor cycle. SVS-COP coupling decreased from standing to walking and further dropped with faster locomotion. Correspondingly, HMP increased with faster locomotion. Furthermore, SVS-COP coupling depended on the gait-cycle-phase with peaks corresponding to periods of least HMP. These findings support the assumption that during stereotyped human self-motion, locomotor efference copies selectively replace vestibular cues, similar to what was previously observed in animal models.
A Mathematical Theory of Cortex-Receptor Artificial Extension
Authors: Xing You-Lu
Published: January 2020

Many physiology experiments demonstrate that an organism’s cortex and receptor system can be artificially extended, giving the organism new types of perceptual capabilities. To examine artificial extension of the cortex-receptor system, I propose a computational model that allows new types of sensory pathways to be added directly to the computational model itself in an online manner. A synapse expandable artificial neuron model that can grow new synapses, forming a bridge between the novel perceptual information and the existing neural network is introduced to absorb the novel sensory pathway. The experimental results show that the computational model can effectively integrate sudden emerged sensory channels and the neural circuits in the computational model can be reused for novel modalities without influencing the original modality.
Functional mechanism and pathogenic potential of MYRF ICA domain mutations implicated in birth defects
Authors: An Hongjoo , Fan Chuandong , Sharif Mohamed , Kim Dongkyeong , Poitelon Yannick , Park Yungki
Published: January 2020

Myrf is a membrane-bound transcription factor that plays a key role in various biological processes. The Intramolecular Chaperone Auto-processing (ICA) domain of Myrf forms a homo-trimer, which carries out the auto-cleavage of Myrf. The ICA homo-trimer-mediated auto-cleavage of Myrf is a prerequisite for its transcription factor function in the nucleus. Recent exome sequencing studies have implicated two MYRF ICA domain mutations (V679A and R695H) in a novel syndromic form of birth defects. It remains unknown whether and how the two mutations impact the transcription factor function of Myrf and, more importantly, how they are pathogenic for congenital anomalies. Here, we show that V679A and R695H cripple the ICA domain, blocking the auto-cleavage of Myrf. Consequently, Myrf-V679A and Myrf-R695H do not exhibit any transcriptional activity. Molecular modeling suggests that V679A and R695H abrogate the auto-cleavage function of the ICA homo-trimer by destabilizing its homo-trimeric assembly. We also found that the ICA homo-trimer can tolerate one copy of Myrf-V679A or Myrf-R695H for its auto-cleavage function, indicating that V679A and R695H are not dominant negatives. Thus, if V679A and R695H in a heterozygous state caused birth defects, it would be via haploinsufficiency of MYRF.
Potential osteomyelitis biomarkers identified by plasma metabolome analysis in mice
Authors: Isogai Norihiro , Shiono Yuta , Kuramoto Tetsuya , Yoshioka Kenji , Ishihama Hiroko , Funao Haruki , Nakamura Masaya , Matsumoto Morio , Ishii Ken
Published: January 2020

Osteomyelitis, which often arises from a surgical-site infection, is a serious problem in orthopaedic surgery. However, there are no specific biomarkers for osteomyelitis. Here, to identify specific plasma biomarkers for osteomyelitis, we conducted metabolome analyses using a mouse osteomyelitis model and bioluminescence imaging. We divided adult male pathogen-free BALB/C mice into control, sham-control, and infected groups. In the infected group, a bioluminescent Staphylococcus aureus strain was inoculated into the femur, and osteomyelitis was detected by bioluminescence imaging. We next analysed the metabolome, by comprehensively measuring all of the small molecules. This analysis identified 279 metabolites, 12 of which were significantly higher and 45 were significantly lower in the infected group than in the sham-control and control groups. Principal component analysis identified sphingosine as the highest loading factor. Several acyl carnitines and fatty acids, particularly ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, were significantly lower in the infected group. Several metabolites in the tricarboxylic acid cycle were lower in the infected group than in the other groups. Thus, we identified two sphingolipids, sphinganine and sphingosine, as positive biomarkers for mouse osteomyelitis, and two components in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, two-oxoglutarate and succinic acid, as negative biomarkers.
Effects of microbial inoculants on the fermentation characteristics and microbial communities of sweet sorghum bagasse silage
Authors: Dong Miaoyin , Li Qiaoqiao , Xu Fuqiang , Wang Shuyang , Chen Jihong , Li Wenjian
Published: January 2020

Sweet sorghum bagasse (SSB) is a promising raw material for silage fermentation due to its high residual nutritive, but the efficient fermentation strategy of SSB has not been reported yet. This study evaluated the effects of microbial inoculant on the fermentation quality, chemical composition and microbial community of SSB silage. The silage inoculated with isolated lactic acid bacteria (LpE) achieved better fermentation than that of commercial inoculant A, B (CIA, CIB) and untreatment, including low pH value, high levels of lactic acid and water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) content, which demonstrated that the LpE inoculant could contribute to the preservation of nutrition and the manipulation of fermentation process of SSB. In addition, the results of microbial community analysis indicated that the LpE inoculant significantly changed the composition and diversity of bacteria in SSB silage. After ensiling, the LpE inoculated silage were dominated by Lactobacillus(95.71%), Weissella(0.19%). These results were of great guiding significance aiming for high-quality silage production using SSB materials on the basis of target-based regulation methods.
Comparing the rates of methane production in patients with and without appendectomy: results from a large-scale cohort
Authors: Takakura Will , Oh Sun Jung , Singer-Englar Tahli , Mirocha James , Leite Gabriela , Fridman Adie , Pimentel Mark , Mathur Ruchi , Pichetshote Nipaporn , Rezaie Ali
Published: January 2020

There is no clear study identifying the microbiome of the appendix. However, in other diverticular conditions, such as diverticulosis, methanogens appear important. We investigated whether patients who had undergone appendectomies had decreased levels of exhaled methane (CH4). Consecutive patients who underwent breath testing (BT) from November 2005 to October 2013 were deterministically linked to electronic health records. The numbers of patients with CH4 ≥ 1 ppm (detectable) and ≥ 3 and ≥ 10 ppm (excess) were compared between patients who did and did not undergo appendectomy using a multivariable model adjusted for age and sex. Of the 4977 included patients (48.0 ± 18.4 years, 30.1% male), 1303 (26.2%) had CH4 ≥ 10 ppm, and 193 (3.9%) had undergone appendectomy. Appendectomy was associated with decreased odds of CH4 ≥ 1, ≥ 3, and ≥ 10 ppm (ORs (95% CI) = 0.67 (0.47–0.93), p = 0.02; 0.65 (0.46–0.92), p = 0.01; and 0.66 (0.46–0.93), p = 0.02, respectively). Additionally, the percentage of CH4 producers increased 4-fold from the first to ninth decade of life. This is the first study to report that appendectomy is associated with decreased exhaled CH4. The appendix may play an active physiologic role as a reservoir of methanogens.
CR6-interacting factor 1 deficiency reduces endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity by inhibiting biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin
Authors: Lee Ikjun , Kim Seonhee , Nagar Harsha , Choi Su-jeong , Jeon Byeong Hwa , Piao Shuyu , Kim Cuk-Seong
Published: January 2020

Downregulation of CR6 interacting factor 1 (CRIF1) has been reported to induce mitochondrial dysfunction, resulting in reduced activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and NO production in endothelial cells. Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an important cofactor in regulating the balance between NO (eNOS coupling) and superoxide production (eNOS uncoupling). However, whether the decreased eNOS and NO production in CRIF1-deficient cells is associated with relative BH4 deficiency-induced eNOS uncoupling remains completely unknown. Our results showed that CRIF1 deficiency increased eNOS uncoupling and depleted levels of total biopterin and BH4 by reducing the enzymes of BH4 biosynthesis (GCH-1, PTS, SPR, and DHFR) in vivo and vitro, respectively. Supplementation of CRIF1-deficient cells with BH4 significantly increased the recovery of Akt and eNOS phosphorylation and NO synthesis. In addition, scavenging ROS with MitoTEMPO treatment replenished BH4 levels by elevating levels of GCH-1, PTS, and SPR, but with no effect on the level of DHFR. Downregulation of DHFR synthesis regulators p16 or p21 in CRIF1-deficient cells partially recovered the DHFR expression. In summary, CRIF1 deficiency inhibited BH4 biosynthesis and exacerbated eNOS uncoupling. This resulted in reduced NO production and increased oxidative stress, which contributes to endothelial dysfunction and is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases.
Profiling of human lymphocytes reveals a specific network of protein kinases modulated by endurance training status
Authors: Alack Katharina , Weiss Astrid , Krüger Karsten , Höret Mona , Schermuly Ralph , Frech Torsten , Eggert Martin , Mooren Frank-Christoph
Published: January 2020

To date, the effects of endurance exercise training on lymphocyte physiology at the kinome level are largely unknown. Therefore, the present study used a highly sensitive peptide-based kinase activity profiling approach to investigate if the basal activity of tyrosine (Tyr) and serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) kinases of human lymphocytes is affected by the aerobic endurance training status. Results revealed that the activity of various tyrosine kinases of the FGFR family and ZAP70 was increased, whereas the activity of multiple Ser/Thr kinases such as IKKα, CaMK4, PKAα, PKCα+δ (among others) was decreased in lymphocytes of endurance trained athletes (ET). Moreover, functional associations between several differentially regulated kinases in ET-derived lymphocytes were demonstrated by phylogenetic mapping and network analysis. Especially, Ser/Thr kinases of the AGC-kinase (protein kinase A, G, and C) family represent exercise-sensitive key components within the lymphocytes kinase network that may mediate the long-term effects of endurance training. Furthermore, KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) and Reactome pathway analysis indicate that Ras as well as intracellular signaling by second messengers were found to be enriched in the ET individuals. Overall, our data suggest that endurance exercise training improves the adaptive immune competence by modulating the activity of multiple protein kinases in human lymphocytes.
The ubiquitin ligase HERC1 regulates cell migration via RAF-dependent regulation of MKK3/p38 signaling
Authors: Pedrazza Leonardo , Schneider Taiane , Bartrons Ramon , Ventura Francesc , Rosa Jose Luis
Published: January 2020

Protein modifications by phosphorylation or ubiquitylation have been selected throughout evolution as efficient regulatory mechanisms of cellular processes. Cell migration is a complex, highly coordinated process where these mechanisms must participate in an integrated manner to transmit signaling during migration. In this study, we show that the ubiquitin ligase HERC1 regulates the p38 signaling pathway, and that this regulation is mediated by the MAPK kinase MKK3. Moreover, we demonstrate a crosstalk between RAF and MKK3/p38 pathways where RAF acts upstream of MKK3. Mechanistically, HERC1 regulates the protein levels of C-RAF and MKK3. Thus, HERC1 ubiquitylates C-RAF, targeting it for proteasomal degradation, and RAF proteins regulate MKK3 mRNA levels. Accordingly, HERC1 knockdown induces C-RAF stabilization and activation of RAF proteins; in turn, this activation increases MKK3, which phosphorylates and activates p38. The importance of these observations is demonstrated by HERC1 regulation of cell migration through regulation of p38 signaling via a RAF-dependent mechanism. Thus, HERC1 plays an essential role as a regulator of crosstalk between RAF/MKK3/p38 signaling pathways during cell migration.
An innovative automated active compound screening system allows high-throughput optimization of somatic embryogenesis in Coffea arabica
Authors: Awada Rayan , Verdier Dorothée , Froger Solène , Brulard Eric , de Faria Maraschin Simone , Etienne Hervé , Breton David
Published: January 2020

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) faces many challenges in fulfilling the growing demand for elite materials. A high-throughput approach is required to accelerate the optimization of SE protocols by multiplying experimental conditions within a limited time period. For the first time in plant micropropagation, we have developed a miniaturized and automated screening system to meet high-throughput standards. Coffea arabica embryo regeneration, classically achieved in 250-ml Erlenmeyer flasks, was successfully miniaturized in 24-well plates, allowing a volume downscaling factor of 100 and a space saving of 53 cm2/well. Cell clusters were ground and filtered to fit the automated pipetting platform, leading to fast, reproducible and uniform cluster distribution (23.0 ± 5.5 cell clusters/well) and successful regeneration (6.5 ± 2.2 embryos/well). Pilot screening of active compounds on SE was carried out. Compounds belonging to the histone deacetylase inhibitor family were tested for embryo regeneration efficiency. Cells treated with 1 µM Trichostatin A showed a marked 3-fold increase in the number of regenerated embryos. When re-tested in 250-ml flasks, the same enhancement was obtained, thereby validating the miniaturized and automated screening method. These results showed that our screening system is reliable and well suited to screening hundreds of compounds, offering unprecedented perspectives in plant micropropagation.
Clinical and epidemiological factors associated with spontaneous preterm birth: a multicentre cohort of low risk nulliparous women
Authors: Souza Renato T. , Costa Maria L. , Mayrink Jussara , Feitosa Francisco E. , Filho Edilberto A. Rocha , Leite Débora F. , Vettorazzi Janete , Calderon Iracema M. , Sousa Maria H. , Passini Renato , Baker Philip N. , Kenny Louise , Cecatti Jose G. ,   The Preterm SAMBA study group, Parpinelli Mary A. , Fernandes Karayna G. , Galvão Rafael B. , Guida José Paulo , Santana Danielly S. , Franchini Kleber G. , Cassettari Bianca F. , Pfitscher Lucia , Brust Luiza , Melo Elias F. , Anacleto Danilo , de Lucena Daisy , Sousa Benedita
Published: January 2020

The objective of this study was to determine incidence and risk factors associated with spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). It was a prospective multicentre cohort study performed in five Brazilian referral maternity hospitals and enrolling nulliparous women at 19–21 weeks. Comprehensive maternal data collected during three study visits were addressed as potentially associated factors for sPTB. Bivariate and multivariate analysis estimated risk ratios. The main outcomes measures were birth before 37 weeks due to spontaneous preterm labour or premature rupture of membranes (sPTB). The comparison group was comprised of women with term births (≥37weeks). Outcome data was available for 1,165 women, 6.7% of whom had sPTB, 16% had consumed alcohol and 5% had used other illicit drugs during the first half of pregnancy. Current drinking at 19–21 weeks (RR 3.96 95% CI [1.04–15.05]) and a short cervix from 18–24 weeks (RR 4.52 95% CI [1.08–19.01]) correlated with sPTB on bivariate analysis. Increased incidence of sPTB occurred in underweight women gaining weight below quartile 1 (14.8%), obese women gaining weight above quartile 3 (14.3%), women with a short cervix (<25 mm) at 18–24 weeks (31.2%) and those with a short cervix and vaginal bleeding in the first half of pregnancy (40%). Cervical length (RRadj 4.52 95% CI [1.08–19.01]) was independently associated with sPTB. In conclusion, the incidence of sPTB increased in some maternal phenotypes, representing potential groups of interest, the focus of preventive strategies. Similarly, nulliparous women with a short cervix in the second trimester require further exploration.
Chromosome segregation error during early cleavage in mouse pre-implantation embryo does not necessarily cause developmental failure after blastocyst stage
Authors: Mashiko Daisuke , Ikeda Zenki , Yao Tatsuma , Tokoro Mikiko , Fukunaga Noritaka , Asada Yoshimasa , Yamagata Kazuo
Published: January 2020

In the pre-implantation embryo, aneuploidy resulting from chromosome segregation error is considered responsible for pregnancy loss. However, only a few studies have examined the relationship between chromosome segregation errors during early cleavage and development. Here, we evaluated this relationship by live-cell imaging using the histone H2B-mCherry probe and subsequent single blastocyst transfer using mouse embryos obtained by in vitro fertilization. We showed that some embryos exhibiting early chromosomal segregation error and formation of micronuclei retained their developmental potential; however, the error affected the blastocyst/arrest ratio. Further, single-cell sequencing after live-cell imaging revealed that all embryos exhibiting micronuclei formation during 1st mitosis showed aneuploidy at the 2-cell stage. These results suggest that early chromosome segregation error causing micronuclei formation affects ploidy and development to blastocyst but does not necessarily cause developmental failure after the blastocyst stage. Our result suggests the importance of the selection of embryos that have reached blastocysts.
Publisher Correction: Unravelling how low dominance in faces biases non-spatial attention
Authors: Roberts Ashton , Palermo Romina , Visser Troy A. W.
Published: January 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
A screening-level assessment of the pollinator-attractiveness of ornamental nursery stock using a honey bee foraging assay
Authors: Sponsler Douglas B. , Grozinger Christina M. , Richardson Rodney T. , Nurse Andrea , Brough Dalton , Patch Harland M. , Stoner Kimberly A.
Published: January 2020

In urban and suburban landscapes characterized by extensive designed greenspaces, the support of pollinator communities hinges significantly on floral resources provided by ornamental plants. The attractiveness of ornamental plants to pollinators, however, cannot be presumed, and some studies suggest that a majority of ornamental plant varieties receive little or no pollinator visitation. Here, we harness the sampling power of the western honey bee, a generalist pollinator whose diet breadth overlaps substantially with that of other pollinators, to survey the utilization of ornamental plants grown at three commercial nurseries in Connecticut, USA. Using a combination of DNA metabarcoding and microscopy, we identify, to genus-level, pollen samples from honey bee colonies placed within each nursery, and we compare our results with nursery plant inventories to identify the subset of cultivated genera that were visited during pollen foraging. Samples were collected weekly from May to September, encompassing the majority of the growing season. Our findings show that some plant genera known to be cultivated as ornamentals in our system, particularly ornamental trees and shrubs (e.g.Hydrangea,Rosa,Spiraea,Syringa,Viburnum), functioned as major pollen sources, but the majority of plants inventoried at our nurseries provided little or no pollen to honey bees. These results are in agreement with a growing body of literature highlighting the special importance of woody plants as resources for flower-visiting insects. We encourage further exploration of the genera highlighted in our data as potential components of pollinator-friendly ornamental greenspace.
Capsid-specific removal of circulating antibodies to adeno-associated virus vectors
Authors: Bertin Berangere , Veron Philippe , Leborgne Christian , Deschamps Jack-Yves , Moullec Sophie , Fromes Yves , Collaud Fanny , Boutin Sylvie , Latournerie Virginie , van Wittenberghe Laetitia , Delache Benoit , Le Grand Roger , Dereuddre-Bosquet Nathalie , Benveniste Olivier , Moullier Philippe , Masurier Carole , Merten Otto , Mingozzi Federico
Published: January 2020

Neutralizing antibodies directed against adeno-associated virus (AAV) are commonly found in humans. In seropositive subjects, vector administration is not feasible as antibodies neutralize AAV vectors even at low titers. Consequently, a relatively large proportion of humans is excluded from enrollment in clinical trials and, similarly, vector redosing is not feasible because of development of high-titer antibodies following AAV vector administration. Plasmapheresis has been proposed as strategy to remove anti-AAV antibodies from the bloodstream. Although safe and relatively effective, the technology has some limitations mainly related to the nonspecific removal of all circulating IgG. Here we developed an AAV-specific plasmapheresis column which was shown to efficiently and selectively deplete anti-AAV antibodies without depleting the total immunoglobulin pool from plasma. We showed the nearly complete removal of anti-AAV antibodies from high titer purified human IgG pools and plasma samples, decreasing titers to levels that allow AAV vector administration in mice. These results provide proof-of-concept of a method for the AAV-specific depletion of neutralizing antibodies in the setting of in vivo gene transfer.
Introducing national osteopathy practice-based research networks in Australia and New Zealand: an overview to inform future osteopathic research
Authors: Steel Amie , Peng Wenbo , Sibbritt David , Adams Jon
Published: January 2020

Both the Osteopathic Research Innovation Network (ORION) and the Osteopathy Research Connect-New Zealand (ORC-NZ) are practice-based research networks (PBRNs) recently established in Australia and New Zealand. This paper highlights the profile of the osteopaths participating in each PBRN in order to encourage and facilitate further related research in osteopathy. All registered osteopaths in Australia and New Zealand were invited to participate in the ORION and ORC-NZ PBRNs, respectively. This paper presents practice and sociodemographic characteristics of the osteopaths that elected to join the PBRN in their country. A total of 253 registered osteopaths in New Zealand (48.7%) agreed to join ORC-NZ while 992 registered osteopaths in Australia (44.5%) joined ORION. Membership of both PBRNs reflect national geographical spread, and diverse personal and practice characteristics. Combined membership of both PBRNs represents 45.3% of all registered osteopaths in Australasia and 7.7% of the global osteopathic profession. The PBRNs, independently and in combination, hold much potential to advance the evidence-base and capacity of osteopathy research. Both ORION and ORC-NZ PBRNs are powerful, innovative resources available to other interested parties to help conduct further osteopathy research in Australia and New Zealand.
Microstructural evolution during heating of CNT/Metal Matrix Composites processed by Severe Plastic Deformation
Authors: Aristizabal Katherine , Katzensteiner Andreas , Bachmaier Andrea , Mücklich Frank , Suárez Sebastian
Published: January 2020

Carbon nanotube reinforced nickel matrix composites (Ni/CNT) with different CNT compositions were fabricated by solid state processing and subjected to severe plastic deformation (SPD) by means of high pressure torsion (HPT). A thorough study on the microstructural changes during heating and on the thermal stability was performed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), high temperature X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD) and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). Furthermore, the formation and dissolution of the metastable nickel carbide Ni3C phase was evidenced by DSC and HT-XRD in composites, where sufficient carbon atoms are available, as a consequence of irreversible damage on the CNT introduced by HPT. Finally, it was shown that the composites exhibited an improved thermal stability with respect to nickel samples processed under the same conditions, with a final grain size dependent on the CNT volume fraction according to a VCNT−1/3 relationship and that lied within the ultrafine grained range.
Identification of growth stage-specific watering thresholds for drought screening in Solanum aethiopicum Shum
Authors: Nakanwagi Mildred Julian , Sseremba Godfrey , Kabod Nahamya Pamela , Masanza Michael , Kizito Elizabeth Balyejusa
Published: January 2020

Effective phenotyping for drought resistance is a pre-requisite for identification of modest crop varieties for farmers. For neglected and underutilized crops such as Solanum aethiopicum Shum group, no drought screening protocol based on rigorous iterations has been documented. A split-plot nested treatment structure was arranged in an experiment to identify growth stage-specific watering thresholds for this crop. Three plant growth stages (main plot; seedling, vegetative and flowering), watering regime at plant growth stage (2 regimes; well-watered and drought stressed) and day since last watering at plant growth stage were evaluated for soil moisture content (SMC), leaf wilting score (LWS), number of green leaves per plant (LPP) and leaf blade width (LBW). Highly significant differences (p < 0.001) were found at the different plant growth stages, watering regime (WR) within plant growth stage, and day within WR and plant growth stage. Under drought stress treatment, SMC declined exponentially at each stage. The earliest leaf wilting, reduction in LPP and LBW were generally observed at flowering followed by vegetative and slowest at the seedling stage. For future effective drought phenotyping studies in S. aethiopicum Shum and related crops, we recommend setting minimum drought stress treatments below 18% SMC at which the LWS is ≥2 at the vegetative.
Author Correction: Dysfunctional EAT thickness may promote maladaptive heart remodeling in CVD patients through the ST2-IL33 system, directly related to EPAC protein expression
Authors: Vianello Elena , Dozio Elena , Bandera Francesco , Schmitz Gerd , Nebuloni Manuela , Longhi Erika , Tacchini Lorenza , Guazzi Marco , Corsi Romanelli Massimiliano Marco
Published: January 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Mice adaptively generate choice variability in a deterministic task
Authors: Belkaid Marwen , Bousseyrol Elise , Durand-de Cuttoli Romain , Dongelmans Malou , Duranté Etienne K. , Ahmed Yahia Tarek , Didienne Steve , Hanesse Bernadette , Come Maxime , Mourot Alexandre , Naudé Jérémie , Sigaud Olivier , Faure Philippe
Published: January 2020

Can decisions be made solely by chance? Can variability be intrinsic to the decision-maker or is it inherited from environmental conditions? To investigate these questions, we designed a deterministic setting in which mice are rewarded for non-repetitive choice sequences, and modeled the experiment using reinforcement learning. We found that mice progressively increased their choice variability. Although an optimal strategy based on sequences learning was theoretically possible and would be more rewarding, animals used a pseudo-random selection which ensures high success rate. This was not the case if the animal is exposed to a uniform probabilistic reward delivery. We also show that mice were blind to changes in the temporal structure of reward delivery once they learned to choose at random. Overall, our results demonstrate that a decision-making process can self-generate variability and randomness, even when the rules governing reward delivery are neither stochastic nor volatile.
Two-tone distortion in reticular lamina vibration of the living cochlea
Authors: Ren Tianying , He Wenxuan
Published: January 2020

It has been demonstrated that isolated auditory sensory cells, outer hair cells, can generate distortion products at low frequencies. It remains unknown, however, whether or not motile outer hair cells are able to generate two-tone distortion at high frequencies in living cochleae under the mechanical loads caused by surounding tissues and fluids. By measuring sub-nanometer vibration directly from the apical ends of outer hair cells using a custom-built heterodyne low-coherence interferometer, here we show outer hair cell-generated two-tone distortion in reticular lamina motion in the living cochlea. Reticular-lamina distortion is significantly greater and occurs at a broader frequency range than that of the basilar membrane. Contrary to expectations, our results indicate that motile outer hair cells are capable of generating two-tone distortion in vivo not only at the locations tuned to primary tones but also at a broad region basal to these locations.
Thin films of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)-ionic liquid mixtures as amperometric gas sensing materials for oxygen and ammonia
Authors: Lee Junqiao , Hussain Ghulam , López-Salas Nieves , MacFarlane Douglas R. , Silvester Debbie S.
Published: January 2020

A gas sensor comprising of a planar electrode device covered with a thin layer of gel polymer electrolyte gave accurate and fast sensing responses for oxygen and ammonia detection in both the cathodic and anodic potential regions.
A self-adapting hydrogel based on chitosan/oxidized konjac glucomannan/AgNPs for repairing irregular wounds
Authors: Wang Yixin , Xie Ruiqi , Li Qing , Dai Fangyin , Lan Guangqian , Shang Songmin , Lu Fei
Published: January 2020

Self-adapting hydrogels are prepared for the treatment of irregular wounds.
Asymmetric construction of quaternary α-nitro amides by palladium-catalyzed C(sp3)–H arylation
Authors: Kong Wei-Xin , Xie Shi-Jing , Cao Chen-Yao-Zi , Zhang Chao-Wei , Wang Chuanyong , Duan Wei-Liang
Published: January 2020

A Pd-catalyzed enantioselective C(sp3)–H arylation ofN-(o-Br-aryl) anilides has been disclosed for the preparation of optically active quaternary amino acid derivatives. Quaternary α-nitro amides are constructed with stereoselectivities of up to 98% ee.
Rhodium-catalyzed annulative coupling of N-aryl-2-aminopyridine and propargylic amine via selective C–C and C–H bond activation
Authors: He Shiyu , Yan Xufei , Lei Yanxi , Xiang Haifeng , Zhou Xiangge
Published: January 2020

A Rh(iii)-catalyzed/Cu(ii)-mediated cascade reaction between N-aryl-2-aminopyridine and propargylic amine has been developed.
The borderline: exploring the structural landscape of triptycene in cocrystallization with ferrocene
Authors: Singh Ajeet , Torubaev Yury , Ansari Shagufi N. , Singh Sandip K. , Mobin Shaikh M. , Mathur Pradeep
Published: January 2020

When the effective packing of triptycene (TripH)–ferrocene chain oligomers in their cocrystal could not be achieved, we reached a borderline at the structural landscape of TripH, where the packing of TripH molecules reproduces the pattern in the native TripH crystal.
Energetics of paramagnetic oxide clusters: the Fe(iii) oxyhydroxy Keggin ion
Authors: Ohlin C. André
Published: January 2020

The full energy landscape of the iron(iii) oxyhydroxy Keggin ion is explored through a combination of computation and predictive fitting.
Tuning the electronic structure of RhX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) nonmagnetic monolayers: effects of charge-injection and external strain
Authors: Kadioglu Yelda , Ozdemir Ilkay , Aktürk Olcay Üzengi , Gökoğlu Gökhan , Akıncı Ümit , Aktürk Ethem
Published: January 2020

The electronic and magnetic nature of novel semiconducting RhX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) monolayer systems, which are dynamically and thermally stable, can be tuned by electrical and mechanical modifications.
Recent progress on donor and donor–donor carbenes
Authors: Zhu Dong , Chen Lianfen , Fan Hanlin , Yao Qinglin , Zhu Shifa
Published: January 2020

This review highlights the recent advances in donor and donor–donor carbenes.
Photochemical evolution of hydrogen peroxide on lignins
Authors: Miglbauer Eva , Gryszel Maciej , Głowacki Eric Daniel
Published: January 2020

Means of sustainable on-demand hydrogen peroxide production are sought after for numerous industrial, agricultural, and environmental applications.
One-dimensional Sn(iv) hydroxide nanofluid toward nonlinear optical switching
Authors: Hoque Md. Ikram Ul , Chowdhury Al-Nakib , Firoz Md. Shakhawat H. , Biswas Manash Kanti , Luba Ummayhanni , Haque Yasmeen , Kani Kenya , Kim Minjun , Ahmad Syed Haseeb Ali , Rehman Ateeq Ur , Holze Rudolf , Rahman Saidur , Donne Scott W. , Ariga Katsuhiko , Bando Yoshio , Hossain Md. Shahriar A. , Na Jongbeom , Malgras Victor , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: January 2020

A new chemical method is developed for the preparation of a unique one-dimensional (1D) Sn(iv) hydroxide nanofluid.
Enhancing the anti-corrosion performance of ZIF-8-based coatings via microstructural optimization
Authors: Zhang Mu , Liu Yi
Published: January 2020

Herein, ZIF-8–ZnAl–NO3 LDH composite coatings showing superior anti-corrosion performance were prepared by the facile hydrothermal growth of ZnAl–NO3 LDH buffer layers, followed by solvothermal treatment with 2-methylimidazole.
Live cell single molecule tracking and localization microscopy of bioorthogonally labeled plasma membrane proteins
Authors: König Andres I. , Sorkin Raya , Alon Ariel , Nachmias Dikla , Dhara Kalyan , Brand Guy , Yifrach Ofer , Arbely Eyal , Roichman Yael , Elia Natalie
Published: January 2020

Visualizing the spatiotemporal organization of plasma membrane proteins at the nanoscale by combining live-cell single-molecule applications with direct fluorescent dye labeling via genetic code expansion and bioorthogonal chemistry.
Construction of a single quantum dot nanosensor with the capability of sensing methylcytosine sites for sensitive quantification of methyltransferase
Authors: Hu Juan , Liu Yang , Zhang Chun-yang
Published: January 2020

We develop a single quantum dot nanosensor with the capability of sensing methylcytosine sites to detect M.SssI CpG methyltransferase.
CuI SNS triazole and imidazole pincers as electrocatalyst precursors for the production of solar fuels
Authors: Mast Zachary J. , Myren Tessa H. T. , Huntzinger Chloe G. , Stinson Taylor A. , Kharbouch Rami M. , Almanza Emilse M. , Zygmont Samantha E. , Miecznikowski John R. , Luca Oana R.
Published: January 2020

This work reports the first example of mono-nuclear Cu pincers with SNS ligation acting as electrocatalyst precursors for the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide to CO and H2 in protic organic media.
Resin-free peptide synthesis mediated by tri(4-benzoylphenyl) phosphate (TBP) derivatives as small-molecule supports
Authors: Li Haidi , Chao Jie , Tian Guang , Hasan Jaafar , Jin Yatao , Zhang Zixin , Qin Chuanguang
Published: January 2020

A series of novel tri(4-benzoylphenyl) phosphate (TBP) derivatives with unique precipitation-inducing properties were synthesized and used as C-terminal protecting groups of amino acids and recyclable supports in peptide synthesis.
Enhanced thermal conductivity of nanocomposites with MOF-derived encapsulated magnetic oriented carbon nanotube-grafted graphene polyhedra
Authors: Li Xu , Li Ya , Alam Md Mofasserul , Chen Peng , Xia Ru , Wu Bin , Qian Jiasheng
Published: January 2020

A high-thermal conductivity filler of magnetic carbon nanotube-grafted graphene polyhedra is exploited via annealing of a metal–organic framework (ZIF-67).
Molecular modelling and synthesis of a new collector O-butyl S-(1-chloroethyl)carbonodithioate for copper sulfide ore and its flotation behavior
Authors: Chi Xiaopeng , Guo Yunshan , Zhong Shuiping , Li Guoyao , Lv Xulong
Published: January 2020

Based on the homology principle in advanced pharmaceutical chemistry, a new high efficiency and low toxicity collector, O-butyl S-(1-chloroethyl)carbonodithioate, was designed.