bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Competition between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus is dependent on intercellular signaling and regulated by the NtrBC two-component system
Authors: Alford Morgan A. , Mann Simranpreet , Akhoundsadegh Noushin , Hancock Robert E. W.
Published: May 2022

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are often comorbid human pathogens, isolated from expectorated sputum of cystic fibrosis patients and chronically infected wounds. Prior studies revealed a competitive advantage of P. aeruginosa over S. aureus in vitro that was slightly muted in vivo. Here, we demonstrated that the two-component regulatory system NtrBC influences the competitive advantage of P. aeruginosa over S. aureus in skin organoid and mouse models of co-infection. Expression of ntrBC was induced during co-culture of the two species and could be recapitulated in monoculture by the addition of the metabolite N-acetylglucosamine that is released from S. aureus following lysis. P. aeruginosa LESB58 WT, but not mutant (ΔntrC and ΔntrBC) strains, induced lysis of S. aureus USA300 LAC during planktonic growth and outcompeted S. aureus USA300 LAC during biofilm formation in vitro. We confirmed these findings in a murine abscess model of high-density infection. Accordingly, the secretory profile of P. aeruginosa LESB58 mutants revealed reduced production of anti-staphylococcal virulence factors including pyoverdine, pyocyanin and elastase. These phenotypes of LESB58 ΔntrBC could be at least partly complemented by overexpression of quorum sensing molecules including homoserine lactones or alkylquinolone signaling molecules. These data implicate the NtrBC two-component system in the complex regulatory cascade triggered by interspecies signaling that gives P. aeruginosa LESB58 a competitive edge over S. aureus USA300 LAC.
Metabolic responses of plankton to warming during different productive seasons in coastal Mediterranean waters revealed by in situ mesocosm experiments
Authors: Soulié Tanguy , Vidussi Francesca , Courboulès Justine , Mas Sébastien , Mostajir Behzad
Published: May 2022

The response of coastal lagoon plankton communities to warming was studied during two in situ mesocosm experiments in spring and fall of 2018 in the Mediterranean. Phytoplankton biomass, gross primary production (GPP), community respiration (R), phytoplankton growth (µ), and loss (l) rates were estimated using high-frequency chlorophyll-a fluorescence and dissolved oxygen sensors, and daily sampling was used to evaluate the nutrient status and phytoplankton pigment functional groups. Warming strongly depressed the dominant phytoplankton functional groups, mainly the prymnesiophytes, diatoms (spring), and green flagellates (fall). It favored minor groups such as the dinoflagellates (spring) and diatoms (fall). In spring, warming depressed GPP and R by half; however, µ (+ 18%) and l (+ 37%) were enhanced. In contrast, both GPP and µ were enhanced by 21% and 28%, respectively, in fall, and no effects were observed for R and l. Warming strongly decreased phytoplankton biomass and oxygen production in spring, and enhanced them, to a lesser extent, in fall. This led to an overall loss of production over both seasons. This study improves understanding of the contrasting effects of warming during two productive seasons, which depend on plankton community composition and interactions between components and environmental conditions.
Online education and the mental health of faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
Authors: Kita Yosuke , Yasuda Shoko , Gherghel Claudia
Published: May 2022

While the negative impact of the pandemic on students’ mental health has been studied around the world, very little is known about the mental health of faculty and staff. This research aims to examine mental health among Japanese faculty members who taught online courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. We recruited 537 university faculty members and assessed their mental health using the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), both retrospectively (during the academic year before the onset of the pandemic) and during the pandemic. We also evaluated workload (number of online lectures taught and preparation time per class), difficulty in using information technology (IT) for online classes, and satisfaction with the university support service for online education. As a result, the WHO-5 score during the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly lower than before, and 33.5% of the faculty members were recognized as being at risk for mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. A binomial logistic regression analysis revealed two significant risk factors for mental illness—faculty members were more at risk for mental illness when they experienced difficulty in using IT for online classes, and were unsatisfied with the administrative support for online education. The deterioration of mental health during the COVID-19 was not predicted by workload, such as the number of online lectures and preparation time. These results suggest the importance of improving workplace support services, especially IT support, to prevent mental health deterioration among faculty teaching online.
Improved in-vivo airway gene transfer via magnetic-guidance, with protocol development informed by synchrotron imaging
Authors: Donnelley Martin , Cmielewski Patricia , Morgan Kaye , Delhove Juliette , Reyne Nicole , McCarron Alexandra , Rout-Pitt Nathan , Drysdale Victoria , Carpentieri Chantelle , Spiers Kathryn , Takeuchi Akihisa , Uesugi Kentaro , Yagi Naoto , Parsons David
Published: May 2022

Gene vectors to treat cystic fibrosis lung disease should be targeted to the conducting airways, as peripheral lung transduction does not offer therapeutic benefit. Viral transduction efficiency is directly related to the vector residence time. However, delivered fluids such as gene vectors naturally spread to the alveoli during inspiration, and therapeutic particles of any form are rapidly cleared via mucociliary transit. Extending gene vector residence time within the conducting airways is important, but hard to achieve. Gene vector conjugated magnetic particles that can be guided to the conducting airway surfaces could improve regional targeting. Due to the challenges of in-vivo visualisation, the behaviour of such small magnetic particles on the airway surface in the presence of an applied magnetic field is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to use synchrotron imaging to visualise the in-vivo motion of a range of magnetic particles in the trachea of anaesthetised rats to examine the dynamics and patterns of individual and bulk particle behaviour in-vivo. We also then assessed whether lentiviral-magnetic particle delivery in the presence of a magnetic field increases transduction efficiency in the rat trachea. Synchrotron X-ray imaging revealed the behaviour of magnetic particles in stationary and moving magnetic fields, both in-vitro and in-vivo. Particles could not easily be dragged along the live airway surface with the magnet, but during delivery deposition was focussed within the field of view where the magnetic field was the strongest. Transduction efficiency was also improved six-fold when the lentiviral-magnetic particles were delivered in the presence of a magnetic field. Together these results show that lentiviral-magnetic particles and magnetic fields may be a valuable approach for improving gene vector targeting and increasing transduction levels in the conducting airways in-vivo.
SARS-CoV-2 RNA in exhaled air of hospitalized COVID-19 patients
Authors: Kurver Lisa , van den Kieboom Corné H. , Lanke Kjerstin , Diavatopoulos Dimitri A. , Overheul Gijs J. , Netea Mihai G. , ten Oever Jaap , van Crevel Reinout , Mulders-Manders Karin , van de Veerdonk Frank L. , Wertheim Heiman , Schouten Jeroen , Rahamat-Langendoen Janette , van Rij Ronald P. , Bousema Teun , van Laarhoven Arjan , de Jonge Marien I.
Published: May 2022

Knowledge about contagiousness is key to accurate management of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Epidemiological studies suggest that in addition to transmission through droplets, aerogenic SARS-CoV-2 transmission contributes to the spread of infection. However, the presence of virus in exhaled air has not yet been sufficiently demonstrated. In pandemic situations low tech disposable and user-friendly bedside devices are required, while commercially available samplers are unsuitable for application in patients with respiratory distress. We included 49 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and used a disposable modular breath sampler to measure SARS-CoV-2 RNA load in exhaled air samples and compared these to SARS-CoV-2 RNA load of combined nasopharyngeal throat swabs and saliva. Exhaled air sampling using the modular breath sampler has proven feasible in a clinical COVID-19 setting and demonstrated viral detection in 25% of the patients.
The melanopsin-mediated pupil response is reduced in idiopathic hypersomnia with long sleep time
Authors: Rach Héloïse , Kilic-Huck Ulker , Reynaud Eve , Hugueny Laurence , Peiffer Emilie , Roy de Belleplaine Virginie , Fuchs Fanny , Bourgin Patrice , Geoffroy Pierre A.
Published: May 2022

Idiopathic hypersomnia (IH), characterized by an excessive day-time sleepiness, a prolonged total sleep time on 24 h and/or a reduced sleep latency, affects 1 in 2000 individuals from the general population. However, IH remains underdiagnosed and inaccurately treated despite colossal social, professional and personal impacts. The pathogenesis of IH is poorly known, but recent works have suggested possible alterations of phototransduction. In this context, to identify biomarkers of IH, we studied the Post-Illumination Pupil Response (PIPR) using a specific pupillometry protocol reflecting the melanopsin-mediated pupil response in IH patients with prolonged total sleep time (TST > 660 min) and in healthy subjects. Twenty-eight patients with IH (women 86%, 25.4 year-old ± 4.9) and 29 controls (women 52%, 27.1 year-old ± 3.9) were included. After correction on baseline pupil diameter, the PIPR was compared between groups and correlated to sociodemographic and sleep parameters. We found that patients with IH had a lower relative PIPR compared to controls (32.6 ± 9.9% vs 38.5 ± 10.2%, p = 0.037) suggesting a reduced melanopsin response. In addition, the PIPR was not correlated to age, chronotype, TST, nor depressive symptoms. The melanopsin-specific PIPR may be an innovative trait marker of IH and the pupillometry might be a promising tool to better characterize hypersomnia.
Changes in plant biodiversity facets of rocky outcrops and their surrounding rangelands across precipitation and soil gradients
Authors: Rafiee Fahime , Ejtehadi Hamid , Farzam Mohammad , Zare Habib , Bashirzadeh Maral
Published: May 2022

Climate and soil factors induce substantial controls over plant biodiversity in stressful ecosystems. Despite of some studies on plant biodiversity in extreme ecosystems including rocky outcrops, simultaneous effects of climate and soil factors have rarely been studied on different facets of biodiversity including taxonomic and functional diversity in these ecosystems. In addition, we know little about plant biodiversity variations in such extreme ecosystems compared to natural environments. It seems that environmental factors acting in different spatial scales specifically influence some facets of plant biodiversity. Therefore, we studied changes in taxonomic and functional diversity along precipitation and soil gradients in both landscapes (i) rocky outcrops and (ii) their nearby rangeland sites in northeast of Iran. In this regard, we considered six sites across precipitation and soil gradients in each landscape, and established 90 1m2 quadrates in them (i.e. 15 quadrats in each site; 15 × 6 = 90 in each landscape). Then, taxonomic and functional diversity were measured using RaoQ index, FDis and CWM indices. Finally, we assessed impacts of precipitation and soil factors on biodiversity indices in both landscapes by performing regression models and variation partitioning procedure. The patterns of taxonomic diversity similarly showed nonlinear changes along the precipitation and soil factors in both landscapes (i.e. outcrop and rangeland). However, we found a more negative and significant trends of variation in functional diversity indices (except for CWMSLA) across precipitation and soil factors in outcrops than their surrounding rangelands. Variations of plant biodiversity were more explained by precipitation factors in surrounding rangelands, whereas soil factors including organic carbon had more consistent and significant effects on plant biodiversity in outcrops. Therefore, our results represent important impacts of soil factors in structuring plant biodiversity facets in stressful ecosystems. While, environmental factors acting in regional and broad scales such as precipitation generally shape vegetation and plant biodiversity patterns in natural ecosystems. We can conclude that rocky outcrops provide suitable microenvironments to present plant species with similar yields that are less able to be present in rangeland ecosystems.
Visible-NIR hyperspectral classification of grass based on multivariate smooth mapping and extreme active learning approach
Authors: Zhao Xuanhe , Pan Xin , Yan Weihong , Zhang Shengwei
Published: May 2022

Grass community classification is the basis for the development of animal husbandry and dynamic monitoring of environment, which has become a critical problem to further strengthen the intelligent management of grassland. Compared with grass survey based on satellite remote sensing, the visible near infrared (NIR) hyperspectral not only monitor dynamically in a short distance, but also have high dimensions and detailed spectral information in each pixel. However, the hyperspectral labeled sample for classification is expensive and manual selection is more subjective. In order to solve above limitations, we proposed a visible-NIR hyperspectral classification model for grass based on multivariate smooth mapping and extreme active learning (MSM–EAL). Firstly, MSM is used to preprocess and reconstruct the spectrum. Secondly, by jointing XGBoost and active learning (AL), the advanced samples with the largest amount of information are actively selected to improve the performance of target classification. Innovation lies in: (1) MSM global enhanced preprocessing spectral reconstruction algorithm is proposed, in which isometric feature mapping is effectively applied to the grass hyperspectral for the first time. (2) EAL framework is constructed to solve the issue of high cost and small number for hyperspectral labeled samples, at the same time, enhance the physical essence behind spectral classification more intuitively. A field hyperspectral collection platform is assembled to establish nm resolution visible-NIR hyperspectral dataset of grass, Grass1, containing 750 samples, which to verify the effectiveness of the model. Experiments on the Grass1 dataset confirmed that compared with the full spectrum, the time consumption of MSM was reduced by 9.471 s with guaranteed overall accuracy (OA). Comparing EAL with AL, and other classification algorithms, EAL improves OA 22.2% over AL, and XAL has the best performance value on Kappa, Macro, Recall and F1-score, respectively. Altogether, the lightweight MSM–EAL model realizes intelligent and real-time classification, providing a new method for obtaining high-precision inter group classification of grass.
Analysis of multiple databases identifies crucial genes correlated with prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lin Zhifeng , Huang Xuqiong , Ji Xiaohui , Tian Nana , Gan Yu , Ke Li
Published: May 2022

Despite advancements made in the therapeutic strategies on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the survival rate of HCC patient is not satisfactory enough. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the valuable prognostic biomarkers in HCC therapy. In this study, we aimed to screen hub genes correlated with prognosis of HCC via multiple databases. 117 HCC-related genes were obtained from the intersection of the four databases. We subsequently identify 10 hub genes (JUN, IL10, CD34, MTOR, PTGS2, PTPRC, SELE, CSF1, APOB, MUC1) from PPI network by Cytoscape software analysis. Significant differential expression of hub genes between HCC tissues and adjacent tissues were observed in UALCAN, HCCDB and HPA databases. These hub genes were significantly associated with immune cell infiltrations and immune checkpoints. The hub genes were correlated with clinical parameters and survival probability of HCC patients. 147 potential targeted therapeutic drugs for HCC were identified through the DGIdb database. These hub genes could be used as novel prognostic biomarkers for HCC therapy.
Chronic whole body vibration ameliorates hippocampal neuroinflammation, anxiety-like behavior, memory functions and motor performance in aged male rats dose dependently
Authors: Oroszi Tamás , de Boer Sietse F. , Nyakas Csaba , Schoemaker Regien G. , van der Zee Eddy A.
Published: May 2022

Whole body vibration (WBV) is a form of passive exercise by the stimulation of mechanical vibration platform. WBV has been extensively investigated through clinical studies with main focus on the musculoskeletal system. However, pre-clinical data in the context of behavior, memory and motor functions with aged rodents are limited. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the dose dependent effects of a five weeks long WBV intervention with an aged animal model including anxiety-related behavior, memory and motor functions, as well as markers of (neuro)inflammation. Male Wistar rats (18 months) underwent 5 or 20 min daily vibration exposure or pseudo-treatment (i.e.: being subjected to the same environmental stimuli for 5 or 20 min, but without exposure to vibrations) 5 times per week. After 5 weeks treatment, cognitive functions, anxiety-like behavior and motor performance were evaluated. Finally, brain tissue was collected for immunohistological purposes to evaluate hippocampal (neuro)inflammation. Animals with 20 min daily session of WBV showed a decrease in their anxiety-like behavior and improvement in their spatial memory. Muscle strength in the grip hanging test was only significantly improved by 5 min daily WBV treatments, whereas motor coordination in the balance beam test was not significantly altered. Microglia activation showed a significant decrease in the CA1 and Dentate gyrus subregions by both dose of WBV. In contrast, these effects were less pronounced in the CA3 and Hilus subregions, where only 5 min dose showed a significant effect on microglia activation. Our results indicate, that WBV seems to be a comparable strategy on age-related anxiety, cognitive and motor decline, as well as alleviating age-related (neuro)inflammation.
Polygenic risk scores to stratify cancer screening should predict mortality not incidence
Authors: Vickers Andrew J. , Sud Amit , Bernstein Jonine , Houlston Richard
Published: May 2022

Population-based cancer screening programs such as mammography or colonscopy generally directed at all healthy individuals in a given age stratum. It has recently been proposed that cancer screening could be restricted to a high-risk subgroup based on polygenic risk scores (PRSs) using panels of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These PRSs were, however, generated to predict cancer incidence rather than cancer mortality and will not necessarily address overdiagnosis, a major problem associated with cancer screening programs. We develop a simple net-benefit framework for evaluating screening approaches that incorporates overdiagnosis. We use this methodology to demonstrate that if a PRS does not differentially discriminate between incident and lethal cancer, restricting screening to a subgroup with high scores will only improve screening outcomes in a small number of scenarios. In contrast, restricting screening to a subgroup defined as high-risk based on a marker that is more strongly predictive of mortality than incidence will often afford greater net benefit than screening all eligible individuals. If PRS-based cancer screening is to be effective, research needs to focus on identifying PRSs associated with cancer mortality, an unchartered and clinically-relevant area of research, with a much higher potential to improve screening outcomes.
Functional correlates of clinical phenotype and severity in recurrent SCN2A variants
Authors: Berecki Géza , Howell Katherine B. , Heighway Jacqueline , Olivier Nelson , Rodda Jill , Overmars Isabella , Vlaskamp Danique R. M. , Ware Tyson L. , Ardern-Holmes Simone , Lesca Gaetan , Alber Michael , Veggiotti Pierangelo , Scheffer Ingrid E. , Berkovic Samuel F. , Wolff Markus , Petrou Steven
Published: May 2022

In SCN2A-related disorders, there is an urgent demand to establish efficient methods for determining the gain- (GoF) or loss-of-function (LoF) character of variants, to identify suitable candidates for precision therapies. Here we classify clinical phenotypes of 179 individuals with 38 recurrent SCN2A variants as early-infantile or later-onset epilepsy, or intellectual disability/autism spectrum disorder (ID/ASD) and assess the functional impact of 13 variants using dynamic action potential clamp (DAPC) and voltage clamp. Results show that 36/38 variants are associated with only one phenotypic group (30 early-infantile, 5 later-onset, 1 ID/ASD). Unexpectedly, we revealed major differences in outcome severity between individuals with the same variant for 40% of early-infantile variants studied. DAPC was superior to voltage clamp in predicting the impact of mutations on neuronal excitability and confirmed GoF produces early-infantile phenotypes and LoF later-onset phenotypes. For one early-infantile variant, the co-expression of the α1 and β2 subunits of the Nav1.2 channel was needed to unveil functional impact, confirming the prediction of 3D molecular modeling. Neither DAPC nor voltage clamp reliably predicted phenotypic severity of early-infantile variants. Genotype, phenotypic group and DAPC are accurate predictors of the biophysical impact of SCN2A variants, but other approaches are needed to predict severity.
Cell response analysis in SARS-CoV-2 infected bronchial organoids
Authors: Sano Emi , Suzuki Tatsuya , Hashimoto Rina , Itoh Yumi , Sakamoto Ayaka , Sakai Yusuke , Saito Akatsuki , Okuzaki Daisuke , Motooka Daisuke , Muramoto Yukiko , Noda Takeshi , Takasaki Tomohiko , Sakuragi Jun-Ichi , Minami Shohei , Kobayashi Takeshi , Yamamoto Takuya , Matsumura Yasufumi , Nagao Miki , Okamoto Toru , Takayama Kazuo
Published: May 2022

The development of an in vitro cell model that can be used to study severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) research is expected. Here we conducted infection experiments in bronchial organoids (BO) and an BO-derived air-liquid interface model (BO-ALI) using 8 SARS-CoV-2 variants. The infection efficiency in BO-ALI was more than 1,000 times higher than that in BO. Among the bronchial epithelial cells, we found that ciliated cells were infected with the virus, but basal cells were not. Ciliated cells died 7 days after the viral infection, but basal cells survived after the viral infection and differentiated into ciliated cells. Fibroblast growth factor 10 signaling was essential for this differentiation. These results indicate that BO and BO-ALI may be used not only to evaluate the cell response to SARS-CoV-2 and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) therapeutic agents, but also for airway regeneration studies.
Detecting mesoscale structures by surprise
Authors: Marchese Emiliano , Caldarelli Guido , Squartini Tiziano
Published: May 2022

The importance of identifying mesoscale structures in complex networks can be hardly overestimated. So far, much attention has been devoted to detect modular and bimodular structures on binary networks. This effort has led to the definition of a framework based upon the score function called ‘surprise’, i.e. a p-value that can be assigned to any given partition of nodes. Hereby, we make a step further and extend the entire framework to the weighted case: six variants of surprise, induced by just as many variants of the hypergeometric distribution, are, thus, considered. As a result, a general, statistically grounded approach for detecting mesoscale network structures via a unified, suprise-based framework is presented. To illustrate its performances, both synthetic benchmarks and real-world configurations are considered. Moreover, we attach to the paper a Python code implementing all variants of surprise discussed in the present manuscript.
Lipidomic profiling analysis of human plasma from subjects with hypercholesterolemia to evaluate the intake of yellow yeast rice fermented by Aspergillus terreus DSMK01
Authors: Lee Heeyeon , Jang Seo Young , Jung Youngae , Kwon Oran , Hwang Geum-Sook
Published: May 2022

Yellow yeast rice (YYR) ingestion decreased the levels of sphingomyelin in the plasma of subjects with hypercholesterolemia. The difference in sphingomyelin levels is significantly correlated with the change in the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio.
Microfluidic device for single step measurement of protein C in plasma samples for sepsis prognosis
Authors: Damodara Sreekant , Arora Jaskirat , Dwivedi Dhruva J. , Liaw Patricia C. , Fox-Robichaud Alison E. , Selvaganapathy P. Ravi , Canadian Critical Care Translational Biology Group
Published: May 2022

We report a microfluidic device that combines isoelectric gates with miniaturized metal affinity chromatography for the measurement of protein C in plasma.
Ultrafast and selective labeling of endogenous proteins using affinity-based benzotriazole chemistry
Authors: Xin Xiaoyi , Zhang Yu , Gaetani Massimiliano , Lundström Susanna L. , Zubarev Roman A. , Zhou Yuan , Corkery Dale P. , Wu Yao-Wen
Published: May 2022

Affinity-based benzotriazole (BTA) probes selectively and covalently label native proteins or endogenous proteins in cells with a fast reaction rate. It is enormously useful for characterizing protein function in biological systems and for drug development.
A novel approach for discovering correlations between elemental and molecular composition using laser-based spectroscopic techniques
Authors: Sushkov Nikolai I. , Galbács Gábor , Fintor Krisztián , Lobus Nikolay V. , Labutin Timur A.
Published: May 2022

LIBS and Raman spectra of marine zooplankton processed together to study trends in anomalous lithium enrichment.
Recent progress in electrochemiluminescence microscopy analysis of single cells
Authors: Zhang Zhichen , Ma Cheng , Xu Qin , Zhu Jun-Jie
Published: May 2022

An overview of recent progress in electrochemiluminescence microscopy analysis of single cells classified according to different ECL routes, namely the oxidative-reduction, low oxidation potential, catalytic and direct oxidation routes.
Synthesis of bio-based polyester elastomers and evaluation of their in vivo biocompatibility and biodegradability as biomedical materials
Authors: Gao Yu , Xue Jiajia , Zhang Liqun , Wang Zhao
Published: May 2022

Schematic diagram of BPE implantation subcutaneous degradation and its mass loss curve.
Hydride state accumulation in native [FeFe]-hydrogenase with the physiological reductant H2 supports its catalytic relevance
Authors: Senger Moritz , Kernmayr Tobias , Lorenzi Marco , Redman Holly J. , Berggren Gustav
Published: May 2022

Studies of enzymatic catalysis often rely on non-biological reagents, which may affect catalytic intermediates and produce off-cycle states. Here the influence of buffer and reductant on key intermediates of [FeFe]-hydrogenase are explored.
MXenes in photomedicine: advances and prospects
Authors: Iravani Siavash , Varma Rajender S.
Published: May 2022

The potentials of MXenes in photomedicine are deliberated, encompassing important challenges and future directions.
Efficient photodegradation of dyes by a new 3D Cd(ii) MOF with a rare fsh topology
Authors: Zhou Ling-Peng , Yan Jing-Wen , Wang Jun , Chi Xiang , Afzal Mohd , Alarifi Abdullah , Srivatava Devyani , Kumar Abhinav
Published: May 2022

A new Cd(ii) MOF with fsh topology was synthesized and used as a photocatalyst for the safe degradation of dyes.
Polarisation of water under thermal fields: the effect of the molecular dipole and quadrupole moments
Authors: Chapman Aidan , Bresme Fernando
Published: May 2022

The thermopolarization of water is determined by a balance of the isobaric thermal expansion, dipole orientation in the thermal field and the ratio of the molecular dipole/quadrupole moments.
Protonation and orientation: a computational approach to cocaine diffusion through a model membrane
Authors: Oung Sangwar Wadtey , Kremer Nora , Ben Amara Safa , Zaidi Ali , Koslowski Thorsten
Published: May 2022

Cocaine passing a membrane shows a shallow free energy surface due to its deprotonation and the molecule‘s amphiphilic nature.
Boosting sulfides photooxidation by fusing naphthalimide and flavin together
Authors: Guo Huimin , Lei Zhiwen , Ma Xiaolin , Liu Siyu , Qiu Yang , Zhao Jianzhang
Published: May 2022

NI-FL demonstrates strong absorption in the visible light range, an elongated triplet excited state lifetime and enhanced performance in selective sulfide photooxidation through radical intermediates.
Highly efficient metalloporphyrin-based nanosensors for NO detection
Authors: Ostovan Azar , Naghavi S. Shahab
Published: May 2022

Chromium Porphyrin-based sensor under a small bias voltage achieves both high sensitivity and selectivity for sensing an extremely dilute amount of NO.
Torsional fracture of carbon nanotube bundles: a reactive molecular dynamics study
Authors: Pereira Júnior Marcelo Lopes , de Sousa Oliveira Tainá , Monteiro Fábio Ferreira , da Cunha Wiliam Ferreira , de Oliveira Neto Pedro Henrique , Ribeiro Júnior Luiz Antônio
Published: May 2022

Carbon nanotubes individually show excellent mechanical properties, being one of the strongest known materials.
Selective and sensitive toxic gas-sensing mechanism in a 2D Janus MoSSe monolayer
Authors: Babariya Bindiya , Raval Dhara , Gupta Sanjeev K. , Gajjar P. N.
Published: May 2022

2D Janus MoSSe monolayer as a toxic gas sensor with prominent sensitivity for NO2, NO and SO2.
No more compromise: a facile route towards functionalized surfaces with stable monolayers
Authors: Billon Julien , Shkirskiy Viacheslav , Dabos-Seignon Sylvie , Breton Tony , Gautier Christelle
Published: May 2022

The results reported in this study clearly show that it is possible to easily control the formation of a functional monolayer by spontaneous reduction of an aryldiazonium salt on gold in a single step, mimicking the SAM technique.
Selective synthesis of furfuryl acetate over solid acid catalysts and active site exploration using density functional theory
Authors: Vaishnavi B. J. , Sujith S. , Rajashekhar Vaibhava K. M. , Bhat P. Jyothi , Vetrivel Rajappan , Shanbhag Ganapati V.
Published: May 2022

Sulfated zirconia is reported to be an efficient catalyst to make furfuryl acetateviaesterification. This study is an integration of experimental and DFT that correlates the hydrogen removal energy with catalytic activity.
Ruthenium-based assemblies incorporating tetrapyridylporphyrin panels: a photosensitizer delivery strategy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by photodynamic therapy
Authors: Gallardo-Villagrán Manuel , Paulus Lucie , Charissoux Jean-Louis , Leger David Yannick , Vergne-Salle Pascale , Therrien Bruno , Liagre Bertrand
Published: May 2022

Ruthenium-based assemblies containing tetrapyridylporphyrin derivatives in their structures have been evaluated as photosensitizers to treat rheumatoid arthritis by photodynamic therapy.
Superconductivity of structurally disordered Y5Ir6Sn18
Authors: Levytskyi Volodymyr , Carrillo-Cabrera Wilder , Akselrud Lev , Kundys Bohdan , Leithe-Jasper Andreas , Gumeniuk Roman
Published: May 2022

The large Y5Ir6Sn18 crystal was grown from Sn-flux. Its structural and physical properties have been studied.
Single particle measurements of mixing between mimics for biomass burning and aged secondary organic aerosols
Authors: Habib Luke , Donahue Neil
Published: May 2022

We probe the mixing state of mimics for fresh biomass burning and aged background aerosol as it changes with temperature and relative humidity.
Engineering of polystyrene-supported acid–base catalysts for aldol condensation in water
Authors: Xiao Wei , Wang Zihao , Yang Jinxiang , Chen Tianyou , Yi Changfeng , Xu Zushun
Published: May 2022

A controllable strategy for engineering polystyrene-supported acid–base catalysts by using nanoprecipitation in water was developed.
Understanding the interaction of N-doped graphene and sulfur compounds in a lithium–sulfur battery: a density functional theory investigation
Authors: Gong Yingying , Ma Wanyong , Xu Zhen , Wang Yixuan
Published: May 2022

Pyrrolic N has the strongest adsorption toward Li2Sx mainly via forming the coordination bond of LiN3.
An understanding of a 3D hierarchically porous carbon modified electrode based on finite element modeling
Authors: Song Peng , Li Yan , Bao Linghan , Liang Xiaohua , Qi Mengyuan , Li Hanbing , Tang Yang
Published: May 2022

A new strategy for the electrochemical evaluation of a 3D hierarchically porous carbon modified electrode is proposed via finite element modeling.
A covalently conjugated branched DNA aptamer cluster-based nanoplatform for efficiently targeted drug delivery
Authors: Li Runze , Wu Xiaohui , Li Jing , Lu Xuehe , Zhao Robert Chunhua , Liu Jianbing , Ding Baoquan
Published: May 2022

A covalently conjugated branched DNA aptamer cluster-based nanoplatform was designed for efficiently targeted drug delivery to inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells.
Ultra-dense plasmonic nanogap arrays for reorientable molecular fluorescence enhancement and spectrum reshaping
Authors: Wang Jiawei , Hao Qi , Dong Haiyun , Zhu Minshen , Wu Lan , Liu Lixiang , Wang Wenxing , Schmidt Oliver G. , Ma Libo
Published: May 2022

Reorientable plasmon-enhanced fluorescence is realized densely-packed gold nanogap arrays. By finely adjusting the symmetry of the unit structure, distinct “inter-cell” and “intra-cell” plasmon couplings reshape the emission spectrum.
Sonochemical synthesis of inorganic cryogel Ag2Mo3O10@Ag/AgO: structural characterization, antibacterial activity, and dye adsorption properties
Authors: Mohammadi Adibeh , Mirzaei Akbar , Javanshir Shahrzad
Published: May 2022

An ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of Ag2Mo3O10@Ag/AgO cryogel (SMSSO) nanocomposite was developed, and a possible formation mechanism of multi-layered SMSSO was proposed based on characterization results of SEM, EDX, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and DRS.
Dimensionless evaluation and kinetics of rapid and ultradeep desulfurization of diesel fuel in an oscillatory baffled reactor
Authors: Humadi Jasim I. , Gheni Saba A. , Ahmed Safaa. M. R. , Harvey Adam
Published: May 2022

The oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of dibenzothiophene in diesel fuel cut using a homogeneous liquid catalytic system in a novel reactor is presented.
An efficient route to the synthesis of novel zwitterionic pyridinium-cyanopropenides with 3-heteroaryl-substituted trimethinium salts
Authors: Samani Ziba Rafiee , Mehranpour Abdolmohammad
Published: May 2022

Synthesis of new zwitterionic derivatives via the reaction of 2-substituted 1,3-bis(dimethylamino)-trimethinium salts with malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate in the presence of Et3N in ethanol at reflux.
PhSe(O)OH/Al(NO3)3-Catalyzed selectivity controllable oxidation of sulphide owing to the synergistic effect of Se, Al3+and nitrate
Authors: Zhang Xu , Zhou Rui , Qi Zhengyuan , Chen Liping , Yu Lei
Published: May 2022

Catalyzed by PhSe(O)OH/Al(NO3)3, selective oxidation of sulphides to produce sulfoxides or sulphones could be achieved under mild conditions. The synergistic effect of Se, Al3+and nitrate is the key factor for the reaction.
A redox-enabled strategy for intramolecular hydroamination
Authors: Allen Meredith A. , Ly Huy M. , O'Keefe Geneviève F. , Beauchemin André M.
Published: May 2022

A redox strategy enables hydroaminations: mild conditions allows efficient hydroxylamine formation & cyclization, then B2(OH)4 as reductant also facilitates isolation!
Hydroxy-directed fluorination of remote unactivated C(sp3)–H bonds: a new age of diastereoselective radical fluorination
Authors: Harry Stefan Andrew , Xiang Michael Richard , Holt Eric , Zhu Andrea , Ghorbani Fereshte , Patel Dhaval , Lectka Thomas
Published: May 2022

We report a photochemical, hydroxy-directed fluorination that addresses the prevailing challenge of high diastereoselectivity. Numerous motifs showcase a range of regio- and stereochemical outcomes based on the configuration of the hydroxy group.
A lithiophilic AlN-modified copper layer for high-performance lithium metal anodes
Authors: Xiong Xiaosong , Sun Rui , Yan Wenqi , Qiao Qiao , Zhu Yusong , Liu Lili , Fu Lijun , Yu Nengfei , Wu Yuping , Wang Bin
Published: May 2022

The AlN modified layer enhances the lithium transfer kinetics and regulates uniform Li plating/stripping behavior by providing rapid Li ions transfer channels through the spontaneous formation of favorable Li+conductor Li3N and Li–Al composites.
Significant reduction in lattice thermal conductivity in a p-type filled skutterudite due to strong electron–phonon interactions
Authors: Zhu Zhenyu , Xi Jinyang , Yang Jiong
Published: May 2022

Due to strong electron–phonon interactions, the lattice thermal conductivity in filled skutterudite BaFe4Sb12 has a significant reduction of 64.8% at 300 K.
Constructing large-size and ultrathin NiCoP nanosheets on an Fe2O3 photoanode toward efficient solar water splitting
Authors: Feng Chenchen , Zhao Bin , Bi Yingpu
Published: May 2022

This work demonstrated the rational construction of a large-size and ultrathin NiCoP cocatalyst on Fe2O3 photoanodes for significantly promoting their water oxidation performances.
A sonication-induced silk-collagen hydrogel for functional cartilage regeneration
Authors: Long Shihe , Huang Danyang , Ma Zihan , Shi Shuaiguang , Xiao Yun , Zhang Xingdong
Published: May 2022

Preparation of a sonicated-silk-collagen composite hydrogel encapsulating BMSCs, and its application in regenerating articular cartilage.
Chitosan-based oral colon-specific delivery systems for polyphenols: recent advances and emerging trends
Authors: Chen Sunni , Zhu Honglin , Luo Yangchao
Published: May 2022

Chitosan has been widely used to assemble different types of oral colon-targeted delivery systems, which attract great attention in the delivery of polyphenols to the colon for the treatment of colon and non-colon diseases.
A hemostatic keratin/alginate hydrogel scaffold with methylene blue mediated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy
Authors: Feng Ching-Chih , Lu Wei-Fan , Liu Yi-Chen , Liu Tai-Hung , Chen Yin-Chuan , Chien Hsiu-Wen , Wei Yang , Chang Hui-Wen , Yu Jiashing
Published: May 2022

Uncontrollable bleeding and infection are two of the most common causes of trauma-related death.
Frequency coordination and harmonic suppression strategy based on composite virtual impedance in hybrid energy storage system
Authors: Zhu Difan , Yang Ling , Huang Juntao
Published: May 2022

Under the traditional droop control, hybrid energy storage system cannot take advantage of the respective merits of battery and supercapacitor for frequency coordination, which shortens system life. Because of the single‐phase inverter load, the second harmonic current is generated in the front‐stage converter when the output power pulsates at twice the output voltage frequency. This paper proposes a strategy for frequency coordination and second harmonic current suppression based on composite virtual impedance. Under this strategy, the system equivalent output impedance exhibits resistance and inductance in low‐frequency part, dominated by the battery side. The battery reacts slowly to absorb the low‐frequency power fluctuations and provide the energy required by load at steady state. It is capacitive in the high‐frequency range, with the supercapacitor side dominating. The supercapacitor quickly absorbs the high‐frequency part of power fluctuation to suppress the impact of load mutation on DC bus and improve system dynamics. Meanwhile, the strategy realises that the inductor branch impedance is significantly larger than the capacitor branch impedance at double frequency, suppressing the second harmonic current and increasing the system efficiency. Experimentation confirms the effectiveness of the control strategy.
Tokyo's city sustainability: Strategy and plans for net zero emissions by 2050
Authors: Toh Chai K.
Published: May 2022

Japan has long embarked on the city transformation journey, from green city to eco city, ubiquitous city, sustainable city, and now zero‐emission city. A smart city is not considered smart if it is not green, not sustainable, and not environmentally friendly. The journey is long but progressive, and the Japanese government has been supportive in its city transformational efforts. Japanese cities are marked by distinctive local cultures, habitat, people, food, beliefs, history etc. From Tokyo to Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Kobe and Yokohama, cities in Japan have advanced into high levels of urbanisation. The increase in population and traffic utilisation have resulted in higher energy demands and pollution of the environment. These concerns have motivated Japan to strive for cities with zero‐emission and Tokyo, as the country's capital, will lead in this drive. The author outlines the current situation in Japan, the impact of global warming and climate change, presents the motivation behind the new strategy, and narrates and discusses Tokyo city’s zero‐emission strategy and execution plans and how it works towards achieving net zero by 2050.
Parasiten – wichtige endemische und importierte Erreger
Authors: Jordan Sabine , Kreuels Benno
Published: May 2022

Was ist neu?

Echinokokkose Bei Migranten aus Gebieten hoher Endemizität ist Echinococcus granulosus als wichtige Differenzialdiagnose bei zystischen (Leber-)Raumforderungen zu beachten. Durch eine Zunahme der Ausbreitung von Echinococcus alveolaris muss auch in Deutschland mit einem Anstieg endemischer Fälle von alveolärer Echinokokkose gerechnet werden.

Leishmaniose Zunehmend werden Fälle von Kutaner Leishmaniose in Deutschland bei Reiserückkehrern aus Spanien, insbesondere Mallorca, beobachtet.

Ektoparasiten In den letzten Jahren haben Ausbrüche von Skabies in Gemeinschaftseinrichtungen in Deutschland zugenommen. Seit 2016 ist Ivermectin zur oralen Therapie in Deutschland zugelassen.

Darmprotozoen Aufgrund zunehmender Resistenzen kommt es bei Giardia lamblia, insbesondere bei in Asien erworbenen Infektionen, häufiger zu Therapieversagen. Eine erfolgsversprechende Alternativtherapie stellt das in Deutschland nicht zugelassene Quinacrine dar.

Schistosomiasis Nachdem im Jahr 2013 erstmals eine Infektion mit Schistosomiasis bei einem Reisenden aus Korsika nachgewiesen wurde, breitet sich der Erreger auf Korsika weiter aus.

Intestinale Nematoden Ivermectin ist auch zur Therapie von Infektionen mit Strongyloides stercoralis zugelassen. Daten einer aktuellen Studie zeigen, dass bei unkomplizierten Verläufen eine einmalige Therapie ausreichend ist. Aufgrund des hohen Risikos komplikativer Verläufe sollte vor einer medikamentösen Immunsuppression (z. B. Organtransplantation) ein serologisches Screening auf S. stercoralis erwogen werden.
Robotik in der Endoprothetik - Neue OP-Unterstützungssysteme
Authors: Hanreich Carola , Streck Laura E. , Boettner Friedrich
Published: May 2022

Der Einsatz robotischer Unterstützungssysteme findet seit den 1990er-Jahren zunehmend Anwendung in der Endoprothetik. Durch höhere Präzision und Reproduzierbarkeit sollen Komplikationen
reduziert und funktionelle Ergebnisse sowie Standzeiten verbessert werden. Die meisten aktuell verfügbaren Systeme sind bildgeführt und erfordern eine entsprechende präoperative Planung. Bei
anderen Systemen erfolgt die Erfassung der Anatomie und die Planung der Prothese erst intraoperativ. In der Knieendoprothetik konnte durch robotische Technik eine verbesserte
Gelenkausrichtung erzielt werden. Bei Hüftendoprothesen zeigte sich eine Verringerung von Abweichungen bei der Pfannenpositionierung. Diese Resultate zeigten sich unabhängig von der
Erfahrung des Operateurs, sodass besonders Operateure mit geringerer Fallzahl von dem Einsatz robotischer Unterstützungssysteme profitieren könnten. Jedoch steht dem allerdings eine
verlängerte Operationszeit gegenüber. Zudem wirft die Technik u.a. Fragen bez. der Kosteneffizienz und des Managements intraoperativer Komplikationen auf. Ob es durch künstliche Intelligenz
langfristig tatsächlich möglich sein wird, die Ergebnisse ohnehin bereits sehr erfolgreicher Operationen noch weiter zu verbessern, bleibt abzuwarten. In jedem Fall liegt die Verantwortung
für das Gelingen der Operation doch stets beim Operateur.
Studies of the Major Gene Expression and Related Metabolites in Cannabinoids Biosynthesis Pathway Influenced by Ascorbic Acid
Authors: Soltan Keyvan , Dadkhah Behnoush
Published: May 2022

Cannabis sativa L. is an annual dioecious plant that belongs to the Cannabaceae family and is essential for different pharmaceutical and nutritional properties. The most important and prevalent cannabinoids in cannabis are cannabidiol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. The application of elicitors is an effective method to improve secondary metabolite production, leading to a whole spectrum of molecular, genetic, and physiological modifications. Therefore, the expression changes of four key genes (THCAS, CBDAS, PT, and OLS) of the cannabinoids pathway along with the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol metabolites fluctuation were surveyed following the application of ascorbic acid as an elicitor. Cannabis was sprayed immediately before flowering with ascorbic acid. Treated and untreated (control) plants were sampled in different time courses for real-time PCR and HPLC experiments. Results showed significant increases in THCAS, CBDAS, PT, and OLS expression after ascorbic acid treatments. The results of metabolite quantification also indicated that secondary metabolites, especially delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, increased after the ascorbic acid application. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge of the functions of key genes in the cannabinoids pathway to the engineering of cannabis for improving the production of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol metabolites in this plant.
Coix Seed Extract Prevents Inflammation-mediated Skin Dryness Induced
by Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Exposure in HR-1 Hairless Mice
Authors: Li Feng , Nakanishi Yusuke , Murata Kenta , Shinguchi Kanako , Fujita Nina , Chiba Shigeki , Takahashi Ryuji
Published: May 2022

Skin inflammation and dryness are the features of surfactant-induced irritant
contact dermatitis, a common skin disorder. In Japan, Coix seed (CS, Coix
lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf) is widely used as a
traditional medicine and functional supplement to treat skin inflammation and
dry skin. However, the efficacy of CS against surfactant-induced skin disorders
has not been reported. Here, we investigated the effect of CS on inflammatory
dry skin disorders induced by multiple topical applications of sodium dodecyl
sulfate (SDS), a representative anionic surfactant. Male HR-1 hairless mice
received a water extract of CS for four weeks. Three weeks after CS
administration, the dorsal skin of the mice was exposed once daily to
10% SDS for five days. CS efficacy was then evaluated by measuring
epidermal water content; erythema index; severity of skin scaling; epidermal
thickness; inflammatory cell infiltration; production of pro-inflammatory
mediators, such as interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and prostaglandin E2
(PGE2); and protein expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), in the dorsal skin.
Administration of CS markedly attenuated the SDS-induced reduction in epidermal
water content, elevated erythema index, and severity of skin scaling.
Histological analysis demonstrated that CS suppressed epidermal hyperplasia and
macrophage infiltration in SDS-exposed skin. Furthermore, CS significantly
prevented SDS-induced production of IL-1α and PGE2, as well as COX-2
upregulation. These results indicate that CS prevents SDS-induced
inflammation-mediated skin dryness by inhibiting the production of
pro-inflammatory mediators.