bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Results of two consecutive treatment protocols in Polish children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Zawitkowska Joanna , Lejman Monika , Romiszewski Michał , Matysiak Michał , Ćwiklińska Magdalena , Balwierz Walentyna , Owoc-Lempach Joanna , Kazanowska Bernarda , Derwich Katarzyna , Wachowiak Jacek , Niedźwiecki Maciej , Adamkiewicz-Drożyńska Elżbieta , Trelińska Joanna , Młynarski Wojciech , Kołtan Andrzej , Wysocki Mariusz , Tomaszewska Renata , Szczepański Tomasz , Płonowski Marcin , Krawczuk-Rybak Maryna , Urbańska-Rakus Justyna , Machnik Katarzyna , Ociepa Tomasz , Urasiński Tomasz , Mizia-Malarz Agnieszka , Sobol-Milejska Grażyna , Karolczyk Grażyna , Kowalczyk Jerzy
Published: November 2020

The aim of the study was to retrospectively compare the effectiveness of the ALL IC-BFM 2002 and ALL IC-BFM 2009 protocols and the distribution of risk groups by the two protocols after minimal residual disease (MRD) measurement as well as its impact on survival. We reviewed the medical records of 3248 patients aged 1–18 years with newly diagnosed ALL who were treated in 14 hemato-oncological centers between 2002 and 2018 in Poland. The overall survival (OS) of 1872 children with ALL treated with the ALL IC 2002 protocol was 84% after 3 years, whereas the OS of 1376 children with ALL treated with the ALL IC 2009 protocol was 87% (P < 0.001). The corresponding event-free survival rates were 82% and 84% (P = 0.006). Our study shows that the ALL IC-BFM 2009 protocol improved the results of children with ALL compared to the ALL IC-BFM 2002 protocol in Poland. This analysis confirms that MRD marrow assessment on day 15 of treatment by FCM-MRD is an important predictive factor.
Enzymatic decolorization of melanin by lignin peroxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium
Authors: Sadaqat Beenish , Khatoon Nazia , Malik Aneela Younas , Jamal Asif , Farooq Uzma , Ali Muhammad Ishtiaq , He Huan , Liu Fang-Jing , Guo Hongguang , Urynowicz Michael , Wang Qiurong , Huang Zaixing
Published: November 2020

Skin darkening results as a consequence of the accumulation of skin pigment melanin. To combat this, the amplitude of skin lightening agents are commercially available, most of which inhibit melanin synthesis. Decolorization of melanin is an alternative method of skin lightening. In this study, we show that lignin peroxidase (LiP), an extracellular enzyme purified from Phanerochaete chrysosporium NK-1 isolated from a forest soil can effectively degrade and decolorize melanin in vitro. Decolorization conditions including pH, temperature, incubation time, enzyme concentration, and mediator addition were investigated to optimize the reaction conditions. The results indicate that pH 3, 40 °C, 15 IU/ml, and 10 h incubation were the optimal conditions for the decolorization of the melanin. The use of the mediator, veratryl alcohol was also found effective to enhance the efficacy of the melanin decolonization, with up to 92% decolorization. The scanning electron microscopy results showed void spaces on the treated melanin granules as compared to the untreated sample, indicating the degradation of melanin. Changes in the fingerprint region of the melanin were observed. Between wavenumbers 1500–500 cm−1, for example, the presence of new peaks in the treated melanin at 1513, 1464, and 1139 cm−1 CH2, CH3 bend and C–O–C stretch represented structural changes. A new peak at 2144 cm−1 (alkynyl C≡C stretch) was also detected in the decolorized melanin. The cytotoxicity study has shown that the treated melanin and LiP have low cytotoxic effects; however, the mediator of veratryl alcohol could result in high mortality which suggests that its use should be meticulously tested in formulating health and skincare products. The findings of the study suggest that LiP produced by Phanerochaete chrysosporium has the potential to be used in the medical and cosmetic industries, particularly for the development of biobased cosmetic whitening agents.
Alternation of inverse problem approach and deep learning for lens-free microscopy image reconstruction
Authors: Hervé L. , Kraemer D. C. A. , Cioni O. , Mandula O. , Menneteau M. , Morales S. , Allier C.
Published: November 2020

A lens-free microscope is a simple imaging device performing in-line holographic measurements. In the absence of focusing optics, a reconstruction algorithm is used to retrieve the sample image by solving the inverse problem. This is usually performed by optimization algorithms relying on gradient computation. However the presence of local minima leads to unsatisfactory convergence when phase wrapping errors occur. This is particularly the case in large optical thickness samples, for example cells in suspension and cells undergoing mitosis. To date, the occurrence of phase wrapping errors in the holographic reconstruction limits the application of lens-free microscopy in live cell imaging. To overcome this issue, we propose a novel approach in which the reconstruction alternates between two approaches, an inverse problem optimization and deep learning. The computation starts with a first reconstruction guess of the cell sample image. The result is then fed into a neural network, which is trained to correct phase wrapping errors. The neural network prediction is next used as the initialization of a second and last reconstruction step, which corrects to a certain extent the neural network prediction errors. We demonstrate the applicability of this approach in solving the phase wrapping problem occurring with cells in suspension at large densities. This is a challenging sample that typically cannot be reconstructed without phase wrapping errors, when using inverse problem optimization alone.
RNaseH-mediated simultaneous piggyback knockdown of multiple genes in adult zebrafish
Authors: Raman Revathi , Ryon Mia , Jagadeeswaran Pudur
Published: November 2020

We recently developed a piggyback knockdown method that was used to knockdown genes in adult zebrafish. In this method, a vivo morpholino (VMO) piggybacks an antisense deoxyoligonucleotide (dO) into the somatic cells and reduces the cognate mRNA levels. In this paper, we tested whether we can piggyback more than one dO with one VMO. We designed various hybrids that had more than one dO that could be piggybacked with one VMO. We chose f7, f8, and αIIb genes and tested their knockdown by the appropriate assays. The knockdown with piggybacking either two or three dOs by one VMO yielded > 85% knockdown efficiency. We also performed knockdown of argonautes and rnaseh separately along with f7. We found the knockdown of f7 occurs when knockdown of argonautes happens and not when rnaseh knockdown was performed, suggesting that RNaseH is involved in mRNA degradation. In conclusion, we developed a method where we could knockdown three genes at one time, and by increasing the concentration of VMO by twofold, we could knockdown six genes simultaneously. These multiple gene knockdowns will not only increase the efficiency of the method in whole genome-wide knockdowns but will also be useful to study multifactorial disorders.
Corneal confocal microscopy detects small fibre neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease using automated analysis
Authors: Lim Sze Hway , Ferdousi Maryam , Kalteniece Alise , Kass-Iliyya Lewis , Petropoulos Ioannis N. , Malik Rayaz A. , Kobylecki Christopher , Silverdale Monty
Published: November 2020

We studied the utility of corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) in detecting a reduction in corneal nerve parameters in a large cohort of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) compared to controls using a fully automated potentially scalable method of analysis. We also assessed if CCM parameters are related to the severity and sub-type of PD. 98 participants with PD and 26 healthy controls underwent CCM with automated corneal nerve quantification, MDS-UPDRS III, Hoehn and Yahr scale, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 and PD subtype assessment. Corneal nerve fibre density (mean difference: − 5.00 no/mm2, 95% confidence interval (CI) [− 7.89, − 2.12], p = 0.001), corneal nerve branch density (mean difference: − 10.71 no/mm2, 95% CI [− 16.93, − 4.48], p = 0.003), corneal total branch density (mean difference: − 14.75 no/mm2, 95% CI [− 23.58, − 5.92], p = 0.002), and corneal nerve fibre length (mean difference: − 2.57 mm/mm2, 95% CI [− 4.02, − 1.12], p = 0.001) were significantly lower in PD participants compared to controls. There was no correlation between corneal nerve parameters and duration, severity or subtype of PD, cognitive function or quality of life. CCM with automated corneal nerve analysis identifies nerve fibre damage and may act as a biomarker for neurodegeneration in PD.
Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) for the assessment of myocardial disarray, fibrosis and ventricular mass in a feline model of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Novo Matos Jose , Garcia-Canadilla Patricia , Simcock Ian C. , Hutchinson J. Ciaran , Dobromylskyj Melanie , Guy Anna , Arthurs Owen J. , Cook Andrew C. , Luis Fuentes Virginia
Published: November 2020

Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is a high-resolution imaging modality that provides accurate tissue characterization. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) occurs as a spontaneous disease in cats, and is characterized by myocardial hypertrophy, disarray and fibrosis, as in humans. While hypertrophy/mass (LVM) can be objectively measured, fibrosis and myocyte disarray are difficult to assess. We evaluated the accuracy of micro-CT for detection and quantification of myocardial disarray and fibrosis by direct comparison with histopathology. 29 cat hearts (12 normal and 17 HCM hearts) underwent micro-CT and pathologic examination. Myocyte orientation was assessed using structure tensor analysis by determination of helical angle (HA), fractional anisotropy (FA) and myocardial disarray index (MDI). Fibrosis was segmented and quantified based on comparison of gray-scale values in normal and fibrotic myocardium. LVM was obtained by determining myocardial volume. Myocardial segments with low FA, low MDI and disruption of normal HA transmural profile on micro-CT were associated with myocardial disarray on histopathology. FA was consistently lower in HCM than normal hearts. Assessment of fibrosis on micro-CT closely matched the histopathologic evaluation. LVM determined by micro-CT was higher in HCM than normal hearts. Micro-CT can be used to detect and quantify myocardial disarray and fibrosis and determine myocardial mass in HCM.
Glucokinase intrinsically regulates glucose sensing and glucagon secretion in pancreatic alpha cells
Authors: Moede Tilo , Leibiger Barbara , Vaca Sanchez Pilar , Daré Elisabetta , Köhler Martin , Muhandiramlage Thusitha P. , Leibiger Ingo B. , Berggren Per-Olof
Published: November 2020

The secretion of glucagon by pancreatic alpha cells is regulated by a number of external and intrinsic factors. While the electrophysiological processes linking a lowering of glucose concentrations to an increased glucagon release are well characterized, the evidence for the identity and function of the glucose sensor is still incomplete. In the present study we aimed to address two unsolved problems: (1) do individual alpha cells have the intrinsic capability to regulate glucagon secretion by glucose, and (2) is glucokinase the alpha cell glucose sensor in this scenario. Single cell RT-PCR was used to confirm that glucokinase is the main glucose-phosphorylating enzyme expressed in rat pancreatic alpha cells. Modulation of glucokinase activity by pharmacological activators and inhibitors led to a lowering or an increase of the glucose threshold of glucagon release from single alpha cells, measured by TIRF microscopy, respectively. Knockdown of glucokinase expression resulted in a loss of glucose control of glucagon secretion. Taken together this study provides evidence for a crucial role of glucokinase in intrinsic glucose regulation of glucagon release in rat alpha cells.
A serological assay to detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in at-home collected finger-prick dried blood spots
Authors: Karp Donna Grace , Danh Kenneth , Espinoza Noemi Fonseca , Seftel David , Robinson Peter V. , Tsai Cheng-ting
Published: November 2020

Accurate surveillance of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) incidence requires large-scale testing of the population. Current testing methods require in-person collection of biospecimens by a healthcare worker, limiting access of individuals who do not have access to testing facilities while placing both patients and healthcare workers at risk of exposure to infection. We report the development and validation of a at-home finger-prick dried blood spot collection kit and an analysis method. We demonstrated 100% sensitivity and specificity using at-home collected specimens across the US. Such methods may facilitate the conduct of unbiased serosurveys within hard to reach populations and help reduce the sample collection burden of serological testing on both health care systems and individuals alike.
Frequency and prognostic value of mutations associated with the homologous recombination DNA repair pathway in a large pan cancer cohort
Authors: Principe Daniel R. , Narbutis Matthew , Koch Regina , Rana Ajay
Published: November 2020

PARP inhibitors have shown remarkable efficacy in the clinical management of several BRCA-mutated tumors. This approach is based on the long-standing hypothesis that PARP inhibition will impair the repair of single stranded breaks, causing synthetic lethality in tumors with loss of high-fidelity double-strand break homologous recombination. While this is now well accepted and has been the basis of several successful clinical trials, emerging evidence strongly suggests that mutation to several additional genes involved in homologous recombination may also have predictive value for PARP inhibitors. While this notion is supported by early clinical evidence, the mutation frequencies of these and other functionally related genes are largely unknown, particularly in cancers not classically associated with homologous recombination deficiency. We therefore evaluated the mutation status of 22 genes associated with the homologous recombination DNA repair pathway or PARP inhibitor sensitivity, first in a pan-cancer cohort of 55,586 patients, followed by a more focused analysis in The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort of 12,153 patients. In both groups we observed high rates of mutations in a variety of HR-associated genes largely unexplored in the setting of PARP inhibition, many of which were associated also with poor clinical outcomes. We then extended our study to determine which mutations have a known oncogenic role, as well as similar to known oncogenic mutations that may have a similar phenotype. Finally, we explored the individual cancer histologies in which these genomic alterations are most frequent. We concluded that the rates of deleterious mutations affecting genes associated with the homologous recombination pathway may be underrepresented in a wide range of human cancers, and several of these genes warrant further and more focused investigation, particularly in the setting of PARP inhibition and HR deficiency.
Microscopic analyses of weathered granite in ion-adsorption rare earth deposit of Jianxi Province, China
Authors: Mukai Hiroki , Kon Yoshiaki , Sanematsu Kenzo , Takahashi Yoshio , Ito Motoo
Published: November 2020

Weathered granite of ion-adsorption rare earth elements (REEs) ore collected at Jiangxi Province, China was investigated to identify the minerals abundant in REEs. The analyses of scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) for individual mineral particles of the weathered granite showed that kaolinitic particles formed by K-feldspar weathering contained large amounts of REEs. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM)-EDS analyses revealed that the kaolinitic particles were mainly composed of kaolinite, illite and hematite. The elemental maps by Nano-SIMS for the kaolinitic particle clarified that La and Y are particularly concentrated in illite. The presence of illite presumably contributes to the formation of the REE accumulation zone in weathered granite. Furthermore, in the in-situ desorption experiment, nearly half the REEs (45.5%) remained in the kaolinitic particle after the treatment with 0.5 M ammonium sulfate solution. The desorption ratio of heavy REEs (HREEs: Gd–Lu) (60.4%) was lower than that of light REEs (LREEs: La–Eu) apart from Ce (69.0%). These results suggest that REEs form inner-sphere complexes on the kaolinitic particle. It can be assumed that the inner-sphere complexation suppresses the extraction ratio of REEs from the ores by ion-exchange treatment.
Proof-of-principle experiment for laser-driven cold neutron source
Authors: Mirfayzi S. R. , Yogo A. , Lan Z. , Ishimoto T. , Iwamoto A. , Nagata M. , Nakai M. , Arikawa Y. , Abe Y. , Golovin D. , Honoki Y. , Mori T. , Okamoto K. , Shokita S. , Neely D. , Fujioka S. , Mima K. , Nishimura H. , Kar S. , Kodama R.
Published: November 2020

The scientific and technical advances continue to support novel discoveries by allowing scientists to acquire new insights into the structure and properties of matter using new tools and sources. Notably, neutrons are among the most valuable sources in providing such a capability. At the Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka, the first steps are taken towards the development of a table-top laser-driven neutron source, capable of producing a wide range of energies with high brightness and temporal resolution. By employing a pure hydrogen moderator, maintained at cryogenic temperature, a cold neutron ($$\le 25\hbox { meV}$$

≤
25

meV

) flux of $$\sim 2\times 10^3\hbox { n/cm}^2$$

∼
2
×

10
3

n/cm
2

/pulse was measured at the proximity of the moderator exit surface. The beam duration of hundreds of ns to tens of $$\upmu \hbox {s}$$

μ
s

is evaluated for neutron energies ranging from 100s keV down to meV via Monte-Carlo techniques. Presently, with the upcoming J-EPoCH high repetition rate laser at Osaka University, a cold neutron flux in orders of $$\sim 1\times 10^{9}\hbox { n/cm}^2/\hbox {s}$$

∼
1
×

10
9

n/cm
2

/
s

is expected to be delivered at the moderator in a compact beamline.
Lipidomic markers of sperm cryotolerance in cattle
Authors: Evans Holly C. , Dinh Thu T. N. , Ugur Muhammet Rasit , Hitit Mustafa , Sajeev Dishnu , Kaya Abdullah , Topper Einko , Nicodemus Molly C. , Smith Gary D. , Memili Erdogan
Published: November 2020

The objective of the current study was to determine the fatty acid composition of sperm from Holstein bulls with different freezability (Good and Poor;n= 12). Fatty acids were extracted from frozen sperm in 1:2 (v/v) chloroform–methanol solvent, fractionated into neutral and polar fractions, and composition determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Thirty-four fatty acids were quantified and their concentrations and percentages within each lipid fraction were calculated. Overall, saturated fatty acids (SFA) were predominant, accounting for 71 to 80% of fatty acids in neutral and polar lipid factions. There were marked differences in fatty acid composition between the lipid fractions (P< 0.001). The branched chain fatty acid (BCFA) concentration (15 to 18 µg) was almost twice as much as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) concentration found in the polar lipid fraction (8 to 9 µg;P< 0.001). Sperm with different freezability phenotypes only had a few differences in 22:0, 18:1 cis 9, and 14:0 13-methyl fatty acids (P≤ 0.011). These results are significant because they reveal key understandings of fatty acid composition of sperm membrane and lay a foundation for the manipulation of membrane integrity, fluidity, and stability to advance the assisted reproductive technologies.
Clinical factors associated with safety and efficacy in patients receiving direct oral anticoagulants for non-valvular atrial fibrillation
Authors: Yamato Hiroshi , Abe Koichiro , Osumi Shun , Yanagisawa Daisuke , Kodashima Shinya , Asaoka Yoshinari , Konno Kumiko , Kozuma Ken , Yamamoto Takatsugu , Tanaka Atsushi
Published: November 2020

Although patients suffering from atrial fibrillation have increased worldwide, detailed information about factors associated with bleeding during direct oral anticoagulant therapy remains insufficient. We studied 1086 patients for whom direct oral anticoagulants were initiated for non-valvular atrial fibrillation between April 2011 and June 2017. Endpoints were clinically relevant bleeding or major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events until the end of December 2018. Incidences of bleeding and thrombosis were 4.5 per 100 person-years and 4.7 per 100 person-years, respectively. Most bleeding events represented gastrointestinal bleeding. Multivariate analysis revealed initiation of anticoagulants at ≥ 85 years old as significantly associated with bleeding, particularly gastrointestinal bleeding, but not major cardiac and cerebrovascular events. Other significant factors included chronic kidney disease, low-dose aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. For gastrointestinal bleeding alone, histories of gastrointestinal bleeding and malignancy also showed positive correlations, in addition to the above-mentioned factors. Clinicians should pay greater attention to the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding when considering prescription of anticoagulants to patients ≥ 85 years old with atrial fibrillation.
Integrated analysis of microRNA and mRNA expression profiles in Crassostrea gigas to reveal functional miRNA and miRNA-targets regulating shell pigmentation
Authors: Feng Dandan , Li Qi , Yu Hong , Liu Shikai , Kong Lingfeng , Du Shaojun
Published: November 2020

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate post-transcription gene expression by targeting genes and play crucial roles in diverse biological processes involving body color formation. However, miRNAs and miRNA-targets underlying shell color polymorphism remain largely unknown in mollusca. Using four shell colors full-sib families of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, we systematically identified miRNAs and miRNA-targets in the mantles, which organ could produce white, golden, black or partially pigmented shell. RNA sequencing and analysis identified a total of 53 known miRNA and 91 novel miRNAs, 47 of which were detected to differentially express among six pairwise groups. By integrating miRNA and mRNA expression profiles, a total of 870 genes were predicted as targets of differentially expressed miRNAs, mainly involving in biomineralization and pigmentation through functional enrichment. Furthermore, a total of four miRNAs and their target mRNAs were predicted to involve in synthesis of melanin, carotenoid or tetrapyrrole. Of them, lgi-miR-317 and its targets peroxidase and lncRNA TCONS_00951105 are implicated in acting as the competing endogenous RNA to regulate melanogenesis. Our studies revealed the systematic characterization of miRNAs profiles expressed in oyster mantle, which might facilitate understanding the intricate molecular regulation of shell color polymorphism and provide new insights into breeding research in oyster.
Facile modulation the sensitivity of Eu2+/Eu3+-coactivated Li2CaSiO4 phosphors through adjusting spatial mode and doping concentration
Authors: Zhou Luhui , Du Peng , Li Li
Published: November 2020

Series of Eu2+/Eu3+-coactivated Li2CaSiO4 phosphors were prepared by solid-state reaction technique. All the samples emitted the unique emissions of Eu2+ and Eu3+ ions when excited by 395 nm, while the strongest emission intensity was received when x = 0.03. On the basis of theoretical discussion, it is evident that crossover relaxation should be responsible for the thermal quenching mechanism which was further proved by the unchanged lifetime at elevated temperature. Besides, through analyzing the inconsistent responses of the emission intensities of the Eu2+ and Eu3+ ions to the temperature, the optical thermometric properties of the designed phosphors were studied. By selecting different emissions of Eu3+ ions and combining with that of the Eu2+ ions, adjustable sensitivities were realized in the resultant phosphors. Furthermore, the sensitivities of the studied compound were also found to be greatly affected by the doping concentration. The maximum absolute and relative sensitivities of the synthesized compounds were 0.0025 K−1 and 0.289% K−1, respectively. These achieved results implied that the Eu2+/Eu3+-coactivated Li2CaSiO4 phosphors were promising candidates for optical thermometry. Additionally, this work also provided promising methods to modulate the sensitivities of the luminescent compounds by adjusting spatial mode and doping concentration.
Multiple-beam and double-mode staggered double vane travelling wave tube with ultra-wide band
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Ruan Cunjun , Fahad Ayesha Kosar , Zhang Chenyu , Su Yiyang , Wang Pengpeng , He Wenlong
Published: November 2020

This paper presents design, fabrication and cold test of an ultra-wide band travelling wave tube (TWT) with planar alignment multiple pencil beams. The fundamental double-mode of staggered double vane slow wave structure (SDV-SWS) rather than the only one mode are put forward and adopted to match with the same electron beam to increase the bandwidth greatly. Simultaneous planar alignment multiple pencil beam tunnels are designed to improve interaction impedance and then to enhance output power, gain, efficiency, growth rate. The transmission performance of a two-stage 51-period SDV-TWT in G-band with structure attenuator between two sections shows that it indeed has an ultra-wideband performance from 81 to 110 GHz. By using computer numerical control machining, the SDV-SWS was manufactured and a detailed cold test was conducted. Good agreement is found at the wide band, where S21 is above − 5 dB and S11 is below − 10 dB. 3D PIC simulations with double-mode multiple-beam SDV-TWT within total length of 70 mm show that it can get a nearly 2120 W peak output power, a 42.5 dB corresponding gain and a 10.7% electron efficiency at 94 GHz with a 22.1 kV beam voltage and a 3 × 0.15A beam current. The 3 dB bandwidth of our double-mode SDV-TWT can achieve about 29 GHz.
The effect of dragon-kings on the estimation of scaling law parameters
Authors: Cabrera-Arnau Carmen , Bishop Steven R.
Published: November 2020

Scaling laws are used to model how different quantifiable properties of cities, such as the number of road traffic accidents or average house prices, vary as a function of city population size, with parameters estimated from data. Arcaute et al. raised the issue of whether specific cities with extremely large population sizes, known as dragon-kings, should be considered separately from other smaller cities when estimating the scaling law parameters since the two types of cities tend to display different behaviour. Through the analysis of randomly generated samples, we find that the inclusion of dragon-kings in the scaling analysis does not affect the estimated values for the parameters but only provided that all the data points satisfy the same scaling law. We also analyse randomly generated samples where data corresponding to a particular city deviates from the scaling law followed by the rest of the cities. We then show that deviations corresponding to dragon-king cities have the most significant effect on the estimated values of the scaling parameters. The extent of this effect also depends on which estimation procedure is used. Our results have important implications on the suitability of scaling laws as a model for urban systems.
Purification and biochemical characterization of Hel a 6, a cross-reactive pectate lyase allergen from Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) pollen
Authors: Ghosh Nandini , Sircar Gaurab , Asam Claudia , Wolf Martin , Hauser Michael , Saha Sudipto , Ferreira Fatima , Bhattacharya Swati Gupta
Published: November 2020

Sunflower pollen was reported to contain respiratory allergens responsible for occupational allergy and pollinosis. The present study describes the comprehensive characterization of a major sunflower allergen Hel a 6. Natural Hel a 6 was purified from sunflower pollen by anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Hel a 6 reacted with IgE-antibodies from 57% of 39 sunflower-sensitized patient sera suggesting it to be a major allergen. The patients were of Indian origin and suffering from pollinosis and allergic rhinitis. Hel a 6 exhibited allergenic activity by stimulating mediator release from basophils. Monomeric Hel a 6 displayed pectate lyase activity. The effect of various physicochemical parameters such as temperature, pH, and calcium ion on the functional activity of Hel a 6 revealed a stable nature of the protein. Hel a 6 was folded, and its melting curve showed reversible denaturation in which it refolded back to its native conformation from a denatured state. Hel a 6 displayed a high degree of sequence conservation with the pectate lyase allergens from related taxonomic families such as Amb a 1 (67%) and Art v 6 (57%). The IgE-cross reactivity was observed between Hel a 6 and its ragweed and mugwort homologs. The cross-reactivity was further substantiated by the mediator release when Hel a 6-sensitized effector cells were cross-stimulated with Art v 6 and Amb a 1. Several putative B cell epitopes were predicted and mapped on these 3 allergens. Two antigenic regions were found to be commonly shared by these 3 allergens, which could be crucial for cross-reactivity. In conclusion, Hel a 6 serves as a candidate molecule for diagnosis and immunotherapy for weed allergy.
Bacterial composition of nasal discharge in children based on highly accurate 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis
Authors: Haro Kaoru , Ogawa Midori , Saito Mitsumasa , Kusuhara Koichi , Fukuda Kazumasa
Published: November 2020

Nasopharyngeal colonization by bacteria is a prerequisite for progression to respiratory disease and an important source of horizontal spread within communities. We aimed to perform quantitative analysis of the bacterial cells and reveal the microbiota of the nasal discharge in children at the species level based on highly accurate 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This study enrolled 40 pediatric patients with rhinorrhea. The bacterial cells in the nasal discharge were counted by epifluorescence microscopic analysis. The microbiota was analyzed by using the 16S rRNA gene clone library sequencing method. We demonstrated that a high abundance (median 2.2 × 107 cells/mL) of bacteria was contained in the nasal discharge of children. Of the 40 samples, 37 (92.5%) were dominated by OTUs corresponding to Haemophilus aegyptius/influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis/nonliquefaciens, or Streptococcus pneumoniae. These samples showed higher cell abundance and lower alpha diversity than the remaining three samples in which the other bacteria coexisted. In addition, 12 sequences with low homology to type strains were considered as previously unknown bacterial lineages. In conclusion, the nasal discharge of most young children contains a large amount of respiratory pathogens and several unknown bacteria, which could not only cause endogenous infection but also be a source of transmission to others.
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 alpha influences pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis
Authors: Subramani Ramadevi , Medel Joshua , Flores Kristina , Perry Courtney , Galvez Adriana , Sandoval Mayra , Rivera Servando , Pedroza Diego A. , Penner Elizabeth , Chitti Mahika , Lakshmanaswamy Rajkumar
Published: November 2020

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 homeobox alpha (HNF1α) is a transcription factor involved in endodermal organogenesis and pancreatic precursor cell differentiation and development. Earlier studies have reported a role for HNF1α in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) but it is controversial. The mechanism by which it impacts PDAC is yet to be explored in depth. In this study, using the online databases we observed that HNF1α is upregulated in PDAC, which was also confirmed by our immunohistochemical analysis of PDAC tissue microarray. Silencing HNF1α reduced the proliferative, migratory, invasive and colony forming capabilities of pancreatic cancer cells. Key markers involved in these processes (pPI3K, pAKT, pERK, Bcl2, Zeb, Snail, Slug) were significantly changed in response to alterations in HNF1α expression. On the other hand, overexpression of HNF1α did not induce any significant change in the aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer cells. Our results demonstrate that reduced expression of HNF1α leads to inhibition of pancreatic cancer growth and progression, which indicates that it could be a potential oncogene and target for PDAC.
Reward anticipation selectively boosts encoding of gist for visual objects
Authors: Swirsky Liyana T. , Marinacci Ryan M. , Spaniol Julia
Published: November 2020

Reward anticipation at encoding enhances later recognition, but it is unknown to what extent different levels of processing at encoding (gist vs. detail) can benefit from reward-related memory enhancement. In the current study, participants (N = 50) performed an incidental encoding task in which they made gist-related or detail-related judgments about pairs of visual objects while in anticipation of high or low reward. Results of a subsequent old/new recognition test revealed a reward-related memory benefit that was specific to objects from pairs encoded in the attention-to-gist condition. These findings are consistent with the theory of long-axis specialization along the human hippocampus, which localizes gist-based memory processes to the anterior hippocampus, a region highly interconnected with the dopaminergic reward network.
Synergistic effect of biological and advanced oxidation process treatment in the biodegradation of Remazol yellow RR dye
Authors: Thanavel Muruganandham , Bankole Paul Olusegun , Selvam Ramu , Govindwar Sanjay Prabhu , Sadasivam Senthil Kumar
Published: November 2020

The current study investigated the efficiency of synergistic biological and Advanced Oxidation Process (AOPs) treatment (B-AOPs) using Aeromonas hydrophila SK16 and AOPs-H2O2 in the removal of Remazol Yellow RR dye. Singly, A. hydrophila and AOPs showed 90 and 63.07% decolourization of Remazol Yellow RR dye (100 mg L−1) at pH 6 and ambient temperature within 9 h respectively. However, the synergistic B-AOPs treatments showed maximum decolorization of Remazol Yellow RR dye within 4 h. Furthermore, the synergistic treatment significantly reduced BOD and COD of the textile wastewater by 84.88 and 82.76% respectively. Increased levels in laccase, tyrosinase, veratryl alcohol oxidase, lignin peroxidase and azo reductase activities further affirmed the role played by enzymes during degradation of the dye. UV–Visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) confirmed the biotransformation of dye. A metabolic pathway was proposed based on enzyme activities and metabolites obtained after GC–MS analysis. Therefore, this study affirmed the efficiency of combined biological and AOPs in the treatment of dyes and textile wastewaters in comparison with other methods.
ATR-FTIR spectroscopy in blood plasma combined with multivariate analysis to detect HIV infection in pregnant women
Authors: Silva Lidiane G. , Péres Ana F. S. , Freitas Daniel L. D. , Morais Camilo L. M. , Martin Francis L. , Crispim Janaina C. O. , Lima Kassio M. G.
Published: November 2020

The primary concern for HIV-infected pregnant women is the vertical transmission that can occur during pregnancy, in the intrauterine period, during labour or even breastfeeding. The risk of vertical transmission can be reduced by early diagnosis. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new methods to detect this virus in a quick and low-cost fashion, as colorimetric assays for HIV detection tend to be laborious and costly. Herein, attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis was employed to distinguish HIV-infected patients from healthy uninfected controls in a total of 120 blood plasma samples. The best sensitivity (83%) and specificity (92%) values were obtained using the genetic algorithm with linear discriminant analysis (GA-LDA). These good classification results in addition to the potential for high analytical frequency, the low cost and reagent-free nature of this method demonstrate its potential as an alternative tool for HIV screening during pregnancy.
Ex vivo 18F-fluoride uptake and hydroxyapatite deposition in human coronary atherosclerosis
Authors: Moss Alastair J. , Sim Alisia M. , Adamson Philip D. , Seidman Michael A. , Andrews Jack P. M. , Doris Mhairi K. , Shah Anoop S. V. , BouHaidar Ralph , Alcaide-Corral Carlos J. , Williams Michelle C. , Leipsic Jonathon A. , Dweck Marc R. , MacRae Vicky E. , Newby David E. , Tavares Adriana A. S. , Sellers Stephanie L.
Published: November 2020

Early microcalcification is a feature of coronary plaques with an increased propensity to rupture and to cause acute coronary syndromes. In this ex vivo imaging study of coronary artery specimens, the non-invasive imaging radiotracer, 18F-fluoride, was highly selective for hydroxyapatite deposition in atherosclerotic coronary plaque. Specifically, coronary 18F-fluoride uptake had a high signal to noise ratio compared with surrounding myocardium that makes it feasible to identify coronary mineralisation activity. Areas of 18F-fluoride uptake are associated with osteopontin, an inflammation-associated glycophosphoprotein that mediates tissue mineralisation, and Runt-related transcription factor 2, a nuclear protein involved in osteoblastic differentiation. These results suggest that 18F-fluoride is a non-invasive imaging biomarker of active coronary atherosclerotic mineralisation.
Graphene field-effect transistors as bioanalytical sensors: design, operation and performance
Authors: Béraud Anouk , Sauvage Madline , Bazán Claudia M. , Tie Monique , Bencherif Amira , Bouilly Delphine
Published: November 2020

Changes in the electrical conductance of graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs) are used to perform quantitative analyses of biologically-relevant molecules such as DNA, proteins, ions and small molecules.
Lithium-7 qNMR as a method to quantify lithium content in brines using benchtop NMR
Authors: Araneda Juan F. , Hui Paul , Leskowitz Garett M. , Riegel Susanne D. , Mercado Rodrigo , Green Christopher
Published: November 2020

Lithium quantification using benchtop NMR.
A simple hydrogel scaffold with injectability, adhesivity and osteogenic activity for bone regeneration
Authors: Zhang Hongjie , Cai Qiuquan , Zhu Yanhui , Zhu Weipu
Published: November 2020

A simple hydrogel scaffold with injectability, adhesivity and osteogenic activity is facilely prepared by directly mixing strontium chloride and Alg-DA aqueous solutions.
Time-resolved observation of V2O5/TiO2 in NH3-SCR reveals the equivalence of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites
Authors: Song Inhak , Lee Hwangho , Jeon Se Won , Kim Taejin , Kim Do Heui
Published: November 2020

Reaction rates of Lewis-NH3 and Brønsted-NH3 species were measured to be equivalent in the selective catalytic reaction over V2O5/TiO2 catalyst.
Remote functional group directed C–H activation by an Ir(iii) phenanthroline complex
Authors: Corea Rozalie Sharon Genevieve , Gronert Scott
Published: November 2020

The regioselectivity of the C–H activation of 1-butanol and 1-methoxybutane by an iridium(iii) phenanthroline complex was studied in the gas phase and revealed activation at gamma and delta carbons.
2-Azidoacrylamides as compact platforms for efficient modular synthesis
Authors: Takemura Hinano , Goto Sayuri , Hosoya Takamitsu , Yoshida Suguru
Published: November 2020

Efficient methods to assemble modules with compact platform molecules by triazole formations and Michael reactions are disclosed. Good electrophilicity of 2-triazolylacrylamides realized Michael additions using various nucleophiles.
Direct sulfonylation of BODIPY dyes with sodium sulfinates through oxidative radical hydrogen substitution at the α-position
Authors: Lv Fan , Guo Xing , Wu Hao , Li Heng , Tang Bing , Yu Changjiang , Hao Erhong , Jiao Lijuan
Published: November 2020

A series of α-sulfonated BODIPYs were efficiently synthesized from sodium sulfinates via a radical process, and were demonstrated as new fluorescent probes for selective biothiol detection.
Correction: Gold(i) complexes based on six-membered phosphorus heterocycles as bio-active molecules against brain cancer
Authors: Roesch Saskia , Fermi Valentina , Rominger Frank , Herold-Mende Christel , Romero-Nieto Carlos
Published: November 2020

Correction for ‘Gold(i) complexes based on six-membered phosphorus heterocycles as bio-active molecules against brain cancer’ by Saskia Roesch et al., Chem. Commun., 2020, DOI: 10.1039/d0cc05761d.
Interfacial and bulk properties of concentrated solutions of ammonium nitrate
Authors: Mosallanejad Sara , Oluwoye Ibukun , Altarawneh Mohammednoor , Gore Jeff , Dlugogorski Bogdan Z.
Published: November 2020

Predictions of surface tension of concentrated solutions of ammonium nitrate from first principles yield data suitable for industrial applications.
Designing new SRP density functionals including non-local vdW-DF2 correlation for H2 + Cu(111) and their transferability to H2 + Ag(111), Au(111) and Pt(111)
Authors: Smeets Egidius W. F. , Kroes Geert-Jan
Published: November 2020

Non-local correlation is a key ingredient for a chemically accurate description of hydrogen interacting with transition metal surfaces.
The individual role of active sites in bimetallic oxygen evolution reaction catalysts
Authors: Wang Guan-Bo , Hsu Chia-Shuo , Chen Hao Ming
Published: November 2020

The family of bimetallic oxides, chalcogenides, and pnictides is regarded as a promising and cost-effective oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst compared to noble metals.
A dual-excited and dual near-infrared emission phosphor Mg14Ge5O24:Cr3+,Cr4+ with a super broad band for biological detection
Authors: Wang Xuejiao , Wang Zhijun , Zheng Mingjie , Cui Jia , Yao Yao  , Cao Lingwei , Zhang Mengya , Yang Zhibin , Suo Hao , Li Panlai
Published: November 2020

Broadband near infrared phosphors with selective excitation and selective emission for biological detection.
An oxygen-blocking oriented multifunctional solid–electrolyte interphase as a protective layer for a lithium metal anode in lithium–oxygen batteries
Authors: Lin Xiao-Dong , Gu Yu , Shen Xiao-Ru , Wang Wei-Wei , Hong Yu-Hao , Wu Qi-Hui , Zhou Zhi-You , Wu De-Yin , Chang Jeng-Kuei , Zheng Ming-Sen , Mao Bing-Wei , Dong Quan-Feng
Published: November 2020

A smooth multilayer-structured solid–electrolyte interphase with oxygen-blocking function is constructed and employed as a protective layer for the lithium metal anode in lithium–oxygen batteries.
Complementary colloid and collector nanoscale heterogeneity explains microparticle retention under unfavorable conditions
Authors: Ron Cesar A. , Johnson William P.
Published: November 2020

By incorporating discrete representative nanoscale heterogeneity (DRNH) on simulated surfaces, we constrained the scales and prevalence of nanoscale heterogeneity relevant to particle transport and retention in environmental granular media.
The role of yoghurt consumption in the management of type II diabetes
Authors: Yanni Amalia E. , Kartsioti Kleio , Karathanos Vaios T.
Published: November 2020

Enrichment of yoghurt with specific ingrdients beneficially affects the management of Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DMII).
Molecular H2O promoted catalytic bicarbonate reduction with methanol into formate over Pd0.5Cu0.5/C under mild hydrothermal conditions
Authors: Wang Xiaoguang , Yang Yang , Zhong Heng , Wang Tianfu , Cheng Jiong , Jin Fangming
Published: November 2020

Molecular water promoted co-conversion of bicarbonate and methanol into formate over a Pd–Cu catalyst: a H2-free approach for bicarbonate reduction.
Synthesis and properties of a bio-based PVC plasticizer derived from lactic acid
Authors: Gao Wei , Jiang Pingping , Gu Qian , Zhang Hong , Zhang Pingbo , Haryono Agus
Published: November 2020

A green plasticizer ALHD is synthesized from the corn fermentation product, lactic acid, which is non-toxic and renewable.
Solubility predictions through LSBoost for supercritical carbon dioxide in ionic liquids
Authors: Zhang Yun , Xu Xiaojie
Published: November 2020

The LSBoost model is developed to predict the solubility of supercritical carbon dioxide in 24 ionic liquids by using critical properties and biphasic system parameters as descriptors. The model is highly accurate and stable.
Synthetic methods for compounds containing fluoro-lactam units
Authors: Wang Xin , Lei Jia , Li Guofeng , Meng Jianping , Li Chen , Li Jiazhu , Sun Kai
Published: November 2020

This review highlights recent progress in the construction of fluorinated lactams, including fluoro-β-lactams, fluoro-γ-lactams, and fluoro-δ-lactams, with an emphasis on the scopes, limitations and mechanisms of these different reactions.
Transparent silphenylene elastomers from highly branched monomers
Authors: Liang Shuai , Wong Michael Yin , Schneider Alyssa , Liao Mengchen , Kräuter Gertrud , Tchoul Maxim N. , Chen Yang , Brook Michael A.
Published: November 2020

Catalyst free crosslinking of highly branched silphenylene monomers, made using the Piers–Rubinsztajn reaction, leads to high refractive index, soft elastomers.
Direct synthesis of light-emitting triblock copolymers from RAFT polymerization
Authors: Ribeiro Anielen H. , Haven Joris , Buckinx Axel-Laurenz , Beuchel Michelle , Philipps Kai , Junkers Tanja , Michels Jasper J.
Published: November 2020

We introduce a straightforward and clean method to synthesize semiconducting triblockcopolymers (tri-BCPs) using RAFT polymerization.
Recent advances of covalent organic frameworks in lithium ion batteries
Authors: Tong Yifan , Wang Xuehan , Zhang Yi , Huang Weiwei
Published: November 2020

This review divides the active sites of COFs into four categories: carbonyl, phenyl, imine bonds and other groups, and introduces their applications in LIBs.
Resistance state evolution under constant electric stress on a MoS2 non-volatile resistive switching device
Authors: Wu Xiaohan , Ge Ruijing , Huang Yifu , Akinwande Deji , Lee Jack C.
Published: November 2020

Constant voltage and current stress were applied on MoS2 resistive switching devices, showing unique behaviors explained by a modified conductive-bridge-like model.
Reduction of Au3+ to distinctive Au-based materials by amphiphilic sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate
Authors: Hsu Yao-Tsung , Chen Hung-Fei , Lin Wei-Jhih , Chang Jungshan , Mai Fu-Der
Published: November 2020

Au3+ is reduced by amphiphilic sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate to produce distinctive Au-based materials including size-controllable AuNPs, AuNCs and AuNPs/graphene composite.
Nano-hydroxyapatite/polyaniline composite as an efficient sorbent for sensitive determination of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in air by a needle trap device
Authors: Alinaghi Langari Ali Akbar , Alizadeh Saber , Soury Shiva , Firoozichahak Ali , Nematollahi Davood , Alizadeh Parsa Mohammad , Sanaei Nasim
Published: November 2020

Nano-HA/PANI was used in NTDs as a solvent less method and reuse several times.
Effect of morphology and impact of the electrode/electrolyte interface on the PEC response of Fe2O3 based systems – comparison of two preparation techniques
Authors: Asha Kumari , Satsangi Vibha Rani , Shrivastav Rohit , Kant Rama , Dass Sahab
Published: November 2020

Schematic representation of comparative morphological studies conducted on Fe2O3 based systems at different pHs.
A monomolecular platform with varying gated photochromism
Authors: Li Yuezheng , Chen Xuanying , Weng Taoyu , Yang Jufang , Zhao Chunrui , Wu Bin , Zhang Man , Zhu Liangliang , Zou Qi
Published: November 2020

A strategy to realize varying degrees of gated photochromic properties by coordinating with different metal ions within one unimolecular system was devised to achieve the construction of a logic circuit for multi-functional molecular switching.