bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The history and advances in cancer immunotherapy: understanding the characteristics of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and their therapeutic implications
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhang Zemin
Published: July 2020

Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment and rejuvenated the field of tumor immunology. Several types of immunotherapy, including adoptive cell transfer (ACT) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), have obtained durable clinical responses, but their efficacies vary, and only subsets of cancer patients can benefit from them. Immune infiltrates in the tumor microenvironment (TME) have been shown to play a key role in tumor development and will affect the clinical outcomes of cancer patients. Comprehensive profiling of tumor-infiltrating immune cells would shed light on the mechanisms of cancer–immune evasion, thus providing opportunities for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. However, the highly heterogeneous and dynamic nature of the TME impedes the precise dissection of intratumoral immune cells. With recent advances in single-cell technologies such as single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and mass cytometry, systematic interrogation of the TME is feasible and will provide insights into the functional diversities of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. In this review, we outline the recent progress in cancer immunotherapy, particularly by focusing on landmark studies and the recent single-cell characterization of tumor-associated immune cells, and we summarize the phenotypic diversities of intratumoral immune cells and their connections with cancer immunotherapy. We believe such a review could strengthen our understanding of the progress in cancer immunotherapy, facilitate the elucidation of immune cell modulation in tumor progression, and thus guide the development of novel immunotherapies for cancer treatment.
Root exudate composition of grass and forb species in natural grasslands
Authors: Dietz Sophie , Herz Katharina , Gorzolka Karin , Jandt Ute , Bruelheide Helge , Scheel Dierk
Published: July 2020

Plants exude a diverse cocktail of metabolites into the soil as response to exogenous and endogenous factors. So far, root exudates have mainly been studied under artificial conditions due to methodological difficulties. In this study, each five perennial grass and forb species were investigated for polar and semi-polar metabolites in exudates under field conditions. Metabolite collection and untargeted profiling approaches combined with a novel classification method allowed the designation of 182 metabolites. The composition of exuded polar metabolites depended mainly on the local environment, especially soil conditions, whereas the pattern of semi-polar metabolites was primarily affected by the species identity. The profiles of both polar and semi-polar metabolites differed between growth forms, with grass species being generally more similar to each other and more responsive to the abiotic environment than forb species. This study demonstrated the feasibility of investigating exudates under field conditions and to identify the driving factors of exudate composition.
Optimal Gestational Weight Gain for Tibetans Based on Prepregnancy Body Mass Index
Authors: Chen Dajie , Zhou Xianxian , Yan Shijiao , Li Wenzhen , Yang Xueyi , Lv Chuanzhu , Lu Zuxun
Published: July 2020

We aimed to estimate the optimal gestational weight gain (GWG) in Tibetan women and to evaluate the appropriateness of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) GWG recommendations for Tibetan women. We analyzed data from 1474 Tibetan women from a cross-sectional study conducted in 2019. According to the three different body mass index (BMI) classification criteria (WHO BMI categories, WHO Asian BMI categories, Chinese BMI categories), we estimated the association of GWG with pregnancy outcomes (neonate birthweight and mode of delivery) using a polynomial regression model, and the optimal GWG in each BMI group was calculated. The risk of adverse outcomes showed a U-shaped curve with increasing GWG. The optimal GWG of Tibetan women based on the WHO BMI categories was 17.2 kg (range, 13.3 to 20.9 kg) for underweight, 9.3 kg (5.8 to 12.9 kg) for normal weight, and 5.2 kg (1.3 to 9.1 kg) for overweight. Underweight Tibetan mothers may gain more gestational weight than recommend by the IOM guidelines. However, normal weight Tibetan mothers are likely to benefit from gaining less weight than that recommended by the IOM. The GWG recommendations based on the IOM guidelines might not be appropriate for Tibetan women, and ethnicity-specific recommendations for GWG should be properly addressed.
FMRP Regulates the Nuclear Export of Adam9 and Psen1 mRNAs: Secondary Analysis of an N6-Methyladenosine Dataset
Authors: Westmark Cara J. , Maloney Bryan , Alisch Reid S. , Sokol Deborah K. , Lahiri Debomoy K.
Published: July 2020

Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) binds to and regulates the translation of amyloid-β protein precursor (App) mRNA, but the detailed mechanism remains to be determined. Differential methylation of App mRNA could underlie FMRP binding, message localization and translation efficiency. We sought to determine the role of FMRP and N6-methyladeonsine (m6A) on nuclear export of App mRNA. We utilized the m6A dataset by Hsu and colleagues to identify m6A sites in App mRNA and to determine if the abundance of message in the cytoplasm relative to the nucleus is altered in Fmr1 knockout mouse brain cortex. Given that processing of APP to Aβ and soluble APP alpha (sAPPα) contributes to disease phenotypes, we also investigated whether Fmr1KO associates with nuclear export of the mRNAs for APP protein processing enzymes, including β-site amyloid cleaving enzyme (Bace1), A disintegrin and metalloproteinases (Adams), and presenilins (Psen). Fmr1KO did not alter the nuclear/cytoplasmic abundance of App mRNA. Of 36 validated FMRP targets, 35 messages contained m6A peaks but only Agap2 mRNA was selectively enriched in Fmr1KO nucleus. The abundance of the APP processing enzymes Adam9 and Psen1 mRNA, which code for a minor alpha-secretase and gamma-secretase, respectively, were selectively enriched in wild type cytoplasm.
Comparison of uric acid reduction and renal outcomes of febuxostat vs allopurinol in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Peng Yueh-Lung , Tain You-Lin , Lee Chien-Te , Yang Yi-Hsn , Huang Yaw-Bin , Wen Yen-Hsia , Hsu Chien-Ning
Published: July 2020

Whether the clinical trial treatment effect of urate-lowering therapy (ULT) in patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is generalizable to real-word settings is unclear. This study aimed to compare febuxostat with allopurinol for uric acid reduction and renal protection in patients with CKD. Adult CKD patients newly treated with ULT were identified using electronic health records from 2010 to 2015 from a large healthcare delivery system in Taiwan. Patients with renal replacement therapy or undergoing ULT for <3 months were excluded. Propensity score–matched cohort study design was conducted to compare outcomes between patients initiated with febuxostat or allopurinol therapy. Cox regression analyses were employed to compare the adjusted hazards ratio (aHR) of incident event of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 30% decrease, and the difference in longitudinal changes in serum uric acid (SUA) and eGFR between groups was analyzed using linear mixed model. Overall, 1050 CKD patients who initiated febuxostat (n = 525) or allopurinol (n = 525) treatment were observed for 2.5 years. Compared with allopurinol, febuxostat use was associated with higher rate of patients maintaining SUA target <6 mg/dL in >80% of follow-up time with a reduction in mean SUA change. There were no significant differences in the mean eGFR changes over time between the febuxostat and allopurinol groups or in the risk of eGFR decline ≥30% of baseline. Febuxostat was associated with greater reduction in SUA level than allopurinol in patients with CKD. However, febuxostat and allopurinol showed no difference in renal function changes during study follow-up. These findings require further investigation with long-term follow up in CKD patients with hyperuricemia.
The p.P888L SAP97 polymorphism increases the transient outward current (Ito,f) and abbreviates the action potential duration and the QT interval
Authors: Tinaquero David , Crespo-García Teresa , Utrilla Raquel G. , Nieto-Marín Paloma , González-Guerra Andrés , Rubio-Alarcón Marcos , Cámara-Checa Anabel , Dago María , Matamoros Marcos , Pérez-Hernández Marta , Tamargo María , Cebrián Jorge , Jalife José , Tamargo Juan , Bernal Juan Antonio , Caballero Ricardo , Delpón Eva ,   ITACA Investigators, Alonso-Martín Joaquín J. , Arribas Fernando , Atienza Felipe , Hernández-Madrid Antonio , López-Sendón José Luis , Pérez-Villacastín Julián , Toquero Jorge
Published: July 2020

Synapse-Associated Protein 97 (SAP97) is an anchoring protein that in cardiomyocytes targets to the membrane and regulates Na+ and K+ channels. Here we compared the electrophysiological effects of native (WT) and p.P888L SAP97, a common polymorphism. Currents were recorded in cardiomyocytes from mice trans-expressing human WT or p.P888L SAP97 and in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-transfected cells. The duration of the action potentials and the QT interval were significantly shorter in p.P888L-SAP97 than in WT-SAP97 mice. Compared to WT, p.P888L SAP97 significantly increased the charge of the Ca-independent transient outward (Ito,f) current in cardiomyocytes and the charge crossing Kv4.3 channels in CHO cells by slowing Kv4.3 inactivation kinetics. Silencing or inhibiting Ca/calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) abolished the p.P888L-induced Kv4.3 charge increase, which was also precluded in channels (p.S550A Kv4.3) in which the CaMKII-phosphorylation is prevented. Computational protein-protein docking predicted that p.P888L SAP97 is more likely to form a complex with CaMKII than WT. The Na+ current and the current generated by Kv1.5 channels increased similarly in WT-SAP97 and p.P888L-SAP97 cardiomyocytes, while the inward rectifier current increased in WT-SAP97 but not in p.P888L-SAP97 cardiomyocytes. The p.P888L SAP97 polymorphism increases the Ito,f, a CaMKII-dependent effect that may increase the risk of arrhythmias.
Reliability and Influence on Decision Making of fully-automated vs. semi-automated Software Packages for Procedural Planning in TAVI
Authors: Meyer Alexander , Kofler Markus , Montagner Matteo , Unbehaun Axel , Sündermann Simon , Buz Semih , Klein Christoph , Stamm Christof , Solowjowa Natalia , Emmert Maximilian Y. , Falk Volkmar , Kempfert Jörg
Published: July 2020

Precise procedural planning is crucial to achieve excellent results in patients undergoing Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The aim of this study was to compare the semi-automated 3mensio (3 m) software to the fully-automated HeartNavigator3 (HN) software. We randomly selected 100 patients from our in-house TAVI-registry and compared aortic annulus and perimeter as well as coronary distances between 3m-measurements and post-hoc HN-measurements. Finally, we retrospectively simulated prosthesis choice based on HN-measurements and analyzed the differences compared to routinely used 3 m based strategy. We observed significant differences between the two software packages regarding area (3 m 464 ± 88 mm², HN 482 ± 96 mm², p < 0.001), perimeter (3 m 77 ± 7 mm, HN 79 ± 8 mm, p < 0.001) and coronary distances (LCA: 3 m 13 ± 3 mm, HN 12 ± 3 mm, p < 0.001; RCA: 3 m 16 ± 3 mm, HN 15 ± 3 mm, p < 0.001). Prosthesis choice simulation based on newly obtained HN-measurements would have led to a decision change in 18% of patients, with a further reduction to 4% following manual adjustment of HN-measurements. The fully-automatic HN-software provides higher values for annular metrics and lower annulus-to-coronary-ostia distances compared to 3m-software. Measurement differences did not influence clinical outcome. Both, the HN-software and the 3m-software are sophisticated, reliable and easy to use for the clinician. Manual adjustment of HN-measurements may increase precision in complex aortic annulus anatomy.
Electricity generation from food wastes and spent animal beddings with nutrients recirculation in catalytic fuel cell
Authors: Dahunsi S. O.
Published: July 2020

A biochemical system was used for electricity generation from food waste (FW) and spent animal beddings (SAB). The wastes were blended and fermented anaerobically to produce fermentation liquids used as fuels for running a catalytic fuel cell. The fermentation liquids were analyzed for their components. The results show the organic contents i.e. volatile solids of both FW and SAB to be 23.4 and 20.9 g/L while the carbon contents were 6.5 and 6.1 g/L respectively. The media were however very rich in volatile fatty acids (VFAs). When used, the fermentation liquids from FW and SAB generated mean open-circuit voltages of 0.64 and 0.53 V and mean maximum power densities (Pmean) of 1.6 and 1.3 mW/cm2 respectively. The fuel cell showed very high efficiency in the conversion of all VFAs especially butyric acid with the highest been 97% for FW and 96% for SAB.
Increasing level of liquid pig manure reduces Eisenia andrei and Enchytraeus crypticus reproduction in subtropical soils
Authors: Segat Julia Corá , Sousa José Paulo , Baretta Dilmar , Klauberg-Filho Osmar
Published: July 2020

Wastes generated in pig production are widely used as agricultural fertilizers. Nevertheless, such form of disposal supplies large amounts of waste in soils annually and can cause environmental pollution. The ecological risk of this practice to soil organisms has received little attention. Ecotoxicological tests are used to evaluate the toxicity of contaminants added to the soil biota. The aimed to evaluate the effect of liquid pig manure (LPM) on the reproduction of Eisenia andrei and Enchytraeus crypticus when applied in natural soils. LPM doses caused effects on earthworm reproduction in both soils, with EC50 of 112 and 150 m3 ha−1 in the Entisol and Nitosol, respectively. On enchytraeids, LPM had bigger effects, leading to EC50 of 17.7 and 45.0 m3 ha−1 in the Entisol and Nitosol, respectively. The results emphasize the importance to consider the ecological risks of LPM of conducting studies with natural soils and edaphic fauna as indicators.
Modeling, state estimation, and optimal control for the US COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Tsay Calvin , Lejarza Fernando , Stadtherr Mark A. , Baldea Michael
Published: July 2020

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and resulting COVID-19 disease have had an unprecedented spread and continue to cause an increasing number of fatalities worldwide. While vaccines are still under development, social distancing, extensive testing, and quarantining of confirmed infected subjects remain the most effective measures to contain the pandemic. These measures carry a significant socioeconomic cost. In this work, we introduce a novel optimization-based decision-making framework for managing the COVID-19 outbreak in the US. This includes modeling the dynamics of affected populations, estimating the model parameters and hidden states from data, and an optimal control strategy for sequencing social distancing and testing events such that the number of infections is minimized. The analysis of our extensive computational efforts reveals that social distancing and quarantining are most effective when implemented early, with quarantining of confirmed infected subjects having a much higher impact. Further, we find that “on-off” policies alternating between strict social distancing and relaxing such restrictions can be effective at “flattening” the curve while likely minimizing social and economic cost.
Modulation of acoustic navigation behaviour by spatial learning in the echolocating bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum nippon
Authors: Yamada Yasufumi , Mibe Yurina , Yamamoto Yuya , Ito Kentaro , Heim Olga , Hiryu Shizuko
Published: July 2020

Using echolocation, bats receive acoustic information on their surroundings, which is assumed to help them sophisticatedly navigate complex environments. In this study, to understand spatial learning and acoustic sensing in bats, we investigated how flight and echolocation control changed in Rhinolophus ferrumequinum nippon as they learnt about their surroundings in an obstacle course that they flew through repeatedly. In these experiments, two testing environments (acoustically permeable and acoustically reflective) were prepared using chains and acrylic boards as obstacles to evaluate the interactive effects of spatial learning and flight environments. We found that bats reduced the meandering width of their flights and pulse emissions, and also seemed to reduce their shifts in pulse direction as they learnt more about their environments in both conditions. Throughout all our experiments, the bats with slower flight speeds tended to emit more pulses, which suggests that the number of pulse emissions reflects the echolocation tactics of each bat. The maximum flight speed was especially increased in the acoustically permeable condition, with frequent emissions of multiple pulses (≧triplets) in the early stages of flight, suggesting that bats adjust their flight plan based on how much of their surroundings they are able to sense in advance.
Global analysis of protein degradation in prion infected cells
Authors: Hutti Charles R. , Welle Kevin A. , Hryhorenko Jennifer R. , Ghaemmaghami Sina
Published: July 2020

Prion diseases are rare, neurological disorders caused by the misfolding of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into cytotoxic fibrils (PrPSc). Intracellular PrPScaggregates primarily accumulate within late endosomes and lysosomes, organelles that participate in the degradation and turnover of a large subset of the proteome. Thus, intracellular accumulation of PrPScaggregates has the potential to globally influence protein degradation kinetics within an infected cell. We analyzed the proteome-wide effect of prion infection on protein degradation rates in N2a neuroblastoma cells by dynamic stable isotopic labeling with amino acids in cell culture (dSILAC) and bottom-up proteomics. The analysis quantified the degradation rates of more than 4,700 proteins in prion infected and uninfected cells. As expected, the degradation rate of the prion protein is significantly decreased upon aggregation in infected cells. In contrast, the degradation kinetics of the remainder of the N2a proteome generally increases upon prion infection. This effect occurs concurrently with increases in the cellular activities of autophagy and some lysosomal hydrolases. The resulting enhancement in proteome flux may play a role in the survival of N2a cells upon prion infection.
Positive effects of grasping virtual objects on memory for novel words in a second language
Authors: Macedonia M. , Lehner A. E. , Repetto C.
Published: July 2020

Theories of embodied cognition describe language processing and representation as inherently connected to the sensorimotor experiences collected during acquisition. While children grasp their world, collect bodily experiences and name them, in second language (L2), students learn bilingual word lists. Experimental evidence shows that embodiment by mean of gestures enhances memory for words in L2. However, no study has been conducted on the effects of grasping in L2. In a virtual scenario, we trained 46 participants on 18 two- and three-syllabic words of Vimmi, an artificial corpus created for experimental purposes. The words were assigned concrete meanings of graspable objects. Six words were learned audio-visually, by reading the words projected on the wall and by hearing them. Another 6 words were trained by observation of virtual objects. Another 6 words were learned by observation and additional grasping the virtual objects. Thereafter participants were subministered free, cued recall, and reaction time tests in order to assess the word retention and the word recognition. After 30 days, the recall tests were repeated remotely to assess the memory in the long term. The results show that grasping of virtual objects can lead to superior memory performance and to lower reaction times during recognition.
Interactions of Bunias orientalis plant chemotypes and fungal pathogens with different host specificity in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Tewes Lisa Johanna , Müller Caroline
Published: July 2020

Within several plant species, a high variation in the composition of particular defence metabolites can be found, forming distinct chemotypes. Such chemotypes show different effects on specialist and generalist plant enemies, whereby studies examining interactions with pathogens are underrepresented. We aimed to determine factors mediating the interaction of two chemotypes ofBunias orientalis(Brassicaceae) with two plant pathogenic fungal species of different host range,Alternaria brassicae(narrow host range = specialist) andBotrytis cinerea(broad host-range = generalist) using a combination of controlled bioassays.We found that the specialist, but not the generalist, was sensitive to differences between plant chemotypes in vivo and in vitro. The specialist fungus was more virulent (measured as leaf water loss) on one chemotype in vivo without differing in biomass produced during infection, while extracts from the same chemotype caused strong growth inhibition in that species in vitro. Furthermore, fractions of extracts fromB. orientalishad divergent in vitro effects on the specialist versus the generalist, supporting presumed adaptations to certain compound classes. This study underlines the necessity to combine various experimental approaches to elucidate the complex interplay between plants and different pathogens.
The major effects of health-related quality of life on 5-year survival prediction among lung cancer survivors: applications of machine learning
Authors: Sim Jin-ah , Kim Young Ae , Kim Ju Han , Lee Jong Mog , Kim Moon Soo , Shim Young Mog , Zo Jae Ill , Yun Young Ho
Published: July 2020

The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the major roles of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a 5-year lung cancer survival prediction model using machine learning techniques (MLTs). The predictive performances of the models were compared with data from 809 survivors who underwent lung cancer surgery. Each of the modeling technique was applied to two feature sets: feature set 1 included clinical and sociodemographic variables, and feature set 2 added HRQOL factors to the variables from feature set 1. One of each developed prediction model was trained with the decision tree (DT), logistic regression (LR), bagging, random forest (RF), and adaptive boosting (AdaBoost) methods, and then, the best algorithm for modeling was determined. The models’ performances were compared using fivefold cross-validation. For feature set 1, there were no significant differences in model accuracies (ranging from 0.647 to 0.713). Among the models in feature set 2, the AdaBoost and RF models outperformed the other prognostic models [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.850, 0.898, 0.981, 0.966, and 0.949 for the DT, LR, bagging, RF and AdaBoost models, respectively] in the test set. Overall, 5-year disease-free lung cancer survival prediction models with MLTs that included HRQOL as well as clinical variables improved predictive performance.
Expression and localisation of Rab44 in immune-related cells change during cell differentiation and stimulation
Authors: Tokuhisa Mitsuko , Kadowaki Tomoko , Ogawa Kohei , Yamaguchi Yu , Kido Mizuho A. , Gao Weiqi , Umeda Masahiro , Tsukuba Takayuki
Published: July 2020

Rab44 is a large Rab GTPase that contains a Rab-GTPase domain and some additional domains, such as EF-hand and coiled-coil domains at the N-terminus. Our previous study showed that Rab44 negatively regulates osteoclast differentiation by modulating intracellular calcium levels; however, aside from those findings, there is little information concerning Rab44 on other cells or tissues. In this study, we showed that Rab44 was highly expressed in bone marrow cells among various mouse tissues. Immunohistochemical studies indicated that Rab44 was detectable by only a small number of cells in the immune-related tissues and that Rab44 was partially detected in CD117-positive cells, but not in Stem cell antigen 1-positive cells in the bone marrow. Rab44 expression levels were decreased during differentiation of immune-related cells, such as neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells compared with bone marrow cells. Although endogenous Rab44 in macrophages was localised in lysosomes, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation led to partial translocation to early endosomes and the plasma membrane. Moreover, Rab44 expression levels were altered by treatment with various immunomodulators, including LPS. These results indicate that Rab44 expression and localisation in bone marrow cells and macrophages alters with cell differentiation and stimulation.
The effect of a diet based on rice straw co-fermented with probiotics and enzymes versus a fresh corn Stover-based diet on the rumen bacterial community and metabolites of beef cattle
Authors: Hu Yongqiang , He Yuyong , Gao Shan , Liao Zhiqiang , Lai Tao , Zhou Haimei , Chen Qianlin , Li Lingyu , Gao Haijun , Lu Wei
Published: July 2020

Improvement of the food value of rice straw is urgently required in rice crop growing areas to mitigate pollution caused by rice straw burning and enhance the supply of high-quality forages for ruminants. The aims of the present study were to compare the effects of fresh corn Stover and rice straw co-fermented with probiotics and enzymes on rumen fermentation and establish the feasibility of increasing the rice straw content in ruminant diets and, by extension, reducing air pollution caused by burning rice straw. Twenty Simmental hybrid beef cattle were randomly allotted to two groups with ten cattle per group. They were fed diets based either on rice straw co-fermented with probiotics and enzymes or fresh corn Stover for 90 days. Rumen fluid was sampled with an esophageal tube vacuum pump device from each animal on the mornings of days 30, 60, and 90. Bacterial diversity was evaluated by sequencing the V4–V5 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Metabolomes were analyzed by gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC–TOF/MS). Compared to cattle fed fresh corn Stover, those fed rice straw co-fermented with probiotics and enzymes had higher (P < 0.05) levels of acetic acid and propionate in rumen liquid at d 60 and d 90 respectively, higher (P < 0.05) abundances of the phyla Bacteroidetes and Fibrobacteres and the generaRuminococcus,Saccharofermentans,Pseudobutyrivibrio,Treponema,Lachnoclostridium, andRuminobacter, and higher (P < 0.05) concentrations of metabolites involved in metabolisms of amino acid, carbohydrate, and cofactors and vitamins. Relative to fresh corn Stover, rice straw co-fermented with probiotics and enzymes resulted in higher VFA concentrations, numbers of complex carbohydrate-decomposing and H2-utilizing bacteria, and feed energy conversion efficiency in the rumen.
No evidence for a relationship between social closeness and similarity in resting-state functional brain connectivity in schoolchildren
Authors: McNabb Carolyn Beth , Burgess Laura Grace , Fancourt Amy , Mulligan Nancy , FitzGibbon Lily , Riddell Patricia , Murayama Kou
Published: July 2020

Previous research suggests that the proximity of individuals in a social network predicts how similarly their brains respond to naturalistic stimuli. However, the relationship between social connectedness and brain connectivity in the absence of external stimuli has not been examined. To investigate whether neural homophily between friends exists at rest we collected resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from 68 school-aged girls, along with social network information from all pupils in their year groups (total 5,066 social dyads). Participants were asked to rate the amount of time they voluntarily spent with each person in their year group, and directed social network matrices and community structure were then determined from these data. No statistically significant relationships between social distance, community homogeneity and similarity of global-level resting-state connectivity were observed. Nor were we able to predict social distance using a regularised regression technique (i.e. elastic net regression based on the local-level similarities in resting-state whole-brain connectivity between participants). Although neural homophily between friends exists when viewing naturalistic stimuli, this finding did not extend to functional connectivity at rest in our population. Instead, resting-state connectivity may be less susceptible to the influences of a person's social environment.
The pervasiveness and policy consequences of medical folk wisdom in the U.S.
Authors: Motta Matthew , Callaghan Timothy
Published: July 2020

Medical folk wisdom (MFW) refers to widely held, but factually inaccurate, beliefs about disease, immunity, pregnancy, and other medically-relevant topics. Examples include the idea that fasting when feverish (“starving a fever”) can increase the pace of recovery, or that showering after sex can prevent pregnancy. The pervasiveness of MFW, and whether or not it—like other forms of medically-relevant misinformation—shapes Americans’ health behaviors and policy preferences is an important and under-studied question. We begin this research by proposing and validating a novel measure of MFW; including a short-form scale suitable for administration in public opinion surveys. We find that nearly all Americans—irrespective of socio-economic status, political orientation, and educational background—endorse at least some aspects of MFW. Concerningly, and consistent with the idea that folk wisdom challenges scientific expertise, we additionally find that those highest in MFW tend to place less value on medical expertise and the role experts play in shaping health policy. However, this skepticism does not appear to translate to peoples’ health actions, as MFW appears to have an inconsistent effect on public participation in healthy behaviors.
Electroacupuncture at Zusanli and at Neiguan characterized point specificity in the brain by metabolomic analysis
Authors: Lee Der-Yen , Jiu Yu-Rung , Hsieh Ching-Liang
Published: July 2020

Different point stimulations can induce brain activity in specific regions, and however whether these stimulations affect unique neurotransmitter transmission remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of point specificity to the brain by resolving the metabolite profiles. Eighteen Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: (1) the sham group: sham acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) without electric stimulation; (2) the Zusanli (ST36) group: electroacupuncture (EA) at ST36; and (3) the Neiguan (PC6) group: EA at PC6. Then, the metabolites from rat brain samples were measured by LC–ESI–MS. The results of a partial least squares discriminant analysis revealed the differences among the sham, ST36, and PC6 groups regarding the relative content of metabolites in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus. EA at PC6 resulted in downregulation of adenosine, adrenaline, γ-aminobutyric acid, glycine, and glutamate majorly in hippocampus, and then in cerebral cortex. Otherwise, EA at ST6 resulted in upregulation of adrenaline and arginine in hippocampus, and all stimulations showed barely change of identified neurotransmitters in hypothalamus. These differential metabolite and neurotransmitter profiles prove that brain areas can be modulated by point specificity and may provide a maneuver to understand more details of meridian.
Demonstration of a pseudo-magnetization based simultaneous write and read operation in a Co60Fe20B20/Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.7Ti0.3O3 heterostructure
Authors: Shen Tingting , Ostwal Vaibhav , Camsari Kerem Y. , Appenzeller Joerg
Published: July 2020

Taking advantage of the magnetoelectric and its inverse effect, this article demonstrates strain-mediated magnetoelectric write and read operations simultaneously in Co60Fe20B20/Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.7Ti0.3O3 heterostructures based on a pseudo-magnetization µ ≡ mx2 − my2. By applying an external DC-voltage across a (011)-cut PMN-PT substrate, the ferroelectric polarization is re-oriented, which results in an anisotropic in-plane strain that transfers to the CoFeB thin film and changes its magnetic anisotropy Hk. The change in Hk in-turn results in a 90° rotation of the magnetic easy axis for sufficiently high voltages. Simultaneously, the inverse effect is employed to read changes of the magnetic properties. The change of magnetization in ferromagnetic (FM) layer induces an elastic stress in the piezoelectric (PE) layer, which generates a PE potential that can be used to readout the magnetic state of the FM layer. The experimental results are in excellent qualitative agreement with an equivalent circuit model that considers how magnetic properties are electrically controlled in such a PE/FM heterostructure and how a back-voltage is generated due to changing magnetic properties in a self-consistent model. We demonstrated that a change of easy axis of magnetization due to an applied voltage can be directly used for information processing, which is essential for future ME based devices.
Technological characterization of gold jewellery from the Sogdian tomb of Shi Jun (d. 579 CE) in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province
Authors: Tan Panpan , Yang Junchang , Liu Yan , Zheng Yaozheng , Yang Junkai
Published: July 2020

Northern dynasties (386–581 CE) of China witnessed extensive cultural contacts with the outside world. Several gold objects of this period indicate multiple culture influences. However, very few of them were testified by metallurgic analysis. The gold jewellery including a finger ring and an earring with exotic features were uncovered from the joint elite Sogdian tomb of Shi Jun and his wife of the Northern Zhou dynasty (557–581 CE) in Xi'an. The current study applied multiple non-destructive analyses to investigate the decorative techniques and materials of the two objects. The results showed that both ornaments were made of refined gold. Autogenous welding and brazing were employed for joining the granules of the earring, indicating different technical choices. More interestingly, niello made of silver sulfide was identified as an innovative technology to decorate the finger ring, presenting the earliest evidence of niello inlay in ancient China. It is noteworthy that powders of silver and sulfur were applied separately, deferring from the traditional method of silver sulfide being synthesised prior to being used. These findings help us gain insights into understanding the technical features of early Medieval gold jewellery, as well as the goldsmith’s methods and intentions.
miRNAs involved in transcriptome remodeling during pollen development and heat stress response in Solanum lycopersicum
Authors: Keller Mario , Schleiff Enrico , Simm Stefan
Published: July 2020

Cellular transitions during development and stress response depend on coordinated transcriptomic and proteomic alterations. Pollen is particular because its development is a complex process that includes meiotic and mitotic divisions which causes a high heat sensitivity of these cells. Development and stress response are accompanied by a reprogramming of the transcriptome, e.g. by post-transcriptional regulation via miRNAs. We identified known and potentially novel miRNAs in the transcriptome of developing and heat-stressed pollen of Solanum lycopersicum (tomato). The prediction of target mRNAs yielded an equal number of predicted target-sites in CDS and 3′UTR regions of target mRNAs. The result enabled the postulation of a possible link between miRNAs and a fine-tuning of transcription factor abundance during pollen development. miRNAs seem to play a role in the pollen heat stress response as well. We identified several heat stress transcription factors and heat shock proteins as putative targets of miRNAs in response to heat stress, thereby placing these miRNAs as important elements of thermotolerance. Moreover, for members of the AP2, SBP and ARF family members we could predict a miRNA-mediated regulation during development via the miR172, mir156 and mir160-family strengthening the current concept of a cross-connection between development and stress response in plants.
Molecular dissection of CRC primary tumors and their matched liver metastases reveals critical role of immune microenvironment, EMT and angiogenesis in cancer metastasis
Authors: Liu Jiangang , Cho Yong Beom , Hong Hye Kyung , Wu Song , Ebert Philip J. , Bray Steven M. , Wong Swee Seong , Ting Jason C. , Calley John N. , Whittington Catherine F. , Bhagwat Shripad V. , Reinhard Christoph , Wild Robert , Nam Do-Hyun , Aggarwal Amit , Lee Woo Yong , Peng Sheng-Bin
Published: July 2020

Metastasis is the primary cause of cancer mortality. The primary tumors of colorectal cancer (CRC) often metastasize to the liver. In this study, we have collected 122 samples from 45 CRC patients. Among them, 32 patients have primary tumors, adjacent normal tissues, and matched liver metastases. Thirteen patients have primary tumors without distant metastasis and matched normal tissues. Characterization of these samples was conducted by whole-exome and RNA sequencing and SNP6.0 analysis. Our results revealed no significant difference in genetic alterations including common oncogenic mutations, whole genome mutations and copy number variations between primary and metastatic tumors. We then assembled gene co-expression networks and identified metastasis-correlated gene networks of immune-suppression, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis as the key events and potentially synergistic drivers associated with CRC metastasis. Further independent cohort validation using published datasets has verified that these specific gene networks are up regulated throughout the tumor progression. The gene networks of EMT, angiogenesis, immune-suppression and T cell exhaustion are closely correlated with the poor patient outcome and intrinsic anti-PD-1 resistance. These results offer insights of combinational strategy for the treatment of metastatic CRC.
Genome-wide investigation of gene-cancer associations for the prediction of novel therapeutic targets in oncology
Authors: Bazaga Adrián , Leggate Dan , Weisser Hendrik
Published: July 2020

A major cause of failed drug discovery programs is suboptimal target selection, resulting in the development of drug candidates that are potent inhibitors, but ineffective at treating the disease. In the genomics era, the availability of large biomedical datasets with genome-wide readouts has the potential to transform target selection and validation. In this study we investigate how computational intelligence methods can be applied to predict novel therapeutic targets in oncology.
We compared different machine learning classifiers applied to the task of drug target classification for nine different human cancer types. For each cancer type, a set of “known” target genes was obtained and equally-sized sets of “non-targets” were sampled multiple times from the human protein-coding genes. Models were trained on mutation, gene expression (TCGA), and gene essentiality (DepMap) data. In addition, we generated a numerical embedding of the interaction network of protein-coding genes using deep network representation learning and included the results in the modeling. We assessed feature importance using a random forests classifier and performed feature selection based on measuring permutation importance against a null distribution. Our best models achieved good generalization performance based on the AUROC metric. With the best model for each cancer type, we ran predictions on more than 15,000 protein-coding genes to identify potential novel targets. Our results indicate that this approach may be useful to inform early stages of the drug discovery pipeline.
Utility of the simplified measurements of muscle mass in patients with gastrointestinal and chronic liver diseases
Authors: Takada Hitomi , Amemiya Fumitake , Yasumura Tomoki , Yoda Hiroki , Okuwaki Tetsuya , Tanaka Keisuke , Kadokura Makoto , Enomoto Nobuyuki
Published: July 2020

Sarcopenia is an important prognostic factor in patients with gastrointestinal and chronic liver diseases. Computed tomography and bioelectrical impedance analysis are the gold standards for measuring skeletal muscle mass for the diagnosis of decreased muscle mass, but there are some institutions where BIA and CT cannot be carried out. We evaluated the utility of simplified methods for measuring muscle mass; the psoas muscle mass index (PMI) method, simple PMI method, and arm muscle area (AMA) method. This retrospective study included 331 patients with gastrointestinal diseases and 81 patients with chronic liver diseases who were admitted from June 2018 to December 2019 at Municipal Hospital of Kofu. The skeletal muscle mass was measured using the PMI via the volume analyzer SYNAPSE VINCENT ver3.0, simple PMI based on CT imaging, and AMA method. Positive correlations were found between muscle mass measured by PMI and simple PMI, PMI and AMA, and simple PMI and AMA in patients with gastrointestinal diseases (correlation coefficients = 0.76, 0.57, 0.47, respectively, p < 0.001). Positive correlations were observed between muscle mass measured by PMI and simple PMI, PMI and AMA, and simple PMI and AMA in chronic liver diseases (correlation coefficients = 0.77, 0.53, 0.45, respectively, p < 0.001). Measurement of muscle mass by the AMA method showed some correlation with the PMI method. Measurement of muscle mass by the simple PMI method showed correlation with the PMI method. These simplified methods can be alternative methods of evaluating muscle mass in patients with gastrointestinal and chronic liver disease.
Implementing collaborative inquiry in a middle school science course
Authors: Özkanbaş Müge , Taştan Kırık Özgecan
Published: July 2020

Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL®) as a collaborative inquiry method has been widely used in teaching chemistry to high school and college students. This paper presents the impact of POGIL on 65 middle school students’ understanding about nature of matter. It is a quasi-experimental non-equivalent control group design study in which a control group taught by whole class instruction was compared to the experimental group which was taught by POGIL in the context of the “Particulate Nature of Matter (PNM) Unit” including PNM, physical and chemical change and density topics. A Nature of Matter Achievement Test was administered as both pre- and post-test. It was found that a POGIL method improved students’ achievement more than teacher-centered whole-class instruction. This study provides evidence supporting the fact that POGIL is an effective pedagogy to teach nature of matter to middle school students.
Thrombin-responsive engineered nanoexcavator with full-thickness infiltration capability for pharmaceutical-free deep venous thrombosis theranostics
Authors: Yang Anyu , Qiao Bin , Strohm Eric M. , Cao Jin , Wang Zhigang , Yuan Xun , Luo Yuanli , Sun Yang
Published: July 2020

A thrombin-responsive nano-sized liposome with an activatable liquid perfluoropentane core and two binding peptides is constructed for efficient targeting and accumulation within thrombi. Low-intensity focused ultrasound enables real-time monitoring.
Piecewise linearity, freedom from self-interaction, and a Coulomb asymptotic potential: three related yet inequivalent properties of the exact density functional
Authors: Kronik Leeor , Kümmel Stephan
Published: July 2020

Three properties of the exact energy functional of DFT are important in general and for spectroscopy in particular, but are not necessarily obeyed by approximate functionals. We explain what they are, why they are important, and how they are related yet inequivalent.
Reducing the charge overpotential of Li–O2batteries through band-alignment cathode design
Authors: Wang Youwei , Wang Junkai , Zhao Xiaolin , Qiu Wujie , Song Erhong , Zhang Wenqing , Liu Xiangfeng , Liu Jianjun
Published: July 2020

The strategy of band alignment is proposed to reduce the charge overpotential of Li–O2batteries and screen high-activity cathodes.
Recent advances in hydrothermal carbonisation: from tailored carbon materials and biochemicals to applications and bioenergy
Authors: Nicolae Sabina A. , Au Heather , Modugno Pierpaolo , Luo Hui , Szego Anthony E. , Qiao Mo , Li Liang , Yin Wang , Heeres Hero J. , Berge Nicole , Titirici Maria-Magdalena
Published: July 2020

Introduced in the literature in 1913 by Bergius, who at the time was studying biomass coalification, hydrothermal carbonisation, as many other technologies based on renewables, was forgotten during the “industrial revolution”.
Tetracoordinate borates as catalysts for reductive formylation of amines with carbon dioxide
Authors: Jiang Xiaolin , Huang Zijun , Makha Mohamed , Du Chen-Xia , Zhao Dongmei , Wang Fang , Li Yuehui
Published: July 2020

The first example of borate-catalyzed N-formylation of amines using CO2 as the carbon source in the presence of hydrosilanes is demonstrated using sodium (trihydroxy)phenylborate as a transition metal-free catalyst.
Expression of concern: Metal-free green synthesis of aryl amines in magnetized distilled water: experimental aspects and molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Simpson Anna
Published: July 2020

Expression of concern for ‘Metal-free green synthesis of aryl amines in magnetized distilled water: experimental aspects and molecular dynamics simulation’ by Mohammad Bakherad et al., Green Chem., 2020, DOI: 10.1039/D0GC01329C.
A facile synthesis of novel ε-Fe2O3 grafted 2D h-BN nanostructures for enhanced visible active photocatalytic applications
Authors: Mani Durai , Mathivanan Durai , Chang Ho , Sakthivel Kumaravel , Elangovan Erusappan , Sivakumar Thiripuranthagan , Arivanandhan Mukannan , Jayavel Ramasamy
Published: July 2020

Solvothermally synthesized h-BN/ε-Fe2O3 nanocomposite catalyst exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to bare h-BN and c-BN catalysts.
GS-5734: a potentially approved drug by FDA against SARS-Cov-2
Authors: Wang Zhonglei , Yang Liyan
Published: July 2020

We highlighted the discovery process, preparation techniques, broad-spectrum activities, antiviral mechanism, and future perspectives of GS-5734.
Dissecting the intracellular signalling and fate of a DNA nanosensor by super-resolution and quantitative microscopy
Authors: Glab Agata , Bertucci Alessandro , Martino Fabiana , Wojnilowicz Marcin , Amodio Alessia , Venanzi Mariano , Ricci Francesco , Forte Giancarlo , Caruso Frank , Cavalieri Francesca
Published: July 2020

The intracellular interactions and fate of a DNA nanosensor were investigated by combining quantitative microscopy and stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy.
Recent advances in research on anodes for safe and efficient lithium–metal batteries
Authors: Zhang Jifang , Su Yipeng , Zhang Yuegang
Published: July 2020

Recent study results on lithium metal anodes are systematically analyzed to sort out hints for the battery research community to tackle the key challenges facing the practical commercialization of lithium–metal batteries.
High chemical recyclability of vinyl lactone acrylic bioplastics
Authors: Gilsdorf Reid A. , Nicki Matthew A. , Chen Eugene Y.-X.
Published: July 2020

Biomass-derived vinyl lactone acrylic bioplastics not only exhibit higher thermostability but also depolymerize more selectively to monomers with higher yield and purity compared to their petroleum-based vinyl ester acrylic counterpart.
BiOCl/WS2 hybrid nanosheet (2D/2D) heterojunctions for visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of organic/inorganic water pollutants
Authors: Ashraf Waseem , Bansal Shikha , Singh Vikrant , Barman Sanmitra , Khanuja Manika
Published: July 2020

Achieved highest photocatalytic performance of 2D/2D BiOCl/WS2 (2%) hybrid nanosheets for MG degradation (∼98.4% in 45 min) and Cr(vi) reduction.
Ring-opening carbonyl–olefin metathesis of norbornenes
Authors: Jermaks Janis , Quach Phong K. , Seibel Zara M. , Pomarole Julien , Lambert Tristan H.
Published: July 2020

A computational and experimental study has uncovered a second generation hydrazine that enables the catalytic ring-opening carbonyl–olefin metathesis of norbornenes.