bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resilience of River Deltas in the Anthropocene
Authors: Hoitink A. J. F. , Nittrouer J. A. , Passalacqua P. , Shaw J. B. , Langendoen E. J. , Huismans Y. , van Maren D. S.
Published: March 2020

At a global scale, delta morphologies are subject to rapid change as a result of direct and indirect effects of human activity. This jeopardizes the ecosystem services of deltas, including protection against flood hazards, facilitation of navigation, and biodiversity. Direct manifestations of delta morphological instability include river bank failure, which may lead to avulsion, persistent channel incision or aggregation, and a change of the sedimentary regime to hyperturbid conditions. Notwithstanding the in‐depth knowledge developed over the past decades about those topics, existing understanding is fragmented, and the predictive capacity of morphodynamic models is limited. The advancement of potential resilience analysis tools may proceed from improved models, continuous observations, and the application of novel analysis techniques. Progress will benefit from synergy between approaches. Empirical and numerical models are built using field observations, and, in turn, model simulations can inform observationists about where to measure. Information theory offers a systematic approach to test the realism of alternative model concepts. Once the key mechanism responsible for a morphodynamic instability phenomenon is understood, concepts from dynamic system theory can be employed to develop early warning indicators. In the development of reliable tools to design resilient deltas, one of the first challenges is to close the sediment balance at multiple scales, such that morphodynamic model predictions match with fully independent measurements. Such a high ambition level is rarely adopted and is urgently needed to address the ongoing global changes causing sea level rise and reduced sediment input by reservoir building.
Controls on the Tropical Response to Abrupt Climate Changes
Authors: Roberts W. H. G. , Hopcroft P. O.
Published: March 2020

Abrupt climate change events during glacial times have distinct tropical imprints, despite their cause being at high latitudes. The mechanisms by which high latitudes affect low latitudes are currently unclear. We present climate model simulations of a set of different abrupt events and find changes in tropical rainfall can not be comprehensively explained by either changes in sea ice extent or ocean circulation. Changes in tropical meridional temperature gradients are the clearest way to explain tropical rainfall changes across all events. We find some tropical regions are unlikely to record Heinrich events because the rainfall is moved far enough away from them during stadial periods that they are insensitive to further change. Greenland temperature responds linearly to Atlantic sea ice extent, suggesting that the absence of change in Greenland temperature during Heinrich events implies no sea ice expansion, despite major changes in the climate system elsewhere.
Relationships between plasma lipidomic profiles and brown adipose tissue density in humans
Authors: Fuse Sayuri , Sugimoto Masahiro , Kurosawa Yuko , Kuroiwa Miyuki , Aita Yasuko , Tomita Atsumi , Yamaguchi Eri , Tanaka Riki , Endo Tasuki , Kime Ryotaro , Hamaoka Takafumi
Published: March 2020

Background/objectives

The thermogenic function of brown adipose tissue (BAT) is generally activated in winter and tightly regulated through various metabolic processes. However, the mechanisms mediating these changes have not been elucidated in humans. Here, we investigated the relationships between BAT density (BAT-d) and lipid metabolites in plasma from men and women in the winter and summer.

Subjects/methods

In total, 92 plasma samples were obtained from 23 men and 23 women, aged 21–55 years, on two different occasions (summer and winter). Lipid metabolites were comprehensively quantified using liquid chromatography-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry. BAT-d was evaluated by measuring total hemoglobin concentrations in the supraclavicular region using near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy. Anthropometric parameters, such as the percentage of whole body fat and visceral fat area (VFA), were evaluated. Factors influencing BAT-d were investigated by univariate and multivariate regression analyses.

Results

A variety of metabolite peaks, such as glycerophospholipids (168 peaks), steroids and derivatives (78 peaks), fatty acyls (62 peaks), and glycerolipids (31 peaks), were detected. Univariate regression analysis, corrected by false discovery rate to yieldQvalues, revealed significant correlations in BAT-d and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE(46:2),r = 0.62,Q = 4.9 × 10−2) in the summer, androgens (r = 0.75,Q = 7.0 × 10−3) in the winter, and diacylglycerol (DG(36:1),r = −0.68,Q = 4.9 × 10−2) in the summer in men, but not in women. Multivariate regression analysis in the winter revealed a significant correlation between BAT-d and plasma androgens (P = 5.3 × 10−5) in men and between BAT-d and VFA (P = 2.2 × 10−3) in women.

Conclusions

Certain lipids in plasma showed unique correlations with BAT-d depending on sex and season. BAT-d showed a specific correlation with plasma androgens in men in the winter.
Transmission routes of 2019-nCoV and controls in dental practice
Authors: Peng Xian , Xu Xin , Li Yuqing , Cheng Lei , Zhou Xuedong , Ren Biao
Published: March 2020

A novel β-coronavirus (2019-nCoV) caused severe and even fetal pneumonia explored in a seafood market of Wuhan city, Hubei province, China, and rapidly spread to other provinces of China and other countries. The 2019-nCoV was different from SARS-CoV, but shared the same host receptor the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The natural host of 2019-nCoV may be the batRhinolophus affinisas 2019-nCoV showed 96.2% of whole-genome identity to BatCoV RaTG13. The person-to-person transmission routes of 2019-nCoV included direct transmission, such as cough, sneeze, droplet inhalation transmission, and contact transmission, such as the contact with oral, nasal, and eye mucous membranes. 2019-nCoV can also be transmitted through the saliva, and the fetal–oral routes may also be a potential person-to-person transmission route. The participants in dental practice expose to tremendous risk of 2019-nCoV infection due to the face-to-face communication and the exposure to saliva, blood, and other body fluids, and the handling of sharp instruments. Dental professionals play great roles in preventing the transmission of 2019-nCoV. Here we recommend the infection control measures during dental practice to block the person-to-person transmission routes in dental clinics and hospitals.
Inferior outcome of allogeneic stem cell transplantation for secondary acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission as compared to de novo acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Schmaelter Ann-Kristin , Labopin Myriam , Socié Gerard , Itälä-Remes Maija , Blaise Didier , Yakoub-Agha Ibrahim , Forcade Edouard , Cornelissen Jan , Ganser Arnold , Beelen Dietrich , Labussière-Wallet Hélène , Passweg Jakob , Savani Bipin N. , Schmid Christoph , Nagler Arnon , Mohty Mohamad
Published: March 2020

Following chemotherapy, secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML), occurring after antecedent hematologic diseases, previous chemotherapy or radiation, has an inferior prognosis compared with de novo AML. To define the outcome of sAML in the context of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT), a retrospective, registry-based comparison was performed, including 11,439 patients with de novo and 1325 with sAML. Among transplants in first complete remission (CR1) (n = 8,600), the 3-year cumulative incidence of relapse (RI) and non-relapse mortality (NRM) was 28.5% and 16.4% for de novo, and 35% and 23.4% for sAML. Three-year overall survival (OS), leukemia-free survival (LFS) and Graft-versus-Host Disease/relapse-free survival (GRFS) was 60.8%, 55.1%, and 38.6% for de novo, and 46.7%, 41.6%, and 28.4% for sAML, respectively. In multivariate analysis, sAML was associated with a lower OS (HR = 1.33 [95% CI = 1.21–1.48]; p < 10−5), LFS (HR = 1.32 [95% CI = 1.19–1.45]; p < 10−5) and GRFS (HR = 1.2 [95% CI = 1.1–1.31]; p < 10−4) and higher NRM (HR = 1.37 [95% CI = 1.17–1.59]; p < 10−4) and RI (HR = 1.27 [95% CI = 1.12–1.44]; p < 10−3). Results of the Cox model were confirmed in a matched-pair analysis. In contrast, results did not differ between de novo and sAML after alloSCT in induction failure or relapse. Hence, this analysis identified sAML as an independent risk factor for outcome after alloSCT in CR1.
Hypoxia-induced lncRNA PDIA3P1 promotes mesenchymal transition via sponging of miR-124-3p in glioma
Authors: Wang Shaobo , Qi Yanhua , Gao Xiao , Qiu Wei , Liu Qinglin , Guo Xiaofan , Qian Mingyu , Chen Zihang , Zhang Zongpu , Wang Huizhi , Xu Jianye , Xue Hao , Guo Xing , Zhang Ping , Zhao Rongrong , Li Gang
Published: March 2020

Hypoxia is a critical factor in the malignant progression of glioma, especially for the highly-invasive mesenchymal (MES) subtype. But the detailed mechanisms in hypoxia-induced glioma MES transition remain elusive. Pseudogenes, once considered to be non-functional relics of evolution, are emerging as a critical factor in human tumorigenesis and progression. Here, we investigated the clinical significance, biological function, and mechanisms of protein disulfide isomerase family A member 3 pseudogene 1 (PDIA3P1) in hypoxia-induced glioma MES transition. In this study, we found that PDIA3P1 expression was closely related to tumor degree, transcriptome subtype, and prognosis in glioma patients. Enrichment analysis found that high PDIA3P1 expression was associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition, extracellular matrix (ECM) disassembly, and angiogenesis. In vitro study revealed that overexpression of PDIA3P1 enhanced the migration and invasion capacity of glioma cells, while knockdown of PDIA3P1 induced the opposite effect. Further studies revealed that PDIA3P1 functions as a ceRNA, sponging miR-124-3p to modulate RELA expression and activate the downstream NF-κB pathway, thus promoting the MES transition of glioma cells. In addition, Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1 was confirmed to directly bind to the PDIA3P1 promotor region and activate its transcription. In conclusion, PDIA3P1 is a crucial link between hypoxia and glioma MES transition through the PDIA3P1-miR-124-3p-RELA axis, which may serve as a prognostic indicator and potential therapeutic target for glioma treatment.
MYC-regulated pseudogene HMGA1P6 promotes ovarian cancer malignancy via augmenting the oncogenic HMGA1/2
Authors: Tian Xiaoxue , Song Jianping , Zhang Xiyu , Yan Mingyao , Wang Shourong , Wang Yuqiong , Xu Limei , Zhao Ling , Wei Jian-jun , Shao Changshun , Kong Beihua , Liu Zhaojian
Published: March 2020

Pseudogenes have long been considered as nonfunctional genomic sequences. Recent studies have shown that they can potentially regulate the expression of protein-coding genes and are dysregulated in diseases including cancer. However, the potential roles of pseudogenes in ovarian cancer have not been well studied. Here we characterized the pseudogene expression profile in HGSOC (high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma) by microarray. We identified 577 dysregulated pseudogenes and most of them were up-regulated (538 of 577). HMGA1P6 (High mobility group AT-hook 1 pseudogene 6) was one of the overexpressed pseudogenes and its expression was inversely correlated with patient survival. Mechanistically, HMGA1P6 promoted ovarian cancer cell malignancy by acting as a ceRNA (competitive endogenous RNA) that led to enhanced HMGA1 and HMGA2 expression. Importantly, HMGA1P6 was transcriptionally activated by oncogene MYC in ovarian cancer. Our findings reveal that MYC may contribute to oncogenesis through transcriptional regulation of pseudogene HMGA1P6 in ovarian cancer.
Meningeal lymphatic vessels regulate brain tumor drainage and immunity
Authors: Hu Xueting , Deng Qiuping , Ma Lu , Li Qingqing , Chen Yidong , Liao Yuhan , Zhou Fan , Zhang Chen , Shao Linlin , Feng Jun , He Tubao , Ning Weihai , Kong Yan , Huo Yingqing , He Aibin , Liu Bing , Zhang Jingjing , Adams Ralf , He Yulong , Tang Fuchou , Bian Xiuwu , Luo Jincai
Published: March 2020

Recent studies have shown that meningeal lymphatic vessels (MLVs), which are located both dorsally and basally beneath the skull, provide a route for draining macromolecules and trafficking immune cells from the central nervous system (CNS) into cervical lymph nodes (CLNs), and thus represent a potential therapeutic target for treating neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases. However, the roles of MLVs in brain tumor drainage and immunity remain unexplored. Here we show that dorsal MLVs undergo extensive remodeling in mice with intracranial gliomas or metastatic melanomas. RNA-seq analysis of MLV endothelial cells revealed changes in the gene sets involved in lymphatic remodeling, fluid drainage, as well as inflammatory and immunological responses. Disruption of dorsal MLVs alone impaired intratumor fluid drainage and the dissemination of brain tumor cells to deep CLNs (dCLNs). Notably, the dendritic cell (DC) trafficking from intracranial tumor tissues to dCLNs decreased in mice with defective dorsal MLVs, and increased in mice with enhanced dorsal meningeal lymphangiogenesis. Strikingly, disruption of dorsal MLVs alone, without affecting basal MLVs or nasal LVs, significantly reduced the efficacy of combined anti-PD-1/CTLA-4 checkpoint therapy in striatal tumor models. Furthermore, mice bearing tumors overexpressing VEGF-C displayed a better response to anti-PD-1/CTLA-4 combination therapy, and this was abolished by CCL21/CCR7 blockade, suggesting that VEGF-C potentiates checkpoint therapy via the CCL21/CCR7 pathway. Together, the results of our study not only demonstrate the functional aspects of MLVs as classic lymphatic vasculature, but also highlight that they are essential in generating an efficient immune response against brain tumors.
245 MHz bandwidth organic light-emitting diodes used in a gigabit optical wireless data link
Authors: Yoshida Kou , Manousiadis Pavlos P. , Bian Rui , Chen Zhe , Murawski Caroline , Gather Malte C. , Haas Harald , Turnbull Graham A. , Samuel Ifor D. W.
Published: March 2020

Organic optoelectronic devices combine high-performance, simple fabrication and distinctive form factors. They are widely integrated in smart devices and wearables as flexible, high pixel density organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, and may be scaled to large area by roll-to-roll printing for lightweight solar power systems. Exceptionally thin and flexible organic devices may enable future integrated bioelectronics and security features. However, as a result of their low charge mobility, these are generally thought to be slow devices with microsecond response times, thereby limiting their full scope of potential applications. By investigating the factors limiting their bandwidth and overcoming them, we demonstrate here exceptionally fast OLEDs with bandwidths in the hundreds of MHz range. This opens up a wide range of potential applications in spectroscopy, communications, sensing and optical ranging. As an illustration of this, we have demonstrated visible light communication using OLEDs with data rates exceeding 1 gigabit per second.
Very high resolution, altitude-corrected, TMPA-based monthly satellite precipitation product over the CONUS
Authors: Hashemi Hossein , Fayne Jessica , Lakshmi Venkat , Huffman George J.
Published: March 2020

The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) product provided over 17 years of gridded precipitation datasets. However, the accuracy and spatial resolution of TMPA limits the applicability in hydrometeorological applications. We present a dataset that enhances the accuracy and spatial resolution of the TMPA monthly product (3B43). We resample the TMPA data to a 1 km grid and apply a correction function derived from the Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) to reduce bias in the data. We confirm a linear relationship between bias and elevation above 1,500 meters where TMPA underestimates measured precipitation, providing a proof-of-concept of how simple linear scaling can be used to augment existing satellite datasets. The result of the correction is the High-Resolution Altitude-Corrected Precipitation product (HRAC-Precip) for the CONUS. Using 9,200 precipitation stations from the Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN), we compare the accuracy of TMPA 3B43 versus the new HRAC-Precip product. The results show an improvement of the mean absolute error of 12.98% on average.
Microwave radiation-induced grafting of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride onto lentil extract (LE-g-DMC) as an emerging high-performance plant-based grafted coagulant
Authors: Chua Siong Chin , Chong Fai Kait , Ul Mustafa Muhammad Raza , Mohamed Kutty Shamsul Rahman , Sujarwo Wawan , Abdul Malek Marlinda , Show Pau Loke , Ho Yeek Chia
Published: March 2020

The importance of graft copolymerization in the field of polymer science is analogous to the importance of alloying in the field of metals. This is attribute to the ability of the grafting method to regulate the properties of polymer ‘tailor-made’ according to specific needs. This paper described a novel plant-based coagulant, LE-g-DMC that synthesized through grafting of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DMC) onto the backbone of the lentil extract. The grafting process was optimized through the response surface methodology (RSM) using three-level Box-Behnken Design (BBD). Under optimum conditions, a promising grafting percentage of 120% was achieved. Besides, characterization study including SEM, zeta potential, TGA, FTIR and EDX were used to confirm the grafting of the DMC monomer chain onto the backbone of lentil extract. The grafted coagulant, LE-g-DMC outperformed lentil extract and alum in turbidity reduction and effective across a wide range of pH from pH 4 to pH 10. Besides, the use of LE-g-DMC as coagulant produced flocs with excellent settling ability (5.09 mL/g) and produced the least amount of sludge. Therefore, from an application and economic point of views, LE-g-DMC was superior to native lentil extract coagulant and commercial chemical coagulant, alum.
Mathematical model of broadly reactive plasma cell production
Authors: Erwin Samantha , Childs Lauren M. , Ciupe Stanca M.
Published: March 2020

Strain-specific plasma cells are capable of producing neutralizing antibodies that are essential for clearance of challenging pathogens. These neutralizing antibodies also function as a main defense against disease establishment in a host. However, when a rapidly mutating pathogen infects a host, successful control of the invasion requires shifting the production of plasma cells from strain-specific to broadly reactive. In this study, we develop a mathematical model of germinal center dynamics and use it to predict the events that lead to improved breadth of the plasma cell response. We examine scenarios that lead to germinal centers that are composed of B-cells that come from a single strain-specific clone, a single broadly reactive clone or both clones. We find that the initial B-cell clonal composition, T-follicular helper cell signaling, increased rounds of productive somatic hypermutation, and B-cell selection strength are among the mechanisms differentiating between strain-specific and broadly reactive plasma cell production during infections. Understanding the contribution of these factors to emergence of breadth may assist in boosting broadly reactive plasma cells production.
Novel roles of PRK1 and PRK2 in cilia and cancer biology
Authors: Patel Hitesh , Li Jun , Herrero Ana , Kroboth Jakob , Byron Adam , Kriegsheim Alex Von , Brunton Valerie , Carragher Neil , Hurd Toby , Frame Margaret
Published: March 2020

PRK1 and PRK2 are two closely related AGC-family serine/threonine protein kinases. Here we demonstrate novel roles for them at cilia and in cancer biology. In both instances serum withdrawal leads to increased activating PRK1 and PRK2 phosphorylation (pPRK1/pPRK2) and their depletion results in reduced spheroid growth. pPRK1/pPRK2 localise to the transition zone of cilia and their co-depletion results in reduced cilia size, impaired planer polarity and impaired cilia associated signalling. High PRK2 (but not PRK1) expression correlates with poor outcome in patients with basal-like/Triple Negative (TN) Breast Cancer (BC) where there is also higher expression relative to other BC tumour subtypes. In agreement, depletion of PRK1 and PRK2 in mouse TNBC cells, or CRISPR/Cas9 mediated deletion of PRK2 alone, significantly reduces cell proliferation and spheroid growth. Finally proteomic analysis to identify PRK2 binding partners in mouse TNBC cells revealed proteins that are important for both cilia and BC biology. Taken together these data demonstrate novel roles for PRK1 and PRK2 at cilia and in BC biology and in the case of PRK2 in particular, identifies it as a novel TNBC therapeutic target.
Phylogenomics of Rhodocyclales and its distribution in wastewater treatment systems
Authors: Wang Zhongjie , Li Wenqing , Li Hao , Zheng Wei , Guo Feng
Published: March 2020

Rhodocyclales is an abundant bacterial order in wastewater treatment systems and putatively plays key roles in multiple functions. Its phylogenomics, prevalence of denitrifying genes in sub-lineages and distribution in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) worldwide have not been well characterized. In the present study, we collected 78 Rhodocyclales genomes, including 17 from type strains, non-type strains and genome bins contributed by this study. Phylogenomics indicated that the order could be divided into five family-level lineages. With only a few exceptions (mostly in Rhodocyclaceae), nirS-containing genomes in this order usually contained the downstream genes of norB and nosZ. Multicopy of denitrifying genes occurred frequently and events of within-order horizontal transfer of denitrifying genes were phylogenetically deduced. The distribution of Rhodocyclaceae, Zoogloeaceae and Azonexaceae in global WWTPs were significantly governed by temperature, mixed liquor suspended solids, etc. Metagenomic survey showed that the order generally ranked at the top or second for different denitrifying genes in wastewater treatment systems. Our results provided comprehensive genomic insights into the phylogeny and features of denitrifying genes of Rhodocyclales. Its contribution to the denitrifying gene pool in WWTPs was proved.
Caveats on the use of rotenone to estimate mixotrophic grazing in the oceans
Authors: Ferreira Guilherme D. , Calbet Albert
Published: March 2020

Phagotrophic mixotrophs (mixoplankton) are now widely recognised as important members of food webs, but their role in the functioning of food webs is not yet fully understood. This is due to the lack of a well-established technique to estimate mixotrophic grazing. An immediate step in this direction would be the development of a method that separates mixotrophic from heterotrophic grazing that can be routinely incorporated into the common techniques used to measure microplankton herbivory (e.g., the dilution technique). This idea was explored by the addition of rotenone, an inhibitor of the respiratory electron chain that has been widely used to selectively eliminate metazoans, both in the field and in the laboratory. Accordingly, rotenone was added to auto-, mixo-, and heterotrophic protist cultures in increasing concentrations (ca. 24 h). The results showed that mixotrophs survived better than heterotrophs at low concentrations of rotenone. Nevertheless, their predation was more affected, rendering rotenone unusable as a heterotrophic grazing deterrent. Additionally, it was found that rotenone had a differential effect depending on the growth phase of an autotrophic culture. Altogether, these results suggest that previous uses of rotenone in the field may have disrupted the planktonic food web.
Applicability of common inflammatory markers in diagnosing infections in early period after liver transplantation in intensive care setting
Authors: Figiel Wojciech , Grąt Michał , Niewiński Grzegorz , Patkowski Waldemar , Zieniewicz Krzysztof
Published: March 2020

Infections remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality early after liver transplantation. The aim of this prospective longitudinal study was to evaluate clinical utility of c-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in surveillance of infections early after liver transplantation in intensive care setting. A total of 60 liver transplant recipients were included. CRP, procalcitonin, and NLR assessed at 12-hour intervals were primary variables of interest. Infections and severe complications during postoperative intensive care unit stay were the primary and secondary end-points, respectively. Infections and severe complications were diagnosed in 9 and 17 patients, respectively. Only peak CRP beyond first 48 hours was associated with infections (p = 0.038) with AUC, positive and negative predictive value of 0.728, 42.9% and 92.2%, respectively (cut-off: 142.7 mg/L). Peak procalcitonin over first 60 hours was the earliest predictor (p = 0.050) of severe complications with AUC, positive and negative predictive value of 0.640, 53.3% and 80.0%, respectively (cut-off: 42.8 ng/mL). In conclusion, while CRP, procalcitonin, and NLR cannot be used for accurate diagnosis of infections immediately after liver transplantation, peak CRP beyond 48 hours and peak procalcitonin over first 60 hours may be used for initial exclusion of infections and prediction of severe complications, respectively.
Computational and experimental identification of strong synergy of the Fe/ZnO catalyst in promoting acetic acid synthesis from CH4 and CO2
Authors: Nie Xiaowa , Ren Xianxuan , Tu Chunyan , Song Chunshan , Guo Xinwen , Chen Jingguang G.
Published: March 2020

A combined DFT and DRIFTS study identified the synergy of Fe/ZnO in promoting acetic acid synthesis from CO2 and CH4.
Electronic structure, ion diffusion and cation doping in the Na4VO(PO4)2 compound as a cathode material for Na-ion batteries
Authors: Aparicio Pablo A. , de Leeuw Nora H.
Published: March 2020

Sodium-ion batteries are considered one of the most promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries owing to the low cost and wide abundance of sodium.
Phonon and magnetoelastic coupling in Al0.5Ga0.5FeO3: Raman, magnetization and neutron diffraction studies
Authors: Mishra K. K. , Shukla R. , Krishna P. S. R. , Babu P. D. , Achary S. N. , Katiyar R. S. , Scott J. F.
Published: March 2020

Magnetoelastic behaviour in Al0.5Ga0.5FeO3 have been investigated using variable temperature neutron diffraction and Raman spectroscopy.
Alteration of the gut microbiota by vinegar is associated with amelioration of hyperoxaluria-induced kidney injury
Authors: Zhu Wei , Liu Yang , Duan Xiaolu , Xiao Chenglin , Lan Yu , Luo Lianmin , Wu Chengjie , Yang Zhou , Mai Xin , Lu Suilin , Zhong Wen , Li Shujue , He Zihao , Zhang Xin , Liu Yongda , Zeng Guohua
Published: March 2020

Hyperoxaluria is well known to cause renal injury and end-stage kidney disease.
Towards white light emission from a hybrid thin film of a self-assembled ternary samarium(iii) complex
Authors: Ilmi Rashid , Kansız Sevgi , Al-Rasbi Nawal K. , Dege Necmi , Raithby Paul R. , Khan Muhammad S.
Published: March 2020

A new samarium(iii) complex, [Sm(hfaa)3(Py-Im)], has been prepared and fabricated into thin films which show color tunability from violet to orange depending on the concentration of doping within the film.
Polydimethylsiloxane-based superhydrophobic membranes: fabrication, durability, repairability, and applications
Authors: Liu Maolin , Luo Yuanfang , Jia Demin
Published: March 2020

A polydimethylsiloxane-based superhydrophobic membrane with durability and repairability characteristics has been fabricated.
Order–disorder transition in supramolecular polymer combs/brushes with polymeric side chains
Authors: Golkaram Milad , Portale Giuseppe , Mulder Pascal , Maniar Dina , Faraji Shirin , Loos Katja
Published: March 2020

Three groups of supramolecular comb/brush polymers with polymeric side chains are developed, showing different mechanical properties and morphologies.
Ultrasound treatment inhibits browning and improves antioxidant capacity of fresh-cut sweet potato during cold storage
Authors: Pan Yanfang , Chen Lan , Pang Lingling , Chen Xiaotong , Jia Xiaoyu , Li Xihong
Published: March 2020

Ultrasound treatment could inhibit browning of fresh-cut sweet potato by reducing PPO and POD activities while improving total antioxidant capacity.
Electrochemical biosensor for detection of 17β-estradiol using semi-conducting polymer and horseradish peroxidase
Authors: Spychalska Kamila , Zając Dorota , Cabaj Joanna
Published: March 2020

A convenient electrochemical sensing pathway for 17β-estradiol detection was investigated.
A flower-like CoS2/MoS2 heteronanosheet array as an active and stable electrocatalyst toward the hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline media
Authors: Shi Mengtong , Zhang Yang , Zhu Yaxing , Wang Wei , Wang Changzheng , Yu Aifang , Pu Xiong , Zhai Junyi
Published: March 2020

CoS2/MoS2 heteronanosheet arrays with vertically aligned flower-like architecture are fabricated through in situ topotactic sulfurization of CoMoO4 nanosheet arrays.
Accurate prediction of chemical shifts for aqueous protein structure on “Real World” data
Authors: Li Jie , Bennett Kochise C. , Liu Yuchen , Martin Michael V. , Head-Gordon Teresa
Published: March 2020

UCBShift predicts NMR chemical shifts of proteins that exceeds accuracy of other popular chemical shift predictors on real-world data sets.
Base-triggered self-amplifying degradable polyurethanes with the ability to translate local stimulation to continuous long-range degradation
Authors: Xu Yanhua , Sen Samya , Wu Qiong , Zhong Xujia , Ewoldt Randy H. , Zimmerman Steven C.
Published: March 2020

A new type of base-triggered self-amplifying degradable polyurethane is reported that degrades under mild conditions, with the release of increasing amounts of amine product leading to self-amplified degradation.
Linear and dendrimeric antiviral peptides: design, chemical synthesis and activity against human respiratory syncytial virus
Authors: Kozhikhova Ksenia V. , Shilovskiy Igor P. , Shatilov Artem A. , Timofeeva Anastasiia V. , Turetskiy Evgeny A. , Vishniakova Liudmila I. , Nikolskii Aleksandr A. , Barvinskaya Ekaterina D. , Karthikeyan Subramani , Smirnov Valeriy V. , Kudlay Dmitriy A. , Andreev Sergey M. , Khaitov Musa R.
Published: March 2020

Novel artificial peptides possess anti-RSV activity through a combination of two mechanisms: direct nonspecific destabilization of the viral envelope and competitive interaction with the RSV cellular receptor.
Delivering siRNA to control osteogenic differentiation and real-time detection of cell differentiation in human mesenchymal stem cells using multifunctional gold nanoparticles
Authors: Wu Qian , Wang Kaipeng , Wang Xichao , Liang Guohai , Li Jinming
Published: March 2020

Schematic representation of the multifunctional gold nanoparticles (AuNP-PEI-peptide-FITC) synthesis and siRNA adsorption to silence the PPARγ gene for controlling osteogenic differentiation and real-time detection of ongoing cell differentiation in hMSCs.
A pirfenidone loaded spray dressing based on lyotropic liquid crystals for deep partial thickness burn treatment: healing promotion and scar prophylaxis
Authors: Chen Jintian , Wang Hui , Mei Liling , Wang Bei , Huang Ying , Quan Guilan , Lu Chao , Peng Tingting , Pan Xin , Wu Chuanbin
Published: March 2020

This study develops a HA combined lyotropic liquid crystal based spray dressing loaded with pirfenidone for wound healing and scar prophylaxis.
Perspective on recent developments of near infrared-emitting gold nanoclusters: applications in sensing and bio-imaging
Authors: Krishna Kumar A. Santhana , Tseng Wei-Lung
Published: March 2020

Near infrared-emitting AuNCs can be achieved using thiols, proteins, peptides, and polymers as a templates, these NIR-emitting fluorescent AuNCs are suitable for sensing of metal ions, anions, aminothiols and real-world samples.
Chemical signal cascading in a supramolecular network
Authors: Remón Patricia , González David , Romero Miguel A. , Basílio Nuno , Pischel Uwe
Published: March 2020

Stimuli-responsive chemical communication is enabled in a self-sorted system of cucurbituril host–guest complexes.
Using changes in speciation in a dynamic combinatorial library as a fingerprint to differentiate the methylation states of arginine
Authors: Mullins Alexandria G. , St. Louis Lauren E. , Waters Marcey L.
Published: March 2020

A dynamic combinatorial library was shown to provide a direct method of sensing methylated arginine and lysine due to differences in speciation. This provides the first sensor array for all the methylation states of arginine.
Interfacial charge-transfer transitions in ZnO induced exclusively by adsorption of aromatic thiols
Authors: Fujisawa Jun-ichi , Kaneko Naohito , Hanaya Minoru
Published: March 2020

Interfacial charge-transfer transitions useful for applications in optical biosensing and photoenergy conversion were first observed in ZnO by adsorption of aromatic thiols.
Cascade reaction of isatins with nitro-substituted enamines: highly selective synthesis of functionalized (Z)-3-(1-(arylamino)-2-oxoarylidene)indolin-2-ones
Authors: Zhang Cong-Hai , Huang Rong , Qing Xia , Lin Jun , Yan Sheng-Jiao
Published: March 2020

A novel protocol for the construction of functionalized (Z)-3-(1(-arylamino)-2-oxoarylidene)indolin-2-ones (AOIDOs) from isatins 1 with nitro-substituted enamines 2via an unprecedented cascade reaction catalyzed by sulfamic acid is developed.
Lilac flower-shaped ZnCo2O4electrocatalyst for efficient methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions in an alkaline medium
Authors: Sreekanth T. V. M. , Nagajyothi P. C. , Devarayapalli K. C. , Shim J. , Yoo K.
Published: March 2020

A ZnCo2O4electrocatalyst for the efficient MOR and ORR.
The screening of intermediates in a ruthenium and iridium ion-catalyzed gas-phase reaction of ethanol converting to butanol by ICP-MS/MS
Authors: Zhu Xuewei , He Qian , Xu Fujian , Ma Xiaoxiao , Xing Zhi , Zhang Sichun , Zhang Xinrong
Published: March 2020

The Ru+/Ir+ ion-catalyzed reactions of ethanol conversion to butanol have been studied by ICP-MS/MS.
Recent advances in anodic interface engineering for solid-state lithium-metal batteries
Authors: Sun Changzhi , Ruan Yadong , Zha Wenping , Li Wenwen , Cai Mingli , Wen Zhaoyin
Published: March 2020

In this review, we summarize the anodic interface problems, advanced strategies,in situcharacterization technologies and future perspectives of SSLMBs.
Thermally induced spin crossover in Fe(PyrDer)2[Fe(CN)5NO] with PyrDer = 4-substituted pyridine derivatives
Authors: Avila Y. , Crespo P. M. , Plasencia Y. , Mojica H. R. , Rodríguez-Hernández J. , Reguera E.
Published: March 2020

From the intercalation of 4-substituted pyridine derivatives in 2D ferrous nitroprusside, a series of hybrid inorganic–organic solids with thermally induced spin crossover results.
Enhancing the targeting ability of nanoparticlesviaprotected copolymers
Authors: Xia Qiang-sheng , Zhu Tao , Jiang Zhong-ying , Ding Hong-ming , Ma Yu-qiang
Published: March 2020

In this work, we reported a comprehensive study showing that protected copolymers can be harnessed to maximize the uptake difference between the cancer cells and the normal cells by using molecular simulations andin vitroexperiments.
Scalable preparation of crystalline nanorods through sequential polymerization-induced and crystallization-driven self-assembly of alternating copolymers
Authors: Yin Rui , Sahoo Dipankar , Xu Fugui , Huang Wei , Zhou Yongfeng
Published: March 2020

We report a two-step sequential polymerization-induced and crystallization-driven self-assembly (sequential PI/CDSA) of alternating copolymers to prepare micron-length crystalline nanorods with an ultrathin lamellar structure on a large scale.
Functionalisation and stabilisation of polymeric arsenical nanoparticles prepared by sequential reductive and radical cross-linking
Authors: Tanaka Joji , Evans Alexander , Gurnani Pratik , Kerr Andrew , Wilson Paul
Published: March 2020

Functional and stable polymeric arsenical nanoparticles can be prepared by sequential reductive coupling and ring-collapse radical alternating copolymerisation (RCRAC).
Recyclable anhydride catalyst for H2O2 oxidation: N-oxidation of pyridine derivatives
Authors: Gajeles Ghellyn , Kim Se Mi , Yoo Jong-Cheol , Lee Kyung-Koo , Lee Sang Hee
Published: March 2020

Od-MA polymer is developed as the first metal-free, recyclable anhydride catalyst used for the N-oxidation of pyridines with H2O2.
Giant pressure sensitivity in piezo/ferro-electric ceramics
Authors: Thakur Vikas N. , Singh Bhanu P. , Yadav Sanjay , Kumar Ashok
Published: March 2020

The PBiZT ceramic shows giant change in dielectric constant (∼70%) and capacitive reactance (56%), suggesting its possible application as a pressure sensor.
A flexible semitransparent photovoltaic supercapacitor based on water-processed MXene electrodes
Authors: Qin Leiqiang , Jiang Jianxia , Tao Quanzheng , Wang Chuanfei , Persson Ingemar , Fahlman Mats , Persson Per O. Å. , Hou Lintao , Rosen Johanna , Zhang Fengling
Published: March 2020

MXene based all-solution processed semitransparent flexible photovoltaic supercapacitor was fabricated by integrating the flexible organic photovoltaic with MXene as the electrode and transparent MXene supercapacitors in the vertical direction.
Enhanced energy storage properties in lead-free BaTiO3@Na0.5K0.5NbO3nano-ceramics with nanodomainsviaa core–shell structural design
Authors: Jin Quan , Zhao Lili , Cui Bin , Wang Jia , Ma Huijun , Zhang Run , Liu Ye , Zhang Xiaoting
Published: March 2020

Simultaneously utilized nanodomains and a fine-grain effect to improve the energy storage properties in BaTiO3-based ceramicsviacore–shell structural design.
Combined detection of miR-21-5p, miR-30a-3p, miR-30a-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-216a and miR-217 for screening of early heart failure diseases
Authors: Ding Han , Wang Yin , Hu Longgang , Xue Sheng , Wang Yu , Zhang Lei , Zhang Yuan , Qi Hongzhao , Yu Hua , Aung Lynn Htet Htet , An Yi , Li Peifeng
Published: March 2020

The use of circulating microRNAs as biomarkers opens up new opportunities for the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases because of their specific expression profiles. The aim of the present study was to identify circulating microRNAs in human plasma as potential biomarkers of heart failure and related diseases. We used real-time quantitative PCR to screen microRNA in plasma samples from 62 normal controls and 62 heart failure samples. We found that circulating miR-21-5p, miR-30a-3p, miR-30a-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-216a and miR-217 expressed differently between healthy controls and heart failure patients. Plasma levels of miR-21-5p, miR-30a-3p, miR-30a-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-216a and miR-217 were unaffected by hemolysis. Correlation analysis showed any two of these miRNAs possess a strong correlation, indicating a possibility of combined analysis. MiR-21-5p, miR-30a-3p, miR-30a-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-216a and miR-217 could be combined in two or three or more combinations. The results suggest that miR-21-5p, miR-30a-3p, miR-30a-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-216a and miR-217 may be a new diagnostic biomarker for heart failure and related diseases.
Knockdown of long non-coding RNA SOX21-AS1 attenuates amyloid-β-induced neuronal damage by sponging miR-107
Authors: Xu Wanru , Li Kai , Fan Qian , Zong Biyun , Han Ling
Published: March 2020

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which has no effective drugs to delay or prevent its progression, is a multifactorial complex neurodegenerative disease. Long non-coding RNA SOX21 antisense RNA1 (SOX21-AS1) is associated with the development of AD, but the underlying molecular mechanism of SOX21-AS1 in AD is still largely unclear.

Methods: To construct the AD model, SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH cells were treated with amyloid-β1-42 (Aβ1-42). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was executed to detect the expression of SOX21-AS1 and miRNA-107. Western blot analysis was utilized to assess the levels of phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau). 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) or flow cytometry assay was employed to determine the viability and apoptosis of SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH cells. The relationship between SOX21-AS1 and miRNA-107 was verified with the dual-luciferase reporter assay.

Results: SOX21-AS1 expression was augmented while miR-107 expression was decreased in Aβ1-42-treated SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH cells. Moreover, Aβ1-42 elevated the levels of p-Tau and impeded viability and induced apoptosis of SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH cells. Also, SOX21-AS1 silencing attenuated Aβ1-42 mediated the levels of p-Tau, viability, and apoptosis of SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH cells. Importantly, SOX21-AS1 acted as a sponge for miR-107 in SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH cells. Furthermore, the increase in p-Tau levels and apoptosis and the repression of viability of Aβ1-42-treated SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH cells mediated by miR-107 inhibition were partly recovered by SOX21-AS1 depletion.

Conclusion: SOX21-AS1 silencing could attenuate Aβ1-42-induced neuronal damage by sponging miR-107, which provided a possible strategy for the treatment of AD.
Ginkgo leaf extract and dipyridamole injection for chronic cor pulmonale: a PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Qiu Jian , Guo Yijun , Xu Xin , Yue Hongmei , Yang Yapei
Published: March 2020

Ginkgo leaf extract and dipyridamole injection (GLED), a kind of Chinese herbal medicine preparation, has been considered as a promising supplementary treatment for chronic cor pulmonale (CCP). Although an analysis of the published literature has been performed, the exact effects and safety of GLED have yet to be systematically investigated. Therefore, a wide-ranging systematic search of electronic databases from which to draw conclusions was conducted. All randomized controlled trials concerning the GLED plus conventional treatments for CCP were selected in the present study. Main outcomes were treatment efficacy, blood gas and hemorrheology indexes, and adverse events. Data from 28 trials with 2457 CCP patients were analyzed. The results indicated that, compared with conventional treatments alone, the combination of conventional treatments with GLED obviously improved the markedly effective rate (RR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.31–1.58, P < 0.00001) and total effective rate (RR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.18–1.38, P < 0.00001). Moreover, the hemorrheology (PaO2, P < 0.00001; PaCO2, P < 0.00001; SaO2, P < 0.00001; pH value, P = 0.05) and blood gas indexes (PV, WBHSV, WBMSV, WBLSV, hematocrit and FBG, P < 0.01) of CCP patients were also significantly ameliorated after the combined therapy. The frequency of adverse events did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05). In summary, evidence from the meta-analysis suggested that the combination of conventional treatments and GLED appeared to be effective and relatively safe for CCP. Therefore, GLED mediated therapy could be recommended as an adjuvant treatment for CCP.
CMM‐based method for assessing the volume change of retrieved polyethylene cups in MoP total hip replacements
Authors: Hua Xijin , Li Junyan
Published: March 2020

Wear occurring at the bearing surface and the consequent generation of wear debris has been identified as the primary cause of aseptic loosening in metal‐on‐polyethylene (MoP) hip joint replacements. The accurate estimation of volume change in polyethylene cups due to creep and wear is, therefore, an important step for identifying the cause of failure and improving the longevity of MoP prosthesis. The purposes of this study were to present and apply a co‐ordinate measuring machine (CMM)‐based method for assessing the volume change of retrieved components due to wear and creep by using a combination of CMM data and a bespoke computer programme. The method was firstly validated against the standard gravimetric technique, and then applied to four retrieved polyethylene cups for wear assessment and analysis. The results show that the volume changes calculated using the present method match well with those assessed through the gravimetric technique. The CMM‐based method presented in the study is capable of effectively and reliably determining the volume change and characterising the wear patch of retrieved components from MoP hip joint replacements.
Design method for a bionic wrist based on tensegrity structures
Authors: Sun Jianwei , Cao Xuemin , Song Guangsheng
Published: March 2020

The traditional bionic upper limb structure design is limited by the motion pair and cannot guarantee the flexibility of the mechanical structure. The tensegrity structure has the characteristics of high deformability, strong self‐adaptability, and resistance to multi‐directional impact. According to the biological characteristics of the upper limbs of the human body, an anatomical study is performed on the upper limb wrist joints that achieve adduction/abduction, flexion/extension, to obtain the relationship between the movements of the related bones and muscles, and to simplify the shape and structure of the wrist. Equivalent mapping of a mechanical model based on two‐bar tensile properties. Through the contraction and stretching of the spring, the movement characteristics of the human muscles are realised, and the optimised bionic upper limb wrist tensioning robot without motion pair is further obtained. Adams simulation is used to verify that the bionic tensile wrist can simulate the change movement of the human wrist. The experimental platform was built and a physical prototype was made and the prototype was tested. The results show that the bionic tensile wrist can realise the adaptive motion characteristics of the human wrist well and stably, which proves the validity and feasibility of this design method.
Wide ZVS operation of a semi‐dual‐bridge resonant converter under variable‐frequency phase‐shift control
Authors: Zhou Shengzhi , Li Xiaodong , Zhong Zeran , Zhang Xinan
Published: March 2020

A secondary phase‐shifted dual‐bridge converter with semi‐active rectifier is able to perform buck–boost dc–dc conversion with soft‐switching. However, it can not maintain zero‐voltage switching (ZVS) operation for all switches in a wide load range. Besides, the root mean square/peak tank current increases inversely with the decreasing of load in the light load region. To alleviate these problems and extend its load range, a hybrid varying‐frequency phase‐shift (VFPS) control is proposed to manipulate the power for a semi‐dual‐bridge converter with the primary half‐bridge and secondary semi‐active rectifier topology. Steady‐state analysis of the converter under VFPS control is performed using the fundamental harmonic approximation approach. A detailed design procedure is given then to find a full ZVS trajectory with a fixed ZVS margin at light load. Experimental results proved that the VFPS control can effectively extend the operation range with full ZVS and maintain high efficiency at light load for the semi‐dual‐bridge resonant converter.