bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First description of deep benthic habitats and communities of oceanic islands and seamounts of the Nazca Desventuradas Marine Park, Chile
Authors: Tapia-Guerra Jan M. , Mecho Ariadna , Easton Erin E. , Gallardo María de los Ángeles , Gorny Matthias , Sellanes Javier
Published: March 2021

Seamounts and oceanic islands of the Chilean Exclusive Economic Zone at the intersection of the Nazca and Salas y Gómez ridges lie within one of the least explored areas in the world. The sparse information available, mainly for seamounts outside Chilean jurisdiction and shallow-water fauna of the Desventuradas Islands, suggests that the area is a hotspot of endemism. This apparent uniqueness of the fauna motivated the creation of the large Nazca-Desventuradas Marine Park (NDMP, ~ 300,000 km2) around the small islands San Felix and San Ambrosio in 2015. We report for the first time a detailed description of benthic microhabitats (i.e., centimeter to meter scale), macrohabitats (i.e., meter to kilometer-scale) and associated megafauna within the NDMP. Descriptions were based on analysis of fauna collected by trawling and ROV video observations from ~ 50 to 370 m depth. Rocky, coarse sand and silty sediment bottom habitats were observed at island slopes. In contrast, rocky and coarse sandy bottom habitats with a predominance of rhodoliths, thanatocoenosis, and other biogenic components were observed at seamounts. Mobile fauna and predators dominated the oceanic islands and nearby seamounts, whereas seamounts farther from the islands were dominated by sessile and hemisessile fauna that were mainly suspension and deposit feeders. Based on the register of 118 taxonomic units, our results provide an expanded and updated baseline for the benthic biodiversity of NDMP habitats, which seemed pristine, without evidence of trawling or anthropogenic debris.
Assisting PNA transport through cystic fibrosis human airway epithelia with biodegradable hybrid lipid-polymer nanoparticles
Authors: Comegna Marika , Conte Gemma , Falanga Andrea Patrizia , Marzano Maria , Cernera Gustavo , Di Lullo Antonella Miriam , Amato Felice , Borbone Nicola , D’Errico Stefano , Ungaro Francesca , d’Angelo Ivana , Oliviero Giorgia , Castaldo Giuseppe
Published: March 2021

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by an airway obstruction caused by a thick mucus due to a malfunctioning Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) protein. The sticky mucus restricts drugs in reaching target cells limiting the efficiency of treatments. The development of new approaches to enhance drug delivery to the lungs represents CF treatment's main challenge. In this work, we report the production and characterization of hybrid core–shell nanoparticles (hNPs) comprising a PLGA core and a dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) shell engineered for inhalation. We loaded hNPs with a 7-mer peptide nucleic acid (PNA) previously considered for its ability to modulate the post-transcriptional regulation of the CFTR gene. We also investigated the in vitro release kinetics of hNPs and their efficacy in PNA delivery across the human epithelial airway barrier using an ex vivo model based on human primary nasal epithelial cells (HNEC) from CF patients. Confocal analyses and hNPs transport assay demonstrated the ability of hNPs to overcome the mucus barrier and release their PNA cargo within the cytoplasm, where it can exert its biological function.
Microsomic and macrosomic body structure in children and adolescents affected by syndromes or diseases associated with neurodysfunction
Authors: Perenc Lidia , Guzik Agnieszka , Podgórska-Bednarz Justyna , Drużbicki Mariusz
Published: March 2021

In Poland the issue of microsomic body structure (micro-SBS) and macrosomic body structure (macro-SBS) has so far been overlooked. Up until now only a small amount of data have been published, most often as an overview of the problem. The current study was designed to investigate the co-occurrence of microsomic/macrosomic body structure (micro/macro-SBS) and congenital nervous system disorders or neurological syndromes with symptoms visible from infancy, based on essential data acquired during admission procedures at a neurological rehabilitation ward for children and adolescents. The study applied a retrospective analysis of data collected during hospitalization of 327 children and adolescents, aged 4–18 years who had been affected since infancy by congenital disorders of the nervous system and/or neurological syndromes associated with a minimum of one neurodysfunction. To identify subjects with microsomic or macrosomic body structure in the group of children and adolescents, the adopted criteria took into account z-score values for body height (z-score Ht), body weight (z-score Wt), head circumference (z-score HC), BMI (z-score BMI) and head circumference index (z-score HCI). The rates of micro/macro-SBS in the study group amounted to 7.3% and 0.6%, respectively. The findings show a more frequent co-occurrence of, as well as statistically significant correlations between, micro/macro-SBS and type of spasticity (cerebral palsy) (p = 0.024) as well as hydrocephalus not treated surgically (p < 0.001). Macro-SBS was found to more frequently co-occur with hemiplegia and hydrocephalus not treated surgically.
Risk of head and neck cancer in patients with peptic ulcers and the effect of Helicobacter pylori treatment
Authors: Lu Yen-Ting , Hsin Chung-Han , Lu Ying-Chou , Wu Meng-Che , Huang Jing-Yang , Huang Cheng‐Chen , Wang Po-Hui , Yang Shun-Fa
Published: March 2021

It remained inconclusive whether patients with peptic ulcer disease had a higher risk of head and neck cancer (HNC). Therefore, we enrolled 109,360 patients with peptic ulcer disease and matched for age and sex with 218,720 controls from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2013.The HNC incidence rate was 1.33-fold higher in the peptic ulcer group than in the control group (7.52 vs. 5.68 per 100,00 person-years; crude relative risk: 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08–1.63) after > 6 years of follow-up. However, in the peptic ulcer subgroup with H. pylori treatment, HNC risk was not significantly different from that of the control group (crude relative risk: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.86–1.46). Moreover, the population with peptic ulcers had the highest risk of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer (adjusted HR: 2.27 [95% CI: 1.16–4.44] and 2.00 [95% CI, 1.13–3.55]), respectively. This observational study suggested that peptic ulcer disease is associated with an increased incidence of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer and H. pylori treatment may have a role in preventing HNC in patients with peptic ulcer disease.
Myopia, corneal endothelial cell density and morphology in a Japanese population-based cross-sectional study: the JPHC-NEXT Eye Study
Authors: Aketa Naohiko , Uchino Miki , Kawashima Motoko , Uchino Yuichi , Yuki Kenya , Ozawa Yoko , Sasaki Mariko , Yamagishi Kazumasa , Sawada Norie , Tsugane Shoichiro , Tsubota Kazuo , Iso Hiroyasu
Published: March 2021

This population-based cross-sectional study was performed to determine the mean corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation (CV), and hexagonality (HEX), and their associations with myopia in Japanese adults living in Chikusei city. Of 7109 participants with available data, 5713 (2331 male and 3382 female) participants were eligible for analysis. After assessing the relationship between participant characteristics and spherical equivalent refraction (SER), the association of SER with the abnormal value of ECD (< 2000 cells/mm), CV (≥ 0.40), and HEX (≤ 50%) were determined using the logistic regression models adjusting for potential confounders (age, intraocular pressure, keratometric power, height, and antihypertensive drug use). In male participants, there was no statistically significant relationships between SER and endothelial parameters. In female participants, compared to emmetropia, SER ≤ − 6 D had significantly higher odds ratio (OR) of having the abnormal value of CV (OR = 2.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.39–3.10) and HEX (OR = 2.04, 95% CI 1.29–3.23), adjusted for potential confounders, indicating that the high myopia was associated with the abnormal values of CV and HEX. Further adjustment for contact lenses wear partly attenuated these associations. Association between the SER and ECD was not detected.
Long-term course of phrenic nerve injury after cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Tokuda Michifumi , Yamashita Seigo , Sato Hidenori , Oseto Hirotsuna , Ikewaki Hirotsugu , Yokoyama Masaaki , Isogai Ryota , Tokutake Ken-ichi , Yokoyama Ken-ichi , Kato Mika , Narui Ryohsuke , Tanigawa Shin-ichi , Matsuo Seiichiro , Yoshimura Michihiro , Yamane Teiichi
Published: March 2021

While phrenic nerve palsy (PNP) due to cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) of atrial fibrillation (AF) was transient in most cases, no studies have reported the results of the long-term follow-up of PNP. This study aimed to summarize details and the results of long-term follow-up of PNP after cryoballoon ablation. A total of 511 consecutive AF patients who underwent cryoballoon ablation was included. During right-side PVI, the diaphragmatic compound motor action potential (CMAP) was reduced in 46 (9.0%) patients and PNP occurred in 29 (5.7%) patients (during right-superior PVI in 20 patients and right-inferior PVI in 9 patients). PNP occurred despite the absence of CMAP reduction in 0.6%. The PV anatomy, freezing parameters and the operator’s proficiency were not predictors of PNP. While PNP during RSPVI persisted more than 4 years in 3 (0.6%) patients, all PNP occurred during RIPVI recovered until one year after the ablation. However, there was no significant difference in the recovery duration from PNP between PNP during RSPVI and RIPVI. PNP occurred during cryoballoon ablation in 5.7%. While most patients recovered from PNP within one year after the ablation, PNP during RSPVI persisted more than 4 years in 0.6% of patients.
Source location of volcanic earthquakes and subsurface characterization using fiber-optic cable and distributed acoustic sensing system
Authors: Nishimura Takeshi , Emoto Kentaro , Nakahara Hisashi , Miura Satoshi , Yamamoto Mare , Sugimura Shunsuke , Ishikawa Ayumu , Kimura Tsunehisa
Published: March 2021

We present one of the first studies on source location determination for volcanic earthquakes and characterization of volcanic subsurfaces using data from a distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) system. Using the arrival time difference estimated from well-correlated waveforms and a dense spatial distribution of seismic amplitudes recorded along the fiber-optic cable, we determine the hypocenters of volcanic earthquakes recorded at Azuma volcano, Japan. The sources are located at a shallow depth beneath active volcanic areas with a range of approximately 1 km. Spatial distribution of the site amplification factors determined from coda waves of regional tectonic earthquakes are well correlated with old lava flow distributions and volcano topography. Since DAS observation can be performed remotely and buried fiber-optic cables are not damaged by volcanic ash or bombs during eruptions, this new observation system is suitable for monitoring of volcanoes without risk of system damage and for evaluating volcanic structures.
Bulked segregant analysis reveals candidate genes responsible for dwarf formation in woody oilseed crop castor bean
Authors: Wang Zaiqing , Yu Anmin , Li Fei , Xu Wei , Han Bing , Cheng Xiaomao , Liu Aizhong
Published: March 2021

Plant dwarfism is a desirable agronomic trait in non-timber trees, but little is known about the physiological and molecular mechanism underlying dwarfism in woody plants. Castor bean (Ricinus communis) is a typical woody oilseed crop. We performed cytological observations within xylem, phloem and cambia tissues, revealing that divergent cell growth in all tissues might play a role in the dwarf phenotype in cultivated castor bean. Based on bulked segregant analyses for a F2 population generated from the crossing of a tall and a dwarf accession, we identified two QTLs associated with plant height, covering 325 candidate genes. One of these, Rc5NG4-1 encoding a putative IAA transport protein localized in the tonoplast was functionally characterized. A non-synonymous SNP (altering the amino acid sequence from Y to C at position 218) differentiated the tall and dwarf plants and we confirmed, through heterologous yeast transformation, that the IAA uptake capacities of Rc5NG4-1Y and Rc5NG4-1C were significantly different. This study provides insights into the physiological and molecular mechanisms of dwarfing in woody non-timber economically important plants, with potential to aid in the genetic breeding of castor bean and other related crops.
Azolla incorporation under flooding reduces grain cadmium accumulation by decreasing soil redox potential
Authors: Liu Chen , Guo Bin , Li Hua , Fu Qinglin , Li Ningyu , Lin Yicheng , Xu Guozhong
Published: March 2021

Cadmium (Cd) presents severe risks to human health and environments. The present study proposed a green option to reduce bioavailable Cd. Rice pot experiments were conducted under continuous flooding with three treatments (T1: intercropping azolla with rice; T2: incorporating azolla into soil before rice transplantation; CK: no azolla). The results showed that azolla incorporation reduced soluble Cd by 37% compared with the CK treatment, which may be explained by the decreased soil redox potential (Eh) (r = 0.867, P < 0.01). The higher relative abundance of Methylobacter observed in azolla incorporation treatment may account for dissolved organic carbon increase (r = 0.694; P < 0.05), and hence decreased the Cd availability for rice. Azolla incorporation increased the abundance of Nitrospira, indicating the potentially prominent role of nitrogen mineralization in increasing rice yields. Further, lower soluble Cd decreased the expression of OsNramp5, but increased OsHMA3 levels in rice roots, which decreased Cd accumulation in grains. Through these effects, azolla incorporation decreased Cd concentrations in rice grains by 80.3% and increased the production by 13.4%. The negligible amount of Cd absorbed by azolla would not increase the risk of long-term application. Thus, intercropping azolla with early rice and incorporating azolla into soil before late rice transplantation can contribute to safe production at large scales of double rice cultivation.
Salivary cortisol as a non-invasive approach to assess stress in dystocic dairy calves
Authors: Kovács Levente , Kézér Fruzsina Luca , Bodó Szilárd , Ruff Ferenc , Palme Rupert , Szenci Ottó
Published: March 2021

The intensity and the magnitude of saliva cortisol responses were investigated during the first 48 h following birth in newborn dairy calves which underwent normal (eutocic,EUT, n = 88) and difficult (dystocic,DYS, n = 70) calvings. The effects of parity and body condition of the dam, the duration of parturition, the time spent licking the calf, the sex and birth weight of the calf were also analyzed. Neonatal salivary cortisol concentrations were influenced neither by factors related to the dam (parity, body condition) nor the calf (sex, birth weight). The duration of parturition and the time spent licking the calf also had no effect on salivary cortisol levels. Salivary cortisol concentrations increased rapidly after delivery in both groups to reach their peak levels at 45 and 60 min after delivery in EUT and DYS calves, respectively supporting that the birth process means considerable stress for calves and the immediate postnatal period also appears to be stressful for newborn calves. DYS calves exhibited higher salivary cortisol concentrations compared to EUT ones for 0 (P = 0.022), 15 (P = 0.016), 30 (P = 0.007), 45 (P = 0.003), 60 (P = 0.001) and 120 min (P = 0.001), and for 24 h (P = 0.040), respectively. Peak levels of salivary cortisol and the cortisol release into saliva calculated as AUC were higher in DYS than in EUT calves for the 48-h of the sampling period (P = 0.009 andP = 0.003, respectively). The greater magnitude of saliva cortisol levels in DYS calves compared to EUT ones suggest that difficult parturition means severe stress for bovine neonates and salivary cortisol could be an opportunity for non-invasive assessment of stress during the early neonatal period in cattle.
Admission ECG changes predict short term-mortality after acute myocardial infarction less reliable in patients with diabetes
Authors: Schmitz Timo , Thilo Christian , Linseisen Jakob , Heier Margit , Peters Annette , Kuch Bernhard , Meisinger Christa
Published: March 2021

Prior studies examined association between short-term mortality and certain changes in the admission ECG in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Nevertheless, little is known about possible differences between patients with diabetes and without diabetes in this regard. So the aim of the study was to investigate the association between 28-day case fatality according to certain ECG changes comparing AMI cases with and without diabetes from the general population. From 2000 until 2017 a total of 9756 AMI cases was prospectively recorded in the study Area of Augsburg, Germany. Each case was assigned to one of the following groups according to admission ECG: ‘ST-elevation’, ‘ST-depression’, ‘only T-negativity’, ‘predominantly bundle branch block’, ‘unspecific changes’ and ‘normal ECG’ (the last two were put together for regression analyses). Multivariable adjusted logistic regression models were calculated to compare 28-day case-fatality between the ECG groups for the total sample and separately for diabetes and non-diabetes cases. For the non-diabetes group, the parsimonious logistic regression model revealed significantly better 28-day-outcome for the ‘normal ECG / unspecific changes’ group (OR: 0.47 [0.29–0.76]) compared to the reference group (STEMI). Contrary, in AMI cases with diabetes the category ‘normal ECG / unspecific changes’ was not significantly associated with lower short-term mortality (OR: 0.87 [0.49–1.54]). Neither of the other ECG groups was significantly associated with 28-day-mortality in the parsimonious logistic regression models. Consequently, the absence of AMI-typical changes in the admission ECG predicts favorable short-term mortality only in non-diabetic cases, but not so in patients with diabetes.
Pathological findings after third- and second-generation everolimus-eluting stent implantations in coronary arteries from autopsy cases and an atherosclerotic porcine model
Authors: Migita Suguru , Kitano Daisuke , Li Yuxin , Koyama Yutaka , Shimodai-Yamada Sayaka , Onishi Akira , Fuchimoto Daiichiro , Suzuki Shunichi , Nakamura Yoshiyuki , Matsuyama Taka-aki , Hirota Seiichi , Sakuma Masashi , Tsujimoto Masahiko , Hirayama Atsushi , Okumura Yasuo , Hao Hiroyuki
Published: March 2021

Pathological changes after third-generation drug-eluting stent implantation remain unclear. We compared the tissue responses of coronary arteries after the implantation of third-generation abluminal biodegradable-polymer everolimus-eluting stent (3rd EES) and second-generation durable-polymer EES (2nd EES) using autopsy specimens and an atherosclerotic porcine model. We compared the histology of stented coronary arteries obtained by autopsy performed 1–10 months after 3rd EES (n (number of cases) = 4, stent-implanted period of 3–7 months) and 2nd EES (n (number of cases) = 9, stent-implanted period of 1–10 months) implantations. The ratio of covered stent struts was higher with 3rd EESs than with 2nd EESs (3rd; 0.824 ± 0.032 vs. 2nd; 0.736 ± 0.022, p = 0.035). Low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout minipigs were stented with 3rd or 2nd EES in the coronary arteries and the stented regions were investigated. The fibrin deposition around the 2nd EES was more prominent. Additionally, higher density of smooth muscle cells was confirmed after the 3rd EES implantation. Pathological examination after the 3rd EES demonstrated a combination of less fibrin deposition and more rapid acquisition of well-developed neointima as compared to the 2nd EES at autopsy and the atherosclerotic porcine model.
Effect of 5-day dry immersion on the human foot morphology evaluated by computer plantography and soft tissues stiffness measuring
Authors: Saveko Alina , Amirova Liubov , Ermakov Ivan , Smirnov Yuri , Tomilovskaya Elena , Kozlovskaya Inesa
Published: March 2021

16 participants have been subjected to Dry Immersion model (DI) for 5 days. DI reproduces the space flight factors such as lack of support, mechanical and axial unloading, physical inactivity, elimination of vertical vascular gradient. Long-term bed rest is also associated with similar factors, so the results of the study may be useful for clinical medicine. Computer plantography and measuring the stiffness of the soft tissues of the foot and superficial muscles of the shin (mm. tibialis anterior and peroneus longus) were performed twice before DI exposure, on the 2nd and 4th days of DI exposure, as well as on the 2nd day of the recovery period. DI exposure effects the parameters under study in two ways: by raising the longitudinal arch and by flattening the transverse arch, which is accompanied by a decrease in the soft tissues stiffness of the foot and superficial muscles of the shin. The work reveals the phenomenon of compensating the longitudinal arch state by changing the characteristics that reflect the transverse arch state. The results of the study for the first time demonstrate the correlation of the foot morphological characteristics with a decrease in stiffness of mm. peroneus longus and tibialis anterior.
Secular trends of population attributable risk of overweight and obesity for hypertension among Chinese adults from 1991 to 2011
Authors: Gou Jian , Wu Huiying
Published: March 2021

We determined if the increasing trend in hypertension can be partly attributed to increasing prevalence of overweight/obesity in China over the past two decades. Data were collected from 1991 to 2011 and the population attributable risk (PAR), which is used to estimate the intervention effect on hypertension if overweight/obese, were eliminated. Linear regression was used to evaluate the secular trends. The age-standardized prevalence of overweight and obesity increased by 26.32% with an overall slope of 1.27% (95% CI: 1.12–1.43%) per year. Hypertension also increased by 12.37% with an overall slope of 0.65% (95% CI: 0.51–0.79%) per year. The adjusted ORs of overweight/obesity for hypertension across the survey years remained unchanged; however, the trend in PAR increased steadily from 27.1 to 44.6% with an overall slope of 0.81% (95% CI: 0.34–1.28%) per year (P = 0.006). There was no significant gender difference in the slopes of increasing PAR, as measured by regression coefficients (β = 0.95% vs. β = 0.63% per year, P = 0.36). Over the past two decades, the increase in the prevalence of hypertension in China was partly attributed to the overweight/obesity epidemic, which highlights the importance of controlling weight and further reducing the burden of hypertension.
Broadband noise insulation of windows using coiled-up silencers consisting of coupled tubes
Authors: Wang Shuping , Tao Jiancheng , Qiu Xiaojun , Burnett Ian S.
Published: March 2021

It has been demonstrated that a staggered window achieves better noise reduction performance than a traditional single glazing one at middle to high frequencies while maintaining a degree of natural ventilation. There is, however, little improvement in the low frequency range. In contrast, this work proposes to apply coiled-up silencers consisting of coupled tubes on the side walls of staggered windows to obtain noise attenuation in a broad band, especially in the low frequency range. Each element in the silencer consists of two coupled tubes with different cross sections so that noise at more frequencies can be attenuated than that with a uniform cross section. The simulation results show that 8.8 dB overall insertion loss can be obtained between 100 and 500 Hz after applying a combination of silencers designed at 7 different frequencies, and the insertion loss of the staggered window is increased from 6.7 to 15.6 dBA between 100 and 2000 Hz for normal incident traffic noise with the proposed silencers installed. The design is validated by the experiments with a 1:4 scale down model.
Relationships between oxygen changes in the brain and periphery following physiological activation and the actions of heroin and cocaine
Authors: Thomas Shruthi A. , Curay Carlos M. , Kiyatkin Eugene A.
Published: March 2021

Using two-sensor electrochemical recordings in freely moving rats, we examined the relationship between physiological and drug-induced oxygen fluctuations in the brain and periphery. Animals chronically implanted with oxygen sensors in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and subcutaneous (SC) space were subjected to several mildly arousing stimuli (sound, tail-pinch and social interaction) and intravenous injections of cocaine and heroin. Arousing stimuli induced rapid increases in NAc oxygen levels followed by and correlated with oxygen decreases in the SC space. Therefore, cerebral vasodilation that increases cerebral blood flow and oxygen entry into brain tissue results from both direct neuronal activation and peripheral vasoconstriction, which redistributes arterial blood from periphery to the brain. The latter factor could also explain a similar pattern of oxygen responses found in the substantia nigra reticulata, suggesting hyperoxia as a global phenomenon with minor structural differences during early time intervals following the stimulus onset. While arousing stimuli and cocaine induced similar oxygen responses in the brain and SC space, heroin induced a biphasic down-up brain oxygen fluctuation associated with a monophasic oxygen decrease in the SC space. Oxygen decreases occurred more rapidly and stronger in the SC space, reflecting a drop in blood oxygen levels due to respiratory depression.
Convergence of heteromodal lexical retrieval in the lateral prefrontal cortex
Authors: Aabedi Alexander A. , Kakaizada Sofia , Young Jacob S. , Kaur Jasleen , Wiese Olivia , Valdivia Claudia , Krishna Saritha , Weyer-Jamora Christina , Berger Mitchel S. , Weissman Daniel H. , Brang David , Hervey-Jumper Shawn L.
Published: March 2021

Lexical retrieval requires selecting and retrieving the most appropriate word from the lexicon to express a desired concept. Few studies have probed lexical retrieval with tasks other than picture naming, and when non-picture naming lexical retrieval tasks have been applied, both convergent and divergent results emerged. The presence of a single construct for auditory and visual processes of lexical retrieval would influence cognitive rehabilitation strategies for patients with aphasia. In this study, we perform support vector regression lesion-symptom mapping using a brain tumor model to test the hypothesis that brain regions specifically involved in lexical retrieval from visual and auditory stimuli represent overlapping neural systems. We find that principal components analysis of language tasks revealed multicollinearity between picture naming, auditory naming, and a validated measure of word finding, implying the existence of redundant cognitive constructs. Nonparametric, multivariate lesion-symptom mapping across participants was used to model accuracies on each of the four language tasks. Lesions within overlapping clusters of 8,333 voxels and 21,512 voxels in the left lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) were predictive of impaired picture naming and auditory naming, respectively. These data indicate a convergence of heteromodal lexical retrieval within the PFC.
Fine-tuning the performance of ddRAD-seq in the peach genome
Authors: Aballay Maximiliano Martín , Aguirre Natalia Cristina , Filippi Carla Valeria , Valentini Gabriel Hugo , Sánchez Gerardo
Published: March 2021

The advance of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies allows high-throughput genotyping at a reasonable cost, although, in the case of peach, this technology has been scarcely developed. To date, only a standard Genotyping by Sequencing approach (GBS), based on a single restriction with ApeKI to reduce genome complexity, has been applied in peach. In this work, we assessed the performance of the double-digest RADseq approach (ddRADseq), by testing 6 double restrictions with the restriction profile generated with ApeKI. The enzyme pair PstI/MboI retained the highest number of loci in concordance with the in silico analysis. Under this condition, the analysis of a diverse germplasm collection (191 peach genotypes) yielded 200,759,000 paired-end (2 × 250 bp) reads that allowed the identification of 113,411 SNP, 13,661 InDel and 2133 SSR. We take advantage of a wide sample set to describe technical scope of the platform. The novel platform presented here represents a useful tool for genomic-based breeding for peach.
Pd NPs supported on halloysite functionalized with Schiff base as an efficient catalyst for Sonogashira reaction
Authors: Daraie Mansoureh , Heravi Majid M. , Rangraz Yalda , Besharati Zahra
Published: March 2021

A hybrid system was designed and synthesized through reacting modified halloysite (Hal-Cl) with Schiff base (DAB-PC) and applied as catalytic support for anchoring Pd NPs to afford Pd@Hal-DAB-PC catalyst. The resultant material was well identified by various analyses including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and revealed outstanding catalytic activity in the Sonogashira reaction in aqueous media. Also, This nanocatalyst was simply collected and recycled up to six runs with a slight drop in efficiency, indicating the durability of Pd@Hal-DAB-PC.
Rethinking the causes of pilonidal sinus disease: a matched cohort study
Authors: Doll Dietrich , Brengelmann Imke , Schober Patrick , Ommer Andreas , Bosche Friederike , Papalois Apostolos E. , Petersen Sven , Wilhelm Dirk , Jongen Johannes , Luedi Markus M.
Published: March 2021

Our understanding of pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is based on a paper published 29 years ago by Karydakis. Since then, surgeons have been taught that hair more easily penetrates wet skin, leading to the assumption that sweating promotes PSD. This postulate, however, has never been proven. Thus we used pilocarpine iontophoresis to assess sweating in the glabella sacralis. 100 patients treated for PSD and 100 controls were matched for sex, age and body mass index (BMI). Pilocarpine iontophoresis was performed for 5 min, followed by 15 min of sweat collection. PSD patients sweated less than their matched pairs (18.4 ± 1.6 µl vs. 24.2 ± 2.1 µl, p = 0.03). Men sweated more than women (22.2 ± 1.2 µl vs. 15.0 ± 1.0 µl in non-PSD patients (p < 0.0001) and 20.0 ± 1.9 µl vs. 11.9 ± 2.0 µl in PSD patients (p = 0.051)). And regular exercisers sweated more than non-exercisers (29.1 ± 2.9 µl vs. 18.5 ± 1.6 µl, p = 0.0006 for men and 20.7 ± 2.3 µl vs. 11.4 ± 1.4 µl, p = 0.0005 for women). PSD patients sweat less than matched controls. Thus sweating may have a protective effect in PSD rather than being a risk factor.
Transversal gene expression panel to evaluate intestinal health in broiler chickens in different challenging conditions
Authors: Criado-Mesas L. , Abdelli N. , Noce A. , Farré M. , Pérez J. F. , Solà-Oriol D. , Martin-Venegas R. , Forouzandeh A. , González-Solé F. , Folch J. M.
Published: March 2021

There is a high interest on gut health in poultry with special focus on consequences of the intestinal diseases, such as coccidiosis and C. perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis (NE). We developed a custom gene expression panel, which could provide a snapshot of gene expression variation under challenging conditions. Ileum gene expression studies were performed through high throughput reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. A deep review on the bibliography was done and genes related to intestinal health were selected for barrier function, immune response, oxidation, digestive hormones, nutrient transport, and metabolism. The panel was firstly tested by using a nutritional/Clostridium perfringensmodel of intestinal barrier failure (induced using commercial reused litter and wheat-based diets without exogenous supplementation of enzymes) and the consistency of results was evaluated by another experiment under a coccidiosis challenge (orally gavaged with a commercial coccidiosis vaccine, 90× vaccine dose). Growth traits and intestinal morphological analysis were performed to check the gut barrier failure occurrence. Results of ileum gene expression showed a higher expression in genes involved in barrier function and nutrient transport in chickens raised in healthy conditions, while genes involved in immune response presented higher expression inC.perfringens-challenged birds. On the other hand, theEimeriachallenge also altered the expression of genes related to barrier function and metabolism, and increased the expression of genes related to immune response and oxidative stress. The panel developed in the current study gives us an overview of genes and pathways involved in broiler response to pathogen challenge. It also allows us to deep into the study of differences in gene expression pattern and magnitude of responses under either a coccidial vaccine or a NE.
Pterostilbene promotes mitochondrial apoptosis and inhibits proliferation in glioma cells
Authors: Gao Haijun , Liu Ziqiang , Xu Weidong , Wang Qunhui , Zhang Chaochao , Ding Yaonan , Nie Weiguang , Lai Jiacheng , Chen Yong , Huang Haiyan
Published: March 2021

Glioma is the most general primary and lethal intracranial malignant tumor. Pterostilbene (PTE), an analog of stilbene and resveratrol, has attracted attention in recent years due to its significant antitumor activity in multiple solid tumors; however, its effect on drug-resistant glioma cells and the underlying mechanism have not yet been reported. In this study, we found that pterostilbene inhibited proliferation, induced intrinsic mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and caused S phase arrest, inhibited migration and excessive invasion in glioma cells. Pretreatment with the pan-caspase-inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK attenuated the PTE-induced apoptosis of glioma cells. Moreover, PTE significantly increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduce the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Inhibition of ROS with N-acetyl-l-cysteine not only rescued PTE-induced reduction of cellular viability but also prevented glioma cell apoptosis. We also discovered ERK 1/2 and JNK signaling pathways were activated by PTE and contributed to induce glioma cell apoptosis. In addition, specific inhibitors of ERK 1/2 and JNK attenuated PTE-induced apoptosis. Besides, PTE significantly reduced tumor volume and prolonged median survival of tumor-bearing rats in vivo. In summary, the results of this study indicate that the anti-tumor effect of PTE on glioma cells may provide a new treatment option for glioma patients.
Molecular and epidemiologic characterization of the diphtheria outbreak in Venezuela
Authors: Strauss Ricardo A. , Herrera-Leon Laura , Guillén Ana C. , Castro Julio S. , Lorenz Eva , Carvajal Ana , Hernandez Elizabeth , Navas Trina , Vielma Silvana , Lopez Neiris , Lopez Maria G. , Aurenty Lisbeth , Navas Valeria , Rosas Maria A. , Drummond Tatiana , Martínez José G. , Hernández Erick , Bertuglia Francis , Andrade Omaira , Torres Jaime , May Jürgen , Herrera-Leon Silvia , Eibach Daniel
Published: March 2021

In 2016, Venezuela faced a large diphtheria outbreak that extended until 2019. Nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal samples were prospectively collected from 51 suspected cases and retrospective data from 348 clinical records was retrieved from 14 hospitals between November 2017 and November 2018. Confirmed pathogenic Corynebactrium isolates were biotyped. Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) was performed followed by next-generation-based core genome-MLST and minimum spanning trees were generated. Subjects between 10 and 19 years of age were mostly affected (n = 95; 27.3%). Case fatality rates (CFR) were higher in males (19.4%), as compared to females (15.8%). The highest CFR (31.1%) was observed among those under 5, followed by the 40 to 49 age-group (25.0%). Nine samples corresponded to C. diphtheriae and 1 to C. ulcerans. Two Sequencing Types (ST), ST174 and ST697 (the latter not previously described) were identified among the eight C. diphtheriae isolates from Carabobo state. Cg-MLST revealed only one cluster also from Carabobo. The Whole Genome Sequencing analysis revealed that the outbreak seemed to be caused by different strains with C. diphtheriae and C. ulcerans coexisting. The reemergence and length of this outbreak suggest vaccination coverage problems and an inadequate control strategy.
PD-1 and PD-L1 expression on TILs in peritoneal metastases compared to ovarian tumor tissues and its associations with clinical outcome
Authors: Bekos Christine , Pils Dietmar , Dekan Sabine , Hofstetter Gerda , Horak Peter , Reinthaller Alexander , Polterauer Stephan , Schwameis Richard , Aust Stefanie
Published: March 2021

The therapeutic potential of immune checkpoint inhibitors is currently being investigated in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), but immunological effects of the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) axis in EOC still remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was thus to compare infiltration rates of PD-1 and PD-L1 expressing tumor infiltrating leucocytes (TILs) in primary ovarian tumor tissue and metastatic intraperitoneal implants and to investigate its impact on overall survival (OS). Tumor specimens (ovarian tumor tissues and intraperitoneal metastases) of 111 patients were used to investigate the PD-1, PD-L1 and CD8 expression rates on TILs and PD-L1 expression rate of tumor cells. The percentages of CD8, PD-1, and PD-L1 expressing subpopulations of TILs differ in primary ovarian tumor tissues and metastatic intraperitoneal implants. High PD-1 among TILs in peritoneal metastases were associated with favorable OS. High PD-L1 expression in TILs was associated with poor OS. Combining both factors in peritoneal metastases revealed an unfavorable prognosis. Primary ovarian tumor tissue and intraperitoneal metastatic tissues in EOC might have different strategies to evade immune control. Those findings are of importance for the process of biomarker assessment to predict patients’ response to immunotherapy.
Phase Ib trial of reformulated niclosamide with abiraterone/prednisone in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Parikh Mamta , Liu Chengfei , Wu Chun-Yi , Evans Christopher P. , Dall’Era Marc , Robles Daniel , Lara Primo N. , Agarwal Neeraj , Gao Allen C. , Pan Chong-Xian
Published: March 2021

Niclosamide has preclinical activity against a wide range of cancers. In prostate cancer, it inhibits androgen receptor variant 7 and synergizes with abiraterone. The approved niclosamide formulation has poor oral bioavailability. The primary objective of this phase Ib trial was to identify a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of a novel reformulated orally-bioavailable niclosamide/PDMX1001 in combination with abiraterone and prednisone in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Eligible patients had progressing CRPC, adequate end-organ function, and no prior treatment with abiraterone or ketoconazole. Patients were treated with escalating doses of niclosamide/PDMX1001 and standard doses of abiraterone and prednisone. Peak and trough niclosamide plasma levels were measured. Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.0 and Prostate Cancer Working Group 2 criteria were used to evaluate toxicities and responses. Nine patients with metastatic CRPC were accrued, with no dose-limiting toxicities observed at all dose levels. The recommended Phase II dose of niclosamide/PDMX1001 was 1200 mg orally (PO) three times daily plus abiraterone 1000 mg PO once daily and prednisone 5 mg PO twice daily. Trough and peak niclosamide concentrations exceeded the therapeutic threshold of > 0.2 µM. The combination was well tolerated with most frequent adverse effects of diarrhea. Five out of eight evaluable patients achieved a PSA response; two achieved undetectable PSA and radiographic response. A novel niclosamide/PDMX1001 reformulation achieved targeted plasma levels when combined with abiraterone and prednisone, and was well tolerated. Further study of niclosamide/PDMX1001 with this combination is warranted.
Suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 mimetic peptides attenuate lymphocyte activation in the MRL/lpr mouse autoimmune model
Authors: Sharma Jatin , Collins Teresa D. , Roach Tracoyia , Mishra Shiwangi , Lam Brandon K. , Mohamed Zaynab Sidi , Veal Antia E. , Polk Timothy B. , Jones Amari , Cornaby Caleb , Haider Mohammed I. , Zeumer-Spataro Leilani , Johnson Howard M. , Morel Laurence M. , Larkin Joseph
Published: March 2021

Autoimmune diseases are driven largely by a pathogenic cytokine milieu produced by aberrantly activated lymphocytes. Many cytokines, including interferon gamma (IFN-γ), utilize the JAK/STAT pathway for signal propagation. Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling-1 (SOCS1) is an inducible, intracellular protein that regulates IFN-γ signaling by dampening JAK/STAT signaling. Using Fas deficient, MRL/MpJ-Faslpr/J (MRL/lpr) mice, which develop lupus-like disease spontaneously, we tested the hypothesis that a peptide mimic of the SOCS1 kinase inhibitory region (SOCS1-KIR) would inhibit lymphocyte activation and modulate lupus-associated pathologies. Consistent with in vitro studies, SOCS1-KIR intraperitoneal administration reduced the frequency, activation, and cytokine production of memory CD8+and CD4+T lymphocytes within the peripheral blood, spleen, and lymph nodes. In addition, SOCS1-KIR administration reduced lymphadenopathy, severity of skin lesions, autoantibody production, and modestly reduced kidney pathology. On a cellular level, peritoneal SOCS1-KIR administration enhanced Foxp3 expression in total splenic and follicular regulatory T cells, reduced the effector memory/naïve T lymphocyte ratio for both CD4+and CD8+cells, and reduced the frequency of GL7+germinal center enriched B cells. Together, these data show that SOCS1-KIR treatment reduced auto-reactive lymphocyte effector functions and suggest that therapeutic targeting of the SOCS1 pathway through peptide administration may have efficacy in mitigating autoimmune pathologies.
Schisandra chinensis protects against dopaminergic neuronal oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and apoptosis via the BDNF/Nrf2/NF-κB pathway in 6-OHDA-induced Parkinson's disease mice
Authors: Yan Tingxu , Mao Qianqian , Zhang Xiaozhuo , Wu Bo , Bi Kaishun , He Bosai , Jia Ying
Published: March 2021

Sch protects against DA neurodegeneration in 6-OHDA-induced PD mice by suppressing oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and apoptosis through the involvement of the BDNF/Nrf2/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Well-defined hydrogen and organofunctional polysiloxanes with spiro-fused siloxane backbones
Authors: Kawatsu Takahiro , Fuchise Keita , Takeuchi Katsuhiko , Choi Jun-Chul , Sato Kazuhiko , Matsumoto Kazuhiro
Published: March 2021

Structurally well-defined macrocyclic polysiloxanes with unique spirosiloxane units and regularly arranged Si–H groups were synthesized by B(C6F5)3-catalyzed dehydrocarbonative cross-couplings.
Wetting of electrospun nylon-11 fibers and mats
Authors: Bagrov Dmitry , Perunova Svetlana , Pavlova Elizaveta , Klinov Dmitry
Published: March 2021

When the surface density of electrospun nylon-11 fibers on aluminium increases, it causes a two-stage change in the wetting behaviour.
Prospects and limitations of single-crystal cathode materials to overcome cross-talk phenomena in high-voltage lithium ion cells
Authors: Klein Sven , Bärmann Peer , Fromm Olga , Borzutzki Kristina , Reiter Jakub , Fan Quan , Winter Martin , Placke Tobias , Kasnatscheew Johannes
Published: March 2021

Compared to conventional poly-crystal NCM, single-crystal NCM reveals significantly improved particle stability and less electrode cross-talk, which not only suppresses rollover fading but also improves performance aspects and the cycle life up to 4.7 V.
Dual-carbon Na-ion capacitors: progress and future prospects
Authors: Subramanyan Krishnan , Divya Madhusoodhanan Lathika , Aravindan Vanchiappan
Published: March 2021

Dual-carbon-based sodium-ion capacitors (DC-NIC) engage carbonaceous electrodes as anode and cathode. High power and energy densities make it a suitable candidate for EV applications with capability to provide clean, green, and cost-effective energy.
A saddle-shaped o-tetraphenylene based molecular semiconductor with a high glass transition temperature for perovskite solar cells
Authors: Wang Jianan , Xie Xinrui , Cai Yaohang , He Lifei , Yuan Yi , Fei Weidong , Wang Lidong , Wang Peng
Published: March 2021

The saddle-shaped o-tetraphenylene is employed in the construction of a molecular semiconductor with a high glass transition temperature, allowing for the fabrication of thermally stable perovskite solar cells with 21.5% efficiency.
Recent progress in pristine MOF-based catalysts for electrochemical hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution and oxygen reduction
Authors: Fan Lili , Kang Zixi , Li Mengfei , Sun Daofeng
Published: March 2021

In this review, we summarized the advanced strategies adopted for using MOFs as electrocatalysts, discussed their structural evolution and real active species, and provide perspectives on the development of MOF materials for HER, OER and ORR.
Bismuth(iii) triflate as a novel and efficient activator for glycosyl halides
Authors: Steber Hayley B. , Singh Yashapal , Demchenko Alexei V.
Published: March 2021

Presented herein is the discovery that bismuth(iii) trifluoromethanesulfonate (Bi(OTf)3) is an effective catalyst for the activation of glycosyl bromides and glycosyl chlorides.
Pairing multicomponent stators with aromatic rotators for new emissive molecular rotors
Authors: García-González Ma. Carmen , Espinosa-Rocha Jorge , Rodríguez-Cortés Lizbeth A. , Amador-Sánchez Yoarhy A. , Miranda Luis D. , Rodríguez-Molina Braulio
Published: March 2021

Highly fluorescent molecular rotors sensitive to polarity changes were obtained through an Ugi–Sonogashira sequence.
Ru(ii)-Catalyzed, Cu(ii)-mediated carbene migratory insertion in the synthesis of trisubstituted pyrroles from isoxazoles
Authors: Kumar Pravin , Keshri Santosh Kumar , Kapur Manmohan
Published: March 2021

A convenient, “one-pot” synthesis of trisubstituted pyrroles via a Ru(ii)-catalyzed, Cu(ii)-mediated reaction of substituted isoxazoles with sulfonylhydrazones has been developed.
Catalyst-free synthesis of isoxazolidine from nitrosoarene and haloalkyne via a 1,2-halo-migration/[3 + 2] cycloaddition cascade
Authors: Qiu Shaotong , Cao Tongxiang , Zhu Shifa
Published: March 2021

An unprecedented catalyst-free three-component reaction to synthesize isoxazolidine from easily accessible haloalkyne and nitrosoarene was developed.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma related miRNA detection through a DSN enzyme assisted tetrahedral probe for more accurate prognosis
Authors: Zhang Li , Lou Zhiping
Published: March 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a pivotal role in cellular functions and in the development and progression of cancer.
Correction: Efficient biomass saccharification using a novel cellobiohydrolase from Clostridium clariflavum for utilization in biofuel industry
Authors: Zafar Asma , Aftab Muhammad Nauman , Asif Anam , Karadag Ahmet , Peng Liangcai , Celebioglu Hasan Ufak , Afzal Muhammad Sohail , Hamid Attia , Iqbal Irfana
Published: March 2021

Correction for ‘Efficient biomass saccharification using a novel cellobiohydrolase from Clostridium clariflavum for utilization in biofuel industry’ by Asma Zafar et al., RSC Adv., 2021, 11, 9246–9261, DOI: 10.1039/D1RA00545F.