bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spermidine attenuates bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis by inducing autophagy and inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-induced cell death in mice
Authors: Baek Ae Rin , Hong Jisu , Song Ki Sung , Jang An Soo , Kim Do Jin , Chin Su Sie , Park Sung Woo
Published: December 2020

Spermidine is an endogenous biological polyamine that plays various longevity-extending roles and exerts antioxidative, antiaging, and cell growth-promoting effects. We previously reported that spermidine levels were significantly reduced in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) of the lung. The present study assessed the potential beneficial effects of spermidine on lung fibrosis and investigated the possible mechanism. Lung fibrosis was established in mice using bleomycin (BLM), and exogenous spermidine was administered daily by intraperitoneal injection (50 mg/kg in phosphate-buffered saline). BLM-induced alveolar epithelial cells showed significant increases in apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related mediators, and spermidine attenuated BLM-induced apoptosis and activation of the ERS-related pathway. Senescence-associated β-gal staining and decreased expression of p16 and p21 showed that spermidine ameliorated BLM-induced premature cellular senescence. In addition, spermidine enhanced beclin-1-dependent autophagy and autophagy modulators in IPF fibroblasts and BLM-induced mouse lungs, in which inflammation and collagen deposition were significantly decreased. This beneficial effect was related to the antiapoptotic downregulation of the ERS pathway, antisenescence effects, and autophagy activation. Our findings suggest that spermidine could be a therapeutic agent for IPF treatment.
A randomized cross-over trial to define neurophysiological correlates of AV-101 N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor blockade in healthy veterans
Authors: Murphy Nicholas , Ramakrishnan Nithya , Vo-Le Bylinda , Vo-Le Brittany , Smith Mark A. , Iqbal Tabish , Swann Alan C. , Mathew Sanjay J. , Lijffijt Marijn
Published: December 2020

The kynurenine pathway (KP) is a strategic metabolic system that combines regulation of neuronal excitability via glutamate receptor function and neuroinflammation via other KP metabolites. This pathway has great promise in treatment of depression and suicidality. The KP modulator AV-101 (4-chlorokynurenine, 4-Cl-KYN), an oral prodrug of 7-chlorokynurenic acid (7-Cl-KYNA), an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) glycine site antagonist, and of 4-chloro-3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (4-Cl-3-HAA), a suppressor of NMDAR agonist quinolinic acid (QUIN), is a promising potential antidepressant that targets glutamate functioning via the KP. However, a recent placebo-controlled clinical trial of AV-101 in depression found negative results. This raises the question of whether AV-101 can penetrate the brain and engage the NMDAR and KP effectively. To address this problem, ten healthy US military veterans (mean age = 32.6 years ± 6.11; 1 female) completed a phase-1 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study to examine dose-related effects of AV-101 (720 and 1440 mg) on NMDAR engagement measured by γ-frequency band auditory steady-state response (40 Hz ASSR) and resting EEG. Linear mixed models revealed that 1440 mg AV-101, but not 720 mg, increased 40 Hz ASSR and 40 Hz ASSR γ-inter-trial phase coherence relative to placebo. AV-101 also increased 4-Cl-KYN, 7-Cl-KYNA, 4-Cl-3-HAA, 3-HAA, and KYNA in a dose-dependent manner, without affecting KYN and QUIN. AV-101 was safe and well tolerated. These results corroborate brain target engagement of 1440 mg AV-101 in humans, consistent with blockade of interneuronal NMDAR blockade. Future studies should test higher doses of AV-101 in depression. Suicidal behavior, which has been associated with high QUIN and low KYNA, is also a potential target for AV-101.
Regulation of melanoma malignancy by the RP11-705C15.3/miR-145-5p/NRAS/MAPK signaling axis
Authors: Chen Xiang-jun , Liu Sha , Han Dong-mei , Han De-zhi , Sun Wei-jing , Zhao Xiao-chun
Published: December 2020

Melanoma is a common lethal skin cancer. Dissecting molecular mechanisms driving the malignancy of melanoma may uncover potential therapeutic targets. We previously identified miR-145-5p as an important tumor-suppressive microRNA in melanoma. Here, we further investigated the roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in melanoma. We identified RP11-705C15.3, a regulator of miR-145-5p, as an oncogenic lncRNA in melanoma. RP11-705C15.3 competitively bound miR-145-5p, relieved the repressive roles of miR-145-5p on its target NRAS, upregulated NRAS expression, and activated MAPK signaling. In vitro functional assays revealed that ectopic expression of RP11-705C15.3 promoted melanoma cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, and promoted migration and invasion. Silencing of RP11-705C15.3 repressed melanoma cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and repressed migration and invasion. Notably, the roles of RP11-705C15.3 in melanoma cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion are reversed by miR-145-5p overexpression. In vivo functional assays revealed that RP11-705C15.3 promoted melanoma tumor growth and metastasis, which were also reversed by miR-145-5p overexpression. Furthermore, we investigated the expression of RP11-705C15.3 in clinical melanoma tissues and found that RP11-705C15.3 was increased in melanoma tissues. High expression of RP11-705C15.3 was positively correlated with thickness, ulceration, metastasis, and inferior overall survival. Taken together, our findings suggest RP11-705C15.3 as a novel oncogene in melanoma, and highlight that the RP11-705C15.3/miR-145-5p/NRAS/MAPK signaling axis may be potential therapeutic targets for melanoma.
JmjC-KDMs KDM3A and KDM6B modulate radioresistance under hypoxic conditions in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Macedo-Silva Catarina , Miranda-Gonçalves Vera , Lameirinhas Ana , Lencart Joana , Pereira Alexandre , Lobo João , Guimarães Rita , Martins Ana Teresa , Henrique Rui , Bravo Isabel , Jerónimo Carmen
Published: December 2020

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the most frequent esophageal cancer (EC) subtype, entails dismal prognosis. Hypoxia, a common feature of advanced ESCC, is involved in resistance to radiotherapy (RT). RT response in hypoxia might be modulated through epigenetic mechanisms, constituting novel targets to improve patient outcome. Post-translational methylation in histone can be partially modulated by histone lysine demethylases (KDMs), which specifically removes methyl groups in certain lysine residues. KDMs deregulation was associated with tumor aggressiveness and therapy failure. Thus, we sought to unveil the role of Jumonji C domain histone lysine demethylases (JmjC-KDMs) in ESCC radioresistance acquisition. The effectiveness of RT upon ESCC cells under hypoxic conditions was assessed by colony formation assay. KDM3A/KDM6B expression, and respective H3K9me2 and H3K27me3 target marks, were evaluated by RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. Effect of JmjC-KDM inhibitor IOX1, as well asKDM3Aknockdown, in in vitro functional cell behavior and RT response was assessed in ESCC under hypoxic conditions. In vivo effect of combined IOX1 and ionizing radiation treatment was evaluated in ESCC cells using CAM assay. KDM3A, KDM6B, HIF-1α, and CAIX immunoexpression was assessed in primary ESCC and normal esophagus. Herein, we found that hypoxia promoted ESCC radioresistance through increased KDM3A/KDM6B expression, enhancing cell survival and migration and decreasing DNA damage and apoptosis, in vitro. Exposure to IOX1 reverted these features, increasing ESCC radiosensitivity and decreasing ESCC microtumors size, in vivo. KDM3A was upregulated in ESCC tissues compared to the normal esophagus, associating and colocalizing with hypoxic markers (HIF-1α and CAIX). Therefore, KDM3A upregulation in ESCC cell lines and primary tumors associated with hypoxia, playing a critical role in EC aggressiveness and radioresistance. KDM3A targeting, concomitant with conventional RT, constitutes a promising strategy to improve ESCC patients’ survival.
Effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on eGFR in type 2 diabetic patients—the role of antidiabetic and antihypertensive medications
Authors: Kitamura Koichi , Hayashi Koichi , Ito Shinsuke , Hoshina Yuiko , Sakai Masahiro , Yoshino Kaede , Endo Keita , Fujitani Shigeki , Suzuki Toshihiko
Published: December 2020

Recent randomized trials demonstrating the beneficial effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) in type 2 diabetes suggest that early reductions in eGFR upon initiation of SGLT2i therapy are associated with improved renal outcomes. Multiple concomitant medications, including antidiabetic and antihypertensive agents, are commonly used, however, which may modify the renal hemodynamic action of SGLT2is. Here we found that background treatment with metformin diminished the SGLT2i-induced reductions in eGFR after 3 months of SGLT2i therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension (−2.29 ± 0.90 vs −5.85 ± 1.27 mL/min/1.73 m2 for metformin users (n = 126) and nonusers (n = 97), respectively). Other antidiabetic agents (DPP4 inhibitors, sulfonylureas and insulin) had no effect on the eGFR response to SGLT2is. Antihypertensive drugs, including calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and β blockers, did not affect the SGLT2i-induced changes in eGFR, whereas renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASis) tended to enhance this response (p = 0.059). Next, we evaluated the interaction between metformin and RASis in the eGFR responses to SGLT2is. Under no background treatment with RASis, metformin abrogated the eGFR response to SGLT2is, but this response was preserved when RASis had been given along with metformin (decreases of 0.75 ± 1.28 vs. 4.60 ± 1.15 mL/min/1.73 m2 in eGFR, p = 0.028). No interaction between metformin and insulin or between metformin and DPP4 inhibitors was observed. In conclusion, metformin blunts the SGLT2i-induced decrease in eGFR, but coadministration of RASis ameliorates this response. Furthermore, the inability of CCBs to modify the SGLT2i-induced reduction in eGFR suggests that the SGLT2i-induced renal microvascular action is mediated predominantly by postglomerular vasodilation rather than preglomerular vasoconstriction.
Author Correction: Fetal whole heart blood flow imaging using 4D cine MRI
Authors: Roberts Thomas A. , van Amerom Joshua F. P. , Uus Alena , Lloyd David F. A. , van Poppel Milou P. M. , Price Anthony N. , Tournier Jacques-Donald , Mohanadass Chloe A. , Jackson Laurence H. , Malik Shaihan J. , Pushparajah Kuberan , Rutherford Mary A. , Razavi Reza , Deprez Maria , Hajnal Joseph V.
Published: December 2020

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20353-3
Author Correction: ATP hydrolysis by yeast Hsp104 determines protein aggregate dissolution and size in vivo
Authors: Sathyanarayanan Udhayabhaskar , Musa Marina , Dib Peter Bou , Raimundo Nuno , Milosevic Ira , Krisko Anita
Published: December 2020

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20394-8
Publisher Correction: Disposable silicon-based all-in-one micro-qPCR for rapid on-site detection of pathogens
Authors: Nunez-Bajo Estefania , Collins Alexander Silva Pinto , Kasimatis Michael , Cotur Yasin , Asfour Tarek , Tanriverdi Ugur , Grell Max , Kaisti Matti , Senesi Guglielmo , Stevenson Karen , Güder Firat
Published: December 2020

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20396-6
Activation of the NRF2 pathway in Keap1-knockdown mice attenuates progression of age-related hearing loss
Authors: Oishi Tetsuya , Matsumaru Daisuke , Ota Nao , Kitamura Hiroshi , Zhang Tianxiang , Honkura Yohei , Katori Yukio , Motohashi Hozumi
Published: December 2020

Age-related hearing loss (AHL) is a progressive sensorineural hearing loss in elderly people. Although no prevention or treatments have been established for AHL, recent studies have demonstrated that oxidative stress is closely related to pathogenesis of AHL, suggesting that suppression of oxidative stress leads to inhibition of AHL progression. NRF2 is a master transcription factor that regulates various antioxidant proteins and cytoprotection factors. To examine whether NRF2 pathway activation prevents AHL, we used Keap1-knockdown (Keap1FA/FA) mice, in which KEAP1, a negative regulator of NRF2, is decreased, resulting in the elevation of NRF2 activity. We compared 12-month-old Keap1FA/FA mice with age-matched wild-type (WT) mice in the same breeding colony. In the Keap1FA/FA mice, the expression levels of multiple NRF2 target genes were verified to be significantly higher than the expression levels of these genes in the WT mice. Histological analysis showed that cochlear degeneration at the apical and middle turns was ameliorated in the Keap1FA/FA mice. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds in the Keap1FA/FA mice were significantly lower than those in the WT mice, in particular at low–mid frequencies. Immunohistochemical detection of oxidative stress markers suggested that oxidative stress accumulation was attenuated in the Keap1FA/FA cochlea. Thus, we concluded that NRF2 pathway activation protects the cochlea from oxidative damage during aging, in particular at the apical and middle turns. KEAP1-inhibiting drugs and phytochemicals are expected to be effective in the prevention of AHL.
Leakage detection for a transmon-based surface code
Authors: Varbanov Boris Mihailov , Battistel Francesco , Tarasinski Brian Michael , Ostroukh Viacheslav Petrovych , O’Brien Thomas Eugene , DiCarlo Leonardo , Terhal Barbara Maria
Published: December 2020

Leakage outside of the qubit computational subspace, present in many leading experimental platforms, constitutes a threatening error for quantum error correction (QEC) for qubits. We develop a leakage-detection scheme via Hidden Markov models (HMMs) for transmon-based implementations of the surface code. By performing realistic density-matrix simulations of the distance-3 surface code (Surface-17), we observe that leakage is sharply projected and leads to an increase in the surface-code defect probability of neighboring stabilizers. Together with the analog readout of the ancilla qubits, this increase enables the accurate detection of the time and location of leakage. We restore the logical error rate below the memory break-even point by post-selecting out leakage, discarding less than half of the data for the given noise parameters. Leakage detection via HMMs opens the prospect for near-term QEC demonstrations, targeted leakage reduction and leakage-aware decoding and is applicable to other experimental platforms.
PLEKHG5 regulates autophagy, survival and MGMT expression in U251-MG glioblastoma cells
Authors: Witte Kaya Elisa , Slotta Carsten , Lütkemeyer Melanie , Kitke Angelika , Coras Roland , Simon Matthias , Kaltschmidt Christian , Kaltschmidt Barbara
Published: December 2020

A signalling pathway involving PLEKHG5 (guanine exchange factor) for the Ras superfamily member RAB26 to transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in autophagy. PLEKHG5 was reported in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and correlates with patient survival. Thus, the generation of a cellular model for understanding PLEKHG5 signalling is the study purpose. We generated a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of PLEKHG5 in U251-MG glioblastoma cells and analysed resulting changes. Next, we used a mRFP-GFP-LC3+reporter for visualisation of autophagic defects and rescued the phenotype ofPLEKHG5wildtype via transduction of a constitutively active RAB26QL-plasmid. Effects of overexpressing RAB26 were investigated and correlated with the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) and cellular survival.PLEKHG5knockout showed changes in morphology, loss of filopodia and higher population doubling times. Accumulation of autolysosomes was resulted by decreased LAMP-1 in PLEKHG5-deficient cells. Rescue ofPLEKHG5−/−restored the downregulation of RhoA activity, showed faster response to tumour necrosis factor and better cellular fitness. MGMT expression was activated after RAB26 overexpression compared to non-transduced cells. Survival ofPLEKHG5knockout was rescued together with sensitivity to temozolomide by RAB26QL. This study provides new insights in the PLEKHG5/RAB26 signalling within U251-MG cells, which suggests potential therapeutic strategies in other glioma cells and further in primary GBM.
Novel mutant camelina and jatropha as valuable feedstocks for biodiesel production
Authors: Aslam Muhammad Mahran , Khan Asif Ali , Cheema Hafiza Masooma Naseer , Hanif Muhammad Asif , Azeem Muhammad Waqar , Azmat Muhammad Abubakkar
Published: December 2020

Novel mutant camelina has become a crop of interest inspired by its short growing season, low harvesting costs and high oil composition. Despite those advantages, limited research has been done on novel mutant lines to determine applicability for biodiesel production. Jatropha is an extremely hardy, frugal and high oil yielding plant species. The major aim of the present study was not only to compare biodiesel production from jatropha and camelina but was also to test the efficacy of camelina mutant lines (M6 progenies) as superior feedstock. The biodiesel yield from camelina oil and jatropha oil was 96% and 92%, respectively. The gas chromatographic analysis using flame ionization detector (GC-FID) showed that mutant camelina oil biodiesel sample contain major amount of oleic acid (46.54 wt%) followed by linolenic acid (20.41 wt%) and linoleic acid (16.55 wt%). Jatropha biodiesel found to contain major amount of oleic acid (45.03 wt%) followed by linoleic acid (25.07 wt%) and palmitic acid (19.31 wt%). The fuel properties of produced biodiesel were found in good agreement with EN14214 and ASTM D6751 standards. The mutant camelina lines biodiesel have shown comparatively better fuel properties than jatropha. It has shown low saponification value (120.87–149.35), high iodine value (130.2–157.9) and better cetane number (48.53–59.35) compared to jatropha biodiesel which have high saponification value (177.39–198.9), low iodine value (109.7–123.1) and lesser cetane number (47.76–51.26). The results of the present student of utilizing novel mutant camelina lines for biodiesel production are quite promising and are helpful in turning out the outcomes of the previous studies suggesting that C. sativa biodiesel presents serious drawbacks for biodiesel applications.
Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phenol and sodium sulfate by Nocardia species isolated and characterized from Iranian ecosystems
Authors: Azadi Davood , Shojaei Hasan
Published: December 2020

Anthropogenic pollutants are known to have adverse effect on ecosystem, biodiversity and human health. Bioremediation is an option that has been widely used to remediate organic contaminants and reduce the risk of these hazardous materials. Microorganisms are readily available to screen and can be rapidly characterized to be applied in many extreme environmental conditions. Actinomycetes have a great potential for the production of bioactive secondary metabolites which have biodegradation activity. This study aimed to screen and characterize Nocardia species with biodegradation potential from diverse Iranian ecosystems. The isolates were screened from 90 collected environmental samples, identified and characterized using conventional and molecular microbiological methods including the PCR amplification and sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA and rpoB genetic markers. Growth rate in presence of pollutants, chromatography, Gibbs and turbidometric methods were used to determine bioremediation ability. A total of 19 Nocardia isolates were recovered from the cultured samples (21.1%) that belonged to 10 various species. The most prevalent Nocardia species was N. farcinica; 4 isolates (21%), followed by N. cyriacigeorgica and N. cashijiensis like; 3 isolates each (15.7%) and N. asteroides and N. kroppenstedtii; 2 isolates each (10.5%). Our results showed that various Nocardia species have great potential for bioremediation purposes, although they have not received much attention of the scholars for such significant usage.
Prognostic effect of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease under statin treatment
Authors: Li Yi-Heng , Tseng Wei-Kung , Yin Wei-Hsian , Lin Fang-Ju , Wu Yen-Wen , Hsieh I-Chang , Lin Tsung-Hsien , Sheu Wayne Huey-Herng , Yeh Hung-I , Chen Jaw-Wen , Wu Chau-Chung ,   Taiwanese Secondary Prevention for Patients with AtheRosCLErotic Disease (T-SPARCLE) Registry Investigators
Published: December 2020

In patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) under statin treatment, the influence of on-treatment level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) on cardiovascular (CV) events is controversial. Statin-treated patients were selected from the Taiwanese Secondary Prevention for patients with AtheRosCLErotic disease (T-SPARCLE) Registry, a multicenter, observational study of adult patients with ASCVD in Taiwan. Low HDL-C was defined as < 40 mg/dL for men and < 50 mg/dL for women. The primary outcome was a composite CV events including CV death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke or cardiac arrest with resuscitation. A total of 3731 patients (mean age 65.6 years, 75.6% men) were included. Patients with on-treatment low HDL-C (44%, mean HDL-C 34.9 ± 6.8 mg/dL) were younger and with more diabetes and higher body weight. The mean follow-up time was 2.7 years. We used restricted cubic spline curves to examine the potential non-linear association between HDL-C and adverse outcomes. Decreased HDL-C levels were associated with a significantly increased risk of CV events in women (< 49 mg/dL in women) but not in men (< 42 mg/dL in men). However, the protective effect of elevated HDL-C levels was more prominent in men than in women. In ASCVD patients with statin therapy, low on-treatment HDL-C was common in Taiwan and associated with an increased risk of CV events in women. Higher HDL-C levels provided more protective effect in men than in women.
Leuconostoc mesenteroides mediates an electrogenic pathway to attenuate the accumulation of abdominal fat mass induced by high fat diet
Authors: Pham Minh Tan , Yang John Jackson , Balasubramaniam Arun , Rahim Adelia Riezka , Adi Prakoso , Do Thi Tra My , Herr Deron Raymond , Huang Chun-Ming
Published: December 2020

Although several electrogenic bacteria have been identified, the physiological effect of electricity generated by bacteria on host health remains elusive. We found that probiotic Leuconostoc mesenteroides (L. mesenteroides) can metabolize linoleic acid to yield electricity via an intracellular cyclophilin A-dependent pathway. Inhibition of cyclophilin A significantly abolished bacterial electricity and lowered the adhesion of L. mesenteroides to the human gut epithelial cell line. Butyrate from L. mesenteroides in the presence of linoleic acid were detectable and mediated free fatty acid receptor 2 (Ffar2) to reduce the lipid contents in differentiating 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Oral administration of L. mesenteroides plus linoleic acid remarkably reduced high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced formation of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), a reactive oxygen species (ROS) biomarker, and decreased abdominal fat mass in mice. The reduction of 4-HNE and abdominal fat mass was reversed when cyclophilin A inhibitor-pretreated bacteria were administered to mice. Our studies present a novel mechanism of reducing abdominal fat mass by electrogenic L. mesenteroides which may yield electrons to enhance colonization and sustain high amounts of butyrate to limit ROS during adipocyte differentiation.
Enhanced image sensing with avalanche multiplication in hybrid structure of crystalline selenium photoconversion layer and CMOSFETs
Authors: Imura Shigeyuki , Mineo Keitada , Honda Yuki , Arai Toshiki , Miyakawa Kazunori , Watabe Toshihisa , Kubota Misao , Nishimoto Keisuke , Sugiyama Mutsumi , Nanba Masakazu
Published: December 2020

The recent improvements of complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors are playing an essential role in emerging high-definition video cameras, which provide viewers with a stronger sensation of reality. However, the devices suffer from decreasing sensitivity due to the shrinkage of pixels. We herein address this problem by introducing a hybrid structure comprising crystalline-selenium (c-Se)-based photoconversion layers and 8 K resolution (7472 × 4320 pixels) CMOS field-effect transistors (FETs) to amplify signals using the avalanche multiplication of photogenerated carriers. Using low-defect-level NiO as an electric field buffer and an electron blocking layer, we confirmed signal amplification by a factor of approximately 1.4 while the dark current remained low at 2.6 nA/cm2 at a reverse bias voltage of 22.6 V. Furthermore, we successfully obtained a brighter image based on the amplified signals without any notable noise degradation.
Kinetics and thermodynamics of hydrolysis of crystal violet at ambient and below ambient temperatures
Authors: Salahudeen Nurudeen , Rasheed Adamu A.
Published: December 2020

Hydrolysis reaction was carried out at varying NaOH concentrations of 0.008, 0.016 and 0.024 M, variable temperature of 6 and 21 °C, and constant initial crystal violet (CV) concentration of 2.6 × 10–5 M. Kinetic data of the reaction were generated using UV–Vis Spectrophotometer. Analysis of the reaction kinetics shows that the overall rate order of the hydrolysis reaction was 1st order. The individual rate order of the reaction with respect to NaOH and CV was temperature dependent. At 21 °C the rate order with respect to NaOH and CV were 0.24th and 0.76th, respectively. While at 6 °C the individual rate order were 0.38th and 0.62th with respect to NaOH and CV, respectively. Values of the reaction rate constant (k) at 21 and 6 °C were 7.2 and 1.9 $$\left( {\frac{{{\text{mol}}}}{{\text{L}}}} \right)^{{ - 0.9}} min^{-1}$$molL-0.9min-1, respectively. The activation energy of the reaction was determined as 60.57 kJ/mol. The reaction was an endothermic reaction having enthalpy values of 58.13 and 58.29 kJ/mol at 21 and 6 °C, respectively. The entropy and Gibbs free energy of the hydrolysis reaction at ambient temperature of 21 °C were − 64.72 J/mol K and 77.15 kJ/K, respectively. At 6 °C the entropy and Gibbs free energy of the reaction were − 64.29 J/mol K and 76.19 kJ/K, respectively.
The largest known cowrie and the iterative evolution of giant cypraeid gastropods
Authors: Dominici Stefano , Fornasiero Mariagabriella , Giusberti Luca
Published: December 2020

Based on the fossil record, we explore the macroevolutionary relationship between species richness and gigantism in cowries (Cypraeidae), the best-studied family of gastropods, with a global diversity distribution that parallels that of tropical corals, mangroves and seagrasses. We introduce Vicetia bizzottoi sp. nov. based on a Priabonian fossil found in northeastern Italy, the largest documented cowrie found so far and the youngest of a lineage of Eocene Gisortiinae species. The Gisortiinae stratigraphic record in western Europe indicates that species selection favoured large size and armouring of the shell. Palaeoecology and per-stage species richness suggest that gigantism occurred in peripheral habitats with respect to diversity hotspots, where smaller species were favoured. The Eocene–Oligocene boundary was marked by a turnover and the Chattian global warming favoured small-sized species of derived clades. Species selection leading to gigantism is further documented in Miocene lineages of Zoila and Umbilia, in the southern hemisphere, two extant genera distributed at the periphery of modern diversity hotspots, suggesting that the negative relationship between size and diversity is a recurring pattern in the evolutionary history of cowries. This palaeontological evidence is projected onto the existing hypotheses that explain analogous biogeographic patterns in various other taxa. Likewise, body size-species richness negative relationship was possibly driven in cowries by physiological, ecological and life history constraints.
Minimally invasive versus traditional open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for the treatment of low-grade degenerative spondylolisthesis: a retrospective study
Authors: Qin Rongqing , Wu Tong , Liu Hongpeng , Zhou Bing , Zhou Pin , Zhang Xing
Published: December 2020

This was a retrospective study. We aimed to compare the clinical efficacy and safety between minimally invasive and traditional open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of low-grade lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS). 81 patients with LDS grades 1 and 2 treated in our spinal department from January 2014 to July 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The MIS-TLIF group included 23 males and 11 females, while the TO-TLIF group included 29 males and 18 females. Follow-up points were set at 7 days, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months postoperatively and the last follow-up. Various clinical and radiological indicators were used to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety between the two procedures. 8 cases (3 in the MIS-TLIF group and 5 in the TO-TLIF group) were loss of follow-up after discharge. And the remaining 73 patients were followed up for at least 2 years. No statistically significant difference was observed in the terms of age, sex, BMI, slippage grade, and surgical segments. The MIS-TLIF group had a longer operation and fluoroscopy time compared with the TO-TLIF group. But the MIS-TLIF group was associated with less blood loss, ambulation time, hospital stay, and time of return to work. In each group, significant improvement were observed in BP-VAS, ODI and vertebral slip ratio at any time-point of follow-up when compared with the preoperative condition. When the time-point of follow-up was less than 1 year, the MIS-TLIF group had significant advantages in the BP-VAS and ODI compared with TO-TLIF group. But no significant difference was observed in the BP-VAS and ODI at either 12 month follow-up or the last follow-up. Besides, no statistical difference was detected in vertebral slip ratio at any time-point of follow-up between the two groups. Successful intervertebral bone fusion was found in all patients and no significant difference was found in the incidence of total complications. Thus, we considered that MIS-TLIF and TO-TLIF both achieve satisfactory clinical efficacy in the treatment of low-grade single-segment LDS. But MIS-TLIF appears to be a more efficacious and safe technique with reduced tissue damage, less blood loss and quicker recovery.
Coherent electron displacement for quantum information processing using attosecond single cycle pulses
Authors: Agueny Hicham
Published: December 2020

Coherent electron displacement is a conventional strategy for processing quantum information, as it enables to interconnect distinct sites in a network of atoms. The efficiency of the processing relies on the precise control of the mechanism, which has yet to be established. Here, we theoretically demonstrate a new route to drive the electron displacement on a timescale faster than that of the dynamical distortion of the electron wavepacket by utilizing attosecond single-cycle pulses. The characteristic feature of these pulses relies on a vast momentum transfer to an electron, leading to its displacement following a unidirectional path. The scenario is illustrated by revealing the spatiotemporal nature of the displaced wavepacket encoding a quantum superposition state. We map out the associated phase information and retrieve it over long distances from the origin. Moreover, we show that a sequence of such pulses applied to a chain of ions enables attosecond control of the directionality of the coherent motion of the electron wavepacket back and forth between the neighbouring sites. An extension to a two-electron spin state demonstrates the versatility of the use of these pulses. Our findings establish a promising route for advanced control of quantum states using attosecond single-cycle pulses, which pave the way towards ultrafast processing of quantum information as well as imaging.
C-demethylation and 1, 2-amino shift in (E)-2-(1-(3-aminophenyl) ethylidene)hydrazinecarboxamide to (E)-2-(2-aminobenzylidene)hydrazinecarboxamide and their applications
Authors: Sennappan M. , Skariyachan Sinosh , Managutti Praveen B. , Gunaga Shubha Shridhar
Published: December 2020

A Novel (E)-2-(1-(3-aminophenyl)ethylidene)hydrazinecarboxamide1was synthesized by traditional method and converted to (E)-2-(2-aminobenzylidene)hydrazinecarboxamide2by single step in DMSO at room temperature. Synthesized compound1was analysed by spectroscopy (NMR and LC–MS) techniques and molecule2was characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy (NMR and GC–MS) techniques. These analytical technique results revealed that, C-demethylation and 1, 2 amino shift in phenyl ring of compound1gives molecule2. DNA binding studies of compounds1and2was carried out by electronic absorption spectroscopy. This result revealed that, compounds1and2showed hyperchromism with bathochromic shift. Anticancer activity of compounds1and2is carried out by molecular docking with five receptors.Computer aided virtual screening demonstrated that the synthesized molecules possess ideal drug likeliness, pharmacokinetics features, toxicity profile for structure based drug discovery. The molecular docking studies revealed that the synthesized molecules are significant binding with the five selected cancer receptors with minimum binding energy (kcal/mol), number of hydrogen bonds, weak interaction, docking score and cluster RMS. The docking studies also suggested that the molecules showed interactions with DNA and the theoretical values of the binding are comparable with that of the experimental values. Hirshfeld surface analysis was used to analyze and quantify the intermolecular interactions in the crystal structure of compound2.
Minimum effective volume of ropivacaine for ultrasound-guided supra-inguinal fascia iliaca compartment block
Authors: Yamada Kumiko , Inomata Shinichi , Saito Shigeyuki
Published: December 2020

Supra inguinal fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) is increasingly used in elderly patients with hip fractures. However, the minimum effective volume of local anesthetics required for ultrasound-guided supra-inguinal FICB has not been determined. With ethical committee approval and written informed consent from patients, we studied 21 consecutive patients of ASA physical status I–III undergoing surgery for hip fracture who met the inclusion criteria. Blocks were performed before going to the operation room. We determined the injection volumes of 0.25% ropivacaine for consecutive patients from the preceding patient's outcome. The initial volume was 30 ml. The testing interval was set at 10 ml, and the lowest volume was 5 ml. An effective block was defined as loss of sensation of pinprick in the territory of the femoral nerve and lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh 30 min after the injection. The aim of this study was to determine the 50% effective volume (EV50) and the 95% effective volume (EV95) of 0.25% ropivacaine for ultrasound-guided supra-inguinal FICB using Logistic regression analysis. EV50 and EV95 of 0.25% ropivacaine for ultrasound-guided supra-inguinal FICB calculated with logistic regression analysis were 15.01 ml (95% confidence interval, 6.53–22.99 ml) and 26.99 ml (95% confidence interval, 20.54–84.09 ml), respectively. EV50 and EV95 of 0.25% ropivacaine for ultrasound-guided supra-inguinal FICB were 15.01 ml and 26.99 ml, respectively.

Clinical trial number: UMIN000027277 (URL https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index-j.htm).
Spatial constraints and cognitive fatigue affect motor imagery of walking in people with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Podda Jessica , Pedullà Ludovico , Monti Bragadin Margherita , Piccardo Elisa , Battaglia Mario Alberto , Brichetto Giampaolo , Bove Marco , Tacchino Andrea
Published: December 2020

Motor imagery (MI) is the mental simulation of an action without any overt motor execution. Interestingly, a temporal coupling between durations of real and imagined movements, i.e., the so-called isochrony principle, has been demonstrated in healthy adults. On the contrary, anisochrony has frequently been reported in elderly subjects or those with neurological disease such as Parkinson disease or multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we tested whether people with MS (PwMS) may have impaired MI when they imagined themselves walking on paths with different widths. When required to mentally simulate a walking movement along a constrained pathway, PwMS tended to overestimate mental movement duration with respect to actual movement duration. Interestingly, in line with previous evidence, cognitive fatigue was found to play a role in the MI of PwMS. These results suggest that investigating the relationship between cognitive fatigue and MI performances could be key to shedding new light on the motor representation of PwMS and providing critical insights into effective and tailored rehabilitative treatments.
Distortion of the bilayer and dynamics of the BAM complex in lipid nanodiscs
Authors: Iadanza Matthew G. , Schiffrin Bob , White Paul , Watson Matthew A. , Horne Jim E. , Higgins Anna J. , Calabrese Antonio N. , Brockwell David J. , Tuma Roman , Kalli Antreas C. , Radford Sheena E. , Ranson Neil A.
Published: December 2020

The β-barrel assembly machinery (BAM) catalyses the folding and insertion of β-barrel outer membrane proteins (OMPs) into the outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria by mechanisms that remain unclear. Here, we present an ensemble of cryoEM structures of the E. coli BamABCDE (BAM) complex in lipid nanodiscs, determined using multi-body refinement techniques. These structures, supported by single-molecule FRET measurements, describe a range of motions in the BAM complex, mostly localised within the periplasmic region of the major subunit BamA. The β-barrel domain of BamA is in a ‘lateral open’ conformation in all of the determined structures, suggesting that this is the most energetically favourable species in this bilayer. Strikingly, the BAM-containing lipid nanodisc is deformed, especially around BAM’s lateral gate. This distortion is also captured in molecular dynamics simulations, and provides direct structural evidence for the lipid ‘disruptase’ activity of BAM, suggested to be an important part of its functional mechanism.
A microfluidic chip for on-line derivatization and application toin vivoneurochemical monitoring
Authors: Valenta Alec C. , D'Amico Cara I. , Dugan Colleen E. , Grinias James P. , Kennedy Robert T.
Published: December 2020

A microfluidic device for automated BzCl derivatization and application toin vivoneurochemical monitoring using LC-MS/MS.
Multicolour chemical imaging of plant tissues with hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering microscopy
Authors: Iino Takanori , Hashimoto Kenji , Asai Takuya , Kuchitsu Kazuyuki , Ozeki Yasuyuki
Published: December 2020

Stimulated Raman scattering microscopy allows for multicolour label-free chemical imaging of plant tissues.
Carbon aerogel as a solid-phase microextraction fiber coating for the extraction and detection of trace tetracycline residues in food by coupling with high-performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Dong Zong-Mu , Cheng Lu , Sun Tong , Zhao Guang-Chao , Kan Xianwen
Published: December 2020

An efficient SPME method using the carbon aerogel as fiber coating was developed for tetracycline detection, and the performance parameters of the analysis are optimized via the BBD software.
Slow magnetic relaxation in structurally similar mononuclear 8-coordinate Fe(ii) and Fe(iii) compounds
Authors: Su Qian-Qian , Yuan Qiong , Wu Xiao-Fan , Chen Si-Huai , Xiang Jing , Jin Xin-Xin , Wang Li-Xin , Wang Bing-Wu , Gao Song , Lau Tai-Chu
Published: December 2020

A pair of structurally-similar and stable 8-coordinate high-spin Fe(ii) and Fe(iii) compounds have been obtained. Both compounds exhibit field-induced slow magnetic relaxation behaviour.
Gas phase formation of carbon cluster (fullerenes and graphenes)/prebiotic sugar complexes
Authors: Zhang Deping , Yang Yuanyuan , Hu Xiaoyi , Zhen Junfeng
Published: December 2020

We provide experimental evidence of astronomically related sugar derivatives – carbon cluster (fullerenes and graphenes)/prebiotic sugar complexes – and study their formation processes in the gas phase.
Confronting FCP structure with ultrafast spectroscopy data: evidence for structural variations
Authors: Gelzinis Andrius , Augulis Ramūnas , Büchel Claudia , Robert Bruno , Valkunas Leonas
Published: December 2020

In this Perspective, we demonstrate that the published FCP structures are not entirely consistent with 2D spectroscopy results for Cyclotella meneghiniana. To remedy this issue, we propose pigment arrangement in the trimeric FCP for this species.
Recent advances in the synthesis of piperazine based ligands and metal complexes and their applications
Authors: Kant Rishi , Maji Suman
Published: December 2020

The piperazine ring is an indispensable part of many biomolecules and can be easily modified through substitution on the ring nitrogen for desired application in pharmacology as well as metal binding studies.
C-Term magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy in paramagnetic transition metal and f-element organometallic chemistry
Authors: Wolford Nikki J. , Radovic Aleksa , Neidig Michael L.
Published: December 2020

This perspective provides an introduction to magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy and its efficacy in elucidating both fundamental electronic structure and in situ reaction speciation in d- and f-block organometallics.
The curious case of peptide-coordinated iron–sulfur clusters: prebiotic and biomimetic insights
Authors: Bonfio Claudia
Published: December 2020

Bioinorganic chemistry and prebiotic chemistry represent two different, yet complementary approaches to provide important clues for the synthesis and catalytic activity of biomimetic iron–sulfur analogues in aqueous solution.
Phase separation of a nonionic surfactant aqueous solution in a standing surface acoustic wave for submicron particle manipulation
Authors: Zhao Lei , Niu Pengfei , Casals Eudald , Zeng Muling , Wu Chen , Yang Yang , Sun Sheng , Zheng Zongwei , Wang Zhaoxun , Ning Yuan , Duan Xuexin , Pang Wei
Published: December 2020

Acoustic induced nanoparticle patterning and location migration in inhomogeneous media formed in situ.
A top–down fabricated gold nanostrip on a silicon-on-insulator wafer: a promising building block towards ultra-compact optical devices
Authors: Zhang Fuping , Liu Weikang , Chen Li , Guan Zhiqiang , Xu Hongxing
Published: December 2020

An optimized thin silicon layer on a substrate can increase the coupling efficiency and suppress the leaky loss.
Kinetic and structure–activity studies of the triazolium ion-catalysed benzoin condensation
Authors: Massey Richard S. , Murray Jacob , Collett Christopher J. , Zhu Jiayun , Smith Andrew D. , O'Donoghue AnnMarie C.
Published: December 2020

An initial rate evaluation of the triazolium-catalysed benzoin condensation permitted a Hammett structure–activity analysis providing insight into the rate-limiting step.
A high-temperature halide perovskite molecular ferroelastic with evident dielectric switching
Authors: Xu Xiao-Qin , Zhang Hua , Huang Xue-Qin , Liu Yu-Ling
Published: December 2020

Under the quasi-spherical strategy, a hybrid halide perovskite (TMTB)CdCl3 is designed and synthesized and shows evident high-temperature ferroelastic phase transition and dielectric switching.
Engineering multifunctional metal/protein hybrid nanomaterials as tools for therapeutic intervention and high-sensitivity detection
Authors: Aires Antonio , Maestro David , Ruiz del Rio Jorge , Palanca Ana R. , Lopez-Martinez Elena , Llarena Irantzu , Geraki Kalotina , Sanchez-Cano Carlos , Villar Ana V. , Cortajarena Aitziber L.
Published: December 2020

Engineering protein-based hybrids by combining protein engineering and nanotechnology: a protein-nanocluster hybrid for theranostic use in myocardial fibrosis shows the potential to create tailored multifunctional biologics for biomedicine.
Peptide sequence mediated self-assembly of molybdenum blue nanowheel superstructures
Authors: She Shan , Xuan Weimin , Bell Nicola L. , Pow Robert , Ribo Eduard Garrido , Sinclair Zoe , Long De-Liang , Cronin Leroy
Published: December 2020

Peptide sequence can be used to control the self-assembly and structures of nanoscale molybdenum blue polyoxometalate (POM) wheel-shaped clusters.
Effects of surface chemical potentials on cation segregation
Authors: Ostrovskiy Eugene , Huang Yi-Lin , Wachsman Eric D.
Published: December 2020

The presence of gas molecules alters the surface cation segregation process on perovskites.
Using Analog Tasks to Assess Children's Social Communication Skills
Authors: Greenslade Kathryn J.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This tutorial addresses the use of analog tasks to assess social communication abilities in toddlers through adolescents. In analog tasks, clinicians manufacture situations that give rise to naturalistic social dilemmas (or dilemmas “analogous” to ones encountered in everyday interactions); the result is a sample of children's spontaneous, real-time, social communication performance, targeting specific behaviors of interest.

Method/Results

Potential social communication behaviors to be assessed and the critical impact of contextual factors on those behaviors are discussed. Next, analog tasks are defined, and their clinical benefits relative to other types of informal assessments are described. Several research-developed analog tasks, along with their key characteristics, are presented to illustrate these benefits and provide a starting place for clinicians to add analog tasks to their clinical toolbox. Finally, the process of developing analog tasks is described and applied in an example and associated case study, which together highlight the utility of analog tasks in identifying social communication deficits and potential strategies to facilitate intervention.

Conclusions

Improving clinicians' understanding, access to, and use of analog tasks will offer new ecologically valid assessment tools that efficiently capture representative and generalizable social communication performance and highlight specific strengths and weaknesses in context. Such results can provide a strong foundation for clinical decision making and improve the services provided to children with social communication disorders.
Mitigating interference and reducing detection complexity in asynchronous cooperative relay network utilising new distributed space time block coding
Authors: Elazreg Abdulghani M. , Kharaz Ahmad H.
Published: December 2020

The synchronisation in wireless cooperative relay networks is impossible to achieve in real environment utilising orthogonal space time block coding. There have been several approaches proposed to mitigate the effect of synchronisation among the relay nodes at the receiver. All have managed to reduce the inter‐symbol interference at the expense of low data rate with high detection complexity. Others achieved full data rate and high cooperative diversity using high decoding complexity that requires a feedback link. In this paper, a new approach is presented that reduces inter‐symbol interference, achieves full data rate and full cooperative diversity with low complexity. This uses a new efficient distributed orthogonal space time block coding design with a sub‐optimum detection scheme utilising dual relay nodes. This reduces the number of timing misalignments among the relay nodes and minimises the detection complexity. Furthermore, the new proposed method uses linear decoding process to achieve full data rate and full cooperative diversity without the need for any a feedback link. The analytical analysis and simulation results confirmed that sub‐optimum approach with the new efficient design are very effective at reducing the lack of synchronisation among the relay nodes at the destination node with low encoding and decoding complexities.