bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbon-fiber reinforced PEEK instrumentation for spondylodiscitis: a single center experience on safety and efficacy
Authors: Joerger Ann-Kathrin , Shiban Ehab , Krieg Sandro M. , Meyer Bernhard
Published: January 2021

Radiolucent carbon-fiber-reinforced (CFR) polyethyl-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) has been established in spinal instrumentation for oncological reasons. Laboratory data reported comparable bacterial adhesion as titanium. Thus, using of CFR-PEEK spinal instrumentation for spondylodiscitis bases on artifact-free imaging to evaluate therapeutic success. Studies comparing the rate of pedicle screw loosening and relapse of spondylodiscitis following titanium versus CFR-PEEK instrumentation do not exist so far. This study evaluates the rate of pedicle screw loosening and recurrence of spondylodiscitis after CFR-PEEK instrumentation for spondylodiscitis compared to titanium. We conducted a prospective single center study between June 2018 and March 2019 on consecutive 23 patients with thoracolumbar spondylodiscitis. Imaging data was evaluated for screw loosening at a minimum of three months after surgery. A matched-pair analysis was performed using spondylodiscitis cases between 2014 and 2016 using titanium instrumentation for equal localization, surgery, and microorganism class. Among 17 cases with follow-up imaging, six cases (35%) showed screw loosening while only 14% (two patients) with titanium instrumentation were loosened (p = 0.004). In both groups the most frequent bacterium was Staphylococcus aureus, followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis. From the S. aureus cases, one infection in both groups was caused by methicillin resistant species (MRSA). No difference was found in the rate of 360° fusion in either group due to matching criteria. As opposed to other indications CFR-PEEK screws show more loosening than titanium in this series with two potentially underlying reasons: a probably stronger bacterial adhesion on CFR-PEEK in vivo as shown by a statistical trend in vitro and instrumentation of spondylytic vertebrae. Until these factors are validated, we advise caution when implanting CFR-PEEK screws in infectious cases.
Fabrication of hollow flower-like magnetic Fe3O4/C/MnO2/C3N4 composite with enhanced photocatalytic activity
Authors: Ma Mingliang , Yang Yuying , Chen Yan , Jiang Jiabin , Ma Yong , Wang Zunfa , Huang Weibo , Wang Shasha , Liu Mingqing , Ma Dongxue , Yan Xiaoning
Published: January 2021

The serious problems of environmental pollution and energy shortage have pushed the green economy photocatalysis technology to the forefront of research. Therefore, the development of an efficient and environmentally friendly photocatalyst has become a hotpot. In this work, magnetic Fe3O4/C/MnO2/C3N4 composite as photocatalyst was synthesized by combining in situ coating with low-temperature reassembling of CN precursors. Morphology and structure characterization showed that the composite photocatalyst has a hollow core–shell flower-like structure. In the composite, the magnetic Fe3O4 core was convenient for magnetic separation and recovery. The introduction of conductive C layer could avoid recombining photo-generated electrons and holes effectively. Ultra-thin g-C3N4 layer could fully contact with coupled semiconductor. A Z-type heterojunction between g-C3N4 and flower-like MnO2 was constructed to improve photocatalytic performance. Under the simulated visible light, 15 wt% photocatalyst exhibited 94.11% degradation efficiency in 140 min for degrading methyl orange and good recyclability in the cycle experiment.
Study of laser actions by bird’s feathers with photonic crystals
Authors: Chen Shih-Wen , Lu Jin-You , Tung Po-Han , Lin Ja-Hon , Chiesa Matteo , Hung Bing-Yi , Yang Thomas Chung-Kuang
Published: January 2021

Random lasers had been made by some biomaterials as light scattering materials, but natural photonic crystals have been rarely reported as scattering materials. Here we demonstrate the ability of natural photonic crystals to drive laser actions by sandwiched the feathers of the Turquoise-Fronted Amazon parrot and dye between two plastic films. Parrot feathers comprise abundant photonic crystals, and different color feathers compose of different ratios of the photonic crystal, which directly affect the feather reflectance. In this study, the multi-reflection scattering that occurred at the interface between the photonic crystal and gain media efficiently reduce the threshold; therefore, the more photonic crystal constitutes in the feathers; the lower threshold can be obtained. The random lasers can be easily made by the integration of bird feather photonic crystals and dye with a simple and sustainable manufacturing approach.
Mental activities after dinner increase cigarettes consumption
Authors: Yu Xuechan , Yu Yiming , Ma Hongying , Chen Zhongbo , Deng Zaichun
Published: January 2021

Tobacco smoking is the main risk factor for many diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as well as lung cancer and cigarettes. Smokers usually keep continuing to smoke during their mental activities in the evening between dinner and sleep time on work days. So it is critical to elucidate the relationship between cigarettes daily consumption and mental activities after dinner. A survey designed by ourselves was finished among 369 patients who came to our clinic for smoking cessation. Age, gender, BMI, cigarettes consumption were recorded and analyzed. Statistically, Pearson correlation test and general linear model test were used. Compared to ≤ 40 years’ group, patients with mental activities after dinner consumed more cigarettes than those without mental activities (22.80 ± 10.86 vs. 30.88 ± 18.69, P value < 0.001). The Pearson correlation test showed no interact effects on age and BMI, and general linear model test showed that the cigarettes numbers between smokers with mental activities after dinner and smokers without mental activities after dinner are different (P value < 0.001). Mental activities from dinner finish to sleep time increase cigarettes consumption. It provides evidence that mental thinking activities after dinner is a risk factor of tobacco using.
Inheritance of chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes in cucumber revealed by four reciprocal F1 hybrid combinations
Authors: Park Hyun-Seung , Lee Won Kyung , Lee Sang-Choon , Lee Hyun Oh , Joh Ho Jun , Park Jee Young , Kim Sunggil , Song Kihwan , Yang Tae-Jin
Published: January 2021

Both genomes in chloroplasts and mitochondria of plant cell are usually inherited from maternal parent, with rare exceptions. To characterize the inheritance patterns of the organelle genomes in cucumber (Cucumis sativus var. sativus), two inbred lines and their reciprocal F1 hybrids were analyzed using an next generation whole genome sequencing data. Their complete chloroplast genome sequences were de novo assembled, and a single SNP was identified between the parental lines. Two reciprocal F1 hybrids have the same chloroplast genomes with their maternal parents. Meanwhile, 292 polymorphic sites were identified between mitochondrial genomes of the two parental lines, which showed the same genotypes with their paternal parents in the two reciprocal F1 hybrids, without any recombination. The inheritance patterns of the chloroplast and mitochondria genomes were also confirmed in four additional cucumber accessions and their six reciprocal F1 hybrids using molecular markers derived from the identified polymorphic sites. Taken together, our results indicate that the cucumber chloroplast genome is maternally inherited, as is typically observed in other plant species, whereas the large cucumber mitochondrial genome is paternally inherited. The combination of DNA markers derived from the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes will provide a convenient system for purity test of F1 hybrid seeds in cucumber breeding.
A correlation propagation model for nonlinear fourier transform of second order solitons
Authors: Zhang Wen Qi , Chan Terence H. , Afshar V. Shahraam
Published: January 2021

Inverse scattering transform or nonlinear Fourier transform (NFT) has been proposed for optic communication to increase channel capacity beyond the well known Shannon limit. Within NFT, solitons, as discrete outputs of the transform, can be a type of resource to carry information. Second-order solitons as the most basic higher order solitons show correlations among their parameters in the nonlinear Fourier domain as they propagate along a fibre. In this work, we report, for the first time, a correlation propagation model for second-order soliton pulses in the nonlinear Fourier domain. The model can predict covariance matrices of soliton pulses at any propagation distance using only the covariance matrices calculated at the input of the fibre with different phases in the nonlinear Fourier domain without the need of propagating the pulses.
Socioeconomic factors predicting outcome in surgically treated carpal tunnel syndrome: a national registry-based study
Authors: Zimmerman Malin , Hall Evelina , Carlsson Katarina Steen , Nyman Erika , Dahlin Lars B.
Published: January 2021

The study aimed to investigate socioeconomic factors in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and to evaluate their impact on outcome following open carpal tunnel release (OCTR). Data from the National Quality Register for Hand Surgery were combined with socioeconomic data (marital status, education level, earnings, migrant status, occupation, sick leave, unemployment, and social assistance) from Statistics Sweden to evaluate OCTRs performed from 2010 to 2016 (total 10,746 OCTRs). Patients completed QuickDASH (short version of Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand) questionnaires preoperatively (n = 3597) and at three (n = 2824) and 12 months (n = 2037) postoperatively. The effect of socioeconomic factors on QuickDASH scores was analyzed with linear regression analysis. Socioeconomically deprived patients scored higher on the QuickDASH on all occasions than patients with higher socioeconomic status. Being widowed, having a low education level, low earnings, immigrant status, frequent sick leave and dependence on social assistance all increased the postoperative QuickDASH score at 12 months. The change in total score for QuickDASH between preoperative and 12 months postoperatively did not vary between the groups. We conclude that such factors as being widowed, having a lower education level, low earnings, immigrant status, frequent sick leave and social assistance dependence are associated with more symptoms both before and after OCTR for CTS, but these factors do not affect the relative improvement in QuickDASH.
Quantitative imaging and automated fuel pin identification for passive gamma emission tomography
Authors: Fang Ming , Altmann Yoann , Della Latta Daniele , Salvatori Massimiliano , Di Fulvio Angela
Published: January 2021

Compliance of member States to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is monitored through nuclear safeguards. The Passive Gamma Emission Tomography (PGET) system is a novel instrument developed within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) project JNT 1510, which included the European Commission, Finland, Hungary and Sweden. The PGET is used for the verification of spent nuclear fuel stored in water pools. Advanced image reconstruction techniques are crucial for obtaining high-quality cross-sectional images of the spent-fuel bundle to allow inspectors of the IAEA to monitor nuclear material and promptly identify its diversion. In this work, we have developed a software suite to accurately reconstruct the spent-fuel cross sectional image, automatically identify present fuel rods, and estimate their activity. Unique image reconstruction challenges are posed by the measurement of spent fuel, due to its high activity and the self-attenuation. While the former is mitigated by detector physical collimation, we implemented a linear forward model to model the detector responses to the fuel rods inside the PGET, to account for the latter. The image reconstruction is performed by solving a regularized linear inverse problem using the fast-iterative shrinkage-thresholding algorithm. We have also implemented the traditional filtered back projection (FBP) method based on the inverse Radon transform for comparison and applied both methods to reconstruct images of simulated mockup fuel assemblies. Higher image resolution and fewer reconstruction artifacts were obtained with the inverse-problem approach, with the mean-square-error reduced by 50%, and the structural-similarity improved by 200%. We then used a convolutional neural network (CNN) to automatically identify the bundle type and extract the pin locations from the images; the estimated activity levels finally being compared with the ground truth. The proposed computational methods accurately estimated the activity levels of the present pins, with an associated uncertainty of approximately 5%.
Host-directed therapy in foals can enhance functional innate immunity and reduce severity of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia
Authors: Bordin Angela I. , Cohen Noah D. , Giguère Steve , Bray Jocelyne M. , Berghaus Londa J. , Scott Brenton , Johnson Rena , Hook Magnus
Published: January 2021

Pneumonia caused by the intracellular bacterium Rhodococcus equi is an important cause of disease and death in immunocompromised hosts, especially foals. Antibiotics are the standard of care for treating R. equi pneumonia in foals, and adjunctive therapies are needed. We tested whether nebulization with TLR agonists (PUL-042) in foals would improve innate immunity and reduce the severity and duration of pneumonia following R. equi infection. Neonatal foals (n = 48) were nebulized with either PUL-042 or vehicle, and their lung cells infected ex vivo. PUL-042 increased inflammatory cytokines in BAL fluid and alveolar macrophages after ex vivo infection with R. equi. Then, the in vivo effects of PUL-042 on clinical signs of pneumonia were examined in 22 additional foals after intrabronchial challenge with R. equi. Foals infected and nebulized with PUL-042 or vehicle alone had a shorter duration of clinical signs of pneumonia and smaller pulmonary lesions when compared to non-nebulized foals. Our results demonstrate that host-directed therapy can enhance neonatal immune responses against respiratory pathogens and reduce the duration and severity of R. equi pneumonia.
Theoretical interpretation of drivers’ gaze strategy influenced by optical flow
Authors: Okafuji Yuki , Fukao Takanori
Published: January 2021

Driver analysis, particularly revealing where drivers gaze, is a key factor in understanding drivers’ perception. Several studies have examined drivers’ gaze behavior and the two main hypotheses that have been developed are Tangent Point (TP) and Future Path Point (FP). TP is a point on the inner side of the lane, where the driver’s gaze direction becomes tangential with the lane edge. FP is an arbitrary single point on the ideal future path for an individual driver on the road. The location of this single point is dependent on the individual driver. While these gaze points have been verified and discussed by various psychological experiments, it is unclear why drivers gaze at these points. Therefore, in this study, we used optical flow theory to understand drivers’ gaze strategy. Optical flow theory is a method to quantify the extent to which drivers can perceive the future path of the vehicle. The results of numerical simulations demonstrated that optical flow theory can potentially estimate drivers’ gaze behavior. We also conducted an experiment in which the observed driver gaze behavior was compared to calculated gaze strategy based on optical flow theory. The experimental results demonstrate that drivers’ gaze can be estimated with an accuracy of 70.8% and 65.1% on circular and straight paths, respectively. Thus, these results suggest that optical flow theory can be a determining factor in drivers’ gaze strategy.
Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage for acute cholecystitis
Authors: Lyu Yunxiao , Li Ting , Wang Bin , Cheng Yunxiao
Published: January 2021

There is no consensus on the optimal timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) for patients with acute cholecystitis (AC). We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent LC after PTGBD between 1 February 2016 and 1 February 2020. We divided patients into three groups according to the interval time between PTGBD and LC as follows: Group I (within 1 week), (Group II, 1 week to 1 month), and Group III (> 1 month) and analyzed patients’ perioperative outcomes. We enrolled 100 patients in this study (Group I, n = 22; Group II, n = 30; Group III, n = 48). We found no significant difference between the groups regarding patients’ baseline characteristics and no significant difference regarding operation time and estimated blood loss (p = 0.69, p = 0.26, respectively). The incidence of conversion to open cholecystectomy was similar in the three groups (p = 0.37), and we found no significant difference regarding postoperative complications (p = 0.987). Group I had shorter total hospital stays and medical costs (p = 0.005, p < 0.001, respectively) vs Group II and Group III. Early LC within 1 week after PTGBD is safe and effective, with comparable intraoperative outcomes, postoperative complications, and conversion rates to open cholecystectomy. Furthermore, early LC could decrease postoperative length of hospital stay and medical costs.
Correlation of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic fingerprints of kidney transplant recipient urine with kidney function parameters
Authors: Huang Zhongli , Feng Shijian , Guan Qiunong , Lin Tao , Zhao Jianhua , Nguan Christopher Y. C. , Zeng Haishan , Harriman David , Li Hong , Du Caigan
Published: January 2021

Routine monitoring of kidney transplant function is required for the standard care in post-transplantation management, including frequent measurements of serum creatinine with or without kidney biopsy. However, the invasiveness of these methods with potential for clinically significant complications makes them less than ideal. The objective of this study was to develop a non-invasive tool to monitor the kidney transplant function by using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). Urine and blood samples were collected from kidney transplant recipients after surgery. Silver nanoparticle-based SERS spectra of the urine were measured and evaluated using partial least squires (PLS) analysis. The SERS spectra were compared with conventional chemical markers of kidney transplant function to assess its predictive ability. A total of 110 kidney transplant recipients were included in this study. PLS results showed significant correlation with urine protein (R2 = 0.4660, p < 0.01), creatinine (R2 = 0.8106, p < 0.01), and urea (R2 = 0.7808, p < 0.01). Furthermore, the prediction of the blood markers of kidney transplant function using the urine SERS spectra was indicated by R2 = 0.7628 (p < 0.01) for serum creatinine and R2 = 0.6539 (p < 0.01) for blood urea nitrogen. This preliminary study suggested that the urine SERS spectral analysis could be used as a convenient method for rapid assessment of kidney transplant function.
Network theoretic analysis of JAK/STAT pathway and extrapolation to drugs and viruses including COVID-19
Authors: Banerjee Arindam , Goswami Rudra Prosad , Chatterjee Moumita
Published: January 2021

Whenever some phenomenon can be represented as a graph or a network it seems pertinent to explore how much the mathematical properties of that network impact the phenomenon. In this study we explore the same philosophy in the context of immunology. Our objective was to assess the correlation of “size” (number of edges and minimum vertex cover) of the JAK/STAT network with treatment effect in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), phenotype of viral infection and effect of immunosuppressive agents on a system infected with the coronavirus. We extracted the JAK/STAT pathway from Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG, hsa04630). The effects of the following drugs, and their combinations, commonly used in RA were tested: methotrexate, prednisolone, rituximab, tocilizumab, tofacitinib and baricitinib. Following viral systems were also tested for their ability to evade the JAK/STAT pathway: Measles, Influenza A, West Nile virus, Japanese B virus, Yellow Fever virus, respiratory syncytial virus, Kaposi’s sarcoma virus, Hepatitis B and C virus, cytomegalovirus, Hendra and Nipah virus and Coronavirus. Good correlation of edges and minimum vertex cover with clinical efficacy were observed (for edge, rho =  − 0.815, R2 = 0.676, p = 0.007, for vertex cover rho =  − 0.793, R2 = 0.635, p = 0.011). In the viral systems both edges and vertex cover were associated with acuteness of viral infections. In the JAK/STAT system already infected with coronavirus, maximum reduction in size was achieved with baricitinib. To conclude, algebraic and combinatorial invariant of a network may explain its biological behaviour. At least theoretically, baricitinib may be an attractive target for treatment of coronavirus infection.
In vitro inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by commonly used disinfection products and methods
Authors: Xiling Guo , Yin Chen , Ling Wang , Xiaosong Wu , Jingjing Fan , Fang Li , Xiaoyan Zeng , Yiyue Ge , Ying Chi , Lunbiao Cui , Liubo Zhang , Hong Sun , Yan Xu
Published: January 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is currently a global pandemic, and there are limited laboratory studies targeting pathogen resistance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of selected disinfection products and methods on the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in the laboratory. We used quantitative suspension testing to evaluate the effectiveness of the disinfectant/method. Available chlorine of 250 mg/L, 500 mg/L, and 1000 mg/L required 20 min, 5 min, and 0.5 min to inactivate SARS-CoV-2, respectively. A 600-fold dilution of 17% concentration of di-N-decyl dimethyl ammonium bromide (283 mg/L) and the same concentration of di-N-decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride required only 0.5 min to inactivate the virus efficiently. At 30% concentration for 1 min and 40% and above for 0.5 min, ethanol could efficiently inactivate SARS-CoV-2. Heat takes approximately 30 min at 56 °C, 10 min above 70 °C, or 5 min above 90 °C to inactivate the virus. The chlorinated disinfectants, Di-N-decyl dimethyl ammonium bromide/chloride, ethanol, and heat could effectively inactivate SARS-CoV-2 in the laboratory test. The response of SARS-CoV-2 to disinfectants is very similar to that of SARS-CoV.
Charge transport mechanism in the forming-free memristor based on silicon nitride
Authors: Gismatulin Andrei A. , Kamaev Gennadiy N. , Kruchinin Vladimir N. , Gritsenko Vladimir A. , Orlov Oleg M. , Chin Albert
Published: January 2021

Nonstoichiometric silicon nitride SiNx is a promising material for developing a new generation of high-speed, reliable flash memory device based on the resistive effect. The advantage of silicon nitride over other dielectrics is its compatibility with the silicon technology. In the present work, a silicon nitride-based memristor deposited by the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition method was studied. To develop a memristor based on silicon nitride, it is necessary to understand the charge transport mechanisms in all states. In the present work, it was established that the charge transport in high-resistance states is not described by the Frenkel effect model of Coulomb isolated trap ionization, Hill–Adachi model of overlapping Coulomb potentials, Makram–Ebeid and Lannoo model of multiphonon isolated trap ionization, Nasyrov–Gritsenko model of phonon-assisted tunneling between traps, Shklovskii–Efros percolation model, Schottky model and the thermally assisted tunneling mechanisms. It is established that, in the initial state, low-resistance state, intermediate-resistance state and high-resistance state, the charge transport in the forming-free SiNx-based memristor is described by the space charge limited current model. The trap parameters responsible for the charge transport in various memristor states are determined.
BK virus infection and outcome following kidney transplantation in childhood
Authors: McCaffrey James , Bhute Vijesh J. , Shenoy Mohan
Published: January 2021

BK virus associated nephropathy (BKN) is an important cause of kidney allograft failure. In a cohort of paediatric kidney transplant recipients, we aimed to understand the incidence and clinical outcome associated with BKN, as well as identify risk factors for BKN and BK viraemia development. We retrospectively analysed all patients who received a kidney transplant and received follow up care in our centre between 2009–2019. Among 106 patients included in the study (mean follow up 4.5 years), 32/106 (30.2%) patients experienced BK viraemia. The incidence of BKN was 7/106 (6.6%). The median time of BK viraemia development post-transplant was 279.5 days compared to 90.0 days for BKN. Development of BKN was associated with younger age at transplantation (p = 0.013). Development of BK viraemia was associated with negative recipient serology for cytomegalovirus (CMV) at time of transplantation (p = 0.012) and a higher net level of immunosuppression (p = 0.039). There was no difference in graft function at latest follow up between those who experienced BKN and those without BKN. This study demonstrates that BK virus infection is associated with younger age at transplantation, CMV negative recipient serostatus and higher levels of immunosuppression. Judicious monitoring of BK viraemia in paediatric transplant recipients, coupled with timely clinical intervention can result in similar long-term outcomes for BKN patients compared to controls.
Clinical importance of the absolute count of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and platelets in newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yu Jeong Il , Park Hee Chul , Yoo Gyu Sang , Choi Changhoon , Choi Moon Seok , Nam Heerim , Baek Sun-Young , Park Minsu
Published: January 2021

Although several studies have confirmed the clinical significance of the systemic inflammation markers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), evaluating the clinical significance of each blood cell remains to be conducted. We aimed to evaluate the clinical importance of absolute counts of blood cells in the overall survival (OS) of patients with newly diagnosed HCC. We recruited patient cohorts from the prospective registry of newly diagnosed and previously untreated HCC at Samsung Medical Center, which included a training set of 6619 patients (2005–2013) and a validation set of 2084 patients (2014–2016). More than three-quarters of all patients had hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC in both training and validation sets. The optimal cutoff values of the absolute counts of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and platelets were 3917, 488, 1379, and 22,100, respectively, which correlated significantly with OS. The absolute blood cell counts categorized by each optimal cutoff value significantly correlated with liver function status determined by Child–Pugh class/albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade and the HCC burden determined by several staging systems/portal vein tumor thrombosis. Although the prognostic model based on these blood cells (ABC model) showed a lower prognostic ability than the Japan Integrated Staging or ALBI-T staging systems, it provided significant discrimination of survival in the subgroups of ALBI-T and showed the highest prognostic ability in the present study in the training and validation sets. Absolute counts of blood cells are independently associated with OS, though it is also significantly associated with liver function and tumor burden in newly diagnosed HCC.
Spatiotemporal variation of nitrate concentrations in soil and groundwater of an intensely polluted agricultural area
Authors: Nakagawa Kei , Amano Hiroki , Persson Magnus , Berndtsson Ronny
Published: January 2021

Nitrate pollution in groundwater is a serious problem in many parts of the world. However, due to the diffuse and common spatially over-lapping character of potential several non-point pollution sources, it is often difficult to distinguish main nitrate sources responsible for the pollution. For this purpose, we present a novel methodology applied to groundwater for an intensely polluted area. Groundwater samples were collected monthly from April 2017 to March 2018 in Shimabara City, Nagasaki, Japan. Soil samples were collected seasonally at soil surface and 50 cm depth at 10 locations during the same period. Sequential extraction by water and extract agents was performed using calcium phosphate for anions and strontium chloride for cations. Mean nitrate concentration in groundwater close to a livestock waste disposal site (hereinafter called “LWDS”) was 14.2 mg L−1, which is exceeding Japanese drinking water standards (10 mg L−1). We used coprostanol concentration, which is a fecal pollution indicator, to identify pollution sources related to livestock waste. For this purpose, we measured coprostanol (5β) and cholestanol (5α) and then calculated the sterol ratio (5β/(5β + 5α)). The ratios for three groundwater sampling sites were 0.28, 0.26, and 0.10, respectively. The sterol ratios indicated no pollution (< 0.3). However, the detection of coprostanol originating from animal and human waste showed that groundwater was clearly affected by this pollution source. Nitrate levels in the soil were relatively high in samples collected close to the LWDS and coprostanol contents were affected by livestock waste. Soil and groundwater nitrate concentrations displayed a complex but strong relationship. Nitrate contents were shown to be transported downstream from source areas in both soil and groundwater.
Src-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of PRC1 and kinastrin/SKAP on the mitotic spindle
Authors: Morii Mariko , Kubota Sho , Hasegawa Chizu , Takeda Yumi , Kometani Shiori , Enomoto Kyoko , Suzuki Takayuki , Yanase Sayuri , Sato Rika , Akatsu Aki , Hirata Kensuke , Honda Takuya , Kuga Takahisa , Tomonaga Takeshi , Nakayama Yuji , Yamaguchi Noritaka , Yamaguchi Naoto
Published: January 2021

Src-family tyrosine kinases (SFKs) play important roles in a number of signal transduction events during mitosis, such as spindle formation. A relationship has been reported between SFKs and the mitotic spindle; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We herein demonstrated that SFKs accumulated in the centrosome region at the onset of mitosis. Centrosomal Fyn increased in the G2 phase in a microtubule polymerization-dependent manner. A mass spectrometry analysis using mitotic spindle preparations was performed to identify tyrosine-phosphorylated substrates. Protein regulator of cytokinesis 1 (PRC1) and kinastrin/small kinetochore-associated protein (kinastrin/SKAP) were identified as SFK substrates. SFKs mainly phosphorylated PRC1 at Tyr-464 and kinastrin at Tyr-87. Although wild-type PRC1 is associated with microtubules, phosphomimetic PRC1 impaired the ability to bind microtubules. Phosphomimetic kinastrin at Tyr-87 also impaired binding with microtubules. Collectively, these results suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation of PRC1 and kinastrin plays a role in their delocalization from microtubules during mitosis.
Meta-analysis of host transcriptional responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection reveals their manifestation in human tumors
Authors: Chen Fengju , Zhang Yiqun , Sucgang Richard , Ramani Sasirekha , Corry David , Kheradmand Farrah , Creighton Chad J.
Published: January 2021

A deeper understanding of the molecular biology of SARS-CoV-2 infection, including the host response to the virus, is urgently needed. Commonalities exist between the host immune response to viral infections and cancer. Here, we defined transcriptional signatures of SARS-CoV-2 infection involving hundreds of genes common across lung adenocarcinoma cell lines (A549, Calu-3) and normal human bronchial epithelial cells (NHBE), with additional signatures being specific to one or both adenocarcinoma lines. Cross-examining eight transcriptomic databases, we found that host transcriptional responses of lung adenocarcinoma cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection shared broad similarities with host responses to multiple viruses across different model systems and patient samples. Furthermore, these SARS-CoV-2 transcriptional signatures were manifested within specific subsets of human cancer, involving ~ 20% of cases across a wide range of histopathological types. These cancer subsets show immune cell infiltration and inflammation and involve pathways linked to the SARS-CoV-2 response, such as immune checkpoint, IL-6, type II interferon signaling, and NF-κB. The cell line data represented immune responses activated specifically within the cancer cells of the tumor. Common genes and pathways implicated as part of the viral host response point to therapeutic strategies that may apply to both SARS-CoV-2 and cancer.
MicroRNA‑331 inhibits isoproterenol‑induced expression of profibrotic genes in cardiac myofibroblasts via the TGFβ/smad3 signaling pathway
Authors: Yousefi Fatemeh , Soltani Bahram M. , Rabbani Shahram
Published: January 2021

Cardiac fibrosis in the failing heart is modulated by activated myofibroblasts, and is a pathology marked by their deposition of extracellular matrix proteins. The TGFβ signaling pathway is important in stimulating fibrosis and therefore seems an attractive new target for anti-fibrotic therapy. The relationship between ncRNAs and TGFβ signaling pathway has been extensively studied. Here, we have provided several lines of evidence to prove that the fibrosis process could be regulated by miR-331 through targeting TGFβ signaling. First, bioinformatics analysis and dual luciferase assay validated a direct interaction between the miR-331 and TGFβ-R1 3′UTR sequence which results in the downregulation of TGFβ signaling pathway. Second, miR-331 expression was inversely related to the expression of a number of genes which are involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) production and deposition processes, both in the in vivo and in vitro fibrosis models. Third, in cultured mouse and human cardiac myofibroblasts (CMyoFbs) under ISO treatment, overexpression of miR-331 decreased the expression level of fibrosis-related genes. Consistently, western blot analysis confirmed that miR-331 overexpression ended in both Smad3 and Col1A1 protein level reduction in mouse cardiac myofibroblasts. Finally, flow cytometry analysis, cyclin D1 and D2 gene expression analysis, and wound-healing assay confirmed the inhibitory effect of miR-331 against cell proliferation and migration in ISO-treated cardiac myofibroblasts. Taken together, accumulative results showed that miR-331 reduced the level of fibrosis-related proteins in cardiac myofibroblasts culture via regulating TGFβ signaling pathway.
Detection of volcanic unrest onset in La Palma, Canary Islands, evolution and implications
Authors: Fernández José , Escayo Joaquín , Hu Zhongbo , Camacho Antonio G. , Samsonov Sergey V. , Prieto Juan F. , Tiampo Kristy F. , Palano Mimmo , Mallorquí Jordi J. , Ancochea Eumenio
Published: January 2021

La Palma island is one of the highest potential risks in the volcanic archipelago of the Canaries and therefore it is important to carry out an in-depth study to define its state of unrest. This has been accomplished through the use of satellite radar observations and an original state-of-the-art interpretation technique. Here we show the detection of the onset of volcanic unrest on La Palma island, most likely decades before a potential eruption. We study its current evolution seeing the spatial and temporal changing nature of activity at this potentially dangerous volcano at unprecedented spatial resolutions and long time scales, providing insights into the dynamic nature of the associated volcanic hazard. The geodetic techniques employed here allow tracking of the fluid migration induced by magma injection at depth and identifying the existence of dislocation sources below Cumbre Vieja volcano which could be associated with a future flank failure. Therefore they should continue being monitored using these and other techniques. The results have implications for the monitoring of steep-sided volcanoes at oceanic islands.
Psychosocial morbidity profile in a community based sample of low back pain patients
Authors: Asrar Mir Mahmood , Ghai Babita , Pushpendra Dhanuk , Bansal Dipika
Published: January 2021

Low back pain (LBP) is a major health concern and is closely associated with psychosocial morbidity and diminished Health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This is minimally investigated in community-based samples of developing nations like India. This study is aimed to specifically investigate the exposure-outcome associations between LBP and burden of disability (Modified Oswestry questionnaire (MODQ)), psychological morbidities(Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21)),and HRQoL(Short Form -12 version 2 (SF12V2).A Cross-sectional study using a community-based sample of LBP positive population was conducted. The range of treatment options sought was also collected. Chi-square tests and independent t-test were used to analyze the data. Of 1531 recruited participants, 871(57%) were identified as LBP positive of whom 60% were females. Mean (SD) of age and pain intensity of LBP patients was 33 (11) years and numeric rating scale4.2 (2.6) respectively. Two-third reported minimal/moderate disability. Mean (SD) scores of depression 11.87 (4.05), anxiety (8.32), stress 13.7 (5.98), physical and mental summary scores of SF-12v2 were 47.9 (7.4) and 42.2 (10.4). A multitude of remedial options was sought for the ailment. LBP causes significant disability and psychological morbidity among affected population. This may adversely affect their HRQoL and subsequently productivity. Acupuncture was a preferred treatment sought by Indian LBP patients.
Author Correction: Candidate gene mapping identifies genomic variations in the fire blight susceptibility genes HIPM and DIPM across the Malus germplasm
Authors: Tegtmeier Richard , Pompili Valerio , Singh Jugpreet , Micheletti Diego , Silva Katchen Julliany Pereira , Malnoy Mickael , Khan Awais
Published: January 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Mapping the immune environment in clear cell renal carcinoma by single-cell genomics
Authors: Borcherding Nicholas , Vishwakarma Ajaykumar , Voigt Andrew P. , Bellizzi Andrew , Kaplan Jacob , Nepple Kenneth , Salem Aliasger K. , Jenkins Russell W. , Zakharia Yousef , Zhang Weizhou
Published: January 2021

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is one of the most immunologically distinct tumor types due to high response rate to immunotherapies, despite low tumor mutational burden. To characterize the tumor immune microenvironment of ccRCC, we applied single-cell-RNA sequencing (SCRS) along with T-cell-receptor (TCR) sequencing to map the transcriptomic heterogeneity of 25,688 individual CD45+ lymphoid and myeloid cells in matched tumor and blood from three patients with ccRCC. We also included 11,367 immune cells from four other individuals derived from the kidney and peripheral blood to facilitate the identification and assessment of ccRCC-specific differences. There is an overall increase in CD8+ T-cell and macrophage populations in tumor-infiltrated immune cells compared to normal renal tissue. We further demonstrate the divergent cell transcriptional states for tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells and identify a MKI67 + proliferative subpopulation being a potential culprit for the progression of ccRCC. Using the SCRS gene expression, we found preferential prediction of clinical outcomes and pathological diseases by subcluster assignment. With further characterization and functional validation, our findings may reveal certain subpopulations of immune cells amenable to therapeutic intervention.
Elucidating the tunability of binding behavior for the MERS-CoV macro domain with NAD metabolites
Authors: Lin Meng-Hsuan , Cho Chao-Cheng , Chiu Yi-Chih , Chien Chia-Yu , Huang Yi-Ping , Chang Chi-Fon , Hsu Chun-Hua
Published: January 2021

The macro domain is an ADP-ribose (ADPR) binding module, which is considered to act as a sensor to recognize nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) metabolites, including poly ADPR (PAR) and other small molecules. The recognition of macro domains with various ligands is important for a variety of biological functions involved in NAD metabolism, including DNA repair, chromatin remodeling, maintenance of genomic stability, and response to viral infection. Nevertheless, how the macro domain binds to moieties with such structural obstacles using a simple cleft remains a puzzle. We systematically investigated the Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV) macro domain for its ligand selectivity and binding properties by structural and biophysical approaches. Of interest, NAD, which is considered not to interact with macro domains, was co-crystallized with the MERS-CoV macro domain. Further studies at physiological temperature revealed that NAD has similar binding ability with ADPR because of the accommodation of the thermal-tunable binding pocket. This study provides the biochemical and structural bases of the detailed ligand-binding mode of the MERS-CoV macro domain. In addition, our observation of enhanced binding affinity of the MERS-CoV macro domain to NAD at physiological temperature highlights the need for further study to reveal the biological functions.
Recent research progress in the construction of active free radical nanoreactors and their applications in photodynamic therapy
Authors: Xiao Jingyuan , Cong Hailin , Wang Song , Yu Bing , Shen Youqing
Published: January 2021

Applications of nanomaterials in photodynamic therapy and collaborative therapy based on PDT.
Red to near-infrared phosphorescent Ir(iii) complexes with electron-rich chelating ligands
Authors: Yoon Sungwon , Teets Thomas S.
Published: January 2021

We highlight our group's strategy of using electron-rich, nitrogen-containing ancillary ligands to support bis-cyclometalated iridium complexes with exceptional quantum yields for red to near-infrared phosphorescence.
Unsymmetrical dirhodium single molecule photocatalysts for H2 production with low energy light
Authors: Millet Agustin , Xue Congcong , Turro Claudia , Dunbar Kim R.
Published: January 2021

New unsymmetrical dirhodium complexes for photocatalytic H2 production with red light.
The electronic structure of carbones revealed: insights from valence bond theory
Authors: Havenith Remco W. A. , Cunha Ana V. , Klein Johannes E. M. N. , Perolari Francesca , Feng Xintao
Published: January 2021

Valence bond theory reveals the nature of the OC–C bond in carbon suboxide and related allene compounds.
Combining multilevel Hartree–Fock and multilevel coupled cluster approaches with molecular mechanics: a study of electronic excitations in solutions
Authors: Goletto Linda , Giovannini Tommaso , Folkestad Sarai D. , Koch Henrik
Published: January 2021

We present the coupling of different quantum-embedding approaches with a third molecular-mechanics layer, which can be either polarizable or non-polarizable.
The unexpected reactivity of 9-iodo-nido-carborane: from nucleophilic substitution reactions to the synthesis of tricobalt tris(dicarbollide) Na[4,4′,4′′-(MeOCH2CH2O)3-3,3′,3′′-Co3(μ3-O)(μ3-S)(1,2-C2B9H10)3]
Authors: Stogniy Marina Yu. , Anufriev Sergey A. , Shmal'ko Akim V. , Antropov Sergey M. , Anisimov Aleksei A. , Suponitsky Kyrill Yu. , Filippov Oleg A. , Sivaev Igor B.
Published: January 2021

An unusual reactivity of 9-iodo-nido-carborane [9-I-7,8-C2B9H11]−towards nucleophiles under strong basic conditions was revealed.
Nanoparticle-templated polyamide membranes for improved biofouling resistance
Authors: Justino Naiara Mottim , Vicentini Denice Schulz , Ranjbari Kiarash , Bellier Marion , Nogueira Diego José , Matias William Gerson , Perreault François
Published: January 2021

Using alumina nanoparticles on the membrane support alters the resulting polyamide properties to reduce biofouling on desalination membranes.
The phytochemistry and pharmacology of medicinal fungi of the genusPhellinus: a review
Authors: He Pingya , Zhang Yi , Li Ning
Published: January 2021

A comprehensive review on secondary metabolites with bioactivities from 13Phellinusspecies.
NOx production in a rotating gliding arc plasma: potential avenue for sustainable nitrogen fixation
Authors: Jardali Fatme , Van Alphen Senne , Creel James , Ahmadi Eshtehardi Hamid , Axelsson Magnus , Ingels Rune , Snyders Rony , Bogaerts Annemie
Published: January 2021

An atmospheric pressure plasma arc reactor operating in two distinct modes shows substantially different NOx concentrations; one mode produces record NOx concentrations (up to 5.5%) with an energy consumption of 2.5 MJ mol−1.
Efficient demethylation of aromatic methyl ethers with HCl in water
Authors: Bomon Jeroen , Bal Mathias , Achar Tapas Kumar , Sergeyev Sergey , Wu Xian , Wambacq Ben , Lemière Filip , Sels Bert F. , Maes Bert U. W.
Published: January 2021

A method for the cleavage of aryl alkyl ethers is presented, involving hot pressurized water and catalytic mineral acid. The protocol is applicable on a variety of (biorenewable) substrates, not requiring mass-intensive work-up.
Cadmium sulfide quantum dots anchored on reduced graphene oxide for the electrochemical detection of metronidazole
Authors: Gopi Praveen Kumar , Kesavan Ganesh , Chen Shen-Ming , Ravikumar Chandan Hunsur
Published: January 2021

In this research, the metal–organic-based synthesis of cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdS QDs) was performed.
In situ construction of one-dimensional porous MnO@C nanorods for electrode materials
Authors: Lin Jing , Yu Lei , Liu Wanqiang , Dong Huaze , Dong Xiongzi , Zhao Ming , Zhai Yuanyuan , Xiang Ji , Chen Mengyue
Published: January 2021

Owing to cost-effectiveness, low conversion potential, and high theoretical capacity (756 mA h g−1), MnO has been a potential candidate for LIB anode.
Magnetic-responsive Pickering emulsion and its catalytic application at the water–oil interface
Authors: Ma Shenghua , Zong Wei , Han Xiaojun
Published: January 2021

Schematic diagram of interfacial catalysis reactions by MRGO–Pd Pickering emulsion.
Fabrication of multiple molecular logic gates made of fluorescent DNA-templated Au nanoclusters
Authors: Wang Hai-Bo , Mao An-Li , Tao Bei-Bei , Zhang Hong-Ding , Liu Yan-Ming
Published: January 2021

A universal platform of label-free multiple molecular logic gates have been constructed by taking the advantage of DNA-AuNCs.
Atomic insight into spin, charge and lattice modulations at SrFeO3−x/SrTiO3 interfaces
Authors: Xu Kun , Gu Youdi , Song Cheng , Zhong Xiaoyan , Zhu Jing
Published: January 2021

Interfacial lattice, charge and spin order parameters at atomic scale are investigated in SrFeO3−x epitaxial films.
Incorporation-limiting mechanisms during nitrogenation of monolayer graphene films in nitrogen flowing afterglows
Authors: Robert Bigras G. , Martel R. , Stafford L.
Published: January 2021

Modification of graphene films in the flowing afterglow of microwave N2 plasmas. Nitrogenation is first limited by the formation of defect sites by plasma-generated N and N2(A) at low damage and then by the adsorption of nitrogen atoms at high damage.
Gold-spiked coating of silver particles through cold nanowelding
Authors: Calderon Irene , Alvarez-Puebla Ramon A. , Pazos-Perez Nicolas
Published: January 2021

NPs composed of a segregated alloy of Ag coated with Au are achieved through the Ostwald ripening of small Au NPs on the surface of larger Ag NPs. The produced structures benefit from the advantages of gold and silver with none of their drawbacks.
Synthesis and optical properties of Cs4PbBr6 perovskite nanocrystals by the water assisted solid-state reaction (WASSR) method
Authors: Kang Tae Wook , Park Young Ji , Jeong Gyu Jin , Hwang Jonghee , Kim Jin Ho , Kim Jong Su , Bae Byungseo , Tota Kenji , Kim Sun Woog
Published: January 2021

Herein, we demonstrate the synthesis of green-emitting Cs4PbBr6 perovskite nanocrystals by the WASSR method for the first time.