bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
S100A8/A9 mediate the reprograming of normal mammary epithelial cells induced by dynamic cell–cell interactions with adjacent breast cancer cells
Authors: Jo Seol Hwa , Heo Woo Hang , Son Hye-Youn , Quan Mingji , Hong Bok Sil , Kim Ju Hee , Lee Han-Byoel , Han Wonshik , Park Yeonju , Lee Dong-Sup , Kwon Nam Hoon , Park Min Chul , Chae Jeesoo , Kim Jong-Il , Noh Dong-Young , Moon Hyeong-Gon
Published: January 2021

To understand the potential effects of cancer cells on surrounding normal mammary epithelial cells, we performed direct co-culture of non-tumorigenic mammary epithelial MCF10A cells and various breast cancer cells. Firstly, we observed dynamic cell–cell interactions between the MCF10A cells and breast cancer cells including lamellipodia or nanotube-like contacts and transfer of extracellular vesicles. Co-cultured MCF10A cells exhibited features of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and showed increased capacity of cell proliferation, migration, colony formation, and 3-dimensional sphere formation. Direct co-culture showed most distinct phenotype changes in MCF10A cells followed by conditioned media treatment and indirect co-culture. Transcriptome analysis and phosphor-protein array suggested that several cancer-related pathways are significantly dysregulated in MCF10A cells after the direct co-culture with breast cancer cells. S100A8 and S100A9 showed distinct up-regulation in the co-cultured MCF10A cells and their microenvironmental upregulation was also observed in the orthotropic xenograft of syngeneic mouse mammary tumors. When S100A8/A9 overexpression was induced in MCF10A cells, the cells showed phenotypic features of directly co-cultured MCF10A cells in terms of in vitro cell behaviors and signaling activities suggesting a S100A8/A9-mediated transition program in non-tumorigenic epithelial cells. This study suggests the possibility of dynamic cell–cell interactions between non-tumorigenic mammary epithelial cells and breast cancer cells that could lead to a substantial transition in molecular and functional characteristics of mammary epithelial cells.
Sleep reactivation did not boost suppression-induced forgetting
Authors: Schechtman Eitan , Lampe Anna , Wilson Brianna J. , Kwon Eunbi , Anderson Michael C. , Paller Ken A.
Published: January 2021

Sleep's role in memory consolidation is widely acknowledged, but its role in weakening memories is still debated. Memory weakening is evolutionary beneficial and makes an integral contribution to cognition. We sought evidence on whether sleep-based memory reactivation can facilitate memory suppression. Participants learned pairs of associable words (e.g., DIET–CREAM) and were then exposed to hint words (e.g., DIET) and instructed to either recall (“think”) or suppress (“no-think”) the corresponding target words (e.g., CREAM). As expected, suppression impaired retention when tested immediately after a 90-min nap. To test if reactivation could selectively enhance memory suppression during sleep, we unobtrusively presented one of two sounds conveying suppression instructions during sleep, followed by hint words. Results showed that targeted memory reactivation did not enhance suppression-induced forgetting. Although not predicted, post-hoc analyses revealed that sleep cues strengthened memory, but only for suppressed pairs that were weakly encoded before sleep. The results leave open the question of whether memory suppression can be augmented during sleep, but suggest strategies for future studies manipulating memory suppression during sleep. Additionally, our findings support the notion that sleep reactivation is particularly beneficial for weakly encoded information, which may be prioritized for consolidation.
Deep neural network model of haptic saliency
Authors: Metzger Anna , Toscani Matteo , Akbarinia Arash , Valsecchi Matteo , Drewing Knut
Published: January 2021

Haptic exploration usually involves stereotypical systematic movements that are adapted to the task. Here we tested whether exploration movements are also driven by physical stimulus features. We designed haptic stimuli, whose surface relief varied locally in spatial frequency, height, orientation, and anisotropy. In Experiment 1, participants subsequently explored two stimuli in order to decide whether they were same or different. We trained a variational autoencoder to predict the spatial distribution of touch duration from the surface relief of the haptic stimuli. The model successfully predicted where participants touched the stimuli. It could also predict participants’ touch distribution from the stimulus’ surface relief when tested with two new groups of participants, who performed a different task (Exp. 2) or explored different stimuli (Exp. 3). We further generated a large number of virtual surface reliefs (uniformly expressing a certain combination of features) and correlated the model’s responses with stimulus properties to understand the model’s preferences in order to infer which stimulus features were preferentially touched by participants. Our results indicate that haptic exploratory behavior is to some extent driven by the physical features of the stimuli, with e.g. edge-like structures, vertical and horizontal patterns, and rough regions being explored in more detail.
Phasic activation of the locus coeruleus attenuates the acoustic startle response by increasing cortical arousal
Authors: Yang Mingyu , Logothetis Nikos K. , Eschenko Oxana
Published: January 2021

An alerting sound elicits the Acoustic Startle Response (ASR) that is dependent on the sound volume and organisms’ state, which is regulated by neuromodulatory centers. The locus coeruleus (LC) neurons respond to salient stimuli and noradrenaline release affects sensory processing, including auditory. The LC hyperactivity is detrimental for sensorimotor gating. We report here that priming microstimulation of the LC (100-ms at 20, 50, and 100 Hz) attenuated the ASR in rats. The ASR reduction scaled with frequency and 100 Hz-stimulation mimicked pre-exposure to a non-startling tone (prepulse). A rapid (~ 40 ms) EEG desynchronization following the LC stimulation suggested that the ASR reduction was due to elevated cortical arousal. The effects of LC stimulation on the ASR and EEG were consistent with systematic relationships between the ASR, awake/sleep state, and the cortical arousal level; for that matter, a lower ASR amplitude corresponded to a higher arousal level. Thus, the LC appears to modulate the ASR circuit via its diffuse ascending projections to the forebrain saliency network. The LC modulation directly in the brainstem and/or spinal cord may also play a role. Our findings suggest the LC as a part of the brain circuitry regulating the ASR, while underlying neurophysiological mechanisms require further investigation.
Cardiovascular outcomes and healthcare costs of liraglutide versus basal insulin for type 2 diabetes patients at high cardiovascular risk
Authors: Huang Wan-Chun , Chen Yen-Chou , Wu Chung-Hsuen , Ko Yu
Published: January 2021

We aimed to compare the (1) clinical outcomes including composite cardiovascular outcomes, cardiovascular death, and all-cause death, and (2) healthcare costs of using liraglutide and basal insulin as an initial treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and high cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk. This is a retrospective cohort study using Taiwan’s Health and Welfare Database. A total of 1057 patients treated with liraglutide were identified and matched with 4600 patients treated with basal insulin. The liraglutide group had a lower risk of a composite CVD outcome (hazard ratio (HR) 0.65; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50–0.85; p < 0.01), all-cause mortality (HR 0.40; 95% CI 0.28–0.59; p < 0.0001), and nonfatal stroke (HR 0.54; 95% CI 0.34–0.87; p = 0.01). Compared to the basal insulin group, the liraglutide group had lower median per-patient-per-month (PPPM) inpatient, emergency room (ER), and total medical costs, but higher median PPPM outpatient, total pharmacy, and total costs (all p < 0.0001). In conclusion, compared to basal insulin, liraglutide was found to be associated with reduced risk of a composite CVD outcome, nonfatal stroke, and all-cause mortality among high CVD risk patients with T2DM. In addition, liraglutide users had lower inpatient, ER, and total medical costs, but they had higher outpatient and total pharmacy costs.
Inferred retinal sensitivity in recessive Stargardt disease using machine learning
Authors: Müller Philipp L. , Odainic Alexandru , Treis Tim , Herrmann Philipp , Tufail Adnan , Holz Frank G. , Pfau Maximilian
Published: January 2021

Spatially-resolved retinal function can be measured by psychophysical testing like fundus-controlled perimetry (FCP or ‘microperimetry’). It may serve as a performance outcome measure in emerging interventional clinical trials for macular diseases as requested by regulatory agencies. As FCP constitute laborious examinations, we have evaluated a machine-learning-based approach to predict spatially-resolved retinal function (’inferred sensitivity’) based on microstructural imaging (obtained by spectral domain optical coherence tomography) and patient data in recessive Stargardt disease. Using nested cross-validation, prediction accuracies of (mean absolute error, MAE [95% CI]) 4.74 dB [4.48–4.99] were achieved. After additional inclusion of limited FCP data, the latter reached 3.89 dB [3.67–4.10] comparable to the test–retest MAE estimate of 3.51 dB [3.11–3.91]. Analysis of the permutation importance revealed, that the IS&OS and RPE thickness were the most important features for the prediction of retinal sensitivity. ’Inferred sensitivity’, herein, enables to accurately estimate differential effects of retinal microstructure on spatially-resolved function in Stargardt disease, and might be used as quasi-functional surrogate marker for a refined and time-efficient investigation of possible functionally relevant treatment effects or disease progression.
Alloparental care in glassfrogs: males care for unrelated clutches only when associated with their own
Authors: Valencia-Aguilar Anyelet , Guayasamin Juan M. , Prado Cynthia P. A.
Published: January 2021

Parental care is costly, thus theory predicts that parents should avoid caring for unrelated offspring. However, alloparenting has been reported in many taxa because it may increase the caregiver mating success or offspring survival. We experimentally investigated the existence of allopaternal care in two glassfrog species, Hyalinobatrachium chirripoi and Centrolene peristicta, and discussed possible costs and benefits. Males mated with multiple females and cared for clutches, while continued to call. In the field, we randomly placed unrelated clutches in the territory of males already caring for their clutches and in the territory of non-attending males. Attending males adopted unrelated clutches, whereas non-attending males abandoned their territories. Once males adopted unrelated offspring, they cared for all clutches in a similar frequency and gained new clutches. Alloparenting was context-dependent, as only males already caring for their clutches adopted unrelated ones. We suggest that steroid hormonal levels might mediate the adoption of unrelated offspring by attending males. Additionally, our results suggest that males do not directly discriminate between related and unrelated offspring. Alloparenting has been widely investigated in different vertebrates, except for amphibians. Thus, our study sheds light on the roles of alloparenting for offspring survival and mating success in this group.
Surface oxidation of petroleum pitch to improve mesopore ratio and specific surface area of activated carbon
Authors: Lee Song Mi , Lee Seon Ho , Jung Doo-Hwan
Published: January 2021

In this study, surface oxidation of petroleum pitch was performed to enhance the thermal stability, specific surface area, and mesopore ratio of activated carbon. The oxygen uptake of the pitch by surface oxidation has a strong influence on the formation of the specific surface area and pore size of activated carbon. It was confirmed that the oxygen uptake from the surface to the inner side of the surface oxidized pitch was the highest at the temperature of 330 °C (IP330-AC), with a mesopore ratio of 63.35% and specific surface area of 1811 m2 g−1. The oxygen content of the surface oxidized pitch increased proportionately with the mesopore ratio in activated carbon. The specific surface area and mesopore ratio of IP330-AC were respectively 163% and 487% higher than those of petroleum-based commercial activated carbon (A-BAC), and 102% and 491% higher than those of coconut-based commercial activated carbon (P60).
Enhanced adsorptive composite foams for copper (II) removal utilising bio-renewable polyisoprene-functionalised carbon derived from coconut shell waste
Authors: Kettum Wachiraporn , Samart Chanatip , Chanlek Narong , Pakawanit Phakkhananan , Reubroycharoen Prasert , Guan Guoqing , Kongparakul Suwadee , Kiatkamjornwong Suda
Published: January 2021

A bio -renewable polyisoprene obtained from Hevea Brasiliensis was used to produce functionalised carbon composite foam as an adsorbent for heavy metal ions. Functionalised carbon materials (C-SO3H, C-COOH, or C-NH2) derived from coconut shell waste were prepared via a hydrothermal treatment. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the functionalised carbon particles had spherical shapes with rough surfaces. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that the functional groups were successfully functionalised over the carbon surface. The foaming process allowed for the addition of carbon (up to seven parts per hundred of rubber) to the high ammonia natural rubber latex. The composite foams had open pore structures with good dispersion of the functionalised carbon. The foam performance on copper ion adsorption has been investigated with regard to their functional group and adsorption conditions. The carbon foams achieved maximum Cu(II) adsorption at 56.5 $${\text{mg g}}_{\text{foam}}^{-1}$$

mg g

foam

-
1

for C-SO3H, 55.7 $${\text{mg g}}_{\text{foam}}^{-1}$$

mg g

foam

-
1

for C-COOH, and 41.9 $${\text{mg g}}_{\text{foam}}^{-1}$$

mg g

foam

-
1

for C-NH2, and the adsorption behaviour followed a pseudo-second order kinetics model.
Virtual reality alters cortical oscillations related to visuo-tactile integration during rubber hand illusion
Authors: Kanayama Noriaki , Hara Masayuki , Kimura Kenta
Published: January 2021

Virtual reality (VR) enables the fast, free, and highly controllable setting of experimental body images. Illusions pertaining to a body, such as the rubber hand illusion (RHI), can be easily conducted in VR settings, and some phenomena, such as full-body illusions, are only realized in virtual environments. However, the multisensory-integration process in VR is not yet fully understood. Thus, it remains to be clarified if specific phenomena that occur under VR settings manifest in real life as well. One useful investigative approach is measuring brain activities during a psychological experiment. Electroencephalography (EEG) oscillatory activities provide insight into the human multisensory integration process. Nevertheless, EEG data can be vulnerable to VR noise, which causes measurement and analytical difficulties for EEG data recorded in VR environments. Here, we achieve an experimental RHI setting using a head-mounted display that provides a VR visual space and VR dummy hand along with EEG measurements. We compared EEG data collected in both real and VR environments and observed the gamma and theta band oscillatory activities. Ultimately, we observed statistically significant differences between congruent (RHI) and incongruent (not RHI) conditions in the real environment, which is consistent with previous studies. Differences in the VR condition were observed only on the late theta band oscillation, suggesting that the VR setting itself altered the perceptual and sensory integration mechanisms. Thus, we must model this difference between real and VR settings whenever we use VR to investigate our bodily self-perception.
Circulating fatty acid profiles are associated with protein energy wasting in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Khor Ban-Hock , Sahathevan Sharmela , Sualeheen Ayesha , Ali Mohammad Syafiq Md , Narayanan Sreelakshmi Sankara , Chinna Karuthan , Gafor Abdul Halim Abdul , Goh Bak-Leong , Ahmad Ghazali , Morad Zaki , Daud Zulfitri Azuan Mat , Khosla Pramod , Sundram Kalyana , Karupaiah Tilakavati ,   PaTCH Investigators, Bee Boon Cheak , Lim Soo Kun , Visvanathan Ravindran , Yahya Rosnawati , Bavanandan Sunita
Published: January 2021

The metabolic impact of circulating fatty acids (FAs) in patients requiring hemodialysis (HD) is unknown. We investigated the associations between plasma triglyceride (TG) FAs and markers of inflammation, insulin resistance, nutritional status and body composition. Plasma TG-FAs were measured using gas chromatography in 341 patients on HD (age = 55.2 ± 14.0 years and 54.3% males). Cross-sectional associations of TG-FAs with 13 markers were examined using multivariate linear regression adjusted for potential confounders. Higher levels of TG saturated fatty acids were associated with greater body mass index (BMI, r = 0.230), waist circumference (r = 0.203), triceps skinfold (r = 0.197), fat tissue index (r = 0.150), serum insulin (r = 0.280), and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (r = 0.276), but lower malnutrition inflammation score (MIS, r =  − 0.160). Greater TG monounsaturated fatty acid levels were associated with lower lean tissue index (r =  − 0.197) and serum albumin (r =  − 0.188), but higher MIS (r = 0.176). Higher levels of TG n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were associated with lower MIS (r =  − 0.168) and interleukin-6 concentrations (r =  − 0.115). Higher levels of TG n-6 PUFAs were associated with lower BMI (r =  − 0.149) but greater serum albumin (r = 0.112). In conclusion, TG monounsaturated fatty acids were associated with poor nutritional status, while TG n-3 PUFAs were associated with good nutritional status. On the other hand, TG saturated fatty acids and TG n-6 PUFAs had both favorable and unfavorable associations with nutritional parameters.
Exploratory behaviour towards novel objects is associated with enhanced learning in young horses
Authors: Christensen Janne Winther , Ahrendt Line Peerstrup , Malmkvist Jens , Nicol Christine
Published: January 2021

The mechanisms underlying individual variation in learning are key to understanding the development of cognitive abilities. In humans and primates, curiosity has been suggested as an important intrinsic factor that enhances learning, whereas in domesticated species research has primarily identified factors with a negative effect on cognitive abilities, such as stress and fearfulness. This study presents the first evidence of a link between object-directed curiosity and learning performance in young horses in two very different learning tasks (visual discrimination and pressure-release). We exposed young horses (n = 44) to standardised novel object tests at 5 months and 1 year of age and found consistency in responses. Standard indicators of fearfulness (e.g. heart rate and alertness) were unrelated to learning performance, whereas exploratory behaviour towards the novel objects correlated to performance in both learning tasks. Exploratory behaviour was unreinforced in the novel object tests and likely reflects the animal’s intrinsic motivation (i.e. curiosity), suggesting that this trait is favourable for learning performance. In addition to the insights that these results provide into cognition in a domesticated species, they also raise questions in relation to fostering of curiosity in animals and the impact that such manipulation may have on cognitive abilities.
HIF-1α promotes cellular growth in lymphatic endothelial cells exposed to chronically elevated pulmonary lymph flow
Authors: Boehme Jason T. , Morris Catherine J. , Chiacchia Samuel R. , Gong Wenhui , Wu Katherine Y. , Kameny Rebecca J. , Raff Gary W. , Fineman Jeffrey R. , Maltepe Emin , Datar Sanjeev A.
Published: January 2021

Normal growth and development of lymphatic structures depends on mechanical forces created by accumulating interstitial fluid. However, prolonged exposure to pathologic mechanical stimuli generated by chronically elevated lymph flow results in lymphatic dysfunction. The mechanisms that transduce these mechanical forces are not fully understood. Our objective was to investigate molecular mechanisms that alter the growth and metabolism of isolated lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) exposed to prolonged pathologically elevated lymph flow in vivo within the anatomic and physiologic context of a large animal model of congenital heart disease with increased pulmonary blood flow using in vitro approaches. To this end, late gestation fetal lambs underwent in utero placement of an aortopulmonary graft (shunt). Four weeks after birth, LECs were isolated and cultured from control and shunt lambs. Redox status and proliferation were quantified, and transcriptional profiling and metabolomic analyses were performed. Shunt LECs exhibited hyperproliferative growth driven by increased levels of Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1α (HIF-1α), along with upregulated expression of known HIF-1α target genes in response to mechanical stimuli and shear stress. Compared to control LECs, shunt LECs exhibited abnormal metabolism including abnormalities of glycolysis, the TCA cycle and aerobic respiration. In conclusion, LECs from lambs exposed in vivo to chronically increased pulmonary lymph flow are hyperproliferative, have enhanced expression of HIF-1α and its target genes, and demonstrate altered central carbon metabolism in vitro. Importantly, these findings suggest provocative therapeutic targets for patients with lymphatic abnormalities.
The calming effect of roasted coffee aroma in patients undergoing dental procedures
Authors: Pachimsawat Praewpat , Tangprasert Kanlayanee , Jantaratnotai Nattinee
Published: January 2021

Coffee beverage consumption is well-known to exert various health benefits; however, the effects of coffee aroma are rarely explored. This study aimed to investigate the calming effect of inhaling coffee aroma while the patients underwent dental procedures (probing and scaling). Salivary α-amylase (sAA) and cortisol (sCort) levels were measured as proxies of sympathetic nervous system and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis responses to stress respectively. Blood pressures and pulse rates were recorded. The results showed that undergoing dental procedures could increase sAA and sCort levels of the patients inhaling sham aroma while those inhaling coffee aroma had significantly decreased sAA and sCort levels (40% and 25% differences, respectively). The pulse rates of those inhaling coffee aroma were also lower. Subjective assessment using visual analog scale was in line with objective measures as well. The preference for coffee aroma or the frequency of coffee drinking had no effect on the sAA and sCort responses. This is the first study to provide evidence on the effect of coffee aroma on sAA and sCort levels in patients undergoing dental procedures.
CT image segmentation for inflamed and fibrotic lungs using a multi-resolution convolutional neural network
Authors: Gerard Sarah E. , Herrmann Jacob , Xin Yi , Martin Kevin T. , Rezoagli Emanuele , Ippolito Davide , Bellani Giacomo , Cereda Maurizio , Guo Junfeng , Hoffman Eric A. , Kaczka David W. , Reinhardt Joseph M.
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this study was to develop a fully-automated segmentation algorithm, robust to various density enhancing lung abnormalities, to facilitate rapid quantitative analysis of computed tomography images. A polymorphic training approach is proposed, in which both specifically labeled left and right lungs of humans with COPD, and nonspecifically labeled lungs of animals with acute lung injury, were incorporated into training a single neural network. The resulting network is intended for predicting left and right lung regions in humans with or without diffuse opacification and consolidation. Performance of the proposed lung segmentation algorithm was extensively evaluated on CT scans of subjects with COPD, confirmed COVID-19, lung cancer, and IPF, despite no labeled training data of the latter three diseases. Lobar segmentations were obtained using the left and right lung segmentation as input to the LobeNet algorithm. Regional lobar analysis was performed using hierarchical clustering to identify radiographic subtypes of COVID-19. The proposed lung segmentation algorithm was quantitatively evaluated using semi-automated and manually-corrected segmentations in 87 COVID-19 CT images, achieving an average symmetric surface distance of $$0.495\pm 0.309$$

0.495
±
0.309

mm and Dice coefficient of $$0.985\pm 0.011$$

0.985
±
0.011

. Hierarchical clustering identified four radiographical phenotypes of COVID-19 based on lobar fractions of consolidated and poorly aerated tissue. Lower left and lower right lobes were consistently more afflicted with poor aeration and consolidation. However, the most severe cases demonstrated involvement of all lobes. The polymorphic training approach was able to accurately segment COVID-19 cases with diffuse consolidation without requiring COVID-19 cases for training.
A novel graphene-based micro/nano architecture with high strength and conductivity inspired by multiple creatures
Authors: Li Muzhi , Wang Xiuya , Zhao Ru , Miao Yuanyuan , Liu Zhenbo
Published: January 2021

In the long history of development and elimination, the creatures have derived a variety of exquisite structures and unique properties, typically natural nacre, marine mussel and Glycera to adapt to the environment and resist the predation of the enemy. Hence, inspired by the combination of special structures and properties of multiple creatures, a novel type of graphene-based micro/nano architecture was proposed, and the related bioinspired nanocomposites were fabricated, Polydopamine coated Graphene oxide/Nanocellulose/Polydopamine (P-GCP). Apart from replicating the layered structure of natural nacre, P-GCP also introduced copper ions and polydopamine to simulate the hardening mechanism of the Glycera’s jaw and the composition of adhesive proteins in mussels to further improve the tensile strength and conductivity of nanocomposites, respectively. The test results showed that the tensile strength of P-GCP reached 712.9 MPa, which was 5.3 times that of natural nacre. The conductivity of artificial nacre was as high as 207.6 S/cm, which was equivalent to that of reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Furthermore, the material exhibited outstanding electrical conductivity when it connected as wires in a circuit, demonstrating the practical application prospects in aerospace, supercapacitors, biomaterials, artificial bones and tissue engineering.
Reconstruction and evaluation of oil-degrading consortia isolated from sediments of hydrothermal vents in the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Authors: Ma Meng , Zheng Li , Yin Xiaofei , Gao Wei , Han Bin , Li Qian , Zhu Aimei , Chen Hao , Yang Huanghao
Published: January 2021

In this study, sediments were collected from two different sites in the deep-sea hydrothermal region of the South Atlantic Ocean. Two microbial enrichment cultures (H7S and H11S), which were enriched from the sediments collected at two sample sites, could effectively degrade petroleum hydrocarbons. The bacterial diversity was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing method. The petroleum degradation ability were evaluated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and gravimetric analysis. We found that the dominant oil-degrading bacteria of enrichment cultures from the deep-sea hydrothermal area belonged to the genera Pseudomonas, Nitratireductor, Acinetobacter, and Brevundimonas. After a 14-day degradation experiment, the enrichment culture H11S, which was obtained near a hydrothermal vent, exhibited a higher degradation efficiency for alkanes (95%) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (88%) than the enrichment culture H7S. Interestingly, pristane and phytane as biomarkers were degraded up to 90% and 91% respectively by the enrichment culture H11S, and six culturable oil-degrading bacterial strains were isolated. Acinetobacter junii strain H11S-25, Nitratireductor sp. strain H11S-31 and Pseudomonas sp. strain H11S-28 were used at a density ratio of 95:4:1 to construct high-efficiency oil-degrading consortium H. After a three-day biodegradation experiment, consortium H showed high degradation efficiencies of 74.2% and 65.7% for total alkanes and PAHs, respectively. The degradation efficiency of biomarkers such as pristane and high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (such as CHR) reached 84.5% and 80.48%, respectively. The findings of this study indicate that the microorganisms in the deep-sea hydrothermal area are potential resources for degrading petroleum hydrocarbons. Consortium H, which was artificially constructed, showed a highly efficient oil-degrading capacity and has significant application prospects in oil pollution bioremediation.
Aqueous autotaxin and TGF-βs are promising diagnostic biomarkers for distinguishing open-angle glaucoma subtypes
Authors: Igarashi Nozomi , Honjo Megumi , Asaoka Ryo , Kurano Makoto , Yatomi Yutaka , Igarashi Koji , Miyata Kazunori , Kaburaki Toshikatsu , Aihara Makoto
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this study is to examine if aqueous autotaxin (ATX) and TGF-β levels could be used for differentiating glaucoma subtypes. This prospective observational study was performed using aqueous humor samples obtained from 281 consecutive patients. Open angle glaucoma patients were classified into three groups: primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), secondary open-angle glaucoma (SOAG), and exfoliation glaucoma (XFG). Aqueous levels of ATX and TGF-βs were quantified. The AUC as well as sensitivity and specificity for the classification into normal and glaucoma subtypes using four indicators-ATX, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3, upon the application of three machine learning methods. ATX, TGF-β1, and TGF-β3 were positively correlated with IOP, and ATX was significantly and negatively correlated with the mean deviation. From least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis, the AUC values to distinguish each subgroup [normal, POAG, SOAG, and XFG] ranged between 0.675 (POAG vs. normal) and 0.966 (XFG vs. normal), when four variables were used. High AUC values were obtained with ATX for discriminating XFG from normal eyes and with TGF-β3 for discriminating XFG from normal eyes, POAG, or SOAG. Aqueous TGF-β and ATX exhibited high diagnostic performance in detecting glaucoma subtypes, and could be promising biomarkers for glaucoma.
The specific DNA barcodes based on chloroplast genes for species identification of Orchidaceae plants
Authors: Li Huili , Xiao Wenjun , Tong Tie , Li Yongliang , Zhang Meng , Lin Xiaoxia , Zou Xiaoxiao , Wu Qun , Guo Xinhong
Published: January 2021

DNA barcoding is currently an effective and widely used tool that enables rapid and accurate identification of plant species. The Orchidaceae is the second largest family of flowering plants, with more than 700 genera and 20,000 species distributed nearly worldwide. The accurate identification of Orchids not only contributes to the safe utilization of these plants, but also it is essential to the protection and utilization of germplasm resources. In this study, the DNA barcoding of 4 chloroplast genes (matK, rbcL, ndhF and ycf1) were used to provide theoretical basis for species identification, germplasm conservation and innovative utilization of orchids. By comparing the nucleotide replacement saturation of the single or combined sequences among the 4 genes, we found that these sequences reached a saturation state and were suitable for phylogenetic relationship analysis. The phylogenetic analyses based on genetic distance indicated that ndhF and ycf1 sequences were competent to identification at genus and species level of orchids in a single gene. In the combined sequences, matK + ycf1 and ndhF + ycf1 were qualified for identification at the genera and species levels, suggesting the potential roles of ndhF, ycf1, matK + ycf1 and ndhF + ycf1 as candidate barcodes for orchids. Based on the SNP sites, candidate genes were used to obtain the specific barcode of orchid plant species and generated the corresponding DNA QR code ID card that could be immediately recognized by electronic devices. This study provides innovative research methods for efficient species identification of orchids. The standardized and accurate barcode information of Orchids is provided for researchers. It lays the foundation for the conservation, evaluation, innovative utilization and protection of Orchidaceae germplasm resources.
Changes on proteomic and metabolomic profile in serum of mice induced by chronic exposure to tramadol
Authors: Jiang Shukun , Liu Guojie , Yuan Huiya , Xu Enyu , Xia Wei , Zhang Xiaoyu , Liu Junting , Gao Lina
Published: January 2021

Tramadol is an opioid used as an analgesic for treating moderate or severe pain. The long-term use of tramadol can induce several adverse effects. The toxicological mechanism of tramadol abuse is unclear. Limited literature available indicates the change of proteomic profile after chronic exposure to tramadol. In this study, we analyzed the proteomic and metabolomic profile by TMT-labeled quantitative proteomics and untargeted metabolomics between the tramadol and the control group. Proteomic analysis revealed 31 differential expressed serum proteins (9 increased and 22 decreased) in tramadol-treated mice (oral, 50 mg/kg, 5 weeks) as compared with the control ones. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the dysregulated proteins mainly included: enzyme inhibitor-associated proteins (i.e. apolipoprotein C-III (Apoc-III), alpha-1-antitrypsin 1–2 (Serpina 1b), apolipoprotein C-II (Apoc-II), plasma protease C1 inhibitor, inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H3 (itih3)); mitochondria-related proteins (i.e. 14-3-3 protein zeta/delta (YWHAZ)); cytoskeleton proteins (i.e. tubulin alpha-4A chain (TUBA4A), vinculin (Vcl)). And we found that the differential expressed proteins mainly involved in the pathway of the protein digestion and absorption. Metabolomics analysis revealed that differential expressed metabolites mainly involved in protein ingestion and absorption, fatty acid biosynthesis, steroid hormone biosynthesis and bile secretion. Our overall findings revealed that chronic exposure to tramadol changed the proteomic and metabolomic profile of mice. Moreover, integrated proteomic and metabolomic revealed that the protein digestion and absorption is the common enrichment KEGG pathway. Thus, the combination of proteomics and metabolomics opens new avenues for the research of the molecular mechanisms of tramadol toxicity.
Integrated, automated maintenance, expansion and differentiation of 2D and 3D patient-derived cellular models for high throughput drug screening
Authors: Boussaad Ibrahim , Cruciani Gérald , Bolognin Silvia , Antony Paul , Dording Claire M. , Kwon Yong-Jun , Heutink Peter , Fava Eugenio , Schwamborn Jens C. , Krüger Rejko
Published: January 2021

Patient-derived cellular models become an increasingly powerful tool to model human diseases for precision medicine approaches. The identification of robust cellular disease phenotypes in these models paved the way towards high throughput screenings (HTS) including the implementation of laboratory advanced automation. However, maintenance and expansion of cells for HTS remains largely manual work. Here, we describe an integrated, complex automated platform for HTS in a translational research setting also designed for maintenance and expansion of different cell types. The comprehensive design allows automation of all cultivation steps and is flexible for development of methods for variable cell types. We demonstrate protocols for controlled cell seeding, splitting and expansion of human fibroblasts, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), and neural progenitor cells (NPC) that allow for subsequent differentiation into different cell types and image-based multiparametric screening. Furthermore, we provide automated protocols for neuronal differentiation of NPC in 2D culture and 3D midbrain organoids for HTS. The flexibility of this multitask platform makes it an ideal solution for translational research settings involving experiments on different patient-derived cellular models for precision medicine.
Changes in lung immune cell infiltrates after electric field treatment in mice
Authors: Eliseeva Sophia I. , Knowlden Zackery A. , Lester Gillian MSchiralli , Dean David A. , Georas Steve N. , Chapman Timothy J.
Published: January 2021

Exogenous electric fields are currently used in human therapy in a number of contexts. Interestingly, electric fields have also been shown to alter migration and function of immune cells, suggesting the potential for electric field-based immune therapy. Little is known as to the effect of electric field treatment (EFT) on the lung. To determine if EFT associates with changes in lung immune cell infiltration, we used a mouse model with varying methods of EFT application and measured cells and soluble mediators using flow cytometry and cytokine/chemokine multiplex. EFT was associated with a transient increase in lung neutrophils and decrease in eosinophils in naïve mice within 2 h of treatment, accompanied by an increase in IL-6 levels. In order to test whether EFT could alter eosinophil/neutrophil recruitment in a relevant disease model, a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation was used. Four EFT doses in allergen-sensitized mice resulted in increased neutrophil and reduced eosinophil infiltrates following allergen challenge, suggesting a durable change in inflammation by EFT. Mice with allergic inflammation were analyzed by flexiVent for measures of lung function. EFT-treated mice had increased inspiratory capacity and other measures of lung function were not diminished. These data suggest EFT may be used to manipulate immune cell infiltration in the lung without affecting lung function.
Lanthanum-incorporated β-Ni(OH)2 nanoarrays for robust urea electro-oxidation
Authors: Hao Pin , Xin Ying , Wang Qian , Li Liyi , Zhao Zhenhuan , Wen Houguang , Xie Junfeng , Cui Guanwei , Tang Bo
Published: January 2021

A novel electrocatalyst exhibits superior catalytic activity contributed to its optimized electronic structure, downshift of its d-band center and well-exposed active sites.
Synthesis of vinyl iodide chain-end polymers via organocatalyzed chain-end transformation
Authors: Chang Jun Jie , Pan Houwen Matthew , Goto Atsushi
Published: January 2021

In the presence of alkynes (CHC–R2), iodide chain-end polymers (Polymer–I) were successfully transformed to vinyl iodide chain-end polymers (Polymer–CHCR2–I) in a single step via organocatalysis.
Synthesis, structure, and fluorescence properties of coordination polymers of 3,5-bis(1′,2′,4′-triazol-1′-yl) pyridine
Authors: Yu Huaguang , Sun Jing
Published: January 2021

Four coordination polymers based on 3,5-bis(1′,2′,4′-triazol-1′-yl) pyridine were synthesized. Compounds [Cd3(btc)2(btap)(H2O)6] and [Cd(oa)(btap)] exhibited high sensitivity luminescence response towards Fe3+, Ce3+, Cr2O72− and MnO4− in aqueous solution.
Machine learning approaches to understand and predict rate constants for organic processes in mixtures containing ionic liquids
Authors: Greaves Tamar L. , Schaffarczyk McHale Karin S. , Burkart-Radke Raphael F. , Harper Jason B. , Le Tu C.
Published: January 2021

Machine learning models were developed for an organic reaction in ionic liquids and validated on a selection of ionic liquids.
Spectroscopic properties of open shell diatomic molecules using Piris natural orbital functionals
Authors: Quintero-Monsebaiz Raúl , Perea-Ramírez Luis Ignacio , Piris Mario , Vela Alberto
Published: January 2021

Spectroscopic properties of nine heteronuclear diatomic molecules using an interactive pair model (PNOF7s) that has been generalized for spin multiplet states and its second order perturbation variant, NOF-MP2, are reported.
Theoretical studies on the initial reaction kinetics and mechanisms of p-, m- and o-nitrotoluene
Authors: Yang Meng , Liao Caiyue , Tang Chenglong , Zhang Peng , Huang Zuohua , Li Jianling
Published: January 2021

Direct bond dissociations of C–NO2 are dominant at high temperatures for p- and m-nitrotolune, while O transfer are predominant at low to intermediate temperatures. For o-nitrotoluene, the H atom migration and C–NO2 bond dissociation are important.
Spontaneous self-formation of molecular ferroelectric heterostructures
Authors: Gao Kaige , Su Zhen , Li Chen , Wu Di , Zhang Binbin
Published: January 2021

A new phase of diisopropylammonium perchlorate (DIPAP) forms during freeze-drying or heat treatment, which generates the heterostructure with its original ferroelectric phase.
Shell engineering to achieve modification and assembly of atomically-precise silver clusters
Authors: Jin Yan , Zhang Chong , Dong Xi-Yan , Zang Shuang-Quan , Mak Thomas C. W.
Published: January 2021

This tutorial review focuses on the modification and assembly of atomically-precise silver clusters by changing shell layers for more stability and functionalities, especially for brighter luminescence.
Polymethoxyflavone purified fromKaempferia parviflorareduces visceral fat in Japanese overweight individuals: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Yoshino Susumu , Tagawa Takashi , Awa Riyo , Ogasawara Jun , Kuwahara Hiroshige , Fukuhara Ikuo
Published: January 2021

Visceral fat is a more important factor in obesity-associated disorders in Japanese individuals than in Caucasian individuals.
The processing-module assembly strategy for continuous bio-oxidation of furan chemicals by integrated and coupled biotechnology
Authors: Du Genlai , Hua Xia , Xu Bin , Wang Huan , Zhou Xin , Xu Yong
Published: January 2021

We designed a technology to combined biotechnology, chemical and electrochemical techniques to achieve furoic acid bio-production from bio-toxic furfural.
s-Tetrazine-functionalized hyper-crosslinked polymers for efficient photocatalytic synthesis of benzimidazoles
Authors: An Wan-Kai , Zheng Shi-Jia , Zhang Hui-Xing , Shang Tian-Tian , Wang He-Rui , Xu Xiao-Jing , Jin Qiu , Qin Yuchen , Ren Yunlai , Jiang Song , Xu Cui-Lian , Hou Mao-Song , Pan Zhenliang
Published: January 2021

Constructing s-tetrazine-embedded HCP photocatalysts for the green synthesis of benzimidazoles.
A fully integrated biomimetic microfluidic device for evaluation of sperm response to thermotaxis and chemotaxis
Authors: Yan Yimo , Zhang Boxuan , Fu Qiqi , Wu Jian , Liu Ran
Published: January 2021

We developed a fully integrated biomimetic microfluidic system for screening sperm for their characteristics when exposed to temperature and chemical gradients.
Biologically relevant and energetically significant cooperative ternary (π–π)2/(π–π)1/(π–π)2assemblies and fascinating discrete (H2O)21clusters in isostructural 2,5-pyridine dicarboxylato Co(ii) and Zn(ii) phenanthroline compounds: antiproliferative evaluation and theoretical studies
Authors: Chetry Sanjib , Sharma Pranay , Frontera Antonio , Saha Utpal , Verma Akalesh K. , Sarma Bipul , Kalita Paran Jyoti , Bhattacharyya Manjit K.
Published: January 2021

Cytotoxicity in cancer cells with structure activity relationship has been explored in isostructural Co(ii) and Zn(ii) compounds involving energetically significant cooperative (π–π)2/(π–π)1/(π–π)2assemblies and fascinating (H2O)21clusters.
Specific detection and determination of cysteine by a luminescent samarium macrocycle-based fluorescent probe platform
Authors: Huang Yan , Shen Yin-Jing , Chen Ting-Ting , Li Benxia , Zhang Kun
Published: January 2021

A samarium macrocycle-based chemosensor bearing two imine bonds and a Sm(iii) emitter provides an indirect approach to detect and determine cysteine.
Discrete and polymeric organometallic-organic assemblies based on the diarsene complex [(Cp)2Mo2(CO)4(μ,η2-As2)], AgPF6and N-donor organic molecules
Authors: Moussa Mehdi Elsayed , Schiller Jana , Seidl Michael , Shelyganov Pavel A. , Scheer Manfred
Published: January 2021

The first mixed-ligand self-assembly reactions of the diarsene complex [Cp2Mo2(CO)4(μ,η2-As2)] and N-donor organic molecules in the presence of AgPF6 allow for the synthesis of two discrete and four polymeric supramolecular aggregates.
Dimethyl trimethylsilyl phosphite as a novel electrolyte additive for high voltage layered lithium cobaltate-based lithium ion batteries
Authors: Liao Xing-Qun , Zhang Chang-Ming , Li Feng , Yin Zhou-Lan , Liu Guo-Cong , Yu Jin-Gang
Published: January 2021

The addition of 0.5 wt.% of DMTMSP to the electrolyte could improve the low-temperature discharge and cycling performances of high voltage layered lithium cobaltate-based lithium ion batteries.
Functionalized resorcin[4]arene-based coordination polymers as heterogeneous catalysts for click reactions
Authors: Wang Fei-Fei , Li Jia-Hui , Liu Hai-Yan , Deng Shu-Ping , Liu Ying-Ying , Ma Jian-Fang
Published: January 2021

One Cu(i) and two Cd(ii) coordination polymers have been achieved using a 4-mercaptopyridine-functionalized resorcin[4]arene.1exhibits predominant efficiency and excellent recyclability for the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles and β-OH-1,2,3-triazoles.
Ni nanoparticles/V4C3Tx MXene heterostructures for electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation
Authors: Du Cheng-Feng , Yang Lan , Tang Kewei , Fang Wei , Zhao Xiangyuan , Liang Qinghua , Liu Xianhu , Yu Hong , Qi Weihong , Yan Qingyu
Published: January 2021

Reported here is a nanocomposite consisting of Ni nanoparticles loaded on V4C3Tx MXene as a highly efficient NRR electrocatalyst. The critical role of V4C3Tx MXene in suppressing the HER activity and enhancing the NRR performance is investigated.
Iron-based single-atom electrocatalysts: synthetic strategies and applications
Authors: Liu Qinglei , Wang Yongfei , Hu Zhizhi , Zhang Zhiqiang
Published: January 2021

The performance and cost of electrocatalysts play an important role in the development and application prospects of energy conversion technology.
Simplification of gold nanoparticle synthesis with low cytotoxicity using a greener approach: opening up new possibilities
Authors: Khatami Mehrdad , Mosazade Farideh , Raeisi Mohammadali , Ghasemi Masoomeh , Fazli Zohreh , Arefkia Kolsum , Varma Rajender S. , Borhani Fariba , Khatami Sanaz
Published: January 2021

This method described herein does not need any sophisticated laboratory devices and deploy local resource.
Eco-friendly multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares and chromatographic quantifications of some veterinary drug residues in pharmaceutical industrial wastewater
Authors: Abdel Sattar Osama I. , Abuseada Hamed H. M. , Emara Mohamed S. , Rabee Mahmoud
Published: January 2021

Three eco-friendly and cost-effective analytical methods were developed and optimized for quantitative analysis of some veterinary drug residues in production wastewater samples.
Interaction analyses of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein based on fragment molecular orbital calculations
Authors: Akisawa Kazuki , Hatada Ryo , Okuwaki Koji , Mochizuki Yuji , Fukuzawa Kaori , Komeiji Yuto , Tanaka Shigenori
Published: January 2021

Visualized IFIE results seen from chain-B of spike protein.
Hydroxyethyl starch based smart nanomedicine
Authors: Wang Huimin , Hu Hang , Yang Hai , Li Zifu
Published: January 2021

This review summarizes the most recent progress of smart nanomedicines based on hydroxyethyl starch (HES) for disease control.
A bio-analytically validated HPLC-UV method for simultaneous determination of doripenem and ertapenem in pharmaceutical dosage forms and human plasma: a dual carbapenem regimen for treatment of drug-resistant strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Ali Marwa F. B. , Marzouq Mostafa A. , Hussein Samiha A. , Salman Baher I.
Published: January 2021

The emergence of strains resistant to certain antibiotics is turning into an important issue worldwide that threatens global health with the increasing incidence of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC).