bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacterial and fungal endophyte communities in healthy and diseased oilseed rape and their potential for biocontrol of Sclerotinia and Phoma disease
Authors: Schmidt C. S. , Mrnka L. , Lovecká P. , Frantík T. , Fenclová M. , Demnerová K. , Vosátka M.
Published: February 2021

Phoma stem canker (caused by the ascomycetes Leptosphaeria maculans and Leptosphaeria biglobosa) is an important disease of oilseed rape. Its effect on endophyte communities in roots and shoots and the potential of endophytes to promote growth and control diseases of oilseed rape (OSR) was investigated. Phoma stem canker had a large effect especially on fungal but also on bacterial endophyte communities. Dominant bacterial genera were Pseudomonas, followed by Enterobacter, Serratia, Stenotrophomonas, Bacillus and Staphylococcus. Achromobacter, Pectobacter and Sphingobacterium were isolated only from diseased plants, though in very small numbers. The fungal genera Cladosporium, Botrytis and Torula were dominant in healthy plants whereas Alternaria, Fusarium and Basidiomycetes (Vishniacozyma, Holtermaniella, Bjerkandera/Thanatephorus) occurred exclusively in diseased plants. Remarkably, Leptosphaeria biglobosa could be isolated in large numbers from shoots of both healthy and diseased plants. Plant growth promoting properties (antioxidative activity, P-solubilisation, production of phytohormones and siderophores) were widespread in OSR endophytes. Although none of the tested bacterial endophytes (Achromobacter, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Serratia and Stenotrophomonas) promoted growth of oilseed rape under P-limiting conditions or controlled Phoma disease on oilseed rape cotyledons, they significantly reduced incidence of Sclerotinia disease. In the field, a combined inoculum consisting of Achromobacter piechaudii, two pseudomonads and Stenotrophomonas rhizophila tendencially increased OSR yield and reduced Phoma stem canker.
Comparison of cord blood hematological parameters among normal, α-thalassemia, and β-thalassemia fetuses between 17 and 38 weeks of gestation
Authors: Zhan Wenli , Guo Hao , Hu Siqi , Wang Jicheng , Qin Danqing , Liang Juqing , Du Li , Luo Mingyong
Published: February 2021

The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare hematological parameters among normal, α-, and β-thalassemia fetuses between 17 and 38 weeks of gestation. Pregnant women at risk of having fetuses with thalassemia major and underwent cordocentesis for prenatal diagnosis were recruited. Fetal cord blood samples were collected from 249 fetuses for hematological and DNA analysis. Fetuses were divided into subgroups according to thalassemia DNA genotypes. The average and gestational age of subjects were 27.95 ± 5.78 years and 27.78 ± 3.57 weeks, respectively. The distribution of α-thalassemia, β-thalassemia, and normal cases was 67.87%, 19.68%, and 12.45%, respectively. Significant differences in almost all the hematological parameters (HbF, HbA, Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, and NBRCs) were observed in three groups (P < 0.001, except for RBC, P = 0.446). These differences were also observed in four α-thalassemia subgroups (P < 0.001) and were associated with the number of defected genes. Similarly, in five β-thalassemia genotypes, HbF, HbA, RBC, MCV, MCH and NBRCs were presented differently (P < 0.05). Additionally, the trends in RBC, Hb, and HCT changes in three α-thalassemia subgroups (silent carrier, trait, and major) and β+/β+ fetuses’ MCV, MCH, and RDW levels with gestation age were opposite to those of normal fetuses. We compared the distribution of hematological parameters in fetuses affected by most genotypes of thalassemia, as well as their trends in relation to gestational age for the first time, which is a good reference for future studies and prenatal diagnostic practices. The investigated hematological parameters are also valuable in diagnosing and differentiating thalassemia.
Differential roles of ARID1B in excitatory and inhibitory neural progenitors in the developing cortex
Authors: Moffat Jeffrey J. , Jung Eui-Man , Ka Minhan , Jeon Byeong Tak , Lee Hyunkyoung , Kim Woo-Yang
Published: February 2021

Genetic evidence indicates that haploinsufficiency of ARID1B causes intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the neural function of ARID1B is largely unknown. Using both conditional and global Arid1b knockout mouse strains, we examined the role of ARID1B in neural progenitors. We detected an overall decrease in the proliferation of cortical and ventral neural progenitors following homozygous deletion of Arid1b, as well as altered cell cycle regulation and increased cell death. Each of these phenotypes was more pronounced in ventral neural progenitors. Furthermore, we observed decreased nuclear localization of β-catenin in Arid1b-deficient neurons. Conditional homozygous deletion of Arid1b in ventral neural progenitors led to pronounced ID- and ASD-like behaviors in mice, whereas the deletion in cortical neural progenitors resulted in minor cognitive deficits. This study suggests an essential role for ARID1B in forebrain neurogenesis and clarifies its more pronounced role in inhibitory neural progenitors. Our findings also provide insights into the pathogenesis of ID and ASD.
Organic light-emitting devices based on conducting polymer treated with benzoic acid
Authors: Kang Hwa Seung , Kim Dae Hun , Kim Tae Whan
Published: February 2021

We report on the enhanced conductivity of the benzoic-acid-treated poly(3,4-ethlenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) electrode for use in highly flexible, organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). The conductivity of the benzoic-acid-treated PEDOT:PSS electrode increased from 1 to 1583.2 S/cm, in comparison with that of the pristine PEDOT:PSS electrode, due to a complex factor of the H+ mole % and the dielectric constant of the benzoic solution. Among the post-treatment methods of the PEDOT:PSS electrodes, the operating voltage at 1000 cd/m2 of OLEDs fabricated utilizing the PEDOT:PSS electrode with the benzoic acid treatment has the lowest value, and its maximum luminance is 24,400 cd/m2, which are 1.54 and 2.15 times higher than those of OLEDs using PEDOT:PSS electrodes treated with dimethyl sulfoxide and methanol, respectively. The luminance of a flexible OLED with a benzoic-acid-treated PEDOT:PSS electrode after 1400 bending cycles decreased to 83% of the initial luminance, resulting in excellent mechanical stability.
New indices to characterize drawing behavior in humans (Homo sapiens) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Martinet Lison , Sueur Cédric , Hirata Satoshi , Hosselet Jérôme , Matsuzawa Tetsuro , Pelé Marie
Published: February 2021

Techniques used in cave art suggest that drawing skills emerged long before the oldest known representative human productions (44,000 yearsbc). This study seeks to improve our knowledge of the evolutionary origins and the ontogenetic development of drawing behavior by studying drawings of humans (N = 178, 3- to 10-year-old children and adults) and chimpanzees (N = 5). Drawings were characterized with an innovative index based on spatial measures which provides the degree of efficiency for the lines that are drawn. Results showed that this index was lowest in chimpanzees, increased and reached its maximum between 5-year-old and 10-year-old children and decreased in adults, whose drawing efficiency was reduced by the addition of details. Drawings of chimpanzees are not random suggesting that their movements are constrained by cognitive or locomotor aspect and we cannot conclude to the absence of representativeness. We also used indices based on colors and time and asked children about what they drew. These indices can be considered relevant tools to improve our understanding of drawing development and evolution in hominids.
An integrated life cycle and water footprint assessment of nonfood crops based bioenergy production
Authors: Li Jun , Xiong Fengyin , Chen Zhuo
Published: February 2021

Biomass gasification, especially distribution to power generation, is considered as a promising way to tackle global energy and environmental challenges. However, previous researches on integrated analysis of the greenhouse gases (GHG) abatement potentials associated with biomass electrification are sparse and few have taken the freshwater utilization into account within a coherent framework, though both energy and water scarcity are lying in the central concerns in China’s environmental policy. This study employs a Life cycle assessment (LCA) model to analyse the actual performance combined with water footprint (WF) assessment methods. The inextricable trade-offs between three representative energy-producing technologies are explored based on three categories of non-food crops (maize, sorghum and hybrid pennisetum) cultivated in marginal arable land. WF results demonstrate that the Hybrid pennisetum system has the largest impact on the water resources whereas the other two technology options exhibit the characteristics of environmental sustainability. The large variances in contribution ratio between the four sub-processes in terms of total impacts are reflected by the LCA results. The Anaerobic Digestion process is found to be the main contributor whereas the Digestate management process is shown to be able to effectively mitigate the negative environmental impacts with an absolute share. Sensitivity analysis is implemented to detect the impacts of loss ratios variation, as silage mass and methane, on final results. The methane loss has the largest influence on the Hybrid pennisetum system, followed by the Maize system. Above all, the Sorghum system demonstrates the best performance amongst the considered assessment categories. Our study builds a pilot reference for further driving large-scale project of bioenergy production and conversion. The synergy of combined WF-LCA method allows us to conduct a comprehensive assessment and to provide insights into environmental and resource management.
Pore-scale effects during the transition from capillary- to viscosity-dominated flow dynamics within microfluidic porous-like domains
Authors: Yiotis A. , Karadimitriou N. K. , Zarikos I. , Steeb H.
Published: February 2021

We perform a numerical and experimental study of immiscible two-phase flows within predominantly 2D transparent PDMS microfluidic domains with disordered pillar-like obstacles, that effectively serve as artificial porous structures. Using a high sensitivity pressure sensor at the flow inlet, we capture experimentally the pressure dynamics under fixed flow rate conditions as the fluid–fluid interface advances within the porous domain, while also monitoring the corresponding phase distribution patterns using optical microscopy. Our experimental study covers 4 orders of magnitude with respect to the injection flow rate and highlights the characteristics of immiscible displacement processes during the transition from the capillarity-controlled interface displacement regime at lower flow rates, where the pores are invaded sequentially in the form of Haines jumps, to the viscosity-dominated regime, where multiple pores are invaded simultaneously. In the capillary regime, we recover a clear correlation between the recorded inlet pressure and the pore-throat diameter invaded by the interface that follows the Young–Laplace equation, while during the transition to the viscous regime such a correlation is no longer evident due to multiple pore-throats being invaded simultaneously (but also due to significant viscous pressure drop along the inlet and outlet channels, that effectively mask capillary effects). The performed experimental study serves for the validation of a robust Level-Set model capable of explicitly tracking interfacial dynamics at sub-pore scale resolutions under identical flow conditions. The numerical model is validated against both well-established theoretical flow models, that account for the effects of viscous and capillary forces on interfacial dynamics, and the experimental results obtained using the developed microfluidic setup over a wide range of capillary numbers. Our results show that the proposed numerical model recovers very well the experimentally observed flow dynamics in terms of phase distribution patterns and inlet pressures, but also the effects of viscous flow on the apparent (i.e. dynamic) contact angles in the vicinity of the pore walls. For the first time in the literature, this work clearly shows that the proposed numerical approach has an undoubtable strong potential to simulate multiphase flow in porous domains over a wide range of Capillary numbers.
Improving the sexual activity and reproduction of female zebrafish with high testosterone levels
Authors: Liu Congcong , Yue Sophie , Solarz Joshua , Lee Jessica , Li Lei
Published: February 2021

High levels of testosterone cause clinical symptoms in female reproduction and possibly, alterations in sexuality. Yet, the underlying mechanisms remain to be examined. Here, we report a study that investigates the effects of testosterone in follicle development and sexual mating using zebrafish models. We developed an acute zebrafish model with high testosterone levels by exposing young female zebrafish to testosterone dissolved in swimming water. After given a high concentration of testosterone treatment (e.g., 100 ng/ml), the fish showed hallmark pathological symptoms similar to those displayed in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), such as follicular growth-arrest, rare ovulation, ovary enlargement, decrease in reproduction, and down regulation of the expression of some PCOS susceptible genes, such as Tox3. These fish are referred to as the PCOS fish. By monitoring mating-like swimming behaviors, we measured the sexual activity of PCOS zebrafish. In general, the PCOS fish showed no desire to interact with males. As a consequence, their mating rate was decreased as compared to control animals. The sexuality levels of PCOS fish, however, could be improved after short periods of rearing in conditions that lack of males. After only 3 days of rearing alone, the PCOS fish showed an increase in sexuality levels and displayed characteristic swimming patterns for mating. After 30 days of separation from males, not only the sexual activity, but also the mating rate was improved in the PCOS fish. Together, the data suggests that zebrafish can serve as a new type of research model to further develop strategies for the treatment of reproductive disorders, such as those related to PCOS.
Monitoring oil spill in Norilsk, Russia using satellite data
Authors: Rajendran Sankaran , Sadooni Fadhil N. , Al-Kuwari Hamad Al-Saad , Oleg Anisimov , Govil Himanshu , Nasir Sobhi , Vethamony Ponnumony
Published: February 2021

This paper studies the oil spill, which occurred in the Norilsk and Taimyr region of Russia due to the collapse of the fuel tank at the power station on May 29, 2020. We monitored the snow, ice, water, vegetation and wetland of the region using data from the Multi-Spectral Instruments (MSI) of Sentinel-2 satellite. We analyzed the spectral band absorptions of Sentinel-2 data acquired before, during and after the incident, developed true and false-color composites (FCC), decorrelated spectral bands and used the indices, i.e. Snow Water Index (SWI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The results of decorrelated spectral bands 3, 8, and 11 of Sentinel-2 well confirmed the results of SWI, NDWI, NDVI, and FCC images showing the intensive snow and ice melt between May 21 and 31, 2020. We used Sentinel-2 results, field photographs, analysis of the 1980–2020 daily air temperature and precipitation data, permafrost observations and modeling to explore the hypothesis that either the long-term dynamics of the frozen ground, changing climate and environmental factors, or abnormal weather conditions may have caused or contributed to the collapse of the oil tank.
The effects of soil freeze–thaw processes on water and salt migrations in the western Songnen Plain, China
Authors: Qin Yan , Bai Yufeng , Chen Guoshuang , Liang Yunjiang , Li Xiaoyu , Wen Bolong , Lu Xinrui , Li Xiujun
Published: February 2021

Seasonally freeze-thaw (FT) processes affect soil salinisation in cold and arid regions. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms behind soil salinisation during winter and spring is crucial for management strategies effectively alleviating this. This study aimed to explore the soil FT characteristics and their influences on soil water and salt migrations to clarify the underlying mechanism of the springtime soil salinisation in the western Songnen Plain, China. The spatiotemporal distributions of soil water and salt, frozen depths and soil temperatures were examined at depths of 0–200 cm in three typical landscapes (farmland, Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel (LT) grassland and alkali-spot (AS) land) from October 2015 to June 2016. Results indicated that the strongest freezing process occurred in AS land, which was characterised by the deepest frost depth (165 cm) and highest freezing rate (3.58 cm/d), followed by LT grassland, and then farmland. The freeze-induced upward redistribution and enrichment of soil water and salt caused the rise and expansion of the soil salification layer, which was the main source of explosive accumulations of surface salt in springtime. Therefore, the FT processes contributed to the surface soil salinisation and alkalisation. Landscapes also affected soil water and salt migrations during FT processes, with the trend being AS land > LT grassland > farmland.
Raman spectroscopy and group and basis-restricted non negative matrix factorisation identifies radiation induced metabolic changes in human cancer cells
Authors: Milligan Kirsty , Deng Xinchen , Shreeves Phillip , Ali-Adeeb Ramie , Matthews Quinn , Brolo Alexandre , Lum Julian J. , Andrews Jeffrey L. , Jirasek Andrew
Published: February 2021

This work combines single cell Raman spectroscopy (RS) with group and basis restricted non-negative matrix factorisation (GBR-NMF) to identify individual biochemical changes associated with radiation exposure in three human cancer cell lines. The cell lines analysed were derived from lung (H460), breast (MCF7) and prostate (LNCaP) tissue and are known to display varying degrees of radio sensitivity due to the inherent properties of each cell type. The GBR-NMF approach involves the deconstruction of Raman spectra into component biochemical bases using a library of Raman spectra of known biochemicals present in the cells. Subsequently, scores are obtained on each of these bases which can be directly correlated with the contribution of each chemical to the overall Raman spectrum. We validated GBR-NMF through the correlation of GBR-NMF-derived glycogen scores with scores that were previously observed using principal component analysis (PCA). Phosphatidylcholine, glucose, arginine and asparagine showed a distinct differential score pattern between radio-resistant and radio-sensitive cell types. In summary, the GBR-NMF approach allows for the monitoring of individual biochemical radiation-response dynamics previously unattainable with more traditional PCA-based approaches.
Insights into the role of diet and dietary flavanols in cognitive aging: results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sloan Richard P. , Wall Melanie , Yeung Lok-Kin , Feng Tianshu , Feng Xinyang , Provenzano Frank , Schroeter Hagen , Lauriola Vincenzo , Brickman Adam M. , Small Scott A.
Published: February 2021

With the world's population aging, age-related memory decline is an impending cognitive epidemic. Assessing the impact of diet on cognitive aging, we conducted a controlled, randomized, parallel-arm dietary intervention with 211 healthy adults (50–75 years) investigating effects of either a placebo or 260, 510 and 770 mg/day of cocoa flavanols for 12-weeks followed by 8-weeks washout. The primary outcome was a newly-developed object-recognition task localized to the hippocampus’ dentate gyrus. Secondary outcomes included a hippocampal-dependent list-learning task and a prefrontal cortex-dependent list-sorting task. The alternative Healthy Eating Index and a biomarker of flavanol intake (gVLM) were measured. In an MRI substudy, hippocampal cerebral blood volume was mapped. Object-recognition and list-sorting performance did not correlate with baseline diet quality and did not improve after flavanol intake. However, the hippocampal-dependent list-learning performance was directly associated with baseline diet quality and improved after flavanol intake, particularly in participants in the bottom tertile of baseline diet quality. In the imaging substudy, a region-of-interest analysis was negative but a voxel-based-analysis suggested that dietary flavanols target the dentate gyrus. While replication is needed, these findings suggest that diet in general, and dietary flavanols in particular, may be associated with memory function of the aging hippocampus and normal cognitive decline.
Machine learning modelling of blood lipid biomarkers in familial hypercholesterolaemia versus polygenic/environmental dyslipidaemia
Authors: Correia Marta , Kagenaar Eva , van Schalkwijk Daniël Bernardus , Bourbon Mafalda , Gama-Carvalho Margarida
Published: February 2021

Familial hypercholesterolaemia increases circulating LDL-C levels and leads to premature cardiovascular disease when undiagnosed or untreated. Current guidelines support genetic testing in patients complying with clinical diagnostic criteria and cascade screening of their family members. However, most of hyperlipidaemic subjects do not present pathogenic variants in the known disease genes, and most likely suffer from polygenic hypercholesterolaemia, which translates into a relatively low yield of genetic screening programs. This study aims to identify new biomarkers and develop new approaches to improve the identification of individuals carrying monogenic causative variants. Using a machine-learning approach in a paediatric dataset of individuals, tested for disease causative genes and with an extended lipid profile, we developed new models able to classify familial hypercholesterolaemia patients with a much higher specificity than currently used methods. The best performing models incorporated parameters absent from the most common FH clinical criteria, namely apoB/apoA-I, TG/apoB and LDL1. These parameters were found to contribute to an improved identification of monogenic individuals. Furthermore, models using only TC and LDL-C levels presented a higher specificity of classification when compared to simple cut-offs. Our results can be applied towards the improvement of the yield of genetic screening programs and corresponding costs.
Common architectures in cyanobacteria Prochlorococcus cells visualized by X-ray diffraction imaging using X-ray free electron laser
Authors: Kobayashi Amane , Takayama Yuki , Hirakawa Takeshi , Okajima Koji , Oide Mao , Oroguchi Tomotaka , Inui Yayoi , Yamamoto Masaki , Matsunaga Sachihiro , Nakasako Masayoshi
Published: February 2021

Visualization of intracellular structures and their spatial organization inside cells without any modification is essential to understand the mechanisms underlying the biological functions of cells. Here, we investigated the intracellular structure of cyanobacteriaProchlorococcusin the interphase by X-ray diffraction imaging using X-ray free-electron laser. A number of diffraction patterns from single cells smaller than 1 µm in size were collected with high signal-to-noise ratio with a resolution of up to 30 nm. From diffraction patterns, a set of electron density maps projected along the direction of the incident X-ray were retrieved with high reliability. The most characteristic structure found to be common among the cells was a C-shaped arrangement of 100-nm sized high-density spots, which surrounded a low-density area of 100 nm. Furthermore, a three-dimensional map reconstructed from the projection maps of individual cells was non-uniform, indicating the presence of common structures among cyanobacteria cells in the interphase. By referring to the fluorescent images for distributions of thylakoid membranes, nucleoids, and carboxysomes, we inferred and represented their spatial arrangements in the three-dimensional map. The arrangement allowed us to discuss the relevance of the intracellular organization to the biological functions of cyanobacteria.
Associations of early pregnancy BMI with adverse pregnancy outcomes and infant neurocognitive development
Authors: Chen Yu-Ting , Zhang Ting , Chen Chang , Xia Yin-Yin , Han Ting-Li , Chen Xu-Yang , He Xiao-Ling , Xu Ge , Zou Zhen , Qi Hong-Bo , Zhang Hua , Albert Benjamin B. , Colombo John , Baker Philip N.
Published: February 2021

The prevalence of overweight and obesity amongst reproductive women has been increasing worldwide. Our aim was to compare pregnancy outcomes and infant neurocognitive development by different BMI classifications and investigate whether early pregnancy BMI was associated with risks of adverse outcomes in a Southwest Chinese population. We analysed data from 1273 women enrolled in the Complex Lipids in Mothers and Babies (CLIMB) randomized controlled trial in Chongqing, China. Maternal BMI was classified as underweight, normal weight and overweight/obese according to the Chinese, WHO Asian, and WHO European standards. For the adverse pregnancy outcomes, after adjustment for potential confounders, an underweight BMI was associated with increased risk of small for gestational age (SGA) babies, and an overweight/obese BMI was associated with increased risk of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), caesarean section (C-section), macrosomia and large for gestational age (LGA) babies. For infant neurocognitive development, 1017 mothers and their children participated; no significant differences were seen in the Mental Development Index (MDI) or the Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) between the three BMI groups. Our findings demonstrate that abnormal early pregnancy BMI were associated with increased risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes in Chinese women, while early pregnancy BMI had no significant influence on the infant neurocognitive development at 12 months of age.
Colorimetric detection of individual biothiols by tailor made reactions with silver nanoprisms
Authors: Li Pei , Lee Sang Mo , Kim Hyo Yong , Kim Soohyun , Park Steve , Park Ki Soo , Park Hyun Gyu
Published: February 2021

We herein described a rapid, sensitive, and selective colorimetric sensing platform for biothiols in human serum, which relies on the dual functions of biothiols as anti-etching and aggregating agent for silver nanoprisms (AgNPRs). In principle, the target biothiols that bind to the surface of AgNPRs through Ag–S covalent interactions protect the AgNPRs from being etched by chloride ion (Cl−) in human serum, thus exhibiting the blue/purple color that is indicative of AgNPRs. On the other hand, the color of AgNPRs turned to yellow in the absence of biothiols or the presence of non-sulfur-containing amino acids, indicating the formation of small silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Importantly, we found that individual biothiols (Hcy, Cys, and GSH) exert not only the anti-etching effect, but also the aggregating effect on AgNPRs, which can be modulated by simply tuning the pH conditions, and this consequently allows for the discriminative detection of each biothiol. Based on this simple and cost-effective strategy, we successfully determined the Hcy, Cys, and GSH in human serum with high sensitivity and selectivity within 10 min, demonstrating the diagnostic capability and potential in practical applications.
Arginine glycosylation enhances methylglyoxal detoxification
Authors: El Qaidi Samir , Scott Nichollas E. , Hardwidge Philip R.
Published: February 2021

Type III secretion system effector proteins have primarily been characterized for their interactions with host cell proteins and their ability to disrupt host signaling pathways. We are testing the hypothesis that some effectors are active within the bacterium, where they modulate bacterial signal transduction and physiology. We previously determined that the Citrobacter rodentium effector NleB possesses an intra-bacterial glycosyltransferase activity that increases glutathione synthetase activity to protect the bacterium from oxidative stress. Here we investigated the potential intra-bacterial activities of NleB orthologs in Salmonella enterica and found that SseK1 and SseK3 mediate resistance to methylglyoxal. SseK1 glycosylates specific arginine residues on four proteins involved in methylglyoxal detoxification, namely GloA (R9), GloB (R190), GloC (R160), and YajL (R149). SseK1-mediated Arg-glycosylation of these four proteins significantly enhances their catalytic activity, thus providing another important example of the intra-bacterial activities of type three secretion system effector proteins. These data are also the first demonstration that a Salmonella T3SS effector is active within the bacterium.
Nonsurgical treatment outcomes for surgical candidates with lumbar disc herniation: a comprehensive cohort study
Authors: Kim Chi Heon , Choi Yunhee , Chung Chun Kee , Kim Ki-Jeong , Shin Dong Ah , Park Youn-Kwan , Kwon Woo-Keun , Yang Seung Heon , Lee Chang Hyun , Park Sung Bae , Kim Eun Sang , Hong Hyunsook , Cho Yongeun
Published: February 2021

Physicians often encounter surgical candidates with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) who request non-surgical management even though surgery is recommended. However, second opinions may differ among doctors. Therefore, a prospective comprehensive cohort study (CCS) was designed to assess outcomes of nonsurgical treatment for surgical candidates who were recommended to undergo surgery for LDH but requested a second opinion. The CCS includes both randomized and observational cohorts, comprising a nonsurgery cohort and surgery cohort, in a parallel fashion. Crossover between the nonsurgery and surgery cohorts was allowed at any time. The present study was an as-treated interim analysis of 128 cases (nonsurgery cohort, n = 71; surgery cohort, n = 57). Patient-reported outcomes included visual analogue scores for the back (VAS-B) and leg (VAS-L), the Oswestry Disability Index, the EuroQol 5-Dimension instrument, and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), which were evaluated at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. At baseline, age and SF-36 physical function were significantly lower in the surgery cohort than in the nonsurgery cohort (p < 0.05). All adjusted outcomes significantly improved after both nonsurgical and surgical treatment (p < 0.05). The nonsurgery cohort showed less improvement of VAS-B and VAS-L scores at 1 month (p < 0.01), but no difference between cohorts was observed thereafter for 24 months (p > 0.01). Nonsurgical management may be a negotiable option even for surgical candidates in the shared decision-making process.
Citizen science for monitoring seasonal-scale beach erosion and behaviour with aerial drones
Authors: Pucino Nicolas , Kennedy David M. , Carvalho Rafael C. , Allan Blake , Ierodiaconou Daniel
Published: February 2021

Sandy beaches are highly dynamic systems which provide natural protection from the impact of waves to coastal communities. With coastal erosion hazards predicted to increase globally, data to inform decision making on erosion mitigation and adaptation strategies is becoming critical. However, multi-temporal topographic data over wide geographical areas is expensive and time consuming and often requires highly trained professionals. In this study we demonstrate a novel approach combining citizen science with low-cost unmanned aerial vehicles that reliably produces survey-grade morphological data able to model sediment dynamics from event to annual scales. The high-energy wave-dominated coast of south-eastern Australia, in Victoria, is used as a field laboratory to test the reliability of our protocol and develop a set of indices to study multi-scale erosional dynamics. We found that citizen scientists provide unbiased data as accurate as professional researchers. We then observed that open-ocean beaches mobilise three times as much sediment as embayed beaches and distinguished between slowed and accelerated erosional modes. The data was also able to assess the efficiency of sand nourishment for shore protection. Our citizen science protocol provides high quality monitoring capabilities, which although subject to important legislative preconditions, it is applicable in other parts of the world and transferable to other landscape systems where the understanding of sediment dynamics is critical for management of natural or anthropogenic processes.
Brain network motifs are markers of loss and recovery of consciousness
Authors: Duclos Catherine , Nadin Danielle , Mahdid Yacine , Tarnal Vijay , Picton Paul , Vanini Giancarlo , Golmirzaie Goodarz , Janke Ellen , Avidan Michael S. , Kelz Max B. , Mashour George A. , Blain-Moraes Stefanie
Published: February 2021

Motifs are patterns of inter-connections between nodes of a network, and have been investigated as building blocks of directed networks. This study explored the re-organization of 3-node motifs during loss and recovery of consciousness. Nine healthy subjects underwent a 3-h anesthetic protocol while 128-channel electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded. In the alpha (8–13 Hz) band, 5-min epochs of EEG were extracted for: Baseline; Induction; Unconscious; 30-, 10- and 5-min pre-recovery of responsiveness; 30- and 180-min post-recovery of responsiveness. We constructed a functional brain network using the weighted and directed phase lag index, on which we calculated the frequency and topology of 3-node motifs. Three motifs (motifs 1, 2 and 5) were significantly present across participants and epochs, when compared to random networks (p < 0.05). The topology of motifs 1 and 5 changed significantly between responsive and unresponsive epochs (p-values < 0.01; Kendall’s W = 0.664 (motif 1) and 0.529 (motif 5)). Motif 1 was constituted of long-range chain-like connections, while motif 5 was constituted of short-range, loop-like connections. Our results suggest that anesthetic-induced unconsciousness is associated with a topological re-organization of network motifs. As motif topological re-organization may precede (motif 5) or accompany (motif 1) the return of responsiveness, motifs could contribute to the understanding of the neural correlates of consciousness.
Machine learning enables prompt prediction of hydration kinetics of multicomponent cementitious systems
Authors: Lapeyre Jonathan , Han Taihao , Wiles Brooke , Ma Hongyan , Huang Jie , Sant Gaurav , Kumar Aditya
Published: February 2021

Carbonaceous (e.g., limestone) and aluminosilicate (e.g., calcined clay) mineral additives are routinely used to partially replace ordinary portland cement in concrete to alleviate its energy impact and carbon footprint. These mineral additives—depending on their physicochemical characteristics—alter the hydration behavior of cement; which, in turn, affects the evolution of microstructure of concrete, as well as the development of its properties (e.g., compressive strength). Numerical, reaction-kinetics models—e.g., phase boundary nucleation-and-growth models; which are based partly on theoretically-derived kinetic mechanisms, and partly on assumptions—are unable to produce a priori prediction of hydration kinetics of cement; especially in multicomponent systems, wherein chemical interactions among cement, water, and mineral additives occur concurrently. This paper introduces a machine learning-based methodology to enable prompt and high-fidelity prediction of time-dependent hydration kinetics of cement, both in plain and multicomponent (e.g., binary; and ternary) systems, using the system’s physicochemical characteristics as inputs. Based on a database comprising hydration kinetics profiles of 235 unique systems—encompassing 7 synthetic cements and three mineral additives with disparate physicochemical attributes—a random forests (RF) model was rigorously trained to establish the underlying composition-reactivity correlations. This training was subsequently leveraged by the RF model: to predict time-dependent hydration kinetics of cement in new, multicomponent systems; and to formulate optimal mixture designs that satisfy user-imposed kinetics criteria.
Amplified risk of spatially compounding droughts during co-occurrences of modes of natural ocean variability
Authors: Singh Jitendra , Ashfaq Moetasim , Skinner Christopher B. , Anderson Weston B. , Singh Deepti
Published: February 2021

Spatially compounding droughts over multiple regions pose amplifying pressures on the global food system, the reinsurance industry, and the global economy. Using observations and climate model simulations, we analyze the influence of various natural Ocean variability modes on the likelihood, extent, and severity of compound droughts across ten regions that have similar precipitation seasonality and cover important breadbaskets and vulnerable populations. Although a majority of compound droughts are associated with El Niños, a positive Indian Ocean Dipole, and cold phases of the Atlantic Niño and Tropical North Atlantic (TNA) can substantially modulate their characteristics. Cold TNA conditions have the largest amplifying effect on El Niño-related compound droughts. While the probability of compound droughts is ~3 times higher during El Niño conditions relative to neutral conditions, it is ~7 times higher when cold TNA and El Niño conditions co-occur. The probability of widespread and severe compound droughts is also amplified by a factor of ~3 and ~2.5 during these co-occurring modes relative to El Niño conditions alone. Our analysis demonstrates that co-occurrences of these modes result in widespread precipitation deficits across the tropics by inducing anomalous subsidence, and reducing lower-level moisture convergence over the study regions. Our results emphasize the need for considering interactions within the larger climate system in characterizing compound drought risks rather than focusing on teleconnections from individual modes. Understanding the physical drivers and characteristics of compound droughts has important implications for predicting their occurrence and characterizing their impacts on interconnected societal systems.
Insulin-like 3 affects zebrafish spermatogenic cells directly and via Sertoli cells
Authors: Crespo Diego , Assis Luiz H. C. , Zhang Yu Ting , Safian Diego , Furmanek Tomasz , Skaftnesmo Kai Ove , Norberg Birgitta , Ge Wei , Choi Yung-Ching , den Broeder Marjo J. , Legler Juliette , Bogerd Jan , Schulz Rüdiger W.
Published: February 2021

Pituitary hormones can use local signaling molecules to regulate target tissue functions. In adult zebrafish testes, follicle-stimulating hormone (Fsh) strongly increases the production of insulin-like 3 (Insl3), a Leydig cell-derived growth factor found in all vertebrates. Little information is available regarding Insl3 function in adult spermatogenesis. The Insl3 receptors Rxfp2a and 2b were expressed by type A spermatogonia and Sertoli and myoid cells, respectively, in zebrafish testis tissue. Loss of insl3 increased germ cell apoptosis in males starting at 9 months of age, but spermatogenesis appeared normal in fully fertile, younger adults. Insl3 changed the expression of 409 testicular genes. Among others, retinoic acid (RA) signaling was up- and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (Pparg) signaling was down-regulated. Follow-up studies showed that RA and Pparg signaling mediated Insl3 effects, resulting in the increased production of differentiating spermatogonia. This suggests that Insl3 recruits two locally active nuclear receptor pathways to implement pituitary (Fsh) stimulation of spermatogenesis.
Function of histone H2B monoubiquitination in transcriptional regulation of auxin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhang Li , Luo Pan , Bai Jie , Wu Lei , Di Dong-Wei , Liu Hai-Qing , Li Jing-Jing , Liu Ya-Li , Khaskheli Allah Jurio , Zhao Chang-Ming , Guo Guang-Qin
Published: February 2021

The auxin IAA is a vital plant hormone in controlling growth and development, but our knowledge about its complicated biosynthetic pathways and molecular regulation are still limited and fragmentary. cytokinin induced root waving 2 (ckrw2) was isolated as one of the auxin-deficient mutants in a large-scale forward genetic screen aiming to find more genes functioning in auxin homeostasis and/or its regulation. Here we show that CKRW2 is identical to Histone Monoubiquitination 1 (HUB1), a gene encoding an E3 ligase required for histone H2B monoubiquitination (H2Bub1) in Arabidopsis. In addition to pleiotropic defects in growth and development, loss of CKRW2/HUB1 function also led to typical auxin-deficient phenotypes in roots, which was associated with significantly lower expression levels of several functional auxin synthetic genes, namely TRP2/TSB1, WEI7/ASB1, YUC7 and AMI1. Corresponding defects in H2Bub1 were detected in the coding regions of these genes by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis, indicating the involvement of H2Bub1 in regulating auxin biosynthesis. Importantly, application of exogenous cytokinin (CK) could stimulate CKRW2/HUB1 expression, providing an epigenetic avenue for CK to regulate the auxin homeostasis. Our results reveal a previously unknown mechanism for regulating auxin biosynthesis via HUB1/2-mediated H2Bub1 at the chromatin level.
1 °C warming increases spatial competition frequency and complexity in Antarctic marine macrofauna
Authors: Barnes David K. A. , Ashton Gail V. , Morley Simon A. , Peck Lloyd S.
Published: February 2021

Environmental conditions of the Southern Ocean around Antarctica have varied little for >5 million years but are now changing. Here, we investigated how warming affects competition for space. Little considered in the polar regions, this is a critical component of biodiversity response. Change in competition in response to environment forcing might be detectable earlier than individual species presence/absence or performance measures (e.g. growth). Examination of fauna on artificial substrata in Antarctica’s shallows at ambient or warmed temperature found that, mid-century predicted 1°C warming (throughout the year or just summer-only), increased the probability of individuals encountering spatial competition, as well as density and complexity of such interactions. 2°C, late century predicted warming, increased variance in the probability and density of competition, but overall, competition did not significantly differ from ambient (control) levels. In summary only 1°C warming increased probability, density and complexity of spatial competition, which seems to be summer-only driven.
Silver-assisted gold-catalyzed formal synthesis of the anticoagulant Fondaparinux pentasaccharide
Authors: Walke Gulab , Kasdekar Niteshlal , Sutar Yogesh , Hotha Srinivas
Published: February 2021

Clinically approved anti-coagulant Fondaparinux is safe since it has zero contamination problems often associated with animal based heparins. Fondaparinux is a synthetic pentasaccharide based on the antithrombin-binding domain of Heparin sulfate and contains glucosamine, glucuronic acid and iduronic acid in its sequence. Here, we show the formal synthesis of Fondaparinux pentasaccharide by performing all glycosidations in a catalytic fashion for the first time to the best of our knowledge. Designer monosaccharides were synthesized avoiding harsh reaction conditions or reagents. Further, those were subjected to reciprocal donor-acceptor selectivity studies to guide [Au]/[Ag]-catalytic glycosidations for assembling the pentasaccharide in a highly convergent [3 + 2] or [3 + 1 + 1] manner. Catalytic and mild activation during glycosidations that produce desired glycosides exclusively, scalable route to the synthesis of unnatural and expensive iduronic acid, minimal number of steps and facile purifications, shared use of functionalized building blocks and excellent process efficiency are the salient features.
Hybrid-cell membrane-coated nanocomplex-loaded chikusetsusaponin IVa methyl ester for a combinational therapy against breast cancer assisted by Ce6
Authors: Xie Qian , Liu Yang , Long Ying , Wang Zhou , Jiang Sai , Ahmed Rida , Daniyal Muhammad , Li Bin , Liu Bin , Wang Wei
Published: February 2021

Hybrid-cell membrane coating nanocomplexes loading chikusetsusaponin IVa methyl ester for combinational therapy against breast cancer assisted with Ce6.
Blueberry polyphenols alter gut microbiota & phenolic metabolism in rats
Authors: Cladis Dennis P. , Simpson Abigayle M. R. , Cooper Kaitlyn J. , Nakatsu Cindy H. , Ferruzzi Mario G. , Weaver Connie M.
Published: February 2021

Metabolism of orally dosed blueberry polyphenols is dependent upon both dose and food matrix, resulting in different compositions of phenolic metabolites and the gut microbiota.
High modulus polyimide particle-reinforcement of epoxy composites
Authors: Essmeister Johannes , Taublaender M. Josef , Koch Thomas , Cerrón-Infantes D. Alonso , Unterlass Miriam M. , Konegger Thomas
Published: February 2021

A novel class of fully organic composite materials with well-balanced mechanical properties and improved thermal stability was developed by incorporating highly crystalline, hydrothermally synthesized polyimide microparticles into an epoxy matrix.
‘Pre-optimization’ of the solvent of nanoparticle synthesis for superior catalytic efficiency: a case study with Pd nanocrystals
Authors: Sahoo Lipipuspa , Dhindsa Parmeet Kaur , P Nihal C. , Gautam Ujjal K.
Published: February 2021

The effect of ‘solvent-of-nanoparticles-synthesis (SONS)’ on their catalytic efficiencies of was studied. The efficiencies widely deviate from what is anticipated, induced by the SONS. An optimization approach to attain high efficiency is proposed.
Unprecedented collateral sensitivity for cisplatin-resistant lung cancer cells presented by new ruthenium organometallic compounds
Authors: Teixeira Ricardo G. , Belisario Dimas C. , Fontrodona Xavier , Romero Isabel , Tomaz Ana Isabel , Garcia M. Helena , Riganti Chiara , Valente Andreia
Published: February 2021

Ru compounds exhibit collateral sensitivity in cisplatin-resistant NSCLC and increase cisplatin activity by inhibiting efflux pumps.
Photolysis of the BODIPY dye activated by pillar[5]arene
Authors: Zhang Haifan , Wang Long , Dong Puyang , Mao Shuqiang , Mao Pu , Liu Guoxing
Published: February 2021

Here, a pseudo[3]rotaxane comprising a fluorescent BODIPY derivative and pillar[5]arene was conveniently fabricated via host–guest complexation.
A rapid “on–off–on” mitochondria-targeted phosphorescent probe for selective and consecutive detection of Cu2+ and cysteine in live cells and zebrafish
Authors: Deng Peipei , Pei Yongyan , Liu Mengling , Song Wenzhu , Wang Mengru , Wang Feng , Wu Chunxian , Xu Li
Published: February 2021

An iridium(iii) complex-based mitochondria targeting phosphorescent probe for selectively detecting Cu2+ and Cys in aqueous solution, living cells and zebrafish has been developed.
A reversible single-molecule ligand-gating ion transportation switch of ON–OFF–ON type through a photoresponsive pillar[6]arene channel complex
Authors: Hu Xinyu , Yang Haishen
Published: February 2021

A reversible pseudo-single-ligand-gated ion transportation switch of ON–OFF–ON type through pillar[6]arene and photoresponsive azobenzene as dual-role ligand.
Metal–organic frameworks as separators and electrolytes for lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Chu Zihao , Gao Xiaochun , Wang Chengyin , Wang Tianyi , Wang Guoxiu
Published: February 2021

This review provides a specialized summary of metal–organic frameworks as separators and electrolytes for lithium–sulfur batteries, including design strategies and applications.
In situ construction of phenanthroline-based cationic radical porous hybrid polymers for metal-free heterogeneous catalysis
Authors: Chen Guojian , Zhang Yadong , Liu Ke , Liu Xiaoqing , Wu Lei , Zhong Hu , Dang Xuejing , Tong Minman , Long Zhouyang
Published: February 2021

Constructing phenanthroline-based cationic radical porous hybrid polymers as versatile metal-free heterogeneous catalysts for both oxidation of sulfides and CO2 conversion.