bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid isolation and immune profiling of SARS-CoV-2 specific memory B cell in convalescent COVID-19 patients via LIBRA-seq
Authors: He Bing , Liu Shuning , Wang Yuanyuan , Xu Mengxin , Cai Wei , Liu Jia , Bai Wendi , Ye Shupei , Ma Yong , Hu Hengrui , Meng Huicui , Sun Tao , Li Yanling , Luo Huanle , Shi Mang , Du Xiangjun , Zhao Wenjing , Chen Shoudeng , Yang Jingyi , Zhu Haipeng , Jie Yusheng , Yang Yuedong , Guo Deyin , Wang Qiao , Liu Yuwen , Yan Huimin , Wang Manli , Chen Yao-Qing
Published: May 2021

B cell response plays a critical role against SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, little is known about the diversity and frequency of the paired SARS-CoV-2 antigen-specific BCR repertoire after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing and VDJ sequencing using the memory and plasma B cells isolated from five convalescent COVID-19 patients, and analyzed the spectrum and transcriptional heterogeneity of antibody immune responses. Via linking BCR to antigen specificity through sequencing (LIBRA-seq), we identified a distinct activated memory B cell subgroup (CD11chighCD95high) had a higher proportion of SARS-CoV-2 antigen-labeled cells compared with memory B cells. Our results revealed the diversity of paired BCR repertoire and the non-stochastic pairing of SARS-CoV-2 antigen-specific immunoglobulin heavy and light chains after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The public antibody clonotypes were shared by distinct convalescent individuals. Moreover, several antibodies isolated by LIBRA-seq showed high binding affinity against SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) or nucleoprotein (NP) via ELISA assay. Two RBD-reactive antibodies C14646P3S and C2767P3S isolated by LIBRA-seq exhibited high neutralizing activities against both pseudotyped and authentic SARS-CoV-2 viruses in vitro. Our study provides fundamental insights into B cell response following SARS-CoV-2 infection at the single-cell level.
Distinct composition and metabolic functions of human gut microbiota are associated with cachexia in lung cancer patients
Authors: Ni Yueqiong , Lohinai Zoltan , Heshiki Yoshitaro , Dome Balazs , Moldvay Judit , Dulka Edit , Galffy Gabriella , Berta Judit , Weiss Glen J , Sommer Morten O A , Panagiotou Gianni
Published: May 2021

Cachexia is associated with decreased survival in cancer patients and has a prevalence of up to 80%. The etiology of cachexia is poorly understood, and limited treatment options exist. Here, we investigated the role of the human gut microbiome in cachexia by integrating shotgun metagenomics and plasma metabolomics of 31 lung cancer patients. The cachexia group showed significant differences in the gut microbial composition, functional pathways of the metagenome, and the related plasma metabolites compared to non-cachectic patients. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), methylhistamine, and vitamins were significantly depleted in the plasma of cachexia patients, which was also reflected in the depletion of relevant gut microbiota functional pathways. The enrichment of BCAAs and 3-oxocholic acid in non-cachectic patients were positively correlated with gut microbial species Prevotella copri and Lactobacillus gasseri, respectively. Furthermore, the gut microbiota capacity for lipopolysaccharides biosynthesis was significantly enriched in cachectic patients. The involvement of the gut microbiome in cachexia was further observed in a high-performance machine learning model using solely gut microbial features. Our study demonstrates the links between cachectic host metabolism and specific gut microbial species and functions in a clinical setting, suggesting that the gut microbiota could have an influence on cachexia with possible therapeutic applications.
Circulating biomarkers of immunity and inflammation, risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and hippocampal volume: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Fani Lana , Georgakis Marios K. , Ikram M. Arfan , Ikram M. Kamran , Malik Rainer , Dichgans Martin
Published: May 2021

The aim of this study was to explore the association between genetically predicted circulating levels of immunity and inflammation, and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and hippocampal volume, by conducting a two-sample Mendelian Randomization Study. We identified 12 markers of immune cells and derived ratios (platelet count, eosinophil count, neutrophil count, basophil count, monocyte count, lymphocyte count, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, CD4 count, CD8 count, CD4-to-CD8 ratio, and CD56) and 5 signaling molecules (IL-6, fibrinogen, CRP, and Lp-PLA2 activity and mass) as primary exposures of interest. Other genetically available immune biomarkers with a weaker a priori link to AD were considered secondary exposures. Associations with AD were evaluated in The International Genomics of Alzheimer’s Project (IGAP) GWAS dataset (21,982 cases; 41,944 controls of European ancestry). For hippocampal volume, we extracted data from a GWAS meta-analysis on 33,536 participants of European ancestry. None of the primary or secondary exposures showed statistically significant associations with AD or with hippocampal volume following P-value correction for multiple comparisons using false discovery rate < 5% (Q-value < 0.05). CD4 count showed the strongest suggestive association with AD (odds ratio 1.32, P < 0.01, Q > 0.05). There was evidence for heterogeneity in the MR inverse variance-weighted meta-analyses as measured by Cochran Q, and weighted median and weighted mode for multiple exposures. Further cluster analyses did not reveal clusters of variants that could influence the risk factor in distinct ways. This study suggests that genetically predicted circulating biomarkers of immunity and inflammation are not associated with AD risk or hippocampal volume. Future studies should assess competing risk, explore in more depth the role of adaptive immunity in AD, in particular T cells and the CD4 subtype, and confirm these findings in other ethnicities.
mascRNA and its parent lncRNA MALAT1 promote proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by activating ERK/MAPK signaling pathway
Authors: Xie Shu-Juan , Diao Li-Ting , Cai Nan , Zhang Li-Ting , Xiang Sha , Jia Chang-Chang , Qiu Dong-Bo , Liu Chang , Sun Yu-Jia , Lei Hang , Hou Ya-Rui , Tao Shuang , Hu Yan-Xia , Xiao Zhen-Dong , Zhang Qi
Published: May 2021

MALAT1-associated small cytoplasmic RNA (mascRNA) is a cytoplasmic tRNA-like small RNA derived from nucleus-located long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1). While MALAT1 was extensively studied and was found to function in multiple cellular processes, including tumorigenesis and tumor progression, the role of mascRNA was largely unknown. Here we show that mascRNA is upregulated in multiple cancer cell lines and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) clinical samples. Using HCC cells as model, we found that mascRNA and its parent lncRNA MALAT1 can both promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Correspondingly, both of them can enhance the tumor growth in mice subcutaneous tumor model and can promote metastasis by tail intravenous injection of HCC cells. Furthermore, we revealed that mascRNA and MALAT1 can both activate ERK/MAPK signaling pathway, which regulates metastasis-related genes and may contribute to the aggressive phenotype of HCC cells. Our results indicate a coordination in function and mechanism of mascRNA and MALAT1 during development and progress of HCC, and provide a paradigm for deciphering tRNA-like structures and their parent transcripts in mammalian cells.
Urinary sodium/potassium ratio as a screening tool for hyperaldosteronism in men with hypertension
Authors: Segawa Hiroyoshi , Higashi Akane , Masuda Izuru , Yoshii Kengo , Iwahori Toshiyuki , Ueshima Hirotsugu
Published: May 2021

Among individuals with hypertension, the prevalence of secondary hypertension has been reported to be ≈10%. More than half of individuals with secondary hypertension have associated hyperaldosteronism. However, given the current clinical environment, these patients often remain undiagnosed. We hypothesized that the urinary sodium/potassium ratio (Na/K) could be used as a simple, low-cost method of screening for hyperaldosteronism among individuals with hypertension in primary care and health examination settings. We recruited hypertensive individuals aged 30–69 years old who were not taking any antihypertensive medications from among participants in health examinations. Urinary Na and K were measured using second morning urine samples, and the plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) was also measured. We evaluated the association of the second morning urine Na/K ratio (SMU Na/K) with a high PAC, defined as ≥90th percentile (24.3 ng/dL), using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Overall, 160 participants (108 men and 52 women) with a mean age of 54.3 years were eligible for this study. The area under the ROC curve for the relationship between SMU Na/K and high PAC was 0.77 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59–0.95) in men and 0.64 (95% CI: 0.36–0.93) in women. In men, SMU Na/K values <1.0 could detect hyperaldosteronism with a sensitivity of 45.5%, a specificity of 97.9%, a positive predictive value of 71.4%, and a negative predictive value of 94.1%. The use of the urinary Na/K ratio may be appropriate as a method of screening for hyperaldosteronism in hypertensive men.
Heterogeneous dynamics in the curing process of epoxy resins
Authors: Hoshino Taiki , Okamoto Yasushi , Yamamoto Atsushi , Masunaga Hiroyasu
Published: May 2021

Epoxy resin is indispensable for modern industry because of its excellent mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and excellent moldability. To date, various methods have been used to investigate the physical properties of the cured product and the kinetics of the curing process, but its microscopic dynamics have been insufficiently studied. In this study, the microscopic dynamics in the curing process of a catalytic epoxy resin were investigated under different temperature conditions utilizing X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy. Our results revealed that the temperature conditions greatly affected the dynamical heterogeneity and cross-linking density of the cured materials. An overview of the microscopic mechanism of the curing process was clearly presented through comparison with the measurement results of other methods, such as 1H-pulse nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The quantification of such heterogeneous dynamics is particularly useful for optimizing the curing conditions of various materials to improve their physical properties.
Publisher Correction: Viral clearance after early corticosteroid treatment in patients with moderate or severe covid-19
Authors: Spagnuolo V. , Guffanti M. , Galli L. , Poli A. , Querini P. Rovere , Ripa M. , Clementi M. , Scarpellini P. , Lazzarin A. , Tresoldi M. , Dagna L. , Zangrillo A. , Ciceri F. , Castagna A. ,   COVID-BioB study group, Andolina A. , Redaelli M. Baiardo , Baldissera E. , Bigai G. , Bigoloni A. , Boffini N. , Borio G. , Bossolasco S. , Bruzzesi E. , Calabrò M. G. , Calvisi S. , Campochiaro C. , Canetti D. , Canti V. , Castellani J. , Castiglioni B. , Cavalli G. , Cavallo L. , Cernuschi M. , Chiurlo M. , Cilla M. , Cinel E. , Cinque P. , Conte C. , Da Prat V. , Danise A. , De Lorenzo R. , De Luca G. , Dell’Acqua A. , Dell’Acqua R. , Della-Torre Emanuel , Torre L. Della , Di Terlizzi G. , Dumea I. , Farolfi F. , Ferrante M. , Frangi C. , Fumagalli L. , Gallina G. , Germinario B. , Gianotti N. , Hasson H. , Lalla F. , Landoni G. , Lanzillotta M. , Voti R. Li , Mastrangelo A. , Messina E. , Moizo E. , Montagna M. , Monti G. , Morsica G. , Muccini C. , Nozza S. , Oltolini C. , Pascali M. , Patrizi A. , Pieri M. , Prestifilippo D. , Ramirez G. , Ranzenigo M. , Sapienza J. , Sartorelli S. , Seghi F. , Tambussi G. , Din C. Tassan , Tomelleri A. , Turi S. , Uberti-Foppa C. , Vinci C.
Published: May 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Evolutionary history of mental glands in turtles reveals a single origin in an aquatic ancestor and recurrent losses independent of macrohabitat
Authors: Ibáñez Alejandro , Fritz Uwe , Auer Markus , Martínez-Silvestre Albert , Praschag Peter , Załugowicz Emilia , Podkowa Dagmara , Pabijan Maciej
Published: May 2021

Despite the relevance of chemical communication in vertebrates, comparative examinations of macroevolutionary trends in chemical signaling systems are scarce. Many turtle and tortoise species are reliant on chemical signals to communicate in aquatic and terrestrial macrohabitats, and many of these species possess specialized integumentary organs, termed mental glands (MGs), involved in the production of chemosignals. We inferred the evolutionary history of MGs and tested the impact of macrohabitat on their evolution. Inference of ancestral states along a time-calibrated phylogeny revealed a single origin in the ancestor of the subclade Testudinoidea. Thus, MGs represent homologous structures in all descending lineages. We also inferred multiple independent losses of MGs in both terrestrial and aquatic clades. Although MGs first appeared in an aquatic turtle (the testudinoid ancestor), macrohabitat seems to have had little effect on MG presence or absence in descendants. Instead, we find clade-specific evolutionary trends, with some clades showing increased gland size and morphological complexity, whereas others exhibiting reduction or MG loss. In sister clades inhabiting similar ecological niches, contrasting patterns (loss vs. maintenance) may occur. We conclude that the multiple losses of MGs in turtle clades have not been influenced by macrohabitat and that other factors have affected MG evolution.
A prospective cohort study of postpartum glucose metabolic disorders in early versus standard diagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Cosma Valeria , Imbernon Jeanne , Zagdoun Léonore , Boulot Pierre , Renard Eric , Brunet Cécile , Mares Pierre , Rodier Michel , Kabani Sarah , Demattei Christophe , Guedj Anne-Marie
Published: May 2021

Early gestational diabetes mellitus (eGDM) is diagnosed when fasting plasma glucose before 24 weeks of gestation (WG) is ≥ 5.1 mmol/L, whilst standard GDM is diagnosed between 24 and 28 WG by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). eGDM seems to have worse obstetric outcomes than standard GDM. We compared the rates of postpartum glucose metabolism disorders between women with early versus standard GDM in this prospective study on women with GDM from three university hospitals between 2014 and 2016. Patients were included if they were < 24 WG with at least one risk factor for GDM and excluded if they had type 2 diabetes. Patients were assigned to Group 1 (G1) for eGDM according to IADPSG: fasting blood glucose < 24 WG between 5.1 and 7 mmol/L. Group 2 (G2) consisted of patients presenting a standard GDM at 24–28 WG on OGTT results according to IADPSG: T0 ≥ 5.1 mmol/L or T60 ≥ 10.0 mmol g/L or T120 ≥ 8.5 mmol/L. The primary outcome was postpartum OGTT result. Five hundred patients were analysed, with 273 patients undergoing OGTT at 4–18 weeks postpartum: 192 patients in G1 (early) and 81 in G2 (standard). Patients in G1 experienced more insulin therapy during pregnancy than G2 (52.2% versus 32.5%, p < 0.001), but no patients were taking insulin postpartum in either group. G1 patients experienced less preterm labour (2.6% versus 9.1%, p = 0.043), more induced deliveries (38% versus 25%, p = 0.049) and reduced foetal complications (29.2% versus 42.0%, p = 0.048). There was no significant difference in the rate of postpartum glucose metabolism disorders (type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glycaemia) between groups: 48/192 (25%) in G1 and 17/81 (21%) in G2, p = 0.58. Thus the frequency of early postpartum glucose metabolism disorders is high, without difference between eGDM and standard GDM. This supports measurement of fasting plasma glucose before 24 WG and the threshold of 5.1 mmol/L seems appropriate until verification in future studies.

Trial registration: NCT01839448, ClinicalTrials.gov on 22/04/2013.
12-Hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid inhibits foam cell formation and ameliorates high-fat diet-induced pathology of atherosclerosis in mice
Authors: Nagatake Takahiro , Shibata Yuki , Morimoto Sakiko , Node Eri , Sawane Kento , Hirata So-ichiro , Adachi Jun , Abe Yuichi , Isoyama Junko , Saika Azusa , Hosomi Koji , Tomonaga Takeshi , Kunisawa Jun
Published: May 2021

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with macrophage aggregate and transformation into foam cells. In this study, we sought to investigate the impact of dietary intake of ω3 fatty acid on the development of atherosclerosis, and demonstrate the mechanism of action by identifying anti-inflammatory lipid metabolite. Mice were exposed to a high-fat diet (HFD) supplemented with either conventional soybean oil or α-linolenic acid-rich linseed oil. We found that as mice became obese they also showed increased pulsatility and resistive indexes in the common carotid artery. In sharp contrast, the addition of linseed oil to the HFD improved pulsatility and resistive indexes without affecting weight gain. Histological analysis revealed that dietary linseed oil inhibited foam cell formation in the aortic valve. Lipidomic analysis demonstrated a particularly marked increase in the eicosapentaenoic acid-derived metabolite 12-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (12-HEPE) in the serum from mice fed with linseed oil. When we gave 12-HEPE to mice with HFD, the pulsatility and resistive indexes was improved. Indeed, 12-HEPE inhibited the foamy transformation of macrophages in a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ-dependent manner. These results demonstrate that the 12-HEPE-PPARγ axis ameliorates the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by inhibiting foam cell formation.
The microbial community from the early-plant colonizer (Baccharis linearis) is required for plant establishment on copper mine tailings
Authors: Gazitúa María Consuelo , Morgante Verónica , Poupin María Josefina , Ledger Thomas , Rodríguez-Valdecantos Gustavo , Herrera Catalina , del Carmen González-Chávez María , Ginocchio Rosanna , González Bernardo
Published: May 2021

Plants must deal with harsh environmental conditions when colonizing abandoned copper mine tailings. We hypothesized that the presence of a native microbial community can improve the colonization of the pioneer plant, Baccharis linearis, in soils from copper mining tailings. Plant growth and microbial community compositions and dynamics were determined in cultivation pots containing material from two abandoned copper mining tailings (Huana and Tambillos) and compared with pots containing fresh tailings or surrounding agricultural soil. Controls without plants or using irradiated microbe-free substrates, were also performed. Results indicated that bacteria (Actinobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Firmicutes groups) and fungi (Glomus genus) are associated with B. linearis and may support plant acclimation, since growth parameters decreased in both irradiated (transiently without microbial community) and fresh tailing substrates (with a significantly different microbial community). Consistently, the composition of the bacterial community from abandoned copper mining tailings was more impacted by plant establishment than by differences in the physicochemical properties of the substrates. Bacteria located at B. linearis rhizoplane were clearly the most distinct bacterial community compared with those of fresh tailings, surrounding soil and non-rhizosphere abandoned tailings substrates. Beta diversity analyses showed that the rhizoplane bacterial community changed mainly through species replacement (turnover) than species loss (nestedness). In contrast, location/geographical conditions were more relevant than interaction with the plants, to explain fungal community differences.
Disparities between IgG4-related kidney disease and extrarenal IgG4-related disease in a case–control study based on 450 patients
Authors: Zeng Qiaozhu , Gao Jingyuan , Zhang Xinyu , Liu Aichun , Wang Zhenfan , Wang Ziqiao , Chi Xiying , Shi Qianyu , Wang Yi , Yang Fei , Liu Yanying , Li Zhan-Guo
Published: May 2021

We aimed to compare the demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics between IgG4-related kidney disease (IgG4-RKD+) and extrarenal IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RKD−) in a large Chinese cohort, as well as describing the radiological and pathological features of IgG4-RKD+. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 470 IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) patients at Peking University People’s Hospital from January 2004 to January 2020. The demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiological and pathological characteristics between IgG4-RKD+ and IgG4-RKD− were compared. Twenty IgG4-RD patients who had definite etiology of renal impairment including diabetes, hypertension and etc. were excluded. Among the remained 450 IgG4-RD patients, 53 were diagnosed with IgG4-RKD+ . IgG4-RKD+ patients had older age at onset and at diagnosis. Male to female ratio of IgG4-RKD+ patients is significantly higher. In the IgG4-RKD+ group, the most commonly involved organs were salivary gland, lymph nodes and pancreas. It was found that renal function was impaired in approximately 40% of IgG4-RKD+ patients. The most common imaging finding is multiple, often bilateral, hypodense lesions. Male sex, more than three organs involved, and low serum C3 level were risk factors for IgG4-RKD+ in IgG4-RD patients. These findings indicate potential differences in pathogenesis of these two phenotypes.
Comparative evaluation of the antioxidant, antimicrobial and nutritive properties of gluten-free flours
Authors: Miedzianka Joanna , Drzymała Katarzyna , Nemś Agnieszka , Kita Agnieszka
Published: May 2021

Gluten-free flours are interesting alternative to wheat flours. They could be by-products of oilseed processing, characterized by high content of bioactive compounds. Therefore the aim of the study was to determine the antioxidant, antimicrobial properties, amino acid and fatty acid profile of flours obtained as by-products from the oil industry. The highest total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity was found to have evening primrose flour. The widest spectrum of microbial growth inhibition was indicated for corn germ extract which showed no antimicrobial activity only against Bacillus subtilis. The highest protein content was found in pumpkin, peanut and almond flours (more than 50 g/100 g). The major abundant amino acids in all the analysed oilseed cake flours were aspartic acid, glutamic acid and arginine. The analysed gluten-free flours were found to be a good source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which comprised mainly linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid, whereas the best source of PUFAs was evening primrose flour. The results suggest that the cold-pressed seed flours possess valuable chemical composition and may be considered for improvement of the nutritional properties of food products.
Genetic structure of urban and non-urban populations differs between two common parid species
Authors: Markowski Marcin , Minias Piotr , Bańbura Mirosława , Glądalski Michał , Kaliński Adam , Skwarska Joanna , Wawrzyniak Jarosław , Zieliński Piotr , Bańbura Jerzy
Published: May 2021

Landscape conversions induced by human activities can affect dispersal patterns of various bird species and, as a result, affect genetic structure of their populations. Genetic differentiation of bird populations may be enhanced by habitat variation, especially in urban-non-urban systems. The majority of population genetic studies focus on single species, which inflicts limitations for direct comparisons of genetic responses of avian populations to urbanization. Here, we used a set of microsatellite markers to examine genetic diversity, gene flow and population structure in two common parid species, great tits Parus major and blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus occupying three sites in habitats with contrasting urbanization level in central Poland. We found low but significant divergence of urban park population with both suburban and non-urban forest great tit populations, while no differentiation was found between suburban forest and non-urban forest populations. In contrast, no evidence for genetic differentiation was found between blue tit populations from the urban park, suburban forest and non-urban forest sites. We conclude that great tits and blue tits respond to urbanization-related changes in a different way, which may be a result of different rates of migration and/or dispersal, likely higher in blue tits. Some impact may be also induced by interspecific competition. We suggest that changing the focus of urban genetic research from single to multiple species may provide novel insights into how natural populations respond to the processes of urbanization.
Accelerating cryoprotectant diffusion kinetics improves cryopreservation of pancreatic islets
Authors: Dolezalova Nikola , Gruszczyk Anja , Barkan Kerry , Gamble John A. , Galvin Sam , Moreth Till , O’Holleran Kevin , Mahbubani Krishnaa T. , Higgins Jackie A. , Gribble Fiona M. , Reimann Frank , Surmacki Jakub , Andrews Simon , Casey John J. , Pampaloni Francesco , Murphy Michael P. , Ladds Graham , Slater Nigel K. H. , Saeb-Parsy Kourosh
Published: May 2021

Cryopreservation offers the potential to increase the availability of pancreatic islets for treatment of diabetic patients. However, current protocols, which use dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), lead to poor cryosurvival of islets. We demonstrate that equilibration of mouse islets with small molecules in aqueous solutions can be accelerated from > 24 to 6 h by increasing incubation temperature to 37 °C. We utilize this finding to demonstrate that current viability staining protocols are inaccurate and to develop a novel cryopreservation method combining DMSO with trehalose pre-incubation to achieve improved cryosurvival. This protocol resulted in improved ATP/ADP ratios and peptide secretion from β-cells, preserved cAMP response, and a gene expression profile consistent with improved cryoprotection. Our findings have potential to increase the availability of islets for transplantation and to inform the design of cryopreservation protocols for other multicellular aggregates, including organoids and bioengineered tissues.
High 1-year risk of stroke in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a nationwide registry-based cohort study
Authors: Hsu Jin-Yi , Liu Peter Pin-Sung , Liu An-Bang , Huang Huei-Kai , Loh Ching-Hui
Published: May 2021

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) might be more vulnerable to develop stroke than other cancer patients because of HCC-associated coagulation dysfunction. However, limited studies have investigated the relationship between HCC and stroke. This nationwide population-based cohort study enrolled all patients with HCC diagnosed between 2011 and 2015 from the Taiwan Cancer Registry and Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database; an age- and sex-matched cohort without cancer was included. The primary outcome was the 1-year risk for first-ever stroke after the index date. The Fine and Gray competing risk regression model was used to estimate the 1-year stroke risk with adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs). After propensity score matching, each cohort has 18,506 patients with similar baseline characteristics. Compared with the cancer-free cohort, the aHRs in the HCC cohort for overall, ischemic, and hemorrhagic strokes were 1.59 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.35–1.88], 1.38 [95% CI, 1.15–1.65], and 2.62 [95% CI, 1.79–3.84], respectively. On subgroup analysis, HCC patients without cirrhosis, those with stage 3 or 4 cancer had a higher stroke risk than cancer-free cohort. Therefore, stroke prevention should be considered in patients with HCC, especially in those without cirrhosis and with stage 3 or 4 cancer.
Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Yang Fu-An , Shih Ya-Chu , Hong Jia-Pei , Wu Chin-Wen , Liao Chun-De , Chen Hung-Chou
Published: May 2021

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) refers to the symptoms and signs caused by the compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. It can be treated by corticosteroid injection into the carpal tunnel. Two methods for injection have been employed, namely ultrasound-guided and landmark-guided injection. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to compare these methods in terms of several outcomes. A search of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases was performed from the date of their inception to October 7, 2020 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Results for continuous variables are expressed as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3 software. The analysis included eight RCTs published between 2013 and 2019 with a total of 448 patients. Ultrasound-guided injection yielded more favorable results than landmark-guided injection for the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire, Symptom Severity Scale [SMD =  − 0.43, 95% CI (− 0.68, − 0.19), P = 0.0005] and Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire, Functional Status Scale [SMD =  − 0.50, 95% CI (− 0.84, − 0.15), P = 0.005]. Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection is recommended for patients with CTS.
Intranasal immunization with inactivated chlamydial elementary bodies formulated in VCG-chitosan nanoparticles induces robust immunity against intranasal Chlamydia psittaci challenge
Authors: Zuo Zonghui , Zou Yongjuan , Li Qiang , Guo Yongxia , Zhang Tianyuan , Wu Jie , He Cheng , Eko Francis O.
Published: May 2021

Vaccines based on live attenuated Chlamydia elementary bodies (EBs) can cause disease in vaccinated animals and the comparably safer inactivated whole EBs are only marginally protective. Recent studies show that a vaccine formulation comprising UV-inactivated EBs (EB) and appropriate mucosal delivery systems and/or adjuvants induced significant protective immunity. We tested the hypothesis that intranasal delivery of UV-inactivated C. psittaci EB formulated in Vibrio cholerae ghosts (VCG)-chitosan nanoparticles will induce protective immunity against intranasal challenge in SPF chickens. We first compared the impact of VCG and CpG adjuvants on protective immunity following IN mucosal and IM systemic delivery of EB formulated in chitosan hydrogel/microspheres. Immunologic analysis revealed that IN immunization in the presence of VCG induced higher levels of IFN-γ response than IM delivery or the CpG adjuvanted groups. Also, vaccine efficacy evaluation showed enhanced pharyngeal bacterial clearance and protection against lung lesions with the VCG adjuvanted vaccine formulation, thereby establishing the superior adjuvanticity of VCG over CpG. We next evaluated the impact of different concentrations of VCG on protective immunity following IN mucosal immunization. Interestingly, the adjuvanticity of VCG was concentration-dependent, since protective immunity induced following IN mucosal immunization showed dose-dependent immune responses and protection. These studies reveal that formulation of inactivated chlamydial antigens with adjuvants, such as VCG and chitosan increases their ability to induce protective immune responses against challenge.
Influence of precipitation and temperature on maize production in the Czech Republic from 2002 to 2019
Authors: Maitah Mansoor , Malec Karel , Maitah Kamil
Published: May 2021

Maize is one of the important food crops in the Czech Republic, its growth and productivity are influenced by climate change. This study investigated the influence of precipitation under recent climate change on maize yield both for grain and silage in the whole Czech Republic during 2002–2019. Total maize yield and yield rate increased in the Czech Republic from 1961 to 2010, but they became to decrease after 2010. This is in line with the tendency of decreased precipitation and an increase in temperature after 2010, and changes are especially significant during the maize growing period, which indicates the importance of temperature and precipitation. In detail, there is a low to moderate negative correlation (−0.39 to −0.51) between grain maize yield and the average temperature in August for almost all the regions. While there is a low negative correlation between silage maize yield with the average temperature in July and August from some regions. The precipitation in July exhibited moderate to high positive correlation (0.54–0.79) to grain maize yield rate for almost all the regions, and it had low to moderate positive correlation (0.35–0.70) to silage maize yield rate for all the regions. Water deficit exhibited a negative correlation with both maize yield rate and its influence mainly in July for silage but both in July and August for grain. Farmer’s profit from grain maize is influence by yield rate, temperature, precipitation, and water deficit. A positive correlation was found between profit and grain yield rate and precipitation from July and August, while a negative correlation was detected between profit and water deficit and the average temperature in July and August. In conclusion, our results pointed out the factors influencing maize yield rate under changing climate conditions in the Czech Republic, and it warrants further studies on how to maintain maize production in a changing climate.
Predisposing conditions for condylar sag after intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy
Authors: Rokutanda Satoshi , Yamada Shin-Ichi , Yanamoto Souichi , Sakamoto Hiroshi , Omori Keisuke , Rokutanda Hiromi , Yoshimi Tomoko , Fujishita Ayumi , Morita Yukiko , Yoshida Noriaki , Umeda Masahiro
Published: May 2021

Intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) is used to treat mandibular prognathism and temporomandibular disorders. However, the improvement of temporomandibular disorders after IVRO is considered to be due to the anterior and downward movement of the mandibular condyle, which may lead to condylar sag, and in the worst case, condylar luxation. In this retrospective cohort study, we examined factors potentially associated with condylar sag. Univariate analysis indicated that condylar sag was significantly associated with the following factors: magnitude of setback (P = 0.001), less than 3 mm setback (P < 0.001), presence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) symptoms (P = 0.002), Wilkes classification (P = 0.039), occlusal cant correction ≥ 2 mm (P = 0.018), and mandibular condyle deformation (P < 0.001). Setback magnitude (P = 0.032) and TMJ symptoms (P = 0.007) remained significant in the multivariate analysis. In the receiver operating characteristic curve, the setback magnitude cut-off value for condylar sag after IVRO was 3.25 mm. Thus, the incidence of condylar sag after IVRO is increased with a smaller setback magnitude (≤ 3.25 mm) and the presence of TMJ symptoms. These factors should be evaluated by surgeons during treatment planning for IVRO to estimate condylar sag, and it may be possible to predict the risk of condylar luxation.
2D boron nitride nanosheets for polymer composite materials
Authors: Rasul Md Golam , Kiziltas Alper , Arfaei Babak , Shahbazian-Yassar Reza
Published: May 2021

Hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) are promising two-dimensional materials to boost the mechanical, thermal, electrical, and optical properties of polymer nanocomposites. Yet, BNNS-polymer composites face many challenges to meet the desired properties owing to agglomeration of BNNSs, incompatibility, and weak interactions of BNNSs with the host polymers. This work systematically reviews the fundamental parameters that control the molecular interactions of BNNSs with polymer matrices. The surface modification of BNNSs, as well as size, dispersion, and alignment of these nanosheets have a profound effect on polymer chain dynamics, mass barrier properties, and stress-transfer efficiency of the nanocomposites.
Miscellaneous Reductants
Authors: Yonezawa Tetsu , Zhu Shilei , Nguyen Mai Thanh
Published: May 2021

Miscellaneous reductants are of focus for their role in colloidal synthesis/preparation of metal nanoparticles. Their reductivity from weak to medium is first demonstrated with selective effect to noble and less reactive transition metals with respect to different synthesis conditions. After this, we discuss the origin of the reductant property. Besides, other important and delicate functions of these reductants in the synthesis will be reviewed including the stabilizing effect and the size- and shape-controlling capability. It is also important to emphasize that reductants in this chapter compose a group of much greener and less toxic reagents for the nanoparticle synthesis.
Reciprocal redox interactions of lithium cobalt oxide nanoparticles with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and glutathione (GSH): toward a mechanistic understanding of nanoparticle-biological interactions
Authors: Henke Austin H. , Laudadio Elizabeth D. , Hedlund Orbeck Jenny K. , Tamijani Ali Abbaspour , Hoang Khoi Nguyen L. , Mason Sara E. , Murphy Catherine J. , Feng Z. Vivian , Hamers Robert J.
Published: May 2021

NADH and GSH reduce Co in LiCoO2 nanoparticles to enhance ion release and the nanoparticles oxidize NADH in model media. This poses two routes of toxicity for high-valent oxides: enhanced release of toxic metals and disruption of cell redox state.
Discipline-specific cognitive factors that influence grade 9 students’ performance in chemistry
Authors: Zhang Lina , Wang Lei , Treagust David F.
Published: May 2021

Students’ academic performance in chemistry can be the result of a number of cognitive and affective factors. This study explored the influence of the discipline-specific cognitive factors of knowledge structure, cognitive perspectives, and cognitive patterns on grade 9 students' chemistry performance. One instrument measured chemistry academic performance based on concept knowing, application and problem solving. Six tasks with marking keys measured the discipline-specific cognitive factors of knowledge structure, cognitive perspectives, and cognitive patterns. Different groups of grade 9 students participated in pilot tests and the field tests. The quality of the chemistry academic performance instrument and the six tasks was inspected by both expert assessment with six raters and computer-aided inspection including Rasch analysis and Kendall rater-consistency reliability tests. Correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis explored the relationship among academic performance and knowledge structure, cognitive perspectives, and cognitive patterns. According to the results of this research, knowledge structure, cognitive perspective and cognitive pattern all influenced grade 9 students’ chemistry performances; cognitive perspective was the most important factor. Based on these findings, we discuss individual student performance relative to their discipline-specific cognitive factors. We recommend that instruction of discipline-specific learning in chemistry pay attention to each of the three discipline-specific cognitive factors and that tasks be designed to promote the progress of each of these three discipline-specific cognitive factors, especially cognitive perspectives.
A nonheme peroxo-diiron(iii) complex exhibiting both nucleophilic and electrophilic oxidation of organic substrates
Authors: Török Patrik , Unjaroen Duenpen , Viktória Csendes Flóra , Giorgi Michel , Browne Wesley R. , Kaizer József
Published: May 2021

A bidentate ligand based iron complex shows nucleophillic and electrophillice reactivity in the oxidation of organic substrates.
Multi-purpose heterogeneous catalyst material from an amorphous cobalt metal–organic framework
Authors: Ping Kefeng , Alam Mahboob , Kahnert Sean Ray , Bhadoria Rohit , Mere Arvo , Mikli Valdek , Käärik Maike , Aruväli Jaan , Paiste Päärn , Kikas Arvo , Kisand Vambola , Järving Ivar , Leis Jaan , Kongi Nadežda , Starkov Pavel
Published: May 2021

We describe a unique amorphous cobalt metal–organic framework derived material that acts both as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for organic transformations and as a trifunctional electrocatalyst.
Optimal centrifugal isolating of liposome–protein complexes from human plasma
Authors: Digiacomo Luca , Giulimondi Francesca , Capriotti Anna Laura , Piovesana Susy , Montone Carmela Maria , Chiozzi Riccardo Zenezini , Laganà Aldo , Mahmoudi Morteza , Pozzi Daniela , Caracciolo Giulio
Published: May 2021

Effects of centrifugation conditions on protein corona isolation from liposomes.
β-Diketiminate-supported iridium photosensitizers with increased excited-state reducing power
Authors: Shon Jong-Hwa , Kim Dooyoung , Gray Thomas G. , Teets Thomas S.
Published: May 2021

Triazole and NHC-based bis-cyclometalated iridium β-diketiminate complexes emerge as some of the strongest reported visible-light photoreductants. Fast photoinduced electron transfer and photoredox catalysis on organohalide substrates are observed.
Self-assembled nanoparticles formed via complementary nucleobase pair interactions between drugs and nanocarriers for highly efficient tumor-selective chemotherapy
Authors: Ilhami Fasih Bintang , Chung Ai , Alemayehu Yihalem Abebe , Lee Ai-Wei , Chen Jem-Kun , Lai Juin-Yih , Cheng Chih-Chia
Published: May 2021

Self-assembled nanoparticles formed from a combination of complementary nucleobase pair interactions between drugs and nanocarriers enable selective delivery of A-PPG to cancer cells, inducing potent cytotoxic effects within the tumor environment.
Pyrrole synthesis through Cu-catalyzed cascade [3 + 2] spiroannulation/aromatization of oximes with azadienes
Authors: Lin Jing , Zheng Ting-Yu , Fan Neng-Quan , Zhang Pu , Jiang Kun , Wei Ye
Published: May 2021

We disclose an efficient synthetic protocol for the assembly of poly-substituted pyrroles through cascade [3 + 2] spiroannulation/aromatization of oximes with azadienes.
Coordination-driven assembly of actinide-organic polyrotaxanes involving crown ether macrocycles
Authors: Wang Jing-yang , Wu Qun-yan , Wang Shuai , Huang Zhi-wei , Hu Kong-qiu , Yu Ji-pan , Mei Lei , Zhang Meng , Chai Zhi-fang , Shi Wei-qun
Published: May 2021

Using macrocyclic DB24C8 as a new kind of host molecule for a pseudorotaxane ligand, actinide-linked crown ether-based coordination polyrotaxanes, UCER-1 and UCER-2, that are linked by two different uranyl nodes, have been synthesised for the first time.
Nanoflakes of chloride zinc–iron–aluminum-based layered double hydroxides obtained from industrial waste: a green approach to mass-scale production
Authors: Neves de Farias Larissa Bello , Carbajal-Arízaga Gregorio Guadalupe , Sante Luis Guilherme Giannina , Effting Luciane , Correa da Silva Fernandes Juliana Aparecida , Bail Alesandro
Published: May 2021

A greener technology aiming at a smarter industrial waste treatment is proposed to produce chloride iron–zinc–aluminum layered double hydroxides (LDHs).
Theoretical insights into the electroreduction mechanism of N2 to NH3 from an improved Au(111)/H2O interface model
Authors: Ou Lihui , Jin Junling , Chen Yuandao
Published: May 2021

The associative alternating and distal mechanisms may be able to parallelly occur. The initial N2 reduction into N2H species is rate determining step, which may be able to be regarded as the origin of high overpotential.
Elastic modulus distribution in poly(N-isopopylacrylamide) and oligo(ethylene glycol methacrylate)-based microgels studied by AFM
Authors: Wilms Dimitri , Adler Yanik , Schröer Fabian , Bunnemann Lennart , Schmidt Stephan
Published: May 2021

The spatial elastic modulus distribution of microgel networks in presence and absence of bifunctional crosslinkers is studied by AFM.
Recent advances in stretchable field-effect transistors
Authors: Wang Xiumei , Liu Yaqian , Chen Qizhen , Yan Yujie , Rao Zhichao , Lin Zhixian , Chen Huipeng , Guo Tailiang
Published: May 2021

Recent advances in stretchable field-effect transistors have been reviewed, including stretchable material designs, structural designs, processing designs and their applications. Moreover, the challenges and outlook on stretchable field-effect transistors are discussed from different standpoints.
Halide perovskite based light-emitting diodes: a scaling up perspective
Authors: Zhang Ting , Wang Lin , Kong Lingmei , Zhang Chengxi , He Haiyong , Wei Bin , Yang Xuyong
Published: May 2021

Metal halide perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have aroused extensive attention due to their high color purity, wide color gamut, and low-cost solution processability, showing great potential for application in next-generation high-definition display and solid-state lighting.
VEXAS: VISTA EXtension to Auxiliary Surveys
Authors: Khramtsov V. , Spiniello C. , Agnello A. , Sergeyev A.
Published: May 2021

Context.We present the second public data release of the VISTA EXtension to Auxiliary Surveys (VEXAS), where we classify objects into stars, galaxies, and quasars based on an ensemble of machine learning algorithms.

Aims.The aim of VEXAS is to build the widest multi-wavelength catalogue, providing reference magnitudes, colours, and morphological information for a large number of scientific uses.

Methods.We applied an ensemble of thirty-two different machine learning models, based on three different algorithms and on different magnitude sets, training samples, and classification problems (two or three classes) on the three VEXAS Data Release 1 (DR1) optical and infrared (IR) tables. The tables were created in DR1 cross-matching VISTA near-infrared data with Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer far-infrared data and with optical magnitudes from the Dark Energy Survey (VEXAS-DESW), the Sky Mapper Survey (VEXAS-SMW), and the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System Survey (VEXAS-PSW). We assembled a large table of spectroscopically confirmed objects (VEXAS-SPEC-GOOD, 415 628 unique objects), based on the combination of six different spectroscopic surveys that we used for training. We developed feature imputation to also classify objects for which magnitudes in one or more bands are missing.

Results.We classify in total ≈90 × 106objects in the Southern Hemisphere. Among these, ≈62.9 × 106(≈52.6 × 106) are classified as ‘high confidence’ (‘secure’) stars, ≈920 000 (≈750 000) as ‘high confidence’ (‘secure’) quasars, and ≈34.8 (≈34.1) million as ‘high confidence’ (‘secure’) galaxies, withpclass ≥ 0.7 (pclass ≥ 0.9). The DR2 tables update the DR1 with the addition of imputed magnitudes and membership probabilities to each of the three classes.

Conclusions.The density of high-confidence extragalactic objects varies strongly with the survey depth: atpclass > 0.7, there are 11 deg−2quasars in the VEXAS-DESW footprint and 103 deg−2in the VEXAS-PSW footprint, while only 10.7 deg−2in the VEXAS-SM footprint. Improved depth in the mid-infrared and coverage in the optical and near-infrared are needed for the SM footprint that is not already covered by DESW and PSW.