bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunosuppressive effect and global dysregulation of blood transcriptome in response to psychosocial stress in vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus)
Authors: Jasinska Anna J. , Pandrea Ivona , He Tianyu , Benjamin Cassandra , Newton Maurice , Lee Jen Chieh , Freimer Nelson B. , Coppola Giovanni , Jentsch James D.
Published: February 2020

Psychosocial stressors - life events that challenge social support and relationships - represent powerful risk factors for human disease; included amongst these events are relocation, isolation and displacement. To evaluate the impact of a controlled psychosocial stressor on physiology and underlying molecular pathways, we longitudinally studied the influence of a 28-day period of quarantine on biomarkers of immune signalling, microbial translocation, glycaemic health and blood transcriptome in the wild-born vervet monkey. This event caused a coordinated, mostly transient, reduction of circulating levels of nine immune signalling molecules. These were paralleled by a massive dysregulation of blood transcriptome, including genes implicated in chronic pathologies and immune functions. Immune and inflammatory functions were enriched among the genes downregulated in response to stress. An upregulation of genes involved in blood coagulation, platelet activation was characteristic of the rapid response to stress induction. Stress also decreased neutrophils and increased CD4 + T cell proportions in blood. This model of psychosocial stress, characterised by an immune dysregulation at the transcriptomic, molecular and cellular levels, creates opportunities to uncover the underlying mechanisms of stress-related diseases with an immune component, including cardiovascular diseases and susceptibility to infections.
UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS based phytochemical characterization and anti-hyperglycemic prospective of hydro-ethanolic leaf extract of Butea monosperma
Authors: Farooq Muhammad Umar , Mumtaz Muhammad Waseem , Mukhtar Hamid , Rashid Umer , Akhtar Muhammad Tayyab , Raza Syed Ali , Nadeem Muhammad
Published: February 2020

Butea monospermais one of the extensively used plants in traditional system of medicines for many therapeutic purposes. In this study, the antioxidant activity,α-glucosidase andα-amylase inhibition properties of freeze drying assisted ultrasonicated leaf extracts (hydro-ethanolic) ofB. monospermahave been investigated. The findings revealed that 60% ethanolic fraction exhibited high phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents, highest antioxidant activity, and promisingα-glucosidase andα-amylase inhibitions. The UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis indicated the presence of notable metabolites of significant medicinal potential including apigenin, apigeninC-hexosideC-pentoside, apigeninC-hexosideC-hexoside, apigenin-6,8-di-C-pentoside and genistin etc., inB. monospermaleave extract. Docking studies were carried out to determine the possible role of each phytochemical present in leaf extract. Binding affinity data and interaction pattern of all the possible phytochemicals in leaf extract ofB. monospermarevealed that they can inhibitα-amylase andα-glucosidase synergistically to prevent hyperglycemia.
Prognostic value of the delta neutrophil index in pediatric cardiac arrest
Authors: Yoon Seo Hee , Lee Eun Ju , Lee Jinae , Kim Moon Kyu , Ahn Jong Gyun
Published: February 2020

The delta neutrophil index (DNI), which reflects the ratio of circulating immature neutrophils, has been reported to be highly predictive of mortality in systemic inflammation. We investigated the prognostic significance of DNI value for early mortality and neurologic outcomes after pediatric cardiac arrest (CA). We retrospectively analyzed the data of eligible patients (<19 years in age). Among 85 patients, 55 subjects (64.7%) survived and 36 (42.4%) showed good outcomes at 30 days after CA. Cox regression analysis revealed that the DNI values immediately after the return of spontaneous circulation, at 24 hours and 48 hours after CA, were related to an increased risk for death within 30 days after CA (P < 0.001). A DNI value of higher than 3.3% at 24 hours could significantly predict both 30-day mortality (hazard ratio: 11.8; P < 0.001) and neurologic outcomes (odds ratio: 8.04; P = 0.003). The C statistic for multivariable prediction models for 30-day mortality (incorporating DNI at 24 hours, compression time, and serum sodium level) was 0.799, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of DNI at 24 hours for poor neurologic outcome was 0.871. Higher DNI was independently associated with 30-day mortality and poor neurologic outcomes after pediatric CA.
A2B adenosine receptor inhibition by the dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker nifedipine involves colonic fluid secretion
Authors: Asano Teita , Noda Yuto , Tanaka Ken-Ichiro , Yamakawa Naoki , Wada Mitsuhito , Mashimo Tadaaki , Fukunishi Yoshifumi , Mizushima Tohru , Takenaga Mitsuko
Published: February 2020

The adenosine A2B receptor is a critical protein in intestinal water secretion. In the present study, we screened compound libraries to identify inhibitors of the A2B receptor and evaluated their effect on adenosine-induced intestinal fluid secretion. The screening identified the dihydropyridine calcium antagonists nifedipine and nisoldipine. Their respective affinities for the A2B receptor (Ki value) were 886 and 1,399 nM. Nifedipine and nisoldipine, but not amlodipine or nitrendipine, inhibited both calcium mobilization and adenosine-induced cAMP accumulation in cell lines. Moreover, adenosine injection into the lumen significantly increased fluid volume in the colonic loop of wild-type mice but not A2B receptor-deficient mice. PSB-1115, a selective A2B receptor antagonist, and nifedipine prevented elevated adenosine-stimulated fluid secretion in mice. Our results may provide useful insights into the structure–activity relationship of dihydropyridines for A2B receptor. As colonic fluid secretion by adenosine seems to rely predominantly on the A2B receptor, nifedipine could be a therapeutic candidate for diarrhoea-related diseases.
A system-level mechanistic explanation for asymmetric stem cell fates: Arabidopsis thaliana root niche as a study system
Authors: García-Gómez Mónica L. , Ornelas-Ayala Diego , Garay-Arroyo Adriana , García-Ponce Berenice , Sánchez María de la Paz , Álvarez-Buylla Elena R.
Published: February 2020

Asymmetric divisions maintain long-term stem cell populations while producing new cells that proliferate and then differentiate. Recent reports in animal systems show that divisions of stem cells can be uncoupled from their progeny differentiation, and the outcome of a division could be influenced by microenvironmental signals. But the underlying system-level mechanisms, and whether this dynamics also occur in plant stem cell niches (SCN), remain elusive. This article presents a cell fate regulatory network model that contributes to understanding such mechanism and identify critical cues for cell fate transitions in the root SCN. Novel computational and experimental results show that the transcriptional regulator SHR is critical for the most frequent asymmetric division previously described for quiescent centre stem cells. A multi-scale model of the root tip that simulated each cell’s intracellular regulatory network, and the dynamics of SHR intercellular transport as a cell-cell coupling mechanism, was developed. It revealed that quiescent centre cell divisions produce two identical cells, that may acquire different fates depending on the feedback between SHR’s availability and the state of the regulatory network. Novel experimental data presented here validates our model, which in turn, constitutes the first proposed systemic mechanism for uncoupled SCN cell division and differentiation.
Investigation of finishing of leather for inside parts of the shoes with a natural biocide
Authors: Bielak Elżbieta , Marcinkowska Ewa , Syguła-Cholewińska Justyna
Published: February 2020

The prevention of decrease of quality caused by microbial activity in footwear materials entails the use of biocides. However, these substances may pose a hazard to humans and to the natural environment. The paper presents the results of antimicrobial effect investigation for cowhide leather treated with oregano oil. In these studies oil was applied by spraying onto the finished leather surface and examined to determine its antimicrobial activity by using the Agar Diffusion Plate Test. These results were compared with those where a cowhide leather was treated with oil at the stage of fatliquoring. In addition, the oregano oil toxicity level was assessed and compared with biocides used in the tanning industry. Introducing oregano oil into the leather at the stage of fatliquoring provides a better antimicrobial effect than by spraying, however hygienic finishing of leather can be obtained by introducing oil into the raw material by these both methods. The oregano oil is characterised by the lowest number of hazards and toxicity as compared with commercial biocides. The use of essential oils as natural biocides in the tanning industry seems to be especially important and suitable solution considering the harmful effects of synthetic biocides to humans and the environment.
Preparing Multipartite Entangled Spin Qubits via Pauli Spin Blockade
Authors: Bugu Sinan , Ozaydin Fatih , Ferrus Thierry , Kodera Tetsuo
Published: February 2020

Preparing large-scale multi-partite entangled states of quantum bits in each physical form such as photons, atoms or electrons for each specific application area is a fundamental issue in quantum science and technologies. Here, we propose a setup based on Pauli spin blockade (PSB) for the preparation of large-scale W states of electrons in a double quantum dot (DQD). Within the proposed scheme, two W states of n and m electrons respectively can be fused by allowing each W state to transfer a single electron to each quantum dot. The presence or absence of PSB then determines whether the two states have fused or not, leading to the creation of a W state of n + m − 2 electrons in the successful case. Contrary to previous works based on quantum dots or nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond, our proposal does not require any photon assistance. Therefore the ‘complex’ integration and tuning of an optical cavity is not a necessary prerequisite. We also show how to improve the success rate in our setup. Because requirements are based on currently available technology and well-known sensing techniques, our scheme can directly contribute to the advances in quantum technologies and, in particular in solid state systems.
Metabolomics and the pig model reveal aberrant cardiac energy metabolism in metabolic syndrome
Authors: Karimi Maryam , Petkova Victoria , Asara John M. , Griffin Michael J. , Sellke Frank W. , Bishop Alan R. , Alexandrov Boian S. , Usheva Anny
Published: February 2020

Although metabolic syndrome (MS) is a significant risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the cardiac response (MR) to MS remains unclear due to traditional MS models’ narrow scope around a limited number of cell-cycle regulation biomarkers and drawbacks of limited human tissue samples. To date, we developed the most comprehensive platform studying MR to MS in a pig model tightly related to human MS criteria. By incorporating comparative metabolomic, transcriptomic, functional analyses, and unsupervised machine learning (UML), we can discover unknown metabolic pathways connections and links on numerous biomarkers across the MS-associated issues in the heart. For the first time, we show severely diminished availability of glycolytic and citric acid cycle (CAC) pathways metabolites, altered expression, GlcNAcylation, and activity of involved enzymes. A notable exception, however, is the excessive succinate accumulation despite reduced succinate dehydrogenase complex iron-sulfur subunit b (SDHB) expression and decreased content of precursor metabolites. Finally, the expression of metabolites and enzymes from the GABA-glutamate, GABA-putrescine, and the glyoxylate pathways significantly increase, suggesting an alternative cardiac means to replenish succinate and malate in MS. Our platform discovers potential therapeutic targets for MS-associated CVD within pathways that were previously unknown to corelate with the disease.
A persistent memory advantage is specific to grapheme-colour synaesthesia
Authors: Lunke Katrin , Meier Beat
Published: February 2020

For people with synaesthesia ordinary stimuli such as digits or letters induce concurrent experiences such as colours. Synaesthesia is associated with a memory advantage and the aim of this study was to investigate whether this advantage persists across time. We tested recognition memory of four different types of synaesthesia with different inducer-concurrent pairings across two sessions with a one-year retention interval. In the study phase, participants learned three kinds of stimuli (i.e., related to their inducer, related to their concurrent, or synaesthesia-unrelated): music, words and colours. Recognition memory was tested after one hour and after one year. After one hour, grapheme-colour and grapheme-colour-and-sound-colour synaesthetes showed synaesthesia-specific advantages. After one year, only grapheme-colour synaesthetes still showed an advantage. The results imply that a benefit through enhanced colour-processing is particularly strong and that synaesthesia can lead to a long-lasting memory benefit.
Functional connections between and within brain subnetworks under resting-state
Authors: Parente Fabrizio , Colosimo Alfredo
Published: February 2020

The focus of this paper is on the functional role of brain regions focusing on their modular architecture and individual variability. Our main assumption is that the more variable anti-correlation patterns reflect random connections, while the more conserved ones play a functional role. Within this framework, we expanded on previous results using a different database and a different methodological approach. Aiming to identify the role of specific functional connections within a global network organization which includes subnetworks, we found that the fronto-parietal module acts as the main source of anti-correlations. In addition, the pre-frontal regions (namely: frontal middle, frontal middle orbital, frontal inferior triangular) and the parietal inferior region are highly conserved and, at the same time, act as highly connected nodes, thus confirming their importance in functional modulation.
Combining DNMT and HDAC6 inhibitors increases anti-tumor immune signaling and decreases tumor burden in ovarian cancer
Authors: Moufarrij Sara , Srivastava Aneil , Gomez Stephanie , Hadley Melissa , Palmer Erica , Austin Paul Tran , Chisholm Sarah , Diab Noor , Roche Kyle , Yu Angela , Li Jing , Zhu Wenge , Lopez-Acevedo Micael , Villagra Alejandro , Chiappinelli Katherine B.
Published: February 2020

Novel therapies are urgently needed for ovarian cancer, the deadliest gynecologic malignancy. Ovarian cancer has thus far been refractory to immunotherapies that stimulate the host immune system to recognize and kill cancer cells. This may be because of a suppressive tumor immune microenvironment and lack of recruitment and activation of immune cells that kill cancer cells. Our previous work showed that epigenetic drugs including DNA methyltransferase inhibitors and histone deacetylase 6 inhibitors (DNMTis and HDAC6is) individually increase immune signaling in cancer cells. We find that combining DNMTi and HDAC6i results in an amplified type I interferon response, leading to increased cytokine and chemokine expression and higher expression of the MHC I antigen presentation complex in human and mouse ovarian cancer cell lines. Treating mice bearing ID8 Trp53−/− ovarian cancer with HDAC6i/DNMTi led to an increase in tumor-killing cells such as IFNg+ CD8, NK, and NKT cells and a reversal of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment with a decrease in MDSCs and PD-1hi CD4 T cells, corresponding with an increase in survival. Thus combining the epigenetic modulators DNMTi and HDAC6i increases anti-tumor immune signaling from cancer cells and has beneficial effects on the ovarian tumor immune microenvironment.
Endogenous levels of cytokinins, indole-3-acetic acid and abscisic acid in in vitro grown potato: A contribution to potato hormonomics
Authors: Raspor Martin , Motyka Václav , Ninković Slavica , Dobrev Petre I. , Malbeck Jiří , Ćosić Tatjana , Cingel Aleksandar , Savić Jelena , Tadić Vojin , Dragićević Ivana Č.
Published: February 2020

A number of scientific reports published to date contain data on endogenous levels of various phytohormones in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) but a complete cytokinin profile of potato tissues, that would include data on all particular molecular forms of cytokinin, has still been missing. In this work, endogenous levels of all analytically detectable isoprenoid cytokinins, as well as the auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and abscisic acid (ABA) have been determined in shoots and roots of 30 day old in vitro grown potato (cv. Désirée). The results presented here are generally similar to other data reported for in vitro grown potato plants, whereas greenhouse-grown plants typically contain lower levels of ABA, possibly indicating that in vitro grown potato is exposed to chronic stress. Cytokinin N-glucosides, particularly N7-glucosides, are the dominant cytokinin forms in both shoots and roots of potato, whereas nucleobases, as the bioactive forms of cytokinins, comprise a low proportion of cytokinin levels in tissues of potato. Differences in phytohormone composition between shoots and roots of potato suggest specific patterns of transport and/or differences in tissue-specific metabolism of plant hormones. These results represent a contribution to understanding the hormonomics of potato, a crop species of extraordinary economic importance.
Dual-camera design for hyperspectral and panchromatic imaging, using a wedge shaped liquid crystal as a spectral multiplexer
Authors: Shmilovich Shauli , Oiknine Yaniv , AbuLeil Marwan , Abdulhalim Ibrahim , Blumberg Dan G. , Stern Adrian
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we present a new hyperspectral compact camera which is designed to have high spatial and spectral resolutions, to be vibrations tolerant, and to achieve state-of-the-art high optical throughput values compared to existing nanosatellite hyperspectral imaging payloads with space heritage. These properties make it perfect for airborne and spaceborne remote sensing tasks. The camera has both hyperspectral and panchromatic imaging capabilities, achieved by employing a wedge-shaped liquid crystal cell together with computational image processing. The hyperspectral images are acquired through passive along-track spatial scanning when no voltage is applied to the cell, and the panchromatic images are quickly acquired in a single snapshot at a high signal-to-noise ratio when the cell is voltage driven.
Complete Protection in Macaques Conferred by Purified Inactivated Zika Vaccine: Defining a Correlate of Protection
Authors: Young Ginger , Bohning Kelly J. , Zahralban-Steele Melissa , Hather Greg , Tadepalli Sambasivarao , Mickey Kristen , Godin C. Steven , Sanisetty Srisowmya , Sonnberg Stephanie , Patel Hetal K. , Dean Hansi J.
Published: February 2020

A critical global health need exists for a Zika vaccine capable of mitigating the effects of future Zika epidemics. In this study we evaluated the antibody responses and efficacy of an aluminum hydroxide adjuvanted purified inactivated Zika vaccine (PIZV) against challenge with Zika virus (ZIKV) strain PRVABC59. Indian rhesus macaques received two doses of PIZV at varying concentrations ranging from 0.016 µg − 10 µg and were subsequently challenged with ZIKV six weeks or one year following the second immunization. PIZV induced a dose-dependent immune response that was boosted by a second immunization. Complete protection against ZIKV infection was achieved with the higher PIZV doses of 0.4 µg, 2 µg, and 10 µg at 6 weeks and  with 10 ug PIZV at  1 year following vaccination. Partial protection was achieved with the lower PIZV doses of 0.016 µg and 0.08 µg. Based on these data, a neutralizing antibody response above 3.02 log10 EC50 was determined as a correlate of protection in macaques. PIZV elicited a dose-dependent neutralizing antibody response which is protective for at least 1 year following vaccination.
Effects of applying ramie fiber nonwoven films on root-zone soil nutrient and bacterial community of rice seedlings for mechanical transplanting
Authors: Zhou Wanlai , Chen Jing , Qi Zhiyong , Wang Chaoyun , Tan Zhijian , Wang Hongying , Yi Zhenxie
Published: February 2020

Raising rice seedlings in flat trays has become the main method for mechanized transplanting of rice in China. However, seedling blocks raised by this method were easily cracked in practice, and this problem can be solved by padding a thin ramie fiber nonwoven film on the bottom surface of seedling tray. This study was conducted to determine the effects of this film on root-zone environment of rice seedlings. The results showed that on the 10th day after sowing, the soil inorganic nitrogen, especially nitrate nitrogen, content in the root-zone of the film treatment were considerably higher than in the no-film treatment, in contrast, the soil organic matter content was lower in the film treatment, and by the 20th day, the gap between treatments was enlarged. After applying the film, the Chao 1 index and Shannon index values for the soil bacterial community diversity decreased, and the rice seedlings were shorter, had higher root/shoot ratios, lower nitrate contents, and higher soluble sugar contents. We conclude that application of the ramie fiber nonwoven film resulted in substantial changes in the soil nutrient and bacterial community in root-zone in a short time, which significantly impacted the growth and development of rice seedlings.
Evaluation of Reanalysis Surface Incident Solar Radiation Data in China
Authors: Zhang Xingxing , Lu Ning , Jiang Hou , Yao Ling
Published: February 2020

Surface incident solar radiation (Rs) of reanalysis products is widely used in ecological conservation, agricultural production, civil engineering and various solar energy applications. It is of great importance to have a good knowledge of the uncertainty of reanalysis Rs products. In this study, we evaluated the Rs estimates from two representative global reanalysis (ERA-Interim and MERRA-2) using quality- controlled surface measurements from China Meteorological Administration (CMA) and Multi-layer Simulation and Data Assimilation Center of the Tibetan Plateau (DAM) from 2000 to 2009. Error causes are further analyzed in combination radiation products from the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) EBAF through time series estimation, hotspot selection and Geodetector methods. Both the ERA-Interim and MERRA-2 products overestimate the Rs in China, and the MERRA-2 overestimation is more pronounced. The errors of the ERA-Interim are greater in spring and winter, while that of the MERRA-2 are almost the same in all seasons. As more quality-controlled measurements were used for validation, the conclusions seem more reliable, thereby providing scientific reference for rational use of these datasets. It was also found that the main causes of errors are the cloud coverage in the southeast coastal area, aerosol optical depth (AOD) and water vapor content in the Sichuan Basin, and cloud coverage and AOD in the northeast and middle east of China.
High WBP5 expression correlates with elevation of HOX genes levels and is associated with inferior survival in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Ward C. , Cauchy P. , Garcia P. , Frampton J. , Esteban M. A. , Volpe G.
Published: February 2020

WW domain binding protein 5 (WBP5), also known as Transcriptional Elongation Factor A like 9 (TCEAL9) has been proposed as a candidate oncogene for human colorectal cancers with microsatellite instability and as a predictive indicator of small cell lung cancers. Furthermore, several independent studies have proposed WBP5, and its association with Wilms Tumor-1 (WT1) expression, as part of a gene expression-based risk score for predicting survival and clinical outcome in patients with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). To date, the prognostic significance of the sole WBP5 expression and its impact on the survival outcome in AML patients remains largely understudied. In the present study, we have made use of publicly available patient expression arrays and have developed an unbiased approach to classify AML patients into low versus high WBP5 expressers and to balance them for known mutations and cytogenetic findings. Interestingly, we found that patients characterized by high WBP5 expression displayed inferior overall and event-free survival rates. Notably, gene expression profiling showed that patients with high WBP5 had elevated expression of several HOX cluster genes, such as HOXA5, HOXA7, HOXA9 and HOXA10, and several of their partner proteins, such as MEIS1 and FOXC1, which have been demonstrated to be causative for AML. Taken together, our data suggest that WBP5 expression level could serve as an indicator for prognosis and survival outcome in patients with AML.
Enhancing performance of berseem clover genotypes with better harvesting management through farmers’ participatory research at smallholder farms in Punjab
Authors: Tufail M. S. , Krebs G. L. , Southwell A. , Piltz J. W. , Norton M. R. , Wynn P. C.
Published: February 2020

A field study was conducted on smallholder farmer fields between 2012 to 2014 to evaluate the performance of cv. Agaitti Berseem-2002, against local landraces exchanged between farmers (LBF1) or available from local markets (LBM1). The effects of genotype and harvesting regimen on forage production, quality and seed production were evaluated. Significant differences (P < 0.05) among genotypes and cutting treatments were recorded for forage and seed yields, and forage quality across all research sites in both years. Maximum cumulative fresh forage (89.7 t/ha) and dry matter (DM; 13.4 t/ha) yields were obtained with Agaitti Berseem-2002 when harvesting occurred five times over the season. However, maximum seed yield (1048 kg/ha) with higher 1000-seed weight (3.63 g) were obtained if forage was only harvested three times and the crop then left for seed set. Agaitti Berseem-2002 also produced forage with the higher crude protein content (27%), DM digestibility (69%), digestible organic matter (DM basis; 65%) and metabolizable energy content (10%) compared to the local landraces (LBF1 and LBM1). Therefore, the harvesting regimen for greatest economic return which produced optimum fresh and DM forage yields of highest nutritive values and maximum seed yield, were comprised of taking three forage cuts (at 65, 110 and 150 days after sowing) prior to seed harvest.
Intestinal ex vivo organoid culture reveals altered programmed crypt stem cells in patients with celiac disease
Authors: Dieterich Walburga , Neurath Markus F. , Zopf Yurdagül
Published: February 2020

The ex vivo generation of gastrointestinal organoids from crypt stem cells opens up the possibility of new research approaches investigating gastrointestinal diseases. We used this technology to study differences between healthy controls and patients with celiac disease (CD). We noticed distinct dissimilarities in the phenotypes of organoids between our study groups and found considerable variations in their gene expression. Extracellular matrix genes involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition are expressed most differently. In addition, we demonstrated epigenetic modifications that might be responsible for the different organoid gene expression thus accounting for a deranged crypt/villus axis development in CD. The organoids have proven valuable to demonstrate fundamental differences in duodenal derived organoids between healthy controls and patients with CD and thus are a suitable tool to gain new insights in pathogenesis of CD.
Primary functional brain connections associated with melancholic major depressive disorder and modulation by antidepressants
Authors: Ichikawa Naho , Lisi Giuseppe , Yahata Noriaki , Okada Go , Takamura Masahiro , Hashimoto Ryu-ichiro , Yamada Takashi , Yamada Makiko , Suhara Tetsuya , Moriguchi Sho , Mimura Masaru , Yoshihara Yujiro , Takahashi Hidehiko , Kasai Kiyoto , Kato Nobumasa , Yamawaki Shigeto , Seymour Ben , Kawato Mitsuo , Morimoto Jun , Okamoto Yasumasa
Published: February 2020

The limited efficacy of available antidepressant therapies may be due to how they affect the underlying brain network. The purpose of this study was to develop a melancholic MDD biomarker to identify critically important functional connections (FCs), and explore their association to treatments. Resting state fMRI data of 130 individuals (65 melancholic major depressive disorder (MDD) patients, 65 healthy controls) were included to build a melancholic MDD classifier, and 10 FCs were selected by our sparse machine learning algorithm. This biomarker generalized to a drug-free independent cohort of melancholic MDD, and did not generalize to other MDD subtypes or other psychiatric disorders. Moreover, we found that antidepressants had a heterogeneous effect on the identified FCs of 25 melancholic MDDs. In particular, it did impact the FC between left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)/inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC)/precuneus, ranked as the second ‘most important’ FC based on the biomarker weights, whilst other eight FCs were normalized. Given that left DLPFC has been proposed as an explicit target of depression treatments, this suggest that the limited efficacy of antidepressants might be compensated by combining therapies with targeted treatment as an optimized approach in the future.
Beta-blockers and Short-Term Cardiovascular Outcomes In Patients Hospitalized For Acute Coronary Syndrome and a Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ≥40%
Authors: Abi Khalil Charbel , Zubaid Mohammad , Mekhaimar Menatalla , Asaad Nidal , Mahfoud Ziyad , Al Suwaidi Jassim
Published: February 2020

Beta-blockers (BB) have been traditionally associated with improvement in cardiovascular disease outcomes in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Whether they’re still efficacious in the post-reperfusion era is currently debated in the light of recent controversial reports. In-hospital, 6-month and 12-month mortality were studied in the GULF-COAST, a prospective multicenter cohort of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), in relation to BB use: prior to admission, 24-hour post-admission and on discharge in patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 40%. On admission, 50.9% of the cohort participants had a LVEF ≥ 40%, of whom 1203 (55.4%) were on BB whilst 905 (44.6%) were not. Mean age was 60 (13) years old and 66% were males. Prior BB use or its administration in 24 hours decreased in-hospital mortality (OR = 0.25, 95% CI [0.09–0.67]; OR = 0.16, 95% CI [0.08–0.35]; respectively). BB on discharge lowered 1-month mortality (OR = 0.28, 95% CI [0.11–0.72]), but had a neutral effect on mortality, reinfarction and stroke at 6 and 12 months. Results were unchanged after multivariable adjustments and further sensitivity analysis. In this retrospective cohort of ACS, BB improved in-hospital and 1-month mortality in patients with a LVEF ≥ 40% but had a neutral effect on longer-term outcome.
16S rRNA gene sequencing reveals an altered composition of the gut microbiota in chickens infected with a nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus
Authors: Xu Puzhi , Shi Yan , Liu Ping , Yang Yitian , Zhou Changming , Li Guyue , Luo Junrong , Zhang Caiying , Cao Huabin , Hu Guoliang , Guo Xiaoquan
Published: February 2020

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), a member of the Coronaviridae family, causes serious losses to the poultry industry. Intestinal microbiota play an important role in chicken health and contribute to the defence against colonization by invading pathogens. The aim of this study was to investigate the link between the intestinal microbiome and nephropathogenic IBV (NIBV) infection. Initially, chickens were randomly distributed into 2 groups: the normal group (INC) and the infected group (IIBV). The ilea were collected for morphological assessment, and the ileal contents were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. The results of the IIBV group analyses showed a significant decrease in the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (P < 0.05), while the goblet cells increased compared to those in the INC group. Furthermore, the microbial diversity in the ilea decreased and overrepresentation of Enterobacteriaceae and underrepresentation of Chloroplast and Clostridia was found in the NIBV-infected chickens. In conclusion, these results showed that the significant separation of the two groups and the characterization of the gut microbiome profiles of the chickens with NIBV infection may provide valuable information and promising biomarkers for the diagnosis of this disease.
MitoBlue as a tool to analyze the mitochondria-lysosome communication
Authors: Sánchez Mateo I. , Vida Yolanda , Pérez-Inestrosa Ezequiel , Mascareñas José L. , Vázquez M. Eugenio , Sugiura Ayumu , Martínez-Costas José
Published: February 2020

MitoBlue is a fluorescent bisamidine that can be used to easily monitor the changes in mitochondrial degradation processes in different cells and cellular conditions. MitoBlue staining pattern is exceptional among mitochondrial dyes and recombinant fluorescent probes, allowing the dynamic study of mitochondrial recycling in a variety of situations in living cells. MitoBlue is a unique tool for the study of these processes that will allow the detailed characterization of communication between mitochondria and lysosomes.
Atlantic salmon and sea trout display synchronised smolt migration relative to linked environmental cues
Authors: Harvey Alison C. , Glover Kevin A. , Wennevik Vidar , Skaala Øystein
Published: February 2020

Anadromous salmon and sea trout smolts face challenging migrations from freshwater to the marine environment characterised by high mortality. Therefore, the timing of smolt migration is likely to be critical for survival. Time-series comparing migration of Atlantic salmon and sea trout smolts in the same river, and their response to the same environmental cues, are scarce. Here, we analysed migration timing of ~41 000 Atlantic salmon and sea trout smolts over a 19-year period from the river Guddalselva, western Norway. Trout displayed a longer migration window in earlier years, which decreased over time to become more similar to the salmon migration window. On average, salmon migrated out of the river earlier than trout. Migration of both species was significantly influenced by river water temperature and water discharge, but their relative influence varied across the years. On average, body-length of smolts of both species overlapped, however, size differences were observed within the migration period and among the years. We conclude that salmon and trout smolts in this river are highly synchronised and migrate in response to the same range of linked environmental cues.
Impact of plant genotype and plant habitat in shaping bacterial pathobiome: a comparative study in olive tree
Authors: Mina Diogo , Pereira José Alberto , Lino-Neto Teresa , Baptista Paula
Published: February 2020

Plant-inhabiting microorganisms interact directly with each other affecting disease progression. However, the role of host plant and plant habitat in shaping pathobiome composition and their implication for host susceptibility/resistance to a particular disease are currently unknown. For the elucidation of these questions, both epiphytic and endophytic bacterial communities, present in asymptomatic and symptomatic twigs from olive cultivars displaying different susceptibilities to olive knot (OK) disease, were investigated using culturing methods. OK disease was the main driver of the bacterial community, causing changes on their diversity, abundance and composition. OK disease effect was most notorious on OK-susceptible cultivar and when considering the endophytic communities. Plant habitat (epiphytes vs. endophytes) also contributed to the bacterial community assembling, in particular on symptomatic twigs (knots) of OK-susceptible cultivar. In contrast, host cultivar had little effect on the bacterial community composition, but OK-symptomatic twigs (knots) revealed to be more affected by this driver. Overall, the pathobiome seems to result from an intricate interaction between the pathogen, the resident bacteria, and the plant host. Specific bacterial genera were associated to the presence or absence of OK disease in each cultivar. Their ability to trigger and/or suppress disease should be studied in the future.
Binaural summation of amplitude modulation involves weak interaural suppression
Authors: Baker D. H. , Vilidaite G. , McClarnon E. , Valkova E. , Bruno A. , Millman R. E.
Published: February 2020

The brain combines sounds from the two ears, but what is the algorithm used to achieve this summation of signals? Here we combine psychophysical amplitude modulation discrimination and steady-state electroencephalography (EEG) data to investigate the architecture of binaural combination for amplitude-modulated tones. Discrimination thresholds followed a ‘dipper’ shaped function of pedestal modulation depth, and were consistently lower for binaural than monaural presentation of modulated tones. The EEG responses were greater for binaural than monaural presentation of modulated tones, and when a masker was presented to one ear, it produced only weak suppression of the response to a signal presented to the other ear. Both data sets were well-fit by a computational model originally derived for visual signal combination, but with suppression between the two channels (ears) being much weaker than in binocular vision. We suggest that the distinct ecological constraints on vision and hearing can explain this difference, if it is assumed that the brain avoids over-representing sensory signals originating from a single object. These findings position our understanding of binaural summation in a broader context of work on sensory signal combination in the brain, and delineate the similarities and differences between vision and hearing.
Using deep-learning to forecast the magnitude and characteristics of urban heat island in Seoul Korea
Authors: Oh Jin Woo , Ngarambe Jack , Duhirwe Patrick Nzivugira , Yun Geun Young , Santamouris Mattheos
Published: February 2020

Urban heat island (UHI), a phenomenon involving increased air temperature of a city compared to the surrounding rural area, results in increased energy use and escalated health problems. To understand the magnitude and characteristics of UHI in Seoul and to accommodate for the high temporal variability and spatial heterogeneity of the UHI which make it inherently challenging to analyze using conventional statistical methods, we developed two deep learning models, a temporal UHI-model and a spatial UHI model, using a feed-forward deep neural network (DNN) architecture. Data related to meteorological elements (e.g. air temperature) and urban texture (e.g. surface albedo) were used to train and test the temporal UHI-model and the Spatial UHI-model respectively. Also, we develop and propose a new metric, UHI-hours, that quantifies the total number of hours that UHI exists in a given area. Our results show that UHI-hours is a better indicator of seasonal UHI than the commonly used index, UHI-intensity. Consequently, UHI-hours is likely to provide a better measure of the cumulative effects of UHI over time than UHI-intensity. UHI-hours will help us to better quantify the effect of UHI on, for example, the overall daily productivity of outdoor workers or heat-related mortality rates.
Author Correction: Solution structure of extracellular loop of human β4 subunit of BK channel and its biological implication on ChTX sensitivity
Authors: Wang Yanting , Lan Wenxian , Yan Zhenzhen , Gao Jing , Liu Xinlian , Wang Sheng , Guo Xiying , Wang Chunxi , Zhou Hu , Ding Jiuping , Cao Chunyang
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Spectrally filtered passive Si photodiode array for on-chip fluorescence imaging of intracellular calcium dynamics
Authors: Xiong Zheshun , Hwang Fuu-Jiun , Sun Feng , Xie Yaowei , Mao Dacheng , Li Geng-Lin , Xu Guangyu
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
An acoustic/thermo-responsive hybrid system for advanced doxorubicin delivery in tumor treatment
Authors: Zhang Li , Zhang Shiyu , Chen Huajian , Liang Yu , Zhao Bingxia , Luo Wanxian , Xiao Qian , Li Jinheng , Zhu Junqiao , Peng Chao , Zhang Yaru , Hong Zhe , Wang Ying , Li Yingjia
Published: February 2020

Ultrasound-assisted fast extravasation and the following laser-triggered drug release of thermo-sensitive liposomes synergistically enhanced drug delivery in deep tumors.
Heat trapping in a nano-layered microenvironment: estimation of temperature by thermal sensing molecules
Authors: Ramakrishnan Vivek , Nabetani Yu , Yamamoto Daisuke , Tachibana Hiroshi , Inoue Haruo
Published: February 2020

Co-intercalation of RhB or Rubpy as ‘temperature sensing’ molecules within a surfactant/SSA hybrid demonstrates heat trapping within the hybrid compounds.
Vibrational dynamics in lead halide hybrid perovskites investigated by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Ibaceta-Jaña Josefa , Muydinov Ruslan , Rosado Pamela , Mirhosseini Hossein , Chugh Manjusha , Nazarenko Olga , Dirin Dmitry N. , Heinrich Dirk , Wagner Markus R. , Kühne Thomas D. , Szyszka Bernd , Kovalenko Maksym V. , Hoffmann Axel
Published: February 2020

The effect of the incorporation of Cs+ and Br− in FAPbl3 investigated by Raman spectroscopy.
Lean NOx reduction by CO at low temperature over bimetallic IrRu/Al2O3 catalysts with different Ir : Ru ratios
Authors: Song Ji Hwan , Park Dong Chan , You Young-Woo , Chang Tae Sun , Heo Iljeong , Kim Do Heui
Published: February 2020

Lean NO reduction by CO at low temperature.
In situ hydrogenation of phenolic compounds over Ni-based catalysts: upgrading of lignin depolymerization products
Authors: Xu Ying , Peng Zifang , Yu Yuxiao , Wang Dongling , Liu Jianguo , Zhang Qi , Wang Chenguang
Published: February 2020

A series of Ni-based catalysts, including Ni/SiO2–ZrO2, Ni/HZSM-5, Ni/Al2O3, Ni/SiO2, Ni/AC and Ni/CMK-3, were prepared to produce H2 from the aqueous phase reforming (APR) of methanol.
Rationalization of the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of aluminium phosphates synthesized from different precursors
Authors: Bemmer Victoria , Bowker Michael , Carter James H. , Davies Philip R. , Edwards Lee E. , Harris Kenneth D. M. , Hughes Colan E. , Robinson Fiona , Morgan David J. , Thomas Matthew G.
Published: February 2020

Using NMR, XRD and FTIR we clarify the assignment of XP spectra of aluminium phosphates prepared from three different aluminium precursors [Al(OH)3, Al(NO3)3 and AlCl3] at different annealing temperatures.
Comprehensive metabolomics analysis based on UPLC-Q/TOF-MSEand the anti-COPD effect of different parts ofCelastrus orbiculatusThunb.
Authors: Yang Na , Wang Han , Lin Hongqiang , Liu Junli , Zhou Baisong , Chen Xiaoling , Wang Cuizhu , Liu Jinping , Li Pingya
Published: February 2020

The root, stem and leaf ofCelastrus orbiculatusThunb. (COT) have all been used as Chinese folk medicine.
Preparation of activated carbon nanofibers using degradative solvent extraction products obtained from low-rank coal and their utilization in supercapacitors
Authors: Qian Weixiang , Li Xian , Zhu Xianqing , Hu Zhenzhong , Zhang Xu , Luo Guangqian , Yao Hong
Published: February 2020

Activated carbon nanofibers for supercapacitor electrodes were prepared by the electrospinning method using degradative solvent extracts from low-rank coal and PAN.
H2S detection at low temperatures by Cu2O/Fe2O3 heterostructure ordered array sensors
Authors: Zhang Pinhua , Zhu Hongyang , Xue Kaifeng , Chen Li , Shi Changmin , Wang Dongchao , Li Jianfu , Wang Xiaoli , Cui Guangliang
Published: February 2020

Cu2O/Fe2O3 heterostructure ordered arrays exhibit excellent H2S sensitivity at low temperatures based on the mechanism of surface absorption/desorption and the sulphurization of Cu2O.
Investigation into the electrochemical behaviour of silver in alkaline solution and the influence of Au-decoration using operando Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Luo Haowei , Ji Xu , Cheng Shuang
Published: February 2020

Apart from the traditional charge storage mechanism demonstrated in CV, a two-electron process of Ag to AgO is revealed in GCD.
Structural study and large magnetocaloric entropy change at room temperature of La1−x□xMnO3 compounds
Authors: Henchiri C. , Mnasri T. , Benali A. , Hamdi R. , Dhahri E. , Valente M. A. , Costa B. F. O.
Published: February 2020

In this study, our central focus is to investigate the magnetocaloric characteristics of a La1−x□xMnO3 (x = 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) series prepared by a sol–gel technique.
B12-containing volleyball-like molecule for hydrogen storage
Authors: Guo Jing-Jing , Zhao Hui-Yan , Wang Jing , Liu Ying
Published: February 2020

A new B12-containing core–shell volleyball-like B12@Li20Al12 structure with a hydrogen uptake of 16.4% has been proposed using first-principles calculations.
Improving the corrosion resistance of micro-arc oxidation coated Mg–Zn–Ca alloy
Authors: Chen Yang , Dou Jinhe , Pang Zengfen , Yu Huijun , Chen Chuanzhong , Feng Jinkui
Published: February 2020

Large amount of micro-pores formed in MAO coatings were interconnected and sealed.
Iodine-catalyzed convergent aerobic dehydro-aromatization toward benzazoles and benzazines
Authors: Tuo Xiaolong , Chen Shanping , Jiang Pingyu , Ni Penghui , Wang Xiaodong , Deng Guo-Jun
Published: February 2020

An iodine-catalyzed aerobic dehydro-aromatization has been developed, providing a straightforward and efficient access to various benzoazoles and benzoazines.
Cathode materials for lithium–sulfur batteries based on sulfur covalently bound to a polymeric backbone
Authors: Mukkabla Radha , Buchmeiser Michael R.
Published: February 2020

Polymeric cathode materials for lithium–sulfur batteries in which the sulfur is covalently bound to the polymer are summarized; differences in electrochemical performance to cathode materials in which the sulfur is physically confined are outlined.
Carbon dot targeting to nitrogen signaling molecules for inhibiting neuronal death
Authors: Ouyang Lufei , Mu Xiaoyu , Wang Junying , Li Qifeng , Gao Yalong , Liu Haile , Sun Si , Ren Qinjuan , Yan Ruijuan , Wang Jingya , Liu Qiang , Sun Yuanming , Liu Changlong , He Hua , Long Wei , Zhang Xiao-Dong
Published: February 2020

Ultrasmall carbon dot with targeting ability to nitrogen signaling molecules inhibit neuronal death by regulating the activity of endogenous enzymes.
Tunable nanostructures by directional assembly of donor–acceptor supramolecular copolymers and antibacterial activity
Authors: Chakraborty Saptarshi , Barman Ranajit , Ghosh Suhrit
Published: February 2020

This manuscript reports supramolecular copolymerization of amphiphilic donor (D) and acceptor (A) units and their antibacterial activity.
Designer DNA–silica/carbon nanotube nanocomposites for traceable and targeted drug delivery
Authors: Hu Yong , Niemeyer Christof M.
Published: February 2020

A programmable drug delivery system can be synthesized in a highly modular fashion from DNA-functionalized carbon nanotubes and silica nanoparticles via enzymatic rolling circle amplification.
Recent advances of nanomedicines for liver cancer therapy
Authors: Chi Xiaoqin , Liu Kun , Luo Xiangjie , Yin Zhenyu , Lin Hongyu , Gao Jinhao
Published: February 2020

This review highlights recent advancements in nanomedicines for liver cancer therapy.
Revealing the redox status in endoplasmic reticulum by a selenium fluorescence probe
Authors: Zang Shunping , Kong Xiangxue , Cui Jie , Su Sa , Shu Wei , Jing Jing , Zhang Xiaoling
Published: February 2020

A reversible fluorescent probe based on a selenide group was designed and synthesized to detect HClO and monitor redox status changes during endoplasmic reticulum stress.