bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Auxiliary ATP binding sites support DNA unwinding by RecBCD
Authors: Zananiri Rani , Mangapuram Venkata Sivasubramanyan , Gaydar Vera , Yahalom Dan , Malik Omri , Rudnizky Sergei , Kleifeld Oded , Kaplan Ariel , Henn Arnon
Published: April 2022

The RecBCD helicase initiates double-stranded break repair in bacteria by processively unwinding DNA with a rate approaching ∼1,600 bp·s−1, but the mechanism enabling such a fast rate is unknown. Employing a wide range of methodologies — including equilibrium and time-resolved binding experiments, ensemble and single-molecule unwinding assays, and crosslinking followed by mass spectrometry — we reveal the existence of auxiliary binding sites in the RecC subunit, where ATP binds with lower affinity and distinct chemical interactions as compared to the known catalytic sites. The essentiality and functionality of these sites are demonstrated by their impact on the survival of E.coli after exposure to damage-inducing radiation. We propose a model by which RecBCD achieves its optimized unwinding rate, even when ATP is scarce, by using the auxiliary binding sites to increase the flux of ATP to its catalytic sites.
A global temperature control of silicate weathering intensity
Authors: Deng Kai , Yang Shouye , Guo Yulong
Published: April 2022

Silicate weathering as an important negative feedback can regulate the Earth’s climate over time, but much debate concerns its response strength to each climatic factor and its evolution with land surface reorganisation. Such discrepancy arises from lacking weathering proxy validation and scarce quantitative paleo-constraints on individual forcing factors. Here we examine the catchment-scale link of silicate weathering intensity with various environmental parameters using a global compilation of modern sediment dataset (n = 3828). We show the primary control of temperature on silicate weathering given the monotonic increase of feldspar dissolution with it (0–30 °C), while controls of precipitation or topographic-lithological factors are regional and subordinate. We interpret the non-linear forcing of temperature on feldspar dissolution as depletion of more reactive plagioclase (relative to orthoclase) at higher temperature. Our results hint at stronger temperature-weathering feedback at lower surface temperature and support the hypothesis of increased land surface reactivity during the late Cenozoic cooling.
Uniaxial pressure induced stripe order rotation in La1.88Sr0.12CuO4
Authors: Wang Qisi , von Arx K. , Mazzone D. G. , Mustafi S. , Horio M. , Küspert J. , Choi J. , Bucher D. , Wo H. , Zhao J. , Zhang W. , Asmara T. C. , Sassa Y. , Månsson M. , Christensen N. B. , Janoschek M. , Kurosawa T. , Momono N. , Oda M. , Fischer M. H. , Schmitt T. , Chang J.
Published: April 2022

Static stripe order is detrimental to superconductivity. Yet, it has been proposed that transverse stripe fluctuations may enhance the inter-stripe Josephson coupling and thus promote superconductivity. Direct experimental studies of stripe dynamics, however, remain difficult. From a strong-coupling perspective, transverse stripe fluctuations are realized in the form of dynamic “kinks”—sideways shifting stripe sections. Here, we show how modest uniaxial pressure tuning reorganizes directional kink alignment. Our starting point is La1.88Sr0.12CuO4 where transverse kink ordering results in a rotation of stripe order away from the crystal axis. Application of mild uniaxial pressure changes the ordering pattern and pins the stripe order to the crystal axis. This reordering occurs at a much weaker pressure than that to detwin the stripe domains and suggests a rather weak transverse stripe stiffness. Weak spatial stiffness and transverse quantum fluctuations are likely key prerequisites for stripes to coexist with superconductivity.
Sirt6 reprograms myofibers to oxidative type through CREB-dependent Sox6 suppression
Authors: Song Mi-Young , Han Chang Yeob , Moon Young Jae , Lee Ju Hyung , Bae Eun Ju , Park Byung-Hyun
Published: April 2022

Expanding the exercise capacity of skeletal muscle is an emerging strategy to combat obesity-related metabolic diseases and this can be achieved by shifting skeletal muscle fibers toward slow-twitch oxidative type. Here, we report that Sirt6, an anti-aging histone deacetylase, is critical in regulating myofiber configuration toward oxidative type and that Sirt6 activator can be an exercise mimetic. Genetic inactivation of Sirt6 in skeletal muscle reduced while its transgenic overexpression increased mitochondrial oxidative capacity and exercise performance in mice. Mechanistically, we show that Sirt6 downregulated Sox6, a key repressor of slow fiber specific gene, by increasing the transcription of CREB. Sirt6 expression is elevated in chronically exercised humans, and mice treated with an activator of Sirt6 showed an increase in exercise endurance as compared to exercise-trained controls. Thus, the current study identifies Sirt6 as a molecular target for reprogramming myofiber composition toward the oxidative type and for improving muscle performance.
The PripA-TbcrA complex-centered Rab GAP cascade facilitates macropinosome maturation in Dictyostelium
Authors: Tu Hui , Wang Zhimeng , Yuan Ye , Miao Xilin , Li Dong , Guo Hu , Yang Yihong , Cai Huaqing
Published: April 2022

Macropinocytosis, an evolutionarily conserved mechanism mediating nonspecific bulk uptake of extracellular fluid, has been ascribed diverse functions. How nascent macropinosomes mature after internalization remains largely unknown. By searching for proteins that localize on macropinosomes during the Rab5-to-Rab7 transition stage inDictyostelium, we uncover a complex composed of two proteins, which we name PripA and TbcrA. We show that the Rab5-to-Rab7 conversion involves fusion of Rab5-marked early macropinosomes with Rab7-marked late macropinosomes. PripA links the two membrane compartments by interacting with PI(3,4)P2and Rab7. In addition, PripA recruits TbcrA, which acts as a GAP, to turn off Rab5. Thus, the conversion to Rab7 is linked to inactivation of the upstream Rab5. Consistently, disruption of eitherpripAortbcrAimpairs Rab5 inactivation and macropinocytic cargo processing. Therefore, the PripA-TbcrA complex is the central component of a Rab GAP cascade that facilitates programmed Rab switch and efficient cargo trafficking during macropinosome maturation.
Mitochondrial DNA oxidative mutations are elevated in Mexican American women potentially implicating Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Reid Danielle Marie , Barber Robert C. , Thorpe Roland J. , Sun Jie , Zhou Zhengyang , Phillips Nicole R.
Published: April 2022

Mexican Americans (MAs) are the fastest-growing Hispanic population segment in the US; as this population increases in age, so will the societal burden of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage may be implicated in MA AD risk since metabolic comorbidities are more prevalent in this group. Oxidative damage to guanosine (8oxoG) is one of the most prevalent DNA lesions and a putative indicator of mitochondrial dysfunction. Testing blood samples from participants of the Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium, we found mtDNA 8oxoG mutational load to be significantly higher in MAs compared to non-Hispanic whites and that MA females are differentially affected. Furthermore, we identified specific mtDNA haplotypes that confer increased risk for oxidative damage and suggestive evidence that cognitive function may be related to 8oxoG burden. Our understanding of these phenomena will elucidate population- and sex-specific mechanisms of AD pathogenesis, informing the development of more precise interventions and therapeutic approaches for MAs with AD in the future.
Staphylococcus aureus utilizes environmental RNA as a building material in specific polysaccharide-dependent biofilms
Authors: Chiba Akio , Seki Masahide , Suzuki Yutaka , Kinjo Yuki , Mizunoe Yoshimitsu , Sugimoto Shinya
Published: April 2022

Biofilms are surface-bound microbial communities that are typically embedded in a matrix of self-produced extracellular polymeric substances and can cause chronic infections. Extracellular DNA is known to play a crucial role in biofilm development in diverse bacteria; however, the existence and function of RNA are poorly understood. Here, we show that RNA contributes to the structural integrity of biofilms formed by the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. RNase A dispersed both fresh and mature biofilms, indicating the importance of RNA at various stages. RNA-sequencing analysis demonstrated that the primary source of RNA in the biofilm matrix was the Brain Heart Infusion medium (>99.32%). RNA purified from the medium promoted biofilm formation. Microscopic and molecular interaction analyses demonstrated that polysaccharides were critical for capturing and stabilizing external RNA in biofilms, which contributes to biofilm organization. These findings provide a basis for exploring the role of externally derived substances in bacterial biofilm organization.
The microbiota-gut-kidney axis mediates host osmoregulation in a small desert mammal
Authors: Nouri Zahra , Zhang Xue-Ying , Khakisahneh Saeid , Degen Abraham Allan , Wang De-Hua
Published: April 2022

Regulating sodium and water balances is crucial for survival of small, desert mammals. Studies demonstrate that the gut microbiota and their metabolites are involved in host energy homeostasis, but little is known on the interactions among salt loading, gut microbiota, and osmoregulation. The aim of this study was to fill this gap. Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) were offered drinking water (Con) and either water containing moderate (4%, MS) or high NaCl (8%, HS) ad libitum. Intake of HS reduced α diversity of the microbial community and, at the genus level, reduced the relative abundances of Rikenella and Christensenella but increased Atopobium. To confirm the function of gut microbiota in host osmoregulation, we transplanted caecal microbiota in HS gerbils. To cope with salt loading, the gerbils concentrated urine, resulting in negative energy balance and systemic inflammation. The HS gerbils increased hypothalamic arginine vasopressin and intestinal and renal aquaporin 2 to support water retention, and reduced intestinal and renal epithelial sodium channel α to promote sodium excretion. However, HS gerbils with caecal microbiota transplant (CMT) from Con donors maintained energy balance and osmoregulation, and had a much reduced systemic inflammation. Further, CMT from Con donors to HS recipients reshaped the gut microbiota, particularly by reducing Parabacteroides distasonis and Prevotella copri, and increasing Lactobacillus reuteri abundances, with a resulting increase in bacterial metabolites such as butyrate. These findings highlight a vital role of the microbiota-gut-kidney axis in mediating salt-related osmoregulation, allowing small mammals to adapt to high salt loads in a desert habitat.
Atomic coordination dictates vibrational characteristics and thermal conductivity in amorphous carbon
Authors: Giri Ashutosh , Dionne Connor J. , Hopkins Patrick E.
Published: April 2022

We discuss the role of atomic coordination in dictating the vibrational characteristics and thermal conductivity in amorphous carbon. Our systematic atomistic simulations on amorphous carbon structures at varying mass densities show the significant role played by the ratio of sp2 to sp3 hybridized bonds in dictating the contributions from propagating (phonon-like) and non-propagating vibrational modes and their influence on the overall thermal conductivities of the structures. Specifically, our results show that as the concentration of sp3-bonded carbon atoms increases, the thermal conductivity can be increased by four fold, which is attributed to enhanced contributions from propagating modes in these amorphous structures. Our results shed more light into the role of atomic coordination on dictating heat transfer mechanisms in amorphous materials, and also provide a deeper understanding of the ability to tune the thermal conductivity of amorphous carbon structures through the control of the local atomic coordination.
Nonreciprocal directional dichroism at telecom wavelengths
Authors: Park K. , Yokosuk M. O. , Goryca M. , Yang J. J. , Crooker S. A. , Cheong S. -W. , Haule K. , Vanderbilt D. , Kim H. -S. , Musfeldt J. L.
Published: April 2022

Magnetoelectrics with ultra-low symmetry and spin-orbit coupling are well known to display a number of remarkable properties including nonreciprocal directional dichroism. As a polar and chiral magnet, Ni3TeO6 is predicted to host this effect in three fundamentally different configurations, although only two have been experimentally verified. Inspired by the opportunity to unravel the structure-property relations of such a unique light-matter interaction, we combined magneto-optical spectroscopy and first-principles calculations to reveal nonreciprocity in the toroidal geometry and compared our findings with the chiral configurations. We find that formation of Ni toroidal moments is responsible for the largest effects near 1.1 eV—a tendency that is captured by our microscopic model and computational implementation. At the same time, we demonstrate deterministic control of nonreciprocal directional dichroism in Ni3TeO6 across the entire telecom wavelength range. This discovery will accelerate the development of photonics applications that take advantage of unusual symmetry characteristics.
Inspection of thermal jump conditions on nanofluids with nanoparticles and multiple slip effects
Authors: Raza Shah Naqvi Syed Muhammad , Farooq Umar , Waqas Hassan , Muhammad Taseer , Alshehri Ahmad
Published: April 2022

The significance of slip boundary conditions with thermal radiation implications on a steady flow of nano suspension over a rotating disk with a constant magnetic field is discussed in this research investigation. Here Iron oxide $$\left( {Fe_{3} O_{4} } \right)$$

F

e
3

O
4

, Zirconium dioxide $$\left( {ZrO_{2} } \right)$$

Z
r

O
2

, and Titanium $$\left( {Ti} \right)$$

Ti

are recruited as nanoparticles and water $$\left( {H_{2} O} \right)$$

H
2

O

as a host fluid. The appropriate similarities transformations are used to transfer main PDEs into a system of nonlinear ODEs. The set of ODEs is then solved via shooting approach (bvp4c solver) a built-in function in MATLAB. The depictical outcomes of the physical flow parameters like thermal radiation and velocity slip parameters are revealed and clarified with the assist of figures. The slip parameter significantly reduces the velocity profiles, according to this investigation. The pressure is declined for the higher estimates of the magnetic parameter. The thermal profile was uplifted for the rising values of the thermal radiation parameter. Meteorology, meteorological, atmospheric research, biochemical engineering, power engineering, transportation production, solar energy transformations, sensing micro fabrication, tumblers in polymer manufacturing, and other fields will benefit from this suggested model. The suggested study has been developed in response to these kinds of practical consequences. This work is unique in that it investigates the consequences of a magnetic field, slip boundary conditions, and thermal radiation on nanoparticles flow across a disk. The recent study is innovative, and it could be used by other researchers to learn more about the heat exchange behavior and reliability of working fluids.
Housing environment and mental health of Europeans during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-country comparison
Authors: Keller Amélie , Groot Jonathan , Matta Joane , Bu Feifei , El Aarbaoui Tarik , Melchior Maria , Fancourt Daisy , Zins Marie , Goldberg Marcel , Nybo Andersen Anne-Marie , Rod Naja H. , Strandberg-Larsen Katrine , Varga Tibor V.
Published: April 2022

Many studies have investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. Throughout the pandemic, time spent at home increased to a great extent due to restrictive measures. Here we set out to investigate the relationship between housing conditions and the mental health of populations across European countries. We analyzed survey data collected during spring 2020 from 69,136 individuals from four cohorts from Denmark, France, and the UK. The investigated housing conditions included household density, composition, and crowding, access to outdoor facilities, dwelling type, and urbanicity. The outcomes were loneliness, anxiety, and life satisfaction. Logistic regression models were used, and results were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. In the meta-analysis, living alone was associated with higher levels of loneliness (OR = 3.08, 95% CI 1.87–5.07), and lower life satisfaction (OR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.05–0.55), compared to living with others. Not having access to an outdoor space and household crowding were suggestively associated with worse outcomes. Living in crowded households, living alone, or lacking access to outdoor facilities may be particularly important in contributing to poor mental health during a lockdown. Addressing the observed fundamental issues related to housing conditions within society will likely have positive effects in reducing social inequalities, as well as improving preparedness for future pandemics.
Vocal Expression of Affective States in Spontaneous Laughter reveals the Bright and the Dark Side of Laughter
Authors: Szameitat Diana P. , Szameitat André J. , Wildgruber Dirk
Published: April 2022

It has been shown that the acoustical signal of posed laughter can convey affective information to the listener. However, because posed and spontaneous laughter differ in a number of significant aspects, it is unclear whether affective communication generalises to spontaneous laughter. To answer this question, we created a stimulus set of 381 spontaneous laughter audio recordings, produced by 51 different speakers, resembling different types of laughter. In Experiment 1, 159 participants were presented with these audio recordings without any further information about the situational context of the speakers and asked to classify the laughter sounds. Results showed that joyful, tickling, and schadenfreude laughter could be classified significantly above chance level. In Experiment 2, 209 participants were presented with a subset of 121 laughter recordings correctly classified in Experiment 1 and asked to rate the laughter according to four emotional dimensions, i.e., arousal, dominance, sender’s valence, and receiver-directed valence. Results showed that laughter types differed significantly in their ratings on all dimensions. Joyful laughter and tickling laughter both showed a positive sender’s valence and receiver-directed valence, whereby tickling laughter had a particularly high arousal. Schadenfreude had a negative receiver-directed valence and a high dominance, thus providing empirical evidence for the existence of a dark side in spontaneous laughter. The present results suggest that with the evolution of human social communication laughter diversified from the former play signal of non-human primates to a much more fine-grained signal that can serve a multitude of social functions in order to regulate group structure and hierarchy.
Revealing environmental synchronicity that enhances anchovy recruitment in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Quattrocchi F. , Garofalo G.
Published: April 2022

Small pelagic fishes in the Mediterranean Sea constitute about half of the total landings, of which almost one-third is European anchovy. Anchovy abundance mainly depends on early life stage and juvenile survival and growth, which are susceptible to shifts in environmental processes. Due to the commercial importance of this species, it is necessary to elucidate the processes affecting recruitment strength for effective fishery management, using environmental indices to set more appropriate harvesting limits. Here, we constructed a simple index to capture synchronicity between enrichment and retention/concentration processes, which are known to affect anchovy abundance, during the first year of life. Three ecosystems in the Mediterranean were examined: Gulf of Lions, Adriatic Sea, and Strait of Sicily. The synchronicity index (SI) represented the synergic evolution over time of the chlorophyll-a concentration (CHL, enrichment process) and mixed layer depth (MLD, concentration/retention processes), and was related with the abundance of anchovy recruits obtained from published survey reports. Considering different ecosystems, when the SI was significantly higher, anchovy recruitment was promoted. This result indicated SI is consistent across ecosystems in explaining anchovy abundance fluctuations and thus could be used to enhance fisheries management and extended to assess the impact of projected environmental changes.
Influence of the autotaxin-lysophosphatidic acid axis on cellular function and cytokine expression in different breast cancer cell lines
Authors: Hauck Theresa , Kadam Sheetal , Heinz Katharina , Garcia Peraza Maria , Schmid Rafael , Kremer Andreas E. , Wolf Katharina , Bauer Alina , Horch Raymund E. , Arkudas Andreas , Kengelbach-Weigand Annika
Published: April 2022

Previous studies provide high evidence that autotaxin (ATX)-lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling through LPA receptors (LPAR) plays an important role in breast cancer initiation, progression, and invasion. However, its specific role in different breast cancer cell lines remains to be fully elucidated to offer improvements in targeted therapies. Within this study, we analyzed in vitro the effect of LPA 18:1 and the LPAR1, LPAR3 (and LPAR2) inhibitor Ki16425 on cellular functions of different human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, MCF-7, BT-474, SKBR-3) and the human breast epithelial cell line MCF-10A, as well as Interleukin 8 (IL-8), Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha cytokine secretion after LPA-incubation. ATX-LPA signaling showed a dose-dependent stimulatory effect especially on cellular functions of triple-negative and luminal A breast cancer cell lines. Ki16425 inhibited the LPA-induced stimulation of triple-negative breast cancer and luminal A cell lines in variable intensity depending on the functional assay, indicating the interplay of different LPAR in those assays. IL-8, IL-6 and TNF-alpha secretion was induced by LPA in MDA-MB-468 cells. This study provides further evidence about the role of the ATX-LPA axis in different breast cancer cell lines and might contribute to identify subtypes suitable for a future targeted therapy of the ATX-LPA axis.
Prevalence of self-reported fatigue in intensive care unit survivors 6 months–5 years after discharge
Authors: Morel Jérôme , Infantino Pascal , Gergelé Laurent , Lapole Thomas , Souron Robin , Millet Guillaume Y.
Published: April 2022

Prolonged stays in intensive care units (ICU) are responsible for long-lasting consequences, fatigue being one of the more debilitating. Yet, fatigue prevalence for patients that have experienced ICU stays remains poorly investigated. This study aimed to evaluate fatigue prevalence and the level of physical activity in ICU survivors from 6 months to 5 years after ICU discharge using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue (FACIT-F) and Godin questionnaires, respectively. Data from 351 ICU survivors (out of 1583 contacted) showed that 199 (57%) and 152 (43%) were considered as fatigued and non-fatigued, respectively. The median FACIT-F scores for fatigued versus non-fatigued ICU survivors were 21 (14–27) and 45 (41–48), respectively (p < 0.001). Time from discharge had no significant effect on fatigue prevalence (p = 0.30) and fatigued ICU survivors are less active (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the only risk factor of being fatigued that was identified was being female. We reported a high prevalence of fatigue among ICU survivors. Sex was the only independent risk factor of being fatigued, with females being more prone to this symptom. Further studies should consider experimental approaches that help us understand the objective causes of fatigue, and to build targeted fatigue management interventions.
Optimization, validation and initial clinical implications of a Luminex-based immunoassay for the quantification of Fragile X Protein from dried blood spots
Authors: Boggs Anna E. , Schmitt Lauren M. , McLane Richard D. , Adayev Tatyana , LaFauci Giuseppe , Horn Paul S. , Dominick Kelli C. , Gross Christina , Erickson Craig A.
Published: April 2022

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is caused by a trinucleotide expansion leading to silencing of the FMR1 gene and lack of expression of Fragile X Protein (FXP, formerly known as Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein, FMRP). Phenotypic presentation of FXS is highly variable, and the lack of reproducible, sensitive assays to detect FXP makes evaluation of peripheral FXP as a source of clinical variability challenging. We optimized a Luminex-based assay to detect FXP in dried blot spots for increased reproducibility and sensitivity by improving reagent concentrations and buffer conditions. The optimized assay was used to quantify FXP in 187 individuals. We show that the optimized assay is highly reproducible and detects a wide range of FXP levels. Mosaic individuals had, on average, higher FXP levels than fully methylated individuals, and trace amounts of FXP were consistently detectable in a subset of individuals with full mutation FXS. IQ scores were positively correlated with FXP levels in males and females with full mutation FXS demonstrating the clinical utility of this method. Our data suggest trace amounts of FXP detectable in dried blood spots of individuals with FXS could be clinically relevant and may be used to stratify individuals with FXS for optimized treatment.
Scaffold size-dependent effect on the enhanced uptake of antibiotics and other compounds by Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Yamamoto Kyosuke , Yamamoto Nao , Ayukawa Shotaro , Yasutake Yoshiaki , Ishiya Koji , Nakashima Nobutaka
Published: April 2022

The outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria functions as an impermeable barrier to foreign compounds. Thus, modulating membrane transport can contribute to improving susceptibility to antibiotics and efficiency of bioproduction reactions. In this study, the cellular uptake of hydrophobic and large-scaffold antibiotics and other compounds in Gram-negative bacteria was investigated by modulating the homolog expression of bamB encoding an outer membrane lipoprotein and tolC encoding an outer membrane efflux protein via gene deletion and gene silencing. The potential of deletion mutants for biotechnological applications, such as drug screening and bioproduction, was also demonstrated. Instead of being subjected to gene deletion, wild-type bacterial cells were treated with cell-penetrating peptide conjugates of a peptide nucleic acid (CPP-PNA) against bamB and tolC homologs as antisense agents. Results revealed that the single deletion of bamB and tolC in Escherichia coli increased the uptake of large- and small-scaffold hydrophobic compounds, respectively. A bamB-and-tolC double deletion mutant had a higher uptake efficiency for certain antibiotics and other compounds with high hydrophobicity than each single deletion mutant. The CPP-PNA treated E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells showed high sensitivity to various antibiotics. Therefore, these gene deletion and silencing approaches can be utilized in therapeutic and biotechnological fields.
Network-based integrated analysis for toxic effects of high-concentration formaldehyde inhalation exposure through the toxicogenomic approach
Authors: Kang Doo Seok , Lee Nahyun , Shin Dong Yeop , Jang Yu Jin , Lee Su-Hyon , Lim Kyung-Min , Ahn Yeon-Soon , Lee Cheol Min , Seo Young Rok
Published: April 2022

Formaldehyde is a colorless, pungent, highly reactive, and toxic environmental pollutant used in various industries and products. Inhaled formaldehyde is a human and animal carcinogen that causes genotoxicity, such as reactive oxygen species formation and DNA damage. This study aimed to identify the toxic effects of inhaled formaldehyde through an integrated toxicogenomic approach utilizing database information. Microarray datasets (GSE7002 and GSE23179) were collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and differentially expressed genes were identified. The network analyses led to the construction of the respiratory system-related biological network associated with formaldehyde exposure, and six upregulated hub genes (AREG, CXCL2, HMOX1, PLAUR, PTGS2, and TIMP1) were identified. The expression levels of these genes were verified via qRT-PCR in 3D reconstructed human airway tissues exposed to aerosolized formaldehyde. Furthermore, NRARP was newly found as a potential gene associated with the respiratory and carcinogenic effects of formaldehyde by comparison with human in vivo and in vitro formaldehyde-exposure data. This study improves the understanding of the toxic mechanism of formaldehyde and suggests a more applicable analytic pipeline for predicting the toxic effects of inhaled toxicants.
Effect of post-ICU follow-up by a rapid response team after congenital heart surgery
Authors: Haga Taiki , Sakaguchi Takaaki , Kazuta Takao , Morooka Takaya , Maruyama Junji , Yamaoka Naoko , Miyahara Satoko
Published: April 2022

Patients with congenital heart disease who have a variety of cardiac/extracardiac problems are at high risk for deterioration. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of post-intensive care unit (ICU) follow-up by a rapid response team (RRT) after congenital heart surgery. This before-and-after study was conducted at an urban regional tertiary hospital. We enrolled 572 consecutive patients who underwent congenital heart surgery and were transferred alive from the paediatric ICU (PICU) between April 2015 and March 2020. Post-ICU follow-up for 48 h was started in April 2018. The primary and secondary endpoints were unplanned ICU readmission and clinical outcomes at ICU readmission, respectively. Overall, 346 and 226 patients were analysed pre- and post-intervention, respectively. Patient demographics were similar between groups, but in the post-intervention group, patients tended to have had more complicated surgery. Unplanned ICU readmission rates within 30 days were similar between groups. Regarding the demographics and outcomes at ICU readmission, patients in the post-intervention group had lower predicted mortality rates (1.7% vs 5.3%, P = 0.001), required less ventilator days (median, 0.5 days [interquartile range (IQR) 0–1] vs median, 3 days [IQR 0.5–4], P = 0.02), and had a shorter ICU stay (median, 3 days [IQR 2–4] vs median, 6 days [IQR 3–9], P = 0.03), but there was no significant between-group difference in ICU mortality. Post-ICU follow-up by a RRT after congenital heart surgery did not decrease unplanned ICU readmission but improved several outcomes at ICU readmission.
Unimpaired groupitizing in children and adolescents with dyscalculia
Authors: Anobile Giovanni , Marazzi Moreno , Federici Stefano , Napoletti Agnese , Cecconi Lucia , Arrighi Roberto
Published: April 2022

When asked to estimate the number of items in the visual field, neurotypical adults are more precise and rapid if the items are clustered into subgroups compared to when they are randomly distributed. It has been suggested that this phenomenon, termed “groupitizing”, relies on the recruitment of arithmetical calculation strategies and subitizing. Here the role of arithmetical skills in groupitizing was investigated by measuring the groupitizing effect (or advantage) in a sample of children and adolescents with and without math learning disability (dyscalculia). The results showed that when items were grouped, both groups of participants showed a similar advantage on sensory precision and response time in numerosity estimates. Correlational analyses confirmed a lack of covariation between groupitizing advantage and math scores. Bayesian statistics on sensory precision sustained the frequentist analyses providing decisive evidence in favor of no groups difference on groupitizing advantage magnitude (LBF = − 0.44) and no correlation with math scores (LBF = − 0.57). The results on response times, although less decisive, were again in favor of the null hypothesis. Overall, the results suggest that the link between groupitizing and mathematical abilities cannot be taken for granted, calling for further investigations on the factors underlying this perceptual phenomenon.
Direct observation of chaperone-modulated talin mechanics with single-molecule resolution
Authors: Chakraborty Soham , Chaudhuri Deep , Banerjee Souradeep , Bhatt Madhu , Haldar Shubhasis
Published: April 2022

Talin as a critical focal adhesion mechanosensor exhibits force-dependent folding dynamics and concurrent interactions. Being a cytoplasmic protein, talin also might interact with several cytosolic chaperones; however, the roles of chaperones in talin mechanics remain elusive. To address this question, we investigated the force response of a mechanically stable talin domain with a set of well-known unfoldase (DnaJ, DnaK) and foldase (DnaKJE, DsbA) chaperones, using single-molecule magnetic tweezers. Our findings demonstrate that chaperones could affect adhesion proteins’ stability by changing their folding mechanics; while unfoldases reduce their unfolding force from ~11 pN to ~6 pN, foldase shifts it upto ~15 pN. Since talin is mechanically synced within 2 pN force ranges, these changes are significant in cellular conditions. Furthermore, we determined that chaperones directly reshape the energy landscape of talin: unfoldases decrease the unfolding barrier height from 26.8 to 21.7 kBT, while foldases increase it to 33.5 kBT. We reconciled our observations with eukaryotic Hsp70 and Hsp40 and observed their similar function of decreasing the talin unfolding barrier. Quantitative mapping of this chaperone-induced talin folding landscape directly illustrates that chaperones perturb the adhesion protein stability under physiological force, thereby, influencing their force-dependent interactions and adhesion dynamics.
Red light-transmittance bagging promotes carotenoid accumulation of grapefruit during ripening
Authors: Huang Xiulian , Hu Linping , Kong Wenbin , Yang Can , Xi Wanpeng
Published: April 2022

Light, a crucial environmental signal, is involved in the regulation of secondary metabolites. To understand the mechanism by which light influences carotenoid metabolism, grapefruits were bagged with four types of light-transmitting bags that altered the transmission of solar light. We show that light-transmitting bagging induced changes in carotenoid metabolism during fruit ripening. Compared with natural light, red light (RL)-transmittance treatment significantly increases the total carotenoid content by 62%. Based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), ‘blue’ and ‘turquoise’ modules are remarkably associated with carotenoid metabolism under different light treatment (p < 0.05). Transcriptome analysis identifies transcription factors (TFs) bHLH128, NAC2-like/21/72, MYB-like, AGL11/AGL61, ERF023/062, WRKY20, SBPlike-7/13 as being involved in the regulation of carotenoid metabolism in response to RL. Under RL treatment, these TFs regulate the accumulation of carotenoids by directly modulating the expression of carotenogenic genes, including GGPPS2, PDS, Z-ISO, ZDS2/7, CRTISO3, CYP97A, CHYB, ZEP2, CCD1-2. Based on these results, a network of the regulation of carotenoid metabolism by light in citrus fruits is preliminarily proposed. These results show that RL treatments have great potential to improve coloration and nutritional quality of citrus fruits.
Molecular orientation of small carboxylates at the water–air interface
Authors: Moll Carolyn J. , Korotkevich Alexander A. , Versluis Jan , Bakker Huib J.
Published: April 2022

This work reports first phase resolved VSFG measurements on sodium formate and sodium acetate aqueous solutions. Both anions show a clear vibrational surface response and the net orientation of the carboxylate group pointing toward the solution.
Development of a PFAS reaction library: identifying plausible transformation pathways in environmental and biological systems
Authors: Weber Eric J. , Tebes-Stevens Caroline , Washington John W. , Gladstone Rachel
Published: April 2022

We have developed reaction libraries for predicting transformation products of PFAS in a variety of environmental and biological reaction systems.
Pre-diagnosis meat intake and cooking method and ovarian cancer survival: results from the Ovarian Cancer Follow-Up Study (OOPS)
Authors: Wei Yi-Fan , Sun Ming-Li , Wen Zhao-Yan , Liu Fang-Hua , Liu Ya-Shu , Yan Shi , Qin Xue , Gao Song , Li Xiu-Qin , Zhao Yu-Hong , Gong Ting-Ting , Wu Qi-Jun
Published: April 2022

The relationships between pre-diagnosis meat intake and ovarian cancer survival were limited and controversial. To date, no study has taken account of cooking methods. Thus, we aimed to firstly clarify these associations based on the Ovarian Cancer Follow-Up Study.
Isolable fluorinated triphenylmethyl cation salts of [HCB11Cl11]−: demonstration of remarkable hydride affinity
Authors: Gunther S. Olivia , Lee Chun-I , Song Ellen , Bhuvanesh Nattamai , Ozerov Oleg V.
Published: April 2022

Hexakis(meta-fluoro)substituted triphenylmethyl cation (F6Tr+) was isolated with a carborane partner anion. Its significantly higher hydride affinity compared to the parent (Tr+) allows it to abstract hydrides from a variety of C(sp3)–H bonds.
Triplet photodynamic and up-conversion luminescence in donor–acceptor dyads with slip-stacked vs. co-facial arrangement
Authors: Yun Young Ju , Peccati Francesca , Wiederrecht Gary P. , Gosztola David J. , Diroll Benjamin T. , Jiménez-Osés Gonzalo , Ayitou A. Jean-Luc
Published: April 2022

Engineering of donor–acceptor light-harvesting systems based on geometrical features: applications in energy transfer & energy/photon upconversion.
A microfluidic organic transistor for reversible and real-time monitoring of H2O2 at ppb/ppt levels in ultrapure water
Authors: Ohshiro Kohei , Sasaki Yui , Zhou Qi , Didier Pierre , Nezaki Takasuke , Yasuike Tomoharu , Kamiko Masao , Minami Tsuyoshi
Published: April 2022

A microfluidic organic transistor functionalized with phenyboronic acid could monitor not only a reversible boronate anion with H2O2 but also an irreversible conversion into a phenol structure by a continuous flow.
Catalytic asymmetric transformation of nitrones and allenes to dihydropyridoindoles via chiral N,N′-dioxide/cobalt(ii) catalysis
Authors: Liu Mohuizi , Xie Lihua , Hou Liuzhen , Lin Lili , Feng Xiaoming
Published: April 2022

A dia- and enantioselective multistep cascade reaction of nitrones with allenes to chiral dihydropyridoindoles promoted by a chiral N,N′-dioxide/Co(ii) complex was described.
Retraction: Nucleophilic iodonium interactions (NIIs) in 2-coordinate iodine(i) and silver(i) complexes
Authors: Ward Jas S. , Frontera Antonio , Rissanen Kari
Published: April 2022

Retraction of ‘Nucleophilic iodonium interactions (NIIs) in 2-coordinate iodine(i) and silver(i) complexes’ by Jas S. Ward et al., Chem. Commun., 2021, 57, 5094–5097, DOI: 10.1039/D1CC01505B.
sp2-to-sp3 transitions in graphite during cold-compression
Authors: Yuan Xiaohong , Cheng Yong , Tang Hu , Wang Pei , Liu Fuyang , Han Songbai , Zhu Jinlong , Wang Ming-Sheng , Wang Liping
Published: April 2022

A new insight into the pressure-induced transition in graphite has been presented based on the DAC technique with hydrostatic pressure by compressing the well-crystallized HOPG.
Reversible on–off switching of Dy(iii) single-molecule magnets via single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation
Authors: Xi Jing , Cen Peipei , Guo Yan , Li Yuzhu , Qin Yuanyuan , Zhang Yi-Quan , Song Weiming , Liu Xiangyu
Published: April 2022

Single-crystal to single-crystal transformation triggered by a lattice solvent leads to reversible on–off switching of single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour in pentagonal-bipyramidal Dy(iii) complexes.
C-Doped KNbO3 single crystals for enhanced piezocatalytic intermediate water splitting
Authors: He Jiaqing , Gao Feng , Wang Haowei , Liu Fangyan , Lin Jiahui , Wang Biao , Liu Chuan , Huang Feng , Lin Zhang , Wang Mengye
Published: April 2022

Through the intermediate water splitting reaction, H2O is simultaneously and efficiently converted into H2O2 and H2 using C-doped KNbO3 as the catalyst via a green and sustainable piezocatalytic technique.
Image processing tools for the validation of CryoEM maps
Authors: Sorzano C. O. S. , Vilas J. L. , Ramírez-Aportela E. , Krieger J. , del Hoyo D. , Herreros D. , Fernandez-Giménez E. , Marchán D. , Macías J. R. , Sánchez I. , del Caño L. , Fonseca-Reyna Y. , Conesa P. , García-Mena A. , Burguet J. , García Condado J. , Méndez García J. , Martínez M. , Muñoz-Barrutia A. , Marabini R. , Vargas J. , Carazo J. M.
Published: April 2022

A progressive CryoEM map validation scheme is presented. The scheme may include the map, half maps, 2D classes, particles, angles, coordinates, defoci, micrographs, and image processing workflow.
Thermal stabilities of Mn-based active materials in combination with the ceramic electrolyte LATP for ASSB bulk cathodes
Authors: Rumpel Matthias , Nagler Felix , Appold Lavinia , Stracke Werner , Flegler Andreas , Clemens Oliver , Sextl Gerhard
Published: April 2022

Thermodynamical processes during manufacturing of ceramic bulk cathodes with focus on lattice structure and oxidation states of transition metals.
Enhancing corona resistance in Kapton with self-assembled two-dimensional montmorillonite nanocoatings
Authors: Ren Ming , Wang Yifei , Liu Jingjing , Wu Chao , Hou Zaili , Konstantinou Antigoni , Zhou Jierui , Nguyen Hiep , Davis-Amendola Kerry , Sun Luyi , Cao Yang
Published: April 2022

A self-assembled two-dimensional montmorillonite nanocoating enables significantly enhanced corona resistance in the Kapton film.
Hydration shell stripping governs ion rejection in PAP[5] water channels
Authors: Kali Ritwick , Milner Scott T.
Published: April 2022

Peptide appended pillar[5]arene (PAP[5]) molecules are biomimetic water channels with high permeability and excellent selectivity.
Indium doped ZnO nanorods for chemiresistive NO2 gas sensors
Authors: Patil V. L. , Dalavi D. S. , Dhavale S. B. , Vanalakar S. A. , Tarwal N. L. , Kalekar A. S. , Kim J. H. , Patil P. S.
Published: April 2022

NO2 gas sensing mechanism of IZO nanorods synthesized by low cost and simple reflux method.
An efficient merging of DBU/enolate and DBU/benzyl bromide organocycles for the synthesis of alpha benzylated 1-indanone derivatives
Authors: Singh Shikha , Trivedi Laxmikant , Vasudev Prema G. , Passarella Daniele , Negi Arvind S.
Published: April 2022

1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-en (DBU) mediated synthesis of α-benzylated 1-indanones via DBU/enolate and DBU/benzyl bromide organocycles under mild reaction conditions.
Encapsulated MAPbBr3 in nickel oxide nanotubes and their electroluminescence
Authors: Gonzalez-Rodriguez Roberto , Hathaway Evan , Lin Yuankun , Coffer Jeffery L. , Cui Jingbiao
Published: April 2022

Perovskite nanowires encapsulated inside nickel oxide nanotubes were studied. This unique structure showed a stable and efficient electroluminescence for potential LED applications.
Magnetic-controlled dandelion-like nanocatalytic swarm for targeted biofilm elimination
Authors: Huang Yanjie , Liu Dong , Guo Ruirui , Wang Bin , Liu Zhengzuo , Guo Yijia , Dong Jian , Lu Yuan
Published: April 2022

Under 3D magnetic field control, a dandelion-like biomimetic nanozyme swarm can efficiently combat planktonic bacteria and biofilms at specific locations.
The substituent effect on the spin-crossover behaviour in a series of mononuclear Fe(ii) complexes from thio-pybox ligands
Authors: Liang Hai-Chao , Pan Yao , Zhu Hai-Lang , Meng Yin-Shan , Liu Chun-Hua , Liu Tao , Zhu Yuan-Yuan
Published: April 2022

The correlation of the SCO temperature and substituent electronegativity of ligands is observed and discussed for a family of [Fe(thio-pybox)2]2+ complexes.
Towards a comprehensive understanding of mesoporosity in zeolite Y at the single particle level
Authors: Qin Zhengxing , Wang Bo , Asano Natsuko , Wang Lijuan , Zhou Yan , Liu Xinmei , Shen Baojian , Mintova Svetlana , Asahina Shunsuke , Valtchev Valentin
Published: April 2022

The usage of complementary characterization techniques enabled closing the understanding gap concerning the location and structure of mesopores in zeolites.
Centrosymmetric Rb[Te2O4(OH)5] and noncentrosymmetric K2[Te3O8(OH)4]: metal tellurates with corner and edge-sharing (Te4O18)12− anion groups
Authors: Wang Dandan , Gong Pifu , Zhang Xinyuan , Lin Zheshuai , Hu Zhanggui , Wu Yicheng
Published: April 2022

Cation substitution of alkali metal (K+, Rb+) and anion group arrangement transition were successfully realized in Rb[Te2O4(OH)5] (RTOH) and K2[Te3O8(OH)4] (KTOH) with a wide band gap and moderate SHG effect.
Palladium-catalyzed regio- and chemoselective double-alkoxycarbonylation of 1,3-diynes: a computational study
Authors: Yang Jinjin , Kong Deping , Wu Hongli , Shen Zhen , Zou Hongyan , Zhao Wentao , Huang Genping
Published: April 2022

DFT calculations have been performed to elucidate the detailed reaction mechanism and the origins of the regio- and chemoselectivities of the palladium-catalyzed double-alkoxycarbonylation of 1,3-diynes.
Synthesis of reverse glycosyl fluorides via organophotocatalytic decarboxylative fluorination of uronic acids
Authors: Ding Han , Yan Ningjie , Wang Peng , Song Ni , Sun Qikai , Li Tiantian , Li Ming
Published: April 2022

Mes-Acr*-catalyzed decarboxylative fluorination of structurally diverse uronic acids under blue light irradiation provides an alternative avenue for the synthesis of reverse glycosyl fluorides of medicinal and biological relevance.
Experimental study on pretreatment effects of [BMIM]HSO4/ethanol on the thermal behavior of cellulose
Authors: Yang Huamei , Jiang Ju , Zhang Bingzhe , Zhang Wenyuan , Xie Weining , Li Jing
Published: April 2022

Pretreatment effects of [BMIM]HSO4/ethanol on thermal behaviors of cellulose have been investigated under different conditions. [BMIM]HSO4/ethanol siginificantly decreased the energy requirement of cellulose thermal decomposition.
Energetics of a protein disorder–order transition in small molecule recognition
Authors: Mendoza-Martinez Cesar , Papadourakis Michail , Llabrés Salomé , Gupta Arun A. , Barlow Paul N. , Michel Julien
Published: April 2022

Molecular simulations and biophysical measurements elucidate why the ligand AM-7209 orders a disordered region of the protein MDM2 on binding. This work expands strategies available to medicinal chemists for targeting disordered proteins.
Spreading, pinching, and coalescence: the Ohnesorge units
Authors: Fardin Marc A. , Hautefeuille Mathieu , Sharma Vivek
Published: April 2022

A tutorial review of the scaling laws and systems of units for the spreading, coalescence and pinching dynamics of simple fluids.
Carbon nanoflakes for energy storage: scalable and low-cost synthesis, excellent performances toward comprehensive application
Authors: Zhang Zongping , Zhang Dongmei , Pei Cunyuan , Lu Junlin , Li Tao , Xiao Ting , Ni Shibing
Published: April 2022

Porous C nanoflakes with a high-graphitized edge and rich interior defects are preparedviaa low cost and scalable approach, showing excellent performance for comprehensive application as an anode material, carbon component and conductive agent.
Solar-assisted urea oxidation at silicon photoanodes promoted by an amorphous and optically adaptive Ni–Mo–O catalytic layer
Authors: Dabboussi Joudi , Abdallah Rawa , Santinacci Lionel , Zanna Sandrine , Vacher Antoine , Dorcet Vincent , Fryars Stéphanie , Floner Didier , Loget Gabriel
Published: April 2022

Silicon photoanodes with high activity and stability for the urea oxidation reaction are prepared by integrating an optically adaptive Ni–Mo–O coating on a metal–insulator–semiconductor junction.