bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Split-field versus extended-field step-and-shoot IMRT techniques in nasopharyngeal cancer: a report of acute and late toxicities
Authors: Onchan Wimrak , Nobnop Wannapha , Traisathit Patrinee , Chakrabandhu Somvilai , Tharavichitkul Ekkasit , Klunklin Pitchayaponne , Jia-Mahasap Bongkot , Chitapanarux Imjai
Published: January 2021

Aim:

This study aimed to evaluate acute and late toxicities in nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patients who were treated between split-field (SF) and extended-field (EF) step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) techniques.

Materials and methods:

Between January 2011 and October 2011, 21 NPC patients with stage I-IVB (7th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging) were randomly assigned to undergo radiotherapy with SF or EF step-and-shoot IMRT technique.

Results:

At a median follow-up time of 60 months (range 3–77), we reported the comparable acute and late toxicities between the two techniques. One patient (9%) in SF-IMRT arm developed grade 3 acute skin toxicity.

Findings:

Both SF and EF step-and-shoot IMRT techniques for NPC patients did not produce any statistically significant differences in both acute and late toxicities. Although no difference in toxicity was observed, technical problems due to field matching management were the obstacles in utilisation of SF-IMRT in our routine practice.
The Historiography of the Twentieth-Century Classical Performer: Life, Work, Artistry
Authors: BEHAN ADAM
Published: January 2021

One dominant issue in the writing of music histories is the question of how (or indeed whether) a musician's life and work can be interwoven convincingly. In recent years, music biographers have begun to reassess the historical legacies of many significant musicians with this issue in mind, but their critical reflections have for the most part focused on composers. This article seeks to transfer some of this rethinking – particularly on the life/work question – to the twentieth-century classical performer. Doing so reveals a historiography of the performer which sharply divides life and work in a way that is disciplinarily entrenched between biographical approaches on the one hand and empirical approaches to recordings on the other. After illustrating the nature and development of this division, I conclude by calling for greater scholarly convergence and suggest two directions forward, taking leads from artistic research and popular music studies in doing so.
Identification of Surface Deformation in InSAR Using Machine Learning
Authors: Brengman Clayton M. J. , Barnhart William D.
Published: January 2021

The availability and frequency of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery are rapidly increasing. This surge of data presents new opportunities to constrain surface deformation that spans various spatial and temporal scales. This expansion also introduces common challenges associated with large volumes of data, including best practices for analyzing these data. In recent years, machine learning techniques have been at the forefront of big data challenges, as an efficient methodology for automatically classifying large volumes of data. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), in particular, have achieved strong levels of performance on image classification problems. Here we present SarNet, a CNN developed to detect, locate, and classify the presence of co‐seismic‐like surface deformation within an interferogram. We trained SarNet using 4 × 106 synthetic interferograms, including both wrapped and unwrapped forward modeled co‐seismic‐like surface deformation with synthetic noise representative of the atmospheric and topographic noise found in interferograms. The results show that SarNet obtains an overall accuracy of 99.74% on a validation data set. We use class activation maps (CAMs) to show that SarNet returns the location of surface deformation within the interferogram. We employ a transfer learning method to translate the accuracy of SarNet trained on synthetic data to real interferograms with manually classified co‐seismic surface displacement. We train SarNet on 32 interferograms containing labeled co‐seismic surface deformation as well as noise. The results show that, through transfer learning, SarNet obtains an overall accuracy of 85.22% on a real InSAR data set, and that SarNet returns the location of the surface deformation within the interferogram.
Altered dopaminergic firing pattern and novelty response underlie ADHD-like behavior of SorCS2-deficient mice
Authors: Olsen Ditte , Wellner Niels , Kaas Mathias , de Jong Inge E. M. , Sotty Florence , Didriksen Michael , Glerup Simon , Nykjaer Anders
Published: January 2021

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most frequently diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder worldwide. Affected individuals present with hyperactivity, inattention, and cognitive deficits and display a characteristic paradoxical response to drugs affecting the dopaminergic system. However, the underlying pathophysiology of ADHD and how this relates to dopaminergic transmission remains to be fully understood. Sorcs2−/− mice uniquely recapitulate symptoms reminiscent of ADHD in humans. Here, we show that lack of SorCS2 in mice results in lower sucrose intake, indicating general reward deficits. Using in-vivo recordings, we further find that dopaminergic transmission in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is shifted towards a more regular firing pattern with marked reductions in the relative occurrence of irregular firing in Sorcs2−/− mice. This was paralleled by abnormal acute behavioral responses to dopamine receptor agonists, suggesting fundamental differences in dopaminergic circuits and indicating a perturbation in the balance between the activities of the postsynaptic dopamine receptor DRD1 and the presynaptic inhibitory autoreceptor DRD2. Interestingly, the hyperactivity and drug response of Sorcs2−/− mice were markedly affected by novelty. Taken together, our findings show how loss of a candidate ADHD-risk gene has marked effects on dopaminergic circuit function and the behavioral response to the environment.
Risk variants and polygenic architecture of disruptive behavior disorders in the context of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Demontis Ditte , Walters Raymond K. , Rajagopal Veera M. , Waldman Irwin D. , Grove Jakob , Als Thomas D. , Dalsgaard Søren , Ribasés Marta , Bybjerg-Grauholm Jonas , Bækvad-Hansen Maria , Werge Thomas , Nordentoft Merete , Mors Ole , Mortensen Preben Bo ,   ADHD Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC), Andreassen Ole A. , Arranz Maria Jesús , Banaschewski Tobias , Bau Claiton , Bellgrove Mark , Biederman Joseph , Brikell Isabell , Buitelaar Jan K. , Burton Christie L. , Casas Miguel , Crosbie Jennifer , Doyle Alysa E. , Ebstein Richard P. , Elia Josephine , Elizabeth Corfield C. , Grevet Eugenio , Grizenko Natalie , Havdahl Alexandra , Hawi Ziarih , Hebebrand Johannes , Hervas Amaia , Hohmann Sarah , Haavik Jan , Joober Ridha , Kent Lindsey , Kuntsi Jonna , Langley Kate , Larsson Henrik , Lesch Klaus-Peter , Leung Patrick W. L. , Liao Calwing , Loo Sandra K. , Martin Joanna , Martin Nicholas G. , Medland Sarah E. , Miranda Ana , Mota Nina Roth , Oades Robert D. , Ramos-Quiroga Josep Antoni , Reif Andreas , Rietschel Marcella , Roeyers Herbert , Rohde Luis Augusto , Rothenberger Aribert , Rovira Paula , Sánchez-Mora Cristina , Schachar Russell James , Sengupta Sarojini , Artigas Maria Soler , Steinhausen Hans-Christoph , Thapar Anita , Witt Stephanie H. , Yang Li , Zayats Tetyana , Zhang-James Yanli , Cormand Bru , Hougaard David M. , Neale Benjamin M. , Franke Barbara , Faraone Stephen V. , Børglum Anders D.
Published: January 2021

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a childhood psychiatric disorder often comorbid with disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs). Here, we report a GWAS meta-analysis of ADHD comorbid with DBDs (ADHD + DBDs) including 3802 cases and 31,305 controls. We identify three genome-wide significant loci on chromosomes 1, 7, and 11. A meta-analysis including a Chinese cohort supports that the locus on chromosome 11 is a strong risk locus for ADHD + DBDs across European and Chinese ancestries (rs7118422, P = 3.15×10−10, OR = 1.17). We find a higher SNP heritability for ADHD + DBDs (h2SNP = 0.34) when compared to ADHD without DBDs (h2SNP = 0.20), high genetic correlations between ADHD + DBDs and aggressive (rg = 0.81) and anti-social behaviors (rg = 0.82), and an increased burden (polygenic score) of variants associated with ADHD and aggression in ADHD + DBDs compared to ADHD without DBDs. Our results suggest an increased load of common risk variants in ADHD + DBDs compared to ADHD without DBDs, which in part can be explained by variants associated with aggressive behavior.
Time-restricted feeding normalizes hyperinsulinemia to inhibit breast cancer in obese postmenopausal mouse models
Authors: Das Manasi , Ellies Lesley G. , Kumar Deepak , Sauceda Consuelo , Oberg Alexis , Gross Emilie , Mandt Tyler , Newton Isabel G. , Kaur Mehak , Sears Dorothy D. , Webster Nicholas J. G.
Published: January 2021

Accumulating evidence indicates that obesity with its associated metabolic dysregulation, including hyperinsulinemia and aberrant circadian rhythms, increases the risk for a variety of cancers including postmenopausal breast cancer. Caloric restriction can ameliorate the harmful metabolic effects of obesity and inhibit cancer progression but is difficult to implement and maintain outside of the clinic. In this study, we aim to test a time-restricted feeding (TRF) approach on mouse models of obesity-driven postmenopausal breast cancer. We show that TRF abrogates the obesity-enhanced mammary tumor growth in two orthotopic models in the absence of calorie restriction or weight loss. TRF also reduces breast cancer metastasis to the lung. Furthermore, TRF delays tumor initiation in a transgenic model of mammary tumorigenesis prior to the onset of obesity. Notably, TRF increases whole-body insulin sensitivity, reduces hyperinsulinemia, restores diurnal gene expression rhythms in the tumor, and attenuates tumor growth and insulin signaling. Importantly, inhibition of insulin secretion with diazoxide mimics TRF whereas artificial elevation of insulin through insulin pumps implantation reverses the effect of TRF, suggesting that TRF acts through modulating hyperinsulinemia. Our data suggest that TRF is likely to be effective in breast cancer prevention and therapy.
Greater fuel efficiency is potentially preferable to reducing NOx emissions for aviation’s climate impacts
Authors: Skowron Agnieszka , Lee David S. , De León Rubén Rodríguez , Lim Ling L. , Owen Bethan
Published: January 2021

Aviation emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) alter the composition of the atmosphere, perturbing the greenhouse gases ozone and methane, resulting in positive and negative radiative forcing effects, respectively. In 1981, the International Civil Aviation Organization adopted a first certification standard for the regulation of aircraft engine NOx emissions with subsequent increases in stringency in 1992, 1998, 2004 and 2010 to offset the growth of the environmental impact of air transport, the main motivation being to improve local air quality with the assumed co-benefit of reducing NOx emissions at altitude and therefore their climate impacts. Increased stringency is an ongoing topic of discussion and more stringent standards are usually associated with their beneficial environmental impact. Here we show that this is not necessarily the right direction with respect to reducing the climate impacts of aviation (as opposed to local air quality impacts) because of the tradeoff effects between reducing NOx emissions and increased fuel usage, along with a revised understanding of the radiative forcing effects of methane. Moreover, the predicted lower surface air pollution levels in the future will be beneficial for reducing the climate impact of aviation NOx emissions. Thus, further efforts leading to greater fuel efficiency, and therefore lower CO2 emissions, may be preferable to reducing NOx emissions in terms of aviation’s climate impacts.
A conformation-selective monoclonal antibody against a small molecule-stabilised signalling-deficient form of TNF
Authors: Lightwood Daniel J. , Munro Rebecca J. , Porter John , McMillan David , Carrington Bruce , Turner Alison , Scott-Tucker Anthony , Hickford Elizabeth S. , Schmidt Antje , Fox David , Maloney Alison , Ceska Tom , Bourne Tim , O’Connell James , Lawson Alastair D. G.
Published: January 2021

We have recently described the development of a series of small-molecule inhibitors of human tumour necrosis factor (TNF) that stabilise an open, asymmetric, signalling-deficient form of the soluble TNF trimer. Here, we describe the generation, characterisation, and utility of a monoclonal antibody that selectively binds with high affinity to the asymmetric TNF trimer–small molecule complex. The antibody helps to define the molecular dynamics of the apo TNF trimer, reveals the mode of action and specificity of the small molecule inhibitors, acts as a chaperone in solving the human TNF–TNFR1 complex crystal structure, and facilitates the measurement of small molecule target occupancy in complex biological samples. We believe this work defines a role for monoclonal antibodies as tools to facilitate the discovery and development of small-molecule inhibitors of protein–protein interactions.
High oxide-ion conductivity through the interstitial oxygen site in Ba7Nb4MoO20-based hexagonal perovskite related oxides
Authors: Yashima Masatomo , Tsujiguchi Takafumi , Sakuda Yuichi , Yasui Yuta , Zhou Yu , Fujii Kotaro , Torii Shuki , Kamiyama Takashi , Skinner Stephen J.
Published: January 2021

Oxide-ion conductors are important in various applications such as solid-oxide fuel cells. Although zirconia-based materials are widely utilized, there remains a strong motivation to discover electrolyte materials with higher conductivity that lowers the working temperature of fuel cells, reducing cost. Oxide-ion conductors with hexagonal perovskite related structures are rare. Herein, we report oxide-ion conductors based on a hexagonal perovskite-related oxide Ba7Nb4MoO20. Ba7Nb3.9Mo1.1O20.05 shows a wide stability range and predominantly oxide-ion conduction in an oxygen partial pressure range from 2 × 10−26 to 1 atm at 600 °C. Surprisingly, bulk conductivity of Ba7Nb3.9Mo1.1O20.05, 5.8 × 10−4 S cm−1, is remarkably high at 310 °C, and higher than Bi2O3- and zirconia-based materials. The high conductivity of Ba7Nb3.9Mo1.1O20.05 is attributable to the interstitial-O5 oxygen site, providing two-dimensional oxide-ion O1−O5 interstitialcy diffusion through lattice-O1 and interstitial-O5 sites in the oxygen-deficient layer, and low activation energy for oxide-ion conductivity. Present findings demonstrate the ability of hexagonal perovskite related oxides as superior oxide-ion conductors.
Bulk tungsten-substituted vanadium oxide for low-temperature NOx removal in the presence of water
Authors: Inomata Yusuke , Kubota Hiroe , Hata Shinichi , Kiyonaga Eiji , Morita Keiichiro , Yoshida Kazuhiro , Sakaguchi Norihito , Toyao Takashi , Shimizu Ken-ichi , Ishikawa Satoshi , Ueda Wataru , Haruta Masatake , Murayama Toru
Published: January 2021

NH3-SCR (selective catalytic reduction) is important process for removal of NOx. However, water vapor included in exhaust gases critically inhibits the reaction in a low temperature range. Here, we report bulk W-substituted vanadium oxide catalysts for NH3-SCR at a low temperature (100–150 °C) and in the presence of water (~20 vol%). The 3.5 mol% W-substituted vanadium oxide shows >99% (dry) and ~93% (wet, 5–20 vol% water) NO conversion at 150 °C (250 ppm NO, 250 ppm NH3, 4% O2, SV = 40000 mL h−1 gcat−1). Lewis acid sites of W-substituted vanadium oxide are converted to Brønsted acid sites under a wet condition while the distribution of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites does not change without tungsten. NH4+ species adsorbed on Brønsted acid sites react with NO accompanied by the reduction of V5+ sites at 150 °C. The high redox ability and reactivity of Brønsted acid sites are observed for bulk W-substituted vanadium oxide at a low temperature in the presence of water, and thus the catalytic cycle is less affected by water vapor.
Unique structural solution from a VH3-30 antibody targeting the hemagglutinin stem of influenza A viruses
Authors: Harshbarger Wayne D. , Deming Derrick , Lockbaum Gordon J. , Attatippaholkun Nattapol , Kamkaew Maliwan , Hou Shurong , Somasundaran Mohan , Wang Jennifer P. , Finberg Robert W. , Zhu Quan Karen , Schiffer Celia A. , Marasco Wayne A.
Published: January 2021

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) targeting conserved influenza A virus (IAV) hemagglutinin (HA) epitopes can provide valuable information for accelerating universal vaccine designs. Here, we report structural details for heterosubtypic recognition of HA from circulating and emerging IAVs by the human antibody 3I14. Somatic hypermutations play a critical role in shaping the HCDR3, which alone and uniquely among VH3-30 derived antibodies, forms contacts with five sub-pockets within the HA-stem hydrophobic groove. 3I14 light-chain interactions are also key for binding HA and contribute a large buried surface area spanning two HA protomers. Comparison of 3I14 to bnAbs from several defined classes provide insights to the bias selection of VH3-30 antibodies and reveals that 3I14 represents a novel structural solution within the VH3-30 repertoire. The structures reported here improve our understanding of cross-group heterosubtypic binding activity, providing the basis for advancing immunogen designs aimed at eliciting a broadly protective response to IAV.
Preparation of iron(IV) nitridoferrate Ca4FeN4 through azide-mediated oxidation under high-pressure conditions
Authors: Kloß Simon D. , Haffner Arthur , Manuel Pascal , Goto Masato , Shimakawa Yuichi , Attfield J. Paul
Published: January 2021

Transition metal nitrides are an important class of materials with applications as abrasives, semiconductors, superconductors, Li-ion conductors, and thermoelectrics. However, high oxidation states are difficult to attain as the oxidative potential of dinitrogen is limited by its high thermodynamic stability and chemical inertness. Here we present a versatile synthesis route using azide-mediated oxidation under pressure that is used to prepare the highly oxidised ternary nitride Ca4FeN4 containing Fe4+ ions. This nitridometallate features trigonal-planar [FeN3]5− anions with low-spin Fe4+ and antiferromagnetic ordering below a Neel temperature of 25 K, which are characterised by neutron diffraction, 57Fe-Mössbauer and magnetisation measurements. Azide-mediated high-pressure synthesis opens a way to the discovery of highly oxidised nitrides.
Epithelial expression of Gata4 and Sox2 regulates specification of the squamous–columnar junction via MAPK/ERK signaling in mice
Authors: Sankoda Nao , Tanabe Wataru , Tanaka Akito , Shibata Hirofumi , Woltjen Knut , Chiba Tsutomu , Haga Hironori , Sakai Yoshiharu , Mandai Masaki , Yamamoto Takuya , Yamada Yasuhiro , Uemoto Shinji , Kawaguchi Yoshiya
Published: January 2021

The squamous–columnar junction (SCJ) is a boundary consisting of precisely positioned transitional epithelium between the squamous and columnar epithelium. Transitional epithelium is a hotspot for precancerous lesions, and is therefore clinically important; however, the origins and physiological properties of transitional epithelium have not been fully elucidated. Here, by using mouse genetics, lineage tracing, and organoid culture, we examine the development of the SCJ in the mouse stomach, and thus define the unique features of transitional epithelium. We find that two transcription factors, encoded by Sox2 and Gata4, specify primitive transitional epithelium into squamous and columnar epithelium. The proximal–distal segregation of Sox2 and Gata4 expression establishes the boundary of the unspecified transitional epithelium between committed squamous and columnar epithelium. Mechanistically, Gata4-mediated expression of the morphogen Fgf10 in the distal stomach and Sox2-mediated Fgfr2 expression in the proximal stomach induce the intermediate regional activation of MAPK/ERK, which prevents the differentiation of transitional epithelial cells within the SCJ boundary. Our results have implications for tissue regeneration and tumorigenesis, which are related to the SCJ.
Protective efficacy of a SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine in wild-type and immunosuppressed Syrian hamsters
Authors: Brocato Rebecca L. , Kwilas Steven A. , Kim Robert K. , Zeng Xiankun , Principe Lucia M. , Smith Jeffrey M. , Hooper Jay W.
Published: January 2021

A worldwide effort to counter the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in hundreds of candidate vaccines moving through various stages of research and development, including several vaccines in phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trials. A relatively small number of these vaccines have been evaluated in SARS-CoV-2 disease models, and fewer in a severe disease model. Here, a SARS-CoV-2 DNA targeting the spike protein and delivered by jet injection, nCoV-S(JET), elicited neutralizing antibodies in hamsters and was protective in both wild-type and transiently immunosuppressed hamster models. This study highlights the DNA vaccine, nCoV-S(JET), we developed has a great potential to move to next stage of preclinical studies, and it also demonstrates that the transiently-immunosuppressed Syrian hamsters, which recapitulate severe and prolonged COVID-19 disease, can be used for preclinical evaluation of the protective efficacy of spike-based COVID-19 vaccines.
Changes to the cervicovaginal microbiota and cervical cytokine profile following surgery for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Kawahara Rina , Fujii Takuma , Kukimoto Iwao , Nomura Hiroyuki , Kawasaki Rie , Nishio Eiji , Ichikawa Ryoko , Tsukamoto Tetsuya , Iwata Aya
Published: January 2021

Persistent HPV infection associated with immune modulation may result in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (CIN)2/3. Currently, there is little information on the cervicovaginal microbiome, local cytokine levels and HPV infection related to CIN. Follow-up of patients after local surgery provides an opportunity to monitor changes in the cervicovaginal environment. Accordingly, we undertook this longitudinal retrospective study to determine associations between HPV genotypes, cervicovaginal microbiome and local cytokine profiles in 41 Japanese patients with CIN. Cervicovaginal microbiota were identified using universal 16S rRNA gene (rDNA) bacterial primers for the V3/4 region by PCR of genomic DNA, followed by MiSeq sequencing. We found that Atopobium vaginae was significantly decreased (p < 0.047), whereas A. ureaplasma (p < 0.022) increased after surgery. Cytokine levels in cervical mucus were measured by multiplexed bead-based immunoassays, revealing that IL-1β (p < 0.006), TNF-α (p < 0.004), MIP-1α (p < 0.045) and eotaxin (p < 0.003) were significantly decreased after surgery. Notably, the level of eotaxin decreased in parallel with HPV clearance after surgery (p < 0.028). Thus, local surgery affected the cervicovaginal microbiome, status of HPV infection and immune response. Changes to the cervicovaginal microbiota and cervical cytokine profile following surgery for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia may be important for understanding the pathogenesis of CIN in future.
Discovery of a colossal slickhead (Alepocephaliformes: Alepocephalidae): an active-swimming top predator in the deep waters of Suruga Bay, Japan
Authors: Fujiwara Yoshihiro , Kawato Masaru , Poulsen Jan Yde , Ida Hitoshi , Chikaraishi Yoshito , Ohkouchi Naohiko , Oguri Kazumasa , Gotoh Shinpei , Ozawa Genki , Tanaka Sho , Miya Masaki , Sado Tetsuya , Kimoto Katsunori , Toyofuku Takashi , Tsuchida Shinji
Published: January 2021

A novel species of the family Alepocephalidae (slickheads), Narcetes shonanmaruae, is described based on four specimens collected at depths greater than 2171 m in Suruga Bay, Japan. Compared to other alepocephalids, this species is colossal (reaching ca. 140 cm in total length and 25 kg in body weight) and possesses a unique combination of morphological characters comprising anal fin entirely behind the dorsal fin, multiserial teeth on jaws, more scale rows than congeners, precaudal vertebrae less than 30, seven branchiostegal rays, two epurals, and head smaller than those of relatives. Mitogenomic analyses also support the novelty of this large deep-sea slickhead. Although most slickheads are benthopelagic or mesopelagic feeders of gelatinous zooplankton, behavioural observations and dietary analyses indicate that the new species is piscivorous. In addition, a stable nitrogen isotope analysis of specific amino acids showed that N. shonanmaruae occupies one of the highest trophic positions reported from marine environments to date. Video footage recorded using a baited camera deployed at a depth of 2572 m in Suruga Bay revealed the active swimming behaviour of this slickhead. The scavenging ability and broad gape of N. shonanmaruae might be correlated with its colossal body size and relatively high trophic position.
Bloom syndrome DNA helicase deficiency is associated with oxidative stress and mitochondrial network changes
Authors: Subramanian Veena , Rodemoyer Brian , Shastri Vivek , Rasmussen Lene J. , Desler Claus , Schmidt Kristina H.
Published: January 2021

Bloom Syndrome (BS; OMIM #210900; ORPHA #125) is a rare genetic disorder that is associated with growth deficits, compromised immune system, insulin resistance, genome instability and extraordinary predisposition to cancer. Most efforts thus far have focused on understanding the role of the Bloom syndrome DNA helicase BLM as a recombination factor in maintaining genome stability and suppressing cancer. Here, we observed increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA base damage in BLM-deficient cells, as well as oxidative-stress-dependent reduction in DNA replication speed. BLM-deficient cells exhibited increased mitochondrial mass, upregulation of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), higher ATP levels and increased respiratory reserve capacity. Cyclin B1, which acts in complex with cyclin-dependent kinase CDK1 to regulate mitotic entry and associated mitochondrial fission by phosphorylating mitochondrial fission protein Drp1, fails to be fully degraded in BLM-deficient cells and shows unscheduled expression in G1 phase cells. This failure to degrade cyclin B1 is accompanied by increased levels and persistent activation of Drp1 throughout mitosis and into G1 phase as well as mitochondrial fragmentation. This study identifies mitochondria-associated abnormalities in Bloom syndrome patient-derived and BLM-knockout cells and we discuss how these abnormalities may contribute to Bloom syndrome.
In vitro activity of antimicrobial peptide CDP-B11 alone and in combination with colistin against colistin-resistant and multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli
Authors: Witherell Kaitlin S. , Price Jason , Bandaranayake Ashok D. , Olson James , Call Douglas R.
Published: January 2021

Multidrug-resistant bacteria are a growing global concern, and with increasingly prevalent resistance to last line antibiotics such as colistin, it is imperative that alternative treatment options are identified. Herein we investigated the mechanism of action of a novel antimicrobial peptide (CDP-B11) and its effectiveness against multidrug-resistant bacteria including Escherichia coli #0346, which harbors multiple antibiotic-resistance genes, including mobilized colistin resistance gene (mcr-1). Bacterial membrane potential and membrane integrity assays, measured by flow cytometry, were used to test membrane disruption. Bacterial growth inhibition assays and time to kill assays measured the effectiveness of CDP-B11 alone and in combination with colistin against E. coli #0346 and other bacteria. Hemolysis assays were used to quantify the hemolytic effects of CDP-B11 alone and in combination with colistin. Findings show CDP-B11 disrupts the outer membrane of E. coli #0346. CDP-B11 with colistin inhibits the growth of E. coli #0346 at ≥ 10× lower colistin concentrations compared to colistin alone in Mueller–Hinton media and M9 media. Growth is significantly inhibited in other clinically relevant strains, such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. In rich media and minimal media, the drug combination kills bacteria at a lower colistin concentration (1.25 μg/mL) compared to colistin alone (2.5 μg/mL). In minimal media, the combination is bactericidal with killing accelerated by up to 2 h compared to colistin alone. Importantly, no significant red blood hemolysis is evident for CDP-B11 alone or in combination with colistin. The characteristics of CDP-B11 presented here indicate that it can be used as a potential monotherapy or as combination therapy with colistin for the treatment of multidrug-resistant infections, including colistin-resistant infections.
Estimating multiple latencies in the auditory system from auditory steady-state responses on a single EEG channel
Authors: Wang Lei , Noordanus Elisabeth , van Opstal A. John
Published: January 2021

The latency of the auditory steady-state response (ASSR) may provide valuable information regarding the integrity of the auditory system, as it could potentially reveal the presence of multiple intracerebral sources. To estimate multiple latencies from high-order ASSRs, we propose a novel two-stage procedure that consists of a nonparametric estimation method, called apparent latency from phase coherence (ALPC), followed by a heuristic sequential forward selection algorithm (SFS). Compared with existing methods, ALPC-SFS requires few prior assumptions, and is straightforward to implement for higher-order nonlinear responses to multi-cosine sound complexes with their initial phases set to zero. It systematically evaluates the nonlinear components of the ASSRs by estimating multiple latencies, automatically identifies involved ASSR components, and reports a latency consistency index. To verify the proposed method, we performed simulations for several scenarios: two nonlinear subsystems with different or overlapping outputs. We compared the results from our method with predictions from existing, parametric methods. We also recorded the EEG from ten normal-hearing adults by bilaterally presenting superimposed tones with four frequencies that evoke a unique set of ASSRs. From these ASSRs, two major latencies were found to be stable across subjects on repeated measurement days. The two latencies are dominated by low-frequency (LF) (near 40 Hz, at around 41–52 ms) and high-frequency (HF) (> 80 Hz, at around 21–27 ms) ASSR components. The frontal-central brain region showed longer latencies on LF components, but shorter latencies on HF components, when compared with temporal-lobe regions. In conclusion, the proposed nonparametric ALPC-SFS method, applied to zero-phase, multi-cosine sound complexes is more suitable for evaluating embedded nonlinear systems underlying ASSRs than existing methods. It may therefore be a promising objective measure for hearing performance and auditory cortex (dys)function.
Electronic-components less fully textile multiple resonant combiners for body-centric near field communication
Authors: Garnier Baptiste , Mariage Philippe , Rault François , Cochrane Cédric , Koncar Vladan
Published: January 2021

Smart and e-textiles have nowadays an important increasing place in the garment industry. The rise of embedded telecommunications, especially smartphones in our pocket, enables us to provide a power source and a wireless link for smart textiles. The main issue is to develop garments able to receive power from smartphones and communicate with them without flexibility and comfort constraints bound to embedded solid-state electronic components. Consequently, this article aims to develop a fully textile NFC combiner to transfer data and power between a smartphone and sensors without any electronic components. It precisely describes textile NFC multiple combiners composed of textile NFC antennas linked by two-wire transmission lines. Also, theoretical analysis, simulations, and experiments have been conducted to adapt the resonant frequency of such structures to the NFC technology (13.56 MHz). Finally, our article generalizes textile NFC combiner resonant frequency equations for multiple combiners with any number of antennas.
Mapping of inhomogeneous quasi-3D electrostatic field in electro-optic materials
Authors: Dědič Václav , Fridrišek Tomáš , Franc Jan , Kunc Jan , Rejhon Martin , Roy Utpal N. , James Ralph B.
Published: January 2021

This paper describes a new method for direct measurement and evaluation of the inhomogeneous electrostatic vector field with translational symmetry in electro-optic materials exhibiting the Pockels effect. It is based on the evaluation of maximum transmittance of low intensity light passing through a sample under a voltage bias. Here, the sample is located between rotating crossed polarizers, and camera images are obtained at each point to determine the electric field. The evaluation procedure is demonstrated using data acquired on a CdZnTeSe quasi-hemispheric semiconductor gamma-ray detector. In addition to CdTe-related compounds, the method can be used for various other materials showing $$\overline{4}3m$$

4
¯

3
m

symmetry such as GaAs, CdTe, GaP, 3C-SiC, and ZnS. Furthermore, it can be generalized to other crystalline materials showing the Pockels effect. The method can be used to probe the space charge and the electric field in several kinds of electronic components and devices, as well as provide useful data on the role of defects, contact configurations and other surface and bulk inhomogeneities in the material that can affect the distribution of the internal electric field.
Designing P. aeruginosa synthetic phages with reduced genomes
Authors: Pires Diana P. , Monteiro Rodrigo , Mil-Homens Dalila , Fialho Arsénio , Lu Timothy K. , Azeredo Joana
Published: January 2021

In the era where antibiotic resistance is considered one of the major worldwide concerns, bacteriophages have emerged as a promising therapeutic approach to deal with this problem. Genetically engineered bacteriophages can enable enhanced anti-bacterial functionalities, but require cloning additional genes into the phage genomes, which might be challenging due to the DNA encapsulation capacity of a phage. To tackle this issue, we designed and assembled for the first time synthetic phages with smaller genomes by knocking out up to 48% of the genes encoding hypothetical proteins from the genome of the newly isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage vB_PaeP_PE3. The antibacterial efficacy of the wild-type and the synthetic phages was assessed in vitro as well as in vivo using a Galleria mellonella infection model. Overall, both in vitro and in vivo studies revealed that the knock-outs made in phage genome do not impair the antibacterial properties of the synthetic phages, indicating that this could be a good strategy to clear space from phage genomes in order to enable the introduction of other genes of interest that can potentiate the future treatment of P. aeruginosa infections.
Ventilatory response to hypercapnia is increased after 4 h of head down bed rest
Authors: Murray K. R. , Wasef S. , Edgell Heather
Published: January 2021

Head-down bed rest (HDBR) has previously been shown to alter cerebrovascular and autonomic control. Previous work found that sustained HDBR (≥ 20 days) attenuates the hypercapnic ventilatory response (HCVR); however, little is known about shorter-term effects of HDBR nor the influence of HDBR on the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR). We investigated the effect of 4-h HDBR on HCVR and HVR and hypothesized attenuated ventilatory responses due to greater carotid and brain blood flow. Cardiorespiratory responses of young men (n = 11) and women (n = 3) to 5% CO2 or 10% O2 before and after 4-h HDBR were examined. HDBR resulted in lower HR, lower cardiac output index, lower common carotid artery flow, higher SpO2, and higher pulse wave velocity. After HDBR, tidal volume and ventilation responses to 5% CO2 were enhanced (all P < 0.05), yet no other changes in cardiorespiratory variables were evident. There was no influence of HDBR on the cardiorespiratory responses to hypoxia (all P > 0.05). Short-duration HDBR does not alter the HVR, yet enhances the HCVR, which we hypothesize is a consequence of cephalic CO2 accumulation from cerebral congestion.
Genome-wide study of a Neolithic Wartberg grave community reveals distinct HLA variation and hunter-gatherer ancestry
Authors: Immel Alexander , Pierini Federica , Rinne Christoph , Meadows John , Barquera Rodrigo , Szolek András , Susat Julian , Böhme Lisa , Dose Janina , Bonczarowska Joanna , Drummer Clara , Fuchs Katharina , Ellinghaus David , Kässens Jan Christian , Furholt Martin , Kohlbacher Oliver , Schade-Lindig Sabine , Franke Andre , Schreiber Stefan , Krause Johannes , Müller Johannes , Lenz Tobias L. , Nebel Almut , Krause-Kyora Ben
Published: January 2021

The Wartberg culture (WBC, 3500-2800 BCE) dates to the Late Neolithic period, a time of important demographic and cultural transformations in western Europe. We performed genome-wide analyses of 42 individuals who were interred in a WBC collective burial in Niedertiefenbach, Germany (3300-3200 cal. BCE). The results showed that the farming population of Niedertiefenbach carried a surprisingly large hunter-gatherer ancestry component (34–58%). This component was most likely introduced during the cultural transformation that led to the WBC. In addition, the Niedertiefenbach individuals exhibited a distinct human leukocyte antigen gene pool, possibly reflecting an immune response that was geared towards detecting viral infections.
Motor engagement relates to accurate perception of phonemes and audiovisual words, but not auditory words
Authors: Michaelis Kelly , Miyakoshi Makoto , Norato Gina , Medvedev Andrei V. , Turkeltaub Peter E.
Published: January 2021

A longstanding debate has surrounded the role of the motor system in speech perception, but progress in this area has been limited by tasks that only examine isolated syllables and conflate decision-making with perception. Using an adaptive task that temporally isolates perception from decision-making, we examined an EEG signature of motor activity (sensorimotor μ/beta suppression) during the perception of auditory phonemes, auditory words, audiovisual words, and environmental sounds while holding difficulty constant at two levels (Easy/Hard). Results revealed left-lateralized sensorimotor μ/beta suppression that was related to perception of speech but not environmental sounds. Audiovisual word and phoneme stimuli showed enhanced left sensorimotor μ/beta suppression for correct relative to incorrect trials, while auditory word stimuli showed enhanced suppression for incorrect trials. Our results demonstrate that motor involvement in perception is left-lateralized, is specific to speech stimuli, and it not simply the result of domain-general processes. These results provide evidence for an interactive network for speech perception in which dorsal stream motor areas are dynamically engaged during the perception of speech depending on the characteristics of the speech signal. Crucially, this motor engagement has different effects on the perceptual outcome depending on the lexicality and modality of the speech stimulus.
Time-lapsed imaging of nanocomposite scaffolds reveals increased bone formation in dynamic compression bioreactors
Authors: Schädli Gian Nutal , Vetsch Jolanda R. , Baumann Robert P. , de Leeuw Anke M. , Wehrle Esther , Rubert Marina , Müller Ralph
Published: January 2021

Progress in bone scaffold development relies on cost-intensive and hardly scalable animal studies. In contrast to in vivo, in vitro studies are often conducted in the absence of dynamic compression. Here, we present an in vitro dynamic compression bioreactor approach to monitor bone formation in scaffolds under cyclic loading. A biopolymer was processed into mechanically competent bone scaffolds that incorporate a high-volume content of ultrasonically treated hydroxyapatite or a mixture with barium titanate nanoparticles. After seeding with human bone marrow stromal cells, time-lapsed imaging of scaffolds in bioreactors revealed increased bone formation in hydroxyapatite scaffolds under cyclic loading. This stimulatory effect was even more pronounced in scaffolds containing a mixture of barium titanate and hydroxyapatite and corroborated by immunohistological staining. Therefore, by combining mechanical loading and time-lapsed imaging, this in vitro bioreactor strategy may potentially accelerate development of engineered bone scaffolds and reduce the use of animals for experimentation.
Electrospun hydrogels for dynamic culture systems: advantages, progress, and opportunities
Authors: Grewal M. Gregory , Highley Christopher B.
Published: January 2021

Hydrogel nanofibers build on established soft biomaterials to enable design and control of unique, dynamic cell culture systems.
The recent progress in photothermal-triggered bacterial eradication
Authors: Xu Minjie , Li Ling , Hu Qinglian
Published: January 2021

As a novel and promising strategy, photothermal therapy (PTT) has been widely developed synergistically for the antibacterial treatment.
Magnetic structures of Fe32+δGe33As2 and Fe32+δ′Ge35−xPx intermetallic compounds: a neutron diffraction and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy study
Authors: Khalaniya R A. , Sobolev A V. , Verchenko V Yu. , Tsirlin A A. , Senyshyn A , Damay F , Presniakov I A. , Shevelkov A V.
Published: January 2021

Fe32.1Ge33As2 and Fe32.5Ge32P3 demonstrate complex commensurate antiferromagnetic ordering below 125 K accompanied by a spin reorientation upon further cooling.
The effect of almond intake on lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Asbaghi Omid , Moodi Vihan , Hadi Amir , Eslampour Elham , Shirinbakhshmasoleh Mina , Ghaedi Ehsan , Miraghajani Maryam
Published: January 2021

A number of clinical trials have examined the effect of almond intake on the lipid profile in recent years; however, the results remain equivocal.
Comprehensive utilization strategy of cellulose in a facile, controllable, high-yield preparation process of cellulose nanocrystals using aqueous tetrabutylphosphonium hydroxide
Authors: Cheng Fangchao , Zhao Panpan , Ouyang Tulong , Sun Jianping , Wu Yiqiang
Published: January 2021

Tetrabutylphosphonium hydroxide treatment of cellulose enabled facile, controllable, high-yield preparation of cellulose nanocrystals and effective enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic residue, resulting in a high utilization rate of more than 95%.
Microsphere-coupled light emission control of van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Lee Hyunseung , Nguyen Van Tu , Park Ji-Yong , Lee Jieun
Published: January 2021

A microsphere-coupled two-dimensional heterostructure exhibits Purcell enhanced electroluminescence in a van der Waals light emitting transistor.
Single-charge transport through hybrid core–shell Au-ZnS quantum dots: a comprehensive analysis from a modified energy structure
Authors: Basu Tuhin Shuvra , Diesch Simon , Hayakawa Ryoma , Wakayama Yutaka , Scheer Elke
Published: January 2021

We examined the modified electronic structure and single-carrier transport of individual hybrid core–shell metal–semiconductor Au-ZnS quantum dots using a scanning tunnelling microscope.
The role of grain boundary character in solute segregation and thermal stability of nanocrystalline Pt–Au
Authors: Barr Christopher M. , Foiles Stephen M. , Alkayyali Malek , Mahmood Yasir , Price Patrick M. , Adams David P. , Boyce Brad L. , Abdeljawad Fadi , Hattar Khalid
Published: January 2021

In nanocrystalline alloys, the anisotropy in grain boundary segregation and its impact on dynamic solute drag plays a key role in the thermal stability of these systems during processing treatments or under service conditions.
Covalent functionalization of molybdenum disulfide by chemically activated diazonium salts
Authors: Daukiya Lakshya , Teyssandier Joan , Eyley Samuel , El Kazzi Salim , Rodríguez González Miriam Candelaria , Pradhan Bapi , Thielemans Wim , Hofkens Johan , De Feyter Steven
Published: January 2021

Controlled covalent functionalization of MoS2 by chemical reduction.
Low-temperature supercritical dehydroxylation for achieving an ultra-low subthreshold swing of thin-film transistors
Authors: Chang Kuan-Chang , Hu Luodan , Qi Kang , Li Lei , Lin Xinnan , Zhang Shengdong , Wang Ziwen , Lai Ying-Chih , Liu Heng-Jui , Kuo Tze-Peng
Published: January 2021

Ultra-low subthreshold swing was achieved in fabricated double-layer high-k dielectric thin-film transistors by means of low temperature supercritical dehydroxylation methodology.
Superlattice films of semiconducting oxide and rare-earth hydroxide nanosheets for tunable and efficient photoluminescent energy transfer
Authors: Bai Mingjun , Liu Xiaohe , Sasaki Takayoshi , Ma Renzhi
Published: January 2021

Photoluminescent superlattice films of rare-earth hydroxide nanosheets and semiconducting oxide nanosheets were prepared. Direct neighboring and energy level matching was essential for realizing efficient energy transfer across the nanosheets.
Bulk Ti3C2Tx anodes for superior sodium storage performance: the unique role of O-termination
Authors: Wu Cong , Huang Chunfu , Zhang Zilu , Xie Yunyun , Gao Zhonggui , Wang Hai
Published: January 2021

An “anti-oxidation” strategy has been proposed for the successful preparation of bulk Ti3C2Tx anodes with rich O-termination and the revealed sodium storage mechanism of bulk Ti3C2Tx anodes highlights the importance of surface O-termination.
Fabrication of a lead ion selective membrane based on a polycarbazole Sn(iv) arsenotungstate nanocomposite and its ion exchange membrane (IEM) kinetic studies
Authors: Zeeshan Mohd. , Ahmad Rais , Khan Asif Ali , Parwaz Khan Aftab Aslam , Bazan Guillermo C. , Alhogbi Basma Ghaleb , Marwani Hadi M. , Singh Sakshi
Published: January 2021

A polycarbazole-Sn(iv) arsenotungstate (Pcz-SnAT) nanocomposite cation exchanger membrane (CEM) was preparedviathe casting solution technique utilizing polycarbazole-Sn(iv) arsenotungstate and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) as a binder.
Robust immobilization of anionic silver nanoparticles on cellulose filter paper toward a low-cost point-of-use water disinfection system with improved anti-biofouling properties
Authors: Liu Gongyan , Yu Ruiquan , Jiang Jing , Ding Zhuang , Ma Jing , Liang Ruifeng
Published: January 2021

Point-of-use water disinfection by GA@AgNPs-LA-FP.
Two methods for the preparation of sitagliptin phosphate via chemical resolution and asymmetric hydrogenation
Authors: Ye Fei , Zhang Zhifeng , Zhao Wenxia , Ding Jianhai , Wang Yali , Dang Xueyan
Published: January 2021

Two effective processes have been developed for the preparation of sitagliptin phosphate.
Self-programmed enzyme phase separation and multiphase coacervate droplet organization
Authors: Karoui Hedi , Seck Marianne J. , Martin Nicolas
Published: January 2021

Self-programmed enzyme phase separation is exploited to assemble dynamic multiphase coacervate droplets via spontaneous polyion self-sorting under non-equilibrium conditions.
Establishing plasmon contribution to chemical reactions: alkoxyamines as a thermal probe
Authors: Guselnikova Olga , Audran Gérard , Joly Jean-Patrick , Trelin Andrii , Tretyakov Evgeny V. , Svorcik Vaclav , Lyutakov Oleksiy , Marque Sylvain R. A. , Postnikov Pavel
Published: January 2021

Kinetic study of alkoxyamine homolysis revealed the impact of non-thermal effects in plasmon-assisted reactions.
Solution-processable Li10GeP2S12 solid electrolyte for a composite electrode in all-solid-state lithium batteries
Authors: Yu Genxi , Wang Yaping , Li Kai , Chen Daming , Qin Liguang , Xu Hui , Chen Jian , Zhang Wei , Zhang Peigen , Sun Zhengming
Published: January 2021

A solid-state electrolyte-coated LGPS–PVDF@LCO composite electrode was synthesized by a facile solution-based process, showing an excellent electrochemical performance.