bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptation to an amoeba host drives selection of virulence-associated traits in Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Hoque M Mozammel , Noorian Parisa , Espinoza-Vergara Gustavo , Manuneedhi Cholan Pradeep , Kim Mikael , Rahman Md Hafizur , Labbate Maurizio , Rice Scott A , Pernice Mathieu , Oehlers Stefan H , McDougald Diane
Published: October 2021

Predation by heterotrophic protists drives the emergence of adaptive traits in bacteria, and often these traits lead to altered interactions with hosts and persistence in the environment. Here we studied adaptation of the cholera pathogen, Vibrio cholerae during long-term co-incubation with the protist host, Acanthamoeba castellanii. We determined phenotypic and genotypic changes associated with long-term intra-amoebal host adaptation and how this impacts pathogen survival and fitness. We showed that adaptation to the amoeba host leads to temporal changes in multiple phenotypic traits in V. cholerae that facilitate increased survival and competitive fitness in amoeba. Genome sequencing and mutational analysis revealed that these altered lifestyles were linked to non-synonymous mutations in conserved regions of the flagellar transcriptional regulator, flrA. Additionally, the mutations resulted in enhanced colonisation in zebrafish, establishing a link between adaptation of V. cholerae to amoeba predation and enhanced environmental persistence. Our results show that pressure imposed by amoeba on V. cholerae selects for flrA mutations that serves as a key driver for adaptation. Importantly, this study provides evidence that adaptive traits that evolve in pathogens in response to environmental predatory pressure impact the colonisation of eukaryotic organisms by these pathogens.
CHD1L augments autophagy-mediated migration of hepatocellular carcinoma through targeting ZKSCAN3
Authors: Zhang Xiaofeng , Bai Yinshan , Huang Li , Liu Shanshan , Mo Yanxuan , Cheng Wei , Wang Guangliang , Cao Zhiming , Chen Xiaogang , Cui Huiqing , Qi Ling , Ma Lei , Liu Ming , Guan Xin-Yuan , Ma Ning-Fang
Published: October 2021

Autophagy is an important biological process in normal cells. However, how it affects tumor progression still remains poorly understood. Herein, we demonstrated that the oncogenic protein Chromodomain-helicase-DNA-binding-protein 1-like gene (CHD1L) might promote HCC cells migration and metastasis through autophagy. CHD1L could bind to the promotor region of Zinc finger with KRAB and SCAN domain 3 (ZKSCAN3), a pivotal autophagy suppressor, and inhibit its transcription. We established inducible CHD1L conditional knockout cell line (CHD1L-iKO cell) and found that the deletion of CHD1L significantly increased ZKSCAN3 expression both at mRNA and protein level. Deletion of CHD1L impaired the autophagic flux and migration of HCC cells, while specifically inhibiting ZKSCAN3 blocked these effects. Further exploration demonstrated that the enhanced tumor cell migration and metastasis induced by CHD1L was mediated through ZKSCAN3-induced autophagic degradation of Paxillin. In summary, we have characterized a previously unknown function of CHD1L in regulating tumor migration via ZKSCAN3-mediated autophagy in HCC. Further inhibition of CHD1L and its downstream autophagy signaling might shed new light on cancer therapeutics.
Catheter-based ultrasound renal denervation in patients with resistant hypertension: the randomized, controlled REQUIRE trial
Authors: Kario Kazuomi , Yokoi Yoshiaki , Okamura Keisuke , Fujihara Masahiko , Ogoyama Yukako , Yamamoto Eiichiro , Urata Hidenori , Cho Jin-Man , Kim Chong-Jin , Choi Seung-Hyuk , Shinohara Keisuke , Mukai Yasushi , Ikemoto Tomokazu , Nakamura Masato , Seki Shuichi , Matoba Satoaki , Shibata Yoshisato , Sugawara Shigeo , Yumoto Kazuhiko , Tamura Kouichi , Yoshihara Fumiki , Nakamura Satoko , Kang Woong Chol , Shibasaki Taro , Dote Keigo , Yokoi Hiroyoshi , Matsuo Akiko , Fujita Hiroshi , Takahashi Toshiyuki , Kang Hyun-Jae , Sakata Yasushi , Horie Kazunori , Inoue Naoto , Sasaki Ken-ichiro , Ueno Takafumi , Tomita Hirofumi , Morino Yoshihiro , Nojima Yuhei , Kim Chan Joon , Matsumoto Tomoaki , Kai Hisashi , Nanto Shinsuke
Published: October 2021

Renal denervation is a promising new non-pharmacological treatment for resistant hypertension. However, there is a lack of data from Asian patients. The REQUIRE trial investigated the blood pressure-lowering efficacy of renal denervation in treated patients with resistant hypertension from Japan and South Korea. Adults with resistant hypertension (seated office blood pressure ≥150/90 mmHg and 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg) with suitable renal artery anatomy were randomized to ultrasound renal denervation or a sham procedure. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure at 3 months. A total of 143 patients were included (72 renal denervation, 71 sham control). Reduction from baseline in 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure at 3 months was not significantly different between the renal denervation (−6.6 mmHg) and sham control (−6.5 mmHg) groups (difference: −0.1, 95% confidence interval −5.5, 5.3; p = 0.971). Reductions from baseline in home and office systolic blood pressure (differences: –1.8 mmHg [p = 0.488] and −2.0 mmHg [p = 0.511], respectively), and medication load, did not differ significantly between the two groups. The procedure-/device-related major adverse events was not seen. This study did not show a significant difference in ambulatory blood pressure reductions between renal denervation and a sham procedure in treated patients with resistant hypertension. Although blood pressure reduction after renal denervation was similar to other sham-controlled studies, the sham group in this study showed much greater reduction. This unexpected blood pressure reduction in the sham control group highlights study design issues that will be addressed in a new trial.

Clinical trial registration

NCT02918305 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
On the crystallography and reversibility of lithium electrodeposits at ultrahigh capacity
Authors: Zhao Qing , Deng Yue , Utomo Nyalaliska W. , Zheng Jingxu , Biswal Prayag , Yin Jiefu , Archer Lynden A.
Published: October 2021

Lithium metal is a promising anode for energy-dense batteries but is hindered by poor reversibility caused by continuous chemical and electrochemical degradation. Here we find that by increasing the Li plating capacity to high values (e.g., 10–50 mAh cm−2), Li deposits undergo a morphological transition to produce dense structures, composed of large grains with dominantly (110)Li crystallographic facets. The resultant Li metal electrodes manifest fast kinetics for lithium stripping/plating processes with higher exchange current density, but simultaneously exhibit elevated electrochemical stability towards the electrolyte. Detailed analysis of these findings reveal that parasitic electrochemical reactions are the major reason for poor Li reversibility, and that the degradation rate from parasitic electroreduction of electrolyte components is about an order of magnitude faster than from chemical reactions. The high-capacity Li electrodes provide a straightforward strategy for interrogating the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on Li —with unprecedented, high signal to noise. We find that an inorganic rich SEI is formed and is primarily concentrated around the edges of lithium particles. Our findings provide straightforward, but powerful approaches for enhancing the reversibility of Li and for fundamental studies of the interphases formed in liquid and solid-state electrolytes using readily accessible analytical tools.
Safety and efficacy of human juvenile chondrocyte-derived cell sheets for osteochondral defect treatment
Authors: Kondo Makoto , Kameishi Sumako , Kim Kyungsook , Metzler Nicolas F. , Maak Travis G. , Hutchinson Douglas T. , Wang Angela A. , Maehara Miki , Sato Masato , Grainger David W. , Okano Teruo
Published: October 2021

Knee cartilage does not regenerate spontaneously after injury, and a gold standard regenerative treatment algorithm has not been established. This study demonstrates preclinical safety and efficacy of scaffold-free, human juvenile cartilage-derived-chondrocyte (JCC) sheets produced from routine surgical discards using thermo-responsive cultureware. JCCs exhibit stable and high growth potential in vitro over passage 10, supporting possibilities for scale-up to mass production for commercialization. JCC sheets contain highly viable, densely packed cells, show no anchorage-independent cell growth, express mesenchymal surface markers, and lack MHC II expression. In nude rat focal osteochondral defect models, stable neocartilage formation was observed at 4 weeks by JCC sheet transplantation without abnormal tissue growth over 24 weeks in contrast to the nontreatment group showing no spontaneous cartilage repair. Regenerated cartilage was safranin-O positive, contained type II collagen, aggrecan, and human vimentin, and lacked type I collagen, indicating that the hyaline-like neocartilage formed originates from transplanted JCC sheets rather than host-derived cells. This study demonstrates the safety of JCC sheets and stable hyaline cartilage formation with engineered JCC sheets utilizing a sustainable tissue supply. Cost-benefit and scaling issues for sheet fabrication and use support feasibility of this JCC sheet strategy in clinical cartilage repair.
DUKweb, diachronic word representations from the UK Web Archive corpus
Authors: Tsakalidis Adam , Basile Pierpaolo , Bazzi Marya , Cucuringu Mihai , McGillivray Barbara
Published: October 2021

Lexical semantic change (detecting shifts in the meaning and usage of words) is an important task for social and cultural studies as well as for Natural Language Processing applications. Diachronic word embeddings (time-sensitive vector representations of words that preserve their meaning) have become the standard resource for this task. However, given the significant computational resources needed for their generation, very few resources exist that make diachronic word embeddings available to the scientific community. In this paper we present DUKweb, a set of large-scale resources designed for the diachronic analysis of contemporary English. DUKweb was created from the JISC UK Web Domain Dataset (1996–2013), a very large archive which collects resources from the Internet Archive that were hosted on domains ending in ‘.uk’. DUKweb consists of a series word co-occurrence matrices and two types of word embeddings for each year in the JISC UK Web Domain dataset. We show the reuse potential of DUKweb and its quality standards via a case study on word meaning change detection.
CD20 positive CD8 T cells are a unique and transcriptionally-distinct subset of T cells with distinct transmigration properties
Authors: Vlaming Martijn , Bilemjian Vrouyr , Freile Jimena Álvarez , Lourens Harm Jan , van Rooij Nienke , Huls Gerwin , van Meerten Tom , de Bruyn Marco , Bremer Edwin
Published: October 2021

The presence of T cells that are dimly positive for the B cell marker CD20 is well-established in autoimmunity and correlates with disease severity in various diseases. Further, we previously identified that the level of CD20-positive T cells was three–fourfold elevated in ascites fluid of ovarian carcinoma patients, together suggesting a role in both autoimmunity and cancer. In this respect, treatment of autoimmune patients with the CD20-targeting antibody Rituximab has also been shown to target and deplete CD20-positive T cells, previously identified as IFN-gamma producing, low proliferative, CD8 cytotoxic T cells with an effector memory (EM) differentiation state. However, the exact phenotype and relevance of CD20-positive T cells remains unclear. Here, we set out to identify the transcriptomic profile of CD20-positive T cells using RNA sequencing. Further, to gain insight into potential functional properties of CD20 expression in T cells, CD20 was ectopically expressed on healthy human T cells and phenotypic, functional, migratory and adhesive properties were determined in vitro and in vivo. Together, these assays revealed a reduced transmigration and an enhanced adhesive profile combined with an enhanced activation status for CD20-positive T cells.
Diagnostic accuracy of the different hormonal tests used for the diagnosis of autonomous cortisol secretion
Authors: Araujo-Castro Marta , García Cano Ana , Jiménez Mendiguchía Lucía , Escobar-Morreale Héctor F. , Valderrábano Pablo
Published: October 2021

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the different tests commonly used in the evaluation of adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) for the identification of autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) and comorbidities potentially related to ACS. In a retrospective study of patients with AIs ≥ 1 cm, we evaluated the diagnostic reliability and validity of the dexamethasone suppression test (DST), urinary free cortisol (UFC), ACTH, late-night salivary cortisol (LNSC), and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEAS) for the diagnosis of comorbidities potentially related to ACS. Diagnostic indexes were also calculated for UFC, ACTH, LNSC, and DHEAS considering DST as the gold standard test for the diagnosis of ACS, using three different post-DST cortisol thresholds (138 nmol/L, 50 nmol/L and 83 nmol/L). We included 197 patients with AIs in whom the results of the five tests abovementioned were available. At diagnosis, 85.9% of patients with one or more AIs had any comorbidity potentially related to ACS, whereas 9.6% had ACS as defined by post-DST cortisol > 138 nmol/L. The reliability of UFC, ACTH, LNSC, and DHEAS for the diagnosis of ACS was low (kappa index < 0.30). Of them, LNSC reached the highest diagnosis accuracy for ACS identification (AUC = 0.696 [95% CI 0.626–0.759]). The diagnostic performances of these tests for comorbidities potentially related to ACS was poor; of them, the DST was the most accurate (AUC = 0.661 [95% CI 0.546–0.778]) and had the strongest association with these comorbidities (OR 2.6, P = 0.045). Patients presenting with increased values of both DST and LNSC had the strongest association with hypertension (OR 7.1, P = 0.002) and with cardiovascular events (OR 3.6, P = 0.041). In conclusion, LNSC was the test showing the highest diagnosis accuracy for the identification of ACS when a positive DST was used as the gold standard for its diagnosis. The DST test showed the strongest association with comorbidities potentially related to ACS. The definition of ACS based on the combination of elevated DST and LNSC levels improved the identification of patients with increased cardiometabolic risk.
Retinal diffusion restrictions in acute branch retinal arteriolar occlusion
Authors: Danyel Leon Alexander , Miszczuk M. , Villringer K. , Bohner G. , Siebert E.
Published: October 2021

This study sought to investigate the occurrence of retinal diffusion restrictions (RDR) in branch retinal arteriolar occlusion (BRAO) using standard brain diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Two radiologists assessed DWI MRI scans of BRAO patients for RDR in a retrospective cohort study. Inter- and intrarater reliability were calculated using Kappa statistics. Detection rates of RDR were compared among MRI scans with varying field strength, sequence type and onset-to-DWI time intervals. 85 BRAO patients (63.1 ± 16.5 years) and 89 DWI scans were evaluated. Overall sensitivity of RDR in BRAO was 46.1% with visually correlating low ADC signal in 56.1% of cases. Localization of RDR matched distribution of fundoscopic retinal edema in 85% of patients. Inter- and intra-rater agreement for RDR in BRAO was κinter = 0.64 (95% CI 0.48–0.80) and κintra = 0.87 (95% CI 0.76–0.96), respectively. RDR detection rate tended to be higher for 3T, when compared to 1.5T MRI scans (53.7% vs. 34.3%%; p = 0.07). RDR were identified within 24 h up to 2 weeks after onset of visual impairment. RDR in BRAO can be observed by means of standard stroke DWI in a substantial proportion of cases, although sensitivity and interrater reliability were lower than previously reported for complete central retinal artery occlusion.
ULK1 promotes mitophagy via phosphorylation and stabilization of BNIP3
Authors: Poole Logan P. , Bock-Hughes Althea , Berardi Damian E. , Macleod Kay F.
Published: October 2021

UNC51-like kinase-1 (ULK1) is the catalytic component of the autophagy pre-initiation complex that stimulates autophagy via phosphorylation of ATG14, BECLN1 and other autophagy proteins. ULK1 has also been shown to specifically promote mitophagy but the mechanistic basis of how has remained unclear. Here we show that ULK1 phosphorylates the BNIP3 mitochondrial cargo receptor on a critical serine residue (S17) adjacent to its amino terminal LIR motif. ULK1 similarly phosphorylates BNIP3L on S35. Phosphorylation of BNIP3 on S17 by ULK1 promotes interaction with LC3 and mitophagy. ULK1 interaction also promotes BNIP3 protein stability by limiting its turnover at the proteasome. The ability of ULK1 to regulate BNIP3 protein stability depends on an intact “BH3” domain and deletion of its “BH3” domain reduces BNIP3 turnover and increases BNIP3 protein levels independent of ULK1. In summary ULK1 promotes mitophagy by both stabilization of BNIP3 protein and via phosphorylation of S17 to stimulate interaction with LC3.
Varying impact of neonicotinoid insecticide and acute bee paralysis virus across castes and colonies of black garden ants, Lasius niger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Schläppi Daniel , Kettler Nina , Glauser Gaétan , Straub Lars , Yañez Orlando ,  Neumann Peter
Published: October 2021

Pesticides and pathogens are known drivers of declines in global entomofauna. However, interactions between pesticides and viruses, which could range from antagonistic, over additive to synergistic, are poorly understood in ants. Here, we show that in ants the impact of single and combined pesticide and virus stressors can vary across castes and at the colony level. A fully-crossed laboratory assay was used to evaluate interactions between a sublethal dose of the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam and Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV) in black garden ants, Lasius niger. After monitoring colonies over 64 weeks, body mass, neonicotinoid residues and virus titres of workers and queens, as well as worker behavioural activity were measured. ABPV, but not thiamethoxam, reduced activity of workers. Neonicotinoid exposure resulted in reduced body mass of workers, but not of queens. Further, thiamethoxam facilitated ABPV infections in queens, but not in workers. Overall, virus exposure did not compromise detoxification and body mass, but one colony showed high virus titres and worker mortality. Although the data suggest additive effects at the level of individuals and castes, co-exposure with both stressors elicited antagonistic effects on colony size. Our results create demand for long-term holistic risk assessment of individual stressors and their interactions to protect biodiversity.
Identifying thresholds in the impacts of an invasive groundcover on native vegetation
Authors: O’Loughlin Luke S. , Panetta F. Dane , Gooden Ben
Published: October 2021

Impacts of invasive species are often difficult to quantify, meaning that many invaders are prioritised for management without robust, contextual evidence of impact. Most impact studies for invasive plants compare heavily invaded with non-invaded sites, revealing little about abundance–impact relationships. We examined effects of increasing cover and volume of the non-native herbaceous groundcoverTradescantia fluminensison a temperate rainforest community of southern Australia. We hypothesised that there would be critical thresholds inT. fluminensisabundance, below which the native plant community would not be significantly impacted, but above which the community’s condition would degrade markedly. We modelled the abundance–impact relationship from 83 plots that varied inT. fluminensisabundance and landscape context and found the responses of almost all native plant indicators to invasion were non-linear. Native species richness, abundance and diversity exhibited negative exponential relationships with increasingT. fluminensisvolume, but negative threshold relationships with increasingT. fluminensiscover. In the latter case, all metrics were relatively stable until cover reached between 20 and 30%, after which each decreased linearly, with a 50% decline occurring at 75–80% invader cover. Few growth forms (notably shrubs and climbers) exhibited such thresholds, with most exhibiting negative exponential relationships.Tradescantia fluminensisbiomass increased dramatically at > 80% cover, with few native species able to persist at such high levels of invasion. Landscape context had almost no influence on native communities, or the abundance–impact relationships betweenT. fluminensisand the plant community metrics. Our results suggest that the diversity of native rainforest community can be maintained whereT. fluminensisis present at moderate-to-low cover levels.
Variations in urban land surface temperature intensity over four cities in different ecological zones
Authors: Ayanlade Ayansina , Aigbiremolen Michael I. , Oladosu Olakunle R.
Published: October 2021

This study aims at assessing variations and changes in the intensity of urban land surface temperature (LST) over four major cities in different ecological zone. The study intends to examine the contributions of different land cover types and variation in ecological locations on the intensity of urban LST. Remote Sensing and GIS techniques were used to measure the extent of the LST intensity over different cities and implications of land use/land cover (LULC) changes, using the Landsat TM/ ETM from 1984 to 2012, and Landsat OLI/TIRS from 2015 to 2019. The contributions of different landscape types to urban LST intensity were examined, using contribution index (CI) and Landscape index (LI) methods while the relationship between urban LST, and changes in LULC was examined using zonal statistics. The results revealed that the spatial and temporal changes in the LULC have greatly influenced the LST in the cities, though this varies from identified LULC. Changes in estimated LST vary from 0.12 to 1 °C yearly, while the changes are much intensified in the core section of the cities. The contribution of each landscapes varies, − 0.25 < CI > − 1.17 for sink landscape and 0.24 < CI > 1.05 for source landscape. The results further reveal that asLI ≥ 1, the contribution of source landscape to intensity of LST is lesser than that of sink landscape, butLI ≤ 1 shows that source landscapes contribute more to intensity of LST than sink landscapes. This might be as a result of changes in the vegetation cover between 1984 and 2019 as revealed in LULC change. Loss in the vegetal cover is anthropogenically induced leading to an increase in built-up and impervious surfaces resulted in mean monthly and yearly temperature changes. It is observed that the core and densities areas of cities witnessed higher LST compared with the rural area. The study concludes that different types of land cover within an urban area can affect the spatial pattern of urban LST, though this varies from one ecological zone to another and distribution of LST intensity in the urban area depends on its changes LULC. Thus, as cities’ population is expected to keep expanding there is a need to establish more viable linkages between the ever-growing population and land use patterns. The major findings from this study are useful in informing policymakers of the need to promote more sustainable urban development in the cities.
A prehospital diagnostic algorithm for strokes using machine learning: a prospective observational study
Authors: Hayashi Yosuke , Shimada Tadanaga , Hattori Noriyuki , Shimazui Takashi , Yoshida Yoichi , Miura Rie E. , Yamao Yasuo , Abe Ryuzo , Kobayashi Eiichi , Iwadate Yasuo , Nakada Taka-aki
Published: October 2021

High precision is optimal in prehospital diagnostic algorithms for strokes and large vessel occlusions. We hypothesized that prehospital diagnostic algorithms for strokes and their subcategories using machine learning could have high predictive value. Consecutive adult patients with suspected stroke as per emergency medical service personnel were enrolled in a prospective multicenter observational study in 12 hospitals in Japan. Five diagnostic algorithms using machine learning, including logistic regression, random forest, support vector machine, and eXtreme Gradient Boosting, were evaluated for stroke and subcategories including acute ischemic stroke with/without large vessel occlusions, intracranial hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Of the 1446 patients in the analysis, 1156 (80%) were randomly included in the training (derivation) cohort and cohorts, and 290 (20%) were included in the test (validation) cohort. In the diagnostic algorithms for strokes using eXtreme Gradient Boosting had the highest diagnostic value (test data, area under the receiver operating curve 0.980). In the diagnostic algorithms for the subcategories using eXtreme Gradient Boosting had a high predictive value (test data, area under the receiver operating curve, acute ischemic stroke with/without large vessel occlusions 0.898/0.882, intracranial hemorrhage 0.866, subarachnoid hemorrhage 0.926). Prehospital diagnostic algorithms using machine learning had high predictive value for strokes and their subcategories.
The effectiveness of various gargle formulations and salt water against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Tiong Vunjia , Hassandarvish Pouya , Bakar Sazaly Abu , Mohamed Nurul Azmawati , Wan Sulaiman Wan Shahida , Baharom Nizam , Abdul Samad Farishah Nur , Isahak Ilina
Published: October 2021

The COVID-19 is difficult to contain due to its high transmissibility rate and a long incubation period of 5 to 14 days. Moreover, more than half of the infected patients were young and asymptomatic. Virus transmission through asymptomatic patients is a major challenge to disease containment. Due to limited treatment options, preventive measures play major role in controlling the disease spread. Gargling with antiseptic formulation may have potential role in eliminating the virus in the throat. Four commercially available mouthwash/gargle formulations were tested for virucidal activity against SARS-CoV-2 in both clean (0.3 g/l BSA) and dirty (0.3 g/l BSA + 3 mL/L human erythrocytes) conditions at time points 30 and 60 s. The virus was isolated and propagated in Vero E6 cells. The cytotoxicity of the products to the Vero E6 was evaluated by kill time assay based on the European Standard EN14476:2013/FprA1:2015 protocol. Virus titres were calculated as 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50/mL) using the Spearman-Karber method. A reduction in virus titer of 4 log10 corresponds to an inactivation of ≥ 99.99%. Formulations with cetylperidinium chloride, chlorhexidine and hexitidine achieved > 4 log10 reduction in viral titres when exposed within 30 s under both clean and dirty conditions. Thymol formulations achieved only 0.5 log10 reduction in viral titres. In addition, salt water was not proven effective. Gargle formulations with cetylperidinium chloride, chlorhexidine and hexetidine have great potential in reducing SAR-CoV-2 at the source of entry into the body, thus minimizing risk of transmission of COVID-19.
Resilience of spider communities affected by a range of silvicultural treatments in a temperate deciduous forest stand
Authors: Samu Ferenc , Elek Zoltán , Kovács Bence , Fülöp Dávid , Botos Erika , Schmera Dénes , Aszalós Réka , Bidló András , Németh Csaba , Sass Vivien , Tinya Flóra , Ódor Péter
Published: October 2021

To secure the ecosystem services forests provide, it is important to understand how different management practices impact various components of these ecosystems. We aimed to uncover how silvicultural treatments affected the ground-dwelling spider communities during the first five years of a forest ecological experiment. In an oak-hornbeam forest stand, five treatments, belonging to clear-cutting, shelterwood and continuous cover forestry systems, were implemented using randomised complete block design. Spiders were sampled by pitfall traps, and detailed vegetation, soil and microclimate data were collected throughout the experiment. In the treatment plots spider abundance and species richness increased marginally. Species composition changes were more pronounced and treatment specific, initially diverging from the control plots, but becoming more similar again by the fifth year. These changes were correlated mostly to treatment-related light intensity and humidity gradients. The patchy implementation of the treatments induced modest increase in both gamma and beta diversity of spiders in the stand. Overall, spiders gave a prompt and species specific response to treatments that was by the fifth year showing signs of relatively quick recovery to pre-treatment state. At the present fine scale of implementation the magnitude of changes was not different among forestry treatments, irrespective of their severity.
Resolution-enhanced OCT and expanded framework of information capacity and resolution in coherent imaging
Authors: Leartprapun Nichaluk , Adie Steven G.
Published: October 2021

Spatial resolution in conventional optical microscopy has traditionally been treated as a fixed parameter of the optical system. Here, we present an approach to enhance transverse resolution in beam-scanned optical coherence tomography (OCT) beyond its aberration-free resolution limit, without any modification to the optical system. Based on the theorem of invariance of information capacity, resolution-enhanced (RE)-OCT navigates the exchange of information between resolution and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by exploiting efficient noise suppression via coherent averaging and a simple computational bandwidth expansion procedure. We demonstrate a resolution enhancement of 1.5 × relative to the aberration-free limit while maintaining comparable SNR in silicone phantom. We show that RE-OCT can significantly enhance the visualization of fine microstructural features in collagen gel and ex vivo mouse brain. Beyond RE-OCT, our analysis in the spatial-frequency domain leads to an expanded framework of information capacity and resolution in coherent imaging that contributes new implications to the theory of coherent imaging. RE-OCT can be readily implemented on most OCT systems worldwide, immediately unlocking information that is beyond their current imaging capabilities, and so has the potential for widespread impact in the numerous areas in which OCT is utilized, including the basic sciences and translational medicine.
Perception and control: individual difference in the sense of agency is associated with learnability in sensorimotor adaptation
Authors: Wen Wen , Ishii Hikaru , Ohata Ryu , Yamashita Atsushi , Asama Hajime , Imamizu Hiroshi
Published: October 2021

Adaptive motor learning refers to the ability to adjust to novel disturbances in the environment as a way of minimizing sensorimotor errors. It is known that such processes show large individual differences and are linked to multiple perceptual and cognitive processes. On the other hand, the sense of agency refers to the subjective feeling of control during voluntary motor control. Is the sense of agency just a by-product of the control outcome, or is it actually important for motor control and learning? To answer this question, this study takes an approach based on individual differences to investigate the relationship between the sense of agency and learnability in sensorimotor adaptation. Specifically, we use an adaptive motor learning task to measure individual differences in the efficiency of motor learning. Regarding the sense of agency, we measure the perceptual sensitivity of detecting an increase or a decrease in control when the actual level of control gradually increases or decreases, respectively. The results of structure equation modelling reveal a significant influence of perceptual sensitivity to increased control on motor learning efficiency. On the other hand, the link between perceptual sensitivity to decreased control and motor learning is nonsignificant. The results show that the sense of agency in detecting increased control is associated with the actual ability of sensorimotor adaptation: people who are more sensitive in detecting their control in the environment can also more quickly adjust their behaviors to novel disturbances to acquire better control, compared to people who have a less sensitive sense of agency. Finally, the results also reveal that the processes of increasing control and decreasing control may be partially independent.
Treatment of adult metachromatic leukodystrophy model mice using intrathecal administration of type 9 AAV vector encoding arylsulfatase A
Authors: Miyake Noriko , Miyake Koichi , Sakai Atsushi , Yamamoto Motoko , Suzuki Hidenori , Shimada Takashi
Published: October 2021

Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by an arylsulfatase A (ARSA) deficiency and characterized by severe neurological symptoms resulting from demyelination within the central and peripheral nervous systems. We investigated the feasibility and efficacy of intrathecal administration of a type 9 adeno-associated viral vector encoding ARSA (AAV9/ARSA) for the treatment of 6-week-old MLD model mice, which are presymptomatic, and 1-year-old mice, which exhibit neurological abnormalities. Immunohistochemical analysis following AAV9/ARSA administration showed ARSA expression within the brain, with highest activities in the cerebellum and olfactory bulbs. In mice treated at 1 year, alcian blue staining and quantitative analysis revealed significant decreases in stored sulfatide. Behaviorally, mice treated at 1 year showed no improvement in their ability to traverse narrow balance beams as compared to untreated mice. By contrast, MLD mice treated at 6 weeks showed significant decreases in stored sulfatide throughout the entire brain and improved ability to traverse narrow balance beams. These findings suggest intrathecal administration of an AAV9/ARSA vector is a promising approach to treating genetic diseases of the central nervous system, including MLD, though it may be essential to begin therapy before the onset of neurological symptoms.
Advanced spectroscopic analysis and 15N-isotopic labelling study of nitrate and nitrite reduction to ammonia and nitrous oxide by E. coli
Authors: Metcalfe George D. , Smith Thomas W. , Hippler Michael
Published: October 2021

Nitrate and nitrite reduction to ammonia and nitrous oxide by E. coli is investigated by advanced spectroscopic analytical techniques and 15N-isotopic labelling, with the simultaneous online measurement of up to 20 different species and parameters.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of NaMnF3 particles with tuneable morphologies
Authors: Liu Nan , Holmes Jessica , Bordenave Nicolas , Hemmer Eva
Published: October 2021

Here, the synthesis of sub-micron MMnF3 (M = Na or K) particles by a rapid microwave-assisted approach is reported.
In vitroelucidation of the crucial but complex oxidative tailoring steps in rufomycin biosynthesis enables one pot conversion of rufomycin B to rufomycin C
Authors: Perez Ortiz Gustavo , Sidda John D. , de los Santos Emmanuel L. C. , Hubert Catherine B. , Barry Sarah M.
Published: October 2021

Cytochrome P450s RufS and RufM catalyse regioselective and stereoselective epoxidation and alkyl oxidation respectively, in a complex series of reactions in the biosynthesis of the antimycobacterial peptides, rufomycins.
Asymmetric cross-aldol reactions of α-keto hydrazones and α,β-unsaturated γ-keto hydrazones with trifluoromethyl ketones
Authors: Alberca Saúl , Matador Esteban , Iglesias-Sigüenza Javier , de Gracia Retamosa Ma , Fernández Rosario , Lassaletta José M. , Monge David
Published: October 2021

Asymmetric cross-aldol reactions of α-keto hydrazones and α,β-unsaturated γ-keto hydrazones with trifluoromethyl ketones afford easy-to-functionalize tertiary trifluoromethyl alcohols with high enantioselectivity.
Constant pH molecular dynamics of porcine circovirus 2 capsid protein reveals a mechanism for capsid assembly
Authors: Tarasova Elvira , Okimoto Noriaki , Feng Shanshan , Nerukh Dmitry , Khayat Reza , Taiji Makoto
Published: October 2021

The GH-loop located near the icosahedral 3-fold axes of symmetry regulates Porcine Circovirus 2 capsid assembly.
Manifolds of low energy structures for a magic number of hydrated sulfate: SO42−(H2O)24
Authors: Clavaguéra Carine , Thaunay Florian , Ohanessian Gilles
Published: October 2021

An array of packed structures is identified for the magic number cluster SO42−(H2O)24.
Chitosan as a chiral ligand and organocatalyst: preparation conditions–property–catalytic performance relationships
Authors: Kolcsár Vanessza Judit , Szőllősi György
Published: October 2021

Properties of chitosan prepared by alkaline deacetylation of chitin under various conditions were correlated with their performance as ligands or organocatalysts in asymmetric catalytic reactions.
Enhanced activity towards oxygen electrocatalysis for rechargeable Zn–air batteries by alloying Fe and Co in N-doped carbon
Authors: Yu Fengjiao , Ying Qi , Ni Shaofeng , Li Chenxue , Xue Daxiang , Yang Yang
Published: October 2021

The synergy of FeCo alloys in N-doped carbon achieves outstanding bifunctional activity of the ORR and OER, which endows Zn–air batteries with better cycling performance than noble-metal benchmarks.
Metal–organic framework-encapsulated nanoparticles for synergetic chemo/chemodynamic therapy with targeted H2O2 self-supply
Authors: Cui Ruixue , Shi Jing , Liu Zhiliang
Published: October 2021

A multifunctional DDS, CaO2/DOX@Cu/ZIF-8@HA (CDZH), for tumor-targeted H2O2 self-supply, bioimaging, and chemo/chemo-dynamic synergetic therapy was designed.
One-step, kit-based radiopharmaceuticals for molecular SPECT imaging: a versatile diphosphine chelator for 99mTc radiolabelling of peptides
Authors: Hungnes Ingebjørg N. , Al-Salemee Fahad , Gawne Peter J. , Eykyn Thomas , Atkinson R. Andrew , Terry Samantha Y. A. , Clarke Fiona , Blower Philip J. , Pringle Paul G. , Ma Michelle T.
Published: October 2021

We report a versatile diphosphine platform for 99mTc radiolabelling of peptides. The diphosphine-peptide conjugate can be radiolabelled with 99mTc in a single step, and the new radiotracer is capable of receptor-targeted imaging of disease in vivo.
Degradation pathways of penthiopyrad by δ-MnO2 mediated processes: a combined density functional theory and experimental study
Authors: Xu Ruishuang , Zhao Mengjiu , Chen Zhengqiang , Gao Zhihong , Song Haiyan , An Taicheng , Zheng Shengrun , Gu Fenglong
Published: October 2021

The degradation pathway of penthiopyrad in a MnO2 system is proposed based on products and density functional theory.
ItaCORMs: conjugation with a CO-releasing unit greatly enhances the anti-inflammatory activity of itaconates
Authors: Krause Bernhard M. , Bauer Britta , Neudörfl Jörg-Martin , Wieder Thomas , Schmalz Hans-Günther
Published: October 2021

New powerful anti-inflammatory agents (prodrugs) were developed which act by esterase-triggered, simultaneous release of itaconate and the gasotransmitter carbon monoxide.
Modified-amino acid/peptide pyrimidine analogs: synthesis, structural characterization and DFT studies of N-(pyrimidyl)gabapentine and N-(pyrimidyl)baclofen
Authors: García-Raso Angel , Terrón Angel , Fiol Juan J. , López-Zafra Adela , Massanet Bárbara , Frontera Antonio , Barceló-Oliver Miquel
Published: October 2021

H-Bonding networks and π–π and halogen bonding interactions in the crystal structures of N-modified amino acid pyrimidine analogs are investigated using DFT calculations and X-ray crystallography analysis.
Virus-inspired nanosystems for drug delivery
Authors: Liao Zhihuan , Tu Li , Li Xuejian , Liang Xing-Jie , Huo Shuaidong
Published: October 2021

Schematic illustration of virus-inspired nanosystems to overcome physiological barriers in drug delivery.
High open-circuit voltage under the bulk photovoltaic effect for the chiral smectic crystal phase of a double chiral ferroelectric liquid crystal doped with a fullerene derivative
Authors: Funahashi Masahiro
Published: October 2021

A bulk photovoltaic effect was studied in a chiral smectic crystal phase of a bisfluorophenylterthiophene derivative bearing two lactate moieties doped with a fullerene derivative.
Novel electrical properties and applications in kaleidoscopic graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Bo Wenjing , Zou Yi , Wang Jingang
Published: October 2021

For quasi-one-dimensional graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), adjusting its length, width, doping and heteroatom adsorption showed novel electronic properties. He has a very wide range of potential applications in the field of microelectronics.
In situ etch engineering of Ru doped NiFe(OH)x/NiFe-MOF nanocomposites for boosting the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Liu Dongmei , Xu Hui , Wang Cheng , Ye Changqing , Yu Rui , Du Yukou
Published: October 2021

Facile etching and doping methods have been proposed for the synthesis of Ru/NiFe(OH)x/NiFe-MOF with enhanced conductivity, enlarged electrochemically active area and a modulated electronic structure for efficient water splitting.
Organic–inorganic hybrid-reinforced flexible and robust 2D papers for high-efficiency microwave-absorbing films
Authors: Wang Yu , Lu Xiaochi , Chen Yu , Lai Haoran , Teng Siqiao , Quan Bin
Published: October 2021

Integrated functionalities are realized in designed microwave-absorbing papers, demonstrating their great potential for applications as microwave-absorbing devices or wearable smart electronics.
Weakened lattice-strain effect in MoOx@NPC-supported ruthenium dots toward high-efficiency hydrogen generation
Authors: Song Min , Jang Haeseong , Li Chuang , Kim Min Gyu , Ji Xuqiang , Liu Xien , Cho Jaephil
Published: October 2021

MoOx@NPC-supported ruthenium dots nanostructure with weakened lattice-strain effect is designed to catalyze hydrogen evolution reaction with low overpotentials of 30 mV and 27 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in 1 M KOH and 0.5 M H2SO4, respectively.
131I-Labeled gold nanoframeworks for radiotherapy-combined second near-infrared photothermal therapy of cancer
Authors: Cheng Danling , Gong Jiali , Wang Peng , Zhu Jingyi , Yu Ningyue , Zhao Jinhua , Zhang Qin , Li Jingchao
Published: October 2021

Radionuclide 131I-labeled gold nanoframeworks (131I-AuNFs) are developed for radiotherapy-combined second near-infrared photothermal therapy of breast cancer.
Extreme downsizing of spin crossover nanoparticles towards stable colloids in water: a detailed nano-topographic study
Authors: Polyzou Christina D. , Malina Ondřej , Polaskova Michaela , Tripathi Manoj , Dalton Alan B. , Parthenios John , Tangoulis Vassilis
Published: October 2021

The extreme downsizing effect on 2D SCO nanoparticles resulted in a two-step hysteretic behavior and stability in aqueous dispersions.
Conjugated amidine ligands enhance the performance of perovskite nanocrystal blue light-emitting diodes prepared in air with green solvents
Authors: Li Teng , Zhang Huijun , Yu Cong , Wang Pang , Wang Hui , Zhang Xiaoshuai , Sun Yuandong , Liu Dan , Wang Tao
Published: October 2021

π-Conjugated benzamidine hydrochloride is introduced into CsPbBrxCl3−x NCs to reduce Cs+ and halide vacancies and suppress nonradiative recombination, leading to spectrally stable blue PeLEDs with reduced turn-on voltage, enhanced EQE and luminance.
Improving the charge transport performance of solution-processed organic field-effect transistors using green solvent additives
Authors: Lee Yongchul , Ho Dongil , Valentini Federica , Earmme Taeshik , Marrocchi Assunta , Vaccaro Luigi , Kim Choongik
Published: October 2021

Green solvent additives were employed as non-solvents in binary solvent systems to enable the pre-aggregation of organic semiconductors and enhance the electrical performance of organic field-effect transistors and complementary-like inverters.
Single-component panchromatic white light generation, and tuneable excimer-like visible orange and NIR emission in a Dy quinolinolate complex
Authors: Mara Dimitrije , Pilia Luca , Van de Steen Maxim , Miletto Ivana , Zeng Min , Van Hecke Kristof , Serpe Angela , Deplano Paola , Van Deun Rik , Artizzu Flavia
Published: October 2021

Extensive π-stacking interactions in a crystalline mononuclear Dy complex give rise to phase-sensitive color-tuneable emission and pure white light generation and allow for intense Dy NIR emission by photoexcitation over a broad spectral range.
Aliovalent-cation-substitution-induced structure transformation: a new path toward high-performance IR nonlinear optical materials
Authors: Liu Chang , Zhou Sheng-Hua , Xiao Yu , Zhang Chao , Lin Hua , Liu Yi
Published: October 2021

A quaternary IR-NLO thioantimonate, K2Ag3Sb3S7, designed using an aliovalent-cation-substitution-induced (ACSI) strategy based on the centrosymmetric K2Sb4S7 is reported.
Discovering structure–property relationships for the phonon band structures of hydrocarbon-based organic semiconductor crystals: the instructive case of acenes
Authors: Kamencek Tomas , Zojer Egbert
Published: October 2021

A systematic analysis of the phonon bands calculated using dispersion-corrected density functional theory for crystalline acenes reveals analogies between the phonons and classical oscillator models. Based on these, the evolution of the materials’ properties can be rationalised.
The polarisation of the drifting sub-pulses from PSR B1919+21
Authors: Primak N. , Tiburzi C. , van Straten W. , Dyks J. , Gulyaev S.
Published: October 2021

Aims. We aim to expand our understanding of radio wave emission and propagation in the pulsar magnetosphere by studying the polarisation of drifting sub-pulses in highly sensitive observations of PSR B1919+21 recorded at the Arecibo Observatory.

Methods. We apply and compare several methods of analysis and visualisation, including eigenvalue analysis of the longitude-resolved covariances between the Stokes parameters; longitude-resolved scatter plots of the normalised Stokes vectors in the Poincaré sphere; auto- and cross-correlations between the Stokes parameters as a function of offset in pulse longitude and lag in pulse number; and mean drift bands of polarisation state, formed by averaging the Stokes parameters and quantities derived from them synchronously with the drifting sub-pulse modulation period.

Results. We observe regions of pulse longitude where the superposition of orthogonally polarised modes is best described as incoherent and regions where the superposition appears to be at least partially coherent. Within the region of coherent superposition, over a range of pulse longitudes spanning ∼2°, the distribution of the Stokes polarisation vectors forms a torus centered near the origin of the Poincaré sphere. Furthermore, the polarisation vectors rotate about the axis of revolution of the torus synchronously with the drifting sub-pulse modulation of the total intensity.

Conclusions. The nearly uniform circular modulation of polarisation state, clearly evident in both the toroidal distribution of the Stokes polarisation vectors and the mean drift bands of the Stokes parameters, is not predicted by current theoretical models of pulsar emission. We propose different scenarios to explain the generation of the torus, based on either incoherent or phase-coherent superposition of orthogonally polarised modes.