bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obesity during childhood is associated with higher cancer mortality rate during adulthood: the i3C Consortium
Authors: Nuotio Joel , Laitinen Tomi T. , Sinaiko Alan R. , Woo Jessica G. , Urbina Elaine M. , Jacobs David R. , Steinberger Julia , Prineas Ronald J. , Sabin Matthew A. , Burgner David P. , Minn Heikki , Burns Trudy L. , Bazzano Lydia A. , Venn Alison J. , Viikari Jorma S. A. , Hutri-Kähönen Nina , Daniels Stephen R. , Raitakari Olli T. , Magnussen Costan G. , Juonala Markus , Dwyer Terence
Published: November 2021

Background

In high-income countries, cancer is the leading cause of death among middle-aged adults. Prospective data on the effects of childhood risk exposures on subsequent cancer mortality are scarce.

Methods

We examined whether childhood body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, glucose and lipid levels were associated with adult cancer mortality, using data from 21,012 children enrolled aged 3–19 years in seven prospective cohort studies from the U.S., Australia, and Finland that have followed participants from childhood into adulthood. Cancer mortality (cancer as a primary or secondary cause of death) was captured using registries.

Results

354 cancer deaths occurred over the follow-up. In age-, sex, and cohort-adjusted analyses, childhood BMI (Hazard ratio [HR], 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–1.24 per 1-SD increase) and childhood glucose (HR 1.22; 95%CI 1.01–1.47 per 1-SD increase), were associated with subsequent cancer mortality. In a multivariable analysis adjusted for age, sex, cohort, and childhood measures of fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and systolic blood pressure, childhood BMI remained as an independent predictor of subsequent cancer mortality (HR, 1.24; 95%CI, 1.03–1.49). The association of childhood BMI and subsequent cancer mortality persisted after adjustment for adulthood BMI (HR for childhood BMI, 1.35; 95%CI 1.12–1.63).

Conclusions

Higher childhood BMI was independently associated with increased overall cancer mortality.
Cylindrical vector beam multiplexer/demultiplexer using off-axis polarization control
Authors: Chen Shuqing , Xie Zhiqiang , Ye Huapeng , Wang Xinrou , Guo Zhenghao , He Yanliang , Li Ying , Yuan Xiaocong , Fan Dianyuan
Published: November 2021

The emergence of cylindrical vector beam (CVB) multiplexing has opened new avenues for high-capacity optical communication. Although several configurations have been developed to couple/separate CVBs, the CVB multiplexer/demultiplexer remains elusive due to lack of effective off-axis polarization control technologies. Here we report a straightforward approach to realize off-axis polarization control for CVB multiplexing/demultiplexing based on a metal–dielectric–metal metasurface. We show that the left- and right-handed circularly polarized (LHCP/RHCP) components of CVBs are independently modulated via spin-to-orbit interactions by the properly designed metasurface, and then simultaneously multiplexed and demultiplexed due to the reversibility of light path and the conservation of vector mode. We also show that the proposed multiplexers/demultiplexers are broadband (from 1310 to 1625 nm) and compatible with wavelength-division-multiplexing. As a proof of concept, we successfully demonstrate a four-channel CVB multiplexing communication, combining wavelength-division-multiplexing and polarization-division-multiplexing with a transmission rate of 1.56 Tbit/s and a bit-error-rate of 10−6 at the receive power of −21.6 dBm. This study paves the way for CVB multiplexing/demultiplexing and may benefit high-capacity CVB communication.
Irradiance footprint of phototherapy devices: a comparative study
Authors: Dam-Vervloet Alida J. , Bosschaart Nienke , van Straaten Henrica L. M. , Poot Lieke , Hulzebos Christian V.
Published: November 2021

Background

Phototherapy (PT) is the standard treatment of neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. The irradiance footprint, i.e., the illuminated area by the PT device with sufficient spectral irradiance, is essential for PT to be effective. Irradiance footprint measurements are not performed in current clinical practice. We describe a user-friendly method to systematically evaluate the high spectral irradiance (HSI) footprint (illuminated area with spectral irradiance of ≥30 μW cm−2 nm−1) of PT devices in clinical practice.

Materials and methods

Six commercially available LED-based overhead PT devices were evaluated in overhead configuration with an incubator. Spectral irradiance (µW cm−2 nm−1) and HSI footprint were measured with a radiospectrometer (BiliBlanket Meter II).

Results

The average measured spectral irradiance ranged between 27 and 52 μW cm−2 nm−1 and HSI footprint ranged between 67 and 1465 cm2, respectively. Three, two, and one PT devices out of six covered the average BSA of an infant born at 22, 26–32, and 40 weeks of gestation, respectively.

Conclusion

Spectral irradiance of LED-based overhead PT devices is often lower than manufacturer’s specifications, and HSI footprints not always cover the average BSA of a newborn infant. The proposed measurement method will contribute to awareness of the importance of irradiance level as well as footprint measurements in the management of neonatal jaundice.

Impact

While a sufficient spectral irradiance footprint is essential for PT to be effective, some PT devices have spectral irradiance footprints that are too small to cover the entire body surface area (BSA) of a newborn infant.

This study introduces a user-friendly, accessible method to systematically evaluate the spectral irradiance level and footprint of PT devices.

This study supports awareness on the role of the spectral irradiance footprint in the efficacy of PT devices. Irradiance footprint can be easily measured during phototherapy with the proposed method.
Activation of a cGAS-STING-mediated immune response predicts response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in early breast cancer
Authors: Parkes Eileen E. , Savage Kienan I. , Lioe Tong , Boyd Clinton , Halliday Sophia , Walker Steven M. , Lowry Keith , Knight Laura , Buckley Niamh E. , Grogan Andrena , Logan Gemma E. , Clayton Alison , Hurwitz Jane , Kirk Stephen J. , Xu Jiamei , Sidi Fatima Abdullahi , Humphries Matthew P. , Bingham Victoria ,   Neo-DDIR Investigators, Ang Melvyn , Askin Conal , Bamford Louise , Boyd Ruth , Buckley Miriam , Clarke Jacqueline , Darragh Lynn , Davis Elaine , Foreman Jennifer , Gallagher Rebecca , Gill Janine , Hanna Michael , Hill Naomi , Irwin Gareth , Mallon Peter , McAleer Seamus , McAllister Joanne , Morris Melanie , Pierce Nicole , Refsum Sigi , Sloan Samantha , Treanor Sinead , James Jaqueline A. , James Colin R. , Paul Harkin D. , Kennedy Richard D. , McIntosh Stuart A.
Published: November 2021

Background

The DNA-damage immune-response (DDIR) signature is an immune-driven gene expression signature retrospectively validated as predicting response to anthracycline-based therapy. This feasibility study prospectively evaluates the use of this assay to predict neoadjuvant chemotherapy response in early breast cancer.

Methods

This feasibility study assessed the integration of a novel biomarker into clinical workflows. Tumour samples were collected from patients receiving standard of care neoadjuvant chemotherapy (FEC + /−taxane and anti-HER2 therapy as appropriate) at baseline, mid- and post-chemotherapy. Baseline DDIR signature scores were correlated with pathological treatment response. RNA sequencing was used to assess chemotherapy/response-related changes in biologically linked gene signatures.

Results

DDIR signature reports were available within 14 days for 97.8% of 46 patients (13 TNBC, 16 HER2 + ve, 27 ER + HER2-ve). Positive scores predicted response to treatment (odds ratio 4.67 for RCB 0-1 disease (95% CI 1.13–15.09, P = 0.032)). DDIR positivity correlated with immune infiltration and upregulated immune-checkpoint gene expression.

Conclusions

This study validates the DDIR signature as predictive of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy which can be integrated into clinical workflows, potentially identifying a subgroup with high sensitivity to anthracycline chemotherapy. Transcriptomic data suggest induction with anthracycline-containing regimens in immune restricted, “cold” tumours may be effective for immune priming.

Trial registration

Not applicable (non-interventional study). CRUK Internal Database Number 14232.
Cryo-EM structures and transport mechanism of human P5B type ATPase ATP13A2
Authors: Chen Xudong , Zhou Mingze , Zhang Sensen , Yin Jian , Zhang Ping , Xuan Xujun , Wang Peiyi , Liu Zhiqiang , Zhou Boda , Yang Maojun
Published: November 2021

Polyamines are important polycations that play critical roles in mammalian cells. ATP13A2 belongs to the orphan P5B adenosine triphosphatases (ATPase) family and has been established as a lysosomal polyamine exporter to maintain the normal function of lysosomes and mitochondria. Previous studies have reported that several human neurodegenerative disorders are related to mutations in the ATP13A2 gene. However, the transport mechanism of ATP13A2 in the lysosome remains unclear. Here, we report the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of three distinct intermediates of the human ATP13A2, revealing key insights into the spermine (SPM) transport cycle in the lysosome. The transmembrane domain serves as a substrate binding site and the C-terminal domain is essential for protein stability and may play a regulatory role. These findings advance our understanding of the polyamine transport mechanism, the lipid-associated regulation, and the disease-associated mutants of ATP13A2.
Multiomics interrogation into HBV (Hepatitis B virus)-host interaction reveals novel coding potential in human genome, and identifies canonical and non-canonical proteins as host restriction factors against HBV
Authors: Yuan Shilin , Liao Guanghong , Zhang Menghuan , Zhu Yuanfei , Xiao Weidi , Wang Kun , Li Chuanyin , Jia Caiwei , Sun Na , Walch Axel , Gao Daming , Xu Ping , Deng Qiang , Zhang Jian , Wang He , Hu Ronggui
Published: November 2021

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) constitutes a major threat to global public health. Current understanding of HBV-host interaction is yet limited. Here, ribosome profiling, quantitative mass spectrometry and RNA-sequencing were conducted on a recently established HBV replication system, through which we identified multiomic differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that HBV orchestrated to remodel host proteostasis networks. Our multiomics interrogation revealed that HBV induced significant changes in both transcription and translation of 35 canonical genes including PPP1R15A, PGAM5 and SIRT6, as well as the expression of at least 15 non-canonical open reading frames (ncORFs) including ncPON2 and ncGRWD1, thus revealing an extra coding potential of human genome. Overexpression of these five genes but not the enzymatically deficient SIRT6 mutants suppressed HBV replication while knockdown of SIRT6 had opposite effect. Furthermore, the expression of SIRT6 was down-regulated in patients, cells or animal models of HBV infection. Mechanistic study further indicated that SIRT6 directly binds to mini-chromosome and deacetylates histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9ac) and histone H3 lysine 56 (H3K56ac), and chemical activation of endogenous SIRT6 with MDL800 suppressed HBV infection in vitro and in vivo. By generating the first multiomics landscape of host-HBV interaction, our work is thus opening a new avenue to facilitate therapeutic development against HBV infection.
Surface Laplacian of interfacial thermochemical potential: its role in solid-liquid pattern formation
Authors: Glicksman Martin E. , Wu Peichen , Ankit Kumar
Published: November 2021

Steady-state solid-liquid interfaces allow both analytic description as sharp-interface profiles, and numerical simulation via phase-field modeling as stationary diffuse-interface microstructures. Profiles for sharp interfaces reveal their exact shapes and allow identification of the thermodynamic origin of all interfacial capillary fields, including distributions of curvature, thermochemical potential, gradients, fluxes, and surface Laplacians. By contrast, simulated diffuse interface images allow thermodynamic evolution and measurement of interfacial temperatures and fluxes. Quantitative results using both approaches verify these capillary fields and their divergent heat flow, to provide insights into interface energy balances, dynamic pattern formation, and novel methods for microstructure control. The microgravity environment of low-Earth orbit was proven useful in past studies of solidification phenomena. We suggest that NASA’s ISS National Lab can uniquely accommodate aspects of experimental research needed to explore these novel topics.
Oscillations of a soft viscoelastic drop
Authors: Tamim Saiful I. , Bostwick Joshua B.
Published: November 2021

A soft viscoelastic drop has dynamics governed by the balance between surface tension, viscosity, and elasticity, with the material rheology often being frequency dependent, which are utilized in bioprinting technologies for tissue engineering and drop-deposition processes for splash suppression. We study the free and forced oscillations of a soft viscoelastic drop deriving (1) the dispersion relationship for free oscillations, and (2) the frequency response for forced oscillations, of a soft material with arbitrary rheology. We then restrict our analysis to the classical cases of a Kelvin–Voigt and Maxwell model, which are relevant to soft gels and polymer fluids, respectively. We compute the complex frequencies, which are characterized by an oscillation frequency and decay rate, as they depend upon the dimensionless elastocapillary and Deborah numbers and map the boundary between regions of underdamped and overdamped motions. We conclude by illustrating how our theoretical predictions for the frequency-response diagram could be used in conjunction with drop-oscillation experiments as a “drop vibration rheometer”, suggesting future experiments using either ultrasonic levitation or a microgravity environment.
4 Day in dry immersion reproduces partially the aging effect on the arteries as observed during 6 month spaceflight or confinement
Authors: Greaves Danielle , Guillon Laurent , Besnard Stephane , Navasiolava Nastassia , Arbeille Philippe
Published: November 2021

The objectives of this study were to determine whether 4 days of dry immersion (DI) induced similar arterial aging as spaceflight and to test the impact of thigh cuffs. Eighteen subjects underwent DI; nine wore thigh cuffs. Cardiac and arterial targets were assessed by ultrasound. No significant differences were found between the groups. The left ventricle volume, stroke volume (SV), and ejection fraction decreased with DI (p < 0.001). Carotid distensibility reduced (p < 0.05), carotid to femoral arterial tree became stiffer in 33% of the subjects, and femoral artery intima media thickness increased (p < 0.05). A reduction in plasma volume is likely to have caused the observed cardiac changes, whereas the arterial wall changes are probably best explained by hypokinesia and/or environmental stress. These changes are similar but lower in amplitude than those observed in spaceflight and mimic the natural aging effect on earth. The daytime-worn thigh cuffs had no acute or chronic impact on these arterial-focused measurements.
An integrative analysis of genomic and exposomic data for complex traits and phenotypic prediction
Authors: Zhou Xuan , Lee S. Hong
Published: November 2021

Complementary to the genome, the concept of exposome has been proposed to capture the totality of human environmental exposures. While there has been some recent progress on the construction of the exposome, few tools exist that can integrate the genome and exposome for complex trait analyses. Here we propose a linear mixed model approach to bridge this gap, which jointly models the random effects of the two omics layers on phenotypes of complex traits. We illustrate our approach using traits from the UK Biobank (e.g., BMI and height for N ~ 35,000) with a small fraction of the exposome that comprises 28 lifestyle factors. The joint model of the genome and exposome explains substantially more phenotypic variance and significantly improves phenotypic prediction accuracy, compared to the model based on the genome alone. The additional phenotypic variance captured by the exposome includes its additive effects as well as non-additive effects such as genome–exposome (gxe) and exposome–exposome (exe) interactions. For example, 19% of variation in BMI is explained by additive effects of the genome, while additional 7.2% by additive effects of the exposome, 1.9% by exe interactions and 4.5% by gxe interactions. Correspondingly, the prediction accuracy for BMI, computed using Pearson’s correlation between the observed and predicted phenotypes, improves from 0.15 (based on the genome alone) to 0.35 (based on the genome and exposome). We also show, using established theories, that integrating genomic and exposomic data can be an effective way of attaining a clinically meaningful level of prediction accuracy for disease traits. In conclusion, the genomic and exposomic effects can contribute to phenotypic variation via their latent relationships, i.e. genome-exposome correlation, and gxe and exe interactions, and modelling these effects has a potential to improve phenotypic prediction accuracy and thus holds a great promise for future clinical practice.
A preliminary study on the evaluation of left atrial function of rheumatoid arthritis by two dimensional speckle tracking imaging
Authors: Ji Xiang , Zhang Xia , Li Guojie
Published: November 2021

To evaluate the changes of left atrial (LA) geometry and function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by conventional echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI). We enrolled 46 RA patients with a duration of < 5 years as Group I, 40 RA patients with a duration of ≥ 5 years as Group II, and 40 normal subjects as the control group. Conventional echocardiography was conducted to measure traditional parameters. The LA strain during reservoir phase (LASr), LA strain during conduit phase (LAScd), LA strain during contraction phase (LASct), and LA global longitudinal strain (LAGLS) were obtained from 2D-STI. Related ultrasound results were compared. The LASct was significantly higher in Group I than in control group (P < 0.05). The LASr, LAScd, and LAGLS were significantly lower in Group I than in control group (all P < 0.05). The LASr, LAScd, LASct, and LAGLS were significantly lower in Group II than in control group and Group I (all P < 0.05). The function of LA impaired in RA patients, and the impairment aggravated with the clinical course of RA patients. 2D-STI technology can early and accurately evaluate the LA function of RA patients by evaluating LASr, LAScd, LASct, and LAGLS.
Assessment of the plasmidome of an extremophilic microbial community from the Diamante Lake, Argentina
Authors: Perez María Florencia , Saona Luis Alberto , Farías María Eugenia , Poehlein Anja , Meinhardt Friedhelm , Daniel Rolf , Dib Julián Rafael
Published: November 2021

Diamante Lake located at 4589 m.a.s.l. in the Andean Puna constitutes an extreme environment. It is exposed to multiple extreme conditions such as an unusually high concentration of arsenic (over 300 mg L−1) and low oxygen pressure. Microorganisms thriving in the lake display specific genotypes that facilitate survival, which include at least a multitude of plasmid-encoded resistance traits. Hence, the genetic information provided by the plasmids essentially contributes to understand adaptation to different stressors. Though plasmids from cultivable organisms have already been analyzed to the sequence level, the impact of the entire plasmid-borne genetic information on such microbial ecosystem is not known. This study aims at assessing the plasmidome from Diamante Lake, which facilitates the identification of potential hosts and prediction of gene functions as well as the ecological impact of mobile genetic elements. The deep-sequencing analysis revealed a large fraction of previously unknown DNA sequences of which the majority encoded putative proteins of unknown function. Remarkably, functions related to the oxidative stress response, DNA repair, as well as arsenic- and antibiotic resistances were annotated. Additionally, all necessary capacities related to plasmid replication, mobilization and maintenance were detected. Sequences characteristic for megaplasmids and other already known plasmid-associated genes were identified as well. The study highlights the potential of the deep-sequencing approach specifically targeting plasmid populations as it allows to evaluate the ecological impact of plasmids from (cultivable and non-cultivable) microorganisms, thereby contributing to the understanding of the distribution of resistance factors within an extremophilic microbial community.
Comparative assessment of nutritional, thermal, rheological and functional properties of nine Australian lupin cultivars
Authors: Mazumder Kishor , Biswas Biswajit , Kerr Philip G. , Blanchard Christopher , Nabila Afia , Golder Mimi , Aziz Mohammad Gulzarul , Farahnaky Asgar
Published: November 2021

Lupin holds an important place among the legumes and the utilization of lupin as a dietary protein source is an excellent environmentally friendly alternative to animal-based products for human nutrition. In the present study, nutritional, thermal, rheological and functional properties of nine Australian lupin cultivars have been assayed in order to find the most valuable one, both nutritiously and industrially. The set comprised six Lupinus angustifolius L. viz., Barlock, Gunyadi, Jenabillup, Jindalee, Jurien, Mandelup and three Lupinus albus L. viz., Luxor, Rosetta, WK388 cultivars. The tests included analysis of color, macronutrient and micronutrient composition, pasting, textural and thermal properties, electrophoretic profile of protein isolates, swelling power, water and oil absorption capacity, emulsifying capacity, emulsion stability, creaming stability, foaming capacity and stability of the cultivars’ dehulled seed flours. The results indicated substantial variation in macro and micro-nutritional value as well as satisfactory swelling ability, solubility, surface hydrophobicity, foaming ability, emulsifying capacity and gelation property of lupin flours. Superior nutritional, thermal, rheological and functional potential was demonstrated by the L. albus cultivars compared to the L. angustifolius cultivars with the exception of Mandelup.
Assessment of four organophosphorus pesticides as inhibitors of human acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase
Authors: Čadež Tena , Kolić Dora , Šinko Goran , Kovarik Zrinka
Published: November 2021

Toxicity of organophosphorus compounds (OPs) remains a major public health concern due to their widespread use as pesticides and the existence of nerve agents. Their common mechanism of action involves inhibition of enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) which are crucial for neurotransmission. Both chronic and acute poisoning by OPs can leave long-lasting health effects even when the patients are treated with standard medical therapy. Therefore, an increasing urgency exists to find more effective oxime reactivators for compounds which are resistant to reactivation, especially phosphoramidates. Here, we investigated in silico and in vitro interactions and kinetics of inhibition for human cholinesterases with four organophosphate pesticides—ethoprophos, fenamiphos, methamidophos and phosalone. Overall, ethoprophos and fenamiphos displayed higher potency as inhibitors for tested cholinesterases. Our results show that methamidophos-inhibited hAChE was more susceptible to reactivation than hAChE inhibited by fenamiphos by selected oximes. Molecular modelling enabled an evaluation of interactions important for specificity and selectivity of both inhibition and reactivation of cholinesterases. Two newly developed reactivators—bispyridinium triazole oxime 14A and zwitterionic oxime RS194B possess remarkable potential for further development of antidotes directed against pesticides and related phosphoramidate exposures, such as nerve agents tabun or Novichoks.
Proteins related to ictogenesis and seizure clustering in chronic epilepsy
Authors: Lee Woo-Jin , Moon Jangsup , Lim Jung-Ah , Jeon Daejong , Yoo Jung-Suk , Park Dong-Kyu , Han Dohyun , Lee Soon-Tae , Jung Keun-Hwa , Park Kyung-Il , Lee Sang Kun , Chu Kon
Published: November 2021

Seizure clustering is a common phenomenon in epilepsy. Protein expression profiles during a seizure cluster might reflect the pathomechanism underlying ictogenesis. We performed proteomic analyses to identify proteins with a specific temporal expression pattern in cluster phases and to demonstrate their potential pathomechanistic role. Pilocarpine epilepsy model mice with confirmed cluster pattern of spontaneous recurrent seizures by long-term video-electroencpehalography were sacrificed at the onset, peak, or end of a seizure cluster or in the seizure-free period. Proteomic analysis was performed in the hippocampus and the cortex. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified and classified according to their temporal expression pattern. Among the five hippocampal (HC)-DEP classes, HC-class 1 (66 DEPs) represented disrupted cell homeostasis due to clustered seizures, HC-class 2 (63 DEPs) cluster-onset downregulated processes, HC-class 3 (42 DEPs) cluster-onset upregulated processes, and HC-class 4 (103 DEPs) consequences of clustered seizures. Especially, DEPs in HC-class 3 were hippocampus-specific and involved in axonogenesis, synaptic vesicle assembly, and neuronal projection, indicating their pathomechanistic roles in ictogenesis. Key proteins in HC-class 3 were highly interconnected and abundantly involved in those biological processes. This study described the seizure cluster-associated spatiotemporal regulation of protein expression. HC-class 3 provides insights regarding ictogenesis-related processes.
Nucleolar translocation of human DNA topoisomerase II by ATP depletion and its disruption by the RNA polymerase I inhibitor BMH-21
Authors: Morotomi-Yano Keiko , Yano Ken-ichi
Published: November 2021

DNA topoisomerase II (TOP2) is a nuclear protein that resolves DNA topological problems and plays critical roles in multiple nuclear processes. Human cells have two TOP2 proteins, TOP2A and TOP2B, that are localized in both the nucleoplasm and nucleolus. Previously, ATP depletion was shown to augment the nucleolar localization of TOP2B, but the molecular details of subnuclear distributions, particularly of TOP2A, remained to be fully elucidated in relation to the status of cellular ATP. Here, we analyzed the nuclear dynamics of human TOP2A and TOP2B in ATP-depleted cells. Both proteins rapidly translocated from the nucleoplasm to the nucleolus in response to ATP depletion. FRAP analysis demonstrated that they were highly mobile in the nucleoplasm and nucleolus. The nucleolar retention of both proteins was sensitive to the RNA polymerase I inhibitor BMH-21, and the TOP2 proteins in the nucleolus were immediately dispersed into the nucleoplasm by BMH-21. Under ATP-depleted conditions, the TOP2 poison etoposide was less effective, indicating the therapeutic relevance of TOP2 subnuclear distributions. These results give novel insights into the subnuclear dynamics of TOP2 in relation to cellular ATP levels and also provide discussions about its possible mechanisms and biological significance.
Association between behavioral phenotypes and sustained use of smartphones and wearable devices to remotely monitor physical activity
Authors: Fendrich Sarah J. , Balachandran Mohan , Patel Mitesh S.
Published: November 2021

Smartphones and wearable devices can be used to remotely monitor health behaviors, but little is known about how individual characteristics influence sustained use of these devices. Leveraging data on baseline activity levels and demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial traits, we used latent class analysis to identify behavioral phenotypes among participants randomized to track physical activity using a smartphone or wearable device for 6 months following hospital discharge. Four phenotypes were identified: (1) more agreeable and conscientious; (2) more active, social, and motivated; (3) more risk-taking and less supported; and (4) less active, social, and risk-taking. We found that duration and consistency of device use differed by phenotype for wearables, but not smartphones. Additionally, “at-risk” phenotypes 3 and 4 were more likely to discontinue use of a wearable device than a smartphone, while activity monitoring in phenotypes 1 and 2 did not differ by device type. These findings could help to better target remote-monitoring interventions for hospitalized patients.
Estimating and evaluating the rice cluster distribution uniformity with UAV-based images
Authors: Wang Xiaohui , Tang Qiyuan , Chen Zhaozhong , Luo Youyi , Fu Hongyu , Li Xumeng
Published: November 2021

The uniformity of the rice cluster distribution in the field affects population quality and the precise management of pesticides and fertilizers. However, there is no appropriate technical system for estimating and evaluating the uniformity at present. For that reason, a method based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV images) is proposed to estimate and evaluate the uniformity in this present study. This method includes rice cluster recognition and location determination based on the RGB color characteristics of the seedlings of aerial images, region segmentation considering the rice clusters based on Voronoi Diagram, and uniformity index definition for evaluating the rice cluster distribution based on the variation coefficient. The results indicate the rice cluster recognition attains a high precision, with the precision, accuracy, recall, and F1-score of rice cluster recognition reaching > 95%, 97%, 97%, 95%, and 96%, respectively. The rice cluster location error is small and obeys the gamma (3.00, 0.54) distribution (mean error, 1.62 cm). The uniformity index is reasonable for evaluating the rice cluster distribution verified via simulation. As a whole process, the estimating method is sufficiently high accuracy with relative error less than 0.01% over the manual labeling method. Therefore, this method based on UAV images is feasible, convenient, technologically advanced, inexpensive, and highly precision for the estimation and evaluation of the rice cluster distribution uniformity. However, the evaluation application indicates that there is much room for improvement in terms of the uniformity of mechanized paddy field transplanting in South China.
A comparative study of pleural effusion in water area, water temperature and postmortem interval in forensic autopsy cases of drowning
Authors: Ishigami Akiko , Kashiwagi Masayuki , Ishida Yuko , Hara Kenji , Nosaka Mizuho , Matsusue Aya , Yamamoto Hiroki , Waters Brian , Kondo Toshikazu , Kubo Shin-ichi
Published: November 2021

Japan is surrounded by the sea and is also a mountainous country with many rivers. Japan has the second- highest rate of deaths caused by drowning in the world. Pleural effusion (PE) is one of the major findings at autopsy. It is found in approximately 80% of drowning mortalities and is observable for a relatively long postmortem interval (PMI). We focused on the amount of pleural fluid in drowning cases, discussed the relationship of PE with the drowning environment, water temperature, and postmortem interval, and established more simple and practical criteria for the diagnosis of drowning. We measured the weight of the lungs, PE, and their sum as the intrathoracic (IT) weight (total weight of lungs + pleural effusion), and calculated the PE ratio [(PE weight/IT weight) × 100]. A total of 130 drowning deaths diagnosed through forensic autopsies were investigated in this study. The cases were classified by drowning environment (freshwater, brackish water, and seawater), water temperature (under 20 °C, more than 20 °C), and postmortem interval (less than 1 day, 1–3 days, more than 3 days). The present study demonstrated that the PE ratio may be more effective for the diagnosis of drowning. Moreover, the accumulation of PE is affected by drowning environment, water temperature, and PMI. Collectively, it is important to assess the PE ratio and consider these factors in autopsy cases of victims found in water.
Exploration of promising optical and electronic properties of (non-polymer) small donor molecules for organic solar cells
Authors: Khalid Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Usman , Ahmed Saeed , Shafiq Zahid , Alam Mohammed Mujahid , Imran Muhammad , Braga Ataualpa Albert Carmo , Akram Muhammad Safwan
Published: November 2021

Non-fullerene based organic compounds are considered promising materials for the fabrication of modern photovoltaic materials. Non-fullerene-based organic solar cells comprise of good photochemical and thermal stability along with longer device lifetimes as compared to fullerene-based compounds. Five new non-fullerene donor molecules were designed keeping in view the excellent donor properties of 3-bis(4-(2-ethylhexyl)-thiophen-2-yl)-5,7-bis(2ethylhexyl) benzo[1,2-:4,5-c′]-dithiophene-4,8-dione thiophene-alkoxy benzene-thiophene indenedione (BDD-IN) by end-capped modifications. Photovoltaic and electronic characteristics of studied molecules were determined by employing density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). Subsequently, obtained results were compared with the reference molecule BDD-IN. The designed molecules presented lower energy difference (ΔΕ) in the range of 2.17–2.39 eV in comparison to BDD-IN (= 2.72 eV). Moreover, insight from the frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis disclosed that central acceptors are responsible for the charge transformation. The designed molecules were found with higher λmaxvalues and lower transition energies than BDD-IN molecule due to stronger end-capped acceptors. Open circuit voltage (Voc) was observed in the higher range (1.54–1.78 V) in accordance with HOMOdonor–LUMOPC61BMby designed compounds when compared with BDD-IN (1.28 V). Similarly, lower reorganization energy values were exhibited by the designed compounds in the range of λe(0.00285–0.00370 Eh) and λh(0.00847–0.00802 Eh) than BDD-IN [λe(0.00700 Eh) and λh(0.00889 Eh)]. These measurements show that the designed compounds are promising candidates for incorporation into solar cell devices, which would benefit from better hole and electron mobility.
Monitoring transformation of two tropical lignocellulosics and their lignins after residence in Benin soils
Authors: Daassi Rodrigue , Kasangana Pierre Betu , Khasa Damase P. , Stevanovic Tatjana
Published: November 2021

Thermally assisted Hydrolysis and Methylation (THM), and 2D-heteronuclear single quantum coherence nuclear magnetic resonance (2D HSQC NMR) spectroscopy were used to monitor the transformation of ramial chipped wood (RCW) from Gmelina arborea and Sarcocephalus latifolius, together with their organosolv lignins, following soil incubation in Benin (West Africa). Mesh litterbags containing RCW were buried in soils (10 cm depth) and were retrieved after 0, 6, 12 and 18 months of field incubation. Chemical analysis showed that total carbohydrate content decreased, while total lignin content increased as RCW decomposition progressed. Ash and mineral content of RCW increased significantly after 18 months of decomposition in soil. Significant N-enrichment of the RCW was determined following 18 months incubation in soils, reaching 2.6 and 1.9 times the initial N-content for G. arborea and S. latifolius. Results of THM showed that the S + G sum, corresponding to lignins, increased with RCW residence time in the soils, in contrast to the response of compounds derived from carbohydrates, the sum of which decreased. Remarkably, lignin interunit linkages, most notably β-O-4′ aryl ethers, β-β′ resinol, β-5′ phenylcoumaran and p-PCA p-coumarate, survived after 18 months in the soil, despite their gradual decrease over the duration of the experiment.
Nutritional status and prey energy density govern reproductive success in a small cetacean
Authors: IJsseldijk Lonneke L. , Hessing Sanne , Mairo Amy , ten Doeschate Mariel T. I. , Treep Jelle , van den Broek Jan , Keijl Guido O. , Siebert Ursula , Heesterbeek Hans , Gröne Andrea , Leopold Mardik F.
Published: November 2021

A variety of mammals suppress reproduction when they experience poor physical condition or environmental harshness. In many marine mammal species, reproductive impairment has been correlated to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), the most frequently measured chemical pollutants, while the relative importance of other factors remains understudied. We investigate whether reproductively active females abandon investment in their foetus when conditions are poor, exemplified using an extensively studied cetacean species; the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Data on disease, fat and muscle mass and diet obtained from necropsies in The Netherlands were used as proxies of health and nutritional status and related to pregnancy and foetal growth. This was combined with published life history parameters for 16 other areas to correlate to parameters reflecting environmental condition: mean energy density of prey constituting diets (MEDD), cumulative human impact and PCB contamination. Maternal nutritional status had significant effects on foetal size and females in poor health had lower probabilities of being pregnant and generally did not sustain pregnancy throughout gestation. Pregnancy rates across the Northern Hemisphere were best explained by MEDD. We demonstrate the importance of having undisturbed access to prey with high energy densities in determining reproductive success and ultimately population size for small cetaceans.
Removal of eDNA from fabrics using a novel laundry DNase revealed using high-resolution imaging
Authors: Yau Hamish C. L. , Malekpour Adam K. , Momin Nazarmohammad G. , Morales-García Ana L. , Willats William G. T. , Lant Neil J. , Jones Catherine Y.
Published: November 2021

Washed textiles can remain malodorous and dingy due to the recalcitrance of soils. Recent work has found that ‘invisible’ soils such as microbial extracellular DNA (eDNA) play a key role in the adhesion of extracellular polymeric substances that form matrixes contributing to these undesirable characteristics. Here we report the application of an immunostaining method to illustrate the cleaning mechanism of a nuclease (DNase I) acting upon eDNA. Extending previous work that established a key role for eDNA in anchoring these soil matrixes, this work provides new insights into the presence and effective removal of eDNA deposited on fabrics using high-resolution in-situ imaging. Using a monoclonal antibody specific to Z-DNA, we showed that when fabrics are washed with DNase I, the incidence of microbial eDNA is reduced. As well as a quantitative reduction in microbial eDNA, the deep cleaning benefits of this enzyme are shown using confocal microscopy and imaging analysis of T-shirt fibers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time the use of a molecular probe has been leveraged for fabric and homecare-related R&D to visualize eDNA and evaluate its removal from textiles by a new-to-laundry DNase enzyme. The approaches described in the current work also have scope for re-application to identify further cleaning technology.
Gamma diversity and under-sampling together generate patterns in beta-diversity
Authors: Marathe Aniruddha , Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan , Krishnaswamy Jagdish , Shanker Kartik
Published: November 2021

Beta diversity represents how species in the regional pool segregate among local communities and hence forms a link between local and regional species diversities. Therefore, the magnitude of beta diversity and its variation across geographic gradients can provide insights into mechanisms of community assembly. Along with limits on local or regional level diversities, effects of local abundance that lead to under-sampling of the regional species pool are important determinants of estimated beta diversity. We explore the effects of regional species pools, abundance distributions, and local abundance to show that patterns in beta diversity as well as the mean of species abundance distribution have distinct outcomes, depending on limits on species pools and under-sampling. We highlight the effect of under-sampling in some established relationships between gamma diversity and beta diversity using graphical methods. We then use empirical data on ant communities across an elevational gradient in the Eastern Himalayas to demonstrate a shift from effect of reduction in species pool to under-sampling at mid-elevations. Our results show that multiple processes with contrasting effects simultaneously affect patterns in beta diversity across geographic gradients.
Ca2+ imbalance caused by ERdj5 deletion affects mitochondrial fragmentation
Authors: Yamashita Riyuji , Fujii Shohei , Ushioda Ryo , Nagata Kazuhiro
Published: November 2021

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the organelle responsible for the folding of secretory/membrane proteins and acts as a dynamic calcium ion (Ca2+) store involved in various cellular signalling pathways. Previously, we reported that the ER-resident disulfide reductase ERdj5 is involved in the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) of misfolded proteins in the ER and the activation of SERCA2b, a Ca2+ pump on the ER membrane. These results highlighted the importance of the regulation of redox activity in both Ca2+ and protein homeostasis in the ER. Here, we show that the deletion of ERdj5 causes an imbalance in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, the activation of Drp1, a cytosolic GTPase involved in mitochondrial fission, and finally the aberrant fragmentation of mitochondria, which affects cell viability as well as phenotype with features of cellular senescence. Thus, ERdj5-mediated regulation of intracellular Ca2+ is essential for the maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis involved in cellular senescence.
G4-PROTAC: targeted degradation of a G-quadruplex binding protein
Authors: Patil Kiran M. , Chin Danielle , Seah Hui Ling , Shi Qi , Lim Kah Wai , Phan Anh Tuân
Published: November 2021

A G-quadruplex (G4) motif was used as a warhead of a proteolysis-targeting chimera (G4-PROTAC) for targeted degradation of a G4-binding protein (RHAU/DHX36), providing a new way to explore G4-protein networks and develop potential therapeutics.
Precise size control of hydrophobic gold nanoparticles in the 2–5 nm range
Authors: Goldmann Claire , Moretti Chiara , Mahler Benoit , Abécassis Benjamin , Impéror-Clerc Marianne , Pansu Brigitte
Published: November 2021

Seeding-growth method for gold nanoparticles with a high level of size predictivity and a very low polydispersity.
Stable hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks for selective fluorescence detection of Al3+ and Fe3+ ions
Authors: Xiao Cheng-Quan , Yi Wen-Hai , Hu Jun-Jie , Liu Sui-Jun , Wen He-Rui
Published: November 2021

Two pairs of HOFs were prepared with H4TCPE ligand under different conditions, and 3 and 4 have high stability and exhibit fluorescence quenching and enhancement toward Fe3+ and Al3+ ions, respectively.
Inorganic–organic hybrid supramolecular architectures based on Keggin polyoxometalates and crown ether: synthesis, crystal structure and electrochemical properties
Authors: Shi Jianhang , Zhang Hongxu , Wang Peisen , Wang Pai , Zha Junjie , Liu Yi , Gautam Jagadis , Zhang Lu-Nan , Wang Yue , Xie Ju , Ni Lubin , Diao Guowang , Wei Yongge
Published: November 2021

Novel supramolecular assemblies built from Keggin-type polyoxometalate and [18]-crown-6 ether building blocks exhibit unique propeller-like supramolecular host–guest structures.
Quantum transport along the armchair and zigzag edges of β12-borophene nanoribbons in the presence of a Zeeman magnetic field and dilute charged impurities
Authors: Davoudiniya M. , Mirabbaszadeh K.
Published: November 2021

Quantum transport properties of β12-BNRs can be tuned in the presence of the dilute charged impurity.
An electrostatic duel: subtle differences in the catalytic performance of monoamine oxidase A and B isoenzymes elucidated at the residue level using quantum computations
Authors: Prah Alja , Mavri Janez , Stare Jernej
Published: November 2021

Electrostatic interactions not only represent the main source of catalytic function of enzymes, but are also responsible for the fine tuning of their performance. We presently demonstrate this on the example of two related enzymes, MAO A and MAO B.
Multiplexed structured illumination super-resolution imaging with lifetime-engineered upconversion nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Baolei , Liao Jiayan , Song Yiliao , Chen Chaohao , Ding Lei , Lu Jie , Zhou Jiajia , Wang Fan
Published: November 2021

We report a tailor-made multiplexed super-resolution imaging method using the lifetime fingerprints from luminescent nanoparticles, which can resolve the particles within the diffraction-limited spots and enable higher multiplexing capacity in space.
Multilayer polymeric nanocomposites for electromagnetic interference shielding: fabrication, mechanisms, and prospects
Authors: Kamkar Milad , Ghaffarkhah Ahmadreza , Hosseini Ehsan , Amini Majed , Ghaderi Saeed , Arjmand Mohammad
Published: November 2021

Fabrication of multilayer EMI shield opens a creative avenue for designing and constructing flexible nanocomposite films simultaneously featuring excellent EMI shielding performance, fascinating heat removal ability, and robust mechanical properties.
Highly resilient, biocompatible, and antibacterial carbon nanotube/hydroxybutyl chitosan sponge dressing for rapid and effective hemostasis
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhao Liming , Gao Chen , Huang Jie , Li Qingwen , Zhang Zhijun
Published: November 2021

A three-dimensional hemostatic sponge (JWCNT/HBC) with superior mechanical strength, high blood loading, and excellent antibacterial activity is developed, achieving faster hemorrhage control and less blood loss than the commercial products.
Multiple stimuli-responsive flexible crystal with 2D elastic bending, plastic twisting and photoinduced bending capabilities
Authors: Chen Kui , Wang Jingkang , Feng Yaoguang , Liu Han , Zhang Xiunan , Hao Yunhui , Wang Ting , Huang Xin , Hao Hongxun
Published: November 2021

A multiple stimuli-responsive flexible crystal with a spring-like molecular arrangement and intermodular interaction exhibits 2D elastic bending, plastic twisting and photoinduced bending capabilities.
Impact of cation substitution in all solution-processed Cu2(Cd, Zn)SnS4 superstrate solar cells
Authors: Payno David , Kazim Samrana , Ahmad Shahzada
Published: November 2021

Thin-film solar cells from abundant elements are key to ensuring mass production and meeting energy demands.