bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amyloid-beta uptake by blood monocytes is reduced with ageing and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Chen Si-Han , Tian Ding-Yuan , Shen Ying-Ying , Cheng Yuan , Fan Dong-Yu , Sun Hao-Lun , He Chen-Yang , Sun Pu-Yang , Bu Xian-Le , Zeng Fan , Liu Juan , Deng Juan , Xu Zhi-Qiang , Chen Yang , Wang Yan-Jiang
Published: December 2020

Deficits in the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The roles of blood monocytes in the development of AD remain unclear. In this study, we sought to investigate the alterations in the Aβ phagocytosis function of peripheral monocytes during ageing and in AD patients. A total of 104 cognitively normal participants aged 22–89 years, 24 AD patients, 25 age- and sex-matched cognitively normal (CN) subjects, 15 Parkinson’s disease patients (PD), and 15 age- and sex-matched CN subjects were recruited. The Aβ uptake by blood monocytes was measured and its alteration during ageing and in AD patients were investigated. Aβ1-42uptake by monocytes decreased during ageing and further decreased in AD but not in PD patients. Aβ1-42uptake by monocytes was associated with Aβ1-42levels in the blood. Among the Aβ uptake-related receptors and enzymes, the expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) was reduced in monocytes from AD patients. Our findings suggest that monocytes regulate the blood levels of Aβ and might be involved in the development of AD. The recovery of the Aβ uptake function by blood monocytes represents a potential therapeutic strategy for AD.
Direct comparison of ARPES, STM, and quantum oscillation data for band structure determination in Sr2RhO4
Authors: Battisti I. , Tromp W. O. , Riccò S. , Perry R. S. , Mackenzie A. P. , Tamai A. , Baumberger F. , Allan M. P.
Published: December 2020

Discrepancies in the low-energy quasiparticle dispersion extracted from angle-resolved photoemission, scanning tunneling spectroscopy, and quantum oscillation data are common and have long haunted the field of quantum matter physics. Here, we directly test the consistency of results from these three techniques by comparing data from the correlated metal Sr2RhO4. Using established schemes for the interpretation of the experimental data, we find good agreement for the Fermi surface topography and carrier effective masses. Hence, the apparent absence of such an agreement in other quantum materials, including the cuprates, suggests that the electronic states in these materials are of different, non-Fermi liquid-like nature. Finally, we discuss the potential and challenges in extracting carrier lifetimes from photoemission and quasiparticle interference data.
Bayesian decision-making under stress-preserved weighting of prior and likelihood information
Authors: Trapp Sabrina , Vilares Iris
Published: December 2020

A rich body of empirical work has addressed the question of how stress changes the way we memorize, learn, and make high-level decisions in complex scenarios. There is evidence that stress also changes the way we perceive the world, indicating influences on decision-making at lower levels. Surprisingly, as of yet, little research has been conducted in this domain. A few studies suggest that under stress, humans tend to eschew existing knowledge, and instead focus on novel input or information from bottom-up. Decision-making in the perceptual domain has been modeled with Bayesian frameworks. Here, existing knowledge about structures and statistics of our environment is referred to as prior, whereas sensory data are termed likelihood. In this study, we directly assessed whether stress, as induced by the socially evaluated cold pressure task (SECPT), would modulate low-level decisions, specifically the weight given to sensory information, and how people reacted to changes in prior and sensory uncertainty. We found that while the stress-inducing procedure successfully elicited subjective stress ratings as
well as stress relevant physiological paramters, it did not change participants’ average reliance on sensory information. Furthermore, it did not affect participants’ sensitivity to changes in prior and sensory uncertainty, with both groups able to detect it and modulate their behavior accordingly, in a way predicted by Bayesian statistics. Our results suggest that, contrary to our predictions, stress may not directly affect lower-level sensory-motor decisions. We discuss the findings in context of time scales of the stress reaction, linked to different neural and functional consequences.
Co-expression network analysis of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) genes with stress-responsive genes in Arabidopsis thaliana reveals 13 key regulators
Authors: Khan Zaiba Hasan , Agarwal Swati , Rai Atul , Memaya Mounil Binal , Mehrotra Sandhya , Mehrotra Rajesh
Published: December 2020

Abiotic and biotic stresses adversely affect plant growth and development and eventually result in less yield and threaten food security worldwide. In plants, several studies have been carried out to understand molecular responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. However, the complete circuitry of stress-responsive genes that plants utilise in response to those environmental stresses are still unknown. The protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) gene has been known to have a crucial role in abiotic and biotic stresses; but how it regulates the stress response in plants is still not known completely. In this study, we constructed gene co-expression networks of PP2A genes with stress-responsive gene datasets from cold, drought, heat, osmotic, genotoxic, salt, and wounding stresses to unveil their relationships with the PP2A under different conditions of stress. The graph analysis identified 13 hub genes and several influential genes based on closeness centrality score (CCS). Our findings also revealed the count of unique genes present in different settings of stresses and subunits. We also formed clusters of influential genes based on the stress, CCS, and co-expression value. Analysis of cis-regulatory elements (CREs), recurring in promoters of these genes was also performed. Our study has led to the identification of 16 conserved CREs.
Colour-sensitive conjugated polymer inkjet-printed pixelated artificial retina model studied via a bio-hybrid photovoltaic device
Authors: Ciocca Manuela , Giannakou Pavlos , Mariani Paolo , Cinà Lucio , Di Carlo Aldo , Tas Mehmet O. , Asari Hiroki , Marcozzi Serena , Camaioni Antonella , Shkunov Maxim , Brown Thomas M.
Published: December 2020

In recent years, organic electronic materials have been shown to be a promising tool, even transplanted in vivo, for transducing light stimuli to non-functioning retinas. Here we developed a bio-hybrid optoelectronic device consisting of patterned organic polymer semiconductors interfaced with an electrolyte solution in a closed sandwich architecture in order to study the photo-response of photosensitive semiconducting layers or patterns in an environment imitating biological extracellular fluids. We demonstrate an artificial retina model composed of on an array of 42,100 pixels made of three different conjugated polymers via inkjet printing with 110 pixels/mm2packing density. Photo-sensing through three-colour pixelation allows to resolve incoming light spectrally and spatially. The compact colour sensitive optoelectronic device represents an easy-to-handle photosensitive platform for the study of the photo response of artificial retina systems.
Synthetic Host Defense Peptides Inhibit Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Replication and the Associated Inflammatory Response
Authors: Ahmed Aslaa , Bakovic Allison , Risner Kenneth , Kortchak Stephanie , Der Torossian Torres Marcelo , de la Fuente-Nunez Cesar , Lu Timothy , Bhalla Nishank , Narayanan Aarthi
Published: December 2020

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), a New World alphavirus of the Togaviridae family of viruses causes periodic outbreaks of disease in humans and equines. Disease following VEEV infection manifests as a febrile illness with flu-like symptoms, which can progress to encephalitis and cause permanent neurological sequelae in a small number of cases. VEEV is classified as a category B select agent due to ease of aerosolization and high retention of infectivity in the aerosol form. Currently, there are no FDA-approved vaccines or therapeutics available to combat VEEV infection. VEEV infection in vivo is characterized by extensive systemic inflammation that can exacerbate infection by potentially increasing the susceptibility of off-site cells to infection and dissemination of the virus. Hence, a therapeutic targeting both the infection and associated inflammation represents an unmet need. We have previously demonstrated that host defense peptides (HDPs), short peptides that are key components of the innate immune response, exhibit antiviral activity against a multitude of viruses including VEEV. In this study, we designed synthetic peptides derived from indolicidin, a naturally occurring HDP, and tested their efficacy against VEEV. Two candidate synthetic peptides inhibited VEEV replication by approximately 1000-fold and decreased the expression of inflammatory mediators such as IL1α, IL1β, IFNγ, and TNFα at both the gene and protein expression levels. Furthermore, an increase in expression levels of genes involved in chemotaxis of leukocytes and anti-inflammatory genes such as IL1RN was also observed. Overall, we conclude that our synthetic peptides inhibit VEEV replication and the inflammatory burden associated with VEEV infection.
Theoretical investigation on $$\hbox {BeN}_{{2}}$$ monolayer for an efficient bifunctional water splitting catalyst
Authors: Kishore M. R. Ashwin , Varunaa R. , Bayani Amirhossein , Larsson Karin
Published: December 2020

The search for an active, stable, and abundant semiconductor-based bifunctional catalysts for solar hydrogen production will make a substantial impact on the sustainable development of the society that does not rely on fossil reserves. The photocatalytic water splitting mechanism on a $$\hbox {BeN}_{{2}}$$

BeN
2

monolayer has here been investigated by using state-of-the-art density functional theory calculations. For all possible reaction intermediates, the calculated changes in Gibbs free energy showed that the oxygen evolution reaction will occur at, and above, the potential of 2.06 V (against the NHE) as all elementary steps are exergonic. In the case of the hydrogen evolution reaction, a potential of 0.52 V, or above, was required to make the reaction take place spontaneously. Interestingly, the calculated valence band edge and conduction band edge positions for a $$\hbox {BeN}_{{2}}$$

BeN
2

monolayer are located at the potential of 2.60 V and 0.56 V, respectively. This indicates that the photo-generated holes in the valence band can oxidize water to oxygen, and the photo-generated electrons in the conduction band can spontaneously reduce water to hydrogen. Hence, the results from the present theoretical investigation show that the $$\hbox {BeN}_{{2}}$$

BeN
2

monolayer is an efficient bifunctional water-splitting catalyst, without the need for any co-catalyst.
Malaria hotspots explained from the perspective of ecological theory underlying insect foraging
Authors: Debebe Yared , Hill Sharon Rose , Tekie Habte , Dugassa Sisay , Hopkins Richard J. , Ignell Rickard
Published: December 2020

Hotspots constitute the major reservoir for residual malaria transmission, with higher malaria incidence than neighbouring areas, and therefore, have the potential to form the cornerstone for successful intervention strategies. Detection of malaria hotspots is hampered by their heterogenous spatial distribution, and the laborious nature and low sensitivity of the current methods used to assess transmission intensity. We adopt ecological theory underlying foraging in herbivorous insects to vector mosquito host seeking and modelling of fine-scale landscape features at the village level. The overall effect of environmental variables on the density of indoor mosquitoes, sporozoite infected mosquitoes, and malaria incidence, was determined using generalized linear models. Spatial analyses were used to identify hotspots for malaria incidence, as well as malaria vector density and associated sporozoite prevalence. We identify household occupancy and location as the main predictors of vector density, entomological inoculation rate and malaria incidence. We propose that the use of conventional vector control and malaria interventions, integrated with their intensified application targeting predicted hotspots, can be used to reduce malaria incidence in endemic and residual malaria settings.
Lipodendriplexes mediated enhanced gene delivery: a cellular to pre-clinical investigation
Authors: Tariq Imran , Ali Muhammad Yasir , Sohail Muhammad Farhan , Amin Muhammad Umair , Ali Sajid , Bukhari Nadeem Irfan , Raza Abida , Pinnapireddy Shashank Reddy , Schäfer Jens , Bakowsky Udo
Published: December 2020

Clinical success of effective gene therapy is mainly hampered by the insufficiency of safe and efficient internalization of a transgene to the targeted cellular site. Therefore, the development of a safe and efficient nanocarrier system is one of the fundamental challenges to transfer the therapeutic genes to the diseased cells. Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer has been used as an efficient non-viral gene vector (dendriplexes) but the toxicity and unusual biodistribution induced by the terminal amino groups (–NH2) limit its in vivo applications. Hence, a state of the art lipid modification with PAMAM based gene carrier (lipodendriplexes) was planned to investigate theirs in vitro (2D and 3D cell culture) and in vivo behaviour. In vitro pDNA transfection, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cellular protein contents, live/dead staining and apoptosis were studied in 2D cell culture of HEK-293 cells while GFP transfection, 3D cell viability and live/dead staining of spheroids were performed in its 3D cell culture. Acute toxicity studies including organ to body index ratio, hematological parameters, serum biochemistry, histopathological profiles and in vivo transgene expression were assessed in female BALB/c mice. The results suggested that, in comparison to dendriplexes the lipodendriplexes exhibited significant improvement of pDNA transfection (p < 0.001) with lower LDH release (p < 0.01) and ROS generation (p < 0.05). A substantially higher cellular protein content (p < 0.01) and cell viability were also observed in 2D culture. A strong GFP expression with an improved cell viability profile (p < 0.05) was indicated in lipodendriplexes treated 3D spheroids. In vivo archives showed the superiority of lipid-modified nanocarrier system, depicted a significant increase in green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in the lungs (p < 0.01), heart (p < 0.001), liver (p < 0.001) and kidneys (p < 0.001) with improved serum biochemistry and hematological profile as compared to unmodified dendriplexes. No tissue necrosis was evident in the animal groups treated with lipid-shielded molecules. Therefore, a non-covalent conjugation of lipids with PAMAM based carrier system could be considered as a promising approach for an efficient and biocompatible gene delivery system.
Removal of aqueous Cr(VI) by magnetic biochar derived from bagasse
Authors: Liang Meina , Ding Yanmei , Zhang Qing , Wang Dunqiu , Li Huanhuan , Lu Lin
Published: December 2020

We prepared a novel adsorbent functionalized by bagasse magnetic biochar (BMBC). To study the removal behaviors and mechanisms of Cr(VI) by BMBC, batch adsorption experiments were conducted by modifying variables, such as pH, adsorption time, BMBC dosages, initial Cr concentration, co-existing ions, and ionic strength, and characterizing BMBC before and after Cr(VI) adsorption. BMBC was primarily composed of Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 on bagasse boichar with an amorphous structure. The specific surface area of BMBC was 81.94 m2 g−1, and the pHpzc of BMBC was 6.2. The fabricated BMBC showed high adsorption performance of Cr(VI) in aqueous solution. The maximum Cr(VI) adsorption capacity of BMBC was 29.08 mg g−1 at 25 ºC, which was much higher than that of conventional biochar sorbents. The adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and could be explained by the involvement of the Langmuir isotherm in monolayer adsorption. The crystalline structure of Fe3O4 in the BMBC changed slightly during the adsorption process; Fe3O4 improved the adsorption of Cr(VI) on BMB. The desorption capacity of Cr(VI) was 8.21 mg g−1 when 0.2 mol L−1 NaOH was used as the desorption solution. After being reused three times, the removal efficiency is still as high as 80.36%.
Combinatorial Atoh1 and Gfi1 induction enhances hair cell regeneration in the adult cochlea
Authors: Lee Sungsu , Song Jae-Jun , Beyer Lisa A. , Swiderski Donald L. , Prieskorn Diane M. , Acar Melih , Jen Hsin-I , Groves Andrew K. , Raphael Yehoash
Published: December 2020

Mature mammalian cochlear hair cells (HCs) do not spontaneously regenerate once lost, leading to life-long hearing deficits. Attempts to induce HC regeneration in adult mammals have used over-expression of the HC-specific transcription factor Atoh1, but to date this approach has yielded low and variable efficiency of HC production. Gfi1 is a transcription factor important for HC development and survival. We evaluated the combinatorial effects of Atoh1 and Gfi1 over-expression on HC regeneration using gene transfer methods in neonatal cochlear explants, and in vivo in adult mice. Adenoviral over-expression of Atoh1 and Gfi1 in cultured neonatal cochlear explants resulted in numerous ectopic HC-like cells (HCLCs), with significantly more cells in Atoh1 + Gfi1 cultures than Atoh1 alone. In vitro, ectopic HCLCs emerged in regions medial to inner HCs as well as in the stria vascularis. In vivo experiments were performed in mature Pou4f3DTR mice in which HCs were completely and specifically ablated by administration of diphtheria toxin. Adenoviral expression of Atoh1 or Atoh1 + Gfi1 in cochlear supporting cells induced appearance of HCLCs, with Atoh1 + Gfi1 expression leading to 6.2-fold increase of new HCLCs after 4 weeks compared to Atoh1 alone. New HCLCs were detected throughout the cochlea, exhibited immature stereocilia and survived for at least 8 weeks. Combinatorial Atoh1 and Gfi1 induction is thus a promising strategy to promote HC regeneration in the mature mammalian cochlea.
Robust and continuous oil/water separation with superhydrophobic glass microfiber membrane by vertical polymerization under harsh conditions
Authors: Woo Seeun , Park Hong Ryul , Park Jinyoung , Yi Johan , Hwang Woonbong
Published: December 2020

We report a robust and continuous oil/water separation with nanostructured glass microfiber (GMF) membranes modified by oxygen plasma treatment and self-assembled monolayer coating with vertical polymerization. The modified GMF membrane had a nanostructured surface and showed excellent superhydrophobicity. With an appropriate membrane thickness, a high water intrusion pressure (< 62.7 kPa) was achieved for continuous pressure-driven separation of oil/water mixtures with high flux (< 4418 L h−1 m−2) and high oil purity (> 99%). Under simulated industrial conditions, the modified GMF membrane exhibited robust chemical stability against strong acidic/alkaline solutions and corrosive environments. The proposed superhydrophobic composite coating technique is simple, low cost, environmentally friendly, and suitable for the mass production of scalable three-dimensional surfaces. Moreover, its stability and customizable functionality offers considerable potential for a wide range of novel applications.
Spectral fingerprinting to evaluate effects of storage conditions on biomolecular structure of filter-dried saliva samples and recovered DNA
Authors: Brogna Raffaele , Oldenhof Harriëtte , Sieme Harald , Wolkers Willem F.
Published: December 2020

Saliva has been widely recognized as a non-invasive, painless and easy-to-collect bodily fluid, which contains biomarkers that can be used for diagnosis of both oral and systemic diseases. Under ambient conditions, salivary biomarkers are subject to degradation. Therefore, in order to minimize degradation during transport and storage, saliva specimens need to be stabilized. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of preserving saliva samples by drying to provide a shelf-stable source of DNA. Human saliva was dried on filters under ambient conditions using sucrose as lyoprotective agent. Samples were stored under different conditions, i.e. varying relative humidity (RH) and temperature. In addition to assessment of different cell types in saliva and their DNA contents, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to evaluate the effects of storage on biomolecular structure characteristics of saliva. FTIR analysis showed that saliva dried without a lyoprotectant exhibits a higher content of extended β-sheet protein secondary structures compared to samples that were dried with sucrose. In order to evaluate differences in characteristic bands arising from the DNA backbone among differently stored samples, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed, allowing a clear discrimination between groups with/without sucrose as well as storage durations and conditions. Our results indicated that saliva dried on filters in the presence of sucrose exhibits higher biomolecular stability during storage.
Mechanism and antibacterial activity of vine tea extract and dihydromyricetin against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Liang Haiyun , He Keke , Li Ting , Cui Shumei , Tang Meng , Kang Shaoyi , Ma Wei , Song Liya
Published: December 2020

Vine tea (Ampelopsis grossedentata) has been approved as a new food ingredient in 2013. Both vine tea extract (VTE) and its active ingredient, 2R, 3R-Dihydromyricetin (DMY), showed good antibacterial activity. The mechanism of VTE and DMY against Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated by morphology observation, cell membrane and wall assay, protein assay, and DNA assay in this study. The results of SEM and TEM revealed that the VTE and DMY changed the morphology of S. aureus. The leakage of AKPase and β-galactosidase in treated groups demonstrated that the membrane integrity of S. aureus was disrupted. Meanwhile, the results of protein assay showed that VTE and DMY inhibited the expression of total proteins, and decreased activities of a few energy metabolism enzymes, total ATPase. Moreover, spectral and competitive analysis revealed that VTE and DMY interacted with DNA by groove and intercalation binding. Finally, the suspension experiments of Chinese cabbage and barley showed that inhibitors had strong inhibitory effect on bacteria growth. Overall, the results suggested that VTE and DMY may be potential food preservatives for inhibiting pathogen.
Predicting porosity, permeability, and tortuosity of porous media from images by deep learning
Authors: Graczyk Krzysztof M. , Matyka Maciej
Published: December 2020

Convolutional neural networks (CNN) are utilized to encode the relation between initial configurations of obstacles and three fundamental quantities in porous media: porosity ($$\varphi$$φ), permeability (k), and tortuosity (T). The two-dimensional systems with obstacles are considered. The fluid flow through a porous medium is simulated with the lattice Boltzmann method. The analysis has been performed for the systems with$$\varphi \in (0.37,0.99)$$φ∈(0.37,0.99)which covers five orders of magnitude a span for permeability$$k \in (0.78, 2.1\times 10^5)$$k∈(0.78,2.1×105)and tortuosity$$T \in (1.03,2.74)$$T∈(1.03,2.74). It is shown that the CNNs can be used to predict the porosity, permeability, and tortuosity with good accuracy. With the usage of the CNN models, the relation betweenTand$$\varphi$$φhas been obtained and compared with the empirical estimate.
Numerical techniques to find optimal input parameters for achieving mean particles’ temperature and axial velocity in atmospheric plasma spray process
Authors: Batra R. C. , Taetragool Unchalisa
Published: December 2020

We numerically find values of four process input parameters, namely, the argon flow rate, the hydrogen flow rate, the powder feed rate, and the current, that yield the desired mean particles’ temperature and the mean particle velocity (collectively called mean particles’ characteristics, or MPCs) in an atmospheric plasma spray process just before the particles arrive at the substrate to be coated. Previous studies have shown that the coating quality depends upon the MPCs. The process is simulated by using the software, LAVA-P-3D, that provides MPCs close to their experimental values. Thus, numerical rather than physical experiments are conducted. We first use the design of experiments to characterize the sensitivity of the MPCs to process parameters. We then identify relationships between the significant input parameters and the MPCs by using two methods, namely, the least squares regression and the response surface methodology (RSM). Finally, we employ an optimization algorithm in conjunction with the weighted sum method to find optimum values of the process input variables to achieve desired values of the MPCs. The effects of weights assigned to the objective functions for the temperature and the velocity, and the difference in using the regression and the RSM model have been studied. It is found that these values of the process parameters provide MPCs within 5% of their desired values. This methodology is applicable to other coating processes and fabrication technologies such as hot forging, machining and casting.
The potential role of Arhgef33 RhoGEF in foveal development in the zebra finch retina
Authors: Sugiyama Takefumi , Yamamoto Haruka , Kon Tetsuo , Chaya Taro , Omori Yoshihiro , Suzuki Yutaka , Abe Kentaro , Watanabe Dai , Furukawa Takahisa
Published: December 2020

The fovea is a pit formed in the center of the retina that enables high-acuity vision in certain vertebrate species. While formation of the fovea fascinates many researchers, the molecular mechanisms underlying foveal development are poorly understood. In the current study, we histologically investigated foveal development in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) and found that foveal pit formation begins just before post-hatch day 14 (P14). We next performed RNA-seq analysis to compare gene expression profiles between the central (foveal and parafoveal) and peripheral retina in zebra finch at P14. We found that the Arhgef33 expression is enriched in the middle layer of the inner nuclear layer at the parafovea, suggesting that Arhgef33 is dominantly expressed in Müller glial cells in the developing parafovea. We then performed a pull-down assay using Rhotekin-RBD and observed GEF activity of Arhgef33 against RhoA. We found that overexpression of Arhgef33 in HEK293 cells induces cell contraction and that Arhgef33 expression inhibits neurite extension in Neuro 2A cells, which is partially recovered by a Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitor. Taken together, we used zebra finch as a model animal to investigate foveal development and identified Arhgef33 as a candidate protein possibly involved in foveal development through modulating RhoA activity.
Diagenetic processes in Quaternary fossil bones from tropical limestone caves
Authors: de Sousa Daniel Vieira , Eltink Estevan , Oliveira Raquel Aline Pessoa , Félix Jorlandio Francisco , Guimarães Luciano de Moura
Published: December 2020

Quaternary fossils from limestone caves bear various diagenetic features due to the complex nature of sedimentary processes. However, few studies have addressed the problem of diagenetic changes in fossils from tropical-wet environments. We study Quaternary fossil bones from different sites of a tropical limestone cave in northeastern Brazil. These fossils show diverse diagenetic features. The approach encompassed the use of scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction to understand the modification of the fossil bone structure, chemical composition, and mineral assemblage during the diagenesis processes. We describe a model for fossil diagenesis in tropical limestone caves that involves early and advanced diagenetic stages, which produce two routes with different endmembers. The diagenesis in the cave alters the crystallinity and ordering of hydroxyapatite. The recrystallization of hydroxyapatite appears to be strongly influenced by dripping water that is rich in calcium carbonate, which leads to crystal formation with higher crystallinity. In the absence of calcium carbonate, hydroxyapatite diagenesis involves crystal growth but not necessarily dissolution of the original material, which enables remarkable preservation of the biological structure.
Older adults lack SARS CoV-2 cross-reactive T lymphocytes directed to human coronaviruses OC43 and NL63
Authors: Saletti Giulietta , Gerlach Thomas , Jansen Janina M. , Molle Antonia , Elbahesh Husni , Ludlow Martin , Li Wentao , Bosch Berend-Jan , Osterhaus Albert D. M. E. , Rimmelzwaan Guus F.
Published: December 2020

Currently, infections with SARS-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, are responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Older adults subjects > 60 years of age account for > 95% of the over one million fatal cases reported to date. It is unclear why in this age group SARS-CoV-2 infection causes more severe disease than in young adults. We hypothesized that differences in SARS-CoV-2 cross-reactive cellular immunity induced after infection with human coronaviruses (HCoVs), like OC43 and NL63, were at the basis of the differential mortality (and morbidity) observed after SARS-CoV-2 infection, because a small proportion of HCoV-specific T cells cross-react with SARS-CoV-2. Our data demonstrate that pre-existing T cell immunity induced by circulating human alpha- and beta-HCoVs is present in young adult individuals, but virtually absent in older adult subjects. Consequently, the frequency of cross-reactive T cells directed to the novel pandemic SARS-CoV-2 was minimal in most older adults. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the presence of cross-reactive T cells to SARS-CoV-2 is compared in young and older adults. Our findings provide at least a partial explanation for the more severe clinical outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection observed in the elderly. Moreover, this information could help to design efficacious vaccines for this age group, aiming at the induction of cell-mediated immunity.
Dermal fibroblast-like cells reprogrammed directly from adipocytes in mouse
Authors: Toyosaki Mitsunobu , Homma Koichiro , Suzuki Sayuri , Muraoka Naoto , Hashimoto Hisayuki , Goshima Naoki , Ieda Masaki , Sasaki Junichi
Published: December 2020

In deep burns, early wound closure is important for healing, and skin grafting is mainly used for wound closure. However, it is difficult to achieve early wound closure in extensive total body surface area deep burns due to the lack of donor sites. Dermal fibroblasts, responsible for dermis formation, may be lost in deep burns. However, fat layers composed of adipocytes, lying underneath the dermis, are retained even in such cases. Direct reprogramming is a novel method for directly reprograming some cells into other types by introducing specific master regulators; it has exhibited appreciable success in various fields. In this study, we aimed to assess whether the transfection of master regulators (ELF4, FOXC2, FOXO1, IRF1, PRRX1, and ZEB1) could reprogram mouse adipocytes into dermal fibroblast-like cells. Our results indicated the shrinkage of fat droplets in reprogrammed mouse adipocytes and their transformation into spindle-shaped dermal fibroblasts. Reduced expression of PPAR-2, c/EBP, aP2, and leptin, the known markers of adipocytes, in RT-PCR, and enhanced expression of anti-ER-TR7, the known anti-fibroblast marker, in immunocytochemistry, were confirmed in the reprogrammed mouse adipocytes. The dermal fibroblast-like cells, reported here, may open up a new treatment mode for enabling early closure of deep burn wounds.
Total synthesis of lindbladione, a Hes1 dimerization inhibitor and neural stem cell activator isolated from Lindbladia tubulina
Authors: Arai Midori A. , Makita Yuna , Yamaguchi Yumi , Kawano Haruka , Suganami Akiko , Tamura Yutaka , Ishibashi Masami
Published: December 2020

Lindbladione (1) is a neural stem cell differentiation activator isolated from Lindbladia tubulina by our group. Hes1 dimerization inhibitory activity of lindbladione (1) was discovered using our original fluorescent Hes1 dimer microplate assay. We also found that lindbladione (1) accelerates the differentiation of neural stem cells. We conducted the first total synthesis of lindbladione (1) via Heck reaction of 1-hexene-3-one 7 with iodinated naphthoquinone 12, which was provided by Friedel–Crafts acylation followed by Claisen condensation, in the presence of Pd (II) acetate. Careful deprotection of the benzyl groups of 13 successively provided lindbladione (1). Synthesized lindbladione (1) exhibited potent Hes1 dimer inhibition (IC50 of 2.7 μM) in our previously developed fluorescent Hes1 dimer microplate assay. Synthesized lindbladione (1) also accelerated the differentiation of C17.2 mouse neural stem cells into neurons dose dependently, increasing the number of neurons by 59% (2.5 μM) and 112% (10 μM) compared to the control. These activities are comparable to those of naturally occurring lindbladione (1) isolated from L. tublina.
Author Correction: Pollinator importance networks illustrate the crucial value of bees in a highly speciose plant community
Authors: Ballantyne Gavin , Baldock Katherine C. R. , Rendell Luke , Willmer P. G.
Published: December 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Plasma amino acids profile in first-episode psychosis, unaffected siblings and community-based controls
Authors: Loureiro Camila Marcelino , da Roza Daiane Leite , Corsi-Zuelli Fabiana , Shuhama Rosana , Fachim Helene Aparecida , Simões-Ambrosio Lívia Maria Cordeiro , Deminice Rafael , Jordão Alceu Afonso , Menezes Paulo Rossi , Del-Ben Cristina Marta , Louzada-Junior Paulo
Published: December 2020

Investigations of plasma amino acids in early psychosis and their unaffected siblings are rare. We measured plasma amino acids involved in the co-activation of dopaminergic, GABAergic, glutamatergic, and serotoninergic neurotransmitters in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients (n = 166), unaffected siblings (n = 76), and community-based controls (n = 166) included in a cross-sectional study. Plasma levels of glutamic acid (GLU), glutamine, glycine, proline (PRO), tryptophan (TRP), tyrosine, serine and GABA were quantified by gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry. We used the generalized linear model adjusted by sex, age, and body mass index for group comparison and paired t-test for FEP-Sibling pairs. FEP had reduced GABA plasma levels compared to siblings and controls (p < 0.05 for both). Siblings had lower GLU, Glx and PRO (p < 0.05 for all) but increased TRP compared to patients and controls (p < 0.05 for both). FEP patients with longer duration of pharmacological treatment and medicated only with antipsychotics had increased GLU compared to FEP with shorter periods, or with those treated with a combination of medications (p < 0.05 for both). Finally, FEP patients treated only with antipsychotics presented higher Glx compared to those with mixed medications (p = 0.026). Our study suggests that FEP have low a GABA plasma profile. Unaffected siblings may be a possible risk group for metabolic abnormalities.
Influence of quartz powder and silica fume on the performance of Portland cement
Authors: Tavares Ludmila Rodrigues Costa , Junior Joaquim Francisco Tavares , Costa Leonardo Martins , da Silva Bezerra Augusto Cesar , Cetlin Paulo Roberto , Aguilar Maria Teresa Paulino
Published: December 2020

Supplementary cementitious materials interact chemically and physically with cement, influencing the formation of hydrate compounds. Many authors have analyzed the filler and pozzolanic effect. However, few studies have explored the influence of these effects on hydration, properties in the fresh and hardened states, and durability parameters of cementitious composites separately. This study investigates the influence of the replacement of 20% of Portland cement for silica fume (SF) or a 20-µm medium diameter quartz powder (QP) on the properties of cementitious composites from the first hours of hydration to a few months of curing. The results indicate that SF is pozzolanic and that QP has no pozzolanic activity. The use of SF and QP reduces the released energy at early times to the control paste, indicating that these materials reduce the heat of hydration. The microstructure with fewer pores of SF compounds indicates that the pozzolanic reaction reduced pore size and binding capability, resulting in equivalent mechanical properties, reduced permeability and increased electrical resistance of the composites. SF and QP increase the carbonation depth of the composites. SF and QP composites are efficient in the inhibition of the alkali-aggregate reaction. The results indicate that, unlike the filler effect, the occurrence of pozzolanic reaction strongly influences electrical resistance, reducing the risk of corrosion of the reinforcement inserted in the concrete.
Production of genome-edited Daphnia for heavy metal detection by fluorescence
Authors: Arao Takuto , Kato Yasuhiko , Nong Quang Dang , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Watanabe Haruna , Matsuura Tomoaki , Tatarazako Norihisa , Tani Kazune , Okamoto Akira , Matsumoto Takeru , Watanabe Hajime
Published: December 2020

Aquatic heavy metal pollution is a growing concern. To facilitate heavy metal monitoring in water, we developed transgenic Daphnia that are highly sensitive to heavy metals and respond to them rapidly. Metallothionein A, which was a metal response gene, and its promoter region was obtained from Daphnia magna. A chimeric gene fusing the promoter region with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene was integrated into D. magna using the TALEN technique and transgenic Daphnia named D. magna MetalloG were produced. When D. magna MetalloG was exposed to heavy metal solutions for 1 h, GFP expression was induced only in their midgut and hepatopancreas. The lowest concentrations of heavy metals that activated GFP expression were 1.2 µM Zn2+, 130 nM Cu2+, and 70 nM Cd2+. Heavy metal exposure for 24 h could lower the thresholds even further. D. magna MetalloG facilitates aqueous heavy metal detection and might enhance water quality monitoring.
Network analysis reveals essential proteins that regulate sodium-iodide symporter expression in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Rakhsh-Khorshid Hassan , Samimi Hilda , Torabi Shukoofeh , Sajjadi-Jazi Sayed Mahmoud , Samadi Hamed , Ghafouri Fatemeh , Asgari Yazdan , Haghpanah Vahid
Published: December 2020

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is the most rare and lethal form of thyroid cancer and requires effective treatment. Efforts have been made to restore sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) expression in ATC cells where it has been downregulated, yet without complete success. Systems biology approaches have been used to simplify complex biological networks. Here, we attempt to find more suitable targets in order to restore NIS expression in ATC cells. We have built a simplified protein interaction network including transcription factors and proteins involved in MAPK, TGFβ/SMAD, PI3K/AKT, and TSHR signaling pathways which regulate NIS expression, alongside proteins interacting with them. The network was analyzed, and proteins were ranked based on several centrality indices. Our results suggest that the protein interaction network of NIS expression regulation is modular, and distance-based and information-flow-based centrality indices may be better predictors of important proteins in such networks. We propose that the high-ranked proteins found in our analysis are expected to be more promising targets in attempts to restore NIS expression in ATC cells.
In vitro synergy of isavuconazole in combination with colistin against Candida auris
Authors: Schwarz Patrick , Bidaud Anne-Laure , Dannaoui Eric
Published: December 2020

The in vitro interactions of isavuconazole with colistin were evaluated against 15 clinical Candida auris isolates by a microdilution checkerboard technique based on the EUCAST reference method for antifungal susceptibility testing and by agar diffusion using isavuconazole gradient concentration strips with or without colistin incorporated RPMI agar. Interpretation of the checkerboard results was done by the fractional inhibitory concentration index and by response surface analysis based on the Bliss model. By checkerboard, combination was synergistic for 93% of the isolates when interpretation of the data was done by fractional inhibitory concentration index, and for 80% of the isolates by response surface analysis interpretation. By agar diffusion test, although all MICs in combination decreased compared to isavuconazole alone, only 13% of the isolates met the definition of synergy. Essential agreement of EUCAST and gradient concentration strip MICs at +/− 2 log2 dilutions was 93.3%. Antagonistic interactions were never observed for any technique or interpretation model used.
Archaeopteryx feather sheaths reveal sequential center-out flight-related molting strategy
Authors: Kaye Thomas G. , Pittman Michael , Wahl William R.
Published: December 2020

Modern flying birds molt to replace old and worn feathers that inhibit flight performance, but its origins are unclear. We address this by presenting and evaluating a ~150 million year old record of molting in a feathered dinosaur from the early bird Archaeopteryx. Laser-Stimulated Fluorescence revealed feather sheaths that are otherwise invisible under white light. These are separated by one feather and are not in numerical sequential order and are mirrored in both wings. This indicates that a sequential center-out molting strategy was already present at the origins of flight, which is used in living falcons to preserve maximum flight performance. This strategy would have been a welcome advantage for early theropod flyers that had poor flight capabilities. This discovery provides important insights into how birds refined their early flight capabilities before the appearance of the keeled sternum, pygostyle and triosseal canal.
Influenza virus neuraminidase regulates host CD8+ T-cell response in mice
Authors: Wu Chung-Yi , Chuang Hong-Yang , Wong Chi-Huey
Published: December 2020

Influenza A virus (IAV)-specific CD8+ T-cell response was shown to provide protection against pandemic and seasonal influenza infections. However, the response was often relatively weak and the mechanism was unclear. Here, we show that the composition of IAV released from infected cells is regulated by the neuraminidase (NA) activity and the cells infected by NA-defective virus cause intracellular viral protein accumulation and cell death. In addition, after uptake of NA-defective viruses by dendritic cells (DCs), an expression of the major histocompatibility complex class I is induced to activate IAV-specific CD8+ T-cell response. When mice were infected by NA-defective IAV, a CD8+ T-cell response to the highly conserved viral antigens including PB1, NP, HA, M1, M2 and NS1 was observed along with the increasing expression of IL10, IL12 and IL27. Vaccination of mice with NA-defective H1N1 A/WSN/33 induced a strong IAV-specific CD8+ T cell response against H1N1, H3N2 and H5N1. This study reveals the role of NA in the IAV-specific CD8+ T-cell response and virion assembly process, and provides an alternative direction toward the development of universal influenza vaccines.
Application and assessment of deep learning for the generation of potential NMDA receptor antagonists
Authors: Schultz Katherine J. , Colby Sean M. , Yesiltepe Yasemin , Nuñez Jamie R. , McGrady Monee Y. , Renslow Ryan S.
Published: December 2020

In this study, we assess the application of a generative model to the NMDAR and provide source code for a variety of ligand- and structure-based assessment techniques used in standard drug discovery analyses to the deep learning-generated compounds.
Theory and experiment of chain length effects on the adsorption of polyelectrolytes onto spherical particles: the long and the short of it
Authors: Koumarianos Sperydon , Kaiyum Rohith , Barrett Christopher J. , Madras Neal , Mermut Ozzy
Published: December 2020

We study here the role of polyelectrolyte chain length, that is number of repeat units (mers), in the competitive adsorption of a simple model polyanion onto 85 nm spherical silica particles capped with a model polycation.
Exciton diffusion in solid solutions of luminescent lanthanide β-diketonates
Authors: Liu Mingzhao , Yang Zhanlan , Weng Shifu , Wu Jinguang
Published: December 2020

Photoluminescence from Eu(iii) β-diketonate is enhanced in solid solutions with non-luminescent lanthanide β-diketonates. The effect is attributed to triplet exciton diffusion through the formation of π–π stacks between neighboring ligands.
Assigning XPS features in B,N-doped graphene: input fromab initioquantum chemical calculations
Authors: Costa Ramon , Morales-García Ángel , Figueras Marc , Illas Francesc
Published: December 2020

Reliable core-level binding energies of B(1s) and N(1s) in B,N-doped graphenes based onab initioquantum chemical calculations.
An oxygen-passivated vanadium cluster [V@V10O15]− with metal–metal coordination produced by reacting Vn− with O2
Authors: Zhang Hanyu , Cui Chaonan , Yan Miao , Geng Lijun , Wu Haiming , Jia Yuhan , Luo Zhixun , Li Si-Dian
Published: December 2020

An oxygen-passivated vanadium cluster [V@V10O15]− is reported by reacting Vn− with O2, giving rise to superatom features of metal–metal coordination and 3D aromaticity.
A density functional theory study on the underwater adhesion of catechol onto a graphite surface
Authors: Chitumalla Ramesh Kumar , Kim Kiduk , Gao Xingfa , Jang Joonkyung
Published: December 2020

By employing periodic-DFT simulations, we unveil that the wet adhesion of mussels onto a hydrophobic graphite surface is significantly strong and is comparable with that on a hydrophilic silica surface.
Creation of discrete active site domains via mesoporous silica poly(styrene) composite materials for incompatible acid–base cascade reactions
Authors: Cleveland Jacob W. , Kumar Dharam Raj , Cho Jinwon , Jang Seung Soon , Jones Christopher W.
Published: December 2020

Mesoporous silica/polymer hybrid materials catalyze a two-step acid and base cascade reaction. Catalyst design emphasizes compartmentalization of incompatible Lewis base and Brønsted acid catalysts by tuning polymer chain length and silica pore diameter.meter.
Biocatalysed synthesis of chiral amines: continuous colorimetric assays for mining amine-transaminases
Authors: Gourbeyre Léa , Heuson Egon , Charmantray Franck , Hélaine Virgil , Debard Adrien , Petit Jean-Louis , de Berardinis Véronique , Gefflaut Thierry
Published: December 2020

Versatile and sensitive continuous colorimetric assays were developed for the high throughput screening of a large collection of amine-TAs from biodiversity, and allowed the discovery of a set of diverse biocatalysts with high synthetic potential.
Solvothermal synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of heterometallic coordination polymers based on a phenolato-oxamato co-bidentate-tridentate ligand
Authors: Li Ang , Chamoreau Lise-Marie , Baptiste Benoît , Li Yanling , Journaux Yves , Lisnard Laurent
Published: December 2020

First examples of 1D oxamate-based coordination polymers obtained solvothermally.
Antiviral-nanoparticle interactions and reactions
Authors: Vecitis Chad D.
Published: December 2020

Fundamental design parameters for future development of novel antiviral nanomaterials.
Beneficial synergy of adsorption–intercalation–conversion mechanisms in Nb2O5@nitrogen-doped carbon frameworks for promoted removal of metal ions via hybrid capacitive deionization
Authors: Wang Guizhi , Yan Tingting , Shen Junjie , Zhang Jianping , Shi Liyi , Zhang Dengsong
Published: December 2020

Enhanced removal of metal ions in a hybrid capacitive deionization system has been originally developed via the adsorption–intercalation–conversion mechanisms.