bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary and serum n-3 PUFA and polycystic ovary syndrome: a matched case–control study
Authors: Lu Ling , Li Xiaoqin , Lv Lin , Xu Yao , Wu Baohua , Huang Chaolin
Published: August 2021

The results of epidemiological studies involving n-3 PUFA and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are scarce. This matched case–control study assessed the associations between n-3 PUFA and PCOS prevalence in 325 pairs of PCOS cases and healthy controls. Dietary information was assessed using a 102-item FFQ. Fatty acids in serum phospholipids were measured with a GC method. We found that n-3 PUFA in serum phospholipids were inversely associated with PCOS prevalence, including total, long-chain and individual PUFA (e.g. docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), EPA and DHA). Compared with the lowest tertile (T1), the adjusted OR and their 95% CI for the highest tertile (T3) were 0·63 (0·40, 0·93) for total n-3 PUFA, 0·60 (0·38, 0·92) for long-chain n-3 PUFA, 0·68 (0·45, 1·01) for DHA, 0·70 (0·45, 1·05) for EPA and 0·72 (0·45, 1·08) for DPA. For dietary intake of n-3 PUFA, significant inverse associations were found only for long-chain n-3 PUFA (Ptrend = 0·001), EPA (Ptrend = 0·047) and DHA (Ptrend = 0·030). Both dietary and serum n-3 PUFA, mainly EPA and DPA, were negatively correlated with PCOS-related parameters, such as BMI, fasting insulin, total testosterone and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, but positively correlated with follicle-stimulating hormone and sex hormone-binding globulin. These results indicated inverse associations between n-3 PUFA, especially long-chain n-3 PUFA, and PCOS prevalence. Higher intakes of n-3 PUFA might be considered a protective factor for PCOS among Chinese females.
Posets pluton: a geochronological piece in the puzzle of the Axial Zone of the Pyrenees
Authors: Esteban JJ , Cuevas J , Tubía JM , Hilario A , Larionov A , Sergeev S
Published: August 2021

A detailed geochronological study was conducted on zircons from a diorite sample of the Posets pluton (Axial Zone, Pyrenees). The extracted igneous zircons constrain the emplacement of the pluton to 302 ± 2 Ma and 301 ± 3 Ma, by means of U–Pb sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analyses, respectively. Considering the syn- to late-tectonic emplacement of the Posets pluton during the main Variscan deformation event (D2), the obtained ages constrain the long-lasting D2, associated with the dextral transpression registered through the Axial Zone of the Pyrenees.
Going further post-RNA-seq:In silicofunctional analyses revealing candidate genes and regulatory elements related to mastitis in dairy cattle
Authors: Passe Pereira Hyago , Lima Verardo Lucas , Morena Del Cambre Amaral Weller Mayara , Paula Sbardella Ana , Prado Munari Danísio , Morais de Paiva Daibert Raquel , Araújo Carvalho Wanessa , Antonio Machado Marco , Fonseca Martins Marta
Published: August 2021

This study aimed to obtain a better understanding of the regulatory genes and molecules involved in the development of mastitis. For this purpose, the transcription factors (TF) and MicroRNAs (miRNA) related to differentially expressed genes previously found in extracorporeal udders infected withStreptococcus agalactiaewere investigated. The Gene-TF network highlightedLOC515333,SAA3,CD14,NFKBIA,APOC2andLOC100335608and genes that encode the most representative transcription factorsSTAT3,PPARG,EGR1andNFKB1for infected udders. In addition, it was possible to highlight, through the analysis of the gene-miRNA network, genes that could be post-transcriptionally regulated by miRNAs, such as the relationship between theCCL5gene and the miRNA bta-miR-363. Overall, our data demonstrated genes and regulatory elements (TF and miRNA) that can play an important role in mastitis resistance. The results provide new insights into the first functional pathways and the network of genes that orchestrate the innate immune responses to infection byStreptococcus agalactiae. Our results will increase the general knowledge about the gene networks, transcription factors and miRNAs involved in fighting intramammary infection and maintaining tissue during infection and thus enable a better understanding of the pathophysiology of mastitis.
Theorising sexual violence in global politics: Improvising with feminist theory
Authors: Zalewski Marysia
Published: August 2021

A key curiosity animating this article concerns how sexual violence is theorised. The work of feminist scholars has been crucial in unearthing ways in which women's traditionally demeaned bodies regularly materialised as ‘easy targets’ for such violence. The gift of the concept of gender has played a significant role in facilitating the production of this corpus of knowledge. Less noticed in the literature, in policy and legislation has been sexual violence against men – an egregious omission. Yet it seems that redeploying the concept of gender to make sense of sexual violence against men and elevate this violence into the realms of theoretical and legislative attention is not straightforward. Identifying feminist work as in part responsible for the rendering of sexual violence against men as too ‘unseen’ in theory provoked my attention, though it's not that I place feminist theory as ‘innocent’ or infallible – far from it. In this article I unpack some of the complexities around theorising sexual politics in Global Politics turning towards the aesthetics of feminist thinking to help reconsider the way connections take shape between gender, sex and violence. Underpinning this discussion are questions about feminist intentions to transform patriarchal and colonial structures and institutions.
Facilitating Age-Conscious Student Development through Lecture-Based Courses on Aging
Authors: Russell Elizabeth , Thériault Éric R. , Colibaba Amber
Published: August 2021

Ageism is pervasive and socially normalized, and population aging has created a need to understand how views of aging and of older people, typically considered to be people over the age of 65, can be improved. This study sought to understand how undergraduate students’ attitudes towards older adults and the aging process may be influenced after completing a typical, lecture-based undergraduate course on aging that lacked service-learning components. Two undergraduate student cohorts (n= 40) at two Canadian universities participated in semi-structured focus groups/interviews, describing how the course may have impacted their perceptions of the aging process and of older adults. An iterative collaborative qualitative analysis demonstrated that course content stimulated a deeper understanding of the aging process, prompting a reduction in and increased awareness of ageism, and enhanced personal connection with aging, ultimately facilitating the development of an age-conscious student. Lecture-based courses focused on aging may be sufficient to facilitate positive attitude change among undergraduate students towards older adults and the aging process.
Smaller Than Expected
Authors: Giesen Carina G. , Nagel Laura , Rudolph Matthäus , Rothermund Klaus
Published: August 2021

Abstract. In two pre-registered studies, we investigated whether processes of imitative action regulation are facilitated after experiencing an episode of social exclusion. We reasoned that imitative action regulation effects should be more pronounced for participants who were socially excluded, providing them with an “automatic means” to socially reconnect with others. Participants played a virtual ball-tossing game to experimentally induce social exclusion or inclusion experiences. Subsequently, pairs of two participants engaged in an observational stimulus–response (SR) binding paradigm modeled after Giesen et al. (2014) : Participants observed color categorization responses in their interaction partner (trial n-1) and then executed (in)compatible responses in the subsequent trial (trial n), with observation and responding occurring in alternation. Stimulus relation (repetition vs. change) from trial n-1 to trial n was orthogonally manipulated. In both studies, stimulus-based retrieval effects of observationally acquired SR bindings were descriptively larger in socially excluded (compared with socially included) participants. However, none of the effects were statistically significant. Even a joint analysis of both experiments did not show the expected modulation. We discuss the implications of our findings for research on social exclusion effects on imitative action regulation processes.
Indeterminate and oncogenic potential: CHIP vs CHOP mutations in AML with NPM1 alteration
Authors: Cappelli Luca Vincenzo , Meggendorfer Manja , Baer Constance , Nadarajah Niroshan , Hutter Stephan , Jeromin Sabine , Dicker Frank , Kern Wolfgang , Haferlach Torsten , Haferlach Claudia , Höllein Alexander
Published: August 2021

In AML patients, recurrent mutations were shown to persist in remission, however, only some have a prognostic value and persistent mutations might therefore reflect a re-established premalignant state or truly active disease causing relapse. We aimed to dissect the nature of co-mutations in NPM1 mutated AML where the detection of NPM1 transcripts allows highly specific and sensitive detection of complete molecular remission (CMR). We analysed 150 consecutive patients who achieved CMR following intensive treatment by next generation sequencing on paired samples at diagnosis, CMR and relapse (38/150 patients). Patients with persistence or the acquisition of non-DTA (DNMT3A, TET2, ASXL1) mutations at CMR (23/150 patients, 15%) have a significantly worse prognosis (EFS HR = 2.7, p = 0.003; OS HR = 3.6, p = 0.012). Based on clonal evolution analysis of diagnostic, CMR and relapse samples, we redefine pre-malignant mutations and include IDH1, IDH2 and SRSF2 with the DTA genes in this newly defined group. Only the persistence or acquisition of CHOP-like (clonal hematopoiesis of oncogenic potential) mutations was significantly associated with an inferior outcome (EFS HR = 4.5, p = 0.0002; OS HR = 5.5, p = 0.002). Moreover, the detection of CHOP-like mutations at relapse was detrimental (HR = 4.5, p = 0.01). We confirmed these findings in a second independent whole genome sequencing cohort.
BCLXL gene therapy moderates neuropathology in the DBA/2J mouse model of inherited glaucoma
Authors: Donahue Ryan J. , Fehrman Rachel L. , Gustafson Jenna R. , Nickells Robert W.
Published: August 2021

Axonal degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) causes blindness in glaucoma. Currently, there are no therapies that target axons to prevent them from degenerating. Activation of the BAX protein has been shown to be the determining step in the intrinsic apoptotic pathway that causes RGCs to die in glaucoma. A putative role for BAX in axonal degeneration is less well elucidated. BCLXL (BCL2L1) is the primary antagonist of BAX in RGCs. We developed a mCherry-BCLXL fusion protein, which prevented BAX recruitment and activation to the mitochondria in tissue culture cells exposed to staurosporine. This fusion protein was then packaged into adeno-associated virus serotype 2, which was used to transduce RGCs after intravitreal injection and force its overexpression. Transduced RGCs express mCherry-BCLXL throughout their somas and axons along the entire optic tract. In a model of acute optic nerve crush, the transgene prevented the recruitment of a GFP-BAX fusion protein to mitochondria and provided long-term somal protection up to 12 weeks post injury. To test the efficacy in glaucoma, DBA/2J mice were transduced at 5 months of age, just prior to the time they begin to exhibit ocular hypertension. Gene therapy with mCherry-BCLXL did not affect the longitudinal history of intraocular pressure elevation compared to naive mice but did robustly attenuate both RGC soma pathology and axonal degeneration in the optic nerve at both 10.5 and 12 months of age. BCLXL gene therapy is a promising candidate for glaucoma therapy.
The transcription factor CmLEC1 positively regulates the seed-setting rate in hybridization breeding of chrysanthemum
Authors: Xu Sujuan , Wu Ze , Hou Huizhong , Zhao Jingya , Zhang Fengjiao , Teng Renda , Ding Liping , Chen Fadi , Teng Nianjun
Published: August 2021

Distant hybridization is widely used to develop crop cultivars, whereas the hybridization process of embryo abortion often severely reduces the sought-after breeding effect. The LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1) gene has been extensively investigated as a central regulator of seed development, but it is far less studied in crop hybridization breeding. Here we investigated the function and regulation mechanism of CmLEC1 from Chrysanthemum morifolium during its seed development in chrysanthemum hybridization. CmLEC1 encodes a nucleic protein and is specifically expressed in embryos. CmLEC1’s overexpression significantly promoted the seed-setting rate of the cross, while the rate was significantly decreased in the amiR-CmLEC1 transgenic chrysanthemum. The RNA-Seq analysis of the developing hybrid embryos revealed that regulatory genes involved in seed development, namely, CmLEA (late embryogenesis abundant protein), CmOLE (oleosin), CmSSP (seed storage protein), and CmEM (embryonic protein), were upregulated in the OE (overexpressing) lines but downregulated in the amiR lines vs. wild-type lines. Future analysis demonstrated that CmLEC1 directly activated CmLEA expression and interacted with CmC3H, and this CmLEC1–CmC3H interaction could enhance the transactivation ability of CmLEC1 for the expression of CmLEA. Further, CmLEC1 was able to induce several other key genes related to embryo development. Taken together, our results show that CmLEC1 plays a positive role in the hybrid embryo development of chrysanthemum plants, which might involve activating CmLEA’s expression and interacting with CmC3H. This may be a new pathway in the LEC1 regulatory network to promote seed development, one perhaps leading to a novel strategy to not only overcome embryo abortion during crop breeding but also increase the seed yield.
Bisection of the X chromosome disrupts the initiation of chromosome silencing during meiosis in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Rappaport Yisrael , Achache Hanna , Falk Roni , Murik Omer , Ram Oren , Tzur Yonatan B.
Published: August 2021

During meiosis, gene expression is silenced in aberrantly unsynapsed chromatin and in heterogametic sex chromosomes. Initiation of sex chromosome silencing is disrupted in meiocytes with sex chromosome-autosome translocations. To determine whether this is due to aberrant synapsis or loss of continuity of sex chromosomes, we engineered Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes with non-translocated, bisected X chromosomes. In early meiocytes of mutant males and hermaphrodites, X segments are enriched with euchromatin assembly markers and active RNA polymerase II staining, indicating active transcription. Analysis of RNA-seq data showed that genes from the X chromosome are upregulated in gonads of mutant worms. Contrary to previous models, which predicted that any unsynapsed chromatin is silenced during meiosis, our data indicate that unsynapsed X segments are transcribed. Therefore, our results suggest that sex chromosome chromatin has a unique character that facilitates its meiotic expression when its continuity is lost, regardless of whether or not it is synapsed.
Nanopore sequencing of brain-derived full-length circRNAs reveals circRNA-specific exon usage, intron retention and microexons
Authors: Rahimi Karim , Venø Morten T. , Dupont Daniel M. , Kjems Jørgen
Published: August 2021

Circular RNA (circRNA) is a class of covalently joined non-coding RNAs with functional roles in a wide variety of cellular processes. Their composition shows extensive overlap with exons found in linear mRNAs making it difficult to delineate their composition using short-read RNA sequencing, particularly for long and multi-exonic circRNAs. Here, we use long-read nanopore sequencing of nicked circRNAs (circNick-LRS) and characterize a total of 18,266 and 39,623 circRNAs in human and mouse brain, respectively. We further develop an approach for targeted long-read sequencing of a panel of circRNAs (circPanel-LRS), eliminating the need for prior circRNA enrichment and find >30 circRNA isoforms on average per targeted locus. Our data show that circRNAs exhibit a large number of splicing events such as novel exons, intron retention and microexons that preferentially occur in circRNAs. We propose that altered exon usage in circRNAs may reflect resistance to nonsense-mediated decay in the absence of translation.
Adipose tissue hyaluronan production improves systemic glucose homeostasis and primes adipocytes for CL 316,243-stimulated lipolysis
Authors: Zhu Yi , Li Na , Huang Mingyang , Bartels Mason , Dogné Sophie , Zhao Shangang , Chen Xi , Crewe Clair , Straub Leon , Vishvanath Lavanya , Zhang Zhuzhen , Shao Mengle , Yang Yongjie , Gliniak Christy M. , Gordillo Ruth , Smith Gordon I. , Holland William L. , Gupta Rana K. , Dong Bingning , Caron Nathalie , Xu Yong , Akgul Yucel , Klein Samuel , Scherer Philipp E.
Published: August 2021

Plasma hyaluronan (HA) increases systemically in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and the HA synthesis inhibitor, 4-Methylumbelliferone, has been proposed to treat the disease. However, HA is also implicated in normal physiology. Therefore, we generated a Hyaluronan Synthase 2 transgenic mouse line, driven by a tet-response element promoter to understand the role of HA in systemic metabolism. To our surprise, adipocyte-specific overproduction of HA leads to smaller adipocytes and protects mice from high-fat-high-sucrose-diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance. Adipocytes also have more free glycerol that can be released upon beta3 adrenergic stimulation. Improvements in glucose tolerance were not linked to increased plasma HA. Instead, an HA-driven systemic substrate redistribution and adipose tissue-liver crosstalk contributes to the systemic glucose improvements. In summary, we demonstrate an unexpected improvement in glucose metabolism as a consequence of HA overproduction in adipose tissue, which argues against the use of systemic HA synthesis inhibitors to treat obesity and T2D.
Manipulating electron redistribution to achieve electronic pyroelectricity in molecular [FeCo] crystals
Authors: Sadhukhan Pritam , Wu Shu-Qi , Long Jeremy Ian , Nakanishi Takumi , Kanegawa Shinji , Gao Kaige , Yamamoto Kaoru , Okajima Hajime , Sakamoto Akira , Baker Michael L. , Kroll Thomas , Sokaras Dimosthenis , Okazawa Atsushi , Kojima Norimichi , Shiota Yoshihito , Yoshizawa Kazunari , Sato Osamu
Published: August 2021

Pyroelectricity plays a crucial role in modern sensors and energy conversion devices. However, obtaining materials with large and nearly constant pyroelectric coefficients over a wide temperature range for practical uses remains a formidable challenge. Attempting to discover a solution to this obstacle, we combined molecular design of labile electronic structure with the crystal engineering of the molecular orientation in lattice. This combination results in electronic pyroelectricity of purely molecular origin. Here, we report a polar crystal of an [FeCo] dinuclear complex exhibiting a peculiar pyroelectric behavior (a substantial sharp pyroelectric current peak and an unusual continuous pyroelectric current at higher temperatures) which is caused by a combination of Fe spin crossover (SCO) and electron transfer between the high-spin Fe ion and redox-active ligand, namely valence tautomerism (VT). As a result, temperature dependence of the pyroelectric behavior reported here is opposite from conventional ferroelectrics and originates from a transition between three distinct electronic structures. The obtained pyroelectric coefficient is comparable to that of polyvinylidene difluoride at room temperature.
Conversion of dietary inositol into propionate and acetate by commensal Anaerostipes associates with host health
Authors: Bui Thi Phuong Nam , Mannerås-Holm Louise , Puschmann Robert , Wu Hao , Troise Antonio Dario , Nijsse Bart , Boeren Sjef , Bäckhed Fredrik , Fiedler Dorothea , deVos Willem M.
Published: August 2021

We describe the anaerobic conversion of inositol stereoisomers to propionate and acetate by the abundant intestinal genus Anaerostipes. A inositol pathway was elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance using [13C]-inositols, mass spectrometry and proteogenomic analyses in A. rhamnosivorans, identifying 3-oxoacid CoA transferase as a key enzyme involved in both 3-oxopropionyl-CoA and propionate formation. This pathway also allowed conversion of phytate-derived inositol into propionate as shown with [13C]-phytate in fecal samples amended with A. rhamnosivorans. Metabolic and (meta)genomic analyses explained the adaptation of Anaerostipes spp. to inositol-containing substrates and identified a propionate-production gene cluster to be inversely associated with metabolic biomarkers in (pre)diabetes cohorts. Co-administration of myo-inositol with live A. rhamnosivorans in western-diet fed mice reduced fasting-glucose levels comparing to heat-killed A. rhamnosivorans after 6-weeks treatment. Altogether, these data suggest a potential beneficial role for intestinal Anaerostipes spp. in promoting host health.
Polyclonal antibody responses to HIV Env immunogens resolved using cryoEM
Authors: Antanasijevic Aleksandar , Sewall Leigh M. , Cottrell Christopher A. , Carnathan Diane G. , Jimenez Luis E. , Ngo Julia T. , Silverman Jennifer B. , Groschel Bettina , Georgeson Erik , Bhiman Jinal , Bastidas Raiza , LaBranche Celia , Allen Joel D. , Copps Jeffrey , Perrett Hailee R. , Rantalainen Kimmo , Cannac Fabien , Yang Yuhe R. , de la Peña Alba Torrents , Rocha Rebeca Froes , Berndsen Zachary T. , Baker David , King Neil P. , Sanders Rogier W. , Moore John P. , Crotty Shane , Crispin Max , Montefiori David C. , Burton Dennis R. , Schief William R. , Silvestri Guido , Ward Andrew B.
Published: August 2021

Engineered ectodomain trimer immunogens based on BG505 envelope glycoprotein are widely utilized as components of HIV vaccine development platforms. In this study, we used rhesus macaques to evaluate the immunogenicity of several stabilized BG505 SOSIP constructs both as free trimers and presented on a nanoparticle. We applied a cryoEM-based method for high-resolution mapping of polyclonal antibody responses elicited in immunized animals (cryoEMPEM). Mutational analysis coupled with neutralization assays were used to probe the neutralization potential at each epitope. We demonstrate that cryoEMPEM data can be used for rapid, high-resolution analysis of polyclonal antibody responses without the need for monoclonal antibody isolation. This approach allowed to resolve structurally distinct classes of antibodies that bind overlapping sites. In addition to comprehensive mapping of commonly targeted neutralizing and non-neutralizing epitopes in BG505 SOSIP immunogens, our analysis revealed that epitopes comprising engineered stabilizing mutations and of partially occupied glycosylation sites can be immunogenic.
Spin-state reconfiguration induced by alternating magnetic field for efficient oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Zhou Gang , Wang Peifang , Li Hao , Hu Bin , Sun Yan , Huang Rong , Liu Lizhe
Published: August 2021

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) plays a determining role in electrochemical energy conversion devices, but challenges remain due to the lack of effective low-cost electrocatalysts and insufficient understanding about sluggish reaction kinetics. Distinguish from complex nano-structuring, this work focuses on the spin-related charge transfer and orbital interaction between catalysts and intermediates to accelerate catalytic reaction kinetics. Herein, we propose a simple magnetic-stimulation approach to rearrange spin electron occupation in noble-metal-free metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with a feature of thermal-differentiated superlattice, in which the localized magnetic heating in periodic spatial distribution makes the spin flip occur at particular active sites, demonstrating a spin-dependent reaction pathway. As a result, the spin-rearranged Co0.8Mn0.2 MOF displays mass activities of 3514.7 A gmetal−1 with an overpotential of ~0.27 V, which is 21.1 times that of pristine MOF. Our findings provide a new paradigm for designing spin electrocatalysis and steering reaction kinetics.
Giant anisotropic photonics in the 1D van der Waals semiconductor fibrous red phosphorus
Authors: Du Luojun , Zhao Yanchong , Wu Linlu , Hu Xuerong , Yao Lide , Wang Yadong , Bai Xueyin , Dai Yunyun , Qiao Jingsi , Uddin Md Gius , Li Xiaomei , Lahtinen Jouko , Bai Xuedong , Zhang Guangyu , Ji Wei , Sun Zhipei
Published: August 2021

A confined electronic system can host a wide variety of fascinating electronic, magnetic, valleytronic and photonic phenomena due to its reduced symmetry and quantum confinement effect. For the recently emerging one-dimensional van der Waals (1D vdW) materials with electrons confined in 1D sub-units, an enormous variety of intriguing physical properties and functionalities can be expected. Here, we demonstrate the coexistence of giant linear/nonlinear optical anisotropy and high emission yield in fibrous red phosphorus (FRP), an exotic 1D vdW semiconductor with quasi-flat bands and a sizeable bandgap in the visible spectral range. The degree of photoluminescence (third-order nonlinear) anisotropy can reach 90% (86%), comparable to the best performance achieved so far. Meanwhile, the photoluminescence (third-harmonic generation) intensity in 1D vdW FRP is strong, with quantum efficiency (third-order susceptibility) four (three) times larger than that in the most well-known 2D vdW materials (e.g., MoS2). The concurrent realization of large linear/nonlinear optical anisotropy and emission intensity in 1D vdW FRP paves the way towards transforming the landscape of technological innovations in photonics and optoelectronics.
Zn-Nx sites on N-doped carbon for aerobic oxidative cleavage and esterification of C(CO)-C bonds
Authors: Xie Chao , Lin Longfei , Huang Liang , Wang Zixin , Jiang Zhiwei , Zhang Zehui , Han Buxing
Published: August 2021

Selective cleavage of C-C bonds is very important in organic chemistry, but remains challenging because of their inert chemical nature. Herein, we report that Zn/NC-X catalysts, in which Zn2+ coordinate with N species on microporous N-doped carbon (NC) and X denotes the pyrolysis temperature, can effectively catalyze aerobic oxidative cleavage of C(CO)-C bonds and quantitatively convert acetophenone to methyl benzoate with a yield of 99% at 100 °C. The Zn/NC-950 can be applied for a wide scope of acetophenone derivatives as well as more challenging alkyl ketones. Detail mechanistic investigations reveal that the catalytic performance of Zn/NC-950 can be attributed to the coordination between Zn2+ and N species to change the electronic state of the metal, synergetic effect of the Zn single sites with their surrounding N atoms, as well as the microporous structure with the high surface area and structural defects of the NC.
Automatic detection of 39 fundus diseases and conditions in retinal photographs using deep neural networks
Authors: Cen Ling-Ping , Ji Jie , Lin Jian-Wei , Ju Si-Tong , Lin Hong-Jie , Li Tai-Ping , Wang Yun , Yang Jian-Feng , Liu Yu-Fen , Tan Shaoying , Tan Li , Li Dongjie , Wang Yifan , Zheng Dezhi , Xiong Yongqun , Wu Hanfu , Jiang Jingjing , Wu Zhenggen , Huang Dingguo , Shi Tingkun , Chen Binyao , Yang Jianling , Zhang Xiaoling , Luo Li , Huang Chukai , Zhang Guihua , Huang Yuqiang , Ng Tsz Kin , Chen Haoyu , Chen Weiqi , Pang Chi Pui , Zhang Mingzhi
Published: August 2021

Retinal fundus diseases can lead to irreversible visual impairment without timely diagnoses and appropriate treatments. Single disease-based deep learning algorithms had been developed for the detection of diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Here, we developed a deep learning platform (DLP) capable of detecting multiple common referable fundus diseases and conditions (39 classes) by using 249,620 fundus images marked with 275,543 labels from heterogenous sources. Our DLP achieved a frequency-weighted average F1 score of 0.923, sensitivity of 0.978, specificity of 0.996 and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.9984 for multi-label classification in the primary test dataset and reached the average level of retina specialists. External multihospital test, public data test and tele-reading application also showed high efficiency for multiple retinal diseases and conditions detection. These results indicate that our DLP can be applied for retinal fundus disease triage, especially in remote areas around the world.
The sugar-responsive enteroendocrine neuropeptide F regulates lipid metabolism through glucagon-like and insulin-like hormones in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Yoshinari Yuto , Kosakamoto Hina , Kamiyama Takumi , Hoshino Ryo , Matsuoka Rena , Kondo Shu , Tanimoto Hiromu , Nakamura Akira , Obata Fumiaki , Niwa Ryusuke
Published: August 2021

The enteroendocrine cell (EEC)-derived incretins play a pivotal role in regulating the secretion of glucagon and insulins in mammals. Although glucagon-like and insulin-like hormones have been found across animal phyla, incretin-like EEC-derived hormones have not yet been characterised in invertebrates. Here, we show that the midgut-derived hormone, neuropeptide F (NPF), acts as the sugar-responsive, incretin-like hormone in the fruit fly,Drosophila melanogaster. Secreted NPF is received by NPF receptor in the corpora cardiaca and in insulin-producing cells. NPF-NPFR signalling resulted in the suppression of the glucagon-like hormone production and the enhancement of the insulin-like peptide secretion, eventually promoting lipid anabolism. Similar to the loss of incretin function in mammals, loss of midgut NPF led to significant metabolic dysfunction, accompanied by lipodystrophy, hyperphagia, and hypoglycaemia. These results suggest that enteroendocrine hormones regulate sugar-dependent metabolism through glucagon-like and insulin-like hormones not only in mammals but also in insects.
Tailoring atomic diffusion for in situ fabrication of different heterostructures
Authors: Zhang Hui , Xu Tao , Yu Kaihao , Wang Wen , He Longbing , Sun Litao
Published: August 2021

Atomic diffusion has been recognized as a particularly powerful tool in the synthesis of heterostructures. However, controlled atomic diffusion is very difficult to achieve in the fabrication of individual nanostructures. Here, an electrically driven in situ solid-solid diffusion reaction inside a TEM is reported for the controlled fabrication of two different hetero-nanostructures in the Ag-Te system. Remarkably, the morphology and structure of the as-formed heterostructures are strongly dependent on the path of atomic diffusion. Our experiments revealed that the surface diffusion of Te atoms to Ag nanowires leads to a core-shell structure, while the bulk diffusion of Ag atoms give rise to a Ag2Te-Te segmented heterostructure. Heat released by Joule heating caused the surface diffusion process to be replaced by bulk diffusion and thereby determined the structure of the final product. Our experimental results provide an insight into solid-state diffusion reactions under an electric field and also propose a new process for the fabrication of complex nanostructures.
Choice-relevant information transformation along a ventrodorsal axis in the medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Maisson David J.-N. , Cash-Padgett Tyler V. , Wang Maya Z. , Hayden Benjamin Y. , Heilbronner Sarah R. , Zimmermann Jan
Published: August 2021

Choice-relevant brain regions in prefrontal cortex may progressively transform information about options into choices. Here, we examine responses of neurons in four regions of the medial prefrontal cortex as macaques performed two-option risky choices. All four regions encode economic variables in similar proportions and show similar putative signatures of key choice-related computations. We provide evidence to support a gradient of function that proceeds from areas 14 to 25 to 32 to 24. Specifically, we show that decodability of twelve distinct task variables increases along that path, consistent with the idea that regions that are higher in the anatomical hierarchy make choice-relevant variables more separable. We also show progressively longer intrinsic timescales in the same series. Together these results highlight the importance of the medial wall in choice, endorse a specific gradient-based organization, and argue against a modular functional neuroanatomy of choice.
The bright side of fibroblasts: molecular signature and regenerative cues in major organs
Authors: Gomes Rita N. , Manuel Filipa , Nascimento Diana S.
Published: August 2021

Fibrosis is a pathologic process characterized by the replacement of parenchymal tissue by large amounts of extracellular matrix, which may lead to organ dysfunction and even death. Fibroblasts are classically associated to fibrosis and tissue repair, and seldom to regeneration. However, accumulating evidence supports a pro-regenerative role of fibroblasts in different organs. While some organs rely on fibroblasts for maintaining stem cell niches, others depend on fibroblast activity, particularly on secreted molecules that promote cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation, to guide the regenerative process. Herein we provide an up-to-date overview of fibroblast-derived regenerative signaling across different organs and discuss how this capacity may become compromised with aging. We further introduce a new paradigm for regenerative therapies based on reverting adult fibroblasts to a fetal/neonatal-like phenotype.
3D brain tumor segmentation using a two-stage optimal mass transport algorithm
Authors: Lin Wen-Wei , Juang Cheng , Yueh Mei-Heng , Huang Tsung-Ming , Li Tiexiang , Wang Sheng , Yau Shing-Tung
Published: August 2021

Optimal mass transport (OMT) theory, the goal of which is to move any irregular 3D object (i.e., the brain) without causing significant distortion, is used to preprocess brain tumor datasets for the first time in this paper. The first stage of a two-stage OMT (TSOMT) procedure transforms the brain into a unit solid ball. The second stage transforms the unit ball into a cube, as it is easier to apply a 3D convolutional neural network to rectangular coordinates. Small variations in the local mass-measure stretch ratio among all the brain tumor datasets confirm the robustness of the transform. Additionally, the distortion is kept at a minimum with a reasonable transport cost. The original $$240 \times 240 \times 155 \times 4$$

240
×
240
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155
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4

dataset is thus reduced to a cube of $$128 \times 128 \times 128 \times 4$$

128
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128
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128
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, which is a 76.6% reduction in the total number of voxels, without losing much detail. Three typical U-Nets are trained separately to predict the whole tumor (WT), tumor core (TC), and enhanced tumor (ET) from the cube. An impressive training accuracy of 0.9822 in the WT cube is achieved at 400 epochs. An inverse TSOMT method is applied to the predicted cube to obtain the brain results. The conversion loss from the TSOMT method to the inverse TSOMT method is found to be less than one percent. For training, good Dice scores (0.9781 for the WT, 0.9637 for the TC, and 0.9305 for the ET) can be obtained. Significant improvements in brain tumor detection and the segmentation accuracy are achieved. For testing, postprocessing (rotation) is added to the TSOMT, U-Net prediction, and inverse TSOMT methods for an accuracy improvement of one to two percent. It takes 200 seconds to complete the whole segmentation process on each new brain tumor dataset.
Persistence and adherence to biologic therapies in juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Nieto-González Juan Carlos , Trives-Folguera Laura , Melgarejo-Ortuño Alejandra , Ais Aranzazu , Serrano-Benavente Belén , Sanjurjo María , Álvaro-Gracia José María , Sáez Indalecio Monteagudo
Published: August 2021

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that often requires biological therapy to control its activity. Medication persistence and adherence are important aspects on which we have scarce information. We performed a longitudinal, retrospective, and observational study based on data from the daily clinical management of JIA patients. We recorded clinical remission at 6 and 12 months. Persistence of biological therapy was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier curves, and adherence was assessed using the medication possession ratio (MPR). We included 68 patients who received biological therapy. Of these, 11 (16.2%) and 5 (7.4%) required a second and third drug, respectively. The persistence rate for biological therapy at 5 years was 64%, with no differences between the first and second lines. Adherence was high during the first year of treatment (MPR80: 96.3%) and also in the second and third years (MPR80: 85.2% and 91.8%, respectively). Persistence and adherence to biological therapy were remarkably high in our JIA cohort. Adherence to biological treatments could be related to a higher probability of fulfilling the Wallace remission criteria at 6 months, although this was not confirmed at 12 months.
Contextual perception under active inference
Authors: Mirza M. Berk , Cullen Maell , Parr Thomas , Shergill Sukhi , Moran Rosalyn J.
Published: August 2021

Human social interactions depend on the ability to resolve uncertainty about the mental states of others. The context in which social interactions take place is crucial for mental state attribution as sensory inputs may be perceived differently depending on the context. In this paper, we introduce a mental state attribution task where a target-face with either an ambiguous or an unambiguous emotion is embedded in different social contexts. The social context is determined by the emotions conveyed by other faces in the scene. This task involves mental state attribution to a target-face (either happy or sad) depending on the social context. Using active inference models, we provide a proof of concept that an agent’s perception of sensory stimuli may be altered by social context. We show with simulations that context congruency and facial expression coherency improve behavioural performance in terms of decision times. Furthermore, we show through simulations that the abnormal viewing strategies employed by patients with schizophrenia may be due to (i) an imbalance between the precisions of local and global features in the scene and (ii) a failure to modulate the sensory precision to contextualise emotions.
Supercapacitance and superinductance of TiN and NbTiN films in the vicinity of superconductor-to-insulator transition
Authors: Mironov A. Yu. , Silevitch D. M. , Postolova S. V. , Burdastyh M. V. , Proslier T. , Baturina T. I. , Rosenbaum T. F. , Vinokur V. M.
Published: August 2021

We investigate the low-temperature complex impedance of disordered insulating thin TiN and NbTiN films in the frequency region 400 Hz–1 MHz in close proximity to the superconductor–insulator transition (SIT). The frequency, temperature, and magnetic field dependencies of the real and imaginary parts of the impedance indicate that in full accord with the theoretical predictions and earlier observations, the films acquire self-induced electronic granularity and become effectively random arrays of superconducting granules coupled via Josephson links. Accordingly, the inductive component of the response is due to superconducting droplets, while the capacitive component results from the effective Josephson junctions capacitances. The impedance crosses over from capacitive to inductive behavior as films go across the transition.
Genomic divergence during feralization reveals both conserved and distinct mechanisms of parallel weediness evolution
Authors: Imaizumi Toshiyuki , Ebana Kaworu , Kawahara Yoshihiro , Muto Chiaki , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Koarai Akira , Olsen Kenneth M.
Published: August 2021

Agricultural weeds are the most important biotic constraints to global crop production, and chief among these is weedy rice. Despite increasing yield losses from weedy rice in recent years worldwide, the genetic basis of weediness evolution remains unclear. Using whole-genome sequence analyses, we examined the origins and adaptation of Japanese weedy rice. We find evidence for a weed origin fromtropical japonicacrop ancestry, which has not previously been documented in surveys of weedy rice worldwide. We further show that adaptation occurs largely through different genetic mechanisms between independently-evolvedtemperate japonica- andtropical japonica-derived strains; most genomic signatures of positive selection are unique within weed types. In addition, some weedy rice strains have evolved through hybridization between weedy and cultivated rice with adaptive introgression from the crop. Surprisingly, introgression from cultivated rice confers not only crop-like adaptive traits (such as shorter plant height, facilitating crop mimicry) but also weedy-like traits (such as seed dormancy). These findings reveal how hybridization with cultivated rice can promote persistence and proliferation of weedy rice.
Recent Progress in Porphyrin Derivatives Used in Organic Thin-film Solar Cells
Authors: Matsuo Yutaka , Ogumi Keisuke
Published: August 2021

In this chapter, we explain the application of porphyrin materials as organic semiconductors for organic solar cells. The advantages of porphyrin materials are the ease of chemical modification and the tuning of energy levels. As a recent trend, porphyrin derivatives with the light absorption units such as diketopyrrolopyrroles have been often reported. They can largely change their energy levels depending on the type of absorption units. Therefore, porphyrin derivatives are able to behave as not only donor but also acceptor materials. The recent progress of porphyrin semiconductor materials for organic solar cells by the structure type will also be discussed.
Porphyrins and Hydroporphyrins for In Vivo Bioimaging
Authors: Ptaszek Marcin
Published: August 2021

This chapters provides an overview of the recent applications of tetrapyrrolic macrocycles for in vivo fluorescence imaging. Recently, porphyrinic compounds have been used as theranostic agents for photodynamic therapy (PDT) or photothermal therapy. They have also been used as multimodal imaging agents, a way to combine fluorescence photoacoustic imaging, positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound imaging. The simple porphyrin derivatives typically possess low fluorescence brightness and short absorption wavelengths. However, structural modifications allow for a great improvement of these properties and tailor them for deep tissue applications. Thus, benzoporphyrins, strongly conjugated hydroporphyrin arrays, as well as hydroporphyrins (i.e., partially saturated porphyrin derivatives) show optical properties adequate for in vivo fluorescence imaging. Specifically, hydroporphyrins have been broadly used for simultaneous cancer treatment and multimodal imaging. Synthetic bacteriochlorins can be used as fluorescent probes for multicolor fluorescence-guided surgery. Benzoporphyrins and lanthanide porphyrinic complexes have been applied for in vivo oxygen sensing and as theranostic agents for PDT and multimodal imaging, respectively. Considerable efforts have been devoted to formulation of nanostructures containing hydroporphyrins. Nanoscience enables new modes for delivering, targeting, and activating fluorescent hydroporphyrins, as well as more efficient combination of fluorescence with other imaging and therapeutic modalities.
Porphyrinoids Used for Photodynamic Inactivation against Bacteria
Authors: Glowacka-Sobotta A. Arleta , Ziental B. Daniel , Sobotta C. Lukasz
Published: August 2021

Antibiotic resistance is a growing challenge for modern medicine. This problem requires searching for new solutions and opening new potential treatment methods. This chapter presents a comprehensive state-of-the-art analysis of photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT). The multidirectional way of action of photosensitizers based on the generation of reactive oxygen species makes it difficult for bacteria to develop a simple resistance mechanism. Due to these properties of PACT, this therapy may play an increasingly important role in the fight against bacterial infections in the near future. Undoubtedly, it is still necessary to intensify work on the clinical application of PACT.
Intense multi-colored luminescence in a series of rare-earth metal–organic frameworks with aliphatic linkers
Authors: Demakov Pavel A. , Ryadun Alexey A. , Dorovatovskii Pavel V. , Lazarenko Vladimir A. , Samsonenko Denis G. , Brylev Konstantin A. , Fedin Vladimir P. , Dybtsev Danil N.
Published: August 2021

An investigation of two series of new rare-earth metal–organic frameworks with highly tunable and intense light emission.
Two types of Ln2Cu2 hydroxo-trimethylacetate complexes with 0D and 1D motifs: synthetic features, structural differences, and slow magnetic relaxation
Authors: Bovkunova Anna A. , Bazhina Evgeniya S. , Evstifeev Igor S. , Nelyubina Yulia V. , Shmelev Maxim A. , Babeshkin Konstantin A. , Efimov Nikolay N. , Kiskin Mikhail A. , Eremenko Igor L.
Published: August 2021

The insertion of Na+ ions into the structure of LnIII2CuII2 hydroxo-trimethylacetate complexes leads to a change in the butterfly-like metal core geometry giving rise to a significant change in their slow magnetic relaxation.
Effect of β-hydroxybutyrate monoester on markers of iron metabolism in new-onset prediabetes: findings from a randomised placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Kimita Wandia , Bharmal Sakina H. , Ko Juyeon , Cho Jaelim , Petrov Maxim S.
Published: August 2021

Acute supplementation with d-β-hydroxybutyrate-R 1,3-butanediol monoester had no significant effect on the circulating levels of hepcidin and ferritin, though significantly increased blood levels of β-hydroxybutyrate were observed.
Induction of the glycolysis product methylglyoxal on trimethylamine lyase synthesis in the intestinal microbiota from mice fed with choline and dietary fiber
Authors: Li Qian , Wu Tao , Zhang Min , Chen Haixia , Liu Rui
Published: August 2021

The association between CutC or CutD expression and glycine levels, as well as the inhibitory effect of dietary fiber on glycine levels.
Polygonum multiflorumThunb extract extended the lifespan and healthspan ofCaenorhabditis elegans viaDAF-16/SIR-2.1/SKN-1
Authors: Sun Meng-Lu , Chen Xin-Yan , Cao Jin-Jin , Cui Xiang-Huan , Wang Hong-Bing
Published: August 2021

PMT-E significantly extended the lifespan and healthspan ofC. elegansin a DAF-16/SIR-2.1/SKN-1-dependent manner.
Tunable heat generation in nickel-substituted zinc ferrite nanoparticles for magnetic hyperthermia
Authors: Kahmei R. D. Ralandinliu , Seal Papori , Borah J. P.
Published: August 2021

Nickel–zinc ferrite nanoparticles coated with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide provide sufficient heat generation rate for hypothermia with only 2 mg ml−1, some of the lowest amount reported to date, under low applied field and frequency.
Flexible polymeric nanosized micelles for ophthalmic drug delivery: research progress in the last three years
Authors: Li Zhiguo , Liu Minting , Ke Lingjie , Wang Li-Juan , Wu Caisheng , Li Cheng , Li Zibiao , Wu Yun-Long
Published: August 2021

The eye is a complex structure with a variety of anatomical barriers and clearance mechanisms, so the provision of safe and effective ophthalmic drug delivery technology is a major challenge.
Neutrophil mediated postoperative photoimmunotherapy against melanoma skin cancer
Authors: Wu Yunyun , Han Xiaoqing , Zheng Runxiao , Cheng Hongda , Yan Jiao , Wu Xiaqing , Hu Yaqing , Li Bing , Wang Zhenxin , Li Xi , Zhang Haiyuan
Published: August 2021

Neutrophils acted as carriers to deliver photoimmunotherapeutic nanoparticles for inhibiting the postoperative tumor recurrence.
A chromophore-supported structural and functional model of dinuclear copper enzymes, for facilitating mechanism of action studies
Authors: Chen Qiu-Cheng , Fridman Natalia , Tumanskii Boris , Gross Zeev
Published: August 2021

Di-copper chelation by sapphyrin facilitates reaction mechanism investigations and characterization of reactive intermediates regarding biomimetic catechol oxidation.