bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hygroscopic Properties of Saline Mineral Dust From Different Regions in China: Geographical Variations, Compositional Dependence, and Atmospheric Implications
Authors: Tang Mingjin , Zhang Huanhuan , Gu Wenjun , Gao Jie , Jian Xing , Shi Guoliang , Zhu Bingqi , Xie Luhua , Guo Liya , Gao Xiaoyan , Wang Zhe , Zhang Guohua , Wang Xinming
Published: September 2019

Saline mineral dust particles, emitted from saline topsoil in arid and semiarid regions, contribute significantly to tropospheric aerosol particles. However, hygroscopic properties of saline mineral dust particles, especially for those found in regions other than North America, are poorly understood. In this work we investigated hygroscopic properties of 13 saline mineral dust samples collected from different locations via measuring sample mass change at different relative humidity (RH; up to 90%), and measured their chemical and mineralogical compositions using ion chromatography and X‐ray diffraction. The mass growth factors at 90% RH, defined as the sample mass at 90% RH relative to that at <1% RH, were found to display large geographical variations, spanning from ~1.02 to 6.7, and the corresponding single hygroscopicity parameters (κ) were derived to be in the range of <0.01 to >1.0. The saline components (mainly Na+, Cl−, and SO42−) contained by saline mineral dust particles largely determined their hygroscopicity, and the predicted mass growth factors at 90% RH using an aerosol thermodynamic model (ISORROPIA‐II), agreed with measured values within 20% for most of samples examined, although larger discrepancies also occurred for three samples. Our results improve our understanding in hygroscopicity of saline mineral dust particles and thus their heterogeneous chemistry and ability to serve as cloud condensation nuclei to form cloud droplets.
Cross Sections and Rate Coefficients for O+ Reacting With N2, O2, and NO
Authors: Viehland Larry A. , Johnsen Rainer
Published: September 2019

Ion‐molecule reaction cross sections between 0.03 and 3 eV can best be inferred from data taken in drift tube mass spectrometers. For the title reactions, the cross sections inferred from drift‐tube measurements in the late 1970s have been accepted as accurate, even though the methods used to infer them made substantial assumptions about the ion velocity distribution functions. Here the Gram‐Charlier method for solving the Boltzmann equation is used to obtain ion distribution functions that are anisotropic, having different average energies parallel and perpendicular to the uniform electrostatic field. The Gram‐Charlier method incorporates skewness, kurtosis, and correlation between the motions parallel and perpendicular to the field. This leads to more accurate ion distribution functions from which more accurate reaction cross sections have been inferred. The results differ by as much as 50% from the generally accepted cross sections that are currently used to model ion‐neutral reactions in the upper atmosphere.
Sharing Planetary Science in Plain Language
Authors: Hauck, Steven A.
Published: September 2019

In 2016, JGR: Planets became the first AGU journal to begin accepting plain language summaries as a component of research and review articles. Authors began widely participating in this new approach to sharing planetary science in clear language with growth from 18% to 52% of published articles having a summary from the first to last quarters of 2017. In 2018, JGR: Planets joined several other AGU journals in making a plain language summary an expectation of all papers. Plain language summaries are an opportunity to make the rationale for, relevance of, and results from our work clear to a broad audience including students, science journalists, funders, and colleagues outside our specialty, among others. As adoption of and familiarity with, plain language summaries expands the impact of our work within our community and our society will grow too.
Treatment of relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma with the anti-PD-1, tislelizumab: results of a phase 2, single-arm, multicenter study
Authors: Song Yuqin , Gao Quanli , Zhang Huilai , Fan Lei , Zhou Jianfeng , Zou Dehui , Li Wei , Yang Haiyan , Liu Ting , Wang Quanshun , Lv Fangfang , Guo Haiyi , Yang Liudi , Elstrom Rebecca , Huang Jane , Novotny William , Wei Vivian , Zhu Jun
Published: September 2019

Prognosis is poor for patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) after failure of or who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of tislelizumab, an investigational anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, in phase 2, single-arm study in Chinese patients with R/R cHL. The primary endpoint was overall response rate as assessed by an independent review committee, according to the Lugano 2014 Classification. Seventy patients were enrolled in the study and received at least one dose of tislelizumab. After median follow-up of 9.8 months, 61 (87.1%) patients achieved an objective response, with 44 (62.9%) achieving a complete response (CR). The estimated 9-month progression-free survival rate was 74.5%. Most common grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) were upper respiratory tract infection and pneumonitis. Infusion-related reactions occurred in 27 (38.6%) patients, and 27 patients (38.6%) experienced an immune-related AE, the most common of which was thyroid dysfunction. Eleven (15.7%) patients experienced at least one treatment-emergent AE leading to dose interruption or delay. No deaths occurred due to AEs. Treatment of patients with R/R cHL with tislelizumab was generally well tolerated and resulted in high overall response and CR rates, potentially translating into more durable responses for these patients.
Minocycline alters behavior, microglia and the gut microbiome in a trait-anxiety-dependent manner
Authors: Schmidtner Anna K. , Slattery David A. , Gläsner Joachim , Hiergeist Andreas , Gryksa Katharina , Malik Victoria A. , Hellmann-Regen Julian , Heuser Isabella , Baghai Thomas C. , Gessner André , Rupprecht Rainer , Di Benedetto Barbara , Neumann Inga D.
Published: September 2019

Major depressive disorder is the main cause of disability worldwide with imperfect treatment options. However, novel therapeutic approaches are currently discussed, from augmentation strategies to novel treatments targeting the immune system or the microbiome-gut-brain axis. Therefore, we examined the potential beneficial effects of minocycline, a tetracycline antibiotic with pleiotropic, immunomodulatory action, alone or as augmentation of escitalopram on behavior, prefrontal microglial density, and the gut microbiome in rats selectively bred for high anxiety-like behavior (HAB). We show that concomitant with their high innate anxiety and depression, HABs have lower microglial numbers in the infralimbic and prelimbic prefrontal cortex and an altered gut microbiota composition compared with controls. Three weeks of minocycline treatment alleviated the depressive-like phenotype, further reduced microglial density, exclusively in male HAB rats, and reduced plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, coadministration of escitalopram, which had no effect alone, prevented these minocycline-induced effects. Moreover, minocycline led to a robust shift in cecal microbial composition in both HABs and rats non-selected for anxiety-like behavior. Minocycline markedly increased relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Clostridiales Family XIII, families known for their butyrate production, with a corresponding increase and positive correlation in plasma 3-OH-butyrate levels in a trait-dependent manner. Thus, our data suggest that the antidepressant effect of minocycline is sex- and trait-dependent, associated with a reduced microglial number in the prefrontal cortex, and with changes in microbial composition and their metabolites. These results further support the microbiome-gut–brain axis as potential target in the treatment of depression.
On the warm bias in atmospheric reanalyses induced by the missing snow over Arctic sea-ice
Authors: Batrak Yurii , Müller Malte
Published: September 2019

Over the past decades, the Arctic has been warming more than any other region in the world with profound socio-economic consequences. One of the key elements for understanding this rapid climate change is the surface energy budget. However, in the Arctic this budget is not consistently described across the various climate models, reanalyses and observation products. Recognising the physical causes of these inconsistencies is highly relevant for improving climate predictions and projections. Here we show that a 5 to 10 °C warm bias of the sea-ice surface temperature in global atmospheric reanalyses and weather forecasts is mainly caused by a missing representation of the snow layer on top of the sea-ice. Due to the low thermal conductivity of snow compared to sea-ice, a thin snow layer reduces the conductive heat flux much more efficiently than sea-ice, and thus insulates the cold atmosphere from the relatively warm ocean.
K63-linked ubiquitination regulates RIPK1 kinase activity to prevent cell death during embryogenesis and inflammation
Authors: Tang Yong , Tu Hailin , Zhang Jie , Zhao Xueqiang , Wang Yini , Qin Jun , Lin Xin
Published: September 2019

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) is a critical regulator of cell death through its kinase activity. However, how its kinase activity is regulated remains poorly understood. Here, we generate Ripk1K376R/K376R knock-in mice in which the Lys(K)63-linked ubiquitination of RIPK1 is impaired. The knock-in mice display an early embryonic lethality due to massive cell death that is resulted from reduced TAK1-mediated suppression on RIPK1 kinase activity and forming more TNFR1 complex II in Ripk1K376R/K376R cells in response to TNFα. Although TNFR1 deficiency delays the lethality, concomitant deletion of RIPK3 and Caspase8 fully prevents embryonic lethality of Ripk1K376R/K376R mice. Notably, Ripk1K376R/- mice are viable but develop severe systemic inflammation that is mainly driven by RIPK3-dependent signaling pathway, indicating that K63-linked ubiquitination on Lys376 residue of RIPK1 also contributes to inflammation process. Together, our study reveals the mechanism by which K63-linked ubiquitination on K376 regulates RIPK1 kinase activity to control cell death programs.
Generating keV ion distributions for nuclear reactions at near solid-density using intense short-pulse lasers
Authors: Kemp A. J. , Wilks S. C. , Hartouni E. P. , Grim G.
Published: September 2019

Our understanding of a large range of astrophysical phenomena depends on a precise knowledge of charged particle nuclear reactions that occur at very low rates, which are difficult to measure under relevant plasma conditions. Here, we describe a method for generating dense plasmas at effective ion temperatures >20 keV, sufficient to induce measurable charged particle nuclear reactions. Our approach uses ultra-intense lasers to drive micron-sized, encapsulated nanofoam targets. Energetic electrons generated in the intense laser interaction pass through the foam, inducing a rapid expansion of the foam ions; this results in a hot, near-solid density plasma. We present the laser and target conditions necessary to achieve these conditions and illustrate the system performance using three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, outline potential applications and calculate expected nuclear reaction rates in the D(d,n) and 12C(p,γ) systems assuming CD, or CH aerogel foams.
Metal-coordinated sub-10 nm membranes for water purification
Authors: You Xinda , Wu Hong , Zhang Runnan , Su Yanlei , Cao Li , Yu Qianqian , Yuan Jinqiu , Xiao Ke , He Mingrui , Jiang Zhongyi
Published: September 2019

Ultrathin membranes with potentially high permeability are urgently demanded in water purification. However, their facile, controllable fabrication remains a grand challenge. Herein, we demonstrate a metal-coordinated approach towards defect-free and robust membranes with sub-10 nm thickness. Phytic acid, a natural strong electron donor, is assembled with metal ion-based electron acceptors to fabricate metal-organophosphate membranes (MOPMs) in aqueous solution. Metal ions with higher binding energy or ionization potential such as Fe3+ and Zr4+ can generate defect-free structure while MOPM-Fe3+ with superhydrophilicity is preferred. The membrane thickness is minimized to 8 nm by varying the ligand concentration and the pore structure of MOPM-Fe3+ is regulated by varying the Fe3+ content. The membrane with optimized MOPM-Fe3+ composition exhibits prominent water permeance (109.8 L m−2 h−1 bar−1) with dye rejections above 95% and superior stability. This strong-coordination assembly may enlighten the development of ultrathin high-performance membranes.
The mutational landscape of a prion-like domain
Authors: Bolognesi Benedetta , Faure Andre J. , Seuma Mireia , Schmiedel Jörn M. , Tartaglia Gian Gaetano , Lehner Ben
Published: September 2019

Insoluble protein aggregates are the hallmarks of many neurodegenerative diseases. For example, aggregates of TDP-43 occur in nearly all cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, whether aggregates cause cellular toxicity is still not clear, even in simpler cellular systems. We reasoned that deep mutagenesis might be a powerful approach to disentangle the relationship between aggregation and toxicity. We generated >50,000 mutations in the prion-like domain (PRD) of TDP-43 and quantified their toxicity in yeast cells. Surprisingly, mutations that increase hydrophobicity and aggregation strongly decrease toxicity. In contrast, toxic variants promote the formation of dynamic liquid-like condensates. Mutations have their strongest effects in a hotspot that genetic interactions reveal to be structured in vivo, illustrating how mutagenesis can probe the in vivo structures of unstructured proteins. Our results show that aggregation of TDP-43 is not harmful but protects cells, most likely by titrating the protein away from a toxic liquid-like phase.
EMS1 and BRI1 control separate biological processes via extracellular domain diversity and intracellular domain conservation
Authors: Zheng Bowen , Bai Qunwei , Wu Lei , Liu Huan , Liu Yuping , Xu Weijun , Li Guishuang , Ren Hongyan , She Xiaoping , Wu Guang
Published: September 2019

In flowering plants, EMS1 (Excess Microsporocytes 1) perceives TPD1 (Tapetum Determinant 1) to specify tapeta, the last somatic cell layer nurturing pollen development. However, the signaling components downstream of EMS1 are relatively unknown. Here, we use a molecular complementation approach to investigate the downstream components in EMS1 signaling. We show that the EMS1 intracellular domain is functionally interchangeable with that of the brassinosteroid receptor BRI1 (Brassinosteroid Insensitive 1). Furthermore, expressing EMS1 together with TPD1 in the BRI1 expression domain could partially rescue bri1 phenotypes, and led to the dephosphorylation of BES1, a hallmark of active BRI1 signaling. Conversely, expressing BRI1 in the EMS1 expression domain could partially rescue ems1 phenotypes. We further show that PpEMS1 and PpTPD1 from the early land plant Physcomitrella patens could completely rescue ems1 and tpd1 phenotypes, respectively. We propose that EMS1 and BRI1 have evolved distinct extracellular domains to control different biological processes but can act via a common intracellular signaling pathway.
A chemo-enzymatic oxidation cascade to activate C–H bonds with in situ generated H2O2
Authors: Freakley Simon J. , Kochius Svenja , van Marwijk Jacqueline , Fenner Caryn , Lewis Richard J. , Baldenius Kai , Marais Sarel S. , Opperman Diederik J. , Harrison Susan T. L. , Alcalde Miguel , Smit Martha S. , Hutchings Graham J.
Published: September 2019

Continuous low-level supply or in situ generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is essential for the stability of unspecific peroxygenases, which are deemed ideal biocatalysts for the selective activation of C–H bonds. To envisage potential large scale applications of combined catalytic systems the reactions need to be simple, efficient and produce minimal by-products. We show that gold-palladium nanoparticles supported on TiO2 or carbon have sufficient activity at ambient temperature and pressure to generate H2O2 from H2 and O2 and supply the oxidant to the engineered unspecific heme-thiolate peroxygenase PaDa-I. This tandem catalyst combination facilitates efficient oxidation of a range of C-H bonds to hydroxylated products in one reaction vessel with only water as a by-product under conditions that could be easily scaled.
Resequencing 545 ginkgo genomes across the world reveals the evolutionary history of the living fossil
Authors: Zhao Yun-Peng , Fan Guangyi , Yin Ping-Ping , Sun Shuai , Li Ning , Hong Xiaoning , Hu Gang , Zhang He , Zhang Fu-Min , Han Jing-Dan , Hao Ya-Jun , Xu Qiwu , Yang Xianwei , Xia Wenjie , Chen Wenbin , Lin Han-Yang , Zhang Rui , Chen Jiang , Zheng Xiao-Ming , Lee Simon Ming-Yuen , Lee Joongku , Uehara Koichi , Wang Jian , Yang Huanming , Fu Cheng-Xin , Liu Xin , Xu Xun , Ge Song
Published: September 2019

As Charles Darwin anticipated, living fossils provide excellent opportunities to study evolutionary questions related to extinction, competition, and adaptation. Ginkgo (Ginkgo bilobaL.) is one of the oldest living plants and a fascinating example of how people have saved a species from extinction and assisted its resurgence. By resequencing 545 genomes of ginkgo trees sampled from 51 populations across the world, we identify three refugia in China and detect multiple cycles of population expansion and reduction along with glacial admixture between relict populations in the southwestern and southern refugia. We demonstrate multiple anthropogenic introductions of ginkgo from eastern China into different continents. Further analyses reveal bioclimatic variables that have affected the geographic distribution of ginkgo and the role of natural selection in ginkgo’s adaptation and resilience. These investigations provide insights into the evolutionary history of ginkgo trees and valuable genomic resources for further addressing various questions involving living fossil species.
Energetic costs regulated by cell mechanics and confinement are predictive of migration path during decision-making
Authors: Zanotelli Matthew R. , Rahman-Zaman Aniqua , VanderBurgh Jacob A. , Taufalele Paul V. , Jain Aadhar , Erickson David , Bordeleau Francois , Reinhart-King Cynthia A.
Published: September 2019

Cell migration during the invasion-metastasis cascade requires cancer cells to navigate a spatially complex microenvironment that presents directional choices to migrating cells. Here, we investigate cellular energetics during migration decision-making in confined spaces. Theoretical and experimental data show that energetic costs for migration through confined spaces are mediated by a balance between cell and matrix compliance as well as the degree of spatial confinement to direct decision-making. Energetic costs, driven by the cellular work needed to generate force for matrix displacement, increase with increasing cell stiffness, matrix stiffness, and degree of spatial confinement, limiting migration. By assessing energetic costs between possible migration paths, we can predict the probability of migration choice. Our findings indicate that motility in confined spaces imposes high energetic demands on migrating cells, and cells migrate in the direction of least confinement to minimize energetic costs. Therefore, therapeutically targeting metabolism may limit cancer cell migration and metastasis.
Depletion of HuR in murine skeletal muscle enhances exercise endurance and prevents cancer-induced muscle atrophy
Authors: Janice Sánchez Brenda , Tremblay Anne-Marie K. , Leduc-Gaudet Jean-Philippe , Hall Derek T. , Kovacs Erzsebet , Ma Jennifer F. , Mubaid Souad , Hallauer Patricia L. , Phillips Brittany L. , Vest Katherine E. , Corbett Anita H. , Kontoyiannis Dimitris L. , Hussain Sabah N. A. , Hastings Kenneth E. M. , Di Marco Sergio , Gallouzi Imed-Eddine
Published: September 2019

The master posttranscriptional regulator HuR promotes muscle fiber formation in cultured muscle cells. However, its impact on muscle physiology and function in vivo is still unclear. Here, we show that muscle-specific HuR knockout (muHuR-KO) mice have high exercise endurance that is associated with enhanced oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. muHuR-KO mice exhibit a significant increase in the proportion of oxidative type I fibers in several skeletal muscles. HuR mediates these effects by collaborating with the mRNA decay factor KSRP to destabilize the PGC-1α mRNA. The type I fiber-enriched phenotype of muHuR-KO mice protects against cancer cachexia-induced muscle loss. Therefore, our study uncovers that under normal conditions HuR modulates muscle fiber type specification by promoting the formation of glycolytic type II fibers. We also provide a proof-of-principle that HuR expression can be targeted therapeutically in skeletal muscles to combat cancer-induced muscle wasting.
Floquet Chern insulators of light
Authors: He Li , Addison Zachariah , Jin Jicheng , Mele Eugene J. , Johnson Steven G. , Zhen Bo
Published: September 2019

Achieving topologically-protected robust transport in optical systems has recently been of great interest. Most studied topological photonic structures can be understood by solving the eigenvalue problem of Maxwell’s equations for static linear systems. Here, we extend topological phases into dynamically driven systems and achieve a Floquet Chern insulator of light in nonlinear photonic crystals (PhCs). Specifically, we start by presenting the Floquet eigenvalue problem in driven two-dimensional PhCs. We then define topological invariant associated with Floquet bands, and show that topological band gaps with non-zero Chern number can be opened by breaking time-reversal symmetry through the driving field. Finally, we numerically demonstrate the existence of chiral edge states at the interfaces between a Floquet Chern insulator and normal insulators, where the transport is non-reciprocal and uni-directional. Our work paves the way to further exploring topological phases in driven optical systems and their optoelectronic applications.
Step-wise endoscopic approach to palliative bilateral biliary drainage for unresectable advanced malignant hilar obstruction
Authors: Choi Jin Ho , Lee Sang Hyub , You Min Su , Shin Bang-sup , Choi Young Hoon , Kang Jinwoo , Jang Sunguk , Paik Woo Hyun , Ryu Ji Kon , Kim Yong-Tae
Published: September 2019

The ideal type of stent utilized at index endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in management of malignant hilar obstruction (MHO) remains unclear. We aimed to determine the ideal stent choice in patients with MHO. In this retrospective study, patients with unresectable MHO were separated into the plastic stent (PS) group and the self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) group. The primary outcome was the risk and rate of rescue percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). The secondary outcomes were the progression-free survival, the overall survival and the PTBD-free period (days). Thirty-six patients in the PS group and 38 patients in the SEMS group were enrolled. The risk for PTBD was higher in SEMS group (HR = 2.205, 95% C.I. 0.977–4.977, P = 0.057). The rate of PTBD was significantly lower in the PS group. (22.2% vs 50.0%, P = 0.017) There were no differences in overall survival and progression-free survival (410 and 269 in the PS group, 395 and 266 in the SEMS group, P = 0.663 and P = 0.757). The PTBD-free period was significantly longer in the PS group. (836.43 vs 586.40, P = 0.039) Although comparable in clinical efficacy, utilization of PS at index ERCP may reduce patient’s discomfort by avoiding PTBD and prolonging PTBD-free period in patients with MHO.
Suitability of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy for transcriptome sequencing of the canine prostate
Authors: Thiemeyer H. , Taher L. , Schille J. T. , Harder L. , Hungerbuehler S. O. , Mischke R. , Hewicker-Trautwein M. , Kiełbowicz Z. , Brenig B. , Schütz E. , Beck J. , Murua Escobar H. , Nolte I.
Published: September 2019

Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-FNA) biopsy is a widely used minimally invasive sampling procedure for cytological diagnosis. This study investigates the feasibility of using US-FNA samples for both cytological diagnosis and whole transcriptome RNA-sequencing analysis (RNA-Seq), with the ultimate aim of improving canine prostate cancer management. The feasibility of the US-FNA procedure was evaluatedintra vitamon 43 dogs. Additionally, aspirates from 31 euthanised dogs were collected for standardising the procedure. Each aspirate was separated into two subsamples: for cytology and RNA extraction. Additional prostate tissue samples served as control for RNA quantity and quality evaluation, and differential expression analysis. The US-FNA sampling procedure was feasible in 95% of dogs. RNA isolation of US-FNA samples was successfully performed using phenol-chloroform extraction. The extracted RNA of 56% of a subset of US-FNA samples met the quality requirements for RNA-Seq. Expression analysis revealed that only 153 genes were exclusively differentially expressed between non-malignant US-FNAs and tissues. Moreover, only 36 differentially expressed genes were associated with the US-FNA sampling technique and unrelated to the diagnosis. Furthermore, the gene expression profiles clearly distinguished between non-malignant and malignant samples. This proves US-FNA to be useful for molecular profiling.
Dynamics of atmospheric 131I in radioactive plumes in eastern Japan immediately after the Fukushima accident by analysing published data
Authors: Tsuruta Haruo , Moriguchi Yuichi , Nakajima Teruyuki
Published: September 2019

The spatio-temporal distribution of atmospheric radioiodine immediately after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FD1NPP) accident has not yet been clarified due to very limited observed data, compared with atmospheric radiocaesium data. Here, we first revealed that the ratios of 131I (decay-corrected to March 11, 2011) to 137Cs in radioactive plumes were divided into three groups (A, B, and C) by analysing all published data on atmospheric 131I concentrations independently measured immediately after the accident in eastern Japan. Groups A and C were found regardless of whether the measurement sites were located in eastern Fukushima or Kantou areas, while group B was observed only in the eastern Kantou area. The ratios in group A were approximately equal to 10 for the plumes on March 15, March 20, and on the morning of March 21, and those in group B were approximately 75 on March 16. Their possible sources were Unit 2 and/or Unit 3. In contrast, the ratios in group C were approximately equal to 360, much higher than those of groups A and B, and were observed from the afternoon of March 21 to March 25. These high 131I concentrations could be released after water supply to FD1NPP.
Longitudinal study of wild koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) reveals chlamydial disease progression in two thirds of infected animals
Authors: Robbins Amy , Hanger Jonathan , Jelocnik Martina , Quigley Bonnie L. , Timms Peter
Published: September 2019

Chlamydial disease threatens many of Australia’s koala populations, and yet our understanding of chlamydial epidemiology and disease dynamics in koalas is limited by a lack of comprehensive, longitudinal population studies. To address this, we utilised longitudinal samples from a large-scale population study of wild koalas in south-east Queensland, to follow chlamydial infections over time and to investigate some of the drivers of disease progression. Our findings show, firstly, that almost two thirds of chlamydial infections progressed to disease, challenging the notion that chlamydial infections in koalas commonly remain chronic and asymptomatic. Secondly, disease progression at the urogenital tract site was associated with infection load, and urogenital tract shedding was significantly higher when koalas acquired a new infection. Thirdly, chronic chlamydial exposure was not necessary for pathogenic sequelae to develop, such as infertility and mortality. Fourthly, ompA-characterised strain sub-types may reflect tissue tropisms and pathogenicity, and the chlamydial status of some chronically infected koalas may be explained by reinfections with novel genotypes. Finally, successful antimicrobial treatment provided only short-term protection against reinfection and disease progression in susceptible koalas. These findings highlight the importance of identifying and preventing chlamydial infections in koalas, informing new population management strategies and research priorities.
Tai Chi Chuan exercise related change in brain function as assessed by functional near–infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Xie Hui , Zhang Ming , Huo Congcong , Xu Gongcheng , Li Zengyong , Fan Yubo
Published: September 2019

Early studies have shown that Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) contributes to the rehabilitation of cognitive disorders and increases blood oxygen concentration levels in the parietal and occipital brain areas; however, the mechanism of TCC training on brain function remains poorly understood. This study hypothesize that TCC has altered brain function and aims to explore the effects of TCC on functional connection and effective connection of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), motor cortex (MC), and occipital cortex (OC). The participants were 23 experienced Chen–style TCC practitioners (TCC group), and 32 demographically matched TCC–naive healthy controls (control group). Functional and effective connections were calculated using wavelet–based coherence analysis and dynamic Bayesian inference method, respectively. Results showed that beyond the intensity of activity in a particular cortical region induced by TCC, significant differences in brain activity and dynamic configuration of connectivity were observed between the TCC and control groups during resting and movement states. These findings suggested that TCC training improved the connection of PFC, MC and OC in myogenic activity, sympathetic nervous system, and endothelial cell metabolic activities; enhanced brain functional connections and relayed the ability of TCC to improve cognition and the anti–memory decline potential.
The higher prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamases among Escherichia coli ST131 in Southeast Asia is driven by expansion of a single, locally prevalent subclone
Authors: Chen Swaine L. , Ding Ying , Apisarnthanarak Anucha , Kalimuddin Shirin , Archuleta Sophia , Omar Sharifah Faridah Syed , De Partha Pratim , Koh Tse Hsien , Chew Kean Lee , Atiya Nadia , Suwantarat Nuntra , Velayuthan Rukumani Devi , Wong Joshua Guo Xian , Lye David C.
Published: September 2019

The ST131 multilocus sequence type (MLST) ofEscherichia coliis a globally successful pathogen whose dissemination is increasing rates of antibiotic resistance. Numerous global surveys have demonstrated the pervasiveness of this clone; in some regions ST131 accounts for up to 30% of allE.coliisolates. However, many regions are underrepresented in these published surveys, including Africa, South America, and Asia. We collected consecutive bloodstreamE.coliisolates from three countries in Southeast Asia; ST131 was the most common MLST type. As in other studies, the C2/H30Rx clade accounted for the majority of ST131 strains. Clinical risk factors were similar to other reported studies. However, we found that nearly all of the C2 strains in this study were closely related, forming what we denote the SEA-C2 clone. The SEA-C2 clone is enriched for strains from Asia, particularly Southeast Asia and Singapore. The SEA-C2 clone accounts for all of the excess resistance and virulence of ST131 relative to non-ST131E.coli. The SEA-C2 strains appear to be locally circulating and dominant in Southeast Asia, despite the intuition that high international connectivity and travel would enable frequent opportunities for other strains to establish themselves.
Fabrication of Ag@Co-Al Layered Double Hydroxides Reinforced poly(o-phenylenediamine) Nanohybrid for Efficient Electrochemical Detection of 4-Nitrophenol, 2,4-Dinitrophenol and Uric acid at Nano Molar Level
Authors: Dhanasekaran T. , Manigandan R. , Padmanaban A. , Suresh R. , Giribabu K. , Narayanan V.
Published: September 2019

In this paper, Co-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs), Co-Al LDHs/poly(o-phenylenediamine) (PoPD) and Ag nanoparticles decorated Co-Al LDHs/PoPD (Ag@Co-Al LDH/PoPD) samples were prepared. The as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, Raman, XPS, FT-IR, DRS-UV-Vis, PL and TGA techniques. The salient features of morphology and size of the samples were determined using FESEM, and HR-TEM. Then, the samples were coated on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and employed for sensing of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP)) and uric acid (UA). It was found that Ag@Co-Al LDH/PoPD/GCE showed superior electrochemical sensing behaviour than other modified electrodes. It exhibits the detection limit (DL) of 63 nM, 50 nM and 0.28 µM for 4-NP, 2,4-DNP and UA respectively.
Temporal analysis of vaginal proteome reveals developmental changes in lower reproductive tract of gilts across the first two weeks postnatal
Authors: Harlow KaLynn , Suarez-Trujillo Aridany , Hedrick Victoria , Sobreira Tiago , Aryal Uma K. , Stewart Kara , Casey Theresa
Published: September 2019

In swine the upper reproductive tract undergoes early postnatal development, however little is known about the lower reproductive tract. Our objective was to measure cytology and proteome of vaginal swab samples taken on postnatal day (PND) 2 and 16 in gilts to determine if temporal changes occurred in cell and protein profiles during the first two weeks after birth. The posterior vagina was swabbed using a cytology brush on PND 0, 2 and 16 and slides were prepared. The proportion of anuclear and superficial cells increased and parabasal decreased (P < 0.05) from PND 0 to 16. Proteins isolated from vaginal swabs taken on PND 2 and 16 from six gilts across three litters were measured using LC-MS/MS. Over 1500 proteins were identified, with 881 differentially expressed (P-adj < 0.05) between PND 2 and 16. One-third of proteins upregulated between days were categorized as secreted, including lipocalins. Categories enriched by downregulated proteins included cell-cell adherens junction, translation and ER to Golgi vesicle-mediated transport, and reflected increased cornification of stratified epithelium and thus mirrored changes in cytology. Changes in cytology and proteome over the first two weeks after birth support that the porcine vagina continues to develop postnatal.
Impact of continuous Panax notoginseng plantation on soil microbial and biochemical properties
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zheng Yujie , Xia Pengguo , Xun Lulu , Liang Zongsuo
Published: September 2019

Panax notoginsengis a highly regarded medicinal plant that has been cultivated for more than 400 years in Southwest China. The obstacles associated with the continuous cropping ofP. notoginsengare the greatest issues for the development this plant. In the present study, the micro-ecologies of soils differing in the duration ofP. notoginsengplanting were compared, the results of which could provide important information to aid in solving the problems associated with the continuous cropping ofP. notoginseng. Soils in whichP. notoginsenghad grown for 1, 3 or 5 years, as well as unplanted or fallow soil, which had aP. notoginsengplanting interval of 1, 3, 6 or 9 years, were collected in Yunnan Province, China. The numbers and physiological groups of microorganisms, soil enzyme activities and nutrients present in the soil were analyzed to identify the effects of continuous cropping and determine the influence of crop rotation on the soil. AfterP. notoginsengwas planted, the ecological structure of the soil and the balance of soil nutrients changed. These changes in the soil ecosystem prevented the soil from adapting to the continuous cropping ofP. notoginseng, which eventually limited the growth ofP. notoginsengand increased the incidence of diseases. After rotation ofP. notoginseng, some soil indicators were restored, and some indicators with irregular changes may have been caused by crop rotation and field fertilization management practices. Thus, the selection of suitable crop rotations will facilitate the use of continuous cropping forP. notoginseng.
Relationships between the lithology of purple rocks and the pedogenesis of purple soils in the Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Zhong Shouqin , Han Zhen , Du Jing , Ci En , Ni Jiupai , Xie Deti , Wei Chaofu
Published: September 2019

Classified as Regosols in the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Taxonomy, purple soils formed from purple rocks and are mainly distributed in the Sichuan Basin of southwestern China. A number of studies have focused on the soil water, nutrients, texture and erosion of purple soils. This study was conducted to understand the lithological features of the related purple rocks and their effects on the pedogenesis of purple soils in the Sichuan Basin. The results showed the following: due to variability in the paleoenvironment, purple rocks mainly consist of sandstone and mudstone with various stratal thicknesses and various particle sizes. The lithology of the purple rocks leads the purple soils have an obvious inheritance from their parent rocks. An apparent purple color and numerous rock fragments derived from the purple parent rock are observed throughout the profile, with no clear soil stratification. The particle size contents of the purple soils are closely related to those of their parent rocks. The clay-sized fractions in the purple soils are generally dominated by illite, vermiculite, chlorite, and montmorillonite with little quartz and with or without kaolinite, which is generally the same as that in the parent purple rocks. In addition, the purple soils are characterized by obvious inherited mineralogy, chemical composition, pH value, OM content and nutrient content. Therefore, the diagenetic environment determined the lithology of the purple rock, and the lithology of the purple rock determined the pedogenic characteristics of the purple soil to some extent. Purple soils are characterized by rapid physical weathering and pedogenetic processes and slow chemical pedogenetic processes.
Observational data reveal evidence and parameters of contagious yawning in the behavioral repertoire of captive-reared chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Campbell Matthew W. , Cox Cathleen R.
Published: September 2019

There is robust experimental evidence for contagious yawning, yet observational studies of naturalistic behavior have been fewer. Without data from real-world behavior, researchers have questioned the existence of contagious yawning and made assumptions about some parameters (e.g., the duration of the effect). We observed contagious yawning in chimpanzees to confirm/disconfirm its existence in the behavioral repertoire of this species, and if present, provide some of the missing descriptives. We recorded yawns on an all-occurrence basis from 18 captive-reared chimpanzees at the Los Angeles Zoo. We recorded identity, time, and individuals who could have been affected. We calculated a threshold for contagion by taking the mean and adding 1.96 standard deviations, constructing a response curve. Across multiple measures we see a consistent pattern in which there is a strong effect of contagion for 1.5 minutes, a less strong but still significant effect lasting up to 3.5 minutes in some measures, and no evidence of contagion beyond 3.5 minutes. From the time stamp on each yawn we were able to rule out temporal synchrony as an alternative hypothesis. Thus, contagious yawning appears to be a natural phenomenon in chimpanzees lending support to the myriad experimental and observational studies to date.
Enhanced response inhibition and reduced midfrontal theta activity in experienced Vipassana meditators
Authors: Andreu Catherine I. , Palacios Ismael , Moënne-Loccoz Cristóbal , López Vladimir , Franken Ingmar H. A. , Cosmelli Diego , Slagter Heleen A.
Published: September 2019

Response inhibition - the ability to suppress inappropriate thoughts and actions - is a fundamental aspect of cognitive control. Recent research suggests that mental training by meditation may improve cognitive control. Yet, it is still unclear if and how, at the neural level, long-term meditation practice may affect (emotional) response inhibition. The present study aimed to address this outstanding question, and used an emotional Go/Nogo task and electroencephalography (EEG) to examine possible differences in behavioral and electrophysiological indices of response inhibition between Vipassana meditators and an experience-matched active control group (athletes). Behaviorally, meditators made significantly less errors than controls on the emotional Go/Nogo task, independent of the emotional context, while being equally fast. This improvement in response inhibition at the behavioral level was accompanied by a decrease in midfrontal theta activity in Nogo vs. Go trials in the meditators compared to controls. Yet, no changes in ERP indices of response inhibition, as indexed by the amplitude of the N2 and P3 components, were observed. Finally, the meditators subjectively evaluated the emotional pictures lower in valence and arousal. Collectively, these results suggest that meditation may improve response inhibition and control over emotional reactivity.
Using neural distance to predict reaction time for categorizing the animacy, shape, and abstract properties of objects
Authors: Ritchie J. Brendan , de Beeck Hans Op
Published: September 2019

A large number of neuroimaging studies have shown that information about object category can be decoded from regions of the ventral visual pathway. One question is how this information might be functionally exploited in the brain. In an attempt to help answer this question, some studies have adopted a neural distance-to-bound approach, and shown that distance to a classifier decision boundary through neural activation space can be used to predict reaction times (RT) on animacy categorization tasks. However, these experiments have not controlled for possible visual confounds, such as shape, in their stimulus design. In the present study we sought to determine whether, when animacy and shape properties are orthogonal, neural distance in low- and high-level visual cortex would predict categorization RTs, and whether a combination of animacy and shape distance might predict RTs when categories crisscrossed the two stimulus dimensions, and so were not linearly separable. In line with previous results, we found that RTs correlated with neural distance, but only for animate stimuli, with similar, though weaker, asymmetric effects for the shape and crisscrossing tasks. Taken together, these results suggest there is potential to expand the neural distance-to-bound approach to other divisions beyond animacy and object category.
Preoperative Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio are Associated with the Prognosis of Group 3 and Group 4 Medulloblastoma
Authors: Li Ke , Duan Wen-chao , Zhao Hai-biao , Wang Li , Wang Wei-wei , Zhan Yun-bo , Sun Tao , Zhang Feng-jiang , Yu Bin , Bai Ya-hui , Wang Yan-min , Ji Yu-chen , Zhou Jin-qiao , Liu Xian-zhi , Zhang Zhi-feng , Zhang Zhen-yu
Published: September 2019

Inflammation and immunoreaction markers were correlated with the survival of patients in many tumors. However, there were no reports investigating the relationships between preoperative hematological markers and the prognosis of medulloblastoma (MB) patients based on the molecular subgroups (WNT, SHH, Group 3, and Group 4). A total 144 MB patients were enrolled in the study. The differences of preoperative hematological markers among molecular subgroups of MB were compared by One-way ANOVA method. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the curves of progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The comparison of survival rates in different groups were conducted by the Log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was used to evaluate independent prognostic factors. Increased preoperative NLR (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, PFS, P = 0.004, OS, P < 0.001) and PLR (platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, PFS, P = 0.028, OS, P = 0.003) predicted poor prognosis in patients with MB, while preoperative MLR (monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio), MPV (mean platelet volume), PDW (platelet distribution width), and AGR (albumin-to-globulin ratio) were revealed no predictive value on the prognosis of patients with MB. Furthermore, high preoperative NLR and PLR predicted unfavorable prognosis in childhood MB patients. However, preoperative NLR and PLR were not associated with the prognosis in adult MB patients. Multivariate analysis demonstrated preoperative NLR (PFS, P = 0.029, OS, P = 0.005) and PLR (PFS, P = 0.023, OS, P = 0.005) were the independent prognostic factors in MB patients. Emphatically, the levels of preoperative NLR and PLR in Group 3 MB were significantly higher than those in WNT MB. High preoperative NLR was associated with unfavorable OS in Group 3 (P = 0.032) and Group 4 (P = 0.027) tumors. Similarly, increased preoperative PLR predicted poor PFS (P = 0.012) and OS (P = 0.009) in Group 4 tumors. Preoperative NLR and PLR were the potential prognostic markers for MB patients. Preoperative NLR and PLR were significantly associated with the survival of Group 3 and Group 4 tumors.
The Plasma Interleukin (IL)-35 Level and Frequency of Circulating IL-35+ Regulatory B Cells are Decreased in a Cohort of Chinese Patients with New-onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Ye Zhuang , Jiang Yanfang , Sun Dejun , Zhong Wei , Zhao Ling , Jiang Zhenyu
Published: September 2019

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystemic autoimmune disease that is associated with the destruction of immune tolerance and activation of B cells. Interleukin (IL)-35 and IL-35-producing (IL-35+) regulatory B cells (Bregs) have been demonstrated to possess immunosuppressive functions, but their roles in the initiation and early development of SLE have not been explored. Here, we measured and compared the frequencies of blood regulatory B cell subsets and the concentrations of plasma IL-35, IL-10, IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-γ in 47 Chinese patients with newly diagnosed SLE and 20 matched healthy controls (HCs). The SLE patients had decreased percentages of IL-35+ B cells and IL-10+ B cells among the total blood B cells as well as decreased concentrations of plasma IL-35. In addition, higher levels of plasma IL-10, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17 along with higher frequencies of circulating plasma and memory B cells were observed in the SLE patients. The percentage of IL-35+ Bregs and the serum IL-35 level were inversely correlated with the SLE disease activity index and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels. Our results indicate that IL-35+ Bregs and IL-35 may play protective roles in SLE initiation and progression.
Compact silicon 10-mode multi/demultiplexer for hybrid mode- and polarisation-division multiplexing system
Authors: Jiang Weifeng , Miao Jinye , Li Tao
Published: September 2019

To further increase the capacity of the optical transmission system, the hybrid mode- and polarisation-division multiplexing (MDM-PDM) technology has been proved to be an efficient approach by multiplexing dual polarisations for each orthogonal eigen mode. A hybrid (de)multiplexer [(De)MUX] is one of the most important fabrics for the hybrid MDM-PDM networks. A compact silicon 10-mode hybrid (De)MUX is proposed based on three cascaded asymmetric directional couplers (ADCs) based sections, three adiabatic tapers, and a polarisation beam splitter (PBS). The phase-matching conditions can be achieved by varying the widths of the bus waveguides for the TM modes and then by varying the widths of the access waveguides for the TE modes. The simulated results show that a compact total coupling length for TM1 ~ TM3 and TE1 ~ TE5 modes can be achieved to be 55.4 μm. In addition, the total loss of the proposed hybrid (De)MUX can be reduced benefitting from the fewer tapers compared with the conventional cascaded ADCs. The PBS is also optimised with a compact length of 7.0 μm and high extinction ratios of 32.9 dB and 15.4 dB for the TM0 and TE0 modes, respectively.