bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Volunteers’ experiences of providing telephone-based breast-feeding peer support in the RUBY randomised controlled trial
Authors: Grimes HA , Shafiei T , McLachlan HL , Forster DA
Published: June 2020

Objective:

The Ringing Up About Breastfeeding earlY (RUBY) randomised controlled trial (RCT) found that a telephone-based peer volunteer support intervention increased breast-feeding duration in a setting with high breast-feeding initiation. This sub-study of the RUBY RCT describes the motivation, preparation and experiences of volunteers who provided the peer support intervention.

Design:

An online survey was completed by 154 (67 %) volunteers after ceasing volunteering.

Setting:

Volunteers provided peer support to primiparous women (n 574) who birthed at one of three public hospitals in Melbourne, Australia, between February 2013 and December 2015.

Participants:

Volunteers (n 230) had themselves breastfed for at least 6 months and received 4 h of training for the role.

Results:

The median number of mothers supported was two (range 1–11), and two-thirds of respondents supported at least one mother for 6 months. Volunteers were motivated by a strong desire to support new mothers to establish and continue breast-feeding. Most (93 %) considered the training session adequate. The majority (60 %) reported following the call schedule ‘most of the time’, but many commented that ‘it depends on the mother’. Overall, 84 % of volunteers were satisfied with the role and reported that the experience was enjoyable (85 %) and worthwhile (90 %). Volunteers agreed that telephone support for breast-feeding was valued by women (88 %) and that the programme would be effective in helping women to breastfeed (93 %).

Conclusions:

These findings are important for those developing similar peer support programmes in which recruiting volunteers and developing training requirements are an integral and recurrent part of volunteer management.
Flufenacet activity is affected by GST inhibitors in blackgrass (Alopecurus myosuroides) populations with reduced flufenacet sensitivity and higher expression levels of GSTs
Authors: Dücker Rebecka , Parcharidou Evlampia , Beffa Roland
Published: June 2020

The WSSA Group 15 (HRAC Group K3) herbicide flufenacet is a key compound in weed resistance management, primarily used for PRE control of grass weeds in winter cereal–based crop rotations in Europe. Although resistance to compounds of its mechanism of action (inhibition of the synthesis of very-long-chain fatty acids) generally evolves slowly, reduced flufenacet efficacy due to enhanced glutathione transferase (GST) activity has been described in several blackgrass (Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.) populations. The present study aimed to better understand of the mechanism of flufenacet detoxification in A. myosuroides. Therefore, we characterized four A. myosuroides populations with different levels of flufenacet sensitivity. Flufenacet degradation was significantly slowed down in a sensitive population and a population with reduced flufenacet sensitivity by the use of the GST inhibitors tridiphane and ethacrynic acid at sublethal rates. Finally, an RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) study with the four A. myosuroides populations was conducted. In total, six differentially expressed GSTs and nine transcription factors as well as a keto-acyl-CoA reductase involved in the biosynthesis of very-long-chain fatty acids were identified as candidate genes among a set of 319 significantly more highly expressed gene-associated contigs. Among a set of 218 contigs with significantly lower expression levels, receptor kinase activity was the most frequent annotation. In summary, the likely GST-mediated reduction in sensitivity evolves in A. myosuroides at a slow rate and can partially be reversed by an interaction between flufenacet and the GST inhibitors tridiphane and ethacrynic acid. This provides further evidence for enhanced GST activity as a key mechanism in flufenacet resistance in A. myosuroides and supports the hypothesis that the six differentially expressed GSTs detected in the present RNA-seq study are potentially involved in flufenacet resistance.
Molecular Characterization of Water‐Soluble Brown Carbon Chromophores in Beijing, China
Authors: Yan Caiqing , Zheng Mei , Desyaterik Yury , Sullivan Amy P. , Wu Yusheng , Collett Jeffrey L.
Published: June 2020

High abundance and strong light absorption of atmospheric brown carbon (BrC) have been reported in East Asia, especially in northern China. However, the molecular‐level understanding of BrC chromophores in this area is still limited and quite challenging. In this study, elemental composition of individual BrC chromophores was first investigated in the megacity of Beijing, China, using a powerful platform for the characterization of BrC chromophores, with combination of high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to a UV/Vis absorbance detector and a time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer with an electrospray ionization source. The results from this study showed that S‐containing compounds (e.g., CHOS and CHONS) significantly increased in highly polluted days compared to lightly polluted days, probably due to increased emissions from sources such as coal combustion and favorable conditions for organosulfates formation. It was found that CHON and CHO compounds were the most abundant water‐soluble organic compounds in Beijing especially during the wintertime. Nitroaromatic compounds were the major water‐soluble BrC chromophores, with three major BrC chromophores (e.g., C6H5NO3, C7H7NO4, and C6H5NO4) found under all conditions, while other specific BrC chromophores with CHON‐ and CHO‐containing elemental formulas identified and varied in different seasons and pollution conditions. Overall, the water‐soluble BrC chromophores identified in this study explained about 2%–18% of the bulk BrC absorbance over the wavelength range of 300–400 nm. In‐depth studies on exploring more BrC chromophores as well as their chemical structures, related sources, and formation mechanisms should be conducted in the future.
Low-dose real-time X-ray imaging with nontoxic double perovskite scintillators
Authors: Zhu Wenjuan , Ma Wenbo , Su Yirong , Chen Zeng , Chen Xinya , Ma Yaoguang , Bai Lizhong , Xiao Wenge , Liu Tianyu , Zhu Haiming , Liu Xiaofeng , Liu Huafeng , Liu Xu , Yang Yang
Published: June 2020

X-rays are widely used in probing inside information nondestructively, enabling broad applications in the medical radiography and electronic industries. X-ray imaging based on emerging lead halide perovskite scintillators has received extensive attention recently. However, the strong self-absorption, relatively low light yield and lead toxicity of these perovskites restrict their practical applications. Here, we report a series of nontoxic double-perovskite scintillators of Cs2Ag0.6Na0.4In1-yBiyCl6. By controlling the content of the heavy atom Bi3+, the X-ray absorption coefficient, radiative emission efficiency, light yield and light decay were manipulated to maximise the scintillator performance. A light yield of up to 39,000 ± 7000 photons/MeV for Cs2Ag0.6Na0.4In0.85Bi0.15Cl6 was obtained, which is much higher than that for the previously reported lead halide perovskite colloidal CsPbBr3 (21,000 photons/MeV). The large Stokes shift between the radioluminescence (RL) and absorption spectra benefiting from self-trapped excitons (STEs) led to a negligible self-absorption effect. Given the high light output and fast light decay of this scintillator, static X-ray imaging was attained under an extremely low dose of ∼1 μGyair, and dynamic X-ray imaging of finger bending without a ghosting effect was demonstrated under a low-dose rate of 47.2 μGyair s−1. After thermal treatment at 85 °C for 50 h followed by X-ray irradiation for 50 h in ambient air, the scintillator performance in terms of the RL intensity and X-ray image quality remained almost unchanged. Our results shed light on exploring highly competitive scintillators beyond the scope of lead halide perovskites, not only for avoiding toxicity but also for better performance.
Multi-trait analysis for genome-wide association study of five psychiatric disorders
Authors: Wu Yulu , Cao Hongbao , Baranova Ancha , Huang Hailiang , Li Sheng , Cai Lei , Rao Shuquan , Dai Minhan , Xie Min , Dou Yikai , Hao Qinjian , Zhu Ling , Zhang Xiangrong , Yao Yin , Zhang Fuquan , Xu Mingqing , Wang Qiang
Published: June 2020

We conducted a cross-trait meta-analysis of genome-wide association study on schizophrenia (SCZ) (n = 65,967), bipolar disorder (BD) (n = 41,653), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (n = 46,350), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (n = 55,374), and depression (DEP) (n = 688,809). After the meta-analysis, the number of genomic loci increased from 14 to 19 in ADHD, from 3 to 10 in ASD, from 45 to 57 in DEP, from 8 to 54 in BD, and from 64 to 87 in SCZ. We observed significant enrichment of overlapping genes among different disorders and identified a panel of cross-disorder genes. A total of seven genes were found being commonly associated with four out of five psychiatric conditions, namely GABBR1, GLT8D1, HIST1H1B, HIST1H2BN, HIST1H4L, KCNB1, and DCC. The SORCS3 gene was highlighted due to the fact that it was involved in all the five conditions of study. Analysis of correlations unveiled the existence of two clusters of related psychiatric conditions, SCZ and BD that were separate from the other three traits, and formed another group. Our results may provide a new insight for genetic basis of the five psychiatric disorders.
Extra-medullary recurrence of myeloid leukemia as myeloid sarcoma after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: impact of conditioning intensity
Authors: Frietsch Jochen J. , Hunstig Friederike , Wittke Christoph , Junghanss Christian , Franiel Tobias , Scholl Sebastian , Hochhaus Andreas , Hilgendorf Inken
Published: June 2020

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) as a solid extra-medullary (EM) manifestation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myeloproliferative or myelodysplastic syndromes is a rare presentation of relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The databases of the Departments of Hematology and Oncology of the University Hospitals of Jena and Rostock were screened for patients aged 18 years or older for onset of MS after HSCT for myeloid malignancies between 2002 and 2019. Nineteen patients with MS were identified, the majority of whom had received reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC). The median onset of MS was 425 days after HSCT and the median overall survival since MS was 234 days. Although MS is associated with a poor prognosis, three patients survived more than two years and one more than 11 years after MS onset. These results indicate that RIC protocols may be associated with a higher risk of EM relapse. Since EM relapse occurred in the presence of Graft-versus-host-disease, these observations also demonstrate the limitations of graft-versus-tumor effects after HSCT. In conclusion, occurrence of MS after HSCT is associated with a poor prognosis, as multimodal curative concepts including intensive chemotherapy and another HSCT are often not viable.
The novel gene BrMYB2, located on chromosome A07, with a short intron 1 controls the purple-head trait of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.)
Authors: He Qiong , Wu Junqing , Xue Yihua , Zhao Wenbin , Li Ru , Zhang Lugang
Published: June 2020

Anthocyanins are important secondary metabolites in plants, but information on anthocyanin biosynthesis mechanisms in Chinese cabbage is limited. The new purple head Chinese cabbage cultivar 11S91 was analyzed, and an R2R3-MYB regulatory gene BrMYB2, located on chromosome A07, controlling the dominant purple-head trait was isolated. High expression of BrMYB2 generated a large accumulation of anthocyanins in 11S91, accompanied by highly upregulated BrTT8, BrF3′H, BrDFR1, BrANS1, BrUGTs, BrATs, and BrGSTs. 11S91 inherited the purple locus from purple trait donor 95T2-5, and they shared consensus CDSs and gDNAs with those of BrMYB2 (cBrMYB2 and gBrMYB2). Two SNPs in cBrMYB2 in 11S91 did not cause loss of function; in addition to several SNPs at both ends of intron 1, a large deletion had occurred in intron 1 of gBrMYB2 in 11S91. Genetic transformation of Arabidopsis showed that gBrMYB2 overexpression lines presented deeper purple color and higher expression than did the cBrMYB2 and cBrmyb2 lines, whereas gBrmyb2 with a long intron 1 did not cause the purple phenotype. We first show that BrMYB2 promotes anthocyanin biosynthesis under the control of the short intron 1 of gBrMYB2 in purple head Chinese cabbage, and gBrmyb2 with a long intron 1 represses anthocyanin production in white head Chinese cabbage. This evidence provides a new understanding of anthocyanin biosynthesis and purple germplasm generation in Brassica vegetables.
Apple SERRATE negatively mediates drought resistance by regulating MdMYB88 and MdMYB124 and microRNA biogenesis
Authors: Li Xuewei , Chen Pengxiang , Xie Yinpeng , Yan Yan , Wang Liping , Dang Huan , Zhang Jing , Xu Lingfei , Ma Fengwang , Guan Qingmei
Published: June 2020

The function of serrate (SE) in miRNA biogenesis in Arabidopsis is well elucidated, whereas its role in plant drought resistance is largely unknown. In this study, we report that MdSE acts as a negative regulator of apple (Malus × domestica) drought resistance by regulating the expression levels of MdMYB88 and MdMYB124 and miRNAs, including mdm-miR156, mdm-miR166, mdm-miR172, mdm-miR319, and mdm-miR399. MdSE interacts with MdMYB88 and MdMYB124, two positive regulators of apple drought resistance. MdSE decreases the transcript and protein levels of MdMYB88 and MdMYB124, which directly regulate the expression of MdNCED3, a key enzyme in abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis. Furthermore, MdSE is enriched in the same region of the MdNECD3 promoter where MdMYB88/MdMYB124 binds. Consistently, MdSE RNAi transgenic plants are more sensitive to ABA-induced stomatal closure, whereas MdSE OE plants are less sensitive. In addition, under drought stress, MdSE is responsible for the biogenesis of mdm-miR399, a negative regulator of drought resistance, and negatively regulates miRNAs, including mdm-miR156, mdm-miR166, mdm-miR172, and mdm-miR319, which are positive regulators of drought resistance. Taken together, by revealing the negative role of MdSE, our results broaden our understanding of the apple drought response and provide a candidate gene for apple drought improvement through molecular breeding.
Chrysanthemum CmWRKY53 negatively regulates the resistance of chrysanthemum to the aphid Macrosiphoniella sanborni
Authors: Zhang Wanwan , Gao Tianwei , Li Peiling , Tian Chang , Song Aiping , Jiang Jiafu , Guan Zhiyong , Fang Weimin , Chen Fadi , Chen Sumei
Published: June 2020

Chrysanthemum is frequently attacked by aphids, which greatly hinders the growth and ornamental value of this plant species. WRKY transcription factors play an important role in the response to biotic stresses such as pathogen and insect stresses. Here, chrysanthemum CmWRKY53 was cloned, and its expression was induced by aphid infestation. To verify the role of CmWRKY53 in resistance to aphids, CmWRKY53 transgenic chrysanthemum was generated. CmWRKY53 was found to mediate the susceptibility of chrysanthemum to aphids. The expression levels of secondary metabolite biosynthesis genes, such as peroxidase- and polyphenol oxidase-encoding genes, decreased in CmWRKY53-overexpressing (CmWRKY53-Oe) plants but dramatically increased in chimeric dominant repressor (CmWRKY53-SRDX) plants, suggesting that CmWRKY53 contributes to the susceptibility of chrysanthemum to aphids, possibly due to its role in the regulation of secondary metabolites.
Computational evidence for nonlinear feedforward modulation of fusimotor drive to antagonistic co-contracting muscles
Authors: Hardesty Russell L. , Boots Matthew T. , Yakovenko Sergiy , Gritsenko Valeriya
Published: June 2020

The sensorimotor integration during unconstrained reaching movements in the presence of variable environmental forces remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to quantify how much the primary afferent activity of muscle spindles can contribute to shaping muscle coactivation patterns during reaching movements with complex dynamics. To achieve this objective, we designed a virtual reality task that guided healthy human participants through a set of planar reaching movements with controlled kinematic and dynamic conditions that were accompanied by variable muscle co-contraction. Next, we approximated the Ia afferent activity using a phenomenological model of the muscle spindle and muscle lengths derived from a musculoskeletal model. The parameters of the spindle model were altered systematically to evaluate the effect of fusimotor drive on the shape of the temporal profile of afferent activity during movement. The experimental and simulated data were analyzed with hierarchical clustering. We found that the pattern of co-activation of agonistic and antagonistic muscles changed based on whether passive forces in each movement played assistive or resistive roles in limb dynamics. The reaching task with assistive limb dynamics was associated with the most muscle co-contraction. In contrast, the simulated Ia afferent profiles were not changing between tasks and they were largely reciprocal with homonymous muscle activity. Simulated physiological changes to the fusimotor drive were not sufficient to reproduce muscle co-contraction. These results largely rule out the static set and α-γ coactivation as the main types of fusimotor drive that transform the monosynaptic Ia afferent feedback into task-dependent co-contraction of antagonistic muscles. We speculate that another type of nonlinear transformation of Ia afferent signals that is independent of signals modulating the activity of α motoneurons is required for Ia afferent-based co-contraction. This transformation could either be applied through a complex nonlinear profile of fusimotor drive that is not yet experimentally observed or through presynaptic inhibition.
Synthesis, in vitro urease inhibitory potential and molecular docking study of benzofuran-based-thiazoldinone analogues
Authors: Taha Muhammad , Rahim Fazal , Ullah Hayat , Wadood Abdul , Farooq Rai Khalid , Shah Syed Adnan Ali , Nawaz Muhammad , Zakaria Zainul Amiruddin
Published: June 2020

In continuation of our work on enzyme inhibition, the benzofuran-based-thiazoldinone analogues (1–14) were synthesized, characterized by HREI-MS, 1H and 13CNMR and evaluated for urease inhibition. Compounds 1–14 exhibited a varying degree of urease inhibitory activity with IC50 values between 1.2 ± 0.01 to 23.50 ± 0.70 µM when compared with standard drug thiourea having IC50 value 21.40 ± 0.21 µM. Compound 1, 3, 5 and 8 showed significant inhibitory effects with IC50 values 1.2 ± 0.01, 2.20 ± 0.01, 1.40 ± 0.01 and 2.90 ± 0.01 µM respectively, better than the rest of the series. A structure activity relationship (SAR) of this series has been established based on electronic effects and position of different substituents present on phenyl ring. Molecular docking studies were performed to understand the binding interaction of the compounds.
Increased extreme hourly precipitation over China’s rice paddies from 1961 to 2012
Authors: Jian Yiwei , Fu Jin , Li Bengang , Zhou Feng
Published: June 2020

Rice yield have been affected by the increased extreme precipitation events in recent decades. Yet, the spatio-temporal patterns of extreme precipitation by rice type and phenology remain elusive. Here, we investigate the characteristics of four extreme precipitation indices across China’s rice paddy and their potential association with crop yields, by using hourly precipitation data from 1,215 stations and rice phenology observations from 45 sub-regions. The data indicate that hourly extreme precipitation have significantly increased in 1961–2012 for single rice and early rice in China but not for late rice. Rice were mainly exposed to extreme precipitation from transplantation to flowering stages. The frequency and proportion of extreme precipitation were significantly increased by 2.0–4.7% and 2.3–2.9% per decade, respectively, mainly in south China and Yangtze River Basin. The precipitation intensity and maximum hourly precipitation were increased by 0.7–1.1% and 0.9–2.8% per decade, respectively, mainly in central China and southeast coastal area. These extreme precipitation indices played a role as important as accumulated precipitation and mean temperature on the interannual variability of rice yields, regardless of rice types. Our results also highlight the urgencies to uncover the underlying mechanisms of extreme precipitation on rice growth, which in turn strengthens the predictability of crop models.
Prevalence of Sjögren’s syndrome in the general adult population in Spain: estimating the proportion of undiagnosed cases
Authors: Narváez Javier , Sánchez-Fernández Simón Ángel , Seoane-Mato Daniel , Díaz-González Federico , Bustabad Sagrario
Published: June 2020

To estimate the prevalence of Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) in the adult Spanish population we performed a population-based multicenter cross-sectional study. Cases were defined by the American-European Consensus Group criteria proposed in 2002. A total of 4,916 subjects aged 20 years or over were included. The estimated prevalence of SS (including primary and secondary forms) in the adult population in Spain was 0.33% (95% CI 0.21–0.53). Extrapolating to the total population of the country aged ≥ 20 years (around 37.7 million persons), there would be around 125,000 cases of SS in Spain. Considering only primary SS, the estimated prevalence was 0.25% (95% CI 0.15–0.43) or 1 person in 400. The prevalence of primary SS in Spain is comparable to that reported in other European studies with a similar design and diagnostic criteria. Based on these results, primary SS could not be considered a rare (orphan) disease. Only 50% of cases had already been diagnosed with SS prior EPISER 2016 study, confirming the existence of a non-negligible proportion of undiagnosed cases in the general population.
Neurocognitive signatures of phonemic sequencing in expert backward speakers
Authors: Torres-Prioris María José , López-Barroso Diana , Càmara Estela , Fittipaldi Sol , Sedeño Lucas , Ibáñez Agustín , Berthier Marcelo L. , García Adolfo M.
Published: June 2020

Despite its prolific growth, neurolinguistic research on phonemic sequencing has largely neglected the study of individuals with highly developed skills in this domain. To bridge this gap, we report multidimensional signatures of two experts in backward speech, that is, the capacity to produce utterances by reversing the order of phonemes while retaining their identity. Our approach included behavioral assessments of backward and forward speech alongside neuroimaging measures of voxel-based morphometry, diffusion tensor imaging, and resting-state functional connectivity. Relative to controls, both backward speakers exhibited behavioral advantages for reversing words and sentences of varying complexity, irrespective of working memory skills. These patterns were accompanied by increased grey matter volume, higher mean diffusivity, and enhanced functional connectivity along dorsal and ventral stream regions mediating phonological and other linguistic operations, with complementary support of areas subserving associative-visual and domain-general processes. Still, the specific loci of these neural patterns differed between both subjects, suggesting individual variability in the correlates of expert backward speech. Taken together, our results offer new vistas on the domain of phonemic sequencing, while illuminating neuroplastic patterns underlying extraordinary language abilities.
Patient-specific and hyper-realistic phantom for an intubation simulator with a replaceable difficult airway of a toddler using 3D printing
Authors: Ock Junhyeok , Gwon Eunseo , Kim Doo-hwan , Kim Sung-hoon , Kim Namkug
Published: June 2020

Difficult tracheal intubation is the third most common respiratory-related adverse co-morbid episode and can lead to death or brain damage. Since difficult tracheal intubation is less frequent, trainees have fewer opportunities to perform difficult tracheal intubation; this leads to the need to practice with a hyper-realistic intubation simulator. However, conventional simulators are expensive, relatively stiffer than the human airway, and have a lack of diversity in terms of disease variations and anatomic reproducibility. Therefore, we proposed the development of a patient-specific and hyper-realistic difficult tracheal intubation simulator using three-dimensional printing technology and silicone moulding and to test the feasibility of patient-specific and hyper-realistic difficult intubation simulation using 3D phantom for the trainee. This difficult tracheal intubation phantom can provide a realistic simulation experience of managing various difficult tracheal intubation cases to trainees, which could minimise unexpected tissue damage before anaesthesia. To achieve a more realistic simulation, a patient-specific phantom was fabricated to mimic human tissue with realistic mouth opening and accurate difficult airway shape. This has great potential for the medical education and training field.
Iridescence and hydrophobicity have no clear delineation that explains flower petal micro-surface
Authors: Garcia Jair E. , Shrestha Mani , Ospina-Rozo Laura , Dekiwadia Chaitali , Field Matthew R. , Ma Ji Sheng , Tran Nhiem , Dyer Adrian G. , Fox Kate , Greentree Andrew D.
Published: June 2020

Plant organs including flowers and leaves typically have a variety of different micro-structures present on the epidermal surface. These structures can produce measurable optical effects with viewing angle including shifts in peak reflectance and intensity; however, these different structures can also modulate hydrophobic properties of the surfaces. For some species optical effects have been proposed to act as signals to enhance pollination interactions, whilst the ability to efficiently shed water provides physiological advantages to plants in terms of gas exchange and reducing infections. Currently, little is known about epidermal surface structure of flowering plants in the Southern Hemisphere, and how micro-surface may be related with either hydrophobicity or visual signalling. We measured four Australian native species and two naturalised species using a combination of techniques including SEM imaging, spectral sampling with a goniometer and contact angle measurements. Spectral data were evaluated in relation to published psychophysics results for important pollinators and reveal that potential visual changes, where present, were unlikely to be perceived by relevant pollinators. Nevertheless, hydrophobicity also did not simply explain petal surfaces as similar structures could in some cases result in very different levels of water repellency.
The effect of terminal globular domains on the response of recombinant mini-spidroins to fiber spinning triggers
Authors: Finnigan William , Roberts Aled D. , Ligorio Cosimo , Scrutton Nigel S. , Breitling Rainer , Blaker Jonny J. , Takano Eriko
Published: June 2020

Spider silk spidroins consist of long repetitive protein strands, flanked by globular terminal domains. The globular domains are often omitted in recombinant spidroins, but are thought to be essential for the spiders’ natural spinning process. Mimicking this spinning process could be an essential step towards producing strong synthetic spider silk. Here we describe the production of a range of mini-spidroins with both terminal domains, and characterize their response to a number of biomimetic spinning triggers. Our results suggest that mini-spidroins which are able to form protein micelles due to the addition of both terminal domains exhibit shear-thinning, a property which native spidroins also show. Furthermore, our data also suggest that a pH drop alone is insufficient to trigger assembly in a wet-spinning process, and must be combined with salting-out for effective fiber formation. With these insights, we applied these assembly triggers for relatively biomimetic wet spinning. This work adds to the foundation of literature for developing improved biomimetic spinning techniques, which ought to result in synthetic silk that more closely approximates the unique properties of native spider silk.
Reinforcing effects of aminosilane-functionalized h-BN on the physicochemical and mechanical behaviors of epoxy nanocomposites
Authors: Mostovoy A. S. , Vikulova M. A. , Lopukhova M. I.
Published: June 2020

The results of this study confirm the possibility of the directional regulation of operational properties of epoxy composites by the use of small additives of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), providing the creation of epoxy composites with high performance properties. The effectiveness of h-BN surface modification by γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and the formation of strong chemical bonds at the polymer matrix/filler interface has been proved, which ensures an increase in physico-mechanical characteristics of epoxy composites: bending stress increases by 142% and bending modulus increases by 52%, strength increases by 53% and tensile elastic modulus increases by 37%, toughness increases by 400% and Brinell hardness increases by 96%, compared with an unfilled plasticized epoxy composite.
A selective etching approach to pore structure control of polymeric precursors: creating hierarchical porous N, P co-doped carbon nanospheres for semi-solid-state supercapacitors
Authors: Cai Qipeng , Mao Jie , Li Yuntong , Liu Jun , Zhang Hong , Huang Junwen , Wu Tong , Yang Yuxin , Yuan Conghui , Dai Lizong
Published: June 2020

A selective etching strategy based on a dynamic imine–amine exchange was developed to construct porous carbon nanospheres for supercapacitors.
Hydrogen peroxide synthesis from water and oxygen using a three-component nanohybrid photocatalyst consisting of Au particle-loaded rutile TiO2 and RuO2 with a heteroepitaxial junction
Authors: Nagamitsu Mio , Awa Kenta , Tada Hiroaki
Published: June 2020

Thin heteroepitaxial layers of RuO2 were formed on the TiO2 surface of Au nanoparticle-loaded rutile TiO2, and this three-component nanohybrid exhibits a high photocatalytic activity for hydrogen peroxide generation from water and oxygen.
Exploiting fluorescent zinc(ii) and copper(ii) complexes for enantiomeric excess determination of hydroxycarboxylates
Authors: Sheykhi Sara , Mosca Lorenzo , Pushina Mariia , Dey Kaustav , Anzenbacher Pavel
Published: June 2020

Fluorescent Zn(ii) complexes with quinolino-1,2-diaminocylohexane ligands recognize enantiomeric excess in scalemic mixtures of α-hydroxycarboxylates.
A large dinuclear Fe(ii) triple helicate demonstrating a two-step spin crossover
Authors: Howard-Smith Kyle J. , Craze Alexander R. , Zenno Hikaru , Yagyu Junya , Hayami Shinya , Li Feng
Published: June 2020

The largest reported dinuclear Fe(ii) triple helicate system to exhibit spin crossover is presented, with exploration of the two-step spin-transition.
Combination of organocatalytic oxidation of alcohols and organolithium chemistry (RLi) in aqueous media, at room temperature and under aerobic conditions
Authors: Elorriaga David , Rodríguez-Álvarez María Jesús , Ríos-Lombardía Nicolás , Morís Francisco , Presa Soto Alejandro , González-Sabín Javier , Hevia Eva , García-Álvarez Joaquín
Published: June 2020

Organocatalysis and highly-polar s-block organometallic chemistry (RLi) work together in water, under air and at room temperature for the selective and ultrafast synthesis of tertiary alcohols.
Highly efficient utilization of light and charge separation over a hematite photoanode achieved through a noncontact photonic crystal film for photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Yu Wen-Yuan , Ma De-Kun , Yang Dong-Peng , Yang Xiao-Gang , Xu Quan-Long , Chen Wei , Huang Shaoming
Published: June 2020

Highly efficient utilization of light and charge separation over a hematite photoanode could be achieved through a noncontact photonic crystal film.
Capacity enhancement of polylithiated functionalized boron nitride nanotubes: an efficient hydrogen storage medium
Authors: Panigrahi Puspamitra , Kumar Ashok , Bae Hyeonhu , Lee Hoonkyung , Ahuja Rajeev , Hussain Tanveer
Published: June 2020

By using first principles density functional theory simulations, we report detailed geometries, electronic structures and hydrogen (H2) storage properties of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) doped with selective polylithiated molecules (CLi2).
Screening effect of CVD graphene on the surface free energy of substrates
Authors: Costa Mariana C. F. , Parra Gustavo G. , G. Larrudé Dunieskys R. , Fechine Guilhermino J. M.
Published: June 2020

When graphene is deposited on a surface, and that graphene is free of any type of molecules adsorbed on its surface (air contaminant, polymer residue, etc.), the substrate influence is minimal, the graphene characteristics are predominant.
Exciton properties and optical spectra of light harvesting complex II from a fully atomistic description
Authors: Sláma Vladislav , Cupellini Lorenzo , Mennucci Benedetta
Published: June 2020

Optical spectra of the LHCII antenna complex are simulated using a fully atomistic first-principles exciton model, derived from multiscale quantum mechanical calculations of the pigments and a polarizable classical model for the environment.
Understanding and controlling the covalent functionalisation of graphene
Authors: Clancy Adam J. , Au Heather , Rubio Noelia , Coulter Gabriel O. , Shaffer Milo S. P.
Published: June 2020

Chemical functionalisation is one of the most active areas of graphene research, motivated by both fundamental science and the opportunities to adjust or supplement intrinsic properties. There is increasing interest in understanding and controlling the locus of reaction.
Modulation of a host’s cell membrane nano-environment by mycobacterial glycolipids: involvement of PI(4,5)P2 signaling lipid?
Authors: Mishra Manjari , Kapoor Shobhna
Published: June 2020

Structurally diverse mycobacterial lipids distinctly alter a host’s PI(4,5)P2 membrane organization and co-localization with actin, impacting the plasma membrane–cytoskeletal interactions.
A phthalocyanine sensor array based on sensitivity and current changes for highly sensitive identification of three toxic gases at ppb levels
Authors: Duan Xueqian , Zhang Yingze , Wang Haoyuan , Dai Fangna , Yang Guangwu , Chen Yanli
Published: June 2020

The first phthalocyanine-based sensor array by the combination of two parameters, namely current change direction and sensitivity, for accurate discrimination and wide range of detection of three toxic gases at ppb levels.
Electrochemically driven, cobalt–carbon bond-mediated direct intramolecular cyclic and acyclic perfluoroalkylation of (hetero)arenes using X(CF2)4X
Authors: Cui Luxia , Ono Toshikazu , Hossain Md. Jakir , Hisaeda Yoshio
Published: June 2020

A proof-of-concept for synthetically challenging cyclic and acyclic perfluoroalkylation of (hetero)arenes driven by the valence change of a cobalt catalyst with X(CF2)4X is demonstrated.
Liquid–polymer triboelectricity: chemical mechanisms in the contact electrification process
Authors: Sosa Mariana D. , Martínez Ricci M. Luz , Missoni Leandro L. , Murgida Daniel H. , Cánneva Antonela , D'Accorso Norma B. , Negri R. Martín
Published: June 2020

Water drops become charged after sliding on a polymer surface. The variation of the detected charge with pH and ionic strength are compatible with OH− or H+ transfer from the drop to the polymer. These changes are accounted for by a thermodynamic model.
A general approach to the synthesis of transition metal phosphide nanoarrays on MXene nanosheets for pH-universal hydrogen evolution and alkaline overall water splitting
Authors: Yan Liang , Zhang Bing , Wu Shangyou , Yu Jianlin
Published: June 2020

Exploring highly efficient, stable, and non-noble-metal bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting is greatly desired but still remains an ongoing challenge.
Construction of self-assembled nanostructure-based tetraphenylethylene dipeptides: supramolecular nanobelts as biomimetic hydrogels for cell adhesion and proliferation
Authors: Talloj Satish Kumar , Mohammed Mohiuddin , Lin Hsin-Chieh
Published: June 2020

A novel TPE-YY peptide hydrogelator self-assembled to form twisted nanobelts at neutral pH, upon cultured with 3A6 cells showed selective cell adhesion and growth.
MOF nanoparticles with encapsulated dihydroartemisinin as a controlled drug delivery system for enhanced cancer therapy and mechanism analysis
Authors: Li Yawei , Song Yu , Zhang Wei , Xu Junjie , Hou Jiancheng , Feng Xianmin , Zhu Wenhe
Published: June 2020

Schematic illustration of (a) the preparation of DHA@ZIF-8 NPs and (b) their application for cancer therapy.
Phase selective CVD growth and photoinduced 1T → 1H phase transition in a WS2 monolayer
Authors: Thakur Deepa , Kumar Pawan , Balakrishnan Viswanath
Published: June 2020

We report the direct chemical vapour deposition (CVD) growth of the metastable 1T phase of a WS2 monolayer and the in situ phase transition characteristics with the aid of Raman, photoluminescence and fluorescence microscopy.
Weighted gene co-expression network analysis to define pivotal modules and genes in diabetic heart failure
Authors: Liang Weiwei , Sun FangFang
Published: June 2020

This research was carried out to reveal specific hub genes involved in diabetic heart failure, as well as remarkable pathways that hub genes locate. The GSE26887 dataset from the GEO website was downloaded. The gene co-expression network was generated and central modules were analyzed to identify key genes using the WGCNA method. Functional analyses were conducted on genes of the clinical interest modules via Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene ontology (GO) enrichment, associated with protein–protein interaction (PPI) network construction in a sequence. Centrality parameters of the PPI network were determined using the CentiScape plugin in Cytoscape. Key genes, defined as genes in the ≥95% percentile of the degree distribution of significantly perturbed networks, were identified. Twenty gene co-expression modules were detected by WGCNA analysis. The module marked in light yellow exhibited the most significant association with diabetes (P=0.08). Genes involved in this module were primarily located in immune response, plasma membrane and receptor binding, as shown by the GO analysis. These genes were primarily assembled in endocytosis and phagosomes for KEGG pathway enrichment. Three key genes, STK39, HLA-DPB1 and RAB5C, which may be key genes for diabetic heart failure, were identified. To our knowledge, our study is the first to have constructed the co-expression network involved in diabetic heart failure using the WGCNA method. The results of the present study have provided better understanding the molecular mechanism of diabetic heart failure.
Prognostic value of immune checkpoint molecules in breast cancer
Authors: Fang Jun , Chen Feng , Liu Dong , Gu Feiying , Chen Zhigang , Wang Yuezhen
Published: June 2020

Immune checkpoint blockade treatments bring remarkable clinical benefits to fighting several solid malignancies. However, the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade in breast cancer remains controversial. Several clinical trials of immune checkpoint blockades focused on the effect of CTLA4 and PD1/PDL1 checkpoint inhibitors on breast cancer. Only a small portion of patients benefited from these therapies. Here we systematically investigated the expression of 50 immune checkpoint genes, including ADORA2A, LAG-3, TIM-3, PD1, PDL1, PDL2, CTLA-4, IDO1, B7-H3, B7-H4, CD244, BTLA, TIGIT, CD80, CD86, VISTA, CD28, ICOS, ICOSLG, HVEM, CD160, LIGHT, CD137, CD137L, OX40, CD70, CD27, CD40, CD40LG, LGALS9, GITRL, CEACAM1, CD47, SIRPA, DNAM1, CD155, 2B4, CD48, TMIGD2, HHLA2, BTN2A1, DC-SIGN, BTN2A2, BTN3A1, BTNL3, BTNL9, CD96, TDO, CD200 and CD200R, in different subtypes of breast cancer and assessed their prognostic value. The results showed that the expression patterns of these 50 immune checkpoint genes were distinct in breast cancer. High expression of B7-H3 mRNA was significantly associated with worse overall survival (OS), especially in patients with luminal A and luminal B breast cancer. The mRNA expression levels of TIM-3, ADORA2A, LAG3, CD86, CD80, PD1 and IDO1 had no relationship with OS in breast cancer. High expression levels of CTLA-4 and TIGIT were correlated with favorable prognosis in breast cancer. Interestingly, we observed that B7-H3 expression was negatively correlated with the efficacy of cyclophosphamide (CTX). In summary, our study suggested that B7-H3 has potential prognostic value in breast cancer and is a promising target for immune therapy.
Jasmonates: biosynthesis, perception and signal transduction
Authors: Griffiths Gareth
Published: June 2020

Jasmonates (JAs) are physiologically important molecules involved in a wide range of plant responses from growth, flowering, senescence to defence against abiotic and biotic stress. They are rapidly synthesised from α-linolenic acid (ALA; C18:3 ∆9,12,15) by a process of oxidation, cyclisation and acyl chain shortening involving co-operation between the chloroplast and peroxisome. The active form of JA is the isoleucine conjugate, JA-isoleucine (JA-Ile), which is synthesised in the cytoplasm. Other active metabolites of JA include the airborne signalling molecules, methyl JA (Me-JA) and cis-jasmone (CJ), which act as inter-plant signalling molecules activating defensive genes encoding proteins and secondary compounds such as anthocyanins and alkaloids. One of the key defensive metabolites in many plants is a protease inhibitor that inactivates the protein digestive capabilities of insects, thereby, reducing their growth. The receptor for JA-Ile is a ubiquitin ligase termed as SCFCoi1 that targets the repressor protein JA Zim domain (JAZ) for degradation in the 26S proteasome. Removal of JAZ allows other transcription factors (TFs) to activate the JA response. The levels of JA-Ile are controlled through catabolism by hydroxylating enzymes of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) family. The JAZ proteins act as metabolic hubs and play key roles in cross-talk with other phytohormone signalling pathways in co-ordinating genome-wide responses. Specific subsets of JAZ proteins are involved in regulating different response outcomes such as growth inhibition versus biotic stress responses. Understanding the molecular circuits that control plant responses to pests and pathogens is a necessary pre-requisite to engineering plants with enhanced resilience to biotic challenges for improved agricultural yields.
Phosphatidic acid: an emerging versatile class of cellular mediators
Authors: Kim Sang-Chul , Wang Xuemin
Published: June 2020

Lipids function not only as the major structural components of cell membranes, but also as molecular messengers that transduce signals to trigger downstream signaling events in the cell. Phosphatidic acid (PA), the simplest and a minor class of glycerophospholipids, is a key intermediate for the synthesis of membrane and storage lipids, and also plays important roles in mediating diverse cellular and physiological processes in eukaryotes ranging from microbes to mammals and higher plants. PA comprises different molecular species that can act differently, and is found in virtually all organisms, tissues, and organellar membranes, with variations in total content and molecular species composition. The cellular levels of PA are highly dynamic in response to stimuli and multiple enzymatic reactions can mediate its production and degradation. Moreover, its unique physicochemical properties compared with other glycerophospholipids allow PA to influence membrane structure and dynamics, and interact with various proteins. PA has emerged as a class of new lipid mediators modulating various signaling and cellular processes via its versatile effects, such as membrane tethering, conformational changes, and enzymatic activities of target proteins, and vesicular trafficking.
Use of a Mild-Gain Hearing Aid by Middle-Age Normal-Hearing Adults Who Do and Do Not Self-Report Trouble Hearing in Background Noise
Authors: Singh Jasleen , Doherty Karen A.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The aim of the study was to assess how the use of a mild-gain hearing aid can affect hearing handicap, motivation, and attitudes toward hearing aids for middle-age, normal-hearing adults who do and do not self-report trouble hearing in background noise.

Method

A total of 20 participants (45–60 years of age) with clinically normal-hearing thresholds (< 25 dB HL) were enrolled in this study. Ten self-reported difficulty hearing in background noise, and 10 did not self-report difficulty hearing in background noise. All participants were fit with mild-gain hearing aids, bilaterally, and were asked to wear them for 2 weeks. Hearing handicap, attitudes toward hearing aids and hearing loss, and motivation to address hearing problems were evaluated before and after participants wore the hearing aids. Participants were also asked if they would consider purchasing a hearing aid before and after 2 weeks of hearing aid use.

Results

After wearing the hearing aids for 2 weeks, hearing handicap scores decreased for the participants who self-reported difficulty hearing in background noise. No changes in hearing handicap scores were observed for the participants who did not self-report trouble hearing in background noise. The participants who self-reported difficulty hearing in background noise also reported greater personal distress from their hearing problems, were more motivated to address their hearing problems, and had higher levels of hearing handicap compared to the participants who did not self-report trouble hearing in background noise. Only 20% (2/10) of the participants who self-reported trouble hearing in background noise reported that they would consider purchasing a hearing aid after 2 weeks of hearing aid use.

Conclusions

The use of mild-gain hearing aids has the potential to reduce hearing handicap for normal-hearing, middle-age adults who self-report difficulty hearing in background noise. However, this may not be the most appropriate treatment option for their current hearing problems given that only 20% of these participants would consider purchasing a hearing aid after wearing hearing aids for 2 weeks.