bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Content Analysis and Comparison of Two Peaks of Newspaper Reporting During a Suicide Cluster to Examine Implications for Imitation, Suggestion, and Prevention
Authors: Marchant Amanda , Brown Menna , Scourfield Jonathan , Hawton Keith , Cleobury Louise , Dennis Michael , Lloyd Keith , McGregor Jo , John Ann
Published: March 2020

Abstract. Background: During 2007–2008, media attention focused on a cluster of youth suicides in the UK. There were two peaks (P1, P2) in the volume of newspaper reporting of the deaths. The number of possible suicides was greater than expected at the time of the first peak but not at the time of the second. Aims: To explore any differences in the content of the reporting peaks and to consider implications for imitation and prevention. Method: A content analysis of two peaks of newspaper reporting was conducted. Results: There were 204 articles in P1 (December 27, 2007 to February 19, 2008) and 157 in P2 (February 20, 2008 to March 15, 2008). Four main themes were identified: individual stories; possible causes; features of reporting of the cluster; and educating and informing the public. P1 articles more frequently contained: explicit details of method; photographs of the deceased, and contained more characterization of individuals. Limitations: The focus was on print media, future studies should incorporate online and social media content. Conclusion: The findings provide some support for the hypothesis of a process of suggestion initiated by sensationalist reporting in P1. This contributes to the evidence base of the role of the press in suicide imitation and prevention, highlighting the importance of care when reporting suicides.
Evaluating the Outcomes for Bereaved People Supported by a Community-Based Suicide Bereavement Service
Authors: Gehrmann Marc , Dixon Sara Dawn , Visser Victoria Suzanne , Griffin Mark
Published: March 2020

Abstract. Background: Postvention services aim to support people bereaved by suicide and reduce the adverse impacts associated with suicide bereavement. StandBy Support After Suicide is a community-based suicide bereavement service that provides support and a coordinated response for people bereaved by suicide. Aims: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the StandBy service in reducing suicidality, grief reactions associated with suicide bereavement, and social isolation among clients. Method: A retrospective cross-sectional design using an online survey was used to compare StandBy clients with people bereaved by suicide who did not access the StandBy service. Results: Among people whose most recent loss to suicide was within the past 12 months, people supported by StandBy were significantly less likely to be at risk of suicidality, experience a loss of social support, and experience social loneliness compared with people bereaved by suicide who had not accessed the StandBy service. Limitations: Owing to the use of a cross-sectional design, it was not possible to determine changes over time. Conclusion: Postvention in the form of a community-based crisis intervention, at the time of or close to a suicide, is effective in reducing adverse outcomes associated with suicide bereavement, and an important aspect of suicide prevention.
Evolution of the Greater Caucasus Basement and Formation of the Main Caucasus Thrust, Georgia
Authors: Vasey Dylan A. , Cowgill Eric , Roeske Sarah M. , Niemi Nathan A. , Godoladze Tea , Skhirtladze Irakli , Gogoladze Salome
Published: March 2020

Along the northern margin of the Arabia‐Eurasia collision zone in the western Greater Caucasus, the Main Caucasus Thrust (MCT) juxtaposes Paleozoic crystalline basement to the north against Mesozoic metasedimentary and volcaniclastic rocks to the south. The MCT is commonly assumed to be the trace of an active plate‐boundary scale structure that accommodates Arabia‐Eurasia convergence, but field data supporting this interpretation are equivocal. Here we investigate the deformation history of the rocks juxtaposed across the MCT in Georgia using field observations, microstructural analysis, U‐Pb and40Ar/39Ar geochronology, and40Ar/39Ar and (U‐Th)/He thermochronology. Zircon U‐Pb analyses show that Greater Caucasus crystalline rocks formed in the Early Paleozoic on the margin of Gondwana. Low‐pressure/temperature amphibolite‐facies metamorphism of these metasedimentary rocks and associated plutonism likely took place during Carboniferous accretion onto the Laurussian margin, as indicated by igneous and metamorphic zircon U‐Pb ages of ~330–310 Ma.40Ar/39Ar ages of ~190–135 Ma from muscovite in a greenschist‐facies shear zone indicate that the MCT likely developed during Mesozoic inversion and/or rifting of the Caucasus Basin. A Mesozoic40Ar/39Ar biotite age with release spectra indicating partial resetting and Cenozoic (<40 Ma) apatite and zircon (U‐Th)/He ages imply at least ~5–8 km of Greater Caucasus basement exhumation since ~10 Ma in response to Arabia‐Eurasia collision. Cenozoic reactivation of the MCT may have accommodated a fraction of this exhumation. However, Cenozoic zircon (U‐Th)/He ages in both the hanging wall and footwall of the MCT require partitioning a substantial component of this deformation onto structures to the south.
Preseismic Fault Creep and Elastic Wave Amplitude Precursors Scale With Lab Earthquake Magnitude for the Continuum of Tectonic Failure Modes
Authors: Shreedharan Srisharan , Bolton David Chas , Rivière Jacques , Marone Chris
Published: March 2020

Tectonic faults fail in a continuum of modes from slow earthquakes to elastodynamic rupture. Precursory variations in elastic wavespeed and amplitude, interpreted as indicators of imminent failure, have been observed in limited natural settings and lab experiments where they are thought to arise from contact rejuvenation and microcracking within and around the fault zone. However, the physical mechanisms and connections to fault creep are poorly understood. Here we vary loading stiffness during frictional shear to generate a range of slip modes and measure fault zone properties using transmitted elastic waves. We find that elastic wave amplitudes show clear changes before fault failure. The temporal onset of amplitude reduction scales with lab earthquake magnitude and the magnitude of this reduction varies with fault slip. Our data provide clear evidence of precursors to lab earthquakes and suggest that continuous seismic monitoring could be useful for assessing fault state and seismic hazard potential.
Opto-thermoelectric pulling of light-absorbing particles
Authors: Lin Linhan , Kollipara Pavana Siddhartha , Kotnala Abhay , Jiang Taizhi , Liu Yaoran , Peng Xiaolei , Korgel Brian A. , Zheng Yuebing
Published: March 2020

Optomechanics arises from the photon momentum and its exchange with low-dimensional objects. It is well known that optical radiation exerts pressure on objects, pushing them along the light path. However, optical pulling of an object against the light path is still a counter-intuitive phenomenon. Herein, we present a general concept of optical pulling—opto-thermoelectric pulling (OTEP)—where the optical heating of a light-absorbing particle using a simple plane wave can pull the particle itself against the light path. This irradiation orientation-directed pulling force imparts self-restoring behaviour to the particles, and three-dimensional (3D) trapping of single particles is achieved at an extremely low optical intensity of 10−2 mW μm−2. Moreover, the OTEP force can overcome the short trapping range of conventional optical tweezers and optically drive the particle flow up to a macroscopic distance. The concept of self-induced opto-thermomechanical coupling is paving the way towards freeform optofluidic technology and lab-on-a-chip devices.
NOD2 inhibits tumorigenesis and increases chemosensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting AMPK pathway
Authors: Ma Xiaomin , Qiu Yumin , Sun Yanlin , Zhu Lihui , Zhao Yunxue , Li Tao , Lin Yueke , Ma Dapeng , Qin Zhenzhi , Sun Caiyu , Han Lihui
Published: March 2020

Nucleotide binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) is a recognized innate immune sensor which can initiate potent immune response against pathogens. Many innate immune sensors have been reported to be of great importance in carcinogenesis. However, the role of NOD2 in cancer is not well understood. Here we investigated the role of NOD2 in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We demonstrated that NOD2 deficiency promoted hepatocarcinogenesis in N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN)/carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced HCC mice model and xenograft tumor model. In vitro investigation showed that NOD2 acted as a tumor suppressor and inhibited proliferation, colony formation and invasion of HCC cells. Clinical investigation showed that NOD2 expression was completely lost or significantly downregulated in clinical HCC tissues, and loss of NOD2 expression was significantly correlated with advanced disease stages. Further investigation showed that NOD2 exerted its anti-tumor effect through activating adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) -activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, and NOD2 significantly enhanced the sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib, lenvatinib and 5-FU treatment through activating AMPK pathway induced apoptosis. Moreover, we demonstrated that NOD2 activated AMPK pathway by directly binding with AMPKα-LKB1 complex, which led to autophagy-mediated apoptosis of HCC cells. Altogether, this study showed that NOD2 acted as a tumor suppressor as well as a chemotherapeutic regulator in HCC cells by directly activating AMPK pathway, which indicated a potential therapeutic strategy for HCC treatment by upregulating NOD2-AMPK signaling axis.
Combination therapy with mTOR kinase inhibitor and dasatinib as a novel therapeutic strategy for vestibular schwannoma
Authors: Sagers Jessica E. , Beauchamp Roberta L. , Zhang Yanling , Vasilijic Sasa , Wu Limeng , DeSouza Patrick , Seist Richard , Zhou Wenjianlong , Xu Lei , Ramesh Vijaya , Stankovic Konstantina M.
Published: March 2020

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an inherited disorder characterized by bilateral vestibular schwannomas (VS) that arise from neoplastic Schwann cells (SCs). NF2-associated VSs are often accompanied by meningioma (MN), and the majority of NF2 patients show loss of the NF2 tumor suppressor. mTORC1 and mTORC2-specific serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) are constitutively activated in MN with loss of NF2. In a recent high-throughput kinome screen in NF2-null human arachnoidal and meningioma cells, we showed activation of EPH RTKs, c-KIT, and SFK members independent of mTORC1/2 activation. Subsequently, we demonstrated in vitro and in vivo efficacy of combination therapy with the dual mTORC1/2 inhibitor AZD2014 and the multi-kinase inhibitor dasatinib. For these reasons, we investigated activated mTORC1/2 and EPH receptor-mediated signaling in sporadic and NF2-associated VS. Using primary human VS cells and a mouse allograft model of schwannoma, we evaluated the dual mTORC1/2 inhibitor AZD2014 and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib as monotherapies and in combination. Escalating dose-response experiments on primary VS cells grown from 15 human tumors show that combination therapy with AZD2014 and dasatinib is more effective at reducing metabolic activity than either drug alone and exhibits a therapeutic effect at a physiologically reasonable concentration (~0.1 µM). In vivo, while AZD2014 and dasatinib each inhibit tumor growth alone, the effect of combination therapy exceeds that of either drug. Co-targeting the mTOR and EPH receptor pathways with these or similar compounds may constitute a novel therapeutic strategy for VS, a condition for which there is no FDA-approved pharmacotherapy.
Humans use Optokinetic Eye Movements to Track Waypoints for Steering
Authors: Lappi Otto , Pekkanen Jami , Rinkkala Paavo , Tuhkanen Samuel , Tuononen Ari , Virtanen Juho-Pekka
Published: March 2020

It is well-established how visual stimuli and self-motion in laboratory conditions reliably elicit retinal-image-stabilizing compensatory eye movements (CEM). Their organization and roles in natural-task gaze strategies is much less understood: are CEM applied in active sampling of visual information in human locomotion in the wild? If so, how? And what are the implications for guidance? Here, we directly compare gaze behavior in the real world (driving a car) and a fixed base simulation steering task. A strong and quantifiable correspondence between self-rotation and CEM counter-rotation is found across a range of speeds. This gaze behavior is “optokinetic”, i.e. optic flow is a sufficient stimulus to spontaneously elicit it in naïve subjects and vestibular stimulation or stereopsis are not critical. Theoretically, the observed nystagmus behavior is consistent with tracking waypoints on the future path, and predicted by waypoint models of locomotor control - but inconsistent with travel point models, such as the popular tangent point model.
Carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP) correlates with colon cancer progression and contributes to cell proliferation
Authors: Lei Yu , Zhou Shuling , Hu Qiaoling , Chen Xueling , Gu Jiang
Published: March 2020

Cancers are characterized by reprogrammed glucose metabolisms to fuel cell growth and proliferation. Carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP) is a glucose-mediated transcription factor that strongly regulates glycolytic and lipogenic pathways. It has been shown to associate with metabolic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. However, how it associates with cancers has not been well understood. In this study, ChREBP expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in colon tissue arrays containing normal colon tissue and cancer tissue at different clinical stages. Tissue mRNA levels of ChREBP were also measured in a cohort of colon cancer patients. We found that ChREBP mRNA and protein expression were significantly increased in colon cancer tissue compared to healthy colon (p < 0.001), and their expression was positively correlated to colon malignancy (for mRNA, p = 0.002; for protein p < 0.001). Expression of lipogenic genes (ELOVL6 and SCD1) in colon cancer was also positively associated with colon malignancy (for both genes, p < 0.001). In vitro, ChREBP knockdown with siRNA transfection inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest without changes in apoptosis in colon cancer cell lines (HT29, DLD1 and SW480). Glycolytic and lipogenic pathways were inhibited but the p53 pathway was activated after ChREBP knockdown. Taken together, ChREBP expression is associated with colon malignancy and it might contribute to cell proliferation via promoting anabolic pathways and inhibiting p53. In addition, ChREBP might represent a novel clinical useful biomarker to evaluate the malignancy of colon cancer.
NBIA: a network-based integrative analysis framework – applied to pathway analysis
Authors: Nguyen Tin , Shafi Adib , Nguyen Tuan-Minh , Schissler A. Grant , Draghici Sorin
Published: March 2020

With the explosion of high-throughput data, effective integrative analyses are needed to decipher the knowledge accumulated in biological databases. Existing meta-analysis approaches in systems biology often focus on hypothesis testing and neglect real expression changes, i.e. effect sizes, across independent studies. In addition, most integrative tools completely ignore the topological order of gene regulatory networks that hold key characteristics in understanding biological processes. Here we introduce a novel meta-analysis framework, Network-Based Integrative Analysis (NBIA), that transforms the challenging meta-analysis problem into a set of standard pathway analysis problems that have been solved efficiently. NBIA utilizes techniques from classical and modern meta-analysis, as well as a network-based analysis, in order to identify patterns of genes and networks that are consistently impacted across multiple studies. We assess the performance of NBIA by comparing it with nine meta-analysis approaches: Impact Analysis, GSA, and GSEA combined with classical meta-analysis methods (Fisher’s and the additive method), plus the three MetaPath approaches that employ multiple datasets. The 10 approaches have been tested on 1,737 samples from 27 expression datasets related to Alzheimer’s disease, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and influenza. For all of the three diseases, NBIA consistently identifies biological pathways relevant to the underlying diseases while the other 9 methods fail to capture the key phenomena. The identified AML signature is also validated on a completely independent cohort of 167 AML patients. In this independent cohort, the proposed signature identifies two groups of patients that have significantly different survival profiles (Cox p-value 2 × 10−6). The NBIA framework will be included in the next release of BLMA Bioconductor package (http://bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/html/BLMA.html).
A new multigene HCIQ subfamily from the sea anemone Heteractis crispa encodes Kunitz-peptides exhibiting neuroprotective activity against 6-hydroxydopamine
Authors: Kvetkina Aleksandra , Leychenko Elena , Chausova Victoria , Zelepuga Elena , Chernysheva Nadezhda , Guzev Konstantin , Pislyagin Evgeny , Yurchenko Ekaterina , Menchinskaya Ekaterina , Aminin Dmitry , Kaluzhskiy Leonid , Ivanov Alexis , Peigneur Steve , Tytgat Jan , Kozlovskaya Emma , Isaeva Marina
Published: March 2020

The Kunitz/BPTI-type peptides are ubiquitous in numerous organisms including marine venomous animals. The peptides demonstrate various biological activities and therefore they are the subject of a number of investigations. We have discovered a new HCIQ subfamily belonging to recently described multigene HCGS family of Heteractis crispa Kunitz-peptides. The uniqueness of this subfamily is that the HCIQ precursors contain a propeptide terminating in Lys-Arg (endopeptidase cleavage site) the same as in the neuro- and cytotoxin ones. Moreover, the HCIQ genes contain two introns in contrast to HCGS genes with one intron. As a result of Sanger and amplicon deep sequencings, 24 HCIQ isoforms were revealed. The recombinant peptides for the most prevalent isoform (HCIQ2c1) and for the isoform with the rare substitution Gly17Glu (HCIQ4c7) were obtained. They can inhibit trypsin with Ki 5.2 × 10−8 M and Ki 1.9 × 10−7 M, respectively, and interact with some serine proteinases including inflammatory ones according to the SPR method. For the first time, Kunitz-peptides have shown to significantly increase neuroblastoma cell viability in an in vitro 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity model being a consequence of an effective decrease of ROS level in the cells.
Induced Beta Power Modulations during Isochronous Auditory Beats Reflect Intentional Anticipation before Gradual Tempo Changes
Authors: Graber Emily , Fujioka Takako
Published: March 2020

Induced beta-band power modulations in auditory and motor-related brain areas have been associated with automatic temporal processing of isochronous beats and explicit, temporally-oriented attention. Here, we investigated how explicit top-down anticipation before upcoming tempo changes, a sustained process commonly required during music performance, changed beta power modulations during listening to isochronous beats. Musicians’ electroencephalograms were recorded during the task of anticipating accelerating, decelerating, or steady beats after direction-specific visual cues. In separate behavioural testing for tempo-change onset detection, such cues were found to facilitate faster responses, thus effectively inducing high-level anticipation. In the electroencephalograms, periodic beta power reductions in a frontocentral topographic component with seed-based source contributions from auditory and sensorimotor cortices were apparent after isochronous beats with anticipation in all conditions, generally replicating patterns found previously during passive listening to isochronous beats. With anticipation before accelerations, the magnitude of the power reduction was significantly weaker than in the steady condition. Between the accelerating and decelerating conditions, no differences were found, suggesting that the observed beta patterns may represent an aspect of high-level anticipation common before both tempo changes, like increased attention. Overall, these results indicate that top-down anticipation influences ongoing auditory beat processing in beta-band networks.
Attention and cardiac phase boost judgments of trust
Authors: Li Xinyi , Chiu Michelle , Swallow Khena M. , De Rosa Eve , Anderson Adam K.
Published: March 2020

Fluctuations in mental and bodily states have both been shown to be associated with negative affective experience. Here we examined how momentary fluctuations in attentional and cardiac states combine to regulate the perception of positive social value. Faces varying in trustworthiness were presented during a go/no-go letter target discrimination task synchronized with systolic or diastolic cardiac phase. Go trials lead to an attentional boosting of perceived trust on high trust and ambiguous neutral faces, suggesting attention both boosted existing and generated positive social value. Cardiac phase during face presentation interacted with attentional boosting of trust, enhancing high trust faces specifically during relaxed diastolic cardiac states. Confidence judgments revealed that attentional trust boosting, and its cardiac modulation, did not reflect altered perceptual or response fluency. These results provide evidence for how moment-to moment fluctuations in top-down mental and bottom-up bodily inputs combine to enhance a priori and generate de novo positive social value.
Plasmonic coupling in closed-packed ordered gallium nanoparticles
Authors: Catalán-Gómez S. , Bran C. , Vázquez M. , Vázquez L. , Pau J. L. , Redondo-Cubero A.
Published: March 2020

Plasmonic gallium (Ga) nanoparticles (NPs) are well known to exhibit good performance in numerous applications such as surface enhanced fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy or biosensing. However, to reach the optimal optical performance, the strength of the localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) must be enhanced particularly by suitable narrowing the NP size distribution among other factors. With this purpose, our last work demonstrated the production of hexagonal ordered arrays of Ga NPs by using templates of aluminium (Al) shallow pit arrays, whose LSPRs were observed in the VIS region. The quantitative analysis of the optical properties by spectroscopic ellipsometry confirmed an outstanding improvement of the LSPR intensity and full width at half maximum (FWHM) due to the imposed ordering. Here, by engineering the template dimensions, and therefore by tuning Ga NPs size, we expand the LSPRs of the Ga NPs to cover a wider range of the electromagnetic spectrum from the UV to the IR regions. More interestingly, the factors that cause this optical performance improvement are studied with the universal plasmon ruler equation, supported with discrete dipole approximation simulations. The results allow us to conclude that the plasmonic coupling between NPs originated in the ordered systems is the main cause for the optimized optical response.
Radiomics prognostication model in glioblastoma using diffusion- and perfusion-weighted MRI
Authors: Park Ji Eun , Kim Ho Sung , Jo Youngheun , Yoo Roh-Eul , Choi Seung Hong , Nam Soo Jung , Kim Jeong Hoon
Published: March 2020

We aimed to develop and validate a multiparametric MR radiomics model using conventional, diffusion-, and perfusion-weighted MR imaging for better prognostication in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. A total of 216 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma were enrolled from two tertiary medical centers and divided into training (n = 158) and external validation sets (n = 58). Radiomic features were extracted from contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, diffusion-weighted imaging, and dynamic susceptibility contrast imaging. After radiomic feature selection using LASSO regression, an individualized radiomic score was calculated. A multiparametric MR prognostic model was built using the radiomic score and clinical predictors. The results showed that the multiparametric MR prognostic model (radiomics score + clinical predictors) exhibited good discrimination (C-index, 0.74) and performed better than a conventional MR radiomics model (C-index, 0.65, P < 0.0001) or clinical predictors (C-index, 0.66; P < 0.0001). The multiparametric MR prognostic model also showed robustness in external validation (C-index, 0.70). Our results indicate that the incorporation of diffusion- and perfusion-weighted MR imaging into an MR radiomics model to improve prognostication in glioblastoma patients improved its performance over that achievable using clinical predictors alone.
Digestibility, textural and sensory characteristics of cookies made from residues of enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction of soybeans
Authors: Li Yang , Sun Yufan , Zhong Mingming , Xie Fengying , Wang Huan , Li Liang , Qi Baokun , Zhang Shuang
Published: March 2020

Enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction residue (REAE) has a lower utilization rate as it is the “waste” produced after the enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction (EAE), but its nutritional value is high. To improve the development and utilization of REAE, in this study, cookies were made by adding REAE (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%) as a food additive to a small amount of flour. The AOAC method was used to identify the basic components of REAE, analyze its physical and chemical properties, and characterize the cookie structure change in terms of texture, disulfide bond, and thiol content. An in vitro simulation system and sensory evaluation mechanism were established to analyze the bioavailability and impact of quality. The results show that REAE is a potential food additive. With an increase in the REAE content, the cookies become lighter in color, the sweetness and fat content are reduced, the hardness is increased, and the digestibility and glycerin index are reduced. The change in texture is caused by the reduction of disulfide bonds in the dough. The cookies were ‘well accepted’ with up to 30% REAE. Therefore, the use of the appropriate amount of REAE as a new food additive will reduce the amount of starch added.
Giant defect emission enhancement from ZnO nanowires through desulfurization process
Authors: Zhou Junze , Nomenyo Komla , Cesar Clotaire Chevalier , Lusson Alain , Schwartzberg Adam , Yen Chun-Chieh , Woon Wei-Yen , Lerondel Gilles
Published: March 2020

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a stable, direct bandgap semiconductor emitting in the UV with a multitude of technical applications. It is well known that ZnO emission can be shifted into the green for visible light applications through the introduction of defects. However, generating consistent and efficient green emission through this process is challenging, particularly given that the chemical or atomic origin of the green emission in ZnO is still under debate. In this work we present a new method, for which we coin term desulfurization, for creating green emitting ZnO with significantly enhanced quantum efficiency. Solution grown ZnO nanowires are partially converted to ZnS, then desulfurized back to ZnO, resulting in a highly controlled concentration of oxygen defects as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance. Using this controlled placement of oxygen vacancies we observe a greater than 40-fold enhancement of integrated emission intensity and explore the nature of this enhancement through low temperature photoluminescence experiments.
Experimental quantification of pollen with DNA metabarcoding using ITS1 and trnL
Authors: Baksay Sandra , Pornon André , Burrus Monique , Mariette Jérôme , Andalo Christophe , Escaravage Nathalie
Published: March 2020

Although the use of metabarcoding to identify taxa in DNA mixtures is widely approved, its reliability in quantifying taxon abundance is still the subject of debate. In this study we investigated the relationships between the amount of pollen grains in mock solutions and the abundance of high-throughput sequence reads and how the relationship was affected by the pollen counting methodology, the number of PCR cycles, the type of markers and plant species whose pollen grains have different characteristics. We found a significant positive relationship between the number of DNA sequences and the number of pollen grains in the mock solutions. However, better relationships were obtained with light microscopy as a pollen grain counting method compared with flow cytometry, with the chloroplastic trnL marker compared with ribosomal ITS1 and with 30 when compared with 25 or 35 PCR cycles. We provide a list of recommendations to improve pollen quantification.
Efficacy of local infiltration analgesia with ropivacaine for postoperative pain management in cervical laminoplasty: a retrospective study
Authors: Li Kunpeng , Li Hao , Luo Dawei , Feng Hongyong , Ji Changbin , Yang Keshi , Liu Jinlong , Zhang Honglei , Xu Hui
Published: March 2020

Poor postoperative pain control impairs patient recovery and lengthens the duration of hospitalization after various surgeries. Local infiltration analgesia(LIA) has become an effective method for managing postoperative pain. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of LIA with ropivacaine for postoperative pain control after cervical laminoplasty. In total, 68 patients undergoing cervical laminoplasty were included for retrospective review and divided into ropivacaine and control groups. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, postoperative analgesic consumption, operative duration, intraoperative blood loss volume, incision length, hospitalization duration and incidence of complications were analyzed. In the ropivacaine group, the VAS score was 3.2 ± 1.4 at 4 hours postoperatively, which was lower than that of the control group(4.0 ± 1.4, P = 0.024). At 8, 12 and 24 hours after surgery, a significant difference was detected in the VAS score between the two groups(P ≤ 0.015). Sufentanil consumption was less in the ropivacaine group than in the control group in the first 4 hours postoperatively (25.6 ± 6.3 µg vs 32.2 ± 6.8 µg, P < 0.001), and similar results were observed in the first 8, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours postoperatively(P < 0.001). Fewer patients required rescue analgesia in the ropivacaine group(8/33 vs 18/35 at 4–8 hours, P = 0.021; 9/33 vs 21/35 at 8–12 hours, P = 0.007). The hospitalization duration and time to ambulation were shorter in the ropivacaine group(8.5 ± 1.4 vs 9.6 ± 1.6 for postoperative duration, P = 0.002; 2.9 ± 0.7 vs 3.5 ± 0.8 for time to ambulation, P = 0.001). The incidence of nausea and vomiting was lower in the ropivacaine group than in the control group(30.3% vs 54.3%, P = 0.046). In conclusion, LIA with ropivacaine could effectively reduce postoperative pain, and postoperative analgesic consumption, and promote recovery after cervical laminoplasty.
Air pollution by NO2 is associated with the risk of Bell’s palsy: A nested case-controlled study
Authors: Kim So Young , Min Chanyang , Choi Jay , Park Bumjung , Choi Hyo Geun
Published: March 2020

This study investigated the relationship of weather and air pollution with the onset of Bell’s palsy. The Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service-National Sample Cohort (HIRA-NSC) data from 2002 through 2013 were used. The 3,935 Bell’s palsy patients were matched with 15,740 control participants. The meteorological data, including daily mean temperature (°C), daily mean highest temperature (°C), daily mean lowest temperature (°C), daily mean temperature difference (°C), relative humidity (%), spot atmospheric pressure (hPa), sulfur dioxide (SO2) (ppm), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) (ppm), ozone (O3) (ppm), carbon monoxide (CO) (ppm), and PM10(particulate matter ≤ 10 μg/m3) for 60 days, 30 days, 14 days, 7 days, and 3 days prior to the index date were analyzed for Bell’s palsy cases and controls. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) of the association between the meteorological data and Bell’s palsy. The mean NO2and PM10concentrations for 60 days were higher, while that of O3was lower in the Bell’s palsy group than in the control group (both P < 0.001). The Bell’s palsy group showed 16.63-fold higher odds of NO2for 60 days (0.1 ppm) than the control group (95% CI = 10.18–27.16, P < 0.001). The ORs of PM10, and O3for 60 days showed inconsistent results according to the included variables. Bell’s palsy was related to high concentrations of NO2.
Angiotensin-[1–7] attenuates kidney injury in experimental Alport syndrome
Authors: Choi Hong Sang , Kim In Jin , Kim Chang Seong , Ma Seong Kwon , Scholey James W. , Kim Soo Wan , Bae Eun Hui
Published: March 2020

Angiotensin-[1–7] (Ang-[1–7]) antagonize the actions of the renin-angiotensin-system via the Mas receptor and thereby exert renoprotective effects. Murine recombinant angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)2 was reported to show renoprotective effects in an experimental Alport syndrome model; however, the protective effect of direct administration of Ang-[1–7] is unknown. Here, we used Col4a3−/− mice as a model of Alport syndrome, which were treated with saline or Ang- [1–7]; saline-treated wild-type mice were used as a control group. The mice were continuously infused with saline or Ang-[1–7] (25 μg/kg/h) using osmotic mini-pumps. Col4a3−/− mice showed increased α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), collagen, and fibronectin expression levels, which were attenuated by Ang-[1–7] treatment. Moreover, Ang-[1–7] alleviated activation of transforming growth factor-β/Smad signaling, and attenuated the protein expression of ED-1 and heme oxygenase-1, indicating reduction of renal inflammation. Ang-[1–7] treatment further reduced the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules and attenuated apoptosis in human kidney cells. Finally, Ang-[1–7] downregulated TNF-α converting enzyme and upregulated ACE2 expression. Thus, treatment with Ang-[1–7] altered the ACE2-Ang-[1–7]-Mas receptor axis in the kidneys of Col4a3−/− mice to attenuate the nephropathy progression of Alport syndrome.
Author Correction: System OMICs analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing B0/W148 cluster
Authors: Bespyatykh Julia , Shitikov Egor , Guliaev Andrei , Smolyakov Alexander , Klimina Ksenia , Veselovsky Vladimir , Malakhova Maya , Arapidi Georgij , Dogonadze Marine , Manicheva Olga , Bespiatykh Dmitry , Mokrousov Igor , Zhuravlev Viacheslav , Ilina Elena , Govorun Vadim
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Giant beaver palaeoecology inferred from stable isotopes
Authors: Plint Tessa , Longstaffe Fred J. , Zazula Grant
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Uncovering diversity and metabolic spectrum of animals in dead zone sediments
Authors: Broman Elias , Bonaglia Stefano , Holovachov Oleksandr , Marzocchi Ugo , Hall Per O. J. , Nascimento Francisco J. A.
Published: March 2020

Ocean deoxygenation driven by global warming and eutrophication is a primary concern for marine life. Resistant animals may be present in dead zone sediments, however there is lack of information on their diversity and metabolism. Here we combined geochemistry, microscopy, and RNA-seq for estimating taxonomy and functionality of micrometazoans along an oxygen gradient in the largest dead zone in the world. Nematodes are metabolically active at oxygen concentrations below 1.8 µmol L−1, and their diversity and community structure are different between low oxygen areas. This is likely due to toxic hydrogen sulfide and its potential to be oxidized by oxygen or nitrate. Zooplankton resting stages dominate the metazoan community, and these populations possibly use cytochrome c oxidase as an oxygen sensor to exit dormancy. Our study sheds light on mechanisms of animal adaptation to extreme environments. These biological resources can be essential for recolonization of dead zones when oxygen conditions improve.
NDRG1 activates VEGF-A-induced angiogenesis through PLCγ1/ERK signaling in mouse vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Watari Kosuke , Shibata Tomohiro , Fujita Hideaki , Shinoda Ai , Murakami Yuichi , Abe Hideyuki , Kawahara Akihiko , Ito Hiroshi , Akiba Jun , Yoshida Shigeo , Kuwano Michihiko , Ono Mayumi
Published: March 2020

Many diseases, including cancer, have been associated with impaired regulation of angiogenesis, of which vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A is a key regulator. Here, we test the contribution of N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) to VEGF-A-induced angiogenesis in vascular endothelial cells (ECs). Ndrg1−/− mice exhibit impaired VEGF-A-induced angiogenesis in corneas. Tumor angiogenesis induced by cancer cells that express high levels of VEGF-A was also reduced in a mouse dorsal air sac assay. Furthermore, NDRG1 deficiency in ECs prevented angiogenic sprouting from the aorta and the activation of phospholipase Cγ1 (PLCγ1) and ERK1/2 by VEGF-A without affecting the expression and function of VEGFR2. Finally, we show that NDRG1 formed a complex with PLCγ1 through its phosphorylation sites, and the inhibition of PLCγ1 dramatically suppressed VEGF-A-induced angiogenesis in the mouse cornea, suggesting an essential role of NDRG1 in VEGF-A-induced angiogenesis through PLCγ1 signaling.
Ultrashort low-loss Ψ gates for linear optical logic on Si photonics platform
Authors: Kita Shota , Nozaki Kengo , Takata Kenta , Shinya Akihiko , Notomi Masaya
Published: March 2020

Nonlinear optical gates are usually considered as fundamental building blocks for universal optical computation. However, the performance is severely limited by small optical nonlinearity, thereby bounding their operation speed, consumption energy, and device size. In this paper, we propose and experimentally demonstrate linear optical logic operations with ~3 μm-long Si wire “Ψ” gates consist of 3 × 1 optical combiners including auxiliary bias port, which maximizes the binary contrast of the output in telecom wavelength. We have demonstrated 20 Gbps Boolean “AND” operation with experimentally measured small signal loss (1.6 dB experimentally). A single Ψ gate can perform representative Boolean operations by changing the bias power and relative phases. We have also demonstrated wavelength-independent operation by seven wavelengths, which leads to wavelength-division multiplexed parallel computation. This ultrashort, highly-integrable, low-loss, and energy-efficient optical logic gates pave the way for ultralow latency optical pattern matching, recognition, and conversion.
Surface-confined single-layer covalent organic frameworks: design, synthesis and application
Authors: Cui Daling , Perepichka Dmitrii F. , MacLeod Jennifer M. , Rosei Federico
Published: March 2020

This review describes the state of the art of surface-confined single-layer covalent organic frameworks, focusing on reticular design, synthesis approaches, and exploring applications in host/guest chemistry.
Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of bromido[3-ethyl-4-aryl-5-(2-methoxypyridin-5-yl)-1-propyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-imidazol-2-ylidene]gold(i) complexes
Authors: Gallati Caroline M. , Goetzfried Sina K. , Ausserer Marjana , Sagasser Jessica , Plangger Matthias , Wurst Klaus , Hermann Martin , Baecker Daniel , Kircher Brigitte , Gust Ronald
Published: March 2020

Bromido[3-ethyl-4-aryl-5-(2-methoxypyridin-5-yl)-1-propyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-imidazol-2-ylidene]gold(i) complexes (8a–h) with methoxy, methyl and fluorine substituents at different positions in the 4-aryl ring were synthesized and characterized.
Synergy of CO2-response and aggregation induced emission in a small molecule: renewable liquid and solid CO2 chemosensors with high sensitivity and visibility
Authors: Mai Zhijian , Li Hao , Gao Yixun , Niu Yue , Li Yongrui , de Rooij Nicolaas Frans , Umar Ahmad , Al-Assiri M. S. , Wang Yao , Zhou Guofu
Published: March 2020

A tetraphenylethylene (TPE) derivative, (N,N-dimethyl-N′-(4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)phenyl)acetimidamide (TPE-amidine), was designed and synthesized, and used to prepare visible and renewable CO2 chemosensors, TPE-amidine-L (liquid) and TPE-amidine-S (solid).
Multidimensional luminescent cobalt(ii)-coordination polymers as sensors with extremely high sensitivity and selectivity for detection of acetylacetone, benzaldehyde and Cr2O72−
Authors: Li Ai-Ling , Qu Yun-Hua , Fu Lianshe , Han Chao , Cui Guang-Hua
Published: March 2020

Three new ternary cobalt(ii) CPs were synthesized. 1 exhibits a 3D pcu framework, 2 possesses a 2D hcb layer and 3 is a 1D chain structure. 1, 2, and 3 can be effective luminescent probes for sensing acetylacetone, benzaldehyde and Cr2O72− ions.
The visible-light-driven transfer hydrogenation of nicotinamide cofactors with a robust ruthenium complex photocatalyst
Authors: Dong Wenjin , Tang Jie , Zhao Lijun , Chen Fushan , Deng Li , Xian Mo
Published: March 2020

The highly efficient regeneration of nicotinamide cofactors has been successfully achieved via photocatalytic transfer hydrogenation using an amino acid-residue tolerant ruthenium complex.
Effects of Au loading on the enhancement of photoelectrochemical activities of the Au@ZnO nano-heteroarchitecture
Authors: Chikate Parameshwar R. , Daware Krishna D. , Patil Santosh S. , Didwal Pravin N. , Lole Gaurav S. , Choudhary Ram J. , Gosavi Suresh W. , Devan Rupesh S.
Published: March 2020

The nano-heteroarchitecture of Au@ZnO evidencing the surface attachment without chemical reaction at the interface delivered enhanced PEC activities by facilitating the injection of hot electrons from the SP state into the conduction band of ZnO.
Metal-free iodine-promoted direct synthesis of unsymmetrical triarylmethanes
Authors: Gu Ying-Chun , Huang Jie , Wu Run-Shi , Yang Qi , Yu Ya-Qin , Xu Da-Zhen
Published: March 2020

Completely unsymmetrical triarylmethanes were prepared in a one-pot reaction via o-QM intermediates generated in situ.
Three AIE-ligand-based Cu(i) coordination polymers: synthesis, structures and luminescence sensing of TNP
Authors: Zhang Jinfang , Xia Hongchen , Ren Simeng , Jia Wen , Zhang Chi
Published: March 2020

Cu(i) CPs were constructed for the first time with the AIE ligand DPMF; they exhibited distinct architectures and efficient detection of TNP.
Exploring the relationship between structure and activity in BODIPYs designed for antimicrobial phototherapy
Authors: Hohlfeld Benjamin F. , Gitter Burkhard , Flanagan Keith J. , Kingsbury Christopher J. , Kulak Nora , Senge Mathias O. , Wiehe Arno
Published: March 2020

A series of BODIPYs were evaluated for their phototoxic activity against Gram-positive S. aureus and Gram-negative P. aeruginosa. Specifically, carbohydrate/dibromosubstituted BODIPYs showed a highly effective inactivation of S. aureus.
Synthesis of monofluorooxazoles with quaternary C–F centers through photoredox-catalyzed radical addition of methylene-2-oxazolines
Authors: Song Gui-Ting , Qu Chuan-Hua , Chen Jin-Hong , Xu Zhi-Gang , Zhou Cheng-He , Chen Zhong-Zhu
Published: March 2020

A photoredox-catalyzed radical addition of methylene-2-oxazolines has been developed under visible light irradiation to synthesize monofluorooxazoles with quaternary C–F centers using 2-bromo-2-fluoro-3-oxo-3-phenylpropionates as radical source.
Defective S/N co-doped carbon cloth via a one-step process for effective electroreduction of nitrogen to ammonia
Authors: Cheng Shaoan , Li Chaochao , Yu Zhen , Sun Yi , Li Longxin , Yang Jiawei
Published: March 2020

The electroreduction of nitrogen (N2) has gained increasing attention as a promising route to achieve green and sustainable ammonia (NH3) production.
Investigation into the synthesis conditions of CuMoO4 by an in situ method and its photocatalytic properties under visible light irradiation
Authors: Tan Wencheng , Luan Jingfei
Published: March 2020

A kind of molybdenum and copper compound, CuMoO4, was prepared by a hydrothermal method.
The deposition and wet etching of Mg-doped ZnO films and their applications for solidly mounted resonators
Authors: Han Chengzhang , Ma Haoran , Wang Yanping , Liu Jing , Teng Lihua , Lv Hao , Zhao Qiuling , Wang Xia
Published: March 2020

In this report, a solidly mounted resonator (SMR), consisting of an Au electrode, Mg-doped ZnO (MgXZn1−XO) piezoelectric film and Bragg acoustic reflector, was fabricated on a Si substrate by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering.
Reducing energy loss and stabilising the perovskite/poly (3-hexylthiophene) interface through a polyelectrolyte interlayer
Authors: Zhang Wenxiao , Wan Li , Fu Sheng , Li Xiaodong , Fang Junfeng
Published: March 2020

A high-efficiency and stable P3HT based perovskite solar cell through suppressing perovskite/P3HT interfacial recombination with the polyelectrolyte P3CT-BN.
Strategies and challenges to improve the performance of tumor-associated active targeting
Authors: Zhang Yahui , Cao Jing , Yuan Zhi
Published: March 2020

Schematic of irreversible ligand shielding strategy and reversible ligand shielding strategy.
Rapid synthesis and mechanochemical reactions of cesium copper halides for convenient chromaticity tuning and efficient white light emission
Authors: Fang Shaofan , Wang Ye , Li Huixia , Fang Feier , Jiang Ke , Liu Zexiang , Li Henan , Shi Yumeng
Published: March 2020

Emitting wavelength of cesium copper halides can be effectively tuned by regulating the process of mechanochemical reaction firstly.
Association between MGMT status and response to alkylating agents in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Qi Zhirong , Tan Huangying
Published: March 2020

Background: O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is a specific DNA damage reversal repair protein. The influence of MGMT status on alkylating agent sensitivity in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) is controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the influence of MGMT status on the therapeutic sensitivity of alkylating agents in patients with NENs.

Methods: We searched PubMed, EmBase, and Cochrane library public databases through 3 July 2019. The objective response rate (ORR) was the outcome data of interest. Subgroup analysis was performed according based on MGMT methylation and expression of MGMT protein.

Results: Eleven studies were included in the meta-analysis. The proportion of patients with NENs that achieved an ORR after alkylating agent treatment was higher in the MGMT-deficient group than the non-deficient group (OR: 5.00; 95% CI: 3.04–8.22; P < 0.001; I2: 3%). Similar results were noted in the MGMT methylation and MGMT protein expression subgroups.

Conclusion: Patients with NENs and MGMT methylation or low protein expression had a higher ORR proportion than patients without MGMT methylation or high protein expression. The MGMT status can be used as a biological indicator of the response to alkylating agent treatment in patients with NENs.