bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An enhanced dual IDW method for high-quality geospatial interpolation
Authors: Li Zhanglin
Published: May 2021

Many geoscience problems involve predicting attributes of interest at un-sampled locations. Inverse distance weighting (IDW) is a standard solution to such problems. However, IDW is generally not able to produce favorable results in the presence of clustered data, which is commonly used in the geospatial data process. To address this concern, this paper presents a novel interpolation approach (DIDW) that integrates data-to-data correlation with the conventional IDW and reformulates it within the geostatistical framework considering locally varying exponents. Traditional IDW, DIDW, and ordinary kriging are employed to evaluate the interpolation performance of the proposed method. This evaluation is based on a case study using the public Walker Lake dataset, and the associated interpolations are performed in various contexts, such as different sample data sizes and variogram parameters. The results demonstrate that DIDW with locally varying exponents stably produces more accurate and reliable estimates than the conventional IDW and DIDW. Besides, it yields more robust estimates than ordinary kriging in the face of varying variogram parameters. Thus, the proposed method can be applied as a preferred spatial interpolation method for most applications regarding its stability and accuracy.
Elevated serum SDMA and ADMA at hospital admission predict in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients
Authors: Hannemann Juliane , Balfanz Paul , Schwedhelm Edzard , Hartmann Bojan , Ule Johanna , Müller-Wieland Dirk , Dahl Edgar , Dreher Michael , Marx Nikolaus , Böger Rainer
Published: May 2021

COVID-19 is a disease with a variable clinical course ranging from mild symptoms to critical illness, organ failure, and death. Prospective biomarkers may help to predict the severity of an individual’s clinical course and mortality risk. We analyzed asymmetric (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) in blood samples from 31 patients hospitalized for COVID-19. We calculated associations of ADMA and SDMA with mortality and organ failure, and we developed a predictive algorithm based upon these biomarkers to predict mortality risk. Nine patients (29%) experienced in-hospital death. SDMA and ADMA serum concentrations were significantly higher at admission in COVID-19 patients who died than in survivors. Cut-offs of 0.90 µmol/L for SDMA (AUC, 0.904, p = 0.0005) and 0.66 µmol/L for ADMA (AUC, 0.874, p = 0.0013) were found in ROC analyses to best discriminate both subgroups of patients. Hazard ratio for in-hospital mortality was 12.2 (95% CI: 2.2–31.2) for SDMA and 6.3 (1.1–14.7) for ADMA above cut-off. Sequential analysis of both biomarkers allowed discriminating a high-risk group (87.5% mortality) from an intermediate-risk group (25% mortality) and a low-risk group (0% mortality). Elevated circulating concentrations of SDMA and ADMA may help to better identify COVID-19 patients with a high risk of in-hospital mortality.
Cage and maternal effects on the bacterial communities of the murine gut
Authors: Singh Gurdeep , Brass Andrew , Cruickshank Sheena M. , Knight Christopher G.
Published: May 2021

Findings from gut microbiome studies are strongly influenced by both experimental and analytical factors that can unintentionally bias their interpretation. Environment is also critical. Both co-housing and maternal effects are expected to affect microbiomes and have the potential to confound other manipulated factors, such as genetics. We therefore analysed microbiome data from a mouse experiment using littermate controls and tested differences among genotypes (wildtype versus colitis prone-mdr1a−/−), gut niches (stool versus mucus), host ages (6 versus 18 weeks), social groups (co-housed siblings of different genotypes) and maternal influence. We constructed a 16S phylogenetic tree from bacterial communities, fitting random forest models using all 428,234 clades identified. Models discriminated all criteria except host genotype, where no community differences were found. Host social groups differed in abundant, low-level, taxa whereas intermediate phylogenetic and abundance scales distinguished ages and niches. Thus, a carefully controlled experiment treating evolutionary clades of microbes equivalently without reference to taxonomy, clearly identifies whether and how gut microbial communities are distinct across ecologically important factors (niche and host age) and other experimental factors, notably cage effects and maternal influence. These findings highlight the importance of considering such environmental factors in future microbiome studies.
Methylmercury induces neuronal cell death by inducing TNF-α expression through the ASK1/p38 signaling pathway in microglia
Authors: Toyama Takashi , Hoshi Takayuki , Noguchi Takuya , Saito Yoshiro , Matsuzawa Atsushi , Naganuma Akira , Hwang Gi-Wook
Published: May 2021

We recently found that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) may be involved in neuronal cell death induced by methylmercury in the mouse brain. Here, we examined the cells involved in the induction of TNF-α expression by methylmercury in the mouse brain by in situ hybridization. TNF-α-expressing cells were found throughout the brain and were identified as microglia by immunostaining for ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1). Methylmercury induced TNF-α expression in mouse primary microglia and mouse microglial cell line BV2. Knockdown of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), an inflammatory cytokine up-regulator that is responsible for reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased methylmercury-induced TNF-α expression through decreased phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase in BV2 cells. Suppression of methylmercury-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) by antioxidant treatment largely abolished the induction of TNF-α expression and phosphorylation of p38 by methylmercury in BV2 cells. Finally, in mouse brain slices, the TNF-α antagonist (WP9QY) inhibited neuronal cell death induced by methylmercury, as did the p38 inhibitor SB203580 and liposomal clodronate (a microglia-depleting agent). These results indicate that methylmercury induces mitochondrial ROS that are involved in activation of the ASK1/p38 pathway in microglia and that this is associated with induction of TNF-α expression and neuronal cell death.
10-hydroxy-2E-decenoic acid (10HDA) does not promote caste differentiation in Melipona scutellaris stingless bees
Authors: Borges Luiza Diniz Ferreira , Batista Letícia Leandro , Malta Serena Mares , Rodrigues Tamiris Sabrina , Silva Jéssica Regina da Costa , Venturini Gabriela , Pereira Alexandre da Costa , Guedes Pedro Henrique Gonçalves , Ueira-Vieira Carlos , Bonetti Ana Maria
Published: May 2021

In bees from genusMelipona, differential feeding is not enough to fully explain female polyphenism. In these bees, there is a hypothesis that in addition to the environmental component (food), a genetic component is also involved in caste differentiation. This mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated and may involve epigenetic and metabolic regulation. Here, we verified that the genes encoding histone deacetylases HDAC1 and HDAC4 and histone acetyltransferase KAT2A were expressed at all stages ofMelipona scutellaris, with fluctuations between developmental stages and castes. In larvae, the HDAC genes showed the same profile of Juvenile Hormone titers—previous reported—whereas the HAT gene exhibited the opposite profile. We also investigated the larvae and larval food metabolomes, but we did not identify the putative queen-fate inducing compounds, geraniol and 10-hydroxy-2E-decenoic acid (10HDA). Finally, we demonstrated that the histone deacetylase inhibitor 10HDA—the major lipid component of royal jelly and hence a putative regulator of honeybee caste differentiation—was unable to promote differentiation in queens inMelipona scutellaris. Our results suggest that epigenetic and hormonal regulations may act synergistically to drive caste differentiation inMeliponaand that 10HDA is not a caste-differentiation factor inMelipona scutellaris.
Improving radiologist's ability in identifying particular abnormal lesions on mammograms through training test set with immediate feedback
Authors: Trieu Phuong Dung , Lewis Sarah J. , Li Tong , Ho Karen , Wong Dennis J. , Tran Oanh T. M. , Puslednik Louise , Black Deborah , Brennan Patrick C.
Published: May 2021

It has been shown that there are differences in diagnostic accuracy of cancer detection on mammograms, from below 50% in developing countries to over 80% in developed world. One previous study reported that radiologists from a population in Asia displayed a low mammographic cancer detection of 48% compared with over 80% in developed countries, and more importantly, that most lesions missed by these radiologists were spiculated masses or stellate lesions. The aim of this study was to explore the performance of radiologists after undertaking a training test set which had been designed to improve the capability in detecting a specific type of cancers on mammograms. Twenty-five radiologists read two sets of 60 mammograms in a standardized mammogram reading room. The first test set focused on stellate or spiculated masses. When radiologists completed the first set, the system displayed immediate feedback to the readers comparing their performances in each case with the truth of cancer cases and cancer types so that the readers could identify individual-based errors. Later radiologists were asked to read the second set of mammograms which contained different types of cancers including stellate/spiculated masses, asymmetric density, calcification, discrete mass and architectural distortion. Case sensitivity, lesion sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and Jackknife alternative free-response receiver operating characteristics (JAFROC) were calculated for each participant and their diagnostic accuracy was compared between two sessions. Results showed significant improvement among radiologists in case sensitivity (+ 11.4%; P < 0.05), lesion sensitivity (+ 18.7%; P < 0.01) and JAFROC (+ 11%; P < 0.01) in the second set compared with the first set. The increase in diagnostic accuracy was also recorded in the detection of stellate/spiculated mass (+ 20.6%; P < 0.05). This indicated that the performance of radiologists in detecting malignant lesions on mammograms can be improved if an appropriate training intervention is applied after the readers’ weakness and strength are identified.
African Americans and European Americans exhibit distinct gene expression patterns across tissues and tumors associated with immunologic functions and environmental exposures
Authors: Singh Urminder , Hernandez Kyle M. , Aronow Bruce J. , Wurtele Eve Syrkin
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected African American populations disproportionately with respect to prevalence, and mortality. Expression profiles represent snapshots of combined genetic, socio-environmental (including socioeconomic and environmental factors), and physiological effects on the molecular phenotype. As such, they have potential to improve biological understanding of differences among populations, and provide therapeutic biomarkers and environmental mitigation strategies. Here, we undertook a large-scale assessment of patterns of gene expression between African Americans and European Americans, mining RNA-Seq data from 25 non-diseased and diseased (tumor) tissue-types. We observed the widespread enrichment of pathways implicated in COVID-19 and integral to inflammation and reactive oxygen stress. Chemokine CCL3L3 expression is up-regulated in African Americans. GSTM1, encoding a glutathione S-transferase that metabolizes reactive oxygen species and xenobiotics, is upregulated. The little-studied F8A2 gene is up to 40-fold more highly expressed in African Americans; F8A2 encodes HAP40 protein, which mediates endosome movement, potentially altering the cellular response to SARS-CoV-2. African American expression signatures, superimposed on single cell-RNA reference data, reveal increased number or activity of esophageal glandular cells and lung ACE2-positive basal keratinocytes. Our findings establishbasal prognostic signaturesthat can be used to refine approaches to minimize risk of severe infection and improve precision treatment of COVID-19 for African Americans. To enable dissection ofcausesof divergent molecular phenotypes, we advocate routine inclusion of metadata on genomic and socio-environmental factors for human RNA-sequencing studies.
A TILLING by sequencing approach to identify induced mutations in sunflower genes
Authors: Fanelli Valentina , Ngo Kathie J. , Thompson Veronica L. , Silva Brennan R. , Tsai Helen , Sabetta Wilma , Montemurro Cinzia , Comai Luca , Harmer Stacey L.
Published: May 2021

The Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes (TILLING) technology is a reverse genetic strategy broadly applicable to every kind of genome and represents an attractive tool for functional genomic and agronomic applications. It consists of chemical random mutagenesis followed by high-throughput screening of point mutations in targeted genomic regions. Although multiple methods for mutation discovery in amplicons have been described, next-generation sequencing (NGS) is the tool of choice for mutation detection because it quickly allows for the analysis of a large number of amplicons. The aim of the present work was to screen a previously generated sunflower TILLING population and identify alterations in genes involved in several important and complex physiological processes. Twenty-one candidate sunflower genes were chosen as targets for the screening. The TILLING by sequencing strategy allowed us to identify multiple mutations in selected genes and we subsequently validated 16 mutations in 11 different genes through Sanger sequencing. In addition to addressing challenges posed by outcrossing, our detection and validation of mutations in multiple regulatory loci highlights the importance of this sunflower population as a genetic resource.
Development and characterization of two equine formulations towards SARS-CoV-2 proteins for the potential treatment of COVID-19
Authors: León Guillermo , Herrera María , Vargas Mariángela , Arguedas Mauricio , Sánchez Andrés , Segura Álvaro , Gómez Aarón , Solano Gabriela , Corrales-Aguilar Eugenia , Risner Kenneth , Narayanan Aarthi , Bailey Charles , Villalta Mauren , Hernández Andrés , Sánchez Adriana , Cordero Daniel , Solano Daniela , Durán Gina , Segura Eduardo , Cerdas Maykel , Umaña Deibid , Moscoso Edwin , Estrada Ricardo , Gutiérrez Jairo , Méndez Marcos , Castillo Ana Cecilia , Sánchez Laura , Sánchez Ronald , Gutiérrez José María , Díaz Cecilia , Alape Alberto
Published: May 2021

In the current global emergency due to SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, passive immunotherapy emerges as a promising treatment for COVID-19. Among animal-derived products, equine formulations are still the cornerstone therapy for treating envenomations due to animal bites and stings. Therefore, drawing upon decades of experience in manufacturing snake antivenom, we developed and preclinically evaluated two anti-SARS-CoV-2 polyclonal equine formulations as potential alternative therapy for COVID-19. We immunized two groups of horses with either S1 (anti-S1) or a mixture of S1, N, and SEM mosaic (anti-Mix) viral recombinant proteins. Horses reached a maximum anti-viral antibody level at 7 weeks following priming, and showed no major adverse acute or chronic clinical alterations. Two whole-IgG formulations were prepared via hyperimmune plasma precipitation with caprylic acid and then formulated for parenteral use. Both preparations had similar physicochemical and microbiological quality and showed ELISA immunoreactivity towards S1 protein and the receptor binding domain (RBD). The anti-Mix formulation also presented immunoreactivity against N protein. Due to high anti-S1 and anti-RBD antibody content, final products exhibited high in vitro neutralizing capacity of SARS-CoV-2 infection, 80 times higher than a pool of human convalescent plasma. Pre-clinical quality profiles were similar among both products, but clinical efficacy and safety must be tested in clinical trials. The technological strategy we describe here can be adapted by other producers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Differential effects of alkaloids on memory in rodents
Authors: Callahan Patrick M. , Terry Alvin V. , Peitsch Manuel C. , Hoeng Julia , Koshibu Kyoko
Published: May 2021

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play a critical role in the neuropharmacology of learning and memory. As such, naturally occurring alkaloids that regulate nAChR activity have gained interest for understanding and potentially improving memory function. In this study, we tested the acute effects of three known nicotinic alkaloids, nicotine, cotinine, and anatabine, in suppressing scopolamine-induced memory deficit in rodents by using two classic memory paradigms, Y-maze and novel object recognition (NOR) in mice and rats, respectively. We found that all compounds were able to suppress scopolamine-induced spatial memory deficit in the Y-maze spontaneous alternation paradigm. However, only nicotine was able to suppress the short-term object memory deficit in NOR, despite the higher doses of cotinine and anatabine used to account for their potential differences in nAChR activity. These results indicate that cotinine and anatabine can uniquely regulate short-term spatial memory, while nicotine seems to have more robust and general role in memory regulation in rodents. Thus, nAChR-activating alkaloids may possess distinct procognitive properties in rodents, depending on the memory types examined.
Evaluation of grain boundaries as percolation pathways in quartz-rich continental crust using Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Dobe Ritabrata , Das Anuja , Mukherjee Rabibrata , Gupta Saibal
Published: May 2021

Hydrous fluids play a vital role in the chemical and rheological evolution of ductile, quartz-bearing continental crust, where fluid percolation pathways are controlled by grain boundary domains. In this study, widths of grain boundary domains in seven quartzite samples metamorphosed under varying crustal conditions were investigated using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) which allows comparatively easy, high magnification imaging and precise width measurements. It is observed that dynamic recrystallization at higher metamorphic grades is much more efficient at reducing grain boundary widths than at lower temperature conditions. The concept of force-distance spectroscopy, applied to geological samples for the first time, allows qualitative estimation of variations in the strength of grain boundary domains. The strength of grain boundary domains is inferred to be higher in the high grade quartzites, which is supported by Kernel Average Misorientation (KAM) studies using Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD). The results of the study show that quartzites deformed and metamorphosed at higher grades have narrower channels without pores and an abundance of periodically arranged bridges oriented at right angles to the length of the boundary. We conclude that grain boundary domains in quartz-rich rocks are more resistant to fluid percolation in the granulite rather than the greenschist facies.
Laser-induced thermal grating spectroscopy based on femtosecond laser multi-photon absorption
Authors: Ruchkina Maria , Hot Dina , Ding Pengji , Hosseinnia Ali , Bengtsson Per-Erik , Li Zhongshan , Bood Joakim , Sahlberg Anna-Lena
Published: May 2021

Laser-induced grating spectroscopy (LIGS) is for the first time explored in a configuration based on the crossing of two focused femtosecond (fs) laser pulses (800-nm wavelength) and a focused continuous-wave (cw) laser beam (532-nm wavelength). A thermal grating was formed by multi-photon absorption of the fs-laser pulses by $$\hbox {N}_{{2}}$$

N
2

with a pulse energy around 700 $$\upmu $$
μ
J ($$\sim $$
∼
45 TW/$$\hbox {cm}^{2}$$

cm
2

). The feasibility of this LIGS configuration was investigated for thermometry in heated nitrogen gas flows. The temperature was varied from room temperature up to 750 K, producing strong single-shot LIGS signals. A model based on the solution of the linearized hydrodynamic equations was used to extract temperature information from single-shot experimental data, and the results show excellent agreement with the thermocouple measurements. Furthermore, the fluorescence produced by the fs-laser pulses was investigated. This study indicates an 8-photon absorption pathway for $$\hbox {N}_{{2}}$$

N
2

in order to reach the $$\hbox {B}^{3}\Pi _{g}$$

B
3

Π
g

state from the ground state, and 8 + 5 photon excitation to reach the $$\hbox {B}^{2}\Sigma _{u}^{+}$$

B
2

Σ

u

+

state of the $$\hbox {N}_{2}^{+}$$

N

2

+

ion. At pulse energies higher than 1 mJ, the LIGS signal was disturbed due to the generation of plasma. Additionally, measurements in argon gas and air were performed, where the LIGS signal for argon shows lower intensity compared to air and $$\hbox {N}_{{2}}$$

N
2

.
Author Correction: Genetic landscape of 6089 inherited retinal dystrophies affected cases in Spain and their therapeutic and extended epidemiological implications
Authors: Perea-Romero Irene , Gordo Gema , Iancu Ionut F. , Del Pozo-Valero Marta , Almoguera Berta , Blanco-Kelly Fiona , Carreño Ester , Jimenez-Rolando Belen , Lopez-Rodriguez Rosario , Lorda-Sanchez Isabel , Martin-Merida Inmaculada , Pérez de Ayala Lucia , Riveiro-Alvarez Rosa , Rodriguez-Pinilla Elvira , Tahsin-Swafiri Saoud , Trujillo-Tiebas Maria J. ,   The ESRETNET Study Group, Bustamante-Aragones Ana , Cardero-Merlo Rocio , Fernandez-Sanchez Ruth , Gallego-Merlo Jesus , Garcia-Vara Ines , Gimenez-Pardo Ascension , Horcajada-Burgos Laura , Infantes-Barbero Fernando , Lantero Esther , Lopez-Martinez Miguel A. , Martinez-Ramas Andrea , Ondo Lorena , Rodriguez de Alba Marta , Sanchez-Jimeno Carolina , Velez-Monsalve Camilo , Villaverde Cristina , Zurita Olga , Aguilera-Garcia Domingo , Aguirre-Lamban Jana , Arteche Ana , Cantalapiedra Diego , Fernandez-San Jose Patricia , Galbis-Martinez Liliana , Garcia-Hoyos Maria , Lombardia Carlos , Lopez-Molina Maria I. , Perez-Carro Raquel , Da Silva Luciana R. J. , Ramos Carmen , Sanchez-Alcudia Rocio , Sanchez-Navarro Iker , Tatu Sorina D. , Vallespin Elena , Aller Elena , Bernal Sara , Gamundi Maria J. , Garcia-Garcia Gema , Hernan Inmaculada , Jaijo Teresa , Antiñolo Guillermo , Baiget Montserrat , Carballo Miguel , Millan Jose M. , Valverde Diana ,   The ERDC Study Group, Allikmets Rando , Banfi Sandro , Cremers Frans P. M. , Collin Rob W. J. , De Baere Elfride , Hakonarson Hakon , Kohl Susanne , Rivolta Carlo , Sharon Dror ,   The Associated Clinical Study Group, Alonso-Cerezo Maria C. , Ballesta-Martinez Maria J. , Beltran Sergi , Benito Lopez Carmen , Català-Mora Jaume , Catalli Claudio , Cotarelo-Perez Carmen , Fernandez-Burriel Miguel , Fontalba-Romero Ana , Galán-Gómez Enrique , Garcia-Barcina Maria , Garcia-Cruz Loida M. , Gener Blanca , Gil-Fournier Belen , Govea Nancy , Guillen-Navarro Encarna , Hernando Acero Ines , Irigoyen Cristina , Izquierdo-Álvarez Silvia , Llano-Rivas Isabel , López-Ariztegui Maria A. , Lopez-Gonzalez Vanesa , Lopez-Grondona Fermina , Martorell Loreto , Mendez-Perez Pilar , Moreno-Igoa Maria , Oancea-Ionescu Raluca , Palau-Martinez Francesc , Perez de Nanclares Guiomar , Ramos-Fuentes Feliciano J. , Rodriguez-Lopez Raquel , Rodriguez-Pedreira Montserrat , Rodriguez-Peña Lydia , Rodriguez-Sanchez Berta , Rosell Jordi , Rosello Noemi , Saez-Villaverde Raquel , Santana Alfredo , Valenzuela-Palafoll Irene , Villota-Deleu Eva , Garcia-Sandoval Blanca , Minguez Pablo , Avila-Fernandez Almudena , Corton Marta , Ayuso Carmen
Published: May 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Biomechanical regulation of breast cancer metastasis and progression
Authors: Spencer Adrianne , Sligar Andrew D. , Chavarria Daniel , Lee Jason , Choksi Darshil , Patil Nikita P. , Lee HooWon , Veith Austin P. , Riley William J. , Desai Shubh , Abbaspour Ali , Singeetham Rohan , Baker Aaron B.
Published: May 2021

Physical activity has been consistently linked to decreased incidence of breast cancer and a substantial increase in the length of survival of patients with breast cancer. However, the understanding of how applied physical forces directly regulate breast cancer remains limited. We investigated the role of mechanical forces in altering the chemoresistance, proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer cells. We found that applied mechanical tension can dramatically alter gene expression in breast cancer cells, leading to decreased proliferation, increased resistance to chemotherapeutic treatment and enhanced adhesion to inflamed endothelial cells and collagen I under fluidic shear stress. A mechanistic analysis of the pathways involved in these effects supported a complex signaling network that included Abl1, Lck, Jak2 and PI3K to regulate pro-survival signaling and enhancement of adhesion under flow. Studies using mouse xenograft models demonstrated reduced proliferation of breast cancer cells with orthotopic implantation and increased metastasis to the skull when the cancer cells were treated with mechanical load. Using high throughput mechanobiological screens we identified pathways that could be targeted to reduce the effects of load on metastasis and found that the effects of mechanical load on bone colonization could be reduced through treatment with a PI3Kγ inhibitor.
Association of PM2.5 exposure with hospitalization for cardiovascular disease in elderly individuals in Japan
Authors: Kaihara Toshiki , Yoneyama Kihei , Nakai Michikazu , Higuma Takumi , Sumita Yoko , Miyamoto Yoshihiro , Watanabe Mika , Izumo Masaki , Ishibashi Yuki , Tanabe Yasuhiro , Harada Tomoo , Yasuda Satoshi , Ogawa Hisao , Akashi Yoshihiro J.
Published: May 2021

Although exposure to particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) influences cardiovascular disease (CVD), its association with CVD-related hospitalizations of super-aged patients in Japan remains uncertain. We investigated the relationship between short-term PM2.5 exposure and CVD-related hospitalizations, lengths of hospital stays, and medical expenses. We analyzed the Japanese national database of patients with CVD (835,405) admitted to acute-care hospitals between 2012 and 2014. Patients with planned hospitalizations and those with missing PM2.5 exposure data were excluded. We classified the included patients into five quintiles based on their PM2.5 exposure: PM-5, -4, -3, -2, and -1 groups, in descending order of concentration. Compared with the PM-1 group, the other groups had higher hospitalization rates. The PM-3, -4, and -5 groups exhibited increased hospitalization durations and medical expenses, compared with the PM-1 group. Interestingly, the hospitalization period was longer for the ≥ 90-year-old group than for the ≤ 64-year-old group, yet the medical expenses were lower for the former group. Short-term PM2.5 exposure is associated with increased CVD-related hospitalizations, hospitalization durations, and medical expenses. The effects of incident CVDs were more marked in elderly than in younger patients. National PM2.5 concentrations should be reduced and the public should be aware of the risks.
Shoulder strap fixation of LUCAS-2 to facilitate continuous CPR during non-supine (stair) stretcher transport of OHCAs patients
Authors: Chen Chen-Bin , Chen Kuan-Fu , Chien Cheng-Yu , Kuo Chan-Wei , Goh Zhong Ning Leonard , Seak Chen-Ken , Seak Joanna Chen-Yeen , Seak Chen-June ,   For the SPOT Consortium, Seak Johan , Chang Chia Hsun , Tsai Li-Heng , Ng Chip-Jin , Chen Hsien-Yi , Chou Yu-Shao , Cheng Tzu-Heng , Chang Chia-Hau , Chen Chien-Lin , Hsieh Chiao-Hsuan
Published: May 2021

Early recognition and rapid initiation of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are key to maximising chances of achieving successful return of spontaneous circulation in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs), as well as improving patient outcomes both inside and outside hospital. Mechanical chest compression devices such as the LUCAS-2 have been developed to assist rescuers in providing consistent, high-quality compressions, even during transportation. However, providing uninterrupted and effective compressions with LUCAS-2 during transportation down stairwells and in tight spaces in a non-supine position is relatively impossible. In this study, we proposed adaptations to the LUCAS-2 to allow its use during transportation down stairwells and examined its effectiveness in providing high-quality CPR to simulated OHCA patients. 20 volunteer emergency medical technicians were randomised into 10 pairs, each undergoing 2 simulation runs per experimental arm (LUCAS-2 versus control) with a loaded Resusci Anne First Aid full body manikin weighing 60 kg. Quality of CPR compressions performed was measured using the CPRmeter placed on the sternum of the manikin. The respective times taken for each phase of the simulation protocol were recorded. Fisher’s exact tests were used to analyse categorical variables and median test to analyse continuous variables. The LUCAS-2 group required a longer time (~ 35 s) to prepare the patient prior to transport (p < 0.0001) and arrive at the ambulance (p < 0.0001) compared to the control group. The CPR quality in terms of depth and rate for the overall resuscitation period did not differ significantly between the LUCAS-2 group and control group, though there was a reduction in both parameters when evaluating the device’s automated compressions during transport. Nevertheless, the application of the LUCAS-2 device yielded a significantly higher chest compression fraction of 0.76 (p < 0.0001). Our novel adaptations to the LUCAS-2 device allow for uninterrupted compressions in patients being transported down stairwells, thus yielding better chest compression fractions for the overall resuscitation period. Whether potentially improved post-OHCA survival rates may be achieved requires confirmation in a real-world scenario study.
Decrease of α-defensin impairs intestinal metabolite homeostasis via dysbiosis in mouse chronic social defeat stress model
Authors: Suzuki Kosuke , Nakamura Kiminori , Shimizu Yu , Yokoi Yuki , Ohira Shuya , Hagiwara Mizu , Wang Yi , Song Yuchi , Aizawa Tomoyasu , Ayabe Tokiyoshi
Published: May 2021

Psychological stress has been reported to relate to dysbiosis, imbalance of the intestinal microbiota composition, and contribute to the onset and exacerbation of depression, though, underlying mechanisms of psychological stress-related dysbiosis have been unknown. It has been previously established that α-defensins, which are effector peptides of innate enteric immunity produced by Paneth cells in the small intestine, play an important role in regulation of the intestinal microbiota. However, the relationship between disruption of intestinal ecosystem and α-defensin under psychological stress is yet to be determined. Here we show using chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), a mouse depression model that (1) the exposure to CSDS significantly reduces α-defensin secretion by Paneth cells and (2) induces dysbiosis and significant composition changes in the intestinal metabolites. Furthermore, (3) they are recovered by administration of α-defensin. These results indicate that α-defensin plays an important role in maintaining homeostasis of the intestinal ecosystem under psychological stress, providing novel insights into the onset mechanism of stress-induced depression, and may further contribute to discovery of treatment targets for depression.
Genetic polymorphisms of inflammasome genes associated with pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia and clinical prognosis in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Alves Fabíola Silva , Xabregas Lilyane Amorim , Kerr Marlon Wendell Athaydes , Souza Gláucia Lima , Pereira Daniele Sá , Magalhães-Gama Fábio , Santiago Mirian Rodrigues Ribeiro , Garcia Nadja Pinto , Tarragô Andréa Monteiro , Ogusku Maurício Morishi , Sadahiro Aya , Malheiro Adriana , Costa Allyson Guimarães
Published: May 2021

The immune system plays an important role in the control of cancer development. To investigate the possible association of inflammasome genes to childhood leukemia we performed a case-control study with 158 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 192 healthy individuals. The IL1B and IL18 genetic polymorphisms were genotyped by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and NLRP1, NLRP3 and P2RX7 were genotyped using Real Time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The IL1B C/T rs19644 genotype was associated with the risk of developing ALL (C/C vs. C/T + T/T OR: 2.48 [95% CI: 1.26–4.88, p = 0.006]; C/C vs C/T OR: 2.74 [95% CI: 1.37–5.51, p = 0.003]) and the NLRP1 A/T rs12150220 (OR: 0.37 [95% CI: 0.16–0.87, p = 0.023]) was associated with protection against infectious comorbidities. It was not found association between NLRP3 and P2RX7 polymorphisms and acute lymphoblastic leukemia in our study. Our results suggest that the inflammasome single-variant polymorphisms (SNVs) may play a role in the development and prognostic of childhood leukemia. However, this finds requires further study within a larger population in order to prove it.
Novel AI driven approach to classify infant motor functions
Authors: Reich Simon , Zhang Dajie , Kulvicius Tomas , Bölte Sven , Nielsen-Saines Karin , Pokorny Florian B. , Peharz Robert , Poustka Luise , Wörgötter Florentin , Einspieler Christa , Marschik Peter B.
Published: May 2021

The past decade has evinced a boom of computer-based approaches to aid movement assessment in early infancy. Increasing interests have been dedicated to develop AI driven approaches to complement the classic Prechtl general movements assessment (GMA). This study proposes a novel machine learning algorithm to detect an age-specific movement pattern, the fidgety movements (FMs), in a prospectively collected sample of typically developing infants. Participants were recorded using a passive, single camera RGB video stream. The dataset of 2800 five-second snippets was annotated by two well-trained and experienced GMA assessors, with excellent inter- and intra-rater reliabilities. Using OpenPose, the infant full pose was recovered from the video stream in the form of a 25-points skeleton. This skeleton was used as input vector for a shallow multilayer neural network (SMNN). An ablation study was performed to justify the network’s architecture and hyperparameters. We show for the first time that the SMNN is sufficient to discriminate fidgety from non-fidgety movements in a sample of age-specific typical movements with a classification accuracy of 88%. The computer-based solutions will complement original GMA to consistently perform accurate and efficient screening and diagnosis that may become universally accessible in daily clinical practice in the future.
MRI- and histologically derived neuroanatomical atlas of the Ambystoma mexicanum (axolotl)
Authors: Lazcano Ivan , Cisneros-Mejorado Abraham , Concha Luis , Ortiz-Retana Juan José , Garza-Villarreal Eduardo A. , Orozco Aurea
Published: May 2021

Amphibians are an important vertebrate model system to understand anatomy, genetics and physiology. Importantly, the brain and spinal cord of adult urodels (salamanders) have an incredible regeneration capacity, contrary to anurans (frogs) and the rest of adult vertebrates. Among these amphibians, the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) has gained most attention because of the surge in the understanding of central nervous system (CNS) regeneration and the recent sequencing of its whole genome. However, a complete comprehension of the brain anatomy is not available. In the present study we created a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) atlas of the in vivo neuroanatomy of the juvenile axolotl brain. This is the first MRI atlas for this species and includes three levels: (1) 82 regions of interest (ROIs) and a version with 64 ROIs; (2) a division of the brain according to the embryological origin of the neural tube, and (3) left and right hemispheres. Additionally, we localized the myelin rich regions of the juvenile brain. The atlas, the template that the atlas was derived from, and a masking file, can be found on Zenodo at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4595016. This MRI brain atlas aims to be an important tool for future research of the axolotl brain and that of other amphibians.
Printable graphene BioFETs for DNA quantification in Lab-on-PCB microsystems
Authors: Papamatthaiou Sotirios , Estrela Pedro , Moschou Despina
Published: May 2021

Lab-on-Chip is a technology that aims to transform the Point-of-Care (PoC) diagnostics field; nonetheless a commercial production compatible technology is yet to be established. Lab-on-Printed Circuit Board (Lab-on-PCB) is currently considered as a promising candidate technology for cost-aware but simultaneously high specification applications, requiring multi-component microsystem implementations, due to its inherent compatibility with electronics and the long-standing industrial manufacturing basis. In this work, we demonstrate the first electrolyte gated field-effect transistor (FET) DNA biosensor implemented on commercially fabricated PCB in a planar layout. Graphene ink was drop-casted to form the transistor channel and PNA probes were immobilized on the graphene channel, enabling label-free DNA detection. It is shown that the sensor can selectively detect the complementary DNA sequence, following a fully inkjet-printing compatible manufacturing process. The results demonstrate the potential for the effortless integration of FET sensors into Lab-on-PCB diagnostic platforms, paving the way for even higher sensitivity quantification than the current Lab-on-PCB state-of-the-art of passive electrode electrochemical sensing. The substitution of such biosensors with our presented FET structures, promises further reduction of the time-to-result in microsystems combining sequential DNA amplification and detection modules to few minutes, since much fewer amplification cycles are required even for low-abundance nucleic acid targets.
Tumor apelin and obesity are associated with reduced neoadjuvant chemotherapy response in a cohort of breast cancer patients
Authors: Gourgue Florian , Derouane Françoise , van Marcke Cedric , Villar Elodie , Dano Helene , Desmet Lieven , Bouzin Caroline , Duhoux Francois P. , Cani Patrice D. , Jordan Bénédicte F.
Published: May 2021

Obesity is a known factor increasing the risk of developing breast cancer and reducing disease free survival. In addition to these well-documented effects, recent studies have shown that obesity is also affecting response to chemotherapy. Among the multiple dysregulations associated with obesity, increased level of the apelin adipokine has been recently shown to be directly involved in the association between obesity and increased breast cancer progression. In this study, we analyzed in a retrospective cohort of 62 breast cancer patients the impact of obesity and tumoral apelin expression on response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In the multivariate logistic regression, obesity and high tumoral apelin expression were associated with a reduced response to NAC in our cohort. However, obesity and high tumoral apelin expression were not correlated, suggesting that those two parameters could be independently associated with reduced NAC response. These findings should be confirmed in independent cohorts.
Sex differences in the impact of childhood socioeconomic status on immune function
Authors: Gassen Jeffrey , White Jordon D. , Peterman Julia L. , Mengelkoch Summer , Proffitt Leyva Randi P. , Prokosch Marjorie L. , Eimerbrink Micah J. , Brice Kelly , Cheek Dennis J. , Boehm Gary W. , Hill Sarah E.
Published: May 2021

Early life stress increases one’s risk for health problems later in life, and many studies find that these effects are sex-differentiated. Here, we examined relationships between multiple sources of early life stress and adult immune function in humans across several functional assays. Adult participants provided retrospective information about their childhood (a) socioeconomic status, (b) household unpredictability, and (c) exposure to adverse experiences. Participants’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were then isolated for use in functional assays of immune performance: (a) tumor cell lysis by natural killer cells, (b) phagocytosis ofEscherichia colibioparticles, and (c) mitogen-induced leukocyte proliferation and cytokine release. In men, lower childhood socioeconomic status predicted decrements in immunological performance across functional assays, along with greater spontaneous cytokine release from PBMCs. These changes co-occurred with elevations in plasma testosterone levels. Similar effects were not observed for other sources of stress, nor were they found in women (with the exception of spontaneous cytokine release). These findings provide evidence that low childhood socioeconomic status has a lasting negative impact on multiple aspects of immune function, particularly in men.
Silicon modifies C:N:P stoichiometry, and increases nutrient use efficiency and productivity of quinoa
Authors: Lata-Tenesaca Luis Felipe , de Mello Prado Renato , de Cássia Piccolo Marisa , da Silva Dalila Lopes , da Silva José Lucas Farias
Published: May 2021

Recognizably, silicon has a beneficial effect on plant growth and productivity. In this respect, it is also known that the C, N and, P stoichiometric ratios and nutrient conversion efficiency allow identifying the interactions between elements while helping to understand the role Si plays in plant growth. This study aims to investigate whether increasing Si concentrations (0, 1, 2, and 3 mmol L−1) supplied in the nutrient solution is uptaken by quinoa, modifies the C:N:P stoichiometry while increasing nutritional efficiency and crop productivity as well. Our results revealed that the Si supply by promoting a decline in the C levels, associated with greater uptake of N and P, especially decreased the C:N and C:P ratios, favoring the C metabolism efficiency, and modulated the N and P use efficiency for biomass accumulation. This improved nutritional performance and greater use efficiency of C directly favored quinoa productivity. The future perspective is to encourage new field studies with this species to adjust silicon fertilization management to different soils aiming at enhancing quinoa productivity on a sustainable basis.
Serial dependence and representational momentum in single-trial perceptual decisions
Authors: Pascucci D. , Plomp G.
Published: May 2021

The human brain has evolved to predict and anticipate environmental events from their temporal dynamics. Predictions can bias perception toward the recent past, particularly when the environment contains no foreseeable changes, but can also push perception toward future states of sensory input, like when anticipating the trajectory of moving objects. Here, we show that perceptual decisions are simultaneously influenced by both past and future states of sensory signals. Using an orientation adjustment task, we demonstrate that single-trial errors are displaced toward previous features of behaviorally relevant stimuli and, at the same time, toward future states of dynamic sensory signals. These opposing tendencies, consistent with decisional serial dependence and representational momentum, involve different types of processing: serial dependence occurs beyond objecthood whereas representational momentum requires the representation of a single object with coherent dynamics in time and space. The coexistence of these two phenomena supports the independent binding of stimuli and decisions over time.
Quantum criticality in a layered iridate
Authors: Samanta Kousik , Souza Jean C. , Rigitano Danilo , Morales Adimir I. , Pagliuso Pascoal G. , Granado Eduardo
Published: May 2021

Iridates provide a fertile ground to investigate correlated electrons in the presence of strong spin-orbit coupling. Bringing these systems to the proximity of a metal-insulator quantum phase transition is a challenge that must be met to access quantum critical fluctuations with charge and spin-orbital degrees of freedom. Here, electrical transport and Raman scattering measurements provide evidence that a metal-insulator quantum critical point is effectively reached in 5% Co-doped Sr2IrO4with high structural quality. Thedc-electrical conductivity shows a linear temperature dependence that is successfully captured by a model involving a Co acceptor level at the Fermi energy that becomes gradually populated at finite temperatures, creating thermally-activated holes in theJeff = 1/2 lower Hubbard band. The so-formed quantum critical fluctuations are exceptionally heavy and the resulting electronic continuum couples with an optical phonon at all temperatures. The magnetic order and pseudospin-phonon coupling are preserved under the Co doping. This work brings quantum phase transitions, iridates and heavy-fermion physics to the same arena.
Biomarkers in the rock outcrop of the Kazusa Group reveal palaeoenvironments of the Kuroshio region
Authors: Kajita Hiroto , Maeda Ayumi , Utsunomiya Masayuki , Yoshimura Toshihiro , Ohkouchi Naohiko , Suzuki Atsushi , Kawahata Hodaka
Published: May 2021

Long-chain alkenones and n-alkanes preserved in marine and lake sediment cores are widely used to reconstruct palaeoenvironments. However, applying this technique to exposed sedimentary rock sequences is relatively challenging due to the potential for the diagenetic alteration of organic biomarkers. Here, we extract long-chain alkenones and n-alkanes from an exposed outcrop of the Kazusa Group in central Japan, one of the most continuous sedimentary successions in the world, covering almost the entire Pleistocene. We find that the alkenone unsaturation ratio and average chain length of n-alkanes appears to reflect the glacial-interglacial changes in sea surface temperature and terrestrial climate, respectively. Alkenone-based sea surface temperatures between 1.1 and 1.0 million years ago concur with foraminiferal Mg/Ca-based temperature estimates and may reflect an intrusion of the Kuroshio Current. We suggest that the preservation of these biomarkers in the Kazusa Group demonstrates its potential to provide a detailed palaeoenvironmental record.
Inhibition mechanism of green-synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles fromCassia fistulatowardsFusarium oxysporumby boosting growth and defense response in tomatoes
Authors: Ashraf Hina , Anjum Tehmina , Riaz Saira , Ahmad Irfan S. , Irudayaraj Joseph , Javed Sidra , Qaiser Uzma , Naseem Shahzad
Published: May 2021

A schematic illustration representing the application of copper oxide CF-nanoparticles on tomato plants for controlling tomato wilt caused byFusarium oxysporum.
Chitin and chitosan on the nanoscale
Authors: Jin Tony , Liu Tracy , Lam Edmond , Moores Audrey
Published: May 2021

Nanochitin and nanochitosan are nanowhiskers combining the structural strength of nanocellulose with the versatile chemistry of chitin/chitosan. We review their fabrication, properties and uses, with a focus on recent progress.
Effects of modified fly ash doped carbon paste electrodes and metal film electrodes on the determination of trace cadmium(ii) by anodic stripping voltammetry
Authors: Hou Jinying , Fan Yuping , Ma Xiaomin , Dong Xianshu , Yao Suling
Published: May 2021

A wider detection range and a lower detection limit were obtained due to the introduction of CTAB and Bi.
Enhancement of exchangeable Cd and Pb immobilization in contaminated soil using Mg/Al LDH-zeolite as an effective adsorbent
Authors: Dang Van Minh , Van Huu Tap , Vinh N. D. , Hoa Duong Thi Minh , Hanh Nguyen Thi Bich , Nguyen Thị Tuyet , Ha Tran Thi Ngoc , Hoang Trung Kien , Tran Thị Pha , Nguyen Lan Huong , Chu Manh Nhuong
Published: May 2021

In the present study, experiments using zeolite and Mg/Al LDH-zeolite for immobilization of Cd and Pb ions in artificial soil were conducted.