bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Caribbean cyclone activity: an annually-resolved Common Era record
Authors: Schmitt Dominik , Gischler Eberhard , Anselmetti Flavio S. , Vogel Hendrik
Published: July 2020

Tropical cyclones (TC) represent a substantial threat to life and property for Caribbean and adjacent populations. The prospective increase of TC magnitudes, expressed in the 15th chapter of the IPCC AR5 report, entails a rising probability of ecological and social disasters, which were tragically exemplified by several severe Caribbean TC strikes during the past 20 years. Modern IPCC-grade climate models, however, still lack the required spatial and temporal resolution to accurately consider the underlying boundary conditions that modulate long-time TC patterns beyond the Instrumental Era. It is thus necessary to provide a synoptic mechanistic understanding regarding the origin of such long-time patterns, in order to predict reliable changes of TC magnitude and frequency under future climate scenarios. Caribbean TC records are still rare and often lack the necessary continuity and resolution to overcome these limitations. Here, we report on an annually-resolved sedimentary archive from the bottom of the Great Blue Hole (Lighthouse Reef, Belize). The TC record encompasses 1885 years and extends all existing site-specific TC archives both in terms of resolution and duration. We identified a likely connection between long-term TC patterns and climate phenomena responses to Common Era climate variations and offer a conceptual and comparative view considering several involved tropospheric and oceanographic control mechanisms such as the El-Niño-Southern-Oscillation, the North Atlantic Oscillation and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation. These basin-scaled climate modes exercise internal control on TC activity by modulating the thermodynamic environment (sea-surface temperature and vertical wind shear stress dynamics) for enhanced/suppressed TC formation both on millennial (primary) and multi-decadal (secondary) time scales. We interpret the beginning of the Medieval Warm Period (MWP) as an important time interval of the Common Era record and suspect that the southward migration of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) caused, in combination with extensive hydro-climate changes, a shift in the tropical Atlantic TC regime. The TC activity in the south-western Caribbean changed in general from a stable and less active stage (100–900 CE) to a more active and variable state (1,100 CE-modern).
Dysregulation of HULC promotes contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) via regulating signaling pathway of miRNA-512 and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)
Authors: Zhang Liang , Li Pan , Zhang Bi-li , Yu Man-li , Xu Rong-liang , Wu Hong , Chen Shao-ping
Published: July 2020

It has been shown that contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) can be attenuated by the administration of PGE1. As an enzyme responsible for the production of PGE1, PTGS1 was confirmed in this study as a miR-512 target. Meanwhile, HULC has been identified as a competing endogenous RNA of miR-512. Therefore, in this study, we tested the diagnostic value of HULC and miR-512 in subjects with or without CIN. In addition, we evaluated the regulatory relationship among HULC, miR-512, PTGS1 and PGE1 in vitro. We enrolled 320 patients with coronary heart disease and divided them into a CIN group and a non-CIN group. Subsequently, we detected the differential expression of miR-512, HULC and PGE1 in the two groups. We also used a dual luciferase reporter assay to evaluate the regulatory relationship among HULC, miR-512, PTGS1 and PGE1 in THP-1 cells. In patients with CIN, the expression levels of HULC and PGE1 were lower, but the expression level of miR-512 was higher. MiR-512 could directly bind to and negatively regulate the expression of PTGS1 and HULC. The expression of HULC was positively correlated with the expression of PTGS1 and PGE1, while negatively correlated with the expression of miR-512. The findings of this study demonstrated that deregulation of lncRNA-HULC/miR-512/PTGS1/PGE1 might be involved in the pathogenesis of CIN.
Differential expression of Na+/K+/Cl− cotransporter 1 in neurons and glial cells within the superficial spinal dorsal horn of rodents
Authors: Javdani Fariba , Hegedűs Krisztina , Miranda Camila Oliveira , Hegyi Zoltán , Holló Krisztina , Antal Miklós
Published: July 2020

Although convincing experimental evidence indicates that Na+/K+/Cl− cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) is involved in spinal nociceptive information processing and in the generation of hyperalgesia and allodynia in chronic pain states, the cellular distribution of NKCC1 in the superficial spinal dorsal horn is still poorly understood. Because this important piece of knowledge is missing, the effect of NKCC1 on pain processing is still open to conflicting interpretations. In this study, to provide the missing experimental data, we investigated the cellular distribution of NKCC1 in the superficial spinal dorsal horn by immunohistochemical methods. We demonstrated for the first time that almost all spinal axon terminals of peptidergic nociceptive primary afferents express NKCC1. In contrast, virtually all spinal axon terminals of nonpeptidergic nociceptive primary afferents were negative for NKCC1. Data on the colocalization of NKCC1 with axonal and glial markers indicated that it is almost exclusively expressed by axon terminals and glial cells in laminae I–IIo. In lamina IIi, however, we observed a strong immunostaining for NKCC1 also in the dendrites and cell bodies of PV-containing inhibitory neurons and a weak staining in PKCγ-containing excitatory neurons. Our results facilitate further thinking about the role of NKCC1 in spinal pain processing.
Validation of genome-wide associated variants for Kawasaki disease in a Taiwanese case–control sample
Authors: Chen Ming-Ren , Chang Tzu-Yang , Chiu Nan-Chang , Chi Hsin , Yang Kuender D. , Chang Lung , Huang Daniel Tsung-Ning , Huang Fu-Yuan , Lien Ya-Ping , Lin Wen-Shan , Lin Chiung-Ling , Chang Luan-Yin , Lee Yann-Jinn
Published: July 2020

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology that affects infants and young children. Considerable evidence supports the hypothesis that there is a genetic basis for KD susceptibility. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified several genetic variants associated with KD. This study aims to replicate three novel KD-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), identified by GWAS in Japanese, in a Taiwanese population. Associations between these SNPs and development of coronary artery lesions (CALs) were also investigated. The rs2254546 A/G, rs2857151 A/G, and rs4813003 C/T SNPs were genotyped in 681 children with KD and 563 ethnically-matched healthy controls using TaqMan Assay or DNA sequencing. We found rs2254546 and rs4813003 SNPs were significantly associated with KD (G allele, odds ratio [OR] = 1.54, P = 1.0 × 10–5; C allele, OR = 1.32, P = 8.1 × 10–4). However, no evidence for associations with CAL development was observed. Our study successfully validates associations of the rs2254546 and rs4813003 SNPs with KD in a Taiwanese population. Further functional studies of the SNPs are important in understanding the pathogenesis of KD.
Ultra-stretchable hydrogels with hierarchical hydrogen bonds
Authors: You Yujing , Yang Jian , Zheng Qiang , Wu Ningkun , Lv Zhongda , Jiang Zhiqiang
Published: July 2020

Hydrogels are attractive for applications in intelligent soft materials and flexible electronics. Herein, we report a new hydrogel with a hierarchical hydrogen bond system consisting of (1) weak hydrogen bonds between N,N-dimethylacrylamides (DMAA) and acrylic acids (AAc) and (2) strong multiple hydrogen bonds between 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone units. By optimizing the ratios of DMAA and AAc and the balance of weak and strong hydrogen bonds, the hydrogels have unique properties. The transparent hydrogels have tunable Young’s modulus (70–1,250 kPa) and are highly stretchable (up to 4,340% strain), tough (fracture energies of 10.8 kJ/m2, matching natural rubber) and insensitive to notches when it is highly stretched (λ = 19.6).
Assembly formation of minor dihydrosphingomyelin in sphingomyelin-rich ordered membrane domains
Authors: Kinoshita Masanao , Kyo Takumi , Matsumori Nobuaki
Published: July 2020

The lipidome of mammalian cells not only contain sphingomyelin (SM) but also, as a minor component, dihydrosphongomyelin (DHSM), in which the double bond at C4–C5 in the sphingosine base is reduced to a single-bond linkage. It has been indicated that DHSM forms ordered domains more effectively than SM due to its greater potential to induce intermolecular hydrogen bonds. However, direct information on partition and dynamic behaviors of DHSM in raft-like liquid-ordered (Lo) and non-raft-like liquid-disordered (Ld) phase-segregated membranes has been lacking. In the present study, we prepared fluorescent derivatives of DHSM and compared their behaviors to those of fluorescent SM and phosphatidylcholine (PC) derivatives. Fluorescence microscopy showed that DHSM is more preferentially localized to the Lo domains in the Lo/Ld phase-segregated giant unilamellar vesicles than SM and PC. Most importantly, diffusion coefficient measurements indicated that DHSM molecules form DHSM-condensed assembly inside the SM-rich Lo domain of the SM/dioleoylphosphatidylcholine/cholesterol system even when DHSM accounts for 1–3.3 mol% of total lipids. Such heterogeneous distribution of DHSM in the SM-rich Lo domains was further confirmed by inter-lipid FRET experiments. This study provides new insights into the biological functions and significance of minor component DHSM in lipid rafts.
Inhibition of indole production increases the activity of quinolone antibiotics against E. coli persisters
Authors: Zarkan Ashraf , Matuszewska Marta , Trigg Stephen B. , Zhang Meng , Belgami Daaniyah , Croft Cameron , Liu Junyan , El-Ouisi Sawssen , Greenhalgh Jack , Duboff James S. , Rahman Taufiq , Summers David K.
Published: July 2020

Persisters are a sub-population of genetically sensitive bacteria that survive antibiotic treatment by entering a dormant state. The emergence of persisters from dormancy after antibiotic withdrawal leads to recurrent infection. Indole is an aromatic molecule with diverse signalling roles, including a role in persister formation. Here we demonstrate that indole stimulates the formation ofEscherichia colipersisters against quinolone antibiotics which target the GyrA subunit of DNA gyrase. However, indole has no effect on the formation ofE. colipersisters against an aminocoumarin, novobiocin, which targets the GyrB subunit of DNA gyrase. Two modes of indole signalling have been described: persistent and pulse. The latter refers to the brief but intense elevation of intracellular indole during stationary phase entry. We show that the stimulation of quinolone persisters is due to indole pulse, rather than persistent, signalling. In silico docking of indole on DNA gyrase predicts that indole docks perfectly to the ATP binding site of the GyrB subunit. We propose that the inhibition of indole production offers a potential route to enhance the activity of quinolones againstE. colipersisters.
Individual versus team heart rate variability responsiveness analyses in a national soccer team during training camps
Authors: Muñoz-López Alejandro , Naranjo-Orellana José
Published: July 2020

Heart rate variability (HRV) analyses can be performed using group or individual changes. Individual changes could be of potential interest during training camps for national soccer teams. The purpose of this study was to compare whether analysis of individual daily HRV could detect changes in cardiac autonomic responses during training camps for national soccer teams. During two different training camps, 34 professional soccer players were monitored daily over 9 days, using heart rate monitors. Players were divided into First Eleven (those who participated in the main squad) or Reserves. Daily HRV was individually analyzed using a day-to-day method or a baseline (days prior to first match) method, using the smallest worthwhile change and the typical error in the estimate to establish a trivial (random change) zone. Group changes were also analyzed using an ANOVA one-way repeated measures test. Players’ responsiveness was classified as High-, Low- or Non-response depending on individual changes. Both analyses showed substantial daily individual changes after playing a soccer match, regardless of the group. However, group changes showed that only First Eleven players had significant changes after playing a soccer match. In conclusion, individual daily HRV analyses are useful in detecting individual changes in professional soccer players.
Characterization of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae phage KP1801 and evaluation of therapeutic efficacy in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Wintachai Phitchayapak , Naknaen Ampapan , Thammaphet Jirapath , Pomwised Rattanaruji , Phaonakrop Narumon , Roytrakul Sittiruk , Smith Duncan R.
Published: July 2020

Extended spectrum β lactamase-producing Klebsiellapneumoniae (ESBL-KP) is being reported with high morbidity and mortality rates and is considered as the highest priority for new antimicrobial strategies. To develop an alternative antimicrobial agent, phage KP1801 with broad lytic activity was isolated. The genome of phage KP1801 was double stranded DNA of 49,835 base pairs, with a GC content of 50.26%. There were 75 putative open reading frames. Phage KP1801 was classified as being in the order Caudovirales, belonging to the Siphoviridae family. About 323 proteins were detected by shotgun proteome analysis. The phage inhibited biofilm formation and reduced pre-formed biofilm in a dose dependent manner. Scanning electron microscopic studies demonstrated a membrane damage of bacterial cells treated with phage, resulting in cell death. Prophylactic and therapeutic efficacies of the phage were evaluated in Galleriamellonella. Administration of ESBL-KP infection with phage significantly improved the survival of G.mellonella. The number of intracellular bacteria in larvae showed a significant decrease compared with untreated control while the number of phage increased. These studies suggested that phage KP1801 has the potential for development as an alternative for antibiotics and biocontrol agents against ESBL-KP infection.
Experimental demonstration of broadband solar absorption beyond the lambertian limit in certain thin silicon photonic crystals
Authors: Hsieh Mei-Li , Kaiser Alex , Bhattacharya Sayak , John Sajeev , Lin Shawn-Yu
Published: July 2020

The tantalizing possibility of 31% solar-to-electric power conversion efficiency in thin film crystalline silicon solar cell architectures relies essentially on solar absorption well beyond the Lambertian light trapping limit (Bhattacharya and John in Nat Sci Rep 9:12482, 2019). Up to now, no solar cell architecture has exhibited above-Lambertian solar absorption, integrated over the broad solar spectrum. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate two types of photonic crystal (PhC) solar cells architectures that exceed Lambertian light absorption, integrated over the entire 300–1,200 nm wavelength band. These measurements confirm theoretically predicted wave-interference-based optical resonances associated with long lifetime, slow-light modes and parallel-to-interface refraction. These phenomena are beyond the realm of ray optics. Using two types of 10-μm thick PhC’s, first an Inverted Pyramid PhC with lattice constant a = 2,500 nm and second a Teepee PhC with a = 1,200 nm, we observe solar absorption well beyond the Lambertian limit over λ = 950–1,200 nm. Our absorption measurements correspond to the maximum-achievable-photocurrent-density (MAPD), under AM1.5G illumination at 4-degree incident angle, 41.29 and 41.52 mA/cm2 for the Inverted Pyramid and Teepee PhC, respectively, in agreement with wave-optics, numerical simulations. Both of these values exceed the MAPD (= 39.63 mA/cm2) corresponding to the Lambertian limit for a 10-μm thick silicon for solar absorption over the 300–1,200 nm band.
The mechanisms of ameliorating effect of a green tea polyphenol on diabetic nephropathy based on diacylglycerol kinase α
Authors: Hayashi Daiki , Wang Liuqing , Ueda Shuji , Yamanoue Minoru , Ashida Hitoshi , Shirai Yasuhito
Published: July 2020

Significant efforts have been made to ameliorate diabetic nephropathy (DN) by inhibiting protein kinase C. However, these efforts have not been successful in human trials, suggesting that novel therapeutic strategies are required. Thus far, it has been reported that green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) improved albuminuria in DN in a human trial. Our previous study revealed that activation of diacylglycerol kinase α (DGKα) plays a crucial role in the amelioration of DN and that EGCg activates DGKα. Here, we investigated whether and how DGKα contributes to the amelioration of DN upon stimulation by EGCg by using streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic model mice. Our results revealed that EGCg ameliorated albuminuria in DN through DGKα in vivo, and methylated EGCg, which has higher absorption in the plasma improved albuminuria in DN effectively. Additionally, we showed that c-Src mediated EGCg-induced DGKα translocation and colocalized with the 67 kDa laminin receptor, which is an EGCg receptor. Furthermore, EGCg attenuated the loss of podocytes in DN by preventing a decrease in focal adhesion under high glucose conditions. Our results indicate that the DGKα pathway is an attractive therapeutic target and that activating this pathway is a novel strategy for treating DN.
Integrating density and fertilizer management to optimize the accumulation, remobilization, and distribution of biomass and nutrients in summer maize
Authors: Ren Hao , Cheng Yi , Li Rongfa , Yang Qinglong , Liu Peng , Dong Shuting , Zhang Jiwang , Zhao Bin
Published: July 2020

Improved the utilization of fertilizer while maintaining the increased of grain yield was the focus of Chinese researchers. Nutrient uptake, distribution, and remobilization are important factors affecting the fertilizer utilization and grain yield of maize. This study aimed to provide a theoretical and practical basis for science-based, high-yielding, and high-efficiency cultivation practices by examining differences in biomass and nutrient uptake, distribution, and remobilization characteristics under three cultivation patterns. We set 12 treatments as follows: super high-yielding cultivation pattern (SH), optimized nutrient management cultivation pattern (ONM), local farmer's practice cultivation pattern (FP), and a series of nutrient omission plots, which excluded nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), or potassium (K) from the three patterns. The results demonstrated that SH and ONM increased the yield and actual harvested ears by 35.4, 20.7 and by 20.2, 17.6%, respectively. Compared with the FP, SH and ONM increased biomass, N, P, and K accumulation at silking (R1 stage) by 24.4, 31.2, 39.4, and 34.8%, and by 21.7, 22.2, 31.7, and 34.8%, respectively. SH and ONM significantly increased biomass and nutrient distribution to the grains. ONM significantly increased N use efficiency. P and K use efficiency under the ONM pattern was significantly higher than under SH, but was lower than under the FP pattern over two years. This research demonstrates that ONM may significantly reduce fertilizer rates, effectively improve the nutrient remobilization efficiency and uptake at post-silking without negatively affecting grain yield, thereby increasing N use efficiency.
Reward and punisher experience alter rodent decision-making in a judgement bias task
Authors: Neville Vikki , King Jessica , Gilchrist Iain D. , Dayan Peter , Paul Elizabeth S. , Mendl Michael
Published: July 2020

The influence of affective states on decision-making is likely to be complex. Negative states resulting from experience of punishing events have been hypothesised to generate enhanced expectations of future punishment and ‘pessimistic’/risk-averse decisions. However, they may also influence how decision-outcomes are valued. Such influences may further depend on whether decisions at hand are germane to the rewards or punishers that induced the affective state in the first place. Here we attempt to dissect these influences by presenting either many or few rewards or punishers of different types (sucrose vs air-puff; 50 kHz vs 22 kHz ultrasonic vocalisations) to rats, and investigating their subsequent decisions in a judgement bias task that employed sucrose and air-puff as decision outcomes. Rats that received many sucrose pellets prior to testing were more risk-averse than those receiving many air-puffs. Ultrasonic vocalisations did not alter decision-making. Computational analysis revealed a higher weighting of punishers relative to rewards (in agreement with findings from a separate behavioural task) and a bias towards the risk-averse response following pre-test sucrose compared to pre-test air-puff. Thus, in this study reward and punisher manipulation of affective state appeared to alter decision-making by influencing both expectation and valuation of decision-outcomes in a domain-specific way.
QTL mapping and candidate gene analysis of cadmium accumulation in polished rice by genome-wide association study
Authors: Pan Xiaowu , Li Yongchao , Liu Wenqiang , Liu Sanxiong , Min Jun , Xiong Haibo , Dong Zheng , Duan Yonghong , Yu Yaying , Li Xiaoxiang
Published: July 2020

Cadmium (Cd) accumulation in rice is a serious threat to food safety and human health. Breeding rice varieties with low Cd accumulation is one of the most effective approaches to reducing health risks from Cd-polluted rice. However, the genetic basis of Cd accumulation in grains, especially in indica rice varieties, has not been fully elucidated. The evaluation of Cd-accumulation capacity was conducted among 338 diverse rice accessions grown in Cd-contaminated soils with different Cd contents. Thirteen rice lines with relatively low Cd accumulation, including six indica rice lines, were identified. Then, 35 QTLs significantly associated with Cd accumulation were identified through sequencing-based SNP discovery and a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in the two experimental years, and only qCd8-1 was detected in both years. Among of them, nine QTLs were co-localized with identified genes or QTLs. A novel QTL, qCd1-3, with the lowest P value was selected for further LD decay analysis and candidate gene prediction. We found differential expression of OsABCB24 between high-Cd-accumulative and low-Cd-accumulative accessions, suggesting it may be a candidate gene for qCd1-3 associated with low Cd accumulation. These results may be helpful for further exploiting novel functional genes related to Cd accumulation and developing rice variety with low Cd accumulation through marker-assisted breeding.
A small library of chalcones induce liver cancer cell death through Akt phosphorylation inhibition
Authors: Sahin Irem Durmaz , Christodoulou Michael S. , Guzelcan Ece Akhan , Koyas Altay , Karaca Cigdem , Passarella Daniele , Cetin-Atalay Rengul
Published: July 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as the fifth most common and the second deadliest cancer worldwide. HCC is extremely resistant to the conventional chemotherapeutics. Hence, it is vital to develop new treatment options. Chalcones were previously shown to have anticancer activities in other cancer types. In this study, 11 chalcones along with quercetin, papaverin, catechin, Sorafenib and 5FU were analyzed for their bioactivities on 6 HCC cell lines and on dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) which differentiates into hepatocytes, and is used as a model for untransformed control cells. 3 of the chalcones (1, 9 and 11) were selected for further investigation due to their high cytotoxicity against liver cancer cells and compared to the other clinically established compounds. Chalcones did not show significant bioactivity ($$\hbox {IC}_{50}>20\upmu \hbox {M}$$IC50>20μM) on dental pulp stem cells. Cell cycle analysis revealed that these 3 chalcone-molecules induced SubG1/G1 arrest. Akt protein phosphorylation was inhibited by these molecules in PTEN deficient, drug resistant, mesenchymal like Mahlavu cells leading to the activation of p21 and the inhibition of NF$$ \kappa $$κB-p65 transcription factor. Hence the chalcones induced apoptotic cell death pathway through NF$$ \kappa $$κB-p65 inhibition. On the other hand, these molecules triggered p21 dependent activation of Rb protein and thereby inhibition of cell cycle and cell growth in liver cancer cells. Involvement of PI3K/Akt pathway hyperactivation was previously described in survival of liver cancer cells as carcinogenic event. Therefore, our results indicated that these chalcones can be considered as candidates for liver cancer therapeutics particularly when PI3K/Akt pathway involved in tumor development.
Anisotropic and nonlinear magnetodielectric effects in orthoferrite ErFeO3 single crystals
Authors: Oh Dong Gun , Kim Jong Hyuk , Shin Hyun Jun , Choi Young Jai , Lee Nara
Published: July 2020

In rare-earth orthoferrites, strongly correlated order parameters have been thoroughly investigated, which aims to find multiple functionalities such as multiferroic or magnetoelectric properties. We have discovered highly anisotropic and nonlinear magnetodielectric effects from detailed measurements of magnetoelectric properties in single-crystalline orthoferrite, ErFeO3. Isothermal dielectric constant varies in shapes and signs depending on the relative orientations between the external electric and magnetic fields, which may be ascribed to the spin-phonon couplings. In addition, a dielectric constant with both electric and magnetic fields along the c axis exhibits two symmetric sharp anomalies, which are closely relevant to the spin-flop transition, below the ordering temperature of Er3+ spins, TEr = 3.4 K. We speculate that the magnetostriction from the exchange couplings between Er3+ and Fe3+ magnetic moments would be responsible for this relationship between electric and magnetic properties. Our results present significant characteristics of the orthoferrite compounds and offer a crucial guide for exploring suitable materials for magnetoelectric functional applications.
Effects of progranulin on the pathological conditions in experimental myocardial infarction model
Authors: Sasaki Takahiro , Shimazawa Masamitsu , Kanamori Hiromitsu , Yamada Yoshihisa , Nishinaka Anri , Kuse Yoshiki , Suzuki Genjiro , Masuda Tomomi , Nakamura Shinsuke , Hosokawa Masato , Minatoguchi Shinya , Hara Hideaki
Published: July 2020

Progranulin is a secreted growth factor associated with multiple physiological functions in ischemic pathophysiology. However, it is still not fully understood how progranulin is involved in ischemic lesion and cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, we investigated the effects of progranulin on myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury. We investigated progranulin expression using Western blotting and immunostaining after permanent left coronary artery (LCA) occlusion in mice. Infarct size and the number of infiltrating neutrophils were measured 24 h after permanent LCA occlusion. Recombinant mouse progranulin was administered before LCA occlusion. In addition, we evaluated cardiac function using cardiac catheterization and echocardiography, and fibrosis size by Masson’s trichrome staining after myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in rabbits. Recombinant human progranulin was administered immediately after induction of reperfusion. Progranulin expression increased in the myocardial ischemic area 1, 3, and 5 days after permanent LCA occlusion in mice. The administration of recombinant mouse progranulin significantly attenuated infarct size and infiltrating neutrophils 24 h after permanent LCA occlusion in mice. We also found that administration of recombinant human progranulin ameliorated the deterioration of cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis after myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in rabbits. These findings suggest that progranulin may protect myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Influence of ventilation use and occupant behaviour on surface microorganisms in contemporary social housing
Authors: Sharpe T. , McGill G. , Dancer S. J. , King M.-F. , Fletcher L. , Noakes C. J.
Published: July 2020

In the context of increasingly airtight homes, there is currently little known about the type and diversity of microorganisms in the home, or factors that could affect their abundance, diversity and nature. In this study, we examined the type and prevalence of cultivable microorganisms at eight different sites in 100 homes of older adults located in Glasgow, Scotland. The microbiological sampling was undertaken alongside a household survey that collated information on household demographics, occupant behaviour, building characteristics, antibiotic use and general health information. Each of the sampled sites revealed its own distinct microbiological character, in both species and number of cultivable microbes. While some potential human pathogens were identified, none were found to be multidrug resistant. We examined whether the variability in bacterial communities could be attributed to differences in building characteristics, occupant behaviour or household factors. Sampled sites furnished specific microbiological characteristics which reflected room function and touch frequency. We found that homes that reported opening windows more often were strongly associated with lower numbers of Gram-negative organisms at indoor sites (p < 0.0001). This work offers one of the first detailed analysis of cultivable microbes in homes of older adults and their relationship with building and occupancy related factors, in a UK context.
Maternal total cell-free DNA in preeclampsia with and without intrauterine growth restriction
Authors: Kwak Dong Wook , Kim Shin Young , Kim Hyun Jin , Lim Ji Hyae , Kim Young-Han , Ryu Hyun Mee
Published: July 2020

Elevation of total cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in patients with preeclampsia is well-known; however, whether this change precedes the onset of symptoms remains inconclusive. Here, we conducted a nested case–control study to determine the elevation of cfDNA levels in women who subsequently developed preeclampsia. Methylated HYP2 (m-HYP2) levels were determined in 68 blood samples collected from women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, along with 136 control samples, using real-time quantitative PCR. The measured m-HYP2 levels were converted to multiples of the median (MoM) values for correction of maternal characteristics. The m-HYP2 levels and MoM values in patients with preeclampsia were significantly higher than in controls during the third trimester (P < 0.001, both), whereas those for women who subsequently developed preeclampsia did not differ during the second trimester. However, when patients with preeclampsia were divided based on the onset-time of preeclampsia or 10th percentile birth weight, both values were significantly higher in women who subsequently developed early-onset preeclampsia (P < 0.05, both) and preeclampsia with small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonate (P < 0.01, both) than controls. These results suggested that total cfDNA levels could be used to predict early-onset preeclampsia or preeclampsia with SGA neonate.
Response of spike-wave discharges in aged APP/PS1 Alzheimer model mice to antiepileptic, metabolic and cholinergic drugs
Authors: Jin Nanxiang , Ziyatdinova Sofya , Gureviciene Irina , Tanila Heikki
Published: July 2020

Epileptic nonconvulsive spike-wave discharges (SWDs) are commonly seen in amyloid plaque bearing transgenic mice but only rarely in their wild-type littermates. To shed light on their possible treatment options, we assessed the effect of drugs with variable and known mechanisms of action on the occurrence of SWDs in aged APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. The treatments included prototypic antiepileptic drugs (ethosuximide and levetiracetam), donepezil as the typical Alzheimer drug and atropine as an antagonistic effect, GABABantagonist CGP-35348, and alternate energy substrates beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), pyruvate and lactate on the occurrence of SWDs in aged APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. All agents were administered by single intraperitoneal injections at doses earlier documented to be effective and response was assessed by recording 3 h of video-EEG. Atropine at 25 mg/kg significantly decreased SWD occurrence in all behavioral states, and also resulted in altered frequency composition of SWDs and general EEG slowing during sleep. Ethosuximide at 200 mg/kg and levetiracetam at 75 mg/kg effectively suppressed SWDs only during a period of mixed behavioral states, but levetiracetam also increased SWDs in sleep. BHB at 1 g/kg decreased SWDs in sleep, while both pyruvate and lactate at the same dose tended to increase SWD number and total duration. Unexpectantly, donepezil at 0.3 mg/kg CGP-35348 at 100 mg/kg had no effect on SWDs. These findings call for re-evaluation of some prevailing theories on neural circuit alternations that underlie SWD generation and show the utility of APP/PS1 mice for testing potential new treatments for nonconvulsive epileptic activity related to Alzheimer pathology.
Uniaxial compression testing and Cauchy stress modeling to design anatomical silicone replicas
Authors: Hattab Georges , Ahlfeld Tilman , Klimova Anna , Koepp Alexander , Schuerer Michael , Speidel Stefanie
Published: July 2020

Anatomically realistic organ replicas or phantoms allow for accurate studies and reproducible research. To recreate a human kidney, mimicry of the elastic properties of the human kidney is crucial. However, none of the related work addressed the design and development of a kidney phantom using only silicone as material. In contrast to paraffin and hydrogel, silicone is an ideal variant for its extended shelf life, soft-tissue-like feeling, and viscoelastic modularity. To this end, we conducted Uniaxial Compression testing and Cauchy stress modeling. Results indicate that none of the available manufacturer silicone brands are suitable for the task of creating a realistic kidney phantom. Indeed, the tested silicone mixtures in low and high strain fall outside the required approximate target compressive moduli of 20 kPa and 500 kPa, respectively. This work provides a frame of reference for future work by avoiding the pitfalls of the selected ready-made silicones and reusing the reported theoretical and experimental setup to design a realistic replica of the kidney organ.
Cumulative live-birth, perinatal and obstetric outcomes for POSEIDON groups after IVF/ICSI cycles: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Abdullah Raed K. , Liu Nenghui , Zhao Yuhao , Shuang Yang , Shen Zhang , Zeng Hong , Wu Jielei
Published: July 2020

Recently, perinatal outcomes and cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) have widely been utilized to assess the fertility outcomes and safety of assisted reproductive technology (ART), but more robust research is needed to address the success rates of live-healthy births resulting from this procedure, particularly for patients with low prognosis. This study aims to assess and comparative perinatal outcomes and CLBR per cycle of in vitro fertilization/Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) between four groups of low prognosis characterized by POSEIDON criteria. A retrospective assessment was done among infertile women with a low prognosis undergoing IVF/ICSI at a reproductive center in China. Data were collected between January 2011 and December 2015 with a follow-up of at least two years, and censoring was defined by three-cycle completion, discontinuation, or having a live birth. Participants were grouped into 4 groups according to the POSEIDON classification (POSEIDON1, POSEIDON2, POSEIDON3, and POSEIDON4). The main outcomes were perinatal and obstetric outcomes with CLBR per cycle after IVF/ICSI procedure. And IVF/ICSI-technique outcomes as a secondary outcome. Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS, and a p value of < 0.05 was considered significant. A total of 461 eligible participants underwent a total of 825 IVF/ICSI cycles. POSEIDON1 had the best perinatal outcomes in terms of live births (≥ 28w) (54.8%). POSEIDON4 had a higher risk for perinatal and obstetric complications with abortion rate (9.8%); LBW (11.7%), PTD (23.5%), PROM (11.7%), and gestational diabetes (17.6%). POSEIDON2 had a high rate for malpresentation (14.2%), and cesarean delivery(57.2%), while POSEIDON3 was much associated with the occurrences of placenta previa (9.3%) compared to other groups (p value = 0.001). After adjusting odds ratio by age and BMI, POSEIDON4 had the least odds for biochemical pregnancy (p value = 0.019); and the least odds for clinical pregnancy (p value = 0.001) of the four groups. CLBR per cycle was better in POSEIDON1 and increased with an increasing number of cycles in all groups during the three cycles. Conservative CLBR after three complete cycles were 77.27%, 42.52%, 51.4% and 22.34%, while optimistic CLBR were 79.01%, 51.19%, 58.59% and 34.46% in POSEIDON1 to POSEIDON4, respectively. Younger women with low prognosis and normal ovarian reserve have a higher probability for live births and better perinatal outcomes compared with older women with poor or normal ovarian reserve. Besides, young women with low prognosis, despite ovarian reserve status, can increase their probability of conception and get relatively higher CLBR by undergoing multiple cycles of IVF/ICSI. Age is therefore considered as a critical parameter in predicting the perinatal outcome and CLBR.
Walking characteristics including mild motor paralysis and slow walking speed in post-stroke patients
Authors: Mizuta Naomichi , Hasui Naruhito , Nakatani Tomoki , Takamura Yusaku , Fujii Shintaro , Tsutsumi Masako , Taguchi Junji , Morioka Shu
Published: July 2020

Walking speed is strongly influenced by the severity of motor paralysis in post-stroke patients. Nevertheless, some patients with mild motor paralysis still walk slowly. Factors associated with this difference in walking speed have not been elucidated. To confirm walking characteristics of patients with mild motor paralysis and slow walking speed, this study identified patient subgroups based on the association between the severity of motor paralysis and walking speed. Fugl-Meyer assessment synergy score (FMS) and the walking speed were measured (n = 42), and cluster analysis was performed based on the association between FMS and walking speed to identify the subgroups. FMS and walking speed were associated (ρ = 0.50); however, some patients walked slowly despite only mild motor paralysis. Cluster analysis using FMS and walking speed as the main variables classified patients into subgroups. Patients with mild motor paralysis (FMS: 18.4 ± 2.09 points) and slow walking speed (0.28 ± 0.14 m/s) exhibited poorer trunk stability, increased co-contraction of the shank muscle, and increased intramuscular coherence in walking compared to other clusters. This group was identified by their inability to fully utilize the residual potential of motor function. In walking training, intervention in instability and excessive cortical control may be effective.
A PIP2 substitute mediates voltage sensor-pore coupling in KCNQ activation
Authors: Liu Yongfeng , Xu Xianjin , Gao Junyuan , Naffaa Moawiah M. , Liang Hongwu , Shi Jingyi , Wang Hong Zhan , Yang Nien-Du , Hou Panpan , Zhao Wenshan , White Kelli McFarland , Kong Wenjuan , Dou Alex , Cui Amy , Zhang Guohui , Cohen Ira S. , Zou Xiaoqin , Cui Jianmin
Published: July 2020

KCNQ family K+ channels (KCNQ1-5) in the heart, nerve, epithelium and ear require phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) for voltage dependent activation. While membrane lipids are known to regulate voltage sensor domain (VSD) activation and pore opening in voltage dependent gating, PIP2 was found to interact with KCNQ1 and mediate VSD-pore coupling. Here, we show that a compound CP1, identified in silico based on the structures of both KCNQ1 and PIP2, can substitute for PIP2 to mediate VSD-pore coupling. Both PIP2 and CP1 interact with residues amongst a cluster of amino acids critical for VSD-pore coupling. CP1 alters KCNQ channel function due to different interactions with KCNQ compared with PIP2. We also found that CP1 returned drug-induced action potential prolongation in ventricular myocytes to normal durations. These results reveal the structural basis of PIP2 regulation of KCNQ channels and indicate a potential approach for the development of anti-arrhythmic therapy.
PRIME-3D2D is a 3D2D model to predict binding sites of protein–RNA interaction
Authors: Xie Juan , Zheng Jinfang , Hong Xu , Tong Xiaoxue , Liu Shiyong
Published: July 2020

Protein-RNA interaction participates in many biological processes. So, studying protein–RNA interaction can help us to understand the function of protein and RNA. Although the protein–RNA 3D3D model, like PRIME, was useful in building 3D structural complexes, it can’t be used genome-wide, due to lacking RNA 3D structures. To take full advantage of RNA secondary structures revealed from high-throughput sequencing, we present PRIME-3D2D to predict binding sites of protein–RNA interaction. PRIME-3D2D is almost as good as PRIME at modeling protein–RNA complexes. PRIME-3D2D can be used to predict binding sites on PDB data (MCC = 0.75/0.70 for binding sites in protein/RNA) and transcription-wide (MCC = 0.285 for binding sites in RNA). Testing on PDB and yeast transcription-wide data show that PRIME-3D2D performs better than other binding sites predictor. So, PRIME-3D2D can be used to predict the binding sites both on PDB and genome-wide, and it’s freely available.
Chirality from d-guanosine to l-guanosine shapes a stable gel for three-dimensional cell culture
Authors: Du Yuqi , Liu Tiannan , Tang Fan , Jin Xin , Zhao Hang , Liu Jiang , Zeng Xin , Chen Qianming
Published: July 2020

Alteration of chirality leads to more stable hydrogels with favorable biocompatibility and biodegradability for three-dimensional cell culture.
Assembly of “carrier free” enzymatic nano-reporters for improved ELISA
Authors: Sun Jian , Ning Xueping , Cui Lanyu , Ling Min , Xu Xiaoping , He Shengbin
Published: July 2020

The sensitivity of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is improved by using “carrier free” enzymatic nano-reporters.
Development of homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction combined with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating droplets of a ternary component deep eutectic solvent for the analysis of antibiotic residues in sausage samples prior to ion mobility spectrometry
Authors: Saei Ali , Javadi Afshin , Afshar Mogaddam Mohammad Reza , Mirzaei Hamid , Nemati Mahboob
Published: July 2020

A combination of homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on solidification of a deep eutectic solvent is used for the extraction of 3 widely used antibiotics (oxytetracycline, penicillin G and tilmicosin) from sausage samples.
Synthesis of amino-diamondoid pharmacophores via photocatalytic C–H aminoalkylation
Authors: Weigel William K. , Dang Hoang T. , Yang Hai-Bin , Martin David B. C.
Published: July 2020

We report a direct C–H aminoalkylation reaction using two light-activated H-atom transfer catalyst systems that enable the introduction of protected amines to native adamantane scaffolds with C–C bond formation.
The influence of loops on the binding of the [Ru(phen)2dppz]2+ light-switch compound to i-motif DNA structures revealed by time-resolved spectroscopy
Authors: Baptista Frederico R. , Devereux Stephen J. , Gurung Sarah P. , Hall James P. , Sazanovich Igor V. , Towrie Michael , Cardin Christine J. , Brazier John A. , Kelly John M. , Quinn Susan J.
Published: July 2020

Ultrafast time resolved infrared (TRIR) is used to report on the binding site of the “light-switch” complex [Ru(phen)2(dppz)]2+ to i-motif structures in solution.
A matrix metalloproteinase activation probe for painting human tumours
Authors: Mills Bethany , Norberg Dominic , Dhaliwal Kevin , Akram Ahsan R , Bradley Mark , Megia-Fernandez Alicia
Published: July 2020

A new fluorescent peptide provides a quick and simple method of identifying areas of high MMP activity allowing ‘tumour painting’.
ortho-Substituent effect on the crystal packing and solid state speciation of aromaticC-nitroso compounds
Authors: Pike Sarah J. , Heliot Armelle , Seaton Colin C.
Published: July 2020

The solid state behaviour of a short series aromaticC-nitroso compounds has been studied as a function of the electronic and steric nature of theortho-substituent on the ring.
Growth behavior and influence factors of three-dimensional hierarchical flower-like FeF3·0.33H2O
Authors: Chen Shuyi , Shi Qing , Lin Jinfang , Cai Zijian , Cao Linshen , Zhu Licai , Yuan Zhongzhi
Published: July 2020

Anion-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of a three-dimensional graded flower-like FeF3·0.33H2O material with adjustable morphology.
Actinide and lanthanide molecules to search for strong CP-violation
Authors: Skripnikov Leonid V. , Mosyagin Nikolai S. , Titov Anatoly V. , Flambaum Victor V.
Published: July 2020

Actinide and lanthanide molecules are prospective candidates to search for the violation of fundamental symmetries and test grand unification theories.
Thermal transport properties of novel two-dimensional CSe
Authors: Lv Bing , Hu Xiaona , Liu Xuefei , Zhang Zhaofu , Song Jia , Luo Zijiang , Gao Zhibin
Published: July 2020

Recently, as a novel member of the IV–VI group compounds, two-dimensional (2D) buckled monolayer CSe has been discovered for use in high-performance thermoelectric devices.
Correction: Exploring exchange processes in proteins by paramagnetic perturbation of NMR spectra
Authors: Hunashal Yamanappa , Cantarutti Cristina , Giorgetti Sofia , Marchese Loredana , Molinari Henriette , Niccolai Neri , Fogolari Federico , Esposito Gennaro
Published: July 2020

Correction for ‘Exploring exchange processes in proteins by paramagnetic perturbation of NMR spectra’ by Yamanappa Hunashal et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2020, 22, 6247–6259, DOI: 10.1039/c9cp06950j.
Influence of anion induced geometry change in Zn(ii) on the magnetization relaxation dynamics of Dy(iii) in Zn–Dy–Zn complexes
Authors: Shukla Pragya , Ansari Kamal Uddin , Gao Chen , Vaidya Shefali , Tripathi Shalini , Kumar Pardeep , Butcher Ray J. , Overgaard Jacob , Shanmugam Maheswaran
Published: July 2020

A series of [Zn2Dy(L1)2(OAc)4](X) where X = (NO3)0.92(Br)0.08 (1), ClO4 (2), Cl (3) and PF6 (4) complexes were synthesized and their dc and ac magnetic data investigated. Experimental results are validated through MOLCAS calculations.
Responsive fluorinated nanoemulsions for 19F magnetic resonance detection of cellular hypoxia
Authors: Kadakia Rahul T. , Xie Da , Guo Hongyu , Bouley Bailey , Yu Meng , Que Emily L.
Published: July 2020

A highly fluorinated Cu2+ complex for 19F MR sensing of cellular hypoxia as nanoemulsion formulations.
Fly ash supported Pd–Ag bimetallic nanoparticles exhibiting a synergistic catalytic effect for the reduction of nitrophenol
Authors: Maity Niladri , Sahoo Anupam , Boddhula Rajkumar , Chatterjee Saurav , Patra Srikanta , Panda Binod Bihari
Published: July 2020

A fly ash supported Pd–Ag nanocatalyst involving alloy formation and intermetallic charge transfer interaction exhibits synergistic catalytic activity for the reduction of nitrophenol.
A facile and green strategy to simultaneously enhance the flame retardant and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) by introduction of a bio-based polyelectrolyte complex formed by chitosan and phytic acid
Authors: Zhang Zhihao , Li Xinjuan , Ma Zhongying , Ning Haozhe , Zhang Dan , Wang Yuhua
Published: July 2020

There are still some key problems in the process of the flame retardant treatment of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA): poor compatibility, deteriorating mechanical properties and potential toxicity to human health and environment.
The effect of almond intake on anthropometric indices: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Eslampour Elham , Moodi Vihan , Asbaghi Omid , Ghaedi Ehsan , Shirinbakhshmasoleh Mina , Hadi Amir , Miraghajani Maryam
Published: July 2020

This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to summarize the effect of almond intake on anthropometric indices in adult subjects.