bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of SNP Array Abnormalities in Patients with DE NOVO Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Normal Karyotype
Authors: Ibáñez Mariam , Such Esperanza , Onecha Esther , Gómez-Seguí Inés , Liquori Alessandro , Sellés Jorge , Hervás-Marín David , Barragán Eva , Ayala Rosa , LLop Marta , López-Pavía María , Rapado Inmaculada , Neef Alex , Sanjuan-Pla Alejandra , Sargas Claudia , Gonzalez-Romero Elisa , Boluda-Navarro Mireia , Andreu Rafa , Senent Leonor , Montesinos Pau , Martínez-López Joaquín , Angel Sanz Miguel , Sanz Guillermo , Cervera José
Published: April 2020

Nearly 50% of patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) harbor an apparently normal karyotype (NK) by conventional cytogenetic techniques showing a very heterogeneous prognosis. This could be related to the presence of cryptic cytogenetic abnormalities (CCA) not detectable by conventional methods. The study of copy number alterations (CNA) and loss of heterozygozity (LOH) in hematological malignancies is possible using a high resolution SNP-array. Recently, in clinical practice the karyotype study has been complemented with the identification of point mutations in an increasing number of genes. We analyzed 252 de novo NK-AML patients from Hospital La Fe (n = 44) and from previously reported cohorts (n = 208) to identify CCA by SNP-array, and to integrate the analysis of CCA with molecular alterations detected by Next-Generation-sequencing. CCA were detected in 58% of patients. In addition, 49% of them harbored CNA or LOH and point mutations, simultaneously. Patients were grouped in 3 sets by their abnormalities: patients carrying several CCA simultaneously, patients with mutations in FLT3, NPM1 and/or DNMT3A and patients with an amalgam of mutations. We found a negative correlation between the number of CCA and the outcome of the patients. This study outlines that CCA are present in up to 50% of NK-AML patients and have a negative impact on the outcome. CCA may contribute to the heterogeneous prognosis.
High-Resolution Motor State Detection in Parkinson’s Disease Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Pfister Franz M. J. , Um Terry Taewoong , Pichler Daniel C. , Goschenhofer Jann , Abedinpour Kian , Lang Muriel , Endo Satoshi , Ceballos-Baumann Andres O. , Hirche Sandra , Bischl Bernd , Kulić Dana , Fietzek Urban M.
Published: April 2020

Patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease regularly experience unstable motor states. Objective and reliable monitoring of these fluctuations is an unmet need. We used deep learning to classify motion data from a single wrist-worn IMU sensor recording in unscripted environments. For validation purposes, patients were accompanied by a movement disorder expert, and their motor state was passively evaluated every minute. We acquired a dataset of 8,661 minutes of IMU data from 30 patients, with annotations about the motor state (OFF,ON, DYSKINETIC) based on MDS-UPDRS global bradykinesia item and the AIMS upper limb dyskinesia item. Using a 1-minute window size as an input for a convolutional neural network trained on data from a subset of patients, we achieved a three-class balanced accuracy of 0.654 on data from previously unseen subjects. This corresponds to detecting the OFF, ON, or DYSKINETIC motor state at a sensitivity/specificity of 0.64/0.89, 0.67/0.67 and 0.64/0.89, respectively. On average, the model outputs were highly correlated with the annotation on a per subject scale (r = 0.83/0.84; p < 0.0001), and sustained so for the highly resolved time windows of 1 minute (r = 0.64/0.70; p < 0.0001). Thus, we demonstrate the feasibility of long-term motor-state detection in a free-living setting with deep learning using motion data from a single IMU.
Defining Individual-Level Genetic Diversity and Similarity Profiles
Authors: Ma Zhanshan , Li Lianwei , Zhang Ya-Ping
Published: April 2020

Classic concepts of genetic (gene) diversity (heterozygosity) such as Nei & Li’s nucleotide diversity were defined within a population context. Although variations are often measured in population context, the basic carriers of variation are individuals. Hence, measuring variations such as SNP of an individual against a reference genome, which has been ignored previously, is certainly in its own right. Indeed, similar practice has been a tradition in community ecology, where the basic unit of diversity measure is individual community sample. We propose to use Renyi’s-entropy-based Hill numbers to define individual-level genetic diversity and similarity and demonstrate the definitions with the SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) datasets from the 1000-Genomes Project. Hill numbers, derived from Renyi’s entropy (of which Shannon’s entropy is a special case), have found widely applications including measuring the quantum information entanglement and ecological diversity. The demonstrated individual-level SNP diversity not only complements the existing population-level genetic diversity concepts, but also offers building blocks for comparative genetic analysis at higher levels. The concept of individual covers, but is not limited to, individual chromosome, region of chromosome, gene cluster(s), or whole genome. Similarly, the SNP can be replaced by other structural variants or mutation types such as indels.
Pyrazine ring-based Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) inhibitors potently inhibit cancer cell growth in 3D culture, independent of NHE1
Authors: Rolver Michala G. , Elingaard-Larsen Line O. , Andersen Anne P. , Counillon Laurent , Pedersen Stine F.
Published: April 2020

The Na+/H+ exchanger-1 (NHE1) supports tumour growth, making NHE1 inhibitors of interest in anticancer therapy, yet their molecular effects are incompletely characterized. Here, we demonstrate that widely used pyrazinoylguanidine-type NHE1 inhibitors potently inhibit growth and survival of cancer cell spheroids, in a manner unrelated to NHE1 inhibition. Cancer and non-cancer cells were grown as 3-dimensional (3D) spheroids and treated with pyrazinoylguanidine-type (amiloride, 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride (EIPA), 5-(N,N-dimethyl)-amiloride (DMA), and 5-(N,N-hexamethylene)-amiloride (HMA)) or benzoylguanidine-type (eniporide, cariporide) NHE1 inhibitors for 2–7 days, followed by analyses of viability, compound accumulation, and stress- and death-associated signalling. EIPA, DMA and HMA dose-dependently reduced breast cancer spheroid viability while cariporide and eniporide had no effect. Although both compound types inhibited NHE1, the toxic effects were NHE1-independent, as inhibitor-induced viability loss was unaffected by NHE1 CRISPR/Cas9 knockout. EIPA and HMA accumulated extensively in spheroids, and this was associated with marked vacuolization, apparent autophagic arrest, ER stress, mitochondrial- and DNA damage and poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase (PARP) cleavage, indicative of severe stress and paraptosis-like cell death. Pyrazinoylguanidine-induced cell death was partially additive to that induced by conventional anticancer therapies and strongly additive to extracellular-signal-regulated-kinase (ERK) pathway inhibition. Thus, in addition to inhibiting NHE1, pyrazinoylguanidines exert potent, NHE1-independent cancer cell death, pointing to a novel relevance for these compounds in anticancer therapy.
A Fragment of Collagen Type VI alpha-3 chain is Elevated in Serum from Patients with Gastrointestinal Disorders
Authors: Holm Nielsen Signe , Mortensen Joachim Høg , Willumsen Nicholas , Rasmussen Daniel Guldager Kring , Mogensen Ditte J. , Di Sabatino Antonio , Mazza Giuseppe , Jørgensen Lars Nannestad , Giuffrida Paolo , Pinzani Massimo , Klinge Lone , Kjeldsen Jens , Leeming Diana Julie , Karsdal Morten Asser , Genovese Federica
Published: April 2020

Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling is a hallmark of the pathology of gastrointestinal disorders. Collagen type VI (COL6) is produced by fibroblasts, and the COL6 α3-chain has shown to be elevated in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn’s disease (CD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). Measuring COL6α3 in serum may therefore have potential as a biomarker for gastrointestinal disorders. The aims of this study were to develop and validate a competitive ELISA targeting a specific neo-epitope of COL6α3 and evaluate its associations with the gastrointestinal disorders UC, CD and CRC, in comparison to healthy controls. A monoclonal antibody was raised against a matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 specific cleavage site of COL6α3 (C6Mα3) and employed in a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The assay was developed and technically validated. Levels of C6Mα3 were measured in serum from patients with UC (n = 58), CD (n = 44) and CRC (n = 39) and compared to healthy controls (n = 32). The levels of C6Mα3 were elevated in patients with UC, CD and CRC patients compared to healthy controls (all p < 0.0001). The area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) curve for separation of patients with UC from healthy controls was 0.972 (95% CI: 0.925–1.020, p < 0.0001), with CD from healthy controls was 0.947 (95% CI: 0.885–1.009, p < 0.0001) and with CRC from healthy controls was 0.890 (95% CI: 0.809–0.972, p < 0.0001). We developed a technically robust assay targeting a fragment of COL6, which was elevated in serum from patients with UC, CD and CRC.
ST2 and regulatory T cells in the colorectal adenoma/carcinoma microenvironment: implications for diseases progression and prognosis
Authors: Cui Guanglin , Yuan Aping , Li Zhenfeng , Goll Rasmus , Florholmen Jon
Published: April 2020

ST2 (also known as IL1RL1) is the critical functional receptor for interleukin (IL)-33 in stimulating regulatory T cell (Treg) expansion and function in physiological and pathological conditions. We examined the correlation between ST2 cell expression and FoxP3 positive Tregs in both colorectal adenoma and cancer (CRC) microenvironment by real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and double immunofluorescences. The clinicopathological and prognostic significance of cellular ST2-positive cells and FoxP3-positive Tregs in patients with adenoma and CRC were evaluated. Real-time PCR results revealed increased expression levels of ST2 and FoxP3 mRNAs in both adenoma and CRC tissues as compared with control tissues. IHC analysis confirmed increased densities of ST2-positive cells in both the adenoma/CRC epithelium and stroma, which show a close positive linear association with the densities of FoxP3-positive Tregs in respective compartments. Pathological feature analysis showed that densities of ST2-positive cells in the tumor stroma were notably associated with degree of dysplastic grading in patients with adenoma, and disease stages and lymph node metastasis in patients with CRC. Kaplan-Meier survival curves suggested that CRC patients with high densities of ST2-positive cells in the stroma tend to have a shorter overall survival. We therefore concluded that increased densities of ST2-postive cells relate to Treg accumulation within the adenoma/CRC microenvironment, suggesting the IL-33/ST2 pathway as a potential contributor for immunosuppressive milieu formation that impact disease stage and prognosis in patients with CRC.
Safety of Ligation of Aberrant Left Hepatic Artery Originating from Left Gastric Artery in Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer
Authors: Ang Rene Ronson G. , Lee Hyuk-Joon , Bae Jae Seok , Zhu Chun-Chao , Berlth Felix , Kim Tae Han , Park Shin-Hoo , Suh Yun-Suhk , Kong Seong-Ho , Kim Se Hyung , Yang Han-Kwang
Published: April 2020

There are still lot of controversies whether aberrant left hepatic artery (ALHA) originating from left gastric artery should be ligated or preserved during gastric cancer (GC) surgery. We aimed to investigate this issue. We reviewed ALHA cases who had laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer at Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) from 2012 to 2016. Type of ALHA variants using Michel’s classification of hepatic arterial anatomy and diameter of each vessel were evaluated by 2 radiologists. Postoperative hepatic function and surgical outcome were collected until 6 months after surgery. Results showed that if the diameter of ALHA was larger than 1.5 mm, a transient elevation of SGOT and SGPT on postoperative day 2 was observed in the ligated cases. No differences were observed in operation time, amount of blood loss, overall complication rate, hospital stay, and number of lymph nodes retrieved between the ligated and preserved replaced left hepatic artery (RLHA) and accessory left hepatic artery (acLHA) group. In this study, we conclude that ligation of ALHA seems to be safe as none of the patients suffered adverse outcome. A transient rise in postoperative SGOT and SGPT levels were seen after ligating ALHA >1.5 mm in diameter regardless of subtype.
A multi-institutional real world data study from India of 3453 non-metastatic breast cancer patients undergoing upfront surgery
Authors: Doval Dinesh Chandra , Radhakrishna Selvi , Tripathi Rupal , Kashinath Renu Iyer , Talwar Vineet , Batra Ullas , Mullapudi Naga Amulya , Kumar Kapil , Dewan Ajay Kumar , Chaturvedi Harit , Tayal Juhi , Mehta Anurag , Gupta Sudeep , Nimmagadda Ramesh B. V.
Published: April 2020

The present analysis reports the clinical, pathological, treatment profile and overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) outcomes of consecutive breast cancer patients from three Indian centres, who underwent curative surgery as their first treatment. Among the 3453 patients, stage I, II, and III cases were 11.75%, 66.79%, and 21.64%, respectively while hormone receptor positive/HER2 negative, triple negative (TNBC) and hormone receptor any/HER2 positive cases were 55.2%, 24.2% and 20.6%, respectively. The five-year OS in the entire cohort, node-negative and node-positive patients were 94.1% (93.25–94.98), 96.17% (95.2–97.15) and 91.83% (90.36–93.31), respectively, and the corresponding DFS were 88.1% (86.96–89.31), 92.0% (90.64–93.39) and 83.93% (82.03–85.89), respectively. The five-year OS in hormone receptor positive/HER2 negative, TNBC and HER2 subgroups were 96.11% (95.12–97.1), 92.74% (90.73–94.8) and 90.62% (88.17–93.15), respectively, and the corresponding DFS were 91.59% (90.19–93.02), 85.46% (82.79–88.22) and 81.29% (78.11–84.61), respectively. This is the largest dataset of early breast cancer patients from India with survival outcome analysis and can therefore serve as a benchmark for future studies.
A combined approach to establishing the timing and magnitude of anthropogenic nutrient alteration in a mediterranean coastal lake- watershed system
Authors: Fuentealba Magdalena , Latorre Claudio , Frugone-Álvarez Matías , Sarricolea Pablo , Giralt Santiago , Contreras-Lopez Manuel , Prego Ricardo , Bernárdez Patricia , Valero-Garcés Blas
Published: April 2020

Human activities have profoundly altered the global nutrient cycle through Land Use and Cover Changes (LUCCs) since the industrial revolution and especially during the Great Acceleration (1950 CE). Yet, the impact of such activities on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems above their ecological baselines are not well known, especially when considering the response of these systems to the intensity of LUCCs on nutrient cycles. Here, we used a multiproxy approach (sedimentological, geochemical and isotopic analyses, historical records, climate data, and satellite images) to evaluate the role that LUCCs have on Nitrogen (N) cycling in a coastal mediterranean watershed system of central Chile over the last two centuries. Despite long-term anthropogenic use (agriculture, cattle grazing) in the Matanzas watershed– lake system, these LUCC appear to have had little impact on nutrient and organic matter transfer since the Spanish Colonial period. In contrast, the largest changes in N dynamics occurred in the mid-1970s, driven by the replacement of native forests and grasslands by government-subsidized tree plantations of introduced Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus). These LUCC had major impacts on the transfer of organic matter (which increased by 9.4%) and nutrients (as revealed by an increase in total N) to Laguna Matanzas. Our study shows that the presence of anthropogenic land use/cover changes do not necessarily alter nutrient supply and N availability per se but rather it is the magnitude and intensity of such changes that produce major impact on these processes in these mediterranean watersheds.
High variability of Blue Carbon storage in seagrass meadows at the estuary scale
Authors: Ricart Aurora M. , York Paul H. , Bryant Catherine V. , Rasheed Michael A. , Ierodiaconou Daniel , Macreadie Peter I.
Published: April 2020

Seagrass meadows are considered important natural carbon sinks due to their capacity to store organic carbon (Corg) in sediments. However, the spatial heterogeneity of carbon storage in seagrass sediments needs to be better understood to improve accuracy of Blue Carbon assessments, particularly when strong gradients are present. We performed an intensive coring study within a sub-tropical estuary to assess the spatial variability in sedimentary Corgassociated with seagrasses, and to identify the key factors promoting this variability. We found a strong spatial pattern within the estuary, from 52.16 mg Corgcm−3in seagrass meadows in the upper parts, declining to 1.06 mg Corgcm−3in seagrass meadows at the estuary mouth, despite a general gradient of increasing seagrass cover and seagrass habitat extent in the opposite direction. The sedimentary Corgunderneath seagrass meadows came principally from allochthonous (non-seagrass) sources (~70–90 %), while the contribution of seagrasses was low (~10–30 %) throughout the entire estuary. Our results showed that Corgstored in sediments of seagrass meadows can be highly variable within an estuary, attributed largely to accumulation of fine sediments and inputs of allochthonous sources. Local features and the existence of spatial gradients must be considered in Blue Carbon estimates in coastal ecosystems.
The origin and fate of volatile elements on Earth revisited in light of noble gas data obtained from comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
Authors: Bekaert David V. , Broadley Michael W. , Marty Bernard
Published: April 2020

The origin of terrestrial volatiles remains one of the most puzzling questions in planetary sciences. The timing and composition of chondritic and cometary deliveries to Earth has remained enigmatic due to the paucity of reliable measurements of cometary material. This work uses recently measured volatile elemental ratios and noble gas isotope data from comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P/C-G), in combination with chondritic data from the literature, to reconstruct the composition of Earth’s ancient atmosphere. Comets are found to have contributed ~20% of atmospheric heavy noble gases (i.e., Kr and Xe) but limited amounts of other volatile elements (water, halogens and likely organic materials) to Earth. These cometary noble gases were likely mixed with chondritic - and not solar - sources to form the atmosphere. We show that an ancient atmosphere composed of chondritic and cometary volatiles is more enriched in Xe relative to the modern atmosphere, requiring that 8–12 times the present-day inventory of Xe was lost to space. This potentially resolves the long-standing mystery of Earth’s “missing xenon”, with regards to both Xe elemental depletion and isotopic fractionation in the atmosphere. The inferred Kr/H2O and Xe/H2O of the initial atmosphere suggest that Earth’s surface volatiles might not have been fully delivered by the late accretion of volatile-rich carbonaceous chondrites. Instead, “dry” materials akin to enstatite chondrites potentially constituted a significant source of chondritic volatiles now residing on the Earth’s surface. We outline the working hypotheses, implications and limitations of this model in the last section of this contribution.
High glucose induces phosphorylation and oxidation of mitochondrial proteins in renal tubular cells: A proteomics approach
Authors: Aluksanasuwan Siripat , Plumworasawat Sirikanya , Malaitad Thanyalak , Chaiyarit Sakdithep , Thongboonkerd Visith
Published: April 2020

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been thought to play roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, precise mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunction in DN remained unclear. Herein, mitochondria were isolated from renal tubular cells after exposure to normal glucose (5.5 mM glucose), high glucose (25 mM glucose), or osmotic control (5.5 mM glucose + 19.5 mM mannitol) for 96 h. Comparative proteomic analysis revealed six differentially expressed proteins among groups that were subsequently identified by tandem mass spectrometry (nanoLC-ESI-ETD MS/MS) and confirmed by Western blotting. Several various types of post-translational modifications (PTMs) were identified in all of these identified proteins. Interestingly, phosphorylation and oxidation were most abundant in mitochondrial proteins whose levels were exclusively increased in high glucose condition. The high glucose-induced increases in phosphorylation and oxidation of mitochondrial proteins were successfully confirmed by various assays including MS/MS analyses. Moreover, high glucose also increased levels of phosphorylated ezrin, intracellular ATP and ROS, all of which could be abolished by a p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB239063), implicating a role of p38 MAPK-mediated phosphorylation in high glucose-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. These data indicate that phosphorylation and oxidation of mitochondrial proteins are, at least in part, involved in mitochondrial dysfunction in renal tubular cells during DN.
Clinical significance of serum concentrations of neuregulin-4, in acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Rahimzadeh Mahsa , Farshidi Narges , Naderi Nadereh , Farshidi Hossein , Montazerghaem Hossein
Published: April 2020

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is closely associated with an increased risk of death. Nrg4, a novel adipocytokine, has negative correlations with indicators of metabolic syndrome. Here, we investigated whether circulating Nrg4 associates with the prevalence of ACS. In this case-control study, a total of 257 subjects (144 patients with ACS and 56 patients diagnosed with stable angina pectoris (SAP)) compared to 57 healthy controls. Serum Nrg4 and hs-CRP concentrations were determined by ELISA. The associations of circulating Nrg4 with other clinical parameters were also analyzed. Serum levels of Nrg4 were lower in patients compared to the control subjects (0.7 ± 0.53 ng/mL versus 1.1 ± 0.9 ng/mL, P = 0.018). There was a significant association between higher Nrg4 level and lower risk of ACS (OR = 0.15; 95%CI = 0.02–0.9; P = 0.046), but not with SAP. This association was independent of potential confounders including traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The distribution of patients with no, 1, 2 and 3 vessel stenosis was significantly different in Nrg4 quartiles. Patients in the lower quartile of Nrg4 were more likely to experience 3 vessel diseases. Serum levels of Nrg4 correlated negatively with HDL-cholesterol in ACS patients. Decreased serum levels of Nrg4 might be an independent risk factor for ACS.
Compensating Atmospheric Channel Dispersion for Terahertz Wireless Communication
Authors: Strecker Karl , Ekin Sabit , O’Hara John F.
Published: April 2020

We report and demonstrate for the first time a method to compensate atmospheric group velocity dispersion of terahertz pulses. In ultra-wideband or impulse radio terahertz wireless communication, the atmosphere reshapes terahertz pulses via group velocity dispersion, a result of the frequency-dependent refractivity of air. Without correction, this can significantly degrade the achievable data transmission rate. We present a method for compensating the atmospheric dispersion of terahertz pulses using a cohort of stratified media reflectors. Using this method, we compensated group velocity dispersion in the 0.2-0.3 THz channel under common atmospheric conditions. Based on analytic and numerical simulations, the method can exhibit an in-band power efficiency of greater than 98% and dispersion compensation up to 99% of ideal. Simulations were validated by experimental measurements.
Classifying post-traumatic stress disorder using the magnetoencephalographic connectome and machine learning
Authors: Zhang Jing , Richardson J. Don , Dunkley Benjamin T.
Published: April 2020

Given the subjective nature of conventional diagnostic methods for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an objectively measurable biomarker is highly desirable; especially to clinicians and researchers. Macroscopic neural circuits measured using magnetoencephalography (MEG) has previously been shown to be indicative of the PTSD phenotype and severity. In the present study, we employed a machine learning-based classification framework using MEG neural synchrony to distinguish combat-related PTSD from trauma-exposed controls. Support vector machine (SVM) was used as the core classification algorithm. A recursive random forest feature selection step was directly incorporated in the nested SVM cross validation process (CV-SVM-rRF-FS) for identifying the most important features for PTSD classification. For the five frequency bands tested, the CV-SVM-rRF-FS analysis selected the minimum numbers of edges per frequency that could serve as a PTSD signature and be used as the basis for SVM modelling. Many of the selected edges have been reported previously to be core in PTSD pathophysiology, with frequency-specific patterns also observed. Furthermore, the independent partial least squares discriminant analysis suggested low bias in the machine learning process. The final SVM models built with selected features showed excellent PTSD classification performance (area-under-curve value up to 0.9). Testament to its robustness when distinguishing individuals from a heavily traumatised control group, these developments for a classification model for PTSD also provide a comprehensive machine learning-based computational framework for classifying other mental health challenges using MEG connectome profiles.
Tumor-penetrating peptide for systemic targeting of Tenascin-C
Authors: Lingasamy Prakash , Tobi Allan , Kurm Kaarel , Kopanchuk Sergei , Sudakov Aleksander , Salumäe Markko , Rätsep Tõnu , Asser Toomas , Bjerkvig Rolf , Teesalu Tambet
Published: April 2020

Extracellular matrix in solid tumors has emerged as a specific, stable, and abundant target for affinity-guided delivery of anticancer drugs. Here we describe the homing peptide that interacts with the C-isoform of Tenascin-C (TNC-C) upregulated in malignant tissues. TNC-C binding PL3 peptide (amino acid sequence: AGRGRLVR) was identified by in vitro biopanning on recombinant TNC-C. Besides TNC-C, PL3 interacts via its C-end Rule (CendR) motif with cell-and tissue penetration receptor neuropilin-1 (NRP-1). Functionalization of iron oxide nanoworms (NWs) and metallic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with PL3 peptide increased tropism of systemic nanoparticles towards glioblastoma (GBM) and prostate carcinoma xenograft lesions in nude mice (eight and five-fold respectively). Treatment of glioma-bearing mice with proapoptotic PL3-guided NWs improved the survival of the mice, whereas treatment with untargeted particles had no effect. PL3-coated nanoparticles were found to accumulate in TNC-C and NRP-1-positive areas in clinical tumor samples, suggesting a translational relevance. The systemic tumor-targeting properties and binding of PL3-NPs to the clinical tumor sections, suggest that the PL3 peptide may have applications as a targeting moiety for the selective delivery of imaging and therapeutic agents to solid tumors.
Uncovering electrophysiological and vascular signatures of implicit emotional prosody
Authors: Steber Sarah , König Nicola , Stephan Franziska , Rossi Sonja
Published: April 2020

The capability of differentiating between various emotional states in speech displays a crucial prerequisite for successful social interactions. The aim of the present study was to investigate neural processes underlying this differentiating ability by applying a simultaneous neuroscientific approach in order to gain both electrophysiological (via electroencephalography, EEG) and vascular (via functional near-infrared-spectroscopy, fNIRS) responses. Pseudowords conforming to angry, happy, and neutral prosody were presented acoustically to participants using a passive listening paradigm in order to capture implicit mechanisms of emotional prosody processing. Event-related brain potentials (ERPs) revealed a larger P200 and an increased late positive potential (LPP) for happy prosody as well as larger negativities for angry and neutral prosody compared to happy prosody around 500 ms. FNIRS results showed increased activations for angry prosody at right fronto-temporal areas. Correlation between negativity in the EEG and activation in fNIRS for angry prosody suggests analogous underlying processes resembling a negativity bias. Overall, results indicate that mechanisms of emotional and phonological encoding (P200), emotional evaluation (increased negativities) as well as emotional arousal and relevance (LPP) are present during implicit processing of emotional prosody.
Experimental comparison between ZnO and MoS2 nanoparticles as additives on performance of diesel oil-based nano lubricant
Authors: Mousavi Seyed Borhan , Heris Saeed Zeinali , Estellé Patrice
Published: April 2020

This study compares the tribological and thermophysical features of the lubricating oil using MoS2 and ZnO nano-additives. The average size of MoS2 and ZnO nanoparticles were 90 nm and 30 nm, respectively. The nanoparticles were suspended using Triton X-100 in three different concentrations (0.1, 0.4 and 0.7 wt.%) in a commercial diesel oil. Tribological properties such as mass loss of the pins, friction coefficient, and worn surface morphologies and thermophysical properties such as viscosity, viscosity index, flash point and pour point of resulting nano lubricant were evaluated and compared with those of pure diesel oil. The tribological behavior of nano lubricants was evaluated using a pin-on-disc tribometer. The worn surface morphologies were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The overall results of this experiment reveal that the addition of nano-MoS2 reduces the mass loss values of the pins in 93% due to the nano-MoS2 lubricant effect. With 0.7 wt.% in nanoparticles content, the viscosity of MoS2 and ZnO nano lubricants at 100 °C increased by about 9.58% and 10.14%, respectively. Pure oil containing 0.7 wt.% of each nanoparticle increased the flash point because of its small size and surface modifying behavior compared to the pure oil. Moreover, the addition of ZnO nanoparticles with pure oil lubricant is more suitable than MoS2 nanoparticles for improving the thermophysical properties of pure oil.
Vermamoeba vermiformis CDC-19 draft genome sequence reveals considerable gene trafficking including with candidate phyla radiation and giant viruses
Authors: Chelkha Nisrine , Hasni Issam , Louazani Amina Cherif , Levasseur Anthony , La Scola Bernard , Colson Philippe
Published: April 2020

Vermamoeba vermiformis is a predominant free-living amoeba in human environments and amongst the most common amoebae that can cause severe infections in humans. It is a niche for numerous amoeba-resisting microorganisms such as bacteria and giant viruses. Differences in the susceptibility to these giant viruses have been observed. V. vermiformis and amoeba-resisting microorganisms share a sympatric lifestyle that can promote exchanges of genetic material. This work analyzed the first draft genome sequence of a V. vermiformis strain (CDC-19) through comparative genomic, transcriptomic and phylogenetic analyses. The genome of V. vermiformis is 59.5 megabase pairs in size, and 22,483 genes were predicted. A high proportion (10% (n = 2,295)) of putative genes encoded proteins showed the highest sequence homology with a bacterial sequence. The expression of these genes was demonstrated for some bacterial homologous genes. In addition, for 30 genes, we detected best BLAST hits with members of the Candidate Phyla Radiation. Moreover, 185 genes (0.8%) best matched with giant viruses, mostly those related to the subfamily Klosneuvirinae (101 genes), in particular Bodo saltans virus (69 genes). Lateral sequence transfers between V. vermiformis and amoeba-resisting microorganisms were strengthened by Sanger sequencing, transcriptomic and phylogenetic analyses. This work provides important insights and genetic data for further studies about this amoeba and its interactions with microorganisms.
Stabilization of Weakly Unstable Fixed Points as a Common Dynamical Mechanism of High-Frequency Electrical Stimulation
Authors: Wilson Dan
Published: April 2020

While high-frequency electrical stimulation often used to treat various biological diseases, it is generally difficult to understand its dynamical mechanisms of action. In this work, high-frequency electrical stimulation is considered in the context of neurological and cardiological systems. Despite inherent differences between these systems, results from both theory and computational modeling suggest identical dynamical mechanisms responsible for desirable qualitative changes in behavior in response to high-frequency stimuli. Specifically, desynchronization observed in a population of periodically firing neurons and reversible conduction block that occurs in cardiomyocytes both result from bifurcations engendered by stimulation that modifies the stability of unstable fixed points. Using a reduced order phase-amplitude modeling framework, this phenomenon is described in detail from a theoretical perspective. Results are consistent with and provide additional insight for previously published experimental observations. Also, it is found that sinusoidal input is energy-optimal for modifying the stability of weakly unstable fixed points using periodic stimulation.
Author Correction: Roadkill and space use data predict vehicle-strike hotspots and mortality rates in a recovering bobcat (Lynx rufus) population
Authors: Bencin Heidi L. , Prange Suzanne , Rose Christa , Popescu Viorel D.
Published: April 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: CD44 variant inhibits insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells by attenuating LAT1-mediated amino acid uptake
Authors: Kobayashi Nana , Okazaki Shogo , Sampetrean Oltea , Irie Junichiro , Itoh Hiroshi , Saya Hideyuki
Published: April 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Sex is determined by XX/XY sex chromosomes in Australasian side-necked turtles (Testudines: Chelidae)
Authors: Mazzoleni Sofa , Augstenová Barbora , Clemente Lorenzo , Auer Markus , Fritz Uwe , Praschag Peter , Protiva Tomáš , Velenský Petr , Kratochvíl Lukáš , Rovatsos Michail
Published: April 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Baleen whale acoustic presence and behaviour at a Mid-Atlantic migratory habitat, the Azores Archipelago
Authors: Romagosa Miriam , Baumgartner Mark , Cascão Irma , Lammers Marc O. , Marques Tiago A. , Santos Ricardo S. , Silva Mónica A.
Published: April 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Distinct sensorimotor feedback loops for dynamic and static control of primate precision grip
Authors: Oya Tomomichi , Takei Tomohiko , Seki Kazuhiko
Published: April 2020

Volitional limb motor control involves dynamic and static muscle actions. It remains elusive how such distinct actions are controlled through separated or shared neural circuits. Here we explored the potential separation for dynamic and static controls in primate hand actions, by investigating the neuronal coherence between local field potentials (LFPs) of the spinal cord and the forelimb electromyographic activity (EMGs), and LFPs of the motor cortex and the EMGs during the performance of a precision grip in macaque monkeys. We observed the emergence of beta-range coherence with EMGs at spinal cord and motor cortex in the separated phases; spinal coherence during the grip phase and cortical coherence during the hold phase. Further, both of the coherences were influenced by bidirectional interactions with reasonable latencies as beta oscillatory cycles. These results indicate that dedicated feedback circuits comprising spinal and cortical structures underlie dynamic and static controls of dexterous hand actions.
Water as a tuneable solvent: a perspective
Authors: Breynaert Eric , Houlleberghs Maarten , Radhakrishnan Sambhu , Grübel Gerhard , Taulelle Francis , Martens Johan A.
Published: April 2020

Water is the most sustainable solvent, but its polarity limits the solubility of non-polar solutes. Confining water in hydrophobic nanopores could be a way to modulate water solvent properties and enable using water as tuneable solvent (WaTuSo).
A novel wide-bandgap small molecule donor for high efficiency all-small-molecule organic solar cells with small non-radiative energy losses
Authors: Wang Yulong , Wang Yang , Zhu Lei , Liu Haiqin , Fang Jin , Guo Xia , Liu Feng , Tang Zheng , Zhang Maojie , Li Yongfang
Published: April 2020

A novel small molecule donor based on thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole (TTz) unit is developed for OSCs application with 13.9% power conversion efficiency and a small non-radiative energy loss of 0.18 eV.
Potential neurotoxicity of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and its oligomers: widespread substances in carbohydrate-containing foods
Authors: Wang Cheng , Liu Zhenru , Hu Tian , Li Youjia , Liu Rui , Zhang Junjie , He Huaizhen
Published: April 2020

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and its acid-catalyzed oligomers can inhibit nerve cell proliferation and induce neurological deficits at near or below the reported 24 h dietary intake of 5-HMF in humans.
Hot-water extract of ripened Pu-erh tea attenuates DSS-induced colitis through modulation of the NF-κB and HIF-1α signaling pathways in mice
Authors: Huang Yina , Qiu Liang , Mi Xuan , Zhang Zhihong , Xu Di , Tao Xueying , Xing Keyu , Wu Qinglong , Wei Hua
Published: April 2020

There was lots of information on anti-obesity and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, to our best knowledge, little was known about the prevention of colitis by RPT. We firstly assessed effects of RPT on phenotypic improvements of DSS-induced colitis in mice.
A review of sustainable and intensified techniques for extraction of food and natural products
Authors: Chemat Farid , Abert Vian Maryline , Fabiano-Tixier Anne-Sylvie , Nutrizio Marinela , Režek Jambrak Anet , Munekata Paulo E. S. , Lorenzo Jose M. , Barba Francisco J. , Binello Arianna , Cravotto Giancarlo
Published: April 2020

This review presents innovative extraction techniques and their role in promoting sustainable ingredients for the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.
Unique N doped Sn3O4 nanosheets as an efficient and stable photocatalyst for hydrogen generation under sunlight
Authors: Balgude Sagar , Sethi Yogesh , Gaikwad Aarti , Kale Bharat , Amalnerkar Dinesh , Adhyapak Parag
Published: April 2020

Unique N doped Sn3O4 nanosheets have been demonstrated successfully using a facile hydrothermal method.
Synthesis of air-stable two-dimensional nanoplatelets of Ruddlesden–Popper organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites
Authors: Cherusseri Jayesh , Varma Sreekanth J. , Pradhan Basudev , Li Jinxin , Kumar Jitesh , Barrios Elizabeth , Amin Mohammed Zain , Towers Andrew , Gesquiere Andre , Thomas Jayan
Published: April 2020

A simple and facile method to synthesize nanoplatelets of 2D Ruddlesden–Popper perovskites is presented. The nanoplatelets exhibit excellent emission in the ultraviolet region and the photodetector fabricated using the nanoplatelets shows high photodetectivity.
Membrane morphologies induced by mixtures of arc-shaped particles with opposite curvature
Authors: Bonazzi Francesco , Hall Carol K. , Weikl Thomas R.
Published: April 2020

Three-way junctions of membrane tubules are stabilized by particles generating membrane curvature opposite to the particles that induce the tubules.
Crystallinity dependence for high-selectivity electrochemical oxygen reduction to hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Liu Meihuan , Zhang Hui , Li Yuanli , Su Hui , Zhou Wanlin , Zhao Xu , Cheng Weiren , Liu Qinghua
Published: April 2020

A modified-crystallinity structure of Ni3(HITP)2 was designed to maximize the electrocatalytic selectivity toward H2O2 production.
Electrochromic polymers with multiple redox couples applied to monitor energy storage states of supercapacitors
Authors: Ming Shouli , Lin Kaiwen , Zhang Hui , Jiang Fengxing , Liu Peipei , Xu Jingkun , Nie Guangming , Duan Xuemin
Published: April 2020

Electrochromic polymers with multiple separate redox couples are used to monitor the energy storage states of supercapacitors by appearance colour.
Temperature-driven n–p conduction type switching without structural transition in a Cu-rich chalcogenide, NaCu5S3
Authors: Qu Shangqing , Wang Yonggang , Xiao Yu , Yuan Yujie , Li Shengyi , Chen Jikun , Zhao Lidong , Xia Zhiguo , Zhao Jing
Published: April 2020

We report for the first time the discovery of reversible n–p conduction type switching in a chalcogenide, NaCu5S3, without structural transition.
Facile fabrication of porous Fe@C nanohybrids from natural magnetite as excellent Fischer–Tropsch catalysts
Authors: Zhang Qian , Gu Juwen , Chen Jianfeng , Qiu Songbai , Wang Tiejun
Published: April 2020

A facile and flexible sol–gel approach using natural magnetite and citric acid to fabricate Fe@C nanohybrids as excellent FTS catalysts.
Exploring the conformational transition between the fully folded and locally unfolded substates ofEscherichia colithiol peroxidase
Authors: Vazquez Diego S. , Zeida Ari , Agudelo William A. , Montes Mónica R. , Ferrer-Sueta Gerardo , Santos Javier
Published: April 2020

Temporal acquisition of thefully foldedconformational substate of theEscherichia colithiol peroxidase by accelerated molecular dynamics simulations.
Critical topological nodal points and nodal lines/rings in Kagome graphene
Authors: Zhou Jun , Xie Yuee , Zhang Shengbai , Chen Yuanping
Published: April 2020

Critical topological phases, possessing flat bands, provide a platform to study unique topological properties and transport phenomena under a many-body effect.
Orientation independent vibrational dynamics of lipid-bound interfacial water
Authors: Deiseroth Malte , Bonn Mischa , Backus Ellen H. G.
Published: April 2020

Vibrational dynamics of water bound to zwitterionic phospholipids is orientation independent.
Synergetic effect of Lewis acid and base in modified Sn-β on the direct conversion of levoglucosan to lactic acid
Authors: Hu Wenda , Chi Zixin , Wan Yan , Wang Shuai , Lin Jingdong , Wan Shaolong , Wang Yong
Published: April 2020

The synergetic effect of Lewis acid and base in modified Sn-β boosts the yield of lactic acid produced from levoglucosan.
Exchange couplings and quantum phases in two dissimilar arrays of similar copper dinuclear units
Authors: Sartoris Rosana P. , Santana Vinicius T. , Freire Eleonora , Baggio Ricardo F. , Nascimento Otaciro R. , Calvo Rafael
Published: April 2020

X-ray structure and EPR spectra of two dinuclear copper compounds allow us to study spin entanglement and quantum phase transitions. Their different 3D arrays and interdinuclear exchange paths produce important effects.
Growth of InZnP/ZnS core/shell quantum dots with wide-range and refined tunable photoluminescence wavelengths
Authors: Zhang Jinyuan , Gu Huaimin
Published: April 2020

InP-based QDs show great potential in various fields as an alternative to Cd-based QDs, through the feasible regulation of Zn, In, P and S precursors, the PL wavelength of InP-based QDs can be widely and accurately tuned from 484 nm to 651 nm.
Plasma–liquid synthesis of MoOx and WO3 as potential photocatalysts
Authors: Khlyustova Anna , Sirotkin Nikolay , Kraev Anton , Titov Valeriy , Agafonov Alexander
Published: April 2020

The characteristics and photocatalytic activity of non-stoichiometric molybdenum oxide and tungsten oxide synthesized by underwater plasma are presented.
Function from configurational degeneracy in disordered framework materials
Authors: Reynolds Emily M. , Wolpert Emma H. , Overy Alistair R. , Mizzi Luke , Simonov Arkadiy , Grima Joseph N. , Kaskel Stefan , Goodwin Andrew L.
Published: April 2020

We develop the concepts of combinatorial mechanics, adaptive flexibility, and error-correcting codes as applications of disordered framework materials.
The green synthesis of PdO/Pd anchored on hierarchical ZnO microflowers with a synthetic effect for the efficient catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol
Authors: Liu Mufei , Yang Hao , Xu Zewen , Ma Wenlu , Cui Fang , Lu George , Xu Linxu , Cui Tieyu
Published: April 2020

PdO/Pd anchored on hierarchical ZnO microflowers has excellent development potential for treating dye wastewater.
Sunlight driven photocatalytic performance of a Pt nanoparticle decorated sulfonated graphene–TiO2 nanocomposite
Authors: Alamelu K. , Jaffar Ali B. M.
Published: April 2020

An efficient Pt nanoparticle decorated sulfonated graphene–TiO2 (SGTPt) ternary nanocomposite was prepared through a facile hydrothermal route followed by the polyol process.
Highly flexible few-layer Ti3C2 MXene/cellulose nanofiber heat-spreader films with enhanced thermal conductivity
Authors: Song Guichen , Kang Ruiyang , Guo Liangchao , Ali Zulfiqar , Chen Xiaoyong , Zhang Zhenyu , Yan Chao , Lin Cheng-Te , Jiang Nan , Yu Jinhong
Published: April 2020

Highly flexible MXene/cellulose nanofiber heat-spreader films with enhanced thermal conductivity were fabricated via simple vacuum assisted filtration.
Hierarchical Ti3C2@TiO2 MXene hybrids with tunable interlayer distance for highly durable lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Li Li , Jiang Gaoxue , An Cuihua , Xie Zhengjun , Wang Yijing , Jiao Lifang , Yuan Huatang
Published: April 2020

To realize high-rate and long-term performance of rechargeable batteries, the most effective approach is to develop an advanced hybrid material with a stable structure and more reaction active sites.
Sesquiterpene synthases for bungoene, pentalenene andepi-isozizaene fromStreptomyces bungoensis
Authors: Lauterbach Lukas , Dickschat Jeroen S.
Published: April 2020

A sesquiterpene synthase fromStreptomyces bungoensiswas characterised and produces the new compound bungoene.
Large magnetodielectric effect and negative magnetoresistance in NiO nanoparticles at room temperature
Authors: Chatterjee Soumi , Maiti Ramaprasad , Chakravorty Dipankar
Published: April 2020

This work presents NiO nanoparticles synthesized by simple chemical route showing large magnetodielectric effect at room temperature resulted from Maxwell–Wagner polarization effect which was arising due to large negative magnetoresistance.
Protective dissolution: generating secondary pores in zeolite by mechanochemical reaction
Authors: Huang Ju , Fan Yaqi , Zhang Guanqun , Ma Yanhang
Published: April 2020

A novel strategy for meso-/macropores formation in zeolites by mechanochemical reaction.
Correction: Paclitaxel prodrug based mixed micelles for tumor-targeted chemotherapy
Authors: Tang Dongyang , Zhao Xin , Yang Tie , Wang Cheng
Published: April 2020

Correction for ‘Paclitaxel prodrug based mixed micelles for tumor-targeted chemotherapy’ by Dongyang Tang et al., RSC Adv., 2018, 8, 380–389.
An RGB-emitting molecular cocktail for the detection of bacterial fingerprints
Authors: Hong Sheng , Zheng Di-Wei , Zhang Qiu-Ling , Deng Wei-Wei , Song Wen-Fang , Cheng Si-Xue , Sun Zhi-Jun , Zhang Xian-Zheng
Published: April 2020

A technique named the Microcolor system was developed to detect microbes and diagnose diseases based on changes in microbiota signatures.
Compatibilizing hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers via spray coating for desalination
Authors: Meng Junquan , Lau Cher Hon , Xue Yunlong , Zhang Rui , Cao Bing , Li Pei
Published: April 2020

The incompatibility between PVA and PTFE layers was overcome by spray-coating and the PVA/PTFE composite membrane showed excellent desalination properties in both PV and DCMD experiments.