bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of aerobic exercise training on muscle plasticity in a mouse model of cervical spinal cord injury
Authors: Jesus Isley , Michel-Flutot Pauline , Deramaudt Therese B. , Paucard Alexia , Vanhee Valentin , Vinit Stéphane , Bonay Marcel
Published: January 2021

Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) results in permanent life-altering motor and respiratory deficits. Other than mechanical ventilation for respiratory insufficiency secondary to cervical SCI, effective treatments are lacking and the development of animal models to explore new therapeutic strategies are needed. The aim of this work was to demonstrate the feasibility of using a mouse model of partial cervical spinal hemisection at the second cervical metameric segment (C2) to investigate the impact of 6 weeks training on forced exercise wheel system on locomotor/respiratory plasticity muscles. To measure run capacity locomotor and respiratory functions, incremental exercise tests and diaphragmatic electromyography were done. In addition, muscle fiber type composition and capillary distribution were assessed at 51 days following chronic C2 injury in diaphragm, extensor digitorum communis (EDC), tibialis anterior (TA) and soleus (SOL) muscles. Six-week exercise training increased the running capacity of trained SCI mice. Fiber type composition in EDC, TA and SOL muscles was not modified by our protocol of exercise. The vascularization was increased in all muscle limbs in SCI trained group. No increase in diaphragmatic electromyography amplitude of the diaphragm muscle on the side of SCI was observed, while the contraction duration was significantly decreased in sedentary group compared to trained group. Cross-sectional area of type IIa myofiber in the contralateral diaphragm side of SCI was smaller in trained group. Fiber type distribution between contralateral and ipsilateral diaphragm in SCI sedentary group was affected, while no difference was observed in trained group. In addition, the vascularization of the diaphragm side contralateral to SCI was increased in trained group. All these results suggest an increase in fatigue resistance and a contribution to the running capacity in SCI trained group. Our exercise protocol could be a promising non-invasive strategy to sustain locomotor and respiratory muscle plasticity following SCI.
Lead-free relaxor-ferroelectric thin films for energy harvesting from low-grade waste-heat
Authors: Sharma Amrit P. , Behera Makhes K. , Pradhan Dhiren K. , Pradhan Sangram K. , Bonner Carl E. , Bahoura Messaoud
Published: January 2021

One of the ways to mitigate the world energy crisis is to harvest clean and green energy from waste-heat, which is abundant, ubiquitous, and free. Energy harvesting of this waste-heat is one of the most encouraging methods to capture freely accessible electrical energy. Ferroelectric materials can be used to harvest energy for low power electronic devices, as they exhibit switchable polarization, excellent piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties. The most important characteristic of ferroelectric materials, in the context of energy harvesting, is their ability to generate electric power from a time-dependent temperature change. In this work, we grew highly c-axis oriented heterostructures of BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3 (barium zirconium titanate, BZT)/Ba0.7Ca0.3TiO3 (barium calcium titanate, BCT) on SrRuO3 (strontium ruthenate, SRO) and deposited on SrTiO3 (strontium titanate, STO) single crystalline substrate using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. We investigated the structural, electrical, dielectric, and pyroelectric properties of the above-mentioned fabricated heterostructures. The wide range of θ–2θ X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns only shows (00l) reflection peaks of heterostructures and the substrate which confirmed that the films are highly c-axis oriented. We are also capable to convert the low-grade waste-heat into electrical energy by measuring various temperature-dependent ferroelectric hysteresis loops of our nanostructure films via pyroelectric Ericsson cycles and the structures show an energy conversion density ~ 10,970 kJ/m3 per cycle. These devices exhibit a large pyroelectric current density of ~ 25 mA/m2 with 11.8 °C of temperature fluctuation and the corresponding pyroelectric coefficient of 3425 μC/m2K. Our research findings suggest that these lead-free relaxor-ferroelectric heterostructures might be the potential candidates to harvest electrical energy from waste low-grade thermal energy.
Automated spectroscopic modelling with optimised convolutional neural networks
Authors: Shen Zefang , Viscarra Rossel R. A.
Published: January 2021

Convolutional neural networks (CNN) for spectroscopic modelling are currently tuned manually, and the effects of their hyperparameters are not analysed. These can result in sub-optimal models. Here, we propose an approach to tune one-dimensional CNN (1D-CNNs) automatically. It consists of a parametric representation of 1D-CNNs and an optimisation of hyperparameters to maximise a model’s performance. We used a large European soil spectroscopic database to demonstrate our approach for estimating soil organic carbon (SOC) contents. To assess the optimisation, we compared it to random search, and to understand the effects of the hyperparameters, we calculated their importance using functional Analysis of Variance. Compared to random search, the optimisation produced better final results and showed faster convergence. The optimal model produced the most accurate estimates of SOC with $$\hbox {RMSE} = 9.67 \pm 0.51$$

RMSE
=
9.67
±
0.51

(s.d.) and $${R}^2 = 0.89 \pm 0.013$$

R

2

=
0.89
±
0.013

(s.d.). The hyperparameters associated with model training and architecture critically affected the model’s performance, while those related to the spectral preprocessing had little effect. The optimisation searched through a complex hyperparameter space and returned an optimal 1D-CNN. Our approach simplified the development of 1D-CNNs for spectroscopic modelling by automatically selecting hyperparameters and preprocessing methods. Hyperparameter importance analysis shed light on the tuning process and increased the model’s reliability.
Description of first nursery area for a pygmy devil ray species (Mobula munkiana) in the Gulf of California, Mexico
Authors: Palacios Marta D. , Hoyos-Padilla Edgar M. , Trejo-Ramírez Abel , Croll Donald A. , Galván-Magaña Felipe , Zilliacus Kelly M. , O’Sullivan John B. , Ketchum James T. , González-Armas Rogelio
Published: January 2021

Munk’s pygmy devil rays (Mobula munkiana) are medium-size, zooplanktivorous filter feeding, elasmobranchs characterized by aggregative behavior, low fecundity and delayed reproduction. These traits make them susceptible to targeted and by-catch fisheries and are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Multiple studies have examined fisheries impacts, but nursery areas or foraging neonate and juvenile concentrations have not been examined. This study describes the first nursery area for M. munkiana at Espiritu Santo Archipelago, Mexico. We examined spatial use of a shallow bay during 22 consecutive months in relation to environmental patterns using traditional tagging (n = 95) and acoustic telemetry (n = 7). Neonates and juveniles comprised 84% of tagged individuals and their residency index was significantly greater inside than outside the bay; spending a maximum of 145 consecutive days within the bay. Observations of near-term pregnant females, mating behavior, and neonates indicate an April to June pupping period. Anecdotal photograph review indicated that the nursery area is used by neonates and juveniles across years. These findings confirm, for the first time, the existence of nursery areas for Munk’s pygmy devil rays and the potential importance of shallow bays during early life stages for the conservation of this species.
Nanoscale observation of PM2.5 incorporated into mammalian cells using scanning electron-assisted dielectric microscope
Authors: Okada Tomoko , Iwayama Tomoaki , Murakami Shinya , Torimura Masaki , Ogura Toshihiko
Published: January 2021

PM2.5 has been correlated with risk factors for various diseases and infections. It promotes tissue injury by direct effects of particle components. However, effects of PM2.5 on cells have not been fully investigated. Recently, we developed a novel imaging technology, scanning electron-assisted dielectric-impedance microscopy (SE-ADM), which enables observation of various biological specimens in aqueous solution. In this study, we successfully observed PM2.5 incorporated into living mammalian cells in culture media. Our system directly revealed the process of PM2.5 aggregation in the cells at a nanometre resolution. Further, we found that the PM2.5 aggregates in the intact cells were surrounded by intracellular membrane-like structures of low-density in the SE-ADM images. Moreover, the PM2.5 aggregates were shown by confocal Raman microscopy to be located inside the cells rather than on the cell surface. We expect our method to be applicable to the observation of various nanoparticles inside cells in culture media.
Establishment of an efficient in vitro propagation protocol for Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) and confirmation of the genetic homogeneity
Authors: Amiri Saleh , Mohammadi Reza
Published: January 2021

The conventional reproduction methods are not efficient for regeneration of Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.). The purpose of this work was to study the micropropagation of R. coriaria using lateral buds as explant in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different concentrations of plant growth regulator (PGRs). Four concentrations of Benzylaminopurine (BAP) in combination with three concentrations of indol-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 1.0 mg/L gibberellic acid (GA3) were tested for establishment and shoot multiplication. For root induction, IBA was used at four levels combined with 0, 0.5 and 1 mg/L of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) in full and half strength of MS medium. BAP at 2 mg/L with 1 mg/L IBA was best, with 88.88% of establishment. The highest shoot proliferation (12.30 ± 0.30) was obtained in medium fortified with 2 mg/L BAP plus 0.5 mg/L IBA and the highest shoot length (8.50 cm) was obtained at 3 mg/L BAP plus 1 mg/L IBA. The highest rooting (100%) was observed in 1/2-strength MS medium containing 1 mg/L IBA with 0.5 mg/L NAA. In conclusion, an efficient protocol with high rate of proliferation and rooting is described for R. coriaria, which can be used in massive propagation.
Surgical outcomes after collagenase Clostridium histolyticum failure in patients with Peyronie’s disease in a multicenter clinical study
Authors: Cocci Andrea , Ralph David , Djinovic Rados , Hatzichristodoulou Georgios , Morelli Girolamo , Salonia Andrea , Capogrosso Paolo , Romano Andrea , Cito Gianmartin , Di Maida Fabrizio , Fernández-Pascual Esaú , Romero-Otero Javier , Egydio Paulo , Falcone Marco , Preto Mirko , Chiriacò Giovanni , Beck Jack , Albersen Maarten , Minhas Suks , Cacciamani Giovanni , Salamanca Juan Ignacio Martinez , Mondani Nicola , Minervini Andrea , Russo Giorgio Ivan
Published: January 2021

In the present study we aimed to investigate the surgical outcomes of patients with persistent penile curvature (PC) after Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) intraplaque injections. Data from 90 patients with persistent PC after CCH in a multicentre study from 6 andrological centres were retrospectively reviewed. Three standardized surgical techniques were performed. Group 1: plaque incision grafting (PIG) with penile prosthesis implant (PPI); Group 2: PIG without PPI; Group 3: Nesbit technique. Hospital stay, operative time, postoperative complications and PC persistency/recurrence (> 20°) were evaluated. Overall satisfaction and functional outcomes were assessed through International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function (IIEF-EF), Peyronie’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) administered pre and 3 months postoperatively. Of all, 25 (27.8%) patients received grafting procedure + PPI (Group 1), 18 (20.0%) patients belonged to Group 2, and 47 (52.2%) to Group 3. Bovine pericardium graft and collagen fleece have been used in in 22 (51.2%) and 21 (48.8%) patients, respectively. Median penile length after surgery was 13.0 cm (IQR 12.0–15.0). After surgery, Group 1 showed higher increase in penile length after surgery and better improvements in terms of PDQ-PS. In contrast, both IIEF-EF and FSFI scores did not differ among groups. Overall, 86 (95.6%) did not report any complication. 4 (4.4%) patients had PC recurrence; of those, 2 (8.0%), 1 (5.6%) and 1 (2.1%) cases were observed in Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3, respectively. In case of persistent PC after CCH, surgical correction by grafting with or without concomitant PPI or Nesbit technique emerged as a technically feasible, effective and safe procedure, with no significant postoperative complications.
Upshot of heterogeneous catalysis in a nanofluid flow over a rotating disk with slip effects and Entropy optimization analysis
Authors: Ramzan Muhammad , Riasat Saima , Chung Jae Dong , Chu Yu-Ming , Sheikholeslami M. , Kadry Seifedine , Howari Fares
Published: January 2021

The present study examines homogeneous (HOM)–heterogeneous (HET) reaction in magnetohydrodynamic flow through a porous media on the surface of a rotating disk. Preceding investigations mainly concentrated on the catalysis for the rotating disk; we modeled the impact of HET catalysis in a permeable media over a rotating disk with slip condition at the boundary. The HOM reaction is followed by isothermal cubic autocatalysis, however, the HET reactions occur on the surface governed by first-order kinetics. Additionally, entropy minimization analysis is also conducted for the envisioned mathematical model. The similarity transformations are employed to convert the envisaged model into a non-dimensional form. The system of the modeled problem with ordinary differential equations is analyzed numerically by using MATLAB built-in bvp4c function. The behavior of the emerging parameters versus the thermal, concentration, and velocity distributions are depicted graphically with requisite discussion abiding the thumb rules. It is learned that the rate of the surface catalyzed reaction is strengthened if the interfacial area of the permeable media is enhanced. Thus, a spongy medium can significantly curtail the reaction time. It is also noticed that the amplitude of velocity and thermal profile is maximum for the smallest value of the velocity slip parameter. Heat transfer rate declines for thermophoresis and the Brownian motion parameter with respect to the thermal slip parameter. The cogency of the developed model is also validated by making a comparison of the existing results with a published article under some constraints. Excellent harmony between the two results is noted.
Relationship between the frequency of electrocautery of Hunner lesions and changes in bladder capacity in patients with Hunner type interstitial cystitis
Authors: Akiyama Yoshiyuki , Zaitsu Masayoshi , Watanabe Daiji , Yoshimura Itsuki , Niimi Aya , Nomiya Akira , Yamada Yuta , Sato Yusuke , Nakamura Masaki , Kawai Taketo , Yamada Daisuke , Suzuki Motofumi , Kume Haruki , Homma Yukio
Published: January 2021

Electrocautery is a promising treatment option for patients with Hunner type interstitial cystitis (HIC), but frequently requires multiple sessions due to recurrence of the lesions. In the present study, we assessed the relationship between the frequency of electrocautery of Hunner lesions and changes in maximum bladder capacity (MBC) at hydrodistension in a large cohort of 118 HIC patients. Three mixed-effect linear regression analyses were conducted for MBC against (1) the number of sessions; (2) the number of sessions and the time between each session and the first session; and (3) other relevant clinical parameters in addition to the Model (2). The mean number of sessions was 2.8 times. MBC decreased approximately 50 mL for each additional electrocautery session, but this loss was offset by 10 mL for each year the subsequent session was postponed. MBC of < 400 mL at the first session was a significant risk factor for MBC loss with further sessions. No other clinical parameters were associated with MBC over time. This study demonstrates a significant relationship between the frequency of electrocautery of Hunner lesions and MBC changes in HIC patients. Low MBC at the first session is a poor prognostic marker for MBC loss over multiple sessions.
Transcranial direct current stimulation of the posterior parietal cortex biases human hand choice
Authors: Hirayama Kento , Koga Takayuki , Takahashi Toru , Osu Rieko
Published: January 2021

Hand choices—deciding which hand to use to reach for targets—represent continuous, daily, unconscious decisions. The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) contralateral to the selected hand is activated during a hand-choice task, and disruption of left PPC activity with a single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation prior to the execution of the motion suppresses the choice to use the right hand but not vice versa. These findings imply the involvement of either bilateral or left PPC in hand choice. To determine whether the effects of PPC’s activity are essential and/or symmetrical in hand choice, we increased or decreased PPC excitability in 16 healthy participants using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS; 10 min, 2 mA, 5 × 7 cm) and examined its online and residual effects on hand-choice probability and reaction time. After the right PPC was stimulated with an anode and the left PPC with a cathode, the probability of left-hand choice significantly increased and reaction time significantly decreased. However, no significant changes were observed with the stimulation of the right PPC with a cathode and the left PPC with an anode. These findings, thus, reveal the asymmetry of PPC-mediated regulation in hand choice.
Pure thermal spin current and perfect spin-filtering with negative differential thermoelectric resistance induced by proximity effect in graphene/silicene junctions
Authors: Gholami Zainab , Khoeini Farhad
Published: January 2021

The spin-dependent Seebeck effect (SDSE) and thermal spin-filtering effect (SFE) are now considered as the essential aspects of the spin caloritronics, which can efficiently explore the relationships between the spin and heat transport in the materials. However, there is still a challenge to get a thermally-induced spin current with no thermal electron current. This paper aims to numerically investigate the spin-dependent transport properties in hybrid graphene/silicene nanoribbons (GSNRs), using the nonequilibrium Green’s function method. The effects of temperature gradient between the left and right leads, the ferromagnetic exchange field, and the local external electric fields are also included. The results showed that the spin-up and spin-down currents are produced and flow in opposite directions with almost equal magnitudes. This evidently shows that the carrier transport is dominated by the thermal spin current, whereas the thermal electron current is almost disappeared. A pure thermal spin current with the finite threshold temperatures can be obtained by modulating the temperature, and a negative differential thermoelectric resistance is obtained for the thermal electron current. A nearly zero charge thermopower is also obtained, which further demonstrates the emergence of the SDSE. The response of the hybrid system is then varied by changing the magnitudes of the ferromagnetic exchange field and local external electric fields. Thus, a nearly perfect SFE can be observed at room temperature, whereas the spin polarization efficiency is reached up to 99%. It is believed that the results obtained from this study can be useful to well understand the inspiring thermospin phenomena, and to enhance the spin caloritronics material with lower energy consumption.
Fully automated preoperative segmentation of temporal bone structures from clinical CT scans
Authors: Neves C. A. , Tran E. D. , Kessler I. M. , Blevins N. H.
Published: January 2021

Middle- and inner-ear surgery is a vital treatment option in hearing loss, infections, and tumors of the lateral skull base. Segmentation of otologic structures from computed tomography (CT) has many potential applications for improving surgical planning but can be an arduous and time-consuming task. We propose an end-to-end solution for the automated segmentation of temporal bone CT using convolutional neural networks (CNN). Using 150 manually segmented CT scans, a comparison of 3 CNN models (AH-Net, U-Net, ResNet) was conducted to compare Dice coefficient, Hausdorff distance, and speed of segmentation of the inner ear, ossicles, facial nerve and sigmoid sinus. Using AH-Net, the Dice coefficient was 0.91 for the inner ear; 0.85 for the ossicles; 0.75 for the facial nerve; and 0.86 for the sigmoid sinus. The average Hausdorff distance was 0.25, 0.21, 0.24 and 0.45 mm, respectively. Blinded experts assessed the accuracy of both techniques, and there was no statistical difference between the ratings for the two methods (p = 0.93). Objective and subjective assessment confirm good correlation between automated segmentation of otologic structures and manual segmentation performed by a specialist. This end-to-end automated segmentation pipeline can help to advance the systematic application of augmented reality, simulation, and automation in otologic procedures.
Shift in polar benthic community structure in a fast retreating glacial area of Marian Cove, West Antarctica
Authors: Bae Hanna , Ahn In-Young , Park Jinsoon , Song Sung Joon , Noh Junsung , Kim Hosang , Khim Jong Seong
Published: January 2021

Glacier retreat is a major long-standing global issue; however, the ecological impacts of such retreats on marine organisms remain unanswered. Here, we examined changes to the polar benthic community structure of “diatoms” under current global warming in a recently retreated glacial area of Marian Cove, Antarctica. The environments and spatiotemporal assemblages of benthic diatoms surveyed in 2018–2019 significantly varied between the intertidal (tidal height of 2.5 m) and subtidal zone (10 and 30 m). A distinct floral distribution along the cove (~ 4.5 km) was characterized by the adaptive strategy of species present, with chain-forming species predominating near the glacier. The predominant chain-forming diatoms, such asFragilaria striatulaandParaliasp., are widely distributed in the innermost cove over years, indicating sensitive responses of benthic species to the fast-evolving polar environment. The site-specific and substrate-dependent distributions of certain indicator species (e.g.,F. striatula,Navicula glaciei,Cocconeiscf.pinnata) generally reflected such shifts in the benthic community. Our review revealed that the inner glacier region reflected trophic association, featured with higher diversity, abundance, and biomass of benthic diatoms and macrofauna. Overall, the polar benthic community shift observed along the cove generally represented changing environmental conditions, (in)directly linked to ice-melting due to the recent glacier retreat.
Establish axenic cultures of armored and unarmored marine dinoflagellate species using density separation, antibacterial treatments and stepwise dilution selection
Authors: Lee Thomas Chun-Hung , Chan Ping-Lung , Tam Nora Fung-Yee , Xu Steven Jing-Liang , Lee Fred Wang-Fat
Published: January 2021

Academic research on dinoflagellate, the primary causative agent of harmful algal blooms (HABs), is often hindered by the coexistence with bacteria in laboratory cultures. The development of axenic dinoflagellate cultures is challenging and no universally accepted method suit for different algal species. In this study, we demonstrated a promising approach combined density gradient centrifugation, antibiotic treatment, and serial dilution to generate axenic cultures ofKarenia mikimotoi(KMHK). Density gradient centrifugation and antibiotic treatments reduced the bacterial population from 5.79 ± 0.22 log10CFU/mL to 1.13 ± 0.07 log10CFU/mL. The treated KMHK cells were rendered axenic through serial dilution, and algal cells in different dilutions with the absence of unculturable bacteria were isolated. Axenicity was verified through bacterial (16S) and fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing and DAPI epifluorescence microscopy. Axenic KMHK culture regrew from 1000 to 9408 cells/mL in 7 days, comparable with a normal culture. The established methodology was validated with other dinoflagellate,Alexandrium tamarense(AT6) and successfully obtained the axenic culture. The axenic status of both cultures was maintained more than 30 generations without antibiotics. This efficient, straightforward and inexpensive approach suits for both armored and unarmored dinoflagellate species.
Moderate rate of implementation of spinal anesthesia for cesarean section: does it improve neonatal well-being? A case–control study
Authors: Sugo Yuki , Kubota Mirei , Niwa Hidetomo , Hirota Kazuyoshi
Published: January 2021

Before 2013, almost none of the cesarean section (CS) deliveries at our institution were performed with spinal anesthesia (SA), but after 2013 SA became the first-choice anesthesia for CS because it achieved better neonatal outcomes. However, the current rate of SA implementation at our institution was estimated to be approx. 60–70%, which is intermediate between these at other institutions in Japan or in other countries. This raises a question: What rate of SA use among CS cases achieves the best neonatal outcomes? To answer this question, we conducted this single-center case–control study with 1326 CS cases between 1994 and 2017 and compared the neonatal outcomes before to those after 2013. The logistic regression models were prepared to estimate the risk of birth asphyxia defined as a 5-min Apgar of < 7, associated with eight potential confounders, including the modified anesthetic protocol. The modified protocol was not a significant independent factor for neonatal asphyxia, indicating that our moderate SA priority protocol did not improve the neonatal outcomes even when compared to the outcomes at a 0% SA rate. A > 70% rate of SA implementation may be needed to provide better neonatal outcomes.
Synergistic protective effect of Beta vulgaris with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid against lead-induced neurotoxicity in male rats
Authors: Shaban Nadia Z. , Abd El-Kader Sara E. , Mogahed Fayed A. K. , El-Kersh Mohamed A. L. , Habashy Noha H.
Published: January 2021

Lead (Pb) toxicity is one of the most prevalent causes of human neurotoxicity. The available chelator drugs used now have many adverse effects. So, in this study, the protective role of Betavulgaris juice (BVJ) on rat neurotoxicity induced by Pb was evaluated and the results were compared with the results of dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA, as used drug). Additionally, the synergistic effect of BVJ and DMSA against Pb-induced neurotoxicity was assessed. The study focused on the determination of the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neurological potential of BVJ (alone, and with DMSA) towards lead-induced neurotoxicity. Also, the characterization of BVJ was studied. The results showed that BVJ contains considerable quantities of polyphenols, triterpenoids, and betalains which play an important role as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory. BVJ exhibited a protective effect against neurotoxicity via the reduction of Pb levels in blood and brain. Moreover, BVJ decreased the oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death induced by Pb. Also, BVJ regulated the activities of acetylcholine esterase and monoamine oxidase-A which changed by Pb toxicity. BVJ and DMSA combination displayed a synergistic antineurotoxic effect (combination index ˂ 1). These results were in harmony with brain histopathology. Conclusion: BVJ has a powerful efficacy in the protection from brain toxicity via diminishing Pb in the brain and blood circulation, resulting in the prevention of the oxidative and inflammatory stress. Treatment with BVJ in combination with DMSA revealed a synergistic effect in the reduction of neurotoxicity induced by Pb. Also, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the BVJ lead to the improvement of DMSA therapy.
Genetic structure analysis of cultivated and wild chestnut populations reveals gene flow from cultivars to natural stands
Authors: Nishio Sogo , Takada Norio , Terakami Shingo , Takeuchi Yukie , Kimura Megumi K. , Isoda Keiya , Saito Toshihiro , Iketani Hiroyuki
Published: January 2021

Japanese chestnut (Castanea crenata Sieb. et Zucc.), the only fruit tree species domesticated in Japan, has been cultivated alongside natural stands since prehistorical times. Understanding the genetic diversity of this species and the relationships between cultivated and wild chestnut is important for clarifying its breeding history and determining conservation strategies. We assessed 3 chestnut cultivar populations and 29 wild chestnut populations (618 accessions). Genetic distance analysis revealed that wild populations in the Kyushu region are genetically distant from other populations, whereas other wild and cultivar populations are comparatively similar. Assignment tests suggested that cultivars were relatively similar to populations from central to western Honshu. Bayesian structure analyses showed that wild individuals were roughly classified according to geographical distribution along the Japanese archipelago, except that some wild individuals carried the genetic cluster prevalent in cultivars. Parentage analyses between cultivars and wild individuals identified 26 wild individuals presumed to have a parent–offspring relationship with a cultivar. These results suggested that the genetic structure of some wild individuals in natural stands was influenced by gene flow from cultivars. To conserve wild individuals carrying true “wild” genetic clusters, these individuals should be collected and preserved by ex situ conservation programs.
Morphogenesis and evolution mechanisms of bacterially-induced struvite
Authors: Zhao Tian-Lei , Li Han , Jiang Hao-Fan , Yao Qi-Zhi , Huang Ying , Zhou Gen-Tao
Published: January 2021

Bacteria are able to induce struvite precipitation, and modify struvite morphology, leading to the mineral with various growth habits. However, the relevant work involving the morphogenesis is limited, thereby obstructing our understanding of bacterially mediated struvite mineralization. Here, an actinomycete Microbacterium marinum sp. nov. H207 was chosen to study its effect on struvite morphology. A combination of bacterial mineralization and biomimetic mineralization techniques was adopted. The bacterial mineralization results showed that strain H207 could induce the formation of struvite with grouping structure (i.e., a small coffin-like crystal grown on a large trapezoid-like substrate crystal), and the overgrowth structure gradually disappeared, while the substrate crystal further evolved into coffin-like, and quadrangular tabular morphology with time. The biomimetic experiments with different organic components confirmed that the soluble macromolecules rich in electronegative carboxyl groups secreted by strain H207 dominate the formation of the struvite grouping. The time-course biomimetic experiments with supernatant testified that the increase in pH and NH4+ content promoted the evolution of crystal habits. Moreover, the evolution process of substrate crystal can be divided into two stages. At the first stage, the crystal grew along the crystallographic b axis. At the later stage, coupled dissolution–precipitation process occurred, and the crystals grew along the corners (i.e., [110] and [1-10] directions). In the case of dissolution, it was also found that the (00-1) face of substrate crystal preferentially dissolved, which results from the low initial phosphate content and high PO43− density on this face. As a result, present work can provide a deeper insight into bio-struvite mineralization.
Increased lead concentrations in the hairs of radiographers in general hospitals
Authors: Hung Mao-Chin , Chang Peter
Published: January 2021

This study investigated lead concentrations in the hairs of radiographers working in the radiological departments of general hospitals that used lead shielding for radiation protection. We collected scalp hair samples from 32 radiographers working in four radiology departments with lead shielding and 18 administration personnel in the same hospitals without lead shielding. Samples were analyzed for lead concentrations by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. As a result, lead concentrations in the hairs of the radiological technologists were significantly higher than those in the administration staffs (0.72 ± 0.51 vs. 0.19 ± 0.27 μg/g, P < 0.001). The hair lead concentrations were positively and significantly associated with environmental lead concentrations (r = 0.6, P = 0.001), but not associated with age, working duration, and gender distribution.
The gravistimulation-induced very slow Ca2+ increase in Arabidopsis seedlings requires MCA1, a Ca2+-permeable mechanosensitive channel
Authors: Nakano Masataka , Furuichi Takuya , Sokabe Masahiro , Iida Hidetoshi , Tatsumi Hitoshi
Published: January 2021

Gravity is a critical environmental factor affecting the morphology and function of plants on Earth. Gravistimulation triggered by changes in the gravity vector induces an increase in the cytoplasmic free calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]c) as an early process of gravity sensing; however, its role and molecular mechanism are still unclear. When seedlings of Arabidopsis thaliana expressing apoaequorin were rotated from the upright position to the upside-down position, a biphasic [Ca2+]c-increase composed of a fast-transient [Ca2+]c-increase followed by a slow [Ca2+]c-increase was observed. We find here a novel type [Ca2+]c-increase, designated a very slow [Ca2+]c-increase that is observed when the seedlings were rotated back to the upright position from the upside-down position. The very slow [Ca2+]c-increase was strongly attenuated in knockout seedlings defective in MCA1, a mechanosensitive Ca2+-permeable channel (MSCC), and was partially restored in MCA1-complemented seedlings. The mechanosensitive ion channel blocker, gadolinium, blocked the very slow [Ca2+]c-increase. This is the first report suggesting the possible involvement of MCA1 in an early event related to gravity sensing in Arabidopsis seedlings.
Electric field induced giant valley polarization in two dimensional ferromagnetic WSe2/CrSnSe3 heterostructure
Authors: Khan Imran , Marfoua Brahim , Hong Jisang
Published: January 2021

Valleytronics is receiving extensive research efforts. Thus, we investigated the electric field-induced valley polarization in the WSe2/CrSnSe3 heterostructures by varying the stacking order. The heterostructure shows indirect band gaps of 270 and 330 meV in the two most stable structures. The WSe2/CrSnSe3 heterostructure displays a ferromagnetic ground state with out-of-plane anisotropy (0.02 meV) in one stable stacking (S-1) while a small in-plane anisotropy (−0.01 meV) is found in other stacking (S-2). The Curie temperature is slightly enhanced to 73 K compared to the monolayer CrSnSe3. We have found the valley splitting of 4 meV in S-1 whereas it became 9 meV in the S-2 system. The valley splitting is further enhanced if an electric field is applied from CrSnSe3 to the WSe2 layer whereas it is suppressed in the reversed electric field. Particularly, the S-2 structure shows a giant valley splitting of 67 meV at an electric field of 0.6 V Å−1. We attribute this electric field-dependency to the dipolar effect. Overall, we propose that the WSe2/CrSnSe3 heterostructure can be a potential structure for obtaining a giant valley splitting.
Imaging and identification of point defects in PtTe2
Authors: Zhussupbekov Kuanysh , Ansari Lida , McManus John B. , Zhussupbekova Ainur , Shvets Igor V. , Duesberg Georg S. , Hurley Paul K. , Gity Farzan , Ó Coileáin Cormac , McEvoy Niall
Published: January 2021

The properties and performance of two-dimensional (2D) materials can be greatly affected by point defects. PtTe2, a 2D material that belongs to the group 10 transition metal dichalcogenides, is a type-II Dirac semimetal, which has gained a lot of attention recently due to its potential for applications in catalysis, photonics, and spintronics. Here, we provide an experimental and theoretical investigation of point defects on and near the surface of PtTe2. Using scanning tunneling microscopy and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) measurements, in combination with first-principle calculations, we identify and characterize five common surface and subsurface point defects. The influence of these defects on the electronic structure of PtTe2 is explored in detail through grid STS measurements and complementary density functional theory calculations. We believe these findings will be of significance to future efforts to engineer point defects in PtTe2, which is an interesting and enticing approach to tune the charge-carrier mobility and electron–hole recombination rates, as well as the site reactivity for catalysis.
Ventral pallidum neurons dynamically signal relative threat
Authors: Moaddab Mahsa , Ray Madelyn H. , McDannald Michael A.
Published: January 2021

The ventral pallidum (VP) is anatomically poised to contribute to threat behavior. Recent studies report a VP population that scales firing increases to reward but decreases firing to aversive cues. Here, we tested whether firing decreases in VP neurons serve as a neural signal for relative threat. Single-unit activity was recorded while male rats discriminated cues predicting unique foot shock probabilities. Rats’ behavior and VP single-unit firing discriminated danger, uncertainty, and safety cues. Two populations of VP neurons dynamically signaled relative threat, decreasing firing according to foot shock probability during early cue presentation, but disproportionately decreasing firing to uncertain threat as foot shock drew near. One relative threat population increased firing to reward, consistent with a bi-directional signal for general value. The second population was unresponsive to reward, revealing a specific signal for relative threat. The results reinforce anatomy to reveal the VP as a neural source of a dynamic, relative threat signal.
MicroRNAs from Snellenius manilae bracovirus regulate innate and cellular immune responses of its host Spodoptera litura
Authors: Tang Cheng-Kang , Tsai Chih-Hsuan , Wu Carol-P. , Lin Yu-Hsien , Wei Sung-Chan , Lu Yun-Heng , Li Cheng-Hsun , Wu Yueh-Lung
Published: January 2021

To avoid inducing immune and physiological responses in insect hosts, parasitoid wasps have developed several mechanisms to inhibit them during parasitism, including the production of venom, specialized wasp cells, and symbioses with polydnaviruses (PDVs). These mechanisms alter the host physiology to give the wasp offspring a greater chance of survival. However, the molecular mechanisms for most of these alterations remain unclear. In the present study, we applied next-generation sequencing analysis and identified several miRNAs that were encoded in the genome of Snellenius manilae bracovirus (SmBV), and expressed in the host larvae, Spodoptera litura, during parasitism. Among these miRNAs, SmBV-miR-199b-5p and SmBV-miR-2989 were found to target domeless and toll-7 in the host, which are involved in the host innate immune responses. Microinjecting the inhibitors of these two miRNAs into parasitized S. litura larvae not only severely decreased the pupation rate of Snellenius manilae, but also restored the phagocytosis and encapsulation activity of the hemocytes. The results demonstrate that these two SmBV-encoded miRNAs play an important role in suppressing the immune responses of parasitized hosts. Overall, our study uncovers the functions of two SmBV-encoded miRNAs in regulating the host innate immune responses upon wasp parasitism.
An electron transfer competent structural ensemble of membrane-bound cytochrome P450 1A1 and cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase
Authors: Mukherjee Goutam , Nandekar Prajwal P. , Wade Rebecca C.
Published: January 2021

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) heme monooxygenases require two electrons for their catalytic cycle. For mammalian microsomal CYPs, key enzymes for xenobiotic metabolism and steroidogenesis and important drug targets and biocatalysts, the electrons are transferred by NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (CPR). No structure of a mammalian CYP–CPR complex has been solved experimentally, hindering understanding of the determinants of electron transfer (ET), which is often rate-limiting for CYP reactions. Here, we investigated the interactions between membrane-bound CYP 1A1, an antitumor drug target, and CPR by a multiresolution computational approach. We find that upon binding to CPR, the CYP 1A1 catalytic domain becomes less embedded in the membrane and reorients, indicating that CPR may affect ligand passage to the CYP active site. Despite the constraints imposed by membrane binding, we identify several arrangements of CPR around CYP 1A1 that are compatible with ET. In the complexes, the interactions of the CPR FMN domain with the proximal side of CYP 1A1 are supplemented by more transient interactions of the CPR NADP domain with the distal side of CYP 1A1. Computed ET rates and pathways agree well with available experimental data and suggest why the CYP–CPR ET rates are low compared to those of soluble bacterial CYPs.
AdipoR agonist increases insulin sensitivity and exercise endurance in AdipoR-humanized mice
Authors: Iwabu Masato , Okada-Iwabu Miki , Tanabe Hiroaki , Ohuchi Nozomi , Miyata Keiko , Kobori Toshiko , Odawara Sara , Kadowaki Yuri , Yokoyama Shigeyuki , Yamauchi Toshimasa , Kadowaki Takashi
Published: January 2021

Adiponectin receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 exert anti-diabetic effects. Although muscle-specific disruption of AdipoR1 has been shown to result in decreased insulin sensitivity and decreased exercise endurance, it remains to be determined whether upregulation of AdipoR1 could reverse them in obese diabetic mice. Here, we show that muscle-specific expression of human AdipoR1 increased expression levels of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative stress-detoxification to almost the same extents as treadmill exercise, and concomitantly increased insulin sensitivity and exercise endurance in obese diabetic mice. Moreover, we created AdipoR-humanized mice which express human AdipoR1 in muscle of AdipoR1·R2 double-knockout mice. Most importantly, the small-molecule AdipoR agonist AdipoRon could exert its beneficial effects in muscle via human AdipoR, and increased insulin sensitivity and exercise endurance in AdipoR-humanized mice. This study suggests that expression of human AdipoR1 in skeletal muscle could be exercise-mimetics, and that AdipoRon could exert its beneficial effects via human AdipoR1.
Curbing gastrointestinal infections by defensin fragment modifications without harming commensal microbiota
Authors: Koeninger Louis , Osbelt Lisa , Berscheid Anne , Wendler Judith , Berger Jürgen , Hipp Katharina , Lesker Till R. , Pils Marina C. , Malek Nisar P. , Jensen Benjamin A. H. , Brötz-Oesterhelt Heike , Strowig Till , Jan Wehkamp
Published: January 2021

The occurrence and spread of multidrug-resistant pathogens, especially bacteria from the ESKAPE panel, increases the risk to succumb to untreatable infections. We developed a novel antimicrobial peptide, Pam-3, with antibacterial and antibiofilm properties to counter this threat. The peptide is based on an eight-amino acid carboxyl-terminal fragment of human β-defensin 1. Pam-3 exhibited prominent antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant ESKAPE pathogens and additionally eradicated already established biofilms in vitro, primarily by disrupting membrane integrity of its target cell. Importantly, prolonged exposure did not result in drug-resistance to Pam-3. In mouse models, Pam-3 selectively reduced acute intestinal Salmonella and established Citrobacter infections, without compromising the core microbiota, hence displaying an added benefit to traditional broad-spectrum antibiotics. In conclusion, our data support the development of defensin-derived antimicrobial agents as a novel approach to fight multidrug-resistant bacteria, where Pam-3 appears as a particularly promising microbiota-preserving candidate.
A unified framework for herbivore-to-producer biomass ratio reveals the relative influence of four ecological factors
Authors: Kazama Takehiro , Urabe Jotaro , Yamamichi Masato , Tokita Kotaro , Yin Xuwang , Katano Izumi , Doi Hideyuki , Yoshida Takehito , Hairston Nelson G.
Published: January 2021

The biomass ratio of herbivores to primary producers reflects the structure of a community. Four primary factors have been proposed to affect this ratio, including production rate, defense traits and nutrient contents of producers, and predation by carnivores. However, identifying the joint effects of these factors across natural communities has been elusive, in part because of the lack of a framework for examining their effects simultaneously. Here, we develop a framework based on Lotka–Volterra equations for examining the effects of these factors on the biomass ratio. We then utilize it to test if these factors simultaneously affect the biomass ratio of freshwater plankton communities. We found that all four factors contributed significantly to the biomass ratio, with carnivore abundance having the greatest effect, followed by producer stoichiometric nutrient content. Thus, the present framework should be useful for examining the multiple factors shaping various types of communities, both aquatic and terrestrial.
Stretchable micro-scale concentrator photovoltaic module with 15.4% efficiency for three-dimensional curved surfaces
Authors: Sato Daisuke , Masuda Taizo , Araki Kenji , Yamaguchi Masafumi , Okumura Kenichi , Sato Akinori , Tomizawa Ryota , Yamada Noboru
Published: January 2021

Stretchable photovoltaics are emerging power sources for collapsible electronics, biomedical devices, and buildings and vehicles with curved surfaces. Development of stretchable photovoltaics are crucial to achieve rapid growth of the future photovoltaic market. However, owing to their rigidity, existing thin-film solar cells based predominantly on silicon, compound semiconductors, and perovskites are difficult to apply to 3D curved surfaces, which are potential real-world candidates. Herein, we present a stretchable micro-scale concentrator photovoltaic module with a geometrical concentration ratio of 3.5×. When perfectly fitted on a 3D curved surface with a sharp curvature, the prototype module achieves an outdoor power conversion efficiency of 15.4% and the daily generated electricity yield improves to a maximum of 190% relative to a non-concentration stretchable photovoltaic module. Thus, this module design enables high areal coverage on 3D curved surfaces, while generating a higher electricity yield in a limited installation area.
Rapid synthesis of multifunctional β-cyclodextrin nanospheres as alkali-responsive nanocarriers and selective antibiotic adsorbents
Authors: Li Qiuju , Wang Dandan , Fang Xian , Zong Boyang , Liu Ying , Li Zhuo , Mao Shun , Ostrikov Kostya Ken
Published: January 2021

β-Cyclodextrin nanospheres are synthesized through a new strategy and demonstrate excellent performance as alkali-responsive nanocarriers and selective antibiotic adsorbents.
Experimental determination of charge carrier dynamics in carbon nitride heterojunctions
Authors: Mitchell Emma , Law Abigail , Godin Robert
Published: January 2021

We review the current understanding of charge carrier dynamics in carbon nitride heterojunctions and highlight open questions in the field.
Unimolecular artificial transmembrane channels showing reversible ligand-gating behavior
Authors: Xiao Qi , Haoyang Wei-Wei , Lin Tao , Li Zhan-Ting , Zhang Dan-Wei , Hou Jun-Li
Published: January 2021

Unimolecular transmembrane channels constructed from bisresorcinarene backbone exhibited reversible ligand-gating behavior in reresponse to alkyl amine and Cu2+.
The role of surface hydroxyl groups on a single-atomic Rh1/ZrO2 catalyst for direct methane oxidation
Authors: Kim Gunjoo , Kwon Gihun , Lee Hyunjoo
Published: January 2021

The surface hydroxyl groups on an Rh1/ZrO2 catalyst could enhance methanol productivity for direct methane conversion.