bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of a phytogenic, alone and associated with potassium diformate, on tilapia growth, immunity, gut microbiome and resistance against francisellosis
Authors: Suphoronski S. A. , Chideroli R. T. , Facimoto C. T. , Mainardi R. M. , Souza F. P. , Lopera-Barrero N. M. , Jesus G. F. A. , Martins M. L. , Di Santis G. W. , de Oliveira A. , Gonçalves G. S. , Dari R. , Frouel S. , Pereira U. P.
Published: April 2019

This work evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation of A-Live (phytogenic) either individually or in combination with Aquaform (potassium diformate, acidifier) on juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) growth performance, innate immune parameters, gut microbiome, and resistance against Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis challenge. Each experimental group contained 140 fishes (34.3 ± 0.33) in two 150L tanks. The experimental design consisted of five groups: a negative control; treated groups (G1, G2, G3) supplemented with different concentrations of A-Live and Aquaform in the feed; and a positive control (PC) for pathogen infection. Groups G1, G2, G3, and PC were challenged with Francisella spp. after 15 days. After infection, the mortality was significantly lower in groups G1, G2, and G3 (p < 0.01). Furthermore, these groups showed significant increase (p < 0.05) in daily weight gain, feed conversion rate, and specific growth rate. The PC group presented increase (p < 0.05) in the leukocytes and neutrophils number. Innate immunity parameters showed no difference between treatments after infection. Microbiome analysis revealed an increased number of bacteria belonging to the Vibrionaceae family after pathogen infection suggesting a secondary pathogen function of these bacteria. These results validate the beneficial effects of these products in tilapia farming.
An overview of the oil-brine interfacial behavior and a new surface complexation model
Authors: Bonto María , Eftekhari Ali A. , Nick Hamidreza M.
Published: April 2019

The few existing surface complexation models (SCM) for the brine-oil interface have important limitations: the chemistry of each crude oil is not considered, they cannot capture the water/non-polar hydrocarbons surface charge, the interactions between Na+ and the acid sites are not included, and the equilibrium constants for the adsorption reactions are not validated against experimental data. We address the aforementioned constraints by proposing an improved diffuse-layer SCM for the oil-brine interface. The new model accounts for the chemistry of crude oils by considering surface sites linearly dependent on the TAN (total acid number) and TBN (total base number). We define weak sites to account for the negative surface charge observed for non-polar hydrocarbons in water. We optimize the parameters of our model by fitting the model to reported zeta potential measurements of oil in aqueous solutions. When we validate the optimized model against different experimental data sets, it generally shows a good performance in predicting the surface charge of oil in different brines with different pHs. We show that the acid and base numbers are only useful as a qualitative estimation of the distribution of polar groups at the oil surface, and more sophisticated analysis is necessary to quantify the chemistry of the oil-brine interface.
Different effects of prenatal MAM vs. perinatal THC exposure on regional cerebral blood perfusion detected by Arterial Spin Labelling MRI in rats
Authors: Drazanova Eva , Ruda-Kucerova Jana , Kratka Lucie , Stark Tibor , Kuchar Martin , Maryska Michal , Drago Filippo , Starcuk Zenon , Micale Vincenzo
Published: April 2019

Clinical studies consistently report structural impairments (i.e.: ventricular enlargement, decreased volume of anterior cingulate cortex or hippocampus) and functional abnormalities including changes in regional cerebral blood flow in individuals suffering from schizophrenia, which can be evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. The aim of this study was to assess cerebral blood perfusion in several schizophrenia-related brain regions using Arterial Spin Labelling MRI (ASL MRI, 9.4 T Bruker BioSpec 94/30USR scanner) in rats. In this study, prenatal exposure to methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM, 22 mg/kg) at gestational day (GD) 17 and the perinatal treatment with Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, 5 mg/kg) from GD15 to postnatal day 9 elicited behavioral deficits consistent with schizophrenia-like phenotype, which is in agreement with the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia. In MAM exposed rats a significant enlargement of lateral ventricles and perfusion changes (i.e.: increased blood perfusion in the circle of Willis and sensorimotor cortex and decreased perfusion in hippocampus) were detected. On the other hand, the THC perinatally exposed rats did not show differences in the cerebral blood perfusion in any region of interest. These results suggest that although both pre/perinatal insults showed some of the schizophrenia-like deficits, these are not strictly related to distinct hemodynamic features.
Influence of childhood trauma and brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism on posttraumatic stress symptoms and cortical thickness
Authors: Jin Min Jin , Jeon Hyeonjin , Hyun Myoung Ho , Lee Seung-Hwan
Published: April 2019

Interaction between childhood trauma and genetic factors influences the pathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study examined the interaction effect of childhood trauma and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism on PTSD symptoms and brain cortical thickness. A total of 216 participants (133 healthy volunteers and 83 PTSD patients) were recruited. T1-weighted structural magnetic resonance imaging, BDNF rs6265 genotyping through blood sampling, and clinical assessments including the childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ) and posttraumatic stress disorder Checklist (PCL) were performed. A moderated regression analysis, two-way multivariate analysis of covariance, and correlation analysis were conducted. An interaction between the CTQ and the BDNF polymorphism significantly influenced PTSD symptom severity. In fact, people with rs6265 Val/Val genotype and higher CTQ scores showed higher PCL scores. Additionally, this interaction was significant on both left fusiform and transverse temporal gyri thickness. Furthermore, the thickness of both brain regions was significantly correlated with psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety, rumination, and cognitive emotion regulation methods; yet this was mainly observed in people with the Val/Val genotype. The interaction between childhood trauma and BDNF polymorphism significantly influences both PTSD symptoms and cortical thickness and the Val/Val genotype may increase the risk in Korean population.
Stage-specific transcriptome of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus reveals temporal regulation of effector genes and roles of the dauer-like stages in the lifecycle
Authors: Tanaka Suguru E. , Dayi Mehmet , Maeda Yasunobu , Tsai Isheng J. , Tanaka Ryusei , Bligh Mark , Takeuchi-Kaneko Yuko , Fukuda Kenji , Kanzaki Natsumi , Kikuchi Taisei
Published: April 2019

The pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is the causal agent of pine wilt disease, one of the most devastating forest diseases in East Asian and West European countries. The lifecycle of B. xylophilus includes four propagative larval stages and gonochoristic adults which are involved in the pathogenicity, and two stages of dispersal larvae involved in the spread of the disease. To elucidate the ecological roles of each developmental stage in the pathogenic life cycle, we performed a comprehensive transcriptome analysis using RNA-seq generated from all developmental stages of B. xylophilus and compared transcriptomes between stages. We found more than 9000 genes are differentially expressed in at least one stage of the life cycle including genes involved in general nematode biology such as reproduction and moulting but also effector genes likely to be involved in parasitism. The dispersal-stage transcriptome revealed its analogy to C. elegans dauer and the distinct roles of the two larval stages from each other regarding survival and transmission. This study provides important insights and resources to understand B. xylophilus parasitic biology.
Repeat domain-associated O-glycans govern PMEL fibrillar sheet architecture
Authors: Graham Morven , Tzika Athanasia C. , Mitchell Susan M. , Liu Xinran , Leonhardt Ralf M.
Published: April 2019

PMEL is a pigment cell-specific protein that forms a functional amyloid matrix in melanosomes. The matrix consists of well-separated fibrillar sheets on which the pigment melanin is deposited. Using electron tomography, we demonstrate that this sheet architecture is governed by the PMEL repeat (RPT) domain, which associates with the amyloid as an accessory proteolytic fragment. Thus, the RPT domain is dispensable for amyloid formation as such but shapes the morphology of the matrix, probably in order to maximize the surface area available for pigment adsorption. Although the primary amino acid sequence of the RPT domain differs vastly among various vertebrates, we show that it is a functionally conserved, interchangeable module. RPT domains of all species are predicted to be very highly O-glycosylated, which is likely the common defining feature of this domain. O-glycosylation is indeed essential for RPT domain function and the establishment of the PMEL sheet architecture. Thus, O-glycosylation, not amino acid sequence, appears to be the major factor governing the characteristic PMEL amyloid morphology.
CEP120 interacts with C2CD3 and Talpid3 and is required for centriole appendage assembly and ciliogenesis
Authors: Tsai Jhih-Jie , Hsu Wen-Bin , Liu Jia-Hua , Chang Ching-Wen , Tang Tang K.
Published: April 2019

Centrosomal protein 120 (CEP120) was originally identified as a daughter centriole-enriched protein that participates in centriole elongation. Recent studies showed that CEP120 gene mutations cause complex ciliopathy phenotypes in humans, including Joubert syndrome and Jeune asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy, suggesting that CEP120 plays an additional role in ciliogenesis. To investigate the potential roles of CEP120 in centriole elongation and cilia formation, we knocked out the CEP120 gene in p53-deficient RPE1 cells using the CRISPR/Cas9 editing system, and performed various analyses. We herein report that loss of CEP120 produces short centrioles with no apparent distal and subdistal appendages. CEP120 knockout was also associated with defective centriole elongation, impaired recruitment of C2CD3 and Talpid3 to the distal ends of centrioles, and consequent defects in centriole appendage assembly and cilia formation. Interestingly, wild-type CEP120 interacts with C2CD3 and Talpid3, whereas a disease-associated CEP120 mutant (I975S) has a low affinity for C2CD3 binding and perturbs cilia assembly. Together, our findings reveal a novel role of CEP120 in ciliogenesis by showing that it interacts with C2CD3 and Talpid3 to assemble centriole appendages and by illuminating the molecular mechanism through which the CEP120 (I975S) mutation causes complex ciliopathies.
Gene expression profile in patients with Gaucher disease indicates activation of inflammatory processes
Authors: Ługowska Agnieszka , Hetmańczyk-Sawicka Katarzyna , Iwanicka-Nowicka Roksana , Fogtman Anna , Cieśla Jarosław , Purzycka-Olewiecka Joanna Karolina , Sitarska Dominika , Płoski Rafał , Filocamo Mirella , Lualdi Susanna , Bednarska-Makaruk Małgorzata , Koblowska Marta
Published: April 2019

Gaucher disease (GD) is a rare inherited metabolic disease caused by pathogenic variants in the GBA1 gene. So far, the pathomechanism of GD was investigated mainly in animal models. In order to delineate the molecular changes in GD cells we analysed gene expression profile in cultured skin fibroblasts from GD patients, control individuals and, additionally, patients with Niemann-Pick type C disease (NPC). We used expression microarrays with subsequent validation by qRT-PCR method. In the comparison GD patients vs. controls, the most pronounced relative fold change (rFC) in expression was observed for genes IL13RA2 and IFI6 (up-regulated) and ATOH8 and CRISPLD2 (down-regulated). Products of up-regulated and down-regulated genes were both enriched in genes associated with immune response. In addition, products of down-regulated genes were associated with cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix interactions, matrix remodelling, PI3K-Akt signalling pathway and a neuronal survival pathway. Up-regulation of PLAU, IFIT1, TMEM158 and down-regulation of ATOH8 and ISLR distinguished GD patients from both NPC patients and healthy controls. Our results emphasize the inflammatory character of changes occurring in human GD cells indicating that further studies on novel therapeutics for GD should consider anti-inflammatory agents.
Genetic risk factors identified in populations of European descent do not improve the prediction of osteoporotic fracture and bone mineral density in Chinese populations
Authors: Li Yu-Mei , Peng Cheng , Zhang Ji-Gang , Zhu Wei , Xu Chao , Lin Yong , Fu Xiao-Ying , Tian Qing , Zhang Lei , Xiang Yang , Sheng Victor , Deng Hong-Wen
Published: April 2019

Aiming to investigate whether genetic risk factors (GRFs) for fracture and bone mineral density (BMD) identified from people of European descent can help improve the prediction of osteoporotic fracture (OF) risk and BMD in Chinese populations, we built assessment models for femoral neck (FN)-fracture prediction and BMD value prediction using 700 elderly Chinese Han subjects and 1,620 unrelated Chinese Han subjects, respectively. 17 fracture-associated genes and 82 FN-BMD associated genes identified in people of European descent were used to build a logistic regression model with clinical risk factors (CRFs) for FN-fracture prediction in Chinese. Meanwhile 107 BMD-associated genes from people of European descent were used to build a multiple linear regression model with CRFs for BMD prediction in Chinese. A Lasso algorithm was employed for informative SNP selection to construct the genetic risk score (GRS) with ten-fold cross-validation. The results showed that, adding fracture GRF and FN-BMD GRF to the model with CRFs, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) decrease from 0.653 to 0.587 and 0.588, respectively, for FN fracture prediction. 62.3% and 61.8% of the risk variation were explained by the Model with CRFs and fracture GRF and by the Model with CRFs and FN-BMD GRF, respectively, as compared to 65.5% in the Model with CRFs only. The net reclassification improvement (NRI) index in the reclassification analysis is 0.56% (P = 0.57) and 1.13% (P = 0.29), respectively. There is no significant difference either between the performance of the model with CRFs and that of the model with both CRFs and GRF for BMD prediction. We concluded that, in the current study, GRF of fracture identified in people of European descent does not contributes to improve the fracture prediction in Chinese; and GRF of BMD from people of European descent cannot help improve the accuracy of the fracture prediction in Chinese perhaps partially because GRF of BMD from people of European descent may not contribute to BMD prediction in Chinese. This study highlights the limited utility of the current genetics studies largely focused on people of European descent for disease or risk factor prediction in other ethnic groups, and calls for more and larger scale studies focused on other ethnic groups.
Theta oscillations in 4-year-olds are sensitive to task engagement and task demands
Authors: Meyer Marlene , Endedijk Hinke M. , van Ede Freek , Hunnius Sabine
Published: April 2019

Top-down control processes are essential for guiding attention and working memory towards task-relevant information. Recently, theta oscillations were suggested as critical for these cognitive processes. Infant studies testing a mixture of bottom-up and top-down processes support adult theta findings. Yet, since infants cannot be instructed, it remains unclear to what extent theta oscillations are involved particularly in top-down control in early childhood. That is especially relevant towards school age when children need top-down control to solve the increasingly complex tasks. In this EEG study, we investigated whether theta-power in 4-year-olds is sensitive to task engagement and to different cognitive task demands. In a within-subjects design, children had three different instructions before watching videos including either no demands (No Task), language-related (Color-naming Task), or action-related (Imitation Task) demands. We analyzed children’s theta-power (3–6 Hz) in two contrasts: (1) Task vs. No Task and (2) Color-naming vs. Imitation Task. The findings revealed more frontomedial theta-power when children were engaged in a task and their frontomedial theta-power increased during their cognitive engagement. Theta-power was stronger over left fronto-temporal sites for language- compared to action-related demands. These findings support recent theoretical work highlighting theta oscillations in top-down control and extend this neurocognitive framework to preschoolers.
Linear Mitochondrial Genome in Anthozoa (Cnidaria): A Case Study in Ceriantharia
Authors: Stampar Sérgio N. , Broe Michael B. , Macrander Jason , Reitzel Adam M. , Brugler Mercer R. , Daly Marymegan
Published: April 2019

Sequences and structural attributes of mitochondrial genomes have played a critical role in the clarification of relationships among Cnidaria, a key phylum of early-diverging animals. Among the major lineages of Cnidaria, Ceriantharia (“tube anemones”) remains one of the most enigmatic in terms of its phylogenetic position. We sequenced the mitochondrial genomes of two ceriantharians to see whether the complete organellar genome would provide more support for the phylogenetic placement of Ceriantharia. For both Isarachnanthus nocturnus and Pachycerianthus magnus, the mitochondrial gene sequences could not be assembled into a single circular genome. Instead, our analyses suggest that both species have mitochondrial genomes consisting of multiple linear fragments. Linear mitogenomes are characteristic of members of Medusozoa, one of the major lineages of Cnidaria, but are unreported for Anthozoa, which includes the Ceriantharia. The inferred number of fragments and variation in gene order between species is much greater within Ceriantharia than among the lineages of Medusozoa. We identify origins of replication for each of the five putative chromosomes of the Isarachnanthus nocturnus mitogenome and for each of the eight putative chromosomes of the Pachycerianthus magnus mitogenome. At 80,923 bp, I. nocturnus now holds the record for the largest animal mitochondrial genome reported to date. The novelty of the mitogenomic structure in Ceriantharia highlights the distinctiveness of this lineage but, because it appears to be both unique to and diverse within Ceriantharia, it is uninformative about the phylogenetic position of Ceriantharia relative to other Anthozoa. The presence of tRNAMet and tRNATrp in both ceriantharian mitogenomes supports a closer relationship between Ceriantharia and Hexacorallia than between Ceriantharia and any other cnidarian lineage, but phylogenetic analysis of the genes contained in the mitogenomes suggests that Ceriantharia is sister to a clade containing Octocorallia + Hexacorallia indicating a possible suppression of tRNATrp in Octocorallia.
Decreased Total Iron Binding Capacity May Correlate with Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms
Authors: Can Anil , Lai Pui Man Rosalind , Castro Victor M. , Yu Sheng , Dligach Dmitriy , Finan Sean , Gainer Vivian , Shadick Nancy A. , Savova Guergana , Murphy Shawn , Cai Tianxi , Weiss Scott T. , Du Rose
Published: April 2019

Iron and its derivatives play a significant role in various physiological and biochemical pathways, and are influenced by a wide variety of inflammatory, infectious, and immunological disorders. We hypothesized that iron and its related factors play a role in intracranial aneurysm pathophysiology and investigated if serum iron values are associated with ruptured intracranial aneurysms. 4,701 patients with 6,411 intracranial aneurysms, including 1201 prospective patients, who were diagnosed at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital between 1990 and 2016 were evaluated. A total of 366 patients with available serum iron, ferritin and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) values were ultimately included in the analysis. 89% of included patients had anemia. Patients were categorized into ruptured and non-ruptured groups. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between ruptured aneurysms and iron, ferritin, and TIBC. TIBC values (10−3 g/L) within 1 year of diagnosis (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.28–0.59) and between 1 and 3 years from diagnosis (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.29–0.93) were significantly and inversely associated with intracranial aneurysm rupture. In contrast, serum iron and ferritin were not significant. In this case-control study, low TIBC was significantly associated with ruptured aneurysms, both in the short- and long term. However, this association may not apply to the general population as there may be a selection bias as iron studies were done in a subset of patients only.
A rare autism-associated MINT2/APBA2 mutation disrupts neurexin trafficking and synaptic function
Authors: Lin Amy Y. , Henry Shawna , Reissner Carsten , Neupert Christian , Kenny Connor , Missler Markus , Beffert Uwe , Ho Angela
Published: April 2019

MINT2/APBA2 is a synaptic adaptor protein involved in excitatory synaptic transmission. Several nonsynonymous coding variants in MINT2 have been identified in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs); however, these rare variants have not been examined functionally and the pathogenic mechanisms are unknown. Here, we examined the synaptic effects of rat Mint2 N723S mutation (equivalent to autism-linked human MINT2 N722S mutation) which targets a conserved asparagine residue in the second PDZ domain of Mint2 that binds to neurexin-1α (Nrxn1α), a presynaptic cell-adhesion protein implicated in ASDs. We show the N723S mutation impairs Nrxn1α stabilization and trafficking to the membrane while binding to Nrxn1α remains unaffected. Using time-lapse imaging in primary mouse neurons, we found that the N723S mutant had more immobile puncta at neuronal processes compared to Mint2 wild type. We therefore, reasoned that the N723S mutant may alter the co-transport of Nrxn1α at axonal processes to presynaptic terminals. Indeed, we found the N723S mutation affected Nrxn1α localization at presynaptic terminals which correlated with a decrease in Nrxn-mediated synaptogenesis and miniature event frequency in excitatory synapses. Together, our data reveal Mint2 N723S leads to neuronal dysfunction, in part due to alterations in Nrxn1α surface trafficking and synaptic function of Mint2.
Release of eDNA by different life history stages and during spawning activities of laboratory-reared Japanese eels for interpretation of oceanic survey data
Authors: Takeuchi Aya , Iijima Takuya , Kakuzen Wataru , Watanabe Shun , Yamada Yoshiaki , Okamura Akihiro , Horie Noriyuki , Mikawa Naomi , Miller Michael J. , Kojima Takahito , Tsukamoto Katsumi
Published: April 2019

To assist in detection of offshore spawning activities of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica and facilitate interpretation of results of environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis in their spawning area, we examined the eDNA concentration released by each life history stage of artificially reared Japanese eels in the laboratory using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). We also compared eDNA concentrations between before and after artificially induced spawning activities. eDNA was not detected from three 30 L seawater tanks containing each single fertilized egg, but eDNA was found from other tanks each containing single individuals of larval stages (preleptocephalus and leptocephalus), juvenile stages (glass eel, elver and yellow eel) or adult stage (silver eel). The eDNA concentrations increased in the life history stages, showed a significant difference among all stages, and were positively correlated with the total length and wet weight. Moreover, the eDNA concentration after spawning was 10–200 times higher than that before spawning, which indicated that the spawning events in the ocean would produce relatively high eDNA concentration. These results in the laboratory suggested that eDNA analysis appears to be an effective method for assisting oceanic surveys to estimate the presence and spawning events of the Japanese eel in the spawning area.
Kynurenic acid as the neglected ingredient of commercial baby formulas
Authors: Milart Pawel , Paluszkiewicz Piotr , Dobrowolski Piotr , Tomaszewska Ewa , Smolinska Katarzyna , Debinska Iwona , Gawel Kinga , Walczak Katarzyna , Bednarski Jerzy , Turska Monika , Raban Michal , Kocki Tomasz , Turski Waldemar A.
Published: April 2019

The global increase in resorting to artificial nutritional formulas replacing breastfeeding has been identified among the complex causes of the obesity epidemic in infants and children. One of the factors recently recognized to influence metabolism and weight gain is kynurenic acid (KYNA), an agonist of G protein-coupled receptor (GPR35). Therefore the aim of the study was to determine the concentration of KYNA in artificial nutritional formulas in comparison with its level in human breast milk and to evaluate developmental changes in rats exposed to KYNA enriched diet during the time of breastfeeding. KYNA levels were measured in milk samples from 25 heathy breast-feeding women during the first six months after labor and were compared with 21 time-adjusted nutritional formulas. Animal experiments were performed on male Wistar rats. KYNA was administered in drinking water. The content of KYNA in human milk increases more than 13 times during the time of breastfeeding while its level is significantly lower in artificial formulas. KYNA was detected in breast milk of rats and it was found that the supplementation of rat maternal diet with KYNA in drinking water results in its increase in maternal milk. By means of the immunoblotting technique, GPR35 was evidenced in the mucosa of the jejunum of 1-day-old rats and distinct morphological changes in the jejunum of 21-day-old rats fed by mothers exposed to water supplemented with KYNA were found. A significant reduction of body weight gain of rats postnatally exposed to KYNA supplementation without changes in total body surface and bone mineral density was observed. The rat offspring fed with breast milk with artificially enhanced KYNA content demonstrated a lower mass gain during the first 21 days of life, which indicates that KYNA may act as an anti-obesogen. Further studies are, therefore, warranted to investigate the mechanisms regulating KYNA secretion via breast milk, as well as the influence of breast milk KYNA on mass gain. In the context of lifelong obesity observed worldwide in children fed artificially, our results imply that insufficient amount of KYNA in baby formulas could be considered as one of the factors associated with increased mass gain.
Automated 3D Axonal Morphometry of White Matter
Authors: Abdollahzadeh Ali , Belevich Ilya , Jokitalo Eija , Tohka Jussi , Sierra Alejandra
Published: April 2019

Axonal structure underlies white matter functionality and plays a major role in brain connectivity. The current literature on the axonal structure is based on the analysis of two-dimensional (2D) cross-sections, which, as we demonstrate, is precarious. To be able to quantify three-dimensional (3D) axonal morphology, we developed a novel pipeline, called ACSON (AutomatiC 3D Segmentation and morphometry Of axoNs), for automated 3D segmentation and morphometric analysis of the white matter ultrastructure. The automated pipeline eliminates the need for time-consuming manual segmentation of 3D datasets. ACSON segments myelin, myelinated and unmyelinated axons, mitochondria, cells and vacuoles, and analyzes the morphology of myelinated axons. We applied the pipeline to serial block-face scanning electron microscopy images of the corpus callosum of sham-operated (n = 2) and brain injured (n = 3) rats 5 months after the injury. The 3D morphometry showed that cross-sections of myelinated axons were elliptic rather than circular, and their diameter varied substantially along their longitudinal axis. It also showed a significant reduction in the myelinated axon diameter of the ipsilateral corpus callosum of rats 5 months after brain injury, indicating ongoing axonal alterations even at this chronic time-point.
Dysbiosis patterns during re-induction/salvage versus induction chemotherapy for acute leukemia
Authors: Rashidi Armin , Kaiser Thomas , Shields-Cutler Robin , Graiziger Carolyn , Holtan Shernan G. , Rehman Tauseef Ur , Wasko Justin , Weisdorf Daniel J. , Dunny Gary , Khoruts Alexander , Staley Christopher
Published: April 2019

Acute leukemia (AL) patients undergoing intensive induction chemotherapy develop severe gut dysbiosis, placing them at heightened risk for infectious complications. Some AL patients will undergo “repeat therapy” (re-induction or salvage) due to persistent or relapsed disease. We hypothesized that prior injury to the microbiome during induction may influence dysbiosis patterns during repeat therapy. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the bacterial microbiome profiles of thrice-weekly stool samples from 20 intensively treated AL patients (first induction: 13, repeat therapy: 7) by 16S rRNA sequencing. In mixed-effects modeling, repeat therapy was a significant predictor of Enterococcus expansion (P = 0.006), independently of antibiotic exposure, disease type, feeding mode, and week of chemotherapy. Bayesian analysis of longitudinal data demonstrated larger departures of microbial communities from the pre-chemotherapy baseline during repeat therapy compared to induction. This increased ecosystem instability during repeat therapy possibly impairs colonization resistance and increases vulnerability to Enterococcus outgrowth. Microbiota restoration therapies at the end of induction or before starting subsequent therapy warrant investigation.
Leveraging deep learning to understand health beliefs about the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine from social media
Authors: Du Jingcheng , Cunningham Rachel M. , Xiang Yang , Li Fang , Jia Yuxi , Boom Julie A. , Myneni Sahiti , Bian Jiang , Luo Chongliang , Chen Yong , Tao Cui
Published: April 2019

Our aim was to characterize health beliefs about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in a large set of Twitter posts (tweets). We collected a Twitter data set related to the HPV vaccine from 1 January 2014, to 31 December 2017. We proposed a deep-learning-based framework to mine health beliefs on the HPV vaccine from Twitter. Deep learning achieved high performance in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. A retrospective analysis of health beliefs found that HPV vaccine beliefs may be evolving on Twitter.
Arsinothricin, an arsenic-containing non-proteinogenic amino acid analog of glutamate, is a broad-spectrum antibiotic
Authors: Nadar Venkadesh Sarkarai , Chen Jian , Dheeman Dharmendra S. , Galván Adriana Emilce , Yoshinaga-Sakurai Kunie , Kandavelu Palani , Sankaran Banumathi , Kuramata Masato , Ishikawa Satoru , Rosen Barry P. , Yoshinaga Masafumi
Published: April 2019

The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance highlights the urgent need for new antibiotics. Organoarsenicals have been used as antimicrobials since Paul Ehrlich’s salvarsan. Recently a soil bacterium was shown to produce the organoarsenical arsinothricin. We demonstrate that arsinothricin, a non-proteinogenic analog of glutamate that inhibits glutamine synthetase, is an effective broad-spectrum antibiotic against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, suggesting that bacteria have evolved the ability to utilize the pervasive environmental toxic metalloid arsenic to produce a potent antimicrobial. With every new antibiotic, resistance inevitably arises. The arsN1 gene, widely distributed in bacterial arsenic resistance (ars) operons, selectively confers resistance to arsinothricin by acetylation of the α-amino group. Crystal structures of ArsN1 N-acetyltransferase, with or without arsinothricin, shed light on the mechanism of its substrate selectivity. These findings have the potential for development of a new class of organoarsenical antimicrobials and ArsN1 inhibitors.
The impacts of natural polysaccharides on intestinal microbiota and immune responses – a review
Authors: Tang Chao , Ding Ruoxi , Sun Jian , Liu Jun , Kan Juan , Jin Changhai
Published: April 2019

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the impacts of natural polysaccharides on gut microbiota and immune responses as well as their interactions.
Polysaccharides derived from natural sources regulate triglyceride and cholesterol metabolism: a review of the mechanisms
Authors: Wu Qingqian , Wang Qintao , Fu Junfen , Ren Rendong
Published: April 2019

This paper presents a comprehensive review of hypolipidemic mechanism of polysaccharides from natural sources.
Structure andin vitrohypoglycemic activity of a homogenous polysaccharide purified fromSargassum pallidum
Authors: Cao Changliang , Zhang Bin , Li Chao , Huang Qiang , Fu Xiong , Liu Rui Hai
Published: April 2019

A homogeneous polysaccharide (PSP-2) fromSargassum pallidumand its hypoglycemic activity.
Modulation of gut microbiota by chlorogenic acid pretreatment on rats with adrenocorticotropic hormone induced depression-like behavior
Authors: Song Jing , Zhou Nian , Ma Weini , Gu Xinyi , Chen Baizhang , Zeng Yang , Yang Li , Zhou Mingmei
Published: April 2019

Gut microbiota dysbiosis has been implicated as a vital element in the development or exacerbation of mental disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD).
Unraveling the photoactive annihilation mechanism of nanostructures as effective green tools for inhibiting the proliferation of the phytopathogenic bacteriumPseudomonas syringae
Authors: Casas-Flores Sergio , Domínguez-Espíndola Ruth B. , Camposeco-solis Roberto , Patrón-Soberano Olga A. , Rodríguez-González Vicente
Published: April 2019

Effective annihilation in a short time acts in three simultaneous ways, photochemical, mechanical damage of sharp morphology and biocidal silver properties that made difficult the microbial resistance ofPseudomonas syringae.
The role of excitons within the hole transporting layer in quantum dot light emitting device degradation
Authors: Davidson-Hall Tyler , Aziz Hany
Published: April 2019

Electroluminescence and photoluminescence stability of QDLEDs is found to depend on the hole transporting layer and materials that are highly susceptible to exciton-induced degradation can negatively impact QDLED stability.
Fundamental aspects of the corrosion of N80 steel in a formation water system under high CO2 partial pressure at 100 °C
Authors: Li Huixin , Li Dapeng , Zhang Lei , Bai Yang , Wang Yun , Lu Minxu
Published: April 2019

The corrosion behavior of N80 carbon steel in a simulated formation water system saturated with CO2 under high pressure at 100 °C was investigated.
Rhodium nanoparticles supported on covalent triazine-based frameworks as re-usable catalyst for benzene hydrogenation and hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Siebels Marvin , Schlüsener Carsten , Thomas Jörg , Xiao Yu-Xuan , Yang Xiao-Yu , Janiak Christoph
Published: April 2019

Rh@CTF-1 nanomaterial is a highly active (TOF ∼ 31 000 h−1) heterogeneous catalyst for the efficient hydrogenation of benzene under mild and solvent-free conditions.
Photo-crosslinkable recombinant collagen mimics for tissue engineering applications
Authors: Tytgat Liesbeth , Markovic Marica , Qazi Taimoor H. , Vagenende Maxime , Bray Fabrice , Martins José C. , Rolando Christian , Thienpont Hugo , Ottevaere Heidi , Ovsianikov Aleksandr , Dubruel Peter , Van Vlierberghe Sandra
Published: April 2019

The methacrylamide-modified recombinant peptide (RCPhC1-MA) is an attractive synthetic alternative for animal-derived Gel-MA.
Trap engineering in solution processed PbSe quantum dots for high-speed MID-infrared photodetectors
Authors: Dolatyari Mahboubeh , Rostami Ali , Mathur Sanjay , Klein Axel
Published: April 2019

The ongoing quest to find methods to control the trap states in solution processed nanostructures (trap engineering) will revolutionise the applications of nanomaterials for optoelectronic purposes.
Cicada and catkin inspired dual biomimetic antibacterial structure for the surface modification of implant material
Authors: Ye Jing , Deng Jianjian , Chen Yutong , Yang Ting , Zhu Yanglong , Wu Chongxue , Wu Tianlong , Jia Jingyu , Cheng Xigao , Wang Xiaolei
Published: April 2019

Inspired by cicadas and catkins, a delicate dual biomimetic antibacterial concept was proposed to modify implant material.
Zwitterionic carbon dot-encapsulating pH-responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticles for NIR light-triggered photothermal therapy through pH-controllable release
Authors: Ryplida Benny , Lee Gibaek , In Insik , Park Sung Young
Published: April 2019

Here, we designed a pH-responsive Indocyanine Green (ICG)-loaded zwitterionic fluorescent carbon dot (CD)-encapsulating mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) for pH-tunable image-guided photothermal therapy.
Strongly coupled ultrasmall-Fe7C3/N-doped porous carbon hybrids for highly efficient Zn–air batteries
Authors: Chen Lulu , Zhang Yelong , Liu Xiangjian , Long Ling , Wang Siyu , Yang Wenxiu , Jia Jianbo
Published: April 2019

This report presents a simple method to produce an ultrasmall-Fe7C3/N-doped porous carbon hybrid (u-Fe7C3@NC) as an excellent catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction and zinc–air batteries.
A non-invasive luminescent nano-thermometer: approaching the maximum thermal sensitivity of Er3+ ion's green emission
Authors: Li Leipeng , Qin Feng , Zhang Zhiguo
Published: April 2019

The maximum relative thermal sensitivity for the green luminescence of the Er3+ ion is reported.
Hybrid line–dot nanopatterns from directed self-assembly of diblock copolymers by trenches
Authors: Zhao Wenfeng , Duan Chao , Li Weihua
Published: April 2019

We demonstrate that the directed self-assembly of AB diblock copolymers by periodic trenches can be used to fabricate large-scale ordered hybrid line–dot nanopatterns in addition to a defect-free dot nanopattern.
Polarizable embedding for simulating redox potentials of biomolecules
Authors: Tazhigulov Ruslan N. , Gurunathan Pradeep Kumar , Kim Yongbin , Slipchenko Lyudmila V. , Bravaya Ksenia B.
Published: April 2019

We present a computational protocol exploiting polarizable embedding hybrid quantum-classical approach and resulting in accurate estimates of redox potentials of biological macromolecules. A special attention is paid to fundamental aspects of the theoretical description such as the effects of environment polarization and of the long-range electrostatic interactions on the computed energetic parameters.
Cd(ii) coordination polymers constructed from bis(pyridyl) ligands with an asymmetric spacer in chelating mode and diverse organic dicarboxylates: syntheses, structural evolutions and properties
Authors: Zhu Li-Na , Deng Zhao-Peng , Ng Seik Weng , Huo Li-Hua , Gao Shan
Published: April 2019

Thirteen Cd(ii) complexes with diverse chain, (4,4), (6,3), (63), (65·8), 2-periodic (6,3) layers, and diverse 3D vma, irl, cds, eca nets have been synthesized.
Nature-inspired salt resistant bimodal porous solar evaporator for efficient and stable water desalination
Authors: He Shuaiming , Chen Chaoji , Kuang Yudi , Mi Ruiyu , Liu Yang , Pei Yong , Kong Weiqing , Gan Wentao , Xie Hua , Hitz Emily , Jia Chao , Chen Xi , Gong Amy , Liao Jianming , Li Jun , Ren Zhiyong Jason , Yang Bao , Das Siddhartha , Hu Liangbing
Published: April 2019

A bimodal porous evaporator is developed for efficient, stable, and salt-rejecting desalination of seawater and high-concentration brines.
On the electrical operation of batch electrodialysis for reduced energy consumption
Authors: Chehayeb Karim M. , Lienhard John H.
Published: April 2019

Batch electrodialysis (ED) may be used for the desalination of brackish water and seawater and for the concentration of high-salinity brine. Better system operation can significantly decrease energy consumption and cost, especially for seawater desalination.
Engineering of spectator glycocalyx structures to evaluate molecular interactions at crowded cellular boundaries
Authors: Honigfort Daniel J. , Zhang Michelle H. , Verespy Stephen , Godula Kamil
Published: April 2019

Membrane engineering with bystander glycocalyx structures reveals altered protein–receptor association in crowded cell surface environments.
Synthesis and initial evaluation of radioactive 5-I-α-methyl-tryptophan: a Trp based agent targeting IDO-1
Authors: Giglio Benjamin C. , Wang Hui , Yan Xuefeng , Li Zibo
Published: April 2019

A synthetic approach is established to achieve radioactive 5-I-α-methyl-tryptophan (5-I-AMT).
From a precursor to an etchant: spontaneous inversion of the role of Au(iii) chloride for one-pot synthesis of smooth and spherical gold nanoparticles
Authors: Yoon Seokyoung , Kim Chansong , Lee Byoungsang , Lee Jung Heon
Published: April 2019

Inversion of the role of Au(iii) chloride allows facile synthesis of smooth and spherical AuNPs with nanoscale size tunability.
ESIPT-based fluorescent probe for cysteine sensing with large Stokes shift over homocysteine and glutathione and its application in living cells
Authors: Zhang Peng , Xiao Yuzhe , Zhang Qian , Zhang Zixuan , Yu Hongwei , Ding Caifeng
Published: April 2019

An HBT-based fluorescent probe for Cys with a large Stokes shift and high selectivity was developed that operates by the ESIPT process.
Single-excitation, dual-emission biomass quantum dots: preparation and application for ratiometric fluorescence imaging of coenzyme A in living cells
Authors: Cui Yong , Liu Rongjun , Ye Fanggui , Zhao Shulin
Published: April 2019

A distinctive approach is proposed to prepare biomass quantum dots (BQDs) with single-excitation and dual-emissions property. The obtained BQDs have been employed as the fluorescence probes for ratiometric fluorescence detection and imaging of coenzyme A in living cells.
Spatial control of the topography of photo-sensitive block copolymer thin films
Authors: Chambers Lewis C. , Huang Yun , Jack Kevin S. , Blakey Idriss
Published: April 2019

Spatially controlling self-assembly of block copolymer thin films through photoinduced molecular interactions that significantly impact on the glass transition temperature.
Self-crosslinking assemblies with tunable nanostructures from photoresponsive polypeptoid-based block copolymers
Authors: Wei Jirui , Sun Jing , Yang Xu , Ji Sifan , Wei Yuhan , Li Zhibo
Published: April 2019

A series of reversible crosslinking assemblies with tunable morphologies are obtained from a new family of photoresponsive polypeptoid-based diblock copolymers.
Dopant preferential site occupation and high efficiency white emission in K2BaCa(PO4)2:Eu2+,Mn2+ phosphors for high quality white LED applications
Authors: Zhang Xinguo , Zhu Zhenpeng , Guo Ziying , Sun Zishan , Yang Zichao , Zhang Tingting , Zhang Jilin , Wu Zhan-chao , Wang Zhengliang
Published: April 2019

Novel color-tunable and white-emitting K2BaCa(PO4)2:Eu2+,Mn2+ phosphors with external quantum efficiency of 70% were developed for NUV LED.
A multifunctional AIEgen with high cell-penetrating ability for intracellular fluorescence assays, imaging and drug delivery
Authors: Li Yan Jie , Zhang Hao Tian , Chen Xiao Ying , Gao Peng Fei , Hu Chang-Hua
Published: April 2019

A diethylamino-modified multifunctional ESIPT AIEgen with superior cell-penetrating capacity is applied for intracellular fluorescence assays, imaging and drug delivery.
Multifunctionalized octamethoxy-[8]cycloparaphenylene: facile synthesis and analysis of novel photophysical and photoinduced electron transfer properties
Authors: Cui Shengsheng , Zhuang Guilin , Wang Jinyi , Huang Qiang , Wang Shengda , Du Pingwu
Published: April 2019

A novel multifunctionalized carbon nanoring was facilely synthesized, which demonstrates an unusual hypsochromic shift in the emission spectrum with interesting photophysical properties.
Uranium speciation in weathered granitic waste rock piles: an XAFS investigation
Authors: Tayal Akhil , Conradson Steven D. , Kanzari Aisha , Lahrouch Florian , Descostes Michael , Gerard Martine
Published: April 2019

Uranium speciation determined by XAFS reveals its retention in weathered waste rock piles by the formation of stable secondary uranium complexes.
Dissociative adsorption modes of TATB on the Al (111) surface: a DFT investigation
Authors: Zhao Guo-zheng , Li Hui-li , Jia Jian-feng , Wu Hai-shun , Lu Ming
Published: April 2019

The four adsorption modes are accompanied by fractures of the N–O bonds and transfer of a hydrogen atom.
N-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays with uniformly embedded CoxP nanoparticles for high-efficiency hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Wei Yong , Fu Jijiang , Song Hao , Zhang Ben , Pi Chaoran , Xia Lu , Zhang Xuming , Gao Biao , Zheng Yang , Chu Paul K.
Published: April 2019

CoxP NPs embedded in N-doped TiO2 NTAs was fabricated by phase separation of CoTiO3 and delivers high efficient and stable HER performance in acid solution.
Hydrogen evolution reaction activity related to the facet-dependent electrocatalytic performance of NiCoP from first principles
Authors: Mou Jie , Gao Yuyue , Wang Jingbo , Ma Jianyi , Ren Haisheng
Published: April 2019

Transition metal phosphides (TMPs) have been proven to act as highly active catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
Tunable chiral triazole-based halogen bond donors: assessment of donor strength in solution with nitrogen-containing acceptors
Authors: Peterson Anna , Kaasik Mikk , Metsala Andrus , Järving Ivar , Adamson Jasper , Kanger Tõnis
Published: April 2019

Various structurally modified iodo-triazole based XB donors were screened with quinuclidine, displaying Ka values as high as 1.1 × 104 M−1.
Cyclometalated iridium–BODIPY ratiometric O2 sensors
Authors: Choung Ku Sun , Marroquin Karen , Teets Thomas S.
Published: April 2019

Cyclometalated iridium–BODIPY conjugates are prepared by a simple strategy and are effective ratiometric sensors for molecular oxygen.
Stretchable and dynamically stable promising two-dimensional thermoelectric materials: ScP and ScAs
Authors: Kaur Kulwinder , Murali Devaraj , Nanda B. R. K.
Published: April 2019

We present two newly designed 2D thermoelectric materials ScP and ScAs, which are stretchable up to 14%, stable up to 700 K, and can have lattice thermal conductivity as low as 0.45 W m−1 K−1.
Comparative investigations of high-rate NaCrO2 cathodes towards wide-temperature-tolerant pouch-type Na-ion batteries from −15 to 55 °C: nanowires vs. bulk
Authors: Liang Longwei , Zhang Wenheng , Denis Dienguila Kionga , Zhang Jinyang , Hou Linrui , Liu Yang , Yuan Changzhou
Published: April 2019

NaCrO2 nanowires exhibited better Na+-storage properties in both half and pouch-type cells compared to the bulk NaCrO2 within the wide operating temperature.
Boosting inverted perovskite solar cell performance by using 9,9-bis(4-diphenylaminophenyl)fluorene functionalized with triphenylamine as a dopant-free hole transporting material
Authors: Pham Hong Duc , Gil-Escrig Lidón , Feron Krishna , Manzhos Sergei , Albrecht Steve , Bolink Henk J. , Sonar Prashant
Published: April 2019

New small molecules based on 9,9-bis(4-diphenylaminophenyl)fluorene functionalized with triphenylamine moieties are developed for use as dopant-free hole transporting materials (HTMs) in planar inverted perovskite solar cells. Power conversion efficiencies (PCE) as high as 17.1% are obtained with good stability.
Highly selective separation of H2S and CO2 using a H2S-imprinted polymers loaded on a polyoxometalate@Zr-based metal–organic framework with a core–shell structure at ambient temperature
Authors: Huang Yan , Wang Rui
Published: April 2019

Core–shell-structured H2S imprinted polymers loaded on polyoxometalate@UiO-66 achieved highly effective H2S/CO2 separation and sulfur resource recovery.