bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of multiple climatic and geographic factors on the chemical defences of Asian toads (Bufo gargarizans Cantor)
Authors: Cao Yueting , Cui Keke , Pan Hongye , Wu Jiheng , Wang Longhu
Published: November 2019

Chemical defences are widespread in nature, yet we know little about whether and how climatic and geographic factors affect their evolution. In this study, we investigated the natural variation in the concentration and composition of the main bufogenin toxin in adult Asian toads (Bufo gargarizans Cantor) captured in twenty-two regions. Moreover, we explored the relative importance of eight climatic factors (average temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, average relative humidity, 20–20 time precipitation, maximum continuous precipitation, maximum ground temperature, and minimum ground temperature) in regulating toxin production. We found that compared to toads captured from central and southwestern China, toads from eastern China secreted higher concentrations of cinobufagin (CBG) and resibufogenin (RBG) but lower concentrations of telocinobufagin (TBG) and cinobufotalin (CFL). All 8 climatic variables had significant effects on bufogenin production (ri>0.5), while the plastic response of bufogenin toxin to various climate factors was highly variable. The most important climatic driver of total bufogenin production was precipitation: the bufogenin concentration increased with increasing precipitation. This study indicated that the evolution of phenotypic plasticity in chemical defences may depend at least partly on the geographic variation of defensive toxins and their climatic context.
Specific metallo-protein interactions and antimicrobial activity in Histatin-5, an intrinsically disordered salivary peptide
Authors: McCaslin Tyler G. , Pagba Cynthia V. , Yohannan Jiby , Barry Bridgette A.
Published: November 2019

Histatin-5 (Hst-5) is an antimicrobial, salivary protein that is involved in the host defense system. Hst-5 has been proposed to bind functionally relevant zinc and copper but presents challenges in structural studies due to its disordered conformation in aqueous solution. Here, we used circular dichroism (CD) and UV resonance Raman (UVRR) spectroscopy to define metallo-Hst-5 interactions in aqueous solution. A zinc-containing Hst-5 sample exhibits shifted Raman bands, relative to bands observed in the absence of zinc. Based on comparison to model compounds and to a family of designed, zinc-binding beta hairpins, the alterations in the Hst-5 UVRR spectrum are attributed to zinc coordination by imidazole side chains. Zinc addition also shifted a tyrosine aromatic ring UVRR band through an electrostatic interaction. Copper addition did not have these effects. A sequence variant, H18A/H19A, was employed; this mutant has less potent antifungal activity, when compared to Hst-5. Zinc addition had only a small effect on the thermal stability of this mutant. Interestingly, both zinc and copper addition shifted histidine UVRR bands in a manner diagnostic for metal coordination. Results obtained with a K13E/R22G mutant were similar to those obtained with wildtype. These experiments show that H18 and H19 contribute to a zinc binding site. In the H18A/H19A mutant the specificity of the copper/zinc binding sites is lost. The experiments implicate specific zinc binding to be important in the antimicrobial activity of Hst-5.
Methane and Nitrous Oxide Flux after Biochar Application in Subtropical Acidic Paddy Soils under Tobacco-Rice Rotation
Authors: Huang Yibin , Wang Chengji , Lin Cheng , Zhang Yushu , Chen Xi , Tang Lina , Liu Cenwei , Chen Qingrong , Onwuka Mabel Ifeoma , Song Tieying
Published: November 2019

Biochar amendment is a good means of mitigating methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. However, the effects of biochar amendment on N2O and CH4 reduction in soil under rotation with different soil moisture contents is not well understood. To understand CH4 and N2O flux from soil with biochar amendment under water-unsaturated and water-saturated conditions, a field experiment was conducted in a tobacco-rice rotation field in subtropical China to investigate N2O and CH4 emissions following soil amendment with tobacco straw biochar at rates of 0, 10, 40 and 80 t·ha−1 (B0, B10, B40 and B80, respectively). N2O and CH4 emissions were monitored by a closed-chamber method in the water-unsaturated tobacco (UT) and water-saturated rice (SR) seasons during the 2015 planting season. The soil pH increased from 5.4 in the control to 6.1 in the soil amended with biochar at 80 t·ha−1 in the UT season. During both the UT and SR seasons, with biochar amendment at 40 and 80 t·ha−1, the soil bulk density (BD) decreased, while the soil organic matter (SOM) and available potassium (Av. K) contents increased. N2O flux was significantly greater in UT than in SR in the controls but decreased with the application of biochar during both the UT and SR seasons. The cumulative CH4 emission decreased with the rate of biochar application and the methanotroph pmoA gene copy number in soils and increased with the methanogenic archaea 16Sr DNA gene copy number in soils during the rice-cropping season. These results indicated that biochar amendment could decrease methanogenic archaea and increase of methanotroph pmoA gene, which are the mechanistic origin for CH4 reduction.
Association of ketamine use with lower risks of post-intubation hypotension in hemodynamically-unstable patients in the emergency department
Authors: Ishimaru Tadayoshi , Goto Tadahiro , Takahashi Jin , Okamoto Hiroshi , Hagiwara Yusuke , Watase Hiroko , Hasegawa Kohei ,   Japanese Emergency Medicine Network Investigators, Morita Hiroshi , Kawano Takahisa , Kamikawa Yohei , Nagai Hideya , Matsumoto Takashi , Nonami Suguru , Miyoshi Yusuke , Segawa Sho , Kitai Yuya , Tanaka Kenzo , Minami Saburo , Yakushiji Hiromasa , Okamoto Hiroshi , Miyauchi Naoto , Goto Yukari , Sato Nobuhiro , Gibo Koichiro , Okubo Masashi , Nakayama Yukiko , Miyamae Nobuhiro , Kaoru Hirose , Imamura Taichi , Uendan Azusa , Koyama Yasuaki , Kamura Hiroshi , Yoshiyuki Nakashima , Takahashi Jin , Irie Jin , Okada Nobunaga , Oya Seiro , Inoue Akihiko
Published: November 2019

To determine whether ketamine use for tracheal intubation, compared to other sedative use, is associated with a lower risk of post-intubation hypotension in hemodynamically-unstable patients in the emergency department (ED), we analyzed the data of a prospective, multicenter, observational study—the second Japanese Emergency Airway Network (JEAN-2) Study—from February 2012 through November 2017. The current analysis included adult non-cardiac-arrest ED patients with a pre-intubation shock index of ≥0.9. The primary exposure was ketamine use as a sedative for intubation, with midazolam or propofol use as the reference. The primary outcome was post-intubation hypotension. A total of 977 patients was included in the current analysis. Overall, 24% of patients developed post-intubation hypotension. The ketamine group had a lower risk of post-intubation hypotension compared to the reference group (15% vs 29%, unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.45 [95% CI 0.31–0.66] p < 0.001). This association remained significant in the multivariable analysis (adjusted OR 0.43 [95% CI 0.28–0.64] p < 0.001). Likewise, in the propensity-score matching analysis, the patients with ketamine use also had a significantly lower risk of post-intubation hypotension (OR 0.47 [95% CI, 0.31–0.71] P < 0.001). Our observations support ketamine use as a safe sedative agent for intubation in hemodynamically-unstable patients in the ED.
Partial reduced Pi transport function of PiT-2 might not be sufficient to induce brain calcification of idiopathic basal ganglia calcification
Authors: Nishii Kazuya , Shimogawa Ritsuko , Kurita Hisaka , Inden Masatoshi , Kobayashi Michio , Toyoshima Itaru , Taguchi Yoshiharu , Ueda Akihiro , Tamune Hidetaka , Hozumi Isao
Published: November 2019

Idiopathic basal ganglia calcification (IBGC) is a rare intractable disease characterized by abnormal mineral deposits, including mostly calcium in the basal ganglia, thalamus, and cerebellum. SLC20A2 is encoding the phosphate transporter PiT-2 and was identified in 2012 as the causative gene of familial IBGC. In this study, we investigated functionally two novel SLC20A2 variants (c.680C > T, c.1487G > A) and two SLC20A2 variants (c.82G > A, c.358G > C) previously reported from patients with IBGC. We evaluated the function of variant PiT-2 using stable cell lines. While inorganic phosphate (Pi) transport activity was abolished in the cells with c.82G > A, c.358G > C, and c.1487G > A variants, activity was maintained at 27.8% of the reference level in cells with the c.680C > T variant. Surprisingly, the c.680C > T variant had been discovered by chance in healthy members of an IBGC family, suggesting that partial preservation of Pi transport activity may avoid the onset of IBGC. In addition, we confirmed that PiT-2 variants could be translocated into the cell membrane to the same extent as PiT-2 wild type. In conclusion, we investigated the PiT-2 dysfunction of four SLC20A2 variants and suggested that a partial reduced Pi transport function of PiT-2 might not be sufficient to induce brain calcification of IBGC.
Analysis of HIV-1 diversity, primary drug resistance and transmission networks in Croatia
Authors: Oroz Maja , Begovac Josip , Planinić Ana , Rokić Filip , Lunar Maja M. , Zorec Tomaž Mark , Beluzić Robert , Korać Petra , Vugrek Oliver , Poljak Mario , Lepej Snježana Židovec
Published: November 2019

Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 infection in treatment-naive HIV-1 infected persons from Croatia was investigated. We included 403 persons, representing 92.4% of all HIV-positive individuals entering clinical care in Croatia in 2014–2017. Overall prevalence of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) was estimated at 16.4%. Resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside RTI (NNRTIs) and protease inhibitors (PIs) was found in 11.4%, 6.7% and 2.5% of persons, respectively. Triple-class resistance was determined in 2.2% of individuals. In addition, a single case (1.0%) of resistance to integrase strand-transfer inhibitors (InSTIs) was found. Deep sequencing was performed on 48 randomly selected samples and detected additional TDR mutations in 6 cases. Phylogenetic inference showed that 347/403 sequences (86.1%) were part of transmission clusters and identified forward transmission of resistance in Croatia, even that of triple-class resistance. The largest TDR cluster of 53 persons with T215S was estimated to originate in the year 1992. Our data show a continuing need for pre-treatment HIV resistance testing in Croatia. Even though a low prevalence of resistance to InSTI was observed, surveillance of TDR to InSTI should be continued.
Calcium signalling in mammalian cell lines expressing wild type and mutant human α1-Antitrypsin
Authors: Malintan Nancy T. , Buckingham Steven D. , Lomas David A. , Sattelle David B.
Published: November 2019

A possible role for calcium signalling in the autosomal dominant form of dementia, familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies (FENIB), has been proposed, which may point towards a mechanism by which cells could sense and respond to the accumulation of mutant serpin polymers in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We therefore explored possible defects in Ca2+-signalling, which may contribute to the pathology associated with another serpinopathy, α1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. Using CHO K1 cell lines stably expressing a wild type human AAT (MAAT) and a disease-causing polymer-forming variant (ZAAT) and the truncated variant (NHK AAT), we measured basal intracellular free Ca2+, its responses to thapsigargin (TG), an ER Ca2+-ATPase blocker, and store-operated Ca2+-entry (SOCE). Our fura2 based Ca2+ measurements detected no differences between these 3 parameters in cell lines expressing MAAT and cell lines expressing ZAAT and NHK AAT mutants. Thus, in our cell-based models of α1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, unlike the case for FENIB, we were unable to detect defects in calcium signalling.
Functional interactions between nitrite reductase and nitric oxide reductase from Paracoccus denitrificans
Authors: Albertsson Ingrid , Sjöholm Johannes , ter Beek Josy , Watmough Nicholas J. , Widengren Jerker , Ädelroth Pia
Published: November 2019

Denitrification is a microbial pathway that constitutes an important part of the nitrogen cycle on earth. Denitrifying organisms use nitrate as a terminal electron acceptor and reduce it stepwise to nitrogen gas, a process that produces the toxic nitric oxide (NO) molecule as an intermediate. In this work, we have investigated the possible functional interaction between the enzyme that produces NO; the cd1 nitrite reductase (cd1NiR) and the enzyme that reduces NO; the c-type nitric oxide reductase (cNOR), from the model soil bacterium P. denitrificans. Such an interaction was observed previously between purified components from P. aeruginosa and could help channeling the NO (directly from the site of formation to the side of reduction), in order to protect the cell from this toxic intermediate. We find that electron donation to cNOR is inhibited in the presence of cd1NiR, presumably because cd1NiR binds cNOR at the same location as the electron donor. We further find that the presence of cNOR influences the dimerization of cd1NiR. Overall, although we find no evidence for a high-affinity, constant interaction between the two enzymes, our data supports transient interactions between cd1NiR and cNOR that influence enzymatic properties of cNOR and oligomerization properties of cd1NiR. We speculate that this could be of particular importance in vivo during metabolic switches between aerobic and denitrifying conditions.
Proton-pump inhibitor use is associated with a broad spectrum of neurological adverse events including impaired hearing, vision, and memory
Authors: Makunts Tigran , Alpatty Sama , Lee Kelly C. , Atayee Rabia S. , Abagyan Ruben
Published: November 2019

Proton-pump inhibitors, PPIs, are considered effective therapy for stomach acid suppression due to their irreversible inhibition of the hydrogen/potassium pump in the gastric parietal cells. They are widely prescribed and are considered safe for over-the-counter use. Recent studies have shown an association between PPI use and Alzheimer dementia, while others have disputed that connection. We analyzed over ten million United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System reports, including over forty thousand reports containing PPIs, and provided evidence of increased propensity for memory impairment among PPI reports when compared to histamine-2 receptor antagonist control group. Furthermore, we found significant associations of PPI use with a wide range of neurological adverse reactions including, migraine, several peripheral neuropathies, and visual and auditory neurosensory abnormalities.
Sleep timing and duration in indigenous villages with and without electric lighting on Tanna Island, Vanuatu
Authors: Smit Andrea N. , Broesch Tanya , Siegel Jerome M. , Mistlberger Ralph E.
Published: November 2019

It has been hypothesized that sleep in the industrialized world is in chronic deficit, due in part to evening light exposure, which delays sleep onset and truncates sleep depending on morning work or school schedules. If so, societies without electricity may sleep longer. However, recent studies of hunter-gatherers and pastoralists living traditional lifestyles without electricity report short sleep compared to industrialized population norms. To further explore the impact of lifestyles and electrification on sleep, we measured sleep by actigraphy in indigenous Melanesians on Tanna Island, Vanuatu, who live traditional subsistence horticultural lifestyles, in villages either with or without access to electricity. Sleep duration was long and efficiency low in both groups, compared to averages from actigraphy studies of industrialized populations. In villages with electricity, light exposure after sunset was increased, sleep onset was delayed, and nocturnal sleep duration was reduced. These effects were driven primarily by breastfeeding mothers living with electric lighting. Relatively long sleep on Tanna may reflect advantages of an environment in which food access is reliable, climate benign, and predators and significant social conflict absent. Despite exposure to outdoor light throughout the day, an effect of artificial evening light was nonetheless detectable on sleep timing and duration.
Effects of homophily and academic reputation in the nomination and selection of Nobel laureates
Authors: Gallotti Riccardo , De Domenico Manlio
Published: November 2019

In collective decision-making, a group of independent experts propose individual choices to reach a common decision. This is the case of competitive events such as Olympics, international Prizes or grant evaluation, where groups of experts evaluate individual performances to assign resources, e.g. scores, recognitions, or funding. However, there are systems where evaluating individual’s performance is difficult: in those cases, other factors play a relevant role, leading to unexpected emergent phenomena from micro-scale interactions. The Nobel assignment procedure, rooted on recommendations, is one of these systems. Here we unveil its network, reconstructed from official data and metadata about nominators, nominees and awardees between 1901 and 1965, consisting of almost 12,000 individuals and 17,000 nominations. We quantify the role of homophily, academic reputation of nominators and their prestige neighborhood, showing that nominees endorsed by central actors – who are part of the system’s core because of their prestigious reputation – are more likely to become laureate within a finite time scale than nominees endorsed by nominators in the periphery of the network. We propose a mechanistic model which reproduces all the salient observations and allows to design possible countermeasures to mitigate observed effects.
Comparison of Graphene and Carbon Nanotube Saturable Absorbers for Wavelength and Pulse Duration Tunability
Authors: Hussain Syed Asad
Published: November 2019

Graphene (Gr) and Carbon nanotube (CNT) saturable absorbers (SAs) are considered as broadband absorbers and have been used in various studies in the past to get a broad wavelength and pulse duration tunable laser. However, the literature lacks a comparative study on these SAs where one will continue to give longer pulses than the other. In this paper we have compared these two SAs and provided a guideline on how to design them for tunable operation. The parameters that have been compared in this research can be used for other broad gain materials and SAs.
Antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic aerobic bacteria causing surgical site infections in Mbarara regional referral hospital, Southwestern Uganda
Authors: Hope Derick , Ampaire Lucas , Oyet Caesar , Muwanguzi Enoch , Twizerimana Hillary , Apecu Richard Onyuthi
Published: November 2019

Surgical site infections (SSI) remain a common postoperative complication despite use of prophylactic antibiotics and other preventive measures, mainly due to increasing antimicrobial resistance. Here, we present antimicrobial resistance rate of bacteria isolated in clinical cases of SSI. A hospital based descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on 83 consented postoperative patients with clinical SSI. Data on patients was obtained using structured data collection form. Two swabs were collected aseptically from each patient. Bacteriological culture examination and identification was done following standard microbiological techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility test was done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Gram negative bacteria (GNB) were predominant (65.59%) with the dominant being Klebsiella species (29.03%). Overall 86% of aerobic bacteria isolated were multidrug resistant (MDR) where 65.63% and 96.72% of Gram positive and Gram negative isolates were MDR respectively. All the isolates with exception of Enterococci species were resistant to ampicillin. GNB showed high resistance to ceftriaxone, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim and gentamicin. All the isolated Klebsiella spp were MDR. S. aureus were all resistant to oxacillin. The isolation rate was higher in emergency, males and dirty wounds in relation to nature of surgery, gender and class of surgical wound respectively. These findings necessitate judicious antibiotic use and calls for surveillance of SSIs periodically as well as strict adherence to good sanitation practice to reduce spread of drug-resistant pathogens.
Understanding the structural degradation of South American historical silk: A Focal Plane Array (FPA) FTIR and multivariate analysis
Authors: Badillo-Sanchez Diego , Chelazzi David , Giorgi Rodorico , Cincinelli Alessandra , Baglioni Piero
Published: November 2019

Silk artifacts constitute an invaluable heritage, and to preserve such patrimony it is necessary to correlate the degradation of silk fibroin with the presence of dyes, pollutants, manufacturing techniques, etc. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy with a Focal plane array detector (FPA FTIR) provides structural information at the micron scale. We characterized the distribution of secondary structures in silk fibers for a large set of South American historical textiles, coupling FTIR with multivariate statistical analysis to correlate the protein structure with the age of the samples and the presence of dyes. We found that the pressure applied during attenuated total reflectance (ATR) measurements might induce structural changes in the fibers, producing similar spectra for pristine and aged samples. Reflectance spectra were thus used for the rigorous characterization of secondary structures. Some correlation was highlighted between the age of the samples (spanning over five centuries) and specific changes in their secondary structure. A correlation was found between the color of the samples and structural alterations, in agreement with the chemical nature of the dyes. Overall, we demonstrated the efficacy of reflectance FPA µ-FTIR, combined with multivariate analysis, for the rigorous and non-invasive description of protein secondary structures on large sets of samples.
Specific heat of 2D interacting Majorana fermions from holography
Authors: Maraner Paolo , Pachos Jiannis K. , Palumbo Giandomenico
Published: November 2019

Majorana fermions are a fascinating medium for discovering new phases of matter. However, the standard analytical tools are very limited in probing the non-perturbative aspects of interacting Majoranas in more than one dimensions. Here, we employ the holographic correspondence to determine the specific heat of a two-dimensional interacting gapless Majorana system. To perform our analysis we first describe the interactions in terms of a pseudo-scalar torsion field. We then allow fluctuations in the background curvature thus identifying our model with a (2 + 1)-dimensional Anti-de Sitter (AdS) geometry with torsion. By employing the AdS/CFT correspondence, we show that the interacting model is dual to a (1 + 1)-dimensional conformal field theory (CFT) with central charge that depends on the interaction coupling. This non-perturbative result enables us to determine the effect interactions have in the specific heat of the system at the zero temperature limit.
Antibiotic Resistome Biomarkers associated to the Pelagic Sediments of the Gulfs of Kathiawar Peninsula and Arabian Sea
Authors: Mootapally Chandrashekar , Nathani Neelam M. , Poriya Paresh , Beleem Imtiyaz , Dabhi Jignesh C. , Gadhvi Indra R. , Joshi Chaitanya G.
Published: November 2019

Antibiotic resistance has been one of the most persistent global issue. Specifically, marine microbiomes have served as complex reservoirs of antibiotic resistant genes. Molecular advancements have enabled exploration of the uncultured microbial portion from hitherto difficult to sample niches such as deeper oceans. The Gulfs of Kathiawar Peninsula have been known for their unique properties like extreme tidal variations, different sediment textures and physicochemical variations. Pelagic sediment cores across four coordinates each of the Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Khambhat and an open Arabian Sea were collected, processed for metagenomic sequencing and assessed for antibiotic and metal resistome. The dominant genes were mostly resistant to macrolides, glycopeptides and tetracycline drugs. Studied samples divided into three clusters based on their resistome with carA, macB, bcrA, taeA, srmB, tetA, oleC and sav1866 among the abundant genes. Samples from creek of Gulf of Kutch and mouth of Gulf of Khambhat were most diverse in resistance gene profile. Biomarkers observed include gyrA mutation conferring resistance gene in the Arabian Sea; Proteobacteria species in Gulf of Kutch and Arabian sea; while Aquificae, Acidobacteria and Firmicutes species in the Gulf of Khambhat. Region-wise differentially abundant 23 genes and 3 taxonomic biomarkers were proposed for antibiotic resistance monitoring.
Author Correction: Upconverting SrF2 nanoparticles doped with Yb3+/Ho3+, Yb3+/Er3+ and Yb3+/Tm3+ ions – optimisation of synthesis method, structural, spectroscopic and cytotoxicity studies
Authors: Przybylska Dominika , Ekner-Grzyb Anna , Grześkowiak Bartosz F. , Grzyb Tomasz
Published: November 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Compton profile of few-layer graphene investigated by electron energy-loss spectroscopy
Authors: Feng Zhenbao , Zhang Xiaoyan , Sakurai Yoshiharu , Wang Zongliang , Li Hefu , Hu Haiquan
Published: November 2019

In this paper, acquisition of the valence Compton profile of few-layer graphene using electron energy-loss spectroscopy at large scattering angle is reported. The experimental Compton profile is compared with the corresponding theoretical profile, calculated using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method based on the local-density approximation. Good agreement exists between the theoretical calculation and experiment. The graphene profile indicates a substantially greater delocalization of the ground state charge density compared to that of graphite.
Myc/Max dependent intronic long antisense noncoding RNA, EVA1A-AS, suppresses the expression of Myc/Max dependent anti-proliferating gene EVA1A in a U2 dependent manner
Authors: Niehus Svenja E. , Allister Aldrige B. , Hoffmann Andrea , Wiehlmann Lutz , Tamura Teruko , Tran Doan Duy Hai
Published: November 2019

The Myc gene has been implicated in the pathogenesis of most types of human cancerous tumors. Myc/Max activates large numbers of pro-tumor genes; however it also induces anti-proliferation genes. When anti-proliferation genes are activated by Myc, cancer cells can only survive if they are downregulated. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) specific intronic long noncoding antisense (lnc-AS) RNA, the EVA1A-AS gene, is located within the second intron (I2) of the EVA1A gene (EVA-1 homolog A) that encodes an anti-proliferation factor. Indeed, EVA1A, but not EVA1A-AS, is expressed in normal liver. Depletion of EVA1A-AS suppressed cell proliferation of HepG2 cells by upregulation of EVA1A. Overexpression of EVA1A caused cell death at the G2/M phase via microtubule catastrophe. Furthermore, suppressed EVA1A expression levels are negatively correlated with differentiation grade in 365 primary HCCs, while EVA1A-AS expression levels are positively correlated with patient survival. Notably, both EVA1A and EVA1A-AS were activated by the Myc/Max complex. Eva1A-AS is transcribed in the opposite direction near the 3′splice site of EVA1A I2. The second intron did not splice out in a U2 dependent manner and EVA1A mRNA is not exported. Thus, the Myc/Max dependent anti-proliferating gene, EVA1A, is controlled by Myc/Max dependent anti-sense noncoding RNA for HCC survival.
The Impact of NAFLD and Waist Circumference Changes on Diabetes Development in Prediabetes Subjects
Authors: Lee Jiwoo , Cho Yun Kyung , Kang Yu Mi , Kim Hwi Seung , Jung Chang Hee , Kim Hong-Kyu , Park Joong-Yeol , Lee Woo Je
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with diabetes and the impact of waist circumference (WC) changes in subjects with prediabetes. We enrolled 6240 subjects with prediabetes who underwent health check-ups in 2007 and revisited our hospital at least once for a follow-up examination between 2008 and 2013. Subjects were stratified by WC changes into three groups. The relative risks (RRs) for diabetes according to the NAFLD status and WC change were evaluated. The prevalence of NAFLD was 45.4% (2830/6240). During follow-up, the incidence of diabetes was 8.1% (505/6240). Subjects with NAFLD had a higher incidence of diabetes and the adjusted RRs were 1.81 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.47 to 2.21), after adjustment for potential confounding factors. The adjusted RRs were related to WC changes. The adjusted RRs for diabetes according to tertiles of WC change (first, second, and third tertile) were 1.64 (95% CI, 1.08 to 2.49), 1.73 (95% CI, 1.28 to 2.34), and 2.04 (95% CI, 1.42 to 2.93), respectively. NAFLD has significantly increased risk of incident diabetes in subjects with prediabetes. The risk for diabetes is gradually increased with tertiles of WC change.
Identification of 12 cancer types through genome deep learning
Authors: Sun Yingshuai , Zhu Sitao , Ma Kailong , Liu Weiqing , Yue Yao , Hu Gang , Lu Huifang , Chen Wenbin
Published: November 2019

Cancer is a major cause of death worldwide, and an early diagnosis is required for a favorable prognosis. Histological examination is the gold standard for cancer identification; however, large amount of inter-observer variability exists in histological diagnosis. Numerous studies have shown cancer genesis is accompanied by an accumulation of harmful mutations, potentiating the identification of cancer based on genomic information. We have proposed a method, GDL (genome deep learning), to study the relationship between genomic variations and traits based on deep neural networks. We analyzed 6,083 samples’ WES (Whole Exon Sequencing) mutations files from 12 cancer types obtained from the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) and 1,991 healthy samples’ WES data from the 1000 Genomes project. We constructed 12 specific models to distinguish between certain type of cancer and healthy tissues, a total-specific model that can identify healthy and cancer tissues, and a mixture model to distinguish between all 12 types of cancer based on GDL. We demonstrate that the accuracy of specific, mixture and total specific model are 97.47%, 70.08% and 94.70% for cancer identification. We developed an efficient method for the identification of cancer based on genomic information that offers a new direction for disease diagnosis.
Degree of conversion of experimental resin composites containing bioactive glass 45S5: the effect of post-cure heating
Authors: Par Matej , Spanovic Nika , Tauböck Tobias T. , Attin Thomas , Tarle Zrinka
Published: November 2019

Resin composites containing reinforcing inert glass fillers combined with bioactive glass (BG) can aid in the prevention of secondary caries, which is a major cause of failure of contemporary composite restorations. A series of previous studies on experimental resin composites filled with BG 45S5 has demonstrated that methacrylate resin polymerization can be impaired by the addition of unsilanized BG, leading to lower degrees of conversion (DC). In order to distinguish whether the polymerization inhibition is caused by a direct (temperature-independent) effect of BG or an indirect (temperature-dependent) effect of restricted mobility of reactive species, this study used Raman spectroscopy to evaluate the DC values of experimental composites post-cured at 37 °C and 150 °C. The potential of BG to adversely affect DC was highly dependent on the resin system. The highest DC reduction was observed in the resin system based on ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate (Bis-EMA), followed by bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA). In contrast, the DC for urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) was not compromised by BG. Increasing the mobility of reactive species by heating at 150 °C showed limited potential for increasing the DC in the Bis-EMA and Bis-GMA resin systems, indicating a direct inhibitory effect of BG on polymerization.
Publisher Correction: Characterization of nitrogen doped graphene bilayers synthesized by fast, low temperature microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition
Authors: Boas C. R. S. V. , Focassio B. , Marinho E. , Larrude D. G. , Salvadori M. C . , Leão C. Rocha , dos Santos D. J.
Published: November 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Airway surface liquid acidification initiates host defense abnormalities in Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Simonin Juliette , Bille Emmanuelle , Crambert Gilles , Noel Sabrina , Dreano Elise , Edwards Aurélie , Hatton Aurélie , Pranke Iwona , Villeret Bérengère , Cottart Charles-Henry , Vrel Jean-Patrick , Urbach Valérie , Baatallah Nesrine , Hinzpeter Alexandre , Golec Anita , Touqui Lhousseine , Nassif Xavier , Galietta Luis J. V. , Planelles Gabrielle , Sallenave Jean-Michel , Edelman Aleksander , Sermet-Gaudelus Isabelle
Published: November 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Evaluation of human obstructive sleep apnea using computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Taherian Shahab , Rahai Hamid , Lopez Samuel , Shin Jamie , Jafari Behrouz
Published: November 2019

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity might be correlated to the flow characteristics of the upper airways. We aimed to investigate the severity of OSA based on 3D models constructed from CT scans coupled with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The CT scans of seven adult patients diagnosed with OSA were used to reconstruct the 3D models of the upper airways and CFD modeling and analyses were performed. Results from the fluid simulations were compared with the apnea-hypopnea index. Here we show a correlation between a CFD-based parameter, the adjusted pressure coefficient (Cp*), and the respective apnea-hypopnea index (Pearson’s r = 0.91, p = 0.004), which suggests that the anatomical-based model coupled with CFD could provide functional and localized information for different regions of the upper airways.
Vacuum-assisted electrokinetic supercharging in flow-gated capillary electrophoresis for rapid analysis of high-salt cerebrospinal fluid samples
Authors: Maddukuri Naveen , Gong Maojun
Published: November 2019

Vacuum-assisted electrokinetic supercharging was used to preconcentrate high-salt cerebrospinal fluid samples. A shows the procedure; B shows a typical voltage configuration; and C demonstrates the imaging evidence of the sample concentration.
Multifunctional hybrid nanoconstructs facilitate intracellular localization of doxorubicin and genistein to enhance apoptotic and anti-angiogenic efficacy in breast adenocarcinoma
Authors: Shukla Ravi Prakash , Dewangan Jayant , Urandur Sandeep , Banala Venkatesh Teja , Diwedi Monika , Sharma Shweta , Agrawal Sristi , Rath Srikanta Kumar , Trivedi Ritu , Mishra Prabhat Ranjan
Published: November 2019

The progressive development of tumors leading to angiogenesis marks the advancement of cancer which requires specific targeted treatment preferably with combination chemotherapy.
Ultra-high quantum yield ultraviolet fluorescence of graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets
Authors: Zhuo Zesheng , Jiao Yajie , Chen Lichan , Li Haohong , Dai Ming , Lin Zhenyu , Yang Hongbin , Fu Fengfu , Dong Yongqiang
Published: November 2019

Small-sized graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (CNNs) have been prepared to exhibit an ultra-high quantum yield (80.1%) ultraviolet fluorescence, which was proved to have originated from the abundant isolated melem units on the edge of CNNs.
Covalently assembled dopamine nanoparticle as an intrinsic photosensitizer and pH-responsive nanocarrier for potential application in anticancer therapy
Authors: Li Hong , Zhao Yuanyuan , Jia Yi , Qu Chengtun , Li Junbai
Published: November 2019

A covalently assembled dopamine nanoparticle is constructed to serve as an intrinsic photosensitizer and pH-responsive drug nanocarrier for combined PDT and chemotherapy.
In situsynthesis of bifunctional TiO2–CsxWO3composite particles with transparent heat shielding and photocatalytic activity
Authors: Yang Jingyuan , Liu Jingxiao , Qiao Yuting , Shi Fei , Ran Shuai , Dong Yutong , Liu Suhua
Published: November 2019

Mesoporous TiO2–CsxWO3particles with NIR shielding and photocatalytic properties were preparedin situby a template-free method.
Studies on the internal medium-range ordering and high pressure dynamics in modified ibuprofens
Authors: Minecka Aldona , Kamińska Ewa , Jurkiewicz Karolina , Heczko Dawid , Hachuła Barbara , Pisarski Wojciech , Kamiński Kamil , Paluch Marian
Published: November 2019

The XRD and FTIR studies revealed the formation of a medium-range ordering together with some molecular organization, which probably leads to the creation of small aggregates at the scale of several microns at lower temperatures.
High-resolution double resonance action spectroscopy in ion traps: vibrational and rotational fingerprints of CH2NH2+
Authors: Markus Charles R. , Thorwirth Sven , Asvany Oskar , Schlemmer Stephan
Published: November 2019

A novel rotation–vibration double resonance scheme was used to measure the first pure rotational transition frequencies of protonated methanimine (CH2NH2+) in a 4 K cryogenic ion trap.
Heme: emergent roles of heme in signal transduction, functional regulation and as catalytic centres
Authors: Shimizu Toru , Lengalova Alzbeta , Martínek Václav , Martínková Markéta
Published: November 2019

Molecular mechanisms of unprecedented functions of exchangeable/labile heme and heme proteins including transcription, DNA binding, protein kinase activity, K+ channel functions, cis–trans isomerization, N–N bond formation, and other functions are described.
Spin modification of iron(ii) complexes via covalent (dative) and dispersion guided non-covalent bonding with N-heterocyclic carbenes: DFT, DLPNO-CCSD(T) and MCSCF studies
Authors: Manna Debashree , Lo Rabindranath , Hobza Pavel
Published: November 2019

Spin crossover from high spin Fe(ii)-phthalocyanine to low or intermediate spin via either dative covalent or non-covalent interaction by just varying the substituent using the same core ligand.
Heterobimetallic scandium–group 10 metal complexes with LM → Sc (LM = Ni, Pd, Pt) dative bonds
Authors: Cui Peng , Xiong Chunyan , Du Jun , Huang Zeming , Xie Sijun , Wang Hua , Zhou Shuangliu , Fang Huayi , Wang Shaowu
Published: November 2019

Heterobimetallic scandium–group 10 metal complexes featuring notable LM → Sc (LM = Ni, Pd, Pt) dative bonding interactions.
Effect of the irrigation water type and other environmental parameters on CeO2 nanopesticide–clay colloid interactions
Authors: Tiwari Ekta , Mondal Mithu , Singh Nisha , Khandelwal Nitin , Monikh Fazel Abdolahpur , Darbha Gopala Krishna
Published: November 2019

In this work, the stability and aggregation behaviour of CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs) was investigated to predict their fate in the agricultural environment.
Efficient, accurate and comprehensive evaluation of polysaccharides fromFritillariaand their inhibitory responses to mouse inflammation
Authors: Fan Baolei , Li Tingting , Xu Sheng , Chen Li , Wei Guoliang , Qian Chunqi
Published: November 2019

Fritillariais a perennial herb with bulbs with multiple medicinal usages.
Visible light-promoted copper catalyzed regioselective acetamidation of terminal alkynes by arylamines
Authors: Pampana V. Kishore Kumar , Sagadevan Arunachalam , Ragupathi Ayyakkannu , Hwang Kuo Chu
Published: November 2019

Herein, we describe a copper photoredox catalyzed synthesis of acetamide via regioselective C–N coupling of arylamines with terminal alkynes using molecular oxygen (O2) as an oxidant at room temperature under visible light irradiation (47 examples).
The pH effect on the detection of heavy metals in wastewater by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy coupled with a phase transformation method
Authors: Ma Shixiang , Tang Yun , Ma Yuyang , Dong Daming , Guo Lianbo , Zhu Haihong , Liu Jianguo , Lu Yongfeng
Published: November 2019

Heavy metal particles in water are mainly derived from acidic industrial wastewater. The pH effect on the detection of toxic metals in wastewater by LIBS-PT method was investigated.
Mass production of low-boiling point solvent- and water-soluble graphene by simple salt-assisted ball milling
Authors: Arao Yoshihiko , Kuwahara Riichi , Ohno Kaoru , Tanks Jonathon , Aida Kojiro , Kubouchi Masatoshi , Takeda Shin-ichi
Published: November 2019

The salts adsorbed at the graphite edge facilitate the exfoliation of graphite in liquid.
Universal DNA detection realized by peptide based carbon nanotube biosensors
Authors: Li Wenjun , Gao Yubo , Zhang Jiaona , Wang Xiaofang , Yin Feng , Li Zigang , Zhang Min
Published: November 2019

Although DNA recognition has been achieved using numerous biosensors with various sensing probes, the utilization of bio-interaction between DNA and biomolecules has seldom been reported in universal DNA detection.
Planar B41−and B42−clusters with double-hexagonal vacancies
Authors: Bai Hui , Chen Teng-Teng , Chen Qiang , Zhao Xiao-Yun , Zhang Yang-Yang , Chen Wei-Jia , Li Wan-Lu , Cheung Ling Fung , Bai Bing , Cavanagh Joseph , Huang Wei , Li Si-Dian , Li Jun , Wang Lai-Sheng
Published: November 2019

Photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical studies find B41−and B42−are planar and their borospherene isomers are much higher in energy.
A trimethyllysine-containing trityl tag for solubilizing hydrophobic peptides
Authors: Masuda Shun , Tsuda Shugo , Yoshiya Taku
Published: November 2019

An Nε-Tri-Me-Lys-containing solubilizing tag proved superior to that containing Lys/Arg/Glu/Cys-sulfonate.
Manganese-catalyzed cascade annulations of alkyne-tethered N-alkoxyamides: synthesis of polycyclic isoquinolin-1(2H)-ones
Authors: Kong Gui-Xian , Han Jiao-Na , Yang Dandan , Niu Jun-Long , Song Mao-Ping
Published: November 2019

Inexpensive Mn(ii)-catalyzed cascade annulations with air as the green oxidant were reported, enabling the facile preparation of isoquinolin-1(2H)-one scaffolds.
Catalytic developments in the epoxidation of vegetable oils and the analysis methods of epoxidized products
Authors: Wai Phyu Thin , Jiang Pingping , Shen Yirui , Zhang Pingbo , Gu Qian , Leng Yan
Published: November 2019

Epoxidation of vegetable oils by different means to improve their functional properties and to replace the harmful phthalate plasticizers along with their analysis are shown.
Photoluminescence of PdS2 and PdSe2 quantum dots
Authors: Wang Xinyu , Qarony Wayesh , Cheng Ping Kwong , Ismail Mohammad , Tsang Yuen Hong
Published: November 2019

PdS2 and PdSe2 QDs are fabricated via liquid exfoliation using NMP solvent. The PL behaviors of these QD solutions are studied. The obtained results suggest promising optoelectronic applications with group-10 TMD QDs in the future.
Non-natural 2H-azirine-2-carboxylic acids: an expedient synthesis and antimicrobial activity
Authors: Sakharov Pavel A. , Koronatov Alexander N. , Khlebnikov Alexander F. , Novikov Mikhail S. , Glukharev Artem G. , Rogacheva Elizaveta V. , Kraeva Liudmila A. , Sharoyko Vladimir V. , Tennikova Tatiana B. , Rostovskii Nikolai V.
Published: November 2019

A method for the synthesis of 2H-azirine-2-carboxylic acids with high antibacterial activity against ESKAPE pathogens and low cytotoxicity was developed.
A stable covalent organic framework for photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction
Authors: Fu Zhiwei , Wang Xiaoyan , Gardner Adrian M. , Wang Xue , Chong Samantha Y. , Neri Gaia , Cowan Alexander J. , Liu Lunjie , Li Xiaobo , Vogel Anastasia , Clowes Rob , Bilton Matthew , Chen Linjiang , Sprick Reiner Sebastian , Cooper Andrew I.
Published: November 2019

A metal-decorated alkene-linked covalent organic framework is a robust, selective photocatalyst for CO2 reduction.
Confined filaments in soft vesicles – the case of sickle red blood cells
Authors: Behera Arabinda , Kumar Gaurav , Sain Anirban
Published: November 2019

Abnormal shapes of red blood cells (RBC) have been associated with various diseases.
Orthogonal wave superposition of wrinkled, plasma-oxidised, polydimethylsiloxane surfaces
Authors: Pellegrino Luca , Khodaparast Sepideh , Cabral João T.
Published: November 2019

We report a versatile approach to generate 2D dual-frequency patterns on soft substrates by superposition of 1D single-frequency wrinkles.
Functionalized tungsten disulfide nanotubes for dopamine and catechol detection in a tyrosinase-based amperometric biosensor design
Authors: Palomar Quentin , Gondran Chantal , Lellouche Jean-Paul , Cosnier Serge , Holzinger Michael
Published: November 2019

Functionalized tungsten disulfide nanotubes were evaluated as an enzyme support for electrochemical biosensors.
Naphthalene core-based noncovalently fused-ring electron acceptors: effects of linkage positions on photovoltaic performances
Authors: Zheng Rui , Guo Qingxin , Hao Dan , Zhang Cai’e , Xue Wenyue , Huang Hao , Li Cuihong , Ma Wei , Bo Zhishan
Published: November 2019

The structural variation by just changing the linkage positions affects the molecular configuration, absorption, packing, charge transport and photovoltaic performance.
An environmentally-benign NaNbO3 based perovskite antiferroelectric alternative to traditional lead-based counterparts
Authors: Xie Aiwen , Qi He , Zuo Ruzhong , Tian Ao , Chen Jun , Zhang Shujun
Published: November 2019

NaNbO3-based lead-free AFE R-phase ceramics with Pnma space group and nanoscale stripe domain exhibit completely reversible field induced AFE–FE phase transition, featuring a relatively low EA–F of ∼8 kV mm−1 and a large repeatable strain of ∼0.29%.
Estimation of range‐dependent sound‐speed profile with dictionary learning method
Authors: Kuo Yu‐Hsin , Kiang Jean‐Fu
Published: November 2019

A range‐dependent dictionary learning method is proposed to retrieve the sound‐speed profile (SSP) in a water body, with the whole computational domain decomposed into multiple range‐independent subdomains. A dictionary is constructed by using the World Ocean Atlas depth profiles of temperature and salinity. The simulation results verify the efficacy of the dictionary in retrieving the range‐independent SSP profile in each subdomain.
Compound control method for DC–DC converter
Authors: Tang Yongwei , Li Juan , Li Shengquan , Lin Zhongwei , Wang Shuwang
Published: November 2019

Considering the problems of internal and external disturbances, i.e. time‐varying load, inaccurate system model and external uncertainties etc., a compound control strategy based on model predictive control (MPC) and non‐linear extended state observer (ESO) are proposed to attenuate the output voltage fluctuation under continuous conduction mode (CCM) mode of the buck circuits. In addition, a non‐linear ESO is used to observe all kinds of uncertainties caused by internal and external disturbances and to eliminate their effects by compensating these disturbances in the feed‐forward channel. Compared with the pure MPC control, the simulation results show that the proposed composite control method has the better disturbance suppression effect and also can effectively improve the stability of the buck circuit.