bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FORMULASI DAN UJI DAYA HAMBAT SABUN CAIR EKSTRAK ETANOL SERAI WANGI (Cymbopogon nardus L) TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN Staplylococcus aureus
Authors: Rinaldi Rinaldi , Fauziah Fauziah , Mastura Rizka
Published: January 2021

Citronella (Cymbopogon Nardus.L) contains essential oil compounds, saponins, polyphenols and flavonoids which are antibacterial. The use of active compounds of Citronella is formulated into antibacterial liquid soap preparations. This study aims to determine the characteristics of liquid soap and its inhibition against the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. This research is experimental to formulate liquid soap containing ethanol extract of lemongrass sticks at concentrations of 9% (F1), 18% (F2) and 24% (F3). The test parameters for liquid soap preparations include organoleptic test (shape, aroma, color), homogeneity test, pH test, foam height test, foam stability test, free alkaline test and inhibition test against the growth of Staphylococcus aureus using the Kirby-Bauer method. The results showed that the liquid soap preparations in the F1, F2 and F3 formulas were liquid, had a distinctive aroma of Citronella and were brown in color, homogeneous. The pH values, foam height, foam stability and free alkaline content of liquid soap were F1 (12; 70 mm; 85.7% and 0.14%), F2 (11. 80 mm, 87.5% and respectively). 0.10%), F3 (10.100 mm, 90% and 0.08%). The formula inhibition zone diameters are 32.06 mm, 25.6 mm and 29.2 mm, respectively. The conclution is the characteristics of the liquid soap with the ethanol extract of Citronella (Cymbopogon Nardus.L) meet the requirements as liquid soap. The greatest inhibitory effectiveness on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus was a formula at a concentration of 24% (F3) with a strong category.
Abordagem do tema agrotóxico na formação de professores no contexto do ensino de ciências: uma revisão sistemática de literatura
Authors: Gotardi Osmar Luís Nascimento , Pires Dario Xavier
Published: January 2021

A utilização dos agrotóxicos em processos de produção de alimentos no Brasil tem sido assunto de debates nos últimos anos, dadas as questões controversas que o uso de tais substâncias envolve. Compreendendo a relevância de que as discussões a respeito dos agrotóxicos perpassem o ensino de ciências em sala de aula na perspectiva da formação de sujeitos crí­ticos, entende-se como fundamental que tais discussões também permeiem os processos formativos de professores. Diante disso, socializou-se, neste artigo, que se trata de recorte de um trabalho de doutoramento, uma revisão sistemática de literatura acerca da abordagem do tema agrotóxico na formação inicial e continuada de professores dentro do contexto do ensino de ciências no Brasil, tendo como objetivo compreender o que os pesquisadores têm investigado acerca da abordagem do agrotóxico nas formações docentes bem como quais estratégias teórico-metodológicas têm sido empregadas nessas pesquisas. O levantamento foi efetivado por meio da busca em 69 revistas classificadas pelo Conselho CAPES no sistema WebQualis como A1, A2 ou B1 na área de Ensino, nas bases de dados Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações e Catálogo de Teses e Dissertações da CAPES, e nos anais de 4 eventos cientí­ficos nacionais, considerando o perí­odo de 2009 a 2019. Obtiveram-se 30 trabalhos, os quais foram lidos na í­ntegra e analisados, destacando-se a tendência na realização de coleta de informações a fim de verificar as compreensões dos docentes e/ou futuros docentes sobre os agrotóxicos e sua abordagem no ensino, e também as atividades formativas caracterizadas por momentos de discussão coletiva sobre os agrotóxicos e/ou temas correlacionados.
Integrated Weed Management Systems to Control Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) in Soybean
Authors: Beam Shawn C. , Cahoon Charles W. , Haak David C. , Holshouser David L. , Mirsky Steven B. , Flessner Michael L.
Published: January 2021

As resistance to herbicides limits growers' weed management options, integrated weed management (IWM) systems that combine non-chemical tactics with herbicides are becoming critical. A 2 year integrated weed management (IWM) study was conducted at three locations in VA, USA. The factorial study evaluated: (1) soybean planting date (early or late planted) (2) with or without winter cover (cereal rye/wheat or no cover), and (3) with or without harvest weed seed control (HWSC). Prior to soybean planting in the first year, winter cover resulted in a 22% reduction in common ragweed density compared to no cover. At soybean harvest in the first year, the lowest common ragweed densities were in the late planted plots following winter wheat, and common ragweed aboveground biomass was reduced by 46 and 22% at two locations in late planted compared to early planted soybean. To evaluate the impact of the first year's treatments and HWSC, full season soybeans were planted across the trial in the second year. Prior to soybean planting in the second year, late planting in the first year common ragweed density was reduced by 83% at one location, but significant reductions were not observed elsewhere. When comparing winter cover to no cover, common ragweed densities were reduced by 31 and 49% at two locations and densities were similar at the third location. Harvest weed seed control reduced common ragweed density by 43% at one location compared to the conventional harvest plots but no significant reductions were observed at the other locations or at other rating timings. However, there was a significant location by planting date by winter cover interaction and the overall lowest common ragweed densities (4.1 to 10.3 plants m−2) were in the late planted plots with winter cover. This research indicated that winter cover, late planting, and HWSC can reduce common ragweed populations with late planting being the most influential. Therefore, double-cropping soybean after wheat is likely the most viable means to better control common ragweed using IWM as it combines both winter cover and late planting date.
COVID-19 in-vitro Diagnostics: State-of-the-Art and Challenges for Rapid, Scalable, and High-Accuracy Screening
Authors: Habli Zeina , Saleh Sahera , Zaraket Hassan , Khraiche Massoud L.
Published: January 2021

The world continues to grapple with the devastating effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The highly contagious nature of this respiratory disease challenges advanced viral diagnostic technologies for rapid, scalable, affordable, and high accuracy testing. Molecular assays have been the gold standard for direct detection of the presence of the viral RNA in suspected individuals, while immunoassays have been used in the surveillance of individuals by detecting antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Unlike molecular testing, immunoassays are indirect testing of the viral infection. More than 140 diagnostic assays have been developed as of this date and have received the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency use authorization (EUA). Given the differences in assasy format and/or design as well as the lack of rigorous verification studies, the performance and accuracy of these testing modalities remain unclear. In this review, we aim to carefully examine commercialized and FDA approved molecular-based and serology-based diagnostic assays, analyze their performance characteristics and shed the light on their utility and limitations in dealing with the COVID-19 global public health crisis.
Patient-Specific Computational Analysis of Hemodynamics and Wall Mechanics and Their Interactions in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Zambrano Byron A. , McLean Nathan , Zhao Xiaodan , Tan Ju-Le , Zhong Liang , Figueroa C. Alberto , Lee Lik Chuan , Baek Seungik
Published: January 2021

Vascular wall stiffness and hemodynamic parameters are potential biomechanical markers for detecting pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Previous computational analyses, however, have not considered the interaction between blood flow and wall deformation. Here, we applied an established computational framework that utilizes patient-specific measurements of hemodynamics and wall deformation to analyze the coupled fluid–vessel wall interaction in the proximal pulmonary arteries (PA) of six PAH patients and five control subjects. Specifically, we quantified the linearized stiffness (E), relative area change (RAC), diastolic diameter (D), regurgitant flow, and time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) of the proximal PA, as well as the total arterial resistance (Rt) and compliance (Ct) at the distal pulmonary vasculature. Results found that the average proximal PA was stiffer [median: 297 kPa, interquartile range (IQR): 202 kPa vs. median: 75 kPa, IQR: 5 kPa; P = 0.007] with a larger diameter (median: 32 mm, IQR: 5.25 mm vs. median: 25 mm, IQR: 2 mm; P = 0.015) and a reduced RAC (median: 0.22, IQR: 0.10 vs. median: 0.42, IQR: 0.04; P = 0.004) in PAH compared to our control group. Also, higher total resistance (Rt; median: 6.89 mmHg × min/l, IQR: 2.16 mmHg × min/l vs. median: 3.99 mmHg × min/l, IQR: 1.15 mmHg × min/l; P = 0.002) and lower total compliance (Ct; median: 0.13 ml/mmHg, IQR: 0.15 ml/mmHg vs. median: 0.85 ml/mmHg, IQR: 0.51 ml/mmHg; P = 0.041) were observed in the PAH group. Furthermore, lower TAWSS values were seen at the main PA arteries (MPAs) of PAH patients (median: 0.81 Pa, IQR: 0.47 Pa vs. median: 1.56 Pa, IQR: 0.89 Pa; P = 0.026) compared to controls. Correlation analysis within the PAH group found that E was directly correlated to the PA regurgitant flow (r = 0.84, P = 0.018) and inversely related to TAWSS (r = −0.72, P = 0.051). Results suggest that the estimated elastic modulus E may be closely related to PAH hemodynamic changes in pulmonary arteries.
A Novel Signature Constructed by RNA-Binding Protein Coding Genes to Improve Overall Survival Prediction of Glioma Patients
Authors: Tu Zewei , Shu Lei , Li Jingying , Wu Lei , Tao Chuming , Ye Minhua , Zhu Xingen , Huang Kai
Published: January 2021

RNA binding proteins (RBPs) have been reported to be involved in cancer malignancy but related functions in glioma have been less studied. Herein, we screened 14 prognostic RBP genes and constructed a risk signature to predict the prognosis of glioma patients. Univariate Cox regression was used to identify overall survival (OS)-related RBP genes. Prognostic RBP genes were screened and used to establish the RBP-signature using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) method in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. The 14 RBP genes signature showed robust and stable prognostic value in the TCGA training (n = 562) cohort and in three independent validation cohorts (Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas [CGGA]seq1, CGGAseq2, and GSE16011 datasets comprising 303, 619, and 250 glioma patients, respectively). Risk scores were calculated for each patient and high-risk gliomas were defined by the median risk score in each cohort. Survival analysis in subgroups of glioma patients showed that the RBP-signature retained its prognostic value in low-grade gliomas (LGGs) and glioblastomas (GBM)s. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis in each dataset and the meta cohort revealed that the RBP-signature stratification could efficiently recognize high-risk gliomas [Hazard Ratio (HR):3.662, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.187–4.208, p < 0.001] and was an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR:1.594, 95% CI: 1.244–2.043, p < 0.001). Biological process and KEGG pathway analysis revealed the RBP gene signature was associated with immune cell activation, the p53 signaling pathway, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and so on. Moreover, a nomogram model was constructed for clinical application of the RBP-signature, which showed stable predictive ability. In summary, the RBP-signature could be a robust indicator for prognostic evaluation and identifying high-risk glioma patients.
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors as Therapeutic Interventions on Cervical Cancer Induced by Human Papillomavirus
Authors: Lourenço de Freitas Natália , Deberaldini Maria Gabriela , Gomes Diana , Pavan Aline Renata , Sousa Ângela , Dos Santos Jean Leandro , Soares Christiane P.
Published: January 2021

The role of epigenetic modifications on the carcinogenesis process has received a lot of attention in the last years. Among those, histone acetylation is a process regulated by histone deacetylases (HDAC) and histone acetyltransferases (HAT), and it plays an important role in epigenetic regulation, allowing the control of the gene expression. HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) induce cancer cell cycle arrest, differentiation, and cell death and reduce angiogenesis and other cellular events. Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are small, non-enveloped double-stranded DNA viruses. They are major human carcinogens, being intricately linked to the development of cancer in 4.5% of the patients diagnosed with cancer worldwide. Long-term infection of high-risk (HR) HPV types, mainly HPV16 and HPV18, is one of the major risk factors responsible for promoting cervical cancer development. In vitro and in vivo assays have demonstrated that HDACi could be a promising therapy to HPV-related cervical cancer. Regardless of some controversial studies, the therapy with HDACi could target several cellular targets which HR-HPV oncoproteins could be able to deregulate. This review article describes the role of HDACi as a possible intervention in cervical cancer treatment induced by HPV, highlighting the main advances reached in the last years and providing insights for further investigations regarding those agents against cervical cancer.
Identification of LncRNAs Associated With FOLFOX Chemoresistance in mCRC and Construction of a Predictive Model
Authors: Zhang Yiyi , Xu Meifang , Sun Yanwu , Chen Ying , Chi Pan , Xu Zongbin , Lu Xingrong
Published: January 2021

Oxaliplatin, fluorouracil plus leucovorin (FOLFOX) regimen is the first-line chemotherapy of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, studies are limited regarding long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with FOLFOX chemotherapy response and prognosis. This study aimed to identify lncRNAs associated with FOLFOX chemotherapy response and prognosis in mCRC patients and to construct a predictive model. We analyzed lncRNA expression in 11 mCRC patients treated with FOLFOX chemotherapy before surgery (four sensitive, seven resistant) by Gene Array Chip. The top eight lncRNAs (AC007193.8, CTD-2008N3.1, FLJ36777, RP11-509J21.4, RP3-508I15.20, LOC100130950, RP5-1042K10.13, and LINC00476) for chemotherapy response were identified according to weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA). A competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was then constructed. The crucial functions of the eight lncRNAs enriched in chemotherapy resistance were mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and proteoglycans signaling pathway. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated that the eight lncRNAs were potent predictors for chemotherapy resistance of mCRC patients. To further identify a signature model lncRNA chemotherapy response and prognosis, the validation set consisted of 196 CRC patients from our center was used to validate lncRNAs expression and prognosis by quantitative PCR (qPCR). The expression of the eight lncRNAs expression between CRC cancerous and adjacent non-cancerous tissues was also verified in the validation data set to determine the prognostic value. A generalized linear model was established to predict the probability of chemotherapy resistance and survival. Our findings showed that the eight-lncRNA signature may be a novel biomarker for the prediction of FOLFOX chemotherapy response and prognosis of mCRC patients.
Insights on the Control of Yeast Single-Cell Growth Variability by Members of the Trehalose Phosphate Synthase (TPS) Complex
Authors: Arabaciyan Sevan , Saint-Antoine Michael , Maugis-Rabusseau Cathy , François Jean-Marie , Singh Abhyudai , Parrou Jean-Luc , Capp Jean-Pascal
Published: January 2021

Single-cell variability of growth is a biological phenomenon that has attracted growing interest in recent years. Important progress has been made in the knowledge of the origin of cell-to-cell heterogeneity of growth, especially in microbial cells. To better understand the origins of such heterogeneity at the single-cell level, we developed a new methodological pipeline that coupled cytometry-based cell sorting with automatized microscopy and image analysis to score the growth rate of thousands of single cells. This allowed investigating the influence of the initial amount of proteins of interest on the subsequent growth of the microcolony. As a preliminary step to validate this experimental setup, we referred to previous findings in yeast where the expression level of Tsl1, a member of the Trehalose Phosphate Synthase (TPS) complex, negatively correlated with cell division rate. We unfortunately could not find any influence of the initial TSL1 expression level on the growth rate of the microcolonies. We also analyzed the effect of the natural variations of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS1) expression on cell-to-cell growth heterogeneity, but we did not find any correlation. However, due to the already known altered growth of the tps1Δ mutants, we tested this strain at the single-cell level on a permissive carbon source. This mutant showed an outstanding lack of reproducibility of growth rate distributions as compared to the wild-type strain, with variable proportions of non-growing cells between cultivations and more heterogeneous microcolonies in terms of individual growth rates. Interestingly, this variable behavior at the single-cell level was reminiscent to the high variability that is also stochastically suffered at the population level when cultivating this tps1Δ strain, even when using controlled bioreactors.
Mitochondrial Redox Signaling Is Critical to the Normal Functioning of the Neuronal System
Authors: Odnokoz Olena , Nakatsuka Kyle , Wright Corbin , Castellanos Jovelyn , Klichko Vladimir I. , Kretzschmar Doris , Orr William C. , Radyuk Svetlana N.
Published: January 2021

Mitochondrial dysfunction often leads to neurodegeneration and is considered one of the main causes of neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other age-related diseases. Mitochondrial dysfunction is tightly linked to oxidative stress and accumulating evidence suggests the association between oxidative stress and neurological disorders. However, there is insufficient knowledge about the role of pro-oxidative shift in cellular redox and impairment of redox-sensitive signaling in the development of neurodegenerative pathological conditions. To gain a more complete understanding of the relationship between mitochondria, redox status, and neurodegenerative disorders, we investigated the effect of mitochondrial thiol-dependent peroxidases, peroxiredoxins (Prxs), on the physiological characteristics of flies, which change with pathologies such as PD, ALS and during aging. We previously found that through their ability to sense changes in redox and regulate redox-sensitive signaling, Prxs play a critical role in maintaining global thiol homeostasis, preventing age-related apoptosis and chronic activation of the immune response. We also found that the phenotype of flies under-expressing Prxs in mitochondria shares many characteristics with the phenotype of Drosophila models of neurological disorders such as ALS, including impaired locomotor activity and compromised redox balance. Here, we expanded the study and found that under-expression of mitochondrial Prxs leads to behavioral changes associated with neural function, including locomotor ability, sleep-wake behavior, and temperature-sensitive paralysis. We also found that under-expression of mitochondrial Prxs with a motor-neuron-specific driver, D42-GAL4, was a determining factor in the development of the phenotype of shortened lifespan and impaired motor activity in flies. The results of the study suggest a causal link between mitochondrial Prx activity and the development of neurological disorders and pre-mature aging.
Is Senescence-Associated β-Galactosidase a Reliable in vivo Marker of Cellular Senescence During Embryonic Development?
Authors: de Mera-Rodríguez José Antonio , Álvarez-Hernán Guadalupe , Gañán Yolanda , Martín-Partido Gervasio , Rodríguez-León Joaquín , Francisco-Morcillo Javier
Published: January 2021

During vertebrate embryonic development, cellular senescence occurs at multiple locations. To date, it has been accepted that when there has been induction of senescence in an embryonic tissue, β-galactosidase activity is detectable at a pH as high as 6.0, and this has been extensively used as a marker of cellular senescencein vivoin both whole-mount and cryosections. Such senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-GAL) labeling appears enhanced in degenerating regions of the vertebrate embryo that are also affected by programmed cell death. In this sense, there is a strong SA-β-GAL signal which overlaps with the pattern of cell death in the interdigital tissue of the developing limbs, and indeed, many of the labeled cells detected go on to subsequently undergo apoptosis. However, it has been reported that β-GAL activity at pH 6.0 is also enhanced in healthy neurons, and some retinal neurons are strongly labeled with this histochemical technique when they begin to differentiate during early embryonic development. These labeled early post-mitotic neurons also express other senescence markers such as p21. Therefore, the reliability of this histochemical technique in studying senescence in cells such as neurons that undergo prolonged and irreversible cell-cycle arrest is questionable because it is also expressed in healthy post-mitotic cells. The identification of new biomarkers of cellular senescence would, in combination with established markers, increase the specificity and efficiency of detecting cellular senescence in embryonic and healthy mature tissues.
Molecular Mechanisms of L1 and NCAM Adhesion Molecules in Synaptic Pruning, Plasticity, and Stabilization
Authors: Duncan Bryce W. , Murphy Kelsey E. , Maness Patricia F.
Published: January 2021

Mammalian brain circuits are wired by dynamic formation and remodeling during development to produce a balance of excitatory and inhibitory synapses. Synaptic regulation is mediated by a complex network of proteins including immunoglobulin (Ig)- class cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), structural and signal-transducing components at the pre- and post-synaptic membranes, and the extracellular protein matrix. This review explores the current understanding of developmental synapse regulation mediated by L1 and NCAM family CAMs. Excitatory and inhibitory synapses undergo formation and remodeling through neuronal CAMs and receptor-ligand interactions. These responses result in pruning inactive dendritic spines and perisomatic contacts, or synaptic strengthening during critical periods of plasticity. Ankyrins engage neural adhesion molecules of the L1 family (L1-CAMs) to promote synaptic stability. Chondroitin sulfates, hyaluronic acid, tenascin-R, and linker proteins comprising the perineuronal net interact with L1-CAMs and NCAM, stabilizing synaptic contacts and limiting plasticity as critical periods close. Understanding neuronal adhesion signaling and synaptic targeting provides insight into normal development as well as synaptic connectivity disorders including autism, schizophrenia, and intellectual disability.
Exometabolomic Analysis of Decidualizing Human Endometrial Stromal and Perivascular Cells
Authors: Harden Sarah L. , Zhou Jieliang , Gharanei Seley , Diniz-da-Costa Maria , Lucas Emma S. , Cui Liang , Murakami Keisuke , Fang Jinling , Chen Qingfeng , Brosens Jan J. , Lee Yie Hou
Published: January 2021

Differentiation of endometrial fibroblasts into specialized decidual cells controls embryo implantation and transforms the cycling endometrium into a semi-permanent, immune-protective matrix that accommodates the placenta throughout pregnancy. This process starts during the midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle with decidual transformation of perivascular cells (PVC) surrounding the terminal spiral arterioles and endometrial stromal cells (EnSC) underlying the luminal epithelium. Decidualization involves extensive cellular reprogramming and acquisition of a secretory phenotype, essential for coordinated placental trophoblast invasion. Secreted metabolites are an emerging class of signaling molecules, collectively known as the exometabolome. Here, we used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to characterize and analyze time-resolved changes in metabolite secretion (exometabolome) of primary PVC and EnSC decidualized over 8 days. PVC were isolated using positive selection of the cell surface marker SUSD2. We identified 79 annotated metabolites differentially secreted upon decidualization, including prostaglandin, sphingolipid, and hyaluronic acid metabolites. Secreted metabolites encompassed 21 metabolic pathways, most prominently glycerolipid and pyrimidine metabolism. Although temporal exometabolome changes were comparable between decidualizing PVC and EnSC, 32 metabolites were differentially secreted across the decidualization time-course. Further, targeted metabolomics demonstrated significant differences in secretion of purine pathway metabolites between decidualized PVC and EnSC. Taken together, our findings indicate that the metabolic footprints generated by different decidual subpopulations encode spatiotemporal information that may be important for optimal embryo implantation.
The Small GTPase Arf6 Functions as a Membrane Tether in a Chemically-Defined Reconstitution System
Authors: Fujibayashi Kana , Mima Joji
Published: January 2021

Arf-family small GTPases are essential protein components for membrane trafficking in all eukaryotic endomembrane systems, particularly during the formation of membrane-bound, coat protein complex-coated transport carriers. In addition to their roles in the transport carrier formation, a number of Arf-family GTPases have been reported to physically associate with coiled-coil tethering proteins and multisubunit tethering complexes, which are responsible for membrane tethering, a process of the initial contact between transport carriers and their target subcellular compartments. Nevertheless, whether and how indeed Arf GTPases are involved in the tethering process remain unclear. Here, using a chemically-defined reconstitution approach with purified proteins of two representative Arf isoforms in humans (Arf1, Arf6) and synthetic liposomes for model membranes, we discovered that Arf6 can function as a bona fide membrane tether, directly and physically linking two distinct lipid bilayers even in the absence of any other tethering factors, whereas Arf1 retained little potency to trigger membrane tethering under the current experimental conditions. Arf6-mediated membrane tethering reactions require trans-assembly of membrane-anchored Arf6 proteins and can be reversibly controlled by the membrane attachment and detachment cycle of Arf6. The intrinsic membrane tethering activity of Arf6 was further found to be significantly inhibited by the presence of membrane-anchored Arf1, suggesting that the tethering-competent Arf6-Arf6 assembly in trans can be prevented by the heterotypic Arf1-Arf6 association in a cis configuration. Taken together, these findings lead us to postulate that self-assemblies of Arf-family small GTPases on lipid bilayers contribute to driving and regulating the tethering events of intracellular membrane trafficking.
The Role of Tbx20 in Cardiovascular Development and Function
Authors: Chen Yuwen , Xiao Deyong , Zhang Lu , Cai Chen-Leng , Li Bai-Yan , Liu Ying
Published: January 2021

Tbx20is a member of the Tbx1 subfamily of T-box-containing genes and is known to play a variety of fundamental roles in cardiovascular development and homeostasis as well as cardiac remodeling in response to pathophysiological stresses. Mutations inTBX20are widely associated with the complex spectrum of congenital heart defects (CHDs) in humans, which includes defects in chamber septation, chamber growth, and valvulogenesis. In addition, genetic variants ofTBX20have been found to be associated with dilated cardiomyopathy and heart arrhythmia. This broad spectrum of cardiac morphogenetic and functional defects is likely due to its broad expression pattern in multiple cardiogenic cell lineages and its critical regulation of transcriptional networks during cardiac development. In this review, we summarize recent findings in our general understanding of the role ofTbx20in regulating several important aspects of cardiac development and homeostasis and heart function.
Cr-Doped Li2ZnTi3O8 as a High Performance Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Zeng Xianguang , Peng Jing , Zhu Huafeng , Gong Yong , Huang Xi
Published: January 2021

Li2ZnTi2.9Cr0.1O8 and Li2ZnTi3O8 were synthesized by the liquid phase method and then studied comparatively using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), galvanostatic charge–discharge testing, cyclic stability testing, rate performance testing, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results showed that Cr-doped Li2ZnTi3O8 exhibited much improved cycle performance and rate performance compared with Li2ZnTi3O8. Li2ZnTi2.9Cr0.1O8 exhibited a discharge ability of 156.7 and 107.5 mA h g−1 at current densities of 2 and 5 A g−1, respectively. In addition, even at a current density of 1 A g−1, a reversible capacity of 162.2 mA h g−1 was maintained after 200 cycles. The improved electrochemical properties of Li2ZnTi2.9Cr0.1O8 are due to its increased electrical conductivity.
A Comparison of Commercially Available Screen-Printed Electrodes for Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Applications
Authors: Kerr Emily , Alexander Richard , Francis Paul S. , Guijt Rosanne M. , Barbante Gregory J. , Doeven Egan H.
Published: January 2021

We examined a series of commercially available screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) for their suitability for electrochemical and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) detection systems. Using cyclic voltammetry with both a homogeneous solution-based and a heterogeneous bead-based ECL assay format, the most intense ECL signals were observed from unmodified carbon-based SPEs. Three commercially available varieties were tested, with Zensor outperforming DropSens and Kanichi in terms of sensitivity. The incorporation of nanomaterials in the electrode did not significantly enhance the ECL intensity under the conditions used in this evaluation (such as gold nanoparticles 19%, carbon nanotubes 45%, carbon nanofibers 21%, graphene 48%, and ordered mesoporous carbon 21% compared to the ECL intensity of unmodified Zensor carbon electrode). Platinum and gold SPEs exhibited poor relative ECL intensities (16% and 10%) when compared to carbonaceous materials, due to their high rates of surface oxide formation and inefficient oxidation of tri-n-propylamine (TPrA). However, the ECL signal at platinum electrodes can be increased ∼3-fold with the addition of a surfactant, which enhanced TPrA oxidation due to increasing the hydrophobicity of the electrode surface. Our results also demonstrate that each SPE should only be used once, as we observed a significant change in ECL intensity over repeated CV scans and SPEs cannot be mechanically polished to refresh the electrode surface.
Acetylcholine Upregulates Entamoeba histolytica Virulence Factors, Enhancing Parasite Pathogenicity in Experimental Liver Amebiasis
Authors: Medina-Rosales Marina Nayeli , Muñoz-Ortega Martín Humberto , García-Hernández Mariana Haydee , Talamás-Rohana Patricia , Medina-Ramírez Iliana Ernestina , Salas-Morón Larissa Guadalupe , Martínez-Hernández Sandra Luz , Ávila-Blanco Manuel Enrique , Medina-Rosales Beatriz , Ventura-Juárez Javier
Published: January 2021

Entamoeba histolytica is an invasive enteric protozoan, whose infections are associated to high morbidity and mortality rates. However, only less than 10% of infected patients develop invasive amebiasis. The ability of E. histolytica to adapt to the intestinal microenvironment could be determinant in triggering pathogenic behavior. Indeed, during chronic inflammation, the vagus nerve limits the immune response through the anti-inflammatory reflex, which includes acetylcholine (ACh) as one of the predominant neurotransmitters at the infection site. Consequently, the response of E. histolytica trophozoites to ACh could be implicated in the establishment of invasive disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ACh on E. histolytica virulence. Methods include binding detection of ACh to plasma membrane, quantification of the relative expression of virulence factors by RT-PCR and western blot, evaluation of the effect of ACh in different cellular processes related to E. histolytica pathogenesis, and assessment of the capability of E. histolytica to migrate and form hepatic abscesses in hamsters. Results demonstrated that E. histolytica trophozoites bind ACh on their membrane and show a clear increase of the expression of virulence factors, that were upregulated upon stimulation with the neurotransmitter. ACh treatment increased the expression of L220, Gal/GalNAc lectin heavy subunit (170 kDa), amebapore C, cysteine proteinase 2 (ehcp-a2), and cysteine proteinase 5 (ehcp-a5). Moreover, erythrophagocytosis, cytotoxicity, and actin cytoskeleton remodeling were augmented after ACh treatment. Likewise, by assessing the formation of amebic liver abscess, we found that stimulated trophozoites to develop greater hamster hepatic lesions with multiple granulomas. In conclusion, ACh enhanced parasite pathogenicity by upregulating diverse virulence factors, thereby contributing to disease severity, and could be linked to the establishment of invasive amebiasis.
Repetition Preferences in Two-Handed Balanced Signs: Vestigial Locomotor Central Pattern Generators Shape Sign Language Phonetics and Phonology
Authors: Tkachman Oksana , Purnomo Gracellia , Gick Bryan
Published: January 2021

Language is produced by bodies that evolved to fulfill a variety of functions, most of them non-communicative. Vestigial influences of adaptation for quadrupedal locomotion are still affecting bimanual actions, and have consequences on manual communication systems such as sign languages of the deaf. We discuss how central pattern generators (CPGs), networks of nerve cells in the spinal cord that drive locomotion, influence bimanual actions with alternating movements to be produced with repeated motion. We demonstrate this influence with data from three unrelated sign languages, American Sign Language, British Sign Language, and Hong Kong Sign Language: in all three sign languages two-handed balanced signs produced with alternating movements have a tendency to be repeated, whereas other types of two-handed balanced signs show the opposite tendency for single movements. These tendencies cannot be fully explained by factors such as iconicity. We propose a motoric account for these results: as alternating bimanual movements are influenced by locomotor patterns, they favor repeated movements.
COVID-19 and the Heart: A Systematic Review of Cardiac Autopsies
Authors: Roshdy Ashraf , Zaher Shroque , Fayed Hossam , Coghlan John Gerry
Published: January 2021

Importance: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-associated cardiac injury has been postulated secondary to several mechanisms. While tissue diagnosis is limited during the acute illness, postmortem studies can help boost our understanding and guide management.

Objective: To report the cardiac tissue autopsy findings in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) decedents.

Evidence Review: Articles published in PubMed and Embase reporting postmortem cardiac pathology of COVID-19 decedents till September 2020. We included adult studies excluding preprints. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Case Reports was used to assess quality. We extracted gross and histology data as well as the incidence of myocarditis, cardiac ischemia, thrombosis, and dilatation. We also looked at the reported cause of death (PROSPERO registration CRD42020190898).

Findings: Forty-one relevant studies identified including 316 cases. The deceased were mostly male (62%) and elderly (median age, 75; range, 22–97 years). The most common comorbidities were hypertension (48%) and coronary artery disease (33%). Cardiac pathologies contributed to the death of 15 cases. Besides chronic cardiac pathologies, postmortem examination demonstrated cardiac dilatation (20%), acute ischemia (8%), intracardiac thrombi (2.5%), pericardial effusion (2.5%), and myocarditis (1.5%). SARS-CoV-2 was detected within the myocardium of 47% of studied hearts.

Conclusions and Relevance: SARS-CoV-2 can invade the heart, but a minority of cases were found to have myocarditis. Cardiac dilatation, ischemia, mural, and microthrombi were the most frequent findings. The systematic review was limited by the small number of cases and the quality of the studies, and there is a need to standardize the cardiac postmortem protocols.
Entropy of Co-Enrolment Networks Reveal Disparities in High School STEM Participation
Authors: Turnbull Steven Martin , O’Neale Dion R. J.
Published: January 2021

The current study uses a network analysis approach to explore the STEM pathways that students take through their final year of high school in Aotearoa New Zealand. By accessing individual-level microdata from New Zealand’s Integrated Data Infrastructure, we are able to create a co-enrolment network comprised of all STEM assessment standards taken by students in New Zealand between 2010 and 2016. We explore the structure of this co-enrolment network though use of community detection and a novel measure of entropy. We then investigate how network structure differs across sub-populations based on students’ sex, ethnicity, and the socio-economic-status (SES) of the high school they attended. Results show the structure of the STEM co-enrolment network differs across these sub-populations, and also changes over time. We find that, while female students were more likely to have been enrolled in life science standards, they were less well represented in physics, calculus, and vocational (e.g., agriculture, practical technology) standards. Our results also show that the enrollment patterns of Asian students had lower entropy, an observation that may be explained by increased enrolments in key science and mathematics standards. Through further investigation of differences in entropy across ethnic group and high school SES, we find that ethnic group differences in entropy are moderated by high school SES, such that sub-populations at higher SES schools had lower entropy. We also discuss these findings in the context of the New Zealand education system and policy changes that occurred between 2010 and 2016.
Seasonal Variation in Biomass and Production of the Macrophytobenthos in two Lagoons in the Southern Baltic Sea
Authors: Paar Martin , Berthold Maximilian , Schumann Rhena , Dahlke Sven , Blindow Irmgard
Published: January 2021

Baltic coastal lagoons are severely threatened by eutrophication. To evaluate the impact of eutrophication on macrophytobenthos, we compared the seasonal development in macrophytobenthic composition, biomass and production, water column parameters (light, nutrients), phytoplankton biomass and production in one mesotrophic and one eutrophic German coastal lagoon. We hypothesized that light availability is the main driver for primary production, and that net primary production is lower at a higher eutrophication level. In the mesotrophic lagoon, macrophytobenthic biomass was much higher with distinct seasonal succession in species composition. Filamentous algae dominated in spring and late summer and probably caused reduced macrophytobenthic biomass and growth during early summer, thus decreasing vegetation stability. Light attenuation was far higher in the eutrophic lagoon, due to high phytoplankton densities, explaining the low macrophytobenthic biomass and species diversity in every season. Areal net primary production was far lower in the eutrophic lagoon. The “paradox of enrichment” hypothesis predicts lower production at higher trophic levels with increased nutrient concentrations. Our results prove for the first time that this hypothesis may be valid already at the primary producer level in coastal lagoons.
Morphotectonic Analysis of the East Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea
Authors: Dyriw Nicholas J. , Bryan Scott E. , Richards Simon W. , Parianos John M. , Arculus Richard J. , Gust David A.
Published: January 2021

Backarc basin systems are important sites of extension leading to crustal rupture where basin development typically occurs in rifting phases (or stages) with the final successful stages identified by the formation of spreading ridges and new oceanic crust. The East Manus Basin is a young (<1 Ma), active, rapidly rifting backarc basin in a complex tectonic setting at the confluence of the oblique convergence of the Australian and Pacific plates. Here we undertake the first comprehensive spatial-temporal morphotectonic description and interpretation of the East Manus Basin including a link to the timing of, and tectonic controls on, the formation of seafloor massive sulfide mineralization. Key seafloor datasets used in the morphotectonic analysis include multi-resolution multibeam echosounder seafloor data and derivatives. Morphotectonic analysis of these data defines three evolutionary phases for the East Manus Basin. Each phase is distinguished by a variation in seafloor characteristics, volcano morphology and structural features: Phase 1 is a period of incipient extension of existing arc crust with intermediate to silicic volcanism; Phase 2 evolves to crustal rifting with effusive, flat top volcanoes with fissures; and Phase 3 is a nascent organized half-graben system with axial volcanism and seafloor spreading. The morphotectonic analysis, combined with available age constraints, shows that crustal rupture can occur rapidly (within ∼1 Myr) in backarc basins but that the different rift phases can become abandoned and preserved on the seafloor as the locus of extension and magmatism migrates to focus on the ultimate zone(s) of crustal rupture. Consequently, the spatial-temporal occurrence of significant Cu-rich seafloor massive sulfide mineralization can be constrained to the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 within the East Manus Basin. Mineralizing hydrothermal systems have utilized interconnected structural zones developed during these phases. This research improves our understanding of the early evolution of modern backarc systems, including the association between basin evolution and spatial-temporal formation of seafloor massive sulfide deposits, and provides key morphotectonic relationships that can be used to help interpret the evolution of paleo/fossilized backarc basins found in fold belts and accreted terrains around the world.
Satellite Monitoring of Anomalous Wildfires in Australia
Authors: Bondur Valery G. , Gordo Kristina A. , Voronova Olga S. , Zima Alla L.
Published: January 2021

Here we present the results of satellite monitoring of wildfires in Australia for the period of 2001–2020. Annual and monthly dynamics of wildfire areas and CO and CO2 carbon-bearing trace gas emissions from wildfires have been analyzed for the whole territory of Australia based on satellite data. It was found that anomalous fires occurred in the territory of New South Wales during the 2019–2020 fire season. Values of burned-out areas exceeded the values of previous years 3.5–25.8-fold. Annual mean volumes of carbon-bearing gas emissions in this region exceeded the values of previous years 4–59-fold for carbon monoxide CO and 4.6–50-fold for carbon dioxide CO2. The spatial distribution of the excess concentrations of CO from wildfires in New South Wales was recorded according to the monthly mean data of the AIRS instrument (Aqua satellite). At the same time, the excess of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere was estimated using the TANSO-FTS (GOSAT satellite) data. It was demonstrated that an anomalously high number of fires in this state of Australia was caused by extreme drought associated with abnormally high surface temperatures, low rainfall and humidity which created conditions for intense fires and emissions of carbon-bearing gases associated with the combustion of eucalyptus and tropical rain forests prevailing in this region.
Rapid Tephra Identification in Geological Archives With Computed Tomography: Experimental Results and Natural Applications
Authors: van der Bilt Willem G. M. , Cederstrøm Jan Magne , Støren Eivind W. N. , Berben Sarah M. P. , Rutledal Sunniva
Published: January 2021

Volcanic ash (tephra) horizons represent powerful chronological and stratigraphic markers: rapid and widespread deposition allows for correlation of geological records in time and space. Recent analytical advances enable identification of invisible ash (cryptotephra) up to thousands of kilometers from its volcanic source. This momentum has greatly expanded the reach and potential of tephrochronology: some deposits can now be traced across continents and oceans. However, the laborious laboratory procedures required to identify tephra horizons in geological archives hold back the pace of progress. By allowing the rapid visualization of ash at micrometer (µm) scales, computed tomography (CT) holds great promise to overcome these restrictions. In this study, we further demonstrate the potential of this tool for the tephra community with experimental results and applications on conventionally analyzed archives. A custom-made scanner helps us strike a balance between the convenience of whole-core medical scanners and the µm-resolution of micro-CT systems. Using basic image processing tools that can be readily mastered by tephrochronologists, we identified invisible horizons down to ∼500 shards in synthetic cores. In addition, procedures for the removal of image artifacts can be used to visualize other paleoenvironmental indicators such as bioturbation burrows, ice rafted debris or mineral dust. When applied on segments of manually counted natural archives, our approach captures cryptic glass shard maxima down to ∼300 shards/cm3. We also highlight the value of CT to help optimize sampling strategies by identifying micrometer-scale ash horizons that were not detected in shard count profiles. In conclusion, this work helps broaden the applicability of CT as a promising frontier in tephrochronology that can advance the field by optimizing the efficiency and accuracy of isochron detection.