bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus: emerging novel phlebovirus and their control strategy
Authors: Casel Mark Anthony , Park Su Jin , Choi Young Ki
Published: May 2021

An emerging infectious disease first identified in central China in 2009, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) was found to be caused by a novel phlebovirus. Since SFTSV was first identified, epidemics have occurred in several East Asian countries. With the escalating incidence of SFTS and the rapid, worldwide spread of SFTSV vector, it is clear this virus has pandemic potential and presents an impending global public health threat. In this review, we concisely summarize the latest findings regarding SFTSV, including vector and virus transmission, genotype diversity and epidemiology, probable pathogenic mechanism, and clinical presentation of human SFTS. Ticks most likely transmit SFTSV to animals including humans; however, human-to-human transmission has been reported. The majority of arbovirus transmission cycle includes vertebrate hosts, and potential reservoirs include a variety of both domestic and wild animals. Reports of the seroprevalence of SFTSV in both wild and domestic animals raises the probability that domestic animals act as amplifying hosts for the virus. Major clinical manifestation of human SFTS infection is high fever, thrombocytopenia, leukocytopenia, gastrointestinal symptoms, and a high case-fatality rate. Several animal models were developed to further understand the pathogenesis of the virus and aid in the discovery of therapeutics and preventive measures.
Epigenetic dysregulation of immune-related pathways in cancer: bioinformatics tools and visualization
Authors: Berglund Anders , Putney Ryan M. , Hamaidi Imene , Kim Sungjune
Published: May 2021

Cancer immune evasion is one of the hallmarks of carcinogenesis. Cancer cells employ multiple mechanisms to avoid immune recognition and suppress antitumor immune responses. Recently, accumulating evidence has indicated that immune-related pathways are epigenetically dysregulated in cancer. Most importantly, the epigenetic footprint of immune-related pathways is associated with the patient outcome, underscoring the crucial need to understand this process. In this review, we summarize the current evidence for epigenetic regulation of immune-related pathways in cancer and describe bioinformatics tools, informative visualization techniques, and resources to help decipher the cancer epigenome.
Molecular mechanisms underlying the antidepressant actions of arketamine: beyond the NMDA receptor
Authors: Wei Yan , Chang Lijia , Hashimoto Kenji
Published: May 2021

The discovery of robust antidepressant actions exerted by the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist (R,S)-ketamine has been a crucial breakthrough in mood disorder research. (R,S)-ketamine is a racemic mixture of equal amounts of (R)-ketamine (arketamine) and (S)-ketamine (esketamine). In 2019, an esketamine nasal spray from Johnson & Johnson was approved in the United States of America and Europe for treatment-resistant depression. However, an increasing number of preclinical studies show that arketamine has greater potency and longer-lasting antidepressant-like effects than esketamine in rodents, despite the lower binding affinity of arketamine for the NMDAR. In clinical trials, non-ketamine NMDAR-related compounds did not exhibit ketamine-like robust antidepressant actions in patients with depression, despite these compounds showing antidepressant-like effects in rodents. Thus, the rodent data do not necessarily translate to humans due to the complexity of human psychiatric disorders. Collectively, the available studies indicate that it is unlikely that NMDAR plays a major role in the antidepressant action of (R,S)-ketamine and its enantiomers, although the precise molecular mechanisms underlying antidepressant actions of (R,S)-ketamine and its enantiomers remain unclear. In this paper, we review recent findings on the molecular mechanisms underlying the antidepressant actions of (R,S)-ketamine and its potent enantiomer arketamine. Furthermore, we discuss the possible role of the brain–gut–microbiota axis and brain–spleen axis in stress-related psychiatric disorders and in the antidepressant-like action of arketamine. Finally, we discuss the potential of arketamine as a treatment for cognitive impairment in psychiatric disorders, Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, and stroke.
ADIPOR1 deficiency-induced suppression of retinal ELOVL2 and docosahexaenoic acid levels during photoreceptor degeneration and visual loss
Authors: Osada Hideto , Toda Eriko , Homma Kohei , Guzman Naymel A. , Nagai Norihiro , Ogawa Mamoru , Negishi Kazuno , Arita Makoto , Tsubota Kazuo , Ozawa Yoko
Published: May 2021

Lipid metabolism-related gene mutations can cause retinitis pigmentosa, a currently untreatable blinding disease resulting from progressive neurodegeneration of the retina. Here, we demonstrated the influence of adiponectin receptor 1 (ADIPOR1) deficiency in retinal neurodegeneration using Adipor1 knockout (KO) mice. Adipor1 mRNA was observed to be expressed in photoreceptors, predominately within the photoreceptor inner segment (PIS), and increased after birth during the development of the photoreceptor outer segments (POSs) where photons are received by the visual pigment, rhodopsin. At 3 weeks of age, visual function impairment, specifically photoreceptor dysfunction, as recorded by electroretinography (ERG), was evident in homozygous, but not heterozygous, Adipor1 KO mice. However, although photoreceptor loss was evident at 3 weeks of age and progressed until 10 weeks, the level of visual dysfunction was already substantial by 3 weeks, after which it was retained until 10 weeks of age. The rhodopsin mRNA levels had already decreased at 3 weeks, suggesting that reduced rhodopsin may have contributed to early visual loss. Moreover, inflammation and oxidative stress were induced in homozygous KO retinas. Prior to observation of photoreceptor loss via optical microscopy, electron microscopy revealed that POSs were present; however, they were misaligned and their lipid composition, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is critical in forming POSs, was impaired in the retina. Importantly, the expression of Elovl2, an elongase of very long chain fatty acids expressed in the PIS, was significantly reduced, and lipogenic genes, which are induced under conditions of reduced endogenous DHA synthesis, were increased in homozygous KO mice. The causal relationship between ADIPOR1 deficiency and Elovl2 repression, together with upregulation of lipogenic genes, was confirmed in vitro. Therefore, ADIPOR1 in the retina appears to be indispensable for ELOVL2 induction, which is likely required to supply sufficient DHA for appropriate photoreceptor function and survival.
Fibroblast CEBPD/SDF4 axis in response to chemotherapy-induced angiogenesis through CXCR4
Authors: Chi Jhih-Ying , Hsiao Yu-Wei , Liu Hai-Ling , Fan Xin-Juan , Wan Xiang-Bo , Liu Tsung-Lin , Hung Sheng-Jou , Chen Yi-Ting , Liang Hsin-Yin , Wang Ju-Ming
Published: May 2021

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an essential role in supporting cancer progression. However, the details and consequent effects in response to the communication between CAFs and angiogenesis remain largely uninvestigated, especially in anticancer drug treatments. We found that cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil could induce fibroblast differentiation toward myofibroblasts via CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein delta (CEBPD) and consequently promote proliferation, migration, and in vitro tube formation of vascular endothelial cells and angiogenesis in vivo. Stromal-cell-derived factor 4 (SDF4) is responsive to anticancer drugs via CEBPD activation in CAFs and contributes to create a permissive environment for tumor cell angiogenesis and promotion of distant metastasis. Importantly, we demonstrated that SDF4 interacts with CXCR4 to trigger VEGFD expression through the activation of the ERK1/2 and p38 pathways in endothelial cells. Taken together, our novel findings support that SDF4 can be a therapeutic target in inhibition of angiogenesis for chemotherapy drug-administrated cancer patients.
The oncogenic E3 ligase TRIP12 suppresses epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal traits through ZEB1/2
Authors: Lee Kwok Kin , Rajagopalan Deepa , Bhatia Shreshtha Sailesh , Tirado-Magallanes Roberto , Chng Wee Joo , Jha Sudhakar
Published: May 2021

Thyroid hormone receptor interactor 12 (TRIP12) is an E3 ligase most notably involved in the proteolytic degradation of the tumor suppressor p14ARF. Through this process, it is proposed that TRIP12 plays an oncogenic role in tumor initiation and growth. However, its role in other cancer processes is unknown. In this study, using publicly available cancer patient datasets, we found TRIP12 to be associated with distant metastasis-free survival in breast cancer, suggesting an inhibitory role in metastasis. Following TRIP12 depletion, an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) shift occurred with concomitant changes in EMT cell adhesion markers identified through RNA-seq. In line with EMT changes, TRIP12-depleted cells gained mesenchymal traits such as loss of cell polarity, dislodgement from bulk cells at a higher frequency, and increased cellular motility. Furthermore, ectopic TRIP12 expression sensitized cells to anoikis. Mechanistically, TRIP12 suppresses EMT through inhibiting ZEB1/2 gene expression, and ZEB1/2 depletion rescues EMT markers and mesenchymal behavior. Overall, our study delineates TRIP12’s role in inhibition of EMT and implies a potential suppressive role in breast cancer metastasis.
Undoped tin dioxide transparent electrodes for efficient and cost-effective indoor organic photovoltaics (SnO2 electrode for indoor organic photovoltaics)
Authors: Lee Jung-Hoon , You Young-Jun , Saeed Muhammad Ahsan , Kim Sang Hyeon , Choi Su-Hwan , Kim Sungmin , Lee Sae Youn , Park Jin-Seong , Shim Jae Won
Published: May 2021

Indoor organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are currently being investigated for small-scale energy generation from artificial light sources to power small electronic devices. Despite recent progress in increasing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of indoor OPVs, the widespread use of expensive indium tin oxide (ITO) as a transparent conducting electrode (TCE) leads to long energy payback times. This study provides a novel and comprehensive description of low-temperature atomic layer deposition (ALD)-processed indium-free tin dioxide (SnO2) films as inexpensive and efficient TCEs for indoor OPVs. These highly conformal and defect-free ALD-fabricated SnO2 films are applied to a poly(3-hexylthiophene):indene-C60 bisadduct-based OPV system. Under 1 sun illumination, an OPV with an SnO2 TCE exhibits limited operational capacity because of the high sheet resistance (~98 Ω sq−1) of the SnO2 layers. However, under a light-emitting diode (LED) lamp with a luminance of 1000 lx, the series resistance, which is related to the sheet resistance, has a marginal effect on the performance of the indoor OPV system, showing a PCE of 14.6 ± 0.3%. A reference OPV with an ITO TCE has a slightly lower PCE of 13.3 ± 0.8% under the same LED conditions. These results suggest that SnO2 TCEs can be efficient and cost-effective replacements for ITO TCEs in indoor OPV systems.
Loss of function mutations in GEMIN5 cause a neurodevelopmental disorder
Authors: Kour Sukhleen , Rajan Deepa S. , Fortuna Tyler R. , Anderson Eric N. , Ward Caroline , Lee Youngha , Lee Sangmoon , Shin Yong Beom , Chae Jong-Hee , Choi Murim , Siquier Karine , Cantagrel Vincent , Amiel Jeanne , Stolerman Elliot S. , Barnett Sarah S. , Cousin Margot A. , Castro Diana , McDonald Kimberly , Kirmse Brian , Nemeth Andrea H. , Rajasundaram Dhivyaa , Innes A. Micheil , Lynch Danielle , Frosk Patrick , Collins Abigail , Gibbons Melissa , Yang Michele , Desguerre Isabelle , Boddaert Nathalie , Gitiaux Cyril , Rydning Siri Lynne , Selmer Kaja K. , Urreizti Roser , Garcia-Oguiza Alberto , Osorio Andrés Nascimento , Verdura Edgard , Pujol Aurora , McCurry Hannah R. , Landers John E. , Agnihotri Sameer , Andriescu E. Corina , Moody Shade B. , Phornphutkul Chanika , Sacoto Maria J. Guillen , Begtrup Amber , Houlden Henry , Kirschner Janbernd , Schorling David , Rudnik-Schöneborn Sabine , Strom Tim M. , Leiz Steffen , Juliette Kali , Richardson Randal , Yang Ying , Zhang Yuehua , Wang Minghui , Wang Jia , Wang Xiaodong , Platzer Konrad , Donkervoort Sandra , Bönnemann Carsten G. , Wagner Matias , Issa Mahmoud Y. , Elbendary Hasnaa M. , Stanley Valentina , Maroofian Reza , Gleeson Joseph G. , Zaki Maha S. , Senderek Jan , Pandey Udai Bhan
Published: May 2021

GEMIN5, an RNA-binding protein is essential for assembly of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein complex and facilitates the formation of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs), the building blocks of spliceosomes. Here, we have identified 30 affected individuals from 22 unrelated families presenting with developmental delay, hypotonia, and cerebellar ataxia harboring biallelic variants in the GEMIN5 gene. Mutations in GEMIN5 perturb the subcellular distribution, stability, and expression of GEMIN5 protein and its interacting partners in patient iPSC-derived neurons, suggesting a potential loss-of-function mechanism. GEMIN5 mutations result in disruption of snRNP complex assembly formation in patient iPSC neurons. Furthermore, knock down of rigor mortis, the fly homolog of human GEMIN5, leads to developmental defects, motor dysfunction, and a reduced lifespan. Interestingly, we observed that GEMIN5 variants disrupt a distinct set of transcripts and pathways as compared to SMA patient neurons, suggesting different molecular pathomechanisms. These findings collectively provide evidence that pathogenic variants in GEMIN5 perturb physiological functions and result in a neurodevelopmental delay and ataxia syndrome.
Achieving a high dielectric tunability in strain-engineered tetragonal K0.5Na0.5NbO3 films
Authors: Hao Lanxia , Yang Yali , Huan Yu , Cheng Hongbo , Zhao Yu-Yao , Wang Yingying , Yan Jing , Ren Wei , Ouyang Jun
Published: May 2021

Using a modified Landau-Devonshire type thermodynamic potential, we show that dielectric tunability η of a tetragonal ferroelectric film can be analytically solved. At a given electric field E, η is a function of the remnant polarization ($$P_0^f$$

P

0

f

) and the small-field relative dielectric permittivity ($$\chi _0^f$$

χ

0

f

), which are commonly measured material properties. After a survey of materials, a large η~80% is predicted to be achievable in a (001)-oriented tetragonal (K0.5,Na0.5)NbO3 film. This strain-stabilized tetragonal phase is verified by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. (K0.5,Na0.5)NbO3 films based on this design were successfully prepared via a sputtering deposition process on SrRuO3-buffered (100)SrTiO3 substrates. The resulted epitaxial films showed a sizable $$P_0^f$$

P

0

f

(~0.21C m−2) and a large $$\chi _0^f$$

χ

0

f

(~830–860), as well as a large η close to the theoretical value. The measured dielectric tunabilities as functions of E are well described by the theoretical η(E) curves, validating our integrated approach rooted in a theoretical understanding.
Experimental authentication of quantum key distribution with post-quantum cryptography
Authors: Wang Liu-Jun , Zhang Kai-Yi , Wang Jia-Yong , Cheng Jie , Yang Yong-Hua , Tang Shi-Biao , Yan Di , Tang Yan-Lin , Liu Zhen , Yu Yu , Zhang Qiang , Pan Jian-Wei
Published: May 2021

Quantum key distribution (QKD) can provide information theoretically secure key exchange even in the era of quantum computers. However, QKD requires the classical channel to be authenticated, the current method for which is pre-sharing symmetric keys. For a QKD network ofnusers, this method requires$${C}_{n}^{2}=n(n-1)/2$$Cn2=n(n−1)/2pairs of symmetric keys to realize pairwise interconnection. In contrast, with the help of a mature public key infrastructure (PKI) and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) with quantum-resistant security, each user only needs to apply for one digital certificate from a certificate authority (CA) to achieve efficient and secure authentication for QKD. We need to assume only the short-term security of the PQC algorithm to achieve long-term security of the distributed keys. Here, we experimentally verified the feasibility, efficiency, and stability of the PQC algorithm in QKD authentication, and demonstrated the advantages when new users join the QKD network. Using the PQC public-key infrastructure, the nodes need to mutually trust only the CA to authenticate each other. QKD combined with PQC authentication will greatly promote and extend the application prospects of quantum-safe communication.
Entangled state generation via quantum walks with multiple coins
Authors: Li Meng , Shang Yun
Published: May 2021

Generation of entangled state is of paramount importance both from quantum theoretical foundation and technology applications. Entanglement swapping provides an efficient method to generate entanglement in quantum communication protocols. However, perfect Bell measurements for qudits, the key to entanglement swapping, have been proven impossible to achieve by using only linear elements and particle detectors. To avoid this bottleneck, we propose a scheme to generate entangled state including two-qubit entangled state, two-qudit entangled state, three-qubit GHZ state and three-qudit GHZ state between several designate parties via the model of quantum walks with multiple coins. Then we conduct experimental realization of Bell state and three-qubit GHZ state between several designate parties on IBM quantum platform and the result has high fidelity by performing quantum tomography. In the end, we give a practical application of our scheme in multiparty quantum secret sharing.
Unsupervised learning predicts human perception and misperception of gloss
Authors: Storrs Katherine R. , Anderson Barton L. , Fleming Roland W.
Published: May 2021

Reflectance, lighting and geometry combine in complex ways to create images. How do we disentangle these to perceive individual properties, such as surface glossiness? We suggest that brains disentangle properties by learning to model statistical structure in proximal images. To test this hypothesis, we trained unsupervised generative neural networks on renderings of glossy surfaces and compared their representations with human gloss judgements. The networks spontaneously cluster images according to distal properties such as reflectance and illumination, despite receiving no explicit information about these properties. Intriguingly, the resulting representations also predict the specific patterns of ‘successes’ and ‘errors’ in human perception. Linearly decoding specular reflectance from the model’s internal code predicts human gloss perception better than ground truth, supervised networks or control models, and it predicts, on an image-by-image basis, illusions of gloss perception caused by interactions between material, shape and lighting. Unsupervised learning may underlie many perceptual dimensions in vision and beyond.
Droplet-based lab-on-chip platform integrated with laser ablated graphene heaters to synthesize gold nanoparticles for electrochemical sensing and fuel cell applications
Authors: Srikanth Sangam , Dudala Sohan , Jayapiriya U. S. , Mohan J. Murali , Raut Sushil , Dubey Satish Kumar , Ishii Idaku , Javed Arshad , Goel Sanket
Published: May 2021

Controlled, stable and uniform temperature environment with quick response are crucial needs for many lab-on-chip (LOC) applications requiring thermal management. Laser Induced Graphene (LIG) heater is one such mechanism capable of maintaining a wide range of steady state temperature. LIG heaters are thin, flexible, and inexpensive and can be fabricated easily in different geometric configurations. In this perspective, herein, the electro-thermal performance of the LIG heater has been examined for different laser power values and scanning speeds. The experimented laser ablated patterns exhibited varying electrical conductivity corresponding to different combinations of power and speed of the laser. The conductivity of the pattern can be tailored by tuning the parameters which exhibit, a wide range of temperatures making them suitable for diverse lab-on-chip applications. A maximum temperature of 589 °C was observed for a combination of 15% laser power and 5.5% scanning speed. A LOC platform was realized by integrating the developed LIG heaters with a droplet-based microfluidic device. The performance of this LOC platform was analyzed for effective use of LIG heaters to synthesize Gold nanoparticles (GNP). Finally, the functionality of the synthesized GNPs was validated by utilizing them as catalyst in enzymatic glucose biofuel cell and in electrochemical applications.
Author Correction: Methods and open-source toolkit for analyzing and visualizing challenge results
Authors: Wiesenfarth Manuel , Reinke Annika , Landman Bennett A. , Eisenmann Matthias , Saiz Laura Aguilera , Cardoso M. Jorge , Maier-Hein Lena , Kopp-Schneider Annette
Published: May 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Direct measurement of vagal tone in rats does not show correlation to HRV
Authors: Marmerstein Joseph T. , McCallum Grant A. , Durand Dominique M.
Published: May 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies and risk factors in health care workers at an academic medical center in Boston, Massachusetts
Authors: Kataria Yachana , Cole Manisha , Duffy Elizabeth , de la Cena Kyle , Schechter-Perkins Elissa M. , Bouton Tara C. , Werler Martha M. , Pierre Cassandra , Ragan Elizabeth J. , Weber Sarah E. , Jacobson Karen R. , Andry Chris
Published: May 2021

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at an increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel virus that causes Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). We aim to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG among healthcare workers and compare risk-factors between seropositive and seronegative HCWs. In this observational study, serum samples were collected from HCWs between July 13th to 26th, 2020 at Boston Medical Center (BMC). Samples were subsequently tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody using the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay. Participants also answered a questionnaire capturing data on demographics, history of COVID-19 symptoms, occupation, infection prevention and control measures. Overall, 95 of 1743 (5.5%) participants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG. Of these, 1.8% of the participants had mild or no COVID-19 symptoms and did not require a diagnostic test. Seropositivity was not associated with gender, occupation, hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE) practices amongst HCWs. However, lack of physical distancing among health care workers in work areas and break room was associated with seropositivity (p = 0.05, p = 0.003, respectively). The majority of the HCWs are negative for SARS-CoV-2 IgG. This data highlights the need to promote infection prevention measures, and the importance of distance amongst co-workers to help mitigate infection rates.
Impact of sandwiched strain periodic multilayer AlN/GaN on strain and crystalline quality of a-plane GaN
Authors: Kamarundzaman Anas , Abu Bakar Ahmad Shuhaimi , Azman Adreen , Omar Al-Zuhairi , Talik Noor Azrina , Supangat Azzuliani , Abd Majid Wan Haliza
Published: May 2021

We demonstrated high-quality single crystalline a-plane undoped-gallium nitride grown on a nonpatterned r-plane sapphire substrate via metal–organic chemical vapor deposition. The effect of four different numbers of sandwiched strain-periodic AlN/GaN multilayers on the strain state, crystal quality, optical and electrical properties was investigated. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy showed that the surface morphology was improved upon insertion of 120 pairs of AlN/GaN thin layers with a root-mean-square roughness of 2.15 nm. On-axis X-ray ω-scan rocking curves showed enhanced crystalline quality: the full width at half maximum decreased from 1224 to 756 arcsec along the [0001] direction and from 2628 to 1360 arcsec along the [1–100] direction for a-GaN grown with 120 pairs of AlN/GaN compared to a-GaN without AlN/GaN pairs. Reciprocal space mapping showed that a-plane GaN with a high number of AlN/GaN pairs exhibits near-relaxation strain states. Room-temperature photoluminescence spectra showed that the sample with the highest number of AlN/GaN pairs exhibited the lowest-intensity yellow and blue luminescence bands, indicating a reduction in defects and dislocations. The a-plane InGaN/GaN LEDs with 120 pairs of SSPM-L AlN/GaN exhibited a significant increase (~ 250%) in light output power compared to that of LEDs without SSPM-L AlN/GaN pairs.
Examination of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration using a puncture needle with a side trap
Authors: Miyazaki Kazuhito , Hirasawa Yuya , Aga Masaharu , Aiko Naoto , Hamakawa Yusuke , Taniguchi Yuri , Misumi Yuki , Agemi Yoko , Shimokawa Tsuneo , Hayashi Hiroyuki , Naoki Katsuhiko , Okamoto Hiroaki
Published: May 2021

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is useful for diagnosing hilar and mediastinal lymph node enlargement; however, specimens obtained are often small and inadequate for pathologic diagnosis. In June 2017, EchoTip ProCore, a puncture needle with a side trap, was launched in Japan. In this single-center prospective interventional study, 57 patients with lymph nodes, intrapulmonary tumor or pleural mass were diagnosed using EBUS-TBNA with EchoTip ProCore between June 2017 and February 2020. EBUS-TBNA was performed for 57 patients and 53 patients had sufficient specimen for histologic diagnosis. The following pathologic subtypes were diagnosed: non-small cell lung cancer, 22; small cell lung cancer, 8; cancer of unknown primary, 2; neuroendocrine tumor (G2) recurrence, 1; lymphoma, 2; metastatic renal cell carcinoma, 3; thymoma recurrence, 1; sarcoidosis, 4; tuberculosis, 1; and non-malignancy, 9. In addition, the cytology showed Class V in 31 out of 57 cases (54.4%). In total, a definitive pathological diagnosis was obtained in 50 out of 57 cases (87.7%). The only complication was pneumonia caused by BAL simultaneously combined with EBUS-TBNA in one patient. Among 13 patients with inadequate specimens or without malignancy, only one patient was subsequently diagnosed with malignancy, and the median follow-up period was 300 days. EBUS-TBNA using EchoTip ProCore can obtain a sufficient specimen size for pathologic diagnosis.
Genome-wide association studies of grain quality traits in maize
Authors: Zheng Yunxiao , Yuan Fan , Huang Yaqun , Zhao Yongfeng , Jia Xiaoyan , Zhu Liying , Guo Jinjie
Published: May 2021

High quality is the main goal of today’s maize breeding and the investigation of grain quality traits would help to breed high-quality varieties in maize. In this study, genome-wide association studies in a set of 248 diverse inbred lines were performed with 83,057 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and five grain quality traits were investigated in diverse environments for two years. The results showed that maize inbred lines showed substantial natural variations of grain quality and these traits showed high broad-sense heritability. A total of 49 SNPs were found to be significantly associated with grain quality traits. Among these SNPs, four co-localized sites were commonly detected by multiple traits. The candidate genes which were searched for can be classified into 11 biological processes, 13 cellular components, and 6 molecular functions. Finally, we found 29 grain quality-related genes. These genes and the SNPs identified in the study would offer essential information for high-quality varieties breeding programs in maize.
Impact of intrauterine fetal resuscitation with oxygen on oxidative stress in the developing rat brain
Authors: Jiang Jia , Giri Tusar , Raghuraman Nandini , Cahill Alison G. , Palanisamy Arvind
Published: May 2021

Use of maternal oxygen for intrauterine resuscitation is contentious because of the lack of evidence for its efficacy and the possibility of fetal harm through oxidative stress. Because the developing brain is rich in lipids and low in antioxidants, it remains vulnerable to oxidative stress. Here, we tested this hypothesis in a term pregnant rat model with oxytocin-induced fetal distress followed by treatment with either room air or 100% oxygen for 6 h. Fetal brains from both sexes were subjected to assays for biomarkers of oxidative stress (4-hydroxynonenal, protein carbonyl, or 8-hydroxy-2ʹ-deoxyguanosine), expression of genes mediating oxidative stress, and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Contrary to our hypothesis, maternal hyperoxia was not associated with increased biomarkers of oxidative stress in the fetal brain. However, there was significant upregulation of the expression of select genes mediating oxidative stress, of which some were male-specific. These observations, however, were not accompanied by changes in the expression of proteins from the mitochondrial electron transport chain. In summary, maternal hyperoxia in the setting of acute uteroplacental ischemia-hypoxia does not appear to cause oxidative damage to the developing brain.
Knockout of immunotherapy prognostic marker genes eliminates the effect of the anti-PD-1 treatment
Authors: Yang Naixue , Ji Fansen , Cheng Liqing , Lu Jingzhe , Sun Xiaofeng , Lin Xin , Lan Xun
Published: May 2021

The efficacy of immunotherapy is largely patient-specific due to heterogeneity in tumors. Combining statistic power from a variety of immunotherapies across cancer types, we found four biological pathways significantly correlated with patient survival following immunotherapy. The expression of immunotherapy prognostic marker genes (IPMGs) in these pathways can predict the patient survival with high accuracy not only in the TCGA cohort (89.36%) but also in two other independent cohorts (80.91%), highlighting that the activity of the IPMGs can reflect the sensitivity of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) to immunotherapies. Using mouse models, we show that knockout of one of the IPMGs, MALT1, which is critical for the T-cell receptor signaling, can eliminate the antitumor effect of anti-PD-1 treatment completely by impairing the activation of CD8+ T cells. Notably, knockout of another IPMG, CLEC4D, a C-type lectin receptor that expressed on myeloid cells, also reduced the effect of anti-PD-1 treatment potentially through maintaining the immunosuppressive effects of myeloid cells. Our results suggest that priming TIME via activating the IPMGs may increase the response rate and the effect of immune checkpoint blockers.
Leadership – not followership – determines performance in ant teams
Authors: Richardson Thomas O. , Coti Andrea , Stroeymeyt Nathalie , Keller Laurent
Published: May 2021

Economic theory predicts that organisations achieve higher levels of productivity when tasks are divided among different subsets of workers. This prediction is based upon the expectation that individuals should perform best when they specialise upon a few tasks. However, in colonies of social insects evidence for a causal link between division of labour and performance is equivocal. To address this issue, we performed a targeted worker removal experiment to disrupt the normal allocation of workers to a cooperative team task – tandem running. During a tandem run a knowledgeable leader communicates the location of a new nest to a follower by physically guiding her there. The targeted removal of prominent leaders significantly reduced tandem performance, whereas removal of prominent followers had no effect. Furthermore, analyses of the experience of both participants in each tandem run revealed that tandem performance was influenced primarily by how consistently the leader acted as a leader when the need arose, but not by the consistency of the follower. Our study shows that performance in ant teams depends largely on whether or not a key role is filled by an experienced individual, and suggests that in animal teams, not all roles are equally important.
Mechanical Properties of Graphene–Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Hybrid Polymer Nanocomposites
Authors: Sharma Sushant , Singh Bhanu Pratap
Published: May 2021

Graphene and related carbon nanomaterials have come to the forefront of research in advanced nanocomposite materials during recent years due to their outstanding mechanical properties. Graphene is considered as a 2D nanofiller, whereas carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are known as 1D nanofiller. The reduced dispersion of these fillers in polymer matrices limits the extent of realization of full potential in the nanocomposite. Their application as reinforcement in nanocomposite has been hampered drastically due to restacking in the case of graphene sheets and agglomeration in the case of CNTs. So, to improve the performance of functionally reinforced carbonaceous nanofillers in the nanocomposite, 3D hybrid carbon nanofiller are introduced. Herein, a remarkable synergistic effect of multilayered graphene and carbon nanotube in improving the mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites are discussed. The restacking of multilayered 2D graphene is effectively inhibited by incorporating 1D carbon nanotubes. Resulting 3D hybrid nanofillers possess high dispersibility, longer stability, and superior reinforcement efficiency. This chapter describes the problem associated with various carbon nanofillers, their replacement by 3D hybrid nanofiller, synthesis techniques to form hybrid nanofillers, effective reinforcement techniques in various polymer systems and finally, detailed discussion over comparative mechanical properties.
Raman Spectroscopy Characterization of Carbon Materials: From Graphene to All-carbon Heterostructures
Authors: Merlen Alexandre , Buijnsters Josephus Gerardus , Pardanaud Cedric
Published: May 2021

A large variety of carbon nanoforms are currently produced and studied worldwide, such as nanotubes, fullerenes, nano-onions, nanocones, stacked nanocones, scrolled graphene, nanofibers, nanowalls, nanosheets and nanoplates. Graphene is their initial building block, and by applying a transformation, such as stacking, cutting, circularly wrapping, scrolling, coiling and/or screwing, the other forms can be obtained. In 2012, a nomenclature to classify all these sp2 carbon nanoforms was proposed by Suarez-Martinez et al. To help researchers in their bibliographic researches, they proposed to classify all the known forms into three main families: molecular forms (0D), cylindrical nanoforms (1D), and layered nanoforms (2D). Raman spectroscopy is a non-destructive analysis technique which is particularly well suited to characterization of carbon (nano)materials. It is highly sensitive to carbon–carbon bonds and is able to provide a wealth of information about their structure. If one wants to understand the Raman spectra of the various carbon nanoforms as well as all-carbon heterostructures, one has to understand first the Raman spectrum of graphene and diamond as they represent the pure sp2 and pure sp3 allotrope cases. In this review chapter, we briefly present the basic principle of Raman spectroscopy. We then discuss the Raman signature of carbon materials in general. The last part is focused on Raman spectroscopy applied to carbon heterostructures. Rather than present an exhaustive list of Raman signatures of all carbon hybrids, we have deliberately chosen to focus on specific heterostructures as an illustration of the general interest of this technique.
Intracellular detection of singlet oxygen using fluorescent nanosensors
Authors: Nath Peuli , Hamadna Sameer Sayel , Karamchand Leshern , Foster John , Kopelman Raoul , Amar Jacques G. , Ray Aniruddha
Published: May 2021

Detection of singlet oxygen using SOSG nanosensors in cancer cells produced during non-thermal plasma therapy.
Synthesis of ultrathin metal oxide and hydroxide nanosheets using formamide in water at room temperature
Authors: Chen Zongkun , Huang Minghua , Cölfen Helmut
Published: May 2021

Here, 6 different ultrathin (<5 nm) 2D metal oxides and hydroxides have been successfully synthesized via a simple precipitation route in formamide aqueous solution at room temperature.
A two-component molecular hybrid with enhanced emission characteristics and mechanoresponsive luminescence properties
Authors: Liu Jian-Jun , Xia Shu-Biao , Liu Teng , Liu Jia-Ming , Cheng Fei-Xiang
Published: May 2021

A new binary charge transfer cocrystal system was successfully fabricated by virtue of donor–acceptor interaction and exhibited enhanced emission and sensitive mechanoresponsive luminescence properties.
Coordination chemistry of [2 + 2] Schiff-base macrocycles derived from the dianilines [(2-NH2C6H4)2X] (X = CH2CH2, O): structural studies and ROP capability towards cyclic esters
Authors: Wang Kuiyuan , Prior Timothy J. , Hughes David L. , Arbaoui Abdessamad , Redshaw Carl
Published: May 2021

Iron, cobalt and copper complexes bearing [2 + 2] Schiff-base macrocycles have been isolated and screened as catalysts for the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters.
Construction of hierarchical layered hydroxide grown in situ on carbon tubes derived from a metal–organic framework for asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Li Chunyan , Zhang Gaomin , Li Xin , Wang Huiqin , Huo Pengwei , Yan Yan , Wang Xinkun
Published: May 2021

The NiGa-LDH@CNT-500@CC electrode prepared on carbon cloth has good specific capacitance and cycle stability. This is mainly due to the high conductivity and large specific surface area of carbon nanomaterial prepared by MOF.
Enabling LIFDI-MS measurements of highly air sensitive organometallic compounds: a combined MS/glovebox technique
Authors: Muhr Maximilian , Heiß Patricia , Schütz Max , Bühler Raphael , Gemel Christian , Linden Mathias H. , Linden H. Bernhard , Fischer Roland A.
Published: May 2021

We present a new setup combining an orbitrap mass spectrometer equipped with a liquid injection field desorption ionization source connected to an inert atmosphere glovebox. This setup allows the analysis of very air and moisture sensitive samples.
Variation of counter quaternary ammonium cations of anionic cage germanoxanes as building blocks of nanoporous materials
Authors: Hayashi Taiki , Sato Naoto , Wada Hiroaki , Shimojima Atsushi , Kuroda Kazuyuki
Published: May 2021

Tetraalkylammonium cations of cage germanoxanes encapsulating a fluoride ion inside the cage were exchanged with other tetraalkylammonium cations in both discrete and cross-linked states.
W2O3I4 and WO2I2: metallic phases in the chemical transport reaction of tungsten
Authors: Löber Manuel , Ströbele Markus , Romao Carl P. , Meyer Hans-Jürgen
Published: May 2021

WO2I2, a compound important in the chemical transport reaction of elemental tungsten and the hitherto unknown W2O3I4 are reported with their layered structures. Increasing iodine content increases the metallicity of the compounds.
Correction: A ferrocene functionalized Schiff base containing Cu(ii) complex: synthesis, characterization and parts-per-million level catalysis for azide alkyne cycloaddition
Authors: Gayen Firdaus Rahaman , Ali Abdul Aziz , Bora Debashree , Roy Saptarshi , Saha Supriya , Saikia Lakshi , Goswamee Rajib Lochan , Saha Biswajit
Published: May 2021

Correction for ‘A ferrocene functionalized Schiff base containing Cu(ii) complex: synthesis, characterization and parts-per-million level catalysis for azide alkyne cycloaddition’ by Firdaus Rahaman Gayen et al., Dalton Trans., 2020, 49, 6578–6586, DOI: 10.1039/d0dt00915f.
Correction: Adsorption of short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) from water/wastewater
Authors: Vu Chi Thanh , Wu Tingting
Published: May 2021

Correction for ‘Adsorption of short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) from water/wastewater’ by Chi Thanh Vu et al., Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2020, 6, 2958–2972, .
Zeaxanthin promotes browning by enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis through the PKA pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes
Authors: Zhao Bailing , Liu Meihong , Liu Huimin , Xie Jiahan , Yan Jie , Hou Xiaobo , Liu Jingsheng
Published: May 2021

Zeaxanthin promoted mitochondrial biogenesis by increasing the expression of PGC-1α, PRDM16, NRF2, and TFAM, partly through the protein kinase A pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
Multimodal detection of protein isoforms and nucleic acids from low starting cell numbers
Authors: Rosàs-Canyelles Elisabet , Modzelewski Andrew J. , Gomez Martinez Ana E. , Geldert Alisha , Gopal Anjali , He Lin , Herr Amy E.
Published: May 2021

Multimodal assay for same-cell DNA, mRNA and protein isoform immunoblotting measurements (triBlot) on low starting cell numbers (i.e. 1 to 100 s of cells).
Surface nanodroplet-based nanoextraction from sub-milliliter volumes of dense suspensions
Authors: You Jae Bem , Lohse Detlef , Zhang Xuehua
Published: May 2021

We demonstrate simple and one-step extraction and detection of target compounds from slurry samples using surface nanodroplets.
Poly(triethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate) hydrogel as a carrier of phosphotungstic acid for acid catalytic reaction in water
Authors: Zhu JunJie , Gotoh Takehiko , Nakai Satoshi , Tsunoji Nao , Sadakane Masahiro
Published: May 2021

Schematic diagram of H3PW12O40 trapped in TEGMA gel (left) and photograph of the composite in TBS (right).
Halide-driven formation of lead halide perovskites: insight from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Kaiser Waldemar , Mosconi Edoardo , Alothman Asma A. , Meggiolaro Daniele , Gagliardi Alessio , De Angelis Filippo
Published: May 2021

Crystallization of MAPbI3 is driven by halide chemistry: MAI iodine attacks lead ions and causes subsequent breaking of PbI2.
Recent progress on kinetic control of chemical vapor deposition growth of high-quality wafer-scale transition metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Wang Qun , Shi Run , Zhao Yaxuan , Huang Runqing , Wang Zixu , Amini Abbas , Cheng Chun
Published: May 2021

Wafer-scale TMD films are fabricated via CVD method, controlling precursor concentration, nucleation density and orientated growth. Precursor concentration is important for the ideal film. Nucleation and orientated growth allow large domain size or single crystalline TMDs.
Yellow emission N-doped fluorescent carbon dots as fluorescent nanoprobes for the detection of L-threonine in real samples
Authors: Zhu Peide , Zhao Xuelin , Chen Xinyi , Li Shouzhen , Ma Junfei , Li Jianxiong , Xu Meng , Gan Lu , Xu Quan
Published: May 2021

High quantum yield carbon dots and their applications in the detection of L-threonine.
A new ESIPT-based fluorescent probe for the highly sensitive detection of amine vapors
Authors: Bao Cheng , Shao Sufang , Zhou Haifeng , Han Yifeng
Published: May 2021

A new ESIPT-based fluorescent probe has been developed as a rapid, highly sensitive, and selective sensor for amine vapors.
Self-assembled CoSe2–FeSe2 heteronanoparticles along the carbon nanotube network for boosted oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Wang Bin , Srinivas Katam , Wang Xinqiang , Su Zhe , Yu Bo , zhang Xiaojuan , Liu Yanfang , Ma Fei , Yang Dongxu , Chen Yuanfu
Published: May 2021

Water electrolysis is a significant alternative technique to produce clean hydrogen fuel in order to replace environmentally destructive fossil fuel combustion.
Synthesis and stereoselective catalytic transformations of 3-hydroxyisoindolinones
Authors: Topolovčan Nikola , Gredičak Matija
Published: May 2021

This review highlights recent advancement in the synthesis of 3-hydroxyisoindolinones and their applications in stereoselective transformations.
Synthesis and stability of 1-aminoalkylphosphonic acid quaternary ammonium salts
Authors: Brol Anna , Olszewski Tomasz K.
Published: May 2021

A simple method for the quaternization of 1-aminoalkylphosphonic acids by dimethyl sulfate and subsequent dealkylation with HCl is reported. For some salts, the exposure to NaOH resulted in degradation by Hofmann elimination and substitution.
Efficient sky-blue radioluminescence of microcrystalline Cs3Cu2I5 based large-scale eco-friendly composite scintillators for high-sensitive ionizing radiation detection
Authors: Ouyang Xiao , Lin Richeng , Ding Ying , Liang Yali , Zheng Wei , Chen Liang , Song Xiaojing , Huang Feng , Ouyang Xiaoping
Published: May 2021

A high-efficiency sky-blue radioluminescence, large-size, eco-friendly hybrid scintillator made of CsI:Na and Cs3Cu2I5 single crystals is expected to become a potential ionizing radiation detection scintillator.
Electrochemical fixation of CO2 over a Mo plate to prepare a Mo2C film for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Xiao Hansheng , Zhu Hua , Weng Wei , Li Kongzhai , Li Wei , Xiao Wei
Published: May 2021

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 over a metal substrate integrates fixation of CO2 and surface carbonization of the metal to functional films.
N-Alkyl nitrones as substrates for access to N-aryl isoxazolidines via a catalyst-free one-pot three-component reaction with nitroso compounds and olefins
Authors: Zhai Pingan , Li Wenhui , Lin Jianying , Huang Shuangping , Gao Wenchao , Li Xing
Published: May 2021

N-Alkyl nitrones are used as starting materials to construct N-aryl isoxazolidines, instead of N-alkyl isoxazolidines or N–H 1,3-oxazinanes via a catalyst-free one-pot three-component reaction with nitrosoarenes and olefins.
Surface oxygen vacancies promoted Pt redispersion to single-atoms for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Cai Jinmeng , Cao Ang , Wang Zhenbin , Lu Siyu , Jiang Zheng , Dong Xi-Yan , Li Xingang , Zang Shuang-Quan
Published: May 2021

In situ formed surface oxygen vacancies on TiO2 can redisperse Pt nanoparticles to stable single-atoms through hydrogen spillover effect. The catalyst displays both high photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance and atom-utilization efficiency.
The Design-Build-Test-Learn cycle for metabolic engineering of Streptomycetes
Authors: Whitford Christopher M. , Cruz-Morales Pablo , Keasling Jay D. , Weber Tilmann
Published: May 2021

Streptomycetes are producers of a wide range of specialized metabolites of great medicinal and industrial importance, such as antibiotics, antifungals, or pesticides. Having been the drivers of the golden age of antibiotics in the 1950s and 1960s, technological advancements over the last two decades have revealed that very little of their biosynthetic potential has been exploited so far. Given the great need for new antibiotics due to the emerging antimicrobial resistance crisis, as well as the urgent need for sustainable biobased production of complex molecules, there is a great renewed interest in exploring and engineering the biosynthetic potential of streptomycetes. Here, we describe the Design-Build-Test-Learn (DBTL) cycle for metabolic engineering experiments in streptomycetes and how it can be used for the discovery and production of novel specialized metabolites.
Established tools and emerging trends for the production of recombinant proteins and metabolites in Pichia pastoris
Authors: De Sonakshi , Mattanovich Diethard , Ferrer Pau , Gasser Brigitte
Published: May 2021

Besides bakers’ yeast, the methylotrophic yeast Komagataella phaffii (also known as Pichia pastoris) has been developed into the most popular yeast cell factory for the production of heterologous proteins. Strong promoters, stable genetic constructs and a growing collection of freely available strains, tools and protocols have boosted this development equally as thorough genetic and cell biological characterization. This review provides an overview of state-of-the-art tools and techniques for working with P. pastoris, as well as guidelines for the production of recombinant proteins with a focus on small-scale production for biochemical studies and protein characterization. The growing applications of P. pastoris for in vivo biotransformation and metabolic pathway engineering for the production of bulk and specialty chemicals are highlighted as well.