bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leishmania donovani infection suppresses Allograft Inflammatory Factor-1 in monocytes and macrophages to inhibit inflammatory responses
Authors: da Silva Ricardo Louzada , Elizondo Diana M. , Brandy Nailah Z. D. , Haddock Naomi L. , Boddie Thomas A. , de Oliveira Laís Lima , de Jesus Amélia Ribeiro , de Almeida Roque Pacheco , de Moura Tatiana Rodrigues , Lipscomb Michael W.
Published: January 2021

Macrophages and monocytes are important for clearance ofLeishmaniainfections. However, immune evasion tactics employed by the parasite results in suppressed inflammatory responses, marked by deficient macrophage functions and increased accumulation of monocytes. This results in an ineffective ability to clear parasite loads. Allograft Inflammatory Factor-1 (AIF1) is expressed in myeloid cells and serves to promote immune responses. However, AIF1 involvement in monocyte and macrophage functions during parasitic infections has not been explored. This study now shows thatLeishmania donovaniinhibits AIF1 expression in macrophages to block pro-inflammatory responses. Mice challenged with the parasite had markedly reduced AIF1 expression in splenic macrophages. Follow-up studies using in vitro approaches confirmed thatL. donovaniinfection in macrophages suppresses AIF1 expression, which correlated with reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokine production and increased parasite load. Ectopic overexpression of AIF1 in macrophages provided protection from infection, marked by robust pro-inflammatory cytokine production and efficient pathogen clearance. Further investigations found that inhibiting AIF1 expression in bone marrow cells or monocytes impaired differentiation into functional macrophages. Collectively, results show that AIF1 is a critical regulatory component governing monocyte and macrophage immune functions and thatL. donovaniinfection can suppress the gene as an immune evasion tactic.
Fine scale human genetic structure in three regions of Cameroon reveals episodic diversifying selection
Authors: Esoh Kevin K. , Apinjoh Tobias O. , Nyanjom Steven G. , Wonkam Ambroise , Chimusa Emile R. , Amenga-Etego Lucas , Amambua-Ngwa Alfred , Achidi Eric A.
Published: January 2021

Inferences from genetic association studies rely largely on the definition and description of the underlying populations that highlight their genetic similarities and differences. The clustering of human populations into subgroups (population structure) can significantly confound disease associations. This study investigated the fine-scale genetic structure within Cameroon that may underlie disparities observed with Cameroonian ethnicities in malaria genome-wide association studies in sub-Saharan Africa. Genotype data of 1073 individuals from three regions and three ethnic groups in Cameroon were analyzed using measures of genetic proximity to ascertain fine-scale genetic structure. Model-based clustering revealed distinct ancestral proportions among the Bantu, Semi-Bantu and Foulbe ethnic groups, while haplotype-based coancestry estimation revealed possible longstanding and ongoing sympatric differentiation among individuals of the Foulbe ethnic group, and their Bantu and Semi-Bantu counterparts. A genome scan found strong selection signatures in the HLA gene region, confirming longstanding knowledge of natural selection on this genomic region in African populations following immense disease pressure. Signatures of selection were also observed in theHBBgene cluster, a genomic region known to be under strong balancing selection in sub-Saharan Africa due to its co-evolution with malaria. This study further supports the role of evolution in shaping genomes of Cameroonian populations and reveals fine-scale hierarchical structure among and within Cameroonian ethnicities that may impact genetic association studies in the country.
Vulnerability to watershed erosion and coastal deposition in the tropics
Authors: Browning Trevor N. , Sawyer Derek E.
Published: January 2021

Over half of the global population is projected to live in the tropics by 2050. Sustainable land development will be challenged by enhanced sediment erosion and deposition, which can negatively impact water quality and ecosystem services in inland and coastal waterways. Existing erosion assessments treat watersheds and coastal zones separately, but we connect them in a two-part vulnerability index to watershed erosion and coastal deposition at 0.0004° (~ 45 m) resolution throughout the tropics. We use open-source datasets and a simple, GIS-based method geared toward tropical, novice end-users. Part 1 of the index reveals a majority of the tropics is vulnerable to erosion. Vulnerability is highest where there are co-occurrences of earthquakes, steep slopes, and high precipitation such as the Caribbean and Southeast Asia. In Part 2, we assess erosion vulnerability at 4 watersheds and include their coastal systems, which can enhance or diminish vulnerability of the entire system to coastal deposition.
The corticolimbic structural covariance network as an early predictive biosignature for cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Chen Yueh-Sheng , Chen Hsiu-Ling , Lu Cheng-Hsien , Lee Chih-Ying , Chou Kun-Hsien , Chen Meng-Hsiang , Yu Chiun-Chieh , Lai Yun-Ru , Chiang Pi-Ling , Lin Wei-Che
Published: January 2021

Structural covariance assesses similarities in gray matter between brain regions and can be applied to study networks of the brain. In this study, we explored correlations between structural covariance networks (SCNs) and cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease patients. 101 PD patients and 58 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. For each participant, comprehensive neuropsychological testing using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III and Cognitive Ability Screening Instrument were conducted. Structural brain MR images were acquired using a 3.0T whole body GE Signa MRI system. T1 structural images were preprocessed and analyzed using Statistical Parametric Mapping software (SPM12) running on Matlab R2016a for voxel-based morphometric analysis and SCN analysis. PD patients with normal cognition received follow-up neuropsychological testing at 1-year interval. Cognitive impairment in PD is associated with degeneration of the amygdala/hippocampus SCN. PD patients with dementia exhibited increased covariance over the prefrontal cortex compared to PD patients with normal cognition (PDN). PDN patients who had developed cognitive impairment at follow-up exhibited decreased gray matter volume of the amygdala/hippocampus SCN in the initial MRI. Our results support a neural network-based mechanism for cognitive impairment in PD patients. SCN analysis may reveal vulnerable networks that can be used to early predict cognitive decline in PD patients.
FlavorGraph: a large-scale food-chemical graph for generating food representations and recommending food pairings
Authors: Park Donghyeon , Kim Keonwoo , Kim Seoyoon , Spranger Michael , Kang Jaewoo
Published: January 2021

Food pairing has not yet been fully pioneered, despite our everyday experience with food and the large amount of food data available on the web. The complementary food pairings discovered thus far created by the intuition of talented chefs, not by scientific knowledge or statistical learning. We introduce FlavorGraph which is a large-scale food graph by relations extracted from million food recipes and information of 1,561 flavor molecules from food databases. We analyze the chemical and statistical relations of FlavorGraph and apply our graph embedding method to better represent foods in dense vectors. Our graph embedding method is a modification of metapath2vec with an additional chemical property learning layer and quantitatively outperforms other baseline methods in food clustering. Food pairing suggestions made based on the food representations of FlavorGraph help achieve better results than previous works, and the suggestions can also be used to predict relations between compounds and foods. Our research offers a new perspective on not only food pairing techniques but also food science in general.
Delineation of the electrocardiogram with a mixed-quality-annotations dataset using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Jimenez-Perez Guillermo , Alcaine Alejandro , Camara Oscar
Published: January 2021

Detection and delineation are key steps for retrieving and structuring information of the electrocardiogram (ECG), being thus crucial for numerous tasks in clinical practice. Digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms are often considered state-of-the-art for this purpose but require laborious rule readaptation for adapting to unseen morphologies. This work explores the adaptation of the the U-Net, a deep learning (DL) network employed for image segmentation, to electrocardiographic data. The model was trained using PhysioNet’s QT database, a small dataset of 105 2-lead ambulatory recordings, while being independently tested for many architectural variations, comprising changes in the model’s capacity (depth, width) and inference strategy (single- and multi-lead) in a fivefold cross-validation manner. This work features several regularization techniques to alleviate data scarcity, such as semi-supervised pre-training with low-quality data labels, performing ECG-based data augmentation and applying in-built model regularizers. The best performing configuration reached precisions of 90.12%, 99.14% and 98.25% and recalls of 98.73%, 99.94% and 99.88% for the P, QRS and T waves, respectively, on par with DSP-based approaches. Despite being a data-hungry technique trained on a small dataset, a U-Net based approach demonstrates to be a viable alternative for this task.
Linking plant and soil indices for water stress management in black gram
Authors: Khorsand Afshin , Rezaverdinejad Vahid , Asgarzadeh Hossein , Majnooni-Heris Abolfazl , Rahimi Amir , Besharat Sina , Sadraddini Ali Ashraf
Published: January 2021

Measurement of plant and soil indices as well as their combinations are generally used for irrigation scheduling and water stress management of crops and horticulture. Rapid and accurate determination of irrigation time is one of the most important issues of sustainable water management in order to prevent plant water stress. The objectives of this study are to develop baselines and provide irrigation scheduling relationships during different stages of black gram growth, determine the critical limits of plant and soil indices, and also determine the relationships between plant physiology and soil indices. This study was conducted in a randomized complete block design at the four irrigation levels 50 (I1), 75 (I2), 100 (I3 or non-stress treatment) and 125 (I4) percent of crop’s water requirement with three replications in Urmia region in Iran in order to irrigation scheduling of black gram using indices such as canopy temperature (Tc), crop water stress index (CWSI), relative water content (RWC), leaf water potential (LWP), soil water (SW) and penetration resistance (Q) of soil under one-row drip irrigation. The plant irrigation scheduling was performed by using the experimental crop water stress index (CWSI) method. The upper and lower baseline equations as well as CWSI were calculated for the three treatments of I1, I2 and I3 during the plant growth period. Using the extracted baselines, the mean CWSI values for the three treatments of I1, I2 and I3 were calculated to be 0.37, 0.23 and 0.15, respectively, during the growth season. Finally, using CWSI, the necessary equations were provided to determine the irrigation schedule for the four growing stages of black gram, i.e. floral induction-flowering, pod formation, seed and pod filling and physiological maturity, as (Tc − Ta)c = 1.9498 − 0.1579(AVPD), (Tc − Ta)c = 4.4395 − 0.1585(AVPD), (Tc − Ta)c = 2.4676 − 0.0578(AVPD) and (Tc − Ta)c = 5.7532 − 0.1462(AVPD), respectively. In this study, soil and crop indices, which were measured simultaneously at maximum stress time, were used as a complementary index to remove CWSI constraints. It should be noted that in Urmia, the critical difference between the canopy temperature and air temperature (Tc − Ta), soil penetration resistance (Q), soil water (SW) and relative water content (RWC) for the whole growth period of black gram were − 0.036 °C, 10.43 MPa and 0.14 cm3 cm−3 and 0.76, respectively. Ideal point error (IPE) was also used to estimate RWC, (Tc − Ta) and LWP as well as to select the best regression model. According to the results, black gram would reduce its RWC less through reducing its transpiration and water management. Therefore, it can be used as a low-water-consuming crop. Furthermore, in light of available facilities, the farmer can use the regression equations between the obtained soil and plant indices and the critical boundaries for the irrigation scheduling of the field.
Crystal structure and DNA cleavage mechanism of the restriction DNA glycosylase R.CcoLI from Campylobacter coli
Authors: Miyazono Ken-ichi , Wang Delong , Ito Tomoko , Tanokura Masaru
Published: January 2021

While most restriction enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphodiester bonds at specific nucleotide sequences in DNA, restriction enzymes of the HALFPIPE superfamily cleave N-glycosidic bonds, similar to DNA glycosylases. Apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites generated by HALFPIPE superfamily proteins are cleaved by their inherent AP lyase activities, other AP endonuclease activities or heat-promoted β-elimination. Although the HALFPIPE superfamily protein R.PabI, obtained from a hyperthermophilic archaea, Pyrococcus abyssi, shows weak AP lyase activity, HALFPIPE superfamily proteins in mesophiles, such as R.CcoLI from Campylobacter coli and R. HpyAXII from Helicobacter pylori, show significant AP lyase activities. To identify the structural basis for the AP lyase activity of R.CcoLI, we determined the structure of R.CcoLI by X-ray crystallography. The structure of R.CcoLI, obtained at 2.35-Å resolution, shows that a conserved lysine residue (Lys71), which is stabilized by a characteristic β-sheet structure of R.CcoLI, protrudes into the active site. The results of mutational assays indicate that Lys71 is important for the AP lyase activity of R.CcoLI. Our results help to elucidate the mechanism by which HALFPIPE superfamily proteins from mesophiles efficiently introduce double-strand breaks to specific sites on double-stranded DNA.
Histone acetyltransferase PfGCN5 regulates stress responsive and artemisinin resistance related genes in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Rawat Mukul , Kanyal Abhishek , Sahasrabudhe Aishwarya , Vembar Shruthi Sridhar , Lopez-Rubio Jose-Juan , Karmodiya Krishanpal
Published: January 2021

Plasmodium falciparum has evolved resistance to almost all front-line drugs including artemisinin, which threatens malaria control and elimination strategies. Oxidative stress and protein damage responses have emerged as key players in the generation of artemisinin resistance. In this study, we show that PfGCN5, a histone acetyltransferase, binds to the stress-responsive genes in a poised state and regulates their expression under stress conditions. Furthermore, we show that upon artemisinin exposure, genome-wide binding sites for PfGCN5 are increased and it is directly associated with the genes implicated in artemisinin resistance generation like BiP and TRiC chaperone. Interestingly, expression of genes bound by PfGCN5 was found to be upregulated during stress conditions. Moreover, inhibition of PfGCN5 in artemisinin-resistant parasites increases the sensitivity of the parasites to artemisinin treatment indicating its role in drug resistance generation. Together, these findings elucidate the role of PfGCN5 as a global chromatin regulator of stress-responses with a potential role in modulating artemisinin drug resistance and identify PfGCN5 as an important target against artemisinin-resistant parasites.
A dyadic study of psychological well-being of individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers
Authors: Lee Yu , Chiou Yu-Jie , Hung Chi-Fa , Chang Yung-Yee , Chen Ying-Fa , Lin Tsu-Kung , Wang Liang-Jen
Published: January 2021

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an incapacitating neurodegenerative disease. Patients with PD and their caregivers may have interactive effects on each other’s psychological well-being. This study aimed to assess the dyadic dynamics of resilience, fatigue, and suicidal ideation on the depression severity of PD patients and their caregivers. In total, 175 PD patients and 175 caregivers were recruited at a medical center from August 2018 to May 2020. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the actor/partner effects on the psychological well-being of both the PD patients and their caregivers. The most common psychiatric diagnoses of both the PD patients (28.6%) and their caregivers (11.4%) were depressive disorders. The PD patients’ and their caregivers’ fatigue, suicidal ideation, and lack of resilience were significantly associated with the severity of their depression, respectively. Interactive effects existed between psychological well-being of individuals with PD and their caregivers. Clinicians must be aware of, and manage, these contributing factors between PD patients and their caregivers in order to prevent them from worsening each other’s depression.
Effect of temperature on the unimodal size scaling of phytoplankton growth
Authors: Fernández-González Cristina , Marañón Emilio
Published: January 2021

Contrary to predictions by the allometric theory, there is evidence that phytoplankton growth rates peak at intermediate cell sizes. However, it is still unknown if this pattern may result from the effect of experimental temperature. Here we test whether temperature affects the unimodal size scaling pattern of phytoplankton growth by (1) growing Synechococcus sp., Ostreococcus tauri, Micromonas commoda and Pavlova lutheri at 18 °C and 25 °C, and (2) using thermal response curves available in the literature to estimate the growth rate at 25 °C as well as the maximum growth rate at optimal temperature for 22 species assayed previously at 18 °C. We also assess the sensitivity of growth rate estimates to the metric employed for measuring standing stocks, by calculating growth rates based on in vivo fluorescence, chlorophyll a concentration, cell abundance and biomass (particulate organic carbon and nitrogen content). Our results show that the unimodal size scaling pattern of phytoplankton growth, with a peak at intermediate cell sizes, is observed at 18 °C, 25 °C and at the optimal temperature for growth, and that it prevails irrespective of the standing-stock metric used. The unimodal size scaling pattern of phytoplankton growth is supported by two independent field observations reported in the literature: (i) a positive relationship between cell size and metabolic rate in the picophytoplankton size range and (ii) the dominance of intermediate-size cells in nutrient-rich waters during blooms.
Combined effect of arginine and fluoride on the growth of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
Authors: Bijle Mohammed Nadeem , Ekambaram Manikandan , Lo Edward C. M. , Yiu Cynthia Kar Yung
Published: January 2021

The objectives of the in vitro study were: (1) to investigate the effect of combining L-arginine (Arg) and NaF on the growth of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LRG); and (2) to identify an optimum synergistic concentration for the synbiotic (Arg + LRG)-fluoride (SF) therapy. 1% Arg + 2000-ppm NaF (A-SF) and 2% Arg + 2000-ppm NaF (B-SF) demonstrated antagonism against LRG (FIC > 4.0). Both XTT (2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide) and WST-8 (2-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, monosodium salt) assays showed that A-SF and B-SF enhanced the growth of LRG when compared to 2000-ppm NaF and LRG control. Colony forming units, bacterial weight, and biofilm thickness of A-SF and B-SF were significantly higher than 2000-ppm NaF and LRG control. Biofilm imaging depicted that 2000-ppm NaF inhibited biofilm formation; while 1%/2% Arg, A-SF, and B-SF increased biofilm growth of LRG. Lactic acid formation was the lowest for 2000-ppm NaF, followed by A-SF and then B-SF. The SF buffer potential after 24 h was the highest for B-SF, and then A-SF. Biofilm pH for B-SF was closest to neutral. Fluoride, Arg and LRG bioavailability remained unaffected in B-SF. The relative gene expression for arcA, argG, and argH was significantly higher for B-SF than the respective controls. In conclusion, combining 2% Arg, 2000-ppm NaF, and LRG provides an optimum synbiotic-fluoride synergism.
Current practice and effects of intravenous anticoagulant therapy in hospitalized acute heart failure patients with sinus rhythm
Authors: Nakano Hiroki , Hamatani Yasuhiro , Nagai Toshiyuki , Nakai Michikazu , Nishimura Kunihiro , Sumita Yoko , Ogawa Hisao , Anzai Toshihisa
Published: January 2021

Although the risk of thromboembolism is increased in heart failure (HF) patients irrespective of atrial fibrillation (AF), especially during the acute decompensated phase, the effects of intravenous anticoagulants for these patients remain unclear. We sought to investigate the current practice and effects of intravenous anticoagulant therapy in acute HF (AHF) patients with sinus rhythm. We analyzed a nationwide prospective cohort from April 2012 to March 2016. We extracted 309,015 AHF adult patients. After application of the exclusion criteria, we divided the 92,573 study population into non-heparin [n = 70,621 (76.3%)] and heparin [n = 21,952 (23.7%)] groups according to the use of intravenous heparin for the first 2 consecutive days after admission. Multivariable logistic regression analyses demonstrated that heparin administration was not associated with in-hospital mortality (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.91–1.03) and intracranial hemorrhage (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.78–1.77), while heparin administration was significantly associated with increased incidence of ischemic stroke (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.29–1.72) and venous thromboembolism (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.14–2.30). In conclusion, intravenous heparin administration was not associated with favorable in-hospital outcomes in AHF patients with sinus rhythm. Routine additive use of intravenous heparin to initial treatment might not be recommended in AHF patients.
An assistive computer vision tool to automatically detect changes in fish behavior in response to ambient odor
Authors: Banerjee Sreya , Alvey Lauren , Brown Paula , Yue Sophie , Li Lei , Scheirer Walter J.
Published: January 2021

The analysis of fish behavior in response to odor stimulation is a crucial component of the general study of cross-modal sensory integration in vertebrates. In zebrafish, the centrifugal pathway runs between the olfactory bulb and the neural retina, originating at the terminalis neuron in the olfactory bulb. Any changes in the ambient odor of a fish’s environment warrant a change in visual sensitivity and can trigger mating-like behavior in males due to increased GnRH signaling in the terminalis neuron. Behavioral experiments to study this phenomenon are commonly conducted in a controlled environment where a video of the fish is recorded over time before and after the application of chemicals to the water. Given the subtleties of behavioral change, trained biologists are currently required to annotate such videos as part of a study. This process of manually analyzing the videos is time-consuming, requires multiple experts to avoid human error/bias and cannot be easily crowdsourced on the Internet. Machine learning algorithms from computer vision, on the other hand, have proven to be effective for video annotation tasks because they are fast, accurate, and, if designed properly, can be less biased than humans. In this work, we propose to automate the entire process of analyzing videos of behavior changes in zebrafish by using tools from computer vision, relying on minimal expert supervision. The overall objective of this work is to create a generalized tool to predict animal behaviors from videos using state-of-the-art deep learning models, with the dual goal of advancing understanding in biology and engineering a more robust and powerful artificial information processing system for biologists.
Effects of multi-domain cognitive training on working memory retrieval in older adults: behavioral and ERP evidence from a Chinese community study
Authors: Hong Xiangfei , Chen You , Wang Jijun , Shen Yuan , Li Qingwei , Zhao Binglei , Guo Xiaoli , Feng Wei , Wu Wenyuan , Li Chunbo
Published: January 2021

Working memory (WM) is a fundamental cognitive function that typically declines with age. Previous studies have shown that targeted WM training has the potential to improve WM performance in older adults. In the present study, we investigated whether a multi-domain cognitive training program that was not designed to specifically target WM could improve the behavioral performance and affect the neural activity during WM retrieval in healthy older adults. We assigned healthy older participants (70–78 years old) from a local community into a training group who completed a 3-month multi-domain cognitive training and a control group who only attended health education lectures during the same period. Behavioral and electroencephalography (EEG) data were recorded from participants while performing an untrained delayed match or non-match to category task and a control task at a pre-training baseline session and a post-training follow-up session. Behaviorally, we found that participants in the training group showed a trend toward greater WM performance gains than participants in the control group. Event-related potential (ERP) results suggest that the task-related modulation of P3 during WM retrieval was significantly enhanced at the follow-up session compared with the baseline session, and importantly, this enhancement of P3 modulation was only significant in the training group. Furthermore, no training-related effects were observed for the P2 or N2 component during WM retrieval. These results suggest that the multi-domain cognitive training program that was not designed to specifically target WM is a promising approach to improve WM performance in older adults, and that training-related gains in performance are likely mediated by an enhanced modulation of P3 which might reflect the process of WM updating.
Velocity prediction of nanofluid in a heated porous pipe: DEFIS learning of CFD results
Authors: Babanezhad Meisam , Behroyan Iman , Marjani Azam , Shirazian Saeed
Published: January 2021

Utilizing artificial intelligence algorithm of adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) in combination with the computational lfuid dynamics (CFD) has recently revealed great potential as an auxiliary method for simulating challenging fluid mechnics problems. This research area is at the beginning, and needs sophisticated algorithms to be developed. No studies are available to consider the efficiency of the other trainers like differential evolution (DE) integrating with the FIS for capturing the pattern of the simulation results generated by CFD technique. Besides, the adjustment of the tuning parameters of the artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm for finding the highest level of intelligence is unavailable. The performance of AI algorithms in the meshing process has not been considered yet. Therfore, herein the Al2O3/water nanofluid flow in a porous pipe is simulated by a sophisticated hybrid approach combining mechnsitic model (CFD) and AI. The finite volume method (FVM) is employed as the CFD approach. Also, the differential evolution-based fuzzy inference system (DEFIS) is used for learning the CFD results. The DEFIS learns the nanofluid velocity in the y-direction, as output, and the nodes coordinates (i.e., x, y, and z), as inputs. The intelligence of the DEFIS is assessed by adjusting the methd’s variables including input number, population number, and crossover. It was found that the DEFIS intelligence is related to the input number of 3, the crossover of 0.8, and the population number of 120. In addition, the nodes increment from 4833 to 774,468 was done by the DEFIS. The DEFIS predicted the velocity for the new dense mesh without using the CFD data. Finally, all CFD results were covered with the new predictions of the DEFIS.
Tailoring topological edge states with photonic crystal nanobeam cavities
Authors: Gong Yongkang , Guo Liang , Wong Stephan , Bennett Anthony J. , Oh Sang Soon
Published: January 2021

The realization of topological edge states (TESs) in photonic systems has provided unprecedented opportunities for manipulating light in novel manners. The Su–Schrieffer–Heeger (SSH) model has recently gained significant attention and has been exploited in a wide range of photonic platforms to create TESs. We develop a photonic topological insulator strategy based on SSH photonic crystal nanobeam cavities. In contrast to the conventional photonic SSH schemes which are based on alternately tuned coupling strength in one-dimensional lattice, our proposal provides higher flexibility and allows tailoring TESs by manipulating mode coupling in a two-dimensional manner. We reveal that the proposed hole-array based nanobeams in a dielectric membrane can selectively tailor single or double TESs in the telecommunication region by controlling the coupling strength of the adjacent SSH nanobeams in both transverse and axial directions. Our finding provides an additional degree of freedom in exploiting the SSH model for integrated topological photonic devices and functionalities based on the well-established photonic crystal nanobeam cavity platforms.
Use of the extended feasible stability region for assessing stability of perturbed walking
Authors: Bahari Hosein , Forero Juan , Hall Jeremy C. , Hebert Jacqueline S. , Vette Albert H. , Rouhani Hossein
Published: January 2021

Walking stability has been assessed through gait variability or existing biomechanical measures. However, such measures are unable to quantify the instantaneous risk of loss-of-balance as a function of gait parameters, body sway, and physiological and perturbation conditions. This study aimed to introduce and evaluate novel biomechanical measures for loss-of-balance under various perturbed walking conditions. We introduced the concept of ‘Extended Feasible Stability Region (ExFSR)’ that characterizes walking stability for the duration of an entire step. We proposed novel stability measures based on the proximity of the body’s centre of mass (COM) position and velocity to the ExFSR limits. We quantified perturbed walking of fifteen non-disabled individuals and three individuals with a disability, and calculated our proposed ExFSR-based measures. 17.2% (32.5%) and 26.3% (34.0%) of the measured trajectories of the COM position and velocity during low (high) perturbations went outside the ExFSR limits, for non-disabled and disabled individuals, respectively. Besides, our proposed measures significantly correlated with measures previously suggested in the literature to assess gait stability, indicating a similar trend in gait stability revealed by them. The ExFSR-based measures facilitate our understanding on the biomechanical mechanisms of loss-of-balance and can contribute to the development of strategies for balance assessment.
Silver decorated CeO2 nanoparticles for rapid photocatalytic degradation of textile rose bengal dye
Authors: Murugadoss G. , Kumar D. Dinesh , Kumar M. Rajesh , Venkatesh N. , Sakthivel P.
Published: January 2021

High quality silver (Ag) decorated CeO2 nanoparticles were prepared by a facile one-step chemical method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–Visible absorption (UV–Vis), photoluminescence (PL) and thermogravimetric analysis. The decoration of Ag on CeO2 surface was confirmed by XRD, EPR and HR-TEM analysis. Harmful textile pollutant Rose Bengal dye was degraded under sunlight using the novel Ag decorated CeO2 catalyst. It was found that great enhancement of the degradation efficiency for Ag/CeO2 compared to pure CeO2, it can be ascribed mainly due to decrease in its band gap and charge carrier recombination rate. The Ag/CeO2 sample exhibited an efficient photocatalytic characteristic for degrading RB under visible light irradiation with a high degradation rate of 96% after 3 h. With the help of various characterizations, a possible degradation mechanism has been proposed which shows the effect of generation of oxygen vacancies owing to the decoration of Ag on the CeO2 surface.
Subsystem domination influence on magnetization reversal in designed magnetic patterns in ferrimagnetic Tb/Co multilayers
Authors: Frąckowiak Łukasz , Stobiecki Feliks , Chaves-O’Flynn Gabriel David , Urbaniak Maciej , Schmidt Marek , Matczak Michał , Maziewski Andrzej , Reginka Meike , Ehresmann Arno , Kuświk Piotr
Published: January 2021

Recent results showed that the ferrimagnetic compensation point and other characteristic features of Tb/Co ferrimagnetic multilayers can be tailored by He+ ion bombardment. With appropriate choices of the He+ ion dose, we prepared two types of lattices composed of squares with either Tb or Co domination. The magnetization reversal of the first lattice is similar to that seen in ferromagnetic heterostructures consisting of areas with different switching fields. However, in the second lattice, the creation of domains without accompanying domain walls is possible. These domain patterns are particularly stable because they simultaneously lower the demagnetizing energy and the energy associated with the presence of domain walls (exchange and anisotropy). For both lattices, studies of magnetization reversal show that this process takes place by the propagation of the domain walls. If they are not present at the onset, the reversal starts from the nucleation of reversed domains and it is followed by domain wall propagation. The magnetization reversal process does not depend significantly on the relative sign of the effective magnetization in areas separated by domain walls.
Molecular pathogenesis of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment
Authors: Öhman Tiina , Gawriyski Lisa , Miettinen Sini , Varjosalo Markku , Loukovaara Sirpa
Published: January 2021

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is an ophthalmic emergency, which usually requires prompt surgery to prevent further detachment and restore sensory function. Although several individual factors have been suggested, a systems level understanding of molecular pathomechanisms underlying this severe eye disorder is lacking. To address this gap in knowledge we performed the molecular level systems pathology analysis of the vitreous from 127 patients with RRD using state-of-the art quantitative mass spectrometry to identify the individual key proteins, as well as the biochemical pathways contributing to the development of the disease. RRD patients have specific vitreous proteome profiles compared to other diseases such as macular hole, pucker, or proliferative diabetic retinopathy eyes. Our data indicate that various mechanisms, including glycolysis, photoreceptor death, and Wnt and MAPK signaling, are activated during or after the RRD to promote retinal cell survival. In addition, platelet-mediated wound healing processes, cell adhesion molecules reorganization and apoptotic processes were detected during RRD progression or proliferative vitreoretinopathy formation. These findings improve the understanding of RRD pathogenesis, identify novel targets for treatment of this ophthalmic disease, and possibly affect the prognosis of eyes treated or operated upon due to RRD.
Estimation of the hemoglobin glycation rate constant
Authors: Kameyama Masashi , Okumiya Toshika , Tokuhiro Shinji , Matsumura Yoshihisa , Matsui Hirotaka , Ono Yasuhiro , Iwasaka Tsuyoshi , Hiratani Kazuyuki , Koga Masafumi
Published: January 2021

In a previous study, a method of obtaining mean erythrocyte age ($$M_{RBC}$$

M

RBC

) from HbA1c and average plasma glucose (AG) was proposed. However, the true value of the hemoglobin glycation constant ($$k_g$$

k
g

dL/mg/day), required for this model has yet to be well characterized. Another study also proposed a method of deriving $$M_{RBC}$$

M

RBC

from erythrocyte creatine (EC). Utilizing these formulae, this study aimed to determine a more accurate estimate of $$k_g$$

k
g

. One hundred and seven subjects including 31 patients with hemolytic anemia and 76 subjects without anemia were included in this study. EC and HbA1c data were analyzed, and $$M_{RBC}$$

M

RBC

using HbA1c, AG and the newly-derived constant, $$k_g$$

k
g

were compared to $$M_{RBC}$$

M

RBC

using traditional $$^{51}\hbox {Cr}$$

51

Cr

in three patients whose data were taken from previous case studies. A value of $$7.0\times 10^{-6}$$

7.0
×

10

-
6

dL/mg/day was determined for $$k_g$$

k
g

. $$M_{RBC}$$

M

RBC

using HbA1c, AG and $$k_g$$

k
g

were found to no be significantly different (paired t-test, $$p=0.45$$

p
=
0.45

) to $$M_{RBC}$$

M

RBC

using traditional $$^{51}\hbox {Cr}$$

51

Cr

. $$k_g$$

k
g

enables the estimation of $$M_{RBC}$$

M

RBC

from HbA1c and AG.
Activated neutrophil fluorescent imaging technique for human lungs
Authors: Craven Thomas H. , Walton Tashfeen , Akram Ahsan R. , Scholefield Emma , McDonald Neil , Marshall Adam D.L. , Humphries Duncan C. , Mills Bethany , Campbell Thane A. , Bruce Annya , Mair Joanne , Dear James W. , Newby David E. , Hill Adam T. , Walsh Timothy S. , Haslett Chris , Dhaliwal Kevin
Published: January 2021

Neutrophil activation is an integral process to acute inflammation and is associated with adverse clinical sequelae. Identification of neutrophil activation in real time in the lungs of patients may permit biological stratification of patients in otherwise heterogenous cohorts typically defined by clinical criteria. No methods for identifying neutrophil activation in real time in the lungs of patients currently exist. We developed a bespoke molecular imaging probe targeting three characteristic signatures of neutrophil activation: pinocytosis, phagosomal alkalinisation, and human neutrophil elastase (HNE) activity. The probe functioned as designed in vitro and ex vivo. We evaluated optical endomicroscopy imaging of neutrophil activity using the probe in real-time at the bedside of healthy volunteers, patients with bronchiectasis, and critically unwell mechanically ventilated patients. We detected a range of imaging responses in vivo reflecting heterogeneity of condition and severity. We corroborated optical signal was due to probe function and neutrophil activation.
Stability of SARS-CoV-2 on critical personal protective equipment
Authors: Kasloff Samantha B. , Leung Anders , Strong James E. , Funk Duane , Cutts Todd
Published: January 2021

The spread of COVID-19 in healthcare settings is concerning, with healthcare workers representing a disproportionately high percentage of confirmed cases. Although SARS-CoV-2 virus has been found to persist on surfaces for a number of days, the extent and duration of fomites as a mode of transmission, particularly in healthcare settings, has not been fully characterized. To shed light on this critical matter, the present study provides the first comprehensive assessment of SARS-CoV-2 stability on experimentally contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) widely used by healthcare workers and the general public. Persistence of viable virus was monitored over 21 days on eight different materials, including nitrile medical examination gloves, reinforced chemical resistant gloves, N-95 and N-100 particulate respirator masks, Tyvek, plastic, cotton, and stainless steel. Unlike previous reports, viable SARS-CoV-2 in the presence of a soil load persisted for up to 21 days on experimentally inoculated PPE, including materials from filtering facepiece respirators (N-95 and N-100 masks) and a plastic visor. Conversely, when applied to 100% cotton fabric, the virus underwent rapid degradation and became undetectable by TCID50 assay within 24 h. These findings underline the importance of appropriate handling of contaminated PPE during and following use in high-risk settings and provide interesting insight into the potential utility of cotton in limiting COVID-19 transmission.
Maternal Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery reduces lipid deposition and increases UCP1 expression in the brown adipose tissue of male offspring
Authors: Ceglarek Vanessa Marieli , Bertasso Iala Milene , Pietrobon Carla Bruna , Scomazzon Sofia Pizzato , Leite Nayara Carvalho , Bonfleur Maria Lúcia , Araújo Allan Cezar Faria , Balbo Sandra Lucinei , Grassiolli Sabrina
Published: January 2021

Maternal obesity induced by cafeteria diet (CAF) predisposes offspring to obesity and metabolic diseases, events that could be avoided by maternal bariatric surgery (BS). Herein we evaluated whether maternal BS is able to modulate brown adipose tissue (BAT) morphology and function in adult male rats born from obese female rats submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). For this, adult male rat offspring were obtained from female rats that consumed standard diet (CTL), or CAF diet, and were submitted to simulated operation or RYGB. Analysis of offspring showed that, at 120 days of life, the maternal CAF diet induced adiposity and decreased the expression of mitochondrial Complex I (CI) and Complex III (CIII) in the BAT, resulting in higher accumulation of lipids than in BAT from offspring of CTL dams. Moreover, maternal RYGB increased UCP1 expression and prevented excessive deposition of lipids in the BAT of adult male offspring rats. However, maternal RYGB failed to reverse the effects of maternal diet on CI and CIII expression. Thus, maternal CAF promotes higher lipid deposition in the BAT of offspring, contributing to elevated adiposity. Maternal RYGB prevented obesity in offspring, probably by increasing the expression of UCP1.
Birth weight and heart rate autonomic recovery following exercise in healthy term-born adults
Authors: de Paula Vidigal Giovanna , Garner David M. , Akimoto Amanda N. , Valenti Vitor E.
Published: January 2021

The impact of birth weight (BW) on adult health has been studied, related to the autonomic nervous system, and implicated in cardiovascular risk. We investigated cardiorespiratory and heart rate (HR) autonomic recovery after moderate effort in healthy term-born adults with different BWs. We studied 28 healthy physically active women aged between 18 to 30 years split equally into two groups according to BW: G1 (n = 14), BW between 2500 g and 3200 g and G2 (n = 14), BW > 3200 g. The groups remained seated at rest for 15 min, followed by aerobic exercise on a treadmill (five minutes at 50–55% of maximum HR and 25 min 60–65% of maximum HR) and then remained seated for 60 min during recovery from the exercise. Cardiorespiratory parameters and HR variability (HRV) [RMSSD, HF (ms2)] were assessed before and during recovery from exercise. In G1, HR was increased from 0 to 20 min after exercise whilst in G2 HR was higher from 0 to 7 min following exercise. In G1, short-term HRV was increased from 5 to 10 min after exercise but in G2 it recovered prior to 5 min following effort. In conclusion, healthy term-born women with low normal BW present slower HR autonomic recovery after exercise.
Immune modulation resulting from MR-guided high intensity focused ultrasound in a model of murine breast cancer
Authors: Fite Brett Z. , Wang James , Kare Aris J. , Ilovitsh Asaf , Chavez Michael , Ilovitsh Tali , Zhang Nisi , Chen Weiyu , Robinson Elise , Zhang Hua , Kheirolomoom Azadeh , Silvestrini Matthew T. , Ingham Elizabeth S. , Mahakian Lisa M. , Tam Sarah M. , Davis Ryan R. , Tepper Clifford G. , Borowsky Alexander D. , Ferrara Katherine W.
Published: January 2021

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) rapidly and non-invasively destroys tumor tissue. Here, we sought to assess the immunomodulatory effects of MR-guided HIFU and its combination with the innate immune agonist CpG and checkpoint inhibitor anti-PD-1. Mice with multi-focal breast cancer underwent ablation with a parameter set designed to achieve mechanical disruption with minimal thermal dose or a protocol in which tumor temperature reached 65 °C. Mice received either HIFU alone or were primed with the toll-like receptor 9 agonist CpG and the checkpoint modulator anti-PD-1. Both mechanical HIFU and thermal ablation induced a potent inflammatory response with increased expression ofNlrp3,Jun, Mefv, Il6andIl1βand alterations in macrophage polarization compared to control. Furthermore, HIFU upregulated multiple innate immune receptors and immune pathways, includingNod1, Nlrp3, Aim2, Ctsb, Tlr1/2/4/7/8/9, Oas2, and RhoA. The inflammatory response was largely sterile and consistent with wound-healing. Priming with CpG attenuatedIl6andNlrp3expression, further upregulated expression ofNod2,Oas2, RhoA, Pycard, Tlr1/2 and Il12,and enhanced T-cell number and activation while polarizing macrophages to an anti-tumor phenotype. The tumor-specific antigen, cytokines and cell debris liberated by HIFU enhance response to innate immune agonists.
Sex-specific differences in peripheral blood leukocyte transcriptional response to LPS are enriched for HLA region and X chromosome genes
Authors: Stein Michelle M. , Conery Mitch , Magnaye Kevin M. , Clay Selene M. , Billstrand Christine , Nicolae Raluca , Naughton Katherine , Ober Carole , Thompson Emma E.
Published: January 2021

Sex-specific differences in prevalence are well documented for many common, complex diseases, especially for immune-mediated diseases, yet the precise mechanisms through which factors associated with biological sex exert their effects throughout life are not well understood. We interrogated sex-specific transcriptional responses of peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) to innate immune stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in 46 male and 66 female members of the Hutterite community, who practice a communal lifestyle. We identified 1217 autosomal and 54 X-linked genes with sex-specific responses to LPS, as well as 71 autosomal and one X-linked sex-specific expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). Despite a similar proportion of the 15 HLA genes responding to LPS compared to all expressed autosomal genes, there was a significant over-representation of genes with sex by treatment interactions among HLA genes. We also observed an enrichment of sex-specific differentially expressed genes in response to LPS for X-linked genes compared to autosomal genes, suggesting that HLA and X-linked genes may disproportionately contribute to sex disparities in risk for immune-mediated diseases.