bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A cohort autopsy study defines COVID-19 systemic pathogenesis
Authors: Yao Xiao-Hong , Luo Tao , Shi Yu , He Zhi-Cheng , Tang Rui , Zhang Pei-Pei , Cai Jun , Zhou Xiang-Dong , Jiang Dong-Po , Fei Xiao-Chun , Huang Xue-Quan , Zhao Lei , Zhang Heng , Wu Hai-Bo , Ren Yong , Liu Zhen-Hua , Zhang Hua-Rong , Chen Cong , Fu Wen-Juan , Li Heng , Xia Xin-Yi , Chen Rong , Wang Yan , Liu Xin-Dong , Yin Chang-Lin , Yan Ze-Xuan , Wang Juan , Jing Rui , Li Tai-Sheng , Li Wei-Qin , Wang Chao-Fu , Ding Yan-Qing , Mao Qing , Zhang Ding-Yu , Zhang Shu-Yang , Ping Yi-Fang , Bian Xiu-Wu
Published: June 2021

Severe COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 is frequently accompanied by dysfunction of the lungs and extrapulmonary organs. However, the organotropism of SARS-CoV-2 and the port of virus entry for systemic dissemination remain largely unknown. We profiled 26 COVID-19 autopsy cases from four cohorts in Wuhan, China, and determined the systemic distribution of SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in the lungs and multiple extrapulmonary organs of critically ill COVID-19 patients up to 67 days after symptom onset. Based on organotropism and pathological features of the patients, COVID-19 was divided into viral intrapulmonary and systemic subtypes. In patients with systemic viral distribution, SARS-CoV-2 was detected in monocytes, macrophages, and vascular endothelia at blood–air barrier, blood–testis barrier, and filtration barrier. Critically ill patients with long disease duration showed decreased pulmonary cell proliferation, reduced viral RNA, and marked fibrosis in the lungs. Permanent SARS-CoV-2 presence and tissue injuries in the lungs and extrapulmonary organs suggest direct viral invasion as a mechanism of pathogenicity in critically ill patients. SARS-CoV-2 may hijack monocytes, macrophages, and vascular endothelia at physiological barriers as the ports of entry for systemic dissemination. Our study thus delineates systemic pathological features of SARS-CoV-2 infection, which sheds light on the development of novel COVID-19 treatment.
Interaction of schizophrenia and chronic cannabis use on reward anticipation sensitivity
Authors: Fish Simon , Christidi Foteini , Karavasilis Efstratios , Velonakis Georgios , Kelekis Nikolaos , Klein Christoph , Stefanis Nicholas C. , Smyrnis Nikolaos
Published: June 2021

Chronic cannabis use and schizophrenia are both thought to affect reward processing. While behavioural and neural effects on reward processing have been investigated in both conditions, their interaction has not been studied, although chronic cannabis use is common among these patients. In the present study eighty-nine participants divided into four groups (control chronic cannabis users and non-users; schizophrenia patient cannabis users and non-users) performed a two-choice decision task, preceded by monetary cues (high/low reward/punishment or neutral), while being scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Reward and punishment anticipation resulted in activation of regions of interest including the thalamus, striatum, amygdala and insula. Chronic cannabis use and schizophrenia had opposing effects on reward anticipation sensitivity. More specifically control users and patient non-users showed faster behavioural responses and increased activity in anterior/posterior insula for high magnitude cues compared to control non-users and patient users. The same interaction pattern was observed in the activation of the right thalamus for reward versus punishment cues. This study provided evidence for interaction of chronic cannabis use and schizophrenia on reward processing and highlights the need for future research addressing the significance of this interaction for the pathophysiology of these conditions and its clinical consequences.
Rare CASP6N73T variant associated with hippocampal volume exhibits decreased proteolytic activity, synaptic transmission defect, and neurodegeneration
Authors: Zhou Libin , Nho Kwangsik , Haddad Maria G. , Cherepacha Nicole , Tubeleviciute-Aydin Agne , Tsai Andy P. , Saykin Andrew J. , Jesper Sjöström P. , LeBlanc Andrea C.
Published: June 2021

Caspase-6 (Casp6) is implicated in Alzheimer disease (AD) cognitive impairment and pathology. Hippocampal atrophy is associated with cognitive impairment in AD. Here, a rare functional exonic missense CASP6 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), causing the substitution of asparagine with threonine at amino acid 73 in Casp6 (Casp6N73T), was associated with hippocampal subfield CA1 volume preservation. Compared to wild type Casp6 (Casp6WT), recombinant Casp6N73T altered Casp6 proteolysis of natural substrates Lamin A/C and α-Tubulin, but did not alter cleavage of the Ac-VEID-AFC Casp6 peptide substrate. Casp6N73T-transfected HEK293T cells showed elevated Casp6 mRNA levels similar to Casp6WT-transfected cells, but, in contrast to Casp6WT, did not accumulate active Casp6 subunits nor show increased Casp6 enzymatic activity. Electrophysiological and morphological assessments showed that Casp6N73T recombinant protein caused less neurofunctional damage and neurodegeneration in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons than Casp6WT. Lastly, CASP6 mRNA levels were increased in several AD brain regions confirming the implication of Casp6 in AD. These studies suggest that the rare Casp6N73T variant may protect against hippocampal atrophy due to its altered catalysis of natural protein substrates and intracellular instability thus leading to less Casp6-mediated damage to neuronal structure and function.
Copper-binding anticancer peptides from the piscidin family: an expanded mechanism that encompasses physical and chemical bilayer disruption
Authors: Comert Fatih , Heinrich Frank , Chowdhury Ananda , Schoeneck Mason , Darling Caitlin , Anderson Kyle W. , Libardo M. Daben J. , Angeles-Boza Alfredo M. , Silin Vitalii , Cotten Myriam L. , Mihailescu Mihaela
Published: June 2021

In the search for novel broad-spectrum therapeutics to fight chronic infections, inflammation, and cancer, host defense peptides (HDPs) have garnered increasing interest. Characterizing their biologically-active conformations and minimum motifs for function represents a requisite step to developing them into efficacious and safe therapeutics. Here, we demonstrate that metallating HDPs with Cu2+is an effective chemical strategy to improve their cytotoxicity on cancer cells. Mechanistically, we find that prepared as Cu2+-complexes, the peptides not only physically but also chemically damage lipid membranes. Our testing ground features piscidins 1 and 3 (P1/3), two amphipathic, histidine-rich, membrane-interacting, and cell-penetrating HDPs that are α-helical bound to membranes. To investigate their membrane location, permeabilization effects, and lipid-oxidation capability, we employ neutron reflectometry, impedance spectroscopy, neutron diffraction, and UV spectroscopy. While P1-apo is more potent than P3-apo, metallation boosts their cytotoxicities by up to two- and seven-fold, respectively. Remarkably, P3-Cu2+is particularly effective at inserting in bilayers, causing water crevices in the hydrocarbon region and placing Cu2+near the double bonds of the acyl chains, as needed to oxidize them. This study points at a new paradigm where complexing HDPs with Cu2+to expand their mechanistic reach could be explored to design more potent peptide-based anticancer therapeutics.
Radiofrequency EMF irradiation effects on pre-B lymphocytes undergoing somatic recombination
Authors: Ioniţă Elena , Marcu Aurelian , Temelie Mihaela , Savu Diana , Şerbănescu Mihai , Ciubotaru Mihai
Published: June 2021

Intense electromagnetic fields (EMFs) induce DNA double stranded breaks (DSBs) in exposed lymphocytes.We study developing pre-B lymphocytes following V(D)J recombination at their Immunoglobulin light chain loci (IgL). Recombination physiologically induces DNA DSBs, and we tested if low doses of EMF irradiation affect this developmental stage. Recombining pre-B cells, were exposed for 48 h to low intensity EMFs (maximal radiative power density flux S of 9.5 µW/cm2 and electric field intensity 3 V/m) from waves of frequencies ranging from 720 to 1224 MHz. Irradiated pre-B cells show decreased levels of recombination, reduction which is dependent upon the power dose and most remarkably upon the frequency of the applied EMF. Although 50% recombination reduction cannot be obtained even for an S of 9.5 µW/cm2 in cells irradiated at 720 MHz, such an effect is reached in cells exposed to only 0.45 µW/cm2 power with 950 and 1000 MHz waves. A maximal four-fold recombination reduction was measured in cells exposed to 1000 MHz waves with S from 0.2 to 4.5 µW/cm2 displaying normal levels of γH2AX phosphorylated histone. Our findings show that developing B cells exposure to low intensity EMFs can affect the levels of production and diversity of their antibodies repertoire.
Acoustic hologram optimisation using automatic differentiation
Authors: Fushimi Tatsuki , Yamamoto Kenta , Ochiai Yoichi
Published: June 2021

Acoustic holograms are the keystone of modern acoustics. They encode three-dimensional acoustic fields in two dimensions, and their quality determines the performance of acoustic systems. Optimisation methods that control only the phase of an acoustic wave are considered inferior to methods that control both the amplitude and phase of the wave. In this paper, we present Diff-PAT, an acoustic hologram optimisation platform with automatic differentiation. We show that in the most fundamental case of optimizing the output amplitude to match the target amplitude; our method with only phase modulation achieves better performance than conventional algorithm with both amplitude and phase modulation. The performance of Diff-PAT was evaluated by randomly generating 1000 sets of up to 32 control points for single-sided arrays and single-axis arrays. This optimisation platform for acoustic hologram can be used in a wide range of applications of PATs without introducing any changes to existing systems that control the PATs. In addition, we applied Diff-PAT to a phase plate and achieved an increase of > 8 dB in the peak noise-to-signal ratio of the acoustic hologram.
Silver nanoparticles produced from Cedecea sp. exhibit antibiofilm activity and remarkable stability
Authors: Singh Priyanka , Pandit Santosh , Jers Carsten , Joshi Abhayraj S. , Garnæs Jørgen , Mijakovic Ivan
Published: June 2021

With multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens on the rise, there is a strong research focus on alternative antibacterial treatments that could replace or complement classical antibiotics. Metallic nanoparticles, and in particular silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), have been shown to kill bacterial biofilms effectively, but their chemical synthesis often involves environmentally unfriendly by-products. Recent studies have shown that microbial and plant extracts can be used for the environmentally friendly synthesis of AgNPs. Herein we report a procedure for producing AgNPs using a putative Cedecea sp. strain isolated from soil. The isolated bacterial strain showed a remarkable potential for producing spherical, crystalline and stable AgNPs characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The concentration of produced nanoparticles was 1.31 µg/µl with a negative surface charge of − 15.3 mV and nanoparticles size ranging from 10–40 nm. The AgNPs was tested against four pathogenic microorganisms S. epidermidis, S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa. The nanoparticles exhibited strong minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 12.5 and 6.25 µg/µl and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of 12.5 and 12.5 µg/mL against E. coli and P. aeruginosa, respectively. One distinguishing feature of AgNPs produced by Cedecea sp. extracts is their extreme stability. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that the produced AgNPs are stable for periods exceeding one year. This means that their strong antibacterial effects, demonstrated against E. coli and P. aeruginosa biofilms, can be expected to persist during extended periods.
Single-layer phase gradient mmWave metasurface for incident angle independent focusing
Authors: Lee Wonwoo , Jo Semin , Lee Kanghyeok , Park Hong Soo , Yang Junhyuk , Hong Ha Young , Park Changkun , Hong Sun K. , Lee Hojin
Published: June 2021

Metasurfaces allow the rapid development of compact and flat electromagnetic devices owing to their capability in manipulating the wavefront of electromagnetic waves. Particularly, with respect to the metasurface lenses, wide operational bandwidth and wide incident angle behavior are critically required for practical applications. Herein, a single-layer phase gradient metasurface lens is presented to achieve millimeter-wave focusing at a focal point of 13 mm regardless of the incident angle. The proposed metasurface lens is fabricated by constructing subwavelength-thick (< λ/10) phase elements composed of two metallic layers separated by a single dielectric substrate that exhibits low-Q resonance properties and a wide phase modulation range with satisfactory transmissivity. By controlling the spatial phase distribution, the proposed metasurface lens successfully realises effective wavefront manipulation properties and high-performance electromagnetic-wave-focusing characteristics over a wide operating frequency range from 35 to 40 GHz with incident angle independency up to 30°.
Water vapor sorption behavior of bamboo pertaining to its hierarchical structure
Authors: Chen Qi , Fang Changhua , Wang Ge , Ma Xinxin , Luo Junji , Chen Meiling , Dai Chunping , Fei Benhua
Published: June 2021

Bamboo is an anisotropic, hierarchical, and hygroscopic material. Moisture transport in bamboo is one of the most fundamental properties affecting almost all other physical and mechanical properties of the material. This study investigated the water vapor sorption behaviors of bamboo at various structural levels: cell walls, cells (with pits) and bamboo blocks. The specimens with two sorption directions, longitudinal (L) and transverse (T), were measured by saturated salt solution method and dynamic vapor sorption. The parallel exponential kinetics model was used to analyze the sorption kinetics. The results showed that at the cell wall level, the sorption rate and equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of cell wall in the L specimens were larger than those in the T specimens. The differences were probably caused by the looser cell wall layers in the L specimens. At the cellular scale, pits in the cell wall resulted in an enhanced sorption rate and EMC of the T specimens compared with the L specimens where the pits in the parenchyma cells were only distributed in the lateral walls but not in end walls. At the macro scale, the sorption rate and moisture content of bamboo blocks were largely controlled by the vessel cells. As a hierarchically-structured plant, bamboo performs the biological function of moisture transport at all these scales. This work helps improve the understanding of water transport behavior in bamboo, which may lead to better bamboo drying and impregnation processes.
Development and validation of an individualized immune prognostic model in stage I–III lung squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Yang Qi-Fan , Wu Di , Wang Jian , Ba Li , Tian Chen , Liu Yu-Ting , Hu Yue , Liu Li
Published: June 2021

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) possesses a poor prognosis even for stages I–III resected patients. Reliable prognostic biomarkers that can stratify and predict clinical outcomes for stage I–III resected LUSC patients are urgently needed. Based on gene expression of LUSC tissue samples from five public datasets, consisting of 687 cases, we developed an immune-related prognostic model (IPM) according to immune genes from ImmPort database. Then, we comprehensively analyzed the immune microenvironment and mutation burden that are significantly associated with this model. According to the IPM, patients were stratified into high- and low-risk groups with markedly distinct survival benefits. We found that patients with high immune risk possessed a higher proportion of immunosuppressive cells such as macrophages M0, and presented higher expression of CD47, CD73, SIRPA, and TIM-3. Moreover, When further stratified based on the tumor mutation burden (TMB) and risk score, patients with high TMB and low immune risk had a remarkable prolonged overall survival compared to patients with low TMB and high immune risk. Finally, a nomogram combing the IPM with clinical factors was established to provide a more precise evaluation of prognosis. The proposed immune relevant model is a promising biomarker for predicting overall survival in stage I–III LUSC. Thus, it may shed light on identifying patient subset at high risk of adverse prognosis from an immunological perspective.
Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 modulates Toxoplasma gondii infection, immune response and lipid droplets formation in human trophoblast cells and villous explants
Authors: de Souza Guilherme , Silva Rafaela José , Milián Iliana Claudia Balga , Rosini Alessandra Monteiro , de Araújo Thádia Evelyn , Teixeira Samuel Cota , Oliveira Mário Cézar , Franco Priscila Silva , da Silva Claudio Vieira , Mineo José Roberto , Silva Neide Maria , Ferro Eloisa Amália Vieira , Barbosa Bellisa Freitas
Published: June 2021

Congenital toxoplasmosis is represented by the transplacental passage ofToxoplasma gondiifrom the mother to the fetus. Our studies demonstrated thatT. gondiideveloped mechanisms to evade of the host immune response, such as cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostaglandin E2(PGE2) induction, and these mediators can be produced/stored in lipid droplets (LDs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of COX-2 and LDs duringT. gondiiinfection in human trophoblast cells and villous explants. Our data demonstrated that COX-2 inhibitors decreasedT. gondiireplication in trophoblast cells and villous. In BeWo cells, the COX-2 inhibitors induced an increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and MIF), and a decrease in anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10). In HTR-8/SVneo cells, the COX-2 inhibitors induced an increase of IL-6 and nitrite and decreased IL-4 and TGF-β1. In villous explants, the COX-2 inhibitors increased MIF and decreased TNF-α and IL-10. Furthermore,T. gondiiinduced an increase in LDs in BeWo and HTR-8/SVneo, but COX-2 inhibitors reduced LDs in both cells type. We highlighted that COX-2 is a key factor toT. gondiiproliferation in human trophoblast cells, since its inhibition induced a pro-inflammatory response capable of controlling parasitism and leading to a decrease in the availability of LDs, which are essentials for parasite growth.
Structure sampling for computational estimation of localized DNA interaction rates
Authors: Kumar Sarika , Weisburd Julian M. , Lakin Matthew R.
Published: June 2021

Molecular circuits implemented using molecular components tethered to a DNA tile nanostructure have certain advantages over solution-phase circuits. Tethering components in close proximity increases the speed of reactions by reducing diffusion and improves scalability by enabling reuse of identical DNA sequences at different locations in the circuit. These systems show great potential for practical applications including delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic molecular circuits to cells. When modeling such systems, molecular geometry plays an important role in determining whether the two species interact and at what rate. In this paper, we present an automated method for estimating reaction rates in tethered molecular circuits that takes the geometry of the tethered species into account. We probabilistically generate samples of structure distributions based on simple biophysical models and use these to estimate important parameters for kinetic models. This work provides a basis for subsequent enhanced modeling and design tools for localized molecular circuits.
Effect of permeability and fractures on oil mobilization of unconventional resources during CO2 EOR using nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Sun Huanquan , Wang Haitao , Lun Zengmin
Published: June 2021

CO2 EOR (enhanced oil recovery) will be one of main technologies of enhanced unconventional resources recovery. Understanding effect of permeability and fractures on the oil mobilization of unconventional resources, i.e. tight oil, is crucial during CO2 EOR process. Exposure experiments based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were used to study the interaction between CO2 and tight oil reservoirs in Chang 8 layer of Ordos Basin at 40 °C and 12 MPa. Effect of permeability and fractures on oil mobilization of exposure experiments were investigated for the different exposure time. The oil was mobilized from matrix to the surface of matrix and the oil recovery increased as the exposure time increased. The final oil recovery increased as the core permeability increased in these exposure experiments. Exposure area increased to 1.75 times by fractures resulting in that oil was mobilized faster in the initial stage of exposure experiment and the final oil recovery increased to 1.19 times from 28.8 to 34.2%. This study shows the quantitative results of effect of permeability and fractures on oil mobilization of unconventional resources during CO2 EOR, which will support CO2 EOR design in Chang 8 layer of Ordos Basin.
Earlier onset of proteinuria or hypertension is a predictor of progression from gestational hypertension or gestational proteinuria to preeclampsia
Authors: Morikawa Mamoru , Mayama Michinori , Noshiro Kiwamu , Saito Yoshihiro , Nakagawa-Akabane Kinuko , Umazume Takeshi , Chiba Kentaro , Kawaguchi Satoshi , Watari Hidemichi
Published: June 2021

Although gestational hypertension (GH) is a well-known disorder, gestational proteinuria (GP) has been far less emphasized. According to international criteria, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy include GH but not GP. Previous studies have not revealed the predictors of progression from GP to preeclampsia or those of progression from GH to preeclampsia. We aimed to determine both sets of predictors. A retrospective cohort study was conducted with singleton pregnant women who delivered at 22 gestational weeks or later. Preeclampsia was divided into three types: new onset of hypertension/proteinuria at 20 gestational weeks or later and additional new onset of other symptoms at < 7 days or at ≥ 7 days later. Of 94 women with preeclampsia, 20 exhibited proteinuria before preeclampsia, 14 experienced hypertension before preeclampsia, and 60 exhibited simultaneous new onset of both hypertension and proteinuria before preeclampsia; the outcomes of all types were similar. Of 34 women with presumptive GP, 58.8% developed preeclampsia; this proportion was significantly higher than that of 89 women with presumptive GH who developed preeclampsia (15.7%). According to multivariate logistic regression models, earlier onset of hypertension/proteinuria (before or at 34.7/33.9 gestational weeks) was a predicator for progression from presumptive GH/GP to preeclampsia (odds ratios: 1.21/1.21, P value: 0.0044/0.0477, respectively).
Optical manipulation of a dielectric particle along polygonal closed-loop geometries within a single water droplet
Authors: Park Junbum , Hong Seongjin , Lee Yong Soo , Lee Hyeonwoo , Kim Seokjin , Dholakia Kishan , Oh Kyunghwan
Published: June 2021

We report a new method to optically manipulate a single dielectric particle along closed-loop polygonal trajectories by crossing a suite of all-fiber Bessel-like beams within a single water droplet. Exploiting optical radiation pressure, this method demonstrates the circulation of a single polystyrene bead in both a triangular and a rectangle geometry enabling the trapped particle to undergo multiple circulations successfully. The crossing of the Bessel-like beams creates polygonal corners where the trapped particles successfully make abrupt turns with acute angles, which is a novel capability in microfluidics. This offers an optofluidic paradigm for particle transport overcoming turbulences in conventional microfluidic chips.
Application of uniform design to evaluate the different conditions on the growth of algae Prymnesium parvum
Authors: Yin Juan , Sun Xuyang , Zhao Ruizhi , Qiu Xiaocong , Eeswaran Rasu
Published: June 2021

Prymnesium parvum is an environmentally harmful algae and well known for its toxic effects to the fish culture. However, there is a dearth of studies on the growth behavior of P. parvum and information on how the availability of nutrients and environmental factors affect their growth rate. To address this knowledge gap, we used a uniform design approach to quantify the effects of major nutrients (N, P, Si and Fe) and environmental factors (water temperature, pH and salinity) on the biomass density of P. parvum. We also generated the growth model for P. parvum as affected by each of these nutrients and environmental factors to estimate optimum conditions of growth. Results showed that P. parvum can reach its maximum growth rate of 0.789, when the water temperature, pH and salinity is 18.11 °C, 8.39, and 1.23‰, respectively. Moreover, maximum growth rate (0.895–0.896) of P. parvum reached when the concentration of nitrogen, phosphorous, silicon and iron reach 3.41, 1.05, 0.69 and 0.53 mg/l, respectively. The order of the effects of the environmental factors impacting the biomass density of P. parvum was pH > salinity > water temperature, while the order of the effects of nutrients impacting the biomass density of P. parvum was nitrogen > phosphorous > iron > silicon. These findings may assist to implement control measures of the population of P. parvum where this harmful alga threatens aquaculture industry in the waterbodies such as Ningxia region in China.
A 2-year prospective multicenter study of ultrasound cyclo plasty for glaucoma
Authors: Giannaccare Giuseppe , Pellegrini Marco , Bernabei Federico , Urbini Lara , Bergamini Fulvio , Ferro Desideri Lorenzo , Bagnis Alessandro , Biagini Francesco , Cassottana Paola , Del Noce Chiara , Carnevali Adriano , Scorcia Vincenzo , Traverso Carlo E. , Vagge Aldo
Published: June 2021

Ultrasound cyclo plasty (UCP) is a recently developed surgical technique for glaucoma allowing a selective and controlled coagulation of the ciliary body. We herein investigated the long-term efficacy and safety of UCP for the treatment of glaucoma. This prospective study included patients with primary and secondary glaucoma. All surgeries were performed using the EyeOP1 device (Eye Tech Care, Rillieux-la-Pape, France). Sixty-six patients were included, and 60 completed regularly the 2-year follow-up. Preoperative IOP was 28.5 ± 9.6 mmHg and significantly decreased to 17.0 ± 5.4 at 2 years (p < 0.001). The daily number of both hypotensive eye drops and acetazolamide tablets decreased significantly (respectively, from 2.6 ± 1.1 to 1.7 ± 1.2 and from 0.7 ± 0.8 to 0.2 ± 0.5; both p < 0.001). At 2 years, 68.1% of patients met the definition of qualified success (IOP < 21 mmHg regardless of glaucoma medications) and 10.3% of patients met the definition of complete success (IOP < 21 mmHg without glaucoma medications). No major intra- or postoperative complications occurred; however, 15 eyes required additional glaucoma surgery. These results suggest that UCP is an effective and safe procedure to reduce IOP in glaucoma patients through a 2-year follow-up period.
A millennium of trophic stability in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua): transition to a lower and converging trophic niche in modern times
Authors: Ólafsdóttir Guðbjörg Ásta , Edvardsson Ragnar , Timsic Sandra , Harrison Ramona , Patterson William P.
Published: June 2021

Stable isotope analyses of zooarchaeological material can be used to examine ecological variability in exploited species at centennial to millennial scales. Climate change is a notable driver of marine ecosystem change, although historical fishing is also likely to have impacted past marine systems. Fishing removes the oldest and largest individuals and may thereby result in shorter trophic pathways and reduced niche width of predatory fish species. In the current study we examine the trophic niche of Atlantic cod, haddock and Atlantic wolffish, in the last millennium using δ13C and δ15N values of bone collagen. We report a lower trophic level of Atlantic cod and haddock but higher level of wolffish in present times, following centuries at consistent and higher trophic levels of Atlantic cod. This results in a concurrent converging trophic niche of the demersal fish. We suggest that the current data set provides a valuable historical baseline facilitating interpretation of current variability in the trophic ecology of northern demersal fish.
Functionalized MWCNTs-quartzite nanocomposite coated with Dacryodes edulis stem bark extract for the attenuation of hexavalent chromium
Authors: Amaku James F. , Ogundare Segun , Akpomie Kovo G. , Ibeji Collins U. , Conradie Jeanet
Published: June 2021

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes/quartzite nanocomposite modified with the extract of Dacryodes edulis leaves was synthesized and designated as Q, which was applied for the removal of Cr(VI) from water. The adsorbents (PQ and Q) were characterized using the SEM, EDX, FTIR, TGA, XRD, and BET analyses. The XRD revealed the crystalline composition of the nanocomposite while the TGA indicated the incorporated extract as the primary component that degraded with an increase in temperature. The implication of the modifier was noticed to enhance the adsorption capacity of Q for Cr(VI) by the introduction of chemical functional groups. Optimum Cr(VI) removal was noticed at a pH of 2.0, adsorbent dose (50 mg), initial concentration (100 mg dm−3), and contact time (180 min). The kinetic adsorption data for both adsorbents was noticed to fit well to the pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption equilibrium data were best described by the Langmuir model. The uptake of Cr(VI) onto PQ and Q was feasible, endothermic (ΔH: PQ = 1.194 kJ mol−1 and Q = 34.64 kJ mol−1) and entropy-driven (ΔS : PQ = 64.89 J K−1 mol−1 and q = 189.7 J K−1 mol−1). Hence, the nanocomposite demonstrated potential for robust capacity to trap Cr(VI) from aqueous solution.
A DNA methylation-based liquid biopsy for triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Cristall Katrina , Bidard Francois-Clement , Pierga Jean-Yves , Rauh Michael J. , Popova Tatiana , Sebbag Clara , Lantz Olivier , Stern Marc-Henri , Mueller Christopher R.
Published: June 2021

Here, we present a next-generation sequencing (NGS) methylation-based blood test called methylation DETEction of Circulating Tumour DNA (mDETECT) designed for the optimal detection and monitoring of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Based on a highly multiplexed targeted sequencing approach, this assay incorporates features that offer superior performance and included 53 amplicons from 47 regions. Analysis of a previously characterised cohort of women with metastatic TNBC with limited quantities of plasma (<2 ml) produced an AUC of 0.92 for detection of a tumour with a sensitivity of 76% for a specificity of 100%. mDETECTTNBC was quantitative and showed superior performance to an NGS TP53 mutation-based test carried out on the same patients and to the conventional CA15-3 biomarker. mDETECT also functioned well in serum samples from metastatic TNBC patients where it produced an AUC of 0.97 for detection of a tumour with a sensitivity of 93% for a specificity of 100%. An assay for BRCA1 promoter methylation was also incorporated into the mDETECT assay and functioned well but its clinical significance is currently unclear. Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential was investigated as a source of background in control subjects but was not seen to be significant, though a link to adiposity may be relevant. The mDETECTTNBC assay is a liquid biopsy able to quantitatively detect all TNBC cancers and has the potential to improve the management of patients with this disease.
Brain network reconfiguration for narrative and argumentative thought
Authors: Xu Yangwen , Vignali Lorenzo , Collignon Olivier , Crepaldi Davide , Bottini Roberto
Published: June 2021

Our brain constructs reality through narrative and argumentative thought. Some hypotheses argue that these two modes of cognitive functioning are irreducible, reflecting distinct mental operations underlain by separate neural bases; Others ascribe both to a unitary neural system dedicated to long-timescale information. We addressed this question by employing inter-subject measures to investigate the stimulus-induced neural responses when participants were listening to narrative and argumentative texts during fMRI. We found that following both kinds of texts enhanced functional couplings within the frontoparietal control system. However, while a narrative specifically implicated the default mode system, an argument specifically induced synchronization between the intraparietal sulcus in the frontoparietal control system and multiple perisylvian areas in the language system. Our findings reconcile the two hypotheses by revealing commonalities and differences between the narrative and the argumentative brain networks, showing how diverse mental activities arise from the segregation and integration of the existing brain systems.
Climate-driven divergence in plant-microbiome interactions generates range-wide variation in bud break phenology
Authors: Ware Ian M. , Van Nuland Michael E. , Yang Zamin K. , Schadt Christopher W. , Schweitzer Jennifer A. , Bailey Joseph K.
Published: June 2021

Soil microbiomes are rapidly becoming known as an important driver of plant phenotypic variation and may mediate plant responses to environmental factors. However, integrating spatial scales relevant to climate change with plant intraspecific genetic variation and soil microbial ecology is difficult, making studies of broad inference rare. Here we hypothesize and show: 1) the degree to which tree genotypes condition their soil microbiomes varies by population across the geographic distribution of a widespread riparian tree, Populus angustifolia; 2) geographic dissimilarity in soil microbiomes among populations is influenced by both abiotic and biotic environmental variation; and 3) soil microbiomes that vary in response to abiotic and biotic factors can change plant foliar phenology. We show soil microbiomes respond to intraspecific variation at the tree genotype and population level, and geographic variation in soil characteristics and climate. Using a fully reciprocal plant population by soil location feedback experiment, we identified a climate-based soil microbiome effect that advanced and delayed bud break phenology by approximately 10 days. These results demonstrate a landscape-level feedback between tree populations and associated soil microbial communities and suggest soil microbes may play important roles in mediating and buffering bud break phenology with climate warming, with whole ecosystem implications.
Ultrafast electron energy-dependent delocalization dynamics in germanium selenide
Authors: Chen Zhesheng , Xiong Heqi , Zhang Hao , Gao Chaofeng , Cheng Yingchun , Papalazarou Evangelos , Perfetti Luca , Marsi Marino , Rueff Jean-Pascal
Published: June 2021

Ultrafast scattering process of high-energy carriers plays a key role in the performance of electronics and optoelectronics, and have been studied in several semiconductors. Core-hole clock spectroscopy is a unique technique for providing ultrafast charge transfer information with sub-femtosecond timescale. Here we demonstrate that germanium selenide (GeSe) semiconductor exhibits electronic states-dependent charge delocalization time by resonant photo exciting the core electrons to different final states using hard-x-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Thanks to the experiment geometry and the different orbital polarizations in the conduction band, the delocalization time of electron in high energy electronic state probed from Se 1s is ~470 as, which is three times longer than the delocalization time of electrons located in lower energy electronic state probed from Ge 1s. Our demonstration in GeSe offers an opportunity to precisely distinguish the energy-dependent dynamics in layered semiconductor, and will pave the way to design the ultrafast devices in the future.
Radiometric measurement techniques for in-depth characterization of photoreactors – part 1: 2 dimensional radiometry
Authors: Sender Maximilian , Wriedt Benjamin , Ziegenbalg Dirk
Published: June 2021

A spatially resolving radiometric scanning method for the evaluation of the radiation field of photoreactors is presented, allowing for a knowledge driven development of highly efficient photoreactors and scale-up.
Elasticity of colloidal gels: structural heterogeneity, floppy modes, and rigidity
Authors: Rocklin D. Zeb , Hsiao Lilian , Szakasits Megan , Solomon Michael J. , Mao Xiaoming
Published: June 2021

Normal-mode analysis of experimentally measured colloidal gels reveals volume-fraction dependent structural heterogeneity that leads to floppy modes and a nonaffine–affine crossover as frequency increases.
Correction: Developing a Raman spectroscopy-based tool to stratify patient response to pre-operative radiotherapy in rectal cancer
Authors: Kirkby Chloe J. , Gala de Pablo Julia , Tinkler-Hundal Emma , Wood Henry M. , Evans Stephen D. , West Nicholas P.
Published: June 2021

Correction for ‘Developing a Raman spectroscopy-based tool to stratify patient response to pre-operative radiotherapy in rectal cancer’ by Chloe J. Kirkby et al., Analyst, 2021, 146, 581–589, DOI: 10.1039/D0AN01803A.
Visual assay of Escherichia coli O157:H7 based on an isothermal strand displacement and hybrid chain reaction amplification strategy
Authors: Liu Xiu , Bu Shengjun , Wei Hongguo , Wang Ze , Yu Songling , Li Zhongyi , Hao Zhuo , He Xiuxia , Wan Jiayu
Published: June 2021

An isothermal strand displacement-hybrid chain reaction and lateral flow strip were used to establish a method for visual point-of-care detection of 16S rRNA of Escherichia coli O157:H7.
Detection of organic and inorganic gunshot residues from hands using complexing agents and LC-MS/MS
Authors: Feeney William , Menking-Hoggatt Korina , Vander Pyl Courtney , Ott Colby E. , Bell Suzanne , Arroyo Luis , Trejos Tatiana
Published: June 2021

LC-MS/MS and guest-host chemistry is a viable approach for the dual detection of organic and inorganic gunshot residue.
A dual-channel Hill-type small-molecule pH probe
Authors: Hu Fang , Huang Yunxia , Xiao Yansheng , Li Yanchun , Luo Xiao , Qian Xuhong , Yang Youjun
Published: June 2021

A Hill-type FRET-based ratiometric pH probe (PHHF) was designed and synthesized for sensitively detecting minor pH variations of lysosomes.
Luminescent terpyridine appended geminal bisazide and bistriazoles: multinuclear Pt(ii) complexes and AIPE-based DNA detection with the naked eye
Authors: Das Bishnu , Gupta Parna
Published: June 2021

Terpyridine appended stable gem-bistriazoles afford multinuclear platinum(ii) complexes upon reaction with Pt(dmso)2Cl2. Pt-complexes show excellent AIPE when interacts with ct-DNA. Naked eye DNA-detection is possible when exposed to 366 nm light.
Integrated asymmetric superwetting Janus membrane for the efficient separation of various surfactant-stabilized oil–water emulsions
Authors: Chen Xiuping , Yang Yushuang , Li Yiming , Bao Mutai , Zhang Dan , Wang Zhining
Published: June 2021

An integrated Janus membrane was constructed by a simple clamping method for efficient separation of various oil–water emulsions. Good cycle and chemical stability make it a promising material for oily wastewater treatment.
Designing stable bimetallic nanoclusters via an iterative two-step optimization approach
Authors: Yin Xiangyu , Isenberg Natalie M. , Hanselman Christopher L. , Dean James R. , Mpourmpakis Giannis , Gounaris Chrysanthos E.
Published: June 2021

Due to the myriad ways in which atoms of two different elements may arrange themselves in a lattice, the design of bimetallic nanoparticles constitutes a complex combinatorial problem necessitating the development of advanced optimization algorithms.
Controlled growth of 2D ultrathin Ga2O3crystals on liquid metal
Authors: Li Menghan , Li Lin , Fan Yixuan , Huang Le , Geng Dechao , Yang Wensheng
Published: June 2021

2D metal oxides (2DMOs) have drawn intensive interest in the past few years owing to their rich surface chemistry and unique electronic structures.
Direct Sb–S cross-coupling of halostibines with thiols and disulfides at room temperature
Authors: Li Wei , Li Shan , Wang Zixiu , Liu Chenfu , Ye Yifei , Chen Yujing , Xiong Yuyan , lei jian
Published: June 2021

A facile and efficient protocol has been developed for preparing thiostibines via direct Sb–S cross-coupling of halostibines containing azastibocine frameworks with thiols under additive-free conditions. Additionally, a zinc(0)-mediated transformation of...
Highly efficient solution-processed pure yellow OLEDs based on dinuclear Pt(ii) complexes
Authors: Sun Yuanhui , Liu Bochen , Jiao Bo , Guo Yue , Chen Xi , Zhou Guijiang , Chen Zhao , Yang Xiaolong
Published: June 2021

Two efficient dinuclear Pt(ii) complexes SO-DPt and AB-DPt were developed by employing diphenylsulfone and arylboron groups. The resultant emitters exhibited pure yellow electroluminescence in solution-processed OLEDs with EQEs exceeding 21%.
Effects of ZIF-8 MOFs on structure and function of blood components
Authors: Lin Jiansheng , Huang Linghong , Ou Haibo , Chen An , Xiang Rong , Liu Zonghua
Published: June 2021

ZIF-8 MOFs, with their large specific surface area and void volume, unique biodegradability and pH sensitivity, and significant loading capacity, have been widely used as carrier materials for bioactive molecules such as drugs, vaccines and genes.
Wide-bandgap donor polymers based on a dicyanodivinyl indacenodithiophene unit for non-fullerene polymer solar cells
Authors: He Baitian , Chen Yulin , Chen Jinglong , Chen Songxi , Xiao Manjun , Chen Guiting , Dai Chuanbo
Published: June 2021

We developed two novel wide-bandgap polymer donors based on an IDT-CN unit with deep HOMO levels for non-fullerene polymer solar cells with 10.04% efficiency.
Validated spectral manipulations for determination of an anti-neoplastic drug and its related impurities including its hazardous degradation product
Authors: Naguib Ibrahim A. , Abdelaleem Eglal A. , Hassan Eman S. , Emam Aml A.
Published: June 2021

Zero order absorption spectra of 12 μg mL−1 of Dacarbazine (), 5-amino-imidazole-4 carboxamide (), and 2-azahypoxanthine (…) using sterile water as a blank.
Tunable structural and optical properties of CuInS2 colloidal quantum dots as photovoltaic absorbers
Authors: Ming Shanna-Kay , Taylor Richard A. , McNaughter Paul D. , Lewis David J. , Leontiadou Marina A. , O'Brien Paul
Published: June 2021

We report the facile hot-injection colloidal synthesis of near-stoichiometric CuInS2 quantum dots at varying reaction times and temperatures which exhibit both optical and structural tunability with implications for enhanced photovoltaic utility.
Copper-catalyzed redox-neutral regioselective chlorosulfonylation of vinylarenes
Authors: Liu Lixia , Wang Chengming
Published: June 2021

A simple Cu(OTf)2-catalyzed alkene chlorosulfonylation reaction is developed.
Assigning ionic properties in perovskite solar cells; a unifying transient simulation/experimental study
Authors: Fischer Mathias , Kiermasch David , Gil-Escrig Lidón , Bolink Henk J. , Dyakonov Vladimir , Tvingstedt Kristofer
Published: June 2021

A voltage decay based method to probe ionic concentrations and diffusivities in perovskite solar cells is herein presented and verified with a newly developed drift-diffusion simulation tool.
Nitrogen and boron coordinated single-atom catalysts for low-temperature CO/NO oxidations
Authors: Tang Yanan , Chen Weiguang , Shi Jinlei , Wang Zhiwen , Cui Yingqi , Teng Da , Li Yi , Feng Zhen , Dai Xianqi
Published: June 2021

Different kinds of coordinated atoms (Bx and Ny) within graphene can be used to regulate the intrinsic property, stability and electronic structure of anchored single-atoms (SAs) (BxNy–graphene-SAs, x + y =1–3) by first principle calculations.
Conformationally rigid molecular and polymeric naphthalene-diimides containing C6H6N2constitutional isomers
Authors: Abbinante Vincenzo Mirco , García-Espejo Gonzalo , Calabrese Gabriele , Milita Silvia , Barba Luisa , Marini Diego , Pipitone Candida , Giannici Francesco , Guagliardi Antonietta , Masciocchi Norberto
Published: June 2021

New molecular and polymeric NDI-based materials, containing constitutional isomers of aromatic amines, have been prepared as powders and thin films, studied by XRD and grazing-incidence diffraction methods, and compared ton-alkyl aliphatic congeners.
Understanding the structural and charge transport property relationships for a variety of merocyanine single-crystals: a bottom up computational investigation
Authors: Gildemeister Nora , Ricci Gaetano , Böhner Lukas , Neudörfl Jörg M. , Hertel Dirk , Würthner Frank , Negri Fabrizia , Meerholz Klaus , Fazzi Daniele
Published: June 2021

For a library of single-crystal merocyanines charge percolation pathways and mobilities were computed, matching the experimental data. Hole transport is maximized when molecules pack in slipped not centrosymmetric pairs, arranged in 2D architectures.
Dual-mode security anticounterfeiting and encoding by electrospinning of highly photoluminescent spiropyran nanofibers
Authors: Azimi Reza , Abdollahi Amin , Roghani-Mamaqani Hossein , Salami-Kalajahi Mehdi
Published: June 2021

Electrospinning of photochromic/fluorescent spiropyran copolymer solutions for security marking of cellulosic documents to induce dual-security anticounterfeiting characteristics.
Red phosphorescent binuclear Pt(ii) complexes incorporating bis(diphenylphorothioyl)amide ligands: synthesis, photophysical properties and application in solution processable OLEDs
Authors: Suo Xia , Nie Chuanli , Liu Weiqiang , Zhang Yuzhen , Shen Yunjun , Bian Hedong , Cheng Gang
Published: June 2021

OLEDs devices performance with stable and efficient phosphorescent materials.
A revised mechanism of band gap evolution of TMDC nanotubes and its application to Janus TMDC nanotubes: negative electron and hole compressibility
Authors: Wang XiaoHan , Liu YingChao , Ren JinLong , Dou KunPeng , Shi XingQiang , Zhang RuiQin
Published: June 2021

Nested Janus TMDC nanotubes offer an unprecedented playground to realize both the negative electron and negative hole compressibility, permitting emerging applications such as hysteresis-free steep-slope transistors and multivalued logic devices.
Heparanase as a potential player in SARS-CoV-2 infection and induced coagulopathy
Authors: Kinaneh Safa , Khamaysi Iyad , Karram Tony , Hamoud Shadi
Published: June 2021

During the current formidable COVID-19 pandemic, it is appealing to address ideas that may invoke therapeutic interventions. Clotting disorders are well recognized in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which lead to severe complications that worsen the prognosis in these subjects.

Increasing evidence implicate Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) and Heparanase in various diseases and pathologies, including hypercoagulability states. Moreover, HSPGs and Heparanase are involved in several viral infections, in which they enhance cell entry and release of the viruses.

Herein we discuss the molecular involvement of HSPGs and heparanase in SARS-CoV-2 infection, namely cell entry and release, and the accompanied coagulopathy complications, which assumedly could be blocked by heparanase inhibitors such as Heparin and Pixatimod.