bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvements and inter-laboratory implementation and optimization of blood-based single-locus age prediction models using DNA methylation of the ELOVL2 promoter
Authors: Garali Imene , Sahbatou Mourad , Daunay Antoine , Baudrin Laura G. , Renault Victor , Bouyacoub Yosra , Deleuze Jean-François , How-Kit Alexandre
Published: September 2020

Several blood-based age prediction models have been developed using less than a dozen to more than a hundred DNA methylation biomarkers. Only one model (Z-P1) based on pyrosequencing has been developed using DNA methylation of a single locus located in the ELOVL2 promoter, which is considered as one of the best age-prediction biomarker. Although multi-locus models generally present better performances compared to the single-locus model, they require more DNA and present more inter-laboratory variations impacting the predictions. Here we developed 17,018 single-locus age prediction models based on DNA methylation of the ELOVL2 promoter from pooled data of four different studies (training set of 1,028 individuals aged from 0 and 91 years) using six different statistical approaches and testing every combination of the 7 CpGs, aiming to improve the prediction performances and reduce the effects of inter-laboratory variations. Compared to Z-P1 model, three statistical models with the optimal combinations of CpGs presented improved performances (MAD of 4.41–4.77 in the testing set of 385 individuals) and no age-dependent bias. In an independent testing set of 100 individuals (19–65 years), we showed that the prediction accuracy could be further improved by using different CpG combinations and increasing the number of technical replicates (MAD of 4.17).
A novel isoform of cryptochrome 4 (Cry4b) is expressed in the retina of a night-migratory songbird
Authors: Einwich Angelika , Dedek Karin , Seth Pranav Kumar , Laubinger Sascha , Mouritsen Henrik
Published: September 2020

The primary sensory molecule underlying light-dependent magnetic compass orientation in migratory birds has still not been identified. The cryptochromes are the only known class of vertebrate proteins which could mediate this mechanism in the avian retina. Cryptochrome 4 of the night-migratory songbird the European robin (Erithacus rubecula; erCry4) has several of the properties needed to be the primary magnetoreceptor in the avian eye. Here, we report on the identification of a novel isoform of erCry4, which we named erCry4b. Cry4b includes an additional exon of 29 amino acids compared to the previously described form of Cry4, now called Cry4a. When comparing the retinal circadian mRNA expression pattern of the already known isoform erCry4a and the novel erCry4b isoform, we find that erCry4a is stably expressed throughout day and night, whereas erCry4b shows a diurnal mRNA oscillation. The differential characteristics of the two erCry4 isoforms regarding their 24-h rhythmicity in mRNA expression leads us to suggest that they might have different functions. Based on the 24-h expression pattern, erCry4a remains the more likely cryptochrome to be involved in radical-pair-based magnetoreception, but at the present time, an involvement of erCry4b cannot be excluded.
Comparative genomics of Alexander Fleming’s original Penicillium isolate (IMI 15378) reveals sequence divergence of penicillin synthesis genes
Authors: Pathak Ayush , Nowell Reuben W. , Wilson Christopher G. , Ryan Matthew J. , Barraclough Timothy G.
Published: September 2020

Antibiotics were derived originally from wild organisms and therefore understanding how these compounds evolve among different lineages might help with the design of new antimicrobial drugs. We report the draft genome sequence of Alexander Fleming’s original fungal isolate behind the discovery of penicillin, now classified as Penicillium rubens Biourge (1923) (IMI 15378). We compare the structure of the genome and genes involved in penicillin synthesis with those in two ‘high producing’ industrial strains of P. rubens and the closely related species P. nalgiovense. The main effector genes for producing penicillin G (pcbAB, pcbC and penDE) show amino acid divergence between the Fleming strain and both industrial strains, whereas a suite of regulatory genes are conserved. Homologs of penicillin N effector genes cefD1 and cefD2 were also found and the latter displayed amino acid divergence between the Fleming strain and industrial strains. The draft assemblies contain several partial duplications of penicillin-pathway genes in all three P. rubens strains, to differing degrees, which we hypothesise might be involved in regulation of the pathway. The two industrial strains are identical in sequence across all effector and regulatory genes but differ in duplication of the pcbAB–pcbC–penDE complex and partial duplication of fragments of regulatory genes. We conclude that evolution in the wild encompassed both sequence changes of the effector genes and gene duplication, whereas human-mediated changes through mutagenesis and artificial selection led to duplication of the penicillin pathway genes.
Utility of red cell distribution width as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Song Bin , Shi Pengchong , Xiao Jianhong , Song Yanfang , Zeng Menglu , Cao Yingping , Zhu Xianjin
Published: September 2020

An increasing number of studies have indicated that red blood cell distribution width (RDW) may be a novel biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of various malignancies. However, to date, data on the association of RDW with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are unclear. Our present study aimed to explore the value of RDW in NSCLC patients. A total of 338 NSCLC patients, 109 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients, and 302 healthy participants were retrospectively analyzed between January 2016 and December 2018. In the present study, we found that RDW was significantly increased in NSCLC patients. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of RDW was 0.753 in discriminating NSCLC patients from healthy participants, the optimal cut-off value of RDW was 12.95, and the specificity and sensitivity were 76.33% and 76.16%, respectively. Further analysis found that RDW can enhance the diagnostic performance of Cyfra21-1 and NSE in discriminating NSCLC patients from healthy participants or SCLC patients. Among NSCLC patients, RDW was significantly correlated with TNM stage, T stage, N stage, M stage, and Cyfra21-1, indicating that RDW may be helpful for predicting the prognosis of NSCLC patients. Our findings suggest that RDW can be used as an auxiliary marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of NSCLC.
Accelerating the experimental responses on cell behaviors: a long-term prediction of cell trajectories using Social Generative Adversarial Network
Authors: Comes Maria Colomba , Filippi J. , Mencattini A. , Corsi F. , Casti P. , De Ninno A. , Di Giuseppe D. , D’Orazio M. , Ghibelli L. , Mattei F. , Schiavoni G. , Businaro L. , Di Natale C. , Martinelli E.
Published: September 2020

The incremented uptake provided by time-lapse microscopy in Organ-on-a-Chip (OoC) devices allowed increased attention to the dynamics of the co-cultured systems. However, the amount of information stored in long-time experiments may constitute a serious bottleneck of the experimental pipeline. Forward long-term prediction of cell trajectories may reduce the spatial–temporal burden of video sequences storage. Cell trajectory prediction becomes crucial especially to increase the trustworthiness in software tools designed to conduct a massive analysis of cell behavior under chemical stimuli. To address this task, we transpose here the exploitation of the presence of “social forces” from the human to the cellular level for motion prediction at microscale by adapting the potential of Social Generative Adversarial Network predictors to cell motility. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach, we consider here two case studies: one related to PC-3 prostate cancer cells cultured in 2D Petri dishes under control and treated conditions and one related to an OoC experiment of tumor-immune interaction in fibrosarcoma cells. The goodness of the proposed strategy has been verified by successfully comparing the distributions of common descriptors (kinematic descriptors and mean interaction time for the two scenarios respectively) from the trajectories obtained by video analysis and the predicted counterparts.
Factors influencing riverine utilization patterns in two sympatric macaques
Authors: Otani Yosuke , Bernard Henry , Wong Anna , Tangah Joseph , Tuuga Augustine , Hanya Goro , Matsuda Ikki
Published: September 2020

Many species of terrestrial animals, including primates, live in varied association with the aquatic (e.g., riverine or coastal) environment. However, the benefits that each species receive from the aquatic environment are thought to vary depending on their social and ecological characteristics, and thus, elucidating those benefits to each species is important for understanding the principles of wild animal behaviour. In the present study, to gain a more complete picture of aquatic environment use, including social and ecological factors in primates, factors affecting riverine habitat utilization of two macaque species (Macaca nemestrina and M. fascicularis) were identified and qualitative comparisons were made with sympatric proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus), which have different social and ecological characteristics. Temporal variation in sighting frequency of macaques at the riverbanks was positively related to the fruit availability of a dominant riparian plant species and negatively related to the river water level which affects the extent of predation pressure. Riverine utilization of macaques was greatly influenced by distribution and abundance of food (especially fruit) resources, possibly in association with predation pressure. Additionally, qualitative ecological comparisons with sympatric proboscis monkeys suggest that the drivers of riverine utilization depend on the feeding niches of the species, and different anti-predator strategies resulting from their differing social structures.
Presence of the apolipoprotein E-ε4 allele is associated with an increased risk of sepsis progression
Authors: Shao Yiming , Zhao Tian , Zhang Wenying , He Junbing , Lu Furong , Cai Yujie , Lai Zhipeng , Wei Ning , Liang Chunmei , Liu Lizhen , Hong Yuan , Cheng Xiaohong , Li Jia , Tang Pei , Fan Weihao , Ou Mingqian , Yang Jingqi , Liu Yansong , Cui Lili
Published: September 2020

Growing evidence indicated that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene are related to increase the risk of many inflammatory-related diseases. However, few genetic studies have associated the APOE gene polymorphism with sepsis. This study was to investigate the clinical relevance of the APOE gene polymorphism in the onset and progression of sepsis. A multicenter case–control association study with a large sample size (601 septic patients and 699 healthy individuals) was conducted. Clinical data showed that the APOEε4 allele was overrepresented among all patients with septic shock (p = 0.031) compared with sepsis subtype, suggesting that APOEε4 allele may associated with increased susceptibility to the progression of sepsis. Moreover, the APOE mRNA levels decreased after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in cells in culture. Then 21 healthy individuals to extract PBMC for genotype grouping (APOE4+ group 8; APOE4− group 13) was selected to evaluate the effect on APOE level, and results showed that the expression level of APOE in APOE4+ group and APOE4− group did not differ in mRNA levels after an LPS challenge, but the protein levels in APOE4+ group decreased slower than that in APOE4− group, and this process was accompanied by the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines. These results provide evidence that the APOEε4 allele might be associated with the development of sepsis and a potential risk factor that can be used in the prognosis of sepsis.
Novel risk models to predict acute kidney disease and its outcomes in a Chinese hospitalized population with acute kidney injury
Authors: Xiao Ye-Qing , Cheng Wei , Wu Xi , Yan Ping , Feng Li-Xin , Zhang Ning-Ya , Li Xu-Wei , Duan Xiang-Jie , Wang Hong-Shen , Peng Jin-Cheng , Liu Qian , Zhao Fei , Deng Ying-Hao , Yang Shi-Kun , Feng Song , Duan Shao-Bin
Published: September 2020

Acute kidney disease (AKD) is a state between acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the prognosis of AKD is unclear and there are no risk-prediction tools to identify high-risk patients. 2,556 AKI patients were selected from 277,898 inpatients of three affiliated hospitals of Central South University from January 2015 to December 2015. The primary point was whether AKI patients developed AKD. The endpoint was death or end stage renal disease (ESRD) 90 days after AKI diagnosis. Multivariable Cox regression was used for 90-day mortality and two prediction models were established by using multivariable logistic regression. Our study found that the incidence of AKD was 53.17% (1,359/2,556), while the mortality rate and incidence of ESRD in AKD cohort was 19.13% (260/1,359) and 3.02% (41/1,359), respectively. Furthermore, adjusted hazard ratio of mortality for AKD versus no AKD was 1.980 (95% CI 1.427–2.747). In scoring model 1, age, gender, hepatorenal syndromes, organic kidney diseases, oliguria or anuria, respiratory failure, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and acute kidney injury stage were independently associated with AKI progression into AKD. In addition, oliguria or anuria, respiratory failure, shock, central nervous system failure, malignancy, RDW-CV ≥ 13.7% were independent risk factors for death or ESRD in AKD patients in scoring model 2 (goodness-of fit, P1 = 0.930, P2 = 0.105; AUROC1 = 0.879 (95% CI 0.862–0.896), AUROC2 = 0.845 (95% CI 0.813–0.877), respectively). Thus, our study demonstrated AKD was independently associated with increased 90-day mortality in hospitalized AKI patients. A new prediction model system was able to predict AKD following AKI and 90-day prognosis of AKD patients to identify high-risk patients.
Collective photonic response of high refractive index dielectric metasurfaces
Authors: Amanaganti Sushanth Reddy , Ravnik Miha , Dontabhaktuni Jayasri
Published: September 2020

Sub-wavelength periodic nanostructures give rise to interesting optical phenomena like effective refractive index, perfect absorption, cloaking, etc. However, such structures are usually metallic which results in high dissipative losses and limitations for use; therefore, dielectric nanostructures are increasingly considered as a strong alternative to plasmonic (metallic) materials. In this work, we show light-matter interaction in a high refractive index dielectric metasurface consisting of an array of cubic dielectric nano-structures made of very high refractive index material, Te in air, using computer modelling. We observe a distinct band-like structure in both transmission and reflection spectra resulting from the near-field coupling of the field modes from neighboring dielectric structures followed by a sharp peak in the transmission at higher frequencies. From the spatial distribution of the electric and magnetic fields and a detailed multipole analysis in both spherical harmonics and Cartesian components, the dominant resonant modes are identified to be electric and magnetic dipoles. Specifically at lower frequency (60 THz) a novel anapole-like state characterized by strong-suppression in reflection and absorption is observed, reported very recently as ‘lattice-invisibility’ state. Differently, at higher frequency (62 THz), strong absorption and near-zero far field scattering are observed, which combined with the field profiles and the multipole analysis of the near-fields indicate the excitation of an anapole. Notably the observed novel modes occur in the simple geometry of dielectric cubes and are a result of collective response of the metasurfaces. Periodicity of the cubic metasurface is shown as the significant material tuning parameter, allowing for the near-field and far-field coupling effects of anapole metasurface. More generally, our work is a contribution towards developing far-fetching applications based on metamaterials such as integrated devices and waveguides consisting of non-radiating modes.
Animal heat activated cancer therapy by a traditional catalyst TiO2-Pd/graphene composites
Authors: Yu Yanlong , Jiang Pengchong , Yan Yabin , Li Hanbo , Zhang Lixin , Jiang Shan , Yang Wensheng , Cao Yaan
Published: September 2020

Cancer therapy is one of the most important challenges in clinical medicine. So far different methods have been developed for cancer therapy, such as radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy. Here we propose a new concept for cancer therapy, i.e., killing the cancer cells simply via reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by TiO2-Pd/graphene composites. Activated by animal heat of 37 °C, the electrons in the valence band can be excited to the conduction band of TiO2 via the energy levels of Pd species and graphene, generating ROS without light irradiation or electric excitation. The tumors in BALB/c mice are successfully regressed at animal heat without any other external conditions, such as radiation, UV, visible and IR irradiation. Our results suggest that the design of animal heat activated cancer therapy is a feasible concept for practical applications of cancer treatments.
Evolutionary dynamics of Tomato spotted wilt virus within and between alternate plant hosts and thrips
Authors: Ruark-Seward Casey L. , Bonville Brian , Kennedy George , Rasmussen David A.
Published: September 2020

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is a generalist pathogen with one of the broadest known host ranges among RNA viruses. To understand how TSWV adapts to different hosts, we experimentally passaged viral populations between two alternate hosts, Emilia sochifolia and Datura stramonium, and an obligate vector in which it also replicates, western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis). Deep sequencing viral populations at multiple time points allowed us to track the evolutionary dynamics of viral populations within and between hosts. High levels of viral genetic diversity were maintained in both plants and thrips between transmission events. Rapid fluctuations in the frequency of amino acid variants indicated strong host-specific selection pressures on proteins involved in viral movement (NSm) and replication (RdRp). While several genetic variants showed opposing fitness effects in different hosts, fitness effects were generally positively correlated between hosts indicating that positive rather than antagonistic pleiotropy is pervasive. These results suggest that high levels of genetic diversity together with the positive pleiotropic effects of mutations have allowed TSWV to rapidly adapt to new hosts and expand its host range.
Modeling undernutrition with enteropathy in mice
Authors: Salameh Emmeline , Jarbeau Marine , Morel Fanny B. , Zeilani Mamane , Aziz Moutaz , Déchelotte Pierre , Marion-Letellier Rachel
Published: September 2020

Undernutrition is a global health issue leading to 1 out 5 all deaths in children under 5 years. Undernutrition is often associated with environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), a syndrome associated with increased intestinal permeability and gut inflammation. We aimed to develop a novel murine model of undernutrition with these EED features. Post-weaning mice were fed with low-protein diet (LP) alone or combined with a gastrointestinal insult trigger (indomethacin or liposaccharides). Growth, intestinal permeability and inflammation were assessed. LP diet induced stunting and wasting in post-weaning mice but did not impact gut barrier. We therefore combined LP diet with a single administration of indomethacin or liposaccharides (LPS). Indomethacin increased fecal calprotectin production while LPS did not. To amplify indomethacin effects, we investigated its repeated administration in addition to LP diet and mice exhibited stunting and wasting with intestinal hyperpermeability and gut inflammation. The combination of 3-weeks LP diet with repeated oral indomethacin administration induced wasting, stunting and gut barrier dysfunction as observed in undernourished children with EED. As noninvasive methods for investigating gut function in undernourished children are scarce, the present pre-clinical model provides an affordable tool to attempt to elucidate pathophysiological processes involved in EED and to identify novel therapeutic strategies.
Conventional analysis methods underestimate the plant-available pools of calcium, magnesium and potassium in forest soils
Authors: Bel Jérémie , Legout Arnaud , Saint-André Laurent , Hall Steven J. , Löfgren Stefan , Laclau Jean-Paul , van der Heijden Gregory
Published: September 2020

The plant-available pools of calcium, magnesium and potassium are assumed to be stored in the soil as exchangeable cations adsorbed on the cation exchange complex. In numerous forest ecosystems, despite very low plant-available pools, elevated forest productivities are sustained. We hypothesize that trees access nutrient sources in the soil that are currently unaccounted by conventional soil analysis methods. We carried out an isotopic dilution assay to quantify the plant-available pools of calcium, magnesium and potassium and trace the soil phases that support these pools in 143 individual soil samples covering 3 climatic zones and 5 different soil types. For 81%, 87% and 90% of the soil samples (respectively for Ca, Mg and K), the plant-available pools measured by isotopic dilution were greater than the conventional exchangeable pool. This additional pool is most likely supported by secondary non-crystalline mineral phases in interaction with soil organic matter and represents in many cases (respectively 43%, 27% and 47% of the soil samples) a substantial amount of plant-available nutrient cations (50% greater than the conventional exchangeable pools) that is likely to play an essential role in the biogeochemical functioning of forest ecosystems, in particular when the resources of Ca, Mg and K are low.
Intra-subject consistency of spontaneous eye blink rate in young women across the menstrual cycle
Authors: Hidalgo-Lopez Esmeralda , Zimmermann Georg , Pletzer Belinda
Published: September 2020

The spontaneous eye blink rate (EBR) has been linked to different cognitive processes and neurobiological factors. It has also been proposed as a putative index for striatal dopaminergic function. While estradiol is well-known to increase dopamine levels through multiple mechanisms, no study up to date has investigated whether the EBR changes across the menstrual cycle. This question is imperative however, as women have sometimes been excluded from studies using the EBR due to potential effects of their hormonal profile. Fifty-four women were tested for spontaneous EBR at rest in three different phases of their menstrual cycle: during menses (low progesterone and estradiol), in the pre-ovulatory phase (when estradiol levels peak and progesterone is still low), and during the luteal phase (high progesterone and estradiol). No significant differences were observed across the menstrual cycle and Bayes factors show strong support for the null hypothesis. Instead, we observed high intra-individual consistency of the EBR in our female sample. Accordingly, we strongly encourage including female participants in EBR studies, regardless of their cycle phase.
Change to movement and morphology of the median nerve resulting from steroid injection in patients with mild carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Moon Hyunseok , Lee Byung Joo , Park Donghwi
Published: September 2020

There are conflicting hypotheses regarding the initial pathogenesis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). One hypothesis characterizes it as inflammation of the median nerve caused by compression, while another hypothesis characterizes CTS as non-inflammatory fibrosis of the subsynovial connective tissue (SSCT). This study aimed to investigate the differences in the ultrasonography parameters before and after a steroid injection, which is effective for CTS, to elucidate the initial pathogenesis of CTS and the mechanisms of action of the injected steroid. Fourteen hands from 14 healthy participants and 24 hands from 24 participants with mild CTS were examined. Dynamic movement and morphology of the median nerve before and after steroid injection were measured. There was no significant difference in the normalized maximal distance of the median nerve, which reflects the degree of fibrosis in the SSCT indirectly, during finger and wrist movements before and after the injection among patients with CTS (p > 0.05). Among the parameters that indirectly reflects the degree of median nerve compression, such as normalized maximal change in the aspect ratio of the minimum-enclosing rectangle (MER), maximal change in the median nerve perimeter, and maximal value of the median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA), statistically significant differences were not observed between values of the normalized maximal change in the aspect ratio of the MER and maximal change in the median nerve perimeter, during finger and wrist movements recorded before and after the injection in patients with CTS (p > 0.05). However, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the change in the normalized maximal value of the median nerve CSA, according to finger and wrist movement was correlated with the administration of the steroid injection (p < 0.05). In conclusion, compared to that noted before steroid injection, the median nerve CSA noted during finger and wrist movements changed significantly after injection in patients with mild CTS. Given the improvement in median nerve swelling after steroid injection, but no improvement in the movement of the median nerve during finger and wrist movements, median nerve swelling due to compression (rather than fibrosis of the SSCT may be the initial pathogenesis of early-stage (mild) CTS, and the fibrous changes around the median nerves (SSCT) may be indicative of secondary pathology after median nerve compression. Further studies are required to validate the findings of our study and confirm the pathogenesis of CTS.
Low rather than high mean corpuscular volume is associated with mortality in Japanese patients under hemodialysis
Authors: Honda Hirokazu , Kimachi Miho , Kurita Noriaki , Joki Nobuhiko , Nangaku Masaomi
Published: September 2020

Recent studies have reported that high mean corpuscular volume (MCV) might be associated with mortality in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the question of whether a high MCV confers a risk for mortality in Japanese patients remains unclear. We conducted a longitudinal analysis of a cohort of 8571 patients using data derived from the Japan Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (J-DOPPS) phases 1 to 5. Associations of all-cause mortality, vascular events, and hospitalization due to infection with baseline MCV were examined via Cox proportional hazard models. Non-linear relationships between MCV and these outcomes were examined using restricted cubic spline analyses. Associations between time-varying MCV and these outcomes were also examined as sensitivity analyses. Cox proportional hazard models showed a significant association of low MCV (< 90 fL), but not for high MCV (102 < fL), with a higher incidence of all-cause mortality and hospitalization due to infection compared with 94 ≤ MCV < 98 fL (reference). Cubic spline analysis indicated a graphically U-shaped association between baseline MCV and all-cause mortality (p for non-linearity p < 0.001). In conclusion, a low rather than high MCV might be associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality and hospitalization due to infection among Japanese patients on hemodialysis.
Possible non-sylvatic transmission of yellow fever between non-human primates in São Paulo city, Brazil, 2017–2018
Authors: Cunha Mariana Sequetin , Tubaki Rosa Maria , de Menezes Regiane Maria Tironi , Pereira Mariza , Caleiro Giovana Santos , Coelho Esmenia , Saad Leila del Castillo , Fernandes Natalia Coelho Couto de Azevedo , Guerra Juliana Mariotti , Nogueira Juliana Silva , Summa Juliana Laurito , Coimbra Amanda Aparecida Cardoso , Zwarg Ticiana , Witkin Steven S. , Mucci Luís Filipe , Timenetsky Maria do Carmo Sampaio Tavares , Sabino Ester Cerdeira , de Deus Juliana Telles
Published: September 2020

Yellow Fever (YF) is a severe disease caused by Yellow Fever Virus (YFV), endemic in some parts of Africa and America. In Brazil, YFV is maintained by a sylvatic transmission cycle involving non-human primates (NHP) and forest canopy-dwelling mosquitoes, mainly Haemagogus-spp and Sabethes-spp. Beginning in 2016, Brazil faced one of the largest Yellow Fever (YF) outbreaks in recent decades, mainly in the southeastern region. In São Paulo city, YFV was detected in October 2017 in Aloutta monkeys in an Atlantic Forest area. From 542 NHP, a total of 162 NHP were YFV positive by RT-qPCR and/or immunohistochemistry, being 22 Callithrix-spp. most from urban areas. Entomological collections executed did not detect the presence of strictly sylvatic mosquitoes. Three mosquito pools were positive for YFV, 2 Haemagogus leucocelaenus, and 1 Aedes scapularis. In summary, YFV in the São Paulo urban area was detected mainly in resident marmosets, and synanthropic mosquitoes were likely involved in viral transmission.
Network pharmacology based virtual screening of active constituents of Prunella vulgaris L. and the molecular mechanism against breast cancer
Authors: Zhang Xiaobo , Shen Tao , Zhou Xin , Tang Xuehua , Gao Rui , Xu Lu , Wang Long , Zhou Zubin , Lin Jingjing , Hu Yuanzhang
Published: September 2020

Prunella vulgaris L, a perennial herb widely used in Asia in the treatment of various diseases including cancer. In vitro studies have demonstrated the therapeutic effect of Prunella vulgaris L. against breast cancer through multiple pathways. However, the nature of the biological mechanisms remains unclear. In this study, a Network pharmacology based approach was used to explore active constituents and potential molecular mechanisms of Prunella vulgaris L. for the treatment of breast cancer. The methods adopted included active constituents prescreening, target prediction, GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Molecular docking experiments were used to further validate network pharmacology results. The predicted results showed that there were 19 active ingredients in Prunella vulgaris L. and 31 potential gene targets including AKT1, EGFR, MYC, and VEGFA. Further, analysis of the potential biological mechanisms of Prunella vulgaris L. against breast cancer was performed by investigating the relationship between the active constituents, target genes and pathways. Network analysis showed that Prunella vulgaris L. exerted a promising preventive effect on breast cancer by acting on tumor-associated signaling pathways. This provides a basis to understand the mechanism of the anti-breast cancer activity of Prunella vulgaris L.
Efficacy of masks and face coverings in controlling outward aerosol particle emission from expiratory activities
Authors: Asadi Sima , Cappa Christopher D. , Barreda Santiago , Wexler Anthony S. , Bouvier Nicole M. , Ristenpart William D.
Published: September 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a surge in demand for facemasks to protect against disease transmission. In response to shortages, many public health authorities have recommended homemade masks as acceptable alternatives to surgical masks and N95 respirators. Although mask wearing is intended, in part, to protect others from exhaled, virus-containing particles, few studies have examined particle emission by mask-wearers into the surrounding air. Here, we measured outward emissions of micron-scale aerosol particles by healthy humans performing various expiratory activities while wearing different types of medical-grade or homemade masks. Both surgical masks and unvented KN95 respirators, even without fit-testing, reduce the outward particle emission rates by 90% and 74% on average during speaking and coughing, respectively, compared to wearing no mask, corroborating their effectiveness at reducing outward emission. These masks similarly decreased the outward particle emission of a coughing superemitter, who for unclear reasons emitted up to two orders of magnitude more expiratory particles via coughing than average. In contrast, shedding of non-expiratory micron-scale particulates from friable cellulosic fibers in homemade cotton-fabric masks confounded explicit determination of their efficacy at reducing expiratory particle emission. Audio analysis of the speech and coughing intensity confirmed that people speak more loudly, but do not cough more loudly, when wearing a mask. Further work is needed to establish the efficacy of cloth masks at blocking expiratory particles for speech and coughing at varied intensity and to assess whether virus-contaminated fabrics can generate aerosolized fomites, but the results strongly corroborate the efficacy of medical-grade masks and highlight the importance of regular washing of homemade masks.
Phytoaccumulation of heavy metals from municipal solid waste leachate using different grasses under hydroponic condition
Authors: Hassan Malik Muhammad , Haleem Noor , Baig Muhammad Anwar , Jamal Yousuf
Published: September 2020

Grasses have been used widely to remediate contaminants present in domestic wastewater, but leachate generated from municipal solid waste that usually contain some concentrations of heavy metals has never been reported to be treated with grasses, especially Rhodes grass. A series of experiments was performed to investigate the contaminant uptake from municipal solid waste leachate by Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass) grown in combination with two commonly available grass varieties namely Vetiveria zizanioides (Vetiver grass) and Pennisetum purpureum (Elephant grass). Leachate used for the experiments had high values for chemical oxygen demand (5 g/L), pH (8.5), electrical conductivity (9.0 mS/cm), nitrates (182.1 mg/L), phosphates 6.4 mg/L along with heavy metals i.e. copper, zinc and manganese. Different dilutions of leachate ranging from 0 to 100% were applied in batches and their result showed that collectively all the grasses reduced overall contaminant concentrations. These were reported for chemical oxygen demand, electrical conductivity, nitrates, and phosphates reduced up to 67, 94, 94, and 73%, respectively. Metals uptake by grasses also showed a significant decrease in applied dose i.e. zinc (97%), copper (89%), and manganese (89%). Plant analysis showed that all grasses showed preference to heavy metals uptake e.g. Rhodes grass favoured up taking zinc, Elephant grass for copper and Vetiver grass preferred manganese. Overall growth performance of Rhodes grass was better in dilute leachate, whereas in more concentrated leachate, Rhodes grass did not perform better and production of biomass decreased. In Vetiver grass, root and shoot lengths decreased with increasing leachate strength, but the biomass did not change significantly.
Severity assessment in mice subjected to carbon tetrachloride
Authors: Ernst Lisa , Zieglowski Leonie , Schulz Mareike , Moss Michaela , Meyer Marco , Weiskirchen Ralf , Palme Rupert , Hamann Melanie , Talbot Steven R. , Tolba René H.
Published: September 2020

The Directive 2010/63 EU requires classifying burden and severity in all procedures using laboratory animals. This study evaluated the severity of liver fibrosis induction by intraperitoneal carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) injections in mice. 29 male C57BL/6N mice were treated three times per week for 4 weeks with an intraperitoneal injection (50 µl) of either 0.6 ml/kg body weight CCl4-vehicle solution, germ oil (vehicle-control) or handling only. Severity assessment was performed using serum analysis, behavioral tests (open field test, rotarod, burrowing and nesting behavior), fecal corticosterone metabolite (FCM) measurement, and survival. The most significant group differences were noticed in the second week of treatment when the highest AST (1463 ± 1404 vs. 123.8 ± 93 U/L, p < 0.0001) and nesting values were measured. In addition, respective animals showed lower moving distances (4622 ± 1577 vs. 6157 ± 2060 cm, p < 0.01) and velocity in the Open field, identified as main factors in principal component analysis (PCA). Overall, a 50% survival rate was observed within the treatment group, in which the open field performance was a good tracer parameter for survival. In summary, this study demonstrates the feasibility of assessing severity in mice using behavioral tests and highlight the open field test as a possible threshold parameter for risk assessment of mortality.
2-Methyl-pentanoyl-carnitine (2-MPC): a urine biomarker for patent Ascaris lumbricoides infection
Authors: Lagatie Ole , Verheyen Ann , Van Asten Stijn , Odiere Maurice R. , Djuardi Yenny , Levecke Bruno , Vlaminck Johnny , Mekonnen Zeleke , Dana Daniel , T’Kindt Ruben , Sandra Koen , van Outersterp Rianne , Oomens Jos , Lin Ronghui , Dillen Lieve , Vreeken Rob , Cuyckens Filip , Stuyver Lieven J.
Published: September 2020

Infections with intestinal worms, such as Ascaris lumbricoides, affect hundreds of millions of people in all tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Through large-scale deworming programs, World Health Organization aims to reduce moderate-to-heavy intensity infections below 1%. Current diagnosis and monitoring of these control programs are solely based on the detection of worm eggs in stool. Here we describe how metabolome analysis was used to identify the A. lumbricoides-specific urine biomarker 2-methyl pentanoyl carnitine (2-MPC). This biomarker was found to be 85.7% accurate in determining infection and 90.5% accurate in determining a moderate-to-heavy infection. Our results also demonstrate that there is a correlation between 2-MPC levels in urine and A. lumbricoides DNA detected in stool. Furthermore, the levels of 2-MPC in urine were shown to rapidly and strongly decrease upon administration of a standard treatment (single oral dose of 400 mg albendazole). In an Ascaris suum infection model in pigs, it was found that, although 2-MPC levels were much lower compared to humans, there was a significant association between urinary 2-MPC levels and both worm counts (p = 0.023) and the number of eggs per gram (epg) counts (p < 0.001). This report demonstrates that urinary 2-MPC can be considered an A. lumbricoides-specific biomarker that can be used to monitor infection intensity.
Subitizing, unlike estimation, does not process sets in parallel
Authors: Liu Wei , Zheng Peng , Huang Shaofang , Cicchini Guido Marco
Published: September 2020

Enumeration of very small quantities is a common task that we perform everyday. Much research has highlighted that in these conditions humans display fast, near errorless performance, a phenomenon dubbed subitizing. It has been suggested that this regime has a pivotal role in numerosity perception. Here we asked if this system can process multiple sets of items in parallel. At odds with what happens for moderate numerosities, we found a strong impairment caused already by the introduction of a second group of items marked by a different color. Adding shape as a cue provided no benefit. The only case in which subitizing was possible was when the target and distractor group were held constant through the experimental block. These results show the surprising fact that whilst being rapid and errorless, subitizing does not have the capability to disentangle multiple groups of items and deals only with coarse stimulus statistics.
Extra-mitochondrial mouse frataxin and its implications for mouse models of Friedreich’s ataxia
Authors: Weng Liwei , Laboureur Laurent , Wang Qingqing , Guo Lili , Xu Peining , Gottlieb Leah , Lynch David R. , Mesaros Clementina , Blair Ian A.
Published: September 2020

Mature frataxin is essential for the assembly of iron–sulfur cluster proteins including a number of mitochondrial enzymes. Reduced levels of mature frataxin (81-20) in human subjects caused by the genetic disease Friedreich’s ataxia results in decreased mitochondrial function, neurodegeneration, and cardiomyopathy. Numerous studies of mitochondrial dysfunction have been conducted using mouse models of frataxin deficiency. However, mouse frataxin that is reduced in these models, is assumed to be mature frataxin (78-207) by analogy with human mature frataxin (81-210). Using immunoaffinity purification coupled with liquid chromatography-high resolution tandem mass spectrometry, we have discovered that mature frataxin in mouse heart (77%), brain (86%), and liver (47%) is predominantly a 129-amino acid truncated mature frataxin (79-207) in which the N-terminal lysine residue has been lost. Mature mouse frataxin (78-207) only contributes 7–15% to the total frataxin protein present in mouse tissues. We have also found that truncated mature frataxin (79-207) is present primarily in the cytosol of mouse liver; whereas, frataxin (78-207) is primarily present in the mitochondria. These findings, which provide support for the role of extra-mitochondrial frataxin in the etiology of Friedreich’s ataxia, also have important implications for studies of mitochondrial dysfunction conducted in mouse models of frataxin deficiency.
A multimodal imaging-guided nanoreactor for cooperative combination of tumor starvation and multiple mechanism-enhanced mild temperature phototherapy
Authors: Cao Jin , Qiao Bin , Luo Yuanli , Cheng Chongqing , Yang Anyu , Wang Mengzhu , Yuan Xun , Fan Kui , Li Maoping , Wang Zhigang
Published: September 2020

A unique nanoreactor Fe-PDAP/GOx/ICG is engineered to realize starvation therapy and enhanced phototherapyviamultilevel mechanisms for simultaneous glucose consumption, oxygen supply, glutathione (GSH) depletion, and heat-resistance relief.
Correction: Visible-light unmasking of heterocyclic quinone methide radicals from alkoxyamines
Authors: Kielty Patrick , Farràs Pau , McArdle Patrick , Smith Dennis A. , Aldabbagh Fawaz
Published: September 2020

Correction for ‘Visible-light unmasking of heterocyclic quinone methide radicals from alkoxyamines’ by Patrick Kielty et al., Chem. Commun., 2019, 55, 14665–14668, DOI: 10.1039/C9CC08261A.
The effect of coordinated solvent molecules on metal coordination environments in single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations
Authors: Li Quan-Quan , Liu Hua , Zheng Ting-Ting , Liu Ping , Song Jin-Xi , Wang Yao-Yu
Published: September 2020

We summarized the effect of coordinated solvent molecules on the metal coordination environments in single-crystal to single-crystal transformations.
Selective bond breaking of halothane induced by electron transfer in potassium collisions
Authors: Lozano A. I. , Maioli L. S. , Pamplona B. , Romero J. , Mendes M. , Ferreira da Silva F. , Kossoski F. , Probst M. , Süβ D. , Bettega M. H. F. , García G. , Limão-Vieira P.
Published: September 2020

We present novel experimental results of negative ion formation of halothane (C2HBrClF3) upon electron transfer from hyperthermal neutral potassium atoms (K°) in the collision energy range of 8–1000 eV.
Transition metal carbon quadruple bond: viability through single electron transmutation
Authors: Kalita Amlan J. , Rohman Shahnaz S. , Kashyap Chayanika , Ullah Sabnam S. , Guha Ankur K.
Published: September 2020

Quadruple bonding to main group elements is extremely rare although they have four valence orbitals accessible for bonding.
Silica and silica–titania intercalated MCM-36 modified with iron as catalysts for selective reduction of nitrogen oxides – the role of associated reactions
Authors: Jankowska Aleksandra , Kowalczyk Andrzej , Rutkowska Małgorzata , Mozgawa Włodzimierz , Gil Barbara , Chmielarz Lucjan
Published: September 2020

Fe-MCM-36 zeolites are effective catalysts for high-temperature NH3-SCR – their activity is related to effective NO to NO2 oxidation over Fe2O3 species, while high N2-selectivity is attributed to dispersed Fe-species active in N2O decomposition.
Heterojunction-structured MnCO3@NiO composites and their enhanced electrochemical performance
Authors: Zhang Zexian , Mei Tao , Yang Kai , Li Jing , Tao Zhi , Xiong Yuting , Wang Liangbiao
Published: September 2020

The conductivity and stability of materials have always been the main problems hindering the development of lithium-ion battery applications.
Levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in ski wax products on the market in 2019 indicate no changes in formulation
Authors: Fang Shuhong , Plassmann Merle M. , Cousins Ian T.
Published: September 2020

In the summer of 2019, eleven of the best-selling fluorinated ski wax products were purchased from one of Norway's largest sports stores and soon after analysed for a suite of 26 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Dynamic formation of calcium alginate/polyethylene glycol acrylate dual network fibers enhanced by polyvinyl alcohol microcrystalline cross-linking
Authors: Shi Junfeng , Zhang Hong , Yu Yue , Yan Ming , Liu Lingwei , Zhu Haotong , Ye Yongming , Zhao Yunhe , Wang Yuanzhen , Xia Ying , Guo Jing
Published: September 2020

The dual network fiber was prepared by the freeze–thaw low-temperature melting method, the “one-pot method” and the dynamic forming method.
Isocloso versus closo deltahedra in slightly hypoelectronic supraicosahedral 14-vertex dimetallaboranes with 28 skeletal electrons: relationship to icosahedral dimetallaboranes
Authors: Jákó Szabolcs , Lupan Alexandru , Kun Attila-Zsolt , King R. Bruce
Published: September 2020

The lowest energy Cp2M2B12H12 (M = Rh, Ir) and Cp2M′2C2B10H12 (M′ = Ru, Os) structures have central M2B12 and M′2C2B10 deltahedra with three degree 6 vertices, one degree 4 vertex, ten degree 5 vertices, and the metal atoms located at non-adjacent non-antipodal degree 6 vertices.
Diverse synthesis of pyrano[3,2-c]coumarins: a brief update
Authors: Mukherjee Anindita , Mahato Sachinta , Zyryanov Grigory V. , Majee Adinath , Santra Sougata
Published: September 2020

This short review discusses the synthesis of pyrano[3,2-c]coumarins using different strategies including mechanistic illustrations.
The impact of counterion on the metastable state properties of nitrosyl ruthenium complexes
Authors: Mikhailov Artem A. , Komarov Vladislav Yu. , Sukhikh Aleksandr S. , Pishchur Denis P. , Schaniel Dominik , Kostin Gennadiy A.
Published: September 2020

Complexes of the trans-[RuNO(NH3)4F]2+ cation with noble-metal anions [PtCl6]2−, [PdCl4]2−, and [PtCl4]2−, and perchlorate ClO4− were synthesized, the photo-generated linkage isomers were studied by spectroscopic and calorimetric methods.
Tailoring the structures and transformations between copper complexes in gas–solid reactions and solid-state synthesis
Authors: Li Haitao , Li Ruhui , Guo Fang
Published: September 2020

A series of unusual structures and transformations between several copper salts and complexes induced in the solid–gas and solid-state reactions were investigated.
Low density magnetic silicate-nickel alloy composite hollow structures: seed induced direct assembly fabrication and catalytic properties
Authors: Du Gaiping , Liao Bin , Liu Ran , An Zhenguo , Zhang Jingjie
Published: September 2020

Synthesized HMSC–NiCoP-2.68 wt% catalyst exhibits excellent catalytic reduction activity of 4-NP, which can be separated by self-floating and external magnetic field.
Pyridine-2-carboxylic acid as an effectual catalyst for rapid multi-component synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolinones
Authors: Sharma Mayank G. , Vala Ruturajsinh M. , Patel Hitendra M.
Published: September 2020

Green synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolinones was designed using bioproduct pyridine-2-carboxylic acid (P2CA) as a green and efficient catalyst.
Correction: The β-cyclodextrin-modified nanosized ZSM-5 zeolite as a carrier for curcumin
Authors: Rahmani Niloofar , Amani Shahin , Bagheri Garmarudi Amir , Khanmohammadi Mohammadreza
Published: September 2020

Correction for ‘The β-cyclodextrin-modified nanosized ZSM-5 zeolite as a carrier for curcumin’ by Shahin Amani et al., RSC Adv., 2019, 9, 32348–32356, DOI: 10.1039/C9RA04739E.