bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ONGILGAMESHAND HOMER: ISHTAR, APHRODITE AND THE MEANING OF A PARALLEL
Authors: Ballesteros Bernardo
Published: May 2021

This article reconsiders the similarities between Aphrodite's ascent to Olympus and Ishtar's ascent to heaven inIliadBook 5 and the Standard BabylonianGilgameshTablet VI respectively. The widely accepted hypothesis of an Iliadic reception of the Mesopotamian poem is questioned, and the consonance explained as part of a vast stream of tradition encompassing ancient Near Eastern and early Greek narrative poetry. Compositional and conceptual patterns common to the two scenes are first analyzed in a broader early Greek context, and then across further Sumerian, Akkadian, Ugaritic and Hurro-Hittite sources. The shared compositional techniques at work in Mesopotamia and the Eastern Mediterranean can be seen as a function of the largely performative nature of narrative poetry. This contributes to explaining literary transmission within the Near East and onto Greece.
Exact conservation laws for gauge-free electromagnetic gyrokinetic equations
Authors: Brizard Alain J.
Published: May 2021

The exact energy and angular momentum conservation laws are derived by the Noether method for the Hamiltonian and symplectic representations of the gauge-free electromagnetic gyrokinetic Vlasov–Maxwell equations. These gyrokinetic equations, which are solely expressed in terms of electromagnetic fields, describe the low-frequency turbulent fluctuations that perturb a time-independent toroidally-axisymmetric magnetized plasma. The explicit proofs presented here provide a complete picture of the transfer of energy and angular momentum between the gyrocentres and the perturbed electromagnetic fields, in which the crucial roles played by gyrocentre polarization and magnetization effects are highlighted. In addition to yielding an exact angular momentum conservation law, the gyrokinetic Noether equation yields an exact momentum transport equation, which might be useful in more general equilibrium magnetic geometries.
Nutrition and physical activity interventions for the general population with and without cardiometabolic risk: a scoping review
Authors: Rozga Mary , Jones Kelly , Robinson Justin , Yahiro Amy
Published: May 2021

Objective:

The objective of this scoping review was to examine the research question: In the adults with or without cardiometabolic risk, what is the availability of literature examining interventions to improve or maintain nutrition and physical activity-related outcomes? Sub-topics included: (1) behaviour counseling or coaching from a dietitian/nutritionist or exercise practitioner, (2) mobile applications to improve nutrition and physical activity and (3) nutritional ergogenic aids.

Design:

The current study is a scoping review. A literature search of the Medline Complete, CINAHL Complete, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and other databases was conducted to identify articles published in the English language from January 2005 until May 2020. Data were synthesised using bubble charts and heat maps.

Setting:

Out-patient, community and workplace.

Participants:

Adults with or without cardiometabolic risk factors living in economically developed countries.

Results:

Searches resulted in 19 474 unique articles and 170 articles were included in this scoping review, including one guideline, thirty systematic reviews (SR), 134 randomised controlled trials and five non-randomised trials. Mobile applications (n37) as well as ergogenic aids (n87) have been addressed in several recent studies, including SR. While primary research has examined the effect of individual-level nutrition and physical activity counseling or coaching from a dietitian/nutritionist and/or exercise practitioner (n48), interventions provided by these practitioners have not been recently synthesised in SR.

Conclusion:

SR of behaviour counseling or coaching provided by a dietitian/nutritionist and/or exercise practitioner are needed and can inform practice for practitioners working with individuals who are healthy or have cardiometabolic risk.
Space ectogenesis: securing survival of humans and Earth life with minimal risks – reply to Szocik
Authors: Edwards Matthew R.
Published: May 2021

Assuming that securing the long-term survival of humans and Earth life is a valid goal, we briefly compare the strategies of building standard space colonies, such as on Mars, and embryo space colonization (ESC). In ESC embryos of humans and other Earth species would be sent to exoplanets and raised there via ectogenesis and android assistants. We find that the potential for securing long-term survival is far greater for ESC than for standard colonies, while the bioethical and other risks are far fewer.
Und welcher Steintyp sind Sie?
Authors: Dhayat Nasser Abdalla
Published: May 2021

Zusammenfassung. Das Wissen um den Steintyp ist für Therapie, Prophylaxe und Verlauf eines Nierensteinleidens zentral. Der Steintyp kann sich im Verlauf eines Steinleidens komplett ändern und Nierensteine sollten daher ausnahmslos einer Analyse zugeführt werden. Dieser Artikel behandelt einige Aspekte der Analysemethoden und Typen von Nierensteinen, die Häufigkeit einzelner Steintypen sowie allgemeine und spezifische Mechanismen der Nierensteinbildung und soll zu einer vertieften Beschäftigung mit dieser Thematik anregen.
Sozial-kognitive Fähigkeiten und Suizidalität: Eine Übersicht
Authors: Thoma Patrizia , Teismann Tobias
Published: May 2021

Zusammenfassung. Psychische Erkrankungen gehen mit einem erhöhten Suizidrisiko einher. Fehlende soziale Zugehörigkeit und Unterstützung, interpersonelle Konflikte und Einsamkeit gelten als zentrale Risikofaktoren für suizidales Erleben und Verhalten. In der vorliegenden Übersichtsarbeit wurden in den Datenbanken PubMed und ISI Web of Knowledge alle englisch- oder deutschsprachigen Originalarbeiten bis Juni 2020 gesichtet, die Emotionserkennung, Empathie und Theory of Mind in Zusammenhang mit Suizidgedanken und/oder Suizidversuchen untersuchen. Dabei wurden 15 relevante Veröffentlichungen identifiziert. Das Befundmuster stellt sich insgesamt als heterogen dar, legt jedoch nahe, dass sowohl beeinträchtigte Fähigkeiten in diesen Bereichen als auch eine verbesserte oder übertriebene Emotionserkennung/Theory of Mind mit Suizidalität in Zusammenhang stehen können.
„Ich sehe was, was du nicht siehst“
Authors: Napiany Sina , Weber Simone , Huber Christian
Published: May 2021

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Durch schulische Verhaltensverlaufsdiagnostik können Verhaltensveränderungen differenziert sichtbar gemacht und die Effektivität von Interventionsmaßnahmen überprüft werden. Erkenntnisse zu Gütekriterien von Direkter Verhaltensselbstbeurteilung (DVBselbst), im Gegensatz zu Direkter Verhaltensbeurteilung als Fremdeinschätzung, liegen kaum vor. Das Hauptziel dieser explorativen Studie ist es, erste Hinweise zur Validität der DVBselbst in Hinblick auf das Lernverhalten von Schüler_innen aufzuzeigen. Außerdem soll untersucht werden, ob sich Verhaltensselbstbeurteilungen von Schüler_innen über die Zeit verändern. Methoden: Vier Wochen lang und dabei bis zu viermal täglich beurteilten 141 Kinder (4. Klasse) ihre Teilnahme am Unterricht mittels der DVBselbst. Zur Überprüfung der Validität der DVBselbst wurde das Lernverhalten zusätzlich mittels eines statusdiagnostischen standardisierten Fragebogens erhoben (Schülereinschätzliste für Sozial- und Lernverhalten/SSL). Ergebnisse: Die verlaufsdiagnostische Selbstbeurteilung des Lernverhaltens von Schüler_innen über eine Woche, gemessen mittels DVBselbst steht im signifikanten Zusammenhang mit der Messung des Lernverhaltens mittels des statusdiagnostischen Fragebogens SSL. Die Selbstbeurteilung der Teilnahme am Unterricht mittels DVBselbst unterscheidet sich signifikant zwischen Woche 1 und Woche 4. Diskussion: Die Ergebnisse zur Kriteriumsvalidität lassen vermuten, dass die DVBselbst ein gültiger Ansatz zur verlaufsdiagnostischen Erfassung von Lernverhaltensweisen ist. Zudem zeigen die Resultate, dass sich Verhaltensselbstbeurteilungen von Schüler_innen über die Zeit ändern können. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse sind mit Vorsicht zu interpretieren und sollten in zukünftigen Studien experimentell überprüft werden.
Beveling the Colorado Plateau: Early Mesozoic Rift‐Related Flexure Explains Erosion and Anomalous Deposition in the Southern Cordilleran Foreland Basin
Authors: Chapman James B. , DeCelles Peter G.
Published: May 2021

Deposition of the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation in a back‐bulge depozone and formation of the overlying sub‐Cretaceous unconformity above a forebulge mark the birth of the foreland basin system in the central U.S. Cordillera. In the southern U.S. Cordillera, the Morrison Formation is either anomalously thick or absent and the sub‐Cretaceous unconformity cuts out progressively older stratigraphy toward the south on the Colorado Plateau. Based on results of 2D and 3D flexural modeling, we suggest that flexural uplift of the northern rift flank of the Bisbee segment of the Borderland Rift Belt can explain these observations. Structural restoration of the sub‐Cretaceous unconformity indicates a minimum of 1.5 km of uplift and flexural models with an effective elastic thickness of 55 ± 5 km can reproduce the geometry of the unconformity and rift flank. This implies that effective elastic thickness has decreased between the Jurassic and the present, consistent with hypotheses for uplift and modification of the Colorado Plateau lithosphere during the Late Mesozoic to Cenozoic. Modeling results also predict the presence of a rift‐related flexural trough in the Four Corners region of the Colorado Plateau, which may explain above‐average thickness of the Morrison Formation. Constructive interference between a flexural back‐bulge depozone and a flexural rift‐flank trough may help explain anomalously high Late Jurassic subsidence.
Seasonality in Saharan Dust Across the Atlantic Ocean: From Atmospheric Transport to Seafloor Deposition
Authors: van der Does Michèlle , Brummer Geert‐Jan A. , Korte Laura F. , Stuut Jan‐Berend W.
Published: May 2021

Saharan dust is transported in great quantities from the North African continent every year, most of which is deposited across the North Atlantic Ocean. This dust impacts regional and global climate by affecting the atmospheric radiation balance and altering ocean carbon budgets. However, little research has been carried out on time series of Saharan dust collected in situ across the open Atlantic. Here, we present a unique three‐year time series of Saharan dust along a trans‐Atlantic transect, sampled by moored surface buoys and subsurface sediment traps. Results show a good correlation between the particle‐size distributions of atmospheric dust and the lithogenic particles settling to the deep ocean floor, confirming the aeolian origin of the lithogenic particles intercepted by the subsurface sediment traps, even in the distal western part of the Atlantic Ocean. Dust from both dry and wet deposition as collected by the sediment traps, shows increased deposition fluxes and coarser grain size in summer and/or autumn that coincides with increased precipitation at the sampling sites as derived from satellite data. In contrast, both buoys that sampled dust during transport at sea level show little seasonal variation in both concentration and particle size, as the large amounts of dust transported in summer and early autumn at high altitudes are far above their sampling range. This implies that wet deposition in summer and autumn defines the typical seasonal trends of both the dust deposition flux and its particle‐size distribution observed in the sediment traps.
Proteomics of extracellular vesicles in plasma reveals the characteristics and residual traces of COVID-19 patients without underlying diseases after 3 months of recovery
Authors: Mao Kaimin , Tan Qi , Ma Yanling , Wang Sufei , Zhong Hua , Liao Yuhan , Huang Qi , Xiao Wenjing , Xia Hui , Tan Xueyun , Luo Ping , Xu Juanjuan , Long Danling , Jin Yang
Published: May 2021

More and more patients suffered from Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have got recovery gradually due to suitable intervention. Increasing data mainly studies the clinical characteristics of recovered COVID-19 patients, and their molecular changes especially proteome changes also play the same important role in understanding of biological characteristics of recovered COVID-19 patients as clinical characteristics do. In our study, we reported the whole lung-ground glass-CT value-average of mild/severe recovered patients 3 months after discharge without underlying diseases was significantly lower than that of healthy subjects. Then we isolated the extracellular vesicles (EVs) of plasma from 19 healthy subjects and 67 recovered COVID-19 patients. Mass Spectrometry was used to catalogue the proteins of these EVs compared to a defined group of controls. Identified 174 proteins were differentially expressed in the EVs of COVID-19 patients compared with healthy subjects, which involved in lipid metabolic process, response to cellular, and response to stress oxygen-containing compound. Besides, we identified several protein of plasma EVs in recovered patients associated with coagulation activity, inflammatory reaction, immune response, and low organ function. In addition, proteins correlating with clinical index such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were also detected. Moreover, we also identified many unique or characteristic associations found in the recovered COVID-19 patients, which especially involved the kidney, serum electrolyte levels, and inflammation functions. This finding suggests that monitoring the situation of recovered patients might be useful, especially the indexes of coagulation, inflammation, immunity, and organ function, which can prevent bleeding, reinfection and organ dysfunction.
CBX7 suppresses urinary bladder cancer progression via modulating AKR1B10–ERK signaling
Authors: Huang Zhengnan , Yan Yilin , Zhu Zhen , Liu Jiakuan , He Xiao , Dalangood Sumiya , Li Meiqian , Tan Mingyue , Cai Jinming , Tang Pengfei , Huang Ruimin , Shen Bing , Yan Jun
Published: May 2021

The chromobox (CBX) proteins mediate epigenetic gene silencing and have been implicated in the cancer development. By analyzing eight CBX family members in TCGA dataset, we found that chromobox 7 (CBX7) was the most strikingly downregulated CBX family member in urinary bladder cancer (UBC), as compared to normal tissues. Though dysregulation of CBX7 has been reported in multiple cancers, its specific role and clinical relevance in UBC remain unclear. Herein, we found that frequent downregulation of CBX7 in UBC specimens, which was due to its promoter hypermethylation, was correlated with poor prognosis. The ectopic expression of CBX7 suppressed UBC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and cancer stemness, whereas CBX7 depletion promoted cancer cell aggressiveness. Importantly, CBX7 overexpression in UBC cells inhibited tumorigenicity, whereas CBX7 depletion promoted the tumor development, indicating its tumor-suppressive role in UBC. Using RNA-seq and chromosome immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, we identified aldo-keto reductase family 1 member 10 (AKR1B10) as a novel downstream target of CBX7, which was negatively modulated by CBX7 in a PRC1-dependent manner and involved in stimulating ERK signaling. Consistently, AKR1B10 overexpression induced cancer cell aggressiveness, whereas suppression of AKR1B10 by siRNA or its small molecular inhibitor, oleanolic acid, reversed the CBX7 deficiency-induced cellular effects. AKR1B10 overexpression was negatively associated with CBX7 downregulation and predicted poor clinical outcomes in UBC patients. Taken together, our results indicate that CBX7 functions as a tumor suppressor to downregulate AKR1B10 and further inactivates ERK signaling. This CBX7/AKR1B10/ERK signaling axis may provide a new therapeutic strategy against UBC.
Identification of putative causal loci in whole-genome sequencing data via knockoff statistics
Authors: He Zihuai , Liu Linxi , Wang Chen , Le Guen Yann , Lee Justin , Gogarten Stephanie , Lu Fred , Montgomery Stephen , Tang Hua , Silverman Edwin K. , Cho Michael H. , Greicius Michael , Ionita-Laza Iuliana
Published: May 2021

The analysis of whole-genome sequencing studies is challenging due to the large number of rare variants in noncoding regions and the lack of natural units for testing. We propose a statistical method to detect and localize rare and common risk variants in whole-genome sequencing studies based on a recently developed knockoff framework. It can (1) prioritize causal variants over associations due to linkage disequilibrium thereby improving interpretability; (2) help distinguish the signal due to rare variants from shadow effects of significant common variants nearby; (3) integrate multiple knockoffs for improved power, stability, and reproducibility; and (4) flexibly incorporate state-of-the-art and future association tests to achieve the benefits proposed here. In applications to whole-genome sequencing data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Sequencing Project (ADSP) and COPDGene samples from NHLBI Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) Program we show that our method compared with conventional association tests can lead to substantially more discoveries.
A human antibody selective for transthyretin amyloid removes cardiac amyloid through phagocytic immune cells
Authors: Michalon Aubin , Hagenbuch Andreas , Huy Christian , Varela Evita , Combaluzier Benoit , Damy Thibaud , Suhr Ole B. , Saraiva Maria J. , Hock Christoph , Nitsch Roger M. , Jan Grimm
Published: May 2021

Transthyretin amyloid (ATTR) cardiomyopathy is a debilitating disease leading to heart failure and death. It is characterized by the deposition of extracellular ATTR fibrils in the myocardium. Reducing myocardial ATTR load is a therapeutic goal anticipated to translate into restored cardiac function and improved patient survival. For this purpose, we developed the selective anti-ATTR antibody NI301A, a recombinant human monoclonal immunoglobulin G1. NI301A was cloned following comprehensive analyses of memory B cell repertoires derived from healthy elderly subjects. NI301A binds selectively with high affinity to the disease-associated ATTR aggregates of either wild-type or variant ATTR related to sporadic or hereditary disease, respectively. It does not bind physiological transthyretin. NI301A removes ATTR deposits ex vivo from patient-derived myocardium by macrophages, as well as in vivo from mice grafted with patient-derived ATTR fibrils in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. The biological activity of ATTR removal involves antibody-mediated activation of phagocytic immune cells including macrophages. These data support the evaluation of safety and tolerability of NI301A in an ongoing phase 1 clinical trial in patients with ATTR cardiomyopathy.
Non-productive angiogenesis disassembles Aß plaque-associated blood vessels
Authors: Alvarez-Vergara Maria I. , Rosales-Nieves Alicia E. , March-Diaz Rosana , Rodriguez-Perinan Guiomar , Lara-Ureña Nieves , Ortega-de San Luis Clara , Sanchez-Garcia Manuel A. , Martin-Bornez Miguel , Gómez-Gálvez Pedro , Vicente-Munuera Pablo , Fernandez-Gomez Beatriz , Marchena Miguel A. , Bullones-Bolanos Andrea S. , Davila Jose C. , Gonzalez-Martinez Rocio , Trillo-Contreras Jose L. , Sanchez-Hidalgo Ana C. , del Toro Raquel , Scholl Francisco G. , Herrera Eloisa , Trepel Martin , Körbelin Jakob , Escudero Luis M. , Villadiego Javier , Echevarria Miriam , de Castro Fernando , Gutierrez Antonia , Rabano Alberto , Vitorica Javier , Pascual Alberto
Published: May 2021

The human Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain accumulates angiogenic markers but paradoxically, the cerebral microvasculature is reduced around Aß plaques. Here we demonstrate that angiogenesis is started near Aß plaques in both AD mouse models and human AD samples. However, endothelial cells express the molecular signature of non-productive angiogenesis (NPA) and accumulate, around Aß plaques, a tip cell marker and IB4 reactive vascular anomalies with reduced NOTCH activity. Notably, NPA induction by endothelial loss of presenilin, whose mutations cause familial AD and which activity has been shown to decrease with age, produced a similar vascular phenotype in the absence of Aß pathology. We also show that Aß plaque-associated NPA locally disassembles blood vessels, leaving behind vascular scars, and that microglial phagocytosis contributes to the local loss of endothelial cells. These results define the role of NPA and microglia in local blood vessel disassembly and highlight the vascular component of presenilin loss of function in AD.
Realizing high-power and high-capacity zinc/sodium metal anodes through interfacial chemistry regulation
Authors: Hou Zhen , Gao Yao , Tan Hong , Zhang Biao
Published: May 2021

Stable plating/stripping of metal electrodes under high power and high capacity remains a great challenge. Tailoring the deposition behavior on the substrate could partly resolve dendrites’ formation, but it usually works only under low current densities and limited capacities. Here we turn to regulate the separator’s interfacial chemistry through tin coating with decent conductivity and excellent zincophilicity. The former homogenizes the electric field distribution for smooth zinc metal on the substrate, while the latter enables the concurrent zinc deposition on the separator with a face-to-face growth. Consequently, dendrite-free zinc morphologies and superior cycling stability are achieved at simultaneous high current densities and large cycling capacities (1000 h at 5 mA/cm2 for 5 mAh/cm2 and 500 h at 10 mA/cm2 for 10 mAh/cm2). Furthermore, the concept could be readily extended to sodium metal anodes, demonstrating the interfacial chemistry regulation of separator is a promising route to circumvent the metal anode challenges.
In vivo partial reprogramming of myofibers promotes muscle regeneration by remodeling the stem cell niche
Authors: Wang Chao , Rabadan Ros Ruben , Martinez-Redondo Paloma , Ma Zaijun , Shi Lei , Xue Yuan , Guillen-Guillen Isabel , Huang Ling , Hishida Tomoaki , Liao Hsin-Kai , Nuñez Delicado Estrella , Rodriguez Esteban Concepcion , Guillen-Garcia Pedro , Reddy Pradeep , Izpisua Belmonte Juan Carlos
Published: May 2021

Short-term, systemic expression of the Yamanaka reprogramming factors (Oct-3/4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc [OSKM]) has been shown to rejuvenate aging cells and promote tissue regeneration in vivo. However, the mechanisms by which OSKM promotes tissue regeneration are unknown. In this work, we focus on a specific tissue and demonstrate that local expression of OSKM, specifically in myofibers, induces the activation of muscle stem cells or satellite cells (SCs), which accelerates muscle regeneration in young mice. In contrast, expressing OSKM directly in SCs does not improve muscle regeneration. Mechanistically, expressing OSKM in myofibers regulates the expression of genes important for the SC microenvironment, including upregulation of p21, which in turn downregulates Wnt4. This is critical because Wnt4 is secreted by myofibers to maintain SC quiescence. Thus, short-term induction of the Yamanaka factors in myofibers may promote tissue regeneration by modifying the stem cell niche.
Sub-micro droplet reactors for green synthesis of Li3VO4 anode materials in lithium ion batteries
Authors: Tran Huu Ha , Vu Ngoc Hung , Ha Hyunwoo , Moon Joonhee , Kim Hyun You , Im Won Bin
Published: May 2021

The conventional solid-state reaction suffers from low diffusivity, high energy consumption, and uncontrolled morphology. These limitations are competed by the presence of water in solution route reaction. Herein, based on concept of combining above methods, we report a facile solid-state reaction conducted in water vapor at low temperature along with calcium doping for modifying lithium vanadate as anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The optimized material, delivers a superior specific capacity of 543.1, 477.1, and 337.2 mAh g−1 after 200 and 1000 cycles at current densities of 100, 1000 and 4000 mA g−1, respectively, which is attributed to the contribution of pseudocapacitance. In this work, we also use experimental and theoretical calculation to demonstrate that the enhancement of doped lithium vanadate is attributed to particles confinement of droplets in water vapor along with the surface and structure variation of calcium doping effect.
Manipulating anion intercalation enables a high-voltage aqueous dual ion battery
Authors: Huang Zhaodong , Hou Yue , Wang Tairan , Zhao Yuwei , Liang Guojin , Li Xinliang , Guo Ying , Yang Qi , Chen Ze , Li Qing , Ma Longtao , Fan Jun , Zhi Chunyi
Published: May 2021

Aqueous graphite-based dual ion batteries have unique superiorities in stationary energy storage systems due to their non-transition metal configuration and safety properties. However, there is an absence of thorough study of the interactions between anions and water molecules and between anions and electrode materials, which is essential to achieve high output voltage. Here we reveal the four-stage intercalation process and energy conversion in a graphite cathode of anions with different configurations. The difference between the intercalation energy and hydration energy of bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide makes the best use of the electrochemical stability window of its electrolyte and delivers a high intercalation potential, while BF4− and CF3SO3− do not exhibit a satisfactory potential because the graphite intercalation potential of BF4− is inferior and the graphite intercalation potential of CF3SO3− exceeds the voltage window of its electrolyte. An aqueous dual ion battery based on the intercalation behaviors of bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide anions into a graphite cathode exhibits a high voltage of 2.2 V together with a specific energy of 242.74 Wh kg−1. This work provides clear guidance for the voltage plateau manipulation of anion intercalation into two-dimensional materials.
Gut microbiota diversity after autologous fecal microbiota transfer in acute myeloid leukemia patients
Authors: Malard Florent , Vekhoff Anne , Lapusan Simona , Isnard Francoise , D’incan-Corda Evelyne , Rey Jérôme , Saillard Colombe , Thomas Xavier , Ducastelle-Lepretre Sophie , Paubelle Etienne , Larcher Marie-Virginie , Rocher Clément , Recher Christian , Tavitian Suzanne , Bertoli Sarah , Michallet Anne-Sophie , Gilis Lila , Peterlin Pierre , Chevallier Patrice , Nguyen Stéphanie , Plantamura Emilie , Boucinha Lilia , Gasc Cyrielle , Michallet Mauricette , Dore Joel , Legrand Ollivier , Mohty Mohamad
Published: May 2021

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) intensive chemotherapy combined with broad-spectrum antibiotics, leads to gut microbiota dysbiosis promoting pathological conditions and an increased incidence of complications. Here we report findings from a phase II single-arm, multicenter study evaluating autologous fecal microbiota transfer (AFMT) in 25 AML patients treated with intensive chemotherapy and antibiotics (ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT02928523). The co-primary outcomes of the study are to evaluate the efficacy of AFMT in dysbiosis correction and multidrug-resistant bacteria eradication. The main secondary outcomes are to define a dysbiosis biosignature, to evaluate the effect of dysbiosis correction on patient clinical status, to assess the short and mid-term safety of AFMT in this immunocompromised population, and to evaluate the feasibility of the AFMT procedure and acceptability by the patient. Intensive induction chemotherapy induces a dramatic decrease of α-diversity indices, and a microbial dysbiosis with a significant shift of the microbial communities and domination of pro-inflammatory families. After AFMT treatment, α-diversity indices return to their initial mean levels and the similarity index shows the restoration of microbial communities. The trial meets pre-specified endpoints. AFMT appears to be safe and may be effective for gut microbiota restoration in AML patients receiving intensive chemotherapy and antibiotics, with an excellent gut microbiota reconstruction based on both richness and diversity indices at the species level.
Small-molecule inhibition of Lats kinases may promote Yap-dependent proliferation in postmitotic mammalian tissues
Authors: Kastan Nathaniel , Gnedeva Ksenia , Alisch Theresa , Petelski Aleksandra A. , Huggins David J. , Chiaravalli Jeanne , Aharanov Alla , Shakked Avraham , Tzahor Eldad , Nagiel Aaron , Segil Neil , Hudspeth A. J.
Published: May 2021

Hippo signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that restricts growth and regeneration predominantly by suppressing the activity of the transcriptional coactivator Yap. Using a high-throughput phenotypic screen, we identified a potent and non-toxic activator of Yap. In vitro kinase assays show that the compound acts as an ATP-competitive inhibitor of Lats kinases—the core enzymes in Hippo signaling. The substance prevents Yap phosphorylation and induces proliferation of supporting cells in the murine inner ear, murine cardiomyocytes, and human Müller glia in retinal organoids. RNA sequencing indicates that the inhibitor reversibly activates the expression of transcriptional Yap targets: upon withdrawal, a subset of supporting-cell progeny exits the cell cycle and upregulates genes characteristic of sensory hair cells. Our results suggest that the pharmacological inhibition of Lats kinases may promote initial stages of the proliferative regeneration of hair cells, a process thought to be permanently suppressed in the adult mammalian inner ear.
Switchable stimulated Raman scattering microscopy with photochromic vibrational probes
Authors: Ao Jianpeng , Fang Xiaofeng , Miao Xianchong , Ling Jiwei , Kang Hyunchul , Park Sungnam , Wu Changfeng , Ji Minbiao
Published: May 2021

Photochromic probes with reversible fluorescence have revolutionized the fields of single molecule spectroscopy and super-resolution microscopy, but lack sufficient chemical specificity. In contrast, Raman probes with stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy provides superb chemical resolution for super-multiplexed imaging, but are relatively inert. Here we report vibrational photochromism by engineering alkyne tagged diarylethene to realize photo-switchable SRS imaging. The narrow Raman peak of the alkyne group shifts reversibly upon photoisomerization of the conjugated diarylethene when irradiated by ultraviolet (UV) or visible light, yielding “on” or “off” SRS images taken at the photoactive Raman frequency. We demonstrated photo-rewritable patterning and encryption on thin films, painting/erasing of cells with labelled alkyne-diarylethene, as well as pulse-chase experiments of mitochondria diffusion in living cells. The design principle provides potentials for super-resolution microscopy, optical memories and switches with vibrational specificity.
Cytosolic dsDNA of mitochondrial origin induces cytotoxicity and neurodegeneration in cellular and zebrafish models of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Matsui Hideaki , Ito Junko , Matsui Noriko , Uechi Tamayo , Onodera Osamu , Kakita Akiyoshi
Published: May 2021

Mitochondrial dysfunction and lysosomal dysfunction have been implicated in Parkinson’s disease (PD), but the links between these dysfunctions in PD pathogenesis are still largely unknown. Here we report that cytosolic dsDNA of mitochondrial origin escaping from lysosomal degradation was shown to induce cytotoxicity in cultured cells and PD phenotypes in vivo. The depletion of PINK1, GBA and/or ATP13A2 causes increases in cytosolic dsDNA of mitochondrial origin and induces type I interferon (IFN) responses and cell death in cultured cell lines. These phenotypes are rescued by the overexpression of DNase II, a lysosomal DNase that degrades discarded mitochondrial DNA, or the depletion of IFI16, which acts as a sensor for cytosolic dsDNA of mitochondrial origin. Reducing the abundance of cytosolic dsDNA by overexpressing human DNase II ameliorates movement disorders and dopaminergic cell loss in gba mutant PD model zebrafish. Furthermore, IFI16 and cytosolic dsDNA puncta of mitochondrial origin accumulate in the brain of patients with PD. These results support a common causative role for the cytosolic leakage of mitochondrial DNA in PD pathogenesis.
Immune response to SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in vaccinated individuals
Authors: Becker Matthias , Dulovic Alex , Junker Daniel , Ruetalo Natalia , Kaiser Philipp D. , Pinilla Yudi T. , Heinzel Constanze , Haering Julia , Traenkle Bjoern , Wagner Teresa R. , Layer Mirjam , Mehrlaender Martin , Mirakaj Valbona , Held Jana , Planatscher Hannes , Schenke-Layland Katja , Krause Gérard , Strengert Monika , Bakchoul Tamam , Althaus Karina , Fendel Rolf , Kreidenweiss Andrea , Koeppen Michael , Rothbauer Ulrich , Schindler Michael , Schneiderhan-Marra Nicole
Published: May 2021

SARS-CoV-2 is evolving with mutations in the receptor binding domain (RBD) being of particular concern. It is important to know how much cross-protection is offered between strains following vaccination or infection. Here, we obtain serum and saliva samples from groups of vaccinated (Pfizer BNT-162b2), infected and uninfected individuals and characterize the antibody response to RBD mutant strains. Vaccinated individuals have a robust humoral response after the second dose and have high IgG antibody titers in the saliva. Antibody responses however show considerable differences in binding to RBD mutants of emerging variants of concern and substantial reduction in RBD binding and neutralization is observed against a patient-isolated South African variant. Taken together our data reinforce the importance of the second dose of Pfizer BNT-162b2 to acquire high levels of neutralizing antibodies and high antibody titers in saliva suggest that vaccinated individuals may have reduced transmission potential. Substantially reduced neutralization for the South African variant further highlights the importance of surveillance strategies to detect new variants and targeting these in future vaccines.
Highly-efficient electrically-driven localized surface plasmon source enabled by resonant inelastic electron tunneling
Authors: Qian Haoliang , Li Shilong , Hsu Su-Wen , Chen Ching-Fu , Tian Fanglin , Tao Andrea R. , Liu Zhaowei
Published: May 2021

On-chip plasmonic circuitry offers a promising route to meet the ever-increasing requirement for device density and data bandwidth in information processing. As the key building block, electrically-driven nanoscale plasmonic sources such as nanoLEDs, nanolasers, and nanojunctions have attracted intense interest in recent years. Among them, surface plasmon (SP) sources based on inelastic electron tunneling (IET) have been demonstrated as an appealing candidate owing to the ultrafast quantum-mechanical tunneling response and great tunability. However, the major barrier to the demonstrated IET-based SP sources is their low SP excitation efficiency due to the fact that elastic tunneling of electrons is much more efficient than inelastic tunneling. Here, we remove this barrier by introducing resonant inelastic electron tunneling (RIET)—follow a recent theoretical proposal—at the visible/near-infrared (NIR) frequencies and demonstrate highly-efficient electrically-driven SP sources. In our system, RIET is supported by a TiN/Al2O3 metallic quantum well (MQW) heterostructure, while monocrystalline silver nanorods (AgNRs) were used for the SP generation (localized surface plasmons (LSPs)). In principle, this RIET approach can push the external quantum efficiency (EQE) close to unity, opening up a new era of SP sources for not only high-performance plasmonic circuitry, but also advanced optical sensing applications.
Dirac cone, flat band and saddle point in kagome magnet YMn6Sn6
Authors: Li Man , Wang Qi , Wang Guangwei , Yuan Zhihong , Song Wenhua , Lou Rui , Liu Zhengtai , Huang Yaobo , Liu Zhonghao , Lei Hechang , Yin Zhiping , Wang Shancai
Published: May 2021

Kagome-lattices of 3d-transition metals hosting Weyl/Dirac fermions and topological flat bands exhibit non-trivial topological characters and novel quantum phases, such as the anomalous Hall effect and fractional quantum Hall effect. With consideration of spin–orbit coupling and electron correlation, several instabilities could be induced. The typical characters of the electronic structure of a kagome lattice, i.e., the saddle point, Dirac-cone, and flat band, around the Fermi energy (EF) remain elusive in magnetic kagome materials. We present the experimental observation of the complete features in ferromagnetic kagome layers of YMn6Sn6 helically coupled along the c-axis, by using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and band structure calculations. We demonstrate a Dirac dispersion near EF, which is predicted by spin-polarized theoretical calculations, carries an intrinsic Berry curvature and contributes to the anomalous Hall effect in transport measurements. In addition, a flat band and a saddle point with a high density of states near EF are observed. These multi-sets of kagome features are of orbital-selective origin and could cause multi-orbital magnetism. The Dirac fermion, flat band and saddle point in the vicinity of EF open an opportunity in manipulating the topological properties in magnetic materials.
Response of Nagpur mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) to high density planting systems
Authors: Ladaniya M. S. , Marathe R. A. , Murkute A. A. , Huchche A. D. , Das A. K. , George Anjitha , Kolwadkar Jayashree
Published: May 2021

High density planting system i.e. accommodating a higher number of plants than routine in a given area is an innovative agro-technology to increase yield and thereby early net returns. Due to conventional wide spacing plantation in Nagpur mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco), the land remains unutilized as the plant canopy gradually increases over the years. In the present study, Nagpur mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) budded on Rangpur lime rootstock was evaluated under six different planting spacings. It was observed that the organic carbon (1.10–1.82%) and major nutrients viz. N (309–430 kg ha−1), P (20–54 kg ha−1) and K (291–810 kg ha−1) increased vis-à-vis plant density and was highest under 2 × 2 m spacing. Plants were tallest at 2 × 2 m spacing with the higher PAR interception (88.2) and the lowest leaf area index (1.09). Fruit yield on area basis, under 2 × 2 m spacing was 26, 7.1, 4.6 times more as compared to conventional plantation during the first, second and third year, respectively. At fifth year of crop harvest, the highest B:C ratio (6.36) was recorded in 6 × 3 m followed by 4 × 2 m and 2 × 2 m.
Knowledge of preconception care and its association with family planning utilization among women in Ethiopia: meta-analysis
Authors: Alemu Addisu Alehegn , Bitew Mezinew Sintayehu , Zeleke Liknaw Bewket , Sharew Yewbmirt , Desta Melaku , Sahile Ermias , Yemaneh Yayehyirad , Kassa Getachew Mullu
Published: May 2021

Preconception care (PCC) increases the chance of couple’s being healthy and having a healthier baby. It is an important strategy to prevent maternal and perinatal complications. The level of knowledge on preconception care increases its uptake. It is also considered as an input for further intervention of reduction in maternal and neonatal mortality enabling progress towards sustainable development goals (SDGs). Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled knowledge level of PCC and its association with family planning usage among women in Ethiopia. All observational studies regardless of publication status were retrieved. Important search terms were used to search articles in Google scholar, African Journals Online, CINHAL, HINARI, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and PubMed/Medline. Independent critical appraisal of retrieved studies was done using the Newcastle–Ottawa assessment checklist. The meta-analysis was conducted using STATA version 14 software. The I2 statistics were used to test heterogeneity, whereas publication bias was assessed by Begg’s and Egger’s tests. The results of the meta-analysis were explained in the Odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and presented using forest plots. A total of seven articles were included in the current systematic review and meta-analysis. Based on the data retrieved from the articles, 35.7% of women in Ethiopia had good knowledge about preconception care. The subgroup analysis based on region revealed the lowest (22.34%) and highest (45.06%) percentage of good knowledge on preconception care among women who were living in Amhara and Oromia regions, respectively. Moreover, women who utilized family planning services were three and more times (OR 3.65 (95% CI 2.11, 6.31)) more likely to have a good level of knowledge about preconception care. One-third of Ethiopian women had good knowledge about preconception care. Family planning utilization had a positive impact on women’s knowledge of preconception care.
Tissue sampling for biliary strictures using novel elbow biopsy forceps
Authors: Zhang Huahui , Huo Chunyan , Guo Yongxin , Zhu Keyuan , Li Fengdong , Huang Jin
Published: May 2021

We aim to evaluate the safety and feasibility of novel elbow biopsy forceps with a prebent head for sampling biliary strictures in our institution. A total of 24 patients (15 males and 9 females) with biliary stricture who underwent biliary biopsy during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) using novel elbow biopsy forceps from June 2019 to August 2020 were retrospectively included. The novel biopsy forceps had a head angulation of 30 degrees and were able to cannulate the bile duct and approach the biliary strictures easily to obtain adequate samples. The technical success rate, incidence of adverse events, and consistency of pathological and surgical specimens were assessed. This device was used successfully in all patients. A total of 52 biopsy specimens were obtained from 24 patients, and all specimens could be used for histopathological examination. Seventeen patients were diagnosed with malignancy based on biopsies, and all of them underwent surgical treatment. The histopathological findings of the biopsy specimens were in accordance with the postoperative pathology diagnoses. One of the seven patients was diagnosed with a benign lesion that was proven to be malignant during surgical treatment in the follow-up period. Two patients experienced a single episode of acute pancreatitis and recovered shortly after appropriate treatment. No patients experienced biliary perforation or biliary bleeding. Biopsy using novel elbow forceps in patients with biliary stenosis is feasible and safe. The novel device and related biopsy technique may be widely applied for biliary disease differentiation.
Deciphering the scopolamine challenge rat model by preclinical functional MRI
Authors: Somogyi Gergely , Hlatky Dávid , Spisák Tamás , Spisák Zsófia , Nyitrai Gabriella , Czurkó András
Published: May 2021

During preclinical drug testing, the systemic administration of scopolamine (SCO), a cholinergic antagonist, is widely used. However, it suffers important limitations, like non-specific behavioural effects partly due to its peripheral side-effects. Therefore, neuroimaging measures would enhance its translational value. To this end, in Wistar rats, we measured whisker-stimulation induced functional MRI activation after SCO, peripherally acting butylscopolamine (BSCO), or saline administration in a cross-over design. Besides the commonly used gradient-echo echo-planar imaging (GE EPI), we also used an arterial spin labeling method in isoflurane anesthesia. With the GE EPI measurement, SCO decreased the evoked BOLD response in the barrel cortex (BC), while BSCO increased it in the anterior cingulate cortex. In a second experiment, we used GE EPI and spin-echo (SE) EPI sequences in a combined (isoflurane + i.p. dexmedetomidine) anesthesia to account for anesthesia-effects. Here, we also examined the effect of donepezil. In the combined anesthesia, with the GE EPI, SCO decreased the activation in the BC and the inferior colliculus (IC). BSCO reduced the response merely in the IC. Our results revealed that SCO attenuated the evoked BOLD activation in the BC as a probable central effect in both experiments. The likely peripheral vascular actions of SCO with the given fMRI sequences depended on the type of anesthesia or its dose.
Holographic optical field recovery using a regularized untrained deep decoder network
Authors: Niknam Farhad , Qazvini Hamed , Latifi Hamid
Published: May 2021

Image reconstruction using minimal measured information has been a long-standing open problem in many computational imaging approaches, in particular in-line holography. Many solutions are devised based on compressive sensing (CS) techniques with handcrafted image priors or supervised deep neural networks (DNN). However, the limited performance of CS methods due to lack of information about the image priors and the requirement of an enormous amount of per-sample-type training resources for DNNs has posed new challenges over the primary problem. In this study, we propose a single-shot lensless in-line holographic reconstruction method using an untrained deep neural network which is incorporated with a physical image formation algorithm. We demonstrate that by modifying a deep decoder network with simple regularizers, a Gabor hologram can be inversely reconstructed via a minimization process that is constrained by a deep image prior. The outcoming model allows to accurately recover the phase and amplitude images without any training dataset, excess measurements, or specific assumptions about the object’s or the measurement’s characteristics.
The association between serum sodium level and tuberculous meningitis compared with viral and bacterial meningitis
Authors: Na Seunghee , Kim Taewon , Song In-Uk , Chung Sung-Woo , Kim Seong-Hoon , Oh Yoon-Sang , Oh Juhee , Kim Woojun
Published: May 2021

We evaluated the association between hyponatremia and tuberculous meningitis (TBM) with the aim of providing additional information for differential diagnosis from other types of infectious meningitis, especially viral meningitis (VM). Cross-sectional and longitudinal data involving 5026 participants older than 18 years were analyzed in the total population and a propensity-matched population. The initial and lowest sodium levels and longitudinal changes in TBM, bacterial meningitis (BM), and VM patients were compared. Participants in the TBM group were enrolled when they were diagnosed as possible, probable, or definite TBM according to the Marais’ criteria. The initial serum sodium level was significantly lower in TBM patients than in BM and VM patients (136.9 ± 5.9 vs. 138.3 ± 4.7 mmol/L, p < 0.001 for TBM vs. BM, and 139.0 ± 3.1, p < 0.001 for TBM vs. VM), and it decreased significantly more steeply to lower levels in both the TBM and BM patients compared with VM patients. The lowest serum sodium level was in the order of TBM < BM < VM patients, and the change was statistically significant in all subgroups (131.8 ± 6.4, 133.1 ± 5.1, 137.4 ± 3.7, respectively, p < 0.001). Participants with lower serum sodium level were more likely to have a diagnosis of TBM rather than VM, and this association was more pronounced for the lowest sodium level than the initial sodium level [OR 4.6 (95% CI 2.4–8.8, p < 0.001)]. These findings indicate that baseline and longitudinal evaluation of serum sodium level can provide information for differential diagnosis of TBM from BM or VM.