bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the potential of in vitro organ-chip models to define temporal pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships
Authors: McAleer Christopher W. , Pointon Amy , Long Christopher J. , Brighton Rocky L. , Wilkin Benjamin D. , Bridges L. Richard , Narasimhan Sriram Narasimham , Fabre Kristin , McDougall Robin , Muse Victorine P. , Mettetal Jerome T. , Srivastava Abhishek , Williams Dominic , Schnepper Mark T. , Roles Jeff L. , Shuler Michael L. , Hickman James J. , Ewart Lorna
Published: July 2019

Functional human-on-a-chip systems hold great promise to enable quantitative translation to in vivo outcomes. Here, we explored this concept using a pumpless heart only and heart:liver system to evaluate the temporal pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PKPD) relationship for terfenadine. There was a time dependent drug-induced increase in field potential duration in the cardiac compartment in response to terfenadine and that response was modulated using a metabolically competent liver module that converted terfenadine to fexofenadine. Using this data, a mathematical model was developed to predict the effect of terfenadine in preclinical species. Developing confidence that microphysiological models could have a transformative effect on drug discovery, we also tested a previously discovered proprietary AstraZeneca small molecule and correctly determined the cardiotoxic response to its metabolite in the heart:liver system. Overall our findings serve as a guiding principle to future investigations of temporal concentration response relationships in these innovative in vitro models, especially, if validated across multiple time frames, with additional pharmacological mechanisms and molecules representing a broad chemical diversity.
A key variant in the cis-regulatory element of flowering gene Ghd8 associated with cold tolerance in rice
Authors: Wang Peng , Xiong Yin , Gong Rong , Yang Ying , Fan Kai , Yu Sibin
Published: July 2019

Variations in the gene promoter play critical roles in the evolution of important adaptive traits in crops, but direct links of the regulatory mutation to the adaptive change are not well understood. Here, we examine the nucleotide variations in the promoter region of a transcription factor (Ghd8) that control grain number, plant height and heading date in rice. We find that a dominant promoter type of subspecies japonica displayed a high activity for Ghd8 expression in comparison with the one in indica. Transgenic analyses revealed that higher expression levels of Ghd8 delayed heading date and enhanced cold tolerance in rice. Furthermore, a single-nucleotide polymorphism (T1279G) at the position −1279 bp that locates on the potential GA-responsive motif in the Ghd8 promoter affected the expression of this gene. The 1279 T variant has elevated expression of Ghd8, thus conferring increased cold tolerance of rice seedlings. Nucleotide diversity analysis revealed that the approximately 25-kb genomic region surrounding Ghd8 in the subspecies japonica was under significant selection pressure. Our findings demonstrate that the join effects of the regulatory and coding variants largely contribute to the divergence of japonica and indica and increase the adaptability of japonica to the cold environment.
Viral hepatitis and Treponema pallidum prevalence in persons who underwent premarital blood tests in Argentina
Authors: Angeleri Patricia , Levite Valeria , Vidiella Gabriela , Solari Joaquín , Coronel Emma , Adaszko Dan , Adaszko Ariel , Moyano Cecilia , Bouchet Diosnel , Cuello Héctor , Molfese Viviana , Skarzauskas Rosario , Vila Marcelo , Falistocco Carlos , Pando Maria A.
Published: July 2019

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of different serological markers of hepatitis A, B and C viruses and Treponema pallidum among the adult population of Argentina. To achieve this, adults who attended health services for premarital exams (which are mandatory and includes screening for syphilis) were recruited. A cross-sectional study was designed with a cluster sampling strategy. Couples who attended selected health services for premarital screening between 2013 and 2014 in Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Mendoza and Santa Fe provinces were included. A total of 3833 individuals were recruited. Anti-HAV prevalence was 63.9%, anti-HCV 0.3%, anti-HBc (without HBsAg) 1.9%, HBsAg 0.3%, and T pallidum 0.8%. Anti-HAV was higher among older participants, foreigners and those from the lower strata. HBV increased with age and was higher among foreigners and those with lower formal educational level. Anti-HCV frequency increased with age. Premarital screening of viral hepatitis could constitute an instance of diagnosis, vaccination and inclusion in care of those in need. Results from this study will allow the national hepatitis programs to design public policies in order to diminish the impact of these infections on the population.
Transcriptional landscape of soybean (Glycine max) embryonic axes during germination in the presence of paclobutrazol, a gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor
Authors: Gazara Rajesh K. , de Oliveira Eduardo A. G. , Rodrigues Bruno C. , Nunes da Fonseca Rodrigo , Oliveira Antônia Elenir A. , Venancio Thiago M.
Published: July 2019

Gibberellins (GA) are key positive regulators of seed germination. Although the GA effects on seed germination have been studied in a number of species, little is known about the transcriptional reprogramming modulated by GA during this phase in species other than Arabidopsis thaliana. Here we report the transcriptome analysis of soybean embryonic axes during germination in the presence of paclobutrazol (PBZ), a GA biosynthesis inhibitor. We found a number of differentially expressed cell wall metabolism genes, supporting their roles in cell expansion during germination. Several genes involved in the biosynthesis and signaling of other phytohormones were also modulated, indicating an intensive hormonal crosstalk at the embryonic axis. We have also found 26 photosynthesis genes that are up-regulated by PBZ at 24 hours after imbibition (HAI) and down-regulated at 36 HAI, which led us to suggest that this is part of a strategy to implement an autotrophic growth program in the absence of GA-driven mobilization of reserves. Finally, 30 transcription factors (mostly from the MYB, bHLH, and bZIP families) were down-regulated by PBZ and are likely downstream GA targets that will drive transcriptional changes during germination.
CRISPR knockout screen implicates three genes in lysosome function
Authors: Lenk Guy M. , Park Young N. , Lemons Rosemary , Flynn Emma , Plank Margaret , Frei Christen M. , Davis Michael J. , Gregorka Brian , Swanson Joel A. , Meisler Miriam H. , Kitzman Jacob O.
Published: July 2019

Defective biosynthesis of the phospholipid PI(3,5)P2 underlies neurological disorders characterized by cytoplasmic accumulation of large lysosome-derived vacuoles. To identify novel genetic causes of lysosomal vacuolization, we developed an assay for enlargement of the lysosome compartment that is amenable to cell sorting and pooled screens. We first demonstrated that the enlarged vacuoles that accumulate in fibroblasts lacking FIG4, a PI(3,5)P2 biosynthetic factor, have a hyperacidic pH compared to normal cells'. We then carried out a genome-wide knockout screen in human HAP1 cells for accumulation of acidic vesicles by FACS sorting. A pilot screen captured fifteen genes, including VAC14, a previously identified cause of endolysosomal vacuolization. Three genes not previously associated with lysosome dysfunction were selected to validate the screen: C10orf35, LRRC8A, and MARCH7. We analyzed two clonal knockout cell lines for each gene. All of the knockout lines contained enlarged acidic vesicles that were positive for LAMP2, confirming their endolysosomal origin. This assay will be useful in the future for functional evaluation of patient variants in these genes, and for a more extensive genome-wide screen for genes required for endolysosome function. This approach may also be adapted for drug screens to identify small molecules that rescue endolysosomal vacuolization.
On the Elevated Temperature Thermal Stability of Nanoscale Mn-Ni-Si Precipitates Formed at Lower Temperature in Highly Irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels
Authors: Almirall N. , Wells P. B. , Ke H. , Edmondson P. , Morgan D. , Yamamoto T. , Odette G. R.
Published: July 2019

Atom probe tomography (APT) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) techniques were used to probe the long-time thermal stability of nm-scale Mn-Ni-Si precipitates (MNSPs) formed in intermediate and high Ni reactor pressure vessel steels under high fluence neutron irradiation at ≈320 °C. Post irradiation annealing (PIA) at 425 °C for up to 57 weeks was used to determine if the MNSPs are: (a) non-equilibrium solute clusters formed and sustained by radiation induced segregation (RIS); or, (b) equilibrium G or Γ2 phases, that precipitate at accelerated rates due to radiation enhanced diffusion (RED). Note the latter is consistent with both thermodynamic models and x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Both the experimental and an independently calibrated cluster dynamics (CD) model results show that the stability of the MNSPs is very sensitive to the alloy Ni and, to a lesser extent, Mn content. Thus, a small fraction of the largest MNSPs in the high Ni steel persist, and begin to coarsen at long times. These results suggest that the MNSPs remain a stable phase, even at 105 °C higher than they formed at, thus are most certainly equilibrium phases at much lower service relevant temperatures of ≈290 °C.
Distinct processing of tone offset in two primary auditory cortices
Authors: Sołyga Magdalena , Barkat Tania Rinaldi
Published: July 2019

In the rodent auditory system, the primary cortex is subdivided into two regions, both receiving direct inputs from the auditory thalamus: the primary auditory cortex (A1) and the anterior auditory field (AAF). Although neurons in the two regions display different response properties, like response latency, firing threshold or tuning bandwidth, it is still not clear whether they process sound in a distinct way. Using in vivo electrophysiological recordings in the mouse auditory cortex, we found that AAF neurons have significantly stronger responses to tone offset than A1 neurons. AAF neurons also display faster and more transient responses than A1 neurons. Additionally, offset responses in AAF – unlike in A1, increase with sound duration. Local field potential (LFP) and laminar analyses suggest that the differences in sound responses between these two primary cortices are both of subcortical and intracortical origin. These results emphasize the potentially critical role of AAF for temporal processing. Our study reveals a distinct role of two primary auditory cortices in tone processing and highlights the complexity of sound encoding at the cortical level.
Fusion of multiple heterogeneous networks for predicting circRNA-disease associations
Authors: Deng Lei , Zhang Wei , Shi Yechuan , Tang Yongjun
Published: July 2019

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a newly identified type of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) that plays crucial roles in many cellular processes and human diseases, and are potential disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets in human diseases. However, experimentally verified circRNA-disease associations are very rare. Hence, developing an accurate and efficient method to predict the association between circRNA and disease may be beneficial to disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Here, we propose a computational method named KATZCPDA, which is based on the KATZ method and the integrations among circRNAs, proteins, and diseases to predict circRNA-disease associations. KATZCPDA not only verifies existing circRNA-disease associations but also predicts unknown associations. As demonstrated by leave-one-out and 10-fold cross-validation, KATZCPDA achieves AUC values of 0.959 and 0.958, respectively. The performance of KATZCPDA was substantially higher than those of previously developed network-based methods. To further demonstrate the effectiveness of KATZCPDA, we apply KATZCPDA to predict the associated circRNAs of Colorectal cancer, glioma, breast cancer, and Tuberculosis. The results illustrated that the predicted circRNA-disease associations could rank the top 10 of the experimentally verified associations.
Apparent Effects of Opioid Use on Neural Responses to Reward in Chronic Pain
Authors: Martucci Katherine T. , MacNiven Kelly H. , Borg Nicholas , Knutson Brian , Mackey Sean C.
Published: July 2019

Neural responses to incentives are altered in chronic pain and by opioid use. To understand how opioid use modulates the neural response to reward/value in chronic pain, we compared brain functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) responses to a monetary incentive delay (MID) task in patients with fibromyalgia taking opioids (N = 17), patients with fibromyalgia not taking opioids (N = 17), and healthy controls (N = 15). Both groups of patients with fibromyalgia taking and not taking opioids had similar levels of pain, psychological measures, and clinical symptoms. Neural responses in the nucleus accumbens to anticipated reward and non-loss outcomes did not differ from healthy controls in either fibromyalgia group. However, neural responses in the medial prefrontal cortex differed, such that patients with fibromyalgia not taking opioids demonstrated significantly altered responses to anticipated rewards and non-loss outcomes compared to healthy controls, but patients with fibromyalgia taking opioids did not. Despite limitations including the use of additional non-opioid medications by fibromyalgia patients taking opioids, these preliminary findings suggest relatively “normalized” neural responses to monetary incentives in chronic pain patients who take opioids versus those who do not.
Elevation of endocannabinoids in the brain by synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018: mechanism and effect on learning and memory
Authors: Li Ren-shi , Fukumori Ryo , Takeda Tomoki , Song Yingxia , Morimoto Satoshi , Kikura-Hanajiri Ruri , Yamaguchi Taku , Watanabe Kazuhito , Aritake Kousuke , Tanaka Yoshitaka , Yamada Hideyuki , Yamamoto Tsuneyuki , Ishii Yuji
Published: July 2019

The impairment of learning and memory is a well-documented effect of both natural and synthetic cannabinoids. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of acute administration of JWH-018, a synthetic cannabinoid, on the hippocampal metabolome to assess biochemical changesin vivo. JWH-018 elevated levels of the endocannabinoids, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). The increase of endocannabinoid levels in response to JWH-018 could be inhibited by co-administration of AM251, a CB1 receptor antagonist. Biochemical analyses revealed that this was the result of suppression of two hydrolases involved in endocannabinoid degradation (fatty acid amide hydrolase [FAAH] and monoacylglycerol lipase [MAGL]). Additionally, we showed that JWH-018 causes a reduction in the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is known to modulate synaptic plasticity and adaptive processes underlying learning and memory. The decrease of BDNF following JWH-018 treatment was also rescued by co-administration of AM251. As both endocannabinoids and BDNF have been shown to modulate learning and memory in the hippocampus, the alteration of their levels in response to JWH-018 may explain the contribution of synthetic cannabinoids to impairment of memory.
Elucidation of the more myopic eye in anisometropia: the interplay of laterality, ocular dominance, and anisometropic magnitude
Authors: Jiang Siyu , Chen Zheyi , Bi Hua , Xia Ruijing , Shen Ting , Zhou Ling , Jiang Jun , Zhang Bin , Lu Fan
Published: July 2019

This study reveals how, in a myopic anisometrope, the odds of an eye being more myopic are related to laterality, ocular dominance, and magnitude of anisometropia. In 193 subjects, objective refraction was performed with cycloplegia. Sighting, motor, and sensory dominance were determined with the hole-in-the-card test, convergence near-point test, continuous flashing technique, respectively. Multiple logistic regression was used for probability analysis. Seventy percent of the subjects had a right eye that was more myopic, while 30% of them had a more myopic left eye. When the right eye was the sensory dominant eye, the probability of the right eye being more myopic increased to 80% if the anisometropia was less than 3.0 D, and decreased below 70% if anisometropia was beyond 3.0 D. When the left eye was the sensory dominant eye, the probability of the left eye being more myopic increased to above 40% if the anisometropia was less than 4.0 D and decreased below 30% if the anisometropia was beyond 4.0 D. Therefore, between the two eyes of anisometropes, laterality tilts the chance of being more myopic to the right. Being the sensory dominant eye increases an eye’s probability of being more myopic by another 10% if the magnitude of anisometropia is moderate.
Coordinate regulation of the expression of SdsR toxin and its downstream pphA gene by RyeA antitoxin in Escherichia coli
Authors: Choi Jee Soo , Park Hongmarn , Kim Wonkyong , Lee Younghoon
Published: July 2019

In Escherichia coli, SdsR and RyeA, a unique pair of mutually cis-encoded small RNAs (sRNAs), act as toxin and antitoxin, respectively. SdsR and RyeA expression are reciprocally regulated; however, how each regulates the synthesis of the other remains unclear. Here, we characterized the biosynthesis of the two sRNAs during growth and investigated their coordinate regulation using sdsR and ryeA promoter mutant strains. We found that RyeA transcription occurred even upon entry of cells into the stationary phase, but its apparent expression was restricted to exponentially growing cells because of its degradation by SdsR. Likewise, the appearance of SdsR was delayed owing to its RyeA-mediated degradation. We also found that the sdsR promoter was primarily responsible for transcription of the downstream pphA gene encoding a phosphatase and that pphA mRNA was synthesized by transcriptional read-through over the sdsR terminator. Transcription from the σ70-dependent ryeA promoter inhibited transcription from the σS-dependent sdsR promoter through transcriptional interference. This transcriptional inhibition also downregulated pphA expression, but RyeA itself did not downregulate pphA expression.
Tunable vector-vortex beam optical parametric oscillator
Authors: Sharma Varun , Kumar S. Chaitanya , Aadhi A. , Ye H. , Samanta G. K. , Ebrahim-Zadeh M.
Published: July 2019

Vector-vortex beams, having both phase and polarization singularities, are of great interest for a variety of applications. Generally, such beams are produced through systematic control of phase and polarization of the laser beam, typically external to the source. However, efforts have been made to generate vector-vortex beams directly from the laser source. Given the operation of the laser at discrete wavelengths, vector-vortices are generated with limited or no wavelength tunability. Here, we report an experimental scheme for the direct generation of vector-vortex beams. Exploiting the orbital angular momentum conservation and the broad wavelength versatility of an optical parametric oscillator, we systematically control the polarization of the resonant beam using a pair of intracavity quarter-wave plates to generate coherent vector-vortex beam tunable across 964–990 nm, with output states represented on the higher-order Poincaré sphere. The generic experimental scheme paves the way for new sources of structured beams in any wavelength range across the optical spectrum and in all time-scales from continuous-wave to ultrafast regime.
Dysfunctional MDR-1 disrupts mitochondrial homeostasis in the oocyte and ovary
Authors: Clark Haley , Knapik Laura O. , Zhang Zijing , Wu Xiaotian , Naik Mandar T. , Oulhen Nathalie , Wessel Gary M. , Brayboy Lynae M.
Published: July 2019

Multidrug resistance transporters (MDRs) are best known for their pathological role in neoplastic evasion of chemotherapeutics and antibiotics. Here we show that MDR-1 is present in the oocyte mitochondrial membrane, and it protects the female gamete from oxidative stress. Female mdr1a mutant mice have no significant difference in ovarian follicular counts and stages, nor in reproductively functioning hormone levels, yet these mice are significantly more vulnerable to gonadotoxic chemotherapy, have chronically elevated reactive oxygen species in immature germinal vesicle oocytes, exhibit a significant over-accumulation of metabolites involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), and have abnormal mitochondrial membrane potential. The mdr1a mutant ovaries have a dramatically different transcriptomic profile with upregulation of genes involved in metabolism. Our findings indicate that functionality of MDR-1 reveals a critical intersection of metabolite regulation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction that has direct implications for human infertility, premature reproductive aging due to oxidative stress, and gonadoprotection.
Microscopic model for radiation-induced magnetoresistance oscillations excited by circularly polarized radiation
Authors: Iñarrea Jesús
Published: July 2019

We develop a microscopic model to explain the striking result of immunity to the sense of circularly polarized radiation of the photo-excited resistance oscillations in high-mobility 2D electron systems. Our model is based on the radiation-driven electron orbit model, previously developed to explain the photo-induced resistance oscillations and zero resistance states in these systems. According to it, the guiding center of the Landau states when irradiated by circularly polarized radiation performs a circular path driven by radiation. In principle, in an infinite sample, this path is different according to the the sense of circular polarization (left or right). However, the limited size of the sample with the essential role of the edges and the concurrent presence of the Hall electric field tend to quench the displacement of the driven guiding center making nearly equal both trajectories. In the end and in the presence of scattering, the longitudinal irradiated magnetoresistance turns out nearly the same irrespective of the sense of circular radiation.
Particle morphomics by high-throughput dynamic image analysis
Authors: Sun Youmin , Cai Zhengqing , Fu Jie
Published: July 2019

A novel omics-like method referred to as “particle morphomics” has been proposed in the present study. The dynamic images of >2,000,000 particles per sample in sediments, soils and dusts were collected by a Sympatec GmbH QICPIC particle size and shape analyzer, and the morphological descriptors of each particle including equivalent diameter, sphericity, aspect ratio and convexity were extracted as the “particle morphome”. Various multivariate analyses were adopted to process the high-throughput data of particle morphome including analyses of alpha and beta diversities, similarity, correlation, network, redundancy, discretion and principal coordinate. The outcome of particle morphomics could estimate the morphological diversity and sketch the profile of morphological structure, which aided to develop a morphological fingerprint for specific particle samples. The distribution and properties of particle assemblages of specific morphology could also be evaluated by selecting particles with respect to filter criteria. More importantly, the particle morphomics may be extended to investigate and explain the biogeochemical and environmental processes involved with particle morphology if linked with external variables.
Revising of the Purcell effect in periodic metal-dielectric structures: the role of absorption
Authors: Morozov Konstantin M. , Ivanov Konstantin A. , de Sa Pereira Daniel , Menelaou Christopher , Monkman Andrew P. , Pozina Galia , Kaliteevski Mikhail A.
Published: July 2019

Periodic metal-dielectric structures attract substantial interest since it was previously proposed that the spontaneous emission amplification rates (the Purcell factor) in such structures can reach enormous values up to 105. However, the role of absorption in real metals has not been thoroughly considered. We provide a theoretical analysis showing that absorption leads to diminishing values of Purcell factor. We also suggest that using emitting organic compounds such as CBP (4,4-Bis(N-carbazolyl)-1,1-biphenyl) can lead to a moderate increase of about an order of magnitude in the Purcell factor. Defining the experimentally measured Purcell factor as a ratio between the excited state lifetimes in bare CBP and in periodic structure, this increase in the fabricated periodic structure is demonstrated through a 4–8 times decrease in excited state radiative lifetime compared to a bare organic material in a wide emission spectrum.
Macrophages promote a profibrotic phenotype in orbital fibroblasts through increased hyaluronic acid production and cell contractility
Authors: Yang I-Hui , Rose Geoffrey E. , Ezra Daniel G. , Bailly Maryse
Published: July 2019

Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting the orbit. Orbital fibroblasts are a key component in GO pathogenesis, which includes inflammation, adipogenesis, hyaluronic acid (HA) secretion, and fibrosis. Macrophages are thought to participate in the immunological stage of GO, but whether they can directly affect the fibroblasts phenotype and modulate disease progression is unknown. We previously showed that GO adipogenic and fibrotic phenotypes could be modelled in a pseudo-physiological 3D environment in vitro. Here, we introduced macrophages in this 3D culture model to investigate role for macrophages in modulating adipogenesis, HA production, and contractility in orbital fibroblasts. Macrophages had a minimal effect on lipid droplet formation in fibroblasts, but significantly increased HA production and cell contractility, suggesting that they may promote the fibrotic phenotype. This effect was found to be mediated at least in part through phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K) activation and linked to an increase in actin polymerization and protrusive activity in fibroblasts. Overall our work shows for the first time a direct role for macrophages in modulating the fibroblasts’ phenotype in GO, supporting a role for macrophages in the progression of the fibrotic phenotype through induction of HA production and stimulation of the contractile phenotype in orbital fibroblasts.
Screening a library of approved drugs reveals that prednisolone synergizes with pitavastatin to induce ovarian cancer cell death
Authors: Abdullah Marwan Ibrahim , Abed Mohammed Najim , Khanim Farhat , Richardson Alan
Published: July 2019

The survival rate for patients with ovarian cancer has changed little in the past three decades since the introduction of platinum-based chemotherapy and new drugs are needed. Statins are drugs used for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Recent work from our laboratory has shown that pitavastatin has potential as a treatment for ovarian cancer if dietary geranylgeraniol is controlled. However, relatively high doses of statins are required to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, increasing the risk of myopathy, the most common adverse effect associated with statins. This makes it desirable to identify drugs which reduce the dose of pitavastatin necessary to treat cancer. A drug-repositioning strategy was employed to identify suitable candidates. Screening a custom library of 100 off-patent drugs for synergistic activity with pitavastatin identified prednisolone as the most prominent hit. Prednisolone potentiated the activity of pitavastatin in several assays measuring the growth, survival or apoptosis in several ovarian cancer cells lines. Prednisolone, alone or in some cases in combination with pitavastatin, reduced the expression of genes encoding enzymes in the mevalonate pathway, providing a mechanistic explanation for the synergy.
Abnormalities in hubs location and nodes centrality predict cognitive slowing and increased performance variability in first-episode schizophrenia patients
Authors: Krukow Paweł , Jonak Kamil , Karpiński Robert , Karakuła-Juchnowicz Hanna
Published: July 2019

Introducing the Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) algorithms to neural networks science eliminated the problem of arbitrary setting of the threshold for connectivity strength. Despite these advantages, MST has been rarely used to study network abnormalities in schizophrenia. An MST graph mapping a network structure is its simplification, therefore, it is important to verify whether the reconfigured network is significantly related to the behavioural dimensions of the clinical picture of schizophrenia. 35 first-episode schizophrenia patients and 35 matched healthy controls underwent an assessment of information processing speed, cognitive inter-trial variability modelled with ex-Gaussian distributional analysis of reaction times and resting-state EEG recordings to obtain frequency-specific functional connectivity matrices from which MST graphs were computed. The patients’ network had a more random structure and star-like arrangement with overloaded hubs positioned more posteriorly than it was in the case of the control group. Deficient processing speed in the group of patients was predicted by increased maximal betweenness centrality in beta and gamma bands, while decreased consistency in cognitive processing was predicted by the betweenness centrality of posterior nodes in the gamma band, together with duration of illness. The betweenness centrality of posterior nodes in the gamma band was also significantly correlated with positive psychotic symptoms in the clinical group.
Unraveling the effects of the gut microbiota composition and function on horse endurance physiology
Authors: Plancade Sandra , Clark Allison , Philippe Catherine , Helbling Jean-Christophe , Moisan Marie-Pierre , Esquerré Diane , Le Moyec Laurence , Robert Céline , Barrey Eric , Mach Núria
Published: July 2019

An integrated analysis of gut microbiota, blood biochemical and metabolome in 52 endurance horses was performed. Clustering by gut microbiota revealed the existence of two communities mainly driven by diet as host properties showed little effect. Community 1 presented lower richness and diversity, but higher dominance and rarity of species, including some pathobionts. Moreover, its microbiota composition was tightly linked to host blood metabolites related to lipid metabolism and glycolysis at basal time. Despite the lower fiber intake, community type 1 appeared more specialized to produce acetate as a mean of maintaining the energy supply as glucose concentrations fell during the race. On the other hand, community type 2 showed an enrichment of fibrolytic and cellulolytic bacteria as well as anaerobic fungi, coupled to a higher production of propionate and butyrate. The higher butyrate proportion in community 2 was not associated with protective effects on telomere lengths but could have ameliorated mucosal inflammation and oxidative status. The gut microbiota was neither associated with the blood biochemical markers nor metabolome during the endurance race, and did not provide a biomarker for race ranking or risk of failure to finish the race.
On the Triggering Mechanisms of Upward Lightning
Authors: Schumann Carina , Saba Marcelo M. F. , Warner Tom A. , Ferro Marco A. S. , Helsdon John H. , Thomas Ron , Orville Richard E.
Published: July 2019

Upward lightning studies took place in Rapid City, South Dakota, USA and S. Paulo, Brazil during the summer thunderstorm seasons from 2011 to 2016. One of the main objectives of these campaigns was to evaluate and characterize the triggering of upward positive leaders from tall objects due to preceding nearby flash activity. 110 upward flashes were observed with a combination of high- and standard-speed video and digital still cameras, electric field meters, fast electric-field antenna systems, and for two seasons, a Lightning Mapping Array. These data were analyzed, along with correlated lightning location system data, to determine the triggering flash type responsible for the initiation of upward leaders from towers. In this paper, we describe the various processes during flash activity that can trigger upward leaders from tall objects in the USA and in Brazil. We conclude that the most effective triggering component is the propagation of the in-cloud negative leader during the continuing current that follows a positive return stroke.
Cryo EM structure of the rabies virus ribonucleoprotein complex
Authors: Riedel Christiane , Vasishtan Daven , Pražák Vojtěch , Ghanem Alexander , Conzelmann Karl-Klaus , Rümenapf Till
Published: July 2019

Rabies virus is an important zoonotic pathogen. Its bullet shaped particle contains a helical nucleocapsid. We used cryo-electron tomography and subsequent subtomogram averaging to determine the structure of its ribonucleoprotein. The resulting electron density map allowed for confident fitting of the N-protein crystal structure, indicating that interactions between neighbouring N-proteins are only mediated by N- and C-terminal protruding subdomains (aa 1–27 and aa 355–372). Additional connecting densities, likely stabilizing the ribonucleoprotein complex, are present between neighbouring M-protein densities on the same helical turn and between M- and N-protein densities located on neighbouring helical turns, but not between M-proteins of different turns, as is observed for the related Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). This insight into the architecture of the rabies virus nucleocapsid highlights the surprising structural divergence of large biological assemblies even if the building blocks – here exemplified by VSV M- and N-protein – are structurally closely related.
Species-Specific Biodegradation of Sporopollenin-Based Microcapsules
Authors: Fan Teng-Fei , Potroz Michael G. , Tan Ee-Lin , Ibrahim Mohammed Shahrudin , Miyako Eijiro , Cho Nam-Joon
Published: July 2019

Sporoderms, the outer layers of plant spores and pollen grains, are some of the most robust biomaterials in nature. In order to evaluate the potential of sporoderms in biomedical applications, we studied the biodegradation in simulated gastrointestinal fluid of sporoderm microcapsules (SDMCs) derived from four different plant species: lycopodium (Lycopodium clavatum L.), camellia (Camellia sinensis L.), cattail (Typha angustifolia L.), and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale L.). Dynamic image particle analysis (DIPA) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) were used to investigate the morphological characteristics of the capsules, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to evaluate their chemical properties. We found that SDMCs undergo bulk degradation in a species-dependent manner, with camellia SDMCs undergoing the most extensive degradation, and dandelion and lycopodium SDMCs being the most robust.
Deep learning-based selection of human sperm with high DNA integrity
Authors: McCallum Christopher , Riordon Jason , Wang Yihe , Kong Tian , You Jae Bem , Sanner Scott , Lagunov Alexander , Hannam Thomas G. , Jarvi Keith , Sinton David
Published: July 2019

Despite the importance of sperm DNA to human reproduction, currently no method exists to assess individual sperm DNA quality prior to clinical selection. Traditionally, skilled clinicians select sperm based on a variety of morphological and motility criteria, but without direct knowledge of their DNA cargo. Here, we show how a deep convolutional neural network can be trained on a collection of ~1000 sperm cells of known DNA quality, to predict DNA quality from brightfield images alone. Our results demonstrate moderate correlation (bivariate correlation ~0.43) between a sperm cell image and DNA quality and the ability to identify higher DNA integrity cells relative to the median. This deep learning selection process is directly compatible with current, manual microscopy-based sperm selection and could assist clinicians, by providing rapid DNA quality predictions (under 10 ms per cell) and sperm selection within the 86th percentile from a given sample.
Alcohol sedation in adult Drosophila is regulated by Cysteine proteinase-1 in cortex glia
Authors: Lee Kristen M. , Mathies Laura D. , Grotewiel Mike
Published: July 2019

Although numerous studies have demonstrated that neuronal mechanisms regulate alcohol-related behaviors, very few have investigated the direct role of glia in behavioral responses to alcohol. The results described here begin to fill this gap in the alcohol behavior and gliobiology fields. Since Drosophila exhibit conserved behavioral responses to alcohol and their CNS glia are similar to mammalian CNS glia, we used Drosophila to begin exploring the role of glia in alcohol behavior. We found that knockdown of Cysteine proteinase-1 (Cp1) in glia increased Drosophila alcohol sedation and that this effect was specific to cortex glia and adulthood. These data implicate Cp1 and cortex glia in alcohol-related behaviors. Cortex glia are functionally homologous to mammalian astrocytes and Cp1 is orthologous to mammalian Cathepsin L. Our studies raise the possibility that cathepsins may influence behavioral responses to alcohol in mammals via roles in astrocytes.
Recent advances in Fe-catalyzed C–H aminations using azides as nitrene precursors
Authors: Plietker Bernd , Röske Annika
Published: July 2019

The intramolecular Fe-catalyzed amination of C–H bonds using azides as nitrene precursors represents an elegant approach toward N-heterocycles. This review summarizes the most recent achievements while focussing on fundamental mechanistic aspects.
Enhancing the capacitive deionization performance of NaMnO2 by interface engineering and redox-reaction
Authors: Wang Shiyong , Wang Gang , Che Xiaoping , Wang Shuaifeng , Li Chengxu , Li Duanzheng , Zhang Yunqi , Dong Qiang , Qiu Jieshan
Published: July 2019

Two layered NaMnO2 nanomaterials with expanded interlayer spacing were evaluated as HCDI redox-active intercalation electrodes and showed high CDI performance.
Customization of the molecular structure to modulate the crystal packing style of energetic materials
Authors: Huang Qi , Guo Zhicheng , Liao Longyu , Hao Shilong , Nie Fude , Li Hongzhen
Published: July 2019

The crystal packing style and corresponding impact sensitivity of the dinitro-pyrazine ring have been modulated by customizing the molecular structure.
A positron-emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) platform to track in vivo small extracellular vesicles
Authors: Banerjee Arnab , Alves Vitor , Rondão Tiago , Sereno José , Neves Ângela , Lino Miguel , Ribeiro Andreia , Abrunhosa Antero J. , Ferreira Lino S.
Published: July 2019

A new radiolabeling strategy which did not change the morphology, surface receptor proteins and internal RNA content of SEVs used for PET/MRI imaging and detection of their location in brain.
Influenza mimetic protein–polymer nanoparticles as antigen delivery vehicles to dendritic cells for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Lee Chaeyeon , Jose Leeja , Shim KyuHwan , An Seong Soo A. , Jang Sunah , Song Jae Kwang , Jin Jun-O , Paik Hyun-jong
Published: July 2019

We introduce virus-mimetic polymer nanoparticles as tumor antigen delivery vehicles to induce adjuvant-free cancer Ag specific-immune responses.
A novel synthetic method for tubular nanofibers
Authors: Wang Jiqi , Yang Zuoting , Ahmad Mudasir , Zhang Hepeng , Zhang Qiuyu , Zhang Baoliang
Published: July 2019

A one-pot method with a new dual oil phase system has been developed for the fabrication of tubular polymer nanofibers.
Reactivity difference in the oxidative nucleophilic reaction of peroxonickel(iii) intermediates with open-chain and macrocyclic systems
Authors: Yun Seonggeun , Kwon Nam , Kim Seonghan , Jeong Donghyun , Ohta Takehiro , Cho Jaeheung
Published: July 2019

The open-chain peroxonickel(iii) intermediate is much more reactive than the macrocyclic analogue in aldehyde deformylation.
Asymmetric diastereodivergent Michael addition of 2-chloromalonate esters to conjugated imines enabled by catalyst metal change
Authors: Espinosa Miguel , Blay Gonzalo , Cardona Luz , Merino Pedro , Pedro José R.
Published: July 2019

A change of the metal ion in pyBOX complex catalysts enables the asymetric diastereodivergent conjugate addition of 2-chloromalonate esters to β,γ-unsaturated α-ketiminoesters.
Constructing “breathing” dynamic skeletons with extra π-conjugated adsorption sites for iodine capture
Authors: Xia Lixin , Yang Dongqi , Zhang Hongcui , Zhang Qian , Bu Naishun , Song Peng , Yan Zhuojun , Yuan Ye
Published: July 2019

A series of soft porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs) with additional π-conjugated fragments provides sufficient space for the binding sites which serve as physicochemical stable mediums for radioiodine.
QM/MM studies on luminescence mechanism of dinuclear copper iodide complexes with thermally activated delayed fluorescence
Authors: Wang Qian , Gao Yuan-Jun , Zhang Ting-Ting , Han Juan , Cui Ganglong
Published: July 2019

The reasonable working mechanisms about thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) of two dinuclear copper iodide complexes are researched by QM/MM method.
Methanol promoted naphtha catalytic pyrolysis to light olefins on Zn-modified high-silicon HZSM-5 zeolite catalysts
Authors: Cheng Qi-tong , Shen Ben-xian , Sun Hui , Zhao Ji-gang , Liu Ji-chang
Published: July 2019

Exploring the relationship between the properties and catalytic reactivity of the Zn-modified high-silicon ZSM-5 in the methanol/naphtha coupling reaction and achieving the efficient utilization of naphtha.
Study on the thermal stress evolution in large scale KDP crystals during the crystal extraction process
Authors: Huang Pingping , Wang Shenglai , Ding Jianxu , Wang Duanliang , Wang Bo , Liu Hui , Xu Longyun , Zhang Liyuan , Li Xianglin , Liu Yining
Published: July 2019

The thermal stress evolution in large-scale KDP crystals during the extraction process has been simulated by the finite element method.
Stable P3HT: amorphous non-fullerene solar cells with a high open-circuit voltage of 1 V and efficiency of 4%
Authors: Lee HyunKyung , Oh Sora , Song Chang Eun , Lee Hang Ken , Lee Sang Kyu , Shin Won Suk , So Won-Wook , Moon Sang-Jin , Lee Jong-Cheol
Published: July 2019

A 3D-shaped SF-HR was designed and synthesized for use in non-fullerene organic solar cells. Owing to the aligned energy levels, the P3HT:SF-HR system exhibited a high efficiency of 4.01% with good thermal stability and photostability.
Expanding the limits of amide–triazole isosteric substitution in bisamide-based physical gels
Authors: Tautz Markus , Torras Juan , Grijalvo Santiago , Eritja Ramón , Saldías César , Alemán Carlos , Díaz David Díaz
Published: July 2019

Dual amide–triazole isosteric substitution in a bis-amide gelator allows fine-tuning of the properties of the corresponding supramolecular gels.
The CuFe2O4@SiO2@ZrO2/SO42−/Cu nanoparticles: an efficient magnetically recyclable multifunctional Lewis/Brønsted acid nanocatalyst for the ligand- and Pd-free Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction in water
Authors: Nasseri Mohammad Ali , Alavi Seyyedeh Ameneh , Kazemnejadi Milad , Allahresani Ali
Published: July 2019

A mild and green protocol was developed by immobilizing copper-incorporated sulfated zirconium oxide on CuFe2O4 as an efficient inorgano-nanocatalyst for the Sonogashira reaction.
A new insight into the adsorption–dissolution growth mechanism of zinc oxide hollow hexagonal nanotowers
Authors: Chaudhari Rahul , Landge Deepa , Bhongale Chetan J.
Published: July 2019

Hexagonal nanotowers (HNTs) of ZnO were formed by nanoparticle aggregation and coalescence during hydrothermal reaction, which at elevated reaction temperature through an adsorption–dissolution growth mechanism gave rise to hollow structures.
Exploring the pharmacological effects and potential targets of paeoniflorin on the endometriosis of cold coagulation and blood stasis model rats by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with a pattern recognition approach
Authors: Wu Xiu-hong , Sun Xiao-lan , Zhao Chuang , Zhang Jin-qi , Wang Xu , Zhang Ai-hua , Wang Xi-jun
Published: July 2019

This study was employed to explore the potential biomarkers of endometriosis of cold coagulation and blood stasis (ECB) model rats and the effective mechanism of action of paeoniflorin (PF).
A sterically hindered asymmetric D–A–D′ thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitter for highly efficient non-doped organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Yang Zhan , Mao Zhu , Xu Chao , Chen Xiaojie , Zhao Juan , Yang Zhiyong , Zhang Yi , Wu William , Jiao Shibo , Liu Yang , Aldred Matthew P. , Chi Zhenguo
Published: July 2019

An ortho-substituent design strategy promoting steric hindrance has afforded excellent AIE-TADF emitters, and high-efficiency TADF-OLEDs have been subsequently demonstrated.
Three-component vicinal-diarylation of alkenes via direct transmetalation of arylboronic acids
Authors: Zhang Yun , Chen Gong , Zhao Dongbing
Published: July 2019

Transmetalation-initiated three-component vicinal-diarylation of alkenes.
Using chirality to influence supramolecular gelation
Authors: McAulay Kate , Dietrich Bart , Su Hao , Scott Michael T. , Rogers Sarah , Al-Hilaly Youssra K. , Cui Honggang , Serpell Louise C. , Seddon Annela M. , Draper Emily R. , Adams Dave J.
Published: July 2019

Different self-assembled structures can be formed by varying the chirality of a functionalised dipeptide allowing gels with different properties to be prepared.
Spin-crossover modulation via single-crystal to single-crystal photochemical [2 + 2] reaction in Hofmann-type frameworks
Authors: Wang Long-Fei , Zhuang Wei-Man , Huang Guo-Zhang , Chen Yan-Cong , Qiu Jiang-Zhen , Ni Zhao-Ping , Tong Ming-Liang
Published: July 2019

Spin-crossover (SCO) system integrated with photochemical [2 + 2] reaction is firstly reported. The dimerization of azastilbene ligands dramatically modulated SCO properties, providing a new strategy for exploiting photo-responsive SCO materials.
Vibronic structure of photosynthetic pigments probed by polarized two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy andab initiocalculations
Authors: Song Yin , Schubert Alexander , Maret Elizabeth , Burdick Ryan K. , Dunietz Barry D. , Geva Eitan , Ogilvie Jennifer P.
Published: July 2019

Using polarized 2D spectroscopy and state-of-the-art TDDFT calculations to uncover the vibronic structure of primary photosynthetic pigments and its effect on ultrafast photoexcited dynamics.
High density assembly of energetic molecules under the constraint of defected 2D materials
Authors: Yan Qi-Long , Yang Zhijian , Zhang Xue-Xue , Lyu Jie-Yao , He Wei , Huang Shi , Liu Pei-Jin , Zhang Chaoyang , Zhang Qing-Hua , He Guo-Qiang , Nie Fu-De
Published: July 2019

High energy density is always a key goal in the development of energy storage or energetic materials (EMs). The EM molecules under constrain of 2D materials may be assembled with higher density.
Reprocessable and degradable thermoset with high Tg cross-linked via Si–O–Ph bonds
Authors: Gao Sheng , Liu Ying , Feng Shengyu , Lu Zaijun
Published: July 2019

A reprocessable and chemically degradable thermoset with high Tg was synthesized via the incorporation of dynamic Si–O–Ph bonds.
Nitrogen-doped tubular carbon foam electrodes for efficient electroreduction of CO2 to syngas with potential-independent CO/H2 ratios
Authors: Li Hongqiang , Xiao Nan , Wang Yuwei , Li Chen , Ye Xuan , Guo Zhen , Pan Xin , Liu Chang , Bai Jinpeng , Xiao Jian , Zhang Xiaoyu , Zhao Shijia , Qiu Jieshan
Published: July 2019

A series of N-doped carbon foam tubular electrodes are proposed as both gas diffusers and self-supported electrocatalysts for stable production of tunable syngas (CO/H2 ratio, 1 : 3 to 2 : 1) in a wide potential range (−0.5 V to −1.3 V vs. RHE).
Ce-doped CoS2pyrite with weakened O2adsorption suppresses catalyst leaching and stabilizes electrocatalytic H2evolution
Authors: Li Jiayuan , Xia Zhaoming , Zhang Mingkai , Zhang Sai , Li Jing , Ma Yuanyuan , Qu Yongquan
Published: July 2019

Ce-doped CoS2electrocatalysts effectively stabilized the superior HER activity of pyrites by weakening the interfacial O2adsorption and reinforces the crystal texture, which improves the electrochemical/chemical stability of CoS2due to the suppressed oxidation- and corrosion-induced leaching of catalysts.