bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The dynamics of prey selection by the trap-building predatorGasteracantha hasselti
Authors: Michalko Radek , Košulič Ondřej , Saksongmuang Venus , Wongprom Prasit , Siripaiboon Prapinya , Trisurat Yongyut
Published: March 2020

Prey selection by generalist predators can be highly dynamic depending on the prey community structure. However, the dynamics of prey selection at the stage of prey entrapping are rarely investigated in trap-building predators, probably because their traps have been previously considered to intercept mobile prey proportionally to its availability in environment. Here we investigated the dynamics of prey selection by the orb-weaving spiderGasteracantha hasselti(Araneidae) depending on the composition of the available prey in tropical lowland forests located in north-eastern Thailand. We found thatGasteracanthacaptured a wide variety of prey but selected, on average, mostly Coleoptera and Diptera. The selectivity ofGasteracantha’s webs for Coleoptera was constant across the changes in overall prey availability and prey composition. The web selectivity for Hemiptera decreased rapidly with increasing relative densities of Hemiptera in the environment. The selectivity for Diptera and Hymenoptera increased and decreased, respectively, with their absolute densities in the environment. The relative selectivity ofGasteracantha’s traps for a particular prey type was driven by the presence and density of the highly selected prey rather than overall prey density. The results show that the selectivity ofGasteracantha’s traps for prey had both fixed and dynamic components and the dynamic component was determined by the relative as well as absolute densities of the particular prey types in the environment.
Reagan’s Southern Comfort: The “Boll Weevil” Democrats in the “Reagan Revolution” of 1981
Authors: BARTHO JONATHAN
Published: March 2020

In 1981, around fifty conservative southern Democrats in the House of Representatives, the so-called Boll Weevils, played a crucial role in the enactment of President Ronald Reagan’s economic agenda. The significance of this episode has thus far been underappreciated. This article illustrates the importance of the Boll Weevils’ support to the early success of Reagan’s presidency, as well its implications for both the South’s political landscape and for the national Republican Party.

Though short-lived, this coalition would prove to be a significant rupture in the Democratic Party’s superiority in the South at the congressional level and highlighted the partisan fragmentation the region was undergoing. As this article will demonstrate, the events of 1981 returned southern conservatism to the center of power in Washington for the first time in over a decade and acted as a catalyst for a number of southern Democratic congressmen to move toward the GOP.
Capacities for the Development of Creative Capital in Lithuanian Counties
Authors: Szara Katarzyna , Ślusarczyk Bogusław
Published: March 2020

The concept of a creative class was introduced by Richard Florida in 2002 in his book The Rise of the Creative Class. The creative class consists of people involved in occupations recognised as inventive. This study is designed to identify capacities for the development of creative capital in the counties of Lithuania. Florida’s methodology for his creative model refers to the three powers of talent, technology and tolerance, which are determinants of development. The present assessment is based on generally available data acquired from the Statistical Yearbook of Lithuania. It takes into account information related to all the counties of the Republic of Lithuania. The accumulated data described are, at a relative level, the areas of talent, tolerance, technology and cultural amenities.
Directed technological change, energy and more: a modern story
Authors: Hou Zheng , Roseta-Palma Catarina , Ramalho Joaquim J.S.
Published: March 2020

Reliance of modern economic activities on the use of energy, most of which still comes from non-renewable sources, provokes concerns regarding the most efficient utilization of energy inputs in production. While most theory expects directed technological change to be biased towards the non-renewable input, there is rare macro-level evidence that technological change is actually biased towards energy rather than other main inputs. To fill this gap, we apply stochastic frontier analysis to country data regarding output produced with capital, labor and energy, and estimate a set of indicators for technological change. Findings show that technological change is biased the most towards energy in general. In particular, although different groups of countries exhibit various patterns, there is strong evidence that technological change favors energy more than labor. This is in line with the theoretical expectation that technological change ought to be biased towards the non-renewable input rather than the renewable ones.
Dignity-conserving care for persons with palliative care needs — identifying outcomes studied in research: An integrative review
Authors: Söderman Annika , Östlund Ulrika , Werkander Harstäde Carina , Blomberg Karin
Published: March 2020

Objectives

With people living longer, palliative care may be required for lengthier periods of time. This puts demands on healthcare organizations to provide optimal palliative care. Maintaining dignity is central for any person's health and quality of life, but especially for a person with palliative care needs. Dignity-conserving care needs to be evaluated to increase knowledge about outcomes and how to assess these. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify outcomes studied within dignity-conserving care and how these have been operationalized.

Methods

An integrative review was conducted in 26 quantitative or mixed-method studies and study protocols. Thematic synthesis with an abductive approach was used for analysis.

Results

Seven themes of studied outcomes were identified, as well as four cluster themes: themes related to Illness-Related Concerns, themes related to the Dignity-Conserving Repertoire, themes related to the Social Dignity Inventory, and themes regarding Overarching Dignity Issues. Most outcomes studied dealt with Illness-Related Concerns within the themes of “Performance, symptoms and emotional concerns” and “End-of-life and existential aspects”. Themes linked to the Social Dignity Inventory had the lowest number of outcomes studied. Outcomes regarding overarching dignity issues such as “Dignity-related distress” and “Quality of life” were common. However, the results lacked concrete communication outcomes.

Significance of results

The results will underpin future research in which dignity-conserving care is implemented and evaluated, and contribute to the provision of evidence-based palliative care. A greater focus on outcomes within cluster themes related to the Dignity-Conserving Repertoire and the Social Dignity Inventory is needed, as is more focus on communication outcomes.
Submesoscale Fronts in the Antarctic Marginal Ice Zone and Their Response to Wind Forcing
Authors: Swart Sebastiaan , du Plessis Marcel D. , Thompson Andrew F. , Biddle Louise C. , Giddy Isabelle , Linders Torsten , Mohrmann Martin , Nicholson Sarah‐Anne
Published: March 2020

Submesoscale flows in the ocean are energetic motions, O(1–10 km), that influence stratification and the distributions of properties, such as heat and carbon. They are believed to play an important role in sea‐ice‐impacted oceans by modulating air‐sea‐ice fluxes and sea‐ice extent. The intensity of these flows and their response to wind forcing are unobserved in the sea‐ice regions of the Southern Ocean. We present the first submesoscale‐resolving observations in the Antarctic marginal ice zone (MIZ) collected by surface and underwater autonomous vehicles, for >3 months in austral summer. We observe salinity‐dominated lateral density fronts occurring at sub‐kilometer scales. Surface winds are shown to modify the magnitude of the mixed‐layer density fronts, revealing strongly coupled atmosphere‐ocean processes. We posture that these wind‐front interactions occur as a continuous interplay between front slumping and vertical mixing, which leads to the dispersion of submesoscale fronts. Such processes are expected to be ubiquitous in the Southern Ocean MIZ.
Warning Time Analysis From SEP Simulations of a Two‐Tier REleASE System Applied to Mars Exploration
Authors: Posner A. , Strauss R.D.
Published: March 2020

The sudden exposure to energetic protons from solar energetic particle (SEP) events beyond the Earth's magnetosphere and en route to and from Mars can, in extreme cases, lead to acute radiation sickness, an impairing, mission‐endangering condition for astronauts. Timely warnings of their impending occurrence may significantly reduce radiation exposure by allowing astronauts sufficient time to move to a radiation shelter. The Relativistic Electron Alert System for Exploration (REleASE) has been developed to provide such early warnings for the Earth‐Moon system by exploiting the time difference of the arrival of SEP electrons and ions at 1 AU. This study explores the effectiveness of REleASE in a scenario that assumes a two‐element system, one placed at Earth‐Sun L1 and the other at Mars‐Sun L1. This system would exploit the Hohmann‐Parker effect, the circumstance that a spacecraft remains close to the heliospheric magnetic field lines that connect Earth and/or Mars with the Sun while in the Hohmann transfer orbit. We investigate whether the two‐element REleASE system would provide advance warnings for all phases of a mission to and from Mars. In the absence of adequate long‐term SEP measurements beyond Earth orbit, we employ 2‐D modeling of SEP injection and transport for SEP exposure scenarios, in which the best magnetic connections and thus most rapid flux increases of protons occur at exploration vehicle. We show the relative timing of alert occurrence and arrival of harmful ions at the spacecraft throughout a round‐trip human mission to Mars.
Comments on “A Modified Particle Filter‐Based Data Assimilation Method for a High‐Precision 2‐D Hydrodynamic Model Considering Spatial‐Temporal Variability of Roughness: Simulation of Dam‐Break Flood Inundation” by Cao et al.
Authors: Qin Jie , Wu Teng
Published: March 2020

Cao et al. (2019, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018WR023568) proposed a modified particle filter‐based data assimilation method with a local weighting procedure (MPFDA‐LW) for a two‐dimensional hydrodynamic model (HydroM2D) in dam‐break flood simulation. The MPFDA‐LW method intends to take into account the spatial‐temporal variability of the Manning coefficient to improve the performances of the HydroM2D model. Although Cao et al. (2019, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018WR023568) correctly pointed out that the Manning coefficient may spatially and temporally vary during a flooding process, the approach they handled this issue was inappropriate because they arbitrarily adjusted model parameters without considering the physical mechanism behind them. In addition, contrary to what the authors claimed, the proposed MPFDA‐LW method can barely improve the prediction of flooding processes, because changing the Manning coefficient at several computational grid cells has little influence on the overall flooding processes.
The 3‐D Facies and Geomechanical Modeling of Land Subsidence in the Chaobai Plain, Beijing
Authors: Zhu Lin , Franceschini Andrea , Gong Huili , Ferronato Massimiliano , Dai Zhenxue , Ke Yinghai , Pan Yun , Li Xiaojuan , Wang Rong , Teatini Pietro
Published: March 2020

The hydrogeologic systems of alluvial fan are characterized by a heterogeneous distribution of various lithological units/facies. The structure (integral scale and volumetric proportion) of the hydrofacies distribution and the values of the hydrogeomechanical parameters of each facies can play a major role on the system response to groundwater withdrawal in term of land subsidence. We propose a novel approach where stochastically simulated hydrofacies distributions are coupled with 3‐D finite element groundwater flow and geomechanical simulations to characterize land subsidence and horizontal movements due to groundwater withdrawal under a statistical framework. The integrated approach is applied on the Chaobai alluvial plain, China, an area of about 1,100 km2 where the main wellfields supplying water to Beijing are located. Groundwater pumping from the 1960s to now caused a land subsidence larger than 1 m and the present subsidence rate peaks to 70 mm/year. A Monte Carlo simulation with 100 hydrofacies generations is used. The model outcomes highlight how the heterogeneous structure of the hydrofacies fan reflects into the computed displacement fields. The standard deviation associated to the mean displacement field amounts up to 1/10 of the displacement components. The larger coefficient of variation (CV up to 0.5) is associated to the zone characterized by longer integral scale and with localized groundwater withdrawals. The computed variability of the subsidence rate, in the range of 1 to 3 mm/year, reflecting the intrinsic heterogeneous nature of an alluvial fan, corresponds to the short‐distance variability of land subsidence measured by persistent scatterer interferometry.
Lipogenic signalling modulates prostate cancer cell adhesion and migration via modification of Rho GTPases
Authors: De Piano Mario , Manuelli Valeria , Zadra Giorgia , Otte Jonathan , Edqvist Per-Henrik D. , Pontén Fredrik , Nowinski Salpie , Niaouris Athanasios , Grigoriadis Anita , Loda Massimo , Van Hemelrijck Mieke , Wells Claire M.
Published: March 2020

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is commonly overexpressed in prostate cancer and associated with tumour progression. FASN is responsible for de novo synthesis of the fatty acid palmitate; the building block for protein palmitoylation. Recent work has suggested that alongside its established role in promoting cell proliferation FASN may also promote invasion. We now find depletion of FASN expression increases prostate cancer cell adhesiveness, impairs HGF-mediated cell migration and reduces 3D invasion. These changes in motility suggest that FASN can mediate actin cytoskeletal remodelling; a process known to be downstream of Rho family GTPases. Here, we demonstrate that modulation of FASN expression specifically impacts on the palmitoylation of the atypical GTPase RhoU. Impaired RhoU activity in FASN depleted cells leads to reduced adhesion turnover downstream of paxillin serine phosphorylation, which is rescued by addition of exogenous palmitate. Moreover, canonical Cdc42 expression is dependent on the palmitoylation status of RhoU. Thus we uncover a novel relationship between FASN, RhoU and Cdc42 that directly influences cell migration potential. These results provide compelling evidence that FASN activity directly promotes cell migration and supports FASN as a potential therapeutic target in metastatic prostate cancer.
ZBP1 (DAI/DLM-1) promotes osteogenic differentiation while inhibiting adipogenic differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells through a positive feedback loop of Wnt/β-catenin signaling
Authors: Zhao Xuefeng , Xie Liang , Wang Zhiyong , Wang Jiongke , Xu Hao , Han Xianglong , Bai Ding , Deng Peng
Published: March 2020

The lineage specification of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) is tightly regulated by a wide range of factors. Recently, the versatile functions of ZBP1 (also known as DAI or DLM-1) have been reported in the blood circulation and immune systems. However, the biological function of ZBP1 during the lineage specification of MSCs is still unknown. In the present study, we found that ZBP1 was upregulated during osteogenesis but downregulated during adipogenesis in mouse bone marrow-derived MSCs (mBMSCs). ZBP1 was highly expressed in osteoblasts but expressed at a relatively low level in marrow adipocytes. Knockdown of ZBP1 inhibited alkaline phosphataseactivity, extracellular matrix mineralization, and osteogenesis-related gene expression in vitro and reduced ectopic bone formation in vivo. Knockdown of ZBP1 also promoted adipogenesis in MSCs in vitro. Conversely, the overexpression of ZBP1 increased the osteogenesis but suppressed the adipogenesis of MSCs. When the expression of ZBP1 was rescued, the osteogenic capacity of ZBP1-depleted mBMSCs was restored at both the molecular and phenotypic levels. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ZBP1, a newly identified target of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, was required for β-catenin translocation into nuclei. Collectively, our results indicate that ZBP1 is a novel regulator of bone and fat transdifferentiation via Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
Big data in digital healthcare: lessons learnt and recommendations for general practice
Authors: Agrawal Raag , Prabakaran Sudhakaran
Published: March 2020

Big Data will be an integral part of the next generation of technological developments—allowing us to gain new insights from the vast quantities of data being produced by modern life. There is significant potential for the application of Big Data to healthcare, but there are still some impediments to overcome, such as fragmentation, high costs, and questions around data ownership. Envisioning a future role for Big Data within the digital healthcare context means balancing the benefits of improving patient outcomes with the potential pitfalls of increasing physician burnout due to poor implementation leading to added complexity. Oncology, the field where Big Data collection and utilization got a heard start with programs like TCGA and the Cancer Moon Shot, provides an instructive example as we see different perspectives provided by the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK) and other nations in the implementation of Big Data in patient care with regards to their centralization and regulatory approach to data. By drawing upon global approaches, we propose recommendations for guidelines and regulations of data use in healthcare centering on the creation of a unique global patient ID that can integrate data from a variety of healthcare providers. In addition, we expand upon the topic by discussing potential pitfalls to Big Data such as the lack of diversity in Big Data research, and the security and transparency risks posed by machine learning algorithms.
Vascular progenitors generated from tankyrase inhibitor-regulated naïve diabetic human iPSC potentiate efficient revascularization of ischemic retina
Authors: Park Tea Soon , Zimmerlin Ludovic , Evans-Moses Rebecca , Thomas Justin , Huo Jeffrey S. , Kanherkar Riya , He Alice , Ruzgar Nensi , Grebe Rhonda , Bhutto Imran , Barbato Michael , Koldobskiy Michael A. , Lutty Gerard , Zambidis Elias T.
Published: March 2020

Here, we report that the functionality of vascular progenitors (VP) generated from normal and disease-primed conventional human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) can be significantly improved by reversion to a tankyrase inhibitor-regulated human naïve epiblast-like pluripotent state. Naïve diabetic vascular progenitors (N-DVP) differentiated from patient-specific naïve diabetic hiPSC (N-DhiPSC) possessed higher vascular functionality, maintained greater genomic stability, harbored decreased lineage-primed gene expression, and were more efficient in migrating to and re-vascularizing the deep neural layers of the ischemic retina than isogenic diabetic vascular progenitors (DVP). These findings suggest that reprogramming to a stable naïve human pluripotent stem cell state may effectively erase dysfunctional epigenetic donor cell memory or disease-associated aberrations in patient-specific hiPSC. More broadly, tankyrase inhibitor-regulated naïve hiPSC (N-hiPSC) represent a class of human stem cells with high epigenetic plasticity, improved multi-lineage functionality, and potentially high impact for regenerative medicine.
Primary tumors release ITGBL1-rich extracellular vesicles to promote distal metastatic tumor growth through fibroblast-niche formation
Authors: Ji Qing , Zhou Lihong , Sui Hua , Yang Liu , Wu Xinnan , Song Qing , Jia Ru , Li Ruixiao , Sun Jian , Wang Ziyuan , Liu Ningning , Feng Yuanyuan , Sun Xiaoting , Cai Gang , Feng Yu , Cai Jianfeng , Cao Yihai , Cai Guoxiang , Wang Yan , Li Qi
Published: March 2020

Tumor metastasis is a hallmark of cancer. Metastatic cancer cells often reside in distal tissues and organs in their dormant state. Mechanisms underlying the pre-metastatic niche formation are poorly understood. Here we show that in a colorectal cancer (CRC) model, primary tumors release integrin beta-like 1 (ITGBL1)-rich extracellular vesicles (EVs) to the circulation to activate resident fibroblasts in remote organs. The activated fibroblasts induce the pre-metastatic niche formation and promote metastatic cancer growth by secreting pro-inflammatory cytokine, such as IL-6 and IL-8. Mechanistically, the primary CRC-derived ITGBL1-enriched EVs stimulate the TNFAIP3-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway to activate fibroblasts. Consequently, the activated fibroblasts produce high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines to promote metastatic cancer growth. These findings uncover a tumor–stromal interaction in the metastatic tumor microenvironment and an intimate signaling communication between primary tumors and metastases through the ITGBL1-loaded EVs. Targeting the EVs-ITGBL1-CAFs-TNFAIP3-NF-κB signaling axis provides an attractive approach for treating metastatic diseases.
Identification of novel breast cancer susceptibility loci in meta-analyses conducted among Asian and European descendants
Authors: Shu Xiang , Long Jirong , Cai Qiuyin , Kweon Sun-Seog , Choi Ji-Yeob , Kubo Michiaki , Park Sue K. , Bolla Manjeet K. , Dennis Joe , Wang Qin , Yang Yaohua , Shi Jiajun , Guo Xingyi , Li Bingshan , Tao Ran , Aronson Kristan J. , Chan Kelvin Y. K. , Chan Tsun L. , Gao Yu-Tang , Hartman Mikael , Kee Ho Weang , Ito Hidemi , Iwasaki Motoki , Iwata Hiroji , John Esther M. , Kasuga Yoshio , Soon Khoo Ui , Kim Mi-Kyung , Kong Sun-Young , Kurian Allison W. , Kwong Ava , Lee Eun-Sook , Li Jingmei , Lophatananon Artitaya , Low Siew-Kee , Mariapun Shivaani , Matsuda Koichi , Matsuo Keitaro , Muir Kenneth , Noh Dong-Young , Park Boyoung , Park Min-Ho , Shen Chen-Yang , Shin Min-Ho , Spinelli John J. , Takahashi Atsushi , Tseng Chiuchen , Tsugane Shoichiro , Wu Anna H. , Xiang Yong-Bing , Yamaji Taiki , Zheng Ying , Milne Roger L. , Dunning Alison M. , Pharoah Paul D. P. , García-Closas Montserrat , Teo Soo-Hwang , Shu Xiao-ou , Kang Daehee , Easton Douglas F. , Simard Jacques , Zheng Wei
Published: March 2020

Known risk variants explain only a small proportion of breast cancer heritability, particularly in Asian women. To search for additional genetic susceptibility loci for breast cancer, here we perform a meta-analysis of data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) conducted in Asians (24,206 cases and 24,775 controls) and European descendants (122,977 cases and 105,974 controls). We identified 31 potential novel loci with the lead variant showing an association with breast cancer risk at P < 5 × 10−8. The associations for 10 of these loci were replicated in an independent sample of 16,787 cases and 16,680 controls of Asian women (P < 0.05). In addition, we replicated the associations for 78 of the 166 known risk variants at P < 0.05 in Asians. These findings improve our understanding of breast cancer genetics and etiology and extend previous findings from studies of European descendants to Asian women.
Dominant resistance and negative epistasis can limit the co-selection of de novo resistance mutations and antibiotic resistance genes
Authors: Porse Andreas , Jahn Leonie J. , Ellabaan Mostafa M. H. , Sommer Morten O. A.
Published: March 2020

To tackle the global antibiotic resistance crisis, antibiotic resistance acquired either vertically by chromosomal mutations or horizontally through antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been studied. Yet, little is known about the interactions between the two, which may impact the evolution of antibiotic resistance. Here, we develop a multiplexed barcoded approach to assess the fitness of 144 mutant-ARG combinations in Escherichia coli subjected to eight different antibiotics at 11 different concentrations. While most interactions are neutral, we identify significant interactions for 12% of the mutant-ARG combinations. The ability of most ARGs to confer high-level resistance at a low fitness cost shields the selective dynamics of mutants at low drug concentrations. Therefore, high-fitness mutants are often selected regardless of their resistance level. Finally, we identify strong negative epistasis between two unrelated resistance mechanisms: the tetA tetracycline resistance gene and loss-of-function nuo mutations involved in aminoglycoside tolerance. Our study highlights important constraints that may allow better prediction and control of antibiotic resistance evolution.
Male sex is associated with aggressive behaviour and poor prognosis in Chinese papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Ding Jinhua , Wu Weizhu , Fang Jianjiang , Zhao Jing , Jiang Li
Published: March 2020

The differences in prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) by sex have been investigated in several previous studies, but the results have not been consistent. In addition, the impact of sex on the clinical and pathological characteristics, especially on central lymph node metastasis (CLNM), still remains unknown. To the best of our knowledge, the impact of sex on PTC has not been investigated in the Chinese PTC population. Therefore, our study retrospectively analysed the data of 1339 patients who were diagnosed with PTC and had received radical surgery at Ningbo Medical Center, Lihuili Hospital. In addition to cancer-specific death, structural recurrence and risk stratification, prognosis was also estimated by using three conventional prognostic systems: AMES (age, distant metastasis, extent, size), MACIS (distant metastasis, age, completeness of resection, local invasion, size) and the 8th version TNM (tumor, lymph node, metastasis) staging system. The clinical and pathological characteristics and above prognostic indexes were compared between male and female PTC patients. The results showed that there were higher rates of non-microcarcinoma PTC (nM-PTC), CLNM, lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM), advanced disease and bilateral disease, but there was a lower rate of concurrent Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) in male PTC patients than in female PTC patients. Additionally, the rate of intermediate-risk, high-risk or advanced disease was higher in male PTC patients. The above findings indicate that PTC in men is a more aggressive disease and may have a worse prognosis; thus, it should be treated with more caution.
Recapitulating T cell infiltration in 3D psoriatic skin models for patient-specific drug testing
Authors: Shin Jung U , Abaci Hasan E. , Herron Lauren , Guo Zongyou , Sallee Brigitte , Pappalardo Alberto , Jackow Joanna , Wang Eddy Hsi Chun , Doucet Yanne , Christiano Angela M.
Published: March 2020

Drug screening studies for inflammatory skin diseases are currently performed using model systems that only partially recapitulate human diseased skin. Here, we developed a new strategy to incorporate T cells into human 3D skin constructs (HSCs), which enabled us to closely monitor and quantitate T cell responses. We found that the epidermis promotes the activation and infiltration of T cells into the skin, and provides a directional cue for their selective migration towards the epidermis. We established a psoriatic HSC (pHSC) by incorporating polarized Th1/Th17 cells or CCR6+CLA+ T cells derived from psoriasis patients into the constructs. These pHSCs showed a psoriatic epidermal phenotype and characteristic cytokine profiles, and responded to various classes of psoriasis drugs, highlighting the potential utility of our model as a drug screening platform. Taken together, we developed an advanced immunocompetent 3D skin model to investigate epidermal-T cell interactions and to understand the pathophysiology of inflammatory skin diseases in a human-relevant and patient-specific context.
A prolonged multispecies outbreak of IMP-6 carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales due to horizontal transmission of the IncN plasmid
Authors: Yamagishi Takuya , Matsui Mari , Sekizuka Tsuyoshi , Ito Hiroaki , Fukusumi Munehisa , Uehira Tomoko , Tsubokura Miyuki , Ogawa Yoshihiko , Miyamoto Atsushi , Nakamori Shoji , Tawa Akio , Yoshimura Takahisa , Yoshida Hideki , Hirokawa Hidetetsu , Suzuki Satowa , Matsui Tamano , Shibayama Keigo , Kuroda Makoto , Oishi Kazunori
Published: March 2020

A multispecies outbreak of IMP-6 carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (IMP-6-CPE) occurred at an acute care hospital in Japan. This study was conducted to understand the mechanisms of IMP-6-CPE transmission by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus sequence typing and whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and identify risk factors for IMP-6-CPE acquisition in patients who underwent abdominal surgery. Between July 2013 and March 2014, 22 hospitalized patients infected or colonized with IMP-6-CPE (Escherichia coli [n = 8], Klebsiella oxytoca [n = 5], Enterobacter cloacae [n = 5], Klebsiella pneumoniae [n = 3] and Klebsiella aerogenes [n = 1]) were identified. There were diverse PFGE profiles and sequence types (STs) in most of the species except for K. oxytoca. All isolates of K. oxytoca belonged to ST29 with similar PFGE profiles, suggesting their clonal transmission. Plasmid analysis by WGS revealed that all 22 isolates but one shared a ca. 50-kb IncN plasmid backbone with blaIMP-6 suggesting interspecies gene transmission, and typing of plasmids explained epidemiological links among cases. A case-control study showed pancreatoduodenectomy, changing drains in fluoroscopy room, continuous peritoneal lavage and enteric fistula were associated with IMP-6-CPE acquisition among the patients. Plasmid analysis of isolates in an outbreak of IMP-6-CPE suggested interspecies gene transmission and helped to clarify hidden epidemiological links between cases.
Colored Polymeric Nanofiber Loaded with Minoxidil Sulphate as Beauty Coverage and Restoring Hair Loss
Authors: Sfouq Aleanizy Fadilah , Yahya Alqahtani Fulwah , Alkahtani Hamad M. , Alquadeib Bushra , Eltayeb Esraa K. , Aldarwesh Amal , Abdelhady Hosam G. , Alsarra Ibrahim A.
Published: March 2020

Polymeric nanofibers fabricated by electrospinning either blank (PVA) or loaded with minoxidil sulphate have yielded optimum fibers with an average diameter 273 nm, and 511 nm, respectively. Thermal analysis of nanofibers indicated no chemical interaction. The NMR spectrum confirmed stability of nanofiber as there were no interactions between functional groups. Prepared nanofibers showed a 47.4% encapsulation efficiency and 73% yield. In vitro drug release of minoxidil sulphate from nanofiber exhibited an initial burst release followed by a slower release pattern. Stability studies revealed that minoxidil nanofiber was stable if stored at room temperature and protected from light with only loss of 9.6% of its nominal concentration within 6 months. As a result, the prepared solid/colored formula serves as an ideal formulation for such instable drug in liquid formula taking the advantage of the attractiveness of beauty colored coverage, and the simple, and non-tousled application.
Antimicrobial biosynthetic potential and diversity of culturable soil actinobacteria from forest ecosystems of Northeast India
Authors: Sharma Priyanka , Thakur Debajit
Published: March 2020

Actinobacteria is a goldmine for the discovery of abundant secondary metabolites with diverse biological activities. This study explores antimicrobial biosynthetic potential and diversity of actinobacteria from Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and Kaziranga National Park of Assam, India, lying in the Indo-Burma mega-biodiversity hotspot. A total of 107 actinobacteria were isolated, of which 77 exhibited significant antagonistic activity. 24 isolates tested positive for at least one of the polyketide synthase type I, polyketide synthase type II or non-ribosomal peptide synthase genes within their genome. Their secondary metabolite pathway products were predicted to be involved in the production of ansamycin, benzoisochromanequinone, streptogramin using DoBISCUIT database. Molecular identification indicated that these actinobacteria predominantly belonged to genusStreptomyces, followed byNocardiaandKribbella. 4 strains, viz.Streptomycessp. PB-79 (GenBank accession no. KU901725; 1313 bp),Streptomycessp. Kz-28 (GenBank accession no. KY000534; 1378 bp),Streptomycessp. Kz-32 (GenBank accession no. KY000536; 1377 bp) andStreptomycessp. Kz-67 (GenBank accession no. KY000540; 1383 bp) showed ~89.5% similarity to the nearest type strain in EzTaxon database and may be considered novel.Streptomycessp. Kz-24 (GenBank accession no. KY000533; 1367 bp) showed only 96.2% sequence similarity toS. malaysiensisand exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.024 µg/mL against methicilin resistantStaphylococcus aureusATCC 43300 andCandida albicansMTCC 227. This study establishes that actinobacteria isolated from the poorly explored Indo-Burma mega-biodiversity hotspot may be an extremely rich reservoir for production of biologically active compounds for human welfare.
Plant growth-promoting activity and quorum quenching-mediated biocontrol of bacterial phytopathogens by Pseudomonas segetis strain P6
Authors: Rodríguez Miguel , Torres Marta , Blanco Lydia , Béjar Victoria , Sampedro Inmaculada , Llamas Inmaculada
Published: March 2020

Given the major threat of phytopathogenic bacteria to food production and ecosystem stability worldwide, novel alternatives to conventional chemicals-based agricultural practices are needed to combat these bacteria. The objective of this study is to evaluate the ability of Pseudomonas segetis strain P6, which was isolated from the Salicornia europaea rhizosphere, to act as a potential biocontrol agent given its plant growth-promoting (PGP) and quorum quenching (QQ) activities. Seed biopriming and in vivo assays of tomato plants inoculated with strain P6 resulted in an increase in seedling height and weight. We detected QQ activity, involving enzymatic degradation of signal molecules in quorum sensing communication systems, against a broad range of N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs). HPLC-MRM data and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the QQ enzyme was an acylase. The QQ activity of strain P6 reduced soft rot symptoms caused by Dickeya solani, Pectobacterium atrosepticum and P. carotovorum on potato and carrot. In vivo assays showed that the PGP and QQ activities of strain P6 protect tomato plants against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, indicating that strain P6 could have biotechnological applications. To our knowledge, this is the first report to show PGP and QQ activities in an indigenous Pseudomonas strain from Salicornia plants.
Tuning up microbiome analysis to monitor WWTPs’ biological reactors functioning
Authors: de Celis Miguel , Belda Ignacio , Ortiz-Álvarez Rüdiger , Arregui Lucía , Marquina Domingo , Serrano Susana , Santos Antonio
Published: March 2020

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are necessary to protect ecosystems quality and human health. Their function relies on the degradation of organic matter and nutrients from a water influent, prior to the effluent release into the environment. In this work we studied the bacterial community dynamics of a municipal WWTP with a membrane bioreactor through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The main phyla identified in the wastewater were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Planctomycetes and Actinobacteria. The WWTP is located in Spain and, like other studied WWTP in temperate climate zones, the temperature played a major role in community assembly. Seasonal community succession is observed along the two years sampling period, in addition to a continual annual drift in the microbial populations. The core community of the WWTP bioreactor was also studied, where a small fraction of sequence variants constituted a large fraction of the total abundance. This core microbiome stability along the sampling period and the likewise dissimilarity patterns along the temperature gradient makes this feature a good candidate for a new process control in WWTPs.
Genotypic characterization of multiple drug resistant Escherichia coli isolates from a pediatric cancer hospital in Egypt
Authors: Hassan Reem , Tantawy Marwa , Gouda Nouran A. , Elzayat Mariam G. , Gabra Sara , Nabih Amena , Diab Aya A. , El-Hadidi Mohamed , Bakry Usama , Shoeb Mohamed R. , Elanany Mervat , Shalaby Lobna , Sayed Ahmed A.
Published: March 2020

Infection with multiple drug resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli poses a life threat to immunocompromised pediatric cancer patients. Our aim is to genotypically characterize the plasmids harbored in MDR E. coli isolates recovered from bacteremic patients of Children’s Cancer Hospital in Egypt 57357 (CCHE 57357). In this study, 21 carbapenem-resistant E. coli (CRE) isolates were selected that exhibit Quinolones and Aminoglycosides resistance. Plasmid shot-gun sequencing was performed using Illumina next- generation sequencing platform. Isolates demonstrated resistant to all beta-lactams, carbapenems, aminoglycosides and quinolones. Of the 32 antimicrobial resistant genes identified that exceeded the analysis cutoff coverage, the highest represented genes were aph(6)-Id, sul2, aph(3″)-Ib, aph(3′)-Ia, sul1, dfrA12, TEM-220, NDM-11. Isolates employed a wide array of resistance mechanisms including antibiotic efflux, antibiotic inactivation, antibiotic target replacements and antibiotic target alteration. Sequenced isolates displayed diverse insertion sequences, including IS26, suggesting dynamic reshuffling of the harbored plasmids. Most isolates carried plasmids originating from other bacterial species suggesting a possible horizontal gene transfer. Only two isolates showed virulence factors with iroA gene cluster which was found in only one of them. Outside the realms of nosocomial infections among patients in hospitals, our results indicate a transfer of resistant genes and plasmids across different organisms.
Transcriptomic signatures of brain regional vulnerability to Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Keo Arlin , Mahfouz Ahmed , Ingrassia Angela M. T. , Meneboo Jean-Pascal , Villenet Celine , Mutez Eugénie , Comptdaer Thomas , Lelieveldt Boudewijn P. F. , Figeac Martin , Chartier-Harlin Marie-Christine , van de Berg Wilma D. J. , van Hilten Jacobus J. , Reinders Marcel J. T.
Published: March 2020

The molecular mechanisms underlying caudal-to-rostral progression of Lewy body pathology in Parkinson’s disease remain poorly understood. Here, we identified transcriptomic signatures across brain regions involved in Braak Lewy body stages in non-neurological adults from the Allen Human Brain Atlas. Among the genes that are indicative of regional vulnerability, we found known genetic risk factors for Parkinson’s disease: SCARB2, ELOVL7, SH3GL2, SNCA, BAP1, and ZNF184. Results were confirmed in two datasets of non-neurological subjects, while in two datasets of Parkinson’s disease patients we found altered expression patterns. Co-expression analysis across vulnerable regions identified a module enriched for genes associated with dopamine synthesis and microglia, and another module related to the immune system, blood-oxygen transport, and endothelial cells. Both were highly expressed in regions involved in the preclinical stages of the disease. Finally, alterations in genes underlying these region-specific functions may contribute to the selective regional vulnerability in Parkinson’s disease brains.
Quantitative measures of myo-IP6 in soil using solution 31P NMR spectroscopy and spectral deconvolution fitting including a broad signal
Authors: Reusser Jolanda E. , Verel René , Frossard Emmanuel , McLaren Timothy I.
Published: March 2020

Inositol phosphates, particularly myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (myo-IP6), are an important pool of soil organic phosphorus (P) in terrestrial ecosystems.
Carnosine ameliorates age-related dementia via improving mitochondrial dysfunction in SAMP8 mice
Authors: Dai Zhao , Lu Xin-Yi , Zhu Wen-Li , Liu Xiao-Qi , Li Ben-Yue , Song Lei , Liu Hao-Fei , Cai Wei-Wu , Deng Ya-Xiang , Xu Ting-Ting , Wang Qi , Zhang Shi-Jie
Published: March 2020

Carnosine can improve mitochondrial dysfunction in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice and reduce NLRP3 inflammasome and apoptosis by improving mitochondrial dysfunction.
Longan pulp polysaccharide protects against cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in mice by promoting intestinal secretory IgA synthesis
Authors: Bai Yajuan , Huang Fei , Zhang Ruifen , Ma Qin , Dong Lihong , Su Dongxiao , Chi Jianwei , Zhang Mingwei
Published: March 2020

Longan pulp polysaccharides supplementation facilitated intestinal SIgA secretion and systemic immunity.
Uniform and simultaneous orthogonal functionalization of a metal–organic framework material
Authors: Samarakoon Kanchana P. , Yazdanparast Mohammad S. , Day Victor W. , Gadzikwa Tendai
Published: March 2020

We exploit orthogonal chemical reactivity to generate uniformly multifunctionalized confined spaces in a simultaneous, one-pot reaction.
Diastereoselective synthesis of trisubstituted olefins using a silicon-tether ring-closing metathesis strategy
Authors: Wittmann Stéphane , Tiniakos Alexander F. , Prunet Joëlle
Published: March 2020

We report an efficient and diastereoselective synthesis of E- and Z-trisubstituted alkenes by a silicon-tether ring-closing metathesis strategy.
Simultaneous determination of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and five photoinitiators in food contact materials using ultrasonic-assisted extraction combined with supercritical fluid chromatography
Authors: Huang Lin , Lou Chaoyan , Chen Ning , Wu Shuchao , Gan Lu , Chen Jiaping , Shou Dan , Zhu Yan
Published: March 2020

Additives which are used in food contact materials (FCMs) such as plasticizers, antioxidants and photoinitiators (PIs) are potential hazards to humans and the environment.
A systematic investigation of the catalytic performances of monolayer carbon nitride nanosheets C1−xNx
Authors: Cheng Yuwen , Song Yan , Zhang Yumin
Published: March 2020

The carbon nitride (C1−xNx) materials, C3N (x = 1/4), C2N (x = 1/3), and g-C3N4 (x = 4/7), can act as catalysts for HER, OER, NRR, and CO2RR.
Water does not catalyze the reaction of OH radicals with ethanol
Authors: Weber Isabelle , Bouzidi Hichem , Krumm Bianca , Schoemaecker Coralie , Tomas Alexandre , Fittschen Christa
Published: March 2020

H2O2 as an OH precursor in simulation chambers induces an increase in the apparent rate constant with an increase in the humidity.
Consistent red luminescence in π-conjugated polymers with tuneable elastic moduli over five orders of magnitude
Authors: Guo Zhenfeng , Shinohara Akira , Pan Chengjun , Stadler Florian J. , Liu Zhonghua , Yan Zhi-Chao , Zhao Jinlai , Wang Lei , Nakanishi Takashi
Published: March 2020

Bulky but flexible alkyl side chains enable π-conjugated polymers to possess wide-range elastic modulus tuneability, yet consistent red luminescent properties.
Efficient bifunctional catalysts for overall water splitting: porous Fe–Mo oxide hybrid nanorods
Authors: Chen Wei , Qian Guangfu , Xu Qinglian , Yu Chen , Yu Mengya , Xia Yijiang , Yin Shibin
Published: March 2020

In this work, binary metal oxide porous nanorods are synthesized and exhibit evidently small overpotentials for OER and HER. They also display remarkable stability by holding a current density of ±200 mA cm−2 for 85 h for OER/HER.
Nanostructured potassium–organic framework as an effective anode for potassium-ion batteries with a long cycle life
Authors: Li Chao , Wang Kuaibing , Li Jingze , Zhang Qichun
Published: March 2020

Novel nanostructured non-redox-metal potassium metal–organic framework, [C7H3KNO4]n, as an effective organic anode for long-cycle life OPIBs.
Anisotropic circular photogalvanic effect in colloidal tin sulfide nanosheets
Authors: Ramin Moayed Mohammad Mehdi , Li Fu , Beck Philip , Schober Jan-Christian , Klinke Christian
Published: March 2020

The electronic response of colloidal 2D tin sulfide crystals to the illumination with circularly polarized light has been investigated. The nanocrystals show a strong anisotropic circular photogalvanic effect.
Carbazole based Electron Donor Acceptor (EDA) catalysis for the synthesis of biaryl and aryl–heteroaryl compounds
Authors: Saritha Rajendhiran , Annes Sesuraj Babiola , Saravanan Subramanian , Ramesh Subburethinam
Published: March 2020

A highly regioselective, carbazole based electron donor acceptor (EDA) catalyzed synthesis of biaryl and aryl–heteroaryl compounds is described.
Host–guest interaction of nitroxide radicals with water-soluble pillar[6]arenes
Authors: Wang Xue , Ji Kaiyun , Rockenbauer Antal , Liu Yangping , Song Yuguang
Published: March 2020

The host–guest interaction of nitroxide radicals with water-soluble pillar[6]arenes has been for the first time verified in this study.
Total synthesis of nafuredin B
Authors: Mandal Gour Hari , Saha Dhiman , Goswami Rajib Kumar
Published: March 2020

Asymmetric total synthesis of nafuredin B has been achieved for the first time following a convergent approach.
Organobase-catalysed hydroxyl–yne click polymerization
Authors: Si Han , Wang Kaojin , Song Bo , Qin Anjun , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: March 2020

An efficient organobase (DABCO)-catalysed hydroxyl–yne click polymerization is successfully developed under mild conditions.
Rational design of the pea-pod structure of SiOx/C nanofibers as a high-performance anode for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Zheng Yuchao , Kong Xiangzhong , Usman Ibrahim , Xie Xuefang , Liang Shuquan , Cao Guozhong , Pan Anqiang
Published: March 2020

Pea-pod structured SiOx/C nanofibers were synthesized by the electrospinning method, whose structure can be controlled by adjusting the addition amounts of organosilica-polymer nanospheres and they exhibit superior electrochemical performance.
Nidulaxanthone A, a xanthone dimer with a heptacyclic 6/6/6/6/6/6/6 ring system fromAspergillussp.-F029
Authors: Wang Fuqian , Jiang Jie , Hu Song , Hao Xincai , Cai You-sheng , Ye Ying , Ma Haoran , Sun Weiguang , Cheng Lu , Huang Chuanqi , Zhu Hucheng , Zhang Hong , Zhang Geng , Zhang Yonghui
Published: March 2020

Nidulaxanthone A (1), a xanthone dimer bearing an unprecedented heptacyclic 6/6/6/6/6/6/6 system, together with a new monomeric nidulalin D (2) and four known analogues (3,4,5and6), were isolated fromAspergillussp. F029.
Site-specific growth of MOF-on-MOF heterostructures with controllable nano-architectures: beyond the combination of MOF analogues
Authors: Liu Chao , Lin Lina , Sun Qiang , Wang Jing , Huang Rong , Chen Wenyi , Li Shumin , Wan Jingjing , Zou Jin , Yu Chengzhong
Published: March 2020

A site-specific epitaxial-growth strategy is developed to synthesize two types of MOF-on-MOF heterostructures with elaborately designed architectures, which are comprised of two MOFs with totally different compositions.
Micro-transfer patterning of dense nanoparticle layers: roles of rheology, adhesion and fracture in transfer dynamics
Authors: Kusaka Yasuyuki , Takei Atsushi , Koutake Masayoshi , Fukasawa Tomonori , Ishigami Toru , Fukuda Nobuko
Published: March 2020

Precise tuning of semidried states enables the high-resolution patterning of functional nanoparticle layers by fracture and adhesion.