bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laser cooling of antihydrogen atoms
Authors: Baker C. J. , Bertsche W. , Capra A. , Carruth C. , Cesar C. L. , Charlton M. , Christensen A. , Collister R. , Mathad A. Cridland , Eriksson S. , Evans A. , Evetts N. , Fajans J. , Friesen T. , Fujiwara M. C. , Gill D. R. , Grandemange P. , Granum P. , Hangst J. S. , Hardy W. N. , Hayden M. E. , Hodgkinson D. , Hunter E. , Isaac C. A. , Johnson M. A. , Jones J. M. , Jones S. A. , Jonsell S. , Khramov A. , Knapp P. , Kurchaninov L. , Madsen N. , Maxwell D. , McKenna J. T. K. , Menary S. , Michan J. M. , Momose T. , Mullan P. S. , Munich J. J. , Olchanski K. , Olin A. , Peszka J. , Powell A. , Pusa P. , Rasmussen C. Ø. , Robicheaux F. , Sacramento R. L. , Sameed M. , Sarid E. , Silveira D. M. , Starko D. M. , So C. , Stutter G. , Tharp T. D. , Thibeault A. , Thompson R. I. , van der Werf D. P. , Wurtele J. S.
Published: March 2021

The photon—the quantum excitation of the electromagnetic field—is massless but carries momentum. A photon can therefore exert a force on an object upon collision1. Slowing the translational motion of atoms and ions by application of such a force2,3, known as laser cooling, was first demonstrated 40 years ago4,5. It revolutionized atomic physics over the following decades6–8, and it is now a workhorse in many fields, including studies on quantum degenerate gases, quantum information, atomic clocks and tests of fundamental physics. However, this technique has not yet been applied to antimatter. Here we demonstrate laser cooling of antihydrogen9, the antimatter atom consisting of an antiproton and a positron. By exciting the 1S–2P transition in antihydrogen with pulsed, narrow-linewidth, Lyman-α laser radiation10,11, we Doppler-cool a sample of magnetically trapped antihydrogen. Although we apply laser cooling in only one dimension, the trap couples the longitudinal and transverse motions of the anti-atoms, leading to cooling in all three dimensions. We observe a reduction in the median transverse energy by more than an order of magnitude—with a substantial fraction of the anti-atoms attaining submicroelectronvolt transverse kinetic energies. We also report the observation of the laser-driven 1S–2S transition in samples of laser-cooled antihydrogen atoms. The observed spectral line is approximately four times narrower than that obtained without laser cooling. The demonstration of laser cooling and its immediate application has far-reaching implications for antimatter studies. A more localized, denser and colder sample of antihydrogen will drastically improve spectroscopic11–13 and gravitational14 studies of antihydrogen in ongoing experiments. Furthermore, the demonstrated ability to manipulate the motion of antimatter atoms by laser light will potentially provide ground-breaking opportunities for future experiments, such as anti-atomic fountains, anti-atom interferometry and the creation of antimatter molecules.
Author Correction: ArchR is a scalable software package for integrative single-cell chromatin accessibility analysis
Authors: Granja Jeffrey M. , Corces M. Ryan , Pierce Sarah E. , Bagdatli S. Tansu , Choudhry Hani , Chang Howard Y. , Greenleaf William J.
Published: March 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-021-00850-x.
Uncommon radiologic computed tomography appearances of the chest in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis
Authors: Sekimoto Yasuhito , Suzuki Kazuhiro , Okura Makiko , Hayashi Takuo , Ebana Hiroki , Kumasaka Toshio , Mitani Keiko , Nishino Koichi , Okamoto Shouichi , Kobayashi Etsuko , Takahashi Kazuhisa , Seyama Kuniaki
Published: March 2021

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare destructive lung disease characterized by multiple thin-walled pulmonary cysts. The currently proposed diagnostic algorithm emphasizes the characteristic cystic appearance on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) so uncommon HRCT appearances present challenges to establishing the proper LAM diagnosis. The objective of this study is to accrue uncommon chest HRCT appearances, determine frequencies in both tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-associated LAM (TSC-LAM) and sporadic LAM (S-LAM) patients. 311 females referred to our hospital, including 272 S-LAM patients (mean age 39.2 years) and 39 TSC-LAM patients (mean age 38.3 years), were retrospectively evaluated. We found 2 types of radiologic findings likely to make HRCT cyst appearance atypical: characteristics of the cyst itself and uncommon findings in addition to cysts. We found that approximately 80% of LAM patients, whether TSC-associated or sporadic, showed typical HRCT appearance with mild to severe cystic destruction. The remaining 20% displayed unusual profiles in cyst appearance as well as additional findings aside from cyst: the former includes large cyst, thickened walls, and irregularly shaped whereas the latter includes ground glass attenuation and diffuse noncalcified nodules. It is important to be aware of various radiologic findings that make HRCT cystic appearance atypical of LAM.
Molecular sexing of degraded DNA from elephants and mammoths: a genotyping assay relevant both to conservation biology and to paleogenetics
Authors: Aznar-Cormano Laetitia , Bonnald Julie , Krief Sabrina , Guma Nelson , Debruyne Régis
Published: March 2021

It is important to determine the sex of elephants from their samples—faeces from the field or seized ivory—for forensic reasons or to understand population demography and genetic structure. Molecular sexing methods developed in the last two decades have often shown limited efficiency, particularly in terms of sensitivity and specificity, due to the degradation of DNA in these samples. These limitations have also prevented their use with ancient DNA samples of elephants or mammoths. Here we propose a novel TaqMan-MGB qPCR assay to address these difficulties. We designed it specifically to allow the characterization of the genetic sex for highly degraded samples of all elephantine taxa (elephants and mammoths). In vitro experiments demonstrated a high level of sensitivity and low contamination risks. We applied this assay in two actual case studies where it consistently recovered the right genotype for specimens of known sex a priori. In the context of a modern conservation survey of African elephants, it allowed determining the sex for over 99% of fecal samples. In a paleogenetic analysis of woolly mammoths, it produced a robust hypothesis of the sex for over 65% of the specimens out of three PCR replicates. This simple, rapid, and cost-effective procedure makes it readily applicable to large sample sizes.
Soil moisture remote sensing using SIW cavity based metamaterial perfect absorber
Authors: Amiri Majid , Abolhasan Mehran , Shariati Negin , Lipman Justin
Published: March 2021

Continuous and accurate sensing of water content in soil is an essential and useful measure in the agriculture industry. Traditional sensors developed to perform this task suffer from limited lifetime and also need to be calibrated regularly. Further, maintenance, support, and deployment of these sensors in remote environments provide additional challenges to the use of conventional soil moisture sensors. In this paper, a metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA) based soil moisture sensor is introduced. The ability of MPAs to absorb electromagnetic signals with near 100% efficiency facilitates the design of highly accurate and low-profile radio frequency passive sensors. MPA based sensor can be fabricated from highly durable materials and can therefore be made more resilient than traditional sensors. High resolution sensing is achieved through the creation of physical channels in the substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity. The proposed sensor does not require connection for both electromagnetic signals or for adding a testing sample. Importantly, an external power supply is not needed, making the MPA based sensor the perfect solution for remote and passive sensing in modern agriculture. The proposed MPA based sensor has three absorption bands due to the various resonance modes of the SIW cavity. By changing the soil moisture level, the absorption peak shifts by 10 MHz, 23.3 MHz, and 60 MHz, which is correlated with the water content percentage at the first, second and third absorption bands, respectively. Finally, a $$6 \times 6$$

6
×
6

cell array with a total size of $$312 \,\hbox {mm} \times 312 \,\hbox {mm}$$

312

mm
×
312

mm

has been fabricated and tested. A strong correlation between measurement and simulation results validates the design procedure.
MiRNA expression profiling and emergence of new prognostic signature for oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Rajan Christo , Roshan V. G. Deepak , Khan Imran , Manasa V. G. , Himal Iris , Kattoor Jayasree , Thomas Shaji , Kondaiah Paturu , Kannan S.
Published: March 2021

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the most common type of head and neck cancers, is associated with high recurrence, metastasis, low long-term survival rates and poor treatment outcome. As deregulated miRNA expression plays a crucial role in malignant transformation and cancer progression, the present study is aimed at profiling the miRNA expression pattern in OSCC and developing a new miRNA prognostic signature for oral cancer. MiRNA expression profiling was performed using MiRNA microarray in 30 tumor and 18 normal samples. MiRNA signature obtained was validated with quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) in 144 tumor and 36 normal samples. The potential targets, clinical implications and prognostic value of the miRNA signature were elucidated by various bioinformatics and statistical analyses. Microarray profiling identified a set of 105 miRNAs to be differentially expressed in OSCC, out of which a subset of 19 most dysregulated miRNAs were validated by qRT-PCR. In silico analysis revealed the signature miRNAs to be involved in various cancer associated pathways. Up-regulation of miR-196a, miR-21, miR-1237 and downregulation of miR-204, miR-144 was associated with poor prognosis of OSCC patients. The mir-196a/miR-204 expression ratio emerged as best predictor for disease recurrence and patient survival. Altogether, our study identified a miRNA signature for OSCC with prognostic significance.
Genetic characterization of nodular worm infections in Asian Apes
Authors: Yalcindag Erhan , Stuart Peter , Hasegawa Hideo , Streit Adrian , Doležalová Jana , Morrogh-Bernard Helen , Cheyne Susan M. , Nurcahyo Wisnu , Foitová Ivona
Published: March 2021

Parasitic nematodes of Oesophagostomum spp., commonly known, as 'nodular worms' are emerging as the most widely distributed and prevalent zoonotic nematodes. Oesophagostomum infections are well documented in African non-human primates; however, the taxonomy, distribution and transmission of Oesophagostomum in Asian non-human primates are not adequately studied. To better understand which Oesophagostomum species infect Asian non-human primates and determine their phylogeny we analysed 55 faecal samples from 50 orangutan and 5 gibbon individuals from Borneo and Sumatra. Both microscopy and molecular results revealed that semi-wild animals had higher Oesophagostomum infection prevalence than free ranging animals. Based on sequence genotyping analysis targeting the Internal transcribed spacer 2 of rDNA, we report for the first time the presence of O. aculeatum in Sumatran apes. Population genetic analysis shows that there is significant genetic differentiation between Bornean and Sumatran O. aculeatum populations. Our results clearly reveal that O. aculeatum in free-ranging animals have a higher genetic variation than those in semi-wild animals, demonstrating that O. aculeatum is circulating naturally in wildlife and zoonotic transmission is possible. Further studies should be conducted to better understand the epidemiology and dynamics of Oesophagostomum transmission between humans, non-human primates and other wild species and livestock in Southeast Asia.
Pactacin is a novel digestive enzyme in teleosts
Authors: Kawaguchi Mari , Okazawa Yohei , Imafuku Aiko , Nakano Yuko , Shimizu Risa , Ishizuka Reiji , Jiang Tianlong , Nagasawa Tatsuki , Hiroi Junya , Yasumasu Shigeki
Published: March 2021

Generally, animals extract nutrients from food by degradation using digestive enzymes. Trypsin and chymotrypsin, one of the major digestive enzymes in vertebrates, are pancreatic proenzymes secreted into the intestines. In this investigation, we report the identification of a digestive teleost enzyme, a pancreatic astacin that we termed pactacin. Pactacin, which belongs to the astacin metalloprotease family, emerged during the evolution of teleosts through gene duplication of astacin family enzymes containing six cysteine residues (C6astacin, or C6AST). In this study, we first cloned C6AST genes from pot-bellied seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) and analyzed their phylogenetic relationships using over 100 C6AST genes. Nearly all these genes belong to one of three clades: pactacin, nephrosin, and patristacin. Genes of the pactacin clade were further divided into three subclades. To compare the localization and functions of the three pactacin subclades, we studied pactacin enzymes in pot-bellied seahorse and medaka (Oryzias latipes). In situ hybridization revealed that genes of all three subclades were commonly expressed in the pancreas. Western blot analysis indicated storage of pactacin pro-enzyme form in the pancreas, and conversion to the active forms in the intestine. Finally, we partially purified the pactacin from digestive fluid, and found that pactacin is novel digestive enzyme that is specific in teleosts.
Endothelial epidermal growth factor receptor is of minor importance for vascular and renal function and obesity-induced dysfunction in mice
Authors: Schreier Barbara , Stern Christian , Dubourg Virginie , Nolze Alexander , Rabe Sindy , Mildenberger Sigrid , Wickenhauser Claudia , Gekle Michael
Published: March 2021

Vascular EGF receptors (EGFR) influence function and structure of arterial vessels. In genetic mouse models we described the role of vascular smooth muscle (VSMC) EGFR for proper physiological function and structure as well as for pathophysiological alterations by obesity or angiotensin II. As the importance of endothelial (EC) EGFR in vivo is unknown, we analyzed the impact of EC-EGFR knockout in a conditional mouse model on vascular and renal function under control condition as well as in obesity and in comparison to VSMC-KO. Heart and lung weight, blood pressure and aortic transcriptome (determined by RNA-seq) were not affected by EC-EGFR-KO. Aortic reactivity to α1-adrenergic stimulation was not affected by EC-EGFR-KO contrary to VSMC-EGFR-KO. Endothelial-induced relaxation was reduced in abdominal aorta of EC-EGFR-KO animals, whereas it was enhanced in VSMC-EGFR-KO animals. Mesenteric arteries of EC-EGFR-KO animals showed enhanced sensitivity to α1-adrenergic stimulation, whereas endothelial-induced relaxation and vessel morphology were not affected. Renal weight, histomorphology, function (albumin excretion, serum creatinine, fractional water excretion) or transcriptome were not affected by EC-EGFR-KO, likewise in VSMC-EGFR-KO. High fat diet (HFD) over 18 weeks induced arterial wall thickening, renal weight increase, creatininemia, renal and aortic transcriptome alterations with a similar pattern in EC-EGFR-WT and EC-EGFR-KO animals by contrast to the previously reported impact of VSMC-EGFR-KO. HFD induced endothelial dysfunction in abdominal aortae of EC-EGFR-WT, which was not additive to the EC-EGFR-KO-induced endothelial dysfunction. As shown before, VSMC-EGFR-KO prevented HFD-induced endothelial dysfunction. HFD-induced albuminuria was less pronounced in EC-EGFR-KO animals and abrogated in VSMC-EGFR-KO animals. Our results indicate that EC-EGFR, in comparison to VSMC-EGFR, is of minor and opposite importance for basal renovascular function as well as for high fat diet-induced vascular remodeling and renal end organ damage.
Auditory evoked potentials and suicidal behaviors in patients with major depressive disorders
Authors: Kim Ji Sun , Kim Sungkean , Lee Ho-Sung , Kwon Young Joon , Lee Hwa Young , Shim Se-Hoon
Published: March 2021

Loudness dependence of auditory evoked potentials (LDAEP) has been proposed as a biological marker of central serotonergic activity related to suicides. This study’s objective was to analyze the difference in LDAEP between depressed patients with suicide attempts (SA) and suicidal ideation (SI). It included 130 participants (45 depressed patients with SA, 49 depressed patients with SI, and 36 healthy controls) aged > 18 years who exhibited LDAEP during electroencephalography. Psychological characteristics and event-related potentials of the three groups were compared. There was no significant difference in LDAEP between major depressive disorder (MDD) patients with SA and SI (p = 0.59). MDD patients with SI, who attempted suicide had significantly lower LDAEP than healthy controls (p = 0.01 andp = 0.01, respectively). However, the significance disappeared when psychological characteristics were controlled. Our results suggest that LDAEP might not be possible biomarkers for suicidal behaviors in patients with MDD. Further studies to assess the biological basis of suicide and identify the underlying dimensions that mediate the relationship between the biological basis and suicidal behaviors will be needed.
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) mediated activation of mTORC2 increases intracellular Na+ concentration in the renal medullary thick ascending limb of Henle
Authors: Zheleznova Nadezhda N. , Kumar Vikash , Kurth Theresa , Cowley Allen W.
Published: March 2021

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production in the renal outer medulla is an important determinant of renal medullary blood flow and blood pressure (BP) salt-sensitivity in Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats. The mechanisms and pathways responsible for these actions are poorly understood. Recently, we have discovered that the mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2) plays a critical role in BP salt-sensitivity of SS rats by regulating Na+ homeostasis. PP242, an inhibitor of mTORC1/2 pathways exhibits potent natriuretic actions and completely prevented salt-induced hypertension in SS rats. In the present study, we have found that chronic infusion of H2O2 into the single remaining kidney of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (3 days) stimulated the functional marker (pAKTSer473/AKT) of mTORC2 activity measured by Western Blot analysis. No changes in mTORC1 activity in OM were observed as determined by pS6Ser235/236/S6. Using fluorescent microscopy and the Na+ sensitive dye Sodium Green, we have shown that H2O2 (100 µM added in the bath) increased intracellular sodium concentration ([Na+]i) in renal medullary thick ascending limbs (mTALs) isolated from SD rats. These responses were almost completely abolished by pretreatment of mTAL with 10 µM PP242, indicating that mTORC1/2 pathways were involved in the H2O2 induced increase of [Na+]i. mTAL cell volume remained unchanged (± 1%) by H2O2 as determined by 3D reconstruction confocal laser scanning microscopy techniques. Consistent with the microscopy data, Western Blot analysis of proteins obtained from freshly isolated mTAL treated with 100 µM H2O2 exhibited increased activity/phosphorylation of AKT (pAKTSer473/AKT) that was inhibited by PP242. This was associated with increased protein activity of the apical membrane cotransporter Na+-K+-2Cl− (NKCC2) and the Na/H exchanger (NHE-3). Na+-K+-ATPase activity was increased as reflected an increase in the ratio of pNa+-K+-ATPaseSer16 to total Na+-K+-ATPase. Overall, the results indicate that H2O2 mediated activation of mTORC2 plays a key role in transducing the observed increases of cytosolic [Na+]i despite associated increases of basolateral pump activity.
Ivermectin reduces in vivo coronavirus infection in a mouse experimental model
Authors: Arévalo A. P. , Pagotto R. , Pórfido J. L. , Daghero H. , Segovia M. , Yamasaki K. , Varela B. , Hill M. , Verdes J. M. , Duhalde Vega M. , Bollati-Fogolín M. , Crispo M.
Published: March 2021

The objective of this study was to test the effectiveness of ivermectin for the treatment of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), a type 2 family RNA coronavirus similar to SARS-CoV-2. Female BALB/cJ mice were infected with 6,000 PFU of MHV-A59 (group infected, n = 20) or infected and then immediately treated with a single dose of 500 µg/kg ivermectin (group infected + IVM, n = 20) or were not infected and treated with PBS (control group, n = 16). Five days after infection/treatment, the mice were euthanized and the tissues were sampled to assess their general health status and infection levels. Overall, the results demonstrated that viral infection induced typical MHV-caused disease, with the livers showing severe hepatocellular necrosis surrounded by a severe lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltration associated with a high hepatic viral load (52,158 AU), while mice treated with ivermectin showed a better health status with a lower viral load (23,192 AU; p < 0.05), with only a few having histopathological liver damage (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the group infected + IVM and control group mice (P = NS). Furthermore, serum transaminase levels (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase) were significantly lower in the treated mice than in the infected animals. In conclusion, ivermectin diminished the MHV viral load and disease in the mice, being a useful model for further understanding this therapy against coronavirus diseases.
Author Correction: Broad North Atlantic distribution of a meiobenthic annelid – against all odds
Authors: Worsaae Katrine , Kerbl Alexandra , Vang Áki , Gonzalez Brett C.
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Modelling virus spreading in ride-pooling networks
Authors: Kucharski Rafał , Cats Oded , Sienkiewicz Julian
Published: March 2021

Urban mobility needs alternative sustainable travel modes to keep our pandemic cities in motion. Ride-pooling, where a single vehicle is shared by more than one traveller, is not only appealing for mobility platforms and their travellers, but also for promoting the sustainability of urban mobility systems. Yet, the potential of ride-pooling rides to serve as a safe and effective alternative given the personal and public health risks considerations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic is hitherto unknown. To answer this, we combine epidemiological and behavioural shareability models to examine spreading among ride-pooling travellers, with an application for Amsterdam. Findings are at first sight devastating, with only few initially infected travellers needed to spread the virus to hundreds of ride-pooling users. Without intervention, ride-pooling system may substantially contribute to virus spreading. Notwithstanding, we identify an effective control measure allowing to halt the spreading before the outbreaks (at 50 instead of 800 infections) without sacrificing the efficiency achieved by pooling. Fixed matches among co-travellers disconnect the otherwise dense contact network, encapsulating the virus in small communities and preventing the outbreaks.
A precursor mechanism triggering the second magnetization peak phenomenon in superconducting materials
Authors: Polichetti M. , Galluzzi A. , Buchkov K. , Tomov V. , Nazarova E. , Leo A. , Grimaldi G. , Pace S.
Published: March 2021

The correlation in type-II superconductors between the creep rate S and the Second Magnetization Peak (SMP) phenomenon which produces an increase in Jc, as a function of the field (H), has been investigated at different temperatures by starting from the minimum in S(H) and the onset of the SMP phenomenon detected on a FeSe0.5Te0.5 sample. Then the analysis has been extended by considering the entire S(H) curves and comparing our results with those of many other superconducting materials reported in literature. In this way, we find evidence that the flux dynamic mechanisms behind the appearance of the SMP phenomenon in Jc(H) are activated at fields well below those where the critical current starts effectively to increase. Moreover, the found universal relation between the minimum in the S(H) and the SMP phenomenon in Jc(H) shows that both can be attributed to a sequential crossover between a less effective pinning (losing its effectiveness at low fields) to a more effective pinning (still acting at high fields), regardless of the type-II superconductor taken into consideration.
Response of a continental fault basin to the global OAE1a during the Aptian: Hongmiaozi Basin, Northeast China
Authors: Fan Daijun , Shan Xuanlong , Makeen Yousif M. , He Wentong , Su Siyuan , Wang Yibo , Yi Jian , Hao Guoli , Zhao Yuting
Published: March 2021

This paper presents new research on a lacustrine anoxic event (LAE). These data include stable carbon isotope (δ13Corg), pyrite sulfur isotope (δ34Spy), trace element and biomarker ratios from the Hongmiaozi Basin (North China) and unravel the response of continental lakes under the influence of early Aptian extreme climate conditions. According to the stratigraphic chronology (122–118 Ma) and carbon isotope correlations, terrestrial sediment was influenced by the early Aptian Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE1a). The results show that the Xiahuapidianzi Group experienced a significant warming process under negative excursions in carbon isotopes due to the influence of increased carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2). The climate varied from warm and humid to hot and arid (high Sr/Cu, low Rb/Sr, calcareous mudstone), the evaporation and salinity increased (high Sr/Ba and B/Ga), and land input sources decreased (low Zr, Ti and Th). Moreover, high total organic carbon (TOC) content was source from bacteria, algae (n-alkanes), and euxinic depositional environments (Pr/Ph, Cu/Zn and U V Mo). In the stage of continuous carbon isotopes positive excursion, organic matter accumulated rapidly. A paleolake environment model has provided a better understanding of current global climate issues under global warming caused by increased carbon dioxide concentrations.
Red cell distribution width as a predictor for bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants
Authors: Go Hayato , Ohto Hitoshi , Nollet Kenneth E. , Sato Kenichi , Ichikawa Hirotaka , Kume Yohei , Kanai Yuji , Maeda Hajime , Kashiwabara Nozomi , Ogasawara Kei , Sato Maki , Hashimoto Koichi , Hosoya Mitsuaki
Published: March 2021

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common morbidity complicating preterm birth. Red blood cell distribution width (RDW), a measure of the variation of red blood cell size, could reflect oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in many diseases such as cardiovascular, pulmonary, and other diseases. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate perinatal factors affecting RDW and to validate whether RDW could be a potential biomarker for BPD. A total of 176 preterm infants born at < 30 weeks were included in this study. They were categorized into BPD (n = 85) and non-BPD (n = 91) infants. RDW at birth and 14 days and 28 days of life (DOL 14, DOL 28) were measured. Clinical data were obtained from all subjects at Fukushima Medical University (Fukushima, Japan). The mean RDW at birth, DOL 14 and DOL 28 were 16.1%, 18.6%, 20.1%, respectively. Small for gestational age (SGA), chorioamnionitis (CAM), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), gestational age and birth weight were significantly associated with RDW at birth. SGA, BPD and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion before DOL 14 were associated with RDW at DOL 14. BPD and RBC transfusion before DOL 14 were associated with RDW at DOL 28. Compared with non-BPD infants, mean RDW at DOL 14 (21.1% vs. 17.6%, P < 0.001) and DOL 28 (22.2% vs. 18.2%, P < 0.001) were significantly higher in BPD infants. Multivariate analysis revealed that RDW at DOL 28 was significantly higher in BPD infants (P = 0.001, odds ratio 1.63; 95% CI 1.22–2.19). Receiver operating characteristic analysis for RDW at DOL 28 in infants with and without BPD yielded an area under the curve of 0.87 (95% CI 0.78–0.91, P < 0.001). RDW at DOL 28 with mild BPD (18.1% vs. 21.3%, P < 0.001), moderate BPD (18.1% vs. 21.2%, P < 0.001), and severe BPD (18.1% vs. 24.0%, P < 0.001) were significantly higher than those with non-BPD, respectively. Furthermore, there are significant differences of RDW at DOL 28 among mild, moderate, and severe BPD. In summary, we conclude that RDW at DOL 28 could serve as a biomarker for predicting BPD and its severity. The mechanism by which RDW at DOL 28 is associated with the pathogenesis of BPD needs further elucidation.
Amplify antimicrobial photo dynamic therapy efficacy with poly-beta-amino esters (PBAEs)
Authors: Perni Stefano , Preedy Emily C. , Prokopovich Polina
Published: March 2021

Light-activated antimicrobial agents (photosensitisers) are promising alternatives to antibiotics for the treatment of skin infections and wounds through antimicrobial photo dynamic therapy (aPDT); utilisation of this technique is still restricted by general low efficacy requiring long exposure time (in the order of tens of minutes) that make the treatment very resource intensive. We report for the first time the possibility of harvesting the cell penetrating properties of poly-beta-amino esters (PBAEs) in combination with toluidine blue O (TBO) to shorten aPDT exposure time. Candidates capable of inactivation rates 30 times quicker than pure TBO were discovered and further improvements through PBAE backbone optimisation could be foreseen. Efficacy of the complexes was PBAE-dependent on a combination of TBO uptake and a newly discovered and unexpected role of PBAEs on reactive species production. Chemometric approach of partial least square regression was employed to assess the critical PBAE properties involved in this newly observed phenomenon in order to elicit a possible mechanism. The superior antimicrobial performance of this new approach benefits from the use of well established, low-cost and safe dye (TBO) coupled with inexpensive, widely tested and biodegradable polymers also known to be safe. Moreover, no adverse cytotoxic effects of the PBAEs adjuvated TBO delivery have been observed on a skin cells in vitro model demonstrating the safety profile of this new technology.
Neuron type classification in rat brain based on integrative convolutional and tree-based recurrent neural networks
Authors: Zhang Tielin , Zeng Yi , Zhang Yue , Zhang Xinhe , Shi Mengting , Tang Likai , Zhang Duzhen , Xu Bo
Published: March 2021

The study of cellular complexity in the nervous system based on anatomy has shown more practical and objective advantages in morphology than other perspectives on molecular, physiological, and evolutionary aspects. However, morphology-based neuron type classification in the whole rat brain is challenging, given the significant number of neuron types, limited reconstructed neuron samples, and diverse data formats. Here, we report that different types of deep neural network modules may well process different kinds of features and that the integration of these submodules will show power on the representation and classification of neuron types. For SWC-format data, which are compressed but unstructured, we construct a tree-based recurrent neural network (Tree-RNN) module. For 2D or 3D slice-format data, which are structured but with large volumes of pixels, we construct a convolutional neural network (CNN) module. We also generate a virtually simulated dataset with two classes, reconstruct a CASIA rat-neuron dataset with 2.6 million neurons without labels, and select the NeuroMorpho-rat dataset with 35,000 neurons containing hierarchical labels. In the twelve-class classification task, the proposed model achieves state-of-the-art performance compared with other models, e.g., the CNN, RNN, and support vector machine based on hand-designed features.
The RelA hydrolase domain acts as a molecular switch for (p)ppGpp synthesis
Authors: Sinha Anurag Kumar , Winther Kristoffer Skovbo
Published: March 2021

Bacteria synthesize guanosine tetra- and penta phosphate (commonly referred to as (p)ppGpp) in response to environmental stresses. (p)ppGpp reprograms cell physiology and is essential for stress survival, virulence and antibiotic tolerance. Proteins of the RSH superfamily (RelA/SpoT Homologues) are ubiquitously distributed and hydrolyze or synthesize (p)ppGpp. Structural studies have suggested that the shift between hydrolysis and synthesis is governed by conformational antagonism between the two active sites in RSHs. RelA proteins of γ-proteobacteria exclusively synthesize (p)ppGpp and encode an inactive pseudo-hydrolase domain. Escherichia coli RelA synthesizes (p)ppGpp in response to amino acid starvation with cognate uncharged tRNA at the ribosomal A-site, however, mechanistic details to the regulation of the enzymatic activity remain elusive. Here, we show a role of the enzymatically inactive hydrolase domain in modulating the activity of the synthetase domain of RelA. Using mutagenesis screening and functional studies, we identify a loop region (residues 114–130) in the hydrolase domain, which controls the synthetase activity. We show that a synthetase-inactive loop mutant of RelA is not affected for tRNA binding, but binds the ribosome less efficiently than wild type RelA. Our data support the model that the hydrolase domain acts as a molecular switch to regulate the synthetase activity.
A theoretical study on novel neutral noble gas compound F4XeOsF4
Authors: Gao Kunqi , Zhao Rui , Sheng Li
Published: March 2021

A noble gas compound containing a triple bond between xenon and transition metal Os (i.e.F4XeOsF4, isomerA) was predicted using quantum-chemical calculations.
Cooperativity in micellar solubilization
Authors: Shimizu Seishi , Matubayasi Nobuyuki
Published: March 2021

Enhanced surfactant association by solutes drives cooperative solubilization according to the universal statistical thermodynamic theory.
Boosting the acetone sensing of SnS nanoflakes by spin Mn substitution: a novel adsorption–desorption perspective
Authors: Bai Yinan , Qin Yuxiang , Qiu Peilun
Published: March 2021

Magnetic-dipole-promoted Mn–SnS nanoflowers with distinctive macropores reveal a superior acetone vapor detecting capacity, featuring a much enhanced response and accelerated kinetic characteristics.
Atomic emission spectrometry analysis of metals and alloys using a two-jet arc plasma with spark sampling and calibration by solutions
Authors: Kuptsov A. V. , Volzhenin A. V. , Labusov V. A. , Saprykin A. I.
Published: March 2021

For the first time, the injection of solutions into the plasma of a two-jet arc plasmatron was used for the analysis of metals and alloys. Tandem calibration was used for quantitative chemical analysis by the TJP-AES method.
Compounded topographical and physicochemical cueing by micro-engineered chitosan substrates on rat dorsal root ganglion neurons and human mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Lomboni David J. , Steeves Alexander , Schock Sarah , Bonetti Lorenzo , De Nardo Luigi , Variola Fabio
Published: March 2021

In this study, micro-engineered chitosan substrates were employed to investigate the compounded effects of topography, roughness and stiffness on the response of DRGs and hMSCs.
MS2 device: smartphone-facilitated mobile nucleic acid analysis on microfluidic device
Authors: Wu Xiaosong , Pan Jingyu , Zhu Xinchao , Hong Chenggang , Hu Anzhong , Zhu Cancan , Liu Yong , Yang Ke , Zhu Ling
Published: March 2021

A mobile and universal nucleic acid analysis system integrated a microfluidic device and a smartphone.
Benchmark ab initio proton affinity of glycine
Authors: Nacsa András B. , Czakó Gábor
Published: March 2021

A comprehensive conformational search and high-level composite ab initio computations provide benchmark proton affinities and gas-phase basicities for glycine.
Physical insights into the facilitation of an unprecedented complexation reaction on the surface of a doped quantum dot leading to white light generation
Authors: Pramanik Sabyasachi , Manna Mihir , Hudait Biswajit , Roy Shilaj , Bhandari Satyapriya
Published: March 2021

The generation of white light based on the facilitation of an unprecedented complexation reaction on the surface of a doped quantum dot, with the exploration of their physical insights, is reported herein.
Wonderful fusion of organofluorine chemistry and decarboxylation strategy
Authors: Xiao Pan , Pannecoucke Xavier , Bouillon Jean-Philippe , Couve-Bonnaire Samuel
Published: March 2021

Decarboxylation strategy has been emerging as a powerful tool for the synthesis of fluorine-containing organic compounds that play important roles in various fields such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials science.
Investigation on the key factors of MoP catalysts prepared by a carbothermal reduction method for dry reforming of methane
Authors: Sun Gang , Yang Ying , Yao Zhiwei , Shi Yan , Mao Wei
Published: March 2021

MoP-Glu with an appropriate surface carbon content and particle size showed a much higher catalytic performance than MoP-HMT and MoP-PFR.
In situ crystallization and growth of TiO2 nanospheres between MXene layers for improved adsorption and visible light photocatalysis
Authors: Zhang Li , Ma Pingping , Dai Li , Li Shijie , Yu Wei , Guan Jie
Published: March 2021

In situ crystallization and growth of TiO2 nanospheres between MXene layers, which exhibited an intense adsorption capacity and improved visible light photocatalysis.
Kinetic modeling of nitrous oxide decomposition on Fe-ZSM-5 in the presence of nitric oxide based on parameters obtained from first-principles calculations
Authors: Aranifard Sara , Bell Alexis T. , Keil Frerich J. , Heyden Andreas
Published: March 2021

A variety of experiments for the N2O decomposition over Fe-ZSM-5 catalysts have been simulated in the presence and absence of small amounts of nitric oxide and water vapor.
Strategically improving the intrinsic proton conductivity of UiO-66-NH2 by post-synthesis modification
Authors: Feng Lu , Lan Jirong , Chen Fangyuan , Hou Haobo , Zhou Hong
Published: March 2021

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), as a new class of proton conductors, have attracted much attention in the application of proton exchange membranes due to their precisely defined structure and tailorable functionality.
Computational study of the staircase molecular conductivity of polyoxovanadates adsorbed on Au(111)
Authors: Notario-Estévez Almudena , López Xavier , de Graaf Coen
Published: March 2021

This computational study presents the molecular conduction properties of polyoxovanadates V6O19(Lindqvist-type) and V18O42, as possible successors of the materials currently in use in complementary metal–oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology.
Third time's the charm: intricate non-centrosymmetric polymorphism in LnSiP3 (Ln = La and Ce) induced by distortions of phosphorus square layers
Authors: Akopov Georgiy , Mark Justin , Viswanathan Gayatri , Lee Shannon J. , McBride Brennan C. , Won Juyeon , Perras Frédéric A. , Paterson Alexander L. , Yuan Bing , Sen Sabyasachi , Adeyemi Adedoyin N. , Zhang Feng , Wang Cai-Zhuang , Ho Kai-Ming , Miller Gordon J. , Kovnir Kirill
Published: March 2021

Complex polymorphic relationships in the LnSiP3 (Ln = La and Ce) family of compounds are reported.
Amino acid-templated zinc phosphites: low-dimensional structures, fluorescence, and nonlinear optical properties
Authors: Mao Yumei , Dong Xuehua , Deng Yuandan , Li Jing , Huang Ling , Zeng Hongmei , Zou Guohong , Lin Zhien
Published: March 2021

A unique tubular zinc phosphite was prepared adopting the amino acid alanine as a structure-directing agent, and it shows blue fluorescence and interesting nonlinear optical properties.
Eco-friendly preparation of ultrathin biomass-derived Ni3S2-doped carbon nanosheets for selective hydrogenolysis of lignin model compounds in the absence of hydrogen
Authors: Chen Changzhou , Wu Dichao , Liu Peng , Li Jing , Xia Haihong , Zhou Minghao , Jiang Jianchun
Published: March 2021

Lignin is an abundant source of aromatics, and the depolymerization of lignin provides significant potential for producing high-value chemicals.
{PMo6O24N4} subunit functionalized by organonitrogen through Mo–N bonds: hydrothermal synthesis, structure, photocatalytic, and fluorescence sensing properties
Authors: Yu Haiyan , Ying Jun , Sun Chenxi , Jin Liang , Tian Aixiang , Wang Xiuli
Published: March 2021

Under hydrothermal conditions, a {PMo6O24N4}-based compound functionalized by btmbz has been synthesized, in which the Mo–N bonds assist the construction of the {PMo6O24N4} subunit.
Practical catalytic enantioselective synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquin-azolinones by chiral brønsted acid catalysis
Authors: Guo Yongbiao , Gao Zhenhua , Li Junchen , Bi Xiaojing , Shi Enxue , Xiao Junhua
Published: March 2021

An efficient, practical and scalable protocol to prepare chiral 2,3-dihydroquinazolinones was developed under catalysis of spirocyclic SPINOL-phosphoric acid.
An enantioselective aza-Friedel–Crafts reaction of 5-aminoisoxazoles with isatin-derived N-Boc ketimines
Authors: Liu Hui , Yan Yingkun , Li Min , Zhang Xiaomei
Published: March 2021

A chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed enantioselective aza-Friedel–Crafts reaction of 5-aminoisoxazoles with isatin-derived N-Boc ketimines provided good yields and moderate to good enantioselectivities.
Understanding the binding properties of phosphorylated glycoluril-derived molecular tweezers and selective nanomolar binding of natural polyamines in aqueous solution
Authors: Heilmann Michael , Knezevic Melina , Piccini GiovanniMaria , Tiefenbacher Konrad
Published: March 2021

Selective nanomolar binding of biological polyamines to a novel glycoluril-derived molecular tweezer is reported. The high selectivity over their biosynthetic precursor may be of interest, as elevated polyamine levels are linked to several diseases.
NHC-catalyzed Truce–Smiles rearrangement of N-aryl methacrylamides for the synthesis of trans-cinnamides
Authors: Hu Yuanyuan , Wang Zhen , Luo Honggen , Jin Hongwei , Liu Yunkui , Zhou Bingwei
Published: March 2021

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed Truce–Smiles rearrangement enables the cleavage of an inert aryl C–N bond and construction of a C(aryl)–C(alkenyl) bond.
(2-Fluoroallyl)pyridinium tetrafluoroborates: novel fluorinated electrophiles for Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution
Authors: Bobrova Angelina Yu. , Novikov Maxim A. , Tomilov Yury V.
Published: March 2021

An efficient two-step approach to 2-fluoroallyl amines was developed using (2-fluoroallyl)pyridinium tetrafluoroborates as novel fluorinated electrophiles for Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution.
Correction: Synthesis and structural characterization of bio-based bis(cyclic carbonate)s for the preparation of non-isocyanate polyurethanes
Authors: Błażek Kamila , Beneš Hynek , Walterová Zuzana , Abbrent Sabina , Eceiza Arantxa , Calvo-Correas Tamara , Datta Janusz
Published: March 2021

Correction for ‘Synthesis and structural characterization of bio-based bis(cyclic carbonate)s for the preparation of non-isocyanate polyurethanes’ by Kamila Błażek et al., Polym. Chem., 2021, DOI: 10.1039/d0py01576h.
Farrow-derived layered porous carbon aerogel for AP catalytic thermal decomposition
Authors: Zhou Qian , Jin Bo , Chu Shijin , Peng Rufang
Published: March 2021

We extract natural fibers from waste palm bamboo leaves to prepare a composite carbon aerogel. This is a new type of environmentally friendly catalyst that shows excellent catalytic performance for the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate.
Raman and optical characteristics of van der Waals heterostructures of single layers of GaP and GaSe: a first-principles study
Authors: Sozen Yigit , Sahin Hasan
Published: March 2021

Inorganic single layers of GaP and GaSe can form novel ultra-thin heterostructures displaying unique Raman and optical properties.
Radical 1,2-addition of bromoarenes to alkynes via dual photoredox and nickel catalysis
Authors: Xu Lei , Zhu Shengqing , Huo Liping , Chen Fan , Yu Wei , Chu Lingling
Published: March 2021

A 1,2-addition of aryl bromides to alkynes enabled by the photocatalytic generation of bromine radicals via photoredox and nickel catalysis is reported.
Metal-free porous phosphorus-doped g-C3N4 photocatalyst achieving efficient synthesis of benzoin
Authors: Li Yuanjin , Wang Shuhui , Wu Jin , Wang Qiuyan , Ma Changqiu , Jiang Daheng , Hu Wanglai , Zhu Lixin , Xu Xiaoliang
Published: March 2021

Porous phosphorus-doped g-C3N4 (PCNT) has intensive oxygen activation ability to generate superoxide radicals, and can efficiently catalyze synthesis of benzoin from benzyl alcohol, with conversion rate and selectivity near to 100%.
Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor roscovitine attenuates liver inflammation and fibrosis by influencing initiating steps of liver injury
Authors: Liu Yanjun , Li Jiacheng , Liao Liping , Huang Heming , Fan Shijie , Fu Rong , Huang Jing , Shi Cuicui , Yu Liang , Chen Kai-xian , Zhang Yuan-yuan , Luo Cheng , Li Guang-ming
Published: March 2021

Liver diseases present a significant public health burden worldwide. Although the mechanisms of liver diseases are complex, it is generally accepted that inflammation is commonly involved in the pathogenesis. Ongoing inflammatory responses exacerbate liver injury, or even result in fibrosis and cirrhosis. Here we report that roscovitine, a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor, exerts beneficial effects on acute and chronic liver inflammation as well as fibrosis. Animal models of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/d-galactosamine- and acute or chronic CCl4-induced liver injury showed that roscovitine administration markedly attenuated liver injury, inflammation and histological damage in LPS/d-galactosamine- and CCl4-induced acute liver injury models, which is consistent with the results in vitro. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis showed that roscovitine treatment repressed the transcription of a broad set of pro-inflammatory genes involved in many aspects of inflammation, including cytokine production and immune cell proliferation and migration, and inhibited the TGF-β signaling pathway and the biological process of tissue remodeling. For further validation, the beneficial effect of roscovitine against inflammation was evaluated in chronic CCl4-challenged mice. The anti-inflammation effect of roscovitine was observed in this model, accompanied with reduced liver fibrosis. The anti-fibrotic mechanism involved inhibition of profibrotic genes and blocking of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. Our data show that roscovitine administration protects against liver diseases through inhibition of macrophage inflammatory actions and HSC activation at the onset of liver injury.