bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex-related differences in response to masseteric injections of glutamate and nerve growth factor in healthy human participants
Authors: Alhilou Abdelrahman M. , Shimada Akiko , Svensson Camilla I. , Svensson Peter , Ernberg Malin , Cairns Brian E. , Christidis Nikolaos
Published: July 2021

The neurophysiological mechanisms underlying NGF-induced masseter muscle sensitization and sex-related differences in its effect are not well understood in humans. Therefore, this longitudinal cohort study aimed to investigate the effect of NGF injection on the density and expression of substance P, NMDA-receptors and NGF by the nerve fibers in the human masseter muscle, to correlate expression with pain characteristics, and to determine any possible sex-related differences in these effects of NGF. The magnitude of NGF-induced mechanical sensitization and pain during oral function was significantly greater in women than in men (P < 0.050). Significant positive correlations were found between nerve fiber expression of NMDA-receptors and peak pain intensity (rs = 0.620, P = 0.048), and expression of NMDA-receptors by putative nociceptors and change in temporal summation pain after glutamate injection (rs = 0.561, P = 0.003). In women, there was a significant inverse relationship between the degree of NGF-induced mechanical sensitization and the change in nerve fiber expression of NMDA-receptors alone (rs = − 0.659, P = 0.013), and in combination with NGF (rs = − 0.764, P = 0.001). In conclusion, women displayed a greater magnitude of NGF-induced mechanical sensitization that also was associated with nerve fibers expression of NMDA-receptors, when compared to men. The present findings suggest that, in women, increased peripheral NMDA-receptor expression could be associated with masseter muscle pain sensitivity.
High-resolution particle separation by inertial focusing in high aspect ratio curved microfluidics
Authors: Cruz Javier , Hjort Klas
Published: July 2021

The ability to focus, separate and concentrate specific targets in a fluid is essential for the analysis of complex samples such as biological fluids, where a myriad of different particles may be present. Inertial focusing is a very promising technology for such tasks, and specially a recently presented variant, inertial focusing in High Aspect Ratio Curved systems (HARC systems), where the systems are easily engineered and focus the targets together in a stable position over a wide range of particle sizes and flow rates. However, although convenient for laser interrogation and concentration, by focusing all particles together, HARC systems lose an essential feature of inertial focusing: the possibility of particle separation by size. Within this work, we report that HARC systems not only do have the capacity to separate particles but can do so with extremely high resolution, which we demonstrate for particles with a size difference down to 80 nm. In addition to the concept for particle separation, a model considering the main flow, the secondary flow and a simplified expression for the lift force in HARC microchannels was developed and proven accurate for the prediction of the performance of the systems. The concept was also demonstrated experimentally with three different sub-micron particles (0.79, 0.92 and 1.0 µm in diameter) in silicon-glass microchannels, where the resolution in the separation could be modulated by the radius of the channel. With the capacity to focus sub-micron particles and to separate them with high resolution, we believe that inertial focusing in HARC systems is a technology with the potential to facilitate the analysis of complex fluid samples containing bioparticles like bacteria, viruses or eukaryotic organelles.
Association of body mass index and maternal age with first stage duration of labour
Authors: Lundborg Louise , Liu Xingrong , Åberg Katarina , Sandström Anna , Tilden Ellen L. , Stephansson Olof , Ahlberg Mia
Published: July 2021

To evaluate associations between early-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and active first stage labour duration, accounting for possible interaction with maternal age, we conducted a cohort study of women with spontaneous onset of labour allocated to Robson group 1. Quantile regression analysis was performed to estimate first stage labour duration between BMI categories in two maternal age subgroups (more and less than 30 years). Results show that obesity (BMI > 30) among younger women (< 30 years) increased the median labour duration of first stage by 30 min compared with normal weight women (BMI < 25), and time difference estimated at the 90th quantile was more than 1 h. Active first stage labour time differences between obese and normal weight women was modified by maternal age. In conclusion: (a) obesity is associated with longer duration of first stage of labour, and (b) maternal age is an effect modifier for this association. This novel finding of an effect modification between BMI and maternal age contributes to the body of evidence that supports a more individualized approach when describing labour duration.
Metagenomic analysis of a throat swab sample collected in China on a patient infected with Varicella Zoster Virus
Authors: Guo Hong , Rivailler Pierre , Wang Jiangxia , Wang Huanyu , Xu Wenbo , Xu Songtao , Xu Hongmei , Hu Ruiping
Published: July 2021

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) is endemic worldwide, causing varicella in children and zoster upon reactivation in adults. This study concerned a metagenomic analysis of a throat swab sample collected in China, on a young patient suffering from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and diagnosed with varicella. The complete genome sequence of a VZV strain of clade 2 has been generated. Clade 2 strains are the most prevalent in Asian countries. A comparison of 223 VZV genomes identified 77 clade specific markers, 20 of them specific to clade 2. The metagenomic analysis also identified sequences covering most of the genome of the bacteria Schaalia odontolytica also known as Actinomyces odontolyticus. VZV infection and bacterial infection in the context of SLE is further discussed. Even though the patient presented only mild symptoms, this study is a reminder that vaccination against VZV is critical to avoid severe complications like bacterial superinfection or even death in the case of immunodeficiency.
Radon emission fluctuation as a result of biochar application into the soil
Authors: Szewczak Kamil , Jednoróg Sławomir , Wołoszczuk Katarzyna , Gluba Łukasz , Rafalska-Przysucha Anna , Łukowski Mateusz
Published: July 2021

The presented research was focused on the analysis of the impact of biochar application into the soil on the radon exhalation process as a new issue of radiation protection in agriculture. Field measurements of the radon exhalation rate utilizing two methods—active and passive as well as laboratory measurements of the radon emanation coefficient were performed. In laboratory a soil samples with sunflower husk biochar were analysed using the accumulation chamber technique. At the final step the assessment of the effective dose for humans coming from radon exhalation from soil depending on biochar dose applied were evaluated. The doses of biochar applied in the analysed experimental fields were 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 Mg ha−1. The results show that biochar application into the soil contribute to a decrease in the emanation coefficient from a value around 7% to less than 2% with a simultaneous decrease in the radon exhalation rate from 4.4 to 14.8 mBq m−2 s−1 when the biochar dose increase from 0 to 100 Mg ha−1.
Prognostic significance of preoperative systemic inflammatory biomarkers in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after microwave ablation and establishment of a nomogram
Authors: Wang Shuai , Deng Yan , Yu Xiao , Zhang Xue-Wen , Huo Cheng-Long , Sun Zhen-Gang , Chang Hong
Published: July 2021

The study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of preoperative systemic inflammatory biomarkers including albumin to globulin ratio (AGR), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR), and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and establish a nomogram in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after microwave ablation (MWA). 192 HCC patients receiving MWA as initial therapy from the first ward of hepatobiliary surgery were classified as training cohort. Whereas, 84 patients from the second of hepatobiliary surgery were classified as validation cohort. Kaplan–Meier (KM) method and univariate analyses showed that AGR, NLR, LMR, and PLR were significantly associated with OS in the training cohort. Multivariate analysis including clinicopathologic features screened out independent predictors including ascites, tumor size, cancer embolus, AGR, and PLR. Based on those variables, a nomogram for predicting OS was established. The C-index was 0.794 in the training cohort and 0.772 in the validation cohort. Calibration plots identified the nomogram performed well with an ideal model. Compared with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system and simple tumor size, the nomogram showed better predictive ability. Besides, the nomogram discovered the highest diagnostic accuracy in predicting postoperative clinical outcome than the combination of the present models with tumor size. In conclusion, the constructed nomogram could accurately predict individualized survival probability and might support clinician in individual treatment optimization and clinical decision-making.
Microscale whispering-gallery-mode light sources with lattice-confined atoms
Authors: Yu Deshui , Vollmer Frank
Published: July 2021

Microlasers, relying on the strong coupling between active particles and optical microcavity, exhibit fundamental differences from conventional lasers, such as multi-threshold/thresholdless behavior and nonclassical photon emission. As light sources, microlasers possess extensive applications in precision measurement, quantum information processing, and biochemical sensing. Here we propose a whispering-gallery-mode microlaser scheme, where ultracold alkaline-earth metal atoms, i.e., gain medium, are tightly confined in a two-color evanescent lattice that is in the ring shape and formed around a microsphere. To suppress the influence of the lattice-induced ac Stark shift on the moderately-narrow-linewidth laser transition, the red-detuned trapping beams operate at a magic wavelength while the wavelength of the blue-detuned trapping beam is set close to the other magic wavelength. The tiny mode volume and high quality factor of the microsphere ensure the strong atom-microcavity coupling in the bad-cavity regime. As a result, both saturation photon and critical atom numbers, which characterize the laser performance, are substantially reduced below unity. We explore the lasing action of the coupled system by using the Monte Carlo approach. Our scheme may be potentially generalized to the microlasers based on the forbidden clock transitions, holding the prospect for microscale active optical clocks in precision measurement and frequency metrology.
Zfp57 inactivation illustrates the role of ICR methylation in imprinted gene expression during neural differentiation of mouse ESCs
Authors: Acurzio Basilia , Verma Ankit , Polito Alessia , Giaccari Carlo , Cecere Francesco , Fioriniello Salvatore , Della Ragione Floriana , Fico Annalisa , Cerrato Flavia , Angelini Claudia , Feil Robert , Riccio Andrea
Published: July 2021

ZFP57 is required to maintain the germline-marked differential methylation at imprinting control regions (ICRs) in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Although DNA methylation has a key role in genomic imprinting, several imprinted genes are controlled by different mechanisms, and a comprehensive study of the relationship between DMR methylation and imprinted gene expression is lacking. To address the latter issue, we differentiated wild-type and Zfp57-/- hybrid mouse ESCs into neural precursor cells (NPCs) and evaluated allelic expression of imprinted genes. In mutant NPCs, we observed a reduction of allelic bias of all the 32 genes that were imprinted in wild-type cells, demonstrating that ZFP57-dependent methylation is required for maintaining or acquiring imprinted gene expression during differentiation. Analysis of expression levels showed that imprinted genes expressed from the non-methylated chromosome were generally up-regulated, and those expressed from the methylated chromosome were down-regulated in mutant cells. However, expression levels of several imprinted genes acquiring biallelic expression were not affected, suggesting the existence of compensatory mechanisms that control their RNA level. Since neural differentiation was partially impaired in Zfp57-mutant cells, this study also indicates that imprinted genes and/or non-imprinted ZFP57-target genes are required for proper neurogenesis in cultured ESCs.
Development and validation of a gas chromatography method for the determination of β-caryophyllene in clove extract and its application
Authors: Park Mi Hee , Kim Chul Jin , Lee Jin Young , Kim In Seon , Kim Sung-Kyu
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study is to check the effectiveness of the analysis method that separates and quantifies β-caryophyllene among clove extracts and validate according to current ICH guidelines. The β-caryophyllene was active constituent of clove buds. The developed method gave a good detection response. In the specificity test, the standard solution was detected at about 17.32 min, and the test solution was detected at 17.32 min. The linearity of β-caryophyllen was confirmed, and at this time, the correlation coefficient (R2) of the calibration curve showed a high linearity of 0.999 or more in the concentration range. The levels of LOD and LOQ were 1.28 ug/mL and 3.89 ug/mL, respectively. The accuracy was confirmed to be 101.6–102.2% and RSD 0.95 ~ 1.31%. As a result of checking the repeatability and inter-tester reproducibility to confirm the precision, the RSD was found to be 1.34 ~ 2.69%. This validated GC method was successfully applied to a soft capsule containing clove extract and other materials for clinical trials. Therefore, this method can be used as an analytical tool for quality control of various samples, including clove extracts and their products of food and pharmaceutical uses.
Synergistic effects of contaminants in Lombardy waters
Authors: La Porta Caterina A. M. , Fumagalli Maria Rita , Gomarasca Stefano , Lionetti Maria Chiara , Zapperi Stefano , Bocchi Stefano
Published: July 2021

Quantifying synergistic environmental effects in water contamination is still an open issue. Here, we have analyzed geolocalized data of pollutants recorded in 2018 in surface and groundwater of Lombardy, one of the areas with the highest agricultural production rates, not only in Italy, but also in Europe. Both herbicides and insecticides are present at concentration levels above the legal limit, mainly in surface waters. Geolocalized analysis allows us to identify interesting areas particularly affected by a combination of multiple pesticides. We thus investigated possible synergistic effects of these compounds on the environment, using the alga C. reinhardtii as a biosensor. Our results show that exposure for 7 days to four compounds, that we found present together at high concentration in surface waters, was able to induce a stress in the algae, as indicated by the presence of palmelloids. Our work results in a pipeline that could easily be exported to monitor other territories in Italy and abroad.
Human biomarkers associated with low concentrations of arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) in groundwater in agricultural areas of Thailand
Authors: Wongsasuluk Pokkate , Chotpantarat Srilert , Siriwong Wattasit , Robson Mark
Published: July 2021

Human biomarkers were used to evaluate the lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) exposure of local people who lived in an agricultural area with intense agrochemical usage and who consumed groundwater. Although the heavy metals/metalloids in the groundwater were at low concentrations, they could cause adverse effects due to a high daily water intake rate over the long term. Biomarkers (hair, fingernails and urine) were collected from 100 subjects along with the local shallow groundwater and tap water, which is the treated deep groundwater, and investigated for the concentrations of As and Pb. Shallow groundwater had an average pH of 5.21 ± 1.90, ranging from 3.77 to 8.34, with average concentrations of As and Pb of 1.311 µg/L and 6.882 µg/L, respectively. Tap water had an average pH of 5.24 ± 1.63, ranging from 3.86 to 8.89, with the average concentrations of As and Pb of 0.77 µg/L and 0.004 µg/L, respectively. The levels of both As and Pb in the hair, fingernails and urine of shallow groundwater-consuming residents were greater than those in the hair, fingernails and urine of tap water-consuming residents. Interestingly, the As level in urine showed a linear relationship with the As concentration in groundwater (R2 = 0.91). The average water consumption rate was approximately two-fold higher than the standard; thus, its consumption posed a health risk even at the low As and Pb levels in the groundwater. The hazard index (HI) ranged from 0.01 to 16.34 (average of 1.20 ± 2.50), which was higher than the acceptable level. Finally, the concomitant factors for As and Pb in the urine, hair and nails from both binary logistic regression and odds ratio (OR) analysis indicated that groundwater consumption was the major concomitant risk factor. This study suggested that direct consumption of this groundwater should be avoided and that the groundwater should be treated, especially before consumption. In conclusion, urine is suggested to be a biomarker of daily exposure to As and Pb, while for long-term exposure to these metals, fingernails are suggested as a better biomarker than hair.
Untangling the genetic link between type 1 and type 2 diabetes using functional genomics
Authors: Nyaga Denis M. , Vickers Mark H. , Jefferies Craig , Fadason Tayaza , O’Sullivan Justin M.
Published: July 2021

There is evidence pointing towards shared etiological features between type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) despite both phenotypes being considered genetically distinct. However, the existence of shared genetic features for T1D and T2D remains complex and poorly defined. To better understand the link between T1D and T2D, we employed an integrated functional genomics approach involving extensive chromatin interaction data (Hi-C) and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data to characterize the tissue-specific impacts of single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with T1D and T2D. We identified 195 pleiotropic genes that are modulated by tissue-specific spatial eQTLs associated with both T1D and T2D. The pleiotropic genes are enriched in inflammatory and metabolic pathways that include mitogen-activated protein kinase activity, pertussis toxin signaling, and the Parkinson’s disease pathway. We identified 8 regulatory elements within theTCF7L2locus that modulate transcript levels of genes involved in immune regulation as well as genes important in the etiology of T2D. Despite the observed gene and pathway overlaps, there was no significant genetic correlation between variant effects on T1D and T2D risk using European ancestral summary data. Collectively, our findings support the hypothesis that T1D and T2D specific genetic variants act through genetic regulatory mechanisms to alter the regulation of common genes, and genes that co-locate in biological pathways, to mediate pleiotropic effects on disease development. Crucially, a high risk genetic profile for T1D alters biological pathways that increase the risk of developing both T1D and T2D. The same is not true for genetic profiles that increase the risk of developing T2D. The conversion of information on genetic susceptibility to the protein pathways that are altered provides an important resource for repurposing or designing novel therapies for the management of diabetes.
Segmentation of the subcuticular fat body in Apis mellifera females with different reproductive potentials
Authors: Strachecka Aneta , Olszewski Krzysztof , Kuszewska Karolina , Chobotow Jacek , Wójcik Łukasz , Paleolog Jerzy , Woyciechowski Michał
Published: July 2021

Evolution has created different castes of females in eusocial haplodiploids. The difference between them lies in their functions and vulnerability but above all in their reproductive potentials. Honeybee queens are highly fertile. On the other hand, the workers are facultatively sterile. However, rebel workers, i.e. workers that develop in a queenless colony, reproduce more often than normal workers. As a result, the fat body of these bees, which apart from acting as the energy reserve, is also the site of numerous metabolic processes, had to specialize in different functions perfected over millions of years of eusocial evolution. Assuming that the variety of functions manifests itself in the pleomorphic structure of the fat body cells, we predicted that also different parts of the fat body, e.g. from different segments of the abdomen, contain different sets of cells. Such differences could be expected between queens, rebels and normal workers, i.e. females with dramatically different reproductive potentials. We confirmed all these expectations. Although all bees had the same types of cells, their proportion and segmental character corresponded with the caste reproductive potential and physiological characteristics shaped in the evolutionary process. The females with an increased reproductive potential were characterized by the presence of oenocytes in the third tergite and high concentrations of compounds responsible for energy reserves, like glucose, glycogen and triglycerides. Queens had very large trophocytes, especially in the third tergite. Only in workers did we observe intercellular spaces in all the segments of the fat body, as well as high protein concentrations—especially in the sternite. As expected, the rebels combined many features of the queens and normal workers, what with other findings can help understand the ways that led to the origin of different castes in females of eusocial Hymenoptera.
A prototype device of microliter volume voltammetric pH sensor based on carbazole–quinone redox-probe tethered MWCNT modified three-in-one screen-printed electrode
Authors: Srinivas Sakthivel , Ashokkumar Krishnan , Sriraghavan Kamaraj , Senthil Kumar Annamalai
Published: July 2021

As an alternate for the conventional glass-based pH sensor which is associated with problems like fragile nature, alkaline error, and potential drift, the development of a new redox-sensitive pH probe-modified electrode that could show potential, current-drift and surface-fouling free voltammetric pH sensing is a demanding research interest, recently. Herein, we report a substituted carbazole-quinone (Car-HQ) based new redox-active pH-sensitive probe that contains benzyl and bromo-substituents, immobilized multiwalled carbon nanotube modified glassy carbon (GCE/MWCNT@Car-HQ) and screen-printed three-in-one (SPE/MWCNT@Car-HQ) electrodes for selective, surface-fouling free pH sensor application. This new system showed a well-defined surface-confined redox peak at an apparent standard electrode potential, Eo′ = − 0.160 V versus Ag/AgCl with surface-excess value, Γ = 47 n mol cm−2 in pH 7 phosphate buffer solution. When tested with various electroactive chemicals and biochemicals such as cysteine, hydrazine, NADH, uric acid, and ascorbic acid, MWCNT@Car-HQ showed an unaltered redox-peak potential and current values without mediated oxidation/reduction behavior unlike the conventional hydroquinone, anthraquinone and other redox mediators based voltammetry sensors with serious electrocatalytic effects and in turn potential and current drifts. A strong π–π interaction, nitrogen-atom assisted surface orientation and C–C bond formation on the graphitic structure of MWCNT are the plausible reasons for stable and selective voltammetric pH sensing application of MWCNT@Car-HQ system. Using a programed/in-built three-in-one screen printed compatible potentiostat system, voltammetric pH sensing of 3 μL sample of urine, saliva, and orange juice samples with pH values comparable to that of milliliter volume-based pH-glass electrode measurements has been demonstrated.
Contextualised strong reciprocity explains selfless cooperation despite selfish intuitions and weak social heuristics
Authors: Isler Ozan , Gächter Simon , Maule A. John , Starmer Chris
Published: July 2021

Humans frequently cooperate for collective benefit, even in one-shot social dilemmas. This provides a challenge for theories of cooperation. Two views focus on intuitions but offer conflicting explanations. The Social Heuristics Hypothesis argues that people with selfish preferences rely on cooperative intuitions and predicts that deliberation reduces cooperation. The Self-Control Account emphasizes control over selfish intuitions and is consistent with strong reciprocity—a preference for conditional cooperation in one-shot dilemmas. Here, we reconcile these explanations with each other as well as with strong reciprocity. We study one-shot cooperation across two main dilemma contexts, provision and maintenance, and show that cooperation is higher in provision than maintenance. Using time-limit manipulations, we experimentally study the cognitive processes underlying this robust result. Supporting the Self-Control Account, people are intuitively selfish in maintenance, with deliberation increasing cooperation. In contrast, consistent with the Social Heuristics Hypothesis, deliberation tends to increase the likelihood of free-riding in provision. Contextual differences between maintenance and provision are observed across additional measures: reaction time patterns of cooperation; social dilemma understanding; perceptions of social appropriateness; beliefs about others’ cooperation; and cooperation preferences. Despite these dilemma-specific asymmetries, we show that preferences, coupled with beliefs, successfully predict the high levels of cooperation in both maintenance and provision dilemmas. While the effects of intuitions are context-dependent and small, the widespread preference for strong reciprocity is the primary driver of one-shot cooperation. We advance the Contextualised Strong Reciprocity account as a unifying framework and consider its implications for research and policy.
Solar forcing of early Holocene droughts on the Yucatán peninsula
Authors: Warken Sophie F. , Schorndorf Nils , Stinnesbeck Wolfgang , Hennhoefer Dominik , Stinnesbeck Sarah R. , Förstel Julius , Steidle Simon D. , Avilés Olguin Jerónimo , Frank Norbert
Published: July 2021

A speleothem record from the north-eastern Yucatán peninsula (Mexico) provides new insights into the tropical hydro-climate of the Americas between 11,040 and 9520 a BP on up to sub-decadal scale. Despite the complex atmospheric reorganization during the end of the last deglaciation, the dominant internal leading modes of precipitation variability during the late Holocene were also active during the time of record. While multi-decadal variations were not persistent, Mesoamerican precipitation was dominated by changes on the decadal- and centennial scale, which may be attributed to ENSO activity driven by solar forcing. Freshwater fluxes from the remnant Laurentide ice sheet into the Gulf of Mexico and the North Atlantic have additionally modulated the regional evaporation/precipitation balance. In particular, this study underlines the importance of solar activity on tropical and subtropical climate variability through forcing of the tropical Pacific, providing a plausible scenario for observed recurrent droughts on the decadal scale throughout the Holocene.
Characterisation of mass distributions of solvent-fractionated lignins using analytical ultracentrifugation and size exclusion chromatography methods
Authors: Lu Yudong , Joosten Lionard , Donkers Jacqueline , Andriulo Fabrizio , Slaghek Ted M. , Phillips-Jones Mary K. , Gosselink Richard J. A. , Harding Stephen E.
Published: July 2021

Lignins are valuable renewable resources for the potential production of a large array of biofuels, aromatic chemicals and biopolymers. Yet native and industrial lignins are complex, highly branched and heterogenous macromolecules, properties that have to date often undermined their use as starting materials in lignin valorisation strategies. Reliable knowledge of weight average molar mass, conformation and polydispersity of lignin starting materials can be proven to be crucial to and improve the prospects for the success of such strategies. Here we evaluated the use of commonly-used size exclusion chromatography (SEC)—calibrated with polystyrene sulphonate standards—and under-used analytical ultracentrifugation—which does not require calibration—to characterise a series of lignin fractions sequentially extracted from soda and Kraft alkaline lignins using ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), methanol and acetone:water (fractions F01–F04, respectively). Absolute values of weight average molar mass (Mw) determined using sedimentation equilibrium in the analytical ultracentrifuge of (3.0 ± 0.1) kDa and (4.2 ± 0.2) kDa for soda and Kraft lignins respectively, agreed closely with previous SEC-determined Mws and reasonably with the size exclusion chromatography measurements employed here, confirming the appropriateness of the standards (with the possible exceptions of fraction F05 for soda P1000 and F03 for Indulin). Both methods revealed the presence of low (~ 1 kDa) Mw material in F01 and F02 fractions followed by progressively higher Mw in subsequent fractions. Compositional analysis confirmed > 90% (by weight) total lignins successively extracted from both lignins using MEK, methanol and acetone:water (F02 to F04). Considerable heterogeneity of both unfractionated and fractionated lignins was revealed through determinations of both sedimentation coefficient distributions and polydispersity indices. The study also demonstrates the advantages of using analytical ultracentrifugation, both alongside SEC as well as in its own right, for determining absolute Mw, heterogeneity and conformation information for characterising industrial lignins.
First molecular-based detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the field-collected houseflies
Authors: Soltani Aboozar , Jamalidoust Marzieh , Hosseinpour Amin , Vahedi Mozaffar , Ashraf Hadi , Yousefinejad Saeed
Published: July 2021

This is the first report of SARS-CoV-2 detection on field-collected Musca domestica housefly surface and tissue samples using the high-sensitive PCR assay which suggests the possible insect-borne transmission. The study was conducted in Shiraz city, southern Iran, in May and Jun 2020. Adult flies were sampled at the outdoor areas of two hospitals treating COVID-19 patients. Fly samples were first washed twice to remove the insect surface attached to SARS-CoV-2 virions. After that, the disinfected fly samples were homogenized. Fly surface washout and homogenate samples were tested using Taq Man real-time PCR assay for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In a total of 156 houseflies, 75% of samples from the body washout samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Strikingly, 37% of the homogenized specimens were positive for the SARS-CoV-2, suggesting the possible infection of the insects or uptake of the virion to the insect metabolism. The other possibility is the houseflies up took the blood or blood fluids of the patients and the RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 survived in the insect body without replicating. Our preliminary findings suggest that the houseflies could transmit SARS-CoV-2 as a mechanical or biological vector especially during the warm seasons while increasing the population and activity of houseflies.
Impact of surgical resection of butterfly glioblastoma on survival: a meta-analysis based on comparative studies
Authors: Chojak Rafał , Koźba-Gosztyła Marta , Słychan Katarzyna , Gajos Daniel , Kotas Marek , Tyliszczak Michał , Czapiga Bogdan
Published: July 2021

Butterfly glioblastoma (bGBM) is a rare brain tumor that invades both hemispheres by crossing the corpus callosum. bGBM is associated with a dismal prognosis with a median survival time of a few months. Surgical resection is a rare treatment option due to the unfavorable location and assumed poor risk-to-benefit ratio. Therefore, a biopsy-alone approach is considered the main treatment option. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate whether resection of bGBM is associated with improved overall survival compared with biopsy alone. We searched three databases to find studies that compare resection with biopsy in 6-, 12- and 18-months overall survival in patients with bGBM. We calculated the pooled relative risk (RR) of mortality using a random-effects model. Five studies with 194 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Mortality was decreased for resection compared with biopsy at 6-months (RR 0.63 [95% CI 0.44–0.91]). No significant differences in overall survival were found at 12 (RR 0.76 [95% CI 0.50–1.14]) and 18-months (RR 0.84 [95% CI 0.56–1.26]). Surgical resection of bGBM is associated with an improved 6-months overall survival compared with biopsy alone. We have not found strong evidence supporting the superiority of resection over biopsy alone in overall survival at 12 and 18-months.
Elevated resting heart rate as a predictor of inflammation and cardiovascular risk in healthy obese individuals
Authors: Al-Rashed Fatema , Sindhu Sardar , Al Madhoun Ashraf , Ahmad Zunair , AlMekhled Dawood , Azim Rafaat , Al-Kandari Sarah , Wahid Maziad Al-Abdul , Al-Mulla Fahd , Ahmad Rasheed
Published: July 2021

The role of leukocyte inflammatory markers and toll like receptors (TLRs)2/4 in pathologies associated with elevated resting heart rate (RHR) levels in healthy obese (HO) individuals is not well elucidated. Herein, we investigated the relationship of RHR with expression of leukocyte-inflammatory markers and TLRs in HO individuals. 58-obese and 57-lean participants with no history of a major medical condition, were recruited in this study. In HO individuals, the elevated-RHR correlated positively with diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol, pro-inflammatory monocytes CD11b+CD11c+CD206− phenotype (r = 0.52, P = 0.0003) as well as with activated T cells CD8+HLA-DR+ phenotype (r = 0.27, P = 0.039). No association was found between RHR and the percentage of CD16+CD11b+ neutrophils. Interestingly, elevated RHR positively correlated with cells expressing TLR4 and TLR2 (CD14+TLR4+, r = 0.51, P ≤ 0.0001; and CD14+TLR2+, r = 0.42, P = 0.001). TLR4+ expressing cells also associated positively with the plasma concentrations of proinflammatory or vascular permeability/matrix modulatory markers including TNF-α (r = 0.36, P = 0.005), VEGF (r = 0.47, P = 0.0002), and MMP-9 (r = 0.53, P ≤ 0.0001). Multiple regression revealed that RHR is independently associated with CD14+TLR4+ monocytes and VEGF. We conclude that in HO individuals, increased CD14+TLR4+ monocytes and circulatory VEGF levels associated independently with RHR, implying that RHR monitoring could be used as a non-invasive clinical indicator to identify healthy obese individuals at an increased risk of developing inflammation and cardiovascular disease.
All trans retinoic acid alleviates coronary stenosis by regulating smooth muscle cell function in a mouse model of Kawasaki disease
Authors: Suganuma Eisuke , Sato Satoshi , Honda Satoko , Nakazawa Atsuko
Published: July 2021

Coronary artery (CA) stenosis is a detrimental and often life-threatening sequela in Kawasaki disease (KD) patients with coronary artery aneurysm (CAA). Therapeutic strategies for these patients have not yet been established. All-trans-retinoic acid (atRA) is a modulator of smooth muscle cell functions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of atRA on CA stenosis in a mouse model of KD. Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract (LCWE) was intraperitoneally injected into 5-week-old male C57BL/6 J mice to induce CA stenosis. Two weeks later, the mice were orally administered atRA (30 mg/kg) 5 days per week for 14 weeks (LCWE + atRA group, n = 7). Mice in the untreated group (LCWE group, n = 6) received corn oil alone. Control mice were injected with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, n = 5). Treatment with atRA significantly suppressed CA inflammation (19.3 ± 2.8 vs 4.4 ± 2.8, p < 0.0001) and reduced the incidence of CA stenosis (100% vs 18.5%, p < 0.05). In addition, atRA suppressed the migration of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs) induced by platelet-derived growth factor subunit B homodimer (PDGF-BB). In conclusion, atRA dramatically alleviated CA stenosis by suppressing SMC migration. Therefore, it is expected to have clinical applications preventing CA stenosis in KD patients with CAA.
Influence of acetylene on methane–air explosion characteristics in a confined chamber
Authors: Jia Jinzhang , Zhu Jinchao , Niu Wenxing , Zhang Jing
Published: July 2021

To study the impact of acetylene on methane explosions, the safe operation of coal mines should be ensured. In this paper, a 20 L spherical tank was used to study the explosive characteristics of acetylene–methane–air mixture. In addition, the GRI-Mech3.0 mechanism was used to study the chemical kinetic mechanism for the mixed gas, and the effect of adding acetylene on the sensitivity of methane and the yield of free radicals was analysed. The results show that acetylene can expand the scope for methane explosion, lower the lower explosion limit, and increase the risk of explosion. Acetylene increases the maximum explosion pressure, laminar combustion rate and maximum pressure rise rate for the methane–air mixture while shortening the combustion time. Three combustion modes for the acetylene–methane–air mixture were determined: methane-dominated, transitional and acetylene-dominated combustion modes. Chemical kinetic analysis for the mixed gas shows that as the volume fraction of acetylene increases, the generation rate for key free radicals (H*, O* and OH*) gradually increases, thereby increasing the intensity of the explosive reaction. The results from this research will help formulate measures to prevent coal mine explosion accidents.
The mitochondrial genome of the grape powdery mildew pathogen Erysiphe necator is intron rich and exhibits a distinct gene organization
Authors: Zaccaron Alex Z. , De Souza Jorge T. , Stergiopoulos Ioannis
Published: July 2021

Powdery mildews are notorious fungal plant pathogens but only limited information exists on their genomes. Here we present the mitochondrial genome of the grape powdery mildew fungus Erysiphe necator and a high-quality mitochondrial gene annotation generated through cloning and Sanger sequencing of full-length cDNA clones. The E. necator mitochondrial genome consists of a circular DNA sequence of 188,577 bp that harbors a core set of 14 protein-coding genes that are typically present in fungal mitochondrial genomes, along with genes encoding the small and large ribosomal subunits, a ribosomal protein S3, and 25 mitochondrial-encoded transfer RNAs (mt-tRNAs). Interestingly, it also exhibits a distinct gene organization with atypical bicistronic-like expression of the nad4L/nad5 and atp6/nad3 gene pairs, and contains a large number of 70 introns, making it one of the richest in introns mitochondrial genomes among fungi. Sixty-four intronic ORFs were also found, most of which encoded homing endonucleases of the LAGLIDADG or GIY-YIG families. Further comparative analysis of five E. necator isolates revealed 203 polymorphic sites, but only five were located within exons of the core mitochondrial genes. These results provide insights into the organization of mitochondrial genomes of powdery mildews and represent valuable resources for population genetic and evolutionary studies.
Enhancement of aragonite mineralization with a chelating agent for CO2 storage and utilization at low to moderate temperatures
Authors: Wang Jiajie , Watanabe Noriaki , Inomoto Kosuke , Kamitakahara Masanobu , Nakamura Kengo , Komai Takeshi , Tsuchiya Noriyoshi
Published: July 2021

Among the CaCO3 polymorphs, aragonite demonstrates a better performance as a filler material in the paper and plastic industries. Despite being ideal from the environmental protection perspective, the production of aragonite particles via CO2 mineralization of rocks is hindered by the difficulty in achieving high production efficiencies and purities, which, however, can be mitigated by exploiting the potential ability of chelating agents on metal ions extraction and carbonation controlling. Herein, chelating agent N,N-dicarboxymethyl glutamic acid (GLDA) was used to enhance the extraction of Ca from calcium silicate and facilitate the production of aragonite particles during the subsequent Ca carbonation. CO2 mineralization was promoted in the presence of 0.01–0.1 M GLDA at ≤ 80 °C, with the maximal CaCO3 production efficiency reached 308 g/kg of calcium silicate in 60 min using 0.03 M GLDA, which is 15.5 times higher than that without GLDA. In addition, GLDA showed excellent effects on promoting aragonite precipitation, e.g., the content of aragonite was only 5.1% in the absence of GLDA at 50 °C, whereas highly pure (> 90%, increased by a factor of 18) and morphologically uniform aragonite was obtained using ≥ 0.05 M GLDA under identical conditions. Aragonite particle morphologies could also be controlled by varying the GLDA concentration and carbonation temperature. This study proposed a carbon-negative aragonite production method, demonstrated the possibility of enhanced and controlled aragonite particle production during the CO2 mineralization of calcium silicates in the presence of chelating agents.
Isorhamnetin attenuates high-fat and high-fructose diet induced cognitive impairments and neuroinflammation by mediating MAPK and NFκB signaling pathways
Authors: Mulati Aiziguli , Zhang Xin , Zhao Tong , Ren Bo , Wang Luanfeng , Liu Xiaoning , Lan Ying , Liu Xuebo
Published: July 2021

Isorhamnetin (ISO), a flavonoid compound isolated from sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) fruit, has anti-inflammatory effects.
Impact of ozonation and biological post-treatment of municipal wastewater on microbiological quality parameters
Authors: Sauter Daniel , Stange Claudia , Schumacher Vera , Tiehm Andreas , Gnirss Regina , Wintgens Thomas
Published: July 2021

Biological post-treatment after ozonation in tertiary municipal wastewater treatment significantly improves the abatement of several microbiological quality parameters.
Bio-reduction mechanism of V(V) by thermophilic hydrogen-producing bacteria under acidic conditions
Authors: Zheng Xin , Zhao Bo , Liu Chunguang
Published: July 2021

A V(V) of 97.75% was bio-reduced by thermophilic Bacilli and Clostridia with glucose and its metabolites (VFAs and H2) as main electron donors.
Lactobacillus casei LC89 exerts antidiabetic effects through regulating hepatic glucagon response and gut microbiota in type 2 diabetic mice
Authors: Zhang Yongli , Wu Tao , Li Wen , Zhao Yunjiao , Long Hairong , Liu Rui , Sui Wenjie , Zhang Min
Published: July 2021

Lactobacillus casei LC89 exhibits remarkable anti-diabetic effects by inhibiting hepatic glucagon action and reshaping the gut microbiota, and might be considered as a dietary supplement to regulate glucose metabolism.
Self-healing, recyclable, and removable UV-curable coatings derived from tung oil and malic acid
Authors: Zhang Jinshuai , Huang Jia , Zhu Guoqiang , Yu Xixi , Cheng Jianwen , Liu Zengshe , Hu Yun , Shang Qianqian , Liu Chengguo , Hu Lihong , Zhou Yonghong
Published: July 2021

Self-healing, recyclable, and removable UV-curable coatings were obtained by integrating renewable tung oil and malic acid resources, microwave synthesis, UV-curing, and dynamic covalent chemistry into coatings.
Rapid production of bicontinuous macroporous materials using intrinsically polymerizable bijels
Authors: Ching Herman , Thorson Todd J. , Paul Brian , Mohraz Ali
Published: July 2021

We present a scalable and efficient protocol for producing bijel-templated materials using intrinsically polymerizable bijels comprising partially miscible mixtures of solvent and monomer precursor.
Determination of the valence band edge of Fe oxide nanoparticles dispersed in aqueous solution through resonant photoelectron spectroscopy from a liquid microjet
Authors: Olivieri Giorgia , Kladnik Gregor , Cvetko Dean , Brown Matthew A.
Published: July 2021

The electronic structure of hydrated nanoparticles can be unveiled by coupling a liquid microjet with a resonant photoemission spectroscopy.
ALD coating of centrifugally spun polymeric fibers and postannealing: case study for nanotubular TiO2 photocatalyst
Authors: Rihova Martina , Yurkevich Oksana , Motola Martin , Hromadko Ludek , Spotz Zdenek , Zazpe Raul , Knez Mato , Macak Jan M.
Published: July 2021

Proof-of-concept work on ALD coating of polymeric fibers and post-annealing leading to novel nanotubular structures: case study for TiO2 nanotubes.
Lawsone derived Zn(ii) and Fe(iii) metal organic frameworks with pH dependent emission for controlled drug delivery
Authors: Sirajunnisa P. , George Liz Hannah , Manoj N. , Prathapan S. , Sailaja G. S.
Published: July 2021

Fluorescent biocompatible porous carriers have been investigated as suitable probes for drug delivery and sensing applications owing to their intrinsic fluorescence and high surface area originating from their porous structure complemented with tunable pore size/surface properties.
In vivodual fluorescence imaging of mucin 1 and its glycoform in tumor cells
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Ye Yufei , Huang Zhaohui , Seeberger Peter H. , Hu Jing , Yin Jian
Published: July 2021

A light activated FRET-based MUC1 dual imaging system of nanoprobes is developed. This system can achieve dual imaging of MUC1 and its sialylation in vitro, in vivo and in clinical human tissue samples, with high specificity and biocompatibility.
Effective tumor vessel barrier disruption mediated by perfluoro-N-(4-methylcyclohexyl) piperidine nanoparticles to enhance the efficacy of photodynamic therapy
Authors: Xiong Wei , Qi Lin , Si Deli , Jiang Xin , Liu Yu , Zheng Chunjuan , Li Yuan , Shen Jianliang , Zhou Zaigang
Published: July 2021

Platelet inhibition could disrupt tumor vessel barriers to enhance drug permeation, reverse tumor hypoxia and regulate immunosuppressive microenvironment, which then lead to the improved efficacy of photodynamic therapy.
Microstructure and defect characteristics of lithium niobate with different Li concentrations
Authors: Chen Kunfeng , Li Yanlu , Peng Chao , Lu Zheng , Luo Xingyun , Xue Dongfeng
Published: July 2021

Li vacancies and Nb antisites are stable point defects in congruent lithium niobate. The intrinsic point defects induce the Li/Nb cation mixing, the formation of temperature-dependent defect microstructures, and disorder within the LiNbO3 lattice frame.
Preparation and study of characteristics of LiCoO2/Fe3O4/Li2B2O4 nanocomposites as ideal active materials for electrochemical hydrogen storage
Authors: Ranjeh Mahdi , Amiri Omid , Salavati-Niasari Masoud , Shabani-Nooshabadi Mehdi
Published: July 2021

To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, the effects of LiCoO2/Fe3O4/Li2B2O4 nanocomposites as a favorable hydrogen capacitor were investigated to enhance hydrogen storage performance.
Solubility, thermal and photoluminescence properties of triphenyl imidazole-containing polyimides
Authors: Bai Wu , Hu Zhizhi , Lu Yunhua , Xiao Guoyong , Zhao Hongbin , Zhu Jianmin , Liu Zhaobin
Published: July 2021

The triphenyl imidazole-containing polyimide films exhibit excellent solubility and thermal and photoluminescence properties.
The stability and electronic and photocatalytic properties of the ZnWO4 (010) surface determined from first-principles and thermodynamic calculations
Authors: Wu Yonggang , Zhang Jihua , Long Bingwei , Zhang Hong
Published: July 2021

The ZnWO4 (010) surface termination stability is studied using a density functional theory-based thermodynamic approach. The stability phase diagram shows that O-Zn, DL-W, and DL-Zn terminations of ZnWO4 (010) can be stabilized.
Phase-dependent dielectric properties and proton conduction of neopentyl glycol
Authors: Pan Hailong , Luo Jiangshui , Li Bing , Wübbenhorst Michael
Published: July 2021

Phase-dependent dielectric properties and proton conduction of neopentyl glycol (NPG) are studied systematically over a wide temperature range via broadband dielectric spectroscopy.