bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A horizontally acquired expansin gene increases virulence of the emerging plant pathogen Erwinia tracheiphila
Authors: Rocha Jorge , Shapiro Lori R. , Kolter Roberto
Published: December 2020

Erwinia tracheiphila is a bacterial plant pathogen that causes a fatal wilt infection in some cucurbit crop plants. Wilt symptoms are thought to be caused by systemic bacterial colonization through xylem that impedes sap flow. However, the genetic determinants of within-plant movement are unknown for this pathogen species. Here, we find that E. tracheiphila has horizontally acquired an operon with a microbial expansin (exlx) gene adjacent to a glycoside hydrolase family 5 (gh5) gene. Plant inoculation experiments with deletion mutants in the individual genes (Δexlx and Δgh5) and the full operon (Δexlx–gh5) resulted in decreased severity of wilt symptoms, decreased mortality rate, and impaired systemic colonization compared to the Wt strain. Co-inoculation experiments with Wt and Δexlx–gh5 rescued the movement defect of the mutant strain, suggesting that expansin and GH5 function extracellularly. Together, these results show that expansin–GH5 contributes to systemic movement through xylem, leading to rapid wilt symptom development and higher rates of plant death. The presence of expansin genes in diverse species of bacterial and fungal wilt-inducing pathogens suggests that microbial expansin proteins may be an under-appreciated virulence factor for many pathogen species.
Facile synthesis and defect optimization of 2D-layered MoS2 on TiO2 heterostructure for industrial effluent, wastewater treatments
Authors: Gopal Ramalingam , Chinnapan Maria Magdalane , Bojarajan Arjun Kumar , Rotte Naresh Kumar , Ponraj Joice Sophia , Ganesan Ravi , Atanas Ivanov , Nadarajah Manivannan , Manavalan Rajesh Kumar , Gaspar Joao
Published: December 2020

Current research is paying much attention to heterojunction nanostructures. Owing to its versatile characteristics such as stimulating morphology, affluent surface-oxygen-vacancies and chemical compositions for enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species. Herein, we report the hydrothermally synthesized TiO2@MoS2 heterojunction nanostructure for the effective production of photoinduced charge carriers to enhance the photocatalytic capability. XRD analysis illustrated the crystalline size of CTAB capped TiO2, MoS2@TiO2 and L-Cysteine capped MoS2@TiO2 as 12.6, 11.7 and 10.2 nm, respectively. The bandgap of the samples analyzed by UV–Visible spectroscopy are 3.57, 3.66 and 3.94 eV. PL spectra of anatase phase titania shows the peaks present at and above 400 nm are ascribed to the defects in the crystalline structure in the form of oxygen vacancies. HRTEM reveals the existence of hexagonal layered MoS2 formation on the spherical shaped TiO2 nanoparticles at the interface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy recommends the chemical interactions between MoS2 and TiO2, specifically, oxygen vacancies. In addition, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies observed that L-MT sample performed low charge transfer resistance (336.7 Ω cm2) that promotes the migration of electrons and interfacial charge separation. The photocatalytic performance is evaluated by quantifying the rate of Congo red dye degradation under visible light irradiation, and the decomposition efficiency was found to be 97%. The electron trapping recombination and plausible photocatalytic mechanism are also explored, and the reported work could be an excellent complement for industrial wastewater treatment.
Dynamics of proteins with different molecular structures under solution condition
Authors: Inoue Rintaro , Oda Takashi , Nakagawa Hiroshi , Tominaga Taiki , Saio Tomohide , Kawakita Yukinobu , Shimizu Masahiro , Okuda Aya , Morishima Ken , Sato Nobuhiro , Urade Reiko , Sato Mamoru , Sugiyama Masaaki
Published: December 2020

Incoherent quasielastic neutron scattering (iQENS) is a fascinating technique for investigating the internal dynamics of protein. However, low flux of neutron beam, low signal to noise ratio of QENS spectrometers and unavailability of well-established analyzing method have been obstacles for studying internal dynamics under physiological condition (in solution). The recent progress of neutron source and spectrometer provide the fine iQENS profile with high statistics and as well the progress of computational technique enable us to quantitatively reveal the internal dynamic from the obtained iQENS profile. The internal dynamics of two proteins, globular domain protein (GDP) and intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) in solution, were measured with the state-of-the art QENS spectrometer and then revealed with the newly developed analyzing method. It was clarified that the average relaxation rate of IDP was larger than that of GDP and the fraction of mobile H atoms of IDP was also much higher than that of GDP. Combined with the structural analysis and the calculation of solvent accessible surface area of amino acid residue, it was concluded that the internal dynamics were related to the highly solvent exposed amino acid residues depending upon protein’s structure.
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in patients with biallelic JUP-associated skin fragility
Authors: Vahidnezhad Hassan , Youssefian Leila , Faghankhani Masoomeh , Mozafari Nikoo , Saeidian Amir Hossein , Niaziorimi Fatemeh , Abdollahimajd Fahimeh , Sotoudeh Soheila , Rajabi Fateme , Mirsafaei Liaosadat , Sani Zahra Alizadeh , Liu Lu , Guy Alyson , Zeinali Sirous , Kariminejad Ariana , Ho Reginald T. , McGrath John A. , Uitto Jouni
Published: December 2020

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), with skin manifestations, has been associated with mutations in JUP encoding plakoglobin. Genotype–phenotype correlations regarding the penetrance of cardiac involvement, and age of onset have not been well established. We examined a cohort of 362 families with skin fragility to screen for genetic mutations with next-generation sequencing-based methods. In two unrelated families, a previously unreported biallelic mutation, JUP: c.201delC; p.Ser68Alafs*92, was disclosed. The consequences of this mutation were determined by expression profiling both at tissue and ultrastructural levels, and the patients were evaluated by cardiac and cutaneous work-up. Whole-transcriptome sequencing by RNA-Seq revealed JUP as the most down-regulated gene among 21 skin fragility-associated genes. Immunofluorescence showed the lack of plakoglobin in the epidermis. Two probands, 2.5 and 22-year-old, with the same homozygous mutation, allowed us to study the cross-sectional progression of cardiac involvements in relation to age. The older patient had anterior T wave inversions, prolonged terminal activation duration (TAD), and RV enlargement by echocardiogram, and together with JUP mutation met definite ARVC diagnosis. The younger patient had no evidence of cardiac disease, but met possible ARVC diagnosis with one major criterion (the JUP mutation). In conclusion, we identified the same biallelic homozygous JUP mutation in two unrelated families with skin fragility, but cardiac findings highlighted age-dependent penetrance of ARVC. Thus, young, phenotypically normal patients with biallelic JUP mutations should be monitored for development of ARVC.
The novel ECF56 SigG1-RsfG system modulates morphological differentiation and metal-ion homeostasis in Streptomyces tsukubaensis
Authors: Oliveira Rute , Bush Matthew J. , Pires Sílvia , Chandra Govind , Casas-Pastor Delia , Fritz Georg , Mendes Marta V.
Published: December 2020

Extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors are key transcriptional regulators that prokaryotes have evolved to respond to environmental challenges. Streptomyces tsukubaensis harbours 42 ECFs to reprogram stress-responsive gene expression. Among them, SigG1 features a minimal conserved ECF σ2–σ4 architecture and an additional C-terminal extension that encodes a SnoaL_2 domain, which is characteristic for ECF σ factors of group ECF56. Although proteins with such domain organisation are widely found among Actinobacteria, the functional role of ECFs with a fused SnoaL_2 domain remains unknown. Our results show that in addition to predicted self-regulatory intramolecular amino acid interactions between the SnoaL_2 domain and the ECF core, SigG1 activity is controlled by the cognate anti-sigma protein RsfG, encoded by a co-transcribed sigG1-neighbouring gene. Characterisation of ∆sigG1 and ∆rsfG strains combined with RNA-seq and ChIP-seq experiments, suggests the involvement of SigG1 in the morphological differentiation programme of S. tsukubaensis. SigG1 regulates the expression of alanine dehydrogenase, ald and the WhiB-like regulator, wblC required for differentiation, in addition to iron and copper trafficking systems. Overall, our work establishes a model in which the activity of a σ factor of group ECF56, regulates morphogenesis and metal-ions homeostasis during development to ensure the timely progression of multicellular differentiation.
The localization of non-backtracking centrality in networks and its physical consequences
Authors: Pastor-Satorras Romualdo , Castellano Claudio
Published: December 2020

The spectrum of the non-backtracking matrix plays a crucial role in determining various structural and dynamical properties of networked systems, ranging from the threshold in bond percolation and non-recurrent epidemic processes, to community structure, to node importance. Here we calculate the largest eigenvalue of the non-backtracking matrix and the associated non-backtracking centrality for uncorrelated random networks, finding expressions in excellent agreement with numerical results. We show however that the same formulas do not work well for many real-world networks. We identify the mechanism responsible for this violation in the localization of the non-backtracking centrality on network subgraphs whose formation is highly unlikely in uncorrelated networks, but rather common in real-world structures. Exploiting this knowledge we present an heuristic generalized formula for the largest eigenvalue, which is remarkably accurate for all networks of a large empirical dataset. We show that this newly uncovered localization phenomenon allows to understand the failure of the message-passing prediction for the percolation threshold in many real-world structures.
Deep orofacial phenotyping of population-based infants with isolated cleft lip and isolated cleft palate
Authors: Yow Mimi , Hermann Nuno V. , Wei Yuan , Karsten Agneta , Kreiborg Sven
Published: December 2020

Isolated orofacial clefts (OFC) are common with poorly understood aetiology. Heterogeneous phenotypes and subphenotypes confound aetiological variant findings. To improve OFC phenome understanding, population-based, consecutive, pre-treatment infants with isolated unilateral cleft lip (UCL, n = 183) and isolated cleft palate (CP, n = 83) of similar ancestry were grouped for deep phenotyping. Subphenotypes stratified by gender and cleft severity were evaluated for primary dental malformations and maturation using radiographs. We found that cleft severity and tooth agenesis were inadequate to distinguish heterogeneity in infants with UCL and CP. Both groups featured slow dental maturity, significantly slower in males and the UCL phenotype. In 32.8% of infants with UCL, supernumerary maxillary lateral incisors were present on the cleft lip side, but not in infants with CP, suggesting a cleft dental epithelium and forme fruste cleft dentoalveolus of the UCL subphenotype. The findings underscored the importance of deep phenotyping to disclose occult OFC subphenotypes.
Chronic effects of high-intensity functional training on motor function: a systematic review with multilevel meta-analysis
Authors: Wilke Jan , Mohr Lisa
Published: December 2020

High-intensity functional training (HIFT) has become a popular method in the sports and fitness sector. In contrast to unimodal approaches such as strength or endurance training, it has been hypothesized to induce concurrent adaptations in multiple markers of motor function. However, to date, the effectiveness of HIFT in this regard has not been studied. The present systematic review quantified the chronic effects of HIFT on motor function in healthy individuals. A multilevel meta-analysis with a robust random effects meta-regession model was used to pool the standardized mean differences (SMD) between (a) HIFT and (b) no-exercise (NEX) as well as conventional endurance, resistance and balance training for outcomes of muscle strength, endurance capacity and balance. The influence of possible effect modifiers such as program duration, session duration, age or sex was examined in a moderator analysis. Seventeen papers with moderate to high methodological quality (PEDro scale) were identified. Compared to NEX, HIFT had small to moderate positive effects on endurance capacity (SMD: 0.42, 95% CI 0.07–0.78, p = 0.03) and strength (0.60, 95% CI 0.02–1.18, p = 0.04) but no effect on balance (SMD: − 0.10, 95% CI − 1.13 to 0.92, p = 0.42). Regarding endurance, HIFT showed similar effectiveness as moderate-intensity endurance training (SMD: − 0.11, 95% CI − 1.17 to 0.95, p = 0.75) and high-intensity interval endurance training (SMD: − 0.15, 95% CI − 1.4 to 1.1, p = 0.66). No comparisons of HIFT vs. classical resistance or balance training were found. Moderator analyses revealed no influence of most effect modifiers. However, regarding endurance, females seemed to respond more strongly to HIFT in the comparison to NEX (p < .05). HIFT appears to represent an appropriate method to induce chronic improvements in motor function. While being superior to NEX and non-inferior to endurance training, current evidence does not allow a comparison against resistance and balance training. The impact of possible effect moderators should be further elucidated in future research.
Combination treatment with a PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway inhibitor overcomes resistance to anti-HER2 therapy in PIK3CA-mutant HER2-positive breast cancer cells
Authors: Fujimoto Yumi , Morita Tomoko Yamamori , Ohashi Akihiro , Haeno Hiroshi , Hakozaki Yumi , Fujii Masanori , Kashima Yukie , Kobayashi Susumu S. , Mukohara Toru
Published: December 2020

Amplification and/or overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) are observed in 15–20% of breast cancers (HER2+ breast cancers), and anti-HER2 therapies have significantly improved prognosis of patients with HER2+ breast cancer. One resistance mechanism to anti-HER2 therapies is constitutive activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. Combination therapy with small-molecule inhibitors of AKT and HER2 was conducted in HER2+ breast cancer cell lines with or without PIK3CA mutations, which lead to constitutive activation of the PI3K pathway. PIK3CA mutations played important roles in resistance to single-agent anti-HER2 therapy in breast cancer cell lines. Combination therapy of a HER2 inhibitor and an AKT inhibitor, as well as other PI3K pathway inhibitors, could overcome the therapeutic limitations associated with single-agent anti-HER2 treatment in PIK3CA-mutant HER2+ breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore, expression of phosphorylated 4E-binding protein 1 (p4EBP1) following the treatment correlated with the antiproliferative activities of the combination, suggesting that p4EBP1 may have potential as a prognostic and/or efficacy-linking biomarkers for these combination therapies in patients with HER2+ breast cancer. These findings highlight potential clinical strategies using combination therapy to overcome the limitations associated with single-agent anti-HER2 therapies in patients with HER2+ breast cancer.
Laboratory analysis of Au–Pd bimetallic nanoparticles synthesized with Citrus limon leaf extract and its efficacy on mosquito larvae and non-target organisms
Authors: Minal Savy Panamkuttiyiel , Prakash Soam
Published: December 2020

The current study provides novel results on the synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs) of gold and palladium (Au–Pd) with an eco-friendly and non-toxic aqueous leaf extract of plant Citrus limon. The BNPs were characterized and toxicity bioassay was examined on the larvae of the pathogen vectors such as Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The predation efficiency test was evaluated on the invertebrate non-target organisms such as natural predatory nymphs of dragonfly and damselfly. The results of material characterization using UV VIS spectroscopy confirmed the synthesis of Au–Pd BNPs with the appearance of the SPR bands. FT-IR spectroscopy indicates the presence of functional groups containing high amounts of nitro compounds and amines on the surface of BNPs. TEM result shows the presence of spherical polydisperse Au–Pd BNPs in the sample. The XRD pattern displayed the semi-crystalline nature and the changes in the hydrodynamic size and surface potential was determined for the sample at 0 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h of synthesis through DLS and ZP analysis. Au–Pd BNPs Bioassay provided the effective lethal concentrations (LC50) against the I–IV instar larvae of An. stephensi and Ae. aegypti after 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h of exposure. The LC50 obtained from the larvicidal bioassay was used to test its effect on the predation efficiency of the selected nymphs which showed increased predation from 40 to 48 h of exposure as compared to the negative control. Hereby, we conclude that Au–Pd BNPs bioassay shows toxic mosquito larvicidal activity at the selected concentration with no lethal effect on the predation efficiency of the selected stage of the predatory non-target aquatic invertebrate insects.
Catalytic oxidation of small organic molecules by cold plasma in solution in the presence of molecular iron complexes†
Authors: Śmiłowicz Dariusz , Kogelheide Friederike , Schöne Anna Lena , Stapelmann Katharina , Awakowicz Peter , Metzler-Nolte Nils
Published: December 2020

The plasma-mediated decomposition of volatile organic compounds has previously been investigated in the gas phase with metal oxides as heterogeneous catalysts. While the reactive species in plasma itself are well investigated, very little is known about the influence of metal catalysts in solution. Here, we present initial investigations on the time-dependent plasma-supported oxidation of benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde and phenol in the presence of molecular iron complexes in solution. Products were identified by HPLC, ESI-MS, FT-IR, and $$^{1}\hbox {H NMR}$$

1

H NMR

spectroscopy. Compared to metal-free oxidation of the substrates, which is caused by reactive oxygen species and leads to a mixture of products, the metal-mediated reactions lead to one product cleanly, and faster than in the metal-free reactions. Most noteworthy, even catalytic amounts of metal complexes induce these clean transformations. The findings described here bear important implications for plasma-supported industrial waste transformations, as well as for plasma-mediated applications in biomedicine, given the fact that iron is the most abundant redox-active metal in the human body.
Synthesis and thermal decomposition kinetics of moisture curable polyurethane films as a reinforcing material for cultural relics
Authors: Zhao Xing , Wang Liqin , Guo Lang , Ma Yanni , Wang Ziming , Niu Qing , Zheng Liping
Published: December 2020

In situ consolidation is the most common treatment to conserve cultural relics, but materials for preserving fragile organic cultural relics in humid archaeological excavation sites are scarce. To solve the problem, a moisture-curable polyurethane (MCPU) prepolymer was synthesized by reacting isophorone diisocyanate with polyethylene glycol 600. The standard acetone–dibutylamine method, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel chromatography and thermogravimetric analysis were utilized to determine the change in isocyanate groups before and after the reaction, the prepolymer molecular weight, the thermal decomposition kinetic parameters and the MCPU film lifetime. The results showed that the number-average molecular weight of the prepolymer was 749, and the weight average molecular weight was 1684. Isophorone groups in the prepolymer react with moisture in the air to form colorless, transparent, flexible films. The thermal decomposition of the MCPU films was a first-order reaction, and the decomposition process consisted of two stages. The Dakin equation was used to obtain the thermal aging equation lg t = 4600.82/T − 8.07, meaning that at 15 °C, the sample has an approximately 150-year lifetime. A new conservation material was developed, and its thermal decomposition kinetics were studied, which are significant for the conservation of fragile organic cultural relics in humid environments.
Dietary fiber components, microstructure, and texture of date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera, L.)
Authors: Kamal-Eldin Afaf , George Navomy , Sobti Bhawna , AlRashidi Nouf , Ghnimi Sami , Ali Abdul Aziz , Andersson Annica A. M. , Andersson Roger , Antony Asha , Hamed Fathalla
Published: December 2020

Date fruits vary widely in the hardness of their edible parts and they are classified accordingly into soft, semi-dry, and dry varieties. Fruit texture, a significant parameter in determining consumer acceptance, is related to the tissue structure and chemical composition of the fruit, mainly the ratio of sucrose to reducing sugars. This study aimed to understand the relationship between the chemical composition, microstructure, and texture profile of 10 major Emirati date fruits. The soluble sugars, glucose and fructose, represent ca 80 g/100 g of the fruits on the basis of dry weight (DW) while the dietary fiber contents varied 5.2–7.4 g/100 dg D.W. with lignin being the main determinant of the variability. The textures of the samples were studied using instrumental texture profile analysis. While no correlation was found between the soluble sugar and texture parameters in this study, the different fiber constituents correlated variably with the different parameters of date fruit texture. Lignin, arabinoxylan, galactomannan, and pectin were found to correlate significantly with fruit hardness and the related parameters, gumminess and chewiness. Both lignin and arabinoxylan correlated with resilience, and arabinoxylan exhibited a strong correlation with cohesiveness.
Acclimation temperature affects thermal reaction norms for energy reserves in Drosophila
Authors: Klepsatel Peter , Girish Thirnahalli Nagaraj , Gáliková Martina
Published: December 2020

Organisms have evolved various physiological mechanisms to cope with unfavourable environmental conditions. The ability to tolerate non-optimal thermal conditions can be substantially improved by acclimation. In this study, we examined how an early-life acclimation to different temperatures (19 °C, 25 °C and 29 °C) influences thermal reaction norms for energy stores inDrosophilaadults. Our results show that acclimation temperature has a significant effect on the amount of stored fat and glycogen (and their relative changes) and the optimal temperature for their accumulation. Individuals acclimated to 19 °C had, on average, more energy reserves than flies that were initially maintained at 25 °C or 29 °C. In addition, acclimation caused a shift in optimal temperature for energy stores towards acclimation temperature. We also detected significant population differences in this response. The effect of acclimation on the optimal temperature for energy stores was more pronounced in flies from the temperate climate zone (Slovakia) than in individuals from the tropical zone (India). Overall, we found that the acclimation effect was stronger after acclimation to low (19 °C) than to high (29 °C) temperature. The observed sensitivity of thermal reaction norms for energy reserves to acclimation temperature can have important consequences for surviving periods of food scarcity, especially at suboptimal temperatures.
In situ modelling of biofilm formation in a hydrothermal spring cave
Authors: Anda Dóra , Szabó Attila , Kovács-Bodor Petra , Makk Judit , Felföldi Tamás , Ács Éva , Mádl-Szőnyi Judit , Borsodi Andrea K.
Published: December 2020

Attachment of microorganisms to natural or artificial surfaces and the development of biofilms are complex processes which can be influenced by several factors. Nevertheless, our knowledge on biofilm formation in karstic environment is quite incomplete. The present study aimed to examine biofilm development for a year under controlled conditions in quasi-stagnant water of a hydrothermal spring cave located in the Buda Thermal Karst System (Hungary). Using a model system, we investigated how the structure of the biofilm is formed from the water and also how the growth rate of biofilm development takes place in this environment. Besides scanning electron microscopy, next-generation DNA sequencing was used to reveal the characteristic taxa and major shifts in the composition of the bacterial communities. Dynamic temporal changes were observed in the structure of bacterial communities. Bacterial richness and diversity increased during the biofilm formation, and 9–12 weeks were needed for the maturation. Increasing EPS production was also observed from the 9–12 weeks. The biofilm was different from the water that filled the cave pool, in terms of the taxonomic composition and metabolic potential of microorganisms. In these karstic environments, the formation of mature biofilm appears to take place relatively quickly, in a few months.
Enzalutamide response in a panel of prostate cancer cell lines reveals a role for glucocorticoid receptor in enzalutamide resistant disease
Authors: Smith Rebecca , Liu Moqing , Liby Tiera , Bayani Nora , Bucher Elmar , Chiotti Kami , Derrick Daniel , Chauchereau Anne , Heiser Laura , Alumkal Joshi , Feiler Heidi , Carroll Peter , Korkola James E.
Published: December 2020

Representative in vitro model systems that accurately model response to therapy and allow the identification of new targets are important for improving our treatment of prostate cancer. Here we describe molecular characterization and drug testing in a panel of 20 prostate cancer cell lines. The cell lines cluster into distinct subsets based on RNA expression, which is largely driven by functional Androgen Receptor (AR) expression. KLK3, the AR-responsive gene that encodes prostate specific antigen, shows the greatest variability in expression across the cell line panel. Other common prostate cancer associated genes such as TMPRSS2 and ERG show similar expression patterns. Copy number analysis demonstrates that many of the most commonly gained (including regions containing TERC and MYC) and lost regions (including regions containing TP53 and PTEN) that were identified in patient samples by the TCGA are mirrored in the prostate cancer cell lines. Assessment of response to the anti-androgen enzalutamide shows a distinct separation of responders and non-responders, predominantly related to status of wild-type AR. Surprisingly, several AR-null lines responded to enzalutamide. These AR-null, enzalutamide-responsive cells were characterized by high levels of expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) encoded by NR3C1. Treatment of these cells with the anti-GR agent mifepristone showed that they were more sensitive to this drug than enzalutamide, as were several of the enzalutamide non-responsive lines. This is consistent with several recent reports that suggest that GR expression is an alternative signaling mechanism that can bypass AR blockade. This study reinforces the utility of large cell line panels for the study of cancer and identifies several cell lines that represent ideal models to study AR-null cells that have upregulated GR to sustain growth.
Return to different climate states by reducing sulphate aerosols under future CO2 concentrations
Authors: Takemura Toshihiko
Published: December 2020

It is generally believed that anthropogenic aerosols cool the atmosphere; therefore, they offset the global warming resulting from greenhouse gases to some extent. Reduction in sulphate, a primary anthropogenic aerosol, is necessary for mitigating air pollution, which causes atmospheric warming. Here, the changes in the surface air temperature under various anthropogenic emission amounts of sulphur dioxide (SO2), which is a precursor of sulphate aerosol, are simulated under both present and doubled carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations with a climate model. No previous studies have conducted explicit experiments to estimate the temperature changes due to individual short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs) in different climate states with atmosphere–ocean coupled models. The simulation results clearly show that reducing SO2 emissions at high CO2 concentrations will significantly enhance atmospheric warming in comparison with that under the present CO2 concentration. In the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, the temperature change that will occur when fuel SO2 emissions reach zero under a doubled CO2 concentration will be approximately 1.0 °C, while this value will be approximately 0.5 °C under the present state. This considerable difference can affect the discussion of the 1.5 °C/2 °C target in the Paris Agreement.
Ab-initio investigation of preferential triangular self-formation of oxide heterostructures of monolayer $$\hbox {WSe}_{2}$$
Authors: Das Soumya Ranjan , Wakabayashi Katsunori , Tsukagoshi Kazuhito , Dutta Sudipta
Published: December 2020

Triangular growth patterns of pristine two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are ubiquitous in experiments. Here, we use first-principles calculations to investigate the growth of triangular shaped oxide islands upon layer-by-layer controlled oxidation in monolayer and few-layer $$\hbox {WSe}_{2}$$

WSe
2

systems. Pristine 2D TMDs with a trigonal prismatic geometry prefer the triangular growth morphology due to structural stability arising from the edge chalcogen atoms along its three sides. Our ab-initio energetics and thermodynamic study show that, since the Se atoms are more susceptible to oxygen replacement, the preferential oxidation happens along the Se zigzag lines, producing triangular islands of transition metal oxides. The thermodynamic stability arising from the preferential triangular self-formation of TMD based oxide heterostructures and their electronic properties opens a new avenue for their exploration in advanced electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Trends and risk factors for infant mortality in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Authors: Louangpradith Viengsakhone , Yamamoto Eiko , Inthaphatha Souphalak , Phoummalaysith Bounfeng , Kariya Tetsuyoshi , Saw Yu Mon , Hamajima Nobuyuki
Published: December 2020

A high infant mortality rate (IMR) indicates a failure to meet people’s healthcare needs. The IMR in Lao People’s Democratic Republic has been decreasing but still remains high. This study aimed to identify the factors involved in the high IMR by analyzing data from 53,727 live births and 2189 women from the 2017 Lao Social Indicator Survey. The estimated IMR decreased from 191 per 1000 live births in 1978–1987 to 39 in 2017. The difference between the IMR and the neonatal mortality rate had declined since 1978 but did not change after 2009. Factors associated with the high IMR in all three models (forced-entry, forward-selection, and backward-selection) of multivariate logistic regression analyses were auxiliary nurses as birth attendants compared to doctors, male infants, and small birth size compared to average in all 2189 women; and 1–3 antenatal care visits compared to four visits, auxiliary nurses as birth attendants compared to doctors, male infants, postnatal baby checks, and being pregnant at the interview in 1950 women whose infants’ birth size was average or large. Maternal and child healthcare and family planning should be strengthened including upgrading auxiliary nurses to mid-level nurses and improving antenatal care quality.
Analysis of the stability of 70 housekeeping genes during iPS reprogramming
Authors: Panina Yulia , Germond Arno , Watanabe Tomonobu M.
Published: December 2020

Studies on induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells highly rely on the investigation of their gene expression which requires normalization by housekeeping genes. Whether the housekeeping genes are stable during the iPS reprogramming, a transition of cell state known to be associated with profound changes, has been overlooked. In this study we analyzed the expression patterns of the most comprehensive list to date of housekeeping genes during iPS reprogramming of a mouse neural stem cell line N31. Our results show that housekeeping genes’ expression fluctuates significantly during the iPS reprogramming. Clustering analysis shows that ribosomal genes’ expression is rising, while the expression of cell-specific genes, such as vimentin (Vim) or elastin (Eln), is decreasing. To ensure the robustness of the obtained data, we performed a correlative analysis of the genes. Overall, all 70 genes analyzed changed the expression more than two-fold during the reprogramming. The scale of this analysis, that takes into account 70 previously known and newly suggested genes, allowed us to choose the most stable of all genes. We highlight the fact of fluctuation of housekeeping genes during iPS reprogramming, and propose that, to ensure robustness of qPCR experiments in iPS cells, housekeeping genes should be used together in combination, and with a prior testing in a specific line used in each study. We suggest that the longest splice variants of Rpl13a, Rplp1 and Rps18 can be used as a starting point for such initial testing as the most stable candidates.
Processing of pragmatic communication in ASD: a video-based brain imaging study
Authors: Kotila Aija , Hyvärinen Aapo , Mäkinen Leena , Leinonen Eeva , Hurtig Tuula , Ebeling Hanna , Korhonen Vesa , Kiviniemi Vesa J. , Loukusa Soile
Published: December 2020

Social and pragmatic difficulties in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are widely recognized, although their underlying neural level processing is not well understood. The aim of this study was to examine the activity of the brain network components linked to social and pragmatic understanding in order to reveal whether complex socio-pragmatic events evoke differences in brain activity between the ASD and control groups. Nineteen young adults (mean age 23.6 years) with ASD and 19 controls (mean age 22.7 years) were recruited for the study. The stimulus data consisted of video clips showing complex social events that demanded processing of pragmatic communication. In the analysis, the functional magnetic resonance imaging signal responses of the selected brain network components linked to social and pragmatic information processing were compared. Although the processing of the young adults with ASD was similar to that of the control group during the majority of the social scenes, differences between the groups were found in the activity of the social brain network components when the participants were observing situations with concurrent verbal and non-verbal communication events. The results suggest that the ASD group had challenges in processing concurrent multimodal cues in complex pragmatic communication situations.
Rapid and sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by biolayer interferometry
Authors: Dzimianski John V. , Lorig-Roach Nicholas , O’Rourke Sara M. , Alexander David L. , Kimmey Jacqueline M. , DuBois Rebecca M.
Published: December 2020

Serological testing to evaluate antigen-specific antibodies in plasma is generally performed by rapid lateral flow test strips that lack quantitative results or by high complexity immunoassays that are time- and labor-intensive but provide semi-quantitative results. Here, we describe a novel application of biolayer interferometry for the rapid detection of antigen-specific antibody levels in plasma samples, and demonstrate its utility for quantification of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Our biolayer interferometry immunosorbent assay (BLI-ISA) utilizes single-use biosensors in an automated “dip-and-read” format, providing real-time optical measurements of antigen loading, plasma antibody binding, and antibody isotype detection. Complete semi-quantitative results are obtained in less than 20 min. BLI-ISA meets or exceeds the performance of high complexity methods such as Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Chemiluminescent Immunoassay. Importantly, our method can be immediately implemented on existing BLI platforms for urgent COVID-19 studies, such as serosurveillance and the evaluation of vaccine candidates. In a broader sense, BLI-ISA can be developed as a novel diagnostic platform to evaluate antibodies and other biomolecules in clinical specimens.
Why an In Vivo Screening Platform Covering Broad Therapeutic Spectrum is an Ideal Tool for Drug Repositioning: Illustrated by Discovery of a Novel Class of Insulin Sensitizers
Authors: Reaume Andrew G. , Lipinski Christopher A.
Published: December 2020

Increasingly, the pharmaceutical industry has been plagued with escalating costs coupled with decreasing productivity, leading to speculation that the pharmaceutical business model as we know it may be broken. It is in this context that many in the industry have been searching for innovative strategies to reduce cost as well as risk. Both phenotypic screening and drug repositioning represent discovery approaches that fit this description. Melior Discovery is unique among drug discovery organizations in its use of an in vivo phenotypic screening platform used to reposition discontinued clinical-stage compounds. The story of Melior's lead candidate, MLR-1023, illustrates this approach. We show that when dealing with “privileged” substrate (discontinued clinical-stage compounds that exhibit good human safety and tolerability characteristics and other favorable drug-like characteristics), an in vivo screening platform, comprising a wide array of animal models of human disease, is ideal. Many years of conducting these screens on hundreds of compounds has shown the frequency with which otherwise unpredicted therapeutic potential is associated with drug targets that were thought to be well-characterized.
Complete enzymatic digestion of double-stranded RNA to nucleosides enables accurate quantification of dsRNA
Authors: Strezsak Steven R. , Beuning Penny J. , Skizim Nicholas J.
Published: December 2020

The rapid growth of research focusing on RNA, especially for RNA interference applications, has created a need for a robust method that can accurately determine the concentration of long dsRNA.
Single-molecule conductance in a unique cross-conjugated tetra(aminoaryl)ethene
Authors: Medina Rivero Samara , García Arroyo Paloma , Li Liang , Gunasekaran Suman , Stuyver Thijs , Mancheño María José , Alonso Mercedes , Venkataraman Latha , Segura José L. , Casado Juan
Published: December 2020

Tetra(4-aminophenyl)ethene shows three paths of π-conjugation, linear-cis, linear-trans and a cross-conjugation, of which only the linear and the cross configurations are able to show conductance in molecular junctions.
Insights on hydrogen bond assisted solvent selection in certain acid–base heterogeneous catalysis through acceptor and donor numbers
Authors: Marakatti Vijaykumar S. , Klimeš Jiří , Kasinathan Palraj , Sorathia Kesha , Tew David P. , Gaigneaux Eric M.
Published: December 2020

Acceptor and donor numbers as efficient tools for the selection of solvents in certain acid–base heterogeneous catalysis; role of the hydrogen bond.
From carbones to carbenes and ylides in the coordination sphere of iridium
Authors: Li Yinwu , Maser Leon , Alig Lukas , Ke Zhuofeng , Langer Robert
Published: December 2020

A carbodiphosphorane-based iridium pincer complex is demonstrated to rearrange in chlorinated organic solvents under cleavage of a P–C-bond to give a chelating phosphine ylide ligand.
Emerging investigator series: bacteriophages as nano engineering tools for quality monitoring and pathogen detection in water and wastewater
Authors: Bayat Fereshteh , Didar Tohid F. , Hosseinidoust Zeinab
Published: December 2020

Phase-based detection and monitoring of pathogens in water and wastewater.
Efficacy of locally-available cleaning methods and household chlorination at inhibiting biofilm development in jerricans used to store household drinking water
Authors: String Gabrielle M. , Domini Marta , Badr Hanaa , Brodsky Hannah , Kamal Yarmina , Tatro Tyler , Johnston Miranda , Ogudipe Anthonia , Vu Trang Nha , Wolfe Marlene K. , Lantagne Daniele S.
Published: December 2020

Jerricans, commonly used to store household drinking water, are challenging to clean and biofilms may develop inside containers storing contaminated water. A large-scale laboratory experiment was conducted to test methods to inhibit biofilm growth.
Bifidobacterium animalis F1-7 in combination with konjac glucomannan improves constipation in mice via humoral transport
Authors: Lu Youyou , Yu Zhuang , Zhang Zhe , Liang Xi , Gong Pimin , Yi Huaxi , Yang Liuqing , Liu Tongjie , Shi Hanping , Zhang Lanwei
Published: December 2020

Bifidobacterium animalis F1-7 in combination with konjac glucomannan promoted the metabolism of tryptophan and short-chain fatty acids, regulated humoral transport and improved constipation.
The impact of a high fat diet on bones: potential mechanisms
Authors: Qiao Jie , Wu Yiwen , Ren Yuezhong
Published: December 2020

High-fat diet led to bone loss via gut microbiota and fatty acid imbalances, immune disorder and adipose tissue accumulation inside and outside the bone marrow.
Purification and characterization of immunomodulatory peptides from enzymatic hydrolysates of duck egg ovalbumin
Authors: He Ping , Wang Qian , Zhan Qiping , Pan Leiman , Xin Xuan , Wu Hui , Zhang Mengmeng
Published: December 2020

Duck egg white (DEW) is considered as an abandoned protein resource.
A 3D human adipose tissue model within a microfluidic device
Authors: Yang Feipeng , Carmona Alanis , Stojkova Katerina , Garcia Huitron Eric Ivan , Goddi Anna , Bhushan Abhinav , Cohen Ronald N. , Brey Eric M.
Published: December 2020

This work presents a microfluidic system for the engineering and analysis of 3D human adipose tissue under controlled flow.
A synergy between the push–pull electronic effect and twisted conformation for high-contrast mechanochromic AIEgens
Authors: Wang Xiaoxuan , Qi Chunxuan , Fu Zhiyuan , Zhang Haoke , Wang Jianguo , Feng Hai-Tao , Wang Kai , Zou Bo , Lam Jacky W. Y. , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: December 2020

ICT-type AIEgens with twisted conformations are ideal candidates for high-contrast mechanochromic luminogens under external force.
Recent progress in field-assisted additive manufacturing: materials, methodologies, and applications
Authors: Hu Yingbin
Published: December 2020

Recent developments and major advances in field-assisted additive manufacturing technologies from aspects of materials, methodologies, and applications.
Fluorine patterning of graphene: effects of fluorine content and temperature
Authors: Yamaletdinov Ruslan D. , Nikiforov Yaroslav A. , Bulusheva Lyubov G. , Okotrub Alexander V.
Published: December 2020

An adjustable numerical approach generates structures of partially fluorinated graphene depending on the synthesis temperature.
Revealing the elasticity of an individual aortic fiber during ageing at nanoscale byin situatomic force microscopy
Authors: Berquand Alexandre , Wahart Amandine , Henry Aubéri , Gorisse Laetitia , Maurice Pascal , Blaise Sébastien , Romier-Crouzet Béatrice , Pietrement Christine , Bennasroune Amar , Sartelet Hervé , Jaisson Stéphane , Gillery Philippe , Martiny Laurent , Touré Fatouma , Duca Laurent , Molinari Michael
Published: December 2020

Atomic Force Microscopy imaging allows to correlate at high resolution local changes in the structure and the elastic properties of elastin fibers and of the surrounding matrix for mice aorta cross sections.
Tailored synthesis approach of (Mo2/3Y1/3)2AlC i-MAX and its two-dimensional derivative Mo1.33CTz MXene: enhancing the yield, quality, and performance in supercapacitor applications
Authors: Halim Joseph , Etman Ahmed S. , Elsukova Anna , Polcik Peter , Palisaitis Justinas , Barsoum Michel W. , Persson Per O. Å. , Rosen Johanna
Published: December 2020

Tailored synthesis method is used to produce higher yield of (Mo2/3Y1/3)2AlC i-MAX, for realization of 2D Mo1.33CTz MXene with ordered vacancies, the latter shows electrochemical performance equivalent to that produced from the Sc containing i-MAX.
Recent advances in focused ion beam nanofabrication for nanostructures and devices: fundamentals and applications
Authors: Li Ping , Chen Siyu , Dai Houfu , Yang Zhengmei , Chen Zhiquan , Wang Yasi , Chen Yiqin , Peng Wenqiang , Shan Wubin , Duan Huigao
Published: December 2020

The past few decades have witnessed growing research interest in developing powerful nanofabrication technologies for three-dimensional (3D) structures and devices to achieve nano-scale and nano-precision manufacturing.
Impact of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on intestinal community in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced acute colitis mice and the intervention effect of vitamin E
Authors: Gao Yanjun , Li Tingyu , Duan Shumin , Lyu Lizhi , Li Yuan , Xu Lin , Wang Yun
Published: December 2020

TiO2NPs cause microbiota disorders and inflammation risks in healthy mice, but regulate gut microbiota and mitigate colitis symptoms in the TNBS-induced colitis mice, and the effect is independent of the ROS induction capability of TiO2NPs.
CuCl2-catalyzed highly stereoselective and chemoselective reduction of alkynyl amides into α,β-unsaturated amides using silanes as hydrogen donors
Authors: Duan Lingfei , Jiang Kai , Zhu Hua , Yin Biaolin
Published: December 2020

A CuH-catalyzed Z-selective partial reduction of alkynyl amides to afford α,β-unsaturated amides using silane as the hydrogen donor is developed. A broad scope of alkynyl amides is accommodated, affording alkenyl amides with high stereoselectivity and excellent yields.
Synthesis of benzo[b]chalcogenophenes fused to selenophenes via intramolecular electrophilic cyclization of 1,3-diynes
Authors: Hellwig Paola S. , Guedes Jonatan S. , Barcellos Angelita M. , Jacob Raquel G. , Silveira Claudio C. , Lenardão Eder J. , Perin Gelson
Published: December 2020

We describe herein an alternative and transition-metal-free procedure for the access of benzo[b]chalcogenophenes fused to selenophenes via intramolecular cyclization of 1,3-diynes promoted by Oxone®.
Hierarchical self-assembly of miktoarm star copolymers with pathway complexity
Authors: Xiao Jie , He Qun , Yang Minjun , Li Haoquan , Qiu Xiandeng , Wang Binghua , Zhang Bin , Bu Weifeng
Published: December 2020

The self-assembly of amphiphilic miktoarm star copolymers shows hierarchical pathway complexity from molecular building blocks to miktoarm stars to micellar nano-objects to complex hierarchical assemblies.
Direct formation of nano-objects via in situ self-assembly of conjugated polymers
Authors: Peterson Gregory I. , Yang Sanghee , Choi Tae-Lim
Published: December 2020

The development of the polymer self-assembly method “in situ nanoparticlization of conjugated polymers” is discussed in this Perspective.
How does the single unit monomer insertion technique promote kinetic analysis of activation and initiation in photo-RAFT processes?
Authors: Zhang Lei , Liu Ruizhe , Huang Zixuan , Xu Jiangtao
Published: December 2020

The single unit monomer insertion technique provides a simple platform for the kinetic investigation of early stage of photo-RAFT process that comprises photo-activation of initial RAFT agents and addition of RAFT leaving radicals to the monomers.
Synthesis of azobenzene-containing liquid crystalline block copolymer nanoparticles via polymerization induced hierarchical self-assembly
Authors: Wen Wei , Ouyang Wangqi , Guan Song , Chen Aihua
Published: December 2020

A facile synthesis of non-spherical photoresponsive azobenzene-containing liquid crystalline nanoparticles via polymerization-induced hierarchical self-assembly (PIHSA).
The bright and the dark side of the sphere: light-stabilized microparticles
Authors: Schmitt Christian W. , Walden Sarah L. , Delafresnaye Laura , Houck Hannes A. , Barner Leonie , Barner-Kowollik Christopher
Published: December 2020

We introduce degradable microparticles, synthesized from prepolymers in a precipitation-like polymerization. The narrow disperse particles are stabilized with continuous irradiation of green light and can be spontaneously degraded in the dark.