bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinct patterns of soluble leukocyte activation markers are associated with etiology and outcomes in precapillary pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Lekva Tove , Gullestad Lars , Broch Kaspar , Aukrust Pål , Andreassen Arne K. , Ueland Thor
Published: October 2020

Activation of inflammatory processes has been identified as a major driver of pulmonary vascular remodeling that contributes to the development of precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH). We hypothesized that circulating markers of leukocyte activation, reflecting monocytes/macrophages (sCD163, sCD14), T-cells (sCD25) and neutrophils (myeloperoxidase [MPO], neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin [NGAL]) activity, could give prognostic information in precapillary PH. Circulating markers of leucocyte activation, sCD163, sCD14, sCD25, MPO and NGAL were measured by enzyme immunoassays in plasma from patients with idiopathic PAH (IPAH; n = 30); patients with PAH related to associated conditions (APAH; n = 44) and patients with chronic thromboembolic PH (CTEPH) (n = 32), and compared with 23 healthy controls. Markers of leucocyte activation were elevated in precapillary PH with particularly high levels in APAH. The elevated levels of monocyte/macrophage marker sCD163 was independently associated with poor long-term prognosis in the group as a whole, and elevated levels of sCD25 was associated with poor prognosis in APAH, while elevated levels of sCD163 and NGAL was associated with poor prognosis in IPAH and CTEPH. Our data show leucocyte activation in precapillary PH with different profiles and impact on prognosis according to etiology. The association of sCD163 with poor outcome in fully adjusted model may be of particular interest.
Functional in vivo and in vitro effects of 20q11.21 genetic aberrations on hPSC differentiation
Authors: Jo Hye-Yeong , Lee Youngsun , Ahn Hongryul , Han Hyeong-Jun , Kwon Ara , Kim Bo-Young , Ha Hye-Yeong , Kim Sang Cheol , Kim Jung-Hyun , Kim Yong-Ou , Kim Sun , Koo Soo Kyung , Park Mi-Hyun
Published: October 2020

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have promising therapeutic applications due to their infinite capacity for self-renewal and pluripotency. Genomic stability is imperative for the clinical use of hPSCs; however, copy number variation (CNV), especially recurrent CNV at 20q11.21, may contribute genomic instability of hPSCs. Furthermore, the effects of CNVs in hPSCs at the whole-transcriptome scale are poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the functional in vivo and in vitro effects of frequently detected CNVs at 20q11.21 during early-stage differentiation of hPSCs. Comprehensive transcriptome profiling of abnormal hPSCs revealed that the differential gene expression patterns had a negative effect on differentiation potential. Transcriptional heterogeneity identified by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of embryoid bodies from two different isogenic lines of hPSCs revealed alterations in differentiated cell distributions compared with that of normal cells. RNA-seq analysis of 22 teratomas identified several differentially expressed lineage-specific markers in hPSCs with CNVs, consistent with the histological results of the altered ecto/meso/endodermal ratio due to CNVs. Our results suggest that CNV amplification contributes to cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell fate specification. This work shows the functional consequences of recurrent genetic abnormalities and thereby provides evidence to support the development of cell-based applications.
IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) as a novel radiation countermeasure after radiation exposure in mice
Authors: Li Xianghong , Cui Wanchang , Hull Lisa , Wang Li , Yu Tianzheng , Xiao Mang
Published: October 2020

Recent studies suggested that radiation exposure causes local and systemic inflammatory responses and induces cell and tissue damage. We have reported that IL-18 plays an important role in radiation-induced injury. Here, we demonstrate that IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), a natural antagonist of IL-18, was significantly increased (1.7–63 fold) in mouse serum on day 1 after 0.5–10 Gy TBI. However, this high level of IL-18BP was not sufficient to neutralize the active IL-18 in irradiated mice, resulting in a radiation dose-dependent free IL-18 increase in these mice’s serum which led to pathological alterations to the irradiated cells and tissues and finally caused animal death. Administration of recombinant human (rh) IL-18BP (1.5 mg/kg) with single (24, 48 or 72 h post-TBI) or double doses (48 h and 5 days post-TBI) subcutaneous (SC) injection increased 30-day survival of CD2F1 mice after 9 Gy TBI 12.5–25% compared with the vehicle control treated group, respectively. Furthermore, the mitigative effects of rhIL-18BP included balancing the ratio of IL-18/IL-18BP and decreasing the free IL-18 levels in irradiated mouse serum and significantly increasing blood cell counts, BM hematopoietic cellularity and stem and progenitor cell clonogenicity in mouse BM. Furthermore, IL-18BP treatment inhibited the IL-18 downstream target interferon (IFN)-γ expression in mouse BM, decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in the irradiated mouse heart tissues, attenuated the stress responsive factor GDF-15 (growth differentiation factor-15) and increased the intestine protector citrulline level in total body irradiated mouse serum, implicating that IL-18BP may protect multiple organs from radiation-induced inflammation and oxidative stress. Our data suggest that IL-18 plays a key role in radiation-induced cell and tissue damage and dysfunction; and for the first time demonstrated that IL-18BP counters IL-18 activation and therefore may mitigate/treat radiation-induced multiple organ injuries and increase animal survival with a wider therapeutic window from 24 h and beyond after lethal doses of radiation exposure.
Augmented reality improves procedural efficiency and reduces radiation dose for CT-guided lesion targeting: a phantom study using HoloLens 2
Authors: Park Brian J. , Hunt Stephen J. , Nadolski Gregory J. , Gade Terence P.
Published: October 2020

Out-of-plane lesions pose challenges for CT-guided interventions. Augmented reality (AR) headsets are capable to provide holographic 3D guidance to assist CT-guided targeting. A prospective trial was performed assessing CT-guided lesion targeting on an abdominal phantom with and without AR guidance using HoloLens 2. Eight operators performed a cumulative total of 86 needle passes. Total needle redirections, radiation dose, procedure time, and puncture rates of nontargeted lesions were compared with and without AR. Mean number of needle passes to reach the target reduced from 7.4 passes without AR to 3.4 passes with AR (p = 0.011). Mean CT dose index decreased from 28.7 mGy without AR to 16.9 mGy with AR (p = 0.009). Mean procedure time reduced from 8.93 min without AR to 4.42 min with AR (p = 0.027). Puncture rate of a nontargeted lesion decreased from 11.9% without AR (7/59 passes) to 0% with AR (0/27 passes). First needle passes were closer to the ideal target trajectory with AR versus without AR (4.6° vs 8.0° offset, respectively, p = 0.018). AR reduced variability and elevated the performance of all operators to the same level irrespective of prior clinical experience. AR guidance can provide significant improvements in procedural efficiency and radiation dose savings for targeting out-of-plane lesions.
Low dietary inclusion of nutraceuticals from microalgae improves feed efficiency and modifies intermediary metabolisms in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)
Authors: Perera Erick , Sánchez-Ruiz David , Sáez María Isabel , Galafat Alba , Barany André , Fernández-Castro Miriam , Vizcaíno Antonio Jesús , Fuentes Juan , Martínez Tomás Francisco , Mancera Juan Miguel , Alarcón Francisco Javier , Martos-Sitcha Juan Antonio
Published: October 2020

The aim of this work was to evaluate two functional feeds for the gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata, containing low inclusion of two microalgae-based products (LB-GREENboost, LBGb; and LB-GUThealth, LBGh). Fish (12–13 g) were fed for 13 weeks a control diet or one of the four diets supplemented with both products at 0.5% or 1%. LBGb and LBGh did not affect specific growth rate or survival, but increased feed efficiency by decreasing feed intake and enlarging the intestines. LBGb increased hepatosomatic index and reduced cortisol levels in plasma, while both products lowered plasma lactate. Extensive metabolite and metabolic enzyme profiling revealed that microalgae supplementations, especially 1% LBGh: (i) decrease plasma lactate and increase hepatic glycogen, (ii) reduce hepatic gluconeogenesis, (iii) enhance hepatic lipogenic activity and lipid secretion, (iv) led fish to double triglyceride content in muscle and to stimulate its lipid oxidative capacity, and (v) increase the content of monounsaturated fatty acids and the omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid in muscle. This study demonstrates that both microalgae-based products are suited to improve feed efficiency and orchestrate significant changes in the intermediary metabolism in gilthead seabream juveniles.
Spatial super-spreaders and super-susceptibles in human movement networks
Authors: Chin Wei Chien Benny , Bouffanais Roland
Published: October 2020

As lockdowns and stay-at-home orders start to be lifted across the globe, governments are struggling to establish effective and practical guidelines to reopen their economies. In dense urban environments with people returning to work and public transportation resuming full capacity, enforcing strict social distancing measures will be extremely challenging, if not practically impossible. Governments are thus paying close attention to particular locations that may become the next cluster of disease spreading. Indeed, certain places, like some people, can be “super-spreaders”. Is a bustling train station in a central business district more or less susceptible and vulnerable as compared to teeming bus interchanges in the suburbs? Here, we propose a quantitative and systematic framework to identify spatial super-spreaders and the novel concept of super-susceptibles, i.e. respectively, places most likely to contribute to disease spread or to people contracting it. Our proposed data-analytic framework is based on the daily-aggregated ridership data of public transport in Singapore. By constructing the directed and weighted human movement networks and integrating human flow intensity with two neighborhood diversity metrics, we are able to pinpoint super-spreader and super-susceptible locations. Our results reveal that most super-spreaders are also super-susceptibles and that counterintuitively, busy peripheral bus interchanges are riskier places than crowded central train stations. Our analysis is based on data from Singapore, but can be readily adapted and extended for any other major urban center. It therefore serves as a useful framework for devising targeted and cost-effective preventive measures for urban planning and epidemiological preparedness.
Anti-inflammatory Bifidobacterium strains prevent dextran sodium sulfate induced colitis and associated gut microbial dysbiosis in mice
Authors: Singh Shashank , Bhatia Ruchika , Khare Pragyanshu , Sharma Shikha , Rajarammohan Sivasubramanian , Bishnoi Mahendra , Bhadada Sanjay Kumar , Sharma Shyam Sunder , Kaur Jaspreet , Kondepudi Kanthi Kiran
Published: October 2020

Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis are common inflammatory conditions associated with Inflammatory bowel disease. Owing to the importance of diet based approaches for the prevention of inflammatory gut conditions, the present study was aimed to screen the human isolates of Bifidobacterium strains based on their ability to reduce LPS-induced inflammation in murine macrophage (RAW 264.7) cells and to evaluate prioritized strains for their preventive efficacy against ulcerative colitis in mice. Twelve out of 25 isolated strains reduced the production of LPS-induced nitric oxide and inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, three strains, B. longum Bif10, B. breve Bif11, and B. longum Bif16 conferred protection against dextran sodium sulfate induced colitis in mice. The three strains prevented shortening of colon, spleen weight, percentage body weight change and disease activity index relative to colitis mice. Lower levels of Lipocalin-2, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 and improved SCFA levels were observed in Bifidobacterium supplemented mice relative to DSS counterparts. Bacterial composition of B. longum Bif10 and B. breve Bif11 fed mice was partly similar to the normal mice, while DSS and B. longum Bif16 supplemented mice showed deleterious alterations. At the genus level, Bifidobacterium supplementation inhibited the abundances of pathobionts such as Haemophilus, Klebsiella and Lachnospira there by conferring protection.
Stimulus blanking reveals contrast-dependent transsaccadic feature transfer
Authors: Grzeczkowski Lukasz , Deubel Heiner , Szinte Martin
Published: October 2020

Across saccadic eye movements, the visual system receives two successive static images corresponding to the pre- and the postsaccadic projections of the visual field on the retina. The existence of a mechanism integrating the content of these images is today still a matter of debate. Here, we studied the transfer of a visual feature across saccades using a blanking paradigm. Participants moved their eyes to a peripheral grating and discriminated a change in its orientation occurring during the eye movement. The grating was either constantly on the screen or briefly blanked during and after the saccade. Moreover, it either was of the same luminance as the background (i.e., isoluminant) or anisoluminant with respect to it. We found that for anisoluminant gratings, the orientation discrimination across saccades was improved when a blank followed the onset of the eye movement. Such effect was however abolished with isoluminant gratings. Additionally, performance was also improved when an anisoluminant grating presented before the saccade was followed by an isoluminant one. These results demonstrate that a detailed representation of the presaccadic image was transferred across saccades allowing participants to perform better on the transsaccadic orientation task. While such a transfer of visual orientation across saccade is masked in real-life anisoluminant conditions, the use of a blank and of an isoluminant postsaccadic grating allowed to reveal its existence.
Enhancing aphid detection framework based on ORB and convolutional neural networks
Authors: Pei Haoran , Liu Kui , Zhao Xiaojing , Yahya Ali Abdullah
Published: October 2020

Methods to detect directly aphids based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are unsatisfactory because aphids are small and usually are specially distributed. To enhance aphid detection efficiency, a framework based on oriented FAST and rotated BRIEF (ORB) and CNNs (EADF) is proposed by us to detect aphids in images. Firstly, the key point is to find regions of aphids. Points generated by the ORB algorithm are processed by us to generate suspected aphid areas. Regions are fed into convolutional networks to train the model. Finally, images are detected in blocks with the trained model. In addition, in order to solve the situation that the coordinates are not uniform after the image is segmented, we use a coordinate mapping method to unify the coordinates. We compare current mainstream target detection methods. Experiments indicate that our method has higher accuracy than state-of-the-art two-stage methods that the AP value of RetinaNet with EADF is 0.385 higher than RetinaNet without it and the Cascade-RCNN with EADF is more than without it by 43.3% on value of AP, which demonstrates its competency.
Citronellal perception and transmission by Anopheles gambiae s.s. (Diptera: Culicidae) females
Authors: Wu Weijian , Li Shanshan , Yang Min , Lin Yongwen , Zheng Kaibin , Akutse Komivi Senyo
Published: October 2020

Anopheles gambiaes.s. is a key vector ofPlasmodiumparasites. Repellents, which may be a promising alternative to pesticides used to control malaria mosquitoes. Although citronellal is a known mosquito repellent, its repellency characteristics are largely unknown. Determining the specific odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and odorant receptors (ORs) that detect and transfer the citronellal molecule inA. gambiaes.s. will help to define the mode of action of this compound. In this research, we assessed the repellent activity of citronellal inA. gambiaes.s. using a Y-tube olfactory meter, screened candidate citronellal-binding OBPs and ORs using reverse molecular docking, clarified the binding properties of predicted proteins for citronellal using fluorescence competition binding assay. Results showed that citronellal had a dosage effect on repellingA. gambiaes.s..The 50% repellent rate was determined to be 4.02 nmol. Results of simulated molecular docking showed that the only proteins that bound tightly with citronellal were AgamOBP4 and AgamORC7. Fluorescence competitive binding assays confirmed the simulations. This research determined that citronellal was captured by AgamOBP4 and transmitted to AgamORC7 inA. gambiaes.s.. Our study will be beneficial in the further understanding the repellent mechanism of citronellal againstA. gambiaes.s..
Subcellular localization of HMGB1 in colorectal cancer impacts on tumor grade and survival prognosis
Authors: Wang Chao-Qun , Huang Bi-Fei , Wang Yan , Tang Chih-Hsin , Jin Hong-Chuan , Shao Feng , Shao Jun-Kang , Wang Qian , Zeng Yue
Published: October 2020

The high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) protein is implicated in the development of various cancers and their proliferation. According to its function, HMGB1 shuttles between the cell nucleus and cytoplasm, assisting with nucleosome stabilization and gene transcription, or localizing in the cell membrane for outgrowth. The clinicopathologic and prognostic significance of these different subcellular locations and their correlation has been unclear in colorectal cancer (CRC). We found significantly higher rates of nuclear HMGB1 expression in CRC and colorectal adenoma tissue samples (84.0% and 92.6%, respectively) than in normal colorectal tissue (15.0%) and a significantly higher rate of positive cytoplasmic HMGB1 expression in CRC tissue (25.2%) compared with colorectal adenoma (11.8%) and normal colorectal tissue (0.0%). Positive cytoplasmic HMGB1 expression was associated with high-grade CRC, a poor prognosis, and was negatively correlated with strongly positive nuclear HMGB1 expression in CRC tissue specimens (r = – 0.377, P = 0.000). CRC patients with strongly positive nuclear HMGB1 expression had a better survival prognosis than other CRC patients. Preventing nuclear plasma translocation of HMGB1 may be a new strategy for CRC management.
Author Correction: Quantitative phase imaging reveals matrix stiffness-dependent growth and migration of cancer cells
Authors: Li Yanfen , Fanous Michael J. , Kilian Kristopher A. , Popescu Gabriel
Published: October 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Utilising anatase nano-seeds coupled with a visible-light antennae system (Cu–Pd–N) for effective photo-organic transformations
Authors: Underwood Timothy M. , Robinson Ross S.
Published: October 2020

Bandgap tuning TiO2 nano-seeds with a three-component strategy (Cu, Pd, and N) has facilitated the selective photo-oxidation of cyclic alcohols.
A hitherto unknown stability of DNA basepairs
Authors: Davis Daly , Sajeev Y.
Published: October 2020

The resonance capture of very low energy electrons (vLEEs) into the π* orbitals of nucleobases is a potential doorway to DNA damage. A rapid nonenzymatic structural response specific to the complementary basepairing is found to prevent direct damages.
The supramolecular self-assembly of 5-fluorouracil and caffeic acid through cocrystallization strategy opens up a new way for the development of synergistic antitumor pharmaceutical cocrystal
Authors: Yu Yue-Ming , Wang Ling-Yang , Bu Fan-Zhi , Wang Lin-Lin , Li Yan-Tuan , Wang Cheng , Wu Zhi-Yong
Published: October 2020

Cocrystallizing with caffeic acid (CF) provides a new strategy for effectually optimizing in vivo/vitro properties of anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (FL).
Local structure of a highly concentrated NaClO4 aqueous solution-type electrolyte for sodium ion batteries
Authors: Sakamoto Ryo , Yamashita Maho , Nakamoto Kosuke , Zhou Yongquan , Yoshimoto Nobuko , Fujii Kenta , Yamaguchi Toshio , Kitajou Ayuko , Okada Shigeto
Published: October 2020

Aqueous Na-ion batteries with highly concentrated NaClO4 aq. electrolytes are drawing attention as candidates for large-scale rechargeable batteries with a high safety level.
Two chiral haloplumbate hybrids with thermochromism luminescence and application potential as luminescent thermometers
Authors: Yu Shan-Shan , Zhao Hai-Rong , Zhang Hui , Duan Hai-Bao
Published: October 2020

Two chiral hybrids exhibit dual emission and luminescence thermochromism properties, and they hold great potential for use as self-referenced luminescent thermometers.
Substituent-regulated mechanism on reaction Cp2NbH3(Cp = η5-C5H5) with RCCR (R = COOMe and Me)
Authors: Huo Suhong , Li Xiaoyan , Zeng Yanli , Meng Lingpeng
Published: October 2020

The mechanisms and the regulating effect of substituents in alkynes of the title reaction have been investigated and compared.
Degradation of PFOS by a MnO2/H2O2process
Authors: Chang Yueh , Cho Yi-Chin , Lin Yi-Pin
Published: October 2020

Degradation of PFOS by MnO2/H2O2was systematically investigated and the role of reactive radicals on intermediate formation was characterized.
Concluding remarks for the new horizons in density functional theory Faraday Discussion
Authors: Savin Andreas
Published: October 2020

The present contribution tries to succinctly review the progress presented during the Faraday Discussions on New horizons in density functional theory that took place online, 2–4 September 2020.
Comparison of probiotic yogurt and ordinary yogurt consumption on serum Pentraxin3, NT-proBNP, oxLDL, and ApoB100 in patients with chronic heart failure: a randomized, triple-blind, controlled trial
Authors: Pourrajab Behnaz , Naderi Nasim , Janani Leila , Mofid Vahid , Hajahmadi Marjan , Dehnad Afsaneh , Shidfar Farzad
Published: October 2020

Nowadays, the potential beneficial effects of probiotic yogurt as a functional food has raised much interest.
Porous carbons from sustainable sources and mild activation for targeted high-performance CO2 capture and storage
Authors: Aljumialy Abdulsalam M. , Mokaya Robert
Published: October 2020

Activation of biomass or biomass containing precursors with potassium oxalate, a milder and less corrosive agent compared to hydroxide activation, offers a more sustainable route to activated carbons for targeted high-performance CO2 capture.
Body-clearable chromium nitride for synergetic photothermal and photodynamic treatment
Authors: Fu Yutuo , Wang Le , Chi Xiaoyu , Alvarado-Cesar F. , An Na , Song Yuanjun , Wu Yadong , Zhang Peng , Guo Chongshen
Published: October 2020

Cr2N could realize photothermal and photodynamic outcomes simultaneously, as well as in vivo degradation and excretion.
Selective hydrogenation of acetylene on the PdLa@N-doped biochar catalyst surface: the evolution of active sites, catalytic performance, and mechanism
Authors: Chen Yao , Ning Ping , Miao Rongrong , Shi Yuzhen , He Liang , Guan Qingqing
Published: October 2020

The high specific surface area of the support and the active site separation effect caused by the doping of La jointly promoted the high conversion rate of acetylene and the high selectivity of ethylene.
A water soluble ratiometric fluorescent probe for targeting SO2 in mitochondria based on conjugated biquinolines
Authors: Yang Jialu , Yin Caixia , Ma Kaiqing , Yue Yongkang , Huo Fangjun
Published: October 2020

Despite the unprecedented development of SO2 fluorescent probes in the past five years, the water-solubility of these probes is still an important factor related to their practical application.
Mesoporous HBeta zeolite obtained via zeolitic dissolution–recrystallization successive treatment for vapor-phase Doebner–Von Miller reaction to quinolines
Authors: Li An , Luo CaiWu , Wu Fen , Zheng ShuQin , Li LiJun , Zhang JianCe , Chen Liang , Liu Kun , Zhou Congshan
Published: October 2020

Mesoporous HBeta zeolite was obtained via zeolitic dissolution–recrystallization successive treatment, and exhibited enhanced selectivity to Q, anti-alkylation ability and stability in the vapor-phase Doebner–Von Miller reaction.
Correction: K2[B4O5(OH)4]·H2O and K2[B4O5(OH)4]: two new hydrated potassium borates with isolated [B4O5(OH)4]2− units and different structural frameworks
Authors: Shi Tingting , Zhang Fangfang , Tudi Abudukadi , Yang Zhihua , Pan Shilie
Published: October 2020

Correction for ‘K2[B4O5(OH)4]·H2O and K2[B4O5(OH)4]: two new hydrated potassium borates with isolated [B4O5(OH)4]2− units and different structural frameworks’ by Tingting Shi et al., New J. Chem., 2019, 43, 11660–11665, DOI: 10.1039/C9NJ02543J.
Making biological membrane resistant to the toxicity of misfolded protein oligomers: a lesson from trodusquemine
Authors: Errico Silvia , Lucchesi Giacomo , Odino Davide , Muscat Stefano , Capitini Claudia , Bugelli Chiara , Canale Claudio , Ferrando Riccardo , Grasso Gianvito , Barbut Denise , Calamai Martino , Danani Andrea , Zasloff Michael , Relini Annalisa , Caminati Gabriella , Vendruscolo Michele , Chiti Fabrizio
Published: October 2020

Trodusquemine penetrates biological membranes and modulates their physicochemical properties, increasing their resistance to misfolded protein oligomers associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
Nanoporous platinum needle for cancer tumor destruction by EChT and impedance-based intra-therapeutic monitoring
Authors: Miripour Zohreh Sadat , Aghaee Parisa , Mahdavi Reihane , Khayamian Mohammad Ali , Mamdouh Amir , Esmailinejad Mohammad Reza , Mehrvarz Sajad , Yousefpour Narges , Namdar Naser , Mousavi-Kiasary Seyed Mohammad Sadegh , Vajhi Ali Reza , Abbasvandi Fereshteh , Hoseinpour Parisa , Ghafari Hadi , Abdolahad Mohammad
Published: October 2020

We present a new design on the Single Needle Electrochemical Therapy method by introducing some major improvements, including a nanoporous platinum electrode, tunablein situanode size, and intratherapeutic impedance recording by the same needle.
The microwave-assisted syntheses and applications of non-fused single-nitrogen-containing heterocycles
Authors: Soni Jay Prakash , Chemitikanti Krishna Sowjanya , Joshi Swanand Vinayak , Shankaraiah Nagula
Published: October 2020

The present review emphasizes the scope of and recent developments in the microwave-assisted synthesis of various non-(benzo)fused single-nitrogen-containing heterocycles and related applications in the past decade.
Distinct electronic structures and bonding interactions in inverse-sandwich samarium and ytterbium biphenyl complexes
Authors: Xiao Yuyuan , Zhao Xiao-Kun , Wu Tianpin , Miller Jeffrey T. , Hu Han-Shi , Li Jun , Huang Wenliang , Diaconescu Paula L.
Published: October 2020

Inverse-sandwich samarium and ytterbium biphenyl complexes were synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Combined experimental and computational studies indicated that they have distinct electronic structures and bonding interactions.
Lysosomal sulfatases: a growing family
Authors: Lübke Torben , Damme Markus
Published: October 2020

Sulfatases constitute a family of enzymes that specifically act in the hydrolytic degradation of sulfated metabolites by removing sulfate monoesters from various substrates, particularly glycolipids and glycosaminoglycans. A common essential feature of all known eukaryotic sulfatases is the posttranslational modification of a critical cysteine residue in their active site by oxidation to formylglycine (FGly), which is mediated by the FGly-generating enzyme in the endoplasmic reticulum and is indispensable for catalytic activity. The majority of the so far described sulfatases localize intracellularly to lysosomes, where they act in different catabolic pathways. Mutations in genes coding for lysosomal sulfatases lead to an accumulation of the sulfated substrates in lysosomes, resulting in impaired cellular function and multisystemic disorders presenting as lysosomal storage diseases, which also cover the mucopolysaccharidoses and metachromatic leukodystrophy. Bioinformatics analysis of the eukaryotic genomes revealed, besides the well described and long known disease-associated sulfatases, additional genes coding for putative enzymes with sulfatases activity, including arylsulfatase G as well as the arylsulfatases H, I, J and K, respectively. In this article, we review current knowledge about lysosomal sulfatases with a special focus on the just recently characterized family members arylsulfatase G and arylsulfatase K.
Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Pelargonium sidoides DC and lactoferrin combination
Authors: Terlizzi Michela , Colarusso Chiara , Di Maio Umberto , Bagnulo Antonino , Pinto Aldo , Sorrentino Rosalinda
Published: October 2020

Lactoferrin (LAT), a multifunctional protein involved in numerous physiological functions, and the medicinal plant Pelargonium sidoides DC (PEL) have been described for their anti-inflammatory properties. Because the main advantage of natural products consists in administering them in combination rather than as single compound, we aimed to understand whether the combination of PEL and LAT, herein PELIRGOSTIM, could still prove beneficial or additive/synergistic activities during inflammatory conditions. To pursue this goal, we used macrophagic cells (J774.1) and treated them with PEL and LAT in a concentration-dependent manner. We found that PELIRGOSTIM was able to reduce the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrite, effects that were correlated to the release of lower levels of IL-1β after LPS treatment. In addition, the combination of PEL and LAT showed bacteriostatic activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli which had limited growth starting from 5 hours up to 20 hours. This effect was stronger than that observed for penicillin/streptomycin.

Our results provide PELIRGOSTIM as an innovative combination of natural products capable to prevent inflammation-, oxidative stress- and microbial-related disorders.
ER functions are exploited by viruses to support distinct stages of their life cycle
Authors: Chen Yu-Jie , Bagchi Parikshit , Tsai Billy
Published: October 2020

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER), with its expansive membranous system and a vast network of chaperones, enzymes, sensors, and ion channels, orchestrates diverse cellular functions, ranging from protein synthesis, folding, secretion, and degradation to lipid biogenesis and calcium homeostasis. Strikingly, some of the functions of the ER are exploited by viruses to promote their life cycles. During entry, viruses must penetrate a host membrane and reach an intracellular destination to express and replicate their genomes. These events lead to the assembly of new viral progenies that exit the host cell, thereby initiating further rounds of infection. In this review, we highlight how three distinct viruses — polyomavirus, flavivirus, and coronavirus — co-opt key functions of the ER to cause infection. We anticipate that illuminating this virus-ER interplay will provide rational therapeutic approaches to combat the virus-induced diseases.
Thermal ageing study of ZnO nanofluid–cellulose insulation
Authors: Ibrahim Asmaa , Nasrat Loai , Elnoby Ahmed , Eldebeiky Soliman
Published: October 2020

Trends in the studies of mineral oil (MO)‐based nanofluids (NFs) show that most of the conducted works have focused only on the thermal and dielectric properties but few numbers on the ageing performance. In the present study, ZnO NF, in combination with cellulose insulation experienced accelerated thermal ageing at 120 °C for 20 days to study the ageing performance and it was compared with that of MO–cellulose insulation. The deterioration rate of cellulose was evaluated through tensile strength, breakdown voltage (BDV) and dielectric dissipation factor properties. Whereas oils deterioration was evaluated through BDV, interfacial tension, kinematic viscosity, acidity and colour. The results demonstrate that for cellulose aged in NF (NFIP), the tensile strength and BDV are 3 and 6.9% higher, respectively; than those aged in MO. For aged oils, NF exhibits higher values of the viscosity and acidity by 3 and 33.3%, respectively, than MO. The BDV of NF is superior to that of MO in the initial ageing period, after that; it shows a lesser reduction tendency with ageing. The most important observation from this study is that despite this increment of ageing indicators for NF, it could improve the anti‐ageing properties of cellulose insulation.
Effect of binary evolution on the inferred initial and final core masses of hydrogen-rich, Type II supernova progenitors
Authors: Zapartas E. , de Mink S. E. , Justham S. , Smith N. , Renzo M. , de Koter A.
Published: October 2020

The majority of massive stars, which are the progenitors of core-collapse supernovae (SNe), are found in close binary systems. In a previous work, we modeled the fraction of hydrogen-rich, Type II SN progenitors whose evolution is affected by mass exchange with their companion, finding this to be between ≈1/3 and 1/2 for most assumptions. Here we study in more depth the impact of this binary history of Type II SN progenitors on their final pre-SN core mass distribution, using population synthesis simulations. We find that binary star progenitors of Type II SNe typically end their life with a larger core mass than they would have had if they had lived in isolation because they gained mass or merged with a companion before their explosion. The combination of the diverse binary evolutionary paths typically leads to a marginally shallower final core mass distribution. In discussing our results in the context of the red supergiant problem, that is, the reported lack of detected high luminosity progenitors, we conclude that binary evolution does not seem to significantly affect the issue. This conclusion is quite robust against our variations in the assumptions of binary physics. We also predict that inferring the initial masses of Type II SN progenitors by “age-dating” their surrounding environment systematically yields lower masses compared to methods that probe the pre-SN core mass or luminosity. A robust discrepancy between the inferred initial masses of a SN progenitor from those different techniques could indicate an evolutionary history of binary mass accretion or merging.
C5-Parese nach Operationen bei zervikaler Myelopathie
Authors: Eicker Sven Oliver , Floeth Frank Willi
Published: October 2020

Eine der häufigeren Komplikationen bei Operationen der Halswirbelsäule stellt die postoperative Parese des fünften Halsnerven dar (C5-Parese). Die Inzidenz schwankt je nach Ausdehnung des Eingriffs und Art des Zugangs erheblich (0 – 50 %) und wird im Mittel mit 5 – 6 % angegeben. Ursächlich werden demografische Faktoren, lagerungsassoziierte Faktoren, die direkte Reizung des Nervens intraoperativ, die Rückenmarkrotation, anatomische Besonderheiten, das Tethering der Nervenwurzel im Neuroforamen und vieles andere diskutiert. Abschließend ist die Ätiologie aber nicht geklärt und man geht von einem multifaktoriellen Geschehen aus. In dieser Übersichtsarbeit werden Daten aus aktuellen Publikationen sowie Daten aus einer eigenen Kohorte präsentiert. Die Risikofaktoren der einzelnen Zugänge werden erläutert und mögliche prophylaktische Maßnahmen diskutiert.
Curious Case of Atypical Hangman’s Fracture: C2–C3 Listhesis without Pars Fracture
Authors: Jain Surendra , Mishra Keshav , Gandhi Ashok , Garg Deepak
Published: October 2020

Traumatic spondylolisthesis of axis or hangman’s fracture is the second most common C2 vertebra injury. We present a report of a young man presenting with a history of fall from height with C2 to C3 spondylolisthesis without any evidence of injury to pars interarticularis but with associated injury to capsular ligament of facet joint along with posterior spinous ligamentous injury. The patient underwent intraoperative reduction in listhesis with posterior screw fixation. The patient showed uneventful postoperative course with neurological improvement at 6-week follow-up. Hangman’s fracture refers to a diverse group of injury in which the soft tissue injury has an equally important part to play as the bone fracture.
Researchers use calcium fluoride as a reference for quantifying atomic surface concentrations
Authors: Gasparini Allison
Published: October 2020

Calcium fluoride powder can be used to quantify the concentrations of calcium and fluorine of the outer atomic layer in low-energy ion scattering.
Efficient multireference perturbation theory without high-order reduced density matrices
Authors: Blunt Nick S. , Mahajan Ankit , Sharma Sandeep
Published: October 2020

We present a stochastic approach to perform strongly contracted n-electron valence state perturbation theory (SC-NEVPT), which only requires one- and two-body reduced density matrices, without introducing approximations. We use this method to perform SC-NEVPT2 for complete active space self-consistent field wave functions obtained from selected configuration interaction, although the approach is applicable to a larger class of wave functions, including those from orbital-space variational Monte Carlo. The accuracy of this approach is demonstrated for small test systems, and the scaling is investigated with the number of virtual orbitals and the molecule size. We also find the SC-NEVPT2 energy to be relatively insensitive to the quality of the reference wave function. Finally, the method is applied to the Fe(II)-porphyrin system with a (32e, 29o) active space and to the isomerization of [Cu2O2]2+ in a (28e, 32o) active space.
Photonic molecules stacked on multicore optical fiber for vapor sensing
Authors: Zhan Yuxin , Liu Qiaoqiao , Feng Shengfei , Ye Jiasheng , Wang Xinke , Sun Wenfeng , Zhang Yan
Published: October 2020

We designed and fabricated photonic molecules on the tiny end facet of a multicore optical fiber. The photonic molecules are three pairs of coupled polymer micro-ring resonators, which are stacked on the fiber in three layers. The normal mode splitting of the photonic molecules is simulated and observed experimentally. It is shown that if the absorption of vapors causes both the radii and refractive index changes of the rings, the two branches of the split resonant modes show different wavelength shifts. The photonic molecules were fabricated by the two-photon lithography technology and show good sensitivity to various organic vapors.
Ultra-compact mechanical antennas
Authors: Chen Huaihao , Liang Xianfeng , Dong Cunzheng , He Yifan , Sun Neville , Zaeimbashi Mohsen , He Yuxiao , Gao Yuan , Parimi Patanjali V. , Lin Hwaider , Sun Nian-Xiang
Published: October 2020

Significant effort has been put into the antenna miniaturization. Electrically small antennas still suffer from various issues, such as a relatively large physical size. Hence, antenna designs based on different radiation mechanisms have attracted more attention, and the mechanical antenna is one feasible solution. A review of the conventional antenna miniaturization and developments in miniaturization methods is presented in this paper. The topic of focus is on mechanical resonance and magnetoelectric (ME) coupling within the piezoelectric/ferromagnetic ME composite. This Perspective discusses the challenges and possible solutions for employing mechanical antennas for practical applications; it concludes an up-to-date discussion of current ME antenna applications for commercial and military communication devices and future applications.
Molecular packing-dependent exciton dynamics in functionalized anthradithiophene derivatives: From solutions to crystals
Authors: Van Schenck J. D. B. , Mayonado G. , Anthony J. E. , Graham M. W. , Ostroverkhova O.
Published: October 2020

Understanding the impact of inter-molecular orientation on the optical properties of organic semiconductors is important for designing next-generation organic (opto)electronic and photonic devices. However, fundamental aspects of how various features of molecular packing in crystalline systems determine the nature and dynamics of excitons have been a subject of debate. Toward this end, we present a systematic study of how various molecular crystal packing motifs affect the optical properties of a class of high-performance organic semiconductors: functionalized derivatives of fluorinated anthradithiophene. The absorptive and emissive species present in three such derivatives (exhibiting “brickwork,” “twisted-columnar,” and “sandwich-herringbone” motifs, controlled by the side group R) were analyzed both in solution and in single crystals, using various modalities of optical and photoluminescence spectroscopy, revealing the nature of these excited states. In solution, in the emission band, two states were identified: a Franck–Condon state present at all concentrations and an excimer that emerged at higher concentrations. In single crystal systems, together with ab initio calculations, it was found in the absorptive band that Frenkel and Charge Transfer (CT) excitons mixed due to nonvanishing CT integrals in all derivatives, but the amount of admixture and exciton delocalization depended on the packing, with the “sandwich-herringbone” packing motif least conducive to delocalization. Three emissive species in the crystal phase were also identified: Frenkel excitons, entangled triplet pairs 1(TT) (which are precursors to forming free triplet states via singlet fission), and self-trapped excitons (STEs, similar in origin to excimers present in concentrated solution). The “twisted-columnar” packing motif was most conducive to the formation of Frenkel excitons delocalized over 4–7 molecules depending on the temperature. These delocalized Frenkel states were dominant across the full temperature range (78 K–293 K), though at lower temperatures, the entangled triplet states and STEs were present. In the derivative with the “brickwork” packing, all three emissive species were observed across the full temperature range and, most notably, the 1(TT) state was present at room temperature. Finally, the derivative with the “sandwich-herringbone” packing exhibited localized Frenkel excitons and had a strong propensity for self-trapped exciton formation even at higher temperatures. In this derivative, no formation of the 1(TT) state was observed. The temperature-dependent dynamics of these emissive states are reported, as well as their origin in fundamental inter-molecular interactions.
Exciton–exciton annihilation in a molecular trimer: Wave packet dynamics and 2D spectroscopy
Authors: Süß J. , Engel V.
Published: October 2020

We theoretically study the exciton–exciton annihilation (EEA) in a molecular trimer MMM. The system is treated within a model of electronic states, and the coupling to a bath is incorporated using the quantum jump method. Two situations of initial excitation are compared. In the first one, a two-photon process populates configurations M*M*M and MM*M* so that two excitons reside on neighboring monomers M. Then, EEA can immediately proceed. In contrast, if the trimer initially is in the local configuration M*MM*, exciton diffusion must occur before the annihilation process can take place. For the trimer, this excitonic motion takes place on a very short time scale. In both cases, wave packets are prepared which show a different quantum dynamics where the latter depends on the couplings and decay rates. It is documented how fifth-order coherent two-dimensional spectroscopy can be used to directly map the EEA as a function of time.
Cell cycle events and expression of cell cycle regulators are determining factors in differential grain filling in rice spikelets based on their spatial location on compact panicles
Authors: Sahu Gyanasri , Panda Binay B. , Dash Sushanta K. , Chandra Tilak , Shaw Birendra P.
Published: October 2020

Rice being a staple crop for human, its production is required to be increased significantly, particularly keeping in view the expected world’s population of 9.6 billion by the year 2050. In this context, although the rice breeding programs have been successful in increasing the number of spikelets per panicle, the basal spikelets remain poorly filled, undermining the yield potential. The present study also found the grain filling to bear negative correlation with the panicle grain density. The poorly filled basal spikelets of the compact-panicle cultivars showed a lower endosperm cell division rate and ploidy status of the endosperm nuclei coupled with no significant greater expression of CYCB;1 and CYCH;1 compared with the apical spikelets, unlike that observed in the lax-panicle cultivars, which might have prevented them from overcoming apical dominance. Significantly greater expression of CYCB2;2 in the basal spikelets than in the apical spikelets might also have prevented the former to enter into endoreduplication. Furthermore, expression studies of KRPs in the caryopses revealed that a higher expression of KRP;1 and KRP;4 in the basal spikelets than in the apical spikelets of the compact-panicle cultivars could also be detrimental to grain filling in the former, as KRPs form complex primarily with CDKA-CYCD that promotes S-phase activity and G1/S transition, and thus inhibits endosperm cell division. The study indicates that targeted manipulation of expression of CYCB1;1, CYCB2;2, CYCH1;1, KRP;1 and KRP4 in the basal spikelets of the compact-panicle cultivars may significantly improve their yield performance.
Thylacine and Tasmanian devil: between hope and reality – a lesson to be learnt from Google Trends search data
Authors: Zieger Michael , Springer Steffen
Published: October 2020

The two iconic Tasmanian species, the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) and the thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus), are of great interest to the general public and the media. The most likely extinct Tasmanian wolf or tiger, the thylacine, symbolises human responsibility for nature and species conservation and inspired the ‘National Threatened Species Day’, which commemorates the death of the last thylacine at Beaumaris Zoo in Hobart on 7 September 1936 to raise awareness of endangered plants and animals. Since the spread of the Devil Facial Tumour Disease critically endangered the survival of the largest remaining native carnivore (S. harrisii) today, this has generated both scientific interest and the interest of the general public. Google Trends has already been used as a tool for documenting and investigating the information needs and concerns of the population, as has been shown using the example of diseases. In this study, Google Trends data were used to examine the seasonality of the search term ‘thylacine sightings’ and the development of the frequency of different search terms in the period between 2004 and 2020. As a result, relative search intensities for ‘thylacine cloning’ and ‘cloning extinct species’ have shown a decrease over time. While Google Trends cannot clearly determine search motivation, search terms can be selected for the examinations that document more hope or a rational need for information or concern.
A spiking neural program for sensorimotor control during foraging in flying insects
Authors: Rapp Hannes , Nawrot Martin Paul
Published: October 2020

Significance

Living organisms demonstrate remarkable abilities in mastering problems imposed by complex and dynamic environments, and they can generalize their experience in order to rapidly adapt behavior. This paper demonstrates the benefits of using biological spiking neural networks, sparse computations, and local learning rules. It highlights the functional roles of temporal- and population-sparse coding for rapid associative learning, precise memory recall, and transformation into navigational output. We show how memory formation generalizes to perform precise memory recall under dynamic, nonstationary conditions, giving rise to nontrivial foraging behavior in a complex natural environment. Results suggest how principles of biological computation could benefit agent-based machine learning to deal with nonstationary scenarios.