bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concordant peripheral lipidome signatures in two large clinical studies of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Huynh Kevin , Lim Wei Ling Florence , Giles Corey , Jayawardana Kaushala S. , Salim Agus , Mellett Natalie A. , Smith Adam Alexander T. , Olshansky Gavriel , Drew Brian G. , Chatterjee Pratishtha , Martins Ian , Laws Simon M. , Bush Ashley I. , Rowe Christopher C. , Villemagne Victor L. , Ames David , Masters Colin L. , Arnold Matthias , Nho Kwangsik , Saykin Andrew J. , Baillie Rebecca , Han Xianlin , Kaddurah-Daouk Rima , Martins Ralph N. , Meikle Peter J.
Published: November 2020

Changes to lipid metabolism are tightly associated with the onset and pathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Lipids are complex molecules comprising many isomeric and isobaric species, necessitating detailed analysis to enable interpretation of biological significance. Our expanded targeted lipidomics platform (569 species across 32 classes) allows for detailed lipid separation and characterisation. In this study we examined peripheral samples of two cohorts (AIBL,n = 1112 and ADNI,n = 800). We are able to identify concordant peripheral signatures associated with prevalent AD arising from lipid pathways including; ether lipids, sphingolipids (notably GM3gangliosides) and lipid classes previously associated with cardiometabolic disease (phosphatidylethanolamine and triglycerides). We subsequently identified similar lipid signatures in both cohorts with future disease. Lastly, we developed multivariate lipid models that improved classification and prediction. Our results provide a holistic view between the lipidome and AD using a comprehensive approach, providing targets for further mechanistic investigation.
Biomaterial-based scaffold for in situ chemo-immunotherapy to treat poorly immunogenic tumors
Authors: Wang Hua , Najibi Alexander J. , Sobral Miguel C. , Seo Bo Ri , Lee Jun Yong , Wu David , Li Aileen Weiwei , Verbeke Catia S. , Mooney David J.
Published: November 2020

Poorly immunogenic tumors, including triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs), remain resistant to current immunotherapies, due in part to the difficulty of reprogramming the highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Here we show that peritumorally injected, macroporous alginate gels loaded with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for concentrating dendritic cells (DCs), CpG oligonucleotides, and a doxorubicin-iRGD conjugate enhance the immunogenic death of tumor cells, increase systemic tumor-specific CD8 + T cells, repolarize tumor-associated macrophages towards an inflammatory M1-like phenotype, and significantly improve antitumor efficacy against poorly immunogenic TNBCs. This system also prevents tumor recurrence after surgical resection and results in 100% metastasis-free survival upon re-challenge. This chemo-immunotherapy that concentrates DCs to present endogenous tumor antigens generated in situ may broadly serve as a facile platform to modulate the suppressive TME, and enable in situ personalized cancer vaccination.
Stagnant forearc mantle wedge inferred from mapping of shear-wave anisotropy using S-net seafloor seismometers
Authors: Uchida Naoki , Nakajima Junichi , Wang Kelin , Takagi Ryota , Yoshida Keisuke , Nakayama Takashi , Hino Ryota , Okada Tomomi , Asano Youichi
Published: November 2020

Shear-wave anisotropy in Earth’s mantle helps constrain the lattice-preferred orientation of anisotropic minerals due to viscous flow. Previous studies at the Japan Trench subduction zone using land-based seismic networks identified strong anisotropy in the mantle wedge, reflecting viscous flow induced by the subducting slab. Here we map anisotropy in the previously uninvestigated offshore region by analyzing shear waves from interplate earthquakes that are recorded by a new seafloor network (the S-net). The newly detected anisotropy is not in the mantle wedge but only in the overlying crust (∼0.1 s time delay and trench-parallel fast direction). The distinct lack of anisotropy indicates that the forearc mantle wedge offshore is decoupled from the slab and does not participate in the viscous flow, in sharp contrast with the rest of the mantle wedge. A stagnant forearc mantle wedge provides a stable and cold tectonic environment that is important for the petrological evolution and earthquake processes of subduction zones.
Whole exome sequencing and homozygosity mapping reveals genetic defects in consanguineous Iranian families with inherited retinal dystrophies
Authors: Salmaninejad Arash , Bedoni Nicola , Ravesh Zeinab , Quinodoz Mathieu , Shoeibi Nasser , Mojarrad Majid , Pasdar Alireza , Rivolta Carlo
Published: November 2020

Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs), displaying pronounced genetic and clinical heterogeneity, comprise of a broad range of diseases characterized by progressive retinal cell death and gradual loss of vision. By the combined use of whole exome sequencing (WES), SNP-array and WES-based homozygosity mapping, as well as directed DNA sequencing (Sanger), we have identified nine pathogenic variants in six genes (ABCA4, RPE65, MERTK, USH2A, SPATA7, TULP1) in 10 consanguineous Iranian families. Six of the nine identified variants were novel, including a putative founder mutation in ABCA4 (c.3260A>G, p.Glu1087Gly), detected in two families from Northeastern Iran. Our findings provide additional information to the molecular pathology of IRDs in Iran, hopefully contributing to better genetic counselling and patient management in the respective families from this country.
Unveiling the high-temperature dielectric response of $$\text {Bi}_{0.5}\text {Na}_{0.5}\text {TiO}_{3}$$
Authors: Diaz Julio Cesar Camilo Albornoz , M’Peko Jean-Claude , Venet Michel , da Silva Paulo Sergio
Published: November 2020

Understanding the physics behind changes in dielectric permittivity and mechanical response with temperature and frequency in lead-free ferroic materials is a fundamental key to achieve optimal properties and to guarantee good performance in the technological applications envisaged. In this work, dense $$\text {Bi}_{0.5}\text {Na}_{0.5}\text {TiO}_{3}$$

Bi

0.5

Na

0.5

TiO
3

(BNT) electroceramics were prepared through solid-state reaction of high-grade oxide reagents, followed by sintering at high temperature (1393 K for 3 h). In good agreement with previous reports in the literature, the thermal behaviour of dielectric response from these BNT materials showed the occurrence of a high-temperature diffuse-like permittivity peak, whose origin has been so far controversial. Thermally stimulated depolarization current, impedance and mechanical spectroscopies measurements were here conducted, over a wide range of temperature and frequency, to get a deep insight into the mechanism behind of this event. The approach included considering both as-sintered and reduced BNT samples, from which it is demonstrated that the broad high-temperature dielectric peak originates from interfacial polarization involving oxygen vacancies-related space-charge effects that develop at the grain-to-grain contacts. This mechanism, that contributes to the anomalous behavior observed in the mechanical response at low frequencies, could also be responsible for the presence of ferroelastic domains up to high temperatures.
Hesperidin ameliorates hypobaric hypoxia-induced retinal impairment through activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and inhibition of apoptosis
Authors: Xin Xiaorong , Li Yanrong , Liu Haiping
Published: November 2020

High-altitude retinopathy is initiated by hypobaric hypoxia and characterized by retinal functional changes, but the precise cellular and molecular mechanisms that mediate this dysfunction remain unclear. The aim of our investigation is to determine the protective efficacy of hesperidin (HSD) on the hypobaric hypoxia-induced damage to the retina. Experiment rats were randomly grouped as the control, hypobaric hypoxia group and HSD intervention group. The hypobaric hypoxia and the HSD intervention groups were maintained in a low-pressure oxygen cabin. We found that hypobaric hypoxia dramatically reduced nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) levels, induced an elevation in immunostaining of TUNEL-positive cells. Hypobaric hypoxia exposure resulted in the increase of Bcl-2, decrease of caspase3 and caspase9 expression as well as Bax level. HSD protected the retina from hypobaric hypoxia-caused impairment by enhancing Nrf2 and HO-1 activation, attenuating apoptotic caspases levels, and reducing Bax and preserving Bcl-2 expression. Additionally, oxidative stress increased poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) and suppressed ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) level, HSD treatment reverted this effect by down-regulation of PARP1 and up-regulation of CNTF expression. Taken together, our findings implicate that HSD exerts a protective role in response to hypobaric hypoxia stress by activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and inhibiting apoptosis.
Retraction Note: In situ structural characterization of early amyloid aggregates in Alzheimer’s disease transgenic mice and Octodon degus
Authors: Benseny-Cases Núria , Álvarez-Marimon Elena , Aso Ester , Carmona Margarita , Klementieva Oxana , Appelhans Dietmar , Ferrer Isidre , Cladera Josep
Published: November 2020

Editor's Note: this Article has been retracted; the Retraction Note is available at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-76208-w
A novel nutritional index “simplified CONUT” and the disease risk index independently stratify prognosis of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Senjo Hajime , Onozawa Masahiro , Hidaka Daisuke , Yokoyama Shota , Yamamoto Satoshi , Tsutsumi Yutaka , Haseyama Yoshihito , Nagashima Takahiro , Mori Akio , Ota Shuichi , Sakai Hajime , Ishihara Toshimichi , Miyagishima Takuto , Kakinoki Yasutaka , Kurosawa Mitsutoshi , Kobayashi Hajime , Iwasaki Hiroshi , Hashimoto Daigo , Kondo Takeshi , Teshima Takanori
Published: November 2020

Elderly patients aged 65 or older with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have poor prognosis. The risk stratification based on genetic alteration has been proposed in national comprehensive cancer network (NCCN) guideline but its efficacy was not well verified especially in real world elderly patients. The nutritional status assessment using controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score is a prognostic biomarker in elderly patients with solid tumors but was not examined in elderly AML patients. We performed prospective analysis of genetic alterations of 174 patients aged 65 or older with newly diagnosed AML treated without hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and developed simplified CONUT (sCONUT) score by eliminating total lymphocyte count from the items to adapt AML patients. In this cohort, both the NCCN 2017 risk group and sCONUT score successfully stratified the overall survival (OS) of the elderly patients. A multivariable analysis demonstrated that adverse group in NCCN 2017 and high sCONUT score were independently associated with poor 2-year OS. Both risk stratification based on NCCN 2017 and sCONUT score predict prognosis in the elderly patients with newly diagnosed AML.
A cyclical deep learning based framework for simultaneous inverse and forward design of nanophotonic metasurfaces
Authors: Mall Abhishek , Patil Abhijeet , Sethi Amit , Kumar Anshuman
Published: November 2020

The conventional approach to nanophotonic metasurface design and optimization for a targeted electromagnetic response involves exploring large geometry and material spaces. This is a highly iterative process based on trial and error, which is computationally costly and time consuming. Moreover, the non-uniqueness of structural designs and high non-linearity between electromagnetic response and design makes this problem challenging. To model this unintuitive relationship between electromagnetic response and metasurface structural design as a probability distribution in the design space, we introduce a framework for inverse design of nanophotonic metasurfaces based on cyclical deep learning (DL). The proposed framework performs inverse design and optimization mechanism for the generation of meta-atoms and meta-molecules as metasurface units based on DL models and genetic algorithm. The framework includes consecutive DL models that emulate both numerical electromagnetic simulation and iterative processes of optimization, and generate optimized structural designs while simultaneously performing forward and inverse design tasks. A selection and evaluation of generated structural designs is performed by the genetic algorithm to construct a desired optical response and design space that mimics real world responses. Importantly, our cyclical generation framework also explores the space of new metasurface topologies. As an example application of the utility of our proposed architecture, we demonstrate the inverse design of gap-plasmon based half-wave plate metasurface for user-defined optical response. Our proposed technique can be easily generalized for designing nanophtonic metasurfaces for a wide range of targeted optical response.
Lung transcriptome of a COVID-19 patient and systems biology predictions suggest impaired surfactant production which may be druggable by surfactant therapy
Authors: Islam Abul Bashar Mir Md. Khademul , Khan Md. Abdullah-Al-Kamran
Published: November 2020

An incomplete understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind impairment of lung pathobiology by COVID-19 complicates its clinical management. In this study, we analyzed the gene expression pattern of cells obtained from biopsies of COVID-19-affected patient and compared to the effects observed in typical SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-infected cell-lines. We then compared gene expression patterns of COVID-19-affected lung tissues and SARS-CoV-2-infected cell-lines and mapped those to known lung-related molecular networks, including hypoxia induced responses, lung development, respiratory processes, cholesterol biosynthesis and surfactant metabolism; all of which are suspected to be downregulated following SARS-CoV-2 infection based on the observed symptomatic impairments. Network analyses suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection might lead to acute lung injury in COVID-19 by affecting surfactant proteins and their regulators SPD, SPC, and TTF1 through NSP5 and NSP12; thrombosis regulators PLAT, and EGR1 by ORF8 and NSP12; and mitochondrial NDUFA10, NDUFAF5, and SAMM50 through NSP12. Furthermore, hypoxia response through HIF-1 signaling might also be targeted by SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Drug enrichment analysis of dysregulated genes has allowed us to propose novel therapies, including lung surfactants, respiratory stimulants, sargramostim, and oseltamivir. Our study presents a distinct mechanism of probable virus induced lung damage apart from cytokine storm.
Teleconnection between the Asian Polar Vortex and surface PM2.5 in China
Authors: Zhou Lihua , Zhang Jing , Zheng Xiaohui , Zhu Siguang , Hu Yueming
Published: November 2020

Atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollutions are of particular concern because of their direct and indirect harm to humans and organisms. China has suffered from severe air pollution for the past ten years, related to heavy pollution emissions and compounded by the effects of atmospheric circulation. This study applied statistical methods, observational data of ground pollutants, and meteorological data to analyze the impact of large-scale atmospheric circulations on PM2.5 pollution over China. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis was used to evaluate the main PM2.5 patterns and total contributions of the leading four EOFs. The results indicate that the total contributions of the leading four EOFs accounted for 50.5% of the total variance, reflecting four main types of PM2.5 pollution, namely, overall pollution phase, north–south phase, east–west phase and north–center–south phase, with contributions of 28.4%, 9.7%, 6.5% and 5.9%, respectively. We selected indices of the Asian Polar Vortex (APV) to analyze the impact of large-scale atmospheric circulations on PM2.5 pollution over China. The most pronounced APV control occurred in Beijing and its surroundings, specifically, along the Bohai Sea and the Northeast Plain.
Early vascular ageing biomarkers in osteoporotic outpatients: a pilot study
Authors: Gaudio Agostino , Xourafa Anastasia , Zanoli Luca , Rapisarda Rosario , Catalano Antonino , Signorelli Salvatore Santo , Castellino Pietro
Published: November 2020

Osteoporosis and atherosclerosis are significant public health problems that often coexist, especially in the elderly. Although some studies have reported an age-dependent relationship, others have suggested a causal relationship between osteoporosis and atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the cardiovascular risk in a population of patients with osteoporosis by measuring carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV). A total of 58 patients with osteoporosis and an equal number of healthy control subjects were enrolled. All subjects underwent (1) a bone densitometry examination using dual X-ray absorptiometry, (2) a vascular evaluation for the measurements of cIMT and cf-PWV and (3) a blood sample for the evaluation of lipids and phosphocalcic metabolism. Patients with osteoporosis had a significant increase in cIMT and cf-PWV. There was also a significant inverse correlation between the femoral neck BMD and cf-PWV values. In conclusion, osteoporotic outpatients have earlier vascular ageing, with an increase of arterial stiffness. These data support a possible association between osteoporosis and atherosclerosis independent of age.
Modelling the potential for soil carbon sequestration using biochar from sugarcane residues in Brazil
Authors: Lefebvre David , Williams Adrian , Meersmans Jeroen , Kirk Guy J. D. , Sohi Saran , Goglio Pietro , Smith Pete
Published: November 2020

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) cultivation leaves behind around 20 t ha−1 of biomass residue after harvest and processing. We investigated the potential for sequestering carbon (C) in soil with these residues by partially converting them into biochar (recalcitrant carbon-rich material). First, we modified the RothC model to allow changes in soil C arising from additions of sugarcane-derived biochar. Second, we evaluated the modified model against published field data, and found satisfactory agreement between observed and predicted soil C accumulation. Third, we used the model to explore the potential for soil C sequestration with sugarcane biochar in São Paulo State, Brazil. The results show a potential increase in soil C stocks by 2.35 ± 0.4 t C ha−1 year−1 in sugarcane fields across the State at application rates of 4.2 t biochar ha−1 year−1. Scaling to the total sugarcane area of the State, this would be 50 Mt of CO2 equivalent year−1, which is 31% of the CO2 equivalent emissions attributed to the State in 2016. Future research should (a) further validate the model with field experiments; (b) make a full life cycle assessment of the potential for greenhouse gas mitigation, including additional effects of biochar applications on greenhouse gas balances.
Gut microbiota and metabolic health among overweight and obese individuals
Authors: Kim Mi-Hyun , Yun Kyung Eun , Kim Jimin , Park Eunkyo , Chang Yoosoo , Ryu Seungho , Kim Hyung-Lae , Kim Han-Na
Published: November 2020

Although obesity is associated with numerous diseases, the risks of disease may depend on metabolic health. Associations between the gut microbiota, obesity, and metabolic syndrome have been reported, but differences in microbiomes according to metabolic health in the obese population have not been explored in previous studies. Here, we investigated the composition of gut microbiota according to metabolic health status in obese and overweight subjects. A total of 747 overweight or obese adults were categorized by metabolic health status, and their fecal microbiota were profiled using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. We classified these adults into a metabolically healthy group (MH, N = 317) without any components of metabolic syndrome or a metabolically unhealthy group (MU, N = 430) defined as having at least one metabolic abnormality. The phylogenetic and non-phylogenetic alpha diversity for gut microbiota were lower in the MU group than the MH group, and there were significant differences in gut microbiota bacterial composition between the two groups. We found that the genus Oscillospira and the family Coriobacteriaceae were associated with good metabolic health in the overweight and obese populations. This is the first report to describe gut microbial diversity and composition in metabolically healthy and unhealthy overweight and obese individuals. Modulation of the gut microbiome may help prevent metabolic abnormalities in the obese population.
The mode of action of plant associated Burkholderia against grey mould disease in grapevine revealed through traits and genomic analyses
Authors: Esmaeel Qassim , Jacquard Cédric , Sanchez Lisa , Clément Christophe , Ait Barka Essaid
Published: November 2020

Plant-associated Burkholderia spp. have been shown to offer a promising alternative method that may address concerns with ecological issue associated with pesticide overuse in agriculture. However to date, little work has studied the role of Burkholderia species as biocontrol agents for grapevine pathogens. To this end, two Burkholderia strains, BE17 and BE24 isolated from the maize rhizosphere in France, were investigated to determine their biocontrol potential and their ability to induce systemic resistance against grey mould disease in grapevine. Results showed the capacity of both strains to inhibit spore germination and mycelium growth of Botrytis cinerea. Experimental inoculation with BE17 and BE24 showed a significant protection of bacterized-plantlets against grey mould compared to the non-bacterized control. BE17 and BE24-bacterized plants accumulated more reactive oxygen species and an increased callose deposition was observed in leaves of bacterized plantlets compared to the control plantlets. In bacterized plants, gene expression analysis subsequent to B. cinerea challenge showed that strains BE17 and BE24 significantly increased the relative transcript level of pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins PR5 and PR10, two markers involved in the Salicylic acid (SA)-signaling pathway. Furthermore, in silico analysis of strains revealed the presence of genes involved in plant growth promotion and biocontrol highlighting the attractiveness of these strains for sustainable agricultural applications.
The effect of smoking on chronic inflammation, immune function and blood cell composition
Authors: Elisia Ingrid , Lam Vivian , Cho Brandon , Hay Mariah , Li Michael Yu , Yeung Michelle , Bu Luke , Jia William , Norton Nancy , Lam Stephen , Krystal Gerald
Published: November 2020

Smoking is the number one risk factor for cancer mortality but only 15–20% of heavy smokers develop lung cancer. It would, therefore, be of great benefit to identify those at high risk early on so that preventative measures can be initiated. To investigate this, we evaluated the effects of smoking on inflammatory markers, innate and adaptive immune responses to bacterial and viral challenges and blood cell composition. We found that plasma samples from 30 heavy smokers (16 men and 14 women) had significantly higher CRP, fibrinogen, IL-6 and CEA levels than 36 non-smoking controls. Whole blood samples from smokers, incubated for 7 h at 37 °C in the absence of any exogenous stimuli, secreted significantly higher levels of IL-8 and a number of other cytokines/chemokines than non-smokers. When challenged for 7 h withE. coli,whole blood samples from smokers secreted significantly lower levels of many inflammatory cytokines/chemokines. However, when stimulated with HSV-1, significantly higher levels of both PGE2and many cytokines/chemokines were secreted from smokers’ blood samples than from controls. In terms of blood cell composition, red blood cells, hematocrits, hemoglobin levels, MCV, MCH, MCHC, Pct and RDW levels were all elevated in smokers, in keeping with their compromised lung capacity. As well, total leukocytes were significantly higher, driven by increases in granulocytes and monocytes. In addition, smokers had lower NK cells and higher Tregs than controls, suggesting that smoking may reduce the ability to kill nascent tumor cells. Importantly, there was substantial person-to person variation amongst smokers with some showing markedly different values from controls and others showing normal levels of many parameters measured, indicating the former may be at significantly higher risk of developing lung cancer.
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis downmodulates α3 integrin levels in human lung epithelial cells in a TLR2-dependent manner
Authors: de Barros Bianca Carla Silva Campitelli , Almeida Bruna Rocha , Suzuki Erika
Published: November 2020

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the most prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America and may be caused by the species Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. In the lungs, this fungus interacts with epithelial cells, activating host cell signalling pathways, resulting in the production of inflammatory mediators. This event may be initiated through the activation of Pattern-Recognition Receptors such as Toll-like Receptors (TLRs). By interacting with cell wall components, TLR2 is frequently related to fungal infections. In this work, we show that, after 24 h post-infection with P. brasiliensis, A549 lung epithelial cells presented higher TLR2 levels, which is important for IL-8 secretion. Besides, integrins may also participate in pathogen recognition by host cells. We verified that P. brasiliensis increased α3 integrin levels in A549 cells after 5 h of infection and promoted interaction between this receptor and TLR2. However, after 24 h, surprisingly, we verified a decrease of α3 integrin levels, which was dependent on direct contact between fungi and epithelial cells. Likewise, we observed that TLR2 is important to downmodulate α3 integrin levels after 24 h of infection. Thus, P. brasiliensis can modulate the host inflammatory response by exploiting host cell receptors and cell signalling pathways.
The secondary structural difference between Lewy body and glial cytoplasmic inclusion in autopsy brain with synchrotron FTIR micro-spectroscopy
Authors: Araki Katsuya , Yagi Naoto , Ikemoto Yuka , Hayakawa Hideki , Fujimura Harutoshi , Moriwaki Taro , Nagai Yoshitaka , Murayama Shigeo , Mochizuki Hideki
Published: November 2020

Lewy bodies (LBs) and glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs) are specific aggregates found in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA), respectively. These aggregates mainly consist of α-synuclein (α-syn) and have been reported to propagate in the brain. In animal experiments, the fibrils of α-syn propagate similarly to prions but there is still insufficient evidence to establish this finding in humans. Here, we analysed the protein structure of these aggregates in the autopsy brains of patients by synchrotron Fourier-transform infrared micro-spectroscopy (FTIRM) analysis without extracting or artificially amplifying the aggregates. As a result, we found that the content of the β-sheet structure in LBs in patients with PD was significantly higher than that in GCIs in patients with MSA (52.6 ± 1.9% in PD vs. 38.1 ± 0.9% in MSA, P < 0.001). These structural differences may provide clues to the differences in phenotypes of PD and MSA.
A combination of fuzzy Delphi method and hybrid ANN-based systems to forecast ground vibration resulting from blasting
Authors: Huang Jiandong , Koopialipoor Mohammadreza , Armaghani Danial Jahed
Published: November 2020

This study presents a new input parameter selection and modeling procedure in order to control and predict peak particle velocity (PPV) values induced by mine blasting. The first part of this study was performed through the use of fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) to identify the key input variables with the deepest influence on PPV based on the experts’ opinions. Then, in the second part, the most effective parameters on PPV were selected to be applied in hybrid artificial neural network (ANN)-based models i.e., genetic algorithm (GA)-ANN, particle swarm optimization (PSO)-ANN, imperialism competitive algorithm (ICA)-ANN, artificial bee colony (ABC)-ANN and firefly algorithm (FA)-ANN for the prediction of PPV. Many hybrid ANN-based models were constructed according to the most influential parameters of GA, PSO, ICA, ABC and FA optimization techniques and 5 hybrid ANN-based models were proposed to predict PPVs induced by blasting. Through simple ranking technique, the best hybrid model was selected. The obtained results revealed that the FA-ANN model is able to offer higher accuracy level for PPV prediction compared to other implemented hybrid models. Coefficient of determination (R2) results of (0.8831, 0.8995, 0.9043, 0.9095 and 0.9133) and (0.8657, 0.8749, 0.8850, 0.9094 and 0.9097) were obtained for train and test stages of GA-ANN, PSO-ANN, ICA-ANN, ABC-ANN and FA-ANN, respectively. The results showed that all hybrid models can be used to solve PPV problem, however, when the highest prediction performance is needed, the hybrid FA-ANN model would be the best choice.
Gene-regulatory network analysis of ankylosing spondylitis with a single-cell chromatin accessible assay
Authors: Yu Haiyan , Wu Hongwei , Zheng Fengping , Zhu Chengxin , Yin Lianghong , Dai Weier , Liu Dongzhou , Tang Donge , Hong Xiaoping , Dai Yong
Published: November 2020

A detailed understanding of the gene-regulatory network in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is vital for elucidating the mechanisms of AS pathogenesis. Assaying transposase-accessible chromatin in single cell sequencing (scATAC-seq) is a suitable method for revealing such networks. Thus, scATAC-seq was applied to define the landscape of active regulatory DNA in AS. As a result, there was a significant change in the percent of CD8+ T cells in PBMCs, and 37 differentially accessible transcription factor (TF) motifs were identified. T cells, monocytes-1 and dendritic cells were found to be crucial for the IL-17 signaling pathway and TNF signaling pathway, since they had 73 potential target genes regulated by 8 TF motifs with decreased accessibility in AS. Moreover, natural killer cells were involved in AS by increasing the accessibility to TF motifs TEAD1 and JUN to induce cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions. In addition, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells may be vital for altering host immune functions through increasing the accessibility of TF motifs NR1H4 and OLIG (OLIGI and OLIG2), respectively. These results explain clear gene regulatory variation in PBMCs from AS patients, providing a foundational framework for the study of personal regulomes and delivering insights into epigenetic therapy.
Co-blending modification of activated coke using pyrolusite and titanium ore for low-temperature NOx removal
Authors: Yang Lin , Yao Lu , Lai Yuguo , Jiang Xia , Jiang Wenju
Published: November 2020

Activated coke (AC) has great potential in the field of low-temperature NO removal (DeNOx), especially the branch prepared by blending modification. In this study, the AC-based pyrolusite and/or titanium ore blended catalysts were prepared and applied for DeNOx. The results show blending pyrolusite and titanium ore promoted the catalytic performance of AC (Px@AC, Tix@AC) clearly, and the co-blending of two of them showed a synergistic effect. The (P/Ti-1/2)15@AC performed the highest NO conversion of 66.4%, improved 16.9% and 16.0% respectively compared with P15@AC and Ti15@AC. For the (P/Ti-1/2)15@AC DeNOx, its relative better porous structure (SBET = 364 m2/g, Vmic = 0.156 cm3/g) makes better mass transfer and more active sites exposure, stronger surface acidity (C–O, 19.43%; C=O, 4.16%) is more favorable to the NH3 adsorption, and Ti, Mn and Fe formed bridge structure fasted the lactic oxygen recovery and electron transfer. The DeNOx of (P/Ti-1/2)15@AC followed both the E–R and L–H mechanism, both the gaseous and adsorbed NO reacted with the activated NH3 due to the active sites provided by both the carbon and titanium.
Ecological corridors for the amphibians and reptiles in the Natura 2000 sites of Romania
Authors: Sahlean Tiberiu C. , Papeș Monica , Strugariu Alexandru , Gherghel Iulian
Published: November 2020

Landscape heterogeneity and fragmentation are key challenges for biodiversity conservation. As Earth’s landscape is increasingly dominated by anthropogenic land use, it is clear that broad-scale systems of nature reserves connected by corridors are needed to enable the dispersal of flora and fauna. The European Union currently supports a continent-wide network of protected areas, the Natura 2000 program, but this program lacks the necessary connectivity component. To examine whether a comprehensive network could be built in order to protect amphibians and reptiles, two taxonomic groups sensitive to environmental changes due to their physiological constrains and low dispersal capacity, we used species’ distribution maps, the sites of community interest (SCIs) in Romania, and landscape resistance rasters. Except Vipera ursinii rakosiensis, all amphibians and reptiles had corridors mapped that, when assembled, provided linkages for up to 27 species. Natura 2000 species were not good candidates for umbrella species as these linkages covered only 17% of the corridors for all species. Important Areas for Connectivity were identified in the Carpathian Mountains and along the Danube River, further confirming these regions as hot spots for biodiversity in Europe, where successful linkages are most likely. In the end, while such corridors may not be created just for amphibians and reptiles, they can easily be incorporated into more complex linkages with corridors for more charismatic species, therefore enhancing the corridors’ value in terms of quality and structure.
Proteomic analysis of hypopharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma sheds light on differences in survival
Authors: Liu Jiajia , Zhu Weiming , Li Zhexuan , Cai Gengming , Wang Juncheng , Tang Qinglai , Maroun Christopher A. , Zhu Gangcai
Published: November 2020

The link between differences in molecular expression and survival among advanced laryngeal (LSCC) and hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma (HPSCC) remains unclear. Here, we applied the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program, Isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) with Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) proteomics data and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) related data to discover the possible disparities between HPSCC and LSCC. Our results showed a significantly worse 5-year overall-survival in HPSCC compared with LSCC before and after adjusting for clinical parameters. 240 differentially expressed proteins were enriched in molecular networks of cytoskeleton remodeling and antigen presentation. Moreover, HPSCC consisted of less T-central-memory cells, T-follicular-helper cells, TGF-β response, and CD4 +  T memory resting cells, but more wound healing than LSCC. Furthermore, 9 mRNAs expression were  significantly and independently correlated to overall survival in 126 HPSCC and LSCC patients, which was further validated in another cohort of head and neck cancers. These findings support that Immunity signatures as well as pathway networks that include cytoskeleton remodeling and antigen presentation may contribute to the observed differences in survival between HPSCC and LSCC.
Maternal separation with early weaning impairs neuron-glia integrity: non-invasive evaluation and substructure demonstration
Authors: Zeng Haiyan , Zhang Xiaolei , Wang Wenqiang , Shen Zhiwei , Dai Zhuozhi , Yu Zhijia , Xu Shuqin , Yan Gen , Huang Qingjun , Wu Renhua , Chen Xi , Xu Haiyun
Published: November 2020

Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes play essential roles in regulating neural signal transduction along neural circuits in CNS. The perfect coordination of neuron/astrocyte and neuron/oligodendrocyte entities was termed as neuron-glia integrity recently. Here we monitored the status of neuron-glia integrity via non-invasive neuroimaging methods and demonstrated the substructures of it using other approaches in an animal model of maternal separation with early weaning (MSEW), which mimics early life neglect and abuse in humans. Compared to controls, MSEW rats showed higher glutamate level, but lower GABA in prefrontal cortex (PFC) detected by chemical exchange saturation transfer and1H-MRS methods, lower levels of glial glutamate transporter-1 and ATP-α, but increased levels of glutamate decarboxylase-65 and glutamine synthetase in PFC; reduced fractional anisotropy in various brain regions revealed by diffusion tensor imaging, along with increased levels of N-acetyl-aspartate measured by1H-MRS; and hypomyelination in PFC as evidenced by relevant cellular and molecular changes.
Nonlinear dispersive cell model for microdosimetry of nanosecond pulsed electric fields
Authors: Guo Fei , Zhang Lin , Liu Xin
Published: November 2020

For applications based on nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs), the underlying transmembrane potential (TMP) distribution on the plasma membrane is influenced by electroporation (EP) of the plasma membrane and dielectric dispersion (DP) of all cell compartments which is important for predicting the bioelectric effects. In this study, the temporal and spatial distribution of TMP on the plasma membrane induced by nsPEFs of various pulse durations (3 ns, 5 ns unipolar, 5 ns bipolar, and 10 ns) is investigated with the inclusion of both DP and EP. Based on the double-shelled dielectric spherical cell model, the Debye equation describing DP is transformed into the time-domain form with the introduction of polarization vector, and then we obtain the time course of TMP by solving the combination of Laplace equation and time-domain Debye equation. Next, the asymptotic version of the Smoluchowski equation is included to characterize the EP of plasma membrane in order to observe more profound electroporation effects with larger pore density and electroporated areas in consideration of both DP and EP. Through the simulation, it is clearer to understand the relationship between the applied nsPEFs and the induced bioelectric effects.
Single-step approach to sensitized luminescence through bulk-embedded organics in crystalline fluorides
Authors: Hansen Per-Anders , Zikmund Tomas , Yu Ting , Kvalvik Julie Nitsche , Aarholt Thomas , Prytz Øystein , Meijerink Andries , Nilsen Ola
Published: November 2020

Luminescent materials enable warm white LEDs, molecular tagging, enhanced optoelectronics and can improve energy harvesting. With the recent development of multi-step processes like down- and upconversion and the difficulty in sensitizing these, it is clear that optimizing all properties simultaneously is not possible within a single material class. In this work, we have utilized the layer-by-layer approach of atomic layer deposition to combine broad absorption from an aromatic molecule with the high emission yields of crystalline multi-layer lanthanide fluorides in a single-step nanocomposite process. This approach results in complete energy transfer from the organic molecule while providing inorganic fluoride-like lanthanide luminescence. Sm3+ is easily quenched by organic sensitizers, but in our case we obtain strong fluoride-like Sm3+ emission sensitized by strong UV absorption of terephthalic acid. This design allows combinations of otherwise incompatible species, both with respect to normally incompatible synthesis requirements and in controlling energy transfer and quenching routes.
Misfit phase (BiSe)1.10NbSe2 as the origin of superconductivity in niobium-doped bismuth selenide
Authors: Kamminga Machteld E. , Batuk Maria , Hadermann Joke , Clarke Simon J.
Published: November 2020

Topological superconductivity is of great contemporary interest and has been proposed in doped Bi2Se3, in which electron-donating atoms such as Cu, Sr or Nb have been intercalated into the Bi2Se3 structure. For NbxBi2Se3, with Tc ~ 3 K, it is assumed in the literature that Nb is inserted in the van der Waals gap. However, in this work an alternative origin for the superconductivity in Nb-doped Bi2Se3 is established. In contrast to previous reports, it is deduced that Nb intercalation in Bi2Se3 does not take place. Instead, the superconducting behaviour in samples of nominal composition NbxBi2Se3 results from the (BiSe)1.10NbSe2 misfit phase that is present in the sample as an impurity phase for small x (0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.10) and as a main phase for large x (x = 0.50). The structure of this misfit phase is studied in detail using a combination of X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques.
Reduced methane recovery at high pressure due to methane trapping in shale nanopores
Authors: Neil Chelsea W. , Mehana Mohamed , Hjelm Rex P. , Hawley Marilyn E. , Watkins Erik B. , Mao Yimin , Viswanathan Hari , Kang Qinjun , Xu Hongwu
Published: November 2020

By 2050, shale gas production is expected to exceed three-quarters of total US natural gas production. However, current unconventional hydrocarbon gas recovery rates are only around 20%. Maximizing production of this natural resource thus necessitates improved understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying hydrocarbon retention within the nanoporous shale matrix. In this study, we integrated molecular simulation with high-pressure small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), an experimental technique uniquely capable of characterizing methane behavior in situ within shale nanopores at elevated pressures. Samples were created using Marcellus shale, a gas-generative formation comprising the largest natural gas field in the United States. Our results demonstrate that, contrary to the conventional wisdom that elevated drawdown pressure increases methane recovery, a higher peak pressure led to the trapping of dense, liquid-like methane in sub-2 nm radius nanopores, which comprise more than 90% of the measured nanopore volume, due to irreversible deformation of the kerogen matrix. These findings have critical implications for pressure management strategies to maximize hydrocarbon recovery, as well as broad implications for fluid behavior under confinement.
Vibrational spectroscopic analysis of blood for diagnosis of infections and sepsis: a review of requirements for a rapid diagnostic test
Authors: Confield L. R. , Black G. P. , Wilson B. C. , Lowe D. J. , Theakstone A. G. , Baker M. J.
Published: November 2020

The development of spectroscopic point-of-care devices has the potential to revolutionise clinical diagnostics by rapidly producing actionable results that enable earlier patient diagnosis.
Optimizing microenvironment by integrating negative pressure and exogenous electric fields via a flexible porous conductive dressing to accelerate wound healing
Authors: Chen Ying , Liang Yi , Liu Jie , Yang Jinrui , Jia Naixin , Zhu Chuhong , Zhang Jiaping
Published: November 2020

Integrated directional exogenous electric field and negative pressure wound therapy via Ag nanowire polyurethane foam dressing to accelerate wound healing in pig model.
Application of carbon nano onions in the biomedical field: recent advances and challenges
Authors: Ahlawat Jyoti , Masoudi Asil Shima , Guillama Barroso Gileydis , Nurunnabi Md , Narayan Mahesh
Published: November 2020

Schematic representation of application of Carbon Nano Onions (CNOs) in the biomedical field.
Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution using a Ru(ii)-bound heteroaromatic ligand as a reactive site
Authors: Sawaki Takuya , Ishizuka Tomoya , Namura Nanase , Hong Dachao , Miyanishi Mayuko , Shiota Yoshihito , Kotani Hiroaki , Yoshizawa Kazunari , Jung Jieun , Fukuzumi Shunichi , Kojima Takahiko
Published: November 2020

A RuIIcomplex with a π-expanded diimine ligand performs photocatalytic H2evolution and hydrogenation of organic substrates under visible-light irradiation, involving an intermediate with the dihydrogenated ligand; a mechanistic insight into the H2evolution is also gained.
Investigation of acute, subacute and subchronic toxicities of anthocyanin derived acylation reaction products and evaluation of their antioxidant activities in vitro
Authors: Yang Xi , Sun Hanju , Tu Lijun , Jin Yuan , Wang Muwen , Liu Shuyun , Zhang Zuoyong , He Shudong
Published: November 2020

In the present study, anthocyanins–lauric acid derivatives (ALDs) were non-toxic in the acute, subacute and subchronic toxicities tests. Meanwhile, the acylation did not compromise their in vitro antioxidant activities.
Progress in polymers and polymer composites used as efficient materials for EMI shielding
Authors: Kruželák Ján , Kvasničáková Andrea , Hložeková Klaudia , Hudec Ivan
Published: November 2020

The work provides a detailed overview of the newest research of polymers and polymer composites being used as efficient EMI shields.
Tyrosine carbon dots inhibit fibrillation and toxicity of the human islet amyloid polypeptide
Authors: Bloch Daniel Nir , Ben Zichri Shani , Kolusheva Sofiya , Jelinek Raz
Published: November 2020

Carbon dots prepared from tyrosine and citric acid inhibit fibrillation, membrane interactions and toxicity of hIAPP.
The interplay among gas, liquid and solid interactions determines the stability of surface nanobubbles
Authors: Tortora Marco , Meloni Simone , Tan Beng Hau , Giacomello Alberto , Ohl Claus-Dieter , Casciola Carlo Massimo
Published: November 2020

We develop a comprehensive theory explaining the stability, instability and other properties of surface nanobubbles under all known experimental conditions.
Highly dispersed secondary building unit-stabilized binary metal center on a hierarchical porous carbon matrix for enhanced oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Meng Lu , Zhang Ling , Zhu Yihua , Jiang Hongliang , Kaneti Yusuf Valentino , Na Jongbeom , Yamauchi Yusuke , Golberg Dmitri , Jiang Hao , Li Chunzhong
Published: November 2020

MOF-derived carbon matrix with binary metal center shows high electrochemical activity toward OER.
Eutectic friction transfer lithography: a facile solid-state route for highly crystalline semiconducting polymers
Authors: Eom Sangwon , Sim Jae Hyun , Kim Jongchan , Tran Ngoc Bao , Sung Myung Mo , Kang Youngjong
Published: November 2020

Semiconducting polymer single crystals were prepared by solid-state eutectic friction transfer lithography.
Iodine assisted synthesis of CF3 appended spirodihydrofuryl/cyclopropyl oxindoles by changing the active methylene sources
Authors: Penjarla Thirupathi Reddy , Kundarapu Maheshwar , Rangan Krishnan , Bhattacharya Anupam
Published: November 2020

Changing the active methylene sources for the synthesis of structurally diverse spirodihydrofuryl/cyclopropyl oxindoles.
CO2 hydrogenation into formate and methyl formate using Ru molecular catalysts supported on NNN pincer porous organic polymers
Authors: Park Hongjin , Park Kwangho , Jung Kwang-Deog , Yoon Sungho
Published: November 2020

The Ru molecular catalyst immobilized on the porous organic polymer containing the NNN-pincer motif efficiently promoted the hydrogenation of CO2 into formate derivatives.
Diatom-mimetic channeled mesoporous silica membranes: self-organized formation of a hierarchical porous framework
Authors: Kitamura Riku , Watanabe Hiroto , Somekawa Shouichi , Ono Yuto , Owari Yuka , Oaki Yuya , Imai Hiroaki
Published: November 2020

Silica membranes having macrochannels with mesoporous walls were spontaneously fabricated using a self-organized process with rapid gelation of concentrated silicate and surfactant precursor solutions.
Visible light mediated synthesis of 4-aryl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene derivatives via single-electron oxidation or MHAT from methylenecyclopropanes
Authors: Liu Jiaxin , Wei Yin , Shi Min
Published: November 2020

A new synthetic strategy of a single-electron oxidation and MHAT of methylenecyclopropanes (MCPs) for the rapid construction of 4-aryl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene derivatives by merging photoredox catalysis and cobalt catalysis has been developed.
Role of the backbone of nucleic acids in the stability of Hg2+-mediated canonical base pairs and thymine–thymine mispair: a DFT study
Authors: Bhai Surjit , Ganguly Bishwajit
Published: November 2020

Hg2+-mediated PNA–PNA mispair duplex (PTTTTP) is more energetically favoured compared to DNA–DNA mispair duplex (DTTTTD).