bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fecal microbiota transplantation from patients with autoimmune encephalitis modulates Th17 response and relevant behaviors in mice
Authors: Chen Hao , Chen Zhaoyu , Shen Liping , Wu Xiuhua , Ma Xueying , Lin Dengna , Zhang Man , Ma Xiaomeng , Liu Yingying , Wang Zhanhang , Zhang Yuefeng , Kuang Zuying , Lu Zhiwei , Li Xuefei , Ma Lili , Lin Xiuli , Si Lei , Chen Xiaohong
Published: August 2020

The significance of the microbiota-gut-brain axis has been increasingly recognized as a major modulator of autoimmunity. Here, we aim to characterize the gut microbiota of a large cohort of treatment-naïve anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis patients relative to that of healthy controls (HCs). Relative to HCs, anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients had a decreased microbiome alpha-diversity index, marked disturbances of gut microbial composition and intestinal permeability damage. Disturbed microbiota in anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients might be linked with different clinical characteristics. Imputed KEGG analysis revealed perturbations of functional modules in the gut microbiomes of anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Compared to HCs, microbiota-depleted mice receiving fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients had hypersensitivity and cognitive impairment. Furthermore, anti-NMDAR encephalitis FMT mice showed altered T cells in the spleen and small intestine lamina propria with an increased Th17 cells. Overall, this study first suggests that the anti-NMDAR encephalitis microbiome itself can influence neurologic, Th17 response and behavioral function. The gut microbiota is a potential therapeutic target for anti-NMDAR encephalitis.
Synchronization of complex human networks
Authors: Shahal Shir , Wurzberg Ateret , Sibony Inbar , Duadi Hamootal , Shniderman Elad , Weymouth Daniel , Davidson Nir , Fridman Moti
Published: August 2020

The synchronization of human networks is essential for our civilization and understanding its dynamics is important to many aspects of our lives. Human ensembles were investigated, but in noisy environments and with limited control over the network parameters which govern the network dynamics. Specifically, research has focused predominantly on all-to-all coupling, whereas current social networks and human interactions are often based on complex coupling configurations. Here, we study the synchronization between violin players in complex networks with full and accurate control over the network connectivity, coupling strength, and delay. We show that the players can tune their playing period and delete connections by ignoring frustrating signals, to find a stable solution. These additional degrees of freedom enable new strategies and yield better solutions than are possible within current models such as the Kuramoto model. Our results may influence numerous fields, including traffic management, epidemic control, and stock market dynamics.
Blockade of the AHR restricts a Treg-macrophage suppressive axis induced by L-Kynurenine
Authors: Campesato Luis Felipe , Budhu Sadna , Tchaicha Jeremy , Weng Chien-Huan , Gigoux Mathieu , Cohen Ivan Jose , Redmond David , Mangarin Levi , Pourpe Stephane , Liu Cailian , Zappasodi Roberta , Zamarin Dmitriy , Cavanaugh Jill , Castro Alfredo C. , Manfredi Mark G. , McGovern Karen , Merghoub Taha , Wolchok Jedd D.
Published: August 2020

Tryptophan catabolism by the enzymes indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase 2 (IDO/TDO) promotes immunosuppression across different cancer types. The tryptophan metabolite L-Kynurenine (Kyn) interacts with the ligand-activated transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) to drive the generation of Tregs and tolerogenic myeloid cells and PD-1 up-regulation in CD8+ T cells. Here, we show that the AHR pathway is selectively active in IDO/TDO-overexpressing tumors and is associated with resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. We demonstrate that IDO-Kyn-AHR-mediated immunosuppression depends on an interplay between Tregs and tumor-associated macrophages, which can be reversed by AHR inhibition. Selective AHR blockade delays progression in IDO/TDO-overexpressing tumors, and its efficacy is improved in combination with PD-1 blockade. Our findings suggest that blocking the AHR pathway in IDO/TDO expressing tumors would overcome the limitation of single IDO or TDO targeting agents and constitutes a personalized approach to immunotherapy, particularly in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Contributions to the ‘noise floor’ in gene expression in a population of dividing cells
Authors: Jędrak Jakub , Ochab-Marcinek Anna
Published: August 2020

Experiments with cells reveal the existence of a lower bound for protein noise, the noise floor, in highly expressed genes. Its origins are still debated. We propose a minimal model of gene expression in a proliferating bacterial cell population. The model predicts the existence of a noise floor and it semi-quantitatively reproduces the curved shape of the experimental noise vs. mean protein concentration plots. When the cell volume increases in a different manner than does the mean protein copy number, the noise floor level is determined by the cell population’s age structure and by the dependence of the mean protein concentration on cell age. Additionally, the noise floor level may depend on a biological limit for the mean number of bursts in the cell cycle. In that case, the noise floor level depends on the burst size distribution width but it is insensitive to the mean burst size. Our model quantifies the contributions of each of these mechanisms to gene expression noise.
On the correlation between second order texture features and human observer detection performance in digital images
Authors: Nisbett William H. , Kavuri Amar , Das Mini
Published: August 2020

Image texture, the relative spatial arrangement of intensity values in an image, encodes valuable information about the scene. As it stands, much of this potential information remains untapped. Understanding how to decipher textural details would afford another method of extracting knowledge of the physical world from images. In this work, we attempt to bridge the gap in research between quantitative texture analysis and the visual perception of textures. The impact of changes in image texture on human observer’s ability to perform signal detection and localization tasks in complex digital images is not understood. We examine this critical question by studying task-based human observer performance in detecting and localizing signals in tomographic breast images. We have also investigated how these changes impact the formation of second-order image texture. We used digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) an FDA approved tomographic X-ray breast imaging method as the modality of choice to show our preliminary results. Our human observer studies involve localization ROC (LROC) studies for low contrast mass detection in DBT. Simulated images are used as they offer the benefit of known ground truth. Our results prove that changes in system geometry or processing leads to changes in image texture magnitudes. We show that the variations in several well-known texture features estimated in digital images correlate with human observer detection–localization performance for signals embedded in them. This insight can allow efficient and practical techniques to identify the best imaging system design and algorithms or filtering tools by examining the changes in these texture features. This concept linking texture feature estimates and task based image quality assessment can be extended to several other imaging modalities and applications as well. It can also offer feedback in system and algorithm designs with a goal to improve perceptual benefits. Broader impact can be in wide array of areas including imaging system design, image processing, data science, machine learning, computer vision, perceptual and vision science. Our results also point to the caution that must be exercised in using these texture features as image-based radiomic features or as predictive markers for risk assessment as they are sensitive to system or image processing changes.
Parallel in time dynamics with quantum annealers
Authors: Jałowiecki Konrad , Więckowski Andrzej , Gawron Piotr , Gardas Bartłomiej
Published: August 2020

Recent years have witnessed an unprecedented increase in experiments and hybrid simulations involving quantum computers. In particular, quantum annealers. There exist a plethora of algorithms promising to outperform classical computers in the near-term future. Here, we propose a parallel in time approach to simulate dynamical systems designed to be executed already on present-day quantum annealers. In essence, purely classical methods for solving dynamics systems are serial. Therefore, their parallelization is substantially limited. In the presented approach, however, the time evolution is rephrased as a ground-state search of a classical Ising model. Such a problem is solved intrinsically in parallel by quantum computers. The main idea is exemplified by simulating the Rabi oscillations generated by a two-level quantum system (i.e. qubit) experimentally.
Structural equation modelling of the complex relationship between toothache and its associated factors among Indonesian children
Authors: Bakar Abu , Ningrum Valendriyani , Lee Andy , Hsu Wen-Kuang , Amalia Rosa , Dewanto Iwan , Lee Shih-Chieh
Published: August 2020

The Indonesian family life survey (IFLS) is used for formulating various government policies. Our preliminary study using data from the IFLS showed increase in the prevalence of toothache from 2007 to 2014. Hence, a need to analyse the factors associated with toothache using structural equation modelling (SEM) for identifying the direct and indirect association of factors with toothache was evident. The objective of this study is to analyse the complex relationships between toothache and its associated risk factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted on the data obtained from the IFLS in 2014. The IFLS data pertaining to toothache and its prevalence were analysed using the STATA software, and the multifaceted relationship was analysed using SEM. The prevalence of toothache among Indonesian children was 15.55% (1,959 of 12,595). SEM showed the direct association between toothache and age (p < 0.001) and parent awareness of children's health conditions (p < 0.005) and food consumption frequency (p < 0.001). Parents’ education level and residential area showed an indirect association with toothache, mediated by socio-economic status and parent awareness of children's health conditions (p < 0.001). We identified the multifaceted relationship between toothache and the social covariates. Parents’ awareness of their children’s health conditions mediated several indirect associations, highlighting its importance.
Predicting the chemical space of fungal polyketides by phylogeny-based bioinformatics analysis of polyketide synthase-nonribosomal peptide synthetase and its modification enzymes
Authors: Minami Atsushi , Ugai Takahiro , Ozaki Taro , Oikawa Hideaki
Published: August 2020

Fungal polyketide synthase (PKS)–nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) hybrids are key enzymes for synthesizing structurally diverse hybrid natural products (NPs) with characteristic biological activities. Predicting their chemical space is of particular importance in the field of natural product chemistry. However, the unexplored programming rule of the PKS module has prevented prediction of its chemical structure based on amino acid sequences. Here, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis of 884 PKS–NRPS hybrids and a modification enzyme analysis of the corresponding biosynthetic gene cluster, revealing a hidden relationship between its genealogy and core structures. This unexpected result allowed us to predict 18 biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) groups producing known carbon skeletons (number of BGCs; 489) and 11 uncharacterized BGC groups (171). The limited number of carbon skeletons suggests that fungi tend to select PK skeletons for survival during their evolution. The possible involvement of a horizontal gene transfer event leading to the diverse distribution of PKS–NRPS genes among fungal species is also proposed. This study provides insight into the chemical space of fungal PKs and the distribution of their biosynthetic gene clusters.
Diagnostic value of the γ-glutamyltransferase and alanine transaminase ratio, alpha-fetoprotein, and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Guangrong , Lu Xiaolan , Du Qin , Zhang Guoyuan , Wang Dongsheng , Wang Qiang , Guo Xiaolan
Published: August 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a common type of malignancy with a poor prognosis. Identification and utilisation of markers for monitoring and diagnosis are urgently needed. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and Protein Induced by Vitamin K Absence or Antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) have been proved to be efficient biomarkers for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The combination of the two markers could improve the detection rate. However, these indicators cannot meet the need of clinical diagnosis.It is necessary to discover novel serological markers and more cost-effective, appropriate combination of these markers for the diagnosis and surveillance of HBV-related HCC. Accordingly, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) to alanine amino transferase (ALT) ratio alone or in combination with AFP and PIVKA-II for HBV-related HCC. 234 patients with HBV-related HCC and 396 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were enrolled in this study and approved by the institutional review board. Our results showed levels of AFP and PIVKA-II, and γ-GT/ALT ratio in cases with early-stage HCC, HCC, HCC plus HBV DNA positivity, and HCC plus HBV DNA negativity were higher than those in the corresponding CHB control group. Additionally, the levels of serum AFP and PIVKA-II, and the γ-GT/ALT ratio were positively correlated with tumour sizes in patients with HBV-related HCC. The areas under the ROC curves (AUROCs) of the γ-GT/ALT ratio in patients with early-stage HCC, HCC, HCC plus HBV DNA positivity, and HCC plus HBV DNA negativity were 0.795, 0.846,0.855, and 0.837, respectively; AUROCs of combination of the γ-GT/ALT ratio and PIVKA-II were 0.858, 0.928, 0.948, and 0.902, respectively; AUROCs of combination of the γ-GT/ALT ratio and AFP were 0.822, 0.886, 0.896, and 0.873, respectively;AUROCs of combination of the γ-GT/ALT ratio and PIVKA-II with AFP were 0.857, 0.928, 0.946, and 0.907, respectively, and AUROCs of combination of PIVKA-II and AFP were 0.804, 0.904, 0.942, and 0.863, respectively. In conclusion, the γ-GT/ALT ratio was a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of HBV-related HCC and that the combination of AFP and PIVKA-II with the γ-GT/ALT ratio could improve the diagnostic value of these biomarkers for HBV-related HCC. Moreover, the ratio of γ-GT/ALT may be a useful index in monitoring patients for progression of HBV-related HCC.
Self-organisation and convection of confined magnetotactic bacteria
Authors: Théry Albane , Le Nagard Lucas , Ono-dit-Biot Jean-Christophe , Fradin Cécile , Dalnoki-Veress Kari , Lauga Eric
Published: August 2020

Collective motion is found at all scales in biological and artificial systems, and extensive research is devoted to describing the interplay between interactions and external cues in collective dynamics. Magnetotactic bacteria constitute a remarkable example of living organisms for which motion can be easily controlled remotely. Here, we report a new type of collective motion where a uniform distribution of magnetotactic bacteria is rendered unstable by a magnetic field. A new state of “bacterial magneto-convection” results, wherein bacterial plumes emerge spontaneously perpendicular to an interface and develop into self-sustained flow convection cells. While there are similarities to gravity driven bioconvection and the Rayleigh–Bénard instability, these rely on a density mismatch between layers of the fluids. Remarkably, here no external forces are applied on the fluid and the magnetic field only exerts an external torque aligning magnetotactic bacteria with the field. Using a theoretical model based on hydrodynamic singularities, we capture quantitatively the instability and the observed long-time growth. Bacterial magneto-convection represents a new class of collective behaviour resulting only from the balance between hydrodynamic interactions and external alignment.
Risk factors associated with the severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome among adults
Authors: Zhou Xiaobo , Lu Qiao , Li Shaoping , Pu Zhongyin , Gao Fang , Zhou Bo
Published: August 2020

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a complete or partial airway obstruction that causes significant physiologic disturbance with various clinical impacts. The aim of the study was to determine the risk factors associated with the severity of OSAS. 303 patients with OSAS and 199 patients without OSAS enrolled in the sleep disorder center from 2017 to 2019 were included in the study. All patients completed physical examination, Epworth sleepiness scale, and polysomnography. By apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), patients were separated into four subsets: AHI < 5 as non-OSAS group, AHI ≧ 5 and < 15 as mild group, AHI ≧ 15 and < 30 as moderate group and AHI ≧ 30 as severe group. AVONA analyses, chi-square test, univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the correlation between specific factors and AHI. Our study demonstrated that patients with severe OSAS were associated with higher body mass index, higher systolic blood pressure awake in the morning, lengthened latent period of slow wave sleep, lower level of average oxygen saturation and minimum oxygen saturation (P < 0.05). Our findings provide evidence regarding several potentially useful factors for recognizing OSAS in adults, and physicians should promote the early recognition, diagnosis and intervention of OSAS.
Effect of irreversible electroporation parameters and the presence of a metal stent on the electric field line pattern
Authors: Hogenes Annemiek M. , Slump Cornelis H. , te Riet o.g. Scholten Gerben A. , Meijerink Martijn R. , Fütterer Jurgen J. , van Laarhoven Cornelis J. H. M. , Overduin Christiaan G. , Stommel Martijn W. J.
Published: August 2020

The final ablation zone created with irreversible electroporation (IRE) depends on the size, shape and strength of the electric field that is influenced by several parameters. A profound understanding of the effect of IRE parameter alterations on the electric field are a prerequisite for a safe and effective treatment. Here, we demonstrate a semolina in castor oil model that enables visualization of the static electric field developed by a high-voltage generator between two needle-electrodes. We intuitively visualize the variation in electric field line pattern for selected IRE parameters; active needle length, inter-needle distance, applied voltage and presence of a nearby metal stent, by cameras in three dimensions. The observations were compared to and supported by two-dimensional numerical simulations of the electric field. Our semolina model visualizes the disturbance of the electric field by a metal stent, potentially leading to an incomplete tumour ablation between the needles. The reduction in electric field strength and the area at risk for incomplete tumour ablation are confirmed by the numerical simulations. The semolina model provides insight in the fundamental physics of the electric field, the effect of alterations in IRE parameter combinations and presence of a metal stent within the ablation zone.
Nationwide vitamin D status in older Brazilian adults and its determinants: The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI)
Authors: Lima-Costa Maria Fernanda , Mambrini Juliana V. M. , de Souza-Junior Paulo R. Borges , de Andrade Fabíola Bof , Peixoto Sérgio V. , Vidigal Clarissa M. , de Oliveira Cesar , Vidigal Pedro G.
Published: August 2020

Little is known about vitamin D status in older adults in South America, where exposures to ultra-violet radiation are high. We examined the distribution of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentration and its determinants in a nationally representative sample of Brazilians aged 50 years and older. Explanatory variables included environment and individuals’ characteristics from the ELSI baseline survey (2015–16). Among the 2,264 participants (mean age = 62.6 years), the geometric mean of 25OHD concentration was 66.8 nmol/L. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (< 30 nmol/L) and insufficiency (< 50 nmol/L) were 1.7% (95% CI 1.0, 2.8) and 16% (95% CI 12, 20), respectively. Mean concentrations were lower in those geographical regions situated at lower latitudes. Those at the oldest age, women, self-classified as Black and Brown, living in urban areas and current smokers were more likely to have vitamin D insufficiency, independent of each other and other relevant factors. In contrast, individuals who eat fish regularly were considerably less likely to present lower concentration. Based on these findings it is possible to estimate that about 875,000 older Brazilians have vitamin D deficiency and 7.5 million its insufficiency.
Author Correction: Impediometric Electrochemical Sensor Based on The Inspiration of Carnation Italian Ringspot Virus Structure to Detect an Attommolar of miR
Authors: Ghazizadeh E. , Moosavifard Seyyed Ebrahim , Daneshmand Negin , Kaverlavani Saeid kamari
Published: August 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
The two-stage process in visual working memory consolidation
Authors: Ye Chaoxiong , Liang Tengfei , Zhang Yin , Xu Qianru , Zhu Yongjie , Liu Qiang
Published: August 2020

Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain the formation manner for visual working memory (VWM) representations during the consolidation process: an all-or-none process hypothesis and a coarse-to-fine process hypothesis. However, neither the all-or-none process hypothesis nor the coarse-to-fine process hypothesis can stipulate clearly how VWM representations are formed during the consolidation process. In the current study, we propose a two-stage process hypothesis to reconcile these hypotheses. The two-stage process hypothesis suggests that the consolidation of coarse information is an all-or-none process in the early consolidation stage, while the consolidation of detailed information is a coarse-to-fine process in the late consolidation stage. By systematically manipulating the encoding time of memory stimuli, we asked participants to memorize one (Experiment 1) or two (Experiment 2) orientations in different encoding time intervals. We found that the memory rate increased linearly as the encoding time increased. More importantly, VWM precision remained constant when the encoding time was short, while the precision increased linearly as the encoding time increased when the encoding time was sufficient. These results supported the two-stage process hypothesis, which reconciles previous conflicting findings in the literature.
Hepatocellular carcinoma and death and transplantation in chronic hepatitis B treated with entecavir or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Authors: Ha Yeonjung , Chon Young Eun , Kim Mi Na , Lee Joo Ho , Hwang Seong Gyu
Published: August 2020

Conflicting results have been reported regarding which of entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is associated with better outcomes. Chronic hepatitis B patients who started ETV or TDF between 2010 and 2015 were analysed. The primary outcomes were hepatocellular carcinoma and death and transplantation. The impact of the treatment on the primary outcomes was analysed using Cox proportional hazards models in the entire and propensity score-matched cohorts. A total of 404 patients (180 and 224 in the ETV and TDF groups, respectively) were analysed. The median duration of follow-up was significantly longer in the ETV group (64.0 vs. 49.1 months; P < 0.001). Virological response (79.4% vs. 68.4%; P = 0.018) and sustained virological suppression (59.7% vs. 45.2%; P = 0.005) were significantly higher in the TDF group. TDF was associated with lower hepatocellular carcinoma [hazard ratio (HR) 0.31, 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.12‒0.79; P = 0.014]; however, statistical significance was not reached after adjusting sustained virological suppression using propensity score matching (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.12‒1.14; P = 0.08). Death and transplantation was comparable. In conclusion, the impact of TDF on the lower hepatocellular carcinoma was blunted after adjusting sustained virological suppression. Further comparison in a larger number of patients who show sustained virological suppression over a longer period of time is needed.
Personal identification with orthopantomography using simple convolutional neural networks: a preliminary study
Authors: Matsuda Shinpei , Miyamoto Takashi , Yoshimura Hitoshi , Hasegawa Tatsuhito
Published: August 2020

Forensic dental examination has played an important role in personal identification (PI). However, PI has essentially been based on traditional visual comparisons of ante- and postmortem dental records and radiographs, and there is no globally accepted PI method based on digital technology. Although many effective image recognition models have been developed, they have been underutilized in forensic odontology. The aim of this study was to verify the usefulness of PI with paired orthopantomographs obtained in a relatively short period using convolutional neural network (CNN) technologies. Thirty pairs of orthopantomographs obtained on different days were analyzed in terms of the accuracy of dental PI based on six well-known CNN architectures: VGG16, ResNet50, Inception-v3, InceptionResNet-v2, Xception, and MobileNet-v2. Each model was trained and tested using paired orthopantomographs, and pretraining and fine-tuning transfer learning methods were validated. Higher validation accuracy was achieved with fine-tuning than with pretraining, and each architecture showed a detection accuracy of 80.0% or more. The VGG16 model achieved the highest accuracy (100.0%) with pretraining and with fine-tuning. This study demonstrated the usefulness of CNN for PI using small numbers of orthopantomographic images, and it also showed that VGG16 was the most useful of the six tested CNN architectures.
Sap flow of Amorpha fruticosa: implications of water use strategy in a semiarid system with secondary salinization
Authors: Cao Qiqi , Li Junran , Xiao Huijie , Cao Yuanbo , Xin Zhiming , Yang Benman , Liu Tao , Yuan Mutian
Published: August 2020

A. fruticosa (Amorpha fruticosa L.) is widely used for revegetation in semiarid lands that undergo secondary salinization. Understanding A. fruticosa plants response to soil water and salt stress is essential for water irrigation management and proper revegetation practices. In this study, we measured sap flow, stomatal conductance, meteorological and soil characteristics in an A. fruticosa community that recently experienced secondary salinization in northwestern China. Results of our study showed that daytime and nocturnal sap flows averaged 804.37 g·cm−2·day−1 and 46.06 g·cm−2·day−1, respectively, during the growing season. Within individual days, the highest sap flow appeared around noon local time and followed a similar pattern of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Despite the significant effect of meteorological factors on the characteristics of sap flow, our study highlighted that the sap flow of A. fruticosa is strongly regulated by the availability of soil relative extractable water (REW). The daytime sap flow, which is predominant compared to nocturnal sap flow, was strongly affected by PAR, air temperature and vapor-pressure deficit. With water stress in the top 40 cm of the soil (REW0–40 cm < 0.4), daytime sap flow displayed a strong relationship with soil water content (SWC) (positive) and soil electrical conductivity (EC) (negative) in the relatively shallow soil profile (up to 40 cm). For the nocturnal sap flow, our results suggest that in the absence of soil water stress (REW0–40 cm > 0.4), the nocturnal sap flow is mainly used to replenish the stem water content and sustain nocturnal transpiration. Under soil water stress, nocturnal sap flow is mainly used to replenish stem water content. The results of our study indicate that it is necessary to shorten the irrigation cycle during the primary growing period (May–July) of A. fruticosa. Moreover, in the absence of soil water stress (REW0–40 cm > 0.4), A. fruticosa can survive well in an saline environment with soil EC < 5 mS·cm−1.
KN3014, a piperidine-containing small compound, inhibits auto-secretion of IL-1β from PBMCs in a patient with Muckle–Wells syndrome
Authors: Kaneko Naoe , Kurata Mie , Yamamoto Toshihiro , Shigemura Tomonari , Agematsu Kazunaga , Yamazaki Takashi , Takeda Hiroyuki , Sawasaki Tatsuya , Koga Tomohiro , Kawakami Atsushi , Yachie Akihiro , Migita Kiyoshi , Yoshiura Koh-ichiro , Urano Takeshi , Masumoto Junya
Published: August 2020

NLRP3, an intracellular pattern recognition receptor, recognizes numerous pathogens and/or its own damage-associated molecules, and forms complexes with the adaptor protein ASC. These complexes constitute the NLRP3 inflammasome, a platform for processing interleukin (IL)-1β and/or IL-18. Several NLRP3 mutations result in constitutive activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, causing cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS). To the best of our knowledge, small compounds that specifically inhibit inflammasome activation through the pyrin domain (PYD) have not yet been developed. This study describes an attempt to develop small compounds targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome. A core chemical library of 9,600 chemicals was screened against reconstituted NLRP3 inflammasome in a cell-free system with an amplified luminescence proximity homogeneous assay and a cell-based assay by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Inflammasome activation was evaluated by ASC-speck formation in human PBMCs, accompanied by IL-1β secretion and processing, and by using IL-1β-based dual operating luciferase (IDOL) mice. The activity of these compounds was evaluated clinically using PBMCs from a patient with Muckle–Wells syndrome (MWS), a type of CAPS, with an R260W mutation in NLRP3. Screening identified KN3014, a piperidine-containing compound targeting the interaction between NLRP3 and ASC through the PYD. KN3014 reduced ASC-speck formation in human PBMCs, luminescence from IDOL mice, and auto-secretion of IL-1β by PBMCs from the patient with MWS. These findings suggest that KN3014 may be an attractive candidate for treatment of MWS, as well as other NLRP3 inflammasomopathies.
Bio-inspired mineralization of nanostructured TiO2 on PET and FTO films with high surface area and high photocatalytic activity
Authors: Masuda Yoshitake
Published: August 2020

Nanostructured TiO2 coatings were successfully formed on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films and fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) films in aqueous solutions. They contained an assembly of nanoneedles that grow perpendicular to the films. The surface area of the coatings on PET films reached around 284 times that of a bare PET film. Micro-, nano-, or subnanosized surface roughness and inside pores contributed to the high nitrogen adsorption. The coatings on FTO films showed an acetaldehyde removal rate of 2.80 μmol/h; this value is similar to those of commercial products certified by the Photocatalysis Industry Association of Japan. The rate increased greatly to 10.16 μmol/h upon annealing in air at 500 °C for 4 h; this value exceeded those of commercial products. Further, the coatings showed a NOx removal rate of 1.04 μmol/h; this value is similar to those of commercial products. The rate decreased to 0.42 μmol/h upon annealing. NOx removal was affected by the photocatalyst’s surface area rather than its crystallinity.
Intravenous immunoglobulins may prevent prednisone-exacerbation in myasthenia gravis
Authors: Díez-Porras Laura , Homedes Christian , Alberti Maria Antonia , Vélez-Santamaría Valentina , Casasnovas Carlos
Published: August 2020

Corticosteroids may produce a paradoxical worsening of myasthenia gravis (MG) symptoms within the first weeks of treatment. We therefore wanted to assess the hypothesis that a prior infusion of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) may have a protective effect. Our primary objectives were to show that the coadministration of immunoglobulins and glucocorticoids is safe and effective for controlling myasthenic symptoms, and to compare the exacerbation rate with this approach and historical practice without IVIG. We recruited 45 patients with generalized MG who required corticosteroids for the first time and we gave all IVIG before starting the full doses of prednisone. Monitoring was performed with validated scales, questionnaires, and blood tests over a 6-week period. Only 4.4% had severe adverse effects related to IVIG and 86.7% improved clinically. Notably, only 2.2% had a paradoxical symptom exacerbation in the first weeks of starting prednisone, which was statistically lower than the 42% reported in a historical series. We conclude that adjuvant therapy with IVIG when starting prednisone for the first time in patients with generalized MG is safe and effective. Given that the rate of paradoxical worsening was lower than that previously reported, the addition of IVIG may have a protective effect against such exacerbations.
Aligned nanofiber scaffolds improve functionality of cardiomyocytes differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac progenitor cells
Authors: Ding Mei , Andersson Henrik , Martinsson Sofia , Sabirsh Alan , Jonebring Anna , Wang Qing-Dong , Plowright Alleyn T. , Drowley Lauren
Published: August 2020

Cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs), capable of differentiating into multiple cardiac cell types including cardiomyocytes (CMs), endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, are promising candidates for cardiac repair/regeneration. In vitro model systems where cells are grown in a more in vivo-like environment, such as 3D cultures, have been shown to be more predictive than 2D culture for studying cell biology and disease pathophysiology. In this report, we focused on using Wnt inhibitors to study the differentiation of human iPSC-CPCs under 2D or 3D culture conditions by measuring marker protein and gene expression as well as intracellular Ca2+ oscillation. Our results show that the 3D culture with aligned nanofiber scaffolds, mimicing the architecture of the extracellular matrix of the heart, improve the differentiation of iPSC-CPCs to functional cardiomyocytes induced by Wnt inhibition, as shown with increased number of cardiac Troponin T (cTnT)-positive cells and synchronized intracellular Ca2+ oscillation. In addition, we studied if 3D nanofiber culture can be used as an in vitro model for compound screening by testing a number of other differentiation factors including a ALK5 inhibitor and inhibitors of BMP signaling. This work highlights the importance of using a more relevant in vitro model and measuring not only the expression of marker proteins but also the functional readout in a screen in order to identify the best compounds and to investigate the resulting biology.
Effects of short-term manure nitrogen input on soil microbial community structure and diversity in a double-cropping paddy field of southern China
Authors: Tang Haiming , Li Chao , Xiao Xiaoping , Shi Lihong , Cheng Kaikai , Wen Li , Li Weiyan
Published: August 2020

The soil physicochemical properties and soil microbial communities were affected by different fertilizer management. Fertilizer regime were closely relative to the soil texture and nutrient status in a double-cropping paddy field of southern China. However, there was limited information about the influence of different manure nitrogen (N) input on soil microbial communities in a double-cropping rice (Oryza sativa L.) field. Therefore, the short-term different manure N input rate management on soil bacterial and fungal diversity in a double-cropping paddy field of southern China were studied by using Illumina sequencing and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction technology in the present paper. The filed experiment were including 100% N of chemical fertilizer (M0), 30% N of organic manure and 70% N of chemical fertilizer (M30), 50% N of organic manure and 50% N of chemical fertilizer (M50), 100% N of organic manure (M100), and without N fertilizer input as control (CK). The results showed that diversity indices of soil microbial communities with application of organic manure and chemical N fertilizer treatments were higher than that of CK treatment. Application of organic manure and chemical N fertilizer management increase soil bacterial abundance of the phylum Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria, and soil fungi abundance of the phylum Basidiomycota and Zygomycota were also increased. Compared with CK treatment, the value of Richness, Shannon and McIntosh indices, and taxonomic diversity were increased with M30, M50 and M100 treatments. This finding demonstrated that M30, M50 and M100 treatments modify soil bacterial and fungal diversity. Therefore, the combined application of organic manure and chemical fertilizer N management could significantly increase the abundance of profitable functional bacteria and fungi species in a double-cropping rice field of southern China.
Synthesis and structure of iron–copper/hollow magnetic/metal–organic framework/coordination sites in a heterogeneous catalyst for a Fenton-based reaction
Authors: Cen Shihong , Lv Xiaogai , Jiang Yaling , Fakhri Ali , Gupta Vinod Kumar
Published: August 2020

Preparation of novel hybrid catalysts with highly stable properties was conducted for wastewater remediation.
Role of the ligand and activator in selective Cr–PNP ethene tri- and tetramerization catalysts – a spectroscopic study
Authors: Venderbosch Bas , Wolzak Lukas A. , Oudsen Jean-Pierre H. , de Bruin Bas , Korstanje Ties J. , Tromp Moniek
Published: August 2020

The reaction of the ethene tetramerization catalyst ((C6H5)2P)2NiPrCrCl3(THF), and trimerization catalyst ((o-C6H4OMe)2P)2NMeCrCl3, with AlMe3 and MMAO was investigated using spectroscopy (Cr K-edge XAS, X-band EPR and UV-vis) and catalytic studies.
Removal of toluene as a biomass tar surrogate by combining catalysis with nonthermal plasma: understanding the processing stability of plasma catalysis
Authors: Xu Bin , Wang Nantao , Xie Jianjun , Song Yanpei , Huang Yanqin , Yang Wenshen , Yin Xiuli , Wu Chuangzhi
Published: August 2020

The processing stability of plasma catalysis was understood in terms of tar removal.
Development and evaluation of a novel oleogel system based on starch–water–wax–oil
Authors: Gao Yuan , Wu Shimin
Published: August 2020

A novel oleogel system was developed, and its characteristics and properties were investigated.
Efficient separation of photoexcited carriers in a g-C3N4-decorated WO3 nanowire array heterojunction as the cathode of a rechargeable Li–O2 battery
Authors: Xue Hairong , Wang Tao , Feng Yaya , Gong Hao , Fan Xiaoli , Gao Bin , Kong Yulong , Jiang Cheng , Zhang Songtao , Huang Xianli , He Jianping
Published: August 2020

The efficient separation of photoexcited carriers within the g-C3N4-decorated WO3 nanowire array distinctly reduces the charging voltage and enhances the cycle performance of the photo-involved Li–O2 battery.
Amphiphilic poly(caprolactone-b-N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide) micelles for controlled drug delivery
Authors: Wu Shuangxia , Geng Fengjie , He Suqin , Liu Wentao , Liu Hao , Huang Miaoming , Zhu Chengshen
Published: August 2020

To increase the bioavailability and water solubility of hydrophobic medicine, an amphiphilic block copolymer, polycaprolactone-block-polyhydroxyethyl acrylamide (PCL-b-PHEAA), was synthesized.
Quantum dot-sensitized O-linked heptazine polymer photocatalyst for the metal-free visible light hydrogen generation
Authors: Samanta Soumadri , Kumar Sunil , Battula V. R. , Jaryal Arpna , Sardana Neha , Kailasam Kamalakannan
Published: August 2020

A polymeric O-linked heptazine polymer (OLHP) decorated with S, N co-doped graphene quantum dots (S,N-GQDs) as a photosensitizer to utilize visible light (λ > 420 nm) for hydrogen generation.
Heteroleptic Re(CO)2+ and Re(CO)3+ complexes with α-diimines: similarities and differences in their luminescence properties
Authors: Kapturkiewicz Andrzej , Kamecka Anna , Grochowska Olga
Published: August 2020

We report results from comparative studies of luminescence properties of five series of α-diimine rhenium(i) complexes.
The statistical fusion identification of dairy products based on extracted Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Zheng-Yong
Published: August 2020

At present, practical and rapid identification techniques for dairy products are still scarce.
Imaging of dairy emulsions via a novel approach of transmission electron cryogenic microscopy using beam exposure
Authors: Daffner Kilian , Hanssen Eric , Norton Ian , Mills Tom , Ong Lydia , Gras Sally L.
Published: August 2020

Emulsions containing small fat and protein particles are difficult to differentiate but low dose transmission electron cryogenic microscopy can visualize and distinguish between these droplets or particles.
Connecting particle clustering and rheology in attractive particle networks
Authors: Bindgen Sebastian , Bossler Frank , Allard Jens , Koos Erin
Published: August 2020

We introduce graph theory measures and demonstrate how transitions in microstructural conformations can be quantified and correlated to the rheology.
Recent advances in the development and applications of biomass-derived carbons with uniform porosity
Authors: Szczęśniak Barbara , Phuriragpitikhon Jenjira , Choma Jerzy , Jaroniec Mietek
Published: August 2020

This review presents advances, challenges and prospects in the area of biomass-derived carbons with ordered porosity addressed for scientists and engineers interested in materials science, chemical engineering, environmental science, and more.
Suppression of voltage-decay in Li2MnO3 cathode via reconstruction of layered-spinel coexisting phases
Authors: Wu Jue , Cui Zehao , Wu Jinpeng , Xiang Yuxuan , Liu Haodong , Zheng Shiyao , Yang Wanli , Yang Yong
Published: August 2020

Through a combined electrochemical-thermal treatment, Li2MnO3 can be converted into new layered-spinel phases that essentially suppress the voltage decay.
A high performance and low cost poly(dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide)@TiO2 composite with hydrogen evolution rate up to 51.5 mmol h−1 g−1
Authors: Shu Ge , Wang Ye , Li Yuda , Zhang Song , Jiang Jia-Xing , Wang Feng
Published: August 2020

PDBTSO@TiO2-10 exhibited an extremely high HER of 51.5 mmol h−1 g−1 under visible light illumination.
A stretchable solid-state zinc ion battery based on a cellulose nanofiber–polyacrylamide hydrogel electrolyte and a Mg0.23V2O5·1.0H2O cathode
Authors: Xu Wangwang , Liu Chaozheng , Wu Qinglin , Xie Weiwei , Kim Won-Young , Lee Sang-Young , Gwon Jaegyoung
Published: August 2020

A solid-state zinc ion battery based on a cellulose nanofiber–polyacrylamide hydrogel electrolyte and a Mg0.23V2O5·1.0H2O cathode.
Effect of YAP/TAZ on megakaryocyte differentiation and platelet production
Authors: Lorthongpanich Chanchao , Jiamvoraphong Nittaya , Klaihmon Phatchanat , Lueangamornnara Usaneeporn , U-pratya Yaowalak , Laowtammathron Chuti , Issaragrisil Surapol
Published: August 2020

Platelet transfusion is required for life-threatening thrombocytopenic bleeding, and single donor platelet concentrate is the ideal transfusion product. However, due to the inadequate number of donors that can donate a large volume of platelets, in vitro platelets production could be an alternative. We developed an in vitro production system designed to increase the platelet production yield from cultured cells. Previously, we reported that depletion of a Hippo pathway core kinase (LATS1/2) inhibited platelet production from cultured megakaryocytes. In the present study, we further investigated the role of the Hippo pathway in megakaryocyte proliferation and platelet production by focusing on the role of its effector proteins (YAP and TAZ), which are down-stream targets of LATS1/2 kinase. We found that YAP plays an essential role in megakaryoblastic cell proliferation, maturation, and platelet production, while TAZ showed minor effect. Knockdown of YAP, either by genetic manipulation or pharmaceutical molecule, significantly increased caspase-3-mediated apoptosis in cultured megakaryocytes, and increased platelet production as opposed to overexpressing YAP. We, therefore, demonstrate a paradigm for the regulation of megakaryocyte development and platelet production via the Hippo signaling pathway, and suggest the potential use of an FDA-approved drug to induce higher platelet production in cultured cells.
Factors Influencing Cognate Performance for Young Multilingual Children's Vocabulary: A Research Synthesis
Authors: Squires Lindsey R. , Ohlfest Sara J. , Santoro Kristen E. , Roberts Jennifer L.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this systematic review was to determine evidence of a cognate effect for young multilingual children (ages 3;0–8;11 [years;months], preschool to second grade) in terms of task-level and child-level factors that may influence cognate performance. Cognates are pairs of vocabulary words that share meaning with similar phonology and/or orthography in more than one language, such asrose–rosa(English–Spanish) orcarrot–carotte(English–French). Despite the cognate advantage noted with older bilingual children and bilingual adults, there has been no systematic examination of the cognate research in young multilingual children.

Method

We conducted searches of multiple electronic databases and hand-searched article bibliographies for studies that examined young multilingual children's performance with cognates based on study inclusion criteria aligned to the research questions.

Results

The review yielded 16 articles. The majority of the studies (12/16, 75%) demonstrated a positive cognate effect for young multilingual children (measured in higher accuracy, faster reaction times, and doublet translation equivalents on cognates as compared to noncognates). However, not all bilingual children demonstrated a cognate effect. Both task-level factors (cognate definition, type of cognate task, word characteristics) and child-level factors (level of bilingualism, age) appear to influence young bilingual children's performance on cognates.

Conclusions

Contrary to early 1990s research, current researchers suggest that even young multilingual children may demonstrate sensitivity to cognate vocabulary words. Given the limits in study quality, more high-quality research is needed, particularly to address test validity in cognate assessments, to develop appropriate cognate definitions for children, and to refine word-level features. Only one study included a brief instruction prior to assessment, warranting cognate treatment studies as an area of future need.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12753179