bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding how a community-based intervention for people with spinal cord injury in Bangladesh was delivered as part of a randomised controlled trial: a process evaluation
Authors: Liu Hueiming , Hossain Mohammad Sohrab , Islam Md. Shofiqul , Rahman Md. Akhlasur , Costa Punam D. , Herbert Robert D. , Jan Stephen , Cameron Ian D. , Muldoon Stephen , Chhabra Harvinder S. , Lindley Richard I. , Biering-Sorensen Fin , Ducharme Stanley , Taylor Valerie , Harvey Lisa A.
Published: June 2020

Design

Mixed methods study

Setting

Community, Bangladesh

Objectives

To understand how a community-based intervention for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Bangladesh was delivered as part of a randomised controlled trial and to gauge the perceptions of participants and healthcare professionals to the intervention.

Methods

A community-based intervention was administered to 204 participants as part of a large randomised controlled trial (called the CIVIC trial). Case-managers followed-up participants with regular telephone calls and home visits over the first 2 years after discharge. The following data were collected alongside the trial: (i) chart audit of telephone calls and home visits (ii) recordings of 20 telephone calls (iii) interviews with 14 Intervention participants and four healthcare professionals including three case-managers.

Results

Participants received the target number of telephone calls and home visits. Pressure injuries were identified as a problem during at least one telephone call by 43% of participants. Participants and case-managers valued regular telephone calls and home visits, and believed that calls and visits prevented complications and alleviated social isolation. Participants trusted case-managers and were confident in the care and advice provided. Case-managers expressed concerns that people with SCI in Bangladesh face many problems impacting on well-being and motivation stemming from poverty, limited employment opportunities, societal attitudes and inaccessible environments.

Conclusion

A community-based intervention involving regular telephone calls and home visits was administered as intended and was well received by the recipients of the care. Nonetheless, people with SCI in Bangladesh face economic and social problems which cannot be fully addressed by this type of intervention alone.
Annexin-A1 promotes RIG-I-dependent signaling and apoptosis via regulation of the IRF3–IFNAR–STAT1–IFIT1 pathway in A549 lung epithelial cells
Authors: Yap Gracemary L. R. , Sachaphibulkij Karishma , Foo Sok Lin , Cui Jianzhou , Fairhurst Anna-Marie , Lim Lina H. K.
Published: June 2020

Within the last century, millions of lives have been lost to the four major Influenza pandemics. These influenza pandemics were all caused by Influenza Type A viruses (IAV) through their ability to undergo antigenic drifts and shifts. A greater understanding of IAV and host–pathogen interactions is required to develop effective therapeutics against future outbreaks. Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is a phospholipid binding, calcium-dependent protein known to play essential roles in multiple cellular functions including inflammation, proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. ANXA1 was previously shown to enhance apoptosis after IAV infection. The current study explores the role of ANXA1 in IAV infection of A549 lung epithelial cells further in the context of RIG-I-dependent signaling using A549 and Crispr/Cas9 ANXA1 deleted (A549∆ANXA1) cells. ANXA1 was found to enhance the expression of a cytoplasmic RNA sensor, RIG-I basally and post-infection. RIG-I activation by 5′ppp-RNA in A549 lung epithelial cell induces apoptotic cell death, which is inhibited when ANXA1 is deleted, and reversed when ANXA1 is re-expressed. RIG-I activation by 5′ppp-RNA stimulates the production of IFNβ from lung epithelial cells to the same extent as monocytic cells, albeit very late after infection at 48–72 h, through IRF3 and STAT1 activation. ANXA1 deletion delays the phosphorylation of IRF3 and STAT1, leading to lower expression of interferon-stimulated genes, such as IFIT1, and silencing IFIT1 inhibited RIG-I-induced cell death. In all, these results suggest that ANXA1 plays a regulatory role in RIG-I signaling and cell death in A549 lung epithelial cells.
Reconstruction of cell spatial organization from single-cell RNA sequencing data based on ligand-receptor mediated self-assembly
Authors: Ren Xianwen , Zhong Guojie , Zhang Qiming , Zhang Lei , Sun Yujie , Zhang Zemin
Published: June 2020

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has revolutionized transcriptomic studies by providing unprecedented cellular and molecular throughputs, but spatial information of individual cells is lost during tissue dissociation. While imaging-based technologies such as in situ sequencing show great promise, technical difficulties currently limit their wide usage. Here we hypothesize that cellular spatial organization is inherently encoded by cell identity and can be reconstructed, at least in part, by ligand-receptor interactions, and we present CSOmap, a computational tool to infer cellular interaction de novo from scRNA-seq. We show that CSOmap can successfully recapitulate the spatial organization of multiple organs of human and mouse including tumor microenvironments for multiple cancers in pseudo-space, and reveal molecular determinants of cellular interactions. Further, CSOmap readily simulates perturbation of genes or cell types to gain novel biological insights, especially into how immune cells interact in the tumor microenvironment. CSOmap can be a widely applicable tool to interrogate cellular organizations based on scRNA-seq data for various tissues in diverse systems.
Experimental exchange of grins between quantum Cheshire cats
Authors: Liu Zheng-Hao , Pan Wei-Wei , Xu Xiao-Ye , Yang Mu , Zhou Jie , Luo Ze-Yu , Sun Kai , Chen Jing-Ling , Xu Jin-Shi , Li Chuan-Feng , Guo Guang-Can
Published: June 2020

Intuition suggests that an object should carry all of its physical properties. However, a quantum object may not act in such a manner—it can temporarily leave some of its physical properties where it never appears. This phenomenon is known as the quantum Cheshire cat effect. It has been proposed that a quantum object can even permanently discard a physical property and obtain a new one it did not initially have. Here, we observe this effect experimentally by casting non-unitary imaginary-time evolution on a photonic cluster state to extract weak values, which reveals the counterintuitive phenomenon that two photons exchange their spins without classically meeting each other. A phenomenon presenting only in the quantum realm, our results are in stark contrast with the perception of inseparability between objects and properties, and shed new light on comprehension of the ontology of observables.
The influence of the brittle-ductile transition zone on aftershock and foreshock occurrence
Authors: Petrillo Giuseppe , Lippiello Eugenio , Landes François P. , Rosso Alberto
Published: June 2020

Aftershock occurrence is characterized by scaling behaviors with quite universal exponents. At the same time, deviations from universality have been proposed as a tool to discriminate aftershocks from foreshocks. Here we show that the change in rheological behavior of the crust, from velocity weakening to velocity strengthening, represents a viable mechanism to explain statistical features of both aftershocks and foreshocks. More precisely, we present a model of the seismic fault described as a velocity weakening elastic layer coupled to a velocity strengthening visco-elastic layer. We show that the statistical properties of aftershocks in instrumental catalogs are recovered at a quantitative level, quite independently of the value of model parameters. We also find that large earthquakes are often anticipated by a preparatory phase characterized by the occurrence of foreshocks. Their magnitude distribution is significantly flatter than the aftershock one, in agreement with recent results for forecasting tools based on foreshocks.
An Erg-driven transcriptional program controls B cell lymphopoiesis
Authors: Ng Ashley P. , Coughlan Hannah D. , Hediyeh-zadeh Soroor , Behrens Kira , Johanson Timothy M. , Low Michael Sze Yuan , Bell Charles C. , Gilan Omer , Chan Yih-Chih , Kueh Andrew J. , Boudier Thomas , Feltham Rebecca , Gabrielyan Anna , DiRago Ladina , Hyland Craig D. , Ierino Helen , Mifsud Sandra , Viney Elizabeth , Willson Tracy , Dawson Mark A. , Allan Rhys S. , Herold Marco J. , Rogers Kelly , Tarlinton David M. , Smyth Gordon K. , Davis Melissa J. , Nutt Stephen L. , Alexander Warren S.
Published: June 2020

B lymphoid development is initiated by the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into lineage committed progenitors, ultimately generating mature B cells. This highly regulated process generates clonal immunological diversity via recombination of immunoglobulin V, D and J gene segments. While several transcription factors that control B cell development and V(D)J recombination have been defined, how these processes are initiated and coordinated into a precise regulatory network remains poorly understood. Here, we show that the transcription factor ETS Related Gene (Erg) is essential for early B lymphoid differentiation. Erg initiates a transcriptional network involving the B cell lineage defining genes, Ebf1 and Pax5, which directly promotes expression of key genes involved in V(D)J recombination and formation of the B cell receptor. Complementation of Erg deficiency with a productively rearranged immunoglobulin gene rescued B lineage development, demonstrating that Erg is an essential and stage-specific regulator of the gene regulatory network controlling B lymphopoiesis.
Bio-inspired vertebral design for scalable and flexible perovskite solar cells
Authors: Meng Xiangchuan , Cai Zheren , Zhang Yanyan , Hu Xiaotian , Xing Zhi , Huang Zengqi , Huang Zhandong , Cui Yongjie , Hu Ting , Su Meng , Liao Xunfan , Zhang Lin , Wang Fuyi , Song Yanlin , Chen Yiwang
Published: June 2020

The translation of unparalleled efficiency from the lab-scale devices to practical-scale flexible modules affords a huge performance loss for flexible perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The degradation is attributed to the brittleness and discrepancy of perovskite crystal growth upon different substrates. Inspired by robust crystallization and flexible structure of vertebrae, herein, we employ a conductive and glued polymer between indium tin oxide and perovskite layers, which simultaneously facilitates oriented crystallization of perovskite and sticks the devices. With the results of experimental characterizations and theoretical simulations, this bionic interface layer accurately controls the crystallization and acts as an adhesive. The flexible PSCs achieve the power conversion efficiencies of 19.87% and 17.55% at effective areas of 1.01 cm2 and 31.20 cm2 respectively, retaining over 85% of original efficiency after 7000 narrow bending cycles with negligible angular dependence. Finally, the modules are assembled into a wearable solar-power source, enabling the upscaling of flexible electronics.
A self-sustaining endocytic-based loop promotes breast cancer plasticity leading to aggressiveness and pro-metastatic behavior
Authors: Schiano Lomoriello Irene , Giangreco Giovanni , Iavarone Claudia , Tordonato Chiara , Caldieri Giusi , Serio Gaetana , Confalonieri Stefano , Freddi Stefano , Bianchi Fabrizio , Pirroni Stefania , Bertalot Giovanni , Viale Giuseppe , Disalvatore Davide , Tosoni Daniela , Malabarba Maria Grazia , Disanza Andrea , Scita Giorgio , Pece Salvatore , Pilcher Brian K. , Vecchi Manuela , Sigismund Sara , Di Fiore Pier Paolo
Published: June 2020

The subversion of endocytic routes leads to malignant transformation and has been implicated in human cancers. However, there is scarce evidence for genetic alterations of endocytic proteins as causative in high incidence human cancers. Here, we report that Epsin 3 (EPN3) is an oncogene with prognostic and therapeutic relevance in breast cancer. Mechanistically, EPN3 drives breast tumorigenesis by increasing E-cadherin endocytosis, followed by the activation of a β-catenin/TCF4-dependent partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), followed by the establishment of a TGFβ-dependent autocrine loop that sustains EMT. EPN3-induced partial EMT is instrumental for the transition from in situ to invasive breast carcinoma, and, accordingly, high EPN3 levels are detected at the invasive front of human breast cancers and independently predict metastatic rather than loco-regional recurrence. Thus, we uncover an endocytic-based mechanism able to generate TGFβ-dependent regulatory loops conferring cellular plasticity and invasive behavior.
Atomic-resolution mapping of transcription factor-DNA interactions by femtosecond laser crosslinking and mass spectrometry
Authors: Reim Alexander , Ackermann Roland , Font-Mateu Jofre , Kammel Robert , Beato Miguel , Nolte Stefan , Mann Matthias , Russmann Christoph , Wierer Michael
Published: June 2020

Transcription factors (TFs) regulate target genes by specific interactions with DNA sequences. Detecting and understanding these interactions at the molecular level is of fundamental importance in biological and clinical contexts. Crosslinking mass spectrometry is a powerful tool to assist the structure prediction of protein complexes but has been limited to the study of protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions. Here, we present a femtosecond laser-induced crosslinking mass spectrometry (fliX-MS) workflow, which allows the mapping of protein-DNA contacts at single nucleotide and up to single amino acid resolution. Applied to recombinant histone octamers, NF1, and TBP in complex with DNA, our method is highly specific for the mapping of DNA binding domains. Identified crosslinks are in close agreement with previous biochemical data on DNA binding and mostly fit known complex structures. Applying fliX-MS to cells identifies several bona fide crosslinks on DNA binding domains, paving the way for future large scale ex vivo experiments.
Anapole mediated giant photothermal nonlinearity in nanostructured silicon
Authors: Zhang Tianyue , Che Ying , Chen Kai , Xu Jian , Xu Yi , Wen Te , Lu Guowei , Liu Xiaowei , Wang Bin , Xu Xiaoxuan , Duh Yi-Shiou , Tang Yu-Lung , Han Jing , Cao Yaoyu , Guan Bai-Ou , Chu Shi-Wei , Li Xiangping
Published: June 2020

Featured with a plethora of electric and magnetic Mie resonances, high index dielectric nanostructures offer a versatile platform to concentrate light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. By integrating unique features of far-field scattering control and near-field concentration from radiationless anapole states, here, we demonstrate a giant photothermal nonlinearity in single subwavelength-sized silicon nanodisks. The nanoscale energy concentration and consequent near-field enhancements mediated by the anapole mode yield a reversible nonlinear scattering with a large modulation depth and a broad dynamic range, unveiling a record-high nonlinear index change up to 0.5 at mild incident light intensities on the order of MW/cm2. The observed photothermal nonlinearity showcases three orders of magnitude enhancement compared with that of unstructured bulk silicon, as well as nearly one order of magnitude higher than that through the radiative electric dipolar mode. Such nonlinear scattering can empower distinctive point spread functions in confocal reflectance imaging, offering the potential for far-field localization of nanostructured Si with an accuracy approaching 40 nm. Our findings shed new light on active silicon photonics based on optical anapoles.
Neural stem cell delivery via porous collagen scaffolds promotes neuronal differentiation and locomotion recovery in spinal cord injury
Authors: Kourgiantaki Alexandra , Tzeranis Dimitrios S. , Karali Kanelina , Georgelou Konstantina , Bampoula Efstathia , Psilodimitrakopoulos Sotirios , Yannas Ioannis V. , Stratakis Emmanuel , Sidiropoulou Kyriaki , Charalampopoulos Ioannis , Gravanis Achille
Published: June 2020

Neural stem cell (NSC) grafts have demonstrated significant effects in animal models of spinal cord injury (SCI), yet their clinical translation remains challenging. Significant evidence suggests that the supporting matrix of NSC grafts has a crucial role in regulating NSC effects. Here we demonstrate that grafts based on porous collagen-based scaffolds (PCSs), similar to biomaterials utilized clinically in induced regeneration, can deliver and protect embryonic NSCs at SCI sites, leading to significant improvement in locomotion recovery in an experimental mouse SCI model, so that 12 weeks post-injury locomotion performance of implanted animals does not statistically differ from that of uninjured control animals. NSC-seeded PCS grafts can modulate key processes required to induce regeneration in SCI lesions including enhancing NSC neuronal differentiation and functional integration in vivo, enabling robust axonal elongation, and reducing astrogliosis. Our findings suggest that the efficacy and translational potential of emerging NSC-based SCI therapies could be enhanced by delivering NSC via scaffolds derived from well-characterized clinically proven PCS.
Publisher Correction: A global database of Holocene paleotemperature records
Authors: Kaufman Darrell , McKay Nicholas , Routson Cody , Erb Michael , Davis Basil , Heiri Oliver , Jaccard Samuel , Tierney Jessica , Dätwyler Christoph , Axford Yarrow , Brussel Thomas , Cartapanis Olivier , Chase Brian , Dawson Andria , de Vernal Anne , Engels Stefan , Jonkers Lukas , Marsicek Jeremiah , Moffa-Sánchez Paola , Morrill Carrie , Orsi Anais , Rehfeld Kira , Saunders Krystyna , Sommer Philipp S. , Thomas Elizabeth , Tonello Marcela , Tóth Mónika , Vachula Richard , Andreev Andrei , Bertrand Sebastien , Biskaborn Boris , Bringué Manuel , Brooks Stephen , Caniupán Magaly , Chevalier Manuel , Cwynar Les , Emile-Geay Julien , Fegyveresi John , Feurdean Angelica , Finsinger Walter , Fortin Marie-Claude , Foster Louise , Fox Mathew , Gajewski Konrad , Grosjean Martin , Hausmann Sonja , Heinrichs Markus , Holmes Naomi , Ilyashuk Boris , Ilyashuk Elena , Juggins Steve , Khider Deborah , Koinig Karin , Langdon Peter , Larocque-Tobler Isabelle , Li Jianyong , Lotter André , Luoto Tomi , Mackay Anson , Magyari Eniko , Malevich Steven , Mark Bryan , Massaferro Julieta , Montade Vincent , Nazarova Larisa , Novenko Elena , Pařil Petr , Pearson Emma , Peros Matthew , Pienitz Reinhard , Płóciennik Mateusz , Porinchu David , Potito Aaron , Rees Andrew , Reinemann Scott , Roberts Stephen , Rolland Nicolas , Salonen Sakari , Self Angela , Seppä Heikki , Shala Shyhrete , St-Jacques Jeannine-Marie , Stenni Barbara , Syrykh Liudmila , Tarrats Pol , Taylor Karen , van den Bos Valerie , Velle Gaute , Wahl Eugene , Walker Ian , Wilmshurst Janet , Zhang Enlou , Zhilich Snezhana
Published: June 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
A unique approach to monitor stress in coral exposed to emerging pollutants
Authors: Stien Didier , Suzuki Marcelino , Rodrigues Alice M. S. , Yvin Marion , Clergeaud Fanny , Thorel Evane , Lebaron Philippe
Published: June 2020

Metabolomic profiling of the hexacoral Pocillopora damicornis exposed to solar filters revealed a metabolomic signature of stress in this coral. It was demonstrated that the concentration of the known steroid (3β, 5α, 8α) -5, 8-epidioxy- ergosta- 6, 24(28) - dien- 3- ol (14) increased in response to octocrylene (OC) and ethylhexyl salicylate (ES) at 50 µg/L. Based on the overall coral response, we hypothesize that steroid 14 mediates coral response to stress. OC also specifically altered mitochondrial function at this concentration and above, while ES triggered a stress/inflammatory response at 300 µg/L and above as witnessed by the significant increases in the concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids, lysophosphatidylcholines and lysophosphatidylethanolamines. Benzophenone-3 increased the concentration of compound 14 at 2 mg/L, while the concentration of stress marker remained unchanged upon exposition to the other solar filters tested. Also, our results seemed to refute earlier suggestions that platelet-activating factor is involved in the coral inflammatory response.
A Neural Network Approach to Quantify Blood Flow from Retinal OCT Intensity Time-Series Measurements
Authors: Braaf Boy , Donner Sabine , Uribe-Patarroyo Néstor , Bouma Brett E. , Vakoc Benjamin J.
Published: June 2020

Many diseases of the eye are associated with alterations in the retinal vasculature that are possibly preceded by undetected changes in blood flow. In this work, a robust blood flow quantification framework is presented based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography imaging and deep learning. The analysis used a forward signal model to simulate OCT blood flow data for training of a neural network (NN). The NN was combined with pre- and post-processing steps to create an analysis framework for measuring flow rates from individual blood vessels. The framework’s accuracy was validated using both blood flow phantoms and human subject imaging, and across flow speed, vessel angle, hematocrit levels, and signal-to-noise ratio. The reported flow rate of the calibrated NN framework was measured to be largely independent of vessel angle, hematocrit levels, and measurement signal-to-noise ratio. In vivo retinal flow rate measurements were self-consistent across vascular branch points, and approximately followed a predicted power-law dependence on the vessel diameter. The presented OCT-based NN flow rate estimation framework addresses the need for a robust, deployable, and label-free quantitative retinal blood flow mapping technique.
Assessment of cerebral autoregulation indices – a modelling perspective
Authors: Liu Xiuyun , Czosnyka Marek , Donnelly Joseph , Cardim Danilo , Cabeleira Manuel , Lalou Despina Aphroditi , Hu Xiao , Hutchinson Peter J. , Smielewski Peter
Published: June 2020

Various methodologies to assess cerebral autoregulation (CA) have been developed, including model - based methods (e.g. autoregulation index, ARI), correlation coefficient - based methods (e.g. mean flow index, Mx), and frequency domain - based methods (e.g. transfer function analysis, TF). Our understanding of relationships among CA indices remains limited, partly due to disagreement of different studies by using real physiological signals, which introduce confounding factors. The influence of exogenous noise on CA parameters needs further investigation. Using a set of artificial cerebral blood flow velocities (CBFV) generated from a well-known CA model, this study aims to cross-validate the relationship among CA indices in a more controlled environment. Real arterial blood pressure (ABP) measurements from 34 traumatic brain injury patients were applied to create artificial CBFVs. Each ABP recording was used to create 10 CBFVs corresponding to 10 CA levels (ARI from 0 to 9). Mx, TF phase, gain and coherence in low frequency (LF) and very low frequency (VLF) were calculated. The influence of exogenous noise was investigated by adding three levels of colored noise to the artificial CBFVs. The result showed a significant negative relationship between Mx and ARI (r = −0.95, p < 0.001), and it became almost purely linear when ARI is between 3 to 6. For transfer function parameters, ARI positively related with phase (r = 0.99 at VLF and 0.93 at LF, p < 0.001) and negatively related with gain_VLF(r = −0.98, p < 0.001). Exogenous noise changed the actual values of the CA parameters and increased the standard deviation. Our results show that different methods can lead to poor correlation between some of the autoregulation parameters even under well controlled situations, undisturbed by unknown confounding factors. They also highlighted the importance of exogenous noise, showing that even the same CA value might correspond to different CA levels under different ‘noise’ conditions.
Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Supported PtNi Nanoparticles
(PtNi@SWCNT) Catalyzed Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohols to the Benzaldehyde Derivatives in
Oxygen Atmosphere
Authors: Göksu Haydar , Cellat Kemal , Şen Fatih
Published: June 2020

This study reports a developed process which is a general and facile
method for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol (BnOH) compounds to the benzaldehyde (BA)
derivatives, under mild conditions. The oxidation of BnOH species catalyzed by
PtNi@SWCNT in toluene (3 ml) at 80 °C under a continuous stream of
O2. Single wall carbon nanotube supported PtNi
(PtNi@SWCNT) nanoparticles were synthesized using a single-step modified reduction
process. The characterization of PtNi@SWCNT nanocatalyst was performed by
transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron
Spectroscopy (XPS), and elemental analysis by ICP-OES. A variety of BnOH compounds
were oxidized by the PtNi@SWCNT catalyst and all the expected oxidation products
were obtained in high efficiency in 2 hours of reaction time. TLC was used to
monitoring the reaction progress, and the products were identified by1H/13C-NMR
analysis.
Isolation and propagation of leptospires at 37 °C directly from the mammalian host
Authors: Hornsby Richard L. , Alt David P. , Nally Jarlath E.
Published: June 2020

The causative agent of leptospirosis includes multiple serovars and species of pathogenic leptospires that are excreted via urine from reservoir hosts of infection. Primary isolation takes weeks to months, and is limited to semi-solid media at 28–30 °C. Here we present an alternative media formulation, HAN, compared to commercially available EMJH and the more specialized T80/40/LH media formulations, in semi-solid and liquid compositions, for the primary isolation of two diverse species and serovars of pathogenic leptospires directly from host kidney tissue. All three media types supported the isolation and propagation ofL.interrogansserovar Copenhageni strain IC:20:001 in semi-solid media at 29 °C. However, only HAN and T80/40/LH supported the growth ofL.borgpeterseniiserovar Hardjo strain HB15B203 at 29 °C. In addition, HAN supported primary isolation at 37 °C. Both T80/40/LH and HAN supported primary isolation of strain IC:20:001 in liquid media at 29 °C but only HAN supported growth of strain HB15B203 in liquid media, at both 29 and 37 °C. HAN media supports the primary isolation of fastidious pathogenic leptospires directly from infected host tissue at either 29 or 37 °C: this formulation represents a more defined media for the continued optimization of growth factors required to support the primary isolation of the large and diverse range of species and serovars within the genusLeptospiracirculating within domestic and wild animal populations.
Full-length transcript sequencing accelerates the transcriptome research of Gymnocypris namensis, an iconic fish of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Luo Hui , Liu Haiping , Zhang Jie , Hu Bingjie , Zhou Chaowei , Xiang Mengbin , Yang Yuejing , Zhou Mingrui , Jing Tingsen , Li Zhe , Zhou Xinghua , Lv Guangjun , He Wenping , Zeng Benhe , Xiao Shijun , Li Qinglu , Ye Hua
Published: June 2020

Gymnocypris namensis, the only commercial fish in Namtso Lake of Tibet in China, is rated as nearly threatened species in theRed List of China’s Vertebrates. As one of the highest-altitude schizothorax fish in China,G. namensishas strong adaptability to the plateau harsh environment. Although being an indigenous economic fish with high value in research, the biological characterization, genetic diversity, and plateau adaptability ofG. namensisare still unclear. Here, we used Pacific Biosciences single molecular real time long read sequencing technology to generate full-length transcripts ofG. namensis. Sequences clustering analysis and error correction with Illumina-produced short reads to obtain 319,044 polished isoforms. After removing redundant reads, 125,396 non-redundant isoforms were obtained. Among all transcripts, 103,286 were annotated to public databases. Natural selection has acted on 42 genes forG. namensis, which were enriched on the functions of mismatch repair and Glutathione metabolism. Total 89,736 open reading frames, 95,947 microsatellites, and 21,360 long non-coding RNAs were identified across all transcripts. This is the first study of transcriptome inG. namensisby using PacBio Iso-seq. The acquisition of full-length transcript isoforms might accelerate the transcriptome research ofG. namensisand provide basis for further research.
Physiological response of mammary glands to Escherichia coli infection: A conflict between glucose need for milk production and immune response
Authors: Blum Shlomo E. , Heller Dan E. , Jacoby Shamay , Krifuks Oleg , Merin Uzi , Silanikove Nissim , Lavon Yaniv , Edery Nir , Leitner Gabriel
Published: June 2020

The mammary immune and physiological responses to distinct mammary-pathogenic E. coli (MPEC) strains were studied. One gland in each of ten cows were challenged intra-mammary and milk composition (lactose, fat, total protein, casein), biochemical (glucose, glucose-6-phosphate (Glu6P), oxalate, malate, lactate, pyruvate and citrate, malate and lactate dehydrogenases, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), nitrite, lactic peroxidase, catalase, albumin, lactoferrin, immunoglobulin) and clotting parameters were followed for 35 days post-challenge. Challenge lead to clinical acute mastitis, with peak bacterial counts in milk at 16–24 h post-challenge. Biochemical and clotting parameters in milk reported were partially in accord with lipopolysaccharide-induced mastitis, but increased Glu6P and LDH activity and prolonged lactate dehydrogenase and Glu6P/Glu alterations were found. Some alterations measured in milk resolved within days after challenge, while others endured for above one month, regardless of bacterial clearance, and some reflected physiological responses to mastitis such as the balance between aerobic and anaerobic metabolism (citrate to lactate ratios). The results suggest that E. coli mastitis can be divided into two stages: an acute, clinical phase, as an immediate response to bacterial infection in the mammary gland, and a chronic phase, independent of bacteria clearance, in response to tissue damage caused during the acute phase.
A longitudinal study of the development of the saliva microbiome in infants 2 days to 5 years compared to the microbiome in adolescents
Authors: Lif Holgerson Pernilla , Esberg Anders , Sjödin Andreas , West Christina E. , Johansson Ingegerd
Published: June 2020

Understanding oral microbiota programming attracts increasing interest due to its importance for oral health and potential associations with systemic diseases. Here the oral microbiota was longitudinally characterized in children from 2 days (n = 206) to 5 years of age and in young adults (n = 175) by sequencing of the v3-v4 region of the 16S rRNA gene from saliva extracted DNA. Alpha diversity increased by age, with 2-day- and 3-month-old infants in one sub-group, and 18-month- and 3-year-old children in another. Firmicutes decreased up to 3 years of age, whereas Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria abundances increased. Abiotrophia, Actinomyces, Capnocytophaga, Corynebacterium, Fusobacterium, Kingella, Leptotrichia, Neisseria and Porphyromonas appeared from 18-months of age. This was paralleled by expansions in the core microbiome that continued up to adulthood. The age-related microbiota transformation was paralleled by functional alterations, e.g., changed metabolic pathways that reflected e.g., breastfeeding and increasing proportions of anaerobic species. Oral microbiotas differed by feeding mode and weakly by mode of delivery, but not gender, pacifier use or cleaning method or probiotic intake. The study shows that the saliva microbiota is diverse 2 days after birth and under transformation up to 5 years of age and beyond, with fluctuations possibly reflecting age-related environmental influences.
Expression patterns of NbrgsCaM family genes in Nicotiana benthamiana and their potential roles in development and stress responses
Authors: Liu Dandan , Yang Qiuying
Published: June 2020

rgsCaMhas been reported as acalmodulin-like(CML) factor induced by viral infection inNicotiana. There are threeCMLsthat belong to thergsCaMfamily inArabidopsis thaliana. In this study, we found a total of 5NbrgsCaMcoding sequences inN. benthamianagenome. We analyzed transcription patterns ofNbrgsCaMsin transgenic plants expressing a β-glucuronidase (GUS) under the promoter ofNbrgsCaMsby histochemistry staining and RT-qPCR. Similar to theirArabidopsishomologs, mostNbrgsCaMshave an overlapping but distinct expression pattern in response to developmental and environmental changes. Specifically, theNbrgsCaM4promoter exhibited robust activity and showed distinct regulatory response to viral infection, developmental stages and other abiotic stimuli. Overall, these findings provide clues for further understanding of theNbrgsCaMfamily genes in regulating plant growth and development under biotic stress and environmental stimulation.
A novel graphene oxide-based ceramic composite as an efficient electrode for capacitive deionization
Authors: Khalil Khalil Abdelrazek , Barakat Nasser A. M. , Motlak Moaeed , Al-Mubaddel Fahad S.
Published: June 2020

In this study, N-doped and TiO2-decorated graphene oxides were developed as efficient nonprecious electrodes for capacitive deionization. The activity of this new material was evaluated in situ and in vivo. The performance of the synthesized material was measured in different saline solutions (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 M NaCl) as an electrolyte. The results showed that the new material exhibits very good performance (157 F/g at 5 mV/s and 1.0 M NaCl compared to 19.5 F/g for pure graphene oxide). In the desalination test, which was performed in batch mode, the salt adsorption capacity and the efficiency of salt removal were 9.2 mg/g and 98%, respectively. To check the stability, the desalination test was repeated several times, and no change in the performance was observed. The results provide evidence that the newly synthesized material is a potential electrode material for CDI water desalination with satisfactory salt removal ability.
Thermal behavior of spin-current generation in PtxCu1-x devices characterized through spin-torque ferromagnetic resonance
Authors: Wong G. D. H. , Law W. C. , Tan F. N. , Gan W. L. , Ang C. C. I. , Xu Z. , Seet C. S. , Lew W. S.
Published: June 2020

High temperature studies of spin Hall effect have often been neglected despite its profound significance in real-world devices. In this work, high temperature spin torque ferromagnetic resonance measurement was performed to evaluate the effects of temperature on the Gilbert damping and spin Hall efficiency of PtxCu1−x. When the temperature was varied from 300 K to 407 K, the Gilbert damping was relatively stable with a change of 4% at composition x = 66%. Alloying Pt and Cu improved the spin Hall efficiency of Pt75Cu25/Co/Ta by 29% to a value of 0.31 ± 0.03 at 407 K. However, the critical switching current density is dependent on the ratio between the Gilbert damping and spin Hall efficiency and the smallest value was observed when x = 47%. It was found that at this concentration, the spin transparency was at its highest at 0.85 ± 0.09 hence indicating the importance of interfacial transparency for energy efficient devices at elevated temperature.
Extra Territorial Excursions by European badgers are not limited by age, sex or season
Authors: Kelly David J. , Gaughran Aoibheann , Mullen Enda , MacWhite Teresa , Maher Peter , Good Margaret , Marples Nicola M.
Published: June 2020

European badgers (Meles meles) in medium and high density populations show strong territorial behaviour. Territories in these populations are contiguous, well-marked and often unchanging over many years. However, badgers do not always stay within their territorial boundaries. In our medium-density population, most individual badgers made extra-territorial excursions (ETEs) throughout the year. ETEs were most frequent between April and September and least frequent in December and January (the period of winter lethargy). Male badgers made longer and more frequent ETEs than females (especially between January and March, and in autumn). Breeding females made longer and more frequent ETEs than non-breeding females in November. While these peaks correspond with the main mating seasons, mating activity does not explain ETEs throughout the year. The shorter, but more frequent, ETEs in summer months may serve a monitoring purpose, rather than simply providing additional mating opportunities with badgers from outside the ‘home’ social group. We found that young badgers did not make regular ETEs until the summer of their second year. If badgers could be vaccinated as cubs, this would reduce any potential risk of TB spread during ETEs.
A Metabolomics Approach for Early Prediction of Vincristine-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Verma Parul , Devaraj Jayachandran , Skiles Jodi L. , Sajdyk Tammy , Ho Richard H. , Hutchinson Raymond , Wells Elizabeth , Li Lang , Renbarger Jamie , Cooper Bruce , Ramkrishna Doraiswami
Published: June 2020

Vincristine is a core chemotherapeutic drug administered to pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients. Despite its efficacy in treating leukemia, it can lead to severe peripheral neuropathy in a subgroup of the patients. Peripheral neuropathy is a debilitating and painful side-effect that can severely impact an individual’s quality of life. Currently, there are no established predictors of peripheral neuropathy incidence during the early stage of chemotherapeutic treatment. As a result, patients who are not susceptible to peripheral neuropathy may receive sub-therapeutic treatment due to an empirical upper cap on the dose, while others may experience severe neuropathy at the same dose. Contrary to previous genomics based approaches, we employed a metabolomics approach to identify small sets of metabolites that can be used to predict a patient’s susceptibility to peripheral neuropathy at different time points during the treatment. Using those identified metabolites, we developed a novel strategy to predict peripheral neuropathy and subsequently adjust the vincristine dose accordingly. In accordance with this novel strategy, we created a free user-friendly tool, VIPNp, for physicians to easily implement our prediction strategy. Our results showed that focusing on metabolites, which encompasses both genotypic and phenotypic variations, can enable early prediction of peripheral neuropathy in pediatric leukemia patients.
Molecular and cellular cues governing nanomaterial–mucosae interactions: from nanomedicine to nanotoxicology
Authors: das Neves José , Sverdlov Arzi Roni , Sosnik Alejandro
Published: June 2020

This review provides an integrative overview of the complex interactions between nanomaterials and mucosae, and their implications to nanomedicine and nanotoxicology.
Engineering hemoglobin to enable homogenous PEGylation without modifying protein functionality
Authors: Cooper Chris E. , Silkstone Gary G. A. , Simons Michelle , Gretton Svetlana , Rajagopal Badri S. , Allen-Baume Victoria , Syrett Natalie , Shaik Thoufieq , Popa Gina , Sheng XiaoBo , Bird Matthew , Choi Ji-Won , Piano Riccardo , Ronda Luca , Bettati Stefano , Paredi Gianluca , Mozzarelli Andrea , Reeder Brandon J.
Published: June 2020

Efficient site-specific PEGylation of hemoglobin as a novel component of a safer blood substitute.
Doping and ion substitution in colloidal metal halide perovskite nanocrystals
Authors: Lu Cheng-Hsin , Biesold-McGee Gill V. , Liu Yijiang , Kang Zhitao , Lin Zhiqun
Published: June 2020

Doping and ion substitution in colloidal metal halide perovskite nanocrystals and their implication on compositions, properties, and applications.
Flaxseed orbitides, linusorbs, inhibit LPS-induced THP-1 macrophage inflammation
Authors: Zou Xian-Guo , Shim Youn Young , Cho Jae Youl , Jeong Deok , Yang Jian , Deng Ze-Yuan , Reaney Martin J. T.
Published: June 2020

Linusorbs (flax orbitides) are a family of plant cyclic peptides. We investigate the anti-inflammatory activities of two different linusorbs ([1–9-NaC]-linusorb B2 and [1–9-NaC]-linusorb B3) and the underlying mechanism of this inflammatory response.
Engineering the pore environment of metal–organic framework membranes via modification of the secondary building unit for improved gas separation
Authors: Feng Yang , Wang Zhikun , Fan Weidong , Kang Zixi , Feng Shou , Fan Lili , Hu Songqing , Sun Daofeng
Published: June 2020

The SBU of soc-MOF was in situ modified with imidazole (IM) molecules to construct the soc-MOF-IM polycrystalline membrane, which can be an efficient strategy to regulate the gas separation performance of MOF membranes.
A bifunctional nanoplatform based on copper manganate nanoflakes for bacterial elimination via a catalytic and photothermal synergistic effect
Authors: Guo Zhirong , Liu Yingnan , Zhang Yalan , Sun Xinyu , Li Fan , Bu Tong , Wang Qinzhi , Wang Li
Published: June 2020

This work constructed a multifunctional nanoplatform based on positively charged copper manganate nanoflakes (CuMnO2 NFs) for combined catalysis and photothermal sterilization.
How important is roaming in the photodegradation of nitrobenzene?
Authors: Giussani Angelo , Worth Graham A.
Published: June 2020

Three pathways have been found for the formation of NO from nitrobenzene photodegradation that lead to either low or high translational energy, with a roaming mechanism involved at high excitation energies.
Bimetallic platinum–rhodium nanocomposites for dimethylamine borane dehydrogenation: an experimental and density functional theory study
Authors: Alptekin Oznur , Sen Betul , Acidereli Hilal , Ercetin Umran , Fellah Mehmet Ferdi , Sen Fatih
Published: June 2020

In this study, bimetallic platinum–rhodium nanocomposites supported on graphene oxide (PtRh@GO) were synthesized and used as a catalyst in the dimethylamine borane (DMAB) dehydrogenation.
Thiosemicarbazone(s)-anchored water soluble mono- and bimetallic Cu(ii) complexes: enzyme-like activities, biomolecular interactions, anticancer property and real-time live cytotoxicity
Authors: Balakrishnan Nithya , Haribabu Jebiti , Dhanabalan Ananda Krishnan , Swaminathan Srividya , Sun Sijia , Dibwe Dya Fita , Bhuvanesh Nattamai , Awale Suresh , Karvembu Ramasamy
Published: June 2020

The synthesized Cu(ii) complexes, especially bimetallic complexes, exhibited versatile anticancer and enzyme-like activities.
Bismuth-rich bismuth oxyiodide microspheres with abundant oxygen vacancies as an efficient photocatalyst for nitrogen fixation
Authors: Lan Meng , Zheng Nan , Dong Xiaoli , Hua Chenghe , Ma Hongchao , Zhang Xiufang
Published: June 2020

A combined bismuth-rich and defect introduction strategy was used to prepare the H-Bi5O7I with abundant oxygen vacancies, which can effectively yield ammonia under visible light without any organic scavengers or noble-metal cocatalysts.
Impact of solid-state photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition on coordination polymers for diverse applications
Authors: Khan Samim , Dutta Basudeb , Mir Mohammad Hedayetullah
Published: June 2020

This Frontier article highlights the advancement of [2+2] photocycloaddition reactions within coordination polymers to fine tune their diverse physical and chemical properties.
Substrate and product binding inside a stimuli-responsive coordination cage acting as a singlet oxygen photosensitizer
Authors: Pullen Sonja , Löffler Susanne , Platzek André , Holstein Julian J. , Clever Guido H.
Published: June 2020

Multiple functionalities of an acridone-based metallosupramolecular assembly: photosensitization of singlet oxygen, allosteric activation as host and encapsulation of the substrate and product of a hetero-Diels-Alder reaction.
Cation effects on dynamics of ligand-benzylated formazanate boron and aluminium complexes
Authors: Mondol Ranajit , Otten Edwin
Published: June 2020

The dynamic processes present in ligand-benzylated formazanate boron and aluminium complexes are investigated using variable temperature NMR experiments and lineshape analyses.
Weight dependence of local exchange–correlation functionals in ensemble density-functional theory: double excitations in two-electron systems
Authors: Marut Clotilde , Senjean Bruno , Fromager Emmanuel , Loos Pierre-François
Published: June 2020

We discuss the construction of first-rung weight-dependent exchange–correlation density-functional approximations for He and H2 specifically designed for the computation of double excitations within Gross–Oliveira–Kohn-DFT.
Microfluidic flow-through reactor and 3D Raman imaging forin situassessment of mineral reactivity in porous and fractured porous media
Authors: Poonoosamy Jenna , Soulaine Cyprien , Burmeister Alina , Deissmann Guido , Bosbach Dirk , Roman Sophie
Published: June 2020

Microfluidics flow-through reactor combined within-situ,non-destructive Raman measurement for a spatio-temporal visualisation of the mineralogical changes in porous media. Advance pore scale modelling diagnostics of the coupled hydro-geochemical processes.
Gold-nanoparticle-embedded microchannel array for enhanced power generation
Authors: Mandal Soumen , Paul Souvik , Mukhopadhyay Saswata , Arun Ravi Kumar , Dutta Debeshi , Chanda Nripen
Published: June 2020

Flow of water in a gold-nanoparticle-embedded microchannel power generator generated a power density of 4.3 μW cm−2, a value ∼256 times higher than that last reported.
Doped TiO2: the effect of doping elements on photocatalytic activity
Authors: Khlyustova Anna , Sirotkin Nikolay , Kusova Tatiana , Kraev Anton , Titov Valery , Agafonov Alexander
Published: June 2020

Doping of TiO2with various elements increases its photocatalytic activity due to the formation of new energy levels near the conduction band.
Self-stratification of amphiphilic Janus particles at coating surfaces
Authors: Li Yifan , Liu Fei , Chen Shensheng , Tsyrenova Ayuna , Miller Kyle , Olson Emily , Mort Rebecca , Palm Devin , Xiang Chunhui , Yong Xin , Jiang Shan
Published: June 2020

Durable hydrophobic coatings are created by adding amphiphilic Janus particles to binder polymers through the unique self-stratification behaviours, which offer a novel and cost-effective solution to challenges in waterborne emulsion coatings.
Newly developed strategies for improving sonodynamic therapy
Authors: Wang Xianwen , Zhong Xiaoyan , Gong Fei , Chao Yu , Cheng Liang
Published: June 2020

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a new therapeutic method, which can kill malignant tumors by using sonosensitizers and low intensity ultrasound (US) simultaneously.
Strong size selectivity in the self-assembly of rounded nanocubes into 3D mesocrystals
Authors: Josten Elisabeth , Angst Manuel , Glavic Artur , Zakalek Paul , Rücker Ulrich , Seeck Oliver H. , Kovács András , Wetterskog Erik , Kentzinger Emmanuel , Dunin-Borkowski Rafal E. , Bergström Lennart , Brückel Thomas
Published: June 2020

Depth-resolved structural analysis reveals strong size selectivity of self-assembled iron oxide nanoparticles.
Gold nanonails for surface-enhanced infrared absorption
Authors: Yin Hang , Li Nannan , Si Yubing , Zhang Han , Yang Baocheng , Wang Jianfang
Published: June 2020

Colloidal gold nanonails, exhibiting large electric field enhancement in the mid-infrared region, are synthesized for surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA).
Side-chain effects on the co-existence of emergent nanopatterns in amino acid adlayers on graphene
Authors: Awuah Joel B. , Walsh Tiffany R.
Published: June 2020

The spontaneous emergence of several co-existing ordered nano-motifs in initially spatially randomised amino acid adlayers adsorbed on graphene in vacuo is influenced by side-chain characteristics.
Design of potent ABA receptor antagonists based on a conformational restriction approach
Authors: Takeuchi Jun , Nagamiya Hikaru , Moroi Sayaka , Ohnishi Toshiyuki , Todoroki Yasushi
Published: June 2020

Conformationally restricted analogs of (+)-PAO4, an abscisic acid receptor antagonist, were synthesized to improve its potency.
Enhancement of crystallinity of imine-linked covalent organic frameworks via aldehyde modulators
Authors: Zhu Dongyang , Alemany Lawrence B. , Guo Wenhua , Verduzco Rafael
Published: June 2020

Benzaldehyde is found to be an effective modulator for enhancing the crystallinity and porosity of imine-linked covalent-organic frameworks (COFs).