bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic perspective on the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in burnout
Authors: Bakusic Jelena , Ghosh Manosij , Polli Andrea , Bekaert Bram , Schaufeli Wilmar , Claes Stephan , Godderis Lode 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a potential role in the neurobiology of burnout, but there are no studies investigating the underlying genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. Our aim is to further explore the role of BDNF in burnout, by focusing on the Val66Met polymorphism and methylation patterns of the BDNF gene and serum BDNF (sBDNF) protein expression. We conducted a cross-sectional study by recruiting 129 individuals (59 with burnout and 70 healthy controls). Participants underwent a clinical interview, psychological assessment and blood sample collection. Polymorphism and DNA methylation were measured on DNA from whole blood, using pyrosequencing and sBDNF levels were measured using ELISA. We found significantly increased methylation of promoter I and IV in the burnout group, which also correlated with burnout symptoms. In addition, DNA methylation of promoter I had a significant negative effect on sBDNF. For DNA methylation of exon IX, we did not find a significant difference between the groups, nor associations with sBDNF. The Val66Met polymorphism neither differed between groups, nor was it associated with sBDNF levels. Finally, we did not observe differences in sBDNF level between the groups. Interestingly, we observed a significant negative association between depressive symptoms and sBDNF levels. The current study is the first to show that BDNF DNA methylation changes might play an important role in downregulation of the BDNF protein levels in burnout. The presence of depressive symptoms might have an additional impact on these changes.
Solution-processable integrated CMOS circuits based on colloidal CuInSe2 quantum dots
Authors: Yun Hyeong Jin , Lim Jaehoon , Roh Jeongkyun , Neo Darren Chi Jin , Law Matt , Klimov Victor I. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe emerging technology of colloidal quantum dot electronics provides an opportunity for combining the advantages of well-understood inorganic semiconductors with the chemical processability of molecular systems. So far, most research on quantum dot electronic devices has focused on materials based on Pb- and Cd chalcogenides. In addition to environmental concerns associated with the presence of toxic metals, these quantum dots are not well suited for applications in CMOS circuits due to difficulties in integrating complementary n- and p-channel transistors in a common quantum dot active layer. Here, we demonstrate that by using heavy-metal-free CuInSe2 quantum dots, we can address the problem of toxicity and simultaneously achieve straightforward integration of complimentary devices to prepare functional CMOS circuits. Specifically, utilizing the same spin-coated layer of CuInSe2 quantum dots, we realize both p- and n-channel transistors and demonstrate well-behaved integrated logic circuits with low switching voltages compatible with standard CMOS electronics.
Hsc70/Stub1 promotes the removal of individual oxidatively stressed peroxisomes
Authors: Chen Bo-Hua , Chang Yao-Jen , Lin Steven , Yang Wei Yuan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPeroxisomes perform beta-oxidation of branched and very-long chain fatty acids, which leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the peroxisomal lumen. Peroxisomes are therefore prone to ROS-mediated damages. Here, using light to specifically and acutely induce ROS formation within the peroxisomal lumen, we find that cells individually remove ROS-stressed peroxisomes through ubiquitin-dependent pexophagy. Heat shock protein 70 s mediates the translocation of the ubiquitin E3 ligase Stub1 (STIP1 Homology and U-Box Containing Protein 1) onto oxidatively-stressed peroxisomes to promote their selective ubiquitination and autophagic degradation. Artificially targeting Stub1 to healthy peroxisomes is sufficient to trigger pexophagy, suggesting a key role Stub1 plays in regulating peroxisome quality. We further determine that Stub1 mutants found in Ataxia patients are defective in pexophagy induction. Dysfunctional peroxisomal quality control may therefore contribute to the development of Ataxia.
Direct C(sp2)–H alkylation of unactivated arenes enabled by photoinduced Pd catalysis
Authors: Kim Daeun , Lee Geun Seok , Kim Dongwook , Hong Soon Hyeok 
Published: October 2020

AbstractDespite the fundamental importance of efficient and selective synthesis of widely useful alkylarenes, the direct catalytic C(sp2)–H alkylation of unactivated arenes with a readily available alkyl halide remains elusive. Here, we report the catalytic C(sp2)–H alkylation reactions of unactivated arenes with alkyl bromides via visible-light induced Pd catalysis. The reaction proceeds smoothly under mild conditions without any skeletal rearrangement of the alkyl groups. The direct syntheses of structurally diverse linear and branched alkylarenes, including the late-stage phenylation of biologically active molecules and an orthogonal one-pot sequential Pd-catalyzed C–C bond-forming reaction, are achieved with exclusive chemoselectivity and exceptional functional group tolerance. Comprehensive mechanistic investigations through a combination of experimental and computational methods reveal a distinguishable Pd(0)/Pd(I) redox catalytic cycle and the origin of the counter-intuitive reactivity differences among alkyl halides.
Automated microfluidic platform for dynamic and combinatorial drug screening of tumor organoids
Authors: Schuster Brooke , Junkin Michael , Kashaf Sara Saheb , Romero-Calvo Isabel , Kirby Kori , Matthews Jonathan , Weber Christopher R. , Rzhetsky Andrey , White Kevin P. , Tay Savaş 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThree-dimensional (3D) cell culture technologies, such as organoids, are physiologically relevant models for basic and clinical applications. Automated microfluidics offers advantages in high-throughput and precision analysis of cells but is not yet compatible with organoids. Here, we present an automated, high-throughput, microfluidic 3D organoid culture and analysis system to facilitate preclinical research and personalized therapies. Our system provides combinatorial and dynamic drug treatments to hundreds of cultures and enables real-time analysis of organoids. We validate our system by performing individual, combinatorial, and sequential drug screens on human-derived pancreatic tumor organoids. We observe significant differences in the response of individual patient-based organoids to drug treatments and find that temporally-modified drug treatments can be more effective than constant-dose monotherapy or combination therapy in vitro. This integrated platform advances organoids models to screen and mirror real patient treatment courses with potential to facilitate treatment decisions for personalized therapy.
Geometric morphometric wing analysis represents a robust tool to identify female mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Germany
Authors: Sauer F. G. , Jaworski L. , Erdbeer L. , Heitmann A. , Schmidt-Chanasit J. , Kiel E. , Lühken R. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAccurate species identification is the prerequisite to assess the relevance of mosquito specimens, but is often hindered by missing or damaged morphological features. The present study analyses the applicability of wing geometric morphometrics as a low-cost and practical alternative to identify native mosquitoes in Germany. Wing pictures were collected for 502 female mosquitoes of five genera and 19 species from 80 sampling sites. The reliable species identification based on interspecific wing geometry of 18 landmarks per specimen was tested. Leave-one-out cross validation revealed an overall accuracy of 99% for the genus and 90% for the species identification. Misidentifications were mainly due to three pairings ofAedesspecies:Aedes annulipesvs.Aedes cantans,Aedes cinereusvs.Aedes rossicusandAedes communisvs.Aedes punctor.Cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene region was sequenced to validate the morphological and morphometric identification. Similar to the results of the morphometric analysis, the same problematic threeAedes-pairs clustered, but most other species could be well separated. Overall, our study underpins that morphometric wing analysis is a robust tool for reliable mosquito identification, which reach the accuracy of COI barcoding.
Split-cube-resonator-based metamaterials for polarization-selective asymmetric perfect absorption
Authors: Tsilipakos Odysseas , Xomalis Angelos , Kenanakis George , Farsari Maria , Soukoulis Costas M. , Economou Eleftherios N. , Kafesaki Maria 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA split-cube-resonator-based metamaterial structure that can act as a polarization- and direction-selective perfect absorber for the infrared region is theoretically and experimentally demonstrated. The structure, fabricated by direct laser writing and electroless silver plating, is comprised of four layers of conductively-coupled split-cube magnetic resonators, appropriately rotated to each other to bestow the desired electromagnetic properties. We show narrowband polarization-selective perfect absorption when the structure is illuminated from one side; the situation is reversed when illuminating from the other side, with the orthogonal linear polarization being absorbed. The absorption peak can be tuned in a wide frequency range by a sparser or denser arrangement of the split cube resonators, allowing to cover the entire atmospheric transparency window. The proposed metamaterial structure can find applications in polarization-selective thermal emission at the IR atmospheric transparency window for radiative cooling, in cost-effective infrared sensing devices, and in narrowband filters and linear polarizers in reflection mode.
Selenium and silica nanostructure-based recovery of strawberry plants subjected to drought stress
Authors: Zahedi Seyed Morteza , Moharrami Faezeh , Sarikhani Saadat , Padervand Mohsen 
Published: October 2020

AbstractDrought is an important environmental stress that has negative effects on plant growth leading to a reduction in yield. In this study, the positive role of nanoparticles of SiO2, Se, and Se/SiO2 (SiO2-NPs, Se-NPs and Se/SiO2-NPs) has been investigated in modulating negative effects of drought on the growth and yield of strawberry plants. Spraying of solutions containing nanoparticles of SiO2, Se, and Se/SiO2 (50 and 100 mg L−1) improved the growth and yield parameters of strawberry plants grown under normal and drought stress conditions (30, 60, and 100%FC). Plants treated with Se/SiO2 (100 mg L−1) preserved more of their photosynthetic pigments compared with other treated plants and presented higher levels of key osmolytes such as carbohydrate and proline. This treatment also increased relative water content (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI) and water use efficiency (WUE). In addition, exogenous spraying of Se/SiO2 increased drought tolerance through increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes including catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as decreasing lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content. Increase in biochemical parameters of fruits such as anthocyanin, total phenolic compounds (TPC), vitamin C and antioxidant activity (DPPH) in strawberry plants treated with Se/SiO2 under drought stress revealed the positive effects of these nanoparticles in improving fruit quality and nutritional value. In general, our results supported the positive effect of the application of selenium and silicon nanoparticles, especially the absolute role of Se/SiO2 (100 mg L−1), on the management of harmful effects of soil drought stress not only in strawberry plants, but also in other agricultural crops.
Determinants favoring weight regain after weight-loss therapy among postmenopausal women
Authors: Bajerska Joanna , Chmurzynska Agata , Muzsik-Kazimierska Agata , Mądry Edyta , Pięta Beata , Sobkowski Maciej , Walkowiak Jarosław 
Published: October 2020

AbstractLittle is known about the factors affecting body weight-loss maintenance among postmenopausal women. We thus performed an analysis to identify some sociodemographic, physiological, and behavioral predictors of weight regain in a targeted subpopulation of women who had lost weight 1 year earlier. We also measured how eating behaviors and habits as well as physical activity pattern differ among successful and unsuccessful weight-loss maintainers over the trial. Sixty-four postmenopausal women were followed up for a year after dieting, and the successful and unsuccessful maintainers were identified. The regainers had regained an average of 4.9 kg of their lost body weight, while the maintainers had regained only 1.5 kg. Regainers had fewer years of education and lower initial body weight loss than maintainers. They also showed poor dietary adherence during dieting, and had unhealthy patterns of eating involving the avoidance of breakfast and a lower intake of nuts, seeds, and pulses, and a higher intake of sweets, biscuits, cakes, and pastries over time (excluding the dieting period). All the significant sociodemographic, physiological and behavioral variables differentiating regainers and maintainers before and after dieting were then examined as independent variables in a logistic regression model. The model showed that less weight reduction during dieting, higher disinhibition scores after dieting, and avoidance of breakfast before dieting were significant predictors of body weight regain in postmenopausal women. From a practical point of view, early identification of postmenopausal women who are at risk of regaining lost weight can allow health professionals to create behavioral and dietary supports to help prevent this. A regular schedule of follow-ups over at least the first year should be considered for them—including psychological and dietary intervention, if necessary. Since this sample study included only postmenopausal women, our findings are not generalizable to other populations.
Winter movement patterns of a globally endangered avian scavenger in south-western Europe
Authors: Morant Jon , Abad-Gómez José María , Álvarez Toribio , Sánchez Ángel , Zuberogoitia Iñigo , López-López Pascual 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPartial migration, whereby some individuals migrate and some do not, is relatively common and widespread among animals. Switching between migration tactics (from migratory to resident or vice versa) occurs at individual and population levels. Here, we describe for the first time the movement ecology of the largest wintering population of Egyptian Vultures (Neophron percnopterus) in south-west Europe. We combined field surveys and GPS tracking data from December to February during four wintering seasons (2014–2018). The wintering population consisted on average of 85 individuals (range 58–121; 76% adults and 24% subadults). Individuals were counted at five different roosting sites located near farms, unauthorized carcass deposition sites and authorized carcass deposition sites. Our results show that vultures tend to remain close to the roosting site. Moreover, we observed that females exhibited smaller home range sizes than males, which suggests a possible differential use of food sources. Overall, birds relied more on farms than other available food resources, particularly subadult individuals which exploited more intensively these sites. Our results showed that Egyptian Vultures congregate in significant numbers at specific sites throughout the winter period in south-west Spain and that these roosting and feeding sites should be given some level of legal protection and regular monitoring. Furthermore, predictable food sources might be driving the apparent increase in the non-migratory population of Egyptian Vultures, as observed in other avian species which are also changing their migratory behavior.
RNA-sequencing of the Nyssomyia neivai sialome: a sand fly-vector from a Brazilian endemic area for tegumentary leishmaniasis and pemphigus foliaceus
Authors: Vernal Sebastian , Oliveira Fabiano , Oliveira Wanderson H. C. , Goulart Thais M. , Oristian James , Calvo Eric , Pinto Mara C. , Roselino Ana Maria , Ribeiro José M. C. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractLeishmaniasis encompasses a spectrum of diseases caused by a protozoan belonging to the genusLeishmania. The parasite is transmitted by the bite of sand flies, which inoculate the promastigote forms into the host’s skin while acquiring a blood meal.Nyssomyia neivaiis one of the main vectors of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) in Brazil. Southeastern Brazil is an endemic region for TL but also overlaps with an endemic focus for pemphigus foliaceus (PF), also known asFogo Selvagem. Salivary proteins of sand flies, specifically maxadilan and LJM11, have been related to pemphigus etiopathogenesis in the New World, being proposed as an environmental trigger for autoimmunity. We present a comprehensive description of the salivary transcriptome of theN. neivai, using deep sequencing achieved by the Illumina protocol. In addition, we highlight the abundances of severalN. neivaisalivary proteins and use phylogenetic analysis to compare with Old- and New-World sand fly salivary proteins. The collection of protein sequences associated with the salivary glands ofN. neivaican be useful for monitoring vector control strategies as biomarkers ofN. neivai, as well as driving vector-vaccine design for leishmaniasis. Additionally, this catalog will serve as reference to screen for possible antigenic peptide candidates triggering anti-Desmoglein-1 autoantibodies.
Large seasonal and spatial variation in nano- and microphytoplankton diversity along a Baltic Sea—North Sea salinity gradient
Authors: Olofsson Malin , Hagan James G. , Karlson Bengt , Gamfeldt Lars 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAquatic phytoplankton experience large fluctuations in environmental conditions during seasonal succession and across salinity gradients, but the impact of this variation on their diversity is poorly understood. We examined spatio-temporal variation in nano- and microphytoplankton (> 2 µm) community structure using almost two decades of light-microscope based monitoring data. The dataset encompasses 19 stations that span a salinity gradient from 2.8 to 35 along the Swedish coastline. Spatially, both regional and local phytoplankton diversity increased with broad-scale salinity variation. Diatoms dominated at high salinity and the proportion of cyanobacteria increased with decreasing salinity. Temporally, cell abundance peaked in winter-spring at high salinity but in summer at low salinity. This was likely due to large filamentous cyanobacteria blooms that occur in summer in low salinity areas, but which are absent in higher salinities. In contrast, phytoplankton local diversity peaked in spring at low salinity but in fall and winter at high salinity. Whilst differences in seasonal variation in cell abundance were reasonably well-explained by variation in salinity and nutrient availability, variation in local-scale phytoplankton diversity was poorly predicted by environmental variables. Overall, we provide insights into the causes of spatio-temporal variation in coastal phytoplankton community structure while also identifying knowledge gaps.
Impacts of discriminated PM2.5 on global under-five and maternal mortality
Authors: Owili Patrick Opiyo , Lin Tang-Huang , Muga Miriam Adoyo , Lien Wei-Hung 
Published: October 2020

AbstractGlobally, it was estimated that maternal and under-five deaths were high in low-income countries than that of high-income countries. Most studies, however, have focused only on the clinical causes of maternal and under-five deaths, and yet there could be other factors such as ambient particulate matter (PM). The current global estimates indicate that exposure to ambient PM2.5 (with ≤ 2.5 microns aerodynamic diameter) has caused about 7 million deaths and over 100 million disability-adjusted life-years. There are also several health risks that have been linked PM2.5, including mortality, both regionally and globally; however, PM2.5 is a mixture of many compounds from various sources. Globally, there is little evidence of the health effects of various types of PM2.5, which may uniquely contribute to the global burden of disease. Currently, only two studies had estimated the effects of discriminated ambient PM2.5, that is, anthropogenic, biomass and dust, on under-five and maternal mortality using satellite measurements, and this study found a positive association in Africa and Asia. However, the study area was conducted in only one region and may not reflect the spatial variations throughout the world. Therefore, in this study, we discriminated different ambient PM2.5 and estimated the effects on a global scale. Using the generalized linear mixed-effects model (GLMM) with a random-effects model, we found that biomass PM2.5 was associated with an 8.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.1–13.9%) increased risk of under-five deaths, while dust PM2.5 was marginally associated with 9.5% of under-five deaths. Nevertheless, our study found no association between PM2.5 type and global maternal deaths. This result may be because the majority of maternal deaths could be associated with preventable deaths that would require clinical interventions. Identification of the mortality-related types of ambient PM2.5 can enable the development of a focused intervention strategy of placing appropriate preventive measures for reducing the generation of source-specific PM2.5 and subsequently diminishing PM2.5-related mortality.
Controlling the behaviour of Drosophila melanogaster via smartphone optogenetics
Authors: Meloni Ilenia , Sachidanandan Divya , Thum Andreas S. , Kittel Robert J. , Murawski Caroline 
Published: October 2020

AbstractInvertebrates such asDrosophila melanogasterhave proven to be a valuable model organism for studies of the nervous system. In order to control neuronal activity, optogenetics has evolved as a powerful technique enabling non-invasive stimulation using light. This requires light sources that can deliver patterns of light with high temporal and spatial precision. Currently employed light sources for stimulation of small invertebrates, however, are either limited in spatial resolution or require sophisticated and bulky equipment. In this work, we used smartphone displays for optogenetic control ofDrosophila melanogaster. We developed an open-source smartphone app that allows time-dependent display of light patterns and used this to activate and inhibit different neuronal populations in both larvae and adult flies. Characteristic behavioural responses were observed depending on the displayed colour and brightness and in agreement with the activation spectra and light sensitivity of the used channelrhodopsins. By displaying patterns of light, we constrained larval movement and were able to guide larvae on the display. Our method serves as a low-cost high-resolution testbench for optogenetic experiments using small invertebrate species and is particularly appealing to application in neuroscience teaching labs.