bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Air Quality Response in China Linked to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID‐19) Lockdown
Authors: Miyazaki K. , Bowman K. , Sekiya T. , Jiang Z. , Chen X. , Eskes H. , Ru M. , Zhang Y. , Shindell D. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractEfforts to stem the spread of COVID‐19 in China hinged on severe restrictions to human movement starting 23 January 2020 in Wuhan and subsequently to other provinces. Here, we quantify the ancillary impacts on air pollution and human health using inverse emissions estimates based on multiple satellite observations. We find that Chinese NOx emissions were reduced by 36% from early January to mid‐February, with more than 80% of reductions occurring after their respective lockdown in most provinces. The reduced precursor emissions increased surface ozone by up to 16 ppb over northern China but decreased PM2.5 by up to 23 μg m−3 nationwide. Changes in human exposure are associated with about 2,100 more ozone‐related and at least 60,000 fewer PM2.5‐related morbidity incidences, primarily from asthma cases, thereby augmenting efforts to reduce hospital admissions and alleviate negative impacts from potential delayed treatments.
Continental Interior and Edge Breakup at Convergent Margins Induced by Subduction Direction Reversal: A Numerical Modeling Study Applied to the South China Sea Margin
Authors: Li Fucheng , Sun Zhen , Yang Hongfeng , Lin Jian , Stock Joann M. , Zhao Zhongxian , Xu Hehua , Sun Longtao 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe dynamics of continental breakup at convergent margins has been described as the results of backarc opening caused by slab rollback or drag force induced by subduction direction reversal. Although the rollback hypothesis has been intensively studied, our understanding of the consequence of subduction direction reversal remains limited. Using thermo‐mechanical modeling based on constraints from the South China Sea (SCS) region, we investigate how subduction direction reversal controls the breakup of convergent margins. The numerical results show that two distinct breakup modes, namely, continental interior and edge breakup (“edge” refers to continent above the plate boundary interface), may develop depending on the “maturity” of the convergent margin and the age of the oceanic lithosphere. For a slab age of ~15 to ~45 Ma, increasing the duration of subduction promotes the continental interior breakup mode, where a large block of the continental material is separated from the overriding plate. In contrast, the continental edge breakup mode develops when the subduction is a short‐duration event, and in this mode, a wide zone of less continuous continental fragments and tearing of the subducted slab occur. These two modes are consistent with the interior (relic late Mesozoic arc) and edge (relic forearc) rifting characteristics in the western and eastern SCS margin, suggesting that variation in the northwest‐directed subduction duration of the Proto‐SCS might be a reason for the differential breakup locus along the strike of the SCS margin. Besides, a two‐segment trench associated with the northwest‐directed subduction is implied in the present‐day SCS region.
Seasonal Temperature Oscillations Drive Contrasting Arsenic and Antimony Mobilization in a Mining‐Impacted River System
Authors: Johnston Scott G. , Karimian Niloofar , Burton Edward D. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractArsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) speciation and mobility in river systems can be influenced by the redox conditions of benthic and hyporheic zone sediments. However, our understanding of how temperature fluctuations influence riverine As and Sb mobility over diel and seasonal time frames, via moderation of sediment redox conditions, is poorly constrained. Here we compare diel and seasonal water quality data from a river system contaminated with As and Sb with results from sediment‐water incubations conducted at temperatures spanning 8°C to 32°C under low‐dissolved oxygen conditions. Higher incubation temperatures caused faster microbial respiration, lower redox potential, and greater Asaq concentrations, coincident with reduction of As(V), Mn (III/IV), Fe (III), and SO42−. Initial rates of As3+aq formation increased exponentially with temperature (Q10 = 3.3 ± 0.5) and were positively correlated with microbial respiration (r2 = 0.99, P < 0.01). In contrast, Sbaq displayed an initially negative and comparatively weak overall temperature dependence during incubations. In river waters, diel mobilization of reduced species (As3+aq and Fe2+aq) and contrasting attenuation of Sb was coincident with lower redox potential during nightly respiration cycles. Distinct seasonal oscillations in river water Asaq were exponentially correlated with temperature (r2 = 0.68, P < 0.01), whereas Sbaq was not. These characteristics reflect the fundamental role of anaerobic metabolism (as influenced by temperature) within benthic and hyporheic zone sediments as a key driver of contrasting riverine As and Sb mobility. The findings imply that riverine As mobility may be enhanced, while Sb mobility possibly attenuated, by eutrophication or by elevated stream temperatures due to a warming climate.
Incoherent excess noise spectrally encodes broadband light sources
Authors: Kho Aaron M. , Zhang Tingwei , Zhu Jun , Merkle Conrad W. , Srinivasan Vivek J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAcross optics and photonics, excess intensity noise is often considered a liability. Here, we show that excess noise in broadband supercontinuum and superluminescent diode light sources encodes each spectral channel with unique intensity fluctuations, which actually serve a useful purpose. Specifically, we report that excess noise correlations can both characterize the spectral resolution of spectrometers and enable cross-calibration of their wavelengths across a broad bandwidth. Relative to previous methods that use broadband interferometry and narrow linewidth lasers to characterize and calibrate spectrometers, our approach is simple, comprehensive, and rapid enough to be deployed during spectrometer alignment. First, we employ this approach to aid alignment and reduce the depth-dependent degradation of the sensitivity and axial resolution in a spectrometer-based optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, revealing a new outer retinal band. Second, we achieve a pixel-to-pixel correspondence between two otherwise disparate spectrometers, enabling a robust comparison of their respective measurements. Thus, excess intensity noise has useful applications in optics and photonics.
The efficacy assessment of convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19 patients: a multi-center case series
Authors: Zeng Hao , Wang Dongfang , Nie Jingmin , Liang Haoyu , Gu Jiang , Zhao Anne , Xu Lixin , Lang Chunhui , Cui Xiaoping , Guo Xiaolan , Zhou Changlong , Li Haibo , Guo Bin , Zhang Jinyong , Wang Qiang , Fang Li , Liu Wen , Huang Yishan , Mao Wei , Chen Yaokai , Zou Quanming 
Published: October 2020

AbstractConvalescent plasma (CP) transfusion has been indicated as a promising therapy in the treatment for other emerging viral infections. However, the quality control of CP and individual variation in patients in different studies make it rather difficult to evaluate the efficacy and risk of CP therapy for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to explore the potential efficacy of CP therapy, and to assess the possible factors associated with its efficacy. We enrolled eight critical or severe COVID-19 patients from four centers. Each patient was transfused with 200–400 mL of CP from seven recovered donors. The primary indicators for clinical efficacy assessment were the changes of clinical symptoms, laboratory parameters, and radiological image after CP transfusion. CP donors had a wide range of antibody levels measured by serology tests which were to some degree correlated with the neutralizing antibody (NAb) level. No adverse events were observed during and after CP transfusion. Following CP transfusion, six out of eight patients showed improved oxygen support status; chest CT indicated varying degrees of absorption of pulmonary lesions in six patients within 8 days; the viral load was decreased to a negative level in five patients who had the previous viremia; other laboratory parameters also tended to improve, including increased lymphocyte counts, decreased C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and indicators for liver function. The clinical efficacy might be associated with CP transfusion time, transfused dose, and the NAb levels of CP. This study indicated that CP might be a potential therapy for severe patients with COVID-19.
Axial MRI biomarkers of spinal cord damage to predict future walking and motor function: a retrospective study
Authors: Smith Andrew C. , Albin Stephanie R. , O’Dell Denise R. , Berliner Jeffrey C. , Dungan David , Sevigny Mitch , Draganich Christina , Elliott James M. , Weber II Kenneth A. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Study design
Retrospective.

Objectives
Primary: to assess if axial damage ratios are predictors of future walking after spinal cord injury (SCI), and if they add any predictive value if initial neurological impairment grades are available. Secondary: to determine if lateral spinal cord regions are predictors of future lower extremity motor scores (LEMS).

Setting
University/hospital.

Methods
Axial T2-weighted MRIs were used. Axial damage ratios and non-damaged lateral cord volumes were calculated. Each participant answered at 1 year after SCI, “Are you able to walk for 150 feet? (45.72 meters)” For the secondary aim, right and left LEMS were used.

Results
In total, 145 participants were selected. Individuals that could walk had smaller ratios than those that were unable. Walking and axial damage ratios were negatively correlated. A 0.374 ratio cut-off showed optimal sensitivity/specificity. When initial neurological grades were used, axial damage ratios did not add predictive value. Forty-two participants had LEMS available and were included for the secondary aim. Right cord regions and right LEMS were positively correlated and left regions and left LEMS, but these variables were also correlated with each other.

Conclusions
Axial damage ratios were significant predictors of walking ability 1 year after SCI. However, this measure did not add predictive value over initial neurological grades. Lateral cord regions correlated with same-side LEMS, but the opposite was also found, calling this biomarker’s specificity into question. Axial damage ratios may be useful in predicting walking after SCI if initial neurological grades are unavailable.

Sponsorship
This research was funded by a National Institutes of Health award, National Institute of Child Health and Development—NIH R03HD094577.
What could we learn from SARS when facing the mental health issues related to the COVID-19 outbreak? A nationwide cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Tzeng Nian-Sheng , Chung Chi-Hsiang , Chang Chuan-Chia , Chang Hsin-An , Kao Yu-Chen , Chang Shan-Yueh , Chien Wu-Chien 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThere were several studies about the psychiatric and mental health issues related to the severe adult respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003, however, the association between SARS and the overall risk of psychiatric disorders and suicides has, as yet, to be studied in Taiwan. The aim of this study is to examine as to whether SARS is associated with the risk of psychiatric disorders and suicide. A total of 285 patients with SARS and 2850 controls without SARS (1:10) matched for sex, age, insurance premium, comorbidities, residential regions, level of medical care, and index date were selected between February 25 and June 15, 2003 from the Inpatient Database Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. During the 12-year follow-up, in which 79 in the SARS cohort and 340 in the control group developed psychiatric disorders or suicide (4047.41 vs. 1535.32 per 100,000 person-years). Fine and Gray’s survival analysis revealed that the SARS cohort was associated with an increased risk of psychiatric disorders and suicide, and the adjusted subdistribution HR (sHR) was 2.805 (95% CI: 2.182–3.605, p < 0.001) for psychiatric disorders and suicide. The SARS cohort was associated with anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder/acute stress disorder (PTSD/ASD), and suicide. The sensitivity analysis revealed that the SARS group was associated with anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, PTSD/ASD, and suicide after the individuals with a diagnosis of psychiatric disorders and suicide were excluded within the first year, and with anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders, while those in the first five years were excluded. In conclusion, SARS was associated with the increased risk of psychiatric disorders and suicide.
Intracellular amyloid toxicity induces oxytosis/ferroptosis regulated cell death
Authors: Huang Ling , McClatchy Daniel B. , Maher Pamela , Liang Zhibin , Diedrich Jolene K. , Soriano-Castell David , Goldberg Joshua , Shokhirev Maxim , Yates John R. , Schubert David , Currais Antonio 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAmyloid beta (Aβ) accumulates within neurons in the brains of early stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. However, the mechanism underlying its toxicity remains unclear. Here, a triple omics approach was used to integrate transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic data collected from a nerve cell model of the toxic intracellular aggregation of Aβ. It was found that intracellular Aβ induces profound changes in the omics landscape of nerve cells that are associated with a pro-inflammatory, metabolic reprogramming that predisposes cells to die via the oxytosis/ferroptosis regulated cell death pathway. Notably, the degenerative process included substantial alterations in glucose metabolism and mitochondrial bioenergetics. Our findings have implications for the understanding of the basic biology of proteotoxicity, aging, and AD as well as for the development of future therapeutic interventions designed to target the oxytosis/ferroptosis regulated cell death pathway in the AD brain.
Parthenolide promotes the repair of spinal cord injury by modulating M1/M2 polarization via the NF-κB and STAT 1/3 signaling pathway
Authors: Gaojian Tao , Dingfei Qian , Linwei Li , Xiaowei Wang , Zheng Zhou , Wei Liu , Tong Zhu , Benxiang Ning , Yanning Qian , Wei Zhou , Jian Chen 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSpinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe neurological disease; however, there is no effective treatment for spinal cord injury. Neuroinflammation involves the activation of resident microglia and the infiltration of macrophages is the major pathogenesis of SCI secondary injury and considered to be the therapeutic target of SCI. Parthenolide (PN) has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects in fever, migraines, arthritis, and superficial inflammation; however, the role of PN in SCI therapeutics has not been clarified. In this study, we showed that PN could improve the functional recovery of spinal cord in mice as revealed by increased BMS scores and decreased cavity of spinal cord injury in vivo. Immunofluorescence staining experiments confirmed that PN could promote axonal regeneration, increase myelin reconstitution, reduce chondroitin sulfate formation, inhibit scar hyperplasia, suppress the activation of A1 neurotoxic reactive astrocytes and facilitate shift from M1 to M2 polarization of microglia/macrophages. To verify how PN exerts its effects on microglia/macrophages polarization, we performed the mechanism study in vitro in microglia cell line BV-2. PN could significantly reduce M1 polarization in BV2 cells and partially rescue the decrease in the expression of M2 phenotype markers of microglia/macrophage induced by LPS, but no significant effect on M2 polarization stimulated with IL-4 was observed. Further study demonstrated PN inhibited NF-κB signal pathway directly or indirectly, and suppressed activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 or 3 (STAT1/3) via reducing the expression of HDAC1 and subsequently increasing the levels of STAT1/3 acetylation. Overall, our study illustrated that PN may be a promising strategy for traumatic SCI.
PAX6 missense variants in two families with isolated foveal hypoplasia and nystagmus: evidence of paternal postzygotic mosaicism
Authors: Lima Cunha Dulce , Owen Nicholas , Tailor Vijay , Corton Marta , Theodorou Maria , Moosajee Mariya 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPAX6 is considered the master regulator of eye development, the majority of variants affecting this gene cause the pan-ocular developmental eye disorder aniridia. Although no genotype-phenotype correlations are clearly established, missense variants affecting the DNA-binding paired domain of PAX6 are usually associated with non-aniridia phenotypes like microphthalmia, coloboma or isolated foveal hypoplasia. In this study, we report two missense heterozygous variants in the paired domain of PAX6 resulting in isolated foveal hypoplasia with nystagmus in two independent families: c.112 C > G; p.(Arg38Gly) and c.214 G > C; p.(Gly72Arg) in exons 5 and 6, respectively. Furthermore, we provide evidence that paternal postzygotic mosaicism is the cause of inheritance, with clinically unaffected fathers and reduced affected allele fraction. This work contributes to increase the phenotypic spectrum caused by PAX6 variants, and to our knowledge, is the first report to describe the presence of postzygotic parental mosaicism causing isolated foveal hypoplasia with nystagmus. These results support the growing evidence that suggest an overestimation of sporadic cases with PAX6 variants, which has strong implications for both genetic counselling and family planning.
Magnesium in subaqueous speleothems as a potential palaeotemperature proxy
Authors: Drysdale Russell , Couchoud Isabelle , Zanchetta Giovanni , Isola Ilaria , Regattieri Eleonora , Hellstrom John , Govin Aline , Tzedakis Polychronis C. , Ireland Trevor , Corrick Ellen , Greig Alan , Wong Henri , Piccini Leonardo , Holden Peter , Woodhead Jon 
Published: October 2020

AbstractFew palaeoclimate archives beyond the polar regions preserve continuous and datable palaeotemperature proxy time series over multiple glacial-interglacial cycles. This hampers efforts to develop a more coherent picture of global patterns of past temperatures. Here we show that Mg concentrations in a subaqueous speleothem from an Italian cave track regional sea-surface temperatures over the last 350,000 years. The Mg shows higher values during warm climate intervals and converse patterns during cold climate stages. In contrast to previous studies, this implicates temperature, not rainfall, as the principal driver of Mg variability. The depositional setting of the speleothem gives rise to Mg partition coefficients that are more temperature dependent than other calcites, enabling the effect of temperature change on Mg partitioning to greatly exceed the effects of changes in source-water Mg/Ca. Subaqueous speleothems from similar deep-cave environments should be capable of providing palaeotemperature information over multiple glacial-interglacial cycles.
Gut microbiome-related effects of berberine and probiotics on type 2 diabetes (the PREMOTE study)
Authors: Zhang Yifei , Gu Yanyun , Ren Huahui , Wang Shujie , Zhong Huanzi , Zhao Xinjie , Ma Jing , Gu Xuejiang , Xue Yaoming , Huang Shan , Yang Jialin , Chen Li , Chen Gang , Qu Shen , Liang Jun , Qin Li , Huang Qin , Peng Yongde , Li Qi , Wang Xiaolin , Kong Ping , Hou Guixue , Gao Mengyu , Shi Zhun , Li Xuelin , Qiu Yixuan , Zou Yuanqiang , Yang Huanming , Wang Jian , Xu Guowang , Lai Shenghan , Li Junhua , Ning Guang , Wang Weiqing 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHuman gut microbiome is a promising target for managing type 2 diabetes (T2D). Measures altering gut microbiota like oral intake of probiotics or berberine (BBR), a bacteriostatic agent, merit metabolic homoeostasis. We hence conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with newly diagnosed T2D patients from 20 centres in China. Four-hundred-nine eligible participants were enroled, randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) and completed a 12-week treatment of either BBR-alone, probiotics+BBR, probiotics-alone, or placebo, after a one-week run-in of gentamycin pretreatment. The changes in glycated haemoglobin, as the primary outcome, in the probiotics+BBR (least-squares mean [95% CI], −1.04[−1.19, −0.89]%) and BBR-alone group (−0.99[−1.16, −0.83]%) were significantly greater than that in the placebo and probiotics-alone groups (−0.59[−0.75, −0.44]%, −0.53[−0.68, −0.37]%, P < 0.001). BBR treatment induced more gastrointestinal side effects. Further metagenomics and metabolomic studies found that the hypoglycaemic effect of BBR is mediated by the inhibition of DCA biotransformation by Ruminococcus bromii. Therefore, our study reports a human microbial related mechanism underlying the antidiabetic effect of BBR on T2D. (Clinicaltrial.gov Identifier: NCT02861261).
High-latitude biomes and rock weathering mediate climate–carbon cycle feedbacks on eccentricity timescales
Authors: De Vleeschouwer David , Drury Anna Joy , Vahlenkamp Maximilian , Rochholz Fiona , Liebrand Diederik , Pälike Heiko 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe International Ocean Discovery Programme (IODP) and its predecessors generated a treasure trove of Cenozoic climate and carbon cycle dynamics. Yet, it remains unclear how climate and carbon cycle interacted under changing geologic boundary conditions. Here, we present the carbon isotope (δ13C) megasplice, documenting deep-ocean δ13C evolution since 35 million years ago (Ma). We juxtapose the δ13C megasplice with its δ18O counterpart and determine their phase-difference on ~100-kyr eccentricity timescales. This analysis reveals that 2.4-Myr eccentricity cycles modulate the δ13C-δ18O phase relationship throughout the Oligo-Miocene (34-6 Ma), potentially through changes in continental weathering. At 6 Ma, a striking switch from in-phase to anti-phase behaviour occurs, signalling a reorganization of the climate-carbon cycle system. We hypothesize that this transition is consistent with Arctic cooling: Prior to 6 Ma, low-latitude continental carbon reservoirs expanded during astronomically-forced cool spells. After 6 Ma, however, continental carbon reservoirs contract rather than expand during cold periods due to competing effects between Arctic biomes (ice, tundra, taiga). We conclude that, on geologic timescales, System Earth experienced state-dependent modes of climate–carbon cycle interaction.
Mechanism and evolution of the Zn-fingernail required for interaction of VARP with VPS29
Authors: Crawley-Snowdon Harriet , Yang Ji-Chun , Zaccai Nathan R. , Davis Luther J. , Wartosch Lena , Herman Emily K. , Bright Nicholas A. , Swarbrick James S. , Collins Brett M. , Jackson Lauren P. , Seaman Matthew N. J. , Luzio J. Paul , Dacks Joel B. , Neuhaus David , Owen David J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractVARP and TBC1D5 are accessory/regulatory proteins of retromer-mediated retrograde trafficking from endosomes. Using an NMR/X-ray approach, we determined the structure of the complex between retromer subunit VPS29 and a 12 residue, four-cysteine/Zn++ microdomain, which we term a Zn-fingernail, two of which are present in VARP. Mutations that abolish VPS29:VARP binding inhibit trafficking from endosomes to the cell surface. We show that VARP and TBC1D5 bind the same site on VPS29 and can compete for binding VPS29 in vivo. The relative disposition of VPS29s in hetero-hexameric, membrane-attached, retromer arches indicates that VARP will prefer binding to assembled retromer coats through simultaneous binding of two VPS29s. The TBC1D5:VPS29 interaction is over one billion years old but the Zn-fingernail appears only in VARP homologues in the lineage directly giving rise to animals at which point the retromer/VARP/TBC1D5 regulatory network became fully established.