bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolic cross-feeding in imbalanced diets allows gut microbes to improve reproduction and alter host behaviour
Authors: Henriques Sílvia F. , Dhakan Darshan B. , Serra Lúcia , Francisco Ana Patrícia , Carvalho-Santos Zita , Baltazar Célia , Elias Ana Paula , Anjos Margarida , Zhang Tong , Maddocks Oliver D. K. , Ribeiro Carlos 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe impact of commensal bacteria on the host arises from complex microbial-diet-host interactions. Mapping metabolic interactions in gut microbial communities is therefore key to understand how the microbiome influences the host. Here we use an interdisciplinary approach including isotope-resolved metabolomics to show that in Drosophila melanogaster, Acetobacter pomorum (Ap) and Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp) a syntrophic relationship is established to overcome detrimental host diets and identify Ap as the bacterium altering the host’s feeding decisions. Specifically, we show that Ap uses the lactate produced by Lp to supply amino acids that are essential to Lp, allowing it to grow in imbalanced diets. Lactate is also necessary and sufficient for Ap to alter the fly’s protein appetite. Our data show that gut bacterial communities use metabolic interactions to become resilient to detrimental host diets. These interactions also ensure the constant flow of metabolites used by the microbiome to alter reproduction and host behaviour.
Activation of subnanometric Pt on Cu-modified CeO2 via redox-coupled atomic layer deposition for CO oxidation
Authors: Liu Xiao , Jia Shuangfeng , Yang Ming , Tang Yuanting , Wen Yanwei , Chu Shengqi , Wang Jianbo , Shan Bin , Chen Rong 
Published: August 2020

AbstractImproving the low-temperature activity (below 100 °C) and noble-metal efficiency of automotive exhaust catalysts has been a continuous effort to eliminate cold-start emissions, yet great challenges remain. Here we report a strategy to activate the low-temperature performance of Pt catalysts on Cu-modified CeO2 supports based on redox-coupled atomic layer deposition. The interfacial reducibility and structure of composite catalysts have been precisely tuned by oxide doping and accurate control of Pt size. Cu-modified CeO2-supported Pt sub-nanoclusters demonstrate a remarkable performance with an onset of CO oxidation reactivity below room temperature, which is one order of magnitude more active than atomically-dispersed Pt catalysts. The Cu-O-Ce site with activated lattice oxygen anchors deposited Pt sub-nanoclusters, leading to a moderate CO adsorption strength at the interface that facilitates the low-temperature CO oxidation performance.
Modulating oxygen coverage of Ti3C2Tx MXenes to boost catalytic activity for HCOOH dehydrogenation
Authors: Hou Tingting , Luo Qiquan , Li Qi , Zu Hualu , Cui Peixin , Chen Siwei , Lin Yue , Chen Jiajia , Zheng Xusheng , Zhu Wenkun , Liang Shuquan , Yang Jinlong , Wang Liangbing 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAs a promising hydrogen carrier, formic acid (HCOOH) is renewable, safe and nontoxic. Although noble-metal-based catalysts have exhibited excellent activity in HCOOH dehydrogenation, developing non-noble-metal heterogeneous catalysts with high efficiency remains a great challenge. Here, we modulate oxygen coverage on the surface of Ti3C2Tx MXenes to boost the catalytic activity toward HCOOH dehydrogenation. Impressively, Ti3C2Tx MXenes after treating with air at 250 °C (Ti3C2Tx-250) significantly increase the amount of surface oxygen atoms without the change of crystalline structure, exhibiting a mass activity of 365 mmol·g−1·h−1 with 100% of selectivity for H2 at 80 °C, which is 2.2 and 2.0 times that of commercial Pd/C and Pt/C, respectively. Further mechanistic studies demonstrate that HCOO* is the intermediate in HCOOH dehydrogenation over Ti3C2Tx MXenes with different coverages of surface oxygen atoms. Increasing the oxygen coverage on the surface of Ti3C2Tx MXenes not only promotes the conversion from HCOO* to CO2* by lowering the energy barrier, but also weakens the adsorption energy of CO2 and H2, thus accelerating the dehydrogenation of HCOOH.
Vitamin D ameliorates adipose browning in chronic kidney disease cachexia
Authors: Cheung Wai W. , Ding Wei , Hoffman Hal M. , Wang Zhen , Hao Sheng , Zheng Ronghao , Gonzalez Alex , Zhan Jian-Ying , Zhou Ping , Li Shiping , Esparza Mary C. , Lieber Richard L. , Mak Robert H. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPatients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are often 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 insufficient. We studied whether vitamin D repletion could correct aberrant adipose tissue and muscle metabolism in a mouse model of CKD-associated cachexia. Intraperitoneal administration of 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 (75 μg/kg/day and 60 ng/kg/day respectively for 6 weeks) normalized serum concentrations of 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 in CKD mice. Vitamin D repletion stimulated appetite, normalized weight gain, and improved fat and lean mass content in CKD mice. Vitamin D supplementation attenuated expression of key molecules involved in adipose tissue browning and ameliorated expression of thermogenic genes in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in CKD mice. Furthermore, repletion of vitamin D improved skeletal muscle fiber size and in vivo muscle function, normalized muscle collagen content and attenuated muscle fat infiltration as well as pathogenetic molecular pathways related to muscle mass regulation in CKD mice. RNAseq analysis was performed on the gastrocnemius muscle. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that the top 12 differentially expressed genes in CKD were correlated with impaired muscle and neuron regeneration, enhanced muscle thermogenesis and fibrosis. Importantly, vitamin D repletion normalized the expression of those 12 genes in CKD mice. Vitamin D repletion may be an effective therapeutic strategy for adipose tissue browning and muscle wasting in CKD patients.
Haptic sound-localisation for use in cochlear implant and hearing-aid users
Authors: Fletcher Mark D. , Zgheib Jana 
Published: August 2020

AbstractUsers of hearing-assistive devices often struggle to locate and segregate sounds, which can make listening in schools, cafes, and busy workplaces extremely challenging. A recent study in unilaterally implanted CI users showed that sound-localisation was improved when the audio received by behind-the-ear devices was converted to haptic stimulation on each wrist. We built on this work, using a new signal-processing approach to improve localisation accuracy and increase generalisability to a wide range of stimuli. We aimed to: (1) improve haptic sound-localisation accuracy using a varied stimulus set and (2) assess whether accuracy improved with prolonged training. Thirty-two adults with normal touch perception were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. The experimental group completed a 5-h training regime and the control group were not trained. Without training, haptic sound-localisation was substantially better than in previous work on haptic sound-localisation. It was also markedly better than sound-localisation by either unilaterally or bilaterally implanted CI users. After training, accuracy improved, becoming better than for sound-localisation by bilateral hearing-aid users. These findings suggest that a wrist-worn haptic device could be effective for improving spatial hearing for a range of hearing-impaired listeners.
BVES downregulation in non-syndromic tetralogy of fallot is associated with ventricular outflow tract stenosis
Authors: Shi Yan , Li Yongqing , Wang Yuequn , Zhu Ping , Chen Yu , Wang Heng , Yue Shusheng , Xia Xiaohui , Chen Jimei , Jiang Zhigang , Zhou Chengbin , Cai Wanwan , Yuan Haiyun , Wu Yueheng , Wan Yongqi , Li Xiaohong , Zhu Xiaolan , Zhou Zuoqiong , Dai Guo , Li Fang , Mo Xiaoyang , Ye Xiangli , Fan Xiongwei , Zhuang Jian , Wu Xiushan , Yuan Wuzhou 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBVES is a transmembrane protein, our previous work demonstrated that single nucleotide mutations ofBVESin tetralogy of fallot (TOF) patients cause a downregulation ofBVEStranscription. However, the relationship betweenBVESand the pathogenesis of TOF has not been determined. Here we reported our research results about the relationship betweenBVESand the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) stenosis.BVESexpression was significantly downregulated in most TOF samples compared with controls. The expression of the second heart field (SHF) regulatory network genes, includingNKX2.5,GATA4andHAND2, was also decreased in the TOF samples. In zebrafish,bvesknockdown resulted in looping defects and ventricular outflow tract (VOT) stenosis, which was mostly rescued by injectingbvesmRNA.bvesknockdown in zebrafish also decreased the expression of SHF genes, such asnkx2.5,gata4andhand2, consistent with the TOF samples` results. The dual-fluorescence reporter system analysis showed thatBVESpositively regulated the transcriptional activity ofGATA4,NKX2.5andHAND2promoters. In zebrafish,nkx2.5mRNA partially rescued VOT stenosis caused bybvesknockdown. These results indicate thatBVESdownregulation may be associated with RVOT stenosis of non-syndromic TOF, andbvesis probably involved in the development of VOT in zebrafish.
Assessment of aPTT-based clot waveform analysis for the detection of haemostatic changes in different types of infections
Authors: Tan Chuen Wen , Wong Wan Hui , Cheen McVin Hua Heng , Chu Yvonne Miao Hui , Lim Shan Shan , Ng Lawrence Cheng Kiat , Yeo Dillon Guo Dong , Morvil Gayathry , Lee Lai Heng , Ng Heng Joo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractInfections cause varying degrees of haemostatic dysfunction which can be detected by clot waveform analysis (CWA), a global haemostatic marker. CWA has been shown to predict poor outcomes in severe infections with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. The effect of less severe bacterial and viral infections on CWA has not been established. We hypothesized that different infections influence CWA distinctively. Patients admitted with bacterial infections, dengue and upper respiratory tract viral infections were recruited if they had an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) measured on admission. APTT-based CWA was performed on Sysmex CS2100i automated analyser using Dade Actin FSL reagent. CWA parameters [(maximum velocity (min1), maximum acceleration (min2) and maximum deceleration (max2)] were compared against control patients. Infected patients (n = 101) had longer aPTT than controls (n = 112) (34.37 ± 7.72 s vs 27.80 ± 1.59 s, p < 0.001), with the mean (± SD) aPTT longest in dengue infection (n = 36) (37.99 ± 7.93 s), followed by bacterial infection (n = 52) (33.96 ± 7.33 s) and respiratory viral infection (n = 13) (29.98 ± 3.92 s). Compared to controls (min1; min2; max2) (5.53 ± 1.16%/s; 0.89 ± 0.19%/s2; 0.74 ± 0.16%/s2), bacterial infection has higher CWA results (6.92 ± 1.60%/s; 1.04 ± 0.28%/s2; 0.82 ± 0.24%/s2, all p < 0.05); dengue infection has significantly lower CWA values (3.93 ± 1.32%/s; 0.57 ± 0.17%/s2; 0.43 ± 0.14%/s2, all p < 0.001) whilst respiratory virus infection has similar results (6.19 ± 1.32%/s; 0.95 ± 0.21%/s2; 0.73 ± 0.18%/s2, all p > 0.05). CWA parameters demonstrated positive correlation with C-reactive protein levels (min1: r = 0.54, min2: r = 0.44, max2: r = 0.34; all p < 0.01). Different infections affect CWA distinctively. CWA could provide information on the haemostatic milieu triggered by infection and further studies are needed to better define its application in this area.
A novel immunochromatographic strips assay for rapid and simple detection of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Sun Yuhan , Li Zhi , Liang Wei , Zhang Yanlong , Song Wanli , Song Jiazhe , Xue Kai , Wang Meiling , Sun Wenying , Gu Jianguo , Li Ming , Li Wenzhe 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex multi-system autoimmune disease. Detection of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) is fundamental for the diagnosis of SLE. In the present study, we found that the level of core fucosylation catalyzed by α1,6-fucosyltransferase (Fut8) is markedly up-regulated on immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the sera of SLE patients detected by Aspergillus oryzae lectin (AOL) blot. In sandwich Dot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Dot-ELISA), the core fucosylation level was also found significantly increased in the sera from SLE patients with a higher ANA titer. To establish a rapid and sensitive laboratory test for the diagnosis of SLE, we prokaryotically expressed AOL and C3-D1-C3-D2-C3 of protein G (SpG3), and generate AOL-conjugated colloid gold immunochromatographic strips (ICS). The detection limit of core fucosylated IgG was 10 μg/mL for AOL-conjugated colloid gold ICS. As well as indirect immunofluorescence, the AOL-conjugated colloid gold ICS showed reliable results in the serum of 39 SLE patients. Our results indicated that the AOL-conjugated colloid gold ICS could serve as a rapid test for the detection of ANA and suspected cases of SLE.
A facile synthesis of bismuth oxychloride-graphene oxide composite for visible light photocatalysis of aqueous diclofenac sodium
Authors: Rashid Jamshaid , Karim Shumaila , Kumar Rajeev , Barakat M. A. , Akram Bilal , Hussain Naveed , Bin Hu Bin , Xu Ming 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn this study, bismuth oxychloride/graphene oxide (BiOCl-GO) composite was fabricated by facile one pot hydrothermal method. The pure BiOCl and BiOCl-GO composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Transmission electron microscopy X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The synthesized composite was then assessed for photocatalytic degradation of diclofenac sodium (DCF) in visible as well as direct solar light and UV irradiation. Results indicated that the photocatalytic removal efficiency of DCF was significantly affected by dose of catalysts, pH value and source of light. The results reveled that degradation efficiency of BiOCl-GO for DCF reduced from 100 to 34.4% with the increases in DCF initial concentration from 5 mg L−1 to 25 mg L−1. The solar light degradation of DCF using BiOCl-GO was achieved with apparent rate constant 0.0037 min−1. The effect of scavengers study revealed that superoxide ions and holes were mainly responsible for DCF degradation. The regeneration study indicates that BiOCl-GO composite can be successfully recycled up to the five cycles. The study revealed the effectiveness of one pot hydrothermal method for the fabrication of BiOCl-GO composite.
A comparative study of orthokeratology and low-dose atropine for the treatment of anisomyopia in children
Authors: Tsai Wei-Shan , Wang Jen-Hung , Chiu Cheng-Jen 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMyopic anisometropia (anisomyopia) is a specific type of refractive error that may cause fusion impairment, asthenopia, and aniseikonia. It is sometimes severe enough to reduce the quality of life. Several studies have investigated the treatment effects of orthokeratology (Ortho-K) and topical atropine on anisomyopia control. However, no study has compared these two interventions simultaneously until now. The cohort of this retrospective study included 124 children with anisomyopia who were treated with binocular Ortho-K lenses, 0.01% atropine, or 0.05% atropine. After a 2-year follow-up, the inter-eye difference in axial length (AL) significantly decreased in the Ortho-K group (P = 0.015) and remained stable in the two atropine groups. When comparing the myopia control effect, the use of Ortho-K lenses resulted in an obviously smaller change in AL than the use of 0.01% and 0.05% atropine (P < 0.01). Ortho-K treatment may reduce the degree of anisomyopia and stabilise the progression of myopia. Hence, Ortho-K might be a better choice for anisomyopic children.
Characterizing carrier transport in nanostructured materials by force-resolved microprobing
Authors: Nguyen Yen , Chang Hui-Ping , Hsieh Meng-Syun , Santos Ian Daniell , Chen Sheng-Ding , Hsieh Ya-Ping , Hofmann Mario 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe advent of novel nanostructured materials has enabled wearable and 3D electronics. Unfortunately, their characterization represents new challenges that are not encountered in conventional electronic materials, such as limited mechanical strength, complex morphology and variability of properties. We here demonstrate that force-resolved measurements can overcome these issues and open up routes for new applications. First, the contact resistance to 2D materials was found to be sensitively depending on the contact force and, by optimizing this parameter, reliable contacts could be repeatably formed without damage to the fragile material. Moreover, resistance of three-dimensional surfaces could be investigated with high accuracy in spatial position and signal through a force-feedback scheme. This force-feedback approach furthermore permitted large-scale statistical characterization of mobility and doping of 2D materials in a desktop-sized automatic probing system that fits into glove boxes and vacuum enclosures using easily available and low-cost components. Finally, force-sensitive measurements enable characterization of complex electronic properties with high lateral resolution. To illustrate this ability, the spatial variation of a surface’s electrochemical response was investigated by scanning a single electrolyte drop across the sample.
Probing the thermodynamic conditions of the heliosheath plasma by shock wave propagation
Authors: Fahr H. J. , Heyl M. 
Published: August 2020

Context. The pressure equilibrium between the inner heliosheath and the outer heliosheath (referred to as the local interstellar medium) is an eminent theoretical and practical problem; theoretical, because the relevant pressure carriers have to be identified, and practical, because data must be gathered in order to confirm such a pressure equilibrium. The problem is closely connected with the stability of the heliopause, that is, of the tangential discontinuity between these two counterflowing media, and is of utmost importance for understanding the stability of the whole circumsolar plasma structure.
Aims. In this paper we analyze the thermodynamic conditions of the multi-fluid plasma between the solar wind termination shock and the heliopause determining the total heliosheath pressure. We look into this problem from a theoretical standpoint and revisit theoretical descriptions of the solar wind plasma after its passage over the solar wind termination shock, thereafter forming the subsonic heliosheath region.
Methods. Hereby we take into account the 3D magnetohydrodynamics shock conditions and the resulting 3D temperature structure of the downstream plasma flow. We use a kind of seismological procedure to probe the heliosheath plasma by inquiring into the propagation conditions of traveling shock wave perturbations in this predetermined 3D heliosheath plasma structure. We discuss the fact that the front geometry of such a traveling shock wave most probably does not remain spherical, if it was to begin with, due to asymmetric shock propagation conditions. In contrast, the wave front is likely to become strongly deformed into an upwind bulge.
Results. Concerning the plasma pressure, in addition to solar wind and pick-up proton pressures, we have to take into account the solar wind electron pressure which as a surprise turns out to be of comparable magnitude. As a consequence, the characteristic propagation speed of the traveling shock wave in the weakly magnetized heliosheath plasma is given as a mixed speed expressed by the sound speeds of the protons and the electrons. We describe local low-energy proton density signatures that can be found in Voyager-2 proton data as a consequence of traveling shock wave passages and show that the total local plasma pressure can be directly derived from them.
Predicting Maximal Lactate Steady State from Carminatti’s
Shuttle Run Test in Soccer Players
Authors: Carminatti Lorival José , Batista Bruna Nunes , da Silva Juliano Fernandes , Tramontin Artur Ferreira , Costa Vitor Pereira , de Lucas Ricardo Dantas , Borszcz Fernando Klitzke 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe objective of the present study was to determine the validity of
Carminatti’s shuttle run incremental test–T-Car derived
parameters in estimating the maximal lactate steady state determined in
shuttle run format. Eighteen soccer players performed a T-Car test, and
several trials to determine the maximal lactate steady state. From T-Car
were derived the heart rate deflection point, peak speed, maximal heart rate
and parameters resulting from percentage of peak measures. The validity was
accessed by Bland-Altman plots, linear regressions, and two one-sided tests
of equivalence analysis. The results showed the speed at 80.4% of
T-Car peak speed, the heart rate deflection point and the 91.4% of
maximal heart rate were equivalent to maximal lactate steady state (Mean
difference; ±90% compatibility interval; −0.8;
±1.5%, −0.4; ±1.1%, and 0.0;
±2.7%, respectively). Additionally, peak speed during the
T-Car test was a stronger predictor of maximal lactate steady state (MLSS
[km/h]=2.57+0.65 × sPeak; r=0.82
[90% CI; 0.62–0.92], standard error of the
estimate=3.6%; 90% CI
×/÷1.4). Therefore, soccer players can use the T-Car
derived parameters as a noninvasive and practical alternative to estimate
the specific maximal lactate steady state for soccer.
Rowing Biomechanics, Physiology and Hydrodynamic: A Systematic
Review
Authors: Yusof Ab Aziz Mohd , Harun Muhamad Noor , Nasruddin Fakhrizal Azmi , Syahrom Ardiyansyah 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAccording to numerous studies, rowing performance is influenced by several
factors including rower’s biomechanics, rower’s physiology, the
force generated and stroke style. However, there is a missing gap linking such
factors with rowing performance in the available literature. This paper aims to
investigate the rowing mechanism in terms of rower anthropometry and physiology,
which can impact its biomechanics and performance. The corresponding
hydrodynamic force generated by the oar blade to accelerate the boat is also
considered in the current study. To test the objectives, systematical online
searching was conducted in search of the inclusion literature criteria. All
included studies used Preferred Reporting item for Systematic Review and
Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to obtain the final collection of articles for
this review. In order to rate the quality of the articles, risk bias assessment
was performed. A total of 35 studies were included in the assessment. The
studies discussed the aspects of anthropometry and physiological of the rower,
the biomechanics of the rower, corresponding hydrodynamic force on the oar blade
and the rowing mechanism concerning boat performance. Based on the information
obtained, an understanding of the important aspects of the rowing mechanism was
achieved to provide an update for comprehensive improvement.