bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alpha-ketoglutarate ameliorates age-related osteoporosis via regulating histone methylations
Authors: Wang Yuan , Deng Peng , Liu Yuting , Wu Yunshu , Chen Yaqian , Guo Yuchen , Zhang Shiwen , Zheng Xiaofei , Zhou Liyan , Liu Weiqing , Li Qiwen , Lin Weimin , Qi Xingying , Ou Guomin , Wang Cunyu , Yuan Quan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAge-related osteoporosis is characterized by the deterioration in bone volume and strength, partly due to the dysfunction of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) during aging. Alpha-ketoglutarate (αKG) is an essential intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Studies have revealed that αKG extends the lifespan of worms and maintains the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Here, we show that the administration of αKG increases the bone mass of aged mice, attenuates age-related bone loss, and accelerates bone regeneration of aged rodents. αKG ameliorates the senescence-associated (SA) phenotypes of bone marrow MSCs derived from aged mice, as well as promoting their proliferation, colony formation, migration, and osteogenic potential. Mechanistically, αKG decreases the accumulations of H3K9me3 and H3K27me3, and subsequently upregulates BMP signaling and Nanog expression. Collectively, our findings illuminate the role of αKG in rejuvenating MSCs and ameliorating age-related osteoporosis, with a promising therapeutic potential in age-related diseases.
Genome-wide meta-analysis of brain volume identifies genomic loci and genes shared with intelligence
Authors: Jansen Philip R. , Nagel Mats , Watanabe Kyoko , Wei Yongbin , Savage Jeanne E. , de Leeuw Christiaan A. , van den Heuvel Martijn P. , van der Sluis Sophie , Posthuma Danielle 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe phenotypic correlation between human intelligence and brain volume (BV) is considerable (r ≈ 0.40), and has been shown to be due to shared genetic factors. To further examine specific genetic factors driving this correlation, we present genomic analyses of the genetic overlap between intelligence and BV using genome-wide association study (GWAS) results. First, we conduct a large BV GWAS meta-analysis (N = 47,316 individuals), followed by functional annotation and gene-mapping. We identify 18 genomic loci (14 not previously associated), implicating 343 genes (270 not previously associated) and 18 biological pathways for BV. Second, we use an existing GWAS for intelligence (N = 269,867 individuals), and estimate the genetic correlation (rg) between BV and intelligence to be 0.24. We show that the rg is partly attributable to physical overlap of GWAS hits in 5 genomic loci. We identify 92 shared genes between BV and intelligence, which are mainly involved in signaling pathways regulating cell growth. Out of these 92, we prioritize 32 that are most likely to have functional impact. These results provide information on the genetics of BV and provide biological insight into BV’s shared genetic etiology with intelligence.
A universal dual mechanism immunotherapy for the treatment of influenza virus infections
Authors: Liu Xin , Zhang Boning , Wang Yingcai , Haymour Hanan S. , Zhang Fenghua , Xu Le-cun , Srinivasarao Madduri , Low Philip S. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSeasonal influenza epidemics lead to 3–5 million severe infections and 290,000–650,000 annual global deaths. With deaths from the 1918 influenza pandemic estimated at >50,000,000 and future pandemics anticipated, the need for a potent influenza treatment is critical. In this study, we design and synthesize a bifunctional small molecule by conjugating the neuraminidase inhibitor, zanamivir, with the highly immunogenic hapten, dinitrophenyl (DNP), which specifically targets the surface of free virus and viral-infected cells. We show that this leads to simultaneous inhibition of virus release, and immune-mediated elimination of both free virus and virus-infected cells. Intranasal or intraperitoneal administration of a single dose of drug to mice infected with 100x MLD50 virus is shown to eradicate advanced infections from representative strains of both influenza A and B viruses. Since treatments of severe infections remain effective up to three days post lethal inoculation, our approach may successfully treat infections refractory to current therapies.
Biomimetic α-selective ribosylation enables two-step modular synthesis of biologically important ADP-ribosylated peptides
Authors: Zhu Anlian , Li Xin , Bai Lili , Zhu Gongming , Guo Yuanyang , Lin Jianwei , Cui Yiwen , Tian Gaofei , Zhang Lihe , Wang Jianji , Li Xiang David , Li Lingjun 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe α-type ADP-ribosylated peptides represent a class of important molecular tools in the field of protein ADP-ribosylation, however, they are difficult to access because of their inherent complicated structures and the lack of effective synthetic tools. In this paper, we present a biomimetic α-selective ribosylation reaction to synthesize a key intermediate, α-ADP-ribosyl azide, directly from native β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in a clean ionic liquid system. This reaction in tandem with click chemistry then offers a two-step modular synthesis of α-ADP-ribosylated peptides. These syntheses can be performed open air in eppendorf tubes, without the need for specialized instruments or training. Importantly, we demonstrate that the synthesized α-ADP-ribosylated peptides show high binding affinity and desirable stability for enriching protein partners, and reactivity in post-stage poly ADP-ribosylations. Owing to their simple chemistry and multidimensional bio-applications, the presented methods may provide a powerful platform to produce general molecular tools for the study of protein ADP-ribosylation.
Direct measurements of interfacial adhesion in 2D materials and van der Waals heterostructures in ambient air
Authors: Rokni Hossein , Lu Wei 
Published: November 2020

AbstractInterfacial adhesion energy is a fundamental property of two-dimensional (2D) layered materials and van der Waals heterostructures due to their intrinsic ultrahigh surface to volume ratio, making adhesion forces very strong in many processes related to fabrication, integration and performance of devices incorporating 2D crystals. However, direct quantitative characterization of adhesion behavior of fresh and aged homo/heterointerfaces at nanoscale has remained elusive. Here, we use an atomic force microscopy technique to report precise adhesion measurements in ambient air through well-defined interactions of tip-attached 2D crystal nanomesas with 2D crystal and SiOx substrates. We quantify how different levels of short-range dispersive and long-range electrostatic interactions respond to airborne contaminants and humidity upon thermal annealing. We show that a simple but very effective precooling treatment can protect 2D crystal substrates against the airborne contaminants and thus boost the adhesion level at the interface of similar and dissimilar van der Waals heterostructures. Our combined experimental and computational analysis also reveals a distinctive interfacial behavior in transition metal dichalcogenides and graphite/SiOx heterostructures beyond the widely accepted van der Waals interaction.
Snapshot multidimensional photography through active optical mapping
Authors: Park Jongchan , Feng Xiaohua , Liang Rongguang , Gao Liang 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMultidimensional photography can capture optical fields beyond the capability of conventional image sensors that measure only two-dimensional (2D) spatial distribution of light. By mapping a high-dimensional datacube of incident light onto a 2D image sensor, multidimensional photography resolves the scene along with other information dimensions, such as wavelength and time. However, the application of current multidimensional imagers is fundamentally restricted by their static optical architectures and measurement schemes—the mapping relation between the light datacube voxels and image sensor pixels is fixed. To overcome this limitation, we propose tunable multidimensional photography through active optical mapping. A high-resolution spatial light modulator, referred to as an active optical mapper, permutes and maps the light datacube voxels onto sensor pixels in an arbitrary and programmed manner. The resultant system can readily adapt the acquisition scheme to the scene, thereby maximising the measurement flexibility. Through active optical mapping, we demonstrate our approach in two niche implementations: hyperspectral imaging and ultrafast imaging.
Ultralong lifetime and efficient room temperature phosphorescent carbon dots through multi-confinement structure design
Authors: Sun Yuqiong , Liu Shuting , Sun Luyi , Wu Shuangshuang , Hu Guangqi , Pang Xiaoliang , Smith Andrew T. , Hu Chaofan , Zeng Songshan , Wang Weixing , Liu Yingliang , Zheng Mingtao 
Published: November 2020

AbstractRoom temperature phosphorescence materials have inspired extensive attention owing to their great potential in optical applications. However, it is hard to achieve a room temperature phosphorescence material with simultaneous long lifetime and high phosphorescence quantum efficiency. Herein, multi-confined carbon dots were designed and fabricated, enabling room temperature phosphorescence material with simultaneous ultralong lifetime, high phosphorescence quantum efficiency, and excellent stability. The multi-confinement by a highly rigid network, stable covalent bonding, and 3D spatial restriction efficiently rigidified the triplet excited states of carbon dots from non-radiative deactivation. The as-designed multi-confined carbon dots exhibit ultralong lifetime of 5.72 s, phosphorescence quantum efficiency of 26.36%, and exceptional stability against strong oxidants, acids and bases, as well as polar solvents. This work provides design principles and a universal strategy to construct metal-free room temperature phosphorescence materials with ultralong lifetime, high phosphorescence quantum efficiency, and high stability for promising applications, especially under harsh conditions.
A wearable motion capture device able to detect dynamic motion of human limbs
Authors: Liu Shiqiang , Zhang Junchang , Zhang Yuzhong , Zhu Rong 
Published: November 2020

AbstractLimb motion capture is essential in human motion-recognition, motor-function assessment and dexterous human-robot interaction for assistive robots. Due to highly dynamic nature of limb activities, conventional inertial methods of limb motion capture suffer from serious drift and instability problems. Here, a motion capture method with integral-free velocity detection is proposed and a wearable device is developed by incorporating micro tri-axis flow sensors with micro tri-axis inertial sensors. The device allows accurate measurement of three-dimensional motion velocity, acceleration, and attitude angle of human limbs in daily activities, strenuous, and prolonged exercises. Additionally, we verify an intra-limb coordination relationship exists between thigh and shank in human walking and running, and establish a neural network model for it. Using the intra-limb coordination model, dynamic motion capture of human lower limbs including thigh and shank is tactfully implemented by a single shank-worn device, which simplifies the capture device and reduces cost. Experiments in strenuous activities and long-time running validate excellent performance and robustness of the wearable device in dynamic motion recognition and reconstruction of human limbs.
Defective minor spliceosomes induce SMA-associated phenotypes through sensitive intron-containing neural genes in Drosophila
Authors: Li Liang , Ding Zhan , Pang Ting-Lin , Zhang Bei , Li Chen-Hui , Liang An-Min , Wang Yu-Ru , Zhou Yu , Fan Yu-Jie , Xu Yong-Zhen 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe minor spliceosome is evolutionarily conserved in higher eukaryotes, but its biological significance remains poorly understood. Here, by precise CRISPR/Cas9-mediated disruption of the U12 and U6atac snRNAs, we report that a defective minor spliceosome is responsible for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) associated phenotypes in Drosophila. Using a newly developed bioinformatic approach, we identified a large set of minor spliceosome-sensitive splicing events and demonstrate that three sensitive intron-containing neural genes, Pcyt2, Zmynd10, and Fas3, directly contribute to disease development as evidenced by the ability of their cDNAs to rescue the SMA-associated phenotypes in muscle development, neuromuscular junctions, and locomotion. Interestingly, many splice sites in sensitive introns are recognizable by both minor and major spliceosomes, suggesting a new mechanism of splicing regulation through competition between minor and major spliceosomes. These findings reveal a vital contribution of the minor spliceosome to SMA and to regulated splicing in animals.
N-acetylcysteine prevents olanzapine-induced oxidative stress in mHypoA-59 hypothalamic neurons
Authors: Boz Zehra , Hu Minmin , Yu Yinghua , Huang Xu-Feng 
Published: November 2020

AbstractOlanzapine is a second-generation antipsychotic (AP) drug commonly prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia. Recently, olanzapine has been found to cause brain tissue volume loss in rodent and primate studies; however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Abnormal autophagy and oxidative stress have been implicated to have a role in AP-induced neurodegeneration, while N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a potent antioxidant, shown to be beneficial in the treatment of schizophrenia. Here, we investigate the role of olanzapine and NAC on cell viability, oxidative stress, mitochondrial mass and mitophagy in hypothalamic cells. Firstly, cell viability was assessed in mHypoA-59 and mHypoA NPY/GFP cells using an MTS assay and flow cytometric analyses. Olanzapine treated mHypoA-59 cells were then assessed for mitophagy markers and oxidative stress; including quantification of lysosomes, autophagosomes, LC3B-II, p62, superoxide anion (O2–) and mitochondrial mass. NAC (10 mM) was used to reverse the effects of olanzapine (100 µM) on O2−, mitochondrial mass and LC3B-II. We found that olanzapine significantly impacted cell viability in mHypoA-59 hypothalamic cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. Olanzapine inhibited mitophagy, instigated oxidative stress and prompted mitochondrial abnormalities. NAC was able to mitigate olanzapine-induced effects. These findings suggest that high doses of olanzapine may cause neurotoxicity of hypothalamic neurons via increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial damage and mitophagy inhibition. This could in part explain data suggesting that APs may reduce brain volume.
Simplification of networks by conserving path diversity and minimisation of the search information
Authors: Yin H. , Clegg R. G. , Mondragón R. J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAlternative paths in a network play an important role in its functionality as they can maintain the information flow under node/link failures. In this paper we explore the navigation of a network taking into account the alternative paths and in particular how can we describe this navigation in a concise way. Our approach is to simplify the network by aggregating into groups the nodes that do not contribute to alternative paths. We refer to these groups as super-nodes, and describe the post-aggregation network with super-nodes as the skeleton network. We present a method to describe with the least amount of information the paths in the super-nodes and skeleton network. Applying our method to several real networks we observed that there is scaling behaviour between the information required to describe all the paths in a network and the minimal information to describe the paths of its skeleton. We show how from this scaling we can evaluate the information of the paths for large networks with less computational cost.
Global assessment of arteriolar, venular and capillary changes in normal tension glaucoma
Authors: Lin Timothy P. H. , Wang Yu Meng , Ho Kevin , Wong Cherie Y. K. , Chan Poemen P. , Wong Mandy O. M. , Chan Noel C. Y. , Tang Fangyao , Lam Alexander , Leung Dexter Y. L. , Wong Tien Yin , Cheng Ching-Yu , Cheung Carol Y. , Tham Clement C. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMicrocirculatory insufficiency has been hypothesized in glaucoma pathogenesis. There is a scarcity of data to comprehensively examine the changes in retinal microvasculature and its role in normal tension glaucoma (NTG). We conducted a cross-sectional case–control study and included 168 eyes from 100 NTG patients and 68 healthy subjects. Quantitative retinal arteriolar and venular metrics were measured from retinal photographs using a computer-assisted program. Radial peripapillary capillary network was imaged with OCT-A and quantitative capillary metrics (circumpapillary vessel density (cpVD) and circumpapillary fractal dimension (cpFD)) were measured with a customized MATLAB program. We found that NTG was associated with decreased arteriolar and venular tortuosity, arteriolar branching angle, cpVD and cpFD. Decreased venular caliber, arteriolar and venular branching angles, cpVD and cpFD were associated with thinner average RNFL thickness. Decreased arteriolar and venular branching angles, cpVD and cpFD were also associated with worse standard automated perimetry measurements (mean deviation and visual field index). Compared with retinal arteriolar and venular metrics, regression models based on OCT-A capillary metrics consistently showed stronger associations with NTG and structural and functional measurements in NTG. We concluded that NTG eyes showed generalized microvascular attenuations, in which OCT-A capillary metrics attenuations were more prominent and strongly associated with NTG.
Radiocesium levels in contaminated forests has remained stable, even after heavy rains due to typhoons and localized downpours
Authors: Taira Yasuyuki , Matsuo Masahiko , Yamaguchi Takumi , Yamada Yumiko , Orita Makiko , Takamura Noboru 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn recent years, Japan has suffered serious damage due to natural disasters such as earthquakes, heavy rains due to tropical storms (typhoons) and localized downpours. To assess the chronological changes in the attenuation of external exposure doses and environmental radiation contamination due to the rainfall associated with typhoons and heavy rains during October to December 2019 in Fukushima, we measured environmental radiation levels in forest areas along the Mt Okura hiking trail in Tomioka Town, Fukushima Prefecture, near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. We confirmed that (1) current ambient dose rates of 0.38–0.95 μSv/h in most forest areas were 79.9–84.7% higher than in residential areas; (2) the number of sites along the hiking trail where 137Cs was detected was limited (1.1–4.7%); and (3) individual dose rates of 0.21–0.34 μSv/h were lower than ambient dose rates. These findings suggest that radiocesium has remained stable in natural forests that have not been decontaminated even though current levels are low, despite the occurrence of heavy rainfall associated with Super Typhoon Hagibis in 2019 and localized downpours. Hiking while managing exposure to environmental contamination using a personal dosimeter may be the safest model for spending time of leisure activities.
Non-invasive neuromodulation effects on painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zeng Huiyan , Pacheco-Barrios Kevin , Cao Ying , Li Ying , Zhang Jinming , Yang Caifeng , Fregni Felipe 
Published: November 2020

AbstractDiabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) typically is accompanied by painful symptoms. Several therapeutic agents have been tried for symptomatic relief, but with varying results. The use of non-invasive neuromodulation (NINM) is a potential treatment option for DPN. The objective of our study is to evaluate NINM effects on pain rating and nerve conduction velocity in DPN patients. The search was carried out in seven databases until Aug 30th, 2019. Finally, twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. We found a significant reduction of pain scores by central NINMs (effect size [ES] =  − 0.75, 95% CI =  − 1.35 to − 0.14), but not by the overall peripheral techniques (electrical and electromagnetic) (ES =  − 0.58, 95% CI =  − 1.23 to 0.07). However, the subgroup of peripheral electrical NINMs reported a significant higher effect (ES =  − 0.84, 95% CI =  − 1.57 to − 0.11) compared to electromagnetic techniques (ES = 0.21; 95% CI =  − 1.00 to 1.42, I2 = 95.3%) . Other subgroup analysis results show that NINMs effects are higher with intensive protocols and in populations with resistant symptoms or intolerance to analgesic medications. Besides, NINMs can increase motor nerves velocity (ES = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.47 to 2.17), and there were no effects on sensory nerves velocity (ES = 0.01, 95% CI =  − 0.79 to 0.80). The results suggest that central and peripheral electrical NINMs could reduce neuropathic pain among DPN patients, without reported adverse events. Well-powered studies are needed to confirm that NINM techniques as an alternative effective and safe treatment option.
Impact of concurrent diabetes on periodontal health in patients with acromegaly
Authors: Jain Akanksha , Gupta Shipra , Bhansali Anil , Gupta Mili , Jain Ashish , Bhaskar Nandini , Kaur Rose Kanwaljeet 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPrevious studies have suggested excess GH/IGF1 secretion in patients with acromegaly is protective for periodontal health. Diabetes is prevalent comorbidity in patients of acromegaly and is associated with worsening of periodontal disease. The present study evaluates the periodontal health and cytokines status in treatment-naive active acromegaly patients with and without diabetes. Eleven patients, each of acromegaly with and without diabetes and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. Periodontal parameters were assessed. GCF and blood samples for IL-6, TGF-β1, and PDGF were obtained. Serum GH, IGF1, HbA1c, pituitary hormones and MRI sella were performed in patients with acromegaly. There was no significant difference in periodontal status of patients with acromegaly and healthy controls. However, a significant increase in serum IL-6 (p = 0.019) and TGF-β1 (p = 0.025) levels in patients with acromegaly was observed and all patients had concurrent hypogonadism. Nevertheless, the patients with acromegaly having diabetes had modestly higher CAL and PD and serum IL-6 levels (p = 0.051), but it could not exert adverse effects on periodontal health in presence of GH/IGF1 excess. GH/IGF1 excess did not exert a protective effect on periodontal status in acromegaly, possibly due to concurrent hypogonadism and opposing cytokines; however, it could mask the ill-effects of diabetes on periodontal health.