bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic alterations in skin homing CD4+CLA+ T cells of atopic dermatitis patients
Authors: Acevedo Nathalie , Benfeitas Rui , Katayama Shintaro , Bruhn Sören , Andersson Anna , Wikberg Gustav , Lundeberg Lena , Lindvall Jessica M. , Greco Dario , Kere Juha , Söderhäll Cilla , Scheynius Annika 
Published: October 2020

AbstractT cells expressing the cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA) mediate pathogenic inflammation in atopic dermatitis (AD). The molecular alterations contributing to their dysregulation remain unclear. With the aim to elucidate putative altered pathways in AD we profiled DNA methylation levels and miRNA expression in sorted T cell populations (CD4+, CD4+CD45RA+naïve, CD4+CLA+, and CD8+) from adult AD patients and healthy controls (HC). Skin homing CD4+CLA+T cells from AD patients showed significant differences in DNA methylation in 40 genes compared to HC (p < 0.05). Reduced DNA methylation levels in the upstream region of the interleukin-13 gene (IL13) in CD4+CLA+T cells from AD patients correlated with increasedIL13mRNA expression in these cells. Sixteen miRNAs showed differential expression in CD4+CLA+T cells from AD patients targeting genes in 202 biological processes (p < 0.05). An integrated network analysis of miRNAs and CpG sites identified two communities of strongly interconnected regulatory elements with strong antagonistic behaviours that recapitulated the differences between AD patients and HC. Functional analysis of the genes linked to these communities revealed their association with key cytokine signaling pathways, MAP kinase signaling and protein ubiquitination. Our findings support that epigenetic mechanisms play a role in the pathogenesis of AD by affecting inflammatory signaling molecules in skin homing CD4+CLA+T cells and uncover putative molecules participating in AD pathways.
Uncovering a superfamily of nickel-dependent hydroxyacid racemases and epimerases
Authors: Desguin Benoît , Urdiain-Arraiza Julian , Da Costa Matthieu , Fellner Matthias , Hu Jian , Hausinger Robert P. , Desmet Tom , Hols Pascal , Soumillion Patrice 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIsomerization reactions are fundamental in biology. Lactate racemase, which isomerizes L- and D-lactate, is composed of the LarA protein and a nickel-containing cofactor, the nickel-pincer nucleotide (NPN). In this study, we show that LarA is part of a superfamily containing many different enzymes. We overexpressed and purified 13 lactate racemase homologs, incorporated the NPN cofactor, and assayed the isomerization of different substrates guided by gene context analysis. We discovered two malate racemases, one phenyllactate racemase, one α-hydroxyglutarate racemase, two D-gluconate 2-epimerases, and one short-chain aliphatic α-hydroxyacid racemase among the tested enzymes. We solved the structure of a malate racemase apoprotein and used it, along with the previously described structures of lactate racemase holoprotein and D-gluconate epimerase apoprotein, to identify key residues involved in substrate binding. This study demonstrates that the NPN cofactor is used by a diverse superfamily of α-hydroxyacid racemases and epimerases, widely expanding the scope of NPN-dependent enzymes.
Interface-exfoliated graphene-based conductive screen-printing inks: low-loading, low-cost, and additive-free
Authors: Chen Feiyang , Varghese Deepthi , McDermott Sean T. , George Ian , Geng Lijiang , Adamson Douglas H. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPaper diagnostics are of growing interest due to their low cost and easy accessibility. Conductive inks, necessary for manufacturing the next generation diagnostic devices, currently face challenges such as high cost, high sintering temperatures, or harsh conditions required to remove stabilizers. Here we report an effective, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly approach to graphene ink that is suitable for screen printing onto paper substrates. The ink formulation contains only pristine graphite, water, and non-toxic alkanes formed by an interfacial trapping method in which graphite spontaneously exfoliates to graphene. The result is a viscous graphene stabilized water-in-oil emulsion-based ink. This ink does not require sintering, but drying at 90 °C or brief microwaving can improve the conductivity. The production requires only 40 s of shaking to form the emulsion. The sheet resistance of the ink is approximately 600 Ω/sq at a thickness of less than 6 µm, and the ink can be stabilized by as little as 1 wt% graphite.
Therapeutic effects of antibiotics loaded cellulose nanofiber and κ-carrageenan oligosaccharide composite hydrogels for periodontitis treatment
Authors: Johnson Athira , Kong Fanbin , Miao Song , Lin Hong-Ting Victor , Thomas Sabu , Huang Yi-Cheng , Kong Zwe-Ling 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPeriodontitis is an inflammatory disease that can lead to the periodontal pocket formation and tooth loss. This study was aimed to develop antimicrobials loaded hydrogels composed of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and κ-carrageenan oligosaccharides (CO) nanoparticles for the treatment of periodontitis. Two antimicrobial agents such as surfactin and Herbmedotcin were selected as the therapeutic agents and the hydrogels were formulated based on the increasing concentration of surfactin. The proposed material has high thermal stability, controlled release, and water absorption capacity. This study was proceeded by investigating the in vitro antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of the hydrogels. This material has strong antibacterial activity against periodontal pathogens such asStreptococcus mutans,Porphyromonas gingivalis,Fusobacterium nucleatum, andPseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) production and a decrease in biofilm formation and metabolic activity of the bacteria was observed in the presence of hydrogel. Besides, it reduced the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, transcription factor, and cytokines production in human gingival fibroblast cells (HGF) under inflammatory conditions. In conclusion, the hydrogels were successfully developed and proven to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties for the treatment of periodontitis. Thus, it can be used as an excellent candidate for periodontitis treatment.
Maternal transfer of environmentally relevant polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) produces a diabetic phenotype and disrupts glucoregulatory hormones and hepatic endocannabinoids in adult mouse female offspring
Authors: Kozlova Elena V. , Chinthirla Bhuvaneswari D. , Pérez Pedro A. , DiPatrizio Nicholas V. , Argueta Donovan A. , Phillips Allison L. , Stapleton Heather M. , González Gwendolyn M. , Krum Julia M. , Carrillo Valeria , Bishay Anthony E. , Basappa Karthik R. , Currás-Collazo Margarita C. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPolybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are brominated flame retardant chemicals and environmental contaminants with endocrine-disrupting properties that are associated with diabetes and metabolic syndrome in humans. However, their diabetogenic actions are not completely characterized or understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of DE-71, a commercial penta-mixture of PBDEs, on glucoregulatory parameters in a perinatal exposure model using female C57Bl/6 mice. Results from in vivo glucose and insulin tolerance tests and ex vivo analyses revealed fasting hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, reduced sensitivity and delayed glucose clearance after insulin challenge, decreased thermogenic brown adipose tissue mass, and exaggerated hepatic endocannabinoid tone in F1 offspring exposed to 0.1 mg/kg DE-71 relative to control. DE-71 effects on F0 dams were more limited indicating that indirect exposure to developing offspring is more detrimental. Other ex vivo glycemic correlates occurred more generally in exposed F0 and F1, i.e., reduced plasma insulin and altered glucoregulatory endocrines, exaggerated sympathoadrenal activity and reduced hepatic glutamate dehydrogenase enzymatic activity. Hepatic PBDE congener analysis indicated maternal transfer of BDE-28 and -153 to F1 at a collective level of 200 ng/g lipid, in range with maximum values detected in serum of human females. Given the persistent diabetogenic phenotype, especially pronounced in female offspring after developmental exposure to environmentally relevant levels of DE-71, additional animal studies should be conducted that further characterize PBDE-induced diabetic pathophysiology and identify critical developmental time windows of susceptibility. Longitudinal human studies should also be conducted to determine the risk of long-lasting metabolic consequences after maternal transfer of PBDEs during early-life development.
Effect of perceived interpersonal closeness on the joint Simon effect in adolescents and adults
Authors: Shafaei Raheleh , Bahmani Zahra , Bahrami Bahador , Vaziri-Pashkam Maryam 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHere, we explored the role of perceived interpersonal closeness in joint action using the joint Simon task in adolescents and adults. In a two-choice reaction time task, spatially assigned responses to non-spatial stimulus features are faster when the stimulus and response are in congruent locations than not. This phenomenon is called Simon effect and is absent or strongly attenuated when a participant responds to only one of the stimuli. However, the effect reappears when two participants carry out the same go/no-go tasks cooperatively. This re-emergence of the Simon effect in joint action is called the joint Simon effect (JSE). In this study, we first replicated the standard and joint Simon effects in adolescents (n = 43), as well as adults (n = 39) with similar magnitude of the effects in the two age groups. The magnitude of the JSE was positively correlated with the level of closeness as measured by Inclusion of Other in the Self scale. This correlation was not significantly different in adolescents (n = 73) compared to adults (n = 71). Our findings show that joint action is sensitive to the social factor such as interpersonal closeness, and the underlying mechanisms are already mature by adolescence.
Axonal blockage with microscopic magnetic stimulation
Authors: Skach Jordan , Conway Catherine , Barrett Lauryn , Ye Hui 
Published: October 2020

AbstractNumerous neurological dysfunctions are characterized by undesirable nerve activity. By providing reversible nerve blockage, electric stimulation with an implanted electrode holds promise in the treatment of these conditions. However, there are several limitations to its application, including poor bio-compatibility and decreased efficacy during chronic implantation. A magnetic coil of miniature size can mitigate some of these problems, by coating it with biocompatible material for chronic implantation. However, it is unknown if miniature coils could be effective in axonal blockage and, if so, what the underlying mechanisms are. Here we demonstrate that a submillimeter magnetic coil can reversibly block action potentials in the unmyelinated axons from the marine mollusk Aplysia californica. Using a multi-compartment model of the Aplysia axon, we demonstrate that the miniature coil causes a significant local depolarization in the axon, alters activation dynamics of the sodium channels, and prevents the traveling of the invading action potentials. With improved biocompatibility and capability of emitting high-frequency stimuli, micro coils provide an interesting alternative for electric blockage of axonal conductance in clinical settings.
Spatial cell type composition in normal and Alzheimers human brains is revealed using integrated mouse and human single cell RNA sequencing
Authors: Johnson Travis S. , Xiang Shunian , Helm Bryan R. , Abrams Zachary B. , Neidecker Peter , Machiraju Raghu , Zhang Yan , Huang Kun , Zhang Jie 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSingle-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) resolves heterogenous cell populations in tissues and helps to reveal single-cell level function and dynamics. In neuroscience, the rarity of brain tissue is the bottleneck for such study. Evidence shows that, mouse and human share similar cell type gene markers. We hypothesized that the scRNA-seq data of mouse brain tissue can be used to complete human data to infer cell type composition in human samples. Here, we supplement cell type information of human scRNA-seq data, with mouse. The resulted data were used to infer the spatial cellular composition of 3702 human brain samples from Allen Human Brain Atlas. We then mapped the cell types back to corresponding brain regions. Most cell types were localized to the correct regions. We also compare the mapping results to those derived from neuronal nuclei locations. They were consistent after accounting for changes in neural connectivity between regions. Furthermore, we applied this approach on Alzheimer’s brain data and successfully captured cell pattern changes in AD brains. We believe this integrative approach can solve the sample rarity issue in the neuroscience.
Assessment of odor hedonic perception: the Sniffin’ sticks parosmia test (SSParoT)
Authors: Liu David T. , Welge-Lüssen Antje , Besser Gerold , Mueller Christian A. , Renner Bertold 
Published: October 2020

AbstractQualitative olfactory dysfunction is characterized as distorted odor perception and can have a profound effect on quality of life of affected individuals. Parosmia and phantosmia represent the two main subgroups of qualitative impairment and are currently diagnosed based on patient history only. We have developed a test method which measures qualitative olfactory function based on the odors of the Sniffin’ Sticks Identification subtest. The newly developed test is called Sniffin’ Sticks Parosmia Test (SSParoT). SSParoT uses hedonic estimates of two oppositely valenced odors (pleasant and unpleasant) to assess hedonic range (HR) and hedonic direction (HD), which represent qualitative olfactory perception. HR is defined as the perceivable hedonic distance between two oppositely valenced odors, while HD serves as an indicator for overall hedonic perception of odors. This multicenter study enrolled a total of 162 normosmic subjects in four consecutive experiments. Cluster analysis was used to group odors from the 16-item Sniffin’ Sticks Identification test and 24-additional odors into clusters with distinct hedonic properties. Eleven odor pairs were found to be suitable for estimation of HR and HD. Analysis showed agreement between test–retest sessions for all odor pairs. SSparoT might emerge as a valuable tool to assess qualitative olfactory function in health and disease.
Investigation of GIM-TEC disturbances before M ≥ 6.0 inland earthquakes during 2003–2017
Authors: Zhu Fuying , Jiang Yingchun 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWith the rapid development of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and its wide applications to atmospheric science research, the global ionosphere map (GIM) total electron content (TEC) data are extensively used as a potential tool to detect ionospheric disturbances related to seismic activity and they are frequently used to statistically study the relation between the ionosphere and earthquakes (EQs). Indeed, due to the distribution of ground based GPS receivers is very sparse or absent in large areas of ocean, the GIM-TEC data over oceans are results of interpolation between stations and extrapolation in both space and time, and therefore, they are not suitable for studying the marine EQs. In this paper, based on the GIM-TEC data, a statistical investigation of ionospheric TEC variations of 15 days before and after the 276 M ≥ 6.0 inland EQs is undertaken. After eliminating the interference of geomagnetic activities, the spatial and temporal distributions of the ionospheric TEC disturbances before and after the EQs are investigated and compared. There are no particularly distinct features in the time distribution of the ionospheric TEC disturbances before the inland EQs. However, there are some differences in the spatial distribution, and the biggest difference is precisely in the epicenter area. On the other hand, the occurrence rates of ionospheric TEC disturbances within 5 days before the EQs are overall higher than those after EQs, in addition both of them slightly increase with the earthquake magnitude. These results suggest that the anomalous variations of the GIM-TEC before the EQs might be related to the seismic activities.
Characterizing the evolution life cycle of the Sunkoshi landslide in Nepal with multi-source SAR data
Authors: Ao Meng , Zhang Lu , Dong Yuting , Su Lijun , Shi Xuguo , Balz Timo , Liao Mingsheng 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA catastrophic landslide disaster happened on 2 August 2014 on the right bank of Sunkoshi River in Nepal, resulting in enormous casualties and severe damages of the Araniko highway. We collected multi-source synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data to investigate the evolution life cycle of the Sunkoshi landslide. Firstly, Distributed Scatterers SAR Interferometry (DS-InSAR) technology is applied to analyze 20 ALOS PALSAR images to retrieve pre-disaster time-series deformation. The results show that the upper part, especially the top of the landslide, has long been active before collapse, with the largest annual LOS deformation rate more than − 30 mm/year. Time series deformations measured illustrate that rainfall might be a key driving factor. Next, two pairs of TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X bistatic data are processed to identify the landslide affected area by intensity change detection, and to generate pre- and post-disaster DSMs. Surface height change map showed maximum values of − 150.47 m at the source region and 55.65 m in the deposit region, leading to a debris volume of 5.4785 ± 0.6687 million m3. Finally, 11 ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 and 82 Sentinel-1 SAR images are analyzed to derive post-disaster annual deformation rate and long time series displacements of the Sunkoshi landslide. The results illustrated that the upper part of the landslide were still in active deformation with the largest LOS displacement velocity exceeding − 100 mm/year.
Innate connectivity patterns drive the development of the visual word form area
Authors: Li Jin , Osher David E. , Hansen Heather A. , Saygin Zeynep M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWhat determines the functional organization of cortex? One hypothesis is that innate connectivity patterns, either structural or functional connectivity, set up a scaffold upon which functional specialization can later take place. We tested this hypothesis by asking whether the visual word form area (VWFA), an experience-driven region, was already functionally connected to proto language networks in neonates scanned within one week of birth. Using the data from the Human Connectone Project (HCP) and the Developing Human Connectome Project (dHCP), we calculated intrinsic functional connectivity during resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and found that neonates showed similar functional connectivity patterns to adults. We observed that (1) language regions connected more strongly with the putative VWFA than other adjacent ventral visual regions that also show foveal bias, and (2) the VWFA connected more strongly with frontotemporal language regions than with regions adjacent to these language regions. These data suggest that the location of the VWFA is earmarked at birth due to its connectivity with the language network, providing evidence that innate connectivity instructs the later refinement of cortex.
Temporal trends in clozapine use at time of discharge among people with schizophrenia at two public psychiatric hospitals in Taiwan, 2006–2017
Authors: Lin Ching-Hua , Chan Hung-Yu , Hsu Chun-Chi , Chen Feng-Chua 
Published: October 2020

AbstractClozapine treatment remains the gold standard for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. This study aimed to describe temporal trends in clozapine use at discharge among patients with schizophrenia at two of the largest public psychiatric hospitals in Taiwan over a twelve-year period. Patients with schizophrenia discharged from the two study hospitals between 2006 and 2017 (n = 24,101) were included in the analysis. Antipsychotic augmentation was defined as concomitant use of a second antipsychotic as augmentation to clozapine treatment. Changes in the rate of clozapine use and antipsychotic augmentation at discharge over time were analyzed using the Cochran-Armitage trend test. Patients discharged on clozapine had significantly longer hospital stays than other patients. The rate of clozapine use at discharge increased from 13.8% to 20.0% over time (Z = 6.88, p < .0001). Concomitant use of anticholinergic medication was more common in patients receiving antipsychotic augmentation than clozapine antipsychotic monotherapy. Among patients discharged on clozapine, the rate of augmentation with a second antipsychotic increased from 19.1% to 36.2% over time (Z = 6.58, p < .0001). Among patients receiving antipsychotic augmentation, use of another second-generation antipsychotic as the augmentation agent grew from 32.6% to 65.5% over time (Z = 8.90, p < .0001). The increase in clozapine use was accompanied by an increase in concomitant use of a second antipsychotic as augmentation during the study period. Further studies are warranted to clarify the risk/benefit of this augmentation strategy. Clozapine may still be underutilized, and educational programs are needed to promote clinical use of clozapine.
An ultra-high-density protein microarray for high throughput single-tier serological detection of Lyme disease
Authors: Jayaraman Vasanth , Krishna Karthik , Yang Yuanyuan , Rajasekaran Karenah J. , Ou Yuzheng , Wang Tianhao , Bei Kang , Krishnamurthy Hari Krishnan , Rajasekaran John J. , Rai Alex J. , Green Daniel A. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCurrent serological immunoassays have inherent limitations for certain infectious diseases such as Lyme disease, a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi in North America. Here we report a novel method of manufacturing high-density multiplexed protein microarrays with the capacity to detect low levels of antibodies accurately from small blood volumes in a fully automated system. A panel of multiple serological markers for Lyme disease are measured using a protein microarray system, Lyme Immunochip, in a single step but interpreted adhering to the standard two-tiered testing algorithm (enzyme immunoassay followed by Western blot). Furthermore, an enhanced IgM assay was supplemented to improve the test’s detection sensitivity for early Lyme disease. With a training cohort (n = 40) and a blinded validation cohort (n = 90) acquired from CDC, the Lyme Immunochip identified a higher proportion of Lyme disease patients than the two-tiered testing (82.4% vs 70.6% in the training set, 66.7% vs 60.0% in the validation set, respectively). Additionally, the Immunochip improved sensitivity to 100% while having a lower specificity of 95.2% using a set of investigational antigens which are being further evaluated with a large cohort of blinded samples from the CDC and Columbia University. This universal microarray platform provides an unprecedented opportunity to resolve a broad range of issues with diagnostic tests, including multiplexing, workflow simplicity, and reduced turnaround time and cost.