bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interventions to Treat Erectile Dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation: An Overview of Systematic Reviews
Authors: Ciocanel Oana , Power Kevin , Eriksen Ann
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Sexual dysfunction in men is common, and optimal treatment is complex. Although several systematic reviews concerning treatment approaches exist, a comprehensive overview without limitations concerning the population, interventions, or outcomes is lacking.

Aim

To conduct a “review of reviews” to compare the effectiveness of pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic, and combined interventions.

Methods

9 electronic databases, relevant journals, and reference lists up to July 2018 were searched. For each intervention, only the most recent and comprehensive meta-analysis or systematic review was included. The methodologic quality of the reviews was appraised using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews–2 tool.

Main Outcome Measure

Sexual functioning (via intravaginal ejaculatory latency time and international index of erectile function), sexual satisfaction, and adverse effects.

Results

30 systematic reviews were included. For premature ejaculation, several treatments, including oral pharmacotherapy (selective serotonin inhibitors, phosphodiesterase type 5 [PDE5] inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and opioid analgesics), topical anesthetics, and combined drug and behavioral therapies demonstrated significant improvements of 1–5 minutes in the intravaginal ejaculatory latency time. Pharmacologic interventions (PDE5 inhibitors, penile injection, and testosterone), shockwave therapy, lifestyle modifications, and combined therapies (PDE5 inhibitors and psychological intervention) were effective in treating erectile dysfunction. Most pharmacologic therapies were associated with adverse effects.

Conclusions

There is suggestive evidence that pharmacologic interventions or combined therapies are more effective than non-pharmacologic interventions for treating sexual dysfunction in men; however, a range of treatment options should be presented to individual patients so they may consider the risks and benefits of treatments differently. Evidence related to behavioral and psychological interventions is insufficient compared with that related to drug trials, highlighting the necessity for larger and better randomized controlled trials.
Maternal n‐3 PUFAs deficiency during pregnancy inhibits neural progenitor cell proliferation in fetal rat cerebral cortex
Authors: Guo Bao‐Qiang , Ding Shi‐Bin , Li Hong‐Bin
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo impacts of maternal n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) deficiency during pregnancy on the proliferation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in the developing cerebral cortex of fetal rats. Our results showed that about 5 weeks of maternal dietary n‐3 PUFAs deprivation resulted in a substantial n‐3 PUFA deficiency in fetal rat cerebral cortex. Importantly, by two survival schemes and two quantitative methods, we found that maternal intake of n‐3 PUFAs deficient diet during the gestation significantly inhibited the proliferation of NPCs in fetal rat cerebral cortex. Moreover, the decreased cortical NPCs proliferation induced by nutritional n‐3 PUFAs restriction did not originate from the increased NPCs apoptosis. Finally, our observations indicated that the down‐regulation of cyclin E protein might be involved in the inhibitory effects of maternal n‐3 PUFAs deficient diet on the proliferation of cortical NPCs. These findings highlight the importance of maternal intake of appropriate n‐3 PUFAs and deepen our understanding of the exact effects of n‐3 PUFAs on mammalian brain development.
Experimental study on dominant vortex structures in near-wall region of turbulent boundary layer based on tomographic particle image velocimetry
Authors: Wang Chengyue , Gao Qi , Wang Jinjun , Wang Biao , Pan Chong
Published: July 2019

Vortex structures are very popular research objects in turbulent boundary layers (TBLs) because of their prime importance in turbulence modelling. This work performs a tomographic particle image velocimetry measurement on the near-wall region ($y<0.1\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}$) of TBLs at three Reynolds numbers $Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}=1238$, 2286 and 3081. The main attention is paid to the wall-normal evolution of the vortex geometries and topologies. The vortex is identified with swirl strength ($\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{ci}$), and its orientation is recognized by using the real eigenvector of the velocity gradient tensor. The vortex inclination angles in the streamwise–wall-normal plane and in the streamwise–spanwise plane as functions of wall-normal positions are investigated, which provide useful information to speculate on the three-dimensional shape of the vortex tubes in a TBL. The difference between the orientations of vorticity and swirl is discussed and their inherent relationship is revealed based on the governing equation of vorticity. Linear stochastic estimation (LSE) is further deployed to directly extract three-dimensional vortex models. The LSE velocity fields for ejection events happening at different wall-normal positions shed light on the evolution of the topologies for the vortices dominating ejection events. LSE based on a centred prograde spanwise vortex provides a typical packet model, which indicates that the population density of the packets in a TBL is large enough to leave footprints in conditionally averaged flow fields. This work should help to settle the severe debate on the existence of packet structures and also lays some foundation for the TBL model theory.
On the emergence of large clusters of acoustic power sources at the onset of thermoacoustic instability in a turbulent combustor
Authors: Krishnan Abin , Sujith R. I. , Marwan Norbert , Kurths Jürgen
Published: July 2019

In turbulent combustors, the transition from stable combustion (i.e. combustion noise) to thermoacoustic instability occurs via intermittency. During stable combustion, the acoustic power production happens in a spatially incoherent manner. In contrast, during thermoacoustic instability, the acoustic power production happens in a spatially coherent manner. In the present study, we investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of acoustic power sources during the intermittency route to thermoacoustic instability using complex network theory. To that end, we perform simultaneous acoustic pressure measurement, high-speed chemiluminescence imaging and particle image velocimetry in a backward-facing step combustor with a bluff body stabilized flame at different equivalence ratios. We examine the spatiotemporal dynamics of acoustic power sources by constructing time-varying spatial networks during the different dynamical states of combustor operation. We show that as the turbulent combustor transits from combustion noise to thermoacoustic instability via intermittency, small fragments of acoustic power sources, observed during combustion noise, nucleate, coalesce and grow in size to form large clusters at the onset of thermoacoustic instability. This nucleation, coalescence and growth of small clusters of acoustic power sources occurs during the growth of pressure oscillations during intermittency. In contrast, during the decay of pressure oscillations during intermittency, these large clusters of acoustic power sources disintegrate into small ones. We use network measures such as the link density, the number of components and the size of the largest component to quantify the spatiotemporal dynamics of acoustic power sources as the turbulent combustor transits from combustion noise to thermoacoustic instability via intermittency.
Food habits during treatment of childhood cancer: a critical review
Authors: Beaulieu-Gagnon S. , Bélanger V. , Marcil V.
Published: July 2019

Several factors can affect the nutritional status of children undergoing cancer therapy. The present review aims to describe children’s food intake during cancer treatments and to explore the contributing determinants. It also assesses the nutritional educational interventions developed for this clientele. Scientific literature from January 1995 to January 2018 was searched through PubMed and MEDLINE using keywords related to childhood cancer and nutritional intake. Quantitative and qualitative studies were reviewed: forty-seven articles were selected: thirty-eight related to food intake and parental practices and nine related to nutritional interventions. Patients’ intakes in energy, macronutrients and micronutrients were compared with those of healthy controls or with requirement standards. Generally, patients ate less energy and proteins than healthy children, but adhered similarly to national guidelines. There is a lack of consensus for standard nutrient requirement in this population and a need for more prospective evaluations. Qualitative studies provide an insight into the perceptions of children, parents and nurses on several determinants influencing eating behaviours, including the type of treatment and their side effects. Parental practices were found to be diverse. In general, savoury and salty foods were preferred to sweet foods. Finally, most interventional studies in childhood cancer have presented their protocol or assessed the feasibility of an intervention. Therefore, because of the variability of study designs and since only a few studies have presented results, their impact on the development of healthful eating habits remains unclear. A better understanding of children’s nutritional intakes and eating behaviours during cancer treatment could guide future nutritional interventions.
Codegree Conditions for Tiling Complete k-Partite k-Graphs and Loose Cycles
Authors: Gao Wei , Han Jie , Zhao Yi
Published: July 2019

Given twok-graphs (k-uniform hypergraphs)FandH, a perfectF-tiling (orF-factor) inHis a set of vertex-disjoint copies ofFthat together cover the vertex set ofH. For all completek-partitek-graphsK, Mycroft proved a minimum codegree condition that guarantees aK-factor in ann-vertexk-graph, which is tight up to an error termo(n). In this paper we improve the error term in Mycroft’s result to a sublinear term that relates to the Turán number ofKwhen the differences of the sizes of the vertex classes ofKare co-prime. Furthermore, we find a construction which shows that our improved codegree condition is asymptotically tight in infinitely many cases, thus disproving a conjecture of Mycroft. Finally, we determine exact minimum codegree conditions for tilingK(k)(1, … , 1, 2) and tiling loose cycles, thus generalizing the results of Czygrinow, DeBiasio and Nagle, and of Czygrinow, respectively.
Reducing radiation dose in paediatric interventional cardiac catheterisation
Authors: Bai Jiarong , Wang Feng , Yang Haosheng , Lu Ying , Wu Lin
Published: July 2019

Objective:

Radiation exposure during paediatric cardiac catheterisation procedures should be minimised to “as low as reasonably achievable”. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a modified radiation safety protocol in reducing patient dose during paediatric interventional cardiac catheterisation.

Methods:

Radiation dose data were retrospectively extracted from January 2014 to December 2015 (Standard group) and prospectively collected from January 2016 to December 2017 (Low-dose group) after implementation of a modified radiation safety protocol. Both groups included five most common procedures: atrial septal defect closure, patent ductus arteriosus closure, perimembranous ventricular septal defect closure, pulmonary valvuloplasty, and supraventricular tachycardia ablation.

Results:

Median air Kerma was 48.4, 50.5, 29.75, 149, 218, and 12.9 mGy for atrial septal defect closure, pulmonary valvuloplasty, patent ductus arteriosus closure <20 kg, ventricular septal defect closure <20 kg, ventricular septal defect closure ≧20 kg, and supraventricular tachycardia ablation in Standard group, respectively, which significantly decreased to 18.75, 20.7, 11.5, 41.9, 117, and 3.3 mGy in Low-dose group (p < 0.05). This represents a reduction in dose to each patient between 46 and 74%. Among five procedural types in Low-dose group, dose of ventricular septal defect closure was the highest with median air Kerma of 62.5 mGy, dose area product of 364.7 μGy.m2, and dose area product per body weight of 21.5 μGy.m2/kg, respectively, along with the longest fluoroscopy time of 9.9 minutes.

Conclusion:

We provided a feasible radiation safety protocol with specific settings on a case-by-case basis. Increasing awareness and adequate training of a practical radiation dose reduction program are essential to improve radiation protection for children.
Impact of congenital heart surgery on quality of life in children and adolescents with surgically corrected Ventricular Septal Defect, Tetralogy of Fallot, and Transposition of the Great Arteries
Authors: Holst Line M. , Kronborg Jonas B. , Idorn Lars , Bjerre Jesper V. , Vejlstrup Niels , Juul Klaus , Ravn Hanne B.
Published: July 2019

Objective:

To describe the impact of CHD surgery in early childhood on quality of life in children aged 10–16 years with surgically corrected Ventricular Septal Defect, Transposition of the Great Arteries, and Tetralogy of Fallot.

Method:

A cross-sectional survey study of quality of life survey on 161 children and adolescents aged 10–16 years with surgically corrected Ventricular Septal Defect, Transposition of the Great Arteries, and Tetralogy of Fallot. The international Paediatric Quality of Life 4.0 quality of life questionnaires were applied and collected for assessment from patients and parents. The endpoints were total, physical, emotional, social, and school quality of life scores.

Results:

The quality of life total and school scores was significantly lower in children with CHD than their healthy peers. There was no significant difference in quality of life between the three CHD groups. All three CHD groups had a significantly lower total (7.7–13.2%, p<0.001) and school scores (21.1–31.6%, p<0.001) than the control group. The tetralogy of Fallot group was the only group that had significantly lower scores in the physical subscale (p<0.001) than the controls.

Conclusion:

Children and adolescents with surgically corrected CHD show losses in quality of life in total and school scores compared to healthy controls. The tetralogy of Fallot group was the only CHD group that had significantly lower physical score than the controls.
Reducing coercion in mental healthcare
Authors: Sashidharan S. P. , Mezzina Roberto , Puras Dainius
Published: July 2019

Aims

To examine the extent and nature of coercive practices in mental healthcare and to consider the ethical, human rights challenges facing the current clinical practices in this area. We consider the epidemiology of coercion in mental health and appraise the efficacy of attempts to reduce coercion and make specific recommendations for making mental healthcare less coercive and more consensual.

Methods

We identified references through searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL Plus. Search was limited to articles published from January 1980 to May 2018. Searches were carried out using the terms mental health (admission or detain* or detention or coercion) and treatment (forcible or involuntary or seclusion or restraint). Articles published during this period were further identified through searches in the authors' personal files and Google Scholar. Articles resulting from searches and relevant references cited in those articles were reviewed. Articles and reviews of non-psychiatric population, children under 16 years, and those pertaining exclusively to people with dementia were excluded.

Results

Coercion in its various guises is embedded in mental healthcare. There is very little research in this area and the absence of systematic and routinely collected data is a major barrier to research as well as understanding the nature of coercion and attempts to address this problem. Examples of good practice in this area are limited and there is hardly any evidence pertaining to the generalisability or sustainability of individual programmes. Based on the review, we make specific recommendations to reduce coercive care. Our contention is that this will require more than legislative tinkering and will necessitate a fundamental change in the culture of psychiatry. In particular, we must ensure that clinical practice never compromises people's human rights. It is ethically, clinically and legally necessary to address the problem of coercion and make mental healthcare more consensual.

Conclusion

All forms of coercive practices are inconsistent with human rights-based mental healthcare. This is global challenge that requires urgent action.
Effect of the Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation on Carbon Monoxide in the Stratosphere
Authors: Yung Yuk L. , Long Junyang , Jiang Jonathan H. , Fan Siteng , Jiang Xun , Shia Run‐Lie
Published: July 2019

The interannual variability of tropical carbon monoxide from the Microwave Limb Sounder over 2004–2018 period is dominated by the quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO). We simulate the carbon monoxide variability over this period using the 2‐D Caltech/JPL chemistry‐transport model. The chemistry‐transport model includes the photochemical sources and sinks and transport driven by a stream function and eddy diffusivity derived from the assimilated winds of National Centers for Environmental Prediction Reanalysis 2. The results show good agreement between model and Microwave Limb Sounder observations. We also investigate the anomalous period 2015–2016, when the QBO winds deviated significantly from their climatological values. The model simulations could capture the QBO features in agreement with observations for the anomalous period.
Coastal Semidiurnal Internal Tidal Incoherence in the Santa Maria Basin, California: Observations and Model Simulations
Authors: Kumar Nirnimesh , Suanda Sutara H. , Colosi John A. , Haas Kevin , Di Lorenzo Emanuele , Miller Arthur J. , Edwards Christopher A.
Published: July 2019

A series of five realistic, nested, hydrostatic numerical ocean model simulations are used to study semidiurnal internal tide generation and propagation from the continental slope, through the shelf break and to the midshelf adjacent to Point Sal, CA. The statistics of modeled temperature and horizontal velocity fluctuations are compared to midshelf observations (30‐ to 50‐m water depth). Time‐ and frequency‐domain methods are used to decompose internal tides into components that are coherent and incoherent with the barotropic tide, and the incoherence fraction is 0.5–0.7 at the midshelf locations in both the realistic model and observations. In contrast, the incoherence fraction is at the most 0.45 for a simulation with idealized stratification, and neither atmospheric forcing nor mesoscale currents. Negligible conversion from barotropic to baroclinic energy occurs at the local shelf break. Instead, the dominant internal tide energy sources are regions of small‐scale near‐critical to supercritical bathymetry on the Santa Lucia escarpment (1,000–3,000 m), 70–80 km from the continental shelf. Near the generation region, semidiurnal baroclinic energy is primarily coherent and rapidly decays adjacent to the shelf break. In the realistically forced model, incoherent energy is less than 10% in the generation region, with a steady increase in incoherence fraction from the continental slope to the midshelf. Backward ray tracing from the midshelf to the Santa Lucia escarpment identifies multiple energy pathways potentially leading to spatial interference. As internal tides shoal on the predominantly subcritical slope/shelf system, temporally variable stratification and Doppler shifting from mesoscale and submesoscale features appear equally important in leading to the loss of coherence.
A North Carolina Lake’s Long Legacy of Coal Ash Spills
Authors: Morton Mary
Published: July 2019

A new case study suggests that Sutton Lake has been contaminated by multiple coal ash spills, most of them apparently unmonitored and unreported.
Time‐Lag Correlation Between Passive Microwave Measurements and Surface Precipitation and Its Impact on Precipitation Retrieval Evaluation
Authors: You Yalei , Meng Huan , Dong Jun , Rudlosky Scott
Published: July 2019

This study investigates the correlation between the upwelling microwave brightness temperature measured by satellite radiometer and surface precipitation rate from ground radar observations at different time lags. Results show that brightness temperatures correlate more strongly with the lagged surface precipitation rate than the simultaneous surface precipitation rate. The lag time for snowfall ranges from 30 to 60 min. This time lag effect has an important influence when evaluating the satellite retrieval results relative to ground observations. For example, the falsely identified pixels can decrease by as much as 23.88% when considering a 30‐min lag time. Furthermore, the satellite‐retrieved snowfall rate shows much stronger correlation with the time‐lagged surface snowfall rate than the simultaneous snowfall rate in cold environments and for tall storms. This work implies that the time of the level‐2 swath‐retrieved snowfall rate needs to shift forward when incorporated into the level‐3 gridded products.
Interseismic and Postseismic Shallow Creep of the North Qaidam Thrust Faults Detected with a Multitemporal InSAR Analysis
Authors: Daout Simon , Sudhaus Henriette , Kausch Thore , Steinberg Andreas , Dini Benedetta
Published: July 2019

Understanding the mechanisms by which earthquake cycles produce folding and accommodate shortening is essential to quantify the seismic potential of active faults and integrate aseismic slip within our understanding of the physical mechanisms of the long‐term deformation. However, measuring such small deformation signals in mountainous areas is challenging with current space‐geodesy techniques, due to the low rates of motion relative to the amplitude of the noise. Here we successfully carry out a multitemporal Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar analysis over the North Qaidam fold‐thrust system in NE Tibet, where eight Mw> 5.2 earthquakes occurred between 2003 and 2009. We report various cases of aseismic slip uplifting the thickened crust at short wavelengths. We provide a rare example of a steep, shallow, 13‐km‐long and 6‐km‐wide afterslip signal that coincides spatially with an anticline and that continues into 2011 in response to a Mw 6.3 event in 2003. We suggest that a buried seismic slip during the 2003 earthquake has triggered both plastic an‐elastic folding and aseismic slip on the shallow thrusts. We produce a first‐order two‐dimensional model of the postseismic surface displacements due to the 2003 earthquake and highlight a segmented slip on three fault patches that steepen approaching the surface. This study emphasizes the fundamental role of shallow aseismic slip in the long‐term and permanent deformation of thrusts and folds and the potential of Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar for detecting and characterizing the spatiotemporal behavior of aseismic slip over large mountainous regions.
The effects of exercise session timing on weight loss and components of energy balance: midwest exercise trial 2
Authors: Willis Erik A. , Creasy Seth A. , Honas Jeffery J. , Melanson Edward L. , Donnelly Joseph E.
Published: July 2019

Background/objectives

Circadian physiology has been linked to body weight regulation and obesity. To date, few studies have assessed the association between exercise timing and weight related outcomes. The aim of this secondary analysis was to explore the impact of exercise timing (i.e., 24 h clock time of exercise session) on weight loss and components of energy balance.

Subjects/methods

Overweight/obese (BMI 25.0–39.9 kg/m2), physically inactive, young adults (~51% female) completed a 10-month supervised exercise program (400 or 600 kcal/session for 5 days/week) or served as non-exercise controls (CON). Participants were categorized based on the time of day in which they completed exercise sessions (Early-Ex: >50% of sessions completed between 7:00 and 11:59 am; (n = 21), Late-Ex: >50% of sessions completed between 3:00 and 7:00 pm; (n = 25), Sporadic-Ex: <50% of sessions completed in any time category; (n = 24), and CON; (n = 18)). Body weight, energy intake (EI; digital photography), and non-exercise physical activity (NEPA; accelerometer) were assessed at baseline, 3.5, 7, and 10 months. Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE; doubly labeled water), was assessed at baseline and 10 months.

Results

At month 10, weight loss was significantly greater in both Early-EX (−7.2 ± 1.2%; p < 0.001) and Sporadic-EX (− 5.5 ± 1.2%; p = 0.01) vs CON (+0.5 ± 1.0%), and Early-EX vs Late-EX (−2.1 ± 1.0%; p < 0.001). There were no between group differences for change in TDEE, EI, and non-exercise energy expenditure (P > 0.05). A significant group × time interaction (p = 0.02) was observed for NEPA (counts/min), however, after adjusting for multiple comparisons, group effects were no longer significant.

Conclusions

Despite minimal differences in components of energy balance, Early-EX lost significantly more weight compared with Late-Ex. Although the mechanisms are unclear, the timing of exercise may be important for body weight regulation.
Microbe-driven chemical ecology: past, present and future
Authors: Schmidt Ruth , Ulanova Dana , Wick Lukas Y , Bode Helge B , Garbeva Paolina
Published: July 2019

In recent years, research in the field of Microbial Ecology has revealed the tremendous diversity and complexity of microbial communities across different ecosystems. Microbes play a major role in ecosystem functioning and contribute to the health and fitness of higher organisms. Scientists are now facing many technological and methodological challenges in analyzing these complex natural microbial communities. The advances in analytical and omics techniques have shown that microbial communities are largely shaped by chemical interaction networks mediated by specialized (water-soluble and volatile) metabolites. However, studies concerning microbial chemical interactions need to consider biotic and abiotic factors on multidimensional levels, which require the development of new tools and approaches mimicking natural microbial habitats. In this review, we describe environmental factors affecting the production and transport of specialized metabolites. We evaluate their ecological functions and discuss approaches to address future challenges in microbial chemical ecology (MCE). We aim to emphasize that future developments in the field of MCE will need to include holistic studies involving organisms at all levels and to consider mechanisms underlying the interactions between viruses, micro-, and macro-organisms in their natural environments.
Simultaneous production of fresh water and electricity via multistage solar photovoltaic membrane distillation
Authors: Wang Wenbin , Shi Yusuf , Zhang Chenlin , Hong Seunghyun , Shi Le , Chang Jian , Li Renyuan , Jin Yong , Ong Chisiang , Zhuo Sifei , Wang Peng
Published: July 2019

The energy shortage and clean water scarcity are two key challenges for global sustainable development. Near half of the total global water withdrawals is consumed by power generation plants while water desalination consumes lots of electricity. Here, we demonstrate a photovoltaics-membrane distillation (PV-MD) device that can stably produce clean water (>1.64 kg·m−2·h−1) from seawater while simultaneously having uncompromised electricity generation performance (>11%) under one Sun irradiation. Its high clean water production rate is realized by constructing multi stage membrane distillation (MSMD) device at the backside of the solar cell to recycle the latent heat of water vapor condensation in each distillation stage. This composite device can significantly reduce capital investment costs by sharing the same land and the same mounting system and thus represents a potential possibility to transform an electricity power plant from otherwise a water consumer to a fresh water producer.
Monoallelic expression and epigenetic inheritance sustained by a Trypanosoma brucei variant surface glycoprotein exclusion complex
Authors: Faria Joana , Glover Lucy , Hutchinson Sebastian , Boehm Cordula , Field Mark C. , Horn David
Published: July 2019

The largest gene families in eukaryotes are subject to allelic exclusion, but mechanisms underpinning single allele selection and inheritance remain unclear. Here, we describe a protein complex sustaining variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) allelic exclusion and antigenic variation in Trypanosoma brucei parasites. The VSG-exclusion-1 (VEX1) protein binds both telomeric VSG-associated chromatin and VEX2, an ortholog of nonsense-mediated-decay helicase, UPF1. VEX1 and VEX2 assemble in an RNA polymerase-I transcription-dependent manner and sustain the active, subtelomeric VSG-associated transcription compartment. VSG transcripts and VSG coats become highly heterogeneous when VEX proteins are depleted. Further, the DNA replication-associated chromatin assembly factor, CAF-1, binds to and specifically maintains VEX1 compartmentalisation following DNA replication. Thus, the VEX-complex controls VSG-exclusion, while CAF-1 sustains VEX-complex inheritance in association with the active-VSG. Notably, the VEX2-orthologue and CAF-1 in mammals are also implicated in exclusion and inheritance functions. In trypanosomes, these factors sustain a highly effective and paradigmatic immune evasion strategy.
A systematic approach to orient the human protein–protein interaction network
Authors: Silverbush Dana , Sharan Roded
Published: July 2019

The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of an organism serves as a skeleton for its signaling circuitry, which mediates cellular response to environmental and genetic cues. Understanding this circuitry could improve the prediction of gene function and cellular behavior in response to diverse signals. To realize this potential, one has to comprehensively map PPIs and their directions of signal flow. While the quality and the volume of identified human PPIs improved dramatically over the last decade, the directions of these interactions are still mostly unknown, thus precluding subsequent prediction and modeling efforts. Here we present a systematic approach to orient the human PPI network using drug response and cancer genomic data. We provide a diffusion-based method for the orientation task that significantly outperforms existing methods. The oriented network leads to improved prioritization of cancer driver genes and drug targets compared to the state-of-the-art unoriented network.
Conditions for void formation in friction stir welding from machine learning
Authors: Du Yang , Mukherjee Tuhin , DebRoy Tarasankar
Published: July 2019

Friction stir welded joints often contain voids that are detrimental to their mechanical properties. Here we investigate the conditions for void formation using a decision tree and a Bayesian neural network. Three types of input data sets including unprocessed welding parameters and computed variables using an analytical and a numerical model of friction stir welding were examined. One hundred and eight sets of independent experimental data on void formation for the friction stir welding of three aluminum alloys, AA2024, AA2219, and AA6061, were analyzed. The neural network-based analysis with welding parameters, specimen and tool geometries, and material properties as input predicted void formation with 83.3% accuracy. When the potential causative variables, i.e., temperature, strain rate, torque, and maximum shear stress on the tool pin were computed from an approximate analytical model of friction stir welding, 90 and 93.3% accuracies of prediction were obtained using the decision tree and the neural network, respectively. When the same causative variables were computed from a rigorous numerical model, both the neural network and the decision tree predicted void formation with 96.6% accuracy. Among these four causative variables, the temperature and maximum shear stress showed the maximum influence on void formation.
Postbiotic L. plantarum RG14 improves ruminal epithelium growth, immune status and upregulates the intestinal barrier function in post-weaning lambs
Authors: Izuddin Wan Ibrahim , Loh Teck Chwen , Foo Hooi Ling , Samsudin Anjas Asmara , Humam Ali Merzza
Published: July 2019

We investigate the effects of postbioticLactobacillus plantarumRG14 on gastrointestinal histology, haematology, mucosal IgA concentration, microbial population and mRNA expression related to intestinal mucosal immunity and barrier function. Twelve newly weaned lambs were randomly allocated to two treatment groups; the control group without postbiotic supplementation and postbiotic group with supplementation of 0.9% postbiotic in the diet over a 60-day trial. The improvement of rumen papillae height and width were observed in lambs fed with postbiotics. In contrast, no difference was shown in villi height of duodenum, jejunum and ileum between the two groups. Lambs received postbiotics had a lower concentration of IgA in jejunum but no difference in IgA concentration in serum and mucosal of the rumen, duodenum and ileum. In respect of haematology, postbiotics lowered leukocyte, lymphocyte, basophil, neutrophil and platelets, no significant differences in eosinophil. The increase in of IL-6 mRNA and decrease of IL-1β, IL-10, TNF mRNA were observed in the jejunum of lambs receiving postbiotics. Postbiotics also improved the integrity of the intestinal barrier by the upregulation of TJP-1, CLDN-1 and CLDN-4 mRNA. Postbiotic supplementation derived fromL. plantarumRG14 in post-weaning lambs enhance the ruminal papillae growth, immune status and gastrointestinal health.
Whole-Exome Sequencing of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Families Reveals Novel Variants Potentially Involved in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Yu Guoqin , Hsu Wan-Lun , Coghill Anna E. , Yu Kelly J. , Wang Cheng-Ping , Lou Pei-Jen , Liu Zhiwei , Jones Kristie , Vogt Aurelie , Wang Mingyi , Mbulaiteye Sam M. , Chen Hao-Hui , Boland Joseph , Yeager Meredith , Diehl Scott R. , Chen Chien-Jen , Hildesheim Allan , Goldstein Alisa M.
Published: July 2019

Genetic susceptibility is likely involved in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a cancer caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Understanding of genetic factors involved in NPC and how they contribute to EBV-induced carcinogenesis is limited. We conducted whole-exome capture/sequencing among 251 individuals from 97 multiplex families from Taiwan (205 affected, 21 obligate carriers, and 25 unaffected) using SeqCap EZ Human Exome Library v3.0 and Illumina HiSeq. Aligned sequences were filtered to identify likely-to-be-functional deleterious variants that co-segregated with disease. Ingenuity Pathway analysis was performed. Circulating magnesium levels were measured in 13 individuals in 2 families with NIPAL1 mutations and in 197 sporadic NPC cases and 237 controls. We identified variants in 12 genes likely involved in cancer pathogenesis, viral infection or immune responses to infection. These included genes postulated to be involved in magnesium transport (NIPAL1), EBV cell entry (ITGB6), modulation of EBV infection (BCL2L12, NEDD4L), telomere biology (CLPTM1L, BRD2, HNRNPU), modulation of cAMP signaling (RAPGEF3), DNA repair (PRKDC, MLH1), and Notch signaling (NOTCH1, DLL3). Pathway based analysis demonstrated enrichment for Notch signaling genes (p-value = 0.0006). Evaluation of individuals within NIPAL1 families suggested lower serum magnesium in NPC compared to unaffected members. A significant reduction in serum magnesium levels was observed among sporadic NPC cases compared to controls (7.1% NPC/1.7% controls below normal range; OR = 4.5; 95% CI = 1.4,14) and is consistent with findings demonstrating a role for magnesium channeling in T-cell responses to EBV. We identified novel genes associated with NPC that point to new areas of inquiry to better understand genetic factors that determine the fate of viral infections and/or otherwise predisposes to NPC.
Precipitation regime change in Western North America: The role of Atmospheric Rivers
Authors: Gershunov Alexander , Shulgina Tamara , Clemesha Rachel E. S. , Guirguis Kristen , Pierce David W. , Dettinger Michael D. , Lavers David A. , Cayan Daniel R. , Polade Suraj D. , Kalansky Julie , Ralph F. Martin
Published: July 2019

Daily precipitation in California has been projected to become less frequent even as precipitation extremes intensify, leading to uncertainty in the overall response to climate warming. Precipitation extremes are historically associated with Atmospheric Rivers (ARs). Sixteen global climate models are evaluated for realism in modeled historical AR behavior and contribution of the resulting daily precipitation to annual total precipitation over Western North America. The five most realistic models display consistent changes in future AR behavior, constraining the spread of the full ensemble. They, moreover, project increasing year-to-year variability of total annual precipitation, particularly over California, where change in total annual precipitation is not projected with confidence. Focusing on three representative river basins along the West Coast, we show that, while the decrease in precipitation frequency is mostly due to non-AR events, the increase in heavy and extreme precipitation is almost entirely due to ARs. This research demonstrates that examining meteorological causes of precipitation regime change can lead to better and more nuanced understanding of climate projections. It highlights the critical role of future changes in ARs to Western water resources, especially over California.
Does the endometrial cavity have a molecular microbial signature?
Authors: Winters Andrew D. , Romero Roberto , Gervasi Maria Teresa , Gomez-Lopez Nardhy , Tran Maria Rosa , Garcia-Flores Valeria , Pacora Percy , Jung Eunjung , Hassan Sonia S. , Hsu Chaur-Dong , Theis Kevin R.
Published: July 2019

Recent molecular studies concluded that the endometrium has a resident microbiota dominated by Lactobacillus spp. and is therefore similar to that of the vagina. These findings were largely derived from endometrial samples obtained through a transcervical catheter and thus prone to contamination. Herein, we investigated the molecular microbial profiles of mid-endometrial samples obtained through hysterectomy and compared them with those of the cervix, vagina, rectum, oral cavity, and controls for background DNA contamination. Microbial profiles were examined through 16S rRNA gene qPCR and sequencing. Universal bacterial qPCR of total 16S rDNA revealed a bacterial load exceeding that of background DNA controls in the endometrium of 60% (15/25) of the study subjects. Bacterial profiles of the endometrium differed from those of the oral cavity, rectum, vagina, and background DNA controls, but not of the cervix. The bacterial profiles of the endometrium and cervix were dominated by Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Cloacibacterium, and Comamonadaceae. Both 16S rRNA gene sequencing and Lactobacillus species-specific (L. iners & L crispatus) qPCR showed that Lactobacillus was rare in the endometrium. In conclusion, if there is a microbiota in the middle endometrium, it is not dominated by Lactobacillus as was previously concluded, yet further investigation using culture and microscopy is necessary.
Identification of prognosis markers for endometrial cancer by integrated analysis of DNA methylation and RNA-Seq data
Authors: Huo Xiao , Sun Hengzi , Cao Dongyan , Yang Jiaxin , Peng Peng , Yu Mei , Shen Keng
Published: July 2019

Endometrial cancer is highly malignant and has a poor prognosis in the advanced stage, thus, prediction of its prognosis is important. DNA methylation has rapidly gained clinical attention as a biomarker for diagnostic, prognostic and predictive purposes in various cancers. In present study, differentially methylated positions and differentially expressed genes were identified according to DNA methylation and RNA-Seq data. Functional analyses and interaction network were performed to identify hub genes, and overall survival analysis of hub genes were validated. The top genes were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining of endometrial cancer tissues. The gene function was evaluated by cell growth curve after knockdown CDC20 and CCNA2 of endometrial cancer cell line. A total of 329 hypomethylated highly expressed genes and 359 hypermethylated lowly expressed genes were identified, and four hub genes were obtained according to the interaction network. Patients with low expression of CDC20 and CCNA2 showed better overall survival. The results also were demonstrated by the immunohistochemical staining. Cell growth curve also demonstrated that knockdown CDC20 and CCNA2 can suppress the cell proliferation. We have identified two aberrantly methylated genes, CDC20 and CCNA2 as novel biomarkers for precision diagnosis in EC.
An investigation into the role of time-dependent cohesion in interseismic fault restrengthening
Authors: van den Ende M. P. A. , Niemeijer A. R.
Published: July 2019

Earthquakes typically exhibit recurrence times that far exceed time-scales attainable in a laboratory setting. To traverse the temporal gap between the laboratory and nature, the slide-hold-slide test is commonly employed as a laboratory analogue for the seismic cycle, from which the time-dependence of fault strength may be assessed. In many studies it is implicitly assumed that all fault restrengthening emanates from an increase in the internal friction coefficient, neglecting contributions from cohesion. By doing so, important information is lost that is relevant for numerical simulations of seismicity on natural faults, as well as for induced seismicity. We conduct slide-hold-slide experiments on granular halite gouge at various normal stresses to assess the time-dependence of the internal coefficient of friction, and of the cohesion, independently of one another. These experiments reveal that both the internal friction coefficient and cohesion increase over time, but that these quantities do not share a common evolution, suggesting different underlying mechanisms.
An array of basic residues is essential for the nucleolytic activity of the PHP domain of bacterial/archaeal PolX DNA polymerases
Authors: Rodríguez Guillermo , Martín María Teresa , de Vega Miguel
Published: July 2019

Bacterial/archaeal family X DNA polymerases (PolXs) have a C-terminal PHP domain with an active site formed by nine histidines and aspartates that catalyzes 3′-5′ exonuclease, AP-endonuclease, 3′-phosphodiesterase and 3′-phosphatase activities. Multiple sequence alignments have allowed us to identify additional highly conserved residues along the PHP domain of bacterial/archaeal PolXs that form an electropositive path to the catalytic site and whose potential role in the nucleolytic activities had not been established. Here, site directed mutagenesis at the corresponding Bacillus subtilis PolX (PolXBs) residues, Arg469, Arg474, Asn498, Arg503 and Lys545, as well as to the highly conserved residue Phe440 gave rise to enzymes severely affected in all the nucleolytic activities of the enzyme while conserving a wild-type gap-filling activity, indicating a function of those residues in DNA binding at the PHP domain. Altogether, the results obtained with the mutant proteins, the spatial arrangement of those DNA binding residues, the intermolecular transference of the 3′-terminus between the PHP and polymerization active sites, and the available 3D structures of bacterial PolXs led us to propose the requirement to a great degree of a functional/structural flexibility to coordinate the synthetic and degradative activities in these enzymes.
Changes to vertebrate tissue stable isotope (δ15N) composition during decomposition
Authors: Keenan Sarah W. , DeBruyn Jennifer M.
Published: July 2019

During carcass decomposition, tissues undergo biochemical changes: Cells autolyze, enteric microbes ferment cellular products, and tissues degrade. Ultimately, decomposition fluids are released as an ephemeral nitrogen (N) and carbon source to the surrounding environment. However, decomposition fluids are δ15N-enriched relative to body tissues, leading to a disconnect between starting tissue composition and ending fluid composition. It remains largely unknown when or if tissues exhibit δ15N enrichment postmortem despite the importance of tissue stable isotopes to ecologists. To test our hypothesis that tissues would become progressively δ15N-enriched during decay, soft tissues and bone were collected from beaver carcasses at five time points. All soft tissues, including muscle, were significantly δ15N-enriched compared to fresh tissues, but were not as enriched as decomposition fluids. Tissue breakdown is initially dominated by anaerobic autolysis and later by microbe and insect infiltration, and partly explains decay fluid isotopic enrichment. We speculate that after rupture, preferential volatilization of δ15N-depleted compounds (especially ammonia) contributes to further enrichment. These results constrain the timing, rate, and potential mechanisms driving carcass isotopic enrichment during decay, and suggest that found carcasses (e.g., road kill) should be used with caution for inferring trophic ecology as decay can result in significant postmortem δ15N enrichment.
The Bionic Radiologist: avoiding blurry pictures and providing greater insights
Authors: Dewey Marc , Wilkens Uta
Published: July 2019

Radiology images and reports have long been digitalized. However, the potential of the more than 3.6 billion radiology examinations performed annually worldwide has largely gone unused in the effort to digitally transform health care. TheBionic Radiologistis a concept that combines humanity and digitalization for better health care integration of radiology. At a practical level, this concept will achieve critical goals: (1) testing decisions being made scientifically on the basis of disease probabilities and patient preferences; (2) image analysis done consistently at any time and at any site; and (3) treatment suggestions that are closely linked to imaging results and are seamlessly integrated with other information. TheBionic Radiologistwill thus help avoiding missed care opportunities, will provide continuous learning in the work process, and will also allow more time for radiologists’ primary roles: interacting with patients and referring physicians. To achieve that potential, one has to cope with many implementation barriers at both the individual and institutional levels. These include: reluctance to delegate decision making, a possible decrease in image interpretation knowledge and the perception that patient safety and trust are at stake. To facilitate implementation of theBionic Radiologistthe following will be helpful: uncertainty quantifications for suggestions, shared decision making, changes in organizational culture and leadership style, maintained expertise through continuous learning systems for training, and role development of the involved experts. With the support of theBionic Radiologist, disparities are reduced and the delivery of care is provided in a humane and personalized fashion.
Determination of aflatoxin M1 using an aptamer-based biosensor immobilized on the surface of dendritic fibrous nano-silica functionalized by amine groups
Authors: Kholafazad kordasht Houman , Moosavy Mir-Hassan , Hasanzadeh Mohammad , Soleymani Jafar , Mokhtarzadeh Ahad
Published: July 2019

Aflatoxins are potential food pollutants produced by fungi.
Conformational selection of the intrinsically disordered plant stress protein COR15A in response to solution osmolarity – an X-ray and light scattering study
Authors: Shou Keyun , Bremer Anne , Rindfleisch Tobias , Knox-Brown Patrick , Hirai Mitsuhiro , Rekas Agata , Garvey Christopher J. , Hincha Dirk K. , Stadler Andreas M. , Thalhammer Anja
Published: July 2019

The plant stress protein COR15A stabilizes chloroplast membranes during freezing.
Ionic micro-structure and transport properties of low-temperature aluminium electrolytes containing potassium cryolite and sodium cryolite
Authors: Lv Xiaojun , Han Zexun , Guan Chaohong , Jiang Liangxing , Wu Shangyuan
Published: July 2019

Insight into the ionic micro-structure and transport properties of low-temperature aluminium electrolytes containing potassium cryolite and sodium cryolite at an atomic level.