bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heightened Immune Response to Presumed Loxosceles reclusa Envenomation
Authors: Schmid Kristin M. , Treaster Matthew R. , Barrios Christopher , Zhang Chenchen , Scalzo Anthony J.
Published: November 2019

Loxoscelism is a systemic inflammatory reaction in response to a brown recluse spider bite (BRSB). In this case we describe a patient with a heightened inflammatory response to a presumed BRSB, with Coomb’s positive hemolysis, cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (cANCA) vasculitis, and features of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). A 24-y-old female presented with sudden pain and swelling to her lower back, nausea, fever, and tachycardia after a presumed BRSB. Hemolysis began on hospital day 3 (15.9 g·dL-1) with a nadir on hospital day 5 (6.3 g·dL-1). She had an lactate dehydrogenase of 1415 U·L-1, ferritin of 15534 ng·mL-1, persistent fever, and signs of bone marrow suppression despite hemolysis, with thrombocytopenia (100,000 μL-1) and an inadequate reticulocyte response (1.7%) suggestive of HLH. The patient’s blood was Coomb’s and cANCA/antiproteinase 3 positive. She had signs of toxin-induced vasculitis, with respiratory failure requiring bilevel positive airway pressure, radiographs with bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, and a desquamating rash. She received 6 U of packed red blood cells, furosemide for pleural and pericardial effusions, antibiotics, and symptomatic treatment during the acute phase of her illness. Hemolysis improved without glucocorticoids by hospital day 6. The patient demonstrated a dysregulated immunologic and complement-mediated response to the presumed BRSB. The triad of Coomb’s positive hemolysis, cANCA vasculitis, and HLH-like reaction associated with a presumed BRSB is described for the first time in the literature and brings up questions for future research regarding the role of immune modulators and complement inhibitors in the treatment of severe loxoscelism as well as the genetic factors that predispose certain individuals to such reactions.
Age and Sex Are Strongly Correlated to the Rate and Type of Mountain Injuries Requiring Search and Rescue Missions
Authors: Amarowicz Jaroslaw , Kumorek Anna , Boczon Kamila
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Because of the growing popularity of mountain tourism, the number of injuries related to mountain activities has increased rapidly. The regional volunteer search and rescue team (Tatra mountain rescue team [MRT], Poland) anticipates future increases in injuries and accidents.

Methods

An analysis was performed on Tatra MRT incident reports for the years 2012 through 2013. These reports include information on the mechanism of injury, weather conditions, and demographic data of the injured tourists. The data were provided by the operation supervisor of each search and rescue mission. The study group consisted of 844 reports (median age 37 y, range 18–90 y). The analysis was designed to determine whether features such as age and sex of the injured tourist were correlated to the injury mechanisms (as identified by the rescuers) or their National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics − International Committee for Alpine Rescue (NACA ICAR) score.

Results

Our study of the Tatra MRT data revealed that age and sex are risk factors for the rate and severity of injuries in the mountain environment. Injured men were more likely to require resource-intensive search and rescue missions and usually had a worse NACA ICAR score ( P = 0.041). The age analysis showed that older people are more likely to sustain a serious injury (3–7 NACA ICAR score). However, the most common rescue scenario involved younger males (20–40 y) at a higher altitude (>1500 m, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Sex and age are associated with the mechanisms and severity of injuries in the mountain environment. They should be considered in the development of appropriate prevention and response programs. Further studies are needed to confirm the results.
How graph technology can map patterns to mitigate money-laundering risk
Authors: Eifrem Emil
Published: November 2019

The estimated amount of money laundered illegally worldwide is a staggering $800bn-$2tr. This equates to as much as 5% of global GDP, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 1 And the problem is growing thanks to digitisation, which has made it easier and faster to move money around.

Money laundering is a growing problem. Criminals are getting more sophisticated, making eradicating this issue ever-more complex and challenging.

The problem is that most tools for dealing with money laundering focus on discrete data. This makes it difficult to spot the shared characteristics that are typical of money-laundering networks. But graph technology has the power to mine the truth from data to help you quickly pinpoint potential areas of concern, explains Neo4j's Emil Eifrem.
Could SOAR save skills-short SOCs?
Authors: Brewer Ross
Published: November 2019

Over the past year or so it's becoming clear that, when it comes to a cyber breach, it's no longer a matter of if it will happen, but when. With threats coming in thick and fast, organisations, and the cyber security professionals in their employ, are increasingly struggling to resist each and every threat; and they know it. A 2018 CyberEdge survey revealed that 77% of respondent organisations were compromised during the 12 months ahead of the study. 1

With a skills shortage and working with tight budgets, security operations centres (SOCs) are struggling with limited resources.

The problems faced by SOCs need a solution, and embedded security orchestration, automation and response (SOAR) promises to be just that. A SOAR approach automates a lot of the mundane tasks usually undertaken by SOCs. By reducing the day-to-day workload through improved intelligence and reporting, streamlined workflows and playbooks for automated response actions, SOAR can enable cyber security professionals to put their talents and knowledge to better use, explains Ross Brewer of LogRhythm.
Brivaracetam: First Canadian Experience in an Intractable Epilepsy Population
Authors: Lafortune Jeanne , Deacon Charles , Clément Jean-François
Published: November 2019

Objective:

To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of brivaracetam (BRV) in a refractory epilepsy population in an outpatient clinical setting.

Methods:

Retrospective medical information system review and self-report questionnaire for all patients treated with BRV until the end of 2017.

Results:

Thirty-eight patients were included, 73.7% female and mean age 36.2. The mean number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for previous use was 8.9, and for current use was 2.5. Mean seizure frequency in the last 3 months was 12 per month. At 3, 6, 12, and 15 months, the 50% responder rates were 36.1%, 32%, 41.2%, and 45.5%, respectively. Patients took BRV for a median duration of 8.25 months, ranging from 7 days to 60 months. Retention rate was 75.0%, 72.0%, 59.2%, and 47.9% at 3, 6, 12, and 15 months, respectively. Overall, the main reasons for discontinuation were adverse events (AEs) (52.3%), lack of efficacy (35.3%), or both (11.8%). The rate of total AEs was 60.5% according to medical records and 85.7% according to questionnaire, including mostly tiredness, psychiatric, and memory complaints. Psychiatric side effects occurred in 31.6% according to medical records and 47.4% according to questionnaire results, which is higher than previously reported and persisted throughout the study period.

Conclusions:

BRV appears to be a useful and safe add-on treatment, even in a very refractory group of patients. In this real-life clinical setting, psychiatric AEs were found at a higher rate than previously published.
Matrix Diffusion in Fractured Media: New Insights Into Power Law Scaling of Breakthrough Curves
Authors: Hyman Jeffrey D. , Rajaram Harihar , Srinivasan Shriram , Makedonska Nataliia , Karra Satish , Viswanathan Hari , Srinivasan Gowri
Published: November 2019

We develop a theoretical model for power law tailing behavior of transport in fractured rock based on the relative dominance of the decay rate of the advective travel time distribution, modeled using a Pareto distribution (with tail decaying as ∼ time−(1+α)), versus matrix diffusion, modeled using a Lévy distribution. The theory predicts that when the advective travel time distribution decays sufficiently slowly (α<1), the late‐time decay rate of the breakthrough curve is −(1+α/2) rather than the classical −3/2. However, if α>1, the −3/2 decay rate is recovered. For weak matrix diffusion or short advective first breakthrough times, we identify an early‐time regime where the breakthrough curve follows the Pareto distribution, before transitioning to the late‐time decay rate. The theoretical predictions are validated against particle tracking simulations in the three‐dimensional discrete fracture network simulator dfnWorks, where matrix diffusion is incorporated using a time domain random walk.
The role of mechanotransduction versus hypoxia during simulated orthodontic compressive strain—an in vitro study of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts
Authors: Ullrich Niklas , Schröder Agnes , Jantsch Jonathan , Spanier Gerrit , Proff Peter , Kirschneck Christian
Published: November 2019

During orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) mechanical forces trigger pseudo-inflammatory, osteoclastogenic and remodelling processes in the periodontal ligament (PDL) that are mediated by PDL fibroblasts via the expression of various signalling molecules. Thus far, it is unknown whether these processes are mainly induced by mechanical cellular deformation (mechanotransduction) or by concomitant hypoxic conditions via the compression of periodontal blood vessels. Human primary PDL fibroblasts were randomly seeded in conventional six-well cell culture plates with O2-impermeable polystyrene membranes and in special plates with gas-permeable membranes (Lumox®, Sarstedt), enabling the experimental separation of mechanotransducive and hypoxic effects that occur concomitantly during OTM. To simulate physiological orthodontic compressive forces, PDL fibroblasts were stimulated mechanically at 2 g·cm−2for 48 h after 24 h of pre-incubation. We quantified the cell viability by MTT assay, gene expression by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and protein expression by western blot/enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). In addition, PDL-fibroblast-mediated osteoclastogenesis (TRAP+cells) was measured in a 72-h coculture with RAW264.7 cells. The expression of HIF-1α, COX-2, PGE2, VEGF, COL1A2, collagen and ALPL, and the RANKL/OPG ratios at the mRNA/protein levels during PDL-fibroblast-mediated osteoclastogenesis were significantly elevated by mechanical loading irrespective of the oxygen supply, whereas hypoxic conditions had no significant additional effects. The cellular–molecular mediation of OTM by PDL fibroblasts via the expression of various signalling molecules is expected to be predominantly controlled by the application of force (mechanotransduction), whereas hypoxic effects seem to play only a minor role. In the context of OTM, the hypoxic marker HIF-1α does not appear to be primarily stabilized by a reduced O2supply but is rather stabilised mechanically.
The Eighty Five Percent Rule for optimal learning
Authors: Wilson Robert C. , Shenhav Amitai , Straccia Mark , Cohen Jonathan D.
Published: November 2019

Researchers and educators have long wrestled with the question of how best to teach their clients be they humans, non-human animals or machines. Here, we examine the role of a single variable, the difficulty of training, on the rate of learning. In many situations we find that there is a sweet spot in which training is neither too easy nor too hard, and where learning progresses most quickly. We derive conditions for this sweet spot for a broad class of learning algorithms in the context of binary classification tasks. For all of these stochastic gradient-descent based learning algorithms, we find that the optimal error rate for training is around 15.87% or, conversely, that the optimal training accuracy is about 85%. We demonstrate the efficacy of this ‘Eighty Five Percent Rule’ for artificial neural networks used in AI and biologically plausible neural networks thought to describe animal learning.
Factors influencing quality of life in children with atopic dermatitis and their caregivers: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Xu Xiaomeng , van Galen Louise Sandra , Koh Mark Jean Aan , Bajpai Ram , Thng Steven , Yew Yik Weng , Ho Valerie Pui Yoong , Alagappan Uma , Järbrink Krister Sven Ake , Car Josip
Published: November 2019

Better understanding of atopic dermatitis’ effect on quality of life could enhance current management and therapeutic strategies. Studies investigating factors related to the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children with atopic dermatitis and their caregivers are limited. This cross-sectional study included 559 children (<16 years) with atopic dermatitis and their caregivers. Disease severity was associated with infants’ HRQOL (moderate: IRR: 1.42, 95% CI 1.20–1.67; severe: IRR: 1.72, 95% CI 1.32–2.24). Age and disease severity were associated with children’s HRQOL (age: IRR: 0.99, 95% CI 0.98–1.00; moderate: IRR: 1.08, 95% CI 1.02–1.14). Quality of life subdomains itching/scratching, emotional distress and sleep disturbance were most reported and increased with higher disease severity. Both caregivers’ mental and physical health were negatively affected by children’s HRQOL (physical: IRR: 0.99, 95% CI 0.99–1.00; mental: IRR: 0.98, 95% CI 0.97–0.99). Sociodemographic characteristics (gender, ethnicity, educational attainment of carers, number of children) did not demonstrate significance in children’s HRQOL model. In conclusion, current atopic dermatitis diagnostics and treatment have to be extended to the factors influencing both children’ as their caregivers’ quality of life and adapting management accordingly. Itching/scratching, emotional distress and sleep disturbance deserve attention. Sociodemographic characteristics in children’s HRQOL models also merit attention in further research.
Evaluation of Tellurium as a Fuel Additive in Neodymium-Containing U-Zr Metallic Fuel
Authors: Jerred Nathan D. , Khanal Rabi , Benson Michael T. , Perez Emmanuel , King James A. , Dubey Megha , Burns Jatuporn , Charit Indrajit , Choudhury Samrat , Mariani Robert D.
Published: November 2019

Phase-stability in a U-Zr-Te-Nd multi-component metallic fuel for advanced nuclear reactors is systematically investigated by taking into account binary, ternary and quaternary interactions between elements involved. Historically, the onset of fuel-cladding chemical interactions (FCCI) greatly limits the burnup potential of U-Zr fuels primarily due to interactions between lanthanide fission products and cladding constituents. Tellurium (Te) is evaluated as a potential additive for U-Zr fuels to bind with lanthanide fission products, e.g. neodymium (Nd), negating or mitigating the FCCI effect. Potential fresh fuel alloy compositions with the Te additive, U-Zr-Te, are characterized. Te is found to completely bind with Zr within the U-Zr matrix. Alloys simulating the formation of the lanthanide element Nd within U-Zr-Te are also evaluated, where the Te-Nd binary interaction dominates and NdTe is found to form as a high temperature stable compound. The experimental observations agree well with the trends obtained from density functional theory calculations. According to the calculated enthalpy of mixing, Zr-Te compound formation is favored in the U-Zr-Te alloy whereas NdTe compound formation is favored in the U-Zr-Te-Nd alloy. Further, the calculated charge density distribution and density of states provide sound understanding of the mutual chemical interactions between elements and phase-stability within the multi-component fuel.
Using Machine Learning to Uncover Hidden Heterogeneities in Survey Data
Authors: Ramirez Christina M. , Abrajano Marisa A. , Alvarez R. Michael
Published: November 2019

Survey responses in public health surveys are heterogeneous. The quality of a respondent’s answers depends on many factors, including cognitive abilities, interview context, and whether the interview is in person or self-administered. A largely unexplored issue is how the language used for public health survey interviews is associated with the survey response. We introduce a machine learning approach, Fuzzy Forests, which we use for model selection. We use the 2013 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) as our training sample and the 2014 CHIS as the test sample. We found that non-English language survey responses differ substantially from English responses in reported health outcomes. We also found heterogeneity among the Asian languages suggesting that caution should be used when interpreting results that compare across these languages. The 2013 Fuzzy Forests model also correctly predicted 86% of good health outcomes using 2014 data as the test set. We show that the Fuzzy Forests methodology is potentially useful for screening for and understanding other types of survey response heterogeneity. This is especially true in high-dimensional and complex surveys.
The expression and role of TRPV2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kudou Michihiro , Shiozaki Atsushi , Yamazato Yuzo , Katsurahara Keita , Kosuga Toshiyuki , Shoda Katsutoshi , Arita Tomohiro , Konishi Hirotaka , Komatsu Shuhei , Kubota Takeshi , Fujiwara Hitoshi , Okamoto Kazuma , Kishimoto Mitsuo , Konishi Eiichi , Marunaka Yoshinori , Otsuji Eigo
Published: November 2019

Background: Transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) was recently shown to be involved in migrant potentials. The present study aimed to investigate its role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: Knockdown experiments were conducted using TRPV2 siRNA in human ESCC cell lines, and anti-tumor effects were analyzed. The gene expression profiles of cells were analyzed using a microarray method. An immunohistochemical staining was performed on 62 primary tumor samples. Results: TRPV2 overexpression was observed in TE15 and KYSE170 cells. TRPV2 depletion suppressed proliferation, cell cycle progression, and invasion/migration ability, and induced apoptosis. A pathway analysis of microarray data showed that TRPV2 depletion down-regulated WNT/β-catenin signaling-related genes and basal cell carcinoma signaling-related genes. The suppression of tumor functions, such as proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis, was predicted in the ontology analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a correlation between strong TRPV2 expression and a poor prognosis in ESCC patients. Conclusion: The present results suggest that TRPV2 regulates cancer progression by affecting WNT/β-catenin or basal cell carcinoma signaling, and that TRPV2 strong expression is associated with a worse prognosis in ESCC patients. These results provide an insight into the role of TRPV2 as a novel therapeutic target or biomarker for ESCC.
Frequency of extreme precipitation increases extensively with event rareness under global warming
Authors: Myhre G. , Alterskjær K. , Stjern C. W. , Hodnebrog Ø. , Marelle L. , Samset B. H. , Sillmann J. , Schaller N. , Fischer E. , Schulz M. , Stohl A.
Published: November 2019

The intensity of the heaviest extreme precipitation events is known to increase with global warming. How often such events occur in a warmer world is however less well established, and the combined effect of changes in frequency and intensity on the total amount of rain falling as extreme precipitation is much less explored, in spite of potentially large societal impacts. Here, we employ observations and climate model simulations to document strong increases in the frequencies of extreme precipitation events occurring on decadal timescales. Based on observations we find that the total precipitation from these intense events almost doubles per degree of warming, mainly due to changes in frequency, while the intensity changes are relatively weak, in accordance to previous studies. This shift towards stronger total precipitation from extreme events is seen in observations and climate models, and increases with the strength – and hence the rareness – of the event. Based on these results, we project that if historical trends continue, the most intense precipitation events observed today are likely to almost double in occurrence for each degree of further global warming. Changes to extreme precipitation of this magnitude are dramatically stronger than the more widely communicated changes to global mean precipitation.
Early evening light mitigates sleep compromising physiological and alerting responses to subsequent late evening light
Authors: te Kulve Marije , Schlangen Luc J. M. , van Marken Lichtenbelt Wouter D.
Published: November 2019

The widespread use of electric light and electronic devices has resulted in an excessive exposure to light during the late-evening and at night. This late light exposure acutely suppresses melatonin and sleepiness and delays the circadian clock. Here we investigate whether the acute effects of late-evening light exposure on our physiology and sleepiness are reduced when this light exposure is preceded by early evening bright light. Twelve healthy young females were included in a randomised crossover study. All participants underwent three evening (18:30-00:30) sessions during which melatonin, subjective sleepiness, body temperature and skin blood flow were measured under different light conditions: (A) dim light, (B) dim light with a late-evening (22:30-23:30) light exposure of 750 lx, 4000 K, and (C) the same late-evening light exposure, but now preceded by early-evening bright light exposure (18.30-21.00; 1200 lx, 4000 K). Late-evening light exposure reduced melatonin levels and subjective sleepiness and resulted in larger skin temperature gradients as compared to dim. Interestingly, these effects were reduced when the late-evening light was preceded by an early evening 2.5-hour bright light exposure. Thus daytime and early-evening exposure to bright light can mitigate some of the sleep-disruptive consequences of light exposure in the later evening.
Method and its Composition for encapsulation, stabilization, and delivery of siRNA in Anionic polymeric nanoplex: An In vitro- In vivo Assessment
Authors: Raval Nidhi , Jogi Hardi , Gondaliya Piyush , Kalia Kiran , Tekade Rakesh K.
Published: November 2019

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) are synthetic RNA duplex designed to specifically knockdown the abnormal gene to treat a disease at cellular and molecular levels. In spite of their high potency, specificity, and therapeutic potential, the full-fledged utility of siRNA is predominantly limited to in vitro set-up. Till date, Onpattro is the only USFDA approved siRNA therapeutics available in the clinic. The lack of a reliable in vivo siRNA delivery carrier remains a foremost obstacle towards the clinical translation of siRNA therapeutics. To address the obstacles associated with siRNA delivery, we tested a dendrimer-templated polymeric approach involving a USFDA approved carrier (albumin) for in vitro as well as in vivo delivery of siRNA. The developed approach is simple in application, enhances the serum stability, avoids in vivo RNase-degradation and mediates cytosolic delivery of siRNA following the endosomal escape process. The successful in vitro and in vivo delivery of siRNA, as well as targeted gene knockdown potential, was demonstrated by HDAC4 inhibition in vitro diabetic nephropathy (DN) podocyte model as well as in vivo DN C57BL/6 mice model. The developed approach has been tested using HDAC4 siRNA as a model therapeutics, while the application can also be extended to other gene therapeutics including micro RNA (miRNA), plasmids oligonucleotides, etc.
Fine-scale population structure and ecotypes of anadromous Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) across complex aquatic ecosystems revealed by NextRAD genotyping
Authors: Asaduzzaman Md , Wahab Md A. , Rahman Md J. , Nahiduzzzaman Md , Dickson Malcom W. , Igarashi Yoji , Asakawa Shuichi , Wong Li Lian
Published: November 2019

The anadromous Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) live in the Bay of Bengal and migrate to the estuaries and freshwater rivers for spawning and nursing of the juveniles. This has led to two pertinent questions: (i) do all Hilsa shad that migrate from marine to freshwater rivers come from the same population? and (ii) is there any relationship between adults and juveniles of a particular habitat? To address these questions, NextRAD sequencing was applied to genotype 31,276 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci for 180 individuals collected from six strategic locations of riverine, estuarine and marine habitats. FST OutFLANK approach identified 14,815 SNP loci as putatively neutral and 79 SNP loci as putatively adaptive. We observed that divergent local adaptations in differing environmental habitats have divided Hilsa shad into three genetically structured ecotypes: turbid freshwater (Western Riverine), clear freshwater (Eastern Riverine) and brackish-saline (Southern Estuarine-Marine). Our results also revealed that genes involved in neuronal activity may have facilitated the juveniles’ Hilsa shad in returning to their respective natal rivers for spawning. This study emphasized the application of fundamental population genomics information in strategizing conservation and management of anadromous fish such as Hilsa shad that intersect diverse ecotypes during their life-history stages.
Development of an improved and accessible diet for western corn rootworm larvae using response surface modeling
Authors: Huynh Man P. , Hibbard Bruce E. , Vella Michael , Lapointe Stephen L. , Niedz Randall P. , Shelby Kent S. , Coudron Thomas A.
Published: November 2019

The western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, is an important pest of maize (Zea mays L.). Published WCR diets contain corn root powder, which is not available for purchase, thereby limiting the practical use of diets containing this ingredient. We applied response surface modeling combined with mixture designs to formulate a WCR diet that does not require corn root powder. We developed the new formulation by systematically exploring eight protein ingredients from animal, plant, and yeast sources based on simultaneous evaluation of three life history parameters (weight, molting, and survival). This formulation (WCRMO-2) without corn root powder supported approximately 97% of larval survival and successful molting. Larval weight gain after 10 days of feeding on WCRMO-2 was 4-fold greater than that of larvae feeding on the current best published WCR diet. Additionally, there was no significant difference in these larval performance traits when larvae were reared on WCRMO-2 and the best proprietary WCR diet. A commercial version of WCRMO-2 was tested and found to perform comparably for these traits. These improvements met our goal of a diet comprised of available ingredients that supports performance of WCR larvae equal to or better than publicly available formulations and proprietary formulations.
Controlled biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles with Coffea arabica using factorial design
Authors: Keijok Wanderson Juvencio , Pereira Rayssa Helena Arruda , Alvarez Luis Alberto Contreras , Prado Adilson Ribeiro , da Silva André Romero , Ribeiro Josimar , de Oliveira Jairo Pinto , Guimarães Marco Cesar Cunegundes
Published: November 2019

Green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles has become incredibly popular, mainly by minimizing problems of environmental contamination and by being able to reduce, stabilize and potentially functionalize nanomaterials. Such compounds have possible applications in various areas, e.g., pharmaceuticals (drug delivery systems, cosmetics), textile industry (clothing with antimicrobial properties), diagnostic medicine (imaging, high efficiency biosensors), energy (solar panels), bioremediation, among others. However, the lack of reproducibility and information on the control mechanisms during synthesis have made the application of green-synthesized nanoparticles unfeasible. Thus, this study proposed the investigation of the main mechanisms affecting synthesis control, using factorial design for the preparation of gold nanoparticles with extract of Coffea arabica. We obtained stable (Zeta Potential, UV-vis and DLS), monodisperse, and quasi-spherical (TEM) nanoparticles, which presented adsorbed aromatic molecules (FTIR and RAMAN) and defined crystal structure (XRD), proving that the plant extract acted as a reducing agent, as well as a stabilizer and functionalizer for the synthesized nanostructures. The factorial design employed here to obtain gold nanoparticles with Coffea arabica extract allowed for a controlled and reproducible synthesis, enabling new possibilities for the application in several fields.
Effects of oxygen levels and a Lactobacillus plantarum strain on mortality and immune response of chickens at high altitude
Authors: Wang Lihong , Fu Guanhua , Liu Suozhu , Li Long , Zhao Xin
Published: November 2019

Chickens reared in high altitude regions suffer from a high mortality, possibly due to poor immune responses induced by hypoxia. This experiment was conducted to evaluate whether increasing the oxygen level or administration of a probiotic could improve mortality and immune response of chickens at high altitude (2,986 m above the sea level). One-d-old chickens were randomly allocated to 1 of 6 treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. The first factor was the oxygen level (low and high), while the second factor was the diet (basal diet, basal diet containing aureomycin, and basal diet plus L. plantarum). Increasing the oxygen level significantly reduced the mortality and improved immune responses. The levels of IgA, IgG, IL-10 and anti-BSA antibodies were significantly higher, while IL-1β, LITAF were significantly lower in chickens reared in the high-oxygen room. In the low-oxygen room, L. plantarum significantly decreased the mortality of chickens compared with the other 2 groups. Moreover, L. plantarum significantly increased the levels of IgA, anti-BSA antibodies, IL-10 and decreased IL-1β, LITAF compared with the control group. These results demonstrated that increasing oxygen level or administration of L. plantarum can improve health status of chickens in high altitude regions.
Association of select vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with the risk of tobacco-related cancers – a meta-analysis
Authors: Laczmanski Lukasz , Laczmanska Izabela , Lwow Felicja
Published: November 2019

The observed increase in morbidity and mortality due to tobacco-related cancers, especially those in the respiratory system and esophagus, is becoming a public health challenge. Smoking cigarettes is one of the main risk factors predisposing individuals to many types of cancers. The aim of this study was to determine the role of select vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms as risk factors in tobacco-related cancers. The MEDLINE and ResearchGate databases were used to search for articles up to June 2017, and 12 articles including 26 studies concerning FokI, ApaI, TaqI and BsmI polymorphisms and lung, neck, head, esophageal and oral cancers were chosen. In total, 5 113 cases and 5 657 controls were included in the pooled analysis. We found a significant relationship between tobacco-related cancers and the occurrence of the “t” allele in the TaqI polymorphism of VDR. The occurrence of the “t” allele reduced the risk of tobacco-related cancers by 17% (OR = 0.83, 0.72–0.96 95% CI, p-value = 0.0114). Our analysis revealed that there is a correlation between the TaqI polymorphism of VDR and the risk of tobacco-related cancers.
Tumour-stroma ratio and 5-year mortality in gastric adenocarcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kemi Niko , Eskuri Maarit , Kauppila Joonas H.
Published: November 2019

Tumour-stroma ratio (TSR) is a novel potential prognostic factor in cancers and based on the proportions of stroma and tumour area. The prognostic value of TSR in gastric cancer is incompletely known. The aim of this study was to estimate prognostic significance of TSR in gastric adenocarcinoma. A search of PubMed (MEDLINE), Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane and Scopus databases was performed. A meta-analysis was conducted on five-year survival in gastric cancer patients using inverse variance random-effects methods. The literature search yielded 5329 potential titles, of which a total of seven studies were eligible. Results of six studies including a total of 1779 patients were pooled in the meta-analysis. Only 23 (1.3%) of the patients received neoadjuvant therapy. All six studies had a cut-off of 50% for the proportion of stroma when dividing the patients into low- and high stroma groups. Low TSR (high amount of stroma) was strongly associated with increased five-year mortality (hazard ratio 2.19, 95% CI 1.69–2.85). In conclusion, TSR is a strong prognostic factor in gastric cancer. It could be used to estimate prognosis of gastric cancer patients not receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Further studies including patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy are recommended.
Author Correction: De novo assembly of transcriptomes, mining, and development of novel EST-SSR markers in Curcuma alismatifolia (Zingiberaceae family) through Illumina sequencing
Authors: Taheri Sima , Abdullah Thohirah Lee , Rafii M. Y. , Harikrishna Jennifer Ann , Werbrouck Stefaan P. O. , Teo Chee How , Sahebi Mahbod , Azizi Parisa
Published: November 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Publisher Correction: Mitochondrial DNA copy number is associated with psychosis severity and anti-psychotic treatment
Authors: Kumar Parvin , Efstathopoulos Paschalis , Millischer Vincent , Olsson Eric , Wei Ya Bin , Brüstle Oliver , Schalling Martin , Villaescusa J. Carlos , Ösby Urban , Lavebratt Catharina
Published: November 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Cucurbituril-based Sensors and Assays
Authors: Hennig Andreas , Nau Werner. M.
Published: November 2019

Chemical sensors and assays are essential to determine the concentration or functional activity of (bio)analytes. Most established assays rely on biomolecular recognition such as antibody–antigen interactions or protein–ligand interactions. However, during the past decade, supramolecular receptors have proven as useful alternatives affording new assays for hitherto undetectable analytes as well as for the development of refined assay procedures. Herein, we review sensors and assays, in which cucurbiturils (CBs) are key components. We focus on optical methods such as absorption, fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectroscopy, and we also include a summary of NMR-based bioimaging with CBs.
Cucurbiturils on Surfaces
Authors: Wiemann M. , Jonkheijm P.
Published: November 2019

Cucurbit[n]urils provide a well-known class of macrocycles that are able to form stable host–guest complexes with various guests in solution, but, over the last decade, many studies have revealed that these host–guest interactions can be employed to fabricate a wide range of surface-based platforms. This chapter provides a historical introduction of surfaces coated with CB[n] and delivers a number of different applications using CB[n]-mediated host–guest chemistry for stimuli-responsive surfaces, adhesives and biosensors. The chapter helps in understanding recent progress in the development of surface chemistry with CB[n] and its potential growth.
Unraveling the molecular dependence of femtosecond laser-induced thermal lens spectroscopy in fluids
Authors: Singhal Sumit , Goswami Debabrata
Published: November 2019

Fluid systems exhibit thermal lens effects due to laser irradiation accompanied by convection and in contrast primarily conductive heat dissipation is observed in solids.
Effects of surface treatments on trapping with DC insulator-based dielectrophoresis
Authors: Crowther Claire V. , Sanderlin Viola , Hayes Mark A. , Gile Gillian H.
Published: November 2019

Covalent surface modifications ofE. colialter trapping behavior, quantifying the contribution of surface-specific effects to overall biophysical characteristics.
Extracellular recordings of bionic engineered cardiac tissue based on a porous scaffold and microelectrode arrays
Authors: Wei Xinwei , Gao Qing , Xie Chaoqi , Gu Chenlei , Liang Tao , Wan Hao , Zhuang Liujing , He Yong , Wang Ping
Published: November 2019

To mimic the heart in vitro, here, we reported a new method about the extracellular recording of engineered cardiac tissue based on a porous scaffold and microelectrode arrays, and it is expected to be applied to pharmaceutical studies.
Galvanic replacement mediated 3D porous PtCu nano-frames for enhanced ethylene glycol oxidation
Authors: Li Tingting , Jing Tianyun , Jia Xiaotian , Guo Shoujie , Li Wei , Yue Hongwei , Luo Zhihui
Published: November 2019

Galvanic replacement mediated 3D porous PtCu nano-frames possessed enhanced electrocatalytic activity and stability during ethylene glycol oxidation.
A hierarchical composite of GeO2 nanotubes/N-doped carbon microspheres with high-rate and super-durable performance for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Han Lijing , Tang Jing , Wei Qiaohua , Chen Congrong , Wei Mingdeng
Published: November 2019

A new composite of hierarchical microspheres assembled by GeO2 tubes/nitrogen doped carbon was fabricated for the first time and showed a promising electrochemical performance.
A liquid-based Janus porous membrane for convenient liquid–liquid extraction and immiscible oil/water separation
Authors: Wang Zhecun , Liu Xiaoqiu , Guo Jing , Sherazi Tauqir A. , Zhang Suobo , Li Shenghai
Published: November 2019

A novel liquid-based Janus porous membrane system with self-gating abilities, improved interfacial floatability is used for the practical applications of liquid–liquid extraction and oil/water separation with antifouling behavior.
Structural peculiarities of keto-carotenoids in water-soluble proteins revealed by simulation of linear absorption
Authors: Pishchalnikov Roman Y. , Yaroshevich Igor A. , Slastnikova Tatiana A. , Ashikhmin Aleksandr A. , Stepanov Alexey V. , Slutskaya Ekaterina A. , Friedrich Thomas , Sluchanko Nikolai N. , Maksimov Eugene G.
Published: November 2019

Comparative study of spectroscopic features reveals the structural determinants of keto-carotenoids in photoactive water-soluble proteins.
Strong and efficient doping of monolayer MoS2 by a graphene electrode
Authors: Melnikova-Kominkova Zuzana , Jurkova Katerina , Vales Vaclav , Drogowska-Horná Karolina , Frank Otakar , Kalbac Martin
Published: November 2019

Monolayer MoS2 is efficiently doped in a complete electrochemical setup using graphene simultaneously as the electrode and protective spacer.
Efficient asymmetric synthesis of chiral alcohols using high 2-propanol tolerance alcohol dehydrogenase SmADH2 via an environmentally friendly TBCR system
Authors: Yang Zeyu , Fu Hengwei , Ye Wenjie , Xie Youyu , Liu Qinghai , Wang Hualei , Wei Dongzhi
Published: November 2019

Based on substrate-coupled cofactor regeneration system, a high 2-propanol tolerance SmADH2 together with TBCR system can synthesise structurally diverse chiral alcohols at a high substrate loading with only 1.25 equivalents of 2-propanol.
Rh/polymeric carbon nitride porous tubular catalyst: visible light enhanced chlorophenol hydrodechlorination in base-free aqueous medium
Authors: Xu Jie , Zhang Sishi , Liu Xingyan , Bian Fengxia , Jiang Heyan
Published: November 2019

Novel porous tubular Rh/PCN exhibited highly promoted activity in hydrodechlorination of harmful chlorophenols to high-value cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone with base-free aqueous medium and balloon H2pressure under the irradiation of visible light.
Construction of 2D/2D Ni2P/CdS heterojunctions with significantly enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution performance
Authors: Liu Chun , Xiong Minghui , Chai Bo , Yan Juntao , Fan Guozhi , Song Guangsen
Published: November 2019

2D/2D Ni2P/CdS heterojunctions are prepared by combining liquid exfoliation of CdS with a post-annealing procedure and employed as highly efficient photocatalysts for H2 evolution.
High-performance laminated luminescent solar concentrators based on colloidal carbon quantum dots
Authors: Zhao Haiguang , Liu Guiju , Han Guangting
Published: November 2019

A carbon-quantum-dot based laminated luminescent solar concentrator exhibits an ηopt of 1.6%, 1.6 times higher than that of a single-layer LSC.
Au/NiFe2O4 nanoparticle-decorated graphene oxide nanosheets for electrochemical immunosensing of amyloid beta peptide
Authors: Devi Rashmita , Gogoi Satyabrat , Dutta Hemant Sankar , Bordoloi Manobjyoti , Sanghi Sunil K. , Khan Raju
Published: November 2019

An electrochemical immunosensor using Au/NiFe2O4@GO-Ch nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode has been fabricated to detect amyloid beta peptide.
A novel methodology for the synthesis of condensed selenium heterocycles based on the annulation and annulation–methoxylation reactions of selenium dihalides
Authors: Musalov Maxim V. , Yakimov Vladimir A. , Potapov Vladimir A. , Amosova Svetlana V. , Borodina Tatyana N. , Zinchenko Sergey V.
Published: November 2019

A novel methodology for accelerating the annulation was developed based on the reactions of selenium dihalides in the presence of alcohols.
Excellent porous environmental nanocatalyst: tactically integrating size-confined highly active MnOx in nanospaces of mesopores enables the promotive catalytic degradation efficiency of organic contaminants
Authors: Yang Fu , Gao Shuying , Ding Yun , Tang Sheng , Chen Haifeng , Chen Jianjun , Liu Jianfeng , Yang Zhen , Hu Xiaocai , Yuan Aihua
Published: November 2019

A nanoporous molecular sieve catalyst containing size-confined MnOx species, which affords excellent environmental catalytic efficiency, was synthesized using a micelle-assisted in situ embedding strategy.
Ultrabright fluorescent silica nanoparticles for in vivo targeting of xenografted human tumors and cancer cells in zebrafish
Authors: Peerzade Saquib Ahmed M. A. , Qin Xiaodan , Laroche Fabrice J. F. , Palantavida Shajesh , Dokukin Maxim , Peng Berney , Feng Hui , Sokolov Igor
Published: November 2019

New ultrabright fluorescent silica nanoparticles for targeting cancers in vivo are presented.
The effects of discrete and gradient mid-shell structures on the photoluminescence of single InP quantum dots
Authors: Lee Sang Hyeon , Kim Yongwook , Jang Hyosook , Min Ji Hyun , Oh Juwon , Jang Eunjoo , Kim Dongho
Published: November 2019

Core/shell/shell InP QDs with discrete mid-shell structures show better optical properties than those with gradient mid-shell structures.
Plasmonic nanoparticle-film-assisted photoelectrochemical catalysis across the entire visible-NIR region
Authors: Zhang Junchang , Sun Yinghui , Feng Rui , Liang Wenkai , Liang Zhiqiang , Guo Wei , Abdulhalim Ibrahim , Qu Jiangying , Qiu Cheng-Wei , Jiang Lin
Published: November 2019

Vis-NIR light absorption and effective separation of electron–hole pairs are achieved by integrating the SPR modes of plasmonic nanoparticle and film, which lead to an 88-fold increase in photocurrent under λ > 420 nm compared to TiO2.
An Fe stabilized metallic phase of NiS2for the highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Ding Xingyu , Li Weiwei , Kuang Haipeng , Qu Mei , Cui Meiyan , Zhao Chenhao , Qi Dong-Chen , Oropeza Freddy E. , Zhang Kelvin H. L.
Published: November 2019

The Fe0.1Ni0.9S2catalyst can maintain its own metallic phase as a conductive channel for fast electron transfer and a thin layer of Fe0.1Ni0.9OOH serves as an active catalytic phase for the OER.
Modulation of side chain crystallinity in alternating copolymers
Authors: Mete Sourav , Goswami Krishna Gopal , Ksendzov Evgenii , Kostjuk Sergei V. , De Priyadarsi
Published: November 2019

A remarkable enhancement in crystalline melting temperature (Tm) was observed in a series of fatty acids and mPEG containing alternating copolymers with the lone increase in mPEG chain lengths.
Comparing photoswitching of acrylate or methacrylate polymers conjugated with donor–acceptor Stenhouse adducts
Authors: Yap Jeaniffer E. , Mallo Neil , Thomas Donald S. , Beves Jonathon E. , Stenzel Martina H.
Published: November 2019

Polymers with donor–acceptor Stenhouse adduct (DASA) groups were synthesized using RAFT methods to evaluate the effect of polymer length (20 vs. 100 DP units) and backbone rigidity (acrylate and methacrylate blocks).
A novel and fast responsive turn-on fluorescent probe for the highly selective detection of Cd2+ based on photo-induced electron transfer
Authors: Huang Meng-Xia , Lv Cai-Hua , Huang Qing-Da , Lai Jia-Ping , Sun Hui
Published: November 2019

A novel, highly sensitive and fast responsive turn-on fluorescence probe ADMPA for Cd2+ was successfully developed based on 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline and o-aminophenol.
Facile liquid-assisted one-step sintering synthesis of superfine L10-FePt nanoparticles
Authors: Pei Wenli , Zhao Dong , Wu Chun , Wang Xiaoyang , Wang Kai , Wang Jianjun , Wang Qiang
Published: November 2019

A liquid-assisted one-step sintering method was proposed for the synthesis of L10-FePt superfine nanoparticles.
Effect of Cu2+ on the nucleation kinetics and crystallization of rod-shaped CaSO4·2H2O in aqueous solution
Authors: Sun Xiangbin , Wang Xianshun , Zhang Genlei , Cui Peng , Shen Hao
Published: November 2019

The induction time of DH crystals is extended by the introduction of Cu2+.
Inkjet assisted fabrication of planar biocompatible memristors
Authors: Illarionov Georgii A. , Kolchanov Denis S. , Kuchur Oleg A. , Zhukov Mikhail V. , Sergeeva Ekaterina , Krishtop Vladimir V. , Vinogradov Alexandr V. , Morozov Maxim I.
Published: November 2019

A planar memristor was fabricated by a hybrid method combining AFM patterning and inkjet printing.
An experimental high temperature thermal battery coupled to a low temperature metal hydride for solar thermal energy storage
Authors: Poupin Lucas , Humphries Terry D. , Paskevicius Mark , Buckley Craig E.
Published: November 2019

Cycling of a high temperature thermal battery using a pair of metal hydrides to store thermal energy and the associated evolved gaseous hydrogen.
Arabidopsis 4-COUMAROYL-COA LIGASE 8 contributes to the biosynthesis of the benzenoid ring of coenzyme Q in peroxisomes
Authors: Soubeyrand Eric , Kelly Megan , Keene Shea A. , Bernert Ann C. , Latimer Scott , Johnson Timothy S. , Elowsky Christian , Colquhoun Thomas A. , Block Anna K. , Basset Gilles J.
Published: November 2019

Plants have evolved the ability to derive the benzenoid moiety of the respiratory cofactor and antioxidant, ubiquinone (coenzyme Q), either from the β-oxidative metabolism of p-coumarate or from the peroxidative cleavage of kaempferol. Here, isotopic feeding assays, gene co-expression analysis and reverse genetics identified Arabidopsis 4-COUMARATE-COA LIGASE 8 (4-CL8; At5g38120) as a contributor to the β-oxidation of p-coumarate for ubiquinone biosynthesis. The enzyme is part of the same clade (V) of acyl-activating enzymes than At4g19010, a p-coumarate CoA ligase known to play a central role in the conversion of p-coumarate into 4-hydroxybenzoate. A 4-cl8 T-DNA knockout displayed a 20% decrease in ubiquinone content compared with wild-type plants, while 4-CL8 overexpression boosted ubiquinone content up to 150% of the control level. Similarly, the isotopic enrichment of ubiquinone's ring was decreased by 28% in the 4-cl8 knockout as compared with wild-type controls when Phe-[Ring-13C6] was fed to the plants. This metabolic blockage could be bypassed via the exogenous supply of 4-hydroxybenzoate, the product of p-coumarate β-oxidation. Arabidopsis 4-CL8 displays a canonical peroxisomal targeting sequence type 1, and confocal microscopy experiments using fused fluorescent reporters demonstrated that this enzyme is imported into peroxisomes. Time course feeding assays using Phe-[Ring-13C6] in a series of Arabidopsis single and double knockouts blocked in the β-oxidative metabolism of p-coumarate (4-cl8; at4g19010; at4g19010 × 4-cl8), flavonol biosynthesis (flavanone-3-hydroxylase), or both (at4g19010 × flavanone-3-hydroxylase) indicated that continuous high light treatments (500 µE m−2 s−1; 24 h) markedly stimulated the de novo biosynthesis of ubiquinone independently of kaempferol catabolism.