bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mg acceptor activation mechanism and hole transport characteristics in highly Mg-doped AlGaN alloys*
Authors: Xu Qing-Jun , Zhang Shi-Ying , Liu Bin , Li Zhen-Hua , Tao Tao , Xie Zi-Li , Xiu Xiang-Qian , Chen Dun-Jun , Chen Peng , Han Ping , Wang Ke , Zhang Rong , Zheng You-Liao
Published: March 2020

The Mg acceptor activation mechanism and hole transport characteristics in AlGaN alloy with Mg doping concentration (∼ 1020 cm−3) grown by metal–organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) are systematically studied through optical and electrical properties. Emission lines of shallow oxygen donors and (VIII complex)1− as well as

V
N

3
+

and neutral Mg acceptors are observed, which indicate that self-compensation is occurred in Mg-doped AlGaN at highly doping levels. The fitting of the temperature-dependent Hall effect data shows that the acceptor activation energy values in Mg-doped Al
x
Ga1 − x
N (x = 0.23, 0.35) are 172 meV and 242 meV, and the hole concentrations at room temperature are 1.2 × 1018 cm−3 and 3.3 × 1017 cm−3, respectively. Therefore, it is believed that there exists the combined effect of the Coulomb potentials of the dopants and screening of the Coulomb potentials by a high hole concentration. Moreover, due to the high ionized acceptors’ concentration and compensation ratio, the impurity conduction becomes more prominent and the valence band mobility drops sharply at low temperature.
Multistability and coexisting transient chaos in a simple memcapacitive system*
Authors: Wang Fu-Ping , Wang Fa-Qiang
Published: March 2020

The self-excited attractors and hidden attractors in a memcapacitive system which has three elements are studied in this paper. The critical parameter of stable and unstable states is calculated by identifying the eigenvalues of Jacobian matrix. Besides, complex dynamical behaviors are investigated in the system, such as coexisting attractors, hidden attractors, coexisting bifurcation modes, intermittent chaos, and multistability. From the theoretical analyses and numerical simulations, it is found that there are four different kinds of transient transition behaviors in the memcapacitive system. Finally, field programmable gate array (FPGA) is used to implement the proposed chaotic system.
Relationship between ESIPT properties and antioxidant activities of 5-hydroxyflavone derivates*
Authors: Sun Chaofan , Cao Bifa , Yin Hang , Shi Ying
Published: March 2020

It is of great significance to study the relationship between the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) properties and antioxidant activities of compounds in the field of life sciences. In this work, two novel compounds 5HF–OMe and 5HF–NH2 are designed through introducing a methoxy- and amino-group into the structure of 5-hydroxyflavone (5HF) respectively. The relationship between the ESIPT reaction and antioxidant activities of the three compounds is studied via the density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) methods. The calculated potential energy curves suggest that the rate of ESIPT reaction will gradually slow down from 5HF to 5HF–OMe and 5HF–NH2. In addition, the antioxidant activities of the three compounds gradually enhance from 5HF to 5HF–OMe and 5HF–NH2, which can be seen from the calculated energy gaps and ionization potential values. Interestingly, the above results imply that the rate of ESIPT reaction has a negative relationship with the antioxidant activities of the compounds, i.e., the slower rate of ESIPT reaction will reflect the higher antioxidant activity of the compound, which will provide valuable reference for detecting the antioxidant activity of compound via the photophysical method.
High-resolution (diffraction limited) single-shot multiplexed coded-aperture ptychography
Authors: Ilan Haham Gil , Peleg Or , Sidorenko Pavel , Cohen Oren
Published: March 2020

We propose and numerically explore a method that upgrades a conventional single-shot microscope into a single-shot ptychographic microscope, without impairing its optical performance. It is based on splitting the microscope’s intermediate image plane into multiple replicas, and detecting a set of their coded Fourier transform magnitudes, using a different sensor for each replica. To code each beam, it is transmitted through a distinct coding mask. A ptychographic phase-retrieval algorithm is used to reconstruct the imaged object’s complex-valued transmission function. The proposed method also enables ultrahigh-speed imaging by using a pulse-burst as illumination and applying a multi-state reconstruction algorithm. This approach paves the way to both single-frame and ultrahigh-speed, diffraction-limited microscopy of complex-valued objects.
Electromagnetically induced transparency metamaterial with strong toroidal dipole response
Authors: Shen Zhaoyang , Yang Helin , Huang Xiaojun , Xiang Tianyu , Wu Jiong , Zhou Yanfei , Yu Zetai
Published: March 2020

This paper designs a planar electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) metamaterial, which comprises an asymmetric ellipse split resonance ring (AESRR) and cut wire (CW). The proposed EIT metamaterial works in the wide range of incident angles and has polarization-sensitive at two transmission dips. The frequency of transparency peak is 10.67 GHz and maintains a high quality-factor (180.84). By calculating the multipole’s radiated power, it can be found that the toroidal dipole response is enhanced, while the electric dipole response is suppressed at the transparency peak. Interestingly, this paper firstly uses the radiated power of electric dipole to elucidate the polarization sensitivity in two minimal transmissions. Meanwhile, the coupling mechanism of the EIT metamaterial is analyzed by the two-oscillator model and equivalent circuit.
Depth functions of powers of homogeneous ideals
Authors: Hà Huy , Nguyen Hop , Trung Ngo , Trung Tran
Published: March 2020

We settle a conjecture of Herzog and Hibi, which states that the function

d
e
p
t
h

S

/

Q
n

\mathrm {depth}\, S/Q^n

,

n
≥
1

n \ge 1

, where

Q
Q

is a homogeneous ideal in a polynomial ring

S
S

, can be any convergent numerical function. We also give a positive answer to a longstanding open question of Ratliff on the associated primes of powers of ideals.
The commutator subgroup of the braid group is generated by two elements
Authors: Kordek Kevin
Published: March 2020

For

n
n

at least 7 and

n
n

equal to 5, we give generating sets of size 2 for the commutator subgroup of the braid group on

n
n

strands. These generating sets are of the smallest possible cardinality. For

n
n

equal to 4 or 6, we give generating sets of size three. We also prove that the commutator subgroup of the braid group on 4 strands cannot be generated by fewer than three elements.
Reserpine Substantially Lowers Blood Pressure in Patients With Refractory Hypertension: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Siddiqui Mohammed , Bhatt Hemal , Judd Eric K , Oparil Suzanne , Calhoun David A
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND

Refractory hypertension (RfHTN), a phenotype of antihypertensive treatment failure, is defined as uncontrolled automated office blood pressure (AOBP) ≥130/80 mm Hg and awake ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) ≥130/80 mm Hg on ≥5 antihypertensive medications, including chlorthalidone and a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. Previous studies suggest that RfHTN is attributable to heightened sympathetic tone. The current study tested whether reserpine, a potent sympatholytic agent, lowers blood pressure (BP) in patients with RfHTN.

METHODS

Twenty-one out of 45 consecutive patients with suspected RfHTN were determined to be fully adherent with their antihypertensive regimen. Seven patients agreed to participate in the current clinical trial with reserpine and 6 patients completed the study. Other sympatholytic medications, such as clonidine or guanfacine, were tapered and discontinued before starting reserpine. Reserpine 0.1 mg daily was administered in an open-label fashion for 4 weeks. All patients were evaluated by AOBP and 24-hour ABP at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

Reserpine lowered mean systolic and diastolic AOBP by 29.3 ± 22.2 and 22.0 ± 15.8 mm Hg, respectively. Mean 24-hour systolic and diastolic ABPs were reduced by 21.8 ± 13.4 and 15.3 ± 9.6 mm Hg, mean awake systolic and diastolic ABPs by 23.8 ± 11.8 and 17.8 ± 9.2 mm Hg, and mean asleep systolic and diastolic ABPs by 21.5 ± 11.4 and 13.7 ± 6.4 mm Hg, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Reserpine, a potent sympatholytic agent, lowers BP in patients whose BP remained uncontrolled on maximal antihypertensive therapy, lending support to the hypothesis that excess sympathetic output contributes importantly to the development of RfHTN.
Change in the Relationship Between Drinking Alcohol and Risk of Violence Among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Nationally Representative Longitudinal Study
Authors: Jones Roland M , Van Den Bree Marianne , Zammit Stanley , Taylor Pamela J
Published: March 2020

Aims

To quantify the relationship between alcohol and violence with increasing age.

Methods

Data were from The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (ADD Health) of 20,386 people representative of the US population. Mean age at the first wave of interviews was 16.2 years, with subsequent interviews mean of 1, 6.3 and 12.9 years later. We used random-effects models and predictive marginal effects of the association between varying quantities of alcohol consumption and violence while controlling for possible confounders.

Results

Violence was reported by 19.1% of participants at wave I but just 2.1% at wave IV. The random-effects model showed that consuming 1–4 drinks on each occasion was associated with a modest increase in risk of violence in both males (odds ratio (OR) 1.36, 95% CI 1.13–1.63) and females (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.03–1.72). For consumption of five or more drinks on each occasion, the risk remained similar for females (OR 1.40 (0.99–1.97)) but increased considerably for males (OR 2.41 (1.96–2.95)). Predictive marginal effects models confirmed that violence rates decreased with age.

Conclusions

Alcohol is most strongly linked to violence among adolescents, so programmes for primary prevention of alcohol-related violence are best targeted towards this age group, particularly males who engage in heavy episodic drinking.
tugHall: a simulator of cancer-cell evolution based on the hallmarks of cancer and tumor-related genes
Authors: Nagornov Iurii S , Kato Mamoru
Published: March 2020

The flood of recent cancer genomic data requires a coherent model that can sort out the findings to systematically explain clonal evolution and the resultant intra-tumor heterogeneity (ITH). Here, we present a new mathematical model designed to computationally simulate the evolution of cancer cells. The model connects the well-known hallmarks of cancer with the specific mutational states of tumor-related genes. The cell behavior phenotypes are stochastically determined, and the hallmarks probabilistically interfere with the phenotypic probabilities. In turn, the hallmark variables depend on the mutational states of tumor-related genes. Thus, our software can deepen our understanding of cancer-cell evolution and generation of ITH.

Availability and implementation

The open-source code is available in the repository https://github.com/nagornovys/Cancer_cell_evolution.

Contact

mamkato@ncc.go.jp

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
‘I teach them that anything is possible’—exploring how adult leaders perceive and handle social factors of youth mental health in the context of young people’s civic engagement
Authors: Gotfredsen Anne C , Landstedt Evelina
Published: March 2020

The aim of this qualitative study was 2-fold: to explore, in the context of young people’s civic engagement in Sweden, (i) how adult leaders perceive social factors of youth mental health and (ii) how adult leaders handle such social factors within their organizations. Interviews were conducted with leaders engaged in various civic organizations that provide leisure activities for young people. Using thematic analysis, three themes were constructed. Firstly, the social landscape of youth mental health described how adult leaders perceived the social factors of youth mental health within the context of civic engagement. Secondly, the organizational structures developed by adult leaders illustrated the organizing forms that leaders created for young people’s civic engagement. Thirdly, adult leaders’ strategies for addressing the social factors of youth mental health reflected the strategies developed to handle e.g. stress and achievement pressure. The adult leaders recognized the importance of their organizations and their huge potential to have a positive impact on youth mental health. However, some participants also saw limitations in terms of their own resources and competence. They found themselves having to address the complex issue of social factors of youth mental health regardless of whether they felt competent and prepared to do this or not. Our findings contribute to the existing knowledge on youth and community development via the role of adult leaders in promoting young people’s mental health by highlighting the organizational structures and leadership strategies developed by them.
Reward-Related Suppression of Neural Activity in Macaque Visual Area V4
Authors: Shapcott Katharine A , Schmiedt Joscha T , Kouroupaki Kleopatra , Kienitz Ricardo , Lazar Andreea , Singer Wolf , Schmid Michael C
Published: March 2020

In order for organisms to survive, they need to detect rewarding stimuli, for example, food or a mate, in a complex environment with many competing stimuli. These rewarding stimuli should be detected even if they are nonsalient or irrelevant to the current goal. The value-driven theory of attentional selection proposes that this detection takes place through reward-associated stimuli automatically engaging attentional mechanisms. But how this is achieved in the brain is not very well understood. Here, we investigate the effect of differential reward on the multiunit activity in visual area V4 of monkeys performing a perceptual judgment task. Surprisingly, instead of finding reward-related increases in neural responses to the perceptual target, we observed a large suppression at the onset of the reward indicating cues. Therefore, while previous research showed that reward increases neural activity, here we report a decrease. More suppression was caused by cues associated with higher reward than with lower reward, although neither cue was informative about the perceptually correct choice. This finding of reward-associated neural suppression further highlights normalization as a general cortical mechanism and is consistent with predictions of the value-driven attention theory.
A Case Report of Neonatal 2019 Coronavirus Disease in China
Authors: Wang Shaoshuai , Guo Lili , Chen Ling , Liu Weiyong , Cao Yong , Zhang Jingyi , Feng Ling
Published: March 2020

In December 2019, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in China and now has spread in many countries. Pregnant women are a population susceptible to COVID-19 and are more likely to have complications and even progress to severe illness. We report a case of neonatal COVID-19 in China with pharyngeal swabs testing positive by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assay 36 hours after birth. However, whether the case is a vertical transmission from mother to child remains to be confirmed.
Erythropoiesis stimulating agents are associated with serum fibroblast growth factor 23 metabolism in patients on hemodialysis
Authors: Honda Hirokazu , Tanaka Kenji , Michihata Tetsuo , Shibagaki Keigo , Yuza Toshitaka , Hirao Keiichi , Tomosugi Naohisa , Ganz Tomas , Higashimoto Yuichiro
Published: March 2020

Background

This study aimed to determine associations among short- and long-acting erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs), changes in serum fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and biomarkers of iron metabolism.

Methods

Among 108 patients on hemodialysis (HD), 44 received every 2 weeks or monthly doses of continuous erythropoiesis receptor activator (CERA), 31 received weekly doses of darbepoetin-α, 24 received three doses per week of epoetin-β and 9 were not treated with an ESA. Intact and C-terminal FGF23 and transferrin saturation (TSAT), ferritin, erythroferrone and hepcidin 25 were measured in blood samples collected before the HD session at the end of the dialysis week (baseline, Day 0) and on Days 3, 5, 7 and 14 thereafter.

Results

Levels of ferritin, hepcidin 25 and erythroferrone as well as TSAT were significantly decreased or elevated in patients treated with CERA compared with other types of ESAs. Levels of C-terminal FGF23 increased in all groups during the observation period. Levels of intact FGF23 and ratios of intact FGF23 to C-terminal FGF23 gradually decreased between Days 3 and 7 in the CERA but not in the other groups. Multivariate models associated changes in hepcidin 25 and phosphate with those of intact FGF23.

Conclusion

The long-acting ESA CERA might influence levels of intact FGF23 by increasing FGF23 cleavage in patients on HD in association with prolonged hepcidin 25 suppression.
Urinary soluble CD163 as a biomarker of disease activity and relapse in antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated glomerulonephritis
Authors: Villacorta Javier , Lucientes Laura , Goicoechea Elena , Acevedo Mercedes , Cavero Teresa , Sanchez-Camara Luis , Díaz-Crespo Francisco , Gimenez-Moyano Sara , García-Bermejo Laura , Fernandez-Juarez Gema
Published: March 2020

Background

Antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is a chronic relapsing and remitting autoimmune disease. Urinary soluble CD163 (usCD163) has been proposed as a biomarker of active renal vasculitis. We aimed to assess the potential usefulness of usCD163 for diagnosing renal relapse in patients with ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis.

Methods

One hundred and fifty-six samples from 47 patients with ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis belonging to two different cohorts (incident and prevalent) and 20 healthy controls were studied. Patients from the incident cohort were prospectively followed up, and usCD163 concentrations were measured every 3 months. Renal relapses were identified and changes in usCD163 concentrations were analysed.

Results

Normalized usCD163 concentrations were elevated at disease onset in all patients with active renal vasculitis, with a median concentration of 601 ng/mmol (interquartile range 221–1404 ng/mmol). On the other hand, usCD163 concentrations were undetectable among control patients with renal vasculitis in remission. Except for non-responders, usCD163 concentrations progressively decreased in all patients after treatment. In the presence of vasculitis relapse, there was a consistent increase in usCD163 concentrations, compared with previous values. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of absolute and relative changes in usCD163 concentrations to identify relapse of ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis was 0.96 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.91–1.00; P = 0.001] and 0.95 (95% CI 0.90–1.00; P = 0.001), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for a relative increase of 20%, or an absolute increase of 20 ng/mmol, in usCD163 concentrations were 100% for both, and 89.3% and 87.5%, respectively. Urinary sCD163 concentrations significantly correlated with Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score scores at Month 6 (r = 0.737; P = 0.006) and Month 12 (r = 0.804; P = 0.005).

Conclusions

usCD163 represents an accurate biomarker for the detection of active renal vasculitis and relapse. Its close association with disease activity provides additional information for monitoring treatment response.
Natriuretic peptide analogues with distinct vasodilatory or renal activity: integrated effects in health and experimental heart failure
Authors: Rademaker Miriam T , Scott Nicola J A , Koh Cho Yeow , Kini R Manjunatha , Richards A Mark
Published: March 2020

Aims

Management of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) requires disparate treatments depending on the state of systemic/peripheral perfusion and the presence/absence of expanded body–fluid volumes. There is an unmet need for therapeutics that differentially treat each aspect. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) plays an important role in blood pressure and volume regulation. We investigate for the first time the integrated haemodynamic, endocrine and renal effects of human ANP analogues, modified for exclusive vasodilatory (ANP-DRD) or diuretic (ANP-DGD) activities, in normal health and experimental ADHF.

Methods and results

We compared the effects of incremental infusions of ANP analogues ANP-DRD and ANP-DGD with native ANP, in normal (n = 8) and ADHF (n = 8) sheep. ANP-DRD administration increased plasma cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in association with dose-dependent reductions in arterial pressure in normal and heart failure (HF) sheep similarly to ANP responses. In contrast to ANP, which in HF produced a diuresis/natriuresis, this analogue was without significant renal effect. Conversely, ANP-DGD induced marked stepwise increases in urinary cGMP, urine volume, and sodium excretion in HF comparable to ANP, but without accompanying vasodilatory effects. All peptides increased packed cell volume relative to control in both states, and in HF, decreased left atrial pressure. In response to ANP-DRD-induced blood pressure reductions, plasma renin activity rose compared to control only during the high dose in normals, and not at all in HF—suggesting relative renin inhibition, with no increase in aldosterone in either state, whereas renin and aldosterone were both significantly reduced by ANP-DGD in HF.

Conclusion

These ANP analogues exhibit distinct vasodilatory (ANP-DRD) and diuretic/natriuretic (ANP-DGD) activities, and therefore have the potential to provide precision therapy for ADHF patients with differing pathophysiological derangement of pressure–volume homeostasis.
Understanding tricuspid valve remodelling in atrial fibrillation using three-dimensional echocardiography
Authors: Ortiz-Leon Xochitl A , Posada-Martinez Edith L , Trejo-Paredes Maria C , Ivey-Miranda Juan B , Pereira Jason , Crandall Ian , DaSilva Paul , Bouman Eileen , Brooks Alyssa , Gerardi Christine , Ugonabo Ifeoma , Chen Wanwen , Houle Helene , Akar Joseph G , Lin Ben A , McNamara Robert L , Lombo-Lievano Bernardo , Arias-Godinez Jose A , Sugeng Lissa
Published: March 2020

Aims

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been associated with tricuspid annulus (TA) dilation in patients with severe functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR); however, the impact of AF is less clear in patients without severe TR. Our aim was to characterize TA remodelling in patients with AF in the absence of severe TR using 3D transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE).

Methods and results

Ninety patients underwent clinically indicated transthoracic and TOE: non-structural (NS)-AF (n = 30); AF with left heart disease (LHD) (n = 30), and controls in sinus rhythm (n = 30). Three-dimensional TOE datasets were analysed to measure TA dimensions using novel dedicated tricuspid valve software. The NS-AF group showed biatrial dilatation and normal right ventricular (RV) size with decreased longitudinal function compared to controls, whereas the LHD-AF group showed biatrial dilatation, RV enlargement, decreased biventricular function, and higher systolic pulmonary artery pressure compared with the other groups. Indexed TA area, minimum diameter, maximum diameter, and total perimeter were significantly larger in the NS-AF group than in controls (measurements in end-diastole: 6.4 ± 1.1 vs. 5.0 ± 0.6 cm2/m2, 1.8 ± 0.3 vs. 1.6 ± 0.2 cm/m2, 2.1 ± 0.3 vs. 1.9 ± 0.2 cm/m2, and 6.6 ± 0.9 vs. 5.9 ± 0.7 cm/m2, respectively, all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in any indexed TA parameter between AF groups. TA circularity index (ratio between minimum and maximal diameters) and TA fractional area change between end-diastole and end-systole were no different among the three groups.

Conclusion

AF is associated with right atrial and tricuspid annular remodelling independent of the presence of LHD in patients with intrinsically normal tricuspid leaflets without severe TR.
Is Gorlin–Chaudhry–Moss syndrome associated with aortopathy?
Authors: Legué Juno , François Jules H M , van Rijswijk Carla S P , van Brakel Thomas J
Published: March 2020

Gorlin–Chaudhry–Moss syndrome (GCMS) is a rare disorder consisting of craniofacial dysostosis, hypertrichosis, underdeveloped genitalia, and ocular and dental anomalies. Recently, GCMS has been reclassified together with Fontaine syndrome as Fontaine progeroid syndrome (FPS), after a common genetic basis was found. It was previously thought that GCMS/FPS was not associated with aortopathy, but in recent years 3 patients with aortic disease have been described. We describe the fourth case, who is the oldest patient with GCMS/FPS reported in the medical literature: a 45-year-old patient who presented with acute aortic dissection. We therefore recommend screening patients previously diagnosed with GCMS/FPS for aortic pathology to aid early detection and avoid patient presentation in an acute setting.
The Modified Arch Landing Areas Nomenclature predicts proximal endograft failure after thoracic endovascular aortic repair
Authors: Marrocco-Trischitta Massimiliano M , de Beaufort Hector W , Piffaretti Gabriele , Bonardelli Stefano , Gargiulo Mauro , Antonello Michele , van Herwaarden Joost A , Boveri Sara , Bellosta Raffaello , Trimarchi Santi ,   MALAN Collaborators, Castelli Patrizio , Gallitto Enrico , Macchi Edoardo , Mazzeo Girolomina , Saviane Gianna , Secchi Francesco , Spampinato Benedetta , Xodo Andrea
Published: March 2020

OBJECTIVES

Our goal was to assess the value of the Modified Arch Landing Areas Nomenclature (MALAN) for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), in which each landing area (LA) is identified by a proximal landing zone and the type of arch (e.g. 0/I), as predictors of postoperative proximal endograft performance.

METHODS

A multicentre retrospective analysis was performed of patients treated with arch TEVAR (i.e. proximal landing zone 0–3) for various indications between 2007 and 2017. Patients were stratified by the MALAN classification into hostile LAs (i.e. 2/III and 3/III) and favourable LAs (i.e. 0/I–III, 1/I–III, 2/I–II and 3/I–II). Outcome criteria included composite proximal endograft failure (including type Ia endoleak, persistent false lumen perfusion at the level of the most proximal communication between the lumina in aortic dissections, endograft migration and retrograde dissection) and deaths from all causes. Competing risk analyses were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 359 patients (hostile LAs 133; favourable LAs 226) were identified. The median age was 71.0 (62.0–77.0); 78.3% were men. Proximal endograft failure occurred in 28/133 patients (21.1%) in the hostile LA group and in 12/226 (5.3%) in the favourable LA group. On multivariate analysis, hostile LAs were independently associated with proximal endograft failure (P < 0.0001). There was no other independent risk factor. Favourable LAs were associated with an increased mortality rate (P = 0.006), which could be attributed to the proximal LA subgroup (i.e. 0/I–III and 1/I–III) (P < 0.0001), in addition to age (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The MALAN classification identifies hostile proximal landing zones for TEVAR, namely 2/III and 3/III LAs, which are associated with dismal proximal endograft performance. The MALAN appears to be an intuitive and valuable tool to improve the preoperative decision-making process.
Remote Supervision to Decrease Hospitalization Rate (RESULT) study in patients with implanted cardioverter-defibrillator
Authors: Tajstra Mateusz , Sokal Adam , Gadula-Gacek Elżbieta , Kurek Anna , Wozniak Aleksandra , Niedziela Jacek , Adamowicz-Czoch Elżbieta , Rozentryt Piotr , Milewski Krzysztof , Jachec Wojciech , Kalarus Zbigniew , Poloński Lech , Gasior Mariusz
Published: March 2020

Aims

The number of patients with heart failure (HF) and implantable cardiac electronic devices has been growing steadily. Remote monitoring care (RC) of cardiac implantable electronic devices can facilitate patient-healthcare clinical interactions and prompt preventive activities to improve HF outcomes. However, studies that have investigated the efficacy of remote monitoring have shown mixed findings, with better results for the system including daily verification of transmission. The purpose of the RESULT study was to analyse the impact of remote monitoring on clinical outcomes in HF patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator [ICD/cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D)] in real-life conditions.

Methods and results

The RESULT is a prospective, single-centre, randomized trial. Patients with HF and de novo ICD or CRT-D implantation were randomized to undergo RC vs. in-office follow-ups (SC, standard care). The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death and hospitalization due to cardiovascular reasons within 12 months after randomization. We randomly assigned 600 eligible patients (299 in RC vs. 301 in SC). Baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were well-balanced and similar in both arms. The incidence of the primary endpoint differed significantly between RC and SC and involved 39.5% and 48.5% of patients, respectively, (P = 0.048) within the 12-month follow-up. The rate of all-cause mortality was similar between the studied groups (6% vs. 6%, P = 0.9), whereas hospitalization rate due to cardiovascular reasons was higher in SC (37.1% vs. 45.5%, P = 0.045).

Conclusion

Remote monitoring of HF patients with implanted ICD or CRT-D significantly reduced the primary endpoint rate, mostly as a result of a lower hospitalization rate in the RC arm (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02409225).
The driving factors of nematode gut microbiota under long-term fertilization
Authors: Zheng Fei , Zhu Dong , Chen Qing-Lin , Bi Qing-Fang , Yang Xiao-Ru , O'Connor Patrick , Zhu Yong-Guan
Published: March 2020

Animal bodies are colonized by many microorganisms which can provide indispensable services to their hosts. Although nematode gut microbiota has been extensively studied in recent years, the driving factors of gut microbiome of soil nematodes from a long-term fertilization field are unclear. Here, using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, we explored the nematode gut microbiota under different fertilization patterns (control, inorganic fertilizers and mixed fertilizers) and fertilization durations (5 y, 8 y and 10 y). Our results revealed that nematode gut microbiota was dominated by core bacterial taxa AF502208 (anaerobic bacteria), Enterobacter (plant litter decomposition) and Ancylobacter (organic matter decomposition and nitrogen cycling), significantly distinct from soil microbiome, and the assembly of that was a non-random process, which suggested host conditions contributed to maintaining the gut microbiota. Moreover, fertilization pattern had a greater influence on nematode gut microbiome than fertilization duration. Inorganic fertilization (5.19) significantly reduced the diversity of the nematode gut microbiota (6.68) shown by Shannon index (P < 0.05). Canonical correspondence analysis demonstrates that soil properties such as pH, organic matter, total phosphorus, available phosphorus, ammonium nitrogen, moisture content, nitrate nitrogen and total nitrogen have significant effects on the nematode microbiome. Structured equation models further revealed that fertilization could obviously affect the nematode gut microbiota, and the effects were maintained even when accounting simultaneously for the drivers of soil bacteria and soil properties. This study provides a solid evidence that the shifting of nematode gut microbiota under long-term fertilization was resulted from environmental factors and host conditions, and advance the insights into host-microbiome in the agricultural ecosystems.
Globalizing the Thirty Years War: Early German Newspapers and their Geopolitical Perspective on the Atlantic World*
Authors: Müller Johannes
Published: March 2020

At the height of the Thirty Years War, news from South America, West Africa and the Caribbean was widespread and quickly distributed in the central European peripheries of the early modern Atlantic world. Despite the German retreat from sixteenth-century colonial experiments, overseas reports sometimes appeared in remote southern German towns before they were printed in Spain or the Low Countries. This article explains the vivid German interest in Atlantic news and examines how correspondents designed their overseas reports for a specifically German news market by connecting them to the European political and military situation, using a rhetorical frame of global conflict. While the domestic importance of American news was sometimes overstated by German newsmakers, its dissemination helps us understand how a sense of global connectedness emerged in a new print genre and created a discourse that supported the spatial and temporal integration of events around the globe.
The importance of mediation in reproductive health studies
Authors: Farland Leslie V , Correia Katharine F B , Dodge Laura E , Modest Anna M , Williams Paige L , Smith Louisa H , Toth Thomas L , Hacker Michele R , Missmer Stacey A
Published: March 2020

A mediator is a factor that occurs after the exposure of interest, precedes the outcome of interest (i.e. between the exposure and the outcome) and is associated with both the exposure and the outcome of interest (i.e. is on the pathway between exposure and outcome). Mediation analyses can be valuable in many reproductive health contexts, as mediation analysis can help researchers to better identify, quantify and understand the underlying pathways of the association they are studying. The purpose of this commentary is to introduce the concept of mediation and provide examples that solidify understanding of mediation for valid discovery and interpretation in the field of reproductive medicine.
Generic IllPosedness for Wave Equation of Power Type on Three-Dimensional Torus
Authors: Xia Bo
Published: March 2020

In the present work, we show that the wave equation in three-dimensional torus of power-type nonlinearity is ill posed around any (relatively) regular dynamics in the super-critical regime. In the cubic case, we can even choose the regular dynamics to be the smooth one. This result can serve as one motivation to consider initial datum as an “ensemble” to measure the size of the set of these “bad” datum in the sense of probability. This work also indicates that the probabilistic solutions constructed, for instance, in Burq–Tzvetkov [ 4] can only be well approximated by smooth solutions issued from certain regularized datum.
Molecular and functional analysis of the novel cfr(D) linezolid resistance gene identified in Enterococcus faecium
Authors: Guerin François , Sassi Mohamed , Dejoies Loren , Zouari Asma , Schutz Sacha , Potrel Sophie , Auzou Michel , Collet Anaïs , Lecointe Didier , Auger Gabriel , Cattoir Vincent
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To characterize the novel cfr(D) gene identified in an Enterococcus faecium clinical isolate (15-307.1) collected from France.

Methods

The genome of 15-307.1 was entirely sequenced using a hybrid approach combining short-read (MiSeq, Illumina) and long-read (GridION, Oxford Nanopore Technologies) technologies in order to analyse in detail the genetic support and environment of cfr(D). Transfer of linezolid resistance from 15-307.1 to E. faecium BM4107 was attempted by filter-mating experiments. The recombinant plasmid pAT29Ωcfr(D), containing cfr(D) and its own promoter, was transferred to E. faecium HM1070, Enterococcus faecalis JH2-2 and Escherichia coli AG100A.

Results

As previously reported, 15-307.1 belonged to ST17 and was phenotypically resistant to linezolid (MIC, 16 mg/L), vancomycin and teicoplanin. A hybrid sequencing approach confirmed the presence of several resistance genes including vanA, optrA and cfr(D). Located on a 103 kb plasmid, cfr(D) encoded a 357 amino acid protein, which shared 64%, 64%, 48% and 51% amino acid identity with Cfr, Cfr(B), Cfr(C) and Cfr(E), respectively. Both optrA and cfr(D) were successfully co-transferred to E. faecium BM4107. When expressed in E. faecium HM1070 and E. faecalis JH2-2, pAT29Ωcfr(D) did not confer any resistance, whereas it was responsible for an expected PhLOPSA resistance phenotype in E. coli AG100A. Analysis of the genetic environment of cfr(D) showed multiple IS1216 elements, putatively involved in its mobilization.

Conclusions

Cfr(D) is a novel member of the family of 23S rRNA methyltransferases. While only conferring a PhLOPSA resistance phenotype when expressed in E. coli, enterococci could constitute an unknown reservoir of cfr(D).
Fully Automated Identification of Coffee Species and Simultaneous Quantification of Furfuryl Alcohol Using NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Lachenmeier Dirk W , Teipel Jan , Scharinger Andreas , Kuballa Thomas , Walch Stephan G , Grosch Franziska , Bunzel Mirko , Okaru Alex O , Schwarz Steffen
Published: March 2020

Background

Coffee is a popular beverage with two species, Coffea canephora and C. arabica, being commercially exploited. The quality and commercial value of coffee is dependent on species and processing. C. arabica typically obtains a higher price on the market compared to C. canephora. Coffee beans undergo roasting during processing, resulting in the formation of flavor compounds including furfuryl alcohol which has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).

Objective

The aim of this study was to identify coffee species and other properties using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, specifically to conduct quantification of the roasting process contaminant furfuryl alcohol.

Method

The quantification of furfuryl alcohol was performed from the NMR spectra using the pulse length-based concentration (PULCON) methodology. Prior to NMR analysis, samples were extracted using deuterated chloroform.

Results

Roasting experiments identified the maximum roasting temperature to be the most significant factor in the formation of furfuryl alcohol. Among the coffee species, C. canephora was found to contain a relatively lower amount of furfuryl alcohol compared to C. arabica. The roasting of wet processed coffee resulted in higher contents of furfuryl alcohol. Geographical origin and variety within species had no influence on the furfuryl alcohol content.

Conclusion

Validation results show that NMR spectroscopy is fit-for-purpose to obtain targeted information of coffee samples.

Highlights

The PULCON NMR methodology allows a simple, rapid and accurate determination of constituents of coffee.
Effects of quality grade and intramuscular location on beef semitendinosus muscle fiber characteristics, NADH content, and color stability
Authors: Van Bibber-Krueger Cadra L , Collins Ashley M , Phelps Kelsey J , O’Quinn Travis G , Houser Terry A , Turner Kari K , Gonzalez John M
Published: March 2020

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of quality grade and steak location on color stability of semitendinosus (ST) steaks during a 9-d refrigerated study. Twenty-one ST muscles (12 Choice and 9 Select) were purchased from a commercial beef packing plant and fabricated into twelve 2.54-cm thick steaks per muscle. Steaks 1, 6, and 12 were designated for immunohistochemistry while remaining steak locations of proximal (steaks 2 to 4), middle (5 to 8), and distal (9 to 11) were randomly assigned to 0, 4, or 9 d of simulated retail display. Surface color attributes of day-9 steaks were recorded daily by a visual color panel and spectrophotometer. On days 0, 4, and 9 of display, steaks were analyzed for metmyoglobin reducing ability (MRA) and oxygen consumption (OC). Grade × day of display (DOD) interactions were detected for L*, a*, surface oxymyoglobin (OMb) and metmyoglobin (MMb) percentages, and visual panel surface redness and discoloration scores (P ≤ 0.02); however, no Grade × DOD interactions were observed for MRA or OC (P > 0.17). There were location main effect (LOC) × DOD interactions for L*, a*, surface MMb, visual panel surface redness and discoloration, and MRA (P ≤ 0.02). Distal steaks had lower L* values compared with the other locations (P < 0.01), which coincided with steaks being rated visually darker red (P < 0.01). Proximal steaks had greater a* values and had less surface discoloration than middle steaks (P < 0.05), which had an increased percentage of surface MMb (P ≤ 0.04). Distal and proximal steaks had increased MRA compared with middle steaks on days 0 and 4 (P < 0.05), and distal steaks had greater OC than the other locations throughout display (P < 0.01). There were fewer type I fibers at the proximal end with a greater percentage located at the middle and distal ends, and an increased percentage of type IIX fibers at the middle and proximal locations (P ≤ 0.01). Less type IIA fibers were detected at the middle LOC compared with the other two locations (P < 0.10). Larger type I, IIA, and IIX fibers were located at the proximal and middle locations compared with the distal LOC (P < 0.01). ST color and color-stability characteristics were influenced by DOD and LOC, which may partially be explained by differences in fiber types among locations.
Shape disparity in the blade-like premolars of multituberculate mammals: functional constraints and the evolution of herbivory
Authors: Weaver Lucas N , Wilson Gregory P
Published: March 2020

Cimolodontan multituberculates were a diverse and long-lived group of mammals characterized by large, blade-like lower fourth premolars (p4). Blade-like (plagiaulacoid) dentitions have evolved numerous times in distantly related mammalian lineages. Here we investigate how p4-shape disparity changed through time in the Cimolodonta. We address two hypotheses: (H1) blade-like dentitions constrain the ability of plagiaulacoid mammals to evolve novel dental morphologies, (H2) cimolodontan dental evolution proceeded gradually along a morphocline during the Late Cretaceous. We quantify functionally important aspects of p4 shape, including ratios reflecting height (H:L), symmetry (L1:L), and mesial-face height (H1:H), in a large sample of cimolodontans spanning the mid-Cretaceous through early Paleogene of North America (ca. 100–35 Mya). Our results do not support the morphocline hypothesis (H2) and, instead, show that cimolodontans evolved a wide range of p4 shapes by the mid-Cretaceous, and that p4-shape disparity remained stable through the Late Cretaceous. We hypothesize that the two-stage cimolodontan chewing cycle (slicing-crushing then grinding) imposed functional constraints on p4 morphology. After the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary, p4-shape disparity increased sharply, driven by the appearance of the Taeniolabidoidea, Microcosmodontidae, and Eucosmodontidae, in the early Paleocene. We contend that the slicing-crushing functions of the p4 became less important in those taxa, relaxing functional constraints on p4 morphology. Cimolodontans that retained both the slicing-crushing and grinding function of the p4 had a more limited range of p4 morphologies, and probably were largely restricted to animal-dominated omnivory. Taxa that shifted the initial slicing-crushing function from the p4 to the incisors had fewer functional constraints on p4 morphology, and were able to increase their molar grinding capacity to exploit plant-dominated omnivory and herbivory. That the p4 was reduced in herbivorous taxa rather than modified into a broader, multi-cusped tooth lends support to the morphological constraint hypothesis (H1), and this relationship between p4 morphology and function suggests that retaining a large, blade-like p4 might have limited the range of herbivorous diets cimolodontans could exploit. These findings highlight the ecological and evolutionary limitations that specialized dentitions can impose on mammals by restricting their morphological and, in turn, functional diversification.
On the true nature of the sphenoidal “pits” in the common warthog, Phacochoerus africanus (Artiodactyla, Suidae), and a description of the cranial sinuses
Authors: Mader Bryn J , Hammer Rachel B
Published: March 2020

The peculiar sphenoidal “pits” of the common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) long have been recognized as a feature that distinguishes that species from the closely related desert warthog (P. aethiopicus). Authors seem to regard these structures as blind pockets that do not extend beyond the basicranium. However, these structures actually are openings that lead into a complex system of sinuses (the sphenoidal sinuses) located in the sphenoid and squamosal, and occasionally extending into the occipital and parietal bones. The openings appear to serve as a drain into the nasopharynx. The sphenoidal “pits” of P. africanus as currently defined by most authors are, therefore, not homologous with the sphenoidal pits of P. aethiopicus. We suggest that the term “sphenoidal apertures” be applied to these openings. The true homologue of the sphenoidal pits of P. aethiopicus is the bone that surrounds the sphenoidal apertures in P. africanus. This would include the thin bony sheet that forms the floor of the opening and that bears a shallow fossa. We recommend the term “sphenoidal shelf” be employed to describe this part of the true sphenoidal pit of P. africanus. In addition to the sphenoidal sinuses, the maxillary and frontal sinuses of P. africanus also are described. We report the possibility of mammalian cranial sinuses arising from nasopharyngeal diverticula rather than from diverticula originating from the nasal cavity proper. Previously, such nasopharyngeal pneumatization only has been known to occur in Reptilia. Possible sinus functions are discussed including shock absorption, lightening of the skull, improvement of olfaction, and enhancement of the immune system. In addition to P. africanus, sphenoidal apertures also occur in Babyrousa, and in an extinct perissodactyl, a brontothere (= titanothere).
The role of microRNAs in the legume–Rhizobium nitrogen-fixing symbiosis
Authors: Hoang Nhung T , Tóth Katalin , Stacey Gary
Published: March 2020

Under nitrogen starvation, most legume plants form a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with Rhizobium bacteria. The bacteria induce the formation of a novel organ called the nodule in which rhizobia reside as intracellular symbionts and convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. During this symbiosis, miRNAs are essential for coordinating the various plant processes required for nodule formation and function. miRNAs are non-coding, endogenous RNA molecules, typically 20–24 nucleotides long, that negatively regulate the expression of their target mRNAs. Some miRNAs can move systemically within plant tissues through the vascular system, which mediates, for example, communication between the stem/leaf tissues and the roots. In this review, we summarize the growing number of miRNAs that function during legume nodulation focusing on two model legumes, Lotus japonicus and Medicago truncatula, and two important legume crops, soybean (Glycine max) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). This regulation impacts a variety of physiological processes including hormone signaling and spatial regulation of gene expression. The role of mobile miRNAs in regulating legume nodule number is also highlighted.