bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human exposure to synthetic endocrine disrupting chemicals (S-EDCs) is generally negligible as compared to natural compounds with higher or comparable endocrine activity: how to evaluate the risk of the S-EDCs?
Authors: Autrup Herman , Barile Frank A. , Berry Sir Colin , Blaauboer Bas J. , Boobis Alan , Bolt Herrmann , Borgert Christopher J. , Dekant Wolfgang , Dietrich Daniel , Domingo Jose L. , Gori Gio Batta , Greim Helmut , Hengstler Jan , Kacew Sam , Marquardt Hans , Pelkonen Olavi , Savolainen Kai , Heslop-Harrison Pat , Vermeulen Nico P.
Published: June 2020

Theoretically, both synthetic endocrine disrupting chemicals (S-EDCs) and natural (exogenous and endogenous) endocrine disrupting chemicals (N-EDCs) can interact with endocrine receptors and disturb hormonal balance. However, compared to endogenous hormones, S-EDCs are only weak partial agonists with receptor affinities several orders of magnitude lower. Thus, to elicit observable effects, S-EDCs require considerably higher concentrations to attain sufficient receptor occupancy or to displace natural hormones and other endogenous ligands. Significant exposures to exogenous N-EDCs may result from ingestion of foods such as soy-based diets, green tea and sweet mustard. While their potencies are lower as compared to natural endogenous hormones, they usually are considerably more potent than S-EDCs. Effects of exogenous N-EDCs on the endocrine system were observed at high dietary intakes. A causal relation between their mechanism of action and these effects is established and biologically plausible. In contrast, the assumption that the much lower human exposures to S-EDCs may induce observable endocrine effects is not plausible. Hence, it is not surprising that epidemiological studies searching for an association between S-EDC exposure and health effects have failed. Regarding testing for potential endocrine effects, a scientifically justified screen should use in vitro tests to compare potencies of S-EDCs with those of reference N-EDCs. When the potency of the S-EDC is similar or smaller than that of the N-EDC, further testing in laboratory animals and regulatory consequences are not warranted.
The effect of training on the perceived approach angle in visual vertical heading judgements in a virtual environment
Authors: Gibson Molly E. , Kim John J.-J. , McManus Meaghan , Harris Laurence R.
Published: June 2020

Past studies have found poorer performance on vertical heading judgement accuracy compared to horizontal heading judgement accuracy. In everyday life, precise vertical heading judgements are used less often than horizontal heading judgements as we cannot usually control our vertical direction. However, pilots judging a landing approach need to consistently discriminate vertical heading angles to land safely. This study addresses the impact of training on participants’ ability to judge their touchdown point relative to a target in a virtual environment with a clearly defined ground plane and horizon. Thirty-one participants completed a touchdown point estimation task twice, using three angles of descent (3°, 6° and 9°). In between the two testing tasks, half of the participants completed a flight simulator landing training task which provided feedback on their vertical heading performance; while, the other half completed a two-dimensional puzzle game as a control. Overall, participants were more precise in their responses in the second testing compared to the first (from a SD of ± 0.91° to ± 0.67°), but only the experimental group showed improvement in accuracy (from a mean error of − 2.1° to − 0.6°). Our results suggest that with training, vertical heading judgments can be as accurate as horizontal heading judgments. This study is the first to show the effectiveness of training in vertical heading judgement in naïve individuals. The results are applicable in the field of aviation, informing possible strategies for pilot training.
Spatial Patterns of Gene Expression in Bacterial Genomes
Authors: Lato Daniella F. , Golding G. Brian
Published: June 2020

Gene expression in bacteria is a remarkably controlled and intricate process impacted by many factors. One such factor is the genomic position of a gene within a bacterial genome. Genes located near the origin of replication generally have a higher expression level, increased dosage, and are often more conserved than genes located farther from the origin of replication. The majority of the studies involved with these findings have only noted this phenomenon in a single gene or cluster of genes that was re-located to pre-determined positions within a bacterial genome. In this work, we look at the overall expression levels from eleven bacterial data sets fromEscherichia coli,Bacillus subtilis,Streptomyces, andSinorhizobium meliloti. We have confirmed that gene expression tends to decrease when moving away from the origin of replication in majority of the replicons analysed in this study. This study sheds light on the impact of genomic location on molecular trends such as gene expression and highlights the importance of accounting for spatial trends in bacterial molecular analysis.
A New Synthetic Conduit for the Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Injuries
Authors: Uranues Selman , Bretthauer Georg , Tomasch Gordana , Rafolt Dietmar , Nagele‐Moser Doris , Berghold Andrea , Kleinert Reinhold , Justich Ivo , Waldert Jörg , Koch Horst
Published: June 2020

Background

Peripheral nerve defects (PND) often cause lifelong physical disability, and the available treatment options are often not satisfactory. PND are usually bridged with an autologous nerve transplant or a nerve guidance conduit (NGC), when coaptation as preferred technique is not possible. The aim of this experimental study was to determine the effectiveness of a novel NGC for regeneration in the treatment of PND.

Materials and methods

A conduit made of gelatin with an innovative interior structure was tested for the repair of a 6‐mm gap versus direct microsurgical suture repair without gap.

Results

We found that bridging the defect with this conduit was as effective as direct microsurgical coaptation without a defect.

Conclusions

This nerve conduit, effective in bridging neural defects, appears as an alternative to autologous nerve grafts, avoiding the problems related to nerve graft harvesting, host–donor differences in diameter, mismatches in number and pattern of fascicles, cross‐sectional shape and area, and morbidity of the donor area.
Relatedness coefficients in pedigrees with inbred founders
Authors: Vigeland Magnus Dehli
Published: June 2020

We study an extension of the standard framework for pedigree analysis, in which we allow pedigree founders to be inbred. This solves a number of practical challenges in calculating coefficients of relatedness, including condensed identity coefficients. As a consequence we expand considerably the class of pedigrees for which such coefficients may be efficiently computed. An application of this is the modelling of background inbreeding as a continuous effect. We also use inbred founders to shed new light on constructibility of relatedness coefficients, i.e., the problem of finding a genealogy yielding a given set of coefficients. In particular, we show that any theoretically admissible coefficients for a pair of noninbred individuals can be produced by a finite pedigree with inbred founders. Coupled with our computational methods, implemented in the R package , this allows for the first time computer analysis of general constructibility solutions, thus making them accessible for practical use.
Evidence from stable-isotope labeling that catechol is an intermediate in salicylic acid catabolism in the flowers of Silene latifolia (white campion)
Authors: Van Gelder Kristen , Forrester Taylor , Akhtar Tariq A.
Published: June 2020

Main conclusion

A stable isotope-assisted mass spectrometry-based platform was utilized to demonstrate that the plant hormone, salicylic acid, is catabolized to catechol, a widespread secondary plant compound.

The phytohormone salicylic acid (SA) plays a central role in the overall plant defense program, as well as various other aspects of plant growth and development. Although the biosynthetic steps toward SA are well documented, how SA is catabolized in plants remains poorly understood. Accordingly, in this study a series of stable isotope feeding experiments were performed with Silene latifolia (white campion) to explore possible routes of SA breakdown. S. latifolia flowers that were fed a solution of [2H6]-salicylic acid emitted the volatile and potent pollinator attractant, 1,2-dimethoxybenzene (veratrole), which contained the benzene ring-bound deuterium atoms. Extracts from these S. latifolia flowers revealed labeled catechol as a possible intermediate. After feeding flowers with [2H6]-catechol, the stable isotope was recovered in veratrole as well as its precursor, guaiacol. Addition of a trapping pool of guaiacol in combination with [2H6]-salicylic acid resulted in the accumulation of the label into catechol. Finally, we provide evidence for catechol O-methyltransferase enzyme activity in a population of S. latifolia that synthesizes veratrole from guaiacol. This activity was absent in non-veratrole emitting flowers. Taken together, these results imply the conversion of salicylic acid to veratrole in the following reaction sequence: salicylic acid > catechol > guaiacol > veratrole. This catabolic pathway for SA may also be embedded in other lineages of the plant kingdom, particularly those species which are known to accumulate catechol.
Need for ensuring care for neuro-emergencies—lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Hecht Nils , Wessels Lars , Werft Finn-Ove , Schneider Ulf C. , Czabanka Marcus , Vajkoczy Peter
Published: June 2020

Background

To investigate whether patients with critical emergency conditions are seeking or receiving the medical care that they require, we characterized the reality of care for patients presenting with neuro-emergencies during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

In this observational, longitudinal cohort study, all neurosurgical admissions that presented to our department between February 1 and April 15 during the COVID-19 pandemic and during the same time period in 2019 were identified and categorized according to the presence of a neuro-emergency, the route of admission, management, and the category of disease. Further, the clinical course of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) was investigated representatively for severe vascular and semi-urgent traumatic conditions that present with a wide variety of symptoms.

Results

During the pandemic, the percentage of neuro-emergencies among all neurosurgical admissions remained similar but a larger proportion presented through the emergency department than through the outpatient clinic or by referral (*p = 0.009). The total number of neuro-emergencies was significantly reduced (*p = 0.0007) across all types of disease, particularly in vascular (*p = 0.036) but also in spinal (*p = 0.007) and hydrocephalus (*p = 0.048) emergencies. Patients with spinal emergencies presented 48 h later (*p = 0.001) despite comparable symptom severity. For aSAH, the number of cases, aSAH grade, aneurysm localization, and treatment modality did not change but strikingly, elderly patients with cSDH presented less frequently, with more severe symptoms (*p = 0.046), and were less likely to reach favorable outcome (*p = 0.003) at discharge compared with previous years.

Conclusions

Despite pandemic-related restrictive measures and reallocation of resources, patients with neuro-emergencies should be encouraged to present regardless of the severity of symptoms because deferred presentation may result in adverse outcome. Thus, conservation of critical healthcare resources remains essential in spite of fighting COVID-19.
Training the component steps of an extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulation outside the clinical setting
Authors: Botden Sanne M. B. I. , Bökkerink Guus M. , Leijte Erik , Antonius Tim , de Blaauw Ivo
Published: June 2020

Extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulation can be a stressful procedure because a fast cannulation is vital for the patient’s survival. Therefore, it is important to train the steps of cannulation outside the clinical setting. A relatively low budget, easy to use model, was developed to train the most important steps of an ECMO cannulation. Following this, it was evaluated by experts and target group participants. They all completed a questionnaire regarding their experience and opinions on the ECMO model on general aspects and the training of the component steps, rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Twenty-one participants completed the questionnaire. The features and steps of the model were rated with a mean of 3.9 on average. The haptics of the landscape scored least, with a mean of 3.6, although the haptics of the vessels scored highest with 4.0. The rating of the component steps showed that only ‘opening of the vessels’ was scored significantly different between the expertise levels (means experts: 4.0, target group: 3.4, p = 0.032). This low budget model is considered to be a valid tool to train the component steps of the ECMO cannulation, which could reduce the learning curve in the a stressful clinical setting. Level of evidence: II prospective comparative study.
Sustained inattentional blindness in virtual reality and under conventional laboratory conditions
Authors: Schöne Benjamin , Sylvester Rebecca Sophia , Radtke Elise Leila , Gruber Thomas
Published: June 2020

Virtual reality (VR) might increase the ecological validity of psychological studies as it allows submerging into real-life experiences under controlled laboratory conditions. We intended to provide empirical evidence for this claim at the example of the famous invisible gorilla paradigm (Simons and Chabris in Perception, 28(9), 1059–1074, 1999). To this end, we confronted one group of participants with a conventional 2D-video of two teams passing basketballs. To the second group of participants, we presented the same stimulus material as a 3D360°-VR-video and to a third group as a 2D360°-VR-video. Replicating the original findings, in the video condition, only ~ 30% of the participants noticed the gorilla. However, in both VR-conditions, the detection rate was increased to ~ 70%. The illusion of spatial proximity in VR enhances the salience of the gorilla, thereby enhancing the noticing rate. VR mimics the perceptual characteristics of the real world and provides a useful tool for psychological studies.
Research evidence from studies on filial imprinting, attachment, and early life stress: a new route for scientific integration
Authors: Lemche Erwin
Published: June 2020

Attachment is a concept that was developed and researched in developmental psychology in uptake of findings on filial imprinting from ethology. In the present period, however, attachment concepts are increasingly applied to and investigated in animal research, thereby translating back criteria that were established for human infants. It herein appears that findings on filial imprinting are becoming more and more forgotten, whilst basic findings in human infants are not reflected in investigations on attachment in animals. To re-integrate both domains, the present article undertakes the effort in briefly reviewing and recapitulating basic findings in human attachment and recent research on filial imprinting. In specific, replicated were critical roles of the conversion of thyroid prohormone by 2 iodothyronine deiodinase (Dio2) into triiodothyronine (T3) in the regulation of the timing of imprinting learning. Because of the interactions of T3 with oxytocinergic and dopaminergic neurones of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, these findings provide new neuroendocrinological insight for possible relations with both attachment and metabolic sequelae of early life stress. Necessary is a mutual integration of all recent advances in the yet separated fields.
Towards Geostatistical Learning for the Geosciences: A Case Study in Improving the Spatial Awareness of Spectral Clustering
Authors: Talebi H. , Peeters L. J. M. , Mueller U. , Tolosana-Delgado R. , van den Boogaart K. G.
Published: June 2020

The particularities of geosystems and geoscience data must be understood before any development or implementation of statistical learning algorithms. Without such knowledge, the predictions and inferences may not be accurate and physically consistent. Accuracy, transparency and interpretability, credibility, and physical realism are minimum criteria for statistical learning algorithms when applied to the geosciences. This study briefly reviews several characteristics of geoscience data and challenges for novel statistical learning algorithms. A novel spatial spectral clustering approach is introduced to illustrate how statistical learners can be adapted for modelling geoscience data. The spatial awareness and physical realism of the spectral clustering are improved by utilising a dissimilarity matrix based on nonparametric higher-order spatial statistics. The proposed model-free technique can identify meaningful spatial clusters (i.e. meaningful geographical subregions) from multivariate spatial data at different scales without the need to define a model of co-dependence. Several mixed (e.g. continuous and categorical) variables can be used as inputs to the proposed clustering technique. The proposed technique is illustrated using synthetic and real mining datasets. The results of the case studies confirm the usefulness of the proposed method for modelling spatial data.
Zwischen Moos und Wetterglas: Naturkundliche Interieurs und Objekte in der Literatur der deutschsprachigen Aufklärung
Authors: Kittelmann Jana , Baumann Baptiste
Published: June 2020

We investigate how objects of natural history, interiors, and practices of observation, collecting and experimenting as well as other forms of sensual perception of nature are represented and interpreted aesthetically in writings of the German-speaking Enlightenment. On the basis of selected examples, we analyze how systematizations and methods of natural history are transferred and adapted to literature and poetics.
Deep Learning for Virtual Histological Staining of Bright-Field Microscopic Images of Unlabeled Carotid Artery Tissue
Authors: Li Dan , Hui Hui , Zhang Yingqian , Tong Wei , Tian Feng , Yang Xin , Liu Jie , Chen Yundai , Tian Jie
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Histological analysis of artery tissue samples is a widely used method for diagnosis and quantification of cardiovascular diseases. However, the variable and labor-intensive tissue staining procedures hinder efficient and informative histological image analysis.

Procedures

In this study, we developed a deep learning-based method to transfer bright-field microscopic images of unlabeled tissue sections into equivalent bright-field images of histologically stained versions of the same samples. We trained a convolutional neural network to build maps between the unstained images and histologically stained images using a conditional generative adversarial network model.

Results

The results of a blind evaluation by board-certified pathologists illustrate that the virtual staining and standard histological staining images of rat carotid artery tissue sections and those involving different types of stains showed no major differences. Quantification of virtual and histological H&E staining in carotid artery tissue sections showed that the relative errors of intima thickness, intima area, and media area were lower than 1.6 %, 5.6 %, and 12.7 %, respectively. The training time of deep learning network was 12.857 h with 1800 training patches and 200 epoches.

Conclusions

This virtual staining method significantly mitigates the typically laborious and time-consuming histological staining procedures and could be augmented with other label-free microscopic imaging modalities.
In Vivo Evaluation of Indium-111–Labeled 800CW as a Necrosis-Avid Contrast Agent
Authors: Stroet Marcus C. M. , de Blois Erik , Stuurman Debra C. , de Ridder Corrina M. A. , Haeck Joost , Seimbille Yann , Mezzanotte Laura , de Jong Marion , Löwik Clemens W. G. M. , Panth Kranthi M.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Current clinical measurements for tumor treatment efficiency rely often on changes in tumor volume measured as shrinkage by CT or MRI, which become apparent after multiple lines of treatment and pose a physical and psychological burden on the patient. Detection of therapy-induced cell death in the tumor can be a fast measure for treatment efficiency. However, there are no reliable clinical tools for detection of tumor necrosis. Previously, we studied the necrosis avidity of cyanine-based fluorescent dyes, which suffered long circulation times before tumor necrosis could be imaged due to low hydrophilicity. We now present the application of radiolabeled 800CW, a commercially available cyanine with high hydrophilicity, to image tumor necrosis in a mouse model.

Procedures

We conjugated 800CW to DOTA via a PEG linker, for labeling with single-photon emission-computed tomography isotope indium-111, yielding [111In]In-DOTA-PEG4-800CW. We then investigated specific [111In]In-DOTA-PEG4-800CW uptake by dead cells in vitro, using both fluorescence and radioactivity as detection modalities. Finally, we investigated [111In]In-DOTA-PEG4-800CW uptake into necrotic tumor regions of a 4T1 breast tumor model in mice.

Results

We successfully prepared a precursor and developed a reliable procedure for labeling 800CW with indium-111. We detected specific [111In]In-DOTA-PEG4-800CW uptake by dead cells, using both fluorescence and radioactivity. Albeit with a tumor uptake of only 0.37%ID/g at 6 h post injection, we were able to image tumor necrosis with a tumor to background ratio of 7:4. Fluorescence and radioactivity in cryosections from the dissected tumors were colocalized with tumor necrosis, confirmed by TUNEL staining.

Conclusions

[111In]In-DOTA-PEG4-800CW can be used to image tumor necrosis in vitro and in vivo. Further research will elucidate the application of [111In]In-DOTA-PEG4-800CW or other radiolabeled hydrophilic cyanines for the detection of necrosis caused by chemotherapy or other anti-cancer therapies. This can provide valuable prognostic information in treatment of solid tumors.
The Effect of Heating Rate on Discontinuous Grain Boundary Alpha Formation in a Metastable Beta Titanium Alloy
Authors: Gao Junheng , Rainforth W. Mark
Published: June 2020

Continuous grain boundary α (

$$ \alpha_{\text{GB}} $$

α
GB

) is often observed in age-hardened metastable β titanium alloys and plays a detrimental role in ductility. In this work, we show that the heating rate to the aging temperature is crucial in determining the extent of

$$ \alpha_{\text{GB}} $$

α
GB

. The extent of

$$ \alpha_{\text{GB}} $$

α
GB

is determined by the extent of formation of isothermal ω at grain boundaries. This new finding is significant for suppressing continuous

$$ \alpha_{\text{GB}} $$

α
GB

formation in aging hardened β titanium alloys.
The Rare Bone Disease TeleECHO Program: Leveraging Telehealth to Improve Rare Bone Disease Care
Authors: Tosi Laura L. , Rajah Elmer N. , Stewart Michael H. , Gillies Austin P. , Hart Tracy S. , Lewiecki E. Michael
Published: June 2020

Purpose of Review

Rare bone diseases constitute ~ 5% of all known rare diseases and can require complex, multidisciplinary care. Advancing access to current medical knowledge is an important strategy for improving care for rare bone diseases throughout the world. To support this goal, the Rare Bone Disease Alliance launched the Rare Bone Disease TeleECHO in 2019.

Recent Findings

The Rare Bone Disease TeleECHO is a monthly video teleconference that fosters a collegial community of practice and opportunities for active learning through interactive case-based learning. TeleECHO relies on a hub-and-spoke model, where medical professionals at the “hub” provide support and expertise for other healthcare providers, or the “spokes”. Evidence of the global reach of the program as well as qualitative feedback from registrants supports the need for rare bone disease education and the value of the TeleECHO model.

The Rare Bone Disease TeleECHO helps meet the challenge of disseminating rapidly expanding rare bone disease knowledge by leveraging telehealth.
The Surprising Truth About Disagreement
Authors: Levy Neil
Published: June 2020

Conciliationism—the thesis that when epistemic peers discover that they disagree about a proposition, both should reduce their confidence—faces a major objection: it seems to require us to significantly reduce our confidence in our central moral and political commitments. In this paper, I develop a typology of disagreement cases and a diagnosis of the source and force of the pressure to conciliate. Building on Vavova’s work, I argue that ordinary and extreme disagreements are surprising, and for this reason, they carry information about the likelihood of error. But deep disagreement is not surprising at all, and token deep disagreements do not put pressure on us to conciliate. However, a pattern of deep disagreements points to a different concern: not the problem of disagreement but the problem of irrelevant influences. Deep disagreement constitutes some pressure to examine the foundations from which we reason, rather than to conciliate on our central moral and political claims.
Pedra da Boca, Pai Mateus, and Quixadá—Three Possible Key Geoheritage Sites in Northeast Brazil
Authors: Migoń Piotr , Maia Rubson Pinheiro
Published: June 2020

This paper subscribes to the concept of Key Geoheritage Area (KGA) which is currently being developed. Three localities in northeast Brazil are described as possible candidates for KGA. They represent the diversity of erosional granite landscapes found in cratonic areas. Pedra da Boca is an impressive cluster of tall domes rising from the marginal escarpment of Borborema Plateau, with gigantic tafoni. Pai Mateus is located on the Borborema Plateau and consists of a group of low granite elevations (ruware, whalebacks) with residual boulders scattered on their surfaces. These boulders are hollowed out by weathering, providing another very distinctive type of tafoni. Quixadá area is an inselberg landscape, with a few dozens of bedrock hills rising from the plain. Among minor features, karren are ubiquitous. Collectively, these three sites show different types of cratonic granite scenery, a multitude of medium-size and minor geomorphic features, and illustrate pathways for inselberg formation and decay through long-term weathering and erosion. Therefore, they are considered to fit the concept of KGA. In addition, each landscape has considerable aesthetic and scenic values, with great potential for geotourism and geoeducation. Nevertheless, their current conservation status is low and geointerpretation nearly nonexistent and these challenges are to be addressed in the future.
Organisation of care for patients using direct oral anticoagulants
Authors: Gulpen A. J. W. , van Dijk J. K. , Damen N. L. , ten Cate H. , Schalla S. , ten Cate-Hoek A. J.
Published: June 2020

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are recommended by several scientific societies as first-line therapy for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, there is uncertainty regarding the organisation of anticoagulation care, with various caregivers being involved. Patients and caregivers are often confronted by uncertainty about the coordination of treatment. With the functional resonance analysis method we visualised the process of anticoagulation care in daily practice in the Maastricht region. This resulted in recommendations on how to improve the organisation of anticoagulation care for DOAC patients.
Recent comprehensive review for extended finite element method (XFEM) based on hydraulic fracturing models for unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs
Authors: Maulianda Belladonna , Savitri Cindy Dhevayani , Prakasan Aruvin , Atdayev Eziz , Yan Twon Wai , Yong Yew Kwang , Elrais Khaled Abdalla , Barati Reza
Published: June 2020

Hydraulic fracturing has been around for several decades since 1860s. It is one of the methods used to recover unconventional gas reservoirs. Hydraulic fracturing design is a challenging task due to the reservoir heterogeneity, complicated geological setting and in situ stress field. Hence, there are plenty of fracture modelling available to simulate the fracture initiation and propagation. The purpose of this paper is to provide a review on hydraulic fracturing modelling based on current hydraulic fracturing literature. Fundamental theory of hydraulic fracturing modelling is elaborated. Effort is made to cover the analytical and numerical modelling, while focusing on eXtended Finite Element Modelling (XFEM).
Ameliorated reserpine production via in vitro direct and indirect regeneration system in Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz.
Authors: Mukherjee Eashan , Sarkar Sutanu , Bhattacharyya Somnath , Gantait Saikat
Published: June 2020

Rauvolfia serpentina(L.) Benth. ex Kurz., popularly known as Indian Snakeroot plant, belonging to Apocynaceae family, holds immense medicinal importance, owing to its rich source of multiple secondary metabolites such as ajmaline, ajmalicine, reserpine, and serpentine. To meet the constant demands for the key secondary metabolite (reserpine) by majority of the pharmaceutical industries, the present study assessed the effects of direct and indirect regeneration system on amelioration of reserpine accumulation in shoots ofR. serpentina. In vitro multiple shoot cultures were established using shoot tip explants. Best results for shoot initiation, multiplication, and biomass production were obtained in case of Murashige and Skoog medium, supplemented with 1 mg/lN6-benzyladenine. The multiple shoots were then sub-cultured on cytokinin–auxin combination media for further proliferation. Highest shoot and leaf multiplication rates and the most enhanced biomass were obtained in case of 1–1.5 mg/l Kinetin + 0.2 mg/l α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Callus induction and its subsequent proliferation was obtained using 1.5 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The best indirect shoot regeneration with highest shoot and leaf proliferation from calli was observed in case of 1 mg/l thidiazuron + 0.2 mg/l NAA. Reserpine content estimation via HPTLC from in vitro shoots (direct regeneration) and calli (indirect regeneration) were recorded to undergo an almost three-fold and two-fold increment (respectively) in comparison to that of the mother plant. Thus, in vitro direct regeneration system proved to be more effective and efficient in ameliorating the reserpine content.
onto2problog: A Probabilistic Ontology-Mediated Querying System using Probabilistic Logic Programming
Authors: van Bremen Timothy , Dries Anton , Jung Jean Christoph
Published: June 2020

We presentonto2problog, a tool that supports ontology-mediated querying of probabilistic data via probabilistic logic programming engines. Our tool supports conjunctive queries on probabilistic data under ontologies encoded in the description logic$$\mathcal{ELH}^{dr}$$ELHdr, thus capturing a large part of the OWL 2 EL profile.
SIRT7 antagonizes human stem cell aging as a heterochromatin stabilizer
Authors: Bi Shijia , Liu Zunpeng , Wu Zeming , Wang Zehua , Liu Xiaoqian , Wang Si , Ren Jie , Yao Yan , Zhang Weiqi , Song Moshi , Liu Guang-Hui , Qu Jing
Published: June 2020

SIRT7, a sirtuin family member implicated in aging and disease, is a regulator of metabolism and stress responses. It remains elusive how human somatic stem cell populations might be impacted by SIRT7. Here, we found that SIRT7 expression declines during human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) aging and that SIRT7 deficiency accelerates senescence. Mechanistically, SIRT7 forms a complex with nuclear lamina proteins and heterochromatin proteins, thus maintaining the repressive state of heterochromatin at nuclear periphery. Accordingly, deficiency of SIRT7 results in loss of heterochromatin, de-repression of the LINE1 retrotransposon (LINE1), and activation of innate immune signaling via the cGAS-STING pathway. These aging-associated cellular defects were reversed by overexpression of heterochromatin proteins or treatment with a LINE1 targeted reverse-transcriptase inhibitor. Together, these findings highlight how SIRT7 safeguards chromatin architecture to control innate immune regulation and ensure geroprotection during stem cell aging.
Plant-based diets, insulin sensitivity and inflammation in elderly men with chronic kidney disease
Authors: González-Ortiz Ailema , Xu Hong , Avesani Carla M. , Lindholm Bengt , Cederholm Tommy , Risérus Ulf , Ärnlöv Johan , Espinosa-Cuevas Angeles , Carrero Juan Jesús
Published: June 2020

Background

In persons with CKD, adherence to plant-based diets is associated with lower risk of CKD progression and death, but underlying mechanisms are poorly characterized. We here explore associations between adherence to plant-based diets and measures of insulin sensitivity and inflammation in men with CKD stages 3–5.

Methods

Cross-sectional study including 418 men free from diabetes, aged 70–71 years and with cystatin-C estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73m2 and not receiving kidney-specific dietetic advice. Information from 7-day food records was used to evaluate the adherence to a plant-based diet index (PBDi), which scores positively the intake of plant-foods and negatively animal-foods. Insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal rate were assessed with the gold-standard hyperinsulinemic euglycemic glucose clamp technique. Inflammation was evaluated by serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin (IL)-6. Associations were explored through linear regression and restricted cubic splines.

Results

The majority of men had CKD stage 3a. Hypertension and cardiovascular disease were the most common comorbidities. The median PBDi was 38 (range 14–55). Across higher quintiles of PBDi (i.e. higher adherence), participants were less often smokers, consumed less alcohol, had lower BMI and higher eGFR (P for trend <0.05 for all). Across higher PBDi quintiles, patients exhibited higher insulin sensitivity and lower inflammation (P for trend <0.05). After adjustment for eGFR, lifestyle factors, BMI, comorbidities and energy intake, a higher PBDi score remained associated with higher glucose disposal rate and insulin sensitivity as well as with lower levels of IL-6 and CRP.

Conclusion

In elderly men with non-dialysis CKD stages 3–5, adherence to a plant-based diet was associated with higher insulin sensitivity and lower inflammation, supporting a possible role of plant-based diets in the prevention of metabolic complications of CKD.

Graphic abstract
Correction to: MHD turbulence
Authors: Beresnyak Andrey
Published: June 2020

The publication of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The acknowledgement is missing, you can find it below.
How Company Law has Failed Human Rights – and What to Do About It
Authors: SJÅFJELL Beate
Published: June 2020

This article discusses three questions. First, what drives business to ignore human rights, or even worse, consciously undermine the achievement of human rights? Second, given the state of affairs of business and human rights, why is there not a quick regulatory fix to the problems that we see? Third, in light of the failure of business and of regulation so far, what can be done? The article posits that reform of company law is key to ensuring business respect for human rights, as an intrinsic element of the transition to sustainability. The article outlines how company law can facilitate sustainable business. It concludes with some reflections on the drivers for change that make it possible to envisage that the necessary reform of company law will be enacted.
Air and environmental sampling for SARS-CoV-2 around hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Authors: Cheng Vincent Chi-Chung , Wong Shuk-Ching , Chan Veronica Wing-Man , So Simon Yung-Chun , Chen Jonathan Hon-Kwan , Yip Cyril Chik-Yan , Chan Kwok-Hung , Chu Hin , Chung Tom Wai-Hin , Sridhar Siddharth , To Kelvin Kai-Wang , Chan Jasper Fuk-Woo , Hung Ivan Fan-Ngai , Ho Pak-Leung , Yuen Kwok-Yung
Published: June 2020

Background:

The role of severe respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)–laden aerosols in the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains uncertain. Discordant findings of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in air samples were noted in early reports.

Methods:

Sampling of air close to 6 asymptomatic and symptomatic COVID-19 patients with and without surgical masks was performed with sampling devices using sterile gelatin filters. Frequently touched environmental surfaces near 21 patients were swabbed before daily environmental disinfection. The correlation between the viral loads of patients’ clinical samples and environmental samples was analyzed.

Results:

All air samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the 6 patients singly isolated inside airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIRs) with 12 air changes per hour. Of 377 environmental samples near 21 patients, 19 (5.0%) were positive by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, with a median viral load of 9.2 × 102 copies/mL (range, 1.1 × 102 to 9.4 × 104 copies/mL). The contamination rate was highest on patients’ mobile phones (6 of 77, 7.8%), followed by bed rails (4 of 74, 5.4%) and toilet door handles (4 of 76, 5.3%). We detected a significant correlation between viral load ranges in clinical samples and positivity rate of environmental samples (P < .001).

Conclusion:

SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detectable by air samplers, which suggests that the airborne route is not the predominant mode of transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Wearing a surgical mask, appropriate hand hygiene, and thorough environmental disinfection are sufficient infection control measures for COVID-19 patients isolated singly in AIIRs. However, this conclusion may not apply during aerosol-generating procedures or in cohort wards with large numbers of COVID-19 patients.
Barriers and facilitators to extended working life: a focus on a predominately female ageing workforce
Authors: Edge Clare Ellen , Coffey Margaret , Cook Penny A. , Weinberg Ashley
Published: June 2020

Many countries are reforming their pension systems so people stay in work for longer to improve the long-term sustainability of public finances to support an increasing older population. This research aimed to explore the factors that enable or inhibit people to extend working life (EWL) in a large United Kingdom-based retail organisation. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with a purposive sample (N = 30): 15 employees aged ⩾60 and 15 supervisors supporting these employees. Older workers were predominately female, reflecting the gender profile of the older workers in the organisation. Older workers and supervisors reported that key facilitators to EWL were good health, the perception that older workers are of value, flexibility and choice, the need for an ongoing conversation across the lifecourse, the social and community aspect of work as a facilitator to EWL and the financial necessity to EWL. Perceived barriers to EWL included poor health, negative impacts of work on health, and a lack of respect and support.
Biocultural conservation in the sacred forests of Odisha, India
Authors: Pradhan Antaryami , Ormsby Alison A
Published: June 2020

Biocultural and indigenous approaches to conservation, such as the sacred forests of India, are increasingly being recognized and valued. At these sites, the ecological aspects as well as the local community management and cultural significance of the landscape contribute to conservation success. From 2012 to 2015, we investigated five sacred forests in western Odisha (India) that varied in size from 1 to 1000 ha. Through interviews with 81 residents, we explored the types of groves, their use and management approaches. We investigated levels of grove disturbance and plant use with botanical survey methods. Some groves experience pressures from annual pilgrimage visitors, and we documented the relative impacts of pilgrims and other activities using ethnographic methods. Community participation or management by the Forest Department alone has not been completely effective in conserving these sacred natural sites; however, collaborative work can contribute to successful conservation. Continued community involvement is key to future biodiversity conservation in the sacred groves.
Explicit effect subtyping
Authors: KARACHALIAS GEORGIOS , PRETNAR MATIJA , SALEH AMR HANY , VANDERHALLEN STIEN , SCHRIJVERS TOM
Published: June 2020

As popularity of algebraic effects and handlers increases, so does a demand for their efficient execution. Eff, an ML-like language with native support for handlers, has a subtyping-based effect system on which an effect-aware optimising compiler could be built. Unfortunately, in our experience, implementing optimisations for Eff is overly error-prone because its core language is implicitly typed, making code transformations very fragile. To remedy this, we present an explicitly typed polymorphic core calculus for algebraic effect handlers with a subtyping-based type-and-effect system. It reifies appeals to subtyping in explicit casts with coercions that witness the subtyping proof, quickly exposing typing bugs in program transformations. Our typing-directed elaboration comes with a constraint-based inference algorithm that turns an implicitly typed Eff-like language into our calculus. Moreover, all coercions and effect information can be erased in a straightforward way, demonstrating that coercions have no computational content. Additionally, we present a monadic translation from our calculus into a pure language without algebraic effects or handlers, using the effect information to introduce monadic constructs only where necessary.
Parental and Peer Influence on Church Attendance among Adolescent Anglicans in England and Wales
Authors: Francis Leslie J.
Published: June 2020

Drawing on data from a survey conducted among 7,059 students aged 13–15 in England and Wales, this study examines parental and peer influence on church attendance among 645 students who identified themselves as Anglicans (Church of England or Church in Wales). The data demonstrated that young Anglicans who practised their Anglican identity by attending church did so primarily because their parents were Anglican churchgoers. Moreover, young Anglican churchgoers were most likely to keep going to church if their churchgoing parents also talked with them about their faith. Among this age group of Anglicans, peer support seemed insignificant in comparison with parental support. The implication from these findings for an Anglican Church strategy for ministry among children and young people is that it may be wise to invest in the education and formation of churchgoing Anglican parents.
Processes Controlling Sea Surface pH and Aragonite Saturation State in a Large Northern Temperate Bay: Contrasting Temperature Effects
Authors: Xue Liang , Yang Xufeng , Li Yunxiao , Li Laoyu , Jiang Li‐Qing , Xin Ming , Wang Zongxing , Sun Xia , Wei Qinsheng
Published: June 2020

Understanding the natural variability of pH and aragonite saturation state (Ωarag) is important for assessing ocean acidification (OA) impacts especially in the coastal ocean since anthropogenic CO2 increase‐induced OA is often superimposed by their natural variability. Here, we report the seasonal variability of sea surface pH and Ωarag from spring to summer in the Jiaozhou Bay (JZB) and compare their controls based on two cruises conducted in April and August 2018. Results show that sea surface pH on the NBS scale slightly increases from 8.10 ± 0.05 in spring to 8.13 ± 0.04 in summer, whereas surface Ωarag substantially increases from 2.05 ± 0.18 in spring to 3.34 ± 0.25 in summer. The difference in pH and Ωarag seasonal increase is related to the contrasting temperature effects on them, which can be divided into the first temperature effect associated with acid‐base equilibrium of the CO2 system and the second temperature effect associated with CO2 solubility‐driven air‐sea exchange. The two temperature effects have opposite influences on pH, canceling each other and causing a relatively small seasonal variability of pH, while they have consistent influences on Ωarag, reinforcing each other and causing a relatively large variability of Ωarag. Also, through both qualitative analyses and a 1‐D model, we identify the processes controlling the seasonal variability of pH and Ωarag. We find air‐sea exchange dominates the seasonal variability of pH and Ωarag in nearshore areas, while biological production is the most important in the central part of the JZB.
Association between famine exposure in early life with insulin resistance and beta cell dysfunction in adulthood
Authors: Wang Yuying , Wan Heng , Chen Chi , Chen Yi , Xia Fangzhen , Han Bing , Li Qin , Wang Ningjian , Lu Yingli
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Famine exposure in early life was associated with type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome, etc. But evidence in early famine exposure and insulin resistance and beta cell dysfunction were limited. We aimed to investigate whether the association existed between famine exposure in early life and beta cell dysfunction and insulin resistance in adulthood.

Methods

In all, 7912 non-diabetic participants were included in this study, based on SPECT-China study. Participants with fetal or childhood famine exposure (birth year 1949–1962) were exposure group. Insulin resistance was estimated by the homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Beta cell function, represented by insulin secretion, was estimated by the disposition index. The associations of famine exposure with HOMA-IR and disposition index were assessed via linear regression.

Results

In men, we did not observe a significant association between early life famine exposure and ln(HOMA-IR) in all three models (P > 0.05 for all). However, in women, early life famine exposure were found to have significant association with ln(HOMA-IR) after adjustments for urbanization, severity of famine exposure, current smoker, waist circumference, hypertension, and dyslipidemia (unstandardized coefficients 0.055, 95% confidence interval 0.021, 0.088, P = 0.001). Early life famine exposure was observed to be negatively associated with ln(disposition index) after adjustments for the above potential confounders, both in men (model 3: unstandardized coefficients −0.042, 95% confidence interval −0.072,−0.012, P = 0.006) and women (model 3: unstandardized coefficients −0.033, 95% confidence interval −0.058,−0.009, P = 0.008).

Conclusions

In conclusion, exposure to famine in fetal- and childhood- life period is associated with beta cell dysfunction in males and females without diabetes, but early life famine exposure was only associated with insulin resistance in non-diabetic females. These results indicate that malnutrition in early life period may offer a modifiable factor for type 2 diabetes development.