bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Piezoelectric and Electrostatic Properties of Electrospun PVDF‐TrFE Nanofibers and their Role in Electromechanical Transduction in Nanogenerators and Strain Sensors
Authors: Calavalle Francesco , Zaccaria Marco , Selleri Giacomo , Cramer Tobias , Fabiani Davide , Fraboni Beatrice
Published: June 2020

Piezo‐ and ferroelectric nanofibers of the polymer poly(vinylidenefluoride) (PVDF) have been widely employed in strain and pressure sensors as well as nanogenerators for energy harvesting. Despite this interest, the mechanism of electromechanical transduction is under debate and a deeper knowledge about relevant piezoelectric or electrostatic properties of nanofibers is crucial to optimize transduction efficiency. Here poly(vinylidenefluoride‐trifluoroethylene) nanofibers at different electrospinning conditions are prepared. Macroscopic electromechanical response of fiber mats with microscopic analysis of single nanofibers performed by piezoelectric and electrostatic force microscopy are compared. The results show that electrospinning favors the formation of the piezoelectric β‐phase in the polymer and leads directly to piezoelectric properties that are comparable to annealed thin films. However, during electrospinning the electric field is not strong enough to induce direct ferroelectric domain polarization. Instead accumulation of triboelectric surface charges and trapped space charge is observed in the polymer that explain the electret like macroscopic electromechanical response.
Skin Biopsy May Help to Distinguish Multiple System Atrophy–Parkinsonism from Parkinson's Disease With Orthostatic Hypotension
Authors: Donadio Vincenzo , Incensi Alex , Rizzo Giovanni , De Micco Rosa , Tessitore Alessandro , Devigili Grazia , Del Sorbo Francesca , Bonvegna Salvatore , Infante Rossella , Magnani Martina , Zenesini Corrado , Vignatelli Luca , Cilia Roberto , Eleopra Roberto , Tedeschi Gioacchino , Liguori Rocco
Published: June 2020

Background

The differential diagnosis between multiple system atrophy parkinsonism type (MSA‐P) and Parkinson's disease with orthostatic hypotension (PD+OH) is difficult because the 2 diseases have a similar clinical picture. The aim of this study is to distinguish MSA‐P from PD+OH by immunostaining for abnormal phosphorylated α‐synuclein at serine 129 (p‐syn) in cutaneous nerves.

Method

We recruited 50 patients with parkinsonism and chronic orthostatic hypotension: 25 patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for MSA‐P and 25 patients for PD+OH. The patients underwent a skin biopsy from the cervical area, thigh, and leg to analyze somatic and autonomic skin innervation and p‐syn in skin nerves.

Results

Intraneural p‐syn positivity was found in 72% of patients with MSA‐P, mainly in distal skin sites. More important, p‐syn deposits in MSA‐P differed from PD+OH because they were mainly found in somatic fibers of subepidermal plexi, whereas scant autonomic fiber involvement was found in only 3 patients. All patients with PD+OH displayed widely distributed p‐syn deposits in the autonomic skin fibers of proximal and distal skin sites, whereas somatic fibers were affected only slightly in 4 patients with PD+OH. Skin innervation mirrored p‐syn deposits because somatic innervation was mainly reduced in MSA‐P. Sympathetic innervation was damaged in PD+OH but fairly preserved in MSA‐P.

Conclusions

The p‐syn in cutaneous nerves allows the differentiation of MSA‐P from PD+OH; MSA‐P mainly shows somatic fiber involvement with relatively preserved autonomic innervation; and by contrast, PD+OH displays prevalent abnormal p‐syn deposits and denervation in autonomic postganglionic nerves. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Subclinical Cardiac Microdamage, Motor Severity, and Cognition in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Choe Chi‐un , Niemann Louisa , Englisch Catrin , Petersen Elina , Buhmann Carsten , Pötter‐Nerger Monika , Blankenberg Stefan , Gerloff Christian , Schwedhelm Edzard , Zeller Tanja
Published: June 2020

Background

We assessed if cardiac blood markers are associated with motor and cognitive function in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods

High‐sensitivity troponin I and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) were evaluated in 285 PD patients. Furthermore, N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide levels were analyzed in 570 age, sex and cardiovascular risk factor matched healthy controls. Motor (UPDRS, Hoehn &Yahr) and cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessemtn) were assessed at baseline in all 285 patients and after 1 year in 101 patients.

Results

N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide were significantly increased in 285 PD patients compared with 570 matched healthy controls. In PD patients, increased high‐sensitivity troponin I and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide levels were associated with worse motor function at baseline and also with motor decline after 1 year. N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide and high‐sensitivity troponin I were inversely associated with cognitive function at baseline only in unadjusted models.

Conclusions

Subclinical cardiac microdamage is associated with motor severity in PD patients. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Genetic variability of human angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) among various ethnic populations
Authors: Li Quan , Cao Zanxia , Rahman Proton
Published: June 2020

Background

There appears to be large regional variation for susceptibility, severity, and mortality for COVID‐19 infections. Numerous potential factors could explain the wide variability in the number of infections and death among the countries. We examined genetic differences in the human angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) gene, as its receptor serves as a cellular entry for SARS‐CoV‐2. At present, there is a paucity of data regarding the differences for ACE2 polymorphisms and expression levels between ethnicities.

Methods

We compared the allele frequency of mutations between European and East Asians. Molecular dynamic simulation were performed to investigate the influences of significant mutant on protein structure. The binding free energies were calculated between S protein and hACE2. We also examined hACE2 gene expression in eight global populations from HapMap3.

Results

Four missense mutations showed significant minor allele frequency difference between Asians and Caucasians. Molecular dynamic demonstrated that two of these variants (K26R and I468V) may affect binding characteristics between S protein of the virus and hACE2 receptor. We also noted marginal differences in gene expression for some populations in HapMap3 as compared to the Chinese population.

Conclusion

Our studies reveal subtle changes in the genetics of hACE2 between human populations, but the magnitude of the difference was small and the significance is not clear in the absence of further in vitro and functional studies.
Non‐random distribution of deleterious mutations in the DNA and protein‐binding domains of IRF6 are associated with Van Der Woude syndrome
Authors: Alade Azeez A. , Buxo‐Martinez Carmen J. , Mossey Peter A. , Gowans Lord J.J. , Eshete Mekonen A. , Adeyemo Wasiu L. , Naicker Thirona , Awotoye Waheed A. , Adeleke Chinyere , Busch Tamara , Toraño Ada M. , Bello Carolina A. , Soto Mairim , Soto Marilyn , Ledesma Ricardo , Marquez Myrellis , Cordero Jose F. , Lopez‐Del Valle Lydia M. , Salcedo Maria I. , Debs Natalio , Li Mary , Petrin Aline , Olotu Joy , Aldous Colleen , Olutayo James , Ogunlewe Modupe O. , Abate Fekir , Hailu Taye , Muhammed Ibrahim , Gravem Paul , Deribew Milliard , Gesses Mulualem , Hassan Mohaned , Pape John , Adeniyan Oluwole A. , Obiri‐Yeboah Solomon , Arthur Fareed K.N. , Oti Alexander A. , Olatosi Olubukola , Miller Sara E. , Donkor Peter , Dunnwald Martine M. , Marazita Mary L. , Adeyemo Adebowale A. , Murray Jeffrey C. , Butali Azeez
Published: June 2020

Background

The development of the face occurs during the early days of intrauterine life by the formation of facial processes from the first Pharyngeal arch. Derangement in these well‐organized fusion events results in Orofacial clefts (OFC). Van der Woude syndrome (VWS) is one of the most common causes of syndromic cleft lip and/or palate accounting for 2% of all cases. Mutations in the IRF6 gene account for 70% of cases with the majority of these mutations located in the DNA‐binding (exon 3, 4) or protein‐binding domains (exon 7–9). The current study was designed to update the list of IRF6 variants reported for VWS by compiling all the published mutations from 2013 to date as well as including the previously unreported VWS cases from Africa and Puerto Rico.

Methods

We used PubMed with the search terms; "Van der Woude syndrome," “Popliteal pterygium syndrome,” "IRF6," and "Orofacial cleft" to identify eligible studies. We compiled the CADD score for all the mutations to determine the percentage of deleterious variants.

Results

Twenty‐one new mutations were identified from nine papers. The majority of these mutations were in exon 4. Mutations in exon 3 and 4 had CADD scores between 20 and 30 and mutations in exon 7–9 had CADD scores between 30 and 40. The presence of higher CADD scores in the protein‐binding domain (exon 7–9) further confirms the crucial role played by this domain in the function of IRF6. In the new cases, we identified five IRF6 mutations, three novel missense mutations (p.Phe36Tyr, p.Lys109Thr, and p.Gln438Leu), and two previously reported nonsense mutations (p.Ser424*and p.Arg250*).

Conclusion

Mutations in the protein and DNA‐binding domains of IRF6 ranked among the top 0.1% and 1% most deleterious genetic mutations, respectively. Overall, these findings expand the range of VWS mutations and are important for diagnostic and counseling purposes.
High sensitivity relative humidity sensor based on SMTF structure coated with gelatin
Authors: Guo Jiachen , Bo Jia , Tang Huang , Zhao Dong , Zhou Pengwei , Wang Jian
Published: June 2020

A high sensitivity relative humidity sensor based on single mode tapered fiber (SMTF) structure coated with gelatin is reported. The sensing element is composed of a 12‐μm‐diameter fiber taper coated with a thickness of 26‐mm‐length gelatin layer, and is operated at a wavelength of 1550 nm. The sensor is designed based on the intermodal interference effect with high sensitivity (511.33 nW/%RH) and linear response for high RH (72‐90%RH) at 25°C. In this study, we analyzed the factors affecting sensor sensitivity and proposed the method to improve the sensitivity of the sensor. The sensor responses obviously. When the RH increased to more than 70%, the optical power boosts almost 10 000 times, which has promising potential applications as an optical switch in industrial production, food processing, and environmental early warning.
Thermo‐electro‐optic energy conversion using plasmonic island embedded silicon microring circuit
Authors: Bunruangses Montree , Youplao Phichai , Punthawanunt Suphanchai , Amiri Iraj Sadegh , Pornsuwancharoen Nithiroth , Yupapin Preecha
Published: June 2020

We propose the use of the thermo‐electro‐optic energy conversion system for daily sunlight charger. A circuit consists of a modified silicon microring circuit embedded by a plasmonic island at the center. The island materials consist of silicon‐graphene‐gold layers. The thermal expansion of the island materials from the daily sunlight can affect the change in island material lengths and transfer to the plasmon wave path difference, which can perform the energy conversion and a charger. In manipulation, the daily sunlight statistic from South East Asia, the significant daily charging mobility of 4.34 × 10−6 cm2. (V. s)−1/Vs with the input light power of 10 mW can be obtained, which may be useful for one of the selected alternative energy sources.
Expression of chemerin and its receptors in the ovaries of prepubertal and mature gilts
Authors: Rytelewska Edyta , Kisielewska Katarzyna , Kiezun Marta , Dobrzyn Kamil , Gudelska Marlena , Rak Agnieszka , Dupont Joelle , Kaminska Barbara , Kaminski Tadeusz , Smolinska Nina
Published: June 2020

Recent studies have demonstrated that chemerin participates in the regulation of female reproductive function at the level of the ovaries. Due to the lack of data concerning the presence of the chemerin system (chemerin and its receptors: CMKLR1, GPR1, CCRL2) in the ovaries of pigs, one of the most economically important livestock species, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression and localization of chemerin and its receptors in the ovaries of prepubertal and mature gilts. We also aimed to examine the concentrations of chemerin in the follicular fluid of prepubertal and mature animals. In the present study, we have demonstrated the expression patterns of chemerin system components in the porcine follicles of different sizes of prepubertal and mature animals, as well as in corpora lutea of mature gilts during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. The obtained results suggest that the expression of chemerin system components is influenced by the reproductive stage, cell type, and the hormonal status of gilts (the estrous cycle/pregnancy). We have also presented the localization of the chemerin system components in various ovarian structures, and also showed changes in the concentration of chemerin in the follicular fluid of pigs. The presented findings not only confirm that chemerin is produced locally in the porcine ovary but they also demonstrate that chemerin directly affects ovarian cells, as confirmed by the presence of chemerin receptors in all ovarian structures. Therefore, chemerin appears to be an important intra‐ovarian factor that could regulate ovary function in pigs.
Sodium relaxometry using 23Na MR fingerprinting: A proof of concept
Authors: Kratzer Fabian J. , Flassbeck Sebastian , Nagel Armin M. , Behl Nicolas G.R. , Knowles Benjamin R. , Bachert Peter , Ladd Mark E. , Schmitter Sebastian
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To evaluate the feasibility of 23Na MR fingerprinting (MRF) for simultaneous quantification of T1,
,
,
in addition to ΔB0.

Methods

A framework for sodium relaxometry using MRF at 7T was developed, allowing simultaneous measurement of relaxation times and inhomogeneities in the static field. The technique distinguishes between bi‐ and monoexponential transverse relaxation and was validated in simulations with respect to the ground truth. In phantom measurements, a resolution of 2 × 2 × 12 mm3 was achieved within 1 h acquisition time, and the resulting parameter maps were compared to results from reference methods. Relaxation times in five healthy volunteers were measured with a resolution of 4 × 4 × 12 mm3.

Results

Phantom experiments revealed an agreement between the relaxation times obtained via 23Na‐MRF and the reference methods. In white matter, a longitudinal relaxation constant of T1 = 38.9 ± 4.8 ms was found, while values of
= 29.2 ± 4.9 ms and
= 4.7 ± 1.2 ms were found for the long and short component of the transverse relaxation. In cerebrospinal fluid, T1 was 67.7 ± 6.3 ms and
= 41.5 ± 3.4 ms.

Conclusion

This work demonstrates the feasibility of 23Na‐MRF for relaxometry in sodium MRI in both phantom and in vivo studies. Simultaneous quantification of T1,
,
,
and ΔB0 was possible within a 1 h measurement time.
Investigating biases in the measurement of apparent alveolar septal wall thickness with hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI
Authors: Ruppert Kai , Amzajerdian Faraz , Xin Yi , Hamedani Hooman , Loza Luis , Achekzai Tahmina , Duncan Ian F. , Profka Harrilla , Qian Yiwen , Pourfathi Mehrdad , Kadlecek Stephen , Rizi Rahim R.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To investigate biases in the measurement of apparent alveolar septal wall thickness (SWT) with hyperpolarized xenon‐129 (HXe) as a function of acquisition parameters.

Methods

The HXe MRI scans with simultaneous gas‐phase and dissolved‐phase excitation were performed using 1‐dimensional projection scans in mechanically ventilated rabbits. The dissolved‐phase magnetization was periodically saturated, and the dissolved‐phase xenon uptake dynamics were measured at end inspiration and end expiration with temporal resolutions up to 10 ms using a Look‐Locker‐type acquisition. The apparent alveolar septal wall thickness was extracted by fitting the signal to a theoretical model, and the findings were compared with those from the more commonly use chemical shift saturation recovery MRI spectroscopy technique with several different delay time arrangements.

Results

It was found that repeated application of RF saturation pulses in chemical shift saturation recovery acquisitions caused exchange‐dependent gas‐phase saturation that heavily biased the derived SWT value. When this bias was reduced by our proposed method, the SWT dependence on lung inflation disappeared due to an inherent insensitivity of HXe dissolved‐phase MRI to thin alveolar structures with very short

. Furthermore, perfusion‐based macroscopic gas transport processes were demonstrated to cause increasing apparent SWTs with TE (2.5 μm/ms at end expiration) and a lung periphery‐to‐center SWT gradient.

Conclusion

The apparent SWT measured with HXe MRI was found to be heavily dependent on the acquisition parameters. A method is proposed that can minimize this measurement bias, add limited spatial resolution, and reduce measurement time to a degree that free‐breathing studies are feasible.
Free breathing lung T1 mapping using image registration in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Saunders Laura C. , Eaden James A. , Bianchi Stephen M. , Swift Andrew J. , Wild Jim M.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To assess the use of image registration for correcting respiratory motion in free breathing lung T1 mapping acquisition in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Theory and Methods

The method presented used image registration to synthetic images during postprocessing to remove respiratory motion. Synthetic images were generated from a model of the inversion recovery signal of the acquired images that incorporated a periodic lung motion model. Ten healthy volunteers and 19 patients with IPF underwent 2D Look‐Locker T1 mapping acquisition at 1.5T during inspiratory breath‐hold and free breathing. Eight healthy volunteers and seven patients with IPF underwent T1 mapping acquisition during expiratory breath‐hold. Fourteen patients had follow‐up scanning at 6 months. Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) was used to evaluate registration efficacy.

Results

Image registration increased image DSC (P < .001) in the free breathing inversion recovery images. Lung T1 measured during a free breathing acquisition was lower in patients with IPF when compared with healthy controls (inspiration: P = .238; expiration: P = .261; free breathing: P = .021). Measured lung T1 was higher in expiration breath‐hold than inspiration breath‐hold in healthy volunteers (P < .001) but not in patients with IPF (P = .645). There were no other significant differences between lung T1 values within subject groups.

Conclusions

The registration technique significantly reduced motion in the Look‐Locker images acquired during free breathing and may improve the robustness of lung T1 mapping in patients who struggle to hold their breath. Lung T1 measured during a free breathing acquisition was significantly lower in patients with IPF when compared with healthy controls.
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in children and adolescents: The European Paediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group prospective trial (EpSSG NRSTS 2005)
Authors: Brennan Bernadette , Zanetti Ilaria , De Salvo Gian Luca , Orbach Daniel , Gallego Soledad , Francotte Nadine , Schifflers Stefan , Van Noesel Max , Kelsey Anna , Casanova Michela , Dagrada Gian Paolo , Collini Paola , Zin Angelica , Santoro Luisa , Ferrari Andrea
Published: June 2020

Background

As dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) are rare with no prospective series within paediatric sarcoma trials, the European Paediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) examined the clinical data and outcomes of DFSP enrolled in a multinational study of non‐rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas (NRSTS).

Patients and methods

Forty‐six patients with confirmed DFSP were enrolled into the EpSSG NRSTS 2005 study. All had surgical resection and none had any further therapy at diagnosis.

Results

The median age at diagnosis was 6.9 years (range 0.4‐17.5). All patients had localised disease, and the majority had small <5 cm tumours (93%), and 76% had Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS) I tumours. All patients had up front surgery, 32 requiring two operations. There were 11 patients with IRS II tumours, of which only two went on to have a local recurrence. After a median follow up of 49.0 months (range 4.2‐130.9), all patients were alive at the time of this report, with 5‐year event‐free survival of 92.6% (CI 78.8‐97.6) with a 100% overall survival.

Conclusion

This report demonstrates the ability to run prospective paediatric studies in NRSTS in multiple European countries, with reasonable numbers of DFSP patients, with few events and no deaths, and hence excellent outcomes.
Opioid, gabapentinoid, and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory medication use and the risks of atrial fibrillation and supraventricular ectopy in the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Harding Barbara N. , Wiggins Kerri L. , Jensen Paul N. , McKnight Barbara , Psaty Bruce M. , Heckbert Susan R. , Floyd James S.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Opioids, gabapentinoids, and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may have adverse cardiovascular effects. We evaluated whether these medications were associated with incident clinically detected atrial fibrillation (AF) or monitor‐detected supraventricular ectopy (SVE), including premature atrial contractions (PACs) and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).

Methods

We used data from the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), a cohort study that enrolled 6814 Americans without clinically detected cardiovascular disease in 2000 to 2002. At the 2016 to 2018 examination, 1557 individuals received ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring. Longitudinal analyses investigated time‐varying medication exposures at the first five exams (through 2011) in relation to incident clinically detected AF through 2015 using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Cross‐sectional analyses investigated medication exposures at 2016 to 2018 examination and the risk of monitor‐detected SVE using linear regression models.

Results

The longitudinal cohort included 6652 participants. During 12.4 years of mean follow‐up, 982 participants (14.7%) experienced incident clinically detected AF. Use of opioids, gabapentinoids, and NSAIDs were not associated with incident AF. The cross‐sectional analysis included 1435 participants with ECG monitoring. Gabapentinoid use was associated with an 84% greater average frequency of PACs/hour (95% CI, 25%‐171%) and a 44% greater average number of runs of SVT/day (95% CI, 3%‐100%). No associations were found with use of opioids or NSAIDs in cross‐sectional analyses.

Conclusions

In this study, gabapentinoid use was associated with SVE. Given the rapid increase in gabapentinoid use, additional studies are needed to clarify whether these medications cause cardiovascular complications.
Asthma and COVID‐19 in children: A systematic review and call for data
Authors: Castro‐Rodriguez Jose A. , Forno Erick
Published: June 2020

Rationale

Whether asthma constitutes a risk factor for coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) is unclear. Here, we aimed to assess whether asthma, the most common chronic disease in children, is associated with higher COVID‐19 risk or severity in pediatric populations.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature search in three stages: first, we reviewed PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL for systematic reviews of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and COVID‐19 in pediatric populations, and reviewed their primary articles; second, we searched PubMed for studies on COVID‐19 or SARS‐CoV‐2 and asthma/wheeze, and evaluated whether the resulting studies included pediatric populations; third, we repeated the second search in BioRxiv.org and MedRxiv.org to find pre‐prints that may have information on pediatric asthma.

Results

In the first search, eight systematic reviews were found, of which five were done in pediatric populations; none of the 67 primary studies included data on pediatric asthma as a comorbidity for COVID‐19. In the second search, we found 34 results in PubMed, of which five reported asthma in adults, but none included data on children. In the third search, 25 pre‐prints in MedRxiv included data on asthma, but none on children. We found one report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stating that 40/345 (~11.5%) children with data on chronic conditions had “chronic lung diseases including asthma,” and one from a tertiary hospital in New York that reported asthma in 11/46 (~23.9%) children hospitalized for COVID‐19.

Conclusion

There is scarcely any data on whether childhood asthma (or other pediatric respiratory diseases) constitute risk factors for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection or COVID‐19 severity. Studies are needed that go beyond counting the number of cases in the pediatric age range.
Protein Analysis of the TGFBIR124H Mouse Model Gives Insight into Phenotype Development of Granular Corneal Dystrophy
Authors: Lukassen Marie V. , Poulsen Ebbe T. , Donaghy Jack , Mogensen Emilie H. , Christie Kathleen A. , Roshanravan Hila , DeDioniso Larry , Nesbit M. Andrew , Moore Tara , Enghild Jan J.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Mutations in the transforming growth factor β‐induced protein (TGFBIp) are associated with TGFBI‐linked corneal dystrophies, which manifests as protein deposits in the cornea. A total of 70 different disease‐causing mutations have been reported so far including the common R124H substitution, which is associated with granular corneal dystrophy type 2 (GCD2). The disease mechanism of GCD2 is not known and the current treatments only offer temporary relief due to the reoccurrence of deposits.

Experimental Design

The corneal protein profiles of the three genotypes (wild‐type (WT), heterozygotes, and homozygotes) of a GCD2 mouse model are compared using label‐free quantitative LC‐MS/MS.

Results

The mice do not display corneal protein deposits and the global protein expression between the three genotypes is highly similar. However, the expression of mutated TGFBIp is 41% of that of the WT protein.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

It is proposed that the lowered expression level of mutant TGFBIp protein relative to WT protein is the direct cause of the missing development of corneal deposits in the mouse. The overall protein profiles of the corneas are not impacted by the reduced amount of TGFBIp. Altogether, this supports a partial reduction in mutated TGFBIp as a potential treatment strategy for GCD2.
Solution structure of the zinc finger domain of human RNF144A ubiquitin ligase
Authors: Miyamoto Kazuhide , Migita Kaori , Saito Kazuki
Published: June 2020

RNF144A is involved in protein ubiquitination and functions as an ubiquitin‐protein ligase (E3) via its RING finger domain (RNF144A RING). RNF144A is associated with degradation of heat‐shock protein family A member 2 (HSPA2), which leads to the suppression of breast cancer cell proliferation. In this study, the solution structure of RNF144A RING was determined using nuclear magnetic resonance. Moreover, using a metallochromic indicator, we spectrophotometrically determined the stoichiometry of zinc ions and elucidated that RNF144A RING binds two zinc atoms. This structural analysis provided the position and range of the active site of RNF144A RING at the atomic level, which contributes to the creation of artificial RING fingers having the specific ubiquitin‐conjugating enzyme (E2)‐binding capability.
Investigating dual Ca2+ modulation of the ryanodine receptor 1 by molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Zheng Wenjun , Wen Han
Published: June 2020

The ryanodine receptors (RyR) are essential to calcium signaling in striated muscles. A deep understanding of the complex Ca2+‐activation/inhibition mechanism of RyRs requires detailed structural and dynamic information for RyRs in different functional states (eg, with Ca2+ bound to activating or inhibitory sites). Recently, high‐resolution structures of the RyR isoform 1 (RyR1) were solved by cryo‐electron microscopy, revealing the location of a Ca2+ binding site for activation. Toward elucidating the Ca2+‐modulation mechanism of RyR1, we performed extensive molecular dynamics simulation of the core RyR1 structure in the presence and absence of activating and solvent Ca2+ (total simulation time is >5 μs). In the presence of solvent Ca2+, Ca2+ binding to the activating site enhanced dynamics of RyR1 with higher inter‐subunit flexibility, asymmetric inter‐subunit motions, outward domain motions and partial pore dilation, which may prime RyR1 for subsequent channel opening. In contrast, the solvent Ca2+ alone reduced dynamics of RyR1 and led to inward domain motions and pore contraction, which may cause inhibition. Combining our simulation with the map of disease mutation sites in RyR1, we constructed a wiring diagram of key domains coupled via specific hydrogen bonds involving the mutation sites, some of which were modulated by Ca2+ binding. The structural and dynamic information gained from this study will inform future mutational and functional studies of RyR1 activation and inhibition by Ca2+.
Bounding the Classical Capacity of Multilevel Damping Quantum Channels
Authors: Macchiavello Chiara , Sacchi Massimiliano F. , Sacchi Tito
Published: June 2020

A recent method to detect lower bonds to the classical capacity of quantum communication channels is applied for general damping channels in finite dimension . The method compares the mutual information obtained by coding on the computational basis and on a Fourier basis, which can be obtained by just two local measurement settings and classical optimization. The results for large representative classes of different damping structures for high dimensional quantum systems are presented.
Massive atelectasis by mucoid impaction in an asthma patient during treatment with anti‐interleukin‐5 receptor antibody
Authors: Takimoto Takayuki , Kagawa Tomoko , Tachibana Kazunobu , Arai Toru , Inoue Yoshikazu
Published: June 2020

Benralizumab is an interleukin‐5 (IL‐5) receptor α‐directed cytolytic monoclonal antibody that reduces rapid and nearly complete depletion of eosinophils by enhancing antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity. The depletion of eosinophilic inflammation is expected to reduce mucus hypersecretion and mucoid impaction. A 75‐year‐old non‐smoking female had been treated for uncontrolled bronchial asthma with multiple drugs. Treatment with benralizumab was initiated after the asthma attack; however, four months later, she developed massive atelectasis in the left lung leading to the tracheal deviation, to the extent that nasal high‐flow therapy was required. The laboratory data showed elevated neutrophil count, whereas blood eosinophils were almost completely depleted. The thick mucus was removed by bronchofiberscopy and the atelectasis was completely resolved. No exacerbation has been observed for nine months after discontinuation of benralizumab and initiation of erythromycin. This is the first documented case that developed atelectasis by mucoid impaction during treatment with anti‐IL‐5 receptor antibody.
Tuberculosis‐associated chylothorax revealing an enlarged lymphatic duct due to tuberculosis lymphadenitis
Authors: Honda Kojiro , Saraya Takeshi , Miyaoka Chika , Suda Kazuharu , Fujiwara Masachika , Ishii Haruyuki
Published: June 2020

A 77‐year‐old woman presented to our hospital with complaints of persistent cough and low‐grade fever for two months. On radiological analysis, she had moderate right‐sided pleural effusion with right hilar and subcarinal lymphadenopathies. Thoracentesis showed chylothorax of unknown cause. Bronchoscopy revealed a non‐specific inflammatory process. However, thoracoscopic surgery demonstrated a curiously enlarged lymphatic duct with its proximal portion compressed by subcarinal lymphadenopathies, pathologically diagnosed as granulomatous lymphadenitis. Hence, tuberculous lymphadenitis was proven to be the cause of chylothorax. Interestingly, cauterization of the lymphatic duct decreased the total amount of right‐sided pleural effusion along with a change in colour from milky yellow to red. These were in favour of tuberculosis (TB)‐associated chylothorax with the advent of the TB pleuritis. All symptoms and pleural effusion disappeared after the initiation of anti‐tuberculous drugs. The present case showed definite evidence of TB‐associated chylothorax development mechanism via compression of the lymphatic duct by mediastinal lymphadenopathies.
The challenges and countermeasures of blockchain in finance and economics
Authors: Zhang Li , Xie Yongping , Zheng Yang , Xue Wei , Zheng Xianrong , Xu Xiaobo
Published: June 2020

As a new technology, blockchain can be used to analyse and process the data through the effective integration of financial resources. New financial formats or service models are produced to upgrade the financial system and promote the efficiency and quality of financial operations and service from three layers (data, rules, and application) based on customers' needs. The blockchain technology can help the financial industry to automatically and accurately identify customer credit conditions, restructure the financial market credit system, and improve the efficiency of cross‐border payment. Meanwhile, it also posed a challenge for the financial industries' development. In this paper, we systematically analysed the blockchain technology and its application in the financial and economic field and the status quo and the challenges. Finally, we provided constructive suggestions to facilitate the blockchain technology development in the financial and economic field.
Correction to: Human ovarian cancer intrinsic mechanisms regulate lymphocyte activation in response to immune checkpoint blockade
Authors: Natoli Marina , Bonito Nair , Robinson James D. , Ghaem-Maghami Sadaf , Mao Yumeng
Published: June 2020

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. Complete figure captions are missing.
Comparing Effectiveness of HRV-Biofeedback and Mindfulness for Workplace Stress Reduction: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Brinkmann Amelie Edith , Press Sophia Antonia , Helmert Eduard , Hautzinger Martin , Khazan Inna , Vagedes Jan
Published: June 2020

Psychophysiological disorders due to work-related stress continue to be highly costly for health systems and approaches for cost-effective and easily accessible interventions are much needed. Both heart rate variability-biofeedback (HRV-Bfb) and mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) have been empirically shown to reduce stress. This study compares these two interventions in the work context to a wait-list-control-group (WLC). In this three-armed randomized controlled trial (RCT), 69 healthy adults employed in the same organization were randomized to participate in HRV-Bfb, MBI or the WLC. Participants were assessed for psychophysiological parameters of stress (stress perception, coping, HRV parameters and cortisol) and stress related symptoms (depressive symptoms, psychological wellbeing, mindfulness and self-compassion). Participants trained using either HRV-Bfb or MBI for 6 weeks on a daily basis. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, after the intervention and at follow-up 12 weeks later. Results did not show any statistically significant differences between HRV-Bfb and MBI groups, and neither of the intervention groups (IGs) differed from the WLC. Findings suggest an overall reduction in stress for all groups, including the WLC, with mostly small to medium effect sizes. However, it is important to note that participants with higher baseline stress levels might benefit more from mindfulness and biofeedback-based stress reduction interventions. The results have to be interpreted with caution due to the relatively small sample size. MBI might have a slightly stronger effect on stress reduction in comparison to HRV-Bfb, as suggested by the effect sizes. This study highlights issues and challenges of the implementation of such interventions in corporate health management.
Long-term monitoring of the seasonal density of questing ixodid ticks in Vienna (Austria): setup and first results
Authors: Vogelgesang Janna R. , Walter Melanie , Kahl Olaf , Rubel Franz , Brugger Katharina
Published: June 2020

The first long-term monitoring to document both activity and density of questing ixodid ticks in Vienna, Austria, is introduced. It was started in 2017 and is planned to run over decades. Such long-term monitorings are needed to quantify possible effects of climate change or to develop tick density forecast models. The monthly questing tick density at three sites has been observed by using a standardized sampling method by dragging an area of $$100\,\hbox {m}^2$$

100

m
2

at each occasion. Popular recreational areas were chosen as study sites. These are the Prater public park, the wooded Kahlenberg, and a wildlife garden in Klosterneuburg. First results show a 3-year time series of nymphs and adults of the Ixodes ricinus species complex and Haemaphysalis concinna for the period 2017–2019. Whereas questing nymphs of the I. ricinus species complex were collected from February to November, H. concinna nymphs were only dragged from May to October. The peak of nymphal activity of the I. ricinus species complex was in May, that of H. concinna in August. In addition, a brief overview is given about ticks and tick-borne pathogens occurring in urban and suburban areas of Vienna.
Highly accurate numerical solution of Hartree–Fock equation with pseudospectral method for closed-shell atoms
Authors: Cinal M.
Published: June 2020

The Hartree–Fock (HF) equation for atoms with closed (sub)shells is transformed with the pseudospectral (PS) method into a discrete eigenvalue equation for scaled orbitals on a finite radial grid. The Fock exchange operator and the Hartree potential are obtained from the respective Poisson equations also discretized using the PS representation. The numerical solution of the discrete HF equation for closed-(sub)shell atoms from He to No is robust, fast and gives extremely accurate results, with the accuracy superior to that of the previous HF calculations. A very moderate number of 33 to 71 radial grid points is sufficient to obtain total energies with 14 significant digits and occupied orbital energies with 12 to 14 digits in numerical calculations using the double precision (64-bit) of the floating-point format.The electron density at the nucleus is then determined with 13 significant digits and the Kato condition for the density and s orbitals is satisfied with the accuracy of 11 to 13 digits. The node structure of the exact HF orbitals is obtained and their asymptotic dependence, including the common exponential decay, is reproduced very accurately. The accuracy of the investigated quantities is further improved by performing the PS calculations in the quadruple precision (128-bit) floating-point arithmetic which provides the total energies with 25 significant digits while using only 80 to 130 grid points.
Thinking embodiment with genetics: epigenetics and postgenomic biology in embodied cognition and enactivism
Authors: Meloni Maurizio , Reynolds Jack
Published: June 2020

The role of the body in cognition is acknowledged across a variety of disciplines, even if the precise nature and scope of that contribution remain contentious. As a result, most philosophers working on embodiment—e.g. those in embodied cognition, enactivism, and ‘4e’ cognition—interact with the life sciences as part of their interdisciplinary agenda. Despite this, a detailed engagement with emerging findings in epigenetics and post-genomic biology has been missing from proponents of this embodied turn. Surveying this research provides an opportunity to rethink the relationship between embodiment and genetics, and we argue that the balance of current epigenetic research favours the extension of an enactivist approach to mind and life, rather than the extended functionalist view of embodied cognition associated with Andy Clark and Mike Wheeler, which is more substrate neutral.
Comparative effectiveness and safety of direct oral anticoagulants compared to warfarin in morbidly obese patients with acute venous thromboembolism: systematic review and a meta-analysis
Authors: Elshafei Mohamed Nabil , Mohamed Mouhand F. H. , El-Bardissy Ahmed , Ahmed Mohamed Badie , Abdallah Ibtihal , Elewa Hazem , Danjuma Mohammed
Published: June 2020

Direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) agents are becoming the anticoagulation strategy of choice. However, their use in the treatment of acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) in morbidly obese patients (bodyweight of > 120 kg or BMI > 40 kg/m2) guarded. This is due to the scarce data supporting their use in this population. As a result, the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis recommended against their use in this cohort of patients. New data emerged supporting the use of DOACs in these patients. Hence, we aimed to systematically review the literature exploring the efficacy and safety of these agents compared to warfarin in VTE treatment in morbidly obese patients. A systematic review of PubMed and EMBASE since inception until 01/04/2020. Subsequently, a non-inferiority (NI of 1.75) meta-analysis utilizing the random-effects model. Five observational studies (6585 patients) were included in our meta-analysis. DOAC analogs were non-inferior compared to warfarin in reducing the primary efficacy outcome of VTE recurrence (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.93–1.23) and the primary safety outcome (major bleeding events) (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.54–1.17). Our meta-analysis comprising real-world observational data concludes that the use of DOAC analogs in morbidly obese patients (bodyweight of > 120 kg or BMI > 40 kg/m2) is non-inferior with regards to efficacy and safety compared to warfarin. This finding helps to resolve the uncertainty associated with the use of DOACs in this cohort. Additionally, it invites for a confirmatory non-inferiority randomized controlled trial testing DOAC vs. Warfarin in this group of patients.
Reliability and Validity of Acetabular and Femoral Bone Loss Classification Systems in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gu Alex , Adriani Marco , Malahias Michael-Alexander , Fassihi Safa C. , Nocon Allina A. , Bostrom Mathias P. , Sculco Peter K.
Published: June 2020

Background

A variety of classification systems have been developed to help surgeons treat patients with acetabular or femoral bone loss in total hip arthroplasty, yet no “gold standard” for classification has been agreed upon. Furthermore, the reliability and validity of the available classification systems remain unknown.

Questions/Purpose

The aims of our study were to determine the reliability and validity of the three most common acetabular and femoral bone loss classification systems (Paprosky, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons [AAOS], and Saleh and Gross).

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify studies that reported on the reliability or validity (or both) of the acetabular and femoral components of the three bone loss classification systems.

Results

In all, seven articles met our inclusion criteria. Six studies reported on the reliability (all six studies) or validity (three studies) of acetabular bone loss rating systems (286 acetabula), and five analyzed reliability (all five studies) or validity (three studies) of femoral bone loss classification systems (364 femurs). In studies in which either the Paprosky or AAOS acetabular bone loss classifications were used, the classification systems were considered unreliable in 75% and 100% of them, respectively. On the femoral side, the Paprosky classification demonstrated moderate interobserver and good intraobserver reliability. The AAOS femoral bone classification was found to have good intraobserver reliability but poor interobserver reliability. The Saleh and Gross acetabular and femoral bone loss classification systems yielded mixed results, but each was considered reliable in one of the studies looking at these aspects of the systems.

Conclusion

Although surgical techniques, treatment options, and advanced imaging available to the surgeon have evolved over the past few decades, the acetabular and femoral bone loss classification systems, first developed in the 1990s, have remained largely unchanged. Our results indicate that improvements to these systems are necessary in order for them to be as useful as possible in planning the surgical course.
Transferring diversity of goat grass to farmers’ fields through the development of synthetic hexaploid wheat
Authors: Aberkane Hafid , Payne Thomas , Kishi Masahiro , Smale Melinda , Amri Ahmed , Jamora Nelissa
Published: June 2020

Genetic variation in wheat is needed to address global food security challenges, particularly as climates change. Crop wild relatives are unique reservoirs of useful alleles for crop improvement and are important components of genebank collections. We analyzed how the derivatives of ‘goat grass’ (Aegilops tauschii) have been used to widen the genetic base for wheat breeding and surveyed wheat breeders to elicit adoption estimates. Synthetic hexaploid wheat (SHW) is derived by crossing goat grass with durum wheat, serving as a bridge to transfer desirable traits into modern varieties of bread wheat. Our data show that wheat scientists used 629 unique accessions from 15 countries for pre-breeding, producing 1577 primary SHWs. These derivatives represented 21% of the germplasm distributed by the genebank of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center between 2000 and 2018. Over the period, more than 10,000 samples of SHW were sent to 110 institutions in 40 countries, with rising numbers of synthetic hexaploid-derived lines (SHDL) included in international nurseries. Lines were screened for major diseases of wheat. At least 86 varieties have been selected from SHDL and released in 20 countries. Survey estimates indicate the highest scale of adoption in southwest China and India, with 34% and 7% of reported wheat area, respectively. These varieties demonstrate resistance to pests and pathogens, high yield potential, good quality attributes, and suitability for biofortified wheat.
High performance of La-doped Y2O3 transparent ceramics
Authors: Zhang Lei , Yang Jun , Yu Hongyu , Pan Wei
Published: June 2020

As an optical material, Y2O3transparent ceramics are desirable for application as laser host materials. However, it is difficult to sinter and dense of Y2O3hinders the preparation of high-quality optical ceramics via traditional processes. In this work, we use La2O3as a sintering aid for fabricating high-transparency Y2O3ceramics using a vacuum sintering process. It is demonstrated that the in-line optical transmittance of 15.0 at% La-doped Y2O3at a wavelength of 1100 nm achieves a transmittance of 81.2%. A sintering kinetics analysis reveals that a grain-boundary-diffusion-controlled mechanism dominates the faster densification at high La3+concentrations. It is also shown that both the mechanical and thermal properties of Y2O3transparent ceramics are significantly improved upon the increase of La2O3sintering additives. The results indicate that a La-doped Y2O3transparent ceramic is a promising candidate for a laser host material.