bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extreme temperature events will drive coral decline in the Coral Triangle
Authors: McManus Lisa C. , Vasconcelos Vítor V. , Levin Simon A. , Thompson Diane M. , Kleypas Joan A. , Castruccio Frederic S. , Curchitser Enrique N. , Watson James R.
Published: December 2019

In light of rapid environmental change, quantifying the contribution of regional‐ and local‐scale drivers of coral persistence is necessary to characterize fully the resilience of coral reef systems. To assess multiscale responses to thermal perturbation of corals in the Coral Triangle (CT), we developed a spatially explicit metacommunity model with coral–algal competition, including seasonal larval dispersal and external spatiotemporal forcing. We tested coral sensitivity in 2,083 reefs across the CT region and surrounding areas under potential future temperature regimes, with and without interannual climate variability, exploring a range of 0.5–2.0°C overall increase in temperature in the system by 2054. We found that among future projections, reef survival probability and mean percent coral cover over time were largely determined by the presence or absence of interannual sea surface temperature (SST) extremes as well as absolute temperature increase. Overall, reefs that experienced SST time series that were filtered to remove interannual variability had approximately double the chance of survival than reefs subjected to unfiltered SST. By the end of the forecast period, the inclusion of thermal anomalies was equivalent to an increase of at least 0.5°C in SST projections without anomalies. Change in percent coral cover varied widely across the region within temperature scenarios, with some reefs experiencing local extinction while others remaining relatively unchanged. Sink strength and current thermal stress threshold were found to be significant drivers of these patterns, highlighting the importance of processes that underlie larval connectivity and bleaching sensitivity in coral networks.
Autumn growth of three perennial weeds at high latitude benefits from climate change
Authors: Tørresen Kirsten S. , Fykse Haldor , Rafoss Trond , Gerowitt Bärbel
Published: December 2019

In autumn, agricultural perennial weeds prepare for winter and can store reserves into creeping roots or rhizomes. Little is known about influence of climate change in this period. We tested the effect of simulated climate change in autumn on three widespread and noxious perennial weeds, Elymus repens (L.) Gould, Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. and Sonchus arvensis L. We divided and combined simulated climate change components into elevated CO2 concentration (525 ppm), elevated temperatures (+2–2.5°C), treatments in open‐top chambers. In addition, a control in the open‐top chamber without any increase in CO2 and temperature, and a field control outside the chambers were included. Two geographically different origins and three pre‐growth periods prior to the exposure to climate change factors were included for each species. All species increased leaf area under elevated temperature, close to doubling in E. repens and quadrupling in the dicot species. E. repens kept leaves green later in autumn. C. arvense did not benefit in below‐ground growth from more leaf area or leaf dry mass. S. arvensis had low levels of leaf area throughout the experiment and withered earlier than the two other species. Below‐ground plant parts of S. arvensis were significantly increased by elevated temperature. Except for root:shoot ratio of C. arvense, the effects of pure elevated CO2 were not significant for any variables compared to the open‐top chamber control. There was an additive, but no synergistic, effect of enhanced temperature and CO2. The length of pre‐growth period was highly important for autumn plant growth, while origin had minor effect. We conclude that the small transfer of enhanced above‐ground growth into below‐ground growth under climate change in autumn does not favour creeping perennial plants per se, but more leaf area may offer more plant biomass to be tackled by chemical or physical weed control.
Annual ecosystem respiration is resistant to changes in freeze–thaw periods in semi‐arid permafrost
Authors: Wang Qi , Lv Wangwang , Li Bowen , Zhou Yang , Jiang Lili , Piao Shilong , Wang Yanfen , Zhang Lirong , Meng Fandong , Liu Peipei , Hong Huan , Li Yaoming , Dorji Tsechoe , Luo Caiyun , Zhang Zhenhua , Ciais Philippe , Peñuelas Josep , Kardol Paul , Zhou Huakun , Wang Shiping
Published: December 2019

Warming in cold regions alters freezing and thawing (F–T) of soil in winter, exposing soil organic carbon to decomposition. Carbon‐rich permafrost is expected to release more CO2 to the atmosphere through ecosystem respiration (Re) under future climate scenarios. However, the mechanisms of the responses of freeze–thaw periods to climate change and their coupling with Re in situ are poorly understood. Here, using 2 years of continuous data, we test how changes in F–T events relate to annual Re under four warming levels and precipitation addition in a semi‐arid grassland with discontinuous alpine permafrost. Warming shortened the entire F–T period because the frozen period shortened more than the extended freezing period. It decreased total Re during the F–T period mainly due to decrease in mean Re rate. However, warming did not alter annual Re because of reduced soil water content and the small contribution of total Re during the F–T period to annual Re. Although there were no effects of precipitation addition alone or interactions with warming on F–T events, precipitation addition increased total Re during the F–T period and the whole year. This decoupling between changes in soil freeze–thaw events and annual Re could result from their different driving factors. Our results suggest that annual Re could be mainly determined by soil water content rather than by change in freeze–thaw periods induced by warming in semi‐arid alpine permafrost.
A Dual Delineation Approach to Untangle Interferences in Well Doublets Systems
Authors: Sbai Mohammed Adil
Published: December 2019

Traditional numerical methods for the delineation of wellhead protection areas span deterministic and probabilistic approaches. They provide time‐related capture zones. However, none of the existing approaches identifies the groundwater contribution areas related to each source or sink. In this work, the worthiness of the so‐called double delineation approach was extended. This task was achieved by simple postprocessing of its dual outputs leading to a highly efficient screening tool. In the particular context of geothermal resources management through the well doublets of the Dogger aquifer in the Paris Basin (France), the approach was extended to forecast the compositional heat breakthrough at production wells. Hence, cold‐water breakthrough and temperature decline in production wells are timely assessed in low‐enthalpy geothermal reservoirs. The method quantifies how groundwater volumes are moving through space and time between any couple of source and sink. It provides unprecedented tools advancing the enhanced understanding of water resources systems functioning. It is highly recommended to implement the presented concepts in the current and future generations of community groundwater models.
A Comparison of Tools and Methods for Estimating Groundwater‐Surface Water Exchange
Authors: Cremeans M.M. , Devlin J.F. , Osorno T.C. , McKnight U.S. , Bjerg P.L.
Published: December 2019

A comparison of tools for measuring discharge rates in a sandy streambed was conducted along a transect near the north bank of the Grindsted Å (stream), Denmark. Four tools were evaluated at six locations spaced 3 m apart in the stream: mini‐piezometers, streambed point velocity probes (SBPVPs), temperature profilers, and seepage meters. Comparison of the methods showed that all identified a similar trend of low to high groundwater discharges moving westward along the transect. Furthermore, it was found that the differences between discharges estimated from Darcy calculations (using the mini‐pizometers), and SBPVPs were not statistically different from zero, at the 90% confidence level. Seepage meter estimates were consistently lower than those of the other two methods, but compared more reasonably with the application of a correction factor of 1.7, taken from the literature. In contrast, discharges estimated from temperature profiling (to a depth of 40 cm) were found to be about an order of magnitude less than those determined with the other methods, possibly due to interferences from horizontal hyporheic flow. Where the various methods produced statistically different discharge estimations at the same location, it is hypothesized that the differences arose from method‐specific sources of bias, including installation depths. On the basis of this work, practitioners interested in measuring flow across the groundwater‐surface water interface achieve the least variability with seepage meters and the SBPVP. However the accuracy of the seepage meter depended on a calibrated correction factor while that of the SBPVP did not.
Helicobacter hepaticus infection induces chronic hepatitis and fibrosis in male BALB/c mice via the activation of NF‐κB, Stat3, and MAPK signaling pathways
Authors: Cao Shuyang , Zhu Chen , Feng Jie , Zhu Liqi , Yin Jun , Xu Yongliang , Yang Haitao , Huang Yuzheng , Zhang Quan
Published: December 2019

Background

It has been documented that Helicobacter hepaticus (H hepaticus) infection is linked to chronic hepatitis and liver cancer. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying progression of the H hepaticus‐induced hepatic inflammation to cellular hepatocarcinoma is still limited.

Materials and methods

In our study, male BALB/c mice were infected by H hepaticus for 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks. Histopathology, H hepaticus colonization dynamics, select signaling pathways, and expression of key inflammatory cytokines in the liver were examined.

Results

We found that H hepaticus was detectible in feces of mice at 7 days postinfection (DPI) by PCR, but it was not detected in the livers by PCR until 8 weeks postinfection (WPI). In addition, abundance of colonic and hepatic H hepaticus was progressively increased over the infection duration. H hepaticus‐induced hepatic inflammation and fibrosis were aggravated over the infection duration, and necrosis or cirrhosis developed in the infected liver at 24 WPI H hepaticus infection increased levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. Moreover, mRNA levels of Il‐6 and Tnf‐α were significantly elevated in the livers of H hepaticus‐infected mice compared to uninfected control from 8 WPI to 24 WPI. Furthermore, Stat3, nuclear factor‐κB (p65), and MAPK (Erk1/2 and p38) were activated by H hepaticus infection.

Conclusions

These data demonstrated that male BALB/c mice can be used as a new mouse model of H hepaticus‐induced liver diseases and that the H hepaticus‐induced liver injury is triggered by NF‐κB, Jak‐Stat, and MAPK signaling pathways.
Time course alterations of virus sequences and immunoglobulin titers in a chronic hepatitis E patient
Authors: Nitta Sayuri , Takahashi Kazuaki , Kawai‐Kitahata Fukiko , Tsuchiya Jun , Sato Ayako , Miyoshi Masato , Murakawa Miyako , Itsui Yasuhiro , Nakagawa Mina , Azuma Seishin , Kakinuma Sei , Watanabe Mamoru , Asahina Yasuhiro
Published: December 2019

Aim

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can cause chronic infection in immunocompromised hosts. However, the dynamics of HEV during persistent infection is not well understood. To elucidate time course alterations in virus sequences and anti‐HEV antibodies during persistent infection, we analyzed the HEV sequences and titers of anti‐HEV antibodies from a chronic hepatitis E patient.

Methods

Serum samples were obtained from a chronic hepatitis E patient under corticosteroid therapy for neurological disease. The titers of anti‐HEV antibodies (immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin M, and immunoglobulin G) in serum samples were detected by enzyme immunoassay. The full or near‐full nucleotide sequences of HEV isolated from consecutive serum samples were identified and compared. Phylogenetic analysis was also performed.

Results

Alterations of anti‐HEV antibodies from a chronic hepatitis E patient were different from those previously reported in acute hepatitis E patients. The virus sequence was unchanged in the period without treatment, but nucleotide mutations were observed after ribavirin treatment was started. In addition, the sequence of this strain had extremely high identity to that isolated from swine liver in Japan.

Conclusions

Virus mutations in HEV emerged after ribavirin treatment was started. Sequence analysis may useful for deciding the treatment strategy for chronic hepatitis E patients who did not eliminate the virus with 3 months of RBV treatment and inferring the origin of the infection. This report provides insights into the chronicity of hepatitis E, and the impact of persistent infection and ribavirin treatment on the emergence of virus mutations.
Combined effects of HIV and obesity on the gastrointestinal microbiome of young men who have sex with men
Authors: Cook RR , Fulcher JA , Tobin NH , Li F , Lee D , Woodward C , Javanbakht M , Brookmeyer R , Shoptaw S , Bolan R , Aldrovandi GM , Gorbach PM
Published: December 2019

Objectives

The prevalence of obesity is rising among people living with HIV, which may synergistically increase inflammation and the risk of associated diseases. Disruption of gut bacterial communities may be one of the key drivers of this inflammation; however, the combined effects of HIV and obesity on the microbiome have not been explored.

Methods

This study included 381 men who have sex with men. Thirty‐nine were HIV‐positive and obese (H+O+), 143 were HIV‐positive and nonobese, 64 were HIV‐negative and obese, and 135 were HIV‐negative and nonobese. Microbiome composition was assessed by targeted sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene using rectal swab samples. Inverse probability of treatment‐weighted marginal structural models were used to investigate differences in microbial composition between groups while controlling for numerous clinical and behavioural confounders.

Results

Significant variability in microbial composition was explained by the combination of HIV and obesity, over and above each condition alone (R2 for the marginal contribution of the H+/O+ group = 0.008; P = 0.001). H+O+ participants had the highest ratios of Prevotella to Bacteroides, a pro‐inflammatory enterotype that has been described in HIV infection and obesity independently. H+O+ participants had lower levels of Bacteroides and Veillonella than all other groups, suggesting a synergistic effect of HIV and obesity on these genera.

Conclusions

Our findings support the hypothesis that HIV and obesity act together to disrupt gut microbial communities, which may help explain higher levels of generalized inflammation among people living with both HIV and obesity.
Preparation of highly porous Al2O3 aerogel by one‐step solvent‐exchange and ambient‐pressure drying
Authors: Wagle Roshan , Yoo Jeong Kun
Published: December 2019

This work presents the preparation of alumina aerogel via sol‐gel route utilizing ambient‐pressure drying. A novel and efficient solvent‐exchange process has been utilized as an alternative to conventional solvent‐exchange processes by directly boiling the hydro‐gel in solvent. High emphasis has been given in the selection of solvent based on polarity, boiling point, and specific gravity compared with water to facilitate efficient solvent‐exchange and reuse of the solvent. The ambient‐pressure‐dried alumina aerogel was thermally treated at temperature from 300°C‐1200°C to study the change in density, porosity, specific surface area, and microstructure along with crystalline properties. The ambient‐pressure‐dried alumina aerogel showed lower tapped density 0.108 g/cm3, specific surface area 519 m2/g, and total weight loss of 36.94% at 900°C. The degree of crystalline structure from amorphous was observed to increase with increase in thermal treatment temperature above 300°C, dominant above 700°C, whereas the transformation of bayerite γ‐Al(OH)3 to boehmite γ‐AlO2H was observed at 150°C‐300°C and to γ‐Al2O3 phase was observed at temperature of 300°C‐1200°C.
Dynamic tensile mechanical properties and failure mode of zirconium diboride‐silicon carbide ceramic composites
Authors: Liu Jianhao , Hu Zhou , Zhang Yuxia
Published: December 2019

Dynamic indirect tension experiments were performed on zirconium diboride‐silicon carbide (ZrB2−20%SiC) ceramic. Flattened Brazilian disc specimens of ZrB2−20%SiC were prepared to conduct dynamic tensile tests using the modified Split Hopkinson pressure bar system. The tensile experiments were completed at the range of loading rates from 7.53 to 74.71 GP s−1. The tensile experimental results revealed that the zirconium diboride‐silicon carbide ceramic composite is rate‐sensitive in terms of the tensile strength and failure mode. The dynamic tensile strength increases linearly with the loading rate and changes from 195 MPa at 7.53 GP s−1 to 654 MPa at 74.71 GP s−1. Moreover, the dynamic tensile strength decreases with the increase in critical fracture time, which conforms to Tuler and Butcher's fracture criterion. In dynamic experiments, a high‐speed camera was used to examine the tensile failure process, and fragments were collected to analyze the dynamic tensile failure mechanism. The tensile fracture mode of ZrB2−20%SiC obviously showed the sensitivity of the loading rate. The fragment size of ZrB2−20%SiC ceramic decreased but the quantity of fragments increased as the loading rate increased.
Effect of antioxidants in combination of VCO nanoemulsion on gel properties and storage stability of refrigerated sardine surimi gel
Authors: Gani Asir , Benjakul Soottawat
Published: December 2019

Impacts of β‐glucan–virgin coconut oil (VCO) nanoemulsion containing epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and α‐tocopherol at levels of 0–3.0 g kg−1 on properties and storage stability of surimi gel were investigated. Augmented breaking force, deformation and fracture constant were obtained in gels containing 2.0 g kg−1 EGCG or 1.0 g kg−1 α‐tocopherol (P < 0.05). Expressible moisture content increased as EGCG levels were more than 2.0 g kg−1. Smoother microstructure was observed in gels containing 2.0 g kg−1 EGCG. Whiter gels were obtained when β‐glucan–VCO nanoemulsion was incorporated. No change in protein pattern of gels was observed regardless of antioxidant incorporation. Viscoelastic moduli decreased as β‐glucan–VCO nanoemulsion was added; however, incorporation of 2.0 g kg−1 EGCG or 1.0 g kg−1 α‐tocopherol lowered the decrease in G'. β‐glucan–VCO nanoemulsion containing gels had higher likeness scores than the control (P < 0.05). Gels containing EGCG and α‐tocopherol at selected levels had the improved oxidative stability and lowered microbial loads.
Effects of supercritical and liquid carbon dioxide extraction on hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil
Authors: Aiello Alessandra , Pizzolongo Fabiana , Scognamiglio Giorgio , Romano Annalisa , Masi Paolo , Romano Raffaele
Published: December 2019

The increase in the popularity of hemp‐based products is mainly linked to the presence of non‐psychoactive cannabinoids that provide relief from aches, pain and anxiety. In this study, hemp seed oils were produced by two innovative and environmentally friendly extraction techniques: supercritical and liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction. The chemical composition of the two oils was analysed and compared with that of a control oil obtained by solvent (n‐hexane) extraction. Both oils obtained by liquid and supercritical CO2 extraction presented interesting compositions: they contained large amounts of cannabinoids, polyphenols and tocopherols and were less oxidised than the control and contained a large amount of hexanal, which provided a pleasant aroma. The maximum cannabinoid content was found in the oil obtained by liquid CO2 extraction (71.51 mg of cannabidiol per kg of oil and 113.92 mg of cannabinol per kg of oil). Carotenoids were prevalent in the oil obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction (61.00 mg kg−1 of oil).
Rheological and colour properties of apple jellies supplemented with inulin with various degrees of polymerisation
Authors: Witczak Mariusz , Jaworska Grażyna , Witczak Teresa
Published: December 2019

The objective of this study was to analyse the influence of inulin with different degrees of polymerisation (DP values) and oligofructose preparation on physicochemical and rheological properties of apple jelly. It has been determined that both the addition of inulin (independently of DP) and oligofructose significantly modify the rheological and textural properties of the analysed desserts. Preparation with high DP results in increased moduli, preparation with moderate levels results in their decrease, while preparation with low DP levels initially decreases and then increases the values of both moduli. Similar tendencies are exhibited by the remaining parameters of rheological characteristics. Supplementation with inulin and oligofructose influences, but not as markedly, physicochemical properties. It has been observed that the manner in which water is bound by the applied preparations may have a significant impact on the properties of jelly. In the majority of cases, the variability of the parameters, for which statistically significant differences have been determined, depended on the type and level of the additive, and this impact varied between individual preparation types. The study conducted has enabled the conclusion that inulin may pose an attractive ingredient in desserts with health‐promoting properties.
Association of cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte associated protein 4 gene polymorphisms with the risk and prognosis of oesophageal cancer in a high‐incidence region from northern China
Authors: Wang Lei , Li Yan , Wang Na , Huang Xi , Cao Shi‐Ru , Zhou Rong‐Miao
Published: December 2019

The most important anti‐tumour immune response is mediated by T lymphocytes. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated protein 4 (CTLA4) plays a critical role in the immune surveillance against tumours as an inhibitory immune checkpoint molecule of T‐cell activation. This study was designed to explore the association of CTLA4 polymorphisms with the susceptibility to oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and prognosis of patients with ESCC in a high‐incidence population from northern China. CTLA4 rs5742909 C/T and rs231775 G/A single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction–ligase detection reaction (PCR‐LDR) method in 577 ESCC patients and 580 controls. Upper gastrointestinal cancer family history increased the risk of ESCC (the sex‐, age‐ and smoking status‐adjusted OR = 1.383, 95%CI = 1.094–1.749). The genotype frequencies of these two SNPs in the patients with ESCC were similar to that in the controls. Survival analyses were conducted in 204 patients with ESCC with five‐year survival information. The mean survival time of ESCC patients with rs231775 SNP A/A genotype in age over 60 years group was 23.2 months, significantly shorter than that of those with G/G genotype (47.3 months). The A/A genotype was associated with increased death risk of patients with ESCC older than 60 years (adjusted HR = 4.544, 95%CI = 1.913–10.790). CTLA4 rs231775 SNP might be used as genetic marker of worse prognosis for patients with ESCC over 60 years in a high‐incidence population from northern China.
Associations of maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy with abdominal and liver fat deposition in childhood
Authors: Voerman Ellis , Jaddoe Vincent WV , Hulst Mirjam E , Oei Edwin HG , Gaillard Romy
Published: December 2019

Background

Maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity. Studies in adults suggest that caffeine intake might also directly affect visceral and liver fat deposition, which are strong risk factors for cardio‐metabolic disease.

Objective

To assess the associations of maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy with childhood general, abdominal, and liver fat mass at 10 years of age.

Methods

In a population‐based cohort from early pregnancy onwards among 4770 mothers and children, we assessed maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and childhood fat mass at age 10 years.

Results

Compared with children whose mothers consumed <2 units of caffeine per day during pregnancy, those whose mothers consumed 4‐5.9 and ≥6 units of caffeine per day had a higher body mass index, total body fat mass index, android/gynoid fat mass ratio, and abdominal subcutaneous and visceral fat mass indices. Children whose mothers consumed 4‐5.9 units of caffeine per day had a higher liver fat fraction. The associations with abdominal visceral fat and liver fat persisted after taking childhood total body fat mass into account.

Conclusions

High maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy was associated with higher childhood body mass index, total body fat, abdominal visceral fat, and liver fat. The associations with childhood abdominal visceral fat and liver fat fraction were independent of childhood total body fat. This suggests differential fat accumulation in these depots, which may increase susceptibility to cardio‐metabolic disease in later life.
Les pratiques d'achat prédatrices dans les chaînes d'approvisionnement mondiales de la confection: effet sur les conditions de travail et d'emploi en Inde
Authors: ANNER Mark
Published: December 2019

Les atteintes aux droits des travailleurs au sein des chaînes d'approvisionnement mondiales de la confection sont bien documentées aujourd'hui. En revanche, on ignore souvent que le problème tend à s'aggraver sous l'effet des politiques d'achat agressives de clients toujours plus puissants. L'exemple de filières indiennes montre que ces pressions se répercutent sur les salaires, qu'elles encouragent les formes de travail atypiques et qu'elles banalisent la violence verbale et physique à l'encontre des travailleurs. Pour l'auteur, la solution passe par l'adoption de mécanismes de fixation des prix qui tiennent compte des coûts du travail décent, un cadre législatif adapté et une plus large implication des travailleurs.
L'évolution du tissu social – entre nouvelles technologies et tendances socio‐économiques anciennes
Authors: DOSI Giovanni , VIRGILLITO Maria Enrica
Published: December 2019

Nos sociétés vivent‐elles aujourd'hui une nouvelle révolution industrielle? Les auteurs s'efforcent de répondre à cette question à partir d'une évaluation des conséquences des changements technologiques sur le tissu socio‐économique actuel, notamment sous l'angle de l'emploi, des inégalités, des conditions de travail et des relations professionnelles. Ils avancent que les processus d'innovation et la diffusion de «l'automatisation intelligente» risquent de renforcer des schémas de répartition des revenus et des rapports de force inéquitables (certains préexistants à l'arrivée des technologies et d'autres apparus au cours des trente à quarante dernières années). Ils détaillent les implications de ces évolutions sur les politiques à mettre en œuvre.
T‐cell exhaustion in HIV infection
Authors: Fenwick Craig , Joo Victor , Jacquier Patricia , Noto Alessandra , Banga Riddhima , Perreau Matthieu , Pantaleo Giuseppe
Published: December 2019

The T‐cell response is central in the adaptive immune‐mediated elimination of pathogen‐infected and/or cancer cells. This activated T‐cell response can inflict an overwhelming degree of damage to the targeted cells, which in most instances leads to the control and elimination of foreign invaders. However, in conditions of chronic infection, persistent exposure of T cells to high levels of antigen results in a severe T‐cell dysfunctional state called exhaustion. T‐cell exhaustion leads to a suboptimal immune‐mediated control of multiple viral infections including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In this review, we will discuss the role of T‐cell exhaustion in HIV disease progression, the long‐term defect of T‐cell function even in aviremic patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART), the role of exhaustion‐specific markers in maintaining a reservoir of latently infected cells, and exploiting these markers in HIV cure strategies.
Toward a size scale‐up cold sintering process at reduced uniaxial pressure
Authors: Bang Sun Hwi , Tsuji Kosuke , Ndayishimiye Arnaud , Dursun Sinan , Seo Joo‐Hwan , Otieno Stephen , Randall Clive A.
Published: December 2019

Cold sintering is a low‐temperature powder process methodology that enables the densification of ceramics and ceramic‐based composites at significantly reduced times and temperatures. Although the general notion of required pressure for the cold sintering is in the hundreds MPa, some material systems were reasonably demonstrated to be densified in the pressure below 50 MPa, which allows to increase the sample size up to 25 cm2 using a small tabletop laboratory press. Indeed, the pressure requirement has been a major constraint on promoting its application deployments, but this study is intended to propose a path to alleviate that limitation. Five different ceramic and composite systems (three ZnO‐based composites, Li1.5Al0.5Ge1.5(PO4)3, and zeolite Y) with applications in electronic, structural, and energy storage were investigated as a preliminary example of the size scale‐up process. One of the observed challenges of the scale‐up process was to obtain homogeneous microstructure all over the sample as the transient phase evaporation rate may be different upon the localization. In the case of ZnO, the inhomogeneous pellet translucency may pertain to partial anisotropic grain growth within the same sample.
Modeling nonisothermal crystallization in a BaO∙2SiO2 glass
Authors: Van Hoesen D. C. , Xia Xinsheng , McKenzie Matthew E. , Kelton K. F.
Published: December 2019

The accuracy of a differential thermal analysis (DTA) technique for predicting the temperature range of significant nucleation is examined in a BaO∙2SiO2 glass by iterative numerical calculations. The numerical model takes account of time‐dependent nucleation, finite particle size, size‐dependent crystal growth rates, and surface crystallization. The calculations were made using the classical and, for the first time, the diffuse interface theories of nucleation. The results of the calculations are in agreement with experimental measurements, demonstrating the validity of the DTA technique. They show that this is independent of the DTA scan rate used and that surface crystallization has a negligible effect for the glass particle sizes studied. A breakdown of the Stokes‐Einstein relation between viscosity and the diffusion coefficient is demonstrated for low temperatures, near the maximum nucleation rate. However, it is shown that accurate values for the diffusion coefficient can be obtained from the induction time for nucleation and the growth velocity in this temperature range.
BSE‐IA reveals retardation mechanisms of polymer powders on cement hydration
Authors: Peng Yu , Zeng Qiang , Xu Shilang , Zhao Guorong , Wang Peiming , Liu Xianping
Published: December 2019

The retardation effects of two polymer powders, styrene butadiene rubber and ethylene‐vinyl acetate, on cement hydration and the mechanisms in terms of hydration degree and microstructure characteristics were investigated by the combination of backscattered electron image analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer, and X‐ray diffraction. Results show that the cement hydration can be significantly retarded by both polymers with the reductions in cement hydration degrees and hydration products thickness. Polymers retard cement hydration by agglomerating the polymer particles on the surfaces of cement grains, forming films in different thickness and bonding the calcium ions in the pore solutions. Consequentially, the formation of C‐S‐H and CH is depressed and the Ca/Si ratios in the hydration product layer are raised. The retardation is enhanced with the increase in polymer content. This work helps understand the retardation effect of polymers on cement hydration in depth, which enables rational development of polymer‐modified cement‐based materials for further applications.
Brief report: Follow‐up outcomes of multisystemic therapy for adolescents with an intellectual disability and the relation with parental intellectual disability
Authors: Blankestein Annemarieke , Lange Aurelie , van der Rijken Rachel , Scholte Ron , Moonen Xavier , Didden Robert
Published: December 2019

Research on follow‐up outcomes of systemic interventions for family members with an intellectual disability is scarce. In this study, short‐term and long‐term follow‐up outcomes of multisystemic therapy for adolescents with antisocial or delinquent behaviour and an intellectual disability (MST‐ID) are reported. In addition, the role of parental intellectual disability was examined.

Outcomes of 55 families who had received MST‐ID were assessed at the end of treatment and at 6‐month, 12‐month and 18‐month follow‐up. Parental intellectual disability was used as a predictor of treatment outcomes. Missing data were handled using multiple imputation.

Rule‐breaking behaviour of adolescents declined during treatment and stabilized until 18 months post‐treatment. The presence or absence of parental intellectual disability did not predict treatment outcomes.

This study was the first to report long‐term outcomes of MST‐ID. The intervention achieved similar results in families with and without parents with an intellectual disability.
NFAT5 promotes arteriogenesis via MCP‐1‐dependent monocyte recruitment
Authors: Lin Xing‐Chi , Pan Miao , Zhu Ling‐Ping , Sun Quan , Zhou Zheng‐Shi , Li Chuan‐Chang , Zhang Guo‐Gang
Published: December 2019

Studies have demonstrated that nuclear factor of activated T cells 5 (NFAT5) is not only a tonicity‐responsive transcription factor but also activated by other stimuli, so we aim to investigate whether NFAT5 participates in collateral arteries formation in rats. We performed femoral artery ligature (FAL) in rats for hindlimb ischaemia model and found that NFAT5 was up‐regulated in rat adductors with FAL compared with sham group. Knockdown of NFAT5 with locally injection of adenovirus‐mediated NFAT5‐shRNA in rats significantly inhibited hindlimb blood perfusion recovery and arteriogenesis. Moreover, NFAT5 knockdown decreased macrophages infiltration and monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1) expression in rats adductors. In vitro, with interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) stimulation and loss‐of‐function studies, we demonstrated that NFAT5 knockdown inhibits MCP‐1 expression in endothelial cells and chemotaxis of THP‐1 cells regulated by ERK1/2 pathway. More importantly, exogenous MCP‐1 delivery could recover hindlimb blood perfusion, promote arteriogenesis and macrophages infiltration in rats after FAL, which were depressed by NFAT5 knockdown. Besides, NFAT5 knockdown also inhibited angiogenesis in gastrocnemius muscles in rats. Our results indicate that NFAT5 is a critical regulator of arteriogenesis and angiogenesis via MCP‐1‐dependent monocyte recruitment, suggesting that NFAT5 may represent an alternative therapeutic target for ischaemic diseases.
Imperatorin promotes osteogenesis and suppresses osteoclast by activating AKT/GSK3 β/β‐catenin pathways
Authors: Yan De‐Yi , Tang Jiahao , Chen Liang , Wang Bingzhang , Weng Sheji , Xie Zhongjie , Wu Zong‐Yi , Shen Zijian , Bai Bingli , Yang Lei
Published: December 2019

Osteoporosis is caused by disturbance in the dynamic balance of bone remodelling, a physiological process, vital for maintenance of healthy bone tissue in adult humans. In this process, a new bone is formed by osteoblasts and the pre‐existing bone matrix is resorbed by osteoclasts. Imperatorin, a widely available and inexpensive plant extract with antioxidative and apoptotic effects, is reported to treat osteoporosis. However, the underlying mechanism and specific effects on bone metabolism have not been elucidated. In this study, we used rat bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells and found that imperatorin can activate RUNX2, COL1A1 and osteocalcin by promoting the Ser9 phosphorylation of GSK3β and entry of β‐catenin into the nucleus. Imperatorin also enhanced the production of phospho‐AKT (Ser473), an upstream factor that promotes the Ser9 phosphorylation of GSK3β. We used ipatasertib, a pan‐AKT inhibitor, to inhibit the osteogenic effect of imperatorin, and found that imperatorin promotes osteogenesis via AKT/GSK3β/β‐catenin pathway. Next, we used rat bone marrow‐derived monocytes, to check whether imperatorin inhibits osteoclast differentiation via AKT/GSK3β/β‐catenin pathway. Further, we removed the bilateral ovaries of rats to establish an osteoporotic model. Intragastric administration of imperatorin promoted osteogenesis and inhibited osteoclast in vivo. Our experiments showed that imperatorin is a potential drug for osteoporosis treatment.
An outcome model for human bladder cancer: A comprehensive study based on weighted gene co‐expression network analysis
Authors: Xiong Yaoyi , Yuan Lushun , Xiong Jing , Xu Huimin , Luo Yongwen , Wang Gang , Ju Lingao , Xiao Yu , Wang Xinghuan
Published: December 2019

The precision evaluation of prognosis is crucial for clinical treatment decision of bladder cancer (BCa). Therefore, establishing an effective prognostic model for BCa has significant clinical implications. We performed WGCNA and DEG screening to initially identify the candidate genes. The candidate genes were applied to construct a LASSO Cox regression analysis model. The effectiveness and accuracy of the prognostic model were tested by internal/external validation and pan‐cancer validation and time‐dependent ROC. Additionally, a nomogram based on the parameter selected from univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis was constructed. Eight genes were eventually screened out as progression‐related differentially expressed candidates in BCa. LASSO Cox regression analysis identified 3 genes to build up the outcome model in E‐MTAB‐4321 and the outcome model had good performance in predicting patient progress free survival of BCa patients in discovery and test set. Subsequently, another three datasets also have a good predictive value for BCa patients' OS and DFS. Time‐dependent ROC indicated an ideal predictive accuracy of the outcome model. Meanwhile, the nomogram showed a good performance and clinical utility. In addition, the prognostic model also exhibits good performance in pan‐cancer patients. Our outcome model was the first prognosis model for human bladder cancer progression prediction via integrative bioinformatics analysis, which may aid in clinical decision‐making.
Evaluation of process indicators of a medication review service between pharmacists and physicians
Authors: Marques Tatiane C. , Silva Rafaella de Oliveira Santos , dos Santos Júnior Genival A. , de Jesus Júnior Francisco C. , Silvestre Carina C. , Rocha Kérilin S. S. , da Rocha Chiara E. , Brito Giselle de Carvalho , de Lyra‐Jr Divaldo P.
Published: December 2019

Rationale, aims and objectives

Literature have showed inconclusive or contradictory results regarding medication review services effectiveness in optimizing process indicators. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the process indicators of a medication review service between pharmacists and physicians.

Method

This quasi‐experimental study was conducted between March 2013 and February 2014 with patients who were receiving care in a medication review service in a teaching hospital in northeastern Brazil. The main process indicators were number of pharmaceutical consultations; identification and resolution of drug‐related problems (DRP) and pharmaceutical interventions that were classified according to type and degree of acceptance. Descriptive statistics were used to report data. The statistical significance of the association between variables was evaluated using the Mantel‐Haenszel chi‐square test. The 95% confidence interval was considered, and differences were deemed statistically significant if P ≤ .05.

Results

A total of 146 patients attended the medication review service. The number of consultations per patient ranged from one to five (2.1 ± 1.1). The service identified 366 DRP, most of which were indication (67.5%). Patients who had four to five pharmaceutical consultations were 1.14 times more likely to have their DRP identified (χ2 = 33.83, P < .0001). Of the DRP identified, 183 (42.33%) were resolved. Patients who had between one and two pharmaceutical consultations were 1.22 times more likely not to have their DRP resolved compared with the group with more than three consultations (χ2 = 3.44, P < .05). Of the 173 pharmaceutical interventions made to the medical students and physicians, the majority (98.7%) was accepted.

Conclusion

The collaborative medication review service optimized the process indicators. Drug‐related problems identification and resolution required more than three pharmaceutical consultations. Most of the pharmaceutical interventions were accepted by prescribers. Thus, collaborative medication review services may be fundamental to the construction of more effective and safe health systems.
Analysis of factors associated with the prognosis of cirrhotic patients who were treated with tolvaptan for hepatic edema
Authors: Atsukawa Masanori , Tsubota Akihito , Takaguchi Koichi , Toyoda Hidenori , Iwasa Motoh , Ikegami Tadashi , Chuma Makoto , Nozaki Akito , Uojima Haruki , Hiraoka Atsushi , Fukunishi Shinya , Yokohama Keisuke , Tada Toshifumi , Kato Keizo , Abe Hiroshi , Tani Joji , Okubo Hironao , Watanabe Tsunamasa , Hattori Nobuhiro , Tsutsui Akemi , Senoh Tomonori , Yoshida Yuji , Okubo Tomomi , Itokawa Norio , Nakagawa‐Iwashita Ai , Kondo Chisa , Arai Taeang , Michitaka Kojiro , Iio Etsuko , Kumada Takashi , Tanaka Yasushito , Takei Yoshiyuki , Iwakiri Katsuhiko
Published: December 2019

Background and Aim

The prognosis of cirrhotic patients with hepatic edema is poor. Although several short‐term predictors of tolvaptan (novel diuretic agent) treatment for such patients have been reported, the factors related to long‐term survival are still unclear.

Methods

Among 459 patients with hepatic edema enrolled in a retrospective, multicenter collaborative study, we analyzed 407 patients who received tolvaptan.

Results

Patients consisted of 266 men and 141 women, with the median age of 68 years (range, 28–93 years). The frequency of short‐term responders to tolvaptan was 59.7% (243/407). In the Cox regression analysis, short‐term response to tolvaptan, low average dosages of furosemide and spironolactone during tolvaptan treatment, Child–Pugh classification A and B, and absence of hepatocellular carcinoma were independent factors contributed to 1‐year survival. The 1‐year and long‐term cumulative survival rates in short‐term responders were significantly higher than those in non‐responders (P = 0.011 and 0.010, respectively). Using a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the optimal cut‐off values of average daily dosages of furosemide and spironolactone for predicting 1‐year survival were 19 and 23 mg/day, respectively. The long‐term cumulative survival rates in patients who received a mean dosage of spironolactone < 23 mg/day during tolvaptan treatment were significantly higher than those receiving a mean dosage of ≥ 23 mg/day (P = 0.001).

Conclusions

The present study suggests that the short‐term response to tolvaptan and low dosages of conventional diuretics during tolvaptan treatment might improve the 1‐year and long‐term survival rates in cirrhotic patients with hepatic edema.
Direct investigation of current transport in cells by conductive atomic force microscopy
Authors: ZHAO W. , CHEONG L.‐Z. , XU S. , CUI W. , SONG S. , ROURK C.J. , SHEN C.
Published: December 2019

Currents play critical roles in neurons. Direct observation of current flows in cells at nanometre dimensions and picoampere current resolution is still a daunting task. In this study, we investigated the current flows in hippocampal neurons, PC12 cells and astrocytes in response to voltages applied to the cell membranes using conductive atomic force microscopy (CAFM). The spines in the hippocampal neurons play crucial roles in nerve signal transfer. When the applied voltage was greater than 7.2 V, PC12 cells even show metallic nanowire‐like characteristics. Both the cell body and glial filaments of astrocytes yielded CAFM test results that reflect different electrical conductance. To our best knowledge, the electrical characteristics and current transport through components of cells (especially neurons) in response to an applied external voltage have been revealed for the first time at nanometre dimensions and picoampere current levels. We believe that such studies will pave new ways to study and model the electrical characteristics and physiological behaviours in cells and other biological samples.
Relating ligand binding to activation gating in P2X2 receptors using a novel fluorescent ATP derivative
Authors: Sattler Christian , Schmauder Ralf , Schwabe Tina , Schweinitz Andrea , Unzeitig Christopher , Schwede Frank , Otte Maik , Benndorf Klaus
Published: December 2019

Ionotropic purinergic receptors (P2X receptors) are non‐specific cation channels that are activated by the binding of ATP at their extracellular side. P2X receptors contribute to multiple functions, including the generation of pain, inflammation, or synaptic transmission. The channels are trimers and structural information on several of their isoforms is available. In contrast, the cooperation of the subunits in the activation process is poorly understood. We synthesized a novel fluorescent ATP derivative, 2‐[DY‐547P1]‐AET‐ATP (fATP) to unravel the complex activation process in P2X2 and mutated P2X2 H319K channels with enhanced apparent affinity by characterizing the relation between ligand binding and activation gating. fATP is a full agonist with respect to ATP that reports the degree of binding by bright fluorescence. For quantifying the binding, a fast automated algorithm was employed on human embryonic kidney cell culture images. The concentrations of half maximum occupancy and activation as well as the respective Hill coefficients were determined. All Hill coefficients exceeded unity, even at an occupancy <10%, suggesting cooperativity of the binding even for the first and second binding step. fATP shows promise for continuative functional studies on other purinergic receptors and, beyond, any other ATP‐binding proteins.

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A case of cervical adenocarcinoma arising from endometriosis in the absence of human papilloma virus infection
Authors: Uehara Takashi , Yoshida Hiroshi , Kondo Atsushi , Kato Tomoyasu
Published: December 2019

Endometriosis‐related cervical neoplasms are rare, and their clinicopathological features and association with human papilloma virus infection are unclear. A postmenopausal woman with recently diagnosed cervical adenocarcinoma was referred to our hospital. After further investigation, we suspected a stage IIB neoplasm that originated from endometriosis of the cervix or left parametrium. A radical hysterectomy was performed, and pathological examination confirmed a stage IIB cervical endometrioid carcinoma arising from the endometriosis in the cervix to the left parametrium that invaded the cervix; human papilloma virus infection of tumor cells was not detected. Endometriosis‐related neoplasms can occur in the cervix or parametrium and present as cervical cancer. The neoplasm described here was not associated with human papilloma virus infection.