bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for spontaneous preterm delivery
Authors: Cobo Teresa , Kacerovsky Marian , Jacobsson Bo
Published: June 2020

Background

There is a substantial variation in rates of preterm delivery between different parts of the world. The understanding of these variations, as well as the biological mechanisms behind spontaneous preterm delivery, is limited. Although the benefit of antenatal interventions has been shown to be limited, using well‐known risk factors for spontaneous preterm delivery to select the correct pregnant women for targeted interventions is important from both a medical and caregiving perspective.

Objective

To provide an introduction to a substantial research area dealing with risk factors of spontaneous preterm delivery.

Methods

Risk factors in this review were classified as demographical, obstetrical, and gynecological and those related to the current pregnancy according to high‐quality evidence of recent literature.

Results and Conclusion

An introduction to a substantial research area in maternal and fetal medicine was provided that might help clinicians to better understand the risk factors related to preterm delivery and select the correct pregnant women for targeted interventions.
Global burden of preterm birth
Authors: Walani Salimah R.
Published: June 2020

Preterm birth is a live birth that occurs before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. Approximately 15 million babies are born preterm annually worldwide, indicating a global preterm birth rate of about 11%. With 1 million children dying due to preterm birth before the age of 5 years, preterm birth is the leading cause of death among children, accounting for 18% of all deaths among children aged under 5 years and as much as 35% of all deaths among newborns (aged <28 days). There are significant variations in preterm birth rates and mortality between countries and within countries. However, the burden of preterm birth is particularly high in low‐ and middle‐income countries, especially those in Southeast Asia and sub‐Saharan Africa. Preterm birth rates are rising in many countries. The issue of preterm birth is of paramount significance for achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 target #3.2, which aims to end all preventable deaths of newborns and children aged under 5 years by 2030.
An integrated approach to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes in rural Guatemala: A stepped‐wedge cluster randomized trial
Authors: Kestler Edgar , Ambrosio Guillermo , Hemming Karla , Hughes James P. , Matute Jorge , Moreno Mario , Madriz Solange , Walker Dilys
Published: June 2020

Objective

To evaluate the impact of an intervention package on maternal and newborn health indicators.

Methods

A randomized stepped‐wedge non‐blind trial was conducted across six subdistricts within two districts in Guatemala from January 2014 to January 2017. Data on outcomes were collected on all deliveries in all 33 health centers. The intervention package included distribution of promotional materials encouraging health center delivery; education for traditional birth attendants about the importance of health center delivery; and provider capacity building using simulation training. Main outcomes were number of health center deliveries, maternal morbidity, and perinatal morbidity and mortality.

Results

Overall, there were 24 412 deliveries. Health center deliveries per 1000 live births showed an overall increase, although after adjustment for secular trends and clustering, the relative risk for the treatment effect was not statistically significant (aRR, 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97–1.11, P=0.242). Although not statistically significant, maternal morbidity (aRR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.60–1.02; P=0.068) and perinatal morbidity (aRR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.68–1.05; P=0.133) showed a tendency toward a decrease.

Conclusion

The present study represents one of the few randomized evaluations of an integrated approach to improve birth outcomes in a low‐income setting.

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT0315107.
Influence of plasma circulating exosomes obtained from obese women on tumorigenesis and tamoxifen resistance in MCF‐7 cells
Authors: Sadegh‐Nejadi Sahar , Afrisham Reza , Emamgholipour Solaleh , Izadi Pantea , Eivazi Neda , Tahbazlahafi Behnoosh , Paknejad Maliheh
Published: June 2020

Obesity is associated with breast cancer aggressiveness and drug resistance. Although the underlying mechanisms are unknown, recent studies indicated that exosomes have a principal contributory role in obesity‐associated metabolic complications. Hence, we investigated whether obesity can mediate breast cancer progression and resistance to tamoxifen by plasma‐derived‐exosomes from obese women or not. Plasma exosomes isolated from five normal‐weight (N‐Exo) and five obese women (O‐Exo) were characterized for size, zeta potential, and CD63 expression. After the treatment of MCF‐7 cells with N‐Exo and O‐Exo, cell proliferation, migration, invasion as well as levels of MMP‐9 and MMP‐2 were evaluated by the 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, wound healing, transwell, and zymography methods, respectively. For evaluating resistance to tamoxifen, the cell viability, apoptosis, and the p53 protein were evaluated using the MTT assay, flow cytometry, and western blot methods, respectively. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were significantly increased in the cells treated with O‐Exo than untreated cells (p = .001, p = .018, p = .034, respectively). Levels of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 were remarkably increased in the cells treated with O‐Exo in comparison with ones treated with N‐Exo (p = .040, p = .043, respectively). As for resistance to tamoxifen, O‐Exo had significantly the greater anti‐apoptotic effects in comparison with the N‐Exo group (p = .013). Besides, p53 levels were significantly decreased in the cells treated with O‐Exo than ones treated with N‐Exo (p = .045). The cell viability was significantly more in cells treated with O‐Exo in comparison with the cells only treated with tamoxifen (p = .040). Our findings demonstrated that circulating exosomes derived from obese women could lead to tumorigenesis and tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer cells. However, more studies are needed to establish this notion.
Decellularized muscle‐derived hydrogels support in vitro cardiac microtissue fabrication
Authors: Rajabi Sarah , Aghdami Nasser , Varzideh Fahimeh , Parchehbaf‐Kashani Melika , Nobakht Lahrood Fatemeh
Published: June 2020

Cardiovascular research has considerably benefited from in vitro models of cardiac tissue. Two important elements of these constructs, cardiac cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM), play essential roles that mimic the structural and functional aspects of myocardium. Here, we compared decellularized ECM from cardiac muscle (D‐CM), skeletal muscle (D‐SM), aorta (D‐Ao), liver (D‐Liv), small intestine submucosa (D‐SIS), and human umbilical cord (D‐hUC) in terms of their biocompatibility and potential for differentiation of human embryonic stem cell‐derived cardiac progenitor cells (hESC‐derived CPCs) to cardiovascular lineage cells. The decellularization procedure successfully removed resident cells of the tissues but preserved ECM components such as laminin and fibronectin, which was identified by histological studies of decellularized tissue (D‐tissues) and immunostaining. Encapsulation of hESC‐derived CPCs and human umbilical vein endothelial cells within hydrogels that were obtained from all decellularized tissues did not induce cytotoxicity after 10 days of culture. Upregulation of cardiac specific genes, cTNT and αMHC, as well as the presence of cTNT+ cardiomyocytes were also observed in CPCs cultured on D‐CM, D‐SM, D‐Liv, and D‐SIS, which showed their support for cardiogenic differentiation. However, D‐CM provided substantially higher expression of cardiac markers compared to the other D‐tissues. The endothelial and smooth muscle specific genes, CD31 and PDGFRα, were upregulated in cells cultured on D‐Ao and D‐hUC, which reflected their support for vascular lineage cell differentiation. In conclusion, it might be imperative to use decellularized tissue of muscle origins in combination with naturally derived vascular tissues to generate in vitro vascularized human cardiac microtissues.
Analysis of impurities in pharmaceuticals by LC‐MS with cold electron ionization
Authors: Tsizin Svetlana , Fialkov Alexander B. , Amirav Aviv
Published: June 2020

Pharmaceuticals require careful and precise determination of their impurities that might harm the user upon consumption. Although today, the most common technique for impurities identification is liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS), it has several downsides due to the nature of the ionization method. Also, the analyses in many cases are targeted thus despite being present, some of the compounds will not be revealed. In this paper, we propose and show a new method for untargeted analysis and identification of impurities in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The instrument used for these analyses is a novel electron ionization (EI) LC‐MS with supersonic molecular beams (SMB). The EI‐LC‐MS‐SMB was implemented for analyses of several drug samples spiked with an impurity. The instrument provides EI mass spectra with enhanced molecular ions, named Cold EI, which increases the identification probabilities when the compound is identified with the aid of an EI library like National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). We analyzed ibuprofen and its impurities, and both the API and the expected impurity were identified with names and structures by the NIST library. Moreover, other unexpected impurities were found and identified proving the ability of the EI‐LC‐MS‐SMB system for truly untargeted analysis. The results show a broad dynamic range of four orders of magnitude at the same run with a signal‐to‐noise ratio of over 10 000 for the API and almost uniform response.
The effects of different types of mulch on soil properties and tea production and quality
Authors: Xianchen Zhang , Huiguang Jiang , Xiaochun Wan , Yeyun Li
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Tea is an important economic crop in China. Mulching, a modern agricultural practice, can modify the soil microenvironment and maintain the crop yield.

RESULTS

To investigate the effect of different mulching modes on tea plant growth, filed experiments were conducted in a Shizipu tea plantation located in Langxi Country (Xuanchen City, Anhui Province, China). Five treatments were carried out in a randomized complete block arrangement: (i) clean tillage (control); (ii) black plastic film; (iii) weed barrier fabric; (iv) rice straw mulch; and (v) intercropping with Vulpia myuros. The effects of different mulch modes on soil temperature, water moisture, soil compactness, root activity, soil enzyme activity and nutrition status on tea yield, quality and economic benefits were compared at the harvest stage. In the present study, compared with other mulch treatments, intercropping with V. myuros significantly reduced the topsoil temperature (to an optimum temperature) and soil compactness, and increased the water holding capacity in the deep soil layer, which contributed to increased tea root activity and respiration. Furthermore, intercropping with V. myuros significantly increased soil enzymes activity, soil organic matter, and the available nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the main root zone. Therefore, the stronger tea root activity accelerated nutrition uptake and increased the tea yield and quality‐related components of the tea, thus resulting in a larger average net income.

CONCLUSION

Intercropping with V. myuros could serve as a profitable agricultural method for tea production. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
A One Step Procedure toward Conductive Suspensions of Liposome‐Polyaniline Complexes
Authors: Eslami Minoo , Zeglio Erica , Alosaimi Ghaida , Yan Yihan , Ruprai Herleen , Macmillan Alexander , Seidel Jan , Lauto Antonio , Joukhdar Habib , Rnjak‐Kovacina Jelena , Mawad Damia
Published: June 2020

Interaction of conjugated polymers with liposomes is an attractive approach that benefits from both systems’ characteristics such as electroactivity and enhanced interaction with cells. Conjugated polymer‐liposome complexes have been investigated for bioimaging, drug delivery, and photothermal therapy. Their fabrication has largely been achieved by multistep procedures that require first the synthesis and processing of the conjugated polymer. Here, a new one step fabrication approach is reported based on in situ polymerization of a conjugated monomer precursor around liposomes. Polyaniline (PANI) doped with phytic acid is synthesized via oxidative polymerization in the presence of 1,2‐dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) vesicles to produce a conductive aqueous suspension of Liposome‐PANI complexes. PANI interacts with liposomes without disrupting the bilayer as shown using differential scanning calorimetry and fluorescence quenching studies of the hydrophobic Nile red probe. The electronic conductivity of the Liposome‐PANI complexes, which stems from the doped PANI accessible on the liposome surface, is confirmed using conductive atomic force microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Further, short‐term in vitro cell studies show that the complexes colocalize with the cell membrane without reducing cell proliferation. This study presents a novel fabrication route to conductive suspensions of conjugated polymer‐liposome complexes suitable for potential applications at the biointerface.
The Neural Signature of Impaired Dual‐Tasking in Idiopathic Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder Patients
Authors: Ehgoetz Martens Kaylena A. , Matar Elie , Shine James M. , Phillips Joseph R. , Georgiades Matthew J. , Grunstein Ron R. , Halliday Glenda M. , Lewis Simon J.G.
Published: June 2020

Dual‐task gait can be a useful biomarker for cognitive decline and a sensitive predictor of future neurodegeneration in certain clinical populations, such as patients with idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder.

Objectives

The objective of this cross‐sectional study was to determine the neural signature of dual‐tasking deficits in idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder using a validated gait paradigm.

Methods

Fifty‐eight participants (28 controls; 30 idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder patients) were recruited; 52 participants had functional MRI scans as they performed a validated dual‐task virtual reality gait paradigm using foot pedals. Forty‐one participants completed single‐ and dual‐task “overground walking” on a pressure sensor carpet.

Results

Idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder patients showed deficits in dual‐tasking (i.e., greater mean step time) compared to controls during “overground walking.” Functional MRI revealed that idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder patients had reduced blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent signal change in the dorsal caudate nucleus, and significantly different corticostriatal functional connectivity patterns from controls, when dual‐tasking in high versus low cognitive load. While controls showed greater connectivity between frontoparietal and motor networks, idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder patients exhibited less change in this connectivity as a function of cognitive load.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate evidence of dual‐task gait deficits in idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder patients, underpinned by disrupted corticostriatal connectivity. Minimal differences in the level of functional connectivity between dual‐tasking conditions of high and low cognitive load suggest that idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder patients recruit cognitive networks to control gait even when the cognitive demands are low. This may indicate a compensatory strategy for early cognitive decline in idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Relationships of diabetes self‐care behaviours to glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes and comorbid heart failure
Authors: Aga Fekadu , Dunbar Sandra B. , Kebede Tedla , Higgins Melinda Kay , Gary Rebecca
Published: June 2020

Aim

To describe the relationship between diabetes self‐care behaviours and glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and comorbid heart failure.

Design

A cross‐sectional, correlational study.

Method

A secondary analysis of 180 participants’ baseline data from a clinical trial that tested a 6‐month integrated self‐care intervention was performed. Correlational and hierarchical linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationships between diabetes self‐care behaviours and glycaemic control.

Result

The Summary of Diabetes Self‐Care Activities general diet and Summary of Diabetes Self‐Care Activities exercise were negatively associated with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), while Summary of Diabetes Self‐Care Activities specific diet was positively associated. Diabetic end‐organ failure, taking insulin only and taking both oral antiglycaemic and insulin, predicted higher HbA1c and fasting blood glucose. African American race and dyslipidaemia predicted higher HbA1c while taking higher total daily medication predicted higher fasting blood glucose. Longer years lived with heart failure, lower ventricular ejection fraction and exposure to chemotherapy predicted lower fasting blood glucose.
The pointwise estimates of a conservative difference scheme for Burgers' equation
Authors: Zhang Qifeng , Wang Xuping , Sun Zhi‐zhong
Published: June 2020

In this article, we are concerned with the numerical analysis of a nonlinear implicit difference scheme for Burgers' equation. A priori estimation of the analytical solution is provided in the sense of L∞‐norm when the initial value is bounded in H1‐norm. Conservation, boundedness, and unique solvability are proved at length. Inspired by the method of the priori estimation for the analytical solution, we prove the convergence and stability of the difference scheme in L∞‐norm. Finally, numerical examples are carried out to verify our theoretical results.
The role of psychological attribution in responses to weight stigma
Authors: Gerend Mary A. , Sutin Angelina R. , Terracciano Antonio , Maner Jon K.
Published: June 2020

Objective

Weight discrimination is associated with numerous negative health consequences. Little is known about early‐stage psychological mechanisms that explain variability in responses to weight discrimination among people with obesity. This study tested the hypothesis that attributing negative social evaluation to one's weight would be associated with stigma‐related stress responses (eg, reduced cognitive functioning and self‐esteem, increased negative affect and cortisol), especially among people who had experienced frequent weight discrimination in the past.

Methods

Adults (N = 109) with obesity were randomly assigned to receive a mildly positive (control) versus negative social evaluation. The extent to which participants attributed the negative evaluation to their physical appearance was assessed, along with negative affect, social and appearance self‐esteem, cognitive functioning and salivary cortisol.

Results

Participants who had experienced frequent weight discrimination in the past were more likely to attribute the negative evaluation to their appearance. Participants who attributed the negative evaluation to their appearance in turn experienced elevated negative affect, lower appearance self‐esteem and worse cognitive functioning.

Conclusions

This study is among the first to identify attribution as an early‐stage process underlying responses to weight stigma. Attribution may be a key psychological factor conferring risk for or protection from the negative effects of weight stigma.
Long‐term hematologic and clinical outcomes of splenectomy in children with hereditary spherocytosis and sickle cell disease
Authors: Hall Bria J. , Reiter Audra J. , Englum Brian R. , Rothman Jennifer A. , Rice Henry E. ,   Splenectomy in Congenital Hemolytic Anemia (SICHA) Consortium
Published: June 2020

Background

Total splenectomy (TS) and partial splenectomy (PS) are used for children with congenital hemolytic anemia (CHA), although the long‐term outcomes of these procedures are poorly defined. This report describes long‐term outcomes of children with CHA requiring TS or PS.

Procedure

We collected data from children ages 2‐17 with hereditary spherocytosis (HS) or sickle cell disease (SCD) requiring TS or PS from 1996 to 2016 from 14 sites in the Splenectomy in Congenital Hemolytic Anemia (SICHA) consortium using a prospective, observational patient registry. We summarized hematologic outcomes, clinical outcomes, and adverse events to 5 years after surgery. Hematologic outcomes were compared using mixed effects modeling.

Results

Over the study period, 110 children with HS and 97 children with SCD underwent TS or PS. From preoperatively compared to postoperatively, children with HS increased their mean hemoglobin level by 3.4 g/dL, decreased their mean reticulocyte percentage by 6.7%, and decreased their mean bilirubin by 2.4 mg/dL. Hematologic improvements and improved clinical outcomes were sustained over 5 years of follow‐up. For children with SCD, there was no change in hemoglobin after PS or TS following surgery, although all clinical outcomes were improved. Over 5 years, there was one child with HS and five children with SCD who developed postsplenectomy sepsis.

Conclusions

For children with HS, there are excellent long‐term hematologic and clinical outcomes following either PS or TS. Although hemoglobin levels do not change after TS or PS in SCD, the long‐term clinical outcomes for children with SCD are favorable.
Using negative control outcomes to assess the comparability of treatment groups among women with osteoporosis in the United States
Authors: McGrath Leah J. , Spangler Leslie , Curtis Jeffrey R. , Ehrenstein Vera , Sørensen Henrik T. , Saul Bradley , Levintow Sara N. , Reams Diane , Bradbury Brian D. , Brookhart M. Alan
Published: June 2020

Purpose

In contrast to randomized clinical trials, comparative safety and effectiveness assessments of osteoporosis medications in clinical practice may be subject to confounding by indication. We used negative control outcomes to detect residual confounding when comparing osteoporosis medications.

Methods

Using MarketScan Commercial and Supplemental claims, we identified women aged ≥55 years who initiated an oral bisphosphonate (BP) (risedronate, alendronate, or ibandronate), denosumab (an injected biologic), or intravenous zoledronic acid (ZA) from October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2015. Women with Paget's disease or cancer were excluded. We compared individual oral BPs to each other, denosumab to ZA, denosumab to oral BPs, and ZA to oral BPs, with respect to 11 negative control outcomes identified by subject matter experts. We estimated the 12‐month cumulative risk difference (RD) using inverse probability of treatment and censoring weights.

Results

Among 148 587 women, most initiated alendronate (57%), followed by ibandronate (12%), ZA (11%), risedronate (10%), and denosumab (10%). Compared with denosumab, patients initiating ZA had similar risks of all negative control outcomes. Compared with oral BPs, patients initiating denosumab had a higher risk of a wellness visit (RD = 1.2%, 95% CI: 0.4, 1.9) and a lower risk of receiving herpes zoster vaccine (RD = −0.6%, 95% CI: −1.1, −0.2). Comparing ZA with oral BP initiators resulted in two outcomes with positive associations.

Conclusions

Caution is warranted when comparing injectable vs oral osteoporosis medications, given the potential for unmeasured confounding. Evaluating negative control outcomes could be a standard validity check prior to conducting comparative studies.
Hydrogels based on N‐isopropylacrylamide and 2‐hydroxyethylacrylate: synthesis, characterization and investigation of their antibacterial activity
Authors: Nakan Ulantay , A Mun Grigoriy , M Shaikhutdinov Yerengaip , Zh Yeligbayeva Gulzhakhan , Bieerkehazhi Shayahati , Negim El‐Sayed , S Selenova Bagadat , Z Nauryzova Saule
Published: June 2020

New thermosensitive hydrogels based on N‐isopropyl acrylamide and 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate were prepared in the presence of ammonium persulfate as an initiator using a free‐radical technique. The thermal stability as well as the physical and chemical properties of the obtained hydrogel were studied by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. The swelling of the hydrogels was investigated by the cathetometer method. In order to use thermosensitive hydrogels as a carrier of antibiotics (lincomycin and gentamicin), several biological tests were performed. All samples of thermosensitive poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) and 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate hydrogels containing medical substances exhibited antibacterial activity. The antibacterial activity of temperature‐sensitive hydrogels naturally increases with increasing concentration of antibiotics in the carrier. The results obtained indicate a large amount of drug was released from the hydrogels with full retention of antimicrobial properties. These copolymers can be used as an antibacterial material in the field of medicine. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Draft genomes of two outcrossing wild rice, Oryza rufipogon and O. longistaminata, reveal genomic features associated with mating‐system evolution
Authors: Li Wei , Zhang Qun‐Jie , Zhu Ting , Tong Yan , Li Kui , Shi Cong , Zhang Yun , Liu Yun‐Long , Jiang Jian‐Jun , Liu Yuan , Xia En‐Hua , Huang Hui , Zhang Li‐Ping , Zhang Dan , Shi Chao , Jiang Wen‐Kai , Zhao You‐Jie , Mao Shu‐Yan , Jiao Jun‐ying , Xu Ping‐Zhen , Yang Li‐Li , Gao Li‐Zhi
Published: June 2020

Oryza rufipogon and O. longistaminata are important wild relatives of cultivated rice, harboring a promising source of novel genes for rice breeding programs. Here, we present de novo assembled draft genomes and annotation of O. rufipogon and O. longistaminata. Our analysis reveals a considerable number of lineage‐specific gene families associated with the self‐incompatibility (SI) and formation of reproductive separation. We show how lineage‐specific expansion or contraction of gene families with functional enrichment of the recognition of pollen, thus enlightening their reproductive diversification. We documented a large number of lineage‐specific gene families enriched in salt stress, antifungal response, and disease resistance. Our comparative analysis further shows a genome‐wide expansion of genes encoding NBS‐LRR proteins in these two outcrossing wild species in contrast to six other selfing rice species. Conserved noncoding sequences (CNSs) in the two wild rice genomes rapidly evolve relative to selfing rice species, resulting in the reduction of genomic variation owing to shifts of mating systems. We find that numerous genes related to these rapidly evolving CNSs are enriched in reproductive structure development, flower development, and postembryonic development, which may associate with SI in O. rufipogon and O. longistaminata.
Alpha‐Synuclein Dopaminylation Presented in Plasma of Both Healthy Subjects and Parkinson's Disease Patients
Authors: Zhao Huiyuan , Huang Shuai , Palanisamy Sivakumar , Wang Cui , Rainer Gregor , Zhang Xiaozhe
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Alpha‐synuclein (α‐syn) dopaminylation can lead to the death of dopaminergic neurons in the brain and is a risk factor of Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aims to examine whether such a posttranslational modification (PTM) is presented in human blood plasma.

Experimental Design

In vitro reaction simulation between α‐syn and dopamine (DA) is conducted to study the biochemical mechanism. Then α‐syn from human blood plasma samples is detected by using immunoprecipitation‐mass spectrometry (IP‐MS). Lastly the levels of endogenous α‐syn and α‐syn dopaminylation in 88 blood plasma samples from patients with PD, major depressive disorder (MDD), and healthy control (HC) are compared.

Results

DA modifies α‐syn with the addition of dopamine‐quinone (DAQ) into lysine sites of α‐syn in vitro and the addition of DAQ and 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) in plasma samples. The unmodified α‐syn between the PD and HC groups showed similar levels. The levels of two peptides, one with lysine 34 (34K) DAQ modification and the other with lysine 23 (23K) ubiquitination, are significantly higher in PD and MDD compared with HC.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Thus, α‐syn dopaminylation is measurable and might be used to indicatethe presence and progression of neurological disorders.
Conformational changes in a Vernier zone region: Implications for antibody dual specificity
Authors: Arslan Merve , Karadag Dilara , Kalyoncu Sibel
Published: June 2020

Understanding the determinants of antibody specificity is one of the challenging tasks in antibody development. Monospecific antibodies are still dominant in approved antibody therapeutics but there is a significant body of work to show that multispecific antibodies can increase the overall therapeutic effect. Dual‐specific or “Two‐in‐One” antibodies can bind to two different antigens separately with the same antigen‐binding site as opposed to bispecifics, which simultaneously bind to two different antigens through separate antigen‐binding units. These nonstandard dual‐specific antibodies were recently shown to be promising for new antibody‐based therapeutics. Here, we physicochemically and structurally analyzed six different antibodies of which two are monospecific and four are dual‐specific antibodies derived from monospecific templates to gain insight about dual‐specificity determinants. These dual‐specific antibodies can target both human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and vascular endothelial growth factor at different binding affinities. We showed that a particular region of clustered Vernier zone residues might play key roles in gaining dual specificity. While there are minimal intramolecular interactions between a certain Vernier zone region, namely LV4 and LCDR1 of monospecific template, there is a significant structural change and consequently close contact formation between LV4‐LCDR1 loops of derived dual‐specific antibodies. Although Vernier zone residues were previously shown to be important for humanization applications, they are mostly underestimated in the literature. Here, we also aim to resurrect Vernier zone residues for antibody engineering efforts.
Relative fitness and stability of resistance in a near‐isogenic strain of indoxacarb resistant Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Bird Lisa J , Drynan Linda J , Walker Paul W
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

A strain of Helicoverpa armigera with 171‐fold resistance to indoxacarb was introgressed with a susceptible strain by serial backcrossing and reselection with indoxacarb resulting in the creation of the near‐isogenic GY7‐39BC4 strain. Fitness was compared on artificial diet under diapause and non‐diapause conditions in resistant, susceptible and F1 progeny from a reciprocal backcross of the two strains using life history trait analyses. Selection experiments were used to determine stability of resistance.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between strains in survival, female fertility or realized fecundity. A comparison of the intrinsic rate of population increase showed similar relative fitness between strains. Lower male fertility and male longevity in the resistant strain and one of the F1 strains compared with the susceptible strain suggests small non‐recessive costs may be associated with male reproductive capacity in individuals with indoxacarb resistance alleles. However, there was no significant decline in resistance in the GY7‐39 strain when reared in the absence of insecticide for five generations. Following an artificially induced diapause, survival was reduced by 52% and pupal weights were significantly lower in the resistant strain compared with the susceptible strain.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest indoxacarb resistance does not confer a major fitness cost under standard laboratory conditions. However, a survival cost associated with overwintering highlights the imperative for adoption of management strategies in northern regions of Australia where a winter diapause does not occur. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Shelf life extension of fresh asparagus using modified atmosphere packaging and vacuum skin packaging in microwavable tray systems
Authors: Benyathiar Patnarin , Harte Bruce , Harte Janice
Published: June 2020

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) is one of the most popular vegetables because it contains a wealth of fiber and several essential nutrients. It is a very perishable commodity due to its very high respiration rate. To maintain product quality and to satisfy consumer demand as a convenient food, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), vacuum skin packaging (VSP), and microwaveable containers were used to extend the shelf life of fresh‐cut asparagus as a ready‐to‐eat food product. The objective of this study was to determine the shelf life of fresh‐cut asparagus packed in MAP and VSP microwaveable tray systems at commercial storage conditions, 4°C, 80% RH. Weight loss, moisture content, O2/CO2 concentration in the package headspace, product pH, microbial growth, and sensory evaluation were used to determine the product quality and shelf life. Moreover, the preference of product appearance and the quality of the cooked asparagus in both microwaveable tray systems at different cooking times and microwave power levels was also sensorially evaluated. During storage for 21 days, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in weight loss, moisture content, and pH. Sanitation and packaging techniques also helped to retard the microbial growth. Both techniques, combined with refrigeration, help to maintain the freshness and product shelf life up to 21 days for MAP and 18 days for VSP. On the basis of hedonic scale results, consumers preferred the appearance of both packaging types. Both microwavable tray systems, thus, can help to prolong the shelf life of fresh‐cut asparagus and can be eaten directly from the package.
Use of median‐based estimator to construct Phase II exponential chart
Authors: Kumar Nirpeksh , Jaiswal Sonam
Published: June 2020

The Shewhart‐type exponential control chart is a popular and extensively used among all time‐between‐events control charts for its simplicity. When the parameter is unknown, Phase II control limits are constructed, and the success of its implementation depends to an extent on the estimated value of the parameter, obtained from Phase I dataset. However, when the Phase I data are contaminated with spurious observations/outliers, the performance of the chart is suspected to deviate from what is normally expected. Traditionally, maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) and minimum variance unbiased estimator (MVUE) are used to estimate the unknown process parameter. Both of estimators are the functions of sample mean. In this paper, the median‐based estimator (MBE) that is a function of sample median is used to construct Phase II control limits. Moreover, performance of the proposed chart is examined when Phase I sample consists of contaminated observations/outliers. It is found that the proposed chart outperforms the existing charts whether the sample is contaminated or not.
Isotopic and elemental corroborates for wild bearded capuchin (Sapajus libidinosus) omnivorous dietary adaptation at Fazenda Boa Vista, Brazil
Authors: Reitsema Laurie J. , Jones Caroline E. , Gilbert Hannah R. , Fragaszy Dorothy , Izar Patrícia
Published: June 2020

Rationale

This study analyzes variability in the diets of wild bearded capuchin monkeys, Sapajus libidinosus, by analyzing stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope ratios and elemental concentrations (%C and %N) of fecal samples and food items. Developing isotopic and elemental correlates for diets of habituated subjects is a necessary step towards applying similar methods to interpret diets of unhabituated or cryptic subjects.

Methods

Fecal samples from wild capuchins and their foods were collected at Fazenda Boa Vista, Brazil. Fecal samples from laboratory‐housed Sapajus spp. and their foods were analyzed to establish diet‐feces offsets for δ13C, δ15N, %C, and %N. Samples were dried, powdered, and measured for isotopic and elemental values. A Bayesian mixing model commutes isotopic and elemental data from wild capuchins into likely proportions of different food categories.

Results

The captive study shows small diet‐feces spaces for Sapajus spp. of −0.8 ± 0.7‰ for δ13C, −0.2 ± 0.4‰ for δ15N, −6.1 ± 1.7% for %C, and −1.0 ± 0.6% for %N. The wild study shows omnivorous diets based on C3, C4, and CAM plants, and fauna. Subject diets are highly varied within and between days. Fecal data show age‐related differences in diet and crop‐raiding. There is no consistent isotopic or elemental difference between mothers and infants.

Conclusions

Fecal stable isotope and elemental evidence employed in a Bayesian mixing model reflects the highly varied diets of capuchin monkeys in an isotopically heterogeneous environment. The isotopic and elemental variability reported here will aid similar diet reconstructions among unhabituated subjects in the future, but precludes tracking weaning isotopically among capuchins in this environment.
Gas diffusion characteristics of agricultural soils from South Greenland
Authors: Weber Peter L. , de Jonge Lis Wollesen , Greve Mogens H. , Norgaard Trine , Moldrup Per
Published: June 2020

The Arctic is warming at twice the global average, which may impact agricultural production in Greenland. Therefore knowledge of the functional properties of Greenlandic soil resources is necessary. The relative soil gas diffusivity [the soil gas diffusion coefficient (Dp)–free‐air diffusion coefficient (Do) ratio] is the chief parameter controlling gas transport in soils. Predictions of Dp/Do are needed to estimate root zone aeration and terrestrial greenhouse gas fluxes. We used existing models to analyze the Dp/Do of soils from Greenlandic fields and a pore connectivity index (Cip) to infer their degree of structural development and identify the main parameters controlling Dp/Do. In total, 201 × 3 intact 100‐cm3 soil samples were sampled across six fields with clay and organic C contents of 0.016 to 0.089 and 0.016 to 0.105 kg kg−1, respectively. The Dp/Do was measured with the one‐chamber nonsteady‐state method at soil water potentials between –10 and –1,000 cm H2O. Accurate determination of total porosity (Φ) was ensured by calibrating a particle density model on 129 samples. The soils exhibited a less developed structure and highly tortuous pore networks, resulting in low Dp/Do as a function of air‐filled porosity (ε). Density‐corrected models with air saturation (ε/Φ) reduced the RMSE. Furthermore, Cip at –1,000 cm H2O soil water potential increased linearly with dry bulk density (ρb), suggesting that ρb is a key controller of Dp/Do, which is important for planning cultivation practices for Southern Greenlandic soils. Lastly, we found that an air saturation >35% is required for adequate soil aeration.
Offer online mental health services to overcome barriers, meet demand
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: June 2020

Even prior to campus closures triggered by the COVID‐19 pandemic, the demand for mental health services was growing, with college students often waiting weeks or months for available appointments.
Current status of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for immune/inflammatory lung disorders: Gleaning insights for possible use in COVID-19
Authors: Yen B. Linju , Yen Men-Luh , Wang Li-Tzu , Liu Ko-Jiunn , Sytwu Huey-Kang
Published: June 2020

The broad immunomodulatory properties of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have allowed for wide application in regenerative medicine as well as immune/inflammatory diseases, including unmatched allogeneic use. The novel coronavirus disease COVID-19 has unleashed a pandemic in record time accompanied by an alarming mortality rate mainly due to pulmonary injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Because there are no effective preventive or curative therapies currently, MSC therapy (MSCT) has emerged as a possible candidate despite the lack of preclinical data of MSCs for COVID-19. Interestingly, MSCT preclinical data specifically on immune/inflammatory disorders of the lungs were among the earliest to be reported in 2003, with the first clinical use of MSCT for graft-vs-host disease reported in 2004. Since these first reports, preclinical data showing beneficial effects of MSC immunomodulation have accumulated substantially, and as a consequence, over a third of MSCT clinical trials now target immune/inflammatory diseases. There is much preclinical evidence for MSCT in noninfectious—including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis—as well as infectious bacterial immune/inflammatory lung disorders, with data generally demonstrating therapeutic effects; however, for infectious viral pulmonary conditions, the preclinical evidence is more scarce with some inconsistent outcomes. In this article, we review the mechanistic evidence for clinical use of MSCs in pulmonary immune/inflammatory disorders, and survey the ongoing clinical trials—including for COVID-19—of MSCT for these diseases, with some perspectives and comment on MSCT for COVID-19.
Structural colors and physical properties of elytra in the jewel beetle, Chrysochroa fulgidissima, using surface analytical techniques
Authors: Lee Jihye , Terlier Tanguy , Jang Yun Jung , Lee Kang‐Bong , Lee Yeonhee
Published: June 2020

Structural coloration frequently originates from the interaction of light with multilayers of thin films in living organisms. One example where structural colors are created by multilayers is the jewel beetle, Chrysochroa fulgidissima, which has highly iridescent green elytra with longitudinal red stripes. We examine the structure, chemical information, and physical properties of the epicuticle of the jewel beetle by using atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoindentation, and time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS). AFM and SEM were used to analyze the surface structures of the green elytra and red stripes of the jewel beetle's wing. SEM and TEM images obtained from the cross‐sectioned cuticle samples of green and red areas indicated that the color arises from interference reflectors and reflectors consist of successive repeating layers of different electronic densities. Nanoindentation results showed that the green area of the elytron possesses a higher hardness and reduced modulus compared with the red area. To analyze the surface of the elytra and to compare multilayers of the green area with those of the red area, mass spectra and depth profiles were acquired by ToF‐SIMS with C60 and Ar cluster ion beams. The epicuticle consists of several layers with alternating high and low abundances of inorganic and organic fragment ions, with approximately 16 layers in the green and 12 layers in the red area. Therefore, ToF‐SIMS combined with other analytical techniques indicate that multilayer reflection is a major mechanism of the jewel beetle's iridescence causing structural coloration.
Post‐embryonic development of Fritzolenellus suggests the ancestral morphology of the early developmental stages in Trilobita
Authors: Laibl Lukáš , Maletz Jörg , Olschewski Pascal
Published: June 2020

Trilobite development has been intensively explored during the past decades, but information on ancestral character combinations in the early developmental stages of trilobites remains unknown. Trilobites of the superfamily Olenelloidea are one of the earliest diverging groups. Study of their development coupled with the development of other early diverging trilobite groups can provide information on the ancestral morphology of trilobite early stages. Herein we describe numerous well‐preserved specimens of the olenelloid trilobite Fritzolenellus lapworthi. The earliest stages have circular cephala bearing intergenal spines and lacking genal spines. During subsequent development, morphological changes involve the modification of the cephalic shape from circular to semicircular, expansion of the frontal glabellar lobe, gradual shortening of intergenal spines and origin and prolongation of genal spines. Trunk development of Fritzolenellus suggests that macropleurae and macrospine development are two independent processes and that the origin of the opisthotrunk is linked with the onset of phase 5 of cephalic development. The morphology of the early developmental stages of Fritzolenellus and of some related taxa differs in many aspects from the morphology of equivalent stages of some other members of Olenelloidea. Consequently, two basic morphotypes are recognized during the early development of Olenelloidea: the Fritzolenellus and the Olenellus morphotypes. Comparison with Fallotaspidoidea and Redlichiina indicates that early developmental stages of these taxa share character combinations that are typical for the Fritzolenellus morphotype. Such a comparison suggests that characters defining the Fritzolenellus morphotype are ancestral for Trilobita. The Olenellus morphotype is probably a derived condition within Olenelloidea and might be related to predator deterrence.
Exponential family tensor completion with auxiliary information
Authors: Yang Jichen , Zhang Nan
Published: June 2020

Tensor completion is among the most important tasks in tensor data analysis, which aims to fill the missing entries of a partially observed tensor. In many real applications, non‐Gaussian data such as binary or count data are frequently collected. Thus, it is inappropriate to assume that observations are normally distributed and formulate tensor completion with least squares based approaches. In this article, we develop a new tensor completion method called ExpCP for non‐Gaussian data from the exponential family distributions. Under the framework of penalized likelihood estimation, we assume the tensor of latent natural parameters admits a low‐rank structure and further induce regularization by integrating auxiliary information. Moreover, we propose an efficient algorithm based on the alternating direction method of multipliers to solve the optimization problem. We establish the algorithmic convergence results and demonstrate the efficacy of our proposal with comprehensive simulations and real data analysis on GDELT social events study. The empirical results show that our method offers improved modelling strategies as well as efficient computation.
Amenable Mortality and Neighborhood Inequality: An Ecological Study of São Paulo
Authors: Grafova Irina B. , Weisz Daniel , Fischetti Ayoub Rafael , Rodwin Victor G. , NeMoyer Rachel , Gusmano Michael K.
Published: June 2020

This article uses an ecological study design to explore intraurban health inequality in São Paulo by examining neighborhood‐level changes in mortality amenable to medical care. We use 2003–2013 data for 95 city districts of São Paulo and apply a random coefficient growth curve modeling approach. We find that improved access to health‐care services is associated with reduced amenable mortality. Despite these overall improvements, the magnitude of population health disparities, as measured by amenable mortality, did not diminish. The effects of social, economic, and health system factors on amenable mortality depend on the income level of the district. Persistent disparities in amenable mortality within São Paulo suggests that neighborhood‐level differences in social determinants of health and access to health services require further investment from the Brazilian government.
Cover Image, Volume 12, Issue 4
Authors: Zezina Ekaterina , Sercan‐Alp Oezen , Herrmann Matthias , Biesemann Nadine
Published: June 2020

The cover image is based on the Advanced Review Glucose transporter 1 in rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmunity by Ekaterina Zezina et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/wsbm.1483.

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