bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Magnetic Iron Oxide/Polydopamine Coating Can Improve Osteogenesis of 3D‐Printed Porous Titanium Scaffolds with a Static Magnetic Field by Upregulating the TGFβ‐Smads Pathway
Authors: Huang Zhenfei , He Yu , Chang Xiao , Liu Jieying , Yu Lingjia , Wu Yuanhao , Li Yaqian , Tian Jingjing , Kang Lin , Wu Di , Wang Hai , Wu Zhihong , Qiu Guixing
Published: June 2020

3D‐printed porous titanium–aluminum–vanadium (Ti6Al4V, pTi) scaffolds offer surgeons a good option for the reconstruction of large bone defects, especially at the load‐bearing sites. However, poor osteogenesis limits its application in clinic. In this study, a new magnetic coating is successfully fabricated by codepositing of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and polydopamine (PDA) on the surface of 3D‐printed pTi scaffolds, which enhances cell attachment, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs in vitro and new bone formation of rabbit femoral bone defects in vivo with/without a static magnetic field (SMF). Furthermore, through proteomic analysis, the enhanced osteogenic effect of the magnetic Fe3O4/PDA coating with the SMF is found to be related to upregulate the TGFβ‐Smads signaling pathway. Therefore, this work provides a simple protocol to improve the osteogenesis of 3D‐printed porous pTi scaffolds, which will help their application in clinic.
All‐Aqueous‐Processed Injectable In Situ Forming Macroporous Silk Gel Scaffolds for Minimally Invasive Intracranial and Osteological Therapies
Authors: Liu Keyin , Fan Zhen , Wang Tianji , Gao Zhiheng , Zhong Junjie , Xiang Geng , Lei Wei , Shi Zhifeng , Feng Yafei , Mao Ying , Tao Tiger H.
Published: June 2020

Hydrogels are widely utilized in regenerative medicine for drug delivery and tissue repair due to their superior biocompatibility and high similarity to the extracellular matrix. For minimally invasive therapies, in situ forming gel scaffolds are desirable, but technical challenges remain to be overcome to achieve the balance between tissue‐like strength and cell‐sized porosity, especially for intracranial and osteological therapies. Here, a new method—inspired by the liquid crystalline spinning process in natural silk fibers—is reported for preparing injectable silk gel scaffolds with favorable preclinical efficacy and unique characteristics including 1) in situ gelling for minimally invasive surgeries, 2) controllable porosity for efficient cellular infiltration and desirable degradation, 3) resilient and tunable mechanical properties that are compatible with the modulus regime of native soft tissues, and 4) all‐aqueous processing that avoids toxic solvents and enables facile loading of bioactive agents. Moreover, hierarchically structured heterogeneous silk gel scaffolds with variable porosity and bioactive agent gradients within 3D matrices can be achieved for sustained drug release and guided tissue regeneration. Preclinical efficacy studies in rodent models show efficient bacterium and glioma inhibition and positive effects on bone regeneration and vascularization.
Room‐Temperature All‐Liquid‐Metal Batteries Based on Fusible Alloys with Regulated Interfacial Chemistry and Wetting
Authors: Ding Yu , Guo Xuelin , Qian Yumin , Xue Leigang , Dolocan Andrei , Yu Guihua
Published: June 2020

Liquid metal batteries are regarded as potential electrochemical systems for stationary energy storage. Currently, all reported liquid metal batteries need to be operated at temperatures above 240 °C to maintain the metallic electrodes in a molten state. Here, an unprecedented room‐temperature liquid metal battery employing a sodium–potassium (Na–K) alloy anode and gallium (Ga)‐based alloy cathodes is demonstrated. Compared with lead (Pb)‐ and mercury (Hg)‐based liquid metal electrodes, the nontoxic Ga alloys maintain high environmental benignity. On the basis of improved wetting and stabilized interfacial chemistry, such liquid metal batteries deliver stable cycling performance and negligible self‐discharge. Different from the conventional interphase between a typical solid electrode and a liquid electrolyte, the interphase between a liquid metal and a liquid electrolyte is directly visualized via advanced 3D chemical analysis. Insights into this new type of liquid electrode/electrolyte interphase reveal its important role in regulating charge carriers and stabilizing the redox chemistry. With facile cell fabrication, simplified battery structures, high safety, and low maintenance costs, room‐temperature liquid metal batteries not only show great prospects for widespread applications, but also offer a pathway toward developing innovative energy‐storage devices beyond conventional solid‐state batteries or high‐temperature batteries.
Photoinduced Temperature Gradients in Sub‐Wavelength Plasmonic Structures: The Thermoplasmonics of Nanocones
Authors: Cunha Joao , Guo Tian‐Long , Koya Alemayehu Nana , Toma Andrea , Prato Mirko , Della Valle Giuseppe , Alabastri Alessandro , Proietti Zaccaria Remo
Published: June 2020

Plasmonic structures are renowned for their capability to efficiently convert light into heat at the nanoscale. However, despite the possibility to generate deep sub‐wavelength electromagnetic hot spots, the formation of extremely localized thermal hot spots is an open challenge of research, simply because of the diffusive spread of heat along the whole metallic nanostructure. Here this challenge is tackled by exploiting single gold nanocones. It is theoretically shown how these structures can indeed realize extremely high temperature gradients within the metal, leading to deep sub‐wavelength thermal hot spots, owing to their capability of concentrating light at the apex under resonant conditions even under continuous wave illumination. A 3D finite element method model is employed to study the electromagnetic field in the structure and subsequent thermoplasmonic behavior, in terms of the 3D temperature distribution. How the latter is affected by nanocone size, shape, and composition of the surrounding environment is shown. Finally, the use of photoinduced temperature gradients in nanocones is anticipated for applications in optofluidics and thermoelectrics or for thermally induced nanofabrication.
Carbon isotope discrimination association with yield and test weight in Pacific Northwest–adapted spring and winter wheat
Authors: Shrestha Surya L. , Garland‐Campbell Kimberly A. , Steber Camille M. , Hulbert Scot H.
Published: June 2020

Due to considerable influence of environment on yield, breeding for drought tolerance could benefit from focusing on selection of more heritable physiological traits, such as carbon isotope discrimination (as measured by delta, ∆) for indirectly assessing water use efficiency (WUE) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Spring and winter wheat cultivars were assayed for ∆, and these values were used to determine the relationships with performance in over 13 environments in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The correlation coefficients of ∆ values between the wheat cultivars grown in different environments ranged from 0.11 to 0.73 for both spring and winter wheat. There was significant genotypic variation for ∆ in soft spring and hard winter wheat but not in hard spring and soft winter wheat. The ∆ values were poor indicators of yield for this set of wheat cultivars in most environments, although low values (better WUE) were sometimes correlated with yield. A population of 165 hard spring wheat recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between two hard spring wheat varieties that differed in ∆ was also screened in low‐rainfall dryland and irrigated environments. High yields in this recombinant inbred population were weakly correlated with high ∆ values or low WUE in most environments.
Elucidating Epigenetic Regulation by Identifying Functional cis‐Acting Long Noncoding RNAs and Their Targets in Osteoarthritic Articular Cartilage
Authors: van Hoolwerff Marcella , Metselaar Paula I. , Tuerlings Margo , Suchiman H. Eka D. , Lakenberg Nico , Ramos Yolande F.M. , Cats Davy , Nelissen Rob G.H.H. , Broekhuis Demiën , Mei Hailiang , de Almeida Rodrigo Coutinho , Meulenbelt Ingrid
Published: June 2020

Objective

To identify robustly differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) with osteoarthritis (OA) pathophysiology in cartilage and to explore potential target messenger RNA (mRNA) by establishing coexpression networks, followed by functional validation.

Methods

RNA sequencing was performed on macroscopically lesioned and preserved OA cartilage from patients who underwent joint replacement surgery due to OA (n = 98). Differential expression analysis was performed on lncRNAs that were annotated in GENCODE and Ensembl databases. To identify potential interactions, correlations were calculated between the identified differentially expressed lncRNAs and the previously reported differentially expressed protein‐coding genes in the same samples. Modulation of chondrocyte lncRNA expression was achieved using locked nucleic acid GapmeRs.

Results

By applying our in‐house pipeline, we identified 5,053 lncRNAs that were robustly expressed, of which 191 were significantly differentially expressed (according to false discovery rate) between lesioned and preserved OA cartilage. Upon integrating mRNA sequencing data, we showed that intergenic and antisense differentially expressed lncRNAs demonstrate high, positive correlations with their respective flanking sense genes. To functionally validate this observation, we selected P3H2‐AS1, which was down‐regulated in primary chondrocytes, resulting in the down‐regulation of P3H2 gene expression levels. As such, we can confirm that P3H2‐AS1 regulates its sense gene P3H2.

Conclusion

By applying an improved detection strategy, robustly differentially expressed lncRNAs in OA cartilage were detected. Integration of these lncRNAs with differential mRNA expression levels in the same samples provided insight into their regulatory networks. Our data indicate that intergenic and antisense lncRNAs play an important role in regulating the pathophysiology of OA.
Palladium‐Catalyzed C−H Iodination of Arenes by Means of Sulfinyl Directing Groups
Authors: Saito Hayate , Yamamoto Keita , Sumiya Yosuke , Liu Ling‐Jun , Nogi Keisuke , Maeda Satoshi , Yorimitsu Hideki
Published: June 2020

C−H iodination of aromatic compounds has been accomplished with the aid of sulfinyl directing groups under palladium catalysis. The reaction proceeds selectively at theperi‐position of polycyclic aryl sulfoxides or at theortho‐position of phenyl sulfoxides. The iodination products can be further converted via iterative catalytic cross‐coupling at the expense of the C−I and C−S bonds. Computational studies suggest thatperi‐C−H palladation would proceed via a non‐directed pathway, wherein neither of the sulfur nor oxygen atom of the sulfinyl group coordinates to the palladium before and at the transition state.
Prognostic factors in children with head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma: A 12‐year retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Yi , Zhang Wei‐Ling , Huang Dong‐Sheng , Wang Yi‐Zhuo , Hu Hui‐Min , Mei Yan‐Yan , Zhi Tian
Published: June 2020

Introduction

To identify possible prognostic factors in children with head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS).

Methods

A total of 98 patients with head and neck RMS were enrolled in this retrospective study from February 2005 to September 2017. Prognostic factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazards model. Survival curves were calculated by Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

At the study closing date, there were 60 patients alive, 37 patients died, one patient was lost to follow‐up, and 47 patients relapsed. The median disease‐specific survival was 60.00 ± 25.36 months, and the overall survival (OS) rate was 61.9%. Complete remission was associated with a longer disease‐specific survival (86.6%) compared with partial remission (6.7%). In addition, patients with age >3 years had better OS rate (69.0%) compared with age ≤3 years (42.3%). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that chemotherapy efficacy and age were prognostic factors of disease‐specific survival.

Conclusions

Improvement in outcome was obtained with comprehensive treatment for head and neck RMS. Both chemotherapy efficacy and age of patients were prognostic factors for children with head and neck RMS, which provide some valuable information for further treatment.
Human resource slack, sustainable innovation, and environmental performance of small and medium‐sized enterprises in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Adomako Samuel , Nguyen Nguyen Phong
Published: June 2020

Despite the burgeoning interests in the environmental strategy, there is a limited understanding of how human resource slack drives sustainable innovation and environmental performance. This paper contributes to filling this gap by examining the effect of human resource slack on sustainable innovation and its impact on environmental performance. Besides, this paper investigates the contingent effects of intangible resource advantage on this relationship. The hypotheses are tested using data from 301 small and medium‐sized enterprises in Ghana. The results suggest that human resource slack positively relates to sustainable innovation and this relationship is moderated by intangible resource advantage. Also, we find that sustainable innovation mediates the relationship between human resource slack and environmental performance. The insights from our paper provide a nuanced understanding of the relationships among human resource lack, sustainable innovation, and environmental performance. Implications for theory and practices are discussed.
The bioliq® Entrained‐Flow Gasifier – A Model for the German Energiewende
Authors: Eberhard Mark , Santo Ulrike , Michelfelder Bernd , Günther Armin , Weigand Peter , Matthes Jörg , Waibel Patrick , Hagenmeyer Veit , Kolb Thomas
Published: June 2020

The bioliq® process was developed at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) for the production of synthetic fuels from dry biomass residues. Biofuels of high quality are produced sustainably in various process steps. This multistage process not only considers the necessity for decentralized supply of the biomass, but also the necessity for a large centralized fuel synthesis that benefits from economy of scale. The entire process chain of pyrolysis, gasification, gas cleaning, and synthesis is operated on a pilot scale at KIT. The high‐pressure entrained‐flow gasifier converts the biomass, pretreated in a fast pyrolysis step, into a synthesis gas for the production of gasoline in the subsequent synthesis step. The first experimental results from the pilot plant are presented in this paper.
The Rieske Oxygenase SnoT Catalyzes 2′′‐Hydroxylation of l‐Rhodosamine in Nogalamycin Biosynthesis
Authors: Nji Wandi Benjamin , Siitonen Vilja , Palmu Kaisa , Metsä‐Ketelä Mikko
Published: June 2020

Nogalamycin is an anthracycline anti‐cancer agent that intercalates into the DNA double helix. The binding is facilitated by two carbohydrate units, l‐nogalose and l‐nogalamine, that interact with the minor and major grooves of DNA, respectively. However, recent investigations have shown that nogalamycin biosynthesis proceeds through the attachment of l‐rhodosamine (2′′‐deoxy‐4′′‐epi‐l‐nogalamine) to the aglycone. Herein, we demonstrate that the Rieske enzyme SnoT catalyzes 2′′‐hydroxylation of l‐rhodosamine as an initial post‐glycosylation step. Furthermore, we establish that the reaction order continues with 2–5′′ carbocyclization and 4′′ epimerization by the non‐heme iron and 2‐oxoglutarate‐dependent enzymes SnoK and SnoN, respectively. These late‐stage tailoring steps are important for the bioactivity of nogalamycin due to involvement of the 2′′‐ and 4′′‐hydroxy groups of l‐nogalamine in hydrogen bonding interactions with DNA.
Feasibility of N2 Reduction on the V Anchored 1T−MoS2 Monolayer: A Density Functional Theory Study
Authors: Yang Lei , Chen Fengxiang , Song Erhong , Yuan Zhifei , Xiao Beibei
Published: June 2020

The front cover artwork is provided by the groups of Prof. BeiBei, Xiao and Lei, Yang (Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, China) as well as Dr. ErHong, Song (Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China). The image shows that the environmental‐friendly N2‐to‐NH3 conversion is achieved by the V decorated MoS2 monolayer with the 1T atomic configuration, featured by the effective electrocatalysis in combination with the good electronic conductivity. Read the full text of the Article at 10.1002/cphc.202000147.
Functionalized Chiral Bambusurils: Synthesis and Host‐Guest Interactions with Chiral Carboxylates
Authors: Sokolov Jan , Štefek Adam , Šindelář Vladimír
Published: June 2020

Bambusurils are a class of macrocyclic anion receptors that exhibit notable anion recognition properties, able to bind various inorganic anions as well the carboxylates or sulfonates. Recently, we reported enantioselective recognition of chiral carboxylates using non‐functionalized chiral bambusuril derivatives. Herein, we report the synthesis and host‐guest properties of two new representatives of chiral bambusuril macrocycles bearing ester functional groups, differing by the substituents attached to their portals. Their supramolecular properties in terms of carboxylate binding were studied by means of NMR in DMSO‐d6. The reported bambusurils bind selected chiral carboxylates with enantioselectivity factors up to 3.1. The results indicated that the selectivity towards different carboxylates is governed by the steric constraint of the substituents surrounding bambusuril portals. No clear trend in the binding affinities and their enantioselectivities was found.
St. Augustinegrass quality and nutrient content in response to granular and foliar iron, manganese, and magnesium
Authors: Shaddox Travis W. , Unruh J. Bryan , Restuccia Natasha G.
Published: June 2020

Iron, manganese (Mn), and magnesium (Mg) are common components of turfgrass nutrition programs. A 2‐yr study was conducted simultaneously in Jay and Citra, FL, to determine the influence of Fe, Mn, and Mg on ‘Palmetto’ St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze.] quality and leaf nutrient concentration. Treatments included foliar Fe, Mn, and Mg sulfate and glucoheptonate; and granular Fe, Mn, and Mg sulfate and sucrate. Treatments were applied monthly from June to September during 2014 and 2015. Turfgrass receiving foliar Fe resulted in increased annual average turfgrass quality compared with untreated turfgrass in Citra during 2014 and in Jay during 2014 and 2015, which was associated with increased Fe in leaf tissue. Granular Mg did not influence turfgrass quality, whereas foliar Mg increased turfgrass quality by ∼10% during the last 4 wk of 2014 in Jay. Generally, foliar Mn did not influence turfgrass quality or tissue Mn concentrations, whereas granular Mn reduced turfgrass quality by ∼20% in Citra during 2015. Granular and foliar forms of Mn or Mg may not be warranted on turfgrass grown under similar conditions. Foliar Fe appears to be a reliable method of increasing St. Augustinegrass quality. Moreover, few differences were measured between foliar Fe sources, indicating that the least expensive foliar Fe source may be the most effective option for consumers. Evidence suggests that granular Fe does not improve turfgrass quality or tissue Fe concentrations and can therefore be removed from St. Augustinegrass nutritional programs without concerns of repercussions.
Scheduling data aggregation trees to extend network lifetime in sensor networks
Authors: Kale Preeti A. , Nene Manisha J.
Published: June 2020

Increasing network lifetime (NL) is an important requirement in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). One of the techniques to extend NL is to use Data Aggregation Trees (DATs). DATs improve NL by combining the energy efficiency benefits of both Data Aggregation (DA) and tree‐based routing. While centralized and distributed strategies for DAT construction are widely used, we propose a combined approach for DAT construction to improve NL. The approach reduces the communication overhead and relaxes the requirement of complete network information at the sink. In the proposed work, this collaborative approach is termed as Extended Local View (ELV) approach. Two ELV‐based DAT construction algorithms termed as ELV with Fixed sink (ELVF) and ELV with Random sink (ELVR) are proposed. Both ELVF and ELVR use heuristics‐based technique of Local Path Reestablishment (LPR) and greedy‐based technique of Extended Path Reestablishment (EPR). Using these techniques a sequence of DATs are scheduled that collectively improve NL and also reduce the associated DAT reconstruction overhead. Performance of ELVF and ELVR is evaluated with rigorous experiments, and the simulation results show that the proposed algorithms have improved NL and are scalable across different DA ratio values. DAT schedule analysis further demonstrates reduced DAT reconstruction overhead of the proposed algorithms which illustrates its suitability for hostile and critical environments.
Honey bees and wild pollinators differ in their preference for and use of introduced floral resources
Authors: Urbanowicz Christine , Muñiz Paige A. , McArt Scott H.
Published: June 2020

Introduced plants may be important foraging resources for honey bees and wild pollinators, but how often and why pollinators visit introduced plants across an entire plant community is not well understood. Understanding the importance of introduced plants for pollinators could help guide management of these plants and conservation of pollinator habitat. We assessed how floral abundance and pollinator preference influence pollinator visitation rate and diversity on 30 introduced versus 24 native plants in central New York. Honey bees visited introduced and native plants at similar rates regardless of floral abundance. In contrast, as floral abundance increased, wild pollinator visitation rate decreased more strongly for introduced plants than native plants. Introduced plants as a group and native plants as a group did not differ in bee diversity or preference, but honey bees and wild pollinators preferred different plant species. As a case study, we then focused on knapweed (Centaureaspp.), an introduced plant that was the most preferred plant by honey bees, and that beekeepers value as a late‐summer foraging resource. We compared the extent to which honey bees versus wild pollinators visited knapweed relative to coflowering plants, and we quantified knapweed pollen and nectar collection by honey bees across 22 New York apiaries. Honey bees visited knapweed more frequently than coflowering plants and at a similar rate as all wild pollinators combined. All apiaries contained knapweed pollen in nectar, 86% of apiaries contained knapweed pollen in bee bread, and knapweed was sometimes a main pollen or nectar source for honey bees in late summer. Our results suggest that because of diverging responses to floral abundance and preferences for different plants, honey bees and wild pollinators differ in their use of introduced plants. Depending on the plant and its abundance, removing an introduced plant may impact honey bees more than wild pollinators.
Tree litter functional diversity and nitrogen concentration enhance litter decomposition via changes in earthworm communities
Authors: Patoine Guillaume , Bruelheide Helge , Haase Josephine , Nock Charles , Ohlmann Niklas , Schwarz Benjamin , Scherer‐Lorenzen Michael , Eisenhauer Nico
Published: June 2020

Biodiversity is a major driver of numerous ecosystem functions. However, consequences of changes in forest biodiversity remain difficult to predict because of limited knowledge about how tree diversity influences ecosystem functions. Litter decomposition is a key process affecting nutrient cycling, productivity, and carbon storage and can be influenced by plant biodiversity. Leaf litter species composition, environmental conditions, and the detritivore community are main components of the decomposition process, but their complex interactions are poorly understood. In this study, we tested the effect of tree functional diversity (FD) on litter decomposition in a field experiment manipulating tree diversity and partitioned the effects of litter physiochemical diversity and the detritivore community. We used litterbags with different mesh sizes to separate the effects of microorganisms and microfauna, mesofauna, and macrofauna and monitored soil fauna using pitfall traps and earthworm extractions. We hypothesized that higher tree litter FD accelerates litter decomposition due to the availability of complementary food components and higher activity of detritivores. Although we did not find direct effects of tree FD on litter decomposition, we identified key litter traits and macrodetritivores that explained part of the process. Litter mass loss was found to decrease with an increase in leaf litter carbon:nitrogen ratio. Moreover, litter mass loss increased with an increasing density of epigeic earthworms, with most pronounced effects in litterbags with a smaller mesh size, indicating indirect effects. Higher litter FD and litter nutrient content were found to increase the density of surface‐dwelling macrofauna and epigeic earthworm biomass. Based on structural equation modeling, we conclude that tree FD has a weak positive effect on soil surface litter decomposition by increasing the density of epigeic earthworms and that litter nitrogen‐related traits play a central role in tree composition effects on soil fauna and decomposition.
Management of hyperkalaemia in acute kidney injury in a heart failure patient with patiromer
Authors: Slawik Jonathan , Dederer Juliane , Kindermann Ingrid , Böhm Michael
Published: June 2020

Aims

One prevalent comorbidity of chronic heart failure (CHF) is chronic kidney disease(CKD). Hyperkalemia is associated with both CHF and CKD, which often leads to withdrawal of heart failure medications in clinical praxis.

Methods and results

A patient is presented who suffered from acute kidney injury with pre‐existing CKD as heart failure comorbidity and a history of hyperkalemia.

Conclusions

This case shows that potassium levels remained stable in acute kidney injury under ongoing heart failure medications, including an MRA, with the use of the potassium binder patiromer.
Coagulation factor XIII activity predicts left ventricular remodelling after acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Frey Anna , Gassenmaier Tobias , Hofmann Ulrich , Schmitt Dominik , Fette Georg , Marx Almuth , Herterich Sabine , Boivin‐Jahns Valérie , Ertl Georg , Bley Thorsten , Frantz Stefan , Jahns Roland , Störk Stefan
Published: June 2020

Aims

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is the major cause of chronic heart failure. The activity of blood coagulation factor XIII (FXIIIa) plays an important role in rodents as a healing factor after MI, whereas its role in healing and remodelling processes in humans remains unclear. We prospectively evaluated the relevance of FXIIIa after acute MI as a potential early prognostic marker for adequate healing.

Methods and results

This monocentric prospective cohort study investigated cardiac remodelling in patients with ST‐elevation MI and followed them up for 1 year. Serum FXIIIa was serially assessed during the first 9 days after MI and after 2, 6, and 12 months. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed within 4 days after MI (Scan 1), after 7 to 9 days (Scan 2), and after 12 months (Scan 3). The FXIII valine‐to‐leucine (V34L) single‐nucleotide polymorphism rs5985 was genotyped. One hundred forty‐six patients were investigated (mean age 58 ± 11 years, 13% women). Median FXIIIa was 118% (quartiles, 102–132%) and dropped to a trough on the second day after MI: 109% (98–109%; P < 0.001). FXIIIa recovered slowly over time, reaching the baseline level after 2 to 6 months and surpassed baseline levels only after 12 months: 124% (110–142%). The development of FXIIIa after MI was independent of the genotype. FXIIIa on Day 2 was strongly and inversely associated with the relative size of MI in Scan 1 (Spearman's ρ = –0.31; P = 0.01) and Scan 3 (ρ = –0.39; P < 0.01) and positively associated with left ventricular ejection fraction: ρ = 0.32 (P < 0.01) and ρ = 0.24 (P = 0.04), respectively.

Conclusions

FXIII activity after MI is highly dynamic, exhibiting a significant decline in the early healing period, with reconstitution 6 months later. Depressed FXIIIa early after MI predicted a greater size of MI and lower left ventricular ejection fraction after 1 year. The clinical relevance of these findings awaits to be tested in a randomized trial.
Highly Dispersed Ni–Fe Alloy Catalysts on MgAl2O4 Derived from Hydrotalcite for Direct Ethanol Synthesis from Syngas
Authors: Liu Qiang , Wang Jiaming , An Kang , Zhang Siran , Liu Guilong , Liu Yuan
Published: June 2020

In view of the dual active sites mechanism of direct ethanol synthesis and the excellent catalytic performance of bimetallic catalysts, a series of Ni–Fe alloy catalysts with different Ni/Fe molar ratios derived from layered double hydroxides (LDHs) precursors are synthesized. During the calcination and reduction process of LDHs precursors, the Ni–Fe alloy is obtained, and attributed to all the elements being evenly dispersed at the atomic level in the LDHs precursors; meanwhile, a strong interaction between Ni–Fe alloy and MgAl2O4 support exists. As a result, Ni–Fe alloy nanoparticles are highly dispersed on the MgAl2O4 surface. The high CO adsorption ability on the Ni–Fe alloy and synergism catalysis between Ni and Fe result in excellent catalytic activity and high selectivity to ethanol on the bimetallic Ni–Fe alloy. In addition, the strong antisintering ability and stable alloy structure bring about a good catalytic stability. This research proposes a new catalytic system for direct ethanol synthesis from syngas.
A guaranteed data transmission system for wireless ad hoc networks
Authors: Gopi R , Jayanthi J , Pandiyan Sanjeevi
Published: June 2020

Wireless ad hoc networks are highly used in the current network environment in spite of its effectiveness, reliable, minimum cost utilization, and non‐static infrastructure. To achieve the Quality of Service (QoS) in the wireless ad hoc network, resources in the network should be used properly. Here the QoS to be ensured is edge to edge latency, uneasiness, and packet loss. During information passing in a multi‐hop edge to edge interaction, the nodes in between the sender and receiver may intrude or monitor or listen to the information without the consent of the sender and receiver. To overcome these disadvantages, an assured and flexible information transmission should take place between the sender and receiver. In this regard, an optimal model called CQASS has been proposed to attain better performance by assuring the edge to edge interaction in wireless ad hoc networks. The edge to edge interaction is assured and protected by authentication. An optimistic connection identity from the pool of delivery connection is used to maintain the QoS. Flexible symmetric encryption using the secret key is implemented for node communication. The proposed model CQASS will not allow any malevolent nodes to interact with the legal in between nodes for the information transmission even the proposed will not allow the malevolent nodes to enter the legal path between the sender and receiver. The proposed model results are compared with the existing systems and the proposed model increases the performance of the network through resulting in reduced packet lose, handling of uneasiness and minimizes the latency in edge to edge communication. Optimal key generation, better ciphering, minimized pricing, and effective storage and interaction are other features of the proposed model.
The effect of sorghum resistance resistant starch‐mediated equol on the histological morphology of the uterus and ovaries of postmenopausal rats
Authors: Ge Yun‐Fei , Wei Chun‐Hong , Wang Wei‐Hao , Cao Long‐Kui
Published: June 2020

Equol is a metabolite of daidzein and has a higher biological activity than daidzein. Equol, combined with estrogen receptors, can reduce the incidence of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and breast cancer; more effectively alleviate the symptoms of perimenopausal syndrome; and improve age‐related decline of the uterus and ovaries. Research has shown that food composition can greatly affect the formation of equol in the intestinal tract. In the intestines, the content of nonstarch polysaccharides that can stimulate fermentation is high, thereby allowing intestinal bacteria to quickly and completely transform the daidzein into equol. This study used Sprague Dawley (SD) rats as a model, where menopause was established through direct intragastric administration of formistan. In the 6‐week‐long experiment, intragastric administration of RS while feeding bean pulp reduced the body weight of postmenopausal rats, reduced the efficiency of feed utilization of rats, and increased the weight of organs such as the uterus and ovaries. Routine blood indexes showed that no adverse reactions were produced by intragastric administration of RS. 16s rDNA sequencing further verified Lactobacillus and Clostridium XIVa, as the bacteria that converted daidzein into equol.
Environmental Remediation with Functional Aerogels and Xerogels
Authors: Riley Brian J. , Chong Saehwa
Published: June 2020

Several different types of aerogels and xerogels are demonstrated as effective sorbents for the capture and/or immobilization of radionuclides and other contaminants in gaseous form [e.g., Hg(g), I2(g), Xe, Kr] as well as ionic form (e.g., Cd2+, Ce4+, Cs+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Hg2+, I−, IO3−, Kr, Pb2+, Rb+, Sr2+, 99Tc7+, U6+, Zn2+). These sorbents have unique properties, which include high specific surface areas, high pore volumes, a range of pore sizes, and functionalities that provide methods for binding radionuclides and other contaminants, generally through physisorption, chemisorption, or a combination thereof. This combination of properties and functionalities makes these types of materials ideal for use as sorbents for capturing radionuclides. The primary base materials that will be discussed in this paper include Ag0‐functionalized silica aerogels, Ag+‐impregnated aluminosilicate aerogels, Ag0‐functionalized aluminosilicate aerogels, metal‐impregnated (non‐Ag) aluminosilicate aerogels and xerogels, sulfide‐based aerogels, and carbon‐based aerogel composites. For the capture of I2(g), the materials reported herein show some of the highest iodine loadings ever reported for inorganic sorbents. For the capture of ionic species, these materials also show promise as next‐generation materials for active radionuclide remediation. This progress report describes materials fabrication, general properties, and environmental remediation applications.
A lottery test of the effect of dispensaries on emergency room visits in Arizona
Authors: Conyers Gregory , Ayres Ian
Published: June 2020

In August 2012, the Arizona Department of Health Services conducted a lottery to allocate licenses for the state's first medical marijuana dispensaries. The lottery randomly selected an applicant within each of 69 contested Community Health Analysis Areas to open a dispensary. By comparing 36 zip codes with winning applications to 48 zip codes with losing applications and weighting using propensity scores based on the true probability of winning, we estimate the causal effect of the allocation of a dispensary on the emergency room visits of residents of that zip code. Outcomes of interest are emergency room visits for acute symptoms caused by cannabis, opioids, alcohol, and cocaine. Using emergency room discharge data from 2010 to 2016, we find evidence of an increase in visits for acute cannabis‐related causes for the winning set of zip codes and weak evidence of an increase in visits for opioid‐related causes. The results indicate that in the four years following the lottery, emergency room visits for acute cannabis causes rose by approximately 45% in allocated zip codes relative to non‐allocated zip codes. Because of the high likelihood of spillovers to neighboring zip codes, these effects are likely underestimates.
Design‐based research: Studying the effects of an escape room on students' knowledge and perceptions
Authors: Frenzel Jeanne E. , Cernusca Dan , Marg Carolyn , Schotters Brooke , Eukel Heidi N.
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Faculty from North Dakota State University School of Pharmacy developed a team‐based, live game to create a synergy between the educational benefit of hands‐on activities and gaming. The diabetes escape room was developed and used to reinforce and improve pharmacy students' knowledge and skills in diabetes management.

Objective

An iterative, design‐based research process was used to evaluate the impact of a diabetes escape room on students' diabetes knowledge gain and perceptions.

Methods

Faculty initiated an action research methodology to refine the design of a diabetes escape room using a design‐based research macrocycle with two iterations involving two cohorts of students. Pre‐ and postknowledge assessments as well as survey questions that assessed the perceived value of the activity on student learning were administered to students. The learning and research trajectories were modified in the second iteration to allow for design improvement and further insight into learning benefits. Following the second iteration, student teams were interviewed on their perceptions of the diabetes escape room and its effect on learning. These interviews were qualitatively analyzed.

Results

Using paired and independent sample t‐tests, the postknowledge assessment scores were statistically and significantly higher than the preknowledge assessment scores for both iterations and students perceived the activity to be valuable for their learning. Team interviews identified two major themes in students' perception of the escape room including teamwork building and knowledge and skill building.

Conclusion

When instructional design principles are carefully implemented in the design of a serious game, students strengthen and enhance their prior knowledge of a subject by building both cognitive and practical skills. Design‐based research processes help refine and further investigate educational interventions.
Comparative study on the inactivation of MS2 and M13 bacteriophages using energetic femtosecond lasers
Authors: Berchtikou Aziz , Sokullu Esen , Nahar Sharifun , Tijssen Peter , Gauthier Marc A. , Ozaki Tsuneyuki
Published: June 2020

Femtosecond (fs) laser irradiation techniques are emerging tools for inactivating viruses that do not involve ionizing radiation. In this work, the inactivation of two bacteriophages representing protective capsids with different geometric constraints, that is, the near‐spherical MS2 (with a diameter of 27 nm) and the filamentous M13 (with a length of 880 nm) is compared using energetic visible and near‐infrared fs laser pulses with various energies, pulse durations, and exposure times. Intriguingly, the results show that inactivation using 400 nm lasers is substantially more efficient for MS2 compared to M13. In contrast, using 800 nm lasers, M13 was slightly more efficiently inactivated. For both viruses, the genome was exposed to a harmful environment upon fs‐laser irradiation. However, in addition to the protection of the genome, the metastable capsids differ in many properties required for stepwise cell entry that may explain their dissimilar behavior after (partial) disassembly. For MS2, the dominant mechanism of fs‐laser inactivation was the aggregation of the viral capsid proteins, whereas aggregation did not affect M13 inactivation, suggesting that the dominant mechanism of M13 inactivation was related to breaking of secondary protein links.
HIP1R acts as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer by promoting cancer cell apoptosis and inhibiting migration and invasion through modulating Akt
Authors: Zhu Jinliang , Wang Xin , Guan Huiyuan , Xiao Qiong , Wu Zhonghua , Shi Jinxin , Zhang Fei , Gao Peng , Song Yongxi , Wang Zhenning
Published: June 2020

Background

Huntingtin‐interacting protein 1‐related (HIP1R) is a multi‐domain gene that exerts many cellular functions including altering T cell–mediated cytotoxicity and controlling intracellular trafficking. However, its clinical significance and function in gastric cancer (GC) have not been described.

Methods

The expression levels of HIP1R were tested by the transcriptional and translational expression analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in matched adjacent non‐tumorous vs tumor tissue specimens. The biological function of HIP1R on apoptosis, migration, and proliferation was evaluated by flow cytometry, Transwell, Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assays, colony formation assays, and EdU labeling assays, respectively.

Results

We found downregulated HIP1R in GC compared with adjacent non‐tumorous tissue, and HIP1R expression associated with N classification. We further found that the expression of HIP1R could induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation, migration, invasion of GC cells, possibly through modulating Akt.

Conclusions

Our data indicate that HIP1R may act as a potential diagnostic biomarker and a tumor suppressor gene in GC, potentially representing a novel therapeutic target for future GC treatment.
Cystatin C may be better than creatinine for digoxin dosing in older adults with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Šálek Tomáš , Vodička Martin , Gřiva Martin
Published: June 2020

Background

Patients taking digoxin are older with high probability of having low muscle mass, and current clinical practice in digoxin dosing relies only on estimated glomerular filtration rate from serum creatinine (eGFRcrea). The aim of the study is to compare eGFRcrea and estimated glomerular filtration rate from serum cystatin C (eGFRcys) in older adult patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) overdosed with digoxin.

Methods

A total of 80 consecutive patients overdosed with digoxin and 33 controls with AF from Department of Internal Medicine were included in the prospective observational study. The median of age of participants was 81 years in both the overdosed and the control group. The eGFRs were calculated using The Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology (CKD‐ EPI) equations using standardized methods for serum creatinine and cystatin C measurement.

Results

The median (IQR) of eGFRcrea was higher than that of eGFRcys (45 mL/min/1.73 m2 (35‐59) vs 30 (21‐38), respectively; P < .0001) in overdosed patients. The median (IQR) of eGFRcrea was higher than that of eGFRcys (61 mL/min/1.73 m2 (49‐72) vs 40 (30‐56), respectively; P < .0001) in control group of patients. Serum predose digoxin concentration in overdosed patients was inversely associated with eGFRcys (ρ = −0.26, P < .05).

Conclusion

Physicians should consider GFR when changing digoxin dosing. eGFRcys was lower in both the overdosed and the control group. eGFRcys would lead to lower digoxin doses and thus prevent overdose.
Prevalence of protein intake below recommended in community‐dwelling older adults: a meta‐analysis across cohorts from the PROMISS consortium
Authors: Hengeveld Linda M. , Boer Jolanda M.A. , Gaudreau Pierrette , Heymans Martijn W. , Jagger Carol , Mendonça Nuno , Ocké Marga C. , Presse Nancy , Sette Stefania , Simonsick Eleanor M. , Tapanainen Heli , Turrini Aida , Virtanen Suvi M. , Wijnhoven Hanneke A.H. , Visser Marjolein
Published: June 2020

Background

Lower protein intake in older adults is associated with loss of muscle mass and strength. The present study aimed to provide a pooled estimate of the overall prevalence of protein intake below recommended (according to different cut‐off values) among community‐dwelling older adults, both within the general older population and within specific subgroups.

Methods

As part of the PRevention Of Malnutrition In Senior Subjects in the EU (PROMISS) project, a meta‐analysis was performed using data from four cohorts (from the Netherlands, UK, Canada, and USA) and four national surveys [from the Netherlands, Finland (two), and Italy]. Within those studies, data on protein and energy intake of community‐dwelling men and women aged ≥55 years were obtained by either a food frequency questionnaire, 24 h recalls administered on 2 or 3 days, or food diaries administered on 3 days. Protein intake below recommended was based on the recommended dietary allowance of 0.8 g/kg body weight (BW)/d, by using adjusted BW (aBW) instead of actual BW. Cut‐off values of 1.0 and 1.2 were applied in additional analyses. Prevalences were also examined for subgroups according to sex, age, body mass index (BMI), education level, appetite, living status, and recent weight loss.

Results

The study sample comprised 8107 older persons. Mean ± standard deviation protein intake ranged from 64.3 ± 22.3 (UK) to 80.6 ± 23.7 g/d [the Netherlands (cohort)] or from 0.94 ± 0.38 (USA) to 1.17z ± 0.30 g/kg aBW/d (Italy) when related to BW. The overall pooled prevalence of protein intake below recommended was 21.5% (95% confidence interval: 14.0–30.1), 46.7% (38.3–55.3), and 70.8% (65.1–76.3) using the 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 cut‐off value, respectively. A higher prevalence was observed among women, individuals with higher BMI, and individuals with poor appetite. The prevalence differed only marginally by age, education level, living status, and recent weight loss.

Conclusions

In community‐dwelling older adults, the prevalence of protein intake below the current recommendation of 0.8 g/kg aBW/d is substantial (14–30%) and increases to 65–76% according to a cut‐off value of 1.2 g/kg aBW/d. To what extent the protein intakes are below the requirements of these older people warrants further investigation.
Social frailty predicts worse outcomes in patients with multiple myeloma: A novelty in an old approach
Authors: Terao Toshiki , Tsushima Takafumi , Miura Daisuke , Narita Kentaro , Takeuchi Masami , Matsue Kosei
Published: June 2020

Social frailty, defined as the loss of social roles and networks in the community, has never been evaluated in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of social frailty as a predictor of survival in MM. We retrospectively reviewed 237 consecutive patients with MM from 2009 to 2019. Activities of daily living (ADL), the instrumental ADL score, the Charlson Comorbidity Index, and factors to evaluate social relationships were routinely assessed at the time of initial diagnosis and first hospitalization at our center by hematological clinicians, nurses, and rehabilitation staff. Social frailty was evaluated using five social factors and was defined as a score of at least 2 points. Overall, 69 (30.0%) patients were defined as socially frail, with a median score of 0. Those who were socially frail showed significantly shorter progression‐free and overall survival than those who were not. Using the International Staging System, International Myeloma Working Group frailty score, and social frailty, we developed two staging systems, and these further demonstrated the importance of assessing frail patients with MM. Our findings have identified the usefulness for evaluating social frailty; however, to confirm our results, an independent study with larger patient numbers with an entirely prospective assessment is needed to confirm their results.