bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
N‐Terminal Modification of Proteins with Subtiligase Specificity Variants
Authors: Weeks Amy M. , Wells James A.
Published: February 2020

Subtiligase is a powerful enzymatic tool for N‐terminal modification of proteins and peptides. In a typical subtiligase‐catalyzed N‐terminal modification reaction, a peptide ester donor substrate is ligated onto the unblocked N terminus of a protein, resulting in the exchange of the ester bond in the donor substrate for an amide bond between the donor substrate and protein N terminus. Using this strategy, new chemical probes and payloads, such as fluorophores, affinity handles, cytotoxic drugs, and reactive functional groups, can be introduced site‐specifically into proteins. While the efficiency of this reaction depends on the sequences to be ligated, a panel of mutants was recently developed that expands the scope of substrate sequences that are suitable for subtiligase modification. This article outlines the steps for applying subtiligase or specificity variants for both site‐specific bioconjugation of purified proteins and for global modification of cellular N termini to enable their sequencing by tandem mass spectrometry. © 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Basic Protocol 1: Subtiligase‐catalyzed site‐specific protein bioconjugation

Support Protocol 1: Expression and purification of subtiligase‐His6

Support Protocol 2: Subtiligase substrate synthesis

Basic Protocol 2: Subtiligase N terminomics using a cocktail of subtiligase specificity mutants
Efficient algorithm for scheduling parallel applications on hybrid multicore machines with communications delays and energy constraint
Authors: Ait Aba Massinissa , Zaourar Lilia , Munier Alix
Published: February 2020

This paper presents an efficient algorithm with performance guarantee to solve task scheduling problem on hybrid platforms with energy constraint and communication delays. The underlying platform architecture in this work is composed of two types of resources, CPU and GPU, often called hybrid parallel multicore platforms. We focus on finding a generic approach to schedule applications presented by Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG), which minimizes the makespan by considering communication delays and respecting an energy constraint. A two‐phase algorithm is proposed with a performance guarantee of 6 compared with the optimal solution; the first phase consists in solving the assignment problem to find the type of processor assigned to execute the tasks (CPU or GPU) using a linear program. In the second phase, we calculate the start execution time of each task to generate a feasible schedule. Finally, we test our algorithm on a large number of instances. These tests demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves a close‐to‐optimal performance.
Customers' corporate social responsibility awareness as antecedent of repeat behaviour intention
Authors: González‐Rodríguez María Rosario , Díaz‐Fernández María Carmen
Published: February 2020

The aim of the study is mainly to investigate the influence of hotel customers' perception and awareness of corporate social responsibility (CSR) concerning the environmental practices of hotels on the image of the establishments and on repeat behaviour intention (RBI) by said customers. Accordingly, a research model is established which allows an understanding of the underlying mechanism of perceived CSR practices, CSR awareness, hotel image and RBI. The growing interest shown by practitioners to understand the mechanism to achieve sustainable competitive advantage for hotels through their environmental policies and the scarce number of studies analysing customer CSR awareness and its influence on customer green hotels' engagement justify this study. Hence, the study strives to overcome this gap in the CSR literature. Data were collected from hotel guests who have stayed at green hotels in Spain over the last 12 months. The research model was estimated using a variance‐based structural equation modelling approach. The findings achieved and future research avenues derived from the study are of great value for both theorists and managers to achieve a sustainable development. The research model proposed can be applied to other tourist agents other than hotels and provide valuable knowledge for practitioners to understand to what extent their managerial CSR practices and their effort to communicate them are perceived by their stakeholders, which in turn influence the stakeholder engagments with those agents with a greater commitment to the environment.
Microsecond nonlinear model predictive control for DC‐DC converters
Authors: Lekić Aleksandra , Hermans Ben , Jovičić Nenad , Patrinos Panagiotis
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we present a novel nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) formulation for the transient control of a DC‐DC converter. We demonstrate that a real‐time implementation of the proposed NMPC scheme using the PANOC solver can be efficiently applied to control DC‐DC converters in the microsecond range. Moreover, an embedded, code‐generated version of PANOC can be implemented using microcontrollers or digital signal processors. The algorithm is incorporated in the transient simulator of PWM DC‐DC converters, and the operation of the simulator on the boost converter's example is presented, comparing the performance of our NMPC‐controller with that of a classical PID controller. The operation of the boost converter controlled using the proposed NMPC algorithm is validated experimentally.
GNSS positioning accuracy improvement based on surface meteorological parameters using artificial neural networks
Authors: Mohammednour Agab Bakheet , Özdemir Ahmet Turan
Published: February 2020

With the ongoing development of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technologies, user's dependence on these technologies has drastically risen. Ranging anywhere from industrial applications to agriculture or geodetic applications, the growing demand has stimulated the need for more sophisticated equipment with seamless accuracy. However, the signal received by a GNSS receiver has always faced the risk of contamination by many different sources of error, and this issue decreases the GNSS positioning accuracy. One of the most notable errors is the delay that occurs mainly in the troposphere layer, which mostly relies on the meteorological condition parameters. In this work, an artificial neural network (ANN)‐based mitigation technique in order to eliminate troposphere delay is presented. Our ANN model trained using the surface meteorological parameters, namely, temperature, humidity, wind speed, maximum wind direction, and pressure with the number of satellites achieved by a GNSS receiver. The result showed that ANN model successfully improved the position accuracy level of the GNSS receiver in both horizontal (2D) and three dimensions (3D) at 43.77% and 19.19%, respectively.
Development of copper‐tungsten clad‐contacts for 400 A‐arc‐less switching of hybrid dc switch
Authors: Yamada Yuta , Chen Mo , Yasuoka Koichi
Published: February 2020

A hybrid dc switch has been studied extensively due to the increasing demand for photovoltaic plants or dc power distribution systems. The advantages of the hybrid dc switch are low contact resistance and high‐speed interruption. We have demonstrated an arc‐less commutation of current from copper‐based tungsten contacts to a SiC‐MOSFET. The arc‐less commutation prevents the contact erosion that is one of the drawbacks of conventional dc mechanical switches. This report shows the experiment results on the threshold current of the arc‐less commutation and the contact resistance with different material contacts up to 400A in a hybrid dc switch.
Body mass index and B‐lines on lung ultrasonography in chronic and acute heart failure
Authors: Brainin Philip , Claggett Brian , Lewis Eldrin F. , Dwyer Kristin H. , Merz Allison A. , Silverman Montane B. , Swamy Varsha , Biering‐Sørensen Tor , Rivero Jose , Cheng Susan , McMurray John J.V. , Solomon Scott D. , Platz Elke
Published: February 2020

Aims

Increased body mass index (BMI) is common in heart failure (HF) patients and is associated with lower levels of N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP). We evaluated the influence of BMI on lung ultrasonography (LUS) findings indicative of pulmonary congestion (i.e. B‐lines) in patients with chronic and acute HF (AHF).

Methods and results

We analysed ambulatory chronic HF (n = 118) and hospitalized AHF (n = 177) patients (mean age 70 years, 64% men, mean BMI 29 kg/m2, mean ejection fraction 42%) undergoing echocardiography and LUS in eight chest zones. B‐lines and chest wall thickness (skin to pleura) on ultrasound were quantified offline and blinded to clinical findings. NT‐proBNP was available in AHF patients (n = 167). In chronic HF, B‐line number decreased by 18% per 5 unit increase in BMI [95% confidence interval (CI) −35% to +5%, P = 0.11]. In AHF, the number of B‐lines decreased by 12% per 5 unit increase in BMI (95% CI −19% to −5%, P = 0.001), whereas NT‐proBNP concentration decreased by 28% per 5 unit increase in BMI (95% CI −40% to −16%, P < 0.001). For AHF, B‐line number declined to a lesser degree than NT‐proBNP concentration with increasing BMI (P = 0.020), and >6 B‐lines were observed in half of AHF patients with severe obesity. There was an inverse relationship between B‐line number and chest wall thickness, and this association varied by chest region.

Conclusions

Despite an inverse relationship between B‐lines and BMI, B‐lines declined to a lesser degree than NT‐proBNP with increasing BMI. These data suggest that LUS may be useful in patients with HF despite obesity.
Long‐term survivors of early breast cancer treated with chemotherapy are characterized by a pro‐inflammatory biomarker profile compared to matched controls
Authors: Tromp Jasper , Boerman Liselotte M. , Sama Iziah E. , Maass Saskia W.M.C. , Maduro John H. , Hummel Yoran M. , Berger Marjolein Y. , de Bock Geertruida H. , Gietema Jourik A. , Berendsen Annette J. , van der Meer Peter
Published: February 2020

Background

Chemo‐ and radiotherapy for breast cancer (BC) can lead to cardiotoxicity even years after the initial treatment. The pathophysiology behind these late cardiac effects is poorly understood. Therefore, we studied a large panel of biomarkers from different pathophysiological domains in long‐term BC survivors, and compared these to matched controls.

Methods and results

In total 91 biomarkers were measured in 688 subjects: 342 BC survivors stratified either to treatment with chemotherapy ± radiotherapy (n = 170) or radiotherapy alone (n = 172) and matched controls. Mean age was 59 ± 9 years and 65 ± 8 years for women treated with chemotherapy ± radiotherapy and radiotherapy alone, respectively, with a mean time since treatment of 11 ± 5.5 years. No biomarkers were differentially expressed in survivors treated with radiotherapy alone vs. controls (P for all >0.1). In sharp contrast, a total of 19 biomarkers were elevated, relative to controls, in BC survivors treated with chemotherapy ± radiotherapy after correction for multiple comparisons (P <0.05 for all). Network analysis revealed upregulation of pathways relating to collagen degradation and activation of matrix metalloproteinases. Furthermore, several inflammatory biomarkers including growth differentiation factor 15, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 16, tumour necrosis factor super family member 13b and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, elevated in survivors treated with chemotherapy, showed an independent association with lower left ventricular ejection fraction.

Conclusion

Breast cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy ± radiotherapy show a distinct biomarker profile associated with mild cardiac dysfunction even 10 years after treatment. These results suggest that an ongoing pro‐inflammatory state and activation of matrix metalloproteinases following initial treatment with chemotherapy might play a role in the observed cardiac dysfunction in late BC survivors.
Synthesis and Structural Elucidation of 1,2‐Disubstituted 3‐Fluoropiperidines
Authors: Fischer Pauline , Morris Morgan , Müller‐Bunz Helge , Evans Paul
Published: February 2020

The work described details the reaction between Selectfluor® and a series of 1‐carbonyloxy and 1‐sulfonyl 2‐piperidines in order to generate 3‐fluoro‐2‐methoxypiperidines 3a–f. Their subsequent reaction with allyltrimethylsilane, in the presence of BF3 and TiCl4, is then reported. Studies involving a combination of single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy indicate that the allylation process is cis‐selective for both carbamate and sulfonamide variants and that optimal levels of diastereoselectivity are obtained using the N‐2‐nitrobenzene sulfonyl (2‐Ns) group. In this manner, the synthesis of a series of 2‐allyl 3‐fluoro‐substituted piperidines (5a, c–f) was achieved. The conversion of both the cis and trans‐N‐tosyl adducts (5d) into 3‐fluorinated analogues of the natural products pelletierine (10) and coniine (11) is subsequently detailed.
Brewers’ spent grain liquor as a feedstock for lactate production with Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis
Authors: Akermann Alexander , Weiermüller Jens , Christmann Jens , Guirande Léa , Glaser Gregor , Knaus Annette , Ulber Roland
Published: February 2020

Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) is a low‐cost by‐product of the brewing process. BSG liquor names the liquid components of BSG, mainly glucose, maltose, and long‐chain α‐1,4‐glycosidic bond glucose oligomers. These substances should be separated in existing BSG biorefineries, as they might lead to an increased formation of microbe‐inhibiting compounds in well‐established hydrothermal/enzymatic saccharification processes. In most cases, this liquid fraction is discarded. The present study presents for the first time an optimized process with BSG liquor for the purpose of producing bulk chemicals (e.g., lactate) in relevant concentrations. The process comprises the application of yeast extract, produced from own brewing processes, as the sole supplemented complex constituent in a simultaneous fermentation and saccharification process. Kinetic parameters for the final optimized process conditions with the organism Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis were: maximum specific growth rate µmax  =  0.47 h−1, maximum lactate concentration cLac, max  =  79.06 g L−1, process yield YPS  =  0.89 gLac gSugar−1, lactate production rate qP  =  4.18 gLac gCDW−1 h−1, and productivity P 15 h  =  4.93 gLac L−1 h−1. BSG liquor, linked with yeast extract from Brewers’ yeast, can be a promising substrate for further bioprocess engineering tasks and contribute to a holistic and sustainable usage of Brewers’ spent grain.
Inhibition of urinary bladder cancer cell proliferation by silibinin
Authors: Barros Tatiane M. B. , Lima Ana P. B. , Almeida Tamires C. , da Silva Glenda N.
Published: February 2020

Silibinin, a natural compound extracted from milk thistle, has demonstrated antitumor properties in urinary bladder cancer cells; however, the role of TP53 gene in these effects is unclear. In order to better understand the molecular and antiproliferative mechanisms of this compound, urinary bladder cancer cells with different TP53 gene status, RT4 (low‐grade tumor, wild TP53 gene), 5637 (high‐grade tumor, Grade 2, mutated TP53 gene), and T24 (high‐grade tumor, Grade 3, mutated TP53 gene) were treated with several concentrations of silibinin (1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 150 μM). Cytotoxicity, prooxidant effect, morphological changes, cell migration, cell cycle progression, global methylation profile, and relative expression of HOXB3, c‐MYC, PLK1, SMAD4, SRC, HAT, HDAC, and RASSF1A genes were evaluated. The silibinin presented cytotoxic and prooxidant effects in the three cell lines. In mutated TP53 cells, significant interference in cell migration and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase was observed. Additionally, silibinin induced global DNA hypomethylation in the highest grade tumor cells. For wild‐type TP53 cells, a sub‐G1 apoptotic population was present. Furthermore, there was modulation of gene expression responsible for cell growth (SMAD and c‐MYC), migration (SRC), cell cycle kinetics (PLK1), angiogenesis (HOXB3), and of genes associated with epigenetic events such as DNA acetylation (HAT) and deacetylation (HDAC). In conclusion, the silibinin inhibited the urinary bladder tumor cell proliferation independently of TP53 status; however, cell cycle effects, gene expression changes, and alteration of cell migration are dependent on TP53 status. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Prediction of liquid holdup in horizontal pipe with BP neural network
Authors: Xiao Rongge , Li Kai , Sun Leyuan , Zhao Jiali , Xing Peng , Wang Haifeng
Published: February 2020

Liquid holdup is one of the most critical factors for the formation of pipe effusion, which is closely related to the efficiency of pipe transportation. Nowadays, liquid holdup is mainly estimated according to empirical or semiempirical correlation. Besides, little has been done concerning the accurate prediction of liquid holdup. Therefore, to obtain more precise forecast, this paper proposed a prediction method concerning liquid holdup in horizontal pipe with BP neural network algorithm. Meanwhile, a sensitivity analysis on the key factors impacting liquid holdup was conducted by the combination of the forecast calculation and orthogonal experiment design. The results showed that compared with the empirical calculation (the smallest standard deviation 8.65%), the BP neural network prediction model had achieved more accurate estimation (the average relative error is 7.38%). In addition, the sensitivity analysis indicated that the main indexes including pipe diameter, gas‐ and liquid‐phase superficial velocities, and temperature have significant influence on the liquid holdup. Pipe diameter, liquid‐phase superficial velocity, temperature, and viscosity are positively correlated with the liquid holdup, while pressure and gas‐phase superficial velocity are negatively correlated with it.
A comprehensive survey on semantic interoperability for Internet of Things: State‐of‐the‐art and research challenges
Authors: Rahman Hafizur , Hussain Md. Iftekhar
Published: February 2020

Internet of Things (IoT) is highly heterogeneous in terms of devices, communication technologies, protocols, data formats, and semantics. Data generated from various sources are represented using different semantics. It makes semantic interoperability as one of the significant issues in provisioning seamless communication and services over diverse IoT platforms. Semantic models help in exchanging semantically annotated information among such heterogeneous applications in a meaningful way. Seamless communication among different types of applications is commonly accomplished by using middleware, ontology, and semantic web technologies. In this paper, we present a comprehensive survey of different semantic interoperability solutions in the context of IoT. The pivotal semantic models available in the literature are compared with the help of a classification framework. This study identifies various open research issues and challenges for facilitating interoperable IoT communications. For the purpose of implementation and performance evaluation of various semantic models, we also suggest some important tools and frameworks. After pointing out different prospects and problems of the existing semantic interoperability schemes, the factors for improvement are identified indicating future research directions.
Loss‐of‐function of EBP50 is a new cause of hereditary peripheral neuropathy: EBP50 functions in peripheral nerve system
Authors: Song Gyun Jee , Gupta Deepak Prasad , Rahman Md Habibur , Park Hwan Tae , Al Ghouleh Imad , Bisello Alessandro , Lee Maan‐Gee , Park Jae‐Yong , Park Hyun Ho , Jun Jin Hyun , Chung Ki Wha , Choi Byung‐Ok , Suk Kyoungho
Published: February 2020

Finding causative genetic mutations is important in the diagnosis and treatment of hereditary peripheral neuropathies. This study was conducted to find new genes involved in the pathophysiology of hereditary peripheral neuropathy. We identified a new mutation in the EBP50 gene, which is co‐segregated with neuropathic phenotypes, including motor and sensory deficit in a family with Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease. EBP50 is known to be important for the formation of microvilli in epithelial cells, and the discovery of this gene mutation allowed us to study the function of EBP50 in the nervous system. EBP50 was strongly expressed in the nodal and paranodal regions of sciatic nerve fibers, where Schwann cell microvilli contact the axolemma, and at the growth tips of primary Schwann cells. In addition, EBP50 expression was decreased in mouse models of peripheral neuropathy. Knockout mice were used to study EBP50 function in the peripheral nervous system. Interestingly motor function deficit and abnormal histology of nerve fibers were observed in EBP50+/− heterozygous mice at 12 months of age, but not 3 months. in vitro studies using Schwann cells showed that NRG1‐induced AKT activation and migration were significantly reduced in cells overexpressing the I325V mutant of EBP50 or cells with knocked‐down EBP50 expression. In conclusion, we show for the first time that loss of function due to EBP50 gene deficiency or mutation can cause peripheral neuropathy.
Nonlinear convection in an elasticoviscous fluid‐saturated anisotropic porous layer using a local thermal nonequilibrium model
Authors: Hemanthkumar C. , Raghunatha K. R. , Shivakumara I. S.
Published: February 2020

By adopting a perturbation method and a local thermal nonequilibrium model, nonlinear thermal convection in an anisotropic porous layer saturated by an elasticoviscous fluid is investigated. An elasticoviscous fluid is modeled by a modified Darcy‐Oldroyd‐B model, and the fluid and solid phase temperatures are represented using a two‐field model for the heat transport equation. Anisotropy in permeability and fluid and solid thermal conductivities are considered. A cubic Landau equation is derived separately to study the stability of bifurcating solution of both stationary and oscillatory convection, and the results of linear instability theory are delineated. The boundary between stationary and oscillatory convection is demarcated by identifying codimension‐two points in the viscoelastic parameters plane. It is found that the subcritical instability is not possible, and the linear instability analysis itself completely captures the behavior of the onset of convection. Heat transfer is obtained in terms of Nusselt number, and the effect of governing parameters on the same is discussed. The results of the Maxwell fluid are obtained as a particular case from the present study.
MHD Double‐diffusive thermosolutal Marangoni convection non‐Newtonian Casson fluid flow over a permeable stretchable sheet
Authors: Mahanta Ganeswar , Das Mrutyunjay , Shaw Sachin , Mahala Biranchi Kumar
Published: February 2020

In the present paper, we have discussed the thermosolutal Marangoni force acting on the electrically conducting Casson fluid flow over a permeable horizontal stretching surface. It is presumed that the condition at the interfaces is influenced by the surface tension, which is proportional to the temperature and concentration profiles. At the interface, both concentration and temperature are heated in such a way that they are quadratic functions in Furthermore, we have introduced the magnetic field in the transverse direction of the fluid flow along with heat generation/absorption, thermal radiation, viscous dissipation, and first‐order chemical effect with heat and mass flux into the present system. Similarity transformations have been used to convert the system of the nonlinear partial differential equations into a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The reduced ODEs are then solved using the MATLAB program bvp4c, which is based on the fourth‐order Runge‐Kutta and shooting method. The impact of various pertinent flow parameters on the flow field, temperature, and species concentration has been studied through graphs. To know the characteristics of shear stress, heat and mass rate near the boundary, numerical values of them are also calculated and given in the tabular form. The results show that the momentum boundary layer's thickness is getting thicker with an increase in solutal surface tension ratio, while its opposite trends have been observed in the thermal boundary layer region, this is due to the Marangoni effect. This Marangoni effect is very much important in the field of melting metals, crystal growth, welding, and electron beam.
Restored interlaced volumetric imaging increases image quality and scanning speed during intravital imaging in living mice
Authors: Sogabe Maina , Ohzeki Masayuki , Fujimoto Koji , Sehara‐Fujisawa Atsuko , Nishimura Satoshi
Published: February 2020

Dynamic intravital imaging is essential for revealing ongoing biological phenomena within living organisms and is influenced primarily by several factors: motion artifacts, optical properties and spatial resolution. Conventional imaging quality within a volume, however, is degraded by involuntary movements and trades off between the imaged volume, imaging speed and quality. To balance such trade‐offs incurred by two‐photon excitation microscopy during intravital imaging, we developed a unique combination of interlaced scanning and a simple image restoration algorithm based on biological signal sparsity and a graph Laplacian matrix. This method increases the scanning speed by a factor of four for a field size of 212 μm × 106 μm × 130 μm, and significantly improves the quality of four‐dimensional dynamic volumetric data by preventing irregular artifacts due to the movement observed with conventional methods. Our data suggest this method is robust enough to be applied to multiple types of soft tissue.
Glucocorticoids Disrupt Skeletal Angiogenesis Through Transrepression of NF-κB–Mediated Preosteoclast Pdgfb Transcription in Young Mice
Authors: Peng Yi , Lv Shan , Li Yusheng , Zhu Jianxi , Chen Shijie , Zhen Gehua , Cao Xu , Wu Song , Crane Janet L.
Published: February 2020

In the growing skeleton, angiogenesis is intimately coupled with osteogenesis. Chronic, high doses of glucocorticoids (GCs) are associated with decreased bone vasculature and induce osteoporosis and growth failure. The mechanism of GC-suppression of angiogenesis and relationship to osteoporosis and growth retardation remains largely unknown. Type H vessels, which are regulated by preosteoclast (POC) platelet-derived growth factor–BB (PDGF-BB), are specifically coupled with bone formation and development. We determined the effect of GCs on POC synthesis of PDGF-BB in relation to type H vessel formation, bone mass, and bone growth in the distal femur of 2-week-old young mice receiving prednisolone or vehicle for 2, 4, or 6 weeks. After 2 weeks of prednisolone, the number of POCs were unchanged while POC synthesis of PDGF-BB was reduced. Longer treatment with prednisolone reduced POCs numbers and PDGF-BB. These changes were associated with a reduction in type H vessels, bone formation rate, bone mass, and bone length at each time point. In vitro, excessive concentrations of prednisolone (10−6M) resulted in decreased PDGF-BB concentration and POC numbers. Conditioned medium from POC cultures treated with control concentration of prednisolone (10−7M) or recombinant PDGF-BB stimulated endothelial tube formation, whereas conditioned medium from control concentration of prednisolone-treated POC cultures neutralized by PDGF-BB antibody or excessive prednisolone inhibited endothelial tube formation. Administration of excessive prednisolone attenuated the P65 subunit of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) binding to the Pdgfb promoter, resulting in lower Pdgfb transcription. Co-treatment with excessive prednisolone and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist (RU486), GR siRNA, or TNFα rescued NF-κB binding to the Pdgfb promoter and endothelial tube formation. These results indicate that PDGF-BB synthesis in POCs is suppressed by GCs through transrepression of GR/NF-κB, thus inhibiting type H vessel formation and associated osteoporosis and growth failure. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Plasma miR‐125a and miR‐125b in sepsis: Correlation with disease risk, inflammation, severity, and prognosis
Authors: Zhao Danna , Li Shilei , Cui Jie , Wang Lizeng , Ma Xiaohua , Li Yong
Published: February 2020

Objective

This study aimed to explore the predictive value of microRNA (miR)‐125a and miR‐125b for sepsis risk, and their correlations with inflammation, disease severity, and 28‐day mortality in sepsis patients.

Methods

Totally, 150 sepsis patients and 150 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Plasma samples were separated from blood samples obtained from sepsis patients and HCs to detect miR‐125a and miR‐125b expressions by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Besides, the 28‐day mortality of sepsis patients was assessed. MiR‐125a and miR‐125b expressions were elevated in sepsis patients compared with HCs, and further receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis displayed that miR‐125a (area under the curve (AUC): 0.749, 95% CI: 0.695‐0.803) and miR‐125b (AUC: 0.839, 95% CI: 0.795‐0.882) could predict sepsis risk. As for inflammation, no correlation of miR‐125a with C‐reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐17, and IL‐23 was observed in sepsis patients, while miR‐125b was positively associated with CRP, TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐17, and IL‐23. Regarding disease severity, miR‐125a and miR‐125b were positively correlated with acute physiology and chronic health care evaluation II and sequential organ failure assessment score in sepsis patients. Besides, ROC curve analysis exhibited that miR‐125a failed to predict 28‐day mortality risk (AUC: 0.588, 95% CI: 0.491‐0.685) in sepsis patients, while miR‐125b had a potential value in predicting elevated 28‐day mortality risk (AUC: 0.699, 95% CI: 0.603‐0.795).

Conclusion

Both miR‐125a and miR‐125b predict sepsis risk, while only miR‐125b exhibits the potency for disease management and prognosis prediction in sepsis patients.
Soluble Tim3 detection by time‐resolved fluorescence immunoassay and its application in membranous nephropathy
Authors: Chen Ming , Wang Liang , Wang Yigang , Zhou Xiumei , Liu Xinyuan , Chen Hao , Huang Biao , Hu Zhigang
Published: February 2020

Background

We aimed to develop a time‐resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA) for detecting soluble T‐cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (sTim3) in serum samples and to demonstrate a preliminary application of this method in membranous nephropathy (MN).

Methods

sTim3 TRFIA was developed, and the sTim3 concentration in the serum of patients with MN and healthy individuals was detected using a sandwich method.

Results

The sensitivity of the developed sTim3 TRFIA was 0.66 ng/mL, higher than that of an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (1.11 ng/mL). The detection range was 0.66‐40 ng/mL. The intra‐assay coefficient of variation (CV) for sTim3 was 1.64%‐4.68%, and the inter‐assay CV was 5.72%‐9.32%. The cross‐reactivity to interleukin 6 (IL‐6) and kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM‐1) was 0.25% and 0.04%, respectively. The average recovery was 105.26%. The sTim3 concentration in patients with MN was considerably higher than that in healthy individuals (P < .001). The sTim3 concentration in the serum of patients with MN was significantly increased from G1 to G4 based on the Jonckheere‐Terpstra test (P < .001). Thus, we used sTim3 as a diagnostic indicator for distinguishing between healthy individuals and patients with MN as well as between different stages of MN.

Conclusion

We successfully established TRFIA to detect sTim3 in serum. We then applied this method to patients with MN, demonstrating for the first time that TRFIA is a valid diagnostic tool to detect sTim3 in serum.
An examination of help‐seeking preferences via best–worst scaling
Authors: Lannin Daniel G. , Barrowclough Michael , Vogel David L.
Published: February 2020

Objective

This study utilized best–worst scaling and latent class analysis to assess mental health treatment preferences and identify subgroups of college student help seekers.

Method

College students (N = 504; age: M = 20.3, 79.2% female) completed assessments of mental health treatment preferences, self‐stigma, and distress.

Results

Students preferred utilizing friends and family, followed by professional mental health providers, self‐help, keeping concerns to themselves, physicians, and lastly religious leaders. Latent class analyses identified four classes of respondents.

Conclusions

Subgroups of student help seekers include Formal Help Seekers who prefer professional mental health providers, Informal Help Seekers who prefer friends and family, Ambivalent Help Seekers who prefer family and friends but also keeping concerns to themselves, and Help Avoiders who prefer keeping concerns to themselves. Assessing treatment preferences among different student subgroups may constitute an initial step in identifying effective ways to address university‐wide mental health concerns.
Dual‐functionalized protic ionic liquids for efficient absorption of NH3 through synergistically physicochemical interaction
Authors: Yuan Lei , Zhang Xiangping , Ren Baozeng , Yang Yingliang , Bai Yinge , Bai Lu , Gao Hongshuai , Zeng Shaojuan
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

Ionic liquids have become promising media for the treatment of tail gases containing ammonia (NH3), which causes serious environmental problems and threatens human health.

RESULTS

In this work, four dual‐functionalized protic ionic liquids (DPILs) [CnOHim]X (n = 1, 2; X = [NTf2]−, [BF4]−, [SCN]−) with both weak acidity proton and hydroxyl group were designed and synthesized for enhanced NH3 separation. Among them, the maximum NH3 molar solubility of 3.11 mol NH3 mol–1 IL was achieved in [EtOHim][NTf2] at 40 °C and atmospheric pressure, and the highest mass solubility of NH3 could be 0.221 g NH3 g–1 IL in [EtOHim][SCN]; this is the highest value of any absorbent ever reported under the same conditions. Not only superior NH3 solubility, along with excellent selectivity of NH3/CO2 (65) and NH3/N2 (104), but also outstanding recyclability was exhibited in DPILs.

CONCLUSIONS

The highly efficient performance of NH3 absorption by DPILs was ascribed to the synergistically physicochemical interaction between weak acidity proton, hydroxyl group and NH3, which was confirmed through both spectrum analysis and quantum chemical calculations. This work implied that DPILs have great potentials in NH3 separation and recovery of NH3‐containing tail gases. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Thermochemical evaluation of oxygen transport membranes under oxy‐combustion conditions in a pilot‐scale facility
Authors: Portillo Esmeralda , Cano Mercedes , Gallego Fernández L Marina , Vega Fernando , Navarrete Benito , Reina Tomás R
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

Control of greenhouse gas emissions has become one of the most important challenges faced by humanity. Among the various approaches to mitigating CO2 emissions, carbon capture and storage (CCS) is considered one of the most promising clean coal options for the future because it can be implemented in the short and medium terms at the industrial scale. Among CCS techniques, oxy‐combustion offers advantages in using pure oxygen (O2) as a comburent, where in a flue gas composed mainly of CO2 and water vapor is generated. Cryogenic air separation is the only available technology that can provide the required amount of O2, but this process requires large amounts of energy and is costly, which make its large‐scales implementation difficult.

RESULTS

In this framework, oxygen transport membranes are being researched as an O2 supplier unit because they offer advantages from a techno‐economic view point. In the present work, the thermochemical stabilities of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 and Cobalt‐doped Ce0.9Gd0.1O were evaluated to obtain information on their behavior in oxy‐combustion atmospheres. Experiments were performed in a circulating fluidized bed boiler of a pilot plant using an experimental sampling train. Samples of the two materials were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray fluorescence, infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The results revealed that both materials were susceptible to the presence of species that originated from flue gas, materials comprising the boiler and ducts, and coal ash, and that the CGO_Co material showed better performance than the other studied material. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Differences in HIV cure clinical trial preferences of French people living with HIV and physicians in the ANRS‐APSEC study: a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Protiere Christel , Arnold Michael , Fiorentino Marion , Fressard Lisa , Lelièvre Jean D , Mimi Mohamed , Raffi François , Mora Marion , Meyer Laurence , Sagaon‐Teyssier Luis , Zucman David , Préau Marie , Lambotte Olivier , Spire Bruno , Suzan‐Monti Marie ,   the APSEC Study Group
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Despite the advent of HIV cure‐related clinical trials (HCRCT) for people living with HIV (PLWH), the risks and uncertainty involved raise ethical issues. Although research has provided insights into the levers and barriers to PLWH and physicians' participation in these trials, no information exists about stakeholders' preferences for HCRCT attributes, about the different ways PLWH and physicians value future HCRCT, or about how personal characteristics affect these preferences. The results from the present study will inform researchers' decisions about the most suitable HCRCT strategies to implement, and help them ensure ethical recruitment and well‐designed informed consent.

Methods

Between October 2016 and March 2017, a discrete choice experiment was conducted among 195 virally controlled PLWH and 160 physicians from 24 French HIV centres. Profiles within each group, based on individual characteristics, were obtained using hierarchical clustering. Trade‐offs between five HCRCT attributes (trial duration, consultation frequency, moderate (digestive disorders, flu‐type syndrome, fatigue) and severe (allergy, infections, risk of cancer) side effects (SE), outcomes) and utilities associated with four HCRCT candidates (latency reactivation, immunotherapy, gene therapy and a combination of latency reactivation and immunotherapy), were estimated using a mixed logit model.

Results

Apart from severe SE – the most decisive attribute in both groups – PLWH and physicians made different trade‐offs between HCRCT attributes, the latter being more concerned about outcomes, the former about the burden of participation (consultation frequency and moderate SE). These different trades‐offs resulted in differences in preferences regarding the four candidate HCRCT. PLWH significantly preferred immunotherapy, whereas physicians preferred immunotherapy and combined therapy. Despite the heterogeneity of characteristics within the PLWH and physician profiles, results show some homogeneity in trade‐offs and utilities regarding HCRCT.

Conclusions

Severe SE, not outcomes, was the most decisive attribute determining future HCRCT participation. Particular attention should be paid to providing clear information, in particular on severe SE, to potential participants. Immunotherapy would appear to be the best HCRCT candidate for both PLWH and physicians. However, if the risk of cancer could be avoided, gene therapy would become the preferred strategy for the latter and the second choice for the former.
Spinal cord atrophy as a measure of severity of myelopathy in adrenoleukodystrophy
Authors: van de Stadt Stephanie I. W. , van Ballegoij Wouter J. C. , Labounek René , Huffnagel Irene C. , Kemp Stephan , Nestrasil Igor , Engelen Marc
Published: February 2020

All men and most women with X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) develop myelopathy in adulthood. As clinical trials with new potential disease‐modifying therapies are emerging, sensitive outcome measures for quantifying myelopathy are needed. This prospective cohort study evaluated spinal cord size (cross‐sectional area ‐ CSA) and shape (eccentricity) as potential new quantitative outcome measures for myelopathy in ALD. Seventy‐four baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, acquired in 42 male ALD patients and 32 age‐matched healthy controls, and 26 follow‐up scans of ALD patients were included in the study. We used routine T1‐weighted MRI sequences to measure mean CSA, eccentricity, right‐left and anteroposterior diameters in the cervical spinal cord. We compared MRI measurements between groups and correlated CSA with clinical outcome measures of disease severity. Longitudinally, we compared MRI measurements between baseline and 1‐year follow‐up. CSA was significantly smaller in patients compared to controls on all measured spinal cord levels (P < .001). The difference was completely explained by the effect of the symptomatic subgroup. Furthermore, the spinal cord showed flattening (higher eccentricity and smaller anteroposterior diameters) in patients. CSA correlated strongly with all clinical measures of severity of myelopathy. There was no detectable change in CSA after 1‐year follow‐up. The cervical spinal cord in symptomatic ALD patients is smaller and flattened compared to controls, possibly due to atrophy of the dorsal columns. CSA is a reliable marker of disease severity and can be a valuable outcome measure in long‐term follow‐up studies in ALD.

Synopsis

A prospective cohort study in 42 adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) patients and 32 controls demonstrated that the spinal cord cross‐sectional area of patients is smaller compared to healthy controls and correlates with severity of myelopathy in patients, hence it could be valuable as a much needed surrogate outcome measure.
Peri‐implant mucositis sites with suppuration have higher microbial risk than sites without suppuration
Authors: Wang Qi , Lu Hongye , Zhang Li , Yan Xia , Zhu Bin , Meng Huanxin
Published: February 2020

Background

The aims of the present study were to compare the microbial differences between peri‐implant mucositis sites with or without suppuration, and to construct a classification model with microbiota.

Methods

Twenty‐four implants with peri‐implant mucositis were divided into suppuration (SUP) group and non‐suppuration (Non‐SUP) group. Clinical assessments of bleeding index, probing depth, suppuration following probing (SUP) were recorded. Submucosal samples were collected from mesiobuccal sites and distobuccal sites, and analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Generalized linear mixed model was used to adjust age, gender, location of implants, and intraindividual correlation.

Results

It was demonstrated that the microbial richness was lower in SUP group. The relative abundance of some pathogenic taxa, such as genera ofFusobacterium,Tannerella, andPeptostreptococcus, were significantly higher in SUP group than Non‐SUP group. In addition, SUP group had less Gram‐positive bacteria, aerobic bacteria, and more metabolic pathway related to life activity. The classification model constructed with 12 genera got a 100% accuracy in identifying sites with or without suppuration.

Conclusions

The results from this study demonstrate a higher pathogenicity of microbiome at peri‐implant mucositis sites with suppuration than without suppuration, which supports suppuration as a clinical indicator for higher microbial risk.
Profiling of carbohydrates in commercial beers and their influence on beer quality
Authors: Li Miaomiao , Du Jinhua , Zhang Kaili
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

The carbohydrates in beer play an important role as they are essential for fermentation. Any change in their composition may influence the sensory characteristics of the beer and so their determination is of great interest. This study compares the carbohydrates in three types of commercial beer – barley malt beer, wheat beer, and barley malt beer with adjuncts – and examines their influence on beer quality, which is important for selecting raw ingredients and production conditions, and for quality control.

RESULTS

Among the oligosaccharides in three types of beer, raffinose was the most, followed by maltotetraose, maltotriose and maltose. Monosaccharides were only present in small amounts. Dextrin, oligosaccharides with 2–6 polymerization degree and non‐starch polysaccharides (NSP) make up 15.90–34.83%, 17.59–38.63%, and 2.33–7.47% of the total carbohydrates in beer, respectively. The dextrin content and NSP content were significantly (P < 0.05) different in wheat beer and barley malt beer, and their content was significantly (P < 0.01) correlated with the content of extracts in beer. Non‐starch polysaccharide, dextrin, trisaccharide, and tetrasaccharide content significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with beer viscosity. These beer samples could be categorized clearly into three groups by principal component analysis.

CONCLUSION

The oligosaccharides in beer reflect yeast utilization, depending on the type of beer. Dextrin, oligosaccharides with 2–4 polymerization, and NSP, were major carbohydrates in beer. Their composition and concentration influenced its characteristics and quality, and played an important role in the discrimination of different beer types. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
No association between dietary acrylamide and renal cell carcinoma: an updated meta‐analysis
Authors: Jiang Feng , Teng Min , Zhu Yan‐Xin , Li Yong‐Jie
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

The relationship between dietary acrylamide intake and renal cell carcinoma risk is inconclusive. In consideration of the recent findings, we conducted an updated meta‐analysis to assess the association between acrylamide intake and renal cell carcinoma risk.

RESULTS

PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases have been used to identify epidemiological studies on dietary acrylamide intake and renal cell carcinoma risk. This meta‐analysis study included eight studies, 2843 cases, and 309 920 controls/participants. We performed meta‐analyses to calculate the summary relative risk (RR) for the highest versus lowest intake of dietary acrylamide. No meaningful association was found for renal cell carcinoma; RR was 1.12 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97–1.28). Among participants who never smoked, no association was found between dietary acrylamide and renal cell carcinoma; the RR for highest versus lowest intake of dietary acrylamide was 1.11 (95% CI: 0.93–1.32).

CONCLUSION

This meta‐analysis study indicates that dietary acrylamide is not related to the risk of renal cell carcinoma. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Multiplexed therapeutic drug monitoring of antipsychotics in dried plasma spots by LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Ruggiero Carla , Ramirez Stefania , Ramazzotti Eric , Mancini Rita , Muratori Roberto , Raggi Maria Augusta , Conti Matteo
Published: February 2020

In this work, a convenient method for the therapeutic monitoring of seven common antipsychotic drugs in “dried plasma spot” samples has been developed. It is based on the liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry technique, operating in multiple reaction monitoring mode, and a straightforward procedure for the simultaneous extraction of all antipsychotics in a single step, with high extraction yield. The method was fully validated with proper accuracy, precision, selectivity and sensitivity, for all the drugs. Limits of quantification were 0.12, 1.09, 1.46, 1.47, 5.70, 1.32, 1.33 µg/L for haloperidol, aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, clozapine, risperidone, and paliperidone, respectively. Accuracy, intra‐ and interday precision values were <10% for all drugs at all concentration levels examined. The method was tested in the analysis of 30 plasma samples from real patients for each drug. The proposed analytical approach, by combining practical and logistical advantages of microsampling with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analytical performance, could offer an ideal strategy for accurate and timely therapeutic drug monitoring of antipsychotic drugs in most clinical settings, even in remote centers and/or in out‐patient settings, bringing so many potential improvements in psychiatric patient care.