bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adipose tissue fatty acids suggest spatial and temporal dietary differences in great cormorants of the Baltic Sea area
Authors: Tverin Malin , Granroth Janne , Abrahamsson Alexander , Tang Patrik , Pihlström Henry , Lundström Karl , Käkelä Reijo
Published: February 2021

Increased numbers of great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) in the Baltic Sea may have local impacts on fisheries and salmonid hatcheries. We studied spatial and temporal variability in cormorant diet, and potential consumption of hatchery salmonids, by analysing knee subcutaneous adipose tissue fatty acids (FA) of specimens (N = 77) collected along Swedish and Finnish coasts in different seasons during 2013–2017. The FA profiles of the subspeciessinensisandcarbowere similar, with large individual variation. The proportion of C18 polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) was the largest in the north, whereas the proportion of C20–22 monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs) increased towards the south, reflecting diminishing freshwater and increasing marine food web characteristics towards the south. As an exception, the C20–22 MUFA percentage was high insinensiscollected in June 2017 from the northern Baltic Sea. The source of C20–22 MUFAs was probably hatchery salmonids, raised on ocean fish hatchery feed and released 10 days before, near the cormorant capture site. The FA profiles of northern and southern cormorants differed from each other both in early and late summer samples, suggesting spatially different diets. The largest individual variation was found in 22:1n-11, characteristic of ocean zooplanktivorous fish, and likely originating from Atlantic wild or Baltic Sea hatchery-reared fish. This study shows that adipose tissue FA profiles can be used as proxies for seabird diet monitoring and indicators of predation on hatchery-reared fish. Obtaining quantitative estimates on the proportions of dietary fish species requires future feeding experiments, allowing calibration between the FA compositions and diet.
Deservingness and Uneven Geographies of Asylum Accommodation
Authors: Novak Paolo
Published: February 2021

The arrival of over six million asylum seekers in Europe since 2011 has engendered profound and ongoing governance transformations, which this article examines through the understudied perspective of asylum seekers’ accommodation. The article uncovers the unevenness of accommodation standards across reception centres in an Italian province, demonstrating how this heterogeneity selectively dis/enables the meaningful participation of asylum seekers in the social life of communities surrounding them. Second, it reveals how the circulation of asylum seekers across these facilities responds to performance-based deservingness criteria. Deservingness functions as a disciplining mechanism that mediates access to better forms of accommodation.
Entwicklung und Validierung eines Kurzfragebogens zur Erfassung eines motivierenden Unterrichtsstils
Authors: Thomas Almut E. , Andreitz Irina
Published: February 2021

Zusammenfassung. Die vorliegende Studie beschreibt die Entwicklung und Validierung eines Kurzfragebogens zur Erfassung eines motivierenden Unterrichtsstils für Schülerinnen und Schüler der fünften bis zwölften Schulstufe (KEMU 5–12) im Sinne der Selbstbestimmungstheorie ( Ryan & Deci, 2020 ). Ein motivierender Unterrichtstil ist durch Autonomieunterstützung und Struktur der Lehrperson gekennzeichnet und kann das Engagement und das psychische Wohlbefinden von Schülerinnen und Schülern steigern. Anhand zweier heterogener Stichproben ( N1 = 1,155, N2 = 1,686) wurden die Faktorenstruktur, die Reliabilität und die valide Interpretierbarkeit der Testwerte des Fragebogens für den Einsatz in Forschungsarbeiten zur Beurteilung von Auswirkungen eines motivierenden Unterrichtsstils sowie zu Gruppenvergleichen untersucht. Indizes zur Beurteilung der Dimensionalität (Percentage of Uncontamined Correlations, Explained Common Variance, Omega Hierarchical) weisen auf einen starken Generalfaktor hin und sprechen dafür, dass eine eindimensionale Modellierung des KEMU 5–12 unverzerrte Schätzungen für Strukturparameter liefert. Die Reliabilität der Skala ist in beiden Stichproben ausgezeichnet (>ω t = .88 und .85). Außerdem konnte skalare Messinvarianz für Geschlecht, Schulstufe, Fach und Erhebungsmethode belegt werden. Die theoriekonformen Korrelationen mit selbstbestimmter Motivation, Flowerleben, schulischem Wohlbefinden, den unterrichtsbezogenen Emotionen Freude, Angst, Ärger und Langeweile sowie mit Noten sprechen für eine valide Interpretierbarkeit der Testwerte in den genannten Einsatzbereichen. Mit dem KEMU 5–12 kann somit ein motivierender Unterrichtsstil reliabel, valide und ökonomisch erfasst werden.
Neurodidaktik – berufliches Lehren und Lernen im neurowissenschaftlichen Diskurs
Authors: Thiel Tobias , Koch Sebastian
Published: February 2021

Zusammenfassung. Die stetig wachsenden Erkenntnisse der Hirnforschung und damit einhergehend der Lernpsychologie erfordern einen Paradigmenwechsel methodisch-didaktischer Altbestände. Omnipräsent hierbei sind Diskussionen über den Phänotyp der Leistungsbewertung oder auch den Unterrichtszeiten. Lehrende der Zukunft werden gleichzeitig Coaches. Neurodidaktik liefert hierbei den Ausgangspunkt methodisch-didaktischer Veränderungen auf Basis wachsender Erkenntnisse der Hirnforschung.
Neurodidaktische Methoden
Authors: Besser Ralf
Published: February 2021

Zusammenfassung. In dem Beitrag wird ausgehend von sechs wichtigen Verarbeitungsmustern des Gehirns jeweils eine konkrete methodische Ableitung beschrieben. Die Methoden fokussieren dabei auf die Strategie, dass es neurobiologisch neben der kognitiven Vermittlung vor allem auf Reflexion- und Integrationsrituale ankommt, damit das Wissen in die Persönlichkeitsstruktur der Lernenden verankert wird.
Virtuelle Lerneinheiten erstellen
Authors: Kerres Andrea , Wissing Christiane
Published: February 2021

Zusammenfassung. Ausgehend von der Ausschreibung der virtuellen Hochschule Bayerns (vhb, 2019) sich an dem Projekt SMART vhb zu beteiligen, entwickelten wir ein Projekt für den Studiengang Pflegepädagogik an der Katholischen Stiftungshochschule (KSH) München. Zusammen mit den Studierenden wurden entsprechende virtuelle Lerneinheiten u. a. für Lehrende an einer Berufsfachschule für Gesundheits- und Krankenpflege erstellt. Die Evaluationsergebnisse des Projektes weisen durchgängig gute Rückmeldungen auf.
Schulungskonzept für Lernbegleitende auf interprofessionellen Ausbildungsstationen
Authors: Bode Sebastian FN , Hinrichs Jutta , Ballnus Rene , Straub Christine , Mette Mira
Published: February 2021

Zusammenfassung. Interprofessionelle Ausbildungsstationen (IPAs) ermöglichen Lernenden verschiedener Gesundheitsberufe gemeinsame Verantwortungsübernahme für Patient_innen. Hierfür ist eine fachliche und interprofessionelle Lernbegleitung erforderlich. Nach den Schulungskonzepten der IPAs in Freiburg und Mannheim wurde ein, auch auf andere Standorte übertragbares, Konzept für eine Lernbegleitungsschulung auf IPAs entwickelt.
Sex dimorphism in inflammatory response to obesity in childhood
Authors: Simoes Estefania , Correia-Lima Joanna , Sardas Leonardo , Storti Felipe , Otani Thais Zélia dos Santos , Vasques Daniel Augusto Correa , Otani Victor Henrique Oyamada , Bertolazzi Pamela , Kochi Cristiane , Seelaender Marilia , Uchida Ricardo Riyoiti
Published: February 2021

Background

Childhood overweight and obesity are a global concern, with prevalence rising dramatically over the last decades. The condition is caused by an increase in energy intake and reduction of physical activity, leading to excessive fat accumulation, followed by systemic chronic inflammation and altered function of immune cell responses. This study aimed at providing new insights regarding sex-specificity on the inflammatory response to obesity in the young patient.

Design

Forty-three Brazilian obese adolescents (Female = 22 and Male=21, BMI (body mass index) Z-score average = 2.78 ± 0.51) and forty-nine eutrophic adolescents (Female = 24 and Male = 25, BMI Z-score average = −0.35 ± 0.88) were enrolled in the study. Anthropometrical analyses and blood cell counts were carried out. Using Luminex®xMAP™ technology, circulating serum cytokines, chemokines, and inflammatory biomarkers were analyzed. Two-way ANOVA test, Tukey’s test, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient were employed, with a significance threshold set at p < 0.05.

Results

We identified increased levels of serum amyloid A (SAA), platelets, and leukocytes solely in male obese patients. We found a noteworthy sex-dependent pattern in regard to inflammatory response: obese boys showed higher TNFβ, IL15, and IL2 and lower IL10 and IL13, while obese girls showed increased TNFα, CCL3, CCL4, and IP10 content in the circulation. BMI Z-score was significantly linearly correlated with neutrophils, leukocytes, platelets, SAA, TNFα, CCL3, CCL4, IP10, and IL13 levels within the entire cohort (non-sex-dependent).

Conclusions

Our data support a complex relationship between adiposity, blood cell count, and circulating inflammatory cytokine content. High SAA levels suggest that this factor may play a critical role in local and systemic inflammation. In the eutrophic group, females presented a lower status of inflammation, as compared to males. Both obese boys and girls showed an increased inflammatory response in relation to eutrophic counterparts. Taken together, results point out to clear sex dimorphism in the inflammatory profile of obese adolescents.
Correction: Appetite disinhibition rather than hunger explains genetic effects on adult BMI trajectory
Authors: Brunner Eric J. , Maruyama Koutatsu , Shipley Martin , Cable Noriko , Iso Hiroyasu , Hiyoshi Ayako , Stallone Daryth , Kumari Meena , Tabak Adam , Singh-Manoux Archana , Wilson John , Langenberg Claudia , Wareham Nick , Boniface David , Hingorani Aroon , Kivimäki Mika , Llewellyn Clare
Published: February 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-021-00770-0
The P-factor and its genomic and neural equivalents: an integrated perspective
Authors: Sprooten Emma , Franke Barbara , Greven Corina U.
Published: February 2021

Different psychiatric disorders and symptoms are highly correlated in the general population. A general psychopathology factor (or “P-factor”) has been proposed to efficiently describe this covariance of psychopathology. Recently, genetic and neuroimaging studies also derived general dimensions that reflect densely correlated genomic and neural effects on behaviour and psychopathology. While these three types of general dimensions show striking parallels, it is unknown how they are conceptually related. Here, we provide an overview of these three general dimensions, and suggest a unified interpretation of their nature and underlying mechanisms. We propose that the general dimensions reflect, in part, a combination of heritable ‘environmental’ factors, driven by a dense web of gene-environment correlations. This perspective calls for an update of the traditional endophenotype framework, and encourages methodological innovations to improve models of gene-brain-environment relationships in all their complexity. We propose concrete approaches, which by taking advantage of the richness of current large databases will help to better disentangle the complex nature of causal factors underlying psychopathology.
MAP2 is differentially phosphorylated in schizophrenia, altering its function
Authors: Grubisha M. J. , Sun X. , MacDonald M. L. , Garver M. , Sun Z. , Paris K. A. , Patel D. S. , DeGiosio R. A. , Lewis D. A. , Yates N. A. , Camacho C. , Homanics G. E. , Ding Y. , Sweet R. A.
Published: February 2021

Schizophrenia (Sz) is a highly polygenic disorder, with common, rare, and structural variants each contributing only a small fraction of overall disease risk. Thus, there is a need to identify downstream points of convergence that can be targeted with therapeutics. Reduction of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) immunoreactivity (MAP2-IR) is present in individuals with Sz, despite no change in MAP2 protein levels. MAP2 is phosphorylated downstream of multiple receptors and kinases identified as Sz risk genes, altering its immunoreactivity and function. Using an unbiased phosphoproteomics approach, we quantified 18 MAP2 phosphopeptides, 9 of which were significantly altered in Sz subjects. Network analysis grouped MAP2 phosphopeptides into three modules, each with a distinct relationship to dendritic spine loss, synaptic protein levels, and clinical function in Sz subjects. We then investigated the most hyperphosphorylated site in Sz, phosphoserine1782 (pS1782). Computational modeling predicted phosphorylation of S1782 reduces binding of MAP2 to microtubules, which was confirmed experimentally. We generated a transgenic mouse containing a phosphomimetic mutation at S1782 (S1782E) and found reductions in basilar dendritic length and complexity along with reduced spine density. Because only a limited number of MAP2 interacting proteins have been previously identified, we combined co-immunoprecipitation with mass spectrometry to characterize the MAP2 interactome in mouse brain. The MAP2 interactome was enriched for proteins involved in protein translation. These associations were shown to be functional as overexpression of wild type and phosphomimetic MAP2 reduced protein synthesis in vitro. Finally, we found that Sz subjects with low MAP2-IR had reductions in the levels of synaptic proteins relative to nonpsychiatric control (NPC) subjects and to Sz subjects with normal and MAP2-IR, and this same pattern was recapitulated in S1782E mice. These findings suggest a new conceptual framework for Sz—that a large proportion of individuals have a “MAP2opathy”—in which MAP function is altered by phosphorylation, leading to impairments of neuronal structure, synaptic protein synthesis, and function.
Serotonin depletion amplifies distinct human social emotions as a function of individual differences in personality
Authors: Kanen Jonathan W. , Arntz Fréderique E. , Yellowlees Robyn , Cardinal Rudolf N. , Price Annabel , Christmas David M. , Apergis-Schoute Annemieke M. , Sahakian Barbara J. , Robbins Trevor W.
Published: February 2021

Serotonin is involved in a wide range of mental capacities essential for navigating the social world, including emotion and impulse control. Much recent work on serotonin and social functioning has focused on decision-making. Here we investigated the influence of serotonin on human emotional reactions to social conflict. We used a novel computerised task that required mentally simulating social situations involving unjust harm and found that depleting the serotonin precursor tryptophan—in a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled design—enhanced emotional responses to the scenarios in a large sample of healthy volunteers (n = 73), and interacted with individual differences in trait personality to produce distinctive human emotions. Whereas guilt was preferentially elevated in highly empathic participants, annoyance was potentiated in those high in trait psychopathy, with medium to large effect sizes. Our findings show how individual differences in personality, when combined with fluctuations of serotonin, may produce diverse emotional phenotypes. This has implications for understanding vulnerability to psychopathology, determining who may be more sensitive to serotonin-modulating treatments, and casts new light on the functions of serotonin in emotional processing.
Study of micro-trichome (mict) reveals novel connections between transcriptional regulation of multicellular trichome development and specific metabolism in cucumber
Authors: Pan Jian , Zhang Leyu , Chen Guanqun , Wen Haifan , Chen Yue , Du Hui , Zhao Junlong , He Huanle , Lian Hongli , Chen Huiming , Shi Jianxin , Cai Run , Wang Gang , Pan Junsong
Published: February 2021

Trichomes that cover the epidermis of aerial plant organs play multiple roles in plant protection. Compared with a unicellular trichome in model plants, the development mechanism of the multicellular trichome is largely unclear. Notably, variations in trichome development are often accompanied by defects in the biosynthesis of cuticle and secondary metabolites; however, major questions about the interactions between developmental differences in trichomes and defects in metabolic pathways remain unanswered. Here, we characterized the glabrous mutantmict/csgl1/cstbhvia combined metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses to extend our limited knowledge regarding multicellular trichome development and metabolism in cucumber.Mictwas found to be explicitly expressed within trichome cells. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that genes involved in flavonoid and cuticle metabolism are significantly downregulated inmictmutants. Further metabolomic analysis confirmed that flavonoids, lipids, and cuticle compositions are dramatically altered inmictmutants. Additional studies revealed thatMictregulates flavonoid, lipid, and cuticle biosynthesis by likely directly binding to downstream functional genes, such asCsTT4,CsFLS1,CsCER26, andCsMYB36. These findings suggest that specific metabolic pathways (e.g., flavonoids and cuticle components) are co-regulated byMictand provide insights into transcriptional regulation mechanisms of multicellular trichome development and its specific metabolism in cucumber.
The apple 14-3-3 protein MdGRF11 interacts with the BTB protein MdBT2 to regulate nitrate deficiency-induced anthocyanin accumulation
Authors: Ren Yi-Ran , Zhao Qiang , Yang Yu-Ying , Zhang Tian-En , Wang Xiao-Fei , You Chun-Xiang , Hao Yu-Jin
Published: February 2021

Nitrogen is an important factor that affects plant anthocyanin accumulation. In apple, the nitrate-responsive BTB/TAZ protein MdBT2 negatively regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis. In this study, we found that MdBT2 undergoes posttranslational modifications in response to nitrate deficiency. Yeast two-hybrid, protein pull-down, and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays showed that MdBT2 interacts with MdGRF11, a 14-3-3 protein; 14-3-3 proteins compose a family of highly conserved phosphopeptide-binding proteins involved in multiple physiological and biological processes. The interaction of MdGRF11 negatively regulated the stability of the MdBT2 protein via a 26S proteasome-dependent pathway, which increased the abundance of MdMYB1 proteins to activate the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis-related genes. Taken together, the results demonstrate the critical role of 14-3-3 proteins in the regulation of nitrate deficiency-induced anthocyanin accumulation. Our results provide a novel avenue to elucidate the mechanism underlying the induction of anthocyanin biosynthesis in response to nitrate deficiency.
Genetic characterization of an almond germplasm collection and volatilome profiling of raw and roasted kernels
Authors: Di Guardo M. , Farneti B. , Khomenko I. , Modica G. , Mosca A. , Distefano G. , Bianco L. , Troggio M. , Sottile F. , La Malfa S. , Biasioli F. , Gentile A.
Published: February 2021

Almond is appreciated for its nutraceutical value and for the aromatic profile of the kernels. In this work, an almond collection composed of 96 Sicilian accessions complemented with 10 widely cultivated cultivars was phenotyped for the production of volatile organic compounds using a proton-transfer time-of-flight mass spectrometer and genotyped using the Illumina Infinium®18 K Peach SNP array. The profiling of the aroma was carried out on fresh and roasted kernels enabling the detection of 150 mass peaks. Sixty eight, for the most related with sulfur compounds, furan containing compounds, and aldehydes formed by Strecker degradation, significantly increased during roasting, while the concentration of fifty-four mass peaks, for the most belonging to alcohols and terpenes, significantly decreased. Four hundred and seventy-one robust SNPs were selected and employed for population genetic studies. Structure analysis detected three subpopulations with the Sicilian accessions characterized by a different genetic stratification compared to those collected in Apulia (South Italy) and the International cultivars. The linkage-disequilibrium (LD) decay across the genome was equal tor2 = 0.083. Furthermore, a high level of collinearity (r2 = 0.96) between almond and peach was registered confirming the high synteny between the two genomes. A preliminary application of a genome-wide association analysis allowed the detection of significant marker-trait associations for 31 fresh and 33 roasted almond mass peaks respectively. An accurate genetic and phenotypic characterization of novel germplasm can represent a valuable tool for the set-up of marker-assisted selection of novel cultivars with an enhanced aromatic profile.
Breath can discriminate tuberculosis from other lower respiratory illness in children
Authors: Bobak Carly A. , Kang Lili , Workman Lesley , Bateman Lindy , Khan Mohammad S. , Prins Margaretha , May Lloyd , Franchina Flavio A. , Baard Cynthia , Nicol Mark P. , Zar Heather J. , Hill Jane E.
Published: February 2021

Pediatric tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health crisis. Despite progress, pediatric patients remain difficult to diagnose, with approximately half of all childhood TB patients lacking bacterial confirmation. In this pilot study (n = 31), we identify a 4-compound breathprint and subsequent machine learning model that accurately classifies children with confirmed TB (n = 10) from children with another lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) (n = 10) with a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 100% observed across cross validation folds. Importantly, we demonstrate that the breathprint identified an additional nine of eleven patients who had unconfirmed clinical TB and whose symptoms improved while treated for TB. While more work is necessary to validate the utility of using patient breath to diagnose pediatric TB, it shows promise as a triage instrument or paired as part of an aggregate diagnostic scheme.
Cyclophosphamide exposure assessed with the biomarker phosphoramide mustard-hemoglobin in breast cancer patients: The TailorDose I study
Authors: Gernaat S. A. M. , von Stedingk H. , Hassan M. , Nilsson H. P. , Rodriguez-Wallberg K. A. , Hedayati E. , Rydberg P.
Published: February 2021

Cyclophosphamide (CPA) dosing by body surface area (BSA, m2) has been questioned as a predictor for individual drug exposure. This study investigated phosphoramide mustard-hemoglobin (PAM-Hb, pmol g−1Hb) as a biomarker of CPA exposure in 135 female breast cancer patients receiving CPA during three courses based on BSA: 500 mg/m2(C500 group, n = 67) or 600 mg/m2(C600 group, n = 68). The inter-individual difference was calculated for both groups by dividing the highest through the lowest PAM-Hb value of each course. The inter-occasion difference was calculated in percentage for each individual by dividing their PAM-Hb value through the group mean per course, and subsequently dividing this ratio of the latter through the previous course. A multivariable linear regression (MLR) was performed to identify factors that explained the variation of PAM-Hb. During the three courses, the inter-individual difference changed from 3.5 to 2.1 and the inter-occasion difference ranged between 13.3% and 11.9% in the C500 group. In the C600 group, the inter-individual difference changed from 2.7 to 2.9 and the inter-occasion difference ranged between 14.1% and 11.7%. The MLR including BSA, age, GFR, and albumin explained 17.1% of the variation of PAM-Hb and was significantly better then the model including only BSA. These factors should be considered when calculating the first dose of CPA for breast cancer patients.
A multilevel assessment of the social determinants associated with the late stage diagnosis of breast cancer
Authors: de Oliveira Nayara Priscila Dantas , de Camargo Cancela Marianna , Martins Luís Felipe Leite , de Souza Dyego Leandro Bezerra
Published: February 2021

The advanced-stage diagnosis of breast cancer reveals the inequalities associated with socioeconomic conditions and the offer of health services. This study analyzes the prevalence of advanced breast cancer and its relationship with individual and contextual socioeconomic indicators and offer of health service. A cross-sectional study is presented herein, on the assessment of malignant breast neoplasms in women diagnosed between 2006 and 2015 (n = 195,201). Data were collected from the Hospital Cancer Registry (HCR), Atlas of Human Development in Brazil, and from the National Registry of Health Institutions (NRHI). A multilevel Poisson Regression was carried out with random intercept. The prevalence of advanced breast cancer diagnosis was 40.0%. Advanced staging was associated with younger age groups (PR 1.41), race/nonwhite (PR 1.13), lower education levels (PR 1.38), and public access to health services (PR 1.25). There was also an association with a low density of mammographic equipment (PR 1.08), and with low indices of local social inequality (PR 1.33) and human development (PR 0.80). This study maps and highlights the causes related to inequalities in the diagnosis of advanced breast cancer in Brazil, and presents essential data to reorient public policies and health-related actions to strengthen the control of breast cancer in Brazil.
Value of Patlak Ki images from 18F-FDG-PET/CT for evaluation of the relationships between disease activity and clinical events in cardiac sarcoidosis
Authors: Nakajo Masatoyo , Ojima Satoko , Kawakami Hirofumi , Tani Atsushi , Hirayama Akira , Jinguji Megumi , Kubozono Takuro , Ohishi Mitsuru , Yoshiura Takashi
Published: February 2021

The association between 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) myocardial uptake and clinical presentations in cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) has not yet been clarified. The Patlak slope, Ki, which represents the rate of 18F-FDG uptake is a quantitative index of 18F-FDG metabolism. This study aims to investigate the usefulness of standardized uptake value (SUV) and Patlak Ki images (Ki images) extracted from dynamic 18F-FDG-PET/CT for evaluating the risk of clinical events (CEs) in CS. The SUV and Ki myocardial images were generated from 30 dynamic 18F-FDG-PET/CT scans of 21 CS patients. The SUV and Ki images both were rated as positive in 19 scans and negative in 11 scans with the same incidence of CEs which were significantly higher in positive than negative scans [cardiac dysfunction: 78.9% (15/19) vs. 27.2% (3/11); arrhythmic events: 65.5% (10/19) vs. 0% (0/11)]. In 19 positive scans, the three Ki parameters (Ki max, Ki mean and Ki volume) were significantly higher in scans for patients with arrhythmic events than in those without. Logistic regression analysis showed that the Ki volume alone was significantly associated with the risk of arrhythmic events. Our study suggests that Ki images may add value to SUV images for evaluating the risk of CEs in CS patients.
Glycolate combats massive oxidative stress by restoring redox potential in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Diez Veronica , Traikov Sofia , Schmeisser Kathrin , Adhikari Akshay Kumar Das , Kurzchalia Teymuras Vakhtang
Published: February 2021

Upon exposure to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), organismal survival depends on the strength of the endogenous antioxidant defense barriers that prevent mitochondrial and cellular deterioration. Previously, we showed that glycolic acid can restore the mitochondrial membrane potential of C. elegans treated with paraquat, an oxidant that produces superoxide and other ROS species, including hydrogen peroxide. Here, we demonstrate that glycolate fully suppresses the deleterious effects of peroxide on mitochondrial activity and growth in worms. This endogenous compound acts by entering serine/glycine metabolism. In this way, conversion of glycolate into glycine and serine ameliorates the drastically decreased NADPH/NADP+ and GSH/GSSG ratios induced by H2O2 treatment. Our results reveal the central role of serine/glycine metabolism as a major provider of reducing equivalents to maintain cellular antioxidant systems and the fundamental function of glycolate as a natural antioxidant that improves cell fitness and survival.
Printed aerogels: chemistry, processing, and applications
Authors: Feng Junzong , Su Bao-Lian , Xia Hesheng , Zhao Shanyu , Gao Chao , Wang Lukai , Ogbeide Osarenkhoe , Feng Jian , Hasan Tawfique
Published: February 2021

A rapidly growing interdisciplinary research area combining aerogel and printing technologies that began only five years ago has been comprehensively reviewed.
A graphene-based dengue immunosensor using plant-derived envelope glycoprotein domain III (EDIII) as the novel probe antigen
Authors: Siew Qi Yan , Tan Shi Hui , Pang Ee Leen , Loh Hwei-San , Tan Michelle T. T.
Published: February 2021

A high-performance graphene-based immunosensor using plant-derived DENV EDIII as the novel probe antigen for dengue detection in serum samples.
Multi-frequency single cell electrical impedance measurement for label-free cell viability analysis
Authors: Zhong Jianwei , Yang Dahou , Zhou Yinning , Liang Minhui , Ai Ye
Published: February 2021

We present a novel impedance-based strategy for high-throughput label-free single cell level viability measurement, which provides a promising pathway for real-time in situ cell identification and integration with cell sorting/isolation platforms.
A novel synergistic confinement strategy for controlled synthesis of high-entropy alloy electrocatalysts
Authors: Li Huining , Zhu Han , Shen Qikai , Huang Shaoda , Lu Shuanglong , Ma Piming , Dong Weifu , Du Mingliang
Published: February 2021

A synergetic confinement method is proposed for high-entropy alloy nanoparticles (HEA-NPs) synthesis. Carbon nitride matrix and polydopamine coating contribute to the homogeneous NPs formation. The HEA-NPs show superior electrocatalytic property.
Aβ aggregation behavior at interfaces with switchable wettability: a bioinspired perspective to understand amyloid formation
Authors: Guan Yijia , Yu Dongqin , Sun Hanjun , Ren Jinsong , Qu Xiaogang
Published: February 2021

A PPy/TCA film was used as a model to show that the effect of dynamic wettability strongly influences amyloid formation.
Guest-dependent single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations in porous adamantane-bearing macrocycles
Authors: Hyodo Tadashi , Tominaga Masahide , Yamaguchi Kentaro
Published: February 2021

An adamantane-bearing macrocycle exhibited permanent intrinsic porosity and adsorption of small guests in single-crystal-to-single-crystal fashions. The guest capture resulted in the structural transformations of supramolecular organic frameworks.
Metallic two-dimensional BP2: a high-performance electrode material for Li- and Na-ion batteries
Authors: Ye Xiao-Juan , Xu Jie , Guo Yan-Dong , Liu Chun-Sheng
Published: February 2021

Metallic two-dimensional BP2as a high-performance electrode material for Li- and Na-ion batteries.
On the liquid demixing of water + elastin-like polypeptide mixtures: bimodal re-entrant phase behaviour
Authors: Lindeboom Tom , Zhao Binwu , Jackson George , Hall Carol K. , Galindo Amparo
Published: February 2021

Prediction of a new type of global phase diagram for water + ELP mixtures, featuring bimodal re-entrant liquid–liquid equilibrium.
Atomic/molecular layer deposition for energy storage and conversion
Authors: Zhao Yang , Zhang Lei , Liu Jian , Adair Keegan , Zhao Feipeng , Sun Yipeng , Wu Tianpin , Bi Xuanxuan , Amine Khalil , Lu Jun , Sun Xueliang
Published: February 2021

This review summarizes the achievements of atomic/molecular layer deposition for batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, solar cells, and photoelectrochemical water splitting.
Cast iron drinking water pipe biofilms support diverse microbial communities containing antibiotic resistance genes, metal resistance genes, and class 1 integrons
Authors: Kimbell Lee K. , LaMartina Emily Lou , Kappell Anthony D. , Huo Jingwan , Wang Yin , Newton Ryan J. , McNamara Patrick J.
Published: February 2021

Droplet digital PCR revealed antibiotic resistance genes, metal resistance genes, and intI1 across all pipe biofilm sample types (biomass surfaces, pipe surfaces, corrosion tubercles, and under corrosion tubercles).
A microphysiological early metastatic niche on a chip reveals how heterotypic cell interactions and inhibition of integrin subunit β3 impact breast cancer cell extravasation
Authors: Crippa Martina , Bersini Simone , Gilardi Mara , Arrigoni Chiara , Gamba Sara , Falanga Anna , Candrian Christian , Dubini Gabriele , Vanoni Marco , Moretti Matteo
Published: February 2021

Our microfluidic model of early metastatic niche reproduced the extravasation of breast cancer cells in presence of immune blood cells and allowed us to test the effect of an already approved inhibitor of integrin β3 on cancer cell extravasation.
Bubbles in microfluidics: an all-purpose tool for micromanipulation
Authors: Li Yuyang , Liu Xiaoming , Huang Qiang , Ohta Aaron T. , Arai Tatsuo
Published: February 2021

We critically review the extensive applications and the frontline advances of bubbles in microfluidics for manipulation.
Thermally stable SiO2@TiO2 core@shell nanoparticles for application in photocatalytic self-cleaning ceramic tiles
Authors: Ferreira-Neto Elias P. , Ullah Sajjad , Martinez Vitor P. , Yabarrena Jean M. S. C , Simões Mateus B. , Perissinotto Amanda P. , Wender Heberton , de Vicente Fabio S. , Noeske Paul-Ludwig M. , Ribeiro Sidney J. L. , Rodrigues-Filho Ubirajara P.
Published: February 2021

Ceramic tiles coated with thermally SiO2@TiO2 particles can withstand the high-temperature condition (1000–1140 °C) required for commercial preparation of tiles without losing their excellent photocatalytic/self-cleaning activity.
Cerium-doped bimetal organic framework as a superhigh capacity cathode for rechargeable alkaline batteries
Authors: Li Junpeng , Zhao Guobang , Zhao Hongyang , Zhao Ningning , Lu Leilei , Liu Nailiang , Wang Miao , Ma Chunjie , Zhang Qian , Du Yaping
Published: February 2021

In this work, cerium (Ce)-doped NiCo-MOF (metal organic framework) was investigated for its application as a cathode material of alkaline batteries.
Vapor selenization produced Bi2Se3 nanoparticles in carbon fiber 3D network as binder-free anode for flexible lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Qu Hong-Qing , Yin Hong , Wang Ya-Long , Fan Cheng , Hui Kwun Nam , Li Chong , Zhu Ming-Qiang
Published: February 2021

Bi2Se3 nanoparticles embedded carbon fibers network prepared by electrospinning and selenization in vacuum delivered a large capacity of 443 mA h g-1 after 260 cycles at 100 mA g-1 and a high rate performance as a binder-free flexible anode for LIBs.
Designing a lysosome targeting nanomedicine for pH-triggered enhanced phototheranostics
Authors: Zou Dengfeng , Zhang Aolin , Chen Jianjiao , Chen Zhiqiang , Deng Jun , Li Gang , Zhang Shunlin , Feng Zhe , Feng Jingfei , Yang Jie
Published: February 2021

BDPIN NPs with lysosome targeting ability can be triggered by low pH for enhanced phototheranostics.
Merging radical-polar crossover/cycloisomerization processes: access to polyfunctional furans enabled by metallaphotoredox catalysis
Authors: Liu Yongjun , Luo Wenping , Xia Tingting , Fang Yewen , Du Chan , Jin Xiaoping , Li Yan , Zhang Li , Lei Wan , Wu Hao
Published: February 2021

Metallaphotoredox catalysis for furan synthesis: The cyclisation of yne-enones proceeds smoothly via consecutive reductive radical-polar crossover and cycloisomerization processes enabled by cooperative photoredox-neutral and copper catalysis.
Diverse binding of cationic guests by highly substituted [3 + 3] Schiff-base macrocycles
Authors: Chaudhry Mohammad T. , Soto Miguel A. , Lelj Francesco , MacLachlan Mark J.
Published: February 2021

Schiff-base macrocycles interact with ammonium-based guests to form threaded pseudorotaxanes or unthreaded external complexes, and tautomerize in the process.
Identification of key lipid metabolites during metabolic dysregulation in the diabetic retinopathy disease mouse model and efficacy of Keluoxin capsule using an UHPLC-MS-based non-targeted lipidomics approach
Authors: Ge Nan , Kong Ling , Zhang Ai-hua , Sun Ye , Zhao Man-qian , Zhang Bo , Xu Lei , Ke Xiao , Sun Hui , Wang Xi-jun
Published: February 2021

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an important complication of diabetes, and is currently the main cause of blindness among young adults in the world.
Biohydrogen production from traditional Chinese medicine wastewater in anaerobic packed bed reactor system
Authors: Sun Caiyu , Sheng Tao , Li Lixin , Yang Lisha
Published: February 2021

Three anaerobic bed reactors packed with activated carbon, maifanite and tourmaline were continuously operated for 165 days to generate hydrogen from traditional Chinese medicine wastewater at different loading rates (15.2 to 91.3 g COD L−1 d−1).
Ce3+-enriched spherical porous ceria with an enhanced oxygen storage capacity
Authors: Taniguchi Ayano , Kumabe Yoshitaka , Kan Kai , Ohtani Masataka , Kobiro Kazuya
Published: February 2021

Spherical porous ceria having high content of Ce3+ species was synthesized by the solvothermal method using acetonitrile as a solvent. The spherical porous ceria possesses superior oxygen storage capacity owing to its high Ce3+ contents.
Designing responsive dressings for inflammatory skin disorders; encapsulating antioxidant nanoparticles into biocompatible electrospun fibres
Authors: Brooker Charles , d'Arcy Richard , Mele Elisa , Willcock Helen
Published: February 2021

Antioxidant polysulfide nanoparticles can be electrospun within nanofibre scaffold patches to provide anti-inflammatory action.
Untangling the respective effects of heteroatom-doped carbon materials in batteries, supercapacitors and the ORR to design high performance materials
Authors: Feng Xin , Bai Ying , Liu Mingquan , Li Ying , Yang Haoyi , Wang Xinran , Wu Chuan
Published: February 2021

Heteroatom-doped carbon materials (HDCMs) have been widely studied as some of the most prominent material candidates for use in a wide range of applications, such as batteries, supercapacitors (SCs), and the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).
Three in one sensor: a fluorometric, colorimetric and paper based probe for the selective detection of mercury(ii)
Authors: Ergun Emine Gul Cansu
Published: February 2021

A new fluorometric, colorimetric and paper-based probe for the selective detection of mercury(ii) with a detection limit of 8.0 ppm.
The structure and function of protein kinase C-related kinases (PRKs)
Authors: Sophocleous Georgios , Owen Darerca , Mott Helen R.
Published: February 2021

The protein kinase C-related kinase (PRK) family of serine/threonine kinases, PRK1, PRK2 and PRK3, are effectors for the Rho family small G proteins. An array of studies have linked these kinases to multiple signalling pathways and physiological roles, but while PRK1 is relatively well-characterized, the entire PRK family remains understudied. Here, we provide a holistic overview of the structure and function of PRKs and describe the molecular events that govern activation and autoregulation of catalytic activity, including phosphorylation, protein interactions and lipid binding. We begin with a structural description of the regulatory and catalytic domains, which facilitates the understanding of their regulation in molecular detail. We then examine their diverse physiological roles in cytoskeletal reorganization, cell adhesion, chromatin remodelling, androgen receptor signalling, cell cycle regulation, the immune response, glucose metabolism and development, highlighting isoform redundancy but also isoform specificity. Finally, we consider the involvement of PRKs in pathologies, including cancer, heart disease and bacterial infections. The abundance of PRK-driven pathologies suggests that these enzymes will be good therapeutic targets and we briefly report some of the progress to date.
Endothelial response to glucose: dysfunction, metabolism, and transport
Authors: Clyne Alisa Morss
Published: February 2021

The endothelial cell response to glucose plays an important role in both health and disease. Endothelial glucose-induced dysfunction was first studied in diabetic animal models and in cells cultured in hyperglycemia. Four classical dysfunction pathways were identified, which were later shown to result from the common mechanism of mitochondrial superoxide overproduction. More recently, non-coding RNA, extracellular vesicles, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors were shown to affect glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial cells also metabolize glucose for their own energetic needs. Research over the past decade highlighted how manipulation of endothelial glycolysis can be used to control angiogenesis and microvascular permeability in diseases such as cancer. Finally, endothelial cells transport glucose to the cells of the blood vessel wall and to the parenchymal tissue. Increasing evidence from the blood-brain barrier and peripheral vasculature suggests that endothelial cells regulate glucose transport through glucose transporters that move glucose from the apical to the basolateral side of the cell. Future studies of endothelial glucose response should begin to integrate dysfunction, metabolism and transport into experimental and computational approaches that also consider endothelial heterogeneity, metabolic diversity, and parenchymal tissue interactions.
ROOSTER: a machine-learning analysis tool for Kepler stellar rotation periods
Authors: Breton S. N. , Santos A. R. G. , Bugnet L. , Mathur S. , García R. A. , Pallé P. L.
Published: February 2021

In order to understand stellar evolution, it is crucial to efficiently determine stellar surface rotation periods. Indeed, while they are of great importance in stellar models, angular momentum transport processes inside stars are still poorly understood today. Surface rotation, which is linked to the age of the star, is one of the constraints needed to improve the way those processes are modelled. Statistics of the surface rotation periods for a large sample of stars of different spectral types are thus necessary. An efficient tool to automatically determine reliable rotation periods is needed when dealing with large samples of stellar photometric datasets. The objective of this work is to develop such a tool. For this purpose, machine learning classifiers constitute relevant bases to build our new methodology. Random forest learning abilities are exploited to automate the extraction of rotation periods in Kepler light curves. Rotation periods and complementary parameters are obtained via three different methods: a wavelet analysis, the autocorrelation function of the light curve, and the composite spectrum. We trained three different classifiers: one to detect if rotational modulations are present in the light curve, one to flag close binary or classical pulsators candidates that can bias our rotation period determination, and finally one classifier to provide the final rotation period. We tested our machine learning pipeline on 23 431 stars of the Kepler K and M dwarf reference rotation catalogue for which 60% of the stars have been visually inspected. For the sample of 21 707 stars where all the input parameters are provided to the algorithm, 94.2% of them are correctly classified (as rotating or not). Among the stars that have a rotation period in the reference catalogue, the machine learning provides a period that agrees within 10% of the reference value for 95.3% of the stars. Moreover, the yield of correct rotation periods is raised to 99.5% after visually inspecting 25.2% of the stars. Over the two main analysis steps, rotation classification and period selection, the pipeline yields a global agreement with the reference values of 92.1% and 96.9% before and after visual inspection. Random forest classifiers are efficient tools to determine reliable rotation periods in large samples of stars. The methodology presented here could be easily adapted to extract surface rotation periods for stars with different spectral types or observed by other instruments such as K2, TESS or by PLATO in the near future.
Untergrenzen = Obergrenzen?
Authors: Bechtel Peter
Published: February 2021

Pünktlich zu Beginn des neuen Jahres werden uns für vier weitere Bereiche der Personaluntergrenzen beschert. Sinnvoll oder eine schöne Bescherung? Mehr dazu im Kommentar von Peter Bechtel, dem Vorsitzenden im Bundesverband Pflegemanagement.
Competition, Productive Capabilities and Structural Transformation in South Africa
Authors: Mondliwa Pamela , Goga Sumayya , Roberts Simon
Published: February 2021

Competition law has been promoted across developing countries as part of a market liberalisation package which is premised on a neo-classical model of competition, privileging static allocative efficiency and largely ignoring production. This article critiques this approach through an assessment of its application in South Africa where substantial weight was given to competition law. Building on the critical assessment, the article proposes an alternative framework based on the conception of ‘optimal competition’ of Amsden and Singh (The optimal degree of competition and dynamic efficiency in Japan and Korea. Eur Econ Rev 38:940–951, 1994). It does this through assessing the relationship between competitive rivalry, productive investment and the development of capabilities in two key industry groupings in South Africa, metals and machinery, and plastics and chemicals. We argue that the failure to develop diversified production capabilities in South Africa reflects the entrenched incumbent firm advantages and the lack of a coordinated policy agenda which proceeds from a recognition of economic power and the need to reshape markets to alter competitive rivalry. An optimal competition framework allows analysis of dynamic rivalry and capabilities development.
Extended ⋁-systems and trigonometric solutions to the WDVV equations
Authors: Stedman Richard , Strachan Ian A. B.
Published: February 2021

Rational solutions of the Witten–Dijkgraaf–Verlinde–Verlinde (or WDVV) equations of associativity are given in terms of configurations of vectors, which satisfy certain algebraic conditions known as ⋁-conditions [A. P. Veselov, Phys. Lett. A 261, 297–302 (1999)]. The simplest examples of such configurations are the root systems of finite Coxeter groups. In this paper, conditions are derived that ensure that an extended configuration—a configuration in a space one-dimension higher—satisfies these ⋁-conditions. Such a construction utilizes the notion of a small orbit, as defined in Serganova [Commun. Algebra, 24, 4281–4299 (1996)]. Symmetries of such resulting solutions to the WDVV equations are studied, in particular, Legendre transformations. It is shown that these Legendre transformations map extended-rational solutions to trigonometric solutions, and for certain values of the free data, one obtains a transformation from extended ⋁-systems to the trigonometric almost-dual solutions corresponding to the classical extended affine Weyl groups.
Modulating the transport property of flexible La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 thin film by mechanical bending
Authors: Hua Wentao , Lu Lu , Shen Lvkang , Jin Jing , Wang He , Liu Ming , Ma Chunrui , Jia Chun-Lin
Published: February 2021

Flexible epitaxial La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 (LCMO) thin films are fabricated on an SrTiO3 buffered (001)-oriented fluorophlogopite substrate. The metal-to-insulator transition tends toward lower temperature when subjected to mechanical bending. Moreover, the transport behavior of the bent LCMO films in the insulating region follows the variable range hopping model and the resistivity increases with the reduction in the bending curvature radii because the applied strain aggravates the distortion of the LCMO crystal structure, decreases the hopping distance, and, hence, impedes the transport of charge carriers. The resistivity change induced by the mechanical bending can go up to 104% at 100 K and 105% at 10 K. Such a large resistivity change makes the flexible LCMO thin film promising as a mechanical-bending switch device at low temperature.