bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil therapy in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Songwisit Sakdipat , Kosiyakul Punchika , Jitprapaikulsan Jiraporn , Prayoonwiwat Naraporn , Ungprasert Patompong , Siritho Sasitorn
Published: October 2020

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immunosuppressive agent (IS) which is widely prescribed in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients. We aim to assess the efficacy and safety of MMF in controlling relapse and disease severity. Eligible studies obtained from the EMBASE and Ovid MEDLINE databases were studies of NMOSD patients treated with MMF, which reported treatment outcomes as Annualized Relapse Rate (ARR) or Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) before and after treatment. Fifteen studies included 1047 patients, of whom 915 (87.4%) were aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin seropositive. The total number of patients that received MMF was 799. A meta-analysis on ARR was conducted in 200 patients from 4 studies and on EDSS in 158 patients from 3 studies. The result showed a significant improvement with a mean reduction of 1.13 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60–1.65] in ARR, and a mean reduction of 0.85 (95% CI 0.36–1.34) in EDSS after MMF therapy. Adverse events occurred in 106 (17.8%) of 594 patients during MMF therapy. This systematic review and meta-analysis showed that using MMF as a preventive therapy in NMOSD patients can significantly reduce relapse rates and improve disease severity with acceptable tolerability.
Negative binomial mixed models for analyzing longitudinal CD4 count data
Authors: Yirga Ashenafi A. , Melesse Sileshi F. , Mwambi Henry G. , Ayele Dawit G.
Published: October 2020

It is of great interest for a biomedical analyst or an investigator to correctly model the CD4 cell count or disease biomarkers of a patient in the presence of covariates or factors determining the disease progression over time. The Poisson mixed-effects models (PMM) can be an appropriate choice for repeated count data. However, this model is not realistic because of the restriction that the mean and variance are equal. Therefore, the PMM is replaced by the negative binomial mixed-effects model (NBMM). The later model effectively manages the over-dispersion of the longitudinal data. We evaluate and compare the proposed models and their application to the number of CD4 cells of HIV-Infected patients recruited in the CAPRISA 002 Acute Infection Study. The results display that the NBMM has appropriate properties and outperforms the PMM in terms of handling over-dispersion of the data. Multiple imputation techniques are also used to handle missing values in the dataset to get valid inferences for parameter estimates. In addition, the results imply that the effect of baseline BMI, HAART initiation, baseline viral load, and the number of sexual partners were significantly associated with the patient’s CD4 count in both fitted models. Comparison, discussion, and conclusion of the results of the fitted models complete the study.
Adrenomedullin and truncated peptide adrenomedullin(22-52) affect chondrocyte response to apoptotis in vitro: downregulation of FAS protects chondrocyte from cell death
Authors: Velard Frédéric , Chatron-Colliet Aurore , Côme Dominique , Ah-Kioon Marie-Dominique , Lin Hilène , Hafsia Narjes , Cohen-Solal Martine , Ea Hang-Korng , Lioté Frédéric
Published: October 2020

Chondrocyte apoptosis may have a pivotal role in the development of osteoarthritis. Interest has increased in the use of anti-apoptotic compounds to protect against osteoarthritis development. In this work, we investigated the effect of adrenomedullin (AM), a 52 amino-acid hormone peptide, and a 31 amino-acid truncated form, AM(22-52), on chondrocyte apoptosis. Bovine articular chondrocytes (BACs) were cultured under hypoxic conditions to mimic cartilage environment and then treated with Fas ligand (Fas-L) to induce apoptosis. The expression of AM and its calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR)/receptor activity-modifying protein (RAMP) (receptor/co-receptor) was assessed by immunostaining. We evaluated the effect of AM and AM(22-52) on Fas-L-induced chondrocyte apoptosis. FAS expression was appreciated by RT-qPCR and immunostainings. The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), CLR and one co-receptor (RAMP2) was evidenced. With BACs under hypoxia, cyclic adenosine monophosphate production increased dose-dependently with AM stimulation. AM significantly decreased caspase-3 activity (mean 35% decrease; p = 0.03) as a marker of Fas-L-induced apoptosis. Articular chondrocytes treated with AM showed significantly reduced cell death, along with downregulated Fas expression and production, as compared with AM(22-52). AM decreased articular chondrocyte apoptosis by downregulating a Fas receptor. These findings may pave the way for novel therapeutic approaches in osteoarthritis.
Association between cognitive quotient test score and hippocampal volume: a novel, rapid application-based screening tool
Authors: Kasai Wataru , Goto Tadahiro , Aoyama Yuki , Sato Kenji
Published: October 2020

We aimed to develop a brief, preclinical test to screen the reduced hippocampal volume that is a marker of early dementia [Cognitive Quotient (CQ) test]. We performed an observational study of adult subjects who underwent brain MRI in seven institutions from February 2018 to May 2019. The CQ test consists of five components: (1) digits forward, (2) digits backward, (3) Stroop test, (4) simple calculation, and (5) mental rotation. The primary outcome measure was hippocampal volume. We separated the data into derivation (n = 322) and validation cohorts (n = 96). In the derivation cohort, we built two scoring systems using the results of CQ test (model 1 and 2). In the validation cohort, we validated the correlation of the scoring systems with hippocampal volume. In the derivation cohort, there was a moderate correlation between the scoring systems and hippocampal volume [e.g., correlation coefficient = 0.62 in model 1 (95% CI 0.44–0.75)]. Likewise, in the validation cohort, there was a moderate correlation between the scoring systems and hippocampal volume [e.g., correlation coefficient = 0.54 in model 2 (95% CI 0.38–0.67)]. In this analysis of 418 participants, the score of newly developed CQ test was correlated with hippocampal volume.
A novel RGB-trichrome staining method for routine histological analysis of musculoskeletal tissues
Authors: Gaytan Francisco , Morales Concepción , Reymundo Carlos , Tena-Sempere Manuel
Published: October 2020

Morphometry and histology are essential approaches for investigation and diagnosis of musculo-skeletal disorders. Despite the advent of revolutionary methods of image analysis and high resolution three-dimensional imaging technology, basic conventional light microscopy still provides an incisive overview of the structure and tissue dynamics of the musculoskeletal system. This is crucial to both preclinical and clinical research, since several clinically relevant processes, such as bone repair, osteoarthritis, and metabolic bone diseases, display distinct, if not pathognomonic, histological features. Due to the particular characteristics of the skeletal tissues (i.e., the existence of mineralized extracellular matrices), a large number of staining methods applicable to either decalcified or undecalcified tissues are available. However, it is usually the case that several staining methods need to be sequentially applied in order to achieve the different endpoints required to fully assess skeletal tissue structure and dynamics, and to allow morphometric quantification. We describe herein a novel staining method, the RGB trichrome, amenable for application to decalcified, paraffin embedded human musculoskeletal tissues. The acronym RGB corresponds to the three primary dyes used: picrosirius Red, fast Green, and alcian Blue. Although these individual pigments are commonly used either isolated, in binary combinations, or as part of more complex polychrome staining methods, when merged in the RGB trichrome staining produce high-quality/high-contrast images, permitting not only clear identification of different tissues (i.e., the different types of cartilage, bone and fibrous connective tissue), but also discrimination between calcified and uncalcified bone and cartilage, as well as an unexpected diversity of shades of color, while displaying singular properties among polychrome staining methods, such as the unveiling of the bone osteocyte dendritic/canalicular network. Hence, we propose the RGB trichrome as simple but highly-reliable tool for the preclinical and clinical study of the musculoskeletal system.
Author Correction: BICORN: An R package for integrative inference of de novo cis-regulatory modules
Authors: Chen Xi , Gu Jinghua , Neuwald Andrew F. , Hilakivi-Clarke Leena , Clarke Robert , Xuan Jianhua
Published: October 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Robust ferromagnetism in wafer-scale monolayer and multilayer Fe3GeTe2
Authors: Roemer Ryan , Liu Chong , Zou Ke
Published: October 2020

Monolayer iron germanium telluride Fe3GeTe2, one of the typical two-dimensional ferromagnetic materials, hitherto, has only been studied by exfoliated micron-sized samples. We achieve high-quality wafer-scale growth of thin Fe3GeTe2 films by molecular beam epitaxy, greatly expanding the types of characterization tools employable and providing the possibility for its integration in devices like consumer electronics. Thickness-dependent transport measurements are used to characterize and probe for magnetic order. Ferromagnetic states exist in 1–10 layer thick Fe3GeTe2, with Curie temperatures ranging from ~75 K in one layer samples to above 175 K in ten layer samples. A single ferromagnetic phase with significant magnetic anisotropy is revealed for all layer numbers. We submit the capability of synthesizing, wafer-scale Fe3GeTe2 as an essential step towards its fulfillment in any applications involving magnetism, such as spintronics.
Polymers/PEDOT Derivatives for Bioelectronics
Authors: Donahue Mary J. , Proctor Christopher M. , Strakosas Xenofon
Published: October 2020

The advancement of bioelectronics depends greatly on new material development and engineering solutions. Redox polymers are promising candidates to contribute to this advancement of biointerfacing devices. For such devices to be clinically useful, they must fulfill an assortment of requirements, including biocompatibility, stability, mechanical compliancy and the ability to effectively monitor or influence biological systems. The use of redox polymers in bioelectronic research has demonstrated a great deal of potential in satisfying these constraints. In this chapter, we consider the advantageous aspects of polymer electronics for biomedical applications including electrophysiological recording, neuromodulation, biosensor technologies and drug delivery. Particular emphasis is given to PEDOT-based systems as these have demonstrated the highest degree of bioelectronic device success to date, however, other polymers are also discussed when pertinent.
Immediate and Selective Control of Protein Abundance Using the dTAG System
Authors: Nabet Behnam , Gray Nathanael S.
Published: October 2020

Small-molecule degraders are a novel chemical modality enabling immediate, selective and direct loss of targeted proteins. While the majority of proteins in the proteome lack selective pharmacological agents or chemical probes, hybrid chemical–genetic degradation approaches have emerged as complementary and versatile strategies to modulate the stability of specific proteins. These broadly applicable degradation-based strategies use small molecules or antibodies to recruit the degradation machinery to dispose of target proteins and are highly complementary to widely used gene-directed approaches. Moreover, these approaches offer improved target selectivity profiles and enable functional studies with temporal resolution that is not possible with genetic approaches. In this chapter, we summarize the development and utility of the degradation tag (dTAG) system for engineering target-specific protein degradation. The dTAG technology platform uses hetero-bifunctional small-molecule degraders to co-opt the endogenous cellular degradation machinery to rapidly and reversibly deplete FKBP12F36V-tagged target proteins. We expect that the dTAG system and related tag-based degradation strategies will become essential tools for pre-clinical target validation and mechanistic biological investigation in cellular and mouse models of development and disease.
New Activities of CELMoDs, Cereblon E3 Ligase-modulating Drugs
Authors: Matyskiela Mary E. , Clayton Thomas , Thompson Joel W. , Carroll Christopher , Bateman Leslie , LeBrun Laurie , Chamberlain Philip P.
Published: October 2020

CELMoDs (cereblon E3 ligase-modulating drugs) are low-molecular-weight small molecules that induce the recruitment of specific protein targets to the cereblon-CRL4 ubiquitin ligase for ubiquitination and subsequent cellular degradation. CELMoDs act to scaffold direct protein–protein interactions between cereblon and substrate, working through a so-called “molecular glue” mechanism. We discuss recent discoveries in CELMoD mechanism of action, including approaches taken to expand the scope of cereblon neosubstrates, and discuss the future and breadth of this emerging class of molecules.
Plant E3 Ligases as Versatile Tools for Novel Drug Development and Plant Bioengineering
Authors: Al-Saharin Raed , Mooney Sutton , Hellmann Hanjo
Published: October 2020

The ubiquitin proteasome pathway (UPP) is a versatile regulatory mechanism that allows plants to quickly react and acclimatize to changing environmental conditions. E3 ligases are the key regulatory elements that provide specificity to the pathway. This review provides a brief overview about the pathway and the specific classes of E3 ligases described in plants. The main focus of this review, however, is how the pathway provides opportunities to develop novel drugs and technological tools for research and agricultural industries. This is exemplified by how pathogens already utilize the pathway, and also the recent novel technological developments that have occurred in the last years, ranging from PROTACs, CRISPR/Cas9 or the N-degron pathway, and to what extent these approaches may be applicable for plants in today’s and future research to develop new tools and novel applications toward improvement of plant growth and performance.
Small-molecule Targeted Degradation of RNA
Authors: Ursu Andrei , Costales Matthew G. , Childs-Disney Jessica L. , Disney Matthew D.
Published: October 2020

Small-molecule targeting of structural elements within disease-causing RNAs has garnered the interest of academia and the pharmaceutical industry. This chapter describes advances in the targeted degradation of RNA by structure-specific synthetic ligands that exploit natural products to cleave nucleic acids or compounds that locally recruit and activate endogenous ribonucleases to enzymatically cleave an RNA target. We describe the assembly process of RNA degraders and their application to validate mode of action and profile on- and off-targets. Finally, we outline future challenges for RNA degraders, including their application to the precise degradation of disease-causing RNAs, and highlight their therapeutic potential.
Synthesis and structural, electrochemical and photophysical studies of triferrocenyl-substituted 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene: a cyan-light emitting molecule showing aggregation-induced enhanced emission
Authors: Kasprzak Artur , Guńka Piotr A. , Kowalczyk Agata , Nowicka Anna M.
Published: October 2020

Synthesis and structural studies of triferrocenyl-substituted 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene and its aggregation-induced emission properties are reported.
Fe-Doped Co–Mo–S microtube: a highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting in alkaline solution
Authors: Yuan Feifei , Liu Zihao , Qin Guoxu , Ni Yonghong
Published: October 2020

Fe-Doped Co–Mo–S microtubes with excellent HER and OER electrocatalytic activities have been successfully synthesized through a multistep synthetic strategy.
Phase selectivity and tunable photophysical nature of rare earth metal–organic frameworks of EuxY1−x-PTC (H3PTC = 2,4,6-pyridine tricarboxylic acid; x = 0–1)
Authors: Gao Xu-Sheng , Ding Mei-Juan , Zhang Jin , Zhao Li-Duo , Ren Xiao-Ming
Published: October 2020

All solid solutions (EuxY1−x-PTC, x = 0.013–0.82) are isomorphic to Eu-PTC, but different from Y-PTC, and show phase selectivity as well as excitation wavelength dependent emission.
Probing the effect of P-doping in polymeric carbon nitride on CO2 photocatalytic reduction
Authors: Guo Yangkun , Wang Min , Tian Jianjian , Shen Meng , Zhang Lingxia , Shi Jianlin
Published: October 2020

P-Doping promotes the generation and conversion of CO2− intermediate on polymeric carbon nitride photocatalysts during CO2 reduction reaction.
Novel approaches in the use of polyacrylate ester-based polycarboxylates (PCEs) as leather retanning agents
Authors: Canudas Miquel , Menna Nicola , Torrelles Antoni , de Pablo Joan , Morera Josep Maria
Published: October 2020

Polyacrylate ester-based polycarboxylates are a biodegradable retanning agent alternative to linear polyacrylic poymers.
An MXene-based aerogel with cobalt nanoparticles as an efficient sulfur host for room-temperature Na–S batteries
Authors: Yang Qiuju , Yang Tingting , Gao Wei , Qi Yuruo , Guo Bingshu , Zhong Wei , Jiang Jian , Xu Maowen
Published: October 2020

A network-like MG-Co composite with adsorption and catalysis for Na2Sx is synthesized as a S host for room temperature Na–S batteries, exhibiting excellent electrochemical performance.
Theoretical survey of the photochemical deracemization mechanism of chiral allene 3-(3,3-dimethyl-1-buten-1-ylidene)-2-piperidinone
Authors: Yuan Kun , Wang Peng , Li Hui-Xue , Liu Yan-Zhi , Lv Ling-Ling
Published: October 2020

The photochemical deracemization mechanism of the chiral allene 3-(3,3-dimethyl-1-buten-1-ylidene)-2-piperidinone in the presence of photosensitizer thioxanthone is theoretically investigated by using a density functional theory (DFT) method.
Enhanced visible light photocatalytic degradation of dyes in aqueous solution activated by HKUST-1: performance and mechanism
Authors: Zhang Jianyu , Su Chunli , Xie Xianjun , Liu Peng , Huq Md. Enamul
Published: October 2020

HKUST-1 is a copper-based metal–organic framework (MOF). The HKUST-1/PMS/Vis system can effectively degrade RhB and MB but accomplish poor removal of AO7 and MR, which is attributed to the repulsion between surface charges.
Screening of multiclass pesticide residues in maca and Moringa oleifera by a modified QuEChERS sample preparation procedure and UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis
Authors: Zhu Yanqin , Du Ping , Yang Jun , Yin Qinhong , Yang Yaling
Published: October 2020

In the present study, a modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method was proposed for the simultaneous analysis of 75 pesticides in maca and Moringa oleifera with UPLC-ESI-MS/MS.
2-Bromoanthraquinone as a highly efficient photocatalyst for the oxidation of sec-aromatic alcohols: experimental and DFT study
Authors: Liao Shengfu , Liu Jianguo , Yan Long , Liu Qiying , Chen Guanghui , Ma Longlong
Published: October 2020

Anthraquinones are recognized as high efficiency photocatalysts which can perform various redox reactions in aqueous or organic phases.
Synergistic effect of Ni–Ag–rutile TiO2 ternary nanocomposite for efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity
Authors: Leukkunen Petri M. , Rani Ekta , Sasikala Devi Assa Aravindh , Singh Harishchandra , King Graham , Alatalo Matti , Cao Wei , Huttula Marko
Published: October 2020

Robust photocatalytic activity of Ni–Ag–RTiO2 is attributed to the improved visible light absorption and effective charge separation due to intimate contact between Ni and RTiO2via Ag, as evidenced by Ti3+ in Ti 2p XPS and energy dispersive mapping.
Electrosynthesis of a hyperbranched dendrimeric porphyrin polymer: optical and electronic characterization as a material for bifunctional electrochromic supercapacitors
Authors: Durantini Javier E. , Rubio Raul , Solis Claudia , Macor Lorena , Morales Gustavo M. , Mangione María I. , Heredia Daniel A. , Durantini Edgardo N. , Otero Luis , Gervaldo Miguel
Published: October 2020

A hyperbranched polymeric conducting film was generated by electrochemical polymerization of a Zn(ii) porphyrin monomer. The polymer presents adequate electronic properties for application in electrochromic and energy storage devices.
Atomically tunable photo-assisted electrochemical oxidation process design for the decoration of ultimate-thin CuO on Cu2O photocathodes and their enhanced photoelectrochemical performances
Authors: Kim Dong Su , Kim Young Been , Jung Sung Hyeon , Deshpande Nishad G. , Choi Ji Hoon , Lee Ho Seong , Cho Hyung Koun
Published: October 2020

A representative method of forming CuO thin films on Cu2O photoabsorbers is simple annealing oxidation at high temperature in a controlled oxygen atmosphere, but the typical oxidation process is irregular, resulting in a high density of defect sites.
Cooperative proton conduction in sulfonated and phosphonated hybrid random copolymers
Authors: Kumar Avneesh
Published: October 2020

Cooperative proton conduction in an anhydrous state is achieved by combining sulfonated and phosphonated (SulPhos) ionic segments covalently in a random copolymer.
Boosting the photocatalytic activity of mesoporous SrTiO3for nitrogen fixation through multiple defects and strain engineering
Authors: Huang Bingmei , Liu Yang , Pang Qi , Zhang Xinyi , Wang Huanting , Shen Pei Kang
Published: October 2020

A general synthesis strategy of using mesoporous SrTiO3nanoparticle catalysts for nitrogen reduction through multiple defects and strain engineering for nitrogen fixation.
An accurate and dual-effective body slimming method through a soluble microneedle patch with variable temperature
Authors: Peng Haichuan , Zhou Yan , Zhang Chuxi , Wang Manyu , Zhao Siyu , Xu Yingying , Zhang Wei , Xin Hongbo , Wang Xiaolei
Published: October 2020

Accurate body slimming management was achieved through a microneedle patch with variable temperatures.
The impact of highly excessive PbI2 on the correlation of MAPbI3 perovskite morphology and carrier lifetimes
Authors: Nguyen Van Hoang , Hoang Tuan K. A. , Kurokawa Yasuyoshi , Usami Noritaka
Published: October 2020

The morphology of methylammonium lead iodide MAPbI3, formed by a two-step method with non-stoichiometric, excessive PbI2 concentration for a high carrier lifetime is reported.
Photovoltaic module cascaded converters for distributed maximum power point tracking: a review
Authors: Al‐Smadi Mohammad K. , Mahmoud Yousef
Published: October 2020

Operating photovoltaic (PV) systems under partial shading conditions results in significant power losses. To mitigate partial shading effects, distributed maximum power point tracking (DMPPT) architectures have been proposed. An emerging DMPPT technique represented by PV module cascaded converters (MCCs) has been widely reported in the literature. In this architecture, a DC converter is allocated for each PV module to process and maximise its power. In this sense, mismatch effects are mitigated between PV modules. While MCC architecture has prominent advantages and value‐added features, its challenges and limitations cannot be ignored. This study presents a comprehensive review of the state of the art of PV MCC architecture to help readers realise the progress of this DMPPT technique. Several points are extensively discussed and analysed including concept realisation and analysis, DC converter topologies and design optimisation, DMPPT performance limitations, DMPPT control, and protection. The main concepts are reemphasised through a set of simulations. Finally, a list of potential research areas in this field is introduced.
Review of results on smart‐meter privacy by data manipulation, demand shaping, and load scheduling
Authors: Farokhi Farhad
Published: October 2020

Simple analysis of energy consumption patterns recorded by smart meters can be used to deduce household occupancy. With access to higher‐resolution smart‐meter readings, we can infer more detailed information about the household including the use of individual electric appliances through non‐intrusive load monitoring techniques. The extent of privacy concerns caused by smart meters has proved to an obstacle in the roll‐out of smart meters in some countries. This highlights the need for investigating smart‐meter privacy. Mechanisms for ensuring smart‐meter privacy fall in broad categories of data manipulation, demand shaping, and load scheduling. In smart‐meter data manipulation, the smart meter collects real, potentially high‐resolution data about the energy consumption within the house. This data is then manipulated before communication with to utility providers and retailers. The manipulation could be non‐stochastic, such as aggregation, binning, and down‐sampling, or stochastic, such as additive noise. In demand shaping and load scheduling, smart‐meter readings are communicated without any interference but the consumption is manipulated by renewable energy sources, batteries, or shifting loads to render non‐intrusive load monitoring ineffective. In this study, the author reviews these approaches and presents several methods relying on homomorphic encryption, differential privacy, information theory, and statistics for ensuring privacy.
Galaxy-scale ionised winds driven by ultra-fast outflows in two nearby quasars
Authors: Marasco A. , Cresci G. , Nardini E. , Mannucci F. , Marconi A. , Tozzi P. , Tozzi G. , Amiri A. , Venturi G. , Piconcelli E. , Lanzuisi G. , Tombesi F. , Mingozzi M. , Perna M. , Carniani S. , Brusa M. , di Serego Alighieri S.
Published: October 2020

We used MUSE adaptive optics data in narrow field mode to study the properties of the ionised gas in MR 2251−178 and PG 1126−041, two nearby (z ≃ 0.06) bright quasars (QSOs) hosting sub-pc scale ultra-fast outflows (UFOs) detected in the X-ray band. We decomposed the optical emission from diffuse gas into a low- and a high-velocity components. The former is characterised by a clean, regular velocity field and a low (∼80 km s−1) velocity dispersion. It traces regularly rotating gas in PG 1126−041, while in MR 2251−178 it is possibly associated with tidal debris from a recent merger or flyby. The other component is found to be extended up to a few kpc from the nuclei, and shows a high (∼800 km s−1) velocity dispersion and a blue-shifted mean velocity, as is expected from outflows driven by active galactic nuclei (AGN). We estimate mass outflow rates up to a few M⊙ yr−1 and kinetic efficiencies LKIN/LBOL between 1−4 × 10−4, in line with those of galaxies hosting AGN of similar luminosities. The momentum rates of these ionised outflows are comparable to those measured for the UFOs at sub-pc scales, which is consistent with a momentum-driven wind propagation. Pure energy-driven winds are excluded unless about 100× additional momentum is locked in massive molecular winds. In comparing the outflow properties of our sources with those of a small sample of well-studied QSOs hosting UFOs from the literature, we find that winds seem to systematically lie either in a momentum-driven or an energy-driven regime, indicating that these two theoretical models bracket the physics of AGN-driven winds very well.
Organoïdes sécréteurs d’insuline
Authors: Lebreton Fanny , Wassmer Charles-Henri , Belofatto Kevin , Berney Thierry , Berishvili Ekaterine
Published: October 2020

La greffe d’îlots pancréatiques permet de remplacer les cellules β de manièreminimalement invasive, et d’améliorer significativement la qualité de vie des patients présentant un diabète de type 1. Cependant, ces mini-organes endocriniens, lorsqu’ils sont transplantés après une procédure d’extraction enzymatique du pancréas, se retrouvent déconnectés de leur vascularisation et de leur support fonctionnel. Les îlots doivent de plus faire face aux attaques des systèmes immunitaires inné et adaptatif, ainsi qu’à la récidive de l’auto-immunité. L’utilisation et la création d’organoïdes produisant et sécrétant de l’insuline permettent non seulement de contrôler et d’homogénéiser leur taille, mais également leur composition, avec la possibilité d’ajouter des cellules essentielles à leur survie, telles que des cellules endothéliales ou des cellules possédant des propriétés anti-inflammatoires et immuno-modulatrices. Dans cette revue, nous décrivons les obstacles rencontrés dans la greffe d’îlots et détaillons les bénéfices de l’utilisation d’organoïdes pour les surmonter.
Du nouveau dans la génétique des formes monogéniques d’obésité et son impact pour mieux en comprendre la physiopathologie
Authors: Baron Morgane , Froguel Philippe , Bonnefond Amélie
Published: October 2020

L’obésité est une maladie complexe multifactorielle. Chez environ 5 % des individus obèses, il existe des formes monogéniques d’obésité pour laquelle une seule mutation est suffisante pour entraîner la maladie. Jusqu’à présent, les gènes mutés identifiés dans ces formes monogéniques sont impliqués dans la voie leptine/mélanocortine, principalement active au niveau de l’hypothalamus et régissant la satiété. Récemment, notre laboratoire a décrit une nouvelle forme monogénique d’obésité. Elle est due à une déficience du gène MRAP2 (melanocortin-2 receptor accessory protein 2) pour laquelle, contrairement aux formes précédemment décrites, on retrouve chez les porteurs une hyperglycémie et une hypertension, suggérant que MRAP2 joue un rôle biologique général dans les tissus métaboliques en plus de son rôle dans l’hypothalamus.
A multi-retailer sustainable supply chain model with information sharing and quality deterioration
Authors: Nandra Richa , Majumder Arunava , Mishra Mowmita
Published: October 2020

With the effect of increasing production rate, the probability of shifting the manufacturing process from “in-control” state to “out-of-control” increases with the passage of time. This happens due to the degradation of the mechanism which results in production of defective items. This study helps in examining the effect of changed production rate on the quality of goods produced. This research further examines the influence of manufacturing rate on “mean time to failure (MTTF)”. This increased production rate is not always environmental friendly due to the emission of contaminated gases after production process. The idea of making a specific investment initiation is incorporated in this paper to attain a sustainable environment development. Also, the information exchange is assumed in the supply chain system to achieve a better profitability. The mathematical model thus created and is validated with enough data, numerical experimentation, and graphical representation. The study concluded that higher degree of quality function reduces the MTTF of machine, also setup and environmental investment has highest impact on the total cost.
Results of meniscal injuries repair using different arthroscopic techniques
Authors: Abdel Tawab Abdallah Mohamed , Said Hatem G. , Ramadan Eslam Karam Allah , Abd El-Radi Mohamed , El-Assal Maher A.
Published: October 2020

Aim: Evaluation of clinical and radiological outcomes following meniscal repair using different arthroscopic techniques for all meniscal tears amenable for repair.Methods: Sixty-one patients were involved in a prospective study; all cases presented with meniscal tears underwent arthroscopic meniscal repair from December 2016 to December 2017. Outcomes involved the site of tear, the repair technique, and associated injuries. The International Knee Documentation Committee Score (IKDC) and Tegner Lysholm Knee Score were used to analyze the clinical and functional outcomes postoperatively.Results: Of the 61 patients, 50 patients (81.9%) had meniscal tear associated with isolated ligamentous ACL injury, 6 cases had corrective osteotomy with ACL reconstruction to correct concomitant genu varus, 2 cases (3.3%) had meniscal tear associated with isolated ligamentous PCL injury, and 9 patients (14.8%) presented with isolated meniscal tear; IKDC was preoperatively (44.52 ± 8.79), postoperatively at 6 months (90.97 ± 6.75) and at 12 months (92.27 ± 2.68) withP-value (0.001). Tegner Lysholm score was preoperatively (52.16 ± 12.22), postoperatively at 6 months (88.03 ± 6.84) and at 12 months (93.26 ± 2.95) withP-value (0.001). Fifty eight patients (95.1%) had no postoperative symptoms at 6 and 12 months’ follow-up. The remaining 3 cases (4.9%) underwent partial meniscectomy due to persistent postoperative clinical symptoms with no signs of healing in MRI.Conclusions: Our study concluded that arthroscopic meniscal repair is an effective way in the management of meniscal tears regarding clinical and functional outcomes.
Intervallfasten führt in der Altersgruppe „45-plus“ zu einer Abnahme von Körpergewicht und Bauchumfang
Authors: Kampet Christel , Günzel Simone , Hanstein Gabriele , Dimroth Karoline , Daase Fleur , Schaepers-Feese Gabriele , Hopfenmüller Werner , Dippel Franz-Werner
Published: October 2020

Esspausen von mindestens 16 Stunden täglich führten bei 45- bis 78-jährigen Teilnehmer*innen
1
einer Pilotstudie unter Real-Life-Bedingungen über 4 Wochen zu einer Abnahme von Gewicht und Bauchumfang. Dies konnte in einem Vorher-Nachher-Vergleich an 74 Probanden (54 Frauen, 20 Männer, mittleres Alter 64,3 Jahre) gezeigt werden. Die Hälfte aller Teilnehmer nahm zwischen 1,5 und 6 kg ab. Die mediane Gewichtsabnahme betrug bei den Frauen 1,4 kg und bei den Männern 1,9 kg. Die mediane Reduktion des Bauchumfangs betrug 2 cm bei den Frauen und 2,3 cm bei den Männern. Bei 42 Frauen (78 %) und bei 15 Männern (75 %) lag die Abnahme des Bauchumfangs zwischen 1 und 8 cm.
Spezialisierte ambulante Palliativversorgung (SAPV) – Querschnittsanalyse von Symptomlast, Diagnosen und Sterbeort über 7 Jahre an einem Standort in NRW
Authors: Weckbecker Klaus , Puth Marie-Therese , Just JohannesMaximilian , Horn Kirsten , Grabenhorst Ulrich , Porz Johannes
Published: October 2020

Ziel Spezialisierte ambulante Palliativversorgung (SAPV) ist ein wichtiger Baustein in der Versorgung Sterbender in Deutschland. Die Analyse einer repräsentativen Kohorte erlaubt wichtige Rückschlüsse für die Verbesserung der Situation Sterbender in Deutschland.

Methode Wir analysieren die bei der Versorgung eines SAPV Teams erhobenen Routinedaten von 2691 palliativen Patienten. Statistische Analysen wurden mittels SPSS, Version 24, durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse In der durch die SAPV betreuten Patientenkohorte verstarben ca. 3/4 der Patienten gesichert am Wohnort, der Rest der Patienten wechselte in eine andere Versorgungsform. Von den insgesamt 2691 Patienten waren 1972 Tumorpatienten, bei 719 Patienten war eine Nichttumordiagnose ursächlich für den Einschluss in die palliative Versorgung. Das Alter bei Erstkontakt zur SAPV liegt bei Nichttumorpatienten signifikant höher. Tumor- und Nichttumorpatienten unterscheiden sich weder bezüglich der Lebensqualität (Karnofskys Score) noch bezüglich Symptomhäufigkeit voneinander. Lediglich das Symptom Desorientiertheit wurde bei Nichttumorpatienten signifikant häufiger dokumentiert und war auch stärker ausgeprägt.

Schlussfolgerung SAPV ermöglicht einem Großteil der behandelten Patienten am Wohnort zu versterben und erfüllt damit den mutmaßlichen Willen der Sterbenden.
Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Management of Spinal Disorders – Results of a National Survey
Authors: Winking Michael , Conzen Michael , Flechtenmacher Johannes , Pumberger Matthias
Published: October 2020

Introduction Far-reaching political steps to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have been undertaken in recent weeks. These also impact on surgical specialties not directly involved in the management of patients infected with the coronavirus. The Spine Section, the interdisciplinary professional political arm of the German Spine Society (DWG), the Professional Association for Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery (BVOU), and the Federal Association of German Neurosurgeons (BDNC) conducted a survey on the collateral effects of the pandemic on spine surgery in Germany.

Method This cross-sectional study included outpatient, day-patient and inpatient facilities caring for patients with spinal disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey was designed to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of inpatients and outpatients with spinal disorders and to assess the economic ramifications in the various settings.

Results All members of the Spine Section (n = 134) were invited to participate in the questionnaire consented by BVOU and BDNC. The questions were answered anonymously, and the personal data entered did not permit any de-anonymisation. All in all, 68% (n = 91) of the respondents completed the survey in full. Based on the type of employment (practice 30%, practice/staff: 45% and staff: 25%) and range of activities (conservative: 5%, conservative/operative: 75%, operative: 20%) the survey by the Spine Section can be regarded as representative. 95% of the practices/outpatient clinics reported a decline in their number of patients. In addition, the number of operations performed fell by 36% (SD 17%). The percentage of elective procedures declined from approximately 78% to 6%. As a result, more than half of the physicians anticipated moderate (20 – 40%) economic challenges and 25% major (> 50%) financial problems.

Conclusion In order to cushion collateral damage in the wake of future pandemic management, any implications in the interdisciplinary management of patients with spinal disorders should be based on these results.
Rückkehr in das Erwerbsleben nach kurativer Therapie von Kopf-Hals-Karzinomen
Authors: Zebralla Veit , Kaminski Karin , Wichmann Gunnar , Dietz Andreas , Wiegand Susanne
Published: October 2020

Hintergrund Die Reintegration von Tumorpatienten in die Erwerbsfähigkeit ist ein bedeutender sozialer und ökonomischer Faktor. Für maligne Kopf-Hals-Tumoren (KHT) sind hierzu, verglichen mit anderen Tumorentitäten, bislang wenige Daten zusammengetragen und veröffentlicht worden.

Material und Methoden In einer selektiven Literaturrecherche wurden Originalarbeiten zwischen 1997 und 2018 zum Thema „Rückkehr in das Erwerbsleben nach Therapie von Kopf-Hals-Karzinomen“ eingeschlossen und analysiert.

Ergebnisse Es konnten 18 Originalarbeiten zum Thema berufliche Reintegration nach KHT identifiziert werden. Posttherapeutisch scheiden 10–52 % der vormals berufstätigen Patienten aus dem Berufsleben aus. Hinsichtlich der Tumorlokalisation, der Therapiemodalität und des Geschlechts als Prädiktoren der Rückkehr ins Erwerbsleben zeigte sich in den Studien ein inhomogenes Bild. Es scheinen Alter, sozioökonomischer Status, therapiebedingte Einschränkungen (z. B. Fatigue, Depression) und Nebenerkrankungen einen signifikanten Einfluss auf die berufliche Wiedereingliederung zu haben. Rehabilitationsmaßnahmen bewirken positive Effekte.

Schlussfolgerungen Patienten mit KHT haben ein hohes Risiko aus dem Berufsleben auszuscheiden. Die wenigen bisher zum Thema publizierten Studien sind wegen heterogener Methodik, den uneinheitlichen Messzeitpunkten und inhomogener Verteilung untersuchter Tumorlokalisationen nur schwer miteinander vergleichbar. Es zeigt sich weiterhin ein unzureichend adressierter Forschungsbedarf, um evidenzbasierte Konzepte zur Förderung der beruflichen Rehabilitation von KHT-Patienten entwickeln zu können
A Diastereoselective Synthetic Approach towards the Synthesis of Berkeleylactone F and Its 4-epi-Derivative
Authors: Saha Sumit , Subba Srijana , Mandal Susanta
Published: October 2020

A diastereoselective approach to the synthesis of berkeleylactone F is presented. The synthetic strategy is initiated with commercially available (R)-glycidol, 1,6-heptadiyne, and (R)-(+)-methyl lactate. The key feature of the approach is directional functionalization at both terminals of 1,6-heptadiyne.
High Blood Pressure in a Urea Cycle Disorder: Case Report
Authors: Solé Carolina , Arriaga María , Cañedo Elvira
Published: October 2020

Introduction Urea cycle disorders (UCDs) form a group of metabolic pathological conditions that might develop serious neurological consequences. Early diagnosis, before irreversible damage is established, is the most important prognostic and morbidity factor.

Case Report We present the case of a 5-day newborn with high blood pressure and respiratory distress. Diagnosis was type I citrullinemia. With appropriate citrullinemia guided-treatment blood pressure returned to normal.

Conclusion High blood pressure has been rarely described as a lead symptom for the debut of a UCD. We must take this into consideration as an early recognition and treatment of these disorders are of the utmost importance.
“Beauty” premium for social scientists but “unattractiveness” premium for natural scientists in the public speaking market
Authors: Bi Weilong , Chan Ho Fai , Torgler Benno
Published: October 2020

In the face of scientists’ increasing engagement in public discourse, we examine whether facial attractiveness affects their market value (i.e., audience willingness to pay). For a sample of scientists who participate in public speaking, we find that facial attractiveness is uncorrelated with internal academic achievements (as measured by publications and citations) and is only weakly but positively linked to attention outside of academia. Notably, we find that the effect of facial attractiveness on external influence is only robust to measures where speakers’ physical appearance is likely to be most apparent to the public, such as invitations to give TED talks or Google web page counts while the effect on the number of book publications or book awards is not significant. Our results also suggest that these relationships do not differ across scientists’ fields of research. However, we find that in terms of speaking fees, social scientists benefit substantially from being more attractive, whereas unattractiveness is a comparative advantage for natural scientists. A similar divergence in the direction of the relationship between speaking fee and facial attractiveness is also evident for nonacademic speakers from different fields: whereas those from a natural science (job) background gain from unattractiveness, those with a social science history benefit from a beauty premium. This market premium for unattractiveness conforms not only to the common stereotype of the natural scientist but also to a belief that the more unattractive of these researchers engage in higher quality work. Overall, the findings indicate that facial appearance is important in the public perception of academics and, to some extent, their dissemination of knowledge.
Squeezing lanthanide nitrides leads to previously undiscovered phase transitions
Authors: Johnson-Groh Mara
Published: October 2020

X-ray diffraction data of lanthanide nitrides in diamond cells illuminates the interplay between chemical pressure and external pressure for the material.
Triangular structures are responsible for the iridescence of fish
Authors: Bandari Anashe
Published: October 2020

The change in reflectiveness caused by water entering the space between the triangular structures can explain how shiny fish scales manipulate light.
Reciprocity-induced symmetry in the round-trip transmission through complex systems
Authors: Lee Szu-Yu , Parot Vicente J. , Bouma Brett E. , Villiger Martin
Published: October 2020

Reciprocity is a fundamental principle of wave physics and directly relates to the symmetry in the transmission through a system when interchanging the input and output. The coherent transmission matrix (TM) is a convenient method to characterize wave transmission through general media. Here, we demonstrate the optical reciprocal nature of complex media by exploring their TM properties. We measured phase-corrected TMs of forward and round-trip propagation in a single polarization state through a looped 1 m-long step-index optical multimode fiber (MMF) to experimentally verify a transpose relationship between the forward and backward transmission. This symmetry impedes straightforward MMF calibration from proximal measurements of the round-trip TM. Furthermore, we show how focusing through the MMF with digital optical phase conjugation is compromised by system loss since time reversibility relies on power conservation. These insights may inform the development of new imaging techniques through complex media and coherent control of waves in photonic systems.
The 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic:
Authors: Selleck Paul , Barnard Ross
Published: October 2020

Towards the end of world war one, the world faced a pandemic, caused not by smallpox or bubonic plague, but by an influenza A virus. The 1918–19 influenza pandemic was possibly the worst single natural disaster of all time, infecting an estimated 500 million people, or one third of the world population and killing between 20 and 100 million people in just over one year. The impact of the virus may have influenced the outcome of the first world war and killed more people than the war itself. The pandemic resulted in global economic disruption. It was a stimulus to establishment of local vaccine production in Australia. Those cities that removed public health restrictions too early experienced a second wave of infections. Unfortunately, it seems that the lessons of infection control and epidemic preparedness must be relearnt in every generation and for each new epidemic.
Switchable operation of multiple solitons and dissipative soliton resonance in a C- and L-band mode-locked fiber laser
Authors: Wang Xude , Liang Qinmei , Sun Mengqiu , Yang Simin , Ning Qiuyi , Li Suwen
Published: October 2020

We report on the wavelength-switchable operation of multiple solitons and dissipative soliton resonance (DSR) in C- and L-band fiber lasers. Mode-locking operations can be alternatively switched between 1565 nm and 1604 nm with adjustments to the polarization controller. Through controlling the intracavity filtering effect, tunable operations have been observed from 1563.7 nm to 1574.6 nm and from 1600.3 nm to 1605.7 nm. More importantly, the fiber laser operated at the 1565 nm waveband tended to generate multiple solitons, whereas one operated at the 1604 nm waveband tended to generate a rectangular DSR. Our investigations may contribute to understanding complex soliton dynamics in fiber lasers.
Synthesis and characterization of thiol modified beta cyclodextrin, its biocompatible analysis and application as a modified release carrier of ticagrelor
Authors: Zaman Muhammad , Bajwa Rabia Imtiaz , Saeed Sadaf , Hussain Muhammad Ajaz , Hanif Muhammad
Published: October 2020

Thiol modification of beta cyclodextrin (β-CD) was carried out using thiourea, which served as a thiol donor. The chemical reaction was mediated using HCl. Polymer prepared via thiolation was further subjected to physicochemical and biocompatible analysis. Acute oral toxicity and compatibility was determined in albino rats. Furthermore, compressed tablets of ticagrelor (TCG) were prepared using modified and unmodified polymers and evaluated via various quality control tests. Thiolation was successfully achieved and confirmed by the FTIR scan, as a significant corresponding peak was observed at 2692 cm−1 wavenumber, demonstrating the attachment of –SH group. In vivo analysis has confirmed the safe use of β-CD, as none of the vital organs showed any kind of toxic effects. Dissolution studies revealed that Tβ-CD was able to release 96.62% of the drug within 1 h of the study, hence providing an immediate release. Conclusively, a thiol moiety was successfully attached to the polymeric backbone and was found safe to be used as a pharmaceutical excipient.