bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The development of the trunk neural crest in the turtle Trachemys scripta
Authors: Goldberg Sophia , Venkatesh Akshaya , Martinez Jocelyn , Dombroski Catherine , Abesamis Jessica , Campbell Catherine , Mccalipp Mialishia , de Bellard Maria Elena
Published: October 2019

Background

The neural crest is a group of multipotent cells that give rise to a wide variety of cells, especially portion of the peripheral nervous system. Neural crest cells (NCCs) show evolutionary conserved fate restrictions based on their axial level of origin: cranial, vagal, trunk, and sacral. While much is known about these cells in mammals, birds, amphibians, and fish, relatively little is known in other types of amniotes such as snakes, lizards, and turtles. We attempt here to provide a more detailed description of the early phase of trunk neural crest cell (tNCC) development in turtle embryos.

Results

In this study, we show, for the first time, migrating tNCC in the pharyngula embryo of Trachemys scripta by vital‐labeling the NCC with DiI and through immunofluorescence. We found that (a) tNCC form a line along the sides of the trunk NT; (b) The presence of late migrating tNCC on the medial portion of the somite; (c) The presence of lateral mesodermal migrating tNCC in pharyngula embryos; (d) That turtle embryos have large/thick peripheral nerves.

Conclusions

The similarities and differences in tNCC migration and early PNS development that we observe across sauropsids (birds, snake, gecko, and turtle) suggests that these species evolved some distinct NCC pathways.
Discussing limb development and regeneration in Barcelona: The future is at hand
Authors: Rosello‐Diez Alberto , Whited Jessica L.
Published: October 2019

Key Findings

Limb Development.

Limb Regeneration.

EMBO Barcelona Meeting.
Sleep problems and psychological symptoms as predictors of musculoskeletal conditions in children and adolescents
Authors: Andreucci Alessandro , Campbell Paul , Richardson Emily , Chen Ying , Dunn Kate M.
Published: October 2019

Background

Population‐based studies show that sleep problems and psychological symptoms may increase the risk of musculoskeletal pain onset in children/adolescents. However, there is no evidence of these associations within primary care settings, where interventions can take place. This study investigated whether children/adolescents who consulted their general practitioner for sleep problems or psychological symptoms are at higher risk of subsequent consultations for musculoskeletal conditions.

Methods

This prospective matched‐cohort study used electronic medical records of children/ adolescents (aged 6–19 years) from a UK primary care database. Associations between a consultation for sleep problems or psychological symptoms at baseline and a subsequent consultation for musculoskeletal conditions within the 2‐year follow‐up were investigated using survival analysis, producing hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) with adjustment for confounders.

Results

Children/adolescents who consulted for sleep problems had a significant increased risk of consultation for musculoskeletal conditions (HR = 1.72; 95% CI 1.14, 2.60), which became nonsignificant after adjustment for confounders (HR = 1.49; 95% CI 0.98, 2.27). Children/adolescents who consulted for psychological symptoms had a significant increased risk of consultation for musculoskeletal conditions (HR = 1.59; 95% CI 1.31, 1.93), which was attenuated after adjustment (HR = 1.39; 95% CI 1.14, 1.70).

Conclusions

Children and adolescents who visit primary care for sleep problems or psychological symptoms have increased risk of future musculoskeletal consultations. Further work is needed to understand the causal mechanisms that explain these associations, before designing interventions strategies within primary care settings.

Significance

Population‐based studies showed that sleep problems and psychological symptoms may be important precursors of musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents. By investigating these associations in primary care settings, this study showed that children and adolescents with consultations for sleep problems or psychological symptoms were at increased risk of subsequent consultations for musculoskeletal conditions. These findings support results from population‐based studies, and identify potential areas for further research and potential intervention within primary care.
Energy storage needs for an Australian national electricity market grid without combustion fuels
Authors: Boretti Alberto
Published: October 2019

The opportunity to achieve a wind and solar energy only Australian national electricity market (NEM) grid is linked to the development of massive energy storage systems. Photovoltaic solar energy is unavailable nighttime and reduced when it is cloudy or raining. Wind energy also drops some days to zero, with similarly large fluctuations between maximum and minimum energy supplies. This fundamental aspect is being ignored when only trying to increase the nominal capacity of wind energy and solar photovoltaic facilities. The need for a massive energy storage system to properly use this increased capacity is highlighted by the high‐frequency energy generation data by source that we show for the NEM that is covering most of South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, and Queensland, with the only exception of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. This analysis highlights the present energy storage needs for a NEM wind and solar only. The nominal capacity of wind and solar, and the energy storage, that is supposed to increase up to unbelievably high values, to only cover the electricity production, is due to increase even more, to cover the TPES demand, and not only the electricity demand, of a country without combustion fuels.
Atomic insights of thin‐film evaporation over biphilic surfaces: Effect of philic‐phobic patterning and wettability contrast
Authors: Hasan Mohammad Nasim , Paul Sudipta , Rownak Md. Ragib , Akhter Chandni
Published: October 2019

Molecular dynamics simulations have been carried out to investigate the effect of philic‐phobic patterning and wettability contrast of biphilic (surface with interlaced hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments) surfaces on thin‐film evaporation and compare its performance with the surfaces with uniform wettability, ie, hydrophilic/hydrophobic. Thin liquid film of argon with 3 nm film thickness is placed over platinum surface. After equilibrating the system at 90 K, the temperature of the platinum wall is raised to two different temperatures 110 and 130 K to study the effect of wall superheat temperature. The results obtained in this study indicate that biphilic surface offers wall heat flux and evaporative mass flux close to the hydrophilic surface. With the decrease of philic‐phobic pattern bandwidth of biphilic and superbiphilic surface, the maximum value of evaporative mass flux and wall heat flux increases. Also higher wettability contrast among hydrophilic and hydrophobic region offers higher value of wall heat flux and evaporative mass flux. The boiling inception time decreases with the decrease of philic‐phobic pattern bandwidth and increase of wettability contrast therefore, the nonevaporating layer appears earlier in case of lower philic‐phobic pattern bandwidth and higher wettability contrast.
Bisphenol A aggravates renal ischemia–reperfusion injury by disrupting mitochondrial homeostasis and N‐acetylcysteine mitigates the injurious outcomes
Authors: Peerapanyasut Wachirasek , Kobroob Anongporn , Palee Siripong , Chattipakorn Nipon , Wongmekiat Orawan
Published: October 2019

Exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical generally used in consumer products, becomes a global public health concern, as humans are increasingly exposed through their daily consuming activities. Renal ischemia–reperfusion (RIR) is the major cause of acute kidney injury with high prevalence and increased long‐term risks for multiple comorbidities and mortality. As the kidney is susceptible to these conditions, we explored whether the outcomes following the RIR episode could be influenced by BPA exposure, and investigated the therapeutic possibility by N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) including the mechanisms involved. Three groups of male Wistar rats were fed with vehicle, BPA 5, and 50 mg/kg, respectively, for five consecutive weeks then underwent the sham operation. Three other groups with identical treatment underwent bilateral renal IR induction (45‐min ischemia followed by 24‐hr reperfusion). An additional RIR group was treated with BPA 50 plus NAC 100 mg/kg. BPA‐exposed rats that encountered RIR episode showed dose‐dependent worsening of RIR injury as evidenced by augmentations of renal dysfunction and histopathological abnormalities, oxidative stress, apoptosis, mitochondrial functional impairment, mitochondrial dynamic, and mitophagy disproportion compared with the vehicle‐exposed RIR group. The NAC therapy considerably attenuated the exacerbated effects of BPA, which was associated with increased AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), PGC‐1α, silent information regulator 3 or sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), and mitofusin 2 (MFN2) expressions but decreased Phosphorylated dynamin‐related protein 1 (p‐DRP1)/Dynamin‐related protein 1 (DRP1), PTEN‐induced putative kinase (PINK), and PARKIN expressions. These findings reveal the detrimental effect of repeated BPA exposure on the renal outcomes following the IR episode, and further demonstrate the protective efficacy of NAC by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis, which is, partly, mediated through the AMPK‐PGC‐1α‐SIRT3 axis.
Immobilization of BMP‐2, BMP‐7 and alendronic acid on titanium surfaces: Adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow‐derived stem cells
Authors: Kämmerer Peer W. , Pabst Andreas M. , Dau Michael , Staedt Henning , Al‐Nawas Bilal , Heller Martin
Published: October 2019

This study analyzed the influence of titanium (TiO2) surface modifications with two osteogenic proteins (BMP‐2, BMP‐7) and an anti‐osteoclastic drug (alendronic acid [AA]) on sandblasted/acid‐etched (SLA) and plain TiO2 (PT) on cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation (alkaline phosphatase [AP] and osteocalcin [OC]) of bone‐marrow derived stem cells (BMSCs) after 1, 3 and 7 days in‐vitro. Initially, AA surfaces showed the highest cell number and surface coverage. At day 3 and 7, BMP and AA‐modified surfaces exhibited a significantly enhanced cell growth. For proliferation, at days 3 and 7, an enhancement on BMP‐2, BMP‐7 and AA‐surfaces was seen. At day 7, SLA also showed a higher proliferation when compared to PT. Initially, AP expression was elevated on SLA and AA surfaces. At days 3 and 7, a significant increased AP expression was seen for SLA, BMP‐2, BMP‐7 and AA discs. For OC, SLA and AA surfaces had the highest expression after 1 day whereas after 3 and 7 days a significant difference was recorded for SLA, BMP‐2, BMP‐7 and AA. In conclusion, a beneficial biological effect of a chemical immobilization method of BMP‐2, BMP‐7 and alendronate onto titanium surfaces on BMSCs was proven.
Correlation of 5‐HTR6 gene polymorphism with vestibular migraine
Authors: Wu Xia , Qiu Feng , Wang Zhiwei , Liu Bing , Qi Xiaokun
Published: October 2019

Objective

To investigate the correlation of 5‐hydroxy tryptamine receptor 6 (5‐HTR6) gene polymorphism with vestibular migraine (VM).

Methods

A total of 92 VM patients were enrolled as the observation group, and 100 healthy people receiving physical examinations as the control group. Their general clinical information was collected, and the level of 5‐HT in plasma and the vestibular function test indexes were detected. Moreover, the polymorphism of 5‐HTR6 rs770963777 was detected with the TaqMan‐MGB probe.

Results

The observation group had a lower level of 5‐HT than the control group (P < .05), and the abnormality rates of the vestibular function tests, including the caloric test, head‐shaking test, and vestibular autorotation test, were obviously higher than those in the control group (P < .01). The comparisons showed that the distribution frequencies of the genotypes and alleles were different between the two groups (P < .05). According to the analysis of the genetic mode, there were differences in recessive and additive modes between the two groups (P < .05), but the dominant mode was not different between the two groups (P > .05).

Conclusion

The level of 5‐HT and the vestibular function test indexes can serve as the effective indicators for observing VM, and the polymorphism of 5‐HTR6 rs770963777 site is correlated with VM onset.
Evaluation of a fluorescent immunochromatography test for fecal calprotectin
Authors: Li Runqing , Zhao Xiuying , Dong Jingxiao , Zhu Dong , Wang Tengjiao , Yang Song , Zhao Zhipeng , Xiao Nan
Published: October 2019

Background

Fecal calprotectin (FC) is widely used to discriminate between patients with inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and functional diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). ELISA is a time‐consuming method for the measurement of FC, whereas a fluorescent immunochromatography test can obtain results in around 30 minutes and thus enables a rapid response to clinical decision.

Methods

Two methods, the Proglead® calprotectin (FC Proglead) and the BÜHLMANN fCAL® ELISA (FC BÜHLMANN), were used to quantitatively examine FC in 111 stool samples. The comparison and bias estimation of both assays were assessed using CLSI EP09c protocol.

Results

The two methods were highly correlated (rho = .96). Deming regression was employed to calculate the regression equation, with a slope of 1.01 and an intercept of −4.98 μg/g. The estimated median bias (FC Proglead − FC BÜHLMANN) was −4.19 μg/g with the 95% limits of agreement (−55.59 to 47.21 μg/g), and the estimated median percent bias was −8.71% with the 95% limits of agreement (−50.31% to 32.90%). There was 4.50% (5/111) of values outside the 95% limits of agreement. Percent biases at the FC cutoff values of 50 and 200 μg/g between both methods evaluated by Deming regression were 8.96% and 1.49%, respectively. The biases were all less than the acceptable standard (10%). And, 99.10% of FC results were in agreement between both methods (kappa = .99, P < .001).

Conclusions

FC Proglead may be used as a suitable alternative to FC BÜHLMANN for the disease activity assessment for patients with IBD, considering its convenience and shorter turnaround time.
Enhanced butanol production by Clostridium acetobutylicum fermentation using thermo‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐grafted PDMS sponge as adsorbent material
Authors: Shu Chin‐Hang , Zou Wei‐Lun , Nirwana Wa Ode Cakra
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

Butanol production through ABE (acetone, butanol, and ethanol) fermentation has attracted a great deal of attention because of its potential to replace petroleum‐based fuels. Low butanol production and productivity due to butanol inhibition are the main challenges to make ABE fermentation viable economically. In this work, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sponge and thermos‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐grafted PDMS (PNIPAAm‐PDMS) sponges (with different mass fractions of PNIPAAm on the PDMS surface) were investigated as adsorbents for butanol.

RESULTS

The butanol model solutions showed that the adsorption–desorption efficiency of different types of sponges for butanol is highly temperature‐dependent. Higher temperatures exhibited higher adsorption efficiency. In contrast, lower temperatures markedly increased the desorption efficiency for butanol. PNIPAAm‐PDMS with 8.0 wt% of PNIPAAm on the PDMS surface showed as the best adsorbent for butanol. It had adsorption efficiency of 14, 24 and 46% at 25, 37 and 50 °C, respectively. Moreover, 96% of butanol adsorbed was recovered at 25 °C. When it was coupled with a batch ABE fermentation by Clostridium acetobutylicum, butanol production increased by 102% compared to batch fermentation without adsorption. A semi‐continuous fermentation with the initial feeding time at the 60th hour exhibited as the optimum condition. However, it failed to enhance butanol productivity due to a high accumulation of butanol in the broth. Then, a semi‐continuous fermentation with adsorption was conducted, yielding total butanol production of 20 g/L.

CONCLUSION

PNIPAAm‐PDMS sponge is proposed as an adsorbent to overcome butanol inhibition in ABE fermentation by temperature manipulation to recover butanol. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Investigation on the properties of gamma irradiated of polytetrafluoroethylene fibers
Authors: Yassien Khaled M. , El‐Zahhar Adel A.
Published: October 2019

The physical, thermal, and chemical properties of gamma‐irradiated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fibers were investigated using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also used to analyze the surface morphology of irradiated fiber samples. PTFE fiber samples were irradiated by gamma radiation doses ranging from 3 kGy to 40 kGy. The XRD analyses and DSC measurements showed the improvement of crystallinity by gamma irradiation with dose up to 25 kGy reflecting the induced crosslinking with irradiation for PTFE fibers. The crystallinity was found to decrease with higher dose of 40 kGy, reflecting induced amorphization of the polymer sample at the high radiation dose. The calculated crystallite size and XRD parameters showed obvious variations with sample irradiation. The FTIR results showed the liberation of CF2 groups and the formation of some new chemical bonding with crosslinking‐induced irradiation. The SEM micrographs revealed no variation in the surface morphology of the irradiated fiber samples than the pristine fiber.
Determination of lower cut‐off levels of adalimumab associated with biochemical remission in Crohn's disease
Authors: Carlsen Arne , Omdal Roald , Karlsen Lars , Kvaløy Jan Terje , Aabakken Lars , Steinsbø Øyvind , Bolstad Nils , Warren David , Lundin Knut Erik Aslaksen , Grimstad Tore
Published: October 2019

Background and Aim

Adalimumab is administered and dosed using a standardized treatment regimen. Although therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) may help optimize treatment efficacy, the lower cut‐off concentration of adalimumab needed to retain disease remission has not been established. This cross‐sectional study of patients with Crohn's disease on stable medication aimed to determine a lower therapeutic drug concentration threshold of adalimumab associated with biochemical disease remission.

Methods

C‐reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin were used as established markers and albumin as an explorative marker of disease activity. Time since introduction, treatment interval, drug dosage, serum drug concentration and antidrug antibodies, disease duration, age, and sex were recorded.

Results

The study included 101 patients who were divided into “active disease” and “remission” groups for inflammatory markers based on cut‐off levels of 5 mg/L for CRP and 50 mg/kg for fecal calprotectin. Cut‐off levels for albumin of 36.5 and 41.5 g/L were also added as further indicatives of remission. Receiver operating characteristic analysis found optimal thresholds for adalimumab associated with remission at 6.8–7.0 mg/L for the combination of CRP and fecal calprotectin and when combining CRP, fecal calprotectin, and albumin.

Conclusions

In patients with Crohn's disease, serum adalimumab of at least 6.8 mg/L was associated with biochemical disease remission based on CRP and fecal calprotectin, supporting the use of TDM to ensure disease control. Albumin should be further tested in this setting.
Neutralising anti‐drug antibodies in Fabry disease can inhibit endothelial enzyme uptake and activity
Authors: Stappers Franciska , Scharnetzki David , Schmitz Boris , Manikowski Dominique , Brand Stefan‐Martin , Grobe Kay , Lenders Malte , Brand Eva
Published: October 2019

Fabry disease (FD) is a lysosomal storage disease, treatable by enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) that substitutes deficient α‐galactosidase A (AGAL). The formation of neutralising anti‐drug antibodies (ADA) inhibiting AGAL activity during infusion is associated with disease progression in affected male patients. In this study we analysed if ADAs also inhibit endothelial enzyme uptake as well as intracellular enzyme activity. Therefore, fluorescence‐labelled AGAL in combination with ADA‐positive sera from FD patients (n = 8) was used to analyse enzyme uptake in endothelial and FD‐specific cells. Furthermore, immune adsorption and a comprehensive ADA epitope mapping were performed. Pre‐incubation of AGAL with ADAs significantly inhibited intracellular enzyme activity, which was rescued by immune adsorption (both P < .01). ADAs from some patients also inhibited enzyme uptake. ADA epitope mapping identified an epitope at position 121 to 140 aa potentially responsible for uptake inhibition for these patients. Further analyses revealed the presence of stable AGAL/ADA‐immune complexes at pH 4.5 and decreased intracellular enzyme activity in endothelial cells (P < .001). Finally, the pre‐incubation of AGAL with ADAs resulted in a reduced depletion of intracellular globotriaosylceramide in patient‐derived AGAL‐deficient cells, demonstrating a direct negative impact of ADAs on intracellular clearance. Neutralising ADAs may not only inhibit infused AGAL activity, but according to their epitopes can also inhibit endothelial AGAL uptake. Indeed, internalised AGAL/ADA‐complexes may not dissociate, underlining the importance of novel therapeutic approaches for ADA reduction and prevention to increase therapy efficiency in affected patients.
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization therapy use in New Zealand (ANZACS‐QI 33)
Authors: Foo Fang Shawn , Lee Mildred , Looi Khang‐Li , Larsen Peter , Clare Geoffrey C. , Heaven David , Stiles Martin K. , Voss Jamie , Boddington Dean , Jackson Rod , Kerr Andrew J. ,   on behalf of the ANZACS‐QI investigators
Published: October 2019

Background

The ANZACS‐QI Cardiac Implanted Device Registry (ANZACS‐QI DEVICE) collects nationwide data on cardiac implantable electronic devices in New Zealand (NZ). We used the registry to describe contemporary NZ use of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Methods

All ICD and CRT Pacemaker implants recorded in ANZACS‐QI DEVICE between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2017 were analyzed.

Results

Of 1579 ICD implants, 1152 (73.0%) were new implants, including 49.0% for primary prevention and 51.0% for secondary prevention. In both groups, median age was 62 years and patients were predominantly male (81.4% and 79.2%, respectively). Most patients receiving a primary prevention ICD had a history of clinical heart failure (80.4%), NYHA class II‐III symptoms (77.1%) and LVEF ≤35% (96.9%). In the secondary prevention ICD cohort, 88.4% were for sustained ventricular tachycardia or survived cardiac arrest from ventricular arrhythmia. Compared to primary prevention CRT Defibrillators (n = 155), those receiving CRT Pacemakers (n = 175) were older (median age 74 vs 66 years) and more likely to be female (38.3% vs 19.4%). Of the 427 (27.0%) ICD replacements (mean duration 6.3 years), 46.6% had received appropriate device therapy while 17.8% received inappropriate therapy. The ICD implant rate was 119 per million population with regional variation in implant rates, ratio of primary prevention ICD implants, and selection of CRT modality.

Conclusion

In contemporary NZ practice three‐quarters of ICD implants were new implants, of which half were for primary prevention. The majority met current guideline indications. Patients receiving CRT pacemaker were older and more likely to be female.
Climate change impacts under representative concentration pathway scenarios on streamflow and droughts of basins in the Brazilian Cerrado biome
Authors: Rodrigues Jéssica A. M. , Viola Marcelo R. , Alvarenga Lívia A. , de Mello Carlos R. , Chou Sin C. , de Oliveira Vinícius A. , Uddameri Venkatesh , Morais Marco A. V.
Published: October 2019

Brazilian Cerrado biome is the largest and richest tropical savanna in the world. In order to understand the effects of climate changes on the hydrology of the Cerrado basins, this paper investigates the hydrological impacts of climate change throughout the 21st century under different emissions scenarios on the streamflow and on the droughts in the Sono, Manuel Alves da Natividade and Palma basins, located in the Brazilian Cerrado. For this purpose, the SWAT hydrological model driven by the downscaling of the HadGEM2‐ES and MIROC5 global climate models associated with RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios were used in three time slices (2011–2040, 2041–2070 and 2071–2099). The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Standardized Streamflow Index (SSFI) were used to characterize droughts. In general, the results showed that the duration, intensity and frequency of the meteorological and hydrological droughts are expected to increase during the future periods. However, the hydrological droughts are projected to be larger than the meteorological droughts. Reductions in the streamflow are indicated in all future time slices and under both RCPs, especially, during dry periods, which may cause negative impacts in the ecological functions of the Cerrado biome, risk for reduction of the recharge of aquifers and risk for the electric energy production in northern Brazil.
Relationship between sea surface temperature and the maximum intensity of tropical cyclones affecting Vietnam's coastline
Authors: Thanh Nguyen T. , Cuong Hoang D. , Hien Nguyen X. , Kieu Chanh
Published: October 2019

Estimating an upper bound for tropical cyclone (TC) intensity in a given environment is important for TC intensity forecasts and risk management. While theoretical limits for the TC maximum potential intensity have been well examined in previous studies, the actual maximum intensity (
Vmax) that a TC attains in real atmospheric conditions varies from basin to basin and is subject to much more uncertainties. This study examines different empirical relationships between sea surface temperature (SST) and
Vmax in the South China Sea that affect Vietnam's coastal region. Using different SST datasets and the TC intensity record from 1982 to 2016, it is shown that
Vmax in this area increases slower than the typical linear or exponential function form found in previous studies. Such different dependence of
Vmax on SST in the South China Sea is due to the narrow range of SST variation in this region, which is between 24 and 30°C as compared to the range of 15 and 30°C used in previous studies. An alternative functional form based on the natural logarithm of SST is then proposed, which captures better the characteristics of the actual TC maximum intensity in Vietnam's coastal region. Examination of the variability of
Vmax also indicates an uptrend of the TC maximum intensity over last 30 years in the South China Sea, which has a potentially large effect on Vietnam's coastal region. This increase of
Vmax is consistent with the warmer trend of the SST as projected in the Fifth Assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
An optimized mixed‐mode stationary phase based on silica monolith particles for the separation of peptides and proteins in high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Sun Genlin , Ali Ashraf , Kim Yune Sung , Kim Jeong Soo , An Hyun Joo , Cheong Won Jo
Published: October 2019

A phase with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic functionalities has been synthesized by modification of ground silica monolith particles with C18 and 1‐[3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl] urea ligands. A series of phases was prepared by changing the ratio of the two ligands to determine the optimal ratio in view of separation efficiency. The resultant optimized stationary phase was packed in narrow‐bore glass‐lined stainless‐steel columns (1 × 300 mm and 2.1 × 100 mm) and used for the separation of synthetic peptides and proteins. The average numbers of theoretical plates (N) of 52 100/column (174 000/m, 5.75 µm plate height) and 35 500/column (118 000/m, 8.47 µm plate height) were achieved with the 300 mm column at a flow rate of 25 µL/min (0.86 mm/s) in 60:40 v/v acetonitrile/30 mM aqueous ammonium formate for the mixture of peptides (Thr‐Tyr‐Ser, Val‐Ala‐Pro‐Gly, angiotensin I, isotocin, and bradykinin) and for the mixture of proteins (myoglobin, human serum albumin, and insulin), respectively. Fast analysis of the peptides and proteins was also carried out at a flow rate of 0.9 mL/min (6.88 mm/s) with the 100 mm column and all the analytes were eluted within 2 min with good separation efficiency.
Technical Note: Optimal sampling schedules for kidney dosimetry based on the hybrid planar/SPECT method in 177Lu‐PSMA therapy
Authors: Rinscheid Andreas , Kletting Peter , Eiber Matthias , Beer Ambros J. , Glatting Gerhard
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Accurate and precise renal dosimetry during 177Lu‐labeled prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) radioligand therapy is crucial for therapy decisions. Sampling schedules for estimating the necessary time‐integrated activity coefficients (TIACs) are not optimized and standardized for clinical practice. Therefore, a simulation study to determine optimal sampling schedules (OSSs) was performed on 13 virtual 177Lu‐PSMA I&T therapy patients.

Method

A total of 880 clinically feasible sampling schedules for planar imaging (three time points) were investigated. To simulate the hybrid planar/SPECT method, an additional quantitative SPECT/CT measurement following one planar image was considered. For each sampling schedule and patient, the activity values were generated separately. Measurement noise was modeled by drawing random numbers of log‐normal distributions. The used fractional standard deviations (FSD) differed depending on the imaging modality. For activity values assigned to planar imaging, systematic noise between 25% and 75% of the total noise was simulated. After fitting with a mono‐exponential function, the root‐mean‐squared errors of the deviations of the simulated TIACs from the ground truth for 1000 replications were used to determine the OSS. The uncertainties of the TIACs and renal dose coefficients were estimated.

Results

For the hybrid planar/SPECT method, OSSs were determined to be (3–4, 72–76, 124–144)  h post injection (p.i.) with the quantitative SPECT/CT scan shortly after the second measurement. The accuracy and precision of the determined TIACs were in the range of (−3.0 ±  6.2)% and (−1.0  ±  6.5)%. This precision was improved by a factor 2–3 compared to dosimetry based on planar images only. Similar results were obtained for the renal dose coefficients. The virtual patients' renal dose coefficients were (0.68  ± 0.24)  Gy/GBq indicating that a population‐based method yields an uncertainty of 35%.

Conclusions

Dosimetry based on the hybrid planar/SPECT method with OSS outperforms dosimetry based on planar images. The high variability in dose coefficients between the virtual patients demonstrates the need for individualized dosimetry.
Abduction range: A potential parameter for the long exercise test in hypokalemic periodic paralysis during inter‐attack periods
Authors: Zhang Lei , Niu Jingwen , Li Yi , Guan Yuzhou , Cui Liying , Liu Mingsheng
Published: October 2019

Background

The abduction range of the little finger in the long exercise test (ET) has rarely been reported in patients with hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HypoPP) during inter‐attack periods, and the diagnostic value requires clarification.

Methods

The long ET was performed in 43 HypoPP patients during inter‐attack periods and in 20 healthy controls (HCs). The compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and the abduction range of the little finger were recorded concurrently.

Results

There were significant differences in the percent changes of the CMAP amplitudes and the abduction ranges after exercise between HypoPP patients and the HCs. The curve of percent changes in abduction ranges overlapped substantially with that of the CMAP amplitudes, and the sensitivity, specificity, and cutoff values were 0.860, 0.900, and 22.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

The abduction range of the little finger can serve as a novel parameter in the long ET for the diagnosis of HypoPP during inter‐attack periods.
Transthyretin amyloidosis: Putting myopathy on the map
Authors: Pinto Marcus V. , Milone Margherita , Mauermann Michelle L. , Dyck P. James B. , Alhammad Reem , McPhail Ellen D. , Grogan Martha , Liewluck Teerin
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Although peripheral neuropathy and cardiomyopathy are well‐recognized manifestations of transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis, myopathy has been rarely reported.

Methods

In this study we reviewed our muscle biopsy database (January 1998 to June 2018) to identify patients with ATTR amyloid myopathy confirmed by molecular or proteomic analysis. Clinical and laboratory findings were reviewed.

Results

We identified eight ATTR amyloid myopathy patients (5 hereditary ATTR [ATTRv] and 3 wild‐type ATTR [ATTRwt]). Myopathy was the initial manifestation in all ATTRwt patients and followed peripheral neuropathy (4 patients) or cardiomyopathy (1 patient) in ATTRv patients. One ATTRv patient developed myopathy after liver transplant. Peripheral neuropathy and cardiac amyloidosis occurred in seven and six patients, respectively. Muscle biopsy showed interstitial amyloid deposition in all patients, rare necrotic/regenerating fibers in six, and vacuoles in four.

Discussion

Myopathy can be the initial manifestation of ATTRwt amyloidosis and can precede the peripheral neuropathy or occur after liver transplant in ATTRv amyloidosis.
Applying two minds theory to self‐management of Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Messer Laurel H. , Sousa Karen , Cook Paul F.
Published: October 2019

Two minds theory (TMT) offers a new approach to changing health behavior. Here, TMT is applied to self‐management of Type 1 diabetes. TMT can be conceptualized as a cycle where a stimulus produces an immediate Intuitive system response leading to health behavior, followed by a conscious narrative system response that is temporally delayed. Narrative responses do not produce behaviors directly but instead lead to conscious beliefs about past events and behavioral intentions for the future, both of which become part of the material considered by the intuitive system in selecting future behaviors. Because of the temporal delay between intuitive behavior and narrative interpretation, and the nonconscious nature of intuitive thought, there is often a gap between intentions and behaviors. This has implications for nursing practice. First, nurses should consider that patient‐reported impressions of the past or future are fundamentally narrative system responses and understand that these may be less predictive of behavior than biopsychosocial measures that are more temporally immediate. Second, nurses can use TMT to inform new strategies for behavior change interventions. For diabetes self‐management, nurses can encourage individuals to leverage environmental cues to prompt self‐management (tricking the intuitive system), provide rewards for self‐management (training the intuitive system), or engage the narrative system via planning, reframing, or attention practices for healthier future decisions. Overall, the TMT addresses the gap between intentions and behavior and should be further developed to inform behavioral health interventions.
Structure, transport properties, and dielectric properties of lactic acid/pyruvic acid aqueous solution in a biofuel cell: A molecular simulation study
Authors: Matsunaga Shigeki
Published: October 2019

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of lactic acid (L‐acid) and pyruvic acid (P‐acid) in a physiological salt solution has been performed, which is used as the electrolyte in a sort of biofuel cell working on a human skin. The structure, frequency distribution of molecules, dielectric properties, rotational correlation functions, and diffusion coefficients have been calculated. The anomalous behavior of dielectric constants for the lower concentration of L‐acid and P‐acid has been obtained from MD. The anomalous dielectric constant is discussed in relation with the various physical properties of the solution including the life time of the interaction in the solution. MD results suggest that the anomalous behavior is supposed to be attributed to the difference of interactions between ions in the lower and higher concentration region. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:2474–2478, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthesis of peptides with cysteine sulfinic acid via the cysteine methoxybenzyl sulfone
Authors: Urmey Andrew R. , Zondlo Neal J.
Published: October 2019

Cysteine sulfinic acid is a protein posttranslational modification that is formed under oxidative conditions and is regulated both enzymatically and nonenzymatically. Cysteine oxidation to the sulfinic acid has been observed broadly throughout the proteome and can induce activation or inhibition of function in proteins. Recently, wide‐scale, reversible regulation of the sulfinic acid state of cysteine within proteins was identified, posing new questions in cysteine sulfinic acid biology. Existing methods to synthesize peptides with cysteine sulfinic acid can suffer from low yield, due to the formation of side products in the disulfide, sulfenic acid, and/or sulfonic acid oxidation states. Herein, a method for the synthesis of peptides with cysteine sulfinic acids was developed, via protection of cysteine sulfinic acid as the methoxybenzyl (Mob) sulfone. Cysteine Mob sulfone was synthesized as an Fmoc amino acid in one step from the commercially available Mob‐protected Fmoc‐cysteine (Fmoc‐Cys(Mob)‐OH). This amino acid was directly incorporated into peptides via solid‐phase peptide synthesis. Alternatively, peptides were synthesized using Fmoc‐Cys(Mob)‐OH, followed by subsequent oxidation within peptides of the thioether to the Mob sulfone via H2O2 and catalytic niobium carbide. Deprotection of peptides under strongly acidic conditions (50% triflic acid, 45% trifluoroacetic acid, 5% water) generated peptides with cysteine sulfinic acid. This approach was applied to the synthesis of peptides containing cysteine sulfinic acid within diverse peptide sequence contexts.
New insights into differential aggregation of enantiomerically pure and racemic Aβ40 systems
Authors: Dutta Subrata , Foley Alejandro R. , Kuhn Ariel J. , Abrams Benjamin , Lee Hsiau‐Wei , Raskatov Jevgenij A.
Published: October 2019

Racemic mixtures frequently display properties that are different from those associated with their enantiopure counterparts, and are often characterized by higher propensity to form aggregates. Our previous research established that mixing of the enantiomers of Alzheimer amyloid β (Aβ) 42 peptides is an effective strategy to induce an oligomer‐to‐fibril conversion, which puts Aβ42 into a substantially less toxic state. Here, new insights into this chiral inactivation effect are presented. In addition to the commonly used Thioflavin T fibril formation assays, the use of the less aggregation‐prone Aβ40 system allowed us to monitor peptide aggregation by NMR. Whereas enantiopure peptide was well soluble under the chosen experimental conditions and showed no sign of precipitation, addition of one equivalent of the mirror‐image peptide triggered an instant and rapid aggregation, observable through the attenuation of the NMR signal. The racemic Aβ40 fibrils were found by transmission electron microscopy to be distinct in morphology, exhibiting a ~2‐fold narrowing as compared with their enantiopure counterparts.
Constructing and deconstructing the bacterial cell wall
Authors: Fisher Jed F. , Mobashery Shahriar
Published: October 2019

The history of modern medicine cannot be written apart from the history of the antibiotics. Antibiotics are cytotoxic secondary metabolites that are isolated from Nature. The antibacterial antibiotics disproportionately target bacterial protein structure that is distinct from eukaryotic protein structure, notably within the ribosome and within the pathways for bacterial cell‐wall biosynthesis (for which there is not a eukaryotic counterpart). This review focuses on a pre‐eminent class of antibiotics—the β‐lactams, exemplified by the penicillins and cephalosporins—from the perspective of the evolving mechanisms for bacterial resistance. The mechanism of action of the β‐lactams is bacterial cell‐wall destruction. In the monoderm (single membrane, Gram‐positive staining) pathogen Staphylococcus aureus the dominant resistance mechanism is expression of a β‐lactam‐unreactive transpeptidase enzyme that functions in cell‐wall construction. In the diderm (dual membrane, Gram‐negative staining) pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa a dominant resistance mechanism (among several) is expression of a hydrolytic enzyme that destroys the critical β‐lactam ring of the antibiotic. The key sensing mechanism used by P. aeruginosa is monitoring the molecular difference between cell‐wall construction and cell‐wall deconstruction. In both bacteria, the resistance pathways are manifested only when the bacteria detect the presence of β‐lactams. This review summarizes how the β‐lactams are sensed and how the resistance mechanisms are manifested, with the expectation that preventing these processes will be critical to future chemotherapeutic control of multidrug resistant bacteria.
Lysosomal acid lipase does not have a propeptide and should not be considered being a proprotein
Authors: Strøm Thea B. , Vinje Terje , Bjune Katrine , da Costa Luís T. , Laerdahl Jon K. , Leren Trond P.
Published: October 2019

Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) plays an important role in lipid metabolism by performing hydrolysis of triglycerides and cholesteryl esters in the lysosome. Based upon characteristics of LAL purified from human liver, it has been proposed that LAL is a proprotein with a 55 residue propeptide that may be essential for proper folding, intracellular transport, or enzymatic function. However, the biological significance of such a propeptide has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we have performed a series of studies in cultured HepG2 and HeLa cells to determine the role of the putative propeptide. However, by Western blot analysis and subcellular fractionation, we have not been able to identify a cleaved LAL lacking the N‐terminal 55 residues. Moreover, mutating residues surrounding the putative cleavage site at Lys76↓ in order to disrupt a proteinase recognition sequence, did not affect LAL activity. Furthermore, forcing cleavage at Lys76↓ by introducing the optimal furin cleavage site RRRR↓EL between residues 76 and 77, did not affect LAL activity. These data, in addition to bioinformatics analyses, indicate that LAL is not a proprotein. Thus, it is possible that the previously reported cleavage at Lys76↓ could have resulted from exposure to proteolytic enzymes during the multistep purification procedure.
Molluscicidal and cercaricidal activities of curcumin on Biomphalaria glabrata and Schistosoma mansoni cercariae
Authors: Matos Jaqueline L , da Silva Karen R , de Lima Paula Lucas A , Cunha Wilson R , Ramos Salvador B , Rodrigues Vanderlei , Cabral Fernanda J , Magalhães Lizandra G
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

Schistosomiasis control in endemic areas depends on several factors, including chemotherapy, snail control and adequate sanitation. In this context, the employment of compounds isolated from plants is an important issue regarding infection and snail control. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the effects of curcumin (CUR), a compound isolated from Curcuma longa, against snails and embryos of Biomphalaria glabrata, which is the most important intermediate host of schistosomiasis in the Americas, as well as in cercariae, the infecting larval stage of Schistosoma mansoni.

RESULTS

CUR presented high activity against B. glabrata embryos and moderate activity against newborn and adult snails. The lethal concentration (LC50) values after being exposed for 24 h and evaluated for 7 days were 6.54 (95% confidence interval (CI) 5.86–7.30) μg mL−1 for the embryos and 42.29 (95% CI 33.82–52.87) μg mL−1 and 87.69 (95% CI 68.82–111.7) μg mL−1 for the newborn and adult snails, respectively. Moreover, CUR inhibited the development of embryos and egg hatching, and decreased the fecundity rates of adult snails. CUR also demonstrated cercaricidal activity with LC50 values lower than 10 μg mL−1 at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 h, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our data show that CUR has potential molluscicidal and cercaricidal activities. Moreover, as a nutraceutical compound that is toxic to both invertebrate host and parasite, CUR has the potential to be explored as a safe new agent to combat schistosomiasis. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Temperature Dependence of Electrical Properties and Phase Transition Characteristics of [001]‐Oriented Rhombohedral Mn‐0.15PIN‐0.55PMN‐0.30PT Single Crystal
Authors: Liu Fei , Chen Jianwei , Zhu Rongfeng , Zhao Jing , Xue Saidong , Du Qiuxiang , Wang Feifei , Luo Haosu
Published: October 2019

Dielectric, piezoelectric, and ferroelectric properties of [001]‐oriented Mn‐0.15PIN‐0.55PMN‐0.30PT crystal are studied as functions of temperature. The single crystal exhibits excellent piezoelectric properties (d33 ~ 1330 pC N−1), higher ferroelectric to ferroelectric phase transition temperature (TR‐M ~ 112 °C), and larger coercive field (Ec ≈4.5 kV cm−1) than the binary PMN‐PT with morphotropic phase boundary compositions. Temperature‐induced phase transition characteristics of Mn‐0.15PIN‐0.55PMN‐0.30PT crystal are investigated by the temperature‐dependence Raman spectroscopy, and the temperature‐dependent electrical properties analysis shows that the values of Smax%, Q, and d33* are significantly dependent on the ferroelectric phase transitions. The results are beneficial to deeply understand the relationships between structure and properties in ternary Mn‐0.15PIN‐0.55PMN‐0.30PT single crystals.
Magnetocaloric and Elastocaloric Effects in All‐d‐Metal Ni37Co9Fe4Mn35Ti15 Magnetic Shape Memory Alloy
Authors: Liu Shilong , Xuan Haicheng , Cao Ting , Wang Libang , Xie Zhigao , Liang Xiaohong , Li Hui , Feng Lin , Chen Fenghua , Han Peide
Published: October 2019

The magnetocaloric effect and the elastocaloric effect in a polycrystalline all‐d‐metal Ni37Co9Fe4Mn35Ti15 magnetic shape memory alloy are investigated. The alloy undergoes a transition from ferromagnetic austenite to weak‐magnetic martensite near room temperature. It exhibits a maximum magnetic entropy change of 8.4 J Kg−1 K−1 under the magnetic field of 3 T. Moreover, a maximum temperature change of 6.3 K associated martensite transition is obtained at room temperature by loading the uniaxial stress of 400 MPa. These results suggest that the alloy is the promising candidate for new solid‐state refrigeration materials.
Insulating State in Low‐Disorder Graphene Nanoribbons
Authors: Epping Alexander , Volk Christian , Buckstegge Frederic , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Stampfer Christoph
Published: October 2019

Quantum transport measurements on etched graphene nanoribbons encapsulated in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) are reported. At zero magnetic field, the devices behave qualitatively very similar to those reported for graphene nanoribbons on SiO2 or hBN, but exhibit a considerably smaller transport gap. At magnetic fields of around 3 T, the transport behavior changes significantly and is dominated by a much larger energy gap induced by electron–electron interactions which completely suppress the transport. This energy gap increases with a slope in the order of 3–4 meV T−1, reaching values of up to 30 meV at 9 T.
MOCVD Growth and Characterization of InN Quantum Dots
Authors: Reilly Caroline E. , Nakamura Shuji , DenBaars Steven P. , Keller Stacia
Published: October 2019

Metal‐polar InN quantum dots (QDs) are grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition at temperatures between 500 and 600 °C. Dot densities between 4 × 108 and 4 × 1010 cm−2 are observed. InN QDs exhibit room‐temperature photoluminescence (PL) with peak wavelengths from 1100  to >1550 nm. GaN cap layers grown on InN QDs have little effect on either peak PL wavelength or intensity, a step toward creating multilayer structures for InN QD devices.