bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide analysis of the HSP101/CLPB gene family for heat tolerance in hexaploid wheat
Authors: Erdayani Eva , Nagarajan Ragupathi , Grant Nathan P. , Gill Kulvinder S.
Published: March 2020

Heat Shock Protein 101 (HSP101), the homolog ofCaseinolytic ProteaseB (CLPB) proteins, has functional conservation across species to play roles in heat acclimation and plant development. In wheat, severalTaHSP101/CLPBgenes were identified, but have not been comprehensively characterized. Given the complexity of a polyploid genome with its phenomena of homoeologous expression bias, detailed analysis on the wholeTaCLPBfamily members is important to understand the genetic basis of heat tolerance in hexaploid wheat. In this study, a genome-wide analysis revealed thirteen members ofTaCLPBgene family and their expression patterns in various tissues, developmental stages, and stress conditions. Detailed characterization ofTaCLPBgene and protein structures suggested potential variations of the sub-cellular localization and their functional regulations. We revealed homoeologous specific variations amongTaCLPBgene copies that have not been reported earlier. A study of the Chromosome 1TaCLPBin four wheat genotypes demonstrated unique patterns of the homoeologous gene expression under moderate and extreme heat treatments. The results give insight into the strategies to improve heat tolerance by targeting one or some of theTaCLPBgenes in wheat.
Micromonospora zhangzhouensis sp. nov., a Novel Actinobacterium Isolated from Mangrove Soil, Exerts a Cytotoxic Activity in vitro
Authors: Fu Geyi , Wang Ruijun , Ding Jinglin , Qi Huan , Zhao Zhe , Chen Can , Zhang Hui , Xue Zhenglian , Wang Jidong , Wu Min
Published: March 2020

A new bacterial strain, designated HM134T, was isolated from a sample of soil collected from a Chinese mangrove Avicennia marina forest. Assessed by a polyphasic approach, the taxonomy of strain HM134T was found to be associated with a range of phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic properties consistent with the genus Micromonospora. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16s rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain HM134T formed a distinct lineage with the most closely related species, including M. rifamycinica AM105T, M. wenchangensis CCTCC AA 2012002T and M. mangrovi 2803GPT1-18T. The ANI values between strain HM134T and the reference strains ranged from 82.6% to 95.2%, which was below the standard criteria for classifying strains as the same species (96.5%). Strain HM134T and related species shared in silico dDDH similarities values below the recommended 70% cut-off for the delineation of species (range from 25.7–62.6%). The DNA G+C content of strain HM134T was 73.2 mol%. Analysis of phylogenetic, genomic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics revealed that strain HM134T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Micromonospora, for which the name M. zhangzhouensis sp. nov. is proposed. The extract of strain HM134T was demonstrated to exhibit cytotoxic activity against the human cancer cell lines HepG2, HCT-116 and A549. Active substance presented in the fermentation broth of strain HM134T was isolated by bioassay-guided analysis and purified afterwards. A new derivative of diterpenoid was identified through electrospray ionizing mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The compound showed different cytotoxic activities against cancer cells, with the highest cytotoxicity against HCT-116, corresponding to IC50 value of 38.4 μg/mL.
Supplemental Anti Vegf A-Therapy Prevents Rebound Neovascularisation After Fine Needle Diathermy Treatment to Regress Pathological Corneal (LYMPH)Angiogenesis
Authors: Le Viet Nhat Hung , Hou Yanhong , Bock Felix , Cursiefen Claus
Published: March 2020

Fine needle diathermy (FND) is an effective method to destroy and regress pathologic corneal blood and lymphatic vessels. However, it is unknown whether FND itself causes a rebound corneal neovascularisation and whether that can be prevented by VEGF blockade. In female BALB/c mice, the suture-induced inflammatory corneal neovascularisation model was used to induce hem- and lymphangiogenesis. Thereafter, prevascularized mice were divided into 2 groups: the combination therapy group received FND cauterization and subsequent VEGF TrapR1R2 eye drops three times per day whereas the monotherapy group was treated only with FND. Three, 7 and 14 days after the treatment, corneas were collected and stained with FITC-conjugated CD31 and LYVE-1 followed by Cy3-conjugated secondary antibody to quantify corneal blood and lymphatic vessels. Relative mRNA expression of VEGF in the cornea was quantified by using qPCR. FND cauterization as monotherapy significantly obliterated (lymph)angiogenesis at early time points; however, this treatment led to secondary corneal hem- and lymphangiogenesis associated with significant upregulation of pro(lymph)angiogenic VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D and infiltration of macrophages. Combining FND cauterization with VEGF TrapR1R2 treatment prevented the undesired effect of the FND procedure alone and significantly better regressed corneal blood and lymphatic vessels at 1 week after the treatment compared to monotherapy and control group (p < 0.01).
Implicit emotion regulation deficits in individuals with high schizotypal traits: an ERP study
Authors: Hoid Delhii , Pan Dong-ni , Wang Yi , Li Xuebing
Published: March 2020

Schizotypy is associated with poor emotion regulation that is thought to contribute to the development of psychotic symptoms and to indicate a predisposition to schizophrenia. Having focused primarily on the relationship between schizotypy and explicit emotion regulation, existing studies have, until now, neglected to acknowledge the potentially important role of implicit emotion regulation. Our aim in the current study was to investigate implicit emotion regulation deficits in schizotypy. To this end, we used a newly developed Priming-Identification (PI) ERP paradigm, consisting of a priming phase and an emotion identification phase, to test 30 individuals with schizotypy and 30 healthy controls while also acquiring EEG data. During the priming phase, we aimed to manipulate emotion regulation goals (i.e., to bring about an intended emotional state) by presenting a category of words related to emotion regulation alongside a category of control words. Associated brain responses occurring during the subsequent stage were indexed according to three ERP components: N170, early posterior negativity (EPN) and late positive potential (LPP). Results showed that, in the control group, priming words associated with emotion regulation led to enhancements in the early N170 amplitude and the middle EPN during expression identification. The same pattern was not observed in the schizotypy group. In summary, our results suggest the presence of deficits in the early and middle stages of the implicit emotion regulation process among individuals with high schizotypal traits.
HDMAC: A Web-Based Interactive Program for High-Dimensional Analysis of Molecular Alterations in Cancer
Authors: Chang Chung , Sung Chan-Yu , Hsiao Han , Chen Jiabin , Chen I.-Hsuan , Kuo Wei-Ting , Cheng Lung-Feng , Korla Praveen Kumar , Chung Ming-Jhe , Wu Pei-Jhen , Yu Chia-Cheng , Sheu Jim Jinn-Chyuan
Published: March 2020

Recent advances in high-throughput genomic technologies have nurtured a growing demand for statistical tools to facilitate identification of molecular changes as potential prognostic biomarkers or drugable targets for personalized precision medicine. In this study, we developed a web-based interactive and user-friendly platform for high-dimensional analysis of molecular alterations in cancer (HDMAC) (https://ripsung26.shinyapps.io/rshiny/). On HDMAC, several penalized regression models that are suitable for high-dimensional data analysis, Ridge, Lasso and adaptive Lasso, are offered, with Cox regression for survival and logistic regression for binary outcomes. Choice of a first-step screening is provided to address the multiple-comparison issue that often arises with large-volume genomic data. Hazard ratio or estimated coefficient is provided with each selected gene so that a multivariate regression model may be built based on the genes selected. Cross validation is provided as the method to estimate the prediction power of each regression model. In addition, R codes are also provided to facilitate download of whole sets of molecular variables from TCGA. In this study, illustration of the use of HDMAC was made through a set of data on gene mutations and a set on mRNA expression from ovarian cancer patients and a set on mRNA expression from bladder cancer patient. From the analysis of each set of data, a list of candidate genes was obtained that might be associated with mutations or abnormal expression of genes in ovarian and bladder cancers. HDMAC offers a solution for rigorous and validation analysis of high-dimensional genomic data.
Parental non-hereditary teratogenic exposure factors on the occurrence of congenital heart disease in the offspring in the northeastern Sichuan, China
Authors: Liang Yun , Hu Xingsheng , Li Xiaoqin , Wen Bing , Wang Liang , Wang Cheng
Published: March 2020

Nonhereditary factors play an important role in the occurrence of congenital heart disease (CHD). This study was to explore the possible parental nonhereditary exposure factors relevant to the occurrence of CHD in the northeastern Sichuan area. A total of 367 children with CHD and 367 children without congenital malformations aged 0 to 14 years old were recruited from the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College and Nanchong Central Hospital between March 2016 and November 2018. This study was designed as a case-control study with 1:1 frequency matching, in which the parents of cases and controls were interviewed with the same questionnaire according to the gestational age of the child, maternal age during pregnancy and the same maternal race/ethnicity. Then, 322 matched case-control pairs were analysed by SPSS 22. Thirty-one suspicious factors were entered into the binary logistic regression analysis after univariate regression analysis of 55 factors (alpha = 0.05). The analysis results showed that 7 factors were significantly associated with the occurrence of CHD. Thus, augmenting maternal mental healthcare, improving the quality of drinking water, obtaining adequate nutrition, maintaining a healthy physical condition during pregnancy, enhancing parents’ level of knowledge and maintaining a healthy lifestyle may lower the occurrence of CHD.
Expanded inverted repeat region with large scale inversion in the first complete plastid genome sequence of Plantago ovata
Authors: Asaf Sajjad , Khan Abdul Latif , Lubna  , khan Adil , Khan Arif , Khan Gulzar , Lee In-Jung , Al-Harrasi Ahmed
Published: March 2020

Plantago ovata (Plantaginaceae) is an economically and medicinally important species, however, least is known about its genomics and evolution. Here, we report the first complete plastome genome of P. ovata and comparison with previously published genomes of related species from Plantaginaceae. The results revealed that P. ovata plastome size was 162,116 bp and that it had typical quadripartite structure containing a large single copy region of 82,084 bp and small single copy region of 5,272 bp. The genome has a markedly higher inverted repeat (IR) size of 37.4 kb, suggesting large-scale inversion of 13.8 kb within the expanded IR regions. In addition, the P. ovata plastome contains 149 different genes, including 43 tRNA, 8 rRNA, and 98 protein-coding genes. The analysis revealed 139 microsatellites, of which 71 were in the non-coding regions. Approximately 32 forward, 34 tandem, and 17 palindromic repeats were detected. The complete genome sequences, 72 shared genes, matK gene, and rbcL gene from related species generated the same phylogenetic signals, and phylogenetic analysis revealed that P. ovata formed a single clade with P. maritima and P. media. The divergence time estimation as employed in BEAST revealed that P. ovata diverged from P. maritima and P. media about 11.0 million years ago (Mya; 95% highest posterior density, 10.06–12.25 Mya). In conclusion, P. ovata had significant variation in the IR region, suggesting a more stable P. ovata plastome genome than that of other Plantaginaceae species.
Collective effects of long-range DNA methylations predict gene expressions and estimate phenotypes in cancer
Authors: Kim Soyeon , Park Hyun Jung , Cui Xiangqin , Zhi Degui
Published: March 2020

DNA methylation of various genomic regions has been found to be associated with gene expression in diverse biological contexts. However, most genome-wide studies have focused on the effect of (1) methylation in cis, not in trans and (2) a single CpG, not the collective effects of multiple CpGs, on gene expression. In this study, we developed a statistical machine learning model, geneEXPLORE (geneexpression prediction by long-range epigenetics), that quantifies the collective effects of both cis- and trans- methylations on gene expression. By applying geneEXPLORE to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) breast and 10 other types of cancer data, we found that most genes are associated with methylations of as much as 10 Mb from the promoters or more, and the long-range methylation explains 50% of the variation in gene expression on average, far greater than cis-methylation. geneEXPLORE outperforms competing methods such as BioMethyl and MethylXcan. Further, the predicted gene expressions could predict clinical phenotypes such as breast tumor status and estrogen receptor status (AUC = 0.999, 0.94 respectively) as accurately as the measured gene expression levels. These results suggest that geneEXPLORE provides a means for accurate imputation of gene expression, which can be further used to predict clinical phenotypes.
Immunogenicity of rat-neu+ mouse mammary tumours determines the T cell-dependent therapeutic efficacy of anti-neu monoclonal antibody treatment
Authors: Sow Heng Sheng , Benonisson Hreinn , Brouwers Conny , Linssen Margot M. , Camps Marcel , Breukel Cor , Claassens Jill , van Hall Thorbald , Ossendorp Ferry , Fransen Marieke F. , Verbeek J. Sjef
Published: March 2020

The use of Trastuzumab (Herceptin), a monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting HER2/neu, results in an increased median survival in Her2+breast cancer patients. The tumour mutational burden and the presence of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) clearly correlate with response to trastuzumab. Here, we investigated if the immunogenicity of the transplantable rat-neu+tumour cell line (TUBO) derived from a BALB/c-NeuT primary tumour is associated with the response to anti-neu mAb therapy. We compared the TUBO tumour outgrowth and tumour infiltrating T cells in isogenic (BALB/c-NeuT) and non-isogenic (WT BALB/c) recipient mice. Furthermore, therapeutic efficacy of anti-neu mAb and the contribution of T cells were examined in both mouse strains. The outgrowth of untreated tumours was significantly better in BALB/c-NeuT than WT BALB/c mice. Moreover, tumour infiltrating T cells were more abundantly present in WT BALB/c than BALB/c-NeuT mice, showing that the TUBO tumour was more immunogenic in WT BALB/c mice. In TUBO tumour bearing WT BALB/c mice, anti-neu mAb therapy resulted in an increase of tumour infiltrating T cells and long-term survival. When T cells were depleted, this strong anti-tumour effect was reduced to an outgrowth delay. In contrast, in TUBO tumour bearing BALB/c-NeuT mice, treatment with anti-neu mAb resulted only in tumour outgrowth delay, both in the presence and absence of T cells. We concluded that in immunogenic tumours the response to anti-neu mAb therapy is enhanced by additional T cell involvement compared to the response to anti-neu mAb in non-immunogenic tumours.
Influence of Vertebrobasilar Stenotic Lesion Rigidity on the Outcome of Angioplasty and Stenting
Authors: Chang Feng-Chi , Luo Chao-Bao , Chung Chih-Ping , Kuo Kuei-Hong , Chen Ting-Yi , Lee Han-Jui , Lin Chung-Jung , Lirng Jiing-Feng , Guo Wan-Yuo
Published: March 2020

Stenotic lesion rigidity (SLR) has an unclear influence on the outcome of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) for intracranial arterial stenosis. This study evaluated the outcome of PTAS and the relationship of vertebrobasilar SLR to features on vessel wall MRI (VW-MRI) for identifying pathologies of vertebrobasilar stenosis (VBS) and evaluating PTAS outcome. We retrospectively evaluated the results of PTAS in 31 patients with severe VBS. Stenotic lesions were classified as soft (based on predilatation pressure [PP] ≦ 4 atm) in 15 patients or hard (PP >4 atm) in 16 patients. We examined the relationship of SLR to clinical and MR findings. Patients with hard vs soft lesions had atherosclerosis (8/16 [50.0%] vs 2/15 [13.3%]), dissection (0/16 [0.0%] vs 12/15 [80.0%]), and dissection in atherosclerosis (8/16 [50.0%] vs 1/15 [6.7%], P < 0.0001); high intensity signal on the T1WI of VW-MRI (5/16 [31.3%] vs 14/15 [93.3%]) and iso- to low intensity signal (11/16 [68.7%] vs 1/15 [6.7], P = 0.001), and significant in-stent restenosis (>50%) in 5/15 (33.3%) vs 0/15 (0.0%) (P = 0.0421) in the 30 patients who successfully completed PTAS. Vertebrobasilar SLR correlated well with lesion etiology, findings on VW-MRI, and PTAS outcome. Patients with hard stenotic lesions need close follow-up after PTAS.
Author Correction: High-resolution multimodal photoacoustic microscopy and optical coherence tomography image-guided laser induced branch retinal vein occlusion in living rabbits
Authors: Nguyen Van Phuc , Li Yanxiu , Zhang Wei , Wang Xueding , Paulus Yannis M.
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Neural maturation enhanced by exercise-induced extracellular derivatives
Authors: Moon Hyo Youl , Yoon Kyeong Jin , Lee Won Sang , Cho Hae-Sung , Kim Do-Yeon , Kim Ji-Seok
Published: March 2020

Physical activity has profound effects on neuronal progenitor cell growth, differentiation, and integration, but the mechanism for these effects is still ambiguous. Using a mouse model, we investigated the effects of two weeks of treadmill running on the dynamics of the size distribution and miRNA profiles of serum extracellular derivatives (EDs) using particle-sizing analysis and small RNA sequencing. We found that an increased average diameter of EDs in the running group compared with the sedentary group (p < 0.05), and 16 miRNAs were significantly altered (p < 0.05) in the running group. Furthermore, functional annotation analysis of differentially expressed miRNA-predicted target genes showed that many of these target genes are involved in the PI3K-Akt pathway. Exercise-induced serum EDs increased Neuro2A cell viability and Akt phosphorylation. We also found that expression levels of neuronal maturation markers such as Microtubule-Associated Protein 2 (MAP2ab) and Neuronal nuclei (NeuN) were increased (p < 0.05, respectively), and that inhibition of the PI3K-Akt pathway by LY294002 pre-treatment ameliorated their expression in Neuro2A cells. Finally, the administration of exercise-induced EDs for 3 days increased the Histone 3 phosphorylation and β-III tubulin expression in Ink/Arf null neural stem cells and progenitors (NSPCs) under each proliferation and differentiation condition. These results suggest that exercise-induced circulating EDs may mediate neuronal maturation during exercise.
Chaos in disease outbreaks among prey
Authors: Eilersen Andreas , Jensen Mogens H. , Sneppen Kim
Published: March 2020

Epidemics are highly unpredictable, and so are real-world population dynamics. In this paper, we examine a dynamical model of an ecosystem with one predator and two prey species of which one carries a disease. We find that the system behaves chaotically for a wide range of parameters. Using the allometric mass scaling of animal and disease lifetimes, we predict chaos if (a) the disease is infectious enough to persist, and (b) it affects the larger prey species. This provides another example of chaos in a Lotka-Volterra system and a possible explanation for the apparent randomness of epizootic outbreaks.
Author Correction: Savanna in equatorial Borneo during the late Pleistocene
Authors: Wurster Christopher M. , Rifai Hamdi , Zhou Bin , Haig Jordahna , Bird Michael I.
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Clinical efficacy of Bone Cement-injectable Cannulated Pedicle Screw Short Segment Fixation for Lumbar Spondylolisthesis with Osteoporosise
Authors: Liu Yao-yao , Xiao Jun , Yin Xiang , Liu Ming-yong , Zhao Jian-hua , Liu Peng , Dai Fei
Published: March 2020

Many clinical studies have shown a satisfactory clinical efficacy using bone cement-augmented pedicle screw in osteoporotic spine, however, few studies have involved the application of this type of screw in lumbar spondylolisthesis. This study aims to investigate the mid-term clinical outcome of bone cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screw (CICPS) in lumbar spondylolisthesis with osteoporosis. From 2011 to 2015, twenty-three patients with transforminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) using CICPS for lumbar spondylolisthesis were enrolled in the study. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to evaluate faunctional recovery and physical pain; and operation time, blood loss and hospitalization time were recorded, respectively. Radiograph and computed tomography of lumbar spine was performed to assess loss of the intervertebral disc space height, fixation loosening, and the rate of bony fusion. The average follow-up time of 23 patients was 22.5 ± 10.2 months (range, 6–36 months). According to VAS and ODI scores, postoperative pain sensation and activity function were significantly improved (p < 0.05). The height of the intervertebral disc space was reduced by 0.4 ± 1.1 mm, and the bone graft fusion rate was 100%. No cases of internal fixation loosening or screw pullout was observed. CICPS using cement augmentation may suggest as a feasible surgical technique in osteoporotic patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis.
Improved soil biological health increases corn grain yield in N fertilized systems across the Corn Belt
Authors: Wade Jordon , Culman Steve W. , Logan Jessica A. R. , Poffenbarger Hanna , Demyan M. Scott , Grove John H. , Mallarino Antonio P. , McGrath Joshua M. , Ruark Matthew , West Jaimie R.
Published: March 2020

Nitrogenous fertilizers have nearly doubled global grain yields, but have also increased losses of reactive N to the environment. Current public investments to improve soil health seek to balance productivity and environmental considerations. However, data integrating soil biological health and crop N response to date is insufficient to reliably drive conservation policy and inform management. Here we used multilevel structural equation modeling and N fertilizer rate trials to show that biologically healthier soils produce greater corn yields per unit of fertilizer. We found the effect of soil biological health on corn yield was 18% the magnitude of N fertilization, Moreover, we found this effect was consistent for edaphic and climatic conditions representative of 52% of the rainfed acreage in the Corn Belt (as determined using technological extrapolation domains). While N fertilization also plays a role in building or maintaining soil biological health, soil biological health metrics offer limited a priori information on a site’s responsiveness to N fertilizer applications. Thus, increases in soil biological health can increase corn yields for a given unit of N fertilizer, but cannot completely replace mineral N fertilization in these systems. Our results illustrate the potential for gains in productivity through investment in soil biological health, independent of increases in mineral N fertilizer use.
High resolution metagenomic characterization of complex infectomes in paediatric acute respiratory infection
Authors: Li Ci-Xiu , Li Wei , Zhou Jun , Zhang Bing , Feng Yan , Xu Chang-Ping , Lu Yi-Yu , Holmes Edward C. , Shi Mang
Published: March 2020

The diversity of pathogens associated with acute respiratory infection (ARI) makes diagnosis challenging. Traditional pathogen screening tests have a limited detection range and provide little additional information. We used total RNA sequencing (“meta-transcriptomics”) to reveal the full spectrum of microbes associated with paediatric ARI. Throat swabs were collected from 48 paediatric ARI patients and 7 healthy controls. Samples were subjected to meta-transcriptomics to determine the presence and abundance of viral, bacterial, and eukaryotic pathogens, and to reveal mixed infections, pathogen genotypes/subtypes, evolutionary origins, epidemiological history, and antimicrobial resistance. We identified 11 RNA viruses, 4 DNA viruses, 4 species of bacteria, and 1 fungus. While most are known to cause ARIs, others, such as echovirus 6, are rarely associated with respiratory disease. Co-infection of viruses and bacteria and of multiple viruses were commonplace (9/48), with one patient harboring 5 different pathogens, and genome sequence data revealed large intra-species diversity. Expressed resistance against eight classes of antibiotic was detected, with those for MLS, Bla, Tet, Phe at relatively high abundance. In summary, we used a simple total RNA sequencing approach to reveal the complex polymicrobial infectome in ARI. This provided comprehensive and clinically informative information relevant to understanding respiratory disease.
Surveillance of Enterococcus spp. reveals distinct species and antimicrobial resistance diversity across a One-Health continuum
Authors: Zaheer Rahat , Cook Shaun R. , Barbieri Ruth , Goji Noriko , Cameron Andrew , Petkau Aaron , Polo Rodrigo Ortega , Tymensen Lisa , Stamm Courtney , Song Jiming , Hannon Sherry , Jones Tineke , Church Deirdre , Booker Calvin W. , Amoako Kingsley , Van Domselaar Gary , Read Ron R. , McAllister Tim A.
Published: March 2020

For a One-Health investigation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) inEnterococcusspp., isolates from humans and beef cattle along with abattoirs, manured fields, natural streams, and wastewater from both urban and cattle feedlot sources were collected over two years. Species identification ofEnterococcusrevealed distinct associations across the continuum. Of the 8430 isolates collected,Enterococcus faeciumandEnterococcus faecaliswere the main species in urban wastewater (90%) and clinical human isolates (99%);Enterococcus hiraepredominated in cattle (92%) and feedlot catch-basins (60%), whereas natural streams harbored environmentalEnterococcusspp. Whole-genome sequencing ofE. faecalis(n = 366 isolates) andE. faecium(n = 342 isolates), revealed source clustering of isolates, indicative of distinct adaptation to their respective environments. Phenotypic resistance to tetracyclines and macrolides encoded bytet(M)anderm(B)respectively, was prevalent amongEnterococcusspp. regardless of source. ForE. faeciumfrom cattle, resistance to β-lactams and quinolones was observed among 3% and 8% of isolates respectively, compared to 76% and 70% of human clinical isolates. Clinical vancomycin-resistantE. faeciumexhibited high rates of multi-drug resistance, with resistance to all β-lactam, macrolides, and quinolones tested. Differences in the AMR profiles among isolates reflected antimicrobial use practices in each sector of the One-Health continuum.
Evolution of etiology, presentation, management and prognostic tool in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ho Shu-Yein , Liu Po-Hong , Hsu Chia-Yang , Hsia Cheng-Yuan , Huang Yi-Hsiang , Lei Hao-Jan , Su Chien-Wei , Lee Rheun-Chuan , Hou Ming-Chih , Huo Teh-Ia
Published: March 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, but its current status is unclear. We aimed to investigate the evolution of etiology, presentation, management and prognostic tool in HCC over the past 12 years. A total of 3349 newly diagnosed HCC patients were enrolled and retrospectively analyzed. The comparison of survival was performed by the Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test. Hepatitis B and C virus infection in HCC were continuously declining over the three time periods (2004–2007, 2008–2011, 2012–2015; p < 0.001). At diagnosis, single tumor detection rate increased to 73% (p < 0.001), whereas vascular invasion gradually decreased to 20% in 2012–2015 (p < 0.001). Early stage HCC gradually increased from 2004–2007 to 2012–2015 (p < 0.001). The probability of patients receiving curative treatment and long-term survival increased from 2004–2007 to 2012–2015 (p < 0.001). The Cancer of Liver Italian Program (CLIP) and Taipei Integrated Scoring (TIS) system were two more accurate staging systems among all. In conclusion, the clinical presentations of HCC have significantly changed over the past 12 years. Hepatitis B and C virus-associated HCC became less common, and more patients were diagnosed at early cancer stage. Patient survival increased due to early cancer detection that results in increased probability to undergo curative therapies.
Author Correction: Hypoxia causes reductions in birth weight by altering maternal glucose and lipid metabolism
Authors: Määttä Jenni , Sissala Niina , Dimova Elitsa Y. , Serpi Raisa , Moore Lorna G. , Koivunen Peppi
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Facile fluorescence strategy for sensitive detection of microcystin-LR based on dsDNA-templated copper nanoclusters
Authors: Zhang Yanli , Lai Yanqiong , Teng Xia , Pu Shaofu , Yang Zhi , Pang Pengfei , Wang Hongbin , Yang Chun , Yang Wenrong , Barrow Colin J.
Published: March 2020

We developed a simple, sensitive, low-cost and label-free method to detect microcystin-leucine-arginine (MC-LR) using double-strand DNA-templated copper nanoclusters (dsDNA-CuNCs) as fluorescent probes.
A riboflavin–ultraviolet light A-crosslinked decellularized heart valve for improved biomechanical properties, stability, and biocompatibility
Authors: Liu Chungeng , Qiao Weihua , Cao Hong , Dai Jinchi , Li Fei , Shi Jiawei , Dong Nianguo
Published: March 2020

Riboflavin–ultraviolet light A could effectively crosslink a decellularized heart valve to improve its biomechanical properties, stability and biocompatibility.
Enhancement in the rate of nitrate degradation on Au- and Ag-decorated TiO2photocatalysts
Authors: Caswell Thomas , Dlamini Mbongiseni W. , Miedziak Peter J. , Pattisson Samuel , Davies Philip R. , Taylor Stuart H. , Hutchings Graham J.
Published: March 2020

The solar-driven reduction of nitrate to nitrogen has been studied in the presence of a formate hole scavenger, over a series of Au- and Ag-decorated TiO2catalysts.
Immobilization of mercury by nano-elemental selenium and the underlying mechanisms in hydroponic-cultured garlic plant
Authors: Zhao Jiating , Liang Xujun , Zhu Nali , Wang Liming , Li Yunyun , Li Yu-Feng , Zheng Lirong , Zhang Zhiyong , Gao Yuxi , Chai Zhifang
Published: March 2020

Naturally and anthropogenic selenium nanoparticles highly work on mercury immobilization and inactivation in aquatic-plant systems.
Electrochemical local etching of silicon in etchant vapor
Authors: Ki Bugeun , Choi Keorock , Kim Kyunghwan , Oh Jungwoo
Published: March 2020

Electrochemical local etching of Si by applying an electric field and condensing etchant meniscus.
Hydrogen peroxide disproportionation with manganese macrocyclic complexes of cyclen and pyclen
Authors: Freire David M. , Beeri Debora , Pota Kristof , Johnston Hannah M. , Palacios Philip , Pierce Brad S. , Sherman Benjamin D. , Green Kayla N.
Published: March 2020

Pyclen and cylen complexes of manganese show pH dependent catalase activity with improved TOF and TON for the more rigid pyclen derivative. Spectroscopic investigation shows O2 evolution corresponds with the presence of a μ-O bridged species.
Novel non-mulberry silk fibroin nanoparticles with enhanced activity as potential candidate in nanocarrier mediated delivery system
Authors: Baruah Rashmi Rekha , Chandra Kalita Mohan , Devi Dipali
Published: March 2020

Novel Antheraea assamensis silk fibroin nanoparticles (AA-SFNps) exhibiting enhanced activity as doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) loaded nanocarriers for future drug delivery applications.
Oxidative carboxylation of olefins with CO2: environmentally benign access to five-membered cyclic carbonates
Authors: Wang Liang , Que Sisi , Ding Ziwei , Vessally Esmail
Published: March 2020

This review provides an overview of the direct synthesis of five-membered cyclic carbonatesviaoxidative carboxylation of the corresponding olefins and carbon dioxide.
A Ln(iii)-3-hydroxypyridine pH responsive probe optimized by DFT
Authors: Caldwell Michael A. , Brue Christopher R. , Whittemore Tyler J. , Meade Thomas J.
Published: March 2020

The favorable pH response and coordination properties of the 3-hydroxypyridyl group indicate its potential for further development as a dual responsive-reporter group for Ln(iii) MRS probes.
Automatic retrosynthetic route planning using template-free models
Authors: Lin Kangjie , Xu Youjun , Pei Jianfeng , Lai Luhua
Published: March 2020

Retrosynthetic pathway planning using a template-free model coupled with heuristic Monte Carlo tree search.
Counterintuitive solvation effect of ionic-liquid/DMSO solvents on acidic C–H dissociation and insight into respective solvation
Authors: Luo Wenzhi , Mao Chong , Ji Pengju , Wu Jun-Yan , Yang Jin-Dong , Cheng Jin-Pei
Published: March 2020

The dependence of PhCH(CN)2pKaon the molar fraction of ionic liquids in ionic–molecular binary mixtures showed a nonlinear three-fragment plot, which was rationalized for the first time by the respective roles of each solvent component for solvation.
Bilayer BaSnO3 thin film transistors on silicon substrates
Authors: Du Wenhan , Nguyen Anh Chien , John Rohit Abraham , Yang Jing Jing , Kulkarni Mohit Rameshchandra , López-Mena Edgar R. , Nirmal Amoolya , Mathews Nripan
Published: March 2020

Barium tin oxide BaSnO3 (BSO) is a novel wide-bandgap semiconducting material with high electron mobility and is considered as a promising alternative to indium-containing amorphous oxide semiconductors.
Self-healing of electrical damage in thermoset polymers via anionic polymerization
Authors: Xie Jiaye , Gao Lei , Hu Jun , Li Qi , He Jinliang
Published: March 2020

The self-healing of large scale electrical tree damage in a bulk thermoset polymer is achieved through an anionic polymerization-based microcapsule approach.
The effects of Zr-doping on improving the sensitivity and selectivity of a one-dimensional α-MoO3-based xylene gas sensor
Authors: Li Xin , Jiang Dingsheng , Fan Yizhuo , Zhang Nan , Liu Caixia , Adimi Samira , Zhou Jingran , Wen Shanpeng , Ruan Shengping
Published: March 2020

One dimensional Zr-doped α-MoO3 nanobelts were synthesized, and the influence of Zr doping on xylene sensing properties was studied.
Hyperforones A–C, benzoyl-migrated [5.3.1]-type polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum forrestii
Authors: Lu Wei-Jia , Xu Wen-Jun , Zhang Yan-Qiu , Li Yi-Ran , Zhou Xin , Li Qi-Ji , Zhang Hao , Luo Jun , Kong Ling-Yi
Published: March 2020

Unprecedented benzoyl-migrated polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols with a unique C-1 H-substituted bicyclo[5.3.1]hendecane framework, hyperforones A–C (1–3), were isolated from Hypericum forrestii.
Switching porosity of stable triptycene-based cageviasolution-state assembly processes
Authors: Ma Hui , Zhai Tian-Long , Wang Zhen , Cheng Guang , Tan Bien , Zhang Chun
Published: March 2020

Here, a kind of triptycene-based cage is demonstrated to have good chemical stability in acid, base and boiling water. Moreover, its porosity can be tuned by varying the solution-state assembly processes.
Fabrication of metal-free PTET-T-COOH/g-C3N4heterostructure for enhancing photocatalytic activity
Authors: Liu Linlin , Song Xingyue , Kong Xiangxin , Duan Qian , Zhu Enwei
Published: March 2020

The metal-free PTET-T-COOH/g-C3N4heterostructure exhibits a high degradation rate for RhB under visible light irradiation.
The synthesis of quinolines via denitrogenative palladium-catalyzed cascade reaction of o-aminocinnamonitriles with arylhydrazines
Authors: Xie Jing , Huang Hang , Xu Tong , Li Renhao , Chen Jiuxi , Ye Xueting
Published: March 2020

Pd-catalyzed cascade denitrogenative addition and intramolecular cyclization of o-aminocinnamonitriles with arylhydrazine for the synthesis of quinolines.
meta-Selective C–H functionalisation of aryl boronic acids directed by a MIDA-derived boronate ester
Authors: Williams Alexander F. , White Andrew J. P. , Spivey Alan C. , Cordier Christopher J.
Published: March 2020

An N-methyliminodiacetic acid derivative allows the meta-C–H functionalisation of boronic acids, acting simultaneously as a directing and protecting group.
Hydrogel smart windows
Authors: Zhou Yang , Dong Xiaoxiao , Mi Yuanyuan , Fan Fan , Xu Quan , Zhao Hong , Wang Shancheng , Long Yi
Published: March 2020

Smart windows are a promising way to modulate solar light transmittance, which is crucial for energy saving buildings. We provide an overview of the recent progress in hydrogel-based smart windows.
Recent developments of flexible and transparent SERS substrates
Authors: Li Zhuoyao , Huang Xiao , Lu Gang
Published: March 2020

Many techniques have been employed for fabrication of flexible and transparent SERS substrates, which have been widely used in real applications and fundamental studies.
Relaxor/antiferroelectric composites: a solution to achieve high energy storage performance in lead-free dielectric ceramics
Authors: Fan Pengyuan , Zhang Shan-Tao , Xu Jiwen , Zang Jiadong , Samart Chanatip , Zhang Ting , Tan Hua , Salamon David , Zhang Haibo , Liu Gang
Published: March 2020

Compared with the relaxor with pinched P–E loops, the relaxor/antiferroelectric (RE/AFE) composites have narrower and oblique curves, proving the design of RE/AFE is an effective method to improve the energy storage properties of dielectric ceramics.
The effect of different concentrations of gold nanoparticles on growth performance, toxicopathological and immunological parameters of broiler chickens
Authors: Hassanen Eman I. , Morsy Eman A. , Hussien Ahmed M. , Ibrahim Marwa A. , Farroh Khaled Y.
Published: March 2020

The present study aimed to evaluate what dosage of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) would improve growth performance, antioxidant levels and immune defense in broiler chickens. The experiment was carried out on 90 one-day-old mixbred Cobb chicks. The birds were allocated into three groups with three replicates. Group (1) kept as a negative control. Groups (2) and (3) received 5, 15 ppm GNPs via drinking water weekly for 35 days of chicks’ life. Blood samples were collected at 8, 15, 22 and 36 days for oxidative stress evaluations and immunological studies. The birds were slaughtered at the ages of 36 days and thymus, spleen, busa of Fabricius and liver were collected for histopathological description, RT-PCR analysis and DNA fragmentation assay. Our results confirmed that adding of 15ppm GNPs in drinking water were induced remarkable blood oxidative stress damage, histopathological alterations, up-regulation of IL-6, Nrf2 gene expression, and DNA fragmentation in the examined immune organs of the broiler chickens as well as a significant reduction in the antibody titer against Newcastle (ND) and avian influenza (AI) viruses were noticed. On the other hand, the group received 5 ppm GNPs noticed better growth performance with the enhancement of the final food conversion ratio (FCR) without any significant difference in the previous toxicological and immunological parameters compared with the control groups. We suggest that feeding of 5ppm GNPs could improve the antioxidant capacity, immunity and performance in poultry but further food quality assurance tests are required in the future to confirm its safety for people.
Zooplankton communities in a river downstream from a lake restored with hypolimnetic withdrawal
Authors: Bowszys Magdalena , Tandyrak Renata , Gołaś Iwona , Paturej Ewa
Published: March 2020

Restoring lakes with hypolimnetic withdrawal can severely threaten water quality and biocenosis downstream. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of lake restoration on riverine zooplankton during a period of intense hypolimnion water inflow. Zooplankton density and biomass were determined in water samples. The water samples were also analyzed to determine the following physicochemical parameters: flow rate, dissolved oxygen, hydrogen sulphide, sulphate, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, total phosphorous, soluble reactive phosphorus, total organic carbon, and temperature. The results of multiple regression indicated that water flow was the most significant variable and was the best predictor of total zooplankton and rotifer density. Soluble reactive phosphorous was the main predictor of copepod biomass and density. Our study showed that hypolimnetic withdrawal disturbed the natural process of planktic community transformation, which was linked to the environmental shift from lacustrine to riverine. During the study, zooplankton density and biomass were low, but not as low as when the pipeline was operating at maximum output. At present, this lake restoration method has become more sustainable, because the adverse effects of hypolimnetic withdrawal on the recipient river have been minimized and limited to several weeks.
Was Klienten wichtig ist – Klientenzufriedenheit
Authors: Raß Lisa
Published: March 2020

Das Verhältnis zwischen Klient und Therapeut wird zunehmend als Partnerschaft auf Augenhöhe aufgefasst. Auch deshalb ist es wichtig, dass Klienten zufrieden sind. Doch wie erfährt man das? Zum Beispiel durch einen Fragebogen, der Heilmittelerbringern genau aufschlüsselt, wie ihre Dienstleistung ankommt. Einen solchen Bogen haben Ergotherapeutin Veronika Schindler und Logopädin Sandra Baidenger in ihrer Bachelorarbeit entwickelt.
Epidemiological, Clinical, and Microbiological Characteristics of Serotype-3 Streptoccocus pneumoniae Infection after a Partial Introduction of the 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Solé-Ribalta Anna , de Sevilla Maria F. , Moraga-Llop Fernando , Conradi Alvaro D. , Hernández Sergi , Martínez-Osorio Johanna , González-Peris Sebastià , Izquierdo Conchita , Esteva Cristina , Codina Gemma , Planes Ana M. , Uriona Sonia , Campins Magda , Ciruela Pilar , Salleras Luis , Domínguez Ángela , Muñoz-Almagro Carmen , García-Garcia Juan J.
Published: March 2020

Objective After the introduction of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), a decrease of serotype-3 invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) has not been homogenously observed around Europe. The aim of the study is to analyze the incidence of serotype-3 IPD in our area (Catalonia, Spain) and describe what microbiological and clinical characteristics distinguish serotype-3 IPD from nonserotype-3 IPD.

Methods This study is a prospective observational study performed in three hospitals of Barcelona (Spain), from January 2012 to June 2016. Patients younger than 18 years with a diagnosis of IPD were included. Epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological data were collected.

Results A total of 253 cases of IPD were included; of these, 53 were caused by serotype 3. The incidence rate of serotype-3 IPD remained stable over the study years (risk ratio [RR] = 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.3–1.38). In 92.5% (49/53) of the cases of serotype-3 IPD, the diagnosis was pneumonia and 89.8% (44/49) of them reported a complicated pneumonia. Also, 98.1% (52/53) were detected by positive real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in blood or pleural effusion. Seventeen patients were properly vaccinated with PCV13 before the infection.

Conclusion After the introduction of PCV13 a global decline of invasive pneumococcal disease has been reported, specially, due to a decrease of serotypes 1 and 19A cases. Serotype-3 Streptococcus pneumoniae IPD remained stable throughout the years of study, being currently the main serotype causing IPD in our area. Serotype 3 causes mostly pneumonia and physicians must be aware of possible complications. Real-time PCR have a significantly higher diagnostic yield for serotype 3 compared with culture. Some vaccination failures were observed.
Choanal Atresia- A Clinical Study and Review of Literature
Authors: Bhandary Satheesh Kumar , Bhat Vadisha , M. Shwetha Shenoy
Published: March 2020

Choanal atresia is a developmental anomaly where there is failure of communication of the nasal cavity to the nasopharynx. The atresia can be membranous or bony in nature, but may be mixed as is seen in most of the cases. Bilateral choanal atresia is an emergency condition and newborns can have severe respiratory distress and cyanosis at birth. Failure to pass an 8 F catherter through the nasal cavity more than 5.5 cm from the alar rim points to the presence of choanal atresia. In emergency, bilateral choanal atresia is managed with an oropharyngeal airway. Flexible nasal endoscopy and CT scan can confirm the diagnosis of choanal atresia. Surgery is the definitive treatment which can be done either by transnasal or transpalatal approach. The transnasal endoscopic route is currently the preferred procedure and can be performed as a minimally invasive procedure. This has less complications and a high success rate. We studied four cases of unilateral choanal atresia presented to our hospital, with respect to the etiological factors, clinical features and management.
Aggressive Monophasic Sarcomatoid Carcinoma of Small Intestine - A Rare Case Report With Review of Literature
Authors: Padma Shetty K. , Permi Harish S. , Patil C.N. , Mathias Michelle
Published: March 2020

Sarcomatoid carcinoma occurring in the small intestine is very rare. They can be monophasic or biphasic. We report a rare case of monophasic Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the small intestine in a 60 year old male patient. The tumor was an ulceronodular mass involving the ileum circumferentially. The tumor infiltrated the full thickness of the intestinal wall and the serosa of an adjacent loop of ileum. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of sheets of malignant spindle cells. The carcinomatous nature of the tumor was evident only after Immunohistochemistry. The diagnosis of sarcomatoid carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of malignant spindle cell tumor of small intestine and immunohistochemical stains are required for the correct diagnosis.
Concepts of Arrangement of Artifical Teeth, Selective Grinding and Balanced Occlusion in Complete Denture Prosthodontics
Authors: D. Krishna Prasad , Prasad B. Rajendra , D. Anupama Prasad , Jason Lobo Nikhil
Published: March 2020

Prosthodontic rehabilitation aims at restoring the patient to a state of normal function, health and optimum esthetics.

Numerous factors come together during various phases of complete denture construction. One such factor, the position of artificial teeth, is dependent to a large extent on the state, morphology and position of the denture area existing in the patient's mouth.

Artificial teeth must be placed in a position which will be esthetically acceptable to the patient and the clinician, functionally sound and in harmony with the other structures of the masticatory system.

Factors governing artificial tooth position include maxillo-mandibular relationships, changes in the residual ridge, dislodging forces, presence of para-functional activity and the esthetic requirements of the patient.

While the importance of occlusion in ensuring success of dental therapy cannot be undersated, that seems to be the only point of agreement between authors on this topic. Over the years numerous concepts of occlusion have been proposed which may be indicated and contraindicated based on their benefits and limitations in restoring an edentulous patient. This article explores concepts related to occlusion and esthetics in provision of a complete denture prosthesis.