bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacterial DNA promotes Tau aggregation
Authors: Tetz George , Pinho Michelle , Pritzkow Sandra , Mendez Nicolas , Soto Claudio , Tetz Victor
Published: February 2020

A hallmark feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other tauopathies is the misfolding, aggregation and cerebral accumulation of tau deposits. Compelling evidence indicates that misfolded tau aggregates are neurotoxic, producing synaptic loss and neuronal damage. Misfolded tau aggregates are able to spread the pathology from cell-to-cell by a prion like seeding mechanism. The factors implicated in the initiation and progression of tau misfolding and aggregation are largely unclear. In this study, we evaluated the effect of DNA extracted from diverse prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in tau misfolding and aggregation. Our results show that DNA from various, unrelated gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria results in a more pronounced tau misfolding compared to eukaryotic DNA. Interestingly, a higher effect in promoting tau aggregation was observed for DNA extracted from certain bacterial species previously detected in the brain, CSF or oral cavity of patients with AD. Our findings indicate that microbial DNA may play a previously overlooked role in the propagation of tau protein misfolding and AD pathogenesis, providing a new conceptual framework that positions the compromised blood-brain and intestinal barriers as important sources of microbial DNA in the CNS, opening novel opportunities for therapeutic interventions.
A comparative study between Chinese propolis and Brazilian green propolis: metabolite profile and bioactivity
Authors: Yuan Min , Yuan Xu-jiang , Pineda Miguel , Liang Ze-yu , He Jian , Sun Sheng-wei , Pan Tian-ling , Li Kun-ping
Published: February 2020

A comparative study between Chinese propolis and Brazilian green propolis showed that they have a distinct chemome but similar antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential.
Multi-factor study of the effects of a trace amount of water vapor on low concentration CO2 capture by 5A zeolite particles
Authors: Wang Hui , Yin Ying , Bai Junqiang , Wang Shifeng
Published: February 2020

CO2 adsorption amount is enhanced with below 0.1 ppm humidity, and water molecule partial charge is a dominant factor in adsorption.
3D porous nanostructured Ni3N–Co3N as a robust electrode material for glucose fuel cell
Authors: Irfan Muhammad , Khan Izhar Ullah , Wang Jiao , Li Yang , Liu Xianhua
Published: February 2020

Metal nitrides are broadly applicable in the field of electrochemistry due to their excellent electrical properties. 3D nanostructured Ni3N–Co3N catalyst was prepared and tested as anode catalyst for a glucose fuel cell.
Biochar derived from corn stalk and polyethylene co-pyrolysis: characterization and Pb(ii) removal potential
Authors: Fan Sichen , Sun Yang , Yang Tianhua , Chen Yongsheng , Yan Beibei , Li Rundong , Chen Guanyi
Published: February 2020

Biochar is widely used as adsorbents for gaseous or liquid pollutants due to its special pore structure.
Hectogram-scale green synthesis of hierarchical 4A zeolite@CuOx(OH)(2−2x) (0 ≤ x < 1) nanosheet assemblies core–shell nanoarchitectures with Superb Congo red adsorption performance
Authors: Zhang Leitao , Huang Lilan , Zhang Lei , Lu Binzhong , Li Junbo , Xie Yingfang , Ma Qiang , Xin Qingping , Ye Hui , Zhao Lizhi , Zhang Yuzhong , Li Hong
Published: February 2020

The growth of CuOxCu(OH)(2−2x) (0 ≤ x < 1) nanosheet assemblies on the surface of 4A zeolite transforms poor-performance 4A zeolite adsorbents into high-performance 4A-Cu-300 adsorbents for Congo red study.
Ethanol-blended petroleum fuels: implications of co-solvency for phytotechnologies
Authors: Eze Michael O. , George Simon C.
Published: February 2020

Ethanol addition to diesel fuels significantly affects the leaching potentials of petroleum hydrocarbons, thereby making them inaccessible to rhizoremediation.
Tunable Rashba spin splitting in Janus transition-metal dichalcogenide monolayersviacharge doping
Authors: Chen Jiajia , Wu Kai , Ma Huanhuan , Hu Wei , Yang Jinlong
Published: February 2020

Two-dimensional Janus transition-metal dichalcogenides possess an intrinsic Rashba effect, which can be manipulated by charge doping. Electron doping can effectively strengthen the Rashba effect, while hole doping would weaken it.
Peripheral inflammation promotes brain tau transmission via disrupting blood–brain barrier
Authors: Liu Yanchao , Zhang Shujuan , Li Xiaoguang , Liu Enjie , Wang Xin , Zhou Qiuzhi , Ye Jinwang , Wang Jian-Zhi
Published: February 2020

Abnormal aggregation of pathological tau protein is a neuropathological feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In the AD patients, the abnormal tau accumulation first appeared in entorhinal cortex (EC) and then propagated to the hippocampus with microglia activation and inflammation, but the mechanism is elusive. Here, we studied the role and mechanisms underlying periphery inflammation on brain tau transmission. By intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with brain medial entorhinal cortex (MEC)-specific overexpressing P301L human tau (P301L-hTau), we found that both acute and chronic administration of LPS remarkably promoted P301L-hTau transmission from MEC to the hippocampal subsets. Interestingly, the chronic LPS-induced P301L-hTau transmission was still apparent after blocking microglia activation. Further studies demonstrated that LPS disrupted the integrity of blood–brain barrier (BBB) and simultaneous intraperitoneal administration of glucocorticoid (GC) attenuated LPS-promoted P301L-hTau transmission. These data together suggest that a non-microglia-dependent BBB disruption contributes to peripheral LPS-promoted brain P301L-hTau transmission, therefore, maintaining the integrity of BBB can be a novel strategy for preventing pathological tau propagation in AD and other tauopathies.
Sun-Synchronous Orbit Transfer Scheme Based on Solar Sail
Authors: Shen Yang , Liu Yingying , Zhou Jun
Published: February 2020

Aiming at the sun-synchronous orbit transfer task of the micro-nano satellite solar sail, the method of combining the weighted control law and the solar sail optimal direction is used for maneuvering the orbit, and a segmentation control strategy is proposed to control the local time of the descending node of target orbit. The theoretical and simulation results show that the sun-synchronous orbit transfer task can be completed by using the micro-nano satellite solar sail, and the local time of the descending node is consistent with the initial value. In addition, the local time of the descending node has a certain impact on the orbit maneuvering efficiency of the solar sail, and the task can be completed by using the segmentation control strategy on orbits with different local time of the descending node.
Research on Displacement Mode and Path Tracking Method of Square Combined Deployable Mechanism
Authors: Li Jianfeng , Wang Sanmin , Peng Qi'an , Li Fei
Published: February 2020

The motion path of the developable mechanism can not only grasp whether the mechanism can move according to the expected law, but also provide theoretical support for motion control. In order to accurately study the kinematics of the square combined mechanism, the mobility of the square combined expandable mechanism is analyzed based on the screw theory and the graph theory. Then, the balance matrix of the square combined expandable mechanism is derived, and the displacement mode of the square combined expandable mechanism is obtained through singular value decomposition. Secondly, the path tracking method of the square combined expandable mechanism is established by the iteration of the displacement mode. Finally, by means of the example analysis, the position of the bifurcation point of the square combined expandable mechanism is determined; the variation law of the bifurcation point and its positive correlation with the singular value of the balance matrix is analyzed. It is found that adding additional constraints and planning a reasonable path can avoid bifurcation phenomenon. This research provides necessary reference data for configuration design and parameter optimization of the square combined expandable mechanism.
1500 Euro Preisgeld
Authors: Schäfer Christian
Published: February 2020

Die Thieme Gruppe schreibt im Jahr 2020 wieder den Förderpreis Nephrologische Pflege aus und stiftet das Preisgeld von 1500 Euro.
Ustekinumab serum concentrations are associated with clinical outcomes in Crohn’s disease – a regional multi-center pilot study
Authors: Thomann Anne Kerstin , Schulte Lucas-Alexander , Globig Anna-Maria , Hoffmann Peter , Klag Thomas , Itzel Timo , Teufel Andreas , Schreiner Rupert , Scheffe Nina , Ebert Matthias Philip , Wehkamp Jan , Gauss Annika , Hasselblatt Peter , Klaus Jochen , Reindl Wolfgang
Published: February 2020

Background and aim The role of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in ustekinumab (UST) therapy for Crohn’s disease (CD) has not been established, as only few studies have analyzed the relationship between UST serum concentrations and clinical outcome. In this pilot study, we retrospectively examined the potential of UST-concentrations (cUST) 8 weeks after induction (cUSTw8) to predict clinical response at week 16.

Methods Serum samples and clinical data from patients (n = 72) with moderate to severely active CD who received intravenous induction with UST were retrospectively analyzed. cUST were quantitated using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MSMS). A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under ROC curve (AUROC) was computed to analyze the predictive potential of cUSTw8 for clinical response at week 16 and to determine the minimal therapeutic UST trough concentration.

Results Forty-four patients (61 %) achieved clinical response to UST therapy at week 16. cUSTw8 was moderately effective to predict clinical response with a minimal therapeutic cUSTw8 of 2.0 mg/l (AUC 0.72, p = 0.001).

Conclusion Trough concentrations of UST 8 weeks after induction predict clinical response to therapy in week 16 with moderate sensitivity and specificity. TDM using LC-MSMS could prove beneficial in personalized UST therapy of patients with CD by identifying individuals with subtherapeutic concentrations who might benefit from dose escalation.
Acute Statin Administration Reduces Levels of Steroid Hormone Precursors
Authors: London Edra , Tatsi Christina , Soldin Steven J. , Wassif Christopher A. , Backlund Peter , Ng David , Biesecker Leslie G. , Stratakis Constantine A.
Published: February 2020

Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs are used by approximately 25% of US adults 45 years of age and older and frequency of use is even higher among the elderly. Cholesterol provides the substrate for steroid hormone synthesis and its intracellular concentrations are tightly regulated. Our aim was to evaluate whether statin use acutely changes the circulating levels of cortisol, other glucocorticoid precursor molecules and their metabolites. Fourteen subjects not taking statins were administered a single oral dose (2 mg) of pitavastatin. Blood samples collected at baseline and 24 h post-treatment were analyzed for plasma cholesterol and steroid hormone profile. A parallel study in mice entailed the administration of atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) via orogastric delivery for three consecutive days. Cholesterol and corticosterone levels were quantified at baseline and at 1-day and 1-week post-treatment. Several precursor molecules in the steroidogenic pathway (corticosterone, cortisone, and 11-deoxycortisol) were significantly decreased 24 h after administration of a single dose of pitavastatin in human study subjects. Their circulating cholesterol concentrations were unchanged. In mice, there were no significant differences in serum cholesterol or corticosterone at 1-day or 1-week post-treatment compared to both pre-treatment baseline levels and control group levels. We conclude that acute dysregulation of the production of certain glucocorticoid precursor molecules was observed after a single treatment with a lipophilic statin drug. This may be of clinical relevance for individuals with underlying or subclinical adrenal insufficiency.
Unique Indications for Covered Stent Grafts in Neuroradiology Departments of Level 1 Trauma Centers
Authors: Goelz Leonie , Kreißl Lutz , Gutowski Pawel , Sparenberg Paul , Kirsch Michael , Mutze Sven
Published: February 2020

Objective To describe unique indications for covered stent grafts in trauma-associated cerebrovascular injuries.

Patients Between 2006 and 2018, five patients with cerebrovascular injuries were treated with a covered stent graft. We present a retrospective analysis of technique and outcomes.

Results In all cases stent deployment was successful. Endoleaks occurred in two cases requiring additional transvenous embolization of a carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) in one patient. Two cases of in-stent thrombosis were observed during intervention and 2 days postintervention in a patient with a long-segment dissection of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and another patient with a contained ICA rupture, both of which could not be prepared with dual antiplatelet therapy. Intravenous heparin and intra-arterial tirofiban dissolved in-stent thrombosis efficiently. One CCF and an iatrogenic vertebral artery injury were covered adequately with GraftMaster stent grafts.

Conclusion Patient selection with regard to individual anatomy and the site of vascular lesions is essential for an uncomplicated deployment of covered stent grafts and the success of therapy. Management of dual antiplatelet therapy, anticoagulation, and an escalation of medication in cases of in-stent thrombosis require expertise, a strict therapeutic regime, and an evaluation of individual risks in polytraumatized patients.
Single-session Curative Embolization of Unruptured Cerebellar Arteriovenous Malformation with Precipitating Hydrophobic Injectable Liquid
Authors: Saal-Zapata Giancarlo , Valer Dante , Rodriguez Rodolfo
Published: February 2020

Microsurgery is the treatment of choice for cerebellar arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Nevertheless, endovascular therapy aims to be an effective treatment since the introduction of new embolic agents. Cerebellar AVMs represent a subgroup of vascular lesions with a high rate of hemorrhagic presentation compared with their cerebral counterpart. Moreover, they have a higher incidence of flow-related aneurysms when diagnosed. With this in mind, prompt treatment must be performed to avoid rebleeding with devastating consequences. Herein, we present the case of an unruptured cerebellar AVM treated with precipitating hydrophobic injectable liquid (PHIL) with complete obliteration.
Hemispheric Dominance for Language and Side Effects in Mapping the Inferior Frontal Junction Area with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Authors: Sakreida Katrin , Blume-Schnitzler Johanna , Frankemölle Grit , Drews Vanessa , Heim Stefan , Willmes Klaus , Clusmann Hans , Neuloh Georg
Published: February 2020

Background and Study Aims Language mapping by navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is commonly applied over the left language-dominant hemisphere to indicate the language-related cortex. Detailed language mapping of Broca's region including stimulation targets in the immediate vicinity to the premotor cortex may raise concern about confounding unspecific motor effects. We performed interhemispheric comparisons to delineate such possible unspecific effects from true TMS-induced language inhibition.

Material and Methods Fifteen healthy German speakers named object pictures during navigated TMS over a left- and right-hemispheric target array covering the left inferior frontal junction area. Six mapping repetitions were conducted per hemisphere. Order of stimulation side was randomized between participants. Self-rating of discomfort was assessed after each stimulation; language errors and motor side effects were evaluated offline.

Results Naming errors were observed significantly more frequently during left- than right-hemispheric stimulation. The same pattern was found for the most frequent error category of performance errors. Hierarchical cluster analyses of normalized ratings of error severity revealed a clear focus of TMS susceptibility for language inhibition in object naming at the dorsoposterior target sites only in the left hemisphere. We found no statistical difference in discomfort ratings between both hemispheres and also no interhemispheric difference in motor side effects, but we observed significantly stronger muscle contractions of the eyes as compared with the mouth.

Conclusion Our results of (1) unspecific pre-/motor effects similarly induced in both hemispheres, and (2) a specific focus of TMS susceptibility in the language-dominant hemisphere render any substantial contribution of nonlanguage-specific effects in TMS language mapping of the inferior frontal junction area highly unlikely.
Coaxial semi-dipole antenna microwave feeding on electron cyclotron resonance multicharged ion source
Authors: Kubo Wataru , Hamada Kouta , Onishi Koji , Takeda Tatsuto , Okumura Kazuki , Omori Takayuki , Ishihara Masaki , Harisaki Shuhei , Kato Yushi
Published: February 2020

How to produce multicharged ions efficiently on an electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS) has been investigated at Osaka University. Notably, in recent years, we have focused on heating by new resonance superimposing to electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma. To evaluate its efficiency, we need to know the maximum efficiency of heating with ECR alone, and then, further optimization of ECR heating is required. In consideration of wave propagation, we installed the coaxial semi-dipole antenna on the mirror end along the geometrical axis of the vacuum chamber. We aim at exciting the strength of right-hand polarization (RHP) waves for efficient ECR because RHP waves give rise to ECR. We measure plasma parameters by Langmuir probes and charge state distributions (CSDs) of the extracted ion beams and investigate their qualitative tendencies to incident microwave powers and pressures. We compare the qualitative trend of ion beams and their CSD on microwave power in the case of both the microwave feeding system by the coaxial semi-dipole antenna and that by the rod antenna. Differences between the microwave feeding system before improving and then after upgrading are made clear.
Optimal design of a 314kW-class IPMSM for railway vehicles using hydrogen fuel cells
Authors: Lim Jae-Hyeon , Lee Hyung-Woo , Jo Ik-Hyun , Jeong Geochul , Kim Taehyung , Park Chan-Bae
Published: February 2020

Conventional diesel railway vehicles produce many air pollutants. In order to solve this problem, railway vehicles using eco-friendly hydrogen fuel cells are emerging. The main difference from the conventional traction motor is that it does not control the phase back electromotive force (phase-BEMF) separately at the maximum speed. Because of this, it should reduce the use of permanent magnets yet increase their size due to necessary high current. This paper performs the interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) design to meet the harsh electrical and mechanical constraints. Although the basic design is carried out to satisfy the design constraints, structural problems occur. These are resolved through the optimization process to attain the optimal design of a 314kW-class IPMSM for railway vehicles using hydrogen fuel cells.
High intensity vanadium beam for synthesis of new superheavy elements with well-controlled emittance by using “slit triplet”
Authors: Nagatomo T. , Higurashi Y. , Ohnishi J. , Uchiyama A. , Fujimaki M. , Kumagai K. , Fukunishi N. , Sakamoto N. , Nakagawa T. , Kamigaito O.
Published: February 2020

To provide a very powerful vanadium (V) beam with an intensity of at least 6 particle μA for synthesizing a new superheavy element (SHE) with atomic number Z = 119, we have developed a high-temperature oven (HTO) system to evaporate the metallic V powder inside the new superconducting (SC) electron cyclotron ion source. We successfully extracted a V13+ beam with a maximum beam intensity of 600 eμA with 2.8-kW microwave power and 900-W heating power of the HTO. Furthermore, from a systematic study of the dependence of the beam intensity on the microwave power and the HTO power, we successfully produced a V13+ beam of 300 eμA at a consumption rate of 3 mg/h, allowing a one-month duration continuous beam to carry out the SHE synthesis. In addition, to avoid serious damage to newly introduced SC acceleration cavities by beam losses, the beam should be transported with a well-controlled emittance. To efficiently limit the beam emittance, we employed a slit triplet consisting of three pairs of slits installed around the focus point of the low-energy beam transport. The first result of the emittance reduction was observed by a pepper-pot type emittance meter as a function of the acceptance of the slit triplet.
Micrometer-scale pores and fractures in coals and the effects of tectonic deformation on permeability based on fractal theory
Authors: Ye Zhenni , Hou Enke , Duan Zhonghui
Published: February 2020

Micrometer-scale pore and fracture structures of coal seams are the crucial parameters in the case of enhanced coalbed methane (CBM) recovery as they determine permeability and productivity. A significant study has been made in fracture characteristics; however, the detailed structural and fractal characteristics of micro-fractures and micro-pores of tectonically deformed coals are poorly understood. To get deep insight into the variability and heterogeneity of micro-pores and micro-fractures in different tectonically deformed coals collected from the Guojiahe coal mine, the multifractal analysis using the Menger sponge and box-counting model was employed to study deformed coals based on mercury injection porosimetry and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that tectonic deformation changed the structure of the micro-pores by increasing their diameter and that of the micro-fractures by expanding, intersecting, and creating additional microfracture networks at any scale. For the coals investigated in this study, permeability was nonlinearly correlated with their structural fractal. For undeformed coals, with the increase in the fractal dimension of micro-pores, the distribution of coal permeability exhibits a U-shape. However, it exhibited an inverted U-shape as the fractal dimension of micro-fractures increased. The distribution of the permeability of deformed coal samples is characterized by a U-shape as the fractal dimension of micro-fractures increased, while the fractal dimension of micro-pores decreased. Thus, the structural proportional odds of micro-pores and micro-fractures are vital in defining the maximum value of permeability. As a whole, deformed coals have a relatively high permeability as local micro-pores and micro-fractures are well connected. We suggest that coal seams with brittle deformation at syncline, anticline, and folded areas are favorable for CBM exploitation.
Strong correlation between uniaxial magnetic anisotropic constant and in-plane tensile strain in Mn4N epitaxial films
Authors: Hirose Taku , Komori Taro , Gushi Toshiki , Anzai Akihito , Toko Kaoru , Suemasu Takashi
Published: February 2020

Ferrimagnetic Mn4N is a promising candidate for current-induced domain wall motion assisted by spin-transfer and spin–orbit torques. Mn4N can be doped to have perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and a small spontaneous magnetization. However, the origin of the PMA of Mn4N has yet to be fully understood. Here, we investigated the relationship between the ratios of the perpendicular lattice constant c to the in-plane lattice constant a of Mn4N epitaxial thin films (c/a) and the uniaxial magnetic anisotropic constant (Ku) in Mn4N thin films grown on MgO(001), SrTiO3(001), and LaAlO3(001) substrates. The lattice mismatches between Mn4N and these substrates are approximately −6%, −0.1%, and +2%, respectively. All the Mn4N thin films had PMA and in-plane tensile distortion (c/a < 1) regardless of the Mn4N thickness and substrate. Although the magnitude of c/a depended on several factors, such as the Mn4N layer thickness and substrate, we found a strong correlation between c/a and Ku; Ku increased markedly when c/a deviated from 1. This result indicates that the origin of PMA is tensile distortion in Mn4N films; hence, it might be possible to control the magnitude of Ku by tuning c/a through the Mn4N layer thickness and the substrate.
Antitumour and Antimetastatic Effects and Safety Profile of a New Magnesium(II)-Chrysin Complex
Authors: Martínez Medina Juan J. , Rodríguez Javier , Mermot Julia , Naso Luciana G.
Published: February 2020

Chrysin is a flavone found in many plant extracts including blue passion flower, propolis and honey. The magnesium(ii) cation is an essential metal for life and it is involved in a variety of metabolic and physiological functions. Biological activities of flavonoids can be improved by complexation with metals. For this reason, Mgchrys was synthesised. The complex was characterised by spectroscopic techniques (ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H and 13C-NMR) and elemental and thermogravimetric analysis. The results indicated that chrysin reacts with magnesium(ii) through a 4-carbonyl-5-hydroxy chelation site. The computational study suggests the coexistence of at least twelve conformers of Mgchrys at room temperature. There are six most stable conformers that show square-pyramidal and distorted square-pyramidal geometries. In addition, anticancer and antimetastatic activities of Mgchrys on the A549 cell line were evaluated and compared with the metal and the free ligand. The complex did not show cytotoxicity against normal lung fibroblasts but it behaved as a cytotoxic drug against the cancer cell line with oxidative stress being its probable mechanism of action. However, Mgchrys inhibited the different steps involved in the metastatic cascade: adhesion to fibronectin, migration and invasion. The compounds displayed no acute toxicity (Artemia salina test) and no mutagenic effect (Ames test).
The dual nature of irrealis in complementation
Authors: Holvoet Axel
Published: February 2020

This article explores the connection between irrealis mood and type of complement clause. It is argued that irrealis performs different functions in propositional and state-of-affairs complements, reflecting either irreality (non-actualisation in a situation that often has a concrete location in time) or lack of temporal and situational anchoring. While these distinct functions could be viewed as different realisations of a general irrealis meaning, one must keep in mind that general irrealis meanings are generalisations of more specific meanings arising in particular contexts of grammaticalisation. It is argued that the functions defined above are useful intermediate generalisations enabling a coherent account of irrealis use in complementation. However, the distinction between propositional and state-of-affairs complements is not neat: functions characteristic of the propositional domain also occasionally spill over into the state-of-affairs domain (in the form of counterfactuality or non-factuality marking) and vice versa (as the unanchoring function of subjunctives with evaluative predicates).
Who defines role?
Authors: Martínez-Gómez Aída
Published: February 2020

This article analyzes the communicative behaviors of non-professional interpreters and primary
participants in the context of therapy/counseling sessions in a prison setting. It describes the negotiation and
collaboration patterns established among all members of the communicative triad in order to co-construct the
interpreter’s role dialogically, in a corpus of 26 mental health interviews in a prison setting between
therapists/counselors and allophone prisoners, with other inmates as interpreters. Using Goffman’s (1981) concept of footing as the main analytical tool, it sheds light on the
conversational strategies that all members of the triad use to initiate, accept, or resist the interpreter’s shifts to
different footings, especially those that depart most dramatically from widely accepted “translator” ones.
Cranial integration in the fire salamander, Salamandra salamandra (Caudata: Salamandridae)
Authors: Bon Margot , Bardua Carla , Goswami Anjali , Fabre Anne-Claire
Published: February 2020

Phenotypic integration and modularity are concepts that represent the pattern of connectivity of morphological structures within an organism. Integration describes the coordinated variation of traits, and analyses of these relationships among traits often reveals the presence of modules, sets of traits that are highly integrated but relatively independent of other traits. Phenotypic integration and modularity have been studied at both the evolutionary and static level across a variety of clades, although most studies thus far are focused on amniotes, and especially mammals. Using a high-dimensional geometric morphometric approach, we investigated the pattern of cranial integration and modularity of the Italian fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra giglioli). We recovered a highly modular pattern, but this pattern did not support either entirely developmental or functional hypotheses of cranial organisation, possibly reflecting complex interactions amongst multiple influencing factors. We found that size had no significant effect on cranial shape, and that morphological variance of individual modules had no significant relationship with degree of within-module integration. The pattern of cranial integration in the fire salamander is similar to that previously recovered for caecilians, with highly integrated jaw suspensorium and occipital regions, suggesting possible conservation of patterns across lissamphibians.
Early Diabetes Discovery From Tongue Images
Authors: Naveed Safia , G Geetha , S Leninisha
Published: February 2020

Medical imaging shows the internal structures hidden in the skin and bone to diagnose the disease. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder that causes high blood sugar levels due to the inadequate secretion of insulin or the body does not respond properly to the secreted insulin. This paper proposes a non-invasive method to detect DM at an early stage based on the physiognomy extracted from tongue images. The tongue extends to identify the disease of a human body. However, unpredictable response of the human body parts such as the stomach, pancreas, liver and intestines revert in the tongue. The changes in the tongue ensure the dereliction of the internal organs of the human being. The changes are difference in the color and surface of the tongue. Processing of tongue image is done by fractional order Darwinian particle swarm optimization (FODPSO) algorithm. The system framework involves obtaining the image, alluring of the image, identifying the texture and color feature and finally classified as normal or diabetic. In this paper, the authors propose to diagnose DM at an early stage from tongue digital image. The tongue image is acquired and processed with FODPSO to extract edge and texture features. Tongue reflects and diagnoses diabetes in a person.
Clinical risk factors and atherosclerotic plaque extent to define risk for major events in patients without obstructive coronary artery disease: the long-term coronary computed tomography angiography CONFIRM registry
Authors: van Rosendael Alexander R , Bax A Maxim , Smit Jeff M , van den Hoogen Inge J , Ma Xiaoyue , Al’Aref Subhi , Achenbach Stephan , Al-Mallah Mouaz H , Andreini Daniele , Berman Daniel S , Budoff Matthew J , Cademartiri Filippo , Callister Tracy Q , Chang Hyuk-Jae , Chinnaiyan Kavitha , Chow Benjamin J W , Cury Ricardo C , DeLago Augustin , Feuchtner Gudrun , Hadamitzky Martin , Hausleiter Joerg , Kaufmann Philipp A , Kim Yong-Jin , Leipsic Jonathon A , Maffei Erica , Marques Hugo , de Araújo Gonçalves Pedro , Pontone Gianluca , Raff Gilbert L , Rubinshtein Ronen , Villines Todd C , Gransar Heidi , Lu Yao , Peña Jessica M , Lin Fay Y , Shaw Leslee J , Min James K , Bax Jeroen J
Published: February 2020

Aims

In patients without obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), we examined the prognostic value of risk factors and atherosclerotic extent.

Methods and results

Patients from the long-term CONFIRM registry without prior CAD and without obstructive (≥50%) stenosis were included. Within the groups of normal coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) (N = 1849) and non-obstructive CAD (N = 1698), the prognostic value of traditional clinical risk factors and atherosclerotic extent (segment involvement score, SIS) was assessed with Cox models. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were defined as all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or late revascularization. In total, 3547 patients were included (age 57.9 ± 12.1 years, 57.8% male), experiencing 460 MACE during 5.4 years of follow-up. Age, body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes were the clinical variables associated with increased MACE risk, but the magnitude of risk was higher for CCTA defined atherosclerotic extent; adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for SIS >5 was 3.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.3–4.9) while HR for diabetes and hypertension were 1.7 (95% CI 1.3–2.2) and 1.4 (95% CI 1.1–1.7), respectively. Exclusion of revascularization as endpoint did not modify the results. In normal CCTA, presence of ≥1 traditional risk factors did not worsen prognosis (log-rank P = 0.248), while it did in non-obstructive CAD (log-rank P = 0.025). Adjusted for SIS, hypertension and diabetes predicted MACE risk in non-obstructive CAD, while diabetes did not increase risk in absence of CAD (P-interaction = 0.004).

Conclusion

Among patients without obstructive CAD, the extent of CAD provides more prognostic information for MACE than traditional cardiovascular risk factors. An interaction was observed between risk factors and CAD burden, suggesting synergistic effects of both.
Sirolimus and Other Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Inhibitors Directly Activate Latent Pathogenic Human Polyomavirus Replication
Authors: Alvarez Orellana Jennifer , Kwun Hyun Jin , Artusi Sara , Chang Yuan , Moore Patrick S
Published: February 2020

Background

Human polyomaviruses can reactivate in transplant patients, causing nephropathy, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, Merkel cell carcinoma, pruritic, rash or trichodysplasia spinulosa. Sirolimus and related mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors are transplant immunosuppressants. It is unknown if they directly reactivate polyomavirus replication from latency beyond their general effects on immunosuppression.

Methods

In vitro expression and turnover of large T (LT) proteins from BK virus, JC virus (JCV), Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV), human polyomavirus 7 (HPyV7), and trichodysplasia spinulosa polyomavirus (TSV) after drug treatment were determined by immunoblotting, proximity ligation, replicon DNA replication, and whole virus immunofluorescence assays.

Results

mTOR inhibition increased LT protein expression for all 5 pathogenic polyomaviruses tested. This correlated with LT stabilization, decrease in the S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2) E3 ligase targeting these LT proteins for degradation, and increase in virus replication for JCV, MCV, TSV, and HPyV7. Treatment with sirolimus, but not the calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus, at levels routinely achieved in patients, resulted in a dose-dependent increase in viral DNA replication for BKV, MCV, and HPyV7.

Conclusions

mTOR inhibitors, at therapeutic levels, directly activate polyomavirus replication through a Skp2-dependent mechanism, revealing a proteostatic latency mechanism common to polyomaviruses. Modifying existing drug regimens for transplant patients with polyomavirus-associated diseases may reduce symptomatic polyomavirus replication while maintaining allograft-sparing immunosuppression.
Determination of Sulfamethazine in Swine and Cattle Feed by Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatography with Post-Column Derivatization: Pre-Collaborative Study
Authors: Albert Kendrick , Smallidge Robert L
Published: February 2020

In-house validation of a liquid chromatographic method for determination of sulfamethazine in swine and cattle feed was performed to verify that the method was ready for collaborative study under AOAC INTERNATIONAL guidelines. In this method, sulfamerazine is added during the extraction procedure and is used as an internal standard to correct for variable recovery of sulfamethazine from a variety of swine and cattle feed matrixes. The determinative step involves the use of post-column derivatization with dimethylaminobenzaldehyde which reacts with the primary amine group on the sulfonamides. Detection is at 450 nm, a wavelength at which most co-extracted matrix materials and other feed additives do not absorb light. The results indicate that the method recovery, precision, and ruggedness meet normal criteria to be ready for a collaborative study. Fortification experiments over a range of sulfamethazine concentrations from 0.006 to 0.26% showed an overall recovery relative to the internal standard of 100 ± 2%. These studies include both swine and cattle feed matrixes. The mean recovery in the analysis of 3 beef cattle experimental feeds was 98.9%. The method results agreed with the AOAC INTERNATIONAL Official Method for colorimetric analysis of swine feed. Method precision was excellent during in-house validation studies, with coefficients of variation (CVs) ranging from about 0.5 to 3%. The method ruggedness was verified with an overall CV of 3.5%.
pH-Metric Determination of Acid Numbers of Petroleum Oils without Titration
Authors: Kuselman Ilya , Tur’yan Yakov I , Strochkova Elena , Goldfeld Irena , Shenhar Avinoam
Published: February 2020

A pH-metric method was developed for determination of the acid numbers of oils containing organic and inorganic acids at levels <0.1 mg KOH/g oil. The method is based on rapid and complete extraction of acids from a test portion of oil into a special reagent, and measurement of the conditional pH of the mixture “oil–reagent” by a glass electrode. The method uses nontoxic reagents, is not time and labor consuming, and is cheap and simple enough for automation.
Estimation of Residues of Carbofuran and Its Metabolites in Sugarcane and Soil by Derivatization with 1-Fluoro-2,4-Dinitrobenzene and Gas Chromatography with Nitrogen-Phosphorus Detection
Authors: Battu Raminderjit S , Kalra Rajinder L , Dhillon Ranjit S
Published: February 2020

Residues of carbofuran and its metabolites were studied in sugarcane plants and soil after application at 1 and 2 kg/ha. The residues of carbofuran and its metabolites were extracted by refluxing with 0.25N HCl, partitioned into dichloromethane, and cleaned up on acidic alumina. The respective 7-phenols of carbofuran, 3-ketocarbofuran, and 3-hydroxycarbofuran were destroyed by treatment with ceric ammonium sulfate, and the residues were derivatized with 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. The derivatives were estimated by gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection. The concentration of 3-hydroxycarbofuran in sugarcane plants remained higher and persisted longer than that of the parent compound. Carbofuran-derived residues were not detected in cane juice. Soil samples were found to contain only carbofuran, which declined at a very fast rate that followed a first-order kinetics rate of reaction.
Methodology for Studying Oxidation of Organic Species in Solution
Authors: Grimes Susan M , Ngwang Helen C
Published: February 2020

A photoreactor was developed to study products of photochemical oxidation in a wide range of organic compounds. Analysis of the products from the reactor were used to determine the extent of mineralization of the organic material, to characterize any intermediate compounds formed, and to obtain information on the decomposition mechanism. Appropriate methods for separation and characterization include LC, UV spectrophotometry, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, total organic carbon, and total inorganic carbon. The uses of the reactor are described for the photocatalytic decomposition of phenol and of its major decomposition intermediates 1,2- and 1,4-dihydroxybenzene.
Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Tocopherols and Tocotrienols in Vegetable Oils, Formulated Preparations, and Biscuits
Authors: Bonvehi Josep Serra , Coll Francesc Ventura , Rius Imma Alsina
Published: February 2020

A precise and selective liquid chromatographic procedure for determining tocopherol and tocotrienol isomers in vegetable oils, formulated preparations, and biscuits was developed and validated. The proposed method quantitates vitamin E in better conditions of recoverability and reproducibility than the standard saponification procedure. Tocopherols and tocotrienols were extracted in hexane from vegetable oils, passed through a silica Sep-pak, chromatographed on a μ-Bondapak C18 column with a mobile phase of methanol–water (95 + 5, v/v), identified at 292 nm, and detected with fluorescence procedure (excitation 296 nm, and emission 330 nm). The correlation coefficient on the calibration curve was 0.9995 over the range of 0.1 to 100 μg/mL. Overall recovery of vitamin E isomers was 93%; coefficients of variation for intra- and interday precision, <2.25%. The results obtained from extraction methods 1 (with saponification) and 2 (without saponification) were compared by ANOVA test. Significant differences appeared between vitamin E isomers (p ≤ 0.05).
Multiresidue Method for the Gas Chromatographic Determination of Pesticides in Honey after Solid-Phase Extraction Cleanup
Authors: Jansson Christer
Published: February 2020

A new multiresidue method is described for the determination of pesticides in honey. The method involves dissolution of the honey in a methanol–water mixture, followed by solid-phase extraction cleanup and gas chromatographic determination. Twenty-six pesticides used on flowering field crops, on flowering fruit and vegetables, or as acaricides to control Varroa jacobsoni in beehives are determined by the method. Recoveries from honey, spiked at 0.02–1.6 mg/kg, ranged from 85 to 127% with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2–16%, except for the RSD of 27% for captan at 0.05 mg/kg.
Determination of Glyphosate Residues in Plants by Precolumn Derivatization and Coupled-Column Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection
Authors: Hernández Félix , Hidalgo Carmen , Sancho Juan V
Published: February 2020

A rapid method was developed for the trace-level determination of glyphosate in olives. After extraction of the glyphosate with water–dichloromethane and simultaneous removal of the olive oil, an aliquot of the aqueous extract is derivatized with 9-fluoroenylmethyl chloroformate (9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl chloride; FMOC-Cl) to produce a highly fluorescent derivative. A 2 mL aliquot of this extract is injected directly into a coupled-column liquid chromatography system with fluorimetric detection (LC/LC–FD). The procedure was validated by recovery experiments at 3 spiking levels; recoveries ranged from 80 to 97% with relative standard deviations of 3–6%. The limits of detection and quantitation were estimated to be 0.01 and 0.05 mg/kg, respectively. The method was also applied to other plant materials, i.e., tomato plants, strawberry plants, and pear trees (branches, leaves, and fruits) suspected to be contaminated by glyphosate. In all these cases, the extraction was performed in aqueous media. The derivatization reaction was modified by increasing the FMOC-Cl concentration, to ensure a quantitative reaction between analyte and reagent in the presence of high levels of coextractives, which also react with FMOC-Cl. The final determination was by LC/LC–FD, yielding a rapid, selective, and sensitive method for the determination of glyphosate residues in these samples. The method was tested with real-world samples after application of glyphosate to the surrounding area of crops.
New Method for Determining Total Dietary Fiber by Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Ohkuma Kazuhiro , Matsuda Isao , Katta Yasuo , Tsuji Keisuke
Published: February 2020

The molecular weight limit of water-soluble dietary fiber (SDF) determined by the Prosky method was studied by liquid chromatography (LC). It was confirmed that only SDF with an average degree of polymerization of 12 or higher can be determined by the Prosky method. Total dietary fiber (TDF) was determined by 2 additional methods using LC. In the first method, the total quantity of insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) and high molecular weight SDF (HMSDF) was determined according to the modified Prosky method (MES-TRIS buffer-based). The quantitatively collected final filtrate was analyzed by LC for the quantity of low molecular weight SDF (LMSDF), and the 2 quantities were totaled to obtain TDF. TDF values thus determined for rice, polished or unpolished, soybean flour, and pressed barley were higher than those determined by the Prosky method by approximately 6, 3.5, and 3.5%, respectively. In the second method, direct determination by LC analysis was done on samples after enzymatic treatment according to the Prosky method. Results showed that the determination of LMSDF, in particular, was highly accurate and more effective. In both of these methods, the quantity of LMSDF was determined from its chromatographic peak area ratio to glucose as an internal standard, which was produced by hydrolysis.
Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in Dietary Supplement Products
Authors: Thompson Richard D , Carlson Marvin
Published: February 2020

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method was developed to assess the potency of products that contain dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a precursor hormone synthesized from cholesterol by the human adrenal cortex and converted to potent androgens and/or estrogens in peripheral tissues. Forty-five commercial products (both single and multi-ingredient) were subjected to analysis by the proposed method. A Zorbax Rx C18 column with a mobile phase containing acetonitrile–0.025M phosphate buffer (60 + 40), pH 3.50, and UV detection at 292 nm was used for 87% of the products. An alternative mobile phase containing methanol–0.025M phosphate (75 + 25), pH 3.50, was used to isolate DHEA from more complex product mixtures. Assay values varied from 0 to 109.5% of the declared amount with an overall mean value of 91.1%. The recoveries based on fortified products ranged from 96.4 to 101.2%, and the intraday precision (RSD, n = 5) varied from 0.50 to 1.66%.