bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monitoring the Greater Agulhas Current With AIS Data Information
Authors: Le Goff Clément , Boussidi Brahim , Mironov Alexei , Guichoux Yann , Zhen Yicun , Tandeo Pierre , Gueguen Simon , Chapron Bertrand
Published: April 2021

Over the core region of the Agulhas Current, new estimations of ocean surface velocities are reported using the increasing data set from the Automatic Identification System (AIS), initially designed to monitor vessel traffic. A two‐step strategy is suggested. A first guess is evaluated from the collective behavior of vessels for a given space‐time interval. Individual vessel trajectories are then re‐analyzed and interpolated. Applied during year 2016, these ocean surface current estimates are demonstrated to well determine the intensity of surface currents. The improved spatial resolution helps the decomposition of the optimally interpolated surface current vector field between irrotational ≈80%–90% and divergence‐free components ≈10%–20%, for example, Helmholtz‐Hodge decomposition. Comparisons are performed between in situ drifting‐buoys and represent up to 25% gain in respect of the altimetry gridded current (for the meridional component). Others comparisons with data collected during the Agulhas Current Time‐series experiment, as well as with the mean Doppler‐derived surface currents obtained from satellite synthetic aperture radar measurements also reveal a significant benefit of using the AIS derived estimates. Comparisons with the Sea Surface Temperature from MODIS sensors confirm the occurrence of meandering events for the current path. For the Agulhas Current region, the high density of vessel traffic can provide new means to study and monitor intense upper ocean currents with more detailed resolution and precision.
Genome wide association study identifies four loci for early onset schizophrenia
Authors: Guo Suqin , Liu Jiewei , Li Wenqiang , Yang Yongfeng , Lv Luxian , Xiao Xiao , Li Ming , Guan Fanglin , Luo Xiong-Jian
Published: April 2021

Early onset schizophrenia (EOS, defined as first onset of schizophrenia before age 18) is a rare form of schizophrenia (SCZ). Though genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified multiple risk variants for SCZ, most of the cases included in these GWASs were not stratified according to their first age at onset. To date, the genetic architecture of EOS remains largely unknown. To identify the risk variants and to uncover the genetic basis of EOS, we conducted a two-stage GWAS of EOS in populations of Han Chinese ancestry in this study. We first performed a GWAS using 1,256 EOS cases and 2,661 healthy controls (referred as discovery stage). The genetic variants with a P < 1.0 × 10−04 in discovery stage were replicated in an independent sample (903 EOS cases and 3,900 controls). We identified four genome-wide significant risk loci for EOS in the combined samples (2,159 EOS cases and 6,561 controls), including 1p36.22 (rs1801133, Pmeta = 4.03 × 10−15), 1p31.1 (rs1281571, Pmeta = 4.14 × 10−08), 3p21.31 (rs7626288, Pmeta = 1.57 × 10−09), and 9q33.3 (rs592927, Pmeta = 4.01 × 10−11). Polygenic risk scoring (PRS) analysis revealed substantial genetic overlap between EOS and SCZ. These discoveries shed light on the genetic basis of EOS. Further functional characterization of the identified risk variants and genes will help provide potential targets for therapeutics and diagnostics.
Transcriptomics and metabolomics reveal the adaption of Akkermansia muciniphila to high mucin by regulating energy homeostasis
Authors: Liu Xinyue , Zhao Fan , Liu Hui , Xie Yunting , Zhao Di , Li Chunbao
Published: April 2021

In gut, Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) probably exerts its probiotic activities by the positive modulation of mucus thickness and gut barrier integrity. However, the potential mechanisms between A. muciniphila and mucin balance have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we cultured the bacterium in a BHI medium containing 0% to 0.5% mucin, and transcriptome and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analyses were performed. We found that 0.5% (m/v) mucin in a BHI medium induced 1191 microbial genes to be differentially expressed, and 49 metabolites to be changed. The metabolites of sorbose, mannose, 2,7-anhydro-β-sedoheptulose, fructose, phenylalanine, threonine, lysine, ornithine, asparagine, alanine and glutamic acid were decreased by 0.5% mucin, while the metabolites of leucine, valine and N-acetylneuraminic acid were increased. The association analysis between transcriptome and metabolome revealed that A. muciniphila gave strong responses to energy metabolism, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, and galactose metabolism pathways to adapt to high mucin in the medium. This finding showed that only when mucin reached a certain concentration in a BHI medium, A. muciniphila could respond to the culture environment significantly at the level of genes and metabolites, and changed its metabolic characteristics by altering the effect on carbohydrates and amino acids.
Machine-learning based prediction of Cushing’s syndrome in dogs attending UK primary-care veterinary practice
Authors: Schofield Imogen , Brodbelt David C. , Kennedy Noel , Niessen Stijn J. M. , Church David B. , Geddes Rebecca F. , O’Neill Dan G.
Published: April 2021

Cushing’s syndrome is an endocrine disease in dogs that negatively impacts upon the quality-of-life of affected animals. Cushing’s syndrome can be a challenging diagnosis to confirm, therefore new methods to aid diagnosis are warranted. Four machine-learning algorithms were applied to predict a future diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome, using structured clinical data from the VetCompass programme in the UK. Dogs suspected of having Cushing's syndrome were included in the analysis and classified based on their final reported diagnosis within their clinical records. Demographic and clinical features available at the point of first suspicion by the attending veterinarian were included within the models. The machine-learning methods were able to classify the recorded Cushing’s syndrome diagnoses, with good predictive performance. The LASSO penalised regression model indicated the best overall performance when applied to the test set with an AUROC = 0.85 (95% CI 0.80–0.89), sensitivity = 0.71, specificity = 0.82, PPV = 0.75 and NPV = 0.78. The findings of our study indicate that machine-learning methods could predict the future diagnosis of a practicing veterinarian. New approaches using these methods could support clinical decision-making and contribute to improved diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome in dogs.
Mode of conception in relation to nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: a nested matched cohort study in Sweden
Authors: Bazargani Farnaz , Iliadis S. I. , Elenis E.
Published: April 2021

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) is a common condition reported however inconclusively among pregnancies after assisted conception. The study objective was thus to explore whether NVP is associated to mode of conception or other in vitro fertilization (IVF)-related variables. This nested matched cohort study, originating from the BASIC-project, was conducted at the Uppsala University Hospital in Sweden between 2010 and 2016. IVF pregnancies (n = 210) and age and parity-matched women with spontaneous pregnancies (n = 420) comprised the study sample. The study outcome was self-reported NVP at gestational week 17. IVF treatment and pregnancy data were obtained after scrutinization of the medical records. NVP with or without medications was not associated with mode of conception (chi-square test, p = 0.889), even after adjusting for potential confounders. In a subgroup analysis among IVF pregnancies, NVP without medication was more frequently seen in the group who received cleavage stage embryos vs blastocysts (chi-square test, p = 0.019), exhibiting a marginally significant but strongly increased effect even after adjustment [crude RRR 3.82 (95% CI 1.23–11.92) and adjusted RRR 3.42 (95% CI 0.96–12.11)]. No difference in the rate of NVP with or without medication between women that underwent fresh and frozen/thawed embryo transfers as well as IVF or ICSI was observed. Conception through IVF is not associated with NVP. Transfer of a blastocyst may decrease the risk of developing NVP and further, large-scale prospective studies are required to validate this finding.
A calibrated deep learning ensemble for abnormality detection in musculoskeletal radiographs
Authors: He Minliang , Wang Xuming , Zhao Yijun
Published: April 2021

Musculoskeletal disorders affect the locomotor system and are the leading contributor to disability worldwide. Patients suffer chronic pain and limitations in mobility, dexterity, and functional ability. Musculoskeletal (bone) X-ray is an essential tool in diagnosing the abnormalities. In recent years, deep learning algorithms have increasingly been applied in musculoskeletal radiology and have produced remarkable results. In our study, we introduce a new calibrated ensemble of deep learners for the task of identifying abnormal musculoskeletal radiographs. Our model leverages the strengths of three baseline deep neural networks (ConvNet, ResNet, and DenseNet), which are typically employed either directly or as the backbone architecture in the existing deep learning-based approaches in this domain. Experimental results based on the public MURA dataset demonstrate that our proposed model outperforms three individual models and a traditional ensemble learner, achieving an overall performance of (AUC: 0.93, Accuracy: 0.87, Precision: 0.93, Recall: 0.81, Cohen’s kappa: 0.74). The model also outperforms expert radiologists in three out of the seven upper extremity anatomical regions with a leading performance of (AUC: 0.97, Accuracy: 0.93, Precision: 0.90, Recall:0.97, Cohen’s kappa: 0.85) in the humerus region. We further apply the class activation map technique to highlight the areas essential to our model’s decision-making process. Given that the best radiologist performance is between 0.73 and 0.78 in Cohen’s kappa statistic, our study provides convincing results supporting the utility of a calibrated ensemble approach for assessing abnormalities in musculoskeletal X-rays.
Levels of physical activity before and after stroke in relation to early cognitive function
Authors: Viktorisson Adam , Andersson Elisabeth M. , Lundström Erik , Sunnerhagen Katharina S.
Published: April 2021

Regular physical activity is widely recommended in the primary and secondary prevention of stroke. Physical activity may enhance cognitive performance after stroke, but cognitive impairments could also hinder a person to take part in physical activity. However, a majority of previous studies have not found any association between post-stroke cognitive impairments and a person’s subsequent level of activity. In this explorative, longitudinal study, we describe the intraindividual change in physical activity from before to 6 months after stroke, in relation to early screening of post-stroke cognitive impairments. Participants were recruited at 2 to 15 days after stroke, and screened for cognitive impairments using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment tool. Information on pre-stroke physical activity was retrospectively collected at hospital admittance by physiotherapists. Post-stroke physical activity was evaluated after 6 months. Of 49 participants included, 44 were followed up. The level of physical activity changed in more than half of all participants after stroke. Participants who were physically active 6 months after stroke presented with significantly less cognitive impairments. These results highlight that many stroke survivors experience a change in their physical activity level following stroke, and that unimpaired cognition may be important for a stroke survivors’ ability to be physically active.
Evaluation of mobile real-time polymerase chain reaction tests for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Authors: Onyilagha Chukwunonso , Mistry Henna , Marszal Peter , Pinette Mathieu , Kobasa Darwyn , Tailor Nikesh , Berhane Yohannes , Nfon Charles , Pickering Bradley , Mubareka Samira , Bulir David , Chong Sylvia , Kozak Robert , Ambagala Aruna
Published: April 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), calls for prompt and accurate diagnosis and rapid turnaround time for test results to limit transmission. Here, we evaluated two independent molecular assays, the Biomeme SARS-CoV-2 test, and the Precision Biomonitoring TripleLock SARS-CoV-2 test on a field-deployable point-of-care real-time PCR instrument, Franklin three9, in combination with Biomeme M1 Sample Prep Cartridge Kit for RNA 2.0 (M1) manual extraction system for rapid, specific, and sensitive detection of SARS-COV-2 in cell culture, human, and animal clinical samples. The Biomeme SARS-CoV-2 assay, which simultaneously detects two viral targets, the orf1ab and S genes, and the Precision Biomonitoring TripleLock SARS-CoV-2 assay that targets the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) and the envelope (E) gene of SARS-CoV-2 were highly sensitive and detected as low as 15 SARS-CoV-2 genome copies per reaction. In addition, the two assays were specific and showed no cross-reactivity with Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus, and other common human respiratory viruses and bacterial pathogens. Also, both assays were highly reproducible across different operators and instruments. When used to test animal samples, both assays equally detected SARS-CoV-2 genetic materials in the swabs from SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters. The M1 lysis buffer completely inactivated SARS-CoV-2 within 10 min at room temperature enabling safe handling of clinical samples. Collectively, these results show that the Biomeme and Precision Biomonitoring TripleLock SARS-CoV-2 mobile testing platforms could reliably and promptly detect SARS-CoV-2 in both human and animal clinical samples in approximately an hour and can be used in remote areas or health care settings not traditionally serviced by a microbiology laboratory.
Arginyltransferase (Ate1) regulates the RGS7 protein level and the sensitivity of light-evoked ON-bipolar responses
Authors: Fina Marie E. , Wang Junling , Nikonov Sergei S. , Sterling Stephanie , Vardi Noga , Kashina Anna , Dong Dawei W.
Published: April 2021

Regulator of G-protein signaling 7 (RGS7) is predominately present in the nervous system and is essential for neuronal signaling involving G-proteins. Prior studies in cultured cells showed that RGS7 is regulated via proteasomal degradation, however no protein is known to facilitate proteasomal degradation of RGS7 and it has not been shown whether this regulation affects G-protein signaling in neurons. Here we used a knockout mouse model with conditional deletion of arginyltransferase (Ate1) in the nervous system and found that in retinal ON bipolar cells, where RGS7 modulates a G-protein to signal light increments, deletion of Ate1 raised the level of RGS7. Electroretinographs revealed that lack of Ate1 leads to increased light-evoked response sensitivities of ON-bipolar cells, as well as their downstream neurons. In cultured mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF), RGS7 was rapidly degraded via proteasome pathway and this degradation was abolished in Ate1 knockout MEF. Our results indicate that Ate1 regulates RGS7 protein level by facilitating proteasomal degradation of RGS7 and thus affects G-protein signaling in neurons.
Development of an objective index, neural activity score (NAS), reveals neural network ontogeny and treatment effects on microelectrode arrays
Authors: Passaro Austin P. , Aydin Onur , Saif M. Taher A. , Stice Steven L.
Published: April 2021

Microelectrode arrays (MEAs) are valuable tools for electrophysiological analysis, providing assessment of neural network health and development. Analysis can be complex, however, requiring intensive processing of large data sets consisting of many activity parameters, leading to information loss as studies subjectively report relatively few metrics in the interest of simplicity. In screening assays, many groups report simple overall activity (i.e. firing rate) but omit network connectivity changes (e.g. burst characteristics and synchrony) that may not be evident from basic parameters. Our goal was to develop an objective process to capture most of the valuable information gained from MEAs in neural development and toxicity studies. We implemented principal component analysis (PCA) to reduce the high dimensionality of MEA data. Upon analysis, we found the first principal component was strongly correlated to time, representing neural culture development; therefore, factor loadings were used to create a single index score—named neural activity score (NAS)—reflecting neural maturation. For validation, we applied NAS to studies analyzing various treatments. In all cases, NAS accurately recapitulated expected results, suggesting viability of NAS to measure network health and development. This approach may be adopted by other researchers using MEAs to analyze complicated treatment effects and multicellular interactions.
Total flow intensity, active flow intensity and volume related flow intensity as new quantitative metrics in optical coherence tomography angiography
Authors: Arrigo Alessandro , Perra Cristian , Aragona Emanuela , Giusto Daniele , Bandello Francesco , Battaglia Parodi Maurizio
Published: April 2021

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography (OCTA) is a non-invasive tool for the in-vivo study of the intraretinal vascular network. It is based on the analysis of motion particles within the retina to reconstruct the paths followed by the erythrocytes, i.e. retinal capillaries. To date, qualitative and quantitative information are based on the morphological features disclosed by retinal capillaries. In the present study, we proposed new quantitative functional metrics, named Total Flow Intensity (TFI), Active Flow Intensity (AFI), and Volume-related Flow Intensity (VFI), based on the processing of the blood flow signal detected by OCTA. We studied these metrics in a cohort of healthy subjects, and we assessed their clinical utility by including a cohort of age-matched patients affected by Stargardt disease. Moreover, we compared TFI, AFI, and VFI to the widely used vessel density (VD) parameter. TFI, AFI, and VFI were able to describe in detail the different properties of the retinal vascular compartment. In particular, TFI was intended as the overall amount of volumetric retinal blood flow. AFI represented a selective measure of voxels disclosing blood flow signal. VFI was developed to put in relationship the volumetric blood flow information with the not vascularized retinal volume. In conclusion, TFI, AFI, and VFI were proposed as feasible functional OCTA biomarkers based on the analysis of retinal blood flow signal.
The role of HER2 and HER3 in HER2-amplified cancers beyond breast cancers
Authors: Majumder Avisek , Sandhu Manbir , Banerji Debarko , Steri Veronica , Olshen Adam , Moasser Mark M.
Published: April 2021

HER2 and HER3 play key driving functions in the pathophysiology of HER2-amplified breast cancers, but this function is less well characterized in other cancers driven by HER2 amplification. This study aimed to explore the role of HER2 and HER3 signaling in other types of HER2-amplified cancer. The expression and signaling activity of HER2, HER3, and downstream pathway proteins were studied in cell panels representing HER2-amplified cancers of the breast, bladder, colon and rectal, stomach, esophagus, lung, tongue, and endometrium along with controls lacking HER2 amplification. We report that HER2-amplified cancers are addicted to HER2 across different cancer types and the depth of addiction is best linked with the expression level of HER2, but not with HER3 expression. We report that the expression and constitutive phosphorylation of HER3 are ubiquitous in HER2-amplified breast cancer cell lines, but much more variable in HER2-amplified cancer cells from other tissues. We observed the lapatinib-induced compensatory upregulation of HER3 signaling in many types of HER2-amplified cancers, although with much variability. We find that HER3 expression is essential for in vivo tumorigenic growth in some HER2-amplified tumors but not others. Importantly HER3 expression level does not correlate well with its functional importance. More biomarkers will be needed to guide the optimal use of HER3 inhibitors in HER2-amplified cancers from non-breast origin. Unlike oncogenes activated through mutational events, the activation of HER2 through overexpression represents a gradient of activities and depth of addiction and the response to inhibitors follows a similar gradient.
Energy budget and carbon footprint in a wheat and maize system under ridge furrow strategy in dry semi humid areas
Authors: Li Changjiang , Li Shuo
Published: April 2021

The well-irrigated planting strategy (WI) consumes a large amount of energy and exacerbates greenhouse gas emissions, endangering the sustainable agricultural production. This 2-year work aims to estimate the economic benefit, energy budget and carbon footprint of a wheat–maize double cropping system under conventional rain-fed flat planting (irrigation once a year, control), ridge–furrows with plastic film mulching on the ridge (irrigation once a year, RP), and the WI in dry semi-humid areas of China. Significantly higher wheat and maize yields and net returns were achieved under RP than those under the control, while a visible reduction was found for wheat yields when compared with the WI. The ratio of benefit: cost under RP was also higher by 10.5% than that under the control in the first rotation cycle, but did not differ with those under WI. The net energy output and carbon output followed the same trends with net returns, but the RP had the largest energy use efficiency, energy productivity carbon efficiency and carbon sustainability among treatments. Therefore, the RP was an effective substitution for well–irrigated planting strategy for achieving sustained agricultural development in dry semi-humid areas.
Prognostic classification in acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a multicentre retrospective cohort study
Authors: Suzuki Takahito , Hozumi Hironao , Miyashita Koichi , Kono Masato , Suzuki Yuzo , Karayama Masato , Furuhashi Kazuki , Hasegawa Hirotsugu , Fujisawa Tomoyuki , Enomoto Noriyuki , Nakamura Yutaro , Inui Naoki , Yokomura Koshi , Nakamura Hidenori , Suda Takafumi
Published: April 2021

Acute exacerbation (AE) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a major prognostic determinant. However, evidence for its prognostic strength is mainly based on the results of small cohort studies with statistical limitations. This retrospective study, which included 108 patients with a first episode of AE-IPF, aimed to identify prognostic factors and to develop prognostic classification models. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that a lower percent-predicted forced vital capacity within 12 months before AE onset (baseline %FVC) and a lower PaO2/FiO2 ratio at AE onset were independent mortality predictors. If the value of each predictor was lower than the cutoff determined by receiver-operating characteristic analysis, 1 point was assigned. Classification of patients into mild, moderate, and severe groups based on total score showed post-AE 90-day cumulative survival rates of 83.3%, 66.2%, and 22.2%, respectively (model 1: C-index 0.702). Moreover, a decision tree-based model was created with the recursive partitioning method using baseline %FVC and PaO2/FiO2 ratio at AE onset from among multivariable; accordingly, patients were classified into 3 groups with post-AE 90-day cumulative survival rates of 84.1%, 64.3%, and 24.0%, respectively (model 2: C-index 0.735). These models can guide clinicians in determining therapeutic strategies and help design future studies on AE-IPF.
Carnitine/organic cation transporter 1 precipitates the progression of interstitial fibrosis through oxidative stress in diabetic nephropathy in mice
Authors: Makiishi Shohei , Furuichi Kengo , Yamamura Yuta , Sako Keisuke , Shinozaki Yasuyuki , Toyama Tadashi , Kitajima Shinji , Iwata Yasunori , Sakai Norihiko , Shimizu Miho , Hirose-Sugiura Tomoko , Kaneko Shuichi , Kato Yukio , Wada Takashi
Published: April 2021

Carnitine/organic cation transporter 1 (OCTN1) is the only known uptake transporter for ergothioneine which is a food-derived strong antioxidant amino acid that is absorbed by OCTN1. We previously reported the roles of OCTN1/ergothioneine in the progression of kidney fibrosis in ischemic kidney disease. In this study, we evaluated the roles of OCTN1 in the progression of diabetic kidney disease. A diabetic kidney disease model was induced in octn1 knockout and wild-type mice by streptozotocin (STZ). Oxidative stress, represented by urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), were higher in the octn1 knockout mice. Azan- and Sirius red-positive areas increased significantly in the octn1 knockout mice. Gene expression was evaluated by cluster analysis, and shown to be different in the octn1 knockout mice compared with the wild-type mice. In a pathway analysis, the pathway associated with the cytoskeleton and cell adhesion increased. In accordance with interstitial fibrosis in octn1 knockout mice, gene expression of moesin in the injured kidney, known as an associated protein of cytoskeleton and cell membranes, was doubled 28 weeks after STZ injection. In addition, the moesin protein was expressed in a part of α-SMA-positive renal tubular epithelial cells. These findings were confirmed by cultured murine proximal tubular epithelial cells: The expression of moesin was induced under oxidative stress with hydrogen peroxide. These data indicate that OCTN1 would play some roles in progression of interstitial fibrosis under oxidative stress via moesin expression in diabetic kidney disease.
Metabolically healthy obesity and physical fitness in military males in the CHIEF study
Authors: Wang Sheng-Huei , Chung Pei-Shou , Lin Yen-Po , Tsai Kun-Zhe , Lin Ssu-Chin , Fan Chia-Hao , Lin Yu-Kai , Lin Gen-Min
Published: April 2021

The metabolically healthy obese (MHO) characterized by the absence of metabolic syndrome have shown superior cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and similar muscular strength as compared with the metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). However, this finding might be biased by the baseline sedentary behavior in the general population. This study utilized 3669 physically active military males aged 18–50 years in Taiwan. Obesity and metabolically unhealthy were respectively defined as body mass index ≥ 27.5 kg/m2 and presence of at least two major components of the metabolic syndrome, according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria for Asian male adults. Four groups were accordingly classified as the metabolically healthy lean (MHL, n = 2510), metabolically unhealthy lean (MUL, n = 331), MHO (n = 181) and MUO (n = 647). CRF was evaluated by time for a 3-km run, and muscular strengths were separately assessed by numbers of push-up and sit-up within 2 min. Analysis of covariance was utilized to compare the difference in each exercise performance between groups adjusting for age, service specialty, smoking, alcohol intake and physical activity. The metabolic syndrome prevalence in MUL and MUO was 49.8% and 47.6%, respectively. The performance of CRF did not differ between MHO and MUO (892.3 ± 5.4 s and 892.6 ± 3.0 s, p = 0.97) which were both inferior to MUL and MHL (875.2 ± 4.0 s and 848.6 ± 1.3 s, all p values < 0.05). The performance of muscular strengths evaluated by 2-min push-ups did not differ between MUL and MUO (45.3 ± 0.6 and 45.2 ± 0.4, p = 0.78) which were both less than MHO and MHL (48.4 ± 0.8 and 50.6 ± 0.2, all p values < 0.05). However, the performance of 2-min sit-ups were only superior in MHL (48.1 ± 0.1) as compared with MUL, MHO and MUO (45.9 ± 0.4, 46.7 ± 0.5 and 46.1 ± 0.3, respectively, all p values < 0.05). Our findings suggested that in a physically active male cohort, the MHO might have greater muscle strengths, but have similar CRF level compared with the MUO.
Access to 2-arylquinazolines via catabolism/reconstruction of amino acids with the insertion of dimethyl sulfoxide
Authors: Ma Jin-Tian , Wang Li-Sheng , Chai Zhi , Chen Xin-Feng , Tang Bo-Cheng , Chen Xiang-Long , He Cai , Wu Yan-Dong , Wu An-Xin
Published: April 2021

Quinazoline skeletons are synthesized by amino acid catabolism/reconstruction combined with the insertion/cyclization of dimethyl sulfoxide for the first time.
Transfer hydrogenation of CO2 into formaldehyde from aqueous glycerol heterogeneously catalyzed by Ru bound to LDH
Authors: Deng Lidan , Liu Xiaowei , Xu Jie , Zhou Zijian , Feng Shixiang , Wang Zheng , Xu Minghou
Published: April 2021

Aqueous glycerol was used in this study as a liquid-phase hydrogen source for the hydrogenation of CO2.
Fluorine-18 labelled Ruppert–Prakash reagent ([18F]Me3SiCF3) for the synthesis of 18F-trifluoromethylated compounds
Authors: Pees Anna , Vosjan Maria J.W.D , Vasdev Neil , Windhorst Albert D. , Vugts Danielle J.
Published: April 2021

The radiolabelling of Ruppert–Prakash reagent with fluorine-18 was developed and applied in the [18F]trifluoromethylation of benzaldehydes, acetophenones and benzophenones.
A sensitive and selective BINOL based ratiometric fluorescence sensor for the detection of cyanide ions
Authors: Munusamy Sathishkumar , Swaminathan Sathish , Jothi Dhanapal , Muralidharan Vivek Panyam , Iyer Sathiyanarayanan Kulathu
Published: April 2021

A highly selective, novel BINOL based sensor BBCN has been developed for the fluorescent ratiometric detection of cyanide ions (CN−).
Study of catalytic hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of 2,3-dimethylindole for hydrogen storage application
Authors: Dong Yuan , Zhao Haoming , Zhao Yinheng , Yang Ming , Zhang Heshun , Cheng Hansong
Published: April 2021

The hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of 2,3-dimethylindole was studied. The released hydrogen was in a high purity, detected by DSMS.
Persulfate-activated charcoal mixture: an efficient oxidant for the synthesis of sulfonated benzo[d][1,3]oxazines from N-(2-vinylphenyl)amides and thiols in aqueous solution
Authors: Natarajan Palani , Priya  , Chuskit Deachen
Published: April 2021

A simple method for the synthesis of 2,4-aryl-4-((arylsulfonyl)methyl)-4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazines using an easily accessible K2S2O8-activated charcoal mixture and thiols, respectively, as an oxidant and sulfonylating precursors has been described.
K1.5VOPO4F0.5: a novel high-power and high-voltage cathode for rechargeable K-ion batteries
Authors: Park Hyunyoung , Ko Wonseok , Lee Yongseok , Kang Jungmin , Ahn Jinho , Yoo Jung-Keun , Kim Jongsoon
Published: April 2021

The K1.5VOPO4F0.5 crystal structure provides a robust structural framework with large two-dimensional pathways, contributing to facile K+ diffusion despite the large ionic radius of K+ ions.
Heterochromatin and Polycomb as regulators of haematopoiesis
Authors: Keenan Christine R.
Published: April 2021

Haematopoiesis is the process by which multipotent haematopoietic stem cells are transformed into each and every type of terminally differentiated blood cell. Epigenetic silencing is critical for this process by regulating the transcription of cell-cycle genes critical for self-renewal and differentiation, as well as restricting alternative fate genes to allow lineage commitment and appropriate differentiation. There are two distinct forms of transcriptionally repressed chromatin: H3K9me3-marked heterochromatin and H3K27me3/H2AK119ub1-marked Polycomb (often referred to as facultative heterochromatin). This review will discuss the role of these distinct epigenetic silencing mechanisms in regulating normal haematopoiesis, how these contribute to age-related haematopoietic dysfunction, and the rationale for therapeutic targeting of these pathways in the treatment of haematological malignancies.
The water-ice line as a birthplace of planets: implications of a species-dependent dust fragmentation threshold
Authors: Müller Jonas , Savvidou Sofia , Bitsch Bertram
Published: April 2021

The thermodynamic structure of protoplanetary discs is determined by dust opacities, which depend on the size of the dust grains and their chemical composition. In the inner regions, the grain sizes are regulated by the level of turbulence (e.g. α viscosity) and by the dust fragmentation velocity that represents the maximal velocity that grains can have at a collision before they fragment. Here, we perform self-consistently calculated 2D hydrodynamical simulations that consider a full grain size distribution of dust grains with a transition in the dust fragmentation velocity at the water-ice line. This approach accounts for the results of previous particle collision laboratory experiments, in which silicate particles typically have a lower dust fragmentation velocity than water-ice particles. Furthermore, we probe the effects of variations in the water abundance, the dust-to-gas ratio, and the turbulence parameter on the disc structure. For the discs with a transition in the dust fragmentation velocity at the water-ice line, we find a narrow but striking zone of planetary outward migration, including for low viscosities. In addition, we find a bump in the radial pressure gradient profile that tends to be located slightly inside the ice line. Both of these features are present for all tested disc parameters. Thus, we conclude that the ice line can function both as a migration trap, which can extend the growth times of planets before they migrate to the inner edge of the protoplanetary disc, and as a pressure trap, where planetesimal formation can be initiated or enhanced.
The nuclear stellar disc of the Milky Way: A dynamically cool and metal-rich component possibly formed from the central molecular zone
Authors: Schultheis M. , Fritz T. K. , Nandakumar G. , Rojas-Arriagada A. , Nogueras-Lara F. , Feldmeier-Krause A. , Gerhard O. , Neumayer N. , Patrick L. R. , Prieto M. A. , Schödel R. , Mastrobuono-Battisti A. , Sormani M. C.
Published: April 2021

Context. The nuclear stellar disc (NSD) is, together with the nuclear star cluster (NSC) and the central massive black hole, one of the main components in the central parts of our Milky Way. However, until recently, only a few studies of the stellar content of the NSD have been obtained owing to extreme extinction and stellar crowding.

Aims. We study the kinematics and global metallicities of the NSD based on the observations of K/M giant stars via a dedicated KMOS (VLT, ESO) spectroscopic survey.

Methods. We traced radial velocities and metallicities, which were derived based on spectral indices (Na I and CO) along the NSD, and compared those with a Galactic bulge sample of APOGEE (DR16) and data from the NSC.

Results. We find that the metallicity distribution function and the fraction of metal-rich and metal-poor stars in the NSD are different from the corresponding distributions and ratios of the NSC and the Galactic bulge. By tracing the velocity dispersion as a function of metallicity, we clearly see that the NSD is kinematically cool and that the velocity dispersion decreases with increasing metallicity contrary to the inner bulge sample of APOGEE (|b|< 4°). Using molecular gas tracers (H2CO, CO(4−3)) of the central molecular zone (CMZ), we find an astonishing agreement between the gas rotation and the rotation of the metal-rich population. This agreement indicates that the metal-rich stars could have formed from gas in the CMZ. On the other hand, the metal-poor stars show a much slower rotation profile with signs of counter-rotation, thereby indicating that these stars have a different origin.

Conclusions. Coupling kinematics with global metallicities, our results demonstrate that the NSD is chemically and kinematically distinct with respect to the inner bulge, which indicates a different formation scenario.
MiR-30b-5p Influences Chronic Exercise Arthritic Injury by Targeting Hoxa1
Authors: Li Maoxun , Gai Fei , Chen Hongyu
Published: April 2021

We identified the role of miR-30b-5p in chronic exercise arthritic injury. Rats with chronic exercise arthritic injury received treatment with miR-30b-5p antagomiR. H&E and Safranin O-fast green staining were performed. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were detected. The binding relationship between homeobox A1 (Hoxa1) and miR-30b-5p was revealed. After manipulating the expressions of miR-30b-5p and/or Hoxa1 in chondrocytes, the viability, apoptosis and migration of chondrocytes were assessed. The levels of molecules were determined by qRT-PCR or Western blot. MiR-30b-5p antagomiR ameliorated articular cartilage lesion and destruction, reduced Mankin’s score and the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, miR-30b-5p, matrix metallopeptidase 13 (MMP-13), and cleaved caspase-3, and increased relative thickness and the levels of Hoxa1, Aggrecan and type II collagen (COLII) in model rats. MiR-30b-5p up-regulation decreased Hoxa1 level, viability, migration and induced apoptosis, whereas miR-30b-5p down-regulation produced the opposite effects. MiR-30b-5p up-regulation increased the levels of MMP-13 and cleaved caspase-3, but decreased those of Aggrecan and COLII in chondrocytes. However, the action of miR-30b-5p up-regulation on chondrocytes was reversed by Hoxa1 overexpression. In conclusion, miR-30b-5p is involved in cartilage degradation in rats with chronic exercise arthritic injury and regulates chondrocyte apoptosis and migration by targeting Hoxa1.
Auswirkungen der COVID-19-Pandemie auf die Versorgung von HNO-Tumoren – die Patientenperspektive
Authors: Büntzel Jens , Walter Stefanie , Hellmund Herbert , Klein Michael , Hübner Jutta , Vitek Petr , Büntzel Judith , Koscielny Sven , Sesterhenn Andreas M. , Büssing Arndt
Published: April 2021

Fragestellung Die COVID-19-Pandemie hat Auswirkungen auf die Versorgung von Tumorpatienten. Wie erleben Patienten mit Kopf-Hals-Tumoren (KHT) diese Situation und welche Coping-Strategien ergeben sich?

Material und Methode Wir befragten in Studie 1 während des Lockdowns (15.04.–15.05.2020) 433 Tumorpatienten nach ihren Eindrücken/Belastungen (online, standardisiert, anonym). In Studie 2 wurden 292 Patienten nach dem Lockdown (06.05.–10.06.2020) zu ihren wahrgenommenen Veränderungen, Perspektivwechseln und Coping-Strategien mit standardisierten Tools (WHO-5, MLQ-10, GrAw-7) befragt. Für beide Studien analysierten wir die KHT.

Ergebnisse An Studie 1 nahmen 91 Patienten mit KHT teil, in Studie 2 wurden 84 Patienten mit KHT aufgenommen. Studie 1 zeigte im Lockdown einen hohen Druck auf die Mehrheit der Patienten mit KHT (53,8 %). Es waren Ängste bezüglich der eigenen Krankheit (39,6 %), aber auch erwartete physische (24,7 %) und psychische Folgen (21,3 %) der Pandemie. Die soziale Isolation (Besuchsverbot) wurde als ein Hauptproblem (58,5 %) beschrieben. Studie 2 bestätigte diese Belastungen auch nach dem Lockdown. Intensivere Beziehungen in der Familie (60/100 Punkten) sowie eine Zuwendung zu Natur und Stille (58/100 Punkten) wurden als entlastend beschrieben. Eine hohe Inaktivität (MLQ-10) sowie ein vermindertes Wohlbefinden (WHO-5) und eine reduzierte Achtsamkeit (GrAw-7) waren Charakteristiken der KHT, die Ansatzpunkte für eine Stärkung der Resilienz sein können.

Schlussfolgerung Patienten mit KHT haben einen hohen mentalen und psychischen Druck durch die Pandemie. Ihr Blickwinkel ergänzt unsere bisherige Sicht und kann zu einer verbesserten Gesamtversorgung dieser Patienten beitragen.
Augenmuskeltransposition nach Nishida bei Abduzensparese
Authors: Heckmann Jan , Todorova Margarita , Sturm Veit
Published: April 2021

Hintergrund Die operative Behandlung von Abduzensparesen orientiert sich vor allem an der verbliebenen Motilität des M. rectus lateralis. Reicht die maximale Abduktion nicht über die Mittellinie hinaus, sollte eine gleichseitige Muskeltransposition der vertikalen Recti erfolgen. Seit der Erstbeschreibung vor mehr als 100 Jahren sind eine Vielzahl von Modifikationen vorgestellt worden. Die minimalinvasive Adaptation nach Nishida hat zuletzt zunehmend Beachtung erfahren.

Patienten und Methoden Retrospektive Fallserie von 4 Patienten mit Abduzensparesen, deren chirurgische Versorgung mittels Transpositionsmanöver nach Nishida erfolgte. Die Kasuistiken werden unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der prä- und postoperativen Verhältnisse hinsichtlich Schielwinkel und Motilität präsentiert.

Ergebnisse Vier Patienten (2 weiblich, 2 männlich) wurden in die Studie eingeschlossen. Bei einem 7-jährigen Mädchen und einer 37-jährigen Frau mit linksseitiger Abduzensparese erfolgte eine gleichseitige Transposition. Bei einem 56-jährigen Mann mit linksseitiger Parese und einem 82-jährigen Mann mit Parese rechts wurde die Transposition nach Nishida mit einer gleichseitigen Rücklagerung des M. rectus medialis kombiniert. Bei allen 4 Patienten wurden durch die Operation eine deutliche Verkleinerung des Schielwinkels sowie eine Verbesserung der Motilität erreicht.

Schlussfolgerung Die Transposition der Vertikalmotoren ist bei Abduzensparesen als Operationsmethode etabliert. Unter den verschiedenen Modifikationen stellt die Adaptation nach Nishida eine sichere, wirkungsvolle und minimalinvasive Option dar. Die gefäßschonende Technik erlaubt auch die gleichzeitige Schwächung des M. rectus medialis.
Triazole-Enabled Ruthenium(II) Carboxylate-Catalyzed C–H Arylation with Electron-Deficient Aryl Halides
Authors: Rogge Torben , Müller Thomas , Broggini Diego , Ackermann Lutz , Simon Hendrik , Hou Xiaoyan , Wagschal Simon
Published: April 2021

A triazole-directed direct C–H arylation of arenes with electron-deficient aryl halides or a synthetically useful pyrimidyl chloride was achieved through ruthenium catalysis. Our novel strategy provides operationally simple and environmentally benign access to highly functionalized hetarenes, avoiding the use of strong organometallic bases. Detailed studies revealed a significant effect of the phosphine ligand, thereby permitting the reaction to occur with excellent levels of chemo- and position selectivity.
Accuracy of High Resolution Multidetector Computed Tomography in the Local Staging of Rectal Cancer
Authors: Ramanan Rochita Venkata , Munikrishnan Venkatesh , Venkataramanan Akash , Swain Sudeepta Kumar , Sunilkumar Kaveripattu Sathiyamurthy , Venu Vadanika , Hariharan Muthuswamy , Saipillai Mohammad Zehran , Ahamed Asfar
Published: April 2021

Background Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for local staging of rectal cancer. Advanced computed tomography (CT) machines are now capable of high-resolution images of rectal cancer and utilized for CT perfusion. The possibility of local staging of rectal cancer by CT needs to be explored.

Purpose The aim of the study is to evaluate accuracy of high-resolution CT for local rectal cancer staging.

Methods A high-resolution CT was performed for local staging of rectal cancer in our study group of 93 patients, where 64 underwent primary surgery and 29 underwent surgery post neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT).

Results In differentiating stages T2-and-less than T2 from T3–T4 rectal cancer, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and kappa score in overall patients were 91%, 87%, 94%, and 0.8; in primary surgery group were 89%, 76%, 94%, and 0.7; in NACRT group were 97%, 100%, 94%, and 0.9; in low rectal group were 94%, 89%, 97%, and 0.82, respectively.

Conclusion High resolution CT is an accurate tool for local staging of rectal cancer.
Early Aseptic Loosening with Increased Presence and Severity of Backside Burnishing in the Optetrak Logic Posterior-Stabilized Total Knee Arthroplasty Femoral Component
Authors: Malahias Michael-Alexander , Iacobelli David A. , Torres Lisa , Rojas Marcos Carolena , Nocon Allina A. , Wright Timothy M. , Sculco Peter K. , Sculco Thomas P.
Published: April 2021

Concerns persist that the Optetrak Logic posterior-stabilized (PS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) femoral component might correlate with early failures due to aseptic loosening. The primary aim of this study was to examine if the use of the Optetrak Logic PS femoral component is associated with early (<5 years) and more extensive aseptic loosening compared with other PS femoral components. This is a single-institution retrieval analysis and revision registry study (based on prospectively collected data) of 27 failed primary PS TKA patients with loose femoral components that underwent revision TKAs between 2016 and 2019. Patients were stratified by components type: Group A (n = 16) received the Optetrak Logic PS femoral component, while Group B (n = 11) received other PS femoral components. Burnishing (macroscopic polishing of the component's backside) was observed and graded as a marker for relative motion at the cement-implant interface. No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the baseline demographic, radiographic, and clinical characteristics. Mean length of implantation for Group A (3.8 ± 2.9 years) was significantly shorter (p < 0.001) than that of Group B (12.0 ± 6.7 years). A significant difference (p = 0.009) was found in presence of backside femoral burnishing between Group A (15 of 16 patients; 93.8%) and group B (5 of 11 patients; 45.6%). Furthermore, we found a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the severity of burnishing between Group A (13 of 16 patients with severe degree of burnishing; 81.3%) and Group B (1 of 11 patients with severe degree of burnishing; 9.1%). In contrast to Group B, a distinctive macroscopic pattern found in Logic retrieved femoral components (Group A) was the total absence of cement in the backside surface. The use of the Optetrak Logic PS TKA femoral component was associated with early aseptic loosening and increased presence and severity of backside burnishing with early cement-implant interface debonding compared with other commercially available types of PS TKA femoral components. The earlier failure rate with this implant is of concern.
Virtuelle Modell-Klinik in der Lehre: Spielerische Vorbereitung aufs Klinikmanagement
Authors: Mader Thomas
Published: April 2021

Ein modernes Krankenhausmanagement fordert von angehenden Betriebswirtinnen und Betriebswirten ein komplexes Kompetenzprofil. Um Studierende des Studiengangs Gesundheits- und Sozialmanagement gezielt auf den Berufseinstieg in der stationären Versorgung vorzubereiten, haben Lehrbeauftragte an der Hochschule Koblenz am Standort Remagen eine virtuelle Modell-Klinik gegründet.
Künstliche Intelligenz: Prognosen für den Einkauf
Authors: Lang Michael
Published: April 2021

Das Schweizer Unternehmen Prognosix ist darauf spezialisiert, mittels Algorithmen Sortimente zu optimieren und Bedarfsprognosen zu erstellen.
Magnetoelectric materials and devices
Authors: Liang Xianfeng , Chen Huaihao , Sun Nian X.
Published: April 2021

Over the past few decades, magnetoelectric (ME) materials and devices have been investigated extensively, which is one of the most interesting research topics since the revival of multiferroic laminates with large ME coupling coefficients. The existence of two or more ferroic properties in the ME systems plays key roles in the next generation of novel multifunctional devices. Strong ME coupling has been demonstrated in various ME systems, including single-phase bulk or thin-film materials and bulk or thin-film composites such as piezoelectric/magnetostrictive heterostructures. Based on the coupling mechanisms, a variety of device applications have attracted ever-increasing attention, such as magnetic field sensors, voltage tunable inductors, mechanical ME antennas, which are compact, lightweight, and power-efficient. These novel ME materials and devices provide great opportunities for next-generation magnetic field sensing, communication systems, spintronics, nonvolatile memory applications, etc. In this paper, we try to summarize the most recent progress on ME materials, phenomena, and devices in the past few years, with emphasis on thin-film composite materials and devices. Some unsolved questions and future directions where the community could head for are also provided.