bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Limited role for fibroblast growth factor 23 in assessing prognosis in heart failure patients: data from the TIME‐CHF trial
Authors: Stöhr Robert , Brandenburg Vincent M. , Heine Gunnar H. , Maeder Micha T. , Leibundgut Gregor , Schuh Alexander , Jeker Urs , Pfisterer Matthias , Sanders‐van Wijk Sandra , Brunner‐la Rocca Hans‐Peter
Published: February 2020

Aim

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is an intensively studied biomarker at the crossroads of cardiovascular disease, heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease. Independent associations between increasing FGF23 levels and cardiovascular events were found in many, but not all studies. By analysing data from the TIME‐CHF cohort, we sought to investigate the prognostic value of FGF23 in an elderly, multimorbid HF patient cohort. We determined differences between intact (iFGF23) and C‐terminal FGF23 (cFGF23) regarding their prognostic value and their levels over time in different HF subgroups according to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods and results

In this multicentre trial of 622 patients with symptomatic HF aged ≥60 years, we determined iFGF23 and cFGF23 at baseline, 3, 6 and 12‐month follow‐up. In unadjusted analyses, cFGF23 significantly predicted all HF‐related outcomes at all time points. The predictive value of iFGF23 was less and not statistically significant at baseline. After multivariable adjustments, the association between both cFGF23 and iFGF23 and outcome lost statistical significance apart from cFGF23 at month 3. Overall, patients with preserved and mid‐range LVEF had higher levels of iFGF23 and cFGF23 than those with reduced LVEF. Levels decreased significantly during the first 3 months in mid‐range and reduced LVEF patients, but did not significantly change over time in those with preserved LVEF.

Conclusions

Fibroblast growth factor 23 is of limited value regarding risk prediction in this elderly HF population. Potentially heterogeneous roles of FGF23 in different LVEF groups deserve further investigation.
CMTM7 plays key roles in TLR‐induced plasma cell differentiation and p38 activation in murine B‐1 B cells
Authors: Liu Zhengyang , Liu Yuan , Li Ting , Wang Pingzhang , Mo Xiaoning , Lv Ping , Ma Dalong , Han Wenling
Published: February 2020

Terminal differentiation of B cells into antibody‐secreting cells is the foundation of humoral immune response. B‐1 cells, which are different from B‐2 cells, preferentially differentiate into plasma cells. CMTM7 is a MARVEL‐domain‐containing membrane protein predominantly expressed in B cells that plays an important role in B‐1a cell development. The present study assessed CMTM7 function in response to antigen stimulation. Following immunization with T cell‐dependent and T cell‐independent antigens, Cmtm7‐deficient mice exhibited decreased IgM but normal IgG responses in vivo. In vitro stimulation with LPSs induced Cmtm7−/− B‐1 cell activation, whereas proliferation was marginally reduced. Notably, Cmtm7 deficiency markedly suppressed plasma cell differentiation in response to TLR agonists, accompanied by a decrease in IgM and IL‐10 production. At the molecular level, loss of Cmtm7 repressed the downregulation of Pax5 and the upregulation of Xbp1, Irf4, and Prdm1. Furthermore, p38 phosphorylation was inhibited in Cmtm7−/− B‐1 cells. Experiments using a p38 inhibitor revealed that p38 activation was essential for the terminal differentiation of B‐1 cells, suggesting that Cmtm7 contributes to B‐1 cell differentiation by maintaining p38 activation. Overall, the data reveal the crucial functions of CMTM7 in TLR‐induced terminal differentiation and p38 activation in B‐1 cells.
A Tetrakisquinoline Analog of Calcium Indicator Quin2 for Fluorescence Detection of Cd2+
Authors: Mikata Yuji , Kaneda Minori , Tanaka Marin , Iwatsuki Satoshi , Konno Hideo , Matsumoto Arimasa
Published: February 2020

Quin2 (2‐{2‐[bis(carboxymethyl)amino‐5‐methylphenoxy]methyl}‐6‐methoxy‐8‐[bis(carboxymethyl)amino]quinoline) is a well‐known fluorescent Ca2+ indicator. In this study, we replaced its four carboxy groups with quinolines and deleted a methyl group on the benzene ring to afford TQquin2 [N,N,N',N'‐tetrakis(2‐quinolylmethyl)‐8‐amino‐2‐(2‐aminophenoxy)methyl‐6‐methoxyquinoline]. In methanol solution, TQquin2 exhibited fluorescence enhancement toward Cd2+ with excellent selectivity.
Copper‐Mediated Direct Cyanatation of Benzamides: A New Approach to the Synthesis of Quinazolinediones
Authors: Kianmehr Ebrahim , Falahat Mohammad Reza , Tanbakouchian Arezoo , Mahdavi Mohammad
Published: February 2020

Copper mediated cyanatation of N‐(quinoline‐8‐yl)benzamides with cyanate salts and subsequent intramolecular cyclization of the resulting product was accomplished. Different derivatives of quinazoline‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione bearing quinoline‐8‐yl directing group were readily prepared in moderate to high yields by this methodology from easily accessible starting materials through cascade directed C–H bond functionalization/annulation reactions.
Synthesis and Properties of Azadipyrromethene‐Based Complexes with Nitrile Substitution
Authors: Wang Chunlai , Daddario Cassie , Pejić Sandra , Sauvé Geneviève
Published: February 2020

Azadipyrromethene (ADP)‐based complexes have gained interest due to their strong absorption in the visible to near‐IR region and high electron affinity. Attempts to increase their electron accepting properties by electron withdrawing group substitutions have been limited. We previously found that substitution with fluorine at the p‐distal phenyls or at the p‐pyrrolic‐phenylethynyls of ADP do not shift reduction potentials and thus have no effect on electron affinity. This could be because fluorine also acts as pi‐donor, thus, a pi‐acceptor substituent may have a greater impact on the energy levels. To test this hypothesis, we synthesized three new ADP‐based complexes with nitrile substitutions. Cyclic voltammetry shows that the nitrile substitutions indeed anodically shifts the reduction potentials, leading to increased electron affinity. The shift was ≈ 0.3 V for the p‐distal phenyl substitution and 0.16V for the p‐phenylethynyl substitution. Nitrile substitution was also found to improve electron accepting ability and electron mobility in diodes, as compared to the un‐substituted analogues.
Nickel‐Catalyzed Arylative Additions on 2‐Alkynyl‐N‐Arylsulfonylanilides to Construct Functionalized Indoles
Authors: Voth Christopher N. , Dake Gregory R.
Published: February 2020

The addition of aryl iodides to 2‐alkynyl‐N‐sulfonylanilides to form 2,3‐difunctionalized N‐arylsulfonylindoles can be catalyzed using a nickel catalyst ligated to a bis(cyclohexanyl)phosphinoferrocene. A variety of nickel complexes can be used as precatalysts including a complex derived from inexpensive NiCl2·6H2O. Electron‐rich aryl iodides are superior partners in this transformation.
The Retro‐Claisen Rearrangement of 2‐Vinylcyclopropylcarbonyl Substrates and the Question of its Synthetic Potential
Authors: Zhang Wei , Nay Bastien
Published: February 2020

The retro‐Claisen [3,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement of γ,δ‐enoyl compounds allows the formation of a C–O bond while breaking a C–C bond in a concerted process. It is rarely observed with acyclic substrates. However, when the alkene and carbonyl groups are tethered by a cyclopropane, this rearrangement results in ring expansion, to form a 2,5‐dihydrooxepine whose stability entirely depends on the substitution pattern. After its discovery in the 1960's, applications have resulted in the development of original methodologies and total synthesis, mainly spread over the last 20 years. This minireview aims at describing the historical discovery, the study of substrate reactivity, and the recent applications of this reaction, discussing the formation of stable, metastable, or elusive 2,5‐dihydrooxepines.
Facile Synthesis of a Common Na‐Ion Battery Cathode Material Na3V2(PO4)2F3 by Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Nadeina Arina , Rozier Patrick , Seznec Vincent
Published: February 2020

In the pursuit of facile, fast, and efficient methods for the synthesis of various compounds for a variety of applications, spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique is considered to be a powerful and simple tool. Using this technique, a popular cathode material for Na‐ion batteries—Na3V2(PO4)2F3—is synthesized and characterized with X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and is electrochemically tested in Swagelok‐type cells in a galvanostatic mode. The obtained material is compared with the conventionally synthesized (via a solid‐state route) sample. SEM analysis shows 2 times smaller particles in the case of SPS‐synthesized material compared with the solid‐state‐synthesized material which is to be expected from the fast (40 min in total) SPS synthesis that practically excludes grain/particle growth and promotes much faster diffusion, thereby drastically enhancing the reaction kinetics. Electrochemical performance of the SPS‐obtained material shows an improvement in decreasing the overpotential and reducing the capacity loss at high C‐rates (8C).
Effect of MgAl2O4 Surface Area on the Structure of Supported Fe and Catalytic Performance in Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis
Authors: Chernavskii Petr A. , Pankina Galina V. , Kazantsev Ruslan V. , Kharlanov Andey N. , Perfilyev Yuri D. , Maksimov Sergey V. , Eliseev Oleg L.
Published: February 2020

Two MgAl2O4 spinels with low and high surface area are compared as a support for iron Fischer–Tropsch synthesis catalysts. The textural properties of spinels have a great impact on the formation of the active phase and catalytic performance. A well‐crystallized hematite phase is formed on the low surface area spinel (SBET = 15 m2 g−1), whereas high surface area support (SBET = 163 m2 g−1) provides highly dispersed or amorphous Fe2O3. Reducibility of the catalysts in H2, CO, and CO/H2 is investigated by temperature‐programmed reduction (TPR), magnetometry, and diffuse reflectance Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Adding potassium to the catalyst formulation suppresses the reduction of hematite in magnetite. In synthesis gas atmosphere, the final product of hematite reduction is Hägg carbide, and its amount is higher for the low surface area support. Average carbide particle size correlates with pore diameter of the support. Spinel‐based catalysts possess low selectivity to CO2 contrary to common iron catalysts. The low surface area spinel affords a very active catalyst with high selectivity to C5+ hydrocarbons. Hydrogenation of CO over unpromoted iron catalysts seems to be a structure‐insensitive reaction.
The multistep decomposition of boric acid
Authors: Huber Clemens , Jahromy Saman Setoodeh , Birkelbach Felix , Weber Jakob , Jordan Christian , Schreiner Manfred , Harasek Michael , Winter Franz
Published: February 2020

Due to its high potential for thermal energy storage systems (Huber, Setoodeh Jahromy, Jordan, et al, Energies. 2019;12:17) the decomposition of boric acid is of particular interest in the field of applied research. The complexity of the reaction mechanism, with its multiple partial‐overlapping reaction steps, hitherto prevented a clear identification and analysis of each stoichiometric reaction step. So far, various research teams performed different kinetic analyses of boric acid, which led to various reaction mechanisms and stoichiometric reaction steps with yet inconclusive results for process modeling. Thus, a deeper examination of the process was desirable, to validate whether a proposed reaction is reasonable or not. For this purpose, experimental data were used for a deconvolution of the reaction sequence, using the Fraser‐Suzuki function, which clearly revealed the respective single reactions. The results of the deconvolution were compared with the proposed reaction steps in consideration of the stoichiometric ratio and thereby illustrated that the decomposition of polycrystalline boric acid more likely consists of three reaction steps. In contrary to the two‐step mechanism, the three‐step mechanism showed a very good correlation (r > 99%). Based on these outcomes, kinetic analyses were performed for each reaction step, by means of the nonparametric kinetics 2 (NPK2) method with subsequent determination of kinetic parameters. Additionally, for a deeper insight into the reaction, analyzing techniques like X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) were applied.
Multitemporal terrestrial laser scanning point clouds for thaw subsidence observation at Arctic permafrost monitoring sites
Authors: Anders Katharina , Marx Sabrina , Boike Julia , Herfort Benjamin , Wilcox Evan James , Langer Moritz , Marsh Philip , Höfle Bernhard
Published: February 2020

This paper investigates different methods for quantifying thaw subsidence using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) point clouds. Thaw subsidence is a slow (millimetre to centimetre per year) vertical displacement of the ground surface common in ice‐rich permafrost‐underlain landscapes. It is difficult to quantify thaw subsidence in tundra areas as they often lack stable reference frames. Also, there is no solid ground surface to serve as a basis for elevation measurements, due to a continuous moss–lichen cover. We investigate how an expert‐driven method improves the accuracy of benchmark measurements at discrete locations within two sites using multitemporal TLS data of a 1‐year period. Our method aggregates multiple experts’ determination of the ground surface in 3D point clouds, collected in a web‐based tool. We then compare this to the performance of a fully automated ground surface determination method. Lastly, we quantify ground surface displacement by directly computing multitemporal point cloud distances, thereby extending thaw subsidence observation to an area‐based assessment. Using the expert‐driven quantification as reference, we validate the other methods, including in‐situ benchmark measurements from a conventional field survey. This study demonstrates that quantifying the ground surface using 3D point clouds is more accurate than the field survey method. The expert‐driven method achieves an accuracy of 0.1 ± 0.1 cm. Compared to this, in‐situ benchmark measurements by single surveyors yield an accuracy of 0.4 ± 1.5 cm. This difference between the two methods is important, considering an observed displacement of 1.4 cm at the sites. Thaw subsidence quantification with the fully automatic benchmark‐based method achieves an accuracy of 0.2 ± 0.5 cm and direct point cloud distance computation an accuracy of 0.2 ± 0.9 cm. The range in accuracy is largely influenced by properties of vegetation structure at locations within the sites. The developed methods enable a link of automated quantification and expert judgement for transparent long‐term monitoring of permafrost subsidence. © 2020 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Critical ventilation velocity under the blockage of different metro train in a long metro tunnel
Authors: Zhang Shaogang , Shi Long , Li Xianbin , Huang Yilong , He Kun , Wang Jinhui
Published: February 2020

To address the effect of metro train blockage on the critical ventilation velocity in a long tunnel, a series of scenarios were conducted numerically through this study, including different fire sizes (5‐10 MW), metro train lengths (80‐120 m), and blockage ratios (φ, 0.50, and 0.57). It is known from the numerical results that the metro train length shows a limited effect on the critical ventilation velocity, which is because the longitudinal ventilation has become stable before reaching the fire source to prevent smoke back‐layering, and increasing the metro train length only increases the distance of stabilizing the longitudinal ventilation. The blockage ratio shows an obvious influence on the critical ventilation velocity, which is because the presence of the metro train can obviously reduce the flow cross‐sectional area of the tunnel. An empirical model is developed as well, while it is known that the critical ventilation velocity increases with the one‐third power of dimensionless heat release rate and (1‐φ). The research outcomes of this study provide a technical guide for the design of the metro tunnel and the relevant emergency management of fire rescue under fire conditions.
CAD‐consistent adaptive refinement using a NURBS‐based discontinuous Galerkin method
Authors: Duvigneau Régis.
Published: February 2020

This study concerns the development of a new method combining high‐order computer‐aided design (CAD)‐consistent grids and adaptive refinement/coarsening strategies for efficient analysis of compressible flows. The proposed approach allows to use geometrical data from CAD without any approximation. Thus, the simulations are based on the exact geometry, even for the coarsest discretizations. Combining this property with a local refinement method allows to start computations using very coarse grids and then relies on dynamic adaption to construct suitable computational domains. The resulting approach facilitates interactions between CAD and computational fluid dynamics solvers and focuses the computational effort on the capture of physical phenomena, since geometry is exactly taken into account. The proposed methodology is based on a discontinuous Galerkin method for compressible Navier‐Stokes equations, modified to use nonuniform rational B‐Spline representations. Local refinement and coarsening are introduced using intrinsic properties of nonuniform rational B‐Spline associated with a local error indicator. A verification of the accuracy of the method is achieved and a set of applications are presented, ranging from viscous subsonic to inviscid trans‐ and supersonic flow problems.
Non‐intrusive reduced genetic algorithm for near‐real time flow optimal control
Authors: Oulghelou Mourad , Allery Cyrille
Published: February 2020

Most genetic algorithms (GAs) used in the literature to solve control problems are time consuming and involve important storage memory requirements. In fact, the search in GAs is iteratively performed on a population of chromosomes (control parameters). As a result, the cost functional needs to be evaluated through solving the high fidelity model or by performing the experimental protocol for each chromosome and for many generations. To overcome this issue, a non‐intrusive reduced real‐coded genetic algorithm (RGA) for near real‐time optimal control is designed. This algorithm uses precalculated parametrized solution snapshots stored in the POD (proper orthogonal decomposition) reduced form, to predict the solution snapshots for chromosomes over generations. The method used for this purpose is a economic reduced version of the Bi‐CITSGM method (Bi‐calibrated interpolation on the tangent space of the Grassmann manifold) designed specially for nonlinear parametrized solution snapshots interpolation. This approach is proposed in such a way to accelerate the usual Bi‐CITSGM process by bringing this last to a significantly lower dimension. Thus, the whole optimization process by RGA can be performed in near real‐time. The potential of RGA in terms of accuracy and central processing unit time is demonstrated on control problems of the flow past a cylinder and flow in a lid‐driven cavity when the Reynolds number value varies.
Neolithic geoarchaeology at Penedo dos Mouros Rockshelter: Mid‐Holocene site formation, diagenesis and human activity at the foothills of Serra da Estrela (Portugal)
Authors: Simões Carlos D. , Carvalho António F. , Tente Catarina
Published: February 2020

The Neolithic occupation of Penedo dos Mouros in the foothills of Serra da Estrela, Portugal's highest mountain, dates to the 5th to 4th millennia cal B.C. The site's faunal assemblage is extremely rare in the regional prehistoric archaeological record, due to the acidity of the granitic geology. This underlines Penedo dos Mouros importance as a reference site for understanding early pastoralism in the region. Due to the insufficient survival of bone collagen for radiocarbon dating and the homogeneity of the stratigraphy, where most visible contacts are due to post‐depositional processes, we chose micromorphology to address the reasons behind the bone preservation and to assess the stratigraphic integrity of the prehistoric deposit. Reworking of eroding saprolitic soils was a major factor in the sediment accumulation, with remains of short human occupation events. Possible evidence for clearance fires linked to the first occurrences of pastoralism practised in the region, creating open spaces for grazing, was identified. Post‐depositional carbonate cementation derived from ashes, identifiable at the microscopic scale, enabled bone preservation. Carbonate and spodic‐like features document water saturation once the sedimentation ceased. This sedimentary dynamic has broader geomorphological implications, such as an inferred post‐Neolithic incision of the stream valley adjacent to the site.
Asian monsoon and oceanic circulation paced sedimentary evolution over the past 1,500 years in the central mud area of the Bohai Sea, China
Authors: Lyu Wenzhe , Yang Jichao , Fu Tengfei , Chen Yanping , Hu Zhangxi , Tang Ying Zhong , Lan Jianghu , Chen Guangquan , Su Qiao , Xu Xingyong , Chen Shenliang
Published: February 2020

Mud areas within China's marginal seas record critical information about historic environmental changes, which may have contributed to palaeoenvironmental processes and to understand their driving mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the sedimentary characteristics of a gravity core from the Bohai Sea central mud areas, to reveal the interactions between oceanic and climatic changes over the past 15 centuries. Sedimentary and mineral records indicated that the depositional environment and sediment sources were relatively stable, in which the East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM) and Yellow Sea Warm Current (YSWC) variability can be derived. Based on these results, we found that the winter Arctic Oscillation (wAO) was negatively correlated with the coupled EASM and YSWC changes, namely, a negative (positive) relationship between EASM and YSWC during a positive (negative) wAO. We therefore suggest that over the past 15 centuries, Arctic winter climates may have modulated palaeoenvironmental changes over East Asia continental shelves, via teleconnections with the El Ninõ‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Kuroshio Current.
Middle Miocene corals from Midyan area, Northwestern Saudi Arabia
Authors: El‐Sorogy Abdelbaset S. , Tsaparas Nikolaos , Al‐Kahtany Khaled
Published: February 2020

Low‐diversity scleractinian corals were described systematically from the Middle Miocene Wadi Waqb Member (Jabal Kibrit Formation) in the northwest of Saudi Arabia. The fauna comprises nine species belonging to nine genera and four families: Porites sp., Favites neglecta (Michelotti in D'Achiardi, 1868), Tarbellastraea reussiana (Milne‐Edwards & Haime, 1850), Acanthophyllia ampla (Reuss, 1871), Solenastrea turonensis (Michelin, 1847), Thegioastraea roasendai Michelotti, 1871, Heliastraea oligophylla (Reuss 1871), Heliastraea sp., and Siderastrea miocenica Osasco, 1896. The identified corals were recorded previously from the Mediterranean basin, Portugal, France, Spain, Romania, Catalonia, Sardinia, Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Turin, Greece, Hungary, and Bosnia basins. The decreasing richness or diversity pattern of the fauna is attributed to the lack of possible exchange with zooxanthellate coral faunas of the Indo‐Pacific after the late Burdigalian, due to the closure of marine seaways through the Middle East by emergent areas and northward rotation of the Arabian Peninsula.
RETRACTED: Inhibition of Notch1 reverses EMT and chemoresistance to cisplatin via direct downregulation of MCAM in triple‐negative breast cancer cells
Authors: Zeng De , Liang Yuan‐Ke , Xiao Ying‐Sheng , Wei Xiao‐Long , Lin Hao‐Yu , Wu Yang , Bai Jing‐Wen , Chen Min , Zhang Guo‐Jun
Published: February 2020

Resistance to chemotherapy continues to be a critical issue in the clinical therapy of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is thought to contribute to chemoresistance in several cancer types, including breast cancer. Identification of the key signaling pathway that regulates the EMT program and contributes to chemoresistance in TNBC will provide a novel strategy to overcome chemoresistance in this subtype of cancer. Herein, we demonstrate that Notch1 positively associates with melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM), a unique EMT activator, in TNBC tissue samples both at mRNA and protein levels. High expression of Notch1 and MCAM both predicts a poor survival in basal‐like/TNBC patients, particularly in those treated with chemotherapy. The expression of Notch1 and MCAM in MDA‐MB‐231 cells gradually increases in a time‐dependent manner when exposing to low dose cisplatin. Moreover, the expressions of Notch1 and MCAM in cisplatin‐resistant MDA‐MB‐231 cells are significantly higher than wild‐type counterparts. Notch1 promotes EMT and chemoresistance, as well as invasion and proliferation of TNBC cells via direct activating MCAM promoter. Inhibition of Notch1 significantly downregulates MCAM expression, resulting in the reversion of EMT and chemoresistance to cisplatin in TNBC cells. Our study reveals the regulatory mechanism of the Notch1 pathway and MCAM in TNBC and suggesting that targeting the Notch1/MCAM axis, in conjunction with conventional chemotherapies, might be a potential avenue to enhance the therapeutic efficacy for patients with TNBC.
Double‐sided transistor device processability of carrierless ultrathin silicon wafers
Authors: Lai Ruby A. , Hymel Thomas M. , Liu Bofei , Cui Yi
Published: February 2020

Double‐sided metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect‐transistor processing is demonstrated for the first time on an ultrathin crystalline silicon substrate of 6‐20 μm in a 100 mm diameter wafer format without a carrier wafer, the thinnest free‐standing silicon wafers ever fabricated. The compatibility of the flexible material with conventional semiconductor processing tools is enabled by supporting an interior ultrathin silicon with a surrounding thicker ring of silicon. Current‐voltage characteristics of transistors on ultrathin silicon show performance as expected from bulk silicon, with electron mobility ~1500 cm2 V−1 second−1. Mechanical measurements quantify the handleability.

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Nanoplasmonic sensor for foodborne pathogens detection. Towards development of ISO‐SERS methodology for taxonomic affiliation of Campylobacter spp.
Authors: Witkowska Evelin , Niciński Krzysztof , Korsak Dorota , Dominiak Bartłomiej , Waluk Jacek , Kamińska Agnieszka
Published: February 2020

According to EU summary report on zoonoses, zoonotic agents and food‐borne outbreaks in 2017, Campylobacter was the most commonly reported gastrointestinal bacterial pathogen in humans in the EU. Unfortunately, the standard methods for the detection of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. in foods are time‐consuming. Additionally, the qualified staff is obligatory. For this reason, new methods of pathogens detection are needed. The present work demonstrates that surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a reliable and fast method for detection of Campylobacter spp. in food samples. The proposed method combines the SERS measurements performed on an Ag/Si substrate with two initial steps of the ISO standard procedure. Finally, the principal component analysis (PCA) allows for statistical classification of the studied bacteria. By applying the proposed ISO‐SERS‐PCA method in the case of Campylobacter bacteria the total detection time may be reduced from 7 to 8 days required by ISO method to 3 to 4 days in the case of SERS‐based approach.
Comparison of Fracture Prediction Tools in Individuals Without and With Early Chronic Kidney Disease: A Population-Based Analysis of CARTaGENE
Authors: Desbiens Louis-Charles , Sidibé Aboubacar , Beaudoin Claudia , Jean Sonia , Mac-Way Fabrice
Published: February 2020

Whether fracture prediction tools developed for the management of osteoporosis can be used in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is poorly known. We aimed to compare the performance of fracture prediction tools in non-CKD and CKD. We analyzed CARTaGENE, a population-based survey of 40-year-old to 69-year-old individuals recruited between 2009 and 2010. Renal function was assessed using baseline creatinine and categorized according to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines (non-CKD, stage 2, stage 3). Individuals without creatinine measurements or with advanced CKD (stage 4 or 5; prevalence <0.25%) were excluded. Predicted 5-year fracture probabilities (using Fracture Risk Assessment Tool [FRAX], QFracture, and Garvan) were computed at baseline. Fracture incidence (major fracture [MOF] or any fracture) was evaluated in administrative databases from recruitment to March 2016. Discrimination (hazard ratios [HRs] per standard deviation [SD] increase in Cox models; c-statistics) and calibration (standardized incidence ratios [SIRs] before and after recalibration) were assessed in each CKD strata. We included 19,393 individuals (9522 non-CKD; 9114 stage 2; 757 stage 3). A total of 830 patients had any fracture during follow-up, including 352 MOF. FRAX (HR = 1.89 [1.63–2.20] non-CKD; 1.64 [1.41–1.91] stage 2; 1.76 [1.10–2.82] stage 3) and QFracture (HR = 1.90 [1.62–2.22] non-CKD; 1.57 [1.35–1.82] stage 2; 1.86 [1.19–2.91] stage 3) discriminated MOF similarly in non-CKD and CKD. In contrast, the discrimination of Garvan for any fracture tended to be lower in CKD stage 3 compared to non-CKD and CKD stage 2 (HR = 1.36 [1.22–1.52] non-CKD; 1.34 [1.20–1.50] stage 2; 1.11 [0.79–1.55] stage 3). Before recalibration, FRAX globally overestimated fracture risk while QFracture and Garvan globally underestimated fracture risk. After recalibration, FRAX and QFracture were adequately calibrated for MOF in all CKD strata whereas Garvan tended to underestimate any fracture risk in CKD stage 3 (SIR = 1.31 [0.95–1.81]). In conclusion, the discrimination and calibration of FRAX and QFracture is similar in non-CKD and CKD. Garvan may have a lower discrimination in CKD stage 3 and underestimate fracture risk in these patients. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Circular RNA circHIAT1 inhibits proliferation and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition of gastric cancer cell lines through downregulation of miR‐21
Authors: Quan Jingzi , Dong Dongfang , Lun Yue , Sun Bo , Sun Haiyuan , Wang Qunying , Yuan Gang
Published: February 2020

Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer‐related death worldwide. Circular RNA circHIAT1 has been proved to play an antitumor role. We aimed to explore the function and mechanism of circHIAT1 in GC. MKN28 and MKN45 cells were transfected with PLCDH‐circHIAT1, miR‐21 mimic, and relative control. Cell viability and apoptosis were examined through Cell Counting Kit‐8 and flow cytometry, respectively. CircHIAT1 expression and other relative factors were tested through quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, respectively. Our findings demonstrated that circHIAT1 was lowly expressed in GC tissues. After transfection with PLCDH‐circHIAT1 in MKN28 and MKN45 cells, cell viability was decreased, while the expression levels of p53 and p21 were raised, as well as apoptosis. Besides this, the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition process was inhibited by PLCDH‐circHIAT1 transfection. Mechanistically, miR‐21 expression was upregulated in GC tissues and could be negatively regulated by circHIAT1. Further experiments showed that the addition of miR‐21 mimic reversed the growth inhibition effects of circHIAT1 overexpression. Moreover, circHIAT1 inhibited the activation of phosphatase and tensin homolog/phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase signal pathways via downregulating miR‐21. CircHIAT1 functioned as a tumor inhibitor in GC cells through downregulating miR‐21, and could be a novel target for GC treatment.
Monomer gypenoside LI from Gynostemma pentaphyllum inhibits cell proliferation and upregulates expression of miR‐128‐3p in melanoma cells
Authors: Zu Ma‐Li , Piao Xiang‐Lan , Gao Jia‐Mei , Xing Shao‐Fang , Liu Lin‐Hua
Published: February 2020

Gypenosides have anticancer activity against many cancers. Gypenoside LI is a gypenoside monomer from Gynostemma pentaphyllum, its pharmacological functions in melanoma have not been reported. In this study, we found that gypenoside LI had a potent cytotoxic effect on melanoma cells. Gypenoside LI can induce intrinsic apoptosis along with S phase arrest. Furthermore, gypenoside LI inhibited the colony formation ability of melanoma through inhibition of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. Interestingly, we also found that gypenoside LI can induce the upregulation of the tumor suppressor miR‐128‐3p during melanoma apoptosis. In contrast, gypenoside LI induced apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway, which were abolished by overexpression of the miR‐128‐3p inhibitor in A375 cells. Taken together, these results showed that gypenoside LI could inhibit human melanoma cells through inducing apoptosis, arresting cell cycle at the S phase and suppressing the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway in a miR‐128‐3p dependent manner.
Higher anhedonia and dysphoric arousal relate to lower relationship satisfaction among trauma‐exposed female service members/veterans
Authors: Blais Rebecca K.
Published: February 2020

Objective

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms of detachment, anhedonia, and hyperarousal are associated with poorer relationship satisfaction. Such findings are limited to earlier models of PTSD and samples that were almost exclusively male. The association of current PTSD symptom clusters with relationship satisfaction in partnered female service members/veterans (SM/Vs) are understudied.

Methods

This study examined the association of PTSD (PTSD Checklist‐5 [PCL‐5]) symptom clusters identified in the anhedonia model and relationship satisfaction (Couples’ Satisfaction Index‐4) in 477 partnered female SM/Vs.

Results

Higher anhedonia and dysphoric arousal were associated with lower relationship satisfaction. Among those who scored 31+ on the PCL‐5 (n = 255, 53.46%), which is a suggested cutoff for a probable PTSD diagnosis, only higher anhedonia was associated with poorer relationship satisfaction.

Conclusions

The association of PTSD symptom clusters with relationship satisfaction are similar for male and female SM/Vs. Interventions to improve relationship satisfaction may focus on reducing anhedonia and dysphoric arousal.
Different patterns of perceived barriers to psychological treatment among Chinese depressed college students: Preliminary findings
Authors: Wu Liyang , Wang Jun , Gao Yuhan , Zhu Lei
Published: February 2020

Objectives

This study aimed to (a) identify the different patterns of perceived barriers to psychological treatment in Chinese college students with depression and (b) determine whether self‐compassion and depression severity distinguished individuals with different patterns.

Methods

This study included 338 college students with depression. The perceived barriers to psychological treatment scale were used. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed to identify the differential patterns.

Results

Results of LPA indicated four patterns of perceived barriers, which differed with respect to levels and patterns, namely, “low barriers” (31%, n = 105), “moderate barriers” (45%, n = 153), “attitudinal and availability barriers” (18%, n = 61), and “high barriers” (6%, n = 19). Self‐compassion (particularly, negative self‐compassion) and depression severity distinguished participants with the four patterns.

Conclusions

A small number of participants reporting high levels across different types of barriers deserve special attention because they would be less likely to seek professional help.
Omega‐3 and Omega‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids stimulate vascular differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Taha Amer , Sharifpanah Fatemeh , Wartenberg Maria , Sauer Heinrich
Published: February 2020

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and their metabolites may influence cell fate regulation. Herein, we investigated the effects of linoleic acid (LA) as ω‐6 PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) as ω‐3 PUFA and palmitic acid (PA) on vasculogenesis of embryonic stem (ES) cells. LA and EPA increased vascular structure formation and protein expression of the endothelial‐specific markers fetal liver kinase‐1, CD31 as well as VE‐cadherin, whereas PA was without effect. LA and EPA increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), activated endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and raised intracellular calcium. The calcium response was inhibited by the intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA, sulfo‐N‐succinimidyl oleate which is an antagonist of CD36, the scavenger receptor for fatty acid uptake as well as by a CD36 blocking antibody. Prevention of ROS generation by radical scavengers or the NADPH oxidase inhibitor VAS2870 and inhibition of eNOS by L‐NAME blunted vasculogenesis. PUFAs stimulated AMP activated protein kinase‐α (AMPK‐α) as well as peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐α (PPAR‐α). AMPK activation was abolished by calcium chelation as well as inhibition of ROS and NO generation. Moreover, PUFA‐induced vasculogenesis was blunted by the PPAR‐α inhibitor GW6471. In conclusion, ω‐3 and ω‐6 PUFAs stimulate vascular differentiation of ES cells via mechanisms involving calcium, ROS and NO, which regulate function of the energy sensors AMPK and PPAR‐α and determine the metabolic signature of vascular cell differentiation.
Dissolution kinetics of calcium vanadates in sulfuric acid: a fundamental study for the vanadium extraction process
Authors: Huang Qingyun , Xiang Junyi , Wang Xin , Pei Guishang , Lv Xuewei
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

The dissolution behavior of calcium vanadates is vital for the vanadium extraction process, as well as the utilization of calcium vanadates based function materials. Therefore, the dissolution kinetics study of calcium vanadates (CaV2O6, Ca2V2O7, and Ca3V2O8) in sulfuric acid are presented. The effects of stirring speed, solid/liquid ratio, pH, and temperature on the dissolution rate of calcium vanadates were determined. The mineralogical and microstructure of the residue after dissolution are also performed.

RESULTS

The results showed that the dissolution rate of calcium vanadates significantly increased with the increase of temperature from 30 to 70 °C. Under the conditions with solid/liquid ratio of 1:150 g mL−1, temperature range of 30 to 70 °C, and pH of 4, the rate of Ca3V2O8 dissolution is the fastest, followed by Ca2V2O7 and CaV2O6, especially at low temperature.

CONCLUSION

The mineralogical analyses results showed that the main products for the dissolution of Ca2V2O7 and Ca3V2O8 are needle‐like CaSO4·0.5H2O, whereas for CaV2O6 are undissolved CaV2O6 and hydrolyzed V2O5. The dissolution kinetics indicate that the dissolution of CaV2O6 follows second‐order pseudo‐homogeneous model, whilst Ca2V2O7 and Ca3V2O8 follow the diffusion through the product or ash layer model. The apparent activation energies for the dissolution of CaV2O6, Ca2V2O7, and Ca3V2O8 were determined as 46.44, 38.72, and 23.50 kJ mol−1, respectively. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Runoff water quality after low‐disturbance manure application in an alfalfa–grass hay crop forage system
Authors: Sherman Jessica F. , Young Eric O. , Coblentz Wayne K. , Cavadini Jason
Published: February 2020

The impacts of low‐disturbance manure application (LDMA) on runoff water quality in hay crop forages are not well known. Our objective in this study was to determine surface runoff losses of total nitrogen (TN), ammonium N (NH4–N), nitrate N (NO3–N), total phosphorus (TP), dissolved reactive P (DRP), and suspended sediment from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)–grass plots in central Wisconsin after surface broadcasting manure and LDMA compared with no application. Treatments were (a) surface banding (BAND), (b) surface banding with aeration (A/B), (c) shallow disk injection (INJECT), (d) surface broadcast (BCAST), and (e) a no‐manure control (CONT). Runoff events were generated (n = 7) from replicated plots following a standardized rainfall simulation protocol. Although runoff was variable across plots and within treatments, mean runoff concentrations of TN (P = .03), NH4–N (P = .03), TP (P = .001), and DRP (P < .0001) were lower for incorporated (INJECT and A/B) vs. unincorporated (BCAST and BAND) treatments. INJECT had lower mean DRP concentration (P = .02) than A/B and was similar to CONT and had lower cumulative TN (P = .05), TP (P = .07), and DRP (P = .01) loads than A/B. Additionally, TP, TN, DRP, and NH4–N loads and concentrations were strongly related with soil surface manure coverage extent (R2 = 0.50–0.84; P < .0001), suggesting that manure was a main source of N and P losses. Although INJECT appeared to be the most effective in mitigating nutrient loss in surface runoff, more research is needed to determine LDMA impacts on farm economics, soil properties, and runoff water quality.
Identification of a recurrent nonsense mutation in HR gene responsible for atrichia with papular lesions in two Kashmiri families
Authors: Ali Ghazanfar , Awan Naheed Bashir , Sadia  , Khawaja Abdul Waheed , Foo Jia Nee , Khor Chiea Chuen , Chang Chu‐Hua , Chew Elaine GuoYan , Kiani Farhat Rafique , Jelani Musharraf
Published: February 2020

Background

Congenital atrichia (CA) is a rare form of irreversible alopecia with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. This form of hair loss is mainly associated with mutations in the human hairless (HR) gene located at chromosome 8p21.3. An additional unique feature atrichia with papular lesions (APL) comprises keratin‐filled cysts known as papules. The present study aimed to uncover the underlying genetic causes of APL in two consanguineous Kashmiri families.

Methods

In the present study, two consanguineous families of Kashmiri origin with APL displaying an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance were investigated. Whole exome and Sanger sequencing followed by bioinformatic studies, variant prioritization, Sanger validation and segregation analysis was performed to find the mutation.

Results

A recurrent nonsense (NM_005144: c.2818C > T:p.Arg940*) mutation was detected in exon 13 of the human HR gene.

Conclusions

Whole exome sequencing analysis has widely been used in the screening of single gene disorders mutations, both in research and diagnostic laboratories. Sanger sequencing alone for genes such as HR becomes expensive and time consuming. Instead, it is recommended that a patient is to screen by whole exome sequencing and then special attention first focuses on known genes of the APL phenotype. This is helpful for intime diagnosis, being more efficient and economic. The results obtained in the present study may contribute to prenatal diagnosis, carrier secreening and the genetic counseling of families with the APL phenotype in Kashmiri poplution.
Syringaldehyde as a scaffold for the synthesis of some biologically potent heterocycles
Authors: Youssef Ahmed S. A. , Hemdan Magdy M. , Azab Mohammad E. , Emara Samir A. , Elsayed Galal A. , Kamel Rabaa M.
Published: February 2020

Syringaldehyde was utilized in synthesis of different heterocyclic systems. Some of the synthesized compounds 2, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 13 were tested for antioxidant activity where they showed ability to inhibit oxidation in kidney and rat brain homogenates using 2, 2′‐azinobis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS). Also, the activity against cancer was examined using the standard MTT method for two human tumor cell lines namely; mammary gland breast cancer MCF‐7 and hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2. The highest activity as antioxidant and antitumor agents was exhibited by compounds 8 and 11. However, moderate activities were shown by compounds 10 and 13. While, compounds 2, 7 showed weak activities.
Reply to “Intrapatient Comparison of the Hepatobiliary Phase of Gd‐BOPTA and Gd‐EOB‐DTPA in the Differentiation of Hepatocellular Adenoma From Focal Nodular Hyperplasia”
Authors: Reizine Edouard , Luciani Alain
Published: February 2020

Level of Evidence

5

Technical Efficacy Stage

3

Conflict of Interest

None.

Financial support

None. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:1279–1280.
Optimising patient care in medical radiation services through health economics: an introduction
Authors: Jones Scott , Brown Amy , Barclay Vanessa , Reardon Oona
Published: February 2020

The role of health economics in optimising patient care in medical radiation clinical settings is of increasing importance in ensuring efficient and effective service delivery. This commentary introduces health economics to medical radiation professionals by outlining the main analysis types utilised, highlighted by examples in the literature. The purpose is to provide an over‐arching framework and starting point for incorporating health economics into medical radiation research study protocols.
Immunoinformatics‐aided identification of T cell and B cell epitopes in the surface glycoprotein of 2019‐nCoV
Authors: Baruah Vargab , Bose Sujoy
Published: February 2020

The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019‐nCoV) outbreak has caused a large number of deaths with thousands of confirmed cases worldwide, especially in East Asia. This study took an immunoinformatics approach to identify significant cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and B cell epitopes in the 2019‐nCoV surface glycoprotein. Also, interactions between identified CTL epitopes and their corresponding major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I supertype representatives prevalent in China were studied by molecular dynamics simulations. We identified five CTL epitopes, three sequential B cell epitopes and five discontinuous B cell epitopes in the viral surface glycoprotein. Also, during simulations, the CTL epitopes were observed to be binding MHC class I peptide‐binding grooves via multiple contacts, with continuous hydrogen bonds and salt bridge anchors, indicating their potential in generating immune responses. Some of these identified epitopes can be potential candidates for the development of 2019‐nCoV vaccines.