bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breaking bad news to children with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Almaiman Weiam , Alfattani Areej , Alshareef Turki A.
Published: March 2020

Introduction:

Breaking bad news to caregivers of children with (CKD) [I can't comment in the box] Title says to breaking bad news to children but in here, breaking bad news to caregivers. Please clarify and edit accordingly. is an important role of nephrologists. In our practice there has been a thought about parental dissatisfaction from breaking bad news to CKD patients. Caregiver's preferences on how to be told the bad news in CKD children has not been studied adequately. Our objective was to identify how much is the emotional and knowledge satisfaction of CKD caregivers and the relation of their socioeconomic and educational levels with their preferences in breaking bad news.

Methods:

A questionnaire based study was conducted for caregivers of CKD children, in the outpatient clinics, and peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis units at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre for three months.

Results:

83 questionnaires from caregivers of CKD patients age (1–14) years, mean age of 8.5 ± 3.9 years. (47.6%) were emotionally very satisfied, 29.5% were very satisfied about the knowledge they had.

Conclusion:

Caregivers of CKD patients are satisfied emotionally more than the satisfaction about the amount of information they got. Different demographic data might affect their preferences in the way of receiving the bad news. The dissatisfaction suggesting that physicians' communication skills needs improvement.
What Is a “Validated Questionnaire”? A Critical Review of Erectile Function Assessment
Authors: Yafi Faysal A. , Huynh Linda My , Ahlering Thomas , Rosen Raymond
Published: March 2020

Background

In recent years, the assessment of erectile dysfunction (ED) has experienced a paradigm shift from objective, quantitative methods to subjective, qualitative patient-reported outcomes. Facilitated by this shift is the ongoing debate on questionnaire selection and need for standardization, particularly among sexual medicine specialists.

Aim

To review current literature on assessment of erectile function via patient-reported outcomes and discuss the context, advantages, and limitations of currently available questionnaires.

Methods

A thorough literature search of erectile function questionnaires developed from 1990 through 2019 was carried out using 3 methods: a search of the MedLine databases; hand-search of peer-reviewed urologic, sexual medicine, and health policy journals; and expert review. The following keywords were used: [assessment of], [inventory], [questionnaire], or [validated measure]; in combination with: [sexual function] or [erectile function]. Measures were stratified into one of the following 3 groups: screening, outcome, or disease-specific. 3 screening measures (International Index of Erectile Function, the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire, and Brief Male Sexual Inventory); 5 outcome measures (Sexual Health Inventory for Men, Erection Hardness Score, Erectile Dysfunction Inventory for Treatment and Satisfaction, and Treatment Satisfaction Scale); and 3 categories of disease-specific measures (cancer, Peyronie's disease, and spinal cord injury) were included.

Outcomes

Strengths, limitations, and valid uses of each erectile function questionnaire.

Results

There currently exists a wide variety of screening, outcome, and disease-specific measures for ED diagnosis, assessment, and treatment. Rigor of psychometric validation varies greatly across studies. However, depending on purpose of use, all abovementioned questionnaires have merit for use in clinical practice, are nonredundant, and can complement and supplement one another.

Clinical Implications

Before choosing a specific measure for ED diagnosis, assessment, or treatment, there must be careful consideration of the questionnaire's psychometric properties, context of validation, and its possible limitations.

Strengths & Limitations

The patient reported outcome measures highlighted in this article complement and supplement one another, as each emphasizes a related yet distinct central theme. During selection for use in clinical practice and research studies, special attention needs to be paid to the context, strengths, and weaknesses of each measure.

Conclusion

When used conscientiously, patient-reported questionnaires can significantly optimize patient management.
Opportunities Lost: Political Interference in the Systematic Collection of Population Health Data During and After the 2003 War in Iraq
Authors: Burkle Frederick M.
Published: March 2020

The review of the article, “Developing a Public Health Monitoring System in a War-torn Region: A Field Report from Iraqi Kurdistan,” prompted the writing of this commentary. Decisions to implement health data systems within Iraq require exploration of many otherwise undisclosed or unknown historical facts that led to the politicization of and ultimate demise of the pre-2003 Iraq war systematic health data monitoring system designed to mitigate both direct and indirect mortality and morbidity. Absent from the field report’s otherwise accurate history leading up to and following the war is the politically led process by which the original surveillance system planned for the war and its aftermath was destroyed. The successful politicization of the otherwise extensively planned for public health monitoring in 2003 and its legacy harmed any future attempts to implement similar monitoring systems in succeeding wars and conflicts. Warring factions only collect military casualty data. The field report outlines current attempts to begin again in building a systematic health monitoring system emphasizing it is the “only way to manage the complex post-war events that continue to lead to disproportionate preventable mortality and morbidity.”
Embeddings of homogeneous Sobolev spaces on the entire space
Authors: Mihula Zdeněk
Published: March 2020

We completely characterize the validity of the inequality $\| u \|_{Y(\mathbb R)} \leq C \| \nabla^{m} u \|_{X(\mathbb R)}$, where X and Y are rearrangement-invariant spaces, by reducing it to a considerably simpler one-dimensional inequality. Furthermore, we fully describe the optimal rearrangement-invariant space on either side of the inequality when the space on the other side is fixed. We also solve the same problem within the environment in which the competing spaces are Orlicz spaces. A variety of examples involving customary function spaces suitable for applications is also provided.
Bootstrapping partition regularity of linear systems
Authors: Sanders Tom
Published: March 2020

Suppose that A is a k × d matrix of integers and write $\Re _A:{\mathbb N}\to {\mathbb N}\cup \{ \infty \} $ for the function taking r to the largest N such that there is an r-colouring $\mathcal {C}$ of [N] with $\bigcup _{C \in \mathcal {C}}{C^d}\cap \ker A =\emptyset $. We show that if ℜA(r) < ∞ for all $r\in {\mathbb N}$ then $\mathfrak {R}_A(r) \leqslant \exp (\exp (r^{O_{A}(1)}))$ for all r ⩾ 2. When the kernel of A consists only of Brauer configurations – that is, vectors of the form (y, x, x + y, …, x + (d − 2)y) – the above statement has been proved by Chapman and Prendiville with good bounds on the OA(1) term.
Increasing role of abstinence and infecundity in non-use of contraceptive methods in India
Authors: Dhillon Preeti , Singh Govind , Ram Faujdar , Kumar Pradeep , Saggurti Niranjan
Published: March 2020

This paper assesses the reasons for non-use of contraceptive methods, and the possible complexity of reported data on women in India. The study used recent data from two successive rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) (2005–06: N=37,296; 2015–16: N=247,024), which surveyed currently married women aged 15–49 years. The reporting on non-use of contraceptives and the changing pattern of the reasons for non-use were analysed, classified into fertility and other cited reasons. The self-reported reasons for non-use of contraception were verified with other related information captured in the survey. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted. Sexual abstinence (not having sex: 10%; infrequent sex: 3%) and infecundity (menopausal/hysterectomy: 12%; subfecund/infecund: 10%) were the most commonly reported reasons for non-use of contraceptive methods in 2015–16, followed by refusal to use (10%). The proportion of non-users who wanted to have a child soon (25% to 21%), were pregnant (16% to 13%), in postpartum amenorrhoea (68% to 40%) and who had method-related reasons (10% to 6%) declined over time (from 2005–06 to 2015–16, respectively). A higher proportion of less-educated women reported abstinence (6%) and menopause/hysterectomy (19%) than educated women. Abstinence was more commonly reported in states with low prevalence of modern contraceptive use. The findings suggest that the increasing trend of abstinence and infecundity among non-users of contraception may be a concern for future research and reproductive health programmes, as it questions both the quality of data and sexual health of married couples.
Do Firms Purposefully Change Capital Structure? Evidence from an Investment-Opportunity Shock to Drug Firms
Authors: Giambona Erasmo , Golec Joseph , Lopez-de-Silanes Florencio
Published: March 2020

We study the capital structure changes of drug firms after an investment-opportunity shock brought about by the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act. Using a difference-in-difference approach, we show that the shock led drug firms to make their capital structures less constraining by decreasing leverage, shortening debt maturity, increasing unsecured debt, and reducing convertible debt. New debt covenants became less restrictive and firms raised equity to preserve borrowing capacity. Our results support the view that firms actively manage their capital structures to bolster financial flexibility and increase debt capacity in response to new investment opportunities.
Predicting preferred prey of Sumatran tigersPanthera tigris sumatraevia spatio-temporal overlap
Authors: Allen Maximilian L. , Sibarani Marsya C. , Krofel Miha
Published: March 2020

Encounter rates of carnivores with prey are dependent on spatial and temporal overlap, and are often highest with their preferred prey. The Critically Endangered Sumatran tigerPanthera tigris sumatraeis dependent on prey populations, but little is known about its prey preferences. We collected camera-trap data for 7 years (2010–2016) in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Sumatra, to investigate spatial and temporal overlap of tigers with potential prey species. We also developed a novel method to predict predator–prey encounter rates and potential prey preferences from camera-trap data. We documented at least 10 individual tigers, with an overall detection rate of 0.24 detections/100 trap nights. Tigers exhibited a diurnal activity pattern and had highest temporal overlap with wild boarSus scrofaand pig-tailed macaquesMacaca nemestrina, but highest spatial overlap with wild boar and sambar deerRusa unicolor. We created a spatial and temporal composite score and three additional composite scores with adjustments for the spatial overlap and preferred prey mass. Wild boars ranked highest for all composite scores, followed by sambar deer, and both are known as preferred tiger prey in other areas. Spatial and temporal overlaps are often considered as separate indices, but a composite score may facilitate better predictions of encounter rates and potential prey preferences. Our findings suggest that prey management efforts in this area should focus on wild boar and sambar deer, to ensure a robust prey base for this Critically Endangered tiger population.
PERTURBATION THEOREMS FOR FRACTIONAL CRITICAL EQUATIONS ON BOUNDED DOMAINS
Authors: ALGHANEMI AZEB , CHTIOUI HICHEM
Published: March 2020

We consider the fractional critical problem$A_{s}u=K(x)u^{(n+2s)/(n-2s)},u>0$in$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA},u=0$on$\unicode[STIX]{x2202}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}$, where$A_{s},s\in (0,1)$, is the fractional Laplace operator and$K$is a given function on a bounded domain$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}$of$\mathbb{R}^{n},n\geq 2$. This is based on A. Bahri’s theory of critical points at infinity in Bahri [Critical Points at Infinity in Some Variational Problems, Pitman Research Notes in Mathematics Series, 182 (Longman Scientific & Technical, Harlow, 1989)]. We prove Bahri’s estimates in the fractional setting and we provide existence theorems for the problem when$K$is close to 1.
Upping my game as a parent: Attributed gains in participating in a cancer parenting program for child-rearing parents with advanced cancer
Authors: Zahlis Ellen H. , Shands Mary Ellen , Lewis Frances Marcus
Published: March 2020

Objectives

The objective of this study was to describe in the words of child-rearing parents with incurable cancer, what they had gained or thought about as a result of participating in a five-session, scripted, telephone-delivered psycho-educational parenting intervention, the Enhancing Connections Program in Palliative Care.

Methods

A total of 26 parents completed the program. Parents’ responses were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and verified for accuracy. The analysis proceeded through four steps: unitizing, coding into categories, defining categories, and formation of a core construct that explained parents’ attributed gains. Trustworthiness of study results was protected by coding to consensus, formal peer debriefing, and maintaining an audit trail.

Results

Although 50% reached or exceeded clinical cutoff scores on anxiety and 42% reached or exceeded clinical cutoff scores on depressed mood, parents extensively elaborated what they gained. Results revealed six categories of competencies they attributed to their participation in the program: (1) being ready for a conversation about my cancer, (2) bringing things out in the open, (3) listening better to my child, (4) getting my child to open up, (5) not getting in my child's way, and (6) changing my parenting.

Conclusions

Despite an extensive symptom burden, parents with incurable cancer attributed major gains from a brief, fully scripted, cancer parenting communication intervention. A manualized telephone-delivered educational counseling program for symptomatic parents with incurable cancer has the potential to augment competencies for parents as they assist their children manage the cancer experience.
Favorable Conditions for Magnetic Reconnection at Ganymede's Upstream Magnetopause
Authors: Kaweeyanun N. , Masters A. , Jia X.
Published: March 2020

Ganymede is the only Solar System moon known to generate a permanent magnetic field. Jovian plasma motions around Ganymede create an upstream magnetopause, where energy flows are thought to be driven by magnetic reconnection. Simulations indicate Ganymedean reconnection events may be transient, but the nature of magnetopause reconnection at Ganymede remains poorly understood, requiring an assessment of reconnection onset theory. We present an analytical model of steady‐state conditions at Ganymede's magnetopause, from which the first Ganymedean reconnection onset assessment is conducted. We find that reconnection may occur wherever Ganymede's closed magnetic field encounters Jupiter's ambient magnetic field, regardless of variations in magnetopause conditions. Unrestricted reconnection onset highlights possibilities for multiple X lines or widespread transient reconnection at Ganymede. The reconnection rate is controlled by the ambient Jovian field orientation and hence driven by Jupiter's rotation. Future progress on this topic is highly relevant for the JUpiter ICy moon Explorer mission.
Distribution in Saturn's Inner Magnetosphere From 2.4 to 10 RS: A Diffusive Equilibrium Model
Authors: Persoon A. M. , Kurth W. S. , Gurnett D. A. , Faden J. B. , Groene J. B. , Morooka M. W. , Wahlund J. E. , Wilson R. J. , Menietti J. D.
Published: March 2020

Electron density measurements have been obtained by the Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Science (RPWS) instrument covering the period from 30 June 2004 to 19 April 2017, spanning latitudes up to ~30° and L values from 2.4 to 10. Near the F ring, electron densities are derived from RPWS measurements of electron plasma oscillations at high latitudes and from the Langmuir Probe (RPWS/LP) sweep data at low latitudes. The electron density measurements from the ring‐grazing orbits, beginning in December 2016, have made it possible to extend the work of a previous diffusive equilibrium model to include the distribution of the ring plasma. Beyond the ring‐grazing orbits, the densities are derived from RPWS measurements of the upper hybrid resonance frequency. These density measurements are used to anchor the fit of an expanded diffusive equilibrium density model for a two‐species plasma consisting of water group and hydrogen ions in Saturn's inner magnetosphere. Density contour plots for the two ion species and the electrons are presented. The distribution of the derived plasma densities is consistent with two primary sources, the Enceladus plume and the extended ring atmosphere. There is also an indication of a weaker plasma source at Dione. In the region just outside the A ring and in the region including the Enceladus orbit, the diffusive equilibrium model also shows the expansion of lighter ions and electrons to higher latitudes along the magnetic field lines with evidence of a weaker plasma expansion between the orbits of Tethys and Dione.
Toward Distributed Fiber‐Optic Sensing of Subsurface Deformation: A Theoretical Quantification of Ground‐Borehole‐Cable Interaction
Authors: Zhang Cheng‐Cheng , Shi Bin , Zhu Hong‐Hu , Wang Bao‐Jun , Wei Guang‐Qing
Published: March 2020

Fiber‐optic sensing is emerging as a superior means for distributed strain sensing of the subsurface. The ability of an embedded fiber‐optic cable to capture accurate strain profiles depends on the degree of rigid mechanical coupling between the ground and the cable. However, a current challenge in this field is to determine the actual level of ground deformation from strain signatures sensed by the cable deployed in the subsurface; addressing this issue has been hampered by the lack of suitable theoretical methods. Here we propose a two‐step ground‐cable coupling evaluation procedure, whereby we develop analytical formulations to quantify the interaction and interface shear transfer of a ground‐borehole‐cable system. We constrain key model parameters using a data set acquired with a fiber optics‐instrumented borehole for monitoring groundwater‐related sediment compaction. Extensive parametric analyses reveal that increasing the backfill modulus and cable gauge length or decreasing the borehole radius and cable stiffness can improve the quality of strain transferred to the cable from the ground; the effect of ground properties is comparably insignificant. Further, we develop design charts and tables at designated transfer thresholds to facilitate the development and field deployment of fiber sensing elements. Taken together, the theoretical quantification of ground‐cable coupling should improve the state‐of‐the‐art performance of distributed fiber‐optic strain sensing for subsurface ground movements detection and monitoring.
Heat Wave Variations Across China Tied to Global SST Modes
Authors: Wei Jia , Wang Weiguang , Shao Quanxi , Yu Zhongbo , Chen Zefeng , Huang Yin , Xing Wanqiu
Published: March 2020

Progressive intensification and proliferation of heat waves impose extensively impacts on entire environment and ecology. The far‐reaching implications of heat waves and the severe future projections emphasize the imperative need to explore the driving factors and their quantitative contribution to heat wave variations. In this study, a multiaspect characteristic of heat waves across China during 1961–2017 is evaluated using excess heat factor. Results showed that the number of events, frequency, duration, and intensity has heterogeneous spatial patterns, with a consistent abrupt transition in 1996–1997. The robust positive correlations between heat wave characteristics and warming sea surface temperature (SST) indicate the association of heat wave with SST anomalies. Except the number of events, the other factors (including the frequency, duration, and intensity) of heat waves are strongly influenced by El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). However, the influences have significant variations from region to region, with the central regions experiencing significant decreases in the frequency, duration, and intensity of heat waves during the simultaneous ENSO phases (El Niño‐La Niña), in comparison with northern and western regions dominated by IOD (positive‐negative) experiencing longer and more frequent heat waves. Particularly, the mild heat waves are more vulnerable to the warming SST modes than severe heat waves. The decrease of heat waves is affected by the convergent winds bringing cold air from the high latitude, while the extensively significant increase of heat waves is controlled by the anomalously sinking motions.
Therapeutics targeting the fibrinolytic system
Authors: Lin Haili , Xu Luning , Yu Shujuan , Hong Wanjin , Huang Mingdong , Xu Peng
Published: March 2020

The function of the fibrinolytic system was first identified to dissolve fibrin to maintain vascular patency. Connections between the fibrinolytic system and many other physiological and pathological processes have been well established. Dysregulation of the fibrinolytic system is closely associated with multiple pathological conditions, including thrombosis, inflammation, cancer progression, and neuropathies. Thus, molecules in the fibrinolytic system are potent therapeutic and diagnostic targets. This review summarizes the currently used agents targeting this system and the development of novel therapeutic strategies in experimental studies. Future directions for the development of modulators of the fibrinolytic system are also discussed.
O-GlcNAcylation of PFKFB3 is required for tumor cell proliferation under hypoxia
Authors: Lei Yinrui , Chen Tao , Li Yeyi , Shang Man , Zhang Yan , Jin Yuepeng , Yu Qiujing , Guo Fang , Wang Ting
Published: March 2020

The protein O-GlcNAcylation catalysed by O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) is tightly regulated by glucose availability. It is upregulated and essential for tumor cell proliferation under hypoxic conditions. However, the mechanism behind is still unclear. Here, we showed that the glycolytic regulator 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFKFB3), which also promotes cell cycle progression in the nucleus, was O-GlcNAcylated in response to hypoxia. The O-GlcNAcylation of PFKFB3 could compete phosphorylation by hypoxia-activated ERK at the same modification site Ser172. Phosphorylated PFKFB3 could interact with the protein G3BP2 and retain in the cytosol; this in turn led to the accumulation of hypoxia-induced-P27 in the nucleus resulting in the cell cycle arrest. Such a pathway was compromised by high level of PFKFB3 O-GlcNAcylation in tumor cells contributing to cell cycle progression. Consistently, the PFKFB3-Ser172 phosphorylation level inversely correlated with the OGT level in pancreatic cancer patients. Our findings uncovered an O-GlcNAcylation mediated mechanism to promote tumor cell proliferation under metabolic stress, linking the aberrant OGT activity to tumorigenesis in pancreatic cancer.
Correction: Impaired cellular bioenergetics caused by GBA1 depletion sensitizes neurons to calcium overload
Authors: Plotegher Nicoletta , Perocheau Dany , Ferrazza Ruggero , Massaro Giulia , Bhosale Gauri , Zambon Federico , Rahim Ahad A. , Guella Graziano , Waddington Simon N. , Szabadkai Gyorgy , Duchen Michael R.
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
TNFAIP8 regulates autophagy, cell steatosis, and promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation
Authors: Niture Suryakant , Gyamfi Maxwell A. , Lin Minghui , Chimeh Uchechukwu , Dong Xialan , Zheng Weifan , Moore John , Kumar Deepak
Published: March 2020

Tumor necrosis factor-α-induced protein 8 (TNFAIP8) expression has been linked to tumor progression in various cancer types, but the detailed mechanisms of TNFAIP8 are not fully elucidated. Here we define the role of TNFAIP8 in early events associated with development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Increased TNFAIP8 levels in HCC cells enhanced cell survival by blocking apoptosis, rendering HCC cells more resistant to the anticancer drugs, sorafenib and regorafenib. TNFAIP8 also induced autophagy and steatosis in liver cancer cells. Consistent with these observations, TNFAIP8 blocked AKT/mTOR signaling and showed direct interaction with ATG3-ATG7 proteins. TNFAIP8 also exhibited binding with fatty acids and modulated expression of lipid/fatty-acid metabolizing enzymes. Chronic feeding of mice with alcohol increased hepatic levels of TNFAIP8, autophagy, and steatosis but not in high-fat-fed obese mice. Similarly, higher TNFAIP8 expression was associated with steatotic livers of human patients with a history of alcohol use but not in steatotic patients with no history of alcohol use. Our data indicate a novel role of TNFAIP8 in modulation of drug resistance, autophagy, and hepatic steatosis, all key early events in HCC progression.
Author Correction: Lin28 and let-7 regulate the timing of cessation of murine nephrogenesis
Authors: Yermalovich Alena V. , Osborne Jihan K. , Sousa Patricia , Han Areum , Kinney Melissa A. , Chen Michael J. , Robinton Daisy A. , Montie Helen , Pearson Dan S. , Wilson Sean B. , Combes Alexander N. , Little Melissa H. , Daley George Q.
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
TEX264 coordinates p97- and SPRTN-mediated resolution of topoisomerase 1-DNA adducts
Authors: Fielden John , Wiseman Katherine , Torrecilla Ignacio , Li Shudong , Hume Samuel , Chiang Shih-Chieh , Ruggiano Annamaria , Narayan Singh Abhay , Freire Raimundo , Hassanieh Sylvana , Domingo Enric , Vendrell Iolanda , Fischer Roman , Kessler Benedikt M. , Maughan Timothy S. , El-Khamisy Sherif F. , Ramadan Kristijan
Published: March 2020

Eukaryotic topoisomerase 1 (TOP1) regulates DNA topology to ensure efficient DNA replication and transcription. TOP1 is also a major driver of endogenous genome instability, particularly when its catalytic intermediate—a covalent TOP1-DNA adduct known as a TOP1 cleavage complex (TOP1cc)—is stabilised. TOP1ccs are highly cytotoxic and a failure to resolve them underlies the pathology of neurological disorders but is also exploited in cancer therapy where TOP1ccs are the target of widely used frontline anti-cancer drugs. A critical enzyme for TOP1cc resolution is the tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase (TDP1), which hydrolyses the bond that links a tyrosine in the active site of TOP1 to a 3’ phosphate group on a single-stranded (ss)DNA break. However, TDP1 can only process small peptide fragments from ssDNA ends, raising the question of how the ~90 kDa TOP1 protein is processed upstream of TDP1. Here we find that TEX264 fulfils this role by forming a complex with the p97 ATPase and the SPRTN metalloprotease. We show that TEX264 recognises both unmodified and SUMO1-modifed TOP1 and initiates TOP1cc repair by recruiting p97 and SPRTN. TEX264 localises to the nuclear periphery, associates with DNA replication forks, and counteracts TOP1ccs during DNA replication. Altogether, our study elucidates the existence of a specialised repair complex required for upstream proteolysis of TOP1ccs and their subsequent resolution.
Author Correction: Improved ethanol electrooxidation performance by shortening Pd–Ni active site distance in Pd–Ni–P nanocatalysts
Authors: Chen Lin , Lu Lilin , Zhu Hengli , Chen Yueguang , Huang Yu , Li Yadong , Wang Leyu
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Antagonistic activities of CDC14B and CDK1 on USP9X regulate WT1-dependent mitotic transcription and survival
Authors: Dietachmayr Michael , Rathakrishnan Abirami , Karpiuk Oleksandra , von Zweydorf Felix , Engleitner Thomas , Fernández-Sáiz Vanesa , Schenk Petra , Ueffing Marius , Rad Roland , Eilers Martin , Gloeckner Christian Johannes , Clemm von Hohenberg Katharina , Bassermann Florian
Published: March 2020

Regulation of mitosis secures cellular integrity and its failure critically contributes to the development, maintenance, and treatment resistance of cancer. In yeast, the dual phosphatase Cdc14 controls mitotic progression by antagonizing Cdk1-mediated protein phosphorylation. By contrast, specific mitotic functions of the mammalian Cdc14 orthologue CDC14B have remained largely elusive. Here, we find that CDC14B antagonizes CDK1-mediated activating mitotic phosphorylation of the deubiquitinase USP9X at serine residue 2563, which we show to be essential for USP9X to mediate mitotic survival. Starting from an unbiased proteome-wide screening approach, we specify Wilms’ tumor protein 1 (WT1) as the relevant substrate that becomes deubiquitylated and stabilized by serine 2563-phosphorylated USP9X in mitosis. We further demonstrate that WT1 functions as a mitotic transcription factor and specify CXCL8/IL-8 as a target gene of WT1 that conveys mitotic survival. Together, we describe a ubiquitin-dependent signaling pathway that directs a mitosis-specific transcription program to regulate mitotic survival.
Identification of two major autoantigens negatively regulating endothelial activation in Takayasu arteritis
Authors: Mutoh Tomoyuki , Shirai Tsuyoshi , Ishii Tomonori , Shirota Yuko , Fujishima Fumiyoshi , Takahashi Fumiaki , Kakuta Yoichi , Kanazawa Yoshitake , Masamune Atsushi , Saiki Yoshikatsu , Harigae Hideo , Fujii Hiroshi
Published: March 2020

The presence of antiendothelial cell antibodies (AECAs) has been documented in Takayasu arteritis (TAK), a chronic granulomatous vasculitis. Here, we identify cell-surface autoantigens using an expression cloning system. A cDNA library of endothelial cells is retrovirally transfected into a rat myeloma cell line from which AECA-positive clones are sorted with flow cytometry. Four distinct AECA-positive clones are isolated, and endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) and scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-BI) are identified as endothelial autoantigens. Autoantibodies against EPCR and SR-BI are detected in 34.6% and 36.5% of cases, respectively, with minimal overlap (3.8%). Autoantibodies against EPCR are also detected in ulcerative colitis, the frequent comorbidity of TAK. In mechanistic studies, EPCR and SR-BI function as negative regulators of endothelial activation. EPCR has also an effect on human T cells and impair Th17 differentiation. Autoantibodies against EPCR and SR-BI block the functions of their targets, thereby promoting pro-inflammatory phenotype.
Author Correction: Characterizing rare and low-frequency height-associated variants in the Japanese population
Authors: Akiyama Masato , Ishigaki Kazuyoshi , Sakaue Saori , Momozawa Yukihide , Horikoshi Momoko , Hirata Makoto , Matsuda Koichi , Ikegawa Shiro , Takahashi Atsushi , Kanai Masahiro , Suzuki Sadao , Matsui Daisuke , Naito Mariko , Yamaji Taiki , Iwasaki Motoki , Sawada Norie , Tanno Kozo , Sasaki Makoto , Hozawa Atsushi , Minegishi Naoko , Wakai Kenji , Tsugane Shoichiro , Shimizu Atsushi , Yamamoto Masayuki , Okada Yukinori , Murakami Yoshinori , Kubo Michiaki , Kamatani Yoichiro
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Provincial and gridded population projection for China under shared socioeconomic pathways from 2010 to 2100
Authors: Chen Yidan , Guo Fang , Wang Jiachen , Cai Wenjia , Wang Can , Wang Kaicun
Published: March 2020

In response to a growing demand for subnational and spatially explicit data on China’s future population, this study estimates China’s provincial population from 2010 to 2100 by age (0–100+), sex (male and female) and educational levels (illiterate, primary school, junior-high school, senior-high school, college, bachelor’s, and master’s and above) under different shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs). The provincial projection takes into account fertility promoting policies and population ceiling restrictions of megacities that have been implemented in China in recent years to reduce systematic biases in current studies. The predicted provincial population is allocated to spatially explicit population grids for each year at 30 arc-seconds resolution based on representative concentration pathway (RCP) urban grids and historical population grids. The provincial projection data were validated using population data in 2017 from China’s Provincial Statistical Yearbook, and the accuracy of the population grids in 2015 was evaluated. These data have numerous potential uses and can serve as inputs in climate policy research with requirements for precise administrative or spatial population data in China.
A survey of invasive plants on grassland soil microbial communities and ecosystem services
Authors: Bell Jennifer K. , Siciliano Steven D. , Lamb Eric G.
Published: March 2020

Invasive plants can cause changes in the structure and function of the ecosystem being invaded. Any changes in ecosystem diversity and community composition will likely alter ecosystem services provided by that ecosystem. However, how these ecosystem services may change is poorly understood. To elucidate how these ecosystem services will change with invasion, we sampled 561 plots undergoing invasion by smooth brome (Bromus inermis) and four other invasive species at a native Rough Fescue prairie located near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Soil and plant surveys were undertaken weekly for 26 weeks between May of 2014 and November of 2014, or the growing season. We measured a suite of ecosystem services, including greenhouse gasses, extracellular enzyme function, forage production, glyphosate degradation and decomposition. Furthermore, soil physical and chemical properties were measured, and soil bacterial and fungal communities were sequenced. This is a large and multifaceted dataset with complex temporal and spatial attributes which can be used to answer numerous questions regarding the functioning of prairie ecosystems and how invasive species will impact that functioning.
Robust induction of neural crest cells to derive peripheral sensory neurons from human induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Umehara Yoshie , Toyama Sumika , Tominaga Mitsutoshi , Matsuda Hironori , Takahashi Nobuaki , Kamata Yayoi , Niyonsaba François , Ogawa Hideoki , Takamori Kenji
Published: March 2020

Because intractable itch reduces quality of life, understanding the fundamental mechanisms of itch is required to develop antipruritic treatments. Itch is mediated by peripheral sensory neurons, which originate from the neural crest (NC) during development. Itch-associated signaling molecules have been detected in genetically engineered animals and in cultures of peripheral neurons from dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Ethical difficulties collecting peripheral neurons from human DRG have limited analysis of itch in humans. This study describes a method of differentiating peripheral neurons from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) for physiological study of itch. This method resulted in the robust induction of p75 and HNK1 double-positive NC cells from hiPSCs. The expression of NC markers TFAP2A, SOX10 and SNAI1 increased during NC induction. The induction efficiency was nearly 90%, and human peripheral neurons expressing peripherin were efficiently differentiated from hiPSC-derived NC cells. Moreover, induced peripheral neurons expressed the sensory neuronal marker BRN3A and the itch-related receptors HRH1, MRGPRX1, IL31R and IL-4R. Calcium imaging analyses indicated that these peripheral neurons included sensory neurons responsive to itch-related stimuli such as histamine, BAM8-22, IL-31 and IL-4. These findings may enable detailed analyses of human DRG neurons and may result in new therapies for intractable itch.
Effects of parental smoking and indoor tobacco smoke exposure on respiratory outcomes in children
Authors: Zhuge Yang , Qian Hua , Zheng Xiaohong , Huang Chen , Zhang Yinping , Li Baizhan , Zhao Zhuohui , Deng Qihong , Yang Xu , Sun Yuexia , Zhang Xin , Sundell Jan
Published: March 2020

The extensive literature has reported adverse effects on environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) on children’s health. We aim to analyze associations of ETS with dry night cough, croup, pneumonia, and frequent common cold and to disentangle the effects of prenatal, infancy and childhood exposure by multilevel logistic regression. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 41,176 children aged 3–8 years in 8 major cities of China during 2010–2011, and obtained demographic information, smoke exposure information, and respiratory outcomes. Parents’ smoking habit and indoor tobacco smoke odor were considered as two indicators of ETS. The prevalences of respiratory outcomes were 6.0% for croup, 9.5% for frequency common cold, 17.1% for dry night cough and 32.3% for pneumonia respectively in the study. The associations between respiratory outcomes and parental smoking were not obvious, while indoor tobacco smoke odor was clearly and strongly associated with most respiratory outcomes, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 1.06 to 1.95. Both infancy and childhood exposure to tobacco smoke odor were independent risk factors, but infancy exposure had a higher risk. The results explore that ETS increased the risk of respiratory outcomes in children, highlighting the need for raising awareness about the detrimental effects of tobacco smoke exposure.
A Novel Profiled Multi-Pin Electrospinning System for Nanofiber Production and Encapsulation of Nanoparticles into Nanofibers
Authors: Prabu G. T. V. , Dhurai Bhaarathi
Published: March 2020

Electrospinning with various machine configurations is being used to produce polymer nanofibers with different rates of output. The use of polymers with high viscosity and the encapsulation of nanoparticles for achieving functionalities are some of the limitations of the existing methods. A profiled multi-pin electrospinning (PMES) setup is demonstrated in this work that overcomes the limitations in the needle and needleless electrospinning like needle clogging, particle settling, and uncontrolled/uneven Taylor cone formation, the requirement of very high voltage and uncontrolled distribution of nanoparticles in nanofibers. The key feature of the current setup is the use of profiled pin arrangement that aids in the formation of spherical shape polymer droplet and hence ensures uniform Taylor cone formation throughout the fiber production process. With a 10 wt% of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) polymer solution and at an applied voltage of 30 kV, the production rate was observed as 1.690 g/h and average fiber diameter obtained was 160.5 ± 48.9 nm for PVA and 124.9 ± 49.8 nm for Cellulose acetate (CA) respectively. Moreover, the setup also provides the added advantage of using high viscosity polymer solutions in electrospinning. This approach is expected to increase the range of multifunctional electrospun nanofiber applications.
Anterior retrosplenial cortex is required for long-term object recognition memory
Authors: de Landeta Ana Belén , Pereyra Magdalena , Medina Jorge H. , Katche Cynthia
Published: March 2020

The retrosplenial cortex (RSC) is implicated on navigation and contextual memory. Lesions studies showed that the RSC shares functional similarities with the hippocampus (HP). Here we evaluated the role of the anterior RSC (aRSC) in the “what” and “where” components of recognition memory and contrasted it with that of the dorsal HP (dHP). Our behavioral and molecular findings show functional differences between the aRSC and the dHP in recognition memory. The inactivation of the aRSC, but not the dHP, impairs the consolidation and expression of the “what” memory component. In addition, object recognition task is accompanied by c-Fos levels increase in the aRSC. Interestingly, we found that the aRSC is recruited to process the “what” memory component only if it is active during acquisition. In contrast, both the aRSC and dHP are required for encoding the “where” component, which correlates with c-Fos levels increase. Our findings introduce a novel role of the aRSC in recognition memory, processing not only the “where”, but also the “what” memory component.
Ultrastructural analysis of the dehydrated tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris unveils an anhydrobiotic-specific architecture
Authors: Richaud Myriam , Le Goff Emilie , Cazevielle Chantal , Ono Fumihisa , Mori Yoshihisa , Saini Naurang L. , Cuq Pierre , Baghdiguian Stephen , Godefroy Nelly , Galas Simon
Published: March 2020

Tardigrades can cope with adverse environmental conditions by turning into anhydrobiotes with a characteristic tun shape. Tun formation is an essential morphological adaptation for tardigrade entry into the anhydrobiotic state. The tun cell structure and ultrastructure have rarely been explored in tardigrades in general and never in Hypsibius exemplaris. We used transmission electron microscopy to compare cellular organization and ultrastructures between hydrated and anhydrobiotic H. exemplaris. Despite a globally similar cell organelle structure and a number of cells not significantly different between hydrated and desiccated tardigrades, reductions in the sizes of both cells and mitochondria were detected in dehydrated animals. Moreover, in anhydrobiotes, secretory active cells with a dense endoplasmic reticulum network were observed. Interestingly, these anhydrobiote-specific cells are in a close relationship with a specific extracellular structure surrounding each cell. It is possible that this rampart-like extracellular structure resulted from the accumulation of anhydrobiotic-specific material to protect the cells. Interestingly, after five hours of rehydration, the number of secretory cells decreased, and the specific extracellular structure began to disappear. Twenty-four hours after the beginning of rehydration, the cellular structure and ultrastructure were comparable to those observed in hydrated tardigrades.
Simultaneous Determination of Gross Alpha/Beta Activities in Groundwater for Ingestion Effective Dose and its Associated Public Health Risk Prevention
Authors: Ho Phan Long , Hung Le Dinh , Minh Vu Tuan , Chinh Dang Van , Thanh Tran Thien , Tao Chau Van
Published: March 2020

This paper presents information on the gross alpha and gross beta activity concentrations of two hundred twenty-six groundwater samples collected by gas flow proportional counters in southern Vietnam. The gross alpha results in the water samples ranged from 0.024 to 0.748 Bq L−1 with a mean of 0.183 ± 0.034 Bq L−1, and the gross beta results in the water samples ranged from 0.027–0.632 Bq L−1 with a mean of 0.152 ± 0.015 Bq L−1. The values obtained in this work were compared with those previously published for various regions or countries. Next, untreated and treated groundwater samples were analyzed to assess their influences on the treatment process. The results showed that there were differences in the minimum detection concentrations and the mean activity values between the untreated and treated groundwater samples (The p-value of the mean comparison tests is significant with p < 0.05). In both sample groups, there was a strong positive correlation of the gross alpha versus the gross beta results (r > 0.6). This means that among the radionuclides, the major sources of beta radiation are uranium and thorium decay series radionuclides. Finally, the annual effective dose for adults (>17 years) was calculated based on the assumption that major radionuclides have the highest effective dose conversion factors. In general, the results for Pb-210, Ra-226, and Ra-228 were observed to be lower than the recommended reference values established by the World Health Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency, except for the value of Po-210.
Bacteria forming drag-increasing streamers on a drop implicates complementary fates of rising deep-sea oil droplets
Authors: White Andrew R. , Jalali Maryam , Boufadel Michel C. , Sheng Jian
Published: March 2020

Competing time scales involved in rapid rising micro-droplets in comparison to substantially slower biodegradation processes at oil-water interfaces highlights a perplexing question: how do biotic processes occur and alter the fates of oil micro-droplets (<500 μm) in the 400 m thick Deepwater Horizon deep-sea plume? For instance, a 200 μm droplet traverses the plume in ~48 h, while known biodegradation processes require weeks to complete. Using a microfluidic platform allowing microcosm observations of a droplet passing through a bacterial suspension at ecologically relevant length and time scales, we discover that within minutes bacteria attach onto an oil droplet and extrude polymeric streamers that rapidly bundle into an elongated aggregate, drastically increasing drag that consequently slows droplet rising velocity. Results provide a key mechanism bridging competing scales and establish a potential pathway to biodegradation and sedimentations as well as substantially alter physical transport of droplets during a deep-sea oil spill with dispersant.
Polarity Inversion of Aluminum Nitride Thin Films by using Si and MgSi Dopants
Authors: Anggraini Sri Ayu , Uehara Masato , Hirata Kenji , Yamada Hiroshi , Akiyama Morito
Published: March 2020

Polarity is among the critical characteristics that could governs the functionality of piezoelectric materials. In this study, the polarity of aluminum nitride (AlN) thin films was inverted from Al-polar to N-polar by doping Si into AlN in the range of 1–15 at.%. Polarity inversion from Al-polar to N-polar also occurred when MgSi was codoped into AlN with Mg to Si ratio was less than 1. However, the polarity can be reversed from N-polar to Al-polar when the ratio of Mg and Si was greater than 1. The effect of Si and MgSi addition was investigated with regards to their crystal structure, lattice parameters, polarity distribution and the oxidation state of each elements. Furthermore, the effect of intermediate layer as well as the presence of point defect (i.e. aluminum vacancy) were investigated and how these factors influence the polarity of the thin films are discussed in this report.
Structural Identification, Synthesis and Biological Activity of Two Volatile Cyclic Dipeptides in a Terrestrial Vertebrate
Authors: Romero-Diaz Cristina , Campos Stephanie M. , Herrmann Morgan A. , Lewis Kristen N. , Williams David R. , Soini Helena A. , Novotny Milos V. , Hews Diana K. , Martins Emília P.
Published: March 2020

Single substances within complex vertebrate chemical signals could be physiologically or behaviourally active. However, the vast diversity in chemical structure, physical properties and molecular size of semiochemicals makes identifying pheromonally active compounds no easy task. Here, we identified two volatile cyclic dipeptides, cyclo(L-Leu-L-Pro) and cyclo(L-Pro-L-Pro), from the complex mixture of a chemical signal in terrestrial vertebrates (lizard genus Sceloporus), synthesised one of them and investigated their biological activity in male intra-specific communication. In a series of behavioural trials, lizards performed more chemosensory behaviour (tongue flicks, lip smacks and substrate lickings) when presented with the synthesised cyclo(L-Pro-L-Pro) chemical blend, compared to the controls, the cyclo(L-Leu-L-Pro) blend, or a combined blend with both cyclic dipeptides. The results suggest a potential semiochemical role of cyclo(L-Pro-L-Pro) and a modulating effect of cyclo(L-Leu-L-Pro) that may depend on the relative concentration of both compounds in the chemical signal. In addition, our results stress how minor compounds in complex mixtures can produce a meaningful behavioural response, how small differences in structural design are crucial for biological activity, and highlight the need for more studies to determine the complete functional landscape of biologically relevant compounds.