bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
POLITICAL STRATEGIES AND THE URBAN SPACES THAT REFLECT THEM IN FORMATIVE-PERIOD CERRO JAZMÍN, OAXACA
Authors: Pérez Rodríguez Verónica , Martínez Tuñón Antonio
Published: September 2019

Based on stratigraphic excavation data and associated radiocarbon dates we argue that the pre-Hispanic city of Cerro Jazmín, in the Mixteca Alta region of Oaxaca, underwent a period of political change between the Late Formative (300 b.c.–a.d. 50) and the Terminal Formative periods (a.d. 50–300). This shift is reflected in the city's layout and in the timing of construction and use of two different monumental sectors. During the city's Late Formative occupation, we found evidence of more exclusionary feasting activity taking place in a secluded monumental sector called the Sunken Courtyards near the hilltop. In the Terminal Formative, however, monumental construction expanded in the more accessible Tres Cerritos sector where larger and accessible public areas were the focus of activity. We argue that changes in the city's layout, along with the differing patterns of feasting, suggest that the city's leaders went from a more exclusionary form of government to a more collective political strategy during the Terminal Formative period. Despite of these efforts monumental construction largely stopped and the city's population declined by the start of the Classic period (a.d. 300).
Evaluation of disturbance effect on geese caused by an approaching unmanned aerial vehicle
Authors: BECH-HANSEN MADS , KALLEHAUGE RUNE M. , LAURITZEN JANNIK M. S. , SØRENSEN MATHIAS H. , LAUBEK BJARKE , JENSEN LASSE F. , PERTOLDI CINO , BRUHN DAN
Published: September 2019

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are useful tools in ornithological studies. Importantly, though, UAV-caused disturbance has been noted to vary among species. This study evaluated guidelines for UAVs as a tool for researching geese. Twenty-four flocks of foraging geese were approached at an altitude of 50–100 m with a quadcopter UAV and disturbance effects were analysed across different horizontal distances between the UAV and the flocks. Geese were increasingly disturbed when approached by a UAV, with birds showing increased vigilance behaviour within approximately 300 m. Increasing UAV flight altitude as well as increasing take-off distance from the flocks both decreased the risk of bird flocks flushing. In conclusion, when monitoring geese using UAVs, flight altitudes of 100 m and take-off distances of ideally ∼500 m are recommended, to minimise initial disturbance and reducing the risk of birds flushing.
BEGONIA MAGUNIANA (BEGONIACEAE, BEGONIA SECT. OLIGANDRAE), A NEW SPECIES FROM NEW GUINEA
Authors: Wilson H. P. , Paul O. , Hughes M.
Published: September 2019

The new species Begonia maguniana H.P.Wilson from New Guinea is described. It is endemic to the Central Range of New Guinea at altitudes of c.1700–2300 m and belongs to the IUCN category Least Concern.
Improved Accuracy on Lateralized Spatial Judgments in Healthy Aging
Authors: Williamson John B. , Murphy Aidan , Lamb Damon G. , Schwartz Zared , Szeles Dana , Harciarek Michal , Mańkowska Aleksandra , Heilman Kenneth M.
Published: September 2019

Objectives:

Healthy young adults often demonstrate a leftward spatial bias called “pseudoneglect” which often diminishes with aging. One hypothesis for this phenomenon is an age-related deterioration in right hemisphere functions (right hemi-aging). If true, then a greater rightward bias should be evident on all spatial attention tasks regardless of content. Another hypothesis is a decrease in asymmetrical hemispheric activation with age (HAROLD). If true, older participants may show reduced bias in all spatial tasks, regardless of leftward or rightward biasing of specific spatial content.

Methods:

Seventy right-handed healthy participants, 33 younger (21–40) and 37 older (60–78), were asked to bisect solid and character-letter lines as well as to perform left and right trisections of solid lines.

Results:

Both groups deviated toward the left on solid line bisections and left trisections. Both groups deviated toward the right on right trisections and character line bisections. In all tasks, the older participants were more accurate than the younger participants.

Conclusions:

The finding that older participants were more accurate than younger participants across all bisection and trisection conditions suggests a decrease in the asymmetrical hemispheric activation of these specialized networks important in the allocation of contralateral spatial attention or spatial action intention.
Multisectoral community development in Nepal has greater effects on child growth and diet than nutrition education alone
Authors: Miller Laurie C , Neupane Sumanta , Joshi Neena , Lohani Mahendra , Rogers Beatrice L , Neupane Shailes , Ghosh Shibani , Webb Patrick
Published: September 2019

Objective:

To compare the impact on child diet and growth of a multisectoral community intervention v. nutrition education and livestock management training alone.

Design:

Longitudinal community-based randomized trial involving three groups of villages assigned to receive: (i) Full Package community development activities, delivered via women’s groups; (ii) livestock training and nutrition education alone (Partial Package); or (iii) no intervention (Control). Household surveys, child growth monitoring, child and household diet quality measures (diet diversity (DD), animal-source food (ASF) consumption) were collected at five visits over 36 months. Mixed-effect linear regression and Poisson models used survey round, treatment group and group-by-round interaction to predict outcomes of interest, adjusted for household- and child-specific characteristics.

Setting:

Banke, Nepal.

Participants:

Households (n 974) with children aged 1–60 months (n 1333).

Results:

Children in Full Package households had better endline anthropometry (weight-for-age, weight-for-height, mid-upper-arm-circumference Z-scores), DD, and more consumption of ASF, after adjusting for household- and child-specific characteristics. By endline, compared with Partial Package or Control groups, Full Package households demonstrated preferential child feeding practices and had significantly more improvement in household wealth and hygiene habits.

Conclusions:

In this longitudinal study, a comprehensive multisectoral intervention was more successful in improving key growth indicators as well as diet quality in young children. Provision of training in livestock management and nutrition education alone had limited effect on these outcomes. Although more time-consuming and costly to administer, incorporating nutrition training with community social capital development was associated with better child growth and nutrition outcomes than isolated training programmes alone.
Green tea and coffee intake and risk of cognitive decline in older adults: the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study of Aging
Authors: Shirai Yoshiro , Kuriki Kiyonori , Otsuka Rei , Kato Yuki , Nishita Yukiko , Tange Chikako , Tomida Makiko , Imai Tomoko , Ando Fujiko , Shimokata Hiroshi
Published: September 2019

Objective:

To examine the association between green tea and coffee intake and cognitive decline in older adults.

Design:

A prospective cohort study. The average intake of green tea and coffee in the previous year was assessed through a dietitian interview using a dietary questionnaire. A Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was conducted up to six times biennially. Cognitive decline was screened using the MMSE; its incidence was defined as the first time a score of <27 points was obtained in a biennial test from the baseline. Hazard ratios for incidence of cognitive decline were estimated according to the intake of the two beverages using multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression, controlling for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors.

Setting:

The National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA) in Japan.

Participants:

Men (n 620) and women (n 685), aged 60–85 years, from the NILS-LSA.

Results:

During a mean of 5·3 (sd 2·9) years of follow-up, 432 incident cases of cognitive decline were observed. Compared with participants who consumed green tea <once/d, the multivariable hazard ratio (95 % CI) was 0·70 (0·45, 1·06), 0·71 (0·52, 0·97) and 0·72 (0·54, 0·98) among those who consumed green tea once/d, 2–3 times/d and ≥4 times/d, respectively (Ptrend < 0·05). No significant association was found between coffee intake and cognitive decline.

Conclusions:

The intake of green tea, but not coffee, was shown to reduce the risk of cognitive decline in older adults.
Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction & other enduring sexual dysfunctions
Authors: Healy David
Published: September 2019

Enduring sexual difficulties following treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants have been reported to regulators since 1991, but it was only in 2006 that a formal post-SSRI sexual dysfunction syndrome was reported. The clinical, research and regulatory implications of this syndrome are considerable and researchers using epidemiological methods are well placed to map out the contours of the problem and perhaps pinpoint possible treatments.
The Danish Twin Registry: An Updated Overview
Authors: Pedersen Dorthe Almind , Larsen Lisbeth Aagaard , Nygaard Marianne , Mengel-From Jonas , McGue Matt , Dalgård Christine , Hvidberg Lars , Hjelmborg Jacob , Skytthe Axel , Holm Niels V. , Kyvik Kirsten Ohm , Christensen Kaare
Published: September 2019

The Danish Twin Registry (DTR) was established in the 1950s, when twins born from 1870 to 1910 were ascertained, and has since been extended to include twins from birth cohorts until 2009. The DTR currently comprises of more than 175,000 twins from the 140 birth cohorts. This makes the DTR the oldest nationwide twin register and among the largest in the world. The combination of data from several surveys, including biological samples and repeated measurements on the same individuals, and data from Danish national registers provides a unique resource for a wide range of twin studies. This article provides an updated overview of the data in the DTR: First, we provide a summary of the establishment of the register, the different ascertainment methods and the twins included; then follows an overview of major surveys conducted in the DTR since 1994 and a description of the DTR biobank, including a description of the molecular data created so far; finally, a short description is given of the linkage to Danish national registers at Statistics Denmark and some recent examples of studies using the various data resources in the DTR are highlighted.
Beratungsansätze zu assistiven Technologien in der Pflege von Menschen mit Demenz
Authors: Paulicke Denny , Buhtz Christian , Meyer Gabriele , Jahn Patrick
Published: September 2019

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Assistive Technologien können Angehörige bei der Pflege von Menschen mit Demenz unterstützen. Evaluierte Beratungs- und Schulungsangebote sowie Vorstellungen zur didaktisch-methodischen Umsetzung stehen aus. Zielstellung: Perspektiven von pflegenden Angehörigen zu Wissens- und Kompetenzaufbau von assistiven Technologien zu explorieren. Methode: Es wurden sechs leitfadengestützte Fokusgruppen mit 46 pflegenden Angehörigen von Menschen mit Demenz durchgeführt. Die Auswertung erfolgte nach der Dokumentarischen Methode. Ergebnisse: Assistive Technologien scheinen in pflegerelevanten Informations- und Beratungsstrukturen bisher keine Rolle zu spielen. Der frühzeitige Kompetenzaufbau wird von den pflegenden Angehörigen im Rahmen eines angeleiteten Unterstützungsprozesses explizit erbeten. Die befragten Angehörigen favorisieren das Ausprobieren assistiver Technologien, z. B. durch moderierte Testmöglichkeiten. Schlussfolgerung: Die bisherigen Zugangsmöglichkeiten zu assistiven Technologien werden von den Angehörigen als unzureichend eingeschätzt. Informationsbedürfnisse von pflegenden Angehörigen zu assistiven Technologien müssen verstärkt betrachtet werden, um den potenziellen Nutzen im Pflegeprozess besser entfalten zu können. Beratungen, in denen das Erleben, Reflektieren und Anwenden assistiver Technologien im Zentrum stehen, können die didaktische Basis des strukturierten Kompetenzerwerbs für eine nachhaltige Integration sinnvoller Technologien in den Pflegealltag bilden.
Author Correction: History and progress of hypotheses and clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Liu Pei-Pei , Xie Yi , Meng Xiao-Yan , Kang Jian-Sheng
Published: September 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
S100A4 released from highly bone-metastatic breast cancer cells plays a critical role in osteolysis
Authors: Kim Haemin , Kim Bongjun , Il Kim Sang , Kim Hyung Joon , Ryu Brian Y. , Chung Junho , Lee Zang Hee , Kim Hong-Hee
Published: September 2019

Bone destruction induced by breast cancer metastasis causes severe complications, including death, in breast cancer patients. Communication between cancer cells and skeletal cells in metastatic bone microenvironments is a principal element that drives tumor progression and osteolysis. Tumor-derived factors play fundamental roles in this form of communication. To identify soluble factors released from cancer cells in bone metastasis, we established a highly bone-metastatic subline of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. This subline (mtMDA) showed a markedly elevated ability to secrete S100A4 protein, which directly stimulated osteoclast formation via surface receptor RAGE. Recombinant S100A4 stimulated osteoclastogenesis in vitro and bone loss in vivo. Conditioned medium from mtMDA cells in which S100A4 was knocked down had a reduced ability to stimulate osteoclasts. Furthermore, the S100A4 knockdown cells elicited less bone destruction in mice than the control knockdown cells. In addition, administration of an anti-S100A4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) that we developed attenuated the stimulation of osteoclastogenesis and bone loss by mtMDA in mice. Taken together, our results suggest that S100A4 released from breast cancer cells is an important player in the osteolysis caused by breast cancer bone metastasis.
Munc18-1 is crucial to overcome the inhibition of synaptic vesicle fusion by αSNAP
Authors: Stepien Karolina P. , Prinslow Eric A. , Rizo Josep
Published: September 2019

Munc18-1 and Munc13-1 orchestrate assembly of the SNARE complex formed by syntaxin-1, SNAP-25 and synaptobrevin, allowing exquisite regulation of neurotransmitter release. Non-regulated neurotransmitter release might be prevented by αSNAP, which inhibits exocytosis and SNARE-dependent liposome fusion. However, distinct mechanisms of inhibition by αSNAP were suggested, and it is unknown how such inhibition is overcome. Using liposome fusion assays, FRET and NMR spectroscopy, here we provide a comprehensive view of the mechanisms underlying the inhibitory functions of αSNAP, showing that αSNAP potently inhibits liposome fusion by: binding to syntaxin-1, hindering Munc18-1 binding; binding to syntaxin-1-SNAP-25 heterodimers, precluding SNARE complex formation; and binding to trans-SNARE complexes, preventing fusion. Importantly, inhibition by αSNAP is avoided only when Munc18-1 binds first to syntaxin-1, leading to Munc18-1-Munc13-1-dependent liposome fusion. We propose that at least some of the inhibitory activities of αSNAP ensure that neurotransmitter release occurs through the highly-regulated Munc18-1-Munc13-1 pathway at the active zone.
Nonlinear response of Northern Hemisphere stratospheric polar vortex to the Indo–Pacific warm pool (IPWP) Niño
Authors: Zhou Xin , Chen Quanliang , Xie Fei , Li Jianping , Li Minggang , Ding Ruiqiang , Li Yanjie , Xia Xin , Cheng Zhigang
Published: September 2019

Variations in tropical sea surface temperatures (SST) have pronounced impacts on the stratospheric polar vortex, with the role of El Niño being the focus of much research interest. However, the Indo–Pacific warm pool (IPWP), which is the warmest body of seawater in the world, has received less attention. The IPWP has been warming in recent years. This paper presents for the first time the remarkable nonlinearity in Northern Hemisphere (NH) stratospheric circulation and temperature response to IPWP warming (the so-called IPWP Niño) in boreal winter. The magnitude of NH stratospheric vortex weakening is strong and significant in case of moderate IPWP Niño, but is weak and insignificant in strong IPWP Niño case. This phenomenon is robust in both the historical simulations and observations. An idealized model experiments forced with linear varying SST forcing in the IPWP region isolate the nonlinearities arising from IPWP Niño strength. Westward extension of precipitation into the Maritime Continent drives attenuation and westward shift of extratropical waves during strong IPWP Niño events. Linear wave interference analysis reveals this leads to weak interference between the climatological and anomalous stationary waves and thereby a weak response of the stratospheric vortex. These findings imply a distinct stratospheric vortex response to the IPWP Niño, and provide extended implications for the surface climate in the NH.
Disentangling the environmental impact of different human disturbances: a case study on islands
Authors: Steibl Sebastian , Laforsch Christian
Published: September 2019

Coastal ecosystems suffer substantially from the worldwide population growth and its increasing land demands. A common approach to investigate anthropogenic disturbance in coastal ecosystems is to compare urbanized areas with unaffected control sites. However, the question remains whether different types of anthropogenic disturbance that are elements of an urbanized area have the same impact on beach ecosystems. By investigating small islands that are utilized for tourism, inhabited by the local population, or remained completely uninhabited, we disentangled different anthropogenic disturbances and analysed their impacts on hermit crabs as indicator species. We observed a negative impact on abundance on tourist islands and a negative impact on body size on local islands. In comparison to the uninhabited reference, both disturbances had an overall negative impact. As both forms of disturbance also impacted the underlying food resource and habitat availability differently, we propose that the findings from our study approach are valid for most obligate beach species in the same system. This demonstrates that in urbanized areas, the coastal ecosystem is not always impacted identically, which emphasizes the importance of considering the particular type of anthropogenic disturbance when planning conservation action in urbanized areas.
Plasma Protein Comparison between Dairy Cows with Inactive Ovaries and Estrus
Authors: Zhao Chang , Shu Shi , Bai Yunlong , Wang Dong , Xia Cheng , Xu Chuang
Published: September 2019

To screen differentially expressed proteins in the blood dairy cows with inactive ovaries caused by a negative energy balance and to determine the roles of the identified proteins in the development of inactive ovaries.Holstein cows at 14 to 21 days postpartum in an intensive dairy farm were examined for their energy balance (EB) status by blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and assigned to the inactive ovary (IO) group (n = 50) and the normal oestrus control (CON) group (n = 50) at 60 to 90 days postpartum by means of the oestrus manifestation, rectal examination and B-ultrasound examination. Fourteen differentially expressed proteins from 61 proteins in the plasma of dairy cows with IOs were identified by iTRAQ/LC-MS/MS and GO, KEGG, and PATHWAY analysis. Eleven expressed proteins were upregulated, and 3 expressed proteins were downregulated. Among the 10 differentially expressed proteins verified by Western blot or ELISA, the relative expression levels of ALDOB, IGFBP2, ITIH3 and LDHB in mixed samples and single samples were consistent with the proteomic protein results. PKM2, GPX3, ALDOB, RBP4 and AHSG were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05); APOA4 and SPAM1 were not significantly different (P > 0.05) but were still downregulated in the ovarian resting group. This study confirmed that 14 plasma differential proteins in the inactive ovaries of postpartum dairy cows were associated with follicular development, and these findings provide a foundation for further research on the mechanism and prevention of inactive ovaries in dairy cows.
Subsurface ocean flywheel of coupled climate variability in the Barents Sea hotspot of global warming
Authors: Schlichtholz Pawel
Published: September 2019

Accelerated shrinkage of the Arctic sea ice cover is the main reason for the recent Arctic amplification of global warming. There is growing evidence that the ocean is involved in this phenomenon, but to what extent remains unknown. Here, a unique dataset of hydrographic profiles is used to infer the regional pattern of recent subsurface ocean warming and construct a skillful predictor for surface climate variability in the Barents Sea region - a hotspot of the recent climate change. It is shown that, in the era of satellite observations (1981–2018), summertime temperature anomalies of Atlantic water heading for the Arctic Ocean explain more than 80% of the variance of the leading mode of variability in the following winter sea ice concentration over the entire Northern Hemisphere, with main centers of action just in the Barents Sea region. Results from empirical forecast experiments demonstrate that predictability of the wintertime sea ice cover in the Barents Sea from subsurface ocean heat anomalies might have increased since the Arctic climate shift of the mid-2000s. In contrast, the corresponding predictability of the sea ice cover in the nearby Greenland Sea has been lost.
Biochemical and biophysical characterization of purified native CD20 alone and in complex with rituximab and obinutuzumab
Authors: Agez Morgane , Mandon Elodie Desuzinges , Iwema Thomas , Gianotti Reto , Limani Florian , Herter Sylvia , Mössner Ekkehard , Kusznir Eric A. , Huber Sylwia , Lauer Matthias , Ringler Philippe , Ferrara Claudia , Klein Christian , Jawhari Anass
Published: September 2019

CD20 is a B-lymphocyte specific integral membrane protein, an activated-glycosylated phosphoprotein expressed on the surface of B-cells and a clinically validated target of monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab and obinutuzumab in the treatment of all B cell lymphomas and leukemias as well as autoimmune diseases. Here, we report the extraction and purification of native CD20 from SUDHL4 and RAMOS cell lines. To improve the protein yield, we applied a calixarene-based detergent approach to solubilize, stabilize and purify native CD20 from HEK293 cells. Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) and Analytical Ultracentrifugation show that purified CD20 was non-aggregated and that CD20 oligomerization is concentration dependent. Negative stain electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy revealed homogenous populations of CD20. However, no defined structure could be observed. Interestingly, micellar solubilized and purified CD20 particles adopt uniformly confined nanodroplets which do not fuse and aggregate. Finally, purified CD20 could bind to rituximab and obinutuzumab as demonstrated by SEC, and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR). Specificity of binding was confirmed using CD20 antibody mutants to human B-cell lymphoma cells. The strategy described in this work will help investigate CD20 binding with newly developed antibodies and eventually help to optimize them. This approach may also be applicable to other challenging membrane proteins.
Exposure to excessive heat and impacts on labour productivity linked to cumulative CO2 emissions
Authors: Chavaillaz Yann , Roy Philippe , Partanen Antti-Ilari , Da Silva Laurent , Bresson Émilie , Mengis Nadine , Chaumont Diane , Matthews H. Damon
Published: September 2019

Cumulative CO2 emissions are a robust predictor of mean temperature increase. However, many societal impacts are driven by exposure to extreme weather conditions. Here, we show that cumulative emissions can be robustly linked to regional changes of a heat exposure indicator, as well as the resulting socioeconomic impacts associated with labour productivity loss in vulnerable economic sectors. We estimate historical and future increases in heat exposure using simulations from eight Earth System Models. Both the global intensity and spatial pattern of heat exposure evolve linearly with cumulative emissions across scenarios (1% CO2, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). The pattern of heat exposure at a given level of global temperature increase is strongly affected by non-CO2 forcing. Global non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions amplify heat exposure, while high local emissions of aerosols could moderate exposure. Considering CO2 forcing only, we commit ourselves to an additional annual loss of labour productivity of about 2% of total GDP per unit of trillion tonne of carbon emitted. This loss doubles when adding non-CO2 forcing of the RCP8.5 scenario. This represents an additional economic loss of about 4,400 G$ every year (i.e. 0.59 $/tCO2), varying across countries with generally higher impact in lower-income countries.
Novel mitochondrial complex I-inhibiting peptides restrain NADH dehydrogenase activity
Authors: Xue Yao-Peng , Kao Mou-Chieh , Lan Chung-Yu
Published: September 2019

The emergence of drug-resistant fungal pathogens is becoming increasingly serious due to overuse of antifungals. Antimicrobial peptides have potent activity against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including fungi, and are considered a potential new class of antifungals. In this study, we examined the activities of the newly designed peptides P-113Du and P-113Tri, together with their parental peptide P-113, against the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. The results showed that these peptides inhibit mitochondrial complex I, specifically NADH dehydrogenase, of the electron transport chain. Moreover, P-113Du and P-113Tri also block alternative NADH dehydrogenases. Currently, most inhibitors of the mitochondrial complex I are small molecules or artificially-designed antibodies. Here, we demonstrated novel functions of antimicrobial peptides in inhibiting the mitochondrial complex I of C. albicans, providing insight in the development of new antifungal agents.
Endoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation Prolongs Survival of Patients with Unresectable Hilar Cholangiocellular Carcinoma - A Case-Control Study
Authors: Bokemeyer Arne , Matern Philipp , Bettenworth Dominik , Cordes Friederike , Nowacki Tobias Max , Heinzow Hauke , Kabar Iyad , Schmidt Hartmut , Ullerich Hansjoerg , Lenze Frank
Published: September 2019

The life expectancy of unresectable hilar cholangiocellular carcinomas (CCCs) is very limited and endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) of the biliary tract may prolong survival. Our single-center-study retrospectively analysed all CCC cases, in whom ERFAs of the biliary tract were performed between 2012 and 2017 and compared these to historical control cases who received the standard treatment of sole stent application. ERFA was performed in 32 patients with malignant biliary strictures that were mainly caused by Bismuth III and IV hilar CCCs (66%). 14 of these patients received repeated ERFAs, for an overall performance of 54 ERFAs. Stents were applied after examination of all patients (100%). Adverse events occurred in 18.5% of examinations. Case-control analysis revealed that the survival time of cases with unresectable Bismuth type III and IV hilar CCCs (n = 20) treated with combined ERFA and stent application significantly increased compared to controls (n = 22) treated with sole stent application (342 +/− 57 vs. 221 +/− 26 days; p = 0.046). In conclusion, ERFA therapy significantly prolonged survival in patients with unresectable Bismuth type III and IV hilar CCC. As an effective and safe method, ERFA should be considered as a palliative treatment for all these patients.
Microbiota fingerprints within the oral cavity of cetaceans as indicators for population biomonitoring
Authors: Soares-Castro Pedro , Araújo-Rodrigues Helena , Godoy-Vitorino Filipa , Ferreira Marisa , Covelo Pablo , López Alfredo , Vingada José , Eira Catarina , Santos Pedro Miguel
Published: September 2019

The composition of mammalian microbiota has been related with the host health status. In this study, we assessed the oral microbiome of 3 cetacean species most commonly found stranded in Iberian Atlantic waters (Delphinus delphis, Stenella coeruleoalba and Phocoena phocoena), using 16S rDNA-amplicon metabarcoding. All oral microbiomes were dominated by Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria bacteria, which were also predominant in the oral cavity of Tursiops truncatus. A Constrained Canonical Analysis (CCA) showed that the major factors shaping the composition of 38 oral microbiomes (p-value < 0.05) were: (i) animal species and (ii) age class, segregating adults and juveniles. The correlation analysis also grouped the microbiomes by animal stranding location and health status. Similar discriminatory patterns were detected using the data from a previous study on Tursiops truncatus, indicating that this correlation approach may facilitate data comparisons between different studies on several cetacean species. This study identified a total of 15 bacterial genera and 27 OTUs discriminating between the observed CCA groups, which can be further explored as microbiota fingerprints to develop (i) specific diagnostic assays for cetacean population conservation and (ii) bio-monitoring approaches to assess the health of marine ecosystems from the Iberian Atlantic basin, using cetaceans as bioindicators.
Novel approach to synthesize NiCo2S4 composite for high-performance supercapacitor application with different molar ratio of Ni and Co
Authors: Shinde S. K. , Ramesh Sivalingam , Bathula C. , Ghodake G. S. , Kim D.-Y. , Jagadale A. D. , Kadam A. A. , Waghmode D. P. , Sreekanth T. V. M. , Kim Heung Soo , Nagajyothi P. C. , Yadav H. M.
Published: September 2019

Here, we developed a new approach to synthesize NiCo2S4 thin films for supercapacitor application using the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method on Ni mesh with different molar ratios of Ni and Co precursors. The five different NiCo2S4 electrodes affect the electrochemical performance of the supercapacitor. The NiCo2S4 thin films demonstrate superior supercapacitance performance with a significantly higher specific capacitance of 1427 F g−1 at a scan rate of 20 mV s−1. These results indicate that ternary NiCo2S4 thin films are more effective electrodes compared to binary metal oxides and metal sulfides.
Proinflammatory profile of neonatal monocytes induced by microbial ligands is downmodulated by histamine
Authors: Branco Anna Cláudia Calvielli Castelo , Pereira Nátalli Zanete , Yoshikawa Fábio Seiti Yamada , Oliveira Luanda Mara da Silva , Teixeira Franciane Mouradian Emidio , Oliveira Luana de Mendonça , Pietrobon Anna Julia , Torrealba Marina Passos , de Lima Josenilson Feitosa , Duarte Alberto José da Silva , Sato Maria Notomi
Published: September 2019

Although the neonatal period is characterized by relative immunological immaturity, an inflammatory response due to Toll-like receptor (TLR) activation is observed. Histamine may be one of the factors playing a role in restraining inflammation during the early stages of life. Therefore, we evaluated the responsiveness of human cord blood cells to TLR4 agonists and the immunomodulatory function of histamine in the inflammatory response. Compared with adults, mononuclear cells (MNCs) from newborns (NBs) exhibit impaired production of IFN-γ-inducible chemokines, such as CXCL10 and CXCL9, upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Notably, LPS induced a 5-fold increase in CCL2 secretion in NBs. Evaluation of the effect of histamine on LPS-induced CCL2 secretion showed an inhibitory effect in the majority of adults, whereas this effect was detectable in all NBs. Histamine receptor (HR) blockage revealed partial involvement of H1R, H2R and H4R in LPS-induced CCL2 inhibition in MNCs from both NBs and adults. As monocytes are the main type of mononuclear cell that produces CCL2, we evaluated genes related to TLR signaling upon LPS stimulation. Monocytes from NBs showed up-regulation of genes associated with JAK/STAT/NF-κB and IFN signaling. Some differentially expressed genes encoding proinflammatory factors were preferentially detected in LPS-activated monocytes from NBs, and markedly down-regulated by histamine. The immunomodulatory role of histamine on CCL2 and CXCL8 was detected at the transcript and protein levels. Our findings show that NBs have enhanced CCL2 responsiveness to LPS, and that histamine acts in immune homeostasis during the neonatal period to counterbalance the robustness of TLR stimulation.
Trace biomarkers associated with spontaneous preterm birth from the maternal serum metabolome of asymptomatic nulliparous women – parallel case-control studies from the SCOPE cohort
Authors: Souza Renato T. , McKenzie Elizabeth J. , Jones Beatrix , de Seymour Jamie V. , Thomas Melinda M. , Zarate Erica , Han Ting Li , McCowan Lesley , Sulek Karolina , Villas-Boas Silas , Kenny Louise C. , Cecatti José G. , Baker Philip N.
Published: September 2019

Prediction of spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) in asymptomatic women remains a great challenge; accurate and reproducible screening tools are still not available in clinical practice. We aimed to investigate whether the maternal serum metabolome together with clinical factors could be used to identify asymptomatic women at risk of sPTB. We conducted two case-control studies using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyse maternal serum samples collected at 15- and 20-weeks’ gestation from 164 nulliparous women from Cork, and 157 from Auckland. Smoking and vaginal bleeding before 15 weeks were the only significant clinical predictors of sPTB for Auckland and Cork subsets, respectively. Decane, undecane, and dodecane were significantly associated with sPTB (FDR < 0.05) in the Cork subset. An odds ratio of 1.9 was associated with a one standard deviation increase in log (undecane) in a multiple logistic regression which also included vaginal bleeding as a predictor. In summary, elevated serum levels of the alkanes decane, undecane, and dodecane were associated with sPTB in asymptomatic nulliparous women from Cork, but not in the Auckland cohort. The association is not strong enough to be a useful clinical predictor, but suggests that further investigation of the association between oxidative stress processes and sPTB risk is warranted.
Phosphorylation of adducin-1 by cyclin-dependent kinase 5 is important for epidermal growth factor-induced cell migration
Authors: Su Chia-Yi , Yan Ruei-Liang , Hsu Wen-Hsin , Chu Ching-Tung , Chang Hsuan-Chia , Lai Chien-Chen , Hsu Hui-Ping , Chen Hong-Chen
Published: September 2019

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is predominantly expressed in neuron and plays an important role in neuronal physiology. Increasing evidence also indicates that Cdk5 may contribute to malignant progression of some types of cancers; however, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. In this study, we found that Cdk5 directly phosphorylated the actin-binding protein adducin-1 (ADD1) at T724 in vitro and in intact cells. The capability of the phosphomimetic T724D mutant to bind to actin filaments was lower than that of wild type ADD1 and the T724A mutant. Cdk5 co-localized with ADD1 at the lamellipodia upon epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation. The increased lamellipodia formation and cell migration of human breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 by EGF were accompanied by Cdk5 activation and increased phosphorylation of ADD1 at T724. Depletion of Cdk5 in MDA-MB-231 cells abrogated the effects of EGF on ADD1 T724 phosphorylation, lamellipodia formation, and cell migration. Likewise, depletion of ADD1 suppressed the effects of EGF on lamellipodia formation, cell migration, and invasion, all of which were restored by FLAG-ADD1 WT and the T724D mutant, but not the T724A mutant. Together, our results suggest that phosphorylation of ADD1 at T724 by Cdk5 is important for EGF-induced cell migration and invasion.
One-pot synthesis of carbon dots with intrinsic folic acid for synergistic imaging-guided photothermal therapy of prostate cancer cells
Authors: Phan Le Minh Tu , Gul Anam Rana , Le Thi Ngoc , Kim Min Woo , Kailasa Suresh Kumar , Oh Kyung Taek , Park Tae Jung
Published: September 2019

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is performed using near-infrared-responsive agents, which is proven to be an effective therapeutic strategy against cancer with several advantages including minimal invasion, high effectiveness, and easy implementation.
A mitochondria-targeting dinuclear Ir–Ru complex as a synergistic photoactivated chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy agent against cisplatin-resistant tumour cells
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Guan Ruilin , Liao Xinxing , Ouyang Cheng , Rees Thomas W. , Liu Jiangping , Chen Yu , Ji Liangnian , Chao Hui
Published: September 2019

A mitochondria-targeting hetero-binuclear complex (Ir–Ru) was developed for the synergistic photoactivated chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy of cisplatin-resistant tumour cells.
A rose bengal-functionalized porous organic polymer for carboxylative cyclization of propargyl alcohols with CO2
Authors: Yu Xiaoxiao , Yang Zhenzhen , Zhang Fengtao , Liu Zhenghui , Yang Peng , Zhang Hongye , Yu Bo , Zhao Yanfei , Liu Zhimin
Published: September 2019

Rose bengal-functionalized polymer (RB-POP) supported Ag nanoparticles exhibited excellent performance for catalysing carboxylative cyclization of propargyl alcohols with CO2.
Systematic modification of the indium tin oxide work function via side-chain modulation of an amino-acid functionalization layer
Authors: Kramer Naomi , Sarkar Soumyajit , Kronik Leeor , Ashkenasy Nurit
Published: September 2019

Amino acids provide a versatile tool for modulating the work function of ITO and can be used to tune the performance of bioelectronics devices.
Effects of water vapor on the reaction of CH2OO with NH3
Authors: Chao Wen , Yin Cangtao , Takahashi Kaito , Lin Jim Jr-Min
Published: September 2019

A strong synergic effect of water and ammonia molecules may enhance the formation of H2NCH2OOH.
Direct observation of atomically-resolved silver species on a silver alumina catalyst active for selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides
Authors: Kannisto Hannes , Skoglundh Magnus , Arve Kalle , Olsson Eva , Härelind Hanna
Published: September 2019

We characterize the size and state of the silver species in a 2 wt% silver alumina catalyst, which is highly active for the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides with ammonia or hydrocarbons as reductant.
Combined halide-free Cu-based catalysts with triple functions for heterogeneous conversion of methanol into methyl acetate
Authors: Tong Chaoli , Zhang Jinping , Chen Weikun , Liu Xiaoying , Ye Linmin , Yuan Youzhu
Published: September 2019

The combined catalyst exhibits extraordinary MA selectivity, which can be ascribed to the nearly anhydrous conditions achieved by WGSR catalyst CuCeO.
Drivers of bioaggregation from flocs to biofilms and granular sludge
Authors: Aqeel Hussain , Weissbrodt David G. , Cerruti Marta , Wolfaardt Gideon M. , Wilén Britt-Marie , Liss Steven N.
Published: September 2019

Microorganisms in natural and engineered environments interact with surfaces, including each other, and form aggregates and complex structures consisting of cells and an extracellular matrix.
An alginate active layer of polyether sulfone membrane suppresses algae-fouling in repeated filtration of Chlorella vulgaris for a higher recovery of water permeation flux
Authors: Wu Peng , Tang Xu , Liu Yuansen , Lin Ling , Xu Changan , Imai Masanao
Published: September 2019

Interfacial polymerization was used to make a composite membrane between alginate and trimesoyl chloride on the surface of a polyether sulfone membrane, which was defined as an alginate-coated polyether sulfone composite membrane (A/PES membrane).
A comparative study on the structures of Grifola frondosa polysaccharides obtained by different decolourization methods and their in vitro antioxidant activities
Authors: Zhang Yu , Chen Zehong , Huang Zi , Wu Zhijing , Xu Jingya , Wang Kaiping
Published: September 2019

Grifola frondosa polysaccharides with different structures were obtained by two decolorization methods, and their antioxidant structure–activity relationship in vitro was discussed.
Neuroprotective protein hydrolysates from hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seeds
Authors: Rodriguez-Martin Noelia M. , Toscano Rocio , Villanueva Alvaro , Pedroche Justo , Millan Francisco , Montserrat-de la Paz Sergio , Millan-Linares Maria C.
Published: September 2019

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seeds are well known for their potential use as a source of nutrients, fiber, and bioactive compounds.
Metal- and oxidant-free electrochemical synthesis of sulfinic esters from thiols and alcohols
Authors: Ai Chongren , Shen Haiwei , Song Dingguo , Li Yujin , Yi Xiao , Wang Ze , Ling Fei , Zhong Weihui
Published: September 2019

An eco-friendly electrochemical synthesis of sulfinic esters from thiols and alcohols under mild reaction conditions has been developed.
Exploring the limits of adsorption-based CO2 capture using MOFs with PVSA – from molecular design to process economics
Authors: Danaci David , Bui Mai , Mac Dowell Niall , Petit Camille
Published: September 2019

We have developed a simple adsorbent screening tool including process economics to evaluate adsorbents for post-combustion capture. 22 MOFs were evaluated for four difference scenarios, UTSA-16 performs inline with the benchmark zeolite 13X.
Ultrafine PdAu nanoparticles immobilized on amine functionalized carbon black toward fast dehydrogenation of formic acid at room temperature
Authors: Wu Luming , Ni Baoxia , Chen Rui , Shi Chengxiang , Sun Pingchuan , Chen Tiehong
Published: September 2019

Ultrafine and highly dispersed PdAu nanoparticles were immobilized on amine functionalized carbon black (VXC-72-NH2) for dehydrogenation of formic acid (FA).
Birnessite based nanostructures for supercapacitors: challenges, strategies and prospects
Authors: Zhu Shijin , Huo Wangchen , Liu Xiaoying , Zhang Yuxin
Published: September 2019

In the past few years, intensive attention has been focused on birnessite based electrodes for supercapacitors.
Metal-oxide surface-enhanced Raman biosensor template towards point-of-care EGFR detection and cancer diagnostics
Authors: Keshavarz Meysam , Kassanos Panagiotis , Tan Bo , Venkatakrishnan Krishnan
Published: September 2019

Schematic illustration shows remarkable SERS activities of self-doped Q-structured TiOx with oxygen vacancies compared to the Q-structured TiO2.
Nitramino-furazan-functionalized fused high-nitrogen backbones as energetic materials with high detonation performance and good molecular stabilities
Authors: Zhu Wangying , Ye Zhiwen , Dong Zhen
Published: September 2019

A promising fused energetic compound is investigated through the cooperation between nitramino-1,2,5-oxadiazole and fused high-nitrogen backbone.
Mechanochromic and thermochromic shape memory photonic crystal films based on core/shell nanoparticles for smart monitoring
Authors: Wu Pan , Shen Xiuqing , Schäfer Christian G. , Pan Jian , Guo Jia , Wang Changchun
Published: September 2019

A new fabrication strategy was developed for the preparation of scalable SMPC films based on core/shell nanoparticles with shape and color change on a macroscopic scale for environmental monitoring.
Effects of biological buffer solutions on the peroxidase-like catalytic activity of Fe3O4 nanoparticles
Authors: Raineri Mariana , Winkler Elin L. , Torres Teobaldo E. , Vasquez Mansilla Marcelo , Nadal Marcela S. , Zysler Roberto D. , Lima Enio
Published: September 2019

Biological buffering solutions need to be carefully considered when evaluating iron oxide nanoparticles (IONP) catalytic activity and their potential toxicological effects, because buffer species can interact with the surface of the particles.
Strain and defect engineered monolayer Ni-MoS2for pH-universal hydrogen evolution catalysis
Authors: Liang Dan , Zhang Yong-Wei , Lu Pengfei , Yu Zhi Gen
Published: September 2019

The demonstrated monolayer Ni-MoS2possesses a high HER performance in both acidic and alkaline solutions.
Thermo-mechanical and photo-luminescence properties of micro-actuators made of liquid crystal elastomers with cyano-oligo(p-phenylene vinylene) crosslinking bridges
Authors: Ni Bin , Chen Hui , Zhang Mengxue , Keller Patrick , Tatoulian Michael , Li Min-Hui
Published: September 2019

Liquid crystal elastomer micropillars containing β-cyano-OPV crosslinkers contract reversibly at nematic–isotropic (N–I) phase transition and undergo fluorescence intensity change. This luminescent variation is mainly caused by N–I phase change.
Cu-Catalysed carboxylation of aryl boronic acids with CO2
Authors: Nayal Onkar S. , Hong Junting , Yang Yang , Mo Fanyang
Published: September 2019

A copper/N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysed carboxylation of aryl boronic acids under one atmospheric pressure of CO2 has been developed.
Surface phosphonation treatment shows dose-dependent enhancement of the bioactivity of polyetheretherketone
Authors: Liu Lvhua , Zheng Yanyan , Zhang Qianyu , Yu Lin , Hu Ziliang , Liu Ying
Published: September 2019

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a promising alternative for biomedical metallic implants in orthopedic and dental applications because its elastic modulus is similar to that of bone.
A methodological review on material growth and synthesis of solar-driven water splitting photoelectrochemical cells
Authors: Park Kwangwook , Kim Yeong Jae , Yoon Taeho , David Selvaraj , Song Young Min
Published: September 2019

Solar-driven PEC cell is a promising approach to obtain hydrogen with near-zero carbon emission pathway. In this article, PEC cell was reviewed as per growth/synthesis methods. This review provides an overview and a guide for research on PEC cell.
A Bi2WO6/Ag2S/ZnS Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst with enhanced visible-light photoactivity towards the degradation of multiple dye pollutants
Authors: Mosleh Soleiman , Dashtian Kheibar , Ghaedi Mehrorang , Amiri Maryam
Published: September 2019

A Z-scheme Bi2WO6/Ag2S/ZnS heterojunction was successfully synthesized as a novel visible-light-driven photocatalyst for the degradation of multiple dye pollutants.
Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers for the detection of aminopyralid in milk using dispersive solid-phase extraction
Authors: He Yahui , Tan Sijia , Abd EI-Aty A. M. , Hacımüftüoğlu Ahmet , She Yongxin
Published: September 2019

(a) Preparation of Fe3O4@SiO2–NH2@MMIP. (b) Diagram of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers for the detection of aminopyralid in milk using dispersive solid-phase extraction.
NiFe2O4 nanoparticles supported on cotton-based carbon fibers and their application as a novel broadband microwave absorbent
Authors: Li Wanxi , Qi Hongxue , Guo Fang , Niu Xianjun , Du Yien , Chen Yongqiang
Published: September 2019

NiFe2O4 nanoparticles supported on cotton-based carbon fibers exhibited excellent microwave absorption performance in the X-band and Ku-band.
Perdecanoic acid as a safe and stable medium-chain peracid for Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of cyclic ketones to lactones
Authors: Sitko Magdalena , Szelwicka Anna , Wojewódka Andrzej , Skwarek Andrzej , Tadasiewicz Dariusz , Schimmelpfennig Lech , Dziuba Krzysztof , Morawiec-Witczak Magdalena , Chrobok Anna
Published: September 2019

Stability studies dedicated to high-energy compounds for a series of linear peracids (C6–C12), including sensitivity to mechanical impulse, electrical and thermal sensitivity, were presented in this work for the first time.
A highly sensitive fluorimetric protocol based on isoindole formation for determination of gabapentin
Authors: Attia Tamer Z. , Elnady Mohamed , Derayea Sayed M.
Published: September 2019

A new, simple, highly sensitive and selective spectrofluorimetric method was developed for determination of gabapentin through its derivatization witho-phthalaldehyde in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol.