bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does obesity affect the short-term outcomes after cardiothoracic surgery in adolescents with congenital heart disease?
Authors: Garcia Richard U. , Balakrishnan Preetha L. , Aggarwal Sanjeev
Published: January 2020

Background:

Obesity is a modifiable, independent risk factor for mortality and morbidity after cardiovascular surgery in adults. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of obesity on short-term outcomes in adolescents undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD).

Methods:

This retrospective chart review included patients 10–18 years of age who underwent CHD surgery. Our exclusion criteria were patients with a known genetic syndrome, heart transplantation, and patients with incomplete medical records. The clinical data collected included baseline demographics and multiple perioperative variables. Charting the body mass index in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth curves, the entire cohort was divided into three categories: obese (>95th percentile), overweight (85th–95th percentile), and normal weight (<85th percentile). The composite outcome included survival, arrhythmias, surgical wound infection, acute neurologic injury, and acute kidney injury.

Results:

The study cohort (n = 149) had a mean standard deviation (SD), body mass index (BMI) of 22.6 ± 6.5 g/m2, and 65% were male. There were 27 obese (18.1%), 24 overweight (16.1%), and 98 normal weight (65.8%) patients. Twenty-seven (18%) patients had composite adverse outcomes. Overweight and obese patients had significantly higher adverse outcomes compared with normal weight patients (odds ratio (OR): 2.9; confidence interval (CI): 1–8.5, p = 0.04 and OR: 3; CI: 1–8.5, p = 0.03, respectively). In multivariate analysis, obesity was an independent predictor of adverse outcome in our cohort (p = 0.04).

Conclusions:

Obesity is associated with short-term adverse outcome and increased health resource utilisation in adolescents following surgery for CHD. Further studies should evaluate if intervention in the preoperative period can improve outcomes in this population.
A survey of national trends in psychiatric patients found incompetent to stand trial: reasons for the reinstitutionalization of people with serious mental illness in the United States
Authors: Warburton Katherine , McDermott Barbara E. , Gale Anthony , Stahl Stephen M.
Published: January 2020

Objective.

Recent information indicates that the number of forensic patients in state hospitals has been increasing, largely driven by an increase in patients referred to state hospitals as incompetent to stand trial (IST). This survey was intended to broaden the understanding of IST population trends on a national level.

Methods.

The authors developed a 30-question survey to gather specific information on IST commitments in each state and the District of Columbia. The survey was administered to all 50 states and the District of Columbia via email. Specific individuals identified as primary administrators responsible for the care and evaluation of IST admissions in each state were contacted.

Results.

A total of 50 out of the 51 jurisdictions contacted completed the survey. Fully 82% of states indicated that referrals for competency evaluation were increasing. Additionally, 78% of respondents thought referrals for competency restoration were increasing. When asked to rank factors that led to an increase, the highest ranked response was inadequate general mental health services in the community. Inadequate crisis services were the second ranked reason. Inadequate number of inpatient psychiatric beds in the community was the third highest, with inadequate assertive community treatment services ranking fourth.

Conclusions.

Understanding the national trend and causes behind the recent surge in referrals for IST admissions will benefit states searching for ways to remedy this crisis. Our survey indicates most states are facing this issue, and that it is largely related to insufficient services in the community.
Malaysian adolescents’ perceptions of healthy eating: a qualitative study
Authors: Sharif Ishak Sharifah Intan Zainun , Chin Yit Siew , Mohd Taib Mohd Nasir , Mohd Shariff Zalilah
Published: January 2020

Objective:

To explore the concepts of healthy eating and to identify the barriers and facilitating factors for dietary behaviour change in adolescents.

Design:

A qualitative study involving twelve focus groups.

Setting:

Two secondary schools in the district of Hulu Langat in Selangor, Malaysia.

Participants:

Seventy-two adolescents aged 13–14 years.

Results:

Adolescents had some understanding regarding healthy eating and were able to relate healthy eating with the concepts of balance and moderation. The adolescents’ perceptions of healthy and unhealthy eating were based on food types and characteristics, cooking methods and eating behaviours. Facilitators for healthy eating were parents’ control on adolescents’ food choices, feeling concern about own health and body, being influenced by other’s health condition, and knowledge of healthy or unhealthy eating. On the other hand, barriers for healthy eating were the availability of food at home and school, taste and characteristics of foods, and lack of knowledge on healthy or unhealthy foods.

Conclusions:

The findings contribute to a better understanding of the adolescents’ concept of healthy eating, as well as the facilitators and barriers to practising healthy eating. Future interventions should include a method of promoting the immediate benefits of healthy eating, the way to cope with environmental barriers for healthy eating, and increasing the availability of healthy food choices at home and in the school environment. The health and nutrition education programmes should also focus on educating parents, as they can be role models for adolescents to practise more healthful behaviours.
Psychiatric and psychosocial implications in cancer care: the agenda of psycho-oncology
Authors: Grassi Luigi
Published: January 2020

Because of the increasing global cancer burden and the WHO epidemiological estimation in terms of number of new cases, deaths and long-survivors worldwide, an interdisciplinary approach, including psychiatric and psychoncology care is mandatory in oncology. About 50% of cancer patients have in fact been shown to have psychiatric disorders, including clinically significant emotional distress and/or unrecognised or untreated psychosocial conditions as a consequence of cancer at some point during the cancer trajectory. These problems are associated with the patient's reduction of quality of life, impairment in social relationships, longer rehabilitation time, poor adherence to treatment and abnormal illness behaviour. Because of these reasons, the internationally recognised IPOS Standards of Quality Cancer Care underline that psychosocial cancer care should be recognised as a universal human right; that quality cancer care must integrate the psychosocial domain into routine care and that distress should be measured as the sixth vital sign after temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate and pain. In spite of social inequalities still existing between countries in the organisation and implementation of psychosocial oncology, recommendations and guidelines are available regarding screening, assessment and intervention to psychiatric and psychosocial disorders across the trajectory of cancer. The clinical and political agenda of psychoncology as a mandatory component of a whole comprehensive person-centred approach to cancer should therefore be acknowledged in psychiatry.
How should we support young people with ASD and mental health problems as they navigate the transition to adult life including access to adult healthcare services
Authors: King Christopher , Merrick Hannah , Le Couteur Ann
Published: January 2020

For young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the transition from childhood to adulthood especially for those with additional mental health problems can be challenging. Increasing numbers of young people attending child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) have a recognised diagnosis of ASD. What are the outcomes of these young people when they are discharged from CAMHS and how best can services support their needs? In this editorial we consider the emerging literature on transition for young people with long-term conditions and in particular those with ASD. Longer term studies suggest that the outcomes for individuals with ASD across the ability range is mostly poor and that healthcare transfer has generally not been managed well, with service users often reporting a lack of appropriate types of support. Encouragingly there is an increasing awareness of the need to support young people with long-term conditions as they negotiate the many developmental tasks of transition to adulthood. However, less is known about the experiences and aspirations of autistic individuals of all abilities as they transition to adulthood. This knowledge can inform a more nuanced approach to identifying developmentally appropriate outcomes. Recent studies with cognitively able young people with ASD, highlight some features in common with young people with long-term conditions but also the importance of identifying ways to foster underlying skills and the ability of young people with ASD to develop and maintain relationships. Child-focussed and adult-orientated healthcare services need to work directly with autistic individuals and their support networks to facilitate successful engagement with services and enable adults to manage their mental health needs. There is an urgent need to investigate the implementation and effectiveness of research and clinical guideline recommendations that aim to increase wellbeing, health self-efficacy and improve the mental health outcomes for autistic adults.
Mental health care in oncology. Contemporary perspective on the psychosocial burden of cancer and evidence-based interventions
Authors: Caruso R. , Breitbart W.
Published: January 2020

With cancer incidence increasing over time worldwide, attention to the burden of psychiatric and psychosocial consequences of the disease is now mandatory for both cancer and mental health care professionals. Psychiatric disorders have been shown to affect at least 30–35% of cancer patients during all phases of the disease trajectory, and differ in nature according to stage and type of cancer. Other clinically relevant distressing psychosocial and existential conditions (e.g. demoralisation, health anxiety, loss of meaning and existential distress) not included as ‘disorders’ in the usual diagnostic and nosological systems (i.e. meta-diagnostic conditions) have also been shown to be present in another 15–20% of cancer patients. In this editorial, we will present a summary of the extensive literature regarding the epidemiology of the several psychosocial disorders affecting cancer patients as a cause of distress and burden to be taken into consideration and addressed in cancer care through evidence-based intervention.
Using CloudSat‐CPR Retrievals to Estimate Snow Accumulation in the Canadian Arctic
Authors: King Fraser , Fletcher Christopher G.
Published: January 2020

Snow is a critical contributor to our global water and energy budget, with profound impacts for water resource availability and flooding in cold regions. The vast size and remote nature of the Arctic present serious logistical and financial challenges to measuring snow over extended time periods. Satellite observations provided by the Cloud Profiling Radar instrument—installed on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration satellite CloudSat—allow the retrieval of snowfall rates in high‐latitude regions, which have been used to estimate surface snow accumulation. In this study, a validation of CloudSat‐derived terrestrial snow estimates is presented at four Environment and Climate Change Canada weather stations situated in the Arctic for the common period 2007–2015. Comparisons of monthly climatological snow accumulation show mean biases of less than 1.5‐mm snow water equivalent annually. Monthly time series exhibit correlations above 0.5 and root‐mean‐square error below 10‐mm snow water equivalent at the two highest‐latitude stations (Eureka and Resolute Bay) with correlations falling below 0.5 south of 70°N. CloudSat was also found to underestimate annual mean snow accumulation at the majority of sites, suggesting a potential negative bias in CloudSat's accumulation estimates, or underestimation related to sampling. These results imply that CloudSat can provide reliable estimates of snow accumulation across similar high‐latitude regions above 70°N.
September 2019 Antarctic Sudden Stratospheric Warming: Quasi‐6‐Day Wave Burst and Ionospheric Effects
Authors: Yamazaki Y. , Matthias V. , Miyoshi Y. , Stolle C. , Siddiqui T. , Kervalishvili G. , Laštovička J. , Kozubek M. , Ward W. , Themens D. R. , Kristoffersen S. , Alken P.
Published: January 2020

An exceptionally strong stationary planetary wave with Zonal Wavenumber 1 led to a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) in the Southern Hemisphere in September 2019. Ionospheric data from European Space Agency's Swarm satellite constellation mission show prominent 6‐day variations in the dayside low‐latitude region at this time, which can be attributed to forcing from the middle atmosphere by the Rossby normal mode “quasi‐6‐day wave” (Q6DW). Geopotential height measurements by the Microwave Limb Sounder aboard National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Aura satellite reveal a burst of global Q6DW activity in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere during the SSW, which is one of the strongest in the record. The Q6DW is apparently generated in the polar stratosphere at 30–40 km, where the atmosphere is unstable due to strong vertical wind shear connected with planetary wave breaking. These results suggest that an Antarctic SSW can lead to ionospheric variability through wave forcing from the middle atmosphere.
Creating Fear and Insecurity for Political Goals
Authors: Bar-Tal Daniel
Published: January 2020

Messages of threats and dangers are very efficient and persuasive tactics that reward the user. Threats and dangers that arouse fear and insecurity create support for the perpetrator’s position, freeze the beliefs, and feed the maintenance of the position. This feeding is powerful because the collective orientation of fear and insecurity is not only maintained by the experiences of society members but also strongly reinforced by leaders, who build their case by using and misusing their powerful persuasive forces. To understand these processes, one has to realize that fear and insecurity are connected psychological constructs. The present article describes the nature of each of these constructs on the individual and collective level. Then it elucidates factors that influence their arousal, focusing on the role of external sources (leaders), collective memory, and political ideology. The last part elaborates on the potent influence that fear and insecurity have on the psyche of the individuals and collective. The conclusion connects excerpts from 6 leaders’ speeches intended to evoke fear and insecurity presented at the beginning of the article and their meanings.
Apoptotic cell-derived exosomes: messages from dying cells
Authors: Kakarla Ramesh , Hur Jaehark , Kim Yeon Ji , Kim Jaeyoung , Chwae Yong-Joon
Published: January 2020

Apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death that plays a key role in both healthy and pathological conditions, releases extracellular vesicles such as apoptotic bodies and microvesicles, but exosome release due to apoptosis is not yet commonly accepted. Here, the reports demonstrating the presence of apoptotic exosomes and their roles in inflammation and immune responses are summarized, together with a general summary of apoptosis and extracellular vesicles. In conclusion, apoptosis is not just a ‘silent’ type of cell death but an active form of communication from dying cells to live cells through exosomes.
Nucleophosmin mutations confer an independent favorable prognostic impact in 869 pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Xu Lu-Hong , Fang Jian-Pei , Liu Yao-Chung , Jones Adrianna I. , Chai Li
Published: January 2020

Studies on the clinical significance of Nucleophosmin (NPM1) mutations in pediatric AML in a large cohort are lacking. Moreover, the prognosis of patients with co-occurring NPM1 and FLT3/ITD mutations is controversial. Here, we analyzed the impact of NPM1 mutations on prognoses of 869 pediatric AML patients from the TAGET dataset. The frequency of NPM1 mutations was 7.6%. NPM1 mutations were significantly associated with older age (P < 0.001), normal cytogenetics (P < 0.001), FLT3/ITD mutations (P < 0.001), and high complete remission induction rates (P < 0.05). Overall, NPM1-mutated patients had a significantly better 5-year EFS (P = 0.001) and OS (P = 0.016) compared to NPM1 wild-type patients, and this favorable impact was maintained even in the presence of FLT3/ITD mutations. Stem cell transplantation had no significant effect on the survival of patients with both NPM1 and FLT3/ITD mutations. Multivariate analysis revealed that NPM1 mutations were independent predictors of better outcome in terms of EFS (P = 0.004) and OS (P = 0.012). Our findings showed that NPM1 mutations confer an independent favorable prognostic impact in pediatric AML despite of FLT3/ITD mutations. In addition, pediatric AML patients with both NPM1 and FLT3/ITD mutations appear to have favorable prognoses and may not need hematopoietic stem cell transplantations.
ALG-2 couples T cell activation and apoptosis by regulating proteasome activity and influencing MCL1 stability
Authors: He Tian-Sheng , Ji Wangsheng , Zhang Junqi , Lu Jing , Liu Xinqi
Published: January 2020

T cell homeostasis is critical for the proper function of the immune system. Following the sharp expansion upon pathogen infection, most T cells die in order to keep balance in the immune system, a process which is controlled by death receptors during the early phase and Bcl-2 proteins in the later phase. It is still highly debated whether the apoptosis of T cells is determined from the beginning, upon activation, or determined later during the contraction. MCL1, a Bcl-2 family member, plays a pivotal role in T cell survival. As a fast turnover protein, MCL1 levels are tightly regulated by the 26S proteasome-controlled protein degradation process. In searching for regulatory factors involved in the actions of MCL1 during T cell apoptosis, we found that ALG-2 was critical for MCL1 stability, a process mediated by a direct interaction between ALG-2 and Rpn3, a key component of the 26S proteasome. As a critical calcium sensor, ALG-2 regulated the activity of the 26S proteasome upon increases to cytosolic calcium levels following T cell activation, this consequently influenced the stability of MCL1 and accelerated the T cell “death” process, leading to T cell contraction and restoration of immune homeostasis. Our study provides support for the notion that T cells are destined for apoptosis after activation, and echoes the previous study about the function of ALG-2 in T cell death.
Image-guided neural activity manipulation with a paramagnetic drug
Authors: Bricault Sarah , Barandov Ali , Harvey Peter , DeTienne Elizabeth , Hai Aviad , Jasanoff Alan
Published: January 2020

Targeted manipulations of neural activity are essential approaches in neuroscience and neurology, but monitoring such procedures in the living brain remains a significant challenge. Here we introduce a paramagnetic analog of the drug muscimol that enables targeted neural inactivation to be performed with feedback from magnetic resonance imaging. We validate pharmacological properties of the compound in vitro, and show that its distribution in vivo reliably predicts perturbations to brain activity.
Zinc-finger protein CNBP alters the 3-D structure of lncRNA Braveheart in solution
Authors: Kim Doo Nam , Thiel Bernhard C. , Mrozowich Tyler , Hennelly Scott P. , Hofacker Ivo L. , Patel Trushar R. , Sanbonmatsu Karissa Y.
Published: January 2020

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) constitute a significant fraction of the transcriptome, playing important roles in development and disease. However, our understanding of structure-function relationships for this emerging class of RNAs has been limited to secondary structures. Here, we report the 3-D atomistic structural study of epigenetic lncRNA,Braveheart (Bvht), and its complex with CNBP (Cellular Nucleic acid Binding Protein). Using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), we elucidate the ensemble ofBvhtRNA conformations in solution, revealing thatBvhtlncRNA has a well-defined, albeit flexible 3-D structure that is remodeled upon CNBP binding. Our study suggests that CNBP binding requires multiple domains ofBvhtand theRHT/AGILRNA motif. We show that RHT/AGIL, previously shown to interact with CNBP, contains a highly flexible loop surrounded by more ordered helices. As one of the largest RNA-only 3-D studies, the work lays the foundation for future structural studies of lncRNA-protein complexes.
The inducible amphisome isolates viral hemagglutinin and defends against influenza A virus infection
Authors: Omi Jumpei , Watanabe-Takahashi Miho , Igai Katsura , Shimizu Eiko , Tseng Ching-Yi , Miyasaka Tomohiro , Waku Tsuyoshi , Hama Shinichiro , Nakanishi Rieka , Goto Yuki , Nishino Yuri , Miyazawa Atsuo , Natori Yasuhiro , Yamashita Makoto , Nishikawa Kiyotaka
Published: January 2020

The emergence of drug-resistant influenza type A viruses (IAVs) necessitates the development of novel anti-IAV agents. Here, we target the IAV hemagglutinin (HA) protein using multivalent peptide library screens and identify PVF-tet, a peptide-based HA inhibitor. PVF-tet inhibits IAV cytopathicity and propagation in cells by binding to newly synthesized HA, rather than to the HA of the parental virus, thus inducing the accumulation of HA within a unique structure, the inducible amphisome, whose production from the autophagosome is accelerated by PVF-tet. The amphisome is also produced in response to IAV infection in the absence of PVF-tet by cells overexpressing ABC transporter subfamily A3, which plays an essential role in the maturation of multivesicular endosomes into the lamellar body, a lipid-sorting organelle. Our results show that the inducible amphisomes can function as a type of organelle-based anti-viral machinery by sequestering HA. PVF-tet efficiently rescues mice from the lethality of IAV infection.
The nuclear pore complex prevents sister chromatid recombination during replicative senescence
Authors: Aguilera Paula , Whalen Jenna , Minguet Christopher , Churikov Dmitri , Freudenreich Catherine , Simon Marie-Noëlle , Géli Vincent
Published: January 2020

The Nuclear Pore Complex (NPC) has emerged as an important hub for processing various types of DNA damage. Here, we uncover that fusing a DNA binding domain to the NPC basket protein Nup1 reduces telomere relocalization to nuclear pores early after telomerase inactivation. This Nup1 modification also impairs the relocalization to the NPC of expanded CAG/CTG triplet repeats. Strikingly, telomerase negative cells bypass senescence when expressing this Nup1 modification by maintaining a minimal telomere length compatible with proliferation through rampant unequal exchanges between sister chromatids. We further report that a Nup1 mutant lacking 36 C-terminal residues recapitulates the phenotypes of the Nup1-LexA fusion indicating a direct role of Nup1 in the relocation of stalled forks to NPCs and restriction of error-prone recombination between repeated sequences. Our results reveal a new mode of telomere maintenance that could shed light on how 20% of cancer cells are maintained without telomerase or ALT.
Terrestrial land-cover type richness is positively linked to landscape-level functioning
Authors: Oehri Jacqueline , Schmid Bernhard , Schaepman-Strub Gabriela , Niklaus Pascal A.
Published: January 2020

Biodiversity–ecosystem functioning (BEF) experiments have shown that local species richness promotes ecosystem functioning and stability. Whether this also applies under real-world conditions is still debated. Here, we focus on larger scales of space, time and ecological organization. We develop a quasi-experimental design in which we relate land-cover type richness as measure of landscape richness to 17-year time series of satellite-sensed functioning in 4974 landscape plots 6.25 or 25 ha in size. We choose plots so that landscape richness is orthogonal to land cover-type composition and environmental conditions across climatic gradients. Landscape-scale productivity and temporal stability increase with landscape richness, irrespective of landscape plot size. Peak season near-infrared surface albedo, which is relevant for surface energy budgets, is higher in mixed than in single land-cover type landscapes. Effect sizes are as large as those reported from BEF-experiments, suggesting that landscape richness promotes landscape functioning at spatial scales relevant for management.
Structure-activity relationship studies of four novel 4-aminopyridine K+ channel blockers
Authors: Rodríguez-Rangel Sofia , Bravin Alyssa D. , Ramos-Torres Karla M. , Brugarolas Pedro , Sánchez-Rodríguez Jorge E.
Published: January 2020

4-Aminopyridine (4AP) is a specific blocker of voltage-gated potassium channels (KV1 family) clinically approved for the symptomatic treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). It has recently been shown that [18F]3F4AP, a radiofluorinated analog of 4AP, also binds to KV1 channels and can be used as a PET tracer for the detection of demyelinated lesions in rodent models of MS. Here, we investigate four novel 4AP derivatives containing methyl (-CH3), methoxy (-OCH3) as well as trifluoromethyl (-CF3) in the 2 and 3 position as potential candidates for PET imaging and/or therapy. We characterized the physicochemical properties of these compounds (basicity and lipophilicity) and analyzed their ability to block Shaker K+ channel under different voltage and pH conditions. Our results demonstrate that three of the four derivatives are able to block voltage-gated potassium channels. Specifically, 3-methyl-4-aminopyridine (3Me4AP) was found to be approximately 7-fold more potent than 4AP and 3F4AP; 3-methoxy- and 3-trifluoromethyl-4-aminopyridine (3MeO4AP and 3CF34AP) were found to be about 3- to 4-fold less potent than 4AP; and 2-trifluoromethyl-4-AP (2CF34AP) was found to be about 60-fold less active. These results suggest that these novel derivatives are potential candidates for therapy and imaging.
Influence of defects on structural colours generated by laser-induced ripples
Authors: Maragkaki Stella , Skaradzinski Christian A. , Nett Ralf , Gurevich Evgeny L.
Published: January 2020

The colourisation of metallic surface which appears due to periodic surface patterns induced by ultrashort laser pulses is studied. Ripples due to the sub-micrometer size of their period act as a diffraction grating, generating structural colours. Carefully chosen strategy of the laser spot scanning allows us to mimic the nanostructures responsible for structural colours of some flowers on the metal substrate. We investigate the correlation between the colourising effects and the artificially-induced defects in the ripples structure and show that these defects can make the colours observable in a larger range of viewing angles. Further we address the influence of the processing parameters on the spectral profile of the reflected light.
The Influence of Cell Culture Density on the Cytotoxicity of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Induced by L-Ascorbic Acid-2-Phosphate
Authors: Wu Yuan-Kun , Tu Yuan-Kun , Yu Jiashing , Cheng Nai-Chen
Published: January 2020

Ascorbic acid-2-phosphate (A2-P) is an oxidation-resistant derivative of ascorbic acid that has been widely employed in culturing adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) for faster expansion and cell sheet formation. While high dose ascorbic acid is known to induce cellular apoptosis via metabolic stress and genotoxic effects, potential cytotoxic effects of A2-P at high concentrations has not been explored. In this study, the relationship between ASC seeding density and A2-P-induced cytotoxicity was investigated. Spheroid-derived ASCs with smaller cellular dimensions were generated to investigate the effect of cell-cell contact on the resistance to A2-P-induced cytotoxicity. Decreased viability of ASC, fibroblast, and spheroid-derived ASC was noted at higher A2-P concentration, and it could be reverted with high seeding density. Compared to control ASCs, spheroid-derived ASCs seeded at the same density exhibited decreased viability in the A2-P-supplemented medium. The expression of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, SOD1, and SOD2) was enhanced in ASCs at higher seeding densities. However, their enhanced expression in spheroid-derived ASCs was less evident. Furthermore, we found that co-administration of catalase or N-acetylcysteine nullified the observed cytotoxicity. Collectively, A2-P can induce ASC cytotoxicity at higher concentrations, which can be prevented by seeding ASCs at high density or co-administration of another antioxidant.
Correction: One-step synthesis and electrochemical performance of a PbMoO4/CdMoO4 composite as an electrode material for high-performance supercapacitor applications
Authors: Anitha Tarugu , Reddy Araveeti Eswar , Kumar Yedluri Anil , Cho Young-Rae , Kim Hee-Je
Published: January 2020

Correction for ‘One-step synthesis and electrochemical performance of a PbMoO4/CdMoO4 composite as an electrode material for high-performance supercapacitor applications’ by Tarugu Anitha et al., Dalton Trans., 2019, 48, 10652–10660.
Brake dust exposure exacerbates inflammation and transiently compromises phagocytosis in macrophages
Authors: Selley Liza , Schuster Linda , Marbach Helene , Forsthuber Theresa , Forbes Ben , Gant Timothy W , Sandström Thomas , Camiña Nuria , Athersuch Toby J , Mudway Ian , Kumar Abhinav
Published: January 2020

Studies have emphasised the importance of combustion-derived particles in eliciting adverse health effects, especially those produced by diesel vehicles. In contrast, few investigations have explored the potential toxicity of particles derived from tyre and brake wear, despite their significant contributions to total roadside particulate mass. The objective of this study was to compare the relative toxicity of compositionally distinct brake abrasion dust (BAD) and diesel exhaust particles (DEP) in a cellular model that is relevant to human airways. Although BAD contained considerably more metals/metalloids than DEP (as determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) similar toxicological profiles were observed in U937 monocyte-derived macrophages following 24 h exposures to 4–25 μg ml−1 doses of either particle type. Responses to the particles were characterised by dose-dependent decreases in mitochondrial depolarisation (p ≤ 0.001), increased secretion of IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α (p ≤ 0.05 to p ≤ 0.001) and decreased phagocytosis of S. aureus (p ≤ 0.001). This phagocytic deficit recovered, and the inflammatory response resolved when challenged cells were incubated for a further 24 h in particle-free media. These responses were abrogated by metal chelation using desferroxamine. At minimally cytotoxic doses both DEP and BAD perturbed bacterial clearance and promoted inflammatory responses in U937 cells with similar potency. These data emphasise the requirement to consider contributions of abrasion particles to traffic-related clinical health effects.
Directional extraction and penetration of phosphorene nanosheets to cell membranes
Authors: Zhang Wei , Chen Yezhe , Huynh Tien , Yang Yunqiu , Yang Xianqing , Zhou Ruhong
Published: January 2020

The extracted phospholipid molecules are aligned along the wrinkle direction of the phosphorene nanosheet and small phosphorene nanosheets penetrate into cell membrane in a specific direction.
Two-dimensional composite of D-Ti3C2Tx@S@TiO2 (MXene) as the cathode material for aluminum-ion batteries
Authors: Huo Xiaogeng , Wang Xiaoxu , Li Zhanyu , Liu Jian , Li Jianling
Published: January 2020

MXenes, the two-dimensional layered materials, are widely used in electrochemical storage devices and exhibit excellent electrochemical performances.
Repair of segmental rabbit radial defects with Cu/Zn co-doped calcium phosphate scaffolds incorporating GDF-5 carrier
Authors: Zhang Chengdong , Yang Fei , Xiao Dongqin , Zhao Qiao , Chen Shuo , Liu Kang , Zhang Bo , Feng Gang , Duan Ke
Published: January 2020

Cu/Zn co-doped calcium phosphate scaffolds carrying GDF-5-release microspheres were prepared and implanted into surgically created critical-sized rabbit radial defects.
Correction: Laser cleavable probes for in situ multiplexed glycan detection by single cell mass spectrometry
Authors: Han Jing , Huang Xi , Liu Huihui , Wang Jiyun , Xiong Caiqiao , Nie Zongxiu
Published: January 2020

Correction for ‘Laser cleavable probes for in situ multiplexed glycan detection by single cell mass spectrometry’ by Jing Han et al., Chem. Sci., 2019, 10, 10958–10962.
Colloidal trains
Authors: Mirzaee-Kakhki Mahla , Ernst Adrian , de las Heras Daniel , Urbaniak Maciej , Stobiecki Feliks , Tomita Andreea , Huhnstock Rico , Koch Iris , Gördes Jendrik , Ehresmann Arno , Holzinger Dennis , Reginka Meike , Fischer Thomas M.
Published: January 2020

Colloidal trains consisting of colloidal doublet locomotives and single colloidal carriages self assemble above a magnetic square pattern and are driven by an external magnetic field processing around a high symmetry direction.
The cholesterol synthesis enzyme lanosterol 14α-demethylase is post-translationally regulated by the E3 ubiquitin ligase MARCH6
Authors: Scott Nicola A. , Sharpe Laura J. , Capell-Hattam Isabelle M. , Gullo Samuel J. , Luu Winnie , Brown Andrew J.
Published: January 2020

Cholesterol synthesis is a tightly controlled pathway, with over 20 enzymes involved. Each of these enzymes can be distinctly regulated, helping to fine-tune the production of cholesterol and its functional intermediates. Several enzymes are degraded in response to increased sterol levels, whilst others remain stable. We hypothesised that an enzyme at a key branch point in the pathway, lanosterol 14α-demethylase (LDM) may be post-translationally regulated. Here, we show that the preceding enzyme, lanosterol synthase is stable, whilst LDM is rapidly degraded. Surprisingly, this degradation is not triggered by sterols. However, the E3 ubiquitin ligase membrane-associated ring-CH-type finger 6 (MARCH6), known to control earlier rate-limiting steps in cholesterol synthesis, also control levels of LDM and the terminal cholesterol synthesis enzyme, 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase. Our work highlights MARCH6 as the first example of an E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets multiple steps in a biochemical pathway and indicates new facets in the control of cholesterol synthesis.
2-Methylquinazoline derivative 23BB as a highly selective histone deacetylase 6 inhibitor alleviated cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury
Authors: Hao Yan , Guo Fan , Huang Zhuo , Feng Yuying , Xia Zijing , Liu Jing , Li Lingzhi , Huang Rongshuang , Lin Lin , Ma Liang , Fu Ping
Published: January 2020

Histone deacetylases 6 (HDAC6) has been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Selective inhibition of HDAC6 might be a potential treatment for AKI. In our previous study, a highly selective HDAC6 inhibitor (HDAC6i) 23BB effectively protected against rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI with good safety. However, whether 23BB possessed favorable renoprotection against cisplatin-induced AKI and the involved mechanisms remained unknown. In the study, cisplatin-injected mice developed severe AKI symptom as indicated by acute kidney dysfunction and pathological changes, companied by the overexpression of HDAC6 in tubular epithelial cells. Pharmacological inhibition of HDAC6 by the treatment of 23BB significantly attenuated sCr, BUN and renal tubular damage. Mechanistically, 23BB enhanced the acetylation of histone H3 to reduce the HDAC6 activity. Cisplatin-induced AKI triggered multiple signal mediators of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress including PERK, ATF6 and IRE1 pathway, as well as CHOP, GRP78, p-JNK and caspase 12 proteins. Oral administration of our HDAC6i 23BB at a dose of 40 mg/kg/d for 3 days notably improved above-mentioned responses in the injured kidney tissues. HDAC6 inhibition also reduced the number of TUNEL-positive tubular cells and regulated apoptosis-related protein expression. Overall, these data highlighted that HDAC6 inhibitor 23BB modulated apoptosis via the inhibition of ER stress in the tubular epithelial cells of cisplatin-induced AKI.
Alcohol promotes renal fibrosis by activating Nox2/4-mediated DNA methylation of Smad7
Authors: Yang Qin , Chen Hai-Yong , Wang Jia-nan , Han Huai-Qin , Jiang Ling , Wu Wei-Feng , Wei Biao , Gao Li , Ma Qiu-ying , Liu Xue-qi , Chen Qi , Wen Jia-gen , Jin Juan , Huang Yan , Ni Wei-jian , Ma Tao-tao , Li Jun , Meng Xiao-Ming
Published: January 2020

Alcohol consumption causes renal injury and compromises kidney function. The underlying mechanism of the alcoholic kidney disease remains largely unknown. In the present study, an alcoholic renal fibrosis animal model was first employed which mice received liquid diet containing alcohol for 4 to 12 weeks. The Masson’s Trichrome staining analysis showed that kidney fibrosis increased at week 8 and 12 in the animal model that was further confirmed by albumin assay, Western blot, immunostaining and real-time PCR of fibrotic indexes (collagen I and α-SMA). In vitro analysis also confirmed that alcohol significantly induced fibrotic response (collagen I and α-SMA) in HK2 tubular epithelial cells. Importantly, both in vivo and in vitro studies showed alcohol treatments decreased Smad7 and activated Smad3. We further determined how the alcohol affected the balance of Smad7 (inhibitory Smad) and Smad3 (regulatory Smad). Genome-wide methylation sequencing showed an increased DNA methylation of many genes and bisulfite sequencing analysis showed an increased DNA methylation of Smad7 after alcohol ingestion. We also found DNA methylation of Smad7 was mediated by DNMT1 in ethyl alcohol (EtOH)-treated HK2 cells. Knockdown of Nox2 or Nox4 decreased DNMT1 and rebalanced Smad7/Smad3 axis, and thereby relieved EtOH-induced fibrotic response. The inhibition of reactive oxygen species by the intraperitoneal injection of apocynin attenuated renal fibrosis and restored renal function in the alcoholic mice. Collectively, we established novel in vivo and in vitro alcoholic kidney fibrosis models and found that alcohol induces renal fibrosis by activating oxidative stress-induced DNA methylation of Smad7. Suppression of Nox-mediated oxidative stress may be a potential therapy for long-term alcohol abuse-induced kidney fibrosis.
Segmentation‐based recognition system for handwritten Bangla and Devanagari words using conventional classification and transfer learning
Authors: Pramanik Rahul , Bag Soumen
Published: January 2020

Offline recognition of handwritten text in Indian regional scripts is a major area of research as nearly 910 million people use such scripts in India. Most of the reported research works on Indian script‐based optical character recognition (OCR) system have focused on a single script only. Research for developing methodologies that are capable of handling more than one Indian script is yet to be focused. As such, this has motivated us to study and experiment on creating a recognition system that can handle two most popular Indian scripts, namely Bangla and Devanagari. The authors propose a system that first detects and corrects skew present in Bangla and Devanagari handwritten words, estimates the headline, and further segments the words into meaningful pseudo‐characters. This is followed by extraction of three different statistical features and combination of these features with off‐the‐shelf classifiers to study and identify the exemplary combination. Moreover, they employ state‐of‐the‐art convolutional neural network‐based transfer learning architectures and delineate a comparison with the extracted hand‐crafted features. Finally, they amalgamate the identified pseudo‐characters to provide the final result. On experimentation, the proposed segmentation methodology is discerned to provide good accuracy when compared with existing methods.
Fast imaging algorithm for downward‐looking 3D synthetic aperture sonars
Authors: Wang Peng , Chi Cheng , Zhang Yu , Liu Jiyuan , Huang Haining
Published: January 2020

Downward‐looking three‐dimensional (3D) synthetic aperture sonars (SASs) have been applied to image underwater objects, sea bottom and subbottom. Unfortunately, the computational load of the conventional imaging algorithm in downward‐looking 3D SASs is high. To mitigate the high computational load, a fast imaging algorithm based on a derived near‐field approximation by using the cylindrical coordinate system is proposed. The proposed fast imaging algorithm reduces the computational load by three orders of magnitude, compared to the conventional imaging algorithm. Both the simulation and experiment show that the imaging accuracy of the proposed fast imaging algorithm is comparable to that of the conventional one.
The impact of braiding covariance and in-survey covariance on next-generation galaxy surveys
Authors: Lacasa Fabien
Published: January 2020

As galaxy surveys improve their precision thanks to lower levels of noise and the push toward small, non-linear scales, the need for accurate covariances beyond the classical Gaussian formula becomes more acute. Here I investigate the analytical implementation and impact of non-Gaussian covariance terms that I had previously derived for the galaxy angular power spectrum. Braiding covariance is such an interesting class of such terms and it gets contributions both from in-survey and super-survey modes, the latter proving difficult to calibrate through simulations. I present an approximation for braiding covariance which speeds up the process of numerical computation. I show that including braiding covariance is a necessary condition for including other non-Gaussian terms, namely the in-survey 2-, 3-, and 4-halo covariance. Indeed these terms yield incorrect covariance matrices with negative eigenvalues if considered on their own. I then move to quantify the impact on parameter constraints, with forecasts for a survey with Euclid-like galaxy density and angular scales. Compared with the Gaussian case, braiding and in-survey covariances significantly increase the error bars on cosmological parameters, in particular by 50% for the dark energy equation of state w. The error bars on the halo occupation distribution (HOD) parameters are also affected between 12% and 39%. Accounting for super-sample covariance (SSC) also increases parameter errors, by 90% for w and between 7% and 64% for HOD. In total, non-Gaussianity increases the error bar on w by 120% (between 15% and 80% for other cosmological parameters) and the error bars on HOD parameters between 17% and 85%. Accounting for the 1-halo trispectrum term on top of SSC, as has been done in some current analyses, is not sufficient for capturing the full non-Gaussian impact: braiding and the rest of in-survey covariance have to be accounted for. Finally, I discuss why the inclusion of non-Gaussianity generally eases up parameter degeneracies, making cosmological constraints more robust for astrophysical uncertainties. I released publicly the data and a Python notebook reproducing the results and plots of the article.
A quadratic programming model for the optimization of off-gas networks in integrated steelworks
Authors: Maddaloni Alessandro , Matino Ruben , Matino Ismael , Dettori Stefano , Zaccara Antonella , Colla Valentina
Published: January 2020

The European steel industry is constantly promoting developments, which can increase efficiency and lower the environmental impact of the steel production processes. In particular, a strong focus refers to the minimization of the energy consumption. This paper presents part of the work of the research project entitled “Optimization of the management of the process gas network within the integrated steelworks” (GASNET), which aims at developing a decision support system supporting energy managers and other concerned technical personnel in the implementation of an optimized off-gases management and exploitation considering environmental and economic objectives. A mathematical model of the network as a capacitated digraph with costs on arcs is proposed and an optimization problem is formulated. The objective of the optimization consists in minimizing the wastes of process gases and maximizing the incomes. Several production constraints need to be accounted. In particular, different types of gases are mixing in the same network. The constraints that model the mixing make the problem computationally difficult: it is a non-convex quadratically constrained quadratic program (QCQP). Two formulations of the problem are presented: the first one is a minimum cost flow problem, which is a linear program and is thus computationally fast to solve, but suitable only for a single gas network. The second formulation is a quadratically constrained quadratic program, which is slower, but covers more general cases, such as the ones, which are characterized by the interaction among multiple gas networks. A user-friendly graphical interface has been developed and tests over existing plant networks are performed and analyzed.
Large chondral fragment of the lateral femoral condyle treated with arthroscopic internal fixation in an elite young athlete
Authors: Beckert Mitchell W. , Klitzman Robert G.
Published: January 2020

Focal chondral lesions in the adolescent population create a particular challenge for orthopedic surgeons, and currently there exists no consensus on proper treatment. Numerous techniques for addressing focal chondral defects are employed in both pediatrics and adults, including fragment excision, debridement and fixation, bone marrow stimulation and microfracture techniques, cell-based options, as well as chondral and osteochondral grafts. Although historical evidence is mixed, recent reports of primary fixation of displaced cartilage fragments have shown favorable results. We present a case of reduction and fixation of a large displaced cartilage lesion in an elite young tennis player. Our results, in addition to other reports mentioned in this manuscript, highlight the importance of considering primary fixation of large chondral lesions when amenable to repair.
Die operative Entfernung zerebraler Hydatid-Zysten
Authors: Datz Annett , El Damaty Ahmed
Published: January 2020

Die zystische Echinokokkose ist eine seltene und gefährliche parasitäre Erkrankung des Menschen, verursacht durch die Infektion mit Echinococcus granulosus, dem sogenannten Hundebandwurm. Dabei können sich Zysten im Gehirn bilden, die operativ entfernt werden müssen. Eine dieser sehr seltenen Operationen wurde erfolgreich am Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg in der Abteilung für Neurochirurgie zusammen mit den Tropenmedizinern durchgeführt.
Risiko-adaptiertes Vorgehen bei Schilddrüsen-karzinomen
Authors: Allelein Stephanie , Schott Matthias
Published: January 2020

Das therapeutische Vorgehen beim Schilddrüsenkarzinom hängt u. a. von der Größe, der Ausbreitung und dem histologischen Ergebnis ab. Im Regelfall stehen beim differenzierten und entdifferenzierten Schilddrüsenkarzinom die Thyreoidektomie mit Lymphknotendissektion und nachfolgender Radiojodtherapie sowie in Abhängigkeit der Größe und Histologie die TSH-suppressive Therapie im Vordergrund. Bei den metastasierten, entdifferenzierten und medullären Schilddrüsenkarzinomen kommen bei definiertem Tumorprogress Tyrosinkinaseinhibitoren zum Einsatz, die häufig mit einer Verlängerung des progressionsfreien Überlebens und ggf. des Gesamtüberlebens vergesellschaftet sind. Die verschiedenen Aspekte des therapeutischen Vorgehens werden aktuell national und international intensiv diskutiert. Eine nationale S3-Leitlinie für die Behandlung des Schilddrüsenkarzinoms ist in Bearbeitung.