bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Raman spectroscopic screening of cyanobacterial chasmoliths from crystalline gypsum—The Messinian crisis sediments from Southern Sicily
Authors: Jehlička Jan , Culka Adam , Mareš Jan
Published: July 2019

This study shows the first results on Raman spectroscopic investigations of pigments from cyanobacterial endolithic colonisations in gypsum of Messinian age (Miocene). Gypsum from outcrops of sedimentary series close to Eraclea Minoa (Sothern Sicily) is sometimes inhabited by endoliths. Raman spectroscopic investigations allow to specify type of colonisation through identification of their pigments. Coccoid cyanobacteria (Chroococcidiopsis sp., Gloeocapsopsis pleurocapsoides, Gloeocapsa compacta, and Synechococcus sciophilus), filamentous heterocytous Nostoc sp., and filamentous bundle‐forming Symplocastrum cf. aurantiacum and Microcoleus sp. were found to inhabit different parts of the gypsum samples. Carotenoids (as assumed frequently β‐carotene) are produced in all the samples studied (optimised detection using 514‐nm excitation), scytonemin in the samples colonised by G. pleurocapsoides (G1, G2, and G6), and phycobiliproteins in the sample G3 (those detected using 785‐nm excitation). This study is the first initiative to collect better knowledge on detecting biomarker traces in the frame of Messinian‐age gypsum sequence of relevance for old Martian environments.
The suitability of rare earth elements for geographical traceability of tea leaves
Authors: Zhao Haiyan , Yang Qingli
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

Rare earth elements (REEs) have been used for the identification of the geographical origins of an increasing number of foods. This study analyzed the effects of geographical origin, harvest season, variety, and their interactions on REEs in tea leaves to investigate whether REEs were suitable for geographical identification of tea leaves. Tea leaves of different varieties and the corresponding soils were collected in different seasons from different areas of China. The concentrations of 14 REEs in tea leaves and soils were determined, and then analyzed with one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA), multi‐way ANOVA, correlation analysis, and linear discriminant analysis.

RESULTS

All factors significantly affected the contents of REEs in tea leaves. The concentrations of REEs in tea leaves were related to those in provenance soils. However, the concentrations of most REEs in tea leaves were primarily affected by the harvest season.

CONCLUSION

Seasonal variations should be considered when REE fingerprinting is applied for the identification of tea for authentication purposes. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Synergistic effects of ascorbic acid and plant‐derived ceramide to enhance storability and boost antioxidant systems of postharvest strawberries
Authors: Zhao Haonuan , Liu Shiwen , Chen Maogang , Li Jing , Huang Dandan , Zhu Shuhua
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) may attack biological macromolecules and induce oxidative stress. The inhibition by ascorbic acid (AsA) on oxidative damage has been reported in fruits, while the barrier effect of ceramide has also been proven. However, there are few reports about the effects of ceramide–AsA interactions to enhance storability and boost antioxidant systems in fruits during storage. This study was conducted to study the synergistic effects of AsA in combination with ceramide on the quality of postharvest strawberry (Fragaria anannasa cv. Tianbao).

RESULTS

Treatment with 100 mg L−1 AsA plus 1.2 mmol L−1 ceramide significantly delayed the rot of strawberries, reduced the water loss and the contents of ROS, malonaldehyde (MDA), and proline, however, increased the contents of total flavonoids, total phenols, and anthocyanins compared with other treatments. Also, treatment with 100 mg L−1 AsA plus 1.2 mmol L−1 ceramide significantly increased the activities of peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) but inhibited the activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO).

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that treatment with 100 mg L−1 AsA plus 1.2 mmol L−1 ceramide could significantly reduce the oxidative damage and maintain the storage quality of strawberries during storage by enhancing the antioxidant systems. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Egg yolk phospholipids: a functional food material to generate deep‐fat frying odorants
Authors: Chen De‐Wei , Balagiannis Dimitrios P , Parker Jane K
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

Phospholipids are an important precursor for the generation of carbonyl compounds that play a significant role in the characteristic aroma of deep‐fat fried foods.

RESULTS

Phospholipids extracted from hen egg yolks were added into sunflower oil (2.0 g kg−1) and heated with or without chicken meat at 160 °C for 10 min, and then dynamic headspace extraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry were used to extract and analyse the volatiles. The results showed that the characteristic deep‐fat frying odorants, such as (E,E)‐2,4‐decadienal and (E,Z)‐2,4‐decadienal, as well as 1‐octen‐3‐one, (E)‐2‐nonenal, octanal, methional, dimethyl disulfide and alkylpyrazines, had increased by 3–65 times in the sunflower oil with added phospholipids, and increased up to six times in chicken meat that had been treated with phospholipids prior to heating.

CONCLUSION

There is potential for the food industry to use low levels of phospholipids, particularly egg yolk phospholipids, to increase deep‐fat frying odorants in a wide range of deep‐fried products. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
The spillover effects of tourism receipts, political risk, real exchange rate, and trade indicators in Turkey
Authors: Alola Uju Violet , Cop Serdar , Adewale Alola Andrew
Published: July 2019

In examining the spillover effects of tourism receipts and the uncertainty‐induced factors in Turkey, this study examines the spillover effects of tourism receipts and related sources of uncertainties from trade‐ and political‐related factors. Using the novelty of Diebold and Yilmaz “Better to give than to receive: Predictive directional measurement of volatility spillovers” approach, the study reveals that tourism receipts have a net spillover of 4.1%, thus indicating that the country's tourism industry received a significant shock. Spillover effects from other variables are observed, thus suggesting a hedging policy mechanism for the country's tourism sector.
The harsh world of publishing in emerging regions and implications for editors and publishers: The case of Vietnam
Authors: Vuong Quan‐Hoang
Published: July 2019

This article discusses the emergence of academic publishing in a fast‐growing transition economy, Vietnam, where the race has heated up to publish in international journals, preferably with a high impact factor, and to accelerate the indexing of domestic journals. Within the fields of SSH alone, the publication output grew by 17% a year in the 2008–2018 period, encouraged by government policies and financial incentives for researchers. This review demonstrates an environment where there is sufficient financial growth to support increased R&D but limited skills and knowledge of how to increase quality publication output, either within national or international journals. The article highlights the drivers of increasing scientific publication output, as well as the traps and pitfalls that follow this competition. It suggests that there are opportunities for publishers and other organizations to improve ethical and practical publishing issues and to develop co‐publishing agreements that will increase the visibility of the country in international academia. The article indicates the harsh reality of pursuing higher publishing standards in academia, a world that has long been dominated by authors and publishers from industrialized countries.
Effect of high‐pressure treatment prior to enzymatic hydrolysis on rheological, thermal, and antioxidant properties of lentil protein isolate
Authors: Ahmed Jasim , Mulla Mehrajfatema , Al‐Ruwaih Noor , Arfat Yasir Ali
Published: July 2019

The objective of the present work was to assess the effectiveness of high‐pressure (HP) treatment on the enzymatic hydrolysis of lentil protein (LP) in order to improve functionality and antioxidant activity of hydrolysates. LP dispersions were subjected to HP treatment in the selected pressure levels (300, 450, and 600 MPa for 15 min) prior to hydrolysis with alcalase (0.5% and 1%, w/w). The postprocess samples were analyzed to assess the impact of pressure treatment on denaturation, the degree of hydrolysis (DH), and antioxidant activity of hydrolysate. HP treatment improved the %DH of the LPI (p ≤ 0.05). The HP‐assisted alcalase hydrolysis imparted significant changes on the secondary structure of protein with a shift of amide I and amide II bands. The hydrolysis of LP was further confirmed by a significant drop on the enthalpy (ΔH) values in the DSC endothermic peaks and decreasing the steady shear viscosity. The pressurized protein hydrolysates attained an improvement in the foaming properties (≈1.5 times) and antioxidant activities (≈2 times) than the control hydrolysates. However, a detrimental effect was pronounced on the emulsifying activity and stability index, foam stability, and water holding capacity. These results could be useful for food industries to develop products using hydrolysates as protein supplements.
Value of in vivo α‐synuclein deposits in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tsukita Kazuto , Sakamaki‐Tsukita Haruhi , Tanaka Kanta , Suenaga Toshihiko , Takahashi Ryosuke
Published: July 2019

Previous studies that have investigated the potential of in vivo abnormal α‐synuclein deposits as a pathological biomarker for PD included few participants and reported different diagnostic accuracies. Here, we aimed to confirm the diagnostic value of in vivo α‐synuclein deposits in PD through a systematic review and meta‐analysis, with special emphasis on determining the tissue most suitable for examination and assessing whether anti‐native α‐synuclein or anti‐phosphorylated α‐synuclein antibodies should be used. Databases were searched on December 30, 2018. We finally included 41 case‐control studies that examined in vivo tissue samples using anti‐native α‐synuclein or anti‐phosphorylated α‐synuclein antibody in PD patients and controls. Using a univariate random‐effects model, pooled sensitivity and specificity (95% confidence interval) of anti‐native α‐synuclein antibody were 0.54 (0.49‐0.60) and 0.72 (0.68‐0.76) for the gastrointestinal tract and 0.76 (0.60‐0.89) and 0.60 (0.43‐0.74) for the skin. Pooled sensitivity and specificity (95% confidence interval) of anti‐phosphorylated α‐synuclein antibody were 0.43 (0.37‐0.48) and 0.82 (0.78‐0.86) for the gastrointestinal tract, 0.76 (0.69‐0.82) and 1.00 (0.98‐1.00) for the skin, 0.42 (0.26‐0.59) and 0.94 (0.84‐0.99) for the minor salivary glands, and 0.66 (0.51‐0.79) and 0.96 (0.86‐1.00) for the submandibular glands. Although ubiquitous heterogeneity between the included studies should be noted when interpreting our results, our analyses demonstrated the following: (1) in vivo α‐synuclein immunoreactivity has the potential as a pathological biomarker for PD; (2) anti‐phosphorylated α‐synuclein antibody consistently has higher specificity than anti‐native α‐synuclein antibody; and (3) skin biopsy examination using anti‐phosphorylated α‐synuclein antibody has the best diagnostic accuracy, although feasibility remains an important issue. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Magnetic Resonance Imaging–Visible Perivascular Spaces in Basal Ganglia Predict Cognitive Decline in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Park Yae Won , Shin Na‐Young , Chung Seok Jong , Kim Jiwoong , Lim Soo Mee , Lee Phil Hyu , Lee Seung‐Koo , Ahn Kook Jin
Published: July 2019

Background

Growing evidence suggests an association between imaging biomarkers of small vessel disease and future cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease (PD). Recently, magnetic resonance imaging–visible perivascular space (PVS) has been considered as an imaging biomarker of small vessel disease, but its effect on cognitive decline in PD is yet to be investigated.

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether PVS can independently predict cognitive decline in PD.

Methods

A total of 271 PD patients were divided into 106 patients with intact cognition (PD‐IC) and 165 patients with mild cognitive impairment (PD‐MCI). After a mean follow‐up of 5.0 ± 2.3 years, 18 PD‐IC patients showed cognitive decline to PD‐MCI and 34 PD‐MCI patients showed cognitive decline to dementia. PVS was rated in the basal ganglia (BG) and centrum semiovale using a 4‐point visual scale and then classified as high (score ≥ 2) or low (score < 2) according to severity. Lacunes and white matter hyperintensity severity were also assessed. Independent risk factors for cognitive decline were investigated using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

In all patients, higher BG‐PVS and white matter hyperintensity severity, higher levodopa‐equivalent dose, hypertension, and lower Mini‐Mental State Examination score were independent positive predictors of future cognitive decline. In the PD‐IC subgroup, higher BG‐PVS severity, hypertension, and more severe depressive symptoms were predictors of cognitive conversion. In the PD‐MCI subgroup, higher BG‐PVS and white matter hyperintensity severity, and lower Mini‐Mental State Examination score were predictors of cognitive decline.

Conclusions

BG‐PVS may be a useful imaging marker for predicting cognitive decline in PD. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Functional evaluation of a novel GLA causative mutation in Fabry disease
Authors: Li Ping , Zhang Lijuan , Xiong Qiuhong , Wang Zhe , Cui Xiaodong , Zhou Yong‐An , Wang Yuxian , Xiao Han , Wu Changxin
Published: July 2019

Background

Fabry disease (FD), a rare X‐linked α‐galactosidase A (GLA) deficiency, resulting in progressive lysosomal accumulation of globotriaosylceramide in a variety of cell types. More and more disease‐causing mutations in GLA have been identified in FD due to the advancement of molecular diagnostic tools. We found a novel mutation in a Chinese family with predominant Fabry's disease nephropathy.

Methods

All coding regions and exon–intron splice junctions of the GLA gene were sequenced to find sequence variations. We evaluated the impact on the GLA protein by analysis of the GLA mRNA, by sequential analysis and homology modeling, and by site‐directed mutagenesis and in vitro expression studies.

Results

We identified a novel heterozygous missense mutation c.280T>C in our patient with variable phenotypic presentations of renal involvement. The novel GLA variant results in low expression of GLA mRNAs, impaired or loss of the disulfate bridge structure of wild‐type GLA, reduced GLA activity and defected nuclear shape in the GFP‐GLA‐MT transfected HEK293T cells.

Conclusion

A novel GLA missense mutation, c.280T>C (Cys94Arg), was found in a Chinese family with predominant renal manifestations of FD. Our study reveals the pathogenesis of c.280T>C mutation to FD and provides scientific foundation for accurate diagnosis and precise medical intervention for FD.
Oncometabolites: A new insight for oncology
Authors: Khatami Fatemeh , Aghamir Seyed Mohammad Kazem , Tavangar Seyed Mohammad
Published: July 2019

The new aspect of oncometabolite can be an indicator of genetic and epigenetic change and cancer biomarker.
Some characteristic properties of the weighted particular Schur polynomial mean
Authors: Zhang Zhi‐Hua , M. Srivastava Hari
Published: July 2019

This paper provides some characteristic properties of the weighted particular Schur polynomial mean of several variables. In addition, an elementary proof of an important inequality involving the weighted particular Schur polynomial mean is given. Various related results involving a family of the Schur polynomials, symmetric polynomials, and other associated polynomials, together with the potential for their applications, are also considered.
Ultra‐miniaturization design of substrate‐integrated waveguide cavity trisection bandpass filter
Authors: Mimsyad Muhammad , Hsu Chung‐I G. , Ho Min‐Hua
Published: July 2019

The contribution of this work is to propose a novel trisection bandpass filter (BPF) using only one ultra‐miniature substrate‐integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity. The SIW cavity is composed of two substrate layers and a very thin prepreg layer for binding purpose. A circular patch is deployed on the cavity's middle metal layer and is evenly trisected into three identical pieces. Each piece is shorted to the cavity's bottom face by a blind via. The cavity together with the via‐shorted trisected patches form the trisection filter's resonators. This trisected‐patch‐loaded SIW cavity has the dominant‐mode resonance frequency much lower than that of the standard patch‐free SIW cavity. The down shift in the resonance frequency of the proposed resonator structure has effectively led to a significant circuit‐size reduction. When compared with a three‐pole BPF consisting of three standard patch‐free SIW cavities, the size reduction rate of our proposed BPF requiring only one SIW cavity is as high as 97.47%, which might be the highest record achieved so far. An experiment has been conducted to verify the proposed circuit design. Besides ultra‐circuit miniaturization, the measured upper stopband with the rejection of larger than 20 dB is as wide as 2.38 times the passband center frequency.
Metabolic profiling of serum in patients with cartilage tumours using 1H‐NMR spectroscopy: A pilot study
Authors: López‐Garrido Liliana , Bañuelos‐Hernández Angel E. , Pérez‐Hernández Elizabeth , Tecualt‐Gómez Romeo , Quiroz‐Williams Jorge , Ariza‐Castolo Armando , Becerra‐Martínez Elvia , Pérez‐Hernández Nury
Published: July 2019

Cartilage‐forming lesions include tumours that can vary in severity from benign enchondromas to high‐grade malignant chondrosarcomas. Chondrosarcoma is the second most frequent malignant bone tumour, accounting for 20–30% of all malignant bone neoplasms. Surgery is the standard treatment for cartilage tumours (CTs); however, their incidental diagnosis and the difficult differentiation of low‐grade lesions like chondrosarcoma grade I from benign entities like enchondroma are challenges for clinical management. In this sense, the search for circulating biomarkers for early detection and prognosis is an ongoing interest. Targeted metabolomics is a powerful tool that can propose potential biomarkers in biological fluids as well as help to discover disturbed metabolic pathways to reveal tumour pathogenesis. In this context, the aim of this study was to investigate the 1H nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomic serum profile of patients with CTs contrasted with healthy controls. Forty‐one metabolites were identified and quantified; the multivariate statistical methods principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis reveal a clear separation of the CT group, that is, the differential metabolites that were involved in two main metabolic pathways: the taurine and hypotaurine metabolism and synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies. Our results represent preliminary work for emergent serum‐based diagnostics or prognostic methods for patients with chondrogenic tumours.
k‐Space deep learning for reference‐free EPI ghost correction
Authors: Lee Juyoung , Han Yoseob , Ryu Jae‐Kyun , Park Jang‐Yeon , Ye Jong Chul
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Nyquist ghost artifacts in echo planar imaging (EPI) are originated from phase mismatch between the even and odd echoes. However, conventional correction methods using reference scans often produce erroneous results especially in high‐field MRI due to the nonlinear and time‐varying local magnetic field changes. Recently, it was shown that the problem of ghost correction can be reformulated as k‐space interpolation problem that can be solved using structured low‐rank Hankel matrix approaches. Another recent work showed that data driven Hankel matrix decomposition can be reformulated to exhibit similar structures as deep convolutional neural network. By synergistically combining these findings, we propose a k‐space deep learning approach that immediately corrects the phase mismatch without a reference scan in both accelerated and non‐accelerated EPI acquisitions.

Theory and Methods

To take advantage of the even and odd‐phase directional redundancy, the k‐space data are divided into 2 channels configured with even and odd phase encodings. The redundancies between coils are also exploited by stacking the multi‐coil k‐space data into additional input channels. Then, our k‐space ghost correction network is trained to learn the interpolation kernel to estimate the missing virtual k‐space data. For the accelerated EPI data, the same neural network is trained to directly estimate the interpolation kernels for missing k‐space data from both ghost and subsampling.

Results

Reconstruction results using 3T and 7T in vivo data showed that the proposed method outperformed the image quality compared to the existing methods, and the computing time is much faster.

Conclusions

The proposed k‐space deep learning for EPI ghost correction is highly robust and fast, and can be combined with acceleration, so that it can be used as a promising correction tool for high‐field MRI without changing the current acquisition protocol.
An automated approach to fully self‐gated free‐running cardiac and respiratory motion‐resolved 5D whole‐heart MRI
Authors: Di Sopra Lorenzo , Piccini Davide , Coppo Simone , Stuber Matthias , Yerly Jérôme
Published: July 2019

Purpose

To develop a previously reported, electrocardiogram (ECG)‐gated, motion‐resolved 5D compressed sensing whole‐heart sparse MRI methodology into an automated, optimized, and fully self‐gated free‐running framework in which external gating or triggering devices are no longer needed.

Methods

Cardiac and respiratory self‐gating signals were extracted from raw image data acquired in 12 healthy adult volunteers with a non‐ECG‐triggered 3D radial golden‐angle 1.5 T balanced SSFP sequence. To extract cardiac self‐gating signals, central k‐space coefficient signal analysis (k0 modulation), as well as independent and principal component analyses were performed on selected k‐space profiles. The procedure yielding triggers with the smallest deviation from those of the reference ECG was selected for the automated protocol. Thus, optimized cardiac and respiratory self‐gating signals were used for binning in a compressed sensing reconstruction pipeline. Coronary vessel length and sharpness of the resultant 5D images were compared with image reconstructions obtained with ECG‐gating.

Results

Principal component analysis–derived cardiac self‐gating triggers yielded a smaller deviation () from the reference ECG counterparts than k0 modulation () or independent component analysis (). Cardiac and respiratory motion‐resolved 5D images were successfully reconstructed with the automated and fully self‐gated approach. No significant difference was found for coronary vessel length and sharpness between images reconstructed with the fully self‐gated and the ECG‐gated approach (all ).

Conclusion

Motion‐resolved 5D compressed sensing whole‐heart sparse MRI has successfully been developed into an automated, optimized, and fully self‐gated free‐running framework in which external gating, triggering devices, or navigators are no longer mandatory. The resultant coronary MRA image quality was equivalent to that obtained with conventional ECG‐gating.
The pH sensitivity of APT‐CEST using phosphorus spectroscopy as a reference method
Authors: Schüre Jan‐Rüdiger , Shrestha Manoj , Breuer Stella , Deichmann Ralf , Hattingen Elke , Wagner Marlies , Pilatus Ulrich
Published: July 2019

The pH value is a potential physiological marker for clinical diagnosis as it is altered in pathologies such as tumors. While intracellular pH can be measured noninvasively via phosphorus spectroscopy (31P MRSI), Amide Proton Transfer‐Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (APT‐CEST) MRI has been suggested as an alternative method for pH quantification.

To assess the suitability of APT‐CEST contrast for pH quantification, two approaches (magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry [MTRasym] and Lorentzian difference analysis [LDA]) for analyzing the Z‐spectrum have been correlated with pH values obtained by 31P MRSI. Fourteen patients with glioblastoma and 12 healthy controls were included. In contrast to MTRasym, the LDA is modeling the direct water saturation and the semi‐solid magnetization transfer, allowing a separate evaluation of the aliphatic nuclear Overhauser effect and the APT‐CEST.

The results of our study show that the pH values obtained by 31P MRSI correspond well with both methods describing the APT‐CEST contrast. Two‐sample t‐test showed significant differences in MTRasym, LDA and pH obtained by 31P MRSI for regions of interest in glioblastoma, contralateral control areas and normal appearing white matter (P < 0.001). A slightly improved correlation between the amide signal and pH was found after performing LDA (r = 0.78) compared with MTRasym (r = 0.70).

While both methods can be used to monitor pH changes, the LDA approach appears to be better suited.
A critical perspective on the concept of biocultural diversity and its emerging role in nature and heritage conservation
Authors: Bridgewater Peter , Rotherham Ian D.
Published: July 2019

The continuing losses of biodiversity around the world remain problematic for nature conservation. A fundamental issue that has triggered debates in nature conservation is the relationship between human culture, heritage and history, and nature expressed as ecology or biodiversity.

Traditionally, nature conservation has been pursued separately from aspects of cultural heritage; a situation which seems perplexing when we consider the importance of traditional management in the maintenance of biodiversity in many areas now ‘protected’ for nature.

To address these broad issues, fundamental to future landscape sustainability, we need to have clear definitions of concepts and terms.

This paper considers the historical development of the key concepts that frame biocultural diversity and the paradigms relating to biocultural assets or eco‐cultural landscapes. This is pertinent to both researchers and to practitioners or policymakers, and we suggest ways biocultural diversity can improve global conservation efforts.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Autoimmune response and its long‐term consequences after exon‐skipping therapy in a Duchenne muscular dystrophy mouse model
Authors: Nordin Joel Z , Aoki Yoshitsugu
Published: July 2019

The progress of antisense‐based therapies using first generation Morpholino oligonucleotides for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is expected to partially restore dystrophin expression and may prolong the lifespan of DMD patients. In a recent issue of The Journal of Pathology, a sophisticated study by Vila et al used a dystrophic mouse model of DMD to demonstrate that Morpholino‐induced exon skipping induced dystrophin expression in skeletal muscle and stimulated cell mediated and humoral responses to dystrophin. The study highlights the need to further investigate the autoimmune response against de novo synthesised truncated dystrophin protein and its long‐term consequences after exon‐skipping therapy for DMD. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Homozygous c.130–131 ins A (pW44X) mutation in the HAX1 gene as the most common cause of congenital neutropenia in Turkey: Report from the Turkish Severe Congenital Neutropenia Registry
Authors: Yılmaz Karapınar Deniz , Patıroğlu Türkan , Metin Ayşe , Çalışkan Ümran , Celkan Tiraje , Yılmaz Barış , Karakaş Zeynep , Karapınar Tuba H. , Akıncı Burcu , Özkınay Ferda , Onay Hüseyin , Yeşilipek Mehmet Akif , Akar Himmet Haluk , Tüysüz Gülen , Tokgöz Hüseyin , Özdemir Gül Nihal , Aslan Kıykım Ayça , Karaman Serap , Kılınç Yurdanur , Oymak Yeşim , Küpesiz Alphan , Olcay Lale , Keskin Yıldırım Zuhal , Aydoğan Gönül , Gökçe Müge , İleri Talia , Aral Yusuf Ziya , Bay Ali , Atabay Berna , Kaya Zuhre , Söker Murat , Özdemir Karadaş Nihal , Özbek Uğur , Özsait Selçuk Bilge , Özdemir Hamiyet Hekimci , Uygun Vedat , Tezcan Karasu Gülsün , Yılmaz Şebnem
Published: July 2019

Background

Severe congenital neutropenia is a rare disease, and autosomal dominantly inherited ELANE mutation is the most frequently observed genetic defect in the registries from North America and Western Europe. However, in eastern countries where consanguineous marriages are common, autosomal recessive forms might be more frequent.

Method

Two hundred and sixteen patients with severe congenital neutropenia from 28 different pediatric centers in Turkey were registered.

Results

The most frequently observed mutation was HAX1 mutation (n = 78, 36.1%). A heterozygous ELANE mutation was detected in 29 patients (13.4%) in our cohort. Biallelic mutations of G6PC3 (n = 9, 4.3%), CSF3R (n = 6, 2.9%), and JAGN1 (n = 2, 1%) were also observed. Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor treatment was given to 174 patients (80.6%). Two patients died with infectious complications, and five patients developed myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloblastic leukemia. The mean (± mean standard error) follow‐up period was 129.7 ± 76.3 months, and overall survival was 96.8% (CI, 94.4–99.1%) at the age of 15 years. In Turkey, severe congenital neutropenia mostly resulted from the p W44X mutation in the HAX1 gene.

Conclusion

In Turkey, mutation analysis should be started with HAX1, and if this is negative, ELANE and G6PC3 should be checked. Because of the very high percentage of consanguineous marriage, rare mutations should be tested in patients with a negative mutation screen.
NMR analysis of cultivated Sideritis euboea Heldr.
Authors: Tomou Ekaterina‐Michaela , Chatzopoulou Paschalina , Skaltsa Helen
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Over the last decades, the demand of medicinal plants has vastly increased. The health trend and social changes are leading to a growing demand for herbal products, as medicines and in particular as food supplements. Various cultivations of medicinal plants have been developed in order not only to respond on this enormous market, but also to offer high‐quality products. Cultivated plants have attracted great scientific interest for their rich and high standard chemical compositions.

Objective

Our study focuses on the phytochemical profile of cultivated Sideritis euboea Heldr., a shrub with a great commercial value. The whole isolation course of all extracts, fractions and sub‐fractions was continuously monitored and traced down using an NMR strategy, which permitted their detail characterisation and enabled us to choose the more abundant extract.

Methods

Aerial parts of cultivated S. euboea were extracted with solvents of increasing polarity and their secondary metabolites were identified by NMR analyses.

Results

So far, using various analytical methods, 16 secondary metabolites have been isolated from the methanol extract; two iridoids, seven flavones, five phenylethanoid glucosides and two phenolic acids. In addition to the previous investigation of the wild population, the present study revealed that its chemical profile is similar and even richer in phenolic compounds.

Conclusion

The metabolic profile of cultivated S. euboea was studied through 1H‐NMR spectra; the structures of the isolated secondary metabolites were assigned based on their one‐dimensional and two‐dimensional NMR spectra. The NMR strategy allowed us to detect even the minor compounds in the extracts.
Dispersion and properties of natural rubber‐montmorillonite nanocomposites fabricated by novel in situ organomodified and latex compounding method
Authors: Fathurrohman Mohamad Irfan , Rugmai Supagorn , Hayeemasae Nabil , Sahakaro Kannika
Published: July 2019

Natural rubber (NR)‐montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by a novel in situ organomodified and latex compounding method, followed by melt compounding technique. Effects of cationic surfactant on MMT dispersion, curing characteristic, mechanical, and dynamical properties were investigated. The number of layers in the layered MMT stack was determined by Small‐Angle X‐Ray Scattering (SAXS). The dispersion of MMT tends to form high ordered structure in NR‐MMT masterbatch when cationic surfactant of more than 4 phr was used. The morphology of Na‐MMT shows partly intercalated and exfoliated structure in the matrix after mixing and hot pressing process with reduced number of layers compared to the pristine MMT. The use of cationic surfactant over 4 phr introduces a plasticizing effect resulting in the reduction of crosslink density, hardness and modulus, but increase in tensile strength due to higher interfacial adhesion between NR and MMT as determined by Maeir‐Goritz model and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The optimum cationic surfactant loading is observed at 4 phr with the highest stable bonds, which result in the highest crosslink density, tear strength and storage modulus while the lowest Payne effect and tan delta at 60°C. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:1830–1839, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Targeted insertion of large DNA sequences by homology‐directed repair or non‐homologous end joining in engineered tobacco BY‐2 cells using designed zinc finger nucleases
Authors: Schiermeyer Andreas , Schneider Katja , Kirchhoff Janina , Schmelter Thomas , Koch Natalie , Jiang Ke , Herwartz Denise , Blue Ryan , Marri Pradeep , Samuel Pon , Corbin David R. , Webb Steven R. , Gonzalez Delkin O. , Folkerts Otto , Fischer Rainer , Schinkel Helga , Ainley W. Michael , Schillberg Stefan
Published: July 2019

Targeted integration of recombinant DNA fragments into plant genomes by DNA double‐strand break (DSB) repair mechanisms has become a powerful tool for precision engineering of crops. However, many targeting platforms require the screening of many transgenic events to identify a low number of targeted events among many more random insertion events. We developed an engineered transgene integration platform (ETIP) that uses incomplete marker genes at the insertion site to enable rapid phenotypic screening and recovery of targeted events upon functional reconstitution of the marker genes. The two marker genes, encoding neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) and Discosoma sp. red fluorescent protein (DsRed) enable event selection on kanamycin‐containing selective medium and subsequent screening for red fluorescent clones. The ETIP design allows targeted integration of donor DNA molecules either by homology‐directed repair (HDR) or non‐homologous end joining (NHEJ)‐mediated mechanisms. Targeted donor DNA integration is facilitated by zinc finger nucleases (ZFN). The ETIP cassette was introduced into Nicotiana tabacum BY‐2 suspension cells to generate target cell lines containing a single copy locus of the transgene construct. The utility of the ETIP platform has been demonstrated by targeting DNA constructs containing up to 25‐kb payload. The success rate for clean targeted DNA integration was up to 21% for HDR and up to 41% for NHEJ based on the total number of calli analyzed by next‐generation sequencing (NGS). The rapid generation of targeted events with large DNA constructs expands the utility of the nuclease‐mediated gene addition platform both for academia and the commercial sector.
Metaproteomic and Metabolomic Approaches for Characterizing the Gut Microbiome
Authors: Peters Danielle L. , Wang Wenju , Zhang Xu , Ning Zhibin , Mayne Janice , Figeys Daniel
Published: July 2019

The gut microbiome has been shown to play a significant role in human healthy and diseased states. The dynamic signaling that occurs between the host and microbiome is critical for the maintenance of host homeostasis. Analyzing the human microbiome with metaproteomics, metabolomics, and integrative multi‐omics analyses can provide significant information on markers for healthy and diseased states, allowing for the eventual creation of microbiome‐targeted treatments for diseases associated with dysbiosis. Metaproteomics enables functional activity information to be gained from the microbiome samples, while metabolomics provides insight into the overall metabolic states affecting/representing the host–microbiome interactions. Combining these functional ‐omic platforms together with microbiome composition profiling allows for a holistic overview on the functional and metabolic state of the microbiome and its influence on human health. Here the benefits of metaproteomics, metabolomics, and the integrative multi‐omic approaches to investigating the gut microbiome in the context of human health and diseases are reviewed.
Pediatric bone marrow transplantation: Psychopathologic features in recipients along with siblings
Authors: Erden Semih , Kuşkonmaz Bülent Barış , Çetinkaya Duygu Uçkan , Ünal Fatih , Özsungur Berna
Published: July 2019

Objective

To analyze the development of psychopathology in recipients along with their donor and nondonor siblings and the relationship with the bone marrow transplantation (BMT) process.

Methods

All children were interviewed using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia to assess psychopathology. The depression and anxiety symptoms and self‐esteem of children and adolescents were evaluated using the Children's Depression Inventory, State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale.

Results

In this study, the depressive symptom level was found significantly higher in the donor group compared with the nondonor group. State anxiety symptoms were higher in the BMT group (P < .05). There were no significant differences in trait anxiety symptoms. Self‐respect was higher in children in the donor group compared with those in the BMT group (P < .05). During the transplant process, children with bone marrow transplants had a higher prevalence of depression, anxiety disorder, and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and nondonor siblings had a higher prevalence of depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder compared with society in general.

Conclusion

Physicians should deal with the family as a whole, not just their patient, and should be aware of the psychiatric risk of other siblings during the assessment.
The neuroprotective activities of natural products through the Nrf2 upregulation
Authors: Tavakkoli Alireza , Iranshahi Mehrdad , Hasheminezhad S. Hossein , Hayes A. Wallace , Karimi Gholamreza
Published: July 2019

Nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 (Nrf2) is a basic‐region leucine zipper transcription factor that regulates the expression of many Phase II detoxifying/antioxidant enzymes. Many natural products act on the Nrf2 pathway and exhibit their preventive and/or therapeutic effects by activating Nrf2 and subsequently antioxidant enzymes. In this article, we reviewed the research literature that described Nrf2 activation as a mechanism for the neuroprotective effect of natural products. Our results showed that the inhibition of Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1 and the activation of different intracellular kinases that lead to Nrf2 phosphorylation were the main mechanisms of Nrf2 upregulation suggested for these the natural products. Although some natural compounds such as terpenoids and alkaloids were reported to protect the nervous system by Nrf2 activating, flavonoids and phenolic compounds represent the majority of the reported neuroprotective natural substances that activate Nrf2. We also evaluated the physiochemical properties of some of the same substances to predict their oral bioavailability and central nervous system penetration. The results showed that sulforaphane and berberine have good oral bioavailability and would be predicted to cross through blood–brain barrier (BBB) easily, whereas the flavonoids in general would be predicted to be less effective in BBB transition because of their relatively high polar surface area.
The response of ocean parameters to tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal
Authors: Busireddy Nanda Kishore Reddy , Ankur Kumar , Osuri Krishna Kishore , Sivareddy Sanikommu , Niyogi Dev
Published: July 2019

The Bay of Bengal (BoB) exhibits notable seasonal variations in tropical cyclone heat potential (TCHP), barrier layer thickness (BLT) and sea‐surface temperature (SST). These parameters also undergo profound changes in the presence of tropical cyclones (TCs). The composite structures of these ocean parameters as a function of the season of TC formation, intensity, and translation speed are unknown and are developed in the present study. Composite structures are examined based on 1,222 instantaneous samples from 83 TCs during 2003–2016 using INCOIS‐GODAS analyses. A BLT of 10–30 m and TCHP of 40–80 kJ/cm2 favours TC intensification in the central BoB. The multivariate regression of BLT and TCHP appears to be better for TC intensity up to 64 knots and is highly underestimated for the stronger TCs (>64 knots). The TC right‐rear sector experiences significant changes in TCHP anomaly (TCHPA) as the intensity increases. The TCHPA ranges ∼10–15, ∼20–25 and ∼25–30 kJ/cm2 when a TC is at Cyclone Storm (CS), Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS) and Very SCS (VSCS) stages respectively. The maximum TCHPA is generally aligned along the TC track during the post‐monsoon season. Slow‐moving TCs produce maximum TCHPA cooling of ∼20 kJ/cm2 within 250 km storm radius in the rear sector, while it is less and away from the storm centre for normal and fast‐movers. The seasonal changes showed opposite relations between BLT and TCHP from pre‐ to post‐monsoon seasons during the TC intensification. TC‐induced SST cooling is maximum (∼0.5–1.2 °C) in the inner core for the strong (VSCS and above) and slow‐moving TCs. The cooling decreases with an increase in the translation speed and is more pronounced in the pre‐monsoon season. This study provides a baseline to verify and understand the limitations of the models, and also develop a climatological perspective of BoB TCs.
Diffuse nitrogen pollution control: Moving from riparian zone to headwater catchment approach—A tribute to the influence of Professor Geoff Petts
Authors: Pinay Gilles , Haycock Nicholas E.
Published: July 2019

A lot of attention has been given to the importance of riparian zones as a nitrogen buffer during the last 30 years. Expectations were high and have resulted often in mismanagement practices. This paper aims at revisiting during this period the main research advancement, questions generated, and the progress in understanding the role of interactions between land and water in river system functioning. We describe how the seminal papers published in the 1980s on the role of riparian zone as nitrogen buffer have triggered several fundamental and applied questions related to the mechanisms at stake or their long efficiency in different hydrological and climatic contexts. We then address how this local riparian buffer capacity can be evaluated at the small drainage basin scale. We finally touch upon the restoration and protection of riparian zones in the context of climate change and especially its potential role on local and global water fluxes and other key aquatic ecosystem functions.
Human Cord Blood-Derived Unrestricted Somatic Stem Cell Infusion Improves Neurobehavioral Outcome in a Rabbit Model of Intraventricular Hemorrhage
Authors: Vinukonda Govindaiah , Liao Yanling , Hu Furong , Ivanova Larisa , Purohit Deepti , Finkel Dina A. , Giri Priyadarshani , Bapatla Lakshmipramoda , Shah Shetal , Zia Muhammed T. , Hussein Karen , Cairo Mitchell S. , La Gamma Edmund F.
Published: July 2019

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a severe complication of preterm birth, which leads to hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, and mental retardation. There are no available therapies to cure IVH, and standard treatment is supportive care. Unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSCs) from human cord blood have reparative effects in animal models of brain and spinal cord injuries. USSCs were administered to premature rabbit pups with IVH and their effects on white matter integrity and neurobehavioral performance were evaluated. USSCs were injected either via intracerebroventricular (ICV) or via intravenous (IV) routes in 3 days premature (term 32d) rabbit pups, 24 hours after glycerol-induced IVH. The pups were sacrificed at postnatal days 3, 7, and 14 and effects were compared to glycerol-treated but unaffected or nontreated control. Using in vivo live bioluminescence imaging and immunohistochemical analysis, injected cells were found in the injured parenchyma on day 3 when using the IV route compared to ICV where cells were found adjacent to the ventricle wall forming aggregates; we did not observe any adverse events from either route of administration. The injected USSCs were functionally associated with attenuated microglial infiltration, less apoptotic cell death, fewer reactive astrocytes, and diminished levels of key inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL1β). In addition, we observed better preservation of myelin fibers, increased myelin gene expression, and altered reactive astrocyte distribution in treated animals, and this was associated with improved locomotor function. Overall, our findings support the possibility that USSCs exert anti-inflammatory effects in the injured brain mitigating many detrimental consequences associated with IVH. Stem Cells Translational Medicine  2019;8:1157–1169
A Turn‐On Fluorescence Probe for Rapid Detection of Hypochlorite in Living Cells and in Vitro
Authors: Xie Ya , Haung Lijia , Yan Liqiang , Li Jianping
Published: July 2019

A turn on fluorescence probe for the rapid detection of hypochlorite (ClO−) was prepared successfully. The detection performances of this probe were studied by virtue of ultraviolet absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that this probe displayed excellent colorimetric and noteworthy fluorescence enhancement after interaction with hypochlorite (ClO−) and showed good selectivity and sensitivity for ClO− over other analytes in solution. Due to the short reaction time, high selectivity and sensitivity, this probe was successfully used in the detection of ClO− in living cells and water samples.
Peripheral Fluorophore Functionalized Shape‐Persistent [2+3] Organic Cage for Highly Selective Detection of Picric Acid
Authors: Sharma Vivekanand , Chatterjee Nabanita , Srivastava Payal , De Dinesh , Bharadwaj Parimal K.
Published: July 2019

This work manifests the synthesis of an amine functionalized organic cage NCa, using dynamic covalent imine chemistry offering facile proton transfer from picric acid (PA) to NCa, provide a remarkable selectivity for PA and function as a chemosensor. Owing to presence of electron rich environment at its periphery, this cage was outstanding in selectivity for the explosive picric acid. Theoretical studies revealed an unusual electron transfer takes place in ground‐state from picrate anion to the chemosensor NCa and simultaneous occurrence of FRET from protonated NCa to picrate. In addition to this, direct contact mode analysis is carried out for rapid practical applications and results were satisfactory.