bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hemispheric asymmetry of the dayside aurora due to imbalanced solar insolation
Authors: Liou Kan , Mitchell Elizabeth J.
Published: August 2020

Unlike the nightside aurora, which is controlled mainly by magnetic field reconnection in the magnetotail, the dayside aurora is closely associated with magnetic field merging at the dayside magnetopause. About two decades ago, it was discovered that the aurora is also controlled by solar insolation. Because the finding was based on data acquired mainly in the Northern Hemisphere, an outstanding question is if the auroral solar insolation effect also exists in the Southern Hemisphere. The present study addresses this question by studying dayside auroras from both hemispheres. We analyze 6 years’ worth of Earth disk emissions at far ultraviolet wavelengths acquired by the Global UltraViolet Imager on-board the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics satellite from 2002 to 2007. It is found that the solar insolation effect also exists in the Southern Hemisphere. In essence, the energy flux deposited as electron precipitation, is larger when the polar hemisphere is sunlit and is smaller when the polar hemisphere is dark. Because auroras are produced mainly by electron precipitation and because electrons are the main current carrier, this north–south asymmetry is consistent with the previous finding that larger (smaller) field-aligned currents are flowing out of the sunlit (dark) hemisphere. This trend is independent of the solar wind driving, suggesting that it is an effect associated with solar insolation. A small north–south asymmetry in the dayside auroral energy flux was identified. We discuss the asymmetry in the context of magnetospheric current and voltage generators.
PM2.5 diminution and haze events over Delhi during the COVID-19 lockdown period: an interplay between the baseline pollution and meteorology
Authors: Dhaka Surendra K. , Chetna  , Kumar Vinay , Panwar Vivek , Dimri A. P. , Singh Narendra , Patra Prabir K. , Matsumi Yutaka , Takigawa Masayuki , Nakayama Tomoki , Yamaji Kazuyo , Kajino Mizuo , Misra Prakhar , Hayashida Sachiko
Published: August 2020

Delhi, a tropical Indian megacity, experiences one of the most severe air pollution in the world, linked with diverse anthropogenic and biomass burning emissions. First phase of COVID-19 lockdown in India, implemented during 25 March to 14 April 2020 resulted in a dramatic near-zeroing of various activities (e.g. traffic, industries, constructions), except the “essential services”. Here, we analysed variations in the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) over the Delhi-National Capital Region. Measurements revealed large reductions (by 40–70%) in PM2.5 during the first week of lockdown (25–31 March 2020) as compared to the pre-lockdown conditions. However, O3 pollution remained high during the lockdown due to non-linear chemistry and dynamics under low aerosol loading. Notably, events of enhanced PM2.5 levels (300–400 µg m−3) were observed during night and early morning hours in the first week of April after air temperatures fell close to the dew-point (~ 15–17 °C). A haze formation mechanism is suggested through uplifting of fine particles, which is reinforced by condensation of moisture following the sunrise. The study highlights a highly complex interplay between the baseline pollution and meteorology leading to counter intuitive enhancements in pollution, besides an overall improvement in air quality during the COVID-19 lockdown in this part of the world.
The molecular insights into protein adsorption on hematite surface disclosed by in-situ ATR-FTIR/2D-COS study
Authors: Barreto Matheus Sampaio C. , Elzinga Evert J. , Alleoni Luís Reynaldo F.
Published: August 2020

Proteins are of ubiquitous interest in the Life Sciences but are of interest in the Geosciences as well because of the significant role these compounds play in the biogeochemical cycling of trace and nutrient elements. Structural changes resulting from the adsorption of proteins onto mineral surfaces may alter protein biological function and other environmental interactions. Iron oxides are major sinks of a range of environmental elements including organic compounds. In this study, the adsorption of the broadly studied model protein BSA onto the hematite mineral surface was characterized as a function of pH, ionic strength, and BSA concentration using in-situ Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. BSA lost the α-helix and gain β-sheets in the secondary structure during adsorption on hematite. BSA adsorption was maximum at pH 5, a value close to the BSA isoelectric point (~ pH 5), and lower at pH 4 and pH 7. Increasing ionic strength decreased to total BSA adsorption. Two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy analysis of the ATR-FTIR spectra revealed that higher initial BSA concentration and the consequent higher BSA surface loading enhanced BSA adsorption by protein–protein interaction, which less ordered structures changes into more compact forms decrease, hence compacting the structural arrangement and could promoting multilayers/aggregation formation on the mineral surface. The activity of enzymes following adsorption on mineral surfaces requires further study.
C. elegans possess a general program to enter cryptobiosis that allows dauer larvae to survive different kinds of abiotic stress
Authors: Gade Vamshidhar R. , Traikov Sofia , Oertel Jana , Fahmy Karim , Kurzchalia Teymuras V.
Published: August 2020

All organisms encounter abiotic stress but only certain organisms are able to cope with extreme conditions and enter into cryptobiosis (hidden life). Previously, we have shown that C. elegans dauer larvae can survive severe desiccation (anhydrobiosis), a specific form of cryptobiosis. Entry into anhydrobiosis is preceded by activation of a set of biochemical pathways by exposure to mild desiccation. This process called preconditioning induces elevation of trehalose, intrinsically disordered proteins, polyamines and some other pathways that allow the preservation of cellular functionality in the absence of water. Here, we demonstrate that another stress factor, high osmolarity, activates similar biochemical pathways. The larvae that acquired resistance to high osmotic pressure can also withstand desiccation. In addition, high osmolarity significantly increases the biosynthesis of glycerol making larva tolerant to freezing. Thus, to survive abiotic stress, C. elegans activates a combination of genetic and biochemical pathways that serve as a general survival program.
Prevalence of HIV infection and bacteriologically confirmed tuberculosis among individuals found at bars in Kampala slums, Uganda
Authors: Baluku Joseph Baruch , Anguzu Godwin , Nassozi Sylvia , Babirye Febronius , Namiiro Sharon , Buyungo Robert , Sempiira Mike , Wasswa Amir , Mulwana Rose , Ntambi Samuel , Worodria William , Andia-Biraro Irene
Published: August 2020

Individuals found at bars in slums have several risk factors for HIV and tuberculosis (TB). To determine the prevalence of HIV and TB among individuals found at bars in slums of Kampala, Uganda, we enrolled adults found at bars that provided written informed consent. Individuals with alcohol intoxication were excluded. We performed HIV testing using immunochromatographic antibody tests (Alere Determine HIV-1/2 and Chembio HIV 1/2 STAT-PAK). TB was confirmed using the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay, performed on single spot sputum samples. We enrolled 272 participants from 42 bars in 5 slums. The prevalence of HIV and TB was 11.4% (95% CI 8.1–15.8) and 15 (95% CI 6–39) per 1,000 population respectively. Predictors of HIV were female sex (aOR 5.87, 95% CI 2.05–16.83), current cigarette smoking (aOR 3.23, 95% CI 1.02–10.26), history of TB treatment (aOR 10.19, 95% CI 3.17–32.82) and CAGE scores of 2–3 (aOR 3.90, 95% CI 1.11–13.70) and 4 (aOR 4.77, 95% CI 1.07–21.35). The prevalence of HIV and TB was twice and four times the national averages respectively. These findings highlight the need for concurrent programmatic screening for both HIV and TB among high risk populations in slums.
Facile fabrication of a controlled polymer brush-type functional nanoprobe for highly sensitive determination of alpha fetoprotein
Authors: Wang Na , Wang Chan , Chen Hou , Bai Liangjiu , Wang Wenxiang , Yang Huawei , Wei Donglei , Yang Lixia
Published: August 2020

As robust functional polymers, polymer brush-based hybrid nanomaterials have potential application in the highly sensitive determination of tumor markers (TMs).
Response to comment on “Tunable thermal quenching properties of Na3Sc2(PO4)3:Eu2+ phosphors tailored by phase transformation details” by Z. Liu et al., Dalton Trans., 2020, 49, 3615
Authors: Liu Zehua , Mao Zhiyong , Wang Dajian
Published: August 2020

The negative thermal quenching of Na3Sc2(PO4)3:Eu2+ phosphor was confirmed as an intrinsic property, instead of a pitfall caused by optical path length variation, as argued in the comment on our published paper (Dalton Trans., 2020, 49, 3615–3621).
Colloidal biliquid aphron demulsification using polyaluminum chloride and density modification of DNAPLs: optimal conditions and common ion effect
Authors: Liang Xue , Dong Jun , Wei Gaoliang , Offiong Nnanake-Abasi , Yang Chaoge
Published: August 2020

PAC can effectively demulsify CBLAs to reverse the density of DNAPLs and is not affected by specific ions in groundwater.
Docosahexaenoic acid-acylated astaxanthin ester exhibits superior performance over non-esterified astaxanthin in preventing behavioral deficits coupled with apoptosis in MPTP-induced mice with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Wang Cheng-Cheng , Shi Hao-Hao , Xu Jie , Yanagita Teruyoshi , Xue Chang-Hu , Zhang Tian-Tian , Wang Yu-Ming
Published: August 2020

Docosahexaenoic acid-acylated astaxanthin ester significantly prevents behavioral deficits by inhibiting apoptosis rather than oxidative stress in MPTP-induced mice with Parkinson's disease compared to non-esterified astaxanthin.
Data centric nanocomposites design via mixed-variable Bayesian optimization
Authors: Iyer Akshay , Zhang Yichi , Prasad Aditya , Gupta Praveen , Tao Siyu , Wang Yixing , Prabhune Prajakta , Schadler Linda S. , Brinson L. Catherine , Chen Wei
Published: August 2020

Integrating experimental data with computational methods enables multicriteria design of nanocomposites using quantitative and qualitative design variables.
2D host–guest supramolecular chemistry for an on-monolayer graphene emitting platform
Authors: Kim Byeonggwan , Cho Cheolhyun , Arfaoui Imad , Paris Céline , Petit Christophe , Le Bahers Tangui , Kim Eunkyoung , Attias André-Jean
Published: August 2020

Electronic decoupling of molecular emitters from monolayer graphene allows luminescence of the hybrid platform, opening new perspectives for 2D materials-based nanophotonics.
One-pot sustainable preparation of sunlight active ZnS@graphene nano-composites using a Zn containing surface active ionic liquid
Authors: Arora Komal , Singh Gurbir , Karthikeyan Sekar , Kang Tejwant Singh
Published: August 2020

Facile and sustainable preparation of ZnS@graphene nano-composites (NCs) for dye and antibiotic degradation.
A protein corona sensor array detects breast and prostate cancers
Authors: Digiacomo Luca , Jafari-Khouzani Kourosh , Palchetti Sara , Pozzi Daniela , Capriotti Anna Laura , Laganà Aldo , Zenezini Chiozzi Riccardo , Caputo Damiano , Cascone Chiara , Coppola Roberto , Flammia Gerardo , Altomare Vittorio , Grasso Antonella , Mahmoudi Morteza , Caracciolo Giulio
Published: August 2020

Following exposure to human plasma nanoparticles are coated with a “disease-specific” protein corona.
Electrically sensing Hachimoji DNA nucleotides through a hybrid graphene/h-BN nanopore
Authors: de Souza Fábio A. L. , Sivaraman Ganesh , Fyta Maria , Scheicher Ralph H. , Scopel Wanderlã L. , Amorim Rodrigo G.
Published: August 2020

We show that synthetic Hachimoji nucleobases can be reliably sensed by analysing the strength and duration of characteristic electrical signals generated when their presence in a nanopore modulates the conductance of an adjacent carbon wire.
Atomic structure causing an obvious difference in thermal conductance at the Pd–H2O interface: a molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Li Shanchen , Chen Yang , Zhao Junhua , Wang Chunlei , Wei Ning
Published: August 2020

The thermal transfer across Pd-H2O interface is dependent on water structure, where the partial ordered water structure rises the interfacial thermal conductance.
A facile and efficient approach for hypertrophic scar therapy via DNA-based transdermal drug delivery
Authors: Jiang Kai , Chen Yunsheng , Zhao Di , Cheng Jin , Mo Fangli , Ji Bin , Gao Chao , Zhang Chuan , Song Jie
Published: August 2020

DNA-Fe NPs, a novel and efficient nanocarrier, improve DOX penetration and enhance scar-inhibiting effects for HS therapy.
Interfacial modification towards highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells
Authors: Wang Yang , Zhang Zemin , Tao Mingquan , Lan Yangjie , Li Mingzhu , Tian Yang , Song Yanlin
Published: August 2020

Highly efficient and stable PSCs have been achieved by interfacial modification of functional groups to adjust the work function, defects and vacancies, substrate wettability, formation and morphology, and recombination and transmission of carriers.
An efficient imidation of thioethers with nitrene in water
Authors: Feng Tao , Tang Zhihui , Luo Xiaoli , Mo Junming
Published: August 2020

The first imidation of thioethers with free nitrene in water was realized.
Urea-assisted enhanced electrocatalytic activity of MoS2–Ni3S2 for overall water splitting
Authors: Liu Yuqi , Yu Yue , Mu Zhongcheng , Wang Yuanhong , Ali Usman , Jing Shengyu , Xing Shuangxi
Published: August 2020

Urea-assisted enhanced electrocatalytic activity of MoS2–Ni3S2 as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting.
Nanosilver-enhanced AIE photosensitizer for simultaneous bioimaging and photodynamic therapy
Authors: Tavakkoli Yaraki Mohammad , Pan Yutong , Hu Fang , Yu Yong , Liu Bin , Tan Yen Nee
Published: August 2020

Development of a AgNP@AIE photosensitizer with greatly enhanced singlet oxygen generation (SOG) for effective photodynamic therapy and improved photostability for bright fluorescence bioimaging.
Ambient access to a new family of pyrrole-fused pyrazine nitrones via 2-carbonyl-N-allenylpyrroles
Authors: Ivanov Andrey V. , Martynovskaya Svetlana V. , Shcherbakova Victoria S. , Ushakov Igor A. , Borodina Tatyana N. , Bobkov Alexander S. , Vitkovskaya Nadezhda M.
Published: August 2020

The chemo-, regio- and stereoselective synthesis of pyrrole-fused pyrazine nitrones via the direct reaction of 2-carbonyl-N-allenylpyrroles (readily accessible from the corresponding NH-pyrroles) with hydroxyl amine hydrochloride has been developed.
Catalytic mixed conducting ceramic membrane reactors for methane conversion
Authors: Wang Zhigang , Chen Tianjia , Dewangan Nikita , Li Ziwei , Das Sonali , Pati Subhasis , Li Zhan , Lin Jerry Y. S. , Kawi Sibudjing
Published: August 2020

Schematic of catalytic mixed conducting ceramic membrane reactors for various reactions: (a) O2permeable ceramic membrane reactor; (b) H2permeable ceramic membrane reactor; (c) CO2permeable ceramic membrane reactor.
Rhodium catalysed C-3/5 methylation of pyridines using temporary dearomatisation
Authors: Grozavu Alexandru , Hepburn Hamish B. , Bailey Elliot P. , Lindsay-Scott Peter J. , Donohoe Timothy J.
Published: August 2020

Electron poor pyridines can be activated by reduction and then methylated at C3/5 using formaldehyde.
Surface hydration for antifouling and bio-adhesion
Authors: Del Grosso Chelsey A. , Leng Chuan , Zhang Kexin , Hung Hsiang-Chieh , Jiang Shaoyi , Chen Zhan , Wilker Jonathan J.
Published: August 2020

Antifouling properties of materials play crucial roles in many important applications such as biomedical implants, marine antifouling coatings, biosensing, and membranes for separation.
Structure-tuned membrane active Ir-complexed oligoarginine overcomes cancer cell drug resistance and triggers immune responses in mice
Authors: Ji Shuangshuang , Yang Xiuzhu , Chen Xiaolong , Li Ang , Yan Doudou , Xu Haiyan , Fei Hao
Published: August 2020

Structure optimized Ir-complexed cyclic octa-arginine shows a potential of “one-drug two-effects” for cancer treatment.
Design, synthesis, and application of metal sulfides for Li–S batteries: progress and prospects
Authors: Yan Bo , Li Xifei , Xiao Wei , Hu Junhua , Zhang Lulu , Yang Xuelin
Published: August 2020

This review paper presents a comprehensive overview of recent progress in the use of metal sulfide for high-performance Li–S batteries with a particular focus on the modified approaches, design principles, synthetic strategies, and representative applications.
NRF2/ACSS2 axis mediates the metabolic effect of alcohol drinking on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Odera Joab Otieno , Xiong Zhaohui , Huang Caizhi , Gu Ning , Yang Wenjun , Githang'a Jessie , Odera Elizabeth , Paiboonrungruang Chorlada , Chen Xiaoxin
Published: August 2020

Alcohol drinking is a leading risk factor for the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the molecular mechanisms of alcohol-associated ESCC remain poorly understood. One of the most commonly mutated genes in ESCC is nuclear factor erythroid 2 like 2 (NFE2L2 or NRF2), which is a critical transcription factor regulating oxidative stress response and drug detoxification. When NRF2 is hyperactive in cancer cells, however, it leads to metabolic reprogramming, cell proliferation, chemoradioresistance, and poor prognosis. In this study, hyperactive NRF2 was found to up-regulate acetyl-CoA synthetase short-chain family members 2 (ACSS2), an enzyme that converts acetate to acetyl-CoA, in ESCC cells and mouse esophagus. We also showed that knockdown of NRF2 or ACSS2 led to decreased ACSS2 expression, which in turn reduced the levels of acetyl-CoA and ATP with or without ethanol exposure. In addition, ethanol exposure enhanced lipid synthesis in ESCC cells. Moreover, we observed a change in the metabolic profile of ESCC cells exposed to ethanol as a result of their NRF2 or ACSS2 status. We further showed that ACSS2 contributed to the invasive capability of NRF2high ESCC cells exposed to ethanol. In conclusion, the NRF2/ACSS2 axis mediates the metabolic effect of alcohol drinking on ESCC.
The structure of importin α and the nuclear localization peptide of ChREBP, and small compound inhibitors of ChREBP–importin α interactions
Authors: Jung Hunmin , Takeshima Tomomi , Nakagawa Tsutomu , MacMillan Karen S. , Wynn R. Max , Wang Hanzhi , Sakiyama Haruhiko , Wei Shuguang , Li Yang , Bruick Richard K. , Posner Bruce A. , De Brabander Jef K. , Uyeda Kosaku
Published: August 2020

The carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP) is a glucose-responsive transcription factor that plays a critical role in glucose-mediated induction of genes involved in hepatic glycolysis and lipogenesis. In response to fluctuating blood glucose levels ChREBP activity is regulated mainly by nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of ChREBP. Under high glucose ChREBP binds to importin α and importin β and translocates into the nucleus to initiate transcription. We have previously shown that the nuclear localization signal site (NLS) for ChREBP is bipartite with the NLS extending from Arg158 to Lys190. Here, we report the 2.5 Å crystal structure of the ChREBP-NLS peptide bound to importin α. The structure revealed that the NLS binding is monopartite, with the amino acid residues K171RRI174 from the ChREBP-NLS interacting with ARM2–ARM5 on importin α. We discovered that importin α also binds to the primary binding site of the 14-3-3 proteins with high affinity, which suggests that both importin α and 14-3-3 are each competing with the other for this broad-binding region (residues 117–196) on ChREBP. We screened a small compound library and identified two novel compounds that inhibit the ChREBP-NLS/importin α interaction, nuclear localization, and transcription activities of ChREBP. These candidate molecules support developing inhibitors of ChREBP that may be useful in treatment of obesity and the associated diseases.
How to trick a plant pathogen?
Authors: Adachi Hiroaki , Białas Aleksandra , Kamoun Sophien
Published: August 2020

Plants can get sick too. In fact, they get infected by all types of microbes and little critters. But plants have evolved an effective immune system to fight off pathogen invasion. Amazingly, nearly every single plant cell is able to protect itself and its neighbours against infections. The plant immune system gets switched on when one of its many immune receptors matches a ligand in the pathogen. As a consequence of a long evolutionary history of fighting off pathogens, immune receptors are now encoded by hundreds of genes that populate the majority of plant genomes. Understanding how the plant immune system functions and how it has evolved can give invaluable insights that would benefit modern agriculture and help breeding disease-resistant crops.
Individual and combined effects of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms on colorectal cancer risk: an updated meta-analysis
Authors: Song Liang , Yang Chen , He Xiao-Feng
Published: August 2020

Background. The presence or absence of glutathione S-transferase M1 gene (GSTM1) and glutathione S-transferase T1 gene (GSTT1) polymorphisms, and their combined effects have been suggested as a risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the results are inconsistent.

Objectives. An updated meta-analysis was performed to solve the controversy.

Methods. Meta-analyses of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines were used.

Results. Overall, the GSTM1 null genotype was associated with an increased CRC risk in Caucasians (odds ratio (OR) = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05–1.23), Asians (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.08–1.32), high-quality studies (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.06–1.18). Moreover, the GSTM1 null genotype was also associated with an increased colon cancer risk (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.16–1.51). The GSTT1 null genotype was also associated with an increased CRC risk in Asians (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02–1.15) and Caucasians (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.09–1.41). Moreover, The GSTT1 null genotype was associated with an increased rectal cancer risk (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01–1.27, I2 = 8.3%) in subgroup analysis by tumor location. Last, the GSTM1 null/GSTT1 null genotype was associated with an increased CRC risk in Asians.

Conclusion. This meta-analysis indicates that the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes are associated with increased CRC risk in Asians and Caucasians, and the GSTM1 null/GSTT1 null genotype was associated with increased CRC risk in Asians.
Génétique et évolution de la plasticité développementale chez le nématodeC. elegans : induction environnementale du stadedauer
Authors: Billard Bénédicte , Gimond Clotilde , Braendle Christian
Published: August 2020

La plasticité phénotypique est un phénomène très courant au cours duquel des phénotypes différents sont exprimés en fonction de facteurs environnementaux. La plasticité, lorsque qu’elle est dite « adaptative », permet aux organismes de faire face à des habitats hétérogènes. Bien que les mécanismes moléculaires régulant la plasticité développementale soient de mieux en mieux compris, nous n’avons encore que peu d’informations sur les bases moléculaires de la variation naturelle et de l’évolution de la plasticité. Le nématodeC. elegansprésente un exemple emblématique de plasticité adaptative car cette espèce a la capacité d’entrer dans un stade larvaire alternatif appelé « dauer » lorsque les conditions environnementales sont défavorables. Durant ce stade de diapause, les larves peuvent survivre pendant environ trois mois en milieu extrême et reprendre leur développement lorsque les conditions s’améliorent. Nous passons ici en revue les mécanismes moléculaires régulant l’entrée endauerainsi que les récents progrès réalisés dans la caractérisation de la variation naturelle et l’évolution de l’induction de ce stade de résistance chezC. eleganscomme chez d’autres espèces de nématodes.
Stress du réticulum endoplasmique et stéatopathies métaboliques
Authors: Lachkar Floriane , Papaioannou Alexandra , Ferré Pascal , Foufelle Fabienne
Published: August 2020

Les stéatopathies métaboliques sont des pathologies en pleine expansion car très associées à l’obésité. Elles englobent un éventail de troubles hépatiques allant de la stéatose à la stéatohépatite non alcoolique (NASH) pouvant conduire à la cirrhose et au carcinome hépatocellulaire (CHC). Le stress du réticulum endoplasmique (RE), à travers l’activation de la voie UPR (Unfolded Protein Response), a été largement impliqué dans le développement et la progression de ces maladies métaboliques hépatiques. Alors que l’activation transitoire de la voie UPR fait partie intégrante de la physiologie hépatique, son activation chronique contribue à la stimulation de voies métaboliques et cellulaires (synthèse des lipides, inflammation, apoptose) qui sont déterminantes dans la progression vers des stades sévères. Le but de cette revue est de décrire comment la voie UPR participe au passage d’un foie sain à un foie malade au cours de l’obésité et d’analyser les perspectives thérapeutiques liées à la manipulation pharmacologique de cette voie.
Benigne und maligne Bindehauttumoren in Diagnostik und Therapie
Authors: Westekemper Henrike , Manthey Anke , Bechrakis Nikolaos
Published: August 2020

Bindehauttumoren betreffen in Diagnostik und Therapie alle Bereiche der augenärztlichen Praxis. Das beginnt mit der klinischen Kontrolle von Bindehautnävi und anderen benignen Tumoren, der Einschätzung von entzündlichen Pseudotumoren und ihrer Abgrenzung zu Präkanzerosen oder vernarbenden Erkrankungen und mündet in der hochspezialisierten und interdisziplinären Führung onkologischer Patienten mit Lymphomen, hochmalignen Melanomen oder invasiven Plattenepithelkarzinomen.
Tumoren und Pseudotumoren der Netzhaut und des Ziliarepithels
Authors: Biewald Eva , Schlüter Sabrina , Kiefer Tobias , Dalbah Sami , Bornfeld Norbert , Bechrakis Nikolaos E.
Published: August 2020

Die Varietät retinaler Tumoren reicht von harmlosen Läsionen über benigne, lokal destruierende Tumoren bis hin zu lebensbedrohlichen Erkrankungen. Nicht immer lassen sie sich einfach voneinander unterscheiden. Die Diagnose sollte nach Möglichkeit klinisch gestellt werden wegen der Gefahr einer Tumorzellverschleppung durch invasive Diagnostik. Jedoch rückt die genetische Charakterisierung der Läsion immer mehr in den Vordergrund. Je nach Entität ist eine Therapie in einem spezialisierten Zentrum notwendig.
Unterstützung für Frühgeborene und ihre Familien durch NIDCAP
Authors: Wefringhaus Maike , Bachmann Sandra , Riede Jens
Published: August 2020

Kommt ein Kind zu früh auf die Welt, benötigt es aufgrund seiner Unreife eine intensivmedizinische Betreuung. Obwohl sich die Versorgung der Kinder stark verbessert, leiden sowohl die Kinder als auch die Eltern unter der frühen Geburt und deren Folgen. Das Pflegekonzept NIDCAP soll die Frühgeborenen und deren Eltern in der Pflege unterstützen, um eine bestmögliche Entwicklung der Kinder und eine gute Unterstützung der Eltern zu ermöglichen.
Energetische Arbeit im systemischen Feld der Mensch-Tier-Beziehung
Authors: Will-Hofmann Heike
Published: August 2020

Anhand zweier Fallbeispiele – COB beim Pferd und Hauterkrankung beim Hund – wird der holistische Therapieweg dargestellt, der durch die Synergie von Körper, Seele und Geist zur Heilung des Systems führt. Einen entscheidenden Beitrag dabei leistet die Mensch-Tier-Beziehung im Sinne einer Therapie im System.
Medikamentöse Therapie des Glaukoms
Authors: Emrani Elnaz
Published: August 2020

Glaukom ist in Deutschland die zweithäufigste Ursache irreversibler Erblindungen. Es stehen verschiedene therapeutische Ansätze zur Verfügung. Neben der Verbesserung der vaskulären Perfusion und der Reduktion des oxidativen Stresses steht als zentrale Therapieoption nach wie vor die Senkung des Augeninnendrucks im Vordergrund. Dafür kommen verschiedene Wirkstoffklassen mit unterschiedlichem Wirkmechanismus und Nebenwirkungsprofil zur Anwendung.
Screening Sarcoidosis Patients for Occult Disease
Authors: Judson Marc A.
Published: August 2020

As sarcoidosis may involve any organ, sarcoidosis patients should be evaluated for occult disease. Screening for some organ involvement may not be warranted if it is unlikely to cause symptoms, organ dysfunction, or affect clinical outcome. Even organ involvement that affects clinical outcome does not necessarily require screening if early detection fails to change the patient's quality of life or prognosis. On the other hand, early detection of some forms of sarcoidosis may improve outcomes and survival. This manuscript describes the approach to screening sarcoidosis patients for previously undetected disease. Screening for sarcoidosis should commence with a meticulous medical history and physical examination. Many sarcoidosis patients present with physical signs or symptoms of sarcoidosis that have not been recognized as manifestations of the disease. Detection of sarcoidosis in these instances depends on the clinician's familiarity with the varied clinical presentations of sarcoidosis. In addition, sarcoidosis patients may present with symptoms or signs that are not related to specific organ involvement that have been described as parasarcoidosis syndromes. It is conjectured that parasarcoidosis syndromes result from systemic release of inflammatory mediators from the sarcoidosis granuloma. Certain forms of sarcoidosis may cause permanent and serious problems that can be prevented if they are detected early in the course of their disease. These include (1) ocular involvement that may lead to permanent vision impairment; (2) vitamin D dysregulation that may lead to hypercalcemia, nephrolithiasis, and permanent kidney injury; and (3) cardiac sarcoidosis that may lead to a cardiomyopathy, ventricular arrhythmias, heart block, and sudden death. Screening for these forms of organ involvement requires detailed screening approaches.
Overlap Syndromes in Sarcoidosis: Clinical Features and Outcomes
Authors: James W. Ennis
Published: August 2020

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disease characterized by noncaseating granulomatous inflammation. While pulmonary sarcoidosis is most common, extrapulmonary involvement occurs in 50 to 74% of patients and can be the presenting abnormality in some patients. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis is based on a compatible clinical presentation in combination with granulomas on histology and exclusion of other causes. However, the absence of a diagnostic biomarker for sarcoidosis, in addition to the overlap of granulomatous inflammation and nonspecific clinical findings with other diseases, often results in a delayed diagnosis. Sarcoidosis overlap syndromes are typically described when sarcoidosis is diagnosed in the presence of another disease (concurrently or sequentially) with shared clinical and histologic features, or when sarcoidosis presents with clinical features typically observed in, but not diagnostic of, other diseases. Awareness of overlap syndromes is important for clinicians to avoid diagnostic errors and evaluate for concomitant diagnoses that may impact the management and outcome of sarcoidosis. This article is intended to provide an overview of these presentations and the most commonly associated diseases, with attention to their prevalence, clinical features, and reciprocal impacts on disease outcomes.
The Spectrum of Brain Stem Lesions in Children
Authors: Prajapati Hanuman Prasad , Kumar Raj
Published: August 2020

The objective of this study was to describe the clinicodemographic profiles, management, and outcomes of brain stem lesions in 53 pediatric patients with brain stem lesions. Most of the patients were male, 6 to 10 years of age (8.66 ± 4.69). Out of 53 patients, there were 77.36% brain stem gliomas, 11.32% tuberculomas, 5.66% abscesses, 3.77% cavernomas, and 1.89% schwannomas. With advancement in neuroimaging (e.g., tractography), intraoperative technology (e.g., ultrasound, neurophysiological monitoring, and magnetic resonance imaging), and safe and precise incision for particular lesions, majority of brain stem lesions had improved outcomes (67.92%) with significant reduction in morbidity and mortality (11.32%).
Rett-like Syndrome in a Pediatric Patient—A Challenging Diagnosis
Authors: Ferreira Sofia Simões , Mesquita Marta , Nunes Joana , Alonso Isabel , Leão Miguel , Santos Fátima , Real Marta Vila
Published: August 2020

Neurodevelopmental disorders with features overlapping Rett's syndrome frequently remain unexplained in patients without disease-causing variants in MECP2. Variants in IQSEC2 frequently cause nonsyndromic X-linked intellectual disability (XLID), although de novo variants may cause a severe syndrome that resembles Rett and Angelman's syndrome. We report a 7-year-old girl presenting severe neurodevelopmental delay, stereotypic hand movements, hypotonia, autistic-like features, inappropriate laughing/screaming spells, and symmetrical hypomyelination. A whole exome sequencing detected a novel de novo heterozygous truncating variant within the IQSEC2 gene. Variants of IQSEC2 should be considered in patients with Rett–Angelman phenotype spectrum and autistic features when those causes were excluded.
Diagnostic Yield of Neuroimaging and Electroencephalography in Children with Recurrent Headaches
Authors: Ozturk-Hismi Burcu , Teber Serap , Ozkan Mehpare , Unal Ozlem , Deda Gulhis
Published: August 2020

Neuroimaging and electroencephalography (EEG) are commonly used for pediatric recurrent headache evaluation, although not routinely recommended. In this study, data of 517 children with recurrent headaches were analyzed to evaluate the diagnostic yield of neuroimaging and EEG. Neuroimaging was performed in 55% (n = 283) of children, 61% with magnetic resonance imaging and 39% with computed tomography. Abnormal findings were reported in 17% (n = 48), and 5% (n = 13) were significant abnormalities altering headache management. Among children with significant imaging abnormalities, 85% had alarming signs on history, physical, or neurological examination. The diagnostic yield of imaging was 0.7% (n = 2), picking a cavernous hemangioma and a giant arachnoid cyst. EEG was performed in 69% (n = 356) of children, significant findings were reported in 8% (n = 29), with sharp waves/spikes in 4.1% (n = 15), and intermittent focal slow waves in 3.9% (n = 14). EEG was diagnostic for epilepsy in 1.6% (n = 6) of children with recurrent headaches. When there are no red flags on history or physical examination, diagnostic yield of neuroimaging is low for pediatric recurrent headaches. EEG can be helpful in selective cases, and when performed during and at headache-free periods.
Evaluating the Abrasivity of a Nanosized Eggshell–Titanium Dioxide on Tooth Enamel Using Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Onwubu Stanley Chibuzor , Mdluli Phumlane Selby , Singh Shenuka , Nyembe Sanele , Thakur Rookmoney
Published: August 2020

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate nanosized eggshell–titanium dioxide (EB@TiO2) abrasiveness in comparison with calcium carbonate and hydrated silica-containing toothpaste.

Material and Methods Thirty-five bovine tooth enamels were prepared, and specimens randomly assigned to a sample group of five (n = 7), namely, Colgate regular, Colgate pro-relief, Sensodyne rapid relief, Sensodyne repair, and EB@TiO2. Half of the enamel surface was brushed with each respective sample group, while the other half was covered with a tap.

Statistical Analysis The mean roughness value (Ra) of the brushed and covered halves were measured using an atomic force microscope (AFM). To assess the surface morphology and changes, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was performed. Using pair sample test and ANOVA, the Ra for the entire specimens were analyzed. A Bonferroni correction was used to identify the mean differences among the five groups (α=.05).

Results  The findings from this analysis show that all the tested toothpaste abraded the enamel significantly (p < 0.05). The abrasive value contained in toothpaste comprising calcium carbonate was lower than the silica toothpaste hydrated.

Conclusion Overall, Colgate regular had the lowest toothpaste abrasivity, followed by EB@TiO2, while Sensodyne rapid relief had the most enamel wear. The prominent feature of this study suggests that EB@TiO2 is suitable for oral use, as its abrasivity is comparable with calcium carbonate-containing toothpaste.
The Role of Rice Hull Liquid Smoke in the Traumatic Ulcer Healing
Authors: Arundina Ira , Diyatri Indeswati , Kusumaningsih Tuti , Surboyo Meircurius Dwi Condro , Monica Elita , Afanda Novitasari Mira
Published: August 2020

Objective The aim of this study was to prove the role of rice hull liquid smoke (RH-LS) on lymphocytes, macrophages, fibroblasts, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) expression during traumatic ulcer healing.

Materials and Methods The RH-LS was obtained from the pyrolysis process. Traumatic ulcers were made 10 mm along the labial fornix incisive inferior of Wistar rat using a round stainless-steel blade. In control group, traumatic ulcers were treated using sterile water, and meanwhile in experimental group were treated using RH-LS once a day for 3, 5, and 7 days. After treatment, animal was terminated and their labial fornix incisive inferior tissues were biopsy and stained using hematoxylin and eosin staining to determine lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts. The IL-6 and TGF-β expressions were analyzed used immunohistochemistry staining.

Result The lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts were higher in the RH-LS group for 3-, 5-, and 7-day treatment (p < 0.05). The IL-6 expression was higher only in the 5-day treatment, and the TGF-β expression was higher in the 3- and 7-day treatment.

Conclusion The RH-LS able to accelerated the traumatic ulcer healing by increasing the number of lymphocytes, macrophages, fibroblasts, IL-6, and TGF-β expression.
The Impact of Dedicated Cardiac Intensive Care Units on Outcomes in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Virtual Pediatric Systems Database Analysis
Authors: Bagdure Dayanand N. , Custer Jason W. , Foster Cortney B. , Blackwelder William C. , Mishcherkin Vladimir , Portenoy Allison , Bhutta Adnan
Published: August 2020

Care of children undergoing cardiac surgery occurs in dedicated cardiac intensive care units (CICU) or mixed intensive care units. In this article, we analyzed data from Virtual Pediatric Systems (VPS, LLC) database (2009–2014) for children < 18 years of age undergoing cardiac surgery, classified according to Society of Thoracic Surgery–European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery (STS-EACTS) risk category. We had 25,052 (52%) patients in 53 mixed units (mortality rate, 2.99%), and 22,762 (48%) patients in 19 dedicated CICUs (mortality rate, 2.62%). There was a direct relationship between STS-EACTS risk category and death rate in both units. By multivariable logistic and linear regression, there was no difference in mortality between mixed unit and CICU death rates within STS-EACTS risk categories. We found no difference in outcomes for children undergoing cardiac surgery based on the unit type (dedicated CICU or mixed unit).
Alargamiento Oseo Con Clavo Intramedular Magnetico Experiencia Preliminar y Lecciones Aprendidas
Authors: Baar-Zimend Alejandro
Published: August 2020

Objetivos Mostrar resultados, complicaciones y lecciones aprendidas utilizando el clavo intramedular magnético (IML, Intramedullary Magnetic Lengthener) en un grupo de pacientes sometidos a alargamiento óseo.

Pacientes y Métodos Entre enero 2017 y diciembre 2019, 9 pacientes (15 segmentos), edad entre 15 y 39 años, fueron sometidos a alargamiento óseo con IML: 5 pacientes tuvieron alargamiento femoral bilateral por talla baja, 1 paciente se sometió a alargamiento de Piernas bilateral por Tibia vara y acortamiento mesomélico y 3 recibieron alargamientos femorales unilaterales por discrepancia de longitud de extremidades. Todos fueron operados por el mismo cirujano, con técnica standard. Se indicó kinesiterapia al menos 5 veces por semana durante la fase de distracción.

Resultados En todos se logró el objetivo de alargamiento planteado. No hubo complicaciones intra ni postoperatorias graves (TVP, TEP, Embolia grasa), ni fallas del sistema distractor. Un paciente desarrolló contracturas articulares de ambas rodillas por no adhesión a Kinesiterapia. Ninguno requirió aporte de injerto óseo, sin embargo en 2 pacientes de alargamiento de Fémur bilateral, se presentó deformidad en varo, que hizo necesario recambio a clavo convencional y un paciente desarrolló una parálisis transitoria del Nervio Peroneo común.

Conclusiones El advenimiento de los IML significó un gran avance en el campo de la osteogènesis por distracción, sin embargo, aún se trata de un procedimiento complejo, que debe ser planificado cuidadosamente para minimizar los riesgos y complicaciones. Una selección meticulosa del paciente y la evaluación física y psicológica previa, son fundamentales para el éxito del procedimiento. Los casos bilaterales requieren de un seguimiento cercano, por el riesgo de falla del implante.
The role of microstructure in the impact induced temperature rise in hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB)–cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine (HMX) energetic materials using the cohesive finite element method
Authors: Olokun Ayotomi M. , Prakash Chandra , Emre Gunduz I. , Tomar Vikas
Published: August 2020

In this work, microstructure dependent impact-induced failure of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB)–cyclo-tetra-methylene-tetra-nitramine (HMX) energetic material samples is studied using the cohesive finite element method (CFEM). The CFEM model incorporates experimentally measured viscoplastic constitutive behavior, experimentally measured interface level separation properties, and phenomenological temperature increase due to mechanical impact based on viscoplastic and frictional energy dissipation. Nanoscale dynamic impact experiments were used to obtain parameters for a strain-rate dependent power law viscoplastic constitutive model in the case of bulk HTPB and HMX as well as the HTPB–HMX interfaces. An in situ mechanical Raman spectroscopy (MRS) setup was used to obtain bilinear cohesive zone model parameters to simulate interface separation. During analyses, the impact-induced viscoplastic energy dissipation and the frictional contact dissipation at the failed HTPB–HMX interfaces is found to have a significant contribution toward local temperature rise. Microstructures having circular HMX particles show a higher local temperature rise as compared to those with diamond or irregularly shaped HMX particles with sharp edges indicating that the specific particle surface area has a higher role in temperature rise than particle shape and sharp edges. Regions within the analyzed microstructures near the HTPB–HMX interfaces with a high-volume fraction of HMX particles were found to have the maximum temperature increase.
Internal quantum efficiency in 6.1 Å superlattices of 77% for mid-wave infrared emitters
Authors: Muhowski A. J. , Muellerleile A. M. , Olesberg J. T. , Prineas J. P.
Published: August 2020

Two new superlattices with high internal quantum efficiency at high injection, InAs/AlGaInSb and InAs/GaInSb/InAs/AlAsSb, are presented and compared with state-of-the-art InAs/GaSb and InAs/InAsSb superlattices. The internal quantum efficiency peaks at 44% and 77% for the InAs/AlGaInSb and InAs/GaInSb/InAs/AlAsSb samples, respectively, which suggests that they are excellent candidates for high-efficiency mid-wave infrared LEDs. These values have been measured without invoking the ABC model to eliminate the assumption of Boltzmann statistics. The calculated superlattice band structures are used qualitatively to explain the internal quantum efficiency results.
Melts of nonconcatenated rings in spherical confinement
Authors: Pachong Stanard Mebwe , Chubak Iurii , Kremer Kurt , Smrek Jan
Published: August 2020

Motivated by the chromosomes enclosed in a cell nucleus, we study a spherically confined system of a small number of long unknotted and nonconcatenated polymer rings in a melt and systematically compare it with the bulk results. We find that universal scaling exponents of the bulk system also apply in the confined case; however, certain important differences arise. First, due to confinement effects, the static and threading properties of the rings depend on their radial position within the confining sphere. Second, the rings’ dynamics is overall subdiffusive, but anisotropic along the directions parallel and perpendicular to the sphere’s radius. The radial center of mass displacements of the rings are in general much smaller than the angular ones, which is caused by the confinement-induced inhomogeneous radial distribution of the whole rings within the sphere. Finally, we find enhanced contact times between rings as compared to the bulk, which indicates slow and predominantly coordinated pathways of the relaxation of the system.
Pressure tuning of electron transfer rate in near-infrared PbS-anthraquinone complexes
Authors: Zhou Qiao , Cao Bifa , Li You , Li Bo , Yin Hang , Gao Jianbo , Jin Mingxing , Shi Ying , Liu Cailong , Ding Dajun
Published: August 2020

The electron transfer (ET) process of near-infrared (NIR) quantum dots (QDs) is crucial to photonic system efficiency. Typically, chemical configurations are changed to tune the ultrafast ET rate. However, direct tuning of the ET rate in QD-molecular acceptor systems while maintaining the chemical configurations remains a challenge. To this end, high pressure can be used as a powerful external control knob. Herein, pressure tuning of the ultrafast ET rate in NIR lead sulfide (PbS)–anthraquinone (AQ) complexes was experimentally performed using in situ high-pressure ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy. As pressure changes, ET lifetimes shorten. The results show that the promotional ET in the NIR range was assigned to the shortened distance between PbS and AQ under compression. This study thus indicates that pressure can effectively tune the ET rate and provides brand routes toward efficient NIR QD-based photonic applications.
Asymmetric versus symmetric HgTe/CdxHg1−xTe double quantum wells: Bandgap tuning without electric field
Authors: Topalović Dušan B. , Arsoski Vladimir V. , Tadić Milan Ž. , Peeters François M.
Published: August 2020

We investigate the electron states in double asymmetric HgTe/CdxHg1−xTe quantum wells grown along the [001] direction. The subbands are computed by means of the envelope function approximation applied to the eight-band Kane k⋅p model. The asymmetry of the confining potential of the double quantum wells results in a gap opening, which is absent in the symmetric system where it can only be induced by an applied electric field. The bandgap and the subbands are affected by spin–orbit coupling, which is a consequence of the asymmetry of the confining potential. The electron-like and hole-like states are mainly confined in different quantum wells, and the enhanced hybridization between them opens a spin-dependent hybridization gap at a finite in-plane wavevector. We show that both the ratio of the widths of the two quantum wells and the mole fraction of the CdxHg1−xTe barrier control both the energy gap between the hole-like states and the hybridization gap. The energy subbands are shown to exhibit inverted ordering, and therefore, a nontrivial topological phase could emerge in the system.