bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combination of human tau and islet amyloid polypeptide exacerbates metabolic dysfunction in transgenic mice
Authors: Wijesekara Nadeeja , Gonçalves Rafaella Araujo , Ahrens Rosemary , Ha Kathy , De Felice Fernanda G , Fraser Paul E
Published: April 2021

Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau are important contributors to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Tau also impacts pancreatic beta cell function and glucose homeostasis. Amyloid deposits composed of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) are a pathological feature of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The current study investigates the role of human tau (hTau) in combination with human IAPP (hIAPP) as a potential mechanism connecting AD and T2D. Transgenic mice expressing hTau and hIAPP in the absence of murine tau were generated to determine the impact of these pathological factors on glucose metabolism. Co‐expression of hIAPP and hTau resulted in mice with increased hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance. The hTau‐hIAPP mice also exhibited reduced beta cell area, increased amyloid deposition, impaired insulin processing, and reduced insulin content in islets. Tau phosphorylation also increased after stimulation with high glucose. In addition, brain insulin content and signalling were reduced, and tau phosphorylation was increased in these animals. These data support a link between tau and IAPP amyloid, which seems to act co‐ordinately to impair beta cell function and glucose homeostasis, and suggest that the combined pathological actions of these proteins may be a potential mechanism connecting AD and T2D. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling hereditary diffuse gastric cancer initiation using transgenic mouse‐derived gastric organoids and single‐cell sequencing
Authors: Dixon Katherine , Brew Tom , Farnell David , Godwin Tanis D , Cheung Simon , Chow Christine , Ta Monica , Ho Germain , Bui Minh , Douglas J Maxwell , Campbell Kieran R , El‐Naggar Amal , Kaurah Pardeep , Kalloger Steve E , Lim Howard J , Schaeffer David F , Cochrane Dawn , Guilford Parry , Huntsman David G
Published: April 2021

Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) is a cancer syndrome caused by germline variants in CDH1, the gene encoding the cell–cell adhesion molecule E‐cadherin. Loss of E‐cadherin in cancer is associated with cellular dedifferentiation and poor prognosis, but the mechanisms through which CDH1 loss initiates HDGC are not known. Using single‐cell RNA sequencing, we explored the transcriptional landscape of a murine organoid model of HDGC to characterize the impact of CDH1 loss in early tumourigenesis. Progenitor populations of stratified squamous and simple columnar epithelium, characteristic of the mouse stomach, showed lineage‐specific transcriptional programs. Cdh1 inactivation resulted in shifts along the squamous differentiation trajectory associated with aberrant expression of genes central to gastrointestinal epithelial differentiation. Cytokeratin 7 (CK7), encoded by the differentiation‐dependent gene Krt7, was a specific marker for early neoplastic lesions in CDH1 carriers. Our findings suggest that deregulation of developmental transcriptional programs may precede malignancy in HDGC. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphor‐reinforced wood plastic composites with photoluminescence properties for 3D printing
Authors: Yang Feiwen , Guo Xiaoyu , Zeng Zhihao , Xiao Jialin , Li Hualiu , Luo Ying , Guan Litao , Zheng Wenxu , Zhou Wuyi , Dong Xianming
Published: April 2021

Combining wood plastic composites with 3D printing technology can easily manufacture parts with complex shapes and wood colors, but the single function limits their applications. In this research, Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphors/particleboard wood flour/poly (lactic acid) (SMSED/PWF/PLA) photoluminescence composites for 3D printing were successfully manufactured by melt extrusion. The water resistance and chemical structure of SMSED phosphors modified with five different types of silane coupling agents were characterized by water‐resistance test, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. It was found that 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550) had the best effect on the modification of SMSED phosphors, formed a dense protective film. Afterward, the effect of KH550‐modified SMSED (KH550‐SMSED) phosphors content on the thermo‐mechanical properties of wood plastic composites was studied. The experimental results indicated that the mechanical properties and thermal stability of wood plastic composites were significantly improved, with the incorporation of KH550‐SMSED phosphors. Finally, based on SMSED/PWF/PLA composites and 3D printing technology, a safety warning model that could emit blue light in the dark and a small dinosaur artwork that could swing flexibly were prepared.
Brazilian southeast brown propolis: gas chromatography method development for its volatile oil analysis, its antimicrobial and leishmanicidal activities evaluation
Authors: Ribeiro Victor Pena , Arruda Caroline , Mejía Jennyfer Andrea Aldana , Candido Ana Carolina Bolela Bovo , dos Santos Raquel Alves , Magalhães Lizandra Guidi , Bastos Jairo Kenupp
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Propolis is widely used in folk medicine, and many factors can affect its chemical composition, including abiotic factors that can influence plants and bees. Therefore, analytical methods are powerful techniques in the quality control of such products.

Objective

Develop and validate an analytical method for quantifying volatile compounds in Brazilian brown propolis, and evaluate its biological activities.

Methods

A gas chromatography flame ionisation detector (GC‐FID) analytical method was validated, attending the parameters of international validation guidelines as ANVISA 2017 and ICH 2005, for quantification of compounds present in volatile oils from propolis. Evaluation of cytotoxic, antimicrobial, and leishmanicidal activities of the oil.

Results

The compounds 1,8‐cineole, terpinen‐4‐ol, α‐copaene, β‐caryophyllene, γ‐muurolene, nerolidol, spathulenol, and γ‐palmitolactone were isolated from the volatile fraction of a Brazilian brown propolis and used in the method validation. All the validation parameters of the method were satisfactory. The volatile fraction displayed a significant leishmanicidal activity, with half maximal inhibition concentration (IC50) = 21.3 μg/mL against amastigote forms and IC50 = 25.1 μg/mL against promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis. The oil also displayed an antibacterial effect by inhibiting the growth of Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus at 25 μg/mL and 50 μg/mL, respectively, but it was not cytotoxic against AGP‐01, He‐La and CHO‐K1cell lines, with IC50 > 100 μg/mL.

Conclusion

The GC‐FID method can be a useful tool in the quality control of propolis material. The southeast brown propolis showed a high chemical complexity in its volatile fraction, which displayed leishmanicidal activity and bactericidal activity.
Opioid prescribing and risks among commercially insured women undergoing pelvic organ prolapse repair
Authors: Gressler Laura E. , dosReis Susan , Chughtai Bilal
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Opioid use after surgical repair for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is intended for short‐term post‐operative pain. This study compared the incidence of opioid prescribing in women undergoing POP transabdominal repair with mesh and transvaginal native tissue repair.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of women undergoing POP transabdominal repair with mesh or transvaginal native tissue repair, was derived from a 10% random sample of enrollees from 2007 to 2015 within the IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus Database. Primary outcomes were any prescription of opioids and cumulative days of opioids prescribed in the 14– 180 days following surgical intervention. Inverse probability of treatment weights controlled for observed baseline confounders. Any opioid prescription was estimated using logistic regression and generalized linear regression for cumulative days of opioids prescribed.

Results

The cohort of 49 052 women who underwent POP surgical repair included 46 813 women with transvaginal native tissue repair and 2239 women with transabdominal repair with mesh. Women with a transabdominal repair with mesh had a 1.19 (95%CI: 1.09–1.31) significantly higher odds of receiving an opioid prescription than women with transvaginal native tissue repair. Post‐operatively, over 29% of women received opioid prescriptions. Mean cumulative days of post‐surgical opioid prescribing was 32.2 (SD = 43.1), and was not statistically different between groups. Thirteen percent of women were prescribed opioids for 90 days or more.

Conclusions

Women undergoing POP with transabdominal mesh are more likely to receive prescriptions for opioids after surgery compared to transvaginal native tissue repair. Treatment plans that address pain while mitigating the risks associated with prolonged opioid prescribing should be employed.
Psychosocial interventions for siblings of children with cancer: A mixed methods systematic review
Authors: Guan Ting , Chapman Mimi V. , Qan'ir Yousef , Song Lixin
Published: April 2021

Objective

This review systematically (1) describes the characteristics of psychosocial interventions for siblings of children with cancer (SCC); (2) assesses the effect of the psychosocial interventions on SCCs' outcomes, and (3) describes SCCs' experiences and perceptions of these interventions.

Methods

Seven databases were systematically searched for relevant literature. We included both quantitative and qualitative studies of psychological interventions designed to improve the adjustment of SCCs.

Results

Our database searches yielded 19 publications. We found a range of psychosocial interventions being used among SCCs, with group interventions being the most common. The primary outcomes focused on the SCCs' depression, anxiety, and quality of life. Quantitative studies provided insufficient evidence to draw definitive conclusions about the interventions' effects, whereas the qualitative studies indicated that SCCs can derive benefits from these interventions, including an enhanced sense of belonging and bonding, improved family relationships, increased self‐awareness and confidence, increased cancer knowledge, and decreased somatic symptoms.

Conclusions

Although a growing number of psychosocial interventions have been developed to improve the adjustment of SCCs, research evidence of the effects of these interventions on SCCs' adjustment remains limited. Future research needs to rigorously evaluate the effects of these interventions.
Evaluation of exploitive potential for higher bioactivity and lower residue risk enantiomer of chiral fungicide pydiflumetofen
Authors: Wang Zhen , Li Rui , Zhang Jing , Liu Shiling , He Zongzhe , Wang Minghua
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Pydiflumetofen, as a new succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) chiral fungicide, has been used in crop production because of its broad‐spectrum and high‐efficiency antifungal activity. However, little is known about pydiflumetofen at the chiral level. The stereoselective bioactivity and degradation of pydiflumetofen enantiomers were therefore investigated.

RESULTS

Pydiflumetofen presented effective bioactivity against the eight tested phytopathogens, and its enantiomers showed significant differences in activity. The bioactivity of R‐pydiflumetofen was 9.0–958.8 times higher than that of the S enantiomer. Treatment with R‐pydiflumetofen increased the cell membrane permeability of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and decreased exopolysaccharide and oxalic acid production more than treatment with S‐pydiflumetofen. Furthermore, R‐pydflumetofen exhibited better inhibitory activity against the succinate dehydrogenase enzyme of S. sclerotiorum than S‐pydiflumetofen by 584‐fold. According to homology modeling and molecular docking studies, the binding affinities of the R and S enantiomers were −7.0 and −5.3 kcal mol−1, respectively. Additionally, the degradation half‐lives of S‐ and R‐pydiflumetofen in three vegetables (cucumber, eggplant, and cowpea) under field conditions were 2.56–3.12 days and 2.48–2.76 days, respectively, which reveals that R‐pydiflumetofen degrades faster than S‐pydiflumetofen.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results obtained, R‐pydiflumetofen not only exhibited a higher bactericidal activity, but also posed fewer residual risks in the environment. The mechanism of the stereoselective bioactivity was correlated with the stereoselective inhibition activity of the target enzyme and affected the cell membrane permeability and the production of exopolysaccharide and oxalic acid. This research could provide a foundation for the systematic evaluation of pydiflumetofen from an enantiomeric view. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Pyrethrins elicit olfactory response and spatial repellency in Aedes albopictus
Authors: Yan Ru , Zhou Qiaoling , Xu Zhanyi , Wu Yuyan , Zhu Guonian , Wang Mengcen , Guo Yirong , Dong Ke , Chen Mengli
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Pyrethrum from dry flowers of Chrysanthemum is a well‐known botanical insecticide and repellent. Its insecticidal activity attributes to its six insecticidal esters, collectively known as pyrethrins. Pyrethrins and its synthetic analogs pyrethroids exert their toxic action by modifying the function of voltage‐gated sodium channels. Aside from insecticidal activity, pyrethrum has also been used to repel mosquitoes for centuries. Today, pyrethrum continues to be used as an active ingredient in mosquito coils and other mosquito‐repellent devices globally. However, the mechanism of pyrethrum repellency remains largely unknown.

RESULTS

Here we report that pyrethrum vapor induced spatial (non‐contact) repellency in Aedes albopictus, a major vector of dengue and West Nile viruses. Using electroantennogram (EAG) recordings from adult antennae, we found that pyrethrum elicited EAG response in a dose‐dependent manner. We then isolated the six insecticidal esters, pyrethrins I and II, cinerins I and II, jasmolins I and II from pyrethrum extract and discovered that five of the six esters, except jasmolin I, all elicited EAG responses. Furthermore, pyrethrins I and II, cinerin II and jasmolin II induced repellency, whereas cinerin I and jasmolin I did not.

CONCLUSION

Of the six pyrethrins, four of them, pyrethrins I and II, cinerin II and jasmolin II, activate olfactory‐receptor neurons and elicit spatial repellency in Ae. albopictus. Our study provided a foundation for future structure–function studies of pyrethrins, their cognate olfactory receptors and efficacies of repellency and for the development of new and more effective mosquito repellents for controlling vector‐borne human diseases. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Modulation on the Iron Centers by Selective Synthesis of Organic Ligands with Stereo‐Specific Conformations
Authors: Liu Xinbang , Du Yongping , Peng Xinchen , Wan Xinling , Qian Yinyue , Zhang Yonghao , Ji Qingmin , Kan Erjun , Fuchs Harald , Kong Huihui
Published: April 2021

Advanced fabrication of surface metal–organic complexes with specific coordination configuration and metal centers will facilitate to exploit novel nanomaterials with attractive electronic/magnetic properties. The precise on‐surface synthesis provides an appealing strategy for in situ construction of complex organic ligands from simple precursors autonomously. In this paper, distinct organic ligands with stereo‐specific conformation are separately synthesized through the well‐known dehalogenative coupling. More interestingly, the exo‐bent ligands promote the mono‐iron chelated complexes with the Fe center significantly decoupled from the surface and of high spin, while the endo‐bent ligands lead to bi‐iron chelated ones instead with ferromagnetic properties.
Simultaneous Stabilization of the Solid/Cathode Electrolyte Interface in Lithium Metal Batteries by a New Weakly Solvating Electrolyte
Authors: Pham Thuy Duong , Lee Kyung‐Koo
Published: April 2021

So far, the practical application of Li metal batteries has been hindered by the undesirable formation of Li dendrites and low Coulombic efficiencies (CEs). Herein, 1,2‐diethoxyethane (DEE) is proposed as a new electrolytic solvent for lithium metal batteries (LMBs), and the performances of 1.0 m LiFSI in DEE are evaluated. Because of the low dielectric constant and dipole moment of DEE, the majority of the FSI− exists in associated states like contact ion pairs and aggregates, which is similar to the highly concentrated electrolytes. These associated complexes are involved in the reduction reaction on the Li metal anode, forming sound solid electrolyte interphase layers. Furthermore, free FSI− ions in DEE are observed to participate in the formation of cathode electrolyte interphase layers. These passivation layers not only suppress dendrite growth on the Li anode but also prevent unwanted side‐reactions on the LiFePO4 cathode. The average CE of the Li||Cu cells in LiFSI–DEE is observed to be 98.0%. Moreover, LiFSI–DEE also plays an important role in enhancing the cycling stability of the Li||LiFP cell with a capacity retention of 93.5% after 200 cycles. These results demonstrate the benefits of LiFSI–DEE, which creates new possibilities for high‐energy‐density rechargeable LMBs.
A Metal–Organic Framework Nanorod‐Assembled Superstructure and Its Derivative: Unraveling the Fast Potassium Storage Mechanism in Nitrogen‐Modified Micropores
Authors: Liang Zibin , Wu Yingxiao , Cheng Jinqian , Tang Yanqun , Shi Jinming , Qiu Tianjie , Li Wei , Gao Song , Zhong Ruiqin , Zou Ruqiang
Published: April 2021

3D carbon‐based materials with multiscale hierarchy are promising electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage and conversion applications, but the synthesis in an efficient and large‐scale way is still a great challenge. Herein, a carbon nanorod‐assembled 3D superstructure is facilely fabricated by morphology‐preserving conversion of a metal–organic framework (MOF) nanorod‐assembled superstructure. The MOF superstructure can be fabricated in one‐pot synthesis with high reproducibility and high yield by precise control of the MOF nucleation and growth. Its derived carbon inherits the nanorod‐assembled superstructure and possesses abundant micropores and nitrogen doping, which can serve as a high‐performance anode material for fast potassium storage. The superiority of the superstructure and the synergism of micropore capturing and nitrogen anchoring are verified both experimentally and theoretically.
Correlation of serum cystatin C with inflammatory cytokines in patients with traumatic brain injury
Authors: Zou Jingrong , Sun Haitao , Xiang Yang
Published: April 2021

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a world‐wide leading health problem with high morbidity and mortality rates. Emerging studies have demonstrated that TBI is the consequence of a series of inflammatory responses in the body. The alteration of Cystatin C (Cys C) was reported in a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases and was also recommended as a biomarker for predicting renal diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between serum Cys C and TBI, and to evaluate the prognostic role of Cys C in TBI prediction. One hundred and seventy‐six patients with TBI were recruited and 102 patients were finally analyzed, with 30 healthy control subjects. The concentrations of Cys C were significantly reduced in the healthy control group compared to the TBI group, and correlated with high GCS scores. The levels of hsCRP, counts of white blood cells, and levels of IL‐6 and TNF‐α were remarkably elevated in the TBI patients compared with the control group in a severity‐dependent manner. Moreover, the concentration of Cys C was negatively correlated with TBI severity and positively correlated with inflammatory factors. In conclusion, serum Cys is an inflammatory cytokine‐related factor and might indicate the severity of TBI thus serving as a prognostic biomarker.
Zinc‐Terpyridine Based Chemosensor for Detection of Pyrophosphate Anion in Aqueous Medium
Authors: Das Dipankar , Sutradhar Sourav , Singh Akta , Ghosh Biswa Nath
Published: April 2021

A simple fluorescent sensor of zinc‐terpyridine complex of the terpyridine ligand 4′‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)‐2,2′ : 6′,2′′‐terpyridine was prepared and utilized for selective sensing of pyrophosphate anion (PPi) in aqueous medium at physiological pH. The sensor complex showed an excellent selectivity of PPi over various other anions such as Cl−, F−, Br−, I−, CO32−, HCO3−, NO3−, OH−, HPO42−, SO42−, SO32−, S2O32− in water. UV‐Visible and fluorescence spectroscopic method have been used to perform the detection study. The sensor complex showed ∼50 fold enhancement of fluorescence intensity upon addition of PPi and excellent sensitivity with lowest limit of detection (LOD) for the detection of PPi anion was found to be ∼300 nM.
New bi-harmonic superspace formulation of 4D, $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 SYM theory
Authors: Buchbinder I. L. , Ivanov E. A. , Ivanovskiy V. A.
Published: April 2021

Abstract

We develop a novel bi-harmonic $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 superspace formulation of the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory (SYM) in four dimensions. In this approach, the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM superfield constraints are solved in terms of on-shell $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 harmonic superfields. Such an approach provides a convenient tool of constructing the manifestly $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 supersymmetric invariants and further rewriting them in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 harmonic superspace. In particular, we present $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 superfield form of the leading term in the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM effective action which was known previously in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 superspace formulation.
The integrability of Virasoro charges for axisymmetric Killing horizons
Authors: Chen Lin-Qing
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Through the analysis of null symplectic structure, we derive the condition for integrable Virasoro generators on the covariant phase space of axisymmetric Killing horizons. A weak boundary condition selects a special relationship between the two temperatures for the putative CFT. When the integrability is satisfied for both future and past horizons, the two central charges are equal. At the end we discuss the physical implications.
Quantitative Estimates for Nonlinear Sampling Kantorovich Operators
Authors: Çetin Nursel , Costarelli Danilo , Vinti Gianluca
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we establish quantitative estimates for nonlinear sampling Kantorovich operators in terms of the modulus of smoothness in the setting of Orlicz spaces. This general frame allows us to directly deduce some quantitative estimates of approximation in$$L^{p}$$Lp-spaces,$$1\le p<\infty $$1≤p<∞, and in other well-known instances of Orlicz spaces, such as the Zygmung and the exponential spaces. Further, the qualitative order of approximation has been obtained assumingfin suitable Lipschitz classes. The above estimates achieved in the general setting of Orlicz spaces, have been also improved in the$$L^p$$Lp-case, using a direct approach suitable to this context. At the end, we consider the particular cases of the nonlinear sampling Kantorovich operators constructed by using some special kernels.
The lack of retropatellar resurfacing at index surgery is significantly associated with failure in patients following patellofemoral inlay arthroplasty: a multi-center study of more than 260 patients
Authors: Imhoff Andreas B. , Bartsch Eva , Becher Christoph , Behrens Peter , Bode Gerrit , Cotic Matthias , Diermeier Theresa , Falk Holger , Feucht Matthias J. , Haupt Ulrich , Hinterwimmer Stefan , Holz Johannes , Hutter René , Kaiser René , Knoblauch Tobias , Nebelung Wolfgang , Niemeyer Philipp , O’Donnel Turlough , Pagenstert Geert , Patzer Thilo , Rose Tim , Rupp Marco C. , Tischer Thomas , Venjakob Arne J. , Vogt Stephan , Pogorzelski Jonas
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with a minimum 2-year follow-up following contemporary patellofemoral inlay arthroplasty (PFIA) and to identify potential risk factors for failure in a multi-center study.

Methods

All patients who underwent implantation of PFIA between 09/2009 and 11/2016 at 11 specialized orthopedic referral centers were enrolled in the study and were evaluated retrospectively at a minimum 2-year follow-up. Clinical outcomes included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), the Tegner Scale, the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, and subjective patient satisfaction. Pre- and perioperative risk factors were compared among failures and non-failures to determine potential risk factors.

Results

A total of 263 patients (85% follow-up rate) could be enrolled. The mean age at the time of index surgery was 49 ± 12 years with a mean postoperative follow-up of 45 ± 18 months. The overall failure rate was 11% (28 patients), of which 18% (5 patients) were patients with patella resurfacing at index surgery and 82% (23 patients) were patients without initial patella resurfacing. At final follow-up, 93% of the patients who did not fail were satisfied with the procedure with a mean transformed WOMAC Score of 84.5 ± 14.5 points, a mean KOOS Score of 73.3 ± 17.1 points, a mean Tegner Score of 3.4 ± 1.4 points and a mean VAS pain of 2.4 ± 2.0 points. An increased BMI was significantly correlated with a worse postoperative outcome. Concomitant procedures addressing patellofemoral instability or malalignment, the lack of patellofemoral resurfacing at the index surgery and a high BMI were significantly correlated with failure in our patient cohort.

Conclusion

Patellofemoral inlay arthroplasty shows high patient satisfaction with good functional outcomes at short-term follow-up and thus can be considered a viable treatment option in young patients suffering from isolated patellofemoral arthritis. Patellar resurfacing at index surgery is recommended to decrease the risk of failure.

Level of evidence

Retrospective case series, Level IV.
Neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin as a biomarker of nephropathy in sickle cell disease
Authors: Marouf Rajaa , Adekile Adekunle D. , El-Muzaini Hadeel , Abdulla Rasha , Mojiminiyi Olusegun A.
Published: April 2021

Sickle cell nephropathy (SCN) develops via altered hemodynamics and acute kidney injury, but conventional screening tests remain normal until advanced stages. Early diagnostic biomarkers are needed so that preventive measures can be taken. This study evaluates the role of neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL) as a biomarker of SCN in steady state and vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). In this case-control study, 74 sickle cell disease (SCD) patients (37 in steady state and 37 in VOC) and 53 control subjects had hematological and biochemical measurements including plasma and urine NGAL. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were used to find the associations between variables. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the diagnostic performance characteristics of plasma and urine NGAL for detection of VOC. Plasma and urine NGAL, urine microalbumin:creatinine ratio, and urine protein:creatinine ratio were significantly higher in VOC. Microalbuminuria was present in 17.1% steady state and 32.0% VOC patients. Microalbuminuria showed significant correlations with age, plasma NGAL, WBC, and hemolytic parameters. Area under the ROC curve for plasma NGAL was 0.69 (95%CI = 0.567–0.813; p = 0.006) and 0.86 (95%CI = 0.756–0.954; p < 0.001) for urine NGAL. Urine NGAL cut-off value of 12.0 ng/mL had 95% sensitivity and 65% specificity. These results confirm the presence of nephropathy during VOC and suggest that plasma and urine NGAL would be useful in the identification of SCN. Urine NGAL should be used as the screening biomarker, and patients with VOC and urine NGAL > 12.0 ng/mL should be selected for aggressive management to prevent progression of renal damage.
Temporal changes in epidemiological profile and fetal indications for late termination of pregnancy: a retrospective single-center study
Authors: Muin Dana Anaïs , Otte Patricia , Scharrer Anke , Kasprian Gregor , Husslein Peter W. , Kiss Herbert , Bettelheim Dieter
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To explore whether epidemiological shifts regarding reproduction and pregnancy have influenced the spectrum of indications for late termination of singleton pregnancies (TOP) above 17 weeks of gestation and to evaluate temporal changes in maternal demographics and fetal indications over the last 16 years.

Methods

Retrospective single-center cohort study involving all late TOPs preceded by feticide between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2019 at a tertiary referral hospital in Austria. Outcome variables were retrieved and a time trend assessed between two 8-year intervals (2004–2011 versus 2012–2019).

Results

Between January 2004 and December 2019, a total of 209 singleton pregnancies (50.7% male; 46.9% female fetuses, 2.4% no disclosed sex) were terminated medically at a median gestational age of 25+1 (17+3–37+1) weeks at our institution. Predominant conditions legally justifying the late medical abortion were abnormaltities of the brain/central nervous system (n = 83; 39.7%), chromosomal aberrations (n = 33; 15.8%), complex malformations (n = 31; 4.8%) and abnormaltities of the musculosceletal system including diaphragmatic hernias (n = 18; 8.6%), as reflected by the ICD-10-categories “Congenital malformation of the central nervous system”, “Other congenital malformations” and “Chromosomal abnormalities”. No changes were observed with regards to maternal age (30.1 ± 5.9 vs. 31.0 ± 6.0 years;  p = 0.315) nor frequency of assisted reproductive technologies (7.0% vs. 8.5%; p = 0.550). Despite a 2.5-fold increase in incidence of late TOPs, no epidemiological changes in maternal or fetal characteristics were observed over the last 16 years.

Conclusion

Population profile and indications for late TOPs followed by feticide remain unchanged over time.
In vitro characterisation of low-cost synthetic meshes intended for hernia repair in the UK
Authors: Grillo A. , Hyder Z. , Mudera V. , Kureshi A.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Low-cost meshes (LCM) were repurposed for the repair of hernias in the developing world. In vivo studies have shown LCM to have comparable results to commercial meshes (CM) at a fraction of the cost. However, little has been done to characterise the mechanical and biocompatible properties of LCM, preventing its clinical use in the UK. The objectives of the research are to assess mechanical and ultrastructural properties of two UK-sourced low-cost meshes (LCM) and the characterisation of the LCMs in vitro biocompatibility.

Methods

Mechanical properties of the two LCM were measured through uniaxial tensile test and ultrastructure was evaluated with Scanning Electron Microscopy. LIVE/DEAD® Viability/Cytotoxicity Assay kit and alamarBlue were used to assess cellular viability and proliferation, respectively. Images were acquired with a fluorescence microscope and analysed using ImageJ (NIH, USA).

Results

LCM1 and LCM2 were both multifilament meshes, with the first having smaller pores than the latter. LCM1 exhibited significantly higher tensile strength (p < 0.05) than LCM2 but significantly lower extensibility (p < 0.0001), while Young’s Modulus of the two samples was not significantly different. No significant difference was found in the cellular viability and morphology cultured in LCM1 and LCM2 conditioned media. Metabolic assay and fluorescence imaging showed cellular attachment and proliferation on both LCMs over 14 days.

Conclusion

The characterisation of the two UK-sourced LCMs showed in vitro biocompatibility and mechanical and ultrastructural properties comparable to the equivalent CM. This in vitro data represents a step forward for the feasibility of adopting LCM for surgical repair of hernias in the UK.
Feline communication strategies when presented with an unsolvable task: the attentional state of the person matters
Authors: Zhang Lingna , Needham Katie B. , Juma Serena , Si Xuemei , Martin François
Published: April 2021

Research on social cognitive ability in domestic cats is limited. The current study investigated social referencing in cats when exposed to first, a solvable, and then, an unsolvable scenario (i.e., reachable and unreachable treats) in the presence of either an attentive or an inattentive caregiver. Cats expressed more gaze alternation (P = 0.013), but less interaction with the caregiver (P = 0.048) and approached the treat container less frequently (P = 0.017) during the unsolvable test, compared to the solvable test. When in the presence of an attentive caregiver, cats initiated first gaze at the caregiver faster (P = 0.001); gazed at the caregiver for longer (P = 0.034); and approached the treat more frequently (P = 0.040), compared to when the caregiver was inattentive. Significant interaction was observed between test and caregiver’s attentional state on the expression of sequential behavior, a type of showing behavior. Cats exhibited this behavior marginally more with attentive caregivers, compared to inattentive caregivers, but only during the unsolvable test. There was a decrease in sequential behavior during the unsolvable test, compared to solvable test, but this was only seen with inattentive caregivers (P = 0.018). Our results suggest that gaze alternation is a behavior reliably indicating social referencing in cats and that cats’ social communication with humans is affected by the person’s availability for visual interaction.
Politische Erfahrungen bei der wirtschaftlichen und gesellschaftlichen Transformation
Authors: Bergner Christoph
Published: April 2021

Der deutsche Vereinigungsprozess wird aus verschiedenen Perspektiven unterschiedlich beurteilt. Die Darstellungen reichen von kaum vorstellbaren Erfolgen bis bin zu einer Traumatisierung der Bevölkerung der östlichen Bundesländer. Sechs Thesen sollen die gesellschaftliche und wirtschaftliche Transformation im Zuge der deutschen Vereinigung verdeutlichen.
Es liegt nicht alles am Sozialismus — über Ost-West-Unterschiede und ihre Ursprünge
Authors: Becker Sascha O. , Mergele Lukas , Wößmann Ludger
Published: April 2021

Auch zum 30. Jubiläum der Deutschen Einheit ist noch viel von Ost-West-Unterschieden die Rede. Im Vordergrund stehen hierbei neben rein ökonomischen Differenzen auch Unterschiede in soziokulturellen Einstellungen und Verhaltensweisen. Dass diese Diskussionen auch nach so langer Zeit noch geführt werden, erscheint erstaunlich und wirft die Frage nach der Herkunft dieser anhaltenden Differenzen auf. Typischerweise wird diese Frage mit der Erfahrung verschiedener politischer Systeme beantwortet, die unterschiedliche gesellschaftliche Prägungen zur Folge hatten. Folglich entwickelte sich auch in den Sozial wissenschaften ein großes Interesse an der deutschen Teilung 1949 in die Deutsche Demokratische Republik und die Bundesrepublik Deutschland sowie an der Wiedervereinigung 1990. Die Bevölkerung in Ost- und Westdeutschland unterschied sich jedoch bereits vor der Teilung. Die heute verbleibenden Unterschiede müssen dennoch nicht als unveränderlich hingenommen werden.
Production of the sheep pox virus structural protein SPPV117 in tobacco chloroplasts
Authors: Stanbekova Gulshan , Beisenov Daniyar , Nizkorodova Anna , Iskakov Bulat , Warzecha Heribert
Published: April 2021

Objective

A chloroplast transgenic approach was assessed in order to produce a structural protein SPPV117 of sheep pox virus in Nicotiana tabacum for the future development of a plant-based subunit vaccine against sheep pox.

Results

Two DNA constructs containing SPPV117 coding sequence under the control of chloroplast promoter and terminator of psbA gene or rrn promoter and rbcL terminator were designed and inserted into the chloroplast genome by a biolistic method. The transgenic plants were selected via PCR analysis. Northern and Western blot analysis showed expression of the transgene at transcriptional and translational levels, respectively. The recombinant protein accumulated to about 0.3% and 0.9% of total soluble protein in leaves when expressed from psbA and rrn promoter, respectively. Plant-produced SPPV117 protein was purified using metal affinity chromatography and the protein yield was 19.67  ±  1.25 µg g−1 (FW). The serum of a sheep infected with the virus recognised the chloroplast-produced protein indicating that the protein retains its antigenic properties.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that chloroplasts are a suitable system for the production of a candidate subunit vaccine against sheep pox.
A multimodal corpus of simulated consultations between a patient and multiple healthcare professionals
Authors: Snaith Mark , Conway Nicholas , Beinema Tessa , De Franco Dominic , Pease Alison , Kantharaju Reshmashree , Janier Mathilde , Huizing Gerwin , Pelachaud Catherine , op den Akker Harm
Published: April 2021

Language resources for studying doctor–patient interaction are rare, primarily due to the ethical issues related to recording real medical consultations. Rarer still are resources that involve more than one healthcare professional in consultation with a patient, despite many chronic conditions requiring multiple areas of expertise for effective treatment. In this paper, we present the design, construction and output of the Patient Consultation Corpus, a multimodal corpus of simulated consultations between a patient portrayed by an actor, and at least two healthcare professionals with different areas of expertise. As well as the transcribed text from each consultation, the corpus also contains audio and video where for each consultation: the audio consists of individual tracks for each participant, allowing for clear identification of speakers; the video consists of two framings for each participant—upper-body and face—allowing for close analysis of behaviours and gestures. Having presented the design and construction of the corpus, we then go on to briefly describe how the multi-modal nature of the corpus allows it to be analysed from several different perspectives.
Correction to: Glyconanoparticles as tools to prevent antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Morelli Laura , Polito Laura , Richichi Barbara , Compostella Federica
Published: April 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s10719-021-09995-7
On the Effect of Shear Loading Rate on Contact Area Shrinking in Adhesive Soft Contacts
Authors: Papangelo Antonio
Published: April 2021

Adhesion and, its interplay with friction, is central in several engineering applications involving soft contacts. Recently, there has been an incredible push towards a better understanding on how the apparent contact area evolves when a shear load is applied to an adhesive soft contact, both experimentally and theoretically. Although soft materials are well-known to exhibit rate-dependent properties, there is still a lack of understanding in how the loading rate could affect the contact area shrinking. Indeed, most of the experiments involving a sphere-flat contact have been conducted at a fixed loading rate, and, so far, analytical models have assumed a constant work of adhesion, independent on the peeling velocity. Here, by using linear elastic fracture mechanics, an analytical model is derived for the contact of a rigid sphere on a soft adhesive substrate, which is aimed at elucidating the effect that a rate-dependent work of adhesion has on the contact area shrinking. The model results show that contact area reduction is very sensitive to the loading rate, with slower loading rates promoting a stronger shrinking, which seems in agreement with Literature results. Furthermore it is shown that rate effects enhance the apparent interfacial toughness, i.e. more energy is needed to drive the system from full stick up to gross sliding.
Afterword: A Functional Analysis of the Crisis in American Society, 2020
Authors: Lidz Victor
Published: April 2021

In 2020, American society experienced a number of crises. They involved raced relations precipitated by the Black Lives Matter movement, the Covid 19 pandemic with its huge loss of life and rates of illness, the economic recession that accompanied the pandemic and efforts to control it, and the tensions of the national political campaign, followed by the refusal of President Trump to acknowledge his defeat. Each of these crises led to cleavages in the relationships of solidarity in the societal community subsystem of American society. The cleavages may prove to be the most enduring of the crises.
Redefining Ecological Engineering in the Context of Circular Economy and Sustainable Development
Authors: Schönborn Andreas , Junge Ranka
Published: April 2021

In the past decades, the search for a more sustainable way of global development has increased in importance in international politics and economy. A driving force is the continuing degradation of the environment in many areas of the world, often caused or accelerated by population growth and climate change. Sustainable development is seen as key approach to mitigate these processes. It has been defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” But how can this ambitious goal be achieved in the light of numerous global challenges? Engineering is a very influential human practice and must be addressed in this context. Engineers are crucially involved in design and construction of our built environment and thus in shaping almost its entire development. However, when designing a solution for a given problem, effects caused outside of the system borders are often not considered. If this is combined with a narrowly confined linear problem-solving approach, it is inherently prone to create new environmental challenges. We postulate that the development of a new design paradigm for engineering must be part of the progress towards sustainable development. We think that this new paradigm needs to integrate a sound understanding of ecological principles, processes, and interdependencies as well as thorough system thinking. We call this ecology-inspired approach to engineering “ecological engineering” and redefine it as follows: Ecological Engineering integrates ecological principles, processes, and organisms with existing engineering practice to a holistic approach for problem-solving. In this paper, we explore the historical development of earlier definitions of Ecological Engineering in the light of their underlying value systems. Based on this analysis, we propose a new conceptual approach for Ecological Engineering and define seven principles that point the way towards a future label that can be conferred to Good Ecological Engineering Practice.
Dispute Settlement Reports 2019
Authors: World Trade Organization
Published: April 2021

These are the WTO's authorized and paginated reports in English. They are an essential addition to the library of all practising trade lawyers and a useful tool for students and academics worldwide working in the field of international economic or trade law. DSR 2019: Volume VII contains the panel and Appellate Body reports on 'Korea - Import Bans, and Testing and Certification Requirements for Radionuclides' (WT/DS495).
Long‐Term Observations of Upper‐Tropospheric Cloud Ice From the MLS
Authors: Wang Tao , Wu Dong L. , Gong Jie , Wang Chenxi
Published: April 2021

Upper tropospheric cloud ice varies across different timescales and plays an important role in regulating Earth's climate, but knowledge of the abundances and the variability of cloud ice has been limited for decades. The Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) instrument onboard the Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) provides an unprecedented record of cloud ice measurements since its launch in April 2006. However, CALIPSO has left the A‐Train in September 2018 and entered the C‐Train orbit which follows a slightly different ground track with a different local crossing time. This orbit change challenges the continuation of a long‐term record of cloud ice since ice is subject to stronger diurnal cycle. Fortunately, the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS), still as a member of the A‐Train, has a consistent local crossing time and has measured high quality radiance since launch in 2004, and will probably continue beyond 2024. We present the use of MLS 640‐GHz cloud‐induced radiance (Tcir) to build a robust upper tropospheric partial ice water path (pIWP) product due to its high dynamical range to different sizes of ice particles. The MLS rebuilt pIWP, which extends nearly two decades, captures the spatial and temporal variabilities of upper tropospheric cloud ice that CALIOP is capable of measuring. This provides valuable alternative for studying the upper tropospheric cloud ice and possibly provides a more consistent input to climate studies.
Global Warming Causes Uneven Changes in Heat Stress Indicators
Authors: Rehnberg Morgan
Published: April 2021

Different indicators change in different ways, but climate models project a clear trend of increasing heat stress.
Interlayer exciton formation, relaxation, and transport in TMD van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Jiang Ying , Chen Shula , Zheng Weihao , Zheng Biyuan , Pan Anlian
Published: April 2021

Van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures based on transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) generally possess a type-II band alignment that facilitates the formation of interlayer excitons between constituent monolayers. Manipulation of the interlayer excitons in TMD vdW heterostructures holds great promise for the development of excitonic integrated circuits that serve as the counterpart of electronic integrated circuits, which allows the photons and excitons to transform into each other and thus bridges optical communication and signal processing at the integrated circuit. As a consequence, numerous studies have been carried out to obtain deep insight into the physical properties of interlayer excitons, including revealing their ultrafast formation, long population recombination lifetimes, and intriguing spin-valley dynamics. These outstanding properties ensure interlayer excitons with good transport characteristics, and may pave the way for their potential applications in efficient excitonic devices based on TMD vdW heterostructures. At present, a systematic and comprehensive overview of interlayer exciton formation, relaxation, transport, and potential applications is still lacking. In this review, we give a comprehensive description and discussion of these frontier topics for interlayer excitons in TMD vdW heterostructures to provide valuable guidance for researchers in this field.
Multianvil high-pressure/high-temperature synthesis and characterization of magnetoelectric HP-Co3TeO6
Authors: Selb Elisabeth , Buttlar Toni , Janka Oliver , Tribus Martina , Ebbinghaus Stefan G. , Heymann Gunter
Published: April 2021

By high-pressure/high-temperature multianvil synthesis a new high-pressure (HP) phase of Co3TeO6was obtained.
Determining factors for the nano-biocompatibility of cobalt oxide nanoparticles: proximal discrepancy in intrinsic atomic interactions at differential vicinage
Authors: Verma Suresh K. , Panda Pritam Kumar , Kumari Puja , Patel Paritosh , Arunima Aryashree , Jha Ealisha , Husain Shaheen , Prakash Ravi , Hergenröder Roland , Mishra Yogendra Kumar , Ahuja Rajeev , Varma Rajender S. , Suar Mrutyunjay
Published: April 2021

In vivo and in vitro Intrinsic atomic interaction of Cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4) describe the differential nano-biocompatibility.
Reverse ADOR: reconstruction of UTL zeolite from layered IPC-1P
Authors: Veselý Ondřej , Eliášová Pavla , Morris Russell E. , Čejka Jiří
Published: April 2021

The germanosilicate zeolite UTL was reconstructed from the layered precursor IPC-1P using the modified Assembly–Disassembly–Organisation–Reassembly (ADOR) process. The reverse ADOR is a promising new route for synthesis of extra-large-pore zeolites.