bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detecting kinsenoside from Anoectochilus roxburghii by HPLC‐ELSD with dual columns of NH2 and AQ‐C18
Authors: Wei Mi , Chen Xuemin , Yi Liwen , Yuan Yuanyuan , Zhang Hua , Fu Chunhua , Yu Longjiang
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Kinsenoside is a characteristic component of Anoectochilus roxburghii and accounts for this herb's medicinal and edible values. No international certified standard method is available for kinsenoside analysis as well as extraction and preservation.

Objective

To develop a more accurate analytical method of kinsenoside. The effects of extraction and drying methods of A. roxburghii on kinsenoside efficiency were investigated for the first time, as well as to examine the kinsenoside stability.

Material and methods

The amino (NH2) and AQ‐C18 columns for detecting kinsenoside extract was systematically compared by high‐performance liquid chromatography evaporative light‐scattering detector (HPLC‐ELSD) and HPLC‐diode‐array detector (DAD), respectively. Kinsenoside, its epimer goodyeroside A and the degradation product during preservation were identified through HPLC‐electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS).

Results

An accurate method of kinsenoside detection by HPLC‐ELSD with dual columns of NH2 and AQ‐C18 was established. The ratio of Cgoodyeroside A to Ckinsenoside (Y) was determined using the AQ‐C18 column method. The concentration detected by the NH2 column was multiplied by 1/(1 + Y) as the corrected result. Using this novel method, the average deviations were reduced by 7.64%. Moreover, the efficiency of kinsenoside extraction with water was almost twice that of extraction with ethanol. Freeze drying also led to a higher extraction efficiency (38.47% increase) than hot‐air drying did. Furthermore, the degradation of kinsenoside extract exceeded 70% when stored at 37 °C for 3 months.

Conclusion

This study provides a reliable experimental method and theoretical basis for the quality control of kinsenoside from A. roxburghii, as well as other glycosides.
Why farmers deviate from recommended pesticide timing: the role of uncertainty and information
Authors: Möhring Niklas , Wuepper David , Musa Tomke , Finger Robert
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND

Precise timing of pesticide applications, as recommended by decision‐support systems, can ensure crop protection, while maintaining efficient use of pesticides, yet farmers often deviate from recommended timing strategies. Here, we assess and explain farmersʼ choices to follow or not follow recommendations for the timing of fungicide applications against potato late blight in Switzerland.

RESULT

Based on daily fungicide application records as well as regional application recommendations and disease pressure, we found that 36% of applications took place earlier than recommended. Using regression analysis, we identified the exposure to economic risks of infection, susceptibility of the planted potato varieties to late blight infections, as well as yearly differences in disease occurrence as the most important determinants of farmersʼ application decision.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that decisions to not follow application recommendations and apply early are linked to available information and uncertainty with respect to disease predictions. Based on our results, we make recommendations on how to account for farmersʼ uncertainty with regard to the timing of pesticide applications in the design of pesticide policies and agricultural decision‐support systems. These include the use of new technologies and data, mandatory reporting and tailor‐made taxes and insurance solutions. Although the focus of this article is on late blight in Switzerland, our analysis can easily be extended to other countries and important plant diseases like powdery mildew in grapevines or Fusarium head blight in winter wheat. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Reframing SU(1,1) Interferometry
Authors: Caves Carlton M.
Published: March 2020

SU(1,1) interferometry, proposed in a classic 1986 paper by Yurke, McCall, and Klauder, involves squeezing, displacing, and then unsqueezing two bosonic modes. It has, over the past decade, been implemented in a variety of experiments. Here, SU(1,1) interferometry is taken apart, to see how and why it ticks. SU(1,1) interferometry arises naturally as the two‐mode version of active‐squeezing‐enhanced, back‐action‐evading measurements aimed at detecting the phase‐space displacement of a harmonic oscillator subjected to a classical force. Truncating an SU(1,1) interferometer, by omitting the second two‐mode squeezer, leaves a prototype that uses the entanglement of two‐mode squeezing to detect and characterize a disturbance on one of the two modes from measurement statistics gathered from both modes.
Leveraging Justice: How Leaders Influence Performance Determinants in the Fire Service
Authors: Huntsman David , Greer Alex , Murphy Haley
Published: March 2020

Disasters are increasing in both number and severity. Thus, effective emergency response is becoming increasingly important to lessen human and economic impacts from disasters. Little research has been performed, however, on how leaders influence the attitudes of responders that motivate them toward increased performance and overall effectiveness. Using survey data from two separate fire departments, this study explores the relationships between distributive and procedural justice, and the affective outcomes of organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Perceived organizational support is also tested for mediation using bootstrapping procedures for indirect effects. Overall, the results for both departments show that perceived organizational support mediates the positive and significant relationships between the justice dimensions and affective outcomes. In turn, this suggests that leaders in the fire service may build more successful fire departments by providing fair treatment, procedures, and outcomes to firefighters as favorable treatment is reciprocated to benefit the organization.
When suppliers shift my boundaries: Supplier employee mobility and its impact on buyer firms' sourcing strategy
Authors: Chondrakis George , Sako Mari
Published: March 2020

Research summary

Buyer firms respond to supplier employee mobility by reshuffling work among suppliers. However, the extant literature has not considered plural‐sourcing firms which can bring work back in‐house. In this paper, we develop a governance framework in which buyers engage in a comparative assessment of the costs associated with different sourcing modes following supplier employee mobility. Due to the imperfect transferability of social capital and associated uncertainty, buyers face increased contracting costs when supplier employees move. This prompts plural‐sourcing buyers to increase their reliance on insourcing when the costs of adjusting in‐house capacity are relatively low and when the costs of switching to alternative suppliers are relatively high. The analysis of data on patent prosecution activities and patent attorney mobility provides support to our theory.

Managerial summary

This study provides a decision framework for buyer firms when their suppliers experience employee departures. Buyers may choose to (a) stay with the suppliers suffering employee losses or (b) follow mobile employees to their new suppliers. However, in both cases contracting becomes more difficult due to the disruption in supplier relationships or the need to work with new suppliers. There is a third option (c) though which is to bring work in‐house. We explain that buyers opt for option (c) when it is easy to expand in‐house capacity and when the costs of switching to alternative suppliers already in use are relatively high. Thus, supplier employee mobility may lead buyer firms to adjust their reliance on outsourcing even when there are no buyer employee departures.
Who violates expectations when? How firms' growth and dividend reputations affect investors' reactions to acquisitions
Authors: Blagoeva Radina R. , Kavusan Korcan , Jansen Justin J. P.
Published: March 2020

Research summary

We investigate the role of a firm's dividend and growth reputations in shaping investors' interpretations of acquisitions as a negative or positive expectation violation. While our findings reveal that both an acquiring firm's dividend and growth reputations trigger positive investor reactions, they also show that investors react negatively to an acquisition of a target firm with a strong growth reputation when the acquiring firm has a strong dividend reputation. We also find that investors are inclined to give managers “the benefit of the doubt” to the extent that an acquiring firm strategically frames an acquisition announcement in such a way that it provides assurance to investors that the acquisition is meant to exceed investors' expectations about shareholder value creation.

Managerial summary

We study why investors respond to some acquisitions positively and others negatively. We find that the way acquiring and target firms have created shareholder value in the past, and the information conveyed in the acquisition announcements are important determinants of investors' differential reactions to acquisitions. Our findings show that while investors generally react positively to acquisitions by firms known for creating value either through dividends or growth, their reactions become negative when a firm known for value creation through dividends acquires a target known for value creation through growth. We further find that managers can favorably influence investor reactions by making it salient in the acquisition announcement how the acquisition is intended to exceed investors' value creation expectations from the acquiring firm.
How do strategic leaders engage with social media? A theoretical framework for research and practice
Authors: Heavey Ciaran , Simsek Zeki , Kyprianou Christina , Risius Marten
Published: March 2020

Research summary

Social media is a powerful medium for examining strategic leaders' novel interactions and influence within and outside the firm. But, while studies on social media are popping up like kettle corn across disciplines, no conceptual framework for organizing, guiding, and inspiring research on social media engagement among strategic leaders has yet appeared. Toward this end, we first clarify the construct and develop a typological conceptualization of strategic leaders' social media engagement behaviors. Next, we introduce a theoretical framework and corresponding propositions for explaining the variations, mechanisms, and consequences of social media engagements. We conclude with implications for future research, including data collection and measurement.

Managerial summary

With the growing proliferation of social media platforms, today's executives are faced with a vast array of choices about how to use social media to engage with diverse stakeholders and online communities. Although avoidance continues to be a preference for many executives, the scale and scope of social media platforms offer executives unprecedented opportunities—as well as risks—to engage stakeholders. We develop and illustrate a framework of six archetypal engagement behaviors through which executives may leverage social media to reach, communicate, and interact with stakeholders in developing and executing strategy—for both good and ill. We then discuss the implications of these alternative playbooks for executive decision‐making and firm outcomes.
The leading jet transverse momentum in inclusive jet production and with a loose jet veto
Authors: Scott Darren J. , Waalewijn Wouter J.
Published: March 2020

Abstract

We study the transverse momentum of the leading jet in the limit where the jet radius is small, R ≪ 1. We introduce the leading-jet function to calculate this cross section for an inclusive jet sample, and the subleading-jet function when a loose veto on additional jets is imposed, i.e. $$ {}_{PTJ}{\underset{\sim }{>}}_{P_T^{\mathrm{veto}}} $$

PTJ

>
~

P
T
veto

. These jet functions are calculated at next-to-leading order in QCD and the resummation of jet radius logarithms is explored. We present phenomenological results for Higgs + 1 jet production, for both the jet and Higgs transverse momentum distribution. We find that, while the R ≪ 1 limit of the cross section provides a good description of the full NLO result, even for values as large as R = 0.8, simply retaining the leading logarithm at this order does not. Indeed, the NLO contribution to the hard function and, to a lesser extent, non-logarithmic corrections to the jet function are sizable and must be included to obtain the correct cross section. In the inclusive cross section we find that the $$ {\alpha}_s^2 $$

α
s
2

ln2R corrections are several precent, while in exclusive cross sections at large pT ,J and small R they can reach 20%. However, it is not clear how important the resummation of these logarithms is, given the presence of other large corrections at NNLO.
$$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 2 conformal gauge theories at large R-charge: the SU(N) case
Authors: Beccaria Matteo , Galvagno Francesco , Hasan Azeem
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Conformal theories with a global symmetry may be studied in the double scaling regime where the interaction strength is reduced while the global charge increases. Here, we study generic 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 SU(N ) gauge theories with conformal matter content at large R-charge QR → ∞ with fixed ’t Hooft-like coupling $$ \kappa ={Q}_{\mathrm{R}}{g}_{\mathrm{YM}}^2. $$
κ
=

Q
R

g
YM
2

.
Our analysis concerns two distinct classes of natural scaling functions. The first is built in terms of chiral/anti-chiral two-point functions. The second involves one-point functions of chiral operators in presence of $$ \frac{1}{2} $$

1
2

-BPS Wilson-Maldacena loops. In the rank-1 SU (2) case, the two-point sector has been recently shown to be captured by an auxiliary chiral random matrix model. We extend the analysis to SU(N) theories and provide an algorithm that computes arbitrarily long perturbative expansions for all considered models, parametric in the rank. The leading and next-to-leading contributions are cross-checked by a three- loops computation in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 superspace. This perturbative analysis identifies maximally non-planar Feynman diagrams as the relevant ones in the double scaling limit. In the Wilson-Maldacena sector, we obtain closed expressions for the scaling functions, valid for any rank and κ. As an application, we analyze quantitatively the large ’t Hooft coupling limit κ ≫ 1 where we identify all perturbative and non-perturbative contributions. The latter are associated with heavy electric BPS states and the precise correspondence with their mass spectrum is clarified.
Conformally invariant averaged null energy condition from AdS/CFT
Authors: Iizuka Norihiro , Ishibashi Akihiro , Maeda Kengo
Published: March 2020

Abstract

We study the compatibility of the AdS/CFT duality with the bulk and boundary causality, and derive a conformally invariant averaged null energy condition (CANEC) for quantum field theories in 3 and 5-dimensional curved boundaries. This is the generalization of the averaged null energy condition (ANEC) in Minkowski spacetime to curved boundaries, where null energy is averaged along the null line with appropriate weight for conformal invariance. For this purpose we take, as our guiding principle, the no-bulk-shortcut theorem of Gao and Wald, which essentially asserts that when going from one point to another on the boundary, one cannot take a “shortcut through the bulk”. We also discuss the relationship between bulk vs boundary causality and the weak cosmic censorship.
Extended forward and inverse modeling of radiation pressure accelerations for LEO satellites
Authors: Vielberg Kristin , Kusche Jürgen
Published: March 2020

For low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, activities such as precise orbit determination, gravity field retrieval, and thermospheric density estimation from accelerometry require modeled accelerations due to radiation pressure. To overcome inconsistencies and better understand the propagation of modeling errors into estimates, we here suggest to extend the standard analytical LEO radiation pressure model with emphasis on removing systematic errors in time-dependent radiation data products for the Sun and the Earth. Our extended unified model of Earth radiation pressure accelerations is based on hourly CERES SYN1deg data of the Earth’s outgoing radiation combined with angular distribution models. We apply this approach to the GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) data. Validations with 1 year of calibrated accelerometer measurements suggest that the proposed model extension reduces RMS fits between 5 and 27%, depending on how measurements were calibrated. In contrast, we find little changes when implementing, e.g., thermal reradiation or anisotropic reflection at the satellite’s surface. The refined model can be adopted to any satellite, but insufficient knowledge of geometry and in particular surface properties remains a limitation. In an inverse approach, we therefore parametrize various combinations of possible systematic errors to investigate estimability and understand correlations of remaining inconsistencies. Using GRACE-A accelerometry data, we solve for corrections of material coefficients and CERES fluxes separately over ocean and land. These results are encouraging and suggest that certain physical radiation pressure model parameters could indeed be determined from satellite accelerometry data.
Shifts of the point-of-change can be attributed to a lower mechanical cost of motor execution
Authors: Schütz Christoph , Schack Thomas
Published: March 2020

In a previous study on hand selection in a sequential reaching task, the authors showed a shift of the point-of-change (POC) to the left of the midline. This implies that participants conducted a number of contralateral reaches with their dominant, right hand. Contralateral movements have longer planning and execution times and a lower precision. In the current study, we asked whether lower mechanical costs of motor execution or lower cognitive costs of motor planning compensated for these disadvantages. Theories on hemispheric differences postulate lower mechanical costs in the dominant hemisphere and lower cognitive costs in the left hemisphere (independent of handedness). In right-handed participants, both factors act agonistically to reduce the total cost of right-handed reaches. To distinguish between the cost factors, we had left- and right-hand-dominant participants execute a sequential, unimanual reaching task. Results showed a left-shift of the POC in the right-handed and a right-shift in the left-handed group. Both shifts were similar in magnitude. These findings indicate that only the mechanical cost of motor execution compensates for the disadvantages of the contralateral reaches, while the cognitive cost of motor planning is irrelevant for the POC shift.
Tuning of human NK cells by endogenous HLA-C expression
Authors: Goodson-Gregg Frederick J. , Krepel Stacey A. , Anderson Stephen K.
Published: March 2020

NK cells are primarily responsible for detecting malignant or pathogen-infected cells, and their function is influenced both by stress-associated activating signals and opposing inhibitory signals from receptors that recognize self MHC. The receptors that produce this inhibitory signal shift from the NKG2A:HLA-E system to that of KIR:HLA as the NK cells mature. This maturation is associated with an increase in lytic activity, as well as an increase in HLA-C protein levels controlled by the NK-specificHLA-Cpromoter, NK-Pro. We propose that modulation of the translatability ofHLA-Ctranscripts in NK cells constitutes an evolutionary mechanism to controlcisinhibitory signaling by HLA-C, which fine tunes NK cell activity. Furthermore, the high degree of variability in KIR receptor affinity for HLA alleles, as well as the variable expression levels of both KIR and HLA, suggest an evolutionary requirement for the tuning of NK lytic activity. Various data have demonstrated that mature NK cells may gain or lose lytic activity when placed in different environments. This indicates that NK cell activity may be more a function of constant tuning by inhibitory signals, rather than a static, irreversible “license to kill” granted to mature NK cells. Inhibitory signaling controls the filling of the cytolytic granule reservoir, which becomes depleted if there are insufficient inhibitory signals, leading to a hyporesponsive NK cell. We propose a novel model for the tuning of human NK cell activity viacisinteractions in the context of recent findings on the mechanism of NK education.
Effect of sulfate addition on carbon flow and microbial community composition during thermophilic digestion of cellulose
Authors: Lackner Nina , Wagner Andreas O. , Illmer Paul
Published: March 2020

Substrates with high sulfate levels pose problems for biogas production as they allow sulfate reducing bacteria to compete with syntrophic and methanogenic members of the community. In addition, the end product of sulfate reduction, hydrogen sulfide, is toxic and corrosive. Here we show how sulfate addition affects physiological processes in a thermophilic methanogenic system by analyzing the carbon flow and the microbial community with quantitative PCR and amplicon sequencing of the 16s rRNA gene. A sulfate addition of 0.5 to 3 g/L caused a decline in methane production by 73–92%, while higher sulfate concentrations had no additional inhibitory effect. Generally, sulfate addition induced a shift in the composition of the microbial community towards a higher dominance ofFirmicutesand decreasing abundances ofBacteroidetesandEuryarchaeota. The abundance of methanogens (e.g.,MethanoculleusandMethanosarcina) was reduced, while sulfate reducing bacteria (especiallyCandidatus DesulforudisandDesulfotomaculum) increased significantly in presence of sulfate. The sulfate addition had a significant impact on the carbon flow within the system, shifting the end product from methane and carbon dioxide to acetate and carbon dioxide. Interestingly, methane production quickly resumed, when sulfate was no longer present in the system. Despite the strong impact of sulfate addition on the carbon flow and the microbial community structure during thermophilic biogas production, short-term process disturbances caused by unexpected introduction of sulfate may be overcome due to the high resilience of the engaged microorganisms.
A phase I study of multi-HLA-binding peptides derived from heat shock protein 70/glypican-3 and a novel combination adjuvant of hLAG-3Ig and Poly-ICLC for patients with metastatic gastrointestinal cancers: YNP01 trial
Authors: Nakajima Masao , Hazama Shoichi , Tamada Koji , Udaka Keiko , Kouki Yasunobu , Uematsu Toshinari , Arima Hideki , Saito Akira , Doi Shun , Matsui Hiroto , Shindo Yoshitaro , Matsukuma Satoshi , Kanekiyo Shinsuke , Tokumitsu Yukio , Tomochika Shinobu , Iida Michihisa , Yoshida Shin , Nakagami Yuki , Suzuki Nobuaki , Takeda Shigeru , Yamamoto Shigeru , Yoshino Shigefumi , Ueno Tomio , Nagano Hiroaki
Published: March 2020

Background

This phase I study aimed to evaluate the safety, peptide-specific immune responses, and anti-tumor effects of a novel vaccination therapy comprising multi-HLA-binding heat shock protein (HSP) 70/glypican-3 (GPC3) peptides and a novel adjuvant combination of hLAG-3Ig and Poly-ICLC against metastatic gastrointestinal cancers.

Methods

HSP70/GPC3 peptides with high binding affinities for three HLA types (A*24:02, A*02:01, and A*02:06) were identified with our peptide prediction system. The peptides were intradermally administered with combined adjuvants on a weekly basis. This study was a phase I dose escalation clinical trial, which was carried out in a three patients’ cohort; in total, 11 patients were enrolled for the recommended dose.

Results

Seventeen patients received this vaccination therapy without dose-limiting toxicity. All treatment-related adverse events were of grades 1 to 2. Peptide-specific CTL induction by HSP70 and GPC3 proteins was observed in 11 (64.7%) and 13 (76.5%) cases, respectively, regardless of the HLA type. Serum tumor marker levels were decreased in 10 cases (58.8%). Immunological analysis using PBMCs indicated that patients receiving dose level 3 presented with significantly reduced T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM3)-expressing CD4 + T cells after one course of treatment. PD-1 or TIM3-expressing CD4 + T cells and T cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and ITIM domains (TIGIT)-expressing CD8 + T cells in PBMCs before vaccination were negative predictive factors for survival.

Conclusions

This novel peptide vaccination therapy was safe for patients with metastatic gastrointestinal cancers.
Validation of the PI-RADS language: predictive values of PI-RADS lexicon descriptors for detection of prostate cancer
Authors: Rudolph Madhuri M. , Baur Alexander D. J. , Haas Matthias , Cash Hannes , Miller Kurt , Mahjoub Samy , Hartenstein Alexander , Kaufmann David , Rotzinger Roman , Lee Chau Hung , Asbach Patrick , Hamm Bernd , Penzkofer Tobias
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To assess the discriminatory power of lexicon terms used in PI-RADS version 2 to describe MRI features of prostate lesions.

Methods

Four hundred fifty-four patients were included in this retrospective, institutional review board–approved study. Patients received multiparametric (mp) MRI and subsequent prostate biopsy including MRI/transrectal ultrasound fusion biopsy and 10-core systematic biopsy. PI-RADS lexicon terms describing lesion characteristics on mpMRI were assigned to lesions by experienced readers. Positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) of each lexicon term were assessed using biopsy results as a reference standard.

Results

From a total of 501 lesions, clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) was present in 175 lesions (34.9%). Terms related to findings of restricted diffusion showed PPVs of up to 52.0%/43.9% and NPV of up to 91.8%/89.7% (peripheral zone or PZ/transition zone or TZ). T2-weighted imaging (T2W)–related terms showed a wide range of predictive values. For PZ lesions, high PPVs were found for “markedly hypointense,” “lenticular,” “lobulated,” and “spiculated” (PPVs between 67.2 and 56.7%). For TZ lesions, high PPVs were found for “water-drop-shaped” and “erased charcoal sign” (78.6% and 61.0%). The terms “encapsulated,” “organized chaos,” and “linear” showed to be good predictors for benignity with distinctively low PPVs between 5.4 and 6.9%. Most T2WI-related terms showed improved predictive values for TZ lesions when combined with DWI-related findings.

Conclusions

Lexicon terms with high discriminatory power were identified (e.g., “markedly hypointense,” “water-drop-shaped,” “organized chaos”). DWI-related terms can be useful for excluding TZ cancer. Combining T2WI- with DWI findings in TZ lesions markedly improved predictive values.

Key Points

• Lexicon terms describing morphological and functional features of prostate lesions on MRI show a wide range of predictive values for prostate cancer.

• Some T2-related terms have favorable PPVs, e.g., “water-drop-shaped” and “organized chaos” while others show less distinctive predictive values. DWI-related terms have noticeable negative predictive values in TZ lesions making DWI feature a useful tool for exclusion of TZ cancer.

• Combining DWI- and T2-related lexicon terms for assessment of TZ lesions markedly improves PPVs. Most T2-related lexicon terms showed a significant decrease in PPV when combined with negative findings for “DW hyperintensity.”
Dynamics of fungal and bacterial groups and their carbon sources during the growing season of maize in a long-term experiment
Authors: Shahbaz Muhammad , Kätterer Thomas , Thornton Barry , Börjesson Gunnar
Published: March 2020

The relative contribution of different microbial groups to soil organic matter (SOM) turnover and utilisation of rhizodeposits during a cropping season has remained largely unknown. We used a long-term field experiment (started in 1956), in which C3 crops were replaced with C4 silage maize in 2000, to investigate dynamics of fungi and bacterial groups and their utilisation of ‘young-C4’ and ‘old-C3’ SOM-derived resource every second week during the cropping season (June–Oct). Treatments include bare fallow, unfertilised, fertilised with mineral N and fertilised with farmyard manure (FYM) addition. Extracted soil phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) were pooled into Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi (18:2ω6,9) groups and their δ13C values determined. Total PLFAs amount correlated to the SOM contents (highest in FYM) and increased over the cropping season in N-fertilised and FYM treatments. As a result of a peak in plant growth during a period with frequent rain events in August, δ13C of total PLFAs significantly increased from − 23.8 to − 21.6‰ and − 26.1 to − 24.7‰, in N-fertilised and FYM addition, respectively. This clearly indicated a shift in microbial utilisation from old to young SOM sources, which was linked to increased soil moisture contents and fungal biomass. The abundance of Gram-positive increased and that of Gram-negative bacteria decreased until August and vice versa thereafter. The mean δ13C values of individual microbial groups were highest in fungi (corresponding to their seasonal biomass variation) followed by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The results clearly demonstrated that irrespective of fertilisation type, fungi were the main players in seasonal SOM dynamics and were strongly influenced by soil moisture and phenological stage of the maize (i.e. rhizodeposition). Disentangling these microbial controls on C resources utilisation will be crucial for understanding C cycling during a cropping season or on an ecosystem scale.
Recent advances in stimuli-responsive core-shell microgel particles: synthesis, characterisation, and applications
Authors: Oberdisse Julian , Hellweg Thomas
Published: March 2020

Inspired by the path followed by Matthias Ballauff over the past 20 years, the development of thermosensitive core-shell microgel structures is reviewed. Different chemical structures, from hard nanoparticle cores to double stimuli-responsive microgels have been devised and successfully implemented by many different groups. Some of the rich variety of these systems is presented, as well as some recent progress in structural analysis of such microstructures by small-angle scattering of neutrons or X-rays, including modelling approaches. In the last part, again following early work by the group of Matthias Ballauff, applications with particular emphasis on incorporation of catalytic nanoparticles inside core-shell structures—stabilising the nanoparticles and granting external control over activity—will be discussed, as well as core-shell microgels at interfaces.
Smart microgels as drug delivery vehicles for the natural drug aescin: uptake, release and interactions
Authors: Dirksen Maxim , Dargel Carina , Meier Lukas , Brändel Timo , Hellweg Thomas
Published: March 2020

In the present study, we show how acrylamide-based microgels can be employed for the uptake and release of the drug β-aescin, a widely used natural product with a variety of pharmacological effects. We show how aescin is incorporated into the microgel particles. It has an important influence on the structure of the microgels, by reducing their natural network-density gradient in the swollen state. Moreover, temperature-dependent measurements reveal how the incorporation of aescin stabilizes the microgel particles, while the volume phase transition temperature (VPTT) is almost constant, which is very important for the intended drug release. Finally, it is shown that upon increase of the temperature above the VPTT the particles are able to release aescin from their network, encouraging the use of this particular drug delivery system for hypothermia treatments.
Maternal complications in molecularly confirmed diandric and digynic triploid pregnancies: single institution experience and literature review
Authors: Massalska D. , Bijok J. , Kucińska-Chahwan A. , Zimowski J. G. , Ozdarska K. , Raniszewska A. , Panek G. M. , Roszkowski T.
Published: March 2020

Objectives

Assessment of the maternal complications in molecularly confirmed diandric and digynic triploid pregnancies.

Methods

Sonographic features, biochemical results, and clinical presentation were analyzed. Beta-hCG level was controlled after diandric triploidy.

Results

The study included nine diandric and twelve digynic triploid pregnancies at the mean gestational age at diagnosis of 14.9 and 18.0 weeks, respectively (p = 0.0391). Mean value of total-hCG was 979 703.6 U/ml in diandric cases and 5 455.4 U/ml in digynic ones (p < 0.000). Maternal complications occurred in 88.9% of diandric triploid pregnancies, including: thecalutein cysts (44.4%), hyperemesis gravidarum (44.4%), symptomatic hyperthyreosis (33.3%), early onset gestational hypertension (22.2%) and vaginal bleeding (11.1%). No case of proteinuria, preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome was observed. Only maternal complication observed in digynic triploidy was vaginal bleeding (50.0%). The mean time of beta-hCG normalization after diandric triploid pregnancies was 84 days (range 11–142 days). No case of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) was observed.

Conclusions

Maternal complications (except for vaginal bleeding) are associated with diandric triploidy. The relatively low incidence of hypertensive maternal complications and their less severe course in our cohort may be attributed to the earlier prenatal diagnosis. The frequency of GTN after diandric triploidy may be lower than previously reported.
Efficacy and safety of incobotulinumtoxinA in post-stroke upper-limb spasticity in Japanese subjects: results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (J-PURE)
Authors:   the J-PURE Study Group, Masakado Yoshihisa , Abo Masahiro , Kondo Kunitsugu , Saeki Satoru , Saitoh Eiichi , Dekundy Andrzej , Hanschmann Angelika , Kaji Ryuji
Published: March 2020

Background

Upper-limb spasticity frequently occurs after stroke and there is a clinical need for more effective therapies. The Phase III J-PURE study assessed the efficacy and safety of incobotulinumtoxinA up to 400 U for post-stroke upper-limb spasticity in Japan.

Methods

In the 12-week main period (MP) of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, Japanese subjects with upper-limb spasticity received one injection cycle of incobotulinumtoxinA 400 U, 250 U, or matching placebo. Eligible subjects enrolled in an open-label extension (OLEX) period of three injection cycles of incobotulinumtoxinA 400 U (32–40 weeks). The primary objective was to establish the efficacy of a single incobotulinumtoxinA injection using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) wrist score. Secondary efficacy outcomes and safety were also assessed.

Results

Among 100 treated subjects, AUCs for incobotulinumtoxinA 400 and 250 U were significantly different versus placebo (p = 0.0014 and p = 0.0031, respectively) for change from baseline in MAS wrist score to the end of the MP, with similar results from baseline to week 4. IncobotulinumtoxinA 400 U was superior versus placebo across other spasticity patterns and at most study visits. Improvements were maintained throughout the OLEX period. Disability Assessment Scale and Investigator’s Clinical Global Impression scores improved significantly for incobotulinumtoxinA 400 U versus placebo from baseline to week 4 (p = 0.0067 and p < 0.0001, respectively). IncobotulinumtoxinA was well tolerated up to 52 weeks, with no unexpected adverse events.

Conclusion

IncobotulinumtoxinA reduced (pathologically) increased muscle tone, improved functionality and was well tolerated in Japanese subjects with post-stroke upper-limb spasticity.
Irisin prevents dexamethasone-induced atrophy in C2C12 myotubes
Authors: Chang Jae Seung , Kong In Deok
Published: March 2020

Irisin is a myokine secreted mainly from skeletal muscle that is known for having beneficial metabolic effects via enhancement of energy expenditure and insulin sensitivity. Studies show that irisin also acts as an autocrine/paracrine to promote myogenesis and muscle growth. However, the protective role of irisin against muscular wasting remains unclear. We confirmed that irisin secretion was upregulated by electrical pulse stimulation an in vitro exercise mimetic model. Next, we tested if irisin exerted an anti-atrophic effect on cultured C2C12 myotubes treated with dexamethasone (DEX), a representative inducer of muscular atrophy. Treatment of cultured myotubes with DEX reduced myotube size and increased proteasome activity, which were attenuated by irisin. Also, irisin effectively prevented dephosphorylation of forkhead box O (FoxO) 3α and upregulation of muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases in DEX-treated myotubes. The protective effect of irisin on DEX-mediated myotube atrophy was partially regulated by insulin-like growth factor-1-dependent signaling. These results suggested that irisin may prevent glucocorticoid-induced muscle atrophy by inhibiting FoxO-mediated ubiquitin-proteasome overactivity.
The Bologna motor and non-motor prospective study on parkinsonism at onset (BoProPark): study design and population
Authors:   on behalf of the BoProPark Study Group, Calandra-Buonaura Giovanna , Sambati Luisa , Baschieri Francesca , Vitiello Maria , Contin Manuela , Tonon Caterina , Capellari Sabina , Provini Federica , Cortelli Pietro
Published: March 2020

Objective

The Bologna motor and non-motor prospective study on parkinsonism at onset (BoProPark) was designed to prospectively characterize motor and non-motor features in patients with a progressive neurodegenerative disease starting with parkinsonism since early disease stage and to investigate their diagnostic and prognostic role in the differential diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease from atypical parkinsonisms. The aim of this paper is to describe the method and population of the BoProPark study.

Methods

Patients referred to our Department with parkinsonism within 3 years from motor onset were recruited. Secondary causes of parkinsonism were excluded. Each patient underwent a comprehensive evaluation of motor and non-motor symptoms, assessed by means of quantitative, objective instrumental tests in addition to scales and questionnaires. The evaluations were performed at enrolment (T0), after 16 months (T1) and after 5 years (T2). Diagnoses were made according to consensus criteria.

Results

We recruited 150 patients, with mean age 61.5 ± 9.8 years and mean disease duration 20 ± 9 months. H&Y stage was 1 in 47.3% and 2 in 46.7% of cases. Mean UPDRS-III was 17.7 ± 9.2. Fifty-four patients were on dopaminergic treatment with median levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD) of 200 mg.

Conclusions

We expect that the prospective nature of the BoProPark study as well as the comprehensive, instrumental evaluation of motor and non-motor symptoms in patients with parkinsonism will provide important new insights for both clinical practice and research. Our data could be used for comparison with other cohorts and shared with national and international collaborators to develop new innovative projects.
Cost-effectiveness of a non-pharmacological treatment vs. “care as usual” in day care centers for community-dwelling older people with cognitive impairment: results from the German randomized controlled DeTaMAKS-trial
Authors: Steinbeisser Kathrin , Schwarzkopf Larissa , Graessel Elmar , Seidl Hildegard
Published: March 2020

Background

Cognitive impairment in older adults causes a high economic and societal burden. This study assesses the cost-effectiveness of the multicomponent, non-pharmacological MAKS treatment vs. “care as usual” in German day care centers (DCCs) for community-dwelling people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild to moderate dementia over 6 months.

Methods

The analysis was conducted from the societal perspective alongside the cluster-randomized controlled, multicenter, prospective DeTaMAKS-trial with waitlist group design. Outcomes were Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and Erlangen Test of Activities of Daily Living in Persons with Mild Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment (ETAM) of 433 individuals in 32 DCCs. Incremental differences in MMSE and ETAM were calculated via a Gaussian-distributed and incremental cost difference via a Gamma-distributed Generalized Linear Model. Cost-effectiveness was assessed via cost-effectiveness planes and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves (CEAC).

Results

At 6 months, MMSE (adjusted mean difference = 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.17 to 1.67; p = 0.02) and ETAM (adjusted mean difference = 1.00; CI: 0.14 to 1.85; p = 0.02) were significantly better in the intervention group. The adjusted cost difference was − €938.50 (CI: − 2733.65 to 763.13; p = 0.31). Given the CEAC, MAKS was cost-effective for 78.0% of MMSE and 77.4% for ETAM without a need for additional costs to payers.

Conclusions

MAKS is a cost-effective treatment to stabilize the ability to perform activities of daily living and cognitive abilities of people with MCI or mild to moderate dementia in German DCCs. Thus, MAKS should be implemented in DCCs.
Cardiovascular autonomic effects of electronic cigarette use: a systematic review
Authors: Garcia Phoebe D. , Gornbein Jeffrey A. , Middlekauff Holly R.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are the fastest growing tobacco product in the USA, and ECs, like tobacco cigarettes (TCs), have effects on the cardiovascular autonomic nervous system, with clinical implications. The purpose of this review was to collect and synthesize available studies that have investigated the autonomic cardiovascular effects of EC use in humans. Special attention is paid to the acute and chronic effects of ECs, the relative contributions of the nicotine versus non-nicotine constituents in EC emissions and the relative effects of ECs compared to TCs.

Methods

Using the methodology described in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement, we conducted a literature search of the Ovid PubMed and Embase databases on 6 December 2019 using keywords in titles and abstracts of published literature. Acute (minutes to hours) and chronic (days or longer) changes in heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were used as estimates of cardiovascular autonomic effects.

Results

Nineteen studies were included in this systematic review, all of which used earlier generation EC devices. Acute EC vaping increased HR and BP less than acute TC smoking. Nicotine but not non-nicotine constituents in EC aerosol were responsible for the sympathoexcitatory effects. The results of chronic EC vaping studies were consistent with a chronic sympathoexcitatory effect as estimated by HRV, but this did not translate into chronic increases in HR or BP.

Conclusions

Electronic cigarettes are sympathoexcitatory. Cardiac sympathoexcitatory effects are less when vaping using the earlier generation ECs than when smoking TCs. Additional studies of the latest pod-like EC devices, which deliver nicotine similarly to a TC, are necessary.
‘Having come to university my care was very much in my hands’: exploration of university students’ perceptions of health care needs and services using the common-sense model of self-regulation
Authors: Rogowsky Rayna , Laidlaw Anita , Ozakinci Gozde
Published: March 2020

The health care needs and service experiences of higher education students require more research attention, given the increase in students who have a long-term illness, medical condition, or disability (“condition”). It is also important to consider the experiences of rising numbers of international students. This exploratory qualitative study used face-to-face interviews and the common-sense model of self-regulation to investigate students’ perceptions and coping behaviours, in a higher education institution in the UK. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Twenty students who self-identified as having a condition were interviewed. This study adds depth to the understanding of the connections between students’ health-related experiences and their personal, academic, and post-graduation aspirations and the support needs of students, including international students. To optimise institutional support, innovations in partnerships with local care organisations and within the university, staff training about conditions, peer mentorship, and information outreach especially to international students, should be considered.
A Systematic Review of Workplace Interventions to Rehabilitate Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Employees with Physical Demanding Work
Authors: Sundstrup Emil , Seeberg Karina Glies Vincents , Bengtsen Elizabeth , Andersen Lars Louis
Published: March 2020

Purpose This systematic review investigates the effectiveness of workplace interventions to rehabilitate musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among employees with physically demanding work. Methods A systematic search was conducted in bibliographic databases including PubMed and Web of Science Core Collection for English articles published from 1998 to 2018. The PICO strategy guided the assessment of study relevance and the bibliographical search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs in which (1) participants were adult workers with physically demanding work and MSD (including specific and non-specific MSD and musculoskeletal pain, symptoms, and discomfort), (2) interventions were initiated and/or carried out at the workplace, (3) a comparison group was included, and (4) a measure of MSD was reported (including musculoskeletal pain, symptoms, prevalence or discomfort). The quality assessment and evidence synthesis adhered to the guidelines developed by the Institute for Work & Health (Toronto, Canada) focusing on developing practical recommendations for stakeholders. Relevant stakeholders were engaged in the review process. Results Level of evidence from 54 high and medium quality studies showed moderate evidence of a positive effect of physical exercise. Within this domain, there was strong evidence of a positive effect of workplace strength training. There was limited evidence for ergonomics and strong evidence for no benefit of participatory ergonomics, multifaceted interventions, and stress management. No intervention domains were associated with “negative effects”. Conclusions The evidence synthesis recommends that implementing strength training at the workplace can reduce MSD among workers with physically demanding work. In regard to workplace ergonomics, there was not enough evidence from the scientific literature to guide current practices. Based on the scientific literature, participatory ergonomics and multifaceted workplace interventions seem to have no beneficial effect on reducing MSD among this group of workers. As these interventional domains were very heterogeneous, it should also be recognized that general conclusions about their effectiveness should be done with care.

Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42018116752
(https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=116752).