bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early embryonic exposure of freshwater gastropods to pharmaceutical 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors results in a surprising open-coiled “banana-shaped” shell
Authors: Baynes Alice , Montagut Pino Gemma , Duong Giang Huong , Lockyer Anne E. , McDougall Carmel , Jobling Susan , Routledge Edwin J.
Published: November 2019

In vertebrates, the steroidogenesis enzyme 5α-reductase converts testosterone to the more potent androgen 5α-dihydrotestosterone. Homologues of 5α-reductase genes have been identified in molluscs. However, recent findings suggest that vertebrate-type steroid androgens are not utilised in molluscan reproductive development. Genomic searches have revealed that molluscs do not possess many of the steroidogenic enzymes required to make testosterone, nor a nuclear androgen receptor. Consequently, the role of 5α-reductase in molluscs presents a mystery. Here, developmental exposures ofBiomphalaria glabratato selective pharmaceutical 5α-reductase inhibitors elicited a strong, highly reproducible phenotypic response characterised by the development of elongated “banana-shaped” shell morphology. In comparison to untreated snails, the shells are open-coiled and the whorls are unattached. Dutasteride (5α-reductase inhibitor) is approximately 10-times more potent at provoking the banana-shaped shell phenotype than finasteride, paralleling the pharmaceuticals’ efficacy in humans. Other enzyme inhibitors with different modes of action were tested to investigate the specificity of the phenotype. However, only the pharmaceutical 5α-reductase inhibitors provoked the response. Dutasteride elicited the same phenotype in a second gastropod,Physella acuta. In the absence of evidence forde novoandrogen steroidogenesis in molluscs, these findings suggest that novel substrates for 5α-reductase exist in gastropods, lending support to the contention that molluscan endocrinology differs from the well-characterised vertebrate endocrine system.
Split-Belt walking induces changes in active, but not passive, perception of step length
Authors: Sombric Carly , Gonzalez-Rubio Marcela , Torres-Oviedo Gelsy
Published: November 2019

Successful motor control requires accurate estimation of our body in space for planning, executing, and evaluating the outcome of our actions. It has been shown that the estimation of limb position is susceptible to motor adaptation. However, a similar effect has not been found in locomotion, possibly due to how it was tested. We hypothesized that split-belt walking with the legs moving at different speeds changes the estimation of the legs’ position when taking a step. Thus, we assessed young subjects’ perception of step length (i.e., inter-feet distance at foot landing) when they moved their legs (active perception) or when the legs were moved by the experimenter (passive perception). We found that the active perception of step length was substantially altered following split-belt walking, whereas passive perception exhibited minor changes. This suggests that split-belt walking induced the adaptation of efferent signals, without altering sensory signals. We also found that active perceptual shifts were sensitive to how they were tested: they were most salient in the trailing leg and at short step lengths. Our results suggest that split-belt walking could modulate the deficient perception of step length post-stroke, which may contribute to gait asymmetries impairing patients’ mobility.
A quantitative method to decompose SWE differences between regional climate models and reanalysis datasets
Authors: Xu Yun , Jones Andrew , Rhoades Alan
Published: November 2019

The simulation of snow water equivalent (SWE) remains difficult for regional climate models. Accurate SWE simulation depends on complex interacting climate processes such as the intensity and distribution of precipitation, rain-snow partitioning, and radiative fluxes. To identify the driving forces behind SWE difference between model and reanalysis datasets, and guide model improvement, we design a framework to quantitatively decompose the SWE difference contributed from precipitation distribution and magnitude, ablation, temperature and topography biases in regional climate models. We apply this framework within the California Sierra Nevada to four regional climate models from the North American Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (NA-CORDEX) run at three spatial resolutions. Models generally predict less SWE compared to Landsat-Era Sierra Nevada Snow Reanalysis (SNSR) dataset. Unresolved topography associated with model resolution contribute to dry and warm biases in models. Refining resolution from 0.44° to 0.11° improves SWE simulation by 35%. To varying degrees across models, additional difference arises from spatial and elevational distribution of precipitation, cold biases revealed by topographic correction, uncertainties in the rain-snow partitioning threshold, and high ablation biases. This work reveals both positive and negative contributions to snow bias in climate models and provides guidance for future model development to enhance SWE simulation.
Three port logic gate using forward volume spin wave interference in a thin yttrium iron garnet film
Authors: Goto Taichi , Yoshimoto Takuya , Iwamoto Bungo , Shimada Kei , Ross Caroline A. , Sekiguchi Koji , Granovsky Alexander B. , Nakamura Yuichi , Uchida Hironaga , Inoue Mitsuteru
Published: November 2019

We demonstrate a logic gate based on interference of forward volume spin waves (FVSWs) propagating in a 54 nm thick, 100 μm wide yttrium iron garnet waveguide grown epitaxially on a garnet substrate. Two FVSWs injected by coplanar waveguides were made to interfere constructively and destructively by varying their phase difference, showing an XNOR logic function. The reflected and resonant waves generated at the edges of the waveguide were suppressed using spin wave absorbers. The observed isolation ratio was 19 dB for a magnetic field of ~2.80 kOe ( = 223 kA m−1) applied perpendicular to the film. The wavelength and device length were ~8.9 μm and ~53 μm, respectively. Further, the interference state of the SWs was analyzed using three-dimensional radio frequency simulations.
Symmetrical electrophysiological brain responses to unilateral and bilateral auditory stimuli suggest disrupted spatial processing in schizophrenia
Authors: Sardari Sara , Pourrahimi Ali Mohammad , Talebi Hossein , Mazhari Shahrzad
Published: November 2019

Research has found auditory spatial processing deficits in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ), but no study has examined SCZ patients’ auditory spatial processing at both pre-attentional and attentional stages. To address this gap, we investigated schizophrenics’ brain responses to sounds originating from different locations (right, left, and bilateral sources). The event-related potentials (ERPs) of 25 chronic schizophrenic patients and 25 healthy subjects were compared. Mismatch negativity (MMN) in response to frequency and duration deviants was assessed. Two P3 components (P3a and P3b) were elicited via a frequency discrimination task, and MMN and P3 were recorded through separate monaural and dichotic stimulation paradigms. Our results corroborated the previously published finding that MMN, P3a, and P3b amplitudes are reduced in SCZ patients, but they showed no significant effect of stimulus location on either MMN or P3. These results indicated similarity between the SCZ patients and healthy individuals as regards patterns of ERP responses to stimuli that come from different directions. No evidence of auditory hemispatial bias in the SCZ patients was found, supporting the existence of non-lateralized spatial processing deficits in such patients and suggesting compensatory changes in the hemispheric laterality of patients’ brains.
DeePathology: Deep Multi-Task Learning for Inferring Molecular Pathology from Cancer Transcriptome
Authors: Azarkhalili Behrooz , Saberi Ali , Chitsaz Hamidreza , Sharifi-Zarchi Ali
Published: November 2019

Despite great advances, molecular cancer pathology is often limited to the use of a small number of biomarkers rather than the whole transcriptome, partly due to computational challenges. Here, we introduce a novel architecture of Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) that is capable of simultaneous inference of various properties of biological samples, through multi-task and transfer learning. It encodes the whole transcription profile into a strikingly low-dimensional latent vector of size 8, and then recovers mRNA and miRNA expression profiles, tissue and disease type from this vector. This latent space is significantly better than the original gene expression profiles for discriminating samples based on their tissue and disease. We employed this architecture on mRNA transcription profiles of 10750 clinical samples from 34 classes (one healthy and 33 different types of cancer) from 27 tissues. Our method significantly outperforms prior works and classical machine learning approaches in predicting tissue-of-origin, normal or disease state and cancer type of each sample. For tissues with more than one type of cancer, it reaches 99.4% accuracy in identifying the correct cancer subtype. We also show this system is very robust against noise and missing values. Collectively, our results highlight applications of artificial intelligence in molecular cancer pathology and oncological research. DeePathology is freely available at https://github.com/SharifBioinf/DeePathology.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing inhibition by clinical isolate Delftia tsuruhatensis 11304: involvement of N-octadecanoylhomoserine lactones
Authors: Malešević Milka , Di Lorenzo Flaviana , Filipić Brankica , Stanisavljević Nemanja , Novović Katarina , Senerovic Lidija , Polović Natalija , Molinaro Antonio , Kojić Milan , Jovčić Branko
Published: November 2019

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common opportunistic pathogens that use quorum sensing (QS) system to regulate virulence factors expression and biofilm development. Delftia sp. 11304 was selected among 663 Gram-negative clinical isolates based on its QS inhibitory activity against P. aeruginosa MMA83 clinical isolate. Whole genome sequencing identified this isolate as D. tsuruhatensis and revealed genetic armamentarium of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance determinants. Ethyl acetate extract of D. tsuruhatensis 11304 culture supernatant (QSI extract) prevented biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa MMA83, but was unable to cause biofilm decomposition. QSI extract showed a synergistic effect in combination with meropenem and gentamycin, against P. aeruginosa MMA83. A dose-dependent reduction of the virulence factors: elastase, rhamnolipid and pyocyanin production by P. aeruginosa MMA83 and significant downregulation of lasI, lasR, rhlI, rhlR, pqs and mvfR expression were observed. Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry of D. tsuruhatensis 11304 QSI extract revealed the presence of N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHL) with chain lengths of C12 to C18. The main ion peak was identified as N-octadecanoylhomoserine lactone (C18-HSL). Commercial C18-HSL (20 µM) reduced pyocyanin production as well as mRNA level of the lasI gene. A novel AHL species, dihydroxy-N-octadecanoylhomoserine lactone, was also described.
Ultrawide Bandwidth Electromagnetic Wave Absorbers Using a High-capacitive Folded Spiral Frequency Selective Surface in a Multilayer Structure
Authors: Liu Tian , Kim Sung-Soo
Published: November 2019

A high-capacitive frequency selective surface (FSS) with a new structure of folded spiral conductors is proposed as the small-array periodicity and low-frequency resonance FSS for ultra-wide bandwidth absorbers in a multilayer structure. Due to the folded structure with long effective segments and a small gap, a large value of capacitance for the lowest resonating frequency is obtained. Through a combination of the high-capacitive spiral FSS with other conventional FSSs (square loop, square patch) with a medium- and high-frequency resonance, an ultra-wide absorption bandwidth (4.7–50.0 GHz for −10 dB reflection loss) is designed with a small total thickness of 7.0 mm, which is close to the theoretical limit (6.7 mm). Admittance analysis is conducted for better insight into the optimization procedure. The free space measurement with a test sample prepared by the screen printing method also demonstrates a wide-bandwidth absorption result (5.2–44.0 GHz for −10 dB reflection loss, total thickness = 6.5 mm), which is in good agreement with the simulation result. In addition, the angular stability of the proposed wide-bandwidth absorber is discussed for both TE and TM polarizations in association with unit cell periodicity and grating lobes.
Presynaptic dysregulation of the paraventricular thalamic nucleus causes depression-like behavior
Authors: Kato Tomoaki M. , Fujimori-Tonou Noriko , Mizukami Hiroaki , Ozawa Keiya , Fujisawa Shigeyoshi , Kato Tadafumi
Published: November 2019

The paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT) is a part of epithalamus and sends outputs to emotion-related brain areas such as the medial prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and amygdala. Various functional roles of the PVT in emotion-related behaviors are drawing attention. Here, we investigated the effect of manipulation of PVT neurons on the firing patterns of medial prefrontal cortical (mPFC) neurons and depression-like behavior. Extracellular single-unit recordings revealed that acute activation of PVT neurons by hM3Dq, an activation type of designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs), and administration of clozapine N-oxide (CNO) caused firing rate changes in mPFC neurons. Moreover, chronic presynaptic inhibition in PVT neurons by tetanus toxin (TeTX) increased the proportion of interneurons among firing neurons in mPFC and shortened the immobility time in the forced swimming test, whereas long-term activation of PVT neurons by hM3Dq caused recurrent hypoactivity episodes. These findings suggest that PVT neurons regulate the excitation/inhibition balance in the mPFC and mood stability.
Mechanical vibration does not systematically reduce the tremor in essential tremor patients
Authors: Lora-Millán Julio Salvador , López-Blanco Roberto , Gallego Juan Álvaro , Méndez-Guerrero Antonio , González de la Aleja Jesús , Rocon Eduardo
Published: November 2019

Essential tremor (ET) is a major cause of disability and is not effectively managed in half of the patients. We investigated whether mechanical vibration could reduce tremor in ET by selectively recruiting afferent pathways. We used piezoelectric actuators to deliver vibratory stimuli to the hand and forearm during long trials (4 min), while we monitored the tremor using inertial sensors. We analyzed the effect of four stimulation strategies, including different constant and variable vibration frequencies, in 18 ET patients. Although there was not a clear homogeneous response to vibration across patients and strategies, in most cases (50–72%) mechanical vibration was associated with an increase in the amplitude of their tremor. In contrast, the tremor was reduced in 5–22% of the patients, depending on the strategy. However, these results are hard to interpret given the intrinsic variability of the tremor: during equally long trials without vibration, the tremor changed significantly in 67% of the patients (increased in 45%; decreased in 22%). We conclude that mechanical vibration of the limb does not have a systematic effect on tremor in ET. Moreover, the observed intrinsic variability of the tremor should be taken into account when designing future experiments to assess tremor in ET and how it responds to any intervention.
Cytokine gene expression assay as a diagnostic tool for detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection in warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus)
Authors: Roos Eduard O. , Scott Leeré A. , Ndou Sedzani , Olea-Popelka Francisco , Buss Peter E. , de Klerk-Lorist Lin-Mari , Warren Robin M. , van Helden Paul D. , Sylvester Tashnica T. , Miller Michele A. , Parsons Sven D. C.
Published: November 2019

Mycobacterium bovis infection has been described in many wildlife species across Africa. However, diagnostic tests are lacking for many of these, including warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus). Most literature on suids has focused on using serological tools, with few studies investigating the use of cell-mediated immune response (CMI) assays. A recent study showed that warthogs develop measurable CMI responses, which suggests that cytokine gene expression assays (GEAs) may be valuable for detecting M. bovis-infection, as shown in numerous African wildlife species. Therefore, the aim of the study was to develop GEAs capable of distinguishing between M. bovis-infected and uninfected warthogs. Whole blood was stimulated using the QuantiFERON-TB Gold (In-Tube) system, using ESAT-6 and CFP-10 peptides, before determining the relative gene expression of five reference (B2M, H3F3A, LDHA, PPIA and YWHAZ) and five target (CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, IFNG and TNFA) genes through qPCR. The reference gene H3F3A was the most stably expressed, while all target genes were significantly upregulated in M. bovis-infected warthogs with the greatest upregulation observed for CXCL10. Consequently, the CXCL10 GEA shows promise as an ante-mortem diagnostic tool for the detection of M. bovis-infected warthogs.
Therapeutic potential of N-acetylcysteine in acrylamide acute neurotoxicity in adult zebrafish
Authors: Faria Melissa , Prats Eva , Gómez-Canela Cristian , Hsu Chuan-Yu , Arick Mark A. , Bedrossiantz Juliette , Orozco Manuel , Garcia-Reyero Natàlia , Ziv Tamar , Ben-Lulu Shani , Admon Arie , Gómez-Oliván Leobardo Manuel , Raldúa Demetrio
Published: November 2019

Two essential key events in acrylamide (ACR) acute neurotoxicity are the formation of adducts with nucleophilic sulfhydryl groups on cysteine residues of selected proteins in the synaptic terminals and the depletion of the glutathione (GSx) stores in neural tissue. The use of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been recently proposed as a potential antidote against ACR neurotoxicity, as this chemical is not only a well-known precursor of the reduced form of glutathione (GSH), but also is an scavenger of soft electrophiles such as ACR. In this study, the suitability of 0.3 and 0.75 mM NAC to protect against the neurotoxic effect of 0.75 mM ACR has been tested in vivo in adult zebrafish. NAC provided only a mild to negligible protection against the changes induced by ACR in the motor function, behavior, transcriptome and proteome. The permeability of NAC to cross blood-brain barrier (BBB) was assessed, as well as the ACR-scavenging activity and the gamma-glutamyl-cysteine ligase (γ-GCL) and acylase I activities. The results show that ACR not only depletes GSx levels but also inhibits it synthesis from NAC/cysteine, having a dramatic effect over the glutathione system. Moreover, results indicate a very low NAC uptake to the brain, probably by a combination of low BBB permeability and high deacylation of NAC during the intestinal absorption. These results strongly suggest that the use of NAC is not indicated in ACR acute neurotoxicity treatment.
Male flowers of Aconitum compensate for toxic pollen with increased floral signals and rewards for pollinators
Authors: Jacquemart A.-L. , Buyens C. , Hérent M.-F. , Quetin-Leclercq J. , Lognay G. , Hance T. , Quinet M.
Published: November 2019

Many plants require animal pollinators for successful reproduction; these plants provide pollinator resources in pollen and nectar (rewards) and attract pollinators by specific cues (signals). In a seeming contradiction, some plants produce toxins such as alkaloids in their pollen and nectar, protecting their resources from ineffective pollinators. We investigated signals and rewards in the toxic, protandrous bee-pollinated plantAconitum napellus, hypothesizing that male-phase flower reproductive success is pollinator-limited, which should favour higher levels of signals (odours) and rewards (nectar and pollen) compared with female-phase flowers. Furthermore, we expected insect visitors to forage only for nectar, due to the toxicity of pollen. We demonstrated that male-phase flowers emitted more volatile molecules and produced higher volumes of nectar than female-phase flowers. Alkaloids in pollen functioned as chemical defences, and were more diverse and more concentrated compared to the alkaloids in nectar. Visitors actively collected little pollen for larval food but consumed more of the less-toxic nectar. Toxic pollen remaining on the bee bodies promoted pollen transfer efficiency, facilitating pollination.
Surface lanthanide activator doping for constructing highly efficient energy transfer-based nanoprobes for the on-site monitoring of atmospheric sulfur dioxide
Authors: Zhang Cuilan , Ling Xiao , Mei Qingsong , He Hongbo , Deng Shengsong , Zhang Yong
Published: November 2019

A highly efficient, energy transfer-based upconversion nanoprobe was developed, which allowed a portable and visually intuitive detection of gaseous SO2 by use of a smartphone-based detection platform.
Parallel [TG(GA)3]n-homoduplexes/thioflavin T: an intense and stable fluorescent indicator for label-free biosensing
Authors: Liu Qiang , Jing Shaochun , Liu Mei , Jin Yan , Li Baoxin
Published: November 2019

Compared with the G-quadruplex/ThT fluorescent system, parallel [TG(GA)3]n-dsDNA/ThT is a stable and strong fluorescent indicator for label-free biosensing.
Facile synthesis of 9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles via Brønsted acid catalyzed cascade reactions
Authors: Xu Kunhua , Chen Wenming , Lin Jin , Chen Guifang , Wang Biao , Tian Xu
Published: November 2019

A Brønsted acid system promotes the Friedel–Crafts alkenylation/1,6-addition/condensation cascade reaction of ynones with indoles to access 9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles.
Mass spectrometric detection of enantioselectivity in three-component complexation, copper(ii)-chiral tetradentate ligand-free amino acid in solution
Authors: Nakakoji Takashi , Sato Hirofumi , Ono Daisuke , Miyake Hiroyuki , Shinoda Satoshi , Tsukube Hiroshi , Kawasaki Hideya , Arakawa Ryuichi , Shizuma Motohiro
Published: November 2019

Enantioselective coordination of a free amino acid as the second ligand of a Cu(ii) complex with a novel chiral tetradentate ligand was evaluated quantitatively in a short measurement time by ESI-MS/deuterium-labelled quasienantiomers.
Opening dynamics of HIV-1 gp120 upon receptor binding is dictated by a key hydrophobic core
Authors: Da Lin-Tai , Lin Mengna
Published: November 2019

One hydrophobic core flanked by V1V2, V3 and β20 of HIV-1 gp120 is responsible for mediating the opening dynamics of gp120 upon receptor binding.
The first coordination polymers with an [O]2[N]P(S)-Hg segment: a combined experimental, theoretical and database study
Authors: Torabi Farkhani Elham , Pourayoubi Mehrdad , Izadyar Mohammad , Andreev Pavel V. , Shchegravina Ekaterina S.
Published: November 2019

X-ray crystallography and theoretical studies of three 1D-coordination polymers are reported.
Smart molecular butterfly: an ultra-sensitive and range-tunable ratiometric thermometer based on dihydrophenazines
Authors: Song Wenxuan , Ye Wenqiang , Shi Lijiang , Huang Jinhai , Zhang Zhiyun , Mei Ju , Su Jianhua , Tian He
Published: November 2019

Ultra-sensitive and range-tunable ratiometric thermometers were developed by controlling the excited-state configuration transformation of a dihydrophenazine derivative via aggregation and disaggregation.
Recent developments in polydopamine fluorescent nanomaterials
Authors: Yang Peng , Zhang Shu , Chen Xiaofeng , Liu Xianhu , Wang Zhao , Li Yiwen
Published: November 2019

Polydopamine (PDA) fluorescent materials have recently gained much attention due to their unique physicochemical and biological properties.
The shape-dependent surface oxidation of 2D ultrathin Mo2C crystals
Authors: Li Lin , Gao Min , Baltrusaitis Jonas , Shi Dong
Published: November 2019

The shape-dependent surface oxidation of 2D ultrathin Mo2C crystals is demonstrated.
Emergence of valley selectivity in monolayer tin(ii) sulphide
Authors: Chatzikyriakou Eleni , Kioseoglou Joseph
Published: November 2019

Emergence of valley selectivity in tin(ii) sulphide explained with the use of density functional theory and the momentum operator matrix elements for the optical transitions.
Rediscovery of nylon upgraded by interactive biorenewable nano-fillers
Authors: Hao Lam Tan , Eom Youngho , Tran Thang Hong , Koo Jun Mo , Jegal Jonggeon , Hwang Sung Yeon , Oh Dongyeop X. , Park Jeyoung
Published: November 2019

Facile tuning of nylon using interactive biorenewable nanofillers depending of the types of fillers employed and the processing methods used.
Effect of the addition of salt to Pickering emulsion polymerizations using polymeric nanogels as stabilizers
Authors: Lotierzo Andrea , Meaney Shane P. , Bon Stefan A. F.
Published: November 2019

Nanogels made from crosslinked block copolymer micelles are used as stabilizers in the Pickering emulsion polymerization of styrene.
Physicochemical characterization of carbamylated human serum albumin: anin vitrostudy
Authors: Badar Asim , Arif Zarina , Islam Shireen Naaz , Alam Khursheed
Published: November 2019

Carbamylation is an ubiquitous process in which cyanate (OCN−) reacts with the N-terminal amino or ε-amino moiety and generates α-carbamyl amino acids and ε-carbamyl-lysine (homocitrulline).
Palladium/phosphorus-functionalized porous organic polymer with tunable surface wettability for water-mediated Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction
Authors: Lei Yizhu , Chen Zaifei , Li Guangxing
Published: November 2019

A palladium/phosphorus-functionalized porous organic polymer with tunable surface wettability was successfully prepared. The catalyst displayed high catalytic activity for the water-mediated Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction of aryl chlorides.
Optoelectronic, femtosecond nonlinear optical properties and excited state dynamics of a triphenyl imidazole induced phthalocyanine derivative
Authors: Bhattacharya Somdatta , Biswas Chinmoy , Raavi Sai Santosh Kumar , Venkata Suman Krishna Jonnadula , Koteshwar Devulapally , Giribabu Lingamallu , Venugopal Rao Soma
Published: November 2019

A novel zinc phthalocyanine derivativePBIPCwas synthesized by incorporating a triphenyl imidazole moiety at its peripheral positions.
Radical pathways for the formation of non-canonical nucleobases in prebiotic environments
Authors: Kaur Sarabjeet , Sharma Purshotam
Published: November 2019

The study explores radical-assisted formations of the nucleobase components of primitive genetics from cyanamide and related precursors in impact events.
Rh(ii)-catalyzed branch-selective C–H alkylation of aryl sulfonamides with vinylsilanes
Authors: Rej Supriya , Chatani Naoto
Published: November 2019

Rh(ii)-catalyzed unusual branch-selective ortho-C-H alkylation of aryl sulfonamides with vinylsilanes was achieved using an 8-aminoquinoline directing group.
Correction: Synergistic catalysis on Fe–Nx sites and Fe nanoparticles for efficient synthesis of quinolines and quinazolinones via oxidative coupling of amines and aldehydes
Authors: Ma Zhiming , Song Tao , Yuan Youzhu , Yang Yong
Published: November 2019

Correction for ‘Synergistic catalysis on Fe–Nx sites and Fe nanoparticles for efficient synthesis of quinolines and quinazolinones via oxidative coupling of amines and aldehydes’ by Zhiming Ma et al., Chem. Sci., 2019, DOI: 10.1039/c9sc04060a.
An auxiliary electrode mediated membrane-free redox electrochemical cell for energy storage
Authors: Venkatesan Senthil Velan , Karan Kunal , Larter Stephen R. , Thangadurai Venkataraman
Published: November 2019

Membrane-free redox cell with no mass transfer between anode and cathode chambers.
Ether-free polyfluorenes tethered with quinuclidinium cations as hydroxide exchange membranes
Authors: Allushi Andrit , Pham Thanh Huong , Olsson Joel S. , Jannasch Patric
Published: November 2019

Quinuclidinium cations attached to ether-free aromatic copolymers show outstanding resistance against degradation via ring-opening β-elimination and facilitate high and efficient hydroxide ion conduction.
High-performance flexible and self-healable quasi-solid-state zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitor based on borax-crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol/nanocellulose hydrogel electrolyte
Authors: Chen Minfeng , Chen Jizhang , Zhou Weijun , Xu Junling , Wong Ching-Ping
Published: November 2019

The quasi-solid-state zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitor based on borax-crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol/nanocellulose hydrogel electrolyte displays not only great electrochemical performances but also high flexibility and self-healing ability.
Stimuli-responsive supramolecular nano-systems based on pillar[n]arenes and their related applications
Authors: Wang Yang , Pei Zhichao , Feng Weiwei , Pei Yuxin
Published: November 2019

Stimuli-responsive supramolecular nano-systems (SRNS) have been a trending interdisciplinary research area due to the responsiveness upon appropriate stimuli, which makes SRNS very attractive in multiple fields where precise control is vital.
Elucidating structure–function relationships governing the interfacial response of human mesenchymal stem cells to polydopamine coatings
Authors: Steeves Alexander J. , Variola Fabio
Published: November 2019

Deposition of mussel-inspired polydopamine (PDA) has rapidly emerged as a simple yet effective strategy to functionalize the surface of biomaterials.
Sequential molecular doping of non-fullerene organic solar cells without hole transport layers
Authors: Zhang Dongyang , Wang Jianqiu , Zhang Xuning , Zhou Jiyu , Zafar Saud-Uz , Zhou Huiqiong , Zhang Yuan
Published: November 2019

Sequential doping with F6-TCNNQ dopants enables to modify the semi-conductive properties of non-fullerene organic solar cells with negligible damage to bulk film morphology and no need to use conventional hole transporting layers.
Uniting aggregation-induced emission and stimuli-responsive aggregation-caused quenching, single molecule achieved multicolour luminescence
Authors: Zuo Yunfei , Wang Xing , Wu Decheng
Published: November 2019

A single molecule uniting aggregation-induced emission and stimuli-responsive aggregation-caused quenching chromophores achieved mutilcolor luminescence.
CXCL13 is a differentiation- and hypoxia-induced adipocytokine that exacerbates the inflammatory phenotype of adipocytes through PHLPP1 induction
Authors: Kusuyama Joji , Bandow Kenjiro , Ohnishi Tomokazu , Amir Muhammad Subhan , Shima Kaori , Semba Ichiro , Matsuguchi Tetsuya
Published: November 2019

Hypoxia in adipose tissue is regarded as a trigger that induces dysregulation of the secretory profile in adipocytes. Similarly, local dysregulation of adipocytokine secretion is an initial event in the deleterious effects of obesity on metabolism. We previously reported that CXCL13 is highly produced during adipogenesis, however little is known about the roles of CXCL13 in adipocytes. Here, we found that hypoxia, as modeled by 1% O2 or exposure to the hypoxia-mimetic reagent desferrioxamine (DFO) has strong inductive effects on the expression of CXCL13 and CXCR5, a CXCL13 receptor, in both undifferentiated and differentiated adipocytes and in organ-cultured white adipose tissue (WAT). CXCL13 was also highly expressed in WAT from high fat diet-fed mice. Hypoxic profile, typified by increased expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and decreased expression of adiponectin, was significantly induced by CXCL13 treatment during adipogenic differentiation. Conversely, the treatment of adipocytes with a neutralizing-antibody against CXCL13 as well as CXCR5 knockdown by specific siRNA effectively inhibited DFO-induced inflammation. The phosphorylation of Akt2, a protective factor of adipose inflammation, was significantly inhibited by CXCL13 treatment during adipogenic differentiation. Mechanistically, CXCL13 induces the expression of PHLPP1, an Akt2 phosphatase, through focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling; and correspondingly we show that CXCL13 and DFO-induced IL-6 and PAI-1 expression was blocked by Phlpp1 knockdown. Furthermore, we revealed the functional binding sites of PPARγ2 and HIF1-α within the Cxcl13 promoter. Taken together, these results indicate that CXCL13 is an adipocytokine that facilitates hypoxia-induced inflammation in adipocytes through FAK-mediated induction of PHLPP1 in autocrine and/or paracrine manner.
-196 to -174del, rs4696480, rs3804099 polymorphisms of Toll-like receptor 2 gene impact the susceptibility of cancers: evidence from 37053 subjects
Authors: Gao Sheng-Lin , Chen Yi-Ding , Yue Chuang , Chen Jiasheng , Zhang Li-Feng , Wang Si-Min , Zuo Li
Published: November 2019

Relationship between Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2) and cancer risk has been illustrated in some studies, but their conclusions are inconsistent. Therefore, we designed this meta-analysis to explore a more accurate conclusion of whether TLR2 affects cancer risks. Articles were retrieved from various literature databases according to the criteria. We used STATA to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) to evaluate the relationship between certain polymorphism of TLR2 and cancer risk. Finally, 47 case–control studies met the criteria, comprising 15851 cases and 21182 controls. In the overall analysis, people are more likely to get cancer because of -196 to -174del in TLR2 in all five genetic models, B vs. A (OR = 1.468, 95% Cl = 1.129–1.91, P=0.005); BB vs. AA (OR = 1.716, 95% Cl = 1.178–2.5, P=0.005); BA vs. AA (OR = 1.408, 95% Cl = 1.092–1.816, P=0.008); BB+BA vs. AA (OR = 1.449, 95% Cl = 1.107–1.897, P=0.007); BB vs. BA+AA (OR = 1.517, 95% Cl = 1.092–2.107, P=0.013). Meanwhile, rs4696480 could significantly increase the risk of cancer in Caucasians, furthermore, rs3804099 significantly decreased cancer risk in overall analysis, but more subjects are necessary to confirm the results. All in all, this meta-analysis revealed that not only -196 to -174del increased the risk of among overall cancers, Caucasians are more likely to get cancer because of rs4696480, while rs3804099 polymorphism could reduce the risk of cancer in some genetic models. There is no direct evidence showing that rs5743708, rs3804100 and rs1898830 are related to cancer.
Reply to: Comments on “Nomograms based on inflammatory biomarkers for predicting tumor grade and micro-vascular invasion in stage I/II hepatocellular carcinoma”
Authors: Li Peng , Huang Wei , Wang Feng , Ke Ye-Fang , Gao Lin , Shi Ke-Qing , Zhou Meng-Tao , Chen Bi-Cheng
Published: November 2019

We appreciate to receive commentary from Dr Guangtong Deng and Dr Liang Xiao to our article, “Nomograms based on inflammatory biomarkers for predicting tumor grade and micro-vascular invasion in stage I/II hepatocellular carcinoma”. First, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and derived NLR (dNLR) are two different parameters. Some studies show that NLR is inconsistent with dNRL in prognostic value through multivariate Cox regression, therefore, it is reasonable that both NLR and dNLR entered into multivariate analysis simultaneously. Second, it is common that articles of predictive nomograms turned continuous variables into categorical variables. The reason is that the categorization of patient clinical variables is beneficial to doctors to make decisions based on the risk level of individual patients in clinical. At last, multicenter validation is quite difficult and we have listed the shortcomings in the limitations of our article. Further validation will need the joint efforts by other institutions.
Spectral index−mass accretion rate correlation and evaluation of black hole masses in AGNs 3C 454.3 and M 87
Authors: Titarchuk Lev , Seifina Elena , Chekhtman Alexandre , Ocampo Indira
Published: November 2019

We present the discovery of correlations between the X-ray spectral (photon) index and mass accretion rate observed in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) 3C 454.3 and M 87. We analyzed spectral transition episodes observed in these AGNs using Chandra, Swift, Suzaku, BeppoSAX, ASCA and RXTE data. We applied a scaling technique for a black hole (BH) mass evaluation which uses a correlation between the photon index and normalization of the seed (disk) component which is proportional to a mass accretion rate. We developed an analytical model that shows that the photon index of the BH emergent spectrum undergoes an evolution from lower to higher values depending on disk mass accretion rate. To estimate a BH mass in 3C 454.3 we consider extra-galactic SMBHs NGC 4051 and NGC 7469 as well as Galactic BHs Cygnus X–1 and GRO J1550–564 as reference sources for which distances, inclination angles are known and the BH masses are already evaluated. For M 87 on the other hand, we provide the BH mass scaling using extra-galactic sources (IMBHs: ESO 243–49 HLX–1 and M 101 ULX–1) and Galactic sources (stellar mass BHs: XTE J1550–564, 4U 1630–472, GRS 1915+105 and H 1743–322) as reference sources. Application of the scaling technique for the photon index−mass accretion rate correlation provides estimates of the BH masses in 3C 454.3 and M 87 to be about 3.4 × 109 and 5.6 × 107 solar masses, respectively. We also compared our scaling BH mass estimates with a recent BH mass estimate of M87 = 6.5 × 109 M⊙ made using the Event Horizon Telescope which gives an image at 1.3 mm and is based on the angular size of the “BH event horizon”. Our BH mass estimate in M 87 is at least two orders of magnitude lower than that made by the EHT team.
Performance différenciée du coton Bt en début de diffusion : cas du Burkina Faso
Authors: Vognan Gaspard , Fok Michel
Published: November 2019

L’avantage économique des cultures transgéniques pour les producteurs des pays en développement reste un sujet de préoccupation et de controverse. Seules quelques études ont pris en compte les différences entre producteurs pour comprendre les performances variables des cultures transgéniques, notamment dans le cas du coton Bt incorporant des gènes de la bactérie Bacillus thuringiensis pour la résistance à certains ravageurs du coton. Notre étude d’évaluation concerne le Burkina Faso où la diffusion à grande échelle du coton Bt a commencé en 2009 et a été suspendue en 2016. Elle aborde plus particulièrement les pratiques des producteurs, dans des exploitations différenciées selon le niveau d’équipement en culture attelée, la première année d’adoption à grande échelle du coton Bt et de diffusion de recommandations adaptées de traitement insecticide. Nous avons trouvé que le coton Bt augmentait les rendements, mais dans une moindre mesure que prévu ; de plus, une augmentation de la rentabilité n’a été observée que dans les exploitations bien équipées en culture attelée (les plus aisées), mais pas pour les autres, plus démunies et représentant 58 % des producteurs. Cela résulte des stratégies des producteurs démunis consistant à réduire les dépenses monétaires pour les engrais minéraux et les insecticides, stratégies exacerbées par le prix élevé des semences de coton Bt. Le cas étudié indique que les premiers impacts d’une nouvelle technologie dépendent de son prix et de la prise en compte, ou pas, du comportement des producteurs les plus démunis.
Morphological survey as powerful detection tool of pure and local phenotypes inSalmo truttacomplex
Authors: Lorenzoni Massimo , Carosi Antonella , Giovannotti Massimo , La Porta Gianandrea , Splendiani Andrea , Barucchi Vincenzo Caputo
Published: November 2019

The native Mediterranean trout populations in central Italy are at risk of extinction. Hybridization with the alien Atlantic trout represents one of the major threats to the species. The main aim of the research was to test the efficiency of morphological characterization in revealing alien trout introduction, pure lineages and local adaptations, in five watersheds of central Apennines (Italy). Data analysis was carried out for a total of 258 specimens already genetically identified. The results of the multivariate analysis, performed using 10 qualitative and 47 quantitative variables, revealed two distinct phenotypic groups and confirmed, at a morphological level, the genetic separation between Atlantic and Mediterranean trout. The morphological variables that play a key role in the discrimination of the Mediterranean trout were: (i) number of parr marks with striped pattern, (ii) adipose fin mainly with white color and without black spots, and (iii) number of black opercular spots, compared to the Atlantic trout. The geometric analysis revealed the importance of the spatial arrangements of spots on the fish flank and the shape of caudal peduncle in discriminating different Mediterranean populations. The information collected confirmed the powerful of morphological surveys in the screening of conservation status of wild trout populations.
Rhodiola rosea L., Rosenwurz
Authors: Salamani Egkina , Melzig Matthias F
Published: November 2019

Rhodiola rosea L., Rosenwurz, ist eine ausdauernde Pflanze aus der Familie der Crassulaceae, die v. a. in der nördlichen Hemisphäre wächst. Der Rosenwurz-Wurzelstock enthält u. a. Phenylethanoide (Salidrosid und Tyrosol) und Phenylpropanoide (Rosavin, Rosin und Rosarin). Diese Stoffe haben antioxidative, antiinflammatorische sowie neuro-, kardio- und hepatoprotektive Eigenschaften. Volksheilkundlich wird die Pflanze in Europa und Asien als Adaptogen gegen Stress und Müdigkeit eingesetzt.
Rotwurzelsalbei und Cryptotanshinon: spezifische Inhibitoren der Keratinisierung von Hautzellen
Authors: Hensel Andreas , Esch Stefan
Published: November 2019

Die getrockneten Rhizome und Wurzeln von Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge sind eine in der Traditionellen Chinesischen Medizin (TCM) – dort als Danshen oder Dan Shen bezeichnete – sehr häufig verwendete Droge. Die Droge ist mittlerweile auch im Europäischen Arzneibuch monografiert. S. miltiorrhiza gehört ebenso wie unsere heimischen Salbeiarten zur Familie der Lamiaceae. Typische Merkmale für diese Familie lassen sich auch bei dieser im asiatischen Raum beheimateten Art wiederfinden. Die 30–70 cm hohe Sprossachse ist deutlich vierkantig und behaart Abb. 1a, 1b. Die dekussiert angeordneten Blätter sind bis zu 8 cm lang und weisen einen gesägten bis gebuchteten Blattrand auf. Die für die Familie charakteristischen Lippenblüten sind violett gefärbt und haben den typischen viergeteilten Fruchtknoten, aus dem sich später die Klausenfrüchte bilden. Das Wurzelwerk, welches diesem Salbei seinen deutschen Namen gibt, ist rötlich bis rostig orange gefärbt Abb. 1c. Im mikroskopischen Querschnitt wird dabei deutlich, dass die für die rote Farbe verantwortlichen Substanzen vorrangig in der Wurzelrinde lokalisiert sind Abb. 1d.
Position Paper of the Task Force for Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine (AGG – Section Preterm Birth) on the Placement, Removal and Surveillance of the Arabin Cervical Pessary in Patients at Risk for Spontaneous Preterm Birth
Authors: Kyvernitakis Ioannis , Maul Holger , Rath Werner , Kraft Katrina , Kuon Ruben , Hamza Amr , Reuschel Edith , Filsinger Barbara , Abele Harald , Garnier Yves , Bahlmann Franz , Schleußner Ekkehard , Berger Richard
Published: November 2019

This position paper describes clinically important, practical aspects of cervical pessary treatment. Transvaginal ultrasound is standard for the assessment of cervical length and selection of patients who may benefit from pessary treatment. Similar to other treatment modalities, the clinical use and placement of pessaries requires regular training. This training is essential for proper pessary placement in patients in emergency situations to prevent preterm delivery and optimize neonatal outcomes. Consequently, pessaries should only be applied by healthcare professionals who are not only familiar with the clinical implications of preterm birth as a syndrome but are also trained in the practical application of the devices. The following statements on the clinical use of pessary application and its removal serve as an addendum to the recently published German S2-consensus guideline on the prevention and treatment of preterm birth.
Elektronische Falldokumentation: Barmer: Erste ePA auf dem Weg
Authors: Heeser Alexandra
Published: November 2019

Die Barmer geht mit einer elektronischen Patientenakte (ePA) an den Start. Ist sie damit den anderen Krankenkassen voraus? Fokussiert sie sich als erste Kasse konkret auf die ePA statt auf die eGK? Und ist der gesetzliche Zeitplan noch zu halten?
Entscheider-Blog: Entrepreneure im Gesundheitswesen Gesucht!
Authors: Heurich Manuel
Published: November 2019

Die Diskussionsplattformen und -teilnehmer über Innovationen in der Gesundheitswirtschaft erreichen fast täglich neue Höchststände.
Kommentar: 350-Millionen-Loch
Authors: Kucera Martin
Published: November 2019

Die Ausgliederung der Pflegepersonalkosten schützt das Personal vor ökonomischen Fehlanreizen des DRG-Systems – die Frage ist, woher das Personal kommen soll, wenn der Beruf chronisch unterfinanziert ist.
Telemedizin: Per Roboter zur Chefarztvisite
Authors: Kucera Martin
Published: November 2019

Seit August nutzt das Auguste-Viktoria-Klinikum der Berliner Klinikkette Vivantes regelmäßig einen Roboter zur Chefarztvisite. Die Erfahrungen mit dem landesweit ersten Gerät dieser Art sind durchweg positiv. Kein Wunder, schließlich ermöglicht es nicht nur flexiblere Arbeitszeiten, sondern bietet auch Patienten einen entscheidenden Mehrwert.
Europäische Medizinprodukteverordnung: Kliniken drohen Versorgungsengpässe
Authors: Graf Angela
Published: November 2019

Ab Mai 2020 wird für Medizinprodukte eine neue Gesetzeslage gelten. Da der gesamte Bestandsmarkt sowie die Benannten Stellen als „Zulassungsorgan“ dafür neu bewertet werden müssen, stehen alle Beteiligten unter enormem Zeitdruck. Experten fürchten Engpässe bei der Versorgung – und Nachteile für die Patienten.
Elektrochirurgie: Operieren mit Strom und weniger Blut
Authors: Enderle Markus
Published: November 2019

Die Elektrochirurgie wurde vor nahezu 100 Jahren gleich zweimal erfunden: von einer Firma in Tübingen und von einem Wissenschaftler in den USA. Heutzutage zählt ein Elektrochirurgiegerät zur Grundausstattung eines jeden Operationssaals. Mediziner können damit gleichzeitig schneiden und Blutungen stillen, Tumore zerstören oder Gefäße versiegeln. Gerade für minimalinvasive Techniken hat die Elektrochirurgie die Voraussetzungen für wegweisende neue Therapiemöglichkeiten geschaffen.
Antibiotikaresistente Keime: Ewiges Wettrüsten
Authors: Heeser Alexandra
Published: November 2019

Immer mehr Bakterien sprechen auf gängige Antibiotika nicht mehr an. Die Zahl der Infektionen mit resistenten Keimen hat sich in der Europäischen Union (EU) von 2007 bis 2015 fast verdoppelt. Das betrifft häufig die Methicillin-resistenten Staphylokokken: Gegen diese so genannten MRSA-Stämme ist kaum mehr ein Kraut gewachsen.
Delir-Prävention: Lichtblicke auf der Intensivstation
Authors: Kempe Lisa
Published: November 2019

Bei der Gestaltung von Intensivstationen rückt die nicht-pharmakologische Delir-Prävention zunehmend in den Fokus. Als erstes Krankenhaus weltweit hat das Marien-Hospital Wesel ein neues Raumkonzept für die Intensivstation realisiert, bei dem eine spezielle Lichtdecke über dem Patientenbett großflächig leuchtet. Weitere Bausteine sind Maßnahmen zur Geräuschreduktion und Workflowoptimierung.
Digitales Entlassmanagement: Algorithmus ersetzt Telefon
Authors: Lang Michael
Published: November 2019

Krankenhäuser organisieren für viele ihrer Patienten eine Anschlussversorgung in der ambulanten und stationären Pflege oder einer Reha-Einrichtung. Intelligente Software-Lösungen entlasten die Klinikmitarbeiter bei der aufwendigen Suche nach einem geeigneten Nachsorger.
Erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit: Fachtagung Technik im Krankenhaus und 4. Fachmesse Krankenhaustechnologie
Authors: Fouckhardt-Bradt Birgit
Published: November 2019

WGKT und FKT gemeinsam? Die Zusammenführung von Fachtagung und Fachmesse in diesem Jahr war ein voller Erfolg für Teilnehmer und Aussteller. Umrahmt von einigen Aussteller-Workshops und unterstützt und begleitet von einer großen Ausstellerzahl und einem kurzweiligen Rahmenprogramm fand das Thema „Projektmanagement“ großen Anklang.
Sprechstunde in der PR-Ambulanz: Braucht meine Abteilung ein eigenes Logo?
Authors: Endele Kerstin
Published: November 2019

Kirsten Endele ist zur Hälfte Journalistin …