bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An overview of soybean derived products for sportsmen
Authors: Kostrakiewicz-Gierałt Kinga
Published: March 2020

Soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr. is a major leguminous crop of global importance with widespread applicability and economic value of its products in the national as well as the global market. The aim of the presented investigations was to review the experimental articles and patents referring to the application of soybean-based products for sportsman published in the period 1970-2019. The greatest number of papers and patents were published in the years 2010-2019 by researchers affiliated in the USA, China and Japan. Altogether, 64 patents and 39 experimental articles were recorded. The inventors patented the food supplements (in a majority), sportswear and devices enhancing protection of athletes during their sport activities. The greatest number of experimental articles was devoted to the impact of soy-based products use on athletes’ health, the evaluation of the quality of the products, as well their acceptability by sportsmen.
Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23) and Klotho Protein in
Beta-Thalassemia
Authors: Stefanopoulos Dimitrios , Nasiri-Ansari Narjes , Dontas Ismene , Vryonidou Andromachi , Galanos Antonis , Psaridi Loukia , Fatouros Ioannis G. , Mastorakos George , Papavassiliou Athanasios G. , Kassi Eva , Tournis Symeon
Published: March 2020

Derangements in phosphate and calcium homeostasis are common in patients with
beta-thalassemia. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is among the main
hormones regulating phosphate levels, while several studies underline an
interplay between iron (Fe) and FGF23. Herein, we investigated, for the
first time, the serum intact molecule (iFGF23) and the carboxyl-terminal
fragment (C-FGF23) and Klotho levels simultaneously in patients with
beta-thalassemia major receiving iron chelation regimens in comparison to
healthy control subjects. We also correlated them with the body iron burden.
The observational case-control study included 81 subjects (40 thalassemic
patients and 41 healthy controls). Serum iFGF23, C-FGF23 and Κlotho
were measured by ELISA. Parathormone, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, calcium,
and phosphorus were measured in blood and/or urine. The degree of
hemosiderosis was evaluated by assessing the serum ferritin levels and
performing T2* MRI measurements. Serum C-FGF23 levels were
significantly lower in patients compared to control subjects
(p=0.04), while iFGF23 and Klotho levels did not differ. Serum
C-FGF23 levels were negatively correlated with ferritin
(r=–0,421, p=0.018), whereas there were no
significant correlations of each of the three factors with the iron
chelation therapy. Decreased serum C-FGF23 levels were found in βTh
patients which may be attributed to inhibition of proteolytic cleavage of
iFGF23. Further studies in a greater number of patients will shed more light
on the disturbances of the iFGF23, Klotho and C-FGF23 in thalassemia and
their possible role in bone disease of such patients.
MicroRNAs: Potential Targets in Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Li Xin , Yu Zi-Wei , Wang Ying , Fu Yu-Hong , Gao Xin-Yuan
Published: March 2020

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a serious microvascular complication of diabetes,
is a leading cause of blindness in adults. The pathogenesis of DR involves a
variety of tissues and complex mechanisms, such as inflammation, oxidative
stress, optic neurodegeneration, and autophagy. Nowadays, microRNAs
(miRNAs), a novel group of non-coding small RNAs, have been extensively
studied and recognized to play a key role in the pathogenesis of DR through
aforementioned pathways. Furthermore, some miRNAs have been proposed as
biomarkers that may be utilized to screen for DR. Also, miRNAs are a new
therapy for DR. In this review, we summarize several miRNAs and, their roles
in the pathogenesis of DR. miRNAs, as potential pharmacological targets for
the diabetic retinopathy, may provide new insights for the treatment of
DR.
A Gene-Based Classification of Primary Adrenocortical
Hyperplasias
Authors: Hannah-Shmouni Fady , Stratakis Constantine A.
Published: March 2020

Primary or adrenocorticotropin-independent adrenocortical tumors and hyperplasias
represent a heterogeneous group of adrenocortical neoplasms that arise from
various genetic defects, either in isolation or familial. The traditional
classification as adenomas, hyperplasias, and carcinomas is non-specific. The
recent identification of various germline and somatic genes in the development
of primary adrenocortical hyperplasias has provided important new insights into
the molecular pathogenesis of adrenal diseases. In this new era of personalized
care and genetics, a gene-based classification that is more specific is required
to assist in the understanding of their disease processes, hormonal
functionality and signaling pathways. Additionally, a gene-based classification
carries implications for treatment, genetic counseling and screening of
asymptomatic family members. In this review, we discuss the genetics of benign
adrenocorticotropin-independent adrenocortical hyperplasias, and propose a new
gene-based classification system and diagnostic algorithm that may aid the
clinician in prioritizing genetic testing, screening and counseling of affected,
at risk individuals and their relatives.
Role of Mast Cells in the Control of Aldosterone
Secretion
Authors: Lopez Antoine-Guy , Duparc Céline , Naccache Alexandre , Castanet Mireille , Lefebvre Hervé , Louiset Estelle
Published: March 2020

Mast cells are immune cells present in adrenals from various species.
Proliferation and activation of adrenal mast cells seem to be influenced by
environment, since they increase during summer and in response to sodium
restriction in frogs and mouse, respectively. Although the physiological factors
regulating adrenal mast cell activity have not been identified, they might
involve neurotransmitters and the renin-angiotensin system. Some data indicate
that adrenal mast cells stimulate proliferation of steroidogenic cells in the
zona glomerulosa and activate the mineralocorticoid production. In human, mast
cell degranulation stimulates aldosterone synthesis through the release of
serotonin (5-HT) and activation of 5-HT4 receptors. Increase in mast cell
population and upregulation of the 5-HT signaling pathway occur in
aldosterone-producing adenomas. In particular, aldosterone-producing adenoma
cells overexpress 5-HT4 receptors and are hyper-responsive to 5-HT4 receptor
agonists. These data suggest that the intra-adrenal serotonergic regulatory
system represents a potential target for development of both adrenal imaging
methods to evaluate the lateralization of aldosterone production, and
pharmacological treatments of primary aldosteronism.
Conventional Lymphangiography (CL) in the Management of Postoperative Lymphatic Leakage (PLL): A Systematic Review
Authors: Sommer Christof M. , Pieper Claus C. , Itkin Maxim , Nadolski Gregory J. , Hur Saebeom , Kim Jinoo , Maleux Geert , Kauczor Hans-Ulrich , Richter Goetz M.
Published: March 2020

Background Postoperative lymphatic leakage (PLL) is usually managed by conservative and/or surgical treatments but these procedures can be challenging to perform and potentially clinically ineffective. Therefore, conventional lymphangiography (CL) has emerged as an important alternative. The aim of this review is to present the available outcome data on CL in the management of PLL.

Method A systematic literature search (PubMed) using the MeSH term “lymphangiography” was performed and the search was restricted to literature published between January 2007 and August 2019. Identification, screening, and assessment for eligibility and inclusion were conducted in accordance with PRISMA.

Results From the initially obtained 1006 articles (identification), 28 articles with a total of 201 patients were finally included (inclusion). The methodological quality of all included articles corresponds to level 4 (Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine – Levels of Evidence, March 2009). PLL occurs after oncological and non-oncological surgery in the form of chylothorax, chylous ascites, and cervical, thoracic, abdominal and peripheral lymph fistula and/or lymphocele. The technical success rate of CL is 75–100 %. Access for CL is transpedal (176 patients) or intranodal (25 patients). Lipiodol is used as the contrast material in all articles, with a maximum amount of 20 ml for transpedal CL and 30 ml for intranodal CL. The X-ray imaging modalities used for CL are fluoroscopy, radiography and/or CT. Two articles report CL-associated major complications and CL-associated morbidity and mortality. The PLL cure rate is 51–70 % for transpedal CL (time to PLL cure: 2–29 days) and 33–100 % for intranodal CL (time to PLL cure: 2–< 30 days). Bailout procedures in the case of clinically ineffective CL include a range of treatments.

Conclusion CL is feasible, safe, and effective in the management of PLL. Lipiodol as the contrast material is essential in CL because the highly viscous iodinated poppy-seed oil has not only diagnostic but therapeutic effects. Guidelines and randomized controlled trials are further steps towards defining the ultimate value of CL.

Key Points: 

Citation Format
Time course and local distribution of skin exposure of hand and fingers from [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-NOC synthesis using a self-shielded module
Authors: Grosser Oliver Stephan , Wissel Heiko , Klopfleisch Maurice , Kupitz Dennis , Paetzold Nadine , Pech Maciej , Kreissl Michael C.
Published: March 2020

Aim The study examined the local dose distribution as well as the time course of skin exposure of hand and fingers from [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-NOC synthesis using a self-shielded synthesis module.

Methods A compact calibrated electronic dosimeter (ED) with a miniaturized probe was used for real-time measurements of skin dose equivalent Hp (0.07) (reference point: left and right index finger). A time resolved assessment of exposure during radiotracer production was performed. Additionally, thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD) were used to determine local dose distribution for five different positions (e. g. fingertips). Cumulated Hp (0.07) estimated by ED was analysed and correlated with the measurements obtained by a TLD positioned close to the ED.

Results The cumulative skin exposure from the production process measured by ED, was 74.7 ± 32.7 µSv/GBq and 40.1 ± 14.3 µSv/GBq for the right and left hand, respectively. The exposure recorded by the ED was in the average 19.4 % ± 40.0 % (median = 21.3 %) lower compared to the results from TLD. Highest exposure was recorded during synthesis (guided hand: 24.5 ± 12.2 µSv/GBq) and measuring of product yield including preparation of probes for quality control (guided hand: 36.1 ± 12.7 µSv/GBq). The highest local exposure was measured by a TLD close to the tip of the index finger of the guiding hand (range: 773–1257 µS/GBq).

Conclusion The chosen methodology using ED, proved to be a good concept for identifying procedure steps with an increased exposure level and to determine the time course of skin exposure and to identify procedure steps for further optimization of handling. Furthermore, miniaturized electronic dosimeters may be used for online surveillance of local exposure rates at hands and fingers.
Design, Implementation, and Validation of a Pediatric ICU Sepsis Prediction Tool as Clinical Decision Support
Authors: Dewan Maya , Vidrine Rhea , Zackoff Matthew , Paff Zachary , Seger Brandy , Pfeiffer Stephen , Hagedorn Philip , Stalets Erika L.
Published: March 2020

Background Sepsis is an uncontrolled inflammatory reaction caused by infection. Clinicians in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) developed a paper-based tool to identify patients at risk of sepsis. To improve the utilization of the tool, the PICU team integrated the paper-based tool as a real-time clinical decision support (CDS) intervention in the electronic health record (EHR).

Objective This study aimed to improve identification of PICU patients with sepsis through an automated EHR-based CDS intervention.

Methods A prospective cohort study of all patients admitted to the PICU from May 2017 to May 2019. A CDS intervention was implemented in May 2018. The CDS intervention screened patients for nonspecific sepsis criteria, temperature dysregulation and a blood culture within 6 hours. Following the screening, an interruptive alert prompted nursing staff to complete a perfusion screen to assess for clinical signs of sepsis. The primary alert performance outcomes included sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value. The secondary clinical outcome was completion of sepsis management tasks.

Results During the 1-year post implementation period, there were 45.0 sepsis events per 1,000 patient days over 10,805 patient days. The sepsis alert identified 392 of the 436 sepsis episodes accurately with sensitivity of 92.5%, specificity of 95.6%, positive predictive value of 46.0%, and negative predictive value of 99.7%. Examining only patients with severe sepsis confirmed by chart review, test characteristics fell to a sensitivity of 73.3%, a specificity of 92.5%. Prior to the initiation of the alert, 18.6% (13/70) of severe sepsis patients received recommended sepsis interventions. Following the implementation, 34% (27/80) received these interventions in the time recommended, p = 0.04.

Conclusion An EHR CDS intervention demonstrated strong performance characteristics and improved completion of recommended sepsis interventions.
Impact of Patient Census and Admission Mortality on Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Attending Electronic Health Record Activity: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Krawiec Conrad , Stetter Christy , Kong Lan , Haidet Paul
Published: March 2020

Background Physicians may spend a significant amount of time using the electronic health record (EHR), but this is understudied in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The objective of this study is to quantify PICU attending physician EHR usage and determine its association with patient census and mortality scores.

Methods During the year 2016, total EHR, chart review, and documentation times of 7 PICU physicians were collected retrospectively utilizing an EHR-embedded time tracking software package. We examined associations between documentation times and patient census and maximum admission mortality scores. Odds ratios (ORs) are reported per 1-unit increase in patient census and mortality scores.

Results Overall, total daily EHR usage time (median time [hh:mm] [25th, 75th percentile]) was 2:10 (1:31, 3:08). For all hours (8 a.m.–8 a.m.), no strong association was noted between total EHR time, chart review, and documentation times and patient census, Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 (PIM2), or Pediatric Risk of Mortality 3 (PRISM3) scores. For regular hours (8 a.m.–7 p.m.), no strong association was noted between total EHR, chart review, and documentation times and patient census, PIM2, or PRISM3 scores. When patient census was higher, the odds of EHR after-hour usage (7 p.m.–8 a.m.) was higher (OR 1.262 [1.135, 1.403], p < 0.0001), but there were no increased odds with PIM2 (OR 1.090 [0.956, 1.242], p = 0.20) and PRISM3 (OR 1.010 [0.984, 1.036], p = 0.47) scores. A subset of physicians spent less time performing EHR-related tasks when patient census and admission mortality scores were elevated.

Conclusion We performed a novel evaluation of physician EHR workflow in our PICU. Our pediatric critical care physicians spend approximately 2 hours (out of an expected 10-hour shift) each service day using the EHR, but there was no strong or consistent association between EHR usage and patient census or mortality scores. Future larger scale studies are needed to ensure validity of these results.
NEUE PFLEGEAUSBILDUNG: Willkommen, Pflegefachfrauen und -männer!
Authors: Napp Barbara
Published: March 2020

Früher war die Rede von Krankenschwester und Krankenpfleger.
Impact of Sn doping on methylammonium lead chloride perovskite: An experimental study
Authors: Sarkar P. , Srivastava A. , Tripathy S. K. , Baishnab K. L. , Lenka T. R. , Menon P. S. , Lin F. , Aberle A. G.
Published: March 2020

Isostructural series of CH3NH3Pb(1 − x)SnxCl3 (x = 0%, 0.5%, 2.5%, 10%, 20%, and 33%) perovskites are prepared by the solution processing method. The synthesized perovskites are investigated in terms of their structural, optoelectronic, morphological, elemental, and thermal properties. The improved crystallinity and enhanced absorption edge toward longer wavelength are observed due to the increased amount of tin (Sn) in the Pb site of CH3NH3PbCl3. The bandgap is reduced from 2.93 eV to 2.83 eV when one third atomic percentage (at. %) of Pb is replaced with Sn. Further, elemental analysis confirms the successful doping of Sn in the host perovskite without the presence of any impurity. The thermogravimetric study of the prepared samples shows that the thermal stability is improving up to 20 at. % Sn doping, whereas the stability starts deteriorating for 33 at. % doping. The obtained results reveal that less toxic, better crystallinity, enhanced optoelectronic properties can be achieved by partial doping of Sn in CH3NH3Pb(1 − x)SnxCl3 perovskites. This work offers a new reference for exploring the use of Sn-doped CH3NH3PbCl3 perovskite materials in optoelectronic devices.
Kinetics of molecular decomposition under irradiation of gold nanoparticles with nanosecond laser pulses—A 5-Bromouracil case study
Authors: Marques Telma S. , Schürmann Robin , Ebel Kenny , Heck Christian , Śmiałek Małgorzata A. , Eden Sam , Mason Nigel , Bald Ilko
Published: March 2020

Laser illuminated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) efficiently absorb light and heat up the surrounding medium, leading to versatile applications ranging from plasmonic catalysis to cancer photothermal therapy. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the thermal, optical, and electron induced reaction pathways is required. Here, the electrophilic DNA nucleobase analog 5-Bromouracil (BrU) has been used as a model compound to study its decomposition in the vicinity of AuNPs illuminated with intense ns laser pulses under various conditions. The plasmonic response of the AuNPs and the concentration of BrU and resulting photoproducts have been tracked by ultraviolet and visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy as a function of the irradiation time. A kinetic model has been developed to determine the reaction rates of two parallel fragmentation pathways of BrU, and their dependency on laser fluence and adsorption on the AuNP have been evaluated. In addition, the size and the electric field enhancement of the decomposed AuNPs have been determined by atomic force microscopy and finite domain time difference calculations, respectively. A minor influence of the direct photoreaction and a strong effect of the heating of the AuNPs have been revealed. However, due to the size reduction of the irradiated AuNPs, a trade-off between laser fluence and plasmonic response of the AuNPs has been observed. Hence, the decomposition of the AuNPs might be limiting the achievable temperatures under irradiation with several laser pulses. These findings need to be considered for an efficient design of catalytic plasmonic systems.
Shock initiation and hot spots in plastic-bonded 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB)
Authors: Zhang Wei , Salvati Lawrence , Akhtar Meysam , Dlott Dana D.
Published: March 2020

TATB (1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene) is a powerful explosive whose dynamical behavior is difficult to study because TATB is so insensitive to initiation by shock waves. We used a tabletop microscope equipped with 0–4.5 km/s laser-launched flyer plates to study shock initiation of TATB, which was fabricated in the form of an array of hundreds of plastic-bonded explosive minicharges (X-TATB = 80% TATB + 20% Sylgard 182 polymer). The 4 ns shocks from the flyer plates were not effective in initiating TATB, but we also developed a two-layer array where flyers first initiated a plastic-bonded PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate) charge (X-PETN = 80% PETN + 20% Sylgard), which drove an initiating 25 ns shock into the X-TATB. Thermal emission from shocked X-TATB was used to measure time-dependent temperature profiles with a resolution of 2 ns and to produce high-speed (5 ns) videos. In X-TATB, flyer plates produced 2500–3500 K hot spots and combustion at 2500 K. With X-PETN initiators, X-TATB had 3500–4000 K hot spots and a powerful volume explosion lasting a few nanoseconds. Prospects for producing TATB detonations on a tabletop are discussed.
Cultural safety in hospitals: validating an empirical measurement tool to capture the Aboriginal patient experience
Authors: Elvidge Elissa , Paradies Yin , Aldrich Rosemary , Holder Carl
Published: March 2020

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to develop a scale to measure cultural safety in hospitals from an Aboriginal patient perspective. MethodsThe Cultural Safety Survey was designed to measure five key characteristics of cultural safety that contribute to positive hospital experiences among Aboriginal hospital patients. Investigators developed a range of different methods to assess the validity and reliability of the scale using a sample of 316 participants who had attended a New South Wales hospital in the past 12 months. Targeted recruitment was conducted at two hospital sites. Opportunistic recruitment took place through a local health district, discharge follow-up service and online via social media. ResultsThe Cultural Safety Survey Scale was a robust measurement tool that demonstrated a high level of content and construct validity. ConclusionThe Cultural Safety Survey Scale could be a useful tool for measuring cultural safety in hospitals from the Aboriginal patient perspective. What is known about the topic?There are increasing calls by governments around the world for health institutions to enhance the cultural safety of their services as one way of removing access barriers and increasing health equity. However, currently there are no critical indicators or systematic methods of measuring cultural safety from the patient perspective. What does this paper add?The cultural safety scale, an Australian first, presents the first empirically validated tool that measures cultural safety from the Aboriginal patient perspective. What are the implications for practitioners?This measurement model will allow hospitals to measure the cultural safety of their services and ascertain whether current efforts aimed to improve cultural safety are resulting in Aboriginal patients reporting more culturally safe experiences. Over time it is hoped that the tool will be used to benchmark performance and eventually be adopted as a performance measure for hospitals across New South Wales.
Photophysical and photochemical insights into the photodegradation of tricyclazole and pymetrozine in water bodies of a rice field
Authors: Fang Hansun , Ling Zhiyou , Guan Fangling , Liao Wei , Lai Faying , Liang Ximei
Published: March 2020

Environmental contextPhotodegradation, a natural process for removing pesticides from water, is particularly important in rice fields with their large surface area and sunlight exposure. By studying two commonly used pesticides, we show that the properties of rice field water, such as dissolved organic matter, facilitate indirect photolytic processes while reducing direct photolysis. A better understanding of the natural degradation mechanisms for pesticides will inform their safer use in agriculture.
AbstractRice paddy fields (RFs) make ecologically important contributions to agricultural wetland ecosystems in south China. In recent years, the elevated use of pesticides has resulted in concerns over the water quality in RFs and their downstream aquatic environment. Photodegradation is important for the natural elimination of nonpoint source agricultural contaminants, and RF water provides an ideal environment for the photochemical removal of pesticides, owing to its large surface area and photic conditions. Therefore, in this study, the physical and photochemical properties of water collected from the irrigation area were investigated, along with the direct and indirect photodegradation of two commonly used pesticides in RFs, tricyclazole (TC) and pymetrozine (PYM). Results indicated that allochthonous-like dissolved organic matter (DOM) was abundant in the irrigation water, possibly originating from the decomposition of rice straw. Moreover, the light screen effect and the formation rate of singlet oxygen (1O2) and the triplet excited state of DOM (3DOM*) were generally increased in RF water, while the formation of HO• was marginally reduced. Evapoconcentration and photobleaching processes were found to correlate with crop leaf coverage and had a significant impact on the levels and compositions of water constituents. Finally, the photodegradation kinetics of TC and PYM further confirmed that RF water would facilitate indirect photolysis and reduce the direct photolysis of pesticides.
The barrier function of plant roots: biological bases for selective uptake and avoidance of soil compounds
Authors: De-Jesús-García Ramces , Rosas Ulises , Dubrovsky Joseph G.
Published: March 2020

The root is the main organ through which water and mineral nutrients enter the plant organism. In addition, root fulfils several other functions. Here, we propose that the root also performs the barrier function, which is essential not only for plant survival but for plant acclimation and adaptation to a constantly changing and heterogeneous soil environment. This function is related to selective uptake and avoidance of some soil compounds at the whole plant level. We review the toolkit of morpho-anatomical, structural, and other components that support this view. The components of the root structure involved in selectivity, permeability or barrier at a cellular, tissue, and organ level and their properties are discussed. In consideration of the arguments supporting barrier function of plant roots, evolutionary aspects of this function are also reviewed. Additionally, natural variation in selective root permeability is discussed which suggests that the barrier function is constantly evolving and is subject of natural selection.
Coordination of mRNA and tRNA methylations by TRMT10A
Authors: Ontiveros R. Jordan , Shen Hui , Stoute Julian , Yanas Amber , Cui Yixiao , Zhang Yuyu , Liu Kathy Fange
Published: March 2020

The posttranscriptional modification of messenger RNA (mRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA) provides an additional layer of regulatory complexity during gene expression. Here, we show that a tRNA methyltransferase, TRMT10A, interacts with an mRNA demethylase FTO (ALKBH9), both in vitro and inside cells. TRMT10A installs
N
1
-methylguanosine (m
1
G) in tRNA, and FTO performs demethylation on
N
6
-methyladenosine (m
6
A) and
N
6
,2′-
O
-dimethyladenosine (m
6
A
m
) in mRNA. We show that TRMT10A ablation not only leads to decreased m
1
G in tRNA but also significantly increases m
6
A levels in mRNA. Cross-linking and immunoprecipitation, followed by high-throughput sequencing results show that TRMT10A shares a significant overlap of associated mRNAs with FTO, and these mRNAs have accelerated decay rates potentially through the regulation by a specific m
6
A reader, YTHDF2. Furthermore, transcripts with increased m
6
A upon TRMT10A ablation contain an overrepresentation of m
1
G9-containing tRNAs codons read by tRNA
Gln(TTG)
, tRNA
Arg(CCG)
, and tRNA
Thr(CGT)
. These findings collectively reveal the presence of coordinated mRNA and tRNA methylations and demonstrate a mechanism for regulating gene expression through the interactions between mRNA and tRNA modifying enzymes.
Dynamics of oligomer and amyloid fibril formation by yeast prion Sup35 observed by high-speed atomic force microscopy
Authors: Konno Hiroki , Watanabe-Nakayama Takahiro , Uchihashi Takayuki , Okuda Momoko , Zhu Liwen , Kodera Noriyuki , Kikuchi Yousuke , Ando Toshio , Taguchi Hideki
Published: March 2020

The yeast prion protein Sup35, which contains intrinsically disordered regions, forms amyloid fibrils responsible for a prion phenotype [
PSI
+
]. Using high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM), we directly visualized the prion determinant domain (Sup35NM) and the formation of its oligomers and fibrils at subsecond and submolecular resolutions. Monomers with freely moving tail-like regions initially appeared in the images, and subsequently oligomers with distinct sizes of ∼1.7 and 3 to 4 nm progressively accumulated. Nevertheless, these oligomers did not form fibrils, even after an incubation for 2 h in the presence of monomers. Fibrils appeared after much longer monomer incubation. The fibril elongation occurred smoothly without discrete steps, suggesting gradual conversions of the incorporated monomers into cross-β structures. The individual oligomers were separated from each other and also from the fibrils by respective, identical lengths on the mica surface, probably due to repulsion caused by the freely moving disordered regions. Based on these HS-AFM observations, we propose that the freely moving tails of the monomers are incorporated into the fibril ends, and then the structural conversions to cross-β structures gradually occur.
Metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma is promoted by extended high-mannose glycans
Authors: Park Diane Dayoung , Phoomak Chatchai , Xu Gege , Olney Laura P. , Tran Khiem A. , Park Simon S. , Haigh Nathan E. , Luxardi Guillaume , Lert-itthiporn Worachart , Shimoda Michiko , Li Qiongyu , Matoba Nobuyuki , Fierro Fernando , Wongkham Sopit , Maverakis Emanual , Lebrilla Carlito B.
Published: March 2020

Significance

Cells assemble a dense layer composed of glycans on the plasma membrane, following nontemplated processes that can be perturbed during malignancy. The intrinsic heterogeneity of glycosylation presents challenges to unambiguously identifying disease-specific transformations and selectively targeting them while preventing off-target events. Here, we show that extended high-mannose glycans are more abundantly expressed in metastatic cholangiocarcinoma than in the parental tumor cells from which they were derived. With structure-guided manipulations, extended high-mannose glycans were implicated in supporting cholangiocarcinoma metastasis by enhancing the ability to translocate, invade surrounding basement membrane matrix, and migrate through micropores. Isolation of high-mannose–bearing glycoproteins and computational modeling suggested that dominance of extended high-mannose glycosylation drives metastatic progression by indirectly strengthening extracellular protein complexes.
Oncogenic human herpesvirus hijacks proline metabolism for tumorigenesis
Authors: Choi Un Yung , Lee Jae Jin , Park Angela , Zhu Wei , Lee Hye-Ra , Choi Youn Jung , Yoo Ji-Seung , Yu Claire , Feng Pinghui , Gao Shou-Jiang , Chen Shaochen , Eoh Hyungjin , Jung Jae U.
Published: March 2020

Significance

While understanding metabolic change of tumor cells is crucial to improve cancer therapy, current 2D cell culture condition may not fully recapitulate in vivo metabolic environment of tumors. Our metabolomics analysis demonstrates that proline metabolism is critical for the KSHV-transformed cell growth in 3D culture, not in 2D culture. Specifically, the KSHV K1 oncoprotein activates PYCR proline biosynthesis enzyme, increasing intracellular proline concentration for tumor cell growth in in vitro 3D spheroid culture and in vivo tumorigenesis. This study describes an oncogenic strategy of KSHV to enhance proline synthesis for virus-induced transformation, adding the proline metabolic pathway as a potential target for KS treatment.
Sufficiency of CD40 activation and immune checkpoint blockade for T cell priming and tumor immunity
Authors: Morrison Alexander H. , Diamond Mark S. , Hay Ceire A. , Byrne Katelyn T. , Vonderheide Robert H.
Published: March 2020

Significance

We report that CD40 activation can provide an immunological “missing link” by priming T cells and synergizing with immune checkpoint blockade in a highly refractory pancreas cancer genetic mouse model. The underlying mechanism is mediated by CD40 ligation, representing an alternative molecular pathway distinct from pattern recognition receptor stimulation that connects dendritic cell activation to adaptive immunity, enabling T cell priming that is otherwise unachievable in pancreatic cancer.
The miR-9b microRNA mediates dimorphism and development of wing in aphids
Authors: Shang Feng , Niu Jinzhi , Ding Bi-Yue , Zhang Wei , Wei Dan-Dan , Wei Dong , Jiang Hong-Bo , Wang Jin-Jun
Published: March 2020

Wing dimorphism is a phenomenon of phenotypic plasticity in aphid dispersal. However, the signal transduction for perceiving environmental cues (e.g., crowding) and the regulation mechanism remain elusive. Here, we found that aci-miR-9b was the only down-regulated microRNA (miRNA) in both crowding-induced wing dimorphism and during wing development in the brown citrus aphid
Aphis citricidus
. We determined a targeted regulatory relationship between aci-miR-9b and an ABC transporter (
AcABCG4
). Inhibition of aci-miR-9b increased the proportion of winged offspring under normal conditions. Overexpression of aci-miR-9b resulted in decline of the proportion of winged offspring under crowding conditions. In addition, overexpression of aci-miR-9b also resulted in malformed wings during wing development. This role of aci-miR-9b mediating wing dimorphism and development was also confirmed in the pea aphid
Acyrthosiphon pisum
. The downstream action of aci-miR-9b-
AcABCG4
was based on the interaction with the insulin and insulin-like signaling pathway. A model for aphid wing dimorphism and development was demonstrated as the following: maternal aphids experience crowding, which results in the decrease of aci-miR-9b. This is followed by the increase of
ABCG4
, which then activates the insulin and insulin-like signaling pathway, thereby causing a high proportion of winged offspring. Later, the same cascade, “
miR-9b-ABCG4-insulin signaling
,” is again involved in wing development. Taken together, our results reveal that a signal transduction cascade mediates both wing dimorphism and development in aphids via miRNA. These findings would be useful in developing potential strategies for blocking the aphid dispersal and reducing viral transmission.
Classical 1/3 scaling of convection holds up to Ra = 10
15
Authors: Iyer Kartik P. , Scheel Janet D. , Schumacher Jörg , Sreenivasan Katepalli R.
Published: March 2020

Significance

The heat transport law in turbulent convection remains central to current research in the field. Our present knowledge of the heat transport law for

R
a
>
1

0

12

is inconclusive, where the Rayleigh number

R
a

is a measure of the strength of convection. Massively parallel simulations of the three-dimensional convection have progressed to

R
a
=
1

0

15

in slender cells. We resolve velocity gradients inside thin boundary layers and show that the turbulent heat transport continues to follow the classical

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scaling law with no transition to the so-called “ultimate” state that is variously argued to have

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scaling. Our work suggests that the boundary layers remain marginally stable and continue to act as the bottleneck for global heat transport.
Ergoic framing in New Right online groups
Authors: Procházka Ondřej , Blommaert† Jan
Published: March 2020

Conspiracy theories are often disqualified as inadequate and deliberate forms of misinformation. In this analysis, we engage with a specific case, the conspiracy theory developed on an online New Right forum called Q about the so-called “MAGA Kid incident” with focus on its circulation and uptake on Facebook. Drawing on ethnomethodological principles, the analysis shows how ergoic argumentation is systematically being deployed as a means of debunking rational-factual discourses about such incidents. While rationality itself is being rejected, conspiracy theorists deploy “reasonable” knowledge tactics. The paper shows how conspiracy theorists skillfully mobilize social media affordances, particularly Internet memes, to promote conspiracism as a form of inclusive political activism as well as a legitimate and “critical” mode of reasoning.
Local Health Departments and the Implementation of Evidence-Based Policies to Address Opioid Overdose Mortality
Authors: Feuerstein-Simon Rachel , Lowenstein Margaret , Sharma Meghana , Dupuis Roxanne , Luna Marti Xochitl , Cannuscio Carolyn C.
Published: March 2020

Background

In the context of the opioid overdose crisis, local health departments are on the front lines, coordinating programs and services and translating state and federal policies into community action. While media reports describe growth of Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) programs among local health departments, little is known about program features, scope, and target populations.

Methods

We surveyed health departments in 180 United States counties with high overdose mortality rates.

Results

Among health officials from 54 counties (30% response), many counties reported implementation of evidence-based practices, with a high degree of programmatic variation. The majority of responding health departments (94%) conducted overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs. Programs were heterogeneous in scale, with a reported median of 250 naloxone kits (range 1–25,000 kits) acquired for community distribution. In addition, four in five respondents were aware of their state's standing order policy for increasing naloxone access. While the majority of respondents reported county-level availability of at least one form of evidence-based medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD), many reported no availability of buprenorphine (33%) or methadone (43%).

Conclusions

Local health departments are vital to reducing opioid overdose mortality, and many are implementing relevant evidence-based practices. To support further adoption of potentially life-saving strategies, health departments need adequate funding and staffing as well as policies and guidelines to support implementation.
Affective psychological restoration through mediated exposure to the environment (Restauración psicológica afectiva a partir de la exposición mediada del ambiente)
Authors: Martínez-Soto Joel , González-Santos Leopoldo
Published: March 2020

This paper reports on the affective psychological restoration achieved through exposure to images with varying degrees of restorative potential. By means of an experimental paradigm to evaluate psychological restoration, 55 university students were grouped into two experimental conditions: environments with a high level of restorative potential (HRP; 23, mean age M = 23.70, SD = 5.66) and a low level of restorative potential (LRP; 32, mean age M = 23.31, SD = 1.89). Self-reported scores for stress, fatigue, vigour and arousal were evaluated in both groups, considering a baseline state, after exposure to a stressor, and subsequent to exposure to an environmental condition. After creating a need for restoration, exposure to HRP environments had positive effects on the measures of affect (recovery from stress, reduction in fatigue, greater vitality and arousal), and a significant decrease in levels of vigour post environmental exposure. The results allow us to quantify the impact of a bank of restorative images on the affective restoration of a Mexican population.
Non-equilibrium effects in a relativistic plasma sheath model
Authors: Formenti A , Maffini A , Passoni M
Published: March 2020

Plasma sheaths characterized by electrons with relativistic energies and far from thermodynamic equilibrium are governed by a rich and largely unexplored physics. A reliable kinetic description of relativistic non-equilibrium plasma sheaths—besides its interest from a fundamental point of view—is crucial to many application, from controlled nuclear fusion to laser-driven particle acceleration. Sheath models proposed in the literature adopt either relativistic equilibrium distribution functions or non-relativistic non-equilibrium distribution functions, making it impossible to properly capture the physics involved when both relativistic and non-equilibrium effects are important. Here we tackle this issue by solving the electrostatic Vlasov–Poisson equations with a new class of fully-relativistic distribution functions that can describe non-equilibrium features via a real scalar parameter. After having discussed the general properties of the distribution functions and the resulting plasma sheath model, we establish an approach to investigate the effect of non-equilibrium solely. Then, we apply our approach to describe laser–plasma ion acceleration in the target normal sheath acceleration scheme. Results show how different degrees of non-equilibrium lead to the formation of sheaths with significantly different features, thereby having a relevant impact on the ion acceleration process. We believe that this approach can offer a deeper understanding of relativistic plasma sheaths, opening new perspectives in view of their applications.
Network dynamics on graphops
Authors: Kuehn Christian
Published: March 2020

In this article we report on a novel way to incorporate complex network structure into the analysis of interacting particle systems. More precisely, it is well-known that in well-mixed/homogeneous/all-to-all-coupled systems, one may derive mean-field limit equations such as Vlasov–Fokker–Planck equations (VFPEs). A mesoscopic VFPE describes the probability of finding a single vertex/particle in a certain state, forming a bridge between microscopic statistical physics and macroscopic fluid-type approximations. One major obstacle in this framework is to incorporate complex network structures into limiting equations. In many cases, only heuristic approximations exist, or the limits rely on particular classes of integral operators. In this paper, we notice that there is a much more elegant, and profoundly more general, way available due to recent progress in the theory of graph limits. In particular, we show how one may easily enter complex network dynamics via graphops (graph operators) into VFPEs.
Complete phase retrieval of photoelectron wavepackets
Authors: Pedrelli L , Keathley P D , Cattaneo L , Kärtner F X , Keller U
Published: March 2020

Coherent, broadband pulses of extreme ultraviolet light provide a new and exciting tool for exploring attosecond electron dynamics. Using photoelectron streaking, interferometric spectrograms can be generated that contain a wealth of information about the phase properties of the photoionization process. If properly retrieved, this phase information reveals attosecond dynamics during photoelectron emission such as multielectron dynamics and resonance processes. However, until now, the full retrieval of the continuous electron wavepacket phase from isolated attosecond pulses has remained challenging. Here, after elucidating key approximations and limitations that hinder one from extracting the coherent electron wavepacket dynamics using available retrieval algorithms, we present a new method called absolute complex dipole transition matrix element reconstruction (ACDC). We apply the ACDC method to experimental spectrograms to resolve the phase and group delay difference between photoelectrons emitted from Ne and Ar. Our results reveal subtle dynamics in this group delay difference of photoelectrons emitted form Ar. These group delay dynamics were not resolvable with prior methods that were only able to extract phase information at discrete energy levels, emphasizing the importance of a complete and continuous phase retrieval technique such as ACDC. Here we also make this new ACDC retrieval algorithm available with appropriate citation in return.
Non-classical current noise and light emission of an ac-driven tunnel junction
Authors: Zhan Hongxin , Rastelli Gianluca , Belzig Wolfgang
Published: March 2020

The nonsymmetrized current noise is crucial for the analysis of light emission in nanojunctions. The latter represent non-classical photon emitters whose description requires a full quantum approach. It was found experimentally that light emission can occur with a photon energy exceeding the applied dc voltage, which intuitively should be forbidden due to the Pauli principle. This overbias light emission cannot be described by the single-electron physics, but can be explained by two-electron or even three-electron processes, correlated by a local resonant mode in analogy to the well-known dynamical Coulomb blockade (DCB). Here, we obtain the nonsymmetrized noise for junctions driven by an arbitrarily shaped periodic voltage. We find that when the junction is driven, the overbias light emission exhibits intriguingly different features compared to the dc case. In addition to kinks at multiples of the bias voltage, side kinks appear at integer multiples of the ac driving frequency. Our work generalizes the DCB theory of light emission to driven tunnel junctions and opens the avenue for engineered quantum light sources, which can be tuned purely by applied voltages.
Properties of off-axis hollow Gaussian-Schell model vortex beam propagating in turbulent atmosphere*
Authors: Song Yan-Song , Dong Ke-Yan , Chang Shuai , Dong Yan , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2020

The analytical expression of off-axis hollow Gaussian–Schell model vortex beam (HGSMVB) generated by anisotropic Gaussian–Schell model source is first introduced. The evolution properties of off-axis HGSMVB propagating in turbulent atmosphere are analyzed. The results show that the off-axis HGSMVB with smaller coherence length or propagating in stronger turbulent atmosphere will evolve from dark hollow beam into Gaussian-like beam with a larger beam spot faster. The beams with different values of integer order N or the position for hollow and vortex factor R will have almost the same Gaussian-like spot distribution at the longer propagation distance.
Forebody asymmetric vortex control with extended dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuators*
Authors: Zheng Borui , Xue Ming , Ge Chang
Published: March 2020

Plasma control of forebody asymmetric vortices is mostly achieved by means of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuators. However, DBD actuators suffer from some disadvantages such as a weak induced body force, a single-direction induced jet, and an unclear control mechanism. We carry out wind tunnel experiments involving the forebody vortex control of a slender body at high angles of attack using an innovative extended DBD actuator, which has a stronger capacity to induce an electric wind than a DBD actuator. Through synchronous measurements of the pressure distribution and particle image velocimetry (PIV), the spatiotemporal evolution of the dynamic interactions between plasma-actuation-induced vortices and forebody asymmetric vortices is analyzed. The influence of plasma discharge on the boundary layer separation around a slender body and the spatial topological structures of asymmetric vortices are further surveyed, as the optimized actuation parameters. Extended DBD actuators are found to be more capable of controlling asymmetric vortices than DBD actuators, and a linear proportionality of the sectional lateral force versus the duty ratio is achieved. There exists an optimal normalized reduced frequency (f
+ = 2π
f
p
d/U
∞ = 2.39) for asymmetric vortex control under the present experimental conditions. The research results can provide technical guidance for the control and reuse of forebody asymmetric vortices.
Non-Gaussian statistics of partially coherent light in atmospheric turbulence*
Authors: Ni Hao , Liang Chunhao , Wang Fei , Chen Yahong , Ponomarenko Sergey A. , Cai Yangjian
Published: March 2020

We derive theoretically and verify experimentally a concise general expression for the normalized intensity correlations (IC) of partially coherent light in a weak atmospheric turbulence in the fast detector measurement regime. The derived relation reveals that the medium turbulence acts, in general, as an additional noise source enhancing the IC of partially coherent beams. The maximum of the beam IC is, in general, enhanced, causing the fields to exhibit super-Gaussian statistics. On the other hand, the relation indicates that turbulence-induced noise is negligible for sufficiently low coherence light, which reveals the condition for the turbulence-free correlation imaging.