bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Desipramine restores the alterations in circadian entrainment induced by prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids
Authors: Spulber Stefan , Conti Mirko , Elberling Frederik , Raciti Marilena , Borroto-Escuela Dasiel Oscar , Fuxe Kjell , Ceccatelli Sandra
Published: October 2019

Alterations in circadian rhythms are closely linked to depression, and we have shown earlier that progressive alterations in circadian entrainment precede the onset of depression in mice exposed in utero to excess glucocorticoids. The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment with the noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor desipramine (DMI) could restore the alterations in circadian entrainment and prevent the onset of depression-like behavior. C57Bl/6 mice were exposed to dexamethasone (DEX—synthetic glucocorticoid analog, 0.05 mg/kg/day) between gestational day 14 and delivery. Male offspring aged 6 months (mo) were treated with DMI (10 mg/kg/day in drinking water) for at least 21 days before behavioral testing. We recorded spontaneous activity using the TraffiCage™ system and found that DEX mice re-entrained faster than controls after an abrupt advance in light-dark cycle by 6 h, while DMI treatment significantly delayed re-entrainment. Next we assessed the synchronization of peripheral oscillators with the central clock (located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus—SCN), as well as the mechanisms required for entrainment. We found that photic entrainment of the SCN was apparently preserved in DEX mice, but the expression of clock genes in the hippocampus was not synchronized with the light-dark cycle. This was associated with downregulated mRNA expression for arginine vasopressin (AVP; the main molecular output entraining peripheral clocks) in the SCN, and for glucocorticoid receptor (GR; required for the negative feedback loop regulating glucocorticoid secretion) in the hippocampus. DMI treatment restored the mRNA expression of AVP in the SCN and enhanced GR-mediated signaling by upregulating GR expression and nuclear translocation in the hippocampus. Furthermore, DMI treatment at 6 mo prevented the onset of depression-like behavior and the associated alterations in neurogenesis in 12-mo-old DEX mice. Taken together, our data indicate that DMI treatment enhances GR-mediated signaling and restores the synchronization of peripheral clocks with the SCN and support the hypothesis that altered circadian entrainment is a modifiable risk factor for depression.
Interplay between Caspase 9 and X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (XIAP) in the oocyte elimination during fetal mouse development
Authors: Liu Xueqing , Castle Veronica , Taketo Teruko
Published: October 2019

Mammalian female fertility is limited by the number and quality of oocytes in the ovarian reserve. The number of oocytes is finite since all germ cells cease proliferation to become oocytes in fetal life. Moreover, 70–80% of the initial oocyte population is eliminated during fetal and neonatal development, restricting the ovarian reserve. Why so many oocytes are lost during normal development remains an enigma. In Meiotic Prophase I (MPI), oocytes go through homologous chromosome synapsis and recombination, dependent on formation and subsequent repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). The oocytes that have failed in DSB repair or synapsis get eliminated mainly in neonatal ovaries. However, a large oocyte population is eliminated before birth, and the cause or mechanism of this early oocyte loss is not well understood. In the current paper, we show that the oocyte loss in fetal ovaries was prevented by a deficiency of Caspase 9 (CASP9), which is the hub of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, CASP9 and its downstream effector Caspase 3 were counteracted by endogenous X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis (XIAP) to regulate the oocyte population; while XIAP overexpression mimicked CASP9 deficiency, XIAP deficiency accelerated oocyte loss. In the CASP9 deficiency, more oocytes were accumulated at the pachytene stage with multiple γH2AFX foci and high LINE1 expression levels, but with normal levels of synapsis and overall DSB repair. We conclude that the oocytes with LINE1 overexpression were preferentially eliminated by CASP9-dependent apoptosis in balance with XIAP during fetal ovarian development. When such oocytes were retained, however, they get eliminated by a CASP9-independent mechanism during neonatal development. Thus, the oocyte is equipped with multiple surveillance mechanisms during MPI progression to safe-guard the quality of oocytes in the ovarian reserve.
Dual self-assembly of supramolecular peptide nanotubes to provide stabilisation in water
Authors: Rho Julia Y. , Cox Henry , Mansfield Edward D. H. , Ellacott Sean H. , Peltier Raoul , Brendel Johannes C. , Hartlieb Matthias , Waigh Thomas A. , Perrier Sébastien
Published: October 2019

Self-assembling peptides have the ability to spontaneously aggregate into large ordered structures. The reversibility of the peptide hydrogen bonded supramolecular assembly make them tunable to a host of different applications, although it leaves them highly dynamic and prone to disassembly at the low concentration needed for biological applications. Here we demonstrate that a secondary hydrophobic interaction, near the peptide core, can stabilise the highly dynamic peptide bonds, without losing the vital solubility of the systems in aqueous conditions. This hierarchical self-assembly process can be used to stabilise a range of different β-sheet hydrogen bonded architectures.
Effect of Gold Nanoparticle Size on Their Properties as Contrast Agents for Computed Tomography
Authors: Dong Yuxi C. , Hajfathalian Maryam , Maidment Portia S. N. , Hsu Jessica C. , Naha Pratap C. , Si-Mohamed Salim , Breuilly Marine , Kim Johoon , Chhour Peter , Douek Philippe , Litt Harold I. , Cormode David P.
Published: October 2019

Computed tomography (CT) is one of the most commonly used clinical imaging modalities. There have recently been many reports of novel contrast agents for CT imaging. In particular, the development of gold nanoparticles (AuNP) as CT contrast agents is a topic of intense interest. AuNP have favorable characteristics for this application such as high payloads of contrast generating material, strong X-ray attenuation, excellent biocompatibility, tailorable surface chemistry, and tunable sizes and shapes. However, there have been conflicting reports on the role of AuNP size on their contrast generation for CT. We therefore sought to extensively investigate the AuNP size-CT contrast relationship. In order to do this, we synthesized AuNP with sizes ranging from 4 to 152 nm and capped them with 5 kDa m-PEG. The contrast generation of AuNP of different sizes was investigated with three clinical CT, a spectral photon counting CT (SPCCT) and two micro CT systems. X-ray attenuation was quantified as attenuation rate in Hounsfield units per unit concentration (HU/mM). No statistically significant difference in CT contrast generation was found among different AuNP sizes via phantom imaging with any of the systems tested. Furthermore, in vivo imaging was performed in mice to provide insight into the effect of AuNP size on animal biodistribution at CT dose levels, which has not previously been explored. Both in vivo imaging and ex vivo analysis with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) indicated that AuNP that are 15 nm or smaller have long blood circulation times, while larger AuNP accumulated in the liver and spleen more rapidly. Therefore, while we observed no AuNP size effect on CT contrast generation, there is a significant effect of size on AuNP diagnostic utility.
Collective behaviour in 480-million-year-old trilobite arthropods from Morocco
Authors: Vannier Jean , Vidal Muriel , Marchant Robin , El Hariri Khadija , Kouraiss Khaoula , Pittet Bernard , El Albani Abderrazak , Mazurier Arnaud , Martin Emmanuel
Published: October 2019

Interactions and coordination between conspecific individuals have produced a remarkable variety of collective behaviours. This co-operation occurs in vertebrate and invertebrate animals and is well expressed in the group flight of birds, fish shoals and highly organized activities of social insects. How individuals interact and why they co-operate to constitute group-level patterns has been extensively studied in extant animals through a variety mechanistic, functional and theoretical approaches. Although collective and social behaviour evolved through natural selection over millions of years, its origin and early history has remained largely unknown.In-situmonospecific linear clusters of trilobite arthropods from the lower Ordovician (ca 480 Ma) of Morocco are interpreted here as resulting either from a collective behaviour triggered by hydrodynamic cues in which mechanical stimulation detected by motion and touch sensors may have played a major role, or from a possible seasonal reproduction behaviour leading to the migration of sexually mature conspecifics to spawning grounds, possibly driven by chemical attraction (e.g. pheromones). This study confirms that collective behaviour has a very ancient origin and probably developed throughout the Cambrian-Ordovician interval, at the same time as the first animal radiation events.
Revisiting the identification of tumor sub-volumes predictive of residual uptake after (chemo)radiotherapy: influence of segmentation methods on 18F-FDG PET/CT images
Authors: Hatt Mathieu , Tixier Florent , Desseroit Marie-Charlotte , Badic Bogdan , Laurent Baptiste , Visvikis Dimitris , Rest Catherine Cheze Le
Published: October 2019

Our aim was to evaluate the impact of the accuracy of image segmentation techniques on establishing an overlap between pre-treatment and post-treatment functional tumour volumes in 18FDG-PET/CT imaging. Simulated images and a clinical cohort were considered. Three different configurations (large, small or non-existent overlap) of a single simulated example was used to elucidate the behaviour of each approach. Fifty-four oesophageal and head and neck (H&N) cancer patients treated with radiochemotherapy with both pre- and post-treatment PET/CT scans were retrospectively analysed. Images were registered and volumes were determined using combinations of thresholds and the fuzzy locally adaptive Bayesian (FLAB) algorithm. Four overlap metrics were calculated. The simulations showed that thresholds lead to biased overlap estimation and that accurate metrics are obtained despite spatially inaccurate volumes. In the clinical dataset, only 17 patients exhibited residual uptake smaller than the pre-treatment volume. Overlaps obtained with FLAB were consistently moderate for esophageal and low for H&N cases across all metrics. Overlaps obtained using threshold combinations varied greatly depending on thresholds and metrics. In both cases overlaps were variable across patients. Our findings do not support optimisation of radiotherapy planning based on pre-treatment 18FDG-PET/CT image definition of high-uptake sub-volumes. Combinations of thresholds may have led to overestimation of overlaps in previous studies.
Quantification of fat in the posterior sacroiliac joint region: fat volume is sex and age dependant
Authors: Poilliot Amélie , Doyle Terence , Tomlinson Joanna , Zhang Ming , Zwirner Johann , Hammer Niels
Published: October 2019

Fat is appreciated as a structural component of synovial joints. It may serve a shock-absorbing function for the incongruent surfaces, vessels and ligaments, but has not been investigated in the posterior sacroiliac joint (PSIJ). Sixty-six cadaveric hemipelves were serially-sectioned and photographed. The amount of visible fat in the PSIJ was quantified using a modified version of Cavalieri’s method. Total volume, fat volume and fat percentage of the PSIJ were calculated in predefined sub-regions. Fat is consistently present in the PSIJ (1.9 ± 1.3 cm3). Fat volume correlates with the PSIJ total volume (p < 0.0001; r = 0.73) and age (p = 0.024; r = 0.24), and is smaller in males (1.4 ± 0.8 cm3) than females (2.4 ± 1.5 cm3). Fat volumes in the middle and inferior sub-regions of the PSIJ show side- (p < 0.0001) and sex-differences (p = 0.013 females, middle sub-region). Age and PSIJ total volume correlate between sexes in various sub-regions (p = 0.05 females superior sub-region; males inferior sub-region). Fat percentage differs between sexes and sub-regions (p = 0.018 females, superior sub-region) but is independent of age and sides. The presence of fat within the PSIJ is a normal finding and shows sex-dependant and age-related differences. It is unclear whether fat is linked to age-related degeneration or has a shock-absorbing role in stress- and load-dissipation in the PSIJ.
Pulse-Wave-Pattern Classification with a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Li Gaoyang , Watanabe Kazuhiro , Anzai Hitomi , Song Xiaorui , Qiao Aike , Ohta Makoto
Published: October 2019

Owing to the diversity of pulse-wave morphology, pulse-based diagnosis is difficult, especially pulse-wave-pattern classification (PWPC). A powerful method for PWPC is a convolutional neural network (CNN). It outperforms conventional methods in pattern classification due to extracting informative abstraction and features. For previous PWPC criteria, the relationship between pulse and disease types is not clear. In order to improve the clinical practicability, there is a need for a CNN model to find the one-to-one correspondence between pulse pattern and disease categories. In this study, five cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and complications were extracted from medical records as classification criteria to build pulse data set 1. Four physiological parameters closely related to the selected diseases were also extracted as classification criteria to build data set 2. An optimized CNN model with stronger feature extraction capability for pulse signals was proposed, which achieved PWPC with 95% accuracy in data set 1 and 89% accuracy in data set 2. It demonstrated that pulse waves are the result of multiple physiological parameters. There are limitations when using a single physiological parameter to characterise the overall pulse pattern. The proposed CNN model can achieve high accuracy of PWPC while using CVD and complication categories as classification criteria.
Photodynamic effect of Zirconium phosphate biocompatible nano-bilayers containing methylene blue on cancer and normal cells
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Reza , Khorsandi Khatereh
Published: October 2019

Pharmaceutical applications of methylene blue, especially as photosensitizer, have been limited due to its rapid enzymatic reduction in the biological systems. In this study nano-platelet zirconium phosphate was synthesized and its biocompatibility was evaluated. The synthesized material was considered as drug delivery vehicle for methylene blue to enhance the photodynamic therapy efficacy in human breast cancer cells. Zirconium phosphate-methylene blue nano-hybrids were characterized by X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Thermo gravimetric Analysis (TGA). Biocompatibility of synthesized nano materials were studied on Hu02 human fibroblast normal cell and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell. The results clarified that ZrP-MB nanoparticles could decrease the dark toxicity of free methylene blue. Photodynamic therapy using zirconium phosphate-methylene blue on MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer was evaluated by MTT assay, colony forming ability assay, AO/EB dual staining and flow cytometry detection of apoptosis. The results suggest that zirconium phosphate-methylene blue nano-hybrids significantly enhance photodynamic therapy efficacy probably via apoptosis cell death mechanism against human breast cancer cells. According to the results, zirconium phosphate nanoparticles could be suggested as a promising nano-carrier for photosensitizer delivery in photodynamic therapy.
Cytosolic 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase regulates glycine metabolism in mouse liver
Authors: Krupenko Natalia I. , Sharma Jaspreet , Pediaditakis Peter , Fekry Baharan , Helke Kristi L. , Du Xiuxia , Sumner Susan , Krupenko Sergey A.
Published: October 2019

ALDH1L1 (10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase), an enzyme of folate metabolism highly expressed in liver, metabolizes 10-formyltetrahydrofolate to produce tetrahydrofolate (THF). This reaction might have a regulatory function towards reduced folate pools, de novo purine biosynthesis, and the flux of folate-bound methyl groups. To understand the role of the enzyme in cellular metabolism, Aldh1l1−/− mice were generated using an ES cell clone (C57BL/6N background) from KOMP repository. Though Aldh1l1−/− mice were viable and did not have an apparent phenotype, metabolomic analysis indicated that they had metabolic signs of folate deficiency. Specifically, the intermediate of the histidine degradation pathway and a marker of folate deficiency, formiminoglutamate, was increased more than 15-fold in livers of Aldh1l1−/− mice. At the same time, blood folate levels were not changed and the total folate pool in the liver was decreased by only 20%. A two-fold decrease in glycine and a strong drop in glycine conjugates, a likely result of glycine shortage, were also observed in Aldh1l1−/− mice. Our study indicates that in the absence of ALDH1L1 enzyme, 10-formyl-THF cannot be efficiently metabolized in the liver. This leads to the decrease in THF causing reduced generation of glycine from serine and impaired histidine degradation, two pathways strictly dependent on THF.
Investigation of the temporal roaming behaviour of free-roaming domestic dogs in Indigenous communities in northern Australia to inform rabies incursion preparedness
Authors: Maher Elizabeth K. , Ward Michael P. , Brookes Victoria J.
Published: October 2019

Australia is canine rabies free but free-roaming, domestic dog populations in remote northern communities are at risk of an incursion due to proximity to rabies-endemic south-east Asia. Unrestricted contact between dogs could facilitate rabies spread following an incursion, and increase the impact on both dogs and people. Whilst dog vaccination is the foundation of rabies prevention, control strategies could be enhanced by understanding the temporal pattern of roaming and associated risk factors, so that movement restrictions can be targeted. Global positioning system datasets from 132 dogs in eight Indigenous communities in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) of Australia were analysed using regression methods. The influence of risk factors (including age, sex, location, season and hour of day) on dogs’ distance from their residences were assessed. Dogs roamed furthest in the NPA and during the dry season. Daily peaks in mean roaming distance were observed at 1000–1100 hrs and 1700–1800 hrs in the Torres Strait, and 1700–1800 hrs in the NPA. These findings demonstrate that understanding community-specific temporal roaming patterns can inform targeted movement restrictions during an outbreak of rabies in remote communities in northern Australia.
HOMA-estimated insulin resistance as an independent prognostic factor in patients with acute pancreatitis
Authors: Cho Seung Kook , Huh Ji Hye , Yoo Jin Sae , Kim Jae Woo , Lee Kyong Joo
Published: October 2019

This prospective study investigated the relationship between insulin resistance assessed using the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and the prognosis of acute pancreatitis (AP). A total of 269 patients with AP were recruited in this study. HOMA-IR scores were calculated using fasting insulin and plasma glucose levels. Patients were then categorized into the non-insulin-resistant group (HOMA-IR <2.5) and the insulin-resistant group (HOMA-IR ≥2.5). We performed multivariable logistic regression analysis to investigate the independent association between IR assessed using HOMA-IR and the severity of AP. We also conducted receiver operating characteristic analysis to investigate the predictive ability of HOMA-IR for severe AP. The proportion of patients with severe AP (according to the Atlanta classification) and the percentage of ICU admissions and mortality were higher in patients with insulin resistance than in those without insulin resistance. The area under the curve (AUC) of HOMA-IR for predicting severe AP was 0.719 (95% CI 0.59–0.85, P = 0.003). This value was not significantly different from the AUCs of other AP scoring systems such as CTSI, Ranson, and BISAP. Insulin resistance was the only independent factor for either ICU admission (OR 5.95, 95% CI 1.95–18.15, P = 0.002) or severe AP (OR 6.72, 95% CI 1.34–33.62, P = 0.020). Our findings suggest that the HOMA-IR score is an independent prognostic factor in patients with acute pancreatitis. This finding indicates that insulin resistance is potentially involved in the mechanism for severe AP.
Differential mechanisms of tolerance to extreme environmental conditions in tardigrades
Authors: Carrero Dido , Pérez-Silva José G. , Quesada Víctor , López-Otín Carlos
Published: October 2019

Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are small aquatic animals that inhabit marine, fresh water or limno-terrestrial environments. While all tardigrades require surrounding water to grow and reproduce, species living in limno-terrestrial environments (e.g. Ramazzottius varieornatus) are able to undergo almost complete dehydration by entering an arrested state known as anhydrobiosis, which allows them to tolerate ionic radiation, extreme temperatures and intense pressure. Previous studies based on comparison of the genomes of R. varieornatus and Hypsibius dujardini - a less tolerant tardigrade - have pointed to potential mechanisms that may partially contribute to their remarkable ability to resist extreme physical conditions. In this work, we have further annotated the genomes of both tardigrades using a guided approach in search for novel mechanisms underlying the extremotolerance of R. varieornatus. We have found specific amplifications of several genes, including MRE11 and XPC, and numerous missense variants exclusive of R. varieornatus in CHEK1, POLK, UNG and TERT, all of them involved in important pathways for DNA repair and telomere maintenance. Taken collectively, these results point to genomic features that may contribute to the enhanced ability to resist extreme environmental conditions shown by R. varieornatus.
Unveil the Anticancer Potential of Limomene Based Therapeutic Deep Eutectic Solvents
Authors: Pereira Carolina V. , Silva Joana M. , Rodrigues Liliana , Reis Rui L. , Paiva Alexandre , Duarte Ana Rita C. , Matias Ana
Published: October 2019

Deep eutectic solvents have been recently reported as an interesting alternative to improve the therapeutic efficacy of conventional drugs, hence called therapeutic deep eutectic solvents (THEDES). The main objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of limonene (LIM) based THEDES as new possible systems for cancer treatment. LIM is known to have antitumor activity, however it is highly toxic and cell viability is often compromised, thus this compound is not selective towards cancer cells. Different THEDES based on LIM were developed to unravel the anticancer potential of such systems. THEDES were prepared by gently mixing saturated fatty acids menthol or ibuprofen (IBU) with LIM. Successful THEDES were obtained for Menthol:LIM (1:1), CA:LIM (1:1), IBU:LIM (1:4) and IBU:LIM(1:8). The results indicate that all the THEDES present antiproliferative properties, but IBU:LIM (1:4) was the only formulation able to inhibit HT29 proliferation without comprising cell viability. Therefore, IBU:LIM (1:4) was the formulation selected for further assessment of anticancer properties. The results suggest that the mechanism of action of LIM:IBU (1:4) is different from isolated IBU and LIM, which suggest the synergetic effect of DES. In this work, we unravel a methodology to tune the selectivity of LIM towards HT29 cell line without compromising cell viability of healthy cells. We demonstrate furthermore that coupling LIM with IBU leads also to an enhancement of the anti-inflammatory activity of IBU, which may be important in anti-cancer therapies.
Differential expression and co-expression gene network analyses reveal molecular mechanisms and candidate biomarkers involved in breast muscle myopathies in chicken
Authors: Pampouille Eva , Hennequet-Antier Christelle , Praud Christophe , Juanchich Amélie , Brionne Aurélien , Godet Estelle , Bordeau Thierry , Fagnoul Fréderic , Le Bihan-Duval Elisabeth , Berri Cécile
Published: October 2019

The broiler industry is facing an increasing prevalence of breast myopathies, such as white striping (WS) and wooden breast (WB), and the precise aetiology of these occurrences remains poorly understood. To progress our understanding of the structural changes and molecular pathways involved in these myopathies, a transcriptomic analysis was performed using an 8 × 60 K Agilent chicken microarray and histological study. The study used pectoralis major muscles from three groups: slow-growing animals (n = 8), fast-growing animals visually free from defects (n = 8), or severely affected by both WS and WB (n = 8). In addition, a weighted correlation network analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between modules of co-expressed genes and histological traits. Functional analysis suggested that selection for fast growing and breast meat yield has progressively led to conditions favouring metabolic shifts towards alternative catabolic pathways to produce energy, leading to an adaptive response to oxidative stress and the first signs of inflammatory, regeneration and fibrosis processes. All these processes are intensified in muscles affected by severe myopathies, in which new mechanisms related to cellular defences and remodelling seem also activated. Furthermore, our study opens new perspectives for myopathy diagnosis by highlighting fine histological phenotypes and genes whose expression was strongly correlated with defects.
Elevated perceived threat is associated with reduced hippocampal volume in combat veterans
Authors: Grupe Daniel W. , Hushek Benjamin A. , Davis Kaley , Schoen Andrew J. , Wielgosz Joseph , Nitschke Jack B. , Davidson Richard J.
Published: October 2019

Reduced hippocampal volume is frequently observed in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the psychological processes associated with these alterations remain unclear. Given hippocampal involvement in memory and contextual representations of threat, we investigated relationships between retrospectively reported combat exposure, perceived threat, and hippocampal volume in trauma-exposed veterans. T1-weighted anatomical MRI scans were obtained from 56 veterans (4 women, 52 men; 39 with elevated PTSD symptoms, “PTSS” group) and hippocampal volume was estimated using automatic segmentation tools in FreeSurfer. Hippocampal volume was regressed on self-reported perceived threat from the Deployment Risk and Resilience Inventory, and combat exposure from the Combat Exposure Scale. As a secondary analysis, hippocampal volume was regressed on Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) symptoms. In veterans with elevated PTSD symptoms, hippocampal volume was inversely related to perceived threat while deployed while controlling for self-reported combat exposure. Hippocampal volume was also inversely correlated with avoidance/numbing CAPS symptoms. Future research should clarify the temporal milieu of these effects and investigate whether individual differences in hippocampal structure and function contribute to heightened threat appraisal at the time of trauma vs. subsequently elevated appraisals of traumatic events.
The Development of Food Structures for the Encapsulation and Delivery of Bioactive Compounds
Authors: Zuidam Nicolaas Jan , Velikov Krassimir P.
Published: October 2019

Bioactive compounds interact on a molecular or supramolecular level with our sensors (e.g. flavour molecules, tastants), participate in the food digestion (e.g. enzymes, probiotics) or metabolism (e.g. micronutrients and nutraceuticals). They are added to food products to enhance their sensorial quality and/or to provide certain nutritional or health benefits. Quite often, however, their stability is compromised. Several challenges can arise related to the physicochemical properties of the bioactive compounds or their interactions with other ingredients in the food matrix. Various approaches based on encapsulation or delivery systems are used to address these issues. In this chapter, we firstly indicate the most common challenges related to the formulation and delivery of functional bioactive molecules. Next, we discuss some of the important aspects of food products as a vehicle for functional bioactive ingredients without encapsulation. Finally, we exemplify and discuss some commonly used approaches of encapsulation and delivery. Basic carrier structures as homogeneous, matrix, core-shell, and multilayer types are shown and exemplified with recent advances for delivery of the most challenging bioactive compounds.
Using recirculating flumes and a response surface model to investigate the role of hyporheic exchange and bacterial diversity on micropollutant half-lives
Authors: Jaeger Anna , Coll Claudia , Posselt Malte , Mechelke Jonas , Rutere Cyrus , Betterle Andrea , Raza Muhammad , Mehrtens Anne , Meinikmann Karin , Portmann Andrea , Singh Tanu , Blaen Phillip J. , Krause Stefan , Horn Marcus A. , Hollender Juliane , Benskin Jonathan P. , Sobek Anna , Lewandowski Joerg
Published: October 2019

A flume experimental design to test effects of hyporheic exchange and bacterial diversity on the fate of micropollutants in rivers.
Hierarchically textured superhydrophilic polyvinylidene fluoride membrane via nanocasting and post-fabrication grafting of surface-tailored silica nanoparticles
Authors: Chen Guanhao , Ma Zhibo , Xiao Kang , Wang Xiaomao , Liang Shuai , Huang Xia
Published: October 2019

The prepared hierarchical superhydrophilic membrane exhibited a remarkable antifouling capability owing to dual protection: in situ hydration layer and peripheral turbulent flow.
Themed issues on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
Authors: Ahrens Lutz , Benskin Jonathan P. , Cousins Ian T. , Crimi Michelle , Higgins Christopher P.
Published: October 2019

Guest editors Lutz Ahrens, Jonathan Benskin, Ian Cousins, Michelle Crimi and Christopher Higgins introduce the “Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs)” themed issue.
Highly stable and spectrum-selective ultraviolet photodetectors based on lead-free copper-based perovskites
Authors: Li Ying , Shi Zhifeng , Liang Wenqing , Wang Lintao , Li Sen , Zhang Fei , Ma Zhuangzhuang , Wang Yue , Tian Yongzhi , Wu Di , Li Xinjian , Zhang Yuantao , Shan Chongxin , Fang Xiaosheng
Published: October 2019

We demonstrated a stable and spectrum-selective self-powered UV photodetector based on lead-free Cs3Cu2I5 films with excellent photodetection performance.
Structure and anticancer activities of four Cu(ii) complexes bearing tropolone
Authors: Mo Xiyu , Chen Zilu , Chu Bo , Liu Dongcheng , Liang Yuning , Liang Fupei
Published: October 2019

The title Cu(ii) complexes of tropolone induce the apoptosis of MGC80-3 through a caspase-dependent mitochondrion pathway and can also induce autophagy.
Functional characterisation of two ferric-ion coordination modes of TtFbpA, the periplasmic subunit of an ABC-type iron transporter from Thermus thermophilus HB8
Authors: Lu Peng , Moriwaki Yoshitaka , Zhang Mimin , Katayama Yukie , Lu Yi , Okamoto Ken , Terada Tohru , Shimizu Kentaro , Wang Mengyao , Kamiya Takehiro , Fujiwara Toru , Asakura Tomiko , Suzuki Michio , Yoshimura Etsuro , Nagata Koji
Published: October 2019

The ferric ion binding protein A of Thermus thermophilus HB8 (TtFbpA) is the periplasmic subunit of an ABC-type iron transporter.
Effective immobilization of nanoscale Pd on a carbon hybrid for enhanced electrocatalytic performances: stabilization mechanism investigations
Authors: Yang Liang , Liu Daoping , Cui Guomin , Dou Binlin , Wang Juan
Published: October 2019

Advanced IL-TEM enabled atomic-scale visual tracking of the stabilization/degradation mechanisms of nanoparticles on NPG–CN carbon hybrid support.
A sandwich-like electron transport layer to assist highly efficient planar perovskite solar cells
Authors: Lin Zhichao , Yan Jingjing , Cai Qingbin , Wen Xiaoning , Dong Hongye , Mu Cheng
Published: October 2019

Co-modification of an electron transport layer (ETL) with metal oxides and organic molecules can optimize the structure of the ETL and improve the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs).
Slow release fertilizer hydrogels: a review
Authors: Ramli Ros Azlinawati
Published: October 2019

Slow release fertilizer hydrogels combine fertilizer and hydrogel into one system.
New scaling relations to compute atom-in-material polarizabilities and dispersion coefficients: part 2. Linear-scaling computational algorithms and parallelization
Authors: Manz Thomas A. , Chen Taoyi
Published: October 2019

Linear-scaling algorithms were developed to compute atom-in-material polarizabilities and dispersion coefficients using MCLF and TS-SCS methods.
The toxic effects of alizarin red S on catalase at the molecular level
Authors: Hu Shimeng , Yuan Dong , Liu Yang , Zhao Lining , Guo Hongli , Niu Qigui , Zong Wansong , Liu Rutao
Published: October 2019

Alizarin red S is confirmed to be toxic to catalase at molecular level attributing to the structural and functional changes of catalase.
In-chain functionalized syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene by a Ziegler–Natta iron(iii) catalytic system
Authors: Liang Shanshan , Zhang Huaqiang , Cong Rixin , Liu Heng , Wang Feng , Hu Yanming , Zhang Xuequan
Published: October 2019

In-chain functionalized syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene through copolymerization of 1,3-butadiene and 1-substituted 1,3-diene comonomer by a Ziegler–Natta iron(iii) catalytic system.
Control of anisotropy of a redox-active molecule-based film leads to non-volatile resistive switching memory
Authors: Kim Jaejun , Ohtsu Hiroyoshi , Den Taizen , Deekamwong Krittanun , Muneta Iriya , Kawano Masaki
Published: October 2019

Control of the π–π interaction direction in a redox-active π-molecule based film led to the formation of new mechanistic non-volatile resistive switching memory.
Physics of suction cups
Authors: Tiwari A. , Persson B. N. J.
Published: October 2019

We have developed a theory of air leakage at interfaces between two elastic solids with application to suction cups in contact with randomly rough surfaces.
A carbon microtube array with a multihole cross profile: releasing the stress and boosting long-cycling and high-rate potassium ion storage
Authors: Wang Bo , Yuan Fei , Wang Wei (Alex) , Zhang Di , Sun Huilan , Xi Kai , Wang Dianlong , Chu Jianhua , Wang Qiujun , Li Wen
Published: October 2019

As an advanced anode for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs), the porous carbon microtube can reduce the radial stress and tangential stress during cycling, resulting in excellent cycling stability.
A mitochondria-targeted fluorescent probe based on coumarin–pyridine derivatives for hypochlorite imaging in living cells and zebrafish
Authors: Zhong Xiuli , Yang Qing , Chen Yingshuang , Jiang Yuliang , Wang Bingxiang , Shen Jian
Published: October 2019

Herein, a novel coumarin–pyridine derivative (CPD) was prepared and exhibited a rapid response, large Stokes shifts, dual channel detection, high selectivity and high sensitivity toward OCl− in mitochondria of A549 cells and zebrafish.
On‐site partial discharge detection of power cables using a novel DAC technique supplied by a capacitor bank
Authors: He Weisheng , Wu Zhaoguo , Deng Bangfei , Wang Qian , Xiang Hong , Xie Gangwen , Li Hongjie , Lu Yuxin
Published: October 2019

Partial discharge (PD) detection has proven to be one of the most acceptable techniques for insulation estimation of power apparatus. A powerful tool for conducting on‐site PD detection and location in power cables is urgently needed. In view of this issue, this study covers research and development efforts to design, implement, and test a novel damped AC (DAC) system based on the frequency‐tuned resonant technique (AC–DAC). This technique gives a cost‐effective solution to on‐site PD detection in power cables. The topology and operation principle of the proposed technique are presented and described. The application of a capacitor bank, which is discharged to supply the system during the DAC shot time and recharged during the DAC shot interval time, is also explained in this study. Parameter design and performance evaluation of the proposed technique are simulated by Comsol and Saber. For further validation, the AC–DAC system with a capacitor bank is tested in high‐voltage laboratory experiments using both capacitor load and cable load.
Non‐pilot protection scheme for multi‐terminal VSC–HVDC transmission systems
Authors: Elgeziry Mohammed , Elsadd Mahmoud , Elkalashy Nagy , Kawady Tamer , Taalab Abdel‐Maksoud , Izzularab Mohamed A.
Published: October 2019

High‐voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems are nowadays ideal candidates for interconnecting renewable energy resources to the electrical grids. This study presents a communication‐less protection scheme for HVDC transmission systems with a multi‐terminal voltage source converter (VSC). The existence of a tie‐busbar is also considered, which represents a challenge for protection selectivity functions without the aid of a communication channel. The proposed scheme identifies the faulted segment on either a DC busbar or a line segment based on monitoring the calculated rate of change of the current‐to‐voltage ratio. This criterion is sensitive to detect the faults as the current increases rapidly in a few milliseconds, while the voltage decreases in the same time frame remarkably. Once the fault detection criterion is satisfied, the faulted section can be identified by checking the summation and direction of all branch currents at each busbar individually without utilising communication links. For investigation purposes, the proposed scheme is tested via a four‐terminal HVDC system with two tie‐busbars. Different simulation cases are evaluated with a variety of fault conditions using MATLAB/SIMULINK. The results corroborate the reliability, security, and efficacy of the proposed protection scheme for multi‐terminal HVDC transmission systems.
Adaptive droop control strategy for autonomous power sharing and DC voltage control in wind farm‐MTDC grids
Authors: Satish Kumar Ancha , Prasad Padhy Bibhu
Published: October 2019

This study presents a novel adaptive droop control (ADC) strategy for power‐sharing in a multi‐terminal high‐voltage DC grid while maintaining a desirable DC voltage level. The ADC scheme can share the power without burdening any power converters during one or more converter outages and huge power imbalance situations. To improve the effectiveness of the power sharing and DC voltage deviation control, the ADC is also implemented for wind farm converters. This is achieved through a derated mode operation of wind farms. The performance and effectiveness of the proposed control approach are evaluated in several case studies based on the specific type of converter outage under the various outage scenarios. The proposed method is validated on a five‐terminal CIGRE B4 DC grid test system.
Effects analysis of excitation circuit on power control for VSG: a design‐oriented study
Authors: Qu Zisen , Yang Huan , Han Junfei , Song Chunwei , Li Wuhua , Cai Yunyi
Published: October 2019

Reactive power control loop (RPCL) in virtual synchronous generator (VSG) plays the role of excitation circuit in conventional SG. The control strategy improvement or parameters configuration method of RPCL is always the emphasis of analysis. However, the impacts of RPCL on VSG system performance are usually overlooked. On the basis of that, this study aims to investigate the effects of RPCL on power control performance. First, a simplified SG model is established and implemented to VSG. Then, VSG system modelling with state equations in power control time scale is elaborated. The excitation current in the modelling is regarded as one crucial state variable to identify the effects of the excitation circuit on VSG system. Eigenvalue locus analysis and eigenproperties analysis reveal how the excitation circuit affects power oscillation damping performance and even results in power coupling issue of power control. The effects of operating points on system power control are also taken into account. Finally, the experimental results are given to verify the theoretical analysis.
Research on cloud energy storage service in residential microgrids
Authors: Liu Ziqi , Yang Junjie , Song WenZhan , Xue Naifan , Li Shenglin , Fang Mingshuo
Published: October 2019

In residential microgrids, an energy storage system (ESS) can mitigate the intermittence and uncertainty of renewable energy generation, which plays an important role in balancing power generation and load consumption. Distributed energy storage (DES) is a common form of ESS. However, the high investment cost and fixed energy storage capacity limit their application in residential areas. This study proposes an improved service mechanism based on an alternative form of DES, cloud energy storage (CES). The energy transaction service is added in traditional CES service mechanism to enhance the power interaction between users. In addition, the pricing scheme of CES service fee is formulated, which is calculated based on the battery life loss caused by charging/discharging behaviour during the service period. This study considers that CES can improve energy storage utilisation and meet the energy storage requirements of users at a lower cost than DES. Finally, the CES service decisions are solved by the solver LINGO, including charging/discharging power decisions and energy trading decisions of users. Simulation results show that users' electricity costs are further reduced under the improved CES model. The rationality and economic feasibility of the improved CES model are demonstrated.
Stability enhancement strategy of virtual synchronous generator for cascaded multilevel converter based energy storage system under weak grid conditions
Authors: Li Xin , Chen Guozhu
Published: October 2019

Considering that the low‐voltage and small capacity ratings of the traditional distributed energy storage system (ESS) cannot meet the increasing capacity of distributed generations, this study describes a cascaded multilevel converter‐based ESS. In addition, the virtual synchronous generator (VSG) as a promising solution to enhance the system's inertia is studied. However, some studies indicate that VSG suffers from the inherent resonance near synchronous frequency under weak grid conditions, which may result in power oscillation and even deteriorate the system stability. In this work, the resonance mechanism is investigated with an established wide‐band small‐signal dynamic model. It is revealed that the resonance poles caused by the small impedance ratio on the AC side introduce a phase lag jump of 180°, which decreases the phase margin of VSG, leading to synchronous power oscillation (SPO). The influence of control parameters on the power oscillation is investigated with the eigenvalue analysis method. Accordingly, a differential feedforward compensation‐based SPO suppression strategy is proposed. The stability margins are significantly enhanced with this method. The validity of the SPO analysis and suppression method is verified with simulation and a 10 kW experimental prototype.
Real‐time stochastic operation strategy of a microgrid using approximate dynamic programming‐based spatiotemporal decomposition approach
Authors: Zhu Jianquan , Mo Xiemin , Zhu Tao , Guo Ye , Luo Tianyun , Liu Mingbo
Published: October 2019

This study focuses on the real‐time operation of a microgrid (MG). A novel approximate dynamic programming based spatiotemporal decomposition approach is developed to incorporate efficient management of distributed energy storage systems into MG real‐time operation while considering uncertainties in renewable generation. The original dynamic energy management problem is decomposed into single‐period and single‐unit sub‐problems, and the value functions are used to describe the interaction among the sub‐problems. A two‐stage procedure is further designed for the real‐time decisions of those sub‐problems. In the first stage, empirical data is utilised offline to approximate the value functions. Then in the second stage, each sub‐problem can make immediate and independent decision in both temporal and spatial dimensions to mitigate adverse effects of intermittent renewable generation in a MG. No central operator intervention is required, and the near optimal decisions can be obtained at a very fast speed. Case studies based on a six‐bus MG and an actual island MG are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Optimal optimisation‐based microgrid scheduling considering impacts of unexpected forecast errors due to the uncertainty of renewable generation and loads fluctuation
Authors: Lee Chun‐Yao , Tuegeh Maickel
Published: October 2019

Unlike conventional power plants, wind farm and solar photovoltaic (PV) module operations involved uncontrollable factors such as wind and solar irradiation, making the dispatch problem more complex. This study proposes optimal scheduling using a modification inertia weight of the particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm and take into account unexpected forecast errors due to uncertainty in renewable distributed generators and loads in the day‐ahead market in a microgrid. Modified inertia weight makes the PSO algorithm have a strong global searching ability to solve the scheduling. Meanwhile, the microgrid coordinates the realistic production of its power plant to get the optimal total cost. The uncertainty of renewable distributed generators is modelled based on forecast data. The Simulation result shows the advantages of the proposed method.
Prävention und Therapie der Frühgeburt. Leitlinie der DGGG, OEGGG und SGGG (S2k-Niveau, AWMF-Registernummer 015/025, Februar 2019) – Teil 1 mit Empfehlungen zur Epidemiologie, Ätiologie, Prädiktion, primären und sekundären Prävention der Frühgeburt
Authors: Berger Richard , Abele Harald , Bahlmann Franz , Bedei Ivonne , Doubek Klaus , Felderhoff-Müser Ursula , Fluhr Herbert , Garnier Yves , Grylka-Baeschlin Susanne , Helmer Hanns , Herting Egbert , Hoopmann Markus , Hösli Irene , Hoyme Udo , Jendreizeck Alexandra , Krentel Harald , Kuon Ruben , Lütje Wolf , Mader Silke , Maul Holger , Mendling Werner , Mitschdörfer Barbara , Nicin Tatjana , Nothacker Monika , Olbertz Dirk , Rath Werner , Roll Claudia , Schlembach Dietmar , Schleußner Ekkehard , Schütz Florian , Seifert-Klauss Vanadin , Steppat Susanne , Surbek Daniel
Published: October 2019

Ziel Offizielle Leitlinie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe (DGGG), der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe (ÖGGG) und der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe (SGGG). Ziel der Leitlinie ist es, die Prädiktion, die Prävention und das Management der Frühgeburt anhand der aktuellen Literatur, der Erfahrung der Mitglieder der Leitlinienkommission einschließlich der Sicht der Selbsthilfe evidenzbasiert zu verbessern.

Methoden Anhand der internationalen Literatur entwickelten die Mitglieder der beteiligten Fachgesellschaften und Organisationen Empfehlungen und Statements. Diese wurden in einem formalen Prozess (strukturierte Konsensuskonferenzen mit neutraler Moderation, schriftliche Delphi-Abstimmung) verabschiedet.

Empfehlungen Der Teil I dieser Kurzversion der Leitlinie zeigt Statements und Empfehlungen zur Epidemiologie, Ätiologie, der Prädiktion sowie der primären und sekundären Prävention der Frühgeburt.