bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expansion of the Distribution of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae): New Records in Northern Argentina and Their Implications From an Epidemiological Perspective
Authors: Goenaga S , Chuchuy A , Micieli M V , Natalini B , Kuruc J , Kowalewski M
Published: February 2020

Since the last yellow fever (YF) outbreak was detected in Argentina in 2009, vector surveillance and studies of arbovirus infections are carried out intermittently specifically in areas where nonhuman primates of the Alouatta genus are present. We report in these areas of Corrientes province the detection of Haemagogus leucocelaenus (Dyar and Shannon) (Diptera: Culicidae) and Sabethes albiprivus (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae), both species involved in the forest YF cycle, and also the presence of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in new areas in Argentina, which represents the southernmost citation for this species in South America. Aedes albopictus, a mosquito species native to Asia, was reported for the first time in Argentina in 1998, in Misiones province. Since then, no other report has indicated the extension of the distribution of this mosquito. This report shows the importance of performing continual entomological and arboviruses surveillance and highlights the impact that could result from the expansion of Ae. albopictus across Argentina.
Characterization of the Volatiles’ Profiles of the Eggs of Forensically Relevant Lucilia sericata and Phormia regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Blow Flies by SPME-Facilitated GC-MS
Authors: Giffen-Lemieux Justine E , Okuda Koji , Rosati Jennifer Y , Musah Rabi A
Published: February 2020

The attraction of necrophagous insects, particularly blow flies, to corpses and carrion is of ecological, economic, and agricultural importance, although the mechanisms by which it occurs are not well understood. Much of the published research on blow fly attractants has focused on volatiles emitted from carrion surrogates, but little attention has been given to the possibility that blow fly eggs themselves may emit chemical cues that are responsible for conspecific and heterospecific insect attraction. In this study, the headspace volatiles emitted from eggs representing two aggregated oviposition events that were collected 1 mo apart from two species of the Calliphoridae family (Order: Diptera), Lucilia sericata (Meigen), and Phormia regina (Meigen) were analyzed via solid-phase microextraction-facilitated GC-MS. The volatiles’ profiles were found to be consistent between samples representing the same species, but unique between the two species. Over 100 molecules covering a wide range of compound classes that included alcohols, aldehydes, esters, amines, ketones, and organosulfur compounds were identified. The profile of volatiles emitted from the L. sericata eggs contained several alkanes and aldehydes, whereas salient features of the P. regina headspace included numerous esters and ketones. Between the two species, 42 compounds were shared, several of which were carboxylic acids. Little overlap between the range of compounds detected and those reported to be emitted from decomposing remains was observed.
Immunohistochemical and nanoString-Based Subgrouping of Clinical Medulloblastoma Samples
Authors: D’Arcy Colleen E , Nobre Liana Figueiredo , Arnaldo Anthony , Ramaswamy Vijay , Taylor Michael D , Naz-Hazrati Lili , Hawkins Cynthia E
Published: February 2020

The diagnosis of medulloblastoma incorporates the histologic and molecular subclassification of clinical medulloblastoma samples into wingless (WNT)-activated, sonic hedgehog (SHH)-activated, group 3 and group 4 subgroups. Accurate medulloblastoma subclassification has important prognostic and treatment implications. Immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based and nanoString-based subgrouping methodologies have been independently described as options for medulloblastoma subgrouping, however have not previously been directly compared. We describe our experience with nanoString-based subgrouping in a clinical setting and compare this with our IHC-based results. Study materials included FFPE tissue from 160 medulloblastomas. Clinical data and tumor histology were reviewed. Immunohistochemical-based subgrouping using β-catenin, filamin A and p53 antibodies and nanoString-based gene expression profiling were performed. The sensitivity and specificity of IHC-based subgrouping of WNT and SHH-activated medulloblastomas was 91.5% and 99.54%, respectively. Filamin A immunopositivity highly correlated with SHH/WNT-activated subgroups (sensitivity 100%, specificity 92.7%, p < 0.001). Nuclear β-catenin immunopositivity had a sensitivity of 76.2% and specificity of 99.23% for detection of WNT-activated tumors. Approximately 23.8% of WNT cases would have been missed using an IHC-based subgrouping method alone. nanoString could confidently predict medulloblastoma subgroup in 93% of cases and could distinguish group 3/4 subgroups in 96.3% of cases. nanoString-based subgrouping allows for a more prognostically useful classification of clinical medulloblastoma samples.
Comparison of Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, and Capillary Electrophoresis Methods for Glycated Hemoglobin Determination
Authors: Gilani Mehwish , Aamir Mohammad , Akram Ammad , Haroon Zujaja Hina , Ijaz Aamir , Khadim Muhammad Tahir
Published: February 2020

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare the performances of and evaluate the agreement among glycated hemoglobin values analyzed by using National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program-certified and International Federation of Clinical Chemistry-standardized analyzers.

This cross-sectional study was conducted at the

Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Department of Chemical Pathology from March 2019 to May 2019.

Methods

Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured in the blood specimens from 100 patients on an ADVIA 1800 by a turbidimetric inhibitory immunoassay (TINIA), Sebia instrument by electrophoresis, and Bio-Rad Variant II Turbo system by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Quantitative variables were calculated as the mean ± standard deviation (SD). Precision and method comparisons were carried out according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommendations. The results obtained from each analyzer were compared by correlation analysis. Method comparison was done by linear regression and Bland-Altman plots using the SPSS software version 24.

Results

The mean ± SD HbA1c values from TINIA, electrophoresis, and HPLC were 7.188% ± 1.89%, 7.164% ± 1.866%, and 7.160% ± 1.85%, respectively. The between-run coefficients of variation for TINIA, electrophoresis, and HPLC were 0.64%, 0.61%, and 0.60%, respectively. All 3 showed good correlation (TINIA, R2 = .994, P = .00; electrophoresis, R2 = .992, P = 0.00; and HPLC, R2 = .994, P = 0.00).

Conclusion

The good clinical agreements of HbA1c and strong correlations between analyzers indicate that these analyzers can be used interchangeably.
Radio eclipses of exoplanets by the winds of their host stars
Authors: Kavanagh R D , Vidotto A A
Published: February 2020

The search for exoplanetary radio emission has resulted in zero conclusive detections to date. Various explanations for this have been proposed, from the observed frequency range, telescope sensitivity, to beaming of the emission. In a recent paper, we illustrated that exoplanets can orbit through the radio photosphere of the wind of the host star, a region that is optically thick at a specific frequency, for a large fraction of their orbits. As a result, radio emission originating from the planet could be absorbed or ‘eclipsed’ by the wind of the host star. Here, we investigate how the properties of the stellar wind and orbital parameters affect the fraction of the orbit where the planet is eclipsed by the stellar wind. We show that planets orbiting stars with low-density winds are more favourable for detection in the radio. In terms of the orbital parameters, emission from transiting planets can escape the stellar wind easiest. We apply our model to the τ Boo planetary system, and show that observing the fraction of the planet’s orbit where it is eclipsed by the wind of the host star could be used to constrain the properties of the stellar wind. However, our model developed would need to be used in conjunction with a separate method to disentangle the mass-loss rate and temperature of the stellar wind.
The three causes of low-mass assembly bias
Authors: Mansfield Philip , Kravtsov Andrey V
Published: February 2020

We present a detailed analysis of the physical processes that cause halo assembly bias – the dependence of halo clustering on proxies of halo formation time. We focus on the origin of assembly bias in the mass range corresponding to the hosts of typical galaxies and use halo concentration as our chief proxy of halo formation time. We also repeat our key analyses across a broad range of halo masses and for alternative formation time definitions. We show that splashback subhaloes are responsible for two-thirds of the assembly bias signal, but do not account for the entire effect. After splashback subhaloes have been removed, we find that the remaining assembly bias signal is due to a relatively small fraction ($\lesssim \!10{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) of haloes in dense regions. We test a number of additional physical processes thought to contribute to assembly bias and demonstrate that the two key processes are the slowing of mass growth by large-scale tidal fields and by the high velocities of ambient matter in sheets and filaments. We also rule out several other proposed physical causes of halo assembly bias. Based on our results, we argue that there are three processes that modify the assembly bias of small-mass haloes arising from the properties of the primordial Gaussian field: large-scale tidal fields, gravitational heating due to the collapse of large-scale structures, and splashback subhaloes located outside the virial radius.
Possible detection of a new cyclotron feature in 4U 1700–37
Authors: Bala Suman , Roy Jayashree , Bhattacharya Dipankar
Published: February 2020

We present a spectral and timing study of the high-mass X-ray binary transient source 4U 1700–37 using NuSTAR and ASTROSAT/LAXPC. The source is observed in two different flux states. A combined spectral analysis of NuSTAR’s focal plane modules A and B shows the possible hint of a cyclotron line feature at ∼16 keV. The line feature is consistently present in different continuum models with at least 3σ confidence level. We do not detect the presence of a previously reported  39 keV cyclotron line in the combined spectra. A ∼16 keV cyclotron feature would suggest that the compact object is a neutron star with a magnetic field strength ∼2.1 × 1012 G in the emission region. We also find the presence of a rare Ni Kα emission line around 7.6 keV in the NuSTAR spectrum. We searched the NuSTAR and ASTROSAT data for coherent or quasi-periodic oscillation signals but found no evidence in the frequency range 0.1 mHz to 103 Hz.
High-resolution spectroscopy of detached solar-type eclipsing binaries observed during the Kepler K2 mission
Authors: Hoyman B , Çakırlı Ö
Published: February 2020

Solar-type stars in eclipsing binaries are proving to be a remarkable resource of knowledge for testing models of stellar evolution, as spectroscopic and photometric studies have opened up a window into their interiors. Until recently, many cases have been worked out with Kepler data. In an ongoing effort to elucidate this research, we examine five detached eclipsing binaries, selected from the Kepler catalogue. There is a well-known stellar parameter discrepancy for low-mass stars, in that the observed radii and masses are often larger and stars overluminous than predicted by theory by several per cent. In our samples, we found five double-lined binaries, with solar-type stars dominating the spectrum. The orbital and light-curve solutions were found for them, and compared with isochrones, in order to estimate absolute physical parameters and evolutionary status of the components. An important aspect of this work is that the calculated stellar radii and masses are consistent with theoretical models within the uncertainties, whereas the estimated temperatures from the disentangled spectra of the components are no different than predicted.
Gravitational potential from small-scale clustering in action space: application to Gaia Data Release 2
Authors: Yang Tianyi , Boruah Supranta S , Afshordi Niayesh
Published: February 2020

Most measurements of mass in astronomy that use kinematics of stars or gas rely on assumptions of equilibrium that are often hard to verify. Instead, we develop a novel idea that uses the clustering in action space, as a probe of the underlying gravitational potential: the correct potential should maximize small-scale clustering in the action space. We provide a first-principle derivation of likelihood using the two-point correlation function in action space, and we test it against simulations of stellar streams. We then apply this method to the second data release of Gaia, and we use it to measure the radial force fraction fh and logarithmic slope α of the dark matter halo profile. We investigate stars within 9–11 kpc and 11.5–15 kpc from the Galactic Centre, and we find (fh, α) = (0.391 ± 0.009, 1.835 ± 0.092) and (0.351 ± 0.012, 1.687 ± 0.079), respectively. We also confirm that the set of parameters that maximize the likelihood function does correspond to the most clustering in the action space. The best-fitting circular velocity curve for the Milky Way potential is consistent with past measurements (although it is ∼5–10 per cent lower than previous methods that use masers or globular clusters). Our work provides a clear demonstration of the full statistical power that lies in the full phase space information, relieving the need for ad hoc assumptions such as virial equilibrium, circular motion or steam-finding algorithms.
Asymmetric accretion and thermal ‘mountains’ in magnetized neutron star crusts
Authors: Singh N , Haskell B , Mukherjee D , Bulik T
Published: February 2020

Accreting neutron stars (NSs) are one of the main targets for continuous gravitational wave searches, as asymmetric accretion may lead to quadrupolar deformations, or ‘mountains’, on the crust of the star, which source gravitational wave (GW) emission at twice the rotation frequency. The GW torque may also impact on the spin evolution of the star, possibly dictating the currently observed spin periods of NSs in low-mass X-ray binaries and leading to the increased spin-down rate observed during accretion in PSR J1023+0038. Previous studies have shown that deformed reaction layers in the crust of the NS lead to thermal and compositional gradients that can lead to GW emission. However, there are no realistic constraints on the level of asymmetry that is expected. In this paper, we consider a natural source of asymmetry, namely the magnetic field, and calculate the density and pressure perturbations that are expected in the crust of accreting NSs. In general, we find that only the outermost reaction layers of the NS are strongly perturbed. The mass quadrupole that we estimate is generally small and cannot explain the increase of spin-down rate of PSR J1023+0038. However, if strong shallow heating sources are present at low densities in the crust, as cooling observations suggest, these layers will be strongly perturbed and the resulting quadrupole could explain the observed spin-down of PSR J1023+0038, and lead to observable GW signals from systems with higher accretion rates.
Characterizing the structure of halo merger trees using a single parameter: the tree entropy
Authors: Obreschkow Danail , Elahi Pascal J , Lagos Claudia del P , Poulton Rhys J J , Ludlow Aaron D
Published: February 2020

Linking the properties of galaxies to the assembly history of their dark matter haloes is a central aim of galaxy evolution theory. This paper introduces a dimensionless parameter s ∈ [0, 1], the ‘tree entropy’, to parametrize the geometry of a halo’s entire mass assembly hierarchy, building on a generalization of Shannon’s information entropy. By construction, the minimum entropy (s = 0) corresponds to smoothly assembled haloes without any mergers. In contrast, the highest entropy (s = 1) represents haloes grown purely by equal-mass binary mergers. Using simulated merger trees extracted from the cosmological N-body simulation SURFS, we compute the natural distribution of s, a skewed bell curve peaking near s = 0.4. This distribution exhibits weak dependences on halo mass M and redshift z, which can be reduced to a single dependence on the relative peak height δc/σ(M, z) in the matter perturbation field. By exploring the correlations between s and global galaxy properties generated by the SHARK semi-analytic model, we find that s contains a significant amount of information on the morphology of galaxies – in fact more information than the spin, concentration, and assembly time of the halo. Therefore, the tree entropy provides an information-rich link between galaxies and their dark matter haloes.
Relativistic SZ temperature scaling relations of groups and clusters derived from the BAHAMAS and MACSIS simulations
Authors: Lee Elizabeth , Chluba Jens , Kay Scott T , Barnes David J
Published: February 2020

The Sunyaev–Zeldovich (SZ) effect has long been recognized as a powerful cosmological probe. Using the BAHAMAS and MACSIS simulations to obtain ${\gt }10\, 000$ simulated galaxy groups and clusters, we compute three temperature measures and quantify the differences between them. The first measure is related to the X-ray emission of the cluster, while the second describes the non-relativistic thermal SZ (tSZ) effect. The third measure determines the lowest order relativistic correction to the tSZ signal, which is seeing increased observational relevance. Our procedure allows us to accurately model the relativistic SZ (rSZ) contribution and we show that a ${\gtrsim}10\!-\!40{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ underestimation of this rSZ cluster temperature is expected when applying standard X-ray relations. The correction also exhibits significant mass and redshift evolution, as we demonstrate here. We present the mass dependence of each temperature measure alongside their profiles and a short analysis of the temperature dispersion as derived from the aforementioned simulations. We also discuss a new relation connecting the temperature and Compton-y parameter, which can be directly used for rSZ modelling. Simple fits to the obtained scaling relations and profiles are provided. These should be useful for future studies of the rSZ effect and its relevance to cluster cosmology.
Profiling C4N radicals of astrophysical interest
Authors: Bâldea Ioan
Published: February 2020

Based on a theoretical study of neutral, anion, and cation $\text{C}_{4}\text{N}$ chains, we suggest that this molecular species can still be observed in space. We analyse the dependence on n of the enthalpies of formation across the $\text{C}_{{{ n}}}\text{N}$ family and present possible chemical pathways of $\text{C}_{4}\text{N}$ production, which are not only exoenergetic but also barrierless. To further assist astronomical observation, we report estimates obtained at the CCSD(T) level of theory for astrophysically and astrochemically relevant properties. These include structural and chemical data, dipole moments, vibrational frequencies, rotational and centrifugal distortion constants as well as electron affinity, ionization potential, and related chemical reactivity indices. Our results indicate that anion chains can be easily detected in space than neutral chains; $\text{C}_{4}\text{N}^{-}$ possesses a smaller enthalpy of formation and a substantially larger dipole moment than $\text{C}_{4}\text{N}^{\text{0}}$.
Synonymous Site-to-Site Substitution Rate Variation Dramatically Inflates False Positive Rates of Selection Analyses: Ignore at Your Own Peril
Authors: Wisotsky Sadie R , Kosakovsky Pond Sergei L , Shank Stephen D , Muse Spencer V
Published: February 2020

Most molecular evolutionary studies of natural selection maintain the decades-old assumption that synonymous substitution rate variation (SRV) across sites within genes occurs at levels that are either nonexistent or negligible. However, numerous studies challenge this assumption from a biological perspective and show that SRV is comparable in magnitude to that of nonsynonymous substitution rate variation. We evaluated the impact of this assumption on methods for inferring selection at the molecular level by incorporating SRV into an existing method (BUSTED) for detecting signatures of episodic diversifying selection in genes. Using simulated data we found that failing to account for even moderate levels of SRV in selection testing is likely to produce intolerably high false positive rates. To evaluate the effect of the SRV assumption on actual inferences we compared results of tests with and without the assumption in an empirical analysis of over 13,000 Euteleostomi (bony vertebrate) gene alignments from the Selectome database. This exercise reveals that close to 50% of positive results (i.e., evidence for selection) in empirical analyses disappear when SRV is modeled as part of the statistical analysis and are thus candidates for being false positives. The results from this work add to a growing literature establishing that tests of selection are much more sensitive to certain model assumptions than previously believed.
Pervasive Suicidal Integrases in Deep-Sea Archaea
Authors: Badel Catherine , Da Cunha Violette , Forterre Patrick , Oberto Jacques
Published: February 2020

Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) often encode integrases which catalyze the site-specific insertion of their genetic information into the host genome and the reverse reaction of excision. Hyperthermophilic archaea harbor integrases belonging to the SSV-family which carry the MGE recombination site within their open reading frame. Upon integration into the host genome, SSV integrases disrupt their own gene into two inactive pseudogenes and are termed suicidal for this reason. The evolutionary maintenance of suicidal integrases, concurring with the high prevalence and multiples recruitments of these recombinases by archaeal MGEs, is highly paradoxical. To elucidate this phenomenon, we analyzed the wide phylogenomic distribution of a prominent class of suicidal integrases which revealed a highly variable integration site specificity. Our results highlighted the remarkable hybrid nature of these enzymes encoded from the assembly of inactive pseudogenes of different origins. The characterization of the biological properties of one of these integrases, IntpT26-2 showed that this enzyme was active over a wide range of temperatures up to 99 °C and displayed a less-stringent site specificity requirement than comparable integrases. These observations concurred in explaining the pervasiveness of these suicidal integrases in the most hyperthermophilic organisms. The biochemical and phylogenomic data presented here revealed a target site switching system operating on highly thermostable integrases and suggested a new model for split gene reconstitution. By generating fast-evolving pseudogenes at high frequency, suicidal integrases constitute a powerful model to approach the molecular mechanisms involved in the generation of active genes variants by the recombination of proto-genes.
Absence of MeCP2 binding to non-methylated GT-rich sequences in vivo
Authors: Connelly John C , Cholewa-Waclaw Justyna , Webb Shaun , Steccanella Verdiana , Waclaw Bartlomiej , Bird Adrian
Published: February 2020

MeCP2 is a nuclear protein that binds to sites of cytosine methylation in the genome. While most evidence confirms this epigenetic mark as the primary determinant of DNA binding, MeCP2 is also reported to have an affinity for non-methylated DNA sequences. Here we investigated the molecular basis and in vivo significance of its reported affinity for non-methylated GT-rich sequences. We confirmed this interaction with isolated domains of MeCP2 in vitro and defined a minimal target DNA sequence. Binding depends on pyrimidine 5′ methyl groups provided by thymine and requires adjacent guanines and a correctly orientated A/T-rich flanking sequence. Unexpectedly, full-length MeCP2 protein failed to bind GT-rich sequences in vitro. To test for MeCP2 binding to these motifs in vivo, we analysed human neuronal cells using ChIP-seq and ATAC-seq technologies. While both methods robustly detected DNA methylation-dependent binding of MeCP2 to mCG and mCAC, neither showed evidence of MeCP2 binding to GT-rich motifs. The data suggest that GT binding is an in vitro phenomenon without in vivo relevance. Our findings argue that MeCP2 does not read unadorned DNA sequence and therefore support the notion that its primary role is to interpret epigenetic modifications of DNA.
Deletion of Endonuclease V suppresses chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kong Xiang Yi , Vik Erik Sebastian , Nawaz Meh Sameen , Berges Natalia , Dahl Tuva Børresdatter , Vågbø Cathrine , Suganthan Rajikala , Segers Filip , Holm Sverre , Quiles-Jiménez Ana , Gregersen Ida , Fladeby Cathrine , Aukrust Pål , Bjørås Magnar , Klungland Arne , Halvorsen Bente , Alseth Ingrun
Published: February 2020

Endonuclease V (EndoV) is a conserved inosine-specific ribonuclease with unknown biological function. Here, we present the first mouse model lacking EndoV, which is viable without visible abnormalities. We show that endogenous murine EndoV cleaves inosine-containing RNA in vitro, nevertheless a series of experiments fails to link an in vivo function to processing of such transcripts. As inosine levels and adenosine-to-inosine editing often are dysregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we chemically induced HCC in mice. All mice developed liver cancer, however, EndoV−/− tumors were significantly fewer and smaller than wild type tumors. Opposed to human HCC, adenosine deaminase mRNA expression and site-specific editing were unaltered in our model. Loss of EndoV did not affect editing levels in liver tumors, however mRNA expression of a selection of cancer related genes were reduced. Inosines are also found in certain tRNAs and tRNAs are cleaved during stress to produce signaling entities. tRNA fragmentation was dysregulated in EndoV−/− livers and apparently, inosine-independent. We speculate that the inosine-ribonuclease activity of EndoV is disabled in vivo, but RNA binding allowed to promote stabilization of transcripts or recruitment of proteins to fine-tune gene expression. The EndoV−/− tumor suppressive phenotype calls for related studies in human HCC.
Decreased kidney function and agricultural work: a cross-sectional study in middle-aged adults from Tierra Blanca, Mexico
Authors: Aguilar-Ramirez Diego , Raña-Custodio Alejandro , Villa Antonio , Rubilar Ximena , Olvera Nadia , Escobar Alejandro , Johnson Richard J , Sanchez-Lozada Laura , Obrador Gregorio T , Madero Magdalena
Published: February 2020

Background

We aimed to determine the prevalence of decreased kidney function in a potential chronic kidney disease (KD) of unknown aetiology hotspot in Mexico, assess its distribution across occupations and examine the associated risk factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study collected sociodemographic, occupational, medical and biometric data from 616 men and women aged 20–60 years who were residents of three communities within the Tierra Blanca region in Mexico. Kidney function was assessed by standardized serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and semi-quantitative albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). To examine the distribution of decreased kidney function within the population, age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of low eGFR (≤60 mL/min/1.73 m2) was estimated for all participants and across occupations. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association of occupation with having low eGFR.

Results

Of the 579 participants analysed (37 excluded due to missing data), the age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of low eGFR was 3.5%. Agriculture was the occupation associated with the highest adjusted prevalence of low eGFR (8.8%), with 1 in every 11 agricultural workers having low eGFR. Working in agriculture was independently associated with more than a 5-fold risk of having low eGFR [odds ratio 5.2 (95% confidence interval 1.1–24.3), P = 0.032], after adjustment for age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, body mass index, ACR and family history of KD. Additionally, a quarter of the population (25%) had either low eGFR or an ACR >30 mg/g, mostly due to albuminuria.

Conclusions

Our work suggests that there is a high prevalence of decreased kidney function in Tierra Blanca, particularly amongst agricultural workers.
MKRN3 regulates the epigenetic switch of mammalian puberty via ubiquitination of MBD3
Authors: Li Chuanyin , Lu Wenli , Yang Liguang , Li Zhengwei , Zhou Xiaoyi , Guo Rong , Wang Junqi , Wu Zhebao , Dong Zhiya , Ning Guang , Shi Yujiang , Gu Yinmin , Chen Peng , Hao Zijian , Han Tianting , Yang Meiqiang , Wang Wei , Huang Xuehui , Li Yixue , Gao Shan , Hu Ronggui
Published: February 2020

Central precocious puberty (CPP) refers to a human syndrome of early puberty initiation with characteristic increase in hypothalamic production and release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Previously, loss-of-function mutations in human MKRN3, encoding a putative E3 ubiquitin ligase, were found to contribute to about 30% of cases of familial CPP. MKRN3 was thereby suggested to serve as a ‘brake’ of mammalian puberty onset, but the underlying mechanisms remain as yet unknown. Here, we report that genetic ablation of Mkrn3 did accelerate mouse puberty onset with increased production of hypothalamic GnRH1. MKRN3 interacts with and ubiquitinates MBD3, which epigenetically silences GNRH1 through disrupting the MBD3 binding to the GNRH1 promoter and recruitment of DNA demethylase TET2. Our findings have thus delineated a molecular mechanism through which the MKRN3–MBD3 axis controls the epigenetic switch in the onset of mammalian puberty.
Longitudinal Association Between Smoking Abstinence and Depression Severity in Those With Baseline Current, Past, and No History of Major Depressive Episode in an International Online Tobacco Cessation Study
Authors: Liu Nancy H , Wu Chaorong , Pérez-Stable Eliseo J , Muñoz Ricardo F
Published: February 2020

Introduction

We use multilevel modeling to parse out the effects of time-varying smoking abstinence and baseline depression (history and severity) on depression severity over 1 year.

Aims and Methods

Participants were 1000 smokers recruited worldwide for an online randomized controlled tobacco cessation trial. We examined whether changes in depression severity over time were associated with self-reported 7-day point prevalence smoking status assessed at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up (FU) using baseline major depressive episode (MDE) history and baseline depression severity as time-invariant covariates. We present depression severity means and smoking abstinence at each FU.

Results

Regardless of concurrent abstinence status, baseline MDE history was significantly related to depression severity over time: those reporting a past MDE had worse depressive symptoms over time compared with those reporting no MDE history. Baseline depression severity interacted significantly with time-varying abstinence status: for every 1-unit increase in baseline scores on the Center for Epidemiological Studies—Depression Scale (CES-D), individuals who were smoking at FU reported CES-D scores that were 0.17 points higher than those who were abstinent. In this context, nicotine dependence, gender, age, or marital status did not affect depression severity.

Conclusions

In the context of cessation, having an MDE history plays a significant role in the trajectory of depression severity over the course of 1 year, regardless of abstinence status. Abstinence is related to lower depressive symptoms at each FU, and this effect was stronger at higher levels of baseline depression severity.

Implications

This study indicates that depressive symptoms are not exacerbated among individuals who are quitting smoking at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month FUs. Depression severity is worse with a baseline history of MDE. Further, those with high baseline depression severity who continue smoking have worse depressive symptoms throughout a 1-year period compared with their abstinent counterparts.
Health capital provision and human capital accumulation
Authors: Azarnert Leonid V
Published: February 2020

This article analyses the effect of public policy intervention in the production of health capital on fertility, private investment in children’s health and education, and human capital accumulation. I have used a growth model with endogenous fertility, in which the usual parental trade-off between the quantity and quality of their children is augmented with an additional factor that affects children’s human capital, which is health. I analyse the overall society-wide effect of public policy intervention and derive a condition that determines precisely whether public provision of free health services increases or decreases the average level of human capital in the society.
A precision medicine approach to managing 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia
Authors: Wang Minjin , Zhou Yanbing , Zong Zhiyong , Liang Zongan , Cao Yu , Tang Hong , Song Bin , Huang Zixing , Kang Yan , Feng Ping , Ying Binwu , Li Weimin
Published: February 2020

In December 2019, several patients with pneumonia of an unknown cause were detected in Wuhan, China. On 7 January 2020, the causal organism was identified as a new coronavirus, later named as the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Genome sequencing found the genetic sequence of 2019-nCoV homologous to that of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus. As of 29 January 2020, the virus had been diagnosed in more than 7000 patients in China and 77 patients in other countries. It is reported that both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with 2019-nCoV can play a role in disease transmission via airborne and contact. This finding has caused a great concern about the prevention of illness spread. The clinical features of the infection are not specific and are often indistinguishable from those of other respiratory infections, making it difficult to diagnose. Given that the virus has a strong ability to spread between individuals, it is of top priority to identify potential or suspected patients as soon as possible—or the virus may cause a serious pandemic. Therefore, a precision medicine approach to managing this disease is urgently needed for detecting and controlling the spread of the virus. In this article, we present such an approach to managing 2019-nCoV-related pneumonia based on the unique traits of the virus recently revealed and on our experience with coronaviruses at West China Hospital in Chengdu, China.
Silicate-Carbonate Liquid Immiscibility: Insights from the Crevier Alkaline Intrusion (Quebec)
Authors: Groulier Pierre-Arthur , Turlin François , André-Mayer Anne-Sylvie , Ohnenstetter Daniel , Crépon Alexandre , Boulvais Philippe , Poujol Marc , Rollion-Bard Claire , Zeh Armin , Moukhsil Abdelali , Solgadi Fabien , El basbas Abdelaziz
Published: February 2020

This contribution explores the petrogenetic relationships between silicate and carbonatitic rocks in the Crevier Alkaline Intrusion (CAI, Québec, Canada). The CAI is located in the Proterozoic Grenville Province and is composed of a suite of undersaturated peralkaline rocks from ijolite to nepheline syenite and carbonatites. Petrogenetic relationships between different undersaturated alkaline igneous rocks, carbonate-bearing and carbonate-free nepheline syenite and carbonatites observed in the CAI suggest that (1) carbonate-bearing and carbonate-free silicate rocks are comagmatic with carbonatite, and that (2) both silicate and carbonatitic liquids are fractionated from an ijolitic parental magma that has undergone liquid immiscibility. One of the observed facies is characterized by spectacular ocelli of carbonate-bearing nepheline syenite in a matrix of carbonatite. The younger nepheline syenite facies can be divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of magmatic carbonates. Both groups are characterized by the presence of pyrochlore-group minerals that carry the Nb–Ta mineralization. We specifically use accessory minerals such as zircon, pyrochlore and apatite to constrain the temporal and physicochemical parameters of the immiscibility process. By coupling (1) mineral textures, (2) trace elements, (3) Ti-in-zircon thermometry, and (4) oxygen isotope compositions, we have traced the crystallization of zircon before, during and after the immiscibility process. The results allowed us to constrain the minimum temperature of this process at ∼815–865°C. In addition, two magmatic populations of pyrochlore are identified through their petrographic and geochemical characteristics within the younger nepheline syenite facies. Pyrochlore from the earlier ocelli facies of carbonate-bearing nepheline syenite follow a Nb–Ta differentiation trend, whereas pyrochlore from the younger carbonate-free nepheline syenite follow a more classical Nb–Ti trend. Following the complete immiscibility between the silicate and carbonatitic liquids, the fractionation between Nb and Ta stopped while a new generation of Nb-rich pyrochlore grew, displaying a more classical Nb–Ti fractionation trend and a higher Nb/Ta ratio in the nepheline syenite.
A Sharp Adams-Type Inequality for Weighted Sobolev Spaces
Authors: do Ó João Marcos , Macedo Abiel Costa , de Oliveira José Francisco
Published: February 2020

In a classical work (Ann. Math.128, (1988) 385–398), D. R. Adams proved a sharp Trudinger–Moser inequality for higher-order derivatives. We derive a sharp Adams-type inequality and Sobolev-type inequalities associated with a class of weighted Sobolev spaces that is related to a Hardy-type inequality.
A tarsus construct of a novel branched polyethylene with good elasticity for eyelid reconstruction in vivo
Authors: Xu Peifang , Feng Xue , Zheng Honghao , Feng Zhongwei , Fu Zhisheng , Gao Changyou , Ye Juan
Published: February 2020

Branched polyethylene (B-PE) elastomer was investigated for its potential medical application as a tarsus construct. The in vitro results showed that the B-PE and processed B-PE films or scaffolds did not exhibit noticeable cytotoxicity to the NIH3T3 fibroblasts and human vascular endothelial cells (ECs). The B-PE scaffolds with a pore size of 280–480 µm were prepared by using a gelatin porogen-leaching method. The porous scaffolds implanted subcutaneously in rats exhibited mild inflammatory response, collagen deposition and fast fibrovascularization, suggesting their good biocompatibility. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed low expression of pro-inflammatory genes and up-regulated expressions of collagen deposition and vascularization-related genes, validating the results of historical evaluation in a molecular level. The B-PE scaffolds and Medpor controls were transplanted in rabbits with eyelid defects. The B-PE scaffolds exhibited a similar elastic modulus and provided desirable repair effects with mild fibrous capsulation, less eyelid deformities, and were well integrated with the fibrovascular tissue compared with the Medpor controls.
Factors That Fit the Time Series and Cross-Section of Stock Returns
Authors: Lettau Martin , Pelger Markus
Published: February 2020

We propose a new method for estimating latent asset pricing factors that fit the time series and cross-section of expected returns. Our estimator generalizes principal component analysis (PCA) by including a penalty on the pricing error in expected returns. Our approach finds weak factors with high Sharpe ratios that PCA cannot detect. We discover five factors with economic meaning that explain well the cross-section and time series of characteristic-sorted portfolio returns. The out-of-sample maximum Sharpe ratio of our factors is twice as large as with PCA with substantially smaller pricing errors. Our factors imply that a significant amount of characteristic information is redundant.

Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
Preparing Nurses for Palliative Care in the NICU
Authors: Ferrell Betty , Thaxton Cheryl Ann , Murphy Heather
Published: February 2020

Background:

Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses require knowledge and skill to meet the unique needs of infants and families. Increasingly, principles of palliative care are being integrated into the NICU setting to improve the quality of care.

Purpose:

The purpose of this article is to describe the efforts of the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) project and its Pediatric Curriculum, which began in 2003 to provide this education, and to also describe efforts by nurses to implement the training into their practice settings.

Methods:

The ELNEC Pediatric Palliative Care (ELNEC-PPC) project is a train-the-trainer educational program and evidence-based curriculum.

Findings/Results:

Participants attend a course or receive online training and then apply the education to implement improved practices in areas such as symptom management, care at the time of death, and bereavement support for families.

Implications for Research:

Experiences with ELNEC-PPC have demonstrated that nurses can implement the curriculum to improve care.

Implications for Practice:

Continued attention to palliative care in this setting is needed, and future research is needed to evaluate the outcomes of this education and practice change.
miRNA-574-5p downregulates ZNF70 and influences the progression of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through reactive oxygen species generation and MAPK pathway activation
Authors: Han Guo Liang , Wang Jian , Guo Kang , Chen Jia Kuan , Shang Rong Xin , Jiang Tao
Published: February 2020

There is growing evidence shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with cancer and can play a role in human cancers as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. miRNA-574-5p is a candidate oncogene in various types of cancer, but little is known about biological functions of miR-574-5p in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In this study, we observe that the expression of miR-574-5p is not only increased in human ESCC tissues but also remarkably increased in cell lines correlates with ZNF70. In vitro, we explored the role of miR-574-5p in ESCC progression via transfection of the miR-574-5p inhibitor into ECA-109 cells. The results show miR-574-5p serve as a tumor promoter regulating cells proliferation and apoptosis in ESCC through mitochondrial-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and MAPK pathways. Furthermore, ZNF70 has been proved to as a functional target for miR-574-5p to regulate cells poliferation and apoptosis. In summary, these results suggest that miR-574-5p serves as tumor promoter to promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of ESCC cells by targeting ZNF70 via mitochondrial-mediated ROS generation and MAPK pathways. The miR-574-5p/ZNF70 pathway provides a new insight into the molecular mechanisms that the occurrence and development of ESCC and it provides a novel therapeutic target for ESCC.
Association of brachial-cuff excess pressure with carotid intima–media thickness in Australian adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Peng Xiaoqing , Wake Melissa , Schultz Martin G. , Burgner David P. , Otahal Petr , Mynard Jonathan P. , Ellul Susan , Cheung Michael , Liu Richard S. , Juonala Markus , Sharman James E.
Published: February 2020

Objective:

Reservoir pressure parameters [e.g. reservoir pressure (RP) and excess pressure (XSP)] measured using tonometry predict cardiovascular events beyond conventional risk factors. However, the operator dependency of tonometry impedes widespread use. An operator-independent cuff-based device can reasonably estimate the intra-aortic RP and XSP from brachial volumetric waveforms, but whether these estimates are clinically relevant to preclinical phenotypes of cardiovascular risk has not been investigated.

Methods:

The RP and XSP were derived from brachial volumetric waveforms measured using cuff oscillometry (SphygmoCor XCEL) in 1691 mid-life adults from the CheckPoint study (a population-based cross-sectional study nested in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children). Carotid intima--media thickness (carotid IMT,n = 1447) and carotid--femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV,n = 1632) were measured as preclinical phenotypes of cardiovascular risk. Confounders were conventional risk factors that were correlated with both exposures and outcomes or considered as physiologically important.

Results:

There was a modest association between XSP and carotid IMT (β = 0.76 μm, 95% CI, 0.25–1.26 partialR2 = 0.8%) after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, heart rate, smoking, diabetes, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and mean arterial pressure. Neither RP nor XSP were associated with PWV in the similarly adjusted models (β = −0.47 cm/s, 95% CI, −1.15 to 0.20, partialR2 = 0.2% for RP, andβ = 0.04 cm/s, 95% CI, −0.59 to 0.67, partialR2 = 0.01% for XSP).

Conclusion:

Cuff-based XSP associates with carotid IMT independent of conventional risk factors, including traditional BP, but the association was weak, indicating that further investigation is warranted to understand the clinical significance of reservoir pressure parameters.
Catheter-based renal denervation as adjunct to pulmonary vein isolation for treatment of atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ukena Christian , Becker Nicolas , Pavlicek Valerie , Millenaar Dominic , Ewen Sebastian , Linz Dominik , Steinberg Jonathan S. , Böhm Michael , Mahfoud Felix
Published: February 2020

Objective:

Renal denervation (RDN) can reduce sympathetic activity and blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive patients, which both have an impact on atrial fibrillation. We performed a systematic meta-analysis on the effects of renal denervation (RDN) in addition to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods:

All published randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of RDN as adjunctive treatment to PVI for rhythm control of atrial fibrillation were included. Primary endpoint was recurrence of atrial fibrillation after 12 months on average.

Results:

A total of six randomized controlled studies including 689 patients with hypertension and symptomatic atrial fibrillation were included. In five studies, patients had uncontrolled BP despite prescription of an average of three antihypertensive agents. PVI was performed with irrigated radio-frequency catheters in 387 patients, and in 302 with cryoballoon. Cardiac ablation catheters were used for RDN in 78% of all cases. In the remaining 22%, RDN was performed using a designated, nonirrigated radio-frequency catheter system. After 12 months, the mean odds ratio for recurrence of atrial fibrillation for PVI with RDN compared with PVI alone was 0.43 (95% confidence interval 0.32–0.59). After RDN, BP was reduced significantly whereas no changes were reported in the PVI-only groups. No relevant complications associated to RDN were documented.

Conclusion:

This meta-analysis supports the concept of RDN as an adjunctive treatment for atrial fibrillation. Further studies with standardized PVI and RDN procedures are needed.