bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cell-laden alginate dialdehyde–gelatin hydrogels formed in 3D printed sacrificial gel
Authors: Dranseikiene Dalia , Schrüfer Stefan , Schubert Dirk W. , Reakasame Supachai , Boccaccini Aldo R.
Published: March 2020

Alginate dialdehyde–gelatin (ADA–GEL) hydrogels have been reported to be suitable matrices for cell encapsulation. In general, application of ADA–GEL as bioink has been limited to planar structures due to its low viscosity. In this work, ring shaped constructs of ADA–GEL hydrogel were fabricated by casting the hydrogel into sacrificial molds which were 3D printed from 9% methylcellulose and 5% gelatin. Dissolution of the supporting structure was observed during the 1st week of sample incubation. In addition, the effect of different crosslinkers (Ba2+ and Ca2+) on the physicochemical properties of ADA–GEL and on the behavior of encapsulated MG-63 cells was investigated. It was found that Ba2+ crosslinked network had more than twice higher storage modulus, and mass decrease to 70% during incubation compared to 42% in case of hydrogels crosslinked with Ca2+. In addition, faster increase in cell viability during incubation and earlier cell network formation were observed after Ba2+ crosslinking. No negative effects on cell activity due to the use of sacrificial materials were observed. The approach presented here could be further developed for cell-laden ADA–GEL bioink printing into complex 3D structures.
Waiting time and queue length analysis of Markov-modulated fluid priority queues
Authors: Horváth Gábor
Published: March 2020

This paper considers a multi-type fluid queue with priority service. The input fluid rates are modulated by a Markov chain, which is common for all fluid types. The service rate of the queue is constant. Various performance measures are derived, including the Laplace–Stieltjes transform and the moments of the stationary waiting time of the fluid drops and the queue length distributions. An Erlangization-based numerical method is also provided to approximate the waiting time and the queue length distributions up to arbitrary precision. All performance measures are formulated as reward accumulation problems during busy periods of simple Markovian fluid flow models, for which efficient matrix-analytic solutions are provided, enabling us to solve large models with several hundred states.
Effect of lymphedema self-management group-based education compared with social network-based education on quality of life and fear of cancer recurrence in women with breast cancer: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Omidi Zahra , Kheirkhah Masoomeh , Abolghasemi Jamileh , Haghighat Shahpar
Published: March 2020

Background

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) and its associated symptoms harm the quality of life (QoL) of cancer survivors and can stimulate fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). Self-management education for lymphedema has been introduced as an effective method in controlling FCR. This study investigates the effect of lymphedema group-based education compared to the social network-based and control group on QoL and FCR in breast cancer patients.

Methods

This three-arm clinical trial studied 105 patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema referred to Seyed_Khandan rehabilitation center. Sampling was done by random allocation method in blocks of 3 with 35 subjects in each group. All subjects received routine lymphedema treatments. The group-based education (GE) and social network-based education (SNE) groups received self-management education in the clinic and Telegram™ messenger channel, respectively. Impairment in QoL and mean score of FCR were assessed before, immediately after, and three months after the intervention by using the Persian version of Lymphedema Life Impact Scale (LLIS) and Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoPQ-SF), respectively. Mixed-model ANOVA was applied for statistical analysis.

Results

There was a significant time effect on total LLIS (P = 0.007), psychosocial (P = 0.038) and functional (P = 0.024) subscale changes in three groups of study. Interaction between the main effect of group and time on psychosocial subscale changes was statistically significant (P = 0.017). The multicomparison results illustrated that the main effect of time, the main effect of group, and interaction of them on the mean score of FCR were P = 0.084, P = 0.380, and P = 0.568, respectively.

Conclusion

Despite no significant reduction in the FCR score, results showed the improvement of most QoL aspects after three months of intervention. Although the social network-based education method was effective, the group-based education method was more beneficial. Applying these educational methods in lymphedema treatment protocols needs cost-effectiveness studies.

Trial registration

This study was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT2017052834176N1).
Evolution of Electrocardiographic Repolarization Parameters During Antiandrogen Therapy in Patients with Prostate Cancer and Hypogonadism
Authors: Gheorghe Andrei Cristian Dan , Ciobanu Ana , Hodorogea Andreea Simona , Radavoi George Daniel , Jinga Viorel , Nanea Ioan Tiberiu , Gheorghe Gabriela Silvia
Published: March 2020

We assessed the effects of antiandrogen therapy on ECG parameters of ventricular repolarization related to arrhythmic risk in 35 patients aged 70.3 ± 7 years with advanced prostate cancer treated with degarelix associated with enzalutamide (group A, 26 patients) or degarelix monotherapy (group B, 9 patients). We analyzed Fridericia corrected Q-T interval (QTc), Q-T dispersion (QTd), J-Tpeak interval (JTp), mean and maximum Tpeak-Tend interval (Tpe) and Tpe/QT ratio, Tpeak-Tend dispersion (Tped), index of cardio-electrophysiological balance (iCEB) from ECG tracings, and occurrence of ventricular premature beats (VPB) recorded by Holter ECG, before initiation of medication (M0) and after 6 months of treatment (M1). The groups had similar demographics except for a higher prevalence of prior myocardial infarction in group B (p = 0.01). All patients had low serum testosterone at M1. Baseline QTc, QTd, maxTpe/QT, meanTpe, maxTpe, Tped values were higher in B compared to A. They had a significant prolongation at M1 only in A. 20 patients in A and 6 in B had a 10% prolongation or decrease of iCEB (p = 0.66). In 5 patients, VPB severity increased from non-complex to complex: 3 in A and 2 in B (p = 0.31), but no sustained ventricular arrhythmia was registered. In conclusion, after 6 months of treatment, patients with hypogonadism on degarelix associated with enzalutamide had significant prolongation of QTc, QTd, maxTpe, meanTpe/QT, maxTpe/QT, Tped compared to patients on degarelix alone. The proportion of patients with 10% iCEB variation was similar between groups. There was no record of severe arrhythmias during the first 6 months of treatment.
Responsibility for Increasing Mitigation Ambition in Light of the Right to Sustainable Development
Authors: Moellendorf Darrel
Published: March 2020

The international community is currently in the midst of a facilitative dialogue about how to increase mitigation ambition under the terms of Paris Agreement. This dialogue concerns centrally considerations of equity, which includes matters of both justice and responsibility. I defend the importance of the right to sustainable development in this regard. I argue that if the right of states to pursue poverty eradicating human development is to be respected, then there is plausible interpretation of responsibility for mitigation in which a state’s ability to pay is the central consideration, where that ability is measured by its human development level. That conception of responsibility should be applied to considerations of how increase mitigation ambition.
Evaluation of die-sinking Electric Discharge Machine with Smart Machine Controller
Authors: Pawade M.M. , Goyal Deepam , Banwait S.S.
Published: March 2020

A programmable logical control based Smart Machine Controller (SMC) has been developed to control the EDM process. SMC extracts the EDM process variables for rough, semi-finish and finish machining operations from the developed database. The experimental database was created by conducting pilot experimentations after conducting the validation experiments, the SMC was tested on six different dies and mold steel materials with original machine controller and the results show that the MRR and surface finish improved significantly when used with SMC machining parameters. The developed SMC is very effective and highly interactive when compared to the original die-sinking EDM machine controller.
Asymptotic escape rates and limiting distributions for multimodal maps
Authors: DEMERS MARK F. , TODD MIKE
Published: March 2020

We consider multimodal maps with holes and study the evolution of the open systems with respect to equilibrium states for both geometric and Hölder potentials. For small holes, we show that a large class of initial distributions share the same escape rate and converge to a unique absolutely continuous conditionally invariant measure; we also prove a variational principle connecting the escape rate to the pressure on the survivor set, with no conditions on the placement of the hole. Finally, introducing a weak condition on the centre of the hole, we prove scaling limits for the escape rate for holes centred at both periodic and non-periodic points, as the diameter of the hole goes to zero.
An analysis of stakeholder networks to support the breastfeeding scale-up environment in Mexico
Authors: Buccini Gabriela , Harding Kassandra L. , Ferré Eguiluz Isabel , Safon Cara B. , Hromi-Fielder Amber , González de Cosío Teresita , Pérez-Escamilla Rafael
Published: March 2020

Little information exists on how to garner political commitment to strengthen large-scale breastfeeding policies and programmes by targeting key decision makers. The present study aims to map and describe the influence of stakeholders involved in breastfeeding policy and programming and identify opportunities to strengthen the breastfeeding-friendly environment in Mexico. A total of nine key informants from seventeen stakeholder organisations were selected based on their in-depth knowledge of the breastfeeding environment in Mexico and were individually interviewed using Net-Map methodology. This participatory interview technique combines stakeholder mapping, social network analysis and influence mapping to identify relevant stakeholders. Participants identified a total of fifty-five stakeholders shaping breastfeeding programmes and policies through four domains of influence: commands (n32 stakeholders), dissemination (n40), funding (n35) and technical assistance (n37). The Federal Ministry of Health emerged as the most influential stakeholder of breastfeeding policy and programming decisions in Mexico among all domains of influence. The Ministry of Finance and Public Credit as well as the National Institute of Public Health were identified as additional key stakeholders providing funding and technical assistance to the Federal Ministry of Health, respectively. Engaging identified key stakeholders can generate a multisectoral commitment to breastfeeding and strengthen the breastfeeding-friendly environment in Mexico.
INFINITE WORLDS IN THE THOUGHT OF ANAXIMANDER
Authors: Kočandrle Radim
Published: March 2020

Some classical authors ascribe to Anaximander of Miletus a belief in the existence of infinite worlds. Their testimonies have provoked an extensive discussion on the question of whether Anaximander spoke of successive or coexistent worlds, or perhaps only one world that undergoes changes. Of course, this subject is related to important aspects of archaic cosmologies. First, we need to investigate whether one can even speak of a notion of coexistent worlds prior to atomist theories. Second, the issue of infinite worlds is closely linked to the nature of Anaximander's scheme of the universe and Ionian cosmologies in general. Finally, this matter has a bearing on the subject of the duration or perishing of the world.
Provider perspective on the role of palliative care in hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Authors: Lowenstein Sarah , Macauley Robert , Perko Kathleen , Ronai Christina
Published: March 2020

Objective:

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a single ventricle defect. While staged surgical palliative treatments have revolutionised care, patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome continue to have significant morbidity and mortality. In 2017, the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative recommended all single ventricle patients to receive a prenatal palliative care consult. This study aimed to elucidate provider perspectives on the implementation of prenatal palliative care consults for families expecting a child with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Methods:

An online survey was administered to obstetric and paediatric providers of relevant disciplines to assess their experience with palliative care involvement in hypoplastic left heart syndrome cases.

Results:

Nearly, all physicians (97%) and most registered nurses (79%) agreed that the initial palliative care consult for patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome should occur during the prenatal period. Respondents also indicated that prenatal palliative care consults should also be offered in a variety of other CHD conditions. Participants believed positive aspects of this new referral protocol included an expanded support network for families, decreased family stress during the postnatal period, increased patient education about what to expect during the postnatal period, and continuity of care.

Conclusion:

Multidisciplinary healthcare professionals believe that prenatal palliative care consults provide a variety of benefits for patients and families with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Additional, multi-centre research is necessary to evaluate whether prenatal palliative care consults should become standard of care for families expecting a child with a single ventricle defect.
The importance of precision: differences in characteristics associated with levels of food security among college students
Authors: Soldavini Jessica , Berner Maureen
Published: March 2020

Objective:

To estimate the prevalence of high, marginal, low and very low food security among a sample of college students and identify characteristics associated with the four different food security status levels and note differences in associations from when food security status is classified as food-secure v. food-insecure.

Design:

Cross-sectional online survey.

Setting:

A large public university in North Carolina.

Participants:

4829 college students who completed an online survey in October and November 2016.

Results:

Among study participants, 56·2 % experienced high, 21·6 % experienced marginal, 18·8 % experienced low and 3·4 % experienced very low food security. Characteristics significantly associated with food security status when using the four-level variable but not two-level variable were age, international student status and weight status. Characteristics that significantly differed between the marginal and high food security groups included age, race/ethnicity, year in school, international student status, employment status, financial aid receipt, perceived health rating, cooking frequency and participation in an on-campus meal plan. Characteristics with differences in significant associations between the low and very low food security groups were gender, international student status, having a car, weight status and participation in an on-campus meal plan. Even where similarities in the direction of association were seen, there were often differences in magnitude.

Conclusions:

We found differences in characteristics associated with food security status when using the four-level v. two-level food security status variable. Future studies should look separately at the four levels, or at least consider separating the marginal and high food-secure groups.
Modern Monetary Theory and the Changing Role of Tax in Society
Authors: Baker Andrew , Murphy Richard
Published: March 2020

Tax is traditionally viewed as the main funding mechanism for government spending. Consequently, social policy is often seen as something determined and constrained by tax revenue. Modern Monetary Theory (‘MMT’) presents a reversal of the tax-spend cycle, by identifying a spend-tax cycle. Using the UK as an example, we highlight that one of MMT’s most important, but under-explored, contributions is its potential to re-frame the role of tax from both a macroeconomic and social policy perspective. We use insights on the money removal, or cancellation function of taxes, derived from MMT, to demonstrate how this also creates possibilities for using tax to achieve social objectives such as mitigating income and wealth inequality, increasing access to housing, or funding a Green New Deal. For social policy researchers the challenge arising is to use these insights to re-engineer tax systems and redesign social tax expenditures (STEs) for creative social policy purposes.
Investigation of Midlatitude Nighttime Ionospheric E‐F Coupling and Interhemispheric Coupling by Using COSMIC GPS Radio Occultation Measurements
Authors: Liu Yi , Zhou Chen , Xu Tong , Wang Zhuangkai , Tang Qiong , Deng Zhongxin , Chen Guanyi
Published: March 2020

This study presents the statistical features of ionospheric E‐F coupling and interhemispheric coupling at midlatitudes. Nighttime ionospheric E and F region irregularity occurrences are investigated by using Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) radio occultation measurements during 2006–2018. We presented four typical events of simultaneous observations of E and F region irregularities in the local hemisphere and F region irregularities in both conjugate hemispheres. Results of case studies indicate the coincidence of ionospheric irregularities in both E and F regions, as well as the coincidence of ionospheric irregularities in both F regions of two conjugate hemispheres. Statistical analysis of occurrences of E and F region irregularities shows that the concurrence of ionospheric irregularities in both E and F regions reaches a maximum (nearly 70%) during June (December) solstice in the Northern (Southern) Hemisphere. Nearly 50% (45%) of the F region irregularity in the Northern (Southern) Hemisphere occurs simultaneously with F region irregularity occurrence in the Southern (Northern) Hemisphere during December (June) solstice. These results provide the observational evidences showing that the effect of E‐F coupling and interhemispheric coupling may be important in generation of midlatitude nighttime F region irregularity. In addition, our results also reveal that mapping efficiency of electrodynamic coupling has a different seasonal variation in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, which shows dependence on both the integrated Pedersen conductivity of F region (
) and the integrated Hall conductivity of ES layer (
).
3D microgroove electrical impedance sensing to examine 3D cell cultures for antineoplastic drug assessment
Authors: Pan Yuxiang , Jiang Deming , Gu Chenlei , Qiu Yong , Wan Hao , Wang Ping
Published: March 2020

In recent decades, three-dimensional (3D) cancer cell models have attracted increasing interest in the field of drug screening due to their significant advantages in more accurate simulations of heterogeneous tumor behavior in vivo compared to two-dimensional models. Furthermore, drug sensitivity testing based on 3D cancer cell models can provide more reliable in vivo efficacy prediction. The gold standard fluorescence staining is hard to achieve real-time and label-free viability monitoring in 3D cancer cell models. In this study, a microgroove impedance sensor (MGIS) was specially developed for the dynamic and noninvasive monitoring of 3D cell viability. 3D cancer cells were trapped in microgrooves with gold electrodes on opposite walls for in situ impedance measurement. The change in the number of live cells caused inversely proportional changes to the impedance magnitude of the entire cell/Matrigel construct and reflected the proliferation and apoptosis of the 3D cells. It was confirmed that the 3D cell viability detected by the MGIS was highly consistent with the standard live/dead staining by confocal microscope characterization. Furthermore, the accuracy of the MGIS was validated quantitatively using a 3D lung cancer model and sophisticated drug sensitivity testing. In addition, the parameters of the MGIS in the measurement experiments were optimized in detail using simulations and experimental validation. The results demonstrated that the MGIS coupled with 3D cell culture would be a promising platform to improve the efficiency and accuracy of cell-based anticancer drug screening in vitro.
The non-receptor tyrosine phosphatase type 14 blocks caveolin-1-enhanced cancer cell metastasis
Authors: Díaz-Valdivia Natalia I. , Díaz Jorge , Contreras Pamela , Campos América , Rojas-Celis Victoria , Burgos-Ravanal Renato A. , Lobos-González Lorena , Torres Vicente A. , Perez Viviana I. , Frei Balz , Leyton Lisette , Quest Andrew F. G.
Published: March 2020

Caveolin-1 (CAV1) enhanced migration, invasion, and metastasis of cancer cells is inhibited by co-expression of the glycoprotein E-cadherin. Although the two proteins form a multiprotein complex that includes β-catenin, it remained unclear how this would contribute to blocking the metastasis promoting function of CAV1. Here, we characterized by mass spectrometry the protein composition of CAV1 immunoprecipitates from B16F10 murine melanoma cells expressing or not E-cadherin. The novel protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPN14 was identified by mass spectrometry analysis exclusively in co-immunoprecipitates of CAV1 with E-cadherin. Interestingly, PTPN14 is implicated in controlling metastasis, but only few known PTPN14 substrates exist. We corroborated by western blotting experiments that PTPN14 and CAV1 co-inmunoprecipitated in the presence of E-cadherin in B16F10 melanoma and other cancer cells. Moreover, the CAV1(Y14F) mutant protein was shown to co-immunoprecipitate with PTPN14 even in the absence of E-cadherin, and overexpression of PTPN14 reduced CAV1 phosphorylation on tyrosine-14, as well as suppressed CAV1-enhanced cell migration, invasion and Rac-1 activation in B16F10, metastatic colon [HT29(US)] and breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell lines. Finally, PTPN14 overexpression in B16F10 cells reduced the ability of CAV1 to induce metastasis in vivo. In summary, we identify here CAV1 as a novel substrate for PTPN14 and show that overexpression of this phosphatase suffices to reduce CAV1-induced metastasis.
A common polymorphism in the retinoic acid pathway modifies adrenocortical carcinoma age-dependent incidence
Authors: Surakhy Mirvat , Wallace Marsha , Bond Elisabeth , Grochola Lukasz Filip , Perez Husein , Di Giovannantonio Matteo , Zhang Ping , Malkin David , Carter Hannah , Parise Ivy Zortea S. , Zambetti Gerard , Komechen Heloisa , Paraizo Mariana M. , Pagadala Meghana S. , Pinto Emilia M. , Lalli Enzo , Figueiredo Bonald C. , Bond Gareth L.
Published: March 2020

Background

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have enriched the fields of genomics and drug development. Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare cancer with a bimodal age distribution and inadequate treatment options. Paediatric ACC is frequently associated with TP53 mutations, with particularly high incidence in Southern Brazil due to the TP53 p.R337H (R337H) germline mutation. The heterogeneous risk among carriers suggests other genetic modifiers could exist.

Methods

We analysed clinical, genotype and gene expression data derived from paediatric ACC, R337H carriers, and adult ACC patients. We restricted our analyses to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously identified in GWASs to associate with disease or human traits.

Results

A SNP, rs971074, in the alcohol dehydrogenase 7 gene significantly and reproducibly associated with allelic differences in ACC age-of-onset in both cohorts. Patients homozygous for the minor allele were diagnosed up to 16 years earlier. This SNP resides in a gene involved in the retinoic acid (RA) pathway and patients with differing levels of RA pathway gene expression in their tumours associate with differential ACC progression.

Conclusions

These results identify a novel genetic component to ACC development that resides in the retinoic acid pathway, thereby informing strategies to develop management, preventive and therapeutic treatments for ACC.
HIF1A activates the transcription of lncRNA RAET1K to modulate hypoxia-induced glycolysis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells via miR-100-5p
Authors: Zhou Yufan , Huang Yun , Hu Kuan , Zhang Zeyu , Yang Jiajin , Wang Zhiming
Published: March 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains the primary cause of cancer-related death. Metabolic change is the major characteristic of cancer. The present study attempted to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of HCC energy metabolism from the perspective of noncoding RNA regulation of HIF1A and LDHA. The expression of miR-100-5p expression was significantly suppressed in HCC tissue samples and HCC cell lines under 1% O2-induced hypoxia. miR-100-5p overexpression significantly suppressed hypoxia-induced increases in lactate concentration and glucose uptake. Exposure to 1% O2 induced HIF1A protein and reduced miR-100-5p expression, while HIF1A silencing dramatically rescued miR-100-5p expression upon 1% O2 exposure. In addition, 1% O2-induced increases in lactate concentration and glucose uptake were also suppressed by HIF1A silencing. Next, by analyzing available data in TCGA, we found that lncRNA RAET1K was correlated with HIF1A and miR-100-5p.LncRNA RAET1K could downregulate the expression of miR-100-5p by acting as a sponge, while HIF1A bound the lncRNA RAET1K promoter region to activate its transcription. LncRNA RAET1K silencing significantly suppressed HCC cell proliferation and invasion and also suppressed hypoxia-induced increases in lactate concentration and glucose uptake, while miR-100-5p inhibition reversed the effects of lncRNA RAET1K silencing on hypoxia-induced glycolysis in HCC cells. Finally, the expression of HIF1A, lncRNA RAET1K, and LDHA was upregulated in HCC tissue specimens; the expression of miR-100-5p was negatively related to HIF1A, lncRNA RAET1K, and LDHA; and HIF1A, lncRNA RAET1K, and LDHA were positively correlated with each other. In conclusion, the HIF1A/lncRNA RAET1K/miR-100-5p axis modulates hypoxia-induced glycolysis in HCC cells and might affect HCC progression.
Effects of substituting eggs for high-carbohydrate breakfast foods on the cardiometabolic risk-factor profile in adults at risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Maki Kevin C. , Palacios Orsolya M. , Kramer Melvyn W. , Trivedi Rupal , Dicklin Mary R. , Wilcox Meredith L. , Maki Cathleen E.
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To assess effects of egg-based versus non-egg, higher-carbohydrate (CHO) breakfast meals on cardiometabolic health markers in overweight or obese adults with prediabetes and/or metabolic syndrome.

Methods

This randomized, crossover study included two 4-week dietary interventions, separated by a ≥4-week washout. Subjects incorporated into their habitual diets breakfast meals containing either 2 eggs/day for 6 days/week (Egg condition), or energy-matched, non-egg, higher-CHO-based foods (Non-Egg condition). Dietary intakes, insulin sensitivity, and other CHO metabolism indices, lipid biomarkers, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and blood pressures were measured.

Results

Thirty men and women with mean age 54.1 ± 1.9 years and body mass index 31.9 ± 0.7 kg/m2 provided data. Neither diet condition significantly altered insulin sensitivity indices, but the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance was significantly (p = 0.028) higher after the Non-Egg vs. the Egg condition. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was decreased from baseline (119 mg/dL) by 2.9 and 6.0% with Egg and Non-Egg breakfasts, respectively (p = 0.023). Systolic blood pressure was reduced from baseline (127 mm Hg) by 2.7 and 0.0% with Egg and Non-Egg, respectively (p = 0.018). Diet records indicated 149 kcal/day higher (p = 0.008) energy intake from non-study foods during the Egg condition; however, weight change from baseline did not differ between conditions.

Conclusion

Compared with the baseline diet, consumption of 12 eggs/week for 4 weeks at breakfast was associated with less reduction in LDL-C, and more lowering of systolic blood pressure, than observed with non-egg-based, energy-matched, control foods higher in CHO.
Common genetic variation in the Angelman syndrome imprinting centre affects the imprinting of chromosome 15
Authors: Beygo Jasmin , Grosser Christian , Kaya Sabine , Mertel Claudia , Buiting Karin , Horsthemke Bernhard
Published: March 2020

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neurogenetic imprinting disorder caused by the loss of function of UBE3A. In ~3–5% of AS patients, the disease is due to an imprinting defect (ID). These patients lack DNA methylation of the maternal SNRPN promotor so that a large SNRPN sense/UBE3A antisense transcript (SNHG14) is expressed, which silences UBE3A. In very rare cases, the ID is caused by a deletion of the AS imprinting centre (AS-IC). To search for sequence alterations, we sequenced this region in 168 patients without an AS-IC deletion, but did not detect any sequence alteration. However, the AS-IC harbours six common variants (five single nucleotide variants and one TATG insertion/deletion variant), which constitute five common haplotypes. To determine if any of these haplotypes is associated with an increased risk for an ID, we investigated 119 informative AS-ID trios with the transmission disequilibrium test, which is a family-based association test that measures the over-transmission of an allele or haplotype from heterozygous parents to affected offspring. By this we observed maternal over-transmission of haplotype H-AS3 (p = 0.0073). Interestingly, H-AS3 is the only haplotype that includes the TATG deletion allele. We conclude that this haplotype and possibly the TATG deletion, which removes a SOX2 binding site, increases the risk for a maternal ID and AS. Our data strengthen the notion that the AS-IC is important for establishing and/or maintaining DNA methylation at the SNRPN promotor and show that common genetic variation can affect genomic imprinting.
A long-term monitoring dataset of fish assemblages in rocky tidepools on the northern coast of Taiwan
Authors: Ho Lin-Tai , Wang Shen-Chih , Shao Kwang-Tsao , Chen I-Shiung , Chen Hungyen
Published: March 2020

The assemblage of fish species in the rocky intertidal zone is highly affected by the destructive impact of human activities and has an extended impact on land-sea interactions. There are a few long-term research projects that have focused on rocky intertidal ecosystems, especially on the resident fish community. Here, we describe a long-term time series dataset of fish collected by counting the number of anesthetized fishes at sampling stations in rocky tidepools in the intertidal zones on the northern coast of Taiwan. The species assemblages were monitored seasonally at three stations from 1999 to 2018. In total, 144 samples containing 1,577 individuals belonging to 106 species were recorded in the surveys. The resulting data can be used as background information for conservation and resilience studies of the fish community in coastal areas and to establish reasonable conservation strategies. This study presents valuable data to ecologists and fisheries biologists interested in understanding the temporal patterns of species abundance, richness, and composition in relation to environmental factors, climate change, and anthropogenic pressures.
Alterations of functional connectivities associated with autism spectrum disorder symptom severity: a multi-site study using multivariate pattern analysis
Authors: Liu Xingdan , Huang Huifang
Published: March 2020

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder. The estimation of ASD severity is very important in clinical practice due to providing a more elaborate diagnosis. Although several studies have revealed some resting-state functional connectivities (RSFCs) that are related to the ASD severity, they have all been based on small-sample data and local RSFCs. The aim of the present study is to adopt multivariate pattern analysis to investigate a subset of connectivities among whole-brain RSFCs that are more contributive to ASD severity estimation based on large-sample data. Regression estimation shows a Pearson correlation value of 0.5 between the estimated and observed severity, with a mean absolute error of 1.41. The results provide obvious evidence that some RSFCs undergo notable alterations with the severity of ASD. More importantly, these selected RSFCs have an abnormality in the connection modes of the inter-network and intra-network connections. In addition, these selected abnormal RSFCs are mainly associated with the sensorimotor network, the default mode network, and inter-hemispheric connectivities, while exhibiting significant left hemisphere lateralization. Overall, this study indicates that some RSFCs suffer from abnormal alterations in patients with ASD, providing additional evidence of large-scale functional network alterations in ASD.
Angiotensin II represses Npr1 expression and receptor function by recruitment of transcription factors CREB and HSF-4a and activation of HDACs
Authors: Arise Kiran K. , Kumar Prerna , Garg Renu , Samivel Ramachandran , Zhao Hanqing , Pandya Krishna , Nguyen Christian , Lindsey Sarah , Pandey Kailash N.
Published: March 2020

The two vasoactive hormones, angiotensin II (ANG II; vasoconstrictive) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP; vasodilatory) antagonize the biological actions of each other. ANP acting through natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPRA) lowers blood pressure and blood volume. We tested hypothesis that ANG II plays critical roles in the transcriptional repression of Npr1 (encoding NPRA) and receptor function. ANG II significantly decreased NPRA mRNA and protein levels and cGMP accumulation in cultured mesangial cells and attenuated ANP-mediated relaxation of aortic rings ex vivo. The transcription factors, cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) and heat-shock factor-4a (HSF-4a) facilitated the ANG II-mediated repressive effects on Npr1 transcription. Tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitor, genistein and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) inhibitor, wortmannin reversed the ANG II-dependent repression of Npr1 transcription and receptor function. ANG II enhanced the activities of Class I histone deacetylases (HDACs 1/2), thereby decreased histone acetylation of H3K9/14ac and H4K8ac. The repressive effect of ANG II on Npr1 transcription and receptor signaling seems to be transduced by TK and PI-3K pathways and modulated by CREB, HSF-4a, HDACs, and modified histones. The current findings suggest that ANG II-mediated repressive mechanisms of Npr1 transcription and receptor function may provide new molecular targets for treatment and prevention of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
High-Gain Metasurface in Polyimide On-Chip Antenna Based on CRLH-TL for Sub-Terahertz Integrated Circuits
Authors: Alibakhshikenari Mohammad , Virdee Bal S. , See Chan H. , Abd-Alhameed Raed A. , Falcone Francisco , Limiti Ernesto
Published: March 2020

This paper presents a novel on-chip antenna using standard CMOS-technology based on metasurface implemented on two-layers polyimide substrates with a thickness of 500 μm. The aluminium ground-plane with thickness of 3 μm is sandwiched between the two-layers. Concentric dielectric-rings are etched in the ground-plane under the radiation patches implemented on the top-layer. The radiation patches comprise concentric metal-rings that are arranged in a 3 × 3 matrix. The antennas are excited by coupling electromagnetic energy through the gaps of the concentric dielectric-rings in the ground-plane using a microstrip feedline created on the bottom polyimide-layer. The open-ended feedline is split in three-branches that are aligned under the radiation elements to couple the maximum energy. In this structure, the concentric metal-rings essentially act as series left-handed capacitances CL that extend the effective aperture area of the antenna without affecting its dimensions, and the concentric dielectric rings etched in the ground-plane act as shunt left-handed inductors LL, which suppress the surface-waves and reduce the substrates losses that leads to improved bandwidth and radiation properties. The overall structure behaves like a metasurface that is shown to exhibit a very large bandwidth of 0.350–0.385 THz with an average radiation gain and efficiency of 8.15dBi and 65.71%, respectively. It has dimensions of 6 × 6 × 1 mm3 that makes it suitable for on-chip implementation.
Hurricane-Induced Rainfall is a Stronger Predictor of Tropical Forest Damage in Puerto Rico Than Maximum Wind Speeds
Authors: Hall Jazlynn , Muscarella Robert , Quebbeman Andrew , Arellano Gabriel , Thompson Jill , Zimmerman Jess K. , Uriarte María
Published: March 2020

Projected increases in cyclonic storm intensity under a warming climate will have profound effects on forests, potentially changing these ecosystems from carbon sinks to sources. Forecasting storm impacts on these ecosystems requires consideration of risk factors associated with storm meteorology, landscape structure, and forest attributes. Here we evaluate risk factors associated with damage severity caused by Hurricanes María and Irma across Puerto Rican forests. Using field and remote sensing data, total forest aboveground biomass (AGB) lost to the storms was estimated at 10.44 (±2.33) Tg, ca. 23% of island-wide pre-hurricane forest AGB. Storm-related rainfall was a stronger predictor of forest damage than maximum wind speeds. Soil water storage capacity was also an important risk factor, corroborating the influence of rainfall on forest damage. Expected increases of 20% in hurricane-associated rainfall in the North Atlantic highlight the need to consider how such shifts, together with high speed winds, will affect terrestrial ecosystems.
Comparison of the chemical and micromechanical properties of Larix spp. after eco-friendly heat treatments measured by in situ nanoindentation
Authors: Xing Dong , Li Jian , Wang Siqun
Published: March 2020

Heat treatment is a green, environmentally friendly and mild pyrolysis process that improves the dimensional stability and durability of wood. In this study,Larix spp. Samples were heated at 180 °C and 210 °C for 6 h with nitrogen, air or oil as heat-conducting media. The influence of high-temperature heat treatment on the microstructure, chemical components, and micromechanical properties was investigated. The mass loss rate increased with increasing temperature, and the degradation of wood components resulted in cracks in the cell walls. Samples treated with air showed more cracks in cell walls than were observed in the cells walls of wood treated with the other heat-conducting media. The hardness of the cell walls increased after all heat treatments. In addition, the results showed that heat treatment reduced creep behavior compared to that of untreated wood.
A Clinico-Genotypic Prognostic Index for De Novo Composite Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Arising from Follicular Lymphoma in Asian patients treated in the Rituximab Era
Authors: Lim Ryan Mao Heng , Chan Natalie Pei Xin , Khoo Lay Poh , Cheng Chee Leong , Tan Leonard , Poon Eileen Yi Ling , Somasundaram Nagavalli , Farid Mohamad , Tang Tiffany Pooi Ling , Tao Miriam , Lim Soon Thye , Chan Jason Yongsheng
Published: March 2020

Composite follicular lymphoma with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (FL/DLBCL) is uncommonly found on lymph node biopsy and represents a rare haematological malignancy. We aim to examine clinico-pathological features of patients with FL/DLBCL and investigate predictors of survival outcome. We included in our retrospective study patients with histologically-proven FL/DLBCL at diagnosis (n = 106) and who were subsequently treated with rituximab-based chemoimmunotherapy from 2002–2017 at the National Cancer Centre. The cohort consisted of 34 women and 72 men with a median age of 59 years (range, 24–82). In a multivariate model inclusive of known clinico-pathological parameters at diagnosis, advanced stage (p = 0.0136), presence of MYC and/or BCL6 rearrangement (p = 0.0376) and presence of B symptoms (p = 0.0405) were independently prognostic for worse overall survival (OS). The only remaining independent prognostic variables for worse OS after including first-line treatment data in the model were use of chemotherapy regimens other than R-CHOP (p = 0.0360) and lack of complete response to chemotherapy (p < 0.0001) besides the presence of B symptoms (p = 0.0022). We generated a Clinico-Genotypic Index by point-wise addition of all five adverse parameters (score of 0–1, 2, 3, 4–5) which revealed four prognostic risk groups with a predicted 5-year OS of 100%, 62%, 40% and 0% (p < 0.0001) accounting for 50.0%, 24.5%, 18.9% and 6.6% of the cohort respectively. We propose that R-CHOP should be the recommended first-line regimen for composite FL/DLBCL.
The eukaryotic tRNA-guanine transglycosylase enzyme inserts queuine into tRNAviaa sequential bi–bi mechanism
Authors: Alqasem Mashael A. , Fergus Claire , Southern J. Mike , Connon Stephen J. , Kelly Vincent P.
Published: March 2020

The mechanism of catalysis associated with the human TGT enzyme has been elucidated and differs from that associated with its eubacterial counterpart.
Organometallic polymers synthesized from prochiral molecules by a surface-assisted synthesis on Ag(111)
Authors: Lu Hui , Wenlong E. , Ma Zhibo , Yang Xueming
Published: March 2020

Organometallic polymers have been successfully synthesized on a Ag(111) surface via a surface-assisted synthesis by choosing prochiral molecules as the precursor.
Asymmetric synthesis of allylic compoundsviahydrofunctionalisation and difunctionalisation of dienes, allenes, and alkynes
Authors: Li Guanlin , Huo Xiaohong , Jiang Xieyang , Zhang Wanbin
Published: March 2020

This review article provides an overview of progress in asymmetric synthesis of allylic compoundsviahydrofunctionalisation and difunctionalisation of dienes, allenes, and alkynes.
Paired electrolysis for simultaneous generation of synthetic fuels and chemicals
Authors: Martínez Natalia P. , Isaacs Mauricio , Nanda Kamala Kanta
Published: March 2020

Replacing anodic oxygen evolution of water splitting or carbon dioxide reduction by electro-organic oxidation increases their product-value and energy efficiency.
Interfacial engineering of a polymer–MOF composite by in situ vitrification
Authors: Lin Rijia , Hou Jingwei , Li Mengran , Wang Zhanke , Ge Lei , Li Shichun , Smart Simon , Zhu Zhonghua , Bennett Thomas D. , Chen Vicki
Published: March 2020

In situ vitrification of MOF within polymer can rigidify the polymer chains and remove interfacial defects, leading to a significantly enhanced membrane selectivity.
An improved tumor-specific therapeutic strategy by the spatio-temporally controlled in situ formation of a Cu(ii) complex, leading to prompt cell apoptosis via photoactivation of a prodrug
Authors: Chaudhuri Amrita , Mengji Rakesh , Venkatesh Yarra , Jana Avijit , Pradeep Singh N. D.
Published: March 2020

Biotin tagged one and two photon activable Cu chelating prodrug as a target-specific and spatio-temporal generations of Cu complex for improved cancer treatment.
Photophysical transformations induced by chemical substitution to salicylaldimines
Authors: Barboza Cristina A. , Gawrys Pawel , Banasiewicz Marzena , Suwinska Kinga , Sobolewski Andrzej L.
Published: March 2020

The role of electron-acceptor strength and microenvironment polarity on the photophysical properties of salicylaldimines.
Designing water splitting catalysts using rules of thumb: advantages, dangers and alternatives
Authors: Piqué Oriol , Illas Francesc , Calle-Vallejo Federico
Published: March 2020

Breaking the OH–OOH scaling relation does not necessarily enhance water splitting electrocatalysis. Seeking “electrocatalytic symmetry” is a suitable alternative.
Correction: Inkjet assisted fabrication of planar biocompatible memristors
Authors: Illarionov Georgii A. , Kolchanov Denis S. , Mukhin Ivan , Kuchur Oleg A. , Zhukov Mikhail V. , Sergeeva Ekaterina , Krishtop Vladimir V. , Vinogradov Alexandr V. , Morozov Maxim I.
Published: March 2020

Correction for ‘Inkjet assisted fabrication of planar biocompatible memristors’ by Georgii A. Illarionov et al., RSC Adv., 2019, 9, 35998–36004.
Ferredoxin-mediated reduction of 2-nitrothiophene inhibits photosynthesis: mechanism and herbicidal potential
Authors: Marcus Yehouda , Gurevitz Michael
Published: March 2020

Searching for compounds that inhibit the growth of photosynthetic organisms highlighted a prominent effect at micromolar concentrations of the nitroheteroaromatic thioether, 2-nitrothiophene, applied in the light. Since similar effects were reminiscent to those obtained also by radicals produced under excessive illumination or by herbicides, and in light of its redox potential, we suspected that 2-nitrothiophene was reduced by ferredoxin, a major reducing compound in the light. In silico examination using docking and tunneling computing algorithms of the putative interaction between 2-nitrothiophene and cyanobacterial ferredoxin has suggested a site of interaction enabling robust electron transfer from the iron–sulfur cluster of ferredoxin to the nitro group of 2-nitrothiophene. ESR and oximetry analyses of cyanobacterial cells (Anabaena PCC7120) treated with 50 μM 2-nitrothiophene under illumination revealed accumulation of oxygen radicals and peroxides. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis of 2-nitrothiophene-treated cells identified cytotoxic nitroso and non-toxic amino derivatives. These products of the degradation pathway of 2-nitrohiophene, which initializes with a single electron transfer that forms a short-live anion radical, are then decomposed to nitrate and thiophene, and may be further reduced to a nitroso hydroxylamine and amino derivatives. This mechanism of toxicity is similar to that of nitroimidazoles (e.g. ornidazole and metronidazole) reduced by ferredoxin in anaerobic bacteria and protozoa, but differs from that of ornidazole in planta.
Influence of biopreparations on biomass yield and grain efficiency of energy corn
Authors: Pustova Zoya , Pustova Natalia , Komarnitskyi Serhii , Tkach Oleg , Zamoiskyi Stepan , Olenyuk Alexander
Published: March 2020

The possibilities of using resources of the plant biomass as an effective renewable energy source are analyzed. The issues of the current state of corn for grain production, peculiarities of its cultivation and the possibility of using agrarian residues in corn production to produce energy are considered in the study.
The concept of low-cost didactic rig in the field of heat pumps
Authors: Pełka Grzegorz , Luboń Wojciech , Pudlik Tomasz , Malik Daniel
Published: March 2020

The Centre of Sustainable Development and Energy Saving in Miękinia conducts broad didactic activities for various groups of students. For its own purposes, and also as a concept to use for other didactic centers, a low-cost didactic stand in the scope of heat pumps was designed and implemented. The constructed device presents the operating principles and schematically describes the basic elements of the ground source heat pump system. The device was constructed using a used piston and hermetic compressor from an old fridge. As an evaporator and condenser, a heat exchanger made from copper pipe curved meandering was used. A carefully selected capillary tube was used as an expansion element. The distribution of the components and the visualization of the didactic rig were devised. The whole concept assumed the usage of propane (R290) as an ecological refrigerant. The project also includes cost statements for creating an alternative to a commercial, low-cost stand for teaching purposes at various levels of education and suggests ways of using the set.