bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility, safety, and acute efficacy of the fourth‐generation cryoballoon for ablation of atrial fibrillation: Another step forward?
Authors: Rottner Laura , Mathew Shibu , Reissmann Bruno , Warneke Laura , Martin Isabell , Lemes Christine , Maurer Tilman , Wohlmuth Peter , Ouyang Feifan , Kuck Karl‐Heinz , Metzner Andreas , Rillig Andreas
Published: February 2020

Background

The second‐generation cryoballoon (CB2) is widely used for pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Recently, the novel fourth‐generation CB (CB‐Advance PRO) was introduced, incorporating a shortened catheter tip.

Hypothesis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acute efficacy of PVI using the CB‐Advance PRO.

Methods

A total of 200 consecutive patients were analyzed. Hundred patients who underwent PVI due to symptomatic, drug‐refractory AF were treated with the CB‐Advance PRO (group I) and were included into this multicenter analysis. A group of 100 patients were treated with the CB2 and acted as controls (group II).

Results

In total, 739 of 739 PVs (100%) were successfully isolated. There was a nonsignificant trend in the incidence of online registration of PV signals between both groups (group I: 77.9% vs group II: 71.4%, P = .09). Median time to PVI (time to isolation [TTI]) and mean total freezing time were significantly shorter when using the CB‐Advance PRO (group I: 33 [23, 50] vs group II: 40 [26, 60] seconds and group I: 166 ± 29 vs group II: 183 ± 38 seconds, P < .01). In three of 100 (3%) patients of group I and one of 100 (1%) patients of group II, a transient phrenic nerve palsy occurred (P = .62).

Conclusion

The use of the novel CB‐Advance PRO is feasible and associated with a significant reduction in mean TTI and mean total freezing time as compared to the CB2.
Base and Covariate Population Pharmacokinetic Analyses of Dupilumab Using Phase 3 Data
Authors: Kovalenko Pavel , Davis John D. , Li Meng , Rippley Ronda , Ardeleanu Marius , Shumel Brad , Graham Neil M.H. , Pirozzi Gianluca , Kamal Mohamed A. , DiCioccio A. Thomas
Published: February 2020

Population pharmacokinetic base and covariate models were developed to study functional dupilumab for regulatory submissions, using data from healthy volunteers and patients with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis (AD) receiving intravenous or subcutaneous doses. Sixteen studies were pooled (N = 2115; 202 healthy volunteers, 1913 AD patients). The best model was a 2‐compartment model with linear and Michaelis‐Menten elimination and 3 transit compartments describing absorption. A stepwise approach to model building, with some parameters estimated using mostly rich data and subsequently fixed, was used to avoid adverse effects of sparse data and a steep target‐mediated phase on pharmacokinetic parameters, which require rich sampling for proper estimation. Parameterization of models in terms of rates was a useful alternative to the parameterization in terms of clearances, allowing for a reduced number of covariates while providing accurate predictions. While antidrug antibodies, albumin, race, body mass index, and Eczema Area and Severity Index score were statistically significant covariates, only body weight had a notable effect on central volume, explaining interindividual variability. The model adequately described dupilumab pharmacokinetics in phase 3 trials.
Redesign of enterprise lean production system based on environmental dynamism
Authors: Chen Xiaowu , Jiang Guozhang , Yang Le , Li Gongfa , Xiang Feng
Published: February 2020

Under the background of economic globalization, enterprises face with more severe and uncertain environmental dynamism, and its lean production system redesign strategy is more critical. Firstly, given the dynamic environment that enterprises are facing, the redesign of the lean production system based on the environmental dynamism is proposed. Secondly, environmental dynamism is divided into two dimensions: market dynamics and technology dynamics, which is calculated by the objective method. Thirdly, by establishing the redesigned model of the lean production system based on environmental dynamism, the relationship between environmental dynamism and lean production level is analyzed. Fourth, the data of 251 listed companies from different industries in 2014 to 2017 were analyzed to verify the specific impact of environmental dynamism on the enterprise's lean production level. It was found that the relationship between environmental dynamism and the enterprise lean production level is presented as “U,” “S,” and other more complex relationships. At last, some suggestions are put forward to optimal the redesign of lean production systems under different environmental dynamism.
Charge Transfer and Metastable Ion Dissociation of Multiply Charged Molecular Cations Observed by Using Reflectron Time‐of‐Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Kitashoji Akihiro , Kitagawa Kosei , Fujihara Akimasa , Yatsuhashi Tomoyuki
Published: February 2020

A multiply charged molecule expands the range of a mass window and is utilized as a precursor to provide rich sequence coverage; however, reflectron time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer has not been well applied to the product ion analysis of multiply charged precursor ions. Here, we demonstrate that the range of the mass‐to‐charge ratio of measurable product ions is limited in the cases of multiply charged precursor ions. We choose C6F6 as a model molecule to investigate the reactions of multiply charged molecular cations formed in intense femtosecond laser fields. Measurements of the time‐of‐flight spectrum of C6F6 by changing the potential applied to the reflectron, combined with simulation of the ion trajectory, can identify the species detected behind the reflectron as the neutral species and/or ions formed by the collisional charge transfer. Moreover, the metastable ion dissociations of doubly and triply charged C6F6 are identified. The detection of product ions in this manner can diminish interference by the precursor ion. Moreover, it does not need precursor ion separation before product ion analysis. These advantages would expand the capability of mass spectrometry to obtain information about metastable ion dissociation of multiply charged species.
Soft winter wheat outyields hard winter wheat in a subhumid environment: Weather drivers, yield plasticity, and rates of yield gain
Authors: Lollato Romulo P. , Roozeboom Kraig , Lingenfelser Jane F. , da Silva Cristiano Lemes , Sassenrath Gretchen
Published: February 2020

Despite the proximity in zones of adaptation for soft and hard winter wheat (SWW and HWW; Triticum aestivum L.), agronomic evaluations have been confined to market class. Our objectives were to compare SWW and HWW regarding yield and agronomic attributes; genotype, environment, and their interaction; and rates of yield gain. Yield, grain volume weight, heading date, and plant height were collected from 40 adjacent studies evaluating HWW and SWW cultivars in 20 Kansas environments (n = 2,885). Growing season weather partially explained the variability in yield (47–51%), heading date (58–92%), and plant height (67–80%). Yield was greater in SWW than in HWW (3.73 vs. 3.48 Mg ha−1), and a quadratic relationship between the 10th, mean, and 90th percentile yields suggested that SWW has a greater yield potential than HWW, although grain volume weight was greater in HWW (743 vs. 733 kg m−3). An asymmetric yield response for both classes was associated with greater phenotypic plasticity, which portrayed a more positive response for SWW. We performed a literature review that suggested a greater genetic gain for SWW than for HWW (33 vs. 17 kg ha−1 yr−1). This gain, however, represented a smaller portion of the regional yield gain (considering both genetic gain and adoption of agronomic practices) of each class (72 vs. 81%). We concluded that SWW outyields HWW due to greater rates of genetic gain, partially due to breeding in higher yield environments, and more positive phenotypic plasticity of yield in high‐yielding environments coupled to yield stability in excessively moist environments.
Cultural dimensions, Global Reporting Initiatives commitment, and corporate social responsibility issues: New evidence from Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development banks
Authors: Sannino Giuseppe , Lucchese Manuela , Zampone Giovanni , Lombardi Rosa
Published: February 2020

This paper aims to examine the effect of cultural dimensions such as the power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, long‐term orientation, and indulgence on the Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI) commitment effect of corporate social responsibility reports by the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) banks. Adopting the stakeholder theory and the Hofstede's cultural dimension, we investigated the GRI commitment level and its determinants, using a sample of 819 firm‐year observations from 2012 to 2018 belonging to 27 countries. Thus, we collected data from BvD BankFocus database, selecting 180 OECD banks. Applying a statistical regression analysis, our findings show a significant influence of masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, long‐term orientation, and indulgence on the GRI commitment level in the context of corporate social responsibility. Additionally, our results highlight the effect of cultural dimensions of countries in the application of the GRI guidelines and investigate the reasons for this different commitment effect. Results of this paper are directed to academic community, practitioners, and policymakers as theoretical and practical advances.
Ecosystem responses to channel restoration decline with stream size in urban river networks
Authors: Levi Peter S. , McIntyre Peter B.
Published: February 2020

Urban streams are often severely impaired due to channelization, high loads of nutrients and contaminants, and altered land cover in the watershed. Physical restoration of stream channels is widely used to offset the effects of urbanization on streams, with the goal of improving ecosystem structure and function. However, these efforts are rarely guided by strategic analysis of the factors that mediate the responsiveness of stream ecosystems to restoration. Given that ecological gradients from headwater streams to mainstem rivers are ubiquitous, we posited that location within a river network could mediate the benefits of channel restoration. We studied existing stream restorations in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to determine (1) whether restorations improve ecosystem function (e.g., nutrient uptake, whole‐stream metabolism) and (2) how ecosystem responses vary by position in the urban river network. We quantified a suite of physicochemical and biological metrics in six pairs of contiguous restored and concrete channel reaches, spanning gradients in baseflow discharge (19–196 L/s) and river network position (i.e., headwater to mainstem). Hydrology differed dramatically between the restored and concrete reaches; water velocity was reduced 2‐ to 13‐fold while water residence time was 50–5,000% greater in adjacent restored reaches. Restored reaches had shorter nutrient uptake lengths for ammonium, nitrate, and phosphate, as well as higher whole‐stream metabolism. Furthermore, the majority of reaches were autotrophic (i.e., gross primary production > ecosystem respiration), which is not common in stream ecosystems. The difference in ecosystem functioning between restored and unrestored reaches was generally largest in headwaters and declined to equivalence in mainstem restorations. Our results suggest that headwater sites offer higher return on investment compared to larger downstream channels, where ecosystem responsiveness is low. If this pattern proves to be general, the scaling of ecosystem responses with river size could be integrated into planning guidelines for urban stream restorations to enhance the societal and ecological benefits of these expensive interventions.
Wildflower plantings promote blue orchard bee, Osmia lignaria (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), reproduction in California almond orchards
Authors: Boyle Natalie K. , Artz Derek R. , Lundin Ola , Ward Kimiora , Picklum Devon , Wardell Gordon I. , Williams Neal M. , Pitts‐Singer Theresa L.
Published: February 2020

Concerns over the availability of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) to meet pollination demands have elicited interest in alternative pollinators to mitigate pressures on the commercial beekeeping industry. The blue orchard bee, Osmia lignaria (Say), is a commercially available native bee that can be employed as a copollinator with, or alternative pollinator to, honeybees in orchards. To date, their successful implementation in agriculture has been limited by poor recovery of bee progeny for use during the next spring. This lack of reproductive success may be tied to an inadequate diversity and abundance of alternative floral resources during the foraging period. Managed, supplementary wildflower plantings may promote O. lignaria reproduction in California almond orchards. Three wildflower plantings were installed and maintained along orchard edges to supplement bee forage. Plantings were seeded with native wildflower species that overlapped with and extended beyond almond bloom. We measured bee visitation to planted wildflowers, bee reproduction, and progeny outcomes across orchard blocks at variable distances from wildflower plantings during 2015 and 2016. Pollen provision composition was also determined to confirm O. lignaria wildflower pollen use. Osmia lignaria were frequently observed visiting wildflower plantings during, and after, almond bloom. Most O. lignaria nesting occurred at orchard edges. The greatest recovery of progeny occurred along the orchard edges having the closest proximity (80 m) to managed wildflower plantings versus edges farther away. After almond bloom, O. lignaria nesting closest to the wildflower plantings collected 72% of their pollen from Phacelia spp., which supplied 96% of the managed floral area. Phacelia spp. pollen collection declined with distance from the plantings, but still reached 17% 800 m into the orchard. This study highlights the importance of landscape context and proximity to supplementary floral resources in promoting the propagation of solitary bees as alternative managed pollinators in commercial agriculture.
A Concise Synthesis of Oligosaccharides Derived From Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) with Glycosyl Donors Having a Nonparticipating Group at C2
Authors: Li Zhihao , Zheng Changping , Terreni Marco , Bavaro Teodora , Sollogoub Matthieu , Zhang Yongmin
Published: February 2020

Mycobacteria infection resulting in tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top ten leading causes of death over the world, and lipoarabinomannan (LAM) has been confirmed to play significant roles in this process. In this study, a convenient synthetic approach has been developed for the synthesis of oligosaccharides derived from LAM starting with commercially available substrates and reagents. The key steps for stereoselective construction of glycosidic bonds by acceptors glycosylated with donors without neighboring participating group were achieved. It's noteworthy that enzymatic hydrolysis was applied to prepare mannose building blocks and one step of birch reaction was used to deprotect acetyl and benzyl groups as well as reduce the azide group, which can avoid multiple chemical procedures. Finally, five oligosaccharides with terminal amino group at the anomeric substituent were furnished which could be used for conjugation with proteins as potential vaccines against TB.
Syntheses of Organic Semiconductors in Water. Recent Advancement in the Surfactants Enhanced Green Access to Polyconjugated Molecules
Authors: Sassi Mauro , Mattiello Sara , Beverina Luca
Published: February 2020

Organic semiconductors have been at the center of intense investigation for decades. The efficiencies of the most performing candidates, along with the compatibility with solution processing and printing led to relevant technological breakthrough. The development of market applications for Organic Light Emitting Devices (OLEDs), Organic Thin film transistors (OTFTs), and Organic Photovoltaics (OPVs) poses a relevant question regarding to the scaling up and overall sustainability of synthetic protocols employed for the preparation of active compounds. This review summarizes the role that the emerging field of micellar catalysis and surfactant enhanced chemistry can play in dramatically improving the sustainability of established and emerging performing organic semiconductors.
Continuous‐Flow Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Racemic Alcohols by Lipase–Oxovanadium Cocatalysis
Authors: Higashio Koichi , Katsuragi Satoko , Kundu Dhiman , Adebar Niklas , Plass Carmen , Kühn Franziska , Gröger Harald , Akai Shuji
Published: February 2020

A continuous‐flow dynamic kinetic resolution of racemic secondary alcohols was carried out using a single column reactor packed with a mixture of immobilized lipase and an immobilized oxovanadium species, VMPS4. As a result, optically pure esters were produced in 88–92 % yields. Problems encountered in this study were overcome by using fillers that efficiently maintained the initial distribution of the catalysts in the reactor and by using a packing method in which the mixing ratio of the two catalysts was varied in a stepwise fashion. The flow process led to an increased turnover number of each catalyst compared to those of batch reactions.
Proteomic analysis of reserve proteins in commercial rice cultivars
Authors: Graziano Sara , Marmiroli Nelson , Gullì Mariolina
Published: February 2020

Rice consumption is rising in western countries with the adoption of new nutritional styles, which require the avoidance of gluten. Nevertheless, there are reports of rice allergic reactions. Rice grains contain a low amount of proteins most of which are storage proteins represented by glutelins, prolamins, albumins, and globulins. Some of these proteins are seed allergenic proteins as α‐amylase/trypsin inhibitor, globulins, β‐glyoxylase, and several glutelins. Italy is the major rice producer in Europe, and for this, seed reserve proteins of four Italian rice cultivars were characterized by 2D‐GE analysis. Some differentially abundant proteins were identified and classified as allergenic proteins, prompting a further characterization of the genes encoding some of these proteins. In particular, a deletion in the promoter region of the 19 KDa globulin gene has been identified, which may be responsible for the different abundance of the protein in the Karnak cultivar. This polymorphism can be applied for cultivar identification in commercial samples. Seed proteome was characterized by a variable combination of several proteins, which may determine a different allergenic potential. Proteomic and genomic allowed to identify the protein profile of four commercial cultivars and to develop a molecular marker useful for the analysis of commercial products.
Synthesis of novel chemicals from cardanol as a product of cashew nutshell processing
Authors: Deutsch Jens , Köckritz Angela
Published: February 2020

The conversion of the worldwide chemical production from fossil to sustainable resources is currently one of the most urgent tasks for the chemical industry. Based on this approach cardanol, a mixture of phenols with C15‐chains as substituents is produced in some countries of the tropical zone from the processing of cashew nutshells. The paper reports the specific transformation of the aromatic moiety in this cheap material, and thus, the development of a novel route to potential useful green bifunctional chemicals in gram scale. Accordingly, cardanol was converted successfully in three steps into hexane‐1,6‐diols. The evaluation of appropriate synthesis methods and suitable conditions for each of these reaction steps is presented as an essential topic of these investigations. The target compounds synthesized in the reaction sequence are potential building blocks for future biomass‐based chemicals and monomers for green polymeric materials, surfactants, and lubricants.
Solar thermochemical conversion of CO2 via erbium oxide based redox cycle
Authors: Bhosale Rahul R.
Published: February 2020

Investigation of the viability of the erbium oxide‐based solar thermochemical CO2 splitting cycle is reported. This study aimed to explore the effect of partial thermal reduction (TR) of Er2O3 on the thermodynamic process parameters desirable to design a solar reactor system for the erbium oxide‐based CO2 splitting (ErO‐CS) cycle. First, the percentage TR of Er2O3 is estimated as a function of the TR temperature (). Acquired results indicated that to achieve a percentage TR of Er2O3 in the range of 5–100%; the solar reactor has to be functioned in the temperature range of = 2327–2677 K. The solar energy required to drive the ErO‐CS cycle () was observed to be on the higher side due to the obligation of the elevated values of . This rise in the as a function of percentage TR of Er2O3 reflected in a decrease in the solar‐to‐fuel energy conversion efficiency (). The maximum = 4.04% is achieved for a percentage TR of Er2O3 = 25% ( = 2432 K). By employing 100% heat recuperation, the (for percentage TR of Er2O3 = 25%) increased up to 5.79%. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Tekturmas ophiolite belt of central Kazakhstan: Geology, magmatism, and tectonics
Authors: Khassen Bolat P. , Safonova Inna Yu , Yermolov Pyotr V. , Antonyuk Rostislav M , Gurova Alexandra V. , Obut Olga T. , Perfilova Alina A. , Savinskiy Ilya A. , Tsujimori Tatsuki
Published: February 2020

The Tekturmas ophiolite belt of central Kazakhstan is located in the western Central Asian Orogenic Belt. It consists of three structural‐formational zones: Tekturmas (centre), Bazarbai (north), and Sarysui (south). The Tekturmas zone includes igneous and sedimentary rocks of Karamurun, Tekturmas, and Sarytau formations, which are dominated by volcanogenic, deep sea, and clastic deposits, respectively. The Bazarbai zone consists of Kuzek and Basarbai formations dominated, respectively, by basaltic and sedimentary rocks. The Sarysui zone includes terrigenous Airtau and olistostromic Ermek formations. The age of sedimentary rocks was constrained by microfossils. The igneous rocks of the Karamurun and Bazarbai formations are alkaline and subalkaline basalt/dolerite, andesibasalt, and andesite. There are three main groups of rocks: high‐Ti, mid‐Ti, and low‐Ti. The high‐Ti Karamurun volcanics and low‐Ti Bazarbai are variably enriched in light rare earth element (LREE) showing LREE enriched (high‐Ti) and LREE flat (low‐Ti) REE patterns. The high‐Ti group shows enrichment in Nb, Th, Zr, and Sm compared with the low‐Ti group. The low‐Ti group is special for the Nb troughs in primitive mantle‐normalized multi‐element diagrams, which are typical of supra‐subduction settings. Both groups yielded positive εNd values, although the averages are 4.6 and 7.5 for the high‐ and low‐Ti rocks, respectively. The geochemical features suggest formation of the igneous rocks in oceanic and supra‐subduction (intra‐oceanic arc) settings. The geological and geochemical features of the Tekturmas ophiolite belt accord well with the tectonic emplacement of ophiolites and formation of accretionary complex at a Pacific‐type convergent margin similar to those of the western Pacific.
Steady MHD Casson Ohmic heating and viscous dissipative fluid flow past an infinite vertical porous plate in the presence of Soret, Hall, and ion‐slip current
Authors: Rajakumar K. V. B. , Umasankara Reddy M. , Balamurugan K. S. , Raja Ram K. V. B. S.
Published: February 2020

In the present study, the influence of Hall and ion‐slip current on steady magnetohydrodynamics mixed convective, Ohmic heating, and viscous dissipative Casson fluid flow over an infinite vertical porous plate in the presence of Soret effect and chemical reaction are investigated. The modeling equations are transformed into dimensionless equations and then solved analytically through the multiple regular perturbation law. Computations are performed graphically to analyze the behavior of fluid velocity, temperature, concentration, skin friction, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number on the vertical plate with the difference of emerging physical parameters. This study reflects that the incremental values of Casson fluid parameter and Schmidt number lead to reduction in velocity. However, fluid velocity rises due to enhancement of ion‐slip parameter but an opposite effect is observed in case of Hall parameter. In addition, the Sherwood number declines with enhancing dissimilar estimators of the chemical reaction, Schmidt number, as well as Soret number.
Mathematical Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors: Young Adult Texts as Sites for Identifying With Mathematics
Authors: Rezvi Sara , Han Ahreum , Larnell Gregory V.
Published: February 2020

This forum focuses on the intersections of texts and identities with the aim of selecting and mediating texts that readers and writers find valuable within and outside of formal educational settings.
Syllabic Versus Morphemic Analyses: Teaching Multisyllabic Word Reading to Older Struggling Readers
Authors: Bhattacharya Alpana
Published: February 2020

The complexities of words in different subject areas increase as students transition from elementary school to middle school. Although most secondary school readers can read monosyllabic words, many other older readers have difficulty with reading multisyllabic words because of their poor phonological and morphological skills. Explicit word‐reading instruction, focused on syllabic and morphemic analyses of multisyllabic words, therefore should be considered for advancing older struggling readers’ word‐reading skills. Results from word‐reading interventions have shown that analyses of syllables and morphemes in multisyllabic words advance older struggling readers’ phonological and morphological skills. Proficiency in recognizing syllables and morphemes in multisyllabic words then promotes older struggling readers’ accurate reading of complex words. Therefore, reading instruction for struggling older readers should focus on using syllable and morpheme analyses for promoting their multisyllabic word reading.
In vitro biocompatibility of biohybrid polymers membrane evaluated in human gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Guo Bin , Tang Chuhua , Wang Mingguo , Zhao Zhongqi , Shokoohi‐Tabrizi Hassan A. , Shi Bin , Andrukhov Oleh , Rausch‐Fan Xiaohui
Published: February 2020

The biohybrid polymer membrane (BHM) is a new biomaterial designed for the treatment of soft periodontal tissue defects. We aimed to evaluate the in vitro biocompatibility of the membrane in human gingival fibroblasts and the capability to induce cell adhesion, migration, differentiation and improving the production of the extracellular matrix. BHM and Mucograft® collagen matrix (MCM) membranes were punched into 6 mm diameter round discs and placed in 96‐well plates. Human primary gingival fibroblasts were seeded on the membranes or tissue culture plastic (TCP) serving as the control. Cell proliferation/viability and morphology were evaluated after 3, 7, and 14 days of culture by cell counting kit (CCK)‐8 assay and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Additionally, the gene expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), collagen type 1 (Col1), alpha‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), and fibroblasts growth factor (FGF)‐2 was analyzed at 3, 7, and 14 days of culture by qPCR. Cell proliferation on BHM was significantly higher than on MCM and similar to TCP. Gene expression of TGF‐β1, FAK, Col1, and α‐SMA were significantly increased on BHM compared to TCP at most investigated time points. However, the gene expression of FGF‐2 was significantly decreased on BHM at Day 7 and recovered at Day 14 to the levels similar to TCP. The finding of this study showed that BHM is superior for gingival fibroblasts in terms of adhesion, proliferation, and gene expression, suggesting that this membrane may promote the healing of soft periodontal tissue.
Oxidative stress‐induced RAC autophagy can improve the HUVEC functions by releasing exosomes
Authors: Zhu Linxin , Zang Jiankun , Liu Bing , Yu Guocheng , Hao Lili , Liu Lian , Zhong Jingxiang
Published: February 2020

Retinal neovascularization (RNV) is a common pathological feature in many kinds of fundus oculi diseases. Sometimes RNV can even lead to severe vision loss. Oxidative injury is one of the main predisposing factors for RNV occurrence and development. The specific mechanism may be closely related to the special structural tissues of the retina. Retinal astrocytes (RACs) are mesenchymal cells located in the retinal neuroepithelial layer. RACs have an intimate anatomical relationship with microvascular endothelial cells. They have a variety of functions, but little is known about the mechanisms by which RACs regulate the function of endothelial cells. The molecules secreted by RACs, such as exosomes, have recently received a lot of attention and may provide potential clues to address the RAC‐mediated modulation of endothelial cells. In this study, we aimed to preliminarily explore the mechanisms of how RAC exosomes generated under oxidative stress are involved in the regulation of endothelial function. Our results showed that the apoptosis and autophagy levels in RACs were positively correlated with the oxidative stress level, and the exosomes generated from RACs under normal and oxidative stress conditions had different effects on the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells. However, the effect of RACs on endothelial cell function could be markedly reversed by the autophagy inhibitor 3‐methyladenine or the exosome inhibitor GW4869. Therefore, oxidative stress can lead to increased autophagy in RACs and can further promote RACs to regulate endothelial cell function by releasing exosomes.
Influence of body composition and muscle strength on outcomes after multimodal oesophageal cancer treatment
Authors: Hagens Eliza R.C. , Feenstra Minke L. , van Egmond Maarten A. , van Laarhoven Hanneke W.M. , Hulshof Maarten C.C.M. , Boshier Piers R. , Low Donald E. , van Berge Henegouwen Mark I. , Gisbertz Suzanne S.
Published: February 2020

Background

Influence of sarcopenia in combination with other body composition parameters and muscle strength on outcomes after oesophageal surgery for oesophageal cancer remains unclear. The objectives were (i) to describe the incidence of sarcopenia in relation to adipose tissue quantity and distribution and muscle strength; (ii) to evaluate if neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRTx) influences body composition and muscle strength; and (iii) to evaluate the influence of body composition and muscle strength on post‐operative morbidity and long‐term survival.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients with oesophageal cancer who received nCRTx followed by surgery between January 2011 and 2016. Skeletal muscle, visceral, and subcutaneous adipose tissue cross‐sectional areas were calculated based on computed tomography scans, and muscle strength was measured using hand grip tests, 30 seconds chair stand tests, and maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure tests prior to nCRTx and after nCRTx.

Results

A total of 322 patients were included in this study. Sarcopenia was present in 55.6% of the patients prior to nCRTx and in 58.2% after nCRTx (P = 0.082). Patients with sarcopenia had a significantly lower muscle strength and higher fat percentage. The muscle strength and incidence of sarcopenia increased while the mean body mass index and fat percentage decreased during nCRTx. A body mass index above 25 kg/m2 was associated with anastomotic leakage (P = 0.032). Other body composition parameters were not associated with post‐operative morbidity. A lower handgrip strength prior to nCRTx was associated with pulmonary and cardiac complications (P = 0.023 and P = 0.009, respectively). In multivariable analysis, a lower number of stands during the 30 seconds chair stand test prior to nCRTx (hazard ratio 0.93, 95% confidence interval 0.87–0.99, P = 0.017) and visceral adipose tissue of >128 cm2 after nCRTx (hazard ratio 1.81, 95% confidence interval 1.30–2.53, P = 0.001) were associated with worse overall survival.

Conclusions

Sarcopenia occurs frequently in patients with oesophageal cancer and is associated with less muscle strength and a higher fat percentage. Body composition changes during nCRTx did not influence survival. Impaired muscle strength and a high amount of visceral adipose tissue are associated with worse survival. Therefore, patients with poor fitness might benefit from preoperative nutritional and muscle strengthening guidance, aiming to increase muscle strength and decrease visceral adipose tissue. However, this should be confirmed in a large prospective study.
Cellular responses in marine animals to hydrostatic pressure
Authors: Yancey Paul H.
Published: February 2020

Hydrostatic pressure (HP), increasing by 1 atm per 10 m in the ocean, perturbs many cellular processes, for example, by rigidifying membranes and disturbing protein folding and ligand binding. Membranes can be fluidized to work under high HP by increasing unsaturated fatty acids, for example, docosahexaenoic acid. Over generations, some deep‐sea proteins have evolved intrinsic resistance to HP, but often incompletely. These may be protected from HP with piezolytes, small organic molecules with pressure‐counteracting properties. The key example is the osmolyte trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO), which marine fishes and crustaceans accumulates linearly with depth. TMAO can effectively counteract many inhibitory effects of HP on numerous proteins. For short‐term HP stress, cellular stress (transient) and homeostasis (persistent) responses (CSRs, CHRs) remain poorly characterized, but across different taxa of shallow and terrestrial organisms, they include common CSR/CHR mechanisms known for other stressors—heat shock proteins (HSPs), boosted energy metabolism, antioxidants, cellular repair systems. For vertically migrating marine animals, HP stress responses are even more poorly characterized. Some species (e.g., Anguilla silver eel, king crab Lithodes maja, snubnosed eel Simenchelys parasiticus) cope with HP changes in their habitat range by intrinsic adaptations, lipid desaturase activation, and metabolic adjustments, but perhaps not common CSR mechanisms. Such species may have constitutive stress proteins and/or are able to adjust membrane saturation and/or TMAO rapidly with depth. For permanent deep‐sea species, CSR/CHR mechanisms have not been directly tested, but evidence in Mariana Trench amphipods and snailfish suggest that HSP and desaturase genes, and possibly piezolyte synthesis, have undergone habitat‐related selection.
Synthesis of new benzothiazole derivatives bearing thiadiazole as monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Authors: Acar Çevik Ulviye , Osmaniye Derya , Sağlik Begüm N. , Levent Serkan , K. Çavuşoğlu Betül , Karaduman Abdullah B. , D. Özkay Ümide , Özkay Yusuf , Kaplancikli Zafer A. , Turan Gülhan
Published: February 2020

Monoamine oxidases (MAO) are enzymes that catalyze the oxidative deamination of monoamines such as dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and serotonin. Recent studies have shown that numerous benzothiazole derivatives exhibit hMAO inhibitory activity in the micromolar concentration range. In this study, a novel series of benzothiazole‐thiadiazole (5a‐5l) was synthesized and characterized their chemical structures by 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, and Mass spectroscopy. These compounds were evaluated as inhibitors for types A and B MAO enzymes. Compounds 5f and 5l were the most active derivatives in the series with an IC50 values of 0.107 ± 0.003 and 0.128 ± 0.004, respectively. Furthermore, cytotoxicity of compounds 5f and 5l were investigated and found as non‐cytotoxic.
Multiparametric MRI‐Based Radiomics Nomogram for Predicting Lymph Node Metastasis in Early‐Stage Cervical Cancer
Authors: Xiao Meiling , Ma Fenghua , Li Ying , Li Yongai , Li Mengdie , Zhang Guofu , Qiang Jinwei
Published: February 2020

Background

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is a critical risk factor affecting treatment strategy and prognosis in patients with early‐stage cervical cancer.

Purpose

To establish a multiparametric MRI (mpMRI)‐based radiomics nomogram for preoperatively predicting LNM status.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

Among 233 consecutive patients, 155 patients were randomly allocated to the primary cohort and 78 patients to the validation cohort.

Field Strength

Radiomic features were extracted from a 1.5T mpMRI scan (T1‐weighted imaging [T1WI], fat‐saturated T2‐weighted imaging [FS‐T2WI], contrast‐enhanced [CE], diffusion‐weighted imaging [DWI], and apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC] maps).

Assessment

The performance of the nomogram was assessed with respect to its calibration, discrimination, and clinical usefulness. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were also calculated.

Statistical Tests

The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method was used for dimension reduction, feature selection, and radiomics signature building. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to develop the radiomics nomogram. An independent sample t‐test and chi‐squared test were used to compare the differences in continuous and categorical variables, respectively.

Results

The radiomic signature allowed a good discrimination between the LNM and non‐LNM groups, with a C‐index of 0.856 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.794–0.918) in the primary cohort and 0.883 (95% CI, 0.809–0.957) in the validation cohort. Additionally, the radiomics nomogram also had a good discriminating performance and yielded good calibration both in the primary and validation cohorts (C‐index, 0.882 [95% CI, 0.827–0.937], C‐index, 0.893 [95% CI, 0.822–0.964], respectively). Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the radiomics nomogram was clinically useful.

Data Conclusion

A radiomics nomogram was developed by incorporating the radiomics signature with the MRI‐reported LN status and FIGO stage. This nomogram might be used to facilitate the individualized prediction of LNM in patients with early‐stage cervical cancer.

Level of Evidence

3

Technical Efficacy Stage

2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:885–896.
Analysis of future changes in meteorological drought patterns in Fulda, Germany
Authors: Chamorro Alejandro , Ivanov Martin , Tölle Merja Helena , Luterbacher Jürg , Breuer Lutz
Published: February 2020

Meteorological droughts have large impacts on society and the environment. A better understanding and quantification of their occurrences can be highly relevant for the development of proper climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience strategies. Here we examine meteorological droughts from observed data covering the 1971–2000 period for the Fulda catchment in Germany by means of the Standardized Precipitation Index. The joint dependency of drought duration and severity is modelled by a copula function, which relates their univariate distributions in a functional relationship. Recurrence intervals are further calculated as a function of the joint relationship and univariate marginals. Future projections are investigated in which downscaled EURO‐CORDEX Regional Climate Model (RCM) projections for the period 2021–2050 are used together with the three Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5, in order to analyse and compare future joint patterns of duration and severity of events. We find that drought duration and severity present a clear interdependency supporting the choice of a bivariate model. Results suggest substantial differences in the future joint relationship duration–severity. Depending on the RCM and RCP, drought patterns show different magnitude of changes in the future. The projected changes are different for the different returns periods. RCP8.5 shows more severe events and longer drought durations than RCP2.6 and RCP4.5. The uncertainties of the projected patterns also depend on the RCP and RCM and are larger for higher return periods.
Variation in bioactive phytochemicals and sensory attributes of osmosonic convective dried ginger from four African countries
Authors: Osae Richard , Alolga Raphael N , Essilfie Gloria , Osei‐Adjei George , Baduweh Cynthia A , Yarley Otu Phyllis Naa , Zhou Cunshan
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

The rhizome of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is one of the most patronized spices worldwide and plays an important role in folklore medicine. In this study, we aimed to determine the quality of ginger samples from representative West African (Ghana, Nigeria) and East African (Uganda, Kenya) countries. By that, we also implicitly sought to determine the probable influence of location of cultivation (and the intrinsic growth conditions) on the quality of the samples. The ginger samples were pretreated by osmosonication prior to relative humidity convective drying and analyzed for differences in their metabolomes, total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activities, sensory characteristics and volatile compounds composition (via electronic‐nose determination).

RESULTS

The outcome of our study showed marked source‐dependent differences in the metabolomes of the samples as captured by a metabolomics approach. Based on the findings of the metabolomics study, 6‐gingerol content was quantified and found to be higher in the samples of West African origin. Also, the samples from the two West African countries contained higher levels of bioactive phytochemicals as evinced by the results of TPC, TFC, e‐nose analysis, and antioxidant activities. They also gave better sensory attributes.

CONCLUSION

In summary, for all parameters assessed, and on a country‐by‐country basis, the general quality trend observed was: Ghana > Nigeria > Uganda > Kenya. All results taken together, our findings at least in part, point to the influence of geographical regions of cultivation on the quality of the ginger rhizomes. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Make it too difficult, and I'll give up; let me succeed, and I'll excel: The interaction between assigned and personal goals
Authors: Fan James , Gómez‐Miñambres Joaquín , Smithers Samuel
Published: February 2020

We examine the motivational effects of setting both assigned and personal nonbinding goals on a real‐effort laboratory experiment. In order to derive conjectures for our experiment, we develop a model with goal‐dependent preferences. In line with previous studies, we find that goal setting leads to a higher performance. We also find that goal setting is most effective if subjects were able to achieve previous goals. Therefore, in goal setting, “success breeds success.” In particular, we observe that when subjects are initially allowed to attain assigned goals, they are better at self‐motivating in the future when performing under personal goals.
Analysis of protein missense alterations by combining sequence‐ and structure‐based methods
Authors: Gyulkhandanyan Aram , Rezaie Alireza R. , Roumenina Lubka , Lagarde Nathalie , Fremeaux‐Bacchi Veronique , Miteva Maria A. , Villoutreix Bruno O.
Published: February 2020

Background

Different types of in silico approaches can be used to predict the phenotypic consequence of missense variants. Such algorithms are often categorized as sequence based or structure based, when they necessitate 3D structural information. In addition, many other in silico tools, not dedicated to the analysis of variants, can be used to gain additional insights about the possible mechanisms at play.

Methods

Here we applied different computational approaches to a set of 20 known missense variants present on different proteins (CYP, complement factor B, antithrombin and blood coagulation factor VIII). The tools that were used include fast computational approaches and web servers such as PolyPhen‐2, PopMusic, DUET, MaestroWeb, SAAFEC, Missense3D, VarSite, FlexPred, PredyFlexy, Clustal Omega, meta‐PPISP, FTMap, ClusPro, pyDock, PPM, RING, Cytoscape, and ChannelsDB.

Results

We observe some conflicting results among the methods but, most of the time, the combination of several engines helped to clarify the potential impacts of the amino acid substitutions.

Conclusion

Combining different computational approaches including some that were not developed to investigate missense variants help to predict the possible impact of the amino acid substitutions. Yet, when the modified residues are involved in a salt‐bridge, the tools tend to fail, even when the analysis is performed in 3D. Thus, interactive structural analysis with molecular graphics packages such as Chimera or PyMol or others are still needed to clarify automatic prediction.
An efficient quadratic finite volume method for variable coefficient Riesz space‐fractional diffusion equations
Authors: Li Fangli , Fu Hongfei , Liu Jun
Published: February 2020

A quadratic finite volume (FV) method for steady‐state Riesz space‐fractional diffusion equations (sFDEs) with variable diffusivity coefficient is developed using piecewise quadratic basis functions, and a resulting linear algebra system with two‐by‐two block‐type Toeplitz‐like coefficient matrix is formulated. It is proved that the method requires a minimum memory of order
, where
is the number of spatial partitions. Moreover, as two of the produced Toeplitz‐like submatrices are not square, a new fast nonsquare Toeplitz‐like matrix‐vector product is specially designed, which requires an almost linear computational complexity of order
. Then, a fast version of biconjugate gradient stabilized (BiCGSTAB) solution algorithm, named FBiCGSTAB, is proposed for the FV scheme. The FV method combined with Crank‐Nicolson (CN) time discretization is applied to solve time‐dependent sFDEs, and an efficient CN‐FV scheme is developed and analyzed. Finally, numerical results are presented to show the utility of the fast FV and fast CN‐FV methods.
Electrodiagnostic characteristics of upper lumbar stenosis: Discrepancy between neurological and structural levels
Authors: Park Jae Hyeon , Chung Sun G. , Kim Keewon
Published: February 2020

Background

Radiculopathies caused by spinal stenosis in the upper lumbar spinal canal (L1/2, L2/3, L3/4) have not been comprehensively investigated.

Methods

This retrospective study reviewed 14 patients from a tertiary hospital outpatient clinic. The inclusion criteria were upper lumbar stenosis seen on MRI and radiculopathies with active denervation confirmed on electromyography. Patients with any other conditions that could explain the clinical or electrophysiological manifestations were excluded.

Results

Neurogenic findings were predominantly observed in L5 or S1 myotomes on electromyography. Abnormal spontaneous activity was observed in distal muscles in all patients and in proximal muscles in eight patients. Axonal involvement was bilateral in 10 patients and unilaterally in 4 patients. MRI showed redundant nerve roots in 13 patients with chronic reinnervation on electromyography.

Conclusions

Upper lumbar spinal stenosis usually causes L5 or S1 radiculopathies with diverse patterns. This discrepancy may cause diagnostic confusion.