bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide analysis of gene expression and protein secretion of Babesia canis during virulent infection identifies potential pathogenicity factors
Authors: Eichenberger Ramon M. , Ramakrishnan Chandra , Russo Giancarlo , Deplazes Peter , Hehl Adrian B.
Published: June 2017

Infections of dogs with virulent strains ofBabesia canisare characterized by rapid onset and high mortality, comparable to complicated human malaria. As in other apicomplexan parasites, mostBabesiavirulence factors responsible for survival and pathogenicity are secreted to the host cell surface and beyond where they remodel and biochemically modify the infected cell interacting with host proteins in a very specific manner. Here, we investigated factors secreted byB.canisduring acute infections in dogs and report onin silicopredictions and experimental analysis of the parasite’s exportome. As a backdrop, we generated a fully annotatedB.canisgenome sequence of a virulent Hungarian field isolate (strain BcH-CHIPZ) underpinned by extensive genome-wide RNA-seq analysis. We find evidence for conserved factors in apicomplexan hemoparasites involved in immune-evasion (e.g. VESA-protein family), proteins secreted across the iRBC membrane into the host bloodstream (e.g. SA- and Bc28 protein families), potential moonlighting proteins (e.g. profilin and histones), and uncharacterized antigens present during acute crisis in dogs. The combined data provides a first predicted and partially validated set of potential virulence factors exported during fatal infections, which can be exploited for urgently needed innovative intervention strategies aimed at facilitating diagnosis and management of canine babesiosis.
Fibroblastic reticular cells of the lymphoid tissues modulate T cell activation threshold during homeostasis via hyperactive cyclooxygenase-2/prostaglandin E2 axis
Authors: Yu Miao , Guo Gang , Zhang Xin , Li Li , Yang Wei , Bollag Roni , Cui Yan
Published: June 2017

Fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) in the T cell zone of lymph nodes (LNs) are pivotal for T cell survival, mobility, and peripheral tolerance. Here, we demonstrate that during homeostasis, FRCs also suppress T cell activation via producing high level of prostaglandin E2(PGE2) due to their thousands-fold higher cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression than immune cells. This hyperactive COX-2/PGE2-induced suppression is evident during antigen-specific and non-antigen-specific activations. It is implicated as suppressed TCR-signaling cascades, reduced alterations in activation markers, and inhibited cytokine production of freshly isolated T cells or T cells co-cultured with FRCs compared with those cultured without FRCs. Different from T cell dysfunction, this FRC-mediated suppression is surmountable by enhancing the strength of stimulation and is reversible by COX-2 inhibitors. Furthermore, T cells in the FRC environment whereCox-2is genetic inactivated are more sensitive and rapidly activated upon stimulations than those in WT environment. Significantly, FRCs of human lymphoid organs manifest similar COX-2/PGE2hyperactivity and T cell suppression. Together, this study identifies a previously unappreciated intrinsic mechanism of FRCs shared between mice and humans for suppressing T cell sensitivity to activation via PGE2, underscoring the importance of FRCs in shaping the suppressive milieu of lymphoid organs during homeostasis.
Efficacy and Safety of Mycobacterium indicus pranii as an adjunct therapy in Category II pulmonary tuberculosis in a randomized trial
Authors: Sharma Surendra K. , Katoch Kiran , Sarin Rohit , Balambal Raman , Kumar Jain Nirmal , Patel Naresh , Murthy Kolluri J. R. , Singla Neeta , Saha P. K. , Khanna Ashwani , Singh Urvashi , Kumar Sanjiv , Sengupta A. , Banavaliker J. N. , Chauhan D. S. , Sachan Shailendra , Wasim Mohammad , Tripathi Sanjay , Dutt Nilesh , Jain Nitin , Joshi Nalin , Penmesta Sita Ram Raju , Gaddam Sumanlatha , Gupta Sanjay , Khamar Bakulesh , Dey Bindu , Mitra Dipendra K. , Arora Sunil K. , Bhaskar Sangeeta , Rani Rajni
Published: June 2017

Prolonged treatment of tuberculosis (TB) often leads to poor compliance, default and relapse, converting primary TB patients into category II TB (Cat IITB) cases, many of whom may convert to multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB). We have evaluated the immunotherapeutic potential of Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP) as an adjunct to Anti-Tubercular Treatment (ATT) in Cat II pulmonary TB (PTB) patients in a prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, multicentric clinical trial. 890 sputum smear positive Cat II PTB patients were randomized to receive either six intra-dermal injections (2 + 4) of heat-killed MIP at a dose of 5 × 108 bacilli or placebo once in 2 weeks for 2 months. Sputum smear and culture examinations were performed at different time points. MIP was safe with no adverse effects. While sputum smear conversion did not show any statistically significant difference, significantly higher number of patients (67.1%) in the MIP group achieved sputum culture conversion at fourth week compared to the placebo (57%) group (p = 0.0002), suggesting a role of MIP in clearance of the bacilli. Since live bacteria are the major contributors for sustained incidence of TB, the potential of MIP in clearance of the bacilli has far reaching implications in controlling the spread of the disease.
Declaration of local chemical eradication of the Argentine ant: Bayesian estimation with a multinomial-mixture model
Authors: Sakamoto Yoshiko , Kumagai Naoki H. , Goka Koichi
Published: June 2017

Determining the success of eradication of an invasive species requires a way to decide when its risk of reoccurrence has become acceptably low. In Japan, the area populated by the Argentine ant,Linepithema humile(Mayr), is expanding, and eradication via chemical treatment is ongoing at various locations. One such program in Tokyo was apparently successful, because the ant population decreased to undetectable levels within a short time. However, construction of a population model for management purposes was difficult because the probability of detecting ants decreases rapidly as the population collapses. To predict the time when the ant was eradicated, we developed a multinomial-mixture model for chemical eradication based on monthly trapping data and the history of pesticide applications. We decided when to declare that eradication had been successful by considering both ‘eradication’ times, which we associated with eradication probabilities of 95% and 99%, and an optimal stopping time based on a ‘minimum expected economic cost’ that considered the possibility that surveys were stopped too soon. By applying these criteria, we retroactively declared that Argentine ants had been eradicated 38–42 months after the start of treatments (16–17 months after the last sighting).
Phototaxis beyond turning: persistent accumulation and response acclimation of the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Arrieta Jorge , Barreira Ana , Chioccioli Maurizio , Polin Marco , Tuval Idan
Published: June 2017

Phototaxis is an important reaction to light displayed by a wide range of motile microorganisms. Flagellated eukaryotic microalgae in particular, like the model organism Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, steer either towards or away from light by a rapid and precisely timed modulation of their flagellar activity. Cell steering, however, is only the beginning of a much longer process which ultimately allows cells to determine their light exposure history. This process is not well understood. Here we present a first quantitative study of the long timescale phototactic motility of Chlamydomonas at both single cell and population levels. Our results reveal that the phototactic strategy adopted by these microorganisms leads to an efficient exposure to light, and that the phototactic response is modulated over typical timescales of tens of seconds. The adaptation dynamics for phototaxis and chlorophyll fluorescence show a striking quantitative agreement, suggesting that photosynthesis controls quantitatively how cells navigate a light field.
Zinc-modified Calcium Silicate Coatings Promote Osteogenic Differentiation through TGF-β/Smad Pathway and Osseointegration in Osteopenic Rabbits
Authors: Yu Jiangming , Xu Lizhang , Li Kai , Xie Ning , Xi Yanhai , Wang Yang , Zheng Xuebin , Chen Xiongsheng , Wang Meiyan , Ye Xiaojian
Published: June 2017

Surface-modified metal implants incorporating different ions have been employed in the biomedical field as bioactive dental implants with good osseointegration properties. However, the molecular mechanism through which surface coatings exert the biological activity is not fully understood, and the effects have been difficult to achieve, especially in the osteopenic bone. In this study, We examined the effect of zinc-modified calcium silicate coatings with two different Zn contents to induce osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived pericytes (BM-PCs) and osteogenetic efficiency in ovariectomised rabbits. Ti-6Al-4V with zinc-modified calcium silicate coatings not only enhanced proliferation but also promoted osteogenic differentiation and mineralized matrix deposition of rat BM-PCs as the zinc content and culture time increased in vitro. The associated molecular mechanisms were investigated by Q-PCR and Western blotting, revealing that TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway plays a direct and significant role in regulating BM-PCs osteoblastic differentiation on Zn-modified coatings. Furthermore, in vivo results that revealed Zn-modified calcium silicate coatings significantly promoted new bone formation around the implant surface in osteopenic rabbits as the Zn content and exposure time increased. Therefore, Zn-modified calcium silicate coatings can improve implant osseointegration in the condition of osteopenia, which may be beneficial for patients suffering from osteoporosis-related fractures.
Ultrafast nonlinear optical response in solution dispersions of black phosphorus
Authors: Miao Lili , Shi Bingxin , Yi Jun , Jiang Yaqin , Zhao Chujun , Wen Shuangchun
Published: June 2017

We report the spatial self-phase modulation (SSPM) effect for solution dispersions of black phosphorus (BP). The experimental results suggest that this concentration-dependent coherent light diffraction is due to the ultrafast and large third-order optical nonlinearity of BP. The third-order nonlinear susceptibility of BP has been simply obtained about 10−19 m2/V2 by analyzing the experimental results. The fast relaxation time during dynamic relaxation is obtained as 0.13 ps. Our experimental results imply novel potential application of BP in ultrafast nonlinear phase modulation devices based on their nonlinear optical response.
Correction: Corrigendum: A reduced lymphocyte ratio as an early marker for predicting acute pancreatitis
Authors: Qi Xiuzhong , Yang Fangyong , Huang Haitao , Du Yiqi , Chen Yan , Wang Meitang , Zhu Dezeng , Yue Xiaoqiang , Wang Lina
Published: June 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 44087; published online: 07 March 2017; updated: 07 June 2017 In this Article, Haitao Huang is incorrectly listed as being affiliated with ‘Department of Intensive Care Unit, People’s Hospital, No.1 Wenhua North Road, Laiwu, 271100, China’. The correct affiliation is listed below:
trans-Polydatin protects the mouse heart against ischemia/reperfusion injury via inhibition of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) and Rho kinase (ROCK) activity
Authors: Ming Dong , Songyan Liao , Yawen Chen , Na Zheng , Jing Ma , Zhaowen Xiao , Ye Liu , Wa Ding , Jie Liu
Published: June 2017

Background: Recent studies highlighted the protective benefits of a Chinese herb extract frompolygonum cuspidatum,trans-polydatin, on cardiac disease.
Quantitative distribution of Zn, Fe and Cu in the human lens and study of the Zn–metallothionein redox system in cultured lens epithelial cells by elemental MS
Authors: González-Iglesias Héctor , Petrash Carson , Rodríguez-Menéndez Sara , García Montserrat , Álvarez Lydia , Fernández-Vega Cueto Luis , Fernández Beatriz , Pereiro Rosario , Sanz-Medel Alfredo , Coca-Prados Miguel
Published: June 2017

Study of metals and metallothioneins in the human lens by the multidisciplinary combination of MS and bio-analytical methodologies.
Faradaic oxygen evolution from SrTiO3 under nano- and femto-second pulsed light excitation
Authors: Aschaffenburg D. J. , Chen X. , Cuk T.
Published: June 2017

Measured O2 concentration under 266 nm, 500 Hz, 150 fs (open red circles) and 30 ns (open blue triangles) pulsed laser excitation. The black lines indicate the theoretical amount of O2 product at 100% Faradaic efficiency.
A stable gold(i)–enyne species obtained by alkyne carboauration in a complex rearrangement
Authors: Cámara Jéssica , Blanco M. Carmen , Laguna Antonio , Naumov Panče , Gimeno M. Concepción
Published: June 2017

An unprecedented tetranuclear gold derivative with unusual gold–enyne moieties is prepared by a mild and neat rearrangement of a dinuclear gold complex with a bridging bis(diphenylphosphino)alkyne and terminal alkynyl ligands.
Strong metal-support interaction between Pt and SiO2 following high-temperature reduction: a catalytic interface for propane dehydrogenation
Authors: Deng Lidan , Miura Hiroki , Shishido Tetsuya , Hosokawa Saburo , Teramura Kentaro , Tanaka Tsunehiro
Published: June 2017

Pt/SiO2 directly reduced in H2 at 1073 K exhibited a high catalytic activity in propane dehydrogenation, primarily attributed to the electronic modification of Pt nanoparticles by the SMSI effect.
Vaporization of protic ionic liquids derived from organic superbases and short carboxylic acids
Authors: Ribeiro Filipe M. S. , Lima Carlos F. R. A. C. , Vaz Inês C. M. , Rodrigues Ana S. M. C. , Sapei Erlin , Melo André , Silva Artur M. S. , Santos Luís M. N. B. F.
Published: June 2017

Evaluation of the phase behavior and cohesive energy of DBN/DBU and carboxylic acid based protic ionic liquids (PILs).
Lead(ii) soaps: crystal structures, polymorphism, and solid and liquid mesophases
Authors: Martínez-Casado F. J. , Ramos-Riesco M. , Rodríguez-Cheda J. A. , Redondo-Yélamos M. I. , Garrido L. , Fernández-Martínez A. , García-Barriocanal J. , da Silva I. , Durán-Olivencia M. , Poulain A.
Published: June 2017

The long-chain members of lead(ii) alkanoate series or soaps were characterized by a range of techniques.
Hydrogen adsorption on MoS2-surfaces: a DFT study on preferential sites and the effect of sulfur and hydrogen coverage
Authors: Kronberg Rasmus , Hakala Mikko , Holmberg Nico , Laasonen Kari
Published: June 2017

H-Adsorption on MoS2-surfaces is studied as a function of structural parameters and an assessment of the intricate structure–property relations is conducted.
Electrochemistry of single droplets of inverse (water-in-oil) emulsions
Authors: Zhang Haozhi , Sepunaru Lior , Sokolov Stanislav V. , Laborda Eduardo , Batchelor-McAuley Christopher , Compton Richard G.
Published: June 2017

Single water droplet electrochemistry investigated for the first time, reveals the biphasic kinetics of ion transfer within water-in-oil emulsions.
Separation and purification of the bovine milk fat globule membrane protein and its effect on improvement of C2C12mouse skeletal muscle cell proliferation
Authors: Li He , Xu Weili , Ma Ying , Zhou Shaobo
Published: June 2017

A novel method to improve the proliferation activity of C2C12cells by the bovine milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) protein was established in this study.
Development of flow injection analysis-solid phase extraction based on ion imprinted polymeric nanoparticles as an efficient and selective technique for preconcentration of zinc ions from aqueous solution
Authors: Fereidoonipour Fereshteh , Rajabi Hamid Reza
Published: June 2017

Here, a new flow injection analysis-solid phase extraction (FIA-SPE) technique was developed by using zinc ion imprinted polymeric nanoparticles (Zn-IIP NPs) for the separation and preconcentration of Zn2+ions from aqueous solutions.
Experimental review: chemical reduction of graphene oxide (GO) to reduced graphene oxide (rGO) by aqueous chemistry
Authors: Guex L. G. , Sacchi B. , Peuvot K. F. , Andersson R. L. , Pourrahimi A. M. , Ström V. , Farris S. , Olsson R. T.
Published: June 2017

NaBH4 graphene oxide sheet reduction is presented with a focus on the elimination of oxygen and the morphology of the sheets as a substrate for electrical measurements. A record high conductivity of 1500 S m−1 was achieved with the provided protocol for NaBH4 as reducing agent.
Controlling the excited-state dynamics of low band gap, near-infrared absorbers via proquinoidal unit electronic structural modulation
Authors: Bai Yusong , Rawson Jeff , Roget Sean A. , Olivier Jean-Hubert , Lin Jiaxing , Zhang Peng , Beratan David N. , Therien Michael J.
Published: June 2017

Modulating the extent of configuration interaction steers the excited-state relaxation pathways and dynamics of high oscillator strength NIR absorbers that exploit proquinoidal conjugation.
Mechanism of gelation in low-concentration aqueous solutions of silver nitrate with l-cysteine and its derivatives
Authors: Khizhnyak Svetlana D. , Komarov Pavel V. , Ovchinnikov Maxim M. , Zherenkova Lubov V. , Pakhomov Pavel M.
Published: June 2017

A mechanism of gelation in aqueous solutions of silver nitrate with l-cysteine and its derivatives is discussed.
Effects of monovalent cations on folding kinetics of G-quadruplexes
Authors: You Jing , Li Hui , Lu Xi-Ming , Li Wei , Wang Peng-Ye , Dou Shuo-Xing , Xi Xu-Guang
Published: June 2017

G-quadruplexes are special structures existing at the ends of human telomeres, the folding kinetics of which are essential for their functions, such as in the maintenance of genome stability and the protection of chromosome ends. In the present study, we investigated the folding kinetics of G-quadruplex in different monovalent cation environments and determined the detailed kinetic parameters for Na+- and K+-induced G-quadruplex folding, and for its structural transition from the basket-type Na+ form to the hybrid-type K+ form. More interestingly, although Li+ was often used in previous studies of G-quadruplex folding as a control ion supposed to have no effect, we have found that Li+ can actually influence the folding kinetics of both Na+- and K+-induced G-quadruplexes significantly and in different ways, by changing the folding fraction of Na+-induced G-quadruplexes and greatly increasing the folding rates of K+-induced G-quadruplexes. The present study may shed new light on the roles of monovalent cations in G-quadruplex folding and should be useful for further studies of the underlying folding mechanism.
Optimal capacitor placement in distorted distribution systems considering resonance constraint using multi‐swarm particle swarm optimisation algorithm
Authors: Ayoubi Masoud , Hooshmand Rahmat‐Allah , Torabian Esfahani Mehdi
Published: June 2017

Optimal capacitor placement in distribution systems has been studied for many reasons such as the improvement of voltage profile, mitigation of total harmonic distortion, and reduction of power losses. In this study, a new approach is presented for capacitor placement in the presence of harmonic distortion along with a proposed resonance index (RI). In this approach, a sensitivity analysis is first applied to find candidate buses. After that, the size and location of capacitors are optimised by a proposed fitness function. The fitness function includes a fuzzy membership function of annual net benefit, maximum THD of voltage, maximum voltage deviation, and a resonance constraint. This procedure supports different load levels employing fixed and switched capacitors. Also, a new RI is presented to prevent resonance conditions. Finally, the approach is tested on an IEEE 18‐bus and an IEEE 69‐bus system using the multi‐swarm particle swarm optimisation algorithm. The simulation results show the efficiency of the method in comparison with the other methods.
Optimal scheduling of distributed energy resources as a virtual power plant in a transactive energy framework
Authors: Qiu Jing , Meng Ke , Zheng Yu , Dong Zhao Yang
Published: June 2017

A transactive energy framework can provide an integral management scheme that facilitates power delivery with high efficiency and reliability. To close the gap between wholesale and retail markets, this study presents a two‐stage optimal scheduling model for distributed energy resources in the form of a virtual power plant (VPP) participating in the day‐ahead (DA) and real‐time (RT) markets. In the first stage, the hourly scheduling strategy of the VPP is optimised, in order to maximise the total profit in the DA market. In the second stage, the outputs of the VPP are optimally adjusted, in order to minimise the imbalance cost in the RT market. The conditional‐value‐at‐risk is used to assess the risk of profit variability due to the presence of uncertainties. Furthermore, formulated two‐stage models are solved by the enhanced particle swarm optimisation algorithm and a commercial solver. Case study results show that the proposed approach can identify optimal and accurate scheduling results, and is a useful decision‐making tool.
Fractional‐order tensor regularisation for image inpainting
Authors: Yang Xiuhong , Guo Baolong
Published: June 2017

Compared with classic integer‐order calculus, fractional calculus is a more powerful mathematical method that non‐linearly preserves and enhances image features in different frequency bands. In order to extend fractional‐in‐space diffusion scheme with matrix‐valued diffusivity to perform superior image inpainting, the authors build the new fractional‐order tensor regularisation (FTR) model by utilising the newly defined fractional‐order structure tensor (FST) to control the regularisation process. The proposed model is derived as a process that minimises a functional proportional to the FST composed of the inner product of the fractional derivative vector and its transposition; hence, the new model not only inherits genuine anisotropism of tensor regularisation, but is also better equipped to handle subtle details and complex structures because of the characteristics of fractional calculus. To minimise the proposed functional, the corresponding Euler–Lagrange equation is deduced, and the anisotropism of the proposed model is analysed accordingly. Fractional‐order derivative masks in positive x and y directions and negative x and y directions are implemented according to the shifted Grümwald–Letnikov definition, and a proper iterative numerical scheme is analysed. According to experimental results on various test images, the proposed FTR inpainting model demonstrates superior inpainting performance both in noiseless and noisy scenarios.
A Systematic Study of the Synthesis of 2ʹ-Deoxynucleosides by Mitsunobu Reaction
Authors: Seio Kohji , Tokugawa Munefumi , Kaneko Kazuhei , Shiozawa Takashi , Masaki Yoshiaki
Published: June 2017

The Mitsunobu reaction has emerged as an important alternative for the preparation of synthetic 2′-deoxynucleosides, which have various biological and biotechnological applications. In this work, the Mitsunobu-based synthesis of 2′-deoxynucleosides was systematically studied. The effect of phosphine, azodicarbonyl reagent, and solvent on the product yield and α/β ratio was investigated, and the highest yield and β-selectivity were obtained using (n-Bu)3P and 1,1′-(azodicarbonyl)dipiperidine in DMF. The reaction was successfully applied to various nucleobase analogues.
A New Approach to the Synthesis of Benzo[c][1,7]naphthyridin-4(3H)-ones
Authors: Fisyuk Alexander , Kulakov Ivan , Shatsauskas Anton , Matsukevich Mariya , Palamarchuk Irina , Seilkhanov Tulegen , Gatilov Yuriy
Published: June 2017

A simple and efficient approach has been developed for the synthesis of previously inaccessible 6-arylbenzo[c][1,7]naphthyridin-4(3H)-ones, which is based on the interaction of 3-amino-6-methyl-4-arylpyridin-2(1H)-ones and aromatic aldehydes in a strong acidic media (trifluoroacetic, phosphorous or polyphosphorous acids) under heating. The initial imine derivatives undergo Pictet–Spengler condensation to form intermediate 6-aryl-5,6-dihydrobenzo[c]-1,7-naphthyridin-4(3H)-ones, which are oxidized by atmospheric oxygen to give 3-amino-6-methyl-4-arylpyridin-2(1H)-ones as the final products.
Nanotechnology-Based Approaches in Pediatric Parasitic Infections
Authors: Nawaz Muhammad
Published: June 2017

Nanotechnology is getting more importance in pharmaceutical chemistry and has a significant role in enabling the drugs in targeting specific cells and tissues. Dose administration and formulation of drugs for pediatric patients remain a challenge; an ideal pediatric formulation must be in an appropriate dosage form that can be handled by the pediatric patients. Drug pharmacokinetics in children differs from the adults and also differs in toxicity and side effects. Therefore, treatment of diseases in pediatric patients cannot be simplified just to adjust the body weight or using measures such as cutting pills in half. In this regard, application of innovative techniques such as nanotechnology in the pediatric population is receiving enormous attention. This study discussed the application of nanotechnology for the treatment of malaria, leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis, and schistosomiasis in pediatric patients.
The Rationale of Osteotomy around the Knee
Authors: Lobenhoffer Philipp
Published: June 2017

Frontal plane varus or valgus deformity causes overload in the ipsilateral compartment and may induce and accelerate cartilage damage. Osteotomy around the knee should be considered in symptomatic constitutional and posttraumatic metaphyseal deformities of more than 3-degree deviation. Age, grade of osteoarthritis, obesity, and nicotine consumption are no exclusion criteria for osteotomy. For correction of varus deformity, biplanar open wedge osteotomy of the tibia with fixation by a plate fixator has proven to be a safe and stable construct allowing for early weight-bearing. Valgus deformities of the tibia can be treated by biplanar closed wedge osteotomy of the proximal tibia. For femur deformities closed wedge biplanar osteotomy and fixation with a specific plate fixator is an attractive solution reducing implant-related morbidity. Osteotomy around the knee may also be used to protect cartilage reconstruction and meniscus transplantation. Corrections in the sagittal plane may improve the anteroposterior stability of the knee significantly and can be combined with frontal plane corrections.
Einflussfaktoren des Zugangs in die Anschlussrehabilitation (AHB) von operativ versorgten kardiologischen Patienten
Authors: Lohss R. , Blumenthal M. , Gottschling-Lang A. , Egen C. , Gutenbrunner C. , Sturm C.
Published: June 2017

Ziel Untersucht wurde der Einfluss umwelt- und personenbezogener Faktoren auf den Zugang in die Anschlussrehabilitation (AHB) operativ versorgter kardiologischer Patienten.

Methodik Die Studie war als explorative, beobachtende Querschnittstudie ohne Intervention angelegt. Die Befragung der Patienten erfolgte anhand eines standardisierten Fragebogens in 2 Akutkrankenhäusern auf kardiologischen und kardiochirurgischen Normalstationen. Anhand multivariater logistischer Regressionsmodelle wurden die Einflussstärken verschiedener Faktoren auf den AHB-Zugang berechnet.

Ergebnisse Eingeschlossen wurden 210 Patienten. Das Durchschnittsalter lag bei 52,1 Jahren, 81,0% waren männlich. Bei 61,0% der Patienten wurde eine AHB bewilligt. Signifikante Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen mit und ohne AHB gab es hinsichtlich Alter (p=0,018), Geschlecht (p=0,007), der PAREMO-Skalen „Änderungsbereitschaft“ (p=0,011) und „Skepsis“ (p=0,005) sowie des Rehabilitationsziels „Erlernen von Fähigkeiten im Umgang mit der Erkrankung“ (p=0,043). Bezüglich erhobenem Barthel-Index zum Befragungszeitpunkt gab es keinen signifikanten Unterschied zwischen beiden Gruppen. Die Wahrscheinlichkeit auf den AHB-Zugang erhöhte sich signifikant, wenn eine Indikation (OP-Verfahren) gemäß AHB-Indikationskatalog vorlag (p=0,001; OR=5,76) oder ein AHB-Wunsch des Patienten vorhanden war (p<0,001; OR=17,91).

Diskussion Die Bewilligung einer AHB kardiologischer Patienten wird neben dem durchgeführten Operationsverfahren auch durch den individuellen AHB-Wunsch der Patienten beeinflusst. Voraussetzung für das Antreten einer AHB ist u. a. eine ausreichende Rehabilitationsfähigkeit gemäß Barthel-Index, die jedoch keinen signifikanten Einfluss auf die AHB-Bewilligung hatte.

Schlussfolgerung Es bleibt zu prüfen, inwieweit der persönliche Patientenwunsch mit Parametern der Rehabilitationsfähigkeit verbunden werden kann. Weiterhin scheint es notwendig, Konzepte zu entwickeln, nach denen die Rehabilitationsfähigkeit stärker auf die Entscheidung einer AHB Einfluss nehmen kann.
Demenzielle Erkrankungen: Sport und Bewegung in Prävention und Therapie
Authors: Eidenschink Stefan
Published: June 2017

Adäquate sportliche Bewegung kann einer Demenz vorbeugen und das Fortschreiten einer bestehenden Demenz verlangsamen. In der
Primärprävention haben Studien belegt: Körperlich Aktive erreichen in kognitiven Tests die höchsten Leistungen und weisen das
geringste Demenzrisiko auf.

Auch in der Sekundärprävention bei bereits bestehender Erkrankung bestätigen Studien die Vorteile körperlicher Aktivität: Ein
speziell auf Demenzkranke abgestimmtes Trainingsprogramm zeigte Benefits für die körperliche Leistungsfähigkeit und eine
signifikante Wirkung auf die kognitive Leistungsfähigkeit.

In der Praxis haben sich Übungen bewährt, die Gleichgewicht und Muskelkraft trainieren sowie Multitaskingaufgaben integrieren.
Gelingt es, Emotionen wie ein wenig Freude zu wecken, bleibt die Aufmerksamkeit bei diesem Tun, hilfreich sind hier z. B. ein
sozialer Rahmen oder Musik.
Morbus Alzheimer – Ansätze für die Prävention und Therapie
Authors: Friedrichsen Hans-Peter
Published: June 2017

Der dramatische Anstieg der Alzheimer-Erkrankung im Alter, als Zeichen zunehmender Neurodegeneration muss als Resultat vermehrter
oxidativer und inflammatorischer Prozesse im Gehirn betrachtet werden, wobei Chemikalien (z. B. Aluminium, Biozide, Endocrine
Disruptors), AGEs, Fette und Mangel an protektiven Nährstoffen wesentliche Auslöser sind. Mangel an körperlicher Aktivität und
geringe kognitive Reserve, durch reduzierte geistige und soziale Aktivität, verstärken die degenerativen Effekte. Sinnvolle
Ansätze müssen sich v.a. auf die Prävention konzentrieren und möglichst viele der krankheitsfördernden Effekte früh im Leben
reduzieren oder ausschalten. Die beste Prävention und Therapie stellt daher ein biologischer Lebensstil schon in jungen Jahren
dar. Dazu gehören vollwertige und gesunde Lebensmittel ohne Chemie sowie eine gute Versorgung mit allen wichtigen Nährstoffen.
Dies würde die ursächlichen Prozesse wie die AGE/RAGE/NF-kB-Kaskade, oxidativen Stress und Neuroinflammation deutlich reduzieren.
Regelmäßige körperliche Aktivität, ausreichende Ruhe und Erholungszeiten (für die Zellregeneration), wie auch geistige und soziale
Aktivität bis ins Alter würden die Neurogenese deutlich erhöhen. Dieser Ansatz ist nicht nur wesentlich effektiver als jedes
eventuelle Medikamente, er hat auch keine Nebenwirkungen.
Linked color imaging improves the visibility of colorectal polyps: a video study
Authors: Yoshida Naohisa , Naito Yuji , Murakami Takaaki , Hirose Ryohei , Ogiso Kiyoshi , Inada Yutaka , Dohi Osamu , Kamada Kazuhiro , Uchiyama Kazuhiko , Handa Osamu , Konishi Hideyuki , Siah Kewin , Yagi Nobuaki , Fujita Yasuko , Kishimoto Mitsuo , Yanagisawa Akio , Itoh Yoshito
Published: June 2017

Background/study aim Linked color imaging (LCI) by a laser endoscope (Fujifilm Co, Tokyo, Japan) is a novel narrow band light observation. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether LCI could improve the visibility of colorectal polyps using endoscopic videos.

Patients and methods We prospectively recorded videos of consecutive polyps 2 – 20 mm in size diagnosed as neoplastic polyps. Three videos, white light (WL), blue laser imaging (BLI)-bright, and LCI, were recorded for each polyp by one expert. After excluding inappropriate videos, all videos were evaluated in random order by two experts and two non-experts according to a published polyp visibility score from four (excellent visibility) to one (poor visibility). Additionally, the relationship between polyp visibility scores in LCI and various clinical characteristics including location, size, histology, morphology, and preparation were analyzed compared to WL and BLI-bright.

Results We analyzed 101 colorectal polyps (94 neoplastic) in 66 patients (303 videos). The mean polyp size was 9.0 ± 8.1 mm and 54 polyps were non-polypoid. The mean polyp visibility scores for LCI (2.86 ± 1.08) were significantly higher than for WL and BLI-bright (2.53 ± 1.15, P < 0.001; 2.73 ± 1.47, P < 0.041). The ratio of poor visibility (score 1 and 2) was significantly lower in LCI for experts and non-experts (35.6 %, 33.6 %) compared with WL (49.6 %, P = 0.015, 50.5 %, P = 0.046). The polyp visibility scores for LCI were significantly higher than those for WL for all of the factors. With respect to the comparison between BLI-bright and WL, the polyp visibility scores for BLI-bright were not higher than WL for right-sided location, < 10 mm size, sessile serrated adenoma and polyp histology, and poor preparation. For those characteristics, LCI improved the lesions with right-sided location, SSA/P histology, and poor preparation significantly better than BLI.

Conclusions LCI improved polyp visibility compared to WL for both expert and non-expert endoscopists. It is useful for improving polyp visibility in any location, any size, any morphology, any histology, and any preparation level.

Study registration: UMIN000013770
Stellenwert der Immunonkologie bei der Therapie des Urothelkarzinoms
Authors: Retz Margitta , Tauber Robert , Horn Thomas
Published: June 2017

Im November 2016 wurden Studiendaten zur Zweitlinientherapie des metastasierten Urothelkarzinoms mit dem PD-1-Antikörper Pembrolizumab publiziert, die einen Vorteil im Gesamtüberleben gegenüber einer konventionellen Chemotherapie zeigen. Andere PD-1/PD-L1-Inhibitoren befinden sich in fortgeschrittenen klinischen Studien. Diese Substanzklasse wird ab der für 2017 erwarteten Zulassung in dieser Therapiesituation der neue Standard sein und damit die bisher empfohlene Chemotherapie mit Vinflunin ablösen.

Aktuelle Studien überprüfen derzeit den Einsatz von PD-1/PD-L1 gerichteten Substanzen auch in der Erstlinientherapie des metastasierten Urothelkarzinoms. Dabei werden verschiedene Therapiestrategien verfolgt: Monotherapien mit PD-1/PD-L1-Inhibitoren sowie deren Kombinationen mit CTLA-4-Inhibitoren oder konventioneller Chemotherapie. Erste Studiendaten werden für Ende 2017 erwartet.

Ein neuer Therapieansatz verfolgt den Einsatz von Checkpoint-Inhibitoren in der perioperativen Behandlung bei Patienten mit einem muskelinvasiven Urothelkarzinom nach chirurgischer R0-Resektion (Radikale Zystektomie oder Nephroureterektomie). Zwei internationale Phase-III-Studien überprüfen derzeit eine adjuvante Immuntherapie mit Nivolumab oder Atezolizumab. Die Studienrekrutierung wird voraussichtlich Mitte 2018 beendet sein.
Neurodermitis: Haut in der Defensive
Authors: Staubach-Renz Petra
Published: June 2017

Schubweiser Verlauf, Überreaktion auf hautreizende Trigger und atopische Disposition kennzeichnen nahezu alle Neurodermitisverläufe. Fast immer zeigen sich dabei eine rezidivierende Dermatitis, Juckreiz, trockene Haut und typische Prädilektionsstellen unter anderem an Arm- und Beinbeugen. Die Leitlinien umfassen alle Optionen zum Management der Neurodermitis einschließlich Diagnostik, Therapieoptionen und Ernährungsberatung.
Formulation of state projected centroid molecular dynamics: Microcanonical ensemble and connection to the Wigner distribution
Authors: Orr Lindsay , Hernández de la Peña Lisandro , Roy Pierre-Nicholas
Published: June 2017

A derivation of quantum statistical mechanics based on the concept of a Feynman path centroid is presented for the case of generalized density operators using the projected density operator formalism of Blinov and Roy [J. Chem. Phys. 115, 7822–7831 (2001)]. The resulting centroid densities, centroid symbols, and centroid correlation functions are formulated and analyzed in the context of the canonical equilibrium picture of Jang and Voth [J. Chem. Phys. 111, 2357–2370 (1999)]. The case where the density operator projects onto a particular energy eigenstate of the system is discussed, and it is shown that one can extract microcanonical dynamical information from double Kubo transformed correlation functions. It is also shown that the proposed projection operator approach can be used to formally connect the centroid and Wigner phase-space distributions in the zero reciprocal temperature β limit. A Centroid Molecular Dynamics (CMD) approximation to the state-projected exact quantum dynamics is proposed and proven to be exact in the harmonic limit. The state projected CMD method is also tested numerically for a quartic oscillator and a double-well potential and found to be more accurate than canonical CMD. In the case of a ground state projection, this method can resolve tunnelling splittings of the double well problem in the higher barrier regime where canonical CMD fails. Finally, the state-projected CMD framework is cast in a path integral form.
Kinetic model of stimulated emission created by resonance pumping of aluminum laser-induced plasma
Authors: Gornushkin I. B. , Kazakov A. Ya.
Published: June 2017

Stimulated emission observed experimentally in an aluminum laser induced plasma is modeled via a kinetic approach. The simulated emission at several cascade transitions is created by a pump laser guided through the plasma at several microseconds after its creation and tuned in resonance with the strong 3s23p-3s24s transition at 266 nm. A two-dimensional space-time collisional radiative plasma model explains the creation of the population inversion and lasing at wavelengths of 2100 nm and 396.1 nm. The population inversion for lasing at 2100 nm is created by depopulation of the ground 3s23p state and population of the 3s25s state via the absorption of the resonant radiation at 266 nm. The population inversion for lasing at 396.1 nm occurs during the laser pulse via the decay of the population of the pumped 3s25s state to the excited 3s24s state via cascade transitions driven optically and by collisions. In particular, efficient are the mixing transitions between neighboring states separated by small gaps on the order of kT at plasma temperatures of 5000–10 000 K. The model predicts that the population inversion and corresponding gain may reach high values even at very moderate pump energy of several μJ per pulse. The efficiency of lasing at 2100 nm and 396.1 nm is estimated to be ∼3% and 0.05%, correspondingly with respect to the pump laser intensity. The gain for lasing at 396.1 nm can reach as high as ∼40 cm−1. The polarization effect that the pump radiation at 266 nm imposes on the stimulated emission at 396.1 nm is discussed. The calculated results are favorably compared to experimental data.
Colloidal diffusion over a quasicrystalline-patterned surface
Authors: Su Yun , Lai Pik-Yin , Ackerson Bruce J. , Cao Xin , Han Yilong , Tong Penger
Published: June 2017

We report a systematic study of colloidal diffusion over a substrate with quasicrystalline-patterned holes. Silica spheres of diameter comparable to the hole diameter diffuse over the patterned substrate and experience a gravitational potential U(x, y). Using optical microscopy, we track the particle trajectories and find two distinct states: a trapped state when the particles are inside the holes and a free-diffusion state when they are on the flat surface outside the holes. The potential U(x, y) and dynamic properties of the diffusing particle, such as its mean dwell time, mean square displacement, and long-time diffusion coefficient DL, are measured simultaneously. The measured DL is in good agreement with the prediction of two theoretical models proposed for diffusion over a quasicrystal lattice. The experiment demonstrates the applications of this newly constructed potential landscape.
Full-f XGC1 gyrokinetic study of improved ion energy confinement from impurity stabilization of ITG turbulence
Authors: Kim Kyuho , Kwon Jae-Min , Chang C. S. , Seo Janghoon , Ku S. , Choe W.
Published: June 2017

Flux-driven full-f gyrokinetic simulations are performed to study carbon impurity effects on the ion temperature gradient (ITG) turbulence and ion thermal transport in a toroidal geometry. Employing the full-f gyrokinetic code XGC1, both main ions and impurities are evolved self-consistently including turbulence and neoclassical physics. It is found that the carbon impurity profile self-organizes to form an inwardly peaked density profile, which weakens the ITG instabilities and reduces the overall fluctuations and ion thermal transport. A stronger reduction appears in the low frequency components of the fluctuations. The global structure of E × B flow also changes, resulting in the reduction of global avalanche like transport events in the impure plasma. Detailed properties of impurity transport are also studied, and it is revealed that both the inward neoclassical pinch and the outward turbulent transport are equally important in the formation of the steady state impurity profile.
Unidirectional threshold resistive switching in Au/NiO/Nb:SrTiO3 devices
Authors: Guo M. Q. , Chen Y. C. , Lin C. Y. , Chang Y. F. , Fowler Burt , Li Q. Q. , Lee J. , Zhao Y. G.
Published: June 2017

A voltage-induced unidirectional threshold resistive switching has been reported for Au/NiO/Nb:SrTiO3 devices fabricated by pulsed laser deposition. The devices show the threshold resistive switching behavior only for the positive voltages, determined by the forming process. The current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics of the as-grown samples with different thicknesses suggest that the I-V and C-V properties are dominated by the Schottky junction at the NiO/Nb:SrTiO3 interface and NiO film, respectively, indicating the formation of conductive filaments in NiO film. Furthermore, the effect of NiO-film thickness on the resistive switching, as well as the I-V and C-V characteristics, indicates that the unidirectional threshold resistive switching originates from the combined contributions of the interfacial Schottky junction modulation and the bipolar threshold switching related to the unstable conductive filament in NiO film. Our research results provide additional insights into the resistive switching mechanism as well as applications of selector device.
Communication: DFT treatment of strong correlation in 3d transition-metal diatomics
Authors: Johnson Erin R. , Becke Axel D.
Published: June 2017

Bonds between, and to, transition-metal atoms often involve strong electron correlation which cannot be handled by conventional density-functional-theory approximations. The recent “B13” functional of Becke [J. Chem. Phys. 138, 074109 (2013) and J. Chem. Phys. 138, 161101 (2013)] models dynamic, static, and strong correlation in an exact-exchange-based framework. We test B13 on bond energies of transition-metal diatomics in this work, with promising results.
A self-convergence droop control of no communication based on double-quadrant state of charge in DC microgrid applications
Authors: Yang Hanqing , Qiu Yibin , Li Qi , Chen Weirong
Published: June 2017

With the consideration of a line resistance in a DC microgrid, the state of charge (SoC) of batteries will not be consistent with each other due to the voltage drop in the line resistance. In this paper, a model of a DC microgrid including detailed distributed generation models is established first, which can present the mechanism characteristic of different distributed generations. Then, a self-convergence droop control of no communication based on double-quadrant SoC is proposed to solve the problem modifying the charge/discharge rate with SoC itself and line resistance. After operating for a while by adopting this proposed method, the SoC of batteries in the DC microgrid can converge to the same value itself without need for a communication system to exchange data with each other. Meanwhile, the output/input power of batteries can be equalized. Therefore, the lifetime of batteries can be prolonged and the overuse of batteries can be avoided in this situation. Also, the system reliability is improved. Finally, the test results of a DC microgrid with a photovoltaic cell, a fuel cell, and two batteries in the RT-LAB real-time platform are shown to verify this approach.
Discovery of intrinsic quantum anomalous Hall effect in organic Mn-DCA lattice
Authors: Wang Ya-ping , Ji Wei-xiao , Zhang Chang-wen , Li Ping , Wang Pei-ji , Kong Biao , Li Sheng-shi , Yan Shi-shen , Liang Kang
Published: June 2017

The quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) phase is a topological state of matter characterized by a nonzero quantized Hall conductivity without an external magnetic field. The realizations of the QAH effect, however, are experimentally challengeable. Based on ab initio calculations, here, we propose an intrinsic QAH phase in the Mn–dicyanoanthracene (DCA) Kagome lattice. The nontrivial topology in Kagome bands is confirmed by the nonzero Chern number, quantized Hall conductivity, and gapless chiral edge states of the Mn-DCA lattice. A tight-binding model is further constructed to clarify the origin of the QAH effect. Furthermore, its Curie temperature, estimated to be ∼253 K using the Monte-Carlo simulation, is comparable with room temperature and higher than that of most of the two-dimensional ferromagnetic thin films. Our findings present a reliable material platform for the observation of the QAH effect in covalent-organic frameworks.
Tetragonal CH
3
NH
3
PbI
3
is ferroelectric
Authors: Rakita Yevgeny , Bar-Elli Omri , Meirzadeh Elena , Kaslasi Hadar , Peleg Yagel , Hodes Gary , Lubomirsky Igor , Oron Dan , Ehre David , Cahen David
Published: June 2017

Significance

Halide perovskite (HaP) semiconductors are revolutionizing the field of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy conversion by showing remarkable performance of solar cells made with HaPs. “Ferroelectrics” is one frequently suggested reason because it may allow the spatial separation of the flow of electrons from where they were generated (holes). Unlike common, electrically insulating, ferroelectric materials, HaPs [especially tetragonal methylammonium lead triiodide (MAPbI
3
)] are semiconducting, and to find out whether they are ferroelectric requires an approach that is different from what is done customarily. Using such an approach, we prove that tetragonal MAPbI
3
is definitely ferroelectric. What still remains to be seen is whether this ferroelectric nature is important for how MAPbI
3
-based solar cells operate around room temperature.
Religion in European constitutions – cases of different secularities
Authors: Schnabel Annette , Behrens Kathrin , Grötsch Florian
Published: June 2017

This article explores how religion and the public legal domains of modern societies in the EU-member states are institutionally interconnected. We focus our analysis on how religion, religiosity and religious organisations are integrated and regulated in European constitutions. Our analysis is guided by two sociological theories concerning the development of modern institutional arrangements: (a) neo-institutionalism, emphasising the influence of world culture which leads to institutional isomorphism as the adaption of worldwide shared scripts; (b) path dependency, emphasising the emergence of institutional arrangements as path depending on particular power relations and historical events. From neo-institutionalism, we expect to find similarities in more recent constitutions while theories of path dependency indicate similarities only in cases of similar historical events or power relations. In applying an explorative, quantitative document analysis of a unique data set of constitutions, we detect similarities and differences concerning religion in the constitutional texts. Our analysis establishes religion as a multi-dimensional issue that is regulated in quite different ways in different states. We demonstrate that neo-institutionalism is valid only on the mere formal level of the composition of the constitutions of the EU-member states.