bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microstructural Bone Changes Are Associated With Broad‐Spectrum Autoimmunity and Predict the Onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Simon David , Kleyer Arnd , Cong Duy Bui , Hueber Axel , Bang Holger , Ramming Andreas , Rech Juergen , Schett Georg
Published: February 2020

Objective

To assess if microstructural bone lesions in individuals at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are related to the spectrum of anti–modified protein antibodies (AMPAs) and affect the risk of developing RA.

Methods

Cortical microchannels as well as cortical and trabecular bone mineral density (BMD) volumes (expressed as mg hydroxyapatite/cm3) were analyzed by high‐resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography of the hand joints of individuals at risk of RA. AMPA response was profiled, including reactivities against citrullinated proteins (vimentin, enolase, and fibrinogen) as well as carbamylated and acetylated vimentin. All subjects were followed up for the development of RA.

Results

Subjects at risk of developing RA (n = 75) who had broad‐spectrum AMPAs (6–8 reactivities) had significantly more severe microstructural changes, including a higher mean ± SD number of cortical microchannels per joint (95 ± 3) and lower total volumetric BMD (vBMD; 265 ± 45), trabecular vBMD (176 ± 42), and cortical vBMD (585 ± 138), than those with moderate AMPA reactivity (3–5 reactivities) (number of cortical microchannels, 79 ± 30; total vBMD, 293 ± 33; trabecular vBMD, 195 ± 32; and cortical vBMD, 627 ± 91) and those with narrow AMPA reactivity (1–2 reactivities) (number of cortical microchannels, 47 ± 20; total vBMD, 311 ± 34; trabecular vBMD, 211 ± 30; and cortical vBMD, 674 ± 56). Progressors to RA had significantly higher numbers of cortical microchannels (103 ± 30 versus 71 ± 35) and lower bone volume (258 ± 37 versus 295 ± 34) compared to nonprogressors. Furthermore, rate of progression to RA was high in subjects with broad AMPA reactivity (48%) versus those with medium AMPA reactivity (26%) or narrow AMPA reactivity (0%), as well as in those with a high number of cortical microchannels (44%) versus those with a low number of cortical microchannels (10%).

Conclusion

Microstructural changes in individuals at risk of RA are associated with broad‐spectrum autoimmunity and predict the onset of RA. These data support the concept of structural priming of joints by autoimmunity before the onset of the inflammatory phase of the disease.
Effective inhibition of C3a‐mediated pro‐inflammatory response by a human C3a‐specific protein binder
Authors: Sohn Yoo‐Kyoung , Son Sumin , Choi Yoonjoo , Hwang Da‐Eun , Seo Hyo‐Deok , Lee Joong‐jae , Kim Hak‐Sung
Published: February 2020

Complement component 3a (C3a) plays a crucial role in the immune response and host defense, but it is also involved in pro‐inflammatory responses, causing many inflammatory disorders. Blockade of C3a has been regarded as a potent therapeutic strategy for inflammatory diseases. Here, we present the development of a human C3a (hC3a)‐specific protein binder, which effectively inhibits pro‐inflammatory responses. The protein binder, which is composed of leucine‐rich repeat modules, was selected against hC3a through phage display, and its binding affinity was matured up to 600 pM by further expanding the binding interface in a module‐by‐module manner. The developed protein binder was shown to have more than 10‐fold higher specificity to hC3a compared with human C5a, exhibiting a remarkable suppression effect on pro‐inflammatory response in monocyte, by blocking the interaction between hC3a and its receptor. The hC3a‐specific protein binder is likely to have a therapeutic potential for C3a‐mediated inflammatory diseases.
Tissue transglutaminase_variant 2‐transduced mesenchymal stem cells and their chondrogenic potential
Authors: Calikoglu Koyuncu Ayse Ceren , Nayman Ayse Hande , Telci Dilek , Torun Kose Gamze
Published: February 2020

As cartilage is incapable of self‐healing upon severe degeneration because of the lack of blood vessels, cartilage tissue engineering is gaining importance in the treatment of cartilage defects. This study was designed to improve cartilage tissue regeneration by expressing tissue transglutaminase variant 2 (TGM2_v2) in mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) derived from bone marrow of rats. For this purpose, rat MSCs transduced with TGM2_v2 were grown and differentiated on three‐dimensional polybutylene succinate (PBSu) and poly‐l‐lactide (PLLA) blend scaffolds. The transduced cells could not only successfully express the short form transglutaminase‐2, but also deposited the protein onto the scaffolds. In addition, they could spontaneously produce cartilage‐specific proteins without any chondrogenic induction, suggesting that TGM2_v2 expression provided the cells the ability of chondrogenic differentiation. PBSu:PLLA scaffolds loaded with TGM2_v2 expressing MSCs could be used in repair of articular cartilage defects.
Global and regional burdens of oral cancer from 1990 to 2017: Results from the global burden of disease study
Authors: Ren Zhen‐Hu , Hu Chuan‐Yu , He Hai‐Rong , Li Yuan‐Jie , Lyu Jun
Published: February 2020

Background

Data on the incidence, mortality, and other burden of oral cancer as well as their secular trends are necessary to provide policy‐makers with the information needed to allocate resources appropriately. The purpose of this study was to use the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 results to estimate the incidence, mortality, and disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) for oral cancer from 1990 to 2017.

Methods

We collected detailed data on oral cancer from 1990 to 2017 from the GBD 2017. The global incidence, mortality, and DALYs attributable to oral cancer as well as the corresponding age‐standardized rates (ASRs) were calculated. The estimated annual percentage changes in the ASRs of incidence (ASRI) and mortality (ASRM) and age‐standardized DALYs of oral cancer were also calculated according to regions and countries to quantify the secular trends in these rates.

Results

We tracked the incidence, mortality, and DALYs of oral cancer in 195 countries/territories over 28 years. Globally, the incidence, mortality, and DALYs of oral cancer increased by about 1.0‐fold from 1990 to 2017. The ASRI of oral cancer showed a similar trend, increasing from 4.41 to 4.84 per 100,000 person‐years during the study period. The ASRM remained approximately stable at about 2.4 per 100,000 from 1990 to 2017, as did the age‐standardized DALYs, at about 64.0 per 100,000 person‐years. ASRI was highest in Pakistan (27.03/100,000, 95% CI = 22.13‐32.75/100,000), followed by Taiwan China, and lowest in Iraq (0.96/100,000, 95% CI = 0.86‐1.06/100,000). ASRM was highest in Pakistan (16.85/100,000, 95% CI = 13.92‐20.17/100,000) and lowest in Kuwait (0.51/100,000, 95% CI = 0.45‐0.58/100,000).

Conclusions

The ASRI of oral cancer has increased slightly worldwide, while the ASRM and age‐standardized DALY have remained stable. However, these characteristics vary between countries, suggesting that current prevention strategies should be reoriented, and much more targeted and specific strategies should be established in some countries to forestall the increase in oral cancer.
METTL3 expression is associated with glycolysis metabolism and sensitivity to glycolytic stress in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lin Ye , Wei Xiangling , Jian Zhixiang , Zhang Xuewen
Published: February 2020

METTL3 is an RNA methyltransferase implicated in the control of cell differentiation and proliferation in embryonic development and cancer. The current study was aimed to explore the function and underlying mechanism of METTL3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We evaluated the expression and prognostic significance of METTL3 in 100 HCC cases and TCGA dataset. In HCC cases, both the RNA and protein expression of METTL3 were significantly upregulated and associated with poor prognosis. Gene set enrichment analysis of transcriptional profiles in HCC specimens revealed that METTL3 expression was associated with impaired glucose metabolism and mTOR signal pathway. In Huh‐7 and SMMC‐7721 HCC cells, downregulation of METTL3 by siRNA interference inhibited glycolytic capacity, which was proved by the decreased intracellular glucose uptake and lactate production. In terms of mechanism, we found mTORC1 activity was impaired by downregulation of METTL3, additional silencing of METTL3 cannot further decrease the phosphorylation level of mTORC1 and glycolysis activity in Rapamycin‐treated HCC cells. At last, we observed that downregulation of METTL3 synergizes with the glycolysis inhibitor 2‐deoxyglucose (2‐DG) to inhibit tumor growth in vitro. Our study provided evidence that METTL3 is involved in the regulation of glycolysis activity in HCC, suggesting that suppression of glycolysis via METTL3 inhibition was a potential treating strategy against HCC.
PEI for allograft renal artery stenosis: a unique role and broad implications for renal artery stenosis treatment
Authors: Topaz On
Published: February 2020

Key Points

Post‐transplant renal artery stenosis is a cause of graft loss and premature death among recipients.

The current study demonstrates that Percutaneous Endovascular Intervention (PEI) in these patients, with either balloon or stent, is feasible, safe and successful with adequate long‐term outcome.

The study offers significant implications on the role of PEI in native renal artery stenosis.
Highly Effective 2D Layer Structured Titanium Carbide Electrode for Dye‐Sensitized and Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Ma Jing‐yuan , Sun Mengyao , Zhu Yan‐an , Zhou Huawei , Wu Kezhong , Xiao Jun , Wu Mingxing
Published: February 2020

In this study, 2D layer‐structured Ti3C2 is synthesized by using an etching method at lower temperature, which is then applied in dye‐sensitized and perovskite solar cells as counter electrode with higher activity compared with conventional TiC particles counter electrode. The dye‐sensitized solar cells fabricated by using a 2D layer‐structured Ti3C2 counter electrode achieves a power conversion efficiency of 9.57 %, much higher than that of the counterpart device fabricated using a TiC particle counter electrode (7.37 %). The excellent activity of the Ti3C2 electrode can be attributed to the superior charge transfer and mass transport properties, owing to the specific 2D layer structure. Moreover, the fabricated 2D layer‐structured Ti3C2 is applied in perovskite solar cells, thereby achieving a power conversion efficiency of 7.78 % without further optimization. Thus, it is a potential candidate for noble metal electrodes.
Weighted ReliefF with threshold constraints of feature selection for imbalanced data classification
Authors: Song Yan , Si Weiyun , Dai Feifan , Yang Guisong
Published: February 2020

Feature selection is a useful method for fulfilling the data classification since the inherent heterogeneity of data and the redundancy of features are often encountered in the current data exploding era. Some commonly used feature selection algorithms, which include but are not limited to Pearson, maximal information coefficient, and ReliefF, are well‐posed under the assumption that instances are distributed homogenously in datasets. However, such an assumption might be not true in the practice. As such, in the presence of data imbalance, these traditional feature selection algorithms might be invalid due to their prejudices to the minority class, which includes few samples. The purpose of the addressed problem in this article is to develop an effective feature selection algorithm for imbalanced judicial datasets, which is capable of extracting essential features while deleting negligible ones according to the practical feature requirements. To achieve this goal, the number and the distribution of samples in each class are fully taken into consideration for the correlation analysis. Compared with the traditional feature selection algorithms, the proposed improved ReliefF algorithm is equipped with: (i) different weights of features according to the characteristics of heterogeneous samples in different classes; (ii) justice for imbalanced datasets; and (iii) threshold constraints resulting from the practical feature requirements. Finally, experiments on a judicial dataset and six public datasets well illustrate the effectiveness and the superiority of the proposed feature selection algorithm in improving the classification accuracy for imbalanced datasets.
Root physiological and biochemical responses of seashore paspalum and centipedegrass exposed to iso‐osmotic salt and drought stresses
Authors: Katuwal Krishna B , Xiao Bo , Jespersen David
Published: February 2020

Drought and salt are two major stresses of turfgrass. Both damage the plant root system by disrupting osmotic balance at the root–soil interface. The objectives of our hydroponic experiments were to understand root physiological and biochemical responses in two turfgrass species (seashore paspalum [Paspalum vaginatum Swartz] and centipedegrass [Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.]) with distinct salinity tolerance exposed to iso‐osmotic drought and salt stresses. Two seashore paspalum genotypes, ‘Seastar’ and ‘UGP113’, and a centipedegrass genotype, ‘TifBlair’, were exposed to three treatments: control, salt stress (−0.4 MPa by adding NaCl), and drought stress (−0.4 MPa by adding polyethylene glycol). Although equal in osmotic potential, drought stress damage was more evident compared with salt stress in terms of lipid peroxidation and decreased root viability in all three turfgrass genotypes. Salt stress reduced root viability only in the centipedegrass genotype, indicating ion toxicity effects in this turfgrass genotype. Seashore paspalum genotypes had greater total accumulation of Na+ and K+ for greater root osmotic adjustment than centipedegrass under salt stress. Seashore paspalum genotypes also had greater activities of root antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and glutathione reductase compared with centipedegrass under salt stress. In contrast, centipedegrass had greater total accumulation of total soluble sugar and proline for greater osmotic adjustment compared with seashore paspalum genotypes under drought stress. Despite greater accumulation of organic osmolytes, activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and glutathione reductase in centipedegrass were either lower or similar to those in seashore paspalum genotypes, and therefore centipedegrass accumulated similar oxidative damage as seashore paspalum genotypes under drought stress.
Recurrent phenotypic selection and recurrent selection based on combining ability in tetraploid bahiagrass
Authors: Marcón Florencia , Martínez Eric J. , Zilli Alex L. , Rodríguez Gustavo R. , Brugnoli Elsa A. , Acuña Carlos A.
Published: February 2020

Paspalum notatum Flüggé is an apomictic grass used for forage and turf. The recent generation of a sexual synthetic tetraploid population of the species provides the unique advantage to exploit heterosis by accumulating favorable alleles through recurrent selection cycles. The objective was to evaluate recurrent phenotypic selection (RPS) and recurrent selection based on combining ability (RSCA) as breeding methods. The best sexual genotypes in terms of warm‐season growth from a sexual synthetic tetraploid population were selected by RPS and RSCA. The selected genotypes were polycrossed and two new sexual populations were created, which were crossed with superior apomictic genotypes. Both methods allowed obtaining families that were evaluated for summer, fall, and spring growth. Breeding values and heterosis were also calculated. Summer growth for RPS families was greater than for RSCA families (33.1 and 29.08 g plant−1, respectively); however, fall, spring, and accumulated growth were similar. The breeding value for RPS sexual parents was greater than for RSCA sexual parents for summer growth, whereas those for fall and spring growth were similar. A greater level of families with heterosis (80%) was observed for RPS than for RSCA (30%) for summer growth, whereas the levels for fall and spring growth were similar. These results indicate that both breeding methods were successful in improving tetraploid P. notatum. They increased the mean value of the progenies and produced families superior for forage yield by accumulating favorable alleles.
Phenotypic divergence among threespine stickleback that differ in nuptial coloration
Authors: Jenck Clara S. , Lehto Whitley R. , Ketterman Brian T. , Sloan Lukas F. , Sexton Aaron N. , Tinghitella Robin M.
Published: February 2020

By studying systems in their earliest stages of differentiation, we can learn about the evolutionary forces acting within and among populations and how those forces could contribute to reproductive isolation. Such an understanding would help us to better discern and predict how selection leads to the maintenance of multiple morphs within a species, rather than speciation. The postglacial adaptive radiation of the threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) is one of the best‐studied cases of evolutionary diversification and rapid, repeated speciation. Following deglaciation, marine stickleback have continually invaded freshwater habitats across the northern hemisphere and established resident populations that diverged innumerable times from their oceanic ancestors. Independent freshwater colonization events have yielded broadly parallel patterns of morphological differences in freshwater and marine stickleback. However, there is also much phenotypic diversity within and among freshwater populations. We studied a lesser‐known freshwater “species pair” found in southwest Washington, where male stickleback in numerous locations have lost the ancestral red sexual signal and instead develop black nuptial coloration. We measured phenotypic variation in a suite of traits across sites where red and black stickleback do not overlap in distribution and at one site where they historically co‐occurred. We found substantial phenotypic divergence between red and black morphs in noncolor traits including shape and lateral plating, and additionally find evidence that supports the hypothesis of sensory drive as the mechanism responsible for the evolutionary switch in color from red to black. A newly described third “mixed” morph in Connor Creek, Washington, differs in head shape and size from the red and black morphs, and we suggest that their characteristics are most consistent with hybridization between anadromous and freshwater stickleback. These results lay the foundation for future investigation of the underlying genetic basis of this phenotypic divergence as well as the evolutionary processes that may drive, maintain, or limit divergence among morphs.
Development of a self‐heated‐stage for high‐speed process of titanium by reactive ion etching
Authors: Kiryu Yuya , Han Gang , Imai Junichi , Sohgawa Masayuki , Abe Takashi
Published: February 2020

In this study, we developed a detachable self‐heated‐stage suitable for high‐speed processing of titanium by thermally assisted reactive ion etching (TRIE). The detachable self‐heated stage was designed based on simulation results. The temperature of the stage increases rapidly within 10 minutes with low radio frequency (RF) power, because of the low thermal capacitance. The etch rates of titanium and titanium alloy by the TRIE improved compared with those of titanium and titanium alloy by a regular RIE. In addition, the replacement of the developed stage with another stage became easier than the previous stage.
Fabrication of c‐plane‐oriented hydroxyapatite film on amorphous SiO2 substrate
Authors: Okada Yuki , Watanabe Yuka , Sato Takumi , Kusunoki Masanobu
Published: February 2020

We investigated a fabrication technique of c‐plane‐oriented hydroxyapatite (HA) crystalline film on low‐cost amorphous SiO2 substrates to apply the orientation‐controlled HA crystal to disposal biochips. An experiment was conducted by the pulsed laser deposition method. We showed that a high‐quality HA crystalline film was grown using a fluorapatite (FA) buffer layer, which was self‐oriented on amorphous SiO2. A relationship between an FA‐film thickness and the HA quality was examined with an aim of minimizing a toxic risk of F to biomolecules, even if it was eluted from FA. It was found that the thickness of the FA film could be reduced to about 7.5 nm, at the same time, the crystallinity and smoothness of HA were also excellent. A crystal growth model of FA on the amorphous SiO2 was also studied. We considered that highly reactive F in a laser‐ablated plume substituted for O on the substrate surface, which became a migration trap, causing three‐dimensional island growth as FA crystal nuclei. This model consistently agreed with a series of experimental results.
Community efficiency during succession: a test of MacArthur's minimization principle in phytoplankton communities
Authors: Ghedini Giulia , Loreau Michel , Marshall Dustin J.
Published: February 2020

Robert MacArthur's niche theory makes explicit predictions on how community function should change over time in a competitive community. A key prediction is that succession progressively minimizes the energy wasted by a community, but this minimization is a trade‐off between energy losses from unutilised resources and costs of maintenance. By predicting how competition determines community efficiency over time MacArthur's theory may inform on the impacts of disturbance on community function and invasion risk. We provide a rare test of this theory using phytoplankton communities, and find that older communities wasted less energy than younger ones but that the reduction in energy wastage was not monotonic over time. While community structure followed consistent and clear trajectories, community function was more idiosyncratic among adjoining successional stages and driven by total community biomass rather than species composition. Our results suggest that subtle shifts in successional sequence can alter community efficiency and these effects determine community function independently of individual species membership. We conclude that, at least in phytoplankton communities, general trends in community function are predictable over time accordingly to MacArthur's theory. Tests of MacArthur's minimization principle across very different systems should be a priority given the potential of this theory to inform on the functional properties of communities.
Synthesis of Hierarchically Porous Amorphous Alloy Hollow Sphere with High Surface Area as Effective and Selective Catalysts for Cinnamaldehyde Hydrogenation
Authors: Jia Aizhong , Yao Xiaofei , Feng Lei , Ma Zixuan , Li Fang , Wang Yanji
Published: February 2020

The exploitation of cheap, stable, and efficient catalysts is highly significant and greatly valuable for hydrogenation reactions. A novel amorphous alloy hollow sphere with hierarchical pores was synthesized by using in situ generated H2 bubble as a soft template with the chemical reduction method, in which the co‐deposited calcium carbonate acts as a hard template for fabricating the porous structure. The optimized amorphous Co‐Fe‐1 %Zn‐B alloy shows excellent catalytic performance with 97.7 % of cinnamaldehyde (CAL) conversion and 100 % of cinnamyl alcohol (COL) selectivity, which is superior to the reported results catalyzed by Co‐based catalysts, and even to those of noble metal catalysts for the selective CAL hydrogenation to COL. The enhanced catalytic activity of the prepared amorphous alloy is ascribed to the large active surface area, hierarchically porous and hollow structure, and the synergistic effect of Fe and Zn in the materials. The synthesized amorphous alloy also shows good stability and can be recycled for more than five runs. A possible fabrication mechanism for the hollow amorphous alloy porous spheres was also proposed and discussed.
Engineering Pseudomonas putida KT2440 for the production of isobutanol
Authors: Nitschel Robert , Ankenbauer Andreas , Welsch Ilona , Wirth Nicolas T. , Massner Christoph , Ahmad Naveed , McColm Stephen , Borges Frédéric , Fotheringham Ian , Takors Ralf , Blombach Bastian
Published: February 2020

We engineered P. putida for the production of isobutanol from glucose by preventing product and precursor degradation, inactivation of the soluble transhydrogenase SthA, overexpression of the native ilvC and ilvD genes, and implementation of the feedback‐resistant acetolactate synthase AlsS from Bacillus subtilis, ketoacid decarboxylase KivD from Lactococcus lactis, and aldehyde dehydrogenase YqhD from Escherichia coli. The resulting strain P. putida Iso2 produced isobutanol with a substrate specific product yield (YIso/S) of 22 ± 2 mg per gram of glucose under aerobic conditions. Furthermore, we identified the ketoacid decarboxylase from Carnobacterium maltaromaticum to be a suitable alternative for isobutanol production, since replacement of kivD from L. lactis in P. putida Iso2 by the variant from C. maltaromaticum yielded an identical YIso/S. Although P. putida is regarded as obligate aerobic, we show that under oxygen deprivation conditions this bacterium does not grow, remains metabolically active, and that engineered producer strains secreted isobutanol also under the non‐growing conditions.
A Novel Sulfur‐Based Terpolymer Cathode Material for Lithium–Sulfur Battery
Authors: Wang Jing , Zhang Shichao
Published: February 2020

Herein, the preparation and characterization of a novel sulfur‐based terpolymer via inverse vulcanization and dynamic covalent polymerizations using the raw materials of elemental sulfur, styrene, and peanut oil are reported. The sulfur content of this terpolymer is about 72 wt%. As it is viscous but flowable at room temperature, it can be mixed with conductive graphene without binders. Poly(sulfur–styrene–peanut oil) (poly(S–Sty–P)) terpolymer is further successfully utilized as the active cathode material in Li–S batteries. The initial specific capacity of this kind of battery reaches 1008 mAh g−1. After 100 cycles, the specific capacity keeps at 611 mAh g−1 with the capacity retention rate above 60% and coulombic efficiency close to 100%. Compared with the traditional sulfur cathode material, this terpolymer cathode material exhibits higher capacity, better cycle performance, and superior high‐rate performance. In addition, it can be directly coated on the aluminum foil collector without additional binders, which reduces the internal resistance effect from additional binders and simplifies the battery assembly process.
Preparation of soy sauce by walnut meal fermentation: Composition, antioxidant properties, and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitory activities
Authors: Xu Jie , Jin Feng , Hao Jing , Regenstein Joe M. , Wang Fengjun
Published: February 2020

Remaining walnut meal after oil extraction still contains many nutrients. However, these by‐products have not been effectively used. In this study, walnut meal and Aspergillus oryzae (3.042) were used in combination to prepare a soy sauce‐like material with high amino nitrogen content (ANC). The optimal conditions for the preparation of walnut soy sauce (ratio of brine:koji of 1.7:1 for 6 days at 45°C) were determined using response surface experiments (RSE), which showed maximum ANC of 855 mg/100 ml. The results of amino acid analysis indicated that walnut soy sauce had a similar amino acid composition compared with three commercial soy sauces. It contained all the essential amino acids and had a high content of umami amino acids such as Glu and Asp, which may give it a stronger umami taste. Moreover, the crude walnut soy sauce was extracted sequentially using ethyl acetate, n‐butanol, acetone and water, and the total phenols, total flavonoids, reducing sugars, and the peptides of different solvent extracts were measured. Results showed that the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were highest in the ethyl acetate extracts. However, water residue had the highest levels of reducing sugars and peptides. In vitro, the water residue showed the highest antioxidant capacity and angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, due to more reducing sugars and peptides. These results indicated that walnut soy sauce may have significant antioxidant and ACE inhibitory activity. The findings provide a scientific basis for developing a replacement for soy sauce and broaden the beneficial application of walnut meal.
Equity Care
Authors: Geskey Joseph
Published: February 2020

An eight hundred‐square‐foot house greets me and a licensed practical nurse. We walk on uneven, disintegrating concrete steps before entering the patient's daughter's home, and we can see a haze of cigarette smoke before we enter the living room. Although the patient is old enough for retirement, she tells me that, if it were up to her, she would still be working. Noticing the medical equipment occupying her room—oxygen, pulse oximeter, and blood pressure machine—I am reminded that our health system is trying, like many other systems across the country, to manage people's chronic illness better by bringing technology into patients’ homes in hopes of preventing hospital readmissions. For this patient, the hope is that, if she gets symptoms that suggest another exacerbation of her chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, she can manage it herself. If I hadn't spent hundreds of hours in patients’ homes, I would have a low threshold for ordering home‐based nursing and telehealth; it would often seem like a good solution.
The United Kingdom Revisits Its Surrogacy Law
Authors: Latham Stephen R.
Published: February 2020

The United Kingdom is partway through a multiyear process of revising its law on surrogacy, both traditional and gestational. In October of 2019, the Law Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission—statutorily created independent bodies charged with keeping the law under review and recommending reforms whenever necessary—completed a public consultation on surrogacy. In June, the commissions published an extensive consultation paper laying out the case for surrogacy reform and making tentative recommendations about how revision should proceed. The commissions are now digesting the public's responses, and they aim to have a final report on their proposed revisions of the law and a draft bill for consideration by Parliament in 2021. The foundation of current U.K. surrogacy law was laid in the Surrogacy Arrangements Act of 1985. There are numerous problems with the existing regime.
Trust, Risk, and Race in American Medicine
Authors: Sullivan Laura Specker
Published: February 2020

There is ample evidence that patient mistrust toward the American medical system is to some extent associated with communal and individual experiences of racism. For groups who have faced exploitation and discrimination at the hands of physicians, the medical profession, and medical institutions, trust is a tall order and, in many cases, would be naive. Nevertheless, trust is often regarded as a central feature of the physician‐patient relationship. In this article, I draw on empirical research, ethical theory, and clinical cases to propose one way that providers might address and, ideally, resolve mistrust when it arises in an immediate case.

I describe how medical mistrust has been characterized empirically within medical and bioethics scholarship, and I provide an overview of theories of trust, arguing that they may be unable to account for the risks that providers must take in seeking to establish trust within many American medical institutions. Common assumptions in medical and bioethical scholarship on trust notwithstanding, caring and competence are not always enough to establish a trusting relationship between physician and patient. I suggest that, in an atmosphere of mistrust, comprehension of the existence and source of suspicion is essential to effective signaling of trustworthiness.
Chimeras and the Problem of Other Minds
Authors: Capps Benjamin
Published: February 2020

The writer responds to the article “Human‐Animal Chimeras: The Moral Insignificance of Uniquely Human Capacities,” by Julian J. Koplin, in the September‐October 2019 issue of the Hastings Center Report.
The Business of Certification
Authors: Scofield Giles R.
Published: February 2020

The writer responds to the essay “Developing, Administering, and Scoring the Healthcare Ethics Consultant Certification Examination,” by Courtenay R. Bruce et al., in the September‐October 2019 issue of the Hastings Center Report.
Long‐term deaths from melanoma according to tumor thickness at diagnosis
Authors: Baade Peter D. , Whiteman David C. , Janda Monika , Cust Anne E. , Neale Rachel E. , Smithers Bernard Mark , Green Adele C. , Khosrotehrani Kiarash , Mar Victoria , Soyer H. Peter , Aitken Joanne F.
Published: February 2020

There is little long‐term follow‐up information about how the number of melanoma deaths and case fatality vary over time according to the measured thickness of melanoma at diagnosis. This population‐based longitudinal cohort study examines patterns and trends in case fatality among 44,531 people in Queensland (Australia) diagnosed with a single invasive melanoma (International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, third revision [ICD‐O‐3], C44, Morphology 872–879) between 1987 and 2011, including 11,883 diagnosed between 1987 and 1996, with up to 20 years follow‐up (to December 2016). The 20‐year case fatality increased by thickness, with the percentage of melanoma deaths within 20 years of diagnosis being up to 4.8% for melanomas with measured thickness <0.80 mm, 10.6% for tumors 0.8 to <1.0 mm and generally more than 30% for melanomas measuring 3 mm and more. For melanomas <1.0 mm, most deaths occurred between 5 and 20 years after diagnosis, whereas for thicker melanomas the reverse was true with most deaths occurring within the first 5 years. Five‐year case fatality decreased over successive calendar time periods for melanomas <1.0 mm, but not for melanomas ≥1.0 mm. These findings demonstrate that the time course for fatal melanomas varies markedly according to tumor thickness at diagnosis. Improved understanding of the patient factors and characteristics of melanomas, in addition to tumor thickness, which increase the likelihood of progression, is needed to guide clinical diagnosis, communication with patients and ongoing surveillance pathways of patients with potentially fatal lesions.
A waveguide imaging platform for live‐cell TIRF imaging of neurons over large fields of view
Authors: Opstad Ida S. , Ströhl Florian , Fantham Marcus , Hockings Colin , Vanderpoorten Oliver , van Tartwijk Francesca W. , Lin Julie Qiaojin , Tinguely Jean‐Claude , Dullo Firehun T. , Kaminski‐Schierle Gabriele S. , Ahluwalia Balpreet S. , Kaminski Clemens F.
Published: February 2020

Large fields of view (FOVs) in total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) via waveguides have been shown to be highly beneficial for single molecule localisation microscopy on fixed cells [1,2] and have also been demonstrated for short‐term live‐imaging of robust cell types [3‐5], but not yet for delicate primary neurons nor over extended periods of time. Here, we present a waveguide‐based TIRFM set‐up for live‐cell imaging of demanding samples. Using the developed microscope, referred to as the ChipScope, we demonstrate successful culturing and imaging of fibroblasts, primary rat hippocampal neurons and axons of Xenopus retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The high contrast and gentle illumination mode provided by TIRFM coupled with the exceptionally large excitation areas and superior illumination homogeneity offered by photonic waveguides have potential for a wide application span in neuroscience applications.
Clinical relevance of eosinophils, basophils, serum total IgE level, allergen‐specific IgE, and clinical features in atopic dermatitis
Authors: Hu Yuqing , Liu Shuoshuo , Liu Ping , Mu Zhanglei , Zhang Jianzhong
Published: February 2020

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory disease with diverse clinical features. Although AD is diagnosed mainly by clinical features, the laboratory abnormalities can be found in most patients and may be of diagnostic value. However, few studies have been performed on the clinical significance of laboratory abnormalities in adult and adolescent AD.

Methods

Adult and adolescent patients with AD were included in this study. The questionnaire and dermatological examination were completed by investigators. Laboratory tests included complete blood count, serum total IgE, and allergen‐specific IgE.

Results

A total of 473 patients were recruited and 396 of them were diagnosed as AD. Increased serum total IgE level, peripheral eosinophils, and basophils were seen more frequently in AD patients than in non‐AD patients (P < .05). Positive aeroallergens were seen more in AD patients than in non‐AD patients (P < .05). Both total serum IgE level (R = .286, P < .001) and peripheral eosinophils (R = .444, P < .001) significantly correlated with EASI score. Serum total IgE level and extrinsic type AD decreased with age. Patients with elevated serum total IgE are more likely to have a personal history of atopic diseases (P = .014). AD‐associated symptoms (such as flexural dermatitis, white dermographism, and anterior neck folds) are more frequently observed in AD patients with high serum IgE or eosinophilia (P < .05).

Conclusion

The serum total IgE level, allergen‐specific IgE, peripheral eosinophils, and basophils are important for the diagnosis of AD. And they are associated with the severity, age groups, and clinical manifestations.
Association of polymorphisms in the HBG1‐HBD intergenic region with HbF levels
Authors: Hu Li , Huang Ling , Han Yuanyuan , Jin Tingting , Liu Juan , Jiang Minmin , Liu Xingmei , Li Yuanyuan , Han Wenping , An Bangquan , Huang Shengwen
Published: February 2020

Background

Increased levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) can improve the clinical course of the patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) or β‐thalassemia. The HBG1‐HBD intergenic region plays an important role in this process. However, very few studies investigated whether the variations in this region have an effect on HbF expression.

Methods

We retrieved all the SNP data in the HBG1‐HBD intergenic region and defined the haplotype blocks, then performed cluster analysis and selected a tagSNP. A total of 500 normal individuals and 300 β‐thalassemia carriers were enrolled. After routine blood and hemoglobin capillary electrophoresis testing, β‐thalassemia mutations were detected using PCR‐reverse dot blot. The genotypes of the rs4910736 (A > C) and rs10128556 (C > T) were determined using Sanger sequencing; the relationship between the two SNPs and the levels of HbF was analyzed.

Results

Two haplotype blocks were constructed. Block 1 included seven haplotypes divided into two groups M and N by 11 tagSNPs, among which rs4910736 was selected as a tagSNP, while block 2 included three haplotypes. We found that the haplotypes of block 1 were statistically associated with HbF levels, but the non‐tagSNP rs10128556 was shown to be more strongly associated with HbF levels than rs4910736.

Conclusion

This work proved that the haplotypes in the HBG1‐HBD intergenic region and SNP rs10128556 are both statistically associated with HbF levels, revealing the association of polymorphisms in the HBG1‐HBD intergenic region with HbF levels.
The lived experience of adolescent mother trauma survivors: A narrative approach
Authors: Harrell‐Levy Marinda K. , Isamah Onyeka , Jackson Keiaisha
Published: February 2020

The present study is a qualitative exploration of the link between earlier trauma and adolescent mother identity. We examined whether the mothers in our study formed an identification with other adolescent mothers, why or why not, and whether that identity (or lack thereof) was influenced by earlier traumatic experience. Fourteen residents of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, who became mothers between the ages of 14 and 19 (four White, seven African American, two Latina, and one Multiracial) participated in semi‐structured interviews. Semi‐structured, in‐depth narrative interviews explored personal and community views on and experiences with adolescent pregnancy and parenthood. Results suggest that although exposure to traumatic events early in life can prompt more favorable evaluations of adolescent mothers before becoming a member of the ingroup for some, earlier trauma can prompt others to reject ingroup among adolescent mothers. Adolescent pregnancy and parenthood programs should utilize a trauma lens.
A smart‐integrated IoT module for intelligent transportation in oil industry
Authors: Priyanka E. Bhaskaran , Maheswari Chennippan , Thangavel Subramaniam
Published: February 2020

Apart from being fundamental in industry 4.0, IoT also extends its capability to smart transportation in an oil pipeline system. The initiation of the Internet of Things has witnessed incredible success in the application of wireless sensor networks and ubiquitous computing for various smart‐control applications. In the oil industry, for smooth, accident‐less, long‐range pipeline transportation, data communication through wireless sensor networks plays a predominant role in IoT. For the prominent integration with the internet, it is essential to fabricate a middleware by overcoming the shortcomings like interoperability and heterogeneity. But yet there is no compact, integrated IoT module with power and energy‐efficient configuration to take the modern technology to the next level of innovation of wireless network systems with embedded sensors in the oil industry. Hence, this paper presents a novel, unique‐integrated compact, smart IoT module that aims at reducing costs associated with commercial data loggers and sensing modules, requiring control and data storage that need proprietary software. Other usual drawbacks of commercial solutions are limited sensor connections with low expansion flexibility and maintenance restricted to the manufacturer and long cable communication distances. The proposed integrated smart IoT module operation relies on free software, allowing online distribution and communication with a cloud server wirelessly via Wi‐Fi through message queuing telemetry transport (MQTT) and hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) for efficient data communication. A secured high‐level engineering web page called Web Monitor was developed for online data analysis with real‐time monitoring and control to afford intelligent transportation in oil pipelines. Further, in this work, the real‐time validation of the proposed smart IoT module performance in the oil pipeline during abnormal circumstances is also provided. Through this integrated IoT module, the entire oil pipeline network with each substation can be interconnected and controlled beneficial with its intelligence, low cost, and portability.
Determining the dominant factors determining the variability of terrestrial ecosystem productivity in China during the last two decades
Authors: Li Jianguo , Yu Shi‐Yong , Liu Lili
Published: February 2020

Terrestrial ecosystem productivity (TEP) is an important component of ecological services. The variability of the TEP is driven by multiple factors, both natural and anthropogenic. However, little is known about the dominant factor driving the TEP change at the pixel level, which may hinder ecosystem management particularly in face of global climate changes. In this study, a 22‐year‐long dataset including climate, net primary production (NPP), and human activity was obtained to identify, at a pixel level, the dominant factors of NPP variation in China from 1992 to 2013. The results showed that: (a) the total NPP of China varied from 3.37 to 4.55 PgC/yr and continued to increase with a larger proportion being contributed from eastern China, (b) radiation is the greatest contributor to the NPP variation in China, followed by temperature and precipitation, (c) human activity‐driven pixels are relatively dispersed, and are mainly located in the rural–urban fringe zones, and (d) a total of five subregions are identified, of which Regions I and II require more attention with regard to future NPP evolution. The results of this study are important at the policy level for future management of China's ecosystems.
The co‐occurrence of Wilson disease and X‐linked agammaglobulinemia in one family highlights the promising diagnostic potential of proteolytic analysis
Authors: Poskanzer Sheri A. , Thies Jenny , Collins Christopher J. , Myers Candace T. , Dayuha Remwilyn , Duong Phi , Yi Fan , Chang Irene J. , Ochs Hans D. , Torgerson Troy R. , Hahn Si Houn
Published: February 2020

Background

We report the first case of a family with co‐occurrence of Wilson disease (WD), an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism, and X‐linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), a primary immunodeficiency disorder (PIDD) that features marked reduction in circulating B lymphocytes and serum immunoglobulins.

Methods and Results

Through utilization of a multiplexed biomarker peptide quantification method known as the immuno‐SRM assay, we were able to simultaneously and independently identify which family members are affected with WD and which are affected with XLA using dried blood spots (DBS).

Conclusion

Being able to delineate multiple diagnoses using proteolytic analysis from a single DBS provides support for implementation of this methodology for clinical diagnostic use as well as large‐scale population screening, such as newborn screening (NBS). This could allow for early identification and treatment of affected individuals with WD or XLA, which have been shown to reduce morbidity and decrease mortality in these two populations.
Analyzing false‐negative results detected in low‐risk non‐invasive prenatal screening cases
Authors: Lin Ying , Liang Dong , Wang Yan , Li Hang , Liu An , Hu Ping , Xu Zhengfeng
Published: February 2020

Background

The non‐invasive prenatal screening (NIPS) has been introduced into clinical practice with a high sensitivity and specificity. Although the false‐negative results are inevitable and important, limited false‐negative NIPS results have been reported and studied previously. In this study, we aim to report and analyze false‐negative results detected in the NIPS cases with a low‐risk result.

Methods

NIPS was performed using whole‐genome massively parallel shotgun sequencing for screening common trisomies, rare autosomal aneuploidies, and subchromosome copy number variants. All the NIPS cases with a low‐risk result performed in our center in 2017 were followed‐up using medical records and telephone interview at 3 months after delivery. Fetal ultrasound results and available genetic diagnostic testing results were collected for pregnancies with adverse outcomes. The genetic diagnostic testing referred to chromosomal microarray analysis or fluorescent in situ hybridization on amniotic fluid cells, fetal skin tissue, neonatal peripheral blood, or available placental biopsies.

Results

By following‐up 10,975 low‐risk results, we found 166 NIPS cases with adverse pregnancy outcomes, in which eight cases had diagnostic testing. Among them, four false‐negative cases were confirmed, including one trisomy 18 caused by placental mosaicism, one mosaic tetrasomy 12p, and 2 microdeletion/microduplication cases.

Conclusion

Our results revealed that mosaicism contributes to a major cause of false negative in NIPS, and highlighted the importance of ultrasound in identifying these false‐negative results.
Preservation of certain vanishing properties of generalized Morrey spaces by some classical operators
Authors: Alabalik Aysegul Ç , Almeida Alexandre , Samko Stefan
Published: February 2020

We show that certain vanishing properties defining closed subspaces of generalized Morrey spaces are preserved under the action of various classical operators of harmonic analysis, such as maximal operators, singular‐type operators, Hardy operators, and fractional integral operators. Those vanishing subspaces were recently used to deal with the delicate problem on the description of the closure of nice functions in Morrey norm.