bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapy-related myelodysplastic syndromes deserve specific diagnostic sub-classification and risk-stratification—an approach to classification of patients with t-MDS
Authors: Kuendgen A. , Nomdedeu M. , Tuechler H. , Garcia-Manero G. , Komrokji R. S. , Sekeres M. A. , Della Porta M. G. , Cazzola M. , DeZern A. E. , Roboz G. J. , Steensma D. P. , Van de Loosdrecht A. A. , Schlenk R. F. , Grau J. , Calvo X. , Blum S. , Pereira A. , Valent P. , Costa D. , Giagounidis A. , Xicoy B. , Döhner H. , Platzbecker U. , Pedro C. , Lübbert M. , Oiartzabal I. , Díez-Campelo M. , Cedena M. T. , Machherndl-Spandl S. , López-Pavía M. , Baldus C. D. , Martinez-de-Sola M. , Stauder R. , Merchan B. , List A. , Ganster C. , Schroeder T. , Voso M. T. , Pfeilstöcker M. , Sill H. , Hildebrandt B. , Esteve J. , Nomdedeu B. , Cobo F. , Haas R. , Sole F. , Germing U. , Greenberg P. L. , Haase D. , Sanz G.
Published: June 2020

In the current World Health Organization (WHO)-classification, therapy-related myelodysplastic syndromes (t-MDS) are categorized together with therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and t-myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms into one subgroup independent of morphologic or prognostic features. Analyzing data of 2087 t-MDS patients from different international MDS groups to evaluate classification and prognostication tools we found that applying the WHO classification for p-MDS successfully predicts time to transformation and survival (both p < 0.001). The results regarding carefully reviewed cytogenetic data, classifications, and prognostic scores confirmed that t-MDS are similarly heterogeneous as p-MDS and therefore deserve the same careful differentiation regarding risk. As reference, these results were compared with 4593 primary MDS (p-MDS) patients represented in the International Working Group for Prognosis in MDS database (IWG-PM). Although a less favorable clinical outcome occurred in each t-MDS subset compared with p-MDS subgroups, FAB and WHO-classification, IPSS-R, and WPSS-R separated t-MDS patients into differing risk groups effectively, indicating that all established risk factors for p-MDS maintained relevance in t-MDS, with cytogenetic features having enhanced predictive power. These data strongly argue to classify t-MDS as a separate entity distinct from other WHO-classified t-myeloid neoplasms, which would enhance treatment decisions and facilitate the inclusion of t-MDS patients into clinical studies.
Tailored elastic surface to body wave Umklapp conversion
Authors: Chaplain Gregory J. , De Ponti Jacopo M. , Colombi Andrea , Fuentes-Dominguez Rafael , Dryburg Paul , Pieris Don , Smith Richard J. , Clare Adam , Clark Matt , Craster Richard V.
Published: June 2020

Elastic waves guided along surfaces dominate applications in geophysics, ultrasonic inspection, mechanical vibration, and surface acoustic wave devices; precise manipulation of surface Rayleigh waves and their coupling with polarised body waves presents a challenge that offers to unlock the flexibility in wave transport required for efficient energy harvesting and vibration mitigation devices. We design elastic metasurfaces, consisting of a graded array of rod resonators attached to an elastic substrate that, together with critical insight from Umklapp scattering in phonon-electron systems, allow us to leverage the transfer of crystal momentum; we mode-convert Rayleigh surface waves into bulk waves that form tunable beams. Experiments, theory and simulation verify that these tailored Umklapp mechanisms play a key role in coupling surface Rayleigh waves to reversed bulk shear and compressional waves independently, thereby creating passive self-phased arrays allowing for tunable redirection and wave focusing within the bulk medium.
Long-term culture of human pancreatic slices as a model to study real-time islet regeneration
Authors: Qadir Mirza Muhammad Fahd , Álvarez-Cubela Silvia , Weitz Jonathan , Panzer Julia K. , Klein Dagmar , Moreno-Hernández Yaisa , Cechin Sirlene , Tamayo Alejandro , Almaça Joana , Hiller Helmut , Beery Maria , Kusmartseva Irina , Atkinson Mark , Speier Stephan , Ricordi Camillo , Pugliese Alberto , Caicedo Alejandro , Fraker Christopher A. , Pastori Ricardo Luis , Domínguez-Bendala Juan
Published: June 2020

The culture of live pancreatic tissue slices is a powerful tool for the interrogation of physiology and pathology in an in vitro setting that retains near-intact cytoarchitecture. However, current culture conditions for human pancreatic slices (HPSs) have only been tested for short-term applications, which are not permissive for the long-term, longitudinal study of pancreatic endocrine regeneration. Using a culture system designed to mimic the physiological oxygenation of the pancreas, we demonstrate high viability and preserved endocrine and exocrine function in HPS for at least 10 days after sectioning. This extended lifespan allowed us to dynamically lineage trace and quantify the formation of insulin-producing cells in HPS from both non-diabetic and type 2 diabetic donors. This technology is expected to be of great impact for the conduct of real-time regeneration/developmental studies in the human pancreas.
Hybrid Modelling of Transarterial Chemoembolisation Therapies (TACE) for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)
Authors: Perfahl H. , Jain H. V. , Joshi T. , Horger M. , Malek N. , Bitzer M. , Reuss M.
Published: June 2020

We extend an agent-based multiscale model of vascular tumour growth and angiogenesis to describe transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) therapies. The model accounts for tumour and normal cells that are both nested in a vascular system that changes its structure according to tumour-related growth factors. Oxygen promotes nutrients to the tissue and determines cell proliferation or death rates. Within the extended model TACE is included as a two-step process: First, the purely mechanical influence of the embolisation therapy is modelled by a local occlusion of the tumour vasculature. There we distinguish between partial and complete responders, where parts of the vascular system are occluded for the first and the whole tumour vasculature is destroyed for the latter. In the second part of the model, drug eluding beads (DEBs) carrying the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin are located at destroyed vascular locations, releasing the drug over a certain time-window. Simulation results are parameterised to qualitatively reproduce clinical observations. Patients that undergo a TACE-treatment are categorised in partial and complete responders one day after the treatment. Another 90 days later reoccurance or complete response are detected by volume perfusion computer tomography (VPCT). Our simulations reveal that directly after a TACE- treatment an unstable tumour state can be observed, where regrowth and total tumour death have the same likeliness. It is argued that this short time-window is favorable for another therapeutical intervention with a less radical therapy. This procedure can shift the outcome to more effectiveness. Simulation results with an oxygen therapy within the unstable time-window demonstrate a potentially positive manipulated outcome. Finally, we conclude that our TACE model can motivate new therapeutical strategies and help clinicians analyse the intertwined relations and cross-links in tumours.
Protonic Capacitor: Elucidating the biological significance of mitochondrial cristae formation
Authors: Lee James Weifu
Published: June 2020

For decades, it was not entirely clear why mitochondria develop cristae? The work employing the transmembrane-electrostatic proton localization theory reported here has now provided a clear answer to this fundamental question. Surprisingly, the transmembrane-electrostatically localized proton concentration at a curved mitochondrial crista tip can be significantly higher than that at the relatively flat membrane plane regions where the proton-pumping respiratory supercomplexes are situated. The biological significance for mitochondrial cristae has now, for the first time, been elucidated at a protonic bioenergetics level: 1) The formation of cristae creates more mitochondrial inner membrane surface area and thus more protonic capacitance for transmembrane-electrostatically localized proton energy storage; and 2) The geometric effect of a mitochondrial crista enhances the transmembrane-electrostatically localized proton density to the crista tip where the ATP synthase can readily utilize the localized proton density to drive ATP synthesis.
Utility-scale solar PV performance enhancements through system-level modifications
Authors: Glick Andrew , Ali Naseem , Bossuyt Juliaan , Calaf Marc , Cal Raúl Bayoán
Published: June 2020

Performance of solar PV diminishes with the increase in temperature of the solar modules. Therefore, to further facilitate the reduction in cost of photovoltaic energy, new approaches to limit module temperature increase in natural ambient conditions should be explored. Thus far only approaches based at the individual panel level have been investigated, while the more complex, systems approach remains unexplored. Here, we perform the first wind tunnel scaled solar farm experiments to investigate the potential for temperature reduction through system-level flow enhancement. The percentage of solar irradiance converted into electric power depends upon module efficiency, typically less than 20%. The remaining 80% of solar irradiance is converted into heat, and thus improved heat removal becomes an important factor in increasing performance. Here, We investigate the impact of module inclination on system-level flow and the convective heat transfer coefficient. Results indicate that significant changes in the convective heat transfer coefficient are possible, based on wind direction, wind speed, and module inclination. We show that 30–45% increases in convection are possible through an array-flow informed approach to layout design, leading to a potential overall power increase of ~5% and decrease of solar panel degradation by +0.3%/year. The proposed method promises to augment performance without abandoning current PV panel designs, allowing for practical adoption into the existing industry. Previous models demonstrating the sensitivity to convection are validated through the wind tunnel results, and a new conceptual framework is provided that can lead to new means of solar PV array optimization.
Machine learning based identification of relevant parameters for functional voice disorders derived from endoscopic high-speed recordings
Authors: Schlegel Patrick , Kniesburges Stefan , Dürr Stephan , Schützenberger Anne , Döllinger Michael
Published: June 2020

In voice research and clinical assessment, many objective parameters are in use. However, there is no commonly used set of parameters that reflect certain voice disorders, such as functional dysphonia (FD); i.e. disorders with no visible anatomical changes. Hence, 358 high-speed videoendoscopy (HSV) recordings (159 normal females (NF), 101 FD females (FDF), 66 normal males (NM), 32 FD males (FDM)) were analyzed. We investigated 91 quantitative HSV parameters towards their significance. First, 25 highly correlated parameters were discarded. Second, further 54 parameters were discarded by using a LogitBoost decision stumps approach. This yielded a subset of 12 parameters sufficient to reflect functional dysphonia. These parameters separated groups NF vs. FDF and NM vs. FDM with fair accuracy of 0.745 or 0.768, respectively. Parameters solely computed from the changing glottal area waveform (1D-function called GAW) between the vocal folds were less important than parameters describing the oscillation characteristics along the vocal folds (2D-function called Phonovibrogram). Regularity of GAW phases and peak shape, harmonic structure and Phonovibrogram-based vocal fold open and closing angles were mainly important. This study showed the high degree of redundancy of HSV-voice-parameters but also affirms the need of multidimensional based assessment of clinical data.
Characteristics of autologous protein solution and leucocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee
Authors: Wasai Shiho , Sato Masato , Maehara Miki , Toyoda Eriko , Uchiyama Ryoka , Takahashi Takumi , Okada Eri , Iwasaki Yoshiko , Suzuki Satoko , Watanabe Masahiko
Published: June 2020

Recently, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has received attention as a treatment for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee (OAK), a chronic degenerative disease, to bridge the gap between conservative and surgical treatments. Here, we investigated the differences in the humoral factors present in two types of PRP purified using the Autologous Protein Solution (APS) kit (group Z; leucocyte-rich PRP) or the Cellaid Serum Collection Set P type (group J; leucocyte-poor [LP]-PRP). Differences in humoral factors between healthy subjects (n = 10) and OAK patients (n = 12; group Z = 6, group J = 6), and the relationship between humoral factors and clinical outcome scores were investigated. Both anti-inflammatory and inflammatory cytokines were highly enriched in APS. The concentrations of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, soluble TNF-receptor 2, soluble Fas and transforming growth factor-β1 were higher in group Z, while the total amounts were higher in group J. The concentration of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist was positively correlated with the magnitude of change in the clinical outcome score and may contribute to improving knee-joint function. This is the first description of the humoral factors in APS and LP-PRP prepared from healthy subjects or OAK patients of Asian descent.
Extracellular glucose is crucially involved in the fate decision of LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells
Authors: Aki Toshihiko , Funakoshi Takeshi , Noritake Kanako , Unuma Kana , Uemura Koichi
Published: June 2020

Pyroptosis, a type of inflammatory cell death, is dependent on the inflammatory caspase-mediated cleavage of gasdermin D (GSDMD), and the subsequent pore formation on plasma membranes through which interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 are released from cells. During proinflammatory activation, macrophages shift their metabolism from aerobic oxidative phosphorylation to anaerobic glycolysis. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)1α is involved in the induction of IL-1β gene expression as well as the metabolic shift towards glycolysis. However, the relationships between pyroptosis and glycolysis, as well as between pyroptosis and HIF1α are poorly investigated. Here we show that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells results in pyroptosis when cells are cultured in high glucose medium. During pyroptosis, HIF1α activation occurs transiently followed by downregulation to sub-basal levels. HIF1α downregulation and pyroptosis are observed when cells are stimulated with LPS under high glucose conditions. We also found that intracellular levels of methylglyoxal (MGO), a side product of glycolysis, increase when cells are stimulated with LPS under high glucose conditions. The addition of glycolysis inhibitor and rapamycin suppresses HIF1α downregulation and pyroptosis. These results show that glycolysis plays a crucial role not only in pro-inflammatory activation, but also in pyroptosis in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages.
Doublecortin-like kinase 1 promotes hepatocyte clonogenicity and oncogenic programming via non-canonical β-catenin-dependent mechanism
Authors: Ali Naushad , Nguyen Charles B. , Chandrakesan Parthasarathy , Wolf Roman F. , Qu Dongfeng , May Randal , Goretsky Tatiana , Fazili Javid , Barrett Terrence A. , Li Min , Huycke Mark M. , Bronze Michael S. , Houchen Courtney W.
Published: June 2020

Chronic liver injury is a risk factor for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The molecular mechanisms that regulate the decision between normal injury repair and neoplastic initiation are unclear. Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1), a tumor stem cell marker, is induced during cirrhosis and HCC. Here, we demonstrate that DCLK1-overexpressing primary human hepatocytes formed spheroids in suspension cultures. Spheroids derived from DCLK1-overexpressing hepatoma cells showed high level expression of active β-catenin, α-fetoprotein, and SOX9, suggesting that DCLK1 overexpression induces clonogenicity and dedifferentiated phenotypes in hepatoma cells. DCLK1 overexpression in hepatoma cells also increased phosphorylation of GSK-3β at Ser9. This was associated with an induction of a 48-kDa active β-catenin with a preserved hypophosphorylated N-terminus that interacted with nuclear TCF-4 resulting in luciferase reporter activity and cyclin D1 expression. DCLK1 downregulation inhibited 48-kDa β-catenin expression. The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib did not block the 48-kDa β-catenin, instead, caused a threefold accumulation, suggesting a proteasome-independent mechanism. Liver tissues from patients with cirrhosis and HCC revealed epithelial co-staining of DCLK1 and active β-catenin, and cleaved E-cadherin. Repopulated DCLK1-overexpressing primary human hepatocytes in humanized FRG mouse livers demonstrated active β-catenin. In conclusion, DCLK1 regulates oncogenic signaling and clonogenicity of hepatocytes by a novel non-canonical/atypical β-catenin-dependent mechanism.
Analyzing microglial-associated Aβ in Alzheimer’s disease transgenic mice with a novel mid-domain Aβ-antibody
Authors: Henjum Kristi , Årskog Vibeke , Jendresen Charlotte B. , Fladby Tormod , Torp Reidun , Nilsson Lars N. G.
Published: June 2020

The mechanisms of amyloid-β (Aβ)-degradation and clearance in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis have been relatively little studied. Short Aβ-fragments form by enzymatic cleavage and alternate amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP)-processing. Here we characterized a novel polyclonal Aβ-antibody raised against an Aβ mid-domain and used it to investigate microglial Aβ-uptake in situ by microscopy at the light- and ultrastructural levels. The rabbit Aβ-mid-domain antibody (ab338), raised against the mid-domain amino acids 21–34 (Aβ21–34), was characterized with biochemical and histological techniques. To identify the epitope in Aβ recognized by ab338, solid phase and solution binding data were compared with peptide folding scores as calculated with the Tango software. The ab338 antibody displayed high average affinity (KD: 6.2 × 10−10 M) and showed preference for C-terminal truncated Aβ-peptides ending at amino acid 34 and Aβ-mid domain peptides with high scores of β-turn structure. In transgenic APP-mouse brain, ab338 labelled amyloid plaques and detected Aβ-fragments in microglia at the ultra- and light microscopic levels. This reinforces a role of microglia/macrophages in Aβ-clearance in vivo. The ab338 antibody might be a valuable tool to study Aβ-clearance by microglial uptake and Aβ-mid-domain peptides generated by enzymatic degradation and alternate production.
Lung perfusion scintigraphy to detect chronic lung allograft dysfunction after living-donor lobar lung transplantation
Authors: Yamamoto Haruchika , Sugimoto Seiichiro , Kurosaki Takeshi , Miyoshi Kentaroh , Otani Shinji , Okazaki Mikio , Yamane Masaomi , Oto Takahiro , Toyooka Shinichi
Published: June 2020

Because chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) develops predominantly on one side after bilateral living-donor lobar lung transplantation (LDLLT), lung perfusion scintigraphy (Q-scinti) was expected to show a perfusion shift to the contralateral unaffected lung with the development of CLAD. Our study examined the potential usefulness of Q-scinti in the diagnosis of CLAD after bilateral LDLLT. We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study of 58 recipients of bilateral LDLLT. The unilateral shift values on Q-scinti were calculated and compared between the CLAD group (N = 27) and the non-CLAD group (N = 31) from 5 years before to 5 years after the diagnosis of CLAD. The unilateral shift values in Q-scinti were significantly higher in the CLAD group than in the non-CLAD group from 5 years before the diagnosis of CLAD to 5 years after the diagnosis (P < 0.05). The unilateral shift values in Q-scinti were significantly correlated with the percent baseline values of the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (P = 0.0037), the total lung capacity (P = 0.0028), and the forced vital capacity (P = 0.00024) at the diagnosis of CLAD. In patients developing unilateral CLAD after bilateral LDLLT, Q-scinti showed a unilateral perfusion shift to the contralateral unaffected lung. Thus, Q-scinti appears to have the potential to predict unilateral CLAD after bilateral LDLLT.
In situ transformations during SLM of an ultra-strong TiC reinforced Ti composite
Authors: Dadbakhsh Sasan , Mertens Raya , Vanmeensel Kim , Ji Gang , Kruth Jean-Pierre
Published: June 2020

This work demonstrates a successful in situ method capable of producing an ultra-strong novel Ti composite without aluminium and vanadium. In this method, selective laser melting is used to conduct in situ alloying and reinforcing of a Ti/10.5 wt% Mo2C powder mixture. It is shown that this leads to a metastable β-Ti matrix homogeneously reinforced by high aspect ratio, 50–200 nm wide and up to several micrometre long TiC whiskers. The transformations of the phases are controlled by decomposition, dissolution, diffusion, and reformation of constituents. The whisker morphology of in situ formed TiC particles is associated with directional crystal growth along the TiC<110> direction. The developed TiC reinforced β-Ti alloy combines a hardness over 500 HV, a Young’s modulus of 126 GPa, and an ultimate compressive strength of 1642 MPa. Improving the ductility of this composite is the subject of another work.
Radiological characterization of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) fat by X-ray micro-computed tomography
Authors: Ceballos-Francisco Diana , García-Carrillo Nuria , Cuesta Alberto , Esteban María Ángeles
Published: June 2020

In fish, the fat content contributes to promoting the nutritional and organoleptic characteristics of the flesh, which is crucial for consumer acceptance. Methods to predict the fat in fish are important in nutritional and physiological research, where body content is traditionally determined by dissection followed by chemical analysis. However, X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) provides three-dimensional information in a non-destructive way. This work aims to characterize radiologically the fat, in situ, in a widely cultivated marine species, gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). To validate the method changes in fat content in a control group (fed) and another group (unfed for 60 days) were assessed. Fish images were acquired on an Albira SPECT/PET/CT preclinical-scanner. Image analysis and measurements were performed using the Carestream Molecular Imaging Albira CT system in conjunction with Pmod and Amide packages. By micro-CT analysis the density values were determined for the whole fish body (− 1,000 to + 2,500 HU, Hounsfield units), and density ranges for the fat in S. aurata were established from − 115 to + 50 HU. As expected, significant differences were found between fed and starved groups at 60 days. The present study confirms the usefulness of high-resolution morphological analysis for evaluating the presence and distribution of fat in this important fish species.
Effects of topical corticosteroids and lidocaine on Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in mouse skin: potential impact to human clinical trials
Authors: Lefeuvre Bastien , Cantero Paola , Ehret-Sabatier Laurence , Lenormand Cedric , Barthel Cathy , Po Chrystelle , Parveen Nikhat , Grillon Antoine , Jaulhac Benoit , Boulanger Nathalie
Published: June 2020

Lyme borreliosis is the most prevalent vector-borne disease in northern hemisphere. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato spirochetes are transmitted by Ixodes species ticks. During a blood meal, these spirochetes are inoculated into the skin where they multiply and often spread to various target organs: disseminated skin sites, the central nervous system, the heart and large joints. The usual diagnosis of this disease relies on serological tests. However, in patients presenting persistent clinical manifestations, this indirect diagnosis is not capable of detecting an active infection. If the serological tests are positive, it only proves that exposure of an individual to Lyme spirochetes had occurred. Although culture and quantitative PCR detect active infection, currently used tests are not sensitive enough for wide-ranging applications. Animal models have shown that B. burgdorferi persists in the skin. We present here our targeted proteomics results using infected mouse skin biopsies that facilitate detection of this pathogen. We have employed several novel approaches in this study. First, the effect of lidocaine, a local anesthetic used for human skin biopsy, on B. burgdorferi presence was measured. We further determined the impact of topical corticosteroids to reactivate Borrelia locally in the skin. This local immunosuppressive compound helps follow-up detection of spirochetes by proteomic analysis of Borrelia present in the skin. This approach could be developed as a novel diagnostic test for active Lyme borreliosis in patients presenting disseminated persistent infection. Although our results using topical corticosteroids in mice are highly promising for recovery of spirochetes, further optimization will be needed to translate this strategy for diagnosis of Lyme disease in patients.
Rapid and sensitive large-scale screening of low affinity extracellular receptor protein interactions by using reaction induced inhibition of Gaussia luciferase
Authors: Galaway Francis , Wright Gavin J.
Published: June 2020

Extracellular protein interactions mediated by cell surface receptors are essential for intercellular communication in multicellular organisms. Assays to detect extracellular interactions must account for their often weak binding affinities and also the biochemical challenges in solubilising membrane-embedded receptors in an active form. Methods based on detecting direct binding of soluble recombinant receptor ectodomains have been successful, but genome-scale screening is limited by the usual requirement of producing sufficient amounts of each protein in two different forms, usually a “bait” and “prey”. Here, we show that oligomeric receptor ectodomains coupled to concatenated units of the light-generating Gaussia luciferase enzyme robustly detected low affinity interactions and reduced the amount of protein required by several orders of magnitude compared to other reporter enzymes. Importantly, we discovered that this flash-type luciferase exhibited a reaction-induced inhibition that permitted the use of a single protein preparation as both bait and prey thereby halving the number of expression plasmids and recombinant proteins required for screening. This approach was tested against a benchmarked set of quantified extracellular interactions and shown to detect extremely weak interactions (KDs ≥ μM). This method will facilitate large-scale receptor interaction screening and contribute to the goal of mapping networks of cellular communication.
Establishment of a mouse model with all four clinical features of eosinophilic bronchitis
Authors: Chen Liyan , Li Chenhui , Peng Min , Xie Jiaxing , Lai Kefang , Zhong Nanshan
Published: June 2020

Eosinophilic bronchitis (EB) is a clinical disease characterized by chronic cough, airway eosinophil infiltration, and responsive to steroid therapy but with the absence of airway hyperreactivity (AHR). This study established an EB mouse model with all the above features. First, 42 mice were divided into 7 groups to investigate the optimal time interval between cough and AHR detections. Afterward, 28 mice were divided into the asthma, EB, normal saline (NS), and dexamethasone (DXM) groups. Mice were challenged using nasal drops of 200 µg ovalbumin (OVA), 10 µg OVA, NS, or intraperitoneal injections of 5 mg/kg of DXM one hour prior to 10 µg OVA challenge. Airway reactivity was measured 6 h after cough was observed. The frequency of coughs in the asthma and EB groups increased significantly compared to mice in the NS group. After DXM administration, frequency of coughs was significantly decreased compared to mice in the asthma and EB groups. Lung resistance in the asthma group was significantly higher compared to mice in the NS, EB, and DXM groups. Obvious airway eosinophilic inflammation in BALF and lung tissues were observed in the asthma and EB groups, while DXM administration could attenuate airway inflammatory infiltration. In summary, we developed a mouse EB model with all four clinical features of EB by the administration of 10 µg OVA nasal drops.
Testing algal-based pCO2 proxies at a modern CO2 seep (Vulcano, Italy)
Authors: Witkowski Caitlyn R. , van der Meer Marcel T. J. , Smit Nadine T. , Sinninghe Damsté Jaap S. , Schouten Stefan
Published: June 2020

Understanding long-term trends in atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (pCO2) has become increasingly relevant as modern concentrations surpass recent historic trends. One method for estimating past pCO2, the stable carbon isotopic fractionation associated with photosynthesis (Ɛp) has shown promise over the past several decades, in particular using species-specific biomarker lipids such as alkenones. Recently, the Ɛp of more general biomarker lipids, organic compounds derived from a multitude of species, have been applied to generate longer-spanning, more ubiquitous records than those of alkenones but the sensitivity of this proxy to changes in pCO2 has not been constrained in modern settings. Here, we test Ɛp using a variety of general biomarkers along a transect taken from a naturally occurring marine CO2 seep in Levante Bay of the Aeolian island of Vulcano in Italy. The studied general biomarkers, loliolide, cholesterol, and phytol, all show increasing depletion in 13C over the transect from the control site towards the seep, suggesting that CO2 exerts a strong control on isotopic fractionation in natural phytoplankton communities. The strongest shift in fractionation was seen in phytol, and pCO2 estimates derived from phytol confirm the utility of this biomarker as a proxy for pCO2 reconstruction.
Precursor-based surface modification of cathodes using Ta and W for sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries
Authors: Lim Chung Bum , Park Yong Joon
Published: June 2020

Sulfide ionic conductors are promising candidates as solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries due to their high conductivity. However, interfacial instability between cathodes and sulfide electrolytes still remains a challenge because sulfides are highly reactive. To suppress undesirable side reactions at the cathode/sulfide electrolyte interface, the surface of the cathode has been modified using stable coating materials. Herein, a precursor based (PB) surface modification using Ta and W is introduced as an effective approach for the formation of a suitable cathode coating layer. Through heat-treatment of the PB surface modification, the source materials (Ta or W) coated on the precursors diffused into the cathode and acted as a dopant. Formation of the surface coating layer was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) depth profiles and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images. The PB surface modified electrodes showed higher capacity, improved rate capability and enhanced cyclic performance compared to those of the pristine electrode. The impedance value of the cells dominantly decreased after cycling due to the modification effect. Moreover, considering the XPS analysis, undesirable reaction products that formed upon cycling were reduced by PB surface modification. These results indicate that PB surface modification using Ta and W effectively suppresses undesirable side reactions and stabilizes the cathode/sulfide electrolyte interface, which is a synergic effect of the doping and coating attributed to Ta and W.
Impact ionization and intervalley electron scattering in InSb and InAs induced by a single terahertz pulse
Authors: Ašmontas Steponas , Bumelienė Skaidra , Gradauskas Jonas , Raguotis Romas , Sužiedėlis Algirdas
Published: June 2020

Electronic properties of InSb and InAs are sensitive to electric field due to their narrow forbidden energy gaps and big difference in effective masses of electrons in different conduction band valleys. Here we report impact ionization processes and redistribution of electrons between the Γ, L and X valleys induced by a single ultrashort terahertz (THz) pulse at 80 K temperature. Monte Carlo simulation revealed that electron motion in this case has near ballistic character. The threshold electric field of impact ionization increases as the THz pulse gets shorter, and the process of impact ionization essentially raises cooling rate of hot electrons. The L valley gets mainly occupied by electrons in InSb while the X valley holds the majority of electrons in InAs at strong electric fields, respectively above 20 kV/cm and 90 kV/cm. The calculated results are in good agreement with the available experimental data.
Author Correction: Novel insights on the geomagnetic field in West Africa from a new intensity reference curve (0–2000 AD)
Authors: Kapper Lisa , Serneels Vincent , Panovska Sanja , Ruíz Rafael García , Hellio Gabrielle , de Groot Lennart , Goguitchaichvili Avto , Morales Juan , Ruíz Rubén Cejudo
Published: June 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Approximating the maximum tibial coverage in total knee arthroplasty does not necessarily result in implant malrotation
Authors: Shao Long , Wu Xiang-Dong , Wang Ting , Liu Xiao-Kang , Xu Wei , Huang Wei , Zeng Zhi-Min
Published: June 2020

Traditionally, the practice of the tibial component placement in total knee arthroplasty has focused on achieving maximum coverage without malrotation. However, the concept of maximizing coverage has not been well defined or researched and yet biased results are often produced. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a prioritizing maximum coverage positioning strategy on the rotational alignment by using a strict computer algorithm. Computed tomographic scans of 103 tibial specimens were used to reconstruct three-dimensional tibia models. A virtual surgery was performed to generate the resection plane with a posterior slope of 7° on the proximal tibia. Symmetrical and anatomical tibial components were placed and analyzed with an automated program designed for approximating the maximum coverage based on the coherent point drift algorithm. We found that the average tibial coverage achieved across all specimens and implants was 85.62 ± 3.65%, ranging from 83.64 ± 4.10% to 86.69 ± 3.07%. When placed for maximal tibial coverage, the mean degree of rotation related to the Insall line was − 0.73° ± 4.53° for all subjects, 23% of the tibial components were malrotated. The average percentage position of the baseplate anteroposterior axis over the patellar tendon was 26.95 ± 14.71% from the medial edge. These results suggest that with specific design and proper placement of the component, approximating the maximum tibial coverage in total knee arthroplasty does not necessarily result in implant malrotation. The current tibial baseplates have shown good performance on the coverage when aligned parallel to the Insall line with the anteroposterior axis positioned between the medial 1/3 and medial 1/6 of the patella tendon.
Lithium silicate-based bioceramics promoting chondrocyte maturation by immunomodulating M2 macrophage polarization
Authors: Zhai Dong , Chen Lei , Chen Yu , Zhu Yufang , Xiao Yin , Wu Chengtie
Published: June 2020

LCS scaffolds promoted chondrocyte maturation by inducing M2 macrophage polarization.
Catalytic rhodium (Rh)-based (mesoporous polydopamine) MPDA nanoparticles with enhanced phototherapeutic efficiency for overcoming tumor hypoxia
Authors: Ding Mengli , Miao Zhaohua , Zhang Fan , Liu Jie , Shuai Xintao , Zha Zhengbao , Cao Zhong
Published: June 2020

Rh NPs/Ce6 loaded mesoporous polydopamine (Ce6-Rh@MPDA) nanoparticles were developed to achieve photoacoustic/fluorescence imaging-guided photothermal and photodynamic therapy to eliminate tumors and improve hypoxia in tumor microenvironments.
Visible light-driven Suzuki–Miyaura reaction by self-supported Pd nanocatalysts in the formation of Stille coupling-based photoactive microporous organic polymers
Authors: Ryu Sang Hyun , Choi Sung Jae , Seon Ji Hui , Jo Bonghyun , Lee Sang Moon , Kim Hae Jin , Ko Yoon-Joo , Ko Kyoung Chul , Ahn Tae Kyu , Son Seung Uk
Published: June 2020

Stille coupling results in deposition of Pd NPs on microporous organic polymers, showing excellent photocatalytic performance.
Understanding the composition and spatial distribution of biological selenate reduction products for potential selenium recovery
Authors: Zhang Zhiming , Xiong Yi , Chen Huan , Tang Youneng
Published: June 2020

This work determines the spatial distribution of produced elemental selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and selenium sulfides in a membrane biofilm reactor under various operating conditions, and identifies the condition for exclusive SeNPs production.
Responsible science, engineering and education for water resource recovery and circularity
Authors: Weissbrodt David G. , Winkler Mari K. H. , Wells George F.
Published: June 2020

Integration of resource recovery and circular economy concepts in higher education will stimulate responsible innovation in the water sector for an ecologically-balanced society.
Contributions of viscosity and friction properties to oral and haptic texture perception of iced coffees
Authors: Blok Annelies E. , Bolhuis Dieuwerke P. , Stieger Markus
Published: June 2020

This study assessed contributions of viscosity and friction properties to creaminess, thickness and slipperiness perception; and compared oral and haptic thickness and slipperiness perception of iced coffees.
In vitroα-glucosidase inhibition by honeybush (Cyclopia genistoides) food ingredient extract—potential for dose reduction of acarbose through synergism
Authors: Miller Neil , Malherbe Christiaan J. , Joubert Elizabeth
Published: June 2020

Synergisticin vitroinhibition of intestinal α-glucosidase by acarbose and xanthones indicates potential for reducing the effective dose of acarbose.
New insights into red plant pigments: more than just natural colorants
Authors: Fernández-López José A. , Fernández-Lledó Vicente , Angosto José M.
Published: June 2020

Nature attracts us with its striking red pigments and rewards us with healthy benefits.
Performance and mechanism of methylene blue degradation by an electrochemical process
Authors: Teng Xiaolei , Li Junfeng , Wang Zhaoyang , Wei Zhen , Chen Cuizhong , Du Keqing , Zhao Chun , Yang Guang , Li Yun
Published: June 2020

An exciting electrochemical oxidation (EO) process has been developed.
A first-principles study of electronic structure and photocatalytic performance of GaN–MX2 (M = Mo, W; X= S, Se) van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Khan Fawad , Idrees M. , Nguyen C. , Ahmad Iftikhar , Amin Bin
Published: June 2020

Modeling novel van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures is an emerging field to achieve materials with exciting properties for various devices.
Hydrogen storage performance of the multi-principal-component CoFeMnTiVZr alloy in electrochemical and gas–solid reactions
Authors: Sarac Baran , Zadorozhnyy Vladislav , Berdonosova Elena , Ivanov Yurii P. , Klyamkin Semen , Gumrukcu Selin , Sarac A. Sezai , Korol Artem , Semenov Dmitri , Zadorozhnyy Mikhail , Sharma Adit , Greer Alan L. , Eckert Jürgen
Published: June 2020

The single-phase multi-principal-component CoFeMnTiVZr alloy was obtained by rapid solidification and examined by a combination of electrochemical methods and gas–solid reactions.
The structural transition of bimetallic Ag–Au from core/shell to alloy and SERS application
Authors: Ha Pham Thi Thu , Vu Xuan Hoa , Dien Nguyen Dac , Trang Tran Thu , Van Truong Nguyen , Thanh Tran Dang , Tan Pham Minh , Ca Nguyen Xuan
Published: June 2020

It is well-known that Ag–Au bimetallic nanoplates have attracted significant research interest due to their unique plasmonic properties and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS).
Large interlayer spacing Nb4C3Tx (MXene) promotes the ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of Pb2+ on glassy carbon electrodes
Authors: Rasheed P. Abdul , Pandey Ravi P. , Gomez Tricia , Naguib Michael , Mahmoud Khaled A.
Published: June 2020

Large interlayer spacing Nb4C3Tx (MXene) promotes the ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of Pb2+ on glassy carbon electrodes
Crossover from mean-field compression to collective phenomena in low-density foam-formed fiber material
Authors: Mäkinen Tero , Koivisto Juha , Pääkkönen Elina , Ketoja Jukka A. , Alava Mikko J.
Published: June 2020

Compression of foam-formed materials crosses over from a mean-field behavior, related to fiber segment buckling, to collective phenomena.
Fast and efficient removal of paraquat in water by porous polycalix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6, and 8)
Authors: Shetty Dinesh , Boutros Sandra , Skorjanc Tina , Garai Bikash , Asfari Zouhair , Raya Jesus , Trabolsi Ali
Published: June 2020

Porous polycalix[n]arenes were developed and exhibited high efficiency for paraquat removal from water.
Exceptional electromagnetic shielding efficiency of silver coated carbon fiber fabrics via a roll-to-roll spray coating process
Authors: Park Janghoon , Hu Xiyu , Torfeh Mahsa , Okoroanyanwu Uzodinma , Arbabi Amir , Watkins James J.
Published: June 2020

The continuous and scalable fabrication of silver coated carbon fiber fabrics with exceptional EMI shielding effectiveness via a roll-to-roll spray coating process.
The roles of the diversity of amphipathic lipids in shaping membranes by membrane-shaping proteins
Authors: Kitamata Manabu , Inaba Takehiko , Suetsugu Shiro
Published: June 2020

Lipid compositions of cells differ according to cell types and intracellular organelles. Phospholipids are major cell membrane lipids and have hydrophilic head groups and hydrophobic fatty acid tails. The cellular lipid membrane without any protein adapts to spherical shapes, and protein binding to the membrane is thought to be required for shaping the membrane for various cellular events. Until recently, modulation of cellular lipid membranes was initially shown to be mediated by proteins recognizing lipid head groups, including the negatively charged ones of phosphatidylserine and phosphoinositides. Recent studies have shown that the abilities of membrane-deforming proteins are also regulated by the composition of fatty acid tails, which cause different degrees of packing defects. The binding of proteins to cellular lipid membranes is affected by the packing defects, presumably through modulation of their interactions with hydrophobic amino acid residues. Therefore, lipid composition can be characterized by both packing defects and charge density. The lipid composition regarding fatty acid tails affects membrane bending via the proteins with amphipathic helices, including those with the ArfGAP1 lipid packing sensor (ALPS) motif and via membrane-deforming proteins with structural folding, including those with the Bin–Amphiphysin–Rvs167 (BAR) domains. This review focuses on how the fatty acid tails, in combination with the head groups of phospholipids, affect protein-mediated membrane deformation.
Quality of Life Outcomes Reported by Patients and Significant Others Following Cochlear Implantation
Authors: Shao Diana , Moberly Aaron C. , Ray Christin
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This study tested the hypotheses that both patients receiving cochlear implants (CIs) and their significant others (SOs) would demonstrate improvements in perceived hearing handicap over time following cochlear implantation and that the SOs would demonstrate delayed patterns of perceived improvement compared to the patients who directly experienced the changes in hearing function provided by the CI.

Method

A study sample of 19 pairs of postlingually deafened adult candidates with CIs and their SOs answered questions about the patients' hearing handicap. Patient- and SO-reported scores were obtained preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months after CI activation. The study hypotheses were tested using linear mixed-effects models.

Results

Patients and SOs independently reported improvements on self-reported hearing handicap measures at 1, 3, and 6 months post CI activation compared to preoperatively. Correlations between patient- and SO-reported scores were significant at all intervals; however, the asynchrony between pairs at 1 month postactivation was greater in magnitude compared to the other intervals.

Conclusions

Findings support the hypotheses of the study. Results should inform future clinical practice and research to guide the expectations of patients and their SOs as they adjust to hearing with a CI and experience various benefits and challenges over time.
Justification of elements of rice cultivation technology
Authors: Malysheva Nadezhda , Khadzhidi Anna , Kuznetsov Evgeny , Sharaby Noureldin , Koltsov Alexander
Published: June 2020

The purpose of the research is to identify the impact of sprinkler irrigation in rice crop rotation on rice productivity and soil fertility of irrigated lands of the Krasnodar region. To achieve this goal, the tasks of studying the density of weed seedlings after sprinkler irrigation, the content of water-soluble salts and humus in the soil of rice fields, and the reaction of an intensive variety of rice cultivated after irrigation and drainage techniques in rice fields were completed. Material and methods. Field studies were carried out on the Kuban irrigation system of the Krasnodar territory, which is the most typical in terms of soil conditions for the western climatic zone of the region, with various variants for sprinkler irrigation after major planning of basins. An intensive of Rapan rice variety was used. The methods of the Federal Research Center for Rice, the Kuban State Agrarian University, and Russian standards were applied. Conclusions, the obtained results of the conducted studies prove the effectiveness of sprinkler irrigation in rice crop rotation, increase soil fertility, rice productivity, and contribute to the production of environmentally friendly products without herbicides treatment.
Methodology of grain heap quantity and structure determination and economic evaluation of harvester-thresher cleaning enhancement
Authors: Muratova Evgenia , Muratov Denis , Makarenko Elena , Shepelev Sergey , Korobeynikova Olga , Chegge Valeriia , Kabanova Yana
Published: June 2020

Analytical studies concerning the issues of heap supply for harvester-thresher cleaning, composition of tailings and the amount of grain are presented in the paper. The urgent problem of increasing the separation of air-sieve cleaning of modern combines is outlined. The schematic structure of the combine thresher is presented. The calculation of the grain mass quantity which is received for cleaning from the threshing group, the straw rack and finish threshing device is conducted. The visual image of cleaning load depending on supply is shown. According to the calculations it is possible to predict the loading of cleaning with small grain heaps depending on the total supply of grain mass to the thresher for combines of various classes. The technical solution to improve the cleaning system of a combine harvester is suggested and economically evaluated in the paper.