bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular identification of hookworm isolates from stray dogs, humans and selected wildlife from South Africa
Authors: Ngcamphalala P. I. , Lamb J. , Mukaratirwa S.
Published: February 2019

There is a paucity of information on hookworm species in humans, domestic animals and wildlife in southern Africa. Our study aimed to identify hookworm species from stray dogs, humans, and selected wildlife from South Africa. A total of 356 faecal samples were screened for the presence of hookworm-like eggs and subsequently coproculture from the positive samples was carried out to obtain larvae. Hookworm-like eggs were detected in 23.03% (82/356) of samples. Of these samples, 78/296 were from dogs, 3/50 from humans and 1/10 from wildlife. DNA was then isolated from the larvae of 55 positive samples, which were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR), polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and sequencing of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) and 5.8S rRNA region. Presence of Ancylostoma caninum, A. braziliense and A. ceylanicum-like species was recorded in stray dogs and A. caninum was recorded in wildlife and humans, using PCR-RFLP. Although PCR-RFLP results pointed to the presence of A. ceylanicum, we did not get a sequence that matched with A. ceylanicum from GenBank. This may have been due to the low proportion of A. ceylanicum larvae in our samples. Twenty-two of the 27 positive amplicons from stray dogs matched with A. caninum, three with A. braziliense and two had mixed infections of A. braziliense and A. caninum. Sequences from a lion and three humans matched with A. caninum. This is the first confirmation of a patent A. caninum infection in humans as evidenced by the presence of eggs in faeces, with the subsequent larvae from coproculture being identified as A. caninum.
The role of frozen section biopsy for parotid gland tumour with benign fine-needle aspiration cytology
Authors: Suzuki M , Nakaegawa Y , Kobayashi T , Kawase T , Matsuzuka T , Murono S
Published: February 2019

Objectives

This study focused on parotid gland tumours diagnosed as benign by fine-needle aspiration cytology and investigated the necessity of frozen section biopsy.

Methods

There were 104 cases of parotid gland tumour where fine-needle aspiration cytology was benign and frozen section biopsy was subsequently performed, between April 2006 and June 2016. In this retrospective study, the results of frozen section biopsy were analysed and compared with the final histological diagnosis.

Results

Among the 104 cases diagnosed as benign by fine-needle aspiration cytology, 102 cases and 2 cases were diagnosed as benign and malignant, respectively, by frozen section biopsy. The final histological diagnoses showed that 98 cases were benign and 6 cases were malignant. The sensitivity and specificity values of frozen section biopsy in detecting malignant tumours were 33 per cent and 100 per cent, respectively.

Conclusion

The necessity of frozen section biopsy in cases with benign fine-needle aspiration cytology may be low in parotid gland surgery.
The epistemic benefits of religious disagreement
Authors: DORMANDY KATHERINE
Published: February 2019

Scientific researchers welcome disagreement as a way of furthering epistemic aims. Religious communities, by contrast, tend to regard it as a potential threat to their beliefs. But I argue that religious disagreement can help achieve religious epistemic aims. I do not argue this by comparing science and religion, however. For scientific hypotheses are ideally held with a scholarly neutrality, and my aim is to persuade those who arecommittedto religious beliefs that religious disagreement can be epistemically beneficial for them too.
Global status of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in dromedary camels: a systematic review
Authors: Sikkema R. S. , Farag E. A. B. A. , Islam Mazharul , Atta Muzzamil , Reusken C. B. E. M. , Al-Hajri Mohd M. , Koopmans M. P. G.
Published: February 2019

Dromedary camels have been shown to be the main reservoir for human Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) infections. This systematic review aims to compile and analyse all published data on MERS-coronavirus (CoV) in the global camel population to provide an overview of current knowledge on the distribution, spread and risk factors of infections in dromedary camels. We included original research articles containing laboratory evidence of MERS-CoV infections in dromedary camels in the field from 2013 to April 2018. In general, camels only show minor clinical signs of disease after being infected with MERS-CoV. Serological evidence of MERS-CoV in camels has been found in 20 countries, with molecular evidence for virus circulation in 13 countries. The seroprevalence of MERS-CoV antibodies increases with age in camels, while the prevalence of viral shedding as determined by MERS-CoV RNA detection in nasal swabs decreases. In several studies, camels that were sampled at animal markets or quarantine facilities were seropositive more often than camels at farms as well as imported camelsvs.locally bred camels. Some studies show a relatively higher seroprevalence and viral detection during the cooler winter months. Knowledge of the animal reservoir of MERS-CoV is essential to develop intervention and control measures to prevent human infections.
Ultra-processed food intake and mortality in the USA: results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III, 1988–1994)
Authors: Kim Hyunju , Hu Emily A , Rebholz Casey M
Published: February 2019

Objective

To evaluate the association between ultra-processed food intake and all-cause mortality and CVD mortality in a nationally representative sample of US adults.

Design

Prospective analyses of reported frequency of ultra-processed food intake in 1988–1994 and all-cause mortality and CVD mortality through 2011.

Setting

The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III, 1988–1994).

Participants

Adults aged ≥20 years (n11898).

Results

Over a median follow-up of 19 years, individuals in the highest quartile of frequency of ultra-processed food intake (e.g. sugar-sweetened or artificially sweetened beverages, sweetened milk, sausage or other reconstructed meats, sweetened cereals, confectionery, desserts) had a 31% higher risk of all-cause mortality, after adjusting for demographic and socio-economic confounders and health behaviours (adjusted hazard ratio=1·31; 95% CI 1·09, 1·58;P-trend = 0·001). No association with CVD mortality was observed (P-trend=0·86).

Conclusions

Higher frequency of ultra-processed food intake was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality in a representative sample of US adults. More longitudinal studies with dietary data reflecting the modern food supply are needed to confirm our results.
Characterization and cross-species transferability of a novel set of microsatellites derived from root transcriptomes of Camellia oleifera
Authors: Wu Shuangcheng , Ye Hang , Chen Yuansong , Deng Jiemei , Su Jiexia , Xie Yayu , Xie Qinru , Zhang Zhaoyuan , Qin Zihai , Xiao Yufei , Wang Xiaoyun , Wang Pengliang
Published: February 2019

Camellia oleifera is an important woody plant producing healthy edible oils. People need a large number of molecular markers, especially microsatellite, in breeding of C. oleifera. In this study, we sequenced the root transcriptomes of C. oleifera, and then designed a novel set of microsatellite markers based on the root-expressed genes. We assembled a total of 57,121 unigenes with a length of 42.63 Mb, which harboured 15,902 microsatellites. Among these microsatellites, di-nucleotide repeat motifs were the most abundant group (56.45%), then followed by tri- (25.20%), mono- (12.12%), hexa- (3.21%), penta- (2.18%) and quad-nucleotide ones (0.84%). In total, 6738 primer pairs were designed successfully to amplify the microsatellite loci. To test these microsatellite markers, 48 primer pairs were randomly selected and synthesized and validated in C. oleifera and its eight relatives. Up to 75% of the primer pairs amplified in C. oleifera and its relatives, and 62.5% displayed polymorphism. The transferability and diverse alleles across its eight relatives were detected for each polymorphic primer pair. The novel set of microsatellites derived from the root transcriptomes here provided a useful resource for future molecular genetics improvement of C. oleifera and its relatives.
Bovine lactoferrin ameliorates antioxidant esterase activity and	8-isoprostane levels in high-cholesterol-diet fed rats
Authors: Faridvand Yousef , Nozari Samira , Asoudeh-Fard Abbas , Karimi Mohammad-Ali , Pezeshkian Masoud , Safaie Nasser , Nouri Mohammad
Published: February 2019

Abstract. The main aim of the present study was to show the effect of bovineLactoferrin (bLF), an 80 kD iron-binding glycoprotein, its application on antioxidant esterase activities and 8-isoprostane changes in high-cholesterol-diet fed (HCD-Fed) rats. The 44 adult Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly assigned into four experimental groups. They were randomly assigned into four equivalent groups (n = 11). The groups included the control group which was fed with normal diet, bLF group, the third group which were made hypercholesterolemia by being fed with high cholesterol diet, and the last group which consisted of hypercholesterolemia rats treated with bLF (HCD + bLF) for 4 weeks (200 mg.kg−1 per day wt. dissolved in 0.9% normal saline).After 4 weeks, the serum Paraoxonase1 (PON1), Arylesterase (ARE) activity and 8-isoprostane with lipid profile were measured. Upon treatment with the bLF, the decrease in LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C), Glucoses, Triglyceride (TG) and Total-Cholesterol (TC) levels and an increase in HDL-Cholesterol (HDL-C) level were observed. The co-administration of bLf for 4 weeks had decreased the 8-isoprostane levels significantly (P < 0.001) (86.36 ± 7.1 vs 117.18 ± 8.62) when compared to hypercholesterolemia-induced rats. Also, the Atherogenic Index (AI) in HCD + bLF group showed a significant decrease as compared to the HCD group (P < 0.001) (0.37 ± 0.07 vs 0.57 ± 0.09). The results indicated that bLF was effective against oxidative stress by its ability to increase PON1 activity and reduce the lipid peroxidation in high-cholesterol-fed rats.
Beneficial Effect of Dietary Fiber on Hyperuricemia in Rats and Humans: A Review
Authors: Koguchi Takashi , Tadokoro Tadahiro
Published: February 2019

Abstract. Hyperuricemia is recognized as a lifestyle-related disease and the prevalence is increasing in many parts of the world. Excessive intake of purines increases serum uric acid concentration and is thought to be one factor causative of hyperuricemia. Therefore, it is thought that prevention of hyperuricemia by dietary control may be very important. This is an article of our basic research regarding the role of dietary fiber in the suppression of hyperuricemia induced by dietary purines in rats; in addition, clinical research suggesting the possibility that dietary fiber intake has a beneficial effect on the prevention or suppression of hyperuricemia in humans is discussed. Our own studies reveal that the test dietary fiber significantly suppresses the elevation of serum uric acid concentration induced by dietary RNA (12.3–46.2%), adenosine-5′-monophosphate (9.5–23.2%), adenosine (10.7–20.4%), or adenine (16.3–38.9%) and suppresses experimental hyperuricemia in rats. The mechanism is presumed to be mediated by suppression of the digestion and/or absorption of dietary purines by dietary fiber. In clinical studies, intake of dietary fiber decreases serum uric acid concentrations. Reports of recent epidemiological studies indicate that higher levels of hyperuricemia increase the prevalence of its comorbidities (e.g., chronic kidney disease, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease) and dietary fiber intake is associated with significantly lower risk for hyperuricemia and its comorbidities. We wish to emphasize the importance of recognizing the validity of increased dietary fiber intake as a preventive or suppressive method for hyperuricemia and its comorbidities.
Oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid did not affect lipid peroxidation and antioxidant biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Kolahi Sousan , Mirtaheri Elham , Pourghasem Gargari Bahram , Khabbazi Alireza , Hajalilou Mehrzad , Asghari-Jafarabadi Mohammad , Mesgari Abbasi Mehran
Published: February 2019

Abstract. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease in which oxidative stress could play a substantial pathological role. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) has been known as a “universal” and “ideal” antioxidant. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of oral administration of Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant biomarkers in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The study was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. 70 RA patients were randomized 1:1 to two groups using blocked randomization method and received 1200 mg/day ALA or placebo for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were obtained before and after the intervention to analyze total antioxidant capacity (TAC), antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and arylesterase (ARE) activities] and malondialdehyde (MDA). We observed significant increase in serum TAC (0.11 mmol/L; p=0.033) and ARE (13.76 U/mL; p=0.046) and significant decline in MDA (−0.36 nmol/L; p=0.002), in ALA group. However, these changes in ALA-treated group were not statistically significant when compared with placebo-treated group (p > 0.05). Also, within- and between-group differences of whole blood SOD and GSH-Px were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In conclusion, unexpectedly, ALA therapy did not affect the oxidative status of RA patients in the present clinical trial. It seems that more comprehensive clinical trials in RA patients are still warranted to clarify the effectiveness of ALA which has been known as a potent antioxidant.
Diagenetic Fate of Biogenic Soft and Hard Magnetite in Chemically Stratified Sedimentary Environments of Mamanguá Ría, Brazil
Authors: Rodelli D. , Jovane L. , Giorgioni M. , Rego E. S. , Cornaggia F. , Benites M. , Cedraz P. , Berbel G. B. B. , Braga E. S. , Ustra A. , Abreu F. , Roberts A. P.
Published: February 2019

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) synthesize magnetite and greigite crystals under low oxygen conditions in the water column or uppermost sediment (greigite‐producing bacteria are found below the oxic‐anoxic transition). Dissolved iron and oxygen contents in local environments are known to be limiting factors for the production and preservation of biogenic magnetite. Understanding the processes that link MTB to their living environments is fundamental to reconstructing past chemical variations in the water column and sediment, and for using the magnetic properties of biogenic magnetite as environmental proxy indicators. Previous studies have suggested that the frequently identified biogenic soft (BS) and biogenic hard (BH) magnetite types are associated with equant and more elongated morphologies, respectively, and that their abundance varies in accordance with sedimentary oxygen content, where MTB that produce the BH component live in less oxygenated environments. We test this hypothesis in a high‐resolution integrated environmental magnetic and geochemical study of surface sediments from Mamanguá Ría, SE Brazil. Based on magnetic and pore water profiles, we demonstrate that both the BS and BH components occur within microaerobic environments and that as sediment oxygen content decreases with depth, the BS component disappears before the BH component. With continued burial into the sulfidic diagenetic zone, both components undergo progressive dissolution, but the BH component is more resistant to dissolution than the BS component. Our observations confirm previous inferences about the relative stability of these phases and provide a firmer basis for use of these two types of biogenic magnetite as paleoenvironmental proxies.
Fracture Mechanical Properties of Damaged and Hydrothermally Altered Rocks, Dixie Valley‐Stillwater Fault Zone, Nevada, USA
Authors: Callahan Owen A. , Eichhubl Peter , Olson Jon E. , Davatzes Nicholas C.
Published: February 2019

Damaged and hydrothermally altered rocks are ubiquitous in fault zones, with the degree of damage and type and intensity of alteration varying in space and time. The impact of damage and alteration on hydromechanical properties of fault zones is difficult to assess without characterizing the associated changes to rock and fracture mechanical parameters. To evaluate the mechanical properties of fault rocks from different alteration regimes, we conducted (1) double‐torsion load‐relaxation tests to measure mode‐I fracture toughness (KIC) and subcritical fracture growth index (SCI), (2) uniaxial testing to measure unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and static elastic parameters, and (3) mineralogic and textural characterization of rock from four sites in the footwall of the Dixie Valley‐Stillwater fault zone. Alteration at these sites includes acid sulfate alteration and silicification associated with active fumaroles, intense silicification after calcite and chlorite alteration in an epithermal setting, quartz‐kaolinite‐carbonate alteration from an intermediate‐depth system, and a calcite‐chlorite‐hematite assemblage containing abundant unhealed damage. Silicification is associated with high KIC, SCI, UCS, and increased brittleness, and in precipitation‐dominated settings produces fault cores that are as strong or stronger than adjacent damage zone material. Calcite‐chlorite‐hematite assemblages containing abundant unsealed microfractures are approximately 4–5 times weaker than the granodiorite protolith. Mechanical properties are not predicted by mineralogical composition alone; a key control is the accumulation of damage and degree of healing. Measures of strength increase when mineral precipitation reduces microfracture porosity to <10–15% of total microfracture area. These results show that fault‐proximal weakening or strengthening is influenced by hydrothermal setting.
Estimating the Transmittance of Visible Solar Radiation in the Upper Ocean Using Secchi Disk Observations
Authors: Lee Zhongping , Shang Shaoling , Du Keping , Lin Gong , Liu Tongtong , Zoffoli Laura
Published: February 2019

Penetration of visible solar radiation (VSR) drives heating and phytoplankton photosynthesis in the upper water column; thus, it is always important to accurately describe the vertical distribution of VSR in the oceans. Before the invention and application of modern optical‐electronic instruments to measure the vertical profiles of VSR, the transmittance of VSR from surface to deeper ocean (TVSR) was commonly estimated based on water types and subsequently incorporated in dynamic ocean circulation models. However, the measurement of Secchi disk depth (ZSD) has been carried out since the 1860s and there are about a million of ZSD data available for the global oceans. Because ZSD represents a measure of water's transparency, here we present a scheme based on radiative transfer to accurately estimate TVSR with ZSD as the sole input. It is found that the median ratios between modeled and measured TVSR are ~0.8–1.0 for TVSR in a range of 1–100% for measurements made in coastal waters and oceanic gyres. However, this median ratio spans ~0.04–1.0 for the same measurements when the classical water‐type‐based model was applied. These results suggest a great advantage, and potentially significant impact, in incorporating the volumetric ZSD data to model the dynamic ocean–atmosphere systems in the past 100+ years.
How Long Can Celestial Bodies Retain Ice?
Authors: Cook Terri
Published: February 2019

A new model suggests that many objects in the outer asteroid belt may still harbor deposits that formed around the time of their accretion.
Simplifying How (and When and Where) Snow Turns into Flow
Authors: Lockwood Devi
Published: February 2019

A Montana researcher has developed a map for predicting how climate change may alter the water supply.
Concentration Levels, Biological Enrichment Capacities and Potential Health Risk Assessment of Trace Elements in Eichhornia crassipes from Honghu Lake, China
Authors: Zhang Jingdong , Li Yanan , Liu Chaoyang , Li Fei , Zhu Liyun , Qiu Zhenzhen , Xiao Minsi , Yang Zhaofei , Cai Ying
Published: February 2019

This study investigated the concentrations of Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, As and Cd in different tissues of E. crassipes from Honghu Lake. The total concentrations of trace elements in E. crassipes were observed in descending order: Zn (111.6162) > Cu (15.7494) > Cr (7.0466) > Pb (5.6251) > As (3.6831) > Cd (0.1941) mg/kg. The order of the bioconcentration factor (BCF) measured in E. crassipes was Zn > As > Cr > Cu > Pb > Cd > 1, indicating that E. crassipes possessed a strong biological enrichment ability to accumulate a variety of trace elements. The translocation factor (TF) values decreased in the order of Cu > Zn > Cr > As > Pb > Cd, all of which were lower than 1, which showed that the absorption of the trace elements by E. crassipes was mainly accomplished in the roots. Moreover, the health risk assessments showed that the carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks of the edible parts of E. crassipes were 26.1 and 4.6 times higher than the maximum acceptable value recommended by the USEPA for adults and children of approximately 39.2- and 6.9-fold, respectively. Children were more sensitive than adults. The main trace elements that led to noncarcinogenic risks were As, Cr and Cu, while Cr and As led to carcinogenic risks. The results of the Pearson correlation showed positive correlations with the concentrations of Zn, Cr and As between E. crassipes and the water as well as negative correlations of the contents of all six trace elements between E. crassipes and the sediment.
Point contact Andreev reflection studies of a non-centro symmetric superconductor Re6Zr
Authors: Parab Pradnya , Singh Deepak , Haram Santosh , Singh R. P. , Bose Sangita
Published: February 2019

Re6Zr, a non-centrosymmetric superconductor is an interesting system as recent experimental evidence suggests that the superconducting state breaks time reversal symmetry. This implies a mixing of spin singlet-triplet states leading to a complex order parameter in this system. Here, we report point contact Andreev Reflection (PCAR) measurements on a single crystal of Re6Zr (superconducting transition temperature (Tc) = 6.78 K). We observe multiple gap features in the PCAR spectra which depends on the type of tip and contact. Spectral features appear at voltages 1.0 ± 0.1 mV, 0.75 ± 0.05 mV and 0.45 ± 0.1 mV suggesting that there are at least more than one band contributing to superconductivity. However, strong surface inter-band scattering is possibly responsible for the uncertainty in observing them together distinctly in a single contact in the PCAR measurements. Interestingly, the bulk gap (Δ  = 1.95kBTc = 1.1 meV) is occasionally observed in PCAR spectra, mostly with ferromagnetic tips. The gap features associated with the other two smaller gaps disappear at the bulk Tc. In addition, no anisotropy in the upper critical field was observed. Our results suggest an unconventional superconducting order in this compound: Multiband singlet states dominated by inter-band pairing which break the time reversal symmetry or singlet mixed with triplet states.
Designing a multi-epitope based vaccine to combat Kaposi Sarcoma utilizing immunoinformatics approach
Authors: Chauhan Varun , Rungta Tripti , Goyal Kapil , Singh Mini P.
Published: February 2019

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) responsible for causing Kaposi sarcoma (KS), an opportunistic angioproliferative neoplasm is emerging rapidly. Despite this there is no permanent cure for this disease. The present study was aimed to design a multi-epitope based vaccine targeting the major glycoproteins of KSHV which plays an important role in the virus entry. After the application of rigorous immunoinformatics analysis and several immune filters, the multi-epitope vaccine was constructed, consisting of CD4, CD8 and IFN-γ inducing epitopes. Several physiochemical characteristics, allergenicity and antigenicity of the multi-epitope vaccine were analyzed in order to ensure its safety and immunogenicity. Further, the binding affinity and stability of the vaccine with Toll like receptor -9 (TLR-9) was analyzed by molecular docking and dynamics simulation studies. In addition, an in silico cloning was performed to ensure the expression and translation efficiency of the vaccine, utilizing pET-28a (+) vector. Such T-cell-based immunotherapies which leverage this mechanism could prove their potential against cancer. Further, the authors propose to test the present findings in the lab settings to ensure the safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of the presented vaccine which may help in controlling KSHV infection.
Endlessly mono-radial annular core photonic crystal fiber for the broadband transmission and supercontinuum generation of vortex beams
Authors: Sharma Manish , Pradhan Prabin , Ung Bora
Published: February 2019

We demonstrate a new guiding regime termed endlessly mono-radial, in the proposed annular core photonic crystal fiber (AC-PCF), whereby only modes of the fundamental radial order are supported by the fiber at all input wavelengths. This attribute is of high interest for applications that require the stable and broadband guiding of mono-radial (i.e. doughnut shaped) cylindrical vector beams and vortex beams carrying orbital angular momentum. We further show that one can significantly tailor the chromatic dispersion and optical nonlinearities of the waveguide through proper optimization of the photonic crystal microstructured cladding. The analytical investigation of the remarkable modal properties of the AC-PCF is validated by full-vector simulations. As an example, we performed simulations of the nonlinear fiber propagation of short femtosecond pulses at 835 nm center wavelength and kilowatt-level peak power, which indicate that the AC-PCF represents a promising avenue to investigate the supercontinuum generation of optical vortex light. The proposed fiber design has potential applications in space-division multiplexing, optical sensing and super-resolution microscopy.
Perfluoroalkane wax infused gels for effective, regenerating, anti-icing surfaces
Authors: Sandhu Arun , Walker Oliver J. , Nistal Andrés , Choy Kwang Leong , Clancy Adam J.
Published: February 2019

Infusion of solid perfluoroalkanes into polydimethylsiloxane gels provides a simple route to regenerating deicing surfaces, with low adhesion strength from the lower inherent cohesive energy of the perfluoroalkanes.
Enhanced convective dissolution due to an A + B → C reaction: control of the non-linear dynamicsviasolutal density contributions
Authors: Jotkar M. , De Wit A. , Rongy L.
Published: February 2019

Chemical reactions can have a significant impact on convective dissolution in partially miscible stratifications in porous media and are able to enhance the asymptotic flux with respect to the non-reactive case.
Three dimensional secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging (3D-SIMS) ofAedes aegyptiovarian follicles
Authors: Castellanos Anthony , Ramirez Cesar E. , Michalkova Veronika , Nouzova Marcela , Noriega Fernando G. , Fernández-Lima Francisco
Published: February 2019

The mobilization of nutrient reserves into the ovaries ofAedes aegyptimosquitoes after sugar-feeding plays a vital role in the female's reproductive maturation.
Non-invasive and quantitativein vivomonitoring of gold nanoparticle concentration and tissue hemodynamics by hybrid optical spectroscopies
Authors: Mireles Miguel , Morales-Dalmau Jordi , Johansson Johannes D. , Vidal-Rosas Ernesto E. , Vilches Clara , Martínez-Lozano Mar , Sanz Vanesa , de Miguel Ignacio , Casanovas Oriol , Quidant Romain , Durduran Turgut
Published: February 2019

The longitudinal, non-invasive,in vivoquantification of the PEG-coated gold nanorod (AuNR–PEG) concentration and tissue hemodynamics by hybrid diffuse optical methods.
DNA origami directed 3D nanoparticle superlattice via electrostatic assembly
Authors: Julin Sofia , Korpi Antti , Nonappa Nonappa , Shen Boxuan , Liljeström Ville , Ikkala Olli , Keller Adrian , Linko Veikko , Kostiainen Mauri A.
Published: February 2019

DNA origami is used to direct the formation of well-ordered 3D nanoparticle superlattices held together by electrostatic interactions.
Surface hemocompatible modification of polysulfone membrane via covalently grafting acrylic acid and sulfonated hydroxypropyl chitosan
Authors: Tu Ming-Ming , Xu Jing-Jie , Qiu Yun-Ren
Published: February 2019

In this study, acrylic acid (AA) and sulfonated hydroxypropyl chitosan (SHPCS) were covalently grafted on the PSf membrane surface to improve its hemocompatibility.
Scaling of lipid membrane rigidity with domain area fraction
Authors: Kelley Elizabeth G. , Butler Paul D. , Nagao Michihiro
Published: February 2019

The effective rigidity of phase separated membrane scales according to theory with no adjustable parameters.
Pt nanoparticles supported on YCoxFe1−xO3 perovskite oxides: highly efficient catalysts for liquid-phase hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde
Authors: Xue Yujie , Xin Huiyue , Xie Wenhui , Wu Peng , Li Xiaohong
Published: February 2019

The Pt/YCo0.3Fe0.7O3 catalyst furnished ca. 95% selectivity to cinnamyl alcohol at nearly full conversion for the selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde.
Soft self-assembled sub-5 nm scale chessboard and snub-square tilings with oligo(para-phenyleneethynylene) rods
Authors: Nürnberger Constance , Lu Huanjun , Zeng Xiangbing , Liu Feng , Ungar Goran , Hahn Harald , Lang Heinrich , Prehm Marko , Tschierske Carsten
Published: February 2019

X-shaped bolapolyphiles form square liquid crystalline honeycombs with alternating fluorocarbon and carbosilane containing cells separated by walls of the π-conjugated rods.
Halogen bonding in UiO-66 frameworks promotes superior chemical warfare agent simulant degradation
Authors: Kalaj Mark , Momeni Mohammad R. , Bentz Kyle C. , Barcus Kyle S. , Palomba Joseph M. , Paesani Francesco , Cohen Seth M.
Published: February 2019

Herein, a series of halogenated UiO-66 derivatives was synthesized and analyzed for the breakdown of the CWA simulant dimethyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (DMNP) to analyze ligand effects.
A simple, tandem approach to the construction of pyridine derivatives under metal-free conditions: a one-step synthesis of the monoterpene natural product, (−)-actinidine
Authors: Uredi Dilipkumar , Motati Damoder Reddy , Watkins E. Blake
Published: February 2019

(−)-Actinidine, along with various diversely substituted pyridines were synthesized from simple starting materials, including natural products, using a mild and metal-free method.
The pseudo-π model of the induced magnetic field: fast and accurate visualization of shielding and deshielding cones in planar conjugated hydrocarbons and spherical fullerenes
Authors: Charistos Nickolas D. , Muñoz-Castro Alvaro , Sigalas Michael P.
Published: February 2019

Hydrogen skeletal models accurately reproduce the π-induced magnetic field of planar PAHs and spherical fullerenes.
Zinc-diphosphonates with extended dipyridine units: synthesis, structures, in situ reactions, and photochromism
Authors: Liu Hao-Hao , Ma Yu-Juan , Han Song-De , Li Jin-Hua , Wang Guo-Ming
Published: February 2019

We report two zinc-diphosphonates bearing extended dipyridine units. In situ reactions and photochromism are observable in the title compounds.
Integration of patterned photonic nitrocellulose and microfluidic chip for fluorescent point-of-care testing of multiple targets
Authors: Zheng Liuzheng , Dong Xing , Chi Junjie , Sun Mi , Zhao Chao , Liu Hong
Published: February 2019

With the unique capability of enhancing fluorescence, photonic material is integrated into microfluidic chip for point-of-care testing of multiple targets.
Highly dispersed ultrasmall NiS2 nanoparticles in porous carbon nanofiber anodes for sodium ion batteries
Authors: Zhao Wenxiang , Ci Suqin , Hu Xiang , Chen Junxiang , Wen Zhenhai
Published: February 2019

Porous 1D structured NiS2NP/p-CNF nanohybrids was fabricated by electrospinning, which shows impressive electrochemical performance as anode of Na-ion battery.
Conversion of bimetallic PtNi3 nanopolyhedra to ternary PtNiSn nanoframes by galvanic replacement reaction
Authors: Gruzeł Grzegorz , Arabasz Sebastian , Pawlyta Mirosława , Parlinska-Wojtan Magdalena
Published: February 2019

Hollow multimetallic PtNiSn nanoparticles (NPs) were formed from solid Ni-core/Pt-frame NPs by galvanic replacement reaction (GRR) of Ni by Sn.
Stereoselective functionalization of platensimycin and platencin by sulfa-Michael/aldol reactions
Authors: Qiu Lin , Wen Zhongqing , Li Yuling , Tian Kai , Deng Youchao , Shen Ben , Duan Yanwen , Huang Yong
Published: February 2019

Bioinspired cascade reactions involving sulfa-Michael/aldol reactions have been developed for the step-economical construction of thia-ring analogues of platensimycin and platencin.
Differential expression of circulating miRNAs as a novel tool to assess BAG3-associated familial dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Zaragoza Carlos , Saura Marta , Hernández Ignacio , Ramirez-Carracedo Rafael , García-García Francisco , Zamorano Jose L. , Mangas Alipio , Toro Rocio
Published: February 2019

A new familial dilated cardiomyopathy (FDCM) was found related to mutations in BAG3 gene. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent new targets of FDCM, although no studies have assessed clinical association between Bcl2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3)-related DCM and miRNAs. Here, we studied whether a clinical association between BAG3-related FDCM and circulating miRNAs may have diagnostic and prognostic value in a small cohort of familial related individuals carrying a BAG3 mutation (BAG3+) and/or diagnosed of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) (DCM+). The analysis of 1759 circulating miRNAs showed significant differences between BAG3+ and BAG3- individuals for miRNAs mir-3191-3p, 6769b-3p, 1249-ep, 154-5p, 6855-5p, and 182-5p, while comparisons between BAG3+/DCM+ versus BAG3+/DCM- were restricted to miRNAs mir-154-5p, 6885-5p, and 182-5p, showing significant correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, A wave, left atrium length, and left atrium area. Additionally, when stratified by gender and age, miRNAs were statistically correlated with critical parameters, including left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and ventricular diameter, in women and young men. Likewise, 56% of BAG3+/DCM+, significantly co-expressed mir-154-5p and mir-182-5p, and a slight 4% did not express such combination, suggesting that co-expression of mir-154-5p and mir-182-5p may potentially show diagnostic value. Further studies will require long-term follow-up, and validation in larger populations.
High TRIM44 expression as a valuable biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis in cervical cancer
Authors: Liu Shuang , Meng Fanling , Ding Jing , Ji Hongying , Lin Mu , Zhu Jiaqi , Ma Rong
Published: February 2019

Tripartite motif containing 44 (TRIM44) has been reported to be up-regulated in multiple aggressive malignant tumors. However, its expression status and clinical significance in cervical cancer remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of TRIM44 expression and the prognosis in patients with cervical cancer (CC). Fresh frozen tissues from 5 samples of CC and 4 normal cervical tissues were analyzed for TRIM44 expression using RT- PCR and Western blot analysis. 122 paraffin-embedded surgical specimens from patients with CC were collected for an immunohistochemistry. TRIM44 expression was found to be significantly up-regulated in cervical cancer specimens compared with adjacent normal tissues (P<0.001). Statistical analysis showed that TRIM44 expression was significantly correlated with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, histological grade and lymph node metastasis, but not with age, histological type, and tumor size. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis suggested that high TRIM44 expression was associated with poor prognosis. Patients highly expressing TRIM44 have significantly shorter overall survival (OS) (P=0.006) and disease-free survival (DFS) (P=0.002). Furthermore, multivariate Cox analysis showed TRIM44 was an independent risk factor for poor prognosis. Our study demonstrated that TRIM44 expression contributes to the progression of cervical cancer, and could be used as a marker of clinical diagnosis and prognosis of patients with cervical cancer.
Adjuvant therapy efficacy of Chinese drugs pharmaceutics for COPD patients with respiratory failure: a meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Chunqiu , Li Yin , Wang Xinqiu , Lu Tong , Wang Xuejing
Published: February 2019

We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Western medicine combined with Tanreqing for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory failure. We comprehensively searched several online databases from the times of their inception to November 2018. The trial quality was assessed using the bias risk tool recommended by the Cochrane library. Relative risks (RRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for binary outcomes and weighted mean differences (MDs) with 95% CIs for continuous data were calculated. A fixed effect model indicated that integrated Tanreqing group experienced higher overall treatment effectiveness (RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.17–1.30, P=0.000). Pooled results from random effects models indicated the oxygen partial pressure of the test group was significantly higher than that of the control groups (MD = 9.55, 95% CI: 4.57–14.52, P<0.000). The carbon dioxide pressure of the test group was significantly lower than that of the control groups (MD = –6.06, 95% CI: –8.19 to –3.93, P=0.000). The lung function score of the test group was significantly higher than that of the control group (MD = 7.87, 95% CI: 4.45–11.29). Sensitivity analysis indicated that the data were statistically robust. Clinical effects of Western medicine combined with Tanreqing used to treat combined COPD/respiratory failure were better than those afforded by Western medicine; no serious adverse reactions were noted. However, publication bias was evident, and further trials with larger sample sizes are required.
A Review of the Psychosocial Impact of Posterior Fossa Syndrome
Authors: Romero Edna
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Posterior fossa syndrome (PFS) is a constellation of neurological, behavioral, and emotional symptoms that affect approximately 5%–30% of pediatric patients following the resection of tumors in the posterior fossa region. The symptoms of PFS include a loss of speech followed by motor deficits and emotional and behavioral difficulties. Much of the research on PFS focuses on the speech and motor difficulties given they are the hallmark symptoms of the disorder. The emotional and behavioral symptoms, however, can also pose significant distress and impair functioning.

Conclusion

The focus of this review is to highlight the emotional and behavioral symptoms of PFS and provide information about general psychosocial supports and specific interventions for children and families affected by this condition.
Impact of scaled fitness functions on a floating‐point genetic algorithm to optimise the operation of standalone microgrids
Authors: Batool Munira , Shahnia Farhad , Islam Syed M.
Published: February 2019

Standalone hybrid remote area power systems, also known as microgrids (MGs), can provide reasonably priced electricity in geographically isolated and the edge of grid locations for their operators. To achieve the reliable operation of MGs, whilst consuming minimal fossil fuels and maximising the penetration of renewables, the voltage and frequency should be maintained within acceptable limits. This can be accomplished by solving an optimisation problem. Floating‐point genetic algorithm (FP‐GA) is a heuristic technique that has a proven track record of effectively identifying the optimal solutions. However, in addition to needing appropriate operators, the solver needs a fitness function to yield the most optimal control variables. In this study, a suitable fitness function is formulated, by including the operational, interruption and technical costs, which are then solved with an FP‐GA, with different combinations of operators. The developed fitness function and the considered operators are tested for the non‐linear optimisation problem of a 38‐bus MG. Detailed discussions are provided on the impact, which different operators have upon the outcomes of the fitness function.
Impact of photometric redshifts on the galaxy power spectrum and BAO scale in the LSST survey
Authors: Ansari Reza , Choyer Adeline , Habibi Farhang , Magneville Christophe , Moniez Marc , Plaszczynski Stéphane , Renault Cécile , Ricol Jean-Stéphane , Souchard Julien
Published: February 2019

Context. The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) survey will image billions of galaxies every few nights for ten years, and as such, should be a major contributor to precision cosmology in the 2020s. High precision photometric data will be available in six bands, from near-infrared to near-ultraviolet. The computation of precise, unbiased, photometric redshifts up to at leastz = 2 is one of the main LSST challenges and its performance will have major impact on all extragalactic LSST sciences.

Aims. We evaluate the efficiency of our photometric redshift reconstruction on mock galaxy catalogues up toz = 2.45 and estimate the impact of realistic photometric redshift (photo-z) reconstruction on the large-scale structures (LSS) power spectrum and the baryonic acoustic oscillation (BAO) scale determination for a LSST-like photometric survey. We study the effectiveness of the BAO scale as a cosmological probe in the LSST survey.

Methods. We have performed a detailed modelling of the photo-zdistribution as a function of galaxy type, redshift and absolute magnitude using our photo-zreconstruction code with a quality selection cut based on a boosted decision tree (BDT). We have simulated a catalogue of galaxies in the redshift range [0.2−2.45] using the Planck 2015 ΛCDM cosmological parameters over 10 000 square-degrees, in the six bands, assuming LSST photometric precision for a ten-year survey. The mock galaxy catalogues were produced with several redshift error models. The LSS power spectrum was then computed in several redshift ranges and for each error model. Finally we extracted the BAO scale and its uncertainty using only the linear part of the LSS spectrum.

Results. We have computed the fractional error on the recovered power spectrum which is dominated by the shot noise at high redshift (z ≳ 1), for scalesk ≳ 0.1, due to the photo-zdamping. The BAO scale can be recovered with a percent or better accuracy level fromz = 0.5 toz = 1.5 using realistic photo-zreconstruction.

Conclusions. Reaching the LSST requirements for photo-zreconstruction is crucial to exploit the LSST potential in cosmology, in particular to measure the LSS power spectrum and its evolution with redshift. Although the BAO scale is not the most powerful cosmological probe in LSST, it can be used to check the consistency of the LSS measurement. Moreover we show that the impact of photo-zsmearing on the recovered isotropic BAO scale in LSST should stay limited up toz ≈ 1.5, so as long as the galaxy number density balances the photo-zsmoothing.
EVN observations of 6.7 GHz methanol maser polarization in massive star-forming regions
Authors: Surcis G. , Vlemmings W. H. T. , van Langevelde H. J. , Hutawarakorn Kramer B. , Bartkiewicz A.
Published: February 2019

Context. Magnetohydrodynamical simulations show that the magnetic field can drive molecular outflows during the formation of massive protostars. The best probe to observationally measure both the morphology and the strength of this magnetic field at scales of 10–100 au is maser polarization.

Aims. We measure the direction of magnetic fields at milliarcsecond resolution around a sample of massive star-forming regions to determine whether there is a relation between the orientation of the magnetic field and of the outflows. In addition, by estimating the magnetic field strength via the Zeeman splitting measurements, the role of magnetic field in the dynamics of the massive star-forming region is investigated.

Methods. We selected a flux-limited sample of 31 massive star-forming regions to perform a statistical analysis of the magnetic field properties with respect to the molecular outflows characteristics. We report the linearly and circularly polarized emission of 6.7 GHz CH3OH masers towards seven massive star-forming regions of the total sample with the European VLBI Network. The sources are: G23.44−0.18, G25.83−0.18, G25.71−0.04, G28.31−0.39, G28.83−0.25, G29.96−0.02, and G43.80−0.13.

Results. We identified a total of 219 CH3OH maser features, 47 and 2 of which showed linearly and circularly polarized emission, respectively. We measured well-ordered linear polarization vectors around all the massive young stellar objects and Zeeman splitting towards G25.71−0.04 and G28.83−0.25. Thanks to recent theoretical results, we were able to provide lower limits to the magnetic field strength from our Zeeman splitting measurements.

Conclusions. We further confirm (based on ∼80% of the total flux-limited sample) that the magnetic field on scales of 10–100 au is preferentially oriented along the outflow axes. The estimated magnetic field strength of |B||| > 61 mG and >21 mG towards G25.71−0.04 and G28.83−0.25, respectively, indicates that it dominates the dynamics of the gas in both regions.
Topological model of the anemone microflares in the solar chromosphere
Authors: Dumin Yu. V. , Somov B. V.
Published: February 2019

Context. The chromospheric anemone microflares, which were discovered by Hinode satellite about a decade ago, are specific transient phenomena starting from a few luminous ribbons on the chromospheric surface and followed by an eruption upward. While the eruptive stage was studied in sufficient detail, a quantitative theory of formation of the initial multi-ribbon structure remains undeveloped until now.

Aims. We construct a sufficiently simple but general model of the magnetic field sources that is able to reproduce all the observed types of luminous ribbons by varying only a single parameter.

Methods. As a working tool, we employed the Gorbachev–Kel’ner–Somov–Shvarts (GKSS) model of the magnetic field, which was originally suggested about three decades ago to explain fast ignition of the magnetic reconnection over considerable spatial scales by tiny displacements of the magnetic sources. Quite unexpectedly, this model turns out to be efficient for the description of generic multi-ribbon structures in the anemone flares as well.

Results. As follows from our numerical simulation, displacement of a single magnetic source (sunspot) with respect to three other sources results in a complex transformation from three to four ribbons and then again to three ribbons, but with an absolutely different arrangement. Such structures closely resemble the observed patterns of emission in the anemone microflares.