bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Salbutamol and ipratropium by inhaler is superior to nebulizer in children with severe acute asthma exacerbation: Randomized clinical trial
Authors: Iramain Ricardo , Castro‐Rodriguez Jose A. , Jara Alfredo , Cardozo Laura , Bogado Norma , Morinigo Rocío , De Jesús Raúl
Published: January 2019

Introduction

In moderate‐severe asthma exacerbation, salbutamol by inhaler (MDI) is superior to salbutamol delivered by nebulizer (NEB); however, to our knowledge, no studies in children with exclusively severe exacerbations were performed.

Objective

To compare the efficacy of salbutamol and ipratropium bromide by MDI versus by NEB in severe asthma exacerbations.

Methods

We performed a clinical trial enrolling 103 children (2‐14 years of age) with severe asthma exacerbations (defined by the Pulmonary Score ≥ 7) seen at the emergency room in Asuncion, Paraguay. One group received salbutamol and ipratropium (two puff every 10 min for 2 h and then every 30 min for 2 h more) by MDI with a valved‐holding chamber and mask along with oxygen by a cannula separately (MDI‐SIB); and the other received nebulization with oxygen (NEB‐SIB) of salbutamol and ipratropium (1 every 20 min for 2 h and then every 30 min for 2 h more). Primary outcome was the rate of hospitalization (Pulmonary Score ≥ 7) after 4 h and secondary outcome was oxygen saturation.

Results

Fifty two children received MDI‐SIB and 51 NEB‐SIB. After the 4th hour, children on MDI‐SIB had significantly (P = 0.003) lower rate of hospital admission than on NEB‐SIB (5.8% vs 27.5%, RR: 0.21 [0.06‐0.69], respectively). Similarly, a significant improved clinical score after 60 min and increase in oxygen saturation after 90 min of treatment was observed in MDI‐SIB versus NEB‐SIB group (4.46 ± 0.7 vs 5.76 ± 0.65, P < 0.00001; and 90.5 ± 1.7 vs 88.43 1 ± 1, P < 0.00001, respectively).

Conclusion

Even in severe asthma exacerbations administration of salbutamol and ipratropium by MDI with valved‐holding chamber and mask along with oxygen by a cannula separately was more effective than by a nebulizer.
Pulmonary findings in infants with cystic fibrosis during the first year of life: Results from the Baby Observational and Nutrition Study (BONUS) cohort study
Authors: Goetz Danielle , Kopp Benjamin T. , Salvator Ann , Moore‐Clingenpeel Melissa , McCoy Karen , Leung Daniel H. , Kloster Margaret , Ramsey Bonnie R. , Heltshe Sonya H. , Borowitz Drucy
Published: January 2019

Importance

Treatment recommendations for infants with CF standardize care, but most surveillance or treatment guidance of pulmonary manifestations are consensus‐based due to sparse evidence.

Objective

To report observations about pulmonary correlates of growth and other clinical features in infants with CF.

Methods

We analyzed data from the prospective Baby Observational and Nutrition Study conducted in 28 centers across the US, including clinical features, medications, guardian diaries of respiratory symptoms, oropharyngeal swab cultures and chest radiographs (CXR) collected over the first year of life.

Results

Cough was reported in 84% of infants in the first year. Up to 30% had clinically important cough but only 6.3% had crackles; 16.5% had wheeze. Wisconsin CXR score was above 5 in 23% (normal = 0; maximum score = 100). Pseudomonas was recovered from at least one respiratory culture in 24% of infants and was associated with crackles/wheezes and use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) (OR = 5.47; 95%CI = 1.36, 21.92; P = 0.02) or PPI plus histamine‐2 (H2) blocker (OR = 8.2; 95%CI = 2.41, 27.93; P = 0.001), but not H2 blocker alone. Hospitalization for respiratory indications occurred in 18% of infants and was associated with crackles/wheeze and abnormal CXR but not low weight, Pseudomonas or use of acid blockade.

Conclusions

Cough is common in infants with CF, but few present with crackles/wheeze or CXR changes. Pseudomonas is associated with use of PPI or PPI plus H2 blocker, but not with respiratory hospitalization. These observations cannot prove cause and effect but add to our understanding of pulmonary manifestations of CF in infants.

Trial Registration

United States ClinicalTrials.Gov registry NCT01424696 (clinicaltrials.gov).
A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial to evaluate the role of curcumin in prostate cancer patients with intermittent androgen deprivation
Authors: Choi Young Hyo , Han Deok Hyun , Kim Seon‐woo , Kim Min‐Ji , Sung Hyun Hwan , Jeon Hwang Gyun , Jeong Byong Chang , Seo Seong Il , Jeon Seong Soo , Lee Hyun Moo , Choi Han Yong
Published: January 2019

Background

The anti‐cancer activities of curcumin are well‐documented from preclinical studies using prostate cancer models. Our objective was to evaluate the anti‐cancer activity of oral curcumin in patients with prostate cancer.

Methods

This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial was performed on patients with prostate cancer who received intermittent androgen deprivation (IAD). Participants who finished the first on‐treatment period of IAD were randomized into a curcumin or placebo group. The patients took oral curcumin (1440 mg/day) or placebo for six months and were followed up until the beginning of the second on‐treatment. The primary end‐point was duration of the first off‐treatment. The secondary end‐points were change in PSA and testosterone levels during 6 months, PSA progression rate, and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) scores at 6 months. Safety assessments included adverse event, adverse drug reaction, and serious adverse event.

Results

A total of 97 participants were randomized 1:1 to curcumin (n = 49) and placebo (n = 48) groups. Among them, 82 patients (84.5%) were evaluable for the analysis (39 and 43 patients in the curcumin and placebo groups, respectively). The median off‐treatment duration was 16.3 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.3‐20.3 months) and 18.5 months (95% CI 12.5‐23.0 months) in the curcumin and placebo groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in the curve of off‐treatment duration between the two groups (P = 0.4816). The proportion of patients with PSA progression during the active curcumin treatment period (6 months) was significantly lower in the curcumin group than the placebo group (10.3% vs 30.2%, P = 0.0259). The change of PSA, testosterone levels during 6 months, and HRQOL scores at 6 months were not different between curcumin and placebo groups. Adverse events were higher in the placebo group (16 of 46 vs 7 of 45 patients, P = 0.0349). No significant differences in the adverse drug reaction were found between the two groups.

Conclusions

Six months’ intake of oral curcumin did not significantly affect the overall off‐treatment duration of IAD. However, PSA elevation was suppressed with curcumin intake during the curcumin administration period. Curcumin at this dose was well tolerated and safe.
Combined antitumoral effects of pretubulysin and methotrexate
Authors: Kern Sarah , Truebenbach Ines , Höhn Miriam , Gorges Jan , Kazmaier Uli , Zahler Stefan , Vollmar Angelika M. , Wagner Ernst
Published: January 2019

Pretubulysin (PT), a potent tubulin‐binding antitumoral drug, and the well‐established antimetabolite methotrexate (MTX) were tested separately or in combination (PT+MTX) for antitumoral activity in L1210 leukemia cells or KB cervix carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo in NMRI‐nu/nu tumor mouse models. In cultured L1210 cells, treatment with PT or MTX displays strong antitumoral effects in vitro, and the combination PT+MTX exceeds the effect of single drugs. PT also potently kills the MTX resistant KB cell line, without significant MTX combination effect. Cell cycle analysis reveals the expected arrest in G1/S by MTX and in G2/M by PT. In both cell lines, the PT+MTX combination induces a G2/M arrest which is stronger than the PT‐triggered G2/M arrest. PT+MTX does not change rates of apoptotic L1210 or KB cells as compared to single drug applications. Confocal laser scanning microscopy images show the microtubule disruption and nuclear fragmentation induced by PT treatment of L1210 and KB cells. MTX changes the architecture of the F‐actin skeleton. PT+MTX combines the toxic effects of both drugs. In the in vivo setting, the antitumoral activity of drugs differs from their in vitro cytotoxicity, but their combination effects are more pronounced. MTX on its own does not display significant antitumoral activity, whereas PT reduces tumor growth in both L1210 and KB in vivo models. Consistent with the cell cycle effects, MTX combined at moderate dose boosts the antitumoral effect of PT in both in vivo tumor models. Therefore, the PT+MTX combination may present a promising therapeutic approach for different types of cancer.
Treatment with new organic nitrites in pulmonary hypertension of acute experimental pulmonary embolism
Authors: Nilsson Kristofer F. , Gustafsson Lars E.
Published: January 2019

Acute pulmonary embolism may cause right heart failure due to increased pulmonary vascular resistance and arterial hypoxemia. Effective vasodilator therapy of the pulmonary hypertension is highly needed. Therefore, we investigated the effects of a newly developed effective pulmonary vasodilator, the organic mononitrites of 1,2‐propanediol (PDNO), in a rabbit model of acute pulmonary embolism. In anesthetized and ventilated rabbits, systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics, exhaled nitric oxide (NO), plasma nitrite concentration, and blood gases were monitored. First, dose–response experiments with intravenous and left heart ventricle infusions of PDNO and inorganic nitrite were done in naive animals and in pulmonary hypertension induced by a thromboxane A2 analogue. Second, acute pulmonary embolism was induced and either PDNO or placebo were administered intravenously within 20 minutes and evaluated within 1 hour after pulmonary embolization. PDNO intravenously, in contrast to inorganic nitrite intravenously, increased exhaled NO and counteracted pulmonary hypertension and vasodilated the systemic circulation, dose‐dependently, thereby showing efficient NO donation. Pulmonary embolization induced pulmonary hypertension and gas exchange disturbances. PDNO significantly decreased and normalized pulmonary vascular resistance and the right ventricle rate‐pressure product, without causing tolerance, with no significant side effects on the systemic circulation, nor on blood‐gas values or on methemoglobin formation. In conclusion, PDNO is a NO donor and an efficient vasodilator in the pulmonary circulation. Treatment with this or similar organic nitrites intravenously may be a future option to avoid right heart failure in life‐threatening acute pulmonary embolism.
Safe nanotechnologies for increasing the effectiveness of environmentally friendly natural agrochemicals
Authors: Vurro Maurizio , Miguel‐Rojas Cristina , Pérez‐de‐Luque Alejandro
Published: January 2019

Natural compounds and living organisms continue to play a limited role in crop protection, and few of them have reached the market, despite their attractiveness and the efforts made in research. Very often these products have negative characteristics compared to synthetic compounds, e.g., higher costs of production, lower effectiveness, lack of persistence, and inability to reach and penetrate the target plant. Conversely, nanotechnologies are having an enormous impact on all human activities, including agriculture, even if the production of some nanomaterials is not environmentally friendly or could have adverse effects on agriculture and the environment. Thus, certain nanomaterials could facilitate the development of formulated natural pesticides, making them more effective and more environmentally friendly. Nanoformulations can improve efficacy, reduce effective doses, and increase shelf‐life and persistence. Such controlled‐release products can improve delivery to the target pest. This review considers certain available nanomaterials and nanotechnologies for use in agriculture, discussing their properties and the feasibility of their use in sustainable crop protection, in particular, in improving the effectiveness of natural bio‐based agrochemicals. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Application of McMurry Coupling for the Synthesis of Indolophanetriene and Carbazolophanetriene – A New Class of Caged Cyclophanes
Authors: Venkatesan Nagarathinam , Rajakumar Perumal
Published: January 2019

Synthesis of a new class of caged cyclophanes viz indolophanetriene 1 and carbazolophanetriene 2 was achieved using N‐arylation route followed by McMurry coupling by a three‐step process. The observed results from the optimized structure of the indolophanetriene 1 indicates the presence of face to face л‐stacking of the two phenyl rings with a distance of 5.54 Å, whereas the carbazolophanetriene 2 exhibit no л‐stacking due to uneven distances.
Microwave‐Hydrothermal Synthesis of Hierarchical Sb2WO6 Nanostructures as a New Anode Material for Sodium Storage
Authors: Wang Ping , Xie Sanmu , She YiYi , Fan Wenguang , Leung Michael K. H. , Wang Hongkang
Published: January 2019

Novel hierarchical antimony tungstate (Sb2WO6) nanostructures with hollow disk‐like morphology, which are layer‐by‐layer assembled from Sb2WO6 nanosheets, are prepared by a facile microwave‐hydrothermal method. The as‐prepared Sb2WO6 is firstly applied as an anode material for sodium ion batteries (SIBs), which shows superior cycle stability and rate capability, delivering a reversible capacity of ∼350 mA h/g after 100 cycles at 200 mA/g and even ∼285 mA h/g at a high rate of 2 A/g. The sodium storage mechanism is revealed via ex‐situ transmission electron microscope (TEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses, which is based on the reversible alloying/dealloying reaction (
) and the reversible conversion reaction (
) in the ternary oxide of Sb2WO6. The different sodiation/desodiation reactions in the Sb2WO6 electrode happens in a step‐wise manner owing to the different working potentials, which thus alleviate the volume change induced pulverization and synergistically contribute to the superior sodium storage performance.
Contribution of Base Damages to the Molecular Radiosensitization Mechanism of Platinum Chemotherapeutic Drugs
Authors: Cai Yanming , Zhou Limei , Gao Yingxia , Liu Wenhui , Shao Yu , Zheng Yi
Published: January 2019

The measurement of clustered damages in Pt‐chemotherapeutic‐drugs‐DNA complexes induced by low‐energy (0‐30 eV) electrons (LEEs) may provide further understanding of the synergy mechanism in cancer treatment with concomitant chemoradiation therapy (CRT). Five‐monolayer films of Pt‐DNA complexes, containing cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin with ratio 5:1 were irradiated with mono‐energetic electrons of 10 eV, the most prominent energy for bond dissociation by LEE impact. Damages to plasmid DNA including crosslinks, SSBs, DSBs and the loss of the supercoiled configuration were analyzed by the electrophoresis. Base damages (BDs) occurring within two turns of DNA helix were detected by the treatment of E. coli base excision repair endonuclease (Nth and Fpg). The total DNA damages to Pt‐DNA complexes was found to be 350 ± 42, 296 ± 45 and 434 ± 46 ×10−15 electron−1molecule−1, respectively, while the percentages of BDs in this total were 56%, 54% and 60%, respectively. Compared to unmodified DNA, binding of Pt‐drugs to DNA increased BDs by factors of 1.9, 1.6 and 2.6, respectively, which partly resulted in significant enhancements of potentially lethal lesions (i. e., crosslinks, double strand breaks (DSBs) and non‐DSB cluster damages). These results reveal the significant role that LEEs play in the formation of clustered DNA damages related to BDs, which are expected to contribute to the higher efficacy of cancer treatment by CRT with the Pt‐drugs investigated.
Determination of Fe2+ and Co2+ by a Multiple‐Target Colorimetric Chemosensor with Low Detection Limit in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Kim Hyunjun , Seo Yujin , Youn Yeojin , Lee Hakyung , Yang Minuk , Kim Cheal
Published: January 2019

A highly effective colorimetric chemosensor DPKP, N′‐(di(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylene)‐6‐hydroxypicolinohydrazide, was synthesized. DPKP sensed Fe2+ and Co2+ with the changes of color from colorless to blue and yellow, respectively, without severe inhibition from other metal ions. Binding interactions of DPKP with Fe2+ and Co2+ were analyzed to be 1:1 and 2:1 with Job plot and ESI‐MS analyses, respectively. In particular, DPKP has low detection limits for Fe2+ (0.60 μM) and for Co2+ (0.22 μM). In addition, DPKP could be used for quantification of Fe2+ and Co2+ in environmental samples.
One‐Pot Synthesis of Pyrimido[4,5‐d]pyrimidine Derivatives and Investigation of Their Antibacterial, Antioxidant, DNA‐Binding and Voltammetric Characteristics
Authors: Santosh Rangappa , Paul Priyodip , Selvam Mukunthan K. , Raril Chenthattil , Krishna Panchangam M. , Manjunatha Jamballi G. , Nagaraja Gundibasappa K.
Published: January 2019

Dihydropyrimidinones (DHPMs), 4 a‐f and 6 a‐f is reported and were characterized by 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, FT‐IR and LC–MS. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus), Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). Among the test samples compounds, 5‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐7‐imino‐1,3,5,6,8‐pentahydropyrimido[4,5‐d]pyrimidine‐2,4‐dione (6 c) and 5‐(4‐hydroxy‐3,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐1,3‐N,N‐dimethyl‐7‐thioxo‐5,6,8‐trihydropyrimido[4,5‐d]pyrimidine‐2,4‐dione (4 d) were more potent against S. aureus and B. subtilis. Whereas 5‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐1,3‐N,N‐dimethyl‐5,6,8‐trihydropyrimido[4,5‐d]pyrimidine‐2,4,7‐trione (6 e) and 5‐(4‐hydroxy‐3,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐1,3‐N,N‐dimethyl‐5,6,8‐trihydropyrimido[4,5‐d]pyrimidine‐2,4,7‐trione (4 e) showed good inhibition against S. typhi and P. aeruginosa which were well supported by computational interaction and DNA binding studies. Compound 5‐(4‐hydroxy‐3,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐7‐imino‐1,3,5,6,8‐pentahydropyrimido[4,5‐d]pyrimidine‐2,4,7‐trione (4 c) exhibited potent scavenging activity with IC50 of 8.30 mg/ml. Furthermore, Cyclic Voltammetric analysis disclosed that 5‐(4‐hydroxy‐3,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐7‐thioxo‐1,3,5,6,8‐pentahydropyrimido[4,5‐d]pyrimidine‐2,4‐dione (4 a), 5‐(4‐hydroxy‐3,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐1,3,5,6,8‐pentahydropyrimido[4,5‐d]pyrimidine‐2,4,7‐trione (4 b), 4 c, 6 d, 6 e, and 6 f showed redox behavior.
Design, Synthesis and Fungicidal Activities of Novel 1,2,3‐Triazole Functionalized Strobilurins
Authors: Li Yuanxiang , Lei Sufang , Liu Yilin
Published: January 2019

A series of new strobilurin derivatives bearing different 1,2,3‐triazole side chains were designed and synthesized. The target compounds were characterized by HRMS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR spectra. Among them, the structure of compound 5q was confirmed by X‐ray single crystal diffraction. All of the target compounds were evaluated in vitro for their fungicidal activity against Gibberella zeae, Phytophythora capsici, Alternaria alternate, Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotonia sclerotiorum at a concentration of 25 mg/L. The bio‐assay results exhibited that some of them showed moderate to good fungicidal activity against Phytophythora capsici and Alternaria alternate. The inhibition rates of compound 5f and 5g were up to 73.6% against Phytophythora capsic, which were significantly higher than 42.5% for Difenoconazole. Preliminary structure‐activity relationships (SAR) were also discussed.
Nanoporous ZnO Supported CuBr (CuBr/ZnO): An Efficient Catalyst for CO2 Fixation Reactions
Authors: Chowdhury Arpita Hazra , Kayal Utpal , Chowdhury Ipsita Hazra , Ghosh Swarbhanu , Islam Sk. Manirul
Published: January 2019

Two very important catalytic transformations for CO2 in recent years are terminal alkyne carboxylation and amine formylation. Hydrothermal and impregnation methods have been used to produce nanoporous ZnO and CuBr/ZnO materials respectively. The materials are characterized by different characterization methods like PXRD, FTIR, FESEM, TEM, TG‐DTA and EDAX. The CuBr/ZnO material showed flowerlike morphology with nanoporous nature and also showed excellent catalytic activity towards synthesis of different propiolic acids and N‐formylated amines under 1 atmospheric pressure of CO2 at gentle reaction conditions with selectively high yields for the desired products. The CuBr/ZnO material showed good recycling efficiency as a promising and cheap heterogeneous catalyst upto 5 reaction cycles with negligible amount of catalyst deactivation for both the reactions.
Human Multipotent Stromal Cell Secreted Effectors Accelerate Islet Regeneration
Authors: Kuljanin Miljan , Elgamal Ruth M. , Bell Gillian I. , Xenocostas Anargyros , Lajoie Gilles A. , Hess David A.
Published: January 2019

Human multipotent stromal cells (hMSC) can induce islet regeneration after transplantation via the secretion of proteins that establish an islet regenerative niche. However, the identity of hMSC-secreted signals and the mechanisms by which pancreatic islet regeneration is induced remain unknown. Recently, mammalian pancreatic α-cells have been shown to possess considerable plasticity, and differentiate into β-like cells after near complete β-cell loss or overexpression of key transcriptional regulators. These studies have generated new excitement that islet regeneration during diabetes may be possible if we can identify clinically applicable stimuli to modulate these key regulatory pathways. Herein, we demonstrate that intrapancreatic-injection of concentrated hMSC-conditioned media (CM) stimulated islet regeneration without requiring cell transfer. hMSC CM-injection significantly reduced hyperglycemia, increased circulating serum insulin concentration, and improved glucose tolerance in streptozotocin-treated mice. The rate and extent of endogenous β-cell mass recovery was dependent on total protein dose administered and was further augmented by the activation of Wnt-signaling using GSK3-inhibition during CM generation. Intrapancreatic hMSC CM-injection immediately set in motion a cascade of regenerative events that included the emergence of proliferating insulin+ clusters adjacent to ducts, NKX6.1 expression in glucagon+ cells at days 1–4 suggesting the acquisition of β-cell phenotype by α-cells, and accelerated β-cell maturation with increased MAFA-expression for >1 month postinjection. Discovery and validation of islet regenerative hMSC-secreted protein may lead to the development of cell-free regenerative therapies able to tip the balance in favor of β-cell regeneration versus destruction during diabetes. Stem Cells  2019;37:516–528
Can Classical Location Theory Apply to Sea Space?
Authors: Zaucha Jacek
Published: January 2019

In economics, maritime/marine spatial planning (MSP) can be classified as a public choice mechanism designed to alleviate market failure. As such, MSP should ensure rational use or conservation of sea space in situations where the market cannot deliver optimal solutions. In this chapter, both market and public choice mechanisms for allocating sea space are discussed. The final conclusion is that both are closely interrelated. MSP cannot neglect market forces; however, the market itself is unable to allocate space to issues considered important from a societal point of view, such as nature conservation, defence or non-use of the sea.
Critical Ising model in varying dimension by conformal bootstrap
Authors: Cappelli Andrea , Maffi Lorenzo , Okuda Satoshi
Published: January 2019

Abstract

The single-correlator conformal bootstrap is solved numerically for several values of dimension 4 > d > 2 using the available SDPB and Extremal Functional methods. Critical exponents and other conformal data of low-lying states are obtained over the entire range of dimensions with up to four-decimal precision and then compared with several existing results. The conformal dimensions of leading-twist fields are also determined up to high spin, and their d-dependence shows how the conformal states rearrange themselves around d = 2.2 for matching the Virasoro conformal blocks in the d = 2 limit. The decoupling of states at the Ising point is studied for 3 > d > 2 and the vanishing of one structure constant at d = 3 is found to persist till d = 2 where it corresponds to a Virasoro null-vector condition.
All orders structure and efficient computation of linearly reducible elliptic Feynman integrals
Authors: Hidding Martijn , Moriello Francesco
Published: January 2019

Abstract

We define linearly reducible elliptic Feynman integrals, and we show that they can be algorithmically solved up to arbitrary order of the dimensional regulator in terms of a 1-dimensional integral over a polylogarithmic integrand, which we call the inner polylogarithmic part (IPP). The solution is obtained by direct integration of the Feynman parametric representation. When the IPP depends on one elliptic curve (and no other algebraic functions), this class of Feynman integrals can be algorithmically solved in terms of elliptic multiple polylogarithms (eMPLs) by using integration by parts identities. We then elaborate on the differential equations method. Specifically, we show that the IPP can be mapped to a generalized integral topology satisfying a set of differential equations in ϵ-form. In the examples we consider the canonical differential equations can be directly solved in terms of eMPLs up to arbitrary order of the dimensional regulator. The remaining 1-dimensional integral may be performed to express such integrals completely in terms of eMPLs. We apply these methods to solve two- and three-points integrals in terms of eMPLs. We analytically continue these integrals to the physical region by using their 1-dimensional integral representation.
Projecting the demographic impact of Syrian migration in a rapidly ageing society, Germany
Authors: Newsham Niall , Rowe Francisco
Published: January 2019

Trends of persistent low fertility and increasing life expectancy have set Germany to undergo rapid population ageing and decline. In the context of the Syrian refugee crisis, immigration has been considered as a key mechanism to combat these demographic outlooks. This study assesses the demographic impact of Syrian migration into Germany. Deterministic and Bayesian probabilistic projection methods are used to determine the contribution of Syrian migrants to aggregate total fertility rate and the likelihood of subsequent population growth. Findings reveal that Syrian migration is projected to increase German period total fertility but not by the required levels to prevent depopulation. Whilst Syrian migration into Germany has been substantial over the past few years, fertile female cohorts are largely underrepresented in the migrant population and so only a moderate net-effect of Syrian migrants on German fertility is forecasted. A solution to Germany’ population decline may thus not be offered through Syrian migration, with depopulation projected to be a likely scenario.
On the Identifiability of Diagnostic Classification Models
Authors: Fang Guanhua , Liu Jingchen , Ying Zhiliang
Published: January 2019

This paper establishes fundamental results for statistical analysis based on diagnostic classification models (DCMs). The results are developed at a high level of generality and are applicable to essentially all diagnostic classification models. In particular, we establish identifiability results for various modeling parameters, notably item response probabilities, attribute distribution, and Q-matrix-induced partial information structure. These results are stated under a general setting of latent class models. Through a nonparametric Bayes approach, we construct an estimator that can be shown to be consistent when the identifiability conditions are satisfied. Simulation results show that these estimators perform well under various model settings. We also apply the proposed method to a dataset from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC).
Developments in Information Technology and the Sexual Depression of Japanese Youth since 2000
Authors: Hirayama Maki
Published: January 2019

In Japan more young people became sexually inactive in 2000s, especially since around 2005.On the other hand, Internet and digital technology were spread in the same period. In this paper, five phases of Internet and digital technology are investigated to realize what happened to the sexuality of Japanese youth associated with the technology: e-mail and SNS, online pornography, fantasy world of Otaku leisure, dating sites and applications, sexual service industry. Online pornography of extreme contents and strong stimuli with completely male-centered vision overflew in the 2000s. With the influence, both men and women have got difficulties in having real sex. Animations and games to satisfy the romantic needs and libidos of the youth gained popularity in 2000s,to overwhelm real romance and sex. In the last part, the need of cross-cultural comparative studies on technology and sexuality is insisted.
Generalized Lambert series and arithmetic nature of odd zeta values
Authors: Dixit Atul , Maji Bibekananda
Published: January 2019

It is pointed out that the generalized Lambert series $\sum\nolimits_{n = 1}^\infty {[(n^{N-2h})/(e^{n^Nx}-1)]} $ studied by Kanemitsu, Tanigawa and Yoshimoto can be found on page 332 of Ramanujan's Lost Notebook in a slightly more general form. We extend an important transformation of this series obtained by Kanemitsu, Tanigawa and Yoshimoto by removing restrictions on the parameters N and h that they impose. From our extension we deduce a beautiful new generalization of Ramanujan's famous formula for odd zeta values which, for N odd and m > 0, gives a relation between ζ(2m + 1) and ζ(2Nm + 1). A result complementary to the aforementioned generalization is obtained for any even N and m ∈ ℤ. It generalizes a transformation of Wigert and can be regarded as a formula for ζ(2m + 1 − 1/N). Applications of these transformations include a generalization of the transformation for the logarithm of Dedekind eta-function η(z), Zudilin- and Rivoal-type results on transcendence of certain values, and a transcendence criterion for Euler's constant γ.
Impacts of Wetland Reclamation and Paddy Field Expansion on Observed Local Temperature Trends in the Sanjiang Plain of China
Authors: Liu Tingxiang , Yu Lingxue , Zhang Shuwen
Published: January 2019

The warming or cooling effects on regional climate in response to early land use change may be strengthened, weakened, or eliminated by the same or opposite effect in the subsequent land use/management period. Taking the Sanjiang Plain in China as our study area, this paper analyzed the surface temperature change due to land use/land management changes from the mid‐1950s to 2015, based on the land surface temperature response model and the observation minus reanalysis (OMR) method using remote sensing data, meteorological observation data, and reanalysis data. Results revealed a magnitude of monthly mean land surface warming up to 1.31 °C due to the land use change from wetland to rain‐fed farmland and a cooling effect of −1.32 °C caused by the land management change from rain‐fed farmland to paddy fields during the growing season. The trends were confirmed using OMR method. Land surface temperature change based on remote sensing data was divided into radiative and nonradiative forcing. The nonradiative processes play a dominant role in regulating the local surface temperature. The monthly mean temperature differences in response to land use changes differ greatly during the growing season. The temperature difference was greater in May and June (spring) than in July and August (summer). Our study shows that the land use impact on regional climate could be switched dramatically, and it would be basically consistent with the impact of natural wetlands before reclamation in our study area right now, which provides important information for mitigating and adapting to global climate change at regional scale.
Resistance to Flow on a Sloping Channel Covered by Dense Vegetation following a Dam Break
Authors: Melis Mattia , Poggi Davide , Fasanella Giovanni, Oscar Domenico , Cordero Silvia , Katul Gabriel G.
Published: January 2019

The effect of hydraulic resistance on the downstream evolution of the water surface profile h in a sloping channel covered by a uniform dense rod canopy following the instantaneous collapse of a dam was examined using flume experiments. Near the head of the advancing wavefront, where h meets the rods, the conventional picture of a turbulent boundary layer was contrasted to a distributed drag force representation. The details of the boundary layer around the rod and any interferences between rods were lumped into a drag coefficient Cd. The study demonstrated the following: In the absence of a canopy, the Ritter solution agreed well with the measurements. When the canopy was represented by an equivalent wall friction as common when employing Manning's formula with constant roughness, it was possible to match the measured wavefront speed but not the precise shape of the water surface profile. However, upon adopting a distributed drag force with a constant Cd, the agreement between measured and modeled h was quite satisfactory at all positions and times. The measurements and model calculations suggested that the shape of h near the wavefront was quasilinear with longitudinal distance for a constant Cd. The computed constant Cd(≈0.4) was surprisingly much smaller than the Cd(≈1) reported in uniform flow experiments with staggered cylinders for the same element Reynolds number. This finding suggested that drag reduction mechanisms associated with unsteadiness, nonuniformity, transient waves, and other flow disturbances were more likely to play a role when compared to conventional sheltering effects.
Bond percolation in coloured and multiplex networks
Authors: Kryven Ivan
Published: January 2019

Percolation in complex networks is a process that mimics network degradation and a tool that reveals peculiarities of the network structure. During the course of percolation, the emergent properties of networks undergo non-trivial transformations, which include a phase transition in the connectivity, and in some special cases, multiple phase transitions. Such global transformations are caused by only subtle changes in the degree distribution, which locally describe the network. Here we establish a generic analytic theory that describes how structure and sizes of all connected components in the network are affected by simple and colour-dependent bond percolations. This theory predicts locations of the phase transitions, existence of wide critical regimes that do not vanish in the thermodynamic limit, and a phenomenon of colour switching in small components. These results may be used to design percolation-like processes, optimise network response to percolation, and detect subtle signals preceding network collapse.
Podocyte GSK3 is an evolutionarily conserved critical regulator of kidney function
Authors: Hurcombe J. A. , Hartley P. , Lay A. C. , Ni L. , Bedford J. J. , Leader J. P. , Singh S. , Murphy A. , Scudamore C. L. , Marquez E. , Barrington A. F. , Pinto V. , Marchetti M. , Wong L.-F. , Uney J. , Saleem M. A. , Mathieson P. W. , Patel S. , Walker R. J. , Woodgett J. R. , Quaggin S. E. , Welsh G. I. , Coward R. J. M.
Published: January 2019

Albuminuria affects millions of people, and is an independent risk factor for kidney failure, cardiovascular morbidity and death. The key cell that prevents albuminuria is the terminally differentiated glomerular podocyte. Here we report the evolutionary importance of the enzyme Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 (GSK3) for maintaining podocyte function in mice and the equivalent nephrocyte cell in Drosophila. Developmental deletion of both GSK3 isoforms (α and β) in murine podocytes causes late neonatal death associated with massive albuminuria and renal failure. Similarly, silencing GSK3 in nephrocytes is developmentally lethal for this cell. Mature genetic or pharmacological podocyte/nephrocyte GSK3 inhibition is also detrimental; producing albuminuric kidney disease in mice and nephrocyte depletion in Drosophila. Mechanistically, GSK3 loss causes differentiated podocytes to re-enter the cell cycle and undergo mitotic catastrophe, modulated via the Hippo pathway but independent of Wnt-β-catenin. This work clearly identifies GSK3 as a critical regulator of podocyte and hence kidney function.
LC3/GABARAPs drive ubiquitin-independent recruitment of Optineurin and NDP52 to amplify mitophagy
Authors: Padman Benjamin Scott , Nguyen Thanh Ngoc , Uoselis Louise , Skulsuppaisarn Marvin , Nguyen Lan K. , Lazarou Michael
Published: January 2019

Current models of selective autophagy dictate that autophagy receptors, including Optineurin and NDP52, link cargo to autophagosomal membranes. This is thought to occur via autophagy receptor binding to Atg8 homologs (LC3/GABARAPs) through an LC3 interacting region (LIR). The LIR motif within autophagy receptors is therefore widely recognised as being essential for selective sequestration of cargo. Here we show that the LIR motif within OPTN and NDP52 is dispensable for Atg8 recruitment and selectivity during PINK1/Parkin mitophagy. Instead, Atg8s play a critical role in mediating ubiquitin-independent recruitment of OPTN and NDP52 to growing phagophore membranes via the LIR motif. The additional recruitment of OPTN and NDP52 amplifies mitophagy through an Atg8-dependent positive feedback loop. Rather than functioning in selectivity, our discovery of a role for the LIR motif in mitophagy amplification points toward a general mechanism by which Atg8s can recruit autophagy factors to drive autophagosome growth and amplify selective autophagy.
Medial geniculate body and primary auditory cortex differentially contribute to striatal sound representations
Authors: Chen Liang , Wang Xinxing , Ge Shaoyu , Xiong Qiaojie
Published: January 2019

The dorsal striatum has emerged as a key region in sensory-guided, reward-driven decision making. A posterior sub-region of the dorsal striatum, the auditory striatum, receives convergent projections from both auditory thalamus and auditory cortex. How these pathways contribute to auditory striatal activity and function remains largely unknown. Here we show that chemogenetic inhibition of the projections from either the medial geniculate body (MGB) or primary auditory cortex (ACx) to auditory striatum in mice impairs performance in an auditory frequency discrimination task. While recording striatal sound responses, we find that transiently silencing the MGB projection reduced sound responses across a wide-range of frequencies in striatal medium spiny neurons. In contrast, transiently silencing the primary ACx projection diminish sound responses preferentially at the best frequencies in striatal medium spiny neurons. Together, our findings reveal that the MGB projection mainly functions as a gain controller, whereas the primary ACx projection provides tuning information for striatal sound representations.
Ciliary neurotrophic factor stimulates cardioprotection and the proliferative activity in the adult zebrafish heart
Authors: Bise Thomas , de Preux Charles Anne-Sophie , Jaźwińska Anna
Published: January 2019

Unlike mammals, adult zebrafish can regenerate their hearts after injury via proliferation of cardiomyocytes. The cell-cycle entry of zebrafish cardiac cells can also be stimulated through preconditioning by thoracotomy, a chest incision without myocardial damage. To identify effector genes of heart preconditioning, we performed transcriptome analysis of ventricles from thoracotomized zebrafish. This intervention led to enrichment of cardioprotective factors, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition genes, matrix proteins and components of LIFR/gp130 signaling. We identified that inhibition of the downstream signal transducer of the LIFR/gp130 pathway through treatment with Ruxolitinib, a specific JAK1/2 antagonist, suppressed the cellular effects of preconditioning. Activation of LIFR/gp130 signaling by a single injection of the ligand Cilliary Neurotrophic Factor, CNTF, was sufficient to trigger cardiomyocyte proliferation in the intact heart. In addition, CNTF induced other pro-regenerative processes, including expression of cardioprotective genes, activation of the epicardium, enhanced intramyocardial Collagen XII deposition and leucocyte recruitment. These effects were abrogated by the concomitant inhibition of the JAK/STAT activity. Mutation of the cntf gene suppressed the proliferative response of cardiomyocytes after thoracotomy. In the regenerating zebrafish heart, CNTF injection prior to ventricular cryoinjury improved the initiation of regeneration via reduced cell apoptosis and boosted cardiomyocyte proliferation. Our findings reveal the molecular effectors of preconditioning and demonstrate that exogenous CNTF exerts beneficial regenerative effects by rendering the heart more resilient to injury and efficient in activation of the proliferative programs.
Hypoculoside, a sphingoid base-like compound from Acremonium disrupts the membrane integrity of yeast cells
Authors: Alfatah Mohammad , Wong Jin Huei , Nge Choy Eng , Kong Kiat Whye , Low Kia Ngee , Leong Chung Yan , Crasta Sharon , Munusamy Madhaiyan , Chang Amanda Mun Leng , Hoon Shawn , Ng Siew Bee , Kanagasundaram Yoganathan , Arumugam Prakash
Published: January 2019

We have isolated Hypoculoside, a new glycosidic amino alcohol lipid from the fungus Acremonium sp. F2434 belonging to the order Hypocreales and determined its structure by 2D-NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy. Hypoculoside has antifungal, antibacterial and cytotoxic activities. Homozygous profiling (HOP) of hypoculoside in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast) revealed that several mutants defective in vesicular trafficking and vacuolar protein transport are sensitive to hypoculoside. Staining of budding yeast cells with the styryl dye FM4-64 indicated that hypoculoside damaged the vacuolar structure. Furthermore, the propidium iodide (PI) uptake assay showed that hypoculoside disrupted the plasma membrane integrity of budding yeast cells. Interestingly, the glycosidic moiety of hypoculoside is required for its deleterious effect on growth, vacuoles and plasma membrane of budding yeast cells.
Tissue acidosis does not mediate the hypoxia selectivity of [64Cu][Cu(ATSM)] in the isolated perfused rat heart
Authors: Baark Friedrich , Shaughnessy Fiona , Pell Victoria R. , Clark James E. , Eykyn Thomas R. , Blower Philip , Southworth Richard
Published: January 2019

Copper-64-Diacetyl-bis(N4-methylthiosemicarbazone) [64Cu][Cu(ATSM)] is a hypoxia-targeting PET tracer with applications in oncology and cardiology. Upon entering a hypoxic cell, [64Cu][Cu(II)(ATSM)] is reduced to a putative [64Cu][Cu(I)(ATSM)]− species which dissociates to deposit radiocopper, thereby providing hypoxic contrast. This process may be dependent upon protonation arising from intracellular acidosis. Since acidosis is a hallmark of ischemic tissue and tumors, the hypoxia specificity of [64Cu][Cu(ATSM)] may be confounded by changes in intracellular pH. We have therefore determined the influence of intracellular pH on [64Cu][Cu(ATSM)] pharmacokinetics. Using isolated perfused rat hearts, acidosis was induced using an ammonium pre-pulse method, with and without hypoxic buffer perfusion. Cardiac [64Cu][Cu(ATSM)] pharmacokinetics were determined using NaI detectors, with intracellular pH and cardiac energetics monitored in parallel by 31P NMR. To distinguish direct acidotic effects on tracer pharmacokinetics from acidosis-induced hypocontractility, parallel studies used lidocaine perfusion to abolish cardiac contraction. Hypoxic myocardium trapped [64Cu][Cu(ATSM)] despite no evidence of it being acidotic when characterised by 31P NMR. Independent induction of tissue acidosis had no direct effect on [64Cu][Cu(ATSM)] pharmacokinetics in either normoxic or hypoxic hearts, beyond decreasing cardiac oxygen consumption to alleviate hypoxia and decrease tracer retention, leading us to conclude that tissue acidosis does not mediate the hypoxia selectivity of [64Cu][Cu(ATSM)].
The nature of collective excitations and their crossover at extreme supercritical conditions
Authors: Wang L. , Yang C. , Dove M. T. , Mokshin A. V. , Brazhkin V. V. , Trachenko K.
Published: January 2019

Physical properties of an interacting system are governed by collective excitations, but their nature at extreme supercritical conditions is unknown. Here, we present direct evidence for propagating solid-like longitudinal phonon-like excitations with wavelengths extending to interatomic separations deep in the supercritical state at temperatures up to 3,300 times the critical temperature. We observe that the crossover of dispersion curves develops atkpoints reducing with temperature. We interpret this effect as the crossover from the collective phonon to the collisional mean-free path regime of particle dynamics and find that the crossover points are close to both the inverse of the shortest available wavelength in the system and to the particle mean free path inferred from experiments and theory. Notably, both the shortest wavelength and mean free path scale with temperature with the same power law, lending further support to our findings.
Femtosecond phase-transition in hard x-ray excited bismuth
Authors: Makita M. , Vartiainen I. , Mohacsi I. , Caleman C. , Diaz A. , Jönsson H. O. , Juranić P. , Medvedev N. , Meents A. , Mozzanica A. , Opara N. L. , Padeste C. , Panneels V. , Saxena V. , Sikorski M. , Song S. , Vera L. , Willmott P. R. , Beaud P. , Milne C. J. , Ziaja-Motyka B. , David C.
Published: January 2019

The evolution of bismuth crystal structure upon excitation of its A1g phonon has been intensely studied with short pulse optical lasers. Here we present the first-time observation of a hard x-ray induced ultrafast phase transition in a bismuth single crystal at high intensities (~1014 W/cm2). The lattice evolution was followed using a recently demonstrated x-ray single-shot probing setup. The time evolution of the (111) Bragg peak intensity showed strong dependence on the excitation fluence. After exposure to a sufficiently intense x-ray pulse, the peak intensity dropped to zero within 300 fs, i.e. faster than one oscillation period of the A1g mode at room temperature. Our analysis indicates a nonthermal origin of a lattice disordering process, and excludes interpretations based on electron-ion equilibration process, or on thermodynamic heating process leading to plasma formation.
Metal artifacts with dental implants: Evaluation using a dedicated CT/MR oral phantom with registration of the CT and MR images
Authors: Lee Min-Young , Song Kyu-Ho , Lee Jeong-Woo , Choe Bo-Young , Suh Tae Suk
Published: January 2019

The aims of this study were to develop a computed tomography/magnetic resonance (CT/MR) oral phantom with insertable dental implants and to register CT/MR images to generate artifact-free MR images for patients undergoing teeth restorations. All measurements were done using a human MR scanner with spin echo (SE) and gradient echo (GRE) sequences image scan together with CT image. The metal regions and normal teeth parts are extracted with a suitable threshold from an initial image reconstructed with artifact from the CT images. Corrected metal projection regions of MR images and CT images are fused to produce artifact-free MR image that include dental restorations. After CT/MR registration, artifact size presented differences on the x- (SE, 12.0 mm; GRE, 18.0 mm) and y- (SE, 24.0 mm; GRE, 36.6 mm). When comparing the dental restoration with normal teeth, the structural similarity index metric (SSIM) of GRE 50 was lower than for the GRE 8 sequence and the SSIM of SE 145 shown higher than for the SE 490 sequence. The dedicated phantom provides a useful tool in head and neck research for multi-modality images. Therefore, CT/MR image-based approach for ground truth and registration offers visualization in diagnostic system and radiation treatment planning system.