bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of auto‐exhaust pollution on trichome micromorphology of Olea europea L. leaves
Authors: Öztürk Çalı İlkay , Karavin Neslihan
Published: January 2020

This study aimed to determine the influence of auto‐exhaust pollution on trichome structure of Olea europea L. leaves. For this purpose, olive leaves were collected from two areas one of which is urban and the other is rural. Leaf surface sections in leaves were obtained to examine the influence of auto‐exhaust pollution on trichome structure of olive. Width‐length thicknesses in peltate trichome were measured using a micrometric ocular. To investigate the density and the percentages of damaged‐nondamaged peltate trichomes among the groups, the upper epidermis of leaves was photographed with SEM. According to the results, the values of width and length thicknesses of peltate trichome were lower in urban area when compared to rural site. The density and percentages of nondamaged peltate structure were lower in urban area whereas damaged peltate structures were increased. Auto‐exhaust pollution decreased the amount of nondamaged peltate trichome structure and caused damaged peltate structures in olive leaves. The plant can be more sensitive to drought because of decreased amount of peltate trichomes and also increased damaged peltate trichome structures in urban area.
Referencing BRCA in hereditary cancer risk discussions: In search of an anchor in a sea of uncertainty
Authors: Waltz Margaret , Prince Anya E. R. , O'Daniel Julianne M. , Foreman Ann Katherine M. , Powell Bradford C. , Berg Jonathan S.
Published: January 2020

As panel testing and exome sequencing are increasingly incorporated into clinical care, clinicians must grapple with how to communicate the risks and treatment decisions surrounding breast cancer genes beyond BRCA1 and BRCA2. In this paper, we examine clinicians' practice of employing BRCA1 and BRCA2 to help contextualize less certain genetic information regarding cancer risk and the possible implications of this practice for patients within the context of an exome sequencing study, NCGENES. We audio‐recorded return of results appointments for 14 women who participated in NCGENES, previously had breast cancer, and were suspected of having a hereditary cancer predisposition. These patients were also interviewed four weeks later regarding their understanding of their results. We found that BRCA1 and BRCA2 were held as the gold standard, where clinicians compared what is known about BRCA to the limited understanding of other breast cancer‐related genes. BRCA1 and BRCA2 were used as anchors to shape patients' understandings of genetic knowledge, risk, and management, illustrating how the information clinicians provide to patients may work as an external anchor. Yet, presenting BRCA1 and BRCA2 as a means of scientific reassurance can run the risk of patients conflating knowledge about certainty of risk with degree of risk after receiving a result for a moderate penetrance gene. This can be further complicated by misperceptions of the precision of cancer predictability attributed to these or other described ‘cancer genes’ in public media.
Synthesis of imidazo[1, 2‐a]pyridines via the silver acetate‐catalyzed Groebke‐Blackburn‐Bienayme reaction with ethylene glycol as a biodegradable and sustainable solvent
Authors: Hussain Mustafa , Liu Jianhui , Fu Lu , Hasan Mehdi
Published: January 2020

An efficient, silver‐based catalytic system has been designed for the synthesis of biologically important 3‐aminoimidazo‐fused heterocycles via the Groebke‐Blackburn‐Bienayme reaction, in which AgOAc was used as a catalyst and ethylene glycol as a solvent from isocyanides, various aryl aldehydes and an 2‐amino heterocycle were also used. Good to excellent yields, high atomic economy and environmentally friendly conditions are the potential features of this one‐pot process.
Incomplete immune reconstitution in HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy: Challenges of immunological non-responders
Authors: Yang Xiaodong , Su Bin , Zhang Xin , Liu Yan , Wu Hao , Zhang Tong
Published: January 2020

The morbidity and mortality of HIV type-1 (HIV-1)-related diseases were dramatically diminished by the grounds of the introduction of potent antiretroviral therapy, which induces persistent suppression of HIV-1 replication and gradual recovery of CD4+ T-cell counts. However, ∼10–40% of HIV-1-infected individuals fail to achieve normalization of CD4+ T-cell counts despite persistent virological suppression. These patients are referred to as “inadequate immunological responders,” “immunodiscordant responders,” or “immunological non-responders (INRs)” who show severe immunological dysfunction. Indeed, INRs are at an increased risk of clinical progression to AIDS and non-AIDS events and present higher rates of mortality than HIV-1-infected individuals with adequate immune reconstitution. To date, the underlying mechanism of incomplete immune reconstitution in HIV-1-infected patients has not been fully elucidated. In light of this limitation, it is of substantial practical significance to deeply understand the mechanism of immune reconstitution and design effective individualized treatment strategies. Therefore, in this review, we aim to highlight the mechanism and risk factors of incomplete immune reconstitution and strategies to intervene.
Future extremes of temperature and precipitation in Europe derived from a combination of dynamical and statistical approaches
Authors: Cardell Maria F. , Amengual Arnau , Romero Romualdo , Ramis Climent
Published: January 2020

Most of the nature‐related economic costs and human losses in many regions of Europe are due to extreme weather events such as heat waves, cold spells, persistent droughts, heavy precipitation and intense cyclonic wind‐storms. Extreme precipitation events are projected by climatic models to become more intense over the continent while droughts might last longer by the end of the century. In dry regions as Southern Europe, soils are predicted to dry out as temperatures and evapotranspiration rise and rain‐bearing atmospheric circulations become less frequent. Prospects on the future of climate indices linked to extreme phenomena are herein derived by using observed and model projected daily meteorological data. Specifically, E‐OBS high resolution gridded datasets of observed precipitation and surface minimum and maximum temperatures have been used as the regional observed baseline. For projections, the same meteorological variables have been obtained from a set of regional climate models integrated in the European EURO‐CORDEX project, considering the RCP8.5 future emissions scenario. A quantile–quantile adjustment has been applied to the simulated regional scenarios to reduce biases in modelled extreme regimes. Results suggest that warm days will substantially increase across Europe, consistently with a decrease of cold nights. An increase in heat wave amplitude is expected across the continent, with South Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean as the most affected regions. In contrast, Northern Europe will undergo the largest decrease in cold spell magnitude. An overall rise in the frequency and volume of heavy precipitations is projected in all seasons, even if the number of dry days is also expected to increase, except in the Baltic countries. Regarding abnormally long dry periods (extreme droughts), we find that the occurrence of episodes would reduce over Europe as consequence of projected increases in length.
Investigation of resident and recruited macrophages following disc injury in mice
Authors: Kawakubo Ayumu , Uchida Kentaro , Miyagi Masayuki , Nakawaki Mitsufumi , Satoh Masashi , Sekiguchi Hiroyuki , Yokozeki Yuji , Inoue Gen , Takaso Masashi
Published: January 2020

Macrophages, particularly M1 macrophages, produce proinflammatory cytokines and contribute to the degenerative process in injured intervertebral discs (IVDs). We previously showed that macrophages in both intact and injured IVDs increased following IVD injury. Resident macrophages and macrophages recruited from the peripheral blood have distinct roles in tissue. However, it remains to be determined whether increased macrophages derive from resident or recruited macrophages. We investigated the origin of M1 macrophages in injured IVDs using green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic bone marrow chimeric mice. The M1 macrophage marker, CD86, increased in both disc‐derived resident macrophages and bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMMs) after lipopolysaccharide/interferon γ stimulation in vitro. Following IVD injury, the proportion of cells positive for the CD86 ligand, the F4/80 antigen, and the surface glycoprotein CD11b (CD86+ CD11b+ F4/80+) significantly increased in GFP+ populations at days 3, 7, and 14. In contrast, CD86+ CD11b+ F4/80+ cells in GFP− populations significantly increased on day 3, and thereafter decreased on days 7 and 14. The proportion of CD86+ CD11b+ F4/80+ cells in the GFP+ populations was significantly higher than that in the GFP− populations at days 1, 3, 7, and 14. Monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 expression in disc‐derived macrophages, but not in BMMs, increased following interleukin‐1β stimulation. Our results suggest M1 macrophages following IVD injury originate from recruited macrophages. Resident macrophages may behave differently in IVD injury. The role of resident macrophages needs to be clarified. Further investigation is needed.
Early tibial subchondral bone texture changes after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy in knees without radiographic OA: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Wolski Marcin , Thorlund Jonas B. , Stachowiak Gwidon W. , Holsgaard‐Larsen Anders , Creaby Mark W. , Jørgensen Gitte M. , Englund Martin , Podsiadlo Pawel
Published: January 2020

Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) may lead to changes in underlying trabecular bone (TB) structure potentially promoting the development of knee joint osteoarthritis. Our aim was to investigate if there are early changes occurring in tibial subchondral TB texture in the leg undergoing medial APM compared with the unoperated non‐injured contra‐lateral leg. The bone texture was measured as the medial‐to‐lateral ratio of fractal dimensions (FD) calculated for regions selected on weight‐bearing anteroposterior tibiofemoral x‐rays. Twenty‐one subjects before and 12 months after APM were included from 374 patients scheduled for unilateral medial APM. The medial‐to‐lateral ratio was calculated for horizontal, vertical, and roughest FDs respectively. Higher FD means higher bone roughness. Each FD was calculated over a range of scales using a variance orientation transform method. Mean values of medial‐to‐lateral horizontal FD calculated for APM knees at follow‐up were higher than those at baseline. For unoperated knees the values were lower. The difference in the horizontal FD change from baseline to follow‐up between APM and contra‐lateral legs was 0.028 (95% CI, 0.004‐0.052). The bone roughness changes may reflect the increase in peak knee adduction moment (KAM) and KAM impulse during walking reported for the same cohort in a previous study. They may also reflect early signs of osteoarthritis development and thus, we speculate that individuals with increased bone texture roughness ratio after APM might be at higher risk of knee osteoarthritis development.
Modern wheat cultivars have greater root nitrogen uptake efficiency than old cultivars
Authors: Zhang Li , Du Yan-Lei , Li Xiao Gang
Published: January 2020

The availability of nitrogen (N) contained in crop residues for a following crop may vary with cultivar, depending on root traits and the interaction between roots and soil. We used a pot experiment to investigate the effects of six spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars (three old varieties introduced before mid last century and three modern varieties) and N fertilization on the ability of wheat to acquire N from maize (Zea mays L.) straw added to soil. Wheat was grown in a soil where 15N‐labeled maize straw had been incorporated with or without N fertilization. Higher grain yield in three modern and one old cultivar was ascribed to preferred allocation of photosynthate to aboveground plant parts and from vegetative organs to grains. Root biomass, root length density and root surface area were all smaller in modern than in old cultivars at both anthesis and maturity. Root mean diameter was generally similar between modern and old cultivars at anthesis but was greater in modern than in old cultivars at maturity. There were cultivar differences in N uptake from incorporated maize straw and the other N sources (soil and fertilizer). However, these differences were not related to variation in the measured root parameters among the six cultivars. At anthesis, total N uptake efficiencies by roots (total N uptake per root weight or root length) were greater in modern than in old cultivars within each fertilization level. At maturity, averaged over fertilization levels, the total N uptake efficiencies by roots were 292−336 mg N g−1 roots or 3.2−4.0 mg N m−1 roots for three modern cultivars, in contrast to 132−213 mg N g−1 roots or 0.93−1.6 mg N m−1 roots for three old cultivars. Fertilization enhanced the utilization of N from maize straw by all cultivars, but root N uptake efficiencies were less affected. We concluded that modern spring wheat cultivars had higher root N uptake efficiency than old cultivars.
Tracking the fungus‐assisted biocorrosion of lead metal by Raman imaging and scanning electron microscopy technique
Authors: Wu Yiling , Shao Xiaoqing , Jiao Hang , Song Xinwei , He Kun , Li Zhen
Published: January 2020

Fungi play a significant role in biological corrosion of metal materials. We studied the biocorrosion of lead foils under incubation of Aspergillus niger (A. niger). Multiple techniques, for example, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFT), and Raman imaging and scanning electron microscopy (RISE), were applied in this study. SEM confirmed the normal growth of the fungus on Pb foil surface, either above or under the solid medium surface. In addition, SEM‐energy dispersive spectrometer confirmed the formation of the secondary Pb mineral particles after incubation, which had variable morphologies. DRIFT was able to show changes of compounds formed on the surface of Pb foils. However, it cannot exactly identify the mineral phase. RISE technology offered both morphological and spectral information of the formed Pb mineral. Three dominant Raman peaks at ~1,440, ~1,480, and ~1,590 cm−1 indicated that the secondary mineral was lead oxalate. Raman mapping further demonstrated the distribution of Pb oxalate architecture. This study first applied RISE to investigate the biocorrosion of metals by fungi.
Influence of Poloxamer 407 on Surface Properties of Aqueous Solutions of Polysorbate Surfactants
Authors: Ćirin Dejan , Krstonošić Veljko
Published: January 2020

Owing to their ability to adsorb at interfaces, polysorbates have an important role in pharmaceutical formulations. Because surfactant mixtures can have improved properties, it was hypothesized in this work that introduction of poloxamer 407 to aqueous solutions of polysorbates (polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80 and polysorbate 85) might improve their surface properties. Nonideal behavior of surfactant mixtures at the air/water interface was investigated using Rosen's model and recently introduced method for the determination and quantification of nonideal behavior regarding surface tension reduction and adsorption effectiveness. Although nonideal behavior was noticed in all mixed monolayers, it was shown that the structure of the hydrophobic domain of the polysorbates and the conformation of poloxamer 407 at the interface have strong influence on the nonideality.
Minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy and the cost of conversion
Authors: Stewart Camille L. , Wong Paul , Selby Luke , Warner Susanne G. , Raoof Mustafa , Singh Gagandeep , Fong Yuman , Melstrom Laleh G.
Published: January 2020

Background

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is preferred for distal pancreatectomy but is not always attempted due to the risk of conversion to open. We hypothesized that the total cost for MIS converted to open procedures would be comparable to those that started open.

Methods

A prospectively collected institutional registry (2011‐2017) was reviewed for demographic, clinical, and perioperative cost data for patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy.

Results

There were 80 patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy: 41 open, 39 MIS (11 laparoscopic and 28 robotic). Conversion to open occurred in 14 of 39 (36%, 3 laparoscopic and 11 robotic). Length of stay was shorter for the MIS completed (6 days; range, 3‐8), and MIS converted to open (7 days; range, 4‐10) groups, compared with open (10 days; range, 5‐36; P = .003). Laparoscopic cases were the least expensive (P = .02). Robotic converted to open procedures had the highest operating room cost. However, the total cost for robotic converted to open cohort was similar to the open cohort due to cost savings associated with a shorter length of stay.

Conclusions

Despite the higher intraoperative costs of robotic surgery, there is no significant overall financial penalty for conversion to open. Financial considerations should not play a role in selecting a robotic or open approach.
Dual‐layer column filtration cleanup and gas chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry detection for the analysis of 39 pesticide residues in porcine meat
Authors: Song Le , Pan Canping , Yang Juan , Zeng Sujia , Han Yongtao
Published: January 2020

A rapid and effective method was developed for the analysis of 39 pesticide residues in porcine meat with dual‐layer multiplug filtration cleanup and gas chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry detection. The cleanup process was performed with columns packed with two layers, namely multiwalled carbon nanotubes, C18 and anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) as top layer, while mixture of florisil and MgSO4 as bottom layer. A single‐layer method was tested in parallel, with columns packed with the same amount of absorbents. Extraction conditions and filtration cleanup process were optimized to obtain satisfied method performance. Method linearity was calculated with coefficients of determination more than 0.995. The limits of quantitation were verified with acceptable accuracy at the lowest spiked concentration of 0.01 mg/kg (except pyrimethanil). The recoveries at three fortified levels (0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 mg/kg) in five replicates were between 74 and 118% (except pyrimethanil) with relative standard deviations range from 1 to 16%. The matrix effects were in the range of 1.01 to 2.84. This new method was applied for the analysis of multipesticide residues in market samples of porcine meat. This study showed the dual‐layer multiplug filtration cleanup demonstrated better performance than that with the single‐layer columns in cleanup of porcine meat.
Investigation on the angular contact ball bearings under low speed and heavy load with coupled mixed lubrication and quasi‐dynamic analysis
Authors: Wu Jiqiang , Wang Liqin , He Tao , Gu Le , Zhang Chuanwei , Lu Yufan
Published: January 2020

In this paper, the angular contact ball bearings under low‐speed and heavy‐load conditions is studied with a coupled numerical method of mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) and quasi‐dynamic analysis. Compared with the quasi‐dynamic analysis without consideration of the mixed lubrication characteristics, the present coupled method reveals a smaller minimum film thickness and a larger frictional coefficient in ball‐race contact interface, leading to increases in the normal contact load, slide‐to‐roll ratio, and relative sliding velocity. Effects of operation condition (eg, rotational speed) and structural parameter (eg, inner raceway curvature coefficient and initial contact angle) on the contact and lubrication performances are discussed. The results show that a larger inner raceway curvature coefficient results in a smaller average film thickness and film thickness ratio, a larger frictional coefficient, and maximum contact pressure, while the increase in the initial contact angle has an opposite effect on these parameters.
When abs do not sell: The impact of male influencers conspicuously displaying a muscular body on female followers
Authors: Su Yiran , Kunkel Thilo , Ye Ning
Published: January 2020

Based on evolutionary theory and costly signaling theory, this research explored how flaunting a muscular body, especially male influencers showcasing muscle as a symbolic bodily marker, can shape the effectiveness of influencer marketing. Two experiments employing different manipulations (i.e., pictures taken by others and selfies) were performed to examine the effects of conspicuously displaying male influencers' muscles on consumers' intentions to purchase endorsed products. In Experiment 1, we found that conspicuous (vs. inconspicuous) display of muscles reduced perceived trustworthiness among women, leading to lower purchase intentions around a gender‐neutral product. Experiment 2 corroborated this finding and further demonstrated that the effects of a muscular body were not domain‐specific. Both experiments presented evidence opposing the common belief that conspicuously displaying one's muscles is appealing: female consumers exhibited less trust toward the muscle‐flaunting male influencer, resulting in lower intentions to purchase endorsed products. Results contribute to a better understanding of the application of evolutionary theory and signaling theory in digital marketing and advance our knowledge of gender differences in a social media consumption context. The findings are also of direct relevance to brands attempting to enhance the persuasiveness of product promotions via influencers' physical appearance.
Flavone Hispidulin Stimulates Glucagon‐Like Peptide‐1 Secretion and Ameliorates Hyperglycemia in Streptozotocin‐Induced Diabetic Mice
Authors: Wang Yao , Wang Aiping , Alkhalidy Hana , Luo Jing , Moomaw Elizabeth , Neilson Andrew P. , Liu Dongmin
Published: January 2020

Scope

Loss of functional β‐cell mass is central for the deterioration of glycemic control in diabetes. The incretin hormone glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) plays a critical role in maintaining glycemic homeostasis via potentiating glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion and promoting β‐cell mass. Agents that can directly promote GLP‐1 secretion, thereby increasing insulin secretion and preserving β‐cell mass, hold great potential for the treatment of T2D.

Methods and results

GluTag L‐cells, INS832/13 cells, and mouse ileum crypts and islets are cultured for examining the effects of flavone hispidulin on GLP‐1 and insulin secretion. Mouse livers and isolated hepatocytes are used for gluconeogenesis. Streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice are treated with hispidulin (20 mg kg−1 day−1, oral gavage) for 6 weeks to evaluate its anti‐diabetic potential. Hispidulin stimulates GLP‐1 secretion from the L‐cell line, ileum crypts, and in vivo. This hispidulin action is mediated via activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A signaling. Hispidulin significantly improves glycemic control in diabetic mice, concomitant with improved insulin release, and β‐cell survival. Additionally, hispidulin decreases hepatic pyruvate carboxylase expression in diabetic mice and suppresses gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes. Furthermore, hispidulin stimulates insulin secretion from β‐cells.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that Hispidulin may be a novel dual‐action anti‐diabetic compound via stimulating GLP‐1 secretion and suppressing hepatic glucose production.
Strategies for effective physics plan and chart review in radiation therapy: Report of AAPM Task Group 275
Authors: Ford Eric , Conroy Leigh , Dong Lei , de Los Santos Luis Fong , Greener Anne , Gwe‐Ya Kim Grace , Johnson Jennifer , Johnson Perry , Mechalakos James G. , Napolitano Brian , Parker Stephanie , Schofield Deborah , Smith Koren , Yorke Ellen , Wells Michelle
Published: January 2020

Background

While the review of radiotherapy treatment plans and charts by a medical physicist is a key component of safe, high‐quality care, very few specific recommendations currently exist for this task.

Aims

The goal of TG‐275 is to provide practical, evidence‐based recommendations on physics plan and chart review for radiation therapy. While this report is aimed mainly at medical physicists, others may benefit including dosimetrists, radiation therapists, physicians and other professionals interested in quality management.

Methods

The scope of the report includes photon/electron external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), proton radiotherapy, as well as high‐dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy for gynecological applications (currently the highest volume brachytherapy service in most practices). The following review time points are considered: initial review prior to treatment, weekly review, and end‐of‐treatment review. The Task Group takes a risk‐informed approach to developing recommendations. A failure mode and effects analysis was performed to determine the highest‐risk aspects of each process. In the case of photon/electron EBRT, a survey of all American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) members was also conducted to determine current practices. A draft of this report was provided to the full AAPM membership for comment through a 3‐week open‐comment period, and the report was revised in response to these comments.

Results

The highest‐risk failure modes included 112 failure modes in photon/electron EBRT initial review, 55 in weekly and end‐of‐treatment review, 24 for initial review specific to proton therapy, and 48 in HDR brachytherapy. A 103‐question survey on current practices was released to all AAPM members who self‐reported as working in the radiation oncology field. The response rate was 33%. The survey data and risk data were used to inform recommendations.

Discussion

Tables of recommended checks are presented and recommendations for best practice are discussed. Suggestions to software vendors are also provided.

Conclusions

TG‐275 provides specific recommendations for physics plan and chart review which should enhance the safety and quality of care for patients receiving radiation treatments.
Controlled aliasing for improved parallel imaging with a 3D spiral staircase trajectory
Authors: Anderson Ashley G. , Wang Dinghui , Pipe James G.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

To introduce a modified 3D stack‐of‐spirals trajectory and efficient SENSE reconstruction for improved through‐plane undersampling, while maintaining SNR efficiency and other benefits of spiral acquisitions.

Methods

A novel spiral staircase trajectory is introduced. This trajectory is a modified stack of spirals, in which spiral arms are distributed between partitions along kz. The trajectory maintains the efficient separable reconstruction with a Cartesian fast Fourier transform along the kz direction, followed by a 2D slice‐by‐slice gridding reconstruction. An additional intermediate step introduces a phase correction to collapse the spiral arms into the prescribed slice planes. For data undersampled through plane, this produces aliasing with reduced coherence, controlled by the arm‐ordering. Undersampled data can then be reconstructed with reduced g‐factor using a conjugate gradient–based iterative SENSE algorithm.

Results

The trajectory significantly improves g‐factor for through‐plane accelerated acquisitions. Improvement manifests through both reduced overall g‐factor and reduced structure in the g‐factor maps. In the presented experiments, the mean g‐factor decreased from 1.26 to 0.93 and the maximum g‐factor decreased from 3.89 to 1.15 for R = 2 spiral staircase when compared with stack of spirals, and the mean g‐factor decreased from 2.51 to 0.94 and the maximum g‐factor decreased from 8.26 to 1.35 for R = 3 spiral staircase when compared with stack of spirals.

Conclusion

The novel spiral staircase trajectory offers improved aliasing characteristics for through‐plane parallel imaging acceleration in 3D spiral acquisitions.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for pediatric acute promyelocytic leukemia in Japan
Authors: Yamamoto Shohei , Tomizawa Daisuke , Kudo Kazuko , Hasegawa Daiichiro , Taga Takashi , Yanada Masamitsu , Kondo Tadakazu , Nakazawa Yozo , Eto Tetsuya , Inoue Masami , Kato Koji , Atsuta Yoshiko , Ishida Hiroyuki
Published: January 2020

Background

The number of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) procedures performed for pediatric acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has decreased in the all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) era. Although HSCT is still widely adopted as part of salvage therapy for relapsed patients, there is no general consensus about the optimal transplant type (autologous [auto‐HSCT] or allogeneic HSCT [allo‐HSCT]).

Procedures

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 95 childhood APL patients who underwent their first HSCT between 1990 and 2014. Of the 95 patients, 40 (42%), 41 (43%), and 3 (3%) underwent HSCT procedures after achieving their first complete remission (CR1), CR2, and CR3, respectively, and 11 (12%) underwent HSCT while in a non‐CR state.

Results

The non‐CR group exhibited significantly worse five‐year overall survival (5yOS) and disease‐free survival (5yDFS) (5yOS: 46%; 5yDFS: 46%) than the CR1 (5yOS: 80%; 5yDFS: 78%) and CR2 + CR3 groups (5yOS: 81%; 5yDFS: 76%) (P = 0.013 and P < 0.01, respectively). Of the patients treated in CR2, no significant differences in 5yOS or the five‐year cumulative incidence of relapse (5yRI) were detected between the auto‐HSCT and allo‐HSCT groups (5yOS: 85%, vs 78%, P = 0.648; 5yRI: 9%, vs 11%, P = 0.828). Among the patients who underwent allo‐HSCT in CR2, those with matched sibling donors displayed a significantly higher 5yRI (33%) than those with other types of donors (0%, P = 0.015).

Conclusions

Even after relapsing, childhood APL can be cured with HSCT if CR is achieved. These findings demonstrate that achieving CR followed by HSCT is the preferred strategy for treating children with relapsed or refractory APL.
Teamwork in prognostic communication: Addressing bottlenecks and barriers
Authors: Sisk Bryan A. , Dobrozsi Sarah , Mack Jennifer W.
Published: January 2020

Prognostic communication is essential to family‐centered care in pediatric oncology. Yet, prognostic communication from the medical team to the family is often absent or incomplete. In our experience, many clinical groups view prognostic disclosure as the responsibility of the patient's primary oncologist, and nurses are often excluded from these conversations. This current individual‐based model of prognostic disclosure lacks redundancy and creates a communication bottleneck. We propose that clinical groups should address prognostic communication with a multidisciplinary team‐based approach that incorporates three critical components: shared team mental models, distribution and redundancy in role assignment, and high fidelity monitoring of communication milestones.
Effect of ecological factors on the accumulation of phenolic compounds in Iris species from Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine
Authors: Mykhailenko Olha , Gudžinskas Zigmantas , Kovalyov Volodymyr , Desenko Volodymyr , Ivanauskas Liudas , Bezruk Ivan , Georgiyants Victoriya
Published: January 2020

Introduction

It is important to conduct studies on the influence of environmental factors on the accumulation of secondary metabolites in plants, as well as the cultivation of plants and harvesting of their raw material.

Objective

In this study, we examined the influence of habitat types, soil composition, climatic factors and altitude on the content of phenolic compounds in Iris species from different populations in Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine.

Methodology

According to high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, 25 compounds (flavonoids, isoflavonoids, isoflavonoid glucosides, xanthones, phenolcarboxylic acids) were identified in the methanol extracts of 16 samples of Iris rhizomes. The quantitative data were further analysed by principal component analysis (PCA) to reveal the impact of environmental factors on the accumulation of compounds in plants.

Results

Iris pseudacorus from Latvia and Lithuania had a more diverse composition of phenolic compounds than samples from Ukraine. Sampled plants of the Iris subg. Iris had a higher content of the analysed compounds than those of Iris subg. Limniris. PCA results showed that the levels of phenolic compounds in Iris rhizomes were influenced by the content of soil nutrients. The phosphorus and potassium content had a significant impact on the levels of phenolic compounds, whereas the impact of nitrogen content was not significant. Meteorological factors had a small impact; however, sunshine duration had a significant positive effect and the amount of precipitation had a significant negative impact.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that rhizomes of Iris species may be an important source of pharmacologically active compounds such as flavonoids, isoflavonoids and xanthones. Studies on the effect of environmental factors on the production and accumulation of secondary metabolites in Iris species are important because they contribute to knowledge of quantitative parameters of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants and could be employed for the cultivation and harvesting of raw material for medicinal purposes.
Low dielectric constant polyimide mixtures fabricated by polyimide matrix and polyimide microsphere fillers
Authors: Qiu Guorong , Ma Wenshi , Wu Li
Published: January 2020

Polyimide microspheres were prepared via non‐aqueous emulsion polymerization by using pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) as anhydride monomer and 2,2‐bis(4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl)propane as amine monomer. The polyimide microspheres were well characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, SEM and laser particle size analyzer. They were spherical in shape and monodisperse and their size was 31–33 μm. Polyimide mixtures formed by polyimide microspheres as fillers and polyimide composed of pyromellitic and dianhydride 4,4′‐oxydianiline (ODA) as matrix were investigated with regard to thermal properties, dielectric properties and mechanical properties. With 10%–50% polyimide microspheres in the polyimide mixtures, the dielectric constants were 2.26–2.48 (1 MHz) and the loss tangents were 0.00663–0.00857 (1 MHz), which were both significantly lower than the values for ODA‐PMDA polyimide. The decomposition temperature and glass transition temperature were above 440 and 290 °C. The polyimide mixtures possessed excellent thermal resistance. When the percentage of polyimide microsphere addition was 30%, the polyimide mixtures had the largest tensile strength (128.50 MPa) and elongation at break (9.01%). These results indicate that the polyimide microspheres were used as both low dielectric fillers and reinforcing fillers. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Study on atmospheric air glow discharge plasma generation and surface modification of carbon fiber fabric
Authors: Zhao Luxiang , Liu Wenzheng , Liu Pengxiang , Tian Jia , Xu Min , Sun Sijia , Wang Yiqing
Published: January 2020

On the basis of a thin‐wire contact electrode structure, a nonuniform electric field is designed to realize diffuse discharge in atmospheric air. A new method of high‐efficiency treatment of carbon fiber fabrics by glow discharge plasmas at low discharge voltage is proposed. Through this method, carbon fiber fabrics are directly used as electrodes, the plasmas are directly formed on the surface, and a strong electric field region can be formed on the surface of carbon fiber fabrics. The high‐active plasmas generated in this study can not only introduce nitrogen functional groups that are difficult to be introduced by traditional air plasma treatment methods and a large number of oxygen functional groups on the surface of carbon fiber fabrics but also improve the surface roughness and wettability of the material. In addition, the important effects of surface electric field intensity and plasma treatment time on the modification effect were investigated. It lays a good technical foundation for the industrial application of carbon fiber surface modification with high efficiency and continuity in atmospheric air.
The water molecule arrangement over the side chain of some aliphatic amino acids: A quantum chemical and bottom‐up investigation
Authors: Lanza Giuseppe , Chiacchio Maria A.
Published: January 2020

The geometry of surrounding water molecules on the side chain of glycine, alanine, α‐aminoisobutyric acid, α‐aminobutyric acid, valine, and related hydrocarbons has been analyzed combining bottom‐up and quantum chemical methodologies. To minimize the cavity size and to prevent water‐water hydrogen bonding loss, the water molecules adopt a shape, resembling the one found in crystal structure of gas clathrate hydrates, with water molecules tangentially oriented to the surface of hydrophobic side chain. The cage is directly hydrogen bonded to the backbone's polar groups, thus hydration shells around hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups are folded together in amphiphilic molecules. The hydrophobe enclathration implies a substantial freedom degree reduction which makes it entropically disfavored. This disadvantageous entropic contribution is partially compensated by the favorable van der Waals interactions with guest in stabilizing clathrate hydrate formation. The water shell around the side chain relates intimately with the side‐chain rotational isomerism. Present data are correlated with the experimental determined populations of the three rotamers, yielding promising results for both α‐aminobutyric acid and valine.
The effect of processing medium on the 2H/1H of carbon‐bound hydrogen in α‐cellulose extracted from higher plants
Authors: Zhu Zhenyu , Yin Xijie , Lu Fengyan , Wang Bo , Ma Ran , Zhao Yu , Wang Ying , Ma Yi , Su Jing , Yan Qiulin , Hocart Charles H. , Zhou Youping
Published: January 2020

Rationale

Although the 2H/1H ratio of the carbon‐bound hydrogens (C‐Hs) in α‐cellulose extracted from higher plants has long been used successfully for climate, environmental and metabolic studies, the assumption that bleaching with acidified NaClO2 to remove lignin before pure α‐cellulose can be obtained does not alter the 2H/1H ratio of α‐cellulose C‐Hs has nonetheless not been tested.

Methods

For reliable application of the 2H/1H ratio of α‐cellulose C‐H, we processed plant materials representing different phytochemistries and photosynthetic carbon assimilation modes in isotopically contrasting bleaching media (with an isotopic difference of 273 mUr). All the isotope ratios were measured by elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA/IRMS).

Results

Our results show that H from the bleaching medium does appear in the final pure α‐cellulose product, although the isotopic alteration to the C‐H in α‐cellulose due to the incorporation of processing H from the medium is small if isotopically “natural” water is used to prepare the processing medium. However, under prolonged bleaching such an isotope effect can be significant, implying that standardizing the bleaching process is necessary for reliable 2H/1H measurement.

Conclusions

The currently adopted method for removing lignin for α‐cellulose extraction from higher plant materials with acidified NaClO2 bleaching is considered acceptable in terms of preserving the isotopic fidelity if isotopically “natural” water is used to prepare the bleaching solution.
Physiological role of actin regulation in male fertility: Insight into actin capping proteins in spermatogenic cells
Authors: Soda Tetsuji , Miyagawa Yasushi , Fukuhara Shinichiro , Tanaka Hiromitsu
Published: January 2020

Background

During spermatogenesis, cytoskeletal elements are essential for spermatogenic cells to change morphologically and translocate in the seminiferous tubule. Actin filaments have been revealed to be concentrated in specific regions of spermatogenic cells and are regulated by a large number of actin‐binding proteins. Actin capping protein is one of the essential actin regulatory proteins, and a recent study showed that testis‐specific actin capping protein may affect male infertility.

Methods

The roles of actin during spermatogenesis and testis‐specific actin capping protein were reviewed by referring to the previous literature.

Main findings (Results)

Actin filaments are involved in several crucial phases of spermatogenesis including acrosome biogenesis, flagellum formation, and nuclear processes such as the formation of synaptonemal complex. Besides, an implication for capacitation and acrosome reaction was also suggested. Testis‐specific actin capping proteins are suggested to be associated with the removal of excess cytoplasm in mice. By the use of high‐throughput sperm proteomics, lower protein expression of testis‐specific actin capping protein in infertile men was also reported.

Conclusion

Actin is involved in the crucial phases of spermatogenesis, and the altered expression of testis‐specific actin capping proteins is suggested to be a cause of male infertility in humans.
B,N Codoped Graphitic Nanotubes Loaded with Co Nanoparticles as Superior Sulfur Host for Advanced Li–S Batteries
Authors: Wang Zhuosen , Shen Jiadong , Ji Shaomin , Xu Xijun , Zuo Shiyong , Liu Zhengbo , Zhang Dechao , Hu Renzong , Ouyang Liuzhang , Liu Jun , Zhu Min
Published: January 2020

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are considered as one of the best candidates for novel rechargeable batteries due to their high energy densities and abundant required materials. However, the poor conductivity and large volume expansion of sulfur and the “shuttle effect” of lithium polysulfides (LPSs) have significantly hindered the development and successful commercialization of LSBs. Bean‐like B,N codoped carbon nanotubes loaded with Co nanoparticles (Co@BNTs), which can act as advanced sulfur hosts for the novel LSB cathode, are fabricated. Uniform graphitic nanotubes improve the conductivity of the electrode and load more electroactive sulfur and buffer volume expansion during the electrochemical reaction. In addition, loaded Co nanoparticles and codoped B,N sites can significantly suppress the “shuttle effect” of LPSs with strong chemical interaction. It is established that the Co nanoparticles and codoped B,N can provide more active sites to catalyze the redox reaction of sulfur cathode. This stable Co@BNTs‐S cathode displays an exceptional electrochemical performance (1160 mA h g−1 after 200 cycles at 0.1 C) and outstanding stable cycle performance (1008 mA h g−1 after 400 cycles at 1.0 C with an extremely low attenuation rate of 0.038% per cycle).
Symmetry‐Reduction Enhanced Polarization‐Sensitive Photodetection in Core–Shell SbI3/Sb2O3 van der Waals Heterostructure
Authors: Xiao Mengqi , Yang Huai , Shen Wanfu , Hu Chunguang , Zhao Kai , Gao Qiang , Pan Longfei , Liu Liyuan , Wang Chengliang , Shen Guozhen , Deng Hui‐Xiong , Wen Hongyu , Wei Zhongming
Published: January 2020

Structural symmetry is a simple way to quantify the anisotropic properties of materials toward unique device applications including anisotropic transportation and polarization‐sensitive photodetection. The enhancement of anisotropy can be achieved by artificial symmetry‐reduction design. A core–shell SbI3/Sb2O3 nanowire, a heterostructure bonded by van der Waals forces, is introduced as an example of enhancing the performance of polarization‐sensitive photodetectors via symmetry reduction. The structural, vibrational, and optical anisotropies of such core–shell nanostructures are systematically investigated. It is found that the anisotropic absorbance of a core–shell nanowire is obviously higher than that of two single compounds from both theoretical and experimental investigations. Anisotropic photocurrents of the polarization‐sensitive photodetectors based on these core–shell SbI3/Sb2O3 van der Waals nanowires are measured ranging from ultraviolet (UV) to visible light (360–532 nm). Compared with other van der Waals 1D materials, low anisotropy ratio (Imax/Imin) is measured based on SbI3 but a device based on this core–shell nanowire possesses a relatively high anisotropy ratio of ≈3.14 under 450 nm polarized light. This work shows that the low‐symmetrical core–shell van der Waals heterostructure has large potential to be applied in wide range polarization‐sensitive photodetectors.
Change‐point analysis in financial networks
Authors: Banerjee Sayantan , Guhathakurta Kousik
Published: January 2020

A major impact of globalization has been the information flow across the financial markets rendering them vulnerable to financial contagion. Research has focused on network analysis techniques to understand the extent and nature of such information flow. It is now an established fact that a stock market crash in one country can have a serious impact on other markets across the globe. It follows that such crashes or critical regimes will affect the network dynamics of the global financial markets. In this paper, we use sequential change‐point detection in dynamic networks to detect changes in the network characteristics of 13 stock markets across the globe. Our method helps us to detect changes in network behaviour across all known stock market crashes during the period of study. In most of the cases, we can detect a change in the network characteristics prior to crash. Our work thus opens the possibility of using this technique to create a warning bell for critical regimes in financial markets.
Zu Entwurf, Konstruktion und Berechnungsspezifika von aktuellen Großbrücken in Stahlverbundbauweise
Authors: Geißler Karsten , Gebert Gregor
Published: January 2020

In den nächsten Jahren sind zahlreiche Großbrücken im Netz der Bundesfernstraßen durch Neubauten zu ersetzen. Hierbei sind im Bauwerksentwurf die Stahlverbundüberbauten aufgrund der Vorteile bezüglich der Vorfertigung und schnellen Montage häufig die Vorzugsvariante. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird auf aktuelle Entwicklungen dieser Stahlverbund‐Deckbrücken hinsichtlich des Tragwerksentwurfs einschließlich der Querschnittsgestaltung sowie wichtiger Konstruktionsdetails eingegangen und es werden aktuelle Projekte der DEGES vorgestellt.
Orchestrating Multi‐sensoriality in Tasting Sessions: Sensing Bodies, Normativity, and Language
Authors: Mondada Lorenza
Published: January 2020

This article develops an ethnomethodological and conversation analytic approach of sensuous practices based on video materials and multi‐modal analyses. Focusing on professional training in cheese tasting in Italy, the article shows the interplay between the bodily sensorial access to a material object and verbal descriptions of its sensorial qualities. Sensorial experience is not only configured as the body touching, smelling, or tasting a sample, nor simply orchestrated as a response following an authorized instruction; it is organized by multiple sociomaterial resources, including tasting grids as textual artifacts for enhancing and disciplining the senses. The article proposes a praxeological and interactional approach of sensoriality that integrates bodies, language, materiality, and normativity.
Color‐Changing Sparks from Rare Earth Metal Powders
Authors: Lederle Felix , Koch Jannis , Schade Wolfgang , Hübner Eike G.
Published: January 2020

Commonly, sparks emit light according to the well‐known black (gray) body radiation. Recently, we reported on color‐changing sparks based on erbium powder, which switch their light emission between black body emission (surface combustion) and element‐specific emission (vapor phase combustion). Herein, we investigated the spark formation from the adjacent rare‐earth elements. The corresponding boiling points are significantly below (Yb, Sm, Tm) or above (Y, Lu) the boiling point of Er. While Yb and Sm evaporate too fast to form longer sparks, Y, Lu and Tm form color‐changing sparks with varying length of the element‐specific emission phase. The sparks were investigated by time‐resolved emission spectroscopy, long‐time exposures, and NIR/MIR imaging. The same basic pyrotechnic formulation containing one of these metal powders reveals a strongly differing burning behavior depending on the boiling point of the metal. The burning characteristics change from a green strobe (Yb) to intense colorful crackling (Tm) and finally a sparkling fountain with long‐flying sparks (Lu, Y, Er).