bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The personal utility of cfDNA screening: Pregnant patients' experiences with cfDNA screening and views on expanded cfDNA panels
Authors: Farrell Ruth M. , Agatisa Patricia K. , Michie Marsha M. , Greene Amy , Ford Paul J.
Published: November 2019

Prenatal cell‐free DNA screening (cfDNA) provides more genetic risk information about the fetus than has ever been possible. At the same time, the rapid expansion of new cfDNA panels raises important questions about how to structure patient‐centered discussions that best support patients' decision‐making about its use. To address this question, we conducted interviews with pregnant patients to identify decision‐making needs and preferences with respect to cfDNA in patient‐centered healthcare discussions, given its evolving capability to identify a range of fetal variants. Personal utility was a core concept guiding decision‐making. Participants spoke of how their deeply personal values and beliefs about maternal responsibility, actionability, and tolerance of uncertainty framed their view of the personal utility of cfDNA screening. While discussing their notions of personal utility with their healthcare provider, participants also had concerns about potential ramifications for the provider–patient relationship and shared decision‐making when disclosing values and preferences regarding disability, quality of life, and termination—particularly as it becomes possible to identify variants with different disease‐associated severity and outcomes. The complexities associated with the introduction of genomics in prenatal care present unique challenges to structuring effective shared decision‐making discussions between patients and their healthcare providers. While efforts are underway to determine how to best educate patients about the medical aspects of cfDNA, it is equally important to develop approaches in healthcare communication that enable patients to make informed, values‐based decisions about the use of cfDNA and its impact on their pregnancy.
Effectiveness of an interprofessional education program using team‐based learning for medical students: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hamada Shuhei , Haruta Junji , Maeno Takami , Maeno Tetsuhiro , Suzuki Hideo , Takayashiki Ayumi , Inada Haruhiko , Naito Takahiro , Tomita Mika , Kanou Naomi , Baba Takeshi
Published: November 2019

Background

To respond to increasingly complicated healthcare needs in primary care settings, all health and medical welfare professionals are required to collaborate with multiprofessionals, namely via “interprofessional work” (IPW). Interprofessional education (IPE) is essential for effective IPW, especially for medical students. This study aimed to determine whether participation in IPE can increase medical students’ readiness for interprofessional learning.

Method

We examined the difference in readiness of medical students for interprofessional learning before and after an IPE program that used team‐based learning (TBL). Each student was assigned to either a uniprofessional or multiprofessional group. They were evaluated using the Japanese version of the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS). Program participants were 126 second‐year medical students and 18 students of healthcare professions other than medical doctor who participated in a combined IPE program conducted by two universities. Medical students were allocated to 12 uniprofessional and nine multiprofessional groups at random.

Results

One hundred and twelve medical students who replied to the questionnaire both before and after the program (valid response rate, 88.9%) were eligible for analysis. Of these, 42 were assigned to uniprofessional groups and 70 to multiprofessional groups. After the program, the RIPLS total score increased to a greater extent in the multiprofessional groups than in the uniprofessional groups (difference 3.17, 95% confidence interval 0.47‐5.88, P = .022). Multiple regression analysis showed the same result.

Conclusions

Learning in multiprofessional groups increased medical students’ readiness for interprofessional learning in an IPE program using TBL.
Vancomycin-induced gut dysbiosis duringPseudomonas aeruginosapulmonary infection in a mice model
Authors: Rosa Caio Pupin , Pereira Jéssica Assis , Cristina de Melo Santos Natália , Brancaglion Gustavo Andrade , Silva Evandro Neves , Tagliati Carlos Alberto , Novaes Rômulo Dias , Corsetti Patrícia Paiva , de Almeida Leonardo Augusto
Published: November 2019

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common opportunistic pathogens causing respiratory infections in hospitals. Vancomycin, the antimicrobial agent usually used to treat bacterial nosocomial infections, is associated with gut dysbiosis. As a lung-gut immunologic axis has been described, this study aimed to evaluate both the immunologic and histopathologic effects on the lungs and the large intestine resulting from vancomycin-induced gut dysbiosis in the P. aeruginosa pneumonia murine model. Metagenomic analysis demonstrated that vancomycin-induced gut dysbiosis resulted in higher Proteobacteria and lower Bacteroidetes populations in feces. Given that gut dysbiosis could augment the proinflammatory status of the intestines leading to a variety of acute inflammatory diseases, bone marrow-derived macrophages were stimulated with cecal content from dysbiotic mice showing a higher expression of proinflammatory cytokines and lower expression of IL-10. Dysbiotic mice showed higher levels of viable bacteria in the lungs and spleen when acutely infected with P. aeruginosa, with more lung and cecal damage and increased IL-10 expression in bronchoalveolar lavage. The susceptible and tissue damage phenotype was reversed when dysbiotic mice received fecal microbiota transplantation. In spite of higher recruitment of CD11b+ cells in the lungs, there was no higher CD80+ expression, DC+ cell amounts or proinflammatory cytokine expression. Taken together, our results indicate that the bacterial community found in vancomycin-induced dysbiosis dysregulates the gut inflammatory status, influencing the lung-gut immunologic axis to favor increased opportunistic infections, for example, by P. aeruginosa.
Making HIS mice more human-like
Authors: Simpson John A. , Brown Matthew E.
Published: November 2019

Discussion on exhaustion/senescence marker profiles on human T cells in BRGSF-A2 humanized mice and how they resemble those in human samples; describes how this model fits into the humanized-mouse research field.
Impact of abiotic stressors on native rhizospheric bacterial community of Cajanus cajan
Authors: Anand Gautam , Bisaria Virendra S. , Sharma Shilpi
Published: November 2019

Salinity and drought are the major abiotic stresses that limit agricultural productivity. Application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is an attractive technology but with the bottlenecks of reduced efficacy and survivability in the environment. For increased efficiency of PGPR strains, the impact of stresses on the native bacterial community needs to be studied. Experimentally induced stresses would be ideal to assess the immediate perturbances in the structure of soil bacterial community. Hence, the study focused on the effect of experimentally‐induced salinity, and drought stress on rhizospheric bacterial community of Cajanus cajan. A plant growth experiment was set up to induce salinity and drought stresses. Shifts in the bacterial community were assessed by a culture‐independent technique of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis using 16S ribosomal RNA gene and transcript as markers, leading to a comparison of the resident with the active bacterial community. The impact on plant was evaluated by measurement of plant biometrics. Further, salinity and drought‐stressed conditions led to distinct shifts in native and active rhizospheric bacterial community, corresponding to the higher decline at induction of stresses, and stabilization at later time points. The study encompasses the perturbations in the active and resident rhizospheric bacterial community caused by the induction of two different abiotic stresses along the plant's growth.
Expression of colony‐stimulating factor 1 and interleukin‐34 in gingival tissue and gingival fibroblasts from periodontitis patients and controls
Authors: Clark Reuben , Zwicker Stephanie , Bureik Daniela , Johannsen Gunnar , Boström Elisabeth A.
Published: November 2019

Background

Colony‐stimulating factor 1 (CSF‐1) and interleukin (IL)‐34 are important for the functions of myeloid lineage cells and are involved in several chronic inflammatory conditions associated with tissue degeneration. The aim of this study is to evaluate the expression of CSF‐1 and IL‐34 in gingival tissue and gingival fibroblasts (GF) from patients with periodontitis and controls.

Methods

Gingival biopsies were obtained from 19 periodontitis patients and 15 controls. Expression of CSF‐1 and IL‐34 in gingival tissue was assessed by western blot and localization by immunohistochemistry. Expression of CSF1 and IL34 mRNA in GF was analyzed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction and protein expression visualized by immunofluorescence stainings. CSF‐1 and IL‐34 secretion from GF was evaluated in response to tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), IL‐1β, Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (Ec‐LPS) and Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (Pg‐LPS) stimulation, using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays.

Results

CSF‐1 was increased in gingival tissue from periodontitis patients compared with controls (P < 0.05) whereas IL‐34 expression was similar. In GF from a non‐periodontitis donor, stimulation with either TNF‐α, IL‐1β, Ec‐LPS, or Pg‐LPS, increased the secretion of CSF‐1 (P < 0.05) and Ec‐LPS stimulation increased IL‐34 (P < 0.05). CSF‐1 and IL‐34 were expressed and secreted constitutively from GF, with comparable levels in GF from periodontitis patients and controls. Inflammatory stimuli increased the secretion of CSF‐1 and IL‐34 with comparable levels measured from GF from periodontitis patients and controls (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The expression of CSF‐1 and IL‐34 in gingival tissue and fibroblasts suggests involvement in myeloid cell functions during periodontal inflammation.
Guided tissue regeneration combined with bone allograft in infrabony defects: Clinical outcomes and assessment of prognostic factors
Authors: Majzoub Jad , Barootchi Shayan , Tavelli Lorenzo , Wang Chin‐Wei , Chan Hsun‐Liang , Wang Hom‐Lay
Published: November 2019

Background

Clinical data on the outcomes of guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is scarce. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the outcomes after GTR, their stability and the survival of the treated teeth with periodontal infrabony defects.

Methods

Infrabony defects treated with GTR using a bioabsorbable membrane and a bone graft substitute with at least 1‐year follow‐up were included. Survival and regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the outcomes, their stability, and the retention of the teeth. The effect of recorded variables on clinical attachment gain (CAL) and tooth survival were assessed via Cox proportional‐hazards models and multivariate generalized linear models.

Results

One hundred seventy‐five treated defects were selected from a total of 641 charts. The average follow‐up was 5.75 ± 4.6 years. At baseline, the mean CAL was 9.56 ± 1.93 mm with a mean pocket depth (PD) of 8.41 ± 1.42 mm. At the 1‐year post‐surgical recall, 3.55 ± 1.85 mm of CAL gain and 3.87 ± 1.87 mm PD reduction were observed (P < 0.05). The 5‐ and 10‐year survival rates of the treated teeth were 85.0% and 72.7%, respectively. Baseline PD, smoking, and membrane exposure were significantly related to CAL gain, whereas baseline CAL, age, frequency in maintenance visits significantly affected tooth survival.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this study, data suggests GTR is a good option for the treatment of infrabony defects because it can improve both tooth retention rate and overall clinical outcomes.
Whole transcriptome analysis of smoker palatal mucosa identifies multiple downregulated innate immunity genes
Authors: Wang Yun , Anderson Eric P. , Tatakis Dimitris N.
Published: November 2019

Background

Smoking has significant negative impact on periodontal health and treatment outcomes. The molecular effects of smoking on oral immune homeostasis have not been fully elucidated. The present study aimed to provide a comprehensive assessment of smoking‐associated gene expression changes in healthy palatal mucosa and to identify potentially implicated immunologic pathways.

Methods

Palatal biopsies, in the form of connective tissue grafts, were obtained from periodontally healthy smokers and non‐smokers. Smoking status was biochemically verified (exhaled air CO and serum cotinine). Tissue samples were processed for next generation sequencing, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and immunohistochemistry. Gene set enrichment/pathway analysis and correlation analysis between gene expression and serum cotinine levels were also performed.

Results

Analysis of palatal tissues from 12 non‐smokers and 10 smokers identified 830 significantly (P <0.05) differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 249 with fold change (FC) >2. Most increased in expression (≥5‐FC) were CYP1A1, CYP1B1, and USP17L9P; most decreased (≥6‐FC) were IL36A, DEFB4A, DEFB4B, SPRR2F, CCL20, KLK6, and ADH4. 203 DEGs (FC >2) were significantly correlated with serum cotinine levels. Significant enrichment pathways for cotinine‐associated genes include antimicrobial humoral response, regulation of humoral response and various metabolic processes. qPCR and immunohistochemistry confirmed gene and protein expression of selected DEGs.

Conclusions

Smoking has a significant effect on the transcriptome of normal human palatal mucosa and seems to target genes important for innate immune defenses, which may prove to be one of the key mechanisms by which tobacco smoking leads to increased periodontitis susceptibility.
New major element analyses of proximal tephras from the Azores and suggested correlations with cryptotephras in North‐West Europe
Authors: Wastegård Stefan , Johansson Hans , Pacheco José M.
Published: November 2019

The Azores Archipelago is one of the most active volcanic areas in the North Atlantic region. Approximately 30 eruptions have been reported over the last 600 years with some major VEI 5 (Volcanic Explosivity Index) eruptions further back in time. The geochemical composition of associated tephra‐derived glass, however, is not well characterized. An Azorean origin of cryptotephras found in distal areas such as North Africa, the British Isles and Greenland has been suggested, but proximal data from the Azores are scarce and the correlations have only been tentative. These tephras have a traychtic composition, which excludes an Icelandic origin. In a previous study, we presented major element analyses of proximal tephra‐derived glass from five Holocene eruptions on the Azores Islands. There is a striking geochemical similarity between tephras from volcanoes on São Miguel and Irish cryptotephras, and especially with eruptives from the Furnas volcano. Here we present new analyses of proximal tephras that confirm and strengthen a link between Furnas and cryptotephras found in south‐west Ireland. We also suggest a correlation between a previously unsourced tephra found in a Swedish bog with an eruption of the Sete Cidades volcano c. 3880 a cal BP.
Probing ring contraction and decarboxylation of Rhodizonate and the influence of Cu (II) using surface‐enhanced Raman Scattering
Authors: Milán‐Garcés Erix A. , Georgopoulos Stéfanos Leite , Barros Santos Patrícia , Sato Fernando , Sant'Ana Antonio Carlos , Andrade Gustavo F.S. , de Oliveira Luiz Fernando Cappa
Published: November 2019

Understanding ring contraction and decarboxylation reactions is critical to different fields of chemistry. The reaction of conversion of rhodizonate (Rho) to croconate (Cro) in solution was proposed to occur by initially α‐oxo‐alcohol ring contraction followed by decarboxylation reaction. In the present study, SERS (surface‐enhanced Raman scattering) spectroscopy was used for real‐time label free measurement of the kinetics of this reaction in solution. It was observed that Rho remained as the predominant species for the first two hours, and after that different intermediate and product species were detected via spectral characterization. In 24 hours Rho was consumed and the SERS spectrum was assigned to a intermediate species, which in combination with DFT calculation was unambiguously identified as a previously proposed five‐membered ring intermediate. It was probed the catalytic influence of Cu (II) ions in the rapidly conversion of such intermediate to Cro and/or Cu (II)‐Cro complex. The results suggest that Cu (II) ions catalyze the decarboxylation step of reaction probably by initially attacking the carboxyl group of the intermediate species. This study shows that SERS can be broadly applied to study slow ring contraction of Rho and catalyzed decarboxylation reactions in solution with detection of intermediate species which are not easily accessible by other techniques.
Silver nanoparticle probe for colorimetric detection of aminoglycoside antibiotics: picomolar‐level sensitivity toward streptomycin in water, serum, and milk samples
Authors: Ghodake Gajanan , Shinde Surendra , Saratale Rijuta Ganesh , Kadam Avinash , Saratale Ganesh Dattatraya , Syed Asad , Marraiki Najat , Elgorban Abdullah M. , Kim Dae‐Young
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

The low cost of aminoglycoside (AMG) antibiotics facilitates their excessive use in animal husbandry and the agriculture sector. This scenario has led to the occurrence of residues in the food chain. After several years of AMG use in antibacterial therapy, resistance to streptomycin has begun to appear. Most of the detection methods developed for AMG antibiotics lacks specificity. A broad target specific nanoprobe would be ideal for detecting the entire class of AMGs. A rapid and sensitive method for the detection of AMGs is urgently needed.

RESULTS

Gallic acid‐coated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were demonstrated as a nanoprobe for the colorimetric detection of AMGs (yellow to orange / red). A linear dynamic range of 50–650 pmol L−1 was achieved readily by ratiometric spectrophotometry (A560/A400) with a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 36 pmol L−1. The amine‐groups of the AMGs function as molecular linkers, so that electrostatic coupling interactions between neighboring particles drive the formation of AgNP aggregates. The assay can also be applied for the determination of streptomycin residues in serum and milk samples.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed the potential of an AgNP probe for the rapid and cost‐effective detection of low‐molecular‐weight target analytes, such as the AMGs. A ligand‐induced aggregation of AgNPs coated with gallic acid was reported to be a rapid and sensitive assay for AMGs. Analysis of streptomycin was demonstrated with excellent picomolar‐level sensitivity. Thus, the validated method can find practical applications in the ultrasensitive detection of AMGs in complex and diagnostic settings. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Addition of lipophilic grape seed proanthocyanidin effectively reduces acrylamide formation
Authors: Yu Shujuan , Chen Zhaojie , Meng Hecheng , Chen Mingshun
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

In this article the relationship between lipophilic grape seed proanthocyanidin (LGSP) and acrylamide formation in potato‐based products was investigated. The acrylamide, reducing sugar, asparagine, and 3‐aminopropionamide contents were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS). Sensory evaluation was used to evaluate the quality of the products.

RESULTS

The results showed that LGSP presented greater inhibition effect on the acrylamide formation than the commonly used commercial antioxidants. Furthermore, 81.5% and 84.7% of acrylamide was reduced in potato crisps and French fries after adding 0.1% and 0.05% LGSP (w/w) in palm oil, respectively. When the concentrations of LGSP were less than 0.1%, there was no significant difference between LGSP‐treated samples and control sample for sensory evaluation.

CONCLUSION

Thus, LGSP is effective in reducing the level of acrylamide and maintaining the reasonable sensory attributes of potato fried foods. The results indicate that LGSP may be used as a potential additive for reducing acrylamide formation in fried foods. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Structural and antioxidant analysis of Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tartaricum Gaertn.) 13S globulin
Authors: Zhou Yiming , Jiang Yue , Shi Ronghua , Chen Zhidong , Li Zongjie , Wei Yun , Zhou Xiaoli
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

The main component of buckwheat seed storage proteins is 13S globulin. In this study, Tartary buckwheat 13S globulin was separated and its structural features were investigated using Edman sequencing and matrix‐assisted laser desorption / ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS). The protective effect of its enzymatic hydrolysates against oxidative stress induced by H2O2 was also evaluated to elucidate the antioxidant mechanism.

RESULTS

Results showed that the isolated Tartary buckwheat 13S globulin contained one acidic and one basic subunit, which were linked by a disulfide bond. Six Tartary buckwheat active peptides were obtained from the enzymatic hydrolysates of Tartary buckwheat 13S globulin acidic subunit with a molecular weight of 38 kDa, namely Pep‐1, Pep‐2, Pep‐3, Pep‐4, Pep‐5, and Pep‐6. Pre‐treatment of cells with Tartary buckwheat active peptides maintained the redox state balance of HepG2 cells and protected the activity of antioxidant enzymes in HepG2 cells. The Tartary buckwheat active peptides improved oxidative stress in HepG2 cells via the PPAR‐α/HO‐1 pathway.

CONCLUSION

These results provide an insight into the antioxidant mechanism of Tartary buckwheat 13S globulin and suggest that Tartary buckwheat active peptides can be used as a functional ingredient in the food industry. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Duodenal neuroendocrine tumors: Impact of tumor size and total number of lymph nodes examined
Authors: Zhang Xu‐Feng , Wu Xiao‐Ning , Tsilimigras Diamantis I. , Poultsides George , Rocha Flavio , Abbott Daniel E. , Fields Ryan , Idrees Kamran , Cho Cliff , Maithel Shishir K. , Pawlik Timothy M. ,   other members of the US Neuroendocrine Tumor Study Group
Published: November 2019

Background

The current study sought to investigate the impact of tumor size and total number of LN examined (TNLE) on the incidence of lymph node metastasis (LNM) among patients with duodenal neuroendocrine tumor (dNET).

Methods

Patients who underwent curative resection for dNETs between 1997‐2016 were identified from 8 high‐volume US centers. Risk factors associated with overall survival and LNM were identified and the optimal cut‐off of TNLE relative to LNM was determined.

Results

Among 162 patients who underwent resection of dNETs, median patient age was 59 (interquartile range [IQR], 51‐68) years and median tumor size was 1.2 cm (IQR, 0.7‐2.0 cm); a total of 101 (62.3%) patients underwent a concomitant LND at the time of surgery. Utilization of lymphadenectomy (LND) increased relative to tumor size (≤1 cm:52.2% vs 1‐2 cm:61.4% vs >2 cm:93.8%; P < .05). Similarly, the incidence of LNM increased with dNET size (≤1 cm: 40.0% vs 1‐2 cm:65.7% vs >2 cm:80.0%; P < .05). TNLE ≥ 8 had the highest discriminatory power relative to the incidence of LNM (area under the curve = 0.676). On multivariable analysis, while LNM was not associated with prognosis (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.9; 95% confidence intervals [95%CI], 0.4‐2.3), G2/G3 tumor grade was (HR = 1.5; 95%CI, 1.0‐2.1).

Conclusions

While the incidence of LNM directly correlated with tumor size, patients with dNETs ≤ 1 cm had a 40% incidence of LNM. Regional lymphadenectomy of a least 8 LN was needed to stage patients accurately.
Systematic microbial production of optically active dissolved organic matter in subarctic lake water
Authors: Berggren Martin , Gudasz Cristian , Guillemette Francois , Hensgens Geert , Ye Linlin , Karlsson Jan
Published: November 2019

The ecology and biogeochemistry of lakes in the subarctic region are particularly sensitive to changes in the abundance and optical properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM). External input of colored DOM to these lakes is an extensively researched topic, but little is known about potential reciprocal feedbacks between the optical properties of DOM and internal microbial processes in the water. We performed 28‐day dark laboratory incubation trials on water from 101 subarctic tundra lakes in northern Sweden, measuring the microbial decay of DOM and the resulting dynamics in colored (CDOM) and fluorescent (FDOM) DOM components. While losses in dissolved oxygen during the incubations corresponded to a 20% decrease in mean DOM, conversely the mean CDOM and total FDOM increased by 22% and 30%, respectively. However, the patterns in microbial transformation of the DOM were not the same in all lakes. Notably, along the gradient of increasing ambient CDOM (water brownness), the lakes showed decreased microbial production of protein‐like fluorescence, lowered DOM turnover rates and decreasing bacterial growth per unit of DOM. These trends indicate that browning of subarctic lakes systematically change the way that bacteria interact with the ambient DOM pool. Our study underscores that there is no unidirectional causal link between microbial processes and DOM optical properties, but rather reciprocal dependence between the two.
The ethical underpinnings of nonmaterialistic values and voluntary simplicity behavior in the United States
Authors: Peifer Jared L. , Chugani Sunaina , Roos J. Micah
Published: November 2019

Many scholars agree overconsumption is a serious ethical problem because of its adverse effects on the environment. This multimethod article uses two studies to explore the ethical underpinnings of two related consumer expressions of anticonsumption: nonmaterialism, which refers to not placing importance on material goods, and voluntary simplicity, which refers to reducing consumption behavior. Study 1 employs Structural Equation Models of secondary U.S. data and finds that nonmaterialism and voluntary simplicity have unique ethical underpinnings: Nonmaterialism is positively associated with an ethical ideology focused on universal rules and principles while voluntary simplicity is associated with an ethical ideology focused on the consequences of one's actions. Because engagement in voluntary simplicity can reduce overconsumption, Study 2 identifies which specific other‐oriented environmental concerns increase voluntary simplicity and for whom. An online experiment indicates that concerns about contributing to landfill waste and depleting natural resources induce voluntary simplicity for those who base their decisions on consequentialist ethical ideologies and concerns about contributing to climate change increases voluntary simplicity across consumers. These findings contribute to the discussion on anticonsumption by delineating key anticonsumption constructs, identifying messages to effectively reduce consumption behavior, and identifying consumers who are most likely to respond to such appeals.
The serine transporter SdaC prevents cell lysis upon glucose depletion in Escherichia coli
Authors: Kriner Michelle A. , Subramaniam Arvind R.
Published: November 2019

The amino acid serine plays diverse metabolic roles, yet bacteria actively degrade exogenously provided serine via deamination to pyruvate. Serine deamination is thought to be a detoxification mechanism due to the ability of serine to inhibit several biosynthetic reactions, but this pathway remains highly active even in nutrient‐replete conditions. While investigating the physiological roles of serine deamination in different growth conditions, we discovered that Escherichia coli cells lacking the sdaCB operon, which encodes the serine transporter SdaC and the serine deaminase SdaB, lyse upon glucose depletion in a medium containing no exogenous serine but all other amino acids and nucleobases. Unexpectedly, this lysis phenotype can be recapitulated by deleting sdaC alone and can be rescued by heterologous expression of SdaC. Lysis of ΔsdaC cells can be prevented by omitting glycine from the medium, inhibiting the glycine cleavage system, or by increasing alanine availability. Together, our results reveal that the serine transporter SdaC plays a critical role in maintaining amino acid homeostasis during shifts in nutrient availability in E. coli.
A novel chaotic modulation approach of packaged antenna for secured wireless medical sensor network in E‐healthcare applications
Authors: Jayawickrama Chamindra , Kumar Sandeep , Chakrabartty Shubro , Song Hanjung
Published: November 2019

This article first time reports the chaotic modulation approach toward RF signal processing for secured wireless medical sensor network (WMSN) in E‐healthcare applications. A Lorenz based chaotic modulation approach is implemented which provides lowest bit error rate (BER). The definite analytical expressions for BER in a differential chaos‐shift keying (DCSK) modulation scheme is derived and it predicted good correlation between simulated and theoretical. It is observed that proposed Lorenz chaos‐based DCSK modulation scheme is a potential candidate to provide high security in the patient data for WMSN. An off‐body UWB slotted antenna is designed which could avoid limitation of short‐range distance like implanted ones. The entire work includes numerical, simulated and experimental data in three phases. In first phase, Lorenz chaotic oscillator with electronics compatibility is executed which acts as data acquisition unit and demonstrates two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional chaos attractors. While in the second phase, analysis of BER achieves value of less than 10−4 by providing pseudorandom bit sequence at 5 Gb/s. A chaos modulated envelope using Lorenz based DCSK modulation is obtained by delay element γ. Finally, the third phase is designed on‐wafer off‐body antenna and demonstrates 3.1 to 10.6 GHz UWB toward RF signal processing in E‐healthcare applications.
6 GHz electromagnetic wave guiding along a femtosecond laser plasma filament
Authors: Liu Yang , Chen Zongsheng , Cheng Li , Sun Ke , Shi Jiaming
Published: November 2019

To study the electromagnetic (EM) wave guiding performance of the plasma filament generated by the intense femtosecond (fs) laser pulse, a 3D physical model of the wave‐plasma interaction is built and discussed with the commercial simulation software XFDTD. Then, an experiment is conducted to verify the EM wave guiding performance of the fs laser plasma filament. Our investigation illustrates that the 6 GHz EM wave can propagate along the fs plasma filament, making the EM field enhance out of the rectangular waveguide and attenuate in the rectangular waveguide. Besides, the filament can cause 4.74 dB enhancement of the wave energy relative to freely propagating the signal. Furthermore, the experimental result indicates that the guiding performance of the plasma filament on the TE polarization wave is better than that on the TM one, which is consistent with the theoretical result. For TE polarization wave, the plasma filament can reduce the microwave signal in the waveguide, which is lesser than that of the Cu wire in the experiment. The research results confirm that the fs laser plasma filament can guide the EM wave with a better performance relative to freely propagating the signal.
First experimental measurement of the effect of cardio‐synchronous brain motion on the dose distribution during microbeam radiation therapy
Authors: Duncan Mitchell , Donzelli Mattia , Pellicioli Paolo , Brauer‐Krisch Elke , Davis Jeremy A. , Lerch Michael L.F. , Rosenfeld Anatoly B. , Petasecca Marco
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) is an emerging radiation oncology modality ideal for treating inoperable brain tumors. MRT employs quasi‐parallel beams of low‐energy x rays produced from modern synchrotrons. A tungsten carbide multislit collimator (MSC) spatially fractionates the broad beam into rectangular beams. In this study, the MSC creates beams 50 μm wide (“peaks”) separated by a center‐to‐center distance of 400 μm (“valleys”). The peak to valley dose ratio (PVDR) is of critical importance to the efficacy of MRT. The underlying radiobiological advantage of MRT relies on high peak dose for tumor control and low valley dose for healthy tissue sparing.

Cardio synchronous brain motion of the order 100–200 μm is comparable to microbeam width and spacing. The motion can have a detrimental effect on the PVDR, full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the microbeams, and ultimately the dose distribution. We present the first experimental measurement of the effect of brain motion on MRT dose distribution. Dosimetry in MRT is difficult due to the high dose rate (up to 15–20 kGy/s) and small field sizes.

Methods

A real‐time dosimetry system based on a single silicon strip detector (SSSD) has been developed with spatial resolution ~10 μm. The SSSD was placed in a water‐equivalent phantom and scanned through the microbeam distribution. A monodirectional positioning stage reproduced brain motion during the acquisition. Microbeam profiles were reconstructed from the SSSD and compared with Geant4 simulation and radiochromic HD‐V2 film.

Results

The SSSD is able to reconstruct dose profiles within 2 μm compared to film. When brain motion is applied the SSSD shows a two time increase in FWHM of profiles and 50% reduction in PVDR. This is confirmed by Geant4 and film data.

Conclusions

Motion‐induced misalignment and distortion of microbeams at treatment delivery will result in a reduced PVDR and increased irradiation of additional healthy tissue compromising the radiobiological effectiveness of MRT. The SSSD was able to reconstruct dose profiles under motion conditions and predict similar effects on FWHM and PVDR as by the simulation. The SSSD is a simple to setup, real‐time detector which can provide time‐resolved high spatial resolution dosimetry of microbeams in MRT.
The effect of weak intermolecular interactions on the nuclear magnetic resonance shielding constant in N2
Authors: Hapka Michał , Jaszuński Michał
Published: November 2019

Ab initio calculations are applied to examine the influence of the intermolecular interactions on the shielding constant in gaseous nitrogen. An accurate literature potential energy surface and the nuclear magnetic resonance shielding surface of the N2–N2 complex calculated in this work provide results in satisfactory agreement with the available experimental estimates of the effect.
Effect of respiratory motion on free‐breathing 3D stack‐of‐radial liver relaxometry and improved quantification accuracy using self‐gating
Authors: Zhong Xiaodong , Armstrong Tess , Nickel Marcel D. , Kannengiesser Stephan A.R. , Pan Li , Dale Brian M. , Deshpande Vibhas , Kiefer Berthold , Wu Holden H.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

To develop an accurate free‐breathing 3D liver mapping approach and to evaluate it in vivo.

Methods

A free‐breathing multi‐echo stack‐of‐radial sequence was applied in 5 normal subjects and 6 patients at 3 Tesla. Respiratory motion compensation was implemented using the inherent self‐gating signal. A breath‐hold Cartesian acquisition was the reference standard. Proton density fat fraction and were measured and compared between radial and Cartesian methods using Bland‐Altman plots. The normal subject results were fitted to a linear mixed model (P < .05 considered significant).

Results

Free‐breathing stack‐of‐radial without self‐gating exhibited signal attenuation in echo images and artifactually elevated apparent values. In the Bland‐Altman plots of normal subjects, compared to breath‐hold Cartesian, free‐breathing stack‐of‐radial acquisitions of 22, 30, 36, and 44 slices, had mean differences of 27.4, 19.4, 10.9, and 14.7 s−1 with 800 radial views, and they had 18.4, 11.9, 9.7, and 27.7 s−1 with 404 views, which were reduced to 0.4, 0.9, −0.2, and −0.7 s−1 and to −1.7, −1.9, −2.1, and 0.5 s−1 with self‐gating, respectively. No substantial proton density fat fraction differences were found. The linear mixed model showed free‐breathing radial results without self‐gating were significantly biased by 17.2 s−1 averagely (P = .002), which was eliminated with self‐gating (P = .930). Proton density fat fraction results were not different (P > .234). For patients, Bland‐Altman plots exhibited mean differences of 14.4 and 0.1 s−1 for free‐breathing stack‐of‐radial without self‐gating and with self‐gating, respectively, but no substantial proton density fat fraction differences.

Conclusion

The proposed self‐gating method corrects the respiratory motion bias and enables accurate free‐breathing stack‐of‐radial quantification of liver .
Optimization of time‐variable‐parameter model for data‐based soft sensor of industrial debutanizer
Authors: Parvizi Moghadam Roja , Sadeghi Jafar , Shahraki Farhad
Published: November 2019

The enhancement of modern process control methods has caused the popularity of soft sensors in online quality prediction. It is significant to consider the reduction of model complexity, the performance increment, and decrement of input variables in soft sensor design, simultaneously. The aim of this paper is designing and applying a new data‐based soft sensor with minimum input variables for the enhancement of product quality estimation. Time‐varying‐parameter model by employing the Kalman filter and fixed interval smoothing algorithms has been developed to determine the dynamic transfer function and parameters setting based on time. A novel hybrid method with a dynamic autoregressive exogenous variable model and genetic algorithm has been presented for both state identification and parameter prediction. The combinatorial optimization problem has constructed based on a selection of input variables and an evaluation of Akaike information criterion as a fitness function. An industrial debutanizer column has been used for soft sensor performance validation. The result has indicated that the final soft sensor model in comparison to other presented soft sensing methods for this case has less complexity, fewer input variables, more robust and higher predictive performance. Due to fewer input variables, rapid convergence, and low complexity of this model, it can be efficient in industrial processes control, time‐saving, and improvement of quality prediction.
The physics of ion migration in perovskite solar cells: Insights into hysteresis, device performance, and characterization
Authors: Lan Dongchen
Published: November 2019

Perovskite solar cells promise to reach the highest efficiencies at the lowest costs, but the mobile ions create challenges in both cell measurements and performance improvement. Being able to understand the ion migration mechanism and its impacts would help to solve relevant issues and may open up opportunities for further development. Although some efforts have been made here, explanations are often too exotic resulting in not only some controversies but the neglect of some important aspects addressable by familiar concepts. This paper uses familiar knowledge in solar cell device physics to explain the ion migration mechanism and its impacts under conditions of interests. It is shown that, when depletion layers contract such as in a forward current‐voltage scan, tardy ionic charges can distort the perovskite bands hence reduce the net currents before they move to new equilibriums, causing the hysteresis effect. As ion migration impacts the electron and hole distributions, it can affect the Shockley‐Read‐Hall and Auger processes differently, hence may either reduce or increase the ratio of radiative to nonradiative recombination. This previously unaddressed mechanism for variation in the electron‐hole recombination can explain photoluminescence quenching and enhancement as well as performance degradation and improvement during ion migration.
Molekülrotation gefilmt
Authors: Karamatskos Evangelos T. , Küpper Jochen
Published: November 2019

Die Kombination eines ultrakalten Molekülensembles mit präzise abgestimmten Laserpulsen ermöglicht die Erzeugung und zeitlich hochaufgelöste Beobachtung eines molekularen Rotationswellenpakets. Der Molekülfilm zeigt den Quantenteppich der Interferenzen über die gesamte Rotationsperiode und demonstriert die hohe Kontrolle über die Ausrichtung der Moleküle im Raum.
Der „Erfinder“ des Treibhauseffektes
Authors: Loos Andreas
Published: November 2019

„Von mittlerer Größe und stämmig untersetzt, erschien er äußerlich eher an Ländlichem als an Akademischem interessiert“, befindet ein Zeitgenosse und fügt an: „Er erzählte mir einst, er habe nie mehr als sechs Stunden am Tag produktiv gearbeitet.“ Allerdings bescheinigt er ihm eine große Konzentrationsfähigkeit und eine sehr wirtschaftliche und methodische Arbeitsweise.
Primo Levis periodisches System
Authors: Mecke Klaus
Published: November 2019

Unser Leben hängt von den Eigenschaften der chemischen Elemente ab wie unsere Sprache von den Buchstaben des Alphabets. Die Ordnung des Sichtbaren kann Unsichtbares zur Sprache bringen, weshalb Primo Levi meint, dass „das Periodische System von Mendelejew Poesie sei“ und „jedes Element jedem etwas zu sagen“ hat.
Glycoprotein A as a biomarker of pulmonary infection and inflammation in children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Kevat Ajay C. , Carzino Rosemary , Vidmar Suzanna , Ranganathan Sarath
Published: November 2019

Background

Serum Glycoprotein A (GlycA) levels are increased in a variety of inflammatory disease states. However, GlycA has not been previously evaluated in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). We assessed the relationship between GlycA and pulmonary infection, inflammation, bronchial wall thickening (BWT) and bronchiectasis in young children with CF.

Methods

From 95 patients, we obtained 311 paired serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples at multiple timepoints, with concurrent chest computed tomography on 168 occasions. Quantitative GlycA was determined using high‐throughput nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomic testing. Participants were considered to be infected if ≥1 significant proinflammatory organism was isolated from their BAL. The presence of free neutrophil elastase (NE) above the limit of detection was considered evidence of inflammation. The relationships between GlycA levels and infection state, inflammation, and bronchiectasis were examined using a generalized estimating equation approach.

Results

There was a positive relationship between GlycA (mean 1.01 mmol/L, range 0.68‐1.92 mmol/L) and being infected with one or more proinflammatory organisms, even after adjusting for age and gender (odds ratio [OR], 1.2 per 0.1 mmol/L, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02, 1.4, P = .03). There was also a positive relationship between GlycA and NE (unadjusted OR, 1.2 95% CI, 1.01, 1.4, P = .04), not significant after adjustment. GlycA concentration was associated with BWT but not bronchiectasis.

Conclusions

Although GlycA levels were higher on average in those who had an infection or neutrophilic inflammation, there was also considerable variability, limiting the clinical utility of this biomarker alone in determining early disease status in CF.
Flexible docking of peptides to proteins using CABS‐dock
Authors: Kurcinski Mateusz , Badaczewska‐Dawid Aleksandra , Kolinski Michal , Kolinski Andrzej , Kmiecik Sebastian
Published: November 2019

Molecular docking of peptides to proteins can be a useful tool in the exploration of the possible peptide binding sites and poses. CABS‐dock is a method for protein–peptide docking that features significant conformational flexibility of both the peptide and the protein molecules during the peptide search for a binding site. The CABS‐dock has been made available as a web server and a standalone package. The web server is an easy to use tool with a simple web interface. The standalone package is a command‐line program dedicated to professional users. It offers a number of advanced features, analysis tools and support for large‐sized systems. In this article, we outline the current status of the CABS‐dock method, its recent developments, applications, and challenges ahead.
Matrix Encapsulation of Solution‐Processed Thiophene‐Based Fluorophores for Enhanced Red and Green Amplified Spontaneous Emission
Authors: Han Yamin , Sun Chen , Bai Lubing , Zuo Zongyan , Xu Man , Yu Mengna , An Xiang , Wei Chuanxin , Lin Jinyi , Wang Ning , Ou Changjin , Xie Linghai , Ding Xuehua , Cabanillas-Gonzalez Juan , Huang Wei
Published: November 2019

Precise control of exciton behavior is key in constructing high‐performance material systems for optoelectronic applications. Intrinsic sulfur in building aromatic units always results in strong aggregation, which causes exciton quenching, polaron formation, and enhanced nonradiative components. Herein, a series of solution‐processed thiophene‐based diarylfluorene derivatives is demonstrated and these fluorophores are encapsulated in the matrix system to suppress polaron formation for efficient green and red amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). A systematic photophysical study in solution, neat films, and polystyrene (PS)‐based encapsulated systems reveals that their emission behaviors are substantially promoted in PS encapsulated matrix due to the suppressed intermolecular aggregation. Furthermore, fs‐transient absorption (TA) measurements confirm that the encapsulated systems present stimulated emission (SE) and obtain the same intramolecular excited‐state character to those in solution, associated with the effective suppression of polaron formation and exciton quenched, in opposition to neat films with broad photoinduced absorption (PA) bands. Therefore, in contrast to the neat spin‐coated film without gain processing, these encapsulated systems give rise to notable optical gain properties with threshold values for green and red ASE as low as 70 μJ cm−2. Molecular encapsulation is an effective strategy to precisely enhance exciton behavior and emission efficiency for optoelectronic applications.
The effect of Seidlitzia rosmarinus (eshnan) on the prevention of recurrent cystitis in women of reproductive age: A randomized, controlled, clinical trial
Authors: Kamalifard Mahin , Abbasalizadeh Shamsi , Mirghafourvand Mojgan , Bastani Parvin , Gholizadeh Shamasbi Sevda , Khodaei Laleh , Gholizadeh Golchehreh
Published: November 2019

The World Health Organization has recommended herbal medicine for treatment and control of recurrent cystitis. This study was conducted to determine effect of eshnan on the prevention of recurrent cystitis. The present triple‐blind clinical trial was conducted on 126 women (63 women per group) with recurrent cystitis. The participants were assigned to the intervention and control groups. Three 500‐mg eshnan or placebo tablets were taken orally with a glass full of water by the participants half an hour after each meal for 2 months. The study subjects were clinically and paraclinically evaluated by the end of the second, fourth, and sixth months after the intervention and every time they showed clinical symptoms of cystitis. The present findings showed that the incidence rate of cystitis and symptoms of cystitis was significantly lower in the eshnan group compared with the placebo group 2, 4, and 6 months after the intervention (p < .05). The incidence of recurrent was also significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the control group (p < .001). No side effects were observed in the intervention and control groups. The consumption of eshnan can improve the symptoms of cystitis and prevent the incidence of recurrent cystitis in women of reproductive age.