bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anomaly identification with few labeled data in the distillation process based on semisupervised ladder networks
Authors: Li Chuankun , Xu Wei , Zhao Dongfeng , Yuan Zhuang , Shi Jihao , Wang Chunli
Published: October 2020

High repeatability of similar information but a lack of typical fault features, in the monitoring data of distillation processes for continuous production, leads to a small proportion of data with labels. Therefore, the requirement for a large number of labeled samples in conventional deep learning models cannot be met, resulting in significant performance degradation in their anomaly identification. In this paper, an intelligent anomaly identification method for small samples is proposed, based on semisupervised deep learning. Specifically, on the basis of a deep denoising autoencoder (DAE), semisupervised ladder networks (SSLN) is constructed to use a large number of unlabeled, process data to assist the supervised learning process, thus improving the performance of the anomaly identification model. In order to construct the optimum SSLN model, the influences of parameters such as the number of deep network layers, the proportion of labeled samples, and the noise intensity on identification accuracy are analyzed while making the information flow in the network more efficient. Experimental results of anomaly identification in the depropanization distillation process show that compared with the conventional multilayer perception (MLP) and convolutional neural network (CNN)‐DAE models, the proposed method can obtain a higher diagnostic accuracy in the case with limited labeled process data.
Development of a loop‐mediated isothermal amplification method for the rapid detection of Venturia carpophila on peach
Authors: Zhou Yang , Fan Fei , Wang Li , Chaisiri Chingchai , Yin Liang‐Fen , Yin Wei‐Xiao , Luo Chao‐Xi
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Peach scab, caused by Venturia carpophila, can significantly reduce both the yield and quality of peach fruit. It is difficult to distinguish peach scab from other peach diseases such as black spot and bacterial spot. An efficient assay is needed to identify V. carpophila in order to develop scientific management strategies.

RESULTS

A set of loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) primers was designed based on the internal transcribed spacer (rDNA‐ITS) sequence to detect V. carpophila. Compared with the conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, the LAMP method not only exhibited higher sensitivity and specificity in the detection of V. carpophila, but also required simpler equipment and less operational time. The minimum detectable concentration of V. carpophila genomic DNA with the LAMP method was 56.6 fg μl–1, which was 100 times lower than with the conventional PCR method. When eight fungal species including V. carpophila (23 isolates from 14 provinces) and one bacterial species were used with LAMP detection, only V. carpophila showed a color change, from brown to yellowish green, and ladder‐like bands in electrophoresis, indicating successful amplification. Moreover, when crude DNAs of peach fruit samples were used in LAMP detection, amplification was observed only from diseased fruits, and not from healthy fruits and the negative control.

CONCLUSION

The LAMP assay shows simplicity, rapidity, high sensitivity and specificity, and will be useful in distinguishing scab caused by Venturia carpophila from other diseases with similar symptoms. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Olive leaf extract attenuates adriamycin‐induced focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats via suppression of oxidative stress, hyperlipidemia, and fibrosis
Authors: Karanovic Danijela , Mihailovic‐Stanojevic Nevena , Miloradovic Zoran , Ivanov Milan , Vajic Una‐Jovana , Grujic‐Milanovic Jelica , Markovic‐Lipkovski Jasmina , Dekanski Dragana , Jovovic Djurdjica
Published: October 2020

Olive (Olea europaea L.) leaf extract (OLE) possesses powerful antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic, and anti‐inflammatory properties. The aim was to investigated the effects of OLE on the hyperlipidemia, antioxidant defense, heme oxygenase/biliverdin reductase (HO/BVR) pathway, inflammation, and fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS, a progressive form of chronic kidney disease) induced by adriamycin (2 mg/kg, i.v., twice in a 21‐day period). Daily treatment of OLE (80 mg/kg, p.o.) for 6 weeks suppressed protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation (p < .01 and p < .001, respectively), significantly increased antioxidant enzymes activities and normalized antioxidant capacity, leading to the improvement of antioxidant defense independently of the HO/BVR pathway. Furthermore, the values of triglycerides (p < .01), total, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < .05, both) were improved by OLE. OLE strongly prevented glomerulosclerosis, interstitial inflammation, and fibrosis (renal injury score, FSGS: 8 ± 0.45 vs. FSGS+OLE: 4.20 ± 1.07; p < .01), as evidenced by normalized fibronectin content (p < .001), suppressed interstitial inflammatory cells infiltration and collagen deposition, without changing cytokines expressions. OLE decreased blood pressure with a tendency to reduce urine albumin loss. These data suggest that OLE may be effective in slowing down the progression of FSGS.
IRMOF‐8: Theoretical evaluation of aluminum doping on hydrogen, methane, and hydrogen sulfide adsorption
Authors: Rodrigues Nailton Martins , Lisboa Dutra José Diogo , Martins João B. L. , Freire Ricardo Oliveira
Published: October 2020

The use of porous materials, aimed at increasing gas storage capacity at lower pressures, exploits physical adsorption and is an emerging strategy that is being widely investigated. In this scope, porous materials such as metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are a viable alternative, where structural modifications can enhance the properties of these materials and improve the degree of adsorption for a given gas. In this work, we evaluated the adsorption of methane, hydrogen, and hydrogen sulfide gases on pure isoreticular MOF (IRMOF)‐8 and aluminum‐doped IRMOF‐8 using density functional theory Perdew‐Burke‐Ernzerhof/DZVP and semiempirical AM1, PM3, PM6, PM6‐DH+, PM6‐DH2, PM6‐D3, and PM7 methods. Adsorption isotherms were calculated by means of Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations. It was found that doping did not provide a significant increase in the amount of adsorbed methane and hydrogen gases. Conversely, doping led to a considerable increase for hydrogen sulfide capture.
Extremal graphs on geometric‐arithmetic index of tetracyclic chemical graphs
Authors: Balachandran Selvaraj , Deng Hanyuan , Elumalai Suresh , Mansour Toufik
Published: October 2020

The main concern of this article is to present the complete classification of tetracyclic (chemical) graphs and establishing some extremal results with respect to the geometric‐arithmetic index, defined by , where dx denotes the degree of a vertex x in G. In addition, we characterize the extremal graphs of the first and second maximum values of geometric‐arithmetic index of n‐vertex (n ≥ 9) tetracyclic (chemical) graphs.
Generalized quantum similarity index: An application to pseudoharmonic oscillator with isospectral potentials in 3D
Authors: Ghosh Piu , Nath Debraj
Published: October 2020

Exact solutions of a pseudoharmonic oscillator and a family of isospectral potentials are investigated in spherical coordinates. The entropic moment, generalized quantum similarity index, and some quantum information measures are investigated analytically and numerically for two density functions of two quantum systems with same energy and one quantum system with different energies. Analytical results are compared for 19 selected molecules and verified by some physical and artificial values of the spectroscopic parameters.
Strategies to support teachers' professional development regarding sense‐making in context‐based science curricula
Authors: Dolfing Ria , Prins Gjalt T. , Bulte Astrid M. W. , Pilot Albert , Vermunt Jan D.
Published: October 2020

The aim of this study is to develop more understanding about strategies to support teachers' professional development in curriculum innovations, in which pedagogy and content change simultaneously compared to the conventional curriculum. A pre‐existing framework, including strategies for professional development, was adapted, implemented, and evaluated from the perspective of teachers' sense‐making in teaching context‐based science curricula. This framework guides the design of activities that support teachers' development in three new aspects of teaching context‐based science units: setting a context in class, performing a new teaching role, and teaching new content. In a case study, six teachers in secondary education participated in a professional development program based on the adapted framework. A qualitative inner‐case analysis was conducted to describe teachers' sense‐making during the program, in terms of the categories “assimilation,” “accommodation,” “toleration,” and “distantiation.” Results showed that teachers participating in the professional development program successfully assimilated and accommodated all three aspects; however, the process of teachers' sense‐making of the new content followed a different path compared to the processes of the other aspects. The relation between these results and the adapted framework are discussed to retrieve strategies for planning professional development programs to support teachers in curriculum innovations.
Hierarchical TiO2 Photoanodes with Spatial Charge Separation for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Dong Guojun , Cheng Xiang , Bi Yingpu
Published: October 2020

Charge separation and transfer are crucial to determine photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting performance. Herein, a hierarchical bottom‐up approach for fabricating TiO2 nanorod arrays with an Au nanolayer and Sn3O4 cocatalysts is demonstrated. The hierarchical Sn3O4/TiO2/Au photoanode exhibits a significantly enhanced photocurrent density of 2.5 mA cm−2 at 1.23 VRHE under AM 1.5G irradiation, which is about 5 times higher than that of pristine TiO2 (0.5 mA cm−2 at 1.23 VRHE). The significantly enhanced PEC properties are attributed to the spatial charge separation among Au nanolayer and Sn3O4 cocatalysts. More specifically, the bottom Au nanolayer can accelerate the electron transfer from TiO2 to fluorine doped tin dioxide (FTO) substrate, and the surface Sn3O4 nanoflakes can effectively capture holes and provide abundant active sites for oxygen‐evolution reaction. These demonstrations may offer a new insight for rational design and construction of highly efficient TiO2‐based PEC devices for solar water splitting.
Recent Progress in Mixed‐Anion Materials for Solar Fuel Production
Authors: Miyoshi Akinobu , Maeda Kazuhiko
Published: October 2020

Mixed‐anion materials, consisting of metal cation(s) and more than two anionic species in a single phase, are promising as photocatalysts for water splitting and CO2 fixation using visible light. Oxynitrides, oxysulfides, and oxyhalides that contain d0 transition‐metal or d10 typical‐metal cations have absorption bands in the visible‐light region and band‐edge potentials suitable for these reactions. In general, visible‐light absorption by these materials arises from the p orbitals of anions that are less electronegative than oxygen, forming a valence band above the level of oxygen 2p orbitals. Less electronegative anions in mixed‐anion compounds are essential for visible‐light absorption but are inherently less stable than oxygen, potentially causing oxidative decomposition of the materials during photoreaction. More importantly, mixed‐anion compounds are more difficult to synthesize than single‐anion compounds like oxides, and reducing the density of defects that act as recombination centers for photogenerated charge carriers in the material remains challenging. There is therefore much room for improving the activities of mixed‐anion photocatalysts. Herein, the development of mixed‐anion materials for solar‐to‐fuel conversion over the past 10 years is highlighted with a focus on key milestones in research developments.
Fused Furan‐Based Organic Small Molecules as Dopant‐Free Hole Transporting Material for Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Li Bingyu , Li Zhipeng , Xing Junfei , Zhu Mingzhe , Zhou Zhongmin
Published: October 2020

Hole transport material (HTM) is a significant constituent in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, HTM generally is not utilized in its pristine form but with dopants (such as lithium salt, tert‐butyl pyridine, F4‐TCNQ), which accelerates device degradation and leads to poor stability. Therefore, dopant‐free HTM is highly desirable to fabricate stable devices. Herein, a fused furan organic small molecule (C8‐DPNDF) is introduced as a dopant‐free HTM in inverted PSCs. As a potential HTM candidate, C8‐DPNDF shows excellent properties, such as high hole mobility, matched energy level with perovskite, and resistance to perovskite precursor solution. As a result, the device based on C8‐DPNDF as HTM shows a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.5%, compared with 17.1% of the control device based on classic poly(bis(4‐phenyl)(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)amine) (PTAA) as the HTM. In addition, the unencapsulated device based on C8‐DPNDF as HTM keeps 92% of its initial PCE after 30 days of storage in ambient air with a relative humidity of ≈40%. This finding is expected to pave the way toward stable and highly efficient inverted PSCs based on dopant‐free HTMs.
Thermal damage and its controlling methods of high‐speed railway steam‐cured concrete: A review
Authors: Xiang Yu , Long Guangcheng , Xie Youjun , Zheng Keren , He Zhimin , Ma Kunlin , Zeng Xiaohui , Wang Meng
Published: October 2020

The steam curing technology is worldwide applied in the production of concrete prefabricated components, including the production of track slab and girder used for the high‐speed railway in China. However, the steam curing process at elevated temperature will often generate the heat damage on concrete and thus degrade the long‐term performance of the steam‐cured concrete prefabricated components. It is very important to deeply understand the mechanism of heat damage and thus to find effective method reducing or avoiding the damage of steam curing on concrete. The main purpose of this paper is to systematically classify the types of thermal damages on concrete during the steam curing and its mechanism. The influences of main factors on three thermal damages such as the unrecoverable expansion deformation, the surface layer defect, and the embrittlement of the steam‐cured concrete are discussed in detail. The controlling methods of thermal damages including optimization of the steam curing regime and mixing proportions, the addition of supplementary additives, the self‐healing technology, and other curing technology are compared and summarized based on the literatures. Finally, suggestions for future research are proposed in order to effectively reduce or even avoid the thermal damage of the steam‐cured concrete. And also, some new technology for developing the green and high performance early strength concrete with low CO2 emission are presented.
A rediscovered work of Karel B. Presl and other sins of his youth
Authors: Del Guacchio Emanuele , Caputo Paolo
Published: October 2020

The authors announce the rediscovery at the Library of the Botanical Garden of Naples of a document by Karel B. Presl about the flora of Sicily (southern Italy), i.e., (the possible proofs of) the first issue of the Prodromus to his Flora Sicula, after 200 years from its preparation. This document, for reasons unknown, was not widely distributed to scientific institutions and, therefore, cannot be considered as published; in addition, it has been neglected until now, so that it is missing from Presl's bibliography. In spite of this, various botanists of the 19th century refer to this work for protologues. The booklet is bound together with the well‐known first volume of Presl's Flora Sicula, and lacks a title page; consequently, direct information about title, date and possible place of publication are not available. Nevertheless, analyzing other contributions by the same scholar and also biographic and bibliographic information, the authors reconstruct the chronology of the booklet and formulate hypotheses on its origin and about the possible reasons for the choice of not publishing it. The Prodromus is also compared to other Presl publications on the Sicilian flora, often poorly known or forgotten, and especially to his dissertation. Three appendices report a list of the taxa present in these early works by Presl, and various nomenclatural notes.
Shunaoxin pills improve the antihypertensive effect of nifedipine and alleviate its renal lipotoxicity in spontaneous hypertension rats
Authors: Liu Xuanshuo , Man Shuli , Luo Chen , Liu Yu , Liu Yan , Liu Changxiao , Gao Wenyuan
Published: October 2020

Shunaoxin pills (SNX) have been used to treat cerebrovascular diseases in China since 2005. Hypertension is a major risk factor for cerebrovascular disease. This study aimed to explore the synergistic antihypertensive effect of SNX and nifedipine and whether SNX could alleviate nifedipine‐induced renal lipotoxicity. During administration, systolic blood pressure was measured weekly. After 5 weeks administration, we examined pathological changes of kidney, renal function, the lipid metabolism index, and adipogenesis genes expression in the kidney tissues, and explored its underlying mechanism. Finally, network pharmacology was used for supplement and verification. As a result, SNX improved the antihypertensive effect of nifedipine and apparently improved nifedipine‐induced renal pathological changes, dyslipidemia and the levels of adipogenesis gene expression in kidney tissues. SNX reduced the levels of interleukin‐6 and interleukin‐1β in renal tissues, down‐regulated the production of malondialdehyde, and increased superoxide dismutase activity and the protein expression of heme oxygenase‐1 in kidney tissues. Network pharmacology also showed that SNX could improve nifedipine‐induced renal lipotoxicity. The combination of SNX and nifedipine had certain benefits in the treatment of hypertension.
Melatonin ameliorates Bisphenol S induced testicular damages by modulating Nrf‐2/HO‐1 and SIRT‐1/FOXO‐1 expressions
Authors: Kumar Jitendra , Verma Rakesh , Haldar Chandana
Published: October 2020

BPS has detrimental effects on human reproductive health and emerged as an environmental contaminant for global health concern. This study deals with the adverse impact of BPS exposure on testicular oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in adult male golden hamster, Mesocricetus auratus and its amelioration by melatonin. BPS (75 mg/kg BW/day) exposure caused testicular impairment as evident by histological degenerative changes, declined sperm quality (viability and motility), serum levels of testosterone and melatonin with a concomitant decrease in testicular androgen receptor (AR) and melatonin receptor (MT1) expression. The BPS exposure caused marked increase in testicular oxidative load, inflammation (NF‐kB/COX‐2) and apoptosis (caspase‐3). Melatonin (10 mg/kg BW/alternate day) pretreatment to BPS exposed hamsters resumed normal testicular histoarchitecture, sperm quality and decreased testicular oxidative load as evident by enhanced antioxidant enzymes (SOD and catalase) activities and decreased lipid peroxidation (LPO) level. Further, melatonin also stimulated the testicular antioxidant proteins Nrf‐2/HO‐1, SIRT‐1/FOXO‐1 and reduced inflammatory proteins NF‐kB/COX‐2 expression to counteract BPS induced testicular damages. Melatonin administration to the BPS treated hamsters resulted in increased testicular cell proliferation (PCNA), survival (Bcl‐2), gap junction (connexin‐43) and decreased apoptosis (caspase‐3). In conclusion, our study documented the detrimental effects of BPS on testes that compromises male fertility. Further, melatonin was found as a potent molecule that rescued the BPS induced testicular damages in male golden hamster Mesocricetus auratus.
Silver nanocolloid affects hindbrain vascular formation during medaka embryogenesis
Authors: Matsukura Tomomi , Kataoka Chisato , Kawana Yohei , Fujita Misato , Kashiwada Shosaku
Published: October 2020

Angiogenesis is essential for the normal development of an embryo. Silver nanocolloid (SNC) is known to induce vascular malformation in the medaka embryo. We focused on the development of the central arteries (CtAs) in the hindbrain of Japanese medaka. The CtAs and the basilar artery from which they branch are essential for transporting the blood and nutrients necessary to support the hindbrain parenchyma and the development of the pons and cerebellum from the hindbrain. We exposed medaka embryos at developmental stage 21 (6 somite stage), to 0, 0.5, 5, or 10 mg/L SNC and evaluated hatching rate, number of thrombi per embryo, head size (length and width), body length, and angiogenesis. Although all SNC‐exposed embryos hatched, their head size and body length were small in comparison to controls; in addition, the number of thrombi in the head increased and head size and body length decreased as the SNC concentration increased. To evaluate vasculogenic abnormalities, we performed whole‐mount in situ hybridization using a vascular marker (eg, fl7) and visualized the CtAs in medaka embryos. In control embryos, CtAs started to sprout at stage 32 (somite completion stage) and their extension was complete by stage 35 (pectoral fin blood circulation stage). In contrast, CtAs failed to sprout in SNC‐exposed embryos, and thrombi were present. Furthermore, qRT‐PCR analysis showed that SNC significantly suppressed the egfl7 expression level at stage 35. Together, our findings suggest that SNC induced decreased developments of head and body in medaka embryos due to insufficient angiogenesis and hindbrain vascular formation.
Role of degradation concepts for adsorbing contaminants in context of wastewater irrigation
Authors: Cornelissen Pavan , van der Zee Sjoerd E. A. T. M. , Leijnse Anton
Published: October 2020

Marginal water, like treated effluent or other types of wastewater, induces contaminant accumulation in different environmental compartments such as soil and groundwater. With a root zone model and daily rainfall data as input, accumulation in the case of two different degradation concepts was modeled: (I) the solute degrades only in the solution phase, and (II) the solute degrades in both the solution and the adsorption phase. For linear adsorption, both degradation concepts not only yield similar results, but adsorption does not affect the long‐term concentration. This can be readily explained with the governing equations. For nonlinear adsorption, the degradation concept does affect the concentration and fluxes. When the first concept is valid, the long‐term concentration is not affected by adsorption, whereas the short‐term and fluctuations are. For the second degradation concept, the long‐term average concentration and fluxes are also affected by adsorption. A correction factor was derived to correct the analytical solution of the time‐dependent concentration of nonlinearly adsorbing solutes. For all scenarios, reasonable estimates of the long‐term concentration could be obtained with analytical models for most parameter combinations, which can be used to identify contaminant species that should be prioritized for further research.
Parameter sensitivity of SWAP–PEARL models for pesticide leaching in macroporous soils
Authors: Faúndez Urbina C. A. , van den Berg F. , van Dam J. C. , Tang D. W. S. , Ritsema C. J.
Published: October 2020

Pesticide transport simulation by SWAP–PEARL (Soil–Water–Atmosphere–Plant and Pesticide Emission Assessment at Regional and Local scales) models can help to predict pesticide leaching at regional scales. For reasons of economic and time efficiency, measurement efforts should be prioritized towards critical parameters. The objective of this research is to perform a Morris screening and Sobol–Jansen sensitivity analysis to SWAP–PEARL models, using a reasonable worst‐case scenario. Three pesticide compounds were analyzed:, bentazon (zero sorption), imidacloprid (moderately sorbed), and compound I (highly sorbed). Initial macropore and pesticide parameter values were varied by ±20% to generate parameter ranges. The outputs analyzed were the concentration in drainage water, the average concentration in groundwater between 1 and 2 m, and the concentration in the soil system at 100‐cm depth. Influential parameters found through the Morris method were analyzed using the Sobol–Jansen method. The results for bentazon indicate that the degradation half‐life (DT50), the bottom depth of the internal catchment (zic), and the proportion of the internal catchment at the soil surface (pic_0) are critical parameters in all the outputs analyzed. For imidacloprid and compound I, the most relevant parameters for drainage output are the Freundlich sorption exponent (Fexp) and zic; for groundwater, the relevant parameters are Fexp, the bottom depth of static macropores (zst), and pic_0; and for soil concentrations at 100‐cm depth, the relevant parameters are Fexp, zic, and pic_0. The Morris and Sobol–Jansen methods produce the same results for the first position in the ranking. Measurement efforts should be performed to update national soil databases, including critical pesticide and macropore parameters.
Non‐stationary axially symmetric displacement of elastic half‐space in mixed boundary conditions
Authors: Kubenko Veniamin D. , Yanchevskyi Ihor V.
Published: October 2020

The exact solution of the axially symmetric problem concerning the non‐stationary load action on the elastic half‐space surface in the condition of mixed boundary value problem with the given normal stress and tangent displacement on the boundary is obtained. The Laplace and Hankel integral transforms are used. Integral transforms inversion is carried out by means of tabular ratios and convolutions theorems for the wide range of non‐stationary loads. The vertical displacement expression is obtained in the explicit analytical form. The load applied to the bounded dimensions domain is particularly considered. The performed calculations indicate evolution of the elastic displacement in terms of time and space coordinates.
Polynomial extension property in the classical Cartan domain $${\mathcal {R}_{II}}$$
Authors: Maciaszek Krzysztof
Published: October 2020

In this work, it is shown that for the classical Cartan domain $$\mathcal {R}_{II}$$

R

II

consisting of symmetric $$2\times 2$$

2
×
2

matrices, every algebraic subset of $$\mathcal {R}_{II}$$

R

II

, which admits the polynomial extension property, is a holomorphic retract.
Antibacterial activity of wood distillate from residual virgin chestnut biomass
Authors: Misuri Francesco , Marri Laura
Published: October 2020

The antibacterial properties of a wood distillate obtained from residual virgin chestnut biomass were investigated by means of quantitative MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) test and a whole-cell assay that specifically responds to different classes of antimicrobials on the basis of the mode of action. Results indicate that wood distillate is active against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria related to human and/or fish diseases with a mechanism, which could mainly affect wall components and plasma membrane of the bacterial cells. These findings highlight the possible sustainable use of chestnut residues as a source of bioactive natural compounds with antibacterial properties.
Correction to: Intra‑articular injections of platelet‑rich plasma in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: a consensus statement from French‑speaking experts
Authors: Eymard Florent , Ornetti Paul , Maillet Jérémy , Noel Éric , Adam Philippe , Legré-Boyer Virginie , Boyer Thierry , Allali Fadoua , Gremeaux Vincent , Kaux Jean-François , Louati Karine , Lamontagne Martin , Michel Fabrice , Richette Pascal , Bard Hervé ,   the GRIP (Groupe de Recherche sur les Injections de PRP, PRP Injection Research Group)
Published: October 2020

The article Intra‑articular injections of platelet‑rich plasma in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: a consensus statement from French‑speaking experts, written by Florent Eymard, Paul Ornetti, Jérémy Maillet, Éric Noel, Philippe Adam, Virginie Legre-Boyer, Thierry Boyer, Fadoua Allali, Vincent Gremeaux, Jean-Francois Kaux, Karine Louati, Martin Lamontagne, Fabrice Michel, Pascal Richette, Hervé Bard on behalf of the GRIP (Groupe de Recherche sur les Injections de PRP, PRP Injection Research Group), was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal on 24 June 2020 without open access.
A multi-objective approach for PH-graphs with applications to stochastic shortest paths
Authors: Buchholz Peter , Dohndorf Iryna
Published: October 2020

Stochastic shortest path problems (SSPPs) have many applications in practice and are subject of ongoing research for many years. This paper considers a variant of SSPPs where times or costs to pass an edge in a graph are, possibly correlated, random variables. There are two general goals one can aim for, the minimization of the expected costs to reach the destination or the maximization of the probability to reach the destination within a given budget. Often one is interested in policies that build a compromise between different goals which results in multi-objective problems. In this paper, an algorithm to compute the convex hull of Pareto optimal policies that consider expected costs and probabilities of falling below given budgets is developed. The approach uses the recently published class of PH-graphs that allow one to map SSPPs, even with generally distributed and correlated costs associated to edges, on Markov decision processes (MDPs) and apply the available techniques for MDPs to compute optimal policies.
Asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation coupled to surface plasmon resonance detection for analysis of therapeutic proteins in blood serum
Authors: Leeman Mats , Albers Willem M. , Bombera Radoslaw , Kuncova-Kallio Johana , Tuppurainen Jussipekka , Nilsson Lars
Published: October 2020

Coupling of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) detection to asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) offers the possibility to study active fractions of bio-separations on real samples, such as serum and saliva, including the assessment of activity of possibly aggregated species. The coupling of SPR with AF4 requires the possibility to select fractions from a fractogram and redirect them to the SPR. The combination of SPR with chromatography-like methods also requires a mechanism for regeneration of the receptor immobilised onto the SPR sensor surface. In recent work, the combination of size exclusion chromatography (SEC) with SPR was pioneered as a successful methodology for identification, characterisation and quantification of active biocomponents in biological samples. In this study, the approach using AF4 is evaluated for the antibody trastuzumab in buffer and serum. The particular object of this study was to test the feasibility of using AF4 in combination with SPR to detect and quantify proteins and aggregates in complex samples such as blood serum. Also, in the investigation, three different immobilisation methods for the receptor HER-2 were compared, which involved (1) direct binding via EDC/NHS, the standard approach; (2) immobilisation via NTA-Ni-Histag complexation; and (3) biotin/avidin-linked chemistry using a regenerable form of avidin. The highest specific activity was obtained for the biotin-avidin method, while the lowest specific activity was observed for the NTA-Ni-Histag linkage. The data show that AF4 can separate trastuzumab monomers and aggregates in blood serum and that SPR has the ability to selectively monitor the elution. This is an encouraging result for automated analysis of complex biological samples using AF4-SPR.
Immediate action effects motivate actions based on the stimulus–response relationship
Authors: Tanaka Takumi , Watanabe Katsumi , Tanaka Kanji
Published: October 2020

The theory of event coding, an influential framework for action planning, suggests that humans first integrate stimulus, response, and action effect into representation (an event file) via their contingencies, and then, the activation of expected action effects drives the associated response. While previous studies have typically examined such functions of action effects after, rather than before or during, the acquirement of the representation, Eitam et al. (Exp Brain Res 229:475–484, 2013a) demonstrated that the presence of immediate feedback to action (i.e., action effects) can instantly elicit faster responses than delayed feedback. However, the underlying mechanism of this faciliatory effect remains unclear. Specifically, while the response–effect relationship has been highlighted, the role of stimuli has not been investigated. To address this issue, the present study conducted four experiments. We first reproduced the faciliatory effects of immediate action effects with between- and within-participants design (Experiments 1 and 2, respectively). Then, we assessed whether immediate action effects facilitate response speed, when stimuli (Experiment 3) and a combination of stimuli and responses (Experiment 4) determined the delay of action effects. The identical response was executed faster when driven by stimuli associated with immediate effects than by those associated with lagged effects. This result indicates that immediate action effects do not reinforce the execution of specific motor actions itself, but facilitate actions depending on the stimulus–response relationship. We discuss the potential mechanism of the facilitation effect.
Phylogeography and Symbiotic Effectiveness of Rhizobia Nodulating Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Ethiopia
Authors: Gunnabo A. H. , van Heerwaarden J. , Geurts R. , Wolde-meskel E. , Degefu T. , Giller K. E.
Published: October 2020

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) used to be considered a restrictive host that nodulated and fixed nitrogen only with Mesorhizobium ciceri and M. mediterraneum. Recent analysis revealed that chickpea can also establish effective symbioses with strains of several other Mesorhizobium species such as M. loti, M. haukuii, M. amorphae, M. muleiense, etc. These strains vary in their nitrogen fixation potential inviting further exploration. We characterized newly collected mesorhizobial strains isolated from various locations in Ethiopia to evaluate genetic diversity, biogeographic structure and symbiotic effectiveness. Symbiotic effectiveness was evaluated in Leonard Jars using a locally released chickpea cultivar “Nattoli”. Most of the new isolates belonged to a clade related to M. plurifarium, with very few sequence differences, while the total collection of strains contained three additional mesorhizobial genospecies associated with M. ciceri, M. abyssinicae and an unidentified Mesorhizobium species isolated from a wild host in Eritrea. The four genospecies identified represented a subset of the eight major Mesorhizobium clades recently reported for Ethiopia based on metagenomic data. All Ethiopian strains had nearly identical symbiotic genes that grouped them in a single cluster with M. ciceri, M. mediterraneum and M. muleiense, but not with M. plurifarium. Some phylogeographic structure was observed, with elevation and geography explaining some of the genetic differences among strains, but the relation between genetic identity and symbiotic effectiveness was observed to be weak.
Impact of Mesh and Fixation on Chronic Inguinal Pain in Lichtenstein Hernia Repair: 5‐Year Outcomes from the Finn Mesh Study
Authors: Matikainen M. , Vironen J. , Kössi J. , Hulmi T. , Hertsi M. , Rantanen T. , Paajanen H.
Published: October 2020

Objective

To find out the mesh fixation technique that minimises chronic pain in Lichtenstein hernioplasty.

Summary background data

Mesh fixation may affect chronic pain and recurrence after inguinal hernia surgery, but long‐term results of comparative trials are lacking.

Methods

Lichtenstein hernioplasty was performed under local anaesthesia on 625 patients in day care units. The patients were randomised to receive either a cyanoacrylate glue (n = 216), self‐gripping mesh (n = 202) or non‐absorbable 3–0 polypropylene sutures (n = 216) for the fixation of mesh. A standardised telephone interview or postal questionnaire was conducted 5 years after the index operation. The patients with complaints suggesting recurrence or chronic pain (visual analogue scale ≥ 3, 0–10) were examined clinically. The rate of occasional pain, chronic severe pain, recurrence, re‐operations, daily use of analgesics, overall patient satisfaction and sensation of a foreign object were recorded.

Results

A total of 82% of patients (n = 514) completed the 5‐year audit including 177, 167 and 170 patients in the glue, self‐fixation and suture groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in the incidence of pain (7–8%), operated recurrences (2–4%), overall re‐operations (4–5%), need for analgesics (1–2%), patient's satisfaction (93–97%) or in the feeling of a foreign object (11–18%) between the study groups.

Conclusion

The choice of the mesh or fixation method had no effect on the overall long‐term outcome, pain or recurrence of hernia. Less penetrating fixation (glue or self‐gripping mesh) is a safe option for the fixation of mesh in Lichtenstein hernia repair.
Plasma deoxyuridine as a surrogate marker for toxicity and early clinical response in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer after 5-FU-based therapy in combination with arfolitixorin
Authors: Taflin Helena , Odin Elisabeth , Carlsson Göran , Tell Roger , Gustavsson Bengt , Wettergren Yvonne
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The aim was to explore the correlation between increasing doses of [6R]-5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (arfolitixorin) and plasma concentrations of deoxyuridine (dUr) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), subjected to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy. The aim was further to investigate the possibility to predict toxicity and clinical response during treatment using gender, age, and plasma dUr as explanatory variables.

Methods

Thirty-three patients from the ISO-CC-005 phase I/IIa study, which investigated safety and tolerability of arfolitixorin at four dose levels, were included. Toxicity and clinical response were evaluated after 4 cycles of chemotherapy. Plasma dUr was quantified before (0 h) and 24 h after 5-FU administration at the first (C1) and fourth (C4) cycle using LC–MS/MS. Fit modelling was used to predict toxicity and clinical response.

Results

The dUr levels increased with increasing arfolitixorin dose. Females had higher total and haematological toxicity scores (p = 0.0004 and 0.0089, respectively), and needed dose reduction more often than males (p = 0.012). Fit modeling showed that gender and the dUr levels at C1-0 h and C4-24 h predicted total toxicity (p = 0.0011), whereas dUr C4-0 h alone was associated with gastrointestinal toxicity (p = 0.026). Haematological toxicity was predicted by gender and age (p = 0.0071). The haematological toxicity score in combination with the dUr levels at C1-24 h and C4-24 h predicted early clinical response (p = 0.018).

Conclusion

The dUr level before and during administration of 5-FU and arfolitixorin was predictive for toxicity and early clinical response and could be a potential surrogate marker for thymidylate synthase inhibition in patients with mCRC.

Trial registration

NCT02244632, first posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on September 19, 2014
Three-dimensional acetabular orientation during periacetabular osteotomy: a video analysis of acetabular rim position using an external fixator as navigation tool during reorientation procedure
Authors: Schwarz Timo J. , Maderbacher Günther , Leiss Franziska , Grifka Joachim , Heers G. , Matussek J.
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Bernese periacetabular osteotomy is an effective procedure for treating acetabular dysplasia. However, limited visual control of the acetabular position during surgery may result in under- or overcorrection with residual dysplasia or femoroacetabular impingement. Thus, we wanted to find a simple method to control the effect of correction in the sagittal and coronal plane.

Method

The acetabular coordinates are shown by two perpendicular tubes of an external fixator mounted onto a third tube that is fixed to the acetabular fragment with two Schanz screws. This method enables the isolated acetabular reorientation in the coronal, sagittal, and transverse plane. In a sawbone pelvis model, the acetabular rim is marked with a copper wire and a silicon adherent. To show the radiographic effect on acetabular parameters and the rim position, we visualized correction in the coronal and sagittal plane under fluoroscopic control.

Results

Lateral rotation of the acetabular fragment had the highest impact on radiographic lateral coverage of the femoral head. But also ventral coverage increased during isolated lateral rotation. Anterior rotation showed almost no effect on lateral coverage and just a little effect on ventral coverage but caused severe total acetabular retroversion.

Conclusion

Three-dimensional control of the acetabular orientation during periacetabular osteotomy is important to avoid over- and under-correction. Isolated lateral rotation of the acetabular fragment should be the predominant direction of correction during periacetabular osteotomy. Ambitious anterior correction may be the main source for severe acetabular retroversion following periacetabular osteotomy.
Long non-coding RNAs in plants: emerging modulators of gene activity in development and stress responses
Authors: Chen Li , Zhu Qian-Hao , Kaufmann Kerstin
Published: October 2020

Main conclusion

Long non-coding RNAs modulate gene activity in plant development and stress responses by various molecular mechanisms.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts larger than 200 nucleotides without protein coding potential. Computational approaches have identified numerous lncRNAs in different plant species. Research in the past decade has unveiled that plant lncRNAs participate in a wide range of biological processes, including regulation of flowering time and morphogenesis of reproductive organs, as well as abiotic and biotic stress responses. LncRNAs execute their functions by interacting with DNA, RNA and protein molecules, and by modulating the expression level of their targets through epigenetic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional or translational regulation. In this review, we summarize characteristics of plant lncRNAs, discuss recent progress on understanding of lncRNA functions, and propose an experimental framework for functional characterization.
Role of chromatin assembly factor-1/p60 and poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1 in mycosis fungoides
Authors: Mascolo Massimo , Travaglino Antonio , Varricchio Silvia , Russo Daniela , Sabattini Elena , Agostinelli Claudio , Bertuzzi Clara , Baldo Antonello , Pileri Alessandro , Picardi Marco , Pane Fabrizio , Staibano Stefania
Published: October 2020

Mycosis fungoides (MF) represents the most common type of cutaneous lymphoma. In the majority of patients, the disease has a slow evolution and a protracted course; however, a subset of patients shows poor oncologic outcomes. Unfortunately, there are no reliable prognostic markers for MF, and the currently available treatments are only effective in a minority of patients. This study aimed to evaluate the expression and clinical significance of PARP-1 and CAF-1/p60 in MF. Sixty-four MF representatives of the different stages of disease were assessed by immunohistochemistry for PARP-1 and CAF-1/p60. The association of PARP-1 and CAF-1/p60 with the MF stage and outcome was assessed by using Fisher’s exact test and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with the Log-rank test; a p value < 0.05 was considered significant. PARP-1 was overexpressed in 57.9% of MF and was significantly associated with a MF stage > II (p = 0.034) but not with the risk of death (p = 0.237). CAF-1/p60 was overexpressed in 26.8% of MF and was significantly associated with decreased overall survival (p < 0.001) but not with the MF stage (p = 1). A significant association was found between PARP-1 overexpression and CAF-1/p60 overexpression (p = 0.0025). Simultaneous overexpression of PARP-1 and CAF-1/p60 was significantly associated with decreased overall survival (p < 0.001), although less strongly than CAF-1/p60 alone (χ2 = 14.916 vs 21.729, respectively). In MF, PARP-1 is overexpressed in advanced stages, while CAF-1/p60 is overexpressed in the cases with shorter overall survival, appearing as a significant prognostic marker. A role for PARP-1 inhibitors and anti-CAF-1/p60 targeted therapy may be reasonably hypothesized in MF.
Does spatiotemporal nutrient variation allow more species to coexist?
Authors: Di Carvalho Josie Antonucci , Wickham Stephen A.
Published: October 2020

Temporal heterogeneity in nutrient availability is known to increase phytoplankton diversity by allowing more species to coexist under different resource niches. Spatial heterogeneity has also been positively correlated with species diversity. Here we investigated how temporal and spatial differences in nutrient addition together impact biodiversity in metacommunities varying in the degree of connectivity among the patches. We used a microcosm experimental design to test two spatiotemporal ways of supplying nutrients: synchronously (nutrients were added regionally—to all four patches at the same time) and asynchronously (nutrients were added locally—to a different patch each time), combined with two different degrees of connectivity among the patches (low or high connectivity). We used three species of algae and one species of cyanobacteria as the primary producers; and five ciliate and two rotifer species as the grazers. We expected higher diversity in metacommunities receiving an asynchronous nutrient supply, assuming stronger development of heterogeneous patches with this condition rather than with synchronous nutrient supply. This result was expected, however, to be dependent on the degree of connectivity among patches. We found significant effects of nutrient addition in both groups of organisms. Phytoplankton diversity increased until the fourth week (transiently) and zooplankton richness was persistently higher under asynchronous nutrient addition. Our results were consistent with our hypothesis that asynchronicity in nutrient supply would create a more favorable condition for species to co-occur. However, this effect was, in part, transient and was not influenced by the degree of connectivity.