bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparedness of Pharmaceutical Services in Military Organizations: Learning from an Assessment in Brazil
Authors: de Souza Tatiana Holanda Pereira , Miranda Elaine Silva
Published: December 2019

Introduction:

The participation of armed forces in humanitarian operations and in disaster response is common in many countries. In Brazil, the armed forces have had history in providing health support to victims in emergencies, which also includes the provision of pharmaceutical services (PS).

Problem:

Even though being essential for the provision of health care in disaster response, the preparedness of PS is not well-addressed in the literature. The use of a comprehensive approach to evaluate preparedness of PS in military institutions may subsidize preparedness measures. The goals of this work were to analyze the preparedness of PS for disaster response and humanitarian aid in military units of a Brazilian armed force institution, and to propose a framework to improve the preparedness of PS in operational medicine.

Methods:

An investigation of a cross-sectional design was performed. A logic model and indicators to evaluate preparedness of PS were applied. Data were obtained from official documents, interviews with key stakeholders, and observation of good storage practices (GSP).

Results:

Identified were: lack of specific budget for medicine procurement in case of disaster, absence of emergency stockpile, proper means for medicine transportation, and records of trained health professionals. An emergency plan, a list of selected medicines, adaptable mobile health care units, and a system for mobilization of health professionals were some of the positive aspects recognized. Different aspects for improvement were acknowledged and recommendations to favor the efficiency and the quality of PS in emergencies were proposed.

Conclusions:

The investigation provided valuable results for the planning and execution of responses to disasters and humanitarian aid. The findings and proposed recommendations may be useful for other military organizations similar to those in Brazil.
Proposal for Reforming Prehospital Response to Chemical Terrorism Disasters in Japan: Going Back to the Basics of Saving the Lives of the Injured by Securing the Safety of the Rescue Team
Authors: Anan Hideaki , Otomo Yasuhiro , Homma Masato , Oshiro Kenichi , Kondo Hisayoshi , Shimamura Fumihiko , Takahashi Ayako , Hamada Masahiko , Hirabayashi Atushi , Koido Yuichi
Published: December 2019

Introduction:

Having experienced the Tokyo subway sarin attack in 1995, Japan has established extremely strict rules on handling injured victims before they are sent to a hospital. As a result, it takes a long time before rescue actions are taken. This report aims to propose a reform to change the system that focuses on saving lives.

Methods:

First, the issues in firefighting on sites that currently present problems in Japan were identified. Then, Japanese guidelines were compared with those that were considered in other countries. Based on this, an ideal way of running rescue operations was examined, and a proposal to save many lives was made. This research was conducted with funding from the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare of Japan (MHLW; Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan).

Results:

In addition to preventing secondary injuries, the temporal aspect of rescuing people early with the clear goal of saving many lives was emphasized. Priority was given to measures against nerve agents to prevent secondary injuries, which put the rescuers’ lives at risk. Possible decontamination methods were pursued before choosing the one that was most appropriate. A linear algorithm was used to determine which decontamination method could be started immediately, and then the gradual use of equipment was recommended. Even if Level A personal protective equipment (PPE) and other dedicated equipment and materials cannot be procured, the possibility of starting rescue activities under certain condition using regular equipment was pointed out. The need for a system for possible victims who would require support, such as foreigners, the handicapped, and elderly people, was also identified. Japan limits the scope of activities that can be undertaken by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) on-site. The way in which on-site medical care can be provided with future legal revisions in mind was also discussed.

Conclusion:

There is an urgent need to build a framework in which rescue activities can take place so that the number of deaths would not rise, even if sarin and other poisons are scattered.
Differences in dietary fibre intake and associated familial factors in a longitudinal study at two time points across adolescence
Authors: Swann Olivia G , Breslin Monique , Kilpatrick Michelle , O’Sullivan Therese A , Oddy Wendy H
Published: December 2019

Objective:

Dietary fibre is essential for a healthy diet; however, intake is often inadequate. Understanding of sources of dietary fibre and familial factors associated with intake in adolescents is limited, hampering efforts to increase intake. We aimed to determine adequacy of dietary fibre intake in adolescents, examine how intake changes from mid to late adolescence, identify major food sources and explore associations with familial factors.

Design:

Dietary fibre intake measured with semi-quantitative FFQ and sources calculated with the AUSNUT database. Familial factors determined by questionnaire.

Setting:

Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study.

Participants:

Generation 2 adolescents from the 14- (n 1626) and 17-year (n 835) follow-ups.

Results:

Mean intake of dietary fibre did not meet national dietary guidelines other than for females aged 14 years. Mean intake of both sexes was lower at 17 years (23·0 (sd 10·0) g/d) than at 14 years (24·3 (sd 9·0) g/d, P < 0·001). The quantity of dietary fibre consumed per megajoule also decreased (2·6 (sd 0·7) g/MJ at 14 years, 2·5 (sd 0·9) g/MJ at 17 years, P = 0·007). The greatest source of dietary fibre was cereals and grains, followed by fruits, then vegetables. In multivariable mixed-model analysis, female sex, Caucasian race, age 14 years, good family functioning, high level of parental education and high energy intake were independently associated with higher dietary fibre intake.

Conclusions:

Our study highlights an age range and characteristics of adolescents lacking in dietary fibre, thereby identifying target populations for interventions to improve dietary fibre intake across adolescence, which would lead to better health.
Outcome of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia with and	without revascularization
Authors: Stella Jacqueline , Engelbertz Christiane , Gebauer Katrin , Hassu Juan , Meyborg Matthias , Freisinger Eva , Malyar Nasser M.
Published: December 2019

Summary: Background: Patients with chronic critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) are at high risk of amputation and death. Despite the general recommendation for revascularization in CTLI in the guidelines, the underlying evidence for such a recommendation is limited. The aim of our study was to assess the outcome of patients with CLTI depending on the use of revascularization in a retrospective real-world cohort. Patients and methods: Administrative data of the largest German Health insurance (BARMER GEK) were provided for all patients that were hospitalized for the treatment of CLTI Rutherford category (RF) 5 and 6 between 2009 and 2011. Patients were followed-up until December 31st, 2012 for limb amputation and death in relation to whether patients did (Rx +) or did not have (Rx −) revascularization during index-hospitalization. Results: We identified 15,314 patients with CLTI at RF5 (n = 6,908 (45.1%)) and RF6 (n = 8,406 (54.9%)), thereof 7,651 (50.0%) underwent revascularization (Rx +) and 7,663 (50.0%) were treated conservatively (Rx −). During follow-up (mean 647 days; 95% CI 640–654 days) limb amputation (46.5% Rx− vs. 40.6% Rx+, P < 0.001) and overall mortality (48.2% Rx− vs. 42.6% Rx+, P < 0.001) were significantly lower in the subgroup Rx+. Conclusions: In a real-world setting, only half of CLTI were revascularized during the in-hospital treatment. Though, revascularization was associated with significantly better observed short- and long-term outcome. These data do not allow causal conclusion due to lack of data on the underlying reason for applied or withheld revascularization and therefore may involve a relevant selection bias.
Social Cognition in Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome
Authors: Weiblen Ronja , Jonas Melanie , Krach Sören , Krämer Ulrike M.
Published: December 2019

Abstract. Research on the neural mechanisms underlying Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) has mostly concentrated on abnormalities in basal ganglia circuits. Recent alternative accounts, however, focused more on social and affective aspects. Individuals with GTS show peculiarities in their social and affective domain, including echophenomena, coprolalia, and nonobscene socially inappropriate behavior. This article reviews the experimental and theoretical work done on the social symptoms of GTS. We discuss the role of different social cognitive and affective functions and associated brain networks, namely, the social-decision-making system, theory-of-mind functions, and the so-called “mirror-neuron” system. Although GTS affects social interactions in many ways, and although the syndrome includes aberrant social behavior, the underlying cognitive, affective, and neural processes remain to be investigated.
Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome
Authors: Kleimaker Maximilian , Kleimaker Alexander , Beste Christian , Park Soyoung Q. , Münchau Alexander Maximilian
Published: December 2019

Abstract. Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is a common, multifaceted neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by multiple motor and vocal tics. Although numerous neuroanatomical and neurophysiological particularities have been documented, there is no general concept or overarching theory to explain the pathophysiology of Tourette syndrome. Given the premonitory urges that precede tics and the altered sensorimotor processing in Tourette syndrome, the “Theory of Event Coding” (TEC) seems to be an attractive framework. TEC assumes that perceptions and actions are bound together and encoded using the same neural code to form so-called “event files.” Depending on the strength of the binding between perception and action, partial repetition of features of an event file can lead to increasing cost because existing event files need to be reconfigured. This is referred to as “partial repetition costs”, which appear to be increased in Tourette patients. This indicates stronger binding within “event files” in Tourette.
Swearing, Cursing, Coprophenomena
Authors: Wagner-Altendorf Tobias A. , Roessner Veit , Münte Thomas F.
Published: December 2019

Abstract. In healthy individuals, expletive language occurs as swearing/cursing, in patients with Tourette syndrome as coprolalia. Swearing and coprolalia thus have been likened as two ends of a continuum. Both occur apparently automatically, are triggered by emotional activation, e. g., by stress or pain, and are typically instantiations of nonpropositional language. Neurobiologically, a thalamo-cortical-limbic dysfunction is discussed. However, there are notable differences between the two: While swearing fulfills intra- and inter-individual functions coprolalia seems less functional and can result in considerable social stigma because of their occurrence in socially inappropriate situations. Patients with coprolalia report antecedents, especially feelings of urge and premonitory sensations, like itches or tingles. Finally, coprolalia seems to extend to more serious and insulting expressions compared to “everyday” swearwords.
Religiosity’s Nomological Network and Temporal	Change
Authors: Joshanloo Mohsen , Gebauer Jochen E.
Published: December 2019

Abstract. Countries differ in their religiosity and these differences have been found to moderate numerous psychological effects. The burgeoning research in this area creates a demand for a country-level religiosity index that is comparable across a large number of countries. Here, we offer such an index, which covers 166 countries and rests on representative data from 1,619,300 participants of the Gallup World Poll. Moreover, we validate the novel index, use it to examine temporal change in worldwide religiosity over the last decade, and present a comprehensive analysis of country-level religiosity’s nomological network. The main results are as follows. First, the index was found to be a valid index of global religiosity. Second, country-level religiosity modestly increased between 2006 and 2011 and modestly decreased between 2011 and 2017 – demonstrating a curvilinear pattern. Finally, nomological network analysis revealed three things: it buttressed past evidence that religious countries are economically less developed; it clarified inconsistencies in the literature on the health status of inhabitants from religious countries, suggesting that their psychological and physical health tends to be particularly good once economic development is accounted for; and finally, it shed initial light on the associations between country-level religiosity and various psychological dimensions of culture (i.e., Hofstede’s cultural dimensions and country-level Big Five traits). These associations revealed that religious countries are primarily characterized by high levels of communion (i.e., collectivism and agreeableness). We are optimistic that the newly presented country-level religiosity index can satisfy the fast-growing demand for an accurate and comprehensive global religiosity index.
Secretome analysis of patient-derived GBM tumor spheres identifies midkine as a potent therapeutic target
Authors: Han Suji , Shin Hyemi , Lee Jin-Ku , Liu Zhaoqi , Rabadan Raul , Lee Jeongwu , Shin Jihye , Lee Cheolju , Yang Heekyoung , Kim Donggeon , Kim Sung Heon , Kim Jooyeon , Oh Jeong-Woo , Kong Doo-Sik , Lee Jung-Il , Seol Ho Jun , Choi Jung Won , Kang Hyun Ju , Nam Do-Hyun
Published: December 2019

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal primary brain tumor with few treatment options. The survival of glioma-initiating cells (GICs) is one of the major factors contributing to treatment failure. GICs frequently produce and respond to their own growth factors that support cell proliferation and survival. In this study, we aimed to identify critical autocrine factors mediating GIC survival and to evaluate the anti-GBM effect of antagonizing these factors. Proteomic analysis was performed using conditioned media from two different patient-derived GBM tumor spheres under a growth factor-depleted status. Then, the antitumor effects of inhibiting an identified autocrine factor were evaluated by bioinformatic analysis and molecular validation. Proteins secreted by sphere-forming GICs promote cell proliferation/survival and detoxify reactive oxygen species (ROS). Among these proteins, we focused on midkine (MDK) as a clinically significant and pathologically relevant autocrine factor. Antagonizing MDK reduced the survival of GBM tumor spheres through the promotion of cell cycle arrest and the consequent apoptotic cell death caused by oxidative stress-induced DNA damage. We also identified PCBP4, a novel molecular predictor of resistance to anti-MDK treatment. Collectively, our results indicate that MDK inhibition is an important therapeutic option by suppressing GIC survival through the induction of ROS-mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
A mechanism of defect-enhanced phase transformation kinetics in lithium iron phosphate olivine
Authors: Hong Liang , Yang Kaiqi , Tang Ming
Published: December 2019

Antisite defects are a type of point defect ubiquitously present in intercalation compounds for energy storage applications. While they are often considered a deleterious feature, here we elucidate a mechanism of antisite defects enhancing lithium intercalation kinetics in LiFePO4 by accelerating the FePO4 → LiFePO4 phase transformation. Although FeLi antisites block Li movement along the [010] migration channels in LiFePO4, phase-field modeling reveals that their ability to enhance Li diffusion in other directions significantly increases the active surface area for Li intercalation in the surface-reaction-limited kinetic regime, which results in order-of-magnitude improvement in the phase transformation rate compared to defect-free particles. Antisite defects also promote a more uniform reaction flux on (010) surface and prevent the formation of current hotspots under galvanostatic (dis)charging conditions. We analyze the scaling relation between the phase boundary speed, Li diffusivity and particle dimensions and derive the criteria for the co-optimization of defect content and particle geometry. A surprising prediction is that (100)-oriented LiFePO4 plates could potentially deliver better performance than (010)-oriented plates when the Li intercalation process is surface-reaction-limited. Our work suggests tailoring antisite defects as a general strategy to improve the rate performance of phase-changing battery compounds with strong diffusion anisotropy.
Pandemic influenza virus vaccines boost hemagglutinin stalk-specific antibody responses in primed adult and pediatric cohorts
Authors: Nachbagauer Raffael , Salaun Bruno , Stadlbauer Daniel , Behzadi Mohammad A. , Friel Damien , Rajabhathor Arvind , Choi Angela , Albrecht Randy A. , Debois Muriel , García-Sastre Adolfo , Rouxel Ronan N. , Sun Weina , Palese Peter , Mallett Corey P. , Innis Bruce L. , Krammer Florian , Claeys Carine
Published: December 2019

Licensed influenza virus vaccines target the head domain of the hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein which undergoes constant antigenic drift. The highly conserved HA stalk domain is an attractive target to increase immunologic breadth required for universal influenza virus vaccines. We tested the hypothesis that immunization with a pandemic influenza virus vaccine boosts pre-existing anti-stalk antibodies. We used chimeric cH6/1, full length H2 and H18 HA antigens in an ELISA to measure anti-stalk antibodies in recipients participating in clinical trials of A/H1N1, A/H5N1 and A/H9N2 vaccines. The vaccines induced high titers of anti-H1 stalk antibodies in adults and children, with higher titers elicited by AS03-adjuvanted vaccines. We also observed cross-reactivity to H2 and H18 HAs. The A/H9N2 vaccine elicited plasmablast and memory B-cell responses. Post-vaccination serum from vaccinees protected mice against lethal challenge with cH6/1N5 and cH5/3N4 viruses. These findings support the concept of a chimeric HA stalk-based universal influenza virus vaccine. clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02415842.
Transcription activity contributes to the firing of non-constitutive origins in African trypanosomes helping to maintain robustness in S-phase duration
Authors: da Silva Marcelo S. , Cayres-Silva Gustavo R. , Vitarelli Marcela O. , Marin Paula A. , Hiraiwa Priscila M. , Araújo Christiane B. , Scholl Bruno B. , Ávila Andrea R. , McCulloch Richard , Reis Marcelo S. , Elias Maria Carolina
Published: December 2019

The co-synthesis of DNA and RNA potentially generates conflicts between replication and transcription, which can lead to genomic instability. In trypanosomatids, eukaryotic parasites that perform polycistronic transcription, this phenomenon and its consequences are still little studied. Here, we showed that the number of constitutive origins mapped in the Trypanosoma brucei genome is less than the minimum required to complete replication within S-phase duration. By the development of a mechanistic model of DNA replication considering replication-transcription conflicts and using immunofluorescence assays and DNA combing approaches, we demonstrated that the activation of non-constitutive (backup) origins are indispensable for replication to be completed within S-phase period. Together, our findings suggest that transcription activity during S phase generates R-loops, which contributes to the emergence of DNA lesions, leading to the firing of backup origins that help maintain robustness in S-phase duration. The usage of this increased pool of origins, contributing to the maintenance of DNA replication, seems to be of paramount importance for the survival of this parasite that affects million people around the world.
Podocyte hypertrophic stress and detachment precedes hyperglycemia or albuminuria in a rat model of obesity and type2 diabetes-associated nephropathy
Authors: Minakawa Akihiro , Fukuda Akihiro , Sato Yuji , Kikuchi Masao , Kitamura Kazuo , Wiggins Roger C. , Fujimoto Shouichi
Published: December 2019

Type2 diabetes-associated nephropathy is the commonest cause of renal failure. Mechanisms responsible are controversial. Leptin-deficient hyperphagic Zucker (fa/fa) rats were modeled to test the hypothesis that glomerular enlargement drives podocyte hypertrophic stress leading to accelerated podocyte detachment, podocyte depletion, albuminuria and progression. By 6weeks, prior to development of either hyperglycemia or albuminuria, fa/fa rats were hyperinsulinemic with high urinary IGF1/2 excretion, gaining weight rapidly, and had 1.6-fold greater glomerular volume than controls (P < 0.01). At this time the podocyte number per glomerulus was not yet reduced although podocytes were already hypertrophically stressed as shown by high podocyte phosphor-ribosomal S6 (a marker of mTORC1 activation), high urinary pellet podocin:nephrin mRNA ratio and accelerated podocyte detachment (high urinary pellet podocin:aquaporin2 mRNA ratio). Subsequently, fa/fa rats became both hyperglycemic and albuminuric. 24 hr urine albumin excretion correlated highly with decreasing podocyte density (R2 = 0.86), as a consequence of both increasing glomerular volume (R2 = 0.70) and decreasing podocyte number (R2 = 0.63). Glomerular podocyte loss rate was quantitatively related to podocyte detachment rate measured by urine pellet mRNAs. Glomerulosclerosis occurred when podocyte density reached <50/106um3. Reducing food intake by 40% to slow growth reduced podocyte hypertrophic stress and “froze” all elements of the progression process in place, but had small effect on hyperglycemia. Glomerular enlargement caused by high growth factor milieu starting in pre-diabetic kidneys appears to be a primary driver of albuminuria in fa/fa rats and thereby an under-recognized target for progression prevention. Progression risk could be identified prior to onset of hyperglycemia or albuminuria, and monitored non-invasively by urinary pellet podocyte mRNA markers.
A Deep Learning Framework for Design and Analysis of Surgical Bioprosthetic Heart Valves
Authors: Balu Aditya , Nallagonda Sahiti , Xu Fei , Krishnamurthy Adarsh , Hsu Ming-Chen , Sarkar Soumik
Published: December 2019

Bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs) are commonly used as heart valve replacements but they are prone to fatigue failure; estimating their remaining life directly from medical images is difficult. Analyzing the valve performance can provide better guidance for personalized valve design. However, such analyses are often computationally intensive. In this work, we introduce the concept of deep learning (DL) based finite element analysis (DLFEA) to learn the deformation biomechanics of bioprosthetic aortic valves directly from simulations. The proposed DL framework can eliminate the time-consuming biomechanics simulations, while predicting valve deformations with the same fidelity. We present statistical results that demonstrate the high performance of the DLFEA framework and the applicability of the framework to predict bioprosthetic aortic valve deformations. With further development, such a tool can provide fast decision support for designing surgical bioprosthetic aortic valves. Ultimately, this framework could be extended to other BHVs and improve patient care.
2-D Peripheral image quality metrics with different types of multifocal contact lenses
Authors: García García Miguel , Wahl Siegfried , Pusti Dibyendu , Artal Pablo , Ohlendorf Arne
Published: December 2019

To evaluate the impact of multifocal contact lens wear on the image quality metrics across the visual field in the context of eye growth and myopia control. Two-dimensional cross-correlation coefficients were estimated by comparing a reference image against the computed retinal images for every location. Retinal images were simulated based on the measured optical aberrations of the naked eye and a set of multifocal contact lenses (centre-near and centre-distance designs), and images were spatially filtered to match the resolution limit at each eccentricity. Value maps showing the reduction in the quality of the image through each optical condition were obtained by subtracting the optical image quality from the theoretical physiological limits. Results indicate that multifocal contact lenses degrade the image quality independently from their optical design, though this result depends on the type of analysis conducted. Analysis of the image quality across the visual field should not be oversimplified to a single number but split into regional and groups because it provides more insightful information and can avoid misinterpretation of the results. The decay of the image quality caused by the multifocal contacts alone, cannot explain the translation of peripheral defocus towards protection on myopia progression, and a different explanation needs to be found.
Association between high-fat diet feeding and male fertility in high reproductive performance mice
Authors: Gómez-Elías M. D. , Rainero Cáceres T. S. , Giaccagli M. M. , Guazzone V. A. , Dalton G. N. , De Siervi A. , Cuasnicú P. S. , Cohen D. J. , Da Ros V. G.
Published: December 2019

The increasing worldwide prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), especially in younger populations, is a risk factor for fertility disorders. However, a direct correlation of MetS with male infertility still remains unclear. In this work, we evaluated whether MetS has a negative impact on fertility of hybrid male mice with high reproductive performance. To induce a MetS-like condition, (C57BL/6xBALB/c) F1 male mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD, 30% fat) for 19 weeks, while controls received a normal-fat diet (NFD, 6% fat). HFD-fed animals exhibited increased body weight, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance. In vivo fertilisation assays performed along the treatment period showed no differences in fertilisation nor in vitro embryo development rates between groups. While testicular weight and morphology were similar in both groups, HFD-fed mice presented lighter epididymides and higher amounts of gonadal fat. Moreover, sperm count was lower in HFD-fed mice, despite normal sperm viability, morphology, motility or acrosome reaction. Finally, no differences were observed in in vitro fertilisation rates between groups. In summary, although HFD feeding altered some reproductive parameters, it did not impair male fertility in high performance breeders suggesting the possibility that a fertility impairment could be the result of the cumulative combination of environmental and/or genetic factors.
Radiobiological effects of the alpha emitter Ra-223 on tumor cells
Authors: Bannik Kristina , Madas Balázs , Jarzombek Marco , Sutter Andreas , Siemeister Gerhard , Mumberg Dominik , Zitzmann-Kolbe Sabine
Published: December 2019

Targeted alpha therapy is an emerging innovative approach for the treatment of advanced cancers, in which targeting agents deliver radionuclides directly to tumors and metastases. The biological effects of α-radiation are still not fully understood - partly due to the lack of sufficiently accurate research methods. The range of α-particles is <100 μm, and therefore, standard in vitro assays may underestimate α-radiation-specific radiation effects. In this report we focus on α-radiation-induced DNA lesions, DNA repair as well as cellular responses to DNA damage. Herein, we used Ra-223 to deliver α-particles to various tumor cells in a Transwell system. We evaluated the time and dose-dependent biological effects of α-radiation on several tumor cell lines by biological endpoints such as clonogenic survival, cell cycle distribution, comet assay, foci analysis for DNA damage, and calculated the absorbed dose by Monte-Carlo simulations. The radiobiological effects of Ra-223 in various tumor cell lines were evaluated using a novel in vitro assay designed to assess α-radiation-mediated effects. The α-radiation induced increasing levels of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) as detected by the formation of 53BP1 foci in a time- and dose-dependent manner in tumor cells. Short-term exposure (1–8 h) of different tumor cells to α-radiation was sufficient to double the number of cells in G2/M phase, reduced cell survival to 11–20% and also increased DNA fragmentation measured by tail intensity (from 1.4 to 3.9) dose-dependently. The α-particle component of Ra-223 radiation caused most of the Ra-223 radiation-induced biological effects such as DNA DSBs, cell cycle arrest and micronuclei formation, leading ultimately to cell death. The variable effects of α-radiation onto the different tumor cells demonstrated that tumor cells show diverse sensitivity towards damage caused by α-radiation. If these differences are caused by genetic alterations and if the sensitivity could be modulated by the use of DNA damage repair inhibitors remains a wide field for further investigations.
Host alarm calls attract the unwanted attention of the brood parasitic common cuckoo
Authors: Marton Attila , Fülöp Attila , Ozogány Katalin , Moskát Csaba , Bán Miklós
Published: December 2019

It is well known that avian brood parasites lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species, called hosts. It remains less clear, however, just how parasites are able to recognize their hosts and identify the exact location of the appropriate nests to lay their eggs in. While previous studies attributed high importance to visual signals in finding the hosts’ nests (e.g. nest building activity or the distance and direct sight of the nest from vantage points used by the brood parasites), the role of host acoustic signals during the nest searching stage has been largely neglected. We present experimental evidence that both female and male common cuckoos Cuculus canorus pay attention to their host’s, the great reed warbler’s Acrocephalus arundinaceus alarm calls, relative to the calls of an unparasitized species used as controls. Parallel to this, we found no difference between the visibility of parasitized and unparasitized nests during drone flights, but great reed warblers that alarmed more frequently experienced higher rates of parasitism. We conclude that alarm calls might be advantageous for the hosts when used against enemies or for alerting conspecifics, but can act in a detrimental manner by providing important nest location cues for eavesdropping brood parasites. Our results suggest that host alarm calls may constitute a suitable trait on which cuckoo nestlings can imprint on to recognize their primary host species later in life. Our study contributes to the growing body of knowledge regarding the context-dependency of animal signals, by providing a novel example of a beneficial acoustic trait intercepted by a heterospecific and used against the emitter.
Essential role of the initial activation signal in isotype selection upon deletion of a transcriptionally committed promoter
Authors: Santos Joana M. , Oudinet Chloé , Schöne Lisa , Dauba Audrey , Khamlichi Ahmed Amine
Published: December 2019

Class switch recombination (CSR), which targets exclusively the constant region of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) locus, plays an important role in humoral immunity by generating different antibody effector functions. The IgH constant locus contains multiple genes controlled by isotype (I) promoters induced by extracellular signals that activate specific I promoters, leading to B cell commitment. However, it is unknown whether after initial commitment to one promoter, non-responsive I promoters are irreversibly silent or if they can be activated after exposure to their specific inducers. Here, we studied the murine cell line CH12, which is committed to produce IgA in response to TGF-β. We show that, although other promoters than Iα are transcriptionally inactive, they are not irreversibly silent. Following deletion of the committed Iα promoter by CRISPR/Cas9, other I promoters display a complex transcriptional pattern largely dependent on the initial committing signal.
An abluminal biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stent versus a durable polymer everolimus-eluting stent in patients undergoing coronary revascularization: 3-year clinical outcomes of a randomized non-inferiority trial
Authors: Zhang Haijun , Zhang Xiaoping , Yin Yuxia , Zhou Chao , Deng Wei , Zhang Junwei , Hou Wenbo , Lu Shoutao , Song Caixia , Cui Xiaoshan , Wang Shenguo , Yang Fei , Liu Guang , Duan Cuihai , Ge Junbo
Published: December 2019

The Cordimax stent has proved non-inferior to the Cypher Select durable polymer sirolimus-eluting stent for the primary endpoint of angiographic in-stent late luminal loss and in-stent mean diameter stenosis at 9 months. The trial was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of the Cordimax stent with the Xience V stent in patients undergoing coronary revascularization. This randomized, multicenter trial enrolled 3697 patients treated with Cordimax stent (2460 patients) and Xience V stent (1237 patients). The primary efficacy endpoint was a target-lesion failure (TLF) at 1 year and the primary safety endpoint was a composite of death or myocardial infarction (MI) at 3 years. 3399 patients (91.9%) completed 3-year follow-up. At 1 year, the primary efficacy endpoint occurred in 86 (3.5%) patients in the Cordimax group versus 40 (3.2%) patients in the Xience V group (0.3% absolute risk difference, 95% CI −1.0–1.5%, Pnon-inferiority < 0.0001). At 3 years, the primary safety endpoint occurred in 39 (1.6%) patients in the Cordimax group versus 19 (1.5%) patients in the Xience V group (0.05% absolute risk difference, 95% CI −0.8–0.9%, Pnon-inferiority < 0.0001). The incidence of target lesion revascularization was low in Cordimax group compared with Xience V group (3.6% versus 5.1%, P = 0.03). There were no differences between Cordimax and Xience V in terms of Cardiac death (0.3% versus 0.4%, P = 0.70), myocardial infarction (1.2% versus 0.9%, P = 0.37), and the stent thrombosis (0.4% versus 0.6%, P = 0.61). In conclusion, safety and efficacy outcomes of Cordimax stent were non-inferior to the Xience V stent 3 years after stent implantation.
The Strength of the Movement-related Somatosensory Cortical Oscillations Differ between Adolescents and Adults
Authors: Gehringer James E. , Arpin David J. , VerMaas Jacy R. , Trevarrow Michael P. , Wilson Tony W. , Kurz Max J.
Published: December 2019

Adolescents demonstrate increasing mastery of motor actions with age. One prevailing hypothesis is that maturation of the somatosensory system during adolescence contributes to the improved motor control. However, limited efforts have been made to determine if somatosensory cortical processing is different in adolescents during movement. In this study, we used magnetoencephalographic brain imaging to begin addressing this knowledge gap by applying an electrical stimulation to the tibial nerve as adolescents (Age = 14.8 ± 2.5 yrs.) and adults (Age = 36.8 ± 5.0 yrs.) produced an isometric ankle plantarflexion force, or sat with no motor activity. Our results showed strong somatosensory cortical oscillations for both conditions in the alpha-beta (8–30 Hz) and gamma (38–80 Hz) ranges that occurred immediately after the stimulation (0–125 ms), and a beta (18–26 Hz) oscillatory response shortly thereafter (300–400 ms). Compared with the passive condition, all of these frequency specific cortical oscillations were attenuated while producing the ankle force. The attenuation of the alpha-beta response was greater in adolescents, while the adults had a greater attenuation of the beta response. These results imply that altered attenuation of the somatosensory cortical oscillations might be central to the under-developed somatosensory processing and motor performance characteristics in adolescents.
Strain-induced control of a pillar cavity-GaAs single quantum dot photon source
Authors: Yeo Inah , Kim Doukyun , Han Il Ki , Song Jin Dong
Published: December 2019

Herein, we present the calculated strain-induced control of single GaAs/AlGaAs quantum dots (QDs) integrated into semiconductor micropillar cavities. We show precise energy control of individual single GaAs QD excitons under multi-modal stress fields of tailored micropillar optomechanical resonators. Further, using a three-dimensional envelope-function model, we evaluated the quantum mechanical correction in the QD band structures depending on their geometrical shape asymmetries and, more interestingly, on the practical degree of Al interdiffusion. Our theoretical calculations provide the practical quantum error margins, obtained by evaluating Al-interdiffused QDs that were engineered through a front-edge droplet epitaxy technique, for tuning engineered QD single-photon sources, facilitating a scalable on-chip integration of QD entangled photons.
Production of ethanol from Jerusalem artichoke by mycelial pellets
Authors: Zhang Chao , Wu Daoji , Yang Hongqi , Ren Huixue
Published: December 2019

Mycelial pellets formed by Aspergillus niger A-15 were used to immobilize the ethanol producing yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae C-15. The operation parameters, such as agitation speed, temperature and mixed proportion of strains were studied. The optimal adsorption 66.9% was obtained when speed was 80r/min, temperature was 40 °C and mixed proportion(mycelial pellets: yeasts) was 1:10. With Jerusalem artichoke flour as substrate, 12.8% (V/V) of ethanol was obtained after 48 h by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation using mycelial pellets. And mycelial pellets could tolerate 19% (volume fraction) ethanol. The above results proved that this new technology was feasible, and it had the advantages of higher ethanol yield, long service life, repeated use, easy operation and lower cost in producing ethanol.
Author Correction: Characterization of Split Fluorescent Protein Variants and Quantitative Analyses of Their Self-Assembly Process
Authors: Köker Tuğba , Fernandez Anthony , Pinaud Fabien
Published: December 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Trends in United States large hail environments and observations
Authors: Tang Brian H. , Gensini Vittorio A. , Homeyer Cameron R.
Published: December 2019

Understanding trends in large hail-producing environments is an important component of estimating hail risk. Here, we use two environmental parameters, the Large Hail Parameter and the Significant Hail Parameter, to assess trends in days with environments conducive for hail ≥5 cm. From 1979 to 2017, there has been an increase in days with favorable large hail environments in central and eastern portions of the U.S. This increase has been driven primarily by an increasing frequency of days with steep mid-tropospheric lapse rates and necessary combinations of instability and vertical wind shear for severe thunderstorms. Annual large hail environment area is significantly, positively correlated with (1) large hail report area east of the Rocky Mountains, and (2) large hail radar-derived area in the Midwest and Northeast. This evidence suggests that there may be an environmental fingerprint on increasing large hail risk and expanding this risk eastward.
Interferon-γ signaling is associated with BRCA1 loss-of-function mutations in high grade serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Cardenas Horacio , Jiang Guanglong , Thomes Pepin Jessica , Parker J. Brandon , Condello Salvatore , Nephew Kenneth P. , Nakshatri Harikrishna , Chakravarti Debabrata , Liu Yunlong , Matei Daniela
Published: December 2019

Loss-of-function mutations of the breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein (BRCA1) are associated with breast (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC). To identify gene signatures regulated by epigenetic mechanisms in OC cells carrying BRCA1 mutations, we assessed cellular responses to epigenome modifiers and performed genome-wide RNA- and chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing in isogenic OC cells UWB1.289 (carrying a BRCA1 mutation, BRCA1-null) and UWB1.289 transduced with wild-type BRCA1 (BRCA1+). Increased sensitivity to histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) was observed in BRCA1-null vs. BRCA1+ cells. Gene expression profiles of BRCA1-null vs. BRCA1+ cells and treated with HDACi were integrated with chromatin mapping of histone H3 lysine 9 or 27 acetylation. Gene networks activated in BRCA1-null vs. BRCA1 + OC cells related to cellular movement, cellular development, cellular growth and proliferation, and activated upstream regulators included TGFβ1, TNF, and IFN-γ. The IFN-γ pathway was altered by HDACi in BRCA1+ vs. BRCA1-null cells, and in BRCA1-mutated/or low vs. BRCA1-normal OC tumors profiled in the TCGA. Key IFN-γ-induced genes upregulated at baseline in BRCA1-null vs. BRCA1+OC and BC cells included CXCL10, CXCL11, and IFI16. Increased localization of STAT1 in the promoters of these genes occurred in BRCA1-null OC cells, resulting in diminished responses to IFN-γ or to STAT1 knockdown. The IFN-γ signature was associated with improved survival among OC patients profiled in the TCGA. In all, our results support that changes affecting IFN-γ responses are associated with inactivating BRCA1 mutations in OC. This signature may contribute to altered responses to anti-tumor immunity in BRCA1-mutated cells or tumors.
29th annual conference of the European Society for Biomaterials
Authors: Habibovic Pamela , Hofmann Sandra , van den Beucken Jeroen
Published: December 2019

Guest editors Pamela Habibovic, Sandra Hofmann and Jeroen van den Beucken introduce this themed collection on behalf of the European Society for Biomaterials, showcasing research presented at the 29th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Biomaterials, Maastricht, 2018.
Piperazine-promoted gold-catalyzed hydrogenation: the influence of capping ligands
Authors: Fiorio Jhonatan L. , Barbosa Eduardo C. M. , Kikuchi Danielle K. , Camargo Pedro H. C. , Rudolph Matthias , Hashmi A. Stephen K. , Rossi Liane M.
Published: December 2019

The presence of capping ligands can block the adsorption of the amine ligand on gold NPs, preventing the formation of a ligand–metal interface able to activate H2 for selective hydrogenation reactions.
One-pot synthesis of highly active and hydrothermally stable Pd@mHSiO2yolk–shell-structured nanoparticles for high-temperature reactions in hydrothermal environments
Authors: Lv Mingxin , Xin Qianghua , Bian Bing , Yu Shitao , Liu Shiwei , Li Lu , Xie Congxia , Liu Yue
Published: December 2019

The facile synthesis of yolk–shell-structured nanoparticles (YSNPs) with mobile active metal cores and mesoporous inorganic–organic hybrid silica shells (mHSiO2) is important for their applications.
Risks to water resources and development of a management strategy in the river basins of the Hengduan Mountains, Southwest China
Authors: Mokhtar Ali , He Hongming , Zhao Hongfei , Keo Soksamnang , Bai Chunyu , Zhang Chuangjuan , Ma Yue , Ibrahim Alaa , Li Yu , Li Fujia , He Wenming , Abdo Ahmed I. , Zhou Jie
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this study is to disclose the water resource risks influenced by climate extremes and human activities and therefore to propose a management strategy for river basins in the Hengduan Mountains, Southwest China.
Visible light photoredox catalyzed deprotection of 1,3-oxathiolanes
Authors: Yang Mingyang , Xing Zhimin , Fang Bowen , Xie Xingang , She Xuegong
Published: December 2019

A mild and efficient visible light photoredox catalyzed aerobic deprotection of 1,3-oxathiolanes using Eosin Y as a photocatalyst is disclosed.
Eight Cd(ii) coordination polymers with persistent room-temperature phosphorescence: intriguing dual emission and time-resolved afterglow modulation
Authors: Li Yajie , Gai Tianyu , Lin Yuejin , Zhang Wenjing , Li Kai , Liu Yan , Duan Yanquan , Li Baojun , Ding Jie , Li Jinpeng
Published: December 2019

A new series of p-RTP CPs 1–8 were designed and successfully synthesized; 5–8, in particular, exhibited intriguing time-resolved afterglow modulation.
Recent advances in the synthesis and application of Yb-based fluoride upconversion nanoparticles
Authors: Chen Bing , Wang Feng
Published: December 2019

This review focuses on recent progress in the development of Yb-based upconversion nanoparticles and their emerging technological applications.
Environmental risk assessment in livestock manure derived biochars
Authors: Wang Andong , Zou Dongsheng , Zhang Liqing , Zeng Xinyi , Wang Hua , Li Longcheng , Liu Fen , Ren Bo , Xiao Zhihua
Published: December 2019

Livestock-manure-derived biochar is one of major products obtained from the pyrolysis of livestock manure. This study quantitatively assesses the pollution level and ecological risks associated with heavy metals in livestock manure and the biochar produced by its pyrolysis.
Iron oxide nanoparticles as multimodal imaging tools
Authors: Alphandéry Edouard
Published: December 2019

In medicine, obtaining simply a resolute and accurate image of an organ of interest is a real challenge.
Harnessing inherently hierarchical microstructures of plant biomass to construct three-dimensional nanoporous nitrogen-doped carbons as efficient and durable oxygen reduction electrocatalysts
Authors: Tang Hongqu , Wei Shilin , Yang Chuangchuang , Bai Peiyao , Qi Jiawei , Zhang Wendu , Yu Lejian , Xu Lang
Published: December 2019

Naturally hierarchical microstructures of E. tirucalli are utilized to prepare a nanoporous nitrogen-doped carbon-based metal-free ORR electrocatalyst that is superior to the benchmark Pt/C catalyst in catalytic activity and durability.
A hollow neuronal carbon skeleton with ultrahigh pyridinic N content as a self-supporting potassium-ion battery anode
Authors: Sun Yongwen , Zhang Ya , Xing Zheng , Wei Denghu , Ju Zhicheng , Zhuang Quanchao
Published: December 2019

Safe, non-toxic and low cost carbonaceous materials, as ideal anodes for potassium ion batteries (KIBs), have broad application foregrounds.
Evidence for water ridges at oil–water interfaces: implications for ion transport
Authors: Wen Boyao , Sun Chengzhen , Zheng Wenxiu , Bai Bofeng , Lichtfouse Eric
Published: December 2019

We identified a new mode of ion transport across oil–water interfaces, involving a water ridge at low ionic concentrations.
Ultrasensitive self-enhanced electrochemiluminescence sensor based on novel PAN@Ru@PEI@Nafion nanofiber mat
Authors: Li Libo , Zhou Limin , Liu Xiaohong , You Tianyan
Published: December 2019

A novel self-enhanced electrochemiluminescence nanofiber mat was for the first time prepared by one-step electrospinning a mixture of polyacrylonitrile, Ru(bpy)32+, poly(ethylenimine) and Nafion.
Silver crosslinked injectable bFGF-eluting supramolecular hydrogels speed up infected wound healing
Authors: Xuan Xuan , Zhou Yajiao , Chen Anqi , Zheng Sen , An Ying , He Huacheng , Huang Wen , Chen Yanxin , Yang Yao , Li Shengyu , Xuan Tengxiao , Xiao Jian , Li Xiaokun , Wu Jiang
Published: December 2019

A silver crosslinked chitosan hydrogel controlled the release of bFGF to improve the regeneration of infectious skin wounds.
High-performance, biaxially stretchable conductor based on Ag composites and hierarchical auxetic structure
Authors: Han Seolhee , Jung Sungmook , Jeong Sunho , Choi Jihoon , Choi Youngmin , Lee Su Yeon
Published: December 2019

A hierarchical-patterned stretchable conductor with multidirectional stretchability and stable conductivity under high stretching is fabricated by incorporating silver (Ag) flakes into a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) matrix.