bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes of Endocan and its effect on hepatic stem cells during the rapid proliferation process of residual liver after ALPPS procedure
Authors: Zhao Liang , Dai Chaoliu , Gong Qi
Published: June 2020

To establish a stable animal model of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS), as well as to explore whether Endocan and HGF/c‐Met signalling pathway participate in the regeneration of residual liver through hepatic stem cells after ALPPS procedure. C57BL/6J male mice weighing 18‐22 g were used in this study. The liver regeneration index was expressed as the ratio of Future Liver Remnant (FLR)/Body weight (BW) × 100%. Expression of hepatic stem cell marker CK19 was assessed by immunohistochemical method. Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Endocan were detected by ELISA. VEGF, Endocan and c‐Met contents in residual liver were observed by Western blot analysis. The expression levels of Endocan and HGF/c‐Met pathway‐related genes were evaluated by qRT‐PCR. Compared with the portal vein ligation (PVL) group and sham group, the ALPPS group had more CK19 positive cells and a higher liver regeneration index (P < .05). The serum levels of VEGF in the ALPPS group were increased significantly (P < .05) from the first day and decreased from the second day after surgery, and maintained consistently higher than that of the sham group (P < .05). Western blot showed that the expressions of VEGF and Endocan in ALPPS group were significantly higher than those in both sham and PVL groups at different time points. The Endocan plays a role in the rapid regeneration of residual liver after ALPPS, likely through the interaction with the HGF/c‐Met pathway to affect the hepatic stem cell population.

Significance of the study

Our animal study provides valuable insights on the effect of Endocan in the process of rapid regeneration of residual liver after ALPPS, which would lead to the possible expansion of clinical research on ALPPS surgery and further studies on its molecular underpinning during liver regeneration.
Emotion Regulation for Counselors‐in‐Training: A Grounded Theory
Authors: Prikhidko Alena , Su Yi‐Wen , Houseknecht Alisa , Swank Jacqueline M.
Published: June 2020

The authors explored emotion regulation (ER) among 25 counseling professionals (master's‐level counselors‐in‐training and counseling supervisors) using grounded theory and established 5 themes: (a) emotional experiences, (b) emotion processing, (c) metacognition, (d) emotional self‐protection, and (e) emotional support. The emerging theory provides a foundation for teaching and practicing ER.
Evaluation of multiple linear regression applied to impedimetric sensing
Authors: Rodrigues Dayvison Ribeiro , Fragoso Wallace Duarte , Lemos Sherlan Guimarães
Published: June 2020

In this work, the application of multiple linear regression (MLR) on the development of electroanalytical methods based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) data was investigated. This approach was proposed considering that more than one element of the equivalent electrical circuit fitted to impedance spectra could keep linear relationship with the analyte concentration and be used in a multivariate calibration model, rather than using only one element of the circuit in a univariate regression, the benchmark procedure in the context of impedimetric (bio)sensing. First, MLR was evaluated in the individual determination of the redox probe ferrocyanide in aqueous solutions, followed by the determination of catechol and hydroquinone in tap water samples. MLR produced better predictions than univariate regression when more complex electrochemical systems (catechol and hydroquinone) and more complex samples (tap water) were analyzed. The determinations of hydroquinone and catechol in the direct analysis of spiked tap water samples were successful, with apparent recoveries ranging from 94% to 136%.
Synthesis of Aluminophosphate Molecular Sieves in Alkaline Media
Authors: Sheng Na , Ma Ye , Zhu Qianwen , Hong Xin , Zhang Juan , Xu Jun , Deng Feng , Sun Junliang , Feng Zhaochi , Wang Liang , Meng Xiangju , Xiao Feng‐Shou
Published: June 2020

Unlike conventional aluminosilicate zeolites synthesized in alkaline media, aluminophosphate molecular sieves (AlPOs) have always been prepared under acidic conditions in the past three decades; this has been regarded as one of essential factors for synthesis, except for the case of silica‐substituted analogues (SAPOs). For the first time, we demonstrate herein a simple and generalized route for synthesizing various types of aluminophosphate molecular sieves in alkaline media. A series of aluminophosphate sieves and their analogues have been prepared with different quaternary ammonium cations as structure‐directing agents in this manner. The above successes have extended the systematic media from acidic or neutral to alkaline for the preparation of a series of aluminophosphate molecular sieves, which possibly open an alternative route for the synthesis of aluminophosphate molecular sieves.
Photocatalytic Conversion of Benzyl Alcohols/Methyl Arenes to Aryl Nitriles via H‐Abstraction by Azide Radical
Authors: Shee Maniklal , Shah Sk. Sheriff , Singh N. D. Pradeep
Published: June 2020

This report presents the visible‐light‐assisted synthesis of aryl nitriles from easily accessible alcohols or methyl arenes in the presence of O2. Organic photoredox catalyst, 4CzIPN (1,2,3,5‐tetrakis(carbazol‐9‐yl)‐4,6‐dicyanobenzene), induces single electron transfer (SET) from azide N3− and generates azide radical N3⋅.The photogenerated N3⋅ abstracts H atom from α‐C−H bond of benzylic system, which provides aldehyde and hydrazoic acid (HN3) in situ. This reaction subsequently forms azido alcohol intermediate that transforms into nitrile with the assistance of triflic acid (Brønsted acid). A range of alcohols and methyl arenes successfully underwent cyanation at room temperature with good to excellent yields and showed good functional group tolerance.
Degeneracy of the Antithrombin Binding Sequence in Heparin: 2‐O‐Sulfated Iduronic Acid Can Replace the Critical Glucuronic Acid
Authors: Elli Stefano , Stancanelli Eduardo , Wang Zhangjie , Petitou Maurice , Liu Jian , Guerrini Marco
Published: June 2020

Heparin binds to and activates antithrombin (AT) through a specific pentasaccharide sequence, in which a trisaccharide subsite, containing glucuronic acid (GlcA), has been considered as the initiator in the recognition of the polysaccharide by the protein. Recently it was suggested that sulfated iduronic acid (IdoA2S) could replace this “canonical” GlcA. Indeed, a heparin octasaccharidic sequence obtained by chemoenzymatic synthesis, in which GlcA is replaced with IdoA2S, has been found to similarly bind to and activate antithrombin. By using saturation‐transfer‐difference (STD) NMR, NOEs, transferred NOEs (tr‐NOEs) NMR and molecular dynamics, we show that, upon binding to AT, this IdoA2S unit develops comparable interactions with AT as GlcA. Interestingly, two IdoA2S units, both present in a 1C4‐2S0 equilibrium in the unbound saccharide, shift to full 2S0 and full 1C4 upon binding to antithrombin, providing the best illustration of the critical role of iduronic acid conformational flexibility in biological systems.
Direct Synthesis of Peptide‐Containing Silicones: A New Way to Bioactive Materials
Authors: Martin Julie , Wehbi Mohammad , Echalier Cécile , Hunger Sylvie , Bethry Audrey , Garric Xavier , Pinese Coline , Martinez Jean , Vezenkov Lubomir , Subra Gilles , Mehdi Ahmad
Published: June 2020

A simple and efficient way to synthesize peptide‐containing silicone materials is described. Silicone oils containing a chosen ratio of bioactive peptide sequences were prepared by acid‐catalyzed copolymerization of dichlorodimethylsilane, hybrid dichloromethyl peptidosilane, and Si(vinyl)‐ or SiH‐functionalized monomers. Functionalized silicone oils were first obtained and then, after hydrosilylation cross‐linking, bioactive polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)‐based materials were straightforwardly obtained. The introduction of an antibacterial peptide yielded PDMS materials showing activity against Staphylococcus aureus. PDMS containing RGD ligands showed improved cell‐adhesion properties. This generic method was fully compatible with the stability of peptides and thus opened the way to the synthesis of a wide range of biologically active silicones.
Synthesis of Helically π‐Extended N‐Confused Porphyrin Dimer via meso‐Bipyrrole‐Bridge with Near‐Infrared‐II Absorption Capability
Authors: Yamasumi Kazuhisa , Notsuka Yusuke , Yamaoka Yoshihisa , Mori Shigeki , Ishida Masatoshi , Furuta Hiroyuki
Published: June 2020

Quinoidal dimeric porphyrin dye synthesis exhibiting second near‐infrared (NIR‐II) absorbability is described herein. A precisely designed meso‐pyrrolyl‐substituted N‐confused porphyrin possesses a distinct metal coordination site at the periphery. Nickel metalation of this compound led to the oxidative C−H coupling between adjacent α‐pyrrole rings, affording two dimeric complexes, which exhibited intense NIR‐II absorptions ranging from 1000 to 1400 nm. As was evidenced by decreased aromaticity, the quinoidal resonant structures contributed to the emergence of photoacoustic spectral capabilities in the NIR‐II window. Thus, the potential of these compounds as prototypical contrast agents in various bioimaging applications has been demonstrated.
Umweltgerechter Zugang zu Methylmethoxysilanen
Authors: Wolf Andreas T.
Published: June 2020

Die Müller‐Rochow‐Direktsynthese ist heute der bedeutendste Herstellungsprozess für die monomeren Ausgangsstoffe der Silikone (Polydimethylsiloxane), einer wirtschaftlich und technisch bedeutsamen Gruppe synthetischer Polymere. Wissenschaftlern gelang es nunmehr, Methylchlorid, das giftige und mutagene Edukt der Direktsynthese, durch ein umweltfreundliches und relativ ungefährliches Methylierungsmittel zu ersetzen.
Von Verkehrsentwicklung und dem Gödelschen Theorem
Authors: Sobolev Sergei
Published: June 2020

Das absolute Nichts (S'u‐nyata‐) ist einer der aufregendsten Begriffe im Buddhismus. Im Wesentlichen kann es nicht interpretiert, sondern sollte als ultimative Realität betrachtet werden. In der mediterranen Tradition führten antiken Kosmologen einen anderen Begriff ein, der vertrauter klingt – das Chaos. Er wurde mit dem unendlichen Ozean assoziiert und drückte einen möglichen Anfangszustand des Kosmos aus.
The First OCCCO Pentadentate Chelates: Osmium Mediated Stepwise Oxidations of Terminal Alkynes by Pyridine N‐Oxide
Authors: Lin Jianfeng , Xu Qiannan , Lin Xinlei , Hua Yuhui , Chen Dafa , Ruan Yonghong , Zhang Hong , Xia Haiping
Published: June 2020

Summary of main observation and conclusion

Oxygen atom transfer reactions between alkynes and heteroarene N‐oxides are currently mediated by transition metal, such as gold, ruthenium or rhodium, but they have never been catalyzed by osmium. Herein, we report stepwise oxidations of terminal alkynes mediated by an osmium carbolong complex, using pyridine N‐oxide as the oxidant, yielding novel aldehyde‐ or carboxylic acid‐coordinated osmapentalyne derivatives selectively. The mechanism was illustrated by density functional theory calculations, providing a new route for oxygen atom transfer between heteroarene N‐oxides and alkynes.
Peculiar protrusions along tanycyte processes face diverse neural and nonneural cell types in the hypothalamic parenchyma
Authors: Pasquettaz Roxane , Kolotuev Irina , Rohrbach Antoine , Gouelle Cathy , Pellerin Luc , Langlet Fanny
Published: June 2020

Tanycytes are highly specialized ependymal cells that line the bottom and the lateral walls of the third ventricle. In contact with the cerebrospinal fluid through their cell bodies, they send processes into the arcuate nucleus, the ventromedial nucleus, and the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus. In the present work, we combined transgenic and immunohistochemical approaches to investigate the neuroanatomical associations between tanycytes and neural cells present in the hypothalamic parenchyma, in particular in the arcuate nucleus. The specific expression of tdTomato in tanycytes first allowed the observation of peculiar subcellular protrusions along tanycyte processes and at their endfeet such as spines, swelling, en passant boutons, boutons, or claws. Interestingly, these protrusions contact different neural cells in the brain parenchyma including blood vessels and neurons, and in particular NPY and POMC neurons in the arcuate nucleus. Using both fluorescent and electron microscopy, we finally observed that these tanycyte protrusions contain ribosomes, mitochondria, diverse vesicles, and transporters, suggesting dense tanycyte/neuron and tanycyte/blood vessel communications. Altogether, our results lay the neuroanatomical basis for tanycyte/neural cell interactions, which will be useful to further understand cell‐to‐cell communications involved in the regulation of neuroendocrine functions.
Persistent spectral graph
Authors: Wang Rui , Nguyen Duc Duy , Wei Guo‐Wei
Published: June 2020

Persistent homology is constrained to purely topological persistence, while multiscale graphs account only for geometric information. This work introduces persistent spectral theory to create a unified low‐dimensional multiscale paradigm for revealing topological persistence and extracting geometric shapes from high‐dimensional datasets. For a point‐cloud dataset, a filtration procedure is used to generate a sequence of chain complexes and associated families of simplicial complexes and chains, from which we construct persistent combinatorial Laplacian matrices. We show that a full set of topological persistence can be completely recovered from the harmonic persistent spectra, that is, the spectra that have zero eigenvalues, of the persistent combinatorial Laplacian matrices. However, non‐harmonic spectra of the Laplacian matrices induced by the filtration offer another powerful tool for data analysis, modeling, and prediction. In this work, fullerene stability is predicted by using both harmonic spectra and non‐harmonic persistent spectra, while the latter spectra are successfully devised to analyze the structure of fullerenes and model protein flexibility, which cannot be straightforwardly extracted from the current persistent homology. The proposed method is found to provide excellent predictions of the protein B‐factors for which current popular biophysical models break down.
Direct comparison of five different 3D extracellular matrix model systems for characterization of cancer cell migration
Authors: Shinsato Yoshinari , Doyle Andrew D. , Li Weimin , Yamada Kenneth M.
Published: June 2020

Background

Three‐dimensional (3D) in vitro model systems can bridge the gap between regular two‐dimensional cell culture and whole‐animal studies. Analyses of cancer cell migration and invasion increasingly use differing 3D systems, which may produce conflicting findings.

Aims

We directly compared different 3D extracellular matrix systems for studying cancer cell migration/invasion by analyzing cell morphologies and quantifying aspects of cell migration including speed and directional persistence using automated computer‐based cell tracking.

Methods and results

We performed direct comparisons of five different 3D extracellular matrix cell culture systems using both HT1080 fibrosarcoma and MDA‐MB‐231 breast carcinoma cell lines. The reconstituted 3D systems included two types of collagen hydrogel and tissue matrix gel (TMG) vs cell‐derived matrices extracted from cultured primary human or cancer‐associated fibroblasts. The fibrillar matrix architecture of these systems differed. 3D rat tail collagen and TMG matrices had short, randomly oriented collagen fibrils; bovine collagen had long, larger fibril bundles; and the cell‐derived matrices were strongly oriented. HT1080 cells displayed rounded morphologies in all three reconstituted 3D matrices but became spindle shaped in the two cell‐derived matrices. MDA‐MB‐231 cell morphologies were elongated in all matrices. Quantitative measures of cell migration parameters differed markedly between the different types of 3D matrix. Comparing the reconstituted matrices, cells migrated the most rapidly and furthest in TMG. Comparing TMG with cell‐derived matrices, cells migrated more efficiently in the cell‐derived matrices. The most notable differences were in directional persistence of migration, which was greatest in the two cell‐derived matrices.

Conclusion

The morphologies of matrix fibrils and cell shape, and particularly the efficiency and directionality of cell migration, differed substantially depending on the type of 3D matrix system. We suggest that it is important to employ the 3D model system that most closely resembles the matrix environment being studied for analyses of cancer cell migration and invasion.
Pristine Graphene as a Racemization Catalyst for Axially Chiral BINOL
Authors: Kroeger Asja A. , Hooper Joel F. , Karton Amir
Published: June 2020

Despite versatile applications of functionalized graphene in catalysis, applications of pure, unfunctionalized graphene in catalysis are in their infancy. This work uses both computational and experimental approaches to show that single‐layer graphene can efficiently catalyze the racemization of axially chiral BINOL in solution. Using double‐hybrid density functional theory (DHDFT) we calculate the uncatalyzed and catalyzed Gibbs free reaction barrier heights in a number of representative solvents of varying polarity: benzene, diphenyl ether, dimethylformamide (DMF), and water. These calculations show that (i) graphene can achieve significant catalytic efficiencies (▵▵G≠cat) varying between 47.2 (in diphenyl ether) and 60.7 (in DMF) kJ mol−1. An energy decomposition analysis reveals that this catalytic activity is driven by electrostatic and dispersion interactions. Based on these computational results, we explore the graphene‐catalyzed racemization of axially chiral BINOL experimentally and show that single‐layer graphene can efficiently catalyze this process. Whilst the uncatalyzed racemization requires high temperatures of over 200 °C, a pristine single‐layer graphene catalyst makes it accessible at 60 °C.
Giardia lamblia: Laboratory Maintenance, Lifecycle Induction, and Infection of Murine Models
Authors: Fink Marc Y. , Shapiro Danielle , Singer Steven M.
Published: June 2020

Giardia lamblia is a protozoan parasite that is found ubiquitously throughout the world and is a major contributor to diarrheal disease. Giardia exhibits a biphasic lifestyle existing as either a dormant cyst or a vegetative trophozoite. Infections are typically initiated through the consumption of cyst‐contaminated water or food. Giardia was first axenized in the 1970s and can be readily maintained in a laboratory setting. Additionally, Giardia is one of the few protozoans that can be induced to complete its complete lifecycle using laboratory methods. In this article, we outline protocols to maintain Giardia and induce passage through its lifecycle. We also provide protocols for infecting and quantifying parasites in an animal infection model. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: In vitro maintenance and growth of Giardia trophozoites

Basic Protocol 2: In vitro encystation of Giardia cysts

Basic Protocol 3: In vivo infections using Giardia trophozoites
Relationships between emotional processing difficulties and early maladaptive schemas on the regulation of psychological needs
Authors: Faustino Bruno , Vasco António Branco
Published: June 2020

Emotional processing difficulties may be viewed as dysfunctional emotional states emerging from non‐adequately processed emotional experience while early maladaptive schemas are experienced‐based dysfunctional mental structures associated with chronic and recurrent psychological disorders. Schemas and emotional difficulties were previously associated with impairments on the regulation of psychological needs. However, clarifications about the relationships between these constructs are lacking. In a cross‐sectional study, a clinical sample of 66 participants (M = 46.4, SD = 13.1) completed self‐report questionnaires. Emotional processing difficulties correlated positively with schemas and negatively with the regulation of psychological needs. Disconnection and rejection, lack of autonomy and impaired limits schema domains mediated the relationship between emotional processing difficulties and psychological needs. Emotional processing difficulties may be associated with impairments on the regulation of psychological needs, due to activation of early maladaptive schemas, which, in turn, prompts symptomatology. Transtheoretical intervention regarding marker‐guided interventions and phase‐by‐phase schema restructuring may be used to promote the regulation of psychological needs.
How fashion can achieve sustainable development through a circular economy and stakeholder engagement: A systematic literature review
Authors: Ki Chung‐Wha (Chloe) , Chong Sze Man , Ha‐Brookshire Jung E.
Published: June 2020

Despite the strong societal demand for circular fashion (CF) businesses, the literature lacks a contextualized understanding about what has been explored versus what has been underexplored in the current literature. Although the fashion supply chain involves many stakeholders, the majority of the literature discusses CF from the stance of internal stakeholders. Less is understood about the external stakeholders' perspective. To offer a holistic understanding about the CF traits (i.e., drivers, strategies, practices, barriers, and enablers) for all stakeholders, we have systematically reviewed the CF literature and integrated a stakeholder's perspective into this review process. Through content analysis, Study 1 shows the current trends in the CF literature and suggests avenues for future research. Through thematic analysis, Study 2 identifies the CF traits for all stakeholders, both internal and external. The results yielded a conceptual framework offering an integrated understanding about how fashion businesses can institute true circularity by engaging external stakeholders in their CF‐related endeavors.
High‐quality coplanar waveguide tunable band‐stop filter using defected ground structure and comb‐line resonator with radio frequency microelectromechanical system varactors
Authors: Mirebrahimi S. Mehdi , Dousti Massoud , Afrang Saed
Published: June 2020

A new analog tunable Ka‐band band‐stop filter is proposed on high resistivity silicon (HRS) substrate using radio frequency microelectromechanical systems (RF MEMS) varactors for satellite and radar applications. The designed filter uses a λ/4 comb‐line resonator on the center line of a coplanar waveguide (CPW) with a new uncommon defected ground structure (DGS). Using the DGS in the proposed structure not only decreases the lateral size of the filter but also increases the quality factor. The tuning range of the proposed filter is 29.8–35.6 GHz with a maximum actuation voltage of 44.5 V and a band rejection between 37 and 45 dB. The quality factors of the designed filter in the up and down states of the MEMS varactors are 162 and 292, respectively. The equivalent circuit model of the filter is exactly extracted, and DGS dimensions are optimized. Based on the frequency simulation using ANSOFT HFSS 14, the insertion loss of the designed filter is about 0.51 dB in the 0–20 GHz range and 2 dB in the 0–15 GHz range in, respectively, up and down state of the bridge. The return losses are 0.51 and 0.33 dB at the center frequency for the up‐ and down‐state configuration of the bridge. A step‐by‐step fabrication process is also proposed for designing the band‐stop filter. High quality factor, small size, and improved structure are the advantages of the proposed design.
Molecular regulation and clinical significance of caveolin‐1 methylation in chronic lung diseases
Authors: Yan Furong , Su Lili , Chen Xiaoyang , Wang Xiangdong , Gao Hongzhi , Zeng Yiming
Published: June 2020

Chronic lung diseases represent a largely global burden whose pathogenesis remains largely unknown. Research increasingly suggests that epigenetic modifications, especially DNA methylation, play a mechanistic role in chronic lung diseases. DNA methylation can affect gene expression and induce various diseases. Of the caveolae in plasma membrane of cell, caveolin‐1 (Cav‐1) is a crucial structural constituent involved in many important life activities. With the increasingly advanced progress of genome‐wide methylation sequencing technologies, the important impact of Cav‐1 DNA methylation has been discovered. The present review overviews the biological characters, functions, and structure of Cav‐1; epigenetic modifications of Cav‐1 in health and disease; expression and regulation of Cav‐1 DNA methylation in the respiratory system and its significance; as well as clinical potential as disease‐specific biomarker and targets for early diagnosis and therapy.
HOTAIR‐EZH2 inhibitor AC1Q3QWB upregulates CWF19L1 and enhances cell cycle inhibition of CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib in glioma
Authors: Shi Jin , Lv Shigang , Wu Miaojing , Wang Xianggan , Deng Yan , Li Yansheng , Li Kuanxun , Zhao Hongyu , Zhu Xingen , Ye Minhua
Published: June 2020

Background

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary tumor in the brain, and the median survival time for GBM patients is only about 14 months; therefore, there is an urgent need for new and more effective strategies. Since cell cycle disorder is a key factor in tumor progression and immortalization, there is great potential for controlling cell cycle disorders in tumor cells in GBM patients. We began to study a novel combination of AQB and palbociclib to evaluate its potential as a new therapeutic target.

Methods

Protein mass spectrometry was used to identify the tumor suppressor genes up‐regulated by AQB.The effects of HOTAIR ‐ EZH2 inhibitor AQB and CDK4/6 inhibitor Palbociclib on glioma cells lines were examined in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Results

The combination of AQB and palbociclib inhibitors has a more pronounced suppression effect on the cell cycle, especially gliomas with high expression of HOTAIR and EZH2 and low expression of CWF19L1. We performed protein mass spectrometry to identify AQB upregulated tumor suppressor genes and confirmed that CWF19L1 is regulated by H3K27ac through chromatin immunoprecipitation‐quantitative PCR results. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis and database analysis were performed to suggest CWF19L1 is a good prognostic factor. Our experimental results suggested that CWF19L1 can be significantly upregulated by AQB and lead to degradation of CDK4/6, resulting in G1 arrest. The combination of AQB and CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib is more effective in inhibiting the growth of glioma than in the single drug, both in vivo and in vitro. Similarly, we found that both AQB and palbociclib can inhibit Wnt/β‐catenin signaling, and the combined use of the two inhibitors has a stronger inhibitory effect on tumor metastasis.

Conclusions

The combination of AQB and CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib has been found to have significant antitumor effects, which is likely to become a new strategy for glioma treatment.
Can routine laboratory tests discriminate SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected pneumonia from other causes of community‐acquired pneumonia?
Authors: Pan Yunbao , Ye Guangming , Zeng Xiantao , Liu Guohong , Zeng Xiaojiao , Jiang Xianghu , Zhao Jin , Chen Liangjun , Guo Shuang , Deng Qiaoling , Hong Xiaoyue , Yang Ying , Li Yirong , Wang Xinghuan
Published: June 2020

Background

The clinical presentation of SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected pneumonia (COVID‐19) resembles that of other etiologies of community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP). We aimed to identify clinical laboratory features to distinguish COVID‐19 from CAP.

Methods

We compared the hematological and biochemical features of 84 patients with COVID‐19 at hospital admission and 221 patients with CAP. Parameters independently predictive of COVID‐19 were calculated by multivariate logistic regression. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was measured to evaluate the discriminative ability.

Results

Most hematological and biochemical indexes of patients with COVID‐19 were significantly different from patients with CAP. Nine laboratory parameters were identified to be predictive of a diagnosis of COVID‐19. The AUCs demonstrated good discriminatory ability for red cell distribution width (RDW) with an AUC of 0.87 and hemoglobin with an AUC of 0.81. Red blood cell, albumin, eosinophil, hematocrit, alkaline phosphatase, and mean platelet volume had fair discriminatory ability. Combinations of any two parameters performed better than did the RDW alone.

Conclusions

Routine laboratory examinations may be helpful for the diagnosis of COVID‐19. Application of laboratory tests may help to optimize the use of isolation rooms for patients when they present with unexplained febrile respiratory illnesses.
Surgical trauma‐induced immunosuppression in cancer: Recent advances and the potential therapies
Authors: Tang Fan , Tie Yan , Tu Chongqi , Wei Xiawei
Published: June 2020

Surgical resection remains the mainstay treatment for solid cancers, especially for localized disease. However, the postoperative immunosuppression provides a window for cancer cell proliferation and awakening dormant cancer cells, leading to rapid recurrences or metastases. This immunosuppressive status after surgery is associated with the severity of surgical trauma since immunosuppression induced by minimally invasive surgery is less than that of an extensive open surgery. The systemic response to tissue damages caused by surgical operations and the subsequent wound healing induced a cascade alteration in cellular immunity. After surgery, patients have a high level of circulating damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), triggering a local and systemic inflammation. The inflammatory metrics in the immediate postoperative period was associated with the prognosis of cancer patients. Neutrophils provide the first response to surgical trauma, and the production of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) promotes cancer progression. Activated macrophage during wound healing presents a tumor‐associated phenotype that cancers can exploit for their survival advantage. In addition, the amplification and activation of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), regulatory T cells (Tregs) or the elevated programmed death ligand‐1 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression under surgical trauma, exacerbate the immunosuppression and favor of the formation of the premetastatic niche. Therapeutic strategies to reduce the cellular immunity impairment after surgery include anti‐DAMPs, anti‐postoperative inflammation or inflammatory/pyroptosis signal, combined immunotherapy with surgery, antiangiogenesis and targeted therapies for neutrophils, macrophages, MDSCs, and Tregs. Further, the application of enhanced recovery after surgery also has a feasible outcome for postoperative immunity restoration. Overall, current therapies to improve the cellular immunity under the special condition after surgery are relatively lacking. Further understanding the underlying mechanisms of surgical trauma‐related immunity dysfunction, phenotyping the immunosuppressive cells, and developing the related therapeutic intervention should be explored.
Human gene and disease associations for clinical‐genomics and precision medicine research
Authors: Ahmed Zeeshan , Zeeshan Saman , Mendhe Dinesh , Dong XinQi
Published: June 2020

We are entering the era of personalized medicine in which an individual's genetic makeup will eventually determine how a doctor can tailor his or her therapy. Therefore, it is becoming critical to understand the genetic basis of common diseases, for example, which genes predispose and rare genetic variants contribute to diseases, and so on. Our study focuses on helping researchers, medical practitioners, and pharmacists in having a broad view of genetic variants that may be implicated in the likelihood of developing certain diseases. Our focus here is to create a comprehensive database with mobile access to all available, authentic and actionable genes, SNPs, and classified diseases and drugs collected from different clinical and genomics databases worldwide, including Ensembl, GenCode, ClinVar, GeneCards, DISEASES, HGMD, OMIM, GTR, CNVD, Novoseek, Swiss‐Prot, LncRNADisease, Orphanet, GWAS Catalog, SwissVar, COSMIC, WHO, and FDA. We present a new cutting‐edge gene‐SNP‐disease‐drug mobile database with a smart phone application, integrating information about classified diseases and related genes, germline and somatic mutations, and drugs. Its database includes over 59 000 protein‐coding and noncoding genes; over 67 000 germline SNPs and over a million somatic mutations reported for over 19 000 protein‐coding genes located in over 1000 regions, published with over 3000 articles in over 415 journals available at the PUBMED; over 80 000 ICDs; over 123 000 NDCs; and over 100 000 classified gene‐SNP‐disease associations. We present an application that can provide new insights into the information about genetic basis of human complex diseases and contribute to assimilating genomic with phenotypic data for the availability of gene‐based designer drugs, precise targeting of molecular fingerprints for tumor, appropriate drug therapy, predicting individual susceptibility to disease, diagnosis, and treatment of rare illnesses are all a few of the many transformations expected in the decade to come.
Development and external validation of a predictive scoring system associated with metastasis of T1‐2 colorectal tumors to lymph nodes
Authors: Mo Shaobo , Zhou Zheng , Dai Weixing , Xiang Wenqiang , Han Lingyu , Zhang Long , Wang Renjie , Cai Sanjun , Li Qingguo , Cai Guoxiang
Published: June 2020

Background

It is critical for determining the optimum therapeutic solutions for T1‐2 colorectal cancer (CRC) to accurately predict lymph node metastasis (LNM) status. The purpose of the present study is to establish and verify a nomogram to predict LNM status in T1‐2 CRCs.

Methods

A total of 16 600 T1‐2 CRC patients were enrolled and classified into the training, internal validation, and external validation cohorts. The independent predictive parameters were determined by univariate and multivariate analyses to develop a nomogram to predict the probability of LNM status. The calibration curve, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the performance of the nomogram, and an external verification cohort was to verify the applicability of the nomogram.

Results

Seven independent predictors of LNM in T1‐2 CRC were identified in the multivariable analysis, including age, tumor site, tumor grade, perineural invasion, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen, clinical assessment of LNM, and T stage. A nomogram incorporating the seven predictors was constructed. The nomogram yielded good discrimination and calibration, with AUROCs of 0.72 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.70‐0.75), 0.70 (95% CI: 0.67‐0.74), and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.71‐0.79) in the training, internal validation, and external validation cohorts, respectively. DCA showed that the predictive scoring system had high clinical application value.

Conclusions

We proposed a novel predictive model for LNM in T1‐2 CRC patients to assist physicians in making treatment decisions. The nomogram is advantageous for tailoring therapy in T1‐2 CRC patients.
A four‐factor immune risk score signature predicts the clinical outcome of patients with spinal chordoma
Authors: Zou Ming‐Xiang , Pan Yue , Huang Wei , Zhang Tao‐Lan , Escobar David , Wang Xiao‐Bin , Jiang Yi , She Xiao‐Ling , Lv Guo‐Hua , Li Jing
Published: June 2020

Background

Currently, the measurement of immune cells in previous studies is usually subjective, and no immune‐based prognostic model has been established for chordoma. In this study, we sought to simultaneously measure tumor‐infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) subtypes in chordoma samples using an objective method and develop an immune risk score (IRS) model for survival prediction.

Methods

Multiplexed quantitative immunofluorescence staining was used to determine the TIL levels in the tumoral and stromal subareas of 114 spinal chordoma specimens (54 in the training and 60 in the validation cohort) for programmed death‐1 (PD‐1), CD3, CD8, CD20 (where CD is cluster of differentiation), and FOXP3. Flow cytometry was performed to validate the immunofluorescence assay for lymphocyte measurement on an additional five fresh chordoma specimens. Subsequently, the IRS model was built using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression method.

Results

Flow cytometry and quantitative immunofluorescence showed similar lymphocytic percentages and TIL subpopulation proportions in the fresh tumor specimens. With the training data, the LASSO model identified four immune features for IRS construction: tumoralFOXP3, tumoralPD‐1, stromalFOXP3, and stromalCD8. In both cohorts, a high IRS was significantly associated with tumoral programmed cell death‐1 ligand 1 expression, Enneking inappropriate tumor resection, and surrounding muscle invasion by tumor. Multivariate Cox regression and stratified analysis in the two cohorts revealed that the IRS was an independent predictor and could effectively separate patients with similar Enneking staging into different risk subgroups, with significantly different survival rates. Further receiver operating characteristic analysis found that the IRS classifier had a better prognostic value than the traditional clinicopathological factors and compensated for the deficiency of Enneking staging for outcome prediction. More importantly, a nomogram based on the IRS and clinical predictors showed adequate performance in estimating disease recurrence and survival of patients.

Conclusions

These data support the use of the IRS signature as a reliable prognostic tool in spinal chordoma and may facilitate individualized therapy decision making for patients.
Tamoxifen induces fatty liver disease in breast cancer through the MAPK8/FoxO pathway
Authors: Gong Liuyun , Tang Hanmin , Luo Zhenzhen , Sun Xiao , Tan Xinyue , Xie Lina , Lei Yutiantian , Cai Mengjiao , He Chenchen , Ma Jinlu , Han Suxia
Published: June 2020

Background

Prevention of metabolic complications of long‐term adjuvant endocrine therapy in breast cancers remained a challenge. We aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism in the development of tamoxifen (TAM)‐induced fatty liver in both estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive and ER‐negative breast cancer.

Methods and results

First, the direct protein targets (DPTs) of TAM were identified using DrugBank5.1.7. We found that mitogen‐activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8) was one DPT of TAM. We identified significant genes in breast cancer and fatty liver disease (FLD) using the MalaCards human disease database. Next, we analyzed the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways of those significant genes in breast cancer and FLD using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING). We found that overlapping KEGG pathways in these two diseases were MAPK signaling pathway, Forkhead box O (FoxO) signaling pathway, HIF‐1 signaling pathway, AGE‐RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, and PI3K‐Akt signaling pathway. Furthermore, the KEGG Mapper showed that the MAPK signaling pathway was related to the FoxO signaling pathway. Finally, the functional relevance of breast cancer and TAM‐induced FLD was validated by Western blot analysis. We verified that TAM may induce fatty liver in breast cancer through the MAPK8/FoxO signaling pathway.

Conclusion

Bioinformatics analysis combined with conventional experiments may improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying side effects of cancer drugs, thereby making this method a new paradigm for guiding future studies on this issue.
Sézary syndrome and mycosis fungoides: An overview, including the role of immunophenotyping
Authors: Pulitzer Melissa P. , Horna Pedro , Almeida Julia
Published: June 2020

This review discusses the definition and major categories of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma, Sézary syndrome and mycosis fungoides, and the role of immunophenotyping in their diagnosis. The following key points are raised: (a) Sézary syndrome and mycosis fungoides cells most often have a characteristic CD3+ CD4+ CD7− and/or CD26− immunophenotype. (b) This immunophenotype is not specific, but can assist in the distinction from non‐neoplastic T cells and other subtypes of mature T‐cell neoplasm. (c) However, small subsets of normal and reactive T‐cells can have an overlapping immunophenotype, and can be distinguished by evaluating for additional changes in antigen expression.
Nuclear magnetic resonance lipoproteins are associated with carotid atherosclerosis in type 1 diabetes and pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Amor Antonio J. , Vinagre Irene , Valverde Maite , Urquizu Xavier , Meler Eva , López Eva , Quirós Carmen , Giménez Marga , Codina Laura , Conget Ignacio , Barahona Maria J. , Perea Verónica
Published: June 2020

Aims

Persistence of lipoprotein abnormalities in type 1 diabetes (T1D) and/or pre‐eclampsia could be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). We assessed differences in the advanced lipoprotein profiles according to the presence of both conditions and their differential association with atherosclerosis.

Material and methods

We recruited 112 women without CVD and last pregnancy ≥5 years previously, divided into four groups (n = 28 per group): (a) T1D and previous pre‐eclampsia; (b) T1D without pre‐eclampsia; (c) pre‐eclampsia without T1D; and (d) controls (without T1D/pre‐eclampsia). Groups were matched by several risk factors, and diabetes duration and retinopathy in T1D. Carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT) and the presence of plaque (IMT ≥1.5 mm) were assessed by ultrasonography. The lipoprotein profile was evaluated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

Results

The participants were 44.9 ± 7.8 years old. Carotid plaque presence was 20.5%, with a higher prevalence in T1D and/or pre‐eclampsia vs controls (P < .05). High‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐related variables differed among groups, mainly driven by an increase in T1D (P < .05), whereas triglyceride‐related variables were increased in pre‐eclampsia [medium very low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles and triglyceride enrichment in HDL and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)]. Overall, in multivariate‐adjusted models, LDL‐related variables were the most strongly associated with atherosclerosis (P < .05). In age‐ and statin‐adjusted models, previous pre‐eclampsia showed an independent association with triglyceride‐related variables (plaque: medium‐VLDL‐particles, OR 1.550 [1.013‐2.374]; HDL‐cholesterol/HDL‐triglycerides ratio, OR 0.411 [0.175‐0.967]). Regarding T1D, HDL‐parameters were also differentially associated (maximum‐IMT: HDL‐cholesterol/HDL‐particles ratio, β = −.258, P = .036).

Conclusions

NMR lipoproteins were differentially and independently associated with atherosclerosis in T1D/pre‐eclampsia. Further studies are needed to ascertain the role of NMR parameters as CVD biomarkers in this high‐risk population.
Drivers of community turnover differ between avian hemoparasite genera along a North American latitudinal gradient
Authors: Starkloff Naima C. , Kirchman Jeremy J. , Jones Andrew W. , Winger Benjamin M. , Huang Yen‐Hua , Pulgarín‐R Paulo C. , Turner Wendy C.
Published: June 2020

The latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) is an established macroecological pattern, but is poorly studied in microbial organisms, particularly parasites. In this study, we tested whether latitude, elevation, and host species predicted patterns of prevalence, alpha diversity, and community turnover of hemosporidian parasites. We expected parasite diversity to decrease with latitude, alongside the diversity of their hosts and vectors. Similarly, we expected infection prevalence to decrease with latitude as vector abundances decrease. Lastly, we expected parasite community turnover to increase with latitudinal distance and to be higher between rather than within host species. We tested these hypotheses by screening blood and tissue samples of three closely related avian species in a clade of North American songbirds (Turdidae: Catharus, n = 466) across 17.5° of latitude. We used a nested PCR approach to identify parasites in hemosporidian genera that are transmitted by different dipteran vectors. Then, we implemented linear‐mixed effects and generalized dissimilarity models to evaluate the effects of latitude, elevation, and host species on parasite metrics. We found high diversity of hemosporidian parasites in Catharus thrushes (n = 44 lineages) but no evidence of latitudinal gradients in alpha diversity or prevalence. Parasites in the genus Leucocytozoon were most prevalent and lineage rich in this study system; however, there was limited turnover with latitude and host species. Contrastingly, Plasmodium parasites were less prevalent and diverse than Leucocytozoon parasites, yet communities turned over at a higher rate with latitude and host species. Leucocytozoon communities were skewed by the dominance of one or two highly prevalent lineages with broad latitudinal distributions. The few studies that evaluate the hemosporidian LDG do not find consistent patterns of prevalence and diversity, which makes it challenging to predict how they will respond to global climate change.
Nanostructured Borate Halides for Optical Second Harmonic Generation at Surfaces
Authors: Tan Deming , Kirbus Benjamin , Eng Lukas M. , Ruck Michael
Published: June 2020

Optical second harmonic generation (SHG) at surfaces and interfaces is an exciting new technique. In order to achieve high surface specificity and sensitivity of the SHG technique, smaller particles of SHG materials are highly desired. Borate halides are regarded as a great source of SHG materials because of their outstanding nonlinear optical properties. Phase‐pure nanostructured samples of three borate halides of the type A2B5O9X were synthesized at low temperature in task‐specific ionic liquids (IL). Optimized reactions of acetates A(OAc)2 (A = Sr, Ba) and boric acid B(OH)3 with the mixed IL [P66614]X (X = Cl, Br) and LiNTf2 led to nano‐rods of Sr2B5O9Cl, nano‐needles of Sr2B5O9Br, and nano‐sheets of Ba2B5O9Cl. The reaction route presented here might trigger the synthesis of other borate compounds. Efficient second‐order nonlinear conversion by the nanostructured borate halides was confirmed using confocal SHG microscopy.
Outage performance of cognitive two‐way amplify‐and‐forward relay network under different transmission schemes
Authors: Al‐Zubi Raed T. , Abu Issa Mohannad T. , Jebreil Omar , Darabkh Khalid A. , Khattabi Yazid
Published: June 2020

In this article, we study an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing‐based underlay cognitive two‐way amplify‐and‐forward (AF) relay network. We assume a system model consists of a primary network that has two primary users (PUs) and a secondary network that has two secondary users (SUs) exchanging information in two‐way through a half‐duplex AF relay node. The introduced interference from the secondary network on the primary network should not exceed a maximum allowable level. In our study, we assume a channel model called hybrid channel model. Based on this model, the channels between the PUs and SUs are modeled using free‐space path loss model, while the channels between the SUs are modeled using Nakagami‐m fading model. We analyze the proposed system model in terms of signal‐to‐noise‐ratio (SNR) and outage probability (OP) under three different transmission schemes; two time slots, three time slots, and four time slots schemes. The SNR and OP at one end of the secondary network over the three transmission schemes are mathematically derived. Moreover, Monte Carlo simulation is used to verify derivations. Simulation results coincide well with theoretical results, confirming the correctness of our mathematical derivations. In addition, different scenarios of the system are studied, from which we conclude that different factors, like the transmitted power by the primary transmitter and the positions of primary transmitter and receiver as well as the relay node, have significant effect on the outage performance of the secondary network.