bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tracing multi-isotopically labelled CdSe/ZnS quantum dots in biological media
Authors: Supiandi N. Izyan , Charron G. , Tharaud M. , Benedetti M. F. , Sivry Y.
Published: February 2020

The strengths and limits of isotopically labelled Engineered Nanoparticles (spiked ENPs) spread in biological media have been assessed. Multi-spiked CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs), measuring 7 nm and coated with thioglycolic acid (TGA), were synthesized and enriched in 68Zn, 77Se and 111Cd. These QDs were dispersed at very low concentrations (0.1 to 5000 ppt) in diverse biological matrices (synthetic saliva, synthetic urine, plasma and Dulbecco’s phosphate buffered saline - DPBS growth medium) and the isotopic compositions were determined by HR-ICP-MS. The initial QDs concentrations were calculated to assess the limit of quantification (QD-LOQ) according to the matrix and the isotopically enriched element. The obtained results demonstrated the advantages of the isotopic labelling method in order to work at very low concentrations: the QD-LOQ values for the spiked Zn, Cd and Se originated from the QDs were 10, 0.3 and 6 ppt, respectively, which is below the conventional LOQ of the HR-ICP-MS used (30, 3 and 60 ppt for Zn, Cd and Se, respectively). Conversely, in complex matrices such as saliva, urine, plasma and DPBS growth medium, the QD-LOQ values increased significantly, with values ranging from 16 to 32 ppt for Cd, 446 to 10598 ppt for Zn and 1618 to 8317 ppt for Se. These QD-LOQs are dependent on factors as the elemental background concentration already present in the matrices, and the dilution factor. In this study, the QD-LOQs are expressed for the first time with respect to the background concentration in biological media (QD-RLOQ), which can be used to better assess and then predict the efficiency of the spiking method.
Overlapping connectivity patterns during semantic processing of abstract and concrete words revealed with multivariate Granger Causality analysis
Authors: Fahimi Hnazaee Mansoureh , Khachatryan Elvira , Chehrazad Sahar , Kotarcic Ana , De Letter Miet , Van Hulle Marc M.
Published: February 2020

Abstract, unlike concrete, nouns refer to notions beyond our perception. Even though there is no consensus among linguists as to what exactly constitutes a concrete or abstract word, neuroscientists found clear evidence of a “concreteness” effect. This can, for instance, be seen in patients with language impairments due to brain injury or developmental disorder who are capable of perceiving one category better than another. Even though the results are inconclusive, neuroimaging studies on healthy subjects also provide a spatial and temporal account of differences in the processing of abstract versus concrete words. A description of the neural pathways during abstract word reading, the manner in which the connectivity patterns develop over the different stages of lexical and semantic processing compared to that of concrete word processing are still debated. We conducted a high-density EEG study on 24 healthy young volunteers using an implicit categorization task. From this, we obtained high spatio-temporal resolution data and, by means of source reconstruction, reduced the effect of signal mixing observed on scalp level. A multivariate, time-varying and directional method of analyzing connectivity based on the concept of Granger Causality (Partial Directed Coherence) revealed a dynamic network that transfers information from the right superior occipital lobe along the ventral and dorsal streams towards the anterior temporal and orbitofrontal lobes of both hemispheres. Some regions along these pathways appear to be primarily involved in either receiving or sending information. A clear difference in information transfer of abstract and concrete words was observed during the time window of semantic processing, specifically for information transferred towards the left anterior temporal lobe. Further exploratory analysis confirmed a generally stronger connectivity pattern for processing concrete words. We believe our study could guide future research towards a more refined theory of abstract word processing in the brain.
Spatial distribution of oncocerid cephalopods on a Middle Devonian bedding plane suggests semelparous life cycle
Authors: Pohle Alexander , Fuchs Dirk , Korn Dieter , Klug Christian
Published: February 2020

Reproductive strategies of extinct organisms can only be recognised indirectly and hence, they are exceedingly rarely reported and tend to be speculative. Here, we present a mass-occurrence with common preservation of pairs of late Givetian (Middle Devonian) oncocerid cephalopods from Hamar Laghdad in the Tafilalt (eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco). We analysed their spatial occurrences with spatial point pattern analysis techniques and Monte Carlo simulations; our results shows that the pairwise clustering is significant, while ammonoids on the same bedding plane reveal a more random distribution. It is possible that processes such as catastrophic mass mortality or post-mortem transport could have produced the pattern. However, we suggest that it is more likely that the oncocerids were semelparous and died shortly after mating. These findings shed new light on the variation and evolution of reproductive strategies in fossil cephalopods and emphasise that they cannot be based on comparisons with extant taxa without question.
A standardized approach to empirically define reliable assignment thresholds and appropriate management categories in deeply introgressed populations
Authors: Caniglia Romolo , Galaverni Marco , Velli Edoardo , Mattucci Federica , Canu Antonio , Apollonio Marco , Mucci Nadia , Scandura Massimo , Fabbri Elena
Published: February 2020

Anthropogenic hybridization is recognized as a major threat to the long-term survival of natural populations. While identifying F1 hybrids might be simple, the detection of older admixed individuals is far from trivial and it is still debated whether they should be targets of management. Examples of anthropogenic hybridization have been described between wolves and domestic dogs, with numerous cases detected in the Italian wolf population. After selecting appropriate wild and domestic reference populations, we used empirical and simulated 39-autosomal microsatellite genotypes, Bayesian assignment and performance analyses to develop a workflow to detect different levels of wolf x dog admixture. Membership proportions to the wild cluster (qiw) and performance indexes identified two q-thresholds which allowed to efficiently classify the analysed genotypes into three assignment classes: pure (with no or negligible domestic ancestry), older admixed (with a marginal domestic ancestry) and recent admixed (with a clearly detectable domestic ancestry) animals. Based on their potential to spread domestic variants, such classes were used to define three corresponding management categories: operational pure, introgressed and operational hybrid individuals. Our multiple-criteria approach can help wildlife managers and decision makers in more efficiently targeting the available resources for the long-term conservation of species threatened by anthropogenic hybridization.
RNA cargos in extracellular vesicles derived from blood serum in pancreas associated conditions
Authors: Kumar Senthil R. , Kimchi Eric T. , Manjunath Yariswamy , Gajagowni Saivaroon , Stuckel Alexei J. , Kaifi Jussuf T.
Published: February 2020

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles which are released from healthy and tumor cells into blood circulation. Unique biomolecular cargos such as RNA and protein are loaded in these vesicles. These molecules may have biological functions such as signaling, cell communications and have the potential to be analyzed as biomarkers. In this initial study, we describe the analysis of exosomes in the serum of healthy subjects, intraductal papillary mucosal neoplasms and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma including the characterization of their RNA cargos by next generation sequencing (EXO-NGS). Results indicate the presence of a wide variety of RNAs including mRNA, miRNA, lincRNA, tRNA and piRNA in these vesicles. Based on the differential mRNA expression observed upon EXO-NGS analysis, we independently evaluated two protein coding genes, matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) and transcription factor T-Box 3 (TBX3) by qRT-PCR for selective expression in the serum samples. Results indicate a variable expression pattern of these genes across serum samples between different study groups. Further, qRT-PCR analysis with the same serum exosomes processed for EXO-NGS, we observed two long non-coding RNAs,malat-1andCRNDEto be variably expressed. Overall, our observations emphasize the potential value of different exosome components in distinguishing between healthy, premalignant and malignant conditions related to the pancreas.
Colorectal cancer diagnostic model utilizing metagenomic and metabolomic data of stool microbial extracellular vesicles
Authors: Kim Da Jung , Yang Jinho , Seo Hochan , Lee Won Hee , Ho Lee Dong , Kym Sungmin , Park Young Soo , Kim Jae Gyu , Jang In-Jin , Kim Yoon-Keun , Cho Joo-Youn
Published: February 2020

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common type cancers in the world. CRC occurs sporadically in the majority of cases, indicating the predominant cause of the disease are environmental factors. Diet-induced changes in gut-microbiome are recently supposed to contribute on epidemics of CRC. This study was aimed to investigate the association of metagenomics and metabolomics in gut extracellular vesicles (EVs) of CRC and healthy subjects. A total of 40 healthy volunteers and 32 patients with CRC were enrolled in this study. Metagenomic profiling by sequencing 16 S rDNA was performed for assessing microbial codiversity. We explored the small molecule metabolites using gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In total, stool EVs were prepared from 40 healthy volunteers and 32 patients with CRC. Metagenomic profiling demonstrated that bacterial phyla, particularly of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, were significantly altered in patients with colorectal cancer. Through metabolomics profiling, we determined seven amino acids, four carboxylic acids, and four fatty acids; including short-chain to long chain fatty acids that altered in the disease group. Binary logistic regression was further tested to evaluate the diagnostic performance. In summary, the present findings suggest that gut flora dysbiosis may result in alternation of amino acid metabolism, which may be correlated with the pathogenesis of CRC.
Thalidomide Inhibits Human iPSC Mesendoderm Differentiation by Modulating CRBN-dependent Degradation of SALL4
Authors: Belair David G. , Lu Gang , Waller Laura E. , Gustin Jason A. , Collins Nathaniel D. , Kolaja Kyle L.
Published: February 2020

Exposure to thalidomide during a critical window of development results in limb defects in humans and non-human primates while mice and rats are refractory to these effects. Thalidomide-induced teratogenicity is dependent on its binding to cereblon (CRBN), the substrate receptor of the Cul4A-DDB1-CRBN-RBX1 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. Thalidomide binding to CRBN elicits subsequent ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of CRBN neosubstrates including SALL4, a transcription factor of which polymorphisms phenocopy thalidomide-induced limb defects in humans. Herein, thalidomide-induced degradation of SALL4 was examined in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) that were differentiated either to lateral plate mesoderm (LPM)-like cells, the developmental ontology of the limb bud, or definitive endoderm. Thalidomide and its immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) analogs, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide, dose-dependently inhibited hiPSC mesendoderm differentiation. Thalidomide- and IMiD-induced SALL4 degradation can be abrogated by CRBN V388I mutation or SALL4 G416A mutation in hiPSCs. Genetically modified hiPSCs expressing CRBN E377V/V388I mutant or SALL4 G416A mutant were insensitive to the inhibitory effects of thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide on LPM differentiation while retaining sensitivity to another known limb teratogen, all-trans retinoic acid (atRA). Finally, disruption of LPM differentiation by atRA or thalidomide perturbed subsequent chondrogenic differentiation in vitro. The data here show that thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide affect stem cell mesendoderm differentiation through CRBN-mediated degradation of SALL4 and highlight the utility of the LPM differentiation model for studying the teratogenicity of new CRBN modulating agents.
A Novel Passive Method for the Assessment of Skin-Electrode Contact Impedance in Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring Systems
Authors: Alonso Eduardo , Giannetti Romano , Rodríguez-Morcillo Carlos , Matanza Javier , Muñoz-Frías José Daniel
Published: February 2020

Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring is a set of monitoring techniques consisting of reading electrical activity generated by the nervous system structures during surgeries. In order to guarantee signal quality, contact impedance between the sensing electrodes and the patient’s skin needs to be as low as possible. Hence, monitoring this impedance while signals are measured is an important feature of current medical devices. The most commonly used technique involves injection of a known current and measurement of the voltage drop in the contact interface. This method poses several problems, such as power consumption (critical in battery-powered systems), frequency dependency and regulation issues, which are overcome by using a passive method. The fundamentals of the method proposed in this paper are based on the utilization of the variation suffered by the input random signal when a known resistance is connected in parallel to the input terminals of the low-noise amplifier (LNA) of the analog front-end of the acquisition system. Controlling the connection of the resistors and computing the root mean square of the LNA output voltage has been proved to be a useful tool to assess that the contact impedance is suitably low, allowing the user to know if the neural measurements obtained are valid.
Genome-Wide Association Study of VKORC1 and CYP2C9 on acenocoumarol dose, stroke recurrence and intracranial haemorrhage in Spain
Authors: Cullell Natalia , Carrera Caty , Muiño Elena , Torres-Aguila Nuria-Paz , Cárcel-Márquez Jara , González-Sánchez Jonathan , Gallego-Fabrega Cristina , Molina Jessica , Besora Sarah , Sotoca Javier , Buongiorno Maria-Teresa , Jiménez-Conde Jordi , Giralt-Steinhauer Eva , de Torres-Chacón Reyes , Montaner Joan , Mancha Fernando , Cabezas Juan A , Martí-Fàbregas Joan , Prats-Sánchez Luis , Camps-Renom Pol , Purroy Francisco , Cambray Serafi , Freijo María del Mar , Vives-Bauzá Cristòfol , Tur Silvia , Font Maria-Àngels , López-Cancio Elena , Hernandez-Perez Maria , Obach Victor , Calleja Ana , Arenillas Juan , Rodríguez-Yáñez Manuel , Castillo José , Sobrino Tomas , Fernández-Cádenas Israel , Krupinski Jerzy
Published: February 2020

Acenocoumarol is an oral anticoagulant with significant interindividual dose variations. Variants in CYP2C9 and VKORC1 have been associated with acenocoumarol maintenance dose. We analysed whether any of the 49 polymorphisms in CYP2C9 and VKORC1 previously associated with acenocoumarol maintenance dose in a Genome-Wide Association study (GWAs) in Dutch population are associated with stroke recurrence, intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) and acenocoumarol maintenance dose in a Spanish population. We performed a GWAs using Human Core Exome-chip (Illumina) in 78 patients stroke patients treated with acenocoumarol for secondary prevention enrolled as part of the prospective investigator-initiated study (IIS) SEDMAN Study. Patients were followed-up a median of 12.8 months. Three and eight patients had recurrent stroke and ICH events, respectively. We found 14 of the 49 published variants associated with acenocoumarol maintenance dose (p < 0.05). Six polymorphisms were associated with stroke recurrence and four variants with ICH (p < 0.05). In conclusion, variants in VKORC1 and CYP2C9 are associated with acenocoumarol maintenance dose, stroke recurrence and ICH in a Spanish cohort. These results highlight the relevance of studying pharmacogenetics associated with efficacy and safety of anticoagulant drugs and justify studies with larger sample size and different ethnic populations.
Upregulation of SMYD3 and SMYD3 VNTR 3/3 polymorphism increase the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Binh Mai Thanh , Hoan Nghiem Xuan , Giang Dao Phuong , Tong Hoang Van , Bock C.-Thomas , Wedemeyer Heiner , Toan Nguyen Linh , Bang Mai Hong , Kremsner Peter G. , Meyer Christian G. , Song Le Huu , Velavan Thirumalaisamy P.
Published: February 2020

SMYD3 (SET and MYND domain-containing protein 3) is involved in histone modification, which initiates oncogenesis by activating transcription of multiple downstream genes. To investigate associations of variable numbers of tandem repeats (VNTR) variants in the SMYD3 gene promoter, SMYD3 serum levels and SMYD3 mRNA expression in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and clinical progression of related liver disease. SMYD3 VNTRs were genotyped in 756 HBV patients and 297 healthy controls. SMYD3 serum levels were measured in 293 patients and SMYD3 mRNA expression was quantified in 48 pairs of hepatocellular tumor and adjacent non-tumor liver tissues. Genotype SYMD3 VNTR 3/3 was more frequent among HCC patients than in controls (Padjusted = 0.037). SMYD3 serum levels increased according to clinical progression of liver diseases (P = 0.01); HCC patients had higher levels than non-HCC patients (P = 0.04). Among patients with SMYD3 VNTR 3/3, HCC patients had higher SMYD3 levels than others (P < 0.05). SMYD3 mRNA expression was up-regulated in HCC tumor tissues compared to other tissues (P = 0.008). In conclusion, upregulation of SMYD3 correlates with the occurrence of HCC and SMYD3 VNTR 3/3 appears to increase the risk of HCC through increasing SMYD3 levels. SMYD3 may be an indicator for HCC development in HBV patients.
Seroprevalences of autoantibodies and anti-infectious antibodies among Ghana’s healthy population
Authors: Katz Itai , De Luca F. , Dzudzor Bartholomew , Sarpong Baffour Kyei , Osei-Appiah Beatrice , Azoulay Danielle , Katz Daphna , Dey Dzifa , Gilburd Boris , Amital Howard , Vento Sandro , Shoenfeld Yehuda , Shovman Ora
Published: February 2020

Autoantibodies, which are antibodies that target self-epitopes, have considerable diagnostic, prognostic and predictive value in specific autoimmune diseases. Various infectious agents have been linked via numerous mechanisms to the formation of different autoantibodies. Therefore, estimating the prevalence of autoantibodies and anti-infectious antibodies in different populations is of high importance. Different genetic and environmental pressures, such as these found in Ghana’s different geographical provinces, may affect the prevalence of autoantibodies. In this study, we assessed the seroprevalence of a diverse panel of autoantibodies and anti-infectious antibodies among the healthy Ghanaian population and investigated possible environmental and genetic predispositions for autoantibodies and autoimmunity. The sera of 406 healthy individuals were obtained from Greater Accra, Upper West, Eastern and Volta regions. Multiplexed assay and chemiluminescent immunoassay techniques were utilized to assess the presence of a panel of autoantibodies and anti-infectious antibodies. We found a high prevalence of anti-HSV-1 IgG (91–100%), anti-EBNA IgG (81–93%) and anti-EBV-VCA IgG (97–100%) antibodies. The prevalence of ANA (at least one of: anti-dsDNA; anti-chromatin; anti-ribosomal-P; anti-Ro/SSA; anti-La/SSB; anti-centromere B; anti-Sm; anti-Sm/RNP; anti-Scl-70; anti-Jo1; anti-DFS70) was estimated at 14%. An inverse association between anti-HSV-2 antibodies and ANA (p = 0.044; adjusted OR = 0.398; CI [0.162–0.975]) was found, after adjusting for differences in gender, age, and familial history of autoimmune diseases. A trend towards reduced seroprevalence of anti-dsDNA antibodies among subjects who were positive for anti-HSV-2 antibodies was also noted (p = 0.1). In conclusion, the inverse association between anti-HSV-2 antibodies and ANA positivity suggests a possible protective role of HSV-2 infection against autoimmunity.
Red fluorescent CEPIA indicators for visualization of Ca2+ dynamics in mitochondria
Authors: Kanemaru Kazunori , Suzuki Junji , Taiko Isamu , Iino Masamitsu
Published: February 2020

Mitochondrial Ca2+ dynamics are involved in the regulation of multifarious cellular processes, including intracellular Ca2+ signalling, cell metabolism and cell death. Use of mitochondria-targeted genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators has revealed intercellular and subcellular heterogeneity of mitochondrial Ca2+ dynamics, which are assumed to be determined by distinct thresholds of Ca2+ increases at each subcellular mitochondrial domain. The balance between Ca2+ influx through the mitochondrial calcium uniporter and extrusion by cation exchangers across the inner mitochondrial membrane may define the threshold; however, the precise mechanisms remain to be further explored. We here report the new red fluorescent genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators, R-CEPIA3mt and R-CEPIA4mt, which are targeted to mitochondria and their Ca2+ affinities are engineered to match the intramitochondrial Ca2+ concentrations. They enable visualization of mitochondrial Ca2+ dynamics with high spatiotemporal resolution in parallel with the use of green fluorescent probes and optogenetic tools. Thus, R-CEPIA3mt and R-CEPIA4mt are expected to be a useful tool for elucidating the mechanisms of the complex mitochondrial Ca2+ dynamics and their functions.
Primary-tiller panicle number is critical to achieving high grain yields in machine-transplanted hybrid rice
Authors: Huang Min , Shan Shuanglü , Cao Jialin , Fang Shengliang , Tian Alin , Liu Yu , Cao Fangbo , Yin Xiaohong , Zou Yingbin
Published: February 2020

The development of machine-transplanted hybrid rice is a feasible approach to meet the needs of both high grain yield and high labor efficiency in China, but limited information is available on the critical plant traits associated with high grain yields in machine-transplanted hybrid rice. This study was carried out to identify which type of culms (i.e., main stems and primary and secondary tillers) and which yield components of this culm are critical to achieving high grain yields in machine-transplanted hybrid rice. Field experiments were conducted with two hybrid rice cultivars grown under two densities of machine transplanting in two years. Results showed that total grain yield of main stems and primary and secondary tillers was not significantly affected by cultivar but was significantly affected by density and year. Averaged across cultivars, densities, and years, main stems and primary and secondary tillers contributed about 15%, 50%, and 35% to total grain yield, respectively. Total grain yield was not significantly related to grain yields of main stems and secondary tillers but was positively and significantly related to grain yield of primary tillers. Approximately 85% of the variation in total grain yield was explained by grain yield of primary tillers, which was positively and significantly related to primary-tiller panicles per m2 but not to spikelets per panicle, spikelet filling percentage, or grain weight of primary tillers. Based on these results, it is concluded that primary-tiller panicle number is essential for achieving high grain yields in machine-transplanted hybrid rice.
Author Correction: Hox gene expression determines cell fate of adult periosteal stem/progenitor cells
Authors: Bradaschia-Correa Vivian , Leclerc Kevin , Josephson Anne M. , Lee Sooyeon , Palma Laura , Litwa Hannah P. , Neibart Shane S. , Huo Jason C. , Leucht Philipp
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Intra-islet GLP-1, but not CCK, is necessary for β-cell function in mouse and human islets
Authors: de Souza Arnaldo Henrique , Tang Jiayin , Yadev Amanjot Kaur , Saghafi Samuel T. , Kibbe Carly R. , Linnemann Amelia K. , Merrins Matthew J. , Davis Dawn Belt
Published: February 2020

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and cholecystokinin (CCK) are gut-derived peptide hormones known to play important roles in the regulation of gastrointestinal motility and secretion, appetite, and food intake. We have previously demonstrated that both GLP-1 and CCK are produced in the endocrine pancreas of obese mice. Interestingly, while GLP-1 is well known to stimulate insulin secretion by the pancreatic β-cells, direct evidence of CCK promoting insulin release in human islets remains to be determined. Here, we tested whether islet-derived GLP-1 or CCK is necessary for the full stimulation of insulin secretion. We confirm that mouse pancreatic islets secrete GLP-1 and CCK, but only GLP-1 acts locally within the islet to promote insulin release ex vivo. GLP-1 is exclusively produced in approximately 50% of α-cells in lean mouse islets and 70% of α-cells in human islets, suggesting a paracrine α to β-cell signaling through the β-cell GLP-1 receptor. Additionally, we provide evidence that islet CCK expression is regulated by glucose, but its receptor signaling is not required during glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). We also see no increase in GSIS in response to CCK peptides. Importantly, all these findings were confirmed in islets from non-diabetic human donors. In summary, our data suggest no direct role for CCK in stimulating insulin secretion and highlight the critical role of intra-islet GLP-1 signaling in the regulation of human β-cell function.
High Performance All Nonmetal SiNx Resistive Random Access Memory with Strong Process Dependence
Authors: Yen Te Jui , Chin Albert , Gritsenko Vladimir
Published: February 2020

All-nonmetal resistive random access memory (RRAM) with a N+–Si/SiNx/P+–Si structure was investigated in this study. The device performance of SiNx developed using physical vapor deposition (PVD) was significantly better than that of a device fabricated using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The SiNx RRAM device developed using PVD has a large resistance window that is larger than 104 and exhibits good endurance to 105 cycles under switching pulses of 1 μs and a retention time of 104 s at 85 °C. Moreover, the SiNx RRAM device developed using PVD had tighter device-to-device distribution of set and reset voltages than those developed using PECVD. Such tight distribution is crucial to realise a large-size cross-point array and integrate with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technology to realise electronic neurons. The high performance of the SiNx RRAM device developed using PVD is attributed to the abundant defects in the PVD dielectric that was supported by the analysed conduction mechanisms obtained from the measured current–voltage characteristics.
Core–shell α-Fe2O3-mixed phase TiO2 nanocubes as a highway for electron transport with efficient energy harvesting
Authors: Shejale Kiran P. , Saxena Sumit , Shukla Shobha
Published: February 2020

Morphology (shape + phase) driven nanoassemblies are emerging materials for faster charge transport and have immense potential for the development of photoelectric devices.
A high rectification ratio nanofluidic diode induced by an “ion pool”
Authors: Liu Qingqing , Liu You , Lu Bingxin , Wang Yuting , Xu Yanglei , Zhai Jin , Fan Xia
Published: February 2020

Nanoporous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/WO3 composite coatings were prepared onto the hourglass-shaped AAO nanochannels surface, and an “ion pool” is formed. A rectification ratio of 2000 was obtained with constant voltage enhancement.
Spindle-like MRI-active europium-doped iron oxide nanoparticles with shape-induced cytotoxicity from simple and facile ferrihydrite crystallization procedure
Authors: Lunin Afanasy V. , Sokolov Ilya L. , Zelepukin Ivan V. , Zubarev Ilya V. , Yakovtseva Maria N. , Mochalova Elizaveta N. , Rozenberg Julian M. , Nikitin Maxim P. , Kolychev Eugene L.
Published: February 2020

Novel MRI active spindle-like nanoparticles prepared by a facile procedure display cytotoxicity due to synergistic combination of shape and europium content.
Structure-designed synthesis of 3D MoS2anchored on ionic liquid modified rGO–CNTs inspired by a honeycomb for excellent lithium storage
Authors: Xia Jun , Li Ruixing , Wang Tianshuai , Yang Puheng , Zhou Heliang , Li Jiajie , Xiong Gangyi , Xing Yalan , Zhang Shichao
Published: February 2020

Graphene and functional CNTs act as a highly conductive matrix with the assistance of an IL which by anchoring MoS2-FPS can mitigate the pulverization and agglomeration of active materials.
PAN/PI functional double-layer coating for dendrite-free lithium metal anodes
Authors: Shen Fei , Wang Kaiming , Yin Yuting , Shi Le , Zeng Dingyuan , Han Xiaogang
Published: February 2020

A PAN fiber/PI sphere double-layer coating serves as an interfacial functional layer to guide uniform Li deposition.
An in vitro tissue model for screening sustained release of phosphate-based therapeutic attenuation of pathogen-induced proteolytic matrix degradation
Authors: Pimentel Marja B. , Borges Fernando T. P. , Teymour Fouad , Zaborina Olga Y. , Alverdy John C. , Fang Kuili , Hong Seok Hoon , Staneviciute Austeja , He Yusheng J. , Papavasiliou Georgia
Published: February 2020

Tissue response to intestinal injury or disease releases pro-inflammatory host stress signals triggering microbial shift to pathogenic phenotypes.
Conjugation of RTHLVFFARK to human lysozyme creates a potent multifunctional modulator for Cu2+-mediated amyloid β-protein aggregation and cytotoxicity
Authors: Li Xi , Wang Wenjuan , Dong Xiaoyan , Sun Yan
Published: February 2020

Conjugation of alkaline decapeptide (RTHLVFFARK) to lysozyme creates a potent multifunctional modulator (R-hLys) for Cu2+-mediated amyloid β-protein aggregation and cytotoxicity.
Atomic defects in monolayer ordered double transition metal carbide (Mo2TiC2Tx) MXene and CO2 adsorption
Authors: Khaledialidusti Rasoul , Mishra Abhishek Kumar , Barnoush Afrooz
Published: February 2020

Electronic and electrochemical properties of Mo2TiC2Tx could be tuned by forming the specific defects and these MXenes could be promising materials for CO2 activation and conversion.
Spin-dependent Seebeck effect, and spin-filtering and diode effects in magnetic boron–nitrogen nanotube heterojunctions
Authors: Wu Dan-Dan , Du Gui-Fang , Fu Hua-Hua
Published: February 2020

The spin-Seebeck effect (SSE) has long been considered as an effective route to generate pure spin currents by using a temperature gradient in magnetic materials.
Fabrication and sensitivity optimization of garnet crystal-fiber ultrasonic temperature sensor
Authors: Wang Tao , Zhang Jian , Yang Lu , Wang Gao , Wang Haoyuan , Zhang Na , Wang Siyuan , Yin Yuqing , Jia Zhitai , Tao Xutang
Published: February 2020

High-precision garnet SCFs-UTS have been demonstrated for the first time and the sensitivity was further improved by crystal design.
Tumor microenvironment-activated NIR-II reagents for tumor imaging and therapy
Authors: Zhang Xue , An Lu , Tian Qiwei , Lin Jiaomin , Yang Shiping
Published: February 2020

This review summarizes the recent advances of tumor microenvironment-activated NIR-II agents for tumor diagnosis and treatment, including smart NIR-II fluorescence imaging, photoacoustic imaging, photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy.
Plasma CVD of B–C–N thin films using triethylboron in argon–nitrogen plasma
Authors: Souqui Laurent , Palisaitis Justinas , Högberg Hans , Pedersen Henrik
Published: February 2020

We describe how chemical vapor deposition in the B–C–N material system can be done from triethylboron and a nitrogen–argon plasma. The films can be tuned to various morphologies and dielectric constants.
Does a fluoro-assisted direct anterior approach for total hip arthroplasty pose an excessive risk of radiation exposure to the surgeon?
Authors: Jinnai Yuta , Baba Tomonori , Zhuang Xu , Tanabe Hiroki , Banno Sammy , Watari Taiji , Homma Yasuhiro , Kaneko Kazuo
Published: February 2020

Introduction: Intraoperative fluoroscopy can be easily used because patients are placed in the supine position during total hip arthroplasty via direct anterior approach (DAA-THA) to reduce complications. However, the cumulative level of radiation exposure by intraoperative fluoroscopy increases as the annual number of cases increases, increasing the risk of influencing the health of both the patients and medical workers. The objective of the study was to compare the radiation exposure time of DAA-THA with osteosynthesis and to determine if the level of radiation exposure exceeded safety limits. Material and methods: DAA-THA was performed in 313 patients between January 2016 and July 2018 and 60 patients with proximal femoral fracture were treated with osteosynthesis. The intraoperative fluoroscopy time was retrospectively surveyed and compared between these two groups. A total of eight surgeons operated DAA-THA employing the same procedure using a traction table. A total of nine surgeons operated osteosynthesis and fluoroscopy was appropriately used during reduction and implant insertion. Results: The mean operative time of DAA-THA was 103.3 min and that of osteosynthesis was 83.3 min, showing a significant difference (p < 0.05). The mean intraoperative fluoroscopy time was 0.83 min (SD ± 0.68) in DAA-THA and 8.91 min (SD ± 8.34) in osteosynthesis showing a significant difference (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The intraoperative exposure level was significantly lower and the fluoroscopy time was significantly shorter in DAA-THA than in osteosynthesis for proximal femoral fracture. It was clarified that the annual cumulative radiation exposure level in DAA-THA does not exceed the tissue dose limit.
C3-Glomerulopathie und MPGN – aktuelle Klassifikationen
Authors: Hohenstein Bernd
Published: February 2020

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) and glomerulopathy with dominant C3 deposits are very rare autoimmune disorders of the kidney that had been classified in its current form in 2010 due to a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology.

Today, the immune complex-associated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN) and C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) represent a disease spectrum which is heterogeneous in terms of pathophysiology and the clinical time course. Interestingly, recent research demonstrated more common pathophysiological aspects with respect to secondary causes, autoantibodies, and genetics of IC-MPGN and C3G than it had been suggested with the creation of the 2010 classification.

This knowledge of the underlying pathophysiology is of specific importance for the identification of potential secondary causes. Therefore, following histologic diagnosis a comprehensive complement analysis, accompanied by antibody screening and human genetics should be carried out consistently. The published evidence provides a robust basis for the use of available therapeutic approaches for these often rapidly progressive and relapsing diseases.
Kurkuma: Nicht nur bei Verdauungsstörungen wirksam
Authors: Chrubasik-Hausmann Sigrun
Published: February 2020

Kurkuma verspricht positive Wirkungen bei einer Vielzahl an Indikationen. Klinische Studien, die die Wirksamkeit beweisen, gibt es bisher jedoch nicht.
Validierung der deutschen Version der Pediatric Self-Efficacy for
Diabetes-Type-1 Scale
Authors: Sethe Dominik , Büssing Arndt , Hilgard Dörte , Berger Bettina
Published: February 2020

Einleitung Da für den deutschen Sprachraum kein geeignetes
Instrument zur Erfassung der spezifischen, diabetesbezogenen Selbstwirksamkeit
bei Kindern mit Typ-1-Diabetes vorliegt, wird in dieser Arbeit die Konstruktion
und Validierung der deutschsprachigen Pediatric Self-Efficacy for Diabetes
Type-1 Scale (PSEDT-1) dargestellt. Auf der Grundlage der Self-Efficacy for
Diabetes Scale (SED) von Grossman, Brink & Hauser sollte eine
leitlinienkonforme, pädiatrische, revidierte Selbstwirksamkeitsskala
entwickelt und validiert werden.

Design & Methoden Es wurden N=221 Kinder mit
Typ-1-Diabetes (12–17 Jahre) in eine klinische, multizentrische
Validierungsstudie eingeschlossen. Zur Beurteilung der
Veränderungssensitivität füllten davon 58 Kinder mit
Typ-1-Diabetes jeweils vor, unmittelbar nach der Beendigung und 6 Monate nach
der stationären Diabetesschulung die PSEDT-1 Skala aus. Um die
Konstruktvalidität zu überprüfen, wurde die PSEDT-1 mit
anderen Skalen in Verbindung gebracht, die inhaltlich ähnliche und
inhaltlich entfernte Konstrukte messen (Multidimensionale Selbstwertskala
– MSWS, Kontrollüberzeugungen zu Krankheit und Gesundheit
– KKG).

Ergebnisse Die Reliabilitäts-Ergebnisse zeigten eine gute interne
Konsistenz der 20 Items mit Cronbachs α=0,87. Die
Trennschärfen der Items waren akzeptabel. Es ließen sich mittels
explorativer Faktorenanalyse 4 Faktoren identifizieren, die 54% der
Varianz erklären: 1) Diabetes-Selbstmanagement-Kompetenz, 2)
(medizinische) Insulin-Management-Kompetenz, 3) (generelle)
Selbstbehauptungskompetenz und 4) autonome Selbstregulation. Die theoretisch
erwarteten Korrelationsmuster konnten belegt werden. Zudem zeigten die
Verlaufsergebnisse Hinweise auf eine ausreichend hohe
Veränderungssensitivität.

Diskussion Die Ergebnisse sprechen dafür, dass es sich bei der
PSEDT-1 um ein valides und reliables deutschsprachiges Instrument handelt, das
zusätzlich zu den Skalenwerten der Kompetenzbereiche
Diabetesselbstmanagement, Medizinisches Management und generelle
Selbstbehauptung auch den Skalenwert der autonomen Selbstregulation zur
Erfassung der diabetesbezogenen Selbstwirksamkeit bestimmt.
Kurz-Skala zur Erfassung wahrgenommener sozialer Teilhabe (KsT-5):
faktorielle Struktur, interne Konsistenz, inhaltliche und konvergente
Validität sowie Normwerte in einer repräsentativen
Stichprobe
Authors: Berger Uwe , Kirschner Hariet , Muehleck Julia , Gläser Anni , Werner Benedikt , Kurz Martina , Schwager Susanne , Wick Katharina , Strauß Bernhard
Published: February 2020

Soziale Teilhabe ist sowohl ein politischer als auch sozial- und
gesundheitspsychologisch relevanter Aspekt des Zusammenlebens der Menschen
unserer Gesellschaft und des Wohlergehens des Einzelnen. Vor dem Hintergrund
des Bundesteilhabegesetzes und der teilweisen Gleichsetzung der Begriffe
„(Soziale) Teilhabe“ und „Inklusion“ wurde
die Frage von Teilhabe in den vergangenen Jahren häufig reduziert
auf die Teilhabe-Chancen von Menschen mit Behinderungen unter Bezug auf die
„Internationale Klassifikation der Funktionsfähigkeit,
Behinderung und Gesundheit (ICF)“ der Weltgesundheitsorganisation
und der UN-Behindertenrechtskonvention. Die Frage von Teilhabe betrifft
jedoch alle Menschen und ist nicht nur abhängig vom Grad der
Funktionsfähigkeit oder Behinderung, sondern u. a. auch von
sozialer Einbindung, finanziellen Möglichkeiten, regionaler
Zugehörigkeit, Bildung, Selbstwert und steht in einer
Wechselbeziehung zu Gesundheit. In der vorliegenden Studie wurde eine neue
Kurz-Skala mit 5 Items (KsT-5) zur Messung der Aspekte
„Zugehörigkeit“,
„Selbstwirksamkeit“, „Bedürfnis nach
Anerkennung“, „Selbstwert“ und „Einbindung
in soziales Umfeld“ an einer repräsentativen
Bevölkerungsstichprobe (N=2531) hinsichtlich ihrer
psychometrischen Gütekriterien überprüft. Es zeigte
sich eine gute Passung einer einfaktoriellen Lösung, eine
zufriedenstellende interne Konsistenz von Cronbach’s
α=0,73 und McDonald’s ω=0,73 sowie
eine gute konvergente Validität über positive
Zusammenhänge mit Selbstwert und psychischer sowie physischer
Gesundheit. Die Studie liefert Normwerte der neuen KsT-5 stratifiziert nach
Geschlecht und Alter als Voraussetzung für den Einsatz in
zukünftigen Studien.
Schwanger Sport treiben?
Authors: Glaser Veronika
Published: February 2020

Auch für Schwangere bringt Sport viele Vorteile.Mit geeigneten Sportarten, geringeren Intensitätenund weniger Gewicht beim Krafttraining
Erstattung der Tabakentwöhnung: Gesetzgeber muss Blockade aufheben
Authors: Hering Thomas , Batra Anil , Mühlig Stephan
Published: February 2020

A constitutional expert opinion, which reviews the social and constitutional foundations of tobacco cessation within the framework of statutory health insurance in Germany, comes to the conclusion that the legislator must release the reimbursement of professional tobacco cessation as a curative service by the statutory health insurance – and not only as a subsidy for a psychotherapeutically oriented measure within the framework of prevention.
Manuelle Therapie nach Sportverletzungen
Authors: Klügel Rainer
Published: February 2020

Beim Sport kann es zum Beispiel durch Trainingsfehler oder eine Überanstrengung im Wettkampf zu Verletzungen kommen. Dies kann als Folge eine Funktionsstörung im Bewegungsapparat nach sich ziehen. Durch weiter fortgeführte Bewegungen ist es möglich, dass sich die funktionelle Störung von selbst wieder ausgleicht. Tut sie das jedoch nicht, kann es zu langfristigen Dysfunktionen im Bewegungssystem kommen. Die Manuelle Therapie kann Funktionsstörungen im Bewegungsapparat beheben und so die Funktion der an der Bewegung beteiligten Strukturen wiederherstellen.
Vitamina D em pediatria
Authors: Almeida ACF , Nogueira-de-Almeida CA , Ferraz IS
Published: February 2020

A vitamina D (VD) é uma das vitaminas lipossolúveis. Suas principais fontes na natureza são a dieta e a produção endógena mediada pela exposição à luz solar. Descobertas recentes mostraram que outros órgãos, que não o rim e o fígado, são também capazes de sintetizar a VD metabolicamente ativa (calcitriol). A deficiência de vitamina D (DVD) foi descrita há quase 2.000 anos e é classicamente relacionada às doenças do sistema ósteo-muscular (em especial, raquitismo e osteomalácia). Adicionalmente nos últimos anos, a DVD tem sido associada à desordens que acometem outros sistemas do organismo, como, por exemplo, asma e diabetes. Além disso, tem sido observada uma elevação da prevalência da DVD em todo o mundo, mesmo em países com boas condições de insolação. A forma mais adequada de prevenção da DVD se dá pela suplementação vitamínica já que não há limites seguros para a exposição solar. O tratamento da DVD baseia-se, principalmente, na reposição da vitamina e está indicado nas formas sintomáticas (sintomas ósteo-musculares) da carência. A intoxicação pela VD é rara e observada em lactentes e crianças jovens que ingerem doses elevadas de VD de forma aguda. Este artigo de revisão aborda estas e outras questões a respeito da VD, com ênfase especial às particularidades relacionadas às crianças e aos adolescentes.
Terapia nutricional em pacientes com câncer do aparelho digestivo
Authors: Godoi Lilia Tomaz , Fernandes Sandra Lúcia
Published: February 2020

O estado nutricional é um determinante crítico do sucesso do tratamento e qualidade de vida dos pacientes com câncer. As terapias contra o câncer, incluindo cirurgia, quimioterapia e radioterapia estão associadas à desnutrição, além do que, as drogas utilizadas no tratamento para combater o câncer muitas vezes resultam em vômitos, mucosite, diarréia e disfagia. Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo principal compreender o efeito das intervenções nutricionais em pacientes com câncer no trato digestivo, analisando diversos estudos. Para a realização deste estudo foi utilizado o método de revisão da bibliografia, pesquisando-se artigos científicos das bases de dados PubMed, Bireme e Google acadêmico. Os resultados mostraram que a caquexia neoplásica é uma manifestação clínica muito comum em pacientes com câncer no trato gastrointestinal. A terapia nutricional precoce proporciona resultados benéficos em termos de minimizar a perda de peso, reduzir a deterioração do estado nutricional e da função física. Sempre que possível a primeira escolha deve ser a via oral. Porém, pacientes desnutridos ou que não conseguem ingerir a oferta calórica e proteica calculada por via oral, podem ser candidatos à nutrição enteral (NE) ou nutrição parenteral (NP). Estudos recentes têm sugerido a associação das terapias enteral e parenteral na redução das complicações pós-operatórias e na diminuição da permanência hospitalar.
A importância da microbiota no organismo humano e sua relação com a obesidade
Authors: Ramirez Ana Valeria Garcia
Published: February 2020

Este trabalho é uma revisão bibliográfica com o objetivo de descrever a Importância da microbiota no organismo humano e sua relação com a obesidade. Foram realizadas compilações bibliográficas de artigos científicos originais e de revisão em revistas indexadas, Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia, Scielo PubMed/Medline, SeCS. O trabalho descreveu que a microbiota é uma população de organismos microscópios que habitam o corpo humano. A microbiota intestinal influencia nas doenças gastrointestinais, e em uma variedade de condições imunológicas, como o diabetes mellitus tipo1, doenças cardiovasculares, doenças desmielinizantes autoimunes, alergia, asma, e na obesidade. Há uma associação entre a microbiota intestinal e o peso corporal, havendo uma modificação na composição das bactérias intestinais em obesos diferente das pessoas com IMC normal. O aumento do número de microrganismo promotores da saúde no trato gastrointestinal pode ser feito pela alimentação com prebióticos e probióticos, os quais modificam a composição da microbiota, formando uma barreira contra as bactérias ruins do ecossistema. O trabalho mostrou que com a integridade intestinal é possível evitar o surgimento de doenças impedindo a entrada de microrganismos patógenos e antígenos.
Effects of Sodium Cyclamate and Aspartame on the Rat Placenta - A Morphometric Study
Authors: de Matos Marcelo Alexandre , Martins Alex Tadeu , Azoubel Reinaldo
Published: February 2020

Objective: To evaluate the effects on the placenta of the administration to rats during embryogenesis, of sodium cyclamate or aspartame. Method: Administration of respectively, 14 mg/kg of aspartame via an orogastric sound to a group of rats during their tenth to fourteenth day of pregnancy, of 60 mg/kg of sodium cyclamate intraperitonially to another group, and of equivalent volumes of saline by the same routes to controls. On the twentieth day of pregnancy five foetuses of each group were aleatorily selected for study. Kariometry was used to evaluate nuclear parameters of the decidua, spongy layers and chorionic villi of the placenta. Results: Weights of foetuses and placentas, as well as lengths of cords were lower in treated rats, compared to control. While no changes were observed in the decidual layer of the cyclamate-treated group, this layer was altered by aspartame treatment. Nuclear parameters in the spongy layer and chorionic villi were altered in both, cyclamate and aspartame-treated groups. Conclusions: The study numerically demonstrated placenta intoxication by sodium cyclamate or aspartame and consequent repercussion on foetuses of the use of these substances during pregnancy.
Tempo de jejum e uso de nutroterapia em pacientes pediátricos com choque séptico
Authors: Fernandes Andersen Othon Rocha
Published: February 2020

Introdução: O choque séptico é um estágio final do processo infeccioso, que se manifesta por intenso desequilíbrio orgânico, com taxas elevadas de mortalidade. A inflamação sistêmica interfere no suporte nutricional.

Objetivos: Verificar estado nutricional, período de jejum, uso e tipo de terapia nutrológica e a relação destas variáveis com o risco de óbito dos pacientes com quadro de choque séptico pediátrico.

Métodos: Foram incluídos 111 pacientes pediátricos internados na UTIP do HMIB com diagnóstico de choque séptico, de 1998 a 2007. Foi descrito o perfil da amostra e feita análise estatística a fim de avaliar risco de óbito.

Resultados: As internações por choque séptico corresponderam a 3,7% de todas as admissões do período. A população foi composta em sua maioria por lactentes, menores de 1 ano de idade, com elevada prevalência de desnutrição. Ausência de uso de nutrição enteral (OR 22,142) foi identificada como preditor de óbito.

Conclusão: Recomenda-se nutrir tão precocemente seja possível, privilegiando a via enteral quando viável.