bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Saudi Arabia between 1984 and 2016
Authors: Shaheen Marwan , Almohareb Fahad , Aljohani Naif , Ayas Mouhab , Chaudhri Naeem , Abosoudah Ibraheem , Alotaibi Sultan , Alshahrani Mohammed , Alsharif Fahad , Akhtar Saad , Alhumaidan Hind , Rasheed Walid , Alfraih Feras , Al-Anazi Khalid , Alhashmi Hani , Al-Daama Saad , Hanbali Amr , Alsaleh Khalid , Alzahrani Hazzaa , Ibrahim Khalid , Alawwami Moheeb , Albeirouti Bassim , Albeihany Amal , Alabdulwahab Amal , Motabi Ibraheem , Zaidi Syed Z.A. , Ahmed Syed O , Aljefri Abdullah , Hussain Fazal , Alahmari Ali , Hashmi Shahrukh , Elsolh Hassan , Alseraihy Amal , Aljurf Mahmoud
Published: August 2020

Saudi Arabia is the largest of the Arabian Gulf countries with a total population of 33.41 million as of 2017. This report summarizes the experience from four leading tertiary care hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) centers in Saudi Arabia representing more than 90% of all HSCTs performed in the country. Between 1984 and 2016, a total of 6,184 HSCTs were performed. Of these, 3,586 HSCTs were performed in adults and 2,598 HSCTs were performed in pediatric patients. Malignancy was the main indication for transplantation (47%). While most transplants were performed from an identical sibling donor, HSCTs from cord blood, unrelated and, more recently, haploidentical donors have also been performed. Relative shortage of HSCT bed capacity is perceived to be a limiting factor in Saudi Arabia. Lately, more HSCT centers are emerging with rapid growth, which may significantly improve the access to HSCT in the country in the near future.
Infection to Recovery; COVID-19 in Pakistan and its Implications
Authors: Zia Sadia
Published: August 2020

The New pandemic is hitting all around the world in different manner. The infection rate, prevalence and severity is not patronized in many countries. Pakistan is now attaining the peak in its cases. Around 108,317 confirmed cases are present in Pakistan and 71,127 are currently active cases1. The recovery rate is 32%. The dangerous situation about the infection prevalence is that most of the people either are asymptomatic of having mild symptoms. An estimation release from Primary Health Department of Punjab claims that almost 670,000 cases are asymptomatic in only Lahore city 2. This correspondence is about an infected family of 5 people 3 males and 2 females in Lahore, Pakistan. Who were exposed with virus and one after one got the infection, the two males deceased but rest of family member are recovered.
You have the microbiome you deserve
Authors: Hill Colin
Published: August 2020

The human microbiome is one of the most exciting areas of microbiology. From a starting point of tens of papers annually a couple of decades ago, there are now thousands of papers published every year on the microbiome. Huge strides have been made in terms of defining the individual members of complex human microbiomes from different body sites. The individuality and diversity of the human microbiome almost surpasses our ability to comprehend it. Advances in metagenomics and computational sciences have increased the complexity of the field, while at the same time we have moved from regarding the human microbiome as a benign passenger to a situation where it has been linked to almost every chronic disease, including obesity, cancer and infectious disease. The microbiome tantalizes us with the promise of novel therapeutic molecules and modalities for a range of intractable diseases. And yet, very few microbiome-based therapies have made it to the clinic or the pharmacy and we still cannot really define a healthy microbiome. We are entering the most exciting phase of microbiome research, as we develop effective, evidence-based interventions to preserve and restore human health. But we need rigour and numeracy if we are to realize this vision.
Disparities in the prevalence and risk factors of anaemia among children aged 6–24 months and 25–59 months in Ethiopia
Authors: Gebreegziabher Tafere , Regassa Nigatu , Wakefield Micaela , Pritchett Kelly , Hawk Susan
Published: August 2020

Despite global efforts made to address anaemia, the prevalence remains high in most Sub-Saharan African countries. In Ethiopia, anaemia poses a very strong public health concern. The purpose of the present study was to examine the key risk factors related to anaemia among children aged 6–24 months (younger age group) and 25–59 months (older age group). We used the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data, collected from 11 023 mothers with under five children. Ordered logistic regression modelling was used for assessing risk factors of childhood anaemia. The results suggest that the prevalence of anaemia was 72 % in the younger and 49 % in the older age groups. The risk factors for anaemia in the younger age group were morbidity (odds ratio (OR) 1⋅77; CI 1⋅21, 2⋅60), having no piped water source (OR 1⋅76; CI 1⋅07, 3⋅01) and no toilet facility (OR 1⋅60; CI 1⋅07, 2⋅38). The key risk factors for anaemia in the older age group were no micronutrient intake (OR 1⋅69; CI 1⋅23, 2⋅31), having a young mother (15–24 years old) (OR 1⋅35; CI 0⋅84, 1⋅91) and a non-working mother (OR 1⋅50; CI 1⋅15, 1⋅96). Anaemia also varied by region, place of residence and economic factors. Multiple factors contributed to the high prevalence of anaemia. Given the structural problem that the country has intervention strategies should consider the unique characteristics of regions and rural residences where the prevalence of anaemia is above the national average.
Health effects of a low-inflammatory diet in adults with arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Genel Furkan , Kale Michael , Pavlovic Natalie , Flood Victoria M. , Naylor Justine M. , Adie Sam
Published: August 2020

The aim is to systematically assess the health impact of a low-inflammatory diet intervention (full-diet or supplement), compared to usual diet or other dietary interventions, on weight change, inflammatory biomarkers, joint symptoms, and quality of life in adults with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or seronegative arthropathy (psoriatic, reactive, ankylosing spondylitis or IBD-related), on outcomes assessed in prospective studies within 6 months of intervention commencement (PROSPERO CRD42019136567). Search of multiple electronic library databases from inception to July 2019, supplemented by grey literature searches, for randomised and prospective trials assessing the above objective. After exclusion of 446 ineligible studies, five randomised and two prospective trials involving 468 participants with either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis were included. GRADE assessment for all outcomes was very low. Meta-analyses produced the following standardised mean differences (SMD) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) 2–4 months following commencement of the diets favouring the low-inflammatory diet: weight SMD −0⋅45 (CI −0⋅71, −0⋅18); inflammatory biomarkers SMD −2⋅33 (CI −3⋅82, −0⋅84). No significant effects were found for physical function (SMD −0⋅62; CI −1⋅39, 0⋅14), general health (SMD 0⋅89; CI −0⋅39, 2⋅16) and joint pain (SMD −0⋅98; CI −2⋅90, 0⋅93). In most studies, the quality of dietary intervention (dietitian input, use of validated dietary compliance tool) could not be gauged. In conclusion, very low-level evidence suggests that low-inflammatory diets or supplements compared to usual diets are associated with greater weight loss and improvement in inflammatory biomarkers. More high-quality trials are needed to assess the health effects of a low-inflammatory diet more comprehensively and conclusively in arthritic conditions.
Real, but Limited: A Meta-Analytic Assessment of Framing Effects in the Political Domain
Authors: Amsalem Eran , Zoizner Alon
Published: August 2020

In the past three decades, scholars have frequently used the concept of framing effects to assess the competence of citizens' political judgments and how susceptible they are to elite influence. Yet prior framing studies have reached mixed conclusions, and few have provided systematic cumulative evidence. This study evaluates the overall efficacy of different types of framing effects in the political domain by systematically meta-analyzing this large and diverse literature. A combined analysis of 138 experiments reveals that when examined across contexts, framing exerts medium-sized effects on citizens' political attitudes and emotions. However, framing effects on behavior are negligible, and small effects are also found in more realistic studies employing frame competition. These findings suggest that although elites can influence citizens by framing issues, their capacity to do so is constrained. Overall, citizens appear to be more competent than some scholars envision them to be.
Reframing the Past: Justice, Guilt, and Consolidation in East and West Germany after Nazism
Authors: Fulbrook Mary
Published: August 2020

Only a minority of Germans involved in Nazi crimes were prosecuted after the war, and the transnational history of trials is only beginning to be explored. Even less well understood are the ways in which those who were tainted by complicity reframed their personal life stories. Millions had been willing facilitators, witting beneficiaries, or passive (and perhaps unhappily helpless) witnesses of Nazi persecution; many had been actively involved in sustaining Nazi rule; perhaps a quarter of a million had personally killed Jewish civilians, and several million had direct knowledge of genocide. How did these people re-envision their own lives after Nazism? And how did they reinterpret their own former behaviors—their actions and inaction—in light of public confrontations with Nazi crimes and constructions of “perpetrators” in trials? Going beyond well-trodden debates about “overcoming the past,” this paper explores patterns of personal memory among East and West Germans after Nazism.
Stakeholder Orientation and the Cost of Debt: Evidence from State-Level Adoption of Constituency Statutes
Authors: Gao Huasheng , Li Kai , Ma Yujing
Published: August 2020

We examine the causal effect of stakeholder orientation on firms’ cost of debt. Our test exploits the staggered state-level adoption of constituency statutes, which allows directors to consider stakeholders’ interests when making business decisions. We find a significant drop in loan spreads for firms incorporated in states that adopted such statutes relative to firms incorporated elsewhere. We further show that constituency statutes reduce the cost of debt through the channels of mitigating conflicts of interest between residual and fixed claimants and between holders of liquid claims and holders of illiquid claims, limiting legal liability and lowering takeover threats.
Do Social Connections Mitigate Hold-up and Facilitate Cooperation? Evidence from Supply Chain Relationships
Authors: Dasgupta Sudipto , Zhang Kuo , Zhu Chenqi
Published: August 2020

We show that prior social connections can mitigate hold-up in bilateral relationships and encourage relation-specific investment and cooperation when contracts are incomplete. We examine vertical relationships and show that relation-specific innovative activities by suppliers increase with the existence and strength of prior social connections between the suppliers’ managers and board members and those of their customers. To establish causality, we exploit connection breaches due to manager/director retirements or deaths and find that innovation drops for affected suppliers after the departure of socially connected individuals relative to unaffected suppliers. Our work sheds light on how social connections can shape firm boundaries.
The pitfalls of power sharing in a new democracy: the case of the National Party in South Africa
Authors: Southern Neil
Published: August 2020

A key political feature of South Africa's transformation was the African National Congress, the National Party and Inkatha Freedom Party working together in a grand coalition. This arrangement was praised by leading power-sharing theorist Arend Lijphart. The unity government began in 1994 but two years later the National Party withdrew. This article explores power sharing during the initial phase of the settlement and discusses three aspects of it. First, the South African example points to the electoral drawbacks of power sharing for minor parties. Second, the National Party's participation in the coalition stifled the early development of substantial political opposition which slowed the pace of democratic consolidation. Third, participation in a power-sharing arrangement undermined the National Party's electoral fortunes contributing to its dissolution in 2005. This was an unexpected outcome for a party which had co-authored the country's settlement a little over a decade earlier.
A green transition in South Africa? Sociotechnical experimentation in the Atlantis Special Economic Zone
Authors: Grant Richard , Carmody Pádraig , Murphy James T.
Published: August 2020

South Africa faces interconnected challenges of developing and diversifying its economy and adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change. A green policy tilt is ascendant in the country, manifest in a cascading array of policies and special initiatives. Utilising concepts from the multi-level perspective on socio-technical transitions, we assess Africa's first designated Green Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Atlantis SEZ (ASEZ) in the Western Cape, a niche innovation aimed at transforming the Province's industrial base. This initiative is very ambitious in four respects: (1) it links green SEZ development in a deprived metropolitan area to the broader regional economy; (2) it utilises an innovative governance structure; (3) it promises localization economies and export potential; and (4) it connects SEZ niche experimentation with emergent renewable energy regimes. While elements are in place which might seed a sociotechnical transition, societal and political forces (i.e. landscape features) continue to limit its realisation, highlighting the immanent, structural realities shaping South Africa's economic futures.
Perturbing an axisymmetric magnetic equilibrium to obtain a quasi-axisymmetric stellarator
Authors: Plunk G. G.
Published: August 2020

It is demonstrated that finite-pressure, approximately quasi-axisymmetric stellarator equilibria can be directly constructed (without numerical optimization) via perturbations of given axisymmetric equilibria. The size of such perturbations is measured in two ways, via the fractional external rotation and, alternatively, via the relative magnetic field strength, i.e. the average size of the perturbed magnetic field, divided by the unperturbed field strength. It is found that significant fractional external rotational transform can be generated by quasi-axisymmetric perturbations, with a similar value of the relative field strength, despite the fact that the former scales more weakly with the perturbation size. High mode number perturbations are identified as a candidate for generating such transform with local current distributions. Implications for the development of a general non-perturbative solver for optimal stellarator equilibria are discussed.
Role of diagnostic intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in the management of genetically determined zona pellucida-free oocytes during in vitro fertilization: a case report
Authors: Metwalley Ahmad , Brasha Nabeel , Esteves Sandro C. , Fawzy Mohamed , Brasha Hadiya , Hellani Ali , El Hamshary Manal , Khamiss Omaima
Published: August 2020

Purpose:

To report the utilization of diagnostic intracytoplasmic sperm injection (D-ICSI), an ICSI cycle performed in the natural cycle, to obtain information about embryo development potential after sperm injection into zona pellucida (ZP)-free oocytes.

Materials and Methods:

We report the case of a couple with primary unexplained infertility with a history of previous failed, in vitro fertilization intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI) cycles characterized by the presence of ZP-free oocytes. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out to analyse the possible genetic basis of oocyte abnormality.

Results:

Diagnostic ICSI provided information about the embryo development potential from ZP-free oocytes and allowed better planning of the subsequent ICSI cycle. WES revealed that the absence of ZP was likely to be due to a new (ZP1) mutation. The subsequent ICSI cycle resulted in the delivery of a healthy baby.

Discussion:

To the best of our knowledge, our report is the first to describe the use of D-ICSI to determine the feasibility of embryo development and implantation in a patient with ZP1 mutation, resulting in the subsequent delivery of a healthy baby. We used ‘diagnostic’ ICSI in the normal menstrual cycle to explore the feasibility of embryo development after sperm injection into ZP-free oocytes. Our results may expand the spectrum of diagnostic procedures associated with unexplained infertility.
COVID-19 and the role of information processing
Authors: van der Leeuw Sander
Published: August 2020

The various crises that have emerged since 2000 are driven by an increasing maladaptation of our societies’ information processing capabilities to the dynamics in which our societies find themselves. These capabilities have been built up path dependently over centuries, and to understand them we need to look closely at their history. Changes in technology, demography and resource use and environmental change are all part of a co-evolution in which societies’ information processing capacities play a central role. The information and communications technology revolution has accelerated developments in all of these domains and has weakened some fundamental institutions. This paper discusses how these processes might affect the long-term future of our societies.
Analysis of Compound Climate Extremes and Exposed Population in Africa Under Two Different Emission Scenarios
Authors: Weber T. , Bowyer P. , Rechid D. , Pfeifer S. , Raffaele F. , Remedio A. R. , Teichmann C. , Jacob D.
Published: August 2020

It is well established that Africa is particularly exposed to climate extremes including heat waves, droughts, and intense rainfall events. How exposed Africa is to the co‐occurrence of these events is however virtually unknown. This study provides the first analysis of projected changes in the co‐occurrence of five such compound climate extremes in Africa, under a low (RCP2.6) and high (RCP8.5) emissions scenario. These changes are combined with population projections for a low (SSP1) and high (SSP3) population growth scenario, in order to provide estimates of the number of people that may be exposed to such events at the end of the 21st century. We make use of an ensemble of regional climate projections from the Coordinated Output for Regional Evaluations (CORE) project embedded in the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) framework. This ensemble comprises five different Earth System Model/Regional Climate Model (ESM/RCM) combinations with three different ESMs and two RCMs. We show that all five compound climate extremes will increase in frequency, with changes being greater under RCP8.5 than RCP2.6. Moreover, populations exposed to these changes are greater under RCP8.5/SSP3, than RCP2.6/SSP1, increasing by 47‐ and 12‐fold, respectively, compared to the present‐day. Regions of Africa that are particularly exposed are West Africa, Central‐East Africa, and Northeast and Southeast Africa. Increased exposure is mainly driven by the interaction between climate and population growth, and the effect of population alone. This has important policy implications in relation to climate mitigation and adaptation.
Simple Global Ocean Biogeochemistry With Light, Iron, Nutrients and Gas Version 2 (BLINGv2): Model Description and Simulation Characteristics in GFDL's CM4.0
Authors: Dunne J. P. , Bociu I. , Bronselaer B. , Guo H. , John J. G. , Krasting J. P. , Stock C. A. , Winton M. , Zadeh N.
Published: August 2020

Simulation of coupled carbon‐climate requires representation of ocean carbon cycling, but the computational burden of simulating the dozens of prognostic tracers in state‐of‐the‐art biogeochemistry ecosystem models can be prohibitive. We describe a six‐tracer biogeochemistry module of steady‐state phytoplankton and zooplankton dynamics in Biogeochemistry with Light, Iron, Nutrients and Gas (BLING version 2) with particular emphasis on enhancements relative to the previous version and evaluate its implementation in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory's (GFDL) fourth‐generation climate model (CM4.0) with ¼° ocean. Major geographical and vertical patterns in chlorophyll, phosphorus, alkalinity, inorganic and organic carbon, and oxygen are well represented. Major biases in BLINGv2 include overly intensified production in high‐productivity regions at the expense of productivity in the oligotrophic oceans, overly zonal structure in tropical phosphorus, and intensified hypoxia in the eastern ocean basins as is typical in climate models. Overall, while BLINGv2 structural limitations prevent sophisticated application to plankton physiology, ecology, or biodiversity, its ability to represent major organic, inorganic, and solubility pumps makes it suitable for many coupled carbon‐climate and biogeochemistry studies including eddy interactions in the ocean interior. We further overview the biogeochemistry and circulation mechanisms that shape carbon uptake over the historical period. As an initial analysis of model historical and idealized response, we show that CM4.0 takes up slightly more anthropogenic carbon than previous models in part due to enhanced ventilation in the absence of an eddy parameterization. The CM4.0 biogeochemistry response to CO2doubling highlights a mix of large declines and moderate increases consistent with previous models.
Nearly Half of Global Vegetated Area Experienced Inconsistent Vegetation Growth in Terms of Greenness, Cover, and Productivity
Authors: Ding Zihan , Peng Jian , Qiu Sijing , Zhao Yan
Published: August 2020

The considerable interest in detecting global vegetation changes based on satellite observations is increasing. However, studies rely on single indices to explore the driving mechanisms of the greening trend might exacerbate uncertainties of global ecosystem change. Thus, vegetation growth dynamics from various biophysical properties required to be monitored comprehensively. In this study, a consistent framework for evaluating vegetation growth trends was developed based on five widely used satellite‐derived products of MODIS Collection 6; the consistency in vegetation growth was mapped; and the factors that affected the consistency of vegetation growth were explored. The results showed that, during 2000‐2015, 45.6% of global vegetated area experienced inconsistent trends in vegetation greenness, cover and productivity, especially in evergreen broadleaf forests, grasslands, open shrublands, woody savannas and croplands. Only 5.4% of global vegetated area exhibited simultaneous trends in greenness, cover and productivity, and the inconsistent areas were expanding in the study period. Contradictory vegetation changes were mainly reflected in the opposite trends of vegetation greenness and productivity in evergreen broadleaf forests. Moreover, the inconsistency change was mainly manifested in the greenness‐dominated vegetation enhancement, without enhanced productivity. The increment difference between NPP and GPP also showed respiration losses greatly offset the effect of vegetation greenness or cover on productivity. This study provides integrated insights for understanding the inconsistency of vegetation structural and functional changes in the context of global greening.
Gelatinous Zooplankton‐Mediated Carbon Flows in the Global Oceans: A Data‐Driven Modeling Study
Authors: Luo Jessica Y. , Condon Robert H. , Stock Charles A. , Duarte Carlos M. , Lucas Cathy H. , Pitt Kylie A. , Cowen Robert K.
Published: August 2020

Among marine organisms, gelatinous zooplankton (GZ; cnidarians, ctenophores, and pelagic tunicates) are unique in their energetic efficiency, as the gelatinous body plan allows them to process and assimilate high proportions of oceanic carbon. Upon death, their body shape facilitates rapid sinking through the water column, resulting in carcass depositions on the seafloor (“jelly‐falls”). GZ are thought to be important components of the biological pump, but their overall contribution to global carbon fluxes remains unknown. Using a data‐driven, three‐dimensional, carbon cycle model resolved to a 1° global grid, with a Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis, we estimate that GZ consumed 7.9–13 Pg C y−1in phytoplankton and zooplankton, resulting in a net production of 3.9–5.8 Pg C y−1in the upper ocean (top 200 m), with the largest fluxes from pelagic tunicates. Non‐predation mortality (carcasses) comprised 25% of GZ production, and combined with the much greater fecal matter flux, total GZ particulate organic carbon (POC) export at 100 m was 1.6–5.2 Pg C y−1, equivalent to 32–40% of the global POC export. The fast sinking GZ export resulted in a high transfer efficiency (Teff) of 38–62% to 1,000 m and 25–40% to the seafloor. Finally, jelly‐falls at depths >50 m are likely unaccounted for in current POC flux estimates and could increase benthic POC flux by 8–35%. The significant magnitude of and distinct sinking properties of GZ fluxes support a critical yet underrecognized role of GZ carcasses and fecal matter to the biological pump and air‐sea carbon balance.
Telescopic Observations of Lunar Hydration: Variations and Abundance
Authors: Honniball C. I. , Lucey P. G. , Ferrari‐Wong C. M. , Flom A. , Li S. , Kaluna H. M. , Takir D.
Published: August 2020

Prior to 2009, the surface of the Moon was believed to be anhydrous. However, observations by three spacecraft revealed a hydrated surface by reporting a 3 μm absorption band attributed to hydroxyl and possibly molecular water. The Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) spectrometer on board the Chandrayaan‐1 spacecraft has been used to study the lunar 3 μm band, but its spectral range ends at 3 μm. The limited wavelength range of M3 has allowed observed variations in the strength of the 3 μm band to be called into question due to uncertainties in thermal corrections. To investigate the validity of variations in the lunar 3 μm band, we used the SpeX infrared spectrograph at the NASA InfraRed Telescope Facility at Maunakea Observatory in Hawai‘i. With SpeX, we are able to obtain lunar data over a wavelength range of 1.67 to 4.2 μm at 1–2 km spatial resolution. The long wavelengths provide strong constraints on separating thermal emission from solar reflectance. We confirm that the 3 μm band varies with lunar time of day as well as with latitude and composition. Pole‐to‐pole observation chords reveal strong variations in abundances of hydroxyl and possibly molecular water. The data reveal a decrease in abundance as lunar noon is approached, an asymmetric trend about the equator that favors the southern latitudes, and higher concentrations in highland regions. The longer wavelengths provided by SpeX have allowed us to examine variations in the 3 μm band and provide definitive evidence that the variations are due to changes in hydration.
Melatonin stimulates aromatase expression and estradiol production in human granulosa-lutein cells: relevance for high serum estradiol levels in patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
Authors: Cheng Jung-Chien , Fang Lanlan , Li Yiran , Wang Sijia , Li Yuxi , Yan Yang , Jia Qiongqiong , Wu Ze , Wang Zhen , Han Xiaoyu , Sun Ying-Pu
Published: August 2020

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is one of the most life-threatening and potentially fatal complications associated with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) during in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Although the pathogenesis of OHSS remains unclear, elevated serum estradiol (E2) levels before human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration are associated with the risk of OHSS. The pineal hormone melatonin and its receptors are expressed in human granulosa cells and have been shown to stimulate E2 production. However, the effect of melatonin on the expression of aromatase, an enzyme responsible for a key step in the biosynthesis of E2, in human granulosa cells remains to be determined. Here, we demonstrate that melatonin upregulates aromatase expression in primary cultured human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells through the melatonin receptor-mediated PKA-CREB pathway. Using a mouse model of OHSS, we demonstrate that administration of the melatonin receptor inhibitor luzindole inhibits the development of OHSS. In addition, the expression of ovarian aromatase and serum E2 levels are upregulated in OHSS mice compared to control mice, but this upregulation is attenuated by inhibition of the function of melatonin. Moreover, clinical results reveal that aromatase expression levels are upregulated in hGL cells from OHSS patients. Melatonin and E2 levels in the follicular fluid are significantly higher in OHSS patients than in non-OHSS patients. Furthermore, melatonin levels are positively correlated with E2 levels in follicular fluid. This study helps to elucidate the mechanisms mediating the expression of aromatase in hGL cells and provides a potential mechanism explaining the high E2 levels in patients with OHSS.
Multiplexed single-cell transcriptional response profiling to define cancer vulnerabilities and therapeutic mechanism of action
Authors: McFarland James M. , Paolella Brenton R. , Warren Allison , Geiger-Schuller Kathryn , Shibue Tsukasa , Rothberg Michael , Kuksenko Olena , Colgan William N. , Jones Andrew , Chambers Emily , Dionne Danielle , Bender Samantha , Wolpin Brian M. , Ghandi Mahmoud , Tirosh Itay , Rozenblatt-Rosen Orit , Roth Jennifer A. , Golub Todd R. , Regev Aviv , Aguirre Andrew J. , Vazquez Francisca , Tsherniak Aviad
Published: August 2020

Assays to study cancer cell responses to pharmacologic or genetic perturbations are typically restricted to using simple phenotypic readouts such as proliferation rate. Information-rich assays, such as gene-expression profiling, have generally not permitted efficient profiling of a given perturbation across multiple cellular contexts. Here, we develop MIX-Seq, a method for multiplexed transcriptional profiling of post-perturbation responses across a mixture of samples with single-cell resolution, using SNP-based computational demultiplexing of single-cell RNA-sequencing data. We show that MIX-Seq can be used to profile responses to chemical or genetic perturbations across pools of 100 or more cancer cell lines. We combine it with Cell Hashing to further multiplex additional experimental conditions, such as post-treatment time points or drug doses. Analyzing the high-content readout of scRNA-seq reveals both shared and context-specific transcriptional response components that can identify drug mechanism of action and enable prediction of long-term cell viability from short-term transcriptional responses to treatment.
Cytokinin fluoroprobe reveals multiple sites of cytokinin perception at plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Kubiasová Karolina , Montesinos Juan Carlos , Šamajová Olga , Nisler Jaroslav , Mik Václav , Semerádová Hana , Plíhalová Lucie , Novák Ondřej , Marhavý Peter , Cavallari Nicola , Zalabák David , Berka Karel , Doležal Karel , Galuszka Petr , Šamaj Jozef , Strnad Miroslav , Benková Eva , Plíhal Ondřej , Spíchal Lukáš
Published: August 2020

Plant hormone cytokinins are perceived by a subfamily of sensor histidine kinases (HKs), which via a two-component phosphorelay cascade activate transcriptional responses in the nucleus. Subcellular localization of the receptors proposed the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane as a principal cytokinin perception site, while study of cytokinin transport pointed to the plasma membrane (PM)-mediated cytokinin signalling. Here, by detailed monitoring of subcellular localizations of the fluorescently labelled natural cytokinin probe and the receptor ARABIDOPSIS HISTIDINE KINASE 4 (CRE1/AHK4) fused to GFP reporter, we show that pools of the ER-located cytokinin receptors can enter the secretory pathway and reach the PM in cells of the root apical meristem, and the cell plate of dividing meristematic cells. Brefeldin A (BFA) experiments revealed vesicular recycling of the receptor and its accumulation in BFA compartments. We provide a revised view on cytokinin signalling and the possibility of multiple sites of perception at PM and ER.
Ribosome-mediated polymerization of long chain carbon and cyclic amino acids into peptides in vitro
Authors: Lee Joongoo , Schwarz Kevin J. , Kim Do Soon , Moore Jeffrey S. , Jewett Michael C.
Published: August 2020

Ribosome-mediated polymerization of backbone-extended monomers into polypeptides is challenging due to their poor compatibility with the translation apparatus, which evolved to use α-L-amino acids. Moreover, mechanisms to acylate (or charge) these monomers to transfer RNAs (tRNAs) to make aminoacyl-tRNA substrates is a bottleneck. Here, we rationally design non-canonical amino acid analogs with extended carbon chains (γ-, δ-, ε-, and ζ-) or cyclic structures (cyclobutane, cyclopentane, and cyclohexane) to improve tRNA charging. We then demonstrate site-specific incorporation of these non-canonical, backbone-extended monomers at the N- and C- terminus of peptides using wild-type and engineered ribosomes. This work expands the scope of ribosome-mediated polymerization, setting the stage for new medicines and materials.
Ultrafast terahertz saturable absorbers using tailored intersubband polaritons
Authors: Raab Jürgen , Mezzapesa Francesco P. , Viti Leonardo , Dessmann Nils , Diebel Laura K. , Li Lianhe , Davies A. Giles , Linfield Edmund H. , Lange Christoph , Huber Rupert , Vitiello Miriam S.
Published: August 2020

Semiconductor heterostructures have enabled a great variety of applications ranging from GHz electronics to photonic quantum devices. While nonlinearities play a central role for cutting-edge functionality, they require strong field amplitudes owing to the weak light-matter coupling of electronic resonances of naturally occurring materials. Here, we ultrastrongly couple intersubband transitions of semiconductor quantum wells to the photonic mode of a metallic cavity in order to custom-tailor the population and polarization dynamics of intersubband cavity polaritons in the saturation regime. Two-dimensional THz spectroscopy reveals strong subcycle nonlinearities including six-wave mixing and a collapse of light-matter coupling within 900 fs. This collapse bleaches the absorption, at a peak intensity one order of magnitude lower than previous all-integrated approaches and well achievable by state-of-the-art QCLs, as demonstrated by a saturation of the structure under cw-excitation. We complement our data by a quantitative theory. Our results highlight a path towards passively mode-locked QCLs based on polaritonic saturable absorbers in a monolithic single-chip design.
Senolytics prevent mt-DNA-induced inflammation and promote the survival of aged organs following transplantation
Authors: Iske Jasper , Seyda Midas , Heinbokel Timm , Maenosono Ryoichi , Minami Koichiro , Nian Yeqi , Quante Markus , Falk Christine S. , Azuma Haruhito , Martin Friederike , Passos João F. , Niemann Claus U. , Tchkonia Tamara , Kirkland James L. , Elkhal Abdallah , Tullius Stefan G.
Published: August 2020

Older organs represent an untapped potential to close the gap between demand and supply in organ transplantation but are associated with age-specific responses to injury and increased immunogenicity, thereby aggravating transplant outcomes. Here we show that cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mt-DNA) released by senescent cells accumulates with aging and augments immunogenicity. Ischemia reperfusion injury induces a systemic increase of cf-mt-DNA that promotes dendritic cell-mediated, age-specific inflammatory responses. Comparable events are observed clinically, with the levels of cf-mt-DNA elevated in older deceased organ donors, and with the isolated cf-mt-DNA capable of activating human dendritic cells. In experimental models, treatment of old donor animals with senolytics clear senescent cells and diminish cf-mt-DNA release, thereby dampening age-specific immune responses and prolonging the survival of old cardiac allografts comparable to young donor organs. Collectively, we identify accumulating cf-mt-DNA as a key factor in inflamm-aging and present senolytics as a potential approach to improve transplant outcomes and availability.
Two-photon photocurrent in InGaN/GaN nanowire intermediate band solar cells
Authors: Cheriton Ross , Sadaf Sharif M. , Robichaud Luc , Krich Jacob J. , Mi Zetian , Hinzer Karin
Published: August 2020

Intermediate band solar cells hold the promise of ultrahigh power conversion efficiencies using a single semiconductor junction. Many current implementations use materials with bandgaps too small to achieve maximum efficiency or use cost-prohibitive substrates. Here we demonstrate a material system for intermediate band solar cells using InGaN/GaN quantum-dot-in-nanowire heterostructures grown directly on silicon to provide a lower cost, large-bandgap intermediate band solar cell platform. We demonstrate sequential two-photon current generation with sub-bandgap photons, the hallmark of intermediate band solar cell operation, through vertically stacked quantum dots in the nanowires. Near-infrared light biasing with an 850 nm laser intensity up to 200 W/cm2 increases the photocurrent above and below the bandgap by up to 19% at 78 K, and 44% at room temperature. The nanostructured III-nitride strategy provides a route towards realistic room temperature intermediate band solar cells while leveraging the cost benefits of silicon substrates.
Catalytic Technologies for Clean Hydrogen Production
Authors: Navarro Jaen Sara , Megias Sayago Cristina , Ivanova Svetlana , Antonio Odriozola José
Published: August 2020

Hydrogen and fuel cells are envisaged as some of the most promising technologies for decarbonizing the transportation sector. In order to avoid all safety concerns associated with the use of bottled hydrogen, its production on board is one of the best options for society. This chapter discusses the catalytic steps for clean hydrogen production and purification, as well as all successful catalytic formulations that make possible the effective feed-up of low-temperature fuel cells. The recent advances in two reactions are discussed: water gas shift (WGS), being the reaction that purifies the reforming outlets by producing more hydrogen; and the preferential CO oxidation reaction, as a possible final purification step. This chapter debates the advantages and the challenges to be confronted for both reactions, pointing to their possible future combination for on board hydrogen production.
In SituCharacterization of Metal/Oxide Catalysts for CO2 Conversion: From Fundamental Aspects to Real Catalyst Design
Authors: Mahapatra Mausumi , Betancourt Luis E. , Liu Zongyuan , Vovchok Dimitriy , Simonovis Juan P. , Rodriguez José A. , Senanayake Sanjaya D.
Published: August 2020

Catalytic conversion of CO2 into valuable chemicals not only mitigates the negative effects of CO2 emissions, but also offers an effective way to complete the carbon cycle and build a sustainable carbon-neutral fuel/chemical production strategy. The activation and selective conversion of CO2 on metal/oxide catalysts is a difficult task due to the stability and non-polar character of this molecule. In recent years, in situ or operando studies with different characterization techniques have provided valuable insights into fundamental aspects associated with the effective binding of CO2 and the transformation of its C–O bonds.
CO2-effervescence assisted dispersive micro solid-phase extraction based on a magnetic layered double hydroxide modified with polyaniline and a surfactant for efficient pre-concentration of heavy metals in cosmetic samples
Authors: Rajabi Maryam , Mollakazemi Zohreh , Hemmati Maryam , Arghavani-Beydokhti Somayeh
Published: August 2020

CO2-effervescence assisted dispersive micro solid-phase extraction procedure (CO2-EA-DμSPE) using a magnetic layered double hydroxide modified with polyaniline and a surfactant (Zn–Al–LDH–PA–DBSNa–Fe3O4) was applied for the pre-concentration of heavy metals.
Novel ionic liquid based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the extraction of bergapten and bergamottin in hydroalcoholic cosmetic formulations
Authors: Kreidl Marco , Harder Matthias , Rainer Matthias , Bonn Günther K.
Published: August 2020

This study reports the synthesis of the room temperature ionic liquid 1-propyloxy-3-ethoxyimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonamide for the extraction of bergapten and bergamottin from hydroalcoholic cosmetic samples by means of DLLME.
A banana peel/silicon glue coated stir bar for extraction of aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen and mefenamic acid followed by high performance liquid chromatography-UV detection
Authors: Jafari Zahra , Hadjmohammadi Mohammad Reza
Published: August 2020

In the current study, a green, cost-effective, and bio-degradable additive was used for the preparation of a highly efficient sorbent based on silicon glue.
Stepwise elution by high-speed counter-current chromatography combined with a modified macroporous resin to isolate and purify antioxidant phenolics from discarded jackfruit (Artocarpusheterophyllus Lam.) peels
Authors: Jiang Zhiguo , Wang Yanhua
Published: August 2020

Combined with modified macroporous resin (MR), high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was developed to separate and purify the antioxidant phenolics from waste jackfruit peels.
Measuring stimulation and inhibition of intracellular nitric oxide production in SIM-A9 microglia using microfluidic single-cell analysis
Authors: Sibbitts Jay , Culbertson Christopher T.
Published: August 2020

Microfluidic single-cell analysis allows the examination of nitric oxide inhibitors and reveals a lognormal distribution of intracellular nitric oxide levels in SIM-A9 microglial cell populations.
The various levels of integration of chemo- and bio-catalysis towards hybrid catalysis
Authors: Heuson Egon , Dumeignil Franck
Published: August 2020

Hybrid catalysis is an emerging concept that combines chemo- and biocatalysts in a wide variety of approaches. Combining the specifications and advantages of multiple disciplines, it is a very promising way to diversify tomorrow's catalysis.
Covalent structured catalytic materials containing single-atom metal sites with controllable spatial and chemical properties: concept and application
Authors: Denekamp Ilse M. , Deacon-Price Connor , Zhang Zhenhua , Rothenberg Gadi
Published: August 2020

Keep your distance! A simple and effective protocol for connecting macrocycle polymers creates a new and versatile class of highly stable single-site catalytic materials.
Environmental and health risks of nanorobots: an early review
Authors: Arvidsson Rickard , Hansen Steffen Foss
Published: August 2020

Nanorobots for biomedical applications have experienced extensive research and rapid development during the last decade, up to a point where they can now deliver cargos to designated sites in organisms under laboratory conditions.
Structural changes of ethanolamine plasmalogen during intestinal absorption
Authors: Takahashi Takumi , Kamiyoshihara Reina , Otoki Yurika , Ito Junya , Kato Shunji , Suzuki Takuji , Yamashita Shinji , Eitsuka Takahiro , Ikeda Ikuo , Nakagawa Kiyotaka
Published: August 2020

A part of ethanolamine plasmalogen (PE-Pls) undergoes structural changes (i.e., arachidonic acid re-esterification and base conversion of PE-Pls into choline plasmalogen (PC-Pls)) during intestinal absorption.
Magnetically supported ionic liquids: a sustainable catalytic route for organic transformations
Authors: Gupta Radhika , Yadav Manavi , Gaur Rashmi , Arora Gunjan , Yadav Priya , Sharma Rakesh Kumar
Published: August 2020

This review aims to explore the design, development and applications of magnetically supported metal-free and metal-containing ILs that play the role of catalytic moieties in various organic transformations.
Ultra-fast synthesis of water soluble MoO3−x quantum dots with controlled oxygen vacancies and their near infrared fluorescence sensing to detect H2O2
Authors: Zhong Shichuan , Xing Changchang , Cao An , Zhang Tao , Li Xuejiao , Yu Jie , Cai Weiping , Li Yue
Published: August 2020

We report a facile method for the synthesis of water soluble MoO3−x QDs with controlled oxygen vacancies at room temperature within 5 seconds, the QDs could be used as a NIR fluorescence probe to detect H2O2 with a low detection limit (3 nM).
Oxygen vacancy injection-induced resistive switching in combined mobile and static gradient doped tin oxide nanorods
Authors: Herzog Thomas , Weitzel Naomi , Polarz Sebastian
Published: August 2020

In arrays of multi-domain nanowires static antimony doping in combination with mobile doping stemming from oxygen vacancies is utilized to achieve bipolar memristive properties resulting from oxygen vacancy injection in an undoped tin oxide domain.
Machine vision-driven automatic recognition of particle size and morphology in SEM images
Authors: Kim Hyojin , Han Jinkyu , Han T. Yong-Jin
Published: August 2020

A comprehensive framework to automatically perform size and morphology recognition of nanoparticles in SEM images in a high-throughput manner.
Enantioselective dearomative [3 + 2] annulation of 3-hydroxy chromanones with azonaphthalenes
Authors: Zhang Jiayan , Liu Min , Huang Min , Liu Hui , Yan Yingkun , Wang Zhouyu , Zhang Xiaomei
Published: August 2020

Enantioselective dearomative [3 + 2] annulation of 3-hydroxy chromanones with azonaphthalenes provided a large variety of chromanone fused indolines in moderate to good yields with generally good enantioselectivities.
A removable directing group-assisted Rh(iii)-catalyzed direct C–H bond activation/annulation cascade to synthesize highly fused isoquinolines
Authors: Cheng Yilang , Han Xu , Li Junyou , Zhou Yu , Liu Hong
Published: August 2020

A removable directing group-assisted Rh(iii)-catalyzed direct C–H bond activation/annulation cascade was developed to synthesize highly fused isoquinolines with good to excellent yields and a good functional group tolerance.
Visible-light-driven CO2reduction on dye-sensitized NiO photocathodes decorated with palladium nanoparticles
Authors: Szaniawska Ewelina , Wadas Anna , Ramanitra Hasina H. , Fodeke Emmanuel A. , Brzozowska Kamila , Chevillot-Biraud Alexandre , Santoni Marie-Pierre , Rutkowska Iwona A. , Jouini Mohamed , Kulesza Pawel J.
Published: August 2020

(A) Cross-section view of the stack of active layers constituting a hybrid photocathode for CO2reduction. (B) Structure of dye P1 sensitizing the NiO semiconductor. (C) Energy-level matching between components of the modified photocathode.
2-D organization of silica nanoparticles on gold surfaces: CO2marker detection and storage
Authors: Cueto Díaz Eduardo José , Gálvez-Martínez Santos , Torquemada Vico Ma Carmen , Valles González María Pilar , Mateo-Martí Eva
Published: August 2020

A single layer of silica nanoparticles with an average size of ∼200 nm was deposited over the surface of pristine gold wafers, aided by (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane.
Prussian blue coated with reduced graphene oxide as high-performance cathode for lithium–Sulfur batteries
Authors: Chen Minghua , Zhang Zhanpeng , Liu Xiaoxue , Li Yu , Wang Yuqing , Fan He , Liang Xinqi , Chen Qingguo
Published: August 2020

Lithium–sulfur batteries with high theoretical energy density are strongly considered to take over the post-lithium ion battery era; however, they are limited by sluggish reaction kinetics and the severe shuttling of soluble lithium polysulfides.
Biocompatible ionic liquid [Betaine][H2PO4] as a reusable catalyst for the substitution of xanthen-9-ol under solvent-free conditions
Authors: Zhu Anlian , Wang Tong , Feng Wanlu , Wang Jianji , Li Lingjun
Published: August 2020

A cheap and biocompatible ionic liquid [Betaine][H2PO4] was found to be an efficient and reusable catalyst for the direct substitution reaction of xanthen-9-ol under solvent-free conditions.