bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prenatal Diagnosis of Absent Right Superior Vena Cava in Referrals for Fetal Echocardiography
Authors: Acherman Ruben J. , Evans William N. , Restrepo Humberto
Published: January 2021

A persistent LSVC with an absent right superior vena cava (RSVC) is unusual, encountered in about 10% of patients with persistent LSVC. We present 14 patients with a prenatal diagnosis of single LSVC and situs solitus, including prenatal findings and information on medium-term follow-up. We identified patients with situs solitus and a persistent LSVC born between March 2004 and March 2020, which had been diagnosed prenatally between December 2003 and November 2019. From this cohort, we identified those with absent RSVC. In the population of women undergoing fetal echocardiography, the prevalence of persistent LSVC in situs solitus was 0.43% (84/19,712). For the 84 identified patients and for the entire population respectively, 14/84 (17%) and 14/19,712 (0.07%) had a single LSVC (absent RSVC). Of 14 patients with a single LSVC, 8 (57%) were male. For the 84 identified patients and for the entire population respectively, 70/84 (83%) and 70/19,712 (0.36%) had bilateral SVCs. For a single LSVC (absent RSVC) and situs solitus, the majority had no associated cardiac, extracardiac, or syndromic abnormalities.
Active protection of work area against explosion of dust–gas mixture
Authors: Szkudlarek Zbigniew , Janas Sebastian
Published: January 2021

Potentially explosive atmosphere can occur not only in the production systems of the food, energy, chemical and petrochemical industries but also in the production processes of the mining industry. Gases, vapours, mists and dusts arise can escape in an uncontrolled way during production, processing, transportation and storage of flammable substances. In combination with oxygen, they create explosive atmospheres that, if ignited, lead to an explosion causing catastrophic damage to people's lives and property. To protect against the results of hazardous dust–gas mixtures explosions in a confined work space, where employees can stay, various control and protection mechanisms are used in the form of an active explosion-proof system. The article presents the results of tests on an active system for limiting the effects of ignition of gas and/or dust based on a highly efficient explosion suppression system—equipped with an ignition detection system, high-pressure fire extinguisher and a power supply and trigger system. Smokeless powder was used as the explosive charge and sodium bicarbonate as the suppressive material. Tests of the effectiveness of the active explosion suppression system were carried out on two devices: a small-size dry dust collector and a zone extinguishing system adapted for direct explosion suppression in closed working spaces. In both cases, the explosion suppression process took place through the action of extinguishing powder blown out of the fire extinguisher after membrane perforation by compressed combustion products.
School-Based Mind–Body Interventions: A Research Review
Authors: Cozzolino Mauro , Vivo Deborah R. , Celia Giovanna
Published: January 2021

This paper contains a narrative review of the literature in the field of school-based mind–body interventions (MBIs). The aim of the current review is to verify whether the school-based MBI programs implemented in primary and secondary schools over the past 5 years are effective in helping schoolchildren cope with stress-related, behavioral, and affective issues, as well as improve stress response and school performance. All articles were retrieved using a number of databases. Inclusion criteria comprised qualitative and quantitative, English language, and peer-reviewed studies among third graders (8–9 years old) to twelfth graders (17–18 years old), including special needs pupils. Qualitative studies were limited to pupils’ experience only. Ten studies meeting the criteria for this review were assessed. The school-based interventions included yoga-based programs and mindfulness training. Evidence was evaluated and summarized. Across the reviewed studies, we found support for MBIs as part of school curricula to reduce negative effects of stress and promote overall well-being with caveats to consider in choosing specific programs. The practical implications of the current review include considerations related to the incorporation of MBIs in school curricula, which would likely benefit schoolchildren.
Reading Peer Review
Authors: Eve Martin Paul , Neylon Cameron , O'Donnell Daniel Paul , Moore Samuel , Gadie Robert , Odeniyi Victoria , Parvin Shahina
Published: January 2021

This Element describes for the first time the database of peer review reports at PLOS ONE, the largest scientific journal in the world, to which the authors had unique access. Specifically, this Element presents the background contexts and histories of peer review, the data-handling sensitivities of this type of research, the typical properties of reports in the journal to which the authors had access, a taxonomy of the reports, and their sentiment arcs. This unique work thereby yields a compelling and unprecedented set of insights into the evolving state of peer review in the twenty-first century, at a crucial political moment for the transformation of science. It also, though, presents a study in radicalism and the ways in which PLOS's vision for science can be said to have effected change in the ultra-conservative contemporary university. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Origins of the long-range exciton diffusion in perovskite nanocrystal films: photon recycling vs exciton hopping
Authors: Giovanni David , Righetto Marcello , Zhang Qiannan , Lim Jia Wei Melvin , Ramesh Sankaran , Sum Tze Chien
Published: January 2021

The outstanding optoelectronic performance of lead halide perovskites lies in their exceptional carrier diffusion properties. As the perovskite material dimensionality is reduced to exploit the quantum confinement effects, the disruption to the perovskite lattice, often with insulating organic ligands, raises new questions on the charge diffusion properties. Herein, we report direct imaging of >1 μm exciton diffusion lengths in CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite nanocrystal (PNC) films. Surprisingly, the resulting exciton mobilities in these PNC films can reach 10 ± 2 cm2 V−1 s−1, which is counterintuitively several times higher than the carrier mobility in 3D perovskite films. We show that this ultralong exciton diffusion originates from both efficient inter-NC exciton hopping (via Förster energy transfer) and the photon recycling process with a smaller yet significant contribution. Importantly, our study not only sheds new light on the highly debated origins of the excellent exciton diffusion in PNC films but also highlights the potential of PNCs for optoelectronic applications.
Bandwidth limits of luminescent solar concentrators as detectors in free-space optical communication systems
Authors: Portnoi Mark , Haigh Paul Anthony , Macdonald Thomas J. , Ambroz Filip , Parkin Ivan P. , Darwazeh Izzat , Papakonstantinou Ioannis
Published: January 2021

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) have recently emerged as a promising receiver technology in free-space optical communications due to their inherent ability to collect light from a wide field-of-view and concentrate it into small areas, thus leading to high optical gains. Several high-speed communication systems integrating LSCs in their detector blocks have already been demonstrated, with the majority of efforts so far being devoted to maximising the received optical power and the system’s field-of-view. However, LSCs may pose a severe bottleneck on the bandwidth of such communication channels due to the comparably slow timescale of the fluorescence events involved, a situation further aggravated by the inherent reabsorption in these systems, and yet, an in-depth study into such dynamic effects remains absent in the field. To fill this gap, we have developed a comprehensive analytical solution that delineates the fundamental bandwidth limits of LSCs as optical detectors in arbitrary free-space optical links, and establishes their equivalence with simple RC low-pass electrical circuits. Furthermore, we demonstrate a time-domain Monte Carlo simulation platform, an indispensable tool in the multiparameter optimisation of LSC-based receiver systems. Our work offers vital insight into LSC system dynamic behaviour and paves the way to evaluate the technology for a wide range of applications, including visible light communications, high-speed video recording, and real-time biological imaging, to name a few.
NAD+ metabolism, stemness, the immune response, and cancer
Authors: Navas Lola E. , Carnero Amancio
Published: January 2021

NAD+ was discovered during yeast fermentation, and since its discovery, its important roles in redox metabolism, aging, and longevity, the immune system and DNA repair have been highlighted. A deregulation of the NAD+ levels has been associated with metabolic diseases and aging-related diseases, including neurodegeneration, defective immune responses, and cancer. NAD+ acts as a cofactor through its interplay with NADH, playing an essential role in many enzymatic reactions of energy metabolism, such as glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid oxidation, and the TCA cycle. NAD+ also plays a role in deacetylation by sirtuins and ADP ribosylation during DNA damage/repair by PARP proteins. Finally, different NAD hydrolase proteins also consume NAD+ while converting it into ADP-ribose or its cyclic counterpart. Some of these proteins, such as CD38, seem to be extensively involved in the immune response. Since NAD cannot be taken directly from food, NAD metabolism is essential, and NAMPT is the key enzyme recovering NAD from nicotinamide and generating most of the NAD cellular pools. Because of the complex network of pathways in which NAD+ is essential, the important role of NAD+ and its key generating enzyme, NAMPT, in cancer is understandable. In the present work, we review the role of NAD+ and NAMPT in the ways that they may influence cancer metabolism, the immune system, stemness, aging, and cancer. Finally, we review some ongoing research on therapeutic approaches.
Mechanical force-driven TNFα endocytosis governs stem cell homeostasis
Authors: Yu Wenjing , Chen Chider , Kou Xiaoxing , Sui Bingdong , Yu Tingting , Liu Dawei , Wang Runci , Wang Jun , Shi Songtao
Published: January 2021

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) closely interact with the immune system, and they are known to secrete inflammatory cytokines in response to stress stimuli. The biological function of MSC-derived inflammatory cytokines remains elusive. Here, we reveal that even under physiological conditions, MSCs produce and release a low level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), which is unexpectedly required for preserving the self-renewal and differentiation of MSCs via autocrine/paracrine signaling. Furthermore, TNFα critically maintains MSC function in vivo during bone homeostasis. Mechanistically, we unexpectedly discovered that physiological levels of TNFα safeguard MSC homeostasis in a receptor-independent manner through mechanical force-driven endocytosis and that endocytosed TNFα binds to mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 2 and restricts mTOR signaling. Importantly, inhibition of mTOR signaling by rapamycin serves as an effective osteoanabolic therapeutic strategy to protect against TNFα deficiency and mechanical unloading. Collectively, these findings unravel the physiological framework of the dynamic TNFα shuttle-based mTOR equilibrium that governs MSC and bone homeostasis.
Plant buffering against the high-light stress-induced accumulation of CsGA2ox8 transcripts via alternative splicing to finely tune gibberellin levels and maintain hypocotyl elongation
Authors: Liu Bin , Zhao Shuo , Li Pengli , Yin Yilu , Niu Qingliang , Yan Jinqiang , Huang Danfeng
Published: January 2021

In plants, alternative splicing (AS) is markedly induced in response to environmental stresses, but it is unclear why plants generate multiple transcripts under stress conditions. In this study, RNA-seq was performed to identify AS events in cucumber seedlings grown under different light intensities. We identified a novel transcript of the gibberellin (GA)-deactivating enzyme Gibberellin 2-beta-dioxygenase 8 (CsGA2ox8). Compared with canonical CsGA2ox8.1, the CsGA2ox8.2 isoform presented intron retention between the second and third exons. Functional analysis proved that the transcript of CsGA2ox8.1 but not CsGA2ox8.2 played a role in the deactivation of bioactive GAs. Moreover, expression analysis demonstrated that both transcripts were upregulated by increased light intensity, but the expression level of CsGA2ox8.1 increased slowly when the light intensity was >400 µmol·m−2·s−1 PPFD (photosynthetic photon flux density), while the CsGA2ox8.2 transcript levels increased rapidly when the light intensity was >200 µmol·m−2·s−1 PPFD. Our findings provide evidence that plants might finely tune their GA levels by buffering against the normal transcripts of CsGA2ox8 through AS.
Common bean SNP alleles and candidate genes affecting photosynthesis under contrasting water regimes
Authors: Leitão Susana Trindade , Bicho Maria Catarina , Pereira Priscila , Paulo Maria João , Malosetti Marcos , Araújo Susana de Sousa , van Eeuwijk Fred , Vaz Patto Maria Carlota
Published: January 2021

Water deficit is a major worldwide constraint to common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production, being photosynthesis one of the most affected physiological processes. To gain insights into the genetic basis of the photosynthetic response of common bean under water-limited conditions, a collection of 158 Portuguese accessions was grown under both well-watered and water-deficit regimes. Leaf gas-exchange parameters were measured and photosynthetic pigments quantified. The same collection was genotyped using SNP arrays, and SNP-trait associations tested considering a linear mixed model accounting for the genetic relatedness among accessions. A total of 133 SNP-trait associations were identified for net CO2 assimilation rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and chlorophylls a and b, carotenes, and xanthophyll contents. Ninety of these associations were detected under water-deficit and 43 under well-watered conditions, with only two associations common to both treatments. Identified candidate genes revealed that stomatal regulation, protein translocation across membranes, redox mechanisms, hormone, and osmotic stress signaling were the most relevant processes involved in common bean response to water-limited conditions. These candidates are now preferential targets for common bean water-deficit-tolerance breeding. Additionally, new sources of water-deficit tolerance of Andean, Mesoamerican, and admixed origin were detected as accessions valuable for breeding, and not yet explored.
Chrysanthemum WRKY15-1 promotes resistance to Puccinia horiana Henn. via the salicylic acid signaling pathway
Authors: Bi Mengmeng , Li Xueying , Yan Xin , Liu Di , Gao Ge , Zhu Pengfang , Mao Hongyu
Published: January 2021

Chrysanthemum white rust disease, which is caused by the fungus Puccinia horiana Henn., severely reduces the ornamental quality and yield chrysanthemum. WRKY transcription factors function in the disease-resistance response in a variety of plants; however, it is unclear whether members of this family improve resistance to white rust disease in chrysanthemum. In this study, using PCR, we isolated a WRKY15 homologous gene, CmWRKY15-1, from the resistant chrysanthemum cultivar C029. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) revealed that CmWRKY15-1 exhibited differential expression patterns between the immune cultivar C029 and the susceptible cultivar Jinba upon P. horiana infection. In addition, salicylic acid (SA) treatment strongly induced CmWRKY15-1 expression. Overexpression of CmWRKY15-1 in the chrysanthemum-susceptible cultivar Jinba increased tolerance to P. horiana infection. Conversely, silencing CmWRKY15-1 via RNA interference (RNAi) in C029 increased sensitivity to P. horiana infection. We also determined that P. horiana infection increased both the endogenous SA content and the expression of salicylic acid biosynthesis genes in CmWRKY15-1-overexpressing plants, whereas CmWRKY15-1 RNAi plants exhibited the opposite effects under the same conditions. Finally, the transcript levels of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes involved in the SA pathway were positively associated with CmWRKY15-1 expression levels. Our results demonstrated that CmWRKY15-1 plays an important role in the resistance of chrysanthemum to P. horiana by influencing SA signaling.
Defining the ‘HoneySweet’ insertion event utilizing NextGen sequencing and a de novo genome assembly of plum (Prunus domestica)
Authors: Callahan Ann M. , Zhebentyayeva Tetyana N. , Humann Jodi L. , Saski Christopher A. , Galimba Kelsey D. , Georgi Laura L. , Scorza Ralph , Main Dorrie , Dardick Christopher D.
Published: January 2021

‘HoneySweet’ plum (Prunus domestica) is resistant to Plum pox potyvirus, through an RNAi-triggered mechanism. Determining the precise nature of the transgene insertion event has been complicated due to the hexaploid genome of plum. DNA blots previously indicated an unintended hairpin arrangement of the Plum pox potyvirus coat protein gene as well as a multicopy insertion event. To confirm the transgene arrangement of the insertion event, ‘HoneySweet’ DNA was subjected to whole genome sequencing using Illumina short-read technology. Results indicated two different insertion events, one containing seven partial copies flanked by putative plum DNA sequence and a second with the predicted inverted repeat of the coat protein gene driven by a double 35S promoter on each side, flanked by plum DNA. To determine the locations of the two transgene insertions, a phased plum genome assembly was developed from the commercial plum ‘Improved French’. A subset of the scaffolds (2447) that were >10 kb in length and representing, >95% of the genome were annotated and used for alignment against the ‘HoneySweet’ transgene reads. Four of eight matching scaffolds spanned both insertion sites ranging from 157,704 to 654,883 bp apart, however we were unable to identify which scaffold(s) represented the actual location of the insertion sites due to potential sequence differences between the two plum cultivars. Regardless, there was no evidence of any gene(s) being interrupted as a result of the insertions. Furthermore, RNA-seq data verified that the insertions created no new transcriptional units and no dramatic expression changes of neighboring genes.
The methyl jasmonate-responsive transcription factor SmMYB1 promotes phenolic acid biosynthesis in Salvia miltiorrhiza
Authors: Zhou Wei , Shi Min , Deng Changping , Lu Sunjie , Huang Fenfen , Wang Yao , Kai Guoyin
Published: January 2021

Water-soluble phenolic acids are major bioactive compounds in the medicinal plant species Salvia miltiorrhiza. Phenolic acid biosynthesis is induced by methyl jasmonate (MeJA) in this important Chinese herb. Here, we investigated the mechanism underlying this induction by analyzing a transcriptome library of S. miltiorrhiza in response to MeJA. Global transcriptome analysis identified the MeJA-responsive R2R3-MYB transcription factor-encoding gene SmMYB1. Overexpressing SmMYB1 significantly promoted phenolic acid accumulation and upregulated the expression of genes encoding key enzymes in the phenolic acid biosynthesis pathway, including cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase (CYP98A14). Dual-luciferase (dual-LUC) assays and/or an electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) indicated that SmMYB1 activated the expression of CYP98A14, as well as the expression of genes encoding anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway enzymes, including chalcone isomerase (CHI) and anthocyanidin synthase (ANS). In addition, SmMYB1 was shown to interact with SmMYC2 to additively promote CYP98A14 expression compared to the action of SmMYB1 alone. Taken together, these results demonstrate that SmMYB1 is an activator that improves the accumulation of phenolic acids and anthocyanins in S. miltiorrhiza. These findings lay the foundation for in-depth studies of the molecular mechanism underlying MeJA-mediated phenolic acid biosynthesis and for the metabolic engineering of bioactive ingredients in S. miltiorrhiza.
Pedigree analysis of 220 almond genotypes reveals two world mainstream breeding lines based on only three different cultivars
Authors: Pérez de los Cobos Felipe , Martínez-García Pedro J. , Romero Agustí , Miarnau Xavier , Eduardo Iban , Howad Werner , Mnejja Mourad , Dicenta Federico , Socias i Company Rafel , Rubio-Cabetas Maria J. , Gradziel Thomas M. , Wirthensohn Michelle , Duval Henri , Holland Doron , Arús Pere , Vargas Francisco J. , Batlle Ignasi
Published: January 2021

Loss of genetic variability is an increasing challenge in tree breeding programs due to the repeated use of a reduced number of founder genotypes. However, in almond, little is known about the genetic variability in current breeding stocks, although several cases of inbreeding depression have been reported. To gain insights into the genetic structure in modern breeding programs worldwide, marker-verified pedigree data of 220 almond cultivars and breeding selections were analyzed. Inbreeding coefficients, pairwise relatedness, and genetic contribution were calculated for these genotypes. The results reveal two mainstream breeding lines based on three cultivars: “Tuono”, “Cristomorto”, and “Nonpareil”. Descendants from “Tuono” or “Cristomorto” number 76 (sharing 34 descendants), while “Nonpareil” has 71 descendants. The mean inbreeding coefficient of the analyzed genotypes was 0.041, with 14 genotypes presenting a high inbreeding coefficient, over 0.250. Breeding programs from France, the USA, and Spain showed inbreeding coefficients of 0.075, 0.070, and 0.037, respectively. According to their genetic contribution, modern cultivars from Israel, France, the USA, Spain, and Australia trace back to a maximum of six main founding genotypes. Among the group of 65 genotypes carrying theSfallele for self-compatibility, the mean relatedness coefficient was 0.125, with “Tuono” as the main founding genotype (24.7% of total genetic contribution). The results broaden our understanding about the tendencies followed in almond breeding over the last 50 years and will have a large impact into breeding decision-making process worldwide. Increasing current genetic variability is required in almond breeding programs to assure genetic gain and continuing breeding progress.
Molecular investigation of Tuscan sweet cherries sampled over three years: gene expression analysis coupled to metabolomics and proteomics
Authors: Berni Roberto , Charton Sophie , Planchon Sébastien , Legay Sylvain , Romi Marco , Cantini Claudio , Cai Giampiero , Hausman Jean-Francois , Renaut Jenny , Guerriero Gea
Published: January 2021

Sweet cherry (Prunus aviumL.) is a stone fruit widely consumed and appreciated for its organoleptic properties, as well as its nutraceutical potential. We here investigated the characteristics of six non-commercial Tuscan varieties of sweet cherry maintained at the Regional Germplasm Bank of the CNR-IBE in Follonica (Italy) and sampled ca. 60 days post-anthesis over three consecutive years (2016-2017-2018). We adopted an approach merging genotyping and targeted gene expression profiling with metabolomics. To complement the data, a study of the soluble proteomes was also performed on two varieties showing the highest content of flavonoids. Metabolomics identified the presence of flavanols and proanthocyanidins in highest abundance in the varieties Morellona and Crognola, while gene expression revealed that some differences were present in genes involved in the phenylpropanoid pathway during the 3 years and among the varieties. Finally, proteomics on Morellona and Crognola showed variations in proteins involved in stress response, primary metabolism and cell wall expansion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first multi-pronged study focused on Tuscan sweet cherry varieties providing insights into the differential abundance of genes, proteins and metabolites.
Fabrication of an electrochemical biosensor composed of multi-functional Ag ion intercalated DNA four-way junctions/rhodium nanoplate heterolayer on a micro-gap for C-reactive protein detection in human serum
Authors: Kim Jinmyeong , Park Jeong-Ah , Yim Gyeonghye , Jang Hongje , Kim Tae-Hyung , Sohn Hiesang , Lee Taek
Published: January 2021

As inflammation plays a role in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes, C-reactive protein (CRP) can be used as a biomarker. The present study constructed the electrochemcial biosensor with nanobio hybrid material for CRP detection.
Spontaneous anion-exchange synthesis of optically active mixed-valence Cs2Au2I6 perovskites from layered CsAuCl4 perovskites
Authors: Bhawna  , Roy Mrinmoy , Vikram  , Borkar Hitesh , Alam Aftab , Aslam M.
Published: January 2021

Synthesis of Cs2Au2I6 by spontaneous anion-exchange from layered CsAuCl4 perovskite with superior optical properties and high absorption coefficient.
PFAS soil and groundwater contamination via industrial airborne emission and land deposition in SW Vermont and Eastern New York State, USA
Authors: Schroeder Tim , Bond David , Foley Janet
Published: January 2021

We document soil and groundwater contamination caused by industrial airborne PFAS emission over an area of ∼200 km2 that has impacted over 1200 wells.
Theaflavin protects chondrocytes against apoptosis and senescence via regulating Nrf2 and ameliorates murine osteoarthritis
Authors: Xu Xin-Xian , Zheng Gang , Tang Shang-Kun , Liu Hai-Xiao , Hu Yue-Zheng , Shang Ping
Published: January 2021

Oxidative stress-mediated excessive apoptosis and senescence of chondrocytes are the main pathological alterations in the osteoarthritis (OA) development.
meso-borneol- and meso-carbazole-substituted porphyrins: multifunctional chromophores with tunable electronic structures and antitumor activities
Authors: Fu Bo , Dong Xinyi , Yu Xiaoxiao , Zhang Zhen , Sun Lei , Zhu Weihua , Liang Xu , Xu Haijun
Published: January 2021

Herein, a series of five C2 symmetric H2porphyrins with meso-borneol and meso-carbazole units have been synthesized and isolated. Their electronic structures, photophysical properties and anticancer activity were investigated.
The ZnFe2O4@mZnO–N/RGO nano-composite as a carrier and an intelligent releaser drug with dual pH- and ultrasound-triggered control
Authors: Rostami Mojtaba , Sobhani Nasab Ali , Fasihi-Ramandi Mahdi , Badiei Alireza , Rahimi-Nasrabadi Mehdi , Ahmadi Farhad
Published: January 2021

Graphical design of the synergistic of nano-carriers for targeted controlled anti-cancer Cur drug delivery and their interactions with site-specific cancer cells and tumor tissues in order to enhance the selectivity of cancer therapy.
Distribution, removal efficiencies and environmental risk assessment of benzophenone and salicylate UV filters in WWTPs and surface waters from Romania
Authors: Chiriac Florentina Laura , Paun Iuliana , Pirvu Florinela , Iancu Vasile , Galaon Toma
Published: January 2021

This article presents the environmental pollution level with organic UV filters and the effect they pose on aquatic organisms in Romania.
Hierarchical ultrathin defect-rich CoFe2O4@BC nanoflowers synthesized via a temperature-regulated strategy with outstanding hydrogen evolution reaction activity
Authors: Yusuf Bashir Adegbemiga , Xie Meng , Yaseen Waleed , Xie Jimin , Xu Yuanguo
Published: January 2021

Graphical illustration of the synthesis and the electrocatalytic performance of CoFe2O4@BC 500 °C nanoflowers.
Constructing a robust gigantic drum-like hydrophobic [Co24U6] nanocage in a metal–organic framework for high-performance SO2 removal in humid conditions
Authors: Fan Yaling , Yin Mengjia , Krishna Rajamani , Feng Xuefeng , Luo Feng
Published: January 2021

A new MOF can be directly used for the desulfurization of flue gas. This is primarily attributed to the fact that this MOF shows high water and chemical stability, hydrophobic nature, and abundant open-metal sites from both transition metal ions and actinide ions.
Learning to do multiframe wavefront sensing unsupervised: Applications to blind deconvolution
Authors: Asensio Ramos A. , Olspert N.
Published: January 2021

Context. Observations from ground-based telescopes are severely perturbed by the presence of the Earth’s atmosphere. The use of adaptive optics techniques has allowed us to partly overcome this limitation. However, image-selection or post-facto image-reconstruction methods applied to bursts of short-exposure images are routinely needed to reach the diffraction limit. Deep learning has recently been proposed as an efficient way to accelerate these image reconstructions. Currently, these deep neural networks are trained with supervision, meaning that either standard deconvolution algorithms need to be applied a priori or complex simulations of the solar magneto-convection need to be carried out to generate the training sets.

Aims. Our aim here is to propose a general unsupervised training scheme that allows multiframe blind deconvolution deep learning systems to be trained with observations only. The approach can be applied for the correction of point-like as well as extended objects.

Methods. Leveraging the linear image formation theory and a probabilistic approach to the blind deconvolution problem produces a physically motivated loss function. Optimization of this loss function allows end-to-end training of a machine learning model composed of three neural networks.

Results. As examples, we apply this procedure to the deconvolution of stellar data from the FastCam instrument and to solar extended data from the Swedish Solar Telescope. The analysis demonstrates that the proposed neural model can be successfully trained without supervision using observations only. It provides estimations of the instantaneous wavefronts, from which a corrected image can be found using standard deconvolution techniques. The network model is roughly three orders of magnitude faster than applying standard deconvolution based on optimization and shows potential to be used on real-time at the telescope.
Computational general relativistic force-free electrodynamics
Authors: Mahlmann J. F. , Aloy M. A. , Mewes V. , Cerdá-Durán P.
Published: January 2021

General relativistic force-free electrodynamics is one possible plasma-limit employed to analyze energetic outflows in which strong magnetic fields are dominant over all inertial phenomena. The amazing images of black hole (BH) shadows from the Galactic Center and the M87 galaxy provide a first direct glimpse into the physics of accretion flows in the most extreme environments of the universe. The efficient extraction of energy in the form of collimated outflows or jets from a rotating BH is directly linked to the topology of the surrounding magnetic field. We aim at providing a tool to numerically model the dynamics of such fields in magnetospheres around compact objects, such as BHs and neutron stars. To do so, we probe their role in the formation of high energy phenomena such as magnetar flares and the highly variable teraelectronvolt emission of some active galactic nuclei. In this work, we present numerical strategies capable of modeling fully dynamical force-free magnetospheres of compact astrophysical objects. We provide implementation details and extensive testing of our implementation of general relativistic force-free electrodynamics in Cartesian and spherical coordinates using the infrastructure of the EINSTEINTOOLKIT. The employed hyperbolic/parabolic cleaning of numerical errors with full general relativistic compatibility allows for fast advection of numerical errors in dynamical spacetimes. Such fast advection of divergence errors significantly improves the stability of the general relativistic force-free electrodynamics modeling of BH magnetospheres.
Local spiral structure based on the Gaia EDR3 parallaxes
Authors: Xu Y. , Hou L. G. , Bian S. B. , Hao C. J. , Liu D. J. , Li J. J. , Li Y. J.
Published: January 2021

Context. The astrometric satellite Gaia is expected to significantly increase our knowledge as to the properties of the Milky Way. The Gaia Early Data Release 3 (EDR3) provides the most precise parallaxes for many OB stars, which can be used to delineate the Galactic spiral structure.

Aims. We investigate the local spiral structure with the largest sample of spectroscopically confirmed young OB stars available to date, and we compare it with what was traced by the parallax measurements of masers.

Methods. A sample consisting of three different groups of massive young stars, including O–B2 stars, O–B0 stars and O-type stars with parallax accuracies better than 10% was compiled and used in our analysis.

Results. The local spiral structures in all four Galactic quadrants within ≈5 kpc of the Sun are clearly delineated in detail. The revealed Galactic spiral pattern outlines a clear sketch of nearby spiral arms, especially in the third and fourth quadrants where the maser parallax data are still absent. These O-type stars densify and extend the spiral structure constructed by using the Very Long Baseline Interferometry maser data alone. The clumped distribution of O-type stars also indicates that the Galaxy spiral structure is inhomogeneous.
Usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration for splenic parenchyma in patients suspected of having primary splenic malignant lymphoma
Authors: Niiya Fumitaka , Takano Yuichi , Azami Tetsushi , Kobayashi Takahiro , Maruoka Naotaka , Kabasawa Nobuyuki , Harada Hiroshi , Norose Tomoko , Ohike Nobuyuki , Nagahama Masatsugu
Published: January 2021

Background and study aims The diagnosis of malignant lymphoma (ML) is sometimes difficult, especially in patients with primary splenic malignant lymphomas (psML) which have no lymph nodes capable of acting as the biopsy target. We carried out endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for “splenic parenchyma” in patients suspected of having a psML, even without any obvious neoplastic lesions in the spleen.

Patients and methods A retrospective study using medical records was conducted of eight patients suspected of having a psML that received EUS-FNA for the splenic parenchyma between January 2016 and January 2019. Data analyzed included clinical background, EUS-FNA procedure (puncture needle/route), diagnostic ability (pathological/flow cytometry [FCM]), and complications.

Results EUS-FNA was performed from the stomach in all eight cases, and no patients had complications. As a result of splenic parenchymal biopsy found on EUS-FNA, 75 % of patients (6/8) were histologically diagnosed with MLs, monoclonality of B-cells was identified in all cases (8/8) with FCM, and all patients (8/8) were definitively diagnosed with psMLs.

Conclusion EUS-FNA for “splenic parenchyma” is useful for patients with spML, even if they have no obvious neoplastic lesions in the spleen.
Differences in image-enhanced endoscopic findings between Helicobacter pylori-associated and autoimmune gastritis
Authors: Kato Minoru , Uedo Noriya , Toth Ervin , Shichijo Satoki , Maekawa Akira , Kanesaka Takashi , Takeuchi Yoji , Yamamoto Sachiko , Higashino Koji , Ishihara Ryu , Nemeth Artur , Thorlacius Henrik , Tomita Yasuhiko , Wurm Johansson Gabriele
Published: January 2021

Background and study aims The aim of this study was to elucidate the differences in image-enhanced endoscopy (IEE) findings between Helicobacter-pylori-associated and autoimmune gastritis.

Patients and methods Seven H. pylori-naïve, 21 patients with H. pylori-associated gastritis and seven with autoimmune gastritis were enrolled. Mucosal atrophy in the corpus was evaluated using autofluorescence imaging and classified into small, medium and large. In a 2 × 2-cm area of the lesser curvature of the lower corpus, micromucosal pattern was evaluated by magnifying narrow band imaging and proportion of foveola (FV)- and groove (GR)-type mucosa was classified into FV > 80 %, FV 50 % to 80 %, GR 50 % to 80 %, and GR > 80 %, then a biopsy specimen was taken.

Results Fifteen of 21 (71 %) H. pylori-associated gastritis patients exhibited medium-to-large atrophic mucosa at the corpus lesser curvature. All autoimmune gastritis patients had large atrophic mucosa throughout the corpus (P < 0.001). All H. pylori-naïve patients had the FV > 80 % micromucosal pattern. Nineteen of 21 (90 %) H. pylori-associated gastritis patients had varying proportions of GR- and FV-type mucosae and five of seven (71 %) autoimmune gastritis patients showed FV > 80 % mucosa (P < 0.001). Compared with patients who were H. pylori-naïve, patients with H. pylori-associated and autoimmune gastritis exhibited a higher grade of atrophy (P < 0.001), but only patients with H. pylori-associated gastritis showed a higher grade of intestinal metaplasia (P = 0.022). Large mucosal atrophy with FV > 80 % micromucosal pattern had sensitivity of 71 % (95 % CI: 29 %–96 %) and specificity of 100 % (95 % CI: 88 % to 100 %) for diagnosis of autoimmune gastritis.

Conclusions IEE findings of the gastric corpus differed between H. pylori-associated and autoimmune gastritis, suggesting different pathogenesis of the two diseases.
Diagnostic yield of endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition in autoimmune pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Facciorusso Antonio , Barresi Luca , Cannizzaro Renato , Antonini Filippo , Triantafyllou Konstantinos , Tziatzios Georgios , Muscatiello Nicola , Hart Phil A. , Wani Sachin
Published: January 2021

Background and study aims There is limited evidence on the diagnostic performance of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided tissue acquisition in autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). The aim of this meta-analysis was to provide a pooled estimate of the diagnostic performance of EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and fine-needle biopsy (FNB) in patients with AIP.

Patients and methods Computerized bibliographic search was performed through January 2020. Pooled effects were calculated using a random-effects model by means of DerSimonian and Laird test. Primary endpoint was diagnostic accuracy compared to clinical diagnostic criteria. Additional outcomes were definitive histopathology, pooled rates of adequate material for histological diagnosis, sample adequacy, mean number of needle passes. Diagnostic sensitivity and safety data were also analyzed.

Results Fifteen studies with 631 patients were included, of which four were prospective series and one randomized trial. Overall diagnostic accuracy of EUS tissue acquisition was 54.7 % (95 % confidence interval, 40.9 %–68.4 %), with a clear superiority of FNB over FNA (63 %, 52.7 % to 73.4 % versus 45.7 %, 26.5 %–65 %; p < 0.001). FNB provided level 1 of histological diagnosis in 44.2 % of cases (30.8 %–57.5 %) as compared to 21.9 % (10 %–33.7 %) with FNA (P < 0.001). The rate of definitive histopathology of EUS tissue sampling was 20.7 % (12.9 %–28.5 %) and it was significantly higher with FNB (24.3 %, 11.8 %–36.8 %) as compared to FNA (14.7 %, 5.4 %–23.9 %; P < 0.001). Less than 1 % of subjects experienced post-procedural acute pancreatitis.

Conclusion The results of this meta-analysis demonstrate that the diagnostic performance of EUS-guided tissue acquisition is modest in patients with AIP, with an improved performance of FNB compared to FNA.
Efficacy of Endocuff Vision compared to first-generation Endocuff in adenoma detection rate and polyp detection rate in high-definition colonoscopy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Aziz Muhammad , Haghbin Hossein , Gangwani Manesh Kumar , Sharma Sachit , Nawras Yusuf , Khan Zubair , Chandan Saurabh , Mohan Babu P. , Lee-Smith Wade , Nawras Ali
Published: January 2021

Background and study aims Recently, the newer Endocuff Vision (ECV) has been evaluated for improving colonoscopy outcome metrics such as adenoma detection rate (ADR) and polyp detection rate (PDR). Due to lack of direct comparative studies between ECV and original Endocuff (ECU), we performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis to evaluate these outcomes.

Methods The following databases were searched: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Sciences to include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ECV or ECU colonoscopy to high-definition (HD) colonoscopy. Direct as well as network meta-analyses comparing ADR and PDR were performed using a random effects model. Relative-risk (RR) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) was calculated.

Results A total of 12 RCTs with 8638 patients were included in the final analysis. On direct meta-analysis, ECV did not demonstrate statistically improved ADR compared to HD colonoscopy (RR: 1.12, 95 % CI 0.99–1.27). A clinically and statistically improved PDR was noted for ECV compared to HD (RR: 1.15, 95 % CI 1.03–1.28) and ECU compared to HD (RR: 1.26, 95 % CI 1.09–1.46) as well as improved ADR (RR: 1.22, 95 % CI 1.05–1.43) was observed for ECU colonoscopy when compared to HD colonoscopy. These results were also consistent on network meta-analysis. Lower overall complication rates (RR: 0.14, 95 % CI 0.02–0.84) and particularly lacerations/erosions (RR: 0.11, 95 % CI 0.02–0.70) were noted with ECV compared to ECU colonoscopy.

Conclusions Although safe, the newer ECV did not significantly improve ADR compared to ECU and HD colonoscopy. Further device modification is needed to increase the overall ADR and PDR.
Does previous biopsy lead to cancer overdiagnosis of superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors?
Authors: Tsuji Shigetsugu , Doyama Hisashi , Tsuyama Sho , Dejima Akihiro , Nakashima Takashi , Wakita Shigenori , Kito Yosuke , Nakanishi Hiroyoshi , Yoshida Naohiro , Katayanagi Kazuyoshi , Minato Hiroshi , Yao Takashi , Yao Kenshi
Published: January 2021

Background and study aims We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging (M-NBI) in superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (SNADETs) regarding the absence or presence of biopsy before M-NBI diagnosis.

Patients and methods Clinicopathological data were retrospectively reviewed for 99 SNADETs from 99 patients who underwent endoscopic resection. The 99 tumors were divided into the non-biopsy group (32 lesions not undergoing biopsy before M-NBI examination) and the biopsy group (67 lesions undergoing biopsy before M-NBI examination). We investigated the correlation between the M-NBI diagnosis and the histopathological diagnosis of the SNADETs in both groups.

Results According to the modified revised Vienna classification, 31 tumors were classified as category 3 (C3) (low-grade adenoma) and 68 as category 4/5 (C4/5) (high-grade adenoma/cancer). The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of preoperative M-NBI diagnoses in the non-biopsy group vs the biopsy group were 88 % (95 % confidence interval: 71.0 – 96.5) vs 66 % (51.5 – 75.5), P = 0.02; 95 % (77.2 – 99.9) vs 89 % (76.4 – 96.4), P = 0.39; and 70 % (34.8 – 93.3) vs 14 % (3.0 – 36.3), P < 0.01, respectively. Notably, in the biopsy group, the specificity of M-NBI in SNADETs was low at only 14 % because we over-diagnosed most C3 lesions as C4/5. M-NBI findings might have been compromised by the previous biopsy procedure itself.

Conclusions In the non-biopsy group, the accuracy of M-NBI in SNADETs was excellent in distinguishing C4/5 lesions from C3. The M-NBI findings in SNADETs should be evaluated while carefully considering the influence of a previous biopsy.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided transgastric drainage of radiologically inaccessible left lobe liver abscess involving segment 4, caudate lobe, and left lateral segments using a modified technique
Authors: Chandra Sharad , Chandra Urvashi
Published: January 2021

Liver abscess requiring drainage is conventionally managed by interventional radiology-guided percutaneous drainage (PCD). Radiologically inaccessible abscesses are managed with laparoscopic or open surgery, which carries high rates of morbidity and mortality.

EUS-guided transluminal liver abscess drainage is minimally invasive and can be an alternative approach for caudate lobe, segment 4, and left lateral segment abscesses. We report on three consecutive patients with radiologically inaccessible left lobe liver abscess involving the caudate lobe, segment 4, and lateral segment in whom EUS-guided transluminal drainage using a modified technique was successful.
Endoscopic resection is more effective than biopsy or EUS to detect residual rectal neuroendocrine tumor
Authors: Stier Matthew W. , Chapman Christopher G. , Shamah Steven , Donboli Kianoush , Yassan Lindsay , Waxman Irving , Siddiqui Uzma D.
Published: January 2021

Background and study aims Rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are often discovered incidentally and may be misidentified as adenomatous polyps. This can result in a partial resection at the index procedure, and lesions are often referred for staging or evaluation for residual disease at the resection site. The aim of this study was to identify the ideal method to confirm complete excision of small rectal NETs.

Patients and methods Data from patients with a previously resected rectal NET referred for follow-up endoscopy or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate analysis was performed on categorical data using the Chi-squared test.

Results Forty-nine patients with rectal NETs were identified by pathology specimens. Of those, 39 underwent follow-up endoscopy or EUS and were included. Baseline characteristics included gender (71 % F, 29 % M), age (57.2 ± 13.4 yrs) lesion size (7.3 ± 4.2 mm) and location. The prior resection site was identified in 37/39 patients who underwent tissue sampling. Residual NET was found histologically in 14/37 lesions. All residual disease was found during salvage endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and 43 % had a normal-appearing scar. Every patient undergoing EUS had an unremarkable exam. Initial cold biopsy polypectomy (P = 0.006), visible lesions (P = 0.001) and EMR/ESD of the prior resection site (P = 0.01) correlated with residual NET.

Conclusions Localized rectal NETs may be incompletely removed with standard polypectomy. If an advanced resection is not performed initially, repeat endoscopy with salvage EMR or ESD of the scar should be considered. For small rectal NETs, biopsy may miss residual disease when there is no visible lesion and EUS appears to have no benefit.
Changes in impedance planimetry metrics predict clinical response to flexible endoscopy in Zenkerʼs diverticulotomy
Authors: Sondhi Arjun R. , Watts Lydia S. , Law Ryan
Published: January 2021

Background and study aims Various techniques have been described for flexible endoscopic therapy for Zenkerʼs diverticulum (ZD). Objective methods to assess myotomy effectiveness are lacking. We assessed the utility of impedance planimetry in flexible endoscopic ZD therapies and correlation with a validated symptom score.

Patients and methods Patients undergoing endoscopic therapy for symptomatic ZD from February 2019 to March 2020 were included. Intraprocedural impedance planimetry was performed pre- and post-myotomy to assess esophageal diameter and distensibility index (DI). Eating Assessment Tool (EAT)-10 scores were assessed preintervention and post-intervention. Descriptive statistics were calculated.

Results Thirteen patients (46 % women; mean age 80 years; 77 % peroral endoscopic myotomy technique) were included. Technical and clinical success was 100 %. No adverse events occurred. At 40 mL and 50 mL, the diameter improved (mean 2.3 mm and 2.6 mm, respectively). At 40 mL and 50 mL, the DI improved (mean 1.0 mm2/mmHg and 1.8 mm2/mmHg, respectively). EAT-10 scores improved by a mean of 15 points. Mean follow-up was 97 days.

Conclusions Intraprocedural impedance planimetry may provide objective data to define success for flexible endoscopic ZD. Further research is required to corroborate these results.