bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of different culture media to support in vitro growth and biofilm formation of bacterial vaginosis-associated anaerobes
Authors: Rosca Aliona S. , Castro Joana , Cerca Nuno
Published: September 2020

Background

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of the most common vaginal infections worldwide. It is associated with the presence of a dense polymicrobial biofilm on the vaginal epithelium, formed mainly by Gardnerella species. The biofilm also contains other anaerobic species, but little is known about their role in BV development.

Aim

To evaluate the influence of different culture media on the planktonic and biofilm growth of six cultivable anaerobes frequently associated with BV, namely Gardnerella sp., Atopobium vaginae, Lactobacillus iners, Mobiluncus curtisii, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius and Prevotella bivia.

Methods

A total of nine different culture media compositions, including commercially available and chemically defined media simulating genital tract secretions, were tested in this study. Planktonic cultures and biofilms were grown under anaerobic conditions (10% carbon dioxide, 10% helium and 80% nitrogen). Planktonic growth was assessed by optical density measurements, and biofilm formation was quantified by crystal violet staining.

Results

Significant planktonic growth was observed for Gardnerella sp., A. vaginae and L. iners in New York City III broth, with or without ascorbic acid supplementation. Biofilm quantification showed high in vitro biofilm growth for Gardnerella sp., P. anaerobius and P. bivia in almost all culture media excluding Brucella broth. Contrary, only New York City III broth was able to promote biofilm formation for A. vaginae, L. iners and M. curtisii.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that New York City III broth relative to the other tested media is the most conducive for future studies addressing polymicrobial biofilms development as this culture medium allowed the formation of significant levels of single-species biofilms.
Interaction of BACH2 with FUS promotes malignant progression of glioma cells via the TSLNC8–miR‐10b‐5p–WWC3 pathway
Authors: Yang Yang , Liu Xiaobai , Zheng Jian , Xue Yixue , Liu Libo , Ma Jun , Wang Ping , Yang Chunqing , Wang Di , Shao Lianqi , Ruan Xuelei , Liu Yunhui
Published: September 2020

Glioma, a common malignant tumour of the human central nervous system, has poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Dissecting the biological mechanisms underlying glioma pathogenesis can facilitate the development of better therapies. Here, we investigated the endogenous expression of BTB and CNC homolog 2 (BACH2), fused in sarcoma (FUS), TSLNC8 and microRNA (miR)‐10b‐5p in glioma cells and tissues. We studied the interaction between BACH2 and FUS and its contribution to glioma progression. We demonstrated that the interaction between BACH2 and FUS promoted glioma progression via transcriptional inhibition of TSLNC8. Overexpression of TSLNC8 restrained glioma progression by suppressing miR‐10b‐5p. Binding of TSLNC8 to miR‐10b‐5p attenuated the suppression of WWC family member 3 (WWC3) by miR‐10b‐5p and activated the Hippo signalling pathway. Growth of subcutaneous xenografts could be inhibited by knockdown of BACH2 or FUS, by overexpressing TSLNC8 or a combination of the three, also leading to a prolonged survival in nude mice. Our results indicate that the BACH2 and FUS/TSLNC8/miR‐10b‐5p/WWC3 axis is responsible for glioma development and could serve as a potential target for the development of new glioma therapies.
A novel and effective method for validation and measurement of output factors for Leksell Gamma Knife® Icon™ using TRS 483 protocol
Authors: Cyriac Swapna Lilly , Liu Jian , Calugaru Emel , Chang Jenghwa
Published: September 2020

The objective of this work was to identify the exact location of the effective point of measurement (EPM) of four different active detectors to compare the relative collimator output factors (ROF) of Leksell Gamma Knife (LGK) according to IAEA TRS‐483 recommendations. ROF was measured at the center of the spherical LGK‐Solid Water (LGK‐SW) Phantom for three (4‐, 8‐, and 16‐mm in diameter) collimators using four (PTW‐TN60008, PTW‐TN60016, PTW‐TN60017, and PTW‐60019 diode/diamond) detectors. Since diode detectors have a much smaller sensitive volume than the PTW‐31010 ion chamber used for reference dosimetry, its EPM might not be at the center of the phantom, or (100, 100, 100) of the Leksell Coordinate System, particularly in the z‐direction. Hence for each diode detector, a CBCT image was acquired after it was inserted into the phantom, from which the z‐Leksell coordinate of EPM was determined. Relative collimator output factors was then measured by focusing GK beams on the determined EPM of each diode. Measured ROFs were compared with the vendor‐provided values in GK treatment planning system. For validation, a plan was generated to measure the output of 4‐mm collimator for PTW‐TN60017 at various couch locations along the z‐axis. For PTW‐TN60008, the percentage variations were 0.6 ± 0.4%, and −0.8 ± 0.2% for 4 and 8‐mm collimators, respectively. For PTW‐TN60016, the percentage variations were 0.8 ± 0.0%, and 0.2 ± 0.1%, respectively. The percentage variations were −3.3 ± 0.0% and −0.9 ± 0.1%, respectively, for PTW‐TN60017, and −0.5 ± 0.0% and −0.8 ± 0.2%, respectively, for PTW‐TN60019. Center of the measured profile for PTW‐TN60017 was only 0.1 mm different from that identified using the CBCT. In conclusion, we have developed a simple and effective method to determine the EPMs of diode detectors when inserted into the existing LGK‐SW phantom. With the acquired positional information and using TRS‐483 protocol, good agreements were obtained between the measured ROFs and manufacturer recommended values.
Deficiency of Adenosine Deaminase 2 in Adults and Children: Experience From India
Authors: Sharma Aman , Naidu GSRSNK , Sharma Vikas , Jha Saket , Dhooria Aaadhar , Dhir Varun , Bhatia Prateek , Sharma Vishal , Bhattad Sagar , Chengappa K. G. , Gupta Vikas , Misra Durga Prasanna , Chavan Pallavi Pimpale , Malaviya Sourabh , Dudam Rajkiran , Sharma Banwari , Kumar Sathish , Bhojwani Rajesh , Gupta Pankaj , Agarwal Vikas , Sharma Kusum , Singhal Manphool , Rathi Manish , Nada Ritambhra , Minz Ranjana W. , Chaturvedi Ved , Aggarwal Amita , Handa Rohini , Grossi Alice , Gattorno Marco , Huang Zhengping , Wang Jun , Jois Ramesh , Negi V. S. , Khubchandani Raju , Jain Sanjay , Arostegui Juan I. , Chambers Eugene P. , Hershfield Michael S. , Aksentijevich Ivona , Zhou Qing , Lee Pui Y.
Published: September 2020

Objective

Deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2 (DADA2) is a potentially fatal monogenic syndrome characterized by variable manifestations of systemic vasculitis, bone marrow failure, and immunodeficiency. Most cases are diagnosed by pediatric care providers, given the typical early age of disease onset. This study was undertaken to describe the clinical phenotypes and treatment response both in adults and in children with DADA2 in India.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of pediatric and adult patients with DADA2 diagnosed at various rheumatology centers across India was conducted. Clinical characteristics, diagnostic findings, and treatment responses were analyzed in all subjects.

Results

In total, 33 cases of DADA2 were confirmed in this cohort between April 2017 and March 2020. Unlike previous studies, nearly one‐half of the confirmed cases presented during adulthood. All symptomatic patients exhibited features of vasculitis, whereas constitutional symptoms and anemia were more common in pediatric patients. Cutaneous and neurologic involvement were common, and 18 subjects had experienced at least one stroke. In addition, the clinical spectrum of DADA2 was expanded by recognition of novel features in these patients, including pancreatic infarction, focal myocarditis, and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) was initiated in 25 patients. All of the identified disease manifestations showed marked improvement after initiation of TNFi, and disease remission was achieved in 19 patients. Two cases were complicated by tuberculosis infection, and 2 deaths were reported.

Conclusion

This report presents the first case series of patients with DADA2 from India, diagnosed by adult and pediatric care providers. The findings raise awareness of this syndrome, particularly with regard to its presentation in adults.
Association of Urinary Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 Levels With Incident Renal Flare in Lupus Nephritis
Authors: Wang Guobao , Wu Liling , Su Huanjuan , Feng Xiaodan , Shi Meng , Jin Lingwei , Yang Manqiu , Zhou Zhanmei , Su Cailing , Yang Bihui , Li Yajing , Cao Wei
Published: September 2020

Objective

Flares of lupus nephritis (LN) are frequent and associated with impaired renal prognosis. One major management obstacle in LN flare is the lack of effective methods to identify at‐risk patients earlier in their disease course. This study was undertaken to test the utility of measurement of urinary matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP‐7) for the dynamic surveillance of renal disease activity and prediction of renal flares in LN.

Methods

A prospective, 2‐stage cohort study was performed in patients with LN. Urinary MMP‐7 levels at the time of biopsy were evaluated in 154 patients with newly diagnosed LN in 2 independent cohorts. Urinary MMP‐7 levels were assessed for correlation with renal histologic activity. Furthermore, after a minimum period of 12 months of renal disease remission, urinary MMP‐7 levels were monitored bimonthly for 2 years in 65 patients with LN. The association between urinary MMP‐7 levels and development of LN flare was analyzed.

Results

Urinary MMP‐7 levels were elevated in patients with LN. A higher urinary MMP‐7 level in LN was associated with greater renal histologic activity. As a marker for identifying LN patients with more severe renal histologic activity (i.e., a histologic activity index of ≥7), the level of urinary MMP‐7 outperformed other clinical markers and improved their predictive performance, thus linking urinary MMP‐7 levels to renal disease activity. Furthermore, among patients who had follow‐up measurements of urinary MMP‐7 after achievement of long‐term remission of renal disease activity, an elevated urinary MMP‐7 level during follow‐up was independently associated with an increased risk of LN flare. This elevation in the urinary MMP‐7 level hinted at the risk of an LN flare at an earlier time point prior to indications using conventional laboratory measures. Thus, use of the urinary MMP‐7 level in conjunction with other clinical measures improved the prognostic value for prediction of an LN flare.

Conclusion

Urinary MMP‐7 levels in LN are correlated with renal histologic activity. An elevated urinary MMP‐7 level detected after achievement of long‐term renal disease remission is associated with a higher risk of incident renal flare in patients with LN.
Association Between Urinary Epidermal Growth Factor and Renal Prognosis in Lupus Nephritis
Authors: Mejia‐Vilet Juan M. , Shapiro John P. , Zhang Xiaolan L. , Cruz Cristino , Zimmerman Grant , Méndez‐Pérez R. Angélica , Cano‐Verduzco Mayra L. , Parikh Samir V. , Nagaraja Haikady N. , Morales‐Buenrostro Luis E. , Rovin Brad H.
Published: September 2020

Objective

To evaluate the role of urinary epidermal growth factor (EGF) as a biomarker of chronic kidney damage in lupus nephritis (LN).

Methods

A proteomics approach was used to identify urinary EGF as a biomarker of interest in a discovery cohort of patients with LN. The expression of urinary EGF was characterized in 2 large multiethnic LN cohorts, and the association between urinary EGF levels at the time of flare and kidney outcomes was evaluated in a subset of 120 patients with long‐term follow‐up data. For longitudinal studies, the expression of urinary EGF over time was determined in 2 longitudinal cohorts of patients with LN from whom serial urine samples were collected.

Results

Discovery analysis showed the urinary EGF levels as being low in patients with active LN (median peptide count 8.4, interquartile range [IQR] 2.8–12.3 in patients with active LN versus median 48.0, IQR 45.3–64.6 in healthy controls). The peptide sequence was consistent with that of proEGF, and this was confirmed by immunoblotting. The discovery findings were verified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Patients with active LN had a significantly lower level of urinary EGF compared to that in patients with active nonrenal systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), patients with inactive SLE, and healthy kidney donors (each P < 0.05). The urinary EGF level was inversely correlated with the chronicity index of histologic features assessed in kidney biopsy tissue (Spearman’s r = −0.67, P < 0.001). Multivariate survival analysis showed that the urinary EGF level was associated with time to doubling of the serum creatinine level (DSCr), a marker of future end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) (hazard ratio 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.77–0.99, P = 0.045). Patients whose LN symptoms progressed to DSCr and those who experienced progression to ESKD had a lower urinary EGF level at the time of flare, and urinary EGF levels decreased over the 12 months following flare. All patients who experienced progression to ESKD were identified based on a urinary EGF cutoff level of <5.3 ng/mg.

Conclusion

Urinary EGF levels are correlated with histologic kidney damage in patients with LN. Low urinary EGF levels at the time of flare and decreasing urinary EGF levels over time are associated with adverse long‐term kidney outcomes.
Patients’ Preoperative Expectations of Total Knee Arthroplasty and Satisfaction With Outcomes at One Year: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hawker Gillian A. , Conner‐Spady Barbara L. , Bohm Eric , Dunbar Michael J. , Jones C. Allyson , Ravi Bheeshma , Noseworthy Tom , Dick Donald , Powell James , Paul Paulose , Marshall Deborah A. ,   the BEST‐Knee Study Team
Published: September 2020

Objective

To assess the relationship between patients’ expectations for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and satisfaction with surgical outcome.

Methods

This prospective cohort study recruited patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) ages ≥30 years who were referred for TKA at 2 hip/knee surgery centers in Alberta, Canada. Those who received primary, unilateral TKA completed questionnaires pre‐TKA to assess TKA expectations (17‐item Hospital for Special Surgery [HSS] TKA Expectations questionnaire) and contextual factors (age, sex, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index pain score, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score physical function short form [KOOS‐PS], 8‐item Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale, body mass index [BMI], comorbidities, and prior joint replacement), and 1‐year post‐TKA to assess overall satisfaction with TKA results. Using multivariate logistic regression, we examined the relationship between TKA expectations (HSS TKA outcomes considered to be very important) and postoperative satisfaction (very satisfied versus somewhat satisfied versus dissatisfied). Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated.

Results

At 1 year, 1,266 patients with TKA (92.1%) reported their TKA satisfaction (mean ± SD age 67.2 ± 8.8 years, 60.9% women, and mean BMI 32.6 kg/m2); 74.7% of patients were very satisfied, 17.1% were somewhat satisfied, and 8.2% were dissatisfied. Controlling for other factors, an expectation of TKA to improve patients’ ability to kneel was associated with lower odds of satisfaction (adjusted OR 0.725 [95% CI 0.54–0.98]). An expectation of TKA to improve psychological well‐being was associated with lower odds of satisfaction for individuals in the lowest tertile of pre‐TKA KOOS‐PS scores (adjusted OR 0.49 [95% CI 0.28–0.84]), but higher odds for those in the highest tertile (adjusted OR 2.37 [95% CI 1.33–4.21]).

Conclusion

In patients with TKA, preoperative expectations regarding kneeling and psychological well‐being were significantly associated with the level of TKA satisfaction at 1 year. Ensuring that patients’ expectations are achievable may enhance appropriate provision of TKA.
Hemodynamic Response to Treatment and Outcomes in Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Interstitial Lung Disease Versus Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Systemic Sclerosis: Data From a Study Identifying Prognostic Factors in Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Chauvelot Louis , Gamondes Delphine , Berthiller Julien , Nieves Ana , Renard Sébastien , Catella‐Chatron Judith , Ahmad Kais , Bertoletti Laurent , Camara Boubou , Gomez Emmanuel , Launay David , Montani David , Mornex Jean‐François , Prévot Grégoire , Sanchez Olivier , Schott Anne‐Marie , Subtil Fabien , Traclet Julie , Turquier Ségolène , Zeghmar Sabrina , Habib Gilbert , Reynaud‐Gaubert Martine , Humbert Marc , Cottin Vincent
Published: September 2020

Objective

Patients with systemic sclerosis and both pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease (SSc–PH‐ILD) generally carry a worse prognosis than patients with SSc and pulmonary arterial hypertension (SSc‐PAH) without ILD. There is no evidence of the efficacy of PAH therapies in SSc–PH‐ILD. We undertook this study to compare survival of and response to treatment in patients with SSc–PH‐ILD and those with SSc‐PAH.

Methods

We analyzed 128 patients (66 with SSc–PH‐ILD and 62 with SSc‐PAH) from 15 centers, in whom PH was diagnosed by right‐sided heart catheterization; they were prospectively included in the PH registry. All patients received PAH‐specific therapy. Computed tomography of the chest was used to confirm or exclude ILD.

Results

At baseline, patients with SSc–PH‐ILD had less severe hemodynamic impairment than those with SSc‐PAH (pulmonary vascular resistance 5.7 Wood units versus 8.7 Wood units; P = 0.0005) and lower diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (median 25% [interquartile range (IQR) 18%, 35%] versus 40% [IQR 31%, 51%]; P = 0.0005). Additionally, patients with SSc–PH‐ILD had increased mortality (8.1% at 1 year, 21.2% at 2 years, and 41.5% at 3 years) compared to those with SSc‐PAH (4.1%, 8.7%, and 21.4%, respectively; P = 0.04). Upon treatment with PAH‐targeted therapy, no improvement in the 6‐minute walk distance was observed in either group. Improvement in the World Health Organization functional class was observed less frequently in patients with SSc–ILD‐PH compared to those with SSc‐PAH (13.6% versus 33.3%; P = 0.02). Hemodynamics improved similarly in both groups.

Conclusion

ILD confers a worse prognosis to SSc‐PH. Response to PAH‐specific therapy is clinically poor in SSc–PH‐ILD but was not found to be hemodynamically different from the response observed in SSc‐PAH.
Health Assessment Questionnaire at One Year Predicts All‐Cause Mortality in Patients With Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Fatima Safoora , Schieir O. , Valois M. F. , Bartlett S. J. , Bessette L. , Boire G. , Hazlewood G. , Hitchon C. , Keystone E. C. , Tin D. , Thorne C. , Bykerk V. P. , Pope J. E. ,   the CATCH Investigators
Published: September 2020

Objective

Higher self‐reported disability (high Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ] score) has been associated with hospitalizations and mortality in established rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but associations in early RA are unknown.

Methods

Patients with early RA (symptom duration <1 year) enrolled in the Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort who initiated disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs and had completed HAQ data at baseline and 1 year were included in the study. Discrete‐time proportional hazards models were used to estimate crude and multi‐adjusted associations of baseline HAQ and HAQ at 1 year with all‐cause mortality in each year of follow‐up.

Results

A total of 1,724 patients with early RA were included. The mean age was 55 years, and 72% were women. Over 10 years, 62 deaths (3.6%) were recorded. Deceased patients had higher HAQ scores at baseline (mean ± SD 1.2 ± 0.7) and at 1 year (0.9 ± 0.7) than living patients (1.0 ± 0.7 and 0.5 ± 0.6, respectively; P < 0.001). Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) was higher in deceased versus living patients at baseline (mean ± SD 5.4 ± 1.3 versus 4.9 ± 1.4) and at 1 year (mean ± SD 3.6 ± 1.4 versus 2.8 ± 1.4) (P < 0.001). Older age, male sex, lower education level, smoking, more comorbidities, higher baseline DAS28, and glucocorticoid use were associated with mortality. Contrary to HAQ score at baseline, the association between all‐cause mortality and HAQ score at 1 year remained significant even after adjustment for confounders. For baseline HAQ score, the unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) was 1.46 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.02–2.09), and the adjusted HR was 1.25 (95% CI 0.81–1.94). For HAQ score at 1 year, the unadjusted HR was 2.58 (95% CI 1.78–3.72), and the adjusted HR was 1.75 (95% CI 1.10–2.77).

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that higher HAQ score and DAS28 at 1 year are significantly associated with all‐cause mortality in a large early RA cohort.
The Effectiveness of Collaborative Augmented Reality in Gross Anatomy Teaching: A Quantitative and Qualitative Pilot Study
Authors: Bork Felix , Lehner Alexander , Eck Ulrich , Navab Nassir , Waschke Jens , Kugelmann Daniela
Published: September 2020

In the context of gross anatomy education, novel augmented reality (AR) systems have the potential to serve as complementary pedagogical tools and facilitate interactive, student‐centered learning. However, there is a lack of AR systems that enable multiple students to engage in collaborative, team‐based learning environments. This article presents the results of a pilot study in which first‐year medical students (n = 16) had the opportunity to work with such a collaborative AR system during a full‐day gross anatomy seminar. Student performance in an anatomy knowledge test, conducted after an extensive group learning session, increased significantly compared to a pre‐test in both the experimental group working with the collaborative AR system (P < 0.01) and in the control group working with traditional anatomy atlases and three‐dimensional (3D) models (P < 0.01). However, no significant differences were found between the test results of both groups. While the experienced mental effort during the collaborative learning session was considered rather high (5.13 ± 2.45 on a seven‐point Likert scale), both qualitative and quantitative feedback during a survey as well as the results of a System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire (80.00 ± 13.90) outlined the potential of the collaborative AR system for increasing students' 3D understanding of topographic anatomy and its advantages over comparable AR systems for single‐user experiences. Overall, these outcomes show that collaborative AR systems such as the one evaluated within this work stimulate interactive, student‐centered learning in teams and have the potential to become an integral part of a modern, multi‐modal anatomy curriculum.
Clinical management of hip fractures in elderly patients with dementia and postoperative 30‐day mortality: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Petersen Jindong Ding , Siersma Volkert Dirk , Wehberg Sonja , Nielsen Connie Thurøe , Viberg Bjarke , Waldorff Frans Boch
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Patients with dementia have an increased 30‐day mortality after hip fracture. We investigated clinical management including time to surgery, out‐of‐hours admission and surgery, surgery on weekends, surgery volume per ward, and anesthesia technique for this excess mortality risk.

Method

This register‐ and population‐based study comprised 12,309 older adults (age 70+) admitted to hospital for a first‐time hip fracture in 2013–2014, of whom 11,318 underwent hip fracture surgery. Cox proportional hazards regression models were applied for the analysis.

Results

The overall postoperative 30‐day mortality was 11.4%. Patients with dementia had a 1.5 times increased mortality risk than those without (HR = 1.50 [95% CI 1.31–1.72]). We observed no time‐to‐surgery difference by patient dementia status; additionally, the excess mortality risk in patients with dementia could not be explained by the clinical management factors we examined.

Conclusions

Increased mortality in patients with dementia could not be explained by the measured preoperative clinical management. Suboptimal handling of postoperative complication and rehabilitation are to be investigated for their role in the witnessed increased mortality for patients with dementia.
Nitrogen‐doped hierarchical few‐layered porous carbon for efficient electrochemical energy storage
Authors: Wang Peng , Qi Xiaohuan , Zhao Wei , Qian Meng , Bi Hui , Huang Fuqiang
Published: September 2020

Large surface area, high conductivity, and rich active site of carbon electrode materials are necessary characteristics for energy storage devices. However, high conductivity and high nitrogen doping of carbon electrode materials are difficult to coordinate. Here, a facile method via the carbonization of nitrogen‐containing Schiff base polymer has been developed to prepare high conductivity and high nitrogen‐doped hierarchical porous carbon. The organic components with a benzene ring structure in the polymer promote the formation of more sp2‐graphitized carbon, which is beneficial for the improvement of electrical conductivity. Nitrogen‐doped hierarchical porous carbon calcined at 900°C under the NH3 atmosphere possesses high nitrogen content of 7.48 at%, a large specific surface area of 1613.2 m2/g, and high electrical conductivity of 2.7 S/cm. As electrode materials in an aqueous‐based supercapacitor, nitrogen‐doped hierarchical porous carbon exhibits superior specific capacitance of 385 F/g at 1 A/g as well as excellent rate performance (242 and 215 F/g at a current density of 100 and 200 A/g, respectively). In addition, the specific capacitance of electrode measured in a two‐electrode system is 335 F/g at 1 A/g, and the long‐term cycling stability can be achieved with more than 94% initial capacitance after 10 000 cycles. The constructed symmetric supercapacitor delivers high energy density and high power density. The outstanding electrochemical performances combined with the novel and scalable synthetic approach make the nitrogen‐doped hierarchical porous carbon potential electrode material for electrochemical devices.
Recent Advances on Metal‐Organic Frameworks in the Conversion of Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Liu Xiongli , Li Jinli , Li Na , Li Baiyan , Bu Xian‐He
Published: September 2020

With the development of modern industry, global warming is becoming a challenging issue due to the emissions of large quantities of greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide (CO2). The conversion of CO2 to useful compounds is considered as an effective and economic way to solve such a climate problem. Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are an emerging class of porous crystalline materials that have shown great potential in the conversion of CO2. The advantages of MOFs in CO 2 conversion lie in their high surface areas, adjustable pore size, and high porosity. More importantly, desirable functional sites can be easily designed and precisely installed to the pore wall of target MOFs by pre‐assembly and/or post‐synthetic modification (PSM) ways. This review summarizes the recent advances in constructing MOF catalysts for the application in CO2 conversion. We believe that the design and synthesis of MOF catalysts for CO2 conversion can be a promising way to solve the “greenhouse effect”.
Zinc Stannate Nanostructures for Energy Conversion†
Authors: Dou Jie , Chen Qi
Published: September 2020

To date, ternary metal oxide semiconductor materials have attracted extensive attention worldwide due to their unique optoelectronic properties. As a classical ternary oxide, Zn2SnO4 is featured with the high electron mobility, wide band gap, negligible visible light absorption and tailorable electronic band structures. Thus, it is an ideal material for practical use in solar cells, lithium batteries, sensors, and photo‐catalysts. In this review, we summarize the recent research progress of this material with the focus on the synthesis methods, nanostructures, and the resulting effects on the crystal structure, optical properties, and photoelectrochemical properties. Moreover, their potential applications in different devices are highlighted and carefully discussed.
Computational Bioluminescence
Authors: Tang Yi‐Qi , Liu Ya‐Jun
Published: September 2020

Bioluminescence (BL) is an amazing natural phenomenon whose visible light is produced by living organisms. Due to its high sensitivity, high selectivity and high signal‐to‐noise ratio, BL has been applied broadly in biotechnology and biomedical fields. However, for centuries, we can only receive some sporadic and static information from experimental observations, the mechanism of most BL is unknown. In the past 14 years, we have been performing theoretical study on all kinds of bioluminescent systems, and have uncovered the mechanism and details of several BLs. Here as an example, we qualitatively introduce our theoretical study of firefly BL in this account.
Variation of pro‐vasopressin processing in parvocellular and magnocellular neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus: Evidence from the vasopressin‐related glycopeptide copeptin
Authors: Kawakami Natsuko , Otubo Akito , Maejima Sho , Talukder Ashraf H. , Satoh Keita , Oti Takumi , Takanami Keiko , Ueda Yasumasa , Itoi Keiichi , Morris John F. , Sakamoto Tatsuya , Sakamoto Hirotaka
Published: September 2020

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is synthesized in parvocellular‐ and magnocellular neuroendocrine neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus. Whereas magnocellular AVP neurons project primarily to the posterior pituitary, parvocellular AVP neurons project to the median eminence (ME) and to extrahypothalamic areas. The AVP gene encodes pre‐pro‐AVP that comprises the signal peptide, AVP, neurophysin (NPII), and a copeptin glycopeptide. In the present study, we used an N‐terminal copeptin antiserum to examine copeptin expression in magnocellular and parvocellular neurons in the hypothalamus in the mouse, rat, and macaque monkey. Although magnocellular NPII‐expressing neurons exhibited strong N‐terminal copeptin immunoreactivity in all three species, a great majority (~90%) of parvocellular neurons that expressed NPII was devoid of copeptin immunoreactivity in the mouse, and in approximately half (~53%) of them in the rat, whereas in monkey hypothalamus, virtually all NPII‐immunoreactive parvocellular neurons contained strong copeptin immunoreactivity. Immunoelectron microscopy in the mouse clearly showed copeptin‐immunoreactivity co‐localized with NPII‐immunoreactivity in neurosecretory vesicles in the internal layer of the ME and posterior pituitary, but not in the external layer of the ME. Intracerebroventricular administration of a prohormone convertase inhibitor, hexa‐d‐arginine amide resulted in a marked reduction of copeptin‐immunoreactivity in the NPII‐immunoreactive magnocellular PVN neurons in the mouse, suggesting that low protease activity and incomplete processing of pro‐AVP could explain the disproportionally low levels of N‐terminal copeptin expression in rodent AVP (NPII)‐expressing parvocellular neurons. Physiologic and phylogenetic aspects of copeptin expression among neuroendocrine neurons require further exploration.
Comprehensive topographical map of the serotonergic fibers in the male mouse brain
Authors: Awasthi Janak R. , Tamada Kota , Overton Eric T. N. , Takumi Toru
Published: September 2020

It is well established that serotonergic fibers distribute throughout the brain. Abnormal densities or patterns of serotonergic fibers have been implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders. Although many classical studies have examined the distribution pattern of serotonergic fibers, most of them were either limited to specific brain areas or had limitations in demonstrating the fine axonal morphology. In this study, we utilize male mice expressing green fluorescence protein under the serotonin transporter (SERT) promoter to map the topography of serotonergic fibers across the rostro‐caudal extent of each brain area. We demonstrate previously unreported regional density and fine‐grained anatomy of serotonergic fibers. Our findings include: (a) SERT fibers distribute abundantly in the thalamic nuclei close to the midline and dorsolateral areas, in most of the hypothalamic nuclei with few exceptions such as the median eminence and arcuate nuclei, and within the basal amygdaloid complex and lateral septal nuclei, (b) the source fibers of innervation of the hippocampus traverse through the septal nuclei before reaching its destination, (c) unique, filamentous type of straight terminal fibers within the nucleus accumbens, (d) laminar pattern of innervation in the hippocampus, olfactory bulb and cortex with heterogenicity in innervation density among the layers, (e) cortical labeling density gradually decreases rostro‐caudally, (f) fibers traverse and distribute mostly within the gray matter, leaving the white fiber bundles uninnervated, and (g) most of the highly labeled nuclei and cortical areas have predominant anatomical connection to limbic structures. In conclusion, we provide novel, regionally specific insights on the distribution map of serotonergic fibers using transgenic mouse.
Partitioning the colonization and extinction components of beta diversity across disturbance gradients
Authors: Tatsumi Shinichi , Strengbom Joachim , Čugunovs Mihails , Kouki Jari
Published: September 2020

Changes in species diversity often result from species losses and gains. The dynamic nature of beta diversity (spatial variation in species composition) that derives from such temporal species turnover, however, has received relatively little attention. Here, we disentangled extinction and colonization components of beta diversity by using the sets of species that went locally extinct and that newly colonized the study sites. We applied this concept of extinction and colonization beta diversity to ground vegetation communities that have been repeatedly surveyed in forests where fire and harvesting were experimentally applied. We first found that fire and harvesting caused no effect on beta diversity 2 yr after the treatments. From this result, we might conclude that they did not alter the ways in which species assemble across space. However, when we analyzed the extinction and colonization beta diversity between pre‐treatment and 2 yr after the treatments, both measures were found to be significantly lower in burned sites compared to unburned sites (i.e., the groups of excluded and newly colonized species both showed low beta diversity in the burned sites). These results indicate that the fire excluded similar subsets of species across space, making communities become more heterogeneous, but at the same time induced spatially uniform colonization of new species, causing communities to homogenize. Consequently, the effects of these two processes canceled each other out. The relative importance of extinction and colonization components per se also changed temporally after the treatments. Fire and harvesting showed synergetic negative impacts on extinction beta diversity between pre‐treatment and 10 yr after the treatments. Overall, analyses using extinction and colonization beta diversity allowed us to detect nonrandom disassembly and reassembly dynamics in ground vegetation communities. Our results suggest that common practices of analyzing beta diversity at one point in time can mask significant variation driven by disturbance. Acknowledging the extinction–colonization dynamics behind beta diversity is essential for understanding the spatiotemporal organization of biodiversity.
Experimental evidence for ecological cascades following threatened mammal reintroduction
Authors: Gibb Heloise , Silvey Colin J. , Robinson Chloe , L'Hotellier Felicity A. , Eldridge David J.
Published: September 2020

Species extinction has reached unprecedented rates globally, and can cause unexpected ecological cascades. Since Europeans arrived in Australia, many endemic mammals have declined or become extinct, but their ecological roles and outcomes of their reintroduction for ecosystems are poorly understood. Using surveys and novel long‐term exclusion and disturbance experiments, we tested how digging mammal reintroduction affects predatory invertebrates. Mammal exclusion tended to decrease bare ground. Although scorpion burrow abundance increased with bare ground, mammals also had direct negative effects on scorpions. Increased disturbance alone decreased scorpion abundance, but other mechanisms, such as predation, also contributed to the mammal effect. Despite negative associations between scorpions and spiders, both groups increased and spider composition changed following mammal exclusion. Our long‐term research showed that threatened digging mammals drive ecosystem cascades, affecting biota through a variety of pathways. Reintroductions of locally extinct digging mammals can restore ecosystems, but ecosystem cascades may lead to unexpected restructuring.
Complete hemispherotomy leads to lateralized functional organization and lower level of consciousness in the isolated hemisphere
Authors: Blauwblomme Thomas , Demertzi Athena , Tacchela Jean‐Marc , Fillon Ludovic , Bourgeois Marie , Losito Emma , Eisermann Monika , Marinazzo Daniele , Raimondo Federico , Alcauter Sarael , Van De Steen Frederik , Colenbier Nigel , Laureys Steven , Dangouloff‐Ros Volodia , Naccache Lionel , Boddaert Nathalie , Nabbout Rima
Published: September 2020

Objective

To quantify whole‐brain functional organization after complete hemispherotomy, characterizing unexplored plasticity pathways and the conscious level of the dissected hemispheres.

Methods

Evaluation with multimodal magnetic resonance imaging in two pediatric patients undergoing right hemispherotomy including complete callosotomy with a perithalamic section. Regional cerebral blood flow and fMRI network connectivity assessed the functional integrity of both hemispheres after surgery. The level of consciousness was tested by means of a support vector machine classifier which compared the intrinsic organization of the dissected hemispheres with those of patients suffering from disorders of consciousness.

Results

After hemispherotomy, both patients showed typical daily functionality. We found no interhemispheric transfer of functional connectivity in either patient as predicted by the operation. The healthy left hemispheres displayed focal blood hyperperfusion in motor and limbic areas, with preserved network‐level organization. Unexpectedly, the disconnected right hemispheres showed sustained network organization despite low regional cerebral blood flow. Subcortically, functional connectivity was increased in the left thalamo‐cortical loop and between the cerebelli. One patient further showed unusual ipsilateral right cerebello‐cortical connectivity, which was explained by the mediation of the vascular system. The healthy left hemisphere had higher probability to be classified as in a minimally conscious state compared to the isolated right hemisphere.

Significance

Complete hemispherotomy leads to a lateralized whole‐brain organization, with the remaining hemisphere claiming most of the brain's energetic reserves supported by subcortical structures. Our results further underline the contribution of nonneuronal vascular signals on contralateral connectivity, shedding light on the nature of network organization in the isolated tissue. The disconnected hemisphere is characterized by a level of consciousness which is necessary but insufficient for conscious processing, paving the way for more specific inquiries about its role in awareness in the absence of behavioral output.
Influence of water injection on the desorption characteristics of coalbed methane
Authors: Li Peng , Du Feng , Wang Fakai , Zhang Pan , Jiang Yuxiang , Cui Bo
Published: September 2020

Hydraulic methods have been extensively employed to improve the production rate of commercially viable coalbed methane and prevent potential mining disasters resulting from the production of this methane by increasing the permeability of coal seams. In this paper, an experimental system with a stirrer was utilized to study the effects of water injection on the gas desorption characteristics of coal seams. Pressure‐released desorption values and total gas desorption values under conditions of different adsorption equilibrium pressures and water contents were determined. The results show that both the free gas and the adsorbed gas could be replaced by the injected water, causing the system pressure to increase significantly. When releasing the system pressure, the gas desorption value of the water‐injected coal sample was reduced. After water injection, the total desorption value of the coal was increased. Thus, water injection could help to promote coal gas desorption.
HLA‐B*35:01 and Green Tea–Induced Liver Injury
Authors: Hoofnagle Jay H. , Bonkovsky Herbert L. , Phillips Elizabeth J. , Li Yi‐Ju , Ahmad Jawad , Barnhart Huiman , Durazo Francisco , Fontana Robert J. , Gu Jiezhun , Khan Ikhlas , Kleiner David E. , Koh Christopher , Rockey Don C. , Seeff Leonard B. , Serrano Jose , Stolz Andrew , Tillmann Hans L. , Vuppalanchi Raj , Navarro Victor J. ,   for the Drug‐Induced Liver Injury Network
Published: September 2020

Background and Aims

Herbal supplements, and particularly multi‐ingredient products, have become increasingly common causes of acute liver injury. Green tea is a frequent component in implicated products, but its role in liver injury is controversial. The aim of this study was to better characterize the clinical features, outcomes, and pathogenesis of green tea‐associated liver injury.

Approach and Results

Among 1,414 patients enrolled in the U.S. Drug‐Induced Liver Injury Network who underwent formal causality assessment, 40 cases (3%) were attributed to green tea, 202 to dietary supplements without green tea, and 1,142 to conventional drugs. The clinical features of green tea cases and representation of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II alleles in cases and control were analyzed in detail. Patients with green tea–associated liver injury ranged in age from 17 to 69 years (median = 40) and developed symptoms 15‐448 days (median = 72) after starting the implicated agent. The liver injury was typically hepatocellular (95%) with marked serum aminotransferase elevations and only modest increases in alkaline phosphatase. Most patients were jaundiced (83%) and symptomatic (88%). The course was judged as severe in 14 patients (35%), necessitating liver transplantation in 3 (8%), but rarely resulting in chronic injury (3%). In three instances, injury recurred upon re‐exposure to green tea with similar clinical features, but shorter time to onset. HLA typing revealed a high prevalence of HLA‐B*35:01, found in 72% (95% confidence interval [CI], 58‐87) of green tea cases, but only 15% (95% CI, 10‐20) caused by other supplements and 12% (95% CI, 10‐14) attributed to drugs, the latter rate being similar to population controls (11%; 95% CI, 10.5‐11.5).

Conclusions

Green tea–related liver injury has distinctive clinical features and close association with HLA‐B*35:01, suggesting that it is idiosyncratic and immune mediated.
Significance of dynamically monitoring serum estrogen and β‐human chorionic gonadotropin in early pregnancy assessment
Authors: Li Yang , Zhang Jiaou , Zhang Kemei , Wang Ensheng , Shu Jing
Published: September 2020

Background

Spontaneous abortion occurs in 15% ~ 25% of clinical pregnancy. β‐human chorionic gonadotropin (β‐HCG) and progesterone (P) have been widely used in early pregnancy assessment, but their clinical significances are still controversial. Estradiol (E2) has not been used as widely as β‐HCG and P, and its value in predicting pregnancy outcome is unclear.

Methods

In this retrospective study, two hundred early pregnancy women were divided into two groups according to their early pregnancy outcomes: the ongoing pregnancy group and inevitable abortion group. Serum E2 and β‐HCG levels and their growth rates were compared weekly.

Results

Estradiol and β‐HCG of the ongoing pregnancy group were significantly higher than that of the inevitable abortion group from the 5th to 10th week of pregnancy. Taking 489.5 pg/mL in the 5th and 6th week, 590.5 pg/mL in the 7th week, and 614.5 pg/mL in the 8th week as cutoff levels of E2, the sensitivity and specificity for E2 to predict bad pregnancy outcome were 91.7% and 41.5%, 82.9% and 71.1%, 84.8% and 84.7%, 75.0% and 95.7%, respectively (P < .05). Both E2 and β‐HCG increased much more rapidly in the ongoing pregnancy group. 80% of the normal pregnancy women showed continuously increasing E2 level. Meanwhile, the inevitable abortion group presented E2 variation types as slow increase or fluctuation, continuous decline, and sudden drop, which account for 54.0%, 34.0%, and 12.0%, respectively.

Conclusion

Low values and low growth rates of E2 and β‐HCG probably indicate bad pregnancy outcomes.
m6A transferase METTL3‐induced lncRNA ABHD11‐AS1 promotes the Warburg effect of non‐small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Xue Lei , Li Jun , Lin Yihui , Liu Degang , Yang Qiang , Jian Jinting , Peng Jiangzhou
Published: September 2020

N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are both crucial regulators in non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumorigenesis. However, the pathological roles of m6A and lncRNAs in NSCLC progression are still limited and undefined. Here, lncRNA ABHD11‐AS1 was upregulated in NSCLC tissue specimens and cells and the ectopic overexpression was closely correlated with unfavorable prognosis of NSCLC patients. Functionally, ABHD11‐AS1 promoted the proliferation and Warburg effect of NSCLC. Mechanistically, m6A profile was analyzed by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP‐Seq). MeRIP‐Seq presented that there was m6A modification site in ABHD11‐AS1. m6A methyltransferase‐like 3 (METTL3) installed the m6A modification and enhanced ABHD11‐AS1 transcript stability to increase its expression. In conclusion, our findings highlight the function and mechanism of METTL3‐induced ABHD11‐AS1 in NSCLC and inspire the understanding of m6A and lncRNA in cancer biology.
The mechanisms of cellular crosstalk between mesenchymal stem cells and natural killer cells: Therapeutic implications
Authors: Moloudizargari Milad , Govahi Ali , Fallah Marjan , Rezvanfar Mohammad A. , Asghari Mohammad H. , Abdollahi Mohammad
Published: September 2020

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are mesenchymal precursors of various origins, with well‐known immunomodulatory effects. Natural killer (NK) cells, the major cells of the innate immune system, are critical for the antitumor and antiviral defenses; however, in certain cases, they may be the main culprits in the pathogenesis of some NK‐related conditions such as autoimmunities and hematological malignancies. On the other hand, these cells seem to be the major responders in beneficial phenomena like graft versus leukemia. Substantial data suggest that MSCs can variably affect NK cells and can be affected by these cells. Accordingly, acquiring a profound understanding of the crosstalk between MSCs and NK cells and the involved mechanisms seems to be a necessity to develop therapeutic approaches based on such interactions. Therefore, in this study, we made a thorough review of the existing literature on the interactions between MSCs and NK cells with a focus on the underlying mechanisms. The current knowledge herein suggests that MSCs possess a great potential to be used as tools for therapeutic targeting of NK cells in disease context and that preconditioning of MSCs, as well as their genetic manipulation before administration, may provide a wider variety of options in terms of eliciting more specific and desirable therapeutic outcomes. Nevertheless, our knowledge regarding the effects of MSCs on NK cells is still in its infancy, and further studies with well‐defined conditions are warranted herein.