bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A validation study of the CarerQol instrument in informal caregivers of people with dementia from eight European countries
Authors:   the Actifcare Consortium, Voormolen Daphne C. , van Exel Job , Brouwer Werner , Sköldunger Anders , Gonçalves-Pereira Manuel , Irving Kate , Bieber Anja , Selbaek Geir , Woods Bob , Zanetti Orazio , Verhey Frans , Wimo Anders , Handels Ron L. H.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Informal care constitutes an important part of the total care for people with dementia. Therefore, the impact of the syndrome on their caregivers as well as that of health and social care services for people with dementia should be considered. This study investigated the convergent and clinical validity of the CarerQol instrument, which measures and values the impact of providing informal care, in a multi-country sample of caregivers for people with dementia.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from a sample of 451 respondents in eight European countries, collected by the Actifcare project, were evaluated. Convergent validity was analysed with Spearman’s correlation coefficients and multivariate correlations between the CarerQol-7D utility score and dimension scores, and other similar quality of life measures such as CarerQol-VAS, ICECAP-O, and EQ-5D. Clinical validity was evaluated by bivariate and multivariate analyses of the degree to which the CarerQol instrument can differentiate between characteristics of caregivers, care receivers and caregiving situation. Country dummies were added to test CarerQol score differences between countries.

Results

The mean CarerQol utility score was 77.6 and varied across countries from 74.3 (Italy) to 82.3 (Norway). The scores showed moderate to strong positive correlations with the CarerQol-VAS, ICECAP-O, and EQ-5D health problems score of the caregiver. Multivariate regression analysis showed that various characteristics of the caregiver, care receiver and caregiving situation were associated with caregiver outcomes, but there was no evidence of a country-level effect.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the convergent and clinical validity of the CarerQol instrument to evaluate the impact of providing informal care for people with dementia.
The BepiColombo–Mio Magnetometer en Route to Mercury
Authors: Baumjohann W. , Matsuoka A. , Narita Y. , Magnes W. , Heyner D. , Glassmeier K.-H. , Nakamura R. , Fischer D. , Plaschke F. , Volwerk M. , Zhang T. L. , Auster H.-U. , Richter I. , Balogh A. , Carr C. M. , Dougherty M. , Horbury T. S. , Tsunakawa H. , Matsushima M. , Shinohara M. , Shibuya H. , Nakagawa T. , Hoshino M. , Tanaka Y. , Anderson B. J. , Russell C. T. , Motschmann U. , Takahashi F. , Fujimoto A.
Published: October 2020

The fluxgate magnetometer MGF on board the Mio spacecraft of the BepiColombo mission is introduced with its science targets, instrument design, calibration report, and scientific expectations. The MGF instrument consists of two tri-axial fluxgate magnetometers. Both sensors are mounted on a 4.8-m long mast to measure the magnetic field around Mercury at distances from near surface (initial peri-center altitude is 590 km) to 6 planetary radii (11640 km). The two sensors of MGF are operated in a fully redundant way, each with its own electronics, data processing and power supply units. The MGF instrument samples the magnetic field at a rate of up to 128 Hz to reveal rapidly-evolving magnetospheric dynamics, among them magnetic reconnection causing substorm-like disturbances, field-aligned currents, and ultra-low-frequency waves. The high time resolution of MGF is also helpful to study solar wind processes (through measurements of the interplanetary magnetic field) in the inner heliosphere. The MGF instrument firmly corroborates measurements of its companion, the MPO magnetometer, by performing multi-point observations to determine the planetary internal field at higher multi-pole orders and to separate temporal fluctuations from spatial variations.
Near-infrared Spectroscopy and Hyperspectral Imaging for Sugar Content Evaluation in Potatoes over Multiple Growing Seasons
Authors: Rady Ahmed M , Guyer Daniel E , Watson Nicholas J
Published: October 2020

Sugar content is one of the most important properties of potato tubers as it directly affects their processing and the final product quality, especially for fried products. In this study, data obtained from spectroscopic (interactance and reflectance) and hyperspectral imaging systems were used individually or fused to develop non-cultivar nor growing season-specific regression and classification models for potato tubers based on glucose and sucrose concentration. Data was acquired over three growing seasons for two potato cultivars. The most influential wavelengths were selected from the imaging systems using interval partial least squares for regression and sequential forward selection for classification. Hyperspectral imaging showed the highest regression performance for glucose with a correlation coefficient (ratio of performance to deviation) or r(RPD) of 91.8(2.41) which increased to 94%(2.91) when the data was fused with the interactance data. The sucrose regression results had the highest accuracy using data obtained from the interactance system with r(RPD) values of 74.5%(1.40) that increased to 84.4%(1.82) when the data was fused with the reflectance data. Classification was performed to identify tubers with either high or low sugar content. Classification performance showed accuracy values as high as 95% for glucose and 80.1% for sucrose using hyperspectral imaging, with no noticeable improvement when data was fused from the other spectroscopic systems. When testing the robustness of the developed models over different seasons, it was found that the regression models had r(RPD) values of 55(1.19)–90.3%(2.34) for glucose and 35.8(1.07)–82.2%(1.29) for sucrose. Results obtained in this study demonstrate the feasibility of developing a rapid monitoring system using multispectral imaging and data fusion methods for online evaluation of potato sugar content.
Distribution of aquifer characteristics in different geomorphologic units in a granitic terrain
Authors: Dhakate Ratnakar
Published: October 2020

Knowledge of aquifer characteristics is essential for groundwater development and management studies. Detailed hydrological studies were carried out in a granitic terrain consisting of different geomorphologic units to resolve the coverage, performance, and characteristics of the aquifer parameters through the application of the pumping test method. An interpretation was performed by different methods, viz., Theis, Jacob, Hantush, and Rushton and Redshaw (numerical finite difference method) to ascertain the aquifer parameters. These parameters are vital for future groundwater development and management studies. Transmissivity (T) values estimated by Theis method range from 3.83 to 436 m2/day; 3.77 to 718 m2/day; and 16 to 160 m2/day, by Jacob method it ranges from 3.90 to 436 m2/day; 3.73 to 769 m2/day; and 17.3 to 152 m2/day, by Hantush method it ranges from 1.63 to 189 m2/day; 0.53 to 755 m2/day; and 19.3 to 118 m2/day, while by numerical method it ranges from 3 to 455 m2/day, 3 to 700 m2/day, and 17 to 148 m2/day in pediplain with moderate weathering (PPM), pediplain with shallow weathering (PPS), and buried pediplain with shallow weathering (BPPS) geomorphologic units, respectively. Similarly, a radius of influences ranges from 9.75 to 1391.0 m; 8.0 to 698.09 m, and 380.78 to 433.76 m in PPS, PPM, and BPPS geomorphologic units, respectively. The aquifer parameters obtained by the pumping tests were correlated with the structural features and different geomorphologic units. It was found that these parameters have wide variations within each geomorphologic feature. The radius of influence of each test well was calculated and compared with the in situ measured discharge of various wells within the area. The high values of transmissivity (T) are attributed to aquifer controlled by fractured zone in the area.
Influence factors and effect prediction model of the tertiary migrations of remaining oil
Authors: Zhang Rongda , Yang Guanghui , Ma Kang , Song Zhichao , Li Junjian , Jiang Hanqiao
Published: October 2020

Worldwide, for older fields that are in the late stages of production period, production wells that lose production value due to high water cut are usually shut down. In this situation, the remaining oil in the reservoir will be re-enriched under the influence of gravity differentiation and capillary forces. Production practices find when the production well is closed for a long time and then opened for restarting production, the water cut drops dramatically and the output rise sharply. In order to anticipate the effects of enrichment of remaining oil in the reservoir, this paper analyzes 10 influencing factors respectively. Secondly, change of water cut before and after shut-in is used as the evaluation index of residual oil enrichment effect. Numerical simulation method is used to simulate the influence of different factors on the effect of external migrations of remaining oil at different levels. Grey correlation analysis is utilized to rank the correlation of 10 factors on residual oil enrichment and then we can get the main controlling factors affecting residual oil enrichment. Finally, the response surface analysis method is used to establish a 5-factor 3-level model, and the corresponding prediction results are obtained through numerical simulation experiments. The main control factors are fitted to obtain the prediction formula of the remaining oil enrichment effect. As a result, we can use the prediction formula to forecast the enrichment effect of remaining oil under different reservoir parameters.
Blood Management in Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty for Metal-on-Metal Devices: The Efficiency of an Intraoperative Cell Salvage System
Authors: Maurer-Ertl Werner , Fellner Andreas , Reinbacher Patrick , Maier Michael , Leithner Andreas , Friesenbichler Joerg
Published: October 2020

Background

The aim of this series was to investigate the efficiency of an intraoperative cell salvage system (ICS) removing metal ions during revision of metal-on-metal (MoM) devices to proof the possibility of re-transfusion of the collected blood.

Materials and methods

Between 2014 and 2018, five consecutive patients underwent revision surgery of their MoM total hip arthroplasty due to wear of the polyethylene-metal sandwich inlay or local massive metallosis with aseptic loosing of the cup. Aspiration of joint fluid of all hip prostheses was done and blood was taken to measure the metal ion concentrations, preoperatively. Perioperatively, blood was collected using an ICS before and after filtration and analyzed for Co and Cr concentrations. At that time, there was no re-transfusion of the collected and filtrated blood due to unknown metal ion concentrations.

Results

The mean preoperative serum Co and Cr concentrations in the blood were 31.28 μg/L (range 0.22–77.47) and 17.33 μg/L (range 0.59–51.31), whereas the mean local concentrations in the aspiration fluid were 728-fold and 822-fold higher. The Co and Cr concentrations measured in the collected blood before filtration were 70.61 μg/L (range 9.40–173.00) and 337.21 μg/L (range 8.76–1383.0) and decreased markedly to average concentrations of 15.49 μg/L and 41.88 μg/L, respectively. These differences were statistically not significant (Co: p = 0.117, Cr: p = 0.175), although the mean reduction rates were 78% and 88% for Co and Cr, respectively.

Conclusion

The current series showed that in case of revision of MoM hip devices, metal ions are still contained in the collected blood following filtration using a modern high-level ICS. Therefore, we would only recommend blood re-transfusion in case of low preoperative Co and Cr concentrations and sufficient renal function to warrant patients’ safety.
Importance of Skeletal Staging in Chondrosarcoma of Bone: Results of Survey on Current Practices Among Musculoskeletal Oncologists
Authors: Gulia Ashish , Gupta Srinath , Kurisunkal Vineet , Puri Ajay
Published: October 2020

Purpose

There are no clear guidelines for staging of conventional chondrosarcoma. We conducted an online survey to determine the current practices for skeletal staging for conventional chondrosarcoma among practicing oncologists and to assess any discrepancy in practices and with the published literature.

Methodology

A simple ten-question online survey (e-mails and WhatsApp) was conducted among practicing oncologists over a period of 3 weeks using online portal (surveymonkey.com). It was followed by analysis based on each question to find current practices.

Results

139 members participated in the survey (84% surgeons, 9% radiologists, 3% medical and 3% radiation oncologists and 1% nuclear medicine). 65% have been treating chondrosarcoma for more than 5 years. 88% opined that biopsy is mandatory even if the radiology is suggestive of a chondrosarcoma. 66% said that solitary skeletal metastasis is seen in less than 2% of the cases but 84% of participants were in favour of performing an investigation (bone scan/PET scan) for skeletal survey. While 43% opined skeletal metastasis is more common in recurrent chondrosarcoma, 26% said that performing a bone scan was likely to impact management, 28% said it will not impact management and 46% were unsure. Of the group who thought that a bone scan would impact management or were unsure, the majority (56%) opined that this was relevant only in grade 2 and grade 3 chondrosarcoma.

Conclusion

There was lack of consensus regarding staging for chondrosarcoma. Only 26% of respondents were convinced that performing a bone scan was likely to impact management of chondrosarcoma. There is a need to analyze large data sets (retrospective/prospective) to arrive at an evidence-based staging algorithm for chondrosarcoma.
The High Flex Total Knee Arthroplasty—Higher Incidence of Aseptic Loosening and No Benefit in Comparison to Conventional Total Knee Arthroplasty: Minimum 16-Years Follow-Up Results
Authors: Radetzki Florian , Zeh Alexander , Delank Karl-Stefan , Wohlrab David
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This prospective randomized study compares the clinical and radiographic long-term results at least 16 years after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between a mobile-bearing high flex and a fixed-bearing posterior-stabilized knee.

Methods

In 2000, we included 60 patients who underwent a TKA. Patients were divided into two groups. At the time of the follow-up after a minimum of 16 years (16.5 years ± 0.6), 16 patients had died for causes unrelated to the operation, 15 were lost to the follow-up. Five patients of the high flex group had a revision. The final evaluation included the hospital for special surgery score (HSS) and radiographs. Using the X-rays and the Knee Society Roentgenographic Evaluation and Scoring System, radiolucent lines and the maximal knee flexion were determined.

Results

No significant differences between the two groups were found. The mean HSS score of LPS group patients was 87.9 (± 10.6) points and that of the high flex group was 93.1 (± 7.4) points. Five patients of the high flex group had undergone a reoperation. One knee was revised for painful mid-flexion instability and the others for symptomatic aseptic loosening of the components.

Conclusion

The long-term follow-up does not show any clear benefits and even a higher incidence of implant loosening using the mobile-bearing high-flex knee.
Acceptability and willingness to participate in the Tailored Activity Program: perceptions of people living with dementia, their care partners and health professionals
Authors: Bennett Sally , Travers Catherine , Liddle Jacki , Smith Sandra , Clemson Lindy , O’Reilly Maria , Allen Michelle , Laver Kate , Beattie Elizabeth , Low Lee-Fay , O’Connor Claire , Gitlin Laura N.
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

The Tailored Activity Program (TAP) is an evidence-based occupational therapist-led intervention for people living with dementia and their care partners at home, developed in the USA. This study sought to understand its acceptability to people living with dementia, their care partners, and health professionals, and factors that might influence willingness to participate prior to its implementation in Australia.

Methods:

This study used qualitative descriptive methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with people living with dementia in the community (n = 4), their care partners (n = 13), and health professionals (n = 12). People living with dementia were asked about health professionals coming to their home to help them engage in activities they enjoy, whereas care partners’ and health professionals’ perspectives of TAP were sought, after it was described to them. Interviews were conducted face-to-face or via telephone. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. Framework analysis was used to identify key themes.

Results:

Analysis identified four key themes labelled: (i) TAP sounds like a good idea; (ii) the importance of enjoyable activities; (iii) benefits for care partners; and (iv) weighing things up. Findings suggest the broad, conditional acceptability of TAP from care partners and health professionals, who also recognised challenges to its use. People living with dementia expressed willingness to receive help to continue engaging in enjoyable activities, if offered.

Discussion:

While TAP appeared generally acceptable, a number of barriers were identified that must be considered prior to, and during its implementation. This study may inform implementation of non-pharmacological interventions more broadly.
Innovation in Urban Transit at the Start of the Twentieth Century: A Case Study of Metropolitan Street Railway’s Stealth Hostile Takeover of Third Avenue Railroad
Authors: KRUSE TIMOTHY A. , TODD STEVEN KYLE , WALKER MARK D.
Published: October 2020

In 1900, a syndicate of investors used open market purchases and manipulative trading strategies to exploit an ongoing financial crisis at the Third Avenue Railroad Company and stealthily gain control of the company. The acquisition occurred during the first great merger wave in U.S. history and represented the street railway industry’s response to a new technology, namely electrification. The lax regulatory environment of the period allowed operators and insiders to profit handsomely and may have benefited consumers, but possibly harmed some minority shareholders. Our case study illuminates an unusual acquisition, when capital markets were less transparent.
The psychological impacts of COVID-19: a study of frontline physicians and nurses in the Arab world
Authors: Al Mahyijari N. , Badahdah A. , Khamis F.
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

The COVID-19 (SARS-CoV2) pandemic is wreaking havoc on healthcare systems and causing serious economic, social, and psychological anguish around the globe. Healthcare workers (HCWs) who diagnose and care for COVID-19 patients have been shown to suffer burnout, stress, and anxiety.

Methods:

In this study, we collected data from 150 frontline HCWs who had close contact with COVID-19 patients at several health facilities in the Sultanate of Oman. The participants completed an online survey that included the Perceived Stress Scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index.

Results:

The study found that a substantial number of healthcare professionals experienced relatively high levels of stress and anxiety, as well as suboptimal levels of well-being. Perceived stress and anxiety were significant predictors of HCWs’ well-being.

Conclusions:

This study adds to the increasing literature indicating harmful effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of HCWs.
A Study of Transmission Error Modeling and Preload Compensation for the Cable-Driven Sheaves Used in Space Docking Locks
Authors: Xu Chuntian , Li Jianguang , Wang Peng , Xu Zhengdong
Published: October 2020

The transmission error of cable-driven sheaves (CDS) used in space docking locks directly affects the synchronous docking of two spacecraft, which is guaranteed mainly by the preload applied to their serial cables. But it is difficult controlled precisely because of the complicated cable deformation and operating conditions. The synchronous testing efficiency of the docking locks is inevitably influenced, correspondingly. This paper proposes a prediction model for the transmission error of CDS based on their cable deformation. In this model, the deformations of non- and free sectional cables are both modified on finite element analysis, which are respectively derived from classical Capstan equation and Hooke’s law for them without considering the effects of the friction coefficient between wire strands. Based on the proposed model, the relationships between the transmission error and dominating factors are analyzed. Then the preload compensation for transmission error is obtained at the engaging and locking angles of the docking locks, respectively. Experiments validate the model. This can provide a valuable reference in controlling the transmission error of CDS and improving the assembly efficiency of docking locks.
Health care and the spread of medical knowledge in the Portuguese empire, particularly the Estado da Índia (sixteenth to eighteenth centuries)
Authors: Abreu Laurinda
Published: October 2020

This article deals with the presence of physicians, surgeons and apothecaries in the early modern Portuguese empire and the dissemination of medical knowledge there. In Portugal itself, the health care sector had been the target of considerable royal interference since the final years of the fifteenth century, during the construction of the early modern state. Regulatory frameworks were established to harmonise health care practice throughout the country and to control the organisation and distribution of the available health care practitioners among local communities. As this was also the time when Portugal was investing heavily in its colonies, how were these policies reflected in the empire? Did health care feature in the Portuguese government’s colonial strategies? How did the official policy to send medical personnel overseas work on the ground? Did it operate at a large enough scale to transform local practices?
Middle Ordovician (Darriwilian) conodonts from southern Tibet, the Indian passive margin: implications for the age and correlation of the roof of the world
Authors: Stouge Svend , Harper David A. T. , Zhan Renbin , Liu Jianbo , Stemmerik Lars
Published: October 2020

New occurrences of middle–late Darriwilian (Middle Ordovician) conodonts are reported from the Nyalam region, southern Tibet. The conodont-yielding strata, referred to the Chiatsun Group, accumulated on the north Indian continental margin of northern Gondwana. These Middle Ordovician conodonts include the informal speciesHistiodellasp. A in the middle part of the Lower Formation of the Chiatsun Group succeeded by a fauna of thePygodus serraZone in the upper part of that formation.Pygodus anserinusis recorded from the base of the Upper Formation of the Chiatsun Group. The Nyalam succession and its conodont taxa allow for precise correlation of the strata preserved on top of Mount Qomolangma (Mount Everest), eastern Tibet and the Peri-Gondwana Lhasa (north central Tibet), South China, North China, Tarim Basin and Thailand-Malaysia (Sibumasu Terrane) terranes and/or microcontinents. The middle Darriwilian positive increase in δ13Ccarbvalues (carbon isotope excursion, or MDICE) is recorded from most terranes, and can be related to a late middle Darriwilian global short-term cooling and sea-level drop. The cooling event prompted temperate- to warm-water taxa to migrate towards the palaeoequator and constrained the Australasian Province to locations near and at the palaeoequator. The intensified oceanic circulation and upwelling on continental margins probably caused some characteristic taxa to become extinct. The incoming fauna was mainly of cool-water taxa. The conodont specimens from southern Tibet are black to pale grey, corresponding to conodont colour index (CAI) values of 5 to 6, which demonstrates that the host sedimentary rocks were once heated to more than 360°C.
First experiments on ICRF discharge generation by a W7-X-like antenna in the Uragan-2M stellarator
Authors: Moiseenko V. E. , Kovtun Yu. V. , Wauters T. , Goriaev A. , Lyssoivan A. I. , Lozin A. V. , Pavlichenko R. O. , Shapoval A. N. , Maznichenko S. M. , Korovin V. B. , Kramskoy E. D. , Kozulya M. M. , Zamanov N. V. , Siusko Y. V. , Krasiuk A. Yu. , Romanov V. S. , Alonso A. , Brakel R. , Dinklage A. , Hartmann D. , Kazakov Ye. , Laqua H. , Ongena J. , Stange T. ,   the Uragan-2M Team
Published: October 2020

In support of the ICRF experiments planned on the Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) stellarator, i.e. fast ion generation, wall conditioning, target plasma production and heating, a first experimental study on plasma production has been made in the Uragan-2M (U-2M) stellarator using W7-X-like two-strap antenna. In all the experiments, antenna monopole phasing was used. The W7-X-like antenna operation with launched radiofrequency power of ~100 kW have been performed in helium (p = (4–14) × 10−2 Pa) with the vacuum vessel walls pre-loaded with hydrogen. Production of plasma with a density higher than 1012 cm−3 was observed near the first harmonic of the hydrogen cyclotron frequency. Operation at first hydrogen harmonic is feasible in W7-X future ICRF experiments.
“An Inevitable Consequence:” Changing Ideas of Prevention in the Wake of Catastrophic Events
Authors: SPEZIO TERESA SABOL
Published: October 2020

In the face of technology failures in preventing oil from reaching beaches and coasts after catastrophic oil spills in the 1960s and early 1970s, the oil industry and governmental officials needed to quickly reconsider their idea of prevention. Initially, prevention meant stopping spilled oil from coating beaches and coasts. Exploring the presentations at three oil-spill conferences in 1969, 1971 and 1973, this idea of prevention changed as the technological optimism of finding effective methods met the realities of oil-spill cleanup. By 1973, prevention meant stopping oil spills before they happened. This rapid policy transformation came about because the oil industry could not hide the visual evidence of the source of their technology failures. In this century, as policymakers confront invisible pollutants such as pesticides and greenhouse gases, considering ways to visually show the source of the pollution along with the effects could quicken policy decisions.
Dose–response association between sugar- and artificially sweetened beverage consumption and the risk of metabolic syndrome: a meta-analysis of population-based epidemiological studies
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Li Xi , Liu Leilei , Hong Feng , Zhao Huan , Chen Lulu , Zhang Jun , Jiang Yuexu , Zhang Jiangping , Luo Peng
Published: October 2020

Objective:

The associations between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) and artificially sweetened beverage (ASB) consumption and the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) remain controversial. A quantitative assessment of dose–response associations has not been reported. This study aims to assess the associations between the risk of MetS and SSB, ASB, and total sweetened beverage (TSB, the combination of SSB and ASB) consumption by reviewing population-based epidemiological studies.

Design:

Meta-analysis.

Setting:

We searched PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases prior to 4 November 2019, for relevant studies investigating the SSB–MetS and ASB–MetS associations. A random effects model was used to estimate pooled relative risks (RR) and 95 % CI. Dose–response association was assessed using a restricted cubic splines model.

Participants:

We identified seventeen articles (twenty-four studies, including 93 095 participants and 20 749 MetS patients).

Results:

The pooled RR for the risk of MetS were 1·51 (95 % CI 1·34, 1·69), 1·56 (1·32, 1·83) and 1·44 (1·19, 1·75) in high consumption group of TSB, SSB and ASB, respectively; and 1·20 (1·13, 1·28), 1·19 (1·11, 1·28) and 1·31 (1·05, 1·65) per 250 ml/d increase in TSB, SSB and ASB consumption, respectively. Additionally, we found evidence of non-linear, TSB–MetS and SSB–MetS dose–response associations and a linear ASB–MetS dose–response association.

Conclusions:

TSB, SSB and ASB consumption was associated with the risk of MetS. The present findings provide evidence that supports reducing intake of these beverages to lower the TSB-, SSB- and ASB-related risk of MetS.
Associations between family structure and adolescents’ food habits
Authors: Fismen Anne-Siri , Smith Otto Robert Frans , Samdal Oddrun , Helleve Arnfinn , Haug Ellen
Published: October 2020

Objective:

To investigate family structure differences in adolescents’ consumption of fruit, vegetables, sweets and sugar-added soft drinks with adjustments for socio-demographic and socio-economic variables.

Design:

Cross-sectional data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey.

Setting:

Norwegian primary and secondary schools.

Participants:

Adolescents (n 4475) aged 11, 13, 15 and 16 years.

Results:

After adjusting for covariates, living in a single-mother family was associated with lower vegetable consumption (OR 0·76, 95 % CI 0·63, 0·91) and higher soft drink consumption (OR 1·29, 95 % CI 1·06, 1·57). Living in a mother and stepfather family was negatively associated with fruit (OR 0·71, 95 % CI 0·54, 0·95) and vegetable (OR 0·72, 95 % CI 0·54, 0·97) consumption. Living in a single-father family was associated with lower sweets consumption (OR 0·48, 95 % CI 0·32, 0·72). No significant interactions were demonstrated between family structure and socio-demographic or socio-economic covariates.

Conclusions:

The study suggests that an independent association between family structure and adolescents’ food habits exists.
Beyond state capacity: bureaucratic performance, policy implementation and reform
Authors: Williams Martin J.
Published: October 2020

There is a broad consensus that state capacity is central to economic and institutional development. But while the concept originated as a tool for macro-historical and comparative analysis, its success has led the term ‘capacity’ to become a default metaphor for discussing the quality of government bureaucracies. This paper discusses the limitations to conceiving of narrower questions of bureaucratic performance and policy implementation through the lens of the broad, aggregate concept of capacity. Whereas capacity refers to bureaucracies' hypothetical potential, this usually differs from their actual actions due to internal information and incentive problems created by bureaucracies' collective nature, and the constraints and uncertainty imposed by their multiple political principals. Capacity is a convenient shorthand term and is appropriate for some purposes, but it achieves this convenience by abstracting away from the mechanisms that determine bureaucratic performance and policy implementation. To advance the study of bureaucratic quality, researchers should seek to understand the implications of bureaucracies' collective nature, engage with contextual specificity and contingency in policy implementation, and focus measurement and reform efforts more towards actual performance than hypothetical capacity.
RUNX3 methylation drives hypoxia-induced cell proliferation and antiapoptosis in early tumorigenesis
Authors: Lee Sun Hee , Hyeon Do Young , Yoon Soo-Hyun , Jeong Ji-Hak , Han Saeng-Myung , Jang Ju-Won , Nguyen Minh Phuong , Chi Xin-Zi , An Sojin , Hyun Kyung-gi , Jung Hee-Jung , Song Ji-Joon , Bae Suk-Chul , Kim Woo-Ho , Hwang Daehee , Lee You Mie
Published: October 2020

Inactivation of tumor suppressor Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) plays an important role during early tumorigenesis. However, posttranslational modifications (PTM)-based mechanism for the inactivation of RUNX3 under hypoxia is still not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate a mechanism that G9a, lysine-specific methyltransferase (KMT), modulates RUNX3 through PTM under hypoxia. Hypoxia significantly increased G9a protein level and G9a interacted with RUNX3 Runt domain, which led to increased methylation of RUNX3 at K129 and K171. This methylation inactivated transactivation activity of RUNX3 by reducing interactions with CBFβ and p300 cofactors, as well as reducing acetylation of RUNX3 by p300, which is involved in nucleocytoplasmic transport by importin-α1. G9a-mediated methylation of RUNX3 under hypoxia promotes cancer cell proliferation by increasing cell cycle or cell division, while suppresses immune response and apoptosis, thereby promoting tumor growth during early tumorigenesis. Our results demonstrate the molecular mechanism of RUNX3 inactivation by G9a-mediated methylation for cell proliferation and antiapoptosis under hypoxia, which can be a therapeutic or preventive target to control tumor growth during early tumorigenesis.
Therapeutic effect of a histone demethylase inhibitor in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Mu Ming-Dao , Qian Zhong-Ming , Yang Sheng-Xi , Rong Kang-Lin , Yung Wing-Ho , Ke Ya
Published: October 2020

Iron accumulation in the substantia nigra is recognized as a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Therefore, reducing accumulated iron and associated oxidative stress is considered a promising therapeutic strategy for PD. However, current iron chelators have poor membrane permeability and lack cell-type specificity. Here we identified GSK-J4, a histone demethylase inhibitor with the ability to cross blood brain barrier, as a potent iron suppressor. Only a trace amount of GSK-J4 significantly and selectively reduced intracellular labile iron in dopaminergic neurons, and suppressed H2O2 and 6-OHDA-induced cell death in vitro. The iron-suppressive effect was mainly mediated by inducing an increase in the expression of the iron exporter ferroportin-1. In parallel, GSK-J4 rescued dopaminergic neuron loss and motor defects in 6-OHDA-induced PD rats, which was accompanied by reduction of oxidative stress. Importantly, GSK-J4 rescued the abnormal changes of histone methylation, H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 during 6-OHDA treatment although the iron-suppressive and neuroprotective effects were sensitive to H3K4me3 inhibition only. Also, upregulating H3K4me3 increased ferroportin-1 expression and neuroprotection. Taken together, we demonstrate a previously unappreciated action of GSK-J4 on cell-specific iron suppression and neuroprotection via epigenetic mechanism. Compared with conventional iron chelators, this compound has a stronger therapeutic potential for PD.
miR-182-5p and miR-378a-3p regulate ferroptosis in I/R-induced renal injury
Authors: Ding Chenguang , Ding Xiaoming , Zheng Jin , Wang Bo , Li Yang , Xiang Heli , Dou Meng , Qiao Yuxi , Tian Puxun , Xue Wujun
Published: October 2020

Renal tubular cell death is the key factor of the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) kidney injury. Ferroptosis is a type of regulated cell death (RCD) found in various diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms related to ferroptosis in renal I/R injury remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the regulatory role of microRNAs on ferroptosis in I/R-induced renal injury. We established the I/R-induced renal injury model in rats, and H/R induced HK-2 cells injury in vitro. CCK-8 was used to measure cell viability. Fe2+ and ROS levels were assayed to evaluate the activation of ferroptosis. We performed RNA sequencing to profile the miRNAs expression in H/R-induced injury and ferroptosis. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expression. qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA and miRNA levels in cells and tissues. We further used luciferase reporter assay to verify the direct targeting effect of miRNA. We found that ischemia/reperfusion-induced ferroptosis in rat’s kidney. We identified that miR-182-5p and miR-378a-3p were upregulated in the ferroptosis and H/R-induced injury, and correlates reversely with glutathione peroxidases 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) expression in renal I/R injury tissues, respectively. In vitro studies showed that miR-182-5p and miR-378a-3p induced ferroptosis in cells. We further found that miR-182-5p and miR-378a-3p regulated the expression of GPX4 and SLC7A11 negatively by directly binding to the 3′UTR of GPX4 and SLC7A11 mRNA. In vivo study showed that silencing miR-182-5p and miR-378a-3p alleviated the I/R-induced renal injury in rats. In conclusion, we demonstrated that I/R induced upregulation of miR-182-5p and miR-378a-3p, leading to activation of ferroptosis in renal injury through downregulation of GPX4 and SLC7A11.
Dietary diversity and evolution of the earliest flying vertebrates revealed by dental microwear texture analysis
Authors: Bestwick Jordan , Unwin David M. , Butler Richard J. , Purnell Mark A.
Published: October 2020

Pterosaurs, the first vertebrates to evolve active flight, lived between 210 and 66 million years ago. They were important components of Mesozoic ecosystems, and reconstructing pterosaur diets is vital for understanding their origins, their roles within Mesozoic food webs and the impact of other flying vertebrates (i.e. birds) on their evolution. However, pterosaur dietary hypotheses are poorly constrained as most rely on morphological-functional analogies. Here we constrain the diets of 17 pterosaur genera by applying dental microwear texture analysis to the three-dimensional sub-micrometre scale tooth textures that formed during food consumption. We reveal broad patterns of dietary diversity (e.g.Dimorphodonas a vertebrate consumer;Austriadactylusas a consumer of ‘hard’ invertebrates) and direct evidence of sympatric niche partitioning (Rhamphorhynchusas a piscivore;Pterodactylusas a generalist invertebrate consumer). We propose that the ancestral pterosaur diet was dominated by invertebrates and later pterosaurs evolved into piscivores and carnivores, shifts that might reflect ecological displacements due to pterosaur-bird competition.
Genotype by environment interaction for gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Huang Wen , Carbone Mary Anna , Lyman Richard F. , Anholt Robert R. H. , Mackay Trudy F. C.
Published: October 2020

The genetics of phenotypic responses to changing environments remains elusive. Using whole-genome quantitative gene expression as a model, here we study how the genetic architecture of regulatory variation in gene expression changed in a population of fully sequenced inbred Drosophila melanogaster strains when flies developed in different environments (25 °C and 18 °C). We find a substantial fraction of the transcriptome exhibited genotype by environment interaction, implicating environmentally plastic genetic architecture of gene expression. Genetic variance in expression increases at 18 °C relative to 25 °C for most genes that have a change in genetic variance. Although the majority of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) for the gene expression traits in the two environments are shared and have similar effects, analysis of the environment-specific eQTLs reveals enrichment of binding sites for two transcription factors. Finally, although genotype by environment interaction in gene expression could potentially disrupt genetic networks, the co-expression networks are highly conserved across environments. Genes with higher network connectivity are under stronger stabilizing selection, suggesting that stabilizing selection on expression plays an important role in promoting network robustness.
Fast site-to-site electron transfer of high-entropy alloy nanocatalyst driving redox electrocatalysis
Authors: Li Hongdong , Han Yi , Zhao Huan , Qi Wenjing , Zhang Dan , Yu Yaodong , Cai Wenwen , Li Shaoxiang , Lai Jianping , Huang Bolong , Wang Lei
Published: October 2020

Designing electrocatalysts with high-performance for both reduction and oxidation reactions faces severe challenges. Here, the uniform and ultrasmall (~3.4 nm) high-entropy alloys (HEAs) Pt18Ni26Fe15Co14Cu27 nanoparticles are synthesized by a simple low-temperature oil phase strategy at atmospheric pressure. The Pt18Ni26Fe15Co14Cu27/C catalyst exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). The catalyst shows ultrasmall overpotential of 11 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm−2, excellent activity (10.96 A mg−1Pt at −0.07 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode) and stability in the alkaline medium. Furthermore, it is also the efficient catalyst (15.04 A mg−1Pt) ever reported for MOR in alkaline solution. Periodic DFT calculations confirm the multi-active sites for both HER and MOR on the HEA surface as the key factor for both proton and intermediate transformation. Meanwhile, the construction of HEA surfaces supplies the fast site-to-site electron transfer for both reduction and oxidation processes.
Mechanism of aminoacyl-tRNA acetylation by an aminoacyl-tRNA acetyltransferase AtaT from enterohemorrhagic E. coli
Authors: Yashiro Yuka , Sakaguchi Yuriko , Suzuki Tsutomu , Tomita Kozo
Published: October 2020

Toxin-antitoxin systems in bacteria contribute to stress adaptation, dormancy, and persistence. AtaT, a type-II toxin in enterohemorrhagic E. coli, reportedly acetylates the α-amino group of the aminoacyl-moiety of initiator Met-tRNAfMet, thus inhibiting translation initiation. Here, we show that AtaT has a broader specificity for aminoacyl-tRNAs than initially claimed. AtaT efficiently acetylates Gly-tRNAGly, Trp-tRNATrp, Tyr-tRNATyr and Phe-tRNAPhe isoacceptors, in addition to Met-tRNAfMet, and inhibits global translation. AtaT interacts with the acceptor stem of tRNAfMet, and the consecutive G-C pairs in the bottom-half of the acceptor stem are required for acetylation. Consistently, tRNAGly, tRNATrp, tRNATyr and tRNAPhe also possess consecutive G-C base-pairs in the bottom halves of their acceptor stems. Furthermore, misaminoacylated valyl-tRNAfMet and isoleucyl-tRNAfMet are not acetylated by AtaT. Therefore, the substrate selection by AtaT is governed by the specific acceptor stem sequence and the properties of the aminoacyl-moiety of aminoacyl-tRNAs.
Functional characterization of Schistosoma mansoni fucosyltransferases in Nicotiana benthamiana plants
Authors: van Noort Kim , Nguyen Dieu-Linh , Kriechbaumer Verena , Hawes Chris , Hokke Cornelis H. , Schots Arjen , Wilbers Ruud H. P.
Published: October 2020

Helminth parasites secrete a wide variety of immunomodulatory proteins and lipids to dampen host immune responses. Many of these immunomodulatory compounds are modified with complex sugar structures (or glycans), which play an important role at the host–parasite interface. As an example, the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni produces highly fucosylated glycan structures on glycoproteins and glycolipids. Up to 20 different S. mansoni fucosyltransferase (SmFucT) genes can be found in genome databases, but thus far only one enzyme has been functionally characterized. To unravel the synthesis of highly fucosylated N-glycans by S. mansoni, we examined the ability of ten selected SmFucTs to modify N-glycans upon transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. All enzymes were localized in the plant Golgi apparatus, which allowed us to identify the SmFucTs involved in core fucosylation and the synthesis of complex antennary glycan motifs. This knowledge provides a starting point for investigations into the role of specific fucosylated glycan motifs of schistosomes in parasite-host interactions. The functionally characterized SmFucTs can also be applied to synthesize complex N-glycan structures on recombinant proteins to study their contribution to immunomodulation. Furthermore, this plant expression system will fuel the development of helminth glycoproteins for pharmaceutical applications or novel anti-helminth vaccines.
Improvement of Certolizumab Fab′ properties by PASylation technology
Authors: Mazaheri Somayeh , Talebkhan Yeganeh , Mahboudi Fereidoun , Nematollahi Leila , Cohan Reza Ahangari , Mirabzadeh Ardakani Esmat , Bayat Elham , Sabzalinejad Masoumeh , Sardari Soroush , Torkashvand Fatemeh
Published: October 2020

Certolizumab pegol is a Fab′ antibody fragment for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease which is conjugated to a 40 kDa PEG molecule in order to increase the protein half-life. PEGylation may have disadvantages including immunogenicity, hypersensitivity, vacuolation, decreased binding affinity and biological activity of the protein. To overcome these problems, PASylation has been developed as a new approach. The nucleotide sequence encoding 400 amino acid PAS residues was genetically fused to the corresponding nucleotide sequences of both chains of certolizumab. Then, the bioactivity as well as physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of the recombinant PASylated expressed protein was assayed. Circular dichroism spectroscopy demonstrated that the random coil structure of PAS sequences did not change the secondary structure of the PASylated Fab′ molecule. It was observed that PASylation influenced the properties of the Fab′ molecule by which the hydrodynamic radius and neutralization activity were increased. Also, the antigen binding and binding kinetic parameters improved in comparison to the PEGylated Fab′ antibody. Pharmacokinetic studies also showed prolonged terminal half-life and improved pharmacokinetic parameters in PASylated recombinant protein in comparison to the PEGylated and Fab′ control molecules. The results reconfirmed the efficiency of PASylation approach as a potential alternative method in increasing the half-life of pharmaceutical proteins.
3D echocardiography, arterial stiffness, and biomarkers in early diagnosis and prediction of CHOP-induced cardiotoxicity in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Authors: Mihalcea Diana , Florescu Maria , Bruja Ramona , Patrascu Natalia , Vladareanu Ana-Maria , Vinereanu Dragos
Published: October 2020

CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) represents standard chemotherapy in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) with risk of cardiotoxicity. To define new parameters, such as 3D myocardial deformation, arterial stiffness, and biomarkers for early diagnosis and prediction of cardiotoxicity. 110 NHL patients with LVEF > 50%, scheduled for CHOP, were evaluated at baseline, after third cycle and chemotherapy completion. 3DE assessed LVEF and myocardial deformation: longitudinal (LS), radial, circumferential, area strain. Echo-tracking analysed arterial stiffness: PWV, β index, wave intensity. Troponin I and NT-pro-BNP were measured. After chemotherapy completion, 18 patients (16%) (group I) developed cardiotoxicity (LVEF decrease < 50%, with > 10% from baseline); 92 patients (group II) did not. Significant reduction of 3D LV deformation and increase of arterial stiffness developed starting with third cycle, with greater changes in group I. LS reduction and PWV increase after third cycle were the best independent predictors for LVEF decrease; the association of LS decrease by > 19% and PWV increase by > 27% after third cycle predicted cardiotoxicity after chemotherapy completion (90% sensitivity and 81% specificity). 3D LS and PWV can detect early chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity and predict LVEF decline. These parameters should be incorporated in clinical protocols to monitor cardiovascular function during chemotherapy and early intervention.