bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Guidelines for the Acute Treatment of Cerebral Edema in Neurocritical Care Patients
Authors: Cook Aaron M. , Morgan Jones G. , Hawryluk Gregory W. J. , Mailloux Patrick , McLaughlin Diane , Papangelou Alexander , Samuel Sophie , Tokumaru Sheri , Venkatasubramanian Chitra , Zacko Christopher , Zimmermann Lara L. , Hirsch Karen , Shutter Lori
Published: March 2020

Background

Acute treatment of cerebral edema and elevated intracranial pressure is a common issue in patients with neurological injury. Practical recommendations regarding selection and monitoring of therapies for initial management of cerebral edema for optimal efficacy and safety are generally lacking. This guideline evaluates the role of hyperosmolar agents (mannitol, HTS), corticosteroids, and selected non-pharmacologic therapies in the acute treatment of cerebral edema. Clinicians must be able to select appropriate therapies for initial cerebral edema management based on available evidence while balancing efficacy and safety.

Methods

The Neurocritical Care Society recruited experts in neurocritical care, nursing, and pharmacy to create a panel in 2017. The group generated 16 clinical questions related to initial management of cerebral edema in various neurological insults using the PICO format. A research librarian executed a comprehensive literature search through July 2018. The panel screened the identified articles for inclusion related to each specific PICO question and abstracted necessary information for pertinent publications. The panel used GRADE methodology to categorize the quality of evidence as high, moderate, low, or very low based on their confidence that the findings of each publication approximate the true effect of the therapy.

Results

The panel generated recommendations regarding initial management of cerebral edema in neurocritical care patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, bacterial meningitis, and hepatic encephalopathy.

Conclusion

The available evidence suggests hyperosmolar therapy may be helpful in reducing ICP elevations or cerebral edema in patients with SAH, TBI, AIS, ICH, and HE, although neurological outcomes do not appear to be affected. Corticosteroids appear to be helpful in reducing cerebral edema in patients with bacterial meningitis, but not ICH. Differences in therapeutic response and safety may exist between HTS and mannitol. The use of these agents in these critical clinical situations merits close monitoring for adverse effects. There is a dire need for high-quality research to better inform clinicians of the best options for individualized care of patients with cerebral edema.
Movement sonification expectancy model: leveraging musical expectancy theory to create movement-altering sonifications
Authors: Newbold Joseph , Gold Nicolas E. , Bianchi-Berthouze Nadia
Published: March 2020

When designing movement sonifications, their effect on people’s movement must be considered. Recent work has shown how real-time sonification can be designed to alter the way people move. However, the mechanisms through which these sonifications alter people’s expectations of their movement is not well explained. This is especially important when considering musical sonifications, to which people bring their own associations and musical expectation, and which can, in turn, alter their perception of the sonification. This paper presents a Movement Expectation Sonification Model, based on theories of motor-feedback and expectation, to explore how musical sonification can impact the way people perceive their movement. Secondly, we present a study that validates the predictions of this model by exploring how harmonic stability within sonification interacts with contextual cues in the environment to impact movement behaviour and perceptions. We show how musical expectancy can be built to either reward or encourage movement, and how such an effect is mediated through the presence of additional cues. This model offers a way for sonification designers to create movement sonifications that not only inform movement but can be used to encourage progress and reward successes.
3-Year follow-up of a single magnetically controlled growing rod with contralateral gliding system and apical control for early onset scoliosis
Authors: Wijdicks Sebastiaan P. J. , Skov Simon Toftgaard , Li Haisheng , Castelein René M. , Kruyt Moyo C. , Bünger Cody
Published: March 2020

Study design

Two-center retrospective cohort study.

Objective

The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical effectiveness and safety of the MCGR hybrid in terms of spinal growth, 3D correction, balance, and complications.

Summary of background data

The magnetic-controlled growing-rod (MCGR) growth instrumentation method has gained popularity for early onset scoliosis (EOS) treatment in the past years due to the non-invasiveness of the subsequent interval elongation procedures. To improve 3D correction and reduce the costs, we combined a single concave MCGR with a sliding rod on the convex side to control the apex.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of 18 EOS children with an average 3-year follow-up (range 2.0–3.7) from two European spine centers treated with the single MCGR hybrid concept; 14 primary and 4 conversion cases. The primary and conversion cases were both evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively, 1 year, 2 years, and last follow-up.

Results

Mean age was 9.9 (SD ± 2.9 years). The average frontal Cobb angle was reduced from mean 65° to 30° postoperatively, and had increased to 37° at latest follow-up. Rotation of the apical vertebra improved from mean 27° to 20° postoperatively which was partially lost to 23°. Kyphosis and lordosis both increased by an average of 5° during the time of follow-up. Spinal balance was improved. The post-implantation T1–S1 spine growth rate averaged 10 mm/year at last follow-up. There were 13 implant-related complications in 6 out of 18 patients. No screw pull-outs and nor surgical site infections were registered.

Conclusions

This is the first medium-term results of a single MCGR hybrid construct. Maintenance of correction and growth are reasonable, and the complication rate is relatively low as compared to bilateral MCGR application.

Level of evidence

III.
Just the Facts: Airway management during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic
Authors: Kovacs George , Sowers Nicholas , Campbell Samuel , French James , Atkinson Paul
Published: March 2020

A previously healthy 42-year-old male developed a fever and cough shortly after returning to Canada from overseas. Initially, he had mild upper respiratory tract infection symptoms and a cough. He was aware of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and the advisory to self-isolate and did so; however, he developed increasing respiratory distress over several days and called 911. On arrival at the emergency department (ED), his heart rate was 130 beats/min, respiratory rate 32 per/min, and oxygenation saturation 82% on room air. As per emergency medical services (EMS) protocol, they placed him on nasal prongs under a surgical mask at 5 L/min and his oxygen saturation improved to 86%.
Household wealth proxies for socio-economic inequality policy studies in China
Authors: Lam Jacqueline C. K. , Han Yang , Bai Ruiqiao , Li Victor O. K. , Leong Jeff , Maji Kamal J.
Published: March 2020

In China, one percent of the richest population holds more than one-third of the wealth, while the poorest 25% shares no more than two percent of the total. The country’s rapid economic development has resulted in increasing socio-economic disparities, and a rapidly deteriorating environment. This puts the Chinese citizens, especially the most vulnerable and deprived socio-economic status (SES) groups, at high risks of environmental inequality (EI). In most SES-based EI studies conducted in China, household wealth has often been overlooked, though it potentially serves a good economic indicator to capture the socio-economic effect of environmental change in China. Nevertheless, existing SES databases in China are of low spatial resolution and are insufficient to support fine-grained EI studies at the intra-city level in China. The core research challenge is to develop a representative household wealth proxy in high-spatial resolution for China. This study highlights the research gaps and proposes a new household wealth proxy, which integrates both fine-grained data/features such as daytime satellite imagery and easily accessible wealth indicators such as house prices. We also capitalize on everyday economic activity data retrieved from personal mobile phones and online transaction/social platforms in the composition of our wealth proxy to achieve a higher accuracy in estimating household wealth at fine-grained resolution via machine learning. Finally, we summarize the challenges in improving both the quality and the availability of Chinese socio-economic datasets, while protecting personal privacy and information security during the data collection process for household wealth proxy development in China.
A Randomized Trial of Instructor-Led Training Versus Video Lesson in Training Health Care Providers in Proper Donning and Doffing of Personal Protective Equipment
Authors: Christensen Liva , Rasmussen Charlotte Schang , Benfield Thomas , Franc Jeffrey Michael
Published: March 2020

Objective:

This study compared live instructor-led training with video-based instruction in personal protective equipment (PPE) donning and doffing. It assessed the difference in performance between (1) attending 1 instructor-led training session in donning and doffing PPE at 1 month prior to assessment, and (2) watching training videos for 1 month.

Methods:

This randomized controlled trial pilot study divided 21 medical students and junior doctors into 2 groups. Control group participants attended 1 instructor-led training session. Video group participants watched training videos demonstrating the same procedures, which they could freely watch again at home. After 1 month, a doctor performed a blind evaluation of performance using checklists.

Results:

Nineteen participants were assessed after 1 month. The mean donning score was 84.8/100 for the instructor-led group and 88/100 for the video group; mean effect size was 3.2 (95% CI: -7.5 to 9.5). The mean doffing score was 79.1/100 for the instructor-led group and 73.9/100 for the video group; mean effect size was 5.2 (95% CI: -7.6 to 18).

Conclusion:

Our study found no significant difference in donning and doffing scores between instructor-led and video lessons. Video training could be a fast and resource-efficient method of training in PPE donning and doffing in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Legal and Technical Feasibility of the GDPR’s Quest for Explanation of Algorithmic Decisions: of Black Boxes, White Boxes and Fata Morganas
Authors: BRKAN Maja , BONNET Grégory
Published: March 2020

Understanding of the causes and correlations for algorithmic decisions is currently one of the major challenges of computer science, addressed under an umbrella term “explainable AI (XAI)”. Being able to explain an AI-based system may help to make algorithmic decisions more satisfying and acceptable, to better control and update AI-based systems in case of failure, to build more accurate models, and to discover new knowledge directly or indirectly. On the legal side, the question whether the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) provides data subjects with the right to explanation in case of automated decision-making has equally been the subject of a heated doctrinal debate. While arguing that the right to explanation in the GDPR should be a result of interpretative analysis of several GDPR provisions jointly, the authors move this debate forward by discussing the technical and legal feasibility of the explanation of algorithmic decisions. Legal limits, in particular the secrecy of algorithms, as well as technical obstacles could potentially obstruct the practical implementation of this right. By adopting an interdisciplinary approach, the authors explore not only whether it is possible to translate the EU legal requirements for an explanation into the actual machine learning decision-making, but also whether those limitations can shape the way the legal right is used in practice.
TheKaččāand thePakkā: Disenchanting the Film Event in Pakistan
Authors: Cooper Timothy P. A.
Published: March 2020

For many city dwellers in Pakistan the distant memory of outdoor cinemas in their ancestral villages rekindles the thrill of first contact with film exhibition. This paper considers attempts made in colonial British India and postcolonial Pakistan to understand, wield, and benefit from the staging of such memorable and affective filmic events. In its cultivation of “cinema-minded” subjects, the British Empire commissioned studies of audiences and their reactions to film exhibition in hopes of managing the unruly morality and materiality of the cinematic apparatus. After Partition and the creation of the Dominion of Pakistan, similar studies continued, evincing a residual strategy of elicited contact. The elicitation of film contact aimed at the exertion and commandment of the event of film exhibition for the purposes of knowing their constituent subjects at a moment of malleability. Yet the Empire's struggle with the perceived problems of “Muslim tastes” and audience members’ ambivalence over rural screenings in post-Partition Pakistan calls for a reconsideration of the efficacy of these tactics. I argue that what complicated these encounters are affective responses that questioned the address, permissibility, and efficacy of film exhibition. In these tactics of elucidation, disenchantment, and denial, ruptures are refused and the new is dismissed as inoperable, incompatible, or impermissible.
Brutalism and the People: Architectural Articulations of National Developmentalism in Mid-Twentieth-Century São Paulo
Authors: Bortoluci José H.
Published: March 2020

This article examines the question of how architects in São Paulo during the 1950s and 1960s addressed the political nature of their work, and more specifically the connections between their practice and the lives and politics of the urban poor in the context of a rapidly expanding metropolis of the Global South. More specifically, it assesses how they elaborated strategies to articulate the semiotic and material practices of Brutalism and the political repertoire of national developmentalism, initially in its democratic and later in its authoritarian form. The article argues that these architects deployed two semio-material strategies to operationalize the articulation between that political repertoire and the field of architecture: metaphorical indexicality and the impetus for the industrialization of construction. The image of the urban poor reinforced by that political repertoire was marked by a severe distance from their empirical life experiences, which deeply affected the practices of design and construction that progressive architects advanced.
Home language environment and children's second language acquisition: the special status of input from older siblings
Authors: SORENSON DUNCAN Tamara , PARADIS Johanne
Published: March 2020

Previous research suggests that increased second language (L2) input at home may not support L2 acquisition in children from migrant backgrounds. In drawing this conclusion, existing work has largely aggregated across family members. This study contrasts the effect of L2 input from older siblings with that from mothers. Participants were 113 child L2 learners of English (mean age = 5;10 [range 4;10–7;2]; mean exposure to L2 in school = 16.7 months [range 2–48 months]). All children had at least one older sibling. Using hierarchical linear regression modelling with controls for age, non-verbal reasoning and phonological short-term memory, we found that greater L2 input from siblings – but not mothers – was associated with stronger L2 abilities in narrative macrostructure, inflectional morphology, and vocabulary. Increased cumulative exposure to the L2 at school and greater maternal L2 fluency were also positively related to children's L2 inflectional morphology and vocabulary scores.
Germination behaviour of forbs native to the southwestern United States following exposure to short-term seed bank conditions (−20°C)
Authors: Seglias Alexandra E. , Finch Jessamine , Kramer Andrea T.
Published: March 2020

Seeds are increasingly being stored in seed banks for ex situ conservation, food security, and restoration reserves. Although it is hypothesized that seeds of many species can survive the dry, freezer conditions (−20°C) of seed banks for many years, shelf life is unknown for many species. In particular, changes to dormancy and germination requirements following freezer storage have not yet been studied extensively. To improve our understanding of how seed dormancy and germination respond to seed banking conditions, we evaluated seed of six restoration-priority species in the southwestern United States, which is a region of increasing restoration need. Germination tendencies of seeds that were and were not exposed to a −20°C treatment for 4–6 months were evaluated under 22 cold-moist stratification and incubation treatments to broadly assess changes to dormancy and germination requirements and speed. Direct or indirect (via interactions with stratification and/or incubation treatments) differences in dormancy breaking and germination were observed in seeds for four of the six species studied. Specifically, storage temperature accounted for differences in the final germination proportion, germination during stratification, and/or rate of germination in five of the six species. Notably, seeds of the one species that exhibit a combination of physiological and physical dormancy showed significant differences in all germination measures. However, while significant differences were found between seeds exposed to short-term seed bank storage and those that were not, these differences were small and may not be biologically meaningful, indicating that seed banking these species should not change how they are used for restoration or reintroduction purposes.
Antigender Activism in Peru and Its Impact on State Policy
Authors: Rousseau Stéphanie
Published: March 2020

In Peru, the adoption of a new school curriculum based on gender equality and nondiscrimination against sexual minorities led to the mobilization in 2016 of organizations connected to conservative churches under the slogan Con Mis Hijos No Te Metas (Don't Mess with My Children). This new countermovement uses street protests, the courts, and Congress to disseminate an antigender agenda that goes beyond its initial opposition to sexual education. Organizations in the countermovement consider the concept of gender to be a dangerous imperialist ideology, arguing that the state violates individual freedoms when it uses gender as one of the pillars of public policy.
Feminism and Conservatism in México
Authors: Zaremberg Gisela
Published: March 2020

Mexico is usually described as a secular country with a Catholic following that remains above the regional average. In this context, a strong presence of feminist institutional activism and a relatively weak performance of Evangelical religious conservative activism have developed (Pérez Guadalupe 2017). This essay reviews these usual descriptions in order to adjust this image, undertaking the task of avoiding both overestimating and underestimating the scope of these activisms. The essay also identifies emerging challenges for research on politics and gender in Mexico and Latin America more generally.
Seed destruction of weeds in southern US crops using heat and narrow-windrow burning
Authors: Norsworthy Jason K. , Green Jeremy K. , Barber Tom , Roberts Trent L. , Walsh Michael J.
Published: March 2020

Narrow-windrow burning has been a successful form of harvest weed seed control in Australian cropping systems, but little is known about the efficacy of narrow-windrow burning on weed seeds infesting U.S. cropping systems. An experiment was conducted using a high-fire kiln that exposed various grass and broadleaf weed seeds to temperatures of 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 C for 20, 40, 60, and 80 s to determine the temperature and time needed to kill weed seeds. Weeds evaluated included Italian ryegrass, barnyardgrass, johnsongrass, sicklepod, Palmer amaranth, prickly sida, velvetleaf, pitted morningglory, and hemp sesbania. Two field experiments were also conducted over consecutive growing seasons, with the first experiment aimed at determining the amount of heat produced during burning of narrow windrows of soybean harvest residues (chaff and straw) and the effect of this heat on weed seed mortality. The second field experiment aimed to determine the effect of wind speed on the duration and intensity of burning narrow windrows of soybean harvest residues. Following exposure to the highest temperature and longest duration in the kiln, only sicklepod showed any survival (<1% average); however, in most cases, the seeds were completely destroyed (ash). A heat index of only 22,600 was needed to kill all seeds of Palmer amaranth, barnyardgrass, and Italian ryegrass. In the field, all seeds of the evaluated weed species were completely destroyed by narrow-windrow burning of 1.08 to 1.95 kg m−2 of soybean residues. The burn duration of the soybean harvest residues declined as wind speed increased. Findings from the kiln and field experiments show that complete kill is likely for weed seeds concentrated into narrow windrows of burned soybean residues. Given the low cost of implementation of narrow-windrow burning and the seed kill efficacy on various weed species, this strategy may be an attractive option for destroying weed seed.
Treatment response, survival, safety, and predictive factors to chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy in Chinese relapsed or refractory B cell acute lymphoblast leukemia patients
Authors: Li Limin , Liu Jie , Xu Mengyuan , Yu Hongjuan , Lv Chengfang , Cao Fenglin , Wang Zhenkun , Fu Yueyue , Zhang Mingwen , Meng Hongbin , Zhang Xiaoqian , Kang Liqing , Zhang Zhuo , Li Jinmei , Feng Jiawei , Lian Xin , Yu Lei , Zhou Jin
Published: March 2020

This study aimed to evaluate treatment response, survival, safety profiles, and predictive factors to chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy in Chinese patients with relapsed or refractory B cell acute lymphoblast leukemia (R/R B-ALL). 39R/R B-ALL patients who underwent CAR-T therapy were included. Baseline data were collected from patients’ electronic medical records. Patients’ peripheral bloods, bone marrow aspirates, and biopsies were obtained for routine examination, and treatment response and survival profiles as well as adverse events were evaluated. The rates of complete remission (CR), CR with minimal residual disease (MRD) negative/positive, and bridging to hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) were 92.3%, 76.9%, 15.4%, and 43.6%, respectively. The median event-free survival (EFS) was 11.6 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.0–19.2 months) and median overall survival (OS) was 14.0 months (95% CI: 10.9–17.1 months). Bridging to HSCT independently predicted better EFS and OS, while high bone marrow blasts level independently predicted worse EFS. The incidence of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was 97.4%, and refractory disease as well as decreased white blood cell independently predicted higher risk of severe CRS. Other common adverse events included hematologic toxicities (grade I: 5.1%, grade II: 7.7%, grade III: 17.9%, grade IV: 69.2%), neurotoxicity (28.2%), infection (38.5%), and admission for intensive care unit (10.3%). In conclusion, CAR-T therapy presents with promising treatment response, survival and safety profiles, and higher disease burden predicts worse survival as well as increased risk of severe CRS in Chinese R/R B-ALL patients.
Atorvastatin-induced senescence of hepatocellular carcinoma is mediated by downregulation of hTERT through the suppression of the IL-6/STAT3 pathway
Authors: Wang Sin-Ting , Huang Shi-Wei , Liu Kuang-Ting , Lee Teng-Yu , Shieh Jeng-Jer , Wu Chun-Ying
Published: March 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a hepatic malignancy, has a poor prognosis and contributes to cancer-related death worldwide. Cellular senescence is an anticancer therapeutic strategy that causes irreversible cell cycle arrest and enables immune-mediated clearance of cancer cells. Atorvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, has been shown to inhibit tumor growth and induce apoptosis or autophagy in malignant tumors. However, whether atorvastatin can induce HCC cell senescence and the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. The effects of atorvastatin-induced senescence were examined in both HCC cells and mouse xenograft models. The phenomenon and mechanism of senescence were examined by cell cycle analysis, senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining and western blotting in HCC cells, and HCC tissues from mice were analyzed by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. We demonstrated that atorvastatin induced cell growth inhibition and G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest, leading to senescence in HCC cells. Atorvastatin-induced senescence was independent of p53, p14, and p16, and atorvastatin not only decreased the secretion of IL-6, a major senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factor, and the phosphorylation of STAT3 but also inhibited the expression of hTERT, a catalytic subunit of telomerase. Supplementation with exogenous IL-6 reversed both atorvastatin-induced suppression of STAT3 phosphorylation and hTERT expression and atorvastatin-induced senescence. Overexpression of constitutively activated STAT3 rescued HCC cells from atorvastatin-induced hTERT suppression and senescence. Moreover, atorvastatin decreased tumor growth in mouse xenograft models. Consistent with these results, atorvastatin decreased the IL-6, p-STAT3, and hTERT levels and increased β-gal expression in tumor sections. Taken together, these data indicate that atorvastatin can induce atypical cellular senescence in HCC cells to inhibit tumor growth, an effect mediated by downregulation of hTERT through suppression of the IL-6/STAT3 pathway.
Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 (previously 2019-nCoV) infection by a highly potent pan-coronavirus fusion inhibitor targeting its spike protein that harbors a high capacity to mediate membrane fusion
Authors: Xia Shuai , Liu Meiqin , Wang Chao , Xu Wei , Lan Qiaoshuai , Feng Siliang , Qi Feifei , Bao Linlin , Du Lanying , Liu Shuwen , Qin Chuan , Sun Fei , Shi Zhengli , Zhu Yun , Jiang Shibo , Lu Lu
Published: March 2020

The recent outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection in Wuhan, China has posed a serious threat to global public health. To develop specific anti-coronavirus therapeutics and prophylactics, the molecular mechanism that underlies viral infection must first be defined. Therefore, we herein established a SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein-mediated cell–cell fusion assay and found that SARS-CoV-2 showed a superior plasma membrane fusion capacity compared to that of SARS-CoV. We solved the X-ray crystal structure of six-helical bundle (6-HB) core of the HR1 and HR2 domains in the SARS-CoV-2 S protein S2 subunit, revealing that several mutated amino acid residues in the HR1 domain may be associated with enhanced interactions with the HR2 domain. We previously developed a pan-coronavirus fusion inhibitor, EK1, which targeted the HR1 domain and could inhibit infection by divergent human coronaviruses tested, including SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Here we generated a series of lipopeptides derived from EK1 and found that EK1C4 was the most potent fusion inhibitor against SARS-CoV-2 S protein-mediated membrane fusion and pseudovirus infection with IC50s of 1.3 and 15.8 nM, about 241- and 149-fold more potent than the original EK1 peptide, respectively. EK1C4 was also highly effective against membrane fusion and infection of other human coronavirus pseudoviruses tested, including SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, as well as SARSr-CoVs, and potently inhibited the replication of 5 live human coronaviruses examined, including SARS-CoV-2. Intranasal application of EK1C4 before or after challenge with HCoV-OC43 protected mice from infection, suggesting that EK1C4 could be used for prevention and treatment of infection by the currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging SARSr-CoVs.
Optical quantum nondemolition measurement of a single rare earth ion qubit
Authors: Raha Mouktik , Chen Songtao , Phenicie Christopher M. , Ourari Salim , Dibos Alan M. , Thompson Jeff D.
Published: March 2020

Optically-interfaced spins in the solid state are a promising platform for quantum technologies. A crucial component of these systems is high-fidelity, projective measurement of the spin state. Here, we demonstrate single-shot spin readout of a single rare earth ion qubit, Er3+, which is attractive for its telecom-wavelength optical transition and compatibility with silicon nanophotonic circuits. In previous work with laser-cooled atoms and ions, and solid-state defects, spin readout is accomplished using fluorescence on an optical cycling transition; however, Er3+ and other rare earth ions generally lack strong cycling transitions. We demonstrate that modifying the electromagnetic environment around the ion can increase the strength and cyclicity of the optical transition by several orders of magnitude, enabling single-shot quantum nondemolition readout of the ion’s spin with 94.6% fidelity. We use this readout to probe coherent dynamics and relaxation of the spin.
Gut, oral and skin microbiome of Indian patrilineal families reveal perceptible association with age
Authors: Chaudhari Diptaraj S. , Dhotre Dhiraj P. , Agarwal Dhiraj M. , Gaike Akshay H. , Bhalerao Devika , Jadhav Parmeshwar , Mongad Dattatray , Lubree Himangi , Sinkar Vilas P. , Patil Ulhas K. , Salvi Sundeep , Bavdekar Ashish , Juvekar Sanjay K. , Shouche Yogesh S.
Published: March 2020

The human microbiome plays a key role in maintaining host homeostasis and is influenced by age, geography, diet, and other factors. Traditionally, India has an established convention of extended family arrangements wherein three or more generations, bound by genetic relatedness, stay in the same household. In the present study, we have utilized this unique family arrangement to understand the association of age with the microbiome. We characterized stool, oral and skin microbiome of 54 healthy individuals from six joint families by 16S rRNA gene-based metagenomics. In total, 69 (1.03%), 293 (2.68%) and 190 (8.66%) differentially abundant OTUs were detected across three generations in the gut, skin and oral microbiome, respectively. Age-associated changes in the gut and oral microbiome of patrilineal families showed positive correlations in the abundance of phyla Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria, respectively. Genera Treponema and Fusobacterium showed a positive correlation with age while Granulicatella and Streptococcus showed a negative correlation with age in the oral microbiome. Members of genus Prevotella illustrated high abundance and prevalence as a core OTUs in the gut and oral microbiome. In conclusion, this study highlights that precise and perceptible association of age with microbiome can be drawn when other causal factors are kept constant.
Identification of Small Molecule Enhancers of Immunotherapy for Melanoma
Authors: Dextras Christopher , Dashnyam Myagmarjav , Griner Lesley A. Mathews , Sundaresan Janani , Chim Bryan , Yu Zhiya , Vodnala Suman , Lee Chyi-Chia Richard , Hu Xin , Southall Noel , Marugan Juan J. , Jadhav Ajit , Restifo Nicholas P. , Acquavella Nicolas , Ferrer Marc , Singh Anju
Published: March 2020

Small molecule based targeted therapies for the treatment of metastatic melanoma hold promise but responses are often not durable, and tumors frequently relapse. Response to adoptive cell transfer (ACT)-based immunotherapy in melanoma patients are durable but patients develop resistance primarily due to loss of antigen expression. The combination of small molecules that sustain T cell effector function with ACT could lead to long lasting responses. Here, we have developed a novel co-culture cell-based high throughput assay system to identify compounds that could potentially synergize or enhance ACT-based immunotherapy of melanoma. A BRAFV600E mutant melanoma cell line, SB-3123p which is resistant to Pmel-1-directed ACT due to low gp100 expression levels was used to develop a homogenous time resolve fluorescence (HTRF), screening assay. This high throughput screening assay quantitates IFNγ released upon recognition of the SB-3123p melanoma cells by Pmel-1 CD8+ T-cells. A focused collection of approximately 500 small molecules targeting a broad range of cellular mechanisms was screened, and four active compounds that increased melanoma antigen expression leading to enhanced IFNγ production were identified and their in vitro activity was validated. These four compounds may provide a basis for enhanced immune recognition and design of novel therapeutic approaches for patients with BRAF mutant melanoma resistant to ACT due to antigen downregulation.
Validation of Calprotectin As a Novel Biomarker For The Diagnosis of Pleural Effusion: a Multicentre Trial
Authors: Botana-Rial Maribel , Vázquez-Iglesias Lorena , Casado-Rey Pedro , Cadena María Páez de la , Andrade-Olivié María Amalia , Abal-Arca José , García-Nimo Laura , Ferreiro-Fernández Lucía , Valdés-Cuadrado Luis , San-José María Esther , Rodríguez-Berrocal Francisco Javier , Fernández-Villar Alberto
Published: March 2020

Discriminating between malignant pleural effusion (MPE) and benign pleural effusion (BPE) remains difficult. Thus, novel and efficient biomarkers are required for the diagnosis of pleural effusion (PE). The aim of this study was to validate calprotectin as a diagnostic biomarker of PE in clinical settings. A total of 425 patients were recruited, and the pleural fluid samples collected had BPE in 223 cases (53.7%) or MPE in 137 patients (33%). The samples were all analysed following the same previously validated clinical laboratory protocols and methodology. Calprotectin levels ranged from 772.48 to 3,163.8 ng/mL (median: 1,939 ng/mL) in MPE, and 3,216–24,000 ng/mL in BPE (median: 9,209 ng/mL; p < 0.01), with an area under the curve of 0.848 [95% CI: 0.810–0.886]. For a cut-off value of ≤ 6,233.2 ng/mL, we found 96% sensitivity and 60% specificity, with a negative and positive predictive value, and negative and positive likelihood ratios of 96%, 57%, 0.06, and 2.4, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that low calprotectin levels was a better discriminator of PE than any other variable [OR 28.76 (p < 0.0001)]. Our results confirm that calprotectin is a new and useful diagnostic biomarker in patients with PE of uncertain aetiology which has potential applications in clinical practice because it may be a good complement to cytological methods.
The depletion of ubiquilin in Drosophila melanogaster disturbs neurochemical regulation to drive activity and behavioral deficits
Authors: Jantrapirom Salinee , Enomoto Yosuke , Karinchai Jirarat , Yamaguchi Mizuki , Yoshida Hideki , Fukusaki Eiichiro , Shimma Shuichi , Yamaguchi Masamitsu
Published: March 2020

Drosophila melanogaster is a useful and highly tractable model organism for understanding the molecular mechanisms of human diseases. We previously characterized a new dUbqn knockdown model that induces learning-memory and locomotive deficits mediated by impaired proteostasis. Although proteinopathies are the main causes of neurodegenerative diseases, limited information is currently available on the relationship between proteostasis and neurodegenerative-related behavioral perturbations, such as locomotion, wakefulness, and sexual activities. Thus, the present study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by which dUbqn depletion which is known to cause proteinopathies, affects neurodegenerative-related behavioral perturbations. Pan-neuronal dUbqn-depleted flies showed significantly reduced evening activity along with altered pre- and postsynaptic structural NMJ’s proteins by attenuating signals of Bruchpilot puncta and GluRIIA clustering. In addition, the neurochemical profiles of GABA, glutamate, dopamine, and serotonin were disturbed and these changes also affected courtship behaviors in dUbqn-depleted flies. Collectively, these results extend our understanding on how dUbqn depletion affects neurochemical regulation to drive behavioral disturbances that are generally found in the early stage of neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, the present study may contribute a novel finding to the design of new agents that prevent disease progression or even treat diseases related to neurodegeneration.
Author Correction: Demonstration of Container Effects on Recognition Process of Liquids Using a Ring-Resonator Measurement Method
Authors: Ozturk Turgut
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Connexin-43 reduction prevents muscle defects in a mouse model of manifesting Duchenne muscular dystrophy female carriers
Authors: Nouet Julie , Himelman Eric , Lahey Kevin C. , Zhao Qingshi , Fraidenraich Diego
Published: March 2020

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe X-linked neuromuscular disorder that affects males. However, 8% of female carriers are symptomatic and underrepresented in research due to the lack of animal models. We generated a symptomatic mouse model of DMD carriers via injection ofmdx(murine DMD) embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into wild-type (WT) blastocysts (mdx/WT chimera).mdx/WT chimeras developed cardiomyopathic features and dystrophic skeletal muscle phenotypes including elevated mononuclear invasion, central nucleation, fibrosis and declined forelimb grip strength. The disease was accompanied by connexin-43 (Cx43) aberrantly enhanced in both cardiac and skeletal muscles and remodeled in the heart. Genetic reduction of Cx43-copy number inmdx/WT-Cx43(+/−) chimeras protected them from both cardiac and skeletal muscle fiber damage. In dystrophic skeletal muscle, Cx43 expression was not seen in the fibers but in adjacent F4/80+ mononuclear cells. Ethidium Bromide uptake in purified F4/80+/CD11b+mdxmacrophages revealed functional activity of Cx43, which was inhibited by administration of Gap19 peptide mimetic, a Cx43 hemichannel-specific inhibitor. Thus, we suggest that Cx43 reduction in symptomatic DMD carrier mice leads to prevention of Cx43 remodeling in the heart and prevention of aberrant Cx43 hemichannel activity in the skeletal muscle macrophages neighboring Cx43 non-expressing fibers.
Brine rejection and hydrate formation upon freezing of NaCl aqueous solutions
Authors: Tsironi Ifigeneia , Schlesinger Daniel , Späh Alexander , Eriksson Lars , Segad Mo , Perakis Fivos
Published: March 2020

Studying the freezing of saltwater on a molecular level is of fundamental importance for improving freeze desalination techniques.
First decade of π-electronic ion-pairing assemblies
Authors: Haketa Yohei , Urakawa Kazuki , Maeda Hiromitsu
Published: March 2020

The prologue and progress of π-electronic ion-pairing assemblies, including synthesis of π-electronic ions, preparation of ion pairs, fabrication of assemblies as crystals, gels and liquid crystals and their characteristic properties, are summarized.
Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-grafted polyamine nanofiltration membrane: enhanced antifouling and pH resistant properties
Authors: Daneshvar H. , Seyed Dorraji M. S. , Rasoulifard M. H. , Ahmadi A. , Nooshiran-Zadeh N.
Published: March 2020

In this study, to fabricate a pH resistant membrane with antifouling properties, a Tris-grafted polyamine thin film composite (TFC) membrane has been synthesized.
Gait-optimized locomotion of wave-driven soft sheets
Authors: Miller Pearson W. , Dunkel Jörn
Published: March 2020

Inspired by the robust locomotion of limbless animals, the development of soft robots capable of moving by localized swelling, bending, and other deformation modes has become a target for soft matter research over the last decade.
Experimental observation of boundary-driven oscillations in a reaction–diffusion–advection system
Authors: Eckstein Torsten , Vidal-Henriquez Estefania , Gholami Azam
Published: March 2020

Boundary-driven oscillations are observed experimentally in a reaction-diffusion-advection system, namely in the signaling population ofDictyostelium discoideumcells.
Rotation of a submerged finite cylinder moving down a soft incline
Authors: Saintyves Baudouin , Rallabandi Bhargav , Jules Theo , Ault Jesse , Salez Thomas , Schönecker Clarissa , Stone Howard A. , Mahadevan L.
Published: March 2020

A fluid-immersed solid cylinder moves along a soft incline and rotates at a rate that depends on its aspect ratio and the stiffness of the incline.
Multi-component colloidal gels: interplay between structure and mechanical properties
Authors: Ferreiro-Córdova Claudia , Del Gado Emanuela , Foffi Giuseppe , Bouzid Mehdi
Published: March 2020

We present a detailed computational study of the mechanical properties of multi-component colloidal gels interacting sterically and obtained by arrested phase separation.
Iron-based clusters embedded in nitrogen doped activated carbon catalysts with superior cathodic activity in microbial fuel cells
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyuan , Guo Xingguo , Wang Qiuying , Zhang Rufan , Xu Ting , Liang Peng , Huang Xia
Published: March 2020

Fe-clusters/NAC catalysts showed superior cathodic activity due to the high exposure of iron-based clusters and other active sites.
H2S-Donating trisulfide linkers confer unexpected biological behaviour to poly(ethylene glycol)–cholesteryl conjugates
Authors: Ercole Francesca , Li Yuhuan , Whittaker Michael R. , Davis Thomas P. , Quinn John F.
Published: March 2020

A comprehensive in vitro study into trisulfide-bearing PEG-conjugates was conducted. For these materials the combination of a cholesteryl group and an H2S donating moiety is required to confer cytoprotective and ROS-mitigating effects.
Uncovering the pathological functions of Ser404 phosphorylation by semisynthesis of a phosphorylated TDP-43 prion-like domain
Authors: Li Qian-Qian , Liu Yu-Qing , Luo Yun-Yi , Chu Ting-Ting , Gao Na , Chen Pu-Guang , Chen Yong-Xiang , Li Yan-Mei
Published: March 2020

Native and phosphorylated TDP-43 prion-like domains without any purification tags (wTDP PLD and pTDP PLD) were synthesized and studied.
Label-free and amplified detection of apoptosis-associated caspase activity using branched rolling circle amplification
Authors: Liu Meng , Zhang Di , Zhang Xuechong , Xu Qinfeng , Ma Fei , Zhang Chun-yang
Published: March 2020

We develop a label-free fluorescence method for ultrasensitive detection of apoptosis-associated caspase activity based on branched rolling circle amplification.
Including dispersion in density functional theory for adsorption on flat oxide surfaces, in metal–organic frameworks and in acidic zeolites
Authors: Rehak Florian R. , Piccini GiovanniMaria , Alessio Maristella , Sauer Joachim
Published: March 2020

Contrary to common believe, for eight adsorption cases, neither D3 or TS are an improvement compared to D2 nor van der Waals functionals or dDsC. Only the many body approaches are slightly better than D2(Ne) which uses Ne parameters for Mg2+ ions.
Phosphorus-based metal-free Z-scheme 2D van der Waals heterostructures for visible-light photocatalytic water splitting: a first-principles study
Authors: Lang Junyu , Hu Yun Hang
Published: March 2020

BlueP/PN with a 2D van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure was proposed and theoretically investigated to construct a Z-scheme photocatalytic system for water splitting under visible light irradiation.
Adjustable anchoring of Ni/Co cations by oxygen-containing functional groups on functionalized graphite paper and accelerated mass/electron transfer for overall water splitting
Authors: Huang Yiyi , Sun Lei , Yu Zebin , Jiang Ronghua , Huang Jun , Hou Yanping , Yang Fei , Zhang Boge , Zhang Runzhi , Zhang Yalan
Published: March 2020

NCS–NCO/FGP0.44 with a cellular network of porous nanosheets and close-contact heterointerface reveals accelerated interfacial mass/electron transportation for overall water splitting.
Geochemical evidence for the application of nanoparticulate colloidal silica gel forin situcontainment of legacy nuclear wastes
Authors: Bots Pieter , Renshaw Joanna C. , Payne Timothy E. , Comarmond M. Josick , Schellenger Alexandra E. P. , Pedrotti Matteo , Calì Eleonora , Lunn Rebecca J.
Published: March 2020

Colloidal silica is a nanoparticulate material that could have a transformative effect on environmental risk management at nuclear legacy sites by preventing radioactive contamination through thein situinstallation of injectable hydraulic barriers.
Synthesis, photophysical and electrochemical properties of donor–acceptor type hydrazinyl thiazolyl coumarins
Authors: Godugu Kumar , Gundala Thrivikram Reddy , Bodapati Ramakrishna , Yadala Venkata Divya Sri , Loka Subramanyam Sarma , Nallagondu Chinna Gangi Reddy
Published: March 2020

A practical green MCR strategy has been developed for the synthesis of D–A type hydrazinyl thiazolyl coumarins catalyzed by an environmentally compatible MMT K10 clay in water at RT.
Two-state switchable plasmonic tweezers for dynamic manipulation of nano-objects
Authors: Messina Gabriele C. , Zambrana-Puyalto Xavier , Maccaferri Nicolò , Garoli Denis , De Angelis Francesco
Published: March 2020

The switch between two spatially-separated tweezing configurations, localized on the tip and on the outer wall of a vertical plasmonic nanochannel, can be activated by varying the focusing position of the excitation laser.
Nanoengineered immunosuppressive therapeutics modulating M1/M2 macrophages into the balanced status for enhanced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis therapy
Authors: Chang Xin , Xing Lei , Wang Yi , Zhou Tian-Jiao , Shen Li-Jun , Jiang Hu-Lin
Published: March 2020

Effective treatment in clinic for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remains a challenge due to low drug accumulation in lungs and imbalanced polarization of pro/anti-inflammatory macrophages (M1/M2 macrophages).
A solution-processed zero-dimensional all-inorganic perovskite scintillator for high resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy detection
Authors: Xu Qiang , Wang Juan , Shao Wenyi , Ouyang Xiao , Wang Xiang , Zhang Xinlei , Guo Yong , Ouyang Xiaoping
Published: March 2020

A zero-dimensional all-inorganic CsPbBr3 nanocrystal embedded Cs4PbBr6 scintillator has been achieved. Owing to the low dimensional quantum effect, this all-inorganic scintillator exhibits desirable scintillation performance.
Porosity-controllable magnetoplasmonic nanoparticles and their assembled arrays
Authors: Tran Van Tan , Lee Dong Kyu , Kim Jeonghyo , Lee Jaewook , Tufa Lemma Teshome , Pham-Cong De , Kim Chang-Seok , Lee Jaebeom
Published: March 2020

The porosity of the Fe3O4shells coating on Ag NPs is well controlled using an anisotropic etching method, providing an effective approach to modulate the chemical and optical properties of the colloids as well as their 1D and 2D assembled arrays.
Rh(iii)-Catalyzed regioselective C4 alkylation of indoles with allylic alcohols: direct access to β-indolyl ketones
Authors: Pan Changduo , Huang Gao , Shan Yujia , Li Yiting , Yu Jin-Tao
Published: March 2020

A Rh(iii)-catalyzed direct C4 alkylation of indoles with allylic alcohols to access β-indolyl ketones was developed.
Transition-metal-free aerobic C–O bond formation via C–N bond cleavage
Authors: Guo Lirong , Liu Fengting , Wang Liying , Yuan Hairui , Feng Lei , Lu Haifeng , Gao Hongyin
Published: March 2020

We disclosed a TM-free cascade SNAr-[3,3] rearrangement–rearomatization process for the efficient construction of NOBIN-type biaryls from readily available (hetero)arylhydroxylamines and aryltrimethylammonium salts under mild conditions.
Two novel ACE inhibitory peptides isolated from longan seeds: purification, inhibitory kinetics and mechanisms
Authors: Nuchprapha Atthasith , Paisansak Supawee , Sangtanoo Papassara , Srimongkol Piroonporn , Saisavoey Tanatorn , Reamtong Onrapak , Choowongkomon Kiattawee , Karnchanatat Aphichart
Published: March 2020

The isolation and subsequent identification of the two novel ACE-inhibitory peptides, ETSGMKPTEL, and ISSMGILVCL from the longan seeds were achieved. The inhibition mechanism was investigated by molecular docking.