bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
C1188D mutation abolishes specific recognition between MLL1‐CXXC domain and CpG site by inducing conformational switch of flexible N‐terminal
Authors: Chen Jiawen , Qi Yanping , Duan Yong , Duan Mojie , Yang Minghui
Published: June 2020

Mixed lineage leukemia protein (MLL1 protein) recognizes the CpG site via its CXXC domain and is frequently associated with leukemia. The specific recognition is abolished by C1188D mutation, which also prevents MLL‐related leukemia. In this paper, multiple molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were performed to investigate the mechanism of recognition and influences of C1188D mutation. Started from fully dissociated DNA and MLL1‐CXXC domain, remarkably, the center of mass (COM) of MLL1‐CXXC domain quickly concentrates on the vicinity of the CpG site in all 53 short MD simulations. Extended simulations of the wild type showed that the native complex formed in 500 ns among 4 of 53 simulations. In contrast, the C1188D mutant COM distributed broadly around the DNA and the native complex was not observed in any of the extended simulations. Simulations on the apo MLL1‐CXXC domain further suggest that the wild type protein remained predominantly in an open form that closely resembles its structure in the native complex whereas C1188D mutant formed predominantly compact structures in which the N‐ terminal bends to D1188. This conformational switch hinders the formation of encounter complex, thus abolishes the recognition. Our study also provides clues to the study mechanism of recognition, by the CXXC domain from proteins like DNA methyltransferase and ten‐eleven translocation enzymes.
Dynamic aspects of pressure and temperature‐stabilized intermediates of outer surface protein A
Authors: Wakamoto Takuro , Kitazawa Soichiro , Kameda Tomoshi , Kitahara Ryo
Published: June 2020

Structural characterization of alternatively folded and partially disordered protein conformations remains challenging. Outer surface protein A (OspA) is a pivotal protein in Borrelia infection, which is the etiological agent of Lyme disease. OspA exists in equilibrium with intermediate conformations, in which the central and the C‐terminal regions of the protein have lower stabilities than the N‐terminal. Here, we characterize pressure‐ and temperature‐stabilized intermediates of OspA by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy combined with paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE). We found that although the C‐terminal region of the intermediate was partially disordered, it retains weak specific contact with the N‐terminal region, owing to a twist of the central β‐sheet and increased flexibility in the polypeptide chain. The disordered C‐terminal region of the pressure‐stabilized intermediate was more compact than that of the temperature‐stabilized form. Further, molecular dynamics simulation demonstrated that temperature‐induced disordering of the β‐sheet was initiated at the C‐terminal region and continued through to the central region. An ensemble of simulation snapshots qualitatively described the PRE data from the intermediate and indicated that the intermediate structures of OspA may expose tick receptor‐binding sites more readily than does the basic folded conformation.
Topological States Due to Third‐Neighbor Coupling in Diatomic Linear Elastic Chains
Authors: Grundmann Marius
Published: June 2020

The vibrations of a diatomic linear chain exhibit two bands, the acoustic and the optical one. In the case of equal masses and nearest‐neighbor spring constants, no gap exists. The effects of nearest, next‐nearest, and third‐nearest neighbor coupling with different spring constants are analyzed. Nearest neighbor coupling leads to two topologically different bulk states with winding numbers ν = 0 and −1. Next‐nearest neighbor coupling does not change the topological properties and introduces only a trivial “Semenov” gap. Third‐nearest neighbor coupling leads to four distinct topological bulk phases with winding numbers .
Thickness Effects on Crystal Growth and Metal–Insulator Transition in Rutile‐Type RuO2 (100) Thin Films
Authors: Kutsuzawa Dai , Oka Daichi , Fukumura Tomoteru
Published: June 2020

The thickness dependence of crystal structure and electrical properties is studied for rutile‐type RuO2 (100) thin films. The island growth mode results in a monotonically varying lattice strain along the a‐axis from negative to positive with increasing thickness. Decrease in the thickness below 20 nm increases the resistivity drastically, resulting in insulating‐like behaviors. The metallic behaviors of the thicker films are well explained by the modified Bloch–Grüneisen function as in bulk RuO2, where the strain has a significant influence on the conduction parameters. The insulating‐like behaviors of the thinner films are assigned to 2D localization and Mott variable range hopping, reflecting the effects of the size and growth mode on electrical conduction.
Finite‐time consensus of multiagent systems with input saturation and disturbance
Authors: Chen Duxin , Lu Tian , Liu Xiaolu , Yu Wenwu
Published: June 2020

This study focuses on distributed finite‐time consensus control of second‐order multiagent systems (MASs) with of both input saturation and disturbances. To achieve finite‐time consensus of the MAS with input saturation, a distributed controller is designed by considering relative position and relative velocity measurements. In particular, a continuous integral sliding mode method is designed to deal with bounded disturbances. With the proposed controller, the system state enters the sliding mode from any initial state and will be stably and reliably maintained, where the disturbance can be compensated by a disturbance observer. Based on the continuous homogeneous theory, it is validated that the proposed combined protocol will guarantee finite‐time consensus of MASs in the format of second‐order integrators with input saturation and disturbances. Both the leader‐following and leaderless cases are considered and solved in this study. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by numerical simulations.
D–π–A‐Type Triazatruxene‐Based Dopant‐Free Hole Transporting Materials for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Igci Cansu , Paek Sanghyun , Rakstys Kasparas , Kanda Hiroyuki , Shibayama Naoyuki , Jankauskas Vygintas , Roldán‐Carmona Cristina , Kim Hobeom , Asiri Abdullah M. , Nazeeruddin Mohammad Khaja
Published: June 2020

Three donor–π‐bridge–acceptor (D–π–A)‐type organic small molecules coded CI‐B1, CI‐B2, and CI‐B3 are designed, synthesized, and used as dopant‐free hole transporting materials (HTMs) for perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The strong electron‐donating triazatruxene central core (D), terthiophene conjugated arms (π), and three different strong electron‐accepting units (A) provide high intramolecular charge transfer nature and eliminate the need of dopants during the fabrication of PSCs. HTMs are investigated to understand the effect of terminal functional groups on the PSC performance. Interestingly, due to the change of end‐capping, three different organizations of self‐assembly with π–π stacking are observed in the solid thin films. Dopant‐free CI‐B1, CI‐B2, CI‐B3, and spiro‐OMeTAD with dopants are used with triple cation perovskite composition Cs0.1(MA0.15FA0.85)0.9Pb(I0.85Br0.15)3 (MA: CH3NH3+, FA: NHCHNH3+) in n‐i‐p architecture. The cells prepared with CI‐B3 not only exhibits a comparable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.54% to the state‐of‐art of spiro‐OMeTAD with dopants (18.02%), but also demonstrates improved long‐term stability, maintaining 88% of its original PCE after 1000 h of illumination. The superior photovoltaic performance, synthetic simplicity, dopant‐free nature, high durability, and edge‐on molecular orientation of CI‐B3 show its great promise as a HTM candidate for efficient and stable PSCs.
Der CAD‐integrierte parametrische Entwurfsprozess von Membrantragwerken
Authors: Goldbach Ann‐Kathrin , Bauer Anna M. , Wüchner Roland , Bletzinger Kai‐Uwe
Published: June 2020

Der Entwurf von Membrantragwerken umfasst drei miteinander stark verknüpfte und zum Teil sehr interaktive Disziplinen: Formfindung, Strukturanalyse und Zuschnitt. Um diese verschiedenen Aufgaben und die jeweils dafür spezialisierten Analysetypen miteinander in Einklang zu bringen und somit eine tragfähige Membran zu entwerfen, bedarf es leistungsfähiger numerischer Simulationsumgebungen. Mit der CAD‐integrierten Analyse wurde die Möglichkeit geschaffen, diese hochgradig nichtlinearen Analysen direkt in der CAD‐Umgebung durchzuführen. Dadurch verbessert sich zum einen die geometrische Qualität des Analysemodells, das durch glatte NURBS‐Kurven und Flächen beschrieben wird. Zum anderen lassen sich auch die Abhängigkeiten der einzelnen Berechnungsschritte ideal abbilden, da Pre‐ und Post‐Processing in einer einheitlichen Umgebung stattfinden und mit demselben Modell beschrieben werden. Beispielsweise kann eine formgefundene Fläche direkt für weitere Analysen verwendet werden. Die Grundlage hierfür bildet die Isogeometrische B‐Rep‐Analyse (IBRA), die in diesem Beitrag kurz erläutert wird. Bei der isogeometrischen Methode werden NURBS sowohl für die Geometriebeschreibung als auch zur Definition der Ansatzfunktionen im Sinne der Finite‐Elemente‐Methode genutzt. Zudem kann ein parametrisches Modell mit geometrischen und mechanischen Eigenschaften erstellt werden, welches Formfindung, Strukturanalyse und Zuschnitt auf der Basis des gleichen numerischen Modells erlaubt. Somit können am Modell beinahe unendlich viele Konfigurationen mit geringstem Aufwand untersucht werden. Dieser Beitrag liefert einen Überblick über die aktuellen Methoden und Vorteile des CAD‐integrierten Entwurfskreislaufs für Membrantragwerke und erläutert die zugrunde liegenden mechanischen Aspekte. Hierfür wird das frei verfügbare Plugin Kiwi!3D für Rhino und Grasshopper in der Anwendung auf die textilen Bauten des Tanzbrunnens in Köln gezeigt.
Quercetin exerts bidirectional regulation effects on the efficacy of tamoxifen in estrogen receptor‐positive breast cancer therapy: An in vitro study
Authors: Xu Zhixiang , Zhao Dimeng , Zheng Xianyao , Huang Bin , Xia Xueshan , Pan Xuejun
Published: June 2020

Tamoxifen was widely applied in the therapy of estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive breast cancer. With the purpose of determining the potential impacts of quercetin on its effectiveness, MCF‐7 cells were selected as the in vitro model and several cellular biological behaviors (ie, cell proliferation, migration, invasion, cycle, apoptosis, and oxidative stress) were investigated. As results, quercetin showed contrasting dose‐response to cellular behaviors dependent on the ROS‐regulated p53 signaling pathways. In detail, quercetin promoted cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis at low concentrations, whereas high‐concentration resulted in apoptosis induction. Moreover, quercetin at a low concentration significantly inhibited tamoxifen‐induced antiproliferation in MCF‐7 cells, whereas high concentrations enhanced cell apoptosis in a synergetic manner. The real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis further implied that quercetin exerted its dual roles in tamoxifen‐induced antiproliferative effects by regulated the gene expression involved in cell metastasis, cycle, and apoptosis through the ER pathways. Our present study provides a considerable support to the combination of quercetin and tamoxifen on human ER‐positive breast carcinoma management.
Education as Design for Learning: A Model for Integrating Education Inquiry Across Research Traditions
Authors: Halverson Richard , Halverson Erica Rosenfeld
Published: June 2020

How can we build on the diversity of approaches and methods used in educational researches to develop a shared research enterprise? We propose that all approaches to education research can be described in terms of the concept of education as design for learning. Design typically involves a plan to create something as well as the action taken to bring something new into the world. Education happens when people design learning opportunities for others. If education is the design for learning, then education research can be seen as the study of the design for learning. Instead of treating the efforts of education researchers as wildly divergent and incompatible quests, a design for learning perspective corrals the diverse methods of inquiry in education into the study of how people build, test, assess, and critique processes intended to guide learning. We suggest that the seemingly mutually exclusive approaches to education inquiry often presented in the literature might in fact serve as countervailing movements in an iterative design discourse of education research.
School-Based Teaching Research in China
Authors: Yu Wensen
Published: June 2020

To establish a school-based teaching research institution compatible with the new curriculum responds to the urgent demands of current school development and teacher growth, as well as facilitates further reform of teaching research. School-based teaching research is applied research guided by theories and conducted by teachers. It targets at serving the new curriculum and promoting every student’s development. School-based teaching research usually focuses on school-level problems and issues identified in the curriculum implementation. Ideally, such research could solve practical problems as well as distill experiences through synthesis.
The Implications of Understanding That PISA Is Simply Another Standardized Achievement Test
Authors: Berliner David C.
Published: June 2020

It occurred to me one day that despite all the excitement, and both the satisfaction and handwringing engaged in by some nations after scores are released, that the Program for International Student Assessment, PISA, is merely another Standardized Achievement Test. Almost all Standardized Achievement Tests (SATs) try to adhere to certain principles of design, have similar correlates, and have similar limits on the interpretations of the results obtained. Neither the popular press nor most politicians ordinarily understand these realities and their implications. Opinion makers are unaware that many of the Standardized Achievement Tests we commonly use do not have the powers attributed to them. It is not far from the truth to call the scores derived from some of these assessments “talismanic” (Haney et al. 1987). That is, for many people, test scores have special powers, particularly of prophesy, a bit like the Kabbalah of the middle ages. Scores from SATs are a part of the metrification associated with the modern world, no doubt aided by a global market place in which business leaders and technologists, instead of humanists and educators, have garnered political power. Contributing to this trend toward metrification has been the ascendance of economics as an influential discipline throughout the world (Lingard et al. 2015). But in my opinion, economists, journalists, and politicians too often seek in metrics powers that are more illusionary than they are real.
International Assessments of Student Performance: The Paradoxes of Benchmarks and Empirical Evidence for National Policy
Authors: Popkewitz Thomas S.
Published: June 2020

There is a “commonsense” in the contemporary policy that moves across Europe and North America. That commonsense is the use of benchmarks in welfare state reform to assure the proper articulation of goals that enable their measurement and attainment. The corollary of the benchmark statements is that research identifies the empirical evidence that testifies about what works to secure the desired changes. The putting together of benchmarks and the call for “scientific evident” entails the faith that the correct mixture of research and policy will provide the pathways for effective social and educational improvement.
Dangers of “Making Diversity Visible”: Historicizing Metrics of Science Achievement in U.S. Education Policy
Authors: Kirchgasler Kathryn L.
Published: June 2020

Science achievement is often taken for granted as itself the inequality that must be remediated to permit greater social equality, access, and inclusion. Where prior critiques of Science-for-All reforms invoke a divide between policy rhetoric and classroom reality, I argue that policy is not mere rhetoric. Education policy actively produces typologies of students and science curricula as authorized by inherited metrics of science achievement. This chapter historically examines how science achievement emerged as a psychological category and calculable attribute in the early twentieth century. The design and calibration of these early tests drew upon sociological taxonomies, religious hierarchies, and cultural distinctions to stabilize science achievement as both a criterion of the ideal American citizen and a universalized standard of comparison. Juxtaposing this history with current U.S. and international policy reports, I argue that today’s efforts to include “diverse groups” by closing science achievement gaps retain expectations about the desired future citizen that inadvertently marginalize those projected as outside these norms.
Teacher Education Policies in China Since the Mid-1990s
Authors: Rao Congman
Published: June 2020

Since the mid-1990s, teacher education in China has entered a new period of transformation, mirroring larger rapid societal development. Although quality improvement has been the theme of teacher education development in China since the mid-1990s, this period of more than 20 years can still be divided into three periods: the phase of system restructuring (from the mid-1990s to 2005), the phase of capacity building (from 2005 to 2016), and the phase of revitalization (since 2017). This chapter reviews the changes to the background, goals, content, and impacts in teacher education policies since the 1990s and then discusses its future development.
The Impact of the Expansion of Higher Education on the Rate of Return to Higher Education in Taiwan
Authors: Wu Cheng-Ta , Tang Chia-Wei
Published: June 2020

On April 10, 1994, 200 civic groups including over 30,000 people marched in the streets of Taipei, and in October of the same year, the “League for Educational Reform 4/10” was established. The protesters submitted petitions outlining four main demands: smaller schools and classes, the establishment of more high schools and universities, modernization of the education system, and the formulation of a new body of law pertaining to education. These efforts led to a dramatic increase in the number of higher education institutions, which grew in number from 60 in 1994 to 144 in 2017. During the same period, however, the rate of unemployment among college graduates rose from 2.52% in 1994 to 5.19% in 2017.
Whom Is the National Curriculum for? Politics in the National Curriculum System of South Korea
Authors: So Kyunghee
Published: June 2020

Recently, many countries have tried to control the overall quality of national education by employing national standards, striving to provide higher-quality education for all. By introducing a national curriculum, those countries suggest goals, that is, standards that students are expected to reach by certain ages and that teachers are required to meet while teaching. However, one might question whether an education system based on national standards can realize the dream of better education for all. As South Korea introduced a national curriculum in the 1950s and has gone through multiple revisions ever since, it has engaged in abundant discourse on national curriculum system. Hence, a review of South Korea’s national curriculum system can help us understand how tension and controversy work around the national curriculum and how the system can influence schools. This study aims to provide insight into the complicated and sometimes contradictory role of the national curriculum and its impact on actual school settings by reviewing South Korea’s national curriculum reform process over the last 60 years. To this end, the present study focuses on the following two topics. First, it reveals the politics of national curriculum reform by providing historical-sociological explanations of South Korea’s national curriculum reform. Second, it explores how the national curriculum system influences school education.
Precipitation Changes in India
Authors: Kulkarni Ashwini , Sabin T. P. , Chowdary Jasti S. , Rao K. Koteswara , Priya P. , Gandhi Naveen , Bhaskar Preethi , Buri Vinodh K. , Sabade S. S. , Pai D. S. , Ashok K. , Mitra A. K. , Niyogi Dev , Rajeevan M.
Published: June 2020

Precipitation is an important component of the global water cycle, and the impacts of anthropogenic climate change on precipitation have significant implications on agricultural activities (Porter et al. 2014).
Diphoton production in vector-boson scattering at the LHC at next-to-leading order QCD
Authors: Campanario Francisco , Kerner Matthias , Ninh Le Duc , Rosario Ivan
Published: June 2020

Abstract

In this paper, we present results at next-to-leading order (NLO) QCD for photon pair production in association with two jets via vector boson scattering within the Standard Model (SM), and also in an effective field theory framework with anomalous gauge coupling effects via bosonic dimension-6 and 8 operators. We observe that, com- pared to other processes in the class of two electroweak (EW) vector boson production in association with two jets, more exclusive cuts are needed in order to suppress the SM QCD-induced background channel. As expected, the NLO QCD corrections reduce the scale uncertainties considerably. Using a well-motivated dynamical scale choice, we find moderate K -factors for the EW-induced process while the QCD-induced channel receives much larger corrections. Furthermore, we observe that applying a cut of

$$ \Delta {\phi}_{j2\gamma 1}^{\mathrm{cut}}<2.5 $$

Δ

ϕ

j
2
γ
1

cut

<
2.5

for the second hardest jet and the hardest photon helps to increase the signal significance and reduces the impact of higher-order QCD corrections.
Bisymmetric functionals revisited or a converse of the Fubini theorem
Authors: Sablik Maciej
Published: June 2020

We observe that bisymmetry is in fact the assertion of the Fubini theorem and we describe the form of general bisymmetric operations on some function spaces.
Lower bound of decay rate for higher-order derivatives of solution to the compressible fluid models of Korteweg type
Authors: Gao Jincheng , Lyu Zeyu , Yao Zheng-an
Published: June 2020

This paper concerns the lower bound decay rate of global solution for compressible Navier–Stokes–Korteweg system in three-dimensional whole space under the$$H^{4}\times H^{3}$$H4×H3framework. At first, the lower bound of decay rate for the global solution converging to constant equilibrium state (1, 0) in$$L^2$$L2-norm is$$(1+t)^{-\frac{3}{4}}$$(1+t)-34if the initial data satisfy some low-frequency assumption additionally. Furthermore, we also show that the lower bound of the$$k(k\in [1, 3])$$k(k∈[1,3])th-order spatial derivatives of solution converging to zero in$$L^2$$L2-norm is$$(1+t)^{-\frac{3+2k}{4}}$$(1+t)-3+2k4. Finally, it is proved that the lower bound of decay rate for the time derivatives of density and velocity converging to zero in$$L^2$$L2-norm is$$(1+t)^{-\frac{5}{4}}$$(1+t)-54.
Ocrelizumab zur Behandlung der Multiplen Sklerose
Authors: Graf Jonas , Albrecht Philipp , Goebels Norbert , Aktas Orhan , Hartung Hans-Peter
Published: June 2020

Ocrelizumab ist ein monoklonaler Antikörper, der sich gegen das Differenzierungsantigen CD20 richtet und zu einer effektiven längerfristigen Depletion von Lymphozyten, insbesondere von B‑Zellen, führt. Unlängst publizierte Phase-3-Studien belegen, dass Ocrelizumab sowohl bei der Behandlung der schubförmigen als auch der primär progressiven Multiplen Sklerose (MS) wirksam ist. Darauf basierend wurde Ocrelizumab als erstes Medikament zur Behandlung der primär chronisch-progredienten MS zugelassen. Um diesen Durchbruch besser in den Kontext des heutigen MS-Therapiekanons einordnen zu können, lohnt sowohl ein Blick zurück auf die Entwicklung der antikörpervermittelten CD20-Depletion als auch auf die der Zulassung zugrunde liegenden Studien sowie deren Extensionsphasen. Diese Übersichtsarbeit diskutiert die verfügbaren Daten zur Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit der langfristigen B‑Zell-Depletion bei MS-Patienten und erörtert den aktuellen Kenntnisstand zur Rolle von B‑Lymphozyten in der Immunpathogenese der MS.
Zero-one Schubert polynomials
Authors: Fink Alex , Mészáros Karola , Dizier Avery St.
Published: June 2020

We prove that if $$\sigma \in S_m$$

σ
∈

S
m

is a pattern of $$w \in S_n$$

w
∈

S
n

, then we can express the Schubert polynomial $$\mathfrak {S}_w$$

S
w

as a monomial times $$\mathfrak {S}_\sigma $$

S
σ

(in reindexed variables) plus a polynomial with nonnegative coefficients. This implies that the set of permutations whose Schubert polynomials have all their coefficients equal to either 0 or 1 is closed under pattern containment. Using Magyar’s orthodontia, we characterize this class by a list of twelve avoided patterns. We also give other equivalent conditions on $$\mathfrak {S}_w$$

S
w

being zero-one. In this case, the Schubert polynomial $$\mathfrak {S}_w$$

S
w

is equal to the integer point transform of a generalized permutahedron.
Euler semigroup, Hardy–Sobolev and Gagliardo–Nirenberg type inequalities on homogeneous groups
Authors: Ruzhansky Michael , Suragan Durvudkhan , Yessirkegenov Nurgissa
Published: June 2020

In this paper we describe the Euler semigroup$$\{e^{-t\mathbb {E}^{*}\mathbb {E}}\}_{t>0}$${e-tE∗E}t>0on homogeneous Lie groups, which allows us to obtain various types of the Hardy–Sobolev and Gagliardo–Nirenberg type inequalities for the Euler operator$$\mathbb {E}$$E. Moreover, the sharp remainder terms of the Sobolev type inequality, maximal Hardy inequality and$$|\cdot |$$|·|-radial weighted Hardy–Sobolev type inequality are established.
Microorganisms populating the water-related indoor biome
Authors: Novak Babič Monika , Gostinčar Cene , Gunde-Cimerman Nina
Published: June 2020

Modernisation of our households created novel opportunities for microbial growth and thus changed the array of microorganisms we come in contact with. While many studies have investigated microorganisms in the air and dust, tap water, another major input of microbial propagules, has received far less attention. The quality of drinking water in developed world is strictly regulated to prevent immediate danger to human health. However, fungi, algae, protists and bacteria of less immediate concern are usually not screened for. These organisms can thus use water as a vector of transmission into the households, especially if they are resistant to various water treatment procedures. Good tolerance of unfavourable abiotic conditions is also important for survival once microbes enter the household. Limitation of water availability, high or low temperatures, application of antimicrobial chemicals and other measures are taken to prevent indoor microbial overgrowth. These conditions, together with a large number of novel chemicals in our homes, shape the diversity and abundance of indoor microbiota through constant selection of the most resilient species, resulting in a substantial overlap in diversity of indoor and natural extreme environments. At least in fungi, extremotolerance has been linked to human pathogenicity, explaining why many species found in novel indoor habitats (such as dishwasher) are notable opportunistic pathogens. As a result, microorganisms that often enter our households with water and are then enriched in novel indoor habitats might have a hitherto underestimated impact on the well-being of the increasingly indoor-bound human population.

Key points

Domestic environment harbours a large diversity of microorganisms.

Microbiota of water-related indoor habitats mainly originates from tap water.

Bathrooms, kitchens and household appliances select for polyextremotolerant species.

Many household-related microorganisms are human opportunistic pathogens.
Correction to: Inflammation is a target of medical treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: De Nunzio Cosimo , Salonia Andrea , Gacci Mauro , Ficarra Vincenzo
Published: June 2020

The article “Inflammation is a target of medical treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia”, written by Cosimo De Nunzio, Andrea Salonia, Mauro Gacci and Vincenzo Ficarra was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal on 14 February 2020 without open access.
Volume, outcomes, and quality standards in thyroid surgery: an evidence-based analysis—European Society of Endocrine Surgeons (ESES) positional statement
Authors: Lorenz Kerstin , Raffaeli Marco , Barczyński Marcin , Lorente-Poch Leyre , Sancho Joan
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Continuous efforts in surgical speciality aim to improve outcome. Therefore, correlation of volume and outcome, developing subspecialization, and identification of reliable parameters to identify and measure quality in surgery gain increasing attention in the surgical community as well as in public health care systems, and by health care providers. The need to investigate these correlations in the area of endocrine surgery was identified by ESES, and thyroid surgery was chosen for this analysis of the prevalent literature with regard to outcome and volume.

Materials and methods

A literature search that is detailed below about correlation between volume and outcome in thyroid surgery was performed and assessed from an evidence-based perspective. Following presentation and live data discussion, a revised final positional statement was presented and consented by the ESES assembly.

Results

There is a lack of prospective randomized controlled studies for all items representing quality parameters of thyroid surgery using uniform definitions. Therefore, evidence levels are low and recommendation grades are based mainly on expert and peer evaluation of the prevalent data.

Conclusion

In thyroid surgery a volume and outcome relationship exists with respect to the prevalence of complications. Besides volume, cumulative experience is expected to improve outcomes. In accordance with global data, a case load of < 25 thyroidectomies per surgeon per year appears to identify a low-volume surgeon, while > 50 thyroidectomies per surgeon per year identify a high-volume surgeon. A center with a case load of > 100 thyroidectomies per year is considered high-volume. Thyroid cancer and autoimmune thyroid disease predict an increased risk of surgical morbidity and should be operated by high-volume surgeons. Oncological results of thyroid cancer surgery are significantly better when performed by high-volume surgeons.
Editing of phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylethanolamine by acyl-CoA: lysophospholipid acyltransferases in developing Camelina sativa seeds
Authors: Klińska Sylwia , Jasieniecka-Gazarkiewicz Katarzyna , Demski Kamil , Banaś Antoni
Published: June 2020

Main conclusions

The main source of polyunsaturated acyl-CoA in cytoplasmic acyl-CoA pool of Camelina sativa seeds are fatty acids derived from phosphatidylcholine followed by phosphatidic acid. Contribution of phosphatidylethanolamine is negligible.

While phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) is the second most abundant phospholipid, phosphatidic acid (PA) only constitutes a small fraction of C. sativa seeds’ polar lipids. In spite of this, the relative contribution of PA in providing fatty acids for the synthesis of acyl-CoA, supplying cytosolic acyl-CoA pool seems to be much higher than the contribution of PE. Our data indicate that up to 5% of fatty acids present in mature C. sativa seeds are first esterified with PA, in comparison to 2% first esterified with PE, before being transferred into acyl-CoA pool via backward reactions of either acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferases (CsLPAATs) or acyl-CoA:lysophoshatidylethanolamine acyltransferases (CsLPEATs). Those acyl-CoAs are later reused for lipid biosynthesis or remodelling. In the forward reactions both aforementioned acyltransferases display the highest activity at 30 °C. The spectrum of optimal pH differs for both enzymes with CsLPAATs most active between pH 7.5–9.0 and CsLPEATs between pH 9.0 to 10.0. Whereas addition of magnesium ions stimulates CsLPAATs, calcium and potassium ions inhibit them in concentrations of 0.05–2.0 mM. All three types of ions inhibit CsLPEATs activity. Both tested acyltransferases present the highest preferences towards 16:0-CoA and unsaturated 18-carbon acyl-CoAs in forward reactions. However, CsLPAATs preferentially utilise 18:1-CoA and CsLPEATs preferentially utilise 18:2-CoA while catalysing fatty acid remodelling of PA and PE, respectively.
Death domain-associated protein (DAXX) expression is associated with poor survival in metastatic high-grade serous carcinoma
Authors: Davidson Ben , McFadden Erin , Holth Arild , Brunetti Marta , Flørenes Vivi Ann
Published: June 2020

The objective of this study was to analyze the expression and clinical role of mitosis regulators α-thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked (ATRX) and death-domain-associated protein (DAXX) in metastatic high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). ATRX and DAXX protein expression by immunohistochemistry was analyzed in 400 HGSC effusions. DAXX expression was additionally studied in 15 cancer cell lines, including 4 ovarian carcinoma lines, and in 81 of the 400 HGSC effusions using Western blotting. ATRX and DAXX were expressed in HGSC cells in 386/400 (96%) and 348/400 (87%) effusions, respectively. Western blotting showed DAXX expression in all 15 cell lines and in 70/81 (86%) HGSC effusions. DAXX expression by immunohistochemistry was higher in pleural compared to peritoneal effusions (p = 0.006) and in post-chemotherapy compared to pre-chemotherapy effusions (p = 0.004), and its expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival in univariate of the entire cohort (p = 0.014), as well as analysis limited to chemo-naïve effusions tapped at diagnosis (p = 0.038). The former association retained its prognostic role in Cox multivariate survival analysis (p = 0.011). ATRX expression was unrelated to clinicopathologic parameters or survival. In conclusion, DAXX is associated with disease progression and could be a prognostic marker in metastatic HGSC. Silencing this molecule may have therapeutic relevance in this cancer.
Oropharyngeal Dysphagia and Aspiration Pneumonia Following Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Case Report
Authors: Aoyagi Yoichiro , Ohashi Miho , Funahashi Reisuke , Otaka Yohei , Saitoh Eiichi
Published: June 2020

Cranial nerve involvement is a finding often observed in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 during the pandemic outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To our knowledge, this is the first report of oropharyngeal dysphagia associated with COVID-19. A 70-year-old male developed dysphagia and consequent aspiration pneumonia during recovery from severe COVID-19. He had altered sense of taste and absent gag reflex. Videoendoscopy, videofluorography, and high-resolution manometry revealed impaired pharyngolaryngeal sensation, silent aspiration, and mesopharyngeal contractile dysfunction. These findings suggested that glossopharyngeal and vagal neuropathy might have elicited dysphagia following COVID-19. The current case emphasizes the importance of presuming neurologic involvement and concurrent dysphagia, and that subsequent aspiration pneumonia might be overlooked in severe respiratory infection during COVID-19.
Chronic subdural hematoma—incidence, complications, and financial impact
Authors: Rauhala Minna , Helén Pauli , Huhtala Heini , Heikkilä Paula , Iverson Grant L. , Niskakangas Tero , Öhman Juha , Luoto Teemu M.
Published: June 2020

Objective

To examine the population-based incidence, complications, and total, direct hospital costs of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) treatment in a neurosurgical clinic during a 26-year period. The aim was also to estimate the necessity of planned postoperative follow-up computed tomography (CT).

Methods

A retrospective cohort (1990–2015) of adult patients living in Pirkanmaa, Finland, with a CSDH was identified using ICD codes and verified by medical records (n = 1148, median age = 76 years, men = 65%). Data collection was performed from medical records. To estimate the total, direct hospital costs, all costs from hospital admission until the last neurosurgical follow-up visit were calculated. All patients were followed until death or the end of 2017. The annual number of inhabitants in the Pirkanmaa Region was obtained from the Statistics Finland (Helsinki, Finland).

Results

The incidence of CSDH among the population 80 years or older has increased among both operatively (from 36.6 to 91/100,000/year) and non-operatively (from 4.7 to 36.9/100,000/year) treated cases. Eighty-five percent (n = 978) underwent surgery. Routine 4–6 weeks’ postoperative follow-up CT increased the number of re-operations by 18% (n = 49). Most of the re-operations (92%) took place within 2 months from the primary operation. Patients undergoing re-operations suffered more often from seizures (10%, n = 28 vs 3.9%, n = 27; p < 0.001), empyema (4.3%, n = 12 vs 1.1%, n = 8; p = 0.002), and pneumonia (4.7%, n = 13 vs 1.4%, n = 12; p = 0.008) compared with patients with no recurrence. The treatment cost for recurrent CSDHs was 132% higher than the treatment cost of non-recurrent CSDHs, most likely because of longer hospital stay for re-admissions and more frequent outpatient follow-up with CT. The oldest group of patients, 80 years or older, was not more expensive than the others, nor did this group have more frequent complications, besides pneumonia.

Conclusions

Based on our population-based study, the number of CSDH patients has increased markedly during the study period (1990–2015). Reducing recurrences is crucial for reducing both complications and costs. Greater age was not associated with greater hospital costs related to CSDH. A 2-month follow-up period after CSDH seems sufficient for most, and CT controls are advocated only for symptomatic patients.
Translating climate beliefs into action in a changing political landscape
Authors: Zawadzki Stephanie J. , Bouman Thijs , Steg Linda , Bojarskich Vladimir , Druen Perri B.
Published: June 2020

Political leaders can influence public beliefs about climate change, and climate beliefs can influence climate actions. But, much is still unknown about (1) whether changes in political landscapes influence public’s climate beliefs and (2) the psychological process through which climate beliefs influence pro-environmental sentiments and actions. Achieving a better understanding these influences are the dual purposes of this paper, we investigated during the unique setting of the 2016 US presidential elections. First, we explored to what extent the American public’s belief in the anthropogenic origins and negative impacts of climate change were influenced by the 2016 US presidential election and earliest administrative days of a climate-skeptical political leader, Donald Trump. We found Trump’s influence on public climate beliefs may have increased after his election in such a way that may have polarized public climate beliefs. Compared with pre-election levels, supporters’ climate beliefs grew weaker and, further, opponents’ climate beliefs grew stronger after his election. Second, we tested a novel conditional mediation model that proposes climate beliefs interact to exert their influence on climate actions via moral behavioral sentiments. Specifically, we found people’s origin and impact climate beliefs interact to influence climate actions by activating moral sentiments about their own environmental behavior (i.e., guilt, striving to be a better person), with the particularly weak moral sentiments reported by those with both weak belief in climate change’s anthropogenic origins and its negative impacts. Moral sentiments, in turn, predicted respondents’ willingness to save energy to reduce climate change and their support for the Paris Climate Agreement. These results suggest the election of climate-skeptical political leaders can impact the public’s climate beliefs. Moreover, climate beliefs interact to influence the moral sentiments people feel about their own behavior, and consequently, influence their climate-friendly behavioral intentions and policy preferences.
The role of atmospheric circulation patterns in driving recent changes in indices of extreme seasonal precipitation across Arctic Fennoscandia
Authors: Marshall Gareth J. , Jylhä Kirsti , Kivinen Sonja , Laapas Mikko , Dyrrdal Anita Verpe
Published: June 2020

Extreme precipitation events (EPEs) have a major impact across Arctic Fennoscandia (AF). Here we examine the spatial variability of seasonal 50-year trends in three EPEs across AF for 1968–2017, using daily precipitation data from 46 meteorological stations, and analyse how these are related to contemporaneous changes in the principal atmospheric circulation patterns that impact AF climate. Positive trends in seasonal wet-day precipitation (PRCPTOT) are widespread across AF in all seasons except autumn. Spring (autumn) has the most widespread negative (positive) trends in consecutive dry days (CDD). There is less seasonal dependence for trends in consecutive wet days (CWDs), but the majority of the stations show an increase. Clear seasonal differences in the circulation pattern that exerted most influence on these AF EPE trends exist. In spring, PRCPTOT and CDD are most affected by the Scandinavian pattern at more than half the stations while it also has a marked influence on CWD. The East Atlantic/Western Russia pattern generally has the greatest influence on the most station EPE trends in summer and autumn, yet has no effect during either spring or winter. In winter, the dominant circulation pattern across AF varies more between the different EPEs, with the North Atlantic Oscillation, Polar/Eurasia and East Atlantic patterns all exerting a major influence. There are distinct geographical distributions to the dominant pattern affecting particular EPEs in some seasons, especially winter, while in others there is no discernible spatial relationship.
Multidisciplinary total eradication therapy (TET) in men with newly diagnosed oligometastatic prostate cancer
Authors: Reyes D. K. , Rowe S. P. , Schaeffer E. M. , Allaf M. E. , Ross A. E. , Pavlovich C. P. , Deville C. , Tran P. T. , Pienta K. J.
Published: June 2020

To evaluate the outcomes of total eradication therapy (TET), designed to eradicate all sites of visible cancer and micrometastases, in men with newly diagnosed oligometastatic prostate cancer (OMPCa). Men with ≤ 5 sites of metastases were enrolled in a prospective registry study, underwent neoadjuvant chemohormonal therapy, followed by radical prostatectomy, adjuvant radiation (RT) to prostate bed/pelvis, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to oligometastases, and adjuvant hormonal therapy (HT). When possible, the prostate-specific membrane antigen targeted 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT (18F-DCFPyL) scan was obtained, and abiraterone was added to neoadjuvant HT. Twelve men, median 55 years, ECOG 0, median PSA 14.7 ng/dL, clinical stages M0—1/12 (8%), M1a—3/12 (25%) and M1b—8/12 (67%), were treated. 18F-DCFPyL scan was utilized in 58% of cases. Therapies included prostatectomy 12/12 (100%), neoadjuvant [docetaxel 11/12 (92%), LHRH agonist 12/12 (100%), abiraterone + prednisone 6/12 (50%)], adjuvant radiation [RT 2/12 (17%), RT + SBRT 4/12 (33%), SBRT 6/12 (50%)], and LHRH agonist 12/12 (100%)]. 2/5 (40%) initial patients developed neutropenic fever (NF), while 0/6 (0%) subsequent patients given modified docetaxel dosing developed NF. Otherwise, TET resulted in no additive toxicities. Median follow-up was 48.8 months. Overall survival was 12/12 (100%). 1-, 2-, and 3-year undetectable PSA’s were 12/12 (100%), 10/12 (83%) and 8/12 (67%), respectively. Median time to biochemical recurrence was not reached. The outcomes suggest TET in men with newly diagnosed OMPCa is safe, does not appear to cause additive toxicities, and may result in an extended interval of undetectable PSA.
Feeding the reactors: potentials in re-cycled organic fertilisers
Authors: Løes Anne-Kristin
Published: June 2020

There is a large and growing interest in producing proteins, oils and other important commodities in bioreactors. Mineral fertilisers, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), are used to supply the living organisms with nutrients, and for growing of fungi, carbon must be applied from sugar or starch products. This input-for-output approach does not contribute to cycling of nutrients and organic matter in the society. Organic*1 agriculture has a strong interest in recycled fertilisers and best utilisation of organic materials, and appliccable products should be developed not only for use in agricultural fields but also for other purposes, such as hydroponics, aquaponics and bioreactors. Animal bones and precipitated struvite from waste water are examples of materials which may be applicable in bioreactors. Containing easily available N and P, recent studies have shown that these materials are valuable for amendment of soil fertility and crop productivity in land-based agriculture. Studies should be initiated to design bioreactors utilising locally available sources of nutrients and organic matter, to make the bioreactors more sustainable and develop organic* farming systems in a context of landless farming.
Diagonalization of the finite Hilbert transform on two adjacent intervals: the Riemann–Hilbert approach
Authors: Bertola Marco , Blackstone Elliot , Katsevich Alexander , Tovbis Alexander
Published: June 2020

In this paper we study the spectra of bounded self-adjoint linear operators that are related to finite Hilbert transforms $$\mathcal {H}_L:L^2([b_L,0])\rightarrow L^2([0,b_R])$$

H
L

:

L
2

(

[

b
L

,
0
]

)

→

L
2

(

[
0
,

b
R

]

)

and $$\mathcal {H}_R:L^2([0,b_R])\rightarrow L^2([b_L,0])$$

H
R

:

L
2

(

[
0
,

b
R

]

)

→

L
2

(

[

b
L

,
0
]

)

. These operators arise when one studies the interior problem of tomography. The diagonalization of $$\mathcal {H}_R,\mathcal {H}_L$$

H
R

,

H
L

has been previously obtained, but only asymptotically when $$b_L\ne -b_R$$

b
L

≠
-

b
R

. We implement a novel approach based on the method of matrix Riemann–Hilbert problems (RHP) which diagonalizes $$\mathcal {H}_R,\mathcal {H}_L$$

H
R

,

H
L

explicitly. We also find the asymptotics of the solution to a related RHP and obtain error estimates.
Acute and Sub-chronic Toxicity of Indole Alkaloids Extract from Leaves of Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. in Beagle Dogs
Authors: Zhao Yun-Li , Su Min , Shang Jian-Hua , Wang Xia , Bao Guang-Lei , Ma Jia , Sun Qing-Di , Yuan Fang , Wang Jing-Kun , Luo Xiao-Dong
Published: June 2020

Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br., an evergreen tropical plant rich in indole alkaloids with significant physiological activity, is traditionally used to treat respiratory diseases in China. This study was conducted to establish the toxicity profile of the alkaloid extract (TA) of A. scholaris leaves in non-rodents. After oral administration of a single dose (4 g/kg.bw), a number of transient symptoms, such as unsteady gait, drooling, emesis, and reddening of peri-oral mucosa, were observed, but no treatment-related mortality. A sub-chronic toxicity study with a range of doses of TA (20, 60 and 120 mg/kg.bw) was conducted for a 13-week treatment period, followed by 4-week recovery observation. Except for emesis and drooling in majority of animals in 120 mg/kg.bw treatment group, no clinical changes were observed in TA-treated animals. Data from electrocardiography, bone marrow, urine, fecal, hematology and clinical chemistry analyses were comparable between TA-treated and control animals. No significant differences in the relative organ weights and histopathological characteristics were evident between the TA-treated and control groups. Accordingly, the non-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) of TA was established as 120 mg/kg.bw. Our results add further knowledge to the safety database for indole alkaloid extracts from A. scholaris with potential utility as novel drug candidates.

Graphic Abstract