bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a conceptual model and patient-reported outcome measures for assessing symptoms and functioning in patients with heart failure
Authors: Moshkovich Olga , Benjamin Katy , Hall Katie , Murphy Ryan , von Maltzahn Robyn , Gorsh Boris , Sikirica Vanja , Saini Rajnish , Sprecher Dennis
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Heart failure (HF) is a common condition that places considerable burden on patients. We aimed to develop a patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure to assess the symptoms and impacts of HF.

Methods

Phase 1: a targeted literature review, expert interviews, and concept elicitation (CE) interviews with patients with HF (n = 26) were used to develop a conceptual model of the core symptoms and impacts of HF. To capture these concepts, three new fit-for-purpose PRO questionnaires were constructed in accordance with US Food and Drug Administration PRO guidance. Phase 2: three ‘waves’ of cognitive interviews were conducted with patients with HF (n = 28) to validate and refine the questionnaires.

Results

Three key symptoms—shortness of breath, oedema, and fatigue—were identified across the literature review, expert interviews and CE interviews. Several additional symptoms, cognitive changes and impacts of HF were reported in the CE interviews and included in the conceptual model. A 10-item symptom questionnaire (Heart Failure-Daily Symptom Diary) was constructed; cognitive testing showed that the final PRO measure was easy to understand/complete and relevant to patients with HF, confirming content validity. Two HF impact questionnaires were developed (Assessing Dyspnoea’s Impact on Mobility and Sleep and Heart Failure-Functional Status Assessment), but required refinement to ensure patient understanding.

Conclusions

Patient input contributed to the development of a PRO instrument for assessing physical and cognitive symptoms important to patients with HF using novel measurement strategies. Inclusion of daily metrics offers differentiation from other qualified instruments and may provide clinical insight for improving lifestyles. Additionally, two draft PRO measures may, after further validation, be useful to assess the impacts of HF.
Capability of well-being: validation of the Hungarian version of the ICECAP-A and ICECAP-O questionnaires and population normative data
Authors: Baji Petra , Farkas Miklós , Dobos Ágota , Zrubka Zsombor , Gulácsi László , Brodszky Valentin , Rencz Fanni , Péntek Márta
Published: May 2020

Purpose

We aimed to develop and assess the psychometric characteristics of the Hungarian language version of two well-being capability measures, the ICEpop CAPability measure for Adults/Older people (ICECAP-A/-O), and to establish population norms.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was performed involving a representative sample of the Hungarian population. Socio-demographic characteristics, the use and provision of informal care were recorded. The Minimum European Health Module (MEHM), EQ-5D-5L, WHO-5 well-being index, happiness and life satisfaction visual analogue scale (VAS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) measures were applied alongside the ICECAP-A (age-group 18–64) and ICECAP-O (age-group 65+).

Results

Altogether 1568 and 453 individuals completed the ICECAP-A/-O questionnaires, respectively. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.86 for both measures (internal consistency). Subgroup analyses showed positive associations between ICECAP-A/-O scores and marital status, employment, income, health status (MEHM) and informal care use (construct validity). Pearson correlations were strong (r > 0.5; p < 0.01) between ICECAP-A/-O indexes and EQ-5D-5L, WHO-5, happiness and satisfaction VAS and SWLS scores (convergent validity). The age, education, and marital status were no longer significant in the multiple regression analysis. Test–retest average (SD) scores were 0.88 (0.11) and 0.89 (0.10) for the ICECAP-A, and equally 0.86 (0.09) for the ICECAP-O (reliability).

Conclusion

This is the first study to provide ICECAP-A/-O population norms. Also, it is the first to explore associations with WHO-5 well-being index which, alongside the MEHM measures, enable estimates from routinely collected international health statistics. The Hungarian ICECAP-A/-O proved to be valid and reliable measurement tools. Socio-demographic characteristics had minor or no impact on ICECAP-A/-O. Other influencing factors deserve further investigation in future research.
The political economy of differentiated integration: The case of common agricultural policy
Authors: Malang Thomas , Holzinger Katharina
Published: May 2020

The past and arguably the future of the European Union (EU) are characterized by Differentiated Integration (DI). Whereas a number of studies examine country variance in the realization of DI due to state-level characteristics, scholars have rarely addressed sector-specific differentiation. We select Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for such an analysis – the policy domain with the largest budget, most contestation in the Council of Ministers, most redistribution, and most differentiated legal acts. Building on liberal intergovernmentalism, we develop a demand and supply model to explain the number of opt-outs a country realizes in CAP legislation. We hypothesize that the member states’ demand for differentiation is driven by agricultural lobbyism and by the political receptiveness of governments; the supply-side is driven by member states’ voting or bargaining power; and the realized differentiations are a consequence of the interaction of demand and supply. Using all differentiations in new CAP legal acts from 1993 to 2012, we test these hypotheses in a time-series cross-section design. We find that the domestic level of agricultural protectionism, conservative parties in government and voting power are robust predictors of the realization of differentiation in CAP. Our results support the general claim of liberal intergovernmentalism, that domestic societal and economic interests and political bargaining power shape the course of (differentiated) integration.
Fatigue Strength of 316 L Stainless Steel Manufactured by Selective Laser Melting
Authors: Hatami Sepehr , Ma Taoran , Vuoristo Taina , Bertilsson Jens , Lyckfeldt Ola
Published: May 2020

In this study, the fatigue strength of 316 L stainless steel manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM) is evaluated. The effect of powder layer thickness and postmachining is investigated. Specimens were produced with 30 and 50 µm layer thickness and tested under high cycle fatigue in as-printed and postmachined conditions. Examination of the specimens reveals that in the as-printed condition, fatigue strength suffers from high roughness and surface tensile residual stresses as well as defects such as pores and lack of fusion voids. After machining, the fatigue strength was improved due to lower surface roughness, presence of compressive residual stresses, and removal of surface porosity. The results show that increasing the layer thickness (within the range tested) has a minor negative impact on fatigue strength; however, it has a major positive impact on the productivity of the SLM process. In addition, it is clear that the impact of postmachining on fatigue is far greater than that of the layer thickness.
1H, 13C and 15N NMR chemical shift assignments of cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein-19 and -16 (ARPP-19 and ARPP-16)
Authors: Thapa Chandan J. , Haataja Tatu , Pentikäinen Ulla , Permi Perttu
Published: May 2020

Protein Phosphatase 2A, PP2A, the principal Serine/threonine phosphatase, has major roles in broad range of signaling pathways that include regulation of cell cycle, cell proliferation and neuronal signaling. The loss of function of PP2A is linked with many human diseases, like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) functions as tumor suppressor and its tumor suppressor activity is inhibited by the overexpression of PP2A inhibitor proteins in most of the cancers. ARPP-19/ARPP-16 has been identified as one of the potential PP2A inhibitor proteins. Here, we report the resonance assignment of backbone 1H, 13C and 15N atoms of human ARPP-19 and ARPP-16 proteins. These chemical shift values can provide valuable information for the further study of the dynamics and interaction of ARPP-proteins to PP2A using NMR spectroscopy.
Survival of Brucella abortus S19 and other Brucella spp. in the presence of oxidative stress and within macrophages
Authors: Jacob Jens , Finke Antje , Mielke Martin
Published: May 2020

The evolutionary “success” of the genus Brucella depends on the ability to persist both in the environment as well as inside of even activated macrophages of the animal host. For that, the Brucellae produce catalase and superoxide dismutase to defend against oxidative stress. Since the deletion of the mglA gene in the B. abortus S19 vaccine strain resulted not only in an increased tolerance to H2O2 but also in the induction of cytokines in macrophages, we here investigated the effect of oxidative stress (Fe2+ and H2O2) on the survival of B. abortus S19 and the isogenic B. abortus S 19 ∆mglA 3.14 deletion mutant in comparison with B. neotomae 5K33, Brucella strain 83/13, and B. microti CCM4915. These Brucellae belong to different phylogenetic clades and show characteristic differences in the mgl-operon. From the various Brucellae tested, B. abortus S19 showed the highest susceptibility to oxidative stress and the lowest ability to survive inside of murine macrophages. B. abortus S19 ∆mglA 3.14 as well as B. neotomae, which also belongs to the classical core clade of Brucella and lacks the regulators of the mgl-operon, presented the highest degree of tolerance to H2O2 but not in the survival in macrophages. The latter was most pronounced in case of an infection with B. 83/13 and B. microti CCM4915. The various Brucellae investigated here demonstrate significant differences in tolerance against oxidative stress and different survival in murine macrophages, which, however, do not correlate directly.
Screening and characterisation of virus causing yellow leaf disease of Tephrosia in Ethiopia
Authors: Kumar Alok , Hanson Jean , Jones Chris S. , Assefa Yilikal , Mulatu Fikerte
Published: May 2020

Tephrosia, an important medicinal plant, and a potential livestock feed, was found to be affected by a leaf yellowing disease at the Ziway field site of the International Livestock Research Institute. A total of fifty samples from 300 plants were collected from twenty Tephrosia species in three consecutive planting seasons; 2015, 2016 and 2017. The samples were screened for viral infection by dot-blot assay with antiserum targetting eight viruses. RT-PCR of dot-blot positive samples using virus specific primers gave an amplification product of the expected size (867 bp) only for cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in Tephrosia senna. The amplified products were sequenced; coat protein sequence (657 bp) extracted, and submitted to NCBI database (Tep-Et; KY041651). Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analyses indicated that the isolate, Tep-Et, shared maximum identity [88.8–97.5% nucleotide (nt) and 89.4–96.3% amino acid (aa)] with CMV belonging to members of subgroup-I. To our knowledge, this is the first report of molecular characterisation of a CMV isolate infecting a new host, T. senna in Ethiopia.
Measurement precision at the cut score in medical multiple choice exams: Theory matters
Authors: Lahner Felicitas-Maria , Schauber Stefan , Lörwald Andrea Carolin , Kropf Roger , Guttormsen Sissel , Fischer Martin R. , Huwendiek Sören
Published: May 2020

Introduction In high-stakes assessment, the measurement precision of pass-fail decisions is of great importance. A concept for analyzing the measurement precision at the cut score is conditional reliability, which describes measurement precision for every score achieved in an exam. We compared conditional reliabilities in Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT) with a special focus on the cut score and potential factors influencing conditional reliability at the cut score.

Methods We analyzed 32 multiple-choice exams from three Swiss medical schools comparing conditional reliability at the cut score in IRT and CCT. Additionally, we analyzed potential influencing factors such as the range of examinees’ performance, year of study, and number of items using multiple regression.

Results In CTT, conditional reliability was highest for very low and very high scores, whereas examinees with medium scores showed low conditional reliabilities. In IRT, the maximum conditional reliability was in the middle of the scale. Therefore, conditional reliability at the cut score was significantly higher in IRT compared with CTT. It was influenced by the range of examinees’ performance and number of items. This influence was more pronounced in CTT.

Discussion We found that conditional reliability shows inverse distributions and conclusions regarding the measurement precision at the cut score depending on the theory used. As the use of IRT seems to be more appropriate for criterion-oriented standard setting in the framework of competency-based medical education, our findings might have practical implications for the design and quality assurance of medical education assessments.
Modeling Determinants of Low Birth Weight for Under Five-Children in Ethiopia
Authors: Bekalo Daniel Biftu , Nigussie Zelalem Mehari , Yimer Belay Birlie , Anteneh Zelalem Alamrew
Published: May 2020

Low birth weight (LBW) is a major determinant of morbidity, mortality and disability in infancy and childhood and has a long-term impact on health outcomes in adult life. This study was aimed to model LBW using marginal and generalized linear mixed models as well as identify the potential risk factors of LBW in Ethiopia. Data was taken from the 2011 Ethiopian demographic and health survey, which is a nationally representative survey of children in the 0–59 month age groups. Two model families, generalized estimating equation and alternating logistic regression models from marginal model family, and generalized linear mixed model from cluster specific model family were used for the analysis. The result showed that 34.8% of children were born with LBW. Alternating logistic regression model was best fits the data for population-averaged effects of the given factors on birth weight than generalized estimating equation model. Generalized linear mixed model with two random intercepts was the best model to evaluate within and between regional heterogeneity of birth weight. Both the best-fitted models gave the same conclusion that sex, wealth status, age, antenatal care, marital status, vaccination, anemia and mother education level were the determinant factors of LBW. This study contributes to the understanding of the individual and collective effect of maternal, socio-economic and child related factors influencing infant birth weight in Ethiopia.
Impact of an automated hand hygiene monitoring system combined with a performance improvement intervention on hospital-acquired infections
Authors: Knepper Bryan C. , Miller Amber M. , Young Heather L.
Published: May 2020

Objective:

Hand hygiene adherence has been associated with reductions in nosocomial infection. We assessed the effect of improvements in electronically measured hand hygiene adherence on the incidence of hospital-acquired infections.

Methods:

This quasi-experimental study was conducted in a 555-bed urban safety-net level I trauma center. The preintervention period was January 2015 through June 2016. Baseline electronic hand hygiene data collection took place from April through June 2016. The intervention period was July 2016 through December 2017. An electronic hand hygiene system was installed in 4 locations in our hospital. Performance improvement strategies were implemented that included education, troubleshooting, data dissemination, and feedback. Adherence rates were tracked over time. Rates of hospital-acquired infections were evaluated in the intervention units and in control units selected for comparison. The intervention period was subdivided into the initial and subsequent 9-month periods and were compared to the baseline period.

Results:

Electronically measured hand hygiene rates improved significantly from baseline to intervention, from 47% 77% adherence. Rates >70% continued to be measured 18 months after the intervention. Interrupted time series analysis indicated a significant effect of hand hygiene on healthcare facility-onset Clostridioides difficile infection rates during the first 9 months of the intervention. This trend continued during the final 9 months of the intervention but was nonsignificant. No effects were observed for other hospital-acquired infection rates.

Conclusions:

Implementation of electronic hand hygiene monitoring and performance improvement interventions resulted in reductions in hospital-onset Clostridioides difficile infection rates.
Choosing a Markov blanket
Authors: Parr Thomas
Published: May 2020

This commentary focuses upon the relationship between two themes in the target article: the ways in which a Markov blanket may be defined and the role of precision and salience in mediating the interactions between what is internal and external to a system. These each rest upon the different perspectives we might take while “choosing” a Markov blanket.
Thinking through others’ emotions: Incorporating the role of emotional state inference in thinking through other minds
Authors: Smith Ryan , Lane Richard D.
Published: May 2020

The active inference framework offers an attractive starting point for understanding cultural cognition. Here, we argue that affective dynamics are essential to include when constructing this type of theory. We highlight ways in which interactions between emotional responses and the perception of those responses, both within and between individuals, can play central roles in both motivating and constraining sociocultural practices.
The multicultural mind as an epistemological test and extension for the thinking through other minds approach
Authors: Christopoulos George I. , Hong Ying-yi
Published: May 2020

The multicultural experience (i.e., multicultural individuals and cross-cultural experiences) offers the intriguing possibility for (i) an empirical examination of how free-energy principles explain dynamic cultural behaviors and pragmatic cultural phenomena and (ii) a challenging but decisive test of thinking through other minds (TTOM) predictions. We highlight that TTOM needs to treat individuals as active cultural agents instead of passive learners.
Social epistemic actions
Authors: Pezzulo Giovanni , Barca Laura , Maisto Domenico , Donnarumma Francesco
Published: May 2020

We consider the ways humans engage in social epistemic actions, to guide each other's attention, prediction, and learning processes towards salient information, at the timescale of online social interaction and joint action. This parallels the active guidance of other's attention, prediction, and learning processes at the longer timescale of niche construction and cultural practices, as discussed in the target article.
The cost of over-intellectualizing the free-energy principle
Authors: Hutto Daniel D.
Published: May 2020

This commentary raises a question about the target article's proposed explanation of what goes on when we think through other minds. It highlights a tension between non-mindreading characterizations of everyday social cognition and the individualist, cognitivist assumptions that target article's explanatory proposal inherits from the predictive processing framework it favours.
Enculturation without TTOM and Bayesianism without FEP: Another Bayesian theory of culture is needed
Authors: Fortier-Davy Martin
Published: May 2020

First, I discuss cross-cultural evidence showing that a good deal of enculturation takes place outside of thinking through other minds. Second, I review evidence challenging the claim that humans seek to minimize entropy. Finally, I argue that optimality claims should be avoided, and that descriptive Bayesianism offers a more promising avenue for the development of a Bayesian theory of culture.
Wh-Questions are understood before polar-questions: Evidence from English, German, and Chinese
Authors: MORADLOU Sara , ZHENG Xiaobei , TIAN Ye , GINZBURG Jonathan
Published: May 2020

In this paper we consider the order of emergence of comprehension of wh-questions and polar-questions. We argue that considerations of complexity and input favour the earlier emergence of polar questions; on the other hand, if one assumes that question understanding emerges as a consequence of interactive learning this favours (certain) wh-questions, as well as a small subclass of polar questions. We offer corpus evidence from the Providence corpus that (a certain class of) wh-questions are in fact understood earlier than the polar-questions. We test this observation using elicitation studies on German and Chinese speaking children. Our results confirm the finding from the corpus study and are in line with an interactive learning perspective for the emergence of understanding of questions.
Institutional analysis and the gift: an introduction to the symposium
Authors: Kesting Stefan , Negru Ioana , Silvestri Paolo
Published: May 2020

How can gift and gift-giving studies be relevant to the study of institutions andvice versa? This is the question we broadly address in the introduction to this symposium while drawing on the contributing articles and sketching out a possible future research in a perspective of integration between these two fields of study. Is the gift an institution? What types of methodological approaches would be most suitable in view of such integration? We define the gift as transfers underpinned by institutions, including customs and norms. We contend that the institutional thought can employ empirical and qualitative research methods used by anthropology and that there are important and fruitful lines of tension between gift-giving and institutions – from the relationship between freedom and obligation to the role of third sector between state and market – worthy of further research in the future.
COVID-19 complicated by pulmonary embolism treated with catheter directed thrombectomy
Authors: Galastri Francisco Leonardo , Valle Leonardo Guedes Moreira , Affonso Breno Boueri , Silva Marcela Juliano , Garcia Rodrigo Gobbo , Junior Milton Rodrigues , Ferraz Leonardo Jose Rolim , de Matos Gustavo Faissol Janot , de la Cruz Scarin Farah Christina , Nasser Felipe
Published: May 2020

Summary: COVID-19 is a recently identified illness that is associated with thromboembolic events. We report a case of pulmonary embolism in a patient with COVID-19, treated by catheter directed thrombectomy. A 57 year old patient presented to the emergency center with severe COVID-19 symptoms and developed massive pulmonary embolism. The patient was treated with catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) and recovered completely. Coagulopathy associated with COVID-19 is present in all severe cases and is a dynamic process. We describe a case of massive/high risk pulmonary embolism, in a patient with COVID-19 receiving full anticoagulation, who was treated by percutaneous intervention. CDT can be an additional therapeutic option in patients with COVID-19 and pulmonary embolism that present with rapid clinical collapse.
Amplification of transglutaminase 2 enhances tumor-promoting inflammation in gastric cancers
Authors: Cho Sung-Yup , Oh Yumi , Jeong Eui Man , Park Sanghui , Lee Dakeun , Wang Xiaorui , Zeng Qiqi , Qin Hongyu , Hu Fang , Gong Hui , Liu Xi , Zhang Guanjun , Na Deukchae , Lee Jieun , Chae Jeesoo , Suh Yun-Suhk , Kong Seong-Ho , Lee Hyuk-Joon , Kim Jong-Il , Park Hansoo , Zhang Chengsheng , Yang Han-Kwang , Lee Charles
Published: May 2020

Tumor-promoting inflammation is a hallmark of cancer and is highly associated with tumor progression, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are major drivers of tumor-promoting inflammation, but due to the complexity of the tumor microenvironment, the detailed regulatory mechanisms are still under investigation. Here, we investigated a novel role for transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) in the development of tumor-promoting inflammation and recruitment of TAMs to gastric cancer (GC) tissues. When estimated by array comparative genomic hybridization and droplet digital PCR, the copy numbers of the TGM2 gene were amplified in 13.6% (14/103) of GC patients and positively associated with TGM2 expression. Gene set enrichment analysis of expression microarray data for GC samples with high or low TGM2 expression showed that increased TGM2 expression was associated with tumor-promoting inflammation in GC. In addition, the expression of TGM2 was correlated with the expression of markers for macrophages, neutrophils, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels. Overexpression of TGM2 in GC cells augmented the IL-1β-induced secretion of macrophage-recruiting chemokines and NF-κB activation. TGM2 protein levels were associated with the expression levels of the macrophage marker CD163 in human GC tissue samples. Moreover, GC patients with high expression of TGM2 had a worse prognosis than those with low expression of TGM2. These results suggest TGM2 as a novel regulator of the tumor microenvironment of GC and provide a promising target for constraining tumor-promoting inflammation.
Cortical astrocytes regulate ethanol consumption and intoxication in mice
Authors: Erickson E. K. , DaCosta A. J. , Mason S. C. , Blednov Y. A. , Mayfield R. D. , Harris R. A.
Published: May 2020

Astrocytes are fundamental building blocks of the central nervous system. Their dysfunction has been implicated in many psychiatric disorders, including alcohol use disorder, yet our understanding of their functional role in ethanol intoxication and consumption is very limited. Astrocytes regulate behavior through multiple intracellular signaling pathways, including G-protein coupled-receptor (GPCR)-mediated calcium signals. To test the hypothesis that GPCR-induced calcium signaling is also involved in the behavioral effects of ethanol, we expressed astrocyte-specific excitatory DREADDs in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of mice. Activating Gq-GPCR signaling in PFC astrocytes increased drinking in ethanol-naïve mice, but not in mice with a history of ethanol drinking. In contrast, reducing calcium signaling with an astrocyte-specific calcium extruder reduced ethanol intake. Cortical astrocyte calcium signaling also altered the acute stimulatory and sedative-hypnotic effects of ethanol. Astrocyte-specific Gq-DREADD activation increased both the locomotor-activating effects of low dose ethanol and the sedative-hypnotic effects of a high dose, while reduced astrocyte calcium signaling diminished sensitivity to the hypnotic effects. In addition, we found that adenosine A1 receptors were required for astrocyte calcium activation to increase ethanol sedation. These results support integral roles for PFC astrocytes in the behavioral actions of ethanol that are due, at least in part, to adenosine receptor activation.
Dual functions of Rack1 in regulating Hedgehog pathway
Authors: Li Yan , Sun Xiaohan , Gao Dongqing , Ding Yan , Liu Jinxiao , Chen Jiong , Luo Jun , Zhang Junzheng , Liu Qingxin , Zhou Zizhang
Published: May 2020

Hedgehog (Hh) pathway plays multiple roles in many physiological processes and its dysregulation leads to congenital disorders and cancers. Hh regulates the cellular localization of Smoothened (Smo) and the stability of Cubitus interruptus (Ci) to fine-tune the signal outputs. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Here, we show that the scaffold protein Rack1 plays dual roles in Hh signaling. In the absence of Hh, Rack1 promotes Ci and Cos2 to form a Ci–Rack1–Cos2 complex, culminating in Slimb-mediated Ci proteolysis. In the presence of Hh, Rack1 dissociates from Ci–Rack1–Cos2 complex and forms a trimeric complex with Smo and Usp8, leading to Smo deubiquitination and cell surface accumulation. Furthermore, we find the regulation of Rack1 on Hh pathway is conserved fromDrosophilato mammalian cells. Our findings demonstrate that Rack1 plays dual roles during Hh signal transduction and provide Rack1 as a potential drug target for Hh-related diseases.
Prospective deep phenotyping of choroideremia patients using multimodal structure-function approaches
Authors: Hagag Ahmed M. , Mitsios Andreas , Narayan Akshay , Abbouda Alessandro , Webster Andrew R. , Dubis Adam M. , Moosajee Mariya
Published: May 2020

Objective

To investigate the retinal changes in choroideremia (CHM) patients to determine correlations between age, structure and function.

Subjects/Methods

Twenty-six eyes from 13 male CHM patients were included in this prospective longitudinal study. Participants were divided into <50-year (n = 8) and ≥50-year (n = 5) old groups. Patients were seen at baseline, 6-month, and 1-year visits. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography, and fundus autofluorescence were performed to measure central foveal (CFT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT), as well as areas of preserved choriocapillaris (CC), ellipsoid zone (EZ), and autofluorescence (PAF). Patients also underwent functional investigations including visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity (CS), colour testing, microperimetry, dark adaptometry, and handheld electroretinogram (ERG). Vision-related quality-of-life was assessed by using the NEI-VFQ-25 questionnaire.

Results

Over the 1-year follow-up period, progressive loss was detected in SCT, EZ, CC, PAF, and CFT. Those ≥50-years exhibited more structural and functional defects with SCT, EZ, CC, and PAF showing strong correlation with patient age (rho ≤ −0.47, p ≤ 0.02). CS and VA did not change over the year, but CS was significantly correlated with age (rho = −0.63, p = 0.001). Delayed to unmeasurable dark adaptation, decreased colour discrimination and no detectable ERG activity were observed in all patients. Minimal functional deterioration was observed over one year with a general trend of slower progression in the ≥50-years group.

Conclusions

Quantitative structural parameters including SCT, CC, EZ, and PAF are most useful for disease monitoring in CHM. Extended follow-up studies are required to determine longitudinal functional changes.
Determination of membrane capacitance and cytoplasm conductivity by simultaneous electrorotation
Authors: Kawai Shikiho , Suzuki Masato , Arimoto Satoshi , Korenaga Tsuguhiro , Yasukawa Tomoyuki
Published: May 2020

Simultaneous electrorotation enables the determination of the electrical properties of cells (membrane capacitance and cytoplasm conductivity) after a single operation of the device.
Nanosecond laser photothermal effect-triggered amplification of photochromic reactions in diarylethene nanoparticles
Authors: Ishibashi Yukihide , Nakai Shoki , Masuda Keisuke , Kitagawa Daichi , Kobatake Seiya , Asahi Tsuyoshi
Published: May 2020

A photosynergetic response coupled with nanoscale laser heating and the photochemical reaction in nanoparticles resulted in the drastic enhancement of the cycloreversion reaction in aqueous diarylethene nanocolloids.
A facile method for generating worm-like micelles with controlled lengths and narrow polydispersity
Authors: Nahi Ouassef , Cayre Olivier J. , Kim Yi-Yeoun , Smith Andrew J. , Warren Nicholas J. , Meldrum Fiona C.
Published: May 2020

Formation of highly uniform worm micelles by simple sonication post-polymerisation-induced self-assembly (PISA) synthesis.
Direct air capture (DAC) of CO2 using polyethylenimine (PEI) “snow”: a scalable strategy
Authors: Xu Xingguang , Myers Matthew B. , Versteeg Friso G. , Pejcic Bobby , Heath Charles , Wood Colin D.
Published: May 2020

We report the rapid and scalable preparation of PEI snow that can remove CO2 from air under industrial conditions.
Homogeneous DNA-only keypad locks enable one-pot assay of multi-inputs
Authors: Wei Bing , Sun Xianbao , Yao Dongbao , Li Chengxu , Xiao Shiyan , Guo Yijun , Liang Haojun
Published: May 2020

Homogeneous DNA keypad locks that only employed DNA components have been constructed, enabling one-pot assay of multiple DNA inputs.
Transformation of carbodiimides to guanidine derivatives facilitated by gallylenes
Authors: Dodonov Vladimir A. , Xiao Lin , Kushnerova Olga A. , Baranov Evgeny V. , Zhao Yanxia , Yang Xiao-Juan , Fedushkin Igor L.
Published: May 2020

The reductive C–N coupling of carbodiimides in the presence of gallium(i).
Chlorination and tautomerism: a computational and UPS/XPS study of 2-hydroxypyridine ⇌ 2-pyridone equilibrium
Authors: Melandri Sonia , Evangelisti Luca , Canola Sofia , Sa'adeh Hanan , Calabrese Camilla , Coreno Marcello , Grazioli Cesare , Prince Kevin C. , Negri Fabrizia , Maris Assimo
Published: May 2020

Disentangling complex photoelectronic spectral features through computational studies allows to achieve a precise description of the tautomeric equilibrium in the neutral and cationic states of parent, 3-Cl, 4-Cl, 5-Cl and 6-Cl 2-hydroxypyridine.
Powerful, transferable representations for molecules through intelligent task selection in deep multitask networks
Authors: Fare Clyde , Turcani Lukas , Pyzer-Knapp Edward O.
Published: May 2020

We develop and test a framework for selecting appropriate chemical datasets to create molecular representations tailored for specific tasks.
Dually directional glycosylated phthalocyanines as extracellular red-emitting fluorescent probes
Authors: Husain Ali , Ganesan Asaithampi , Machacek Miloslav , Cerveny Lukas , Kubat Pavel , Ghazal Basma , Zimcik Petr , Makhseed Saad
Published: May 2020

Control of the spatial orientation of glycosylated peripheral substituents in phthalocyanines provides monomeric species that are highly fluorescent in water. Due to their hydrophilic nature, they are suitable as extracellular fluorescent probes.
Mechanistic molecular motion of transition-metal mediated β-hydrogen transfer: quasiclassical trajectories reveal dynamically ballistic, dynamically unrelaxed, two step, and concerted mechanisms
Authors: Wheeler Josh I. , Carlsen Ryan , Ess Daniel H.
Published: May 2020

Quasiclassical direct dynamics reveal new dynamical mechanisms for metal-alkyl to ethylene β-hydrogen transfer.
In situ structural evolution of the multi-site alloy electrocatalyst to manipulate the intermediate for enhanced water oxidation reaction
Authors: Wang Bingliang , Zhao Kangning , Yu Zhuo , Sun Congli , Wang Zhuo , Feng Ningning , Mai Liqiang , Wang Yonggang , Xia Yongyao
Published: May 2020

The in situ structural evolution of the catalyst was successfully achieved by in situ electrochemical dealloying approach. Direct evidence of O–O bond formation was probed by operando ATR FT-IR, suggesting the direct O2 evolution mechanism.
S-petasin inhibits lipid accumulation in oleic acid-induced HepG2 cells through activation of the AMPK signaling pathway
Authors: Guo Lu , Kang Jum Soon , Park Young Hoon , Je Beong Il , Lee Yong Jae , Kang Nam Jun , Park Sun Young , Hwang Dae Youn , Choi Young Whan
Published: May 2020

S-petasin inhibits lipid accumulation in oleic acid-induced HepG2 cells.
Rigid biobased polycarbonates with good processability based on a spirocyclic diol derived from citric acid
Authors: Bonjour Olivier , Liblikas Ilme , Pehk Tõnis , Khai-Nghi Truong , Rissanen Kari , Vares Lauri , Jannasch Patric
Published: May 2020

A bicylic diketone is derived from citric acid and readily ketalized with trimethylolpropane to produce a spirodiol monomer for rigid, high-molecular weight, melt processable biobased polycarbonates.
Palladium nano-particles as a recyclable catalyst for C–O bond formation under solvent free conditions
Authors: Khan Ajmal , Zhang Junjie , Khan Shahid
Published: May 2020

Recyclable catalysis: Green, economical and sustainable synthesis of multi-functionalized allylic ethers under solvent free conditions from phenols and vinyl cyclic carbonates using recyclable PdNPs as a catalyst.
Rapid, multiplexed detection of biomolecules using electrically distinct hydrogel beads
Authors: Cowell Thomas W. , Valera Enrique , Jankelow Aaron , Park Joonhyuck , Schrader Alex W. , Ding Ruihua , Berger Jacob , Bashir Rashid , Han Hee-Sun
Published: May 2020

Electrically distinct microparticles enable rapid, versatile, and multiplexed electrical detection of biomolecules using Coulter counting-based detection.
A simple method for production of hydrophilic, rigid, and sterilized multi-layer 3D integrated polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic chips
Authors: Oyama Tomoko Gowa , Oyama Kotaro , Taguchi Mitsumasa
Published: May 2020

We have developed a high-throughput method for obtaining hydrophilic, rigid, low-absorption/adsorption, and sterilized multi-layer 3D integrated PDMS microfluidic chips simply by applying electron beam or γ-ray irradiation to stacked PDMS layers.
Depositing reduced graphene oxide onto tungsten disulfide nanosheets via microwave irradiation: confirmation of four-electron transfer-assisted oxygen reduction and methanol oxidation reaction
Authors: Vattikuti Surya Veerendra Prabhakar , Nagajyothi Patnamsetty Chidanandha , Devarayapalli Kamakshaiah Charyulu , Shim Jaesool
Published: May 2020

Core–shell structured rGO@WS2 nanostructures exhibited four electron transfer towards the ORR and remarkable methanol oxidation reaction.
Combined experimental and theoretical studies on a phenyl thiadiazole-based novel turn-on fluorescent colorimetric Schiff base chemosensor for the selective and sensitive detection of Al3+
Authors: Manna Amit Kumar , Chowdhury Shubhamoy , Patra Goutam K.
Published: May 2020

A phenyl thiadiazole based receptor (L) has been presented for fluorescent colorimetric detection of Al3+ion with very low detection limit in aqueous medium. The probeLcan be applied for logic gate formation, recovery of contaminated water samples and smart-phone based analysis.
Physiological cyclic stretch up-regulates angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression to reduce proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Song Jiantao , Qu Haiyan , Hu Bo , Bi Chenglong , Li Mengmeng , Wang Lin , Huang Xiaozhen , Zhang Mei
Published: May 2020

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is considered as an endogenous negative regulator of renin–angiotensin system (RAS), exerting multiple cardiovascular protective roles. Whether mechanical stretch modulates ACE2 expression remains unknown. The present study aimed at investigating whether ACE2 is involved in physiological stretch (10% elongation, 1 Hz) mediated cellular functions and the underlying mechanism. Cultured human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) were exposed to 10% stretch for indicated time, and real-time PCR and Western blot analysis showed 10% stretch increased ACE2 expression and activity significantly compared with static conditions and increased Ang-(1-7) level, but decreased Ang II level; Brdu incorporation assay and Scratch test showed that ACE2 was involved in the inhibition of HASMCs proliferation and migration by 10% stretch; the Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay demonstrated that 10% increased ACE2 promoter activity, but had no effect on ACE2 mRNA stability; kinase inhibition study and Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) showed that JNK1/2 and PKCβII pathway, as well as their downstream transcription factors, AP-1 and NF-κB, were involved in 10% stretch induced ACE2 expression. In conclusion, our study indicates ACE2 is a mechanosensitive gene, and may represent a potential therapeutic target for mechanical forces related vascular diseases.
β-elemene suppresses Warburg effect in NCI-H1650 non-small-cell lung cancer cells by regulating the miR-301a-3p/AMPKα axis
Authors: Li Lin , Zhao Dongkai , Cheng Guangyu , Li Qingjie , Chu Yunjie , Chu Hongbo , Ding Yunlu , Li Chikun
Published: May 2020

β-elemene has been evidenced to suppress the development of numerous cancers including lung cancer. Previous research has found that in A549 cells, β-elemene increased the expression of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α (AMPKα), which negatively regulates the Warburg effect. Bioinformatics predicted that binding sites exist between AMPKα and miR-301a-3p, an miRNA that has shown oncogenic function in many cancers. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of β-elemene on the Warburg effect in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and its mechanism. Herein, the expression of miR-301a-3p was evaluated in NSCLC cells. Then, miR-301a-3p was overexpressed or silenced by mimics or inhibitors, respectively, followed by treatment with AMPK agonists or antagonists. NSCLC cells subjected to miR-301a-3p overexpression or inhibition were further treated with β-elemene. The results demonstrated that AMPKα was targeted and negatively regulated by miR-301a-3p. AMPKα agonists attenuated the Warburg effect in NSCLC cells induced by miR-301a-3p, as evidenced by the decrease in glucose level, lactic acid level, and expression of metabolism-related enzymes (glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), hexokinase 1 (HK1), and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA)). Additionally, β-elemene suppressed the expression of miR-301a-3p, enhanced that of AMPKα, and inhibited the Warburg effect in NSCLC cells. The results indicated that β-elemene attenuates the Warburg effect in NSCLC cells, possibly by mediating the miR-301a-3p/AMPKα axis.
LOC101928834, a novel lncRNA in Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, promotes cell proliferation and predicts poor clinical outcome in myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Li Nianyi , Ma Yan , Wang Wei , Yin C. Cameron , Wu Wanling , Sun Ruichen , Zhao Guangjie , Li Shuang , Wang Xiaoqin
Published: May 2020

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in hematological malignancies. We have previously identified several differentially expressed lncRNAs in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) by microarray analysis. In the present study, we explored the regulatory circuitry, potential functions, clinical and prognostic relevance of these lncRNAs in MDS by developing a lncRNA regulation network. We identified a novel lncRNA, LOC101928834, which was significantly up-regulated in the bone marrow of patients with MDS and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We further evaluated the clinical relevance of LOC101928834 in 89 MDS and 110 AML patients and found that higher level of LOC101928834 expression was associated with higher white blood cell count, higher blast percentage, the subtype of refractory cytopenia with excess blasts (RAEB) and shorter overall survival in MDS patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that LOC101928834 expression could discriminate MDS-RAEB patients from control with an area under the receiver-operating curve (AUC) of 0.9048. Moreover, functional analysis showed that LOC101928834 promoted cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, and activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in vitro. In conclusion, LOC101928834 expression is correlated with clinical and biological features of MDS and may serve as a novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker.
Automation of the Northwestern Narrative Language Analysis System
Authors: Fromm Davida , MacWhinney Brian , Thompson Cynthia K.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Analysis of spontaneous speech samples is important for determining patterns of language production in people with aphasia. To accomplish this, researchers and clinicians can use either hand coding or computer-automated methods. In a comparison of the two methods using the hand-coding NNLA (Northwestern Narrative Language Analysis) and automatic transcript analysis by CLAN (Computerized Language Analysis), Hsu and Thompson (2018) found good agreement for 32 of 51 linguistic variables. The comparison showed little difference between the two methods for coding most general (i.e., utterance length, rate of speech production), lexical, and morphological measures. However, the NNLA system coded grammatical measures (i.e., sentence and verb argument structure) that CLAN did not. Because of the importance of quantifying these aspects of language, the current study sought to implement a new, single, composite CLAN command for the full set of 51 NNLA codes and to evaluate its reliability for coding aphasic language samples.

Method

Eighteen manually coded NNLA transcripts from eight people with aphasia and 10 controls were converted into CHAT (Codes for the Human Analysis of Talk) files for compatibility with CLAN commands. Rules from the NNLA manual were translated into programmed rules for CLAN computation of lexical, morphological, utterance-level, sentence-level, and verb argument structure measures.

Results

The new C-NNLA (CLAN command to compute the full set of NNLA measures) program automatically computes 50 of the 51 NNLA measures and generates the results in a summary spreadsheet. The only measure it does not compute is the number of verb particles. Statistical tests revealed no significant difference between C-NNLA results and those generated by manual coding for 44 of the 50 measures. C-NNLA results were not comparable to manual coding for the six verb argument measures.

Conclusion

Clinicians and researchers can use the automatic C-NNLA to analyze important variables required for quantification of grammatical deficits in aphasia in a way that is fast, replicable, and accessible without extensive linguistic knowledge and training.
Investigating impact of the heterogeneity of trajectory data distribution on origin‐destination estimation: a spatial statistics approach
Authors: Rao Wenming , Xia Jingxin , Wang Chen , Lu Zhenbo , Chen Qian
Published: May 2020

Many studies have been conducted to estimate origin‐destination (OD) demand based on vehicle trajectory data. However, the estimation accuracy heavily relies on the temporal‐spatial distribution of trajectories, and its effect on OD estimation remains unrevealed and under‐estimated. This study proposes a novel method for investigating the impact of the heterogeneity of trajectory data distribution on OD estimation at urban road networks. Synthetic scenarios are designed based on automatic license plate recognition data collected from a real‐world traffic network in Kunshan, China. Four factors: test area, sampling rate, time period, and the sampling method are selected for scenario settings. Next, a particle filter‐based method is implemented to reconstruct vehicle trajectories using the sampled trajectory data, and then the path flows and OD demands are extracted. Finally, a spatial statistics approach is introduced to reveal the spatial autocorrelation of trip generation/attraction variations, and the high‐high clusters whose OD values are significantly affected are identified. Test results show that the heterogeneity effects of trajectory distribution on OD estimation can be effectively studied by the proposed method. Further investigation shows that the findings of spatial statistics can be applied for improving OD estimation accuracy.
The influence ofTypha Australisas an insulation panel on the thermal performance of building
Authors: Ba Labouda , EL ABBASSI Ikram , Kane Cheikh S.E , Darcherif A-Moumen , Ndongo Mamoudou
Published: May 2020

Typha Australisis a plant that grows abundantly in fresh water. The proliferation of this plant causes health problems, so several measures have been taken to eradicate this problem such as: cutting the plant, coal production. So this article is about the valorisation of this plant as a bio-based material in order to solve the energy problem in the building. In this study, clay was used as a binder with a given percentage. The mixture of clay and Typha was used as an insulation panel and a comparison was made with a conventional habitat without an insulation panel. A dynamic thermal simulation was performed on TRNSYS to evaluate the influence of the use of this insulation panel on the energy consumption in the building. The results of the comparison showed that the use of this insulation panel, which is a mixture of clay andTypha Australis, reduced the energy requirement by 23%, which is a satisfactory result.