bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiofrequency-Based Devices for Female Genito-Urinary Indications: Position Statements From the European Society of Sexual Medicine
Authors: Romero-Otero Javier , Lauterbach Roy , Aversa Antonio , Serefoglu Ege Can , García-Gómez Borja , Parnhan Arie , Skrodzka Marta , Krychman Michael , Reisman Yacov , Corona Giovanni , Lowenstein Lior
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Radiofrequency (RF)-based treatment has been introduced as an esthetic alternative treatment for various medical indications without the scientific backup of a satisfactory body of evidence. Furthermore, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued a warning regarding the safety of energy-based technologies for indications such as vaginal “rejuvenation," cosmetic vaginal treatment, vaginal conditions related to menopause, and symptoms of urinary incontinence and sexual function on July 30, 2018.

Aim

To perform a thorough review of the existing literature regarding RF-based vaginal devices for the treatment of female genitourinary indications and summarize the evidence available in a few short statements.

Methods

A thorough review of the literature regarding RF treatments for gynecological indications was performed based on several databases. Studies that included at least 15 patients were eligible for analysis.

Main Outcome Measure

Efficacy of RF devices for different genitourinary indications.

Results

Although a high level of heterogeneity of studies poses a serious challenge, the committee reached a decision on several statements related to the use of RF-based devices for genitourinary indications.

Clinical Implications

RF-based vaginal treatments have not been studied thoroughly enough in order to establish decisive recommendations regarding their safety and efficacy.

Strength & Limitations

These position statements have been established by a group of experts. The lack of strong evidence makes it difficult to give decisive recommendations.

Conclusions

Further randomized controlled trials with proper methodology and design are required to establish both benefits and possible harm these treatments may have in both short and long term for all the different indications studied.
ESTABLISHING FILIATION (NASAB) AND THE PLACEMENT OF DESTITUTE CHILDREN INTO NEW FAMILIES: WHAT ROLE DOES THE STATE PLAY?
Authors: Engelcke Dörthe
Published: February 2020

The article comparatively maps state involvement in the establishment of filiation and the placement of destitute children into new families. It first reports findings from an expert survey that investigates four key areas of state involvement—the legal framework, the role of courts and ministries, guardianship regulations, and financial support and services for destitute children—across fourteen jurisdictions, twelve Muslim-majority countries, and two Muslim-minority countries. Overall, the placement of children into new families remains a sensitive issue because it is linked to different communities “claiming” the child. In principle, the states surveyed do not allow the creation of new families across religious lines. Using Jordan as a case study, the article then focuses on the implications of one particular survey finding: non-Muslims in Muslim-majority countries sometimes cannot have children placed into their homes. This finding is based on qualitative data collected in Jordan on adoption (tabannī) in the Greek Catholic community. The article argues that in settings of legal pluralism, state involvement affects different religious communities in different ways. In Jordan, due to structural factors, the state shapes Islamic family law differently than the family laws applied by Christian communities. This leads to the unequal development of different bodies of religious law and thereby to the unequal treatment of Muslim and Christian citizens.
Human Capital and Voting Behavior across Generations: Evidence from an Income Intervention
Authors: AKEE RANDALL , COPELAND WILLIAM , HOLBEIN JOHN B. , SIMEONOVA EMILIA
Published: February 2020

Despite clear evidence of a sharp income gradient in voting participation, it remains unclear whether income truly causes voting. In this article, we investigate how exogenous increases in unearned income affect voting in U.S. elections for two generations (parents and children) from the same household. In contrast to predictions made by current models of voting, we find the income shock had no effect on parents’ voting behaviors. However, we also find that increasing household income has heterogeneous effects on the civic participation of children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. It increases children’s voting propensity among those raised in initially poorer families—resulting in substantially narrowed participatory gaps. Our results are consistent with a more nuanced view of how individual resources affect patterns of voting than the dominant theoretical framework of voting—the resource model—allows. Voting is fundamentally shaped by the human capital accrued long before citizens are eligible to vote.
Food-based indicators are related to iron and iodine deficiencies of mother–toddler dyads during the lean season in northern Ghana
Authors: Kubuga Clement Kubreziga , Kennedy Gina , Song Won O.
Published: February 2020

Fe and iodine deficiencies are among the common forms of nutritional deficiencies globally and cause detrimental effects on mother and child. In developing countries, strategies to address these problems rarely use preventative dietary approaches. This cross-sectional study aims to ascertain whether dietary diversity score (DDS) and dietary patterns (DP) can predict the associated risk (AR) of Fe and iodine deficiencies in mother–toddler dyads during the dry/lean season in northern Ghana. Data were collected from women (15–49 years; n 118) and their toddlers (6–23 months, n 121). Dyads DDS and DP were calculated from their food intake recall. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine whether DDS, DP and socio-demographic factors predict higher odds of Fe and iodine deficiencies in dyads. DDS and DP predicted Fe and iodine deficiencies AR. Compared with DDS ≥4, women with DDS <4 have higher odds of Fe deficiency (ID) (adjusted OR (AOR) 1·82, 95 % CI 1·03, 3·21) and iodine deficiency (AOR 9·73, 95 % CI 3·19, 29·67). Two DP emerged in principal component analyses, ‘rural elites diet’ predicted ID risk in mothers (AOR 8·65, 95 % CI 1·76, 42·39), while ‘indigenous diet’ predicted iodine deficiency risk (AOR 11·41, 95 % CI 1·36, 95·97) in mothers only. The AR of Fe and iodine deficiencies in vulnerable populations may be predicted by diet-based measures in northern Ghana. We recommend further research into DDS and DP to predict Fe and iodine status of mother–toddler dyads in Ghana.
Most meat products have digestible indispensable amino acid scores that are greater than 100, but processing may increase or reduce protein quality
Authors: Bailey Hannah M. , Mathai John K. , Berg Eric P. , Stein Hans H.
Published: February 2020

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that meat products have digestible indispensable amino acid scores (DIAAS) >100 and that various processing methods will increase standardised ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) and DIAAS. Nine ileal-cannulated gilts were randomly allotted to a 9 × 8 Youden square design with nine diets and eight 7-d periods. Values for SID of AA and DIAAS for two reference patterns were calculated for salami, bologna, beef jerky, raw ground beef, cooked ground beef and ribeye roast heated to 56, 64 or 72°C. The SID of most AA was not different among salami, bologna, beef jerky and cooked ground beef, but was less (P < 0·05) than the values for raw ground beef. The SID of AA for 56°C ribeye roast was not different from the values for raw ground beef and 72°C ribeye roast, but greater (P < 0·05) than those for 64°C ribeye roast. For older children, adolescents and adults, the DIAAS for all proteins, except cooked ground beef, were >100 and bologna and 64°C ribeye roast had the greatest (P < 0·05) DIAAS. The limiting AA for this age group were sulphur AA (beef jerky), leucine (bologna, raw ground beef and cooked ground beef) and valine (salami and the three ribeye roasts). In conclusion, meat products generally provide high-quality protein with DIAAS >100 regardless of processing. However, overcooking meat may reduce AA digestibility and DIAAS.
Nutritive value and morphological characteristics of Mombaça grass managed with different rotational grazing strategies
Authors: Da Silva S. C. , Bueno A. A. O. , Carnevalli R. A. , Silva G. P. , Chiavegato M. B.
Published: February 2020

Light competition increases and plants’ growth pattern change to optimize light utilization when the leaf area index increases. It has been previously shown that using 95% canopy light interception (LI) as a grazing frequency criterion resulted in a greater proportion of leaves and a lower proportion of stem. The objective of the study was to characterize the forage production, morphological composition and nutritive value ofPanicum maximumcv Mombaça. The experiment was carried out during summer, autumn–winter and spring. Treatments corresponded to combinations of two pre-grazing conditions (95% and maximum LI at pre-grazing; LI95%and LIMax, respectively) and two post-grazing heights (PGHs; 30 and 50 cm). The statistical design was a randomized complete block, with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Swards managed with LI95%had greater proportions of leaves and lower proportions of stems compared to LIMax. Leaf proportion was lower during autumn–winter compared to summer and spring. The LI95%had greater crude protein (CP) and digestibility (IVOMD), and lower acid detergent fibre (ADF) concentrations than LIMax. The 50 cm PGH pastures had greater CP content and IVOMD, and lower ADF content than 30 cm PGH pastures. Lower IVOMD was observed during autumn–winter than summer and spring. The variability observed on morphological characteristics was primarily associated with seasonality, whilst the nutritive value was primarily affected by grazing management. The pre-grazing target of LI95%combined with 50 cm PGH was the combination that resulted in an increased proportion of leaves, decreased stems in basal stratum and the greatest nutritive value of the produced forage.
An integrated program of computer-presented and physical cognitive training exercises for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Wexler Bruce E. , Vitulano Lawrence A. , Moore Christina , Katsovich Liliya , Smith Stephanie D. , Rush Cindy , Grantz Heidi , Dong Jinxia , Leckman James F.
Published: February 2020

Background

This study integrated an experimental medicine approach and a randomized cross-over clinical trial design following CONSORT recommendations to evaluate a cognitive training (CT) intervention for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The experimental medicine approach was adopted because of documented pathophysiological heterogeneity within the diagnosis of ADHD. The cross-over design was adopted to provide the intervention for all participants and make maximum use of data.

Methods

Children (n = 93, mean age 7.3 +/− 1.1 years) with or sub-threshold for ADHD were randomly assigned to CT exercises over 15 weeks, before or after 15 weeks of treatment-as-usual (TAU). Fifteen dropped out of the CT/TAU group and 12 out of the TAU/CT group, leaving 66 for cross-over analysis. Seven in the CT/TAU group completed CT before dropping out making 73 available for experimental medicine analyses. Attention, response inhibition, and working memory were assessed before and after CT and TAU.

Results

Children were more likely to improve with CT than TAU (27/66 v. 13/66, McNemar p = 0.02). Consistent with the experimental medicine hypotheses, responders improved on all tests of executive function (p = 0.009–0.01) while non-responders improved on none (p = 0.27–0.81). The degree of clinical improvement was predicted by baseline and change scores in focused attention and working memory (p = 0.008). The response rate was higher in inattentive and combined subtypes than hyperactive-impulsive subtype (p = 0.003).

Conclusions

Targeting cognitive dysfunction decreases clinical symptoms in proportion to improvement in cognition. Inattentive and combined subtypes were more likely to respond, consistent with targeted pathology and clinically relevant heterogeneity within ADHD.
High number of hospitalisations and non-classical presentations: lessons learned from a measles outbreak in 2017, Belgium
Authors: Cornelissen L. , Grammens T. , Leenen S. , Schirvel C. , Hutse V. , Demeester R. , Swennen B. , Asikainen T. , Wyndham-Thomas C.
Published: February 2020

We describe and analyse an outbreak of measles that affected Belgium early 2017. In total, 289 cases were reported, mostly (53%) in people 15 years or older. For 133 (46%) vaccination status was unknown and a further 117 (41%) were not vaccinated. According to national guidelines, 83 of the unvaccinated cases (29% of total cases) should have received minimum one dose of vaccine, but did not. One in five cases (21%) did not present with the classical triad of fever, rash and any of coryza, conjunctivitis or cough. Rash was the most sensitive symptom, being absent in only six cases. A large proportion of cases (125/289, 43%) required hospitalisation. In hospitalised patients, the most commonly observed complications were hepatic disorders (present in 58/125 hospitalised patients, 46%). Thirty-six of the cases (12%) were in healthcare workers and nosocomial spread contributed importantly to the outbreak. Older age at presentation, altered clinical presentations and presence of complications like hepatitis can delay the correct diagnosis of measles. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion in any individual presenting with rash. If the elimination target is to be reached, catch-up vaccination campaigns should be intensified and target young adults and health care workers.
Building a therapeutic relationship between probation officers and probationers with serious mental illnesses
Authors: Epperson Matthew W. , Sawh Leon , Sarantakos Sophia P.
Published: February 2020

Objective

The purpose of this study was to engage in a collaborative process with a variety of stakeholders to develop the Brief Intervention to Promote Service Engagement (BIPSE), which aims to enhance the therapeutic relationship between probation officers and probationers with serious mental illnesses (SMI).

Methods

The BIPSE intervention was developed through a multistage “design for implementation” process, including a series of stakeholder meetings, observations of probation supervision sessions, incorporating existing intervention approaches, and workshopping initial BIPSE components with three randomly selected officers from a specialized mental health probation unit. Acceptability and feasibility of BIPSE components were assessed through focus groups with probation officers, additional observations of probation sessions, and qualitative interviews with probationers with SMI.

Results

Two foundational components of the BIPSE intervention were identified during the stakeholder meetings and observations: (1) engagement and (2) shared decision-making. These two components inform and undergird the intervention’s third component, strategic case management. During focus groups, probation officers expressed interest in using the modified tools they were given and also saw the benefit of structuring their sessions. Probationers expressed their appreciation for the caring and collaborative nature with which their probation officers approached their sessions.

Conclusion

Building a therapeutic relationship between probation officers and probationers with SMI is an essential task toward improving mental health and criminal justice outcomes. The BIPSE development and refinement process demonstrates that interventions targeting the therapeutic relationship are acceptable to officers and clients, and can be tailored and feasibly structured into standard probation practices.
Frontotemporal degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): a longitudinal MRI one-year study
Authors: Trojsi Francesca , Di Nardo Federica , Siciliano Mattia , Caiazzo Giuseppina , Femiano Cinzia , Passaniti Carla , Ricciardi Dario , Russo Antonio , Bisecco Alvino , Esposito Sabrina , Monsurrò Maria Rosaria , Cirillo Mario , Santangelo Gabriella , Esposito Fabrizio , Tedeschi Gioacchino
Published: February 2020

Objective

Advanced neuroimaging techniques may offer the potential to monitor disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative, multisystem disease that still lacks therapeutic outcome measures. We aim to investigate longitudinal functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes in a cohort of patients with ALS monitored for one year after diagnosis.

Methods

Resting state functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and voxel-based morphometry analyses were performed in 22 patients with ALS examined by six-monthly MRI scans over one year.

Results

During the follow-up period, patients with ALS showed reduced functional connectivity only in some extramotor areas, such as the middle temporal gyrus in the left frontoparietal network after six months and in the left middle frontal gyrus in the default mode network after one year without showing longitudinal changes of cognitive functions. Moreover, after six months, we reported in the ALS group a decreased fractional anisotropy (P = .003, Bonferroni corrected) in the right uncinate fasciculus. Conversely, we did not reveal significant longitudinal changes of functional connectivity in the sensorimotor network, as well as of gray matter (GM) atrophy or of DTI metrics in motor areas, although clinical measures of motor disability showed significant decline throughout the three time points.

Conclusion

Our findings highlighted that progressive impairment of extramotor frontotemporal networks may precede the appearance of executive and language dysfunctions and GM changes in ALS. Functional connectivity changes in cognitive resting state networks might represent candidate radiological markers of disease progression.
Identifying social responses to inundation disasters: a humanity–nature interaction perspective
Authors: Taniguchi Makoto , Lee Sanghyun
Published: February 2020

Non-technical abstract

Through the global analysis of inundation disasters with regards to population and land elevation, we found that the largest number of people living in low-elevation land was in Asia. Population increase was also most rapid at these locations. Furthermore, through three case studies in Asia, we found that a critical land–water elevation difference was 1.5–2.0 m in relation to the prevention of disasters regarding groundwater and land as public goods, the protection of houses and buildings from tsunamis and the protection of temples from flooding.
X‐ray Spectroscopic Determination of Electrostatic Potential and Material Composition for Spacecraft: Experimental Results
Authors: Wilson K. T. , Bengtson M. T. , Schaub H.
Published: February 2020

Remote surface potential determination for nearby objects in space is an enabling technology for a range of space mission concepts, from improved rendezvous capabilities to touchless debris remediation with the electrostatic tractor concept. One concept is to use a nearby servicing spacecraft which fires electrons at the target. These electrons generate bremsstrahlung X‐rays, and the resultant X‐ray spectrum can be used to determine the landing energy of the electrons. By knowing the initial energy of the electrons, such as those emitted from an electron gun, the relative potential of the target can be inferred. The use of electron‐induced X‐rays to determine the electrostatic potential of a surface has previously been investigated theoretically, but this work demonstrates it experimentally. Accuracy is found to correlate to the angle between the detector and the target, and investigation of this relationship is a topic of future work. The mean error in landing energy is found to be approximately 1%, and the mean error in estimated plate voltage is found to be within the uncertainty of the high voltage power supply. Material determination is successfully demonstrated, using characteristic X‐rays to identify elements that make up less than 0.5% by mass of the target sample. Several possible means of improving landing energy accuracy are discussed.
High expression of ACE2 receptor of 2019-nCoV on the epithelial cells of oral mucosa
Authors: Xu Hao , Zhong Liang , Deng Jiaxin , Peng Jiakuan , Dan Hongxia , Zeng Xin , Li Taiwen , Chen Qianming
Published: February 2020

It has been reported that ACE2 is the main host cell receptor of 2019-nCoV and plays a crucial role in the entry of virus into the cell to cause the final infection. To investigate the potential route of 2019-nCov infection on the mucosa of oral cavity, bulk RNA-seq profiles from two public databases including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Functional Annotation of The Mammalian Genome Cap Analysis of Gene Expression (FANTOM5 CAGE) dataset were collected. RNA-seq profiling data of 13 organ types with para-carcinoma normal tissues from TCGA and 14 organ types with normal tissues from FANTOM5 CAGE were analyzed in order to explore and validate the expression of ACE2 on the mucosa of oral cavity. Further, single-cell transcriptomes from an independent data generated in-house were used to identify and confirm the ACE2-expressing cell composition and proportion in oral cavity. The results demonstrated that the ACE2 expressed on the mucosa of oral cavity. Interestingly, this receptor was highly enriched in epithelial cells of tongue. Preliminarily, those findings have explained the basic mechanism that the oral cavity is a potentially high risk for 2019-nCoV infectious susceptibility and provided a piece of evidence for the future prevention strategy in dental clinical practice as well as daily life.
Concentrations and temporal trends in pesticide biomarkers in urine of Swedish adolescents, 2000–2017
Authors: Norén Erika , Lindh Christian , Rylander Lars , Glynn Anders , Axelsson Jonatan , Littorin Margareta , Faniband Moosa , Larsson Estelle , Nielsen Christel
Published: February 2020

Agricultural pesticides are extensively used for weed- and pest control, resulting in residues of these compounds in food. The general population is mainly exposed through dietary intake. Exposure to certain pesticides has been associated with adverse human health outcomes. Our aim was to assess urinary concentrations and temporal trends in the biomarkers of commonly used pesticides. Samples were collected from adolescents (n = 1060) in Scania, Sweden, from 2000 to 2017. Concentrations of 14 pesticide biomarkers were analyzed in urine using LC–MS/MS. Temporal trends in biomarker concentrations (ln-transformed) were evaluated using linear regression. Biomarkers of pyrethroids (3-PBA and DCCA), chlorpyrifos (TCPy), chlormequat (CCC), thiabendazole (OH-TBZ), and mancozeb (ETU) were detected in >90% of the population all sampling years. The biomarkers CCC and TCPy had the highest median concentrations (>0.8 µg/L), whereas the biomarkers of cyfluthrin (4F-3-PBA) and two pyrethroids (CFCA) had the lowest median concentrations (<0.02 µg/L). Increasing temporal trends were found for the biomarkers 3-PBA (3.7%/year), TCPy (1.7%/year) and biomarkers of pyrimethanil (11.9%/year) and tebuconazole (12.2%/year). Decreasing trends were found for CCC (–5.5%/year), OH-TBZ (−5.5%/year), and ETU (−3.9%/year). Our results suggest that Swedish adolescents are commonly exposed to pesticides in low concentrations (median concentrations <3.88 µg/L).
On-chip multiplexed single-cell patterning and controllable intracellular delivery
Authors: Dong Zaizai , Jiao Yanli , Xie Bingteng , Hao Yongcun , Wang Pan , Liu Yuanyuan , Shi Junfeng , Chitrakar Chandani , Black Stephen , Wang Yu-Chieh , Lee L. James , Li Mo , Fan Yubo , Chang Lingqian
Published: February 2020

Conventional electroporation approaches show limitations in the delivery of macromolecules in vitro and in vivo. These limitations include low efficiency, noticeable cell damage and nonuniform delivery of cells. Here, we present a simple 3D electroporation platform that enables massively parallel single-cell manipulation and the intracellular delivery of macromolecules and small molecules. A pyramid pit micropore array chip was fabricated based on a silicon wet-etching method. A controllable vacuum system was adopted to trap a single cell on each micropore. Using this chip, safe single-cell electroporation was performed at low voltage. Cargoes of various sizes ranging from oligonucleotides (molecular beacons, 22 bp) to plasmid DNA (CRISPR-Cas9 expression vectors, >9 kb) were delivered into targeted cells with a significantly higher transfection efficiency than that of multiple benchmark methods (e.g., commercial electroporation devices and Lipofectamine). The delivered dose of the chemotherapeutic drug could be controlled by adjusting the applied voltage. By using CRISPR-Cas9 transfection with this system, the p62 gene and CXCR7 gene were knocked out in tumor cells, which effectively inhibited their cellular activity. Overall, this vacuum-assisted micropore array platform provides a simple, efficient, high-throughput intracellular delivery method that may facilitate on-chip cell manipulation, intracellular investigation and cancer therapy.
MARCH5 requires MTCH2 to coordinate proteasomal turnover of the MCL1:NOXA complex
Authors: Djajawi Tirta Mario , Liu Lei , Gong Jia-nan , Huang Allan Shuai , Luo Ming-jie , Xu Zhen , Okamoto Toru , Call Melissa J. , Huang David C. S. , van Delft Mark F.
Published: February 2020

MCL1, a BCL2 relative, is critical for the survival of many cells. Its turnover is often tightly controlled through both ubiquitin-dependent and -independent mechanisms of proteasomal degradation. Several cell stress signals, including DNA damage and cell cycle arrest, are known to elicit distinct E3 ligases to ubiquitinate and degrade MCL1. Another trigger that drives MCL1 degradation is engagement by NOXA, one of its BH3-only protein ligands, but the mechanism responsible has remained unclear. From an unbiased genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen, we discovered that the ubiquitin E3 ligase MARCH5, the ubiquitin E2 conjugating enzyme UBE2K, and the mitochondrial outer membrane protein MTCH2 co-operate to mark MCL1 for degradation by the proteasome—specifically when MCL1 is engaged by NOXA. This mechanism of degradation also required the MCL1 transmembrane domain and distinct MCL1 lysine residues to proceed, suggesting that the components likely act on the MCL1:NOXA complex by associating with it in a specific orientation within the mitochondrial outer membrane. MTCH2 has not previously been reported to regulate protein stability, but is known to influence the mitochondrial localization of certain key apoptosis regulators and to impact metabolism. We have now pinpointed an essential but previously unappreciated role for MTCH2 in turnover of the MCL1:NOXA complex by MARCH5, further strengthening its links to BCL2-regulated apoptosis.
Circular RNA circRNF20 promotes breast cancer tumorigenesis and Warburg effect through miR-487a/HIF-1α/HK2
Authors: Cao Lili , Wang Min , Dong Yujin , Xu Bo , Chen Ju , Ding Yu , Qiu Shusheng , Li Liang , Karamfilova Zaharieva Elena , Zhou Xinwen , Xu Yanbin
Published: February 2020

Compelling evidence has demonstrated the potential functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in breast cancer (BC) tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism by which circRNAs regulate BC progression is still unclear. The purpose of present research was to investigate the novel circRNA circRNF20 (hsa_circ_0087784) and its role in BC. CircRNA microarray sequencing revealed that circRNF20 was one of the upregulated transcripts in BC samples. Increased circRNF20 level predicted the poor clinical outcome in BC specimens. Functionally, circRNF20 promoted the proliferation and Warburg effect (aerobic glycolysis) of BC cells. Mechanistically, circRNF20 harbor miR-487a, acting as miRNA sponge, and then miR-487a targeted the 3’-UTR of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Moreover, HIF-1α could bind with the promoter of hexokinase II (HK2) and promoted its transcription. In conclusion, this finding illustrates the vital roles of circRNF20 via the circRNF20/ miR-487a/HIF-1α/HK2 axis in breast cancer progress and Warburg effect, providing an interesting insight for the BC tumorigenesis.
Chromatin accessibility is associated with the changed expression of miRNAs that target members of the Hippo pathway during myoblast differentiation
Authors: Zhou Huanhuan , Xiang Yue , Hu Mingyang , Xu Yueyuan , Hou Ye , Qi Xiaolong , Fu Liangliang , Luan Yu , Wang Zhangxu , Li Xinyun , Zhao Yunxia , Zhao Shuhong
Published: February 2020

miRNAs reportedly participate in various biological processes, such as skeletal muscle proliferation and differentiation. However, the regulation of differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs and their function in myogenesis remain unclear. Herein, miRNA expression profiles and regulation during C2C12 differentiation were analyzed in relation to chromatin states by RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, and ChIP-seq. We identified 19 known and nine novel differentially expressed miRNAs at days 0, 1, 2, and 4. The expression of the differentially expressed miRNAs was related to the chromatin states of the 113 surrounding open chromatin regions defined by ATAC-seq peaks. Of these open chromatin regions, 44.25% were colocalized with MyoD/MyoG binding sites. The remainder of the above open chromatin regions were enriched with motifs of the myoblast-expressed AP-1 family, Ctcf, and Bach2 transcription factors (TFs). Additionally, the target genes of the above differentially expressed miRNAs were enriched primarily in muscle growth and development pathways, especially the Hippo signaling pathway. Moreover, via combining a loss-of-function assay with Q-PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence, we confirmed that the Hippo signaling pathway was responsible for C2C12 myoblast differentiation. Thus, our results showed that these differentially expressed miRNAs were regulated by chromatin states and affected muscle differentiation through the Hippo signaling pathway. Our findings provide new insights into the function of these differentially expressed miRNAs and the regulation of their expression during myoblast differentiation.
Conservation prioritization can resolve the flagship species conundrum
Authors: McGowan Jennifer , Beaumont Linda J. , Smith Robert J. , Chauvenet Alienor L. M. , Harcourt Robert , Atkinson Scott C. , Mittermeier John C. , Esperon-Rodriguez Manuel , Baumgartner John B. , Beattie Andrew , Dudaniec Rachael Y. , Grenyer Richard , Nipperess David A. , Stow Adam , Possingham Hugh P.
Published: February 2020

Conservation strategies based on charismatic flagship species, such as tigers, lions, and elephants, successfully attract funding from individuals and corporate donors. However, critics of this species-focused approach argue it wastes resources and often does not benefit broader biodiversity. If true, then the best way of raising conservation funds excludes the best way of spending it. Here we show that this conundrum can be resolved, and that the flagship species approach does not impede cost-effective conservation. Through a tailored prioritization approach, we identify places containing flagship species while also maximizing global biodiversity representation (based on 19,616 terrestrial and freshwater species). We then compare these results to scenarios that only maximized biodiversity representation, and demonstrate that our flagship-based approach achieves 79−89% of our objective. This provides strong evidence that prudently selected flagships can both raise funds for conservation and help target where these resources are best spent to conserve biodiversity.
Author Correction: MUC1-C regulates lineage plasticity driving progression to neuroendocrine prostate cancer
Authors: Yasumizu Yota , Rajabi Hasan , Jin Caining , Hata Tsuyoshi , Pitroda Sean , Long Mark D. , Hagiwara Masayuki , Li Wei , Hu Qiang , Liu Song , Yamashita Nami , Fushimi Atsushi , Kui Ling , Samur Mehmet , Yamamoto Masaaki , Zhang Yan , Zhang Ning , Hong Deli , Maeda Takahiro , Kosaka Takeo , Wong Kwok K. , Oya Mototsugu , Kufe Donald
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
The structural basis of fungal glucuronoyl esterase activity on natural substrates
Authors: Ernst Heidi A. , Mosbech Caroline , Langkilde Annette E. , Westh Peter , Meyer Anne S. , Agger Jane W. , Larsen Sine
Published: February 2020

Structural and functional studies were conducted of the glucuronoyl esterase (GE) from Cerrena unicolor (CuGE), an enzyme catalyzing cleavage of lignin-carbohydrate ester bonds. CuGE is an α/β-hydrolase belonging to carbohydrate esterase family 15 (CE15). The enzyme is modular, comprised of a catalytic and a carbohydrate-binding domain. SAXS data show CuGE as an elongated rigid molecule where the two domains are connected by a rigid linker. Detailed structural information of the catalytic domain in its apo- and inactivated form and complexes with aldouronic acids reveal well-defined binding of the 4-O-methyl-a-D-glucuronoyl moiety, not influenced by the nature of the attached xylo-oligosaccharide. Structural and sequence comparisons within CE15 enzymes reveal two distinct structural subgroups. CuGE belongs to the group of fungal CE15-B enzymes with an open and flat substrate-binding site. The interactions between CuGE and its natural substrates are explained and rationalized by the structural results, microscale thermophoresis and isothermal calorimetry.
Neural cell integration into 3D bioprinted skeletal muscle constructs accelerates restoration of muscle function
Authors: Kim Ji Hyun , Kim Ickhee , Seol Young-Joon , Ko In Kap , Yoo James J. , Atala Anthony , Lee Sang Jin
Published: February 2020

A bioengineered skeletal muscle construct that mimics structural and functional characteristics of native skeletal muscle is a promising therapeutic option to treat extensive muscle defect injuries. We previously showed that bioprinted human skeletal muscle constructs were able to form multi-layered bundles with aligned myofibers. In this study, we investigate the effects of neural cell integration into the bioprinted skeletal muscle construct to accelerate functional muscle regeneration in vivo. Neural input into this bioprinted skeletal muscle construct shows the improvement of myofiber formation, long-term survival, and neuromuscular junction formation in vitro. More importantly, the bioprinted constructs with neural cell integration facilitate rapid innervation and mature into organized muscle tissue that restores normal muscle weight and function in a rodent model of muscle defect injury. These results suggest that the 3D bioprinted human neural-skeletal muscle constructs can be rapidly integrated with the host neural network, resulting in accelerated muscle function restoration.
Analysis of bacterial and fungal communities in continuous-cropping ramie (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud) fields in different areas in China
Authors: Wang Yanzhou , Xu Xiaomin , Liu Touming , Wang Hongwu , Yang Yan , Chen Xiaorong , Zhu Siyuan
Published: February 2020

Ramie (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud) suffers from long-term continuous cropping. Here, using Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology, we aimed to identify bacteria and fungi associated with continuous cropping in ramie fields in Yuanjiang, Xianning, Sichuan, and Jiangxi. The rarefaction results showed that Jiangxi had significantly lower bacterial α-diversity than that of the other areas. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Acidobacteria were the dominant bacterial phyla, and Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Zygomycota were the dominant fungal phyla. In Jiangxi, Firmicutes accounted for 79.03% of all valid reads, which could have significant decreased microbial diversity and negative effects of continuous ramie cropping. We used traditional methods to examine soil nutrients. Sichuan had a relatively high pH and available P and K, but low total N; opposite findings were recorded in Jiangxi. The redundancy analysis revealed that the urease activity, PH, available K, and total N significantly correlated with bacterial community abundance, whereas only total N significantly correlated with fungal community abundance (P < 0.01). Overall, the effect of soil environmental factors on the bacterial diversity of continuous ramie cropping was greater than that on fungal diversity. In the future, we will focus on the effect of rhizosphere bacteria to solve the obstacle in continuous ramie cropping.
Hapten Synthesis and the Development of an Ultrasensitive Indirect Competitive ELISA for the Determination of Diethylstilbestrol in Food Samples
Authors: Yang Xingdong , Wang Yinbiao , Song Chunmei , Hu Xiaofei , Wang Fangyu , Zeng Xianyin
Published: February 2020

An ultrasensitive indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic ELISA) using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) was developed for the specific detection of diethylstilbestrol (DES) residues. To establish an ELISA based on mAbs, hapten diethylstilbestrol mono-carboxypropyl-ether (DES-MCPE) was chemically synthetized and then conjugated to bovine serum albumin (BSA) for immunization in mice. This ic ELISA was further optimized for DES determination. The sensitivity of the ic ELISA was found to be 0.49 μg/kg and the limit of detection was 0.075 μg/kg. DES residues in salmon meat and pork were tested with the recovery range from 74.0 to 85.2% and the coefficient of variation (CV) was less than 10%. Parallel analysis of DES samples from salmon meat showed comparable results from the ic ELISA with high-performance liquid chromatography. The ic ELISA provides a useful screening method for the quantitative detection of DES residues in animal-derived food.
Deconvoluting Wavelengths Leading to Fluorescent Light Induced Inflammation and Cellular Stress in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Boswell Mikki , Boswell William , Lu Yuan , Savage Markita , Walter Ronald B.
Published: February 2020

Fluorescent light (FL) has been shown to induce a cellular immune and inflammatory response that is conserved over 450 MY of evolutionary divergence and among vertebrates having drastically different lifestyles such as Mus musculus, Danio rerio, Oryzias latipes and Xiphophorus maculatus. This surprising finding of an inflammation and immune response to FL not only holds for direct light receiving organs (skin) but is also observed within internal organs (brain and liver). Light responsive genetic circuitry initiated by the IL1B regulator induces a highly conserved acute phase response in each organ assessed for all of biological models surveyed to date; however, the specific light wavelengths triggering this response have yet to be determined so investigation of mechanisms and/or light specific molecule(s) leading to this response are difficult to assess. To understand how specific light wavelengths are received in both external and internal organs, zebrafish were exposed to specific 50 nm light wavebands spanning the visible spectrum from 300–600 nm and the genetic responses to each waveband exposure were assessed. Surprisingly, the induced cellular stress response previously observed following FL exposure is not triggered by the lower “damaging” wavelengths of light (UVB and UVA from 300–400 nm) but instead is maximally induced by higher wavelengths ranging from 450–500 nm in skin to 500–600 nm in both brain and liver).
First-principles study of phase transition, elastic and thermodynamic properties of ZnSe at high pressure
Authors: Yang Tao , Zhu Xuejun , Ji Junyi , Wang Jun
Published: February 2020

The structural and elastic properties of ZnSe with B3 and B1 phases under different pressure have been investigated by the first principle method based on density functional theory. The obtained structural parameters of ZnSe in both B3 and B1 structures are in good agreement with the available values. The transition pressure of ZnSe from B3 to B1 was predicted as 14.85 GPa by using the enthalpy–pressure data, which is well in line with experimental result. According to the obtained elastic constants, the elastic properties such as bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young’s modulus, ductile/brittle behavior and elastic anisotropy as a function of pressure for polycrystalline of ZnSe are discussed in details. In the frame work of quasi-harmonic Debye model, the temperature and pressure dependencies of the Debye temperature and heat capacity of ZnSe are obtained and discussed in the wide ranges.
Deep learning for irregularly and regularly missing data reconstruction
Authors: Chai Xintao , Gu Hanming , Li Feng , Duan Hongyou , Hu Xiaobo , Lin Kai
Published: February 2020

Deep learning (DL) is a powerful tool for mining features from data, which can theoretically avoid assumptions (e.g., linear events) constraining conventional interpolation methods. Motivated by this and inspired by image-to-image translation, we applied DL to irregularly and regularly missing data reconstruction with the aim of transforming incomplete data into corresponding complete data. To accomplish this, we established a model architecture with randomly sampled data as input and corresponding complete data as output, which was based on an encoder-decoder-style U-Net convolutional neural network. We carefully prepared the training data using synthetic and field seismic data. We used a mean-squared-error loss function and an Adam optimizer to train the network. We displayed the feature maps for a randomly sampled data set going through the trained model with the aim of explaining how the missing data are reconstructed. We benchmarked the method on several typical datasets for irregularly missing data reconstruction, which achieved better performances compared with a peer-reviewed Fourier transform interpolation method, verifying the effectiveness, superiority, and generalization capability of our approach. Because regularly missing is a special case of irregularly missing, we successfully applied the model to regularly missing data reconstruction, although it was trained with irregularly sampled data only.
Changes in Infant and Neonatal Mortality and Associated Factors in Eight Cohorts from Three Brazilian Cities
Authors: Carvalho Carolina A. , Silva Antônio A. M. da , Victora César , Goldani Marcelo , Bettiol Heloísa , Thomaz Erika Barbara Abreu Fonseca , Barros Fernando , Horta Bernardo L. , Menezes Ana , Cardoso Viviane , Cavalli Ricardo Carvalho , Santos Iná , Batista Rosângela F. L. , Simões Vanda Maria , Barbieri Marco , Barros Aluisio
Published: February 2020

Stillbirth (SBR), perinatal (PMR), neonatal (NMR) and infant mortality rates (IMR) are declining in Brazil and the factors associated with these falls are still being investigated. The objective of the present study was to assess changes in SBR, PMR, NMR and IMR over time and to determine the factors associated with changes in NMR and IMR in eight Brazilian cohorts. All cohorts are population-based (Ribeirão Preto in 1978/79, 1994 and 2010; Pelotas in 1982, 1993 and 2004; and São Luís in 1997/98 and 2010). Were included data on 41440 children. All indicators were decreased, except in the city of Pelotas, from 1993 to 2004, and except SBR in São Luís. Sociodemographic variables seem to be able to explain reductions of NMR and IMR in Ribeirão Preto, from 1978/79 to 1994, and in São Luís. In Ribeirão Preto, from 1994 to 2010 declines in NMR and IMR seem to be explained by reductions in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Newborn’s gestational age had diminished in all cohorts, preventing even greater reductions of NMR and IMR. Improved sociodemographic variables and reduction of IUGR, seem to be able to explain part of the decrease observed. NMR and IMR could have been reduced even more, were it not for the worsening in gestational age distribution.
A fibered laser system for the MIGA large scale atom interferometer
Authors: Sabulsky D. O. , Junca J. , Lefèvre G. , Zou X. , Bertoldi A. , Battelier B. , Prevedelli M. , Stern G. , Santoire J. , Beaufils Q. , Geiger R. , Landragin A. , Desruelle B. , Bouyer P. , Canuel B.
Published: February 2020

We describe the realization and characterization of a compact, autonomous fiber laser system that produces the optical frequencies required for laser cooling, trapping, manipulation, and detection of 87Rb atoms - a typical atomic species for emerging quantum technologies. This device, a customized laser system from the Muquans company, is designed for use in the challenging operating environment of the Laboratoire Souterrain à Bas Bruit (LSBB) in France, where a new large scale atom interferometer is being constructed underground - the MIGA antenna. The mobile bench comprises four frequency-agile C-band Telecom diode lasers that are frequency doubled to 780 nm after passing through high-power fiber amplifiers. The first laser is frequency stabilized on a saturated absorption signal via lock-in amplification, which serves as an optical frequency reference for the other three lasers via optical phase-locked loops. Power and polarization stability are maintained through a series of custom, flexible micro-optic splitter/combiners that contain polarization optics, acousto-optic modulators, and shutters. Here, we show how the laser system is designed, showcasing qualities such as reliability, stability, remote control, and flexibility, while maintaining the qualities of laboratory equipment. We characterize the laser system by measuring the power, polarization, and frequency stability. We conclude with a demonstration using a cold atom source from the MIGA project and show that this laser system fulfills all requirements for the realization of the antenna.
An endophyte from salt-adapted Pokkali rice confers salt-tolerance to a salt-sensitive rice variety and targets a unique pattern of genes in its new host
Authors: Sampangi-Ramaiah Megha Hastantram , Jagadheesh  , Dey Prajjal , Jambagi Shridhar , Vasantha Kumari M. M. , Oelmüller Ralf , Nataraja Karaba N. , Venkataramana Ravishankar Kundapura , Ravikanth G. , Uma Shaanker R.
Published: February 2020

Endophytes, both of bacterial and fungal origin, are ubiquitously present in all plants. While their origin and evolution are enigmatic, there is burgeoning literature on their role in promoting growth and stress responses in their hosts. We demonstrate that a salt-tolerant endophyte isolated from salt-adapted Pokkali rice, a Fusarium sp., colonizes the salt-sensitive rice variety IR-64, promotes its growth under salt stress and confers salinity stress tolerance to its host. Physiological parameters, such as assimilation rate and chlorophyll stability index were higher in the colonized plants. Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed 1348 up-regulated and 1078 down-regulated genes in plants colonized by the endophyte. Analysis of the regulated genes by MapMan and interaction network programs showed that they are involved in both abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, and code for proteins involved in signal perception (leucine-rich repeat proteins, receptor-like kinases) and transduction (Ca2+ and calmodulin-binding proteins), transcription factors, secondary metabolism and oxidative stress scavenging. For nine genes, the data were validated by qPCR analysis in both roots and shoots. Taken together, these results show that salt-adapted Pokkali rice varieties are powerful sources for the identification of novel endophytes, which can be used to confer salinity tolerance to agriculturally important, but salt-sensitive rice varieties.