bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Super‐ and Ferroelastic Organic Semiconductors for Ultraflexible Single‐Crystal Electronics
Authors: Park Sang Kyu , Sun Hong , Chung Hyunjoong , Patel Bijal B. , Zhang Fengjiao , Davies Daniel W. , Woods Toby J. , Zhao Kejie , Diao Ying
Published: April 2020

Like silicon, single crystals of organic semiconductors are pursued to attain intrinsic charge transport properties. However, they are intolerant to mechanical deformation, impeding their application in flexible electronic devices. Such contradictory properties, namely exceptional molecular ordering and mechanical flexibility, are unified in this work. We found that bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene (TIPS‐P) crystals can undergo mechanically induced structural transitions to exhibit superelasticity and ferroelasticity. These properties arise from cooperative and correlated molecular displacements and rotations in response to mechanical stress. By utilizing a bending‐induced ferroelastic transition of TIPS‐P, flexible single‐crystal electronic devices were obtained that can tolerate strains (ϵ) of more than 13 % while maintaining the charge carrier mobility of unstrained crystals (μ>0.7 μ0). Our work will pave the way for high‐performance ultraflexible single‐crystal organic electronics for sensors, memories, and robotic applications.
Distribution of heavy metals in water, soil and vegetables adjacent to ash heaps from lignite‐fired power plants
Authors: Sun Yinglong , Zhao Zhide , Wang Bangda , Qian Shuan , Wu Menxin , Xu Lingling , Cao Yun
Published: April 2020

This study investigated the environmental impact of the operation of lignite‐fired power plants in Yunnan Province. Soil, water, vegetable plant, and bottom ash samples were collected from around three lignite‐fired power plants in the area and the contamination levels of Cr, Cu, U, Mn, Cd, Ba, Pb, Sb, Co, and Ni in the samples were measured by inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). These results showed the pollutants contents in the soils taken from around the three plants were similar. Ba, Mn, and Sb had the highest concentrations of 15492, 2417, and 281 mg/kg respectively, and rapidly migrated from ash to soil. The contents of the metals in four common vegetable plants grown in the area (pine, smilax, Artemisia apiacea, duchesnea) were also measured and found to be substantially less than those in the soils and ashes. The heavy metal concentrations in the plants and water were below the standard level. The running of the power plant thus only had negative impacts on the ambient soils, especially Ba and Mn pollution.
Design and synthesis of new lenalidomide analogs via Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction
Authors: Xiao Donghuai , Wang Yu‐jie , Wang Han‐lin , Zhou Yu‐bo , Li Jia , Lu Wei , Jin Jiyu
Published: April 2020

Lenalidomide is a cereblon modulator known for its antitumor, anti‐inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties in clinical applications. Recently, some reported lenalidomide analogs could exhibit a significant bioactivity through various modifications in the isoindolinone ring. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of novel lenalidomide analogs on the basis of the installation of a methylene chain at the C‐4 position of isoindolinone via the Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction. These new compounds were further evaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative activities against two tumor cell lines (MM.1S and Mino). Specifically, compound 4c displayed the strongest antiproliferative activity against the MM.1S (IC50 = 0.27 ± 0.03 μM) and Mino (IC50 = 5.65 ± 0.58 μM) tumor cell lines. In summary, we have developed a new synthetic strategy for C‐4 derivatization of lenalidomide, providing a bioactive scaffold that could be used to discover further potential antitumor lead compounds in pharmaceutical research.
Recent Advances of Precise Cu Nanoclusters in Microporous Materials
Authors: Chen Tianxiang , Xue Qi , Leung Kwan‐Chee , Lo Benedict T. W.
Published: April 2020

This minireview highlights some recent advances in the rational design of precise Cu nanoclusters supported on microporous materials, including zeolites and metal‐organic frameworks. The development of comprehensive characterisation techniques enables scientists to elucidate the structure‐activity relationship of these catalysts, which aids the subsequent engineering of more superior catalytic systems at an atomistic perspective.
Symmetric, Asymmetric, and Battery‐Type Supercapacitors Using Two‐Dimensional Nanomaterials and Composites
Authors: Cherusseri Jayesh , Pandey Deepak , Thomas Jayan
Published: April 2020

Recent advances in the field of energy storage devices such as supercapacitors and batteries have helped mankind to cater to their power demands to a greater extent. 2D materials‐based electrodes have attracted great interest in the recent past due to their unique properties such as large surface area, good electronic conductivity, excellent electrochemical properties, and good chemical, electrochemical, and thermal stabilities, which are essential requirements for a supercapacitor electrode to obtain high‐performance. In this review, we discuss the recent advancements in the field of 2D materials such as MXenes, transition metal dichalcogenides, phosphorene, and their composites as electrodes in high‐performance supercapacitors. The electrochemical performances of these 2D materials‐based electrodes in symmetric, asymmetric, and battery‐type hybrid supercapacitors are reviewed. Emphasis is given to the recent developments on the battery‐type hybrid supercapacitors fabricated using these 2D materials‐based electrodes. The future perspectives of these materials in the next‐generation energy storage are also briefly discussed.
Weakly Coordinating Fluorine‐Free Polysalt for Single Lithium‐Ion Conductive Solid Polymer Electrolytes
Authors: Martinez‐Ibañez Maria , Sanchez‐Diez Eduardo , Qiao Lixin , Meabe Leire , Santiago Alexander , Zhu Haijin , O'Dell Luke A. , Carrasco Javier , Forsyth Maria , Armand Michel , Zhang Heng
Published: April 2020

A novel single lithium‐ion conducting (SLIC) polymer electrolyte containing a weakly coordinating fluorine‐free polysalt is presented. The polysalt, lithium poly(4‐styrenesulfonyl)(dicyano)methide (LiPSDM), is conceived on the basis of a fluorine‐free green chemistry, and motivated by the highly performing non‐fluorinated lithium tricyanomethanide (LiTCM) salt. The electrolyte comprising LiPSDM and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) shows good thermal stability, decent ionic conductivity, and high lithium transference number. In stark contrast to other fluorine‐free polysalts, such as, poly(4‐styrenesulfonate) (LiPSS), the replacement of −SO3− moiety by −SO2C(−)(CN)2 improves the flexibility of the anion and the charge delocalization, leading to an improved amorphization of PEO and an overall better performance. Moreover, solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements are performed to unravel the role of anion chemistry on the fundamental transport properties of SLICs. The present work is believed to facilitate the design of high‐performance fluorine‐free polymer electrolytes which are important building blocks for safe, green, and sustainable battery technologies.
Palmitoylated Proteins in Plasmodium falciparum‐Infected Erythrocytes: Investigation with Click Chemistry and Metabolic Labeling
Authors: Kilian Nicole , Zhang Yongdeng , LaMonica Lauren , Hooker Giles , Toomre Derek , Mamoun Choukri Ben , Ernst Andreas M.
Published: April 2020

The examination of the complex cell biology of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum usually relies on the time‐consuming generation of transgenic parasites. Here, metabolic labeling and click chemistry are employed as a fast transfection‐independent method for the microscopic examination of protein S‐palmitoylation, an important post‐translational modification during the asexual intraerythrocytic replication of P. falciparum. Applying various microscopy approaches such as confocal, single‐molecule switching, and electron microscopy, differences in the extent of labeling within the different asexual developmental stages of P. falciparum and the host erythrocytes over time are observed.
Merging resources: For survival or success
Authors: Skipworth Stan
Published: April 2020

Recently, I enjoyed the opportunity to watch a program that looked back at the process and negotiations that brought the National Football League and the American Football League together by the end of the 1960s. The program made me consider how lessons learned from the merger applied to campus law enforcement.
Transcatheter biventricular conversion in an adult patient with a 1.5 ventricle Glenn palliation and superior vena cava syndrome
Authors: Tannous Paul , Popescu Andrada , Forbess Lisa , Nugent Alan
Published: April 2020

Covered stents have a continually expanding spectrum of applications for patients with congenital heart disease. Here we report use of covered stents to successfully perform a first‐in‐human percutaneous biventricular conversion of a 1.5 ventricle Glenn palliation in an adult born with pulmonary atresia. This case demonstrates that in patients considered borderline for biventricular repair, surgery can potentially be modified to promote growth of underdeveloped structures and setup for transcatheter biventricular conversion.
Abdominal compartment syndrome complicated by preeclampsia and partial HELLP syndrome in a 45‐year‐old woman: A case report
Authors: Kumasawa Keiichi , Kubota Kaori , Takahashi Yuko , Nakayama Toshio , Iriyama Takayuki , Nagamatsu Takeshi , Osuga Yutaka , Fujii Tomoyuki
Published: April 2020

HELLP syndrome is sometimes followed by massive bleeding, leading to DIC. In cases of intra‐abdominal compartment syndrome due to massive intra‐abdominal bleeding after cesarean section, if preeclampsia and partial HELLP syndrome persist, hematoma removal helps in the recovery from preeclampsia and partial HELLP syndrome.
Incidental finding of thymic cyst in a newborn baby
Authors: Shaqiri Elmas , Vyshka Gentian
Published: April 2020

Thymic hyperplasia is a common finding among newborns, but cyst formation might produce mediastinal symptoms. Lethal outcome is reported when accompanied by massive intrathoracic hemorrhage. The clinical picture in our case was characterized from profuse multiple hemorrhagic foci and respiratory distress syndrome, with an unclear role of the thymic cyst.
Selective and Scalable Electrosynthesis of 2H‐2‐(Aryl)‐benzo[d]‐1,2,3‐triazoles and Their N‐Oxides by Using Leaded Bronze Cathodes
Authors: Wirtanen Tom , Rodrigo Eduardo , Waldvogel Siegfried R.
Published: April 2020

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Siegfried R. Waldvogel at Johannes Gutenberg‐Universität Mainz. The image depicts the idea that synthetic electrochemistry is green chemistry in its essence. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201905874.
NIR Light‐Induced ATRP for Synthesis of Block Copolymers Comprising UV‐Absorbing Moieties
Authors: Kütahya Ceren , Meckbach Nicolai , Strehmel Veronika , Gutmann Jochen S. , Strehmel Bernd
Published: April 2020

NIR exposure at 790 nm activated photopolymerization of monomers comprising UV‐absorbing moieties by using [CuII/(TPMA)]Br2 (TPMA=tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine) in the ppm range and an alkyl bromide as initiator. Some of them comprised structural elements selected either from those showing proton transfer or photocycloaddition upon UV excitation. Polymers obtained comprise living end groups serving as macroinitiator for controlled synthesis of block copolymers with relatively narrow molecular weight distributions. Chromatographic results indicated formation of block copolymers produced by this synthetic approach. Free‐radical polymerization of monomers pursued for comparison exhibited the expected broader dispersity of molecular weight compared to photo‐ATRP. Polymerization of these monomers by UV photo‐ATRP failed on the contrary to NIR photo‐ATRP demonstrating the UV‐filter function of the monomers. This work conclusively provides a new approach for the polymerization of monomers comprising UV‐absorbing moieties through photo‐ATRP in the NIR region. This occurred in a simple and efficient pathway. However, studies also showed that not all monomers chosen successfully proceeded in the NIR photo‐ATRP protocol.
Double layer crystallization of heptahelicene on noble metal surfaces
Authors: Seibel Johannes , Parschau Manfred , Ernst Karl‐Heinz
Published: April 2020

Resolution of enantiomers of chiral compounds via crystallization is the dominant method in chemical industry, but chiral recognition at the molecular level during this process is still poorly understood. Using single metal surfaces in ultrahigh vacuum as model system, the enantio‐related transition from the monolayer structure into a double layer of the racemic mixture of heptahelicene has been studied with scanning tunneling microscopy. Submolecular resolution reveals enantiopure second layers on Ag(111) and almost enantiopure second layers on Au(111). In analogy to previous results on Cu(111), it is concluded that transition from the 2D first layer racemate into a layered racemate occurs.
Retracted: Green intelligent financial system construction paradigm based on deep learning and concurrency models
Authors: Feng Xi , Shi Huanping , Wang Jian , Wang Shaoguang
Published: April 2020

Green finance represents a new trend and new direction for future financial development, and it is an innovation and change in the financial field. The role of the financial market in environmental protection has gradually become the consensus of the financial community. Although the total amount of environmental protection investment in China shows a growing trend, the actual environmental protection investment still has a large gap compared with the increasing capital demand for environmental protection work. Financial resources play a key role in resource allocation. As long as funds are gradually withdrawn from polluting industries, they will be more invested in green and environmental industries, and resources such as land and labor will be optimally allocated. Faced with the complex international and domestic economic environment and increasing environmental pressures, this article proposes the green intelligent financial system construction paradigm based on deep learning and concurrency models. The deep learning model specialized on convolutional neural networks (CNN) is applied to preprocess the information, the data cleaning and vision models are integrated to extract the structure data. The concurrency model is applied to guarantee the efficiency of the system. The experimental results compared with the state‐of‐the‐art models have reflected the robustness of the proposed framework.
Pregnane X Receptor Activator Rifampin Increases Blood Pressure and Stimulates Plasma Renin Activity
Authors: Hassani‐Nezhad‐Gashti Fatemeh , Salonurmi Tuire , Hautajärvi Heidi , Rysä Jaana , Hakkola Jukka , Hukkanen Janne
Published: April 2020

We conducted a clinical trial with 22 healthy volunteers to investigate the effects of pregnane X receptor (PXR) agonist rifampin on blood pressure (BP). The study was randomized, crossover, single‐blind, and placebo‐controlled. Rifampin 600 mg or placebo once daily was administered for a week and the 24‐hour ambulatory BP was monitored at the end of each arm on the eighth day. Rifampin elevated the mean systolic and diastolic 24‐hour BP (4.7 mmHg, P < 0.0001, and 3.0 mmHg, P < 0.001, respectively) as well as the mean heart rate (3.5 bpm, P = 0.038). The serum renin concentration and the plasma renin activity were increased. Although rifampin increased circulating 4β‐hydroxycholesterol (4βHC) as expected, the plasma 4βHC concentration strongly negatively correlated with 24‐hour BP, especially systolic, in both rifampin and placebo arms (rifampin systolic BP, r = −0.69, P < 0.001; placebo systolic BP, r = −0.70, P < 0.001). The 4βHC, an agonist for liver X receptor (LXR), induced renin expression modestly in LXR‐α expressing Calu‐6 cells but only at unphysiologically high 4βHC concentrations. In conclusion, rifampin stimulates renin activity and has a hypertensive effect. This finding should be considered when designing interaction studies involving rifampin or other PXR agonists. Furthermore, PXR may represent a putative therapeutic target for the treatment of hypertension.
A reporter mouse for in vivo detection of DNA damage in embryonic germ cells
Authors: Bloom Jordana C. , Schimenti John C.
Published: April 2020

Maintaining genome integrity in the germline is essential for survival and propagation of a species. In both mouse and human, germ cells originate during fetal development and are hypersensitive to both endogenous and exogenous DNA damaging agents. Currently, mechanistic understanding of how primordial germ cells respond to DNA damage is limited in part by the tools available to study these cells. We developed a mouse transgenic reporter strain expressing a 53BP1‐mCherry fusion protein under the control of the Oct4ΔPE embryonic germ cell‐specific promoter. This reporter binds sites of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) on chromatin, forming foci. Using ionizing radiation as a DNA DSB‐inducing agent, we show that the transgenic reporter expresses specifically in the embryonic germ cells of both sexes and forms DNA damage induced foci in both a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. The dynamic time‐sensitive and dose‐sensitive DNA damage detection ability of this transgenic reporter, in combination with its specific expression in embryonic germ cells, makes it a versatile and valuable tool for increasing our understanding of DNA damage responses in these unique cells.
Implications of life history uncertainty when evaluating status in the Northwest Atlantic population of white shark (Carcharodon carcharias)
Authors: Bowlby Heather D. , Gibson A. Jamie F.
Published: April 2020

To effectively protect at‐risk sharks, resource managers and conservation practitioners must have a good understanding of how fisheries removals contribute to changes in abundance and how regulatory restrictions may impact a population trajectory. This means they need to know the number of animals being removed from a population and whether a given number of removals will lead to population increases or declines. For white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), theoretical quantities like the intrinsic rate of population increase or rebound potential (ability to increase in size following decline) are difficult to conceptualize in terms of real‐world abundance changes, which limits our ability to answer practical management questions. To address this shortfall, we designed a simulation model to evaluate how our understanding of longevity and life history variability of white shark affects our understanding of population trends in the Northwest Atlantic. Then, we quantified the magnitude of removals that could have caused historical population declines, compared these to biologically based reference points, and explored the removal scenarios which would result in population increase. Our results suggest that removals on the order of 100s of juveniles per year could have resulted in population‐level declines in excess of 60% during the 1970s and 1980s. Conservation actions implemented since the 1990s would have needed to be nearly 100% effective at preventing fishing mortality in order for the population to double in abundance over the last 30 years. Total removals from all fleets needed to be exceptionally small to keep them below biological reference points for white shark in the Northwest Atlantic. The population's inherent vulnerability to fishing pressure reaffirms the need for restrictive national and international conservation measures, even under a situation of abundance increase.
Consequences on islet and incretin hormone responses to dinner by omission of lunch in healthy men
Authors: Lindgren Ola , Ahrén Bo
Published: April 2020

Background

Omission of breakfast results in higher glucose and lower insulin and incretin hormone levels after both lunch and dinner. Whether omission of lunch has a similar impact on the following meal is not known.

Aim

This study therefore explored whether omission of lunch ingestion affects glucose, islet and incretin hormones after dinner ingestion in healthy subjects.

Materials & Methods

Twelve male volunteers (mean age 22 years, BMI 22.5 kg/m2) underwent two test days in random order with standard breakfast and dinner on both days with provision or omission of standard lunch in between.

Results

The results showed that throughout the 300 minutes study period, glucose, insulin, glucagon and GIP levels after dinner ingestion did not differ between the two tests. In contrast, C‐peptide, and GLP‐1 levels were 26%‐35% higher at later time points after dinner ingestion when lunch had been omitted (P < .05).

Conclusion

We conclude that omission of lunch increases GLP‐1 and insulin secretion and possibly also insulin clearance resulting in unchanged glucose and insulin levels after dinner ingestion.
Second Generation Total Synthesis of (–)‐Preussochromone D
Authors: Kerste Eric , Beller Marc Paul , Koert Ulrich
Published: April 2020

An improved enantioselective synthesis of the natural product (–)‐preussochromone D (3) and first insights into a possible route to the trans‐preussochromones E and F are described. Starting from commercially available 5‐hydroxy‐4H‐chromen‐4‐one, two stereocenters are established via auxiliary controlled Michael addition in excellent yield and stereoselectivity. Subsequent build‐up of the five‐membered ring gave access to (–)‐preussochromone D in an improved overall yield and less synthetic steps than previously reported. The total syntheses of preussochromones E and F on a related route were also investigated and first findings are reported herein.
Prognosemodell für sümpfungsbedingte Bodenbewegungen
Authors: Aulbach Benjamin , Ziegler Martin , Ruoff Markus
Published: April 2020

Zur Abbildung aktueller und zur Prognose weiterer sümpfungsbedingter Bodenbewegungen wurde ein auf bodenmechanischen Grundsätzen basierendes Modell entwickelt. Das Modell wurde bis dato sowohl im Rahmen bergrechtlich erforderlicher Nachweise durch die RWE Power AG als auch im Rahmen umweltrelevanter Untersuchungen durch das Landesamt für Umwelt, Natur und Verbraucherschutz NRW an mehr als 30 Punkten im Rheinischen Braunkohlerevier angewandt. Dabei können das seit den 1950er‐Jahren beobachtete und gemessene Bodenbewegungsverhalten qualitativ und quantitativ sehr gut abgebildet und darauf basierend zukünftige Bodenbewegungen prognostiziert werden. Aktuell in Bezug auf das Hebungsverhalten bindiger Böden noch vorhandenen Unsicherheiten können durch fortlaufende Messungen und Nachkalibrierungen weiter reduziert und so die Prognose stetig verbessert werden. Weiterhin lässt sich das Modell bei neuen Randbedingungen etwa infolge des durch die Bundesregierung beschlossenen Kohleausstiegs einfach anpassen und ist zudem prinzipiell auf andere Braunkohleabbaugebiete übertragbar oder auch für sonstige Anwendungen adaptierbar.
Special considerations for elderly patients with head and neck cancer during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Sharma Arun , Crosby Dana L.
Published: April 2020

Elderly patients with head and neck cancer are at increased risk of adverse outcomes during and after treatment of head and neck cancer. COVID‐19 severity and mortality can be expected to be significantly greater in elderly patients with head and neck cancer, given that increased age, comorbidities, and presence of malignancy are known risk factors for disease severity and mortality in patients with COVID‐19. Therefore, their management requires multidisciplinary consensus and patient input. A thorough geriatric assessment, which has been shown to be beneficial prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic, could be particularly helpful in this patient population with the added dimension of COVID‐19 risk. In many cases, prudent treatment plan modification may allow for overall best outcomes. Furthermore, recruitment of social services and, when appropriate, palliative care, may allow for optimal management of these patients.
Thyroid Hormone Signaling and the Liver
Authors: Ritter Megan J. ,   ,, Amano Izuki ,   ,, Hollenberg Anthony N.
Published: April 2020

Thyroid hormone (TH) plays a critical role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis throughout life. It is well known that the liver and thyroid are intimately linked, with TH playing important roles in de novo lipogenesis, beta‐oxidation (fatty acid oxidation), cholesterol metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism. Indeed, patients with hypothyroidism have abnormal lipid panels with higher levels of low‐density lipoprotein levels, triglycerides (triacylglycerol; TAG), and apolipoprotein B levels. Even in euthyroid patients, lower serum‐free thyroxine levels are associated with higher total cholesterol levels, LDL, and TAG levels. In addition to abnormal serum lipids, the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) increases with lower free thyroxine levels. As free thyroxine rises, the risk of NAFLD is reduced. This has led to numerous animal studies and clinical trials investigating TH analogs and TH receptor agonists as potential therapies for NAFLD and hyperlipidemia. Thus, TH plays an important role in maintaining hepatic homeostasis, and this continues to be an important area of study. A review of TH action and TH actions on the liver will be presented here.
Growth Hormone Stops Excessive Inflammation After Partial Hepatectomy, Allowing Liver Regeneration and Survival Through Induction of H2‐Bl/HLA‐G
Authors: Ishikawa Mayumi , Brooks Andrew J. , Fernández‐Rojo Manuel A. , Medina Johan , Chhabra Yash , Minami Shiro , Tunny Kathryn A. , Parton Robert G. , Vivian Julian P. , Rossjohn Jamie , Chikani Viral , Ramm Grant A. , Ho Ken K.Y. , Waters Michael J.
Published: April 2020

Background and Aims

Growth hormone (GH) is important for liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PHx). We investigated this process in C57BL/6 mice that express different forms of the GH receptor (GHR) with deletions in key signaling domains.

Approach and Results

PHx was performed on C57BL/6 mice lacking GHR (Ghr
−/−), disabled for all GH‐dependent Janus kinase 2 signaling (Box1
−/−), or lacking only GH‐dependent signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) signaling (Ghr391
−/−), and wild‐type littermates. C57BL/6 Ghr
−/−mice showed striking mortality within 48 hours after PHx, whereas Box1
−/− or Ghr391
−/− mice survived with normal liver regeneration. Ghr
−/− mortality was associated with increased apoptosis and elevated natural killer/natural killer T cell and macrophage cell markers. We identified H2‐Bl, a key immunotolerance protein, which is up‐regulated by PHx through a GH‐mediated, Janus kinase 2–independent, SRC family kinase–dependent pathway. GH treatment was confirmed to up‐regulate expression of the human homolog of H2‐Bl (human leukocyte antigen G [HLA‐G]) in primary human hepatocytes and in the serum of GH‐deficient patients. We find that injury‐associated innate immune attack by natural killer/natural killer T cell and macrophage cells are instrumental in the failure of liver regeneration, and this can be overcome in Ghr
−/− mice by adenoviral delivery of H2‐Bl or by infusion of HLA‐G protein. Further, H2‐Bl knockdown in wild‐type C57BL/6 mice showed elevated markers of inflammation after PHx, whereas Ghr
−/− backcrossed on a strain with high endogenous H2‐Bl expression showed a high rate of survival following PHx.

Conclusions

GH induction of H2‐Bl expression is crucial for reducing innate immune‐mediated apoptosis and promoting survival after PHx in C57BL/6 mice. Treatment with HLA‐G may lead to improved clinical outcomes following liver surgery or transplantation.
Toll‐like receptor 4 differentially regulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis in an age‐ and sex‐dependent manner
Authors: Connolly Meghan G. , Yost Oriana L. , Potter Opal V. , Giedraitis Megan E. , Kohman Rachel A.
Published: April 2020

Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) is primarily responsible for initiating an immune response following pathogen recognition. However, TLR4 is also expressed on neural progenitor cells and has been reported to regulate hippocampal neurogenesis as young male TLR4 knockout mice show increases in cell proliferation and doublecortin positive cells. Whether these effects occur in both sexes and are sustained with normal aging is currently unknown. The present study evaluated whether TLR4 deficiency alters adult hippocampal neurogenesis in young (3–4 months) and aged (18–20 months), male and female, TLR4 deficient (TLR4−/−; B6.B10ScN‐Tlr4lps‐del/JthJ) and wild type (WT) mice. Additionally, neurogenesis within the dorsal and the ventral hippocampal subdivisions was evaluated to determine if TLR4 has differential effects across the hippocampus. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was administered to quantify new cell survival as well as cell differentiation. Ki‐67 was measured to evaluate cell proliferation. Results show that young TLR4−/− females had higher rates of proliferation and neuronal differentiation in both the dorsal and ventral hippocampus relative to WT females. Young TLR4−/− males show elevated proliferation and neuronal differentiation mainly in the ventral hippocampus. While young TLR4−/− mice show enhanced neurogenesis compared to young WT mice, the increase was not apparent in the aged TLR4−/− mice. Both aged WT and TLR4−/− mice showed a decrease in proliferation, new cell survival, and neuronal differentiation compared to young WT and TLR4−/− mice. The data collectively indicate that TLR4 regulates hippocampal neurogenesis in young adults, but that these effects are region‐specific in males and that females show broader changes in neurogenesis throughout the hippocampus.
Solvent‐based paint and varnish removers: a focused toxicologic review of existing and alternative constituents
Authors: Durrani Timur , Clapp Robert , Harrison Robert , Shusterman Dennis
Published: April 2020

Paint and varnish removers constitute a major potential source of organic solvent exposure to contractors and home improvement enthusiasts. Unfortunately, the leading paint remover formulations have traditionally contained, as major ingredients, chemicals classified as probable human carcinogens (eg, methylene chloride) or reproductive toxicants (eg, N‐methylpyrrolidone). In addition, because of its unique toxicology (ie, hepatic conversion to carbon monoxide compounding generic solvent narcosis and arrythmogenesis), high volatility, and rigorous requirements for personal protective equipment, methylene chloride exposures from paint removers have been linked to numerous deaths involving both occupational and consumer usage. The aim of this review is to summarize the known toxicology of solvent‐based paint remover constituents (including those found in substitute formulations) in order to provide health risk information to regulators, chemical formulators, and end‐users of this class of products, and to highlight any data gaps that may exist.
Visualization of Mineral-Targeted Alkaline Phosphatase Binding to Sites of Calcification In Vivo
Authors: Amadeu de Oliveira Flavia , Narisawa Sonoko , Bottini Massimo , Millán José Luis
Published: April 2020

A mineral-targeted form of recombinant tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP), asfotase alfa, was approved multinationally as an enzyme replacement therapy for hypophosphatasia in 2015. Two reports to date have shown evidence of binding of this drug to mineralizing tissues using histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. Here, we sought to expand on those earlier studies by directly visualizing the in vivo binding of asfotase alfa conjugated with AnaTag HiLyte Fluor 750 or Alexa Fluor 647 fluorescent dye to sites of skeletal/dental mineralization and ectopic calcification. We utilized 40-day-old Tagln-Cre; HprtALPL/Y mice, a model of severe medial vascular calcification; Tie2-Cre; HprtALPL/Y mice, a model of severe intimal calcification; and sibling WT HprtALPL/Y mice, devoid of soft-tissue calcification. A single dose of 8 mg/kg labeled asfotase alfa was injected via the retro-orbital route. Skeletal tissues and soft organs were imaged ex vivo 2 days after the injection. Strong fluorescence signal was observed in all skeletal tissues (calvaria, vertebra, long bones, jaw, and mandibles) from mutant and WT mice. Fluorescence analysis of histological sections from bones revealed strong binding of asfotase alfa. Asfotase alfa binding to sites of ectopic calcification in the heart, aorta, and renal artery were found in both the Tagln-Cre; HprtALPL/Y and Tie2-Cre; HprtALPL/Y mice but not in WT mice. In addition, asfotase alfa binding was also found in the kidney stroma and brain of the Tie2-Cre; HprtALPL/Y mice. Our results show that fluorescence-labeled asfotase alfa administered in vivo binds not only to sites of skeletal and dental mineralization but also to sites of ectopic calcification in these animal models. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Commutability of external quality assessment materials for point‐of‐care glucose testing using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute and International Federation of Clinical Chemistry approaches
Authors: Wang Yan , Plebani Mario , Sciacovelli Laura , Zhang Shunli , Wang Qingtao , Zhou Rui
Published: April 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the commutability of three external quality assessment (EQA) materials for point‐of‐care (POC) glucose testing using two approaches, to identify suitable EQA materials to evaluate and monitor the quality of POC testing.

Methods

Commercial control materials (CCMs), pooled human serum samples (PHSs), and homemade human whole‐blood samples (HWBs) were measured along with 33 individual clinical samples using five POC instruments and a Hitachi 7600 analyzer. Data were analyzed by Deming regression analysis with a 95% prediction interval as described in Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) EP30‐A, and by difference in bias analysis as described by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) Working Group on Commutability.

Results

Using the CLSI approach, HWBs, CCMs, and PHSs were commutable with five, one, and two instruments, respectively. With the IFCC approach, HWBs were commutable with two instruments, while CCMs and PHSs were largely inconclusive or non‐commutable on five instruments.

Conclusions

HWBs were commutable on all instruments by the CLSI approach and may be a suitable EQA material for POC testing. Although some results differed between the IFCC and CLSI approaches, both indicated that HWBs were far superior to CCMs and PHSs in commutability.
The roles of GRP81 as a metabolic sensor and inflammatory mediator
Authors: Hu Jingyun , Cai Ming , Liu Yuran , Liu Beibei , Xue Xiangli , Ji Ruifang , Bian Xuepeng , Lou Shujie
Published: April 2020

GPR81 (also named as HCA1) is a member of a subfamily of orphan G‐protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), coupled to Gi‐type G proteins. GPR81 was discovered in 2001 and identified as the only known endogenous receptor of lactate under physiological conditions in 2008, which opened a new field of research on how lactate may act as a signal molecule along with the GPR81 expression in the roles of metabolic process and inflammatory response. Recent studies showed that the physiological functions of GPR81 include lipid metabolism in adipose tissues, metabolic excitability in the brain, cellular development, and inflammatory response modulation. These findings may reveal a novel therapeutic strategy to treat clinical, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases. This article will summarize past research on GPR81, including its characteristics of distribution and expression, functional residues, pharmacological, and physiological agonists, involvement in signal transduction, and pharmacological applications.
Efficacy and safety of renal denervation in addition to pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation and hypertension—Systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Pranata Raymond , Vania Rachel , Raharjo Sunu Budhi
Published: April 2020

Introduction

This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to assess the latest evidence on the use of renal denervation (RDN) + pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) compared to PVI alone for treating atrial fibrillation (AF) with hypertension.

Methods

A systematic literature search from several electronic databases was performed up until January 2020. The primary outcome was AF recurrence defined as AF/atrial flutter (AFL)/atrial tachycardia (AT) ≥30 seconds at 12‐month follow‐up and the secondary outcome was procedure‐related complications.

Results

There were 568 subjects from five studies. AF recurrence was 90/280 (32.1%) in the RDN + PVI group and 142/274 (51.8%) in the PVI group. RDN + PVI was associated with a lower incidence of AF recurrence (RR 0.62 [0.51, 076], P < .001; I2: 0%). Pooled analysis of HR showed that RDN + PVI was associated with reduced AF recurrence (HR 0.51 [0.38, 0.70], P < .001; I2: 0%). Complications were 7/241 (2.9%) in the RDN + PVI group and 8/237 (3.4%) in the PVI group. The rate of complications between the groups was similar (RR 0.87 [0.33, 2.29], P = .77; I2: 0%). In the subgroup analysis of paroxysmal AF, RDN + PVI was shown to reduce AF recurrence (RR 0.64 [0.49, 0.82], P < .001; I2: 0% and HR 0.56 [0.38, 0.82], P = .003; I2: 0%) compared to PVI alone. RDN + PVI has a moderate certainty of evidence in the reducing AF recurrence with an absolute reduction of 197 fewer per 1000 (from 254 fewer to 124 fewer).

Conclusion

RDN in addition to PVI, is associated with reduced 12‐month AF recurrence and similar procedure‐related complications compared to PVI alone.
Determining the Bio‐Based Carbon Content of Surfactants
Authors: Mudge Stephen M. , Tropsch Juergen , Beaudouin Thierry , Séné Christophe , Hormazabal Horacio
Published: April 2020

In response to a mandate from the European Commission, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) called on the technical committee CEN/TC 276 to develop a European standard (EN 17035) to define bio‐based surfactants and enable quantification of the bio‐based carbon content of surfactants based on radiocarbon analyses. This analytical approach was tested through directly contracted analyses and through a round robin procedure at commercial facilities in Europe. Initial results were unsatisfactory and further investigation identified issues surrounding the degree of homogenization in the samples. In general, the samples were only homogeneous at the gram level while the maximum quantity of material that could be introduced to the analytical process was at the milligram level. Having identified the root cause of the discrepancies between measured and expected results, new samples were sent to six European laboratories. The results were satisfactory indicating linearity and accuracy across the measurement range.
Effect of the Combination of Different Electrode Spacings and Power on Bipolar Radiofrequency Fat Dissolution: A Computational and Experimental Study
Authors: Zang Lianru , Zhou Yu , Kang Jia , Song ChengLi
Published: April 2020

Background and Objectives

The finite element method was used, and experiments were performed to analyze the effect of different electrode spacings and power combinations on the electrical and thermal aspects of biological tissues during bipolar radiofrequency (RF) fat dissolution. Through these efforts, this study also attempted to develop a reasonable electrode spacing and power combination that can achieve fat dissolution effects, the RF energy of which will not thermally damage the tissue.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

COMSOL was adopted to conduct a finite element analysis for bio‐thermoelectric coupling, and a two‐dimensional time‐domain model of biological tissue was built. A self‐developed single‐channel bipolar RF device was employed to load RF energy on the ex vivo porcine abdominal tissue. The thermal characteristics of the tissue were characterized and analyzed with a thermal imager and thermocouple probes.

Results

Under a power of 5 W combined with the electrode spacings of 1, 2, and 3 cm, the temperature in the tissue could not reach that required for fat dissolution. Under a power of 15 W combined with the electrode spacings of 1, 2, and 3 cm, the RF energy would thermally damage part of the skin areas. Besides this, the combination of a power of 10 W and the electrode spacing of 1 cm would thermally damage the skin areas. The combination of a power of 10 W and the electrode spacing of 2 or 3 cm made part of the fat layer of the tissue satisfy the requirements of fat dissolution, and the fat dissolution area caused by the former was 118% larger than that of the latter; in the meantime, no heat damage to the skin layer was found.

Conclusion

Different electrode spacings and power combinations significantly affect the electrical and thermal properties of bipolar RF energy loaded on biological tissue, a reasonable electrode spacing and power combination is one of the critical factors leading to the success of bipolar RF fat dissolution. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structural Correlates of the Sensorimotor Cerebellum in Parkinson's Disease and Essential Tremor
Authors: Lopez Alexander M. , Trujillo Paula , Hernandez Adreanna B. , Lin Ya‐Chen , Kang Hakmook , Landman Bennett A. , Englot Dario J. , Dawant Benoit M. , Konrad Peter E. , Claassen Daniel O.
Published: April 2020

Background

Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET) are commonly encountered movement disorders. Pathophysiologic processes that localize to the cerebellum are described in both. There are limited studies investigating cerebellar structural changes in these conditions, largely because of inherent challenges in the efficiency of segmentation.

Methods

We applied a novel multiatlas cerebellar segmentation method to T1‐weighted images in 282 PD and 111 essential tremor patients to define 26 cerebellar lobule volumes. The severity of postural and resting tremor in both populations and gait and postural instability in PD patients were defined using subscores of the UPDRS and Washington Heights‐Inwood Genetic Study motor scales. These clinical measurements were related to lobule volume size. Multiple comparisons were controlled using a false discovery rate method.

Results

Group differences were identified between ET and PD patients, with reductions in deep cerebellar nucleus volume in ET versus reduced lobule VI volume in PD. In ET patients, lobule VIII was negatively correlated with the severity of postural tremor. In PD patients, lobule IV was positively correlated with resting tremor and total tremor severity. We observed differences in cerebellar structure that localized to sensorimotor lobules of the cerebellum. Lobule volumes appeared to differentially relate to clinical symptoms, suggesting important clinicopathologic distinctions between these conditions. These results emphasize the role of the cerebellum in tremor symptoms and should foster future clinical and pathologic investigations of the sensorimotor lobules of the cerebellum. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
An improved target detection method based on multiscale features fusion
Authors: Lu Liping , Li Hanshan , Ding Zhe , Guo Quanmin
Published: April 2020

A pedestrian‐target detection method based on multiscale convolution features is proposed to solve the problem of the existing target detection algorithms based on convolutional neural networks that cannot effectively adapt to the target scale change, its deformation, and the complex environment. This article analyzes the characteristics of small target, establishes the a three‐layer pyramid network structure based on horizontal connection fusion, and makes full use of shallow convolution features with lower semantics to improve the accuracy of small target detection; From the angle of the cross ratio, quantitative analysis is made on the effect of eliminating redundant bounding box by nonmaximum suppression based on center point when the window with the cross ratio is less than 0.7, solves the problem of missing detection of overlap and small target, and improves the target detection accuracy and the generalization ability of the target detection model. Through the experimental results on VOC2007 and VOC2012 public data sets, the proposed method of this article has higher detection accuracy and stability for small and incomplete targets, multiscale target detection, and target classification under the complex environment.
Optimization methods for magnetic resonance imaging gradient waveform design
Authors: Middione Matthew J. , Loecher Michael , Moulin Kévin , Ennis Daniel B.
Published: April 2020

The development and implementation of novel MRI pulse sequences remains challenging and laborious. Gradient waveforms are typically designed using a combination of analytical and ad hoc methods to construct each gradient waveform axis independently. This strategy makes coding the pulse sequence complicated, in addition to being time inefficient. As a consequence, nearly all commercial MRI pulse sequences fail to maximize use of the available gradient hardware or efficiently mitigate physiological effects. This results in expensive MRI systems that underperform relative to their inherent hardware capabilities. To address this problem, a software solution is proposed that incorporates numerical optimization methods into MRI pulse sequence programming. Examples are shown for rotational variant vs. invariant waveform designs, acceleration nulled velocity encoding gradients, and mitigation of peripheral nerve stimulation for diffusion encoding. The application of optimization methods to MRI pulse sequence design incorporates gradient hardware limits and the prescribed MRI protocol parameters (e.g. field‐of‐view, resolution, gradient moments, and/or b‐value) to simultaneously construct time‐optimal gradient waveforms. In many cases, the resulting constrained gradient waveform design problem is convex and can be solved on‐the‐fly on the MRI scanner. The result is a set of multi‐axis time‐optimal gradient waveforms that satisfy the design constraints, thereby increasing SNR‐efficiency. These optimization methods can also be used to mitigate imaging artifacts (e.g. eddy currents) or account for peripheral nerve stimulation. The result of the optimization method is to enable easier pulse sequence gradient waveform design and permit on‐the‐fly implementation for a range of MRI pulse sequences.