bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Losses of fertilizer nitrogen after a winter fertilization in three managed pine plantations of the southeastern United States
Authors: Raymond Jay E. , Fox Thomas R. , Cook Rachel L. , Albaugh Timothy J. , Rubilar Rafael 
Published: March 2020

AbstractLosses of fertilizer nitrogen (N) were compared between urea and urea treated with the urease inhibitor N‐(n‐Butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (urea + NBPT) after a surface application in winter at three thinned mid‐rotation (age 15–20 years) loblolly pine plantations in Virginia, South Carolina, and Florida. Treatments were labeled with15N and applied to open chamber microcosms in January and February 2016. Fifteen days after application, microcosms were removed from the field to determine fertilizer N lost from each microcosm. Losses following fertilization with urea (24% to 50%) were greater (p ≥ .05) at all sites compared to urea + NBPT (12% to 22%). Fertilizer N losses were greater in Florida than in SC and Virginia although N loss following urea fertilization was still 25% in Virginia. The loss of fertilizer N was consistently lower on beds compared to interbeds for both urea (bed = 25%, interbed = 40%) and urea + NBPT (bed = 12%, interbed = 23%). This research highlights the value of using urea + NBPT to reduce fertilizer N losses after a winter application and the greater potential loss in the interbed on wetter sites.
Clinically Approved Carbon Nanoparticles with Oral Administration for Intestinal Radioprotection via Protecting the Small Intestinal Crypt Stem Cells and Maintaining the Balance of Intestinal Flora
Authors: Wang Chengyan , Xie Jiani , Dong Xinghua , Mei Linqiang , Zhao Maoru , Leng Zhengwei , Hu Houxiang , Li Lele , Gu Zhanjun , Zhao Yuliang 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe exploration of an old drug for new biomedical applications has an absolute predominance in shortening the clinical conversion time of drugs for clinical application. In this work, carbon nanoparticles suspension injection (CNSI), the first clinically approved carbon nanoparticles in China, is explored as a new nano‐radioprotective agent for potent intestinal radioprotection. CNSI shows powerful radioprotective performance in the intestine under oral administration, including efficient free radical scavenging ability, good biosafety, high chemical stability, and relatively long retention time. For example, CNSI shows high reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities, which effectively alleviates the mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA double‐strand breaks to protect the cells against radiation‐induced damage. Most importantly, this efficient ROS scavenging ability greatly helps restrain the apoptosis of the small intestinal epithelial and crypt stem cells, which decreases the damage of the mechanical barrier and thus relieves radiation enteritis. Moreover, CNSI helps remove the free radicals in the intestinal microenvironment and thus maintain the balance of intestinal flora so as to mitigate the radiation enteritis. The finding suggests a new application of clinically approved carbon nanoparticles, which not only promotes the development of new intestinal radioprotector, but also has a great potential for clinical transformation.
A Versatile Toolkit for Controllable and Highly Selective Multifunctionalization of Bacterial Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Mickoleit Frank , Lanzloth Clarissa , Schüler Dirk 
Published: March 2020

AbstractTheir unique material characteristics, i.e. high crystallinity, strong magnetization, uniform shape and size, and the ability to engineer the enveloping membrane in vivo make bacterial magnetosomes highly interesting for many biomedical and biotechnological applications. In this study, a versatile toolkit is developed for the multifunctionalization of magnetic nanoparticles in the magnetotactic bacterium Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense, and the use of several abundant magnetosome membrane proteins as anchors for functional moieties is explored. High‐level magnetosome display of cargo proteins enables the generation of engineered nanoparticles with several genetically encoded functionalities, including a core–shell structure, magnetization, two different catalytic activities, fluorescence and the presence of a versatile connector that allows the incorporation into a hydrogel‐based matrix by specific coupling reactions. The resulting reusable magnetic composite demonstrates the high potential of synthetic biology for the production of multifunctional nanomaterials, turning the magnetosome surface into a platform for specific versatile display of functional moieties.
Review of current advances in survival analysis and frailty models
Authors: Govindarajulu Usha S. , D'Agostino Ralph B. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn this article, we have presented a review of existing methods and trends in survival analysis and frailty models. The background has been presented for each topic discussed for survival and frailty models where the presentation flows from original methods to more advanced methods. This article has also shown various current methodologies that exist among survival and frailty models. The advantages and disadvantages of more recent methodologies are presented and discussed in this review.This article is categorized under:Statistical Models > Survival ModelsStatistical Models > Semiparametric Models
TMEM16A drives renal cyst growth by augmenting Ca2+ signaling in M1 cells
Authors: Cabrita Ines , Buchholz Björn , Schreiber Rainer , Kunzelmann Karl 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) leads to continuous decline of renal function by growth of renal cysts. Enhanced proliferation and transepithelial chloride secretion through cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and Ca2+-activated TMEM16A Cl− channels is thought to cause an increase in cyst volume. Recent work shows the pro-proliferative role of the Ca2+ activated Cl− channel TMEM16A (anoctamin 1), and demonstrates the essential contribution of TMEM16A to CFTR-dependent Cl− secretion. The present data demonstrate an increase in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) signals and Cl− secretion by TMEM16A, in renal collecting duct principle cells from dog (MDCK) and mouse (M1) as well as primary tubular epithelial cells from PKD1−/− knockout mice. M1 organoids proliferated, increased expression of TMEM16A, and secreted Cl− upon knockdown of endogenous polycystin 1 or 2 (PKD1,2), by retroviral transfection with shPKD1 and shPKD2, respectively. Knockdown of PKD1 or PKD2 increased basal intracellular Ca2+ levels and enhanced purinergic Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum. In contrast, ryanodine receptors were found not to be expressed in mouse renal epithelial cells and caffeine had no effects on [Ca2+]i. Ca2+ signals, proliferation, and Cl− secretion were largely reduced by knockdown or blockade of TMEM16A. TMEM16A may be therefore important for enhanced Ca2+ release from IP3-sensitive Ca2+ stores in polycystic kidney disease.

Key messages
• ADPKD leads to continuous decline of renal function by growth of renal cysts.
• Knockdown of PKD1 or PKD2 increases TMEM16A expression.
• TMEM16A enhanced intracellular Ca2+ signals, Cl− secretion, and proliferation.
• TMEM16A contributes to cyst growth in ADPKD.
Trendy e-cigarettes enter Europe: chemical characterization of JUUL pods and its aerosols
Authors: Mallock Nadja , Trieu Hai Linh , Macziol Miriam , Malke Sebastian , Katz Aaron , Laux Peter , Henkler-Stephani Frank , Hahn Jürgen , Hutzler Christoph , Luch Andreas 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe popularity and the high nicotine content of the American pod e-cigarette JUUL have raised many concerns. To comply with European law, the nicotine concentration in the liquids of the European version, which has been recently released on the market, is limited to below 20 mg/mL. This limit can possibly be circumvented by technological adjustments that increase vaporization and consequently, elevate nicotine delivery. In this study, we compare vapor generation and nicotine delivery of the initial European version, a modified European version, and the original American high-nicotine variant using a machine vaping set-up. Additionally, benzoic acid and carbonyl compounds are quantified in the aerosol. Further, concentrations of nicotine, benzoic acid, propylene glycol, and glycerol, along with the density and pH value of JUUL e-liquids have been assessed. Whereas the initial European version did not compensate for the low nicotine content in the liquid, we provide evidence for an increased vaporization by the modified European version. As a consequence, nicotine delivery per puff approximates the American original. Notably, this is not associated with an increased generation of carbonyl compounds. Our data suggest a similar addictiveness of the enhanced European version and the original American product.
Pseudo-Symmetric Assembly of Protodomains as a Common Denominator in the Evolution of Polytopic Helical Membrane Proteins
Authors: Youkharibache Philippe , Tran Alexander , Abrol Ravinder 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe polytopic helical membrane proteome is dominated by proteins containing seven transmembrane helices (7TMHs). They cannot be grouped under a monolithic fold or superfold. However, a parallel structural analysis of folds around that magic number of seven in distinct protein superfamilies (SWEET, PnuC, TRIC, FocA, Aquaporin, GPCRs) reveals a common homology, not in their structural fold, but in their systematic pseudo-symmetric construction during their evolution. Our analysis leads to guiding principles of intragenic duplication and pseudo-symmetric assembly of ancestral transmembrane helical protodomains, consisting of 3 (or 4) helices. A parallel deconstruction and reconstruction of these domains provides a structural and mechanistic framework for their evolutionary paths. It highlights the conformational plasticity inherent to fold formation itself, the role of structural as well as functional constraints in shaping that fold, and the usefulness of protodomains as a tool to probe convergent vs divergent evolution. In the case of FocA vs. Aquaporin, this protodomain analysis sheds new light on their potential divergent evolution at the protodomain level followed by duplication and parallel evolution of the two folds. GPCR domains, whose function does not seem to require symmetry, nevertheless exhibit structural pseudo-symmetry. Their construction follows the same protodomain assembly as any other pseudo-symmetric protein suggesting their potential evolutionary origins. Interestingly, all the 6/7/8TMH pseudo-symmetric folds in this study also assemble as oligomeric forms in the membrane, emphasizing the role of symmetry in evolution, revealing self-assembly and co-evolution not only at the protodomain level but also at the domain level.
Termination rates and histological reclassification of active surveillance patients with low- and early intermediate-risk prostate cancer: results of the PREFERE trial
Authors: Albers Peter , Wiegel Thomas , Schmidberger Heinz , Bussar-Maatz Roswitha , Härter Martin , Kristiansen Glen , Martus Peter , Meisner Christoph , Wellek Stefan , Grozinger Klaus , Renner Peter , Burmester Martin , Schneider Fried , Stöckle Michael 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Active surveillance (AS) strategies for patients with low- and early intermediate-risk prostate cancer are still not consistently defined. Within a controlled randomized trial, active surveillance was compared to other treatment options for patients with prostate cancer. Aim of this analysis was to report on termination rates of patients treated with AS including different grade groups.

Methods
A randomized trial comparing radical prostatectomy, active surveillance, external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy was performed from 2013 to 2016 and included 345 patients with low- and early intermediate-risk prostate cancer (ISUP grade groups 1 and 2). The trial was prematurely stopped due to slow accrual. A total of 130 patients were treated with active surveillance. Among them, 42 patients were diagnosed with intermediate-risk PCA. Reference pathology and AS quality control were performed throughout.

Results
After a median follow-up time of 18.8 months, 73 out of the 130 patients (56%) terminated active surveillance. Of these, 56 (77%) patients were histologically reclassified at the time of rebiopsy, including 35% and 60% of the grade group 1 and 2 patients, respectively. No patients who underwent radical prostatectomy at the time of reclassification had radical prostatectomy specimens ≥ grade group 3.

Conclusion
In this prospectively analyzed subcohort of patients with AS and conventional staging within a randomized trial, the 2-year histological reclassification rates were higher than those previously reported. Active surveillance may not be based on conventional staging alone, and patients with grade group 2 cancers may be recommended for active surveillance in carefully controlled trials only.
‘Minimal symptom expression’ in patients with acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive refractory generalized myasthenia gravis treated with eculizumab
Authors:   The REGAIN study group, Vissing John , Jacob Saiju , Fujita Kenji P. , O’Brien Fanny , Howard James F. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
The efficacy and tolerability of eculizumab were assessed in REGAIN, a 26-week, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), and its open-label extension.

Methods
Attainment of ‘minimal symptom expression’ was evaluated using patient-reported outcome measures of gMG symptoms [MG activities of daily living scale (MG-ADL), 15-item MG quality of life questionnaire (MG-QOL15)] at the completion of REGAIN and during the open-label extension. ‘Minimal symptom expression’ was defined as MG-ADL total score of 0–1 or MG-QOL15 total score of 0–3.

Results
At REGAIN week 26, more eculizumab-treated patients achieved ‘minimal symptom expression’ versus placebo [MG-ADL: 21.4% vs 1.7%; difference 19.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 8.5, 31.0; p = 0.0007; MG-QOL15: 16.1% vs 1.7%; difference 14.4%; 95% CI 4.3, 24.6; p = 0.0069]. During the open-label extension, the proportion of patients in the placebo/eculizumab group who achieved ‘minimal symptom expression’ increased after initiating eculizumab treatment and was sustained through 130 weeks of open-label eculizumab (MG-ADL: 1.7 to 27.8%; MG-QOL15: 1.7 to 19.4%). At extension study week 130, similar proportions of patients in the eculizumab/eculizumab and placebo/eculizumab groups achieved ‘minimal symptom expression’ (MG-ADL: 22.9% and 27.8%, respectively, p = 0.7861; MG-QOL15: 14.3% and 19.4%, respectively, p = 0.7531). The long-term tolerability of eculizumab was consistent with previous reports.

Conclusions
Patients with AChR+ refractory gMG who receive eculizumab can achieve sustained ‘minimal symptom expression’ based on patient-reported outcomes. ‘Minimal symptom expression’ may be a useful tool in measuring therapy effectiveness in gMG.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01997229, NCT02301624.
The impact of the Tokyo emissions trading scheme on office buildings: what factor contributed to the emission reduction?
Authors: Arimura Toshi H. , Abe Tatsuya 
Published: March 2020

AbstractTokyo ETS is the first emissions trading scheme to control GHG emissions from office buildings. Although the Tokyo government claimed that Tokyo ETS had been successful, some argued that the emission reduction under Tokyo ETS was actually the result of electricity price increases triggered by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. Using a facility-level data set for Japanese office buildings, we conducted an econometric analysis to examine the impact of Tokyo ETS. We found that half of the emission reduction is a result of the ETS, while the rest of the reduction is due to the electricity price increase. Another unique feature of Tokyo ETS is that an accurate permit price is not publicly available due to its design. Using our estimated model, we found that the price is approximately $50 per ton of CO2 in the early phase.
Potential biodiversity change in Central Asian grasslands: scenarios for the impact of climate and land-use change
Authors: Nunez Sarahi , Alkemade Rob , Kok Kasper , Leemans Rik 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCentral Asian grasslands are extensively used for pastoral livestock grazing. This traditional land use is nowadays characterized by intensifying grasslands into more productive pastures. This change affects biodiversity and diminishes grasslands’ ecological role. Biodiversity impacts are probably also exacerbated by climate change. These changes in biodiversity are poorly studied in Central Asia. Here, we estimated potential biodiversity changes in the Central Asian grasslands using the latest shared socio-economic pathways and the representative concentration pathways (i.e., SSP-RCP scenario framework). We selected scenarios with contrasting socio-economic and climate conditions (i.e., SSP1-RCP4.5, SSP3-RCP8.5, SSP4-RCP4.5, and SSP5-RCP8.5) and further detailed the land-use scenarios for the region using stakeholders’ input. We indicated future biodiversity by the mean species abundance indicator. The contrasting scenario combinations showed that grasslands’ biodiversity will decline under each scenario. The strongest impact on biodiversity is expected in SSP5-RCP8.5, where half of the grasslands are likely to lose most of their local originally occurring species by 2100. The lowest impact is expected in SSP4-RCP4.5. Our study stresses the potential vulnerability of this region to increasing land-use intensity and climate change. These impact projections can help regional decision makers to develop and implement better biodiversity-conservation and sustainable management policies for these grasslands.
Physical activity of physiotherapists in Germany: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Elsner Bernhard , Völker Daniel , Heinzmann Mario , Rähmer Vera , Kugler Joachim , Mehrholz Jan 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Aim
We aimed to quantify the work-related physical activity of physiotherapists in Germany.

Subjects and methods
We included working physiotherapists aged between 18 and 65 years in Germany. We excluded physiotherapists working less than 20 h a week. We measured our primary outcome, work-related physical activity, by the average number of steps taken daily during work, standardized on an 8-h working day. We controlled the main outcome for potential confounders, such as working hours per week, age, weekday, and clinical setting (outpatient vs. inpatient), by multivariate linear regression analysis. We used R statistics for all statistical analyses.

Results
We included 35 participants (7 outpatient and 28 inpatient), with a median age category of 20–29 years. Our participants had a mean work-related physical activity of 6614 steps (95% confidence interval, CI [6118; 7111]) per workday. Higher age, outpatient clinical setting, and working full time were associated with lower step count, but these associations were not statistically significant.

Conclusions
The work-related physical activity of physiotherapists in Germany is comparable with results from other countries and can be regarded as ‘low’. Our result, however, might be affected by volunteer bias and gender effects. Further research should identify high-risk groups in the profession for cost-effective prevention.
Effect of natural weathering on water absorption and pore size distribution in thermally modified wood determined by nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Cai Chenyang , Javed Muhammad Asadullah , Komulainen Sanna , Telkki Ville-Veikko , Haapala Antti , Heräjärvi Henrik 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThermally modified wood (TMW) is widely used in outdoor applications due to its advanced properties towards weathering stresses. Although the structure changes of TMW from weather factors have been reported, investigation of the quantitative analysis of water states and cell wall structure of TMW after weathering is limited. In this work, the amount of bound water, fiber saturation point (FSP), cell wall pores, and free water distribution of thermally modified Scots pine, Norway spruce, and European ash were measured before and after a 2-year natural weathering via NMR relaxometry, cryoporometry, and magnetic resonance imaging. The results show that weathering increased T2 relaxation time of lumens, indicating the degradation of tracheids and vessels, especially in TMW compared to unmodified wood. The amounts of bound water, FSP value, and cell wall pores were increased after weathering; however, an increase in thermal modification intensity resulted in lower FSP and limited the increase in number of pores. In summary, TMW showed better performance than unmodified wood after weathering.
An Observational Study of Social Interaction Skills and Behaviors in Cornelia de Lange, Fragile X and Rubinstein-Taybi Syndromes
Authors: Ellis Katherine , Oliver Chris , Stefanidou Chrysi , Apperly Ian , Moss Jo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWe directly assessed the broader aspects of sociability (social enjoyment, social motivation, social interaction skills and social discomfort) in individuals with Cornelia de Lange (CdLS), fragile X (FXS) and Rubinstein-Taybi syndromes (RTS), and their association with autism characteristics and chronological age in these groups. Individuals with FXS (p < 0.01) and RTS (p < 0.01) showed poorer quality of eye contact compared to individuals with CdLS. Individuals with FXS showed less person and more object attention than individuals with CdLS (p < 0.01). Associations between sociability and autism characteristics and chronological age differed between groups, which may indicate divergence in the development and aetiology of different components of sociability across these groups. Findings indicate that individuals with CdLS, FXS and RTS show unique profiles of sociability.
Pituitary metastases: presentation and outcomes from a pituitary center over the last decade
Authors: Lithgow K. , Siqueira I. , Senthil L. , Chew H. S. , Chavda S. V. , Ayuk J. , Toogood A. , Gittoes N. , Matthews T. , Batra R. , Meade S. , Sanghera P. , Khan N. , Ahmed S. , Paluzzi A. , Tsermoulas G. , Karavitaki N. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Highlight and characterize manifestations, diagnostic/management approaches and outcomes in a contemporary cohort of patients with pituitary metastases (PM) from a large European pituitary center—over 10 years.

Methods
Retrospective review of PM cases between 1/2009 and 12/2018. Clinical, laboratory, imaging data at PM detection and during follow-up were analysed.

Results
18 cases were identified (14 females; median age at diagnosis 61.5 years). Most common primary malignancies were lung (39%) and breast (32%). Most frequent presenting manifestation was visual dysfunction (50%). Gonadotrophin, ACTH, TSH deficiency were diagnosed in 85%, 67%, 46% of cases, respectively; diabetes insipidus (DI) was present in 17%. 33% of cases were detected during investigation for symptoms unrelated to PM. PM management included radiotherapy (44%), transsphenoidal surgery (17%), transsphenoidal surgery and radiotherapy (6%) or monitoring only (33%). One-year survival was 49% with median survival from PM detection 11 months (range 2–47).

Conclusions
In our contemporary series, clinical presentation of PM has evolved; we found increased prevalence of anterior hypopituitarism, decreased rates of DI and longer survival compared with older literature. Increased availability of diagnostic imaging, improvements in screening and recognition of pituitary disease and longer survival of patients with metastatic cancer may be contributing factors.