bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 modulates autophagic activity in retinal pigment epithelial cells
Authors: Koller Andreas , Bruckner Daniela , Aigner Ludwig , Reitsamer Herbert , Trost Andrea 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which is among the tissues in the body that are exposed to the highest levels of phagocytosis and oxidative stress, is dependent on autophagy function. Impaired autophagy and continuous cellular stress are associated with various disorders, such as dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease for which effective therapies are lacking. Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor (CysLTR) 1 is a potential modulator of autophagy; thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of CysLTR1 in autophagy regulation in the RPE cell line ARPE-19. The polarized ARPE-19 monolayer exhibited expression of CysLTR1, which was colocalized with β-tubulin III. In ARPE-19 cells, autophagic activity was rhythmically regulated and was increased upon CysLTR1 inhibition by Zafirlukast (ZK) treatment. H2O2 affected the proautophagic regulatory effect of ZK treatment depending on whether it was applied simultaneously with or prior to ZK treatment. Furthermore, mRNA levels of genes related to the leukotriene system, autophagy and the unfolded protein response were positively correlated. As CysLTR1 is involved in autophagy regulation under basal and oxidative stress conditions, a dysfunctional leukotriene system could negatively affect RPE functions. Therefore, CysLTR1 is a potential target for new treatment approaches for neurodegenerative disorders, such as AMD.
Comprehensive proteomic investigation of infectious and inflammatory changes in late preterm prelabour rupture of membranes
Authors: Vajrychová Marie , Stráník Jaroslav , Pimková Kristýna , Barman Malin , Kukla Rudolf , Zedníková Petra , Bolehovská Radka , Plíšková Lenka , Hornychová Helena , Andrýs Ctirad , Tambor Vojtěch , Lenčo Juraj , Jacobsson Bo , Kacerovský Marian 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPreterm prelabour rupture of membranes beyond the 34th week of gestation (late PPROM) is frequently associated with the risk of the microbial invasion of the amniotic fluid (MIAC) and histological chorioamnionitis (HCA). Hence, we employed a Tandem Mass Tag-based approach to uncover amniotic fluid proteome response to the presence of MIAC and HCA in late PPROM. Protein dysregulation was associated with only five cases in the group of 15 women with confirmed MIAC and HCA. Altogether, 138 amniotic fluid proteins were changed in these five cases exclusively. These proteins were particularly associated with excessive neutrophil responses to infection, such as neutrophil degranulation and extracellular trap formation. We believe that the quantification of these proteins in amniotic fluid may assist in revealing women with the highest risk of excessive inflammatory response in late PPROM.
Brown rats and house mice eavesdrop on each other’s volatile sex pheromone components
Authors: Varner Elana , Jackson Hanna , Mahal Manveer , Takács Stephen , Gries Regine , Gries Gerhard 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMammalian pheromones often linger in the environment and thus are particularly susceptible to interceptive eavesdropping, commonly understood as a one-way dyadic interaction, where prey sense and respond to the scent of a predator. Here, we tested the “counterespionage” hypothesis that predator and prey co-opt each other’s pheromone as a cue to locate prey or evade predation. We worked with wild brown rats (predator of mice) and wild house mice (prey of brown rats) as model species, testing their responses to pheromone-baited traps at infested field sites. The treatment trap in each of two trap pairs per replicate received sex attractant pheromone components (including testosterone) of male mice or male rats, whereas corresponding control traps received only testosterone, a pheromone component shared between mouse and rat males. Trap pairs disseminating male rat pheromone components captured 3.05 times fewer mice than trap pairs disseminating male mouse pheromone components, and no female mice were captured in rat pheromone-baited traps, indicating predator aversion. Indiscriminate captures of rats in trap pairs disseminating male rat or male mouse pheromone components, and fewer captures of rats in male mouse pheromone traps than in (testosterone-only) control traps indicate that rats do eavesdrop on the male mouse sex pheromone but do not exploit the information for mouse prey location. The counterespionage hypothesis is supported by trap catch data of both mice and rats but only the mice data are in keeping with our predictions for motive of the counterespionage.
Increasing relevance of Gram-positive cocci in urinary tract infections: a 10-year analysis of their prevalence and resistance trends
Authors: Gajdács Márió , Ábrók Marianna , Lázár Andrea , Burián Katalin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractUrinary tract infections (UTIs) are the third most common types of infection in human medicine worldwide. There is increasing appreciation for the pathogenic role of Gram-positive cocci (GPC) in UTIs, as they have a plethora of virulence factors, maintaining their pathogenicity and high affinity for the epithelial cells of the urinary tract. The study was carried out using microbiological data collected corresponding to the period between 2008 and 2017. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method and E-tests. The age range of patients affected from the outpatient and inpatient groups differed significantly (43 [range 0.7–99] vs. 68 [range 0.4–99] years; p = 0.008). 3962 GPCs were obtained from inpatient and 4358 from outpatient samples, corresponding to 20.5 ± 2.8% (range 17.5–26.8%) and 20.6 ± 2.6% (range 17.8–26.0%) of all positive urine samples (p > 0.05); in both groups, Enterococcus spp. were the most prevalent (outpatients: 79.6%; inpatients: 88.5%). High-level aminoglycoside resistance in enterococci was noted in 31.0–46.6% of cases. A pronounced increase in the number of MRSA was seen in the second half of the study period (0.6–1.9% vs. 9.8–11.6%; p = 0.038). The ratio of VRE isolates was 0.16%, no VISA/VRSA isolates were detected.
Pathogenic germline variants are associated with poor survival in stage III/IV melanoma patients
Authors: Aoude Lauren G. , Bonazzi Vanessa F. , Brosda Sandra , Patel Kalpana , Koufariotis Lambros T. , Oey Harald , Nones Katia , Wood Scott , Pearson John V. , Lonie James M. , Arneil Melissa , Atkinson Victoria , Smithers B. Mark , Waddell Nicola , Barbour Andrew P. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPatients with late stage resected cutaneous melanoma have poor overall survival (OS) and experience irreversible adverse events from systemic therapy. There is a clinical need to identify biomarkers to predict outcome. Performing germline/tumour whole-exome sequencing of 44 stage III/IV melanoma patients we identified pathogenic germline mutations in CDKN2A, CDK4, ATM, POLH, MRE11A, RECQL4 and XPC, affecting 7/44 patients. These mutations were associated with poor OS (p = 0.0082). We confirmed our findings in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) human skin cutaneous melanoma cohort where we identified pathogenic variants in 40/455 patients (p = 0.0203). Combining these cohorts (n = 499) further strengthened these findings showing germline carriers had worse OS (p = 0.0009). Additionally, we determined whether tumour mutation burden (TMB) or BRAF status were prognostic markers of survival. Low TMB rate (< 20 Mut/Mb; p = 0.0034) and BRAF p.V600 mutation (p = 0.0355) were associated with worse progression-free survival. Combining these biomarkers indicated that V600 mutant patients had significantly lower TMB (p = 0.0155). This was confirmed in the TCGA (n = 443, p = 0.0007). Integrative analysis showed germline mutation status conferred the highest risk (HR 5.2, 95% CI 1.72–15.7). Stage IV (HR 2.5, 0.74–8.6) and low TMB (HR 2.3, 0.57–9.4) were similar, whereas BRAF V600 status was the weakest prognostic biomarker (HR 1.5, 95% CI 0.44–5.2).
The protective role of miR-223 in sepsis-induced mortality
Authors: Liu Dan , Wang Zhiding , Wang Huijuan , Ren Feifei , Li Yanqin , Zou Sifan , Xu Jianqiao , Xie Lixin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractLymphocyte apoptosis appears to play an important role in immunodysfunction in sepsis. We investigated the role of miR-223 in cell proliferation and apoptosis to identify potential target downstream proteins in sepsis. We recruited 143 patients with sepsis and 44 healthy controls from the Chinese PLA General Hospital. Flow cytometry was used to sort monocytes, lymphocytes, and neutrophils from fresh peripheral blood. A miR-223 mimic and inhibitor were used for transient transfection of Jurkat T cells. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to assess expression of the miRNAs in cells. Western blot analysis was performed to measure protein expression. We evaluated the cell cycle and apoptosis by using flow cytometry (FCM) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Expression of miR-223 was significantly higher in the survivor group than in the nonsurvivor group. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that SOFA scores correlated negatively with miR-223 and monocyte counts, with β coefficients (95% CI) of − 0.048 (− 0.077, − 0.019) and − 47.707 (− 83.871, − 11.543), respectively. miR-223 expression also correlated negatively with the percentage of apoptosis in lymphocytes. The rate of apoptosis in the miR-223 mimic group was significantly lower than that of the negative control, with an adverse outcome observed in the miR-223 inhibitor group. We also found that miR-223 enhanced the proliferation of Jurkat T cells and that inhibiting miR-223 had an inhibitory effect on the G1/S transition. We conclude that miR-223 can serve as a protective factor in sepsis by reducing apoptosis and enhancing cell proliferation in lymphocytes by interacting with FOXO1. Potential downstream molecules are HSP60, HSP70, and HTRA.
Surgery without Scars: Right Lateral Access for Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Wilbring Manuel , Matschke Klaus Ehrhard , Alexiou Konstantin , Di Eusanio Marco , Kappert Utz 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAs part of an institutionally driven holistic concept, named the “360-degree approach,” all established surgical access routes —full sternotomy, partial upper sternotomy, and right anterolateral thoracotomy using the second interspace—are supported. The surgical toolbox now is completed by adding a further approach: through a 5- to7-cm skin incision in the right anterior axillary line, the third interspace is used for a minimally invasive aortic valve surgery providing striking exposition of the aortic valve and resulting in superior cosmetics with nearly no visible scars. The choice for the one or other method is institutionally driven and based on risk profiles, as well as anatomical and physiognomic considerations.
A Further Case of Larsen's Syndrome: Clinical and Genotypic Challenges in Diagnosis
Authors: Arora Veronica , Pal Swasti , Kulshreshtha Samarth , Verma Ishwar C. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractLarsen's syndrome is characterized by dislocation of multiple large joints, digital anomalies, craniofacial dysmorphism, and short stature. In this paper, we describe a case of a 5-month-old boy with a triad of cardinal features in association with other signs. The diagnosis was confirmed by exome sequencing, which led to the identification of a novel missense variant NM_001457.4:c.4928C > G (p.Ala1643Gly) in the FLNB gene. We describe the role of protein modelling for the establishment of pathogenicity of this variant. We also outline the challenges in genetic diagnosis due to variable expressivity of the variant and discuss the clinicogenetic profile of previously reported patients with Larsen's syndrome in India.
La belle infidèle orientale
Authors: Wang Hanchi (Emilie) 
Published: October 2020

RésuméLeSūtra du diamanttraduit en chinois par Kumārajīva est un des textes les plus répandus du bouddhisme mahāyāna, signifiant « Grand Véhicule ». Depuis le XIXe siècle, il fait l’objet d'études interlinguistiques qui comparent les traductions du mahāyāna avec les versions sanskrites. Les traductions sont alors considérées comme étant moins fidèles surtout au niveau du texte même. Cependant, l’idée de correction littérale est inconciliable avec l’ « original ». Dans cet article, nous abordons d’abord le problème des « textes sources » dans la littérature bouddhique, mais aussi celui de la méthode prédominante dans l’étude bouddhique contemporaine. Enfin, du point de vue de la traductologie, nous essayons de recadrer la perspective des études comparatives des textes bouddhiques afin d'envisager un dialogue interdisciplinaire.
Weekly vagal modulations and their associations with physical fitness and physical activity
Authors: Medeiros André R. , Leicht Anthony S. , Michael Scott , Boullosa Daniel 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) of R‐R intervals, the most robust vagal modulation parameter of heart rate variability (HRV), has been proposed as a marker of global health and training adaptations. The weekly averaging of RMSSD and its natural logarithm (LnRMSSD) has been adopted to enhance detection of training‐induced adaptations. We assessed measures of aerobic fitness, body composition, objective physical activity (PA), and daily LnRMSSD recordings during different conditions, such as supine rest, seated rest, standing and walking at 5 km/h, over a week in 34 healthy young individuals of both sexes (age: 22 ± 4 yr; body fatness: 20 ± 8%; estimated VO2max: 40 ± 8 mL·kg−1·min−1). The day‐to‐day reliability and agreement among LnRMSSD averages over 5, 4, 3, 2 and a single‐day value per condition were assessed, while correlations between LnRMSSD, aerobic fitness, body composition, and PA were also examined. Poor to good day‐to‐day reliability, and moderate to excellent agreement were observed for LnRMSSD recordings for diverse conditions with a minimum of two daily recordings in the supine condition, and three in the other conditions achieving excellent agreement for weekly HRV assessment. Several correlations between LnRMSSD, aerobic fitness, body composition, and PA were revealed, with stronger observed associations during walking. Utilisation of weekly HRV (average of 2–3 daily recordings), as described in the current study, may provide practitioners with a tool to assess weekly vagal modulations for health and performance purposes. Walking HRV recordings may be a practical alternative to other conditions for the investigation of cardiac autonomic function.
Twisted geometries coherent states for loop quantum gravity
Authors: Calcinari Andrea , Freidel Laurent , Livine Etera , Speziale Simone 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
We introduce a new family of coherent states for loop quantum gravity, inspired by the twisted geometry parametrization. We compute their peakedness properties and compare them with the heat-kernel coherent states. They show similar features for the area and the holonomy operators, but improved peakedness in the direction of the flux. At the gauge-invariant level, the new family is built from tensor products of coherent intertwiners. To study the peakedness of the holonomy operator, we introduce a new shift operator based on the harmonic oscillator representation associated with the twisted geometry parametrization. The new shift operator captures the components of the holonomy relevant to disentangle its action into a simple positive shift of the spins.
Coherence properties of highly-excited motional states of a trapped ion
Authors: Jarlaud V , Hrmo P , Joshi M K , Thompson R C 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
We present a study of the coherence properties of a variety of motional states of a single ion confined in a Penning ion trap. We demonstrate that the motion of the ion has a coherence time of the order of 1 s, using Ramsey interferometry. We introduce a technique for preparing the ion in an incoherent superposition of highly-excited motional states using a simple modification of optical sideband cooling. Coherent manipulation of these states allows measurements of optical and motional coherence to be carried out. We show that these highly-excited motional state superpositions have long coherence times despite the incoherent preparation of the states. Such states can be useful for sensitive motional dephasing measurements.
Structure-preserving electromagnetic–kinetic simulations of lower hybrid-wave injection and current drive
Authors: Zheng Jiangshan , Chen Junshi , Lu Fan , Xiao Jianyuan , An Hong , Shen Li 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
In this article, we present a first-principles electromagnetic–kinetic simulation of the slow-wave branch of the lower hybrid waves (LHWs) in electron–deuterium plasmas with real ion–electron mass ratios. Several models of two-dimensional slab configuration containing a grill antenna are constructed using different plasma parameters. Based on our recently developed fully kinetic charge-conservative electromagnetic non-canonical symplectic particle-in-cell method, we studied the coupling, propagation, absorption and current driving effect of LHWs in hot plasmas. The results for the coupling coefficient of the grill antenna, accessibility condition, and electron Landau damping rate show good agreement with theory and previous simulation. The long-term non-linear energy and current deposition of propagating LHWs are also presented, which show a decrement of heating and current-driving efficiency compared with the linear theoretical prediction. The collision effect between electrons and ions is shown to be important for actually driving the current. The relation between the density of the current generated and the amplitude of the LHW is given, which shows a qualitative agreement with the 1D theoretical prediction.
Modeling, design, and simulation of Schottky diodes based on ultrananocrystalline diamond composite films
Authors: Shaban Mahmoud 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
In this study, heterojunction diodes based on ultrananocrystalline diamond/hydrogenated amorphous carbon (UNCD/a-C:H) composite films, grown on Si substrates using the coaxial arc plasma deposition method, were modeled, characterized, and investigated. Calibrated material parameters, extracted from experimental analysis of nitrogen-doped (n-type) UNCD/a-C:H/p-type Si heterojunctions, were fed to the device model. Design of vertical geometry Pd/n-type UNCD/a-C:H Schottky diodes was proposed using a two-dimensional device simulator. Simulation results of diodes with field-plate termination exhibited a barrier height of 1 eV, turn-on voltage of 0.75 V, specific on-resistance (R
s,on) of 70 mΩ cm2, and breakdown voltage (V
BD) of 270 V. This corresponds to the power figure of merit (V
BD
2/R
s,on) of 1.04 MW cm−2. The results offer a promising potential of using nitrogen-doped UNCD/a-C:H in power electronics devices.
Anisotropy of flux pinning properties in superconducting (Li,Fe)OHFeSe thin films
Authors: Hänisch Jens , Huang Yulong , Li Dong , Yuan Jie , Jin Kui , Dong Xiaoli , Talantsev Evgeny , Holzapfel Bernhard , Zhao Zhongxian 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The electrical transport properties of (Li,Fe)OHFeSe films have been investigated in detail. The sharply textured films, prepared by matrix-assisted hydrothermal epitaxy (MHE) on LaAlO3, show a zero-resistance critical temperature T
c of ∼42 K, J
c values well above 1 MA cm−2 at low temperatures, and a maximum pinning force density F
P of ∼100 GN m−3 at 4 K. The activation energy U
0 for thermal depinning of flux lines has been resolved for low magnetic fields, it agrees well with literature data. The coherence lengths and penetration depth were estimated via upper critical field B
c2 and self-field J
c, respectively, to be ξ
ab ∼ 2.7 nm, ξ
c = 0.24 nm, and λ
ab ∼ 160–200 nm. The layered crystal structure leads to highly anisotropic and two-dimensional electrical properties, including trapping and lock-in of vortices.
Combined synchrotron x-ray diffraction and NV diamond magnetic microscopy measurements at high pressure
Authors: Toraille Loïc , Hilberer Antoine , Plisson Thomas , Lesik Margarita , Chipaux Mayeul , Vindolet Baptiste , Pépin Charles , Occelli Florent , Schmidt Martin , Debuisschert Thierry , Guignot Nicolas , Itié Jean-Paul , Loubeyre Paul , Roch Jean-François 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
We report the possibility to simultaneously perform wide-field nitrogen-vacancy (NV) diamond magnetic microscopy and synchrotron x-ray diffraction measurements at high pressure. NV color centers are created on the culet of a diamond anvil which is integrated in a diamond anvil cell for static compression of the sample. The optically detected spin resonance of the NV centers is used to map the stray magnetic field produced by the sample magnetization. Using this combined scheme, the magnetic and structural behaviors can be simultaneously measured. As a proof-of-principle, we record the correlated α-Fe to ε-Fe structural and magnetic transitions of iron that occur here between 15 and 20 GPa at 300 K.
Artificial life in an exciton-polariton lattice
Authors: Banerjee R , Liew T C H 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
We show theoretically that a lattice of exciton-polaritons can behave as a life-like cellular automaton when simultaneously excited by a continuous wave coherent field and a time-periodic sequence of non-resonant pulses. This provides a mechanism of realizing a range of highly sought spatiotemporal structures under the same conditions, including: discrete, oscillating, and rotating solitons; breathers; soliton trains; guns; and chaotic behaviour. These structures can survive in the system indefinitely, despite the presence of dissipation and disorder, and allow universal computation.
Periodic permeable free convective 3-dimensional flow of a second grade fluid with slip effect
Authors: Latif A , Rana M A , Hussan M 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
This study addresses the development of a mathematical model and theoretical analysis of a free convective three-directional flow of an incompressible second-grade fluid through a highly porous medium bounded by a vertical infinite plate in slip flow regime subjected to a constant suction. The free stream velocity is rumored to be constant while permeability of the medium is presumed to be periodic. It is well known that the assumption of either time dependent or constant permeability of a porous medium leads to two-dimensional flows, of course, the flow comes to be three-dimensional due to variation in permeability of the porous medium. Approximate solutions of velocity and temperature fields, heat flux and skin friction are established by applying the regular perturbation technique. Results are discussed and visualized graphically in the light of physical parameters emerging in the mathematical model of the physical phenomenon with carefully selected and viable data. The significance of current study reveals that presence of slip parameter reduces the thickness of boundary layer causing the enhancement in the main flow velocity component. With increasing permeability parameter fluid velocity is decelerated whereas it is accelerated with increasing Grashof number. With increasing non-Newtonian parameter, a similar response is noted as for the permeability parameter. It is also noted that permeability parameter, Prandtl number, Grashof number and elastic parameter provide mechanism to control the skin friction. In addition, Reynolds number also plays a vital role to control the skin friction. Furthermore, Reynolds number significantly boosts the coefficient of heat transfer, and Prandtl number causes to reduce the thermal boundary layer thickness.