bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative effectiveness of radical prostatectomy with adjuvant radiotherapy versus radiotherapy plus androgen deprivation therapy for men with advanced prostate cancer
Authors: Jang Thomas L. , Patel Neal , Faiena Izak , Radadia Kushan D. , Moore Dirk F. , Elsamra Sammy E. , Singer Eric A. , Stein Mark N. , Eastham James A. , Scardino Peter T. , Lin Yong , Kim Isaac Y. , Lu‐Yao Grace L.
Published: September 2018

Background:

Men with locally advanced prostate cancer (LAPCa) or regionally advanced prostate cancer (RAPCa) are at high risk for death from their disease. Clinical guidelines support multimodal approaches, which include radical prostatectomy (RP) followed by radiotherapy (XRT) and XRT plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). However, there are limited data comparing these substantially different treatment approaches. Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)–Medicare data, this study compared survival outcomes and adverse effects associated with RP plus XRT versus XRT plus ADT in these men.

Methods:

SEER‐Medicare data were queried for men with cT3‐T4N0M0 (LAPCa) or cT3‐T4N1M0 (RAPCa) prostate cancer. Propensity score methods were used to balance cohort characteristics between the treatment arms. Survival analyses were analyzed with the Kaplan‐Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models.

Results:

From 1992 to 2009, 13,856 men (≥65 years old) were diagnosed with LAPCa or RAPCa: 6.1% received RP plus XRT, and 23.6% received XRT plus ADT. At a median follow‐up of 14.6 years, there were 2189 deaths in the cohort, of which 702 were secondary to prostate cancer. Regardless of the tumor stage or the Gleason score, the adjusted 10‐year prostate cancer–specific survival and 10‐year overall survival favored men who underwent RP plus XRT over men who underwent XRT plus ADT. However, RP plus XRT versus XRT plus ADT was associated with higher rates of erectile dysfunction (28% vs 20%; P = .0212) and urinary incontinence (49% vs 19%; P < .001).

Conclusions:

Men with LAPCa or RAPCa treated initially with RP plus XRT had a lower risk of prostate cancer–specific death and improved overall survival in comparison with those men treated with XRT plus ADT, but they experienced higher rates of erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.
Input–output organization of the mouse claustrum
Authors: Zingg Brian , Dong Hong‐Wei , Tao Huizhong Whit , Zhang Li I.
Published: September 2018

Progress in determining the precise organization and function of the claustrum (CLA) has been hindered by the difficulty in reliably targeting these neurons. To overcome this, we used a projection‐based targeting strategy to selectively label CLA principal neurons. Combined with adeno‐associated virus (AAV) and monosynaptic rabies tracing techniques, we systematically examined the pre‐synaptic input and axonal output of this structure. We found that CLA neurons projecting to retrosplenial cortex (RSP) collateralize extensively to innervate a variety of higher‐order cortical regions. No subcortical labeling was found, with the exception of sparse terminals in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). This pattern of output was similar to cingulate‐ and visual cortex‐projecting CLA neurons, suggesting a common targeting scheme among these projection‐defined populations. Rabies virus tracing directly demonstrated widespread synaptic inputs to RSP‐projecting CLA neurons from both cortical and subcortical areas. The strongest inputs arose from classically defined limbic regions, including medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate, BLA, ventral hippocampus, and neuromodulatory systems such as the dorsal raphe and cholinergic basal forebrain. These results suggest that the CLA may integrate information related to the emotional salience of stimuli and may globally modulate cortical state by broadcasting its output uniformly across a variety of higher cognitive centers.
Enabling shared memory communication in networks of MPSoCs
Authors: Lant Joshua , Concatto Caroline , Attwood Andrew , Pascual Jose A. , Ashworth Mike , Navaridas Javier , Luján Mikel , Goodacre John
Published: September 2018

Ongoing transistor scaling and the growing complexity of embedded system designs has led to the rise of MPSoCs (Multi‐Processor System‐on‐Chip), combining multiple hard‐core CPUs and accelerators (FPGA, GPU) on the same physical die. These devices are of great interest to the supercomputing community, who are increasingly reliant on heterogeneity to achieve power and performance goals in these closing stages of the race to exascale. In this paper, we present a network interface architecture and networking infrastructure, designed to sit inside the FPGA fabric of a cutting‐edge MPSoC device, enabling networks of these devices to communicate within both a distributed and shared memory context, with reduced need for costly software networking system calls. We will present our implementation and prototype system and discuss the main design decisions relevant to the use of the Xilinx Zynq Ultrascale+, a state‐of‐the‐art MPSoC, and the challenges to be overcome given the device's limitations and constraints. We demonstrate the working prototype system connecting two MPSoCs, with communication between processor and remote memory region and accelerator. We then discuss the limitations of the current implementation and highlight areas of improvement to make this solution production‐ready.
One‐Step Plasma Synthesis of Nb2O5 Nanofibers and their Enhanced Photocatalytic activity
Authors: Kajita Shin , Mimuro Fumiaki , Yoshida Tomoko , Ohno Noriyasu , Yoshida Naoaki
Published: September 2018

Fiberform nanostructured niobium (Nb) was fabricated by one step helium (He) plasma irradiation. He ion implantation formed He nano‐bubbles on a Nb plate and led to formation of protrusions while migrating in Nb matrix; fiberform nanostructures (FN) were grown when the fluence became high (>1026 m−2). The necessary conditions for the formation of Nb FN were revealed to be the surface temperature range of 900–1100 K and the incident ion energy higher than 70 eV. The sample was oxidized at 573–773 K in an air atmosphere, and Pt nanoparticles were photo‐deposited on the Nb2O5 samples. The surface was analyzed by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and ultraviolet‐visible spectrophotometry. Photocatalytic activity of the fabricated materials was studied using methylene blue (MB) decolorization process. An enhanced photocatalytic performance was identified on FN Nb2O5 substrate with Pt deposition.
Modification of Carbon Fibre Surfaces by Sulfur‐Fluoride Exchange Click Chemistry
Authors: Randall James D. , Eyckens Daniel J. , Stojcevski Filip , Francis Paul S. , Doeven Egan H. , Barlow Anders J. , Barrow Andrew S. , Arnold Chantelle L. , Moses John E. , Henderson Luke C.
Published: September 2018

Technologies that enable surface modification are in high demand and are critical for the implementation of new functional materials and devices. Here, we describe the first modification of a carbon surface (in this case carbon fiber) using the sulfur‐fluoride exchange (SuFEx) reaction. The parent sulfur (VI) fluoride moiety can be installed directly to the surface via electrochemical deposition of the fluorosulfate phenyldiazonium tetrafluoroborate salt, or by ‘SuFExing’ a phenol on the carbon surface followed by treatment of the material with SO2F2; similar to a ‘graft to’ or ‘graft from’ functionalization approach. We demonstrate that these SuFEx‐able surfaces readily undergo exchange with aryl silyl ethers, and that the subsequent sulfate linkages are themselves stable under electrochemical redox conditions. Finally, we showcase the utility of the SuFEx chemistry by installing a pendant amino group to the fiber surface resulting in interfacial shear strength improvements of up to 130 % in epoxy resin.
Neuroinflammation Quantification for Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Amo‐Aparicio Jesús , Martínez‐Muriana Anna , Sánchez‐Fernández Alba , López‐Vales Rubèn
Published: September 2018

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to irreversible devastating neurological disabilities. Accumulated evidence in the literature indicates that the inflammatory response that occurs in the spinal cord following injury contributes importantly to spread tissue damage to healthy regions adjacent to the lesion site, and consequently, to increase neurological deficits. Therefore, targeting inflammation could lead to the development of new therapies to prevent tissue damage and neurological impairments after SCI.

Inflammation is regulated, in part, by the expression of pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory cytokines synthesized, mainly, by glial cells. Hence, methodologies that could ease the quantification of multiple cytokines and immune cells from spinal cord tissue samples are needed to assess the potential of new anti‐inflammatory therapies. In the present unit, we describe how to induce contusion injuries in the mouse spinal cord, as well as, two useful methodologies to assess neuroinflammation in lesioned spinal cord tissue samples. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Quantification of HIV DNA Using Droplet Digital PCR Techniques
Authors: Anderson Elizabeth M. , Maldarelli Frank
Published: September 2018

HIV persists, despite effective antiretroviral therapy, in long‐lived cells, posing a major barrier toward a cure. A key step in the HIV replication cycle and a hallmark of the Retroviridae family is the integration of the viral DNA into the host genome. Once integrated, HIV expression is regulated by host machinery and the provirus persists until the cell dies. A reservoir of cells harboring replication‐competent proviruses can survive for years, and mechanisms that maintain that reservoir are under investigation. The majority of integrated proviruses, however, are defective or have large deletions, and the composition of the proviral landscape during therapy remains unknown. Methods to quantify HIV proviruses are useful in investigating HIV persistence. Presented in this unit is a method for total HIV DNA quantification of various HIV genome targets that utilizes the next‐generation PCR platform, digital PCR. The abundance of various HIV gene targets reflects the overall proviral composition. In this protocol, total genomic DNA is isolated from patient‐derived cells and then used as a template for droplet digital PCR, in which the PCR reaction is partitioned into approximately 20,000 individual droplets, PCR amplified to an end point, and subjected to absolute quantification by counting the number of positive and negative droplets. Copy number is directly calculated using straightforward Poisson correction. Additionally, this methodological approach can be used to obtain absolute quantification of other DNA targets. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Suppressor effects in associations between patient attachment to therapist and psychotherapy outcome
Authors: Petrowski Katja , Berth Hendrik , Schurig Susan , Probst Thomas
Published: September 2018

Objective

Several studies propose that patient attachment to therapist is associated with therapy outcome. However, the magnitude of the effect is diverse, which might be explicable by suppressor effects and the new concept of pseudo‐security.

Method

Associations between patient attachment to therapist (client‐attachment‐to‐therapist‐scale [CATS]) and psychotherapy outcome (“global severity index” of the Symptom Check List) were evaluated in N = 368 patients. Multilevel models were performed.

Results

When tested in separate models, secure attachment to therapist was associated with a more favourable outcome (p < 0.05), whereas avoidant and preoccupied attachment to therapist were correlated with a less favourable outcome (both p < 0.05). Avoidant but not preoccupied attachment to therapist suppressed the association between secure attachment to therapist and the outcome. When controlling for the other two CATS scales, avoidant as well as preoccupied attachment to therapist remained associated with a less favourable outcome (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Avoidant attachment to therapist suppresses the association between secure attachment to therapist and psychotherapy outcome. Pseudo‐security has to be taken into consideration in self‐report data on patient attachment to therapist.
Maldevelopment of the submandibular gland in a mouse model of apert syndrome
Authors: Yamaji Kojiro , Morita Jumpei , Watanabe Tsukasa , Gunjigake Kaori , Nakatomi Mitsushiro , Shiga Momotoshi , Ono Kentaro , Moriyama Keiji , Kawamoto Tatsuo
Published: September 2018

Background: Apert syndrome is characterized by craniosynostosis and bony syndactyly of the hands and feet. The cause of Apert syndrome is a single nucleotide substitution mutation (S252W or P253R) in fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2). Clinical experience suggests increased production of saliva by Apert syndrome patients, but this has not been formally investigated. FGFR2 signaling is known to regulate branching morphogenesis of the submandibular glands (SMGs). With the Apert syndrome mouse model (Ap mouse), we investigated the role of FGFR2 in SMGs and analyzed the SMG pathology of Apert syndrome.

Results:
Ap mice demonstrated significantly greater SMG and sublingual gland (SMG/SLG complex) mass/body weight and percentage of parenchyma per unit area of the SMG compared with control mice. Furthermore, gene expression of Fgf1, Fgf2, Fgf3, Pdgfra, Pdgfrb, Mmp2, Bmp4, Lama5, Etv5, and Dusp6 was significantly higher in the SMG/SLG complex of Ap mice. FGF3 and BMP4 exhibited altered detection patterns. The numbers of macrophages were significantly greater in SMGs of Ap mice than in controls. Regarding functional evaluations of the salivary glands, no significant differences were observed.

Conclusions:
These results suggest that the gain‐of‐function mutation in FGFR2 in the SMGs of Ap mice enhances branching morphogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 247:1175–1185, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cyclooctene Epoxidation by Hydrogen Peroxide in the Presence of Vanadium‐Substituted Lindqvist‐Type Polyoxotungstate [VW5O19]3–
Authors: Ishikawa Eri , Kihara Daisuke , Togawa Yuta , Ookawa Chika
Published: September 2018

The vanadium‐substituted, Lindqvist‐type polyoxotungstate [VW5O19]3– significantly promotes cyclooctene epoxidation using H2O2 in CH3CN at 30 °C. The catalytic processes discussed are based on the results of the UV/Vis, ESI–MS, 51V NMR, and 183W NMR spectra of [VW5O19]3– in a H2O2/cyclooctene/CH3CN system. ESI–MS spectral analysis revealed that the [VW5O19]3– anion retained a Lindqvist‐type structure and that multiple peroxidation occurred at both the V and W sites during epoxidation. Together with the synergistic effects provided by the W(peroxo) sites, the V(peroxo) site plays a catalytically active role in both epoxidation and H2O2 decomposition. Enhancement between each metal's sites in Lindqvist‐type polyoxometalates is strong, as all metal atoms are directly linked to each other via the central oxygen atom. The small negative H2O2 dependence (–0.63) indicates that a catalytically active species is immediately formed with H2O2 and that the transfer of the O atom from the peroxo ligand to cyclooctene proceeds rapidly, which was supported by the phenomenon wherein ESI–MS and 51V NMR measurements for a sample solution become increasingly difficult to obtain when the epoxidation reaction proceeds favorably. This is because structural changes around the V site are frequentative. This small negative H2O2 dependence value also shows that [VW5O19]3– catalyzes H2O2 decomposition considerably, not only epoxidation. The generation of a significant amount of O2 was observed.
Vinyltrifluoroborate Complexes of Silver Supported by N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes
Authors: Wang Guocang , Pecher Lisa , Frenking Gernot , Dias H. V. Rasika
Published: September 2018

Silver complexes involving vinyltrifluoroborate, (IPr)Ag(CH2=CHBF3) (4), [(IPr)2Ag][CH2=CHBF3] (5), (SIPr)Ag(CH2=CHBF3) (6) and (IPr*)Ag(CH2=CHBF3) (7) have been synthesized by using (NHC)AgNO3 [NHC = IPr (1), SIPr (2) and IPr* (3)] and K(CH2=CHBF3) in a metathesis process. NMR spectroscopic details of 1–7 and X‐ray crystal structures of compounds 5–7 as well as that of a precursor (IPr)AgNO3 are reported. Compounds 6 and 7 are more stable in solution compared to 4 (which forms 5) indicating a supporting ligand effect in the stability of monomeric (NHC)Ag(CH2=CHBF3). Calculated metal–ligand binding energies show that [CH2=CHBF3]− is a significantly better ligand for AgI than CH2=CH2 or isoelectronic CH2=CHCF3. IPr, SIPr and IPr* carbenes coordinate to Ag(CH2=CHBF3) moiety forming silver adducts 4, 6 and 7, with binding energies of about –72.1, –72.1 and –83.8 kcal/mol, respectively. The C=C bond length of [CH2=CHBF3]− (calculated value of 1.341 Å) increases upon coordination to the silver ion. Experimental data show a similar trend for structurally characterized 6 and 7. Electrostatic attraction dominates the bonding between the alkene ligand [C2H3BF3]− and the metal fragments [Ag(IPr)]+ and [Ag(SIPr)]+ in 4 and 6. The strongest orbital interaction involves σ‐donation from the occupied π‐orbital of the [C2H3BF3]− ligand to the vacant orbital of the metal fragment, while AgI→[C2H3BF3]− π‐backbonding is relatively weak but not insignificant.
Technological pathways for bioenergy generation from municipal solid waste: Renewable energy option
Authors: Dabe Satish J. , Prasad Poonam J. , Vaidya A. N. , Purohit H. J.
Published: September 2018

World's biggest challenge today is safe disposal and treatment of municipal solid waste (MSW). This review presents an overview of pathways for the generation of the bioenergy from MSW, through the biological–chemical–thermal route of treatment, current status, deployment of biochemical–thermochemical conversion technologies for a biogenic fraction of MSW, its challenges and performance. Currently, key challenges posed to the world are energy security, waste management, and climate change. Out of these, waste management across the world is in the dejected state due to lack of proper treatment and conversion technologies. In recent times, pressure on the global environment increased for the use of renewable resources due to depleting fossil fuels. Energy from biomass waste is going to be one of the crucial and dominant sources of renewable energy harness in the future. Conversion of a biogenic fraction of MSW to energy will solve waste management issue as well as offers energy generation in a sustainable manner and can be termed as “Renewable Waste”. This study provides technological pathways for the generation of biofuels using MSW biomass as a feedstock, and the technology progression of various pathways and gaps for implementation of these technologies were also analyzed in this study. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 654–671, 2019
Toward a lightweight and efficient UAV‐aided VANET
Authors: Sedjelmaci Hichem , Messous Mohamed Ayoub , Senouci Sidi Mohammed , Brahmi Imane Horiya
Published: September 2018

Connectivity in a smart vehicular network is quite sensitive and highly affected by its dynamic network topology. Issues related to the intermittent nature of connectivity may arise due to the high mobility of nodes and network heterogeneity. In sparse areas, a vehicular network is basically a disruption‐tolerant network suffering from frequent disconnections, long delays, and messages loss. Facing these issues, and specifically for time‐sensitive applications, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) can provide valuable assistance to Vehicular Ad Hoc Network (VANET) by assuming a relay node role between disconnected segments in the road. In such scenarios, effective communication is either between vehicles (V2V) or between vehicles and UAVs (V2U), which would form subsequently a UAV‐assisted vehicular network. In the present paper, we propose a new framework for using small UAVs as mobile infrastructure nodes in order to enhance the connectivity between vehicles. The first part of this framework accurately predicts the disconnected segments such that drones can be deployed to reestablish lost links. We have implemented a theoretical game for this prediction process. Furthermore, since the battery reserves of the UAVs are limited, we have proposed a mitigation technique based on game theory to reduce the power draining effects that a broadcast storm would have on the energy consumption of the network. For the validation of the proposed UVE (UAV‐aided VANET framework, with energy‐conscious constraints), we conducted thorough simulation scenarios with Network Simulator 3. The obtained performances are promising in the sense that our approach achieves high packet delivery ratio, low end‐to‐end delay, and low overhead communication costs.
Hypocoercivity for geometric Langevin equations motivated by fibre lay‐down models arising in industrial application
Authors: Grothaus Martin , Mertin Maximilian , Stilgenbauer Patrik
Published: September 2018

In this article we review a powerful and fairly simple hypocoercivity method and its application to qualitative analysis of industrially relevant fibre lay‐down models. The hypocoercivity strategy is formulated in an abstract Hilbert space setting with all necessary conditions; we provide some interpretation of these conditions and briefly explain why they are needed to make the machinery working. Once the conditions are fulfilled we gain exponential decay of the strongly continuous semigroup associated to the fibre lay‐down process at an explicitly known rate. We interpret this result as describing for instance homogeneity of nonwoven fibre webs. Primarily, this article portrays the concepts, however it is based on original results by Grothaus and Stilgenbauer, which can be found in the previous studies.
Does the Geriatric Depression Scale measure depression in Parkinson's disease?
Authors: Lopez Francesca V. , Split Molly , Filoteo J. Vincent , Litvan Irene , Moore Raeanne C. , Pirogovsky‐Turk Eva , Liu Lin , Lessig Stephanie , Schiehser Dawn M.
Published: September 2018

Background

The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is recommended for screening depression in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Empirical evidence, however, is limited regarding its validity and factor structure in PD. Thus, the current study sought to evaluate the convergent and divergent validity of the GDS, as well as the structure and validity of the derived factors.

Method

Nondemented individuals with PD (n = 158) completed the GDS‐30, and items were subjected to a principle component analysis. Geriatric Depression Scale total and factor scores were correlated with depression items from the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's disease Rating Scale (MDS‐UPDRSd) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMDd), as well as with the Apathy Scale (AS), State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), Parkinson's disease Sleep Scale, and a Subjective Cognitive Function composite score.

Results

The GDS total score was strongly correlated with divergent neuropsychiatric measures (AS, r = 0.57; STAI, r = 0.66; MFIS, r = 0.60), while only moderately correlated with convergent measures (MDS‐UPDRSd, r = 0.36; HAMDd, r = 0.32; Ps < 0.05). Linear regression analyses revealed standardized measures of anxiety, apathy, and fatigue independently predicted the GDS total score, while depression items (MDS‐UPDRSd and HAMDd) failed to reach significance. Three independent factors were identified: Anxiety, Apathy, and Fatigue. These factors were significantly predicted by their respective convergent measures.

Conclusions

Taken together, our findings suggest that the GDS and its subscales appear to primarily measure anxiety, apathy, and fatigue in PD, or alternatively, these symptom dimensions may be predominant in PD‐depression. Future research with clinically diagnosed samples is needed to confirm these initial findings.
Religious delusions in older adults: Diagnoses, combinations, and delusional characteristics
Authors: Noort Annemarie , Beekman Aartjan T.F. , van Gool Arthur R. , Braam Arjan W.
Published: September 2018

Objective

Religious delusions (RDs) tend to occur relatively often in patients with affective or non‐affective psychosis. Few studies exist about RDs in later life. The current study explores (1) the distribution of RDs across diagnosis, (2) how RDs relate to other types of delusions, and (3) how RDs relate to several dimensions or characteristics of delusions.

Methods

Inpatients and outpatients in a Geriatric Psychiatry Department in the Netherlands (N = 155; mean age 76.5 years), and who were diagnosed with an affective or non‐affective psychotic disorder, participated in semi structured diagnostic interviews, using the Schedules for Clinical Assessement in Neuropsychiatry 2.1.

Results

Religious delusions were most common among patients with psychotic depression (47%) and schizophrenia (32%). The RDs frequently co‐occurred with other types of delusions. When combined with delusions of grandeur, RDs were more often classified as bizarre and were accompanied by higher levels of positive psychotic symptoms. When combined with delusions of guilt, RDs were associated with higher levels of distress and a shorter disease duration. The delusional characteristics bizarreness, frequency of psychotic symptoms, and degree of distress were more prevalent for RDs than for any other type of delusion.

Conclusions

The current study suggests that the prevalence of RDs in older adults is particularly high in late life psychotic depression. Also, in later life, RDs can be perceived of as independent marker of complex psychotic states, and as a denominator of severe arousal with respect to existential concerns.
White matter connectivity reductions in the pre‐clinical continuum of psychosis: A connectome study
Authors: Oestreich Lena K. L. , Randeniya Roshini , Garrido Marta I.
Published: September 2018

Widespread white matter connectivity disruptions have commonly been reported in schizophrenia. However, it is questionable whether structural connectivity decline is specifically associated with schizophrenia or whether it extends along a continuum of psychosis into the healthy population. Elucidating brain structure changes associated with psychotic‐like experiences in healthy individuals is insofar important as it is a necessary first step towards our understanding of brain pathology preceding florid psychosis. High resolution, multishell diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance images (MRI) were acquired from 89 healthy individuals. Whole‐brain white matter fibre tracking was performed to quantify the strength of white matter connections. Network‐based statistics were applied to white matter connections in a regression model in order to test for a linear relationship between streamline count and psychotic‐like experiences. A significant subnetwork was identified whereby streamline count declined with increasing psychotic‐like experiences. This network of structural connectivity reductions affected all cortical lobes, subcortical structures and the cerebellum and spanned along prominent association and commissural white matter pathways. A widespread network of linearly declining connectivity strength with increasing number of psychotic‐like experiences was identified in healthy individuals. This finding is in line with white matter connectivity reductions reported from early to chronic stages of schizophrenia and might therefore aid the development of tools to identify individuals at risk of transitioning to psychosis.
Insufficient task‐outcome association promotes task procrastination through a decrease of hippocampal–striatal interaction
Authors: Zhang Shunmin , Becker Benjamin , Chen Qi , Feng Tingyong
Published: September 2018

Theories on procrastination propose that associating tasks with higher valued incentive outcomes results in less task procrastination. However, it remains unknown how representation of incentive outcomes and task‐outcome association are mediated by the human brain. Using event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging, we scanned human participants while they were thinking about both tasks and the incentive outcomes each task can yield in an unconstrained way. Results showed that tasks that are more likely to be procrastinated are associated with less value in incentive outcomes. Interestingly, procrastination was more likely if it was more difficult for participants to associate a task with its valued incentives when thinking about the task (i.e., the decreased task‐outcome association). On the neural level, higher value of rewarding outcomes was correlated with increased putamen activations, which further negatively predicted task procrastination. On the other hand, when participants were associating tasks with the incentive outcomes, the decreasing task‐outcome association corresponded to decreasing activation in putamen, and a decreasing hippocampus‐putamen coupling which further mediated the effect of the insufficient task‐outcome association on procrastination. In particular, the current findings show that procrastination is more likely when people are less able to associate tasks with highly valued incentives, which is accompanied by reduced hippocampal–striatal interactions during task construction.
The effects of individualised intermittent theta burst stimulation in the prefrontal cortex: A TMS‐EEG study
Authors: Chung Sung Wook , Sullivan Caley M. , Rogasch Nigel C. , Hoy Kate E. , Bailey Neil W. , Cash Robin F. H. , Fitzgerald Paul B.
Published: September 2018

Recent studies have highlighted variability in response to theta burst stimulation (TBS) in humans. TBS paradigm was originally developed in rodents to mimic gamma bursts coupled with theta rhythms, and was shown to elicit long‐term potentiation. The protocol was subsequently adapted for humans using standardised frequencies of stimulation. However, each individual has different rhythmic firing pattern. The present study sought to explore whether individualised intermittent TBS (Ind iTBS) could outperform the effects of two other iTBS variants. Twenty healthy volunteers received iTBS over left prefrontal cortex using 30 Hz at 6 Hz, 50 Hz at 5 Hz, or individualised frequency in separate sessions. Ind iTBS was determined using theta‐gamma coupling during the 3‐back task. Concurrent use of transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS‐EEG) was used to track changes in cortical plasticity. We also utilised mood ratings using a visual analogue scale and assessed working memory via the 3‐back task before and after stimulation. No group‐level effect was observed following either 30 or 50 Hz iTBS in TMS‐EEG. Ind iTBS significantly increased the amplitude of the TMS‐evoked P60, and decreased N100 and P200 amplitudes. A significant positive correlation between neurophysiological change and change in mood rating was also observed. Improved accuracy in the 3‐back task was observed following both 50 Hz and Ind iTBS conditions. These findings highlight the critical importance of frequency in the parameter space of iTBS. Tailored stimulation parameters appear more efficacious than standard paradigms in neurophysiological and mood changes. This novel approach presents a promising option and benefits may extend to clinical applications.
Resting state functional connectivity of networks associated with reward and habit in anorexia nervosa
Authors: Haynos Ann F. , Hall Leah M. J. , Lavender Jason M. , Peterson Carol B. , Crow Scott J. , Klimes‐Dougan Bonnie , Cullen Kathryn R. , Lim Kelvin O. , Camchong Jazmin
Published: September 2018

Neurobiological disturbances associated with reward and/or habit learning are theorized to maintain symptoms of anorexia nervosa (AN). Although research has investigated responses in brain regions associated with reward and habit to disorder‐specific cues (e.g., food) and presumed rewards (e.g., money), little is known about the functional organization of the circuits underlying these constructs independent of stimulus. This study aimed to provide initial data on the synchrony of networks associated with reward and habit in AN by comparing resting‐state functional connectivity (RSFC) patterns between AN and healthy control (HC) participants in these circuits and delineating how these patterns relate to symptoms. Using theoretically selected seeds in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), ventral caudate, and dorsal caudate, reflecting a continuum from reward‐ to habit‐ oriented regions, RSFC patterns were compared between AN restricting subtype (n = 19) and HC (n = 19) participants (cluster threshold: p < .01). Exploratory correlations between RSFC z‐scores and Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) scores, BMI, and illness duration were conducted. The AN group demonstrated lower RSFC between the NAcc and superior frontal gyrus, between the ventral caudate and frontal and posterior regions, and between the dorsal caudate and frontal, temporal, and posterior regions. In the AN group, lower NAcc‐ superior frontal gyrus RSFC correlated with greater EDE Global scores (r = −.58, CI: −.83, −.13). These resting‐state synchrony disruptions of the ventral and dorsal frontostriatal circuits, considered in context of the broader literature, support the utility of further investigating possible reward and habit disturbances supporting symptoms in AN.
The Use of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells for Modeling Liver Development and Disease
Authors: Heslop James A. , Duncan Stephen A.
Published: September 2018

The use of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) has transformed the investigation of liver development and disease. Clinical observations and animal models have provided the foundations of our understanding in these fields. While animal models remain essential research tools, long experimental lead times and low throughput limit the scope of investigations. The ability of PSCs to produce large numbers of human hepatocyte‐like cells, with a given or modified genetic background, allows investigators to use previously incompatible experimental techniques, such as high‐throughput screens, to enhance our understanding of liver development and disease. In this review, we explore how PSCs have expedited our understanding of developmental mechanisms and have been used to identify new therapeutic options for numerous hepatic diseases. We discuss the future directions of the field, including how to further unlock the potential of the PSC model to make it amenable for use with a broader range of assays and a greater repertoire of diseases. Furthermore, we evaluate the current weaknesses of the PSC model and the directions open to researchers to address these limitations. Conclusion: The use of PSCs to model human liver disease and development has and will continue to have substantial impact, which is likely to further expand as protocols used to generate hepatic cells are improved.
Reactive Ductules Are Associated With Angiogenesis and Tumor Cell Proliferation in Pediatric Liver Cancer
Authors: Lee Sanghoon , Zhou Ping , Gupta Anita , Shin Soona
Published: September 2018

While reactive ductules (RDs) have been observed in viral hepatitis, biliary atresia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and adult hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), RDs in pediatric liver cancer remain uncharacterized. This study investigated the relationship of RDs with angiogenic paracrine factors, the extent of angiogenesis, and tumor cell proliferation in pediatric hepatoblastoma (HBL)/HCC livers. We quantified the extent of RDs and their expression of paracrine factors that include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGFD), platelet‐derived growth factor C, and angiopoietin 1 (ANGPT1). In addition, we performed immunohistochemical detection of the endothelial marker clusters of differentiation (CD)34 and the proliferation marker Ki67 followed by correlation analyses. In HBL, we found the percentage of RDs with Ki67 expression (% Ki67+ RDs) significantly correlated with intratumoral Ki67+ areas (r = 0.5138, P = 0.0349) and % ANGPT1+ RDs positively correlated with % Ki67+ RDs (r = 0.5851, P = 0.0136). In HCC, the high ANGPT1+ RDs group (i.e., cases with % ANGPT1+ RDs ≥50) exhibited high intratumoral Ki67+ areas compared to the low ANGPT1+ RDs group. In the combined HBL and HCC liver tumor group, there was a positive association between % platelet‐derived growth factor C+ RDs and intratumoral Ki67+ areas (r = 0.4712, P = 0.0099) and the high VEGFD+ RDs group (≥50%) exhibited a high number of peritumoral CD34+ vessels compared to the low VEGFD+ RDs group. Conclusion: Paracrine factor‐expressing RDs are associated with angiogenesis and proliferation of pediatric liver tumors.
Niacin‐Induced Anicteric Microvesicular Steatotic Acute Liver Failure
Authors: Leung Kenneth , Quezada Michael , Chen Zhengshan , Kanel Gary , Kaplowitz Neil
Published: September 2018

Niacin (vitamin B3) is available as a prescription medication and over‐the‐counter supplement. Although it is well known for its vasodilatory effect, it has also been associated with mild hepatotoxicity and, rarely, acute liver failure. We present the case of a 74‐year‐old Hispanic woman who developed acute liver failure (anicteric encephalopathy and coagulopathy) after her home dose of immediate‐release niacin was replaced with an extended‐release formulation during an inpatient hospital stay. This is the first reported case of niacin toxicity associated with a histopathologic finding of diffuse microvesicular steatosis. This unique phenotype strongly implicates mitochondrial impairment as a mechanism of niacin‐induced hepatotoxicity.
Hydrological controls on the evolution of the Yellow River Delta: An evaluation of the relationship since the Xiaolangdi Reservoir became fully operational
Authors: Zhou Yuanyuan , Huang He Qing , Ran Lishan , Shi Changxing , Su Teng
Published: September 2018

The Xiaolangdi Reservoir, which was constructed in the trunk of the Yellow River, has controlled the flow process into the mouth of the Yellow River to a significant degree since it began fully operating in late 2002. To evaluate the relationship between the new hydrological process and the evolution of the Yellow River estuary, this study presents a detailed investigation of the morphodynamic adjustment in the river mouth using remote sensing satellite images. It was shown that the mouth channel rapidly extended in length from 2002 to 2004, although it was shrinking during 1999–2001, and then it expanded very slowly with considerable shifts at the place where the river flow mixes with seawater. In late 2007, an avulsion occurred on the northern bank of the mouth channel, far upstream from where the river water mixes with seawater. During 2008–2012, the new mouth channel extended its length into the sea at a slow pace, whereas since late 2013, it has divided into two branches that alternately discharge the main flow into the sea. Although both the water and the sediment input in the new hydrological process are much smaller in quantity than before, the geomorphic adjustments still manifest an excessive input of both. Moreover, after the avulsion, the seasonal pattern of land accretion in the river mouth has been characterized, with erosion occurring mostly in the wet seasons and accretion mostly occurring in the dry seasons.
Lanthanides‐based catalysis in eukaryotes
Authors: De Simone Giovanna , Polticelli Fabio , Aime Silvio , Ascenzi Paolo
Published: September 2018

Rare earth elements play a pivotal role in high‐technology devices, are used as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging in clinical settings, are explored as drug carriers for tumor photodynamic therapy, and are used as fertilizers. From the biochemical viewpoint, they act not only as antagonists of Ca2+but have been proposed as alternative to Ca2+in metallo‐enzymes, in particular in Ce3+‐based methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs). Up to now, the analysis of protein sequence databases identified Ce3+‐based MHDs only in Archea and Bacteria. Here, we report evidence that Ce3+‐based MDHs are also present in higher organisms. These enzymes, identified in the parasitePlasmodium yoeliiyoelii, in the spiderNephila clavipes, in the Tibetan antelopePantholops hodgsonii, and inHomo sapiens, are encoded by intronless genes, thus representing a case of multiple, independent lateral gene transfer from Prokaryotes to Eukaryotes. The conservation of residues involved in the Ce3+coordination, pyrroquinoline quinone cofactor recognition and in the structure stabilization suggests that these enzymes belong to the Ce3+‐dependent MDH family, hitherto considered as exclusive of Prokaryotes. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(11):1067–1075, 2018
Impact of non‐empirically tuning the range‐separation parameter of long‐range corrected hybrid functionals on ionization potentials, electron affinities, and fundamental gaps
Authors: Vikramaditya Talapunur , Chai Jeng‐Da , Lin Shiang‐Tai
Published: September 2018

Non‐empirically tuning the range‐separation parameter (ω) of long‐range corrected (LC) hybrid functionals in improving the accuracy of vertical ionization potentials (IPs), vertical electron affinities (EAs), and fundamental gaps (FGs) is investigated. Use of default ω values gives the best overall property predictions employing the Δ self‐consistent field (ΔSCF) approach, if sufficiently large basis set is used. Upon tuning, IP (HOMO) (i.e., the IP estimated from the negative of HOMO energy via DFT Koopmans’ theorem) with the IP (ΔSCF) (i.e., the IP obtained from the ΔSCF approach) the accuracy of IP (HOMO) significantly improves however a reciprocal phenomenon is not observed. An interesting observation is that EA (LUMO) (i.e., the EA estimated from the negative of LUMO energy) is more accurate than EA (ΔSCF), if the ω value is in the range of 0.30 to 0.50 bohr−1. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Lopinavir/Ritonavir: Changes Across Formulations and Human Development From Infancy Through Adulthood
Authors: Yang Jincheng , Nikanjam Mina , Best Brookie M. , Pinto Jorge , Chadwick Ellen G. , Daar Eric S. , Havens Peter L. , Rakhmanina Natella , Capparelli Edmund V.
Published: September 2018

Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) is recommended by the World Health Organization as first‐line treatment for HIV‐infected infants and young children. We performed a composite population pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis on LPV plasma concentration data from 6 pediatric and adult studies to determine maturation and formulation effects from infancy to adulthood. Intensive PK data were available for infants, children, adolescents, and adults (297 intensive profiles/1662 LPV concentrations). LPV PK data included 1 adult, 1 combined pediatric‐adult, and 4 pediatric studies (age 6 weeks to 63 years) with 3 formulations (gel‐capsule, liquid, melt‐extrusion tablets). LPV concentrations were modeled using nonlinear mixed effects modeling (NONMEM v. 7.3; GloboMax, Hanover, Maryland) with a one compartment semiphysiologic model. LPV clearance was described by hepatic plasma flow (QHP) times hepatic extraction (EH), with EH estimated from the PK data. Volume was scaled by linear weight (WT/70)1.0. Bioavailability was assessed separately as a function of hepatic extraction and the fraction absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The absorption component of bioavailability increased with age and tablet formulation. Monte Carlo simulations of the final model using current World Health Organization weight‐band dosing recommendations demonstrated that participants younger than 6 months of age had a lower area under the drug concentration–time curve (94.8 vs >107.4 μg hr/mL) and minimum observed concentration of drug in blood plasma (5.0 vs > 7.1 μg/mL) values compared to older children and adults. Although World Health Organization dosing recommendations include a larger dosage (mg/m2) in infants to account for higher apparent clearance, they still result in low LPV concentrations in many infants younger than 6 months of age receiving the liquid formulation.
Carbon flux distribution in the metabolism of Shimwellia blattae (p424IbPSO) for isobutanol production from glucose as function of oxygen availability
Authors: Acedos Miguel G , Yustos Pedro , Santos Victoria E , Garcia‐Ochoa Felix
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND

The carbon flux distribution in Shimwellia blattae (p424IbPSO) cultures when glucose is employed as carbon source is studied in a stirred tank bioreactor changing the oxygen availability. The strain has been constructed to produce isobutanol combining the branched‐chain amino acids pathway and Ehrlich pathway. The information of many similar genetic modified strains for this bioprocess in the literature presents significant discrepancies on the oxygen influence.

RESULTS

The study carried out in this work pointed out the presence of other metabolites formed under aerobic conditions, such as isobutyric acid, 2,3‐butanedione, acetoin, 2,3‐butanediol and 3‐oxo‐1‐buten‐2‐yl ether, not previously reported in the literature on the production of isobutanol with S. blattae (p424IbPSO) strain.

CONCLUSION

In this work the routes or the chemical reactions involved in the bioprocess as a function of the availability of oxygen are elucidated. Anaerobic conditions are the best for isobutanol production from glucose employing this strain; around 12 g L−1 of isobutanol are obtained under these conditions. Aerobic conditions are not adequate to produce isobutanol, although the need for oxygen, at least for growth, is also demonstrated. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Eliciting human intelligence: The effects of social exclusion and inclusion on information disclosure
Authors: Ask Karl , Ejelöv Emma , Granhag Pär Anders
Published: September 2018

Eliciting information from semicooperative sources presents a major challenge in investigative and intelligence settings. This research examines the role of the human need to belong in individuals' willingness to disclose critical information. We hypothesised that social exclusion would exert a threat to individuals' need to belong and self‐esteem, which would make them strive for social reconnection through sharing information with others. In two experiments (N = 150 and N = 135), social exclusion and inclusion were manipulated before participants were given the opportunity to disclose critical information in a semicooperative game setting (Study 1) or a mock intelligence interview (Study 2). Social exclusion did not influence information disclosure in any of the experiments. Instead, however, social inclusion unexpectedly increased information disclosure in the interview setting. We conclude that prior social experiences can influence the outcome of subsequent interviews, but the precise mechanisms underlying such influence are currently unknown.
Development of a ssDNA aptamer system with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to detect nonylphenol ethoxylate in domestic detergent
Authors: Kim A‐Ru , Ha Na‐Reum , Jung In‐Pil , Kim Sang‐Heon , Yoon Moon‐Young
Published: September 2018

Endocrine‐disrupting chemicals are a major public health problem throughout the world. In the human body, these compounds functionalize the same as sexual hormones, inducing precocious puberty, gynecomastia, etc. To help prevent this occurrence, a simple detection system is needed. In this study, a nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE)‐specific aptamer was selected by reduced graphene oxide‐systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment. A random ssDNA library was incubated with rGO for adsorption, followed by elution with the target molecule. As a result of screening, a DNA aptamer was found that specifically bounds to the target with high binding affinity (Kd = 100.9 ± 13.2 nM) and had a low limit of detection (LOD = 696 pM). Furthermore, this NPE‐binding aptamer bounds selectively to the target. Characterization of the aptamer was confirmed by measuring the fluorescence signal recovery from rGO. In addition, detection of NPE was performed with several water samples, and the detection accuracy was 100 ± 10%. From these results, we expect that this aptamer could be applied to an on‐site detection system for NPE in industrial sites or domestic fields.