bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engineering of Amorphous Polymeric Insulators for Organic Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Jiang Yingying , Guo Yunlong , Liu Yunqi
Published: July 2017

Organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) have received considerable attention across the world due to their potential applications in integrated circuits for large‐area, flexible and low‐cost electronics, and a series of breakthroughs in their research have been made in the past decade. Although numerous novel organic semiconductive materials with outstanding properties have been synthesized, the fabrication of OFETs and the investigation of amorphous polymer insulators (APIs) are attracting more and more research interest due to their significance in semiconductor growth, charge transport and device stability. In this review, an introduction to APIs and OFETs is given, and the following aspects are then successively discussed: commonly used APIs in OFETs, applications of API in high‐performance OFETs, low‐energy‐consumption OFETs, functional OFETs, and self‐healing OFETs. In the last section, a projection of some future trends for APIs in OFETs is presented.
Quantum Transport in the Black‐Hole Configuration of an Atom Condensate Outcoupled Through an Optical Lattice
Authors: de Nova J. R. M. , Sols F. , Zapata I.
Published: July 2017

The outcoupling of a Bose‐Einstein condensate through an optical lattice provides an interesting scenario to study quantum transport phenomena or the analog Hawking effect as the system can reach a quasi‐stationary black‐hole configuration. We devote this work to characterize the quantum transport properties of quasi‐particles on top of this black‐hole configuration by computing the corresponding scattering matrix. We find that most of the features can be understood in terms of the usual Schrödinger scattering. In particular, a transmission band appears in the spectrum, with the normal‐normal transmission dominating over the anomalous‐normal one. We show that this picture still holds in a realistic experimental situation where the actual Gaussian envelope of the optical lattice is considered. A peaked resonant structure is displayed near the upper end of the transmission band, which suggests that the proposed setup is a good candidate to provide a clear signal of spontaneous Hawking radiation.
Charge‐Carrier Transport in Large‐Area Epitaxial Graphene
Authors: Kisslinger Ferdinand , Popp Matthias , Jobst Johannes , Shallcross Sam , Weber Heiko B.
Published: July 2017

We present an overview of recent charge carrier transport experiments in both monolayer and bilayer graphene, with emphasis on the phenomena that appear in large‐area samples. While many aspects of transport are based on quantum mechanical concepts, in the large‐area limit classical corrections dominate and shape the magnetoresistance and the tunneling conductance. The discussed phenomena are very general and can, with little modification, be expected in any atomically thin 2D conductor.
A Computational Method for Unveiling the Target Promiscuity of Pharmacologically Active Compounds
Authors: Schneider Petra , Schneider Gisbert
Published: July 2017

Drug discovery is governed by the desire to find ligands with defined modes of action. It has been realized that even designated selective drugs may have more macromolecular targets than is commonly thought. Consequently, it will be mandatory to consider multitarget activity for the design of future medicines. Computational models assist medicinal chemists in this effort by helping to eliminate unsuitable lead structures and spot undesired drug effects early in the discovery process. Here, we present a straightforward computational method to find previously unknown targets of pharmacologically active compounds. Validation experiments revealed hitherto unknown targets of the natural product resveratrol and the nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug celecoxib. The obtained results advocate machine learning for polypharmacology‐based molecular design, drug re‐purposing, and the “de‐orphaning” of phenotypic drug effects.
High‐resolution ecological niche modelling of threatened freshwater mussels in east Texas, USA
Authors: Walters Ashley D. , Ford David , Chong En Tze , Williams Marsha G. , Ford Neil B. , Williams Lance R. , Banta Joshua A.
Published: July 2017

Unionid freshwater mussels are one of the most imperilled groups in North America. They play an important role in freshwater ecosystems, both as a food source and as filter feeders. Their priority conservation status has generated interest in unionid research.

Here, data from the US Geological Survey was used to produce predictive models of mussel habitat affinities at a resolution of 100 m2 across an area of thousands of square kilometres.

This approach correctly identifies areas that are more suitable for threatened mussel species beds as compared with less suitable areas (>97% of the time) Stream segments were identified that are forecast to have high suitability for threatened mussels.

Potamilus amphichaenus differed from other threatened mussel species by being associated with a wider range of volumetric flow rates and by not being restricted by the clay content of the soils. Of the species examined, it was the most large‐river oriented in habitat use and distribution.

These methods can help conservation planners and land‐use managers make rational decisions about where to focus their efforts in lotic habitats without the need for intensive environmental measurements while still providing high‐resolution information.
Extreme Arctic cyclone in August 2016
Authors: Yamagami Akio , Matsueda Mio , Tanaka Hiroshi L.
Published: July 2017

An extremely strong Arctic cyclone (AC) developed in August 2016. The AC exhibited a minimum sea level pressure (SLP) of 967.2 hPa and covered the entire Pacific sector of the Arctic Ocean on 16 August. At this time, the AC was comparable to the strong AC observed in August 2012, in terms of horizontal extent, position, and intensity as measured by SLP. Two processes contributed to the explosive development of the AC: growth due to baroclinic instability, similar to extratropical cyclones, during the early phase of the development stage, and later nonlinear development via the merging of upper warm cores. The AC was maintained for more than 1 month through multiple mergings with cyclones both generated in the Arctic and migrating northward from lower latitudes, as a result of the high cyclone activity in summer 2016.
Screening and identification of metabolites of two kinds of main active ingredients and hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in rat after lavage Farfarae Flos extract by UHPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS mass spectrometry
Authors: Cheng Xiaoye , Liao Man , Diao Xinpeng , Sun Yupeng , Zhang Lantong
Published: July 2017

Farfarae Flos, the dried flower buds of Tussilago farfara L., is usually used to treat coughs, bronchitic and asthmatic conditions as an important traditional Chinese medicine. Tussilagone and methl butyric acid tussilagin ester are seen as representatives of two kinds of active substances. In addition, the pyrrolizidine alkaloids, mainly senkirkine and senecionine, present in the herb can be hepatoxic. In this study, a rapid and sensitive ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid triple quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry method was successfully applied to identify the metabolites of tussilagone, methl butyric acid tussilagin ester, senkirkine and senecionine. A total of 35, 37, 18 and nine metabolites of tussilagone, methl butyric acid tussilagin ester, senkirkine and senecionine in rats were tentatively identified. Hydrolysis, oxidation, reduction and demethylation were the major metabolic reactions for tussilagone and methl butyric acid tussilagin ester. The main biotransformation routes of senkirkine and senecionine were identified as demethylation, N‐methylation, oxidation and reduction. This study is the first reported analysis and characterization of the metabolites and the proposed metabolic pathways might provide further understanding of the metabolic fate of the chemical constituents after oral administration of Farfarae Flos extract in vivo.
Ensure coaches set appropriate expectations for student‐athlete behavior
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: July 2017

ORLANDO, FLA. — Many athletics administrators haven't read the team rules set by their coaches. And that's a big mistake, because instead of preventing problems, coaches' team rules can actually bring legal and reputational trouble to your athletics department.
Did school have to allow student with new liver to play?
Authors: Gelpi Aileen
Published: July 2017

Gavin Class collapsed while practicing with the Towson University football team in August 2013. After a liver transplant and intense rehabilitation, his doctors — who specialized in liver transplants — cleared him to again play football. An expert from the Korey Stringer Institute — a nationally recognized center for the study of heat stroke — also cleared him to play.
In Vivo Delivery and Activation of Masked Fluorogenic Hydrolase Substrates by Endogenous Hydrolases in C. elegans
Authors: Dube Shataakshi , Dube Hitesh , Green Nicole B. , Larsen Erik M. , White Alex , Johnson R. Jeremy , Kowalski Jennifer R.
Published: July 2017

Protein expression and localization are often studied in vivo by tagging molecules with green fluorescent protein (GFP), yet subtle changes in protein levels are not easily detected. To develop a sensitive in vivo method to amplify fluorescence signals and allow cell‐specific quantification of protein abundance changes, we sought to apply an enzyme‐activated cellular fluorescence system in vivo by delivering ester‐masked fluorophores to Caenorhabditis elegans neurons expressing porcine liver esterase (PLE). To aid uptake into sensory neuron membranes, we synthesized two novel fluorogenic hydrolase substrates with long hydrocarbon tails. Recombinant PLE activated these fluorophores in vitro. In vivo activation occurred in sensory neurons, along with potent activation in intestinal lysosomes quantifiable by imaging and microplate and partially attributable to gut esterase 1 (GES‐1) activity. These data demonstrate the promise of biorthogonal hydrolases and their fluorogenic substrates as in vivo neuronal imaging tools and for characterizing endogenous C. elegans hydrolase substrate specificities.
Cryoballoon ablation with left lateral decubitus position in atrial fibrillation patient where the left atrium was compressed by the vertebra
Authors: Nakatani Yosuke , Yamaguchi Yoshiaki , Sakamoto Tamotsu , Kinugawa Koichiro
Published: July 2017

Key Clinical Message

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation is difficult when the left atrium is compressed by the vertebra. The heart may shift forward, and compression of the left atrium may be relieved in the left lateral decubitus position. Therefore, catheter ablation could be performed in the left lateral decubitus position even in such cases.
Phosphorus‐Doped and Lattice‐Defective Carbon as Metal‐like Catalyst for the Selective Hydrogenation of Nitroarenes
Authors: Gao Ruijie , Pan Lun , Lu Jinhui , Xu Jisheng , Zhang Xiangwen , Wang Li , Zou Ji‐Jun
Published: July 2017

We report carbon can be activated as metal‐like hydrogenation catalyst for the selective hydrogenation of nitroarenes. Using DFT calculations we demonstrated the combination of P dopant and lattice defect in carbon can cause significant electron delocalization and change the band structure to a metal‐like one, and thus both H2 and the nitro group are easily activated for selective hydrogenation. Then we fabricated this carbon catalyst with tunable concentration of P dopant and lattice defects by polymerization and carbonization of phytic acid, and found the concentration of lattice defect is closely related to that of P‐dopants. The synthesized catalyst exhibits superior catalytic activity, perfect selectivity, and stability in the hydrogenation of nitroarenes, outperforming the reported metal‐free, metal‐oxide, and nickel catalysts. Importantly, the hydrogenation activity is linearly dependent on the P‐doping and/or defect concentration, perfectly agreeing with the DFT calculation. This work is expected to provide a cheap way for large‐scale production of anilines using metal‐like carbon catalyst.
Extended Elution by Characteristic Point Method for Characterization of Protein Ion‐Exchange Adsorption
Authors: Hartig Dave , Waluga Thomas , Schmidt Claudia , Fieg Georg , Scholl Stephan
Published: July 2017

An adequate characterization of adsorption isotherms is mandatory for chromatographic process development. Here, the elution by characteristic point (ECP) is a suitable method with low consumption of material and time. However, the ECP method requires a highly ideal behavior of the measured system. An innovative extended ECP approach is presented to characterize a non‐ideal system by the example of protein ion‐exchange adsorption. A marker, here bovine hemoglobin, is used to quantify all non‐idealities, e.g., convection, dispersion, or low number of theoretical plates. The system signal of the marker is used to compensate the system signal of the interesting solute, here bovine serum albumin. The resulting isotherm agrees well with the control results of a validated static approach.
Control of Helical Chirality of Ferrocene–Dipeptide Conjugates by the Secondary Structure of Dipeptide Chains
Authors: Moriuchi Toshiyuki , Nishiyama Taiki , Nobu Masaki , Hirao Toshikazu
Published: July 2017

Controlling helical chirality and creating protein secondary structures in cyclic/acyclic ferrocene–dipeptide bioorganometallic conjugates were achieved by adjusting the conformational flexibility of the dipeptide chains. In systems reported to date, the helical chirality of a conjugate was determined by the absolute configuration of the adjacent amino acid reside. In contrast, it was possible to induce both M‐ and P‐helical chirality, even when the configuration of the adjacent amino acid was the same. It is particularly interesting to note that M‐helical chirality was produced in a cyclic ferrocene–dipeptide conjugate composed of the l‐Ala‐d‐Pro‐cystamine‐d‐Pro‐l‐Ala dipeptide sequence (1), in which a type II β‐turn‐like secondary structure was established.
Accessing Low‐Valent Inorganic Cations by Using an Extremely Bulky N‐Heterocyclic Carbene
Authors: Roy Matthew M. D. , Lummis Paul A. , Ferguson Michael J. , McDonald Robert , Rivard Eric
Published: July 2017

The extremely bulky N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC), ITr (ITr=[(HCNCPh3)2C:]) featuring sterically shielding umbrella‐shaped trityl (CPh3) substituents was prepared. This NHC features the highest percent buried volume (%Vbur) to date, and was used to form a thermally stable quasi one‐coordinate thallium(I) cation [ITr‐Tl]+. This TlI adduct and the corresponding lithium complex [ITr⋅Li(OEt2)]+ are versatile “all‐in‐one” transmetalation/ligation reagents for preparing low‐coordinate inorganic species inaccessible by pre‐existing routes.
Spectrophotometric measurement of human skin colour
Authors: Wang Yuzhao , Luo Ming Ronnier , Wang Mengmeng , Xiao Kaida , Pointer Michael
Published: July 2017

This article focuses on human skin colour. Three different colour measuring instruments were used: a tele‐spectroradiometer, a de:8° and a 45°:0° spectrophotometers. They were used to measure 47 subjects who were divided into four skin groups: Chinese, Caucasian, South‐Asian, and Dark. Eight locations for each subject were measured. The spectral reflectance results were first compared. They all showed the “W” shape between the 550 nm and 580 nm as found by the other studies. Those from the tele‐spectroradiometer had an increase from 600 nm while the others were flatter. The colorimetric data calculated from the spectral measurements revealed similar patterns to describe the colour distribution of each skin group. It was found that two scales: whiteness‐depth, and blackness‐vividness could well describe these distributions. The results also showed systematic differences between the four ethnic groups, between eight body locations, between two genders, and between the measurements from the three instruments.
Camera characterization for improving color archaeological documentation
Authors: Molada‐Tebar Adolfo , Lerma José Luis , Marqués‐Mateu Ángel
Published: July 2017

Determining the correct color is essential for proper cultural heritage documentation and cataloging. However, the methodology used in most cases limits the results since it is based either on perceptual procedures or on the application of color profiles in digital processing software. The objective of this study is to establish a rigorous procedure, from the colorimetric point of view, for the characterization of cameras, following different polynomial models. Once the camera is characterized, users obtain output images in the sRGB space that is independent of the sensor of the camera. In this article we report on pyColorimetry software that was developed and tested taking into account the recommendations of the Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE). This software allows users to control the entire digital image processing and the colorimetric data workflow, including the rigorous processing of raw data. We applied the methodology on a picture targeting Levantine rock art motifs in Remigia Cave (Spain) that is considered part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Three polynomial models were tested for the transformation between color spaces. The outcomes obtained were satisfactory and promising, especially with RAW files. The best results were obtained with a second‐order polynomial model, achieving residuals below three CIELAB units. We highlight several factors that must be taken into account, such as the geometry of the shot and the light conditions, which are determining factors for the correct characterization of a digital camera.
The “C test” for tritan discrimination
Authors: Littlewood Franzco Ross , Hyde Doba Francine
Published: July 2017

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a clinical standard capable of generating ordinal measures of monocular tritan discrimination. A novel pseudoisochromatic plate test was developed, called the “C test.” It contains 10 progressively desaturated plates arranged in perceptually distinct steps that provide a standard for analyzing the threshold for tritan discrimination. The most difficult plate that can be detected is the “C score.” Relevant diagnostic findings including the C score, Logmar acuity, Pelli‐Robson score, and LOCS III lens grading were prospectively recorded in 568 eyes. A total of 355 normal eyes were selected for statistical analysis. The correlations between C score, Logmar acuity, and Pelli‐Robson score with LOCS III grading were analyzed with Spearman rank analysis. The strongest correlations were between the Logmar acuity with posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC) (0.68), the C score with nuclear colour (NC) (–0.58), and the Logmar acuity with NC (0.57). The lower normal limit for the C score was 9 in pseudophakes and phakic eyes with NC < 3, 7 for eyes with NC = 3, but undetermined for eyes with NC > 3. A comparison of C score distribution between three distinct age ranges of pseudophakic eyes (n = 136) showed no significant variation (P = .486). The Spearman rank correlation between C score and Logmar acuity was 0.028, and between C score and Pelli‐Robson score was 0.012. The normal limit for the C score used under 800 Lux is 9 when NC < 3 and 7 when NC = 3 in all age groups.
Multi‐to One‐Dimensional Optimal Transport
Authors: Chiappori Pierre‐André , McCann Robert J. , Pass Brendan
Published: July 2017

We consider the Monge‐Kantorovich problem of transporting a probability density on to another on the line, so as to optimize a given cost function. We introduce a nestedness criterion relating the cost to the densities, under which it becomes possible to solve this problem uniquely by constructing an optimal map one level set at a time. This map is continuous if the target density has connected support. We use level‐set dynamics to develop and quantify a local regularity theory for this map and the Kantorovich potentials solving the dual linear program. We identify obstructions to global regularity through examples.

More specifically, fix probability densities f and g on open sets and with . Consider transporting f onto g so as to minimize the cost . We give a nondegeneracy condition on that ensures the set of x paired with [g‐a.e.] y ∈ Y lie in a codimension‐n submanifold of X. Specializing to the case m > n = 1, we discover a nestedness criterion relating s to (f,g) that allows us to construct a unique optimal solution in the form of a map . When and g and f are bounded, the Kantorovich dual potentials (u,υ) satisfy , and the normal velocity V of with respect to changes in y is given by . Positivity of V locally implies a Lipschitz bound on f; moreover, if intersects transversally. On subsets where this nondegeneracy, positivity, and transversality can be quantified, for each integer the norms of and are controlled by these bounds, , and the smallness of . We give examples showing regularity extends from $X to part of , but not from Y to . We also show that when s remains nested for all (f,g), the problem in reduces to a supermodular problem in . © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis of Mannosylglycerate Derivatives as Immunostimulating Agents
Authors: Hamon Nadège , Mouline Caroline C. , Travert Marion
Published: July 2017

Mannosylglycerate (MG) is a compatible solute extracted from some red algae and bacteria. Thanks to its ability to protect proteins and stabilise enzymes, MG has been widely studied for its uses against neurodegenerative diseases, and also in biotechnology. More recently, its immunostimulating properties against chronic lymphocytic leukaemia have been investigated. In this paper, we report the synthesis of MG derivatives, and a preliminary biological study on their capacity to behave as immunostimulating agents. We investigated their toxicity against peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors and their ability to increase the phagocytosis of opsonised bacteria by polynuclear neutrophils. This resulted in the discovery of two new molecules as potential immunostimulating agents.
Telephone Consumer Protection Act: Key Challenges and Protection for Utilities
Authors: Brennan Mark W. , Schenkel Cara O.
Published: July 2017

An electric company calls or texts the cell phone number on file for a customer to notify her or him of an upcoming payment deadline. Months later, the company receives a class action complaint stating that by making the call, the company violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
Electricity Deregulation Under Siege
Authors: Makholm Jeff D.
Published: July 2017

It has not been a good few years for the advance of competition in electricity supply in a number of places in the world.
A point‐based prediction model for cardiovascular risk in orthotopic liver transplantation: The CAR‐OLT score
Authors: VanWagner Lisa B. , Ning Hongyan , Whitsett Maureen , Levitsky Josh , Uttal Sarah , Wilkins John T. , Abecassis Michael M. , Ladner Daniela P. , Skaro Anton I. , Lloyd‐Jones Donald M.
Published: July 2017

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) complications are important causes of morbidity and mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). There is currently no preoperative risk‐assessment tool that allows physicians to estimate the risk for CVD events following OLT. We sought to develop a point‐based prediction model (risk score) for CVD complications after OLT, the Cardiovascular Risk in Orthotopic Liver Transplantation risk score, among a cohort of 1,024 consecutive patients aged 18‐75 years who underwent first OLT in a tertiary‐care teaching hospital (2002‐2011). The main outcome measures were major 1‐year CVD complications, defined as death from a CVD cause or hospitalization for a major CVD event (myocardial infarction, revascularization, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, cardiac arrest, pulmonary embolism, and/or stroke). The bootstrap method yielded bias‐corrected 95% confidence intervals for the regression coefficients of the final model. Among 1,024 first OLT recipients, major CVD complications occurred in 329 (32.1%). Variables selected for inclusion in the model (using model optimization strategies) included preoperative recipient age, sex, race, employment status, education status, history of hepatocellular carcinoma, diabetes, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, pulmonary or systemic hypertension, and respiratory failure. The discriminative performance of the point‐based score (C statistic = 0.78, bias‐corrected C statistic = 0.77) was superior to other published risk models for postoperative CVD morbidity and mortality, and it had appropriate calibration (Hosmer‐Lemeshow P = 0.33). Conclusion: The point‐based risk score can identify patients at risk for CVD complications after OLT surgery (available at www.carolt.us); this score may be useful for identification of candidates for further risk stratification or other management strategies to improve CVD outcomes after OLT. (Hepatology 2017;66:1968–1979)
The Effect of International Work Experience on the Career Success of Expatriates: A Comparison of Assigned and Self‐Initiated Expatriates
Authors: Suutari Vesa , Brewster Chris , Mäkelä Liisa , Dickmann Michael , Tornikoski Christelle
Published: July 2017

This article is one of the first to examine the long‐term effect of expatriation on careers, comparing the impact of international work experience on the career success of assigned and self‐initiated expatriates. Our sample consists of employees who were working abroad in 2004, and we examine their subjective and objective career success eight years later. Despite the “dark side of international careers” arguments associated with the repatriation literature, we find that the long‐term impacts of international work experience on career success are generally positive and mainly unrelated to whether the work experience was acquired as an assigned or self‐initiated expatriate. Companies recruit employees with international experience externally but are much more likely to offer further internal jobs to assigned expatriates. This reinforces the need for further research and for companies to see all those with international experience as important elements of the workforce. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Signs of eclampsia during singleton deliveries and early neonatal mortality in low‐ and middle‐income countries from three WHO regions
Authors: Bellizzi Saverio , Sobel Howard L. , Ali Mohamed M.
Published: July 2017

Objective

To determine the prevalence of eclampsia symptoms and to explore associations between eclampsia and early neonatal mortality.

Methods

The present secondary analysis included Demographic and Health Surveys data from 2005 to 2012; details of signs related to severe obstetric adverse events of singleton deliveries during interviewees’ most recent delivery in the preceding 5 years were included. Data and delivery history were merged for pooled analyses. Convulsions—used as an indicator for having experienced eclampsia—and early neonatal mortality rates were compared, and a generalized random effect model, adjusted for heterogeneity between and within countries, was used to investigate the impact of presumed eclampsia on early neonatal mortality.

Results

The merged dataset included data from six surveys and 55 384 live deliveries that occurred in Colombia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Mali, Niger, and Peru. Indications of eclampsia were recorded for 1.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0–1.3), 1.7% (95% CI 1.5–2.1), and 1.7% (95% CI 1.5–2.1) of deliveries reported from the American, South East Asian, and African regions, respectively. Pooled analyses demonstrated that eclampsia was associated with increased risk of early neonatal mortality (adjusted risk ratio 2.1 95% CI 1.4–3.2).

Conclusion

Increased risk of early neonatal mortality indicates a need for strategies targeting the early detection of eclampsia and early interventions.
TiO2‐coated fluoride nanoparticles for dental multimodal optical imaging
Authors: Braz Ana K.S. , Moura Diógenes S. , Gomes Anderson S.L. , Ohulchanskyy Tymish Y. , Chen Guanying , Liu Maixian , Damasco Jossana , de Araujo Renato E. , Prasad Paras N.
Published: July 2017

Core‐shell nanostructures associated with photonics techniques have found innumerous applications in diagnostics and therapy. In this work, we introduce a novel core‐shell nanostructure design that serves as a multimodal optical imaging contrast agent for dental adhesion evaluation. This nanostructure consists of a rare‐earth‐doped (NaYF4:Yb 60%, Tm 0.5%)/NaYF4 particle as the core (hexagonal prism, ~51 nm base side length) and the highly refractive TiO2 material as the shell (~thickness of 15 nm). We show that the TiO2 shell provides enhanced contrast for optical coherence tomography (OCT), while the rare‐earth‐doped core upconverts excitation light from 975 nm to an emission peaked at 800 nm for photoluminescence imaging. The OCT and the photoluminescence wide‐field images of human tooth were demonstrated with this nanoparticle core‐shell contrast agent. In addition, the described core‐shell nanoparticles (CSNps) were dispersed in the primer of a commercially available dental bonding system, allowing clear identification of dental adhesive layers with OCT. We evaluated that the presence of the CSNp in the adhesive induced an enhancement of 67% scattering coefficient to significantly increase the OCT contrast. Moreover, our results highlight that the upconversion photoluminescence in the near‐infrared spectrum region is suitable for image of deep dental tissue.
Retracted: Down‐regulation of microRNA let‐7d inhibits the proliferation and invasion of trophoblast cells in preeclampsia
Authors: Dai Xu , Cai Yan
Published: July 2017

Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious pregnancy complication that continues to adverse effects on mother and the fetus. The study investigated the effect of microRNA let‐7d (miR‐let‐7d) on the proliferation and invasion of trophoblast cells (TC) in PE. In situ hybridization techniques were employed to evaluate the miR‐let‐7d expressions in the placental tissues from 63 PE patients as well as 65 normal placental tissues. Transfection of pre‐let‐7d, anti‐let‐7d, and their corresponding control sequences was performed in TCs obtained from PE. The blank group was composed of TCs no transfection and normal group consisted of normal TCs. Expressions of proliferation and invasion markers in TCs were detected by qRT‐PCR. Proliferation, apoptosis, and the invasion ability of the TCs were determined using a CCK‐8 assay, flow cytometry, and Transwell assay. In comparison to the normal placental tissues, PE placental tissues exhibited increased levels of let‐7d expression. Following transfection of anti‐let‐7d, when compared with the blank group, the anti‐let‐7d group displayed increased levels of proliferation ability, expression of proliferation labeling proteins PCNA and Ki67, number of TCs as well as expressions of the invasion related proteins MMP‐2, MMP‐9, and TIMP‐1. In contrast declines in cell apoptosis rate were observed. Compared with the blank group, the changes of the indexes were reversed in the pre‐let‐7d group. The study provided evidence suggesting that low expression levels of miR‐let‐7d plays a central role in suppressing apoptosis in addition to promoting the proliferation and invasion of PE TCs.
A novel RUNX2 mutation in exon 8, G462X, in a patient with Cleidocranial Dysplasia
Authors: Jung Yu‐Jin , Bae Han‐Sol , Ryoo Hyun‐Mo , Baek Seung‐Hak
Published: July 2017

To identify a novel mutation of Runx2 gene in Cleidocranial Dysplasia (CCD) patients and to characterize the functional consequences of this mutation. The subjects consisted of 12 Korean CCD patients. After oral epithelial cells were collected using a mouthwash technique, genomic DNA was extracted. Screening for Runx2 mutation was performed using direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products for exons 1‐8. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was performed to confirm the novel mutation. For functional studies, we performed luciferase assay for Runx2 transacting activity, cyclohexamide chase assay for Runx2 protein stability, real‐time PCR for mRNA level of Runx2 downstream bone marker genes, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining assay in mesenchymal stem cells for osteoblast differentiation. Of the 12 patients, seven showed Runx2 mutations reported previously and four showed no mutation. A novel mutation, G462X in exon 8, which was located in the C‐terminus of proline/serine/threonine‐rich (PST) domain, was found in one patient. In the luciferase assay, Runx2 transacting activity was decreased in Runx2‐G462X transfected cells. In the cyclohexamide chase assay, Runx2‐G462X mutation reduced the stability of Runx2 protein. Expression of the bone marker genes (osteocalcin, ALP, Type I collagen αI, matrix metalloproteinase‐13, bone sialoprotein, and osteopontin) decreased in G462X‐transfected cells. In the ALP staining assay, osteoblast differentiation was reduced in Runx2‐G462X overexpressed cell. The G462X mutation might reduce the Runx2 transacting activity, lower the protein stability, downgrade the expression of bone marker genes, and eventually diminish osteoblast differentiation in CCD patients.
Correlation between TLR2,TLR3,TLR4, and TLR9 polymorphisms and susceptibility to and prognosis of severe hepatitis among the newborns
Authors: Qiu Xiao , Dong Yubin , Cao Yaqin , Luo Yingmei
Published: July 2017

Background

This study was aimed to explore how toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2), TLR3, TLR4 and TLR9 influenced the risk and prognosis of severe hepatitis among the Chinese newborns.

Methods

Altogether 135 newborns diagnosed with severe hepatitis and 140 healthy newborns were included in this study. Totally 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, and TLR9 were chosen and genotyped by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the logistic regression. The univariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze independent factors for prognosis of severe hepatitis among the Chinese newborns.

Results

The SNPs within TLR2 [ie, rs1898830 (A>G) and rs3804100 (T>C)], TLR3 [ie, rs1879026 (G>T)], TLR4 [ie, rs2149356 (T>G)], and TLR9 [ie, rs187084 (T>C), rs352139 (A>G), and rs352140 (C>T)] were significantly associated with modified risk of neonatal severe hepatitis (all P<.05). Furthermore, rs1898830, rs1879026, rs187084 and rs352139 were also demonstrated to modulate the prognosis [ie, aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine transaminase (ALT)>1.5] of newborns with severe hepatitis (all P<.05). Interestingly, the haplotype A‐C‐G‐G‐C‐A‐T were associated with higher susceptibility to neonatal severe hepatitis, and the newborns carrying haplotype A‐C‐G‐G‐C‐A‐T appeared to be correlated with more favorable prognosis (all P<.05).

Conclusions

Certain SNPs and haplotypes within TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, and TLR9 can be considered as the potentially treatment targets for neonatal severe hepatitis.
Measurement of absolute copy number variation of Glutathione S‐Transferase M1 gene by digital droplet PCR and association analysis in Tunisian Rheumatoid Arthritis population
Authors: Achour Yosser , Ben Kilani Mohamed Sahbi , Ben Hamad Mariem , Marzouk Sameh , Mahfoudh Nadia , Bahloul Zouheir , Keskes Leila , Petit‐Teixeira Elisabeth , Maalej Abdellatif
Published: July 2017

Background

The investigation of copy number variations (CNVs) analysis of candidate genes is currently an important research area in modulating human diseases. We aimed to quantify CNVs in glutathione S‐transferase M1 (GSTM1) gene and determine its genetic contribution in Tunisian rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its subsets through an innovative technique for quantification.

Methods

A total of 165 RA cases and 102 healthy controls were included in the study. Using a recently powerful approach of digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), we quantified GSTM1 gene to determine the presence of no, one, or multiple copy number (CN) at high levels of sensitivity and specificity. Odds ratio and Fisher exact test were performed to estimate the association risk for GSTM1CNVs in RA.

Results

Copy number identified by ddPCR was 0, 1, and 2 copies per diploid genome. A high frequency of ‘0’ copy was revealed with 54% in RA patients. The deletion (‘0’ copy) of GSTM1 was found to be a significant risk factor for anti‐cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti‐CCP) positive RA (OR=4.16, CI95%=[1.17‐14.7]). In addition, a lack of association was found when comparing between the CNVs of RA patients and those of controls.

Conclusion

This study highlights the powerful accuracy of ddPCR for the quantification of CNVs and suggests that the variation in the CN of GSTM1 is associated with anti‐CCP positivity in RA. However, it does not indicate a specific role in the susceptibility to the disease in our Tunisian sample.
Mesenchymal stem cells: A new platform for targeting suicide genes in cancer
Authors: Moradian Tehrani Rana , Verdi Javad , Noureddini Mahdi , Salehi Rasoul , Salarinia Reza , Mosalaei Meysam , Simonian Miganosh , Alani Behrang , Ghiasi Moosa Rahimi , Jaafari Mahmoud Reza , Mirzaei Hamed Reza , Mirzaei Hamed
Published: July 2017

One of the important strategies for the treatment of cancer is gene therapy which has the potential to exclusively eradicate malignant cells, without any damage to the normal tissues. Gene‐directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) is a two‐step gene therapy approach, where a suicide gene is directed to tumor cells. The gene encodes an enzyme that expressed intracellularly where it is able to convert a prodrug into cytotoxic metabolites. Various delivery systems have been developed to achieve the appropriate levels of tumor restricted expression of chemotherapeutic drugs. Nowadays, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been drawing great attention as cellular vehicles for gene delivery systems. Inherent characteristics of MSCs make them particularly attractive gene therapy tools in cell therapy. They have been used largely for their remarkable homing property toward tumor sites and availability from many different adult tissues and show anti‐inflammatory actions in some cases. They do not stimulate proliferative responses of lymphocytes, suggests that MSCs have low immunogenicity and could avoid immune rejection. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge about genetically modified MSCs that enable to co‐transduce a variety of therapeutic agents including suicide genes (i.e., cytosine deaminase, thymidine kinase) in order to exert potent anti‐carcinogenesis against various tumors growth. Moreover, we highlighted the role of exosomes released from MSCs as new therapeutic platform for targeting various therapeutic agents.
miRNAs and ovarian cancer: An overview
Authors: Deb Bornali , Uddin Arif , Chakraborty Supriyo
Published: July 2017

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the sixth most common cancer in women globally. However, even with the advances in detection and therapeutics it still represents the most dangerous gynecologic malignancy in women of the industrialized countries. The discovery of micro‐RNAs (miRNA), a small noncoding RNA molecule targeting multiple mRNAs and regulation of gene expression by triggering translation repression and/or RNA degradation, has revealed the existence of a new array for regulation of genes involved in cancer. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the role of miRNAs expression in OC. It also provides information about potential clinical relevance of circulating miRNAs for OC diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics. The identification of functional targets for miRNAs represents a major obstacle in our understanding of microRNA function in OC, but significant progress is being made. The better understanding of the role of microRNA expression in ovarian cancer may provide new array for the detection, diagnosis, and therapy of the OC.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluation of some Functionalized Heterocycles Derived from Novel Quinolinyl Chalcone
Authors: Hassan Mohamed M. , Farouk Osama
Published: July 2017

The reaction of 3‐acetyl‐4‐hydroxyl‐1‐methylquinolin‐2(1H)‐one (1) with 10‐oxo‐4,6,7,8,9,10‐hexahydropyrazolo[1,5‐a][1]benzothieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidine‐3‐carbaldehyde (2) afforded the novel enone system 3. The latter compound was reacted with some 1,2‐binucleophilic reagents to give pyrazoline derivative 4 and isoxazoline derivative 5. Treatment of chalcone 3 with 1,3‐binucleophilic reagents afforded pyrimidine and thiazine derivatives 6–8. Moreover, reaction of compound 3 with active methylene reagents furnished pyridine, pyran, and cyclohexanone derivatives 9–12. Cyclization of compound 12 by using hydrazine hydrate yielded indazol‐3‐one derivative 13. On the other hand, the cyclocondensation of the enone 3 with 1,4‐dinucleophilic reagents yielded diazepine derivative 14 and triazolothiadiazepine derivative 15.The characterization of the newly synthesized heterocyles were confirmed on the basis of their elemental analysis and spectral data (IR, NMR, and MS). These compounds were also screened for their antibacterial activities.
A new precipitation and drought climatology based on weather patterns
Authors: Richardson Douglas , Fowler Hayley J. , Kilsby Christopher G. , Neal Robert
Published: July 2017

Weather‐pattern, or weather‐type, classifications are a valuable tool in many applications as they characterize the broad‐scale atmospheric circulation over a given region. This study analyses the aspects of regional UK precipitation and meteorological drought climatology with respect to a new set of objectively defined weather patterns. These new patterns are currently being used by the Met Office in several probabilistic forecasting applications driven by ensemble forecasting systems. Weather pattern definitions and daily occurrences are mapped to Lamb weather types (LWTs), and parallels between the two classifications are drawn. Daily precipitation distributions are associated with each weather pattern and LWT. Standardized precipitation index (SPI) and drought severity index (DSI) series are calculated for a range of aggregation periods and seasons. Monthly weather‐pattern frequency anomalies are calculated for SPI wet and dry periods and for the 5% most intense DSI‐based drought months. The new weather‐pattern definitions and daily occurrences largely agree with their respective LWTs, allowing comparison between the two classifications. There is also broad agreement between weather pattern and LWT changes in frequencies. The new data set is shown to be adequate for precipitation‐based analyses in the UK, although a smaller set of clustered weather patterns is not. Furthermore, intra‐pattern precipitation variability is lower in the new classification compared to the LWTs, which is an advantage in this context. Six of the new weather patterns are associated with drought over the entire UK, with several other patterns linked to regional drought. It is demonstrated that the new data set of weather patterns offers a new opportunity for classification‐based analyses in the UK.
Lymph node station ratio: Revised nodal category for resected esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients
Authors: Fu Xiayu , Liu Qianwen , Luo Kongjia , Wen Jing , Yang Hong , Hu Yi , Wang Xinye , Lin Peng , Fu Jianhua
Published: July 2017

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate a revised nodal category based on the value of the lymph node (LN) station ratio (SR, metastatic LN stations/examined LN stations) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients.

Methods

Data were obtained from 857 ESCC patients who underwent primary radical esophagectomy. Prognostic performance was evaluated using the Harrell concordance index (C‐index), Akaike information criterion (AIC), and likelihood ratio χ2 test (LR χ2 test).

Results

Each subgroup among the SR categories demonstrated discriminatory results, whereas no significant survival difference was observed between the N2 versus N3 classifications under the AJCC pN system. Using the AJCC TNM staging system, the survival curves separated between stages IIIA‐IIIB and IIIB‐IVA. However, when the T‐SR‐M scheme category was applied, the survival curves between stages IIA‐IIB, IIIA‐IIIB, and IIIB‐IVA were significantly different. Furthermore, both the SR category and the T‐SR‐M staging system showed superior performance with higher C‐index and LR χ2 test values and lower AIC values compared with the pN category and TNM staging system, respectively.

Conclusions

Following radical esophagectomy, the SR category demonstrated superior prognostic ability relative to the AJCC pN category in ESCC patients.
Performance of prognostic scores and staging systems in predicting long‐term survival outcomes after surgery for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Buettner Stefan , Galjart Boris , van Vugt Jeroen L. A. , Bagante Fabio , Alexandrescu Sorin , Marques Hugo P. , Lamelas Jorge , Aldrighetti Luca , Gamblin T. Clark , Maithel Shishir K. , Pulitano Carlo , Margonis Georgios A. , Weiss Matthew , Bauer Todd W. , Shen Feng , Poultsides George A. , Marsh J. Wallis , IJzermans Jan N. M. , Groot Koerkamp Bas , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: July 2017

Introduction

We sought to validate the commonly used prognostic models and staging systems for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) in a large multi‐center patient cohort.

Methods

The overall (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) prognostic discriminatory ability of various commonly used models were assessed in a large retrospective cohort. Harrell's concordance index (c‐index) was used to determine accuracy of model prediction.

Results

Among 1054 ICC patients, median OS was 37.7 months and 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival, were 78.8%, 51.5%, and 39.3%, respectively. Recurrence of disease occurred in 454 (43.0%) patients with a median DFS of 29.6 months. One‐, 3‐ and 5‐ year DFS were 64.6%, 46.5 % and 44.4%, respectively. The prognostic models associated with the best OS prediction were the Wang nomogram (c‐index 0.668) and the Nathan staging system (c‐index 0.639). No model was proficient in predicting DFS. Only the Wang nomogram exceeded a c‐index of 0.6 for DFS (c‐index 0.602). The c‐index for the AJCC staging system was 0.637 for OS and 0.582 for DFS.

Conclusions

While the Wang nomogram had the best discriminatory ability relative to OS and DFS, no ICC staging system or nomogram demonstrated excellent prognostic discrimination. The AJCC staging for ICC performed reasonably, although its overall discrimination was only modest‐to‐good.