bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Origins, originality, and the privileges of nature
Authors: Docherty Thomas
Published: January 2019

The prevailing cult and culture of managerial audit and measurement systemically translates qualities into quantities. Further, it requires that those measurements be inserted into a form of warfare that we normalise as ‘league-table competitiveness’. The system as a whole then operates in a neo-Hobbesian state of war of all against all, which serves the interests of none and which damages the world’s intellectual and natural ecologies. Ecology is subsumed under economics. This chapter considers what must be done to construct a new model of the institution that will help not only to shape the good society but, even more fundamentally, will help to preserve and sustain the society itself in a time of ecological disaster. What should be the university’s proper relation to the state of nature? The chapter argues that the contemporary institution must reject all forms of political fundamentalism – including especially the dominant prevailing modes of market fundamentalism – if it is to work against any and all forms of political terror. The chapter situates the question of the survival of the university within the abiding question of the survival of the species and of our social existence.
From Thatcher to May and beyond
Authors: Kenny Meryl
Published: January 2019

This chapter considers the place of women in British politics and how it has changed since the election of Britain’s first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher. It examines how the issue of gender featured in the campaign and in parties’ manifestos, before analysing the different parties’ records on selecting female candidates. It describes how women increasingly hold leadership positions in British politics but concludes that, without further action in the form of quotas, full gender equality at Westminster is unlikely to be achieved any time soon.
Electoral integrity and post-truth politics
Authors: Birch Sarah
Published: January 2019

This chapter examines the issue of electoral integrity at the 2017 general election and in British politics more generally. While elections are generally administered to high standards and are free of some of the problems found in other democracies, a number of recent party-funding scandals and localised incidents of misconduct have greatly increased the issue’s salience. Moreover, the 2017 election was also contested under the shadow of the alleged rise of ‘fake news’ and ‘post-truth’ politics. Looking to the future, changing behaviour around social media raise important questions about the long-term integrity of British elections.
From private to civic: the diverse origins of the municipal art gallery movement
Authors: Moore James
Published: January 2019

While early regional galleries were the product of private initiative, the growth of municipal government in the 1840s encouraged several towns to develop art galleries as both mass educational tools and symbols of their political independence and cultural sophistication. In the 1850s the Salford Museum and Art Gallery was so successful its visitor numbers rivalled those of the British Museum and it was an initiative soon copied by neighbouring towns of Warrington and Stockport. This chapter explores the people and ideologies behind these pioneering galleries and how their values were reflected in exhibitions and patterns of collecting. It also reveals how they became quickly outdated as fashions and popular culture changed.
Challenging ‘the ocean of mediocrity and pretence’? The alternative visions of the Whitworth and Harris galleries
Authors: Moore James
Published: January 2019

The Whitworth Gallery in Manchester and the Harris Museum and Gallery in Preston provided an alternative vision for the future of art galleries. Rejecting what they saw as excessive commercialism and populism these galleries defined different approaches to public art. This chapter examines these approaches and assesses both their successes and their cultural significance for the region. It also raises question about the nature of ‘public art’ – could it be genuinely inclusive, while being led by an essentially small group of cultural leaders?
‘Base brat of reform’: the victimisation of mother and child
Authors: Morgan Alison
Published: January 2019

A quarter of all casualties at Peterloo were women, even though they comprised only 12% of those present. This apparent victimisation of women by the Manchester Yeomanry Cavalry resulted in the widespread use of the motif of mother and child across a range of poems, other print media and cultural artefacts produced in response to Peterloo, leading to an intensification of impact rather than a dilution through repetition. The introduction traces the involvement of female reformers, particularly in the North West and their representation in graphic satire. Even though this section comprises only eight poems, the trope of woman and child as victims is present in many of the other poems in this collection as well as newspaper articles, graphic satire and other artefacts, resulting in a powerful discourse due to the sense of collectivity engendered by its repeated use. The introduction provides examples of how the representations of Peterloo depicted women and children, illustrating that the poems should be read alongside the caricatures of George Cruikshank and images printed on handkerchiefs, illustrated here by the work of John Slack, and pottery in order to fully understand the power and resonance of this single trope.
Oxytocin promotes coordinated out-group attack during intergroup conflict in humans
Authors: Zhang Hejing , Gross Jörg , De Dreu Carsten , Ma Yina
Published: January 2019

Intergroup conflict contributes to human discrimination and violence, but persists because individuals make costly contributions to their group’s fighting capacity. Yet how group members effectively coordinate their contributions during intergroup conflict remains poorly understood. Here we examine the role of oxytocin for (the coordination of) contributions to group attack or defense in a multi-round, real-time feedback economic contest. In a double-blind placebo-controlled study with N=480 males in an Intergroup Attacker-Defender contest game, we found that oxytocin reduced contributions to attack and over time increased attacker’s within-group coordination of contributions. However, rather than becoming peaceful, attackers given oxytocin better tracked their rival’s historical defense and coordinated their contributions into well-timed and hence more profitable attacks. Our results reveal coordination of contributions as a critical component of successful attacks and subscribe to the possibility that oxytocin enables individuals to contribute to in-group efficiency and prosperity even when doing so implies outsiders are excluded or harmed.

Editorial note: This article has been through an editorial process in which the authors decide how to respond to the issues raised during peer review. The Reviewing Editor's assessment is that all the issues have been addressed (see decision letter).
Food-burying behavior in red imported fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Qin Wenquan , Chen Xuan , Hooper-Bùi Linda M. , Cai Jiacheng , Wang Lei , Sun Zhaohui , Wen Xiujun , Wang Cai
Published: January 2019

The food-burying behavior has been reported in many mammals and birds, but was rarely observed in invertebrates. The red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren, is an invasive pest in many areas of the world that usually performing food-burying during the foraging processes. However, the impacted factors and measureable patterns of this behavior is largely unknown. In the present study, food-burying vs food-transport behaviors of Solenopsis invicta were observed under laboratory and field conditions. When starved (no food was provided for 37 days) in the laboratory, food (sausage) was consumed by large numbers of ants, and few burying behaviors were observed. However, when food was provided until satiation of the colonies, food-transport was suppressed and significantly more soil particles were relocated on the food and graph paper square (where the food was placed) when compared with these colonies exposed to starved conditions. Videotapes showed that soil particles (1.47 ± 0.09 mm2) were preferentially placed adjacent to (in contact with) the food items at the beginning; and after the edges were covered, ants transported significantly smaller soil particles (1.13 ± 0.06 mm2) to cover the food. Meanwhile, larger particles (1.96 ± 0.08 mm2) were pulled/dragged around (but not in contact with) the food. Interestingly, only a small number of ants, mainly the small workers, were involved in food-burying, and the ants tended to repeatedly transport soil particles. A total of 12 patterns of particle transport were identified, and soil particles were most frequently picked from the foraging arena and subsequently placed adjacent to the food. In the field, almost all released food was actively transported by Solenopsis invicta workers, and no burying behavior was observed. Our results show that the food-burying behavior of Solenopsis invicta may be associated with the suppressed foraging activity, and the burying task may be carried out by certain groups of workers.
Crystal structure of the human Scribble PDZ1 domain bound to the PDZ‐binding motif of APC
Authors: How Jing Yuan , Caria Sofia , Humbert Patrick O. , Kvansakul Marc
Published: January 2019

Scribble (SCRIB) is an important adaptor protein that controls the establishment and maintenance of apico‐basal cell polarity. To better understand how SCRIB controls cell polarity signalling via its PDZ domains, we investigated human SCRIB interactions with adenomatous polyposis coli (APC). We show that SCRIB PDZ1, PDZ2 and PDZ3 are the major interactors with the APC PDZ‐binding motif (PBM), whereas SCRIB PDZ4 does not show detectable binding to APC. We then determined the crystal structure of SCRIB PDZ1 domain bound to the APC PBM. Our findings reveal a previously unreported pattern of interactions between the SCRIB PDZ domain region with the C‐terminal PDZ binding motif of APC, where SCRIB PDZ1 domain is the highest affinity site.
Periventricular white matter changes in idiopathic intracranial hypertension
Authors: Sarica Alessia , Curcio Maria , Rapisarda Laura , Cerasa Antonio , Quattrone Aldo , Bono Francesco
Published: January 2019

Objective

To evaluate whether increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure causes alteration of periventricular white matter (WM) microstructure in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).

Methods

In a prospective study, patients with refractory chronic headache with and without IIH performed a neuroimaging study including 3T MRI, 3D Phase Contrast MR venography, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the brain. Whole‐brain voxel‐wise comparisons of DTI abnormalities of WM were performed using tract‐based spatial statistics. A correlation analysis between DTI indices and CSF opening pressure, highest peak, and mean pressure was also performed in patients with IIH.

Results

We enrolled 62 consecutive patients with refractory chronic headaches. Thirty‐five patients with IIH, and 27 patients without increased intracranial pressure. DTI analysis revealed no fractional anisotropy changes, but decreased mean, axial, and radial diffusivity in body (IIHMD = 0.80 ± 0.04, non‐IIHMD = 0.84 ± 0.4, IIHAD = 1.67 ± 0.07, non‐IIHAD = 1.74 ± 0.05, IIHRD = 0.38 ± 0.04, non‐IIHRD = 0.42 ± 0.05 [mm2/sec × 10−3]) of corpus callosum, and in right superior corona radiata (IIHMD = 0.75 ± 0.04, non‐IIHMD = 0.79 ± 0.05, IIHAD = 1.19 ± 0.07, non‐IIHAD = 1.28 ± 0.09, IIHRD = 0.59 ± 0.03, non‐IIHRD = 0.53 ± 0.03 [mm2/sec × 10−3]) of 35 patients with IIH compared with 27 patients without increased intracranial pressure. DTI indices were negatively correlated with high CSF pressures (P < 0.05). After medical treatment, eight patients showed incremented MD in anterior corona radiata left and right and superior corona radiata right.

Conclusions

There is significant DTI alteration in periventricular WM microstructure of patients with IIH suggesting tissue compaction correlated with high CSF pressure. This periventricular WM change may be partially reversible after medical treatment.
A case of early‐onset epileptic encephalopathy with a homozygous TBC1D24 variant caused by uniparental isodisomy
Authors: Nakashima Mitsuko , Negishi Yutaka , Hori Ikumi , Hattori Ayako , Saitoh Shinji , Saitsu Hirotomo
Published: January 2019

TBC1D24‐related disorders are rare neurodevelopmental disorders that show a broad range of neuropsychiatric deficits and are mostly inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Here we describe a case with early‐onset epileptic encephalopathy, in whom exome sequencing detected a novel pathogenic homozygous c.442G>A, p.(Glu148Lys) variant in TBC1D24. She showed severe developmental delay, congenital sensorineural hearing loss and seizures, but the combination of a high dose phenobarbital and potassium bromide was very effective for the seizures. Sanger sequencing revealed that her mother was a heterozygous carrier of the TBC1D24 variant, but her father showed only wild‐type alleles. Homozygosity mapping analysis using exome data showed loss of the heterozygosity region at 16p13.3–p13.13 encompassing TBC1D24. Genotyping analysis using rare variants within loss of the heterozygosity region indicated that the patient has a homozygous haplotype inherited from her mother, indicating maternal segmental uniparental isodisomy (UPiD). These data clearly show that exome sequencing is a powerful tool to perform comprehensive genetic analysis.
Real‐Time Interrogation of Aspirin Reactivity, Biochemistry, and Biodistribution by Hyperpolarized Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Authors: Zacharias Niki M. , Ornelas Argentina , Lee Jaehyuk , Hu Jingzhe , Davis Jennifer S. , Uddin Nasir , Pudakalakatti Shivanand , Menter David G. , Karam Jose A. , Wood Christopher G. , Hawk Ernest T. , Kopetz Scott , Vilar Eduardo , Bhattacharya Pratip K. , Millward Steven W.
Published: January 2019

Hyperpolarized magnetic resonance spectroscopy enables quantitative, non‐radioactive, real‐time measurement of imaging probe biodistribution and metabolism in vivo. Here, we investigate and report on the development and characterization of hyperpolarized acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and its use as a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe. Aspirin derivatives were synthesized with single‐ and double‐13C labels and hyperpolarized by dynamic nuclear polarization with 4.7 % and 3 % polarization, respectively. The longitudinal relaxation constants (T1) for the labeled acetyl and carboxyl carbonyls were approximately 30 seconds, supporting in vivo imaging and spectroscopy applications. In vitro hydrolysis, transacetylation, and albumin binding of hyperpolarized aspirin were readily monitored in real time by 13C‐NMR spectroscopy. Hyperpolarized, double‐labeled aspirin was well tolerated in mice and could be observed by both 13C‐MR imaging and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy in vivo.
Photoredox‐Catalyzed Cyclobutane Synthesis by a Deboronative Radical Addition–Polar Cyclization Cascade
Authors: Shu Chao , Noble Adam , Aggarwal Varinder K.
Published: January 2019

Photoredox‐catalyzed methylcyclobutanations of alkylboronic esters are described. The reactions proceed through single‐electron transfer induced deboronative radical addition to an electron‐deficient alkene followed by single‐electron reduction and polar 4‐exo‐tet cyclization with a pendant alkyl halide. Key to the success of the methodology was the use of easily oxidizable arylboronate complexes. Structurally diverse cyclobutanes are shown to be conveniently prepared from readily available alkylboronic esters and a range of haloalkyl alkenes. The mild reactions display excellent functional group tolerance, and the radical addition‐polar cyclization cascade also enables the synthesis of 3‐, 5‐, 6‐, and 7‐membered rings.
Molecular characterization and expression patterns of Phenacoccus solenopsis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) heat shock protein genes and their response to host stress
Authors: Liu Dan , Dang Xiangli , Song Wei , Xi Lingyu , Wang Qi , Zhang Shaobing , Miao Yong , Li Guiting , Jiang Junqi
Published: January 2019

As a polyphagous insect, little is known at the molecular level about the effects of different host plants on physiological changes in Phenacoccus solenopsis. In this study, four heat shock protein (Hsp) genes (PsHsp60, PsHsp70, PsHsp90, and PsHsp20.7) were identified from the transcriptome of P. solenopsis. Analysis of Hsp expression levels revealed significant differences in Hsp gene expression levels in P. solenopsis fed on different host plants. In host conversion tests, the expression levels of PsHsp90 and PsHsp60 were upregulated after transfer of second instar nymphs from tomato to cotton. The expression levels of PsHsp70 and PsHsp20.7 were, respectively, significantly upregulated at 9 and 48 hr after transfer from tomato to Hibiscus. The results of this study aid molecular characterization and understanding of the expression patterns of Hsp genes during different developmental stages and host transfer of P. solenopsis.
Exploiting the Aromatic Chameleon Character of Fulvenes for Computational Design of Baird‐Aromatic Triplet Ground State Compounds
Authors: Yadav Sangeeta , El Bakouri Ouissam , Jorner Kjell , Tong Hui , Dahlstrand Christian , Solà Miquel , Ottosson Henrik
Published: January 2019

Due to the reversal in electron counts for aromaticity and antiaromaticity in the closed‐shell singlet state (normally ground state, S0) and lowest ππ* triplet state (T1 or T0), as given by Hückel's and Baird's rules, respectively, fulvenes are influenced by their substituents in the opposite manner in the T1 and S0 states. This effect is caused by a reversal in the dipole moment when going from S0 to T1 as fulvenes adapt to the difference in electron counts for aromaticity in various states; they are aromatic chameleons. Thus, a substituent pattern that enhances (reduces) fulvene aromaticity in S0 reduces (enhances) aromaticity in T1, allowing for rationalizations of the triplet state energies (ET) of substituted fulvenes. Through quantum chemical calculations, we now assess which substituents and which positions on the pentafulvene core are the most powerful for designing compounds with low or inverted ET. As a means to increase the π‐electron withdrawing capacity of cyano groups, we found that protonation at the cyano N atoms of 6,6‐dicyanopentafulvenes can be a route to on‐demand formation of a fulvenium dication with a triplet ground state (T0). The five‐membered ring of this species is markedly Baird‐aromatic, although less than the cyclopentadienyl cation known to have a Baird‐aromatic T0 state.
Engineering the migration and attachment behaviour of primary dermal fibroblasts
Authors: García‐Gareta Elena , Levin Alexandra , Hook Lilian
Published: January 2019

The availability of primary cells present in pathological conditions is often very limited due to stringent ethical regulation and patient consent. One such condition is chronic wounds, where dermal fibroblasts show a deficient migration. In vitro models with cellular tools that mimic the in vivo scenario would be advantageous to test new therapies for these challenging wounds. Since the availability of primary dermal fibroblasts present in chronic wounds is restricted and their “shelf‐life” limited due to the increased senescence, our aim was to engineer human dermal fibroblasts with impaired migration using synthetic Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD) peptides. We studied fibroblast behaviour on three different two dimensional (2D) surfaces, representative of the dermal extracellular matrix and the materials used in the development of dermal scaffolds, in addition to commercially available, collagen‐based 3D dermal scaffolds, demonstrating that the concentration of synthetic RGD peptides necessary to impair migration of dermal fibroblasts should be tailored to the particular surface/material and cell population used. The described technology could be translated to other cell types including established cell lines. A wide range of synthetic peptides exists, which differ in the amino acid sequence, thus increasing the possibilities of this technology.
Generation of site‐distinct N‐glycan variants for in vitro bioactivity testing
Authors: Brühlmann David , Vuillemin Thomas , Satwekar Abhijeet , Galano Eugenio , Palmese Angelo , D'Angelo Alessandra , Manco Zeynep , Souquet Jonathan , Broly Hervé , Sauer Markus , Hemberger Jürgen , Jordan Martin
Published: January 2019

Glycosylation, a critical product quality attribute, may affect the efficacy and safety of therapeutic proteins in vivo. Chinese hamster ovary fed‐batch cell culture batches yielded consistent glycoprofiles of a Fc‐fusion antibody comprizing three different N‐glycosylation sites. By adding media supplements at specific concentrations in cell culture and applying enzymatic glycoengineering, a diverse N‐glycan variant population was generated, including high mannose, afucosylated, fucosylated, agalactosylated, galactosylated, asialylated, and sialylated forms. Site‐specific glycosylation profiles were elucidated by glycopeptide mapping and the effect of the glycosylation variants on the FcγRIIIa receptor binding affinity and the biological activity (cell‐based and surface plasmon resonance) was assessed. The two fusion body glycosylation sites were characterized by a high degree of sialic acid, more complex N‐glycan structures, a higher degree of antennarity, and a site‐specific behavior in the presence of a media supplement. On the other hand, the media supplements affected the Fc‐site glycosylation heterogeneity similarly to the various studies described in the literature with classical monoclonal antibodies. Enzymatic glycoengineering solely managed to generate high levels of galactosylation at the fusion body sites. Variants with low core fucosylation, and to a lower extent, high mannose glycans exhibited increased FcγRIIIa receptor binding affinity. All N‐glycan variants exhibited weak effects on the biological activity of the fusion body. Both media supplementation and enzymatic glycoengineering are suitable to generate sufficient diversity to assess the effect of glycostructures on the biological activity.
Engineering Escherichia coli as a platform for the in vivo synthesis of prenylated aromatics
Authors: Qian Shuai , Clomburg James M. , Gonzalez Ramon
Published: January 2019

Prenylated aromatics (PAs) are an important class of natural products with valuable pharmaceutical applications. To address current limitations of their sourcing from plants, here, we present a microbial platform for the in vivo synthesis of PAs based on the aromatic prenyltransferase NphB from Streptomyces sp. strain CL190. As proof of concept, we targeted the prenylation of phenolic/phenolcarboxylic acids, including orsellinic (OSA), divarinolic (DVA), and olivetolic (OLA) acids, whose prenylated products have important biopharmaceutical applications. Although the ability of wild‐type NphB to catalyze the prenylation reaction with each acid was validated by in vitro characterization, improvement of product titers in vivo required protein modeling and rational design to engineer NphB variants with increased activity and product selectivity. When a designed NphB variant with eightfold improved catalytic efficiency toward OSA was expressed in an Escherichia coli host engineered to generate geranyl pyrophosphate at high flux through the mevalonate pathway, we observed up to 300 mg/L prenylated products by exogenously supplying OSA. The improved properties of engineered NphB were also utilized to demonstrate the diversification of this in vivo platform by using both different aromatic acceptors and different prenyl donors to generate various PA compounds, including medicinally important compounds such as cannabigerovarinic, cannabigerolic, and grifolic acids.
Local direction change of surface gliding microtubules
Authors: Li Feiran , Pan Jing , Choi Jong Hyun
Published: January 2019

In vitro gliding assay, microtubule translocation by kinesin motor proteins on a surface, has been used as an engineering tool in analyte detection, molecular cargo transport, and other applications. Although controlling the moving direction is often necessary to realize these applications, current direction control methods focus largely on lithographic microfabrication of tracks or external fields on the microtubules. These methods are effective, but are relatively complicated. In addition, they cannot target particular microtubules without affecting others. In this study, we propose a facile approach that can make local direction changes for selected microtubules using a polystyrene particle as a circular motion center and a DNA double helix with streptavidin as a capture arm. The DNA arm captures a microtubule in the close proximity of the immobilized particle via biotin–streptavidin interaction and changes the moving direction ~10° on average. In contrast, no significant direction changes are observed other than random variations with streptavidin‐less DNA arms (normal distribution centered at 0°), similar to regular motility assay. The particle‐assisted local direction change scheme is compared with a flow field‐based ensemble method. The combination of flow and kinesin interactions with each microtubule exerts a force to change the direction, ultimately aligning it to the flow field, regardless of its initial direction. A simple model based on the force balance predicts the time needed for such an alignment. Overall, the particle‐based local scheme is distinct and different from ensemble methods such as crossflow that changes directions of all microtubules in the field, thus offering unique utility in engineering applications.
Prognostic significance of PD‐L2 expression in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma—A comparison to the PD‐L1 expression profile
Authors: Weber Manuel , Wehrhan Falk , Baran Christoph , Agaimy Abbas , Büttner‐Herold Maike , Kesting Marco , Ries Jutta
Published: January 2019

Background

Despite the observed association of increased PD‐L1 expression in peripheral blood of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients with histomorphologic parameters, the role of the PD1 ligands—PD‐L1 and PD‐L2—is insufficiently understood. Aim of the study was to investigate whether the alterations of PD‐L1 and PD‐L2 expression in blood are associated with survival and could serve as immune monitoring parameter. Moreover, it should be analyzed if PD‐L2 is differentially expressed in tissue and blood samples of OSCC patients compared to healthy controls and if there is an association of PD‐L2 expression with histomorphologic and prognostic tumor parameters.

Methods

PD‐L2 mRNA expression was analyzed in tumors and healthy oral mucosa specimens and in corresponding peripheral blood samples of 48 OSCC patients and 26 healthy controls using RT‐qPCR. A cutoff point (COP) was determined and a chi‐square test (χ2 test) was carried out. Survival analysis of PD‐L2 and previously reported PD‐L1 expression data was performed using Kaplan‐Meier analysis (Log‐rank test).

Results

PD‐L2 expression in tissue samples was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in OSCC patients compared to healthy controls. A significant association of PD‐L2 expression above the COP (positive) with malignancy was ascertained (P < 0.001). A significant (P = 0.01) association of previously reported PD‐L1 expression rates in peripheral blood with survival could be shown.

Conclusion

Peripheral blood PD‐L1 expression might be a prognostic marker for OSCC patients and a possible parameter to monitor immune dysfunction in malign diseases. In the peripheral blood, PD‐L1 might be more relevant for immune tolerance than PD‐L2. Local PD‐L2 expression in tissue samples might be useful as a diagnostic parameter for malignancy and could contribute to the immunosuppressive local microenvironment in OSCC.
The cancer incidence and mortality among children and adolescents during the period of 2010‐2014 in Henan Province, China
Authors: Chen Qiong , Guo Zhen , Liu Shuzheng , Quan Peiliang , Cao Xiaoqin , Guo Lanwei , Zhang Shaokai , Sun Xibin
Published: January 2019

Objective

The cancer etiology in children and adolescents is largely different with that in adults, and the description in epidemiology still remains deficiency. Therefore, we described the cancer incidence and related epidemiological features in children and adolescents to provide clues for etiological studies.

Methods

Cancer incidence stratified by age, gender, and areas was calculated using data extracted from population‐based cancer registries in Henan Province, China. All cancer among children aged 0‐19 years were reclassified according to category criteria of the International Classification of Childhood Cancer, 3rd Edition (ICCC‐3). Age‐standardized rate (WSR) was calculated using Segi's world standardized population by the direct method, and it was expressed per million person‐years.

Results

The crude cancer incidence and mortality were 87.56 and 36.32 per million person‐years among children aged 0‐19 years, and the WSRs slightly changed compared with crude incidence and mortality, and they were 87.36 and 35.46 per million person‐years. Leukemia and central nervous system neoplasms (CNS) were the most common cancer categories both in children aged 0‐14 years and in adolescents aged 15‐19 years in regardless of gender and areas. Tiny difference of incidence and mortality existed in different age groups across 0‐14 years; however, they were higher in adolescents aged 15‐19 years than that in children aged 0‐14 years. Among children aged 0‐19 years, the cancer incidence and mortality were predominant in boys, and the sex ratio was 1.19; however, it was varied by diagnostic categories.

Conclusion

This is the first study that described the cancer incidence and mortality among children aged 0‐19 in Henan Province, and it would help researchers to understand the burden and epidemiological characteristics of childhood cancer, and hence suggested clues for the etiological studies.
A Branched Tripeptide with an Anion‐Binding Motif as a New Delivery Carrier for Efficient Gene Transfection
Authors: Jiang Hao , Hu Xiao‐Yu , Mosel Stefanie , Knauer Shirley K. , Hirschhäuser Christoph , Schmuck Carsten
Published: January 2019

Branched and dendrimeric cationic peptides have shown better transfection efficiency than linear peptides, owing to their superior capacity for inducing DNA condensation. We have designed and synthesized two analogously guanidinocarbonylpyrrole‐substituted (GCP‐substituted) branched cationic tripeptides that provide extremely strong electrostatic attraction towards DNA. Both ligands 1 and 2 can bind to DNA and form condensed complexes, owing to the branched structure and high positive charges, as demonstrated by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), ζ potential and atomic force microscopy (AFM). After the replacement of the carboxylate group by an amide group, binding of ligand 2 to DNA shows exothermic enthalpy and positive entropy changes relative to ligand 1. Rational interpretation would suggest that ligand 2 might aid the translocation of plasmid pF143 to HEK 293T cells, showing high gene transfection efficiency. This work therefore provides a facile way, by modifying a branched cationic tripeptide with GCP, to turn a peptide even a tripeptide into an efficient gene transfection vector.
Left main and triple vessel dissection 2 months postpartum
Authors: Shahandeh Negeen , Miyamoto Michael I. , Tobis Jonathan
Published: January 2019

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome. The majority of cases reported in the literature involve a single vessel; multivessel and left main (LM) coronary artery involvement is rare. We present a case of triple vessel and LM SCAD in a postpartum patient and review the literature regarding percutaneous coronary intervention in the setting of SCAD.
An Interrupted Zeolite PKU‐26 and Its Transformation to a Fully Four‐Connected Zeolite PKU‐27 upon Calcination
Authors: Chen Yanping , Ma Ning , Huang Shiliang , Du Xin , Liao Fuhui , Zhu Yuexiang , Sun Junliang , Wang Yingxia
Published: January 2019

The thermal stability and structural transformation mechanism are critical for the industrial applications of zeolites and the design of new framework types. Herein, a new zeolite PKU‐26 has been hydrothermally synthesized under fluoride conditions using a tetraethylammonium (TEA+) cation as the structure‐directing agent (SDA) and its framework contains partial Q3 T atoms [Q3 for T(−O−T)3OH]. Upon calcination, PKU‐26 processed a single‐crystal to single‐crystal transformation to another novel zeolite PKU‐27 with the elimination of terminal −OH groups and enhanced thermal stability up to 650 °C, exhibiting the first Q3→Q4 transformation [Q4 for T(−O−T)4] in 3D zeolite frameworks. The mechanism of the structural transformation, involving proton transfer, framework dehydration, and TO4 reconstruction, is proposed and supported by theoretical calculations.
Preparative Electrosynthesis of Strong Oxidizers at Boron‐Doped Diamond Electrode in Anhydrous HF
Authors: Połczyński Piotr , Jurczakowski Rafał , Grzelak Adam , Goreshnik Evgeny , Mazej Zoran , Grochala Wojciech
Published: January 2019

The use of the boron‐doped diamond electrode as a sufficiently stable electrode for electrochemical measurements/synthesis in liquid anhydrous hydrogen fluoride medium is reported. Electrooxidation of silver(I) has been studied in this solvent by using classical transient electrochemical methods and impedance spectroscopy. It has been found that faradaic currents related to silver(I) oxidation and the fluorine evolution reaction are reasonably separated at the potential scale, which allows efficient electrosynthesis of AgIIF2, a powerful oxidizer. Impedance spectroscopy measurements provide insight into complex mechanism of AgF2 formation. The procedure for electrosynthesis is provided for the first time in both galvanostatic and potentiostatic condition.
Evaluation of Socioeconomic Status Indicators for Confounding Adjustment in Observational Studies of Medication Use
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Chandrasekar , Gagne Joshua J. , Sarpatwari Ameet , Dejene Sara Z. , Dutcher Sarah K. , Levin Raisa , Franklin Jessica M. , Schneeweiss Sebastian , Desai Rishi J.
Published: January 2019

Methodologic research evaluating confounding due to socioeconomic status (SES) in observational studies of medications is limited. We identified 7,109 patients who initiated brand or generic atorvastatin from Medicare claims (2011–2013) linked to electronic medical records and census data. We created a propensity score (PS) containing only claims‐based covariates and augmented it with additional claims‐based proxies for SES, ZIP code, and block group level SES. Cox models with PS fine‐stratification and weighting were used to compare rates of a cardiovascular end point and emergency department visits. Adjustment with only claims‐based variables substantially improved balance on all SES variables compared with the unadjusted. Although inclusion of SES in PS models further improved balance on SES variables compared with models with claims‐based covariates only, it did not materially change point estimates for either outcome. Inclusion of claims‐based proxies may mitigate confounding by SES when aggregate‐level SES information is unavailable.
Aryl Methyl Sulfone Construction from Eco‐Friendly Inorganic Sulfur Dioxide and Methyl Reagents
Authors: Wang Ming , Zhao Jiaoyan , Jiang Xuefeng
Published: January 2019

A three‐component cross‐coupling protocol of boronic acid, sodium metabisulfite, and dimethyl carbonate was developed for the construction of significant functional methyl sulfones, in which introduction of sulfur dioxide at the last stage was successfully achieved in one step. Inorganic sodium metabisulfite was used as an eco‐friendly sulfur dioxide source. Green dimethyl carbonate was employed as methyl reagent in this transformation. Diverse functional methyl sulfones were obtained from various readily available boronic acids. Notably, the last‐stage modification of pharmaceuticals and the synthesis of Firocoxib were efficiently established through this strategy.
High serum clusterin levels are associated with premature coronary artery disease in a Chinese population
Authors: Zhu Huijuan , Liu Meijuan , Zhai Tianshu , Pan Hui , Wang Linjie , Yang Hongbo , Yan Kemin , Gong Fengying , Zeng Yong
Published: January 2019

Background

Clusterin plays an important role in the cardiovascular system, and serum levels of clusterin are higher in coronary artery disease patients. Here, we measured serum clusterin levels in premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) patients and explored the association of these levels with PCAD risk.

Methods

Serum samples and general clinical information were obtained from 672 subjects including 364 PCAD subjects, 126 non‐PCAD subjects, and 182 controls.

Results

Serum clusterin levels were higher in PCAD patients than in controls, particularly in males with body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m2 (P < 0.0001). Compared with the lowest tertile of clusterin, the odds ratio of PCAD in the highest tertile was higher in both a univariate and three adjustment models, and it was 3.146‐fold higher in Model 3. This association was especially significant in subgroups with BMI < 25 kg/m2, total cholesterol < 5.7 mmol/L, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥ 1.0 mmol/L, Urea < 7.14 mmol/L, and estimated glomerular filtration rate < 90 mL/min/1.73 m2. Serum clusterin may be a potential diagnostic biomarker for PCAD (sensitivity 60.7%, specificity 51.6%, area under the curve 0.595 [95% CI, 0.544‐0.647], P < 0.0001), and a combination of clusterin with clinical variables in Model 3 resulted in improved diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity 86.3%, specificity 64.2%, area under the curve 0.829 [95% CI, 0.782‐0.877], P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Serum clusterin levels were increased in PCAD patients, especially for males with BMI < 25 kg/m2. Higher clusterin levels were independently associated with the presence of PCAD, particularly in subjects with normal BMI, lower total cholesterol, urea, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and higher high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Clusterin might be a potential diagnostic biomarker for PCAD patients, especially in combination with clinical variables.
Phenotypic plasticity closely linked to climate at origin and resulting in increased mortality under warming and frost stress in a common grass
Authors: Kreyling Juergen , Puechmaille Sébastien J. , Malyshev Andrey V. , Valladares Fernando
Published: January 2019

Phenotypic plasticity is important for species responses to global change and species coexistence. Phenotypic plasticity differs among species and traits and changes across environments. Here, we investigated phenotypic plasticity of the widespread grass Arrhenatherum elatius in response to winter warming and frost stress by comparing phenotypic plasticity of 11 geographically and environmentally distinct populations of this species to phenotypic plasticity of populations of different species originating from a single environment. The variation in phenotypic plasticity was similar for populations of a single species from different locations compared to populations of functionally and taxonomically diverse species from one environment for the studied traits (leaf biomass production and root integrity after frost) across three indices of phenotypic plasticity (RDPI, PIN, slope of reaction norm). Phenotypic plasticity was not associated with neutral genetic diversity but closely linked to the climate of the populations’ origin. Populations originating from warmer and more variable climates showed higher phenotypic plasticity. This indicates that phenotypic plasticity can itself be considered as a trait subject to local adaptation to climate. Finally, our data emphasize that high phenotypic plasticity is not per se positive for adaptation to climate change, as differences in stress responses are resulting in high phenotypic plasticity as expressed by common plasticity indices, which is likely to be related to increased mortality under stress in more plastic populations.
Palladium(II)/Copper(II)‐Catalyzed C–H Sulfidation or Selenation of Arenes Leading to Unsymmetrical Sulfides and Selenides
Authors: Nishino Kota , Tsukahara Shouya , Ogiwara Yohei , Sakai Norio
Published: January 2019

A novel palladium(II)/copper(II)‐catalyzed sulfidation of the C–H bond in electron‐rich arenes and in pentafluorobenzene with disulfides was developed. This catalytic system can be used to efficiently produce various types of either unsymmetrical aryl sulfides or alkyl aryl sulfides. The present protocol could also be applied to the direct preparation of unsymmetrical aryl selenides via C–H selenation.
An electrochemical biosensor for prostate cancer biomarker detection using graphene oxide–gold nanostructures
Authors: Akbari jonous Zahra , Shayeh Javad Shabani , Yazdian Fatemeh , Yadegari Amir , Hashemi Mohadeseh , Omidi Meisam
Published: January 2019

In this paper, a most sensitive electrochemical biosensor for detection of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) was designed. To reach the goal, a sandwich type electrode composed of reduced graphene oxide/ gold nanoparticles (GO/AuNPs), Anti‐Total PSA monoclonal antibody, and anti‐Free PSA antibody was assembled. The functionalized materials were thoroughly characterized by atomic force microscope spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction techniques. The electrochemical properties of each of the modification step were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results presented that the proposed biosensor possesses high sensitivity toward total and free PSA. Furthermore, the fabricated biosensor revealed an excellent selectivity for PSA in comparison to the other tumor markers such as BHCG, Alb, CEA, CA125, and CA19‐9. The limit of detection for the proposed electrochemical biosensor was estimated to be around 0.2 and 0.07 ng/mL for total and free PSA antigen, respectively.
Testing models of step formation against observations of channel steps in a steep mountain stream
Authors: Golly Antonius , Turowski Jens M. , Badoux Alexandre , Hovius Niels
Published: January 2019

Steep streams often feature a step‐pool morphology where the steps determine channel stability and dissipate the stream's energy, and thus are important for local flow hydraulics and bedload transport. Steps also play a key‐role for the coupling of channels and adjacent hillslopes by controlling hillslope stability. Although step‐pool systems have been investigated in various modelling and experimental efforts, the processes of step formation and destruction remain under debate. Theories of step formation consider a wide range of dominant drivers and fall into three groups favouring hydraulic controls (HC), granular interactions during flow (GI) or random drivers (RD) as relevant factors for step location. A direct evaluation of these models with field observations is challenging, as step formation cannot be directly observed. Based on the physical mechanisms of the various formation models we derive diagnostic morphometric parameters and test them with a field data set from a steep stream in Switzerland. Our results suggest that one class of alluvial steps form due to jamming in narrow and narrowing sections of the channel, while steps in wide and widening sections form around rarely mobile keystones. These two models of step formation apply in our study reach at the same time in different locations of the channel. A third class of steps is forced by logs. Such steps are typically located close to the original growth position of the tree and therefore reflect strong channel‐hillslope coupling. Wood‐forced steps make up a minor fraction of the step population, but contribute significantly to the cumulative step height and are therefore relevant to reach‐scale flow resistance of the channel. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How to hedge if the payment date is uncertain?
Authors: Korn Olaf , Merz Alexander
Published: January 2019

This paper investigates how firms should hedge price risk when payment dates are uncertain. We derive variance‐minimizing strategies and show that the instrument choice is essential for this problem, similar to the choice between a strip and a stack hedge. The first setting concentrates on futures hedges, whereas the second allows for nonlinear derivatives. In both settings, firms should take positions in derivatives with different maturities simultaneously. We present an empirical analysis for commodities and exchange rates, showing that in both settings the optimal strategy clearly outperforms the commonly used heuristic strategies which consider only one hedging instrument at a time.
Presidential address: Six open questions to genetic epidemiologists
Authors: König Inke R.
Published: January 2019

Given the rapid pace with which genomics and other ‐omics disciplines are evolving, it is sometimes necessary to shift down a gear to consider more general scientific questions. In this line, in my presidential address I formulate six questions for genetic epidemiologists to ponder on. These cover the areas of reproducibility, statistical significance, chance findings, precision medicine and related fields such as bioinformatics and data science. Possible hints at responses are presented to foster our further discussion of these topics.
Associations between child physical abuse potential, observed maternal parenting, and young children's emotion regulation: Is participation in Early Head Start protective?
Authors: Paschall Katherine W. , Mastergeorge Ann M. , Ayoub Catherine C.
Published: January 2019

Clinicians working with Early Head Start (EHS) families consider family well‐being and positive parent–child relationships as foundational to school readiness. Understanding the links between risk factors and these dimensions of family engagement can inform clinical decision‐making, as risk assessments are used to tailoring program services. The current study examined the associations between high risk, or potential, for child physical abuse and both parenting quality and children's emotion regulation (ER) during toddlerhood; EHS participation was examined as a buffer. The sample included EHS‐eligible mothers of infants (N = 80) drawn from one site of the EHS Research and Evaluation Project. Associations were tested between mothers’ potential for child physical abuse, measured during infancy, and observed maternal sensitivity, positive regard, harshness, and children's ER skills at child ages 1 and 2 years. Results indicated that high potential for child physical abuse was associated with lower positive regard at age 1 and lower ER skills at age 2. EHS participation operated as a buffer on each of these associations. Implications for screening for child physical abuse potential and the constructs it represents in clinical settings as well as how EHS can promote family engagement are discussed.