bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional connectivity based parcellation of early visual cortices
Authors: Park Bo‐yong , Tark Kyeong‐Jin , Shim Won Mok , Park Hyunjin
Published: December 2017

Human brain can be divided into multiple brain regions based on anatomical and functional properties. Recent studies showed that resting‐state connectivity can be utilized for parcellating brain regions and identifying their distinctive roles. In this study, we aimed to parcellate the primary and secondary visual cortices (V1 and V2) into several subregions based on functional connectivity and to examine the functional characteristics of each subregion. We used resting‐state data from a research database and also acquired resting‐state data with retinotopy results from a local site. The long‐range connectivity profile and three different algorithms (i.e., K‐means, Gaussian mixture model distribution, and Ward's clustering algorithms) were adopted for the parcellation. We compared the parcellation results within V1 and V2 with the eccentric map in retinotopy. We found that the boundaries between subregions within V1 and V2 were located in the parafovea, indicating that the anterior and posterior subregions within V1 and V2 corresponded to peripheral and central visual field representations, respectively. Next, we computed correlations between each subregion within V1 and V2 and intermediate and high‐order regions in ventral and dorsal visual pathways. We found that the anterior subregions of V1 and V2 were strongly associated with regions in the dorsal stream (V3A and inferior parietal gyrus), whereas the posterior subregions of V1 and V2 were highly related to regions in the ventral stream (V4v and inferior temporal gyrus). Our findings suggest that the anterior and posterior subregions of V1 and V2, parcellated based on functional connectivity, may have distinct functional properties.
Capicua suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by controlling the ETV4–MMP1 axis
Authors: Kim Eunjeong , Kim Donghyo , Lee Jeon‐Soo , Yoe Jeehyun , Park Jongmin , Kim Chang‐Jin , Jeong Dongjun , Kim Sanguk , Lee Yoontae
Published: December 2017

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is developed by multiple steps accompanying progressive alterations of gene expression, which leads to increased cell proliferation and malignancy. Although environmental factors and intracellular signaling pathways that are critical for HCC progression have been identified, gene expression changes and the related genetic factors contributing to HCC pathogenesis are still insufficiently understood. In this study, we identify a transcriptional repressor, Capicua (CIC), as a suppressor of HCC progression and a potential therapeutic target. Expression of CIC is posttranscriptionally reduced in HCC cells. CIC levels are correlated with survival rates in patients with HCC. CIC overexpression suppresses HCC cell proliferation and invasion, whereas loss of CIC exerts opposite effects in vivo as well as in vitro. Levels of polyoma enhancer activator 3 (PEA3) group genes, the best‐known CIC target genes, are correlated with lethality in patients with HCC. Among the PEA3 group genes, ETS translocation variant 4 (ETV4) is the most significantly up‐regulated in CIC‐deficient HCC cells, consequently promoting HCC progression. Furthermore, it induces expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), the MMP gene highly relevant to HCC progression, in HCC cells; and knockdown of MMP1 completely blocks the CIC deficiency–induced HCC cell proliferation and invasion. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that the CIC–ETV4–MMP1 axis is a regulatory module controlling HCC progression. (Hepatology 2018;67:2287‐2301).
Lipotoxicity induces hepatic protein inclusions through TANK binding kinase 1–mediated p62/sequestosome 1 phosphorylation
Authors: Cho Chun‐Seok , Park Hwan‐Woo , Ho Allison , Semple Ian A. , Kim Boyoung , Jang Insook , Park Haeli , Reilly Shannon , Saltiel Alan R. , Lee Jun Hee
Published: December 2017

Obesity commonly leads to hepatic steatosis, which often provokes lipotoxic injuries to hepatocytes that cause nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH, in turn, is associated with the accumulation of insoluble protein aggregates that are composed of ubiquitinated proteins and ubiquitin adaptor p62/sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1). Formation of p62 inclusions in hepatocytes is the critical marker that distinguishes simple fatty liver from NASH and predicts a poor prognostic outcome for subsequent liver carcinogenesis. However, the molecular mechanism by which lipotoxicity induces protein aggregation is currently unknown. Here, we show that, upon saturated fatty acid‐induced lipotoxicity, TANK binding kinase 1 (TBK1) is activated and phosphorylates p62. TBK1‐mediated p62 phosphorylation is important for lipotoxicity‐induced aggregation of ubiquitinated proteins and formation of large protein inclusions in hepatocytes. In addition, cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase (cGAS) and stimulator of interferon genes (STING), upstream regulators of TBK1, are involved in lipotoxic activation of TBK1 and subsequent p62 phosphorylation in hepatocytes. Furthermore, TBK1 inhibition prevented formation of ubiquitin‐p62 aggregates not only in cultured hepatocytes, but also in mouse models of obesity and NASH. Conclusion: These results suggest that lipotoxic activation of TBK1 and subsequent p62 phosphorylation are critical steps in the NASH pathology of protein inclusion accumulation in hepatocytes. This mechanism can provide an explanation for how hypernutrition and obesity promote the development of severe liver pathologies, such as steatohepatitis and liver cancer, by facilitating the formation of p62 inclusions. (Hepatology 2018).
The role of replay and theta sequences in mediating hippocampal‐prefrontal interactions for memory and cognition
Authors: Zielinski Mark C. , Tang Wenbo , Jadhav Shantanu P.
Published: December 2017

Sequential activity is seen in the hippocampus during multiple network patterns, prominently as replay activity during both awake and sleep sharp‐wave ripples (SWRs), and as theta sequences during active exploration. Although various mnemonic and cognitive functions have been ascribed to these hippocampal sequences, evidence for these proposed functions remains primarily phenomenological. Here, we briefly review current knowledge about replay events and theta sequences in spatial memory tasks. We reason that in order to gain a mechanistic and causal understanding of how these patterns influence memory and cognitive processing, it is important to consider how these sequences influence activity in other regions, and in particular, the prefrontal cortex, which is crucial for memory‐guided behavior. For spatial memory tasks, we posit that hippocampal‐prefrontal interactions mediated by replay and theta sequences play complementary and overlapping roles at different stages in learning, supporting memory encoding and retrieval, deliberative decision making, planning, and guiding future actions. This framework offers testable predictions for future physiology and closed‐loop feedback inactivation experiments for specifically targeting hippocampal sequences as well as coordinated prefrontal activity in different network states, with the potential to reveal their causal roles in memory‐guided behavior.
Light modulates hippocampal function and spatial learning in a diurnal rodent species: A study using male nile grass rat (Arvicanthis niloticus)
Authors: Soler Joel E. , Robison Alfred J. , Núñez Antonio A. , Yan Lily
Published: December 2017

The effects of light on cognitive function have been well‐documented in human studies, with brighter illumination improving cognitive performance in school children, healthy adults, and patients in early stages of dementia. However, the underlying neural mechanisms are not well understood. The present study examined how ambient light affects hippocampal function using the diurnal Nile grass rats (Arvicanthis niloticus) as the animal model. Grass rats were housed in either a 12:12 h bright light–dark (brLD, 1,000 lux) or dim light‐dark (dimLD, 50 lux) cycle. After 4 weeks, the dimLD group showed impaired spatial memory in the Morris Water Maze (MWM) task. The impairment in their MWM performance were reversed when the dimLD group were transferred to the brLD condition for another 4 weeks. The results suggest that lighting conditions influence cognitive function of grass rats in a way similar to that observed in humans, such that bright light is beneficial over dim light for cognitive performance. In addition to the behavioral changes, grass rats in the dimLD condition exhibited reduced expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus, most notably in the CA1 subregion. There was also a reduction in dendritic spine density in CA1 apical dendrites in dimLD as compared to the brLD group, and the reduction was mostly in the number of mushroom and stubby spines. When dimLD animals were transferred to the brLD condition for 4 weeks, the hippocampal BDNF and dendritic spine density significantly increased. The results illustrate that not only does light intensity affect cognitive performance, but that it also impacts hippocampal structural plasticity. These studies serve as a starting point to further understand how ambient light modulates neuronal and cognitive functions in diurnal species. A mechanistic understanding of the effects of light on cognition can help to identify risk factors for cognitive decline and contribute to the development of more effective prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment in clinical populations.
ABCB1 and CYP2D6 polymorphisms and treatment response of psychotic patients in a naturalistic setting
Authors: Papazisis Georgios , Goulas Antonios , Sarrigiannidis Alexios , Bargiota Stavroula , Antoniadis Diomidis , Raikos Nikolaos , Basgiouraki Emmanouela , Bozikas Vasileios P. , Garyfallos Georgios
Published: December 2017

Objectives

The aim of our study was to examine the association between ABCB1 polymorphisms G2677T/A (rs2032582) and C3435T (rs1045642) and common CYP2D6 variants, with the response to antipsychotic treatment of psychotic patients, in a naturalistic setting, in Greece.

Methods

One hundred patients suffering from schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders were included in the study. Dosages were normalized to chlorpromazine equivalents. Response following 1 month of treatment was assessed as either a continuous variable, using the distribution of the corrected Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale percent change, or as a dichotomous variable defined as the number of patients scoring ≥30% from the corrected baseline Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale score. Genotyping was achieved with established polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism methods.

Results

With response treated as a continuous variable, the homozygous recessive rs2032582 genotypes (TT) who were simultaneously carriers of a loss‐of‐function CYP2D6 allele (*4 or *5) responded significantly worse than the rest of the patients. Comparison of genotype frequencies revealed a statistically significant association of the above combination. No significant association between chlorpromazine equivalents and the tested genotypes was detected.

Conclusion

We have detected a possible interaction between ABCB1 and CYP2D6 in affecting response of psychotic patients to drug treatment, in a naturalistic setting.
XIAP overexpression promotes bladder cancer invasion in vitro and lung metastasis in vivo via enhancing nucleolin‐mediated Rho‐GDIβ mRNA stability
Authors: Yu Yonghui , Jin Honglei , Xu Jiheng , Gu Jiayan , Li Xin , Xie Qipeng , Huang Haishan , Li Jingxia , Tian Zhongxian , Jiang Guosong , Chen Caiyi , He Feng , Wu Xue‐Ru , Huang Chuanshu
Published: December 2017

Our recent studies demonstrate that X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) is essential for regulating colorectal cancer invasion. Here, we discovered that RhoGDIβ was a key XIAP downstream effector mediating bladder cancer (BC) invasion in vitro and in vivo. We found that both XIAP and RhoGDIβ expressions were consistently elevated in BCs of N‐butyl‐N‐(4‐hydroxybutyl)‐nitrosamine (BBN)‐treated mice in comparison to bladder tissues from vehicle‐treated mice and human BCs in comparison to the paired adjacent normal bladder tissues. Knockdown of XIAP attenuated RhoGDIβ expression and reduced cancer cell invasion, whereas RhoGDIβ expression was attenuated in BBN‐treated urothelium of RING‐deletion knockin mice. Mechanistically, XIAP stabilized RhoGDIβ mRNA by its positively regulating nucleolin mRNA stability via Erks‐dependent manner. Moreover, ectopic expression of GFP‐RhoGDIβ in T24T(shXIAP) cells restored its lung metastasis in nude mice. Our results demonstrate that XIAP‐regulated Erks/nucleolin/RhoGDIβ axis promoted BC invasion and lung metastasis.
Risk factors for HPV persistence and cytology anomalies at follow‐up after treatment for cervical dysplasia
Authors: Rizzuto Ivana , Nalam Mythili , Jiang Jason , Linder Anders , Rufford Barnaby
Published: December 2017

Objective

To evaluate predictor factors of persistent cytologic dysplasia and/or high‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection at 6‐month follow‐up and at 3–5 years during routine cervical smear testing.

Methods

The present retrospective study included data from women treated for cervical dysplasia by large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) at Ipswich Hospital, UK, between January 1 and December 31, 2012. Age, parity, smoking, status of resection margins, and previous LLETZ treatment were evaluated by multivariate analyses.

Results

There were 192 patients included in the study. There was no association between age (relative risk [RR] 1.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.80–1.23; P>0.99), smoking (RR 1.12, 95% CI 0.79–1.59; P=0.516), or parity (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.88–1.38; P=0.382) and abnormal cytology and/or persistent hrHPV infection at 6 months. There was an association between positive margins (RR 1.64, 95% CI 1.20–2.24; P=0.003), previous LLETZ (RR 3.48, 95% CI 1.69–7.15; P<0.001), and dyskaryosis and/or hrHPV infection at 6 months. Only previous LLETZ treatment remained associated with abnormal cytology and persistent hrHPV infection at 3–5 years (RR 6.37, 95% CI 3.56–11.3; P<0.001).

Conclusion

Clinical factors, including age, smoking, treatment history, and status of surgical margins, could help to determine the risk of dysplasia recurrence and facilitate patient follow‐up based on risk stratification.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals, 4‐nonylphenol, bisphenol A and butyl benzyl phthalate, impair metabolism of estradiol in male and female rats as assessed by levels of 15α‐hydroxyestrogens and catechol estrogens in urine
Authors: Nakagomi Madoka , Suzuki Emako , Saito Yoshiaki , Nagao Tetsuji
Published: December 2017

Bisphenol A (BPA), 4‐nonylphenol (NP) and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), termed endocrine‐disrupting chemicals, are known to mimic estrogen activity. The effects of these chemicals on 17β‐estradiol (E2) metabolism in vivo in rats were examined. Male and female rats were given NP (250 mg kg–1 day–1), BPA (250 μg kg–1 day–1) or BBP (500 mg kg–1 day–1) by gavage for 14 days, followed by a single intraperitoneal injection of E2 (5 mg kg–1) on the final day. The urinary excretion over 72 hours of 2‐hydroxyestrone 1‐N‐acetylcysteine thioether, 2‐hydroxyestrone 4‐N‐acetylcysteine thioether, 4‐hydroxyestrone 2‐N‐acetylcysteine thioether, 2‐hydroxy‐17β‐estradiol (2‐OHE2), 2‐hydroxyestrone (2‐OHE1), 4‐hydroxy‐17β‐estradiol, 4‐hydroxyestrone, 15α‐hydroxyestriol (E4), 15α‐hydroxy‐17β‐estradiol and 15α‐hydroxyestrone was measured. Increases in urinary excretion of 2‐OHE1 and decreases in E4 were observed in males treated with NP or BBP. Decreases in urinary excretion of 2‐OHE2 and E4 were observed in males treated with BPA. Decreases in urinary excretion of 2‐OHE1 and 2‐OHE2 were observed in females treated with BBP. Normalized liver and weights were increased in both sexes treated with NP or BBP. Histologic observations revealed marked changes in the distal tubules and collecting ducts in the kidneys of rats exposed to NP and BBP, and hypertrophy in the hepatocytes of the centrilobular zone of the liver. No BPA‐related effects on organ weight and on liver or kidney histopathology were found. These results suggest that the 14 day oral dosing of NP and BBP disrupted E2 metabolism, resulting from marked morphological and functional alterations in the liver and kidneys. In addition, BPA could induce metabolic and endocrine disruption.
After neoadjuvant chemotherapy platelet/lymphocyte ratios negatively correlate with prognosis in gastric cancer patients
Authors: Gong Weipeng , Zhao Lei , Dong Zhaogang , Dou Yu , Liu Yanguo , Ma Chao , Qu Xun
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Circulating predictors prognostic factors of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which identify the patients who are potential possibly to benefit from it are limited at present. In this research, we aimed to compare the prognostic significance of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in patients with locally advance gastric carcinoma who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by D2 gastrectomy.

Materials and methods

From 2007 to 2015, 91 patients with locally advanced gastric cancer treated with NAC followed by D2 gastrectomy included in this retrospective cohort study. The correlation of clinical data, including tumor regression, response evaluation, tumor location, pathological type, systemic therapy, tumor size (cm), neural invasion, lymphatic‐vascular invasion, ypTNM stage, and survival prognosis were analyzed.

Results

Platelet/lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in gastric cancer patients were higher than in matched normal volunteers. PLR levels higher after neoadjuvant chemotherapy are associated with worse OS. Multivariate Cox proportional analysis showed that pre‐neoadjuvant chemotherapy PLR was an independent prognostic factor.

Conclusions

Pre‐neoadjuvant chemotherapy PLR may be a feasible biomarker for survival prognosis in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. PLR and NLR were reduced after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, PLR level was negatively correlated with survival prognosis.
The association between self‐compassion and treatment outcomes: Session‐level and treatment‐level effects
Authors: Galili‐Weinstock Lior , Chen Roei , Atzil‐Slonim Dana , Bar‐Kalifa Eran , Peri Tuvia , Rafaeli Eshkol
Published: December 2017

Objective

Self‐compassion (SC) has been consistently linked to less psychopathology; however, the link between changes in client's SC levels and psychotherapy outcomes has yet to be explored.

Method

Clients at a university‐based community clinic completed SC and outcome measures session by session (N = 112) as well as pre‐ to posttreatment (N = 70).

Results

Increases in clients' SC levels across the entire therapeutic process were associated with improvement in all posttreatment outcomes. Additionally, session‐to‐session increases in SC levels predicted improved symptoms and functioning at the session level; these effects were significant above and beyond the effects of the therapeutic alliance.

Conclusion

The results of the current study highlight SC as a possible process variable in psychotherapy.
Discursive context and language as action: A demonstration using critical discourse analysis to examine discussions about human trafficking in Hawai‘i
Authors: Gleason Kristen D. , Baker Charlene K. , Maynard Ashley
Published: December 2017

Community psychology has long valued understanding the contextual issues that maintain social problems. The present study demonstrates the use of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to examine the discursive context surrounding the issue of human trafficking. CDA was used to understand the ways that local stakeholders in Hawai‘i (N = 13) described the issue of human trafficking. Human trafficking is well suited for this type of analysis because it is a controversial phenomenon, surrounded by highly politicized rhetoric. Results showed that participants tended to use different combinations of discourses related to labor, immigration, sex, gender, children, and consent to discuss human trafficking. Discourses on consent were found to be key areas of contention in most constructions of human trafficking, with many participants painting trafficked persons as having limited ability to consent to their situation. Groups that are complicit in benefiting from trafficking offenses were rarely named. The implications of obscuring the complicity of those in power while casting vulnerable groups as one‐dimensional victims are discussed.
Influence of social participation on life satisfaction and depression among Chinese elderly: Social support as a mediator
Authors: Li Chunkai , Jiang Shan , Li Na , Zhang Qiunv
Published: December 2017

This study explored the influences of social participation and the mediating effects of social support on the mental health of Chinese elderly based on data from the 2012 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS). The participants comprised 696 older adults in CLASS, including 340 (48.9%) male and 354 (50.9%) female. The mean age of the sample was 68 (standard deviation = 7.08). The results of structural equation modeling showed that social participation was significantly associated with the life satisfaction and depression of the elderly. A high level of social participation was associated with more social support and consequently predicted few depressive symptoms among older adults. However, social support was not significantly associated with life satisfaction of the elderly. Our findings provided cross‐cultural evidence for theories, and had significant implications for social work practice and social policy.
Direct observation of 4‐nitrophenyl disulfide produced from p‐nitrothiophenol in air by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Ling Yun , Xie Wen‐Chang , Wang Wei‐Li , Li Meng‐Kai , Tang Jing , Liu Guo‐Kun , Yan Run‐Wen , Wu De‐Yin
Published: December 2017

Taking the fingerprint characteristics of Raman spectroscopy, the dimerization of p‐nitrothiophenol (PNTP) to 4‐nitrophenyl disulfide in air was investigated, which could be accelerated by the external laser illumination. The dimerization was qualitatively confirmed by both mass spectroscopy experimentally and by Raman spectrum simulated calculations theoretically and quantitatively analyzed by Raman spectroscopy in a simple and quick manner. On the basis of the inductively coupled plasma optical mass spectrometry analysis, the dimerization was possibly ignited by the trace metal residues as catalyst in the PNTP. This study clearly shows that it is very important to strictly and preciously control the experimental conditions of Raman measurement and other laser‐based spectroscopies to avoid any wrong conclusion during the characterization or identification. Different to the plasmon‐induced photochemical reactions, we reported the photochemical reaction of PNTP to 4‐nitrophenyl disulfide, which is free of the plasmoic effect from the metal nanostrucutres. On the other hand, the photochemical dimerization reaction may provide a new and important guideline for the formation of thiols to disulfides.
Stability evaluation of quality parameters for palm oil products at low temperature storage
Authors: Ramli Nur Aainaa Syahirah , Mohd Noor Mohd Azmil , Musa Hajar , Ghazali Razmah
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Palm oil is one of the major oils and fats produced and traded worldwide. The value of palm oil products is mainly influenced by their quality. According to ISO 17025:2005, accredited laboratories require a quality control procedure with respect to monitoring the validity of tests for determination of quality parameters. This includes the regular use of internal quality control using secondary reference materials. Unfortunately, palm oil reference materials are not currently available. To establish internal quality control samples, the stability of quality parameters needs to be evaluated.

RESULTS

In the present study, the stability of quality parameters for palm oil products was examined over 10 months at low temperature storage (6 ± 2 °C). The palm oil products tested included crude palm oil (CPO); refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) palm oil (RBDPO); RBD palm olein (RBDPOo); and RBD palm stearin (RBDPS). The quality parameters of the oils [i.e. moisture content, free fatty acid content (FFA), iodine value (IV), fatty acids composition (FAC) and slip melting point (SMP)] were determined prior to and throughout the storage period. The moisture, FFA, IV, FAC and SMP for palm oil products changed significantly (P < 0.05), whereas the moisture content for CPO, IV for RBDPO and RBDPOo, stearic acid composition for CPO and linolenic acid composition for CPO, RBDPO, RBDPOo and RBDPS did not (P > 0.05). The stability study indicated that the quality of the palm oil products was stable within the specified limits throughout the storage period at low temperature.

CONCLUSION

The storage conditions preserved the quality of palm oil products throughout the storage period. These findings qualify the use of the palm oil products CPO, RBDPO, RBDPOo and RBDPS as control samples in the validation of test results. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparison of sensory and chemical evaluation of lager beer aroma by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Ocvirk Miha , Mlinarič Nataša Kočar , Košir Iztok J
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Although the evaluation of beer is conducted by sensory experts, we cannot neglect the influence of human factors and subjectivity. This problem could be solved by the chemical analysis of the volatile part of beer aroma and, from this, we can build a database for the construction of a model that classifies samples in a comparable manner to sensory assessment.

RESULTS

Twenty‐two batches of the same beer brand were assessed by sensory evaluation and described chemically in terms of the contents of alcohols and esters (n = 9), hop essential oil compounds (n = 15) using gas chromatography (GC) and other aroma volatiles (n = 33) as analysed by head space solid‐phase microextraction (SPME)‐GC/mass spectrometry. The best match of 91% with respect to sample classification on the basis of chemical analyses to sensory scores was achieved with a dataset of results from headspace‐SPME and analyses of higher alcohols and esters by regularized discriminant analysis.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study show that deviations in beer aroma are not a consequence of a permanent repeatable error in brewing process, nor are they influenced by raw materials, but, instead, they are a consequence of alcoholic fermentation. Sensory analysis could be replaced with chemical/statistical analysis on an appropriate data set and for a distinct beer brand. The good results achieved confirm our approach; however, for different beer brands or types, this method should be optimised. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Laminaria digitata phlorotannins decrease protein degradation and methanogenesis during in vitro ruminal fermentation
Authors: Vissers Anne M , Pellikaan Wilbert F , Bouwhuis Anouk , Vincken Jean‐Paul , Gruppen Harry , Hendriks Wouter H
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Phlorotannins (PhTs) are marine tannins consisting of phloroglucinol subunits connected via carbon–carbon and ether linkages. These have non‐covalent protein binding properties and are, therefore, expected to be beneficial in protecting protein from hydrolysis during ruminal fermentation. In this study, the effectiveness of a methanolic PhTs extract from Laminaria digitata (10, 20, 40, 50, 75 and 100 g kg−1 tannin‐free grass silage, with or without addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG), was investigated in vitro on protection of dietary protein and reduction of methane (CH4) in ruminal fluid.

RESULTS

Addition of PhTs had linear (P < 0.0001) and quadratic (P = 0.0003) effects on gas and CH4 production, respectively. Optimal dosage of PhTs was 40 g kg−1 as at this point CH4 decreased (P < 0.0001) from 24.5 to 15.2 mL g−1 organic matter (OM), without affecting gas production (P = 0.3115) and total volatile fatty acids (P = 1.000). Ammonia trended (P = 0.0903) to decrease from 0.49 to 0.39 mmol g−1 OM, indicating protection of protein. Addition of PEG inhibited the effect of tannins at all dosage levels, and none of the fermentation parameters differed from the control.

CONCLUSION

PhTs effectively protected protein from fermentation and reduced ruminal methanogenesis. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Stable isotope analysis of micronekton around Hawaii reveals suspended particles are an important nutritional source in the lower mesopelagic and upper bathypelagic zones
Authors: Gloeckler Kristen , Choy C. Anela , Hannides Cecelia C. S. , Close Hilary G. , Goetze Erica , Popp Brian N. , Drazen Jeffrey C.
Published: December 2017

Several studies have found that the respiratory demand for carbon by the mesopelagic community exceeds carbon supply through the particulate sinking flux by up to two to three orders of magnitude, suggesting that mesopelagic communities rely on additional overlooked carbon sources. Suspended particles (defined as 0.7–53 μm) have been suggested as one of these sources but few studies have evaluated their contribution to the mesopelagic food web. We use amino acid compound‐specific nitrogen isotope analysis to investigate whether suspended particles are an important nutritional source to fish, cephalopod, and crustacean micronekton species in the central North Pacific. Our results suggest that micronekton feed from food webs fueled by a variety of nutritional sources including surface dwelling phytoplankton and bacteria, sinking particles, and suspended particles, with micronekton becoming more reliant on suspended particles with increasing habitat depth. Several species were identified as feeding from a primarily suspended particle‐based food web including the fishes Cyema atrum, Cyclothone pallida, Melanocetus johnsonii, Serrivomer sector, and the pelagic octopod Japetella diaphana. We also found that micronekton species feeding from a suspended particle food web cannot be identified using bulk tissue δ15N values. Our data support the notion that suspended particles are an important nutritional source in the lower mesopelagic and upper bathypelagic and they should be accounted for when estimating carbon supply for these communities.
Enhanced Intracellular Delivery of siRNA by Controlling ATP‐Responsivity of Phenylboronic Acid‐Functionalized Polyion Complex Micelles
Authors: Naito Mitsuru , Yoshinaga Naoto , Ishii Takehiko , Matsumoto Akira , Miyahara Yuji , Miyata Kanjiro , Kataoka Kazunori
Published: December 2017

Intracellular delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a long‐standing challenge in oligonucleotide therapeutics. Herein, adenosine triphosphate (ATP)‐responsive polyion complex micelles assembled from poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐poly(l‐lysine) (PEG–PLys) bearing 4‐carboxy‐3‐fluorophenylboronic acid (FPBA) moiety in the PLys side chains (FPBA micelle) for the delivery of cholesterol‐modified siRNA (Chol‐siRNA) are described. The pKa of FPBA moiety is 7.2 and, therefore, it exists in equilibrium between negatively charged tetravalent and noncharged hydrophobic trivalent forms in physiological pH conditions. Each form cooperatively stabilizes the micelle in distinct modes, that is, a covalent ester‐linkage between charged boronate and ribose functionality at 3′ ends of Chol‐siRNA and a hydrophobic interaction between noncharged boronic acid and Chol‐siRNA. When exposed to ATP at a concentration associated with the intracellular environment, the Chol‐siRNA/boronate linkage is readily cleaved to facilitate the release of Chol‐siRNA into cytoplasm. In order to further optimize this switching capability, the effect of FPBA modification rate is studied for the resulting ATP‐responsive behavior of the micelles. As a result, the range of 23–35% in the modification rate is found suitable to maximize the gene silencing efficiency, demonstrating the potential of the FPBA‐modified micelles as ATP‐responsive smart siRNA carrier systems.
Therapeutic Considerations and Conjugated Polymer‐Based Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Meng Zihui , Hou Weiying , Zhou Hua , Zhou Libo , Chen Haobin , Wu Changfeng
Published: December 2017

Conjugated polymers have recently attracted a great deal of attention for applications in photodynamic therapy (PDT) because of their light‐harvesting capability, efficient energy transfer, and singlet oxygen generation properties. This review describes recent advances in PDT development, including therapeutic mechanisms of PDT in cancer treatments, light excitation methods, and especially recent advances of conjugated polyelectrolytes and conjugated polymer nanoparticles as photosensitizers. The future direction on PDT and further development of conjugated polymer photosensitizers are discussed. The aim of this review is to stimulate innovative ideas to synthesize a new generation of conjugated polymer photosensitizers and promote their translation to clinical applications of PDT.
Water‐Stable Nanoporous Polymer Films with Excellent Proton Conductivity
Authors: Wang Zhengbang , Liang Cong , Tang Haolin , Grosjean Sylvain , Shahnas Artak , Lahann Joerg , Bräse Stefan , Wöll Christof
Published: December 2017

Achieving high values for proton conductivity in a material critically depends on providing hopping sites arranged in a regular fashion. Record values reported for regular, molecular crystals cannot yet be reached by technologically relevant systems, and the best values measured for polymer membranes suited for integration into devices are almost two orders of magnitude lower. Here, an alternative polymer membrane synthesis strategy based on the chemical modification of surface‐mounted, monolithic, crystalline metal–organic framework thin films is demonstrated. Due to chemical crosslinking and subsequent removal of metal ions, these surface‐mounted gels (SURGELs) are found to exhibit high proton conductivity (0.1 S cm−1 at 30 °C and 100% RH (relative humidity). These record values are attributed to the highly ordered polymer network structure containing regularly spaced carboxylic acid side groups. These covalently bound organic frameworks outperform conventional, ion‐conductive polymers with regard to ion conductivity and water stability. Pronounced water‐induced swelling, which causes severe mechanical instabilities in commercial membranes, is not observed.
A Mesoscopic Model with Vectorial Structure Parameter for Interacting Star Polymers
Authors: Fitzgerald Barry W. , Briels Wim J.
Published: December 2017

An updated mesoscopic model for transient forces between two star polymers is presented. Calculation of the transient forces is based on the response of a vectorial structure parameter between two star polymers and differs from previous models that used a scalar structure parameter. The update of the model is motivated by the occurrence of two distinct processes in previous small‐scale simulations of two star polymers moving past each other. A simple model that takes these processes into account turns out to fit into an obvious generalization of the RaPiD model introduced by us some time ago. The model reproduces forces from the simulation quite well, and at the same time removes an unphysical feature of the RaPiD model used so far.
An adaptive motion regularization technique to support sliding motion in deformable image registration
Authors: Fu Yabo , Liu Shi , Li H. Harold , Li Hua , Yang Deshan
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Isotropic smoothing has been conventionally used to regularize deformation vector fields (DVFs) in deformable image registration (DIR). However, the isotropic smoothing method enforces global smoothness and therefore cannot accurately model the complex tissue deformation, such as sliding motion at organ boundaries. To accurately model and estimate sliding tissue motion, an adaptive direction‐dependent DVF regularization technique was developed in this study.

Methods

A DVF is computed and updated iteratively by minimizing the intensity differences between the images. In each iteration, the DVF was smoothed using an adaptive direction‐dependent filter which enforces different motion propagation mechanisms along the primary normal and tangential directions of soft tissue local structures. A Gaussian isotropic filter was used along the normal direction while a bilateral filter was used along the tangential direction. To support large sliding motion, an automatic method was developed to delineate sliding surfaces, such as the chest wall and abdominal wall, where large organ sliding motion occurs. Parameters of the DVF regularization were adjusted adaptively based on a distance map to the sliding surfaces. The proposed method was tested on 14 4D‐CT datasets at End‐Inhalation (EI) and End‐Exhalation (EE) phases of a respiratory cycle (10 public lung datasets, 3 upper abdomen datasets and 1 digital phantom dataset). TRE results of the 10 lung datasets were compared to results from six other existing DIR methods. For the three upper abdomen patient datasets, DIR accuracy was evaluated using manually defined landmarks across the lung and the abdomen. For the digital phantom dataset, DIR accuracy was evaluated using the ground truth displacement of a total 40,000 points that were evenly distributed across the phantom.

Results

The results showed that the sliding motion was preserved near the surface of chest wall and abdominal wall. The average target registration error (TRE) was reduced by 35.1% using the proposed method in comparison with five other methods on the 10 lung datasets. The sum of squared difference (SSD) after registration using the proposed method was 4.4% and 11.4% smaller than the SSDs obtained using isotropic smoothing and bilateral smoothing respectively. On the digital phantom, the average TRE was reduced by 59.6% near the surface of liver and by 53.7% near the surface of spleen using the proposed method. Contour propagation and Jacobian determinant analysis of DVF suggested an overall improved accuracy using the proposed method.

Conclusion

An adaptive direction‐dependent DVF regularization method has been developed to model the sliding tissue motion of the thoracic and abdominal organs. The overall motion estimation accuracy has been improved especially near the chest wall and abdominal wall where large organ sliding motion occurs.
Necessary/sufficient conditions for Pareto optimum in cooperative difference game
Authors: Lin Yaning , Zhang Weihai
Published: December 2017

This paper is concerned with the necessary/sufficient conditions for the Pareto optimum of the cooperative difference game in finite horizon. Utilizing the necessary and sufficient characterization of the Pareto optimum, the problem is transformed into a set of constrained optimal control problems with a special structure. Employing the discrete version of Pontryagin's maximum principle, the necessary conditions for the existence of the Pareto solutions are derived. Under certain convex assumptions, it is shown that the necessary conditions are sufficient too. Next, the obtained results are extended to the linear‐quadratic case. For a fixed initial state, the necessary conditions resulting from the maximum principle and the convexity condition on the cost functional provide the necessary and sufficient description of the well‐posedness of the weighted sum optimal control problem. For an arbitrary initial state, the solvability of the related difference Riccati equation provides a sufficient condition under which the Pareto‐efficient strategies are equivalent to the weighted sum optimal controls. In addition, all Pareto solutions are derived based on the solutions of a set of difference equations. Two examples show the effectiveness of the proposed results.
Properties of Compatible Soy Protein Isolate/Polycaprolactone Composite with Special Interface Structure
Authors: Wu Qiangxian , Ma Nian , Liu Ting , Koranteng Ernest
Published: December 2017

It is important to improve the compatibility and ultimately the properties of biobased polymer materials as alternative materials for non‐degradable polymer materials. In this study, polyurethane prepolymer (PUP) was synthesized from PCL diols, and the PUP with special structure was used as a compatibilizer to improve the compatibility between hydrophilic soy protein isolate (SPI) and hydrophobic PCL composites. The structure and properties of the soy protein isolate‐polycaprolactone (SPI‐PCL) composites were investigated. The results showed that the mechanical properties such as the tensile strength, impact strength, and bending strength of the modified composites were increased as compared to un‐modified composites, respectively. Also, the SEM results showed that the interfacial adhesion between the hydrophobic PCL and hydrophilic SPI was also enhanced because of the existence of compatible PU interfacial layer in the composites. Clearly, the strong urethane linkage interaction between the PU interfacial layer and the SPI particles, and the PCL–PCL crystallinity interactions between the PU interfacial layer and PCL matrix were responsible for the improved compatibility in the SPI–PCL composites. Therefore, the addition of the PUP with the special structure improved the compatibility and the properties of the SPI–PCL composites significantly. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E383–E391, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Validity of diagnostic codes to identify hospitalizations for infections among patients treated with oral anti‐diabetic drugs
Authors: Saine M. Elle , Gizaw Mona , Carbonari Dean M. , Newcomb Craig W. , Roy Jason A. , Cardillo Serena , Esposito Daina B. , Bhullar Harshvinder , Gallagher Arlene M. , Strom Brian L. , Lo Re Vincent
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Identification of hospitalizations for infection is important for post‐marketing surveillance of drugs, but the validity of using diagnosis codes to identify these events is unknown. Differentiating between hospitalization for and with infection is important, as the latter is common and less likely to arise from pre‐admission exposure to drugs. We determined positive predictive values (PPVs) of diagnostic coding‐based algorithms to identify hospitalization for infection among patients prescribed oral anti‐diabetic drugs (OADs).

Methods

We identified patients initiating OADs within 2 United States claims databases (Medicare, HealthCore Integrated Research DatabaseSM [HIRDSM]) and 2 United Kingdom electronic medical record databases (Clinical Practice Research Datalink [CPRD], The Health Improvement Network [THIN]) from 2009 to 2014. To identify potential hospitalizations for infection, we selected patients with a hospital diagnosis of infection and, within 7 days prior to hospitalization, either an outpatient/emergency department visit with an infection diagnosis or outpatient antimicrobial treatment. Hospital records were reviewed by infectious disease specialists to adjudicate hospital admissions for infection. PPVs for confirmed outcomes were determined for each database.

Results

Code‐based algorithms to identify hospitalization for infection had PPVs exceeding 80% within Medicare (PPV, 83% [90/109]; 95% CI, 74–89%), HIRDSM (PPV, 89% [73/82]; 95% CI, 80–95%), and THIN (PPV, 86% [12/14]; 95% CI, 57–98%) but not within CPRD (PPV, 67% [14/21]; 95% CI, 43–85%).

Conclusions

Algorithms identifying hospitalization for infection utilizing hospital diagnoses along with antecedent outpatient/emergency infection diagnoses or antimicrobial therapy had sufficiently high PPVs for confirmed events within Medicare, HIRDSM, and THIN to enable their use for pharmacoepidemiologic research.
Effect of glass bead size and content on the thermomechanical properties of polyethylene composites
Authors: Chimeni Désiré Y. , Vallée Étienne , Sorelli Luca , Rodrigue Denis
Published: December 2017

This work investigates the effect glass bead size (80 < Φ < 120 μm and 170 < Φ < 325 μm) and content (0, 20, 40, and 60 wt%) on the properties of virgin and recycled polyethylene (LDPE) composites. In particular, the composites were produced by simple dry‐blending and compression molding. From the samples produced, a morphological analysis was used to explain the properties of the composites in terms of physical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The results showed that the main failure was particle pull‐out due to poor interfacial adhesion. As expected, the density, tensile modulus, and storage modulus increased with glass content, while creep and recovery substantially decreased. In all cases, smaller particle sizes had a more important effect on the composite behavior due to their higher specific surface area. Overall, significant difference was observed between virgin and recycled LDPE due to the presence of contamination in the latter. Nevertheless, the results show that virgin polyethylene can be substituted by recycled polyethylene reinforced by glass particles, especially when smaller sizes are used and these materials can find applications as indoor or outdoor floor tiles. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1826–1836, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
An evaluation of three different techniques for melt impregnation of glass fiber bundles with polyamide 12
Authors: Van De Steene Willem , Verstockt Jan , Degrieck Joris , Ragaert Kim , Cardon Ludwig
Published: December 2017

In this research, three different techniques for melt impregnation of glass fiber bundles with polyamide 12 are assessed with the aim of creating a high strength and modulus material suitable for extrusion based additive manufacturing. Impregnation quality of three production techniques: “Pultrusion”, “PassivePin”, and “ActivePin” were analyzed using three methods: matrix material mass fraction (Mm) determination, scanning electron microscopy of composite fracture surfaces and optical microscopy of polished composite cross sections. Pultrusion material has an overall poor impregnation degree (Di) and fiber distribution and dispersion, the specimens lack mechanical strength and show fiber pull‐out due to the excessive voids in the matrix. The PassivePin material has a significantly higher Di and a better fiber distribution, which results in less voids in the matrix and limited fiber pull‐out. Finally, the ActivePin material scores significantly higher in Di and shows an excellent fiber distribution. As a consequence, very limited voids are observed and an even fracture surface without fiber pull‐out is obtained. It is concluded that the ActivePin technique would be a great choice for application in an extrusion‐based AM process, this method could allow for production of high strength and stiffness objects. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:601–608, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Luminescence performance of poly(aryl ether)s membranes with different morphologies
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyan , Xu Xiao , Liu Yuan , Wang Chenyi
Published: December 2017

In this report, different morphologies of poly(aryl ether)s (PAEs) fibers were prepared via an electrospinning method. It is interesting that the fibers with relatively large diameter possessed strong fluorescence intensity. Meanwhile, photoluminescence spectra indicated that the PAEs fibers exhibited the following luminescence characteristics (excitation wavelength (nm); color): 330‐380, blue and 450‐490, green. The color stability in solid state could be attributed to the chromophore and proper inter‐chain aggregation. The water contact angle of fiber membrane was improved compared to that of flat film, it could reach to the 158°. The hydrophobic and superhydrophobic of electrospun membrane were mainly caused by the rough surface. Moreover, these PAEs fibers also showed excellent thermal stability with glass‐transition temperatures in the range of 251‐298°C, 10% weight loss temperatures in the range of 534‐558°C, and the weight residue more than 53% at 800°C in nitrogen. This study extended a potential application in special textiles, optoelectronic sensors, and optical detectors. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1945–1954, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers