bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retracted: MicroRNA‐421 suppresses the apoptosis and autophagy of hippocampal neurons in epilepsy mice model by inhibition of the TLR/MYD88 pathway
Authors: Wen Xin , Han Xin‐Rui , Wang Yong‐Jian , Wang Shan , Shen Min , Zhang Zi‐Feng , Fan Shao‐Hua , Shan Qun , Wang Liang , Li Meng‐Qiu , Hu Bin , Sun Chun‐Hui , Wu Dong‐Mei , Lu Jun , Zheng Yuan‐Lin
Published: January 2018

Epilepsy is a group of neurological disorders characterized by epileptic seizures. In this study, we aim to explore the role of microRNA‐421 (miR‐421) in hippocampal neurons of epilepsy mice via the TLR/MYD88 pathway. Forty mice were randomly served as the normal and model (established as epilepsy model) groups. Hippocampal neurons were assigned into seven groups with different transfections. The RT‐qPCR and western blotting were conducted to examine the expression of miR‐421 TLR2, TLR4, MYD88, Bax, Bcl‐2, p53, Beclin‐1, and LC3II/LC3I. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by MTT and flow cytometry.MYD88 is a target gene of miR‐421. Model mice showed elevated expression of TLR2, TLR4, MYD88, Bax, p53, Beclin‐1, and LC3II/LC3I but reduced expression of miR‐421 and Bcl‐2. In vitro experiments reveals that overexpression of miR‐421 inhibited the TLR/MYD88 pathway. Besides, overexpressed miR‐421 declined cell apoptosis but increased cell proliferation. It reveals that miR‐421 targeting MYD88 could inhibit the apoptosis and autophagy of hippocampal neurons in epilepsy mice by down‐regulating the TLR/MYD88 pathway.
hmSOD1 gene mutation‐induced disturbance in iron metabolism is mediated by impairment of Akt signalling pathway
Authors: Halon‐Golabek Malgorzata , Borkowska Andzelika , Kaczor Jan J. , Ziolkowski Wieslaw , Flis Damian J. , Knap Narcyz , Kasperuk Kajetan , Antosiewicz Jedrzej
Published: January 2018

Background

Recently, skeletal muscle atrophy, impairment of iron metabolism, and insulin signalling have been reported in rats suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the interrelationship between these changes has not been studied. We hypothesize that an impaired Akt–FOXO3a signalling pathway triggers changes in the iron metabolism in the muscles of transgenic animals.

Methods

In the present study, we used transgenic rats bearing the G93A hmSOD1 gene and their non‐transgenic littermates. The study was performed on the muscles taken from animals at three different stages of the disease: asymptomatic (ALS I), the onset of the disease (ALS II), and the terminal stage of the disease (ALS III). In order to study the molecular mechanism of changes in iron metabolism, we used SH‐SY5Y and C2C12 cell lines stably transfected with pcDNA3.1, SOD1 WT and SOD1 G93A, or FOXO3a TM‐ER.

Results

A significant decrease in P‐Akt level and changes in iron metabolism were observed even in the group of ALS I animals. This was accompanied by an increase in the active form of FOXO3a, up‐regulation of atrogin‐1, and catalase. However, significant muscle atrophy was observed in ALS II animals. An increase in ferritin L and H was accompanied by a rise in PCBP1 and APP protein levels. In SH‐SY5Y cells stably expressing SOD1 or SOD1 G93A, we observed elevated levels of ferritin L and H and non‐haem iron. Interestingly, insulin treatment significantly down‐regulated ferritin L and H proteins in the cell. Conversely, cells transfected with small interfering RNA against Akt 1, 2, 3, respectively, showed a significant increase in the ferritin and FOXO3a levels. In order to assess the role of FOXO3a in the ferritin expression, we constructed a line of SH‐SY5Y cells that expressed a fusion protein made of FOXO3a fused at the C‐terminus with the ligand‐binding domain of the oestrogen receptor (TM‐ER) being activated by 4‐hydroxytamoxifen. Treatment of the cells with 4‐hydroxytamoxifen significantly up‐regulated ferritin L and H proteins level.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that impairment of insulin signalling and iron metabolism in the skeletal muscle precedes muscle atrophy and is mediated by changes in Akt/FOXO3a signalling pathways.
A note on a precursor of behavioral momentum
Authors: Morris Edward K. , Luckey Charryse F.
Published: January 2018

This is a historical note on a precursor of the concept of behavioral momentum in the late 1950s and early 1960s, in particular, Charles B. description of it in terms of behavioral durability. The note is based largely on two email exchanges we had with John A. (Tony) Nevin, who offered insights on behavioral momentum as a term and a concept that are fit to be public on the occasion of this issue of the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior in his honor. Nevin addressed graduate work at Columbia University, the Newtonian analogy, the term behavioral momentum, and precursors of his work that are now lost in history. Ferster's description, though, was more compellingly modern than the others and the one first based in research on human operant behavior.
Ra‐224 labeling of calcium carbonate microparticles for internal α‐therapy: Preparation, stability, and biodistribution in mice
Authors: Westrøm Sara , Malenge Marion , Jorstad Ida Sofie , Napoli Elisa , Bruland Øyvind S. , Bønsdorff Tina B. , Larsen Roy H.
Published: January 2018

Internal therapy with α‐emitters should be well suited for micrometastatic disease. Radium‐224 emits multiple α‐particles through its decay and has a convenient 3.6 days of half‐life. Despite its attractive properties, the use of 224Ra has been limited to bone‐seeking applications because it cannot be stably bound to a targeting molecule. Alternative delivery systems for 224Ra are therefore of considerable interest. In this study, calcium carbonate microparticles are proposed as carriers for 224Ra, designed for local therapy of disseminated cancers in cavitary regions, such as peritoneal carcinomatosis. Calcium carbonate microparticles were radiolabeled by precipitation of 224Ra on the particle surface, resulting in high labeling efficiencies for both 224Ra and daughter 212Pb and retention of more than 95% of these nuclides for up to 1 week in vitro. The biodistribution after intraperitoneal administration of the 224Ra‐labeled CaCO3 microparticles in immunodeficient mice revealed that the radioactivity mainly remained in the peritoneal cavity. In addition, the systemic distribution of 224Ra was found to be strongly dependent on the amount of administered microparticles, with a reduced skeletal uptake of 224Ra with increasing dose. The results altogether suggest that the 224Ra‐labeled CaCO3 microparticles have promising properties for use as a localized internal α‐therapy of cavitary cancers.
Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) as a means to monitor cerebral hematoma treatment
Authors: Zhang Yuyao , Wei Hongjiang , Sun Yawen , Cronin Matthew J. , He Naying , Xu Jianrong , Zhou Yan , Liu Chunlei
Published: January 2018

Background

Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) offers a consistent hemorrhage volume measurement independent of imaging parameters.

Purpose

To investigate the magnetic susceptibility of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) as a quantitative measurement for monitoring treatment in hematoma patients.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

Twenty‐six patients with acute ICH were recruited and enrolled in treatment including surgery or medication (mannitol) for 1 week.

Field Strength/Sequence

A 3D gradient echo sequence at 3.0T.

Assessment

The hematoma volumes on computed tomography (CT) and QSM were calculated and used for correlation analysis. Magnetic susceptibility changes from pre‐ to posttreatment were calculated and compared to the National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) measure of neurological deficit for each patient.

Statistical Tests

Mean susceptibility values were calculated over each region of interest (ROI). A one‐sample t‐test was used to assess the changes of total volumes and mean magnetic susceptibility of ICH identified between pre‐ and posttreatment images (P < 0.05 was considered significant) and the Bland–Altman analysis with 95% limits of agreement (average difference, ±1.96 SD of the difference). Regression of volume measurements on QSM vs. CT and fitted linear regression of mean susceptibility vs. CT signal intensity for hematoma regions were conducted in all patients.

Results

Good correlation was found between hemorrhage volumes calculated from CT and QSM (CT volume = 0.94*QSM volume, r = 0.98). Comparison of QSM pre‐ and posttreatment showed that the mean ICH volume was reduced by a statistically insignificant amount from 5.74 cm3 to 5.45 cm3 (P = 0.21), while mean magnetic susceptibility was reduced significantly from 0.48 ppm to 0.38 ppm (P = 0.004). A significant positive association was found between changes in magnetic susceptibility values and NIHSS following hematoma treatment (P < 0.01).

Data Conclusions

QSM in hematoma assessment, as compared with CT, offers a comparably accurate volume measurement; however, susceptibility measurements may enable improved monitoring of ICH treatment compared to volume measurements alone.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:907–915.
Catechol 2,3‐dioxygenase from a new phenolic compound degrader Thauera sp. K11: purification and biochemical characterization
Authors: Xi Lijun , Liu Dejian , Wang Lingling , Qiao Nenghu , Liu Jianguo
Published: January 2018

Catechol 2,3‐dioxygenase (C23O) from a new phenolic compound degrader Thauera sp. K11 was purified and characterized. The native form of the enzyme was determined as a homotetramer with a molecular weight of 140 kDa, and its isoelectric point was close to 6.4. One iron per enzyme subunit was detected using atom absorption spectroscopy, and the effective size of C23O in its dilute solution (0.2 g L−1, pH 8.0) was 14.5 nm. The optimal pH and temperature were 8.4 and 45 °C, respectively. The addition of Mg2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, and Mn2+ could improve the enzyme activity, while Ag+ was found to be a strong inhibitor. C23O was stable in alkali conditions (pH 7.6–11.0) and thermostable below 50 °C. The final purified C23O had a sheet content of 53%, consistent with the theoretical value. This showed that the purified catechol 2,3‐dioxygenase folded with a reasonable secondary structure.
Evaluation of regional very heavy precipitation events during the summer season using NARCCAP contemporary simulations
Authors: Kawazoe Sho , Gutowski William J.
Published: January 2018

Regional climate models (RCMs) from the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP) are compared with the two gridded precipitation data sets [Climate Prediction Center (CPC) and the University of Washington (UW)] and the North American regional reanalysis (NARR) to examine if RCMs are able to reproduce very heavy precipitation under similar physical conditions seen in observations. The analysis focuses on contemporary climate (1982–1999) in an upper Mississippi region during the summer (June–July–August) months and utilizes output from NARCCAP RCMs forced with a reanalysis and atmosphere–ocean global climate models (AOGCMs).

The NARCCAP models generally reproduce the precipitation frequency versus intensity spectrum seen in observations up to around 25 mm day−1, before producing overly strong precipitation at high intensities. CRCM simulations produce lower precipitation amounts than the rest of the models and observations past the 25 mm day−1 threshold. Further analysis focuses on precipitation events exceeding the 99.5th percentile that occur simultaneously at several points in the region, yielding ‘widespread events’. Apart from the CRCM and EPC2 simulations, models and observations produce peaks in widespread events during 0300–0900 UTC, although the models typically produce slightly weaker intensities compared to observations. Widespread precipitation falls too frequently throughout the day, especially between 1500 and 2100 UTC, compared to observations. Composite precipitation shows inter‐model differences in magnitude and location of widespread events. Examination of additional fields shows that NARCCAP models produce credible representations of very heavy precipitation and their supporting environments when compared to the NARR.
Forecasting seasonal rainfall characteristics and onset months over South Africa
Authors: Phakula Steven , Landman Willem A. , Beraki Asmerom F.
Published: January 2018

Aspects of forecast skill in predicting seasonal characteristics using global climate models (GCMs) are assessed over South Africa. The GCMs output is configured to predict number of rainfall days at South African Weather Service stations exceeding pre‐defined threshold values for the austral summer seasons and to predict the rainfall totals of the onset months of the rainy seasons for eight homogeneous rainfall regions of South Africa. Using canonical correlation analysis (CCA) as statistical downscaling technique through model output statistics, the forecast skill levels of coupled ocean–atmosphere and uncoupled atmospheric models are determined through retro‐actively generated hindcasts. Both downscaled models have skill in predicting low and high number of rainfall days exceeding pre‐defined thresholds for the austral summer seasons as well as rainfall totals of onset months. In addition to the forecast verification results, CCA pattern is performed to determine the dominating atmospheric circulation systems predicted to be controlling rainfall variations for the seasons and months of interest. CCA patterns for both the GCMs indicate that usually when there are anomalously negative (positive) predicted 850 hPa geopotential heights over South Africa, there are anomalously wet (dry) conditions over most parts of South Africa. The work has paved the way for the operational production of seasonal rainfall characteristics over South Africa in real time.
Superensemble seasonal forecasting of soil moisture by NMME
Authors: Yao Mengna , Yuan Xing
Published: January 2018

Soil moisture affects hydro‐climate processes by altering water and energy exchanges between land surface and atmosphere. Understanding of the predictability of soil moisture is not only important for a skillful forecasting of seasonal hydro‐climate, but also for agricultural drought early warning. This paper assesses seasonal forecast skill and potential predictability of soil moisture directly produced by climate models, and investigates an optimal combination of different models over China. A set of 29‐year hindcasts for soil moisture from six North American Multi‐model Ensemble (NMME) models are verified against ERA Interim reanalysis. Results show that soil moisture predictability, which is defined by anomaly correlation under a perfect model assumption, is higher than forecast skill in all models, suggesting that soil moisture prediction may have a room for improvement. Except the CESM model, NMME climate forecast models with higher predictability also have higher forecast skill, where predictability is positively correlated with forecast skill with p < 0.01 across different lead times. Soil moisture forecast skill from NMME simple arithmetic mean is higher than any individual models, and the skill is further improved through an optimization of model weights with a cross validation procedure. As compared with simple ensemble mean, the optimized superensemble mean reduces root mean squared error by 19 and 7% for seasonal mean soil moisture forecast during winter and summer seasons, respectively, and increases correlation by about 10%. This study suggests that soil moisture forecasts directly produced by climate models, when combined appropriately, can provide useful information for climate service.
Sequentially shifted excitation: A tool for suppression of laser‐induced fluorescence in mineralogical applications using portable Raman spectrometers
Authors: Culka Adam , Jehlička Jan
Published: January 2018

Laser‐induced fluorescence is a phenomenon that can be encountered in the Raman spectra of minerals, and it complicates the acquisition of high quality Raman spectra when using portable instruments. A novel portable Raman spectrometer utilizing sequentially shifted excitation was used for analyses of the minerals anhydrite, apatite, and zircon that frequently exhibit laser‐induced fluorescence, especially when 785 nm excitation is used. Fluorescence centers, responsible for the laser‐induced fluorescence in these minerals, are generated primarily by the presence of rare earth elements. The narrow and intense fluorescence bands that arise can be confused with or mask the Raman bands of the minerals when analyzing with the conventional 785 nm excitation. It has been found that the fluorescence is completely removed in those spectral regions containing no Raman bands of the minerals. In the areas of those Raman spectra of minerals where the fluorescence and Raman bands coincide, the sequentially shifted excitation was able to suppress effectively the fluorescence. In some cases, the fluorescence removal process in the final spectra of the most fluorescence samples introduced new instrumental artifact bands. Nevertheless, the sequentially shifted excitation was able to suppress this specific laser‐induced fluorescence quite effectively; and Raman features became well pronounced, especially for the zircon specimens. This novel approach of obtaining high quality Raman spectra of minerals containing trace amounts of fluorescence‐inducing components (such as rare earth elements) with portable instrumentation opens up new possibilities for in situ spectroscopic analyses in the fields of mineralogy and geology.
The quality is in the eye of the beholder: The perspective of FTIR and UV resonant Raman spectroscopies on extracted nucleic acids
Authors: Zucchiatti P. , Latella K. , Birarda G. , Vaccari L. , Rossi B. , Gessini A. , Masciovecchio C. , D'Amico F.
Published: January 2018

The quality of a sample has always to be considered with respect to its purposes and to the technique used for assessing it. The aim of this work is to point out the most common interfering agents that vibrational spectroscopists may find when analyzing nucleic acids extracted from cellular cultures. Fourier transformed infrared and ultraviolet‐resonant Raman measurements have been carried out on DNA and RNA samples extracted from B16 cell cultures by standard protocols used in molecular biology. The routinely adopted quality control procedure, based on ultraviolet spectrophotometry absorption measurements, could only indicate the absence of protein, phenol, or other contaminants that absorb strongly at or near 280 nm. However, DNA and RNA samples of good quality from a biological perspective clearly showed the presence of chemicals interfering with the vibrational measurements, mainly ethanol and guanidinium salts. Here, we propose fast and inexpensive strategies for tailoring the extraction protocols in light of the requirements of both vibrational spectroscopies that allowed obtaining nucleic acid samples with ethanol concentration below the detection limit of both techniques and with a significantly reduced spectral interference from guanidinium salts.
Responses of the large centric diatom Coscinodiscus sp. to interactions between warming, elevated CO2, and nitrate availability
Authors: Qu Pingping , Fu Feixue , Hutchins David A.
Published: January 2018

Marine ecosystems are facing multiple anthropogenic global changes, including ocean acidification, warming, and reduced nutrient supplies. Together, these will challenge phytoplankton including large centric diatoms such as Coscinodiscus sp., a group that is important to ocean food webs and carbon export. We investigated the interactive effects of warming, elevated CO2, and nitrate availability on Coscinodiscus growth, elemental stoichiometry, and Fe and C uptake rates in a four‐treatment factorial experiment combining two CO2 levels (∼400 ppm and 800 ppm) and two temperatures (16°C and 20°C) across seven nitrate concentrations (1–100 μmol L−1). Higher temperatures led to higher maximum growth rates (μmax), but also higher half‐saturation constants for nitrate (K1/2), while elevated CO2 increased K1/2 only at the warmer temperature. Lower μmax/K1/2 ratios under warming and rising CO2 indicated a higher nitrate requirement at these conditions. High temperature decreased cellular P and Si contents and consequently increased N : P and C : Si ratios, especially at ambient CO2. Fe : C uptake ratios responded positively to lower nitrate levels, lower CO2, and warming. Significant interactions between nitrate availability and temperature or CO2 were observed for specific growth rates, chlorophyll a and Si contents, Fe : C, N : P, and Si : C, while temperature and CO2 interactions were only significant for μmax/K1/2 and cellular P content. The mutual interactions among CO2 concentrations, temperature, and nitrate supply may all affect future growth, physiology, and carbon export by Coscinodiscus sp., however, in general warming and nitrate availability appear to be more influential than CO2.
Investigation of rheological and mechanical properties of wood flour reinforced polypropylene
Authors: Güldaş A. , Zeyveli M. , Kaya S. , Altuğ M.
Published: January 2018

This study aims to investigate the rheological and mechanical properties of polypropylene when reinforced by wood flour. In the study, wood flour (WF) was added as filling material to polypropylene (PP), and its effects were investigated. The grain size of the wood flour was 300 μm. Wood flour was mixed into polypropylene material at different rates of weight. Viscosity changes of the polypropylene at various temperatures and pressure values of the concentration rates were documented. As a result, viscosity increases as the amount of wood flour filling is increased; yet as temperature, pressure and shear rate are increased, viscosity decreases. The study also focuses on the changes in its mechanical properties of polypropylene reinforced with wood flour. The tensile strength of reinforced polypropylene at varying percentages (wt. 5 %, wt. 10 % and wt. 15 %) was observed to decrease by 11 %, 16 % and 21 %, respectively, compared to that of non‐reinforced polypropylene. Additionally, impact tests showed that the highest energy absorption was in 10 % wood flour reinforced polypropylene.
Isotropic resolution diffusion tensor imaging of lumbosacral and sciatic nerves using a phase‐corrected diffusion‐prepared 3D turbo spin echo
Authors: Cervantes Barbara , Van Anh T. , Weidlich Dominik , Kooijman Hendrick , Hock Andreas , Rummeny Ernst J. , Gersing Alexandra , Kirschke Jan S. , Karampinos Dimitrios C.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

To perform in vivo isotropic‐resolution diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of lumbosacral and sciatic nerves with a phase‐navigated diffusion‐prepared (DP) 3D turbo spin echo (TSE) acquisition and modified reconstruction incorporating intershot phase‐error correction and to investigate the improvement on image quality and diffusion quantification with the proposed phase correction.

Methods

Phase‐navigated DP 3D TSE included magnitude stabilizers to minimize motion and eddy‐current effects on the signal magnitude. Phase navigation of motion‐induced phase errors was introduced before readout in 3D TSE. DTI of lower back nerves was performed in vivo using 3D TSE and single‐shot echo planar imaging (ss‐EPI) in 13 subjects. Diffusion data were phase‐corrected per kz plane with respect to T2‐weighted data. The effects of motion‐induced phase errors on DTI quantification was assessed for 3D TSE and compared with ss‐EPI.

Results

Non–phase‐corrected 3D TSE resulted in artifacts in diffusion‐weighted images and overestimated DTI parameters in the sciatic nerve (mean diffusivity [MD] = 2.06 ± 0.45). Phase correction of 3D TSE DTI data resulted in reductions in all DTI parameters (MD = 1.73 ± 0.26) of statistical significance (P ≤ 0.001) and in closer agreement with ss‐EPI DTI parameters (MD = 1.62 ± 0.21).

Conclusion

DP 3D TSE with phase correction allows distortion‐free isotropic diffusion imaging of lower back nerves with robustness to motion‐induced artifacts and DTI quantification errors. Magn Reson Med 80:609–618, 2018. © 2018 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
Convergence of iterative methods based on Neumann series for composite materials: Theory and practice
Authors: Moulinec Hervé , Suquet Pierre , Milton Graeme W.
Published: January 2018

Iterative fast Fourier transform methods are useful for calculating the fields in composite materials and their macroscopic response. By iterating back and forth until convergence, the differential constraints are satisfied in Fourier space and the constitutive law in real space. The methods correspond to series expansions of appropriate operators and to series expansions for the effective tensor as a function of the component moduli. It is shown that the singularity structure of this function can shed much light on the convergence properties of the iterative fast Fourier transform methods. We look at a model example of a square array of conducting square inclusions for which there is an exact formula for the effective conductivity (Obnosov). Theoretically, some of the methods converge when the inclusions have zero or even negative conductivity. However, the numerics do not always confirm this extended range of convergence and show that accuracy is lost after relatively few iterations. There is little point in iterating beyond this. Accuracy improves when the grid size is reduced, showing that the discrepancy is linked to the discretization. Finally, it is shown that none of the 3 iterative schemes investigated overperforms the others for all possible microstructures and all contrasts.
Ultraviolet light and melanoma
Authors: Craig Sarah , Earnshaw Charles H , Virós Amaya
Published: January 2018

Melanoma is a clinically heterogeneous disease, and current strategies for treatment of the primary tumour are based on pathological criteria alone. In the recent past, several DNA‐sequencing and RNA‐sequencing studies of primary and advanced melanoma samples have identified unique relationships between somatic mutations, genomic aberrations, and the genetic fingerprint of ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The recurrent patterns of genomic alterations reveal different disease pathways, drug targets and mechanisms limiting drug response. Here, we examine the known associations between the molecular categories of melanoma and the multidimensional UVR damage. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Noninvasive encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma: Should it also be reclassified in children?
Authors: Mariani Rachel A. , Kadakia Rachel , Arva Nicoleta C.
Published: January 2018

Background

Noninvasive encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (noniEFVPTC) has low risk of adverse outcome in adults, warranting reclassification as noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary‐like nuclear features (NIFTP). In children, thyroid nodules have higher risk of malignancy and it is unknown if encapsulated FVPTC (EFVPTC) and infiltrative FVPTC (IFVPTC) tumors have different behavior. We analyzed the clinicopathologic features of follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) subtypes in our pediatric population to determine if noniEFVPTC has an indolent course as reported in adults.

Procedure

We retrospectively studied all patients diagnosed with FVPTC at our institution. The clinicopathologic characteristics of the histologic subtypes were compared.

Results

Eighteen patients were identified, all treated with total thyroidectomy. No significant differences in age, sex, tumor size, focality, or prior malignancy were detected between subtypes. Extrathyroidal extension had significantly higher incidence in IFVPTC (5/8) compared with EFVPTC (1/10, P = 0.03), translating in significantly more T3 tumors within IFVPTC subtype (5/8), whereas most EFVPTC cases had T1 staging (6/10, T1 vs. T3, P = 0.05). EFVPTC had significantly lower rate of lymph node involvement (N1 in 2/8) compared with IFVPTC (N1 in 8/8, P = 0.003). Only one patient diagnosed with IFVPTC developed extranodal recurrence. When noniEFVPTC and iEFVPTC were separately compared, the noninvasive form showed no propensity for invasive growth (T3 staging: 0/4 vs. 2/6), lymph node metastasis (N1: 0/3 vs. 2/5) or extranodal recurrence.

Conclusion

In children, noniEFVPTC/NIFTP has indolent behavior, warranting consideration of less aggressive management, similar to adults.
Early outcomes and patterns of failure following proton therapy for nonmetastatic intracranial nongerminomatous germ cell tumors
Authors: Mokhtech Meriem , Rotondo Ronny L. , Bradley Julie A. , Sandler Eric S. , Nanda Ronica , Logie Natalie , Aldana Philipp R. , Morris Christopher G. , Indelicato Daniel J.
Published: January 2018

Background

Although dosimetric comparisons demonstrate the advantage of proton therapy (PT) over conventional radiotherapy for nongerminomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCT), clinical outcome data for this rare tumor are lacking. We sought to evaluate outcomes for children with NGGCT treated with PT.

Methods

Between 2007 and 2016, 14 children (median age 11, range, 5–19 years) with nonmetastatic NGGCT were treated with PT after induction chemotherapy. Most (8/14) were mixed germ cell. Five of 14 patients had complete resection of their primary tumor before radiation. Off study, eight patients received 36 Gy (RBE [relative biological effectiveness]) craniospinal irradiation (CSI). On study, two patients received 30.6 Gy (RBE) whole‐ventricle irradiation and four received focal radiation alone. All patients received a total dose of 54 Gy (RBE) to the tumor/tumor bed.

Results

At a median follow‐up of 2.8 years, all patients were alive with no local recurrences. Three‐year progression‐free survival was 86%. Both metastatic recurrences occurred in patients treated with focal radiation alone; one with an immature teratoma developed an isolated spinal recurrence 5 months after treatment. Another with a mixed germ cell tumor developed a multifocal ventricular and shunt tract recurrence 7 months after treatment. Serious toxicity was minimal, including cataracts and hormone deficiency, and limited to children who received CSI.

Conclusion

Early outcomes in children treated for NGGCT suggest the high conformality of PT does not compromise disease control and yields low toxicity. This pattern of failure data adds to growing evidence suggesting chemotherapy followed by focal radiotherapy alone is inadequate in controlling localized NGGCT.
New statin use and left ventricular structure: Estimating long‐term associations in the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)
Authors: Strand Lauren N. , Young Rebekah L. , Bertoni Alain G. , Bluemke David A. , Burke Gregory L. , Lima Joao A. , Sotoodehnia Nona , Psaty Bruce M. , McClelland Robyn L. , Heckbert Susan R. , Delaney Joseph A.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Only small and short‐term studies have evaluated statins in relation to changes in heart structure. We estimated the association between new statin use and 10‐year remodeling of the left ventricle.

Methods

The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis collected data on statin use over approximately 10 years, conducting cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging at baseline and the 10‐year exam. Participants were free of baseline cardiovascular disease, and we excluded users of statins at baseline. Statin initiation was defined as a report of current use at any of the 4 subsequent exams. Primary outcomes were the change in left ventricular mass index (LVMI; % predicted by height, weight, and sex) and mass‐to‐volume ratio. Associations were estimated in a propensity score‐matched analysis.

Results

A total of 3113 participants (53% female; 40% European‐American, 25% African‐American, 22% Hispanic‐American, and 13% Chinese‐American) were eligible; 2431 returned for follow‐up CMR imaging after a median of 9.4 years. Statin therapy (moderate dose, 76%) was started by 36% of participants (N = 872). We excluded 42 participants with incident myocardial infarction. Compared with nonuse, statin use was associated with less 10‐year progression in LVMI (−2.35 percentage points; 95% CI, −4.24 to −0.47; P = .01) and mass‐to‐volume ratio (−0.03 absolute difference; 95% CI, −0.07 to −0.00; P = .02); effects were small in magnitude. A dose response was observed: Higher statin dose was associated with less LVMI progression.

Conclusions

In contrast to previous small studies, we found very modest associations between statin use and indices of left ventricular remodeling over 10 years in this prospective study of a diverse cohort.
Mechanistic insights into N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐catalyzed N‐acylation of N‐sulfonylcarboxamides with aldehydes
Authors: Gao Jinxin , Zhao Pengtao , Qiao Yan , Li Hua
Published: January 2018

In the current work, density functional theory calculations were performed to elucidate the detailed reaction mechanism for N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐catalyzed oxidative N‐acylation reaction of amides with aldehydes affording imide products. According to the calculated results, the reaction is initiated by the nucleophilic attack of NHC to aldehydes forming zwitterionic intermediate, which can then form Breslow intermediate via proton transfer. The Breslow intermediate can then be oxidized affording the oxidative intermediate, which can then go through 1,2‐addition with the deprotonated N‐sulfonylcarboxamides. Subsequently, elimination of NHC catalyst produces the final imide product. Our results reveal that the proton in N‐sulfonylcarboxamides is probably abstracted by base t‐BuOK or DPQH, and the deprotonation process is barrier‐less. Moreover, for the second step, ie, the formation of Breslow intermediate, direct proton transfer is impossible to occur. On the contrary, the results reveal that t‐BuOH can mediate the proton transfer in this step and significantly lower the energy barrier to 24.1 kcal/mol, which is also the highest energy barrier for the whole reaction. The work provides not only valuable clues for elucidating the detailed reaction mechanism for the invaluable NHC‐catalyzed oxidative reactions but also mechanistic insights for the rational design of novel NHC‐catalyzed oxidative reactions in the future.
Polarons radical polymerization
Authors: Yamabe Kohei , Nakajima Kuniharu , Goto Hiromasa
Published: January 2018

Polystyrene has been typically prepared with radical polymerization by benzoyl peroxide (BPO) or azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN). In this report, polymerization of styrene was carried out by radical cations of polyaniline (PANI). Polarons of conducting polymers are consisting of radical cations. The polarons bear electrical conduction as a charge carrier. We employ the polarons as an initiator for radical polymerization. Polymerization of styrene and acrylonitrile by the polarons was conducted to explore new possibility of conducting polymers. Fourier‐transfer infrared absorption (FTIR) spectroscopy measurements for the resultant polymers obtained with polarons of polyaniline indicates that the polystyrene thus synthesized grows from polyaniline. The qualitative solubility, average molecular weight, and thermal stability are comparable to that of polystyrene obtained by the common method with BPO. Radical polymerization by polarons may provide a new avenue for radical polymerizations through application of conducting polymer. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 805–811
Theory of polymer brushes grafted to finite surfaces
Authors: Andreu Artola Agustín Santiago , Soulé Ezequiel Rodolfo
Published: January 2018

In this work, a model based in strong‐stretching theory for polymer brushes grafted to finite planar surfaces is developed and solved numerically for two geometries: stripe‐like and disk‐like surfaces. There is a single parameter,
, which represents the ratio between the equilibrium brush height and the grafting surface size, that controls the behavior of the system. When
is large, the system behaves as if the polymer were grafted to a single line or point and the brush adopts a cylindrical or spherical shape. In the opposite extreme when it is small, the brush behaves as semi‐infinite and can be described as a planar undeformed brush region and an edge region, and the line tension approaches a limiting value. In the intermediate case, a brush with non‐uniform height and chain tilting is observed, with a shape and line tension depending on the value of
. Relative stability of disk‐shaped, stripe‐shaped, and infinite lamellar micelles is analyzed based in this model. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 663–672
Structure–property relationships of fatty acid swollen, crosslinked natural rubber shape memory polymers
Authors: Pantoja Marcos , Lin Zhiwei , Cakmak Mukerrem , Cavicchi Kevin A.
Published: January 2018

This article investigates shape memory polymers (SMPs) fabricated by swelling sulfur crosslinked natural rubber with four different molten fatty acids: lauric, myristic, palmitic, and stearic acid. As inexpensive additives, they allow commodity natural rubber to be directly converted to SMPs. The shape memory properties are investigated as a function of wt% fatty acid, the choice of fatty acid, and the applied load during shape memory programming. It is found that increasing the wt% acid improves the shape fixity up to ca. 97% at ≥50 wt% fatty acid, at which point the recovery starts to decline with increasing wt% acid due to network failure during shape programming. The shape fixity is found to depend on the yield stress and modulus of the fatty acid network, which both increase with increasing wt% acid. The choice of fatty acid also varies the trigger temperature for shape memory, which scales with the melting point of the fatty acid. Serendipitously, it is found that alignment of the fatty acid crystals during programming produces stiffer networks whose modulus increase with applied load, which counterbalances the higher elastic energy stored in the rubber network to produce lower sensitivity of the shape fixity to the applied load. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys.2018,56, 673–687
Engineered control of enzyme structural dynamics and function
Authors: Boehr David D. , D'Amico Rebecca N. , O'Rourke Kathleen F.
Published: January 2018

Enzymes undergo a range of internal motions from local, active site fluctuations to large‐scale, global conformational changes. These motions are often important for enzyme function, including in ligand binding and dissociation and even preparing the active site for chemical catalysis. Protein engineering efforts have been directed towards manipulating enzyme structural dynamics and conformational changes, including targeting specific amino acid interactions and creation of chimeric enzymes with new regulatory functions. Post‐translational covalent modification can provide an additional level of enzyme control. These studies have not only provided insights into the functional role of protein motions, but they offer opportunities to create stimulus‐responsive enzymes. These enzymes can be engineered to respond to a number of external stimuli, including light, pH, and the presence of novel allosteric modulators. Altogether, the ability to engineer and control enzyme structural dynamics can provide new tools for biotechnology and medicine.
Double‐stranded RNA targeting calmodulin reveals a potential target for pest management of Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Wang Weixia , Wan Pinjun , Lai Fengxiang , Zhu Tingheng , Fu Qiang
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

Calmodulin (CaM) is an essential protein in cellular activity and plays important roles in many processes in insect development. RNA interference (RNAi) has been hypothesized to be a promising method for pest control. CaM is a good candidate for RNAi target. However, the sequence and function of CaM in Nilaparvata lugens are unknown. Furthermore, the double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) target to CaM gene in pest control is still unavailable.

RESULTS

In the present study, two alternatively spliced variants of CaM transcripts, designated NlCaM1 and NlCaM2, were cloned from N. lugens. The two cDNA sequences exhibited 100% identity to each other in the open reading frame (ORF), and only differed in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR). NlCaM including NlCaM1 and NlCaM2 mRNA was detectable in all developmental stages and tissues of N. lugens, with significantly increased expression in the salivary glands. Knockdown of NlCaM expression by RNAi with different dsRNAs led to an inability to molt properly, increased mortality, which ranged from 49.7 to 92.5%, impacted development of the ovaries and led to female infertility. There were no significant reductions in the transcript levels of vitellogenin and its receptor or in the total vitellogenin protein level relative to the control group. However, a significant reduction in vitellogenin protein was detected in ovaries injected with dsNlCaM. In addition, a specific dsRNA of NlCaM for control of N. lugens was designed and tested.

CONCLUSION

NlCaM plays important roles mainly in nymph development and uptake of vitellogenin by ovaries in vitellogenesis in N. lugens. dsRNA derived from the less conserved 3′‐UTR of NlCaM shows great potential for RNAi‐based N. lugens management. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Concentration‐Gradient‐Method for sulphur and strontium isotope ratio determination by quadrupole‐based inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in gypsum
Authors: Dronov Michail , Schmidt Torsten C. , Schram Jürgen
Published: January 2018

Rationale

The concentration‐gradient‐method (CGM) was previously introduced as a precise and accurate method for isotope ratio determination by quadrupole‐based inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐QMS). The investigation of its potential and advantages in the analysis of analytes with a poor signal‐noise ratio (S/N) is important to establish routine isotope ratio analysis industrial applications on these widely used instruments.

Methods

The CGM was applied on isotope measurements of Sr near its limit of quantification (LOQ) and of sulphur where there was a massively interfered 32S isotope signal in gypsum samples of different origin, in order to demonstrate the advantages of the CGM over the commonly used measurement and evaluation approach. The comparison between the CGM and the classical measurement and evaluation approach was performed with high and low concentration Sr standard solutions, to prove the robustness of the isotope ratio determination.

Results

In both cases the CGM reached a recovery rate of approximately 103 %, whereas the classical approach became increasingly inaccurate at lower S/N (recovery of 123 %). In the case of sulphur isotope ratio determination only the CGM enabled a differentiation between geogenic and flue gas desulphurisation plant‐originated gypsum samples.

Conclusions

The robustness of the CGM approach was illustrated for gypsum samples with trace strontium concentration and its general applicability to the determination of sulphur isotope ratios by means of quadrupole‐based ICP‐MS was demonstrated using the example of sulphur in gypsum.
Morning surge in blood pressure using a random‐effects multiple‐component cosinor model
Authors: Madden J.M. , Browne L.D. , Li X. , Kearney P.M. , Fitzgerald A.P.
Published: January 2018

Blood pressure (BP) fluctuates throughout the day. The pattern it follows represents one of the most important circadian rhythms in the human body. For example, morning BP surge has been suggested as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular events occurring in the morning, but the accurate quantification of this phenomenon remains a challenge. Here, we outline a novel method to quantify morning surge. We demonstrate how the most commonly used method to model 24‐hour BP, the single cosinor approach, can be extended to a multiple‐component cosinor random‐effects model. We outline how this model can be used to obtain a measure of morning BP surge by obtaining derivatives of the model fit. The model is compared with a functional principal component analysis that determines the main components of variability in the data. Data from the Mitchelstown Study, a population‐based study of Irish adults (n = 2047), were used where a subsample (1207) underwent 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. We demonstrate that our 2‐component model provided a significant improvement in fit compared with a single model and a similar fit to a more complex model captured by b‐splines using functional principal component analysis. The estimate of the average maximum slope was 2.857 mmHg/30 min (bootstrap estimates; 95% CI: 2.855‐2.858 mmHg/30 min). Simulation results allowed us to quantify the between‐individual SD in maximum slopes, which was 1.02 mmHg/30 min. By obtaining derivatives we have demonstrated a novel approach to quantify morning BP surge and its variation between individuals. This is the first demonstration of cosinor approach to obtain a measure of morning surge.
Computational Unravelling of the Role of Alkyl Groups on the Host‐Guest Complexation of Pillar[5]arenes with Neutral Dihalobutanes
Authors: Panneerselvam Murugesan , Kumar Madhu Deepan , Jaccob Madhavan , Solomon Rajadurai Vijay
Published: January 2018

Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations have been carried out to understand the electronic structure and non‐covalent interactions within host‐guest complexes between 1,4‐dihalobutanes (DHBs) and alkylated pillar[5]arenes (P5 A). Binding energies show that the propyl substituted P5 A are found to have greater binding abilities than that of P5 A with smaller alkyl chains. Among the halogens, dibromobutane is found to have higher binding energy compared to difluoro and dichloro butanes respectively. Contribution of different molecular units towards the frontier molecular orbitals has been studied to gain insights into the role of each segment at the molecular level. Electrostatic potential maps are examined to draw clues on the nature of active sites for the inclusion phenomena. Non‐covalent interactions (NCI) present in these host‐guest complexes are addressed from NCI analysis based reduced density gradient method. In order to characterize these weak interactions, Bader's Quantum Theory of Atoms In Molecules (QTAIM) analysis is utilized. Our results reveal that though the hydrogen bonding patterns in P5 A inclusion complexes are collapsed upon alkylation, a new set of X–H−C interactions stabilize these DHBs along with other C−H—π interactions in the alkylated P5 A inclusion complexes. Overall, the present study sheds light on the importance of the alkyl chain and handling non‐covalent interactions carefully to tune the binding ability of P5 A.