bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Pretreatment of the Seeds Affects the Quality and Physicochemical Characteristics of Watermelon Oil and Its By‐Products
Authors: Ok Selçuk , Yilmaz Emin
Published: January 2019

The aims of this study were to produce cold‐pressed oils from watermelon seeds, which were previously treated with seed boiling and roasting, and to characterize the oils and press cakes. The watermelon seeds were found as rich sources of protein, oil, and minerals. Seed boiling pretreatment resulted in a higher oil recovery (51.31%) than seed preroasting (44.21%). Seed pretreatments did not cause any difference in the fatty acid (FA), sterol, and tocopherol compositions. Linoleic acid (LNA) was the major FA (54.57 and 54.62%) with higher contents of total unsaturated (74.41 and 75.52%) FA. β‐Sitosterol (202.79 mg/100 g oil and 202.90 mg/100 g oil) and γ‐tocopherol (361.45 mg kg−1 oil and 365.98 mg kg−1 oil) were the major components. The oils started to crystallize at around 1.80 and 1.75°C, and completely crystallized oils melted at around −35.66 and −35.78°C, respectively. Seed boiling pretreatment reduced the quantity of the most phenolic compounds in the oil (51.54 and 22.74 mg kg−1 total phenolics). The oxidative induction times of the oils were 11.91 and 11.49 min. In these cold‐pressed oils, volatile compounds associated with roasted/nutty and vegetable/herbal aroma descriptions were predominantly detected. Sensory descriptive analysis indicated that the oils are poor in terms of different sensory terms. Consumer tests showed that these oils are acceptable for direct consumption. Hence, this raw material could be used to produce edible oils.
Cation−Solvent, Cation−Anion, and Solvent−Solvent Interactions with Electrolyte Solvation in Lithium batteries
Authors: Chen Xiang , Zhang Xue‐Qiang , Li Hao‐Ran , Zhang Qiang
Published: January 2019

The front cover artwork is provided by the group of Prof. Zhang from the department of chemical engineering, Tsinghua University. The image shows the cation–solvent, cation–anion, and solvent–solvent interactions in the electrolytes of lithium batteries, which are similar to the scene of ballet. With electrolyte solvation, these interactions are much weakened, exhibiting longer Li−O/N bond length. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/batt.201800118.
When hemolysis masks polycythemia vera
Authors: Derrieux Coralie , Jeandel Roland , Martin Antoine , Dosquet Christine , Cassinat Bruno , Fouillard Loïc
Published: January 2019

Key Clinical Message

Although uncommon, clinicians should be aware that polycythemia vera may be masked due to hemolysis. The report of such associations could help them in clinical practice to establish an early and accurate diagnosis that may be challenging in atypical presentations of myeloproliferative neoplasms.
Molecular breast imaging detected invasive lobular carcinoma in dense breasts: A case report
Authors: Samreen Naziya , Hunt Katie N. , Hruska Carrie B. , Rhodes Deborah J.
Published: January 2019

Key Clinical Message

This case highlights the role of molecular breast imaging (MBI) in evaluating persistent clinical concerns after a negative diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. MBI is especially useful in the diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma due to its occult nature on conventional imaging modalities.
Successful debulking of plurihormonal pituitary macroadenoma with long‐acting pasireotide and dopamine agonist combination therapy
Authors: Jerkins Terri W. , Jerkins Randy K. , Franklin Robbi
Published: January 2019

Key Clinical Message

Long‐acting pasireotide and bromocriptine provided biochemical control of growth hormone and prolactin in a patient with plurihormonal pituitary macroadenoma, allowing near‐complete tumor excision while restoring pituitary function and avoiding adjunctive radiotherapy. Pasireotide initiation resulted in hyperglycemia, which stabilized after a few months and resolved upon pasireotide discontinuation (ACCESS; NCT01995734).
A case of fatal cutaneous caput medusae hemorrhage
Authors: Melas Nikolaos , Haji Younes Amil , Magnusson Peter
Published: January 2019

Key Clinical Message

Alcoholic liver cirrhosis leads to portal venous hypertension, which can result in a caput medusae formation. Life‐threatening hemorrhage from a ruptured caput medusae vein is a rare complication. It is crucial to stop the bleeding promptly. A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is considered potentially lifesaving.
Conversion of MeOH and Toluene into Styrene and Ethylbenzene Using Composite Catalysts Containing MeOH Dehydrogenation Components
Authors: Han Qiao , Li Peidong , Zhang Yanfei , Lu Peng , Xu Li , Guo Hongchen , Xu Lei
Published: January 2019

A new strategy, the coupling of methanol dehydrogenation and side‐chain alkylation of toluene, to realize highly effective conversion of methanol and toluene into styrene and ethylbenzene was proposed. A series of composite catalysts were designed by combining CsX with numerous catalysts reported to be effective for methanol dehydrogenation to formaldehyde. The studies of side‐chain alkylation of toluene with methanol over these composite catalysts indicated that the introduction of methanol dehydrogenation components could universally improve the yield of styrene and ethylbenzene in side‐chain alkylation of toluene with methanol. And the introduction of some methanol dehydrogenation components, i. e. sodium borate (Na2B4O7) and CuO/SiO2, could even double the yield of styrene and ethylbenzene. Furthermore, the influence of the mass ratio of different components and the spatial arrangement of different active sites on composite catalysts was investigated in detail.
A model of neocortical area patterning in the lissencephalic mouse may hold for larger gyrencephalic brains
Authors: Jones William D. , Guadiana Sarah M. , Grove Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2019

In the mouse, two telencephalic signaling centers orchestrate embryonic patterning of the cerebral cortex. From the rostral patterning center in the telencephalon, the Fibroblast Growth Factor, FGF8, disperses as a morphogen to establish the rostral to caudal axis of the neocortical area map. FGF8 coordinates with Wnt3a from the cortical hem to regulate graded expression of transcription factors that position neocortical areas, and control hippocampal development. Whether similar signaling centers pattern the much larger cortices of carnivore and primate species, however, is unclear. The limited dispersion range of FGF8 and Wnt3a is inconsistent with patterning larger cortical primordia. Yet the implication that different mechanisms organize cortex in different mammals flies in the face of the tenet that developmental patterning mechanisms are conserved across vertebrate species. In the present study, both signaling centers were identified in the ferret telencephalon, as were expression gradients of the patterning transcription factor genes regulated by FGF8 and Wnt3a. Notably, at the stage corresponding to the peak period of FGF8 signaling in the mouse neocortical primordium (NP), the NP was the same size in ferret and mouse, which would allow morphogen patterning of the ferret NP. Subsequently, the size of ferret neocortex shot past that of the mouse. Images from online databases further suggest that NP growth in humans, too, is slowed in early cortical development. We propose that if early growth in larger brains is held back, mechanisms that pattern the neocortical area map in the mouse could be conserved across mammalian species.
Black Phosphorus Nanomaterials Regulate the Aggregation of Amyloid‐β
Authors: Lim Yeh‐Jun , Zhou Wen‐hua , Li Gao , Hu Zhi‐Wen , Hong Liu , Yu Xue‐Feng , Li Yan‐Mei
Published: January 2019

Aggregation of amyloid‐β (Aβ) plays important roles in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and various carbon‐based nanomaterials have been shown to significantly inhibit aggregation of Aβ. A new member of the family of two‐dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, black phosphorus (BP), has been successfully prepared. Compared to other nanomaterials, BP has a higher surface‐to‐volume ratio, so it has strong adsorption ability for Aβ, and can thereby regulate the aggregation of Aβ. Herein, black phosphorus (BP) nanomaterials are proposed to regulate the aggregation of Aβ for the first time, and the corresponding mechanism is clarified. This work provides new insight into the development of BP‐based strategies to prevent amyloidosis.
Parallel membership queries on very large scientific data sets using bitmap indexes
Authors: Yildiz Beytullah , Wu Kesheng , Byna Suren , Shoshani Arie
Published: January 2019

Many scientific applications produce very large amounts of data as advances in hardware fuel computing and experimental facilities. Managing and analyzing massive quantities of scientific data is challenging as data are often stored in specific formatted files, such as HDF5 and NetCDF, which do not offer appropriate search capabilities. In this research, we investigated a special class of search capability, called membership query, to identify whether queried elements of a set are members of an attribute. Attributes that naturally have classification values appear frequently in scientific domains such as category and object type as well as in daily life such as zip code and occupation. Because classification attribute values are discrete and require random data access, performing a membership query on a large scientific data set creates challenges. We applied bitmap indexing and parallelization to membership queries to overcome these challenges. Bitmap indexing provides high performance not only for low cardinality attributes but also for high cardinality attributes, such as floating‐point variables, electric charge, or momentum in a particle physics data set, due to compression algorithms such as Word‐Aligned Hybrid. We conducted experiments, in a highly parallelized environment, on data obtained from a particle accelerator model and a synthetic data set.
Facile Modifications at the C4 Position of Pyrimidine Nucleosides via In Situ Amide Activation with 1H‐Benzotriazol‐1‐yloxy‐tris(dimethyl‐amino)phosphonium Hexafluorophosphate
Authors: Akula Hari K. , Lakshman Mahesh K.
Published: January 2019

Two approaches for C4 modifications of silyl‐protected thymidine, 2′‐deoxyuridine, and 3′‐azido‐2′,3′‐dideoxythymidine (AZT) are described. In both, nucleoside amide activation with 1H‐benzotriazol‐1‐yloxy‐tris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (BOP) and DBU yields O4‐(benzotriazol‐1‐yl) derivatives. These in situ–formed intermediates are reacted with various nucleophiles, resulting in C4 modifications. In the two‐step, one‐pot approach, the O4‐(benzotriazol‐1‐yl) nucleoside intermediates are initially produced by reactions of the nucleosides with BOP and DBU in THF. This step is fast and typically complete within 30 min. Subsequently, the O4‐(benzotriazol‐1‐yl) derivatives are reacted with nucleophiles, such as aliphatic and aromatic amines, thiols, and alcohols, under appropriate conditions. Workup, isolation, and purification lead to the desired C4‐modified pyrimidine nucleosides in good to excellent yields. In the one‐step approach, the nucleosides are reacted with BOP and DBU, in the presence of the nucleophile (only aliphatic and aromatic amines, and thiols have been tested). Where comparisons are possible, the one‐step approach is generally superior. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Examining physical activity and correlates in adults with healthy weight, overweight/obesity, or binge‐eating disorder
Authors: Carr Meagan M. , Lydecker Janet A. , White Marney A. , Grilo Carlos M.
Published: January 2019

Objective

To examine physical activity and correlates among three subgroups of adults: healthy weight without binge eating (HW), overweight/obesity without binge eating (OW/OB), and core features of binge‐eating disorder (BED).

Method

Participants (N = 2,384) completed an online survey with established measures of physical activity, eating psychopathology, and health. Most participants were White (82.6%) women (66.7%). Participants were categorized into three study groups: HW (n = 948; 39.9%), OW/OB (n = 1,308; 55.1%), and BED (n = 120; 5.1%).

Results

The BED group had the highest proportion of self‐reported insufficiently active individuals (63.8%), followed by OW/OB (41.7%), and HW (29.2%). Associations between self‐reported physical activity, eating pathology, and health were generally small in HW and OW/OB groups, whereas associations were moderate in the BED group. Self‐reported weekly bouts of physical activity were more strongly, positively related to self‐reported physical health for OW/OB than HW, and this effect was even more pronounced for BED compared with HW or OW/OB.

Discussion

This is the first study, to our knowledge, to demonstrate a stronger association between self‐reported physical activity and physical health for individuals with BED compared with OW/OB alone. The high rate of physical inactivity and the strong association between physical activity and health among participants with BED suggest physical activity as an important treatment target for individuals with BED.
Approach bias modification training in bulimia nervosa and binge‐eating disorder: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Brockmeyer Timo , Friederich Hans‐Christoph , Küppers Carolyn , Chowdhury Sharmain , Harms Louisa , Simmonds Jess , Gordon Gemma , Potterton Rachel , Schmidt Ulrike
Published: January 2019

Objective

Bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge‐eating disorder (BED) are associated with poorly controlled approach behavior toward food resulting in binge eating. Approach bias modification (ABM) may reduce these automatic action tendencies (i.e., approach bias) toward food and may thus decrease binge eating and related symptoms.

Method

A total of 56 patients with BN/BED participated in this double‐blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing real and sham ABM. The real ABM condition adopted an implicit learning paradigm in which participants were trained to show avoidance behavior in response to food cues. Participants in the sham condition used a similar task but were not trained to avoid food cues. Both conditions comprised 10 training sessions within 4 weeks.

Results

Participants in both groups experienced significant reductions in binge eating, eating disorder symptoms, trait food craving, and food cue reactivity. Real ABM tended to result in greater reductions in eating disorder symptoms than sham ABM. Food intake, approach bias, and attention bias toward food did not change.

Discussion

This is the first RCT on ABM in eating disorders. The findings provide limited support for the efficacy of ABM in BN/BED and pose questions regarding its active ingredients and its usefulness as a stand‐alone treatment for eating disorders.
The role of plant–mycorrhizal mutualisms in deterring plant invasions: Insights from an individual‐based model
Authors: McCary Matthew A. , Zellner Moira , Wise David H.
Published: January 2019

Understanding the factors that determine invasion success for non‐native plants is crucial for maintaining global biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. One hypothesized mechanism by which many exotic plants can become invasive is through the disruption of key plant–mycorrhizal mutualisms, yet few studies have investigated how these disruptions can lead to invader success. We present an individual‐based model to examine how mutualism strengths between a native plant (Impatiens capensis) and mycorrhizal fungus can influence invasion success for a widespread plant invader,Alliaria petiolata(garlic mustard). Two questions were investigated as follows: (a) How does the strength of the mutualism between the nativeI. capensisand a mycorrhizal fungus affect resistance (i.e., native plant maintaining >60% of final equilibrium plant density) to garlic mustard invasion? (b) Is there a non‐linear relationship between initial garlic mustard density and invasiveness (i.e., garlic mustard representing >60% of final equilibrium plant density)? Our findings indicate that either low (i.e., facultative) or high (i.e., obligate) mutualism strengths between the native plant and mycorrhizal fungus were more likely to lead to garlic mustard invasiveness than intermediate levels, which resulted in higher resistance to garlic mustard invasion. Intermediate mutualism strengths allowedI. capensisto take advantage of increased fitness when the fungus was present but remained competitive enough to sustain high numbers without the fungus. Though strong mutualisms had the highest fitness without the invader, they proved most susceptible to invasion because the loss of the mycorrhizal fungus resulted in a reproductive output too low to compete with garlic mustard. Weak mutualisms were more competitive than strong mutualisms but still led to garlic mustard invasion. Furthermore, we found that under intermediate mutualism strengths, the initial density of garlic mustard (as a proxy for different levels of plant invasion) did not influence its invasion success, as high initial densities of garlic mustard did not lead to it becoming dominant. Our results indicate that plants that form weak or strong mutualisms with mycorrhizal fungi are most vulnerable to invasion, whereas intermediate mutualisms provide the highest resistance to an allelopathic invader.
Effects of elamipretide on skeletal muscle in dogs with experimentally induced heart failure
Authors: Sabbah Hani N. , Gupta Ramesh C. , Singh‐Gupta Vinita , Zhang Kefei
Published: January 2019

Aims

Elamipretide (ELAM), an aromatic–cationic tetrapeptide, interacts with cardiolipin and normalizes dysfunctional mitochondria of cardiomyocytes. This study examined the effects of ELAM on skeletal muscle mitochondria function in dogs with chronic heart failure (HF).

Methods and results

Studies were performed in skeletal muscle biopsy specimens obtained from normal dogs (n = 7) and dogs with chronic intracoronary microembolization‐induced HF (n = 14) treated with subcutaneous ELAM 0.5 mg/kg (HF + ELAM, n = 7) or vehicle (normal saline control, HF‐CON, n = 7). After 3 months of therapy, triceps skeletal muscle samples were obtained from all dogs, and the proportion of type 1 and type 2 fibres was assessed. Mitochondria isolated from myofibrils of the vastus lateralis skeletal muscle exposed in vitro to ELAM for 1 h were used to assess mitochondrial function. The proportion of skeletal muscle type 1 fibres was lower in HF‐CON dogs compared with normal dogs (23 ± 4 vs. 32 ± 5%, P < 0.05). Treatment with ELAM restored a near‐normal fibre‐type composition (31 ± 7%, P < 0.05 vs. HF‐CON). Skeletal muscle mitochondria showed significantly lower levels of adenosine diphosphate‐dependent mitochondrial respiration (100 ± 9 vs. 164 ± 15 natom O/min/mg protein, P < 0.05), mitochondrial membrane potential (0.17 ± 0.03 vs. 0.53 ± 0.03 red/green fluorescence ratio, P < 0.05), mitochondrial permeability transition pore (38 ± 3 vs. 62 ± 2 relative light units, P < 0.05), maximum rate of adenosine triphosphate synthesis (3284 ± 418 vs. 8835 ± 423 RLU/μg protein, P < 0.05), and cytochrome c oxidase activity (1390 ± 108 vs. 2459 ± 210 natom O/min/mg protein, P < 0.05) compared with normal dogs. Exposure of skeletal muscle myofibrillar mitochondria from HF dogs to ELAM showed a dose‐dependent improvement/normalization of all measures of mitochondrial function. In mitochondria from skeletal muscle of HF dogs exposed to 0.10 μM ELAM, adenosine diphosphate‐dependent mitochondrial respiration increased to 183 ± 18 natom O/min/mg protein, membrane potential increased to 0.30 ± 0.03 red/green fluorescence ratio, mitochondrial permeability transition pore increased to 54 ± 4 RLU, maximum rate of adenosine triphosphate synthesis increased to 4423 ± 414, and cytochrome c oxidase activity increased to 2033 ± 191 natom O/min/mg protein. Exposure of skeletal muscle myofibrillar mitochondria from normal dogs to ELAM had no effect on mitochondrial function parameters.

Conclusions

The results indicate that ELAM, previously shown to positively influence mitochondrial function of the failing heart, can also positively impact mitochondrial function of skeletal muscle and potentially help restore skeletal muscle function and improve exercise tolerance.
Concept for the Analysis of the Electrolyte Composition within the Cell Manufacturing Process: From Sealing to Sample Preparation
Authors: Horsthemke Fabian , Winkler Volker , Diehl Marcel , Winter Martin , Nowak Sascha
Published: January 2019

Lithium‐ion battery (LIB) cells of the 18650 format are built in‐house with different amounts of an electrolyte. After wetting and prior to subsequent formation, the cells are opened. The electrolyte is regained by centrifuging the entire jelly roll and quantified by a gas chromatography‐flame ionization detector (GC‐FID) and inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectroscopy (ICP‐OES). The influence of a filling protocol applying cycles with over‐ and reduced pressure is examined with a focus on the electrolyte composition. No significant difference is found in the ratio of linear (LC) to cyclic carbonates (CCs). Furthermore, extraction by centrifugation is investigated in different scenarios by simulating almost “dry” cells to minimize alterations during the sample preparation. The quantification of these electrolytes indicates a slightly reduced amount of LC in the sample.
Joint cooperative spectrum sensing and primary user emulation attack detection in cognitive radio networks using fuzzy conditional entropy maximization
Authors: Banerjee Avik , Maity Santi P.
Published: January 2019

Cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS) in cognitive radio system shows improved performance on spectrum sensing but, at the same time, faces a common threat called primary user emulation attack (PUEA) that impersonates the primary user (PU). This work explores joint PU and PUEA detection on CSS as a multiclass hypothesis using fuzzy conditional entropy maximization. To meet the goal, a multithreshold approach is suggested using a constrained differential evolution algorithm search to determine an optimal set of fuzzy function parameters, which maximizes the conditional entropy on the energy values. The proposed work also investigates the performance of CSS in presence of a group of malicious users (as PUEA), which generates signals and directly sends the same to the fusion center. Numerical results through simulation illustrate the efficacy of the proposed scheme in terms of both reliable PU detection in presence or absence of PUEA/malicious user and separate detection of falsifying PU and energy consumption in CSS. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme offers ∼17.54% and ∼39.39% higher detection probability of PU over the existing works in presence of PUEA.
Studies on diverse chemical species derived from chalcogen atoms ~ The Footprint of Professor Naomichi Furukawa in Heteroatom Chemistry ~
Authors: Sato Soichi
Published: January 2019

This account summarizes representative contributions of Prof. Naomichi Furukawa to the field of heteroatom chemistry. Ligand‐coupling reactions (LCRs) and ligand‐exchange reactions (LERs) of chalcogen derivatives were developed from reactions of trivalent chalcogen species with organometallic reagents. Prof. Furukawa has also reported a large number of mono‐ and dicationic compounds generated via transannular and intermolecular interactions. Furthermore, the detection and isolation of hypercoordinated chalcogen species bearing only carbon ligands and an efficient method for the synthesis of thiophene S‐oxides and their reactivity are described.
The price elasticity of quantity, and of quality, for tobacco products
Authors: Gibson John , Kim Bonggeun
Published: January 2019

We use household survey data to estimate the price elasticity of quantity, and of quality, for tobacco products. In our data, commonly used estimation methods suggest an own‐price elasticity of demand of about −1. These methods add together responses on the quantity margin and the quality margin. Just one third of the response to price is from quantity and two thirds is from quality. The simulated effect of higher excise taxes is to reduce overall quantity by just one third of what is predicted if the quality response is ignored. Higher taxes also shift demand to lower quality tobacco products.
Meta‐analysis comparing outcomes of different transoral surgical modalities in management of oropharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed S. , Civantos Francisco J. , Leibowitz Jason M. , Thomas Giovana R. , Arnold David J. , Franzmann Elizabeth J. , Nicolli Elizabeth A. , Lo Kaming , Nemeth Zsuzsanna , Sargi Zoukaa B. , Weed Donald T.
Published: January 2019

Background

Optimal transoral surgical modality for oropharyneal carcinoma is currently unclear. Transoral laser surgery (TLS), transoral robotic surgery (TORS), and conventional direct transoral (DT) oropharyngectomy are the main current transoral surgical modalities for oropharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods

MEDLINE was systematically searched through PubMed. Reference lists were reviewed. Random‐effects models were used to combine studies within each group. Tests for heterogeneity were used to explore difference in effect size between groups in subgroup analysis.

Results

Nine studies (404 patients) in TORS arm, five studies (498 patients) in TLS arm, and three studies (335 patients) in DT arm were included. Early T classification (T1‐T2) for TORS and DT were higher compared to TLS group (P < .001). There was no significant difference between groups in the rate of invaded margin, post‐operative oropharyngeal bleeding, temporary tracheotomy, and gastrostomy dependence.

Conclusion

The available data do not yet provide clear evidence of superiority of any one modality.
A Tetraethynyl[5]cumulene
Authors: Marshall Jonathan L. , Arslan Funda , Januszewski Johanna A. , Ferguson Michael J. , Tykwinski Rik R.
Published: January 2019

The first example of a new class of carbon‐rich molecules is introduced, namely, a derivative of tetraethynyl[5]cumulene (TE5C). The use of sterically demanding pendent groups is the decisive structural feature to provide a stable product. Whereas triisopropylsilyl groups are seemingly not sufficiently large to afford an isolable cumulene product, switching to the larger tris(3,5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl)methyl (‘supertrityl’) groups gives a crystalline, stable compound ([5]TE). The structural and electronic properties of [5]TE are examined in comparison to its closest known molecular relatives, tetraaryl[5]cumulenes.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for high‐risk prostatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Brunner Robert , Buck Bradley , Giffen Zane , Murtagh Daniel , Lewis Terrence , Gatto‐Weis Cara , Sindhwani Puneet
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in high‐risk, locally advanced prostate cancer remains an understudied area of prostate cancer. Chemotherapy continues to be a viable option. The combination with surgery may be desired but lacks data for complete recommendation.

Case presentation

We demonstrate the successful utilization of chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant arena. A 70‐year‐old male was diagnosed with high‐risk prostate cancer on biopsy. Upon multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, the patient had local rectal wall invasion and stage T4 N0 M0 after a negative bone scan. After treatment with androgen‐deprivation therapy and docetaxel, repeat multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging showed regression of rectal invasion. The patient elected for prostatectomy and avoided proctectomy and colostomy. The patient's postoperative prostate‐specific antigen was undetectable on initial follow‐up.

Conclusion

We show that neoadjuvant chemotherapy merits further study and may provide a more permanent surgical option for patients.
Nanomaterials as potential and versatile platform for next generation tissue engineering applications
Authors: Singla Rubbel , Abidi Syed M. S. , Dar Aqib Iqbal , Acharya Amitabha
Published: January 2019

Tissue engineering (TE) is an emerging field where alternate/artificial tissues or organ substitutes are implanted to mimic the functionality of damaged or injured tissues. Earlier efforts were made to develop natural, synthetic, or semisynthetic materials for skin equivalents to treat burns or skin wounds. Nowadays, many more tissues like bone, cardiac, cartilage, heart, liver, cornea, blood vessels, and so forth are being engineered using 3‐D biomaterial constructs or scaffolds that could deliver active molecules such as peptides or growth factors. Nanomaterials (NMs) due to their unique mechanical, electrical, and optical properties possess significant opportunities in TE applications. Traditional TE scaffolds were based on hydrolytically degradable macroporous materials, whereas current approaches emphasize on controlling cell behaviors and tissue formation by nano‐scale topography that closely mimics the natural extracellular matrix. This review article gives a comprehensive outlook of different organ specific NMs which are being used for diversified TE applications. Varieties of NMs are known to serve as biological alternatives to repair or replace a portion or whole of the nonfunctional or damaged tissue. NMs may promote greater amounts of specific interactions stimulated at the cellular level, ultimately leading to more efficient new tissue formation. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 2433–2449, 2019.
Effect of the configuration of poly(lactic acid) and content of poly(oxyethylene) blocks to the structure and functional properties of poly(lactic acid)‐block‐poly(oxirane)‐based nanofibrous electrospun polyester–ether–urethanes used as potential drug‐delivery system
Authors: Pavelková Alena , Kucharczyk Pavel , Capáková Zdenka , Peer Petra , Pummerová Martina , Zedník Jiří , Vohlídal Jiří , Sedlařík Vladimír
Published: January 2019

Poly(lactic acid)‐block‐poly(oxirane)s (PLA‐b‐POE) of various compositions were prepared using a one‐pot approach and then extended in a reaction with l‐lysine diethyl ester diisocyanate, thereby forming polyester–ether–urethanes (PEU) with prolonged chains and units with increased degradability. The PEUs are processed by electrospinning to prepare degradable nanofibrous sheet materials with and without encapsulating the antibiotic Vancomycin (VAC). PLA block isomerism and POE blocks oligomeric content (1000 g/mol) affect the thermal properties, processability, nanofibrous sheet morphology, abiotic degradation, cytocompatibility, and encapsulated antibiotic release rate of prepared PEUs. Therefore, our findings provide an effective approach to tuning the functional properties of these advanced biocompatible materials. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 2378–2387, 2019.
Teriparatide Treatment for Hypercalcemia Associated With Adynamic Bone Disease
Authors: Peugh Jennifer , Khalil Andrew , Chan Micah R , Hansen Karen E
Published: January 2019

Hypercalcemia most often results from primary hyperparathyroidism and malignancy. Adynamic bone disease (ABD) is a form of renal osteodystrophy characterized by reduced bone turnover, which can limit the ability of bone to release or store calcium, potentially leading to low, normal, or high serum calcium levels. We describe a 51‐year‐old dialysis‐dependent female with hypercalcemia after parathyroidectomy. A demeclocycline‐labeled bone biopsy confirmed adynamic bone disease. Teriparatide, a recombinant form of parathyroid hormone (PTH) used to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis, was prescribed for 12 months and normalized serum calcium levels. Although previous case reports and series have described favorable changes in spine bone mineral density when teriparatide was prescribed for ABD, ours is the first documented case in which teriparatide resolved hypercalcemia due to ABD. © 2019 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan represses neural stem/progenitor cells migration via PTPσ/α‐actinin4 signaling pathway
Authors: Zhong Jun , Lan Chuan , Zhang Chao , Yang Yang , Chen Wei‐Xiang , Zhang Kai‐Yuan , Zhao Heng‐Li , Fang Xuan‐Yu , Li Huan‐Huan , Tan Liang , Wang Pan , Ge Hong‐Fei , Hu Rong , Feng Hua
Published: January 2019

Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) are a promising candidate for the cell‐replacement therapy after central nervous system (CNS) injury. However, the short of sufficient NSPCs migration and integration into the lesions is an essential challenge for cell‐based therapy after CNS injury due to the disturbance of local environmental homeostasis. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) is obviously accumulated at the lesions and destroyed local homeostasis after CNS injury. The previous study has demonstrated that the CSPG is a dominating ingredient inhibiting axonal regrowth of newly born neurons after CNS injury. NSPCs, a strain of special neural subtypes, hold the capacity of leading processes formation to regulate NSPCs migration, which has the same mechanism as axonal regrowth. Hence, it is worth investigating the effect of CSPG on NSPCs migration and its underlying mechanism. Here, different concentration of CSPG was used to evaluate its effect on NSPCs migration. The results showed that the CSPG suppressed NSPCs migration in a dose‐dependent manner from 10 to 80 µg/mL with phase‐contrast microscopy after 24 hours. Meanwhile, transwell assays were performed to certify the above results. Our data indicated that the 40 µg/mL CSPG obviously suppressed NSPCs migration via decreasing filopodia formation using immunofluorescence staining. Furthermore, data indicated that the 40 µg/mL CSPG upregulated protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor σ (PTPσ) expression and decreased α‐actinin4 (ACTN4) expression through immunofluorescence, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot assays. While the inhibitory effect was attenuated using PTPσ‐specific small interfering RNA. In addition, data demonstrated that the 40 µg/mL CSPG facilitated NSPCs differentiation into glial ﬁbrillary acidic protein‐positive cells and inhibited NSPCs directing into MAP2‐ and MBP‐positive cells. Collectively, these data demonstrated that the CSPG suppressed NSPCs migration through PTPσ/ACTN4 signaling pathway. Meanwhile, CSPG facilitated NSPCs differentiation into astrocytes and inhibited NSPCs directing into neurons and oligodendrocytes.
A green approach to the synthesis of 2,3‐diaminophenazine using a photocatalytic system of CdFe2O4/TiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Ragab Sherif S. , Badawy Abdelrahman A. , El Nazer Hossam A.
Published: January 2019

In recent years, the development of novel green chemistry routes for the synthesis of organic compounds has become very attractive to many research groups. Nanoparticles have been widely used because of their potential applications in catalysis, environmental remediation, electronic fields, biomedical, and industrial fields. In this article, a rapid, efficient, and simple approach was applied for the synthesis of 2,3‐diaminophenazine using a new photocatalytic system of CdFe2O4/TiO2 nanoparticles in water as a benign solvent. The structure of the synthesized CdFe2O4/TiO2 nanoparticle was confirmed using different methods such as transmission electron microscope (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and magnetic measurements. It was found that the rate and yield of the photocatalytic synthesis of 2,3‐diaminophenazine were improved using CdFe2O4/TiO2 nanoparticles compared to other methods.
Preparation of ionic liquid‐modified magnetic nanoparticles based on thiol‐ene click chemistry for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water and smoked meat samples
Authors: Lu Junyu , Lu Sufen , Yao Dongmei , Huang Xiuxiang , Lai Hongfang , Yin Xiuju
Published: January 2019

In the present study, ionic liquid (IL)‐modified Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) were synthesized by the thiol‐ene click reaction for magnetic solid‐phase extraction (MSPE) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water and smoked meat samples. An IL 1‐vinyl‐3‐butylimidazolium bromide was firstly synthesized, and then immobilized on the surface of thiol group‐functionalized Fe3O4 via a thiol‐ene click reaction. The as‐synthesized Fe3O4@ILs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. Various parameters (including the amount of adsorbent, extraction time, sample volume, and desorption conditions) affecting MSPE were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the limits of detection of four PAHs in the range of 0.6–7.2 ng/L were obtained using high‐performance liquid chromatography–ultraviolet detection. The accuracy of the method was assessed by recovery measurements on spiked real samples and good recovery of 80–108% with relative standard deviations lower than 8.16% was achieved. The enrichment factors ranging from 699 to 858 were obtained for the analytes. This result indicated that the proposed method had great potential for sample preparation.
Community coalition readiness for implementing something new: Using a Delphi methodology
Authors: Domlyn Ariel M. , Wandersman Abraham
Published: January 2019

Organizational readiness for an innovation (a program, policy, or practice new to a setting) is important for successful implementation. The R = MC2 heuristic focuses on capacity and motivation as a framework for readiness; it comprises 3 components and 18 subcomponents. A Delphi study with community coalition leaders was undertaken to assess when each subcomponent is most significant in the life cycle of implementing an innovation in a coalition. Results include that motivation is viewed as most important in the early stages of implementation and leadership, climate, program champions, and interorganizational relationships are relevant throughout the lifespan of implementation. Results have implications for the future of assessing and building coalition readiness.
Permeation of greywater constituents in an aquaporin based biomimetic forward osmosis membrane process: experimental performance and modeling
Authors: Wang Ce , Li Yongmei
Published: January 2019

BACKGROUND

An aquaporin based biomimetic forward osmosis (FO) membrane was tested with 11 greywater constituents to evaluate the membrane performance. The effects of solute type and concentration on water flux and rejection were investigated. A model was developed to predict the rejection of greywater constituents in the FO process.

RESULTS

The aquaporin based biomimetic membrane (ABBM) presented high water flux (16.1–17.4 L m‐2 h−1) for greywater. Inorganic ions had little effect on permeability of the ABBM. For the tested organic solutes, while lactic acid, glucose and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate showed a positive impact on permeability of the ABBM, sodium dodecyl sulfate had a negative effect. After the tests of 11 selected constituents in greywater, the ABBM showed good chemical stability. Steric hindrance and electrostatic interaction both governed the diffusion of feed solutes through the ABBM. The mathematical model developed in this study accurately predicted the solute with small permeability coefficient (Bp value <3 L m‐2 h−1) transport through the ABBM. And it was suitable for predicting the rejections of target solutes at low FS concentration (≤ 6 mmol L–1).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that the ABBM could be used in greywater treatment and the developed model could contribute to greywater reuse. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Attitudes of clinicians toward cardiac surgery and trisomy 18
Authors: Kaulfus Meagan E. , Gardiner Helena , Hashmi S. Shahrukh , Mendez‐Figueroa Hector , Miller Victoria J. , Stevens Blair , Carter Rebecca
Published: January 2019

Trisomy 18 is an autosomal trisomy condition characterized by minor to major birth defects, severe disabilities, and high rates of pre‐ and postnatal mortality. Interventions for these infants have traditionally been withheld with focus instead on palliative support. The issues and attitudes surrounding corrective surgery of congenital heart defects, which is a birth defect that occurs in approximately 90% of infants with trisomy 18, is of our study's interest as recent literature has indicated that cardiac surgery is being performed and may lead to improved survival compared to palliative care. Thus, our study aimed to describe clinician attitudes toward cardiac surgery and trisomy 18. We surveyed 378 clinicians from multiple specialties, including genetic counselors, involved in the pre‐ and postnatal care of infants with trisomy 18. Descriptive statistics were performed to describe all clinicians' responses, and a secondary analysis with stratifications by clinician type was also performed. Forty‐eight percent (n = 378) of clinicians felt it was appropriate to discuss the option of cardiac surgery. Ethical concerns and insufficient outcome data were the most agreed upon reasons for not offering cardiac surgery. Trisomy 18 not being uniformly lethal and expressed parental wishes were the most agreed upon justifications for offering surgery. Clinicians felt the discussion of the option of cardiac surgery is appropriate, however are hesitant due to ethical concerns and insufficient outcome data. Results from this study aim to promote discussion and collaboration among clinicians to improve consistency in patient care.
Synthesis, Spectral Characterization, and In Vitro Biological Evaluation of Some Novel Isoquinolinone‐based Heterocycles as Potential Antitumor Agents
Authors: Hekal Mohamed H. , Abu El‐Azm Fatma S. M. , Sallam Hanan A.
Published: January 2019

A series of new N‐substituted isoquinolin‐1,3‐dione derivatives were prepared, starting from reaction of (Z)‐4‐((E)‐3‐phenylallylidene)isochromane‐1,3‐dione 4 with different nitrogen nucleophiles. The assigned structures of the prepared compounds were elucidated by spectral methods (IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectroscopy). Some of the newly prepared compounds were tested in vitro against a panel of three human tumor cell lines, namely, hepatocellular carcinoma (liver) HepG2, colon cancer HCT‐116, and mammary gland breast MCF‐7. Also, they were tested as antioxidants. Some of the tested compounds showed very strong cytotoxic activity with respect to the standard.
Frontline Science: Employing enzymatic treatment options for management of ocular biofilm-based infections
Authors: Kugadas Abirami , Geddes-McAlister Jennifer , Guy Emilia , DiGiandomenico Antonio , Sykes David B , Mansour Michael K , Mirchev Rossen , Gadjeva Mihaela
Published: January 2019

Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced corneal keratitis is a sight-threatening disease. The rise of antibiotic resistance among P. aeruginosa keratitis isolates makes treatment of this disease challenging, emphasizing the need for alternative therapeutic modalities. By comparing the responses to P. aeruginosa infection between an outbred mouse strain (Swiss Webster, SW) and a susceptible mouse strain (C57BL6/N), we found that the inherent neutrophil-killing abilities of these strains correlated with their susceptibility to infection. Namely, SW-derived neutrophils were significantly more efficient at killing P. aeruginosa in vitro than C57BL6/N-derived neutrophils. To interrogate whether the distinct neutrophil killing capacities were dependent on endogenous or exogenous factors, neutrophil progenitor cell lines were generated. The in vitro differentiated neutrophils from either SW or C57BL6/N progenitors retained the differential killing abilities, illustrating that endogenous factors conferred resistance. Consistently, quantitative LC-MS/MS analysis revealed strain-specific and infection-induced alterations of neutrophil proteomes. Among the distinctly elevated proteins in the SW-derived proteomes were α-mannosidases, potentially associated with protection. Inhibition of α-mannosidases reduced neutrophil bactericidal functions in vitro. Conversely, topical application of α-mannosidases reduced bacterial biofilms and burden of infected corneas. Cumulatively, these data suggest novel therapeutic approaches to control bacterial biofilm assembly and improve bacterial clearance via enzymatic treatments.
Assessing the performance of benign and malignant breast lesion classification with bilateral TIC differentiation and other effective features in DCE‐MRI
Authors: Li Hong , Sun Hang , Liu Siqi , Zhang Wei , Arukalam Felicity Mmaezi , Ma He , Qian Wei
Published: January 2019

Background

Dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) is increasingly being used to detect and diagnose breast cancer. However, the effective methods based on quantitative feature analysis need to be explored.

Purpose

To investigate a new approach for improving the performance of benign and malignant breast lesion classification by combining bilateral time–intensity curve (TIC) differentiation features with other effective features.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

In all, 112 DCE‐MRI biopsy‐proven breast examinations (45 malignant tumors and 67 benign tumors).

Field Strength/Sequence

3 T MR with a breast coil. Precontrast images were acquired before contrast administration. Subsequently, postcontrast images were acquired approximately every minute directly following administration of the contrast agent (gadopentetate dimeglumine). The postcontrast images contain eight sequences in total. Each sequence contains 78 slices.

Assessment: Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the curve (AUC) of the classification was calculated and compared with the published result.

Statistical Tests

Five‐fold crossvalidation was used.

Results

Areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUCs) of 0.8461, 0.7914, 0.8514, and 0.9058 were achieved using conventional features, unilateral TIC features, bilateral TIC differentiation features, and all the selected features, respectively. In terms of accuracy, the use of only unilateral TIC features or conventional features achieved an accuracy of 0.7321 or 0.8482 (sensitivity of 0.7556 or 0.7111 and specificity of 0.7164 or 0.9403). However, the accuracy increased to 0.9196 (sensitivity of 0.8889 and specificity of 0.9403) when bilateral TIC differentiation features were included.

Data Conclusion

Bilateral differentiation TIC features can serve as a stronger indicator in differentiating benign and malignant breast lesions than the unilateral TIC features computed from one side of the breast only and some conventional features that are commonly used in MR image analysis.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:465–473.
Is a soft tissue graft harvested from the maxillary tuberosity the approach of choice in an isolated site?
Authors: Tavelli Lorenzo , Barootchi Shayan , Greenwell Henry , Wang Hom‐Lay
Published: January 2019

Soft tissue augmentation procedures are becoming more popular these days. Different soft tissue graft harvesting approaches have been proposed. Nonetheless, the location of the donor site (whether anterior‐, lateral‐, superficial‐, deep‐palate or the maxillary tuberosity) can affect the graft shape and its composition. Soft tissue grafts from the maxillary tuberosity are rich in connective tissue fibers, with minimal presence of fatty or glandular components. Clinical, histological, and molecular evidence shows that a soft tissue graft obtained from the maxillary tuberosity has unique properties. In addition, harvesting from this area presents minimal risk for intra‐ or postoperative complications, leading to reduced patient morbidity. The aim of this commentary is to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of harvesting a soft tissue graft from the tuberosity and to compare it with the traditional palatal graft, while highlighting functional, esthetic, and patient‐related outcomes.