bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification of childhood onset eating disorders: A latent class analysis
Authors: Pinhas Leora , Nicholls Dasha , Crosby Ross D. , Morris Anne , Lynn Richard M. , Madden Sloane
Published: January 2017

This study tested the hypothesis that latent class analysis (LCA) would successfully classify eating disorder (ED) symptoms in children into categories that mapped onto DSM‐5 diagnoses and that these categories would be consistent across countries. Childhood onset ED cases were ascertained through prospective active surveillance by the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit, the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program, and the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit for 36, 24, and 14 months, respectively. Pediatricians and child psychiatrists reported symptoms of any child aged ≤ 12 years with a newly diagnosed restrictive ED. Descriptive analyses and LCA were performed separately for all three countries and compared. Four hundred and thirty‐six children were included in the analysis (Australia n = 70; Canada n = 160; United Kingdom n = 206). In each country, LCA revealed two distinct clusters, both of which presented with food avoidance. Cluster 1 (75%, 71%, 66% of the Australian, Canadian, and United Kingdom populations, respectively) presented with symptoms of greater weight preoccupation, fear of being fat, body image distortion, and over exercising, while Cluster 2 did not (all p < .05). Cluster 1 was older, had greater mean weight loss and was more likely to have been admitted to an inpatient unit and have unstable vital signs (all p < .01). Cluster 2 was more likely to present with a comorbid psychiatric disorder (p < .01). Clusters 1 and 2 closely resembled the DSM‐5 criteria for anorexia nervosa and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, respectively. Symptomatology and distribution were remarkably similar among countries, which lends support to two separate and distinct restrictive ED diagnoses.
Responses of holocyclic and anholocyclic Rhopalosiphum padi populations to low‐temperature and short‐photoperiod induction
Authors: Peng Xiong , Qiao Xianfeng , Chen Maohua
Published: January 2017

The different life cycles of aphid species make these organisms good models for studying the short‐term consequences of sex. The bird cherry‐oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi has a wide geographic distribution and correspondingly different life cycles. In this study, the life cycles of R. padi collected from six different regions in China were characterized experimentally by comparing the responses of holocyclic and anholocyclic populations to low‐temperature and short‐photoperiod induction. Clones collected from Chuzhou, Taian, and Taigu consistently reproduced via obligate parthenogenesis, whereas clones from Hami and Baicheng were holocyclic in their response, and those from Lanzhou were both holocyclic and anholocyclic. Prolonged exposure to low temperature and a short photoperiod (LS) had negative effects on the offspring of anholocyclic aphids with regard to adult lifespan, total longevity, and fecundity compared with aphids maintained at a normal temperature and a long photoperiod (NL). Holocyclic LS R. padi had longer developmental times at all nymph stages, a shorter adult lifespan, shorter total longevity, and a lower fecundity than NL counterparts. The adult prereproduction period of gynoparae was significantly longer than that of virginoparae, and the total longevity of gynoparae was significantly shorter than that of virginoparae. Moreover, the net reproductive and gross reproduction rates, as well as the total fecundity, were roughly fivefold higher in virginoparae than in gynoparae, indicating that there is the short‐term cost of sex. When maintained on their secondary host (Triticum aestivum), gynoparae, males, and oviparae produced by holocyclic populations could survive, and gynoparae produced oviparae. However, under NL conditions, oviparae could not produce overwintering eggs on the secondary host, whereas a few overwintering eggs were generated by oviparae under LS conditions. Taken together, these results illuminate the complexity of insect responses and contribute to a complete understanding of the aphid life cycle and its evolution.
Restoration of the iconic Pando aspen clone: emerging evidence of recovery
Authors: Rogers Paul C. , Gale Jody A.
Published: January 2017

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) is being stressed across the America West from a variety of sources including drought, herbivory, fire suppression, development, and past management practices. Rich assemblages of plants and animals that utilize aspen forests, as well as economic values of tourism, grazing, hunting, and water conservation, make aspen ecosystems among the most valuable vegetation types in this region. The 43‐ha Pando clone near Fish Lake, Utah, is an iconic example of an aspen community undergoing rapid decline due to overstory mortality and chronic recruitment failure. As part of a larger project to restore Pando, we fenced, treated, and monitored a portion of this famous grove with the intent of documenting regeneration responses and using such practices at larger scales. Twenty‐seven randomly stratified monitoring plots were placed across this landscape in order to better understand herbivory and regeneration responses to distinct treatment categories: protected and unprotected, and passive (fenced only) and active (burning, shrub removal, selective overstory cutting) treatments. At each site, we measured basal area and mortality on mature trees, made counts of juvenile and intermediate suckers, documented browse levels and herbivore scat presence, and characterized environmental conditions in terms of aspen and common juniper cover, treatment type, elevation, slope, and aspect. Our results confirmed a positive regeneration response to browsing cessation after fencing, whereas non‐fenced areas showed no improvement. Within the fence, there was a significantly better response of active treatment vs. passive and there was no significant difference between treatment types in terms of level of regeneration. Both active and passive management produced regeneration levels that were sufficient to replace dying canopy trees if managers continue to protect suckers until they exceed the reach of browsers. These results support a growing body of research suggesting managers need to invest in continuous protection from herbivory in stable aspen forests, as well as targeting additional post‐treatment protection, to ensure adequate regeneration. We examine ramifications of these results for broader restoration purposes in the remainder of Pando, as well as other aspen communities regionally, with the ultimate goal of restoring ecological process toward greater ecosystem resilience.
Robust immunoglobulin class switch recombination and end joining in Parp9‐deficient mice
Authors: Robert Isabelle , Gaudot Léa , Yélamos José , Noll Aurélia , Wong Heng‐Kuan , Dantzer Françoise , Schreiber Valérie , Reina‐San‐Martin Bernardo
Published: January 2017

To mount highly specific and adapted immune responses, B lymphocytes assemble and diversify their antibody repertoire through mechanisms involving the formation of programmed DNA damage. Immunoglobulin class switch recombination (CSR) is triggered by DNA lesions induced by activation‐induced cytidine deaminase, which are processed to double‐stranded DNA break (DSB) intermediates. These DSBs activate the cellular DNA damage response and enroll numerous DNA repair factors, involving poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerases Parp1, Parp2, and Parp3 to promote appropriate DNA repair and efficient long‐range recombination. The macroParp Parp9, which is overexpressed in certain lymphomas, has been recently implicated in DSB repair, acting together with Parp1. Here, we examine the contribution of Parp9 to the resolution of physiological DSBs incurred during V(D)J recombination and CSR by generating Parp9−/− mice. We find that Parp9‐deficient mice are viable, fertile, and do not show any overt phenotype. Moreover, we find that Parp9 is dispensable for B‐cell development. Finally, we show that CSR and DNA end‐joining are robust in the absence of Parp9, indicating that Parp9 is not essential in vivo to achieve physiological DSB repair, or that strong compensatory mechanisms exist.
Cyclometalated Iridium(III) Complexes with Ligand Effects on the Catalytic C–H Bond Activation of Toluene
Authors: Chen Tsun‐Ren , Liu Pei‐Chun , Lee Hsiu‐Pen , Wu Fang‐Siou , Chen Kelvin H. ‐C.
Published: January 2017

New cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes have been designed, prepared and applied as catalytic systems for the C–H bond activation (CHA) of toluene through a clean, highly efficient, and environmentally friendly process. The complexes have the general formula [(C^N)2Ir(N^O)]. The C^N ligands are the monoanionic bidentate cyclometalating ligands 2‐phenylpyridinato (ppy), 2‐phenylbenzoxazolato (pbo), and 2‐(3.5‐difluorophenyl)benzoxazolato (dfpbo). The (N^O) ligand is also a monoanionic bidentate cyclometalating ligand, namely picolinato (pic). The complexes [(ppy)2Ir(pic)] (1), [(pbo)2Ir(pic)] (2), and [(dfpbo)2Ir(pic)] (3) were structurally characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, FAB‐MS, and X‐ray crystallography. The activation energies for the catalytic CHA oxidation of toluene when using complexes 1–3 as catalysts are quite low, between 14.4 and 25.5 kcal mol–1. The catalytic turnover frequencies (TOFs) are fairly high (up to 4.0 × 103 moltoluene molcatalyst–1 h–1) with excellent reliability and the turnover number (TON) can reach 2.40 × 104 moltoluene molcatalyst–1 after 6 h of reaction time. A combination of catalytic tests, DFT calculations, X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) analysis, and kinetic modeling was used to derive detailed insights into the characteristics of the catalysts and their effect on the reactions featured in the CHA oxidation of toluene.
Acupuncture and electro‐acupuncture for people diagnosed with subacromial pain syndrome: A multicentre randomized trial
Authors: Lewis J. , Sim J. , Barlas P.
Published: January 2017

Background

Musculoskeletal disorders have been identified globally as the second most common healthcare problem for ‘years lived with disability’, and of these shoulder conditions are amongst the most common, frequently associated with substantial pain and morbidity. Exercise and acupuncture are often provided as initial treatments for musculoskeletal shoulder conditions but their clinical effectiveness is uncertain. This study compared group exercise with group exercise plus either acupuncture or electro‐acupuncture in patients with subacromial pain syndrome.

Methods

Two hundred and twenty‐seven participants were recruited to a three‐arm parallel‐group randomized clinical trial. The primary outcome measure was the Oxford Shoulder Score. Follow‐up was post treatment, and at 6 and 12 months. Between‐group differences (two comparisons: the exercise group versus each of the acupuncture groups) were analysed at 6 months. A similar comparison across all follow‐up time points was also conducted. Data were analysed on intention‐to‐treat principles with imputation of missing values.

Results

Treatment groups were similar at baseline, and all treatment groups demonstrated an improvement over time. Between‐group estimates at 6 months were, however, small and non‐significant, for both of the comparisons. The analyses across all follow‐up time points yielded similar conclusions. There was a high rate of missing values (22% for the Oxford Shoulder Score). A sensitivity analysis using complete data gave similar conclusions to the analysis with missing values imputed.

Conclusions

In the current investigation, neither acupuncture nor electro‐acupuncture were found to be more beneficial than exercise alone in the treatment of subacromial pain syndrome. These findings may support clinicians with treatment planning.

Significance

Shoulder pain is common and associated with substantial morbidity. Acupuncture is a popular treatment for shoulder pain. The findings suggest that acupuncture and electro‐acupuncture offer no additional benefit over exercise in the treatment of shoulder pain of musculoskeletal origin.
The prevalence and impact of chronic neuropathic pain on daily and social life: A nationwide study in a Japanese population
Authors: Inoue S. , Taguchi T. , Yamashita T. , Nakamura M. , Ushida T.
Published: January 2017

Background

This study marks the first epidemiological evaluation of the prevalence and burden of chronic neuropathic pain (NeP) in an Asian population. The objective of this nationwide cross‐sectional study was to identify the characteristics of individuals with NeP, detect the NeP features that affect their quality of life (QOL), and demonstrate the negative effects of NeP on social and daily living as well as comorbidities including depression, anxiety and sleep disorders.

Methods

We mailed a cross‐sectional, population‐based epidemiological survey to a random nationwide sample of 10,000 Japanese adults over 20 years old.

Results

The response rate was 54.4% (2445 men, 2992 women; mean age, 53.4 years). Prevalence of chronic pain was 16.6%, and prevalence of NeP was 3.2% as detected by the PainDETECT. Participants with NeP showed significantly lower quality of life according to scores on the EuroQol‐5 Dimensions scale (p < 0.001), higher levels of psychological distress on the Kessler 6‐item psychological distress scale (p < 0.001), poorer sleep quality (p < 0.001), and more workdays lost (p < 0.001) than did participants without NeP. Linear regression modelling showed that widespread pain, thermal hyperalgesia and pressure‐induced pain had strong associations with lower QOL, with regression coefficients of −0.046 (p < 0.001), −0.038 (p < 0.001), and −0.040 (p < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions

This study is the first to report the prevalence of NeP in an Asian population using a validated questionnaire. This study provides compelling evidence that chronic NeP is more strongly associated with poorer QOL, mental health and social well‐being than CP without a neuropathic component.

Significance

This population‐based nationwide epidemiological study revealed the prevalence, characteristics, and negative effects of chronic pain with neuropathic components in Asian society. The prevalence of neuropathic pain was 3.2% with PainDETECT.
Measuring expectation of pain: Contingent negative variation in placebo and nocebo effects
Authors: Piedimonte A. , Guerra G. , Vighetti S. , Carlino E.
Published: January 2017

Background

Expectation is an important mechanism underlying placebo response. Here, we analysed expectation of placebo hypoalgesia and nocebo hyperalgesia by using, for the first time, the contingent negative variation (CNV), also known as expectancy wave.

Methods

Subjects were presented a green or red cue followed by a train of either non painful or painful electrical stimuli, and expected hypoalgesia after the green and hyperalgesia after the red cue. In experiment 1, expectation was reinforced using a conditioning procedure whereby the green and red cues were paired with non painful and painful stimuli, respectively (acquisition). In a second session (test) the intensity of the stimuli was kept constant, regardless of cue. In experiment 2 no conditioning was performed and participants expected an altered pain perception indicated by the visual cues. CNV mean amplitude, time necessary to stop the train of stimuli (reaction time) and pain ratings were measured.

Results

A difference in pain perception occurred when electrical stimuli followed the presentation of the green cue compared to the red in the test session, whereas reaction times showed no changes. The same difference occurred in the early CNV component, related to cognitive stimulus anticipation, whereas the late CNV component, related to motor preparation, did not change. Moreover, these differences in pain perception and CNV amplitude were less robust in the experiment 2.

Conclusion

Placebo hypoalgesia and nocebo hyperalgesia differently affect sensory (pain perception) and motor components (pain avoidance) of pain. Furthermore, CNV is an electrophysiological objective measure capable of dissecting these components.

Significance

Dissection of placebo hypoalgesia, differentiating the sensory component (pain perception) from the motor component (pain avoidance). Study of these components using the contingent negative variation (CNV) as an electrophysiological objective measure.
Electrochemical Quantitative Analysis of Nucleic Acids Using β‐Cyclodextrin Modified Gold Electrode
Authors: Lee Sun Hyeok , Lee Soo Suk
Published: January 2017

We present an electrochemical biosensor for the analysis of nucleic acids upon hybridization on the β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD)‐modified gold electrode. The strategy is based on the following: The 5’‐ferrocene‐labeled single stranded capture probe DNA (5’‐fc‐ss‐DNA) was incorporated into the cavity of thiolated β‐CD which was immobilized on the surface of gold electrode. After hybridization of complementary target DNA, hybridized double stranded DNA (ds‐DNA) was released from the cavity of β‐CD. The difference of electrochemical properties on the modified gold electrode was characterized by cyclic voltametry and surface plasmon resonance. We successfully applied this method to the investigation of the sensor responses due to hybridization on various concentrations of applied target DNA. As a result, the label‐free electrochemical DNA sensor can detect the target DNA with a detection limit of 1.08 nM. Finally, our method does not require either hybridization indicators or other signalling molecules such as DNA intercalaters which most of electrochemical hybridization detection systems require.
A Gold Nanoparticles–Enhanced Carbon Nanotubes Electrochemical Chiral Sensor
Authors: Chen Lisha , Liu Shuai , Chang Fengxia , Xie Xia , Zhu Zhiwei
Published: January 2017

The field of enantioselective recognition directly using inherently chiral single‐walled carbon nanotubes (cSWCNTs) still remains unexplored. Herein, the insertion of size‐controlled gold nanoparticles (GNPs) to cSWCNTs brings about superior conductivity, high stability, and excellent electrocatalytic ability, thus an enhanced sensitivity for chiral sensing. The practicability of the GNPs/cSWCNTs based electrochemical sensor was validated by chirally recognizing 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine and tyrosine as model molecules.
Affinity capillary electrophoresis and quantum mechanical calculations applied to investigation of [Gly6]‐antamanide binding with sodium and potassium ions
Authors: Pangavhane Sachin , Böhm Stanislav , Makrlík Emanuel , Ruzza Paolo , Kašička Václav
Published: January 2017

ACE in a free solution and quantum mechanical density functional theory have been applied to the investigation of interactions of glycine‐6‐antamanide ([Gly6]AA), a synthetic derivative of cyclic decapeptide antamanide isolated from the highly poisonous mushroom Amanita phalloides, with sodium or potassium ions in methanol. First, from the dependence of effective electrophoretic mobility of [Gly6]AA on Na+ or K+ ions concentration in the BGE (methanolic solution of 20 mM chloroacetic acid, 10 mM Tris, pHMeOH 7.8, containing 0–50 mM NaCl or 0–40 mM KCl), the apparent binding (stability) constants of [Gly6]AA‐Na+ and [Gly6]AA‐K+ complexes were evaluated as 26 ± 1 and 14 ± 1 L/mol, respectively. The employed ACE method included correction of the effective mobilities measured at ambient temperature and at variable ionic strength of the BGEs to the mobilities related to the reference temperature 25°C and to the constant ionic strength 10 mM. Second, the interaction energies of the [Gly6]AA‐Na+ and [Gly6]AA‐K+ complexes (−466.3 and −345.2 kJ/mol, respectively) and the structural details of these complexes, such as position of the Na+ and K+ ions in the cavity of the [Gly6]AA molecule and the interatomic distances within these complexes, were determined by the density functional theory calculations.
Effective dismantling of waste printed circuit board assembly with methanesulfonic acid containing hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Zhang Xiaojiao , Guan Jie , Guo Yaoguang , Cao Yonghai , Guo Jiang , Yuan Hao , Su Ruijing , Liang Bo , Gao Guilan , Zhou Yuan , Xu Jinqiu , Guo Zhanhu
Published: January 2017

Dismantling of waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) is of great importance in the recycling chain of electronic wastes (e‐wastes), since there are lots of high‐value components and toxic substances contained in the WPCBs. In this work, effective dismantling was achieved by dissolving the lead‐tin solder into a leachant containing methanesulfonic acid (MSA) and H2O2. Different concentrations of H2O2 and MSA as well as leaching time were investigated. The final optimization experiment scheme was obtained from the simulation with the help of Design‐Expert 8.0.6 software. A leachant containing 3.5 mol/L MSA and 0.5 mol/L H2O2 with a reaction time of 45 min was regarded as the optimum conditions for the selective desoldering separation of electronic components (ECs) from the WPCBs. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 873–878, 2017
Advantages of ethanol–gasoline blends as fuel substitute for last generation Si engines
Authors: Iodice Paolo , Senatore Adolfo , Langella Giuseppe , Amoresano Amedeo
Published: January 2017

The stringent international emission legislations and increasing demands for lesser fuel consumption and air pollutant emissions in urban environment necessitate substantial and effective plans to improve combustion efficiency of anthropogenic activities. For this reason, all the industrialized countries are energetically developing alternative fuel sources in order to reduce the harmful air emissions and to decrease the necessity of fossil fuel. In this context, ethanol can be used as an alternative fuel or an additive of gasoline owing to many advantages, above all the possibility to rise oxygen amount in the fuel (so reducing CO and HC exhaust emissions) and to stem the depletion of fossil fuels. Many studies have been carried out to evaluate the effects of ethanol combined with gasoline on engine performance and exhaust emissions. This article analyze prospect of fuel ethanol as an effective gasoline substitute, and examines comparative physicochemical properties of ethanol and gasoline and their effect on emissive behavior of SI engines. This article, then, creates a fundamental basis for further discussions and experimental activities on the last generation SI engines fuelled with ethanol/gasoline‐blended fuels. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 1173–1179, 2017
Improved evaluation of inelastic displacement demands for short‐period masonry structures
Authors: Guerrini Gabriele , Graziotti Francesco , Penna Andrea , Magenes Guido
Published: January 2017

This work discusses the simplified estimation of earthquake‐induced nonlinear displacement demands as required by nonlinear static procedures, with particular attention on short‐period masonry structures. The study focuses on systems with fundamental periods between 0.1 and 0.5 s, for which inelastic amplification of the elastic displacement demand is more pronounced; hysteretic force‐displacement relationships characteristic of masonry structures are adopted, because these structures are more commonly found within the considered period range. Referring to the results of nonlinear dynamic analyses of single‐degree‐of‐freedom oscillators, some limitations of the Eurocode 8 and Italian Building Code formulations are first discussed, then an improved equation is calibrated that relates inelastic and elastic displacement demands. Numerical values of the equation parameters are obtained, considering the amount of hysteretic energy dissipation associated with various damage mechanisms observed in masonry structures. Safety factors are also calculated to determine several percentiles of the displacement demand. It is shown that the proposed equation can be extended to more dissipative systems. Finally, the same formulation is adapted to the estimation of seismic displacements when elastic analysis procedures are employed. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling of terracette‐hillslope soil moisture as a function of aspect, slope and vegetation in a semi‐arid environment
Authors: Corrao Mark V. , Link Timothy E. , Heinse Robert , Eitel Jan U.H.
Published: January 2017

In the semi‐arid western United States, water availability plays a defining role in land use. Soil moisture, vegetation, and microtopography are key variables in the hydrologic function of these ecosystems. Previous research has not addressed the influence of site‐specific aspect, vegetation, or slope gradient on terracette soil moisture patterns in semi‐arid rangelands. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to: (1) assess the influence of terracette site aspect, vegetation cover, and slope on soil moisture; (2) conceptualize conditions at the hillslope scale given terracette morphology; and (3) estimate the extent of terracettes at a regional scale. The Simultaneous Heat and Water (SHAW) model was used to simulate soil water dynamics of terracettes given variations in site conditions. These results were coupled with time‐of‐flight laser scans to quantify terracette bench and riser percent‐area, and statewide assessments of terracette extent using digital orthoimagery and a geographical information system (GIS). Modeling results indicated site aspect had minimal influence (±0.005 m3 m−3) on terracette soil moisture. Vegetation, represented as leaf area index (LAI), had the single‐most influential effect on terracette volumetric water content (θv) demonstrated by an inverse relationship of LAI to mean terracette hillslope θv; and slope increases of ≥15% on northern azimuths increased mean θv which contrasted with southern azimuths for similar slope increases. Laser scanning results indicated bench width and riser length could be estimated from mean site slope (R2 = 0.82 risers and R2 = 0.93 benches). Aerial orthoimagery/GIS assessments estimated >159 000 ha of terracettes throughout the State of Idaho, with >41 000 ha (~26%) occurring on lands managed as grazing allotments. These findings provide an increased understanding of rangeland hydrologic processes as influenced by cattle density, vegetation, and terracettes which can aide land managers in their selection and application of best management practices on these lands. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An assessment of direct and indirect effects of two herbicides on aquatic communities
Authors: Hasenbein Simone , Lawler Sharon P. , Connon Richard E.
Published: January 2017

Herbicides are often detected in watersheds at concentrations that are toxic to phytoplankton, potentially causing indirect effects on higher trophic organisms. The long-term effects of 5 applications over 30 d of binary mixtures of the herbicides diuron and hexazinone were assessed at “low” and “high” concentrations typically found in the environment, using mesocosms. Sixteen of 95 phytoplankton taxa, 3 of 18 zooplankton taxa, and 6 of 14 macroinvertebrate taxa responded negatively to contaminant exposures. Herbicide applications altered the phytoplankton community structure. Relative abundance of Cyanophyceae decreased following 5 applications from 52.1% in the control to 37.3% in the low treatment and to 25.9% in the high treatment, while Chlorophyceae increased to 50.6% in the low treatment and to 61.7% in the high treatment compared with the control (39.7%). Chlorophyceae had the greatest number of affected species (8), whereas 1 species within the Cyanophyceae was negatively affected on more than 1 sampling day. Further, chlorophyll a was reduced on 4 and 5 d out of the 8 total sampling days in the low and high treatments, respectively, compared with the control. These results highlight that integrating multiple taxa and contaminants with long-term exposures in ecological risk assessments of herbicides can facilitate the ability to make predictive and mechanistic generalizations about the role of herbicides in shaping patterns of species abundance in natural systems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2234–2244. © 2017 SETAC
Inhibition of immune responses and related proteins in Rhamdia quelen exposed to diclofenac
Authors: Ribas João L.C. , Sherry James P. , Zampronio Aleksander R. , Silva de Assis Helena C. , Simmons Denina B.D.
Published: January 2017

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are among the most widely detected pharmaceuticals in surface water worldwide. The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac is used to treat many types of pain and inflammation. Diclofenac's potential to cause adverse effects in exposed wildlife is a growing concern. To evaluate the effects of waterborne diclofenac on the immune response in Rhamdia quelen (South American catfish), fish were exposed to 3 concentrations of diclofenac (0.2, 2.0, and 20.0 μg/L) for 14 d. Some of the exposed fish were also given an intraperitoneal injection on day 14 of 1 mg/kg of carrageenan to evaluate cell migration to the peritoneum. Total blood leukocyte count and carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity, particularly of polymorphonuclear cells, were significantly affected for all diclofenac exposure groups. Nitric oxide production was significantly reduced in the diclofenac-treated fish. Plasma and kidney proteins were analyzed by means of liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry in a shotgun proteomic approach. In both plasma and kidney of diclofenac-exposed R. quelen, the expression of 20 proteins related to the inflammatory process, nitric oxide production, leukocyte migration, and the complement cascade was significantly altered. In addition, class I major histocompatibility complex was significantly decreased in plasma of diclofenac-treated fish. Thus, waterborne exposure to diclofenac could lead to suppression of the innate immune system in R. quelen. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2092–2107. © 2017 SETAC
Adaptable Immigrants
Authors: Winkelmann Carola
Published: January 2017

Freshwater ecology in the Elbe and the Rhine: Dikerogammarus villosus, the “killer shrimp”, appears to have a number of different strategies for survival. It is able to change its hunting and feeding behaviour to suit its surroundings and the environmental conditions.
Imperfect (de)convolution may introduce spurious psychophysiological interactions and how to avoid it
Authors: Di Xin , Reynolds Richard C. , Biswal Bharat B.
Published: January 2017

Psychophysiological interaction (PPI) is a widely used regression‐based method to study connectivity changes in different experimental conditions. A PPI effect is generated by point‐by‐point multiplication of a psychological variable (experimental design) and a physiological variable (time series of a seed region). If the psychological variable is non‐centered with a constant component, the constant component will add a physiological variable to the PPI term. The physiological component would in theory be accounted for by the physiological main effect in the model. But due to imperfect deconvolution and convolution with hemodynamic response function, the physiological component in PPI may no longer be exactly the same as the physiological main effect. This issue was illustrated by analyzing two block‐designed fMRI datasets, one simple visual checkerboard task and a set of different tasks designed to activate different hemispheres. When PPI was calculated with deconvolution but without centering, significant results were usually observed between regions that are known to have baseline functional connectivity. These results could be suppressed by simply centering the psychological variable when calculating the PPI term or adding a deconvolve–reconvolved version of the physiological covariate. The PPI results with centering and with deconvolve–reconvolved physiological covariate are consistent with an explicit test for differences in coupling between conditions. It was, therefore, suggested that centering of the psychological variable or the addition of a deconvolve–reconvolved covariate is necessary for PPI analysis. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1723–1740, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in adolescents and young adults: The next frontier in the epidemic
Authors: Doycheva Iliana , Watt Kymberly D. , Alkhouri Naim
Published: January 2017

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a significant health burden in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) which has substantially risen in prevalence over the last decades. The occurrence of NAFLD parallels high rates of obesity and metabolic syndrome in this age group, with unhealthy lifestyle also playing an independent role. Genetic factors, sex, and ethnicity should be considered in a risk stratification model. NAFLD and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in AYAs often go unrecognized and, if untreated, can progress eventually to cirrhosis requiring liver transplantation (LT) before the age of 40. Recently, NASH has increased as an indication for LT in this age group. Important knowledge gaps include the feasibility of noninvasive diagnostic tests and imaging modalities as well as uncertainty about unique histological features and their predictive value. Future clinical trials focused on AYAs are needed to determine effectiveness of therapies. Tools for increasing awareness and prevention of NAFLD in AYAs are greatly needed. (Hepatology 2017;65:2100‐2109).
Size Matters: Influence of Gold‐to‐Ligand Ratio and Sulfur‐Sulfur Distance of Linear Thioether Heptamers on the Size of Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Lehmann Mario , Peters Erich Henrik , Mayor Marcel
Published: January 2017

A systematic investigation of two parameters steering the size of linear octadentate heptamer‐coated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is presented, being i) the chemical structure (sulfur‐sulfur distance) of the coating thioether heptamer ligand and ii) the ratio of ligand to tetrachloroauric acid (HAuCl4) reduced during the formation of the AuNPs. For this purpose, a novel terphenyl‐based thioether heptamer (Ter) is synthesized via an end‐capping oligomerization strategy, comprising an increased distance between neighboring sulfur atoms in the ligand backbone compared to the meta‐xylene‐ (Xyl) and tetraphenylmethane‐ (TPM) based heptamers. While for both investigated parameters a clear trend to various‐sized NPs is shown, a stronger influence in the resulting sizes is observed by alteration of ligand to gold‐ratio. Remarkable processability‐ and long‐term stability‐features were observed for AuNPs stabilized by the bulky tetraphenylmethane‐based heptamer (TPM).
Intramolecular Excited‐State Hydrogen Transfer in Rutin and Quercetin
Authors: Simkovitch Ron , Huppert Dan
Published: January 2017

Steady‐state and time‐resolved optical spectroscopy techniques were employed to study the excited‐state intramolecular hydrogen transfer (ESIHT) in rutin, a flavonol that contains a disaccharide and is a natural product in plants. The results are compared with those of a similar natural compound, quercetin, which also has a flavonol structure. The fluorescence decay signal of the normal form of these two compounds is composed of three time components. The ESIHT rate in both compounds has a time constant of 70 fs or less. The ESIHT processes of both compounds show a distinctive kinetic isotope effect of 1.5 or more. The intermediate and long‐time components are about 300 fs and a few picoseconds, respectively, for both compounds. The amplitude of the intermediate component in rutin is twice that of quercetin. We explain this difference as arising from the hydrogen bonding of the glucose in rutin to the ESIHT active site.
Oxidative Stress Promotes Doxorubicin‐Induced Pgp and BCRP Expression in Colon Cancer Cells Under Hypoxic Conditions
Authors: Pinzón‐Daza Martha L. , Cuellar‐Saenz Yenith , Nualart Francisco , Ondo‐Mendez Alejandro , Del Riesgo Lilia , Castillo‐Rivera Fabio , Garzón Ruth
Published: January 2017

P‐glycoprotein (Pgp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) are ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters that are overexpressed in different drug‐resistant cancer cell lines. In this study, we investigated whether doxorubicin promotes Pgp and/or BCRP expression to induce drug resistance in colon cancer cells under hypoxic conditions. We analyzed HIF‐1α activity via ELISA, Pgp, and BCRP expression by qRT‐PCR and the relationship between doxorubicin uptake and ABC transporter expression via confocal microscopy in HT‐29WT and HT‐29 doxorubicin‐resistant colon cancer cells (HT‐29DxR). These cells were treated with doxorubicin and/or CoCl2 (chemical hypoxia), and reactive oxygen species inductors. We found that the combination of chemically induced hypoxia and doxorubicin promoted Pgp mRNA expression within 24 h in HT‐29WT and HT‐29DxR cells. Both doxorubicin and CoCl2 alone or in combination induced Pgp and BCRP expression, as demonstrated via confocal microscopy in each of the above two cell lines. Thus, we surmised that Pgp and BCRP expression may result from synergistic effects exerted by the combination of doxorubicin‐induced ROS production and HIF‐1α activity under hypoxic conditions. However, HIF‐1α activity disruption via the administration of E3330, an APE‐1 inhibitor, downregulated Pgp expression and increased doxorubicin delivery to HT‐29 cells, where it served as a substrate for Pgp, indicating the existence of an indirect relationship between Pgp expression and doxorubicin accumulation. Thus, we concluded that Pgp and BCRP expression can be regulated via cross‐talk between doxorubicin and hypoxia, promoting drug resistance in HT‐29 WT, and HT‐29DxR cells and that this process may be ROS dependent. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1868–1878, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Therapeutic Potential of Curcumin in Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer: Current Status and Future Perspectives
Authors: Hosseini Mina , Hassanian Seyed Mahdi , Mohammadzadeh Elham , ShahidSales Soodabeh , Maftouh Mina , Fayazbakhsh Hasan , Khazaei Majid , Avan Amir
Published: January 2017

Pancreatic cancer is among the leading cause of deaths due to cancer with extremely poor prognosis. Gemcitabine is being used in the treatment of patient with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), although, the response rate is bellow 12%. A recent phase III trial revealed that FOLFIRINOX could be an option for the treatment of metastatic PDAC patients, although it is associated with increased toxicity. Therefore, identification of novel agents that either improves gemcitabine activity, within novel combinatorial approaches, or with a better efficacy than gemcitabine is warranted. The antitumor activity of curcumin in several tumors, including prostate, breast and colorectal cancers have investigated. A recent phase II trial explored the effects of curcumin in advanced pancreatic cancer patient. They found that oral curcumin was well tolerated. Another trial showed the activity of 8,000 mg of curcumin in combination with gemcitabine in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. This review summarizes the current knowledge about possible molecular mechanisms of curcumin in PDAC with particular emphasis on preclinical/clinical studies in pancreatic cancer treatment. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1634–1638, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Establishment of reference intervals for complete blood count parameters during normal pregnancy in Beijing
Authors: Li Aiwei , Yang Shuo , Zhang Jie , Qiao Rui
Published: January 2017

Objective

To observe the changes of complete blood count (CBC) parameters during pregnancy and establish appropriate reference intervals for healthy pregnant women.

Methods

Healthy pregnant women took the blood tests at all trimesters. All blood samples were processed on Sysmex XE‐2100. The following CBC parameters were analyzed: red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red blood cell distribution width (RDW), platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), white blood cell count (WBC), and leukocyte differential count. Reference intervals were established using the 2.5th and 97.5th percentile of the distribution.

Results

Complete blood count parameters showed dynamic changes during trimesters. RBC, Hb, Hct declined at trimester 1, reaching their lowest point at trimester 2, and began to rise again at trimester 3. WBC, neutrophil count (Neut), monocyte count (MONO), RDW, and PDW went up from trimester 1 to trimester 3. On the contrary, MCHC, lymphocyte count (LYMPH), PLT, and MPV gradually descended during pregnancy. There were statistical significances in all CBC parameters between pregnant women and normal women, regardless of the trimesters (P<.001). The median obtained were (normal vs pregnancy) as follows: RBC 4.50 vs 3.94×1012/L, Hb 137 vs 120 g/L, WBC 5.71 vs 9.06×109/L, LYMPH% 32.2 vs 18.0, Neut% 58.7 vs 75.0, and PLT 251 vs 202×109/L.

Conclusion

The changes of CBC parameters during pregnancy are described, and reference intervals for Beijing pregnant women are demonstrated in this study.
STIM‐1 and ORAI‐1 channel mediate angiotensin‐II‐induced expression of Egr‐1 in vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Simo‐Cheyou Estelle R. , Tan Ju Jing , Grygorczyk Ryszard , Srivastava Ashok K.
Published: January 2017

An upregulation of Egr‐1 expression has been reported in models of atherosclerosis and intimal hyperplasia and, various vasoactive peptides and growth promoting stimuli have been shown to induce the expression of Egr‐1 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Angiotensin‐II (Ang‐II) is a key vasoactive peptide that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. Ang‐II elevates intracellular Ca2+ through activation of the store‐operated calcium entry (SOCE) involving an inositol‐3‐phosphate receptor (IP3R)‐coupled depletion of endoplasmic reticular Ca2+ and a subsequent activation of the stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM‐1)/Orai‐1 complex. However, the involvement of IP3R/STIM‐1/Orai‐1‐Ca2+‐dependent signaling in Egr‐1 expression in VSMC remains unexplored. Therefore, in the present studies, we have examined the role of Ca2+ signaling in Ang‐II‐induced Egr‐1 expression in VSMC and investigated the contribution of STIM‐1 or Orai‐1 in mediating this response. 2‐aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2‐APB), a dual non‐competitive antagonist of IP3R and inhibitor of SOCE, decreased Ang‐II‐induced Ca2+ release and attenuated Ang‐II‐induced enhanced expression of Egr‐1 protein and mRNA levels. Egr‐1 upregulation was also suppressed following blockade of calmodulin and CaMKII. Furthermore, RNA interference‐mediated depletion of STIM‐1 or Orai‐1 attenuated Ang‐II‐induced Egr‐1 expression as well as Ang‐II‐induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and CREB. In addition, siRNA‐induced silencing of CREB resulted in a reduction in the expression of Egr‐1 stimulated by Ang‐II. In summary, our data demonstrate that Ang‐II‐induced Egr‐1 expression is mediated by STIM‐1/Orai‐1/Ca2+‐dependent signaling pathways in A‐10 VSMC.
Emotional and Motivational Correlates of Leadership Styles: A Comprehensive Framework for Understanding Effective Leaders
Authors: Vidic Zeljka , Burton Damon , South Gregory , Pickering Anthony M. , Start Amanda
Published: January 2017

It is widely believed that contemporary leaders must possess highly developed interpersonal, motivational, social, and emotional skills. However, empirical evidence documenting the specific role emotional intelligence (EI) and motivational constructs play in leadership is equivocal to date (e.g., Harms & Crede, 2010; Lindebaum & Cartwright, 2010; Walter, Cole, & Humphrey, 2011). The current study examined a proposed working leadership model based on four distinct leadership styles LSs; i.e., servant, transformational, transactional, and passive/avoidant) that could be viewed on an autonomy‐sophistication continuum based on readiness and strengths of both leaders and followers. Participants included 535 male and female junior college and high school students at a military academy. Cluster analysis (CA) results revealed four unique LS profiles that capture different combinations of the four LS styles. LS profiles were compared on a range of motivational and EI dimensions. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) results revealed support for hypothesized profile differences, including: (a) all three social motivation subscales, (b) both learning and capacity ability beliefs, (c) task but not ego motivational orientation, and (d) three revised EI subscales created when exploratory factor analysis failed to confirm the hypothesized Emotional and Social Competence Inventory factor structure for this cadet sample.
Using Followership to Develop New Leadership in Cultures with Greater Power Distance
Authors: Schuder Karen L.
Published: January 2017

Leadership theories abound in individualistic societies with the promise that anyone can become a successful leader by following certain guidelines. However, many of our existing theories are culturally specific to individualistic societies with low power distance. People from more collectivist cultures, in which power distance is greater, have a very different perspective of what they can do. In the current paper, I discuss how followership can be helpful for empowering people in large power distant cultures and offer five strategies, using Honduras as an example. The strategies are based on a theoretical examination of basic followership concepts with Hofstede's cultural dimensions of power distance and collectivism (Hofstede, Hofstede, & Minkov, 2010).
Spatiotemporal patterns of annual and seasonal precipitation extreme distributions across China and potential impact of tropical cyclones
Authors: Gu Xihui , Zhang Qiang , Singh Vijay P. , Liu Lin , Shi Peijun
Published: January 2017

Statistical properties of annual and seasonal daily maximum precipitation in terms of nonstationarity, upper tail properties, and impact of tropical cyclones (TCs) were analysed, using data from 728 meteorological stations across China andTCstracks data covering a period of 1951–2014. The change points and trends detected by stepwise regression method and modified Mann–Kendall, respectively, provide limited evidence of the violation of the stationarity assumption in both annual and seasonal extreme precipitation, and we cannot make conclusive statements about the presence of a possible climate change signal. For stationary stations, the ratio of scale to location parameters of generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution shows exponential for annual and seasonal extreme precipitation in some sub‐regions. On the other hand, annual and seasonal maxima point to an unbounded‐above and heavy‐tail behaviour, and discussion of these upper tail properties in light of mixtures of different rainfall‐generating mechanisms is provided. In addition, anomalous values of theGEVshape parameter are associated withTCsin controlling the upper tail of annual maxima on China's coastal areas with strong spatial heterogeneities.