bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water budget and run‐off response of a tropical multispecies “reforest” and effects of typhoon disturbance
Authors: Zhang Jun , Bruijnzeel L. Adrian , Tripoli Rogelio , van Meerveld H.J. (Ilja)
Published: November 2018

To examine claims that reforesting degraded Imperata grassland in Leyte (Philippines) made streamflow perennial again, we studied the hydrological behaviour of a 23‐year‐old mixed‐species “reforest” between June 2013 and May 2014. Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest events ever, caused major damage to the site in November 2013. Average daily apparent water use (ET) was 5.0 mm day−1 pretyphoon and 3.2 mm day−1 after disturbance. Corresponding ratios of period total quickflow Qq to precipitation were 16% and 44%. Quickflow volume and peak discharge increased rapidly once a threshold value of ~250 mm for soil water storage in the top 60 cm was exceeded. Before disturbance, quickflow consisted predominantly of lateral subsurface flow due to high soil hydraulic conductivities down to 60 cm. After disturbance, shallow groundwater rose regularly to within 10 cm of the surface on foot slopes, and saturation overland flow was observed during several large storms. Comparing estimated annual ET and Qq for undisturbed conditions for the reforest and a nearby degraded Imperata grassland microcatchment suggested that the extra infiltration following reforestation (~240 mm year−1) exceeded the extra ET by the reforest (100–185 mm year−1), implying a net positive trade‐off (55–140 mm year−1) and tentatively confirming local claims of improved dry‐season flow.
ENSO and rainfall seasonality affect nutrient exchange in tropical mountain forests
Authors: Suescún Diego , León Juan Diego , Villegas Juan Camilo , García‐Leoz Vanessa , Correa‐Londoño Guillermo A. , Flórez Claudia P.
Published: November 2018

Ecohydrological and biogeochemical processes in tropical montane forests canopies are key in the provision of water‐related ecosystem services. However, the sustainability of these services is threatened by environmental change. Climate change in the tropics is suggested to be characterized by an increase in hydrological extremes, with El Niño Southern Oscillations (ENSO) as the main mechanism of climatic variability. For 2 years, we studied the effects of climate variability on a seasonal scale (represented by two phases of the ENSO) on nutrient exchange between rain and the canopy of two types of forests in the central Andes of Colombia. We monitored weekly precipitation, throughfall, and stemflow, and monthly samples of each were taken for nutrient determination in the laboratory. Our results show that forest canopies generally produced nutrient concentration enrichment in throughfall and stemflow, in both wet and dry seasons, with higher values in the Neutral period than in the El Niño period. The two phases of the ENSO did not significantly affect nutrient fluxes through the canopy. In the long term, with interannual climatic variations (seasonality and ENSO phases), the physical, chemical, and biological processes associated with the dynamics of nutrient exchange between rainwater and the canopy can alter the nutrient cycling in the forest. Our results suggest that changes in meteorological conditions such as the increase and intensification of droughts, and increases in the transformation of natural forests, could affect the capacity to regulate functions of tropical montane forests, threatening the provision of ecosystem services associated with water and soil.
New Entries to 3‐Acylchromones: TM‐Catalysed Decarboxylative Cross‐Coupling of α‐Keto Acids with ortho‐Hydroxyarylenaminones, 2,3‐Unsubstituted Chromones and 3‐Iodochromones
Authors: Mkrtchyan Satenik , Iaroshenko Viktor O.
Published: November 2018

Herein we report three new synthetic routes for the construction of a 3‐acyl‐substituted chromone scaffold by employing an acylation of ortho‐hydroxyarylenaminones, 2,3‐unsubstituted chromones and 3‐iodochromones through decarboxylative C–C cross‐coupling with α‐keto acids. This study indicates that the title transformations can be effectively catalysed by a set of silver and palladium salts. However, maximum efficiency in terms of overall yields was reported for the route starting from ortho‐hydroxyarylenaminones. The scope of this methodology was thoroughly studied. It indicated a synthesis of 26 chromone derivatives in good to excellent yields.
Organic Synthesis of Ancient Windmill‐Like Window Nanogrid at Molecular Scale
Authors: Wei Ying , Feng Quanyou , Liu Hui , Wang Xiuli , Lin Dongqing , Xie Songlin , Yi Mingdong , Xie Ling‐Hai , Huang Wei
Published: November 2018

A series of the windmill‐like fluorenoid nanogrid were synthesized by BF3·Et2O‐mediated Friedel–Crafts reaction. Two typical routes to synthesize square windmill‐like nanogrid (WG4) were developed. A one step synthesis using an I‐shaped building block with a yield of 18 % and by‐products of triangular nanogrid (WG3) and pentagon nanogrid (WG5) as well as multi‐step synthesis using an l‐shaped building block with a higher total yield of 53 %. Meanwhile, two isomers were separated for the triangle nanogrids (WG3), one of which has been confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.
Field-testing polyethylene passive samplers for the detection of neutral polyfluorinated alkyl substances in air and water
Authors: Dixon-Anderson Erik , Lohmann Rainer
Published: November 2018

Fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs), perfluorooctane-sulfonamidoethanols (FOSEs), perfluorooctane-sulfonamides (FOSAs), and other poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) are common and ubiquitous byproducts of industrial telomerization processes. They can degrade into various perfluorinated carboxylic acids, which are persistent organic contaminants of concern. We assessed the use of polyethylene (PE) passive samplers as a sampling tool for neutral PFAS precursors during field-deployments in air and water. A wide range of neutral PFASs was detected in polyethylene sheets exposed in wastewater treatment effluents in August 2017. Equilibration times for most neutral PFASs were on the order of 1 to 2 wk. Based on known sampling rates, the partitioning constants between polyethylene and water, KPEw, were derived. Log KPEw values were mostly in the range of 3 to 4.5, with the greatest values for 8:2 FTOH, 10:2 FTOH, and n-ethyl-FOSE. To test the utility of polyethylene for gas-phase compounds, parallel active and passive sampling was performed in ambient air in Providence (RI, USA) in April 2016. Most PFASs equilibrated within 2 to 7 d. The greatest concentrations in polyethylene samplers were detected for MeFOSE and EtFOSE. Polyethylene/air partitioning constants, log KPEa, were approximately 7 to 8 for the FTOHs, and approached 9 for n-methyl-FOSA and n-methyl-FOSE. Polyethylene sheets showed promise as a passive sampling approach for neutral PFASs in air and water. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:3002–3010. © 2018 SETAC

Abstract

Field-testing the uptake of neutral PFASs by passive polyethylene samplers over time.
Low‐Level Arsenic Removal from Drinking Water
Authors: Makavipour Fatemeh , Pashley Richard M. , Rahman A. F. M. Mokhlesur
Published: November 2018

The reported ability of cysteine and cystine to bind typical arsenic oxy‐ions in water is used as a basis for a study of the potential for using a surfactant with a cysteine head‐group for selective arsenic binding and removal in an ion flotation process. Several different head‐group attachment methods are studied with cysteine and cystine and with single‐ and double‐chain surfactants. A comparison of the properties of these surfactants with some other surface‐active compounds, with groups like those on cysteine, suggest that few compounds have suitable characteristics for the efficient removal of low levels of arsenic from drinking water. An amino‐acid‐based single‐chain surfactant is synthesized by reacting cysteine with octanoyl chloride to obtain octanoyl cysteine, which is then used in a study of selective ion flotation for the removal of low levels of arsenic from drinking water. This compound has high water solubility and causes extensive foaming in a typical flotation chamber and removed 99.4–99.9% of the 5 mg L−1 arsenic present in the contaminated water in a simple, single‐stage ion flotation process, using either air or nitrogen gas. These laboratory results indicate that these surfactants can be useful in the large‐scale treatment of low‐level arsenic‐contaminated water.
Identification of novel regulatory partners of the glutamate transporter GLT‐1
Authors: Piniella Dolores , Martínez‐Blanco Elena , Ibáñez Ignacio , Bartolomé‐Martín David , Porlan Eva , Díez‐Guerra Javier , Giménez Cecilio , Zafra Francisco
Published: November 2018

We used proximity‐dependent biotin identification (BioID) to find proteins that potentially interact with the major glial glutamate transporter, GLT‐1, and we studied how these interactions might affect its activity. GTPase Rac1 was one protein identified, and interfering with its GTP/GDP cycle in mixed primary rat brain cultures affected both the clustering of GLT‐1 at the astrocytic processes and the transport kinetics, increasing its uptake activity at low micromolar glutamate concentrations in a manner that was dependent on the effector kinase PAK1 and the actin cytoskeleton. Interestingly, the same manipulations had a different effect on another glial glutamate transporter, GLAST, inhibiting its activity. Importantly, glutamate acts through metabotropic receptors to stimulate the activity of Rac1 in astrocytes, supporting the existence of cross‐talk between extracellular glutamate and the astrocytic form of the GLT‐1 regulated by Rac1. CDC42EP4/BORG4 (a CDC42 effector) was also identified in the BioID screen, and it is a protein that regulates the assembly of septins and actin fibers, influencing the organization of the cytoskeleton. We found that GLT‐1 interacts with septins, which reduces its lateral mobility at the cell surface. Finally, the G‐protein subunit GNB4 dampens the activity of GLT‐1, as revealed by its response to the activator peptide mSIRK, both in heterologous systems and in primary brain cultures. This effect occurs rapidly and thus, it is unlikely to depend on cytoskeletal dynamics. These novel interactions shed new light on the events controlling GLT‐1 activity, thereby helping us to better understand how glutamate homeostasis is maintained in the brain.
Structure–function multi‐scale connectomics reveals a major role of the fronto‐striato‐thalamic circuit in brain aging
Authors: Bonifazi Paolo , Erramuzpe Asier , Diez Ibai , Gabilondo Iñigo , Boisgontier Matthieu P. , Pauwels Lisa , Stramaglia Sebastiano , Swinnen Stephan P. , Cortes Jesus M.
Published: November 2018

Physiological aging affects brain structure and function impacting morphology, connectivity, and performance. However, whether some brain connectivity metrics might reflect the age of an individual is still unclear. Here, we collected brain images from healthy participants (N = 155) ranging from 10 to 80 years to build functional (resting state) and structural (tractography) connectivity matrices, both data sets combined to obtain different connectivity features. We then calculated the brain connectome age—an age estimator resulting from a multi‐scale methodology applied to the structure–function connectome, and compared it to the chronological age (ChA). Our results were twofold. First, we found that aging widely affects the connectivity of multiple structures, such as anterior cingulate and medial prefrontal cortices, basal ganglia, thalamus, insula, cingulum, hippocampus, parahippocampus, occipital cortex, fusiform, precuneus, and temporal pole. Second, we found that the connectivity between basal ganglia and thalamus to frontal areas, also known as the fronto‐striato‐thalamic (FST) circuit, makes the major contribution to age estimation. In conclusion, our results highlight the key role played by the FST circuit in the process of healthy aging. Notably, the same methodology can be generally applied to identify the structural–functional connectivity patterns correlating to other biomarkers than ChA.
Gamma oscillations during episodic memory processing provide evidence for functional specialization in the longitudinal axis of the human hippocampus
Authors: Lin Jui‐Jui , Umbach Gray , Rugg Michael D. , Lega Bradley
Published: November 2018

The question of whether the anterior and posterior hippocampus serve different or complementary functional roles during episodic memory processing has been motivated by noteworthy findings in rodent experiments and from noninvasive studies in humans. Researchers have synthesized these data to postulate several models of functional specialization, However, the issue has not been explored in detail using direct brain recordings. We recently published evidence that theta power increases during episodic memory encoding occur in the posterior hippocampus in humans. In our current investigation we analyzed an expanded data set of 32 epilepsy patients undergoing stereo EEG seizure mapping surgery with electrodes precisely targeted to the anterior and posterior hippocampus simultaneously who performed an episodic memory task. Using a repeated measures design, we looked for an interaction between encoding versus retrieval differences in gamma oscillatory power and anterior versus posterior hippocampal location. Our findings are consistent with a recently articulated model (the HERNET model) favoring posterior hippocampal activation during retrieval related processing. We also tested for encoding versus retrieval differences in the preferred gamma frequency band (high versus low gamma oscillations) motivated by published rodent data.
CAN ATTACHMENT INFORM DECISION‐MAKING IN CHILD PROTECTION AND FORENSIC SETTINGS?
Authors: Spieker Susan J. , Crittenden Patricia M.
Published: November 2018

The historic publication of the “consensus statement” on not using the “D/disorganized” category in the infant Strange Situation (M. Ainsworth, M. Blehar, E. Waters, & S. Wall, 1978) for case‐specific child protection work (P. Granqvist et al., 2017) opens the door for a broader discussion of different branches of attachment theory and different attachment classificatory systems applied to infants, young children, and their parents. We agree with the consensus authors that Strange Situation classifications alone, regardless of coding method, are insufficient for decision‐making. The authors, however, have acknowledged that the Dynamic‐Maturational Model of Attachment and Adaptation (DMM; Crittenden, 2016) offers a different perspective on classifying Strange Situations. The DMM is a branch of attachment theory that expands the Ainsworth A and C classifications across the life span to reflect the complex attachment strategies that some individuals use in dangerous contexts. We contrast the DMM to the D classification, both for the Strange Situation for infants and its adaptation for young children and also for the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI; C. George, N. Kaplan, & M. Main, 1984–1996) for their parents. We initiate a scientific dialogue by addressing three points: (a) “Attachment” does not imply or require a model that includes a D/disorganization category nor is the D/disorganized category the only clinical expansion of Mary Ainsworth's (1978) original work; (b) the DMM method for classifying Strange Situations may be better attuned to parental inadequacy and child protection than is the D/disorganized category; and (c) with attention to guidelines, DMM classifications from the Strange Situation with both infants and preschool‐aged children can be used in a case‐specific manner in both treatment and forensic settings. The same is true for other DMM assessments of attachment, including the AAI. We close by suggesting steps that could further understanding and application of Ainsworth's great accomplishment: individual differences in attachment relationships.
The effect of glucose modification of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles on gene delivery
Authors: Komuro Hiroaki , Sasano Tetsuo , Horiuchi Naohiro , Yamashita Kimihiro , Nagai Akiko
Published: November 2018

Surface modification techniques have been employed for the use of biocompatible and bioresorbable hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles in cell biology and medicine for the delivery of bioactive molecules. We demonstrated the effects of glucose modification of HAp (GlcHAp) on the transfection efficiency in endothelial cells. After preparing homogeneous HAp nanoparticles with a microemulsion technique, the particles with or without glucose modification and plasmid DNA (pDNA) complexes were transfected into endothelial cells. The transfection efficiency of GlcHAp/pDNA was higher than that of HAp/pDNA. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the improvement in the transfection efficiency following glucose modification, the uptake route into the cells and the inhibition of DNA degradation were investigated. GlcHAp/pDNA enhanced the transfection efficiency after interacting with the glucose transporter 1, as observed by the selective inhibitor assay. In addition, GlcHAp/pDNA was more stable than HAp/pDNA in the DNA degradation assay. Our results suggest that the glucose modification could promote the uptake of HAp nanoparticles by cells and protect the internalized DNA; properties essential for non‐viral transfection carriers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 61–66, 2019.
Biomimetic sponges for regeneration of skeletal muscle following trauma
Authors: Haas Gabriel J. , Dunn Andrew J. , Marcinczyk Madison , Talovic Muhamed , Schwartz Mark , Scheidt Robert , Patel Anjali D. , Hixon Katherine R. , Elmashhady Hady , McBride‐Gagyi Sarah H. , Sell Scott A. , Garg Koyal
Published: November 2018

Skeletal muscle is inept in regenerating after traumatic injuries due to significant loss of basal lamina and the resident satellite cells. To improve regeneration of skeletal muscle, we have developed biomimetic sponges composed of collagen, gelatin, and laminin (LM)‐111 that were crosslinked with 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC). Collagen and LM‐111 are crucial components of the muscle extracellular matrix and were chosen to impart bioactivity whereas gelatin and EDC were used to provide mechanical strength to the scaffold. Morphological and mechanical evaluation of the sponges showed porous structure, water‐retention capacity and a compressive modulus of 590–808 kPa. The biomimetic sponges supported the infiltration and viability of C2C12 myoblasts over 5 days of culture. The myoblasts produced higher levels of myokines such as VEGF, IL‐6, and IGF‐1 and showed higher expression of myogenic markers such as MyoD and myogenin on the biomimetic sponges. Biomimetic sponges implanted in a mouse model of volumetric muscle loss (VML) supported satellite, endothelial, and inflammatory cell infiltration but resulted in limited myofiber regeneration at 2 weeks post‐injury. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 92–103, 2019.
Favorable impact of extracorporeal photopheresis in acute and chronic graft versus host disease: Prospective single‐center study
Authors: Sakellari Ioanna , Gavriilaki Eleni , Batsis Ioannis , Mallouri Despina , Panteliadou Alkistis‐Kira , Lazaridou Andriana , Vardi Anna , Constantinou Varnavas , Yannaki Evangelia , Papalexandri Apostolia , Kaloyannidis Panayotis , Smias Christos , Anagnostopoulos Achilles
Published: November 2018

Background

Graft vs host disease (GVHD) is the most severe complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Conventional immunosuppressive therapy increases morbidity and mortality without improving survival. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) has been introduced as an alternative treatment in steroid‐dependent and steroid‐refractory disease.

Study design and methods

We studied the safety and efficacy of ECP as a second‐ or third‐line treatment in GVHD.

Results

ECP was administered in 21 patients with grade III‐IV acute GVHD and 88 patients with extensive chronic GVHD, without ECP‐related adverse events. Eight patients receiving four or less ECP sessions were not further analyzed. The majority of acute GVHD patients (84%) presented partial (15) or complete (1) response to ECP. Immunosuppression was reduced in 10 of 19 patients and ceased in 1 of 19 patients. One‐year cumulative incidence (CI) of transplant‐related mortality (TRM) (17.6%) was associated with the lack of response to ECP and steroid refractoriness. With a follow‐up of 17.5 (1.8‐58.3) months, 1‐year overall survival (OS) (52.5%) was independently associated with a higher number of ECP sessions. Regarding chronic GVHD, complete response was achieved in 35 patients, whereas partial response in 25 patients, leading to an overall response rate of 73%. Cutaneous sclerosis manifestations were associated with higher response rates. With a follow‐up of 68.1 (5.4‐283.1) months, 5‐year CI of TRM (24.1%) was associated only with a number of ECP sessions. The 5‐year OS (64.5%) was independently associated with number of ECP sessions and cutaneous manifestations.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that ECP is safe and effective for GVHD and should be considered early in the course of GVHD, before irreversible end‐organ damage has been established.
Examining the nonkin support networks of orphaned adolescents participating in a family‐based economic‐strengthening intervention in Uganda
Authors: Nabunya Proscovia , Padgett Deborah , Ssewamala Fred M. , Courtney Mark E. , Neilands Torsten
Published: November 2018

In this study, we examined the nonkin support networks of orphaned adolescents participating in a family‐based economic‐strengthening intervention in HIV‐impacted communities in Uganda. We analyzed data from a cluster randomized experimental study for orphaned adolescents aged 11–17 years. Participants were randomly assigned to either the control condition, which received bolstered standard of care (BSOC) services, or the treatment condition, which received BSOC services plus an economic‐strengthening intervention. We conducted binary logistic regression analyses to examine the effect of the intervention on participants’ nonkin support networks. Results indicated that the existing social support networks for orphaned adolescents are small, limited, and usually comprised individuals with similar socioeconomic situations and challenges. Because orphaned adolescents are socially isolated and the threshold for nonkin supportive services is very low, the BSOC services provided to the control condition appeared to be instrumental in their survival and well‐being. Availability of personal savings was associated with higher odds of identifying at least one supportive nonkin tie. The extended family system is still the primary and major source of social support to orphaned children in HIV‐affected communities. In the absence of public safety nets, building social assets, over and above offering economic opportunities to extended families supporting orphaned children, is critical.
Morpho‐palynological assessment of medicinal flora of district Lahore, Pakistan based on LM and SEM
Authors: Shaheen Shabnum , Jaffer Mehwish , Khan Farah , Hussain Khadim , Hanif Uzma , Younis Sidra , Ilyas Sobia , Ishtiaq Saiqa
Published: November 2018

This study was carried out to identify 20 high valued medicinal plants of District Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan with the help of the palynological studies. The distinguishing characteristics for selected species were found by systematized methods using light microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. In this study, important pollen qualitative and quantitative features of these medicinal species such as polar and equatorial outline and their diameter, P/E ratio, presence or absence of pore, sculpturing of pollen, exine thickness, intine thickness, intercellular distance of exine and intine, presence or absence of spines, length of spines, width of spines, presence or absence of colpi and length of colpi, were compared. Remarkable variations in these pollen characters have been observed. Pollen grains were usually circular‐semicircular (Calendula officinalis), spheroidal (Convolvulus arvensis), bilobed and trilobed (Convolvulus arvensis), spiny, (Abutilon indicum), oblate (Terminalia chebula) and elongated (Euphorbia pilulifera). In polar view Conyza bonariensis exhibited the highest pollen size [195.9 (211.6–180.2) μm]. While in equatorial view Calendula officinalis and Euphorbia pilulifera had lowest value [22.5 (20–25) μm] whereas Carissa carandas [165 (140–179) μm] appeared to be the largest. Parthenium hysterophorus showed the highest P/E ratio, that is, 1.28. Colpi were reported in only 7 species. Most of the plants showed 100% fertility but Terminalia chebula showed the least value 35%. In the present, project the diversity in pollen morphology present pollen as a valuable taxonomic tool. It is also concluded that pollen features are helpful at the specific level as well as generic level and can provide us fruitful taxonomic solutions.

Research Highlights

Palynological flora of the medicinal plant species of district Lahore, Pakistan is investigated first time on the basis of LM and SEM and the flora is found very significant for taxonomic investigations.
Neutrophil progenitor populations of rhesus macaques
Authors: Weisgrau Kim L , Vosler Logan J , Pomplun Nicholas L , Hayes Jennifer M , Simmons Heather A , Friedrichs Kristen R , Rakasz Eva G
Published: November 2018

Captive-bred rhesus macaques of Indian origin represent one of the most important large animal models for infectious disease, solid organ transplantation, and stem cell research. There is a dearth of information defining hematopoietic development, including neutrophil leukocyte differentiation in this species using multicolor flow cytometry. In the current study, we sought to identify cell surface markers that delineate neutrophil progenitor populations with characteristic immunophenotypes. We defined four different postmitotic populations based on their CD11b and CD87 expression pattern, and further refined their immunophenotypes using CD32, CD64, lactoferrin, and myeloperoxidase as antigenic markers. The four subsets contained myelocyte, metamyelocyte, band, and segmented neutrophil populations. We compared our flow cytometry-based classification with the classical nuclear morphology-based classification. We found overlap of immunological phenotype between populations of different nuclear morphology and identified phenotypically different subsets within populations of similar nuclear morphology. We assessed the responsiveness of these populations to stimulatory signals, such as LPS, fMLP, or PMA, and demonstrated significant differences between human and rhesus macaque neutrophil progenitors. In this study, we provided evidence for species-specific features of granulopoiesis that ultimately manifested in the divergent immunophenotypes of the fully differentiated segmented neutrophils of humans and rhesus macaques. Additionally, we found functional markers that can be used to accurately quantify neutrophil progenitors by flow cytometry. Although these markers do not coincide with the classical nuclear-morphology-based grading, they enable us to perform functional studies monitoring immunophenotypic markers.

A flow cytometric protocol using species-specific characteristics to define rhesus macaque neutrophil progenitors in the bone marrow.
Dose‐response assessment of chemically modified curcumin in experimental periodontitis
Authors: de Almeida Brandão Dayane , Spolidorio Luis Carlos , Johnson Francis , Golub Lorne M. , Guimarães‐Stabili Morgana Rodrigues , Rossa Carlos
Published: November 2018

Background

CMC2.24, a novel tri‐ketonic chemically modified compound based on natural di‐ketonic curcumin, has been shown to reduce bone loss and inflammatory mediators in experimental periodontitis, however, a potential dose‐response relationship was not determined. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of different doses of CMC2.24 on inflammation and bone resorption in vivo and also to describe on the effects of CMC2.24 on macrophage response.

Methods

CMC2.24 was administered daily to animals for 28 days by oral gavage, at the following doses: 0 (control), 1, 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg of body weight. Experimental periodontitis was induced by injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the gingival tissues. Outcomes assessed were bone resorption, detection of tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase, and determination of gene expression. In vitro, macrophages (RAW264.7) were treated with different concentrations of CMC2.24: 1, 3, 10, and 30 μM and then subjected to different activation stimuli. Gene expression, phagocytic activity, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cytokine production were evaluated.

Results

CMC2.24 inhibited bone resorption, osteoclastogenesis, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α expression in vivo. These beneficial responses reached maximum levels at a dose of 1 mg/kg, i.e. no dose‐dependent effect. In vitro, CMC2.24 reduced the production of TNF‐α and interleukin‐10, inhibited phagocytic activity and stimulated production of ROS. A dose‐dependent effect was observed only for ROS production.

Conclusion

Low doses of CMC2.24 (1 mg/kg/day) administered orally were sufficient to significantly inhibit alveolar bone resorption associated with the experimental periodontal disease; whereas in vitro macrophage inflammatory gene expression and phagocytosis were reduced, whereas production of ROS was stimulated.
A method to detect allergenic fish, specifically cod and pollock, using quantitative real‐time PCR and COI DNA barcoding sequences
Authors: Eischeid Anne C
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Fish are one of eight major allergens defined in the US Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act, and cod and pollock are two of the major fish allergens. This paper describes development and validation of a method to detect cod and pollock in complex food matrices using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequences obtained through DNA barcoding were used to design a single set of primers and probe which detected three species in the genus Gadus: Atlantic cod, Pacific cod, and walleye pollock.

RESULTS

Cod spiked into three different food matrices (cooking oil, clam chowder, and hushpuppy mix) yielded high linearity, dynamic range spanning six orders of magnitude, and lower limits of detection at 1–10 ppm (ppm; mg kg−1). Frying had an adverse effect on the lower limit of detection, but not on linearity.

CONCLUSIONS

This work shows that COI DNA barcoding sequences can be used to effectively design real‐time PCR assays for detection of food allergens in complex matrices. While full‐length DNA barcodes distinguish individual species, the PCR assay designed here detected three different species. This is likely because real‐time PCR assays are tolerant to basepair mismatches and do not utilize the full length of the DNA barcode. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Biological value and chemical components of essential oils of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) grown with organic fertilization sources
Authors: Yaldiz Gulsum , Camlica Mahmut , Ozen Ferit
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Environmental safety of the agricultural utilization of livestock and poultry manures from intensive farming is attracting great attention and is effective as a good source of nitrogen for sustainable crop production. The present study aimed to determine the effects of organic poultry manure applications on the biological value and essential oil content of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). In this context, different doses of chicken, kıbele (fermented chicken manure) and turkey manure (750, 1000, 1250 and 1500 kg da−1) with a control (no manure) were applied by sowing.

RESULTS

The essential oils consisted of p‐Allyl‐anisole as the most abundant component (5.65–17.90%), followed by nerol (6.69–16.11%), linalool (5.10–10.81%) and z‐citral (5.23–10.73%). The contents of most of the chemical constituents varied significantly (P < 0.05) with organic poultry manure applications. The highest concentration for essential oils components was found in the chicken manure application. Both the antioxidant activity and total phenolic amounts of the basil extracts varied significantly as the organic poultry manure applications changed. The highest antioxidant activity and total phenolic amounts were obtained in the treatments with chicken manure doses of 1000 and 1250 kg da−1, which were significantly different compared to the other treatments and the control treatment. Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of the essential oils against bacterial strains: Escherichia coli ATCC 35218, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 was assessed by the disc diffusion method and determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration. The results of antimicrobial assays indicated that all of the tested microorganisms were affected. The highest antibacterial activity against all tested microbial species was observed with 1250 kg da−1 chicken manure applications.

CONCLUSION

Among the organic poultry fertilizations, chicken fertilization was of particular interest. Especially, chicken manure doses of 1000–1250 kg da−1 had the highest antibacterial and antioxidant activity, as well as total phenolics, flavonoids and essential oil components. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
North Carolina to shift Medicaid program to managed care delivery system
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: November 2018

North Carolina officials are transforming the state's Medicaid program following recent federal approval to shift the program from fee‐for‐service (FFS) to a managed care delivery system. The move is intended to push the state's health care system toward further integration and coordination, said officials.
Fibrations of 2‐crossed modules
Authors: Ege Arslan Ummahan , Akça İbrahim İlker , Onarlı Irmak Gülümsen , Avcıoğlu Osman
Published: November 2018

In this study, we mainly show that the functor from the category X2Mod of 2‐crossed modules of groups to the category Groups of groups assigning to each 2‐crossed module
the group P, and to each 2‐crossed module morphism
the group homomorphism f0 is a fibration. In addition, we study some related properties.
Trigonometric–fitted hybrid four–step methods of sixth order for solving
Authors: Medvedev Maxim A. , Simos T. E. , Tsitouras Ch.
Published: November 2018

A two–stage, explicit, hybrid four–step method of sixth order for the solution of the special second order initial value problem is presented here. The new method is trigonometric fitted, thus it uses variable coefficients. Numerical tests illustrate the superiority of our proposal over similar methods found in the relevant literature on a set of standard problems.
A three‐dimensional free‐breathing sequence for simultaneous myocardial T1 and T2 mapping
Authors: Guo Rui , Chen Zhensen , Herzka Daniel A. , Luo Jianwen , Ding Haiyan
Published: November 2018

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to develop, test and validate a 3D free‐breathing technique for simultaneous measurement of native myocardial T1 and T2.

Methods:

The proposed 3D technique acquires five fat‐suppressed electrocardiogram‐triggered respiratory navigator‐gated spoiled gradient echo volumes in an interleaved manner. Four volumes are prepared using a combination of nonselective saturation and T2 preparation. One volume is acquired with fully recovered longitudinal magnetization for accuracy during parametric fitting. Performance of the technique was validated through numerical simulations, phantom experiments and in vivo experiments in 15 healthy human subjects.

Results:

Simulations and phantom experiments show that the measured T1 and T2 are largely insensitive to heart rate. In vivo whole‐heart maps with a voxel size of 1.5 × 1.5 × 16 mm3 were acquired without parallel imaging within ~ 8 min including respiratory gating efficiency. The in vivo parametric maps were homogeneous (coefficients of variation of left ventricle myocardium were 6.0% ± 0.8% and 10.2% ± 3.4% for T1 and T2 maps, respectively), with an average T1 value of 1470 ± 59.2 ms and T2 value of 41.6 ± 1.8 ms

Conclusions:

The proposed 3D technique allows for measurement of whole‐heart T1 and T2 with preserved accuracy and precision in a single scan.
Multi‐echo MR thermometry using iterative separation of baseline water and fat images
Authors: Poorman Megan E. , Braškutė Ieva , Bartels Lambertus W. , Grissom William A.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

To perform multi‐echo water/fat separated proton resonance frequency (PRF)‐shift temperature mapping.

Methods

State‐of‐the‐art, iterative multi‐echo water/fat separation algorithms produce high‐quality water and fat images in the absence of heating but are not suitable for real‐time imaging due to their long compute times and potential errors in heated regions. Existing fat‐referenced PRF‐shift temperature reconstruction methods partially address these limitations but do not address motion or large time‐varying and spatially inhomogeneous B0 shifts. We describe a model‐based temperature reconstruction method that overcomes these limitations by fitting a library of separated water and fat images measured before heating directly to multi‐echo data measured during heating, while accounting for the PRF shift with temperature.

Results

Simulations in a mixed water/fat phantom with focal heating showed that the proposed algorithm reconstructed more accurate temperature maps in mixed tissues compared to a fat‐referenced thermometry method. In a porcine phantom experiment with focused ultrasound heating at 1.5 Tesla, temperature maps were accurate to within 1∘C of fiber optic probe temperature measurements and were calculated in 0.47 s per time point. Free‐breathing breast and liver imaging experiments demonstrated motion and off‐resonance compensation. The algorithm can also accurately reconstruct water/fat separated temperature maps from a single echo during heating.

Conclusions

The proposed model‐based water/fat separated algorithm produces accurate PRF‐shift temperature maps in mixed water and fat tissues in the presence of spatiotemporally varying off‐resonance and motion.
UTE‐SENCEFUL: first results for 3D high‐resolution lung ventilation imaging
Authors: Mendes Pereira L. , Wech T. , Weng A.M. , Kestler C. , Veldhoen S. , Bley T.A. , Köstler H.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This study aimed to develop a 3D MRI technique to assess lung ventilation in free‐breathing and without the administration of contrast agent.

Methods

A 3D‐UTE sequence with a koosh ball trajectory was developed for a 3 Tesla scanner. An oversampled k‐space was acquired, and the direct current signal from the k‐space center was used as a navigator to sort the acquired data into 8 individual breathing phases. Gradient delays were corrected, and iterative SENSE was used to reconstruct the individual timeframes. Subsequently, the signal changes caused by motion were eliminated using a 3D image registration technique, and ventilation‐weighted maps were created by analyzing the signal changes in the lung tissue. Six healthy volunteers and 1 patient with lung cancer were scanned with the new 3D‐UTE and the standard 2D technique. Image quality and quantitative ventilation values were compared between both methods.

Results

UTE‐based self‐gated noncontrast‐enhanced functional lung (SENCEFUL) MRI provided a time‐resolved reconstruction of the breathing motion, with a 49% increase of the SNR. Ventilation quantification for healthy subjects was in statistical agreement with 2D‐SENCEFUL and the literature, with a mean value of 0.11 ± 0.08 mL/mL for the whole lung. UTE‐SENCEFUL was able to visualize and quantify ventilation deficits in a patient with lung tumor that were not properly depicted by 2D‐SENCEFUL.

Conclusion

UTE‐SENCEFUL represents a robust MRI method to assess both morphological and functional information of the lungs in 3D. When compared to the 2D approach, 3D‐UTE offered ventilation maps with higher resolution, improved SNR, and reduced ventilation artifacts.
Cyclopropylmethyl Protection of Phenols: Total Synthesis of the Resveratrol Dimers Anigopreissin A and Resveratrol–Piceatannol Hybrid
Authors: Kumar Arvind , Saleeb Michael , Werz Dominik , Elofsson Mikael
Published: November 2018

We demonstrate the versatile use of the cyclopropylmethyl group to protect phenols through the total synthesis of two benzofuran‐based natural products, that is, anigopreissin A and the resveratrol–piceatannol hybrid. This protecting group is a good alternative to the conventional methyl group, owing to the feasibility of introduction, stability under a variety of conditions, and its relative ease of removal under different acidic conditions.
Housing Voucher Take‐Up and Labor Market Impacts
Authors: Chyn Eric , Hyman Joshua , Kapustin Max
Published: November 2018

Low participation rates in government assistance programs are a major policy concern in the United States. This paper studies take‐up of Section 8 housing vouchers, a program in which take‐up rates are quite low among interested and eligible households. We link 18,109 households in Chicago that were offered vouchers through a lottery to administrative data and study how baseline employment, earnings, public assistance, arrests, residential location, and children's academic performance predict take‐up. Our analysis finds mixed evidence of whether the most disadvantaged or distressed households face the largest barriers to program participation. We also study the causal impact of peer behavior on take‐up by exploiting idiosyncratic variation in the timing of voucher offers. We find that the probability of lease‐up increases with the number of neighbors who recently received voucher offers. Finally, we explore the policy implications of increasing housing voucher take‐up by applying reweighting methods to existing causal impact estimates of voucher receipt. This analysis suggests that greater utilization of vouchers may lead to larger reductions in labor market activity. Differences in take‐up rates across settings may be important to consider when assessing the external validity of studies identifying the effects of public assistance programs.
Preparation and characterization of polyvinyl alcohol/β‐cyclodextrin/GO‐Ag nanocomposite with improved antibacterial and strength properties
Authors: Pooresmaeil Malihe , Namazi Hassan
Published: November 2018

In this work, new hydrogel films based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) were prepared with the aim of studying their ability as an antibacterial and drug carrier system. Gallic acid (GA) was used as an antibacterial drug which was encapsulated into the β‐CD cavity, and finally, β‐CD inclusion complex (GA/βCD‐IC) was prepared. On the other hand, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized on the graphene oxide (GO) surface (GO‐Ag), and the obtained GO‐Ag was used to enhance the antibacterial properties and mechanical strength of their films. FT‐IR and DSC analysis approved the formation of cross‐linking with glutaraldehyde between the PVA and β‐CD. Hydrogel films were characterized using XRD and SEM. The disc diffusion method showed the antibacterial activity for the films containing GO‐Ag and GA. Due to the good strength, elasticity, WVP, and swelling ability, PVA/GA/βCD‐IC/GO‐Ag can be proposed as a potential antibacterial drug delivery system.
Pediatric pain screening identifies youth at risk of chronic pain in sickle cell disease
Authors: Sil Soumitri , Cohen Lindsey L. , Dampier Carlton
Published: November 2018

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the preliminary validation and application of a pain screening tool to identify biopsychosocial risk factors for chronic pain in pediatric sickle cell disease (SCD) and classify youth with SCD into prognostic risk groups.

Method

Youth presenting to a pediatric SCD clinic completed the Pediatric Pain Screening Tool (PPST), a brief 9‐item self‐report questionnaire developed for rapid identification of risk in youth with pain complaints. Youth also completed a battery of standardized patient‐reported outcomes, including pain characteristics, pain burden, functional disability, pain interference, depressive symptoms, pain catastrophizing, and fear of pain. Healthcare utilization was extracted from medical chart review.

Results

Seventy‐three 8‐ to 18‐year‐olds (94% Black, 57% female) with SCD participated. The PPST demonstrated discriminant validity that ranged from fair to excellent (area under the curves (AUC) = 0.74–0.93, P values < 0.001) for identifying significant pain frequency, disability, pain interference, and psychosocial distress. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses indicated that previously established cutoff scores were appropriate for the SCD sample. Participants were classified into low‐risk (28.8%), medium‐risk (38.4%), and high‐risk (32.9%) groups, with significant group differences across measures, F(18, 116) = 6.67, P < 0.001. The high‐risk group reported significantly higher pain intensity, pain frequency, pain burden, functional disability, pain interference, and depressive symptoms relative to both low‐risk and medium‐risk groups (P values < 0.005).

Conclusions

The high‐risk group demonstrated a pain and psychosocial profile consistent with chronic SCD pain. The PPST may be useful for efficiently identifying youth with chronic SCD pain or those at risk of poor outcomes.
Nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(butylene terephthalate)/epoxidized ethylene propylene diene rubber/glass fiber composites
Authors: Liu Bo , Wu Wei
Published: November 2018

Nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT)/glass fiber (GF) and PBT/epoxidized ethylene propylene diene rubber (eEPDM)/GF composites were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at a cooling rates of 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 °C/min, respectively. Morphologies of samples were observed with scanning electron microscopy and polarized optical microscopy. The specimens were prepared by melt blending. Analyses of the melt crystallization data by various macrokinetic models such as Jeziorny‐modified Avrami, Liu–Mo models, and Lauritzen–Hoffman equation revealed that GF accelerated the crystallization rate of PBT; furthermore, the eEPDM had two functions: on the one hand, eEPDM promoted PBT to form nuclei; on the other hand, eEPDM hindered the diffusion of polymer chains, but the nucleation effect exceeded the diffusion effect, thus, the eEPDM could increase the crystallization rate of PBT in PBT/eEPDM/GF. These results were further supported by the effective activation energy calculated by isoconversional method of Friedman. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:330–343, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Triptycene‐based fluorescent polymers with pendant alkyl chains: interaction with fullerenes and morphology of thin films
Authors: Ansari Mosim , Mallik Samapika , Mondal Snehasish , Bera Ranajit , Jana Achintya , Nayak Alpana , Das Neeladri
Published: November 2018

We report unique triptycene‐based alternating copolymers bearing long alkyl chains as pendants. Syntheses utilized 2,6‐diethynyltriptycene and appropriate alkyloxyarene monomers polymerized via Sonogashira cross‐coupling reaction to yield triptycene‐based poly(phenylene ethynylene)s. Resulting polymers are soluble in organic solvents and were characterized using various techniques. Experimental results suggest the polymers are thermally stable and fluorescent. The fluorescence emission is quenched in the presence of fullerenes (C60 and C70) suggesting strong host–guest interactions. The magnitude of the binding constant between the polymers and these fullerenes was determined to be of the order of 105 mol L−1. The effects of chain length on the morphology and wettability of the polymers on silicon substrates were studied using atomic force microscopy. Three distinct dewetting patterns, i.e. spherical domains, fractal structures and ring structures, were observed with variation in the pendant chain length. This ability to control the thin‐film morphology of the polymers may have potential technological applications, which include but are not limited to sensors, fluorescent coatings and organic electronics. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry