bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thylakoid‐integrated recombinant Hcf106 participates in the chloroplast twin arginine transport system
Authors: Ma Qianqian , Fite Kristen , New Christopher Paul , Dabney‐Smith Carole
Published: October 2018

The chloroplast twin arginine transport (cpTat) system distinguishes itself as a protein transport pathway by translocating fully folded proteins, using the proton‐motive force (PMF) as the sole source of energy. The cpTat pathway is evolutionarily conserved with the Tat pathway found in the plasma membrane of many prokaryotes. The cpTat (Escherichia coli) system uses three proteins, Tha4 (TatA), Hcf106 (TatB), and cpTatC (TatC), to form a transient translocase allowing the passage of precursor proteins. Briefly, cpTatC and Hcf106, with Tha4, form the initial receptor complex responsible for precursor protein recognition and binding in an energy‐independent manner, while a separate pool of Tha4 assembles with the precursor‐bound receptor complex in the presence the PMF. Analysis by blue‐native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN‐PAGE) shows that the receptor complex, in the absence of precursor, migrates near 700 kDa and contains cpTatC and Hcf106 with little Tha4 remaining after detergent solubilization. To investigate the role that Hcf106 may play in receptor complex oligomerization and/or stability, systematic cysteine substitutions were made in positions from the N‐terminal transmembrane domain to the end of the predicted amphipathic helix of the protein. BN‐PAGE analysis allowed us to identify the locations of amino acids in Hcf106 that were critical for interacting with cpTatC. Oxidative cross‐linking allowed us to map interactions of the transmembrane domain and amphipathic helix region of Hcf106. In addition, we showed that in vitro expressed, integrated Hcf106 can interact with the precursor signal peptide domain and imported cpTatC, strongly suggesting that a subpopulation of the integrated Hcf106 is participating in competent cpTat complexes.
The Adrenal Lipid Droplet is a New Site for Steroid Hormone Metabolism
Authors: Yu Jinhai , Zhang Linqiang , Li Yunhai , Zhu Xiaotong , Xu Shimeng , Zhou Xiao‐Ming , Wang Haizhen , Zhang Hongchao , Liang Bin , Liu Pingsheng
Published: October 2018

Steroid hormones play essential roles for living organisms. It has been long and well established that the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria are essential sites for steroid hormone biosynthesis because several steroidogenic enzymes are located in these organelles. The adrenal gland lipid droplet (LD) proteomes from human, macaque monkey, and rodent are analyzed, revealing that steroidogenic enzymes are also present in abundance on LDs. The enzymes found include 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD3B) and estradiol 17β‐dehydrogenase 11 (HSD17B11). Analyses by Western blot and subcellular localization consistently demonstrate that HSD3B2 is localized on LDs. Furthermore, in vitro experiments confirm that the isolated LDs from HeLa cell stably expressing HSD3B2 or from rat adrenal glands have the capacity to convert pregnenolone to progesterone. Collectively, these data suggest that LDs may be important sites of steroid hormone metabolism. These findings may bring novel insights into the biosynthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones and the development of treatments for adrenal disorders.
Pharmacokinetics and safety of Enasidenib following single oral doses in Japanese and Caucasian subjects
Authors: Li Yan , Liu Liangang , Gomez Diana , Chen Jian , Tong Zeen , Palmisano Maria , Zhou Simon
Published: October 2018

The aim of this study was to assess and compare the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of Enasidenib in healthy adult male Japanese subjects to healthy adult male Caucasian subjects. This was a phase 1, single dose study to evaluate the PK and safety of Enasidenib in healthy adult male Japanese subjects relative to healthy adult male Caucasian subjects. A total of 62 subjects (31 Japanese and 31 Caucasian) were enrolled into three dose cohorts (single doses of 50 mg, 100 mg, or 300 mg Enasidenib). Blood samples for PK assessment were collected up to 672 hours postdose. Safety was evaluated throughout the study. In the present study, we found that PK exposures of Enasidenib and its metabolite AGI‐16903 for Caucasian and Japanese subjects were comparable at the 50, 100, and 300 mg dose levels, demonstrated by that the 90% confidence intervals (CIs) of geometric mean ratios for AUCs and Cmax between these two populations generally contained 100% from all three treatment cohorts. In conclusion, PK exposures of Enasidenib and its metabolite AGI‐16903 for Caucasians and Japanese subjects were comparable and Enasidenib was safe and well tolerated with no apparent differences between Japanese and Caucasian subjects when administered as single oral doses of 50 mg, 100 mg, and 300 mg.
Recent Advances on III‐Nitride Nanowire Light Emitters on Foreign Substrates – Toward Flexible Photonics
Authors: Sun Haiding , Li Xiaohang
Published: October 2018

Flexible electronic and photonic devices have received broad interest in the past, due to their compact size, new functionalities, and other merits which devices on rigid substrates do not possess. In this context, the author review recent progresses on flexible III‐nitride nanowire photonic devices, focusing on LEDs and lasers. The formation of III‐nitride nanowire LEDs and lasers directly on various foreign substrates is firstly described, paving the way to flexible III‐nitride nanowire photonic devices through either direct growth on or transfer to flexible substrates. The realization of flexible III‐nitride nanowire LEDs through various transfer processes is further detailed. In the end, the challenges of III‐nitride nanowire technology for flexible integrated photonics are discussed.
On‐Water NiFe2O4 Nanoparticle‐Catalyzed One‐Pot Synthesis of Biofunctionalized Pyrimidine‐Thiazole Derivatives: In Silico Binding Affinity and In Vitro Anticancer Activity Studies
Authors: Sharma Archi , Gudala Satish , Ambati Srinivasa Rao , Mahapatra S. P. , Raza Asif , L. Aruna , Payra Soumen , Jha Anubhuti , Kumar Awanish , Penta Santhosh , Banerjee Subhash
Published: October 2018

A series of novel integrated bio‐active pyrimidine‐thiazole derivatives have been efficiently synthesized via NiFe2O4‐NP‐catalyzed, one‐pot three component reactions in aqueous ethanol as green solvent. The synthesized compounds were screened against different cancer cell lines (A375, HeLa, and MCF‐7) and it was observed that thiazole derivatives exhibited good anticancer activity against A375 and MCF‐7 cancer cell line comparable to erlotinib. Compound 4 h displayed comparable anticancer activity against all the three cancer cell lines A375, HeLa and MCF‐7. The in silico molecular docking studies for all the newly synthesized compounds were shown good to excellent binding affinity for Hsp90 proteins. In ADME analysis, the best result for absorption and metabolism is shown by the compound 4e. While the excretory parameter is found to be the best for compound 4 h.
Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose: A Low‐Cost and Renewable Catalyst for Solvent‐Free Knoevenagel Condensation Reaction at Room Temperature
Authors: Ma Hao , Zou Lianning , Mi Linhan , Pan Haiting , Qiao Yanhui , Li Ning , Teng Junjiang
Published: October 2018

The commercially available sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC−Na) has been used as a low‐cost catalyst for Knoevenagel condensation reaction under solvent‐free condition at room temperature. The results show that CMC−Na is robust enough to catalyze Knoevenagel condensation reactions of a series of aldehydes containing electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing groups with malononitrile to produce the corresponding products with good to excellent yields. This excellent catalytic efficiency can be attributed to the peculiar catalytic capacity of carboxylate groups (−COO−) with the assistance of the hydroxyl groups (‐OH). In addition, the CMC−Na was very stable and could be recycled for at least 8 consecutive runs without significant loss of its catalytic performance.
Peptidomimicry with C2‐Symmetric Oligourea Derivatives of 1,2‐Diaminocyclohexane and 1,2‐Diphenyl‐1,2‐diaminoethane: Chirality and Chain Length‐Dependent Conformation
Authors: Yue Pengyun , Peng Siqing , Parkin Sean , Li Tonglei , Yu Faquan , Long Sihui
Published: October 2018

To study whether C2 symmetric oligoureas form secondary structures such as sheets and helices/turns to serve as peptidomimetics, conformations of oligoureas composed of 1,2‐diaminocyclohexane and 1,2‐diphenyl‐1,2‐diaminoethane were investigated using X‐ray diffraction, UV, CD and NMR spectroscopic methods. Alternating heterochiral diamines in these chains strongly favored helical conformations. The conformations of C2‐symmetric chains of homochiral diamines were more conditional, giving indications of conditional extended and helical structure.
Cs Salt of Undecatungstophospho(aqua) Cuprate(II): Microwave Synthesis, Characterization, Catalytic and Kinetic Study for Epoxidation of cis‐Cyclooctene with TBHP
Authors: Patel Anjali U. , Sadasivan Rajesh
Published: October 2018

The present paper describes a facile microwave route for the synthesis of Cesium salt of mono‐copper substituted phosphotungstate, Cs5[PW11Cu(H2O)O39].4H2O, from H3PW12O40, CuCl2 and CsCl, its characterization and catalytic activity towards solvent‐free, selective epoxidation of cis‐cyclooctene using TBHP as the oxidant. In order to confirm the superiority of the microwave technique, the said complex was also synthesized by reflux method and the same studies were carried out. The present complex is found to be sustainable as well as recyclable without any change in % conversion as well as % selectivity towards epoxide. A detailed kinetic study showed an overall second order dependence of the reaction with respect to cyclooctene and TBHP.
Preparation of Diethylcyanamide and Cyanoguanidine Complexes of Iridium
Authors: Albertin Gabriele , Antoniutti Stefano , Castro Jesús
Published: October 2018

Diethylcyanamide [IrCl(η5‐C5Me5)(N≡CNEt2){P(OR)3}]BPh4 (1) and cyanoguanidine complexes [IrCl(η5‐C5Me5){N≡CN(H)C(NH2)=NH}{P(OR)3}]BPh4 (2) were prepared by allowing chloro compounds [IrCl2(η5‐C5Me5){P(OR)3}] to react with an excess of cyanamide or cyanoguanidine, respectively. Alternatively, complexes 2 were prepared by reacting [IrCl2(η5‐C5Me5){P(OR)3}] with an excess of cyanamide N≡CNH2. Bis(diethylcyanamide) [Ir(η5‐C5Me5) (N≡CNEt2)2{P(OR)3}](BPh4)2 (3) and bis(cyanoguanidine) derivatives [Ir(η5‐C5Me5){N≡CN=C(NH2)2}2{P(OR)3}](BPh4)2 (4) were also prepared by treating dichloro precursors [IrCl2(η5‐C5Me5){P(OR)3}] first with two equivalents of AgOTf and then with an excess of diethylcyanamide or cyanoguanidine, respectively. The compounds were characterised spectroscopically (IR and NMR) and by X‐ray crystal structure determination of [Ir(η5‐C5Me5)(N≡CNEt2)2{P(OMe)3}](BPh4)2.
Advances in the Design of Transdermal Microneedles for Diagnostic and Monitoring Applications
Authors: Babity Samuel , Roohnikan Mahdi , Brambilla Davide
Published: October 2018

Due to their intrinsic advantages over classical hypodermic needles, microneedles have received much attention over the last two decades and will likely soon appear in clinics. Although the vast majority of research is focused on designing microneedles for the painless delivery of drugs, their applications for diagnostic purposes have also provided promising results. In this paper, the main advances in the field of microneedles for diagnostic and patient monitoring purposes are introduced and critically discussed.
Intracameral Delivery of Layer‐by‐Layer Coated siRNA Nanoparticles for Glaucoma Therapy
Authors: Dillinger Andrea E. , Guter Michaela , Froemel Franziska , Weber Gregor R. , Perkumas Kristin , Stamer W. Daniel , Ohlmann Andreas , Fuchshofer Rudolf , Breunig Miriam
Published: October 2018

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, often associated with elevated intraocular pressure. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a mediator of pathological effects in the trabecular meshwork (TM) and Schlemm's canal (SC). A novel, causative therapeutic concept which involves the intracameral delivery of small interfering RNA against CTGF is proposed. Layer‐by‐layer coated nanoparticles of 200–260 nm with a final layer of hyaluronan (HA) are developed. The HA‐coating should provide the nanoparticles sufficient mobility in the extracellular matrix and allow for binding to TM and SC cells via CD44. By screening primary TM and SC cells in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo, the validity of the concept is confirmed. CD44 expression is elevated in glaucomatous versus healthy cells by about two‐ to sixfold. CD44 is significantly involved in the cellular uptake of HA‐coated nanoparticles. Ex vivo organ culture of porcine, murine, and human eyes demonstrates up to threefold higher accumulation of HA compared to control nanoparticles and much better penetration into the target tissue. Gene silencing in primary human TM cells results in a significant reduction of CTGF expression. Thus, HA‐coated nanoparticles combined with RNA interference may provide a potential strategy for glaucoma therapy.
Re‐ and Preconfigurable Multistable Visible Light Responsive Surface Topographies
Authors: Hendrikx Matthew , ter Schiphorst Jeroen , van Heeswijk Ellen P. A. , Koçer Gülistan , Knie Christopher , Bléger David , Hecht Stefan , Jonkheijm Pascal , Broer Dirk J. , Schenning Albertus P. H. J.
Published: October 2018

Light responsive materials that are able to change their shape are becoming increasingly important. However, preconfigurable bistable or even multi‐stable visible light responsive coatings have not been reported yet. Such materials will require less energy to actuate and will have a longer lifetime. Here, it is shown that fluorinated azobenzenes can be used to create rewritable and pre‐configurable responsive surfaces that show multi‐stable topographies. These surface structures can be formed and removed by using low intensity green and blue light, respectively. Multistable preconfigured surface topographies can also be created in the absence of a mask. The method allows for full control over the surface structures as the topographical changes are directly linked to the molecular isomerization processes. Preliminary studies reveal that these light responsive materials are suitable as adaptive biological surfaces.
Modeling of Electrocatalytic Dinitrogen Reduction on Microstructured Electrodes
Authors: Lu Shengtao , Lee Dong Hyun , Liu Chong
Published: October 2018

One major challenge of electrocatalytic dinitrogen (N2) reduction is the competition between nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). While experimental development of selective NRR catalysts is indispensable, the aim is to derive insights of catalyst design by developing a model that includes both the kinetics of competing reactions on the electrode and the mass transport of reactants in solution. The developed microkinetic model is reported here and it is applied to evaluate NRR selectivity on planar and microstructured electrodes. As a proof‐of‐principle, the model is numerically simulated under an aqueous electrolyte of 0.1 m nonoxidizing strong acid. The analysis indicates that while the first electron transfer to N2 is rate‐limiting in most cases, under certain scenarios the impact of subsequent proton transfer on the reaction rate can be prominent. The microstructure of electrodes can pose a limit of N2 mass transport and intriguingly cast a negative impact on the selectivity of N2 fixation. Overall, the developed model interfaces the kinetics on electrode surfaces with the mass transport in the solution, and will serve as a general platform for the design and optimization of electrochemical N2‐fixing process.
Concise Review: Intercellular Communication Via Organelle Transfer in the Biology and Therapeutic Applications of Stem Cells
Authors: Murray Lisa M.A. , Krasnodembskaya Anna D.
Published: October 2018

The therapeutic potential of stem cell-based therapies may be largely dependent on the ability of stem cells to modulate host cells rather than on their differentiation into host tissues. Within the last decade, there has been considerable interest in the intercellular communication mediated by the transfer of cytoplasmic material and organelles between cells. Numerous studies have shown that mitochondria and lysosomes are transported between cells by various mechanisms, such as tunneling nanotubes, microvesicles, and cellular fusion. This review will focus on the known instances of organelle transfer between stem cells and differentiated cells, what effects it has on recipient cells and how organelle transfer is regulated. Stem Cells  2019;37:14–25
mDia1 and Cdc42 Regulate Activin B-Induced Migration of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Wang Xueer , Tang Pei , Guo Fukun , Zhang Min , Yan Yuan , Huang Mianbo , Chen Yinghua , Zhang Lu , Zhang Lin
Published: October 2018

In a previous study, we have shown that Activin B is a potent chemoattractant for bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs). As such, the combination of Activin B and BMSCs significantly accelerated rat skin wound healing. In another study, we showed that RhoA activation plays a key role in Activin B-induced BMSC migration. However, the role of the immediate downstream effectors of RhoA in this process is unclear. Here, we demonstrated that mammalian homolog of Drosophila diaphanous-1 (mDia1), a downstream effector of RhoA, exerts a crucial function in Activin B-induced BMSC migration by promoting membrane ruffling, microtubule morphology, and adhesion signaling dynamics. Furthermore, we showed that Activin B does not change Rac1 activity but increases Cdc42 activity in BMSCs. Inactivation of Cdc42 inhibited Activin B-stimulated Golgi reorientation and the cell migration of BMSCs. Furthermore, knockdown of mDia1 affected Activin B-induced BMSC-mediated wound healing in vivo. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the RhoA-mDia1 and Cdc42 pathways regulate Activin B-induced BMSC migration. This study may help to optimize clinical MSC-based transplantation strategies to promote skin wound healing. Stem Cells  2019;37:150–161
HOXC10 Regulates Osteogenesis of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Through Interaction with Its Natural Antisense Transcript lncHOXC-AS3
Authors: Li Bingzong , Han Huiying , Song Sha , Fan Gao , Xu Hongxia , Zhou Wenqi , Qiu Yingchun , Qian Chen'ao , Wang Yijing , Yuan Zihan , Gao Yuan , Zhang Yongsheng , Zhuang Wenzhuo
Published: October 2018

The characteristics of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) which derived from multiple myeloma (MM) patients are typically impaired in osteogenic differentiation. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms need to be further investigated. lncRNAs are emerging as critical regulation molecules in oncogenic pathways. In this study, we identified that bioactive lncRNA HOXC-AS3, which is transcribed in opposite to HOXC10, was presented in MSCs derived from bone marrow (BM) of MM patients (MM-MSCs). HOXC-AS3 was able to interact with HOXC10 at the overlapping parts and this interaction increased HOXC10 stability, then promoted its expression, conferring osteogenesis repression to MM-MSCs. In mouse models, intravenously administered siHOXC-AS3 was proven to be effective in prevention of bone loss, sustained by both anticatabolic activities and bone-forming. These data showed that lncHOXC-AS3 was required for osteogenesis in BM-MSCs by enhancing HOXC10 expression. Our finding thus unveils a novel insight for the potential clinical significance of lncRNA HOXC-AS3 as a therapeutic target for bone disease in MM. Stem Cells  2019;37:247–256
Xist Intron 1 Repression by Transcriptional-Activator-Like Effectors Designer Transcriptional Factor Improves Somatic Cell Reprogramming in Mice
Authors: Zhang Jindun , Gao Xuefei , Yang Jian , Fan Xiaoying , Wang Wei , Liang Yanfeng , Fan Lihong , Han Hongmei , Xu Xiaorong , Tang Fuchou , Bao Siqin , Liu Pentao , Li Xihe
Published: October 2018

Xist is the master regulator of X chromosome inactivation. In order to further understand the Xist locus in the reprogramming of somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and in somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), we tested transcription-activator-like effectors-based designer transcriptional factors (dTFs), which were specific to numerous regions at the Xist locus. We report that the selected dTF repressor 6 (R6) binding the intron 1 of Xist, which caused higher H3K9me3 followed by X chromosome opening and repression of X-linked genes in mouse embryonic fibroblasts, rather than affecting Xist expression, substantially improved the iPSC generation and the SCNT preimplantation embryo development. Conversely, the dTF activator targeting the same genomic region of R6 decreased iPSC formation and blocked SCNT-embryo development. These results thus uncover the critical requirement for the Xist locus in epigenetic resetting, which is not directly related to Xist transcription. This may provide a unique route to improving the reprogramming. Stem Cells  2019;37:599–608
Crystalline Conjugated Polymers for Organic Solar Cells: From Donor, Acceptor to Single‐Component
Authors: Xia Dongdong , Li Cheng , Li Weiwei
Published: October 2018

Organic solar cells have made rapid progress in the last two decades due to the innovation of conjugated materials and photovoltaic devices. Microphase separation that connects with materials and devices plays a crucial role in the charge generation process. In this account, we summary our recent works of developing new crystalline conjugated polymers to control the microphase separation in thin films in order to realize high performance in solar cells, including crystalline diketopyrrolopyrrole‐based donor polymers, perylene bisimide‐based electron acceptors, and “double‐cable” conjugated polymers that contain covalently‐linked crystalline donor and acceptor in one material for single‐component organic solar cells.
Fetal Medicine Foundation reference ranges for umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery pulsatility index and cerebroplacental ratio
Authors: Ciobanu A. , Wright A. , Syngelaki A. , Wright D. , Akolekar R. , Nicolaides K. H.
Published: October 2018

Objectives

To develop gestational age‐based reference ranges for the pulsatility index in the umbilical artery (UA‐PI) and fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA‐PI) and the cerebroplacental ratio (MCA‐PI/UA‐PI), and to examine the maternal characteristics and medical history that affect these measurements.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study of 72 387 pregnancies undergoing routine ultrasound examination at 20 + 0 to 22 + 6 weeks' gestation (n = 3712), 31 + 0 to 33 + 6 weeks (n = 29 035), 35 + 0 to 36 + 6 weeks (n = 37 252) or 41 + 0 to 41 + 6 weeks (n = 2388). For the purpose of this study, we included data for only one of the second‐ or third‐trimester visits. The inclusion criteria were singleton pregnancy, dating by fetal crown–rump length at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation, live birth of a morphologically normal neonate and ultrasonographic measurements by sonographers who had received the Fetal Medicine Foundation Certificate of Competence in Doppler ultrasound. Since the objectives of the study were to establish reference ranges, rather than normal ranges, and to examine factors from maternal characteristics and medical history that affect these measurements, we included all pregnancies having routine ultrasound examinations, irrespective of whether the mother had a pre‐existing medical condition, such as diabetes mellitus, or a pregnancy complication, such as pre‐eclampsia or suspected fetal growth restriction. Median and SD models were fitted between UA‐PI, MCA‐PI and CPR and gestational age. Assessment of goodness of fit of the models was by inspection of quantile‐to‐quantile (Q–Q) plots of Z‐scores calculated using the mean and SD models. The distributions of MCA‐PI, UA‐PI and CPR Z‐scores were examined in relation to maternal characteristics and medical history.

Results

The relationship between the median and gestational age was linear for UA‐PI and cubic for MCA‐PI and CPR and the SD was log quadratic for all three. MCA‐PI and CPR increased with gestational age from 20 weeks' gestation to reach a peak at around 32 and 34 weeks, respectively, and decreased thereafter, whereas UA‐PI decreased linearly with gestational age from 20 to 42 weeks. Compared to the general population, significant deviations in multiples of the median values of UA‐PI, MCA‐PI and CPR were observed in subgroups of maternal age, body mass index, racial origin, method of conception and parity.

Conclusion

This study established new reference ranges for UA‐PI, MCA‐PI and CPR, according to gestational age, and reports maternal characteristics and medical history that affect these measurements. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Large‐for‐gestational age and stillbirth: is there a role for antenatal testing?
Authors: Carter E. B. , Stockburger J. , Tuuli M. G. , Macones G. A. , Odibo A. O. , Trudell A. S.
Published: October 2018

Objective

To investigate the association between large‐for‐gestational‐age (LGA) pregnancy and stillbirth to determine if the LGA fetus may benefit from antenatal testing with non‐stress test or biophysical profile.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies that were ongoing at 24 weeks' gestation and that had undergone routine second‐trimester anatomy ultrasound examination, during the period 1990 to 2009. Pregnancies complicated by fetal anomaly or aneuploidy, those with missing birth weight information and those that were small‐for‐gestational age were excluded. Appropriate‐for‐gestational age (AGA) and LGA were defined as birth weight between the 10th and 90th percentiles and > 90th percentile, respectively, according to the Alexander growth standard. The incidence of stillbirth was calculated as the number of stillbirths per 10 000 ongoing pregnancies. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% CI for stillbirth in LGA compared with AGA pregnancies were estimated using logistic regression analysis, controlling for pre‐existing and gestational diabetes. The incidence and aOR for stillbirth were estimated at 4‐week intervals from ≥ 24 to ≥ 40 weeks' gestation.

Results

Of 52 749 pregnancies ongoing at 24 weeks, 46 205 (87.6%) were AGA and 6544 (12.4%) were LGA at delivery. The incidence of stillbirth in LGA pregnancies was significantly higher than that in AGA pregnancies from 36 weeks' gestation (26/10 000 vs 7/10 000; aOR, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.68–5.70). When women with diabetes were excluded in stratified analysis, pregnancies complicated by LGA continued to be at increased risk for stillbirth ≥ 36 weeks (18/10 000 vs 7/10 000; OR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.27–5.43).

Conclusion

Pregnancies complicated by LGA are at significantly increased risk for stillbirth at or beyond 36 weeks, independent of maternal diabetes status, and may benefit from antenatal testing. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Noncanonical RNA‐capping: Discovery, mechanism, and physiological role debate
Authors: Julius Christina , Yuzenkova Yulia
Published: October 2018

Recently a new type of 5′‐RNA cap was discovered. In contrast to the specialized eukaryotic m7G cap, the novel caps are abundant cellular cofactors like NAD+. RNAs capped with cofactors are found in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Unlike m7G cap, installed by specialized enzymes, cofactors are attached by main enzyme of transcription, RNA polymerase (RNAP). Cofactors act as noncanonical initiating substrates, provided cofactor's nucleoside base‐pairs with template DNA at the transcription start site. Adenosine—containing NAD(H), flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), and CoA modify transcripts on promoters starting with +1A. Similarly, uridine‐containing cell wall precursors, for example, uridine diphosphate‐N‐acetylglucosamine were shown to cap RNA in vitro on +1U promoters. Noncanonical capping is a universal feature of evolutionary unrelated RNAPs—multisubunit bacterial and eukaryotic RNAPs, and single‐subunit mitochondrial RNAP. Cellular concentrations of cofactors, for example, NAD(H) are significantly higher than their Km in transcription. Yet, only a small proportion of a given cellular RNA is noncanonically capped (if at all). This proportion is a net balance between capping, seemingly stochastic, and decapping, possibly determined by RNA folding, protein binding and transcription rate. NUDIX hydrolases in bacteria and eukaryotes, and DXO family proteins eukaryotes act as decapping enzymes for noncanonical caps. The physiological role of noncanonical RNA capping is only starting to emerge. It was demonstrated to affect RNA stability in vivo in bacteria and eukaryotes and to stimulate RNAP promoter escape in vitro in Escherichia coli. NAD+/NADH capping ratio may connect transcription to cellular redox state. Potentially, noncanonical capping affects mRNA translation, RNA‐protein binding and RNA localization.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Capping and 5′ End Modifications

RNA Export and Localization > RNA Localization

RNA Structure and Dynamics > RNA Structure, Dynamics, and Chemistry
SU(3) × SO(10) in 6d
Authors: de Anda Francisco J. , King Stephen F.
Published: October 2018

Abstract

We discuss a simple and elegant SU(3) × SO(10) family unified gauge theory in 6d compactified on a torus with the orbifold T
2/Z
2
3
and supplemented by a Z
6 × Z
3 discrete symmetry. The orbifold boundary conditions generate all the desired SU(3) breaking vacuum alignments, including the (0, 1, −1) and (1, 3, −1) alignments of the Littlest Seesaw model for atmospheric and solar neutrino mixing, as well as the usual SO(10) breaking with doublet-triplet splitting. The absence of driving and messenger fields considerably simplifies the field content of the model. It naturally explains why there are three families of quarks and leptons, and accounts for all their masses, mixing angles and CP phases via rather elegant looking Yukawa and Majorana matrices in the theory basis. The resulting model controls proton decay and allows successful Leptogenesis.
Multi-Higgs doublet models: the Higgs-fermion couplings and their sum rules
Authors: Bento Miguel P. , Haber Howard E. , Romão J. C. , Silva João P.
Published: October 2018

Abstract

This is the second of a series of papers that explores the physical parameterization, sum rules and unitarity bounds arising from a non-minimal scalar sector of the Standard Model (SM) that consists of N Higgs doublets. In this paper, we focus on the structure and implication of the Yukawa interactions that couple the N scalar doublets to the SM fermions. We employ the charged Higgs basis, which is defined as the basis of scalar fields such that the neutral scalar field vacuum expectation value resides entirely in one of the N scalar doublet fields, and the charged components of the remaining N − 1 scalar doublet fields are the physical (mass-eigenstate) charged Higgs fields. Based on the structure of the Yukawa Lagrangian of the model (and as a consequence of tree-level unitarity), one may deduce numerous sum rules, several of which have not appeared previously in the literature. These sum rules can be used to uncover intimate relations between the structure of the Higgs-fermion couplings and the scalar/gauge couplings. In particular, we show that the approximate alignment limit, in which the W
+
W
− and ZZ couplings to the observed Higgs boson are approximately SM-like, imposes significant constraints on the Higgs-fermion couplings.
Stringy instability inside the black hole
Authors: Itzhaki Nissan
Published: October 2018

Abstract

We show that negative (∇Φ)2, where Φ is the dilaton, leads to a rapid creation of folded strings. Consequently it appears that the interior of the SL(2, ℝ)
k
/U(1) black hole is not empty, but is filled with folded strings.
Epidemiology of Trauma Patients from the Mosul Offensive, 2016–2017: Results from a Dedicated Trauma Center in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan
Authors: Nerlander Maximilian P. , Haweizy Rawand Musheer , Wahab Moayad Abdullah , Älgå Andreas , von Schreeb Johan
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Most epidemiological studies from conflicts are restricted to either combatants or civilians. It is largely unknown how the epidemiology differs between the two groups. In 2016, an Iraqi‐led coalition began retaking Mosul from the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. One key institution that received trauma patients from Mosul was Emergency Management Center (EMC) in Erbil, 90 km away. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology, morbidity, and mortality of civilians and combatants admitted during the ongoing conflict.

Method

This retrospective cohort study utilized routinely collected data on patients with conflict‐related injuries who were admitted to EMC between October 16, 2016, and July 10, 2017. Data processing and analysis was carried out using JMP 13. Categorical variables were compared using Fisher’s exact test.

Results

The analysis included 1725 patients, out of which 46% were civilian. Ordnance accounted for most injuries (68%), followed by firearms (18%) and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) (14%). The proportion of IED‐related injuries among combatants were almost three times that of civilians. The proportions of abdominal injuries, need for surgery, laparotomies, and amputations were significantly higher among civilians than among combatants. The mortality rate was 0.5%.

Discussion

The fact that civilians had greater surgical needs than combatants may be explained by several factors including a lack of ballistic protection. The extremely low mortality rate indicates significant gaps in prehospital care and transport. Our results may provide useful information to guide medical preparedness and response during future conflicts.

Clinicaltrials.gov ID

NCT03358758.
Supply chain sustainability performance measurement of small and medium sized enterprises using structural equation modeling
Authors: Malesios Chrisovalantis , Dey Prasanta K. , Abdelaziz Fuad Ben
Published: October 2018

Sustainability of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) is significant as SMEs contribute to GDP substantially in every economy. This research develops an innovative sustainable supply chain performance measurement model for SMEs. Prior researches predominantly use balanced score card (BSC) approach that presume causal relationship of criteria and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), which derive efficiency of units from a few input and output criteria. While DEA is effective for policymakers, BSC is more suitable for individual SME. The proposed method that uses structural equation modeling (SEM) approach to derive the relationship of criteria and criteria weights formulates regression-type models for a specific region as well as for specific SME. The SEM-based supply chain sustainability performance measurement model is beneficial to policymakers as they can determine means for improvement at a regional level. The proposed method could also facilitate managers/owners of individual SMEs with measures for improving their supply chain sustainability performance. The method has been applied to three varied geographical locations in the UK, France and India in order to demonstrate its effectiveness.
Action-based versus cognitivist perspectives on socio-cognitive development: culture, language and social experience within the two paradigms
Authors: Mirski Robert , Gut Arkadiusz
Published: October 2018

Contemporary research on mindreading or theory of mind has resulted in three major findings: (1) There is a difference in the age of passing of the elicited-response false belief task and its spontaneous–response version; 15-month-olds pass the latter while the former is passed only by 4-year-olds (in the West). (2) Linguistic and social factors influence the development of the ability to mindread in many ways. (3) There are cultures with folk psychologies significantly different from the Western one, and children from such cultures tend to show different timetables of mindreading development. The traditional accounts of the data are nativism, rational constructivism, and two-systems theory. In this paper, we offer criticism of these traditional cognitivist accounts and explore an alternative, action-based framework. We argue that even though they all seem to explain the above empirical data, there are other, theoretical reasons why their explanations are untenable. Specifically, we discuss the problem of foundationalism and the related problem of innateness. Finally, we explore an alternative, action-based framework that avoids these theoretical limitations and offer an interpretation of the empirical data from that perspective.
Simulation Training in Penile Implant Surgery: Assessment of Surgical Confidence and Knowledge With Cadaveric Laboratory Training
Authors: Lentz Aaron C. , Rodríguez Dayron , Davis Leah G. , Apoj Michel , Kerfoot B. Price , Perito Paul , Henry Gerard , Jones LeRoy , Carrion Rafael , Mulcahy John J. , Munarriz Ricardo
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Constraints on surgical resident training (work-hour mandates, shorter training programs, etc.) and availability of expert surgical educators may limit the acquisition of prosthetic surgical skills. As a result, training courses are being conducted to augment the prosthetic surgery learning experience.

Aim

To evaluate the impact of a hands-on cadaver-based teaching program on resident procedural knowledge and procedural confidence with placement of a penile prosthesis.

Main Outcome Measure

Changes in procedural knowledge and self-confidence following a focused training program on penile prosthetics.

Methods

As part of the 2017 Society of Urologic Prosthetic Surgeons and the Sexual Medicine Society of North America Annual Meeting, 31 urology residents participated in a simulation lab in prosthetic urology. The lab included didactic lectures and a hands-on cadaveric laboratory. Participants completed surveys before and after the course. Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests for matched pairs were used to compare respondents’ pre- and postcourse knowledge (% questions answered correctly) and confidence ratings. Prior implant experience was assessed.

Results

31 residents participated in this study. The majority of the participants were 4th- (41.9%) and 5th-year residents (38.7%). Participants showed a significant improvement in procedural knowledge test scores (68.8±13.4 vs 74.2 ± 13.0, P < .05) and self-reported increased median surgical confidence levels (4 vs 3, P value < .001) after completion of the cadaveric course. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that residents with prosthetic surgery experience of <10 cases benefited the most. In addition, improvement in surgical confidence levels observed was greater than the improvement in surgical knowledge. The overall cost of the simulation training course was approximately $1,483 per resident.

Conclusion

Simulation training in prosthetic surgery seems to improve surgical confidence and knowledge. Further research is needed to better understand the benefits and limitations of simulation training.
Teacher Identities as Key to Environmental Education for Sustainability Implementation: A Study From Australia
Authors: Almeida Sylvia C. , Moore Deborah , Barnes Melissa
Published: October 2018

This article presents findings from a study that evaluated the impact of an Australian sustainability initiative, with a view to unravelling the realities of teachers’ implementation approaches. The paper outlines a study that reviews a government initiative in early years, primary and secondary educational settings that uses the Data Collection, Storage and Visualisations System (DCSVS) aimed at enhancing sustainability awareness and embedding sustainability as part of everyday practice in schools and early childhood services. It was also intended to offer school leaders, teachers and students avenues to engage with their consumption of natural resources. This in turn was anticipated to increase awareness about conservation, with the long-term aim to engage with the broader themes of sustainability. This article focuses on the role of teachers’ identities in enacting these policy initiatives. It highlights teachers’ enactment of the policies, the crucial role of school leaders in the process, as well as the deeper connections between curriculum and pedagogy.
PROPOSITIONAL LEARNING: FROM IGNORANCE TO KNOWLEDGE
Authors: Le Morvan Pierre
Published: October 2018

In this paper, I offer an account of propositional learning: namely, learning that p. I argue for what I call the “Three Transitions Thesis” or “TTT” according to which four states and three transitions between them characterize such learning. I later supplement the TTT to account for learning why p. In making my case, I discuss mathematical propositions such as Fermat's Last Theorem and the ABC Conjecture, and then generalize to other mathematical propositions and to non-mathematical propositions. I also discuss some interesting applications of the TTT, and reply to some noteworthy objections.
The Desirability of Jewish Conversion to Christianity in Contemporary Catholic Thought
Authors: Gregerman Adam
Published: October 2018

I argue that the authors of the December 2015 Vatican statement “The Gifts and the Calling of God Are Irrevocable” both present the Jewish Old Covenant as a good covenant (rejecting traditional Christian supersessionism) and nonetheless view Jews’ conversion to the better Christian New Covenant as desirable. I challenge the assumption that post–Nostra Aetate positive views of the Jewish covenant, including the claim that Jews are already “saved,” preclude a desire for Jews to convert to Christianity. On the contrary, I show that the authors’ claim that the New Covenant is the “fulfillment” of the Old Covenant provides a motive for contemporary Christians to emulate the efforts made by those early followers of Jesus who shared the gospel with their fellow Jews. To support my argument, I first carefully study the writings of Cardinal Walter Kasper. The authors of Gifts draw almost entirely on Kasper's nuanced and complex views regarding the desirability of Jewish conversion to Christianity, adopting even his approach to and format for presenting this controversial claim.
SHMIP The subglacial hydrology model intercomparison Project
Authors: DE FLEURIAN BASILE , WERDER MAURO A. , BEYER SEBASTIAN , BRINKERHOFF DOUGLAS J. , DELANEY IAN , DOW CHRISTINE F. , DOWNS JACOB , GAGLIARDINI OLIVIER , HOFFMAN MATTHEW J. , HOOKE ROGER LeB , SEGUINOT JULIEN , SOMMERS ALEAH N.
Published: October 2018

Subglacial hydrology plays a key role in many glaciological processes, including ice dynamics via the modulation of basal sliding. Owing to the lack of an overarching theory, however, a variety of model approximations exist to represent the subglacial drainage system. The Subglacial Hydrology Model Intercomparison Project (SHMIP) provides a set of synthetic experiments to compare existing and future models. We present the results from 13 participating models with a focus on effective pressure and discharge. For many applications (e.g. steady states and annual variations, low input scenarios) a simple model, such as an inefficient-system-only model, a flowline or lumped model, or a porous-layer model provides results comparable to those of more complex models. However, when studying short term (e.g. diurnal) variations of the water pressure, the use of a two-dimensional model incorporating physical representations of both efficient and inefficient drainage systems yields results that are significantly different from those of simpler models and should be preferentially applied. The results also emphasise the role of water storage in the response of water pressure to transient recharge. Finally, we find that the localisation of moulins has a limited impact except in regions of sparse moulin density.
Razza cagna:mondomovies, the white heterosexual male gaze, and the 1960s–1970s imaginary of the nation
Authors: Giuliani Gaia
Published: October 2018

This article investigates the role, reception, and socio-cultural, political relevance ofmondomovies in the context of late 1950s–early 1980s film and documentary. Themondogenre debuted with reportage films about sexuality in Europe and reached its pinnacle with Gualtiero Jacopetti’s assemblage films. The historical context in which this genre evolved, and white masculinity was rearticulated and positioned at the centre of the national imagined community, is mapped focusing both on gender and race constructions and on thegazeidentifying, encoding and decoding the sensationalist presentation of postcolonial/ decolonising Otherness. A brief review of some of the author’s published work on 1962–1971mondomovies introducesCannibal Holocaust(1979) and director Ruggero Deodato’s controversial reflection on the white, capitalist, sexist, Western and neo-colonial anthropological gaze.
Effects of dietary interventions on DNA methylation in adult humans: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: ElGendy Khalil , Malcomson Fiona C. , Lara Jose G. , Bradburn David Michael , Mathers John C.
Published: October 2018

DNA methylation is a key component of the epigenetic machinery that is responsible for regulating gene expression and, therefore, cell function. Patterns of DNA methylation change during development and ageing, differ between cell types, are altered in multiple diseases and can be modulated by dietary factors. However, evidence about the effects of dietary factors on DNA methylation patterns in humans is fragmentary. This study was initiated to collate evidence for causal links between dietary factors and changes in DNA methylation patterns. We carried out a systematic review of dietary intervention studies in adult humans using Medline, EMBASE and Scopus. Out of 22 149 screened titles, sixty intervention studies were included, of which 65% were randomised (n 39). Most studies (53%) reported data from blood analyses, whereas 27% studied DNA methylation in colorectal mucosal biopsies. Folic acid was the most common intervention agent (33%). There was great heterogeneity in the methods used for assessing DNA methylation and in the genomic loci investigated. Meta-analysis of the effect of folic acid on global DNA methylation revealed strong evidence that supplementation caused hypermethylation in colorectal mucosa (P=0·009). Meta-regression analysis showed that the dose of supplementary folic acid was the only identified factor (P<0·001) showing a positive relationship. In summary, there is limited evidence from intervention studies of effects of dietary factors, other than folic acid, on DNA methylation patterns in humans. In addition, the application of multiple different assays and investigations of different genomic loci makes it difficult to compare, or to combine, data across studies.
The Universality of the Rule of Law as an International Standard
Authors: Etherton Terence
Published: October 2018

In a report to the Security Council of the United Nations in August 2004 the UN Secretary General said that ‘the rule of law’ is a concept at the very heart of the UN's mission. In September 2015 the UN agreed a set of Sustainable Development Goals (STGs) for 2015–30, which came into force on 1 January 2016. Goal 16.3 of the SDGs enshrines a commitment by all UN members to ‘promote the rule of law at the national and international levels, and to ensure equal access to justice for all’. In March 2016 the Council of Europe's Commission for Democracy through Law, known as the Venice Commission, published a report which said that the rule of law is a concept of universal validity. It observed that in an increasing number of cases states refer to the rule of law in their national constitutions. The rule of law is expressly mentioned in a United Kingdom statute: section 1 of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 says that the Act does not adversely affect the existing constitutional principle of the rule of law. The statute, however, does not contain any definition of the rule of law; nor does any other UK statute. There is no legally binding definition anywhere.