bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear Supramolecular Polymers for Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Chen Wenzhuo , Kretzschmann Annika , Tian Wei , Wu Si
Published: October 2018

An elegant combination of supramolecular polymers exhibiting nonlinear topological structures results in a series of brand new, nonlinear supramolecular polymers. Recently, these polymers have attracted increased attention in various fields due to their diverse and advantageous properties. Especially in therapeutic applications, one can take advantage of their unique chemical, physical, and biological properties such as degradability and stimuli‐responsiveness. Due to the large number of possible module modifications, such polymers have great potential as platforms in disease treatments. In this review, the structures, properties, and functions of different nonlinear supramolecular polymers are summarized. Current therapeutic applications are presented and the prospective design trends are discussed for promoting the development of nonlinear supramolecular polymers.
Multiscale Modeling and Simulation of Nano‐Carriers Delivery through Biological Barriers—A Review
Authors: Shi Xinghua , Tian Falin
Published: October 2018

The past several decades have witnessed the explosion of nanomedicine for cancer therapy, where notable research efforts have been made in synthesizing and delivering nano‐carriers (NCs) to specific tumor sites. The effective treatment of cancer with nanomedicine poses the requirements of high solubility, prolonged circulation, low toxicity, strong targeting ability, specific distribution, and high tissue penetration capability of NCs, involving interdisciplinary research and posing challenges to the community. Along with experimental contributions for the development and application of NCs to treat cancer, multiscale modeling and simulation have also made considerable contributions to the understanding of the synthesis, translocation, and delivery of NCs and their payloads. Here, recent advances of modeling and simulation work are selected to elucidate some key concepts, methods, and applications of NCs during synthesis and drug delivery, such as assembly, translocation, targeting, cellular uptake, and penetration in tissue. The advantages and limitations of each method are highlighted, and the future perspectives in this field are also discussed.
Production and Emulsifying Effect of Esters on The Basis of Polyglycerol and Еpoxidized Derivatives of Sunflower and Soybean Oil
Authors: Shikhaliev Khidmet S. , Stolpovskaya Nadezhda V. , Krysin Mikhail Y. , Zorina Anna V. , Lyapun Denis V. , Zubkov Fedor I.
Published: October 2018

Oligo and polyesters of polyglycerol and polyricinoleic acid are widely used as emulsifiers in various industries. New promising emulsifiers for oil–water systems were obtained based on the condensation of glycerol and its oligomers with epoxidized derivatives of vegetable oils. The type of the resulting emulsion was studied. The influence of the composition of the emulsion and the hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) of the emulsifier on the type of the resulting emulsions was investigated. It was shown that the synthesized emulsifiers significantly increase the viscosity of the emulsion. Complex structural and functional spectral analysis of synthesized substances showed that the main reactions leading to the formation of the desired products were the opening of epoxide cycles, the transesterification of esters, and the condensation of fatty‐acid derivatives. This new combination of renewable raw materials is of undoubted interest for deeper chemical processing of vegetable oils.
Improving Oxidative Stability of Skin‐Care Emulsions with Antioxidant Extracts from Brown Alga Fucus vesiculosus
Authors: Hermund Ditte B. , Heung Shuk Yee , Thomsen Birgitte Raagaard , Akoh Casimir C. , Jacobsen Charlotte
Published: October 2018

Skin‐care products are known delivery systems of functional lipids that can enhance the natural defense of skin. Unsaturated lipids, e.g., linoleic acids, are more susceptible to lipid oxidation than saturated lipids. Therefore, lipid oxidation must be prevented to preserve the functionality of the unsaturated lipids in skin‐care products. The antioxidant properties of two Fucus vesiculosus extracts (water extract [WE] and 80% [v/v] ethanol extract [EE]) were evaluated. Both extracts had high in vitro antioxidant properties and a high phenolic content. The antioxidant efficacy of the extracts was evaluated by addition of 0.05% and 0.1% (w/w) freeze‐dried extracts to facial cream formulations. The cream was stored up to 42 days (dark, 20 °C) and the oxidative stability was determined by following tocopherol consumption and development in peroxides and secondary oxidation products. The results showed that EE was able to reduce the peroxide oxidation rate from 84.8% (control without extract) to 41.3%. Furthermore, a higher efficacy was observed for EE over WE. This was most likely related to higher phenolic content, high radical‐scavenging activity, and moderate metal‐chelating ability. However, WE indicated regeneration of tocopherols by amphiphilic polyphenolic phlorotannins, with interfacial properties. The results show that F. vesiculosus extracts rich in antioxidative phlorotannins can play an important role in reducing lipid oxidation and maintaining the quality of cream.
Experimental measurements and modelling of CO2 solubility in aqueous mixtures of benzylamine and N‐(2‐aminoethyl) ethanolamine
Authors: Mukherjee Satyajit , Bandyopadhyay Syamalendu S. , Samanta Amar N.
Published: October 2018

In this work, carbon dioxide solubility in N‐(2‐aminoethyl) ethanolamine (AEEA) activated aqueous benzylamine (BZA) solutions are studied using a stirred‐cell reactor in the temperature and pressure range of 313.15–333.15 K and 0.2–219 kPa, respectively. AEEA is a linear diamine with a primary and secondary amine groups, and BZA is a primary cyclic amine. The concentration of the aqueous blends used are (20mass% BZA + 10mass% AEEA), (24mass% BZA + 6mass% AEEA), and (28mass% BZA + 2mass% AEEA). Density and viscosity of unloaded aqueous amine blends are also measured in experimental temperature and concentration ranges and correlated using Joubian–Acree mathematical model. Model‐predicted density and viscosity data are in good agreement with experimental results showing 0.05% and 3.41% AAD, respectively. To correlate experimental vapor–liquid‐equilibrium data, Kent–Eisenberg (KE), artificial neural network (ANN), and soft models are used. Equilibrium constants of monocarbamate formation reaction of BZA and AEEA are regressed as a function of temperature and CO2 loading to fit the experimental data with KE model expression. KE model is also utilized to estimate the pH of CO2 loaded aqueous amine solutions. ANN model is found to predict CO2 solubility with better accuracy (1.56% AAD) in comparison of KE model (8.27% AAD) and soft model (15.5%). The CO2 absorption capacity of (20mass% BZA + 10mass% AEEA) solvent (~0.8 mol CO2/mol amine) is higher than that of monoethanolamine (~0.5 mol CO2/mol amine). Heats of absorption values of (BZA + AEEA) solvents (~25 kJ/mol CO2) predicted from Gibbs–Helmholtz relationship are found to be lower than that of MEA (~87 kJ/mol CO2) and PZ (~66 kJ/mol CO2).
Impact of chloroform exposures on reproductive and developmental outcomes: A systematic review of the scientific literature
Authors: Williams Amy Lavin , Bates Christopher A. , Pace Nelson D. , Leonhard Megan J. , Chang Ellen T. , DeSesso John M.
Published: October 2018

Aims

We assessed the animal and epidemiological data to determine if chloroform exposure causes developmental and/or reproductive toxicity.

Results and Discussion

Initial scoping identified developmental toxicity as the primary area of concern. At levels producing maternal toxicity in rats and mice, chloroform caused decrements in fetal weights and associated delays in ossification. In a single mouse inhalation study, exposure to a high concentration of chloroform was associated with small fetuses and increased cleft palate. However, oral exposure of mice to chloroform at a dose 4 times higher was negative for cleft palate; multiple inhalation studies in rats were also negative. Epidemiologic data on low birth weight and small for gestational age were generally equivocal, preventing conclusions from being drawn for humans. The animal data also show evidence of very early (peri‐implantation) total litter losses at very high exposure levels. This effect is likely maternally mediated rather than a direct effect on the offspring. Finally, the epidemiologic data indicate a possible association of higher chloroform exposure with lower risk of preterm birth (<37 weeks gestation).

Conclusions

The available animal data suggest that exposures lower than those causing maternal toxicity should be without developmental effects in the offspring. Also, most studies in humans rely on group‐level geographic exposure data, providing only weak epidemiologic evidence for an association with development outcomes and fail to establish a causal role for chloroform in the induction of adverse developmental outcomes at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Scale‐Down Model Development in ambr systems: An Industrial Perspective
Authors: Sandner Viktor , Pybus Leon P. , McCreath Graham , Glassey Jarka
Published: October 2018

High‐Throughput (HT) technologies such as miniature bioreactors (MBRs) are increasingly employed within the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Traditionally, these technologies have been utilized for discrete screening approaches during pre‐clinical development (e.g., cell line selection and process optimization). However, increasing interest is focused towards their use during late clinical phase process characterization studies as a scale‐down model (SDM) of the cGMP manufacturing process. In this review, the authors describe a systematic approach toward SDM development in one of the most widely adopted MBRs, the ambr 15 and 250 mL (Sartorius Stedim Biotech) systems. Recent efforts have shown promise in qualifying ambr systems as SDMs to support more efficient, robust and safe biomanufacturing processes. The authors suggest that combinatorial improvements in process understanding (matching of mass transfer and cellular stress between scales through computational fluid dynamics and in vitro analysis), experimental design (advanced risk assessment and statistical design of experiments), and data analysis (combining uni‐ and multi‐variate techniques) will ultimately yield ambr SDMs applicable for future regulatory submissions.
Prenatal alcohol exposure affects brain function during place learning in a virtual environment differently in boys and girls
Authors: Woods Keri J. , Thomas Kevin G. F. , Molteno Christopher D. , Jacobson Joseph L. , Jacobson Sandra W. , Meintjes Ernesta M.
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Although performance deficits in place learning have been reported in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), neural correlates of these deficits have not been investigated. This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study of 57 children (41 alcohol‐exposed; 16 controls; mean age = 9.4 years; 29 boys) examined effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on place learning in a virtual environment, the computer‐generated (CG) arena.

Methods

Functional magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired while children passively viewed a recording of an experimenter completing the task. Visible‐target blocks involved navigation to a visible platform. During invisible‐target blocks, the platform appeared only when the experimenter moved over it. After the scan, all children performed a post‐test during which they had to navigate to the location of the invisible platform.

Results

Although there were no group differences in post‐test performance for sex or FASD diagnosis, PAE in boys was associated with poorer performance and reduced activation in the parahippocampal gyrus (PHG), precuneus, posterior cingulate, frontal and temporal lobes, caudate, insula, claustrum, lentiform nucleus, and thalamus. By contrast, PAE was not associated with performance or activation in any regions in girls.

Discussion and conclusion

Girls and boys are known to use different navigation strategies. Boys rely more on an allocentric navigational strategy and girls more on landmarks. Poorer recruitment of the PHG, a region known to mediate allocentric navigation, in more heavily exposed boys may explain the observed dose‐dependent place learning deficit. The absence of PAE effects in girls suggests that landmark‐based navigational strategies may be less affected by alcohol exposure.
Lexical based automated teaching evaluation via students’ short reviews
Authors: Lin Qika , Zhu Yifan , Zhang Sifan , Shi Pengfei , Guo Qing , Niu Zhendong
Published: October 2018

Student evaluations of teaching (SET) have become a popular approach to assess faculties’ teaching. Question‐score‐based questionnaire is the most common SET measure adopted in universities. However, it fails to cover important facets of teaching process that not mentioned in the predefined questionnaire, which can be substantially obtained from students’ short reviews. In this paper, we propose two lexical‐based methods, specifically knowledge‐based and machine learning‐based, to automatically extract opinions from short reviews. Furthermore, the diversity of reviews’ themes and styles of same sentiment polarity reviews can be observed from the extracted opinion results. The experimental results show that the proposed methods are able to achieve accuracies of 78.13 and 84.78%, respectively in the task of student review sentiment classification. Further investigation on linguistic features shows that reviews with same sentiment polarity shares similar language patterns. Finally, we present an application scenario in real SET process by utilizing aforementioned methods and discoveries.
Early PET‐CT in patients with pathological stage III colon cancer may improve their outcome: Results from a large retrospective study
Authors: Moore Assaf , Ulitsky Olga , Ben‐Aharon Irit , Perl Gali , Kundel Yulia , Sarfaty Michal , Lewin Ron , Domachevsky Liran , Bernstine Hanna , Groshar David , Wasserberg Nir , Kashtan Hanoch , Gordon Noa , Sulkes Aaron , Brenner Baruch
Published: October 2018

Background

Current staging of pathological stage III colon cancer (CC) is suboptimal; many patients recur despite unremarkable preoperative staging. We previously reported that early postoperative PET‐CT can alter the stage and management of up to 15% of patients with high‐risk stage III CC. This study aimed to determine the role of the test in the general stage III CC population.

Methods

A retrospective study of all consecutive patients with stage III CC who underwent early postoperative PET‐CT between 2005 and 2017.

Results

A total of 342 patients, 166 (48.5%) males, median age 66 years (range, 29‐90), were included. Pathological stage was IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC in 18 (5.3%), 257 (75.1%), and 67 (19.6%) patients, respectively. Median number of positive lymph nodes was 2 (range, 0‐32). PET‐CT results modified the management of 46 patients (13.4%): 37 (10.8%) with overt metastatic disease and 9 (2.6%) with a second primary. The 5‐year disease‐free survival for true stage III patients was 81%. The median overall survival for the entire cohort and for true stage III patients was not reached and was 57.2 months for true stage IV. Of the 37 patients found to be metastatic, 14 (37.8%) underwent curative treatments and 9/14 (64.3%) remain disease‐free, with a median follow‐up of 83.8 months. Predictive factors for upstaging following PET‐CT were identified.

Conclusion

Early postoperative PET‐CT changed the staging and treatment of 13.4% of stage III CC patients and has the potential for early detection of curable metastatic disease. Outcome results are encouraging. Prospective validation is ongoing.
Characterization of Schinus lentiscifoliusMarchand (Anacardiaceae) Bark Extract and Its Effects on Lymphocyte Oxidative Stress and Heat Shock Response
Authors: Bandeira Corrêa Jéssyca , Pezzini Moreira Bárbara , Lohmanm Larissa , Machado Sulzbacher Lucas , Bender dos Santos Analú , Ruiz Antonieta , Stela Ludwig Mirna , Hirsch Gabriela Elisa , Santos Cledir , Seibel Gehrke Ilaine Teresinha , Gomes Heck Thiago
Published: October 2018

Schinus lentiscifolius Marchand has been used in folk medicine to treat immunoinflammatory related diseases, which are marked by OS and altered HSR. Our study aimed to evaluate OS and HSR in lymphocytes treated with S. lentiscifolius bark extracts. S. lentiscifolius barks were partitioned with solvents to obtain hexane (SL‐HEX), ethyl acetate (SL‐ACOET) and methanol (SL‐MEOH) extracts, and the presence of bioactive compounds was evaluated by thin layer chromatography. Total phenols were measured by the Folin–Ciocalteu method and flavonoids were identified by HPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS/MS. Antioxidant capacity was verified by DPPH method, cell viability by Trypan Blue method, lipid peroxidation by TBARS and HSP70 by immunoblotting. The SL‐ACOET extract presented higher content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in vitro. It was able to reduce lipid peroxidation levels in lymphocytes induced by H2O2 and improved cell viability. The SL‐ACOET extract inhibited HSR by a decrease in both intracellular content and release of 70 kDa heat shock proteins (HSP70) and also by decrease extra‐to‐intracellular HSP70 ratio in lymphocytes submitted to heat shock (2 h, 41 °C). S. lentiscifolius bark extract has antioxidant activity and inhibitory effect on HSR probably due to the presence of polyphenols as the flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol.
Long‐term outcomes of carotid artery stenting in patients with a contralateral carotid artery occlusion
Authors: Cotter Ryan , Kokkinidis Damianos G. , Choy Ho‐Hin , Singh Gagan D. , Rogers R. Kevin , Waldo Stephen W. , Laird John R. , Armstrong Ehrin J.
Published: October 2018

Objectives

To examine the association between a contralateral carotid artery occlusion (CCO) and the rates of subsequent target‐lesion restenosis and revascularization after carotid artery stenting (CAS).

Background

Patients with carotid artery disease undergoing revascularization often have a CCO. The association of a CCO with long‐term outcomes after CAS is uncertain.

Methods

At two institutions, 267 CAS procedures were performed from 2006 to 2016 including 47 (18%) with a CCO. Regular follow‐up with duplex carotid ultrasound was performed to assess for restenosis. Univariate Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between the presence of a CCO and repeat revascularization.

Results

The mean patient age was 70 years. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in procedural indication (asymptomatic vs ischemic symptoms) or medical comorbidities between groups. During 5‐year follow up, the rate of duplex‐derived >80% stenosis was 6% in the non‐CCO group and 9% in the CCO group (P = 0.45). Despite similar rates of >80% restenosis, there was a significant association between CCO and subsequent target‐lesion revascularization (TLR), with rates of 6.4% vs 0.9% at 5 years (HR 7.2, confidence interval (CI) 1.2–43, P = 0.04). There were no significant differences between groups in the 5‐year rates of stroke (4.3% in CCO group vs 4.5% in non‐CCO group, HR 0.53, CI 0.07–4.22, P = 1.0) or MACCE (15% vs 18%, HR 0.55, CI 0.2–1.55, P = 0.68).

Conclusions

Patients undergoing CAS with a CCO were more likely to undergo TLR during long‐term follow up, but they did not have any differences in procedural success or short‐ and long‐term outcomes.
Biomass Energy Use: Bioenergy – Flexible and Integrated Into the Next Age
Authors: Thrän Daniela , Pfeiffer Diana
Published: October 2018

No abstract.
Understanding the Role of Nano‐Aluminum Oxide in All‐Solid‐State Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Judez Xabier , Eshetu Gebrekidan G. , Gracia Ismael , López‐Aranguren Pedro , González‐Marcos José A. , Armand Michel , Rodriguez‐Martinez Lide M. , Zhang Heng , Li Chunmei
Published: October 2018

Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) is a well‐known electrolyte filler for stabilizing the Li‐metal (Li0) anode in all‐solid‐state Li0‐based batteries. However, its strong interactions with lithium polysulfides (PS) hinder the direct application of Al2O3‐added electrolytes in all‐solid‐state lithium‐sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs). Herein, the role of Al2O3 in ASSLSBs both as electrolyte filler and cathode additive is studied. The combination of Al2O3‐added electrolyte and Al2O3‐added S8 cathode with optimum cell configuration could deliver an unprecedented discharge capacity of 0.85 mAh cm−2 (C/10, 30 cycles) for polymer‐based ASSLSBs. These results suggest that the rational incorporation of Al2O3 can lead simultaneously to PS anchoring and Li0 anode stabilizing benefits from the ceramic filler, thus improving the electrochemical performance of ASSLSBs.
Metabolomic correlates of aerobic capacity among elderly adults
Authors: Koh Angela S. , Gao Fei , Tan Ru S. , Zhong Liang , Leng Shuang , Zhao Xiaodan , Fridianto Kevin T. , Ching Jianhong , Lee Si Y. , Keng Bryan M. H. , Yeo Tee Joo , Tan Shu Y. , Tan Hong C. , Lim Chin T. , Koh Woon‐Puay , Kovalik Jean‐Paul
Published: October 2018

Background

Aerobic capacity is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular disease and all‐cause mortality, and it declines with advancing age.

Hypothesis

Since physical activity alters body metabolism, metabolism markers will likely differ between subjects with high vs low aerobic capacities.

Methods

Community‐based participants without physician‐diagnosed heart disease, stroke or cancer underwent same‐day multimodal assessment of cardiovascular function (by echocardiography and magnetic resonance feature tracking of left atrium) and aerobic capacity by peak oxygen uptake (VO2) metrics. Associations between VO2 and cardiovascular and metabolomics profiles were studied in adjusted models including standard covariates.

Results

We studied 141 participants, of whom 82 (58.2%) had low VO2, while 59 (41.8%) had high VO2. Compared to participants with high VO2, participants with low VO2 had more adverse cardiovascular parameters, such as lower ratio of peak velocity flow in early diastole to peak velocity flow in late diastole by atrial contraction of >0.8 (76% vs 35%, adjusted odd ratio [OR] = 4.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.7‐9.5], P = 0.001) and lower left atrial conduit strain (11.3 ± 4.0 vs 15.6 ± 6.1%, adjusted OR = 1.1, 95% CI [1.002‐1.3], P = 0.045). High VO2 was associated with lower accumulation of wide‐spectrum acyl‐carnitines (OR = 0.6, 95% CI [0.4‐0.9], P = 0.013), alanine (OR = 0.1, 95% CI [0.01‐0.9], P = 0.044) and glutamine /glutamate (OR = 0.1, 95% CI [0.01‐0.5], P = 0.007), compared to low VO2.

Conclusion

Elderly adults with low VO2 have adverse cardiovascular and metabolic parameters compared to their counterparts with high VO2. Combined cardiac and metabolomics phenotyping may be a promising tool to provide insights into physiological states, useful for tracking future interventions related to physical activity among community cohorts.
Cytologic patterns of cervical adenocarcinomas with emphasis on factors associated with underdiagnosis
Authors: Conrad Rachel D. , Liu Angela H. , Wentzensen Nicolas , Zhang Roy R. , Dunn S. Terence , Wang Sophia S. , Schiffman Mark , Gold Michael A. , Walker Joan L. , Zuna Rosemary E.
Published: October 2018

Background

New cervical cancers continue to be diagnosed despite the success of Papanicolaou (Pap) tests. In an effort to identify pitfalls that limit the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, the authors reviewed the cytologic characteristics of endocervical adenocarcinomas in their patient population.

Methods

Liquid‐based cytology slides from 45 women who had concurrent, histologically confirmed cervical adenocarcinomas were reviewed retrospectively and semiquantitatively for 25 key cytologic traits. The original sign‐out diagnosis, available clinical findings, and high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR HPV) results also were noted.

Results

Abundant tumor cellularity, nuclear size from 3 to 6 times normal, abundant 3‐dimensional tumor cell groups, round cell shape, and cytoplasmic neutrophils characterized the 23 cases that were identified correctly as adenocarcinomas. Key reasons for undercalls included low tumor cellularity and low‐grade columnar morphology; these also tended to correlate with low‐grade or unusual adenocarcinoma variants on histology. Overall, 73% of adenocarcinomas had a concurrent positive HR HPV test.

Conclusions

Most endocervical adenocarcinomas can be diagnosed accurately in cases with classical features, but some cases continue to be problematic when evaluated based on cytologic features alone. Reflex HPV testing may help increase Pap test sensitivity for challenging cases that have atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance. Occasional cases with negative HR HPV test results remain of concern.
Computer microscopic test study on the suitability of modified polyimide grease used to improve collapsible loess railway subgrade
Authors: Zhao Meng , Chen Liyi , Wu Honggang , Guo Wei , Ye Changwen
Published: October 2018

The stability and permeability of the collapsible loess are poor, and the infiltrated water in the loess is difficult to drain out. Due to the dynamic loads induced by trains, the collapsible loess railway subgrade is prone to instability and liquefaction. In this paper, an organic polymer material, Modified Polyimide Grease (MPG) produced was proposed to treat the collapsible loess railway subgrade. The scanning electron microscope, FTIR, and X‐ray diffraction methods were used on the study of the mechanism of MPG. The results indicated that an optimum MPG content of 2.5%, approximately 3 day, could achieve the highest strength and result in the best softening coefficient. After being treated by MPG, the permeability of the loess samples was slightly decreased compared to that of untreated samples, which indicated MPG could improve the strength of the loess without significantly reducing its permeability. This property was suitable for the subject MPG treated loess subgrade to achieve a reasonable drainage. Besides, it is observed that some portions of pores in loess samples were filled by MPG and the strength between the particles was increased. The research results indicated that MPG is a suitable material to improve collapsible loess railway subgrade in the subject area.
Extending smart containers for data locality‐aware skeleton programming
Authors: Ernstsson August , Kessler Christoph
Published: October 2018

We present an extension for the SkePU skeleton programming framework to improve the performance of sequences of transformations on smart containers. By using lazy evaluation, SkePU records skeleton invocations and dependencies as directed by smart container operands. When a partial result is required by a different part of the program, the run‐time system will process the entire lineage of skeleton invocations; tiling is applied to keep chunks of container data in the working set for the whole sequence of transformations. The approach is inspired by big data frameworks operating on large clusters where good data locality is crucial. We also consider benefits other than data locality with the increased run‐time information given by the lineage structures, such as backend selection for heterogeneous systems. Experimental evaluation of example applications shows potential for performance improvements due to better cache utilization, as long as the overhead of lineage construction and management is kept low.
Cobalt Entrapped in N,S‐Codoped Porous Carbon: Catalysts for Transfer Hydrogenation with Formic Acid
Authors: Guo Haotian , Gao Ruixiao , Sun Mingming , Guo Hao , Wang Bowei , Chen Ligong
Published: October 2018

Catalysts with Co nanoparticles (NPs) entrapped in N,S‐codoped carbon shells were successfully fabricated by pyrolysis of porous organic polymers (POPs) with cobalt salts. The encapsulated structure consisting of Co NPs and N,S‐codoped carbon layers was verified by TEM, XRD, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The catalysts displayed excellent activity and stability for the catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) of nitrobenzene with formic acid under base‐free conditions. Furthermore, the resultant catalysts allowed for highly efficient and selective transfer hydrogenation of various functionalized nitroarenes to the corresponding anilines. Through control experiments, the covered Co NPs were identified as active sites for CTH. The incorporation of S into the N‐doped carbon lattice promoted the electron transfer from metallic cobalt NPs to their shells, which played a significant role in the acceleration of CTH. Moreover, the Co‐NSPC‐850 catalyst pyrolyzed at 850 °C showed excellent stability in the recycling experiments.
A multidecade experiment shows that fertilization by salmon carcasses enhanced tree growth in the riparian zone
Authors: Quinn Thomas P. , Helfield James M. , Austin Catherine S. , Hovel Rachel A. , Bunn Andrew G.
Published: October 2018

As they return to spawn and die in their natal streams, anadromous, semelparous fishes such as Pacific salmon import marine‐derived nutrients to otherwise nutrient‐poor freshwater and riparian ecosystems. Diverse organisms exploit this resource, and previous studies have indicated that riparian tree growth may be enhanced by such marine‐derived nutrients. However, these studies were largely inferential and did not account for all factors affecting tree growth. As an experimental test of the contribution of carcasses to tree growth, for 20 yr, we systematically deposited all sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) carcasses (217,055 individual salmon) in the riparian zone on one bank of a 2‐km‐long stream in southwestern Alaska, reducing carcass accumulation on one bank and enhancing it on the other. After accounting for partial consumption and movement of carcasses by brown bears (Ursus arctos) and variation in salmon abundance and body size, we estimated that 267,620 kg of salmon were deposited on the enhanced bank and 45,200 kg on the depleted bank over the 20 yr, for a 5.9‐fold difference in total mass. In 2016, we sampled needles of 84 white spruce trees (Picea glauca) the dominant riparian tree species, for foliar nitrogen (N) content and stable isotope ratios (δ15N), and took core samples for annual growth increments. Stable isotope analysis indicated that marine‐derived N was incorporated into the new growth of the trees on the enhanced bank. Analysis of tree cores indicated that in the two decades prior to our enhancement experiment, trees on the south‐facing (subsequently the depleted) bank grew faster than those on the north‐facing (later enhanced) bank. This difference was reduced significantly during the two decades of fertilization, indicating an effect of the carcass transfer experiment against the background of other factors affecting tree growth.
Changes in pulmonary artery pressure before and after left ventricular assist device implantation in patients utilizing remote haemodynamic monitoring
Authors: Kilic Ahmet , Katz Jason N. , Joseph Susan M. , Brisco‐Bacik Meredith A. , Uriel Nir , Lima Brian , Agarwal Rahul , Bharmi Rupinder , Farrar David J. , Lee Sangjin ,   Evolving Mechanical Support Research Group (EMERG) Investigators
Published: October 2018

Aims

The time course of changes in pulmonary artery (PA) pressure due to left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) is not well understood. Here, we describe longitudinal haemodynamic trends during the peri‐LVAD implantation period in patients previously implanted with a remote monitoring PA pressure sensor.

Methods and results

We retrospectively studied PA pressure trends in patients implanted with CardioMEMS™ PA pressure sensor between October 2007 and March 2017 who subsequently had an LVAD procedure. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation, and P‐values are calculated using standard t‐test with equal variance. Among 436 patients in cohort, 108 (age 58 ± 11 years, 82% male) received an LVAD and 328 (age 60 ± 13 years, 70% male) did not. The mean PA pressure at sensor implant was higher by 29% (P < 0.001) among patients who later received LVAD. Mean PA pressure 6 months prior to LVAD implant was 35.5 ± 8.5 mmHg, increasing to 39.4 ± 9.9 mmHg (P = 0.04) at 4 weeks before LVAD, and then decreasing 27% to 28.8 ± 8.4 mmHg (P < 0.001) at 3 months post‐implant and stabilizing at 31.0 ± 9.4 mmHg at 1 year.

Conclusions

Patients who later receive LVADs have higher PA pressures at sensor implant and show a further increase leading up to LVAD implantation. There is a significant reduction of PA pressures post‐LVAD implantation that persists long term. PA pressure monitoring may aid in the clinical decision making of timing for LVAD implantation and in management of LVAD patients.
The importance of granularity in multiobjective optimization of mobile cloud hybrid applications
Authors: Akbar Aamir , Lewis Peter R.
Published: October 2018

Mobile devices can now support a wide range of applications, many of which demand high computational power. Backed by the virtually unbounded resources of cloud computing, today's mobile cloud (MC) computing can meet the demands of even the most computationally and resource‐intensive applications. However, many existing MC hybrid applications are inefficient in terms of achieving objectives like minimizing battery power consumption and network bandwidth usage, which form a trade‐off. To counter this problem, we propose a data‐driven technique that (1) does instrumentation by allowing class‐, method‐, and hybrid‐level configurations to be applied to the MC hybrid application and (2) measures, at runtime, how well the MC hybrid application meets these two objectives by generating data that are used to optimize the efficiency trade‐off. Our experimental evaluation considers two MC hybrid Android‐based applications. We modularized them first based on the granularity and the computationally intensive modules of the apps. They are then executed using a simple mobile cloud application framework while measuring the power and bandwidth consumption at runtime. Finally, the outcome is a set of configurations that consists of (1) statistically significant and nondominated configurations in collapsible sets and (2) noncollapsible configurations. The analysis of our results shows that from the measured data, Pareto‐efficient configurations, in terms of minimizing the two objectives, of different levels of granularity of the apps can be obtained. Furthermore, the reduction of battery power consumption with the cost of network bandwidth usage, by using this technique, in the two MC hybrid applications was (1) 63.71% less power consumption in joules with the cost of using 1.07 MB of network bandwidth and (2) 34.98% less power consumption in joules with the cost of using 3.73 kB of network bandwidth.
Two siblings with familial neuroblastoma with distinct clinical phenotypes harboring an ALK germline mutation
Authors: Kudo Ko , Ueno Hiroo , Sato Tomohiko , Kubo Kaori , Kanezaki Rika , Kobayashi Akie , Kamio Takuya , Sasaki Shinya , Terui Kiminori , Kurose Akira , Yoshida Kenichi , Shiozawa Yusuke , Toki Tsutomu , Ogawa Seishi , Ito Etsuro
Published: October 2018

The authors report two siblings with familial neuroblastoma with a germline R1275Q mutation of the tyrosine kinase domain of ALK. Whole exome sequencing and copy number variation assay were performed to investigate genetic alterations in the two cases. No common somatic mutations or gene polymorphisms related to the tumorigenesis of neuroblastoma were detected. A distinct pattern involving both segmental chromosomal alteration and MYCN amplification was detected. The diversity of biological behavior of familial neuroblastoma harboring a germline ALK mutation may depend on conventional prognostic factors, such as segmental chromosomal alterations and MYCN amplification, rather than additional acquired mutations.
Integrating Academic and Career Advising toward Student Success
Authors: Lynch Joseph , Lungrin Tracy
Published: October 2018

In a time when student persistence, retention, and graduation rates are being examined, academic advisors are being called upon to evaluate their interactions with students throughout their academic journey toward a meaningful career. This chapter addresses how integrating academic and career advising may benefit students in the current higher education environment.
Fine mapping of 14q13 reveals novel variants associated with different histological subtypes of papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Jendrzejewski Jarosław , Liyanarachchi Sandya , Eiterman Andrew , Thomas Andrew , He Huiling , Nagy Rebecca , Senter Leigha , Sworczak Krzysztof , de la Chapelle Albert
Published: October 2018

The first two genome wide association studies (GWAS) of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) detected five variants associated with PTC. Two of them (rs944289 and rs116909374) are located at 14q13 making that locus an important target of research into the genetic predisposition to PTC. We aimed at uncovering other variants at 14q13 associated with PTC independently from the GWAS variants. We performed next generation sequencing of the 14q13 region and analyzed the allele frequencies of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in n = 90 PTC cases vs. n = 379 EUR controls from the 1,000 Genome Project. The variants associated with PTC were validated in an Ohio cohort of n = 1,216 PTC cases and n = 1,416 controls. Next, we analyzed the association between SNPs and expression of nearby genes and clinical parameters. We showed that rs368187 was associated with PTC (OR = 1.31, p = 2.20 × 10−6). Rs1632250, Rs1863347 and rs1755787 showed association with classical PTC (cPTC) (n = 891; OR = 1.24, 2.22 × 10−3, OR = 1.31, p = 2.15 × 10−4 and OR = 1.24, p = 2.06 × 10−3, respectively) while variant rs28397092 showed association with follicular variant (n = 243; OR = 1.51, p = 1.36 × 10−3). Rs1863347 was associated with suppression of PTCSC3 in unaffected thyroid tissue (p = 0.026). Rs1632250, rs1863347 and rs1755787 showed association with multifocality (OR = 1.85, p = 0.001, OR = 1.98, p = 0.001 and OR = 1.76, p = 0.003 respectively) and N stage (OR = 1.79, p = 0.014, OR = 1.73, p = 0.023 and OR = 1.81, p = 0.013, respectively) in microPTC (n = 328) while rs368187 was associated with M stage (OR = 0.56, p = 0.034) in cPTC. Our results disclose multiple variants associated with PTC and clinical features in the 14q13 superlocus. We suggest that translational genotype/phenotype studies should take into account not only somatic mutations but also germline variants.
Combined genetic and epigenetic alterations of the TERT promoter affect clinical and biological behavior of bladder cancer
Authors: Leão Ricardo , Lee Donghyun , Figueiredo Arnaldo , Hermanns Thomas , Wild Peter , Komosa Martin , Lau Irene , Mistry Mathew , Nunes Nuno Miguel , Price Aryeh J. , Zhang Cindy , Lipman Tatiana , Poyet Cédric , Valtcheva Nadejda , Oehl Kathrin , Coelho Hugo , Sayyid Rashid , Gomes Ana Melo , Prado e Castro Ligia , Sweet Joan , Vinagre João , Apolónio Joana , Stephens Derek , Faleiro Inês , Fadaak Kamel , Richard Patrick O. , Kulkarni Girish , Zlotta Alexandre R. , Hamilton Robert J. , Castelo‐Branco Pedro , Tabori Uri
Published: October 2018

In urothelial bladder cancer (UBC), risk stratification remains an important unmet need. Limitless self‐renewal, governed by TERT expression and telomerase activation, is crucial for cancer progression. Thus, telomerase activation through the interplay of mutations (TERTpMut) and epigenetic alterations in the TERT promoter may provide further insight into UBC behavior. Here, we investigated the combined effect of TERTpMut and the TERT Hypermethylated Oncological Region (THOR) status on telomerase activation and patient outcome in a UBC international cohort (n = 237). We verified that TERTpMut were frequent (76.8%) and present in all stages and grades of UBC. Hypermethylation of THOR was associated with higher TERT expression and higher‐risk disease in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancers (NMIBC). TERTpMut alone predicted disease recurrence (HR: 3.18, 95%CI 1.84 to 5.51, p < 0.0001) but not progression in NMIBC. Combined THORhigh/TERTpMut increased the risk of disease recurrence (HR 5.12, p < 0.0001) and progression (HR 3.92, p = 0.025). Increased THOR hypermethylation doubled the risk of stage progression of both TERTpwt and TERTpMut NMIBC. These results highlight that both mechanisms are common and coexist in bladder cancer and while TERTpMut is an early event in bladder carcinogenesis THOR hypermethylation is a dynamic process that contributes to disease progression. While the absence of alterations comprises an extremely indolent phenotype, the combined genetic and epigenetic alterations of TERT bring additional prognostic value in NMIBC and provide a novel insight into telomere biology in cancer.
Chemical induction of hepatic apoptosis in rodents
Authors: Qinna Nidal A. , Ghanim Bayan Y.
Published: October 2018

The urge of identifying new pharmacological interventions to prevent or attenuate liver injury is of critical importance and needs an expanded experimental toolbox. Hepatocyte injury and cellular death is a prominent feature behind the pathology of liver diseases. Several research activities focused on identifying chemicals and hepatotoxicants that induce cell death by apoptosis, in addition to presenting its corresponding signaling pathway. Although such efforts provided further understanding of the mechanisms of cell death, it has also raised confusion concerning identifying the involvement of several modes of cell death including apoptosis, necrosis and fibrosis. The current review highlights the ability of several chemicals and potential hepatotoxicants to induce liver damage in rodents by means of apoptosis while the probable involvement of other modes of cell death is also exposed. Thus, several chemical substances including hepatotoxins, mycotoxins, hyperglycemia inducers, metallic nanoparticles and immunosuppressant drugs are reviewed to explore the hepatic cytotoxic spectrum they could exert on hepatocytes of rodents. In addition, the current review address the mechanism by which hepatotoxicity is initiated in hepatocytes in different rodents aiding the researcher in choosing the right animal model for a better research outcome.
Effect of Sodium Hypochlorite and EDTA on Surface Roughness of HyFlex CM and HyFlex EDM Files
Authors: Uslu Gülşah , Özyürek Taha , Yılmaz Koray
Published: October 2018

The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of exposure to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the surface topography and roughness of HyFlex controlled memory (CM) and HyFlex electrical discharge machining (EDM) using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Twenty HyFlex EDM (25/.08) and 20 HyFlex CM (25/.06) files were divided into five groups (n = 4). One group served as a negative control group. The files in the other groups were exposed to 5.25% NaOCl and 17% EDTA solutions at 37°C for 5 and 10 min, respectively, and examined using AFM after each exposure. The data were analyzed using one‐way ANOVA test. The lowest values were observed in the control group of HyFlex EDM files (p < .05). The highest values were observed in the HyFlex EDM and HyFlex CM files immersed in EDTA for 10 min (p < .05). In conclusion, the tested irrigants had a significant negative effect on the surface porosity of NiTi files.

The immersion of NiTi files in irrigants during cleaning and sterilization procedures results in corrosion and surface deformation of the files, and this can lead to unexpected file fracture during clinical use. Thus, the investigation of effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on surface topography of HyFlex files is important.
Micromorphological investigation of leaf epidermis and seeds of Vitaceae from Pakistan using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Lubna  , Zafar Muhammad , Ahmad Mushtaq , Shaheen Shabnum , Sultana Shazia , Rehman Saeed ur , Amina Hafiza
Published: October 2018

This present study is the first report on the detailed foliar epidermal anatomy and micromorphology of seeds of five species of Vitaceae from Pakistan using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The studied species occur at various localities particularly higher altitude. Qualitative and quantitative leaf micromorphological characters investigated here are related to shape and size of epidermal cells, anticlinal wall pattern, stomatal pore, guard cell, stomatal complex, subsidiary cells, and trichomes. Variations in size and shape were observed in the studied species. Irregular, polygonal and elongated epidermal cells with straight or undulate margins, stomata anomocytic type, and trichomes nonglandular, unicellular to multicellular in all the studied plants. Seed micromorphological qualitative characters studied are shape of margins, integument cell, apical notch, chalaza, anticlinal wall thickness, and quantitative characters are number of seeds per berry, length, and width of seed, length to width ratio. The detailed distribution and microscopic characteristics investigated of family Vitaceae has a distinguished role in identification at genus and species level and may provide evidence in the determination of taxonomic rank of the family in the phylogenetic tree. This study possesses potential for plant taxonomists to further evaluate the species for phytochemical studies and physiology.

Research Highlights

Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy was used for the micromorphological investigation of family Vitaceae

Qualitative and quantitative characteristics were studied

Variation in microscopic features of leaf epidermis and seeds

Identification of species based on micromorphological characters
Conscious sedation using propofol versus midazolam in cirrhotic patients during upper GI endoscopy: A comparative study
Authors: Wahab Essam A , Hamed Emad F , Ahmad Hanan S , Abdel Monem Sameh M , Fathy Talaat
Published: October 2018

Aim

We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of propofol versus midazolam in cirrhotic patients undergoing upper GI endoscopy.

Methods

Ninety compensated cirrhotic patients (all met class I–III criteria according to the American Society of Anesthesia) were enrolled in this comparative study. They were classified into three groups according to scheduled pre‐endoscopy sedation drugs; the midazolam group, which included 30 patients who received IV weight‐dependent midazolam (0.05 mg/kg with additional doses of 1 mg every 2 min when necessary, up to a maximum dose of 0.1 mg/kg or 10 mg); the propofol group, which included 30 patients who received a propofol bolus dose according to age and weight (0.25 mg/kg with additional doses of 20–30 mg every 30–60 s when necessary, up to a maximum dose of 400 mg); and the combined group, which included 30 patients who received half a dose of midazolam and of propofol.

Results

Prolonged postendoscopy recovery times were reported in the midazolam group, while shorter recovery times were reported in the propofol and combined groups. All patients in the propofol and combined groups gained consciousness shortly postendoscopy; however, only half of the midazolam group's patients gained consciousness after the standard recovery time (10–30 min). Highly significant differences were found among the three groups regarding consciousness level according to the Glasgow coma scale, as well as regarding the occurrence of hypoxia during endoscopy.

Conclusion

Considering safety and efficacy issues, propofol is better than midazolam in gastrointestinal endoscopy, especially in patients with liver cirrhosis.