bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial light pollution: Shifting spectral wavelengths to mitigate physiological and health consequences in a nocturnal marsupial mammal
Authors: Dimovski Alicia M. , Robert Kylie A.
Published: May 2018

The focus of sustainable lighting tends to be on reduced CO2 emissions and cost savings, but not on the wider environmental effects. Ironically, the introduction of energy‐efficient lighting, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), may be having a great impact on the health of wildlife. These white LEDs are generated with a high content of short‐wavelength ‘blue’ light. While light of any kind can suppress melatonin and the physiological processes it regulates, these short wavelengths are potent suppressors of melatonin. Here, we manipulated the spectral composition of LED lights and tested their capacity to mitigate the physiological and health consequences associated with their use. We experimentally investigated the impact of white LEDs (peak wavelength 448 nm; mean irradiance 2.87 W/m2), long‐wavelength shifted amber LEDs (peak wavelength 605 nm; mean irradiance 2.00 W/m2), and no lighting (irradiance from sky glow < 0.37 × 10−3 W/m2), on melatonin production, lipid peroxidation, and circulating antioxidant capacity in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). Night‐time melatonin and oxidative status were determined at baseline and again following 10 weeks exposure to light treatments. White LED exposed wallabies had significantly suppressed nocturnal melatonin compared to no light and amber LED exposed wallabies, while there was no difference in lipid peroxidation. Antioxidant capacity declined from baseline to week 10 under all treatments. These results provide further evidence that short‐wavelength light at night is a potent suppressor of nocturnal melatonin. Importantly, we also illustrate that shifting the spectral output to longer wavelengths could mitigate these negative physiological impacts.
Synthesis and Anticancer Evaluation of Some Novel 5‐Amino[1,2,4]Triazole Derivatives
Authors: Hassan Aisha Y. , Sarg Marwa T. , Bayoumi Ashraf H. , El‐Deeb Moshira A.
Published: May 2018

Novel [1,2,4]triazole derivatives were synthesized via various synthetic pathways. Among which were different substituted [1,2,4]triazole analogues that were synthesized, in addition to various fused [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine derivatives, [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a][1,3,5]triazines, and [1,2,4]triazolo[5,1‐c][1,2,4]triazines. Besides, benzo[h][1,2,4]triazolo[5,1‐b]quinazolines, [1,2,4]triazolo‐[5,1‐b]quinazoline, [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a]quinazoline and [1,2,4]triazolo[5,1‐d][1,2,3,5]tetrazine derivatives were also synthesized. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro anticancer activity against liver cancer HepG2 and breast cancer MCF7 cell lines compared with the reference drug doxorubicin. Compounds 4, 7, 15, 17, 28, 34, and 47 were found to exert promising anticancer activity against HepG2 cell line showing IC50 values ranging from 17.69 to 25.4 μM/L, while compounds 7, 14a, 17, 28, and 34 showed significant activity against MCF7 cell line with IC50 values ranging from 17.69 to 27.09 μM/L.
Vein resection during pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma: Patency rates and outcomes associated with thrombosis
Authors: Snyder Rebecca A. , Prakash Laura R. , Nogueras‐Gonzalez Graciela M. , Kim Michael P. , Aloia Thomas A. , Vauthey Jean‐Nicolas , Lee Jeffrey E. , Fleming Jason B. , Katz Matthew H.G. , Tzeng Ching‐Wei D.
Published: May 2018

Background and Objectives

Venous patency rates after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with portal vein (PV) resection are not well established, and the oncologic impact of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is unknown. The primary aim of this study was to determine rates and predictors of PVT after PD with PV resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed on PDAC patients treated with preoperative therapy and PD with PV resection at a high‐volume institution (2008‐15). Primary outcomes were early and late PVT (≤ or >90 days of surgery). Secondary outcomes included major complications and OS.

Results

Patients undergoing vein resection (N = 120) included 41.7% (N = 50) primary repair or patch venoplasty, 29.2% (N = 35) primary anastomosis, and 29.2% (N = 35) interposition graft. Thirty‐four (28.3%) patients developed PVT (early 7.5% [N = 9]; late 20.8% [N = 25]). Late PVT was often detected concurrently with local recurrence (76.0%; N = 19). There was no association of PVT with vascular resection extent or complications (P > 0.05). On multivariable analysis, PVT was associated with worse OS (HR 2.2 [95% CI 1.34‐3.5], P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Overall postoperative patency rates following PV resection PDAC were high. PVT is associated with worse OS, which appears less likely related to technical issues, but rather representative of disease biology.
Cystic bone tumors of the foot and ankle
Authors: Reda Bashar
Published: May 2018

Bone tumors are relatively rare in the foot and ankle region. Many of them present as cystic lesions on plain films. Due to the relative rarity of these lesions and the complex anatomy of the foot and ankle region, identification of such lesions is often delayed or they get misdiagnosed and mismanaged. This review discusses the most common cystic tumors of the foot and ankle including their radiographic features and principles of management.
A bioinspired polydopamine approach toward the preparation of gold‐modified magnetic nanoparticles for the magnetic solid‐phase extraction of steroids in multiple samples
Authors: An Xuehan , Chai Weibo , Deng Xiaojuan , Chen Hui , Ding Guosheng
Published: May 2018

In this work, a simple, facile, and sensitive magnetic solid‐phase extraction method was developed for the extraction and enrichment of three representative steroid hormones before high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis. Gold‐modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles, as novel magnetic adsorbents, were prepared by a rapid and environmentally friendly procedure in which polydopamine served as the reductant as well as the stabilizer for the gold nanoparticles, thus successfully avoiding the use of some toxic reagents. To obtain maximum extraction efficiency, several significant factors affecting the preconcentration steps, including the amount of adsorbent, extraction time, pH of the sample solution, and the desorption conditions, were optimized, and the enrichment factors for three steroids were all higher than 90. The validity of the established method was evaluated and good analytical characteristics were obtained. A wide linearity range (0.8–500 μg/L for all the analytes) was attained with good correlation (R2 ≥ 0.991). The low limits of detection were 0.20–0.25 μg/L, and the relative standard deviations ranged from 0.83 to 4.63%, demonstrating a good precision. The proposed method was also successfully applied to the extraction and analysis of steroids in urine, milk, and water samples with satisfactory results, which showed its reliability and feasibility in real sample analysis.
Soil respiration versus vegetation degradation under the influence of three grazing regimes in the Songnen Plain
Authors: Li Qiang , Zhou Dao‐Wei
Published: May 2018

Understanding the effects of ongoing vegetation degradation (due to grazing pressure) on soil respiration provides a basis for managing grazing to improve sustainability of grassland ecosystems in the context of climate change. In a 2‐year field experiment in a meadow ecosystem, vegetation, soil properties, and root and microbial respiration of 2 dominant communities (Leymus chinensis and Chloris virgata) were examined along a vegetation degradation sequence caused by varying grazing pressures. Aboveground biomass, belowground net primary productivity, litter mass, and microbial biomass carbon significantly decreased as ground cover was reduced. For 2 community types, from light degradation to severe degradation (SD), soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total nitrogen, and total phosphorus concentrations decreased by 14.1–15.4%, 10.9–12.3%, and 10.7–11.9%, respectively; and soil bulk density and pH increased by 9.1–9.3% and 4.6–5.2%, respectively. Over 2 years, from light degradation to SD in 2 communities, annual mean root and microbial respiration rate significantly decreased by 35.9–43.5% and 28–34.4%, respectively. Root respiration was more sensitive to vegetation degradation in C. virgata communities compared with L. chinensis communities. However, temperature sensitivity (Q10) for root and microbial respiration did not significantly change as vegetation degraded. These results indicated that (a) vegetation degradation could drive significant soil degradation in this meadow; (b) vegetation degradation restrained soil CO2 efflux, but more largely decreased biomass carbon input into soil, which finally reduced SOC concentration; and (c) vegetation degradation would not change the response of soil CO2 efflux to climate change. To increase SOC storage and maintain grassland sustainability, grazing exclusion was suggested for restoring vegetation in SD sites, with a stocking rate < 2 sheep·ha−1 or rotational grazing recommended. Finally, overseeding with L. chinensis and legumes should enhance forage and livestock production, and soil carbon and nitrogen sequestration, thus preserving grassland sustainability in this meadow ecosystem.
The molecular dynamics of soil humus as a function of tillage
Authors: Drosos Marios , Piccolo Alessandro
Published: May 2018

Soil degradation processes due to intensified agriculture may be counteracted by an extended knowledge on soil humus dynamics at molecular level. Here, we show that the molecular composition of the soil Humeome changes substantially after 1 and 3 years of conventional tillage under maize cropping. Application of Humeomics sequential chemical fractionation not only separated from soil more than twice the organic carbon extracted by traditional methods, but also enabled to identify 10 times more molecular structures using GC–MS and high‐resolution ESI‐Orbitrap‐MS. The fine molecular description of the soil Humeome revealed a decrease of soil organic matter (SOM) hydrophobic protection with prolonged tillage and a potential loss of small nitrogen‐rich compounds. We showed for the first time an abundance of heterocyclic nitrogen compounds that are persistent in SOM due to a covalent binding to soil iron. The formation of organo‐Fe complexes appeared not only as a major mechanism of molecular stabilization of SOC but also as an adsorption substrate for other nitrogen‐rich soil components. The detailed molecular insight of SOM composition reached by Humeomics may become the key to develop new technologies for the control of soil carbon.
Groundwater vulnerability assessment in degraded coal mining areas using the AHP–Modified DRASTIC model
Authors: Karan Shivesh Kishore , Samadder Sukha Ranjan , Singh Vivek
Published: May 2018

Extensive coal mining results in ecological upheaval. Mining activities such as excavation and dumping of overburden convert land into new habitats, which completely degrades the soil structure. Adverse impacts of coal mining activities on water resources have been reported from several such regions. This study focusses on the assessment of groundwater vulnerability due to land degradation in coal mining areas. Three techniques were used to study the groundwater vulnerability: (a) the original DRASTIC overlay and index based model, (b) a modified DRASTIC model developed by adding land use and distance from lineament parameters, and (c) a model developed using analytic hierarchy process to optimise the rates and weights of the modified DRASTIC parameters. The groundwater vulnerability assessment models were validated by comparing the analysed groundwater samples data of the region and then by comparing with the computed overall water quality index for each sampling site. The results showed that groundwater vulnerability assessment in coal mining areas can be significantly improved. The best results were observed using an analytic hierarchy process–Modified DRASTIC model, which showed the highest positive significant (p < .01) correlation (r = .94) with the water quality index. Spatial distribution results revealed critical impact of land degradation due to coal mining on groundwater, as nearly 24% of the entire study area lied in the high to very high vulnerable zones, most of which are located in the vicinity of mining areas. This study will help in better water management practices in coal mining areas.
The Red Sea Simulator: A high‐precision climate change mesocosm with automated monitoring for the long‐term study of coral reef organisms
Authors: Bellworthy Jessica , Fine Maoz
Published: May 2018

Experimental systems that enable the controlled perturbation of environmental parameters toward future scenarios are in high demand and becoming increasingly advanced. Herein, we describe the design and assess the performance of a large‐scale, flow‐through, mesocosm system. Located in the northern Gulf of Aqaba, the Red Sea simulator (RSS) was constructed in order to expose local coral reef organisms to future ocean scenarios. Seawater temperature and pH are typically set to a delta from incoming seawater readings and thus follow the diel range. This is achieved through automated monitoring (sensor‐carrying robot) and feedback system and a remote‐controlled user interface. Up to six different temperatures and four pH scenarios can be concomitantly operated in a total of 80 experimental aquaria. In addition, the RSS currently facilitates the manipulation of light intensity, light spectra, nutrient concentration, flow, and feeding regime. Monitoring data show that the system performs well; meeting the user‐defined environmental settings. A variety of reef organisms have been housed in the system for several months. Brooding reef building and soft coral species maintained in the simulator for many months have released planulae in synchrony with field colonies. This system boasts a high degree of replication, potential for multistressor manipulation, typical physiochemical environmental variability, and remotely controlled monitoring and data acquisition. These aspects greatly enhance our ability to make ecologically relevant performance assessments in a changing world.
Embedding and slicing of intact in situ collected marine snow
Authors: Flintrop Clara M. , Rogge Andreas , Miksch Sebastian , Thiele Stefan , Waite Anya M. , Iversen Morten H.
Published: April 2018

The biological carbon pump is largely driven by the formation and sinking of marine snow. Because of their high organic matter content, marine snow aggregates are hotspots for microbial activity, and microbial organic matter degradation plays an important role in the attenuation of carbon fluxes to the deep sea. Our inability to examine and characterize microscale distributions of compounds making up the aggregate matrix, and of possible niches inside marine snow, has hindered our understanding of the basic processes governing marine carbon export and sequestration. To address this issue, we have adapted soft‐embedding and sectioning to study the spatial structure and components of marine aggregates at high resolution. Soft‐embedding enables rapid quantitative sampling of undisturbed marine aggregates from the water column and from sediment traps, followed by spatially resolved staining and characterization of substrates of the aggregate matrix and the microorganisms attached to it. Particular strengths of the method include in situ embedding in sediment traps and successful fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)‐probe labeling, supporting studies of microbial diversity and ecology. The high spatial resolution achieved by thin‐sectioning of soft‐embedded aggregates offers the possibility for improved understanding of the composition and structure of marine snow, which directly influence settling velocity, microbial colonization and diversity, degradation rates, and carbon content. Our method will help to elucidate the small‐scale processes underlying large‐scale carbon cycling in the marine environment, which is especially relevant in the context of rising anthropogenic CO2 emissions and global change.
Rapid Determination of the Chemical Composition of Ethylene/Butadiene Copolymers Using FTIR Spectroscopy and Chemometrics
Authors: Boyron Olivier , Macqueron Benoît , Taam Manel , Thuilliez Julien , Boisson Christophe
Published: May 2018

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy by attenuated total reflection (ATR‐FTIR), combined with the partial least square (PLS) method provides a fast characterization of ethylene/butadiene copolymers' intricate composition. The PLS regression method is constructed to quantify ethylene, 1,2‐butadiene (vinyl), trans‐1,4‐butadiene, and 1,2‐cyclohexane units in the copolymer. These rings are formed by intramolecular cyclization during polymerization. The performance of PLS models is evaluated by comparing the result obtained by 13C NMR and the model for three unknown samples. It is shown that the proposed method allows to accurately estimate the chemical composition of ethylene/butadiene copolymers in a much shorter time than NMR.
Fabrication of High‐Performance Cationic UV Curable Cycloaliphatic Epoxy/Silicone Hybrid Coatings
Authors: Zhu Qingqing , Liang Liyan , Du Xiangxiang , Xiao Fei , Guo Yuyue , Shi Jun , Wu Kun , Lu Mangeng
Published: May 2018

A series of cycloaliphatic epoxy acrylate prepolymer poly (METHB‐co‐MMA‐co‐BA) (MMB) and an epoxycyclohexyl‐modified polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS‐VCH) are prepared to fabricate hybrid coatings. The curing process, surface performance, mechanical properties, and thermal behavior are investigated by real‐time Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), contact angle measurements, tensile test, thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). For the same photoinitiator (PI) concentration, both the epoxy value and the amount of PDMS‐VCH negatively affect the UV‐curing process. The contact angle of hybrid coatings increases by almost 12° with 4 wt% PDMS‐VCH's addition. The increasing ratio of soft acrylate segment can strengthen the toughness of materials markedly. Besides, thermal stability is enhanced with the increasing of epoxy value, while slight changes are found with the addition of PDMS‐VCH. Based on these properties, the hybrid coatings can be applied in various fields, including protection, decoration, and other displayed fields.
Segmental Mobility Studies of Poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) Interactions with Gold Nanoparticles and Its Use as a Thermally Driven Trapping System
Authors: Swift Thomas , Rehman Kiran , Surtees Alexander , Hoskins Richard , Hickey Stephen G.
Published: May 2018

Thermal desolvation of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) in the presence of a low concentration of gold nanoparticles incorporates the nanoparticles resulting in suspended aggregates. By covalently incorporating <1% acenaphthylene into the polymerization feed this copolymer is enabled to be used as a model to study the segmental mobility of the PNIPAM backbone in response to gold nanoparticles both below and above the desolvation temperature, showing that there is a physical conformational rearrangement of the soluble polymer at ultralow nanoparticle loadings, indicating low affinity interactions with the nanoparticles. Thermal desolvation is capable of extracting >99.9% of the nanoparticles from their solutions and hence demonstrates that poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) can act as an excellent scrubbing system to remove metallic nanomaterial pollutants from solution.
Reconfigurable Polymer Shells on Shape‐Anisotropic Gold Nanoparticle Cores
Authors: Kim Juyeong , Song Xiaohui , Kim Ahyoung , Luo Binbin , Smith John W. , Ou Zihao , Wu Zixuan , Chen Qian
Published: May 2018

Reconfigurable hybrid nanoparticles made by decorating flexible polymer shells on rigid inorganic nanoparticle cores can provide a unique means to build stimuli‐responsive functional materials. The polymer shell reconfiguration has been expected to depend on the local core shape details, but limited systematic investigations have been undertaken. Here, two literature methods are adapted to coat either thiol‐terminated polystyrene (PS) or polystyrene‐poly(acrylic acid) (PS‐b‐PAA) shells onto a series of anisotropic gold nanoparticles of shapes not studied previously, including octahedron, concave cube, and bipyramid. These core shapes are complex, rendering shell contours with nanoscale details (e.g., local surface curvature, shell thickness) that are imaged and analyzed quantitatively using the authors' customized analysis codes. It is found that the hybrid nanoparticles based on the chosen core shapes, when coated with the above two polymer shells, exhibit distinct shell segregations upon a variation in solvent polarity or temperature. It is demonstrated for the PS‐b‐PAA‐coated hybrid nanoparticles, the shell segregation is maintained even after a further decoration of the shell periphery with gold seeds; these seeds can potentially facilitate subsequent deposition of other nanostructures to enrich structural and functional diversity. These synthesis, imaging, and analysis methods for the hybrid nanoparticles of anisotropically shaped cores can potentially aid in their predictive design for materials reconfigurable from the bottom up.
Polyhistidine‐Based Metal Coordination Hydrogels with Physiologically Relevant pH Responsiveness and Enhanced Stability through a Novel Synthesis
Authors: Tang Quan , Zhao Dinglei , Zhou Qiang , Yang Haiyang , Peng Kang , Zhang Xingyuan
Published: May 2018

Utilizing the abnormal physiological conditions of disease tissues can result in a site‐specific functionality with high control and efficiency of stimuli‐responsive hydrogels. Here, a physiologically relevant pH‐responsive and self‐healing hydrogel is reported based on coordination between Ni2+ and four‐arm poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐polyhistidine (4PEG‐PHis) that is synthesized by a novel and facile PHis preparation method using amino‐terminalized four‐arm PEG as the macroinitiator. Reversible PHisNi coordination bonds endow the hydrogel with multistimuli‐triggered sol‐gel transition (physiologically relevant pH, EDTA) and self‐healing properties. It is also demonstrated that 4PEG‐PHis could be used as an injectable hydrogel in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), and excellent stability in neutral buffer via multivalent coordination is shown, thus indicating its potential applications in controlled drug release systems.
hTERT promotes tumor progression by enhancing TSPAN13 expression in osteosarcoma cells
Authors: Jaiswal Rishi K. , Kumar Pramod , Kumar Manoj , Yadava Pramod K.
Published: May 2018

Telomerase complex maintains the length of the telome, cbre, and protects erosion of the physical ends of the eukaryotic chromosome in all actively dividing cells including cancer cells. Telomerase activation extends the lifespan of cells in culture by maintaining the length of the telomere. Compared to terminally differentiated somatic cells, telomerase activity remains high in over 90% of cancer cells. It has now become clear that the role of telomerase is much more complex than just telomere lengthening. The remaining 10% of cancers deploy ALT (alternative lengthening of telomeres) pathway to maintain telomere length. Telomerase inhibitors offer a good therapeutic option. Also, telomerase‐associated molecules can be targeted provided their roles are clearly established. In any case, it is necessary to understand the major role of telomerase in cancer cells. Many studies have already been done to explore gene profiling of a telomerase positive cell by knocking down expression of hTERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase). To complement these studies, we performed global gene profiling of a telomerase negative cell by ectopically expressing hTERT and studied changes in the global gene expression patterns. Analysis of microarray data for telomerase negative cells ectopically expressing telomerase showed 76 differentially regulated genes, out of which 39 genes were upregulated, and 37 were downregulated. Three upregulated genes such as TSPAN13, HMGCS2, DLX5, and three downregulated genes like DHRS2, CRYAB, and PDLIM1 were validated by real‐time PCR. Knocking down of TSAPN13 in hTERT overexpressing U2OS cells enhanced the apoptosis of the cells. TSPAN13 knockdown in these cells suppressed mesenchymal properties and enhanced epithelial character.
Increasing Iodine Concentrations during Landlocked Fall Chinook Salmon Egg Disinfection Decrease Bacterial Numbers with No Impact on Egg Survival
Authors: Huysman Nathan , Bergmann David , Nero Patrick , Larson Jesse , Sabrowski Valerie , Barnes Michael E
Published: May 2018

Egg disinfection is an important practice that prevents potential disease transfer, but currently allowable disinfection regimes do not completely eliminate external egg membrane microbes. In this experiment, newly fertilized and water-hardened landlocked fall Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha eggs were submersed for 10 min in povidone-iodine solutions containing 0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/L active iodine. External egg bacterial numbers (CFUs) were quantified after each disinfection treatment, and egg survival (%) was calculated at the eyed stage. All of the disinfection treatments significantly reduced CFUs compared with untreated controls. However, eggs from the 400-mg/L iodine treatment had significantly lower CFUs (2.20 ± 0.59 [mean ± SE]) than the 100-mg/L (10.43 ± 8.01) and 200-mg/L (8.10 ± 1.51) treatments. Percent survival was not significantly different among any of the treatments; survival was 18.86 ± 5.17%, 19.17 ± 4.76%, and 20.16 ± 5.27% in the eggs subjected to 100 mg/L, 200 mg/L, and 400 mg/L iodine, respectively. These results indicate that 10-min treatments of 400 mg/L active iodine on landlocked fall Chinook Salmon eggs provide the most microbial reduction with no effect on subsequent egg survival.
Sauger and Walleye Year-Class Formation in the Lower Wisconsin River, 1987–2016
Authors: Lyons John , Oele Daniel L.
Published: May 2018

Sauger Sander canadense and Walleye S. vitreus support important fisheries throughout much of northern North America, but their management is complicated by highly variable reproductive success from year to year. We analyzed patterns of juvenile abundance in the lower Wisconsin River, a large, lowland river in the upper Midwestern United States, to better understand the formation of strong and weak year-classes. Annual standardized fall electrofishing catches of age-0 Saugers and age-0 Walleyes fluctuated greatly from 1987 to 2016. Few significant correlations existed between catches of age-0 fish of either species and environmental and biological variables, although strong and weak year-classes were often synchronous between Walleye and Sauger. Random forest models indicated that age-0 Sauger catches were positively related to age-0 Walleye catches and negatively related to the CV (100·SD/mean) of daily air temperatures during the growing season and catches of Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides. Age-0 Walleye catches were positively related to age-0 Sauger catches and negatively related to Largemouth Bass catches and the CV in daily river flows during the growing season. However, these models explained little of the variation in age-0 abundance over the 30 years of data. Excluding the 1987 Walleye year-class, catches of age-0 Saugers and age-0 Walleyes were significantly correlated with respective catches of age-1 fish 1 year later and age-2 fish 2 years later, indicating that year-class strength was largely set in the first year of life and could be indexed by standardized fall electrofishing. Because a full understanding of the causes of year-class formation remains elusive, continued annual monitoring of age-0 Sauger and age-0 Walleye abundance will benefit the management of the recreational fishery of the lower Wisconsin River.
Time and temperature dependence of radiofrequency ablation in the human placenta
Authors: Phithakwatchara Nisarat , Makarasen Preechaya , Nawapun Katika , Hanamornroongruang Suchanan , Viboonchart Sommai , Wataganara Tuangsit
Published: May 2018

Objective

The objective of the study is to compare radiofrequency (RF) effects on fresh placentae with varying levels of sustained time (Ts) and degrees of target temperature (°t).

Method

A total of 108 pieces of fresh placentae were coagulated with a 2‐cm RF needle at 60 W in an organ bath. The vertical and horizontal diameters (Vd, Hd) of tissue coagulation visualized by ultrasound were measured. The impacts of 12 different Ts‐°t combinations on the ablation size ascertained on pathological examination (Vdp, Hdp) were compared using 2‐way ANOVA. The agreement between sonographic and pathological findings was assessed using Bland‐Altman analysis.

Results

Considerable changes in the Vdp and Hdp were associated with increasing the Ts and °t. The impact of RF on tissue coagulation was greatest when the °t was set at 100°C, with further destruction as the Ts progressed to 7 minutes of exposure. The ablation size estimated by ultrasound exhibited an overestimation by an average of 5.65% and 21.02% for Vd and Hd, respectively.

Conclusion

A prolonged Ts at a higher °t contributes to progressive placental tissue destruction by RF, with maximum destruction at 100°C for 7 minutes in an ex vivo nonperfused placenta. Tissue injury that is apparent on ultrasound may extend beyond pathological damage.
Biomimetic crystallization of calcium carbonate in the presence of water‐soluble zwitterionic block copolymer
Authors: Yazici Ozlem , Karaman Ferdane
Published: April 2018

Crystallization of calcium carbonate (CC) in aqueous solutions by gas‐liquid diffusion procedure was investigated systematically in the presence of poly(4‐sulfonic acid diphenylamine)‐block‐poly(ethylene glycol) (PSDA‐b‐PEG), wherein the PSDA block is a polymeric zwitterion. PSDA‐b‐PEG was synthesized with the reaction of tosylated PEG and amine‐functionalized PSDA and was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance. The parameters such as, block copolymer concentration, crystallization time and initial pH were considered as indicators of block copolymer's capability in controlling the morphology of CC particles. The particles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The results suggest that PSDA‐b‐PEG is a suitable template to control the growth mechanism of CC to produce meso‐sized particles with different morphologies. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:96–102, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Atypical Antipsychotic Exposure May Not Differentiate Metabolic Phenotypes of Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Ward Kristen M. , Yeoman Larisa , McHugh Cora , Kraal A. Zarina , Flowers Stephanie A. , Rothberg Amy E. , Karnovsky Alla , Das Arun K. , Ellingrod Vicki L. , Stringer Kathleen A.
Published: May 2018

Study Objective

Patients with schizophrenia are known to have higher rates of metabolic disease than the general population. Contributing factors likely include lifestyle and atypical antipsychotic (AAP) use, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. The objective of this study was to identify metabolomic variability in adult patients with schizophrenia who were taking AAPs and grouped by fasting insulin concentration, our surrogate marker for metabolic risk.

Design

Metabolomics analysis

Participants

Ninety‐four adult patients with schizophrenia who were taking an AAP for at least 6 months, with no changes in their antipsychotic regimen for the previous 8 weeks, and who did not require treatment with insulin, participated in the study. Twenty age‐ and sex‐matched nonobese (10 subjects) and obese (10 subjects) controls without cardiovascular disease or mental health diagnoses were used to match the body mass index (BMI) range of the patients with schizophrenia to account for metabolite concentration differences attributable to BMI.

Measurements and Main Results

Existing serum samples were used to identify aqueous metabolites (to differentiate fasting insulin concentration quartiles) and fatty acids with quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatography methods, respectively. To exclude metabolites from our pathway mapping analysis that were due to variability in weight, we also subjected serum samples from the nonobese and obese controls to the same analyses. Patients with schizophrenia had a median age of 47.0 years (interquartile range 41.0–52.0 years). Using a false discovery rate threshold of less than 25%, 10 metabolites, not attributable to weight, differentiated insulin concentration quartiles in patients with schizophrenia and identified variability in one‐carbon metabolism between groups. Patients with higher fasting insulin concentrations (quartiles 3 and 4) also trended toward higher levels of saturated fatty acids compared with patients with lower fasting insulin concentrations (quartiles 1 and 2).

Conclusion

Our results illustrate the utility of metabolomics to identify pathways underlying variable fasting insulin concentration in patients with schizophrenia. Importantly, no significant difference in AAP exposure was observed among groups, suggesting that current antipsychotic use may not be a primary factor that differentiates middle‐aged adult patients with schizophrenia by fasting insulin concentration.
Variation in Cardiovascular Risk Related to Individual Antimuscarinic Drugs Used to Treat Overactive Bladder: A UK Cohort Study
Authors: Arana Alejandro , Margulis Andrea V. , McQuay Lisa J. , Ziemiecki Ryan , Bartsch Jennifer L. , Rothman Kenneth J. , Franks Billy , D'Silva Milbhor , Appenteng Kwame , Varas‐Lorenzo Cristina , Perez‐Gutthann Susana
Published: May 2018

Background

Blocking muscarinic receptors could have an effect on cardiac function, especially among elderly patients with overactive bladder (OAB).

Study Objective

To investigate the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events in users of antimuscarinic drugs to treat OAB.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Cohort study of new users of darifenacin, fesoterodine, oxybutynin, solifenacin, tolterodine, or trospium, 18 years or older, in the United Kingdom's Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), 2004–2012.

Outcome Measurements and Main Results

Using tolterodine as the reference, we estimated propensity‐score–stratified incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for acute myocardial infarction, stroke, CV mortality, major adverse cardiac events (MACE, a combined end point of the previous three), and all‐cause death for individual antimuscarinic drugs. The study cohort included 119,912 new users of OAB drugs. The mean age at cohort entry was 62 years, 70% were female, and the mean follow‐up was 3.3 years. The adjusted IRR for MACE and current use of oxybutynin compared with current use of tolterodine was 1.14 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.30). In contrast, the IRR was 0.65 (CI 0.56–0.76) for current use of solifenacin compared with tolterodine. In this study, performed with health care data, the distribution of risk factors was relatively similar across users of different OAB drugs and, although our analyses controlled for a range of measured potential confounders, residual confounding cannot be ruled out.

Conclusions

In an observational comparative study of users of medications to treat OAB conducted in routine clinical practice, the risk for CV side effects was increased in users of oxybutynin and decreased in users of solifenacin compared with users of tolterodine.
Investigating the effect of school‐wide positive behavioral interventions and supports on student learning and behavioral problems in elementary and middle schools
Authors: Ryoo Ji Hoon , Hong Saahoon , Bart William M. , Shin Jaehyun , Bradshaw Catherine P.
Published: May 2018

Many states have scaled up School‐Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SW‐PBIS) with the goal of improving student behavior and academic outcomes. Although the effects of SW‐PBIS on behavioral and discipline outcomes have been promising, the findings for academic achievement have been inconclusive and are often limited to cross‐sectional data. This paper examined the longitudinal effect of SW‐PBIS on student behavioral problems and academic achievement growth in elementary and middle schools using propensity score matching. We found no statistically significant longitudinal effects of SW‐PBIS on either student behavior problems or academic achievement among elementary and middle schools in this quasi‐experimental design, even though the positive direction of longitudinal changes would be identified. The result raised questions about the efficacy of SW‐PBIS using a statewide achievement test when scaled up to a state level. Additional research is needed to better understand the impact of SW‐PBIS using rigorous scale‐up designs.
Enhancing executive function skills in preschoolers through a mindfulness‐based intervention: A randomized, controlled pilot study
Authors: Wood Laura , Roach Andrew T. , Kearney Moriah A. , Zabek Faith
Published: May 2018

Executive functions (EFs) develop rapidly in preschoolers and lay an important foundation for school readiness. One potential method of supporting EF development is through mindfulness‐based interventions (MBIs). Whereas studies with older children and adults have supported this approach, research with young children has been more limited. In the current study, we evaluated the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of Mini‐Mind, a 12‐session MBI created specifically for preschoolers. We used a randomized controlled design in a sample of 27 (intervention n = 12) preschoolers (3–5 years old). The evaluation included indirect measures of EF skills completed by teachers who were blinded to the experimental condition of the students. Additionally, parents, teachers, children, and facilitators provided feedback about the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention. Findings revealed mostly nonsignificant, small‐to‐medium effects in favor of the intervention group on indirect measures of EF skills. Furthermore, Mini‐Mind was rated as highly feasible and acceptable by children and stakeholders. Overall, the findings support the implementation and continued evaluation of Mini‐Mind in more diverse settings.
Multiple target site resistance to glyphosate in junglerice (Echinochloa colona) lines from California orchards
Authors: Morran Sarah , Moretti Marcelo L , Brunharo Caio A , Fischer Albert J , Hanson Bradley D
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

In California specialty cropping systems such as vineyards and orchards, Echinochloa colona is present as a summer annual weed. It is able to germinate throughout the growing season whenever favorable conditions are present, and management relies heavily on glyphosate applications. Glyphosate‐resistant (GR) E. colona biotypes are present in the state, but the levels of resistance observed suggest that there may be differences in mechanisms of resistance among populations.

RESULTS

Echinochloa colona lines collected from different regions of California's Central Valley presented resistance levels ranging from 1.4 to 4.3‐fold compared to susceptible lines. No differences in the absorption and translocation of [14C]‐glyphosate were observed among lines. Resistant lines accumulated eight‐fold less shikimic acid after treatment with 435 and 870 g a.e. ha−1 glyphosate compared to the most susceptible line. Sequencing of a region of the EPSPS gene revealed three single nucleotide changes leading to amino acid substitutions at Proline 106, including Pro106Leu, Pro106Thr and Pro106Ser.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that an altered target site in EPSPS is contributing to resistance in these lines and resistance has evolved independently, multiple times in the Central Valley of California. Additional research is needed to further understand the genomic contributions of resistance loci in this polyploid weed species. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry study of repaglinide and its forced degradation products
Authors: Purna Chander C. , Raju B. , Ramesh M. , Shankar G. , Srinivas R.
Published: May 2018

Rationale

Stress stability studies of drugs have been recognized as an essential part of the drug development process. These studies are used to investigate the intrinsic stability of the drugs and for the development of a selective stability indicating assay method (SIAM). Stress testing is also useful for the formulation and packaging development, shelf‐life determination and designing of manufacturing processes. As per regulatory guidelines, stress degradation studies and structural characterization should be carried out to establish degradation pathways of the drug, which is essential from both the efficacy and safety point of view. As the stress stability studies of repaglinide have not been reported in the literature, the present study has been undertaken.

Methods

Repaglinide (RP), an oral anti‐diabetic drug, was subjected to hydrolysis (acidic, alkaline and neutral), oxidation, photolysis and thermal stress conditions as per International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines Q1A (R2). The chromatographic separation of the drug and its degradation products (DPs) was achieved on an Agilent XDB C‐18 column using the gradient elution method with a mobile phase consisting of 20 mM ammonium acetate and acetonitrile at flow rate of 1.0 mL min−1. The DPs were characterized using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐MS/MS) in combination with accurate mass measurements.

Results

The drug degraded under hydrolytic and oxidative stress, while it was stable under thermal and photolytic stress conditions. In total, six DPs were formed and the LC/MS method described here can resolve all DPs from the parent as well as from each other under various stress conditions. To elucidate the structures of DPs, fragmentation of the [M + H]+ ions of RP and its DPs was studied by using LC/ESI‐MS/MS combined with accurate mass measurements.

Conclusions

The forced degradation of RP carried out as per ICH guidelines results in the formation of six degradation products which have been characterized using LC/MS/MS in combination with accurate mass measurements.
A new retrospective, multi‐evidence veterinary drug screening method using drift tube ion mobility mass spectrometry
Authors: Xu Zhenzhen , Li Jianzhong , Chen Ailiang , Ma Xin , Yang Shuming
Published: May 2018

Rationale

The retrospectivity (the ability to retrospect to a previously unknown compound in raw data) is very meaningful for food safety and risk assessment when facing new emerging drugs. Accurate mass and retention time based screening may lead to false positive and false negative results so a new retrospective, reliable platform is desirable.

Methods

Different concentration levels of standards with and without matrix were analyzed using ion mobility (IM)‐quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight (QTOF) mass spectrometry to collect retrospective accurate mass, retention time, drift time and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) evidence for identification in a single experiment. The isomer separation ability of IM and the four‐dimensional (4D) feature abundance quantification abilities were evaluated for veterinary drugs for the first time.

Results

The sensitivity of the IM‐QTOF workflow was obviously higher than that of the traditional database searching algorithm [find by formula (FbF) function] for QTOF. In addition, the IM‐QTOF workflow contained most of the results from FbF and removed the false positive results. Some isomers were separated by IM and the 4D feature abundance quantitation removed interferences with similar accurate masses and showed good linearity.

Conclusions

A new retrospective, multi‐evidence platform was built for veterinary drug screening in a single experiment. The sensitivity was significantly improved and the data can be used for quantification. The platform showed its potential to be used for food safety and risk assessment.
Mechanical Polyprotein Assembly Using Sfp and Sortase‐Mediated Domain Oligomerization for Single‐Molecule Studies
Authors: Liu Haipei , Ta Duy Tien , Nash Michael A.
Published: May 2018

Single‐molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) with the atomic force microscope (AFM) provides remarkable details on the energy landscapes governing protein (un)folding and intermolecular complex dissociation. In such experiments, multidomain polyproteins consisting of multiple copies of independently foldable domains provide internal controls identifiable by characteristic contour length increments, unfolding forces, and/or unfolding substeps. Here, a new approach to polyprotein synthesis is presented relying on posttranslational enzyme‐mediated oligomerization of domains. Mutant variants of immunoglobulin 27 (I27) and a bacterial cellulose binding module (CBM) fused to an Ig‐like X‐module (XMod), and a mechanostable receptor called Dockerin (Doc) are produced with complementary peptide tags. By utilizing 4′‐phosphopantetheinyl transferase and Sortase A, the system enables I27‐domain oligomerization into polyproteins of varying lengths followed by C‐terminal capping with mechanostable Doc. The number of oligomerized domains per molecule, the unfolding forces, and the complex rupture forces of posttranslationally assembled polyproteins are characterized using >40 h automated AFM–SMFS with a Cohesin (Coh)‐modified cantilever. Use of the Coh–Doc interaction to unfold polyproteins provides a high yield of ≈ 3800 specific single‐molecule interaction curves. This approach is advantageous for assembly of polyproteins from domains that lack proper folding or are insoluble in a polyprotein format.
Opinions about STEM content and classroom experiences as predictors of upper secondary school students' career aspirations to become researchers or teachers
Authors: Šorgo Andrej , Dojer Brina , Golob Nikolaja , Repnik Robert , Repolusk Samo , Pesek Igor , Ploj Virtič Mateja , Špernjak Andreja , Špur Natalija
Published: April 2018

The shortage of qualified STEM teachers and researchers in these fields can be recognized as an existing and forthcoming problem. The aim of the present study was to explore the influence of the content of STEM subjects Biology, Chemistry, Informatics, Mathematics, Physics, and Technics and Technology and corresponding classroom experiences, as perceived by students, in elementary and general secondary schools on student's career aspirations and ambition to work as researchers or educators as their career choice. The sample comprised 552 upper general school students (ages 17 to 19) in their last two years before entering University. We hypothesized that a combination of general interest in each of the six listed disciplines, together with the content taught in elementary and upper secondary school, together with respective classroom experiences, will influence career aspirations expressed by ranking their wish to work as educators or researchers. With the use of Structural Equation Modeling, we revealed that Biology, Chemistry, and Physics can statistically significantly explain career aspirations to become a researcher. However, Informatics, Mathematics, and Technics and Technology cannot. None of the listed disciplines positively predicts career aspirations to become an educator. From the correlation between ranked aspirations toward a research and an educational career (r = –.03; p = .964), we can conclude that most of those who considered a career as a researcher as a plausible option do not share the same opinion about a career in education.