bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From snapshots to movies: Understanding early tooth development in four dimensions
Authors: Kim Rebecca , Green Jeremy B.A. , Klein Ophir D.
Published: March 2017

The developing tooth offers a model for the study of ectodermal appendage organogenesis. The signaling networks that regulate tooth development have been intensively investigated, but how cell biological responses to signaling pathways regulate dental morphogenesis remains an open question. The increasing use of ex vivo imaging techniques has enabled live tracking of cell behaviors over time in high resolution. While recent studies using these techniques have improved our understanding of tooth morphogenesis, important gaps remain that require additional investigation. In addition, some discrepancies have arisen between recent studies, and resolving these will advance our knowledge of tooth development. Developmental Dynamics 246:442–450, 2016. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Competition and facilitation structure plant communities under nurse tree canopies in extremely stressful environments
Authors: Al‐Namazi Ali A. , El‐Bana Magdy I. , Bonser Stephen P.
Published: March 2017

Nurse plant facilitation in stressful environments can produce an environment with relatively low stress under its canopy. These nurse plants may produce the conditions promoting intense competition between coexisting species under the canopy, and canopies may establish stress gradients, where stress increases toward the edge of the canopy. Competition and facilitation on these stress gradients may control species distributions in the communities under canopies. We tested the following predictions: (1) interactions between understory species shift from competition to facilitation in habitats experiencing increasing stress from the center to the edge of canopy of a nurse plant, and (2) species distributions in understory communities are controlled by competitive interactions at the center of canopy, and facilitation at the edge of the canopy. We tested these predictions using a neighbor removal experiment under nurse trees growing in arid environments. Established individuals of each of four of the most common herbaceous species in the understory were used in the experiment. Two species were more frequent in the center of the canopy, and two species were more frequent at the edge of the canopy. Established individuals of each species were subjected to neighbor removal or control treatments in both canopy center and edge habitats. We found a shift from competitive to facilitative interactions from the center to the edge of the canopy. The shift in the effect of neighbors on the target species can help to explain species distributions in these canopies. Canopy‐dominant species only perform well in the presence of neighbors in the edge microhabitat. Competition from canopy‐dominant species can also limit the performance of edge‐dominant species in the canopy microhabitat. The shift from competition to facilitation under nurse plant canopies can structure the understory communities in extremely stressful environments.
Capture efficiency and trophic adaptations of a specialist and generalist predator: A comparison
Authors: Michálek Ondřej , Petráková Lenka , Pekár Stano
Published: March 2017

Specialist true predators are expected to exhibit higher capture efficiencies for the capture of larger and dangerous prey than generalist predators due to their possession of specialized morphological and behavioral adaptations. We used an araneophagous spider (Lampona murina) and a generalist spider (Drassodes lapidosus) as phylogenetically related model species and investigated their realized and fundamental trophic niches and their efficacy with respect to prey capture and prey handling. The trophic niche of both species confirmed that Lampona had a narrow trophic niche with a predominance of spider prey (including conspecifics), while the niche of Drassodes was wide, without any preference. DNA analysis of the gut contents of Lampona spiders collected in the field revealed that spiders form a significant part of its natural diet. Lampona captured significantly larger prey than itself and the prey captured by Drassodes. As concerns hunting strategy, Lampona grasped the prey with two pairs of legs possessing scopulae, whereas Drassodes immobilized prey with silk. Lampona possess forelegs equipped with scopulae and a thicker cuticle similar to other nonrelated araneophagous spiders. Lampona fed for a longer time and extracted more nutrients than Drassodes. We show that specialized behavioral and morphological adaptations altogether increase the hunting efficiency of specialists when compared to generalists.
Does wintering north or south of the Sahara correlate with timing and breeding performance in black‐tailed godwits?
Authors: Kentie Rosemarie , Marquez‐Ferrando Rocío , Figuerola Jordi , Gangoso Laura , Hooijmeijer Jos C.E.W. , Loonstra A. H. Jelle , Robin Frédéric , Sarasa Mathieu , Senner Nathan , Valkema Haije , Verhoeven Mo A. , Piersma Theunis
Published: March 2017

Migrating long distances requires time and energy, and may interact with an individual's performance during breeding. These seasonal interactions in migratory animals are best described in populations with disjunct nonbreeding distributions. The black‐tailed godwit (Limosa limosa limosa), which breeds in agricultural grasslands in Western Europe, has such a disjunct nonbreeding distribution: The majority spend the nonbreeding season in West Africa, while a growing number winters north of the Sahara on the Iberian Peninsula. To test whether crossing the Sahara has an effect on breeding season phenology and reproductive parameters, we examined differences in the timing of arrival, breeding habitat quality, lay date, egg volume, and daily nest survival among godwits (154 females and 157 males), individually marked in a breeding area in the Netherlands for which wintering destination was known on the basis of resightings. We also examined whether individual repeatability in arrival date differed between birds wintering north or south of the Sahara. Contrary to expectation, godwits wintering south of the Sahara arrived two days earlier and initiated their clutch six days earlier than godwits wintering north of the Sahara. Arrival date was equally repeatable for both groups, and egg volume larger in birds wintering north of the Sahara. Despite these differences, we found no association between wintering location and the quality of breeding habitat or nest survival. This suggests that the crossing of an important ecological barrier and doubling of the migration distance, twice a year, do not have clear negative reproductive consequences for some long‐distance migrants.
Population assessment using multivariate time‐series analysis: A case study of rockfishes in Puget Sound
Authors: Tolimieri Nick , Holmes Elizabeth E. , Williams Gregory D. , Pacunski Robert , Lowry Dayv
Published: March 2017

Estimating a population's growth rate and year‐to‐year variance is a key component of population viability analysis (PVA). However, standard PVA methods require time series of counts obtained using consistent survey methods over many years. In addition, it can be difficult to separate observation and process variance, which is critical for PVA. Time‐series analysis performed with multivariate autoregressive state‐space (MARSS) models is a flexible statistical framework that allows one to address many of these limitations. MARSS models allow one to combine surveys with different gears and across different sites for estimation of PVA parameters, and to implement replication, which reduces the variance‐separation problem and maximizes informational input for mean trend estimation. Even data that are fragmented with unknown error levels can be accommodated. We present a practical case study that illustrates MARSS analysis steps: data choice, model set‐up, model selection, and parameter estimation. Our case study is an analysis of the long‐term trends of rockfish in Puget Sound, Washington, based on citizen science scuba surveys, a fishery‐independent trawl survey, and recreational fishery surveys affected by bag‐limit reductions. The best‐supported models indicated that the recreational and trawl surveys tracked different, temporally independent assemblages that declined at similar rates (an average of −3.8% to −3.9% per year). The scuba survey tracked a separate increasing and temporally independent assemblage (an average of 4.1% per year). Three rockfishes (bocaccio, canary, and yelloweye) are listed in Puget Sound under the US Endangered Species Act (ESA). These species are associated with deep water, which the recreational and trawl surveys sample better than the scuba survey. All three ESA‐listed rockfishes declined as a proportion of recreational catch between the 1970s and 2010s, suggesting that they experienced similar or more severe reductions in abundance than the 3.8–3.9% per year declines that were estimated for rockfish populations sampled by the recreational and trawl surveys.
The spatial organization of ecosystem services in river‐floodplains
Authors: Tomscha Stephanie A. , Gergel Sarah E. , Tomlinson Matthew J.
Published: March 2017

River‐floodplains are hotspots for many ecosystem services (ES), and thus, understanding how these services are spatially organized along river systems is essential. General principles from river‐floodplain ecology may provide guidance for understanding these spatial patterns, yet such concepts have rarely been incorporated into spatial assessments of ES. Using a lens of riverine concepts, we contrasted how floodplain ES capacity and diversity (orchard production, forage production, carbon storage, paddle route quality, fish capacity) vary with longitudinal river‐floodplain position. High spatial resolution aerial photography (2006) facilitated detection of floodplain features contributing to the production of ES. We also determined how river reach types are linked to production of ES. We found that ES capacity varied considerably with longitudinal position and reach type. Agricultural capacity was concentrated in lower reaches, high‐quality paddle routes in middle‐lower reaches, and fish capacity and carbon storage in upper reaches. Furthermore, the highest diversity of ES was concentrated in the lowland floodplain reaches. Our results suggest river‐floodplain concepts can improve spatial assessments of ES, increase our understanding of the relationships among biological features and ES, and thus help us better manage some of the key ES trade‐offs.
Fate of river‐transported carbon in china: implications for carbon cycling in coastal ecosystems
Authors: Gao Yang , Yang Tiantian , Wang Yafeng , Yu Guirui
Published: March 2017

Rivers play an important role in carbon (C) exchange between terrestrial and oceanic water bodies and the atmosphere. The aim of this study was to systematically quantify fluxes in riverine C export and C exchange in the air–sea interface of marine ecosystems in China. Results show that annual C transport from rivers to coastal ecosystems in China can reach up to 64.35 TgC, which accounts for approximately 4.8%–8.1% of global C transport from river systems. In the Bohai Sea, particulate inorganic carbon is the main form of C influx, and it can reach up to 20.79 TgC/yr. Conversely, dissolved inorganic carbon is the main form of C influx into the East China Sea, and it can reach up to 10.52 TgC/yr, which is 42.6% of the total annual C imported into the East China Sea. China's marine ecosystems including the Yellow Sea, the Bohai Sea, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea can absorb 65.06 TgC/yr from the atmosphere.
(N,Se) and (Se,N,Se) Ligands Based on Carborane and Pyridine Fragments – Reactivity of 2,6‐[(1′‐Me‐1′,2′‐closo‐C2B10H10)SeCH2]2C5H3N towards Copper and Silver
Authors: Ilie Adriana , Crespo Olga , Gimeno M. Concepción , Holthausen Max C. , Laguna Antonio , Diefenbach Martin , Silvestru Cristian
Published: March 2017

Two new closo‐carborane selenolated ligands, 2‐[(1′‐Me‐1′,2′‐closo‐C2B10H10)SeCH2]C5H4N (L1) and 2,6‐[(1′‐Me‐1′,2′‐closo‐C2B10H10)SeCH2]2C5H3N (L2), were prepared by the C–H activation of 1‐Me‐1,2‐C2B10H11 with nBuLi, followed by the insertion of elemental selenium into the C–Li bond and reaction with 2‐(BrCH2)C5H4N or 2,6‐(BrCH2)2C5H3N, respectively. The closo species L1 and L2 were deboronated with CsF to give the nido‐carborane cesium salts Cs[2‐{(1′‐Me‐1′,2′‐nido‐C2B9H9)SeCH2}C5H4N] (1) and Cs2[2,6‐{(1′‐Me‐1′,2′‐nido‐C2B9H9)SeCH2}2C5H3N] (2). The isolation of the complexes [Ag(OTf)(L2)] (3, OTf = triflate), [Ag(PPh3)(L2)][OTf] (4), [Cu(L2)(MeCN)][PF6] (5), and [Cu(L2)2][PF6] (6) indicates the coordination ability of L2 towards these metals. The molecular structures of L1 and L2 were established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Quantum‐chemical calculations confirmed the molecular geometries and also the presence of C–H···Se intramolecular interactions as well as C–H···H–B and B–H···π intermolecular interactions.
Synthesis and Characterization of 1,2‐Azaborine‐Containing Phosphine Ligands: A Comparative Electronic Structure Analysis
Authors: McConnell Cameron R. , Campbell Patrick G. , Fristoe Carey R. , Memmel Philipp , Zakharov Lev N. , Li Bo , Darrigan Clovis , Chrostowska Anna , Liu Shih‐Yuan
Published: March 2017

The synthesis and characterization of two 1,2‐azaborine‐containing phosphine ligands are described. The structural and electronic parameters of the two ligands were compared with those of their direct all‐carbon analogues using X‐ray crystallography and UV‐photoelectron and IR spectroscopy. Our results indicate that the azaborine‐containing ligands are significantly stronger electron donors than their corresponding carbonaceous counterparts, while the steric parameters remain similar.
Effect of water and lipophilic alcohols or amines on the 4‐dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid‐catalyzed esterifications, trans‐esterifications, and amidations
Authors: Wallis Christopher , Cerny Muriel , Lacroux Eric , Mouloungui Zephirin
Published: March 2017

4‐Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) was employed in the esterification of oleic acid (OA) and the trans‐esterification of oleic oil (OO) with 1‐butanol as alcohol in the presence of various degrees of excess water. Under these conditions DBSA was found to be a highly active esterification catalyst regardless of excess water content, but was found to be a less effective for trans‐esterification reactions. Lipophilic alcohols of differing straight and branched C3‐6 chains were also tested on mixtures of OA/water (1:1) in DBSA‐catalyzed esterifications; OO/water (1:1) in trans‐esterifications; and OA/OO/water (1:1:1) in simultaneous esterifications and trans‐esterifications. While longer straight chain alcohols generally gave a two‐fold increase in yield of their corresponding alkyl oleates to 80%+, we observed a doubling from 30–50% to 60–95% of alkyl oleate yield for the OO/OA/water mixture. DBSA‐catalyzed amidations of OO and methyl oleate emulsions in water were conducted with 1‐butyl and 1‐heptyl amine where it was found that the more lipophilic the ester moiety the higher the yield of alkyl amide.

Practical applications: The practical advantages of DBSA as catalyst are high conversions to the desired product along with its tolerance to high quantities of water, emulsified within the lipid material. A capacity to transform a range of substrates with varying lipophilic character in a range of condensation reactions. In addition, we demonstrate that esterification and trans‐esterification reactions could be performed simultaneous and in the presence of high quantities of water. This is of direct interest to the transformation of waste sources of lipids that often contain a mixture of triglycerides and free fatty acids in various concentrations, emulsified with waste water. Furthermore, we demonstrate that all of the value‐added products/co‐products can be separated by an effective and industrially relevant methodology, including recovery of the DBSA catalyst as well as the water and water soluble co‐products, such as glycerol.

A 4‐Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) is demonstrated to be an effective polyvalent catalyst for the recovery of aqueous emulsified lipids by conversion into value‐added products. DBSA proved to be a polyvalent catalyst showing high activity using a range of substrates, performing esterification, trans‐esterification, and amidations reactions efficiently despite the potential detrimental presence of high water loadings. The commercial incentive of our system is the phase separation of the product mixture into the converted lipids for use as biofuels and glycerol for resale as a fine chemical.
Synthesis and Characterization of Hairpin Mimics that Modulate the Early Oligomerization and Fibrillization of Amyloid β‐Peptide
Authors: Vahdati Leila , Kaffy Julia , Brinet Dimitri , Bernadat Guillaume , Correia Isabelle , Panzeri Silvia , Fanelli Roberto , Lequin Olivier , Taverna Myriam , Ongeri Sandrine , Piarulli Umberto
Published: March 2017

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that is linked to oligomerization and fibrillization of different amyloid β‐peptide isoforms. Among these amyloid peptides, Aβ1–42 is considered the most aggregative and neurotoxic species. We report herein the synthesis of four β‐sheet mimics composed of a peptidomimetic arm based on a 5‐amino‐2‐methoxy benzhydrazide derivative, a 2,5‐diketopiperazine scaffold (either cis‐DKP or trans‐DKP) and a tetrapeptide sequence (either Gly‐Val‐Val‐Ile, GVVI, or Lys‐Leu‐Val‐Phe, KLVF). The derivatives containing the cis‐DKP were shown by NMR and computational studies to adopt a stable β‐hairpin conformation in solution, whereas the trans‐DKP scaffold promoted the formation of extended structures. The activity of these compounds in modulating the aggregation of Aβ1–42 peptide was investigated by conducting Thioflavin T fluorescence assays to measure the kinetics of aggregation. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were then used to monitor the formation of small soluble Aβ oligomers and higher molecular weight and insoluble Aβ aggregates, respectively. As a result, small hairpin mimics containing the cis‐DKP scaffold were found to prevent the formation of small Aβ1–42 oligomeric and neurotoxic species.
Re‐Thinking ‘The Different Perspectives That can be Used When Eliciting Preferences in Health’
Authors: Tsuchiya Aki , Watson Verity
Published: March 2017

The 2003 Health Economics paper by Dolan, Olsen, Menzel and Richardson on ‘An inquiry into the different perspectives that can be used when eliciting preferences in health’ presents a conceptual framework of six perspectives along two dimensions: preferences (personal, social, and socially inclusive personal) and context (ex ante and ex post). The objective of our paper is to re‐think this framework. We ask four questions concerning: the patient, or the user of the treatment; the payer of the treatment; the assessor of the value of treatment; and the timing of the illness and the nature of its risk. These questions refine the preference and context dimensions, and lead to the identification of perspectives not classified by the original framework. We propose an extended framework with five preferences (personal, non‐use, proxy, social, and socially inclusive personal) and five contexts (one of which is ex post and four ex ante): since two of these cells are empty, this results in 23 possible perspectives. Online Supplementary Information presents 11 of these more formally to clearly distinguish between them and uses monetary and non‐monetary (time trade‐off) valuation tasks as examples. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of adverse health events on consumption: Understanding the mediating effect of income transfers, wealth, and health insurance
Authors: Babiarz Patryk , Yilmazer Tansel
Published: March 2017

Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics for years 1999–2013, we investigate the impact of physical and mental illnesses on household consumption and financial status. In comparison to severe physical health problems, mental illnesses lead to larger decreases in labor income. Increases in public and private transfers following the onset of a mental illness do not completely offset the decline in labor income. Consequently, we find a significant decrease in consumption expenditures after the household head experiences a mental problem. On the other hand, public and private transfers and accumulated wealth offset the relatively smaller decline in labor income and enable households with severe physical problems to smooth their consumption. Health insurance helps to prevent larger drops in consumption after the onset of a mental health problem.
Induction of tumor regression by intratumoral STING agonists combined with anti–programmed death‐L1 blocking antibody in a preclinical squamous cell carcinoma model
Authors: Gadkaree Shekhar K. , Fu Juan , Sen Rupashree , Korrer Michael J. , Allen Clint , Kim Young J.
Published: March 2017

Background

Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) are bacterial intracellular messengers that have demonstrated antitumor activity in melanoma and breast tumors, although their role in immunotherapy of head and neck squamous cell cancers (HNSCCs) has not been well investigated.

Methods

We measured primary tumor growth rates, mechanism of antitumor activity, and efficacy of programmed death‐L1 blockade combinatorial therapy in SCCFVII tumor‐bearing C3H/HeOUJ mice undergoing intratumoral injections with RR‐cyclic‐di‐guanine (synthetic CDG), CDG (natural cyclic‐di‐guanine), R848 (TLR 7/8 agonist), or phosphate buffered saline (PBS, control).

Results

Intratumoral CDN treatment groups showed decreased tumor size and enhanced splenocyte Th1 response when compared to the PBS treatment control group (p < .05). The RR‐CDG tumor microenvironment showed upregulated interferon (IFN)‐γ+CD8+ and programmed death‐L1. Combining programmed death‐L1 blocking antibody with RR‐CDG induced regression of established tumors.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the antitumor effects of CDNs in a HNSCC cell line. These preclinical data strongly support the future clinical development of intratumoral CDN in patients with HNSCC. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 1086–1094, 2017
Response of deep groundwater to land use change in desert basins of the Trans‐Pecos region, Texas, USA: Effects on infiltration, recharge, and nitrogen fluxes
Authors: Robertson Wendy Marie , Böhlke J. K. , Sharp John M.
Published: March 2017

Quantifying the effects of anthropogenic processes on groundwater in arid regions can be complicated by thick unsaturated zones with long transit times. Human activities can alter water and nutrient fluxes, but their impact on groundwater is not always clear. This study of basins in the Trans‐Pecos region of Texas links anthropogenic land use and vegetation change with alterations to unsaturated zone fluxes and regional increases in basin groundwater NO3− concentrations. Median increases in groundwater NO3− (by 0.7–0.9 mg‐N/l over periods ranging from 10 to 50+ years) occurred despite low precipitation (220–360 mm/year), high potential evapotranspiration (~1570 mm/year), and thick unsaturated zones (10–150+ m). Recent model simulations indicate net infiltration and groundwater recharge can occur beneath Trans‐Pecos basin floors, and may have increased due to irrigation and vegetation change. These processes were investigated further with chemical and isotopic data from groundwater and unsaturated zone cores. Some unsaturated zone solute profiles indicate flushing of natural salt accumulations has occurred. Results are consistent with human‐influenced flushing of naturally accumulated unsaturated zone nitrogen as an important source of NO3− to the groundwater. Regional mass balance calculations indicate the mass of natural unsaturated zone NO3− (122–910 kg‐N/ha) was sufficient to cause the observed groundwater NO3− increases, especially if augmented locally with the addition of fertilizer N. Groundwater NO3− trends can be explained by small volumes of high NO3− modern recharge mixed with larger volumes of older groundwater in wells. This study illustrates the importance of combining long‐term monitoring and targeted process studies to improve understanding of human impacts on recharge and nutrient cycling in arid regions, which are vulnerable to the effects of climate change and increasing human reliance on dryland ecosystems.
Multiview convolutional neural networks for lung nodule classification
Authors: Liu Kui , Kang Guixia
Published: March 2017

To find a better way to screen early lung cancer, motivated by the great success of deep learning, we empirically investigate the challenge of classifying lung nodules in computed tomography (CT) in an end‐to‐end manner. Multi‐view convolutional neural networks (MV‐CNN) are proposed in this article for lung nodule classification. Unlike the traditional CNNs, a MV‐CNN takes multiple views of each entered nodule. We carry out a binary classification (benign and malignant) and a ternary classification (benign, primary malignant, and metastatic malignant) using the Lung Image Database Consortium and Image Database Resource Initiative database. The results show that, for binary or ternary classifications, the multiview strategy produces higher accuracy than the single view method, even for cases that are over‐fitted. Our model achieves an error rate of 5.41 and 13.91% for binary and ternary classifications, respectively. Finally, the receiver operating characteristic curve and t‐distributed stochastic neighbor embedding algorithm are used to analyze the models. The results reveal that the deep features learned by the model proposed in this article have a higher separability than features from the image space and the multiview strategies; therefore, researchers can get better representation. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 27, 12–22, 2017
An improved label fusion approach with sparse patch‐based representation for MRI brain image segmentation
Authors: Yan Meng , Liu Hong , Xu Xiangyang , Song Enmin , Qian Yuejing , Pan Ning , Jin Renchao , Jin Lianghai , Cheng Shaorong , Hung Chih‐Cheng
Published: March 2017

The multi‐atlas patch‐based label fusion (LF) method mainly focuses on the measurement of the patch similarity which is the comparison between the atlas patch and the target patch. To enhance the LF performance, the distribution probability about the target can be used during the LF process. Hence, we consider two LF schemes: in the first scheme, we keep the results of the interpolation so that we can obtain the labels of the atlas with discrete values (between 0 and 1) instead of binary values in the label propagation. In doing so, each atlas can be treated as a probability atlas. Second, we introduce the distribution probability of the tissue (to be segmented) in the sparse patch‐based LF process. Based on the probability of the tissue and sparse patch‐based representation, we propose three different LF methods which are called LF‐Method‐1, LF‐Method‐2, and LF‐Method‐3. In addition, an automated estimation method about the distribution probability of the tissue is also proposed. To evaluate the accuracy of our proposed LF methods, the methods were compared with those of the nonlocal patch‐based LF method (Nonlocal‐PBM), the sparse patch‐based LF method (Sparse‐PBM), majority voting method, similarity and truth estimation for propagated segmentations, and hierarchical multi‐atlas LF with multi‐scale feature representation and label‐specific patch partition (HMAS). Based on our experimental results and quantitative comparison, our methods are promising in the magnetic resonance image segmentation. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 27, 23–32, 2017
Multimodal medical image fusion based on discrete Tchebichef moments and pulse coupled neural network
Authors: Tang Lu , Qian Jiansheng , Li Leida , Hu Junfeng , Wu Xiang
Published: March 2017

Multimodal medical image fusion plays a vital role in clinical diagnoses and treatment planning. In many image fusion methods‐based pulse coupled neural network (PCNN), normalized coefficients are used to motivate the PCNN, and this makes the fused image blur, detail loss, and decreases contrast. Moreover, they are limited in dealing with medical images with different modalities. In this article, we present a new multimodal medical image fusion method based on discrete Tchebichef moments and pulse coupled neural network to overcome the aforementioned problems. First, medical images are divided into equal‐size blocks and the Tchebichef moments are calculated to characterize image shape, and energy of blocks is computed as the sum of squared non‐DC moment values. Then to retain edges and textures, the energy of Tchebichef moments for blocks is introduced to motivate the PCNN with adaptive linking strength. Finally, large firing times are selected as coefficients of the fused image. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme outperforms state‐of‐the‐art methods and it is more effective in processing medical images with different modalities. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 27, 57–65, 2017
Thermogelling chitosan lactate hydrogel improves functional recovery after a C2 spinal cord hemisection in rat
Authors: Nawrotek Katarzyna , Marqueste Tanguy , Modrzejewska Zofia , Zarzycki Roman , Rusak Agnieszka , Decherchi Patrick
Published: March 2017

The present study was designed to provide an appropriate micro‐environment for regenerating axotomized neurons and proliferating/migrating cells. Because of its intrinsic permissive properties, biocompatibility and biodegradability, we chose to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of a chitosan‐based biopolymer. The biomaterial toxicity was measured through in vitro test based on fibroblast cell survival on thermogelling chitosan lactate hydrogel substrate and then polymer was implanted into a C2 hemisection of the rat spinal cord. Animals were randomized into three experimental groups (Control, Lesion and Lesion + Hydrogel) and functional tests (ladder walking and forelimb grip strength tests, respiratory assessment by whole‐body plethysmography measurements) were used, once a week during 10 weeks, to evaluate post‐traumatic recoveries. Then, electrophysiological examinations (reflexivity of the sub‐lesional region, ventilatory adjustments to muscle fatigue known to elicit the muscle metaboreflex and phrenic nerve recordings during normoxia and temporary hypoxia) were performed. In vitro results indicated that the chitosan matrix is a non‐toxic biomaterial that allowed fibroblast survival. Furthermore, implanted animals showed improvements of their ladder walking scores from the 4th week post‐implantation. Finally, electrophysiological recordings indicated that animals receiving the chitosan matrix exhibited recovery of the H‐reflex rate sensitive depression, the ventilatory response to repetitive muscle stimulation and an increase of the phrenic nerve activity to asphyxia compared to lesioned and nonimplanted animals. This study indicates that hydrogel based on chitosan constitute a promising therapeutic approach to repair damaged spinal cord or may be used as an adjuvant with other treatments to enhance functional recovery after a central nervous system damage. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2004–2019, 2017.
Preparation of a non‐woven poly(ε‐caprolactone) fabric with partially embedded apatite surface for bone tissue engineering applications by partial surface melting of poly(ε‐caprolactone) fibers
Authors: Kim In Ae , Rhee Sang‐Hoon
Published: March 2017

This article describes a novel method for the preparation of a biodegradable non‐woven poly(ε‐caprolactone) fabric with a partially embedded apatite surface designed for application as a scaffold material for bone tissue engineering. The non‐woven poly(ε‐caprolactone) fabric was generated by the electro‐spinning technique and then apatite was coated in simulated body fluid after coating the PVA solution containing CaCl2·2H2O. The apatite crystals were partially embedded or fully embedded into the thermoplastic poly(ε‐caprolactone) fibers by controlling the degree of poly(ε‐caprolactone) fiber surface melting in a convection oven. Identical apatite‐coated poly(ε‐caprolactone) fabric that did not undergo heat‐treatment was used as a control. The features of the embedded apatite crystals were evaluated by FE‐SEM, AFM, EDS, and XRD. The adhesion strengths of the coated apatite layers and the tensile strengths of the apatite coated fabrics with and without heat‐treatment were assessed by the tape‐test and a universal testing machine, respectively. The degree of water absorbance was assessed by adding a DMEM droplet onto the fabrics. Moreover, cell penetrability was assessed by seeding preosteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells onto the fabrics and observing the degrees of cell penetration after 1 and 4 weeks by staining nuclei with DAPI. The non‐woven poly(ε‐caprolactone) fabric with a partially embedded apatite surface showed good water absorbance, cell penetrability, higher apatite adhesion strength, and higher tensile strength compared with the control fabric. These results show that the non‐woven poly(ε‐caprolactone) fabric with a partially embedded apatite surface is a potential candidate scaffold for bone tissue engineering due to its strong apatite adhesion strength and excellent cell penetrability. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1973–1983, 2017.
Gax suppresses chemerin/CMKLR1‐induced preadipocyte biofunctions through the inhibition of Akt/mTOR and ERK signaling pathways
Authors: Jiang Yunqi , Liu Ping , Jiao Wenlin , Meng Juan , Feng Jinbo
Published: March 2017

Adipose tissue is closely associated with angiogenesis and vascular remodeling. Chemerin is involved in inflammatory reaction and vascular dysfunction. However, the mechanisms of chemerin participating in vascular remodeling and whether Growth arrest‐specific homeobox (Gax) can effectively intervene it remain obscured. Here, 3T3‐F442A preadipocytes were cultured, injected into athymic mice to model fat pads, and treated respectively with Ad‐chemerin, Ad‐Gax, or specific inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. MTT, flow cytometry, Western blotting, and imunohisto(cyto)‐chemistry analyses showed that chemerin enhanced the expression of FABP4 and VEGF, activated Akt/mTOR and ERK pathways, increased the cell percent of S phase, decreased the percent of G0‐G1 phase and apoptotic cells, and augmented neovascular density in fat pads. Inversely, Gax suppressed the expression of these adipogenic and vasifactive markers and these signaling proteins, decreased the percent of S phase cells, and increased those of G0‐G1 phase and apoptotic cells, and reduced the neovascular density. Our results indicate that chemerin‐CMKLR1 activates Akt/mTOR and ERK pathways and facilitates preadipocyte proliferation, adipogenesis, and angiogenesis. Contrarily, Gax weakens the effect of chemerin on preadipocyte biofunctions.
Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing IL10 attenuates cardiac impairments in rats with myocardial infarction
Authors: Meng Xin , Li Jianping , Yu Ming , Yang Jian , Zheng Minjuan , Zhang Jinzhou , Sun Chao , Liang Hongliang , Liu Liwen
Published: March 2017

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) has been well known to exert therapeutic potential for patients with myocardial infarction (MI). In addition, interleukin‐10 (IL10) could attenuate MI through suppressing inflammation. Thus, the combination of MSC implantation with IL10 delivery may extend health benefits to ameliorate cardiac injury after MI. Here we established overexpression of IL10 in bone marrow‐derived MSC through adenoviral transduction. Cell viability, apoptosis, and IL10 secretion under ischemic challenge in vitro were examined. In addition, MSC was transplanted into the injured hearts in a rat model of MI. Four weeks after the MI induction, MI, cardiac functions, apoptotic cells, and inflammation cytokines were assessed. In response to in vitro oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD), IL10 overexpression in MSC (Ad.IL10‐MSC) enhanced cell viability, decreased apoptosis, and increased IL10 secretion. Consistently, the implantation of Ad.IL10‐MSCs into MI animals resulted in more reductions in myocardial infarct size, cardiac impairment, and cell apoptosis, compared to the individual treatments of either MSC or IL10 administration. Moreover, the attenuation of both systemic and local inflammations was most prominent for Ad.IL10‐MSC treatment. IL10 overexpression and MSC may exert a synergistic anti‐inflammatory effect to alleviate cardiac injury after MI.
TGF‐β inhibits osteogenesis by upregulating the expression of ubiquitin ligase SMURF1 via MAPK‐ERK signaling
Authors: Sun Xuewu , Xie Ziang , Ma Yan , Pan Xin , Wang Jiying , Chen Zhijun , Shi Peihua
Published: March 2017

High incidence of osteoporotic fractures emphasizes the necessity of developing effective measures to promote osteogenesis. In our study, we investigated a possible role of MAPK‐ERK signaling in the TGF‐β‐mediated osteoblastic differentiation. Our results indicated that TGF‐β activated the MAPK‐ERK pathway and inhibited osteogenesis in mesenchymal pluripotent cell line, C3H10T1/2, and preosteoblastic cell line, MC3T3 cells. And the downregulation of MAPK‐ERK signaling using pharmacological inhibitor U0126 and RNA interference rescued osteoblast differentiation suppressed by TGF‐β, which was confirmed by Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and alizarrn red staining, and the enhanced expression of osteogenesic markers. Western blotting analysis indicated that TGF‐β induced protein expression of E3 ubiquitin‐protein ligase SMURF1, which contributed to the degradation of RUNX2 and SMAD1 as evidenced by SMURF1 inhibition using RNA interference and proteasome inhibitor MG132. Moreover, we observed that the expression of SMURF1 was decreased, while that of SMAD1 and RUNX2 increased by MAPK‐ERK inhibitor U0126 in TGF‐β‐treated differentiating preosteoblasts, suggesting that MAPK‐ERK regulated the transcription of osteogenesis‐related genes. Furthermore, a synergistic effect between U0126 and bone morphogenic protein (BMP)‐2 on osteoblast differentiation and bone formation was observed both in cell cultures and experimental animals. In conclusion, our results revealed that TGF‐β inhibited osteoblastic differentiation by inducing the MAPK‐ERK pathway which upregulated the expression of ubiquitin ligase SMURF1 and resulted in reduced presence of osteogenic proteins. In addition, the potentiation of BMP‐2 on osteogenic activity by ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 suggests that it may have potential clinical utility for promoting osteogenesis in bone fracture repair.
All‐trans retinoic acid ameliorates hepatic stellate cell activation via suppression of thioredoxin interacting protein expression
Authors: Shimizu Hiroki , Tsubota Toshiaki , Kanki Keita , Shiota Goshi
Published: March 2017

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the effector factor of hepatic fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Accumulating evidence suggests that retinoic acids (RAs), derivatives of vitamin A, contribute to prevention of liver fibrosis and carcinogenesis, however, regulatory mechanisms of RAs still remain exclusive. To elucidate RA signaling pathway, we previously performed a genome‐wide screening of RA‐responsive genes by in silico analysis of RA‐response elements, and identified 26 RA‐responsive genes. We found that thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP), which inhibits antioxidant activity of thioredoxin (TRX), was downregulated by all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA). In the present study, we demonstrate that ATRA ameliorates activation of HSCs through TXNIP suppression. HSC activation was attenuated by TXNIP downregulation, whereas potentiated by TXNIP upregulation, indicating that TXNIP plays a crucial role in activation of HSCs. Notably, we showed that TXNIP‐mediated HSC activation was suppressed by antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine. In addition, ATRA treatment or downregulation of TXNIP clearly declined oxidative stress levels in activated HSCs. These data suggest that ATRA plays a key role in inhibition of HSC activation via suppressing TXNIP expression, which reduces oxidative stress levels.
Ionic Liquid Mediated Green Synthesis of Spirooxindoles from N‐methyl Quinolones and Their Anti Bacterial Activity
Authors: Bhupathi Raja S. , Madhu Bandi , Reddy Ch. Venkata Ramana , Devi B. Rama , Dubey P.K.
Published: March 2017

Three‐component reaction involving condensation of 1‐methyl quinoline‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione 1, isatins 2(a–e), and malononitrile/cyanoacetic ester 3(a–b) in the task‐specific ionic liquid [DBU][Ac] (1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]‐undec‐7‐en‐8‐ium acetate) leading to the spirooxindole derivatives 4(a–j) is described. This approach is affords the products in high yields without use of column chromatography and resulting compounds were evaluated for antibacterial activity against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhimurium, and Klebsiella pneumonia). Among the all compounds, four compounds, that is, 4b, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4j exhibited moderate activity against all the strains as compared with the standard used.
The elimination‐plus lineup: Testing a modified lineup procedure with confidence
Authors: Pica Emily , Pozzulo Joanna
Published: March 2017

The present study examined whether a modified form of a preidentification confidence rating would provide evidence of a suspect's guilt in addition to the identification decision confidence. Participants (N = 241) viewed a videotaped mock crime and were presented with a target‐present or target‐absent simultaneous, sequential, elimination, or elimination‐plus lineup procedure; both elimination procedures required 2 separate judgments from the witness (i.e., relative and absolute). The elimination‐plus procedure was identical to that of the elimination procedure with the addition of the confidence rating in between judgment 1 and judgment 2. Confidence after judgment 1, confidence after judgment 2, and the average of the 2 confidence ratings with the elimination‐plus procedure significantly predicted accuracy for choosers. Given that confidence has been recognised by the Supreme Court of the United States, these results shed light on a novel way of utilising confidence in the investigative process.
Synthesis of 2 C‐14 labeled cathepsin C inhibitors: The use of a cyanide to displace a Benzotriazole
Authors: Kingston Lee , Bergare Jonas , Lönn Hans , Ericsson Cecilia , Grönberg Gunnar , Chen Song , Elmore Charles S.
Published: March 2017

In support of the development of a new treatment for COPD, 2 C‐14 labeled compounds were required for in vitro animal studies. The synthesis of nitrile [14C]‐1 was completed in 3 steps from C‐14 labeled 4‐bromobenzonitrile in accord with the previously developed medicinal chemistry route. The second compound, 2, did not possess an arylnitrile as did 1, which made the synthetic design more complex. An advanced, unlabeled benzotriazole containing intermediate, 10, was synthesized in low yield over 3 steps and was subsequently reacted with K14CN to give a mixture of diastereomers 12. Separation of the diastereomers followed by deprotection afforded [14C]‐2 in a 13% radiochemical yield.
A new strategy for accelerated extraction of target compounds using molecularly imprinted polymer particles embedded in a paper‐based disk
Authors: Zarejousheghani Mashaalah , Schrader Steffi , Möder Monika , Schmidt Matthias , Borsdorf Helko
Published: March 2017

In this study, a general simple and inexpensive method is introduced for the preparation of a paper‐based selective disk‐type solid phase extraction (SPE) technique, appropriate for fast and high throughput monitoring of target compounds. An ion exchange molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized for the extraction and analysis of acesulfame, an anthropogenic water quality marker. Acesulfame imprinting was used as an example for demonstrating the benefits of a nanosized, swellable MIP extraction sorbents integrated in an on‐site compatible concept for water quality monitoring. Compared with an 8 mL standard SPE cartridge, the paper‐based MIP disk (47 mm ø) format allowed (1) high sample flow rates up to 30 mL•min−1 without losing extraction efficiency (2) extracting sample volumes up to 500 mL in much shorter times than with standard SPE, (3) the reuse of the disks (up to 3 times more than SPE cartridge) due to high robustness and an efficient post‐cleaning, and (4) reducing the sampling time from 100 minutes (using the standard SPE format) to about 2 minutes with the MIP paper disk for 50 mL water sample. Different parameters like cellulose fiber/polymer ratios, sample volume, sample flow‐rate, washing, and elution conditions were evaluated and optimized. Using developed extraction technique with high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS–MS) analysis, a new protocol was established that provides detection and quantification limits of 0.015 μg•L−1 and 0.05 μg•L−1, respectively. The developed paper disks were used in‐field for the selective extraction of target compounds and transferred to the laboratory for further analysis.
Diffusional kurtosis imaging of parotid glands in Sjögren's syndrome: Initial findings
Authors: Chu Chen , Zhang Huayong , Zhou Nan , Dou Xin , Li Ming , Liu Song , Zhu Yun , Wang Chun , Chen Weibo , Chan Queenie , Sun Lingyun , He Jian , Zhou Zhengyang
Published: March 2017

Purpose

To explore the role of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) of parotid glands in diagnosing Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

Materials and Methods

A total of 40 patients with SS and 40 healthy volunteers underwent 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including DKI, which generated the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), corrected diffusion (D), and diffusional kurtosis (K) values. The MR nodular grade was determined on the basis of MR morphological findings.

Results

The parotid ADC, D, and K values in patients with SS were significantly higher than those of healthy volunteers (P = 0.011, < 0.001, 0.022, respectively). The parotid ADC and D values in patients with SS of MR nodular grade 0 were significantly higher than those of healthy volunteers (all P < 0.001). The parotid D value showed an accuracy of 75.0% and 87.9% in diagnosing patients with SS and MR nodular grade 0, respectively. The parotid ADC and D values correlated negatively, while the K values correlated positively with the MR nodular grade significantly in patients with SS (r = −0.741, −0.605, 0.424, all P < 0.001). All parotid DKI parameters differed significantly among patients with SS at different MR nodular grades (all P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Parotid DKI parameters hold great potential in diagnosing SS, especially in early‐stage SS without MR morphological changes.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1409–1417.