bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Individual, ecological, and anthropogenic influences on activity budgets of long‐finned pilot whales
Authors: Isojunno S. , Sadykova D. , DeRuiter S. , Curé C. , Visser F. , Thomas L. , Miller P. J. O. , Harris C. M.
Published: December 2017

Time allocation to different activities and habitats enables individuals to modulate their perceived risks and access to resources and can reveal important trade‐offs between fitness‐enhancing activities (e.g., feeding vs. social behavior). Species with long reproductive cycles and high parental investment, such as marine mammals, rely on such behavioral plasticity to cope with rapid environmental change, including anthropogenic stressors. We quantified activity budgets of free‐ranging long‐finned pilot whales in order to assess individual time trade‐offs between foraging and other behaviors in different individual and ecological contexts, and during experimental sound exposures. The experiments included 1–2 and 6–7 kHz naval sonar exposures (a potential anthropogenic stressor), playback of killer whale (a potential predator/competitor) vocalizations, and negative controls. We combined multiple time series data from digital acoustic recording tags (DTAG) as well as group‐level social behavior data from visual observations of tagged whales at the surface. The data were classified into near‐surface behaviors and dive types (using a hidden Markov model for dive transitions) and aggregated into time budgets. On average, individuals (N = 19) spent most of their time (69%) resting and transiting near surface, 21% in shallow dives (depth <40 m), and only 10% of their time in deep foraging dives, of which 65% reached a depth 10 m from the sea bottom. Individuals in the largest of three body size classes or accompanied by calves tended to spend more time foraging than others. Simultaneous tagging of pairs of individuals showed that up to 50% of the activity budget was synchronized between conspecifics with decreased synchrony during foraging periods. Individuals spent less time foraging when forming larger non‐vocal aggregations of individuals in late afternoons, and more time foraging when in the mid‐range of water depths (300–400 m) available in the study area (50–700 m). Individuals reduced foraging time by 83% (29–96%) during their first exposure to sonar, but not during killer whale sound playbacks. A relative increase in foraging during repeat sonar exposures indicated habituation or change in response tactic. We discuss the possible adaptive value of these trade‐offs in time allocation to reduce individual conflict while maintaining benefits of group living.
The interaction of drought and habitat explain space–time patterns of establishment in saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)
Authors: Winkler Daniel E. , Conver Joshua L. , Huxman Travis E. , Swann Don E.
Published: December 2017

The long‐lived columnar saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is among the most studied plants in the world. Long‐term studies have shown saguaro establishment to be generally episodic and strongly influenced by precipitation and temperature. Water limitation through lower‐than‐average seasonal rainfall and elevated temperatures increasing evaporative loss can reduce survivorship of recent germinates. Thus, multi‐year, extended drought could cause populations to decline as older saguaros die without replacement. Previous studies have related establishment to temporal variation in rainfall, but most studies have been on non‐randomized plots in ideal habitat and thus might not have captured the full variability within the local area. We studied how saguaro establishment varied in space and which habitat features may buffer responses to drought on 36 4‐ha plots located randomly across an elevation gradient, including substantial replication in landscape position (bajada, foothills, and slopes) in the two disjunct districts of Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona, USA. Recent, severe drought coincided with drastic declines in saguaro establishment across this ~25,000‐ha area. Establishment patterns derived from the park‐wide data set was strongly correlated with drought, but the Park's two districts and diversity of plots demonstrated substantially different population outcomes. Saguaro establishment was best explained by the interaction of drought and habitat type; establishment in bajada and foothill plots dropped to near‐zero under the most severe periods of water limitation but remained higher in slope plots during the same time span. Combined with saguaro density estimates, these data suggest that the most suitable habitat type for saguaro establishment shifted to higher elevations during the time span of the recent drought. These results place into context the extent to which historical patterns of demography provide insight into future population dynamics in a changing climate and reveal the importance of understanding dynamics across the distribution of possible local habitat types with response to variation in weather.
PKCε promotes human Th17 differentiation: Implications in the pathophysiology of psoriasis
Authors: Martini Silvia , Pozzi Giulia , Carubbi Cecilia , Masselli Elena , Galli Daniela , Di Nuzzo Sergio , Banchini Antonio , Gobbi Giuliana , Vitale Marco , Mirandola Prisco
Published: December 2017

PKCε is implicated in T cell activation and proliferation and is overexpressed in CD4+‐T cells from patients with autoimmune Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Although this might induce the suspicion that PKCε takes part in autoimmunity, its role in the molecular pathophysiology of immune‐mediated disorders is still largely unknown. We studied PKCε expression in circulating CD4+‐T cells from patients with psoriasis, a skin disorder characterized by an increased amount of Th17 cells, a CD4+ subset that is critical in the development of autoimmunity. Although the mechanisms that underlie Th17 differentiation in humans are still unclear, we here show that: (i) PKCε is overexpressed in CD4+‐T cells from psoriatic patients, and its expression positively correlates with the severity of the disease, being reduced by effective phototherapy; (ii) PKCε interacts with Stat3 during Th17 differentiation and its overexpression results in an enhanced expression of Stat3 and pStat3(Ser727); iii) conversely, when PKCε is forcibly downregulated, CD4+‐T cells show lower levels of pStat3(Ser727) expression and defective in vitro expansion into the Th17‐lineage. These data provide a novel insight into the molecular mechanisms of Th17 cell polarization that is known to play a crucial role in autoimmunity, pinpointing PKCε as a potential target in Th17‐mediated diseases.
Operant self‐administration of pregabalin in a mouse model of neuropathic pain
Authors: Bura S.A. , Cabañero D. , Maldonado R.
Published: December 2017

Background

Pregabalin is a first‐line agent for neuropathic pain treatment whose abuse liability remains controversial. Surprisingly, studies exploring the reinforcing properties of pregabalin in operant mouse models are missing.

Methods

We evaluated the acquisition of operant pregabalin self‐administration in mice exposed to a partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL) or a sham operation. After surgery, mice were trained in operant boxes to intravenously self‐administer pregabalin at 1.5 or 3 mg/kg/inf or saline during 10 days. Thermal and mechanical sensitivity were assessed before and after self‐medication, and depressive‐like behaviour was evaluated after discontinuation of the treatment.

Results

Partial sciatic nerve ligation and sham‐operated mice exposed to pregabalin at 3 mg/kg/inf showed higher active responding compared to mice exposed to saline. The differences in active responding were more robust in nerve‐injured than in sham‐operated mice. Self‐medication at either dose of pregabalin partially inhibited thermal hypersensitivity, whereas only self‐medication at 3 mg/kg/inf reduced mechanical sensitivity. Finally, a depressive‐like behaviour was revealed after saline treatment in nerve‐injured mice, and this emotional manifestation was abolished after pregabalin treatment at the high dose.

Conclusions

Pregabalin showed reinforcing effects both in PSNL and sham‐operated mice and attenuated the nociceptive and emotional manifestations of neuropathic pain in mice self‐administering this drug. Therefore, pregabalin self‐administration was related to neuropathic pain relief, but also to reinforcing properties related to psychotropic drug effects. This study reveals the improvement in nociceptive and emotional manifestations of neuropathic pain after operant pregabalin self‐medication in mice and suggests the reinforcing effects of this drug in an operant paradigm.

Significance

This study shows that mice with a nerve injury self‐administer pregabalin at doses effective reducing nociceptive hypersensitivity and depressive‐like behaviour associated with the neuropathic pain model. Interestingly, mice without neuropathy also develop operant self‐administration behaviour, suggesting potential abuse liability of this first‐line drug for neuropathic pain treatment.
Biomodification Strategies for the Development of Antimicrobial Urinary Catheters: Overview and Advances
Authors: Anjum Sadiya , Singh Surabhi , Benedicte Lepoittevin , Roger Philippe , Panigrahi Manoj , Gupta Bhuvanesh
Published: December 2017

Microbial burden associated with medical devices poses serious health challenges and is accountable for an increased number of deaths leading to enormous medical costs. Catheter‐associated urinary tract infections are the most common hospital‐acquired infections with enhanced patient morbidity. Quite often, catheter‐associated bacteriuria produces apparent adverse outcomes such as urosepsis and even death. Taking this into account, the methods to modify urinary catheters to control microbial infections with relevance to clinical drug resistance are systematically evaluated in this review. Technologies to restrict biofilm formation at initial stages by using functional nanomaterials are elucidated. The conventional methodology of using single therapeutic intervention for developing an antimicrobial catheter lacks clinically meaningful benefit. Therefore, catheter modification using naturally derived antimicrobials such as essential oils, curcumin, enzymes, and antimicrobial peptides in combination with synthetic antibiotics/nanoantibiotics is likely to exert sufficient inhibitory effect on uropathogens and is extensively discussed. Futuristic efforts in this area are projected here that demand clinical studies to address areas of uncertainty to avoid development of bacterial resistance to the new generation therapy with minimum discomfort to the patients.
A Comparative Numerical Study on Piezoelectric Energy Harvester for Self‐Powered Pacemaker Application
Authors: Kumar Anuruddh , Kiran Raj , Kumar Sidhant , Chauhan Vishal S. , Kumar Rajeev , Vaish Rahul
Published: December 2017

This study proposes the design of a micro‐spiral‐shaped piezoelectric energy harvester that scavenges energy from blood pressure variation in the cardiac cycle. The harvester can be a miniaturized perennial source of power that could even eliminate the need for replacement of conventional batteries used in current pacemaker technology. The concept of a 25 µm thin spiral‐based piezoelectric energy harvester with a diameter of 6 mm satisfying the dimensional constraints has been proposed. A number of lead‐free materials have been used along with Pb[ZrxTi1−x]O3 (PZT‐5A) to compare the performance. The harvester has been designed in such a way that the natural frequency of the structure remains in the range of 1.1–1.3 Hz, which is equivalent to 66–78 heart beats min−1 of humans. The obtained alternating electric current from piezoelectric materials is converted into direct current. The maximum open‐circuit voltage obtained is ≈0.9 V, which is not sufficient for charging a pacemaker battery. Therefore, boost converter circuit is employed to step up the voltage. It is found that K0.475Na0.475Li0.05(Nb0.92Ta0.05Sb0.03)O3 (KNLNTS) has the best performance as compared to other materials under study. The boosted voltage obtained from KNLNTS is ≈6 and ≈7 V for 80 and 90% duty cycle, respectively, which are sufficient for pacemaker battery charging.
Left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex atrophy is associated with frontal lobe function in Alzheimer's disease and contributes to caregiver burden
Authors: Matsuoka Kiwamu , Yasuno Fumihiko , Hashimoto Akiko , Miyasaka Toshiteru , Takahashi Masato , Kiuchi Kuniaki , Iida Junzo , Kichikawa Kimihiko , Kishimoto Toshifumi
Published: December 2017

Objective

Caregivers of patients with dementia experience physical and mental deterioration. We have previously reported a correlation between caregiver burden and the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) total scores of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), especially regarding the dependency factor from the Zarit Burden Interview. The present study aimed to identify an objective biomarker for predicting caregiver burden.

Methods

The participants were 26 pairs of caregivers and patients with AD and mild‐to‐moderate dementia. Correlations between regional gray matter volumes in the patients with AD and the FAB total scores were explored by using whole‐brain voxel‐based morphometric analysis. Path analysis was used to estimate the relationships between regional gray matter volumes, FAB total scores, and caregiver burden based on the Zarit Burden Interview.

Results

The voxel‐based morphometric revealed a significant positive correlation between the FAB total scores and the volume of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. This positive correlation persisted after controlling for the effect of general cognitive dysfunction, which was assessed by using the Mini‐Mental State Examination. Path analysis revealed that decreases in FAB scores, caused by reduced frontal lobe volumes, negatively affected caregiver burden.

Conclusions

The present study revealed that frontal lobe function, based on FAB scores, was affected by the volume of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Decreased scores were associated with greater caregiver burden, especially for the dependency factor. These findings may facilitate the development of an objective biomarker for predicting caregiver burden.
Natural history of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A prospective follow‐up study with serial biopsies
Authors: Nasr Patrik , Ignatova Simone , Kechagias Stergios , Ekstedt Mattias
Published: December 2017

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease in the world. The complete natural history of NAFLD is unknown because few high‐quality follow‐up studies have been conducted. Our aim was to find variables predicting disease severity through an extended follow‐up with serial biopsies. In a prospective cohort study, 129 patients who enrolled between 1988 and 1993 were asked to participate in a follow‐up study on two occasions; biochemical, clinical, and histologic data were documented. The mean time between biopsies was 13.7 (±1.7) and 9.3 (±1.0) years, respectively. At the end of the study period, 12 patients (9.3%) had developed end‐stage liver disease and 34% had advanced fibrosis. Out of the 113 patients with baseline low fibrosis (<3), 16% developed advanced fibrosis. Fibrosis progression did not differ among the different stages of baseline fibrosis (P = 0.374). Fifty‐six patients (43%) had isolated steatosis, of whom 9% developed advanced fibrosis (3 patients with biopsy‐proven fibrosis stage F3‐F4 and 2 patients with end‐stage liver disease). Fibrosis stage, ballooning, and diabetes were more common in patients who developed end‐stage liver disease; however, there were no baseline clinical, histologic, or biochemical variables that predicted clinical significant disease progression. Conclusion: NAFLD is a highly heterogeneous disease, and it is surprisingly hard to predict fibrosis progression. Given enough time, NAFLD seems to have a more dismal prognosis then previously reported, with 16% of patients with fibrosis stage <3 developing advanced fibrosis and 9.3% showing signs of end‐stage liver disease. (Hepatology Communications 2018;2:199–210)
UNDERSTANDING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ATTACHMENT TRAUMA AND MATERNAL SELF‐EFFICACY IN DEPRESSED MOTHERS
Authors: Brazeau Natalie , Reisz Samantha , Jacobvitz Deborah , George Carol
Published: December 2017

Maternal self‐efficacy predicts sensitive and responsive caregiving. Low maternal self‐efficacy is associated with a higher incidence of postpartum depression. Maternal self‐efficacy and postpartum depression can both be buffered by social support. Maternal self‐efficacy and postpartum depression have both been linked independently, albeit in separate studies, to the experience of violent trauma, childhood maltreatment, and spousal abuse. This study proposed a model in which postpartum depression mediates the relation between attachment trauma and maternal self‐efficacy, with emotional support as a moderator. Participants were 278 first‐time mothers of infants under 14 months. Cross‐sectional data were collected online. Mothers completed questionnaires on attachment trauma, maternal self‐efficacy, postpartum depression, and emotional support. A moderated mediation model was tested in a structural equation modeling framework using Mplus’ estimate of indirect effects. Postpartum depression fully mediated the relation between trauma and maternal self‐efficacy. Emotional support moderated only the pathway between postpartum depression and maternal self‐efficacy. Attachment trauma's implications for maternal self‐efficacy should be understood in the context of overall mental health. Mothers at the greatest risk for low maternal self‐efficacy related to attachment trauma also are those suffering from postpartum depression. Emotional support buffered mothers from postpartum depression, though, which has implications for intervention and future research.
Development of HADIS Algorithm for Deficit Irrigation Scheduling
Authors: Asgharzadeh Mohammad Ali , Heidarpour Manouchehr , Shayannejad Mohammad , Rasti‐Barzoki Morteza
Published: December 2017

Effective management of water resources and their efficient use in drought conditions are very important in the agricultural sector. Deficit irrigation is an optimal solution to produce crops under these conditions. It requires integrated, accurate and efficient management which is quite different from classic irrigation management. An irrigation manager must determine what rate of deficit irrigation is to be applied at each stage of growth; in the other words, deficit irrigation scheduling (DIS) should provide the water requirements of plants during the growing season based on water resources in a way which leads to maximum efficiency. In this study, a DIS heuristic algorithm called HADIS is developed, which is able to estimate the time, frequency and depth of irrigation events according to the crop water production function (CWPF) and FAO 56, leading to maximum yield and water productivity. HADIS is written using the C# language in Visual Studio 2010. In addition, in order to optimize CWPF, GAMS 24.1 software along with Lindo Global Solver is used and SQL Server 2008 is employed as the database. The results of implementing different water, soil and crop scenarios proved the capability of HADIS to achievE maximum crop productivity. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Irrigation Management Assessment from Land Fragmentation Perspective in the Nile Delta
Authors: Abou El Hassan Waleed H.
Published: December 2017

Sustainable increases in water productivity and water use efficiency at different levels can be achieved by optimizing water uses that are suitable for local farmers, especially those who own small‐scale farms. There has been continuous land fragmentation mainly due to land inheritance over generations. A historical assessment of land fragmentation (1994–2013) was evaluated in relation to water management such as pump operation hours. In the Nile Delta, 90% of farm areas are less than 2.1 ha and 59% of these are small‐scale areas, ≤0.42 ha. Those small‐scale farmers decide on crop patterns and are mainly dependent on the rice crop, which yields the highest net profit income. As a result of land fragmentation, the total number of irrigation events in 2013 was higher than in 2006 and is higher than the number of irrigation events of 1994. Therefore, the total water applied for irrigating crops in 2013 was higher than 2006 (+10.5%) and 1994 (+12.6%). Currently, farmers tend to irrigate their fields for longer periods due to land fragmentation. It is suggested that irrigation improvement as well as a farm contracting system could be the best countermeasures to mitigate the impact of land fragmentation and decrease water losses. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estrogen Deficiency–Mediated M2 Macrophage Osteoclastogenesis Contributes to M1/M2 Ratio Alteration in Ovariectomized Osteoporotic Mice
Authors: Dou Ce , Ding Ning , Zhao Chunrong , Hou Tianyong , Kang Fei , Cao Zhen , Liu Chuan , Bai Yun , Dai Qijie , Ma Qinyu , Luo Fei , Xu Jianzhong , Dong Shiwu
Published: December 2017

In this study, for the first time we discovered that the M1/M2 macrophage phenotype ratio is increased in bone marrow of ovariectomized (OVX) osteoporotic C57BL/6 mice. Considering estrogen is the main variable, we assumed that estrogen participated in this alteration. To determine whether and how estrogen contributes to the change of the M1/M2 ratio, we first isolated bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) from mice femur and stimulated the cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon γ (IFN-γ) for M1 polarization and interleukin 4 (IL-4)/IL-13 for M2 polarization. M1 and M2 macrophages were then exposed to RANKL stimulation, we found that M2 macrophage but not M1 macrophage differentiated into functional osteoclast leading to increased M1/M2 ratio. Intriguingly, 17β-estradiol (E2) pretreatment prevented osteoclastogenesis from M2 macrophages. By constructing shRNA lentivirus interfering the expression of different estrogen receptors in M2 macrophages, we found that estrogen protects M2 macrophage from receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) stimulation selectively through estrogen receptor α (ERα) and the downstream blockage of NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. Animal studies showed that ERα selective agonist 4,4′,4″-(4-propyl-[1H]-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl) trisphenol (PPT) was able to replicate the therapeutic effects of E2 in treating osteoporotic OVX mice. Together, our findings reveal that estrogen deficiency–mediated M2 macrophage osteoclastogenesis leads to increased M1/M2 ratio in OVX mice. Reducing the M1/M2 ratio is a potential therapeutic target in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Bone Tissue Collagen Maturity and Mineral Content Increase With Sustained Hyperglycemia in the KK-Ay Murine Model of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Hunt Heather B , Pearl Jared C , Diaz David R , King Karen B , Donnelly Eve
Published: December 2017

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases fracture risk for a given bone mineral density (BMD), which suggests that T2DM changes bone tissue properties independently of bone mass. In this study, we assessed the effects of hyperglycemia on bone tissue compositional properties, enzymatic collagen crosslinks, and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in the KK-Ay murine model of T2DM using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) imaging and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Compared to KK-aa littermate controls (n = 8), proximal femoral bone tissue of KK-Ay mice (n = 14) exhibited increased collagen maturity, increased mineral content, and less heterogeneous mineral properties. AGE accumulation assessed by the concentration of pentosidine, as well as the concentrations of the nonenzymatic crosslinks hydroxylysylpyridinoline (HP) and lysyl pyridinoline (LP), did not differ in the proximal femurs of KK-Ay mice compared to controls. The observed differences in tissue-level compositional properties in the KK-Ay mice are consistent with bone that is older and echo observations of reduced remodeling in T2DM. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Effects of Gastric Bypass Surgery on Bone Mass and Microarchitecture Occur Early and Particularly Impact Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Schafer Anne L , Kazakia Galateia J , Vittinghoff Eric , Stewart Lygia , Rogers Stanley J , Kim Tiffany Y , Carter Jonathan T , Posselt Andrew M , Pasco Courtney , Shoback Dolores M , Black Dennis M
Published: December 2017

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery is a highly effective treatment for obesity but negatively affects the skeleton. Studies of skeletal effects have generally examined areal bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), but DXA may be inaccurate in the setting of marked weight loss. Further, as a result of modestly sized samples of mostly premenopausal women and very few men, effects of RYGB by sex and menopausal status are unknown. We prospectively studied the effects of RYGB on skeletal health, including axial and appendicular volumetric BMD and appendicular bone microarchitecture and estimated strength. Obese adults (N = 48; 27 premenopausal and 11 postmenopausal women, 10 men) with mean ± SD body mass index (BMI) 44 ± 7 kg/m2 were assessed before and 6 and 12 months after RYGB. Participants underwent spine and hip DXA, spine QCT, radius and tibia HR-pQCT, and laboratory evaluation. Mean 12-month weight loss was 37 kg (30% of preoperative weight). Overall median 12-month increase in serum collagen type I C-telopeptide (CTx) was 278% (p < 0.0001), with greater increases in postmenopausal than premenopausal women (p = 0.049). Femoral neck BMD by DXA decreased by mean 5.0% and 8.0% over 6 and 12 months (p < 0.0001). Spinal BMD by QCT decreased by mean 6.6% and 8.1% (p < 0.0001); declines were larger among postmenopausal than premenopausal women (11.6% versus 6.0% at 12 months, p = 0.02). Radial and tibial BMD and estimated strength by HR-pQCT declined. At the tibia, detrimental changes in trabecular microarchitecture were apparent at 6 and 12 months. Cortical porosity increased at the radius and tibia, with more dramatic 12-month increases among postmenopausal than premenopausal women or men at the tibia (51.4% versus 18.3% versus 3.0%, p < 0.01 between groups). In conclusion, detrimental effects of RYGB on axial and appendicular bone mass and microarchitecture are detectable as early as 6 months postoperatively. Postmenopausal women are at highest risk for skeletal consequences and may warrant targeted screening or interventions. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Facile Heterocyclic Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Substituted Isoxazol‐5(4H)‐ones
Authors: Ferouani Ghaniya , Nacer Amina , Ameur Nawal , Bachir Redouane , Ziani‐Cherif Chewki
Published: December 2017

An efficient, simple, and green procedure for the synthesis of isoxazol‐5(4H)‐one derivatives are described here through a convenient one‐pot, three‐component reaction at room temperature. The title compounds are isolated in high to excellent yields and after short reaction times, and are characterized by various spectroscopic methods such as IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR. The synthesized compounds 4a–c and 4e–i were tested for their in vitro activity against a panel of Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, demonstrating their ability to inhibit microorganisms with a zone of inhibition ranging from 15 to 30 mm, minimum inhibitory concentration between 250 and 900 μg/mL, and minimum bacterial concentration between 700 and 1000 μg/mL.
Characterization of natural Yemeni zeolites as powder sorbents for ammonium valorization from domestic waste water streams using high rate activated sludge processes
Authors: Jmayai Amel , Hermassi Mehrez , Alouani Rabeh , Cortina Jose Luis , Amara Abdesslem Ben Hadj
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

In this study three natural Yemeni zeolites (NZ1, NZ2 and NZ3) having major minerals such as clinoptilolite and mordenite, were evaluated as low cost sorbents for the removal and recovery of ammonium ions.

RESULTS

The zeolite samples, with pHPZC = 9.1 ± 0.2, 7.9 ± 0.2 and 7.4 ± 0.2 for NZ1, NZ2 and NZ3, respectively, showed high ammonium sorption capacities. At pH 8, for treated waste waters: (i) with low NH4+ levels (from 25 to 100 mgNH4/L); and (ii) for concentrated NH4+ side streams generated from the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge (from 400 up to 1500 mg L‐1), maximum loading capacities of 27 to 51 mgNH4 g‐1 were measured for the studied zeolites. Measured sorption isotherms, in the concentration range 0.05 to 5 g L‐1, were well described by the Langmuir isotherm. The ammonium sorption kinetics was controlled by particle diffusion and was well described by both the homogeneous diffusion (HPDM) and shell progressive (SPM) models.

CONCLUSION

Comparison of the equilibrium data with results for natural and synthetic zeolites demonstrate the higher performance of the studied zeolites providing low residual ammonium values <1 mgNH4 g‐1 and <10 mgNH4 g‐1 when treating both diluted and concentrated‐NH4+ streams, respectively. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluation of a sequential biotrickling–biofiltration unit for removal of VOCs from the headspace of crude oil storage tanks
Authors: Khoramfar Shooka , Jones Kim D , Boswell James , Ghobadi Jalil , Paca Jan
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Petrochemical refineries and production sites are considered to be the second greatest source of VOC emissions after vehicle exhausts. The feasibility and performance of a novel sequential biotrickling‐biofiltration unit for the treatment of a mixture of VOCs in the headspace of an oil and gas production tank battery was evaluated for three months at the Apache TAMU#2 well storage tank battery in Snook, Texas.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that the main VOC constituents of the headspace of the storage tanks were alkanes along with smaller amounts of aromatics such as benzene, toluene and xylenes. Monitoring results for the biotreatment unit showed an average removal efficiency of 50–60% at an empty bed residence time of 120 s in each tank of the unit. After inoculation of the system with wastewater from a sedimentation basin of a local refinery, the removal efficiency of the system increased dramatically which demonstrated the importance of inoculation to achieve a rapid and successful start‐up in industrial biofilters. The most optimal performance was achieved after 77 days, obtaining the highest elimination capacity of 23 g m‐3 h‐1 at total VOCs loading rate of 39 g m‐3 h‐1.

CONCLUSION

The operation of the field‐scale sequential BTF‐BF unit for more than three months demonstrated the robustness of this technology and the degradation capabilities of a combination of the suspended and attached growth treatment. The project results demonstrated the potential for even more optimization for improved effectiveness of this novel biological treatment technology for removal of highly variable aromatic VOC concentrations. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Magnetic glutamine‐grafted polymer for the sorption of U(VI), Nd(III) and Dy(III)
Authors: Hamza Mohammed F , Abdel‐Rahman Adel A‐H , Guibal Eric
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

The nuclear power industry and other high‐tech industries require increasing quantities of uranium and rare‐earth elements (REEs). There is a need for materials that can competitively recover these metals from ore leachates (such as produced in the leaching of Egyptian ores).

RESULTS

A sorbent based on the chemical grafting of glutamine moieties on a magnetic polyacrylonitrile support was synthesized: polyacrylonitrile, crosslinked with 10% divinyl benzene in the presence of magnetite, was chemically modified by a series of grafting steps to produce a magnetic polyglutamine sorbent (MGLU). The sorbent was characterized by titration, elemental analysis, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier‐transform infra‐red (FTIR) spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The sorption properties were tested as a function of pH; the sorption isotherms were modeled using the Langmuir equation (maximum sorption capacities: 2 mmol U g‐1 and up to 3.5 mmol g‐1 for Nd(III) and Dy(III)). The equilibrium is achieved within 1 h of contact. Metal desorption and sorbent recycling are highly efficient using acidic solutions; sorption/desorption performance remains stable for a minimum of 5 cycles. MGLU was tested for metal binding in multi‐metal solutions at different pH values.

CONCLUSION

This sorbent could be used for the recovery of REEs and uranium from simulated ore leachates. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Humic acid of commercial origin causes changes in gill morphology of silver catfish Rhamdia quelen exposed to acidic water
Authors: da Costa Silvio T. , Gressler Luciane T. , Sutili Fernando J. , Loebens Luíza , Fernandes Marisa N. , Lazzari Rafael , Baldisserotto Bernardo
Published: December 2017

The effect of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) against the burden of low pH was assessed in silver catfish Rhamdia quelen through the gills. A commercial humic acid (HA) was used as the source of DOC at 0 (control), 10, 25, and 50 mg/l. For each HA concentration, two pH levels were tested: 6.5 (control) and 5.5. After 40 days of exposure, the gills were removed and morphological variables were analyzed through light and scanning electronic microscopy. The low water pH caused a reduction in the length of filaments, number of lamellae, and gill respiratory surface area (GRSA) and an increase in chloride cells (CCs) number in the filament epithelium. When HA was added to the test water, GRSA increased and CCs proliferated in lamellae, suggesting ionic and respiratory disturbances. Scanning electronic microscopy revealed that CC morphometric variables, that is, apical area, fractional area, and density, were undisturbed by the pH reduction, but increased in the presence of HA. This study indicates that the commercial HA did not protect silver catfish against low pH stress. Instead, it caused changes that may affect vital processes such as ion regulation and ventilation and, consequently, reduce growth.
The relationship between the adult attachment and the tendency to judge others as liars
Authors: Wu Song , Huang Linjing , Li Jiahui
Published: December 2017

The relationship between 2 dimensions (anxiety and avoidance) of adult attachment and tendency to judge others as liars was examined in this study. We measured 308 participants' adult attachment and tendency to judge others as liars in self‐, other‐, or relationship‐oriented situations. Results supported our hypotheses by showing that (a) anxiety positively predicted the tendency to judge others as liars in self‐oriented situations and (b) avoidance moderated the relationship between anxiety and the tendency to judge others as liars in other‐ and relationship‐oriented situations. Attachment anxiety could positively predict the tendency to judge others as liars only when participants' avoidance was high. Theoretical implications and suggestions for future studies were discussed.
Lack of functional selectin-ligand interactions enhances innate immune resistance to systemic Listeria monocytogenes infection
Authors: Agbayani Gerard , Gurnani Komal , Zafer Ahmed , Sad Subash , Krishnan Lakshmi
Published: December 2017

Selectin-ligand interactions are important for leukocyte homing and functionality. The roles of selectin-ligand interactions in modulating immunity to intracellular infections are not completely understood. Mice lacking the expression of fucosyltransferase-IV and -VII (Fucosyltransferase-IV and -VII double knockout, FtDKO) exhibit deficient functionality of selectin-ligand interactions. We addressed the kinetics of infection and immunity to Listeria monocytogenes (LM), an intracellular pathogen, in FtDKO mice. These mice exhibited enhanced ability to clear infection and increased survival to a lethal dose of LM infection relative to wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J controls. This was associated with increased levels of neutrophils, monocytes, and dendritic cells (DCs) in the blood and/or infected organs. Adoptive transfer of bone marrow (BM) cells from FtDKO mice to WT mice resulted in enhanced neutrophil numbers and improved clearance of LM bacteria in recipients. In vivo depletion of myeloid innate immune cells, particularly neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, and DCs, using anti-Ly-6G (RB6-8C5) monoclonal antibody, reduced the ability of FtDKO mice to curtail LM infection. Nevertheless, depletion using anti-Ly-6G (1A8) known to exclusively deplete neutrophils did not abrogate increased resistance of FtDKO mice to LM infection, suggesting a role for other myeloid innate immune cells in this model. Examination of BM hematopoietic progenitors through flow cytometry and cell culture colony-forming unit assay showed increased frequencies of granulocyte-macrophage progenitors in FtDKO relative to WT mice, Overall, our results indicate that functional selectin ligand deficiency enhances innate immune-mediated resistance to systemic LM infection despite defective leukocyte migration and lymphocyte homing.
Quantitative intravoxel incoherent motion parameters derived from whole‐tumor volume for assessing pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Xu Qiaoyu , Xu Yanyan , Sun Hongliang , Chan Queenie , Shi Kaining , Song Aiping , Wang Wu
Published: December 2017

Background

Many locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients can benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), with some achieving a pathological complete response (pCR). However, there is limited research reporting on the value of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) in monitoring pCR in patients with LARC.

Purpose

To identify whether IVIM parameters derived from whole‐tumor volume (WTV) before and after NACT could accurately assess pCR in patients with LARC.

Study Type

Prospective patient control study.

Population

Fifty‐one patients with LARC before and after NACT, prior to surgery.

Field Strength/Sequence

IVIM‐diffusion imaging at 3T.

Assessment

Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), slow diffusion coefficient (D), fast diffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion‐related diffusion fraction (f) values were obtained on diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance images (DW‐MRI) using WTV methods and calculated using a biexponential model before and after NACT.

Statistical Tests

DWI‐derived ADC and IVIM‐derived parameters and their percentage changes (ΔADC%, ΔD%, ΔD*%, and Δf%) were compared using independent‐samples t‐test and Mann–Whitney U‐test between the pCR and non‐pCR groups. The diagnostic performance of IVIM parameters and their percentage changes were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

Compared with the non‐pCR group, the pCR group exhibited significantly lower pre‐ADCmean (P = 0.003) and pre‐D values (P = 0.024), and significantly higher post‐f (P = 0.002), ΔADCmean% (P = 0.002), ΔD% (P = 0.001), and Δf% values (P = 0.017). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the pre‐D value had the best specificity (95.12%) and accuracy (86.27%) in predicting the pCR status, and ΔD% had the highest area under the curve (0.832) in assessing the pCR response to NACT.

Data Conclusions

The IVIM‐derived D value is a promising tool in predicting the pCR status before therapy. The percentage changes in D values after therapy may help assess the pCR status prior to surgery.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017.
Determination of macrolide antibiotics residues in pork using molecularly imprinted dispersive solid‐phase extraction coupled with LC–MS/MS
Authors: Song Xuqin , Zhou Tong , Li Jiufeng , Su Yijuan , Xie Jingmeng , He Limin
Published: December 2017

A class‐specific macrolide molecularly imprinted polymer was synthesized by precipitation polymerization using tulathromycin as the template and methacrylic acid as the functional monomer. The polymers revealed different specific adsorption and imprinting factor for macrolides with different spatial arrangement of side chains as well as lactonic ring size. And the molecularly imprinted polymer possessed maximum adsorption capacity (54.1 mg/g) and highest imprinting factor (2.4) toward 15‐membered ring azithromycin. On the basis of molecularly imprinted polymer dispersive solid‐phase extraction, a rapid, selective, and reproducible method for simultaneous determination of seven macrolide antibiotics residues in pork was established by using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. At spiking levels of 5, 10, 25, and 100 μg/kg, average recoveries of seven macrolides ranged from 68.6 to 95.5% with intraday and interday relative standard deviations below 8%. The limits of detection and limits of quantification were 0.2–0.5 and 0.5–2.0 μg/kg, respectively.
Sol–gel niobia sorbent with a positively charged octadecyl ligand providing enhanced enrichment of nucleotides and organophosphorus pesticides in capillary microextraction for online HPLC analysis
Authors: Kesani Sheshanka , Malik Abdul
Published: December 2017

A niobia‐based sol–gel organic–inorganic hybrid sorbent carrying a positively charged C18 ligand (Nb2O5‐C18(+ve)) was synthesized to achieve enhanced enrichment capability in capillary microextraction of organophosphorus compounds (which include organophosphorus pesticides and nucleotides) before their online analysis by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The sorbent was designed to simultaneously provide three different types of molecular level interactions: electrostatic, Lewis acid–base, and van der Waals interactions. To understand relative contributions of various molecular level analyte–sorbent interactions in the extraction process, two other sol–gel niobia sorbents were also created: (a) a purely inorganic sol–gel niobia sorbent (Nb2O5) and (b) an organic–inorganic hybrid sol–gel niobia sorbent carrying an electrically neutral‐bonded octadecyl ligand (Nb2O5‐C18). The extraction efficiency of the created sol–gel niobia sorbent (Nb2O5‐C18 (+ve)) was compared with that of analogously designed and synthesized titania‐based sol–gel sorbent (TiO2‐C18 (+ve)), taking into consideration that titania‐based sorbents present state‐of‐the‐art extraction media for organophosphorus compounds. In capillary microextraction with high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis, Nb2O5‐C18 (+ve) had shown 40–50% higher specific extraction values (a measure of extraction efficiency) over that of TiO2‐C18 (+ve). Compared to TiO2‐C18(+ve), Nb2O5‐C18(+ve) also provided superior analyte desorption efficiency (96 vs. 90%) during the online release of the extracted organophosphorus pesticides from the sorbent coating in the capillary microextraction capillary to the chromatographic column using reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography mobile phase.
β‐Cyclodextrin polymer@Fe3O4 based magnetic solid‐phase extraction coupled with HPLC for the determination of benzoylurea insecticides from honey, tomato, and environmental water samples
Authors: Liang Xinyu , Ma Ruiyang , Hao Lin , Wang Chun , Wu Qiuhua , Wang Zhi
Published: December 2017

In this work, a magnetic β‐cyclodextrin polymer was successfully prepared and used as an adsorbent for the magnetic solid‐phase extraction of six benzoylurea insecticides (diflubenzuron, triflumuron, hexaflumuron, teflubenzuron, flufenoxuron, and chlorfluazuron) from honey, tomato, and environmental water samples. The influence of the main experimental conditions on the extraction was studied. Under the optimized conditions, the β‐cyclodextrin polymer@Fe3O4 showed an excellent extraction performance for the benzoylurea insecticides. A good linearity was obtained for the analytes in the range of 3.0–800 ng/g for honey samples, 0.3–160 ng/g for tomato samples, and 0.1–80.0 ng/mL for water samples, with the correlation coefficients above 0.9998. Satisfactory repeatabilities were achieved, with the relative standard deviations less than 5.7%. The limits of detection (S/N = 3) of the method for the benzoylurea insecticides were 0.2–0.8 ng/g for honey samples, 0.04–0.10 ng/g for tomato samples, and 0.02–0.05 ng /mL for water samples. The method was successfully used for the determination of the six benzoylurea insecticides residues in honey, tomato, and environmental water samples with a satisfactory result.
Resident Accuracy of Musculoskeletal Palpation With Ultrasound Verification
Authors: Mehta Priyesh , Rand Ethan B. , Visco Christopher J. , Wyss James
Published: December 2017

Objectives

The purpose of this observational study was to determine the accuracy of musculoskeletal palpation of the medial joint line of the knee, medial patellar tendon, and posterior tibialis tendon verified by ultrasound imaging among physical medicine and rehabilitation residents.

Methods

Eighteen physical medicine and rehabilitation resident physicians at a single specialized institution were asked to identify the medial joint line of the knee, medial patellar tendon, and posterior tibialis tendon on 2 separate standardized patient models during a single data collection. They were asked to place a paper clip flat on the surface of the skin parallel to the specified anatomic structure. A high‐frequency linear array transducer was used to identify whether the paper clip was correctly placed over the structures and to measure the distance from the intended structure.

Results

The accuracy rates for palpation of the medial joint line, medial patellar tendon, and posterior tibialis tendon in both models were 14%, 36%, and 28%, respectively, for all levels of residents. Accuracy rates for all of the structures by level of education were 19%, 29%, and 31% for postgraduate years 2, 3, and 4. Median confidence scores were 3.75, 3.5, and 2 for the medial joint line, medial patellar tendon, and posterior tibialis tendon.

Conclusions

This study highlights the level of inaccuracy of musculoskeletal palpation skills and draws further attention to an area of much‐needed improvement in our musculoskeletal residency training programs. Ultrasound imaging is an effective noninvasive method for providing swift feedback to medical students and residents and thereby reduce the instances of inaccurate musculoskeletal palpation.