bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extinguishment of hydrocarbon pool fires by ultrafine water mist with ammonium/amidogen compound in an improved cup burner
Authors: Liang Tianshui , Li Runwan , Li Jing , Xu Yanyan , Zhong Wei , Zhao Jun , Lo Siuming
Published: June 2018

Ultrafine water mist (UFWM) (<10 μm), as a total flooding agent, has been proven to overcome obstructions in extinguishing fire. To examine the efficacy of UFWM extinguishing pool fires and reveal the primary fire extinguishing mechanisms of heat adsorption, a predictive model of minimum extinguishing concentration (MEC) is developed based on heat extraction, and the experimental data of MECs were obtained with an improved cup burner. The contribution of heat adsorption is about 25% to 50%, and turbulence effect also plays an important role in extinguishing fire. To improve fire inhibition effectiveness of UFWM by turbulence effect, CO (NH2)2, NH4HCO3, and (NH4)2HPO4 were selected as additives; KCl and KH2PO4 were also chosen for comparison purpose. It is discovered that CO (NH2)2 and (NH4)2HPO4 in the low concentrations can improve the fire extinction effectiveness except NH4HCO3. CO (NH2)2 has the most contribution to fire extinction at the optimum concentration (about 0.01 mol L−1 for n‐heptane fire and 0.03 mol L−1 for ethanol fire). Moreover, CO (NH2)2 (at 0.03 mol L−1) was dramatically better than KH2PO4 in extinguishing ethanol fire, and its effect is very close to that of KCl (at 0.067 mol L−1) for ethanol fire.
Ancestry and Adaptation of Rainbow Trout in Yosemite National Park
Authors: Pearse Devon E , Campbell Matthew A
Published: June 2018

California's Central Valley contains an abundance of rivers with historical and potential productivity for anadromous salmonids, which are currently limited by impacts such as dams, water diversions, and high temperatures. We surveyed genetic variation in Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss within the upper Tuolumne and Merced rivers in and around Yosemite National Park to evaluate both population origins (ancestry) and the evolutionary response to natural and artificial barriers to migration (adaptation). This analysis revealed that despite extensive stocking with hatchery Rainbow Trout strains throughout the study area, most populations retained largely indigenous ancestry. Adaptive genomic variation associated with anadromy was distributed throughout the study area, with higher frequencies observed in populations connected to reservoirs that are known to support adfluvial life history variants. Fish in southern Central Valley rivers experience temperatures near the upper thermal limit for salmonids and represent an important reservoir of genomic diversity for adaptation to climate change. These results highlight the importance of local adaptation as well as the potential for resident Rainbow Trout populations above barrier dams to contribute to the recovery of steelhead (anadromous Rainbow Trout) once migratory connectivity is restored between upstream spawning and rearing habitats and the ocean.
A subregion‐based burden test for simultaneous identification of susceptibility loci and subregions within
Authors: Zhu Bin , Mirabello Lisa , Chatterjee Nilanjan
Published: June 2018

In rare variant association studies, aggregating rare and/or low frequency variants, may increase statistical power for detection of the underlying susceptibility gene or region. However, it is unclear which variants, or class of them, in a gene contribute most to the association. We proposed a subregion‐based burden test (REBET) to simultaneously select susceptibility genes and identify important underlying subregions. The subregions are predefined by shared common biologic characteristics, such as the protein domain or functional impact. Based on a subset‐based approach considering local correlations between combinations of test statistics of subregions, REBET is able to properly control the type I error rate while adjusting for multiple comparisons in a computationally efficient manner. Simulation studies show that REBET can achieve power competitive to alternative methods when rare variants cluster within subregions. In two case studies, REBET is able to identify known disease susceptibility genes, and more importantly pinpoint the unreported most susceptible subregions, which represent protein domains essential for gene function. R package REBET is available at https://dceg.cancer.gov/tools/analysis/rebet.
Effect of android fat distribution on thrombin‐activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Mendonça‐Louzeiro Maria R.M.F. , Andrade Kleber C. , Yela Daniela A. , Benetti‐Pinto Cristina L.
Published: June 2018

Central obesity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, assessed clinically and by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry, may directly affect the hemostatic parameter thrombin‐activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor, suggesting a state of hypercoagulability.
Rs4759314 polymorphism located in HOTAIR is associated with the risk of congenital heart disease by alternating downstream signaling via reducing its expression
Authors: Li Yunyun , Zhao Wenrong , Shi Ri , Jia Jun , Li Xiaona , Cheng Jingxin
Published: June 2018

Our study was aimed to investigate the mechanism of rs4759314 located in HOTAIR involved in congenital heart disease. Luciferase assay was performed to evaluate whether rs4759314 affected the transcription efficiency of HOTAIR promoter, and confirm miR‐545 target gene. Real‐time PCR, Western‐blot and IHC were carried out to investigate the relationship among HOTAIR, EGFR, p‐ERK, P‐P38 MAPK. MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis were performed to detect the effect of HOTAIR on cell viability and apoptosis. The presence of G allele of the polymorphism located in HOTAIR promoted transcription activity of HOTAIR promoter. Furthermore, HOTAIR inhibited miR‐545 expression. EGFR was identified as a virtual target gene of miR‐545 using bioinformatics analysis, and miR‐545 apparently decreased luciferase activity of wild‐type EGFR 3′UTR, while miR‐545 had no effect on luciferase activity of mutant EGFR 3′UTR. HOTAIR and EGFR were lowly expressed, while miR‐545 was highly expressed in VSD group. Higher levels of HOTAIR and ECFR, while a lower level of miR‐545 were observed in AG than AA groups. Regulatory relationships between HOTAIR and miR‐545, as well as EGFR and miR‐545 were found to be negatively correlated, with the negative correlation coefficient being −0.49 and −0.46, respectively. HOTAIR evidently increased EGFR p‐ERK and P‐P38 MAPK expression levels, moreover HOTAIR substantially promoted cell viability, and inhibited cell apoptosis. In this study, we suggested the possible relation between the rs4759314 polymorphism and the risk of congenital heart disease, and explored the deregulation of HOTAIR/miR‐545/EGFR/MAPK signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of congenital heart disease.
IL‐1β promotes the nuclear translocaiton of S100A4 protein in gastric cancer cells MGC803 and the cell's stem‐like properties through PI3K pathway
Authors: Yu Aiwen , Wang Yu , Bian Yue , Chen Lisha , Guo Junfu , Shen Wei , Chen Danqi , Liu Shanshan , Sun Xiuju
Published: June 2018

It has been shown that nuclear expression of S100A4 is significantly correlated with increased metastasis and reduced survival in patients with gastric cancer and many other cancers. However, the factors which could influence the nuclear contents of S100A4 in cancer cells are not clear. It has also been reported that Interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) promotes the nuclear translocation of S100A4 in chondrocytes. Previous studies have shown that IL‐1β promotes the stemness of colon cancer cells, and S100A4 is also involved in maintaining cancer‐initiating cells in head and neck cancers. We speculate that IL‐1β might promote the nuclear translocation of S100A4 protein in MGC803 gastric cancer cells and therefore enhance their stem‐like properties. The results from Western‐blot and qRT‐PCR analysis showed that IL‐1β increased the nuclear and total cellular content of S100A4 protein and S100A4 mRNA level in MGC803 cells. LY294002, a pharmacological inhibitor of Phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) reversed the above effects. Functional studies indicated that IL‐1β promoted the colony‐forming and spheroid‐forming capabilities of the cells and the expression of SOX2 and NANOG gene. PI3K or S100A4 inhibition reversed the IL‐1β‐mediated increase in colony and spheroid‐forming capabilities of the cells. LY294002 also reversed the elevated SOX2 and NANOG expression induced by IL‐1β. Our study demonstrated that IL‐1β promote the nuclear translocation of S100A4 protein in gastric cancer cells MGC803, which are PI3K dependent, suggesting the existence of IL‐1β‐PI3K‐S100A4 pathway for the first time. The study also showed that IL‐1β promoted stem‐like properties of the cells through the new pathway.
Bone mesenchymal stem cells pretreated with erythropoietin enhance the effect to ameliorate cyclosporine A‐induced nephrotoxicity in rats
Authors: Zhou Song , Liu Yong‐guang , Zhang Ya , Hu Jian‐min , Liu Ding , Chen Hua , Li Min , Guo Ying , Fan Li‐pei , Li Liu‐Yang , Zhao Ming
Published: June 2018

An increasing number of experiments and clinical trials have demonstrated the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)‐based therapies for the treatment of various diseases. The main drawbacks of MSC therapy are the lack of specific homing after systemic infusion and early death of injected cells because of the injury micro‐environment. We pretreated bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) with erythropoietin (EPO) to investigate their positive effect on cyclosporine A (CsA)‐induced nephrotoxicity. BMSCs were incubated with different concentrations of EPO (10, 100, 500, and 1000 IU/mL) for 24 and 48 h, and their proliferation rate, cytoskeletal morphology, migration ability, and the expression of CXCR4 were evaluated to determine the optimal pretreatment conditions. To investigate the therapeutic effects of BMSCs pretreated with EPO in CsA‐induced nephrotoxicity, we established CsA‐induced in vitro and in vivo toxicity models. In our in vitro study, preconditioning of BMSCs with 500 IU/mL EPO for 48 h induced a marked increase in their proliferation rate, cytoskeletal rearrangement, migration in the scrape‐healing assay, and migration toward injured HK2 cells. In vivo, EPO‐BMSCs showed higher ability to improve renal function than BMSCs, and in CsA‐induced rats treated with EPO‐BMSCs, interstitial lymphocyte infiltration, tubular swelling, necrosis, and interstitial fibrosis decreased. We demonstrated that pretreatment with 500 IU/mL EPO before infusion markedly increased the homing ability of BMSCs, and obviously ameliorate CsA‐induced nephrotoxicity in rats.
Protein phenotype diagnosis of autosomal dominant calmodulin mutations causing irregular heart rhythms
Authors: Shaik Noor A. , Awan Zuhier A. , Verma Prashant K. , Elango Ramu , Banaganapalli Babajan
Published: June 2018

The life‐threatening group of irregular cardiac rhythmic disorders also known as Cardiac Arrhythmias (CA) are caused by mutations in highly conserved Calmodulin (CALM/CaM) genes. Herein, we present a multidimensional approach to diagnose changes in phenotypic, stability, and Ca2+ ion binding properties of CA‐causing mutations. Mutation pathogenicity was determined by diverse computational machine learning approaches. We further modeled the mutations in 3D protein structure and analyzed residue level phenotype plasticity. We have also examined the influence of torsion angles, number of H‐bonds, and free energy dynamics on the stability, near‐native simulation dynamic potential of residue fluctuations in protein structures, Ca2+ ion binding potentials, of CaM mutants. Our study recomends to use M‐CAP method for measuring the pathogenicity of CA causing CaM variants. Interestingly, most CA‐causing variants we analyzed, exists in either third (V/H‐96, S/I‐98, V‐103) or fourth (G/V‐130, V/E/H‐132, H‐134, P‐136, G‐141, and L‐142) EF‐hands located in carboxyl domains of the CaM molecule. We observed that the minor structural fluctuations caused by these variants are likely tolerable owing to the highly flexible nature of calmodulin's globular domains. However, our molecular docking results supports that these variants disturb the affinity of CaM toward Ca2+ ions and corroborate previous findings from functional studies. Taken together, these computational findings can explain the molecular reasons for subtle changes in structure, flexibility, and stability aspects of mutant CaM molecule. Our comprehensive molecular scanning approach demonstrates the utility of computational methods in quick preliminary screening of CA‐ CaM mutations before undertaking time consuming and complicated functional laboratory assays.
Retracted: Efficacy of different drugs in the treatment of minimal hepatic encephalopathy: A network meta‐analysis involving 826 patients based on 10 randomized controlled trials
Authors: Cai Xiao‐Jun , Wang Lei , Hu Chun‐Mei
Published: June 2018

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE), a complex neuropsychological complication of cirrhosis, is characterized by delayed reaction time and the inhibition of abnormal response. This network meta‐analysis (NMA) was adopted to compare the efficacy of five drugs including lactulose, probiotics, rifaximin, acetyl‐L‐carnitine (ALC), and L‐Ornithine L‐aspartate (LOLA) in the treatment of MHE. The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase databases were searched for any existing entail on these five drugs from the inception to February 2018, including Randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The NMA of the five drugs, accounting for both direct and indirect comparisons to assess WMD (weighted mean difference) and SUCRA (surface under the cumulative ranking curves) was conducted. In total, 10 RTCS with 826 MHE patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the NMA. The meta‐analysis revealed that compared with placebo, lactulose, and probiotics had better efficacy in reducing ammonia serum levels and total SIP (Sickness Impact Profil) score; ALC had better efficacy in lowering serum level of ammonia and increasing the serum level of albumin; rifaximin and LOLA had better efficacy in reducing total SIP score. The results from SUCRA revealed that in terms of ammonia and albumin serums, ALC presented with the highest rankings when it comes to efficacy (serum ammonia: 87.2%; serum albumin: 92.25%). Hence, the key findings from the present study highly suggested that ALC had the best efficacy in the treatment of MHE patients.
Long noncoding RNA lung cancer associated transcript 1 promotes proliferation and invasion of clear cell renal cell carcinoma cells by negatively regulating miR‐495‐3p
Authors: Wang Li‐Na , Zhu Xin‐Qing , Song Xi‐Shuang , Xu Yong
Published: June 2018

Recently, long noncoding RNAs have emerged as new gene regulators and prognostic markers in several cancers, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Here, we focused on the long noncoding RNA lung cancer associated transcript 1 (LUCAT1) based on clear cell RCC (ccRCC) the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) data. However, whether aberrant expression of LUCAT1 in ccRCC is correlated with malignancy, metastasis or prognosis has not been elucidated. In the current study, we found that the expression of LUCAT1 was upregulated in ccRCC tissues and cancer cell lines. Upregulated LUCAT1 was positively correlated with larger tumor size, advanced tumor‐node‐metastasis (TNM) stage, higher smoking frequency, nodal metastasis and shorter overall survival in patients with ccRCC. Inhibition of LUCAT1 by small interfering RNA reduced cell proliferation and invasion of ccRCC cells in vitro. In vivo assay showed that the tumor volume and weight were lower in the group of LUCAT1 inhibition than that in the control group. We then found that LUCAT1 directly bound and inhibited the expression of micoRNA‐495‐3p (miR‐495‐3p), which subsequently regulated the expression of special adenine‐thymine (AT)‐rich DNA‐binding protein 1 (SATB1). Collectively, LUCAT1 was critical for proliferation and invasion of ccRCC cells by regulating miR‐495‐3p and SATB1. Our findings indicated that LUCAT1 and miR‐495‐3p may offer potential novel therapeutic targets of treatment of ccRCC.
Conversion of ethyl levulinate to γ‐valerolactone catalyzed by the new Zr‐containing organic–inorganic hybrid catalysts
Authors: Wang Ruiying , Wang Jianjia , Zi Huimin , Wang Haijun , Xia Yongmei , Liu Xiang
Published: June 2018

Three novel heterogeneous Zr‐containing organic–inorganic hybrid catalysts were prepared for the transfer hydrogenation of biomass‐derived ethyl levulinate (EL) to γ‐valerolactone (GVL) with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) as the hydrogen donor and were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), Temperature‐programmed desorption (TPD), Thermogravimetry (TG), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). On their basis, the effects of temperature, time, the amount of catalyst, and the solvent were investigated on the yield of GVL. A GVL yield of 96.5% with 99% EL conversion was obtained using Zr‐Pg, which was prepared by the reaction of ZrCl4 and phloroglucinol (Pg) in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) at room temperature. The high catalytic activity may be attributed to the strong basicity, which was increased by the sufficient quantity of phenate in the structure of Zr‐Pg. Meanwhile, Zr‐Pg could be efficiently and easily recycled at least five times without any notable loss of activity and selectivity. Through the results of comparative experiments and characterization, we propose a plausible reaction mechanism for the high activity of Zr‐Pg.
Understanding the social context of adolescent nonsuicidal self‐injury
Authors: Victor Sarah E. , Klonsky Elisha David
Published: June 2018

Objective

Research investigating the social context of adolescent nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) has been limited. We therefore examined social characteristics of NSSI, such as knowledge of friends’ NSSI and the role friends play in continuing NSSI, and their relationships to other known NSSI correlates, such as suicidality.

Method

We assessed NSSI characteristics, including social features, in a community sample of 89 self‐injuring adolescents. We also assessed psychosocial correlates of NSSI, including impulsivity, self‐concept, and psychiatric symptoms.

Results

Knowledge of friends’ NSSI was relatively common among self‐injurers. In addition, knowledge of friends’ NSSI was associated with use of more NSSI methods, cutting behaviors, and suicidal ideation, but not with other NSSI correlates. However, teaching or encouragement of NSSI by friends was rare.

Conclusions

Knowledge of friends’ NSSI may serve as marker of increased severity among adolescent self‐injurers. These findings have implications for identifying and intervening with high‐risk self‐injuring youth.
Hypoxia negatively affects senescence in osteoclasts and delays osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Gorissen Ben , de Bruin Alain , Miranda‐Bedate Alberto , Korthagen Nicoline , Wolschrijn Claudia , de Vries Teun J. , van Weeren René , Tryfonidou Marianna A.
Published: June 2018

Cellular senescence, that is, the withdrawal from the cell cycle, combined with the acquirement of the senescence associated secretory phenotype has important roles during health and disease and is essential for tissue remodeling during embryonic development. Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells, responsible for bone resorption, and cell cycle arrest during osteoclastogenesis is well recognized. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether these cells should be considered senescent and to assess the influence of hypoxia on their potential senescence status. Osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption capacity of osteoclasts, cultured from CD14+ monocytes, were evaluated in two oxygen concentrations, normoxia (21% O2) and hypoxia (5% O2). Osteoclasts were profiled by using specific staining for proliferation and senescence markers, qPCR of a number of osteoclast and senescence‐related genes and a bone resorption assay. Results show that during in vitro osteoclastogenesis, osteoclasts heterogeneously obtain a senescent phenotype. Furthermore, osteoclastogenesis was delayed at hypoxic compared to normoxic conditions, without negatively affecting the bone resorption capacity. It is concluded that osteoclasts can be considered senescent, although senescence is not uniformly present in the osteoclast population. Hypoxia negatively affects the expression of some senescence markers. Based on the direct relationship between senescence and osteoclastogenesis, it is tempting to hypothesize that contents of the so‐called senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP) not only play a functional role in matrix resorption, but also may regulate osteoclastogenesis.
Retracted: Effects of RNA interference‐mediated silencing of toll‐like receptor 4 gene on proliferation and apoptosis of human breast cancer MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells: An in vitro study
Authors: Gao Xiao‐Ling , Yang Jiao‐Jiao , Wang Shu‐Juan , Chen Yan , Wang Bei , Cheng Er‐Jing , Gong Jian‐Nan , Dong Yan‐Ting , Liu Dai , Wang Xiang‐Li , Huang Ya‐Qiong , An Dong‐Dong
Published: June 2018

Breast cancer is known as the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide, and has an undeniable negative impact on public health, both physically, and mentally. This study aims to investigate the effects of toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene silencing on proliferation and apoptosis of human breast cancer cells to explore for a new theoretical basis for its treatment. TLR4 small interference RNA (siRNA) fragment recombinant plasmids were constructed, including TLR4 siRNA‐1, TLR4 siRNA‐2, and TLR4 siRNA‐3. Human breast cancer MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells were assigned into blank, negative control (NC), TLR4 siRNA‐1, TLR4 siRNA‐2, and TLR4 siRNA‐3 groups. MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cell growth was detected by MTT assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle were determined by flow cytometry. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and Western blot analysis were conducted to determine the expression of TLR4, CDK4, cyclin D1, Livin, Bcl‐2, p53, c‐FLIP, and caspase‐3. In comparison with the NC and blank groups, the TLR4 siRNA‐1, TLR4 siRNA‐2, and TLR4 siRNA‐3 groups showed decreased the expression of TLR4, inhibited proliferation of MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells and promoted MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cell apoptosis, and the cells were blocked in G1 phase. In comparison with the NC and blank groups, in the TLR4 siRNA‐1, TLR4 siRNA‐2, and TLR4 siRNA‐3 groups, siRNA‐TLR4 significantly increased expression of p53 and caspase‐3 in MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells, while it decreased the expressions of CDK4, cyclinD1, Livin, Bal‐2, and c‐FLIP. The study demonstrates that TLR4 gene silencing inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells.
Strategies for directed and adapted evolution as part of microbial strain engineering
Authors: Zhou Shenghu , Alper Hal S
Published: June 2018

The industrial production of chemicals by microorganisms usually requires improvements to the enzymes, pathways, and strain that go beyond the capacity of innate enzymes. To achieve these phenotypes and overcome our limited capacity to de novo design these parts, directed and adaptive evolutionary approaches are used to explore new functions. This review highlights the recent advances in both sequence diversity generation and selection strategies from traditional in vitro mutagenesis to novel in vivo continuous evolution applications. The focus here is on comparison of the different gene diversity methods in an attempt to distinguish the best strategy for protein or strain engineering for a given goal. Furthermore, the important role that screening and selection can play in advancing directed and adapted evolution is discussed. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Transient lightning response of grounding grids in a horizontal, multilayered soil model that considers soil ionization effects with time‐domain quasi‐static complex images
Authors: Li Zhong‐Xin , Rao Shao‐Wei
Published: June 2018

A novel mathematical model is proposed that can accurately calculate the lightning current distribution and lightning impulse response of a grounding horizontal grid with a vertical rod embedded in a horizontal, multilayered earth model, under the consideration of soil‐ionization effects. To improve the computational efficiency, a quasi‐static complex image method and the closed form of the time‐domain Green's function were introduced into the model.
Medication therapy management services in emergency and ambulatory care of Gondar University Hospital, northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Abegaz Tadesse M. , Bhagavathula Akshaya S. , Tefera Yonas G. , Belachew Sewunet A. , Tegegn Henok G.
Published: June 2018

Background

Clinical pharmacists (CP) providing medication therapy management (MTM) services have shown significant positive therapeutic outcomes by identifying and resolving patients’ drug therapy problems (DTPs).

Objective

Thus, the aim of the study is to evaluate and characterise the type of interventions provided by CPs through MTM services in emergency and ambulatory settings in Gondar University Hospital (GUH), northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

This is a prospective cross‐sectional study carried out in emergency and ambulatory settings during February–July 2015 at GUH, Ethiopia. The CP interventions documented through MTM services were collected and analysed using SPSS version 22. A p‐value ≤0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

A total of 182 patients with 335 interventions were recorded, of which the majority were from the ambulatory ward (63.1%) particularly, cardiovascular patients (25.8%). CPs identified at least one DTP per patient, such as ‘need for additional drug therapy’ (30.5%) and ‘unnecessary drug therapy’ (29.5%). The interventions provided by CPs were providing information (32.5%), start/stop medications (25.7%), alteration of duration, frequency and dosage (11.6%). Of 335 interventions, 257 (76.7%) were accepted by physicians. CP interventions were about four times more likely to be accepted by physicians in patients with comorbidities (adjusted odds ratio = 3.70, 95% CI = 1.959–6.99) than those with no comorbidity.

Conclusion

CP interventions through MTM documentations revealed identification of patient drug‐related problems and have shown acceptance by the majority of physicians. We recommend the use of MTM services in other wards of the GUH.
Generation of antibacterial peptides from crude cheese whey using pepsin and rennet enzymes at various pH conditions
Authors: Elbarbary Hend A , Ejima Akika , Sato Kenji
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

The current study aimed to prepare antimicrobial agents for food preservation from crude cheese whey. Crude cheese whey was digested with porcine pepsin, and calf and fungal rennets at various pHs. The digests were assessed for antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.

RESULTS

The calf rennet digest at pH 3.0 showed the highest antibacterial activity. Three antibacterial peptides that acted against B. subtilis lactoferrin f(20–30), and β‐lactoglobulin f(14–22) and f(92–103) were identified in the calf rennet digest. Only lactoferrin f(20–30) also exerted bactericidal activity against E. coli. LC–MS/MS analysis revealed that the three peptides were generated by the porcine pepsin at pH 2.5, whereas the calf rennet generated them at a wider pH (pH 2.5–3.5). Fungal rennet generated only β‐lactoglobulin f14‐22 at pH 3.5. The pepsin and calf rennet digests at pH 2.5 and 3.0, respectively, reduced the E. coli and B. subtilis populations by approximately 2 log at 6000 µg mL−1 in milk at 4 °C.

CONCLUSION

The calf rennet and porcine pepsin digests of cheese whey, at a specific acidic pH, which can be prepared from food‐grade materials, have the potential to be used as natural food preservatives due to the presence of the three antibacterial peptides. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
On the hydrolysis mechanisms of amides and peptides
Authors: East Allan L. L.
Published: June 2018

Here the possibility is raised that peptide hydrolysis, in the absence of catalysis by proteases or buffers, may still have a self‐catalyzing mechanism that differs from ordinary amide hydrolysis. Second, an attempt is made to clarify the ongoing confusion in the computational chemistry literature regarding the rate‐limiting step in ordinary amide hydrolysis. Third, Gibbs activation energies (free‐energy barriers) for formamide hydrolysis are derived from rate constants and presented under different concentration conventions, for ease of comparison to values from computational chemistry predictions past and future.
Immediate versus delayed reconstruction of head and neck cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Quimby Alexandra E. , Khalil Diana , Johnson‐Obaseki Stephanie
Published: June 2018

Objective

Controversy exists regarding the surgical management of cutaneous melanoma and the optimal timing of reconstruction. One approach to ensuring an oncologically sound outcome is a two‐stage procedure, with reconstruction delayed for negative permanent section margins. Alternatively, a single‐stage excision with immediate reconstruction is advantageous because it limits both resource use and patient morbidity from multiple procedures. We sought to examine available published data on the oncologic outcomes associated with immediate versus delayed reconstruction of cutaneous melanoma in the head and neck region.

Methods

We performed a systematic review using EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, and PubMed. We examined all English‐language studies reporting oncologic outcomes (positive margins and/or local recurrence rates) of single‐stage or delayed reconstruction of cutaneous melanoma in the head and neck region. Our primary outcomes of interest were rates of positive margins requiring re‐excision and rates of local recurrence. A total of 1,557 studies were screened by three independent reviewers.

Results

Nine studies met inclusion criteria for final analysis. Two of the nine studies directly compared immediate versus delayed reconstruction and demonstrated lower rates of positive margins in the immediate reconstruction group (odds ratio 3.7, [95% CI 0. 79–17. 34]).

Conclusion

There are a paucity of studies directly comparing oncologic outcomes associated with immediate versus delayed reconstruction following excision of head and neck cutaneous melanoma. Based on a limited amount of heterogeneous data, single‐stage excision with immediate reconstruction may be an oncologically sound alternative to delayed reconstruction for head and neck cutaneous melanoma.

Level of Evidence

3a. Laryngoscope, 2566–2572, 2018
High Performance Low Dielectric Constant Polymer with Good Film‐Forming Ability Developed from Renewable Plant Oil (Anethole)
Authors: Tao Yangqing , Zhou Junfeng , Wang Jiajia , Wang Yuanqiang , Sun Jing , Fang Qiang
Published: June 2018

A new polymer showing low dielectric constant and good film‐forming ability derived from a renewable plant oil (anethole) and thermo cross‐linkable benzocyclobutene is developed. This polymer with anethole content of more than 50% is prepared through a thermal cross‐linking reaction of an anethole‐based monomer with active benzocyclobutene unit, and it displays a low dielectric constant of less than 2.70 varying from 0.1 to 30 MHz, low water uptake of below 0.1%, and good thermostability (5% weight loss of up to 430 °C). The polymer film also exhibits high transparency and low surface roughness. These results are comparable to that of the commercial benzocyclobutene‐based high performance polymers widely used in electronic/microelectronic industry, suggesting that the renewable anethole could be considered as a new sustainable feedstock supply to produce the benzocyclobutene‐like high performance materials.
Imaging‐Guided pHe and Glutathione Dual Responsive Polypeptide Nanogel for Smart Drug Delivery
Authors: Jing Titao , Li Tuanwei , Ruan Zheng , Cheng Quan , Yan Lifeng
Published: June 2018

A negatively charged polypeptide nanogel, near‐infrared (NIR) cyanine dye (Cy5.5) conjugated and 2,3‐dimethylmaleic anhydride (DMA) modified poly‐l‐lysine‐co‐l‐cystine (CDPLC), is synthesized and is used as an imaging‐guided sequential drug delivery system. The CDPLC nanogel can respond to two general stimulations in sequence: extracellular tumor acidic microenvironment pHe (6.8–6.5) and intracellular high concentration glutathione (GSH). Under pHe, the DMA shell of the nanogel is removed and a charge reversal takes place, resulting in positively charged nanogel which can be internalized by cancer cells easily. Once internalized into tumor cells, the increased intracellular GSH concentration further promotes DOX release from the nanogel and DOX is enriched to the nucleus. Cy5.5 is conjugated to the nanogel as an NIR fluorescent probe, making it possible for imaging‐guided drug delivery, which is confirmed by the MTT and confocal laser scanning microscopy via in vitro experiments. The as‐prepared nanogel is a potential theranostic for cancer therapy.
Morphology and Crystallization of Biobased Polyamide 56 Blended with Polyethylene Terephthalate
Authors: Yan Yurong , Gooneie Ali , Ye Haixian , Deng Lingli , Qiu Zhiming , Reifler Felix A. , Hufenus Rudolf
Published: June 2018

This study attempts to promote biobased polyamide 56 (PA56) as a sustainable candidate to replace commercial PA6 and PA66 when blended with polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of the blends with different PA56 contents reveals an immiscible morphology with an increase in the size of the dispersed domains by increasing PA56 content. The steady‐state mixing torque of the kneader is decreased to half by adding 10 wt% of PA56 to PET. Further addition of PA56 gradually increases this torque but does not surpass the neat PET sample up to 30 wt% of PA56. As revealed by microscopic dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations, this gradual increase is ascribed to the difficulty to disperse larger domains of PA56 in the thermodynamically undesired PET. The results confirm that PA56 has a lubricating effect in PET. Using polarized optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, it is shown that PA56 acts as a nucleating agent in PET. This leads to the formation of numerous small crystals in the blends as opposed to several large crystals in the neat samples. The results encourage the use of PA56 biomaterial in combination with PET in products such as bicomponent segmented pie fibers.
Description of three new Peptoniphilus species cultured in the vaginal fluid of a woman diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis: Peptoniphilus pacaensis sp. nov., Peptoniphilus raoultii sp. nov., and Peptoniphilus vaginalis sp. nov.
Authors: Diop Khoudia , Diop Awa , Michelle Caroline , Richez Magali , Rathored Jaishriram , Bretelle Florence , Fournier Pierre‐Edouard , Fenollar Florence
Published: June 2018

Three previously unidentified Gram‐positive anaerobic coccoid bacteria, strains KhD‐2T, KHD4T, and Kh‐D5T, isolated from a vaginal swab, were characterized using the taxonogenomics concept. The phylogenic analysis, phenotypic characteristics, and genotypic data presented in this report attest that these three bacteria are distinct from previously known bacterial species with standing in nomenclature and represent three new Peptoniphilus species. Strain KhD‐2T is most closely related to Peptoniphilus sp. DNF00840 and Peptoniphilus harei (99.7% and 98.2% identity, respectively); strain KHD4T to Peptoniphilus lacrimalis (96%) and strain Kh‐D5T to Peptoniphilus coxii (97.2%). Strains KhD‐2T, KHD4T, and Kh‐D5T DNA G+C contents are, respectively, 34.23%, 31.87%, and 49.38%; their major fatty acid was C16:0 (41.6%, 32.0%, and 36.4%, respectively). We propose that strains KhD‐2T (=CSUR P0125 = DSM 101742), KHD4T (=CSUR P0110 = CECT 9308), and Kh‐D5T (=CSUR P2271 = DSM 101839) be the type strains of the new species for which the names Peptoniphilus vaginalis sp. nov., Peptoniphilus raoultii sp. nov., and Peptoniphilu pacaensis sp. nov., are proposed, respectively.
Staphylococcus argenteus from rabbits in Thailand
Authors: Indrawattana Nitaya , Pumipuntu Natapol , Suriyakhun Nawarat , Jangsangthong Arunee , Kulpeanprasit Suphang , Chantratita Narisara , Sookrung Nitat , Chaicumpa Wanpen , Buranasinsup Shutipen
Published: June 2018

Staphylococcus argenteus, a novel species of the genus Staphylococcus or a member of the S. aureus complex, is closely related to S. aureus and is usually misidentified. In this study, the presence of S. argenteus in isolated S. aureus was investigated in 67 rabbits with abscess lesions during 2014–2016. Among 19 S. aureus complex isolates, three were confirmed to be S. argenteus by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, nonribosomal peptide synthetase gene amplification, and multilocus sequence type. All S. aureus complex isolates, including the S. aureus isolates, were examined for their antimicrobial resistance phenotype by disk diffusion and for their resistance genotype by PCR assays. Among the S. argenteus isolates, one was susceptible to all antimicrobial drugs and the other two were resistant to penicillin and doxycycline. In contrast, most S. aureus isolates were resistant to penicillin (37.5%), and gentamicin (12.5%). Moreover, S. aureus isolates harbored the blaZ, mecA, aacA‐aphD, and mrs(A) as well as mutations of gyrA and grlA, but S. argenteus isolates carried solely the blaZ. S. argenteus isolates were investigated for enterotoxin (sea‐sed) and virulence genes by PCR. One isolate carried sea, sec, and sed, whereas the other two isolates carried only sea or sed. No isolate carried seb and see. All three S. argenteus isolates carried hla, hlb, and clfA, followed by pvl, whereas coa, spa (IgG‐binding region), and spa (x region) were not detected in the three isolates. This paper presents the first identification of S. argenteus from rabbits in Thailand. S. argenteus might be pathogenic because the isolates carried virulence genes. Moreover, antimicrobial resistance was observed. Investigations of this new bacterial species should be conducted in other animal species as well as in humans.
Bacteroides fragilis requires the ferrous‐iron transporter FeoAB and the CobN‐like proteins BtuS1 and BtuS2 for assimilation of iron released from heme
Authors: Rocha Edson R. , Bergonia Hector A. , Gerdes Svetlana , Jeffrey Smith Charles
Published: June 2018

The intestinal commensal and opportunistic anaerobic pathogen Bacteroides fragilis has an essential requirement for both heme and free iron to support growth in extraintestinal infections. In the absence of free iron, B. fragilis can utilize heme as the sole source of iron. However, the mechanisms to remove iron from heme are not completely understood. In this study, we show that the inner membrane ferrous iron transporter ∆feoAB mutant strain is no longer able to grow with heme as the sole source of iron. Genetic complementation with the feoAB gene operon completely restored growth. Our data indicate that iron is removed from heme in the periplasmic space, and the released iron is transported by the FeoAB system. Interestingly, when B. fragilis utilizes iron from heme, it releases heme‐derived porphyrins by a dechelatase activity which is upregulated under low iron conditions. This is supported by the findings showing that formation of heme‐derived porphyrins in the ∆feoAB mutant and the parent strain increased 30‐fold and fivefold (respectively) under low iron conditions compared to iron replete conditions. Moreover, the btuS1 btuS2 double‐mutant strain (lacking the predicted periplasmic, membrane anchored CobN‐like proteins) also showed growth defect with heme as the sole source of iron, suggesting that BtuS1 and BtuS2 are involved in heme‐iron assimilation. Though the dechelatase mechanism remains uncharacterized, assays performed in bacterial crude extracts show that BtuS1 and BtuS2 affect the regulation of the dechelatase‐specific activities in an iron‐dependent manner. These findings suggest that the mechanism to extract iron from heme in Bacteroides requires a group of proteins, which spans the periplasmic space to make iron available for cellular functions.
CO2 induced pHi changes in the brain of polar fish: a TauCEST application
Authors: Wermter Felizitas C. , Maus Bastian , Pörtner Hans‐O. , Dreher Wolfgang , Bock Christian
Published: June 2018

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) from taurine to water (TauCEST) can be used for in vivo mapping of taurine concentrations as well as for measurements of relative changes in intracellular pH (pHi) at temperatures below 37°C. Therefore, TauCEST offers the opportunity to investigate acid–base regulation and neurological disturbances of ectothermic animals living at low temperatures, and in particular to study the impact of ocean acidification (OA) on neurophysiological changes of fish. Here, we report the first in vivo application of TauCEST imaging. Thus, the study aimed to investigate the TauCEST effect in a broad range of temperatures (1–37°C) and pH (5.5–8.0), motivated by the high taurine concentration measured in the brains of polar fish. The in vitro data show that the TauCEST effect is especially detectable in the low temperature range and strictly monotonic for the relevant pH range (6.8–7.5). To investigate the specificity of TauCEST imaging for the brain of polar cod (Boreogadus saida) at 1.5°C simulations were carried out, indicating a taurine contribution of about 65% to the in vivo expected CEST effect, if experimental parameters are optimized. B. saida was acutely exposed to three different CO2 concentrations in the sea water (control normocapnia; comparatively moderate hypercapnia OAm = 3300 μatm; high hypercapnia OAh = 4900 μatm). TauCEST imaging of the brain showed a significant increase in the TauCEST effect under the different CO2 concentrations of about 1.5–3% in comparison with control measurements, indicative of changes in pHi or metabolite concentration. Consecutive recordings of 1H MR spectra gave no support for a concentration induced change of the in vivo observed TauCEST effect. Thus, the in vivo application of TauCEST offers the possibility of mapping relative changes in pHi in the brain of polar cod during exposure to CO2.
Anisotropic Gurson‐Tvergaard‐Needleman plasticity and damage model for finite element analysis of elastic‐plastic problems
Authors: Shahzamanian M. M.
Published: June 2018

Implementation and analysis of the anisotropic version of the Gurson‐Tvergaard‐Needleman (GTN) isotropic damage criterion are performed on the basis of Hill's quadratic anisotropic yield theory with the definition of an effective anisotropic coefficient to represent the elastic‐plastic behavior of ductile metals. This study aims to analyze the extension of the GTN model suitable for anisotropic porous metals and to investigate the GTN model extension. An anisotropic damage model is implemented using the user material subroutine in ABAQUS/standard finite element code. The implementation is verified and applied to simulate a uniaxial tensile test on a commercially produced aluminum sheet material for three‐dimensional and plane stress test cases. Spherical and ellipsoidal micro voids are considered in the matrix material, and their effects on the uniaxial stress‐strain response of the material are analyzed. Hill's quadratic anisotropic yield theory predicts substantially large damage evolution and a low stress‐strain curve compared with those predicted by the isotropic model. An approximate model for anisotropic materials is proposed to avoid increased damage evolution. In this approximate model, Hill's anisotropic constants are replaced with an effective anisotropy coefficient. All model‐generated stress‐strain predictions are compared with the experimental stress‐strain curve of AA6016‐T4 alloy.
MicroRNA 200b is upregulated in the lungs of fetal rabbits with surgically induced diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Eastwood Mary Patrice , Deprest Jan , Russo Francesca Maria , Wang Hongmei , Mulhall Drew , Iwasiow Barbara , Mahood Thomas H. , Keijzer Richard
Published: June 2018

Objective

Profiling of miR‐200b expression and its targets (transforming growth factor [TGF]–β2 and ZEB2) in the surgical rabbit congenital diaphragmatic hernia (DH) model before and after tracheal occlusion (TO).

Methods

Thirty‐eight timed‐pregnant rabbits had left DH creation on gestational day (GD) 23. On GD28, 17 randomly selected fetuses had TO. We harvested fetuses at GD23, GD28, or GD30. We calculated lung–to–body weight ratios, processed lungs for miR‐200b in situ hybridization and real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and evaluated effects on downstream targets TGF‐β2 or ZEB2.

Results

We obtained 16 DH fetuses (n = 7 GD28 and n = 9 GD30), 13 TO fetuses (GD30), and 38 control fetuses (n = 15 GD23, n = 11 GD28, and n = 12 GD30). Diaphragmatic hernia lungs were hypoplastic, and TO resulted in control lung–to–body weight ratio levels. Term miR‐200b‐3p levels were significantly upregulated in the hypoplastic compared with control ipsilateral lung (1.906 ± 0.90 vs 0.7429 ± 0.44) (P < .01). Fetal TO ipsilateral lungs displayed a variable miR‐200b response on in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction, with levels similar to control and congenital DH lungs. The TGF‐β2 was unchanged in hypoplastic and TO lungs, and ZEB2 tended to be reduced in TO compared with DH lungs (1.79 [0.4‐2.9] vs 0.73 [0.5‐1.4]).

Conclusions

Hypoplastic fetal rabbit lungs display upregulation of miR‐200b expression although downstream targets are not different from controls. Following TO, fetal rabbit lungs display a variable miR‐200b response.
Novel poly(aryl ether nitrile ketone) foams and the influence of copolymer structure on the foaming result
Authors: Zhao Jiyong , Wang Zhipeng , Wang Honghua , Zhou Guangyuan
Published: June 2018

Novel poly(aryl ether nitrile ketone) foams were prepared through the batch foaming method with supercritical CO2 as the blowing agent. Both temperature‐induced and pressure‐induced foaming methods were conducted to examine the influence of nitrile groups on the foaming result. The results indicated that nitrile groups influenced the foaming result by affecting both the viscoelasticity and CO2 absorption of the polymers. In addition, the CO2 solubility of the polymers increased with increasing CN content presumably because of the Lewis acid–base nature of the interaction between the CO2 molecules and the nitrile groups. The cell growth process was assessed by analyzing the influence of foaming temperature and foaming time on the cell morphology. Nanocellular foams with a minimum size of 30–50 nm were achieved by the temperature‐induced foaming method. Moreover, highly expanded foams with a maximum expansion ratio of 23.6 were obtained by the pressure‐induced foaming method. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry