bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Análise multivariada de espécies florestais nativas em relação aos atributos químicos e texturais do solo na região de Cotriguaçu – MT
Authors: Tavares Lorena de Souza , Weber Oscarlina Lúcia dos Santos , Valadão Franciele Caroline de Assis , Espinosa Mariano Martínez
Published: April 2019

Objetivou-se neste trabalho classificar as espécies florestais quanto às exigências em fertilidade do solo, bem como identificar grupos com características semelhantes utilizando técnicas da estatística multivariada. Para isso, foram analisadas amostras de solo quanto à textura e aos atributos químicos e realizado um levantamento fitossociológico da região. Na análise de componentes principais, as relações do complexo solo foram resumidas em quatro componentes que juntos explicaram 80% da variância dos dados, com relações mais significativas entre a soma de bases, saturação por bases, capacidade de troca catiônica efetiva, saturação por alumínio, Ca+Mg, Al e argila, com coeficiente de correlação maior que 90%. Na análise de agrupamento hierárquico, com 70% de similaridade quanto aos atributos do solo, formaram-se três grupos distintos de espécies florestais. A análise multivariada foi eficiente na redução das variáveis originais, separação e classificação dos grupos e identificação dos atributos químicos do solo mais requeridos pelas espécies florestais. Os Grupos 1 e 2 contêm espécies mais exigentes em fertilidade, com preferências por solos de textura média ricos em bases de cálcio e magnésio, enquanto o Grupo 3 parece ser menos exigente, prevalecendo em solos mais arenosos e mais ácidos, com grande capacidade de troca de cátions e elevada saturação por alumínio; podendo, as espécies desse último grupo, ser indicadas para recuperação de áreas degradadas. As espécies Copaifera sp. e Goupia glabra merecem mais estudos quanto aos mecanismos de adaptação às condições de baixa fertilidade do solo.
Schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum (Huber ex Ducke) Barneby pode ser utilizada em enriquecimento de clareiras de exploração florestal na Amazônia
Authors: Gomes Jaqueline Macedo , Silva Joice Carolina Fernandes da , Vieira Sabrina Benmuyal , Carvalho João Olegário Pereira de , Quadros Larissa Corrêa Lopes , Queiroz Waldenei Travassos de
Published: April 2019

Avaliou-se a sobrevivência e o crescimento de mudas de Schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum (Huber ex Ducke) Barneby (paricá) plantadas aleatoriamente em três tamanhos de clareiras causadas pela exploração florestal de impacto reduzido, na Fazenda Rio Capim, no município de Paragominas, Pará. As medições foram realizadas em cinco ocasiões (2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 e 2011). As clareiras foram classificadas em pequenas (200-400 m²), médias (401-600 m²) e grandes (> 600 m²). Com base na sobrevivência e no crescimento de mudas, nos seis primeiros anos após o plantio, sugere-se Schizolobium parahyba var amazonicum para plantios em clareiras, com áreas a partir de 200 m2 , causadas por exploração florestal de impacto reduzido.
Sibling Bald Sea Urchin Disease affecting the edible Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata: Echonidea) in Sardinia, Italy
Authors: Grech Daniele , Guala Ivan , Farina Simone
Published: April 2019

Different species of echinoids and bivalves are suffering infectious diseases as the effect of ocean warming. In Sardinia (Western Mediterranean Sea) the keystone sea urchin species Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck 1816) is widely appreciated as edible resource. Recently, a number of individuals were found to be infected by a no specified bacterial morphologically matching to a “bald sea urchin disease” (Fig. 1). In February 2019, a sampling campaign took place in two locations in the West and East Coast, inside and in proximity of local Marine Protected Areas. Samplings were carried out at the end of February 2019, when water temperature was 13°C. For each sampled site we performed two replicates of fast 50 m belt transects to estimate the infection rate as the total individuals infected on the total counted. The estimated infection rate was around 5% in both of sampled locations. A higher level of preyed sea urchins was observed, compared to natural predatory level previously observed in all the surveyed sites. Moreover, an unusual amount of dead sea urchins has been observed stranded on the storm berm, neighbouring one of the sampled sites. Microbiological analysis puts in evidence bacterial infection as the potential causal agent that could be temperature-related. Previous mass mortalities of sea urchins due to this infection were reported in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea in the past, where populations of shallow waters sharply declined until 75% during the summer period. A number of papers argued global warming might be linked to the occurrence of catastrophic events in the Mediterranean Sea, which could alter the host/pathogen range and modify pathogen transmission rates. Thus, the spread of the infection could cause important consequences at genetic, population, community and ecosystem level. In the study area, it seems already evident how predatory pressure on populations sampled was increased probably due to the lowering of the natural defences of the sea urchin preys as consequence of the infection. Accordingly, the outbreak of this infection probably related with environmental changes could determine important effects on trophic interactions and generating unpredictable cascading effects. In this area, an increasing of the sea urchin disease and related mortality is expected in the next months with the temperature increasing. A long-term monitoring across the summer season will be crucial to understand the extent and magnitude of the phenomenon as its implications.
Construcción de puentes entre la medicina y las humanidades: papel del soporte y la articulación en el aprendizaje en cirugía
Authors: Domínguez Luis Carlos , Vega Valentín , Sanabria Álvaro , Restrepo Jorge
Published: April 2019

Introducción. El aprendizaje de la medicina utilizando recursos de las humanidades es un proceso complejo que requiere de estrategias pedagógicas que eviten la fragmentación y la paradoja de la transferencia. La aplicación del diseño pedagógico con estos propósitos en la educación en cirugía, ha sido limitada.Objetivos. Presentar los resultados de una estrategia pedagógica para integrar la enseñanza de la cirugía con las humanidades con base en el modelo teórico de aprendizaje cognitivo, y evaluar su asociación con las percepciones de los estudiantes en torno al aprendizaje.Materiales y métodos. Se desarrolló un diseño pedagógico para la enseñanza de condiciones clínicas en cirugía utilizando recursos de las humanidades médicas. Se evaluaron las percepciones estudiantiles en torno al soporte y la articulación ofrecidos por los profesores para la integración de ambas disciplinas, así como en torno a su propio aprendizaje mediante cuestionarios validados. Se utilizaron modelos de regresión lineal para evaluar la asociación propuesta.Resultados. Se incluyeron 216 estudiantes en el análisis y se obtuvieron altos promedios en cada una de las variables. Por cada unidad adicional atribuida al soporte y la articulación desplegadas por los profesores para integrar ambas disciplinas, la percepción del aprendizaje (b) aumentó en 0,45 (IC95% 30-0,60) y en 0,40 (IC95% 25-55) (coeficiente de determinación múltiple -R2=0,64, p<0,001), respectivamente.Conclusiones. Las estrategias educativas centradas en las técnicas de soporte y articulación orientadas a integrar las humanidades médicas y la cirugía en el proceso de enseñanza, se asociaron positivamente con las percepciones de los estudiantes sobre el aprendizaje. Se requieren nuevos estudios que evalúen los efectos de estas intervenciones en el aprendizaje y la memoria a largo plazo.
Asociación de sialometría, fosfato y calcio en saliva total bajo estímulo y en líquido crevicular gingival con caries dental en escolares
Authors: Velásquez Nesby , Pérez-Ybarra Luis , Urdaneta Carmen J. , Pérez-Domínguez Mariela
Published: April 2019

Introducción. La capacidad de la saliva para la remineralización contribuye a mantener la integridad fisicoquímica de la estructura mineral de los dientes, lo cual los protege de la aparición y evolución de la caries dentaria.Objetivo. Establecer la relación de la sialometría, la capacidad amortiguadora, la concentración de calcio y fosfato en la saliva total estimulada y en el líquido crevicular gingival, con la gravedad y la actividad de las caries en escolares.Materiales y métodos. Se seleccionaron 36 escolares de 6 años, 18 con caries (International Caries Detection and Assessment System, ICDAS, código 2 o mayor) y 18 sin caries (ICDAS, código 0). En la dentición primaria, se evaluaron la gravedad y la actividad de la caries dentaria en la superficie de oclusión de los molares y en la vestibular de los dientes anteriores, y se codificaron mediante el ICDAS-II.Resultados. Se evidenció una mayor gravedad de las caries en la superficie de oclusión que en la vestibular. Las concentraciones de calcio en la saliva y de fosfato en el líquido crevicular gingival de los dientes sanos, fueron mayores en el grupo con un código ICDAS de 2 o mayor. La concentración de calcio en el líquido crevicular gingival fue mayor en el grupo con código ICDAS 0 que en los dientes cariados del grupo con código ICDAS de 2 o mayor. Se encontró una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre la frecuencia de caries activas y la concentración de fosfato en el líquido crevicular gingival de los dientes afectados, como también entre la gravedad de las caries y la capacidad amortiguadora, por una parte, y la concentración de fosfato en el líquido crevicular gingival de los dientes afectados, por la otra.Conclusión. Se evidenció una asociación entre la caries dental, la capacidad amortiguadora y la química bucal del calcio y el fosfato.
Entrenamiento de fuerza y resistencia en hipoxia: efecto en la hipertrofia muscular
Authors: Fernández-Lázaro Diego , Díaz Joseba , Caballero Alberto , Córdova Alfredo
Published: April 2019

El entrenamiento en altitud y el entrenamiento en hipoxia simulada producen adaptaciones fisiológicas y bioquímicas en el músculo esquelético como la capacidad oxidativa, así como modificaciones de la actividad mitocondrial, en el metabolismo aerobio y en el contenido de mioglobina.El propósito de esta revisión fue analizar las adaptaciones del músculo esquelético en respuesta a la exposición temporal a la hipoxia combinada con ejercicios de fuerza y resistencia. Según los hallazgos de numerosos autores, las adaptaciones estructurales del músculo son similares en la hipoxia y en la ‘normoxia’, con excepción de un aumento en el volumen muscular y en el área de la sección transversal de la fibra muscular, que son mayores en la hipoxia.En conclusión, la sinergia del entrenamiento de fuerza y resistencia y la hipoxia normobárica produce mejores y mayores adaptaciones, ganancias y cambios fisiológicos beneficiosos en el tejido muscular, lo cual genera cambios fenotípicos favorables, como la hipertrofia del músculo esquelético.
LEPR polymorphisms and haplotypes in Mexican patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Partida Miriam , Gutiérrez Melva , Ayala María De la Luz , Macías Nelly Margarita , Alvizo Carlos Rogelio , Peregrina Jorge
Published: April 2019

Introduction: Obesity and colorectal cancer could be linked by adipocytokines, which are proteins associated with cell proliferation. High levels of the adipocytokine leptin promote the development of colorectal cancer through its receptor.Objective: To determine the association between c.326A>G and c.668A>G LEPR gene polymorphisms and colorectal cancer.Materials and methods: DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of 147 patients with sporadic colorectal cancer and 134 healthy people. Genotypes were obtained by PCRRFLP and the association was determined by the odds ratio (OR) test using the SPSS™, version 10.0, program. Haplotype frequencies and linkage disequilibrium were estimated by the Arlequin, version 3.5, software.Results: Both polymorphisms were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Only the c.326A>G heterozygous genotype revealed an increased risk for colorectal cancer development (OR=1.81, 95% CI=1.04-3.16, p=0.04). The AG haplotype showed a significant association with colorectal cancer (OR=0.58, 95% CI=0.35-0.96, p<0.03). Linkage disequilibrium between the variants was only evident for the patients group (r2=0.36). Conclusion: Our results suggest that AG individuals heterozygous for the c.326A>G LEPR variant have a higher risk of colorectal cancer development whereas the AG haplotype (c.326A/c.668G) has a protective effect in the Mexican population.
virMine: automated detection of viral sequences from complex metagenomic samples
Authors: Garretto Andrea , Hatzopoulos Thomas , Putonti Catherine
Published: April 2019

Metagenomics has enabled sequencing of viral communities from a myriad of different environments. Viral metagenomic studies routinely uncover sequences with no recognizable homology to known coding regions or genomes. Nevertheless, complete viral genomes have been constructed directly from complex community metagenomes, often through tedious manual curation. To address this, we developed the software tool virMine to identify viral genomes from raw reads representative of viral or mixed (viral and bacterial) communities. virMine automates sequence read quality control, assembly, and annotation. Researchers can easily refine their search for a specific study system and/or feature(s) of interest. In contrast to other viral genome detection tools that often rely on the recognition of viral signature sequences, virMine is not restricted by the insufficient representation of viral diversity in public data repositories. Rather, viral genomes are identified through an iterative approach, first omitting non-viral sequences. Thus, both relatives of previously characterized viruses and novel species can be detected, including both eukaryotic viruses and bacteriophages. Here we present virMine and its analysis of synthetic communities as well as metagenomic data sets from three distinctly different environments: the gut microbiota, the urinary microbiota, and freshwater viromes. Several new viral genomes were identified and annotated, thus contributing to our understanding of viral genetic diversity in these three environments.
Megaprojects - Socioeconomic and Environmental Dynamics in D. Pedro I-Tamoios Road Axis, São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Cal Seixas Sônia Regina da , Moraes Hoefel João Luiz de
Published: April 2019

Aims: Megaprojects development has generated changes in the socioeconomic and environmental structure of several regions. This paper aims to analyse socioenvironmental changes in 10 municipalities located along the D. Pedro I - Tamoios road axis, São Paulo state, Brazil, chosen for their regional relevance, and transformations caused by the roads duplication.

Study Design: Analysis on how megaprojects influence the urban structure, the environment and different social groups, focusing in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in different productive sectors (agricultural, services and industrial), in population growth and rural and urban scenarios.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was realized in São Paulo State, Brazil, during 36 months, starting in July 2015 until July 2018, and the data used and analyzed to diverse indicators were from 1950 to 2014.

Methodology: Sociodemographic data, the expansion of industry, services, tourism development and agricultural production of these municipalities were collected in government databases and through field surveys. They were analysed through integrated methodologies with qualitative and quantitative approaches, based on temporal variations for the studied municipalities and for the average of São Paulo State, Brazil, with focus on social and environmental changes that took place in this study area.

Results: The results indicate that an intense process of industrialisation, tourism development, urban growth and population dynamics has accompanied the recent decade’s expansion of major roads in São Paulo State, Brazil, and that these processes contribute to changes that affect natural systems and may accelerate climate changes.

Conclusion: It verified that this megaproject development had not considered the sustainability of regional natural resources, in a manner that promotes environmental and living quality to the population.
Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) Assessment in Tree Species of Coimbatore Urban City, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Balasubramanian A. , Prasath C. N. Hari , Gobalakrishnan K. , Radhakrishnan S.
Published: April 2019

Aims: Forest restoration in urbanized and polluted cities is paving the way for mitigation of climate change by reducing the air pollutants level and carbon content level in atmosphere. So, the study was conducted at Coimbatore urban city, Tamil Nadu by using twenty five tree species to know their air pollution tolerance index (APTI) level.

Study Design: The sample procedure used for assessing the APTI was stratified random sampling.

Place and Duration of Study: The leaf sample was collected from different zones of Coimbatore urban city and the sample analysis was carried out in Department of Silviculture, Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu between August 2015-April 2017.

Methodology: Five zones namely residential, industrial, commercial, heavy traffic and control zone were identified from Coimbatore city for estimating the air pollution tolerance index (APTI). In order to assess the air pollution tolerance index of tree species, the biochemical parameters like ascorbic acid content, total chlorophyll content, leaf extract pH and relative water content (RWC) were estimated.

Results: Among the 25 tree species tested, Thespesia populnea recorded highest APTI of 16.07, 15.76, 14.63 and 14.37 in heavy traffic zone, industrial zone, control zone and residential zone respectively. In commercial zone, Pongamia pinnata accounted highest APTI value of 13.96. On contrary, the lowest level of APTI was registered by Michelia champaca in industrial zone (10.21), Peltophorum pterocarpum in heavy traffic zone (10.93), Spathodea campanulata in residential zone (11.11) and Albizia saman in commercial zone (11.46).

Conclusion: On an overall, Thespesia populnea and Pongamia pinnata were performed well with highest APTI and they can be used for controlling the air pollution level in urban cities.
Modeling Climate Change Projections for Ferozpur Sub-catchment of Jhelum Sub-basin of Kashmir Valley
Authors: Ali Syed Rouhullah , N. Khan Junaid , U. Din Dar Mehraj , Bhat Shakeel Ahmad , Fazil Syed Midhat , Shah Mehlath , Mehraj Iqra
Published: April 2019

Aims: The study aimed at modeling the climate change projections for Ferozpur subcatchment of Jhelum sub-basin of Kashmir Valley using the SDSM model.

Study Design: The study was carried out in three different time slices viz Baseline (1985-2015), Mid-century (2030-2059) and End-century (2070-2099).

Place and Duration of Study: Division of Agricultural Engineering, SKUAST-K, Shalimar between August 2015 and July 2016.

Methodology: Statistical downscaling model (SDSM) was applied in downscaling weather files (Tmax, Tminand precipitation). The study includes the calibration of the SDSM model by using Observed daily climate data (Tmax, Tmin and precipitation) of thirty one years and large scale atmospheric variables encompassing National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis data, the validation of the model, and the outputs of downscaled scenario A2 of the Global Climate Model (GCM) data of Hadley Centre Coupled Model, Version 3 (HadCM3) model for the future. Daily Climate (Tmax, Tmin and precipitation) scenarios were generated from 1961 to 2099 under A2 defined by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Results: The results showed that temperature and precipitation would increase by 0.29°C, 255.38 mm (30.97%) in MC (Mid-century) (2030-2059); and 0.67oC and 233.28 mm (28.29%) during EC (End-century) (2070-2099), respectively.

Conclusion: The climate projections for 21st century under A2 scenario indicated that both mean annual temperature and precipitation are showing an increasing trend.
Estimation of Carbon Stock in the Regenerating Tree Species of the Intact and Disturbed Forest Sites in Tanzania
Authors: Ligate Elly Josephat , Chen Can , Wu Chengzhen
Published: April 2019

Aim: Estimation of carbon in the forests located in the coast of tropics is needed to support conservation and forest monitoring strategies. This study aimed at quantifying carbon stocks in the regenerating tree species of intact forest (IFS), disturbed by agriculture (ADS) and by livestock grazing sites (LDS) to understand the importance of coastal trees in carbon stocking as part of mitigating climate change impacts.

Methodology: Thirty-three independent measurements of tree carbon stocks were carried out on 33 tree families found in the coastal zone of Tanzania. The vegetation was inventoried by means of a floristic survey of the woody component across intact, crop agriculture and livestock disturbed land use sites. The biomass was then estimated by employing the existing allometric equations for tropical forests. Thereafter, the above ground stored carbon was quantified on the sampled tree species found in each land uses.

Results: The results showed that there were significant variations (p ≤ .05) of carbon stock values across species and land uses. The average carbon (Kg/ha) stored in the regenerated adult trees was 1200 in IFS, 600 in ADS, 400 in LDS. Saplings had 0.43 in LDS, 0.07 in ADS and 0.01 in IFS. Indeed, seedlings had the average of 0.41 in IFS, 0.22 in ADS and 0.05 in LDS.

Conclusion: These findings show that crop-agriculture highly affects the regeneration potential of trees, biomass accumulation and carbon stock than livestock grazing. To restore carbon storage potential of coastal tropical forests, crop-agriculture must be discouraged, while livestock grazing can be integrated in forest management. Indeed, further studies are required to gauge the integration levels of any anthropogenic activities, so that the natural capacity of coastal tropical forests to regenerate and stock carbon is not comprised further.
Antidiarrheal and Antimotility Activities of Stem Bark Extracts of Annona reticulata Linn. in Mice Model
Authors: Jahan Sharmin , Kar Auditi , Das Abhijit , Chowdhury Md. Ashraf Uddin , Islam Mohammad Safiqul , Hasanuzzaman Md.
Published: April 2019

The study was aimed to evaluate the phytochemical screening, in vivo evaluation of antidiarrheal activity, and GI motility of methanolic extract as well as different organic solvent soluble fractions of bark of Annona reticulata Linn. The powdered bark of the plant was extracted with methanol using cold extraction method and fractionated with solvent-solvent partitioning using organic solvents including n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, diterpenes, carbohydrate, saponins, phenols, tannins and glycosides. The different organic solvent soluble fractions of bark were evaluated at a concentration of 200 mg/kgbw in castor oil induced diarrheal mice model. The aqueous soluble fractions of bark Annona reticulata showed highest percentage of inhibition of diarrhea (64.91 ± 1.37%), whereas methanol, n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate soluble fraction showed 26.99 ± 1.79%, 34.85 ± 1.66%, 52.71 ± 1.42% and 45.45 ± 1.54% of diarrheal inhibition, respectively. At the same time, the reference standard Loperamide (5 mg/kg) exhibited 73.21 ± 2.06% inhibition of diarrhea. In GI motility test by charcoal plug method, the 200 mg/kgbw of aqueous soluble fraction showed highest antimotility activity (68.71 ± 3.98%), whereas methanol, n-hexane, chloroform               and ethyl acetate soluble fractions showed 66.84 ± 3.38%, 52.01 ± 1.25%, 59.75 ± 3.56%                       and 54.70 ± 2.12% antimotility activity, respectively. The standard Loperamide (5 mg/kg) revealed 72.41 ± 1.33% inhibition of GI motility, whereas distilled water as control demonstrated 34.06 ± 1.09% of inhibition. This result  indicates that the plant extracts have a  significant inhibition of GI motility.
Biocontrol Potential of Trichoderma and Bacillus Species on Fusarium oxysporum f. sp vasinfectum
Authors: De Farias Otília Ricardo , De Nascimento Luciana Cordeiro , Lima Cruz José Manoel Ferreira de , Oliveira Silva Hiago Antônio , Oliveira Mônica Danielly de Mello , Alcântara Bruno Riselane de Lucena , Castro Arriel Nair Helena
Published: April 2019

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum, is one of the major diseases of cotton. Preventive methods to manage this disease should be adopted what includes the seed treatment with biocontrol agents as a good alternative. This work aimed to evaluate the efficiency of biological products based on Trichoderma spp. and Bacillus subtilis in the control of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (Fov) applied in seeds and seedlings of cotton. The experiment was carried out at the Laboratório de Fitopatologia of the Centro de Ciências Agrárias, of the Universidade Federal de Paraíba (CCA-UFPB), located in the city of Areia, Paraíba - Brazil. The disease transmission of the seeds to the seedlings was evaluated. After the transmission test, cotton seeds of the variety Mocó (Gossypium hirsutum var. Marie-gallante (Watt) Hutch.), BRS 286 and Topázio cultivar (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were submitted to the treatments T1 - Control, T2 - Trichodel® (0,5 mL); T3-Trichodel® (1.0 mL); T4-Trichodel® (1.5 mL); T5-Trichodel® (2.0 mL); T6-Bactel® (2.0 mL); T7-Bactel® (2.5 mL); T8-Bactel® (3.0 mL); T9-Bactel® (3.5 mL) diluted in 100 mL SDW; T10 - Fungicide Captana (240 g / 100 kg of seeds) and inoculated with Fov. The pathogen incidence of the seeds was evaluated seven days after the inoculation (DAI). To evaluate the biological control of Fov in the seedlings, the treated seeds were submitted to the following inoculation methods: 1 - inoculation of the substrate with a pathogen conidia suspension; 2 - immersion of the seeds in the conidia suspension and 3 - direct contact of the seeds with the pathogen mycelium. Twenty-one DAI the disease severity and percentage of seedlings with vascular darkening were evaluated. It was observed a transmission rate of 64.0 to 89.0% of the seeds to the seedlings. Trichodel® reduced the incidence and severity of Fov in the cotton seedlings and was the most efficient product.
Clinical implementation of respiratory‐gated spot‐scanning proton therapy: An efficiency analysis of active motion management
Authors: Gelover Edgar , Deisher Amanda J. , Herman Michael G. , Johnson Jedediah E. , Kruse Jon J. , Tryggestad Erik J.
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The aim of this work is to describe the clinical implementation of respiratory‐gated spot‐scanning proton therapy (SSPT) for the treatment of thoracic and abdominal moving targets. The experience of our institution is summarized, from initial acceptance and commissioning tests to the development of standard clinical operating procedures for simulation, motion assessment, motion mitigation, treatment planning, and gated SSPT treatment delivery.

Materials and methods

A custom respiratory gating interface incorporating the Real‐Time Position Management System (RPM, Varian Medical Systems, Inc., Palo Alto, CA, USA) was developed in‐house for our synchrotron‐based delivery system. To assess gating performance, a motion phantom and radiochromic films were used to compare gated vs nongated delivery. Site‐specific treatment planning protocols and conservative motion cutoffs were developed, allowing for free‐breathing (FB), breath‐holding (BH), or phase‐gating (Ph‐G). Room usage efficiency of BH and Ph‐G treatments was retrospectively evaluated using beam delivery data retrieved from our record and verify system and DICOM files from patient‐specific quality assurance (QA) procedures.

Results

More than 70 patients were treated using active motion management between the launch of our motion mitigation program in October 2015 and the end date of data collection of this study in January 2018. During acceptance procedures, we found that overall system latency is clinically‐suitable for Ph‐G. Regarding room usage efficiency, the average number of energy layers delivered per minute was <10 for Ph‐G, 10‐15 for BH and ≥15 for FB, making Ph‐G the slowest treatment modality. When comparing to continuous delivery measured during pretreatment QA procedures, the median values of BH treatment time were extended from 6.6 to 9.3 min (+48%). Ph‐G treatments were extended from 7.3 to 13.0 min (+82%).

Conclusions

Active motion management has been crucial to the overall success of our SSPT program. Nevertheless, our conservative approach has come with an efficiency cost that is more noticeable in Ph‐G treatments and should be considered in decision‐making.
Acid‐Responsive H2‐Releasing 2D MgB2 Nanosheet for Therapeutic Synergy and Side Effect Attenuation of Gastric Cancer Chemotherapy
Authors: Fan Mingjian , Wen Yanyuan , Ye Dien , Jin Zhaokui , Zhao Penghe , Chen Danyang , Lu Xifeng , He Qianjun
Published: April 2019

The hydrogen molecule is recognized as a high potential to attenuate toxic side effects of chemotherapy and also enhance chemotherapeutic efficacy, and the development of a novel hydrogen‐generating prodrug for facile, safe, and efficient hydrogen delivery is vitally important for combined hydrogenochemotherapy but is still challenging. Here, targeting gastric cancer, a 2D magnesium boride nanosheet (MBN) is synthesized as a new type of acid‐responsive hydrogen‐releasing prodrug by an ultrasound‐assisted chemical etching route, which is used to realize hydrogenochemotherapy by combination of facile oral administration of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)‐encapsulating MBN (MBN@PVP) pills with routine intravenous injection of doxorubicin (DOX). The MBN@PVP pill has high stability in normal tissues/blood environments as well as high gastric acid‐responsiveness with sustained release behavior, which matches well with its metabolism rate in the stomach in great favor of continuous and long‐term hydrogen administration. Hydrogenochemotherapy with DOX+MBN@PVP has remarkably prolonged the survival time of gastric tumor‐bearing mice by reducing the toxic side effects of chemotherapy. The mechanism for therapeutic synergy and side effect attenuation of hydrogenochemotherapy is discovered to be derived from the selectivity of hydrogen molecules in inhibiting aerobic respiration of gastric cells but activating aerobic respiration of normal cells including marrow mesenchymal stem cells and cardiac, hepatic, and splenic cells.
Multifunctional Magnetic Nanoplatform Eliminates Cancer Stem Cells via Inhibiting the Secretion of Extracellular Heat Shock Protein 90
Authors: Liu Yajing , Suo Xiaomin , Peng Haotong , Yan Weixiao , Li Hongjuan , Yang Xinjian , Li Zhenhua , Zhang Jinchao , Liu Dandan
Published: April 2019

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for malignant tumor initiation, recurrences, and metastasis. Therefore, targeting CSCs is a promising strategy for the development of cancer therapies. A big challenge for CSC‐based cancer therapy is the overexpression of therapeutic stress protein, heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), which protects CSCs from further therapeutic‐induced damage, leading to the failure of treatment. Thus, efficient strategies to target CSCs are urgently needed for cancer therapy. To this end, a multifunctional nanoparticle (MNP) for CSC‐based combined thermotherapy and chemotherapy is reported. This strategy dramatically suppresses tumor growth in breast CSC xenograft‐bearing mice. Furthermore, a new mechanism is present that the MNP exerts its striking effects on CSCs by inhibiting the secretion of extracellular Hsp90 (eHsp90), resulting in the interruption of several key signaling pathways. These findings open new perspectives on the use of an MNP for effective CSC‐based cancer treatment by inhibiting the function of eHsp90.
Epitaxial Strain Control of Relaxor Ferroelectric Phase Evolution
Authors: Kim Jieun , Takenaka Hiroyuki , Qi Yubo , Damodaran Anoop R. , Fernandez Abel , Gao Ran , McCarter Margaret R. , Saremi Sahar , Chung Linh , Rappe Andrew M. , Martin Lane W.
Published: April 2019

Understanding and ultimately controlling the large electromechanical effects in relaxor ferroelectrics requires intimate knowledge of how the local‐polar order evolves under applied stimuli. Here, the biaxial‐strain‐induced evolution of and correlations between polar structures and properties in epitaxial films of the prototypical relaxor ferroelectric 0.68PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3–0.32PbTiO3 are investigated. X‐ray diffuse‐scattering studies reveal an evolution from a butterfly‐ to disc‐shaped pattern and an increase in the correlation‐length from ≈8 to ≈25 nm with increasing compressive strain. Molecular‐dynamics simulations reveal the origin of the changes in the diffuse‐scattering patterns and that strain induces polarization rotation and the merging of the polar order. As the magnitude of the strain is increased, relaxor behavior is gradually suppressed but is not fully quenched. Analysis of the dynamic evolution of dipole alignment in the simulations reveals that, while, for most unit‐cell chemistries and configurations, strain drives a tendency toward more ferroelectric‐like order, there are certain unit cells that become more disordered under strain, resulting in stronger competition between ordered and disordered regions and enhanced overall susceptibilities. Ultimately, this implies that deterministic creation of specific local chemical configurations could be an effective way to enhance relaxor performance.
An Enzymatic 2‐Step Cofactor and Co‐Product Recycling Cascade towards a Chiral 1,2‐Diol. Part II: Catalytically Active Inclusion Bodies
Authors: Jäger Vera D. , Piqueray Maja , Seide Selina , Pohl Martina , Wiechert Wolfgang , Jaeger Karl‐Erich , Krauss Ulrich
Published: April 2019

Optimal performance of multi‐step enzymatic one‐pot cascades requires a facile balance between enzymatic activity and stability of multiple enzymes under the employed reaction conditions. We here describe the optimization of an exemplary two‐step one‐pot recycling cascade utilizing the thiamine diphosphate (ThDP)‐dependent benzaldehyde lyase from Pseudomonas fluorescens (PfBAL) and the alcohol dehydrogenase from Ralstonia sp. (RADH) for the production of the vicinal 1,2‐diol (1R,2R)‐1‐phenylpropane‐1,2‐diol (PPD) using both enzymes as catalytically active inclusion bodies (CatIBs). PfBAL is hereby used to convert benzaldehyde and acetalydehyde to (R)‐2‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylpropanone (HPP), which is subsequently converted to PPD. For recycling of the nicotinamide cofactor of the RADH, benzyl alcohol is employed as co‐substrate, which is oxidized by RADH to benzaldehyde, establishing a recycling cascade. In particular the application of the RADH, required for both the reduction of HPP and the oxidation of benzyl alcohol in the recycling cascade is challenging, since the enzyme shows deviating pH optima for reduction (pH 6–10) and oxidation (pH 10.5), while both enzymes show only low stability at pH>8. This inherent stability problem hampers the application of soluble enzymes and was here successfully addressed by employing CatIBs of PfBAL and RADH, either as single, independently mixed CatIBs, or as co‐immobilizates (Co‐CatIBs). Single CatIBs, as well as the Co‐CatIBs showed improved stability compared to the soluble, purified enzymes. After optimization of the reaction pH, the RADH/PfBAL ratio and the co‐solvent content, we could demonstrate that almost full conversion (>90%) was possible with CatIBs, while under the same conditions the soluble enzymes yielded at most >50% conversion. Our study thus provides convincing evidence that (Co‐)CatIB‐immobilizates can be used efficiently for the realization of cascade reactions, i. e. under conditions where enzyme stability is a limiting issue.

magnified image
Asymmetric Catalysis Using Modularly Designed Organocatalysts: Synthesis of Fused Tricyclic Pyrano‐Pyrano[2,3‐c]pyrrol Derivatives
Authors: Lu Xue , Zhang Yili , Wang Yichen , Chen Yuzhen , Chen Weiwen , Zhan Ruoting , Zhao John C.‐G. , Huang Huicai
Published: April 2019

A highly enantioselective organocatalytic Michael addition‐acetalation/oxa‐Michael reaction involving aldehydes and dioxopyrrolidines has been discovered. The asymmetric reaction is mediated by modularly designed organocatalysts (MDOs) self‐assembled from cinchona alkaloid derivatives and amino acids providing a range of optically active tricyclic hexahydro‐2H‐pyrano[3′,2′:5,6]pyrano[2,3‐c]pyrrol derivatives in high yields (up to 99%) with good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) under mild reaction conditions.

magnified image
An Electrolytic Zn–MnO2 Battery for High‐Voltage and Scalable Energy Storage
Authors: Chao Dongliang , Zhou Wanhai , Ye Chao , Zhang Qinghua , Chen Yungui , Gu Lin , Davey Kenneth , Qiao Shi‐Zhang
Published: April 2019

Zinc‐based electrochemistry is attracting significant attention for practical energy storage owing to its uniqueness in terms of low cost and high safety. However, the grid‐scale application is plagued by limited output voltage and inadequate energy density when compared with more conventional Li‐ion batteries. Herein, we propose a latent high‐voltage MnO2 electrolysis process in a conventional Zn‐ion battery, and report a new electrolytic Zn–MnO2 system, via enabled proton and electron dynamics, that maximizes the electrolysis process. Compared with other Zn‐based electrochemical devices, this new electrolytic Zn–MnO2 battery has a record‐high output voltage of 1.95 V and an imposing gravimetric capacity of about 570 mAh g−1, together with a record energy density of approximately 409 Wh kg−1 when both anode and cathode active materials are taken into consideration. The cost was conservatively estimated at <US$ 10 per kWh. This result opens a new opportunity for the development of Zn‐based batteries, and should be of immediate benefit for low‐cost practical energy storage and grid‐scale applications.
Hydrogenation of nitroaromatics to anilines catalyzed by air‐stable arene ruthenium (II)–NNN pincer complexes
Authors: Pitchaimani Jayaraman , Gunasekaran Nanjappan , Anthony Savarimuthu Philip , Moon Dohyun , Madhu Vedichi
Published: April 2019

A series of air‐stable, phosphine‐free arene ruthenium (II)–NNN pincer complexes (RuL, RuL1, RuL2 and RuL3) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. Further, arene ruthenium (II)–NNN pincer complexes have been used as catalyst for hydrogenation of nitroaromatics into aniline in the presence of NaBH4 at room temperature. The catalytic process suggested highly chemo‐selective nitroreduction with wide functional group tolerance.
A compatible and crosslinked poly(2‐allyl‐6‐methylphenol‐co‐2,6‐dimethylphenol)/polystyrene blend for insulating adhesive film at high frequency
Authors: Lin Yan‐Cheng , Chiang Chi‐Haw , Kuo Chih‐Cheng , Hsu Sheng‐Ning , Higashihara Tomoya , Ueda Mitsuru , Chen Wen‐Chang
Published: April 2019

A polymer blend consisting of poly(2‐allyl‐6‐methylphenol‐co‐2,6‐dimethylphenol) (APPE) and polystyrene (PS) with additives such as 1,2‐bis(4‐vinylphenyl)ethane, cyanate ester, and nitrile butadiene rubber was formulated as an insulating high‐frequency adhesive film. The polymer blend of APPE and PS showed very high compatibility to these additives, and the resulting thermally cured polymer blend exhibited an excellent mechanical strength, as shown by an ultimate tensile strength of 51 MPa and Young's modulus of 1.4 GPa. Moreover, the blend exhibited very good dielectric properties, with a dielectric constant of 2.3 and a dissipation factor of 0.0030 at 10 GHz. The glass‐transition temperature of the cured polymer blend was 141 °C, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry, and the 5% weight loss temperature was 372 °C, indicating relatively high thermal resistance characteristics. Furthermore, its peel strength to a copper foil reached 0.80 N/mm. The present study suggested that the thermally cured APPE/PS polymer blend with additives will have potential applications for the next‐generation high‐frequency adhesives in microelectronic circuits. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47828.
Seasonal prediction of equatorial Atlantic sea surface temperature using simple initialization and bias correction techniques
Authors: Dippe Tina , Greatbatch Richard J. , Ding Hui
Published: April 2019

Due to strong mean state‐biases most coupled models are unable to simulate equatorial Atlantic variability. Here, we use the Kiel Climate Model to assess the impact of bias reduction on the seasonal prediction of equatorial Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST). We compare a standard experiment (STD) with an experiment that employs surface heat flux correction to reduce the SST bias (FLX) and, in addition, apply a correction for initial errors in SST. Initial conditions for both experiments are generated in partially coupled mode, and seasonal hindcasts are initialized at the beginning of February, May, August and November for 1981–2012. Surface heat flux correction generally improves hindcast skill. Hindcasts initialized in February have the least skill, even though the model bias is not particularly strong at that time of year. In contrast, hindcasts initialized in May achieve the highest skill. We argue this is because of the emergence of a closed Bjerknes feedback loop in boreal summer in FLX that is a feature of observations but is missing in STD.
Variability in high‐mass X‐ray binaries
Authors: Fürst F. , Kretschmar P. , Grinberg V. , Pottschmidt K. , Wilms J. , Kühnel M. , El Mellah I. , Martínez‐Núñez S.
Published: April 2019

Strongly magnetized, accreting neutron stars show periodic and aperiodic variability over a wide range of time scales. By obtaining spectral and timing information on these different time scales, we can have a closer look into the physics of accretion close to the neutron star and the properties of the accreted material. One of the most prominent time scales is the strong pulsation, i.e., the rotation period of the neutron star itself. Over one rotation, our view of the accretion column and the X‐ray producing region changes significantly. This allows us to sample different physical conditions within the column but at the same time requires that we have viewing‐angle‐resolved models to properly describe them. In wind‐fed high‐mass X‐ray binaries, the main source of aperiodic variability is the clumpy stellar wind, which leads to changes in the accretion rate (i.e., luminosity) as well as absorption column. This variability allows us to study the behavior of the accretion column as a function of luminosity, as well as to investigate the structure and physical properties of the wind, which we can compare to winds in isolated stars.
Motivated to confront: How experiencing anger affects anchoring bias
Authors: Jung Heajung , Young Maia J
Published: April 2019

Prior research has asserted that emotions affect anchoring bias in decision making through the emotion's certainty appraisal or through the emotion's action tendencies, but these prior studies investigate the role of each component—appraisal or action tendency—without accounting for potential effects of the other one. The current research investigates whether anger exerts a significant effect on anchoring bias by activating a desire to confront a potential anchor. Importantly, the studies compare the effect of anger versus disgust, emotions that differ in their action tendency but are similar in their certainty appraisal. In Study 1, participants completed an emotion induction task and then a negotiation task where the first offer from the negotiation partner served as a potential anchor. Anger led to more deviation from the anchor compared with disgust or neutral feelings. Subsequent studies provide evidence that the angry participants are less anchored when the anchor value comes from a more confrontable source (someone else vs. themselves in Study 2 and an out‐group member vs. an in‐group member in Study 3).
The Subtemporal Approach to the Lateral Midbrain with and without Zygomatic Osteotomy: An Anatomical Study
Authors: Spiessberger Alexander , Baumann Fabian , Stauffer Alexandra , Marbacher Serge , Kothbauer Karl Friedrich , Fandino Javier , Moriggl Bernhard
Published: April 2019

The subtemporal approach provides a narrow operative corridor to the crus cerebrum and adjacent structures of the crural, interpeduncular, and ambient cistern. Addition of a zygomatic osteotomy widens this narrow corridor and spares retraction of the temporal lobe. We investigate and compare the morphometric parameters of the subtemporal approach with versus without zygomatic osteotomy. On each side of four cadaveric heads, a temporal craniotomy was performed to gain access to the crus cerebrum and adjacent subarachnoid cisterns using a subtemporal approach. Operative corridor width and corridor working angle were measured with and without brain retraction on each specimen side. Next, a zygomatic osteotomy was performed followed by full downward reflection of the temporalis muscle and further drilling of the squamous part of the temporal bone. Lastly, operative corridor width and corridor working angle were measured again for comparison. The subtemporal operating corridor was (mean/SD): 5.8/2.6 mm without retraction, 11.4/4.3 mm with retraction, and 13.5/6.5° working angle. After addition of a zygomatic osteotomy, the operative corridor was 8/9.2/4.3 mm without retraction, 14.7/4.5 mm with retraction, 31.8/3.1° working angle. Zygomatic osteotomy significantly increased the operative corridor working angle of the subtemporal approach. Furthermore, we demonstrate a direct approach into the interpeduncular fossa. Clin. Anat. 32:710–714, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fixed combination of oral NEPA (netupitant‐palonosetron) for the prevention of acute and delayed chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting in patients receiving multiple cycles of chemotherapy: Efficacy data from 2 randomized, double‐blind phase III studies
Authors: Schwartzberg Lee , Karthaus Meinolf , Rossi Giorgia , Rizzi Giada , Borroni Maria E. , Rugo Hope S. , Jordan Karin , Hansen Vincent
Published: April 2019

Aim

To assess the efficacy of oral NEPA (netupitant‐palonosetron 300/0.50 mg) over multiple chemotherapy cycles.

Methods

Two randomized phase III studies evaluated a single dose of oral NEPA given on day 1 in chemotherapy‐naive patients receiving anthracycline‐cyclophosphamide (AC)–based (Study 1) or highly (HEC)/moderately (MEC) emetogenic chemotherapy (safety Study 2). Oral NEPA was compared with oral palonosetron 0.50 mg (Study 1) or oral aprepitant 125 mg day 1, 80 mg days 2‐3/palonosetron 0.50 mg (Study 2; no formal statistical comparisons). Oral dexamethasone was administered in all treatment groups. Complete response (CR; no emesis/no rescue medication), no emesis, and no significant nausea (NSN) rates during acute (0‐24 h) and delayed (>24‐120 h) phases of chemotherapy cycles 1‐4 in each study were evaluated.

Results

In Study 1, 1450 patients received 5969 chemotherapy cycles; in Study 2, 412 patients received 1961 chemotherapy cycles. In each study, ≥75% of patients completed 4 or more cycles. In Study 1, oral NEPA was superior to palonosetron in preventing chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in the acute and delayed phases of cycle 1, with higher rates of CR (all P < 0.05), no emesis (all P < 0.05), and NSN (delayed phase P < 0.05 cycles 1, 2, and 4) reported across 4 cycles. In Study 2, oral NEPA had numerically higher CR and NSN rates in the acute and delayed phases than aprepitant‐palonosetron in MEC/HEC patients.

Conclusion

Oral NEPA was highly effective in preventing both acute and delayed CINV over multiple chemotherapy cycles of HEC, AC, and MEC regimens.

Clinical trial registration numbers

Study 1, NCT01339260; Study 2, NCT01376297.