bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tailoring Phospholes for Imprint of Fluorescent 3D Structures
Authors: Roesler Fabian , Kaban Burhan , Klintuch Dieter , Ha Uh‐Myong , Bruhn Clemens , Hillmer Hartmut , Pietschnig Rudolf
Published: November 2019

PMMA based polymer blends have been infused with luminescent phospholes and have been structured via nanoimprint. While symmetrically substituted phospholes are prone to crystallization and phase separation, structural modification of the phosphole backbone in the α‐ and β‐positions has been explored, which prevents these issues; a structural explanation for this is suggested. Best phase integrity has been obtained for β‐silyl‐substituted phospholes, which were implemented in thin films and beads. The emission wavelengths of the phospholes are shifted bathochromically in the polymer matrix as compared to the neat compounds featuring emission bands near 500 nm. This enables tracking of the fluorescent beads using standard fluorescence microscopy.
PbF[Br2F7], a Fluoridobromate(III) of a p‐Block Metal
Authors: Bandemehr Jascha , Sachs Malte , Ivlev Sergei I. , Karttunen Antti J. , Kraus Florian
Published: November 2019

The compound PbF[Br2F7] represents the first fluoridobromate(III) of a p‐block element. It was synthesized in form of needle‐shaped crystals among its colorless powder from the direct reaction of PbF2 with BrF3. Powder X‐ray diffraction, IR and Raman spectroscopy show that it was obtained in almost pure form with Pb3F8 and Pb2F6 as by‐products. The single crystal structure was determined by X‐ray diffraction. PbF[Br2F7] crystallizes in space group P21/c (No. 14) with a = 4.3698(3), b = 13.3767(7), c = 12.0836(8) Å, β = 97.509(5)°, V = 700.27(8) Å3, Z = 4 at T = 100 K. PbF[Br2F7] decomposes above 50 °C due to loss of BrF3 and pure PbF2 remains. Quantum chemical calculations were performed on the crystal structure of the compound to assign the bands of the vibrational spectra and to obtain electron density difference maps that visualize the electron density around the Pb atoms. CHARDI calculations support the assignment of the oxidation states +II, +III, and –I to the Pb, Br, and F atoms, respectively.
Uncovering the Mechanism Leading to the Synthesis of Symmetric and Asymmetric Tröger′s Bases
Authors: Lanza Priscila A. , Dusso Diego , Ramirez Cristina L. , Parise Alejandro R. , Chesta Carlos A. , Moyano E. Laura , Vera D. Mariano A.
Published: November 2019

Tröger′s bases have been attracting great interest due to their potential applications in nanoelectronics, supramolecular chemistry, molecular recognition, biological activity and auxiliaries for asymmetric synthesis. However, there is still no detailed step by step proposal for the mechanism leading to the production of these compounds available. A set of five model syntheses of symmetric and asymmetric Tröger′s base derivatives starting from substituted anilines and formaldehyde was studied and envisaged as representative for understanding the underlying mechanism. All reasonable pathways were thoroughly scanned by means of DFT calculations. The highest energy TS was associated with the entrance of the first formaldehyde which produces the first out of three key carbocations. The last step, the closure of the methylene‐bridged diazocyne heterocycle was also found of kinetic relevance and as a source of stable intermediates or by‐products. The whole mechanistic picture would provide keys for the rational planning of the synthesis of these compounds.
Iodine Promoted One‐Pot Synthesis of 2‐Aryl Benzoxazoles from Amidoximes via Oxidative Cyclization and Ring Contraction
Authors: Zhang Yong , Ji Min
Published: November 2019

A molecular I2‐promoted one‐pot synthesis of 2‐aryl benzoxazoles has been developed by using amidoximes rather than the limited 2‐aminophenols or 2‐haloamides as substrates. The amidoxime substrates provided unique and efficient strategies for converting readily available aniline and benzaldehyde precursors into valuable chemicals. This transformation proceeded smoothly under transition‐metal‐free conditions through a sequential oxidative cyclization and ring contraction, and provided a potential route for introducing certain groups at any site of the scaffold.
A Structure‐Reactivity Relationship of the Tandem Asymmetric Dihydroxylation on a Biologically Relevant Diene: Influence of Remote Stereocenters on Diastereofacial Selectivity
Authors: Gill Daniel M. , Male Louise , Jones Alan M.
Published: November 2019

The Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation (AD) finds widespread use in natural product and drug molecule syntheses, in part, due to its efficiency and predictability. However, the tandem AD of dienes is much less studied, but important in complex molecular synthesis. Herein, a biologically relevant tandem AD is reported, and several anomalies are discovered with the accepted model. These include the formation of unpredicted diastereoisomers, with matched and mismatched stereocenters contradicting the Sharpless mnemonic device. From a structural analysis of the tandem AD, we present a strategy to improve asymmetric induction in sterically hindered alkenes using double diastereodifferentiation from a 9‐bond distant stereocenter. A theoretical justification for the unpredicted stereoselectivity, accounting for the influence of steric hindrance and pre‐installed chirality, is proposed.
Synthesis of a meso‐Tetraalkylporphycene Bearing Reactive Sites: Toward Porphycene–Polydimethylsiloxane Hybrids with Enhanced Photophysical Properties
Authors: Ono Toshikazu , Shinjo Hyuga , Koga Daiki , Hisaeda Yoshio
Published: November 2019

meso‐Tetraalkyl porphycenes exhibit unique optical properties with wide potential applications. The very fact that incorporation of porphycenes into polymeric materials is rare, make this approach a particularly attractive one. In this work, meso‐tetrakis(3‐butenyl)porphycene bearing four terminal olefin groups is prepared via two synthetic strategies: 1) the McMurry reaction using 5,5′‐diacyl‐2,2′‐bipyrroles as precursors and 2) the oxidative coupling of dipyrroethenes. The newly obtained porphycene has been characterized by single X‐ray crystallography. A porphycene–polydimethylsiloxane hybrid film is successfully prepared by a platinum‐catalyzed hydrosilylation reaction. The hybrid film can be anchored with tweezers, showing a weak red emission with a quantum yield of 0.4 % at room temperature, whose intensity drastically increases reaching a quantum yield of 6.7 % in liquid nitrogen (77 K). This report represents the first example of porphycene‐containing elastomeric films for potential application in various fields.
Rapid Access to the Tricyclic Core of Calyciphylline A‐Type Alkaloids Through Allyl Cyanate‐to‐Isocyanate Rearrangement
Authors: Baidilov Daler , Miskey Scott , Hudlicky Tomas
Published: November 2019

Concise and efficient synthetic route to the core of calyciphylline A‐type alkaloids is described herein. The aza‐[5,6,6] tricyclic framework of the Daphniphyllum subclass of these alkaloids was constructed featuring [1,3]‐Ichikawa transposition and intramolecular Heck cyclization protocols.
Design and implementation of an improved sliding mode controller for maximum power point tracking in a SEPIC based on PV system
Authors: Shahdadi Amir , Barakati S. Masoud , Khajeh Ahmad
Published: November 2019

In this paper, a standalone photovoltaic (PV) system with an improved sliding mode control (SMC) based on the maximum power point tracking algorithm is presented. The system contains a solar panel, a single‐ended primary‐inductor converter, a control part, and a load. Because of the nonlinear behavior of the switching and solar panels, designing a nonlinear controller for the system is crucial. The principal purpose of this study is to propose a new approach to resist the PV system against uncertain conditions. The stability and robustness of the system are investigated in a normal situation, under uncertainty conditions, as well as under changes in environmental conditions. Both simulation and laboratory experimental results show that the controller has a precise and fast response in comparison with a more conventional controller.
Analysis of particle deposition in a new‐type rectifying plate system during shale gas extraction
Authors: Peng Shanbi , Chen Qikun , Zheng Chao , Liu Enbin
Published: November 2019

Much less attention has been focused on the particle deposition in rectifying plate though it is a common problem in shale gas pipe systems. The effects of particle parameter and flow field on the deposition and distribution of particle in a new‐type rectifying plate system are investigated. Both the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method and the experiment method are used in order to analyze the particle deposition under various conditions. The accuracy of simulation model is verified with measurements in the experiment and from analyzing, and it is found that the Boltzmann equation can well describe the relationship between gas Reynolds number and particle deposition in the rectifying plate system. It is also found from investigation that the particle deposition is greatly affected by the particle parameter. Deposition rate rises with the increase of the particle diameter; however, it reduces gradually with the decrease of particle shape factor. Moreover, the particle mass concentration is an essential dimension that can give a prediction of where the particle may deposit.
Sensitivity to Copper and Development of Culturing and Toxicity Test Procedures for the Antarctic Terrestrial Nematode Plectus murrayi
Authors: Brown Kathryn E. , Wasley Jane , King Catherine K.
Published: November 2019

Environmental quality guideline values and remediation targets, specific to Antarctic ecosystems, are required for the risk assessment and remediation of contaminated sites in Antarctica. Ecotoxicological testing with Antarctic soil organisms is fundamental in determining reliable contaminant effect threshold concentrations. The present study describes the development of optimal culturing techniques and aqueous toxicity test procedures for an endemic Antarctic soil nematode, Plectus murrayi, which lives within interstitial waters between soil particles. Toxicity tests were of extended duration to account for the species’ physiology and life-history characteristics. Plectus murrayi was sensitive to aqueous copper with a 50% effective concentration for egg-hatching success of 139 µg/L. Hatched juveniles that were first exposed to copper as eggs appeared to be less sensitive than those first exposed at the hatched J2 stage, indicating a potential protective effect of the egg. Sensitivity of juveniles to copper increased with exposure duration, with 50% lethal concentrations of 478 and 117 µg/L at 21 and 28 d, respectively. The present study describes new methods for the application of an environmentally relevant test species to the risk assessment of contaminants in Antarctic soil and provides the first estimates of sensitivity to a toxicant for an Antarctic terrestrial microinvertebrate. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:482–491. © 2019 SETAC
Performance analysis of the service periods of IEEE 802.11ad MAC
Authors: Hemanth C. , Venkatesh T. G.
Published: November 2019

Today, we witness an explosion in wireless networks that are accessed by high‐performance mobile devices running a wide variety of demanding applications. The IEEE 802.11ad is a standard targeted at meeting these design requirements. Analytical modeling and performance evaluation is a crucial step needed for the evolution of any standard. In this paper, we model the service periods (SPs) of the IEEE 802.11ad hybrid medium access control as a special case of periodically gated queueing system (PGQS) with Bernoulli scheduling. We first state and prove some basic theorems related to the probability generating functions of the PGQS. Using these results, we derive the average delay and the delay variations (jitter) of packets belonging to SP of IEEE 802.11ad. We show that as the arrival rates increases, the delay increases linearly until the critical arrival rate, and beyond that, it becomes unbounded. Further, a practical scheme for the admission control mechanism of 802.11ad is also presented. To validate the model, analytical results are compared with simulation results.
Warfare in an evolutionary perspective
Authors: Majolo Bonaventura
Published: November 2019

The importance of warfare for human evolution is hotly debated in anthropology. Some authors hypothesize that warfare emerged at least 200,000–100,000 years BP, was frequent, and significantly shaped human social evolution. Other authors claim that warfare is a recent phenomenon, linked to the emergence of agriculture, and mostly explained by cultural rather than evolutionary forces. Here I highlight and critically evaluate six controversial points on the evolutionary bases of warfare. I argue that cultural and evolutionary explanations on the emergence of warfare are not alternative but analyze biological diversity at two distinct levels. An evolved propensity to act aggressively toward outgroup individuals may emerge irrespective of whether warfare appeared early/late during human evolution. Finally, I argue that lethal violence and aggression toward outgroup individuals are two linked but distinct phenomena, and that war and peace are complementary and should not always be treated as two mutually exclusive behavioral responses.
The wavelet scaling approach to forecasting: Verification on a large set of Noisy data
Authors: Bruzda Joanna
Published: November 2019

In the paper, we undertake a detailed empirical verification of wavelet scaling as a forecasting method through its application to a large set of noisy data. The method consists of two steps. In the first, the data are smoothed with the help of wavelet estimators of stochastic signals based on the idea of scaling, and, in the second, an AR(I)MA model is built on the estimated signal. This procedure is compared with some alternative approaches encompassing exponential smoothing, moving average, AR(I)MA and regularized AR models. Special attention is given to the ways of treating boundary regions in the wavelet signal estimation and to the use of biased, weakly biased and unbiased estimators of the wavelet variance. According to a collection of popular forecast accuracy measures, when applied to noisy time series with a high level of noise, wavelet scaling is able to outperform the other forecasting procedures, although this conclusion applies mainly to longer time series and not uniformly across all the examined accuracy measures.
Effect of fermentation and dry roasting on the nutritional quality and sensory attributes of quinoa
Authors: Castro‐Alba Vanesa , Lazarte Claudia Eliana , Perez‐Rea Daysi , Sandberg Ann‐Sofie , Carlsson Nils‐Gunnar , Almgren Annette , Bergenståhl Björn , Granfeldt Yvonne
Published: November 2019

Background

Quinoa is a pseudocereal with relatively high content of proteins and minerals that also contains mineral inhibitors such as phytate. The aim of the present study was to evaluate lactic acid fermentation and dry roasting on the nutritional quality and sensory attributes of quinoa. Various processes were evaluated, and quinoa grains were dry‐roasted, milled, and fermented, either with or without the addition of wheat phytase or activated quinoa phytase (added as back‐slop starter), for 10 hr. In other processes, raw quinoa flour was fermented for 10 hr or 4 hr and dry‐roasted. Hedonic sensory evaluation was then performed to evaluate the acceptability of the fermented flours prepared as porridges.

Results

The combined dry roasting and fermentation processes significantly (p < .05) degraded phytate between 30% and 73% from initial content. The most effective process was fermentation of raw quinoa flour followed by dry roasting, which improved the estimated zinc and iron bioavailability. Particularly, estimated zinc bioavailability improved from low (Phy:Zn 25.4, Phy·Zn:Ca 295) to moderate (Phy:Zn 7.14, Phy·Zn:Ca 81.5). Phytate degradation was mainly attributed to the activation of endogenous phytase during fermentation. Dry roasting was effective in improving the sensory attributes of the fermented quinoa flour. Porridge made with raw quinoa flour fermented for 4 hr and dry‐roasted was more favorable to overall acceptability than that which was fermented for 10 hr and dry‐roasted.

Conclusion

Fermentation of quinoa flour for 4 hr followed by dry roasting was successful in improving both nutritional and sensory attributes of the final product.
Highly Active Carbon Supported PtCu Electrocatalysts for PEMFCs by in situ Supercritical Deposition Coupled with Electrochemical Dealloying
Authors: Barim S. B. , Bozbag S. E. , Deljoo B. , Aindow M. , Erkey C.
Published: November 2019

Carbon aerogel and Vulcan supported PtCu electrocatalysts were prepared using the simultaneous and sequential in situ supercritical deposition (SCD) method in supercritical CO2 followed by thermal annealing and electrochemical dealloying. Before dealloying, annealed electrocatalysts prepared by simultaneous SCD had a more uniform PtCu composition in PtCu nanoparticles whereas electrocatalysts prepared by sequential SCD led to PtCu nanoparticles with Cu enrichment on the surface. Upon dealloying, PtCu/CA electrocatalyst prepared by simultaneous SCD had an enhanced ESA of 159.4 m2 g−1 due to the synergistic effects of PtCu nanoparticle size and PtCu composition in nanoparticles. All dealloyed electrocatalysts had higher mass activities and PtCu/Vulcan electrocatalyst prepared by simultaneous SCD had the highest mass activity of 0.178 A mgPt−1 which was more than twice of the mass activity of commercial Pt/C. PtCu/Vulcan electrocatalyst prepared by sequential SCD showed a specific activity of 0.511 mA cm−2 which was 5 times higher than the specific activity of commercial Pt/C.
Mapping the neuroanatomical impact of very preterm birth across childhood
Authors: Vandewouw Marlee M. , Young Julia M. , Mossad Sarah I. , Sato Julie , Whyte Hilary A. E. , Shroff Manohar M. , Taylor Margot J.
Published: November 2019

Those born very preterm (VPT; <32 weeks gestational age) have an increased risk in developing a wide range of cognitive deficits. In early‐to‐late childhood, brain structure has been shown to be altered in VPT compared to full‐term (FT) children; however, the results are inconsistent. The current study examined subcortical volumes, cortical thickness, and surface area in a large cohort of VPT and FT children aged 4–12 years. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was obtained on 120 VPT and 146 FT children who returned up to three times, resulting in 176 VPT and 173 FT unique data points. For each participant, Corticometric Iterative Vertex‐based Estimation of Thickness was used to obtain global measurements of total brain, cortical grey and cortical white matter volumes, along with surface‐based measurements of cortical thickness and surface area, and Multiple Automatically Generated Templates (MAGeT) brain segmentation tool was used to segment the subcortical structures. To examine group differences and group–age interactions, mixed‐effects models were used (controlling for whole‐brain volume). We found few differences between the two groups in subcortical volumes. The VPT children showed increased cortical thickness in frontal, occipital and fusiform gyri and inferior pre–post–central areas, while thinning occurred in the midcingulate. Cortical thickness in occipital regions showed more rapid decreases with age in the VPT compared to the FT children. VPT children also showed both regional increases, particularly in the temporal lobe, and decreases in surface area. Our results indicate a delayed maturational trajectory in those born VPT.
Top‐down versus bottom‐up attention differentially modulate frontal–parietal connectivity
Authors: Bowling Jake T. , Friston Karl J. , Hopfinger Joseph B.
Published: November 2019

The moment‐to‐moment focus of our mind's eye results from a complex interplay of voluntary and involuntary influences on attention. Previous neuroimaging studies suggest that the brain networks of voluntary versus involuntary attention can be segregated into a frontal‐versus‐parietal or a dorsal‐versus‐ventral partition—although recent work suggests that the dorsal network may be involved in both bottom‐up and top‐down attention. Research with nonhuman primates has provided evidence that a key distinction between top‐down and bottom‐up attention may be the direction of connectivity between frontal and parietal areas. Whereas typical fMRI connectivity analyses cannot disambiguate the direction of connections, dynamic causal modeling (DCM) can model directionality. Using DCM, we provide new evidence that directed connections within the dorsal attention network are differentially modulated for voluntary versus involuntary attention. These results suggest that the intraparietal sulcus exerts a baseline inhibitory effect on the frontal eye fields that is strengthened during exogenous orienting and attenuated during endogenous orienting. Furthermore, the attenuation from endogenous attention occurs even with salient peripheral cues when those cues are known to be counter predictive. Thus, directed connectivity between frontal and parietal regions of the dorsal attention network is highly influenced by the type of attention that is engaged.
Impact of infection control measures on the related costs and the amount of broad‐spectrum antimicrobial agents used in a hospital: A time‐series analysis
Authors: Tachi Tomoya , Toda Yumi , Seko Takayuki , Noguchi Yoshihiro , Teramachi Hitomi
Published: November 2019

Health care–associated infections (HAIs) worsen patient prognoses and increase medical costs. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), which involves appropriate use of antimicrobial agents and antiseptics, may be beneficial for addressing the issue of HAIs. In hospitals, an infection control team (ICT) plays an important role on the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents and antiseptics based on AMS. We aimed to conduct a time‐series analysis of the efficacies of infection control measures in terms of related costs, amount of broad‐spectrum antimicrobial agents used (carbapenems and quinolones), and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) detection rates. This retrospective cross‐sectional study included in‐hospital patients treated at a single institute between January 2012 and December 2015. The intervention start point (initiation of infection control measures) was January 2014. All survey items were subjected to segmented regression analysis using an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model. Differences between pre‐intervention and postintervention levels and their trends were assessed, using a statistical significance cutoff of P < .05. The infection control costs demonstrated a significantly increasing trend, despite significant decreases in the amount of carbapenems used. Accordingly, the implementation of infection control measures was associated with increased costs, whereas carbapenem use decreased immediately after intervention. Postintervention levels, trends of quinolone use, or MRSA detection rates did not reveal significant changes. Although implementation of infection control measures induced gradual increases in related costs, these measures led to immediate reductions in carbapenem use. Our study findings will support the establishment of more effective and economical infection control measures.
Letter to the editor regarding “Hall current effect on the peristaltic motion of synovial nanofluid with magnetohydrodynamics” by Wahed M. Hasona
Authors: Mekheimer Kh. S.
Published: November 2019

In a recent work Wahed M. Hasona have analyzed the effects of Hall currents and magnetic field through a horizontal and asymmetric channel with peristaltic waves for a synovial nanofluid. The author aim was to extend some previous works. These comments has been prepared from the perspective point of view that the readers of the above mentioned paper may not be aware of the several potentially serious flawed analysis and typographical errors throughout that work. In the next few pages we will focus on some of these mistakes/typos clarifying that the obtained results should be reported as fabricated results that no one can rely upon. For this reason we wrote these comments to elaborate on some of these errors with suggested corrections for these errors to correct the literature and ensure its integrity. We first show that the mathematical formulation for the model used in this paper is not satisfactory. As a result, the obtained analytical and numerical results are inappropriate and do not match with any results for the peristaltic flow models.
Linking hydrologic signatures to hydrologic processes: A review
Authors: McMillan Hilary
Published: November 2019

Hydrologic signatures are metrics that quantify aspects of streamflow response. Linking signatures to underlying processes enables multiple applications, such as selecting hydrologic model structure, analysing hydrologic change, making predictions in ungauged basins, and classifying watershed function. However, many lists of hydrologic signatures are not process‐based, and knowledge about signature‐process links has been scattered among studies from experimental watersheds and model selection experiments. This review brings together those studies to catalogue more than 50 signatures representing evapotranspiration, snow storage and melt, permafrost, infiltration excess, saturation excess, groundwater, baseflow, connectivity, channel processes, partitioning, and human alteration. The review shows substantial variability in the number, type, and timescale of signatures available to represent each process. Many signatures provide information about groundwater storage, partitioning, and connectivity, whereas snow processes and human alteration are underrepresented. More signatures are related to the seasonal scale than the event timescale, and land surface processes (ET, snow, and overland flow) have no signatures at the event scale. There are limitations in some signatures that test for occurrence but cannot quantify processes, or are related to multiple processes, making automated analysis more difficult. This review will be valuable as a reference for hydrologists seeking to use streamflow records to investigate a particular hydrologic process or to conduct large‐sample analyses of patterns in hydrologic processes.
How relative mobility affects the aggregate throughput of VANET cluster?
Authors: Ali Mohammed Shabbir , Zhang Jun , Labiod Houda
Published: November 2019

Clustering is considered an important issue in Vehicular Ad‐hoc Networks (VANETs) to ensure the network robustness and throughput. Nevertheless, in the literature, there is still a lack of understanding of how relative mobility between cluster members and the cluster head affects the throughput of VANET clusters. In this letter, we present a model to characterize the throughput of VANET clusters, by taking into account the relative mobility effect, which implicitly accounts for the Doppler effect. The numerical analysis shows that there is a large gap between the throughput of the model with/without consideration of relative mobility, which indicates the necessity to develop clustering algorithms that minimize intra‐cluster mobility.
Short Sleep Is Associated With Low Bone Mineral Density and Osteoporosis in the Women's Health Initiative
Authors: Ochs-Balcom Heather M , Hovey Kathleen M , Andrews Christopher , Cauley Jane A , Hale Lauren , Li Wenjun , Bea Jennifer W , Sarto Gloria E , Stefanick Marcia L , Stone Katie L , Watts Nelson B , Zaslavsky Oleg , Wactawski-Wende Jean
Published: November 2019

Short sleep duration, recognized as a public health epidemic, is associated with adverse health conditions, yet little is known about the association between sleep and bone health. We tested the associations of usual sleep behavior and bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis. In a sample of 11,084 postmenopausal women from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI; mean age 63.3 years, SD = 7.4), we performed a cross-sectional study of the association of self-reported usual hours of sleep and sleep quality (WHI Insomnia Rating Score) with whole body, total hip, femoral neck, and spine BMD using linear regression models. We also studied the association of sleep duration and quality with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-defined low bone mass (T-score < −2.5 to <−1) and osteoporosis (T-score ≤ −2.5) using multinomial regression models. We adjusted for age, DXA machine, race, menopausal symptoms, education, smoking, physical activity, body mass index, alcohol use, physical function, and sleep medication use. In adjusted linear regression models, women who reported sleeping 5 hours or less per night had on average 0.012 to 0.018 g/cm2 significantly lower BMD at all four sites compared with women who reported sleeping 7 hours per night (reference). In adjusted multinomial models, women reporting 5 hours or less per night had higher odds of low bone mass and osteoporosis of the hip (odds ratio [OR] = 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–1.45, and 1.63; 1.15–2.31, respectively). We observed a similar pattern for spine BMD, where women with 5 hours or less per night had higher odds of osteoporosis (adjusted OR = 1.28; 95% CI 1.02–1.60). Associations of sleep quality and DXA BMD failed to reach statistical significance. Short sleep duration was associated with lower BMD and higher risk of osteoporosis. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the cross-sectional effects of sleep duration on bone health and explore associated mechanisms. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Articular Cartilage Degradation and Aberrant Subchondral Bone Remodeling in Patients with Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis
Authors: Chu Linyang , Liu Xuqiang , He Zihao , Han Xuequan , Yan Mengning , Qu Xinhua , Li Xiaofeng , Yu Zhifeng
Published: November 2019

Osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis (OP) are two skeletal disorders associated with joint structures. Occasionally, OA and OP occur in the same patient. However, the effect of OP changes on OA progression in patients with osteoporotic OA (OP-OA) has not been reported, especially the potential association between subchondral bone and articular cartilage. Thus we investigated the alterations in the microstructure, biomechanical properties, and remodeling of subchondral bone as well as their association with cartilage damage in the hip joint of patients with OP-OA. Thirty-nine femoral head specimens were obtained from patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (OA group, n = 19; OP-OA group, n = 20), and healthy specimens from cadaver donors were used (control group, n = 10). The microstructure and biomechanical properties of subchondral bone were evaluated by micro–computed tomography and micro–finite-element analysis. Histology, histomorphometric measurements, and immunohistochemistry were used to assess subchondral bone remodeling and cartilage damage. Linear regression analysis was performed to elucidate the relationship between subchondral bone and articular cartilage. In the subchondral bone of the OP-OA group, compared with that of the OA group, aberrant bone remodeling leads to an inferior microstructure and worsening biomechanical properties, potentially affecting transmission of loading stress from the cartilage to the subchondral bone, and then resulting in accelerated OA progression in patients with OP-OA. The results indicate that changes in subchondral bone could affect OA development and the improvement in subchondral bone with bone-metabolism agents may help mitigate OA progression when OP and OA coexist in the same patients. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
An Inverse Agonist Ligand of the PTH Receptor Partially Rescues Skeletal Defects in a Mouse Model of Jansen's Metaphyseal Chondrodysplasia
Authors: Noda Hiroshi , Guo Jun , Khatri Ashok , Dean Thomas , Reyes Monica , Armanini Michael , Brooks Daniel J , Martins Janaina S , Schipani Ernestina , Bouxsein Mary L , Demay Marie B , Potts John T , Jüppner Harald , Gardella Thomas J
Published: November 2019

Jansen's metaphyseal chondrodysplasia (JMC) is a rare disease of bone and mineral ion physiology that is caused by activating mutations in PTHR1. Ligand-independent signaling by the mutant receptors in cells of bone and kidney results in abnormal skeletal growth, excessive bone turnover, and chronic hypercalcemia and hyperphosphaturia. Clinical features further include short stature, limb deformities, nephrocalcinosis, and progressive losses in kidney function. There is no effective treatment option available for JMC. In previous cell-based assays, we found that certain N-terminally truncated PTH and PTHrP antagonist peptides function as inverse agonists and thus can reduce the high rates of basal cAMP signaling exhibited by the mutant PTHR1s of JMC in vitro. Here we explored whether one such inverse agonist ligand, [Leu11,dTrp12,Trp23,Tyr36]-PTHrP(7-36)NH2 (IA), can be effective in vivo and thus ameliorate the skeletal abnormalities that occur in transgenic mice expressing the PTHR1-H223R allele of JMC in osteoblastic cells via the collagen-1α1 promoter (C1HR mice). We observed that after 2 weeks of twice-daily injection and relative to vehicle controls, the IA analog resulted in significant improvements in key skeletal parameters that characterize the C1HR mice, because it reduced the excess trabecular bone mass, bone marrow fibrosis, and levels of bone turnover markers in blood and urine. The overall findings provide proof-of-concept support for the notion that inverse agonist ligands targeted to the mutant PTHR1 variants of JMC can have efficacy in vivo. Further studies of such PTHR1 ligand analogs could help open paths toward the first treatment option for this debilitating skeletal disorder. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Weighted gene co‐expression network analysis to explore the mechanism of heroin addiction in human nucleus accumbens
Authors: Shi Xugang , Li Yunxiao , Yan Peng , Shi Yuhui , Lai Jianghua
Published: November 2019

Heroin dependence is a complex behavioral disease, and a chronic encephalopathy with the important feature of relapse. The purpose of the study was to identify the regulatory mechanism of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in heroin dependence. We used weighted gene co‐expression network analysis to analyze the GSE87823 data package, which included 27 heroin users and 22 controls of human NAc tissue. Modules were correlated with basic information of samples and enrichment analyses used to identify biological function and transcription factors and online tools were used to perform the gene ontology of significant genes. We identified one gene module from the total data (blue) and the male data (turquoise), respectively. The overlap genes of top 10 hub genes in significant modules (PRR11, SLC35E1, LPP, ZNF721, ZNF611, LRRFIP1) were selected to identify as candidate genes in the regulation mechanism of NAc in heroin dependence. Then, we accorded the results to further explore that miRNA‐hsa‐miR‐155‐5p in male and total may be a potential marker. The candidate genes may serve as novel prognostic markers and treatment targets. Hsa‐miR‐155‐5p may be a promising regulatory point for the treatment of heroin addiction.
Combination of attenuated Salmonella carrying PD‐1 siRNA with nifuroxazide for colon cancer therapy
Authors: Zhao Tiesuo , Feng Yuchen , Guo Mengmeng , Zhang Chaohui , Wu Qiang , Chen Jian , Guo Sheng , Liu Shenzhen , Zhou Qingsa , Wang Zizhong , Fan Wenyan , Zhang Yongxi , Jia Huijie , Feng Zhiwei
Published: November 2019

Colon cancer is a member of malignant tumors in the digestive system. Traditional treatment strategies are ineffective and improving the treatment of colon cancer is an urgent need. Targeting programmed cell death‐1 (PD‐1) by monoclonal antibodies has shown some therapeutic effectiveness and has advantages. Additionally, the Stat3 inhibitor nifuroxazide was employed to promote the antitumor activity. Here, we hypothesized that combining nifuroxazide with PD‐1 small interfering RNA carried by attenuated Salmonella would exert a synergistic antitumor effect on colon cancer. Indeed, treatment with this combination effectively inhibited the development of colon cancer in mice and improved the survival rate. These two novel anticancer agents worked synergistically to elicit potent antitumor immunity and achieve improved therapeutic efficacy. The underlying mechanisms are mainly involved with immune regulation and cell apoptosis. This study provides a previous framework for combining this Stat3 inhibitor with RNAi designed to block immune checkpoint signaling for cancer therapy.
LINC00116 enhances cervical cancer tumorigenesis through miR‐106a/c‐Jun pathway
Authors: Lai Yiqing , Zhou Beibei , Tan Qingqing , Xu Juan , Wan Ting , Zhang Lina
Published: November 2019

Some studies imply that LINC00116 is involved in cervical cancer progression; however, the molecular mechanism by which LINC00116 modulating tumorigenesis of cervical cancer remains not clear. Reverse transcription‐quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR) and the Western blot approaches were employed to probe genes expression levels. To examine the tumorigenic abilities of cervical cancer cells, MTT assay, Transwell assay, and wound‐healing assay were used to investigate proliferation, invasion, and migration of HeLa or C‐33A cells. LINC00116 knockdown attenuates cell proliferation, invasion, and migration of cervical cancer cells. miR‐106a directly binds LINC00116 and regulate each other. Moreover, miR‐106a inhibitor remarkably enhanced tumorigenesis of shLINC00116 HeLa cells. Through bioinformatic and dual‐luciferase reporter assay, the results showed that miR‐106a mimic directly targeted and downregulated the c‐Jun. c‐Jun overexpression could greatly rescue miR‐106a mimic‐modulated cervical cancer tumorigenesis. LINC00116 knockdown and miR‐106a mimic‐modulated programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression, which could be reverted by c‐Jun introduction. LINC00116, PD‐L1, and JUN were both upregulated in cervical cancer tumors compared to normal tissues. Lower expression levels of LINC00116 and JUN, as well as higher level of miR‐106a were closely associated with higher overall survival of cervical cancer patients. Here, we report a novel role for LINC00116 in tumorigenesis of cervical cancer by regulating miR‐106a/c‐Jun axis. Our findings provide a foundation for understanding cervical cancer and facilitate the development of therapeutical approaches by targeting LINC00116.
Coordinated expression of p300 and HDAC3 upregulates histone acetylation during dentinogenesis
Authors: Tao Huangheng , Li Qiuhui , Lin Yuxiu , Zuo Huanyan , Cui Yu , Chen Shuo , Chen Zhi , Liu Huan
Published: November 2019

Cellular differentiation is caused by highly controlled modifications in the gene expression but rarely involves a change in the DNA sequence itself. Histone acetylation is a major epigenetic factor that adds an acetyl group to histone proteins, thus altering their interaction with DNA and nuclear proteins. Illumination of the histone acetylation during dentinogenesis is important for odontoblast differentiation and dentinogenesis. In the current study, we aimed to discover the roles and regulation of acetylation at histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9ac) and H3K27ac during dentinogenesis. We first found that both of these modifications were enhanced during odontoblast differentiation and dentinogenesis. These modifications are dynamically catalyzed by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and deacetylases (HDACs), among which HDAC3 was decreased while p300 increased during odontoblast differentiation. Moreover, overexpression of HDAC3 or knockdown p300 inhibited odontoblast differentiation in vitro, and inhibition of HDAC3 and p300 with trichostatin A or C646 regulated odontoblast differentiation. Taken together, the results of our present study suggest that histone acetylation is involved in dentinogenesis and coordinated expression of p300‐ and HDAC3‐regulated odontoblast differentiation through upregulating histone acetylation.
Retracted: Long noncoding RNA ZFPM2‐AS1 is involved in lung adenocarcinoma via miR‐511‐3p/AFF4 pathway
Authors: Li Juan , Ge Jun , Yang Ye , Liu Bin , Zheng Min , Shi Rui
Published: November 2019

Lung cancer is the dominating cause of cancer‐induced death and can be classified into small cell lung cancer and non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common histological subtype of NSCLC and its pathology remains unclear. Mounting reports have revealed that lncRNAs could regulate cellular activities in cancers. Yet the role of ZFPM2 antisense RNA 1 (ZFPM2‐AS1) in LUAD has not been elucidated. Using GEPIA online dataset, we identified the amplification of ZFPM2‐AS1 in LUAD tissues. Through quantitative real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction analysis, we observed an upregulation of ZFPM2‐AS1 in LUAD cell lines. Conducting loss‐of‐function assays, we found that ZFPM2‐AS1 depletion impaired cell viability, suppressed cell migration, and reversed epithelial‐mesenchymal transition progress in LUAD cells. Mechanism investigation manifested that ZFPM2‐AS1 was distributed in the cytoplasm of LUAD cells. Moreover, ZFPM2‐AS1 functioned as a molecular sponge of miR‐511‐3p, which was a suppressor in LUAD. Moreover, ZFPM2‐AS1 sponged miR‐511‐3p and thereby deregulated AF4/FMR2 family member 4 (AFF4), a target of miR‐511‐3p. At length, rescue assays indicated that AFF4 overexpression revived the inhibiting effects of ZFPM2‐AS1 knockdown on the biological processes in LUAD. All in all, this study uncovered the function and the mechanism of ZFPM2‐AS1 in LUAD.
Genome‐wide screening diagnostic biomarkers and the construction of prognostic model of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Furong , Liao Zhibin , Song Jia , Yuan Chaoyi , Liu Yachong , Zhang Hongwei , Pan Yonglong , Zhang Zhanguo , Zhang Bixiang
Published: November 2019

Although methods in diagnosis and therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have made significant progress in decades, the overall survival (OS) of HCC remains dissatisfactory, so it is particularly important to find better diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. In this study, we found a more reliable potential diagnostic biomarkers and constructed a more accurate prognostic evaluation model based on integrated transcriptome sequencing analysis of multiple independent data sets. First, we performed quality evaluation and differential analysis on seven Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data sets, and then comprehensively analyzed the differentially expressed genes with a robust rank aggregation algorithm. Next, Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used to establish an 8‐gene prognostic risk score (RS) model. Finally, the prognostic model was further validated in the GEO data set. Also, RS has independence on other clinicopathological characteristics but has similarities in prognostic assessment compared with the T stage. Moreover, the combination of T stage and prognostic RS model based on the 8‐gene had a better prognostic evaluation effect. In brief, our research suggest that the prognostic risk model of 8 genes has important clinical significance in HCC patients, and can further enrich the prognostic guidance value of the traditional T stage.
Chrm3 protects against acinar cell necrosis by stabilizing caspase‐8 expression in severe acute pancreatitis mice model
Authors: Huang Ning , Murtaza Ghulam , Wang Lujing , Luan Jing , Wang Xinlei , Sun Yumiao , Wu Xing , Tao Yuxi , Shi Shuoxi , Cao Peihua , Qiao Yu , Han Dong , Kou Jiayuan , Ma Ning , Gao Xu
Published: November 2019

Acinar cells in acute pancreatitis (AP) die through apoptosis and necrosis, the impacts of which are quite different. Early clinical interference strategies on preventing the progress of AP to severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) are the elimination of inflammation response and inhibition of necrosis. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3 was encoded by Chrm3 gene. It is one of the best‐characterized receptors of pancreatic β cells and regulates insulin secretion, but its function in AP remains unclear. In this study, we explored the function of Chrm3 gene in the regulation of cell death in l‐arginine‐induced SAP animal models. We found that Chrm3 was upregulated in pancreatitis, and we further confirmed the localization of Chrm3 resided in both pancreatic islets and acinar cell membranes. The reduction of Chrm3 decreased the pathological lesion of SAP and reduced amylase activities in serum. Consistently, Chrm3 can suppress acinar cells necrosis markedly, but has no effect on regulating apoptosis after l‐arginine treatment. It was shown that Chrm3 attenuated acinar cells necrosis at least in part by stabilizing caspase‐8. Thus, this study indicates that Chrm3 is critical participants in SAP, and regulation of Chrm3 expression might be a useful therapeutic strategy for preventing pathologic necrosis.
Retracted: Silencing circular RNA circANKRD36 remits lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory damage by regulating microRNA‐15/MyD88
Authors: Wang Qiaoyan , Tao Shujun , Zhu Nan , Li Tingting , Yu Lingling
Published: November 2019

Bedsore is a familiar disease, which fearfully harms the health of the patients. We investigated the efficacy and mechanism of circular RNA circANKRD36 on HaCaT cell in inflammatory damage. CCK‐8 and flow cytometry were respectively used to investigate the efficacies of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), circANKRD36, and microRNA (miR)‐15 on cell viability and apoptosis. Moreover, circANKRD36 and miR‐15 expression were changed by cell transfection and investigated by reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, the levels of Bax, pro caspase‐3, cleaved caspase‐3, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, and proteins of the pathway were investigated by Western blot. Otherwise, the levels of IL‐1β and IL‐6 were investigated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was investigated by ROS assay. The relation between myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and miR‐15 was investigated by luciferase assay. LPS caused inflammatory damage and upregulated circANKRD36. circANKRD36 was silenced in cells and si‐circANKRD36 remitted inflammatory damage. Furthermore, si‐circANKRD36 negatively regulated miR‐15 and miR‐15 inhibitor could reverse the efficacies of si‐circANKRD36. Besides, si‐circANKRD36 restrained the NF‐κB pathway by upregulating miR‐15. Finally, MyD88 was authenticated as a target of miR‐15. circANKRD36 remitted cell inflammatory damage upregulating miR‐15/MyD88 via the NF‐κB pathway in HaCaT cells.