bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acetoacetate induces hepatocytes apoptosis by the ROS‐mediated MAPKs pathway in ketotic cows
Authors: Du Xiliang , Shi Zhen , Peng Zhicheng , Zhao Chenxu , Zhang Yuming , Wang Zhe , Li Xiaobing , Liu Guowen , Li Xinwei
Published: January 2017

Dairy cows with ketosis are characterized by oxidative stress, hepatic damage, and hyperketonemia. Acetoacetate (AA) is the main component of ketone bodies in ketotic cows, and is associated with the above pathological process. However, the potential mechanism was not illuminated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of AA‐induced hepatic oxidative damage in ketotic cows. Compared with healthy cows, ketotic cows exhibited severe oxidative stress and hepatic damage. Moreover, the extent of hepatic damage and oxidative stress had a positive relationship with the AA levels. In vitro, AA treatment increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and further induced oxidative stress and apoptosis of bovine hepatocytes. In this process, AA treatment increased the phosphorylation levels of JNK and p38MAPK and decreased the phosphorylation level of ERK, which could increase p53 and inhibit nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression, nuclear localization, and DNA‐binding affinity, thereby inducing the overexpression of pro‐apoptotic molecules Bax, Caspase 3, Caspase 9, PARP and inhibition of anti‐apoptotic molecule Bcl‐2. Antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment or interference of MAPKs pathway could attenuate the hepatocytes apoptosis induced by AA. Collectively, these results indicate that AA triggers hepatocytes apoptosis via the ROS‐mediated MAPKs pathway in ketotic cows.
KCNQ1 variants associate with hypertension in type 2 diabetes and affect smooth muscle contractility in vitro
Authors: Huang Kuo‐Chin , Li Te‐Mao , Liu Xiang , Chen Jin‐Hua , Chien Wen‐Kuei , Shiao Yi‐Tzone , Tsang Hsinyi , Lin Ting‐Hsu , Liao Chiu‐Chu , Huang Shao‐Mei , Li Ju‐Pi , Lin Cheng‐Wen , Lin Jung‐Chun , Lin Chih‐Chien , Lai Chih‐Ho , Cheng Chi‐Fung , Liang Wen‐Miin , Hung Chien‐Hui , Chen Ching‐Chu , Lin Ying‐Ju , Tsai Fuu‐Jen
Published: January 2017

KCNQ1 encodes a potassium voltage‐gated channel and represents a susceptibility locus for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Here, we explored the association between KCNQ1 polymorphisms and hypertension risk in individuals with T2DM, as well as the role of KCNQ1 in vascular smooth muscle cell contraction in vitro. To investigate the relationship between KCNQ1 and the risk of developing hypertension in patients with T2DM, we divided the T2DM cohort into hypertension (n = 452) and non‐hypertension (n = 541) groups. The Mann–Whitney U test, chi‐square test, and multivariate regression analyses were used to assess the clinical characteristics and genotypic frequencies. In vitro studies utilized the rat aortic smooth muscle A10 cell line. Patients in the hypertension group were significantly older at the time of enrollment and had higher levels of body mass index, waist‐to‐hip ratio, and triglyceride than those in the non‐hypertension group. The KCNQ1 rs3864884 and rs12576239 genetic variants were associated with hypertension in T2DM. KCNQ1 expression was lower in the individuals with the CC versus the CT and TT genotypes. Smooth muscle cell contractility was inhibited by treatment with a KCNQ1 inhibitor. These results suggest that KCNQ1 might be associated with hypertension in individuals with T2DM.
Irx3 and Bmp2 regulate mouse mesenchymal cell chondrogenic differentiation in both a Sox9‐dependent and ‐independent manner
Authors: Tamamura Yoshihiro , Katsube Kenichi , Mera Hisashi , Itokazu Maki , Wakitani Shigeyuki
Published: January 2017

Sox9, a master regulator of cartilage development, controls the cell fate decision to differentiate from mesenchymal to chondrogenic cells. In addition, Sox9 regulates the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes, as well as the production of cartilage‐specific proteoglycans. The existence of Sox9‐independent mechanisms in cartilage development remains to be determined. Here, we attempted to identify genes involved in such putative mechanisms via microarray analysis using a mouse chondrogenic cell line, N1511. We first focused on transcription factors that exhibited upregulated expression following Bmp2 treatment, which was not altered by subsequent treatment with Sox9 siRNA. Among these, we selected positive regulators for chondrogenesis and identified Iroquois‐related homeobox 3 (Irx3) as one of the candidate genes. Irx3 expression gradually increased with chondrocyte terminal differentiation in a reciprocal manner to Sox9 expression, and promoted the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal cells upon Bmp2 treatment. Furthermore, Irx3 partially rescued impaired chondrogenesis by upregulating the expression of epiphycan and lumican under reduced Sox9 expression. Finally, Irx3 was shown to act in concert with Bmp2 signaling to activate the p38 MAPK pathway, which in turn stimulated Sox9 expression, as well as the expression of epiphycan and lumican in a Sox9‐independent manner. These results indicate that Irx3 represents a novel chondrogenic factor of mesenchymal cells, acts synergistically with Bmp2‐mediated signaling, and regulates chondrogenesis independent of the transcriptional machinery associated with Sox9‐mediated regulation.
Therapeutic effects of curcumin in inflammatory and immune‐mediated diseases: A nature‐made jack‐of‐all‐trades?
Authors: Abdollahi Elham , Momtazi Amir Abbas , Johnston Thomas P. , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: January 2017

Curcumin is a dietary polyphenol from turmeric with numerous pharmacological activities. Novel animal and human studies indicate that curcumin can affect different immune cells, such as various T lymphocyte subsets, macrophages, dendritic cells, B lymphocytes and natural killer cells, which results in decreasing severity of various diseases with immunological etiology. The present review provides a comprehensive overview of the effects of curcumin on different immune cells and immune system‐related diseases.
Small RNAome profiling from human skeletal muscle: novel miRNAs and their targets associated with cancer cachexia
Authors: Narasimhan Ashok , Ghosh Sunita , Stretch Cynthia , Greiner Russell , Bathe Oliver F. , Baracos Vickie , Damaraju Sambasivarao
Published: January 2017

Background

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small non‐coding RNAs that regulate gene (mRNA) expression. Although the pathological role of miRs have been studied in muscle wasting conditions such as myotonic and muscular dystrophy, their roles in cancer cachexia (CC) are still emerging.

Objectives

The objectives are (i) to profile human skeletal muscle expressed miRs; (ii) to identify differentially expressed (DE) miRs between cachectic and non‐cachectic cancer patients; (iii) to identify mRNA targets for the DE miRs to gain mechanistic insights; and (iv) to investigate if miRs show potential prognostic and predictive value.

Methods

Study subjects were classified based on the international consensus diagnostic criteria for CC. Forty‐two cancer patients were included, of which 22 were cachectic cases and 20 were non‐cachectic cancer controls. Total RNA isolated from muscle biopsies were subjected to next‐generation sequencing.

Results

A total of 777 miRs were profiled, and 82 miRs with read counts of ≥5 in 80% of samples were retained for analysis. We identified eight DE miRs (up‐regulated, fold change of ≥1.4 at P < 0.05). A total of 191 potential mRNA targets were identified for the DE miRs using previously described human skeletal muscle mRNA expression data (n = 90), and a majority of them were also confirmed in an independent mRNA transcriptome dataset. Ingenuity pathway analysis identified pathways related to myogenesis and inflammation. qRT‐PCR analysis of representative miRs showed similar direction of effect (P < 0.05), as observed in next‐generation sequencing. The identified miRs also showed prognostic and predictive value.

Conclusions

In all, we identified eight novel miRs associated with CC.
Effect of fermentation temperature on hydrogen production from xylose and the succession of hydrogen‐producing microflora
Authors: Qiu Chunsheng , Yuan Ping , Sun Liping , Wang Shaopo , Lo Shanglien , Zhang Dandan
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND

Hydrogen production through anaerobic dark fermentation is considered to be a potential biological process for xylose utilization. Temperature is one of the most important environmental factors, however, most studies have been carried out over a small temperature range. Batch tests were carried out to investigate the temperature effect on hydrogen production from xylose using a mixed culture over a wide temperature range (35–65°C). Hydrogen production, metabolite distribution and dynamics of microbial communities were investigated.

RESULTS

Hydrogen‐producing cultures were successfully enriched at each tested temperature. Two peaks of fermentation temperature for hydrogen production were observed at 35 and 55°C (1.11 and 1.30 mol‐H2 mol−1‐xyloseconsumed, respectively). Butyrate and acetate were the major liquid metabolites at 35–60°C. While at 65°C the main by‐product was ethanol. Polymerase chain reaction‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR‐DGGE) analysis indicated that Clostridium species were dominant at 35–40°C, while Thermoanaerobacterium dominated at 45–60°C. Both species were found at 65°C, but with lowest microbial community diversity.

CONCLUSION

Hydrogen production efficiency was mainly affected by the liquid metabolite distributions, which depended mainly upon the temperature. Several microbial community structures were formed at mesophilic, transition, thermophilic and extreme‐thermophilic conditions, resulting in different metabolic pathways of xylose and hydrogen production capacity. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
An assessment of historical and projected future hydro‐climatic variability and extremes over southern watersheds in the Canadian Prairies
Authors: Bonsal Barrie R. , Cuell Charles , Wheaton Elaine , Sauchyn David J. , Barrow Elaine
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

Since human activities and ecosystem health require adequate, reliable water supplies, hydro‐climatic variability and extremes pose serious threats to society and the environment. Previous studies have shown that the Canadian Prairies normally experience considerable hydro‐climatic variability, including periodic droughts and excessive moisture conditions, which are mainly caused by mid‐tropospheric circulations that disrupt expected precipitation and temperature patterns. However, no investigations have specifically focused on both past and future hydro‐climatology over watersheds within the region. Evaluation of the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index reveals considerable inter‐annual and decadal‐scale variability over the study regions of the Oldman and Swift Current Creek Watersheds, with no discernible trends during the last ∼100 years. There is also an indication of increased variability since the mid‐1980s. Assessment of the 500 hPa circulation patterns associated with identified hydro‐climatic extremes shows that major droughts are related with higher frequencies of distinctive ridging patterns over the Prairie region, and lower incidences of zonal/troughing patterns (the former significantly increasing over the last 60 years). Excessive moisture conditions have opposite patterns. Projections from two (a drier/warmer and wetter/cooler) Regional Climate Models indicate an uncertain future in the selected watersheds ranging from a substantial increase in drought with a higher degree of inter‐annual variability, to relatively no change from current conditions. Furthermore, future changes to key atmospheric circulations suggest that those patterns associated with extreme dry conditions will continue in the future and in some cases, increase in frequency. Results from this analysis have improved the understanding of historical hydro‐climatic extremes in western Canada and have provided insight into potential future occurrences of these extremes as driven by changes to key surface climate and synoptic‐scale atmospheric circulation patterns.
Neuromuscular compensation mechanisms in vocal fold paralysis and paresis
Authors: Dewan Karuna , Vahabzadeh‐Hagh Andrew , Soofer Donna , Chhetri Dinesh K.
Published: January 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

Vocal fold paresis and paralysis are common conditions. Treatment options include augmentation laryngoplasty and voice therapy. The optimal management for this condition is unclear. The objective of this study was to assess possible neuromuscular compensation mechanisms that could potentially be used in the treatment of vocal fold paresis and paralysis.

Study Design

In vivo canine model.

Methods

In an in vivo canine model, we examined three conditions: 1) unilateral right recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paresis and paralysis, 2) unilateral superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) paralysis, and 3) unilateral vagal nerve paresis and paralysis. Phonatory acoustics and aerodynamics were measured in each of these conditions. Effective compensation was defined as improved acoustic and aerodynamic profile.

Results

The most effective compensation for all conditions was increasing RLN activation and decreasing glottal gap. Increasing RLN activation increased the percentage of possible phonatory conditions that achieved phonation onset. SLN activation generally led to decreased number of total phonation onset conditions within each category. Differential effects of SLN (cricothyroid [CT] muscle) activation were seen. Ipsilateral SLN activation could compensate for RLN paralysis; normal CT compensated well in unilateral SLN paralysis; and in vagal paresis/paralysis, contralateral SLN and RLN displayed antagonistic relationships.

Conclusions

Methods to improve glottal closure should be the primary treatment for large glottal gaps. Neuromuscular compensation is possible for paresis. This study provides insights into possible compensatory mechanisms in vocal fold paresis and paralysis.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 127:1633–1638, 2017
Change in loneliness after intervention with cochlear implants or hearing aids
Authors: Contrera Kevin J. , Sung Yoon K. , Betz Joshua , Li Lingsheng , Lin Frank R.
Published: January 2017

Objective

To investigate the impact of hearing aid (HA) and cochlear implant (CI) use on loneliness in adults.

Study Design

Prospective observational cohort study.

Methods

One hundred and thirteen adults, aged ≥ 50 years, with postlingual hearing loss and receiving routine clinical care at a tertiary academic medical center, were evaluated with the University of California at Los Angeles Loneliness Scale before and 6 and 12 months after intervention with HAs or CIs. Change in score was assessed using linear mixed effect models adjusted for age; gender; education; and history of hypertension, diabetes, and smoking.

Results

Significant improvements in loneliness scores were observed in CI users from baseline to 6 months (−3.79 [95% confidence interval): −5.73, −1.85], P <.001) and baseline to 12 months (−3.26 [95% confidence interval: −5.66, −0.87], P =.007). We did not observe a significant improvement in loneliness scores in HA users from baseline to 6 months (−0.83 [95% confidence interval: −2.68, 1.02], P =.381) or baseline to 12 months (−0.34 [95% confidence interval: −2.77, −2.10], P = .007). The most substantial increases were observed in individuals with the lowest baseline scores.

Conclusion

Treatment of hearing loss with CIs results in a significant reduction in loneliness symptoms. This improvement was not observed with HAs. We observed differential effects of treatment depending on the baseline loneliness score, with the greatest improvements observed in individuals with the most loneliness symptoms at baseline.

Level of Evidence

2b. Laryngoscope, 127:1885–1889, 2017
Elimination of pain improves specificity of clinical diagnostic criteria for adult chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Hirsch Scott D. , Reiter Evan R. , DiNardo Laurence J. , Wan Wen , Schuman Theodore A.
Published: January 2017

Objective

Determine whether the elimination of pain improves accuracy of clinical diagnostic criteria for adult chronic rhinosinusitis.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

History, symptoms, nasal endoscopy, and computed tomography (CT) results were analyzed for 1,186 adults referred to an academic otolaryngology clinic with presumptive diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis. Clinical diagnosis was rendered using the 1997 Rhinosinusitis Taskforce (RSTF) Guidelines and a modified version eliminating facial pain, ear pain, dental pain, and headache.

Results

Four hundred seventy‐nine subjects (40%) met inclusion criteria. Among subjects positive by RSTF guidelines, 45% lacked objective evidence of sinonasal inflammation by CT, 48% by endoscopy, and 34% by either modality. Applying modified RSTF diagnostic criteria, 39% lacked sinonasal inflammation by CT, 38% by endoscopy, and 24% by either modality. Using either abnormal CT or endoscopy as the reference standard, modified diagnostic criteria yielded a statistically significant increase in specificity from 37.1% to 65.1%, with a nonsignificant decrease in sensitivity from 79.2% to 70.3%. Analysis of comorbidities revealed temporomandibular joint disorder, chronic cervical pain, depression/anxiety, and psychiatric medication use to be negatively associated with objective inflammation on CT or endoscopy.

Conclusion

Clinical diagnostic criteria overestimate the prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis. Removing facial pain, ear pain, dental pain, and headache increased specificity without a concordant loss in sensitivity. Given the high prevalence of sinusitis, improved clinical diagnostic criteria may assist primary care providers in more accurately predicting the presence of inflammation, thereby reducing inappropriate antibiotic use or delayed referral for evaluation of primary headache syndromes.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 127:1011–1016, 2017
Large time periodic solution to the coupled chemotaxis‐Stokes model
Authors: Jin Chunhua
Published: January 2017

In this paper, we deal with the time periodic problem for the coupled chemotaxis‐fluid model with logistic growth term. We prove the existence of large time periodic solution in spatial dimension . Furthermore, we also show that if the time periodic source g and the potential force belong to , the solution is also a classical solution.
Gene expression analysis combined with functional genomics approach identifies ITIH5 as tumor suppressor gene in cervical carcinogenesis
Authors: Dittmann Jessica , Ziegfeld Angelique , Jansen Lars , Gajda Mieczyslaw , Kloten Vera , Dahl Edgar , Runnebaum Ingo B. , Dürst Matthias , Backsch Claudia
Published: January 2017

Progression from human papillomavirus‐induced premalignant cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) to cervical cancer (CC) is driven by genetic and epigenetic events. Our microarray‐based expression study has previously shown that inter‐α‐trypsin‐inhibitor heavy chain 5 (ITIH5) mRNA levels in CCs were significantly lower than in high‐grade precursor lesions (CIN3s). Therefore, we aimed to analyze in depth ITIH5 expression during cervical carcinogenesis in biopsy material and cell culture. Moreover, functional analyses were performed by ectopic expression of ITIH5 in different cell lines. We were able to confirm the validity of our microarray differential expression data by qPCR, demonstrating a clear ITIH5 downregulation in CC as compared with CIN2/3 or normal cervix. ITIH5 protein loss, evaluated by immunohistochemistry, was evident in 81% of CCs, whereas ITIH5 showed weak to moderate cytoplasmic staining in 91% of CIN2/3 cases. In addition, ITIH5 was strongly reduced or absent in seven CC cell lines and in three immortalized keratinocyte cell lines. Moreover, ITIH5 mRNA loss was associated with ITIH5 promoter methylation. ITIH5 expression could be restored in CC cell lines by pharmacological induction of DNA demethylation and histone acetylation. Functionally, ITIH5 overexpression significantly suppressed proliferation of SW756 cells and further resulted in a significant reduction of colony formation and cell migration in both CaSki and SW756 tumor models, but had no effect on invasion. Remarkably, ITIH5 overexpression did not influence the phenotype of HeLa cells. Taken together, ITIH5 gene silencing is a frequent event during disease progression, thereby providing evidence for a tumor suppressive role in cervical carcinogenesis.
Exploiting semantics of temporal multi‐scale methods to optimize multi‐level mesh partitioning
Authors: Jamal M. Hasan , Prakash Arun , Kulkarni Milind
Published: January 2017

Multi‐scale problems are often solved by decomposing the problem domain into multiple subdomains, solving them independently using different levels of spatial and temporal refinement, and coupling the subdomain solutions back to obtain the global solution. Most commonly, finite elements are used for spatial discretization, and finite difference time stepping is used for time integration. Given a finite element mesh for the global problem domain, the number of possible decompositions into subdomains and the possible choices for associated time steps is exponentially large, and the computational costs associated with different decompositions can vary by orders of magnitude. The problem of finding an optimal decomposition and the associated time discretization that minimizes computational costs while maintaining accuracy is nontrivial. Existing mesh partitioning tools, such as METIS, overlook the constraints posed by multi‐scale methods and lead to suboptimal partitions with a high performance penalty. We present a multi‐level mesh partitioning approach that exploits domain‐specific knowledge of multi‐scale methods to produce nearly optimal mesh partitions and associated time steps automatically. Results show that for multi‐scale problems, our approach produces decompositions that outperform those produced by state‐of‐the‐art partitioners like METIS and even those that are manually constructed by domain experts. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predicting Romantic Interest at Zero Acquaintance: Evidence of Sex Differences in Trait Perception but Not in Predictors of Interest
Authors: Olderbak Sally G. , Malter Frederic , Wolf Pedro Sofio Abril , Jones Daniel N. , Figueredo Aurelio José
Published: January 2017

We evaluated five competing hypotheses about what predicts romantic interest. Through a half–block quasi–experimental design, a large sample of young adults (i.e. responders; n = 335) viewed videos of opposite–sex persons (i.e. targets) talking about themselves, and responders rated the targets’ traits and their romantic interest in the target. We tested whether similarity, dissimilarity or overall trait levels on mate value, physical attractiveness, life history strategy and the Big Five personality factors predicted romantic interest at zero acquaintance and whether sex acted as a moderator. We tested the responders’ individual perception of the targets’ traits, in addition to the targets’ own self–reported trait levels and a consensus rating of the targets made by the responders. We used polynomial regression with response surface analysis within multilevel modelling to test support for each of the hypotheses. Results suggest a large sex difference in trait perception; when women rated men, they agreed in their perception more often than when men rated women. However, as a predictor of romantic interest, there were no sex differences. Only the responders’ perception of the targets’ physical attractiveness predicted romantic interest; specifically, responders’ who rated the targets’ physical attractiveness as higher than themselves reported more romantic interest. Copyright © 2017 European Association of Personality Psychology
A simple method to generate spontaneous chemisorption of metallic particles mediated by carboxylate groups from silylated oligomeric poly(amide‐imide)s
Authors: González‐Henríquez Carmen M , Terraza Claudio A , Cabrera Alejandro L , Rojas Susana D , Sarabia‐Vallejos Mauricio A
Published: January 2017

The present work describes oligomeric poly(amide‐imide)s (PAIs) containing several l‐amino acidic residues and two silicon atoms in their repeat unit, whose carboxylate terminal group was chemisorbed onto metallic particles (Cu, Ag or Au) previously deposited in controlled conditions via physical vapor deposition. Thus, for each prepared polymer–metallic hybrid, the surface morphology, particle size distribution, and percentage of organic material, silicon and metal were studied using scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The results show that the hybrids are formed probably via electrostatic interaction between the carboxylate anions of the PAIs and nanoparticle cations. This bridging ligand was visualized using Raman spectroscopy and corroborated with X‐ray diffraction. Optical studies and resistivity measurements (conductivity) of each hybrid were developed using UV‐visible and the four‐point probe method, respectively. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to study the oxidation states of the metallic particles at surface level. Thus, a simple and spontaneous protocol is proposed for the preparation of metallic particles stabilized in situ by an oligomer, a procedure that takes place from seconds to a few minutes. Finally, particle diameters were measured using atomic force microscopy in order to study possible agglomeration of the metallic particles with time. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Electrical and optical properties of a gradient microplasma for microfluidic chips
Authors: Bryant Paul M. , Wettstein Pascal , Al‐Bataineh Sameer A. , Short Robert D. , Bradley James W. , Low Suet P. , Parkinson Luke A. , Szili Endre J.
Published: January 2017

The influence of the electrical and optical properties of a spatially varying He microplasma on the gradient surface modification of an adsorbed protein layer inside a microfluidic chip was investigated. Microplasma was generated inside a native polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannel. Excited and metastable states of He and N2 (from air) potentially played a major role in the removal/modification of protein during the discharge period. In‐between discharge events, N2(A) metastables can also induce bond breaking and surface modification. The purge time of the feed gas was shown to be important in the use of small scale microplasma sources for surface processing or protein modification.
Quantifying Fish Habitat Associated with Stream Simulation Design Culverts in Northern Wisconsin
Authors: Timm A. , Higgins D. , Stanovick J. , Kolka R. , Eggert S.
Published: January 2017

This study investigated the effects of culvert replacement design on fish habitat and fish weight by comparing substrate diversity and weight at three stream simulation (SS)‐design and three bankfull and backwater (BB)‐design sites on the Chequamegon‐Nicolet National Forest, Wisconsin. Stream channel cross‐sections, Wolman substrate particle counts, and single‐pass backpack electro‐fishing survey data were used to quantify fish habitat and fish weight in 50‐m upstream and downstream sample reaches at each site. We applied generalized linear mixed models to test the hypothesis that substrate size and fish weight did not differ according to stream‐crossing design type (SS or BB) and location (upstream or downstream). Substrate particle sizes were significantly greater upstream of the stream crossing when compared to downstream of the stream crossing at both SS and BB sites for riffles and pools. Substrate particle sizes were also significantly greater upstream of BB sites when compared to upstream of SS sites. Results of this study indicated statistically greater individual fish weights upstream of SS‐design sites in comparison to upstream of BB‐design sites in first‐ to third‐order low gradient streams. These results suggested that the SS‐design approach appears to be more effective at transporting sediment downstream, and illustrated the value of using fish weight as an indicator of biological success for stream‐crossing designs. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Concise Review: Fat and Furious: Harnessing the Full Potential of Adipose-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction
Authors: Dykstra Jordan A. , Facile Tiffany , Patrick Ryan J. , Francis Kevin R. , Milanovich Samuel , Weimer Jill M. , Kota Daniel J.
Published: January 2017

Due to their capacity to self-renew, proliferate and generate multi-lineage cells, adult-derived stem cells offer great potential for use in regenerative therapies to stop and/or reverse degenerative diseases such as diabetes, heart failure, Alzheimer's disease and others. However, these subsets of cells can be isolated from different niches, each with differing potential for therapeutic applications. The stromal vascular fraction (SVF), a stem cell enriched and adipose-derived cell population, has garnered interest as a therapeutic in regenerative medicine due to its ability to secrete paracrine factors that accelerate endogenous repair, ease of accessibility and lack of identified major adverse effects. Thus, one can easily understand the rush to employ adipose-derived SVF to treat human disease. Perhaps faster than any other cell preparation, SVF is making its way to clinics worldwide, while critical preclinical research needed to establish SVF safety, efficacy and optimal, standardized clinical procedures are underway. Here, we will provide an overview of the current knowledge driving this phenomenon, its regulatory issues and existing studies, and propose potential unmapped applications.
Approaches for Transitions Towards Sustainable Development: Status Quo and Challenges
Authors: Chang Rui‐dong , Zuo Jian , Zhao Zhen‐yu , Soebarto Veronica , Zillante George , Gan Xiao‐long
Published: January 2017

With the aim of facilitating the long‐term transformation towards a sustainable future, the research field of sustainability transition has gained growing attention. A number of approaches have been proposed to understand or even manage the complex societal transition processes towards sustainable development. There are four popular approaches for sustainability transitions, i.e. the multi‐phase concept, multi‐level perspective, strategic niche management and transition management. However, there is a lack of studies to systematically review and critically reflect on these various approaches in this emerging field. This paper presents a holistic review of the four most common approaches, and more importantly identifies four critical challenges for the future studies on transition approaches. Consequently, the associated future research agenda is presented. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Sustainable Development and Microfinance: The Effect of Outreach and Profitability on Microfinance Institutions' Development Mission
Authors: Lopatta Kerstin , Tchikov Magdalena , Jaeschke Reemda , Lodhia Sumit
Published: January 2017

According to the concept of microfinance, financial institutions ought to contribute to sustainable economic and financial systems development by offering access to credit for clients who are usually excluded from the formal banking system. However, in recent decades microfinance institutions (MFIs) have often focused on their profitability rather than the support of their poor clients. In order to empirically examine this mission drift and its consequences for MFIs' performance, we propose a model of MFIs' contribution to sustainable development as dependent on their outreach and profitability focus measured by percentages of female borrowers and profit margins, respectively. Utilizing a large transnational panel data set comprised of institutional and country‐specific data, we provide preliminary empirical evidence indicating that both extensive outreach and profitability are negatively related to development. The model further highlights that the problem of a mission drift is especially pronounced for non‐profit‐oriented MFIs. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Optimization of Microporous Carbon Structures for Lithium–Sulfur Battery Applications in Carbonate‐Based Electrolyte
Authors: Hu Lei , Lu Yue , Li Xiaona , Liang Jianwen , Huang Tao , Zhu Yongchun , Qian Yitai
Published: January 2017

Developing appropriate sulfur cathode materials in carbonate‐based electrolyte is an important research subject for lithium‐sulfur batteries. Although several microporous carbon materials as host for sulfur reveal the effect, methods for producing microporous carbon are neither easy nor well controllable. Moreover, due to the complexity and limitation of microporous carbon in their fabrication process, there has been rare investigation of influence on electrochemical behavior in the carbonate‐based electrolyte for lithium‐sulfur batteries by tuning different micropore size(0–2 nm) of carbon host. Here, we demonstrate an immediate carbonization process, self‐activation strategy, which can produce microporous carbon for a sulfur host from alkali‐complexes. Besides, by changing different alkali‐ion in the previous complex, the obtained microporous carbon exhibits a major portion of ultramicropore (<0.7 nm, from 54.9% to 25.8%) and it is demonstrated that the micropore structure of the host material plays a vital role in confining sulfur molecule. When evaluated as cathode materials in a carbonate‐based electrolyte for Li‐S batteries, such microporous carbon/sulfur composite can provide high reversible capacity, cycling stability and good rate capability.
Coca‐Cola and the Fight against the Global Obesity Epidemic
Authors: Gertner David , Rifkin Laura
Published: January 2017

Coca‐Cola, the century‐old iconic brand associated with bringing happiness and harmony, is facing an ethical and financial dilemma as it attempts to balance its corporate needs with those of society. The soft drink industry as a whole, and Coke in particular, has received harsh criticism for contributing to the global obesity epidemic. Rising health concerns among consumers have resulted in a continuous decline in soda consumption in some key international markets. Considered one of the leading global brands and among the most admired corporations, Coca‐Cola claims it supports the fight against obesity, sponsoring campaigns, research, and initiatives to promote physical activities. However, critics assert the company has used deception and undue influence to dismiss the harmful effects of soda, similar to the tactics of the tobacco industry. Forced to respond to mounting criticism, Coca‐Cola must navigate between meeting shareholder demands and maintaining its reputation as a socially responsible organization. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Couch Fiction
Authors: Perry Philippa , Graat Junko
Published: January 2017

Ever wanted an insight into counselling? Or wished you could be a 'fly-on-the-wall' in a psychotherapy session? Couch Fiction allows you to peep through the key-hole of the therapy room door and, more than that, read the minds of the protagonists...

Based on a case study of Pat (our sandal-wearing, cat-loving psychotherapist) and her new client, James (an ambitious barrister with a potentially harmful habit he can't stop), this graphic novel follows the anxieties, frustrations, mind-wanderings and break-throughs of each, through a year of therapy sessions together. Beautifully illustrated and accompanied by succinct and illuminating footnotes, this book offers a witty and thought-provoking exploration of the therapeutic journey, considering a range of skills, insights and techniques along the way.
The Unequal Consequences of Mass Incarceration for Children
Authors: Turney Kristin
Published: January 2017

A growing literature has documented the mostly deleterious intergenerational consequences of paternal incarceration, but less research has considered heterogeneity in these relationships. In this article, I use data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 3,065) to estimate the heterogeneous relationship between paternal incarceration and children’s problem behaviors (internalizing behaviors, externalizing behaviors, and early juvenile delinquency) and cognitive skills (reading comprehension, math comprehension, and verbal ability) in middle childhood. Taking into account children’s risk of experiencing paternal incarceration, measured by the social contexts in which children are embedded (e.g., father’s residential status, poverty, neighborhood disadvantage) reveals that the consequences—across all outcomes except early juvenile delinquency—are more deleterious for children with relatively low risks of exposure to paternal incarceration than for children with relatively high risks of exposure to paternal incarceration. These findings suggest that the intergenerational consequences of paternal incarceration are more complicated than documented in previous research and, more generally, suggest that research on family inequality consider both differential selection into treatments and differential responses to treatments.
Effects of cultural brokering on individual wellbeing and family dynamics among immigrant youth
Authors: Lazarevic Vanja
Published: January 2017

Over 90% of immigrant youth help their parents navigate the mainstream US culture, a process known as cultural brokering. Past research has indicated that brokering can often have negative effects on development of immigrant youth and their families. The current study builds on the past literature by examining how various aspects of brokering may impact individual wellbeing and family dynamics among first generation immigrant and refugee youth from Eastern Europe (N = 197, Mage = 22.93 (SD = 2.89), 63.5% female) currently residing in the United States. The results show that family conflict mediates the relationship between brokering and youth psychological wellbeing. The findings suggest that there are distinct patterns of association between frequency of brokering and feelings toward brokering, pointing to the need to further understand the ways in which we can capitalize on positive aspects and minimize negative aspects of cultural brokering among immigrants.
The immigrant paradox on internalizing symptoms among immigrant adolescents
Authors: Bowe Anica G.
Published: January 2017

Understanding the immigrant paradox on health outcomes among UK's immigrant adolescents will greatly complement the research on immigrants that has already been established there by economists and interdisciplinary fields. This study used the first Longitudinal Study of Young People in England 2004–2010 database (N = 15,770) to determine a) whether there was evidence of the immigrant paradox on internalizing mental health symptoms between first generation (n = 753) and second plus generation (n = 3042) 14/15 year old immigrant adolescents in England and b) whether differences (if any) were moderated by ethnicity group membership (Black African, Black Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Asian Other, White Immigrant). Findings demonstrate that overall first generation adolescent immigrants had statistically fewer internalizing symptoms as compared to second plus generation, and that this was especially true for Black African adolescents. Effect sizes measures however indicated that these differences were negligible. Implications for protective factors and future studies are briefly discussed.
The effects of early‐life stress on dopamine system function in adolescent female rats
Authors: Majcher‐Maślanka Iwona , Solarz Anna , Wędzony Krzysztof , Chocyk Agnieszka
Published: January 2017

During adolescence, many neural systems, including the dopamine system, undergo essential remodeling and maturation. It is well known that early‐life stress (ELS) increases the risk for many psychopathologies during adolescence and adulthood. It is hypothesized that ELS interferes with the maturation of the dopamine system. There is a sex bias in the prevalence of stress‐related mental disorders. Information regarding the effects of ELS on brain functioning in females is very limited. In the current study, maternal separation (MS) procedures were carried out to study the effects of ELS on dopamine system functioning in adolescent female rats. Our study showed that MS increased the density of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive fibers in the prelimbic cortex (PLC) and nucleus accumbens (Acb). These changes were accompanied by a decrease in the level of D5 receptor mRNA and an increase in D2 receptor mRNA expression in the PLC of MS females. Conversely, D1 and D5 receptor mRNA levels were augmented in the caudate putamen (CPu), while the expression of the D3 dopamine receptor transcript was reduced in MS females. Additionally, in the Acb, MS elicited a decrease in D2 receptor mRNA expression. At the behavioral level, MS increased apomorphine‐induced locomotion; however, it did not change locomotor responses to selective D1/D5 receptor agonist and attenuated D2/D3 receptor agonist‐triggered locomotion. Moreover, MS decreased D1/D5 receptor agonist‐induced grooming behavior. These results indicate that ELS disrupts dopamine receptor function in the PLC and basal ganglia during adolescence in females and may predispose them to psychopathologies during adolescence and adulthood.
Intracavernous Injection of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells Improves Erectile Dysfunction in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Cengiz Tugba , Kaya Ecem , Oral Didem Yilmaz , Ozakca Isil , Bayatli Nur , Karabay Arzu Zeynep , Ensari Tugba Altun , Karahan Tuna , Yilmaz Enis , Gur Serap
Published: January 2017

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) worsens in men with diabetes. Human umbilical cord blood (HUCB), because of its widespread availability and low immunogenicity, is a valuable source for stem cell-based therapies.

Aim

To determine the effect of intracavernous injection of HUCB mononuclear cells (MNCs) on ED in rats with diabetes induced by streptozotocin.

Methods

Thirty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into three groups: (i) control, (ii) diabetes induced by streptozotocin (35 mg/kg intravenously for 8 weeks), and (iii) diabetic rats treated with MNCs (1 × 106 cells by intracavernosal injection). The HUCB-MNCs isolated by the Ficoll-Hypaque technique were obtained from eight healthy donors and administered to diabetic rats after 4 weeks.

Main Outcome Measures

The ratio of intracavernosal pressure to mean arterial pressure ratio; the protein expression of endothelial and neuronal markers, such as von Willebrand factor, neuronal nitric oxide synthase, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, and vascular endothelium growth factor; and the relative area of smooth muscle to collagen using western blotting and Masson trichrome staining were determined.

Results

Diabetic rats demonstrated a significantly decreased ratio of intracavernosal pressure to mean arterial pressure (0.26 ± 0.04; P < .01) and treatment with MNCs restored erectile function in diabetic rats (0.67 ± 0.05) compared with control rats (0.56 ± 0.02). In bath studies, neurogenic relaxant and contractile responses were significantly decreased in diabetic cavernosal tissues, which were restored by treatment. The ratio of smooth muscle to collagen was partly recovered by treatment, whereas von Willebrand factor levels were not altered in any group. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase and vascular endothelium growth factor levels were decreased, which were not restored by treatment. Increased hypoxia-inducible factor-1α protein expression in the diabetic group was completely normalized in MNC-treated diabetic samples.

Conclusion

These results suggest that HUCB-MNC treatment can enhance the recovery of erectile function and promote numerous activities such the contribution of the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and von Willebrand factor pathway to the neurogenic erectile response of diabetic rats. HUCB-MNCs in the healing process could involve an adaptive regenerative response and appear to be a potential candidate for cell-based therapy in ED of men with diabetes. It is evident that HUCB could provide a realistic therapeutic modality for the treatment of diabetic ED.
REEVALUATING THE EVIDENCE FOR MIDDLE WOODLAND MAIZE FROM THE HOLDING SITE
Authors: Simon Mary L.
Published: January 2017

Maize fragments recovered from the Middle Woodland Holding site (11MS118) in the American Bottom have for several decades been recognized as the oldest directly dated maize east of the Mississippi River. A reevaluation of maize samples from this site indicates that finding was in error. Carbon isotope assessment (δ13C ratios) run on the original samples dated in 1994 indicated that they were not maize. Six additional samples originally identified as maize were submitted to the Illinois State Geological Survey for carbon ratio assessment and direct accelerated mass spectrometry dating. Three of the fragments, including one from the same feature dated previously, returned non-maize δ13C ratios. The other three samples were correctly identified as maize, but all returned post–A.D. 900 dates. These results invalidate the original report of Middle Woodland maize at Holding and support our ongoing reevaluations of maize histories in the American Bottom and western Illinois, which show that it was not an important cultivated crop plant in this part of the Midwest until about A.D. 900.
A framework for computing effective boundary conditions at the interface between free fluid and a porous medium
Authors: Lācis Uǧis , Bagheri Shervin
Published: January 2017

Interfacial boundary conditions determined from empirical or ad hoc models remain the standard approach to model fluid flows over porous media, even in situations where the topology of the porous medium is known. We propose a non-empirical and accurate method to compute the effective boundary conditions at the interface between a porous surface and an overlying flow. Using a multiscale expansion (homogenization) approach, we derive a tensorial generalized version of the empirical condition suggested by Beavers & Joseph (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 30 (01), 1967, pp. 197–207). The components of the tensors determining the effective slip velocity at the interface are obtained by solving a set of Stokes equations in a small computational domain near the interface containing both free flow and porous medium. Using the lid-driven cavity flow with a porous bed, we demonstrate that the derived boundary condition is accurate and robust by comparing an effective model to direct numerical simulations. Finally, we provide an open source code that solves the microscale problems and computes the velocity boundary condition without free parameters over any porous bed.
Differential formulation of the gyrokinetic Landau operator
Authors: Hirvijoki Eero , Brizard Alain J. , Pfefferlé David
Published: January 2017

Subsequent to the recent rigorous derivation of an energetically consistent gyrokinetic collision operator in the so-called Landau representation, this paper investigates the possibility of finding a differential formulation of the gyrokinetic Landau collision operator. It is observed that, while a differential formulation is possible in the gyrokinetic phase space, reduction of the resulting system of partial differential equations to five dimensions via gyroaveraging poses a challenge. Based on the present work, it is likely that the gyrocentre analogues of the Rosenbluth–MacDonald–Judd potential functions must be kept gyroangle dependent.