bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blood flow guides sequential support of neutrophil arrest and diapedesis by PILR-β1 and PILR-α
Authors: Li Yu-Tung , Goswami Debashree , Follmer Melissa , Artz Annette , Pacheco-Blanco Mariana , Vestweber Dietmar
Published: August 2019

Arrest of rapidly flowing neutrophils in venules relies on capturing through selectins and chemokine-induced integrin activation. Despite a long-established concept, we show here that gene inactivation of activating paired immunoglobulin-like receptor (PILR)-β1 nearly halved the efficiency of neutrophil arrest in venules of the mouse cremaster muscle. We found that this receptor binds to CD99, an interaction which relies on flow-induced shear forces and boosts chemokine-induced β2-integrin-activation, leading to neutrophil attachment to endothelium. Upon arrest, binding of PILR-β1 to CD99 ceases, shifting the signaling balance towards inhibitory PILR-α. This enables integrin deactivation and supports cell migration. Thus, flow-driven shear forces guide sequential signaling of first activating PILR-β1 followed by inhibitory PILR-α to prompt neutrophil arrest and then transmigration. This doubles the efficiency of selectin-chemokine driven neutrophil arrest by PILR-β1 and then supports transition to migration by PILR-α.
Large pelvic tubercle in orangutans relates to the adductor longus muscle
Authors: Shearer Brian M. , Muchlinski Magdalena , Hammond Ashley S.
Published: August 2019

Orangutan pelves commonly exhibit a large, projecting tubercle in the iliopubic region, historically assumed to homologous to the pubic tubercle in humans. However, it is not clear whether this tubercle is a unique feature of Pongo, or if it is anatomically homologous with the human pubic tubercle when considered as a soft tissue attachment point. To clarify this issue, we dissected orangutan and other ape cadaveric specimens to evaluate the pelvic brim soft tissues and how they may relate to the tubercle (when present). We additionally conducted a broad osteological survey of pelvic brim morphology across 28 primate genera (n = 294 specimens) to document the presence of the tubercle in primate pelves. Cadaveric dissections revealed that the tubercle is exclusively associated with the proximal attachment of the adductor longus muscle tendon in orangutans. Our osteological survey confirms that the tubercle is both constantly present and very prominent in orangutans. We observed that the tubercle is consistently situated along the pectineal line, lateral to where the pubic tubercle in humans is found, thereby making its structural homology unlikely. The osteological survey documented the tubercle at polymorphic frequencies in all hominoid taxa, though generally less protuberant than observed in Pongo. We argue that this further excludes its possibility of homology with the pubic tubercle, and that it may therefore be more appropriately be considered an adductor longus tubercle. We discuss possible functional and phylogenetic implications for this feature.
miRDRN—miRNA disease regulatory network: a tool for exploring disease and tissue-specific microRNA regulatory networks
Authors: Liu Hsueh-Chuan , Peng Yi-Shian , Lee Hoong-Chien
Published: August 2019

Background

MicroRNA (miRNA) regulates cellular processes by acting on specific target genes, and cellular processes proceed through multiple interactions often organized into pathways among genes and gene products. Hundreds of miRNAs and their target genes have been identified, as are many miRNA-disease associations. These, together with huge amounts of data on gene annotation, biological pathways, and protein–protein interactions are available in public databases. Here, using such data we built a database and web service platform, miRNA disease regulatory network (miRDRN), for users to construct disease and tissue-specific miRNA-protein regulatory networks, with which they may explore disease related molecular and pathway associations, or find new ones, and possibly discover new modes of drug action.

Methods

Data on disease-miRNA association, miRNA-target association and validation, gene-tissue association, gene-tumor association, biological pathways, human protein interaction, gene ID, gene ontology, gene annotation, and product were collected from publicly available databases and integrated. A large set of miRNA target-specific regulatory sub-pathways (RSPs) having the form (T,G1,G2) was built from the integrated data and stored, whereTis a miRNA-associated target gene,G1(G2) is a gene/protein interacting withT(G1). Each sequence (T,G1,G2) was assigned ap-value weighted by the participation of the three genes in molecular interactions and reaction pathways.

Results

A web service platform, miRDRN (http://mirdrn.ncu.edu.tw/mirdrn/), was built. The database part of miRDRN currently stores 6,973,875p-valued RSPs associated with 116 diseases in 78 tissue types built from 207 diseases-associated miRNA regulating 389 genes. miRDRN also provides facilities for the user to construct disease and tissue-specific miRNA regulatory networks from RSPs it stores, and to download and/or visualize parts or all of the product. User may use miRDRN to explore a single disease, or a disease-pair to gain insights on comorbidity. As demonstrations, miRDRN was applied: to explore the single disease colorectal cancer (CRC), in which 26 novel potential CRC target genes were identified; to study the comorbidity of the disease-pair Alzheimer’s disease-Type 2 diabetes, in which 18 novel potential comorbid genes were identified; and, to explore possible causes that may shed light on recent failures of late-phase trials of anti-AD,BACE1inhibitor drugs, in which genes downstream toBACE1whose suppression may affect signal transduction were identified.
Molecular evidence that the Channel Islands populations of the orange-crowned warbler (Oreothlypis celata; Aves: Passeriformes: Parulidae) represent a distinct evolutionary lineage
Authors: Hanna Zachary R. , Cicero Carla , Bowie Rauri C.K.
Published: August 2019

We used molecular data to assess the degree of genetic divergence across the breeding range of the orange-crowned warbler (Oreothlypis celata) in western North America with particular focus on characterizing the divergence betweenO. celatapopulations on the mainland of southern California and on the Channel Islands. We obtained sequences of the mitochondrial geneND2and genotypes at ten microsatellite data for 192O. celatafrom populations spanning all four recognized subspecies. We recovered shallow, but significant, levels of divergence amongO. celatapopulations across the species range. Our results suggest that island isolation, subspecies (delineation by morphology, ecological, and life-history characteristics), and isolation-by-distance, in that order, are the variables that best explain the geographic structure detected across the range ofO. celata. Populations on the Channel Islands were genetically divergent from those on the mainland. We found evidence for greater gene flow from the Channel Islands population to mainland southern California than from the mainland to the islands. We discuss these data in the context of differentiation in phenotypic and ecological characters.
Retrospective Study on Tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Co-infection among Patients Attending University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Gwagwalada and Gwarimpa General Hospital
Authors: Balarabe-Musa B. , Muhammad H. R. , Momo H. , Louis L.
Published: August 2019

The study was carried out to determine rate of co-infection between tuberculosis infection and HIV infection in the study population. Record books on tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) tests for 15years from year 2002 to 2017 were obtained; data includes the sex and age of the patients at two General Hospitals in Abuja Nigeria to investigate co-infection of the two lethal diseases. A total of 1,412 cases were obtained from University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) and 392 cases from Gwarimpa General Hospitals. At UATH 536 were positive for both TB and HIV showing a co-infection rate of 37.9%. Among them 275(42.64%) were males and 261(34.03%) were females. Majority 253(48.75) belong to the age group 0f 31-45 years. While at GGH 115 were positive for both TB and HIV, thus showing a co-infection rate of 29.34%, among them 52(32.10) were males and 63(27.40) were females, majority 55(37.93) also belong to the age group of 31-45 years. The high rate of co-infection between Tuberculosis and HIV infections recorded in this study calls for urgent actions to check the lethal combination, especially through the implementation of the WHO’s policy on collaborative TB/HIV activities to reduce the burden of TB among HIV infected individuals.
The Marshall-olkin Inverse Lomax Distribution (MO-ILD) with Application on Cancer Stem Cell
Authors: Maxwell Obubu , Chukwu Angela Unna , Oyamakin Oluwafemi Samuel , Khaleel Mundher A.
Published: August 2019

A new compound distribution called the Marshall-Olkin Inverse Lomax distribution (MO-ILD) was proposed, extending the inverse Lomax distribution by adding a new parameter to the existing distribution, leading to greater flexibility in modeling various data types. Its basic statistical properties were derived and model parameters estimated using the method of maximum likelihood. The Proposed distribution was applied to Cancer Stem Cell data and compared to the Marshall Olkin Flexible Weibull Extension Distribution (MO-FWED), and the Marshall-Olkin exponential Weibull distribution (MO-EWD). The Marshall-Olkin Inverse Lomax distribution provided a better fit than the Marshall Olkin Flexible Weibull Extension Distribution, and the Marshall-Olkin exponential Weibull distribution based on log-likelihood AIC, CAIC, BIC and HQIC values.
Agronomic Performance of Wheat Cultivars under Different Sowing Densities in Southern Brazil
Authors: Pinheiro Magaiver Gindri , Souza Clovis Arruda , Fioreze Samuel Luiz , Carneiro Junior João Francisco Costa , Bisato Maira Maier
Published: August 2019

Sowing density is one of the management techniques that most influence wheat crops. This management practice may affect the plant productive behavior, leading to changes in tillers growth, and also interferes with the plant architecture by influencing solar radiation uptake by the plant canopy, the production components and grain yield. This work aimed to assess the agronomic performance of two wheat cultivars (low tillering and high tillering) under influence of four sowing densities. The experiment was conducted in field conditions from July to November 2017. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with split-plots and five replicates. The factors consisted of two wheat cultivars in main plot (TBIO Sossego and TBIO Toruk), subjected to four different sowing densities as sub-plots (208; 312; 416 and 500 viable seeds m-2). Morphological  characteristics, relative chlorophyll content, NDVI, production components and grain yield were evaluated. Among the assessed traits, only the stem diameter was affected by sowing density. The highest plant height, peduncle length and flag leaf length were found in cultivar Sossego, whereas the largest stem diameter was observed in cultivar Toruk. Relative chlorophyll content and NDVI were higher in cultivar Sossego. The agronomic performance of the cultivar Sossego was higher and exceeded the grain yield of Toruk at 673 kg ha-1. Suboptimal sowing densities promote a decrease in the productive performance of wheat and under conditions of rainfall limitation and genetic potential of reduced tillering while sowing densities above the recommended ones are more efficient.
A systematic evaluation of the error detection abilities of a new diode transmission detector
Authors: Sarkar Vikren , Paxton Adam , Kunz Jeremy , Szegedi Martin , Nelson Geoff , Rassiah‐Szegedi Prema , Zhao Hui , Huang Y. Jessica , Su Frances , Salter Bill J.
Published: August 2019

Transmission detectors meant to measure every beam delivered on a linear accelerator are now becoming available for monitoring the quality of the dose distribution delivered to the patient daily. The purpose of this work is to present results from a systematic evaluation of the error detection capabilities of one such detector, the Delta4 Discover. Existing patient treatment plans were modified through in‐house‐developed software to mimic various delivery errors that have been observed in the past. Errors included shifts in multileaf collimator leaf positions, changing the beam energy from what was planned, and a simulation of what would happen if the secondary collimator jaws did not track with the leaves as they moved. The study was done for simple 3D plans, static gantry intensity modulated radiation therapy plans as well as dynamic arc and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans. Baseline plans were delivered with both the Discover device and the Delta4 Phantom+ to establish baseline gamma pass rates. Modified plans were then delivered using the Discover only and the predicted change in gamma pass rate, as well as the detected leaf positions were evaluated. Leaf deviations as small as 0.5 mm for a static three‐dimensional field were detected, with this detection limit growing to 1 mm with more complex delivery modalities such as VMAT. The gamma pass rates dropped noticeably once the intentional leaf error introduced was greater than the distance‐to‐agreement criterion. The unit also demonstrated the desired drop in gamma pass rates of at least 20% when jaw tracking was intentionally disabled and when an incorrect energy was used for the delivery. With its ability to find errors intentionally introduced into delivered plans, the Discover shows promise of being a valuable, independent error detection tool that should serve to detect delivery errors that can occur during radiotherapy treatment.
Exploring mTOR inhibition as treatment for mitochondrial disease
Authors: Sage‐Schwaede Abigail , Engelstad Kristin , Salazar Rachel , Curcio Angela , Khandji Alexander , Garvin Jr James H. , De Vivo Darryl C.
Published: August 2019

Leigh syndrome and MELAS (mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke‐like episodes) are two of the most frequent pediatric mitochondrial diseases. Both cause severe morbidity and neither have effective treatment. Inhibiting the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway has been shown in model mice of Leigh syndrome to extend lifespan and attenuate both the clinical and pathological progression of disease. Based on this observation, we treated two children with everolimus, a rapamycin analogue. The child with Leigh syndrome showed sustained benefit, while the child with MELAS failed to respond and died of progressive disease. We discuss possible mechanisms underlying these disparate responses to mTOR inhibition.
Associations of Arthritis‐Attributable Interference with Routine Life Activities: A Modifiable Source of Compromised Quality‐of‐Life
Authors: Theis K. A. , Brady T. J. , Helmick C. G. , Murphy L. B. , Barbour K. E.
Published: August 2019

Objective

Arthritis patients experience the impact of disease beyond routinely assessed clinical measures. We characterized arthritis‐attributable interference in four important routine life domains: 1) recreation/leisure/hobbies; 2) household chores; 3) errands/shopping; and 4) social activities.

Methods

Participants were from the Arthritis Conditions Health Effects Survey (2005‐2006), a cross‐sectional survey of noninstitutionalized US adults 45 years or older with doctor‐diagnosed arthritis (n = 1793). We estimated the prevalence of “a lot” of arthritis‐attributable interference and quantified the associations between sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological characteristics and “a lot” of arthritis‐attributable interference (vs “a little” or “none”) in each domain using prevalence ratios (PRs) in multivariable (MV)‐adjusted logistic regression models.

Results

An estimated 1 in 5 to 1 in 4 adults with arthritis reported “a lot” of arthritis‐attributable interference in recreation/leisure/hobbies (27%), household chores (25%), errands/shopping (22%), and social activities (18%). The highest prevalence of “a lot” of arthritis‐attributable interference was for those unable to work/disabled or reporting severe arthritis symptoms (pain, stiffness, fatigue), anxiety, depression, or no/low confidence in ability to manage arthritis, across domains. In MV‐adjusted models, those unable to work/disabled, currently seeing a doctor, or reporting fair/poor self‐rated health, severe joint pain, anxiety, or no/low confidence in ability to manage arthritis were more likely to report arthritis‐attributable interference than their respective counterparts. Magnitudes varied by domain but were consistently strongest for those unable to work/disabled (MV PR range = 1.8‐2.5) and with fair/poor health (MV PR range = 1.7‐2.7).

Conclusion

Many characteristics associated with arthritis‐attributable interference in routine life activities are potentially modifiable, suggesting unmet need for use of existing evidence‐based interventions that address these characteristics and reduce interferences to improve quality of life.
A Novel Charge Transfer Channel to Simultaneously Enhance Photocatalytic Water Splitting Activity and Stability of CdS
Authors: Ning Xingming , Wu Yali , Ma Xiaofang , Zhang Zhen , Gao Ruiqin , Chen Jing , Shan Duoliang , Lu Xiaoquan
Published: August 2019

It is highly desirable to develop durable photocatalysts for efficiently boosting water splitting, but it is challenging for CdS to realize the expected result without using any hole sacrificial agents. Herein, improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and enhanced stability are simultaneously realized in the absence of any sacrificial agents by introducing Zinc 5‐, 10‐, 15‐, 20‐meso‐tetra (4‐hydrazidephenyl) porphyrin (ZnTHPP) onto CdS nanosheets (CdS NSs). In this system (ZnTHPP/CdS NSs), a novel hole transfer channel is achieved by an internal chemical reaction using the functional group of acylhydrazine in ZnTHPP. Compared with CdS NSs, the ZnTHPP/CdS NSs exhibit excellent photostability (15 h) and efficient photocatalytic activity for pure water splitting (≈6.4 times). Furthermore, it is found that the rate constant for photogenerated holes is about 1.7 times higher than the pure CdS NSs under light irradiation. This suggests that the promising charge transfer channel can efficiently suppress charge recombination and photocorrosion of pure CdS NSs. The pattern via internal charge transfer channel not only can solve the stability of CdS based materials, but also design more semiconductors for efficient photocatalytic water splitting.
Improving the Rate of Translation of Tissue Engineering Products
Authors: Ghaemi Roza Vaez , Siang Lim C. , Yadav Vikramaditya G.
Published: August 2019

Over 100 000 research articles and 9000 patents have been published on tissue engineering (TE) in the past 20 years. Yet, very few TE products have made their way to the market during the same period. Experts have proposed a variety of strategies to address the lack of translation of TE products. However, since these proposals are guided by qualitative insights, they are limited in scope and impact. Machine learning is utilized in the current study to analyze the entire body of patents that have been published over the past twenty years and understand patenting trends, topics, areas of application, and exemplifications. This analysis yields surprising and little‐known insights about the differences in research priorities and perceptions of innovativeness of tissue engineers in academia and industry, as well as aids to chart true advances in the field during the past twenty years. It is hoped that this analysis and subsequent proposal to improve translational rates of TE products will spur much needed dialogue about this important pursuit.
Understanding Near Infrared Laser Driven Continuum White Light Emission by Graphene and Its Mixture with an Oxide Phosphor
Authors: Wu Jianhong , Sun Xiaoyu , Xiao Wenge , Liu Xiaofeng , Tan Dezhi , Qiu Jianrong
Published: August 2019

Recent observations suggest that continuum white light generation driven by a near infrared (NIR) laser is not limited to rare earth (RE) doped phosphors, but is rather a general photophysical process of light–matter interaction as long as the NIR laser energy is efficiently absorbed. Since the proposed explanations seem to be material‐dependent, a comparative investigation on the white light generation in graphene, and its mixture with a typical RE‐doped oxide phosphor is reported here for a general understanding of this process. In contrast to the steady increase of white light intensity in graphene, the white light generated from the oxide phosphor and their mixtures with graphene exhibits a stepwise growth of intensity with laser power. By using the temperature‐dependent upconversion luminescence as ratiometric temperature sensing, it is observed that this emission is closely correlated with the jumps in temperature with the rise of excitation power. Since the black body temperatures are much higher than the temperatures derived by the ratiometric method, it is suggested that this process can be understood by a general thermally assisted direct photon‐to‐photon conversion process, rather than by pure thermal radiation. The results of this work may have important implication for the understanding and design of efficient continuum white light sources.
A Formal [3+2] Annulation of β‐Oxoamides and 3‐Alkyl‐ or 3‐Aryl‐Substituted Prop‐2‐Ynyl Sulfonium Salts: Substrate‐Controlled Chemoselective Synthesis of Substituted γ‐Lactams and Furans
Authors: Deng Bicheng , Rao Chitturi Bhujanga , Zhang Rui , Li Jiacheng , Liang Yongjiu , Zhao Yanning , Gao Ming , Dong Dewen
Published: August 2019

A substrate‐controlled synthesis of substituted γ‐lactams and furans has been developed via a formal [3+2] annulation of β‐oxoamides and 3‐alkyl/arylprop‐2‐ynyl sulfonium salts in the presence of cesium carbonate in a chemoselective manner. This novel protocol features easily available starting materials, mild reaction conditions, simple execution, and good to excellent yields of products.

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MPMC and MCMD: Free High‐Performance Simulation Software for Atomistic Systems
Authors: Franz Douglas M. , Belof Jonathan L. , McLaughlin Keith , Cioce Christian R. , Tudor Brant , Hogan Adam , Laratelli Luciano , Mulcair Meagan , Mostrom Matthew , Navas Alejandro , Stern Abraham C. , Forrest Katherine A. , Pham Tony , Space Brian
Published: August 2019

Advancements in parallel computing and hardware have allowed computational exploration of chemical systems of interest with unprecendented accuracy and efficiency. The typical development of molecular simulation software is initially inspired by a particular scientific inquiry. The softwares presented herein, MPMC (Massively Parallel Monte Carlo) and MCMD (Monte Carlo/Molecular Dynamics) were born out of a pursuit to simulate condensed phase physical and chemical interactions in porous materials. MPMC first began in 2005 and has been used for dozens of published results in the literature but has not yet been introduced in a standalone paper. MCMD is a more recent expansion and re‐write with some published work, focused on adding molecular dynamics algorithms for transport and other time‐dependent properties of chemical systems. Each software functions as a standalone with some unique and other overlapping features. A driving aim of this work is to consider periodic, long‐range polarization effects in classical simulation, and both codes are optimized to perform such calculations. Sample results will be presented which highlight methodically that inclusion of explicit polarization produces simulation results with predictive power which in general are in greater agreement with experiment than non‐polarizable analogous simulations.
Thermally Stable Donor–Acceptor Type (Alkynyl)Gold(III) TADF Emitters Achieved EQEs and Luminance of up to 23.4% and 70 300 cd m−2 in Vacuum‐Deposited OLEDs
Authors: Zhou Dongling , To Wai‐Pong , Kwak Yoonhyun , Cho Yongsuk , Cheng Gang , Tong Glenna So Ming , Che Chi‐Ming
Published: August 2019

Thermally stable, strongly luminescent gold‐TADF emitters are the clue to realize practical applications of gold metal in next generation display and lighting technology, a scarce example of which is herein described. A series of donor–acceptor type cyclometalated gold(III) alkynyl complexes with some of them displaying highly efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) with Φ up to 88% in thin films and emission lifetimes of ≈1–2 µs at room temperature are developed. The emission color of these complexes is readily tunable from green to red by varying the donor unit and cyclometalating ligand. Vacuum‐deposited organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) with these complexes as emissive dopants achieve external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) and luminance of up to 23.4% and 70 300 cd m−2, respectively.
Sub‐Nanometer Thick Gold Nanosheets as Highly Efficient Catalysts
Authors: Ye Sunjie , Brown Andy P. , Stammers Ashley C. , Thomson Neil H. , Wen Jin , Roach Lucien , Bushby Richard J. , Coletta Patricia Louise , Critchley Kevin , Connell Simon D. , Markham Alexander F. , Brydson Rik , Evans Stephen D.
Published: August 2019

2D metal nanomaterials offer exciting prospects in terms of their properties and functions. However, the ambient aqueous synthesis of atomically‐thin, 2D metallic nanomaterials represents a significant challenge. Herein, freestanding and atomically‐thin gold nanosheets with a thickness of only 0.47 nm (two atomic layers thick) are synthesized via a one‐step aqueous approach at 20 °C, using methyl orange as a confining agent. Owing to the high surface‐area‐to‐volume ratio, abundance of unsaturated atoms exposed on the surface and large interfacial areas arising from their ultrathin 2D nature, the as‐prepared Au nanosheets demonstrate excellent catalysis performance in the model reaction of 4‐nitrophenol reduction, and remarkable peroxidase‐mimicking activity, which enables a highly sensitive colorimetric sensing of H2O2 with a detection limit of 0.11 × 10−6 m. This work represents the first fabrication of freestanding 2D gold with a sub‐nanometer thickness, opens up an innovative pathway toward atomically‐thin metal nanomaterials that can serve as model systems for inspiring fundamental advances in materials science, and holds potential across a wide region of applications.
Copper Schiff base functionalized polyaniline (Cu‐SB/PANI): A highly efficient polymer based organometallic catalyst for the synthesis of 2‐amino chromene derivatives
Authors: Siddiqui Shaheen , Siddiqui Zeba N.
Published: August 2019

Copper Schiff Base functionalized Polyaniline (Cu‐SB/PANI) has been synthesized as an efficient, recyclable and heterogeneous polymer based organometallic catalyst by simple method. The catalyst has been well characterized with different spectroscopic techniques such as FTIR, SEM/EDX, elemental mapping, XRD, TEM, TG, XPS, EPR and ICP‐AES analyses. The catalytic potential of the catalyst has been explored by synthesizing 2‐amino chromene derivatives. The catalyst efficiently catalyzed the reaction affording excellent yield of the products (95–97%) in very short reaction time period (6–8 min). The catalyst could be reused for five times with insignificant loss in catalytic activity.
Thermal behavior of polyformates of milkweed and soybean oils
Authors: Harry‐O'kuru Rogers E. , Biresaw Girma , Xu James
Published: August 2019

Reprocessing neat vicinal polyformate esters of milkweed and soybean triglycerides in a silica‐drying column with mild heating resulted in a light reddish‐orange gel formation of the column eluate on cooling. Analysis of gel by 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR showed characteristics of possible elimination, which include olefinic/aromatic moieties and formic acid. Rearrangement of triglyceride skeleton leads to crosslinking. FTIR spectrum of the gel suggested formation of olefinic species. Trial runs to reproduce the column results by heating aliquots of the neat vicinal polyformate under N2 with and without silica gel generated a gas that discharged basic phenolphthalein solution. Further heating gave a tacky off‐white polymer that was chloroform insoluble. In contrast, the vicinal polyacetate derivatives of milkweed and soybean oils were stable under similar reaction conditions. From the rheological similarity of their power‐law exponents, 0.63 and 0.70, respectively, MWF gel and SoyF gel can have similar behavior during processing. Published 2019. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48225.
Preparation and catalytic properties of modified PGMA‐based pH‐responsive hydrogel films as a novel template for in situ synthesis of Au, Ag, and Au:Ag nanoparticles
Authors: Kocak Gökhan
Published: August 2019

Metal‐nanoparticle (M‐NP)‐modified glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)‐based hydrogel film composites were synthesized and assessed for their catalytic activities by reducing para‐nitrophenol (p‐NP) to para‐aminophenol (p‐AP) with sodium borohydride. Poly(ethylene glycol)methyl ether‐block‐poly(glycidyl methacrylate)‐block‐poly(methyl methacrylate) (MPEG‐b‐PGMA‐b‐PMMA) triblock copolymer was synthesized via atom transfer‐radical polymerization. The epoxy ring of the PGMA blocks was opened by the addition of 1‐methylpiperazine. The resulting bifunctional polymer containing 2‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl piperazinepropyl methacrylate units was used to synthesize novel crosslinked hydrogel films by quaternization of the tertiary amine (methylpiperazine) with 1,2‐bis(2‐iodoethoxy)ethane. The synthesized hydrogel film swelled in aqueous solution when the pH was changed from basic to acidic. The prepared MPEG‐b‐PHMPPMA‐b‐PMMA hydrogel film was used as an immobilizing matrix to form monometallic silver (Ag) and gold (Au) and bimetallic alloy gold:silver (Au:Ag) nanoparticles. The M‐NP/hydrogel film composites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry. The synthesized M‐NP/hydrogel film composites showed good catalytic activity to reduce p‐NP to p‐AP. The composites were also found to be reusable as their activity only slightly dropped after 10 consecutive uses. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48360.
Neural correlates of association strength and categorical relatedness in youths with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Wong Ciao‐Han , Gau Susan Shur‐Fen , Chou Tai‐Li
Published: August 2019

Impaired language and communication are commonly observed in youths with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, the organization of semantic knowledge in youths with ASD remains unclear compared to typically developing (TD) youths. The present study addresses this issue by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine the distinction between association strength and categorical relatedness of semantic knowledge. A sample of 31 male youths with ASD (mean age = 12.1 years, SD = 1.2) and 38 TD youths (mean age = 11.9 years, SD = 1.0) was recruited with matched age, gender, and handedness. Participants decided if two visually presented Chinese characters were semantically related during fMRI scanning. For weaker association strength, the ASD group showed greater left cuneus activation, which was positively correlated with the picture completion for visual perception, whereas the TD group showed greater middle temporal gyrus and inferior frontal gyrus activation. For higher categorical relatedness, the TD group showed greater activation than the ASD group in the occipitotemporal cortex and left precuneus, which was positively correlated with the similarities for concept formulation. Findings imply that the ASD group may use lower‐level visual information for both association strength and categorical relatedness. The TD group showed higher‐level controlled processes of more elaborate semantic representations for association strength and more elaborate features of categorical knowledge for semantic selection and integration. Autism Res 2019, 12: 1484–1494. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often present language/communication impairments. Exploring the difference of semantic processing between youths with ASD and typically developing (TD) youths is crucial for understanding the organization of semantic knowledge. We found different neural substrates of semantic knowledge between these two groups. ASD youths may rely more on lower‐level visual information during semantic judgments, whereas TD youths showed higher‐level controlled processes of more elaborate semantic representations for selection and integration of words, phrases, and sentences.
Nucleic acid methylation and orofacial morphogenesis
Authors: Seelan Ratnam S. , Pisano Michele , Greene Robert M.
Published: August 2019

In this review, we highlight the current state of knowledge of the diverse roles nucleic acid methylation plays in the embryonic development of the orofacial region and how aberrant methylation may contribute to orofacial clefts. We also consider the role of methylation in the regulation of neural crest cell function as it pertains to orofacial ontogeny. Changes in DNA methylation, as a consequence of environmental effects, have been observed in the regulatory regions of several genes, potentially identifying new candidate genes for orofacial clefting and opening promising new avenues for further research. While the focus of this review is primarily on the nonsyndromic forms of orofacial clefting, syndromic forms are briefly discussed in the context of aberrant nucleic acid methylation.
Shared genomic segments in high‐risk multigenerational pedigrees with gastroschisis
Authors: Feldkamp Marcia L. , Krikov Sergey , Gardner John , Madsen Myke J. , Darlington Todd , Sargent Rob , Camp Nicola J.
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Gastroschisis remains an etiologic dilemma. We posit that an underlying genetic susceptibility either separately or coupled with a periconceptional environmental exposure stimulates an inflammatory response resulting in gastroschisis. To investigate the genetic link, we applied shared genomic segment (SGS) analysis, a novel approach to discover chromosomal segments that inherit in high‐risk multigenerational pedigrees.

Methods

We studied pedigrees containing distantly related children with gastroschisis originating from a common ancestor. We used the Illumina OmniExpress genotyping array with >700,000 SNPs. Samples from 40 affected children in 13 pedigrees (≥3 affected children) were genotyped to generate the high‐density SNP data necessary to perform SGS analysis. Assessment of significance in SGS was determined empirically using simulations based on precise pedigree structure and modeling linkage disequilibrium (LD) for SNPs in the general population to properly account for genetic architecture. The LD model was estimated from the 1000 Genome Project using the same set of SNPs. Genome‐wide significance thresholds were determined for each pedigree.

Results

We identified six pedigrees that contained genome‐wide statistically significant SGS regions inherited from a common founder. These regions were different in each pedigree, all contained immune pathway genes.

Discussion

The genome‐wide significant regions support a genetic susceptibility for gastroschisis. The regions are compelling candidates for regionally focused genome sequencing, enabling the discovery of coding or noncoding (e.g., regulatory) risk variants, the latter of which are unlikely to be found using conventional exomic/gene‐focused approaches. This technique provides a comprehensive and focused genomic interrogation that will help to advance our understanding of gastroschisis.
Simultaneous bioanalysis and pharmacokinetic interaction study of acebrophylline, levocetirizine and pranlukast in Sprague–Dawley rats
Authors: Lohar Priyanka , Sharma Manish Kumar , Sahu Amit Kumar , Rathod Rajeswari , Sengupta Pinaki
Published: August 2019

The combination of acebrophylline (ABP), levocetirizine (LCZ) and pranlukast (PRN) is used to treat allergic rhinitis, asthma, hay‐fever and other conditions where patients experience difficulty in breathing. This study was carried out with the aim of developing and validating a reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatographic bioanalytical method to simultaneously quantitate ABP, LCZ and PRN in rat plasma. The objective also includes determination of the pharmacokinetic interaction of these three drugs after administration via the oral route after individual and combination treatment in rat. Optimum resolution between the analytes was observed with a C18 Kinetex column (250 mm × 4.6 mm × 5 μm). The chromatography was performed in a gradient elution mode with a 1 mL/min flow rate. The calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 100–1600 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision and accuracy were found to be within acceptable limits as specified in US Food and Drug Administration guideline for bioanalytical method validation. The analytes were stable on the bench‐top (8 h), after three freeze–thaw cycles, in the autosampler (8 h) and as a dry extract (−80°C for 48 h). The statistical results of the pharmacokinetic study in Sprague–Dawley rats showed a significant change in pharmacokinetic parameters for PRN upon co‐administration of the three drugs.
Han Chinese family with early‐onset Parkinson's disease carries novel compound heterozygous mutations in the PARK2 gene
Authors: Huang Ting , Gao Chen‐Yu , Wu Liang , Gong Peng‐Yu , Wang Ji‐Zheng , Tian You‐Yong , Zhang Ying‐Dong
Published: August 2019

Purpose

To identify deletions, duplications, and point mutations in 55 previously reported genes associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) and certain genes associated with tremor, spinocerebellar ataxia, and dystonia in a Han Chinese pedigree with early‐onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD).

Patients and Methods

Clinical examinations and genomic analyses were performed on six subjects belonging to three generations of a Han Chinese family. Target region capture and high‐throughput sequencing were used to screen these genes associated with PD, tremor, spinocerebellar ataxia, and dystonia. The multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) method was applied to detect rearrangements in PARK2 exons. Direct Sanger sequencing of samples from all subjects further verified the detected abnormal PRKRA, SPTBN2, and ATXN2 gene fragments.

Results

Two family members were diagnosed with PD based on the clinical manifestations, imaging analyses. PARK2 gene heterozygous deletion of exon 3 and heterozygous duplication of exon 6 were identified in them (II‐3 and 4). A single heterozygous deletion of exon 3 in PARK2 was detected in II‐5 and III‐10. A single duplication of exon 6 in PARK2 was detected in I1. Both the heterozygous mutation c.2834G>A (p. R945H) in exon 16 and the heterozygous mutation c.1924 C>T (p. R642W) in exon 14 of the SPTBN2 gene were identified in II‐3, II‐4, and III‐10. The heterozygous mutation c.2989 C>T (p. R997X) in exon 24 of the ATXN2 gene was detected in II‐4 and II‐5, and the heterozygous mutation c.170 C>A (p. S57Y) in exon 2 of the PRKRA gene was detected in II‐3, II‐4, and III‐10. Other mutations in some genes associated with PD, tremor, spinocerebellar ataxia, and dystonia were not detected.

Conclusions

Novel compound heterozygous mutations were identified in a Han Chinese pedigree and might represent a cause of EOPD.
The role of the longitudinal muscle in the anal sphincter complex
Authors: Kraima Anne C. , West Nicholas P. , Roberts Nicholas , Magee Derek R. , Smit Noeska N. , van de Velde Cornelis J. H. , DeRuiter Marco C. , Rutten Harm J. , Quirke Philip
Published: August 2019

Intersphincteric resection (ISR) enables radical sphincter‐preserving surgery in a subset of low rectal tumors impinging on the anal sphincter complex (ASC). Excellent anatomical knowledge is essential for optimal ISR. This study describes the role of the longitudinal muscle (LM) in the ASC and implications for ISR and other low rectal and anal pathologies. Six human adult en bloc cadaveric specimens (three males, three females) were obtained from the University of Leeds GIFT Research Tissue Programme. Paraffin‐embedded mega blocks containing the ASC were produced and serially sectioned at 250 μm intervals. Whole mount microscopic sections were histologically stained and digitally scanned. The intersphincteric plane was shown to be potentially very variable. In some places adipose tissue is located between the external anal sphincter (EAS) and internal anal sphincter (IAS), whereas in others the LM interdigitates to obliterate the plane. Elsewhere the LM is (partly) absent with the intersphincteric plane lying on the IAS. The LM gave rise to the formation of the submucosae and corrugator ani muscles by penetrating the IAS and EAS. In four of six specimens, striated muscle fibers from the EAS curled around the distal IAS reaching the anal submucosa. The ASC formed a complex structure, varying between individuals with an inconstant LM affecting the potential location of the intersphincteric plane as well as a high degree of intermingling striated and smooth muscle fibers potentially further disrupting the plane. The complexity of identifying the correct pathological staging of low rectal cancer is also demonstrated. Clin. Anat. 33:567–577, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Role of medical imaging for immune checkpoint blockade therapy: From response assessment to prognosis prediction
Authors: Wei Hong , Jiang Hanyu , Song Bin
Published: August 2019

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) represents a promising approach in cancer therapy. Owing to the peculiar biologic mechanisms of anticancer activity, checkpoint blockers are accompanied with distinctive response patterns and toxicity profiles. Medical imaging is the cornerstone for response assessment to immunotherapy and plays a critical role in monitoring of immune‐related adverse events (irAEs). Imaging‐based biomarkers have shown tremendous potential for the prediction of therapeutic efficacies and clinical outcomes in patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors. In this article, the landscape of current response assessment systems for immunotherapy was reviewed with a special focus on the latest advances in the assessment of responses to ICB. Emerging imaging biomarkers were discussed along with the challenges regarding their clinical transformation. In addition, the biological mechanisms and clinical applications of ICB and irAEs were also within the scope of this review.
Changing trends in the disease burden of primary liver cancer caused by specific etiologies in China
Authors: Liu Zhenqiu , Mao Xianhua , Jiang Yanfeng , Cai Ning , Jin Li , Zhang Tiejun , Chen Xingdong
Published: August 2019

Background

Liver cancer is a commonly diagnosed malignancy in China. The etiologies of liver cancer are widely known, although studies on temporal trends in liver cancer caused by specific etiologies are rare.

Methods

Data on the incidence and mortality of liver cancer were retrieved from the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2017. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was used to quantify temporal trends in the age‐standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and the age‐standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of liver cancer from 1990 to 2017.

Results

Nationwide, the number of incident cases of liver cancer increased from 258 000 in 1990 to 515 900 in 2017. The ASIR decreased from 27.16 per 100 000 to 26.04 per 100 000 during this period, with an EAPC of −0.64 (95% confidence interval [CI] −0.84, −0.44). The number of deaths increased from 245 300 in 1990 to 418 200 in 2017, and the ASMR decreased from 26.72 to 21.30 (EAPC = −1.16, 95% CI −1.35, −0.97). The most pronounced decreases in the ASIR and ASMR were observed in liver cancer due to hepatitis B and in people aged 15‐49 years.

Conclusions

Since the extensive efforts for prevention of hepatitis B virus infection, the incidence of liver cancer due to hepatitis B has significantly decreased. However, liver cancer due to hepatitis C, NASH, and other causes remains a major public health concern. Additional preventive strategies tailored to liver cancer are needed to further reduce its disease burden in China.
2D Stacks of MXene Ti3C2 and 1T‐Phase WS2 with Enhanced Capacitive Behavior
Authors: Vyskočil Jan , Mayorga‐Martinez Carmen C. , Szőkölová Kateřina , Dash Apurv , Gonzalez‐Julian Jesus , Sofer Zdeněk , Pumera Martin
Published: August 2019

MXene‐based materials play an important role in the field of energy storage devices, owing to their layered structure with gravimetric/volumetric capacitances higher than that of graphene. However, owing to their tendency to bond to hydrogen or due to van der Walls forces, their performance is often reduced by the restacking of layers and subsequent reduction of their active surface area. In this work, we investigate the charge storage capacitance enhancement after inserting 1T‐phase WS2 nanospacers into the matrix of MXene Ti3C2 through a simple sonication‐assisted procedure, forming a 2D stack structure. We demonstrated that each exfoliation step enhances the capacitive behavior when compared to the starting MAX phase (Ti3AlC2). This new sandwich material shall have profound influence on the construction of 2D materials‐based supercapacitors.
Selective Effect of Gel Polymer Electrolytes on Suppressing Decomposition and Evaporation of Electrolyte in Acetonitrile‐Based Supercapacitors at Elevated Temperature
Authors: Park Habin , Yong Hansol , Jung Jongwon , Jung Cheolsoo
Published: August 2019

Acetonitrile‐based liquid electrolytes have been used in supercapacitors due to their high ionic conductivity, but they have drawbacks when operated at elevated temperature. The electrochemical performances of acetonitrile‐based activated carbon (AC) supercapacitors are improved by two gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) functionalized in a bulk electrolyte and at the AC interface. A GPE with poly(ethylene glycol) suppresses the evaporation of acetonitrile at the bulk electrolyte during resting and cycling at 80 °C effectively. A GPE with an isocyanate group obtained by curing after impregnated into AC has an exceptional effect on suppressing the anodic decomposition of the liquid electrolyte even at elevated temperature. This parallel effect is verified through investigations of electrolytic decomposition at specific potentials of positive and negative electrodes, cycling stability of the assembled supercapacitors at 3.0 V, and change in the impedance parameters during cycling. In addition, a mechanism for the stabilization of electrolyte by an isocyanate is suggested.
A predictive model for the time dependence of concentrations in plating baths
Authors: Baumer Christoph , Bund Andreas , Herrmann Johannes
Published: August 2019

An industrial electroplating process is usually based on a long‐term and intensive use of the electrolytes. In most cases, ten to several hundred metal turnovers (MTO) are deposited from a commercial bath. As a consequence, the composition of the electrolyte can change drastically during its use. Furthermore, some bath components are difficult to determine and therefore are not analyzed routinely or not analyzed at all. In this paper is shown how the control of the electrolytes can be realized by mass balances and analyzing of the main components. For this purpose, a nonlinear model for the calculation of the concentration considering drag‐out and the reaction mechanism is defined. Based on this model, the composition of the electrolyte is simulated considering the replenishment and dilution of the bath. By using simulated annealing, the simulated concentrations are fitted to the real concentrations. Based on the known reaction system, the normally unknown characteristic parameters of the deposition like drag‐out, deposited mass, current efficiency, and alloy composition are obtained. These values can then be used for improving process control and calculations of regular additions of bath components. Additionally, this procedure describes a general systematic to validate hypothetical considerations of the reaction mechanism in a galvanic process by practical data.