bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physiochemical Tuning of Potent Escherichia coli Anti‐Adhesives by Microencapsulation and Methylene Homologation
Authors: Alvarez Dorta Dimitri , Chalopin Thibaut , Sivignon Adeline , de Ruyck Jérôme , Dumych Tetiana I. , Bilyy Rostyslav O. , Deniaud David , Barnich Nicolas , Bouckaert Julie , Gouin Sébastien G.
Published: March 2017

Thiazolylaminomannosides (TazMan) are FimH antagonists with anti‐adhesive potential against adherent‐invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) promoting gut inflammation in patients with Crohn's disease. The lead TazMan is highly potent in vitro, but shows limited in vivo efficiency, probably due to low pH stability and water solubility. We recently developed a second generation of stable TazMan, but the anti‐adhesive effect was lower than the first. Herein we report a co‐crystal structure of the lead TazMan in FimH, revealing that the anomeric NH group and the second thiazole moiety provide a positive hydrogen bonding interaction with a trapped water molecule, and π‐stacking with Tyr48 of FimH, respectively. Consequently, we developed NeoTazMan homologated with a methylene group for low‐pH and mannosidase stability with a conserved NH group and bearing various heterocyclic aglycones. Microencapsulation of the lead NeoTazMan in γ‐cyclodextrin dramatically improved water solubility without disrupting the affinity for FimH or the anti‐adhesive effect against AIEC isolated from patients with Crohn's disease.
The centrifugal visual system of a palaeognathous bird, the Chilean Tinamou (Nothoprocta perdicaria)
Authors: Krabichler Quirin , Vega‐Zuniga Tomas , Carrasco Denisse , Fernandez Maximo , Gutiérrez‐Ibáñez Cristián , Marín Gonzalo , Luksch Harald
Published: March 2017

The avian centrifugal visual system, which projects from the brain to the retina, has been intensively studied in several Neognathous birds that have a distinct isthmo‐optic nucleus (ION). However, birds of the order Palaeognathae seem to lack a proper ION in histologically stained brain sections. We had previously reported in the palaeognathous Chilean Tinamou (Nothoprocta perdicaria) that intraocular injections of Cholera Toxin B subunit retrogradely label a considerable number of neurons, which form a diffuse isthmo‐optic complex (IOC). In order to better understand how this IOC‐based centrifugal visual system is organized, we have studied its major components by means of in vivo and in vitro tracing experiments. Our results show that the IOC, though structurally less organized than an ION, possesses a dense core region consisting of multipolar neurons. It receives afferents from neurons in L10a of the optic tectum, which are distributed with a wider interneuronal spacing than in Neognathae. The tecto‐IOC terminals are delicate and divergent, unlike the prominent convergent tecto‐ION terminals in Neognathae. The centrifugal IOC terminals in the retina are exclusively divergent, resembling the terminals from “ectopic” centrifugal neurons in Neognathae. We conclude that the Tinamou's IOC participates in a comparable general IOC‐retina‐TeO‐IOC circuitry as the neognathous ION. However, the connections between the components are structurally different and their divergent character suggests a lower spatial resolution. Our findings call for further comparative studies in a broad range of species for advancing our understanding of the evolution, plasticity and functional roles of the avian centrifugal visual system.
Research and primary evaluation of an automatic fusion method for multisource tooth crown data
Authors: Dai Ning , Li Dawei , Yang Xu , Cheng Cheng , Sun Yuchun
Published: March 2017

With the development of 3‐dimensional (3D) scanning technologies in dentistry, high accuracy optical scanning data from the crown and cone beam computed tomography data from the root can be acquired easily. In many dental fields, especially in digital orthodontics, it is useful to fuse the data from the crown and the root. However, the manual fusion method is complex and difficult. A novel automatic fusion method for 2‐source data from the crown and the root was researched, and its accuracy was evaluated in this study.

An occlusal splint with several alumina ceramic spheres was fabricated using heat‐curing resin. A multipoint (center of each sphere) alignment method was performed to achieve rapid registration of the crown data from optical scanning and the root data from cone beam computed tomography. The segmentation algorithm based on heuristic search was adopted to perform extraction and segmentation of the crown from whole optical scanning data. The level set algorithm and the marching cubes (MC) algorithm were used to reconstruct digital imaging and communications in medicine data into a 3D model. A novel multisource data fusion algorithm, which is based on iterative Laplacian deformation (ILD), was researched and applied to achieve automatic fusion. Finally, the 3D errors of the method were evaluated.

The 3 groups of typical tooth data were automatically fused within 2 seconds. The mean standard deviation was less than 0.02 mm.

The novel method can aid the construction of a high‐quality 3D model of complete teeth to enable orthodontists to safely, reliably, and visually plan tooth alignment programs.
RNA Whole‐Mount In Situ Hybridization Proximity Ligation Assay (rISH‐PLA), an Assay for Detecting RNA‐Protein Complexes in Intact Cells
Authors: Roussis Ioannis M. , Myers Fiona A. , Scarlett Garry P.
Published: March 2017

Techniques for studying RNA‐protein interactions have lagged behind those for DNA‐protein interactions as a consequence of the complexities associated with working with RNA. This unit describes a method for the adaptation of the In Situ Hybridization—Proximity Ligation Assay (ISH‐PLA) to the study of RNA regulation (rISH‐PLA). The rISH‐PLA assay allows the identification of a given RNA‐protein complex at subcellular and single‐cell resolution, thus avoiding the lack of spatial resolution and sensitivity associated with assaying heterogeneous cell populations from which conventional RNA‐protein interaction detection techniques suffer. This technique will be particularly usefully for studying the activity of RNA binding proteins (RBPs) in complex mixtures of cells, for example tissue sections or whole embryos. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Immunoblotting and Immunodetection
Authors: Ni Duojiao , Xu Peng , Gallagher Sean
Published: March 2017

Immunoblotting (western blotting) is used to identify specific antigens recognized by polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies. This unit provides protocols for all steps, starting with solubilization of the protein samples, usually by means of SDS and reducing agents. Following solubilization, the material is separated by SDS‐PAGE and the antigens are electrophoretically transferred to a membrane, a process that can be monitored by reversible staining with Ponceau S. The transferred proteins are bound to the surface of the membrane, providing access to immunodetection reagents. After nonspecific binding sites are blocked, the membrane is probed with the primary antibody and washed. The antibody‐antigen complexes are tagged with fluorophores, horseradish peroxidase, or alkaline phosphatase coupled to a secondary anti‐IgG antibody, and detected using appropriate fluorescent imaging technologies or with chromogenic or luminescent substrates. Finally, membranes may be stripped and reprobed. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Extending the Gauss–Huard method for the solution of Lyapunov matrix equations and matrix inversion
Authors: Benner Peter , Ezzatti Pablo , Quintana‐Ortí Enrique S. , Remón Alfredo
Published: March 2017

The solution of linear systems is a recurrent operation in scientific and engineering applications, traditionally addressed via the LU factorization. The Gauss–Huard (GH) algorithm has been introduced as an efficient alternative in modern platforms equipped with accelerators, although this approach presented some functional constraints. In particular, it was not possible to reuse part of the computations in the solution of delayed linear systems or in the inversion of the matrix. Here, we adapt GH to overcome these two deficiencies of GH, yielding new algorithms that exhibit the same computational cost as their corresponding counterparts based on the LU factorization of the matrix. We evaluate the novel GH extensions on the solution of Lyapunov matrix equations via the LRCF‐ADI method, validating our approach via experiments with three benchmarks from model order reduction. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Silver(I) Complexes of Diphenylpyridines: Crystal Structures, Luminescence Studies, Theoretical Insights, and Biological Activities
Authors: Wang De‐Hui , Zhang Yuan , Wang Yu‐Tong , Feng Hui‐Yan , Chen Yong , Zhao De‐Zhi
Published: March 2017

A series of simple two‐coordinated cationic silver(I) complexes, namely, [Ag{4‐(4‐R1‐phenyl)‐2,6‐diphenylpyridine}2]X (X=ClO4−, BF4−, or SO3CF3−), with different electron‐donating or ‐withdrawing groups (e.g., R1=N(Me)2, Me, H, Cl, and Br) on the phenyl ring, were successfully prepared. Extensive characterization of these complexes by various NMR spectroscopy techniques and mass spectrometry was further corroborated by single‐crystal XRD analyses. Detailed photophysical investigations of [Ag{4‐(4‐N,N‐dimethylaminophenyl)‐2,6‐diphenylpyridine}2]ClO4 (C1) displayed a strong room‐temperature fluorescence in solution with an anomalously high luminescence quantum yield of 0.83. The effects of distinct substituent groups (C2–C5), π‐conjugated aromatic rings (C6 and C7), and anions (C8 and C9) on the photoluminescence properties were evaluated. Furthermore, DFT and time‐dependent DFT calculations were performed to discern the composition of the excited state, as well as to confirm the obtained relative emission energies upon substitution with electronically different ligands. These results indicated that the strong electron‐donating substituent of N,N‐dimethylamine played an important role in the unprecedented high luminescence quantum yield of C1. In addition, preliminary antimicrobial studies and confocal microscopy fluorescent imaging of HeLa cells labeled with these complexes reveal their potential applications in biological activities.
Characterization of Plant Small RNAs by Next Generation Sequencing
Authors: Mathioni Sandra M. , Kakrana Atul , Meyers Blake C.
Published: March 2017

Plant small RNAs are ∼20 to 24 nucleotide noncoding RNAs that typically have repressive regulatory roles in gene expression, functioning at the transcriptional or post‐transcriptional level. This influence on regulation of developmental and physiological processes has direct effects on phenotype. High‐throughput sequencing technologies have enabled the sequencing of millions of small RNAs. Along with decreased sequencing costs, recent improvements in small RNA library construction have facilitated the ability to use minimal amounts of input RNA for analysis. This unit describes steps to isolate total RNA from limited amounts of plant tissue to construct small RNA libraries and perform small RNA data processing. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An overview to nano‐scale analytical techniques: Nano‐liquid chromatography and capillary electrochromatography
Authors: Fanali Salvatore
Published: March 2017

Nano‐liquid chromatography (nano‐LC) and CEC are microfluidic techniques mainly used for analytical purposes. They have been applied to the separation and analysis of a large number of compounds, e.g., peptides, proteins, drugs, enantiomers, antibiotics, pesticides, nutraceutical, etc. Analytes separation is carried out into capillaries containing selected stationary phase. The mobile phase is moved either by a pump (nano‐LC) or by an EOF, respectively. The two tools can offer some advantages over conventional techniques, e.g., high selectivity, separation efficiency, resolution, short analysis time and consumption of low volumes of mobile phase. Flow rates in the range 50–800 nL/min are usually applied. The low flow rate reduces the chromatographic dilution increasing the mass sensitivity. Special attention must be paid in avoiding peak dispersion selecting the appropriate detector, injector and tube connection. Finally due to the low flow rate these microfluidic techniques can be easily coupled with mass spectrometry.
Dielectrophoresis assisted loading and unloading of microwells for impedance spectroscopy
Authors: Mansoorifar Amin , Koklu Anil , Sabuncu Ahmet C. , Beskok Ali
Published: March 2017

Dielectric spectroscopy (DS) is a noninvasive, label‐free, fast, and promising technique for measuring dielectric properties of biological cells in real time. We demonstrate a microchip that consists of electro‐activated microwell arrays for positive dielectrophoresis assisted cell capture, DS measurements, and negative dielectrophoresis driven cell unloading; thus, providing a high‐throughput cell analysis platform. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first microfluidic chip that combines electro‐activated microwells and DS to analyze biological cells. Device performance is tested using Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) cells. DEP response of yeast cells is determined by measuring their Clausius–Mossotti factor using biophysical models in parallel plate microelectrode geometry. This information is used to determine the excitation frequency to load and unload wells. Effect of yeast cells on the measured impedance spectrum was examined both experimentally and numerically. Good match between the numerical and experimental results establishes the potential use of the microchip device for extracting subcellular properties of biological cells in a rapid and nonexpensive manner.
Lethal and behavioral impacts of diesel and fuel oil on the Antarctic amphipod Paramoera walkeri
Authors: Brown Kathryn E. , King Catherine K. , Harrison Peter L.
Published: March 2017

Toxicity testing with Antarctic species is required for risk assessment of fuel spills in Antarctic coastal waters. The lethal and sublethal (movement behavior) sensitivities of adults and juveniles of the Antarctic amphipod Paramoera walkeri to the water accommodated fractions (WAFs) of 3 fuels were estimated in extended-duration tests at –1 °C to 21 d. Response of P. walkeri for lethal hydrocarbon concentrations was slow, with 50% lethal concentrations (LC50s) first able to be estimated at 7 d for adults exposed to Special Antarctic Blend diesel (SAB), which had the highest hydrocarbon concentrations of the 3 fuel WAFs. Juveniles showed greater response to marine gas oil (MGO) and intermediate residual fuel oil (IFO 180) at longer exposure durations and were most sensitive at 21 d to IFO 180 (LC50 = 12 μg/L). Adults were initially more sensitive than juveniles; at 21 d, however, juveniles were more than twice as sensitive as adults to SAB (LC50 = 153 μg/L and 377 μg/L, respectively). Significant effects on movement behavior were evident at earlier time points and lower concentrations than was mortality in all 3 fuel WAFs, and juveniles were highly sensitive to sublethal effects of MGO. These first estimates of Antarctic amphipod sensitivity to diesel and fuel oils in seawater contribute to the development of ecologically relevant risk assessments for management of hydrocarbon contamination in the region. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2444–2455. © 2017 SETAC
Halogenated phenolic compounds in wild fish from Canadian Areas of Concern
Authors: Gilroy Ève A.M. , Muir Derek C.G. , McMaster Mark E. , Darling Colin , Campbell Linda M. , Alaee Mehran , Brown Scott B. , Sherry James P.
Published: March 2017

Concentrations of halogenated phenolic compounds were measured in the plasma of brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) from 4 Canadian Areas of Concern (AOCs), to assess exposure to suspected thyroid-disrupting chemicals. Hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs) were detected in every sample collected in 3 of the AOCs; the detection frequency was lower in samples from the Detroit River AOC. The OH-PCBs most frequently detected were pentachloro, hexachloro, and heptachloro congeners, which are structurally similar to thyroid hormones. Pentachlorophenol (PCP) was detected at highest concentrations (1.8 ng/g) in fish from Prince Edward Bay, the Bay of Quinte Lake reference site, and Hillman Marsh (the Wheatley Harbour reference site), suggesting local sources of contamination. Elevated PCP concentrations were also detected in the plasma of brown bullhead from exposed sites in the Toronto and Region AOC (0.4–0.6 ng/g). Triclosan was consistently detected in the Toronto and Region AOC (0.05–0.9 ng/g), consistent with wastewater emission. Greater concentrations were occasionally detected in the plasma of brown bullhead from the Bay of Quinte AOC. Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers were highest in the Toronto and Region AOC, and at 2 of the Bay of Quinte AOC exposed sites near Trenton and Belleville. Distribution patterns reflected the properties and usage of the compounds under investigation and the characteristics of each AOC. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2266–2273. © 2017 SETAC
Utility of the cumulative stress and mismatch hypotheses in understanding the neurobiological impacts of childhood abuse and recent stress in youth with emerging mental disorder
Authors: Paquola Casey , Bennett Maxwell R , Hatton Sean N , Hermens Daniel F. , Lagopoulos Jim
Published: March 2017

Childhood abuse has an enduring impact on the brain's stress system. Whether the effects of childhood abuse and adulthood stress are additive (cumulative stress hypothesis) or interactive (mismatch hypothesis) is widely disputed, however. The primary aim of this study was to test the utility of the cumulative stress and mismatch hypotheses in understanding brain and behaviour. We recruited 64 individuals (aged 14–26) from a specialised clinic for assessment and early intervention of mental health problems in young people. A T1‐weighted MRI, a resting state fMRI and clinical assessment were acquired from each participant. Grey matter estimates and resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the hippocampus, amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) were determined using segmentation and seed‐to‐voxel rsFC analyses. We explored the effects of childhood abuse and recent stress on the structure and function of the regions of interest within general linear models. Worse psychiatric symptoms were significantly related to higher levels of life time stress. Individuals with mismatched childhood and recent stress levels had reduced left hippocampal volume, reduced ACC‐ventrolateral prefrontal cortex rsFC and greater ACC‐hippocampus rsFC, compared to individuals with matched childhood and recent stress levels. These results show specific utility of the cumulative stress hypothesis in understanding psychiatric symptomatology and of the mismatch hypothesis in modelling hippocampal grey matter, prefrontal rsFC, and prefrontal‐hippocampal rsFC. We provide novel evidence for the enduring impact of childhood abuse on stress reactivity in a clinical population, and demonstrate the distinct effects of stress in different systems. Hum Brain Mapp 38:2709–2721, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Elbasvir/Grazoprevir for Patients With Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Inherited Blood Disorders: A Phase III Study
Authors: Hézode Christophe , Colombo Massimo , Bourlière Marc , Spengler Ulrich , Ben‐Ari Ziv , Strasser Simone I. , Lee William M. , Morgan Leslie , Qiu Jingjun , Hwang Peggy , Robertson Michael , Nguyen Bach‐Yen , Barr Eliav , Wahl Janice , Haber Barbara , Chase Robert , Talwani Rohit , Di Marco Vito ,   on behalf of the C‐EDGE IBLD Study Investigators
Published: March 2017

Direct‐acting antiviral agents have not been studied exclusively in patients with inherited blood disorders and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The objective of the randomized, placebo‐controlled, phase III C‐EDGE IBLD study was to assess the safety and efficacy of elbasvir/grazoprevir (EBR/GZR) in patients with inherited bleeding disorders and HCV infection. One hundred fifty‐nine adults with HCV infection and sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, or hemophilia A/B or von Willebrand disease were enrolled at 31 study sites in the United States, Europe, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Thailand. Patients were given an oral, once‐daily, fixed‐dose combination of EBR/GZR 50 mg/100 mg for 12 weeks and randomized to the immediate‐treatment group (ITG) or deferred‐treatment group (DTG; placebo followed by active treatment). The primary endpoints were the proportion of patients in the ITG with unquantifiable HCV RNA 12 weeks posttreatment (sustained virological response 12 weeks after completion of study treatment; SVR12) and the comparison of safety in the ITG and DTG. In the ITG, 100 of 107 patients (93.5%) achieved SVR12, 6 relapsed, and 1 was lost to follow‐up. SVR12 was achieved in 94.7% (18 of 19), 97.6% (40 of 41), and 89.4% (42 of 47) of patients with sickle cell disease, β‐thalassemia, and hemophilia A/B or von Willebrand disease, respectively. Serious adverse events were reported by 2.8% (n = 3) and 11.5% (n = 6) of patients in the ITG and DTG, respectively. Hemoglobin levels and international normalized ratio values were similar in patients receiving EBR/GZR and placebo; among patients with hemoglobinopathies, change in mean hemoglobin levels was similar in those receiving EBR/GZR compared to those receiving placebo. Conclusion: These results add to the expanding pool of data available for EBR/GZR, indicating a high level of efficacy and favorable tolerability in patients with HCV infection. (Hepatology 2017;66:736–745)
MicroRNA 181b‐3p and its target importin α5 regulate toll‐like receptor 4 signaling in Kupffer cells and liver injury in mice in response to ethanol
Authors: Saikia Paramananda , Bellos Damien , McMullen Megan R. , Pollard Katherine A. , de la Motte Carol , Nagy Laura E.
Published: March 2017

Increased inflammatory signaling by Kupffer cells contributes to alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Here we investigated the impact of small, specific‐sized hyaluronic acid of 35 kD (HA35) on ethanol‐induced sensitization of Kupffer cells, as well as ethanol‐induced liver injury in mice. Unbiased analysis of microRNA (miRNA) expression in Kupffer cells identified miRNAs regulated by both ethanol and HA35. Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4)‐mediated signaling was assessed in primary cultures of Kupffer cells from ethanol‐ and pair‐fed rats after treatment with HA35. Female C57BL6/J mice were fed ethanol or pair‐fed control diets and treated or not with HA35. TLR4 signaling was increased in Kupffer cells by ethanol; this sensitization was normalized by ex vivo treatment with HA35. Next generation sequencing of Kupffer cell miRNA identified miRNA 181b‐3p (miR181b‐3p) as sensitive to both ethanol and HA35. Importin α5, a protein involved in p65 translocation to the nucleus, was identified as a target of miR181b‐3p; importin α5 protein was increased in Kupffer cells from ethanol‐fed rats, but decreased by HA35 treatment. Overexpression of miR181b‐3p decreased importin α5 expression and normalized lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated tumor necrosis factor α expression in Kupffer cells from ethanol‐fed rats. In a mouse model of ALD, ethanol feeding decreased miR181b‐3p in liver and increased expression of importin α5 in nonparenchymal cells. Treatment with HA35 normalized these changes and also protected mice from ethanol‐induced liver and intestinal injury. Conclusion: miR181b‐3p is dynamically regulated in Kupffer cells and mouse liver in response to ethanol and treatment with HA35. miR181b‐3p modulates expression of importin α5 and sensitivity of TLR4‐mediated signaling. This study identifies a miR181b‐3p–importin α5 axis in regulating inflammatory signaling pathways in hepatic macrophages. (Hepatology 2017;66:602–615).
Using Reclaimed Water for Agricultural and Landscape Irrigation in China: a Review
Authors: Wang Zhen , Li Jiusheng , Li Yanfeng
Published: March 2017

Suffering from severe water scarcity, China has been using wastewater for irrigating cereal, fiber, and vegetable crops as well as landscapes, for decades. During this time, both quantities and qualities have been enhanced from raw wastewater to secondary and even tertiary treated wastewater. Currently, approximately one‐third of the reclaimed water is used for agricultural irrigation. Moreover, 34, 12, 23 and 2% of the reclaimed water is used in the sector of recreation/environment, miscellaneous urban use, industry, and groundwater recharge, respectively. Extensive research has been conducted concerning irrigation with reclaimed water, including the responses of crops and risk assessments of the environment, soils, groundwater, and human exposure. A positive response to reclaimed water irrigation on crop growth and yield with acceptable product qualities was found as a resulted of exposure of the additional nutrient constituents of reclaimed water. These findings were generally supported, although reductions in crop yield and quality and the ornamental performance of landscapes and soil deterioration were occasionally reported in the literature. More reclaimed water is expected to be used for agricultural and landscape irrigation as the conventional water supply is becoming increasingly limited. The increasing concern of environmental risk caused by irrigation with reclaimed water and its complexity requires continuous monitoring and more research on the negative influences resulting from reclaimed water irrigation. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) enhances the osteogenic activity of bone morphogenetic protein‐6 (BMP‐6) in vitro and in vivo, and together have a stronger osteogenic effect than when IGF‐1 is combined with BMP‐2
Authors: Rico‐Llanos Gustavo A. , Becerra Jose , Visser Rick
Published: March 2017

Bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) is widely used in orthopedic surgery and bone tissue engineering because of its strong osteogenic activity. However, BMP‐2 treatments have several drawbacks and many groups are actively exploring alternatives. Since BMP‐6 has been demonstrated to be more osteoinductive, its use, either alone or together with other growth factors, might be an interesting option. In this work, we have compared the effect of BMP‐2, BMP‐6, or insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), either alone or in combination. Murine preosteoblasts were treated with 15 nM IGF‐1 and/or 6 nM BMP‐2 or −6 and the expression of osteogenic marker genes, proliferation, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in vitro were analyzed. The results showed that IGF‐1 greatly enhanced the BMP‐induced osteogenic differentiation of these cells in general and that the ALP activity in the cultures was higher when the combination was made with BMP‐6 than with BMP‐2. Furthermore, we tested the osteogenic potential of these treatments in vivo by loading 25 pmoles of IGF‐1 and/or 10 pmoles of BMP‐2 or −6 onto absorbable collagen sponges and implanting them into an ectopic bone formation model in rats. This study revealed that only BMP‐6 was able to induce bone formation at the used dose and that the addition of IGF‐1 contributed to an increase of the mineralization in the implants. Hence, the combination of BMP‐6 with IGF‐1 might be a better alternative than BMP‐2 for orthopedic surgery or bone tissue engineering approaches. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1867–1875, 2017.
Impact of victimization, community climate, and community size on the mental health of sexual and gender minority youth
Authors: Paceley Megan S. , Goffnett Jacob , Gandy‐Guedes Megan
Published: March 2017

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth are at risk of stigma and victimization, which may lead to increased mental health symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and stress. The role of the community in exacerbating or mitigating the frequency of victimization and mental health symptoms among SGM youth has been understudied. Using a minority stress framework, this study examined the association between physical and nonphysical anti‐SGM victimization, perceived community climate, and community size and their effects on depression, anxiety, and stress among SGM youth. An online survey was completed by 296 SGM‐identified youth (aged 14–18 years). Results revealed that nonphysical forms of victimization were associated with depression, anxiety, and stress above and beyond physical victimization and community variables. Both types of victimization were more common in communities that participants perceived to be hostile and small towns. Practice implications include ways to reduce victimization and improve mental health via community climate and community interventions.
A biophysical view on von Willebrand factor activation
Authors: Löf Achim , Müller Jochen P. , Brehm Maria A.
Published: March 2017

The process of hemostatic plug formation at sites of vascular injury crucially relies on the large multimeric plasma glycoprotein von Willebrand factor (VWF) and its ability to recruit platelets to the damaged vessel wall via interaction of its A1 domain with platelet GPIbα. Under normal blood flow conditions, VWF multimers exhibit a very low binding affinity for platelets. Only when subjected to increased hydrodynamic forces, which primarily occur in connection with vascular injury, VWF can efficiently bind to platelets. This force‐regulation of VWF's hemostatic activity is not only highly intriguing from a biophysical perspective, but also of eminent physiological importance. On the one hand, it prevents undesired activity of VWF in intact vessels that could lead to thromboembolic complications and on the other hand, it enables efficient VWF‐mediated platelet aggregation exactly where needed. Here, we review recent studies that mainly employed biophysical approaches in order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the complex mechano‐regulation of the VWF‐GPIbα interaction. Their results led to two main hypotheses: first, intramolecular shielding of the A1 domain is lifted upon force‐induced elongation of VWF; second, force‐induced conformational changes of A1 convert it from a low‐affinity to a high‐affinity state. We critically discuss these hypotheses and aim at bridging the gap between the large‐scale behavior of VWF as a linear polymer in hydrodynamic flow and the detailed properties of the A1‐GPIbα bond at the single‐molecule level.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Polyfunctionally Substituted Heterocyclic Compounds Derived from 5‐Cinnamoylamino‐2‐Cyanomethyl‐1,3,4‐Thiadiazole
Authors: Mahmoud Mahmoud R. , El‐Shahawi Manal M. , Abu El‐Azm Fatma S. , Abdeen Mohamed
Published: March 2017

Cinnamoyl isothiocyanate 1 was reacted with 2‐cyanoethanoic acid hydrazide 2 to afford 1‐cyanoacetyl‐4‐substituted thiosemicarbazide 3, which on treatment with a mixture of glacial acetic acid and acetic anhydride gave the desired 5‐cinnamoylamino‐2‐cyanomethyl‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole 4. Compound 4 was subjected to react with aromatic aldehydes, phenylisothiocyanate, carbon disulphide, and arylidene malononitrile to give coumarin 5, thiazolidines 8,9, and 1,3,4‐thiadiazolo[3,2‐a]pyridine 13 derivatives. The structures of all synthesized compounds were ascertained by spectral and analytical data. Antimicrobial activity of some of prepared compounds was investigated, and compounds 7, 8 were found to exhibit the highest strength.
Late Holocene glacier reconstruction reveals retreat behind present limits and two‐stage Little Ice Age on subantarctic South Georgia
Authors: van der Bilt Willem G. M. , Bakke Jostein , Werner Johannes P. , Paasche Øyvind , Rosqvist Gunhild , Vatle Sunniva Solheim
Published: March 2017

Observational data show that climate in the Southern Ocean region is rapidly changing. However, past the instrumental period, our understanding of climate variability in the region is limited by a scarcity of high‐resolution palaeoclimate records. Alpine glaciers, present on many Southern Ocean islands, may provide such data because changes in their mass balance, extent and erosion rates often mark a response to climate shifts. Rock flour, the fine‐grained fraction of the glacial erosion process, is suspended in meltwater streams and transferred into the sediments of downstream lakes, continuously recording glacier variations. Here, we utilize this relationship to present a reconstruction of the Late Holocene glacier history of subantarctic South Georgia, using sediments from the glacier‐fed Middle Hamberg Lake. To fingerprint a glacial erosion/size signal, we used titanium counts, validated against changes in sediment density and grain size, allowing a continuous reconstruction of glacier variations over the past ∼1250 years. Together with local moraine evidence and supporting evidence from other Southern Hemisphere glaciers on New Zealand and in Patagonia, our findings reveal a series of consecutively diminishing Late Holocene advances. In addition to a glacier maximum before 1250 cal a BP, these include a two‐stage Litle Ice Age with advances around 300 and 120 cal a BP, in line with evidence from southern Patagonia. In addition, we present evidence for an unreported retreat behind present limits around 500 cal BP. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cover Image, Volume 97, Issue 5
Authors: Wells Hannah C , Holmes Geoff , Jeng U‐Ser , Wu Wei‐Ru , Kirby Nigel , Hawley Adrian , Mudie Stephen , Haverkamp Richard G
Published: March 2017

The cover image, by Hannah C Wells et al., is based on the Research Article A small angle X‐ray scattering study of the structure and development of looseness in bovine hides and leather, DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7899.

image
Trend analysis of precipitation and drought in the Aegean region, Turkey
Authors: Güner Bacanli Ülker
Published: March 2017

Trend analysis of precipitation and drought will play a significant role in the future development and sustainable management of water resources. It is the main purpose of this paper to analyse meteorological droughts and trends. The variability of the standardized precipitation index (SPI) was investigated at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 monthly intervals. The trends of 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 monthly SPI results were analysed by applying linear regression and the Mann–Kendall and Spearman's rho tests at the 5% significance level. The linear slopes of the trends were calculated with a technique proposed by Sen. Meteorological data from eight meteorological stations in the Aegean region of Turkey were used for the period 1960–2013.

The monthly precipitation trend decreases in December, January, February and March in all regions according to the linear regression analysis results. Annual precipitation decreased at five stations. In drought analysis by the SPI, in a short time period (such as 3 months) drought is more frequent but shorter, and as the period increases the duration of drought also increases but frequency decreases. Winter droughts are beginning to occur in the class of ‘severe’ in recent years. In this study carried out for different time periods according to SPI values in all stations, the highest ranges are in the normal and mild drought degrees. In addition, severe and extreme droughts are also seen intensely frequently. Trend analysis of precipitation and drought is compared. The trend analyses of precipitation are in parallel with the results of drought analyses.
Genetic Characterization of a French Cohort of GNE‐mutation negative inclusion body myopathy patients with exome sequencing
Authors: Cerino Mathieu , Gorokhova Svetlana , Laforet Pascal , Ben Yaou Rabah , Salort‐Campana Emmanuelle , Pouget Jean , Attarian Shahram , Eymard Bruno , Deleuze Jean‐François , Boland Anne , Behin Anthony , Stojkovic Tanya , Bonne Gisele , Levy Nicolas , Bartoli Marc , Krahn Martin
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Hereditary inclusion body myopathy (hIBM) refers to a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous diseases. The overlapping histochemical features of hIBM with other genetic disorders lead to low diagnostic rates with targeted single‐gene sequencing. This is true for the most prevalent form of hIBM, GNEpathy. Therefore, we used whole‐exome sequencing (WES) to determine whether a cohort of clinically suspected GNEpathy patients undiagnosed by targeted GNE analysis could be genetically characterized.

Methods

Twenty patients with hIBM but undiagnosed by targeted GNE sequencing were analyzed by WES before data filtering on 306 genes associated with neuromuscular disorders.

Results

Seven patients out of 20 were found to have disease‐causing mutations in genes associated with hIBM or genes allowing for hIBM in the differential diagnosis or associated with unexpected diagnosis.

Discussion

Next‐generation sequencing is an efficient strategy in the context of hIBM, resulting in a molecular diagnosis for 35% of the patients initially undiagnosed by targeted GNE analysis. Muscle Nerve 56: 993–997, 2017
Self‐adhesive epoxy modified silicone materials for light emitting diode encapsulation
Authors: Liu Yishan , Luan Xinying , Feng Yakai , Tan Xiaohua , Han Ying , Sun Xujun
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we prepared the light emitting diode (LED) encapsulant with self‐adhesion and high refractive index. In order to improve adhesion properties, we synthesized a series of multifunctional polysiloxanes with different contents of epoxy groups via the sol–gel condensation of methylvinyldimethoxysilane, diphenylsilanediol and 3‐glycidoxypropyldimethoxymethylsilane. The structures of epoxyphenylvinyl silicone (EPVS) resins were confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier‐transform infrared. The effect of epoxy group content on the adhesion property of EPVS resins was fully studied. The performances of the LED encapsulation materials based on EPVS resins were investigated in detail. These self‐adhesive encapsulating materials showed excellent thermal stability, a high refractive index of 1.55 and good adhesive property. These EPVSs can be used as an adhesion promoter for LED encapsulation materials. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of the melt viscosity and operating conditions on the degree of filling, pressure, temperature, and residence time in a co‐kneader
Authors: Monchatre Benjamin , Raveyre Claude , Carrot Christian
Published: March 2017

The effect of the melt viscosity and operating conditions on processing parameters in a co‐kneader with a discharge die was experimentally investigated. Filling ratio, pressure, temperature, and residence time distribution were measured. Experiments were performed with polypropylene resins. The viscosity of the melt was varied either by changing the regulation temperature of the kneader or the molecular weight of the polymer. The filling pattern in the co‐kneader shows the conveying capability of the various elements without any effect of the melt viscosity. Experimental residence time distributions remain the same at a given feed rate and screw speed, regardless of the viscosity of the material. The global degree of filling in a zone combining conveying elements, kneading elements, and restriction ring was found to be nearly constant in the conditions of this study and therefore a simple relation exists between the mean residence time and the feed rate. Beside expected variations of the die pressure and melt temperature when the viscosity, screw speed or feed rates change, a model based on heat equation and experimental data demonstrate the high capability of the co‐kneader for heat exchange and for the control of self‐heating during mixing. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:133–141, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
A novel poly(vinylidene fluoride) composite membrane for catalysis and separation
Authors: Xu Liangliang , Ma Shengkui , Chen Xi , Zhao Chu , Zhao Yiping , Chen Li
Published: March 2017

Timely separation of products from the reactant is a great challenge for a catalytic reaction process. In this study, we fabricated a novel poly(vinylidene fluoride) composite membrane with noble metal (Au, Ag, and Pd) nanoparticles in membrane pores to solve the faced challenge. The composite membrane has a unique structure comprising membrane surfaces with only PVDF and membrane pores with poly(methacrylic acid) microspheres coated by noble metal nanoparticles. The composite membrane is used for the catalytic reduction of p‐nitrophenol and the results indicate that the catalytic reaction can rapidly proceed. What is more, the product formed in reaction process can be immediately isolated from the reactant. Other drawbacks such as the easy aggregation and the difficult separation generally encountered by the metal nanocatalysts are also avoided by using the composite membrane. In operation process, the composite membrane shows good thermal, mechanical and catalytic stability. These attracted merits make the prepared composite membrane have desirable prospects in catalytic application. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:150–159, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Event‐triggered UKF for nonlinear dynamic systems with packet dropout
Authors: Li Li , Yu Dongdong , Xia Yuanqing , Yang Hongjiu
Published: March 2017

In this paper, the event‐triggered nonlinear filtering problem is investigated for nonlinear dynamic systems over a wireless sensor network with packet dropout. Measurements are transmitted to a remote estimator only when a specific event happens for a reduction of communication cost. An event‐triggered unscented Kalman filter related to trigger threshold is derived. It is shown that the prediction error covariance of the proposed filter is bounded and converges to a steady value if the threshold and packet dropout rate are small enough. Sufficient conditions are obtained to ensure stochastic stability of the filter, where a critical value of the threshold exists. Two examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed filter. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards More Efficient, Greener Syntheses through Flow Chemistry
Authors: Lummiss Justin A.M. , Morse Peter D. , Beingessner Rachel L. , Jamison Timothy F.
Published: March 2017

Technological advances have an important role in the design of greener synthetic processes. In this Personal Account, we describe a wide range of thermal, photochemical, catalytic, and biphasic chemical transformations examined by our group. Each of these demonstrate how the merits of a continuous flow synthesis platform can align with some of the goals put forth by the Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry. In particular, we illustrate the potential for improved reaction efficiency in terms of atom economy, product yield and reaction rates, the ability to design synthetic process with chemical and solvent waste reduction in mind as well as highlight the benefits of the real‐time monitoring capabilities in flow for highly controlled synthetic output.
Significance of Simultaneous Splenic Artery Resection in Left‐Sided Portal Hypertension After Pancreaticoduodenectomy with Combined Portal Vein Resection
Authors: Gyoten Kazuyuki , Mizuno Shugo , Nagata Motonori , Ogura Toru , Usui Masanobu , Isaji Shuji
Published: March 2017

Background

In pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with resection of portal vein (PV)/superior mesenteric vein (SMV) confluence, the splenic vein (SV) division may cause left‐sided portal hypertension (LPH).

Methods

The 88 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients who underwent PD with PV/SMV resection after chemoradiotherapy were classified into three groups: both SV and splenic artery (SA) were preserved in Group A (n = 16), SV was divided and SA was preserved in Group B (n = 58), and both SV and SA were divided in Group C (n = 14). We evaluated the influence of resection of SV and/or SA on LPH after PD with resection of PV/SMV confluence.

Results

The incidence of postoperative varices in Groups A, B and C was 6.3, 67.2 and 38.5%, respectively (p < 0.001), and variceal bleeding occurred only in Group B (n = 4: 6.8%). In multivariate analysis, Group B was the only significant risk factor for the development of postoperative varices (Groups B vs. A: odds ratio = 39.6, p = 0.001, Groups C vs. A: odds ratio = 8.75, p = 0.066). The platelet count ratio at 6 months after operation comparing to preoperative value was 0.93, 0.73 and 1.09 in Groups A, B and C, respectively (Groups B vs. C: p < 0.05), and spleen volume ratio at 6 months was 1.00, 1.37 and 0.96 in Groups A, B and C, respectively (Groups B vs. A and C: p < 0.01 and p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In PD with resection of PV–SMV confluence, the SV division causes LPH, but the concomitant division of SV and SA may attenuate it.
Failure of Conservative Treatment of Acute Diverticulitis with Extradigestive Air
Authors: Colas P. A. , Duchalais E. , Duplay Q. , Serra‐Maudet V. , Kanane S. , Ridereau‐Zins C. , Lermite E. , Aubé C. , Hamy A. , Venara A.
Published: March 2017

Background

Medical management for perforated diverticulitis without abscess or peritonitis (PDwAP) has a success rate of 40–70%. Identifying patients with a risk of medical treatment failure would improve outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for failure of medical treatment in patients admitted with PDwAP.

Methods

This multicenter retrospective observational study included all consecutive patients admitted for PDwAP and not surgically treated over a 7‐year period. Peritonitis classified on the Hinchey scale was excluded. Potential clinical, biological and radiological risk factors for medical treatment failure were collected and compared between the group of patient with a failure of medical treatment (F) and the group in which treatment did not fail. Data were collected at referral.

Results

Ninety‐one patients were included, and 29 had a failure of treatment (31.9%). The median heart rate was different between the two groups (p < 0.001), at approximately 100/min in the F group. A blood level of C‐reactive protein (CRP) ≥150 mg/mL was associated with a higher rate of failure (p = 0.021), but it was not confirmed in multivariate analysis. Pneumoperitoneum ≥5 mm and intraperitoneal liquid located in the pouch of Douglas were more likely to be present in the F group (respectively, p = 0.001 and p < 0.001). A multivariate analysis showed independent risk factors as being the highest pneumoperitoneum diameter >5 mm (OR 5.193; p = 0.015) and peritoneal fluid location in the pouch of Douglas (OR 4.103; p = 0.036).

Conclusion

The severity of sepsis (tachycardia and CRP ≥150 mg/mL) and of imaging signs (pneumoperitoneum ≥5 mm and peritoneal fluid in the pouch of Douglas) were risk factors for medical treatment failure of PDwAP requiring special supervision so as not to lose time in undertaking surgical management.
Gastroesophageal Reflux and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Allaix Marco E. , Rebecchi Fabrizio , Morino Mario , Schlottmann Francisco , Patti Marco G.
Published: March 2017

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial lung disease of unknown origin that affects about 40,000 new patients every year in the USA. Albeit the disease is labelled as idiopathic, it is thought that pathologic reflux, often silent, plays a role in its pathogenesis through a process of microaspiration of gastric contents.

Aims

The aim of this study was to review the available evidence linking reflux to IPF, and to study the effect of medical and surgical therapy on the natural history of this disease.

Results

Medical therapy with acid‐reducing medications controls the production of acid and has some benefit. However, reflux and aspiraion of weakly acidic or alkaline gastric contents can still occur. Better results have been reported after laparoscopic anti‐reflux surgery, as this form of therapy re‐establishes the competence of the lower esophageal sphincter, therefore stopping any type of reflux.

Conclusions

A phase II NIH study in currently in progress in the USA to determine the role of antireflux surgery in patients with GERD and IPF. The hope is that this simple operations might alter the natural history of IPF, avoiding progression and the need for lung transplantation.