bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is prostate cancer different in black men? Answers from 3 natural history models
Authors: Tsodikov Alex , Gulati Roman , de Carvalho Tiago M. , Heijnsdijk Eveline A. M. , Hunter‐Merrill Rachel A. , Mariotto Angela B. , de Koning Harry J. , Etzioni Ruth
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Black men in the United States have substantially higher prostate cancer incidence rates than the general population. The extent to which this incidence disparity is because prostate cancer is more prevalent, more aggressive, and/or more frequently diagnosed in black men is unknown.

METHODS

The authors estimated 3 independently developed models of prostate cancer natural history in black men and in the general population using an updated reconstruction of prostate‐specific antigen screening, based on the National Health Interview Survey in 2005 and on prostate cancer incidence data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program during 1975 through 2000. By using the estimated models, the natural history of prostate cancer was compared between black men and the general population.

RESULTS

The models projected that from 30% to 43% (range across models) of black men develop preclinical prostate cancer by age 85 years, a risk that is (relatively) 28% to 56% higher than that in the general population. Among men who had preclinical disease onset, black men had a similar risk of diagnosis (range, 35%‐49%) compared with the general population (32%‐44%), but their risk of progression to metastatic disease by the time of diagnosis was from 44% to 75% higher than that in the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

Prostate cancer incidence patterns implicate higher incidence of preclinical disease and higher risk of metastatic progression among black men. The findings suggest screening black men earlier than white men and support further research into the benefit‐harm tradeoffs of more aggressive screening policies for black men. Cancer 2017;123:2312–2319. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Histiocytic sarcoma: New insights into FNA cytomorphology and molecular characteristics
Authors: Hung Yin P. , Lovitch Scott B. , Qian Xiaohua
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is a rare malignant neoplasm showing morphologic and immunophenotypic features of histiocytes. Molecular characteristics of HS and fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) criteria for its diagnosis have not been established.

METHODS

A case series of HS in 8 FNA samples from 6 patients was reviewed along with histopathologic and clinical data. Immunohistochemistry was performed on cell blocks (3 cases), core biopsies (5 cases), and surgical specimens (4 cases). Targeted‐exome next‐generation sequencing (NGS) was performed on surgical resection specimens in 4 cases.

RESULTS

Four patients had a known history of hematolymphoid malignancy. Cytomorphologic features included variably cellular smears composed of large epithelioid cells with reniform nuclei and abundant vacuolated cytoplasm, in an inflammatory background, with occasional cytophagocytosis and lymphoglandular bodies. Marked pleomorphism, multinucleated monster cells, and binucleated histiocytoid cells with partially overlapping, eccentrically placed nuclei resembling Pac‐Man were common. Most cases expressed histiocytic markers CD68 (6 of 7 cases), CD163 (5 of 5 cases), and PU.1 (3 of 4 cases). In 3 cases, NGS analysis revealed alterations in lysine methyltransferase 2D (KMT2D)/mixed‐lineage leukemia 2 (MLL2), a gene involved in chromatin regulation and previously implicated in the pathogenesis of follicular lymphoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Although diagnosing HS with FNA alone is extremely challenging, the presence of pleomorphic and epithelioid large cells with binucleation and/or multinucleation in an inflammatory background should prompt the diagnosis of HS with judicious use of confirmatory histiocytic lineage markers. The detection of recurrent KMT2D/MLL2 alterations implicates epigenetic regulation in the pathogenesis of HS and supports the notion of transdifferentiation from a genetically similar but phenotypically distinct tumor of a different lineage. Cancer Cytopathol 2017;125:604‐14. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Particle swarm optimization–deep belief network–based rare class prediction model for highly class imbalance problem
Authors: Kim Jae Kwon , Han Young Shin , Lee Jong Sik
Published: April 2017

Rare class imbalance problems, which involve the classification of minority or rare class, are difficult, because the size of the rare class is smaller than the majority class. Since majority class prediction is easy, its accuracy seems to be also high. However, the minority classes cannot be accurately predicted, and for this reason, when the prediction model performance is evaluated by considering only the accuracy, it does not indicate whether the model can predict the minority classes. Therefore, a rare class prediction technique is required. In this study, a rare class prediction model is proposed for minority class prediction. In addition, a dataset of a semiconductor manufacturing process with class imbalance problems was used to create a fault detection model. This prediction model uses data preprocessing to build the characteristics and data set required by the rare classes. To distinguish the rare classes related to the required characteristics, we used standard deviation and Euclidean distance to perform the feature selection. In addition, a particle swarm optimization–deep belief network was applied to create a classifier. The model proposed in this research presents outstanding performance and is appropriate for highly class imbalance problems.
Interactive museum exhibits with embedded systems: A use‐case scenario
Authors: Wong Lok , Shimojo Shinji , Teranishi Yuuichi , Yoshihisa Tomoki , Haga Jason H.
Published: April 2017

The feasibility of using embedded systems in real‐life applications is becoming more widespread. These applications have grown from do‐it‐yourself projects of computer enthusiasts or robotics projects to larger scale efforts and deployments. This paper describes a scenario that deployed a prototype application that allows the public to interact with features of a model and view videos from a first‐person perspective on the train. Through testing the embedded systems and their usage in a public setting, it was demonstrated that interactive features could be implemented in model train exhibits, which are featured in traditional museum environments that lack technical infrastructure. Specifically, the Arduino and Raspberry Pi provide the necessary linkages between the Internet and hardware, allowing for a greater interactive experience for museum visitors. These results provide an important use‐case scenario and lessons learned that cultural heritage institutions can use when implementing embedded systems on a larger scale, for the purpose of increasing visitors' experience through greater interaction and engagement.
Integration of analytic network process with service measurement index framework for cloud service provider selection
Authors: Tripathi Atul , Pathak Isha , Vidyarthi Deo Prakash
Published: April 2017

The growing popularity of cloud services has attracted large number of business organizations to enter into the cloud market. The varied availability of cloud service providers, for various services, leaves the cloud customers into skepticism. Service measurement index (SMI) framework, which is based on the analytic hierarchical process, is developed for the ranking of cloud services. As there are multiple dependencies among the criteria for the selection of cloud service provider, analytic hierarchical process formulation is not efficient. In the proposed work, analytic network process that captures the cloud service‐provider selection problem in a more realistic way is integrated in the ranking component of SMI framework. In this method, interactions among the criteria are used for the ranking of the cloud services. Few new criterions are also added into the existing SMI framework to make the framework more effective. A case study is conducted to analyze the proposed technique for the cloud provider selection.
Fexofenadine, a Putative In Vivo P‐glycoprotein Probe, Fails to Predict Clearance of the Substrate Tacrolimus in Renal Recipients
Authors: Vanhove T , Bouillon T , de Loor H , Annaert P , Kuypers DRJ
Published: April 2017

Whether the combined use of probe drugs for CYP3A4 and P‐glycoprotein can clarify the relative contribution of these proteins to pharmacokinetic variability of a dual substrate like tacrolimus has never been assessed. Seventy renal recipients underwent simultaneous 8‐h pharmacokinetic profiles for tacrolimus, the CYP3A4 probe midazolam, and the putative P‐glycoprotein probe fexofenadine. Patients were genotyped for polymorphisms in CYP3A5, CYP3A4, ABCB1, ABCC2 and SLCO2B1, ‐1B1, and 1B3. Carriers of the ABCB1 2677G>A polymorphism displayed lower fexofenadine Cmax (–66%; P = 0.012) and a trend toward higher clearance (+157%; P = 0.078). Predictors of tacrolimus clearance were CYP3A5 genotype, midazolam clearance, hematocrit, weight, and age (R2 = 0.61). Fexofenadine pharmacokinetic parameters were not predictive of tacrolimus clearance. In conclusion, fexofenadine pharmacokinetics varied considerably between renal recipients but most of this variability remained unexplained, with only minor effects of genetic polymorphisms. Fexofenadine cannot be used to assess in vivo CYP3A4–P‐glycoprotein interplay in tacrolimus‐treated renal recipients.
Solvent‐Free Mechanochemical Synthesis of Nitrogen‐Doped Nanoporous Carbon for Electrochemical Energy Storage
Authors: Schneidermann Christina , Jäckel Nicolas , Oswald Steffen , Giebeler Lars , Presser Volker , Borchardt Lars
Published: April 2017

Nitrogen‐doped nanoporous carbons were synthesized by a solvent‐free mechanochemically induced one‐pot synthesis. This facile approach involves the mechanochemical treatment and carbonization of three solid materials: potassium carbonate, urea, and lignin, which is a waste product from pulp industry. The resulting nitrogen‐doped porous carbons offer a very high specific surface area up to 3000 m2 g−1 and large pore volume up to 2 cm3 g−1. The mechanochemical reaction and the impact of activation and functionalization are investigated by nitrogen and water physisorption and high‐resolution X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Our N‐doped carbons are highly suitable for electrochemical energy storage as supercapacitor electrodes, showing high specific capacitances in aqueous 1 m Li2SO4 electrolyte (177 F g−1), organic 1 m tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate in acetonitrile (147 F g−1), and an ionic liquid (1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate; 192 F g−1). This new mechanochemical pathway synergistically combines attractive energy‐storage ratings with a scalable, time‐efficient, cost‐effective, and environmentally favorable synthesis.
Male clinical norms and sex differences on the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE‐Q)
Authors: Smith Kathryn E. , Mason Tyler B. , Murray Stuart B. , Griffiths Scott , Leonard Rachel C. , Wetterneck Chad T. , Smith Brad E. R. , Farrell Nicholas R. , Riemann Bradley C. , Lavender Jason M.
Published: April 2017

Objective

Evidence indicates that males account for a significant minority of patients with eating disorders (EDs). However, prior research has been limited by inclusion of small and predominantly non‐clinical samples of males. This study aimed to (1) provide male clinical norms for widely used ED measures (Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire [EDE‐Q] and Eating Disorder Inventory‐3 [EDI‐3]) and (2) examine sex differences in overall ED psychopathology.

Method

Participants were 386 male and 1,487 female patients with an ED diagnosis aged 16 years and older who completed the EDE‐Q and EDI‐3 upon admission to a residential or partial hospital ED treatment program.

Results

Normative data were calculated for the EDE‐Q (global and subscales) and the EDI‐3 (drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, and bulimia). Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) used to examine sex, ED diagnosis, and their interaction in relation to overall ED psychopathology revealed a consistent pattern of greater severity among females for ED psychopathology.

Discussion

This study provides clinical norms on the EDE‐Q and the EDI‐3 for males with clinically diagnosed EDs. It is unclear whether the greater severity observed in females reflects qualitative differences in ED presentation or true quantitative differences in ED severity. Additional research examining the underlying nature of these differences and utilizing male‐specific ED measures with clinical samples is warranted.
Defining “significant weight loss” in atypical anorexia nervosa
Authors: Forney K. Jean , Brown Tiffany A. , Holland‐Carter Lauren A. , Kennedy Grace A. , Keel Pamela K.
Published: April 2017

Objective

Atypical anorexia nervosa (AAN) is defined by the symptoms of anorexia nervosa in the presence of “significant weight loss” in individuals who are not underweight. Description of current weight in AAN has been limited, significant weight loss has not been defined, and the distinction between having AAN versus having weight suppression has not been examined.

Method

Secondary analyses were conducted with data from an epidemiological study of women (n = 1,640) and men (n = 794). Three definitions of significant weight loss (5, 10, and 15%) for AAN were tested in comparisons with controls and a DSM‐5 eating disorder group (DSM‐5 ED) on measures of eating pathology and clinical significance using ANCOVA and logistic regression, controlling for age and body mass index. Secondary analyses compared AAN to a weight suppressed group (WS‐only) and a cognitive concerns group (COG‐only).

Results

Across weight loss thresholds, ≥25% of adults with AAN were currently overweight/obese. At the 5% and 10% definitions, AAN was associated with elevated eating pathology and distress relative to controls, WS‐only, and COG‐only in women and men. Women with AAN endorsed less eating pathology and distress than DSM‐5 ED at some weight loss definitions, whereas men with AAN did not differ from DSM‐5 ED in eating pathology or distress.

Discussion

Results support that even a 5% weight loss, combined with cognitive concerns, may produce a group with a clinically significant eating disorder. AAN was observed in both healthy weight and overweight/obese adults, highlighting the importance of screening for restrictive eating disorders at all weights.
A single multiplex of twelve microsatellite markers for the simultaneous study of the brown hare (Lepus europaeus) and the mountain hare (Lepus timidus)
Authors: Beugin Marie‐Pauline , Letty Jérôme , Kaerle Cécile , Guitton Jean‐Sébastien , Muselet Lina , Queney Guillaume , Pontier Dominique
Published: April 2017

The management of hunted species is challenging, as it must conciliate the conservation of species and their sustainable exploitation. Nongenetic tools are widely used in this context but they may present limitations notably when species can hybridize or when large‐scale spatial monitoring is required to establish optimal management actions. This is why genetic tools have been more and more integrated in wildlife management practices. However, the markers proposed are often amplified in small multiplexes when larger ones could allow to better cope with the small quantities of DNA obtained with noninvasive sampling methods. Here, we propose a unique multiplex of 12 autosomal microsatellite markers for the study of two hare species that exist in sympatry in some areas in Europe and are hunted notably in France: the brown hare Lepus europaeus and the mountain hare L. timidus. We tested 17 markers previously used in these two species or other lagomorph species, from which 12 were included in this single multiplex. Diversity was between 4 and 30 alleles per locus totaling 126 alleles, and we showed that these markers possess appropriate genetic resolution for individual and species identification for the populations under study. This multiplex panel represents the largest number of microsatellites amplified in one reaction proposed for these two hare species and provides a cost‐effective and valuable tool for further hybridization studies and the management of hares.
Towards the co‐ordination of terrestrial ecosystem protocols across European research infrastructures
Authors: Firbank Les G. , Bertora Chiara , Blankman David , Delle Vedove Gemini , Frenzel Mark , Grignani Carlo , Groner Elli , Kertész Miklós , Krab Eveline J. , Matteucci Giorgio , Menta Christina , Mueller Carsten W. , Stadler Jutta , Kunin William E.
Published: April 2017

The study of ecosystem processes over multiple scales of space and time is often best achieved using comparable data from multiple sites. Yet, long‐term ecological observatories have often developed their own data collection protocols. Here, we address this problem by proposing a set of ecological protocols suitable for widespread adoption by the ecological community. Scientists from the European ecological research community prioritized terrestrial ecosystem parameters that could benefit from a more consistent approach to data collection within the resources available at most long‐term ecological observatories. Parameters for which standard methods are in widespread use, or for which methods are evolving rapidly, were not selected. Protocols were developed by domain experts, building on existing methods where possible, and refined through a process of field testing and training. They address above‐ground plant biomass; decomposition; land use and management; leaf area index; soil mesofaunal diversity; soil C and N stocks, and greenhouse gas emissions from soils. These complement existing methods to provide a complete assessment of ecological integrity. These protocols offer integrated approaches to ecological data collection that are low cost and are starting to be used across the European Long Term Ecological Research community.
Current Superimposition Variable Flux Reluctance Motor
Authors: KOHARA AKIRA , HIRATA KATSUHIRO , NIGUCHI NOBORU , OHNO YUKI
Published: April 2017

This paper proposes a novel variable flux reluctance motor without dc‐field coils. The stator of this motor has only armature coils. The proposed motor can control the torque‐speed characteristics by increasing or decreasing the field voltage that is superimposed on the armature currents. In this paper, the operational principle of the motor is described, and the N–T characteristics are computed by finite element analysis under vector control. In addition, the N–T characteristics are compared with a conventional variable flux reluctance machine with armature and dc‐field coils.
Isolated Ac/Dc Converter Using Soft Switching Technique
Authors: SUZUKI KAZUMA , ISOZAKI JUNPEI , KITAGAWA WATARU , TAKESHITA TAKAHARU
Published: April 2017

This paper presents a high‐frequency isolated ac/dc converter using the soft switching technique. The ac/dc converter consists of a matrix converter for transforming three‐phase ac voltage to high‐frequency ac voltage, a high‐frequency transformer, and an ac/dc rectifier. In order to reduce the switching loss, soft switching at every commutation of the matrix converter and ac/dc converter is achieved. The effectiveness of the proposed converter and the control scheme was verified by experiments.
Study on the volatile compounds generated from lipid oxidation of Chinese bacon (unsmoked) during processing
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhang Xin , Wang Ying , Pan Daodong , Sun Yangying , Cao Jinxuan
Published: April 2017

In order to investigate the generation of aroma in Chinese bacon (unsmoked), the changes of lipolysis, lipid oxidation, and volatile compounds derived from lipid oxidation (VCDFLO) during processing were analyzed. The results showed that acid lipase activity decreased during the entire process, while neutral lipase and lipoxygenase (LOX) increased from raw meat to the 1 day of dry‐ripening then decreased. Phospholipase increased during dry‐curing then decreased during dry‐ripening. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances increased from raw meat to the 7 days of dry‐ripening thereafter decreased. Total free fatty acids increased at the end of 1 day of dry‐ripening and decreased subsequently. Thirty‐five VCDFLO were identified; the total peak area of these compounds increased by almost double at the 4 days of dry‐ripening than raw meat and indicated 47.37–50.85% of total 78 volatile compounds in the final products. In conclusion, VCDFLO generation was attributed to lipid‐related enzymes and contributed mainly to the aroma.

Practical applications: Chinese bacon (unsmoked) usually produced from high intramuscular fat pork has more intense and long‐lasting aroma, since intramuscular triglycerides are good precursors for most volatile compounds. Understanding the mechanism of aroma formation related to lipid oxidation could help us to improve the product quality and optimize the duration of processing. Therefore, the present work identified the characteristic flavor compounds and provided the changing regularity of these compounds at various stages to facilitate the generation of them by regulating lipases and lipoxygenase (LOX) activities.

The work showed that neutral lipase and lipoxygenase (LOX) played important roles during dry‐curing and dry‐ripening. The regulation of lipases and LOX activities can facilitate the generation of volatile compounds of Chinese bacon (unsmoked).
Photochemical Approaches to the Bilobalide Core
Authors: Emsermann Jens , Opatz Till
Published: April 2017

Bilobalide is a tetracyclic sesquiterpene containing three contiguous γ‐lactone rings and an unusual tert‐butyl group, which is found in the leaves of the ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba). Three different photochemical approaches towards bilobalide's unique skeleton are presented. A meta photocycloaddition, a [2 + 2] photocycloaddition, and a Paternò–Büchi‐reaction were chosen as the respective key steps.
The ePrep‐System: A new electrophoretic approach for DNA isolation from biological samples
Authors: Kueppers Corinna , Schlappa Sabine , Bogdoll Annette , Breitkopf Lothar , Seip Nicole , Singer Thorsten
Published: April 2017

We present a new free‐flow electrophoretic separation system that extends the established concepts of nucleic acid migration in an electric field to a broadly applicable preparative scale. The system comprises a disposable flow tube in which the target nucleic acids are separated from impurities by a balanced combination of electrophoretic migration and counter‐streaming electroosmotic flow under the influence of an applied external electric field. Despite the complex theoretical background the introduced electrophoretic technology offers simple hardware setup and handling protocols. A variable number of small and disposable flow tubes can be processed in parallel, which largely eliminates the cumulative increase in extraction times inherent to batch processing methods and allows faster throughput of intermediate sample numbers. We demonstrate easy isolation of nucleic acids without user interaction during the run by using existing and well established lysis chemistries. Sample loading is realized by concentrated transfer of DNA‐loaded magnetic beads from a lysis reaction into the extraction flow tube. The present study centers on the development of a functional model for the device and the flow tube as well as a preliminary standard extraction protocol. The system is compatible with a broad range of sample types and we present proof of principle data demonstrating its suitability for biomarker detection in translational research applications.
An in vitro system for measuring genotoxicity mediated by human CYP3A4 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Fasullo Michael , Freedland Julian , St. John Nicholas , Cera Cinzia , Egner Patricia , Hartog Matthew , Ding Xinxin
Published: April 2017

P450 activity is required to metabolically activate many chemical carcinogens, rendering them highly genotoxic. CYP3A4 is the most abundantly expressed P450 enzyme in the liver, accounting for most drug metabolism and constituting 50% of all hepatic P450 activity. CYP3A4 is also expressed in extrahepatic tissues, including the intestine. However, the role of CYP3A4 in activating chemical carcinogens into potent genotoxins is unclear. To facilitate efforts to determine whether CYP3A4, per se, can activate carcinogens into potent genotoxins, we expressed human CYP3A4 in the DNA‐repair mutant (rad4 rad51) strain of budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and tested the novel, recombinant yeast strain for ability to report CYP3A4‐mediated genotoxicity of a well‐known genotoxin, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Yeast microsomes containing human CYP3A4, but not those that do not contain CYP3A4, were active in hydroxylation of diclofenac, a known CYP3A4 substrate drug, a result confirming CYP3A4 activity in the recombinant yeast strain. In cells exposed to AFB1, the expression of CYP3A4 supported DNA adduct formation, chromosome rearrangements, cell death, and expression of the large subunit of ribonucleotide reductase, Rnr3, a marker of DNA damage. Expression of CYP3A4 also conferred sensitivity in rad4 rad51 mutants exposed to colon carcinogen, 2‐amino‐3,8‐dimethylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoxaline (MeIQx). These data confirm the ability of human CYP3A4 to mediate the genotoxicity of AFB1, and illustrate the usefulness of the CYP3A4‐expressing, DNA‐repair mutant yeast strain for screening other chemical compounds that are CYP3A4 substrates, for potential genotoxicity. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 58:217–227, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impedance Spectroscopy Screening of Various Nanocrystalline Metal Oxides: Effect of Lithiation on Electrical Properties
Authors: Cloud Jacqueline E. , Guild Curtis J. , Biswas Sourav , Suib Steven L.
Published: April 2017

The electronic and crystalline properties of solid complex materials dictate performance in electrochemical applications, such as electrodes or solid electrolytes in solid‐state lithium ion power systems. Herein, we perform variable‐temperature two‐electrode impedance spectroscopy on a variety of nanocrystalline metal oxides to investigate their relative total conductivities and the kinetics of vacancy formation. Lithiated and unlithiated first‐row transition metal oxides (manganese, iron, cobalt, and nickel) with various crystal structures, surface areas, and morphologies were investigated. Characterization of these materials by XRD, SEM, and TEM was performed to investigate the physiochemical properties and changes imparted by chemical lithiation, specifically on the textural properties. Activation energies derived from Arrhenius plots were found to vary between 17 and 33 kJ mol−1 for the systems studied. Lithiated nickel oxide was observed to provide the lowest activation energy and highest conductivity of the studied systems. The relatively low electrical conductivity suggests conductive additives must be used to facilitate electron transfer in electrodes for these materials; however, the improved conductivity compared to nonporous “bulk” commercial oxide systems suggests these to be promising active materials for electrochemical applications.
Hydration characteristics of recycling reduction slag and waste sludge by co‐sintered treatment produced as eco‐cement
Authors: Lin Kae‐Long , Lo Kang‐Wei , Hung Ming‐Jui , Hwang Chao‐Lung , Cheng Ta‐Wui , Chang Yu‐Min , Huynh Trong‐Phuoc
Published: April 2017

Waste materials have traditionally been discarded in landfills and often dumped directly into ecosystems without adequate treatment. However, possible reuse and recycling alternatives should be investigated and implemented. Recent environmentally friendly approaches have been aimed at achieving sustainable development by conserving natural resources and minimizing the discarding of materials. The objective of the present study was to investigate the hydration characteristics of reduction slag, limestone sludge, stone sludge, and iron‐oxide sludge for fabricating four types of eco‐cement clinkers. The compound raw materials were burned for 2 h at 1400°C to form eco‐cement clinkers. The results showed that the major components of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), namely C3S, C2S, C3A, and C4AF, were present in the eco‐cement clinkers. The compressive strength development of EcoA pastes (containing 78% limestone sludge, 19.51% stone sludge, and 2.49% iron‐oxide sludge) was similar to that of the commercial OPC products. The compressive strength of the EcoD pastes (containing 71% limestone sludge, 19.51% stone sludge, 2.49% iron‐oxide sludge, and 7% reduction slag) decreased as the amount of α‐C2S increased. Mercury intrusion porosimetry indicated that the pore volume of the pastes gradually decreased with an increase in the curing time. Furthermore, the results of physical‐mechanical tests showed that reduction slag, limestone sludge, stone sludge, and iron‐oxide sludge can be used as raw materials in cement production at no cost to the producer, thereby reducing the production costs. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 1466–1473, 2017
Physicochemical and sensory attributes assessment of functional low‐fat yogurt produced by incorporation of barley bran and Lactobacillus acidophilus
Authors: Hasani Saber , Sari Abbas Ali , Heshmati Ali , Karami Mostafa
Published: April 2017

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of different amounts of barley bran (0.3%, 0.6%, 0.9%, and 1.2%) on the viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus and the physicochemical and sensory properties of low‐fat yogurt during storage period (28 days). Results showed that L. acidophilus number and viscosity in samples containing barley bran was significantly higher than the control group (p < .05). High levels of barley bran (1.2%) decreased sensory prosperity scores and led to viscosity increment; although sensory prosperity scores of samples containing 0.6% barley bran did not show significant difference with control sample, while the number of L. acidophilus in this treatment was higher than minimal acceptable level (106 CFU/g). Therefore, level of 0.6% of barley bran is recommended for symbiotic yogurt production. According to the present study, a positive correlation was observed between barley bran concentrations in the yogurt with L. acidophilus number.
Improving scope sensitivity in contingent valuation: Joint and separate evaluation of health states
Authors: Pinto‐Prades José Luis , Robles‐Zurita José Antonio , Sánchez‐Martínez Fernando‐Ignacio , Abellán‐Perpiñán José María , Martínez‐Pérez Jorge
Published: April 2017

We present data of a contingent valuation survey, testing the effect of evaluation mode on the monetary valuation of preventing road accidents. Half of the interviewees was asked to state their willingness to pay (WTP) to reduce the risk of having only 1 type of injury (separate evaluation, SE), and the other half of the sample was asked to state their WTP for 4 types of injuries evaluated simultaneously (joint evaluation, JE). In the SE group, we observed lack of sensitivity to scope while in the JE group WTP increased with the severity of the injury prevented. However, WTP values in this group were subject to context effects. Our results suggest that the traditional explanation of the disparity between SE and JE, namely, the so‐called “evaluability,” does not apply here. The paper presents new explanations based on the role of preference imprecision.
PTEN Down‐Regulation Promotes β‐Oxidation to Fuel Hypertrophic Liver Growth After Hepatectomy in Mice
Authors: Kachaylo Ekaterina , Tschuor Christoph , Calo Nicolas , Borgeaud Nathalie , Ungethüm Udo , Limani Perparim , Piguet Anne‐Christine , Dufour Jean‐Francois , Foti Michelangelo , Graf Rolf , Clavien Pierre A. , Humar Bostjan
Published: April 2017

In regenerating liver, hepatocytes accumulate lipids before the major wave of parenchymal growth. This transient, regeneration‐associated steatosis (TRAS) is required for liver recovery, but its purpose is unclear. The tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a key inhibitor of the protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin axis that regulates growth and metabolic adaptations after hepatectomy. In quiescent liver, PTEN causes pathological steatosis when lost, whereas its role in regenerating liver remains unknown. Here, we show that PTEN down‐regulation promotes liver growth in a TRAS‐dependent way. In wild‐type mice, PTEN reduction occurred after TRAS formation, persisted during its disappearance, and correlated with up‐regulated β‐oxidation at the expense of lipogenesis. Pharmacological modulation revealed an association of PTEN with TRAS turnover and hypertrophic liver growth. In liver‐specific Pten
–/– mice shortly after induction of knockout, hypertrophic regeneration was accelerated and led to hepatomegaly. The resulting surplus liver mass was functional, as demonstrated by raised survival in a lethal model of resection‐induced liver failure. Indirect calorimetry revealed lipid oxidation as the primary energy source early after hepatectomy. The shift from glucose to lipid usage was pronounced in Pten–/–
mice and correlated with the disappearance of TRAS. Partial inhibition of β‐oxidation led to persisting TRAS in Pten
–/– mice and abrogated hypertrophic liver growth. PTEN down‐regulation may promote β‐oxidation through β‐catenin, whereas hypertrophy was dependent on mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1. Conclusion: PTEN down‐regulation after hepatectomy promotes the burning of TRAS‐derived lipids to fuel hypertrophic liver regeneration. Therefore, the anabolic function of PTEN deficiency in resting liver is transformed into catabolic activities upon tissue loss. These findings portray PTEN as a node coordinating liver growth with its energy demands and emphasize the need of lipids for regeneration. (Hepatology 2017;66:908–921).
A novel role of astrocyte elevated gene‐1 (AEG‐1) in regulating nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Authors: Srivastava Jyoti , Robertson Chadia L. , Ebeid Kareem , Dozmorov Mikhail , Rajasekaran Devaraja , Mendoza Rachel , Siddiq Ayesha , Akiel Maaged A. , Jariwala Nidhi , Shen Xue‐Ning , Windle Jolene J. , Subler Mark A. , Mukhopadhyay Nitai D. , Giashuddin Shah , Ghosh Shobha , Lai Zhao , Chen Yidong , Fisher Paul B. , Salem Aliasger K. , Sanyal Arun J. , Sarkar Devanand
Published: April 2017

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease in the Western world. However, an optimum therapy for NASH is yet to be established, mandating more in‐depth investigation into the molecular pathogenesis of NASH to identify novel regulatory molecules and develop targeted therapies. Here, we unravel a unique function of astrocyte elevated gene‐1(AEG‐1)/metadherin in NASH using a transgenic mouse with hepatocyte‐specific overexpression of AEG‐1 (Alb/AEG‐1) and a conditional hepatocyte‐specific AEG‐1 knockout mouse (AEG‐1ΔHEP). Alb/AEG‐1 mice developed spontaneous NASH whereas AEG‐1ΔHEP mice were protected from high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced NASH. Intriguingly, AEG‐1 overexpression was observed in livers of NASH patients and wild‐type (WT) mice that developed steatosis upon feeding HFD. In‐depth molecular analysis unraveled that inhibition of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha activity resulting in decreased fatty acid β‐oxidation, augmentation of translation of fatty acid synthase resulting in de novo lipogenesis, and increased nuclear factor kappa B–mediated inflammation act in concert to mediate AEG‐1‐induced NASH. Therapeutically, hepatocyte‐specific nanoparticle‐delivered AEG‐1 small interfering RNA provided marked protection from HFD‐induced NASH in WT mice. Conclusion: AEG‐1 might be a key molecule regulating initiation and progression of NASH. AEG‐1 inhibitory strategies might be developed as a potential therapeutic intervention in NASH patients. (Hepatology 2017;66:466–480).
Implantation Window and Angiogenesis
Authors: Karizbodagh Mostafa Peyvandi , Rashidi Bahman , Sahebkar Amirhossein , Masoudifar Aria , Mirzaei Hamed
Published: April 2017

In recent decades, infertility is one of the health problems worldwide. One of the most crucial events in reproductive period is implantation window (IW). In the time after IW period, the embryo cannot connect to the endometrium; therefore the most critical issue for successful implantation is timely entrance of embryo to the uterine cavity during the IW. Implantation failure is responsible for many cases of infertility and is the most important limiting factor for achieving a successful outcome using the assisted reproductive techniques (ART). The aim of this study was to investigate the receptivity of the endometrium and factors affecting it with emphasizing on the role of angiogenesis. Interaction between the embryo and the endometrium is affected by molecular interactions among cytokines, growth factors, hormones, and cell adhesion molecules, causing endometrial receptivity. Also, angiogenesis is a process that has an important role in human implantation. Estrogen and progesterone hormones are two important regulation keys in angiogenesis and implantation process. It is expected that effective and stimulating drugs of angiogenesis can improve the characteristics of endometrial receptivity and prevent implantation failure in ART. It is hoped that with recent advances in the field of molecular medicine, improvement of angiogenesis in human endometrium and prevention of the implantation failure be achieved. Here, we summarized various factors could affect on endometrial receptivity and the role of them on angiogenesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4141–4151, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
All‐Trans‐Retinoic Acid Stimulates Overexpression of Tumor Protein D52 (TPD52, Isoform 3) and Neuronal Differentiation of IMR‐32 Cells
Authors: Kotapalli Sudha Sravanti , Dasari Chandrashekhar , Duscharla Divya , Kami Reddy Karthik Reddy , Kasula Manjula , Ummanni Ramesh
Published: April 2017

Tumor protein D52 (TPD52), a proto‐oncogene is overexpressed in a variety of epithelial carcinomas and plays an important role in cell proliferation, migration, and cell death. In the present study we found that the treatment of IMR‐32 neuroblastoma (NB) cells with retinoic acid (RA) stimulates an increase in expression of TPD52. TPD52 expression is detectable after 72 h, can be maintained till differentiation of NB cells suggesting that TPD52 is involved in differentiation. Here, we demonstrate that TPD52 is essential for RA to promote differentiation of NB cells. Our results show that exogenous expression of EGFP‐TPD52 in IMR‐32 cells resulted cell differentiation even without RA. RA by itself and with overexpression of TPD52 can increase the ability of NB cells differentiation. Interestingly, transfection of IMR‐32 cells with a specific small hairpin RNA for efficient knockdown of TPD52 attenuated RA induced NB cells differentiation. Transcriptional and translational level expression of neurotropic (BDNF, NGF, Nestin) and differentiation (β III tubulin, NSE, TH) factors in NB cells with altered TPD52 expression and/or RA treatment confirmed essential function of TPD52 in cellular differentiation. Furthermore, we show that TPD52 protects cells from apoptosis and arrest cell proliferation by varying expression of p27Kip1, activation of Akt and ERK1/2 thus promoting cell differentiation. Additionally, inhibition of STAT3 activation by its specific inhibitor arrested NB cells differentiation by EGFP‐TPD52 overexpression with or without RA. Taken together, our data reveal that TPD52 act through activation of JAK/STAT signaling pathway to undertake NB cells differentiation induced by RA. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4358–4369, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects from metal ion in tumor endothelial marker 8 and anthrax protective antigen: BioLayer Interferometry experiment and molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Jia Zhe , Ackroyd Christine , Han Tingting , Agrawal Vibhor , Liu Yinling , Christensen Kenneth , Dominy Brian
Published: April 2017

One of the anthrax receptors, tumor endothelial marker 8 (TEM8), is reported to be a potential anticancer target due to its over‐expression during tumor angiogenesis. To extend our BioLayer Interferometry study in PA‐TEM8 binding, we present a computational approach to reveal the role of an integral metal ion on receptor structure and binding thermodynamics. We estimated the interaction energy between PA and TEM8 using computer simulation. Consistent with experimental study, computational results indicate the metal ion in TEM8 contributes significantly to the binding affinity, and PA‐TEM8 binding is more favorable in the presence of Mg2+ than Ca2+. Further, computational analysis suggests that the differences in PA‐TEM8 binding affinity are comparable to the closely related integrin proteins. The conformation change, which linked to changes in activity of integrins, was not found in TEM8. In the present of Mg2+, TEM8 remains in a conformation analogous to an integrin open (high‐affinity) conformation. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An open‐source framework for analyzing N‐electron dynamics. I. Multideterminantal wave functions
Authors: Pohl Vincent , Hermann Gunter , Tremblay Jean Christophe
Published: April 2017

The aim of the present contribution is to provide a framework for analyzing and visualizing the correlated many‐electron dynamics of molecular systems, where an explicitly time‐dependent electronic wave packet is represented as a linear combination of N‐electron wave functions. The central quantity of interest is the electronic flux density, which contains all information about the transient electronic density, the associated phase, and their temporal evolution. It is computed from the associated one‐electron operator by reducing the multideterminantal, many‐electron wave packet using the Slater‐Condon rules. Here, we introduce a general tool for post‐processing multideterminant configuration‐interaction wave functions obtained at various levels of theory. It is tailored to extract directly the data from the output of standard quantum chemistry packages using atom‐centered Gaussian‐type basis functions. The procedure is implemented in the open‐source Python program detCI@ORBKIT, which shares and builds on the modular design of our recently published post‐processing toolbox (Hermann et al., J. Comput. Chem. 2016, 37, 1511). The new procedure is applied to ultrafast charge migration processes in different molecular systems, demonstrating its broad applicability. Convergence of the N‐electron dynamics with respect to the electronic structure theory level and basis set size is investigated. This provides an assessment of the robustness of qualitative and quantitative statements that can be made concerning dynamical features observed in charge migration simulations. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of the long‐range exchange corrections in the description of electron delocalization in aromatic species
Authors: Szczepanik Dariusz W. , Solà Miquel , Andrzejak Marcin , Pawełek Barbara , Dominikowska Justyna , Kukułka Mercedes , Dyduch Karol , Krygowski Tadeusz M. , Szatylowicz Halina
Published: April 2017

In this article, we address the role of the long‐range exchange corrections in description of the cyclic delocalization of electrons in aromatic systems at the density functional theory level. A test set of diversified monocyclic and polycyclic aromatics is used in benchmark calculations involving various exchange‐correlation functionals. A special emphasis is given to the problem of local aromaticity in acenes, which has been a subject of long‐standing debate in the literature. The presented results indicate that the noncorrected exchange‐correlation functionals significantly overestimate cyclic delocalization of electrons in heteroaromatics and aromatic systems with fused rings, which in the case of acenes leads to conflicting local aromaticity predictions from different criteria. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exploring possible reaction pathways for the o‐atom transfer reactions to unsaturated substrates catalyzed by a [Ni‐NO2] ↔ [Ni‐NO] redox couple using DFT methods
Authors: Tsipis Athanassios C.
Published: April 2017

The (nitro)(N‐methyldithiocarbamato)(trimethylphospane)nickel(II), [Ni(NO2)(S2CNHMe)(PMe3)] complex catalyses efficiently the O‐atom transfer reactions to CO and acetylene. Energetically feasible sequence of elementary steps involved in the catalytic cycle of the air oxidation of CO and acetylene are proposed promoted by the Ni(NO2)(S2CNHMe)(PMe3)] ↔ Ni(NO2)(S2CNHMe)(PMe3) redox couple using DFT methods both in vacuum and dichloromethane solutions. The catalytic air oxidation of HC≡CH involves formation of a five‐member metallacycle intermediate, via a [3 + 2] cyclo‐addition reaction of HC≡CH to the Ni‐N = O moiety of the Ni(NO2)(S2CNHMe)(PMe3)] complex, followed by a β H‐atom migration toward the Cα carbon atom of the coordinated acetylene and release of the oxidation product (ketene). The geometric and energetic reaction profile for the reversible [Ni(
‐NO2)(S2CNHMe)(PMe3)]
[Ni(
‐ONO)(S2CNHMe)(PMe3)] linkage isomerization has also been modeled by DFT calculations. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
NaY Zeolite Functionalized by Sulfamic Acid/Cu(OAc)2 as a Novel and Reusable Heterogeneous Hybrid Catalyst in Efficient Synthesis of Bis, Tris, and Tetrakis(indolyl)methanes, 3,4‐Dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones, and 2‐Aryl‐1H‐benzothiazoles
Authors: Kazemi Samira , Mobinikhaledi Akbar , Zendehdel Mojgan
Published: April 2017

An efficient acid‐catalyzed synthesis of some bis, tris, and tetrakis(indolyl)methanes, 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones, and 2‐aryl‐1H‐benzothiazoles is reported using NaY zeolite functionalized by sulfamic acid/Cu(OAc)2 (NaY zeolite‐NHSO3H/Cu(OAc)2) in excellent yield. The heterogeneous catalyst has a simple work‐up procedure and could be recycled and reused for six reaction cycles.
Modified frailty index predicts postoperative outcomes in older gastrointestinal cancer patients
Authors: Vermillion Sarah A. , Hsu Fang‐Chi , Dorrell Robert D. , Shen Perry , Clark Clancy J.
Published: April 2017

Background and Objectives

Frailty disproportionately impacts older patients with gastrointestinal cancer, rendering them at increased risk for poor outcomes. A frailty index may aid in preoperative risk stratification. We hypothesized that high modified frailty index (mFI) scores are associated with adverse outcomes after tumor resection in older, gastrointestinal cancer patients.

Methods

Patients (60‐90 years old) who underwent gastrointestinal tumor resection were identified in the 2005‐2012 NSQIP Participant Use File. mFI was defined by 11 previously described, preoperative variables. Frailty was defined by an mFI score >0.27. The postoperative course was evaluated using univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

41 455 patients (mean age 72.4 years, 47.4% female) were identified. The most prevalent form of cancer was colorectal (69.3%, n = 28 708) and 2.8% of patients were frail (n = 1,164). Frail patients were significantly more likely to have increased length of stay (11.7 vs 9.0 days), major complications (29.1% vs 17.9%), and 30‐day mortality (5.6% vs 2.5%), (all P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified mFI as an independent predictor of major complications (OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.39‐1.65, P < 0.001) and 30‐day mortality (OR 1.48, 95%CI 1.24‐1.75, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

mFI was associated with the incidence of postoperative complications and mortality in older surgical patients with gastrointestinal cancer.