bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tumor‐associated DNA mutation detection in individuals undergoing colonoscopy
Authors: Fleshner Phillip , Braunstein Glenn D. , Ovsepyan Gayane , Tonozzi Theresa R. , Kammesheidt Anja
Published: November 2017

The majority of colorectal cancers (CRC) harbor somatic mutations and epigenetic modifications in the tumor tissue, and some of these mutations can be detected in plasma as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Precancerous colorectal lesions also contain many of these same mutations. This study examined plasma for ctDNA from patients undergoing a screening or diagnostic colonoscopy to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the ctDNA panel for detecting CRC and precancerous lesions. Two hundred patients without a history of nonskin cancer had blood drawn before a colonoscopy. Plasma ctDNA was measured with a 96 mutation panel for nine cancer driver genes. The ctDNA results were correlated with the findings at colonoscopy. Of the 200 patients, 176 (88%) had wild‐type DNA, 12 (6%) had mutations detected, and 12 (6%) had indeterminate results. Colonoscopy was normal in 80% of the patients and 20% were found to have polyps. No CRC was found in this study, precluding a determination of true‐positive rate for CRC detection. Our ctDNA panel was positive in 13.2% of patients with colonic polyps found at colonoscopy, while 4.7% of patients with normal colonoscopy also had ctDNA detected, which may represent ctDNA released from a benign process, an occult tumor, or an acquired somatic mutation from clonal hematopoiesis.
LncRNA UCA1 promotes proliferation and cisplatin resistance of oral squamous cell carcinoma by sunppressing miR‐184 expression
Authors: Fang Zheng , Zhao Junfang , Xie Weihong , Sun Qiang , Wang Haibin , Qiao Bin
Published: November 2017

Chemotherapy resistance has become the main obstacle for the effective treatment of human cancers. Long non‐coding RNA urothelial cancer associated 1 (UCA1) is generally regarded as an oncogene in some cancers. However, the function and molecular mechanism of UCA1 implicated in cisplatin (CDDP) chemoresistance of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is still not fully established. UCA1 expression in tumor tissues and cells was tested by qRT‐PCR. MTT, flow cytometry and caspase‐3 activity analysis were explored to evaluate the CDDP sensitivity in OSCC cells. Western blot analysis was used to measure BCL2, Bax and SF1 protein expression. Luciferase reporter assay was conducted to investigate the molecular relationship between UCA1, miR‐184, and SF1. Nude mice model was used to confirm the functional role of UCA1 in CDDP resistance in vivo. UCA1 expression was upregulated in OSCC tissues, cell lines, and CDDP resistant OSCC cells. Function analysis revealed that UCA1 facilitated proliferation, enhanced CDDP chemoresistance, and suppressed apoptosis in OSCC cells. Mechanisms investigation indicated that UCA1 could interact with miR‐184 to repress its expression. Rescue experiments suggested that downregulation of miR‐184 partly reversed the tumor suppression effect and CDDP chemosensitivity of UCA1 knockdown in CDDP‐resistant OSCC cells. Moreover, UCA1 could perform as a miR‐184 sponge to modulate SF1 expression. The OSCC nude mice model experiments demonstrated that depletion of UCA1 further boosted CDDP‐mediated repression effect on tumor growth. UCA1 accelerated proliferation, increased CDDP chemoresistance and restrained apoptosis partly through modulating SF1 via sponging miR‐184 in OSCC cells, suggesting that targeting UCA1 may be a potential therapeutic strategy for OSCC patients
Discover strategies to help prevent gender‐based violence
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: November 2017

College athletics administrators have a responsibility to identify and raise awareness about critical issues facing student‐athletes. And one of the most critical issues involves gender‐based violence.
Total Synthesis and Antibacterial Study of Cyclohexapeptides Desotamide B, Wollamide B and Their Analogs
Authors: Chen Yi‐Xing , Liu Chao , Liu Nan , Wu Ye , Zhao Qing‐Jie , Hu Hong‐Gang , Li Xiang , Zou Yan
Published: November 2017

As natural‐product‐derived antibiotics, desotamides A – D and wollamides exhibit growth inhibitory activity against Gram‐posivite bacteria (IC50 0.6 – 7 μm) and are noncytotoxic to mammalian cells (IC50 > 30 μm). Herein we firstly report the total synthesis of above two cyclohexapeptides as well as a series of structural variants through solid phase peptide synthesis, of which 3 displayed a 2‐fold increase of antibacterial activity when compared with the original peptide 1. This strategy may offer good improvements for the synthesis of other cyclic peptides.
Specificity of Donor Structures for endo‐β‐N‐Acetylglucosaminidase‐Catalyzed Transglycosylation Reactions
Authors: Ishii Nozomi , Ogiwara Ken , Sano Kanae , Kumada Jyunichi , Yamamoto Kenji , Matsuzaki Yuji , Matsuo Ichiro
Published: November 2017

To demonstrate the structural specificity of the glycosyl donor for the transglycosylation reaction by using endo‐β‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase from Mucor hiemalis (endo‐M), a series of tetrasaccharide oxazoline derivatives was synthesized. These derivatives correspond to the core structure of an asparagine‐linked glycoprotein glycan with a β‐mannose unit of a non‐natural‐type monosaccharide, including β‐glucose, β‐galactose, and β‐talose in place of the β‐mannose moiety. The transglycosylation activity of wildtype (WT) endo‐M and two mutants, N175Q and N175A, was examined by using these tetrasaccharide donors with p‐nitrophenyl N‐acetylglucosaminide (GlcNAc‐pNp). The essential configuration of the hydroxy group for the transglycosylation reaction was determined. On the basis of these results, the transglycosylation reaction was investigated by using chemically modified donors, and transglycosylated products were successfully obtained.
Ultrathin and Porous Carbon Nanosheets Supporting Bimetallic Nanoparticles for High‐Performance Electrocatalysis
Authors: Zhang Bingxing , Zhang Jianling , Tao Xiansen , Mei Qingqing , Zheng Lirong , Zhang Jing , Tan Xiuniang , Liu Chengcheng , Luo Tian , Cheng Xiuyan , Shi Jinbiao , Shao Dan , Sun Xiaofu , Zhu Qinggong , Zhang Li , Han Buxing
Published: November 2017

Developing hybrid carbon materials with unique micro/nanostructured and multicomponent features is of great importance in catalysis, energy storage, and energy conversion. Herein, we demonstrate the formation of a novel kind of hybrid carbon material, that is, bimetallic nanoparticles supported by ultrathin (≈5.5 nm) and porous carbon nanosheets, by the pyrolysis of preformed bimetallic metal–organic framework nanosheets. This hybrid carbon nanostructure combines the advantages of highly exposed nanoparticles that are readily accessible to the reactant, multiple active sites such as metal–metal and metal–nitrogen sites and ultrathin carbon layers, and highly efficient electron transport. Owing to these unique features, the bimetallic carbon nanosheets exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performance for the oxygen reduction reaction.
Impact of time and temperature of storage on the spoilage of swordfish and the evolution of biogenic amines through a multiway model
Authors: Ortiz M.C. , Sanllorente S. , Herrero A. , Reguera C. , Sarabia L.A.
Published: November 2017

A new multiway/multivariate approach is proposed to study and model the spoilage of swordfish with time and temperature of storage through the profiles of putrescine, spermidine, histamine, tyramine, tryptamine, cadaverine, spermine, and 2‐phenylethylamine. The evolution of these biogenic amines in food is a complex process that cannot be characterized by a single parameter but by a modification of the amine profiles. An experimental strategy is designed to determine these profiles in such a way that data are structurally 3‐way. Modeling the joint evolution of the biogenic amines with a PARAFAC model which explains 97.8% of variability (CORCONDIA index equals 100%) leads to estimate the storage time, storage temperature, and biogenic amines profiles. A multiple regression (determination coefficient of 0.98) based on the loadings of the 2 factors of the time profile of the PARAFAC model enables the estimation of the storage time with an error of 0.5 days.
Extraordinarily Large Ferromagnetic Coupling (J≥150 cm−1) by Electron Delocalization in a Heterometallic Mo≣Mo−Ni Chain Complex
Authors: Chipman Jill A. , Berry John F.
Published: November 2017

The new heterometallic chain compounds Mo2Ni(dpa)4Cl2 (1) and [Mo2Ni(dpa)4Cl2]OTf (2) (dpa=2,2′‐dipyridylamine) have been prepared and studied by crystallography and magnetic susceptibility, among other methods. Oxidation of 1 to 2 removes an electron from the multiply bonded Mo2 unit, consistent with the formulation of 2 containing a (Mo2)5+⋅⋅⋅(Ni)2+ core. While 1 contains an S=1, pseudo‐octahedral NiII ion, 2 has an S=3/2 ground state, in which the two NiII unpaired electrons, one in a localized δ‐orbital and one in a heavily delocalized σnb‐orbital are joined by an unpaired electron in a Mo−Mo δ‐orbital. The S=3/2 ground state is persistent to 300 K, evidencing strong ferromagnetic coupling of the Mo2 and Ni spins with J≥150 cm−1. This ferromagnetic interaction occurs via delocalization of a σnb‐electron across all three metal atoms, forcing ferromagnetic alignment of electrons in orthogonal Ni and Mo2 δ‐symmetry orbitals. We anticipate that this new means of coupling spins can be used as a design principle for the preparation of new compounds with high spin ground states.
Lewis Acid‐Assisted Photoinduced Intermolecular Coupling between Acylsilanes and Aldehydes: A Formal Cross Benzoin‐Type Condensation
Authors: Ishida Kento , Tobita Fumiya , Kusama Hiroyuki
Published: November 2017

Intermolecular carbon–carbon bond‐forming reaction between readily available acylsilanes and aldehydes was achieved under photoirradiation conditions with assistance of a catalytic amount of Lewis acid. Nucleophilic addition of photochemically generated siloxycarbenes to aldehydes followed by 1,4‐silyl migration afforded synthetically useful α‐siloxyketones. Electrophilic activation of aldehydes by Lewis acid is highly important to realize this reaction efficiently, otherwise the yield of the desired coupling products were significantly decreased. Noteworthy is that a formal cross benzoin‐type reaction using acylsilanes was achieved under Lewis acidic conditions. This is the first example of Lewis acid‐catalyzed reaction of photochemically generated siloxycarbenes with electrophiles.
Nitromethane Bridged Bis(1,3,4‐oxadiazoles): Trianionic Energetic Salts with Low Sensitivities
Authors: Yu Qiong , Imler Gregory H. , Parrish Damon A. , Shreeve Jean'ne M.
Published: November 2017

Trianionic energetic salts based on one nitromethylene and two dinitromethyl anions were designed and synthesized. Interestingly, the unstable dinitromethylene group of diethyl 2,2′‐((dinitromethylene)bis(1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐5,2‐diyl))bis(2,2‐dinitroacetate) (2) was changed to a mononitromethylene group by an aminolysis reaction to form triammonium ((nitromethanidylene)bis(1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐5,2‐diyl))bis(dinitromethanide) (3), whereas in (dinitrobis(5‐(trinitromethyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)methan) 8 it was hydrolyzed to a carbonyl group resulting in (bis(5‐(trinitromethyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)methanone) 9. All the new compounds were fully characterized by infrared, multinuclear NMR spectra, and elemental analysis. The structures of triammonium ((nitromethanidylene)bis(1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐5,2‐diyl))bis(dinitromethanide) dihydrate (3⋅2 H2O) and bis(2‐dinitromethyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐5‐yl)methanone (9) were further confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Based on their different physical and detonation properties, some of the energetic salts were found to exhibit good energetic performance and low sensitivity.
Effective sludge dewatering technique using the combination of Fenton's reagent and CPAM
Authors: Sun Wenquan , Tang Mengdan , Sun Yongjun , Xu Yanhua , Zheng Huaili
Published: November 2017

In this study, the combination of Fenton's reagent and cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) was used in sludge conditioning for the enhancement of sludge dewatering performance. The effects of CPAM, H2O2, and Fe2+dosages and pH on the moisture content (MC) of the filter cake, the specific resistance of filtration (SRF), and the residual turbidity of the supernatant (RT) were investigated. To observe influencing mechanisms of sludge dewatering further, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed. Results demonstrated that the sludge dewatering performance obtained by the combination of Fenton's reagent and CPAM was significantly better than that obtained using Fenton's reagent or CPAM alone. The optimum conditions of sludge conditioning were as follows: 400 mg · L−1Fe2+, 4 g · L−1H2O2, 40 mg · L−1CPAM, and pH 4. The SRF, MC, and RT at optimum conditions were reduced to minimum values of 1.06 × 1012 m/kg, 58.9 %, and 3.7, respectively. The optical microscopy and SEM analyses of sludge flocs confirmed that they were more conducive to sludge dewatering after the combination of Fenton oxidation and flocculation. The sludge dewatering results demonstrated that the combination of Fenton and flocculation process exhibited excellent performance in enhancing sludge dewatering and is a promising pretreatment approach to sludge disposal.
Data‐driven reduced‐order model of microtubule mechanics
Authors: Feng Yan , Mitran Sorin
Published: November 2017

A beam element is constructed for microtubules based upon data reduction of the results from atomistic simulation of the carbon backbone chain of
‐tubulin dimers. The database of mechanical responses to various types of loads from atomistic simulation is reduced to dominant modes. The dominant modes are subsequently used to construct the stiffness matrix of a beam element that captures the anisotropic behavior and deformation mode coupling that arises from a microtubule's spiral structure. In contrast to standard Euler–Bernoulli or Timoshenko beam elements, the link between forces and node displacements results not from hypothesized deformation behavior, but directly from the data obtained by molecular scale simulation. Differences between the resulting microtubule data‐driven beam model (MTDDBM) and standard beam elements are presented, with a focus on coupling of bending, stretch, shear deformations. The MTDDBM is just as economical to use as a standard beam element, and allows accurate reconstruction of the mechanical behavior of structures within a cell as exemplified in a simple model of a component element of the mitotic spindle.
Electrodeposited Poly(thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene) Films for the Templateless Formation of Porous Structures by Galvanostatic and Pulse Deposition
Authors: Ramos Chagas Gabriela , Akbari Raziyeh , Godeau Guilhem , Mohammadizadeh Mohammadreza , Guittard Frédéric , Darmanin Thierry
Published: November 2017

The formation of porous nanostructures by using a templateless electropolymerization process with thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene as a monomer and two different deposition methods (galvanostatic and pulse potentiostatic deposition) has been studied. The wettability, roughness, and morphology of the surfaces are reported. The surfaces prepared by galvanostatic deposition show hydrophilic behavior (θw≈80°) that is highly dependent on the roughness. Nanoseeds were formed in the first instances followed by the formation of large microcapsules and hollow spheres. Indeed, as the deposition time and current density increase, the size and amount of structures also increase. By pulse deposition, the surfaces are hydrophobic (θw≈100°) and only show a roughness dependence if the mean surface roughness is >1.5 μm. The surfaces are formed from nanodomes and nanospheres, but they are less structured than that of surfaces produced by the galvanostatic method. The formation of these structures is directly related to the amount of gas released from trace water in situ during electropolymerization, which is highly dependent on the electrochemical method chosen. The formation of new seeds is highly favored by the galvanostatic method, whereas their growth is favored by the pulse deposition method. This is the first study on the use of galvanostatic and pulse deposition methods, with potential applications in surface chemistry. Thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene proved to be very versatile to form different structures with potential applications as water harvesting and separation membranes.
Light‐Harvesting Antennae using the Host–Guest Chemistry of Mesoporous Organosilica
Authors: Cucinotta Fabio , Jarman Benjamin P. , Caplan Calvin , Cooper Sharon J. , Riggs Helen J. , Martinelli Jonathan , Djanashvili Kristina , La Mazza Emanuele , Puntoriero Fausto
Published: November 2017

This study presents two series of new host–guest chromophoric systems, where BODIPY dyes are organized into mesoporous silica. The dyes self‐assemble with surfactants to generate micellar templates that can direct the formation of the silica networks. The materials were characterized by means of small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to elucidate their structure, and by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy to determine their optical properties. Dye‐loaded COK‐12 materials retain an ordered structure and exhibit a green fluorescence that slightly red‐shifts and undergoes quenching as the dye loading increases. A second system is based on MCM‐41 silica and works as a polychromatic antenna, where a high energy species forms within the template and drive excitation energy transfer in timescales down to 20 ps. Such systems show promising performances for the realization of photonic antennae, to be used as sensitizers for solar cells and photocatalytic devices.
Understanding Two Different Structures in the Dark Stable State of the Oxygen‐Evolving Complex of Photosystem II: Applicability of the Jahn–Teller Deformation Formula
Authors: Shoji Mitsuo , Isobe Hiroshi , Tanaka Ayako , Fukushima Yoshimasa , Kawakami Keisuke , Umena Yasufumi , Kamiya Nobuo , Nakajima Takahito , Yamaguchi Kizashi
Published: November 2017

Tanaka et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2017, 139, 1718) recently reported the three‐dimensional (3D) structure of the oxygen evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II (PSII) by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) using extremely low X‐ray doses of 0.03 and 0.12 MGy. They observed two different 3D structures of the CaMn4O5 cluster with different hydrogen‐bonding interactions in the S1 state of OEC keeping the surrounding polypeptide frameworks of PSII the same. Our Jahn–Teller (JT) deformation formula based on large‐scale quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) was applied for these low‐dose XRD structures, elucidating important roles of JT effects of the MnIII ion for subtle geometric distortions of the CaMn4O5 cluster in OEC of PSII. The JT deformation formula revealed the similarity between the low‐dose XRD and damage‐free serial femtosecond X‐ray diffraction (SFX) structures of the CaMn4O5 cluster in the dark stable state. The extremely low‐dose XRD structures were not damaged by X‐ray irradiation. Implications of the present results are discussed in relation to recent SFX results and a blue print for the design of artificial photocatalysts for water oxidation.
A systematic approach to designing a wide‐current range, MOS capacitor‐based switched‐capacitor DC‐DC converter with an augmenting LDO
Authors: Dogan Hakan , El‐Sayed Mohammed Shady A.
Published: November 2017

Switched‐capacitor DC‐DC converters (SC DC‐DC) are analyzed for loss sources, voltage regulation integrity, start‐up latency, and ripple size, while the trade‐offs between these metrics are derived. These analyses are used to design a SC DC‐DC that achieves high efficiency in a wide load current range. Four‐way interleaving was employed to reduce the output ripple and efficiency loss due to this ripple. The design can be reconfigured to achieve gains of 1/3 and 2/5 for inputs ranging between 1.4 and 3.6 V to generate output voltage range of 0.4 to 1.27 V and can supply peak load current of 22 mA. It uses thin‐oxide MOS capacitors for their high density and achieves 75.4% peak efficiency with an input frequency of 100 MHz and a load capacitor of 10 nF. An augmenting LDO that only regulates during sudden load transients helps the converter respond fast to these transients. The chip was implemented using a 65‐nm standard CMOS process.
Metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma or calcitonin‐secreting carcinoid tumor of lung? A diagnostic dilemma in a patient with lung mass and thyroid nodule
Authors: Vahidi Shifteh , Stewart Jimmie , Amin Khalid , Racila Emilian , Li Faqian
Published: November 2017

Calcitonin‐secreting neuroendocrine tumors are rare and have been reported in literature as case reports or case series in various organs including lung, pancreas, larynx, bladder, and ovary. These tumors have similar cytologic features and immunohistochemical profile to medullary thyroid carcinoma and thus it is difficult to distinguish them, especially when calcitonin‐secreting neuroendocrine tumors are intermediate or higher grade and there is a mass lesion in the thyroid gland. Here, we report a rare case of calcitonin secreting atypical carcinoid tumor of the lung in a patient with thyroid nodule. However, after extensive ancillary studies on the thyroid gland, no tumor was detected and subsequent resection specimen revealed a pulmonary atypical carcinoid tumor with metastasis to level 11 lymph node. Being aware of this entity has significant clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic implications and can prevent unnecessary thyroidectomies with subsequent possible morbidities.
Unsatisfactory exfoliative anal cytology samples, 15‐year experience with histologic, cytologic, and molecular follow‐up
Authors: Khattab Ruba , McMeekin Emily , Taege Alan J. , Hekman James M. , Brainard Jennifer A. , Underwood Dawn , Procop Gary W. , Sturgis Charles D.
Published: November 2017

Background

The incidence of anal carcinoma has risen in recent decades. Exfoliative cytology screening of selected high risk patients is performed in many centers. Unsatisfactory cytology results are frustrating to patients, clinicians, and laboratorians. The aim of this study is to ascertain outcomes of patients with non‐diagnostic anal cytology.

Methods

A retrospective review of anal cytology testing performed at the Cleveland Clinic between 01/01/2001 and 12/31/2015 was performed. All cases were received as liquid‐based samples and processed as ThinPreps (Hologic, Marlborough, MA). Co‐testing for HR‐HPV DNA was performed using Hybrid Capture 2® (Qiagen, Germantown, MD) in the majority of patients.

Results

Of 1,276 ThinPrep anal cytology samples, 130 (10%) were deemed unsatisfactory. 77% of patients were HIV positive. 85% were males. Of the unsatisfactory cases, 116 (89%) were co‐tested for HR‐HPV DNA. Of those, 40 patients (34%) had a simultaneous positive HR‐HPV DNA. Adequate follow up cytology within a one year and a two year period revealed that 18/130 (14%) and 26/130 (20%) of patients had ASC or SIL respectively. Histologic follow‐up within one and two years showed 3 patients (2%) and 8 patients (6%) with HSIL or worse.

Conclusions

High risk patients with unsatisfactory anal cytology are not “negative”. At least one‐third proved to be concomitantly HR‐HPV DNA positive with one‐fifth showing subsequent cytologic squamous abnormalities and with more than 5% being diagnosed with a high grade intraepithelial lesion within two years. Prompt repeat cytology and/or HR‐HPV DNA is recommended for high risk patients with non‐diagnostic cytology.
Low triglyceride as a marker for increased risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients with long‐term type 2 diabetes: A cross‐sectional survey in China
Authors: Ren Yanfeng , Ren Qian , Lu Juming , Guo Xiaohui , Huo Xiaoxu , Ji Linong , Yang Xilin
Published: November 2017

Background

There are inconsistent findings regarding associations between triglyceride levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to test whether the association between triglycerides and CVD depends upon duration of diabetes.

Methods

From April 1, 2012, to June 30, 2012, we conducted a cross‐sectional survey of 223 612 patients with T2DM from 630 hospitals in China. Cardiovascular disease was defined as having either prior coronary heart disease or stroke, or diabetic foot. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios of triglyceride for CVD. Relative excess risk due to interaction, attributable proportion due to interaction, and synergy index were used to estimate effect size of additive interaction between low triglyceride, ie, <1.7 mmol/L, and duration of diabetes, ie, ≥15 years.

Results

Among 223 612 T2DM patients, 31 898 (14.27%) suffered from CVD. A low level of triglyceride was associated with decreased risk of CVD (univariable OR, 0.91, 95% CI, 0.88‐0.93; multivariable OR, 0.94, 95% CI, 0.92‐0.97) among patients with <15 years of duration of diabetes but increased risk of CVD (univariable OR, 1.12, 95% CI, 1.04‐1.21; multivariable OR, 1.18, 95% CI, 1.09‐1.27) among those patients with 15 and more years of duration of diabetes with significant additive interactions (relative excess risk due to interaction, 0.39, 95% CI, 0.25‐0.52; attributable proportion due to interaction, 0.20, 95% CI, 0.14‐0.27; and synergy index, 1.80, 95% CI, 1.43‐2.28).

Conclusions

Whereas a high triglyceride level was associated with increased risk of CVD in short‐term T2DM, low triglyceride was associated with increased CVD risk in long‐term T2DM. Low triglyceride may be a marker of CVD risk in Chinese patients with long‐term T2DM.
Energy determines broad pattern of plant distribution in Western Himalaya
Authors: Panda Rajendra M. , Behera Mukunda Dev , Roy Partha S. , Biradar Chandrashekhar
Published: November 2017

Several factors describe the broad pattern of diversity in plant species distribution. We explore these determinants of species richness in Western Himalayas using high‐resolution species data available for the area to energy, water, physiography and anthropogenic disturbance. The floral data involves 1279 species from 1178 spatial locations and 738 sample plots of a national database. We evaluated their correlation with 8‐environmental variables, selected on the basis of correlation coefficients and principal component loadings, using both linear (structural equation model) and nonlinear (generalised additive model) techniques. There were 645 genera and 176 families including 815 herbs, 213 shrubs, 190 trees, and 61 lianas. The nonlinear model explained the maximum deviance of 67.4% and showed the dominant contribution of climate on species richness with a 59% share. Energy variables (potential evapotranspiration and temperature seasonality) explained the deviance better than did water variables (aridity index and precipitation of the driest quarter). Temperature seasonality had the maximum impact on the species richness. The structural equation model confirmed the results of the nonlinear model but less efficiently. The mutual influences of the climatic variables were found to affect the predictions of the model significantly. To our knowledge, the 67.4% deviance found in the species richness pattern is one of the highest values reported in mountain studies. Broadly, climate described by water–energy dynamics provides the best explanation for the species richness pattern. Both modeling approaches supported the same conclusion that energy is the best predictor of species richness. The dry and cold conditions of the region account for the dominant contribution of energy on species richness.
Individual size variation reduces spatial variation in abundance of tree community assemblage, not of tree populations
Authors: Wang Hua‐Feng , Xu Meng
Published: November 2017

Research on individual trait variation has gained much attention because of its implication for ecosystem functions and community ecology. The effect of individual variation on population and community abundance (number of individuals) variation remains scarcely tested. Using two established ecological scaling laws (Taylor's law and abundance–size relationship), we derived a new scaling relationship between the individual size variation and spatial variation of abundance. Tested against multi‐plot tree data from Diaoluo Mountain tropical forest in Hainan, China, the new scaling relationship showed that individual size variation reduced the spatial variation of community assemblage abundance, but not of taxon‐specific population abundance. The different responses of community and population to individual variation were reflected by the validity of the abundance–size relationship. We tested and confirmed this scaling framework using two measures of individual tree size: aboveground biomass and diameter at breast height. Using delta method and height‐diameter allometry, we derived the analytic relation of scaling exponents estimated under different individual size measures. In addition, we used multiple regression models to analyze the effect of taxon richness on the relationship between individual size variation and spatial variation of population or community abundance, for taxon‐specific and taxon‐mixed data, respectively. This work offers empirical evidence and a scaling framework for the negative effect of individual trait variation on spatial variation of plant community. It has implications for forest ecosystem and management where the role of individual variation in regulating population or community spatial variation is important but understudied.
Disturbance‐modulated symbioses in termitophily
Authors: Monteiro Ivan , Viana‐Junior Arleu Barbosa , de Castro Solar Ricardo Ribeiro , de Siqueira Neves Frederico , DeSouza Og
Published: November 2017

Symbiosis, the living‐together of unlike organisms, underlies every major transition in evolution and pervades most ecological dynamics. Among examples of symbioses, the simultaneous occupation of a termite nest by its builder termites and intruding invertebrate species (so‐called termitophily) provides suitable macroscopic scenarios for the study of species coexistence in confined environments. Current evidence on termitophily abounds for dynamics occurring at the interindividual level within the termitarium, but is insufficient for broader scales such as the community and the landscape. Here, we inspect the effects of abiotic disturbance on termitophile presence and function in termitaria at these broader scales. To do so, we censused the termitophile communities inhabiting 30 termitaria of distinct volumes which had been exposed to increasing degrees of fire‐induced disturbance in a savanna‐like ecosystem in southeastern Brazil. We provide evidence that such an abiotic disturbance can ease the living‐together of termitophiles and termites. Putative processes facilitating these symbioses, however, varied according to the invader. For nonsocial invaders, disturbance seemed to boost coexistence with termites via the habitat amelioration that termitaria provided under wildfire, as suggested by the positive correlation between disturbance degree and termitophile abundance and richness. As for social invaders (ants), disturbance seemed to enhance associational defenses with termites, as suggested by the negative correlation between the presence of ant colonies and the richness and abundance of other termitarium‐cohabiting termitophiles. It is then apparent that disturbance‐modulated distinct symbioses in these termite nests.
A high‐throughput FTIR spectroscopy approach to assess adaptive variation in the chemical composition of pollen
Authors: Zimmermann Boris , Bağcıoğlu Murat , Tafinstseva Valeria , Kohler Achim , Ohlson Mikael , Fjellheim Siri
Published: November 2017

The two factors defining male reproductive success in plants are pollen quantity and quality, but our knowledge about the importance of pollen quality is limited due to methodological constraints. Pollen quality in terms of chemical composition may be either genetically fixed for high performance independent of environmental conditions, or it may be plastic to maximize reproductive output under different environmental conditions. In this study, we validated a new approach for studying the role of chemical composition of pollen in adaptation to local climate. The approach is based on high‐throughput Fourier infrared (FTIR) characterization and biochemical interpretation of pollen chemical composition in response to environmental conditions. The study covered three grass species, Poa alpina, Anthoxanthum odoratum, and Festuca ovina. For each species, plants were grown from seeds of three populations with wide geographic and climate variation. Each individual plant was divided into four genetically identical clones which were grown in different controlled environments (high and low levels of temperature and nutrients). In total, 389 samples were measured using a high‐throughput FTIR spectrometer. The biochemical fingerprints of pollen were species and population specific, and plastic in response to different environmental conditions. The response was most pronounced for temperature, influencing the levels of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates in pollen of all species. Furthermore, there is considerable variation in plasticity of the chemical composition of pollen among species and populations. The use of high‐throughput FTIR spectroscopy provides fast, cheap, and simple assessment of the chemical composition of pollen. In combination with controlled‐condition growth experiments and multivariate analyses, FTIR spectroscopy opens up for studies of the adaptive role of pollen that until now has been difficult with available methodology. The approach can easily be extended to other species and environmental conditions and has the potential to significantly increase our understanding of plant male function.
Metal‐to‐Metal Electron Transfer: A Powerful Tool for the Design of Switchable Coordination Compounds
Authors: Mathonière Corine
Published: November 2017

Since the report of photomagnetic effects in Prussian blue Fe/Co networks 20 years ago by the Japanese group of Hashimoto, a substantial family of molecular analogs have been obtained and characterized. These compounds offer a unique opportunity to follow metal‐to‐metal electron transfer by investigating their structural, spectroscopic, electrochemical and magnetic properties. We propose an overview of recent results in order to highlight the common features of these coordination compounds, as well as the differences, with the well‐known class of photomagnetic coordination compounds based on spin‐crossover.
Evolution in the design of a low sheath‐flow interface for CE‐MS and application to biological samples
Authors: González‐Ruiz Víctor , Codesido Santiago , Rudaz Serge , Schappler Julie
Published: November 2017

Although several interfaces for CE‐MS hyphenation are commercially available, the development of new versatile, simple and yet efficient and sensitive alternatives remains an important field of research. In a previous work, a simple low sheath‐flow interface was developed from inexpensive parts. This interface features a design easy to build, maintain, and adapt to particular needs. The present work introduces an improved design of the previous interface. By reducing the diameter of the separation capillary and the emitter, a smaller Taylor cone is spontaneously formed, minimizing the zone dispersion while the analytes go through the interface and leading to less peak broadening associated to the ESI process. Numerical modeling allowed studying the mixing and diffusion processes taking place in the Taylor cone. The analytical performance of this new interface was tested with pharmaceutically relevant molecules and endogenous metabolites. The interface was eventually applied to the analysis of neural cell culture samples, allowing the identification of a panel of neurotransmission‐related molecules. An excellent migration time repeatability was obtained (intra‐day RSD <0.5% for most compounds, and <3.0% for inter‐day precision). Most metabolites showed S/N ratios >10 with an injected volume of 6.7 nL of biological extract.
High thermal resistant fireproof and waterproof aluminum dihydrogen phosphate‐expanded perlite composite thermal insulation board
Authors: Wu Xiu‐Wen , Li Zhan‐Bing , Shi Chun‐Qing , Liang Jia‐Feng , Zhang Jin‐Lin
Published: November 2017

This article focuses in the development of high thermal resistant, fireproof, and durable expanded perlite based lightweight aggregate composites with a good balance between the thermal and mechanical properties. The thermal insulation boards were prepared with expanded perlite, coal fly ash, and aluminum dihydrogen phosphate by the process of mixing, molding, demolding, and calcinations, and surface treatment with an organic silicon abhorred agent. Coal fly ash is used to obtain an appropriate mechanical strength. The mechanical strength, thermal properties, and porosity structure of the designed composites are studied. The aggregate composites are well satisfied the Chinese expanded perlite insulation standard GB/T 10303‐2001, can be used as insulation materials, with the bulk densities 253 kg m−3–305 kg m−3, the compressive strengths 0.428 MPa–0.462 MPa, and the heat conductivities 0.073 W m−1 K−1–0.082 W m−1 K−1, and could be applied in high‐rise building instead of normally used organic insulation materials. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1319–1326, 2018
Gypsum board failure model based on cardboard behaviour
Authors: Lázaro D. , Puente E. , Peña J. , Alvear D.
Published: November 2017

This study aims to analyse the importance of gypsum plasterboard cardboard for fire resistance. A new hypothesis considering the failure based on the cardboard degradation is defined. This hypothesis comes from the thermal analysis of gypsum and cardboard performed in the simultaneous thermal analysis apparatus. Simultaneous thermal analysis results also allow defining the dehydration process of the gypsum. A numerical model that considers gypsum dehydration and the failure hypothesis has been developed by using Fire Dynamic Simulator. This numerical model is validated against 6 fire resistance tests. Results show that we can appropriately tune the numerical model (for predicting time to failure) based on the thermal properties of cardboard.
Pay dispersion among the top management team and outside directors: Its impact on firm risk and firm performance
Authors: Patel Pankaj C. , Li Mingxiang , del Carmen Triana María , Park Haemin Dennis
Published: November 2017

Two key groups central to improving firm performance are the top management team (TMT) and the board of directors. Executives undertake strategic actions, whereas board members fulfill their resource provision and monitoring roles. Drawing on tournament theory and equity theory, we propose that high pay dispersion among outside directors and the TMT is positively associated with strategic risk, whereas high (low) TMT pay dispersion and low (high) outside director pay dispersion are positively associated with firm performance. Our predictor is the unexplained component of horizontal pay dispersion, or the residual of pay dispersion resulting from regressing pay on observable firm, industry, period, and individual characteristics. Our results highlight the importance of unexplained pay dispersion for TMTs, but not for boards of directors, in improving firm performance.
T‐cell responses against rhinovirus species A and C in asthmatic and healthy children
Authors: Gaido Cibele M. , Granland Caitlyn , Laing Ingrid A. , Le Souëf Peter N. , Thomas Wayne R. , Currie Andrew J. , Hales Belinda J.
Published: November 2017

Background

Infections by rhinovirus (RV) species A and C are the most common causes of exacerbations of asthma and a major cause of exacerbations of other acute and chronic respiratory diseases. Infections by both species are prevalent in pre‐school and school‐aged children and, particularly for RV‐C, can cause severe symptoms and a need for hospitalization. While associations between RV infection and asthma are well established, the adaptive immune‐mechanisms by which RV infections influence asthma exacerbations are yet to be defined.

Objective

The aim of this study was to characterize and compare T‐cell responses between RV‐A and RV‐C and to test the hypothesis that T‐cell responses would differ between asthmatic children and healthy controls.

Methods

A multi‐parameter flow cytometry assay was used to characterize the in vitro recall T‐cell response against RV‐A and RV‐C in PBMCs from children with acute asthma (n = 22) and controls (n = 26). The responses were induced by pools of peptides containing species‐specific VP1 epitopes of RV‐A and RV‐C.

Results

Regardless of children's clinical status, all children that responded to the in vitro stimulation (>90%) had a similar magnitude of CD4+ T‐cell responses to RV‐A and RV‐C. However, asthmatic children had a significantly lower number of circulating regulatory T cells (Tregs), and healthy controls had significantly more Tregs induced by RV‐A than RV‐C.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

The comparable recall memory T‐cell responses in asthmatic and control children to both RV‐A and RV‐C show that differences in the antibody and inflammatory responses previously described are likely to be due to regulation, with a demonstrated candidate being reduced regulatory T‐cells. The reduced Treg numbers demonstrated here could explain the asthmatic's inability to appropriately control immunopathological responses to RV infections.
Field Comparison of Infiltration in Conventional and Alternate Furrow Irrigation under Various Initial and Boundary Conditions
Authors: Dialameh Babak , Parsinejad Masoud , Ebrahimian Hamed , Mokhtari Ali
Published: November 2017

A field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two‐dimensional infiltration on management of conventional furrow irrigation (CFI) and alternate furrow irrigation (AFI). For this purpose, 48 infiltration tests were carried out in CFI and AFI under two different irrigation intervals (4 and 9 days) with two different water heads (5 and 10 cm). The results indicated that under higher water head and lower initial water content, cumulative infiltration is increased by up to 102 and 62% in CFI and by up to 106 and 54% in AFI, respectively. Moreover, by increasing the water head, the lateral infiltration in CFI and AFI increased by 5 and 4.5 times, respectively. For a lower initial water content, lateral infiltration can increase by up to 96 and 53% in CFI and AFI, respectively. In all cases, cumulative and lateral infiltrations in AFI were greater than in CFI. Furthermore, the relative lateral infiltration in AFI was more than CFI. In both CFI and AFI, the relative lateral infiltration increased for increased water head and extended irrigation intervals. Application of AFI with higher water heads and extended irrigation intervals can lead to increased lateral infiltration and decreased deep percolation, which will ultimately result in improved irrigation efficiency. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MiR‐137 inhibited inflammatory response and apoptosis after spinal cord injury via targeting of MK2
Authors: Gao Lin , Dai Chenfei , Feng Zhiping , Zhang Lixin , Zhang Zhiqiang
Published: November 2017

Spinal cord injuries are common and troublesome disorder, which is mediated by various signal pathways and mechanisms. MK2 is also involved in numerous inflammatory diseases including spinal cord injury. The role of microRNA‐137 (miR‐137) and its detailed working mechanism in spinal cord injuries remain unclear. In the present study, we found that an elevated MK2 but a decreased miR‐137 was expressed in serum specimens of patients with spinal cord injury and in hydrogen peroxide‐treated C8‐D1A and C8‐B4 cells. Meanwhile, we suggested that upregulation of miR‐137 could inhibit the expression of TNF‐α and IL‐6, two markers of inflammatory response after SCI, and apoptosis in hydrogen peroxide‐treated C8‐D1A and C8‐B4 cells. Furthermore, we verified that MK2 was a direct target of miR‐137 thorough a constructed luciferase assay. Even further, we elucidated that miR‐137 could suppress the inflammatory response and apoptosis via negative regulation of MK2. Finally, through an animal model trial performed using mice, we demonstrated the protective effect of how miR‐137 works on inflammatory response and apoptosis after spinal cord injury. Considering all the forementioned, our findings revealed that miR‐137 inhibited inflammatory response and apoptosis after spinal cord injury via the targeting of MK2. The outcomes of the present study might indicate a new target in molecular treatment of SCI.
Circular RNA hsa_circ_0003221 (circPTK2) promotes the proliferation and migration of bladder cancer cells
Authors: Xu Zhen‐Qiang , Yang Ming‐Gen , Liu Hong‐Jie , Su Chen‐Qiang
Published: November 2017

Emerging studies have shown that circular RNAs could be ideal biomarkers and even potential therapeutic targets for some tumors, including bladder cancer. However, only a few studies have investigated the circular RNAs in human bladder cancer. The key circular RNA molecules are closely related to bladder cancer and their roles remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated a novel circular RNA molecule, hsa‐circ‐0003221(circPTK2), which is differentially expressed in bladder carcinoma. Significant differential expression levels of circPTK2 were confirmed with quantitative PCR in 40 pairs of tissue and blood samples from patients with bladder carcinoma. Moreover, circPTK2 levels both in tissue and blood were significantly correlated with several clinicopathologic characteristics, including poor differentiation (P = 0.0103 in tissue, P = 0.024 in blood), N2‐N3 lymph node metastasis (P = 0.0065 in tissue, P = 0.016 in blood), and T(II–III–IV) stage (P = 0.008 in tissue, P = 0.0003 in blood). Quantitative PCR results confirmed that circPTK2 is highly expressed in migrated cells separated by Transwell assay and in metastatic lymph nodes of tumors transplanted in nude mice. In vitro silence of circPTK2 by small interfering RNA inhibited the proliferation and migration of bladder cancer cells. On the contrary, circPTK2 overexpression promoted proliferation and migration. This study showed that circPTK2 promotes proliferation and migration of cells and may be a novel potential biomarker and therapeutic target for bladder cancer diagnosis and therapy.
MTA1 promotes viability and motility in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by modulating IQGAP1 expression
Authors: Lu Baocai , Lian Rong , Wu Zhiyan , Miao Wenjie , Li Xiao , Li Jin , Shi Yongjuan , Yu Wenfa
Published: November 2017

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is frequently seen in Chinese, especially the population that resides in southeast China. Metastasis‐associated protein 1 (MTA1) is a chromatin modifier and plays a role in tumor cell metastasis. IQGAP1 is a ubiquitously expressed protein that contributes to cytoskeleton remodeling. This study aimed to investigate the role of MTA1 and IQGAP1 in NPC malignant transformation. MTA1 and IQGAP1 expression in NPC (n = 43) and control tissues (n = 31) were detected using qRT‐PCR, immunoblot, and immunohistochemistry. MTA1 was overexpressed in CNE‐1 and CNE‐2 cell line by pcDNA3.1/MTA1 transfection. Dominant‐negative p53 was transfected to inhibit p53 activity. si‐IQGAP1 or dominant‐negative IQGAP1 (IQGAP1ΔGRD) was used to suppress IQGAP1 activity. Cell proliferation was measured by CKK‐8 assay. Cell migration was evaluated by Transwell assay. The results showed that MTA1 and IQGAP1 were highly expressed in NPC tissues compared with the controls. Forced expression of MTA1 accelerated cell proliferation and migration and upregulated IQGAP1 expression in a p53‐independent way. Knockdown of IQGAP1 or transfection of dominant‐negative IQGAP1 impeded tumor cell proliferation and migration as well as PI3K/Akt signaling induced by MTA1. In conclusion, MTA1 participates in NPC malignant transformation via regulating IQGAP1 expression and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.