bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Small steps make meaningful change in transforming urban schools
Authors: Miranda Antoinette Halsell , Radliff Kisha M. , Della Flora Olympia A.
Published: December 2017

Urban schools in the United States are generally viewed as having greater challenges than their suburban and rural counterparts. Most notably, they often have lower academic achievement and much of the educational reform movement has been aimed at urban schools in an attempt to close the achievement gap. Although much of the focus in recent years has been on the academic achievement gap, increasing focus is on mental health needs of students, especially urban students who often lack access to quality mental health care. Partnerships with outside agencies can provide urban schools with professionals to assist in addressing the mental health needs of students. A framework for developing sustainable community– and university–school partnerships, critical elements of systems level change to address achievement and behavioral gaps, and strategies for implementing school‐wide mental health supports are detailed with one inner city elementary school partnering with a local university.
Mass Spectrometry Analyses of Multicellular Tumor Spheroids
Authors: Acland Mitchell , Mittal Parul , Lokman Noor A. , Klingler‐Hoffmann Manuela , Oehler Martin K. , Hoffmann Peter
Published: December 2017

Multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) are a powerful biological in vitro model, which closely mimics the 3D structure of primary avascularized tumors. Mass spectrometry (MS) has established itself as a powerful analytical tool, not only to better understand and describe the complex structure of MCTS, but also to monitor their response to cancer therapeutics. The first part of this review focuses on traditional mass spectrometry approaches with an emphasis on elucidating the molecular characteristics of these structures. Then the mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) approaches used to obtain spatially defined information from MCTS is described. Finally the analysis of primary spheroids, such as those present in ovarian cancer, and the great potential that mass spectrometry analysis of these structures has for improved understanding of cancer progression and for personalized in vitro therapeutic testing is discussed.
Candidate diagnostic miRNAs that can detect cancer in prostate biopsy
Authors: Paziewska Agnieszka , Mikula Michal , Dabrowska Michalina , Kulecka Maria , Goryca Krzysztof , Antoniewicz Artur , Dobruch Jakub , Borowka Andrzej , Rutkowski Piotr , Ostrowski Jerzy
Published: December 2017

Background

While histopathological evaluation remains the gold standard for diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa), sampling errors remain a frequent problem; therefore, use of tissue biomarkers that can distinguish between benign and malignant prostate disease is a potentially beneficial diagnostic strategy.

Methods

Deep sequencing of the miRNA transcriptome of 14 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 60 cancerous and non‐cancerous prostate samples extracted from 34 cancer‐bearing prostates removed by prostatectomy was performed; of the latter 60 samples, 16, 21, and 23 samples contained <10%, >30%, and no dysplastic cells, respectively. The predictive value of selected miRNAs was then tested by quantitative reverse‐transcribed PCR (qRT‐PCR), using two separate chemistries, Exiqon and Taqman, to evaluate the tissue samples obtained by prostatectomy. Validation experiments were also performed for a subset of miRNAs by qRT‐PCR of 87 prostate core biopsies.

Results

We identified 123 miRNAs significantly dysregulated in PCa (adjusted P‐values <0.05); 110 and 13 miRNAs were dysregulated only in cancerous samples and non‐cancerous samples extracted from cancer‐bearing prostates, respectively, while 31 were dysregulated regardless of the dysplastic cell content of the studied specimens. The clinical utility of eight selected miRNAs was analyzed using the same sample set with two qRT‐PCR chemistries. Measurable qRT‐PCR signals were obtained for seven and six miRNAs using the Exiqon and Taqman chemistries, respectively, and expression levels of six and four of these miRNAs differed significantly between BPH and PCa samples, regardless of dysplastic cell content. Validation experiments on core biopsies using qRT‐PCR confirmed differential expression between BPH and PCa of four miRNAs (miR‐187‐3p, miR‐183‐5p, miR‐32‐5p, and miR‐141‐5p) using the Exiqon and one miRNA (miR‐187‐3p) with the Taqman chemistry.

Conclusions

Our sequencing analyses identified several candidate diagnostic miRNAs and confirmed some which have previously been reported as diagnostic in prostate malignancy. The results of this study suggest also that some of selected miRNAs can differentiate between non‐malignant and malignant prostates even when neoplastic cells are missing from the studied specimen.
Molecular dynamics simulations of aggregation behavior of sodium dodecyl sulfate on SiO2 and CaCO3 surfaces
Authors: Wang Xiumin , Wu Gang , Yuan Congtai , Zhu Qianqian , Li Chunling , Sun Shuangqing , Hu Songqing
Published: December 2017

Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to investigate the aggregation behavior of anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on the surfaces of SiO2 and CaCO3. The results indicate that SDS molecules formed a spherical micelle structure near the SiO2 surface; moreover, there were more head groups near the SiO2 surface. However, they could form a self‐assemble film on the CaCO3 surface. The self‐assemble film of SDS on the CaCO3 surface was more stable than that on the SiO2 surface. Our simulation results have a certain significance to understand the aggregation behavior of SDS on different surfaces on molecular level.
Orange Peel Derived Activated Carbon for Fabrication of High‐Energy and High‐Rate Supercapacitors
Authors: Subramani Kaipannan , Sudhan Nagarajan , Karnan Manickavasakam , Sathish Marappan
Published: December 2017

Owing to our inevitable energy necessity, alternate energy resources have to be implemented in our energy storage systems to enervate the energy demands. On the consideration of the above statement, activated high surface area three‐dimensional (3D) nanoporous carbon derived from the orange peel bio‐waste has been studied for symmetric flexible and bendable solid state supercapacitor (SSC) with high energy density. The nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms revealed that the activated nano‐porous carbon exhibits a high specific surface area and average pore volume of 2160 m2/g and 0.779 cc/g with the uniform meso and microporous network. The fabricated symmetric cell using the activated porous carbon in aqueous electrolyte exhibits a high specific capacitance of 460 F/g at 1 A/g with an excellent electrochemical stability of 98% for 10000 cycles and virtuous rate performance at higher current densities. The fabricated aqueous symmetric device exhibits a high energy density and power density of 12 Wh/kg and 32.8 kW/kg, respectively. Similarly, the symmetric device in ionic liquid electrolyte shows a high cell voltage of 3 V and high energy and power density of 43 Wh/kg and 1185 W/kg, respectively. Also, fabricated all‐solid‐state flexible supercapacitor device exhibits a high energy and power density of 11.4 Wh/kg and 6.6 kW/kg, respectively. The flexible supercapacitor device was shown to light up a red light emitting diode (LED) for more than three minutes.
Innovative Sol‐Gel Routes for the Bottom‐Up Preparation of Heterogeneous Catalysts
Authors: Debecker Damien P.
Published: December 2017

Heterogeneous catalysts can be prepared by different methods offering various levels of control on the final properties of the solid. In this account, we exemplify bottom‐up preparation routes that are based on the sol‐gel chemistry and allow to tailor some decisive properties of solid catalysts. First, an emulsion templating strategy is shown to lead to macrocellular self‐standing monoliths with a macroscopic 3D structure. The latter can be used as catalyst or catalyst supports in flow chemistry, without requiring any subsequent shaping step. Second, the aerosol‐assisted sol‐gel process allows for the one‐step and continuous production of porous mixed oxides. Tailored textural properties can be obtained together with an excellent control on composition and homogeneity. Third, the application of non‐hydrolytic sol‐gel routes, in the absence of water, leads to mixed oxides with outstanding textural properties and with peculiar surface chemistry. In all cases, the resulting catalytic performance can be correlated with the specificities of the preparation routes presented. This is exemplified in catalytic reactions in the fields of biomass conversion, petro chemistry, enantioselective organic synthesis, and air pollution mitigation.
Are statins beneficial for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension?
Authors: Wang Lei , Yang Ting , Wang Chen
Published: December 2017

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a condition characterized by vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling with a poor prognosis. The current medical treatments available are supportive care therapy and pulmonary vascular‐targeted therapy. Targeted treatments for PH include prostacyclin analogs, endothelin receptor antagonists, and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors; however, these treatments cannot reverse pulmonary vascular remodeling. Recently, many novel treatment options involving drugs such as statins have been emerging. In this review, we attempt to summarize the current knowledge of the role of statins in PH treatment and their potential clinical effects. Many basic researches have proved that statins can be helpful for the treatment of PH bothin vitroand in experimental models. The main mechanisms underlying the effects of statins are restoration of endothelial function, attenuation of pulmonary vascular remodeling, regulation of gene expression, regulation of intracellular signaling processes involved in PH, anti‐inflammatory responses, and synergy with other targeted drugs. Nevertheless, clinical researches, especially randomized controlled trials for PH are rare. The current clinical researches show contrasting results on the clinical effects of statins in patients with PH. Carefully designed randomized, controlled trials are needed to test the safety and efficacy of statins for PH treatment.
Two tandem cylinders of different diameters in cross-flow: effect of an upstream cylinder on wake dynamics
Authors: Wang Longjun , Alam Md. Mahbub , Zhou Yu
Published: December 2017

This work aims to provide a systematic experimental study on the wake of two tandem cylinders of unequal diameters. The fluid dynamics around a circular cylinder of diameter$D$placed in the wake of another circular cylinder with a smaller diameter of$d$is investigated, including the time-mean drag coefficient ($C_{D}$), the fluctuating drag and lift coefficients ($C_{D}^{\prime }$and$C_{L}^{\prime }$), the Strouhal number ($St$) and the flow structures. The Reynolds number based on$D$is kept constant at$4.27\times 10^{4}$. The ratios$d/D$and$L/d$vary from 0.2 to 1.0 and 1.0 to 8.0 respectively, where$L$is the distance from the upstream cylinder centre to the forward stagnation point of the downstream cylinder. The ratios$d/D$and$L/d$are found, based on extensive hotwire, particle imaging velocimetry, pressure and flow visualization measurements, to have a marked influence on the wake dynamics behind the cylinders. As such, the flow is classified into the reattachment and co-shedding flow regimes, the latter being further subdivided into the lock-in, subharmonic lock-in and no lock-in regions. It is found that the critical spacing that divides the two regimes is dictated by the upstream-cylinder vortex formation length and becomes larger for smaller$d/D$. The characteristic flow properties are documented in each regime and subdivided region, including the flow structure,$St$, wake width, vortex formation length and the lateral width between the two gap shear layers. The variations in$C_{D}$,$C_{D}^{\prime }$,$C_{L}^{\prime }$and the pressure distribution around the downstream cylinder are connected to the flow physics.
Labyrinthine and secondary wave instabilities of a miscible magnetic fluid drop in a Hele-Shaw cell
Authors: Li Huanhao , Kao Chun-Yi , Wen Chih-Yung
Published: December 2017

A comprehensive experimental study is presented to analyse the instabilities of a magnetic fluid drop surrounded by miscible fluid confined in a Hele-Shaw cell. The experimental conditions include different magnetic fields (by varying the maximum pre-set magnetic field strengths,$H$, and sweep rates,$SR=\text{d}H_{t}/\text{d}t$, where$H_{t}$is the instant magnetic field strength), gap spans,$h$, and magnetic fluid samples, and are further coupled into a modified Péclect number$Pe^{\prime }$to evaluate the instabilities. Two distinct instabilities are induced by the external magnetic fields with different sweep rates: (i) a labyrinthine fingering instability, where small fingerings emerge around the initial circular interface in the early period, and (ii) secondary waves in the later period. Based on 81 sets of experimental conditions, the initial growth rate of the interfacial length,$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$, of the magnetic drop is found to increase linearly with$Pe^{\prime }$, indicating that$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$is proportional to the square root of the$SR$and$h^{3/2}$at the onset of the labyrinthine instability. In addition, secondary waves, which are characterised by the dimensionless wavelength$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}/h$, can only be triggered when the three-dimensional magnetic microconvection is strong enough to make$Pe^{\prime }$exceed a critical value, i.e.$Pe^{\prime }>19\,000$, where$\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}$is the wavelength of the secondary wave. In this flow regime of high$Pe^{\prime }$, the length scale of the secondary wave instability is found to be$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=7\pm 1$, corresponding to the Stokes regime; meanwhile, in the flow regime of low$Pe^{\prime }$, the flow corresponds to the Hele-Shaw regime introduced by Fernandezet al.(J. Fluid Mech., vol. 451, 2002, pp. 239–260).
Transition to turbulence in the rotating-disk boundary-layer flow with stationary vortices
Authors: Appelquist E. , Schlatter P. , Alfredsson P. H. , Lingwood R. J.
Published: December 2017

This paper proposes a resolution to the conundrum of the roles of convective and absolute instability in transition of the rotating-disk boundary layer. It also draws some comparison with swept-wing flows. Direct numerical simulations based on the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations of the flow over the surface of a rotating disk with modelled roughness elements are presented. The rotating-disk flow has been of particular interest for stability and transition research since the work by Lingwood (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 299, 1995, pp. 17–33) where an absolute instability was found. Here stationary disturbances develop from roughness elements on the disk and are followed from the linear stage, growing to saturation and finally transitioning to turbulence. Several simulations are presented with varying disturbance amplitudes. The lowest amplitude corresponds approximately to the experiment by Imayama et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 745, 2014a, pp. 132–163). For all cases, the primary instability was found to be convectively unstable, and secondary modes were found to be triggered spontaneously while the flow was developing. The secondary modes further stayed within the domain, and an explanation for this is a proposed globally unstable secondary instability. For the low-amplitude roughness cases, the disturbances propagate beyond the threshold for secondary global instability before becoming turbulent, and for the high-amplitude roughness cases the transition scenario gives a turbulent flow directly at the critical Reynolds number for the secondary global instability. These results correspond to the theory of Pier (J. Engng Maths, vol. 57, 2007, pp. 237–251) predicting a secondary absolute instability. In our simulations, high temporal frequencies were found to grow with a large amplification rate where the secondary global instability occurred. For smaller radial positions, low-frequency secondary instabilities were observed, tripped by the global instability.
Models of energy loss from internal waves breaking in the ocean
Authors: Thorpe S. A.
Published: December 2017

The supply of energy to the internal wave field in the ocean is, in total, sufficient to support the mixing required to maintain the stratification of the ocean, but can the required rates of turbulent dissipation in mid-water be sustained by breaking internal waves? It is assumed that turbulence occurs in regions where the field of motion can be represented by an exact solution of the equations that describe waves propagating through a uniformly stratified fluid and becoming unstable. Two instabilities leading to wave breaking are examined, convective instability and shear-induced Kelvin–Helmholtz instability. Models are constrained by data representative of the mid-water ocean. Calculations of turbulent dissipation are first made on the assumption that all the waves representing local breaking have the same steepness,$s$, and frequency,$\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}$. For some ranges of$s$and$\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}$, breaking can support the required transfer of energy to turbulence. For convective instability this proves possible for sufficiently large$s$, typically exceeding 2.0, over a range of$\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}$, while for shear-induced instability near-inertial waves are required. Relaxation of the constraint that the model waves all have the same$s$and$\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}$requires new assumptions about the nature and consequences of wave breaking. Examples predict an overall dissipation consistent with the observed rates. Further observations are, however, required to test the validity of the assumptions made in the models and, in particular, to determine the nature and frequency of internal wave breaking in the mid-water ocean.
The relationship between label-based and speech-based perceptual evaluations: The case of Enshi Mandarin regional varieties
Authors: Yan Qingyang
Published: December 2017

The current study explored the relationship between participants’ label-based evaluations of six regional varieties in Enshi Prefecture, China, and their speech-based evaluations of talkers from these varieties using a label ranking task and a speaker evaluation task. The results revealed that under correct identification of talker dialect, participants’ evaluations of real talkers based on speech samples were different from their evaluations of ‘imagined’ county-based dialects, suggesting that speech-based talker evaluations are not solely governed by ideological values associated with dialects. Focusing on a small, understudied community in China, this study contributes to our understanding of the local language attitudes, and language use and maintenance in Enshi Prefecture. An integrated approach is needed to build a model of talker evaluation, which must include a complex set of linguistic, social cognitive, and situational objects. The current results suggest that the object(s) that primarily drives talker evaluations is not the talker’s dialect itself.
Joint associations of dietary pattern and television viewing with CVD risk factors among urban men and women in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ye Qing , Hong Xin , Wang Zhiyong , Qin Zhenzhen , Li Chao , Lai Yichao , Xu Fei
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the joint associations of dietary pattern and television viewing with risk factors of CVD among urban adults in China. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among urban adults in Nanjing, China. Five dietary patterns were identified based on a FFQ. Television time was obtained from a standard questionnaire and further classified into two categories (≤7, >7 h/week). Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate the OR and 95 % CI for the separate and joint associations of dietary patterns and television viewing with CVD risk factors. Compared with other dietary patterns, participants who followed the healthy traditional pattern had a lower likelihood of abdominal obesity (AO) (OR 0·52; 95 % CI 0·41, 0·67). Participants watching television no more than 7 h/week presented a 19 and 21 % lower likelihood for hypertension (HT) and elevated total cholesterol (ETC) than those with television time >7 h/week. Individuals who had less television time and a healthy dietary pattern had a lower OR for the presence of AO (OR 0·48; 95 % CI 0·36, 0·65), HT (OR 0·71; 95 % CI 0·66, 0·77), ETC (OR 0·72; 95 % CI 0·57, 0·91) and elevated TAG (OR 0·76; 95 % CI 0·61, 0·95), compared with those who followed other dietary patterns and television time >7 h/week. In conclusion, both healthy traditional pattern and less television time are jointly associated with reduced levels of CVD risk factors. It has important public health implications regarding the precision prevention of CVD at population level.
Globalization, Transnationalism, and “Mobile Societies” from a Sociological Perspective: Comments on Engseng Ho's “Inter-Asian Concepts for Mobile Societies”
Authors: Kim Jaeeun
Published: December 2017

Speaking across disciplines is always easier said than done. Engseng Ho's thought-provoking article strives to do just that (and achieves the goal nicely), with its broad overview of the literature, the numerous examples that it draws on, and the ambitious conceptual innovations it proposes. As the only sociologist invited to comment on Ho's article, I see my task as bringing Ho's article into fruitful conversation with my own discipline, which is known to be indifferent (if not hostile) to area studies and which (unfortunately) remains largely missing in Ho's imagined audience. I do so by drawing on my own work and some of the theoretical developments in the broader discipline in the past two decades or so. To make intelligible where my comments are coming from, let me begin by briefly introducing what sorts of questions interest me as a sociologist.
A systematic review of patient-reported outcome measures in paediatric otolaryngology
Authors: Powell J , Powell S , Robson A
Published: December 2017

Background:

Recently, there has been increased emphasis on the development and application of patient-reported outcome measures. This drive to assess the impact of illness or interventions, from the patient's perspective, has resulted in a greater number of available questionnaires. The importance of selecting an appropriate patient-reported outcome measure is specifically emphasised in the paediatric population. The literature on patient-reported outcome measures used in paediatric otolaryngology was reviewed.

Methods:

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the databases Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PsycInfo, using the terms: ‘health assessment questionnaire’, ‘structured questionnaire’, ‘questionnaire’, ‘patient reported outcome measures’, ‘PROM’, ‘quality of life’ or ‘survey’, and ‘children’ or ‘otolaryngology’. The search was limited to English-language articles published between 1996 and 2016.

Results:

The search yielded 656 articles, of which 63 were considered relevant. This included general paediatric patient-reported outcome measures applied to otolaryngology, and paediatric otolaryngology disease-specific patient-reported outcome measures.

Conclusion:

A large collection of patient-reported outcome measures are described in the paediatric otolaryngology literature. Greater standardisation of the patient-reported outcome measures used in paediatric otolaryngology would assist in pooling of data and increase the validation of tools used.
Creating an integrated protected area network in Chile: A GIS assessment of ecoregion representation and the role of private protected areas
Authors: SCHUTZ JESSICA
Published: December 2017

National protected areas (NPAs) often exhibit biodiversity representation bias, do not adequately protect priority conservation areas (PCAs), and fail to meet conservation goals. Protected area (PA) discourse assumes private PAs (PPAs) are more systematically established than NPAs. The Chilean conservation community has proposed an integrated national–private PA network (IPAN) so PPA benefits can remedy NPA shortcomings. However, there has been no recent assessment of Chilean PPA ecoregion representation or data to support the usefulness of spending valuable resources creating an IPAN. Using the most recent Chilean private and national PA data, this study conducted a terrestrial ecoregion gap analysis under two scenarios. Scenario 1 assessed NPAs and nature sanctuaries. Scenario 2 assessed the IPAN. Both scenarios showed representation bias and failure to adequately protect PCAs or meet conservation goals. The IPAN fell short of expectations because PPAs exhibited bias similar to NPAs. The findings refute PA discourse by upending traditional beliefs regarding PPA effectiveness, and they identify a need to more critically assess the benefits of PPAs and IPANs on a country-by-country basis.
Multimedia listening comprehension: Metacognitive instruction or metacognitive instruction through dialogic interaction
Authors: Bozorgian Hossein , Fakhri Alamdari Ebrahim
Published: December 2017

This study is an attempt to investigate the effect of metacognitive instruction through dialogic interaction in a joint activity on advanced Iranian English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ multimedia listening and their metacognitive awareness in listening comprehension. The data were collected through (N=180) male and female Iranian advanced learners ranging from 16 to 24 years of age in three groups. The first two groups were experimental (n=60), trained through a structured intervention program focusing on metacognitive instruction through dialogic interaction (MIDI) and metacognitive instruction (MI) for 10 sessions. The learners in the experimental group were involved in 60 minutes of practice twice a week. The third group was a control group (n=60), trained through regular classroom listening activities without receiving the structured intervention program. Multimedia listening tests and the Metacognitive Awareness Listening Questionnaire (MALQ) were used to track the advanced learners’ multimedia listening comprehension and metacognitive awareness. The results showed that metacognitive instruction through dialogic interaction did improve both the advanced learners’ multimedia listening comprehension and their metacognitive awareness in listening.
Lipidomics Reveals Cerebrospinal-Fluid Signatures of ALS
Authors: Blasco H. , Veyrat-Durebex C. , Bocca C. , Patin F. , Vourc’h P. , Kouassi Nzoughet J. , Lenaers G. , Andres C. R. , Simard G. , Corcia P. , Reynier P.
Published: December 2017

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the commonest adult-onset motor neuron disorder, is characterized by a survival span of only 2–5 years after onset. Relevant biomarkers or specific metabolic signatures would provide powerful tools for the management of ALS. The main objective of this study was to investigate the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lipidomic signature of ALS patients by mass spectrometry to evaluate the diagnostic and predictive values of the profile. We showed that ALS patients (n = 40) displayed a highly significant specific CSF lipidomic signature compared to controls (n = 45). Phosphatidylcholine PC(36:4), higher in ALS patients (p = 0.0003) was the most discriminant molecule, and ceramides and glucosylceramides were also highly relevant. Analysis of targeted lipids in the brain cortex of ALS model mice confirmed the role of some discriminant lipids such as PC. We also obtained good models for predicting the variation of the ALSFRS-r score from the lipidome baseline, with an accuracy of 71% in an independent set of patients. Significant predictions of clinical evolution were found to be correlated to sphingomyelins and triglycerides with long-chain fatty acids. Our study, which shows extensive lipid remodelling in the CSF of ALS patients, provides a new metabolic signature of the disease and its evolution with good predictive performance.
Computer-Aided Nodule Assessment and Risk Yield (CANARY) may facilitate non-invasive prediction of EGFR mutation status in lung adenocarcinomas
Authors: Clay Ryan , Kipp Benjamin R. , Jenkins Sarah , Karwoski Ron A. , Maldonado Fabien , Rajagopalan Srinivasan , Voss Jesse S. , Bartholmai Brian J. , Aubry Marie Christine , Peikert Tobias
Published: December 2017

Computer-Aided Nodule Assessment and Risk Yield (CANARY) is quantitative imaging analysis software that predicts the histopathological classification and post-treatment disease-free survival of patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung. CANARY characterizes nodules by the distribution of nine color-coded texture-based exemplars. We hypothesize that quantitative computed tomography (CT) analysis of the tumor and tumor-free surrounding lung facilitates non-invasive identification of clinically-relevant mutations in lung adenocarcinoma. Comprehensive analysis of targetable mutations (50-gene-panel) and CANARY analysis of the preoperative (≤3 months) high resolution CT (HRCT) was performed for 118 pulmonary nodules of the adenocarcinoma spectrum surgically resected between 2006–2010. Logistic regression with stepwise variable selection was used to determine predictors of mutations. We identified 140 mutations in 106 of 118 nodules. TP53 (n = 48), KRAS (n = 47) and EGFR (n = 15) were the most prevalent. The combination of Y (Yellow) and G (Green) exemplars, fibrosis within the surrounding lung and smoking status were the best discriminators for an EGFR mutation (AUC 0.77 and 0.87, respectively). None of the EGFR mutants expressing TP53 (n = 5) had a good prognosis based on CANARY features. No quantitative features were significantly associated with KRAS mutations. Our exploratory analysis indicates that quantitative CT analysis of a nodule and surrounding lung may noninvasively predict the presence of EGFR mutations in pulmonary nodules of the adenocarcinoma spectrum.
Baculovirus-assisted Reovirus Infection in Monolayer and Spheroid Cultures of Glioma cells
Authors: Dautzenberg Iris J. C. , van den Hengel Sanne K. , de Vrij Jeroen , Ravesloot Lars , Cramer Steve J. , Hong Saw-See , van den Wollenberg Diana J. M. , Boulanger Pierre , Hoeben Rob C.
Published: December 2017

The mammalian orthoreovirus Type 3 Dearing has great potential as oncolytic agent in cancer therapy. One of the bottlenecks that hampers its antitumour efficacy in vivo is the limited tumour-cell infection and intratumoural distribution. This necessitates strategies to improve tumour penetration. In this study we employ the baculovirus Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus as a tool to expand the reovirus’ tropism and to improve its spread in three-dimensional tumour-cell spheroids. We generated a recombinant baculovirus expressing the cellular receptor for reovirus, the Junction Adhesion Molecule-A, on its envelope. Combining these Junction Adhesion Molecule-A-expressing baculoviruses with reovirus particles leads to the formation of biviral complexes. Exposure of the reovirus-resistant glioblastoma cell line U-118 MG to the baculovirus-reovirus complexes results in efficient reovirus infection, high reovirus yields, and significant reovirus-induced cytopathic effects. As compared to the reovirus-only incubations, the biviral complexes demonstrated improved penetration and increased cell killing of three-dimensional U-118 MG tumour spheroids. Our data demonstrate that reovirus can be delivered with increased efficiency into two- and three-dimensional tumour-cell cultures via coupling the reovirus particles to baculovirus. The identification of baculovirus’ capacity to penetrate into tumour tissue opens novel opportunities to improve cancer therapy by improved delivery of oncolytic viruses into tumours.
Association of plasma free amino acids with hyperuricemia in relation to diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Mahbub MH , Yamaguchi Natsu , Takahashi Hidekazu , Hase Ryosuke , Ishimaru Yasutaka , Sunagawa Hiroshi , Amano Hiroki , Kobayashi-Miura Mikiko , Kanda Hideyuki , Fujita Yasuyuki , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Yamamoto Mai , Kikuchi Shinya , Ikeda Atsuko , Kageyama Naoko , Nakamura Mina , Tanabe Tsuyoshi
Published: December 2017

Previous studies demonstrated independent contributions of plasma free amino acids (PFAAs) and high uric acid (UA) concentrations to increased risks of lifestyle-related diseases (LSRDs), but the important associations between these factors and LSRDs remain unknown. We quantified PFAAs and UA amongst Japanese subjects without LSRDs (no-LSRD, n = 2805), and with diabetes mellitus (DM, n = 415), dyslipidemia (n = 3207), hypertension (n = 2736) and metabolic syndrome (MetS, n = 717). The concentrations of most amino acids differed significantly between the subjects with and without hyperuricemia (HU) and also between the no-LSRD and LSRD groups (p < 0.05 to 0.001). After adjustment, the logistic regression analyses revealed that lysine in DM, alanine, proline and tyrosine in dyslipidemia, histidine, lysine and ornithine in hypertension, and lysine and tyrosine in MetS demonstrated significant positive associations with HU among the patients with LSRDs only (p < 0.05 to 0.005). By contrast, arginine, asparagine and threonine showed significant inverse associations with HU in the no-LSRD group only (p < 0.05 to 0.01). For the first time, we provide evidence for distinct patterns of association between PFAAs and HU in LSRDs, and postulate the possibility of interplay between PFAAs and UA in their pathophysiology.
Stim2-Eb3 Association and Morphology of Dendritic Spines in Hippocampal Neurons
Authors: Pchitskaya Ekaterina , Kraskovskaya Nina , Chernyuk Daria , Popugaeva Elena , Zhang Hua , Vlasova Olga , Bezprozvanny Ilya
Published: December 2017

Mushroom spines form strong synaptic contacts and are essential for memory storage. We have previously demonstrated that neuronal store-operated calcium entry (nSOC) in hippocampal neurons is regulated by STIM2 protein. This pathway plays a key role in stability of mushroom spines and is compromised in different mice models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Actin was thought to be the sole cytoskeleton compartment presented in dendritic spines, however, recent studies demonstrated that dynamic microtubules with EB3 capped plus-ends transiently enter spines. We showed that STIM2 forms an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ -dependent complex with EB3 via Ser-x-Ile-Pro aminoacid motif and that disruption of STIM2-EB3 interaction resulted in loss of mushroom spines in hippocampal neurons. Overexpression of EB3 causes increase of mushroom spines fraction and is able to restore their deficiency in hippocampal neurons obtained from PS1-M146V-KI AD mouse model. STIM2 overexpression failed to restore mushroom dendritic spines after EB3 knockdown, while in contrast EB3 overexpression rescued loss of mushroom spines resulting from STIM2 depletion. We propose that EB3 is involved in regulation of dendritic spines morphology, in part due to its association with STIM2, and that modulation of EB3 expression is a potential way to overcome synaptic loss during AD.
Automated computer-based detection of encounter behaviours in groups of honeybees
Authors: Blut Christina , Crespi Alessandro , Mersch Danielle , Keller Laurent , Zhao Linlin , Kollmann Markus , Schellscheidt Benjamin , Fülber Carsten , Beye Martin
Published: December 2017

Honeybees form societies in which thousands of members integrate their behaviours to act as a single functional unit. We have little knowledge on how the collaborative features are regulated by workers’ activities because we lack methods that enable collection of simultaneous and continuous behavioural information for each worker bee. In this study, we introduce the Bee Behavioral Annotation System (BBAS), which enables the automated detection of bees’ behaviours in small observation hives. Continuous information on position and orientation were obtained by marking worker bees with 2D barcodes in a small observation hive. We computed behavioural and social features from the tracking information to train a behaviour classifier for encounter behaviours (interaction of workers via antennation) using a machine learning-based system. The classifier correctly detected 93% of the encounter behaviours in a group of bees, whereas 13% of the falsely classified behaviours were unrelated to encounter behaviours. The possibility of building accurate classifiers for automatically annotating behaviours may allow for the examination of individual behaviours of worker bees in the social environments of small observation hives. We envisage that BBAS will be a powerful tool for detecting the effects of experimental manipulation of social attributes and sub-lethal effects of pesticides on behaviour.
Non-Newtonian Flow to the Theoretical Strength of Glasses via Impact Nanoindentation at Room Temperature
Authors: Zehnder Christoffer , Peltzer Jan-Niklas , Gibson James S. K.-L. , Möncke Doris , Korte-Kerzel Sandra
Published: December 2017

In many daily applications glasses are indispensable and novel applications demanding improved strength and crack resistance are appearing continuously. Up to now, the fundamental mechanical processes in glasses subjected to high strain rates at room temperature are largely unknown and thus guidelines for one of the major failure conditions of glass components are non-existent. Here, we elucidate this important regime for the first time using glasses ranging from a dense metallic glass to open fused silica by impact as well as quasi-static nanoindentation. We show that towards high strain rates, shear deformation becomes the dominant mechanism in all glasses accompanied by Non-Newtonian behaviour evident in a drop of viscosity with increasing rate covering eight orders of magnitude. All glasses converge to the same limit stress determined by the theoretical hardness, thus giving the first experimental and quantitative evidence that Non-Newtonian shear flow occurs at the theoretical strength at room temperature.
Harnessing the microbiomes of Brassica vegetables for health issues
Authors: Wassermann Birgit , Rybakova Daria , Müller Christina , Berg Gabriele
Published: December 2017

Plant health is strongly connected with plants´ microbiome. In case of raw-eaten plants, the microbiome can also affect human health. To study potential impacts on health issues of both hosts, the microbiome composition of seven different Brassica vegetables, originating from different food processing pathways, was analyzed by a combined approach of amplicon sequencing, metagenomic mining and cultivation. All Brassica vegetables harbored a highly diverse microbiota as identified by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The composition of the microbiota was found to be rather driven by the plant genotype than by the processing pathway. We characterized isolates with potential cancer-preventing properties by tracing myrosinase activity as well as isolates with biological control activity towards plant pathogens. We identified a novel strain with myrosinase activity and we found bacterial myrosinase genes to be enriched in rhizosphere and phyllosphere metagenomes of Brassica napus and Eruca sativa in comparison to the surrounding soil. Strains which were able to suppress plant pathogens were isolated from naturally processed vegetables and represent a substantial part (4.1%) of all vegetable microbiomes. Our results shed first light on the microbiome of edible plants and open the door to harnessing the Brassica microbiome for plant disease resistance and human health.
Tunable two-phonon higher-order sideband amplification in a quadratically coupled optomechanical system
Authors: Liu Shaopeng , Yang Wen-Xing , Shui Tao , Zhu Zhonghu , Chen Ai-Xi
Published: December 2017

We propose an efficient scheme for the controllable amplification of two-phonon higher-order sidebands in a quadratically coupled optomechanical system. In this scheme, a strong control field and a weak probe pulse are injected into the cavity, and the membrane located at the middle position of the cavity is driven resonantly by a weak coherent mechanical pump. Beyond the conventional linearized approximation, we derive analytical expressions for the output transmission of probe pulse and the amplitude of second-order sideband by adding the nonlinear coefficients into the Heisenberg-Langevin formalism. Using experimentally achievable parameters, we identify the conditions under which the mechanical pump and the frequency detuning of control field allow us to modify the transmission of probe pulse and improve the amplitude of two-phonon higher-order sideband generation beyond what is achievable in absence of the mechanical pump. Furthermore, we also find that the higher-order sideband generation depends sensitively on the phase of mechanical pump when the control field becomes strong. The present proposal offers a practical opportunity to design chip-scale optical communications and optical frequency combs.
Changes in hyaluronan deposition in the rat myenteric plexus after experimentally-induced colitis
Authors: Filpa Viviana , Bistoletti Michela , Caon Ilaria , Moro Elisabetta , Grimaldi Annalisa , Moretto Paola , Baj Andreina , Giron Maria Cecilia , Karousou Evgenia , Viola Manuela , Crema Francesca , Frigo Gianmario , Passi Alberto , Giaroni Cristina , Vigetti Davide
Published: December 2017

Myenteric plexus alterations hamper gastrointestinal motor function during intestinal inflammation. Hyaluronan (HA), an extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan involved in inflammatory responses, may play a role in this process. In the colon of control rats, HA-binding protein (HABP), was detected in myenteric neuron soma, perineuronal space and ganglia surfaces. Prominent hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) staining was found in myenteric neuron cytoplasm, suggesting that myenteric neurons produce HA. In the myenteric plexus of rats with 2, 4-dinitrobenzene sulfonic (DNBS)-induced colitis HABP staining was altered in the perineuronal space, while both HABP staining and HA levels increased in themuscularis propria. HAS2 immunopositive myenteric neurons and HAS2 mRNA and protein levels also increased. Overall, these observations suggest that inflammation alters HA distribution and levels in the gut neuromuscular compartment. Such changes may contribute to alterations in the myenteric plexus.
Synthesis of cocrystallized USY/ZSM-5 zeolites from kaolin and its use as fluid catalytic cracking catalysts
Authors: Ghrib Yosra , Frini-Srasra Najoua , Srasra Ezzeddine , Martínez-Triguero Joaquín , Corma Avelino
Published: December 2017

The effect of ZSM-5 as propylene booster is enhanced when USY/ZSM5 are cocrystallized instead of conforming physical mixtures.
Highly sensitive extended gate-AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor for bioassay applications
Authors: Ding Xiangzhen , Miao Bin , Gu Zhiqi , Wu Baojun , Hu Yimin , Wang Hong , Zhang Jian , Wu Dongmin , Lu Wenhui , Li Jiadong
Published: December 2017

An extended gate-AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (EG-AlGaN/GaN HEMT) with a high sensitivity for bioassay has been developed.
Effects of the additives n-propylammonium or n-butylammonium iodide on the performance of perovskite solar cells
Authors: Hsieh Cheng-Ming , Yu Yen-Lin , Chen Chih-Ping , Chuang Shih-Ching
Published: December 2017

The presence of C3H7NH3I caused the perovskite films to grow with high coverage, thereby allowing the devices to display high performance.
Enhancement of light-emitting properties by simultaneously patterning and controlling molecular alignment in polyfluorene thin films
Authors: Li X. H. , Shen X. Z. , Gao X. , Weng Y. Y.
Published: December 2017

Soft nano-imprinting lithography is used to fabricate PFO nanogratings.
Einheimische „Superfoods“ sind besser
Authors: Bihlmaier Susanne
Published: December 2017

Unsere Gesprächspartnerin: Frau Dr. Susanne Bihlmaier aus Tübingen

Ärztin für Naturheilverfahren, Examen Kinderkrankenschwester in Heilbronn, Studium der Humanmedizin in Heidelberg, spezialisiert auf europäische und asiatische Naturheilverfahren, berät seit mehreren Jahren Patientinnen am Brustzentrum Coburg, Lehrbuch- und Fachautorin („Die Akupunktur“, Springer- und KVM-Verlag, sowie „Tomatenrot und Drachengrün“, Hädecke-Verlag 1)
Artemisinin und seine Derivate – eine neue Option für die Krebstherapie?
Authors: Naß Janine , Efferth Thomas
Published: December 2017

Artemisinin und seine Derivate sind nicht nur hochwirksame Medikamente gegen Malaria. Zahlreiche präklinische und vorläufige klinische Daten deuten darauf hin, dass sie auch therapeutisches Potenzial für die Onkologie besitzen könnten. Artemisinin-basierte Medikamente induzieren oxidativen Stress und DNA-Schäden und hemmen die Angiogenese. Tumorzellen sterben durch diese Substanzen, indem sie verschiedene Formen des Zelltodes hervorrufen (Apoptose, Autophagie, Ferroptose). Zytostatika-resistente Tumorzellen werden durch Artemisinin und seine Derivate effektiv abgetötet. Artemisinin-Derivate zeigen mit verschiedenen Standard-Krebsmedikamenten, Radiotherapie und therapeutischen Antikörpern additive bis synergistische Therapieeffekte gegenüber Tumorzelllinien. Ergebnisse aus klinischen Studien zeigten positive Ergebnisse, jedoch sollte bedacht werden, dass die behandelten Gruppen bisher nur klein waren. Individuelle Heilversuche sollten nur von approbierten Ärzten vorgenommen werden. Bis zur routinemäßigen klinischen Anwendung von Artemisinin und seinen Derivaten in der Krebstherapie wird sicherlich noch einige Zeit vergehen. Die bisherigen Ergebnisse sind jedoch vielversprechend.
Krankenhausseelsorge heute: Offenheit – Professionalität – Zusammenarbeit
Authors: Kammerer Thomas
Published: December 2017

Krankenhausseelsorge hat in Deutschland eine lange Tradition, ist aber seit vielen Jahren in einem deutlichen Wandel begriffen. Nicht mehr konfessionell christliche „Mitgliedersorge“, sondern professionelle spirituelle und menschliche Unterstützung für alle Patienten, aber auch das Personal im Krankenhaus sowie interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit stehen im Fokus. Regelmäßige Besuche auf Stationen, ethische Beratung, peritraumatische Krisenintervention, Begleitung und Gestaltung von Abschieden sowie die Mitarbeit an der Kultur eines menschlichen und umfassend heilenden Krankenhauses sind Komponenten einer modernen Seelsorge im Umfeld der Institution Krankenhaus in einer multikulturellen, individuellen und vielfältigen Gesellschaft.