bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation of the Metalated Ylides [Ph3P−C−CN]M (M=Li, Na, K): Influence of the Metal Ion on the Structure and Bonding Situation
Authors: Schwarz Christopher , Scharf Lennart T. , Scherpf Thorsten , Weismann Julia , Gessner Viktoria H.
Published: December 2018

The isolation and structural characterization of the cyanido‐substituted metalated ylides [Ph3P−C−CN]M (1‐M; M=Li, Na, K) are reported with lithium, sodium, and potassium as metal cations. In the solid‐state, most different aggregates could be determined depending on the metal and additional Lewis bases. The crown‐ether complexes of sodium (1‐Na) and potassium (1‐K) exhibited different structures, with sodium preferring coordination to the nitrogen end, whereas potassium binds in an unusual η2‐coordination mode to the two central carbon atoms. The formation of the yldiide was accompanied by structural changes leading to shorter C−C and longer C−N bonds. This could be attributed to the delocalization of the free electron pairs at the carbon atom into the antibonding orbitals of the CN moiety, which was confirmed by IR spectroscopy and computational studies. Detailed density functional theory calculations show that the changes in the structure and the bonding situation were most pronounced in the lithium compounds due to the higher covalency.
Using OmicsNet for Network Integration and 3D Visualization
Authors: Zhou Guangyan , Xia Jianguo
Published: December 2018

OmicsNet is a novel web‐based tool for creating and visualizing complex biological networks in 3D space. By coupling a comprehensive knowledgebase with the powerful WebGL technology, OmicsNet allows researchers to intuitively explore molecular interactions and regulatory relationships among genes, transcription factors, microRNAs, and metabolites. OmicsNet fills an important gap by facilitating multi‐omics integration and systems biology. This article contains three basic protocols covering the key features of OmicsNet, including how to create biological networks from a single or multiple list(s) of molecules, how to integrate or enrich different types of networks, and how to navigate the 3D visualization system to obtain biological insights. The OmicsNet web server is freely available at https://www.omicsnet.ca. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Atomic Force Microscopy Meets Biophysics, Bioengineering, Chemistry, and Materials Science
Authors: Toca‐Herrera José L.
Published: December 2018

Briefly, herein the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) in the characterization of molecules and (bioengineered) materials related to chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, and environmental science and biotechnology is reviewed. First, the basic operations of standard AFM, Kelvin probe force microscopy, electrochemical AFM, and tip‐enhanced Raman microscopy are described. Second, several applications of these techniques to the characterization of single molecules, polymers, biological membranes, films, cells, hydrogels, catalytic processes, and semiconductors are provided and discussed.
Apolipoprotein CIII and diabetes. Is there a link?
Authors: Christopoulou Eliza , Tsimihodimos Vasilios , Filippatos Theodosios , Elisaf Moses
Published: December 2018

Apolipoprotein CIII (ApoCIII), a small protein that resides on the surface of lipoprotein particles, is a key regulator of triglyceride metabolism. The inhibition of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), the increased assembly and secretion of very low‐density lipoproteins (VLDL) and the decreased reuptake of triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins (TRLs) by the liver are mechanisms associating elevated serum ApoCIII levels and hypertriglyceridemia. ApoCIII concentration is high in individuals with diabetes mellitus, indicating a possible positive correlation with impairment of glucose metabolism. The aim of this review (based on a Pubmed search until August 2018) is to present the possible mechanisms linking ApoCIII and deterioration of carbohydrate homeostasis. ApoCIII enhances pancreatic β‐cells apoptosis via an increase of the cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels in the insulin‐producing cells. In addition, overexpression of ApoCIII enhances non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and exacerbates inflammatory pathways in skeletal muscles, affecting insulin signalling and thereby inducing insulin resistance. Moreover, recent studies reveal a possible mechanism of body weight increase and glucose production through a potential ApoCIII‐induced LPL inhibition in the hypothalamus. Also, the presence of ApoCIII on the surface of high‐density lipoprotein particles is associated with impairment of their antiglycemic and atheroprotective properties. Modulating ApoCIII may be a potent therapeutic approach to manage hypertriglyceridemia and improve carbohydrate metabolism.
The three regimes of spatial recovery
Authors: Zelnik Yuval R. , Arnoldi Jean‐François , Loreau Michel
Published: December 2018

An enduring challenge for ecology is identifying the drivers of ecosystem and population stability. In a spatially explicit context, key features to consider are landscape spatial structure, local interactions, and dispersal. Substantial work has been done on each of these features as a driver of stability, but little is known on the interplay between them. Missing has been a more integrative approach, able to map and identify different dynamical regimes, predicting a system's response to perturbations. Here we first consider a simple scenario, i.e., the recovery of a homogeneous metapopulation from a single localized pulse disturbance. The analysis of this scenario reveals three fundamental recovery regimes: Isolated Regime when dispersal is not significant, Rescue Regime when dispersal mediates recovery, and Mixing Regime when perturbations spread throughout the system. Despite its simplicity, our approach leads to remarkably general predictions. These include the qualitatively different outcomes of various scenarios of habitat fragmentation, the surprising benefits of local extinctions on population persistence at the transition between regimes, and the productivity shifts of metacommunities in a changing environment. This study thus provides context to known results and insight into future directions of research.
Electrophoresis of megaDalton proteins inside colloidal silica
Authors: Ragland Tamika S. , Gossage Melody D. , Furtaw Michael D. , Anderson Jon P. , Steffens David L. , Wirth Mary J.
Published: December 2018

With the growth of the biopharmaceutical industry, there is a need for rapid size‐analysis of proteins on the megaDalton scale. The large pore sizes needed for such separations cannot be easily reached by pushing the current limits of size‐exclusion chromatography or gel electrophoresis. The concept detailed here is the formation of arbitrarily wide pores by packing nonporous colloidal silica in capillaries. This method can be called packed‐capillary electrophoresis, or “pCE”. Electrophoresis of protein standards (11–155 kDa) by pCE, using 345 nm diameter particles in 100 μm diameter capillaries, gives 2x higher resolution than a typical PAGE gel in 1/6 of the time. The electropherograms show that pCE is highly efficient, with half‐micrometer plate heights for all seven standards, giving 105 plates for a 50 mm length. The large pore radius of 65 nm enables baseline resolution of proteins of 0.72, 1.048 and 1.236 MDa in less than 15 min. The short separation time of pCE is attributed to the absence of small pores that restrict protein migration in gels. The pCE separation is applied to the analysis of a stressed pharmaceutical‐grade IgG4 sample, giving unprecedented baseline resolution of monomer, dimer, trimer and tetramer in less than 10 min.
Electrochemical Decomposition of Wheat Straw Lignin into Guaiacyl‐, Syringyl‐, and Phenol‐Type Compounds Using Pb/PbO2 Anode and Alloyed Steel Cathode in Alkaline Solution
Authors: Chen Aolin , Wen Yeqian , Han Xiao , Qi Jian , Liu Zhi‐Hua , Zhang Songmei , Li Gang
Published: December 2018

An electrocatalytic method was applied to decompose unit structures of wheat straw lignin (WSL) through oxidation on Pb/PbO2 and reduction on alloyed materials cathode with different catalytic activity in alkaline solution. Six of guaiacyl‐type (G) compounds were chosen as target products for evaluating their properties and efficiencies of all selected cathodes in WSL decomposition. A series of alloyed materials were examined as catalysts for the electrocatalytic decomposition, thereinto, the selected catalysts were characterized and evaluated by a systematic study for hydrogenation of WSL in NaOH solution. The effects of reaction parameters, such as pH, current density, lignin concentration and temperature, on product yields were investigated. Gas chromatography (GC) monitored maximum yields of 1.134 and 1.248 g/kg‐lignin of guaiacol and acetovanillone using FeW9Cr4V5Co3 as cathode, 0.364, 3.797, and 1.147 g/kg‐lignin of 4‐ethylguaiacol, vanillin, and vanillyl acetone using 304 alloyed steel as cathode, 1.040 g/kg‐lignin of 4‐propyl guaiacol using FeW9Cr4Mo3V as cathode, respectively. Based on the maximum yield of guaiacyl‐type compounds, 304 alloyed steel gave the best results with respect of lignin decomposition at the optimum conditions. In addition, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) demonstrated that the average molecular weights (Mw) of the lignin decreased in the process of all reactions and the unit structures cut down from lignin were electro‐catalytically hydrogenated to guaiacyl‐, syringyl‐, and phenol‐type compounds. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13117, 2019
Evaluate the Performance of Fenton Process for the Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution: Experimental, Neural Network Modeling and Optimization
Authors: Mousavi Seyyed Alireza , Vasseghian Yasser , Bahadori Alireza
Published: December 2018

In this article, degradation of Methylene Blue by Fenton's oxidation process was investigated. The effect of, Fe2+ and H2O2 concentrations and reaction time in initial concentration of the dye = 10 mg/L, pH = 3 and lab temperature on the dye removal was studied. Also, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) was applied to model the dye removal data obtained by Fenton oxidation process. A network consisting of two layers of eight neurons in the hidden layer was considered. Very low root mean squared error (RMSE) of 1.262 and high determination of coefficient (R2) of 0.995 in the network calculation verified validity of the acquired network for further analysis and optimization. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 39:e13126, 2020
Estimation of Indoor Temperature for a Passive Solar Residential Building with an Attached Sunspace during the Heating Period
Authors: Vukadinović Ana V. , Radosavljević Jasmina M. , Djordjević Amelija V. , Bonić Dejan M.
Published: December 2018

The study presents the effects of the passive solar heating incorporated in an individual residential building located in Nis, brought about by the application of a passive solar system consisting of a sunspace and a thermo‐accumulative concrete wall thickness of 0.2 and 0.45 m. The building is not additionally heated by conventional fuels. A mathematical model was developed to investigate dynamic behavior of the thermo‐insulated building with attached sunspace and to investigate inner temperatures of the sunspace and of the room divided by thermo‐accumulative concrete partition wall with windows for direct collection of solar radiation. The diagrams are given for interior temperatures of the sunspace and of the room, taking into account the sunspace's various orientations: ψ = 0 ° (south‐orientated sunspace), ψ = +80° (east‐orientated sunspace), ψ = −80 °(west‐orientated sunspace). ψ stands for an angle that determines the position of the wall in relation to sunrays. The results shown in the study were derived using the mathematical model presented in the study. The highest room temperatures are achieved in the case of a thermo‐accumulative concrete wall with a thickness of 0.20 m for a south oriented building with sunspace (ψ = 0 °). This case requires the least additional heating by conventional fuels. The applied mathematical model can be used for the design and materialization of newly built buildings with attached sunspace. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13127, 2019
Transgenerational effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure on sheepshead minnows (Cyprinodon variegatus)
Authors: Jasperse Lindsay , Levin Milton , Rogers Kara , Perkins Christopher , Bosker Thijs , Griffitt Robert J. , Sepúlveda Maria S. , De Guise Sylvain
Published: December 2018

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill resulted in the release of over 640 million L of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico, affecting over 2000 km of shoreline, including estuaries that serve as important habitats and nurseries for aquatic species. Cyprinodon variegatus (sheepshead minnow) are small-bodied fish that inhabit northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries, are easily adaptable to laboratory conditions, and are commonly used in toxicological assessment studies. The purpose of the present study was to determine the somatic, reproductive, and developmental effects of an environmentally relevant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) mixture, the oil high-energy water accommodated fraction (HEWAF), on experimentally exposed sheepshead minnow (F0) as well as 2 generations of offspring (F1 and F2) without additional exposure. The F0 generation exposed to HEWAF had increased liver somatic indices, altered egg production, and decreased fertilization. Several developmental endpoints in the F1 were altered by F0 HEWAF exposure. As adults, low HEWAF-exposed F1 females demonstrated decreased weight and length. Both the F1 and F2 generations derived from high HEWAF-exposed F0 had deficits in prey capture compared to control F1 and F2, respectively. Correlations between endpoints and tissue PAHs provide evidence that the physiological effects observed were associated with hydrocarbon exposure. These data demonstrate that PAHs were capable of causing physiological changes in exposed adult sheepshead minnow and transgenerational effects in unexposed offspring, both of which could have population-level consequences. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:638–649. © 2018 SETAC
Prefrontal high gamma during a magnetoencephalographic working memory task
Authors: Carver Frederick W. , Rubinstein Dani Y. , Gerlich Alan H. , Fradkin Samantha I. , Holroyd Tom , Coppola Richard
Published: December 2018

In human electrophysiology research, the high gamma part of the power spectrum (~>60 Hz) is a relatively new area of investigation. Despite a low signal‐to‐noise ratio, evidence exists that it contains significant information about activity in local cortical networks. Here, using magnetoencephalography (MEG), we found high gamma activity when comparing data from an n‐back working memory task to resting data in a large sample of normal volunteers. Initial analysis of power spectra from 0‐back, 2‐back, and rest trials showed three frequency bands exhibiting task‐related differences: alpha, beta, and high gamma. Unlike alpha and beta, the high gamma spectrum was broad, without a peak at a single frequency. In addition, power in high gamma was highest for the 2‐back and lowest during rest, while the opposite pattern occurred in the other bands. Beamformer source localization of each of the three frequency bands revealed a distinct set of sources for high gamma. These included several regions of prefrontal cortex that exhibited greater power when both n‐back conditions were compared to rest. A subset of these regions had more power when the 2‐back was compared to 0‐back, which indicates a role in working memory performance. Our results show that high gamma will be important for understanding cortical processing during cognitive and other tasks. Furthermore, data from human intracortical recordings suggest that high gamma is the aggregate of spiking in local cortical networks, which implies that MEG could serve to bridge experimental modalities by noninvasively observing task‐related modulation of spiking rates.
Understanding hydrological processes in glacierized catchments: Evidence and implications of highly variable isotopic and electrical conductivity data
Authors: Zuecco Giulia , Carturan Luca , De Blasi Fabrizio , Seppi Roberto , Zanoner Thomas , Penna Daniele , Borga Marco , Carton Alberto , Dalla Fontana Giancarlo
Published: December 2018

The spatial and temporal characterization of geochemical tracers over Alpine glacierized catchments is particularly difficult, but fundamental to quantify groundwater, glacier melt, and rain water contribution to stream runoff. In this study, we analysed the spatial and temporal variability of δ2H and electrical conductivity (EC) in various water sources during three ablation seasons in an 8.4‐km2 glacierized catchment in the Italian Alps, in relation to snow cover and hydro‐meteorological conditions. Variations in the daily streamflow range due to melt‐induced runoff events were controlled by maximum daily air temperature and snow covered area in the catchment. Maximum daily streamflow decreased with increasing snow cover, and a threshold relation was found between maximum daily temperature and daily streamflow range. During melt‐induced runoff events, stream water EC decreased due to the contribution of glacier melt water to stream runoff. In this catchment, EC could be used to distinguish the contribution of subglacial flow (identified as an end member, enriched in EC) from glacier melt water to stream runoff, whereas spring water in the study area could not be considered as an end member. The isotopic composition of snow, glacier ice, and melt water was not significantly correlated with the sampling point elevation, and the spatial variability was more likely affected by postdepositional processes. The high spatial and temporal variability in the tracer signature of the end members (subglacial flow, rain water, glacier melt water, and residual winter snow), together with small daily variability in stream water δ2H dynamics, are problematic for the quantification of the contribution of the identified end members to stream runoff, and call for further research, possibly integrated with other natural or artificial tracers.
Responses of soil water dynamic processes and groundwater recharge to irrigation intensity and antecedent moisture in the vadose zone
Authors: Liu Xiuhua , Gao Wande , Sun Shijun , Hu Anyan , He Yi , He ShuaiShuai
Published: December 2018

In this study, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the soil water dynamics and water percolation through the deep vadose zone. A calibrated HYDRUS‐1D model was used to simulate the process of soil water movement and the water budget. Based on the measured volumetric soil water contents, the model was well calibrated and validated. Then, we conducted scenario analyses to determine the combined effects of irrigation amount (IA), antecedent soil moisture (AM), crop evapotranspiration, and deep percolation (DP) in an irrigation event. Four IAs (5, 10, 15, and 20 cm) and three AM conditions (AM‐1, AM‐2, and AM‐3) were controlled in the scenario analyses. The results indicate that according to the Se's (effective saturation) values status and the observed or simulated depth, there could be different conclusions on the influence of DP. Under different IAs in dry (AM‐1) and medium (AM‐2) AM status, DP changed slightly; it was 0.39 and 2.47 cm in AM‐1 and 0.40 and 2.48 cm in AM‐2 for the summer maize and winter wheat crop, respectively; the AM had a crucial contribution to DP. While under the condition of wet AM (AM‐3) or small observation depth, the water inputs could have a significant effect on DP. According to increasing irrigation intensity, the higher values of Se (>0.6) in the whole profile were only displayed between 70 and 300 cm at AM‐1, 70–500 cm at AM‐2, and 70‐below 600 cm at AM‐3, which were gradually extended and moved down with increasing AM. Hence, the IA significantly affected the water percolation at a depth of 200 cm, whereas there was a weak influence at 600 cm except in AM‐3. Furthermore, in the higher values of the Se (>0.65) domain, the correlation between IA and DP was an exponential function and significantly under P < 0.05. In addition, DP began to occur when the soil water content was equal to or greater than 0.75 times that of the field water capacity or the Se > 0.65. When the coarse silt layer became embedded in the silt clay soil profile, it lagged the process of water transport but did not affect permeability in the end.
Parameter sensitivity of automated baseflow separation for snowmelt‐dominated watersheds and new filtering procedure for determining end of snowmelt period
Authors: Voutchkova Denitza D. , Miller Scott N. , Gerow Kenneth G.
Published: December 2018

Automation in baseflow separation procedures allowed fast and convenient baseflow and baseflow index (BF and BFI) estimation for studies including multiple watersheds and covering large spatio‐temporal scales. While most of the existing algorithms are developed and tested extensively for rainfall‐ and baseflow‐dominated systems, little attention is paid on their suitability for snowmelt‐dominated systems. Current publishing practice in regional‐scale studies is to omit BF and BFI uncertainty evaluation or sensitivity analysis. Instead, “standard” and “previously recommended” parameterizations are transferred from rainfall/BF to snowmelt‐dominated systems. We believe that this practice should be abandoned. First, we demonstrate explicitly that the three most popular heuristic automated BF separation methods—Lyne–Hollick and Eckhardt recursive digital filters, and the U.K. Institute of Hydrology smoothed minima method—produce a wide range of annual BF and BFI estimates due to parameter sensitivity during the annual snowmelt period. Then, we propose a solution for cases when BF and BFI calibration is not possible, namely excluding the snowmelt‐dominated period from the analysis. We developed an automated filtering procedure, which divides the hydrograph into pre‐snowbelt, post‐snowmelt, and snowmelt periods. The filter was tested successfully on 218 continuous water years of daily streamflow data for four snowmelt‐dominated headwater watersheds located in Wyoming (60–837 km2). The post‐snowmelt BF and BFI metric can be used for characterizing summer low‐flows for snowmelt‐dominated systems. Our results show that post‐snowmelt BF and BFI sensitivity to filter parameterization is reduced compared with the sensitivity of annual BF and BFI and is similar to the sensitivity levels for rainfall/baseflow systems.
Improving the SWAT forest module for enhancing water resource projections: A case study in the St. Croix River basin
Authors: Yang Qichun , Zhang Xuesong , Almendinger James E. , Huang Maoyi , Leng Guoyong , Zhou Yuyu , Zhao Kaiguang , Asrar Ghassem R. , Li Xia , Qiu Jiali
Published: December 2018

Insufficiently calibrated forest parameters of the Soil & Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) may introduce uncertainties to water resource projections in forested watersheds. In this study, we improved SWAT forest parameterization and phosphorus cycling representations to better simulate forest ecosystems in the St. Croix River basin, and we further examined how those improvements affected model projections of streamflow, sediment, and nitrogen export under future climate conditions. Simulations with improved forest parameters substantially reduced model estimates of water, sediment, and nitrogen fluxes relative to those based on default parameters. Differences between improved and default projections can be attributed to the enhanced representation of forest water consumption, nutrient uptake, and protection of soil from erosion. Better representation of forest ecosystems in SWAT contributes to constraining uncertainties in water resource projections. Results of this study highlight the importance of improving SWAT forest ecosystem representations in projecting delivery of water, sediment, and nutrients from land to rivers in response to climate change, particularly for watersheds with large areas of forests. Improved forest parameters and the phosphorus weathering algorithms developed in this study are expected to help enhance future applications of SWAT to investigate hydrological and biogeochemical consequences of climate change.
Excess HPV‐related head and neck cancer in the world trade center health program general responder cohort
Authors: Graber Judith M. , Harris Gerald , Black Kathleen , Lucchini Roberto G. , Giuliano Anna R. , Dasaro Christopher R. , Shapiro Moshe , Steinberg Michael B. , Crane Michael A. , Moline Jacqueline M. , Harrison Denise J. , Luft Benjamin J. , Todd Andrew C. , Udasin Iris G.
Published: December 2018

The World Trade Center (WTC) attacks exposed rescue and recovery workers to a complex mix of toxicants, including carcinogens. our study compared site‐specific cancer incidence of head and neck cancers (HNC) from 2003 through 2012 among 33,809 consented WTC General Responder Cohort (GRC) members to the New Jersey State Cancer Registry, using standardized incidence ratios (SIRs). HNC grouped using SEER ICD‐O‐3 codes into HPV‐related (oropharyngeal) and non‐related (other oral‐nasal; laryngeal) tumors based on anatomical site. For the 73 GRC members identified with HNC, proportional hazard regression assessed the relationship between WTC exposure and other socio‐demographic characteristics. An overall excess of HNC was not observed (SIR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.78, 1.25) but excess cancer was seen in the latest observation period (2009–2012: SIR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.89). A similar temporal pattern was seen for HPV‐related oropharyngeal cancer and laryngeal cancer, but not for non‐HPV‐related sites (oral‐nasal cancer). HNC was significantly associated with increasing age (8% per year, 95% CI: 5%, 12%), non‐Hispanic white ethnic group‐ethnicity (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.51, 95 CI: 1.49, 8.27); there was a borderline association with the 9/11 occupation of military/protective services vs. others (HR = 1.83 95% CI: 0.99, 3.38; p = 0.0504). Caution is needed in interpreting these results given the small number of cases, potential for surveillance bias, and long latency for most cancers. Our findings highlight the need to examine the potentially carcinogenic effects of WTC exposure in the context of other strong risk factors, and the need for continued medical monitoring of WTC responders.
Loss of KDM6A characterizes a poor prognostic subtype of human pancreatic cancer and potentiates HDAC inhibitor lethality
Authors: Watanabe Shuichi , Shimada Shu , Akiyama Yoshimitsu , Ishikawa Yoshiya , Ogura Toshiro , Ogawa Kosuke , Ono Hiroaki , Mitsunori Yusuke , Ban Daisuke , Kudo Atsushi , Yamaoka Shoji , Tanabe Minoru , Tanaka Shinji
Published: December 2018

Although genomic analysis have recently discovered the malignant subtype of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) characterized by frequent mutations of histone demethylase KDM6A, the biological and molecular roles still remain obscure. We herein elucidated the clinical and biological impacts of KDM6A deficiency on human PDAC and identified the therapeutic potential by pathological and molecular evaluation. Immunohistochemical analysis suggested that loss of KDM6A in cancerous tissues was an independent prognostic factor for both recurrence‐free and overall survival in the 103 tumor specimens surgically resected from patients with PDAC. We established KDM6A knocked out cells by using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and KDM6A‐expressed cells by doxycycline‐inducible system from each two human PDAC cell lines, respectively. KDM6A knockout enhanced aggressive traits of human PDAC cell lines, whereas KDM6A overexpression suppressed them. Microarray analysis revealed reduced expression of 22 genes including five well‐known tumor suppressors, such as CDKN1A, and ChIP‐PCR analysis displayed depleted enrichment of histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) at the promoter regions of the five candidates. The epigenetic alterations were induced by the impaired recruitment of histone acetyltransferase p300, which cooperatively interacted with KDM6A. Consistent with these results, the KDM6A knockout cells demonstrated higher vulnerability to histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors through the reactivation of CDKN1A in vitro and in vivo than the KDM6A wild‐type. In conclusion, KDM6A exhibited essential roles in human PDAC as a tumor suppressor and KDM6A deficiency could be a promising biomarker for unfavorable outcome in PDAC patients and a potential surrogate marker for response to HDAC inhibitors.
Ionic Liquids in Biomass Processing
Authors: Amarasekara Ananda S.
Published: December 2018

The ionic liquids have emerged as new solvents and catalysts for processing biomass to value added chemicals and fuels. This review will present the recent developments in applications of ionic liquids in lignocellulosic biomass pretreatments, depolymerization, biodiesel synthesis, dehydration of carbohydrates to renewable feedstock chemicals as well as further transformations of biomass derived feedstocks such as furfural, 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural and levulinic acid to value added chemicals. In addition, the recycling of ionic liquids used in biomass processing is also discussed in the review.
Theoretical Aspects of Ionic Liquids for Soft‐Matter Sciences
Authors: Nakamura Issei , Shock Cameron J. , Eggart Lisa , Gao Tong
Published: December 2018

The thermodynamic and electrochemical properties of ionic liquids produce a broad spectrum of unconventional phenomena both microscopically and macroscopically. However, despite numerous theoretical and experimental studies, the fundamental roles of the relevant interactions such as electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding often remain unclear at the molecular level. The complexity of the molecular interactions typically increases when ionic liquids dissolve polymers or polar substances such as water. Accordingly, recent studies have revealed new features of ionic liquids. Further insights into the role of the molecular polarity of ionic liquids are required. This article presents an overview of the important phenomena of ionic liquids concerning soft‐matter sciences based on selected experimental and theoretical studies. We focus on the effect of the dielectric response of ionic liquids to distinguish ionic liquids from common inorganic salts, such as alkali metal halides.
DNA Mining and genealogical information systems: Not just for finding family ethnicity
Authors: O'Leary Daniel E.
Published: December 2018

The primary expected use of DNA and genealogy sites has been their ability to help users find their family, find their ethnicity and to help them connect with distant relatives. In so doing such sites help users to “learn more about themselves.” Such systems have also been proposed to have the broader goals of helping connect mankind and show people how their similarities are greater than their differences. However, the use of DNA and genealogy information recently turned away from just finding family connections, ethnicity and origins. Recently it was announced that the “Golden State Killer” had been caught using information generated from using DNA and consumer genealogical websites.

This paper investigates some of the questions and unanticipated consequences raised by this alternative use of these technologies and their impact on individuals, organizations and society. As part of that analysis we analyze some of the immediate consequences on the firm from which the DNA information was gathered, the new emerging approach used by law enforcement, some privacy concerns and provide a network game formulation as a means to model user behavior. Finally, we examine some potential emerging research issues.
An alternative approach to relapse analysis: Using Monte Carlo methods and proportional rates of response
Authors: Friedel Jonathan E. , Galizio Ann , Berry Meredith S. , Sweeney Mary M. , Odum Amy L.
Published: December 2018

Relapse is the recovery of a previously suppressed response. Animal models have been useful in examining the mechanisms underlying relapse (e.g., reinstatement, renewal, reacquisition, resurgence). However, there are several challenges to analyzing relapse data using traditional approaches. For example, null hypothesis significance testing is commonly used to determine whether relapse has occurred. However, this method requires several a priori assumptions about the data, as well as a large sample size for between‐subjects comparisons or repeated testing for within‐subjects comparisons. Monte Carlo methods may represent an improved analytic technique, because these methods require no prior assumptions, permit smaller sample sizes, and can be tailored to account for all of the data from an experiment instead of some limited set. In the present study, we conducted reanalyses of three studies of relapse (Berry, Sweeney, & Odum, ; Galizio et al., ; Odum & Shahan, ) using Monte Carlo techniques to determine if relapse occurred and if there were differences in rate of response based on relevant independent variables (such as group membership or schedule of reinforcement). These reanalyses supported the previous findings. Finally, we provide general recommendations for using Monte Carlo methods in studies of relapse.
Synthesis, Docking, and Bioavailability of 2′‐Oxo‐3‐phenylspiro[cyclopropane‐1,3′‐indoline]‐2,2‐dicarbonitriles as Antibacterial Agents In Silico
Authors: Avula Vijay Kumar Reddy , Chintha Venkata Ramaiah , Vallela Swetha , Anireddy Jaya Shree , Chamarthi Naga Raju , Wudayagiri Rajendra
Published: December 2018

An efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of N‐alkylated 2′‐oxo‐3‐phenylspiro[cyclopropane‐1,3′‐indoline]‐2,2‐dicarbonitrile from 3‐chloroindolin‐2‐one and 2‐benzylidenemalononitrile by using triethylamine as a base at room temperature and obtained the products in moderate to good yields. In extension, the scope of the reaction has been investigated by stepwise and one‐pot methods. Furthermore, in silico antibacterial activity was carried out in order to understand possible binding modes of novel derivatives with the active site of DNA gyrase A enzyme, and the results were well complemented. Additionally, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion properties of compounds have shown drug likeness with good oral absorption and moderate blood–brain barrier permeability.
Synthesis of 11C‐labeled ubiquinone and ubiquinol via Pd0‐mediated rapid C‐[11C]methylation using [11C]methyl iodide and 39‐demethyl‐39‐(pinacolboryl)ubiquinone
Authors: Goto Miki , Nishiyama Akira , Yamaguchi Takao , Watanabe Kyosuke , Fujii Kenji , Watanabe Yasuyoshi , Doi Hisashi
Published: December 2018

To enable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of the in vivo kinetics of ubiquinone and ubiquinol, which is referred to as coenzyme Q10, their 11C‐radiolabeled counterparts were synthesized herein. 11C‐Labeled ubiquinone [11C]‐1 was realized by Pd‐mediated rapid C‐[11C]methylation of [11C]CH3I with 39‐demethyl‐39‐(pinacolboryl)ubiquinone, prepared by Ru‐catalyzed olefin metathesis of unradiolabeled ubiquinone with 2‐(pinacolboryl)propene. Subsequent reduction of [11C]‐1 using Na2S2O4 yielded 11C‐labeled ubiquinol [11C]‐2. The synthesis time and [11C]CH3I‐based radiochemical yield of [11C]‐1 were within 36 minutes and up to 53%, while those of [11C]‐2 were within 38 minutes and up to 39%, respectively. After radiopharmaceutical formulation, the qualities of [11C]‐1 and [11C]‐2 were confirmed to be applicable for animal PET studies. The analytical values of [11C]‐1 and [11C]‐2 are as follows: radioactivity of up to 3.5 and 1.4 GBq, molar activity of 21 to 78 and 48 to 76 GBq/μmol, radiochemical purity of greater than 99% and greater than 95%, and chemical purity of greater than 99% and 77%, respectively. The concept behind this radiolabeling procedure is that unradiolabeled natural ubiquinone can be converted to 11C‐radiolabeled ubiquinone and ubiquinol via a pinacolborane‐substituted ubiquinone derivative. Each PET probe was used for molecular imaging using rats to investigate the in vivo kinetics and biodistribution of the coenzyme Q10.
Multicomponent structures in camouflage and mimicry in butterfly wing patterns
Authors: Suzuki Takao K. , Tomita Shuichiro , Sezutsu Hideki
Published: December 2018

Understanding how morphological structures are built is essential for appreciating the morphological complexity and divergence of organisms. One representative case of morphological structures is the camouflage and mimicry of butterfly wing patterns. Some previous studies have questioned whether camouflage and mimicry are truly structures, considering that they rely on coloration. Nevertheless, our recent study revealed that the leaf pattern ofKallima inachusbutterfly wings evolved through the combination of changes in several pigment components in a block‐wise manner; it remains unclear whether such block‐wise structures are common in other cases of camouflage and mimicry in butterflies and how they come about. Previous studies focused solely on a set of homologous components, termed the nymphalid ground plan. In the present study, we extended the scope of the description of components by including not only the nymphalid ground plan but also other common components (i.e., ripple patterns, dependent patterns, and color fields). This extension allowed us to analyze the combinatorial building logic of structures and examine multicomponent structures of camouflage and mimicry in butterfly wing patterns. We investigated various patterns of camouflage and mimicry (e.g., masquerade, crypsis, Müllerian mimicry, Batesian mimicry) in nine species and decomposed them into an assembly of multiple components. These structural component analyses suggested that camouflage and mimicry in butterfly wing patterns are built up by combining multiple types of components. We also investigated associations between components and the kinds of camouflage and mimicry. Several components are statistically more often used to produce specific types of camouflage or mimicry. Thus, our work provides empirical evidence that camouflage and mimicry patterns of butterfly wings are mosaic structures, opening up a new avenue of studying camouflage, and mimicry from a structural perspective.
Whole‐lesion ADC histogram analysis and the spondyloarthritis research consortium of canada (SPARCC) MRI index in evaluating the disease activity of ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Wang Fengxian , Chu Chen , Zhu Li , Zhao Cheng , Wei Yu , Chen Weibo , He Jian , Sun Lingyun , Zhou Zhengyang
Published: December 2018

Background

Conventional MRI is limited in quantitative evaluation of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) activity states. A comparison of the effectiveness of the whole‐lesion apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis with the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) MRI index in evaluating the disease activity of AS might aid in this assessment.

Purpose

To compare the effectiveness of the whole‐lesion ADC histogram analysis with the SPARCC MRI index in evaluating the disease activity states of AS.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

A total of 57 AS patients and 27 healthy matched volunteers were included.

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0T MR including a diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) sequence (b = 0, 1000 s/mm2).

Statistical Tests

One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Scheffe's post‐hoc was used to compare the parameters among different groups. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and the Spearman rank correlation were performed to test the diagnostic performance of all parameters in distinguishing different disease activity states and determining the correlations between them.

Assessment

AS disease activity states was evaluated according to the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS). Initial DWI images and corresponding ADC maps were imported into our in‐house software. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn in all slices and the relevant parameters were derived simultaneously. The SPARCC MRI index scores were counted artificially based on T2‐PDW‐SPAIR images.

Results

The ADCmean, ADC percentiles, and SPARCC MRI index of the active group were significantly higher than the inactive and control groups (all P < 0.001). The 90th percentile could differentiate the inactive from the control group and the low disease activity group from the inactive group (P = 0.011 and 0.006, respectively). The 50th percentile of the high disease activity group was significantly higher than the low group (P = 0.004), while the SPARCC MRI index of the very high disease activity group was higher than the high group (P < 0.001).

Data Conclusion

The whole‐volume ADC histogram analysis was superior to the SPARCC MRI index in assessing AS activity states.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:114–126.
A covalently cross‐linked microporous polymer based micro‐solid phase extraction for online analysis of trace pesticide residues in citrus fruits
Authors: Wei Tianfu , Li Gongke , Zhang Zhuomin
Published: December 2018

Covalently cross‐linked microporous polymers are a new class of highly cross‐linked porous network materials with large surface area and potential superiority in sample pretreatment. In this work, a covalently cross‐linked microporous polymer was well designed and synthesized by condensation of acylhydrazines in terephthalic dihydrazide with aldehyde groups in 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxaldehyde. The adsorption mechanism was explored and discussed based on π‐π stacking interaction and steric effect. Then, a covalently cross‐linked microporous polymer was employed as the adsorbent of online micro‐solid‐phase extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography for the enrichment and analysis of trace pesticide residues in citrus fruits. The method was successfully applied to the online analysis of sugar orange and Huangdigan samples with the detection limits of 0.10–0.30 μg/kg. It was satisfactory that chlorpifos and triazophos in real sugar orange and Huangdigan samples could be actually found and quantified at concentrations of 0.20 and 0.51 mg/kg, respectively. The recoveries of sugar orange and Huangdigan samples were in the range of 70.0–103 and 74.0–119% with relative standard deviations of 0.4–9.7 and 0.5–9.2% (n = 3), respectively. The proposed method was accurate, reliable, and convenient for the online simultaneous analysis of trace pesticide residues in citrus fruits.
Incorporation of metal‐organic framework amino‐modified MIL‐101 into glycidyl methacrylate monoliths for nano LC separation
Authors: Pérez‐Cejuela Héctor Martínez , Carrasco‐Correa Enrique Javier , Shahat Ahmed , Simó‐Alfonso Ernesto F. , Herrero‐Martínez José Manuel
Published: December 2018

Metal‐organic frameworks consisting of amino‐modified MIL‐101(M: Cr, Al, and Fe) crystals have been synthesized and subsequently incorporated to glycidyl methacrylate monoliths to develop novel stationary phases for nano‐liquid chromatography. Two incorporation approaches of these materials in monoliths were explored. The metal‐organic framework materials were firstly attached to the pore surface through reaction of epoxy groups present in the parent glycidyl methacrylate‐based monolith. Alternatively, NH2‐MIL‐101(M) were admixed in the polymerization mixture. Using short time UV‐initiated polymerization, monolithic beds with homogenously dispersed metal‐organic frameworks were obtained. The chromatographic performance of embedded UV‐initiated composites was demonstrated with separations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs as test solutes. In particular, the incorporation of the NH2‐MIL‐101(Al) into the organic polymer monoliths led to an increase in the retention of all the analytes compared to the parent monolith. The hybrid monolithic columns also exhibited satisfactory run‐to‐run and column‐to‐column reproducibility.
Diagnostic Performance of Multiparametric Transrectal Ultrasound in Localized Prostate Cancer: A Comparative Study With Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Zhang Mingbo , Tang Jie , Luo Yukun , Wang Yiru , Wu Meng , Memmott Benjamin , Gao Jing
Published: December 2018

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of multiparametric transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), including grayscale imaging, color Doppler imaging, shear wave elastography, and contrast‐enhanced ultrasound, to that of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including T2‐weighted, diffusion‐weighted, and dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI, in the diagnosis of localized prostate cancer (PCa; lesions at stage T2 or lower).

Methods

Seventy‐eight patients were prospectively enrolled, including 40 in a benign prostate group and 38 in a localized PCa group (≤T2). The diagnostic performance of multiparametric TRUS and multiparametric MRI in detecting localized PCa was analyzed with surgical and biopsy pathologic results as the references.

Results

Multiparametric TRUS had higher sensitivity, negative predictive value, and accuracy than multiparametric MRI (97.4% versus 94.7%, 96.9% versus 92.3%, and 87.2% versus 76.9%, respectively) for detecting localized PCa. The mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ± SD for multiparametric TRUS was 0.874 ± 0.043 (95% confidence interval, 0.790–0.959), and it was 0.774 ± 0.055 (95% confidence interval, 0.666–0.881) for multiparametric MRI.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that multiparametric TRUS has high diagnostic performance in the diagnosis of localized PCa. Multiparametric TRUS is compatible with multiparametric MRI in the detection of localized PCa (≤T2).
Rates of sialoendoscopy and sialoadenectomy in 5,111 adults with private insurance
Authors: Vila Peter M. , Olsen Margaret A. , Piccirillo Jay F. , Ogden M. Allison
Published: December 2018

Objective

To determine frequencies and trends in sialoendoscopy and sialoadenectomy for the treatment of obstructive, nonneoplastic submandibular gland disease in the United States.

Methods

Epidemiologic study of insurance claims from 2006 to 2013 in a large, private insurance claims database. Rates were calculated for patients undergoing one or both index procedures.

Results

A total of 5,111 adults with sialadenitis who underwent sialoendoscopy or submandibular gland excision were included. Mean age was 47.6 years, and patients undergoing sialoendoscopy were less likely to be male (relative risk [RR] = 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78–0.89), more likely to have sialoadenitis without stones (RR = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.53–1.66), and had a similar number of comorbidities (RR = 1.00; 95% CI, 0.91–1.06) compared to patients undergoing sialoadenectomy. The most common complication after sialoadenectomy was surgical site infection (1.4%; 95% CI, 1.1–1.8%), and complications after sialoendoscopy were rare. From 2007 to 2013, use of sialoendoscopy increased from 0.13 (95% CI, 0.08–0.18) to 0.42 (95% CI, 0.40–0.45) per 100 thousand people, and sialoadenectomy decreased from 2.41 (95% CI, 2.39–2.42) to 1.43 (95% CI, 1.40–1.44) per 100 thousand. The highest mean rate of sialadenectomy was seen in the south (2.15 per 100,000; 95% CI, 2.13–2.16), the lowest was in the west (1.6 per 100,000; 95% CI, 1.57–1.62), and it decreased in all regions over time.

Conclusion

Utilization of sialoendoscopy has increased over time, and the overall rate of sialoadenectomy is decreasing. Both procedures are safe for treatment of patients with sialadenitis and sialolithiasis. Future research should examine whether availability of sialoendoscopy leads to a decreased rate of sialoadenectomy in patients with salivary gland disease.

Level of Evidence

2c Laryngoscope, 129:602–606, 2019