bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvement of mimetic peroxidase activity of gold nanoclusters on the luminol chemiluminescence reaction by surface modification with ethanediamine
Authors: Han Lu , Li Ying , Fan Aiping
Published: March 2018

Peroxidase is a commonly used catalyst in luminol–H2O2 chemiluminescence (CL) reactions. Natural peroxidase has a sophisticated separation process, short shelf life and unstable activity, therefore it is important to develop peroxidases that have both high catalytic activity and good stability as alternatives to the natural enzyme. Gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) are an alternative peroxidase with catalytic activity in the luminol–H2O2 CL reaction. In the present study, ethanediamine was modified on the surface of Au NCs forming cationic Au NCs. The zeta potential of the cationic Au NCs maintained its positive charge when the pH of the solution was between 4 and 9. The cationic Au NCs showed higher catalytic activity in the luminol–H2O2 CL reaction than did unmodified Au NCs. A mechanism study showed that the better performance of cationic Au NCs may be attributed to the generation of 1O2 on the surface of cationic Au NCs and a positive surface charge, for better affinity to luminol. Cationic Au NC, acting as a peroxidase mimic, has much better stability than horseradish peroxidase over a wide range of temperatures. We believe that cationic Au NCs may be useful as an artificial peroxidase for a wide range of potential applications in CL and bioanalysis.
Impact of Cavitation, High Shear Stress and Air/Liquid Interfaces on Protein Aggregation
Authors: Duerkop Mark , Berger Eva , Dürauer Astrid , Jungbauer Alois
Published: March 2018

The reported impact of shear stress on protein aggregation has been contradictory. At high shear rates, the occurrence of cavitation or entrapment of air is reasonable and their effects possibly misattributed to shear stress. Nine different proteins (α‐lactalbumin, two antibodies, fibroblast growth factor 2, granulocyte colony stimulating factor [GCSF], green fluorescence protein [GFP], hemoglobin, human serum albumin, and lysozyme) are tested for their aggregation behavior on vapor/liquid interfaces generated by cavitation and compared it to the isolated effects of high shear stress and air/liquid interfaces generated by foaming. Cavitation induced the aggregation of GCSF by +68.9%, hemoglobin +4%, and human serum albumin +2.9%, compared to a control, whereas the other proteins do not aggregate. The protein aggregation behaviors of the different proteins at air/liquid interfaces are similar to cavitation, but the effect is more pronounced. Air‐liquid interface induced the aggregation of GCSF by +94.5%, hemoglobin +35.5%, and human serum albumin (HSA) +31.1%. The results indicate that the sensitivity of a certain protein toward cavitation is very similar to air/liquid‐induced aggregation. Hence, hydroxyl radicals cannot be seen as the driving force for protein aggregation when cavitation occurs. Further, high shear rates of up to 108 s−1 do not affect any of the tested proteins. Therefore, also within this study generated extremely high isolated shear rates cannot be considered to harm structural integrity when processing proteins.
Rational modification of Corynebacterium glutamicum dihydrodipicolinate reductase to switch the nucleotide‐cofactor specificity for increasing l‐lysine production
Authors: Xu Jian‐Zhong , Yang Han‐Kun , Liu Li‐Ming , Wang Ying‐Yu , Zhang Wei‐Guo
Published: March 2018

l‐lysine is an important amino acid in animals and humans and NADPH is a vital cofactor for maximizing the efficiency of l‐lysine fermentation. Dihydrodipicolinate reductase (DHDPR), an NAD(P)H‐dependent enzyme, shows a variance in nucleotide‐cofactor affinity in bacteria. In this study, we rationally engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum DHDPR (CgDHDPR) to switch its nucleotide‐cofactor specificity resulting in an increase in final titer (from 82.6 to 117.3 g L−1), carbon yield (from 0.35 to 0.44 g [g glucose]−1) and productivity (from 2.07 to 2.93 g L−1 hr−1) of l‐lysine in JL‐6 ΔdapB::Ec‐dapBC115G,G116C in fed‐batch fermentation. To do this, we comparatively analyzed the characteristics of CgDHDPR and Escherichia coli DHDPR (EcDHDPR), indicating that hetero‐expression of NADH‐dependent EcDHDPR increased l‐lysine production. Subsequently, we rationally modified the conserved structure of cofactor‐binding motif, and results indicated that introducing the mutation K11A or R13A in CgDHDPR and introducing the mutation R16A or R39A in EcDHDPR modifies the nucleotide‐cofactor affinity of DHDPR. Lastly, the effects of these mutated DHDPRs on l‐lysine production were investigated. The highest increase (26.2%) in l‐lysine production was observed for JL‐6 ΔdapB::Ec‐dapBC115G,G116C, followed by JL‐6 Cg‐dapBC37G,G38C (21.4%) and JL‐6 ΔdapB::Ec‐dapBC46G,G47C (15.2%). This is the first report of a rational modification of DHDPR that enhances the l‐lysine production and yield through the modulation of nucleotide‐cofactor specificity.
Direct solid‐state evidence of H2‐induced partial U(VI) reduction concomitant with adsorption by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)
Authors: Li Ang , Zhou Chen , Liu Zhuolin , Xu Xiaoyin , Zhou Yun , Zhou Dandan , Tang Youneng , Ma Fang , Rittmann Bruce E.
Published: March 2018

Adsorption of hexavalent uranium (U(VI)) by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) has been studied, but the possibility of simultaneous U(VI) reduction mediated by EPS has not had experimental confirmation, as the reduction products have not yet been directly proven. Here, we reported the first direct evidence of lower‐valent products of U(VI) immobilization by loosely associated EPS (laEPS) isolated from a fermenter strain of Klebsiella sp. J1 when the laEPS was exposed to H2. During the 120‐min tests for similarly 86% adsorption under O2, N2, and H2, 8% more U was immobilized through a non‐adsorptive pathway by the EPS for H2 than for N2 and O2. A set of solid‐state characterization tools (FT‐IR, XPS, EELS, and TEM‐EDX) confirmed partial reduction of U(VI) to lower‐valence U, with the main reduced form being uraninite (UIVO2) nanoparticles, and the results reinforced the role of the reduction in accelerating U immobilization and shaping the characteristics of immobilized U in terms of valency, size, and crystallization. The laEPS, mostly comprised of carbohydrate and protein, contained non‐cytochrome enzymes and electron carriers that could be responsible for electron transfer to U(VI). Taken together, our results directly confirm that EPS was able to mediate partial U(VI) reduction in the presence of H2 through non‐cytochrome catalysis and that reduction enhanced overall U immobilization. Our study fills in some gaps of the microbe‐mediated U cycle and will be useful to understand and control U removal in engineered reactors and in‐situ bioremediation.
Parallel fabrication of macroporous scaffolds
Authors: Dobos Andrew , Grandhi Taraka Sai Pavan , Godeshala Sudhakar , Meldrum Deirdre R. , Rege Kaushal
Published: March 2018

Scaffolds generated from naturally occurring and synthetic polymers have been investigated in several applications because of their biocompatibility and tunable chemo‐mechanical properties. Existing methods for generation of 3D polymeric scaffolds typically cannot be parallelized, suffer from low throughputs, and do not allow for quick and easy removal of the fragile structures that are formed. Current molds used in hydrogel and scaffold fabrication using solvent casting and porogen leaching are often single‐use and do not facilitate 3D scaffold formation in parallel. Here, we describe a simple device and related approaches for the parallel fabrication of macroporous scaffolds. This approach was employed for the generation of macroporous and non‐macroporous materials in parallel, in higher throughput and allowed for easy retrieval of these 3D scaffolds once formed. In addition, macroporous scaffolds with interconnected as well as non‐interconnected pores were generated, and the versatility of this approach was employed for the generation of 3D scaffolds from diverse materials including an aminoglycoside‐derived cationic hydrogel (“Amikagel”), poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) or PLGA, and collagen. Macroporous scaffolds generated using the device were investigated for plasmid DNA binding and cell loading, indicating the use of this approach for developing materials for different applications in biotechnology. Our results demonstrate that the device‐based approach is a simple technology for generating scaffolds in parallel, which can enhance the toolbox of current fabrication techniques.
Improved squalene production through increasing lipid contents in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Wei Liu‐Jing , Kwak Suryang , Liu Jing‐Jing , Lane Stephan , Hua Qiang , Kweon Dae‐Hyuk , Jin Yong‐Su
Published: March 2018

Squalene, a valuable acyclic triterpene, can be used as a chemical commodity for pharmacology, flavor, and biofuel industries. Microbial production of squalene has been of great interest due to its limited availability, and increasing prices extracted from animal and plant tissues. Here we report genetic perturbations that synergistically improve squalene production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. As reported previously, overexpression of a truncated HMG‐CoA reductase 1 (tHMG1) led to the accumulation 20‐fold higher squalene than a parental strain. In order to further increase squalene accumulation in the tHMG1 overexpressing yeast, we introduced genetic perturbations—known to increase lipid contents in yeast—to enhance squalene accumulation as lipid body is a potential storage of squalene. Specifically, DGA1 coding for diacylglycerol acyltranferase was overexpressed to enhance lipid biosynthesis, and POX1 and PXA2 coding for acyl‐CoA oxidase and a subunit of peroxisomal ABC transporter were deleted to reduce lipid β‐oxidation. Simultaneous overexpression of tHMG1 and DGA1 coding for rate‐limiting enzymes in the mevalonate and lipid biosynthesis pathways led to over 250‐fold higher squalene accumulation than a control strain. However, deletion of POX1 and PXA2 in the tHMG1 overexpressing yeast did not improve squalene accumulation additionally. Fed‐batch fermentation of the tHMG1 and DGA1 co‐overexpressing yeast strain resulted in the production of squalene at a titer of 445.6 mg/L in a nitrogen‐limited minimal medium. This report demonstrates that increasing storage capacity for hydrophobic compounds can enhance squalene production, suggesting that increasing lipid content is an effective strategy to overproduce a hydrophobic molecule in yeast.
Validated LC–MS/MS method for the quantification of sciadopitysin in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies in vivo
Authors: Yang Shenbao , Qu Ruiying , Zhu Zhe , Li Wei , Zhao Chengliang , Li Liantai
Published: March 2018

A sensitive and rapid LC–MS/MS method was developed and validated for quantitation of sciadopitysin in rat plasma using amentoflavone as an internal standard. Sample processing was accomplished after deproteinization with 150 μL aliquot of acetonitrile. Chromatographic separation was achieved using an Agela C18 column with an isocratic mobile phase comprising 2 mm ammonium acetate–acetonitrile (35:65, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Detection was performed by selection reaction monitoring on a triple‐quadrupole mass spectrometer following the transitions m/z 579 → 547 and 537 → 375 for sciadopitysin and internal standard, respectively, in the negative ionization mode. The calibration curve was linear from 2.90 to 1160 ng/mL for sciadopitysin. Intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were in the ranges 4.1–11.4 and 5.7–9.1% for sciadopitysin. Sciadopitysin was stable under different stability conditions. The validated assay was applied to pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies in rats.
Simultaneous determination of twelve polar pteridines including dihydro‐ and tetrahydropteridine in human urine by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Xiong Xin , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhang Wenjing
Published: March 2018

Pteridines and their derivatives are important cofactors in the process of cell metabolism, and the level of urinary excretion of these compounds is considered as an important clinical criterion. In this work, a new separation method involving hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) with tandem mass spectrometric detection has been developed for the simultaneous analysis of 12 pteridines including oxidized, di‐ and tetrahydroforms, namely neopterin, 7,8‐dihydroneopterin, biopterin, 7,8‐dihydrobiopterin, 5,6,7,8‐tetrahydrobiopterin, dimethylpterin, dimethyltetrahydropterin, pterin, isoxanthopterin, xanthopterin, sepiapterin and pterin‐6‐carboxylic acid, in human urine without oxidative pretreatments. The stabilizing agent (dithiothreitol) at various concentrations and the stability of oxidized, di‐ and tetrahydroforms during the sample's short‐term storage and processing and of the extracts were tested. In the developed method, 12 pteridines were chromatographically separated on an ZIC‐HILIC column by gradient elution, and the run time was 20 min. Matrix effect was evaluated and several dilutions of urine were tested in order to study the evolution of signal suppression. Spiked recovery studies demonstrated that the technique was both accurate (83.1–116.7%) and precise (RSD 1.4–15.6%). Finally, several clinical urine specimens without oxidative pretreatments were examined with the new technique and compared with previous reports.
A simple and selective LC‐MS/MS method for quantification of ikarisoside A in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Cong Yue , Wang Rui , Zhang Chen , Lin Hai
Published: March 2018

Ikarisoside A is a natural flavonoid isolated from Epimedium plants. To further evaluate its medicinal potential, a sensitive and robust LC–MS/MS method was developed and validated for the assay of ikarisoside A in rat plasma. Orientin was used as an internal standard. The electrospray ionization was operated in its negative ion mode while ikarisoside A and IS were measured by selected reaction monitoring using precursor‐to‐product ion transitions of m/z 499.1 → 353.0 and m/z 446.9 → 327.6, respectively. This LC–MS/MS method had good sensitivity (LLOQ = 1.5 ng/mL), accuracy (both intra‐ and inter‐day RE ≤ ±11.9%) and precision (both intra‐ and inter‐day RSD ≤8.5%). The pharmacokinetics of ikarisoside A was subsequently profiled in Sprague–Dawley rats. Following oral administration (35 mg/kg), ikarisoside A reached maximum plasma concentration (Cmax, 207.6 ± 96.7 ng/mL) attained at 1.10 ± 0.42 h. Following oral administration, the clearance and terminal half‐life were 42.9 ± 26.5 L/h/kg and 3.15 ± 0.80 h by oral route, respectively.
A robust LC–MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of docetaxel and voriconazole in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic studies
Authors: Pei Xuexue , Li Peijin , Jiang Wenjiao , Sun Yilin , Lu Li , Ding Fei , Wang Guangji , Hao Kun
Published: March 2018

Opportunistic fungal infections are common in immunocompromised cancer patients, especially patients undergoing chemotherapy. Because antitumor agents are possible to combine with antifungal agents in clinical, it is necessary to study drug–drug interaction between antitumor agents and antifungal agents. The aim of the study was to explore a method for the simultaneous determination of voriconazole and docetaxel in plasma and investigate pharmacokinetic interaction of voriconazole and docetaxel in rats. A precise and reliable method using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) was established for the simultaneous measure of docetaxel and voriconazole in rat plasma after liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. The method was fully validated and successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic interaction study of docetaxel and voriconazole in rats after single or combined administration. We found that the AUC of each drug after coadministration increased compared with that after the single administration, which might be caused by interaction at the absorption stage or the competitive inhibition on the metabolic enzymes. This established method can be utilized to study the detailed mechanism of the drug–drug interaction and guide rational drug use in the clinic.
An LC–MS/MS method for quantification of demethylzeylasteral, a novel immunosuppressive agent in rat plasma and the application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Yang Luoluo , Xia Yan , An Lianhua , Zhou Dan
Published: March 2018

In this study, a sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of demethylzeylasteral in rat plasma. Electrospray ionization was operated in the negative ion mode while demethylzeylasteral and oleanolic acid (internal standard) were measured by selected reaction monitoring (demethylzeylasteral: m/z 479.2 → 436.0; oleanolic acid: m/z 454.9 → 407.2). This LC–MS/MS method had good selectivity, sensitivity, accuracy and precision. The pharmacokinetic profiles of demethylzeylasteral were subsequently examined in Wistar rats after oral or intravenous administration.
Fingolimod promotes blood–nerve barrier properties in vitro
Authors: Nishihara Hideaki , Maeda Toshihiko , Sano Yasuteru , Ueno Maho , Okamoto Nana , Takeshita Yukio , Shimizu Fumitaka , Koga Michiaki , Kanda Takashi
Published: March 2018

Objective

The main effect of fingolimod is thought to be functional antagonism of lymphocytic S1P1 receptors and the prevention of lymphocyte egress from lymphoid tissues, thereby reducing lymphocyte infiltration into the nervous system. However, a growing number of reports suggest that fingolimod also has a direct effect on several cell types in the nervous system. Although we previously reported that fingolimod enhances blood–brain barrier (BBB) functions, there have been no investigations regarding the blood–nerve barrier (BNB). In this study, we examine how fingolimod affects the BNB.

Methods

An immortalized human peripheral nerve microvascular endothelial cell line (HPnMEC) was used to evaluate BNB barrier properties. We examined tight junction proteins and barrier functions of HPnMECs in conditioned medium with or without fingolimod‐phosphate and blood sera from patients with typical chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

Results

Incubation with fingolimod‐phosphate increased levels of claudin‐5 mRNA and protein as well as TEER values in HPnMECs. Conversely, typical CIDP sera decreased claudin‐5 mRNA/protein levels and TEER values in HPnMECs; however, pretreatment with fingolimod‐phosphate inhibited the effects of the typical CIDP sera.

Conclusions

Fingolimod‐phosphate directly modifies the BNB and enhances barrier properties. This mechanism may be a viable therapeutic target for CIDP, and fingolimod may be useful in patients with typical CIDP who have severe barrier disruption.
High expression of the HMGB1–TLR4 axis and its downstream signaling factors in patients with Parkinson's disease and the relationship of pathological staging
Authors: Yang Yi , Han Chenyang , Guo Li , Guan Qiaobin
Published: March 2018

Objective

To detect the expression of high‐mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) and toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) and their downstream signaling factors—myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α)—in the sera of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) in order to evaluate the relationship of the HMGB1–TLR4 axis with PD development and progression.

Methods

The serum HMGB1 and TLR4 protein levels of 120 patients with PD and 100 healthy volunteers were measured using double‐antibody sandwich ELISA, and their correlations with PD staging, disease duration, drug treatment effectiveness, and clinical classification were analyzed. In addition, their correlations with the key downstream factors of the HMGB1–TLR4 axis (MyD88, NF‐κB, and TNF‐α) were analyzed.

Results

HMGB1 and TLR4 expressions were higher in the peripheral blood of patients with PD than in healthy volunteers. PD patients with poor drug treatment outcomes had significantly higher HMGB1 and TLR4 expressions than PD patients with stable drug treatment outcomes. Higher HMGB1 and TLR4 expressions were found in patients at higher PD stages, and patients with >4‐year disease duration had significantly higher HMGB1 and TLR4 expressions than patients with <4‐year disease duration. No significant difference in HMGB1 and TLR4 expressions was found among patients with tremor‐dominant, akinetic‐rigid, and mixed subtypes of PD. NF‐κB and TNF‐α expressions were positively correlated with high expression of the HMGB1–TLR4 axis.

Conclusion

High expression of the HMGB1–TLR4 axis is closely associated with PD development, progression, drug treatment effectiveness, staging, and disease duration and has great significance for PD diagnosis and treatment.
Environmental, social and governance transparency and firm value
Authors: Yu Ellen Pei‐yi , Guo Christine Qian , Luu Bac Van
Published: March 2018

We investigate whether environmental, social and governance (ESG) transparency, the extent of ESG disclosure, has an impact on firm value. Reducing investors’ information symmetry and agency costs is the mechanism by which better ESG transparency potentially impacts firm value. Using Bloomberg ESG disclosure scores to assess a firm's ESG transparency, we look at a sample of 1996 large cap companies across 47 developed and emerging countries and territories. Our empirical analyses suggest that the benefits from ESG disclosure outweigh their costs for the average listed firm. We find supporting evidence for greater disclosure of ESG issues boosting firm valuation measures, such as Tobin's Q. Furthermore, our results suggest that firms with greater asset size, better liquidity, higher R&D intensity, fewer insider holdings and good past financial performance will be more transparent in ESG issues.
Brain‐themed self‐help and the healthcare provider in the United States
Authors: Gunter Tracy D.
Published: March 2018

People commonly use the Internet to search for health information and tend to use the information they find without regard to source or credibility. Although regulation plays some role in minimizing false claims made by manufacturers of self‐help products, effective communication with health professionals likely offers greater protection to the patient or consumer accessing self‐help materials. In order to best serve patients (or healthcare consumers), providers should educate them about their healthcare needs, inquire about self‐help product use, understand appropriate use, discuss the risks and benefits of use, monitor the patients' condition during use, and document these conversations. Although some people fear that patient use of brain‐themed self‐help will undermine the doctor–patient relationship, it is more likely to open another avenue of communication if providers are knowledgeable about self‐help products. Given the rise in importance of the Internet as a source of information for people, opting out of these discussions is realistically not an option.
Using the Internet for collateral information in forensic mental health evaluations
Authors: Pirelli Gianni , Hartigan Sara , Zapf Patricia A.
Published: March 2018

There is a burgeoning literature regarding using Internet‐based data in employment, university admissions, and healthcare settings, but such pertaining to forensic mental health assessment (FMHA) contexts is only beginning to develop and professional ethics codes have yet to address these issues in depth. We present the first empirical investigation of mental health and related professionals’ (n = 139) attitudes and practices regarding using Internet data in forensic and therapeutic contexts. Respondents reported their experiences and levels of agreement with items measuring beliefs and attitudes toward using Internet‐based data in various professional situations (e.g., 23% have searched the Internet for information about a therapy client, 39% for a forensic examinee, and only 26% opposed the practice for forensic evaluators). They also reported high levels of collective agreement, including feeling that there is a lack of guidance available from professional resources regarding Internet‐related issues. Implications for forensic practice and research are presented.
The fasciacytes: A new cell devoted to fascial gliding regulation
Authors: Stecco Carla , Fede Caterina , Macchi Veronica , Porzionato Andrea , Petrelli Lucia , Biz Carlo , Stern Robert , De Caro Raffaele
Published: March 2018

Hyaluronan occurs between deep fascia and muscle, facilitating gliding between these two structures, and also within the loose connective tissue of the fascia, guaranteeing the smooth sliding of adjacent fibrous fascial layers. It also promotes the functions of the deep fascia. In this study a new class of cells in fasciae is identified, which we have termed fasciacytes, devoted to producing the hyaluronan‐rich extracellular matrix. Synthesis of the hyaluronan‐rich matrix by these new cells was demonstrated by Alcian Blue staining, anti‐HABP (hyaluronic acid binding protein) immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy. Expression of HAS2 (hyaluronan synthase 2) mRNA by these cells was detected and quantified using real time RT‐PCR. This new cell type has some features similar to fibroblasts: they are positive for the fibroblast marker vimentin and negative for CD68, a marker for the monocyte‐macrophage lineage. However, they have morphological features distinct from classical fibroblasts and they express the marker for chondroid metaplasia, S‐100A4. The authors suggest that these cells represent a new cell type devoted to the production of hyaluronan. Since hyaluronan is essential for fascial gliding, regulation of these cells could affect the functions of fasciae so they could be implicated in myofascial pain. Clin. Anat. 31:667–676, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lumbosacral plexus root thickening: Establishing normal root dimensions using magnetic resonance neurography
Authors: Chaves Hernán , Bendersky Mariana , Goñi Romina , Gómez César , Carnevale Martín , Cejas Claudia
Published: March 2018

Disorders affecting the lumbosacral plexus (LSP) can alter root diameter. Our aim was to determine normal LSP nerve root dimensions using magnetic resonance neurography (MRN). Eleven asymptomatic patients (ages: 18–53, mean: 34 years) underwent MRN of the LSP on a 3 T scanner with an 8‐channel torso‐PA coil. IDEAL T2‐weighted images were acquired and nerve root dimensions were measured from the second lumbar (L2) to the first sacral (S1) vertebrae on the coronal plane, 5 mm from the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Root size was recorded by three separate groups of radiologists with different levels of expertise. Additional LSP‐MRN images were acquired from a fresh‐frozen cadaver specimen using the same scanner and parameters identical to those described above. Subsequently, two experienced anatomists dissected and measured the LSP roots at exactly the same distance from the DRG, using an electronic caliper. Mean root size values recorded (± standard deviation) in the asymptomatic patients were as follows: L2: 3.12 mm (±0.92), L3: 4.29 mm (±0.95), L4: 5.13 mm (±0.79), L5: 5.29 mm (±0.9), and S1: 5.38 mm (±0.7). The correlation coefficients were 0.72 between the patient and cadaver MRN results and 0.79 between the patient and dissected cadaver MRN results. Inter‐observer agreements were 0.73 among the radiologist groups and 0.87 between the anatomists conducting dissections. We believe MRN provides reliable assessments of LSP root thickness. More extensive studies should be conducted to confirm the results described here. Clin. Anat. 31:782–787, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association between cervical lordotic curvature and cervical muscle cross‐sectional area in patients with loss of cervical lordosis
Authors: Yoon Seo Yeon , Moon Hyun Im , Lee Sang Chul , Eun Na Lae , Kim Yong Wook
Published: March 2018

Disruption of the cervical lordotic curve can cause undesirable symptoms such as neck pain, and cord compression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanics of loss of cervical lordosis by measuring the cross‐sectional area (CSA) of the cervical muscles using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to determine the relationship between cervical lordosis angle and cervical muscle status. The cervical lordosis angle was measured on standing lateral plain radiography using the posterior tangent technique in patients who complained of neck pain. The CSAs of the cervical flexor muscles including the longus cervicis and longus capitis, the cervical extensor muscles including the splenius capitis and semispinalis capitis, and the sternocleidomastoid muscle, were measured at the maximum levels by axial T1‐weighted MRI. We compared neck muscle CSAs between the two groups, the correlation with cervical lordosis angle, and muscle status including CSA and imbalance. The CSA of the semispinalis capitis was significantly lower in the loss of cervical lordosis group, and the ratio of cervical flexor to extensor was significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05). Partial correlation analysis revealed that the cervical lordotic angle was significantly positively correlated with the ratio of flexor to extensor muscle CSAs (P < 0.05). There is a significant relationship between cervical muscle imbalance, including extensor muscle weakness, and loss of cervical lordosis. An exercise program focusing on cervical extensor muscle strengthening and restoring the balance of flexor and extensor muscles is recommended for patients with loss of cervical lordosis. Clin. Anat. 31:710–715, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Android smartphones network implementation in the absence of internet
Authors: El‐Bayaa Ahmed S. , Khedr Mohamed E. , Aly Moustafa H.
Published: March 2018

In this paper, Mobile Delay Tolerant Network service is implemented in Android application that allows the use of smartphones for broadcasting messages to nearby smartphones without Internet. A simple experiment is carried out with simple facilities and one type of routing protocols. This is implemented with only one router and eleven smartphones.
Germline MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6 variants in Brazilian patients with colorectal cancer and clinical features suggestive of Lynch Syndrome
Authors: Schneider Nayê Balzan , Pastor Tatiane , Paula André Escremim de , Achatz Maria Isabel , Santos Ândrea Ribeiro dos , Vianna Fernanda Sales Luiz , Rosset Clévia , Pinheiro Manuela , Ashton‐Prolla Patricia , Moreira Miguel Ângelo Martins , Palmero Edenir Inêz ,   Brazilian Lynch Syndrome Study Group
Published: March 2018

Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome, caused by germline mutations in one of the major genes involved in mismatch repair (MMR): MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and more rarely, PMS2. Recently, germline deletions in EPCAM have been also associated to the syndrome. Most of the pathogenic MMR mutations found in LS families occur in MLH1 or MSH2. Gene variants include missense, nonsense, frameshift mutations, large genomic rearrangements and splice‐site variants and most of the studies reporting the molecular characterization of LS families have been conducted outside South America. In this study, we analyzed 60 unrelated probands diagnosed with colorectal cancer and LS criteria. Testing for germline mutations and/or rearrangements in the most commonly affected MMR genes (MLH1, MSH2, EPCAM and MSH6) was done by Sanger sequencing and MLPA. Pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were identified in MLH1 or MSH2 in 21 probands (35.0%). Of these, approximately one‐third were gene rearrangements. In addition, nine variants of uncertain significance (VUS) were identified in 10 (16.6%) of the sixty probands analyzed. Other four novel variants were identified, only in MLH1. Our results suggest that MSH6 pathogenic variants are not common among Brazilian LS probands diagnosed with CRC and that MMR gene rearrangements account for a significant proportion of the germline variants in this population underscoring the need to include rearrangement analysis in the molecular testing of Brazilian individuals with suspected Lynch syndrome.
The influence of insurance type on stage at presentation, treatment, and survival between Asian American and non‐Hispanic White lung cancer patients
Authors: Tantraworasin Apichat , Taioli Emanuela , Liu Bian , Flores Raja M. , Kaufman Andrew J.
Published: March 2018

The effect of insurance type on lung cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survival in Asian patients living in the United States is still under debate. We have analyzed this issue using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. There were 102,733 lung cancer patients age 18–64 years diagnosed between 2007 and 2013. Multilevel regression analysis was performed to identify the association between insurance types, stage at diagnosis, treatment modalities, and overall mortality in Asian and non‐Hispanic White (NHW) patients. Clinical characteristics were significantly different between Asian and NHW patients, except for gender. Asian patients were more likely to present with advanced disease than NHW patients (ORadj = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.06–1.19). Asian patients with non‐Medicaid insurance underwent lobectomy more than NHW patients with Medicaid or uninsured; were more likely to undergo mediastinal lymph node evaluation (MLNE) (ORadj = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.72–2.28) and cancer‐directed surgery and/or radiation therapy (ORadj = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.20–1.65). Asian patients with non‐Medicaid insurance had the best overall survival. Uninsured or Medicaid‐covered Asian patients were more likely to be diagnosed with advanced disease, less likely to undergo MLNE and cancer‐directed treatments, and had shorter overall survival than their NHW counterpart.
Functional transcriptomic annotation and protein–protein interaction analysis identify EZH2 and UBE2C as key upregulated proteins in ovarian cancer
Authors: Martínez‐Canales Sandra , López de Rodas Miguel , Nuncia‐Cantarero Miriam , Páez Raquel , Amir Eitan , Győrffy Balázs , Pandiella Atanasio , Galán‐Moya Eva María , Ocaña Alberto
Published: March 2018

Although early stage ovarian cancer is in most cases a curable disease, some patients relapse even with appropriate adjuvant treatment. Therefore, the identification of patient and tumor characteristics to better stratify risk and guide rational drug development is desirable. Using transcriptomic functional annotation followed by protein–protein interacting (PPI) network analyses, we identified functions that were upregulated and associated with detrimental outcome in patients with early stage ovarian cancer. Some of the identified functions included cell cycle, cell division, signal transduction/protein modification, cellular response to extracellular stimuli or transcription regulation, among others. Genes within these functions included AURKA, AURKB, CDK1, BIRC5, or CHEK1 among others. Of note, the histone‐lysine N‐methyltransferase (EZH2) and the ubiquitin‐conjugating enzyme E2C (UBE2C) genes were found to be upregulated and amplified in 10% and 6% of tumors, respectively. Of note, EZH2 and UBE2C were identified as principal interacting proteins of druggable networks. In conclusion, we describe a set of genes overexpressed in ovarian cancer with potential for therapeutic intervention including EZH2 and UBE2C.
‘Nobody else can lead your life’: What adolescents need from psychotherapists in change processes
Authors: Lavik Kristina O. , Veseth Marius , Frøysa Helga , Binder Per‐Einar , Moltu Christian
Published: March 2018

Aim

A startling number of adolescents have mental health problems, yet research on the effect of routine care shows sobering effect sizes and high dropout rates. This study's objective was to gain in‐depth, first‐person knowledge about what adolescents need from their therapists to engage therapeutically and benefit from treatment.

Method

A total of 22 adolescents aged 14–19 years participated in qualitative focus groups or individual interviews of their own choosing. The data material was analysed using a systematic, step‐wise and consensual qualitative research framework for team‐based analysis.

Findings

Six themes emerged from the analysis, named from the words of the adolescent participants: (1) facing a scary situation: Attend to the adolescent's starting point, (2) be warm, invested and emotionally engaged, (3) offer live company and presence as a real human being, (4) have integrity as an adult and a professional, (5) know the world of a teenager and get into their stories and (6) have mutuality as a virtue and treat the adolescent as an equal.

Discussion and implications

Overall, adolescents regard the quality of the therapeutic relationship with their therapist as essential for the success of psychotherapy. In terms of their needs in treatment, therapists need to overcome the adolescents’ initial misgivings and scepticism towards therapy through establishing trust and accommodating their developmental desire for autonomy and connectedness.
Social inequalities in the demand, supply and utilisation of psychological treatment
Authors: Delgadillo Jaime , Farnfield Amy , North Alice
Published: March 2018

Introduction

Socio‐economic deprivation is associated with higher prevalence of mental disorders but poor access to care. We conducted a national workforce survey to examine the demand, supply and utilisation of primary care psychological services.

Aim

To understand the variability in the rates of access to psychological care in different geographical areas.

Method

This was a cross‐sectional survey of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. Data were collected from 144 services covering 180 local areas in England, using a freedom of information request. The access gap (AG) was defined as the percentage of cases that did not receive treatment, from the wider pool of cases referred for psychological care. We examined correlations between the demand (number of referrals) and supply (workforce size) of psychological care with local area prevalence rates of common mental disorders and the index of multiple deprivation (IMD). Regression analyses were used to assess if the variability in the AG may be explained by IMD and workforce size, controlling for local population statistics.

Results

Workforce size was weakly correlated with the IMD (r = .16, p = .04) and prevalence rates (r = .16, p = .03). The AG was significantly associated with IMD, number of referrals, prevalence rates and treatment waiting times, but not with workforce size. Together, these variables explained approximately 26% of variance in the AG.

Conclusions

Socio‐economic deprivation is associated with psychological service utilisation, irrespective of the demand–supply function, particularly when contrasting the poorest and most affluent areas.
Consumer behaviour and the toilet: Research on expulsive and retentive personalities
Authors: Guido Gianluigi , Belk Russell W. , Rizzo Cristian , Pino Giovanni
Published: March 2018

During the last five decades, a number of studies have attempted to draw from psychoanalytic theory to examine the relationship between evacuation disorders and a person's character. According to Freud's original conceptualization, early or harsh toilet training leads children to develop an anal retentive personality, characterized by the tendency to control their bowels as well as their material possessions; by contrast, liberal toilet training leads children to develop an anal expulsive personality, characterized by the tendency to excessively relieve faeces, as well as be being careless, messy, and inclined to dispose of old products and buy new ones. Although toilet training may not be responsible, these sets of traits do cohere. To empirically examine these hypotheses, we studied the personality traits and consumption habits of people suffering from different bowel disorders. By means of semistructured interviews, we analysed the personality characteristics, sociodemographic backgrounds, and peculiar consumption habits of people suffering from constipation and diarrhoeic syndromes. The results show that constipated people tend to be obstinate, excessively concerned with hygiene, and inclined toward retaining possessions, whereas diarrhoeic people tend to be careless, disorganized, and disposed to share their possessions with others. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these results and indicate avenues for future research.
Alone but together, autonomous but related: Self‐construal effects on happiness in social experiences
Authors: Merdin‐Uygur Ezgi , Hesapci Ozlem
Published: March 2018

Communal tables and open workspaces have become popular servicescapes, that is, contemporary spaces for experiencing, dining, or working alone but together. Previous research demonstrates that experiencing with close others (e.g., with friends or family) increases happiness and satisfaction, but experiences shared with strangers in contexts such as communal tables or workshops have not yet been thoroughly analyzed. Addressing this research gap from a social–psychological perspective, we suggest that even though individuals are generally happier when they share experiences with loved ones, self‐construal plays a moderating role in the relationship. Individuals with high autonomy and high relatedness do not anticipate greater happiness from experiences shared with friends than with those shared with strangers. Three experimental studies (two online and one field) demonstrate this effect, using different operationalizations of autonomy relatedness. Managerial implications are discussed, and suggestions are made for future research.
U.K. consumers' perceived risk of buying products from emerging economies: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Wang Weiyue , He Hongwei , Sahadev Sunil , Song Wei
Published: March 2018

Although considerable research has been conducted on consumer attitude towards foreign products, most of these studies focus on the attitude of products from Western developed countries. Our study intends to investigate the effects of consumers' national identification and culture sensitivity on their perceived risk of buying products from Eastern developing countries. Especially, this study advances the literature by identifying the mediation effect of consumer ethnocentrism and the moderating effect of consumer value consciousness. Taking China and India as focal emerging economies, the consumer survey (n = 308) in the United Kingdom produced the following results. First, U.K. consumers' national identification is positively related to their perceived risk of buying Eastern products through consumer ethnocentrism, whereas their cultural sensitivity has a negative relationship. Second, the effect of consumer ethnocentrism on the perceived risk of buying Eastern products is moderated by consumer value consciousness. Third, value consciousness also attenuates the indirect relationships between national identification or cultural sensitivity and perceived risk via consumer ethnocentrism.
Seed Polyphenolic Profile, Antioxidative Activity, and Fatty Acids Composition of Wild and Cultivated Carthamus Species
Authors: Karami Soraya , Sabzalian Mohammad R. , Rahimmalek Mehdi
Published: March 2018

Total flavonoid content (TFC) and cyanidin‐3‐glucoside (Cyd‐3‐glu) of seed and seed coat extract of 16 genotypes from five species of Carthamus were studied, and their major polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of the seed coat extracts were determined using HPLC analysis and DPPH assay, respectively. Additionally, fatty acids composition of the seed oil was analyzed by GC. In general, TFC and Cyd‐3‐glu content of seed coat extracts were higher than those of seed extracts. A novel breeding line with black seed coat (named A82) depicted lower TFC (3.79 mg QUE/g DW) but higher Cyd‐3‐glu (24.64 mg/g DW) compared to the white and other seed‐pigmented genotypes. DPPH radical scavenging activity showed a strong association with Cyd‐3‐glu content (r = 0.84), but no correlation with TFC (r = −0.32). HPLC analysis of seed coat extracts revealed that four compounds were dominant constituents including rutin (7.23 – 117.95 mg/100 g DW), apigenin (4.37 – 64.88 mg/100 g DW), quercetin (3.09 – 14.10 mg/100 g DW), and ferulic acid (4.49 – 30.41 mg/100 g DW). Interestingly, the genotype A82 with an appropriate polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids index (5.46%) and a moderate linoleic fatty acid content (64.70%) had higher nutritional and pharmaceutical value than all the other genotypes.
Structure Elucidation of the Main Tetrahydroxyxanthones ofHypericumSeeds and Investigations into the Testa Structure
Authors: Lorenz Peter , Heller Annerose , Bunse Marek , Heinrich Miriam , Berger Melanie , Conrad Jürgen , Stintzing Florian C. , Kammerer Dietmar R.
Published: March 2018

Seeds fromHypericumspecies have recently been identified as an interesting source of xanthone derivatives. Extraction of seeds fromH.perforatumwith MeOHand subsequent concentrationviapolyamide adsorption yielded a fraction enriched in tetrahydroxyxanthones (THX), which were further semipurified by silica gel chromatography. Based on tentative structure assignment of the two mainTHXX1andX2byNMRa total synthesis was performed for both compounds (THX1and2, respectively), starting with anUllmannether synthesis. The synthesized1and2were characterizedvia1D‐ and 2D‐NMRmethods as well as byLC/HR‐MSanalysis and proven to be 1,4,6,7‐THX(1) and 1,2,6,7‐THX(2). Final structure assignment of the naturalHypericumTHXconstituents was accomplished by comparing chromatographic and spectroscopic data (LC/MSnandGC/MS) with those of1and2which were obtained by synthesis. Beyond, investigations into the seeds ofH.perforatumandH.tetrapterumby scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided insights of the structure of the testa (seed coat), which is established by two cell layers, with the lignified sclerenchyma presumably being the depository of the xanthones.