bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new and important relationship between miRNA‐147a and PDPK1 in radiotherapy
Authors: Wang Li‐Juan , Li Na‐Na , Xu Sai‐Juan , Zhang Fan , Hao Ming‐Hua , Yang Xian‐Jun , Cai Xin‐Hua , Qiu Pei‐Yong , Ji Hong‐Long , Xu Ping
Published: November 2017

It was found that the expression level of miR‐147a was significantly increased and the pathway of PI3K/AKT was dramatically inhibited after radiation. In view of the relationship between miRNA and target genes, we put forward the question, what is the relationship between PI3K/AKT and miR‐147a? In order to find the answer to the question, we used bioinformatics techniques to analyze the relationship between miR‐147 (a or b) and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. miR‐147a overexpression plasmid and PDPK1 3′UTR luciferase reporter gene plasmid were constructed. Dual luciferase reporter gene system validation experiments were carried out on miR‐147a and PDPK1 relationship. The verification experiments were also carried out. Bioinformatics analysis showed that there is a miR‐147a binding site in the non‐coding region (3′UTR) of PDPK1. In the experimental groups transfected with wild type PDPK1 gene of 3′UTR plasmid, the luciferase activity decreased (or increased) significantly in miR‐147a (or inhibitor) group compared with miR‐NC (or anti‐miR‐NC); There was no significant difference between the miR‐147a group (or inhibitor) and the miR‐NC group (or anti‐miR‐NC) in the transfection of PDPK1‐3′UTR‐Mut gene vector. PDPK1 was a target gene for direct regulation of miR‐147a downstream. Verifying test results showed that the expression of PDPK1 mRNA and protein was reduced after overexpression of miR‐147a, which was up‐regulated after silencing miR‐147a in TC, and V79 cells. These results suggest that miR‐147a could be involved in the regulation of PDPK1 transcription by binding to the target site in PDPK1 mRNA 3′UTR, and then regulated AKT.
Retracted: Silencing of COL1A2, COL6A3, and THBS2 inhibits gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while promoting apoptosis through the PI3k‐Akt signaling pathway
Authors: Ao Ran , Guan Lin , Wang Ying , Wang Jia‐Ni
Published: November 2017

This study explores the effect of COL1A2, COL6A3, and THBS2 gene silencing on proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells through the PI3K‐Akt signaling pathway. The gastric cancer microarray expression data (GSE19826, GSE79973, and GSE65801) was analyzed. Gastric cancer tissues and corresponding adjacent normal tissues were extracted from patients. Positive expression rate of PI3K, Akt, and p‐Akt was measured with immunohistochemistry. Two cell lines, BGC‐823 and SGC‐7901, were transfected and cells were grouped into blank, negative control, COL1A2‐shRNA, COL6A3‐shRNA, and THBS2‐shRNA groups. Expressions of COL1A2, COL6A3, and THBS2 in gastric cancer cells transfected with corresponding silencing sequences were evaluated by RT‐qPCR and Western blot. MTT assay, Transwell, and cell scratch tests were conducted to evaluate cell proliferation, invasion, and migration capacity, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. The positive expression of PI3K, Akt, and p‐Akt was higher in gastric cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues, and the mRNA expression of COL1A2, COL6A3, and THBS2 was increased in gastric cancer tissues. Akt, p‐Akt, and PI3K expression drastically decreased in cells transfected with COL1A2, COL6A3, and THBS2 silencing sequences. Cells transfected with COL1A2, COL6A3, and THBS2 silencing sequences exhibited promoted apoptosis but inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion. This study demonstrates that COL1A2, COL6A3, and THBS2 gene silencing inhibits gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while promoting apoptosis through the PI3K‐Akt signaling pathway.
MicroRNA‐27a‐3p inhibits cell viability and migration through down‐regulating DUSP16 in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Li Jin‐Mao , Zhou Jun , Xu Zhen , Huang Hai‐Jin , Chen Min‐Jiang , Ji Jian‐Song
Published: November 2017

MicroRNA (miRNA or miR) has been shown to play an important role in the initiation and development in many different cancers. Here, we demonstrated down‐regulated expression of miR‐27a‐3p in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues in comparison with that in adjacent normal liver tissues based on the TCGA database. Cells viability and apoptosis was measured by CCK‐8 and flow cytometry assay. Cell invasion and migration was measured by Transwell and wound healing assay. The effect of miR‐27a‐3p on DUSP16 expression was evaluated by luciferase assays, and western blot assay. miR‐27a‐3p up‐regulation by transfection with miR‐27a‐3p mimics attenuated SMMC‐7721 and HepG2 cell viability, invasion as well as migration, obviously. Moreover, we found that dual specificity phosphatase 16 (DUSP16), also known as mitogen‐activated protein kinase phosphatase 7 (MKP‐7), is a target of miR‐27a‐3p. DUSP16 expression was obvious decrease by miR‐27a‐3p at both transcriptional and protein levels in both SMMC‐7721 and HepG2 cells. DUSP16 expression in tissues of HCC was up‐regulated in comparison with that in tissues of adjacent liver based on the TCGA database. Overexpression of DUSP16 significantly reversed the cell changes in viability, invasion and migration which resulted from miR‐27a‐3p up‐regulation in SMMC‐7721 and HepG2 cells. Our findings contribute to current understanding of the functions of miR‐27a‐3p and suggest a mechanism by which miR‐27a‐3p plays an anti‐tumor role in the development of HCC by targeting DUSP16.
BonnMag: Computer program for ligand‐field analysis of f n systems within the angular overlap model
Authors: Bronova Anna , Bredow Thomas , Glaum Robert , Riley Mark J. , Urland Werner
Published: November 2017

The program BonnMag has been developed to calculate the absorption spectra and temperature dependent magnetic susceptibilities of f n systems. The computations of the transition energies are performed within the angular overlap model. Using Judd–Ofelt theory BonnMag allows estimation of the relative absorption coefficients of the electronic transitions with reasonable accuracy. A description of the theoretical background of the implemented methods is given. Using Slater–Condon–Shortley parameters and spin‐orbit coupling coefficients for free Ln3+ ions from ab initio calculations, the transition energies of all Ln3+ ions are calculated and compared to the results from CASSCF/NEV‐PT2 calculations. Splitting due to the ligand field as well as transition energies of all Cs2NaLnCl6 (except Gd and Pm) are calculated using parameters reported in the literature. Based on the comparison between theory and experiment, the potential and limitations of the program BonnMag are shown. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Automated preparation of 2‐[18F]fluoropropionate labeled peptides using a flexible, multi‐stage synthesis platform (iPHASE Flexlab)
Authors: Haskali Mohammad B. , Roselt Peter D. , Hicks Rodney J. , Hutton Craig A.
Published: November 2017

Radiolabelled peptides are vital tools used in positron emission tomography imaging for the diagnosis of disease, drug discovery, and biomedical research. Peptides are typically labeled through conjugation to a radiolabelled prosthetic group, which usually necessitates complex, multi‐step procedures, especially for fluorine‐18 labeled peptides. Herein, we describe the automated synthesis and formulation of 2‐[18F]fluoropropionate labeled RGD‐peptides through use of the iPHASE Flexlab as an effective dual‐stage radiochemical synthesis module. The fully automated preparation of the monomeric RGD‐peptides, [18F]FP‐GalactoRGD and [18F]FP‐c(RGDy(SO3)K), was accomplished in under 90 minutes with n.d.c. radiochemical yields ca. 7% from fluoride. Similarly, the automated preparation of the dimeric RGD‐peptides, [18F]F‐PRGD2 and [18F]FP‐E(RGDy(SO3)K)2, was accomplished in under 105 minutes with n.d.c. yields ca. 4% from fluoride.
Implications of differential effects between 1.5 and 2 °C global warming on temperature and precipitation extremes in China's urban agglomerations
Authors: Yu Rong , Zhai Panmao , Lu Yanyu
Published: November 2017

In the context of global warming, urban areas are more vulnerable to extreme weather conditions. In this study, four key temperature and precipitation extreme indices, defined by the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices, are selected to investigate implications of differential effects of 1.5 and 2 °C global warming on extreme weather in China's urban agglomerations (CNUAs). Results indicate that bias‐corrected extreme indices derived from downscaled data sets of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Earth Exchange Global Daily Downscaled Projections (NEX‐GDDP) of 19 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) models under RCP4.5 scenario [representative concentration pathways (RCP)] can be used to study the effects of global warming on extreme indices in locations of CNUAs. An increase in the global warming from 1.5 to 2 °C is likely to exacerbate the intensity of extreme maximum temperature (TXx) and decrease extreme minimum temperature (TNn) in CNUAs. Moreover, additional 0.5 °C warming is more likely than not to increase the intensity of total precipitation of very wet days (R95) and maximum 5‐day precipitation (Rx5day). For the very extreme events (>1.5σ), a global warming increase from 1.5 to 2 °C will lead to extra increase in extreme risk for very extreme TXx, R95p and Rx5day by 4.1, 1.8 and 1.0 times, relative to 1986–2005. Thus, it seems that reducing the 2 °C global warming level by 0.5 °C during the remainder of the 21st century would significantly suppress very extreme heat waves and very extreme wet events in CNUAs. Certainly, the urban heat island and aerosol effects are expected to further enhance such extreme events in the urban areas. The combined influence of global warming and urbanization effects on extreme events needs further study in the future.
Estimating effective soil depth at regional scales: Legacy maps versus environmental covariates
Authors: Zhang Wentai , Hu Guiqing , Sheng Jiandong , Weindorf David C. , Wu Hongqi , Xuan Junwei , Yan An , Gu Zhujun
Published: November 2017

Soil depth reflects the quantity and ecosystem service functions of soil resources. However, there is no universal standard to measure soil depth at present, and digital soil mapping approaches for predicting soil depth at the regional scale remain immature. Using observation of soil profile morphology, we compared the soil depth nomenclatures from the World Reference Base for Soil Resources, Chinese Soil Taxonomy, and Soil Taxonomy. For this study, shallow soils were defined as those with an effective soil depth < 100 cm. Based on legacy data and field soil survey, the spatial distribution of shallow soils in Xinjiang, China, and the main controlling environmental factors were explored. Results showed that shallow soils in Xinjiang are mainly distributed in high altitude regions such as the Tian Mountains. At the regional scale, significant correlations were observed between soil depth and climate factors, as well as between soil depth and vegetation fractional coverage. Contrary to previous conclusions at small spatial scales, terrain attributes could not explain soil depth variation at the regional scale. This study addressed knowledge gaps on soil depth prediction at regional scales while elucidating climate‐vegetation‐soil coevolution.
Effects of drying and rewetting on soluble phosphorus and nitrogen in forest floors: An experiment with undisturbed columns
Authors: Hömberg Annkathrin , Matzner Egbert
Published: November 2017

Drying and rewetting (D/W) of soils often resulted in the release of soluble phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N), thereby changing the availability of both nutrients. Most experiments on D/W have been conducted with disturbed mineral soil samples and with rewetting of the soil samples by abrupt change in the water potential. Here, we studied the effect of D/W on the leaching of P and N from undisturbed forest floors of a European beech and a Norway spruce site under near field conditions of desiccation and rewetting. We hypothesized that even under realistic rewetting of undisturbed forest floors, the leaching of P and N is increased after D/W and that the effects are less pronounced for spruce than for beech because of the larger hydrophobicity of the spruce forest floor. Undisturbed forest floor columns were subjected to desiccation at 20°C until a matrix potential of –100 MPa (pF 6.0) was reached, while controls were kept at moist conditions. Columns were irrigated by 22 mm day−1 from day 1–3 and by 10 mm day−1 from day 4–14 given in automated short pulses. Leachates from the soil columns were analyzed for orthophosphate, total P, NH4, NO3, and total N. In the spruce forest floor the concentrations of total P in leachates and the leachate fluxes were strongly increased after D/W. The increase of solute P was less for beech than for spruce coinciding with less actual rewetting of the beech forest floor. Leaching of total N from the spruce forest floor was not affected by D/W, however, concentrations and leaching of NH4 increased, while leaching of NO3 decreased. For beech the leaching of total N and NH4 increased after D/W, while NO3 leaching decreased. The results indicate that also under realistic conditions, D/W of forest floors increases solute P and leads to changes in the ratio of NH4/NO3 in solution, thereby altering the availability of the nutrients.
Prospective Study of Concordance Between Hysterosalpingo‐Contrast Sonography and Hysteroscopy for Evaluation of the Uterine Cavity in Patients Undergoing Infertility Studies
Authors: Calles‐Sastre Laura , Engels‐Calvo Virginia , Ríos‐Vallejo Mar , Serrano‐González Lucia , García‐Espantaleón Manuel , Royuela Ana , De la Cuesta Reyes , Pérez‐Medina Tirso
Published: November 2017

Objectives

The purpose of the study was to assess the accuracy of hysterosalpingo‐contrast sonography (HyCoSy) for evaluation of the uterine cavity.

Methods

Hysterosalpingo‐contrast sonography was compared with hysteroscopy for assessment of the uterine cavity. This work was a descriptive prospective study to assess the concordance between pathologic intrauterine findings using the Cohen κ coefficient. Ninety infertile patients from Puerta de Hierro University Hospital were included in the study. They underwent HyCoSy between June 2016 and April 2017. Fifteen of them had pathologic findings in the uterine cavity during HyCoSy and therefore underwent hysteroscopy. Clinical and sonographic findings were compared in those 15 patients by to evaluate the agreement between both techniques.

Results

In this study, intrauterine sonographic findings on HyCoSy and hysteroscopic features of the uterine cavity reached 100% concordance, with a κ coefficient of 1.000 and a 100% agreement rate.

Conclusions

Hysterosalpingo‐contrast sonography permits a very accurate evaluation of the uterine cavity, which could be of interest for infertile patients who might be examined for tubal patency.
Multiple searchers searching for a randomly distributed immobile target on a unit network
Authors: Li Songtao , Huang Simin
Published: November 2017

The authors study an optimal searcher path problem of the following type. A team of searchers tries to find an immobile target on a unit network (in a unit network, all edges are of unit length). The target is located at some point on this network, and its location probability distribution is known to the searcher team. Searchers move along the edges on the network at a constant speed. When one searcher passes the target location, detection happens and the search ends. The objective is to find paths for this team of searchers to minimize the expected search time. A linear binary programming model is built to find the optimal search strategy. Computational experiments are conducted to test the capability of this model, and to analyze how searcher team size and target distribution might affect the search time. Analytical results are given for a special problem scenario: one searcher searching for a uniformly distributed target on a tree. We prove that, any depth‐first search path is optimal for a given searcher start point, and the best start point is one of the leaf nodes.
Prepregnancy Body Mass Index, Gestational Weight Gain, and Odds of Cesarean Delivery in Hispanic Women
Authors: Harvey Megan W. , Braun Barry , Ertel Karen A. , Pekow Penelope S. , Markenson Glenn , Chasan‐Taber Lisa
Published: November 2017

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the association between prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain (GWG), and cesarean delivery in Hispanics.

Methods

We examined these associations among 1,215 participants in Proyecto Buena Salud, a prospective cohort of Hispanic women studied from 2006 to 2011. Prepregnancy BMI, GWG, and the mode of delivery were abstracted from medical records.

Results

A quarter of the participants entered pregnancy with obesity, 23% delivered via cesarean, and 52% exceeded the Institute of Medicine guidelines for GWG. After adjusting for age, women with obesity had 2.03 times the odds of cesarean delivery compared with women with normal BMI (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.46‐2.82); findings remained significant after adjusting for GWG. Women with excessive total GWG had 1.49 times the odds of cesarean delivery (95% CI: 1.06‐2.10) compared with women who gained within guidelines. An excessive rate of third trimester GWG (standard deviation [SD] change in GWG per week) increased the odds of cesarean delivery (odds ratio = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.05‐2.62), while an excessive rate of first and third trimester GWG was not associated with increased odds.

Conclusions

Obesity prior to pregnancy was associated with increased odds of cesarean delivery among Hispanics. Excessive GWG across pregnancy and an excessive rate of third trimester GWG were also associated with increased odds.
Use of Innovative (Micro)Extraction Techniques to Characterise Harpagophytum procumbens Root and its Commercial Food Supplements
Authors: Diuzheva Alina , Carradori Simone , Andruch Vasil , Locatelli Marcello , De Luca Elisa , Tiecco Matteo , Germani Raimondo , Menghini Luigi , Nocentini Alessio , Gratteri Paola , Campestre Cristina
Published: November 2017

Introduction

For the determination of harpagoside and the wide phenolic pattern in Harpagophytum procumbens root and its commercial food supplements, dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME), ultrasound‐assisted DLLME (UA‐DLLME), and sugaring‐out liquid–liquid extraction (SULLE) were tested and compared.

Objectives

In order to optimise the extraction efficiency, DLLME and UA‐DLLME were performed in different solvents (water and aqueous solutions of glucose, β‐cyclodextrin, (2‐hydroxypropyl)‐β‐cyclodextrin, sodium chloride, natural deep eutectic solvent, and ionic liquid).

Material and Methods

The plant material was ground and sieved to obtain a uniform granulometry before extraction. Commercial food supplements, containing H. procumbens are commercially available in Italy.

Results

The most effective sodium chloride‐aided‐DLLME was then optimised and applied for analyses followed by HPLC‐PDA. For comparison, microwave‐assisted extraction was performed using the same solvents and the best results were obtained using 1% of β‐cyclodextrin or 15% of sodium chloride.

Conclusion

All commercial samples respected the European Pharmacopoeia monograph for this plant material, showing a harpagoside content ≥ 1.2%. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new enigmatic hyolith from the Cambrian of West Gondwana and its bearing on the systematics of hyoliths
Authors: Geyer Gerd
Published: November 2017

The genus Aladraco nom. nov. is described and discussed, along with two species recognized from coeval strata of the lower traditional middle Cambrian, A. schloppensis (Wurm) from the Tannenknock Formation of the Franconian Forest region, Germany, and A. ougnatensis sp. nov. from the Jbel Wawrmast Formation of the eastern Anti‐Atlas, Morocco. Aladraco was formerly known as Oxyprymna Kiderlen, a preoccupied generic name requiring renaming of the genus. The genus bears morphological characters such as the size, shape and external ornamentation of the conch which clearly indicate a systematic position in the class Hyolitha. A number of characters, such as a tripartition into an axial chamber and lateral acuminate processes, and the course of the apertural margin, differ considerably from those seen in the two orders Hyolithida and Orthothecida, and appear to indicate distinct differences in functional morphology. However, similarities of the morphological characters with the known representatives of the Hyolithida suggest that the species are derived from this systematic group and should be dealt with as a hitherto unrecognized distinct suborder and family, introduced as Aladracina subord. nov. and Aladracidae fam. nov.
Effects of Shear and Heat Milling Treatment on Thermal Properties and Molecular Structures of Rice Starch
Authors: Murakami Seigo , Fujita Naoko , Nakamura Yasunori , Inouchi Naoyoshi , Oitome Naoko F. , Koda Tomonori , Nishioka Akihiro
Published: November 2017

The effects of a previously reported shear and heat milling machine (SHMM) on the crystallinity and molecular architecture of starch are examined. The SHMM produces amorphous starch flour from rice grains containing crystalline starch. A high temperature of 120 °C and a distance of 10 µm between milling mortars were essential for the complete conversion of crystalline starch to amorphous starch. The effects of increasing the gap between mortars to 100 µm and decreasing the temperature to 15 °C were tested. The use of highly dried rice flour containing only 1% water (w/w) was also examined. The results suggest that the transition from crystalline starch to amorphous starch produced by the SHMM is a gelatinization process because a significant amount of water in the rice grains contributes to the formation of amorphous starch. It was also found that high temperature milling specifically, but only partially, cleaved the cluster‐interconnecting chains of amylopectin, resulting in the formation of glucans smaller than normal amylopectin. Novel finding from these results is that the coordinated action of high temperature milling, a small gap, and endogenous water in amylopectin induces gelatinization, accompanied by a reduction in the molecular weight of amylopectin cut at the B2‐3 branches.
Protective effects of coenzyme Q10 nanoparticles on dichlorvos‐induced hepatotoxicity and mitochondrial/lysosomal injury
Authors: Eftekhari Aziz , Ahmadian Elham , Azami Aida , Johari‐Ahar Mohammad , Eghbal Mohammad Ali
Published: November 2017

Development of biocompatible antioxidant nanoparticles for xenobiotic‐induced liver disease treatment by oral or parenteral administration is of great interest in medicine. In the current study, we demonstrate the protective effects of coenzyme Q10 nanoparticles (CoQ10‐NPs) on hepatotoxicity induced by dichlorvos (DDVP) as an organophosphate. Although CoQ10 is an efficient antioxidant, its poor bioavailability has limited the applications of this useful agent. First, CoQ10‐NPs were prepared then characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In DDVP‐treated and non‐treated hepatocytes in the presence of CoQ10‐NPs, cell viability, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation (LPO), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), lysosome membrane integrity, and cellular glutathione (GSH) content were measured. The prepared CoQ10‐NPs were mono‐dispersed and had narrow size distribution with average diameter of 54 nm. In the in vivo study, we evaluated the enzymes, which are involved in the antioxidant system for maintenance of normal liver function. In comparison to nonparticulate CoQ10, the CoQ10‐NPs efficiently decreased the ROS formation, lipid peroxidation and cell death. Also, particulate form of CoQ10 improved MMP, GSH level and lysosome membrane integrity. In the in vivo, study, we revealed that CoQ10‐NPs were better hepatoprotective than its nonparticulate form (P < .05). Altogether, we propose that the CoQ10‐NPs have potential capability to be used as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent for poisoning that is induced by organophosphate agents, especially in the case of DDVP. Furthermore, these positive remarks make this nanoparticle amenable for the treatment of xenobiotic‐induced liver diseases.
Genetic and non‐genetic risk factors for pre‐eclampsia: umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses of observational studies
Authors: Giannakou K. , Evangelou E. , Papatheodorou S. I.
Published: November 2017

Objective

To summarize evidence from the literature on genetic and non‐genetic risk factors associated with pre‐eclampsia (PE), assess the presence of statistical bias in the studies and identify risk factors for which there is robust evidence supporting their association with PE.

Methods

PubMed and ISI Web of Science were searched from inception to October 2016, to identify systematic reviews and meta‐analyses of observational studies examining associations between genetic or non‐genetic risk factors and PE. For each meta‐analysis, the summary‐effect size was estimated using random‐effects and fixed‐effects models, along with 95% CIs and the 95% prediction interval. Between‐study heterogeneity was expressed using the I2 statistic, and evidence of small‐study effects (large studies had significantly more conservative results than smaller studies) and evidence of excess significance bias (too many studies with statistically significant results) were estimated.

Results

Fifty‐eight eligible meta‐analyses were identified, which included 1466 primary studies and provided data on 130 comparisons of risk factors associated with PE, covering a wide range of comorbid diseases, genetic factors, exposure to environmental agents and biomarkers. Sixty‐five (50%) associations had nominally statistically significant findings at P < 0.05, while 16 (12%) were significant at P < 10–6. Sixty‐five (50%) associations had large or very large heterogeneity. Evidence for small‐study effects and excess significance bias was found in 10 (8%) and 26 (20%) associations, respectively. The only non‐genetic risk factor with convincing evidence for an association with PE was oocyte donation vs spontaneous conception, which had a summary odds ratio of 4.33 (95% CI, 3.11–6.03), was supported by 2712 cases with small heterogeneity (I2 = 26%) and 95% prediction intervals excluding the null value, and without hints of small‐study effects (P for Egger's test > 0.10) or excess of significance (P > 0.05). Of the statistically significant (P < 0.05) genetic risk factors for PE, only PAI‐1 4G/5G (recessive model) polymorphism was supported by strong evidence for a contribution to the pathogenesis of PE. Eleven factors (serum iron level, pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A, chronic kidney disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, mental stress, bacterial and viral infections, cigarette smoking, oocyte donation vs assisted reproductive technology, obesity vs normal weight, severe obesity vs normal weight and primiparity) presented highly suggestive evidence for an association with PE.

Conclusions

A large proportion of meta‐analyses of genetic and non‐genetic risk factors for PE have caveats that threaten their validity. Oocyte donation vs spontaneous conception and PAI‐1 4G/5G polymorphism (recessive model) showed the strongest consistent evidence for an association with risk for PE. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Methods for exploring reaction space in molecular systems
Authors: Dewyer Amanda L. , Argüelles Alonso J. , Zimmerman Paul M.
Published: November 2017

The area of reaction mechanism discovery simulation has taken considerable strides in recent years. Novel methods that make hypotheses for elementary steps and complementary means for reaction path and transition state (TS) optimization are lowering the amount of chemical intuition and user effort required to explore reaction networks. The resulting networks lead from reactants to reactive intermediates and products, and are becoming closer representations of physical mechanisms involved in experiments. This review describes several of these approaches, which are categorized based on their overarching TS finding strategies. Future advances are discussed that may revolutionize the ability of simulation to fully predict not just the reaction mechanism but reaction outcomes. WIREs Comput Mol Sci 2018, 8:e1354. doi: 10.1002/wcms.1354

This article is categorized under:

Structure and Mechanism > Reaction Mechanisms and Catalysis

Software > Quantum Chemistry

Software > Simulation Methods
Organotin Carboxylates based on 3‐(1,3‐Dioxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐phenalen‐2‐yl)benzoic Acid and the Influence of Solvent on the Molecular Structure
Authors: Xiao Xiao , Li Wenliang , Shi Nianqiu , Zhu Heyun , Feng Bo
Published: November 2017

Self‐assembly of dibutyltin oxide with 3‐(1,3‐dioxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐phenalen‐2‐yl)benzoic acid (HL) produces (nBu)2SnL2 (1) when benzene is used as solvent, whereas the reaction generates {[(nBu)2SnO]2L}2·C7H8 (2) when toluene is the reactive solvent. The novel organotin carboxylate (nBu)2SnL2 (1) was characterized by elemental analysis, as well as IR, 1H, 13C, and 119Sn NMR spectroscopy. Single crystal X‐ray study reveals that 1 is a dialkyltin carboxylate monomer possessing crystallographically imposed twofold symmetry. Ligand HL in 1 chelates with tin atom in bidentate coordination mode. The molecules of 1 build complicate 1D, 2D, and 3D structures via intermolecular hydrogen bonds, and π···π interactions can be found in the 3D architecture. The preliminary fluorescence activity and antitumor activity of the complex were also studied.
High Elective Surgery Cancellation Rate in Malawi Primarily Due to Infrastructural Limitations
Authors: Prin Meghan , Eaton Jessica , Mtalimanja Onias , Charles Anthony
Published: November 2017

Background

The provision of safe and timely surgical care is essential to global health care. Low‐ and middle‐income countries have a disproportionate share of the global surgical disease burden and struggle to provide care with the given resources. Surgery cancellation worldwide occurs for many reasons, which are likely to differ between high‐income and low‐income settings. We sought to evaluate the proportion of elective surgery that is cancelled and the associated reasons for cancellation at a tertiary hospital in Malawi.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of a database maintained by the Department of Anesthesiology at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi. Data were available from August 2011 to January 2015 and included weekday records for the number of scheduled surgeries, the number of cancelled surgeries, and the reasons for cancellation. Descriptive statistics were performed.

Results

Of 10,730 scheduled surgeries, 4740 (44.2%) were cancelled. The most common reason for cancellation was infrastructural limitations (84.8%), including equipment shortages (50.9%) and time constraints (33.3%). Provider limitations accounted for 16.5% of cancellations, most often due to shortages of anaesthesia providers. Preoperative medical conditions contributed to 26.3% of cancellations.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates a high case cancellation rate at a tertiary hospital in Malawi, attributable primarily to infrastructural limitations. These data provide evidence that investments in medical infrastructure and prevention of workforce brain drain are critical to surgical services in this region.
ROUQUIER’S CONJECTURE AND DIAGRAMMATIC ALGEBRA
Authors: WEBSTER BEN
Published: November 2017

We prove a conjecture of Rouquier relating the decomposition numbers in category ${\mathcal{O}}$ for a cyclotomic rational Cherednik algebra to Uglov’s canonical basis of a higher level Fock space. Independent proofs of this conjecture have also recently been given by Rouquier, Shan, Varagnolo and Vasserot and by Losev, using different methods. Our approach is to develop two diagrammatic models for this category ${\mathcal{O}}$; while inspired by geometry, these are purely diagrammatic algebras, which we believe are of some intrinsic interest. In particular, we can quite explicitly describe the representations of the Hecke algebra that are hit by projectives under the $\mathsf{KZ}$-functor from the Cherednik category ${\mathcal{O}}$ in this case, with an explicit basis. This algebra has a number of beautiful structures including categorifications of many aspects of Fock space. It can be understood quite explicitly using a homogeneous cellular basis which generalizes such a basis given by Hu and Mathas for cyclotomic KLR algebras. Thus, we can transfer results proven in this diagrammatic formalism to category ${\mathcal{O}}$ for a cyclotomic rational Cherednik algebra, including the connection of decomposition numbers to canonical bases mentioned above, and an action of the affine braid group by derived equivalences between different blocks.
No-Touch Disinfection Methods to Decrease Multidrug-Resistant Organism Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Marra Alexandre R. , Schweizer Marin L. , Edmond Michael B.
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown that using no-touch disinfection technologies (ie, ultraviolet light [UVL] or hydrogen peroxide vapor [HPV] systems) can limit the transmission of nosocomial pathogens and prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). To investigate these findings further, we performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the impact of no-touch disinfection methods to decrease HAIs.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, CINAHL, CDSR, DARE and EMBASE through April 2017 for studies evaluating no-touch disinfection technology and the nosocomial infection rates forClostridium difficile, methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and other multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). We employed random-effect models to obtain pooled risk ratio (pRR) estimates. Heterogeneity was evaluated with I2estimation and the Cochran Q statistic. Pooled risk ratios forC. difficile, MRSA, VRE, and MDRO were assessed separately.

RESULTS

In total, 20 studies were included in the final review: 13 studies using UVL systems and 7 studies using HPV systems. When the results of the UVL studies were pooled, statistically significant reduction insC. difficileinfection (CDI) (pRR, 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49–0.84) and VRE infection rates (pRR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.28–0.65) were observed. No differences were found in rates of MRSA or gram-negative multidrug-resistant pathogens.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultraviolet light no-touch disinfection technology may be effective in preventing CDI and VRE infection.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2018;39:20–31
Identifying Barriers to Continued Training for Older Workers in a Production Plant: A Mixed-Methods Approach
Authors: Thürmer J. Lukas , Yedyenyova Aleksandra , Spieß Erika
Published: November 2017

An aged and shrinking workforce represents one of the major challenges for companies in the next decades. Capitalising on and developing older workers’ potential will therefore be key for organisational success. Research shows, however, that older workers in companies are less likely to receive training than their younger colleagues and that knowledge transfer before retirement frequently fails. Based on these findings, we used a mixed-methods approach to investigate older workers’ motivation to participate in advanced training and knowledge transfer. Older workers in a first, quantitative study (N= 176) reported being significantly less likely to participate in training and having fewer promotion opportunities. Contrary to our expectations, middle-aged workers already showed this decline in training opportunities, which may suggest that leaving workers behind because of their age is a larger problem than previously assumed. To investigate the subjective reasons for this lack of training, we conducted problem-centered interviews with older workers (age > 50;N= 15). Qualitative content analyses identified valuation, immediate job relevance, and setting work goals until retirement as key motivators to participate in continued employee training. Moreover, older workers confirmed our quantitative finding that even middle-aged workers lack training. We discuss how companies can promote older workers’ inclusion in formal and informal training to improve working conditions and retain knowledge.
A national survey of online gambling behaviours
Authors: Columb D. , O’Gara C.
Published: November 2017

Objectives

The aim of this study is to look at an Irish population in relation to the online gambling activities people are engaging with, the reasons for gambling online, their attitudes to online gambling and the financial/mental health consequences of online gambling.

Methods

The outline for this study was adapted from a study by McCormack et al. (2014) in relation to online gambling, with the aim of replicating this study in an Irish population. An online survey consisting of 11 categories related to online gambling was advertised online over a 7-month period. Participants answered on activities gambled online, devices used, duration of time gambling, as well mental health/financial consequences of their gambling.

Results

A total of 208 users participated in the online survey. The most popular gambling activity played was Sports Betting (26.9%) and the most commonly used device was Mobile app (68.6%). The main reason for gambling online was ‘To win money’ (84.6%), the main reason for ending gambling sessions – ‘Had something else to do’ (67.3%) and the most prominent emotion experienced – Excitement (60.6%). There were findings related to the severity of gambling addiction (75% – had to borrow or sell to fund gambling) and their attitudes towards online gambling (strongly agreed – 39.9% – The potential dangers of gambling should be advertised).

Conclusions

Online gamblers in Ireland share similar behavioural profiles to online gamblers in the United Kingdom and worldwide. The majority of participants in this research have been adversely affected from both a mental and financial perspective due to their gambling behaviours.
Understanding the Complex Work of Aboriginal Education Workers in Schools
Authors: Price Anne , Jackson-Barrett Elizabeth , Gower Graeme , Herrington Jan
Published: November 2017

The work of Aboriginal Education Workers (AEWs) in Australian schools is complex and multifaceted, and yet it is often misunderstood, or worse, devalued. Added to this, the conditions of employment for many AEWs is often insecure, with minimal pay, few opportunities for career progression or meaningful professional development. Despite this there continues to be, as there have been for decades, research findings, policies and reports attesting to the invaluable role of AEWs in schools and communities. The theoretical standpoint of Nakata's (2007) ‘cultural interface’ is used in this paper to critically (re) examine the role of AEWs in Australian schools. Drawing from relevant past and contemporary literature, this paper draws attention to past and contemporary theorising and policy concerning the roles of AEWs. It asserts that if the work of AEWs is to be better understood and valued then it must be reconsidered in a more transformative way that benefits both the students and schools which they support.
Pilot Study of a Parent Guided Website Access Package for Early Intervention Decision-Making for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Carlon Sarah , Carter Mark , Stephenson Jennifer
Published: November 2017

A pilot study of the effectiveness of guided access to websites that provide information on intervention options for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was conducted with 12 parents of preschool-aged children with ASD. Guided access to reliable websites that included information about the efficacy of interventions for ASD (Raising Children Network, 2006–2014; Research Autism, 2006–2014) was provided in the format of a DVD presentation. The guidelines for choosing interventions provided on the Raising Children Network (2009) website were reiterated and assistance was provided with navigation and interpretation of the sites. Participants reported the guided access to reliable websites as useful and also reported an increased level of confidence in making intervention decisions after using the package. However, the guided access did not appear to influence the factors that parents considered important in decision-making, their understanding of the level of research support for interventions, nor their desire to use different interventions. Implications for future research and attempts to disseminate information to parents are discussed.
INTERREGIONAL OBSIDIAN EXCHANGE DURING THE LATE INITIAL PERIOD AND EARLY HORIZON: NEW PERSPECTIVES FROM CAMPANAYUQ RUMI, PERU
Authors: Matsumoto Yuichi , Nesbitt Jason , Glascock Michael D. , Cavero Palomino Yuri I. , Burger Richard L.
Published: November 2017

Campanayuq Rumi is a large civic-ceremonial center located in the south-central highlands of Peru. Founded in the late Initial Period (1100–800 BC), Campanayuq Rumi became an important center within the Chavín Interaction Sphere in the Early Horizon (ca. 800–400 BC). In particular, Campanayuq Rumi is significant because of its geographical proximity to Quispisisa, the most important and widely circulated obsidian source during the Early Horizon. Portable X-ray florescence (pXRF) was used to geochemically source a sample of 370 obsidian artifacts from Campanayuq Rumi. Though obsidian from Quispisisa dominates the assemblage throughout the site's history, diachronic analysis indicates that the diversity of obsidian sources increases markedly in the Campanayuq II Phase (700–450 BC). The pXRF data lead us to conclude that Campanayuq Rumi was the locus of obsidian distribution to other locations in highland and coastal Peru within the Chavín Interaction Sphere, and functioned as a regional center of worship and interaction.
CENSORING AN ‘ENGLISH RENEGADE’ IN GERMANY: THE CASE OF MORGAN PHILIPS PRICE
Authors: STORER COLIN
Published: November 2017

The author and politician Morgan Philips Price (1885–1976) is best remembered today as a sympathetic eye-witness to the Russian Revolution and commentator on events in Soviet Russia throughout his long life. Less well known are his activities in Germany, to which he travelled in 1918 to observe the course of the November Revolution and better communicate his favourable view of Bolshevik Russia to Western Europe, and where he remained until 1924. In the summer of 1919, Price was arrested and held without trial in Berlin's Moabit prison, an incident which he later insisted was instigated by the British authorities. This article examines the extensive files on Price kept by the British security services in order to verify this interpretation of his arrest. In so doing, it will argue that a consideration of the case not only sheds light on an interesting aspect of Price's biography but also reveals much about the prevailing mind-set amongst some leading British military officers, security personnel, and politicians, and the methods by which they sought to neutralize perceived ‘revolutionary’ threats in the months after the First World War.
Equity Volatility Term Structures and the Cross Section of Option Returns
Authors: Vasquez Aurelio
Published: November 2017

The slope of the implied volatility term structure is positively related to future option returns. I rank firms based on the slope of the volatility term structure and analyze the returns for straddle portfolios. Straddle portfolios with high slopes of the volatility term structure outperform straddle portfolios with low slopes by an economically and statistically significant amount. The results are robust to different empirical setups and are not explained by traditional factors, higher-order option factors, or jump risk.
Scar satisfaction and body image in thyroidectomy patients: prospective study in a tertiary referral centre
Authors: Sethukumar P , Ly D , Awad Z , Tolley N S
Published: November 2017

Background:

This study is the first to evaluate scar satisfaction and body image in thyroidectomy patients using validated assessment tools.

Methods:

A total of 123 thyroidectomy patients were recruited over 8 months. Both patients and clinicians completed assessment tools that included: the Manchester Scar Scale (to measure scar perception), Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (to assess body image), Body Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (to screen for body dysmorphic disorder) and EQ-5D (to measure life quality). A separate image panel comprising experts and non-experts assessed 15 scar photographs. The results were analysed using non-parametric descriptive statistics.

Results:

Poor body image was associated with poor scar perception (ρ = 0.178,p= 0.05). Poor life quality correlated with poor scar perception (ρ = −0.292,p= 0.001). Scar length did not affect scar perception. Prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder among patients was found to be 8.94 per cent, which is higher than general population rates.

Conclusion:

Negative body image and life quality impact negatively upon scar perception.
The timing of pre-nuclear pitch accents in Persian
Authors: Sadeghi Vahid
Published: November 2017

This paper examines the phonetic realization of rising pre-nuclear pitch accents in Persian. In a first experiment, the alignment of f0 valleys and peaks in pre-nuclear pitch accents was analyzed in controlled speech materials as a function of the syllable structure (open vs. closed) and vowel type (short vs. long) of the accented syllable. The results revealed that in words with antepenultimate stress, both the L and the H tones are anchored to specific segmental landmarks irrespective of syllable structure or vowel type. In particular, the L is consistently aligned with the onset of the accented syllable, and the H is placed with similar consistency in the vicinity of the first post-accentual vowel. In a second experiment, the variability in the timing and scaling of L valleys and H peaks was examined as a function of the proximity of the word boundary and of the following accent. The results revealed that while the alignment of the L was unaffected by changes in stress conditions, H peaks were significantly retracted as the syllable approached the end of the word. However, the proximity of the following accent did not produce a significant effect on H alignment. In addition, no significant differences were found on L and H scaling in different stress or tonal crowding conditions. Overall, the results contribute to a growing body of evidence that in the absence of upcoming prosodic pressure, the alignment of pitch targets is specified relative to segmental positions. A comparison between these findings and empirical findings from other languages reveals fine phonetic differences of segmental anchoring that are less likely to be interpreted in terms of distinct association-based phonological representations, and suggests that some aspects of segmental anchoring need to be explained in terms of continuous language-specific alignment rules.