bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulating latrine conditions to assess perfume performance against malodour
Authors: Chappuis Charles Jean‐François , Huber Robin , Niclass Yvan , Starkenmann Christian
Published: April 2018

To evaluate perfume performance in toilets, we built model toilets in which critical factors such as background malodour, climate, and airflow were controlled. The models were equipped with an odour generator that injected hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, butyric acid, para‐cresol, and indole, allowing us to accurately and reliably reconstitute toilet malodour headspace. The malodorant concentrations matched the quantitative headspace analysis performed in African and Indian toilets. The toilet malodour headspace performance was validated by chemical and sensory analysis. Olfactory stimuli were presented to participants in different simulated climates to assess the effect of climate on the perception of odours. The sensory data show that increasing temperature and humidity decreased the intensity ratings of odours without altering their quality. Perfume can be delivered in these toilets by forced evaporation to control the headspace concentration, or by delivery systems such as cellulosic pads, liquids, and powders. Our experimental set‐up allowed us to establish dose–response curves to assess the performance of a perfume in reducing toilet malodour and increasing perceived pleasantness.
A test of the joint efficiency of macroeconomic forecasts using multivariate random forests
Authors: Behrens Christoph , Pierdzioch Christian , Risse Marian
Published: April 2018

We contribute to recent research on the joint evaluation of the properties of macroeconomic forecasts in a multivariate setting. The specific property of forecasts that we are interested in is their joint efficiency. We study the joint efficiency of forecasts by means of multivariate random forests, which we use to model the links between forecast errors and predictor variables in a forecaster's information set. We then use permutation tests to study whether the Mahalanobis distance between the predicted forecast errors for the growth and inflation forecasts of four leading German economic research institutes and actual forecast errors is significantly smaller than under the null hypothesis of forecast efficiency. We reject joint efficiency in several cases, but also document heterogeneity across research institutes with regard to the joint efficiency of their forecasts.
Generation of Eocene volcanic rocks from the Cordilleran arc of south‐central British Columbia (Canada) during subduction of the Farallon and Resurrection plates and Yellowstone oceanic plateau
Authors: Dostal Jaroslav , Keppie J. Duncan , Church B. Neil
Published: April 2018

Eocene calc‐alkaline volcanic rocks (Challis–Kamloops belt) of south‐central British Columbia are part of a chain of 55–45 Ma igneous rocks running along the eastern side of the Coast Mountains Batholith that straddles the Canada–United States border. This chain has been interpreted as resulting from east‐vergent subduction of oceanic plates in the Pacific Ocean under the North American continent. The volcanic rocks are mainly mafic‐intermediate calc‐alkaline and subordinate alkaline rocks with trace element and Sr and Nd isotope characteristics typical of subduction‐related, distal continental arcs. The mafic rocks were sourced from heterogeneous, subduction‐modified, subcontinental lithospheric mantle at various depths by variable degrees of melting. The volcanic rocks are associated with the formation of block‐faulted basins in an extensional arc setting. Positive seismic P‐wave anomalies in the northern USA image a horizontal slab between two steeply dipping, approximately 500‐km‐long slabs representing the present Cascadia subduction zone in the west, and a fossil subduction zone beneath the Challis–Kamloops belt. The horizontal slab is interpreted as the Yellowstone oceanic plateau that eventually choked the trench leading to a westward trench jump. Underthrusting of the Yellowstone oceanic plateau is inferred to have led to subduction erosion beneath the leading edge of the Cordilleran arc followed by extrusion as the Central Gneiss Complex into the upper plate. The combination of trench jump and subduction of the Resurrection–Kula ridge terminated the Challis–Kamloops magmatism and further opening of the slab window leading to the northward motion of the Kula Plate relative to North America that produced oblique rifts and core complexes in British Columbia.
Gliovascular changes precede white matter damage and long‐term disorders in juvenile mild closed head injury
Authors: Rodriguez‐Grande Beatriz , Obenaus Andre , Ichkova Aleksandra , Aussudre Justine , Bessy Thomas , Barse Elodie , Hiba Bassem , Catheline Gwénaëlle , Barrière Grégory , Badaut Jerome
Published: April 2018

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of hospital visits in pediatric patients and often leads to long‐term disorders even in cases of mild severity. White matter (WM) alterations are commonly observed in patients months or years after the injury assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but little is known about WM pathophysiology early after mild pediatric TBI. To evaluate the status of the gliovascular unit in this context, mild TBI was induced in postnatal‐day 17 mice using a closed head injury model with two grades of severity (G1, G2). G2 resulted in significant WM edema (increased T2‐signal) and BBB damage (IgG‐extravasation immunostaining) whereas decreased T2 and the increased levels of astrocytic water‐channel AQP4 were observed in G1 mice 1 day post‐injury. Both severities induced astrogliosis (GFAP immunolabeling). No changes in myelin and neurofilament were detected at this acute time point. One month after injury G2 mice exhibited diffusion tensor imaging MRI alterations (decreased fractional anisotropy) accompanied by decreased neurofilament staining in the WM. Both severities induced behavioral impairments at this time point. In conclusion, long‐term deficits and WM changes similar to those found after clinical TBI are preceded by distinct early gliovascular phenotype alterations after juvenile mild TBI, revealing AQP4 as a potential candidate for severity‐based treatments.
Does the earned income tax credit increase children's weight? The impact of policy‐driven income on childhood obesity
Authors: Jo Young
Published: April 2018

I exploit substantial increases in the earned income tax credit to study how a policy‐driven change in family income affects childhood obesity. Using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979, my difference‐in‐differences estimates indicate that the probability of being obese increased by 3 percentage points among children whose families experienced a greater income shock. A further investigation suggests that a reduction in maternal time with children played a greater role in children's weight gain than income. The paper's finding shows that a program that is not designed for health purposes, such as earned income tax credit, can have unintended effects on health outcomes.
Did adolescents in Norway respond to the elimination of copayments for general practitioner services?
Authors: Olsen Camilla Beck , Melberg Hans Olav
Published: April 2018

Copayments for primary care services may lead to decreased access to and underconsumption of necessary health care for vulnerable patient groups, such as adolescents. In Norway, in 2010, adolescents aged 12 to 15 years were exempted from copayments for general practitioner (GP) services, and the aim of this study is to estimate whether being exempted from copayments led to increases in GP visits.

We apply the synthetic control method using the elastic net regression as a data‐driven approach to construct a relevant counterfactual from our pool of age groups not affected by the reform. Data on the number of GP consultations for males and females from 2006 to 2013 is obtained from the Norwegian Health Economics Administration.

Our findings suggest that exempting adolescents from copayments increased the number of per person GP consultations by 22.1% among females and 13.8% among males. This indicates that adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15 were sensitive to copayments before the reform and females more so than males.
The Impact of Autoimmune Hepatitis and Its Treatment on Health Utility
Authors: Wong Lin Lee , Fisher Holly F , Stocken Deborah D , Rice Stephen , Khanna Amardeep , Heneghan Michael A , Oo Ye Htun , Mells George , Kendrick Stuart , Dyson Jessica Katharine , Jones David E. J. ,   on behalf of the UK‐AIH Consortium
Published: April 2018

Patient reporting suggests that the physical and psychological effects of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) can be substantial. However, health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with AIH remains incompletely characterized, and health utility remains to be explored. Treatment for AIH often includes the use of corticosteroids, which are agents that can be associated with significant adverse effects. Here we explore the impact of AIH and its treatments on patient‐reported HRQOL and health utility in a large cohort of prevalent cases from the United Kingdom Autoimmune Hepatitis (UK‐AIH) national study. Data were collected from 990 adult participants with a clinical diagnosis of AIH using validated HRQOL tools including the European Quality‐of‐Life 5‐Dimension 5‐Level (EQ‐5D‐5L) and clinical data forms. The EQ‐5D‐5L dimension scores were compared with UK population norms and with a disease control cohort with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Within the AIH cohort, regression analysis was used to explore associations between HRQOL and demographic and clinical variables with a particular focus on the impact of AIH therapies including corticosteroid use. HRQOL, measured by the EQ‐5D‐5L utility index, is shown to be significantly impaired in our cohort of AIH patients compared with population norms. Within the AIH cohort, corticosteroid use was found to be significantly associated with impaired HRQOL, even when controlling for biochemical disease activity status. Conclusion: Our data show evidence of HRQOL impairment in a large cohort of AIH patients compared with the general population. Furthermore, corticosteroid use is strongly associated with decreased HRQOL, independent of remission status. This highlights the need for better corticosteroid‐free therapy approaches and it emphasizes the need for future novel therapeutic trials in AIH. (Hepatology 2018; 00:000‐000).
Extrahepatic cancers are the leading cause of death in patients achieving hepatitis B virus control or hepatitis C virus eradication
Authors: Allaire Manon , Nahon Pierre , Layese Richard , Bourcier Valérie , Cagnot Carole , Marcellin Patrick , Guyader Dominique , Pol Stanislas , Larrey Dominique , De Lédinghen Victor , Ouzan Denis , Zoulim Fabien , Roulot Dominique , Tran Albert , Bronowicki Jean‐Pierre , Zarski Jean‐Pierre , Riachi Ghassan , Calès Paul , Péron Jean‐Marie , Alric Laurent , Bourlière Marc , Mathurin Philippe , Blanc Jean‐Frédéric , Abergel Armand , Serfaty Lawrence , Mallat Ariane , Grangé Jean‐Didier , Attali Pierre , Bacq Yannick , Wartelle Claire , Dao Thông , Thabut Dominique , Pilette Christophe , Silvain Christine , Christidis Christos , Nguyen‐Khac Eric , Bernard‐Chabert Brigitte , Zucman David , DI Martino Vincent , Sutton Angela , Letouzé Eric , Audureau Etienne , Roudot‐Thoraval Françoise ,   for the ANRS CO12 CirVir Group
Published: April 2018

Data on extrahepatic cancers (EHCs) in compensated viral cirrhosis are limited. The objective of the prospective multicenter Agence Nationale de Recherche sur le SIDA et les Hépatites virales CO12 CirVir cohort was to assess the occurrence of all clinical events in patients with compensated viral cirrhosis, including all types of cancer. Patients with the following inclusion criteria were enrolled in 35 French centers: (1) biopsy‐proven hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) cirrhosis, (2) Child‐Pugh A, or (3) absence of previous liver complications including primary liver cancer (PLC). Patients were followed up prospectively every 6 months. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated according to age and gender using 5‐year periods. The impact of sustained viral response (SVR) in HCV patients and maintained viral suppression in HBV patients were assessed using time‐dependent analysis. A total of 1,671 patients were enrolled between 2006 and 2012 (median age, 54.9 years; men, 67.3%; HCV, 1,323; HBV, 317; HCV–HBV, 31). Metabolic features and excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption were recorded in 15.2%, 36.4%, and 56.4% of cases, respectively. After a median follow‐up of 59.7 months, 227 PLCs were diagnosed (5‐year cumulative incidence [CumI] 13.4%) and 93 patients developed EHC (14 patients with lymphoid or related tissue cancer and 79 with solid tissue cancer; 5‐year EHC CumI, 5.9%). Compared to the general French population, patients were younger at cancer diagnosis, with significantly higher risk of EHC in HCV patients (SMR, 1.31; 95 confidence interval [CI], 1.04‐1.64; P = 0.017) and after SVR (SMR = 1.57; 95% CI, 1.08‐2.22; P = 0.013). EHC was the fourth leading cause of death in the whole cohort and the first in patients with viral control/eradication. Conclusion: Compared to the general French population, HCV cirrhosis is associated with a higher risk of EHC and the first cause of death in patients with viral cirrhosis who achieve virological control/eradication. (Hepatology 2018).
Antibiotic‐Associated Disruption of Microbiota Composition and Function in Cirrhosis Is Restored by Fecal Transplant
Authors: Bajaj Jasmohan S. , Kakiyama Genta , Savidge Tor , Takei Hajime , Kassam Zain A. , Fagan Andrew , Gavis Edith A. , Pandak William M. , Nittono Hiroshi , Hylemon Phillip B. , Boonma Prapaporn , Haag Anthony , Heuman Douglas M. , Fuchs Michael , John Binu , Sikaroodi Masoumeh , Gillevet Patrick M.
Published: April 2018

Patients with cirrhosis are often exposed to antibiotics that can lead to resistance and fungal overgrowth. The role of fecal microbial transplant (FMT) in restoring gut microbial function is unclear in cirrhosis. In a Food and Drug Administration–monitored phase 1 clinical safety trial, patients with decompensated cirrhosis on standard therapies (lactulose and rifaximin) were randomized to standard‐of‐care (SOC, no antibiotics/FMT) or 5 days of broad‐spectrum antibiotics followed by FMT from a donor enriched in Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae. Microbial composition (diversity, family‐level relative abundances), function (fecal bile acid [BA] deconjugation, 7α‐dehydroxylation, short‐chain fatty acids [SCFAs]), and correlations between Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, and clinical variables were analyzed at baseline, postantibiotics, and 15 days post‐FMT. FMT was well tolerated. Postantibiotics, there was a reduced microbial diversity and autochthonous taxa relative abundance. This was associated with an altered fecal SCFA and BA profile. Correlation linkage changes from beneficial at baseline to negative after antibiotics. All of these parameters became statistically similar post‐FMT to baseline levels. No changes were seen in the SOC group. Conclusion: In patients with advanced cirrhosis on lactulose and rifaximin, FMT restored antibiotic‐associated disruption in microbial diversity and function. (Hepatology 2018; 00:000‐000).
Adult neurogenesis affects motivation to obtain weak, but not strong, reward in operant tasks
Authors: Karlsson Rose‐Marie , Wang Alice S. , Sonti Anup N. , Cameron Heather A.
Published: April 2018

Decreased motivation to seek rewards is a key feature of mood disorders that correlates with severity and treatment outcome. This anhedonia, or apathy, likely reflects impairment in reward circuitry, but the specific neuronal populations controlling motivation are unclear. Granule neurons generated in the adult hippocampus have been implicated in mood disorders, but are not generally considered as part of reward circuits. We investigated a possible role of these new neurons in motivation to work for food and sucrose rewards in operant conditioning tasks using GFAP‐TK pharmacogenetic ablation of adult neurogenesis in both rats and mice. Rats and mice lacking adult neurogenesis showed normal lever press responding during fixed ratio training, reward devaluation, and Pavlovian Instrumental Transfer, suggesting no impairment in learning. However, on an exponentially progressive ratio schedule, or when regular chow was freely available in the testing chamber, TK rats and mice showed less effort to gain sucrose tablets. When working for balanced food tablets, which rats and mice of both genotypes strongly preferred over sucrose, the genotype effects on behavior were lost. This decrease in effort under conditions of low reward suggests that loss of adult neurogenesis decreases motivation to seek reward in a manner that may model behavioral apathy.
Sex differences in hippocampal mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptor mRNA expression in response to acute mate pair separation in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata)
Authors: Madison Farrah N. , Kesner Andrew J. , Alward Beau A. , Ball Gregory F.
Published: April 2018

Mate separation has been shown to mediate changes in physiological and behavioral processes via activation of the hypothalamo‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis in both mammalian and avian species. To elucidate the neural mechanisms associated with changes in the HPA axis in response to social stress, we investigated the effects of mate pair separation on circulating corticosterone concentrations as well as gene expression levels of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) in the hypothalamus and hippocampus of both male and female zebra finches, a species that forms strong pair bonds. Zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) were housed three to a cage (a mated pair plus a stimulus female), and were assigned to one of three new housing treatment groups: (1) male or female removed from their respective mate and placed in a cage with a new opposite sex conspecific and stimulus female (2) male or female that remained with their mate, but a new stimulus female was introduced, or (3) the subjects were handled but not separated from their mate or the stimulus female. After 48 hr in the new housing condition, we observed significant increases in plasma corticosterone concentrations in response to both mate pair and stimulus female separation. No significant differences in MR, GR, or CRH mRNA expression in the hypothalamus were observed in response to any treatment for both males and females. Females exhibited a significant up regulation in hippocampal MR, but not GR mRNA, whereas males exhibited a significant down regulation of both hippocampal MR and GR mRNA in response to mate pair separation. Thus, the hippocampus appears to play a key role in regulating sex specific responses to social stressors.
Synthesis and Characterization of Heteroleptic Ru(II) Complexes Based on 4,4′‐Bis((E)‐styryl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine as Ancillary Ligand and Application for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Lee Jihoon , Seo Jinhyung , Choi Yong Rack , Oh Hyunju , Huh Jun Nyeong , Park Byoungchoo , Tak Jungae , Kim Byeong Hyo
Published: April 2018

Heteroleptic Ru(II) complexes were designed based on 4,4′‐bis((E)‐styryl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine (bsbpy) as an ancillary ligand for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), and those Ru(II) sensitizers, [Ru(L)(bsbpy)(NCS)2][TBA] (TBA; tetrabutylammonium), were synthesized according to a typical one‐pot reaction of [RuCl2(p‐cymene)]2 with the corresponding anchoring ligands (where L = 4,4′‐dicarboxy‐2,2′‐bipyridine (dcbpy), 4,4′‐bis((E)‐carboxyvinyl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine (dcvbpy), 4,7‐dicarboxy‐1,10‐phenanthroline (dcphen), or 4,7‐bis((E)‐carboxyvinyl)‐1,10‐phenanthroline (dcvphen)). The new Ru(II) dyes, [Ru(L)(bsbpy)(NCS)2][TBA] that incorporated vinyl spacer(s) into ancillary and/or anchoring ligand displayed red‐shifted bands over the overall UV/VIS region relative to the absorption spectra of N719. A combination of bsbpy ancillary and dcphen anchoring ligand showed the best result for the overall power conversion efficiency (η); i.e., a DSSC fabricated with [Ru(dcphen)(bsbpy)(NCS)2][TBA] exhibited a power conversion efficiency (η) of 2.98% (compare to N719, 4.82%).
Placental MAOA expression mediates prenatal stress effects on temperament in 12‐month‐olds
Authors: Pehme Patricia M. , Zhang Wei , Finik Jackie , Pritchett Alexandra , Buthmann Jessica , Dana Kathryn , Hao Ke , Nomura Yoko
Published: April 2018

The placenta adapts to maternal environment and its alterations may have a lasting impact on child's temperament development. Prenatal stress has been linked to both a downregulation of monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene expression in the placenta and to difficult temperament. Capitalizing on an ongoing longitudinal study, we analysed data from 95 mother–child dyads to investigate whether MAOA mediates the association between prenatal stress and infant temperament. Prenatal stress was defined as exposure to Superstorm Sandy (Sandy) during pregnancy. Infant temperament was measured by Infant Behaviour Questionnaire‐Revised. MAOA gene expression was quantified in placenta tissue. The Smiling and Laughter subscale score was independently associated with Sandy exposure and MAOA placental gene expression. Mediation analysis confirmed that MAOA expression partially mediated the relationship between Sandy and Smiling and Laughter subscale, suggesting that in utero exposure to Sandy could induce lower frequency of smiling and laughter via downregulation of placental MAOA gene expression. These effects could compromise optimal temperamental trajectory and contribute to risk for psychological problems. Placental epigenetic markers can contribute to a multidimensional model of early intervention for high‐risk children.

Highlights

The study examined whether placental MAOA gene expression operates as a biological mediator in the relationship between prenatal stress and infant temperament.

Mediation analyses revealed a partial mediation between prenatal stress and Smiling and Laughter subscale.

Stress in utero could change MAOA gene expression epigenetically, which could shape temperament development. Such placental gene expressions may become useful biomarkers for screening and intervention.
Impact of iASPP on chemoresistance through PLK1 and autophagy in ovarian clear cell carcinoma
Authors: Chan Ka‐Kui , Wong Oscar Gee‐Wan , Wong Esther Shuk‐Ying , Chan Karen Kar‐Loen , Ip Philip Pun‐Ching , Tse Ka‐Yu , Cheung Annie Nga‐Yin
Published: April 2018

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is a type of epithelial ovarian cancer that is strongly associated with endometriosis, resistance against conventional chemotherapy and thus poorer prognosis. The expression of inhibitory member of the ASPP family proteins (iASPP) and Polo‐like kinase (PLK)1 were significantly higher in OCCC compared to benign cystadenomas and endometriosis. Both protein expressions were found to correlate with chemoresistance in patients with OCCC while high iASPP expression alone was significantly associated with a poor patient survival. The growth of OCCC cell lines, OVTOKO and KK, were inhibited after iASPP silencing. Such effect was related to senescence triggering as evidenced by increased SA‐β‐Gal staining and p21WAF1/Cip1 expression. Moreover, knockdown of iASPP induced PLK1 downregulation, whereas either genes’ silencing sensitized the cells in response to cisplatin treatment. More prominent apoptosis was induced by cisplatin in OCCC cells after the knockdown of either iASPP or PLK1 as evidenced by the formation of more cleaved caspase 3. Heightened chemosensitivity to cisplatin after iASPP knockdown was further demonstrated in in vivo xenograft model. Additionally, both iASPP and PLK1 were shown to regulate autophagic flux as the induction of LC3B‐II and LC3 puncta were much less in OCCC cells with either knockdown. Importantly, inhibition of autophagy also enhanced chemosensitivity to cisplatin in OCCC cells. These findings strongly imply that iASPP and PLK1 affect the chemoresistance of OCCC via the regulation of autophagy and apoptosis. Both iASPP and PLK1 can be potential therapeutic targets for treating OCCC in combination with conventional chemotherapy.
Cervical cancer risk in HPV‐positive women after a negative FAM19A4/mir124‐2 methylation test: A post hoc analysis in the POBASCAM trial with 14 year follow‐up
Authors: De Strooper Lise M.A. , Berkhof Johannes , Steenbergen Renske D.M. , Lissenberg‐Witte Birgit I. , Snijders Peter J.F. , Meijer Chris J.L.M. , Heideman Daniëlle A.M.
Published: April 2018

DNA methylation analysis of cervical scrapes using FAM19A4 and mir124‐2 genes has shown a good clinical performance in detecting cervical cancer and advanced CIN lesions in need of treatment in HPV‐positive women. To date, longitudinal data on the cancer risk of methylation test‐negative women are lacking. In our study, we assessed the longitudinal outcome of FAM19A4/mir124‐2 methylation analysis in an HPV‐positive screening cohort with 14 years of follow‐up. Archived HPV‐positive cervical scrapes of 1,040 women (age 29–61 years), who were enrolled in the POBASCAM screening trial (ISRCTN20781131) were tested for FAM19A4/mir124‐2 methylation. By linkage with the nationwide network and registry of histo‐ and cytopathology in the Netherlands (PALGA), 35 cervical cancers were identified during 14 years of follow‐up comprising three screens (baseline, and after 5 and 10 years). The baseline scrape of 36.1% (n = 375) women tested positive for FAM19A4/mir124‐2 methylation, including 24 women with cervical cancer in follow‐up, and 30.6% (n = 318) had abnormal cytology (threshold borderline dyskaryosis or ASCUS), including 14 women with cervical cancer in follow‐up. Within screening round capability of FAM19A4/mir124‐2 methylation to detect cervical cancer was 100% (11/11, 95% CI: 71.5–100). Kaplan–Meier estimate of 14‐year cumulative cervical cancer incidence was 1.7% (95% CI: 0.66–3.0) among baseline methylation‐negative and 2.4% (95% CI: 1.4–3.6) among baseline cytology‐negative women (risk difference: 0.71% [95% CI: 0.16–1.4]). In conclusion, a negative FAM19A4/mir124‐2 methylation test provides a low cervical cancer risk in HPV‐positive women of 30 years and older. FAM19A4/mir124‐2 methylation testing merits consideration as an objective triage test in HPV‐based cervical screening programs.
Selective and sensitive Escherichia coli detection based on a T4 bacteriophage‐immobilized multimode microfiber
Authors: Li Yanpeng , Ma Hui , Gan Lin , Gong Andong , Zhang Haibin , Liu Deming , Sun Qizhen
Published: April 2018

Escherichia coli bacteria have been found to be responsible for various health outbreaks caused by contaminated food and water. Accurate and rapid test of E. coli is thus crucial for protecting the public health. A fast‐response, label‐free bacteriophage‐based detection of E. coli using multimode microfiber probe is proposed and demonstrated in this article. Due to the abrupt taper and subwavelength diameter, different modes are excited and guided in the microfiber as evanescent field that can interact with surrounding E. coli directly. The change of E. coli concentration and corresponding binding of E. coli bacteria on microfiber surface will lead to the shift of optical spectrum, which can be exploited for the application of biosensing. The proposed method is capable of reliable detection of E. coli concentration as low as 103cfu/mL within the range of 103 to 107 cfu/mL. Owing to the advantages of high sensitivity and fast response, the microfiber probe has great potential application in the fields of environment monitoring and food safety.
Experimental study of the evanescent‐wave photonic sensors response in presence of molecular beacon conformational changes
Authors: Ruiz‐Tórtola Ángela , Prats‐Quílez Francisco , González‐Lucas Daniel , Bañuls María‐José , Maquieira Ángel , Wheeler Guy , Dalmay Tamas , Griol Amadeu , Hurtado Juan , Bohlmann Helge , Götzen Reiner , García‐Rupérez Jaime
Published: April 2018

An experimental study of the influence of the conformational change suffered by molecular beacon (MB) probes—upon the biorecognition of nucleic acid target oligonucleotides over evanescent wave photonic sensors—is reported. To this end, high sensitivity photonic sensors based on silicon photonic bandgap (PBG) structures were used, where the MB probes were immobilized via their 5′ termination. Those MBs incorporate a biotin moiety close to their 3′ termination in order to selectively bind a streptavidin molecule to them. The different photonic sensing responses obtained toward the target oligonucleotide detection, when the streptavidin molecule was bound to the MB probes or not, demonstrate the conformational change suffered by the MB upon hybridization, which promotes the displacement of the streptavidin molecule away from the surface of the photonic sensing structure.
Inside Cover: Noninvasive, high‐speed, near‐infrared imaging of the biomolecular distribution and molecular mechanism of embryonic development in fertilized fish eggs (J. Biophotonics 4/2018)
Authors: Ishigaki Mika , Nishii Takashi , Puangchit Paralee , Yasui Yui , Huck Christian W. , Ozaki Yukihiro
Published: April 2018

The biomaterial distribution and its molecular mechanism of embryonic development in Japanese medaka fish were visualized without staining using high‐speed near‐infrared imaging. It was a remarkable achievement to visualize the structures of eyes, lipid bilayer membranes, micelles, and water structural variations at the interface of different substances. Furthermore, insights on lipid metabolism and membrane functions were obtained from the biased distribution of lipoproteins and the presence of unsaturated fatty acids in the egg membrane.

Further details can be found in the article by Mika Ishigaki (e201700115)

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Back Cover: Autofluorescence and white light imaging‐guided endoscopic Raman and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for in vivo nasopharyngeal cancer detection (J. Biophotonics 4/2018)
Authors: Lin Duo , Qiu Sufang , Huang Wei , Pan Jianji , Xu Zhihong , Chen Rong , Feng Shangyuan , Chen Guannan , Li Yongzeng , Short Michael , Zhao Jianhua , Fawzy Yasser , Zeng Haishan
Published: April 2018

An integrated 4‐modality endoscopy system combining white light imaging, autofluorescence imaging, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy technologies was developed for in vivo endoscopic nasopharyngeal cancer detection. Both high diagnostic sensitivity (98.6%) and high specificity (95.1%) for differentiating cancer from normal tissue sites were achieved using this system combined with multivariate diagnostic algorithm, demonstrating great potential for improving real‐time, in vivo diagnosis of cancer at endoscopy.

Further details can be found in the article by Duo Lin et al. (e201700251)

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25-Hydroxyvitamin D Threshold for the Effects of Vitamin D Supplements on Bone Density: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Macdonald Helen M , Reid Ian R , Gamble Gregory D , Fraser William D , Tang Jonathan C , Wood Adrian D
Published: April 2018

Most trials of vitamin D supplementation have shown no benefits on bone mineral density (BMD), although severe vitamin D deficiency causes osteomalacia, which is associated with profound BMD deficits. Recently, the ViDA-BMD study from New Zealand demonstrated a threshold of baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD; 30 nmol/L) below which vitamin D supplementation did benefit BMD. We have now reexamined data from a similar trial in Aberdeen to determine whether a baseline 25OHD threshold of 30 nmol/L is also observed in that database. The Aberdeen study recruited 305 postmenopausal women in late winter and randomized them to receive placebo, vitamin D 400 IU/d, or vitamin D 1000 IU/d over 1 year. As previously reported, BMD loss at the hip was reduced by vitamin D 1000 IU/d only, and there was no significant treatment effect of either dose at the lumbar spine. In the present analysis, when the trial participants were grouped according to whether their baseline 25OHD was ≤30 nmol/L or above this threshold, significant treatment effects were apparent at both the spine and hip in those with baseline 25OHD ≤30 nmol/L, but no significant effects were apparent in those with baseline 25OHD above this level. There was evidence of a similar threshold for effects on parathyroid hormone, but no groups showed changes in bone turnover markers during the study. It is concluded that vitamin D supplements only increase bone density in adults with nadir 25OHD ≤30 nmol/L. This moves us further toward a trial-based definition of vitamin D deficiency in adults with adequate calcium intakes and suggests that supplement use should be targeted accordingly. Future trials of vitamin D supplementation should focus on individuals with 25OHD concentrations in this range. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
MiR‐135a represses oxidative stress and vascular inflammatory events via targeting toll‐like receptor 4 in atherogenesis
Authors: Du Xian‐Jin , Lu Jing‐Min
Published: April 2018

Plenty of microRNAs have been identified as critical mediators in atherosclerosis progression, which is still a great threat to human health. Oxidative stress and inflammation have been implicated to contribute a lot to atherosclerosis development. MiR‐135a is abnormally expressed in various cancer types, however its function in atherosclerosis is largely unexplored. Ox‐LDL is commonly recognized as a crucial atherosclerosis regulator. In our current study, we observed ox‐LDL was able to induce RAW264.7 cell apoptosis and meanwhile miR‐135a was restrained by ox‐LDL both dose‐dependently and time‐ dependently. CD36 has been reported to participate in atherosclerosis process and miR‐135a mimics can inhibit its expression while miR‐135a inhibitors exhibited a reverse phenomenon. Meanwhile, miR‐135a overexpression can suppress foam cell formation, TC, TG levels, and cell apoptosis induced by 20 µg/mL ox‐LDL. Subsequently, it was found that miR‐135a overexpression can inhibit oxidative stress by decreasing ROS, MDA levels, and increasing SOD levels. Reversely, miR‐135a inhibition demonstrated an inhibitory effect in vitro. Apart from these, miR‐135a can also modulate inflammation molecules including IL‐6, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α. TLR4 was predicted as a target of miR‐135a and the negative correlation between them was confirmed by dual‐luciferase reporter assay in our study. This work improves our understanding of atherosclerosis events mediated by miR‐135a/TLR4 and helps to develop new approaches for atherosclerosis.
Matrix metalloproteinases‐2 (MMP‐2) and matrix metalloproteinases ‐9 (MMP‐9) are differentially expressed in different regions of normal and preeclampsia placentae
Authors: Sahay Akriti S. , Jadhav Anjali T. , Sundrani Deepali P. , Wagh Girija N. , Mehendale Savita S. , Joshi Sadhana R.
Published: April 2018

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in the extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling during human placentation and parturition and have been shown to be associated with oxidative stress. Placental regional changes in oxygen availability and oxidative stress indices may influence regional differences in expression of MMPs. This study examines the protein and mRNA levels of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 in different regions of the placenta in normotensive control (NC) women and women with preeclampsia (PE). Fifty‐two NC women and 43 women with PE (18 delivered at term [T‐PE] and 25 delivered preterm [PT‐PE]) were recruited. Placental samples were taken from four regions: central basal (CM), central chorionic (CF), peripheral basal (PM), and peripheral chorionic (PF). MMP protein and mRNA levels were measured by ELISA and quantitative real time PCR, respectively. MMP‐2 protein levels were higher in all the placental regions (P < 0.05) from PT‐PE group as compared to the respective regions from the NC and T‐PE groups. MMP‐9 mRNA levels were higher in CM region as compared to CF and PM regions (P < 0.05) in the NC group and compared to CF and PF regions (P < 0.05) in the T‐PE group. The MMP‐9 mRNA levels were lower in the CF region in the PT‐PE and T‐PE groups (P < 0.05) as compared to the NC group. Elevated levels of MMP‐2 protein levels were observed in all regions of PT‐PE placenta possibly influencing the degradation of placental ECM. Lower mRNA expression of MMP‐9 both in PT‐PE and T‐PE may contribute to a disturbed placental vascularization.
Identification of variants in the mitochondrial lysine‐tRNA (MT‐TK) gene in myoclonic epilepsy—pathogenicity evaluation and structural characterization by in silico approach
Authors: Nadeem Muhammad S. , Ahmad Habib , Mohammed Kaleemuddin , Muhammad Khushi , Ullah Inam , Baothman Othman A. S. , Ali Nasir , Anwar Firoz , Zamzami Mazin A. , Shakoori Abdul Rauf
Published: April 2018

Variations in mitochondrial genes have an established link with myoclonic epilepsy. In the present study we evaluated the nucleotide sequence of MT‐TK gene of 52 individuals from 12 unrelated families and reported three variations in 2 of the 13 epileptic patients. The DNA sequences coding for MT‐TK gene were sequenced and mutations were detected in all participants. The mutations were further analyzed by the in silico analysis and their structural and pathogenic effects were determined. All the investigated patients had symptoms of myoclonus, 61.5% were positive for ataxia, 23.07% were suffering from hearing loss, 15.38% were having mild to severe dementia, 69.23% were males, and 61.53% had cousin marriage in their family history. DNA extracted from saliva was used for the PCR amplification of a 440 bp DNA fragment encompassing complete MT‐TK gene. The nucleotide sequence analysis revealed three mutations, m.8306T>C, m.8313G>C, and m.8362T>G that are divergent from available reports. The identified mutations designate the heteroplasmic condition. Furthermore, pathogenicity of the identified variants was predicted by in silico tools viz., PON‐mt‐tRNA and MitoTIP. Secondary structure of altered MT‐TK was predicted by RNAStructure web server. Studies by MitoTIP and PON‐mt‐tRNA tools have provided strong evidences of pathogenic effects of these mutations. Single nucleotide variations resulted in disruptive secondary structure of mutant MT‐TK models, as predicted by RNAStructure. In vivo confirmation of structural and pathogenic effects of identified mutations in the animal models can be prolonged on the basis of these findings.
Mouse serum exosomal proteomic signature in response to asbestos exposure
Authors: Munson Phillip , Lam Ying‐Wai , MacPherson Maximilian , Beuschel Stacie , Shukla Arti
Published: April 2018

Asbestos‐induced diseases like fibrosis and mesothelioma are very aggressive, without any treatment options. These diseases are diagnosed only at the terminal stages due to lack of early stage biomarkers. The recent discovery of exosomes as circulating biomarkers led us to look for exosomal biomarkers of asbestos exposure in mouse blood. In our model, mice were exposed to asbestos as a single bolus dose by oropharyngeal aspiration. Fifty‐six days later blood was collected, exosomes were isolated from plasma and characterized and subjected to proteomic analysis using Tandem Mass Tag labeling. We identified many proteins, some of which were more abundant in asbestos exposed mouse serum exosomes, and three selected proteins were validated by immunoblotting. Our study is the first to show that serum exosomal proteomic signatures can reveal some important proteins relevant to asbestos exposure that have the potential to be validated as candidate biomarkers. We hope to extrapolate the positive findings of this study to humans in future studies.
StreaMD: Advanced analysis of molecular dynamics using R
Authors: Dombrowsky Maximilian J. , Jager Sven , Schiller Benjamin , Mayer Benjamin E. , Stammler Sebastian , Hamacher Kay
Published: April 2018

Gromacs is one of the most popular molecular simulation suites currently available. In this contribution we present streaMD, the first interface between Gromacs trajectory files and the statistical language R. The amount of data created due to ever increasing computational power renders fast and efficient analysis of trajectories into a challenge. Especially as standard approaches such as root‐mean square fluctuations and the like provide only limited physical insight. In our streaMD package integration of the Gromacs I/O libraries with advanced, graph‐based analysis methods as the java library Stream leads to both: improved speed and analysis depth. We benchmark our results and highlight the applicability of the package by an interesting problem in RNA design, namely the interaction of tetracycline with an aptamer. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of a barbershop based violence intervention for young Black emerging adult men
Authors: Baker Jillian Lucas , Stevenson Howard C. , Talley Lloyd Matthew , Jemmott Loretta Sweet , Jemmott John B.
Published: April 2018

A crucial gap in the education literature are the health interventions situated for the unique experiences of Black emerging adult men (BEAM), one of the most vulnerable populations in the United States The article describes the systematic development of a theory‐based, culturally tailored, barbershop‐based violence intervention for BEAM, aged 18–24 years. The process included developing a community advisory board, selecting a theoretical framework, incorporating community‐based participatory research principles, and conducting formative research with BEAM and barbershop owners. The result was Shape Up: Barbers Building Better Brothers, a 2‐day retaliation violence risk reduction intervention focused on increasing retaliation restraint self‐efficacy beliefs and skills and reducing the number of violent incidents. Intervention sessions were facilitated by barbers who used iPads to deliver the content. As a high‐risk population, this intervention has great public health significance for the health of BEAM.
The influence of school sense of community on students’ well‐being: A multilevel analysis
Authors: Prati Gabriele , Cicognani Elvira , Albanesi Cinzia
Published: April 2018

Previous studies have demonstrated the role of students’ school sense of community (i.e., emotional connection and bonds with other students at school and sense of belonging to the school as a community) in predicting well‐being (presence of positive feelings and positive functioning in life). Specifically, these studies have found that individual sense of community in the school is associated with well‐being. However, individual sense of community in the school does not constitute a school‐level characteristic, and the influence of sense of community at the school level on students’ well‐being was not investigated. To address this gap in the literature, we conducted a study investigating the influence of sense of community at the school level on students’ well‐being, using multilevel analysis. Our sample comprised 1,800 students (age ranged from 11 to 20 years) from public lower and upper secondary schools in Italy. Results showed that higher sense of community scores at the school level were associated with higher well‐being scores, while controlling for individual sense of community, gender, and age. These results provide support for a school‐level theory of school sense of community (i.e., moving school sense of community theory from the individual to the school level).
Quaking promotes the odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells
Authors: Li Shuchen , Lin Chujiao , Zhang Jie , Tao Huangheng , Liu Huan , Yuan Guohua , Chen Zhi
Published: April 2018

Odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) is essential for the formation of reparative dentin after dental caries or injury. Our previous studies have demonstrated that krüppel‐like factor 4 (KLF4) is a critical transcription factor that promotes the odontoblastic differentiation of hDPSCs. Analysis of the microRNA binding sites within the 3′‐UTR of KLF4 revealed that QKI, an RNA‐binding protein, shared the most microRNAs with KLF4, presumably served as a “competent endogenous RNA (ceRNA)” with KLF4. Thus, we hypothesized QKI could also promote odontoblastic differentiation. In this study, we found QKI was up‐regulated during mouse odontoblast differentiation in vivo and hDPSCs odontoblastic differentiation in vitro. Overexpression or knockdown of QKI in hDPSCs led to the increase or decrease of odontoblast marker genes’ expressions, indicating its positive role in odontoblastic differentiation. We further validated that QKI served as a key ceRNA of KLF4 via interaction of the shared miRNAs in hDPSCs. Last, we found that, as an RNA binding protein, QKI protein could bind to, and stabilize dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) mRNA, resulting in the augmented accumulation of DSP protein. Taken together, our study indicates that QKI promotes the odontoblastic differentiation of hDPSCs by acting as a ceRNA of KLF4 and as a binding protein of DSPP mRNA to stabilize its level. These two mechanisms of QKI will together positively regulate the downstream pathways and hence potentiate odontoblastic differentiation.
Testicular germ cell apoptosis and sperm defects in mice upon long‐term high fat diet feeding
Authors: Ghosh Songita , Mukherjee Sutapa
Published: April 2018

The growing prevalence of male infertility is a matter of serious concern. One of the putative causes being nutritional excess from continuous consumption of high fat diet (HFD) leading to insulin resistance albeit the specific relationship is not fully understood. Besides, there are many contradictions in the available literature on the subject. Therefore, we sought to characterize in detail the effects of HFD upon testicular function and sperm quality in mice with particular focus on isolated testicular germ cells and spermatozoa, respectively. In this study, we treated 8‐week old male Swiss albino mice with HFD for the duration of 5 months; control animals were reared on standard diet. We observed HFD induced progressive deterioration of testicular histoarchitecture leading to disruption of seminiferous tubules, increased vacuolization, and partial to complete tubular atrophy. Time dependent adverse effects on sperm count, motility, and morphology were noticed. Interestingly, numerous anomalies were detectable in sperm head and tail structures reflecting loss of reproductive capacity due to HFD. Maximal tissue and sperm damage was conspicuous at the endpoint, prompting us to examine oxidative stress markers. Enhanced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, augmentation of prooxidant activities, and compromised testicular antioxidant defences clearly implied conditions of oxidative stress in long‐term HFD treated mice. This was concomitant with the onset of abnormally enhanced testicular germ cell apoptosis involving the mitochondrial intrinsic pathway. Thus, our findings revealed that ROS mediated deregulation of testicular germ cell apoptosis is critical in male reproductive impairment due to diet induced obesity.
Autophagy induction by trehalose: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic impacts
Authors: Hosseinpour‐Moghaddam Kiana , Caraglia Michele , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: April 2018

The balance between synthesis and degradation is crucial to maintain cellular homeostasis and different mechanisms are known to keep this balance. In this review, we will provide a short overview on autophagy as an intracellular homeostatic degradative machinery. We will also describe the involvement of downregulation of autophagy in numerous diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, aging, metabolic disorders, and other infectious diseases. Therefore, modulation of autophagic processes can represent a promising way of intervention in different diseases including neurodegeneration and cancer. Trehalose, also known as mycose, is a natural disaccharide found extensively but not abundantly among several organisms. It is described that trehalose can work as an important autophagy modulator and can be proficiently used in the control several diseases in which autophagy plays an important role. On these bases, we describe here the role of trehalose as an innovative drug in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and other illnesses opening a new scenario of intervention in conditions difficult to be treated.