bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluvial sedimentary history of Arlington Canyon, Channel Islands National Park, California
Authors: Schumann R. Randall , Pigati Jeffrey S.
Published: July 2019

Arlington Canyon, in the northwest part of Santa Rosa Island, Channel Islands National Park, California, has been the setting for important scientific discoveries over the past half century, including the oldest human remains in North America, several vertebrate fossil sites, and purported evidence of a catastrophic extinction event at the end of the Pleistocene. The canyon is filled with alluvial sediments that date to between 16.4 and 1.1 ka (thousands of calibrated years before present), representing accumulation that occurred primarily in response to rising sea levels during the late Pleistocene and Holocene. The deposits are laterally discontinuous, exhibit a high degree of sedimentary complexity, and contain evidence of past climates and environments, including fossil bones, burned plant macrofossils, and invertebrate microfossils. Here, we show that it is critical to view the observations, data, and conclusions of scientific studies conducted in the canyon within this larger context so that localized facets of the spatially and temporally extensive alluvial deposits are not misinterpreted or misrepresented. By improving the baseline understanding of processes and drivers of sediment accumulation in Arlington Canyon, we hope to offer a solid foundation and better underpinning for future archeological, paleontological, and geochemical studies here and throughout the northern Channel Islands. Published 2019. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
MetaInsight: An interactive web‐based tool for analyzing, interrogating, and visualizing network meta‐analyses using R‐shiny and netmeta
Authors: Owen Rhiannon K. , Bradbury Naomi , Xin Yiqiao , Cooper Nicola , Sutton Alex
Published: July 2019

Background

Network meta‐analysis (NMA) is a powerful analysis method used to identify the best treatments for a condition and is used extensively by health care decision makers. Although software routines exist for conducting NMA, they require considerable statistical programming expertise to use, which limits the number of researchers able to conduct such analyses.

Objectives

To develop a web‐based tool allowing users with only standard internet browser software to be able to conduct NMAs using an intuitive “point and click” interface and present the results using visual plots.

Methods

Using the existing netmeta and Shiny packages for R to conduct the analyses, and to develop the user interface, we created the MetaInsight tool which is freely available to use via the web.

Results

A package was created for conducting NMA which satisfied our objectives, and this is described, and its application demonstrated, using an illustrative example.

Conclusions

We believe that many researchers will find our package helpful for facilitating NMA as well as allowing decision makers to scrutinize presented results visually and in real time. This will impact on the relevance of statistical analyses for health care decision making and sustainably increase capacity by empowering informed nonspecialists to be able to conduct more clinically relevant reviews. It is also hoped that others will be inspired to create similar tools for other advanced specialist analyses methods using the freely available technologies we have adopted.
Phosphate‐solubilizing bacteria improveAgave angustifoliaHaw. growth under field conditions
Authors: Bautista‐Cruz Angélica , Antonio‐Revuelta Betsy , del Carmen Martínez Gallegos Verónica , Báez‐Pérez Aurelio
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

Phosphate‐solubilizing bacteria (PSB) can be an environment‐friendly strategy to improve crop production in low‐phosphorus (P) or P‐deficient soils. The effect of indigenous mixed inocula of PSB onAgave angustifoliaHaw. growth was assessed. The four treatments evaluated were T1 (Pseudomonas luteola + Enterobactersp.), T2 (Pseudomonas luteola + Bacillussp.), T3 (Pseudomonas luteola + Acinetobactersp.), and T4 (control); each was replicated 25 times using a completely randomized design during 12 months under rain‐fed conditions. Additionally, P solubilizationin vitroof the mixed inocula with three different sources of inorganic P was tested.

RESULTS

The mixed inocula were able to solubilize more P from tricalcium phosphate Ca3(PO4)2than from aluminum phosphate (AlPO4) and iron phosphate (FePO4). Relative to the control, T2 increased plant height by 22.9%, leaf dry weight by 391.4%, plant stem diameter by 49.6%, and root dry weight by 193.9%. The stem solid soluble content increased 50.0% with T1. Plant‐available soil P increased 94.6% with T3 and 77.3% with T1. Soil alkaline phosphatase activity increased 85.9% with T1.

CONCLUSION

T2 was the mixed inoculum that most improvedAgave angustifoliaplant growth. The indigenous mixed inocula of PSB evaluated appears to be a practical and efficient option for promoting field growth ofAgave angustifoliaplants. However, further research is necessary to achieve a deeper understanding of the relationships between different PSB species and their effects on agave, which may reveal some of the mechanisms of the synergistic interactions that are involved in the promotion of plant growth. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
A Khorasan wheat‐based diet improves systemic inflammatory profile in semi‐professional basketball players: a randomized crossover pilot study
Authors: Spisni Enzo , Valerii Maria Chiara , De Fazio Luigia , Rotondo Enrica , Di Natale Marcella , Giovanardi Elisabetta , Posabella Giovanni , Bregola Valeria , Stenico Verena , Sferrazza Rocco Enrico , Dinelli Giovanni , Bosi Sara
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Khorasan wheat is an ancient grain with widely acclaimed beneficial effects on human health. The objective of the study was to examine the effect of a Khorasan‐based diet on the wellbeing and inflammatory profile of young athletes.

RESULTS

We conducted a randomized, single‐blinded crossover trial involving 20 male young athletes. The participants were randomly assigned to consume products (pasta, bread, biscuits and crackers) made either with Khorasan (KAMUT® brand) or modern semi‐whole‐grain wheat for 4‐weeks with a 4‐week washout period before the crossover. Laboratory analyses and fitness tests were performed both at the beginning and end of each diet period. The consumption of Khorasan products was associated with a significant reduction of monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1; mean reduction: −36.15 pg/mL; −25.67%) while the consumption of modern wheat was not associated with significant differences in Interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) or Interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra). The consumption of the Khorasan‐based diet also resulted in a significant improvement in self‐rated health status. No statistically significant differences in any athletic performance parameter were observed between the two diets.

CONCLUSION

The present results suggest that a Khorasan‐based diet could be effective in reducing the inflammatory status in young athletes. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Analysis of Chuanxiong Rhizoma substrate on production of ligustrazine in endophytic Bacillus subtilis by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Yin Dan Dan , Wang Yun Lai , Yang Mo , Yin Deng Ke , Wang Guo Kai , Xu Fan
Published: July 2019

Ligustrazine was the active ingredient of the traditional Chinese medicine Chuanxiong Rhizoma. However, the content of ligustrazine is very low. We proposed a hypothesis that ligustrazine was produced by the mutual effects between endophytic Bacillus subtilis and the Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. This study aimed to explore whether the endophytic B. subtilis LB5 could make use of Chuanxiong Rhizoma fermentation matrix to produce ligustrazine and clarify the mechanisms of action preliminarily. Ultra high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry analysis showed the content of ligustrazine in Chuanxiong Rhizoma was below the detection limit (0.1 ng/mL), while B. subtilis LB5 produced ligustrazine at the yield of 1.0268 mg/mL in the Chuanxiong Rhizoma‐ammonium sulfate fermentation medium. In the fermented matrix, the reducing sugar had a significant reduction from 12.034 to 2.424 mg/mL, and rough protein content increased from 2.239 to 4.361 mg/mL. Acetoin, the biosynthetic precursor of ligustrazine, was generated in the Chuanxiong Rhizoma‐Ammonium sulfate (151.2 mg/mL) fermentation medium. This result showed that the endophytic bacteria B. subtilis LB5 metabolized Chuanxiong Rhizoma via secreted protein to consume the sugar in Chuanxiong Rhizoma to produce a considerable amount of ligustrazine. Collectively, our preliminary research suggested that ligustrazine was the interaction product of endophyte, but not the secondary metabolite of Chuanxiong Rhizoma itself.
Evaluation of selected buffers for simultaneous determination of ionic and acidic pesticides including glyphosate using anion exchange chromatography with mass spectrometric detection
Authors: Jansons Martins , Pugajeva Iveta , Bartkevics Vadims
Published: July 2019

Ion chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry is an established technique for determination of ionic analytes, however, sophisticated buffer removal equipment is required to eliminate inorganic compounds from the eluate before introduction into the ion source of mass spectrometer. A standard high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry setup using an ion exchange column (Metrosep® A Supp 5) is proposed as an alternative approach. For that reason, some buffers including non‐volatile carboxylic acid based solutions have been evaluated for simultaneous trace determination of ionic and acidic pesticides including glyphosate in the same extract without a need for sophisticated buffer removal equipment. Two differently designed ionisation sources were compared qualitatively for the application of non‐volatile buffers. The study revealed that the choice of buffers had a strong influence on matrix effects in case of spiked extract injections. Finally, pesticides with very different physicochemical properties (logP < 0, logP ≥ 0) and structures (containing carboxylate, phosphonate, azolide, azanide, phenolate, bromate, and chlorate moieties) were quantified in spiked beer and oat extracts with acceptable recoveries (80–110%) using tandem mass spectrometry detection with AB SCIEX QTRAP 5500 instrument after separation using edetate buffer.
Laser Ablation of Benign Thyroid Nodules: A Prospective Pilot Study With a Preliminary Analysis of the Employed Energy
Authors: de Freitas Ricardo Miguel Costa , Miazaki Aline Paterno , Tsunemi Miriam Harumi , de Araujo Filho Vergilius José Furtado , Marui Suemi , Danilovic Debora Lucia Seguro , Buchpiguel Carlos Alberto , Chammas Maria Cristina
Published: July 2019

Background and Objectives

To assess the effectiveness of ultrasound (US)‐guided laser ablation of benign thyroid nodules (TNs) under different amounts of applied energy.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Thirty‐four euthyroid patients with 5–18 ml TNs were enrolled: 21 (laser ablation) and 13 (clinical follow up) patients with a mean age of 56.2 ± 12.0 and 54.7 ± 14.7 years, respectively. The laser ablation protocol used a 1.064 mm wavelength diode laser source; 3.5 W output power; 1,100–1,500 J and 5–8 min/illumination; and one or two fibers/session. Clinical, laboratory, and US data were obtained immediately before treatment and at 6 and 12 months follow‐up and were analyzed by Student's
t test and Fisher's exact test. Low‐ and high‐energy subgroups were subsequently defined, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated.

Results

Laser ablation follow‐up showed an overall nodule volume reduction of more than 50%; improvement of symptoms and cosmetic complaints (P = 0.001); and stable laboratory data compared with the baseline and control groups. Minor complications were 9.5% (
n = 2). One or two fibers/session resulted in a similar nodule volume reduction among 10–18 ml nodules. Analysis of the applied energy suggested a 398.8 J/ml inferior cutoff (ROC curve: 0.889 sensitivity; 0.545 specificity) for the high‐energy subgroup (
n = 14, mean 599.9 ± 136.5 J/ml) to reduce the nodule volume over time (−55.1% vs. −58.4%,
P = 0.55). The low‐energy subgroup (
n = 7, mean 240.2 ± 74.6 J/ml) did not show a persistent volume reduction (
P < 0.05) from the 6‐ to 12‐month follow‐ups (−56.6% vs. −53.7%).

Conclusions

Laser ablation of benign TNs achieved technique efficacy at 12 months posttreatment, with clinical improvement and few minor side effects. A single fiber in a single session with a high deployed energy (>398.8 J/ml) may be associated with improved results, a finding to be confirmed with a larger series. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stretchable and Designable Textile Pattern Strain Sensors Based on Graphene Decorated Conductive Nylon Filaments
Authors: Tian Mingwei , Zhao Renhai , Qu Lijun , Chen Zhihua , Chen Shaojuan , Zhu Shifeng , Song Wenfang , Zhang Xiansheng , Sun Yaning , Fu Ranran
Published: July 2019

Flexible sensors with stretchable and wearable characteristics have boosted wide interest in human motion detection and physiological signal monitoring. However, the majority of current sensors suffer from the lack of seamlessly integrated with clothes substrates, hindering their applications as “real” wearable devices. Herein, a facile low‐cost and scalable continuous capillary dip coating route is employed to deposit graphene inks onto nylon filaments to obtain graphene decorated nylon conductive filaments. The filaments exhibit noticeable promotion in electrical conductivity with remarkable laundry durability, and the electrical conductivity of our filaments could be up to 6.43 and 2.78 S m−1 before and after washing 10 times, respectively. Two kinds of conventional textile formation techniques, sewing and knitting, are utilized to form various textile pattern strain sensors from the conductive filaments as the building blocks, such as the linear‐type, knitted‐loop‐type, snail‐coil‐type sewed sensors and the tubular knitted fabric sensors respectively. The textile sensors with different patterns exhibited various sensing response, the knitted‐loop‐type sensor could reach the maximum strain 45.69% while the linear‐type one arrives at 13.64%. In addition, the above strain sensors exhibit high sensitivity and repeatability when monitoring the limb movement and human breathing.
The moderating impact of perceived globalness on consumers’ purchase intentions for copycats: The pleasure of hurting global brands
Authors: Loebnitz Natascha , Grunert Klaus G.
Published: July 2019

Copycats or “me‐too” brands imitate prominent features of market leaders with the intention to benefit from consumers’ positive associations of the imitated brand. However, the imitated market leader can be perceived as being local (=in‐group) or global (=out‐group). Employing social identity theory, Study 1 examined the interaction between copycat strategy and perceived globalness of the brand, showing that consumers have higher purchase intentions for global copycats versus a local counterpart. Study 2 shows that the interacting effect of copycat strategy and perceived globalness is moderated by consumer ethnocentrism. Further, authors demonstrate that a global copycat elicit greater schadenfreude (vs. local brand), which in turn increases consumers’ purchase intentions. Subsequent mediation analysis shows that ethnocentric consumers experience schadenfreude upon encountering copycats of global brands, which in turn increases purchase intention, whereas low ethnocentric consumers show higher purchase intentions for local differentiated brands because they deem a copycat strategy as unacceptable. Finally, Study 3 examines whether the results from Studies 1 and 2 continue to hold for theme copycats.
Can we find the right balance in cause‐related marketing? Analyzing the boundaries of balance theory in evaluating brand‐cause partnerships
Authors: Yun Joseph T. , Duff Brittany R. L. , Vargas Patrick , Himelboim Itai , Sundaram Hari
Published: July 2019

Cause‐related marketing (CRM) refers to the phenomenon where brands partner with causes, such as nonprofit organizations. Consumers may see some CRM partnerships as less compatible than others, however the level of perceived compatibility differs from one consumer to another. We know a great deal about how perceptions of compatibility affect attitude and behavior toward CRM partnerships, but we know less about how to predict a consumer's perception of compatibility. Therefore, our purpose was to investigate the boundaries in which balance theory could be used to make predictions about consumers’ responses to CRM partnerships. This is the first study to consider the construct of attitude strength (vs. attitude alone) when considering balance theory. We found that a consumer's attitude toward a brand, along with their attitude toward a cause, predicts their perceptions of CRM compatibility. We also found that CRM triadic balance could be predicted when attitude strength was included in the models, and that balance theory allowed us to observe preliminary evidence of attitude and attitude strength spillover effects in CRM triads. Practitioners can use these insights to determine which organizations to partner with, as well as determine how advertising these partnerships may affect acceptance of these partnerships.
BACE1 inhibitors: Current status and future directions in treating Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Moussa‐Pacha Nour M. , Abdin Shifaa M. , Omar Hany A. , Alniss Hasan , Al‐Tel Taleb H.
Published: July 2019

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible, progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder with no current cure. One of the important therapeutic approaches of AD is the inhibition of β‐site APP cleaving enzyme‐1 (BACE1), which is involved in the rate‐limiting step of the cleavage process of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) leading to the generation of the neurotoxic amyloid β (Aβ) protein after the γ‐secretase completes its function. The produced insoluble Aβ aggregates lead to plaques deposition and neurodegeneration. BACE1 is, therefore, one of the attractive targets for the treatment of AD. This approach led to the development of potent BACE1 inhibitors, many of which were advanced to late stages in clinical trials. Nonetheless, the high failure rate of lead drug candidates targeting BACE1 brought to the forefront the need for finding new targets to uncover the mystery behind AD. In this review, we aim to discuss the most promising classes of BACE1 inhibitors with a description and analysis of their pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters, with more focus on the lead drug candidates that reached late stages of clinical trials, such as MK8931, AZD‐3293, JNJ‐54861911, E2609, and CNP520. In addition, the manuscript discusses the safety concerns and insignificant physiological effects, which were highlighted for the most successful BACE1 inhibitors. Furthermore, the review demonstrates with increasing evidence that despite tremendous efforts and promising results conceived with BACE1 inhibitors, the latest studies suggest that their clinical use for treating Alzheimer's disease should be reconsidered. Finally, the review sheds light on alternative therapeutic options for targeting AD.
Two novel GJA1 variants in oculodentodigital dysplasia
Authors: Pace Nikolai P. , Benoit Valerie , Agius David , Grima Maria Angela , Parascandalo Raymond , Hilbert Pascale , Borg Isabella
Published: July 2019

Background

Oculodentodigital dysplasia (ODDD) is a rare disorder with pleiotropic effects involving multiple body systems, caused by mutations in the gap junction protein alpha 1 (GJA1) gene. GJA1 gene encodes a polytopic connexin membrane protein, Cx43, that is a component of connexon membrane channels.

Methods

We describe two unrelated female probands referred for a genetic review in view of a dysmorphic clinical phenotype.

Results

Two novel missense mutations in GJA1 that substitute conserved amino acids in the first and second transmembrane domains (NM_000165.5: c.77T>C p.Leu26Pro and NM_000165.5:c.287T>G p.Val96Gly) were detected through targeted sequencing of GJA1. These variants were detected in the heterozygous state in the two Maltese probands and segregated with the disease phenotype.

Conclusion

This report further expands the mutational spectrum of ODDD.
A De Novo heterozygous frameshift mutation identified in BCL11B causes neurodevelopmental disorder by whole exome sequencing
Authors: Qiao Fengchang , Wang Chen , Luo Chunyu , Wang Yan , Shao Binbin , Tan Jianxin , Hu Ping , Xu Zhengfeng
Published: July 2019

Background

Next‐generation sequencing has been invaluable to delineate the genetic etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in recent years. BCL11B, encoding Cys2His2 zinc finger transcription factor, is essential for the development of immune and neural systems.

Methods

Herein, we describe a Chinese girl presenting craniofacial abnormalities, developmental delay and intellectual disability with speech impairment. Exomes of genes were enriched with the Agilent SureSelect QXT ALL Human Exon V6 kit and sequenced on Illumina Hiseq 2500 platform.

Results

After variants filtering and annotation, we identified a de novo heterozygous 11bp frameshift mutation NM_138576.4: c.2190_2200delGGACGCACGAC (p.Thr730Thrfs*151) in exon 4 of BCL11B, which is expected to escape nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay and probably result in a truncated protein with lack of the C‐terminal DNA‐binding zinc‐finger domains.

Conclusion

This is the first report of NDD caused by a BCL11B variant in a Chinese population. The mutation identified in this report broadens the knowledge of mutation spectrum of BCL11B and might help in genetic counseling and reducing reproductive risk.
A novel pathogenic missense variant in CNNM4 underlying Jalili syndrome: Insights from molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Parveen Asia , Mirza Muhammad U. , Vanmeert Michiel , Akhtar Javed , Bashir Hina , Khan Saadullah , Shehzad Saqib , Froeyen Matheus , Ahmed Wasim , Ansar Muhammad , Wasif Naveed
Published: July 2019

Background

Jalili syndrome (JS) is a rare cone‐rod dystrophy (CRD) associated with amelogenesis imperfecta (AI). The first clinical presentation of JS patients was published in 1988 by Jalili and Smith. Pathogenic mutations in the Cyclin and CBS Domain Divalent Metal Cation Transport Mediator 4 (CNNM4) magnesium transporter protein have been reported as the leading cause of this anomaly.

Methods

In the present study, a clinical and genetic investigation was performed in a consanguineous family of Pakistani origin, showing characteristic features of JS. Sanger sequencing was successfully used to identify the causative variant in CNNM4. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to study the effect of amino acid change over CNNM4 protein.

Results

Sequence analysis of CNNM4 revealed a novel missense variant (c.1220G>T, p.Arg407Leu) in exon‐1 encoding cystathionine‐β‐synthase (CBS) domain. To comprehend the mutational consequences in the structure, the mutant p.Arg407Leu was modeled together with a previously reported variant (c.1484C>T, p.Thr495Ile) in the same domain. Additionally, docking analysis deciphered the binding mode of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) cofactor. Furthermore, 60ns MD simulations were carried out on wild type (p.Arg407/p.Thr495) and mutants (p.Arg407Leu/p.Thr495Ile) to understand the structural and energetic changes in protein structure and its dynamic behavior. An evident conformational shift of ATP in the binding site was observed in simulated mutants disrupting the native ATP‐binding mode.

Conclusion

The novel identified variant in CNNM4 is the first report from the Pakistani population. Overall, the study is valuable and may give a novel insight into metal transport in visual function and biomineralization.
Insurance coverage determines children's hospital transfers
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: July 2019

Insurance, or rather the lack thereof, plays a pivotal role in a hospital's decision to transfer or admit pediatric children presenting with mental health disorders, according to research published this month in Pediatric Emergency Care. University of California, Davis researchers found that children without insurance are more than three times as likely to be transferred than those with private insurance.
APA wants Amazon to not resume selling conversion books
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: July 2019

Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com's CEO, should resist calls by some members of Congress to resume selling books that promote “conversion therapy,” because there is insufficient scientific evidence that such practices are safe, especially for young people facing rejection by their parents, American Psychological Association (APA) officials said in a release.
Rational and semi‐rational solutions of a nonlocal (2 + 1)‐dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Peng Wei‐Qi , Tian Shou‐Fu , Zhang Tian‐Tian , Fang Yong
Published: July 2019

We consider the fully parity‐time (PT) symmetric nonlocal (2 + 1)‐dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation with respect to x and y. By using Hirota's bilinear method, we derive the N‐soliton solutions of the nonlocal NLS equation. By using the resulting N‐soliton solutions and employing long wave limit method, we derive its nonsingular rational solutions and semi‐rational solutions. The rational solutions act as the line rogue waves. The semi‐rational solutions mean different types of combinations in rogue waves, breathers, and periodic line waves. Furthermore, in order to easily understand the dynamic behaviors of the nonlocal NLS equation, we display some graphics to analyze the characteristics of these solutions.
Allicin protects porcine oocytes against damage during aging in vitro
Authors: Park Yun‐Gwi , Lee Seung‐Eun , Yoon Jae‐Wook , Kim Eun‐Young , Park Se‐Pill
Published: July 2019

Allicin, a chemical component of garlic, has strong antioxidant activity and is thought to exert antiaging effects in vitro. We investigated whether allicin treatment would protect porcine oocytes and embryos from postovulatory aging mediated by apoptosis and autophagy. The rates of oocyte survival and polar body extrusion in samples treated with 1 µM allicin (1 AL) were significantly higher than in untreated samples (0 AL). In addition, 1 AL prevented defects in spindle formation and chromosome alignment, as well as decreases in the expression of maturation markers, during in vitro aging. In this study, we considered allicin to be a regulator of autophagy rather than an antioxidant or antiapoptotic agent. At the embryo level, although the cleavage rate after parthenogenetic activation was similar in all groups, the blastocyst formation rate was higher in the 1 AL group than in the 0 AL group. Our findings demonstrate that allicin effectively prevents the deterioration of porcine oocytes during aging in vitro, and could therefore be used to improve the quality of aged oocytes used in in vitro experiments.
Cloned pig fetuses exhibit fatty acid deficiency from impaired placental transport
Authors: Ao Zheng , Wu Xiao , Zhou Jun , Gu Ting , Wang Xingwang , Shi Junsong , Zhao Chengfa , Cai Gengyuan , Zheng Enqin , Liu Dewu , Wu Zhenfang , Li Zicong
Published: July 2019

Cloned pig fetuses produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer show a high incidence of erroneous development in the uteri of surrogate mothers. The mechanisms underlying the abnormal intrauterine development of cloned pig fetuses are poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the potential causes of the aberrant development of cloned pig fetuses. The levels of numerous fatty acids in allantoic ﬂuid and muscle tissue were lower in cloned pig fetuses than in artificial insemination‐generated pig fetuses, thereby suggesting that cloned pig fetuses underwent fatty acid deficiency. Cloned pig fetuses also displayed trophoblast hypoplasia and a reduced expression of placental fatty acid transport protein 4 (FATP4), which is the predominant FATP family member expressed in porcine placentas. This result suggested that the placental fatty acid transport functions were impaired in cloned pig fetuses, possibly causing fatty acid deficiency in cloned pig fetuses. The present study provides useful information in elucidating the mechanisms underlying the abnormal development of cloned pig fetuses.
ID Conversations
Authors: Donelan Jenny
Published: July 2019

As it marks its 25th anniversary, OLED tech leader Universal Display Corporation is taking advantage of new momentum in the industry.
LA Chapter's One‐Day Conference Covers North American Display Activity
Authors: Werner Ken
Published: July 2019

In February, SID's Los Angeles Chapter held its annual day‐long focused technical and business conference. Ken Werner, the conference's program chair and one of its speakers, highlights key points from the event.
Observations on fabric evolution to a common micromechanical state at the soil‐structure interface
Authors: Zhu Hua‐Xiang , Zhou Wan‐Huan , Jing Xue‐Ying , Yin Zhen‐Yu
Published: July 2019

The fabric plays an important role in the mechanical behavior of granular material. The aim of this paper is to investigate the evolution of fabric in a soil‐structure interface (SSI) to a large shearing in an effort to clarify whether and how this form of fabric evolution can lead to a common microstructure. Using the discrete element method (DEM), two‐dimensional (2D) numerical interface shear tests were carried out, and certain macromechanical and micromechanical properties were exploited. All samples exhibited prominently localized strain in a zone covering the structure's surface (named the localized zone), and much lower density and higher soil fabric anisotropy levels were found inside this zone than outside it. Disregarding different initial void ratios, a common critical state microstructure was observed in large shear deformations of soil samples, with essentially the same fabric arrangement in terms of contact orientation and internal force transmission. Due to the systematic forming, buckling, and collapsing of force chains, an angular zone (called an α‐zone), in which contact density was sluggish to varying degrees, appeared and extended around the main direction of the distribution of contact orientation inside the localized zone. The gradual deterioration of the force chains' stability, as a result of an increasing void ratio, seemed to drive the α‐zone's extension and lead to the rare variation of microstructures in the critical state.
Are three‐day voiding diaries feasible and reliable? Results from the Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network (LURN) cohort
Authors: Cameron Anne P. , Wiseman Jonathan B. , Smith Abigail R. , Merion Robert M. , Gillespie Brenda W. , Bradley Catherine S. , Amundsen Cindy L. , Yang Claire C. , Lai Henry H. , DeLancey John O.L. , Helmuth Margaret E. , Bradley Megan S. , Agochukwu Nnena , Andreev Victor P. , Kirkali Ziya , Clemens J. Quentin ,   The LURN Study Group
Published: July 2019

Aims

The aims of this study were to assess the completeness of voiding diaries in a research context and to correlate diary data with patient‐reported questionnaires.

Methods

Men and women enrolled in the Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network (LURN) were given a 3‐day voiding and fluid‐intake diary to fill‐out. Diaries were assessed for completeness and intake‐output imbalances. They were assigned to one of four categories based on a percentage of missing data and fluid imbalance: no diary submitted, unusable (>40% missing void or intake volumes, or unphysiological fluid imbalance), usable but not complete, and complete.

Results

A total of 1064 participants were enrolled and 85% (n = 902) returned the bladder diary. Of the diaries returned, 94% (n = 845) had data on three separate days, 87% (n = 786) had no missing intake volumes, 61% (n = 547) had no missing voided volumes, and 70% (n = 635) had a fluid imbalance within 3 L across the 3‐day time period, resulting in 50% (n = 448) of participants with 100% complete diaries. Younger age was associated with a higher likelihood of not submitting a diary, or submitting an unusable diary. Women had a higher likelihood of submitting an unusable diary or a usable but incomplete diary.

Conclusion

Overall, 50% of LURN participants returned voiding diaries with perfectly complete data. Incomplete data for voided volumes was the most common deficiency. There was only a moderate correlation between diary data and questionnaire responses, indicating that diaries are a source of unique information.
Tribological behavior of glass/sisal fiber reinforced polyester composites
Authors: Gehlen Gustavo S. , Neis Patric D. , de Barros Liu Y. , Poletto Jean C. , Ebeling Maurício , Ferreira Ney F. , Amico Sandro C. , Angrizani Clarissa C.
Published: July 2019

The present study addresses the tribological behavior of polyester composites reinforced with a natural fiber (sisal), a synthetic fiber (glass) and their combination (glass/sisal hybrid). The composites were obtained by compression molding with an overall fiber content of 20 or 40 vol%. The composites were rubbed against a steel counterface using a tribometer. Pure sisal composite exhibited superior wear resistance, mainly due to the formation of a concise tribofilm. It also showed the lowest coefficient of friction (CoF) because of the lubricating action of the water present in the natural fiber. Pure glass composite showed the lowest wear resistance due to the strong abrasive effect of the glass fibers. The increase in fiber content lead to an increase in CoF and its effect on wear was complex and discussed throughout the article.
Validation of drug prescription records for senior patients in Alberta's Tomorrow Project: Assessing agreement between two population‐level administrative pharmaceutical databases in Alberta, Canada
Authors: Ye Ming , Vena Jennifer E. , Johnson Jeffrey A. , Xu Jian‐Yi , Eurich Dean T.
Published: July 2019

Purpose

To assess agreement between the Pharmaceutical Information Network (PIN), a newly implemented medication data repository in Alberta, Canada, and the Alberta Blue Cross (ABC) database, a long established database with medication records of all senior patients in Alberta.

Methods

PIN data (2008‐2015) were cross‐validated with ABC medication records for senior participants (older than 65 years old) in Alberta's Tomorrow Project (ATP), a longitudinal cohort study in Alberta. The completeness and accuracy of PIN were respectively calculated as the percentage of ABC records coexisting (concordant) in PIN and the percentage of concordant records having mutually agreeable information on drug quantity. Generalized linear models were used to examine potential association of PIN completeness and accuracy with sociodemographic factors.

Results

A total of 1 218 191 drug prescription records from 13 143 ATP participants were captured by PIN and ABC in 2008‐2015, among which 91.6% were from PIN, 82.5% from ABC, and 74.2% coexisted in PIN and ABC. The overall completeness of PIN in capturing ABC medication records was 89.9%, with small variations (less than ±5%) across types of drugs. The completeness of PIN was improved on average by 1.3% annually over time (P < .001). PIN had 100% accuracy as defined by drug quantity data agreeable with ABC records. No significant associations were observed with age, sex, ethnicity, rural/urban areas, and socioeconomic status of the participants.

Conclusions

Cross‐validated with the ABC dataset, our study showed that irrespective of drug type, PIN has a fairly good completeness (approximately 90%) and accuracy (100%) in capturing the ABC claimed medications for senior patients in Alberta.
Transitioning Hospitalized Patients with Opioid Use Disorder from Methadone to Buprenorphine without a Period of Opioid Abstinence Using a Microdosing Protocol
Authors: Terasaki Dale , Smith Christopher , Calcaterra Susan L.
Published: July 2019

Study Objective

Buprenorphine, a partial μ‐opioid agonist, is an effective treatment for opioid use disorder that conventionally requires symptoms of withdrawal before initiation to avoid precipitating withdrawal. Our institution implemented a microdosing approach to transition patients from full μ‐opioid agonists to buprenorphine without requiring patients to undergo a period of opioid abstinence. Little has been published about this strategy in the inpatient setting in the United States, and even less has been published dealing with the transition from methadone to buprenorphine. Our objective was to demonstrate that a microdosing protocol to transition patients from methadone to buprenorphine can be feasibly implemented in a U.S. hospital setting.

Design

Case series.

Patients

Three hospitalized adults with opioid use disorder who received a 1‐week buprenorphine microdosing protocol.

Measurements and Main Results

In January 2019, we implemented a 1‐week buprenorphine microdosing protocol for hospitalized adult patients with opioid use disorder who were initially stabilized on methadone and wished to start buprenorphine. We gave low‐dose buprenorphine concurrently with each patient's full dose of methadone, and the buprenorphine dose was gradually titrated up over 7 days. On day 8, methadone was abruptly discontinued. The buprenorphine dose was further increased based on clinical judgment. All three patients were successfully transitioned from methadone 40–100 mg/day to buprenorphine 12–16 mg/day with minimal symptoms of opioid withdrawal. One patient relapsed and was lost to follow‐up; two remained in treatment.

Conclusion

A protocol using microdosing of buprenorphine can successfully transition patients receiving full μ‐opioid agonist therapy, including methadone, to buprenorphine without the need for a period of opioid abstinence.
In‐Situ Fabrication and Characterization of Silver Azide Using Micron‐Scale Silver(I) Oxide as the Precursor
Authors: Liu Qiang , Li Mingyu , Zeng Qingxuan , Wu Xingyu
Published: July 2019

Silver azide (AgN3) primary explosive was successfully prepared by in‐situ reaction with hydrazoic acid (HN3) using micron‐scale silver(I) oxide (Ag2O) as the precursor. Ag2O particles have been synthesized through a facile chemical precipitation method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) were used to characterize the prepared materials. The effects of reaction time on the morphology and phase composition of silver azide were evaluated. Silver azide can be synthesized by in‐situ reaction for 12 h. Increasing the azide reaction time is beneficial to the generation of silver azide but has no obvious influence on the morphology. The prepared silver azide micro‐charge can be successfully initiated by Ni−Cr bridge wire and present favourable explosion performance.
Safe Synthesis of TKX‐50 Using an Insensitive Intermediate
Authors: Lee Woong Hee , Kwon Kuktae
Published: July 2019

Dihydroxylammonium 5,5’‐bistetrazole‐1,1’‐diolate (TKX‐50) has been evaluated as a promising energetic material, but its synthesis involves a sensitive intermediate, diazidoglyoxime (DAG). Ditetrahydropyranyl diazidoglyoxime (THP‐DAG, 5) was introduced to replace DAG as an insensitive intermediate, and TKX‐50 was obtained via 5,5′‐bistetrazole‐1,1′‐diol dihydrate (1,1‐BTO). All compounds were characterized using NMR and mass spectroscopy as well as impact, friction, and electrostatic discharge sensitivity measurements.
The STAT3 inhibitor galiellalactone inhibits the generation of MDSC‐like monocytes by prostate cancer cells and decreases immunosuppressive and tumorigenic factors
Authors: Hellsten Rebecka , Lilljebjörn Lisa , Johansson Martin , Leandersson Karin , Bjartell Anders
Published: July 2019

Background

The transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is implicated in cancer drug resistance, metastasis, and immunosuppression and has been identified as a promising therapeutic target for new anticancer drugs. Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a major role in the suppression of antitumor immunity and STAT3 is involved in the accumulation, generation, and function of MDSCs. Thus, targeting STAT3 holds the potential of reversing immunosuppression in cancer. This study aims to investigate the effect of the small molecule STAT3 inhibitor galiellalactone on prostate cancer cell– induced generation of MDSCs from monocytes and the effect on immunosuppressive factors and inflammatory cytokines.

Methods

Primary human monocytes were cocultured with prostate cancer cells (DU145, PC3, and LNCaP‐IL6) or with conditioned medium (CM) from prostate cancer cells in the presence or absence of the STAT3 inhibitor galiellalactone. Monocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry for an MDSC‐like phenotype (CD14+ HLA‐DR−/lo). The secretion and gene expression of immunosuppressive factors and inflammatory cytokines from prostate cancer cells and monocytes were investigated.

Results

Galiellalactone blocked the prostate cancer cell–induced generation of MDSC‐like monocytes with an immunosuppressive phenotype ex vivo. Monocytes cultured with CM from prostate cancer cells showed increased expression of phosphorylated STAT3. Prostate cancer cells increased the expression of interleukin1β (IL1β), IL10, and IL6 in monocytes which was inhibited by galiellalactone. In addition, galiellalactone decreased indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase gene expression in monocytes. Galiellalactone reduced the levels of IL8 and granulocyte macrophage‐colony stimulating factor in prostate cancer cells per se.

Conclusion

The STAT3 inhibitor galiellalactone may prevent the prostate cancer cell–induced generation of MDSCs and reverse the immunosuppressive mechanisms caused by the interplay between prostate cancer cells and MDSCs. This is a potential new immunotherapeutic approach for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Inhibition of heme sequestration of histidine‐rich protein 2 using multiple epitope‐targeted peptides
Authors: Liang JingXin , Bunck David N. , Mishra Anvita , Hong Sunga , Idso Matthew N. , Heath James R.
Published: July 2019

Plasmodium falciparum is the most lethal species of malaria. In infected human red blood cells, P. falciparum digests hemoglobin as a nutrient source, liberating cytotoxic free heme in the process. Sequestration and subsequent conversion of this byproduct into hemozoin, an inert biocrystalline heme aggregate, plays a key role in parasite survival. Hemozoin has been a longstanding target of antimalarials such as chloroquine (CQ), which inhibit the biocrystallization of free heme. In this study, we explore heme‐binding interactions with histidine‐rich‐protein 2 (HRP2), a known malarial biomarker and purported player in free heme sequestration. HRP2 is notoriously challenging to target due to its highly repetitious sequence and irregular secondary structure. We started with three protein‐catalyzed capture agents (PCCs) developed against epitopes of HRP2, inclusive of heme‐binding motifs, and explored their ability to inhibit heme:HRP2 complex formation. Cocktails of the individual PCCs exhibit an inhibitory potency similar to CQ, while a covalently linked structure built from two separate PCCs provided considerably increased inhibition relative to CQ. Epitope‐targeted disruption of heme:HRP2 binding is a novel approach towards disrupting P. falciparum‐related hemozoin formation.
Dephosphorylation of clustered phosphoserine residues in human Grb14 by protein phosphatase 1 and its effect on insulin receptor complex formation
Authors: Taira Junichi , Yoshida Keisuke , Takemoto Misaki , Hanada Kousuke , Sakamoto Hiroshi
Published: July 2019

The physical interaction of the human growth factor receptor‐bound protein 14 (hGrb14) and the insulin receptor (IR) represses insulin signaling. With respect to the recruiting mechanism of hGrb14 to IR respond to insulin stimulus, our previous reports have suggested that phosphorylation of Ser358, Ser362, and Ser366 in hGrb14 by glycogen synthase kinase‐3 repressed hGrb14–IR complex formation. In this study, we investigated phosphatase‐mediated dephosphorylation of the hGrb14 phosphoserine residues. An in vitro phosphatase assay with hGrb14‐derived synthetic phosphopeptides suggested that protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) is involved in the dephosphorylation of Ser358 and Ser362. Furthermore, coimmunoprecipitation experiments suggested that insulin‐induced hGrb14–IR complex formation was repressed by the substitution of Ser358 or Ser362 with glutamic acid. These findings suggested that phosphate groups on Ser358 and Ser362 in hGrb14 are dephosphorylated by PP1, and the dephosphorylation facilitates hGrb14–IR complex formation.
On modeling and secure control of cyber‐physical systems with attacks/faults changing system dynamics: An average dwell‐time approach
Authors: Huang Xin , Dong Jiuxiang
Published: July 2019

The problem of secure control in cyber‐physical systems is considered in this work. A new modeling framework is first introduced, ie, cyber‐physical systems with attacks/faults changing system dynamics is modeled as a switched system, where the switching among subsystems is triggered by a rule generated by attackers but unknown for defenders. Based on an average dwell‐time approach incorporated by the attack frequency and duration properties, a convergence condition of the Lyapunov function on active intervals of subsystems (ie, the attack and healthy modes), under the developed switched controller, is given. Next, the unknown rule, however, leads to the asynchronous switching problem between the candidate controllers and system modes. As a result, degradation of the system performance (eg, a large chatter occurred in the system state trajectories) in the asynchronous intervals is caused. To address the difficulty, a novel switching law based on a prescribed performance is proposed, and it is shown that the asynchronous intervals are shortened by reducing adjustable parameters in the switching law. An illustrative example verifies the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Observer‐based mode‐independent integral sliding mode controller design for phase‐type semi‐Markov jump singular systems
Authors: Li Yanbo , Kao Binghua , Park Ju H. , Kao Yonggui , Meng Bo
Published: July 2019

This paper considers the observer‐based integral sliding mode controller design problem of semi‐Markovian jumping singular systems with time‐varying delays. Firstly, by using a plant transformation and supplementary variable technique in the work of Hou et al, the discussed phase‐type semi‐Markov jump singular system is equivalently transformed into its associated Markov jump singular system. Secondly, an observer‐based sliding mode controller design problem is investigated for the associated singular Markov jump systems. The highlight of this paper is that we construct an observer‐based mode‐independent integral sliding mode surface function, which is different from the mode‐dependant sliding mode surface function in the previous literatures. Based on this, an observer‐based sliding mode controller is designed to guarantee that the associated singular Markov jump system meets the reachable condition. Finally, a practical example is presented to demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of our obtained results.