bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Within‐Subject Variability for Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Authors: Jayachandran Priya , Okochi Hideaki , Frassetto Lynda A. , Park Wansu , Fang Lanyan , Zhao Liang , Benet Leslie Z.
Published: January 2019

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reference‐scaled average bioequivalence approach scales the bioequivalence (BE) limits of narrow therapeutic index drugs (NTIDs) to the intrasubject or within‐subject variability (WSV) of the reference‐listed drug. A clinical study was conducted to evaluate the WSV of warfarin (Coumadin), 10 mg, administered to 10 healthy volunteers exhibiting similar cytochrome P450 2C9 and vitamin K epoxide reductase alleles on 3 study days. Individual intrasubject coefficients of variation for maximum plasma concentration and area under the curve (0‐72 hour) ranged from 3.7–15% and from 4.3–16.2%, respectively (R‐warfarin) and from 5.4–19.1% and from 2.5–11.9%, respectively (S‐warfarin). Two BE tests were performed on a WSV distribution obtained by bootstrapping 1,000 replicates of the clinical data, yielding passing rates of 95–97% for the mean comparison and 84–87% for the variability comparison. The variability comparison passing rate was lower than expected for an NTID product tested against itself, but it may provide further assurance of BE.
Climate and food diversity as drivers of mammal diversity in Inner Mongolia
Authors: Feng Gang , Yan Hui , Yang Xueting
Published: January 2019

Traditionally, geographical distribution of biodiversity is assumed to be codetermined by multiple factors, for example, temperature, precipitation, environmental heterogeneity, and biotic interactions. However, few studies have simultaneously compared the relative roles of these factors in shaping the mammal diversity patterns for different feeding groups, that is, herbivores, insectivores, and carnivores. In this study, we assessed the relations between mammal diversity and current climate (mean annual temperature and precipitation), altitudinal range as well as mammal's food diversity in Inner Mongolia. Our results showed that the species richness for the three feeding guilds of mammals consistently increased with their food diversity, that is, species richness of plants, insects, and rodents. Mammal diversity also significantly decreased with mean annual temperature and precipitation. Random Forest models indicated that climate and food diversity were always included in the combinations of variables most associated with mammal diversity. Our findings suggest that while climate is an important predictor of large scale distribution of mammal diversity, biotic interactions, that is, food diversity, could also play important roles.
Impaired left atrial strain predicts abnormal exercise haemodynamics in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Telles Fernando , Nanayakkara Shane , Evans Shona , Patel Hitesh C. , Mariani Justin A. , Vizi Donna , William Jeremy , Marwick Thomas H. , Kaye David M.
Published: January 2019

Background

Elevated left atrial (LA) pressure, particularly during exercise, is associated with symptomatic status and survival in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We aimed to characterize the contribution of abnormal LA mechanical properties to exercise haemodynamics in HFpEF.

Methods and results

Simultaneous echocardiography and right heart catheterization were performed in 71 subjects with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 50% referred for assessment of exertional dyspnoea. According to haemodynamic evaluation, 49 patients were diagnosed with HFpEF [pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) ≥ 15 mmHg at rest and/or ≥ 25 mmHg at maximal exertion] and 22 as non‐cardiac dyspnoea. Apical two‐ and four‐chamber views were used for blinded two‐dimensional LA speckle tracking analysis. HFpEF was characterized by impaired LA reservoir (24.3 ± 9.6 vs. 36.7 ± 8.4%, P < 0.001) and pump strain (−11.5 ± 3.2 vs. −17.0 ± 3.4%, P < 0.001); and increased stiffness (0.8 ± 0.7 vs. 0.2 ± 0.1 mmHg/%, P < 0.001). Reservoir and pump strain correlated with exercise PCWP (r = −0.64 and r = 0.72, P < 0.001), and remained independent predictors after adjusting for left ventricular mass index, LA volume index, mean E/e' and systolic blood pressure (B = −0.66 and B = 1.41, respectively, P < 0.001). LA stiffness was strongly related to B‐type natriuretic peptide levels (r = 0.73, P < 0.001; B = 173.0, P < 0.001). Reservoir strain at cut‐off of ≤ 33% predicted invasively verified HFpEF diagnosis with 88% sensitivity and 77% specificity, providing a net reclassification improvement of 12% in comparison to the 2016 European Society of Cardiology criteria for non‐invasive diagnosis of HFpEF.

Conclusions

Impaired LA reservoir and pump function and increased stiffness are associated with abnormal exercise haemodynamics in HFpEF. These markers provide significant HFpEF diagnostic utility in elderly ambulatory patients with dyspnoea.
The end of omics? High dimensional single cell analysis in precision medicine
Authors: Galli Edoardo , Friebel Ekaterina , Ingelfinger Florian , Unger Susanne , Núñez Nicolás Gonzalo , Becher Burkhard
Published: January 2019

High‐dimensional single‐cell (HDcyto) technologies, such as mass cytometry (CyTOF) and flow cytometry, are the key techniques that hold a great promise for deciphering complex biological processes. During the last decade, we witnessed an exponential increase of novel HDcyto technologies that are able to deliver an in‐depth profiling in different settings, such as various autoimmune diseases and cancer. The concurrent advance of custom data‐mining algorithms has provided a rich substrate for the development of novel tools in translational medicine research. HDcyto technologies have been successfully used to investigate cellular cues driving pathophysiological conditions, and to identify disease‐specific signatures that may serve as diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets. These technologies now also offer the possibility to describe a complete cellular environment, providing unanticipated insights into human biology. In this review, we present an update on the current cutting‐edge HDcyto technologies and their applications, which are going to be fundamental in providing further insights into human immunology and pathophysiology of various diseases. Importantly, we further provide an overview of the main algorithms currently available for data mining, together with the conceptual workflow for high‐dimensional cytometric data handling and analysis. Overall, this review aims to be a handy overview for immunologists on how to design, develop and read HDcyto data.
From Phosphaphenalenes to Diphosphahexaarenes: An Overview of Linearly Fused Six‐Membered Phosphorus Heterocycles
Authors: Regulska Elzbieta , Hindenberg Philip , Romero‐Nieto Carlos
Published: January 2019

The chemistry of linearly fused systems based on six‐membered phosphorus heterocycles is currently experiencing an astonishing evolution. Even though the phosphorus analogs of naphthalene and anthracene were first synthesized in the late 1960s, laterally fused phosphorus heterocycles have recently demonstrated outstanding performances as biomarkers, sensors, and luminescent systems for organic electronics. In this microreview, we provide a comprehensive revision of relevant linearly fused systems based on six‐membered phosphorus heterocycles from their origin to the latest advances on the largest derivatives.
Polymer/Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Modified Glassy Carbon Electrodes for the Enhanced Detection of Epinephrine
Authors: Tomé Luciana I. N. , Brett Christopher M. A.
Published: January 2019

Novel electrochemical sensors for epinephrine (EP) based on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with a redox polymer film and iron (III) oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3NP) have been developed. Two redox polymers‐poly(brilliant cresyl blue) (PBCB) and poly(Nile blue) (PNB), and two different architectures‐polymer/Fe2O3/GCE and Fe2O3/polymer/GCE were investigated. The electrochemical oxidation of epinephrine at the modified electrodes was performed by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), in pH 7 electrolyte, and the analytical parameters were determined. The results show enhanced performance, more sensitive responses and lower detection limits at the modified electrodes, compared to other electrochemical epinephrine sensors reported in the literature. The best voltammetric response with the lowest detection limit was obtained for the determination of epinephrine at PBCB/Fe2O3/GCE. The novel sensors are reusable, with good reproducibility and stability, and were successfully applied to the determination of epinephrine in commercial injectable adrenaline samples.
The self‐disproportionation of enantiomers (SDE): The effect of scaling down, potential problems versus prospective applications, possible new occurrences, and unrealized opportunities?
Authors: Han Jianlin , Wzorek Alicja , Soloshonok Vadim A. , Klika Karel D.
Published: January 2019

This commentary discusses an important, though not widely appreciated, chiral phenomenon of molecular chirality that effectively always occurs whenever nonracemic samples are subjected to practically any physicochemical process (e.g., force field, recrystallization, sublimation, even distillation, etc.) under totally achiral conditions external to the sample itself. The phenomenon is termed as the self‐disproportionation of enantiomers (SDE) and though ubiquitous, its presence may not always be readily apparent, or workers may be otherwise oblivious to its effects. In the particular case of chromatography, when the SDE is apparent, the enantiomeric excess (ee) of the chiral compound is observed to vary across an eluted peak, with anterior eluted portions either enantioenriched or enantiodepleted relative to the ee of the starting material, and conversely for the posterior eluted portions. Herein, we highlight various aspects of the SDE phenomenon as it pertains to chromatography and, in particular, the effect of scaling down chromatographic systems, the potential risk of problems that the SDE can cause, as well as opportunities for practical applications of the phenomenon, possible new occurrences of the SDE phenomenon to be searched for, and unrealized opportunities.
Quantitative and qualitative analysis of some firewood trees and shrubs of Eastern India
Authors: Bhatt Bhagwati Prasad , Sarkar Pradip Kumar , Moanaro  , Sarkar Bikash , Rao Karnena Koteswara
Published: January 2019

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of 31 indigenous firewood tree/shrub species of Eastern India was carried out to identify the species with potential for firewood production based on firewood properties. The highest calorific value (20.24 kJ/g dry wt) was exhibited by Adina cordifolia. The emission factors of CO2, CO, and hydrocarbon (HC) of wood species was recorded 356–1814, 5.2–110.5, and 0.71–2.28 g/kg, respectively. Among various firewood species, Holarrhena antidysenterica Wallich ex A. DC and Dillenia pentagyna L. emitted less CO2 (356.0 ± 20) and CO (5.2 ± 0.2), whereas A. cordifolia (Roxb.) Hook. f. ex Brandis (0.71 ± 0.04), Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Persoon (0.71 ± 0.01), and Semecarpus anacardium L. f. (0.71 ± 0.03) showed efficient in terms of low HC‐emitting species. The results showed that A. cordifolia followed by Terminalia tomentosa, L. speciosa, Anogeissus latifolius, H. antidysenterica, D. pentagyna, and S. anacardium are suitable fuelwood species on account of fuelwood value index and EF. © 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13146, 2019
Effects of APE1 Asp148Glu polymorphisms on OPMD malignant transformation, and on susceptibility to and overall survival of oral cancer in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Hsin‐I , Chen Chung‐Ho , Wang Sheng‐Hung , Wang Li‐Hsuan , Lin Ying‐Chu
Published: January 2019

Background

The associations between malignant transformation of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), oral cancer development and prognosis, and apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) functional polymorphisms are unclear.

Methods

Patients with OPMDs, patients with oral cancer, and healthy controls from the community were recruited to determine the effects of APE1 polymorphisms on malignant transformation, overall survival, and genetic susceptibility, respectively.

Results

The APE1 Asp148Glu polymorphisms significantly correlated with a high hazard ratio for OPMD malignant transformation (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 2.29; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.44‐3.74) and low overall survival in oral cancer patients (AHR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.11‐2.56) according to follow‐up and survival analysis. However, APE1 polymorphisms did not significantly correlate with development of oral cancer in the case‐control study and logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions

These results indicate that APE1 Asp148Glu polymorphisms may have indirect roles in increasing the OPMD malignant transformation rate and in decreasing overall survival in oral cancer patients.
High metastatic node number, not extranodal extension, as a node‐related prognosticator in surgically treated patients with nodal metastatic salivary gland carcinoma
Authors: Hsieh Cheng‐En , Hung Chia‐Yen , Lin Chien‐Yu , Chen Jiun‐Sheng , Chang Kai‐Ping , Aithala Sathvik Panambur , Lee Li‐Yu , Tsang Ngan‐Ming , Lu Chang‐Hsien , Chen Miao‐Fen , Cheng Yu‐Fan , Yeh Kun‐Yun , Wang Cheng‐Hsu , Chou Wen‐Chi
Published: January 2019

Background

The prognostic relevance of extranodal extension (ENE) for salivary gland carcinoma (SGC) remains unclear. The present study is undertaken to investigate the predictive significance of pathological nodal parameters in surgically treated patients with nodal metastatic SGC.

Methods

This multicenter cohort included 114 patients with pathologically proven node‐positive SGC between 2000 and 2014. Possible correlations of clinicopathological parameters and outcomes were examined.

Results

The median follow‐up was 69 months (range, 11‐173 months). The multivariate analysis identified metastatic node number (1‐2 vs 3‐6; 1‐2 vs ≥7) as an independent predictor for regional control (P = 0.005; P = 0.02), locoregional control (P = 0.008; P = 0.04), distant metastasis‐free survival (P = 0.17; P = 0.006), disease‐free survival (P = 0.05; P = 0.002), and overall survival (P = 0.18; P = 0.009), whereas ENE was not associated with survival outcomes.

Conclusions

Metastatic node number, not ENE, is an independent node‐related prognosticator for SGC. Integration of ENE into the American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition staging criteria may not improve prognostic performance.
Adjuvant radiation for positive margins in adult head and neck sarcomas is associated with improved survival: Analysis of the National Cancer Database
Authors: Cannon Richard B. , Kull Amanda J. , Carpenter Patrick S. , Francis Sam , Buchmann Luke O. , Monroe Marcus M. , Lloyd Shane , Hitchcock Ying J. , Cannon Donald , Weis John R. , Houlton Jeffrey J. , Hunt Jason P.
Published: January 2019

Background

Adult head and neck (H&N) sarcomas are a rare malignancy with limited data delineating the role of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT), particularly for a positive surgical margin. There are no randomized trials supporting the use of PORT, therefore treatment trends vary between institutions. A positive margin predicts recurrence and poor survival outcomes. This study uses the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to investigate whether PORT improves overall survival (OS) in adult H&N sarcomas with a positive margin and how utilization has changed.

Methods

Patients (n = 1142) in the NCDB from 2004‐2013 with adult H&N sarcomas who underwent resection and had a positive margin.

Results

Factors significantly associated with increased utilization of PORT were: having insurance, salivary gland primary site, high‐risk histology, poor differentiation, and a macroscopic positive margin. Treatment with PORT was associated with improved 5‐year OS for all patients with a positive margin (57% vs 48%; P = .002), both microscopic (57% vs 49%; P = .010) and macroscopic (57% vs 41%; P = .036). Improved OS was significant after controlling for other known covariates on multivariate analysis (HR: 0.76; [0.64‐0.90]; P = .002). Treatment at a community‐based facility was an independent predictor for reduced OS (HR: 1.37; [1.15‐1.64]; P < .001). The percentage utilization (53%) of PORT for these patients did not change significantly over time.

Conclusion

PORT provides a significant survival benefit for adult H&N sarcoma patients with either a microscopic or macroscopic positive margin; however, PORT is underutilized. Treatment at academic/research cancer programs was associated with increased utilization of PORT and improved survival outcomes.
Bias‐corrected estimates of effects of PSA screening decisions on the risk of prostate cancer diagnosis and death: Analysis of the Finnish randomized study of screening for prostate cancer
Authors: Lindberg Antti , Talala Kirsi , Kujala Paula , Stenman Ulf‐Håkan , Taari Kimmo , Kilpeläinen Tuomas P. , Tammela Teuvo L. , Auvinen Anssi
Published: January 2019

More information is needed about effects of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) screening for informed decision making. The objective of our study is to evaluate the effects of an implemented screening decision on the risk of prostate cancer (PC) diagnosis and PC death. In a randomized trial, 31,867 Finnish men aged 55–67 years were allocated to the screening arm and 48,282 to the control arm during 1996–1999. Two to three screening rounds were offered to the screening arm with a PSA cut‐off of 4.0 ng/ml. A counterfactual exclusion method was used to adjust for the effects of screening noncompliance and PSA contamination on risk of PC death and PC incidence by prognostic group at 15 years of follow up. After correcting for noncompliance and contamination, PSA screening led to 32.4 (95% CI 26.4, 38.6) more PC diagnoses per 1,000 men after 15 years and 1.4 (95% CI 0.0, 2.8) fewer PC deaths compared to the control arm. The corresponding results of an intention‐to‐screen analysis were 16.5 (95% CI 12.3, 20.7) and 0.8 (95% CI 0.5, 2.0), respectively. These results can be used for patient counseling in informed decision making about PC screening. A limitation of the study was the lack of comprehensive data on contamination.
Effectiveness of school‐based and high‐risk human papillomavirus vaccination programs against cervical dysplasia in Manitoba, Canada
Authors: Righolt Christiaan H. , Bozat‐Emre Songul , Mahmud Salaheddin M.
Published: January 2019

The effectiveness of a vaccination program is influenced by its design and implementation details and by the target population characteristics. Using routinely collected population‐based individual‐level data, we assessed the effectiveness (against cervical dysplasia) of Manitoba's quadrivalent human papillomavirus (qHPV) routine school‐based vaccination program and a short‐lived campaign that targeted women at high‐risk of developing cervical cancer. Females ≥9 years old who received the qHPV vaccine in Manitoba (Canada) between September 1, 2006, and March 31, 2013 (N = 31,442) were matched on age and area of residence to up to three unvaccinated females. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate qHPV VE against high‐grade (HSILs) and low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs) and atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS). Among 14–17‐year‐old participants who had Pap cytology after enrollment, the adjusted qHPV VE estimates were 30% (17–58%) and 36% (21–48%) against the detection of HSILs and LSILs, respectively. There was, however, no evidence of program effectiveness among females vaccinated at ≥18 years of age and among those with a history of abnormal cytology, who were mostly vaccinated as part of the high‐risk program. Estimates of VE for females vaccinated in the school‐based program are consistent with the expected benefits from qHPV vaccination. No similar benefits were detected among women vaccinated at an older age, and those with abnormal cytology, who were targeted by the high‐risk program. Further efforts should be targeted at achieving higher vaccine coverage among preadolescents, prior to the initiation of sexual activity.
Regulation of PTEN/AKT/FAK pathways by PPARγ impacts on fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Yan Rui , Wang Yuanyuan , Shi Mingjun , Xiao Ying , Liu Lirong , Liu Lingling , Guo Bing
Published: January 2019

Renal tubular epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) are important pathological features of diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, the regulatory mechanism underlying EMT and TIF are still unclear. Previous studies showed that the decrease in the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) was closely related to the aggravation of DN, but no published study showed how PTEN participated in the regulation of EMT and TIF. In this study, the rat proximal tubular epithelial cells (NRK52E) and C57BL mice and human kidney tissues were used as the research objects to investigate the mechanism underlying the regulatory effect of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors γ (PPARγ) on PTEN and its influence on EMT and TIF, the regulation of PTEN's dual activity of lipid phosphatase/protein phosphatase by the serine threonine protein kinase B(AKT)/focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling pathway, and the role of PTEN in EMT and TIF. The results showed that PPARγ regulated the expression of PTEN at a transcriptional level and further regulated EMT and TIF. This dual activity could regulate the phosphorylation level of AKT and FAK and also affect FAK transcription. However, the 129 mutant of PTEN (PTEN‐G129E) lost the lipid phosphatase activity, and its protein phosphatase activity was involved only in EMT and renal fibrosis through regulating FAK phosphorylation. This study systematically elucidated the role of PPARγ/PTEN/AKT/FAK signaling pathway in EMT and TIF during the pathogenesis of DN.
Retracted: MicroRNA‐145 performs as a tumor suppressor in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by targeting phospholipase C epsilon 1
Authors: Tang Chun , He Jin‐Yuan , Yu Chao , Wang Pei‐Jie , Huang Shao‐Hong , Zheng Hong‐Jie , Yan Dong‐Qing , Zhang Jun‐Hang , Li Yun
Published: January 2019

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the leading pathologic type in China. miR‐145 has been reported to be downregulated in multiple tumors. This study was aimed to investigate the role of miR‐145 in ESCC. miR‐145 expression was investigated in 65 ESCC samples as well as four ESCC cell lines by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Targetscan 6.2 website (http://www.targetscan.org/) was used to predict the targets of miR‐145. Expression of phospholipase C epsilon 1 (PLCE1) messenger RNA and protein was detected by qRT‐PCR or Western blot. MTT and wound healing assay were conducted to explore the effects of miR‐145 on the proliferation and migration of ESCC cell lines, respectively. miR‐145 was significantly decreased in ESCC tissues. An inverse correlation between miR‐145 and invasion depth and TNM stage were observed. PLCE1 was a direct target of miR‐145, and the expression of PLCE1 was inversely correlated with miR‐145 expression in ESCC tissues. In addition, overexpression of miR‐145 suppressed cell proliferation and migration in ESCC cells. The enforced expression of PLCE1 partially reversed the suppressive effect of miR‐145. These results prove that miR‐145 may perform as a tumor suppressor in ESCC by targeting PLCE1.
microRNA‐26a‐5p affects myocardial injury induced by coronary microembolization by modulating HMGA1
Authors: Kong Binghui , Qin Zhenbai , Ye Ziliang , Yang Xuefei , Li Lang , Su Qiang
Published: January 2019

Coronary microembolization (CME) occurs when atherosclerotic plaque debris is detached during the treatment of acute coronary syndrome with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). The complications of distal microvascular embolism, including local myocardial inflammation, are the main causes of myocardial damage and are a strong predictor of poor long‐term prognosis and major cardiac adverse events. microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the pathophysiological processes of cardiovascular inflammatory diseases. Dysregulation of microRNA (miR)‐26a‐5p, in particular, is associated with a variety of cardiovascular diseases. However, the role of miR‐26a‐5p in CME‐induced myocardial injury is unclear. In this study, we developed an animal model of CME by injecting microembolic balls into the left ventricle of rats and found that miR‐26a‐5p expression decreased in myocardial tissue in response. Using a miR‐26a‐5p mimic, echocardiography, hematoxylin‐eosin staining, and Western blot analysis we found that the diminished cardiac function and myocardial inflammation induced by CME is alleviated by miR‐26a‐5p overexpression. Furthermore, our results show that inhibitors of miR‐26a‐5p have the opposite effect. In addition, in vitro experiments using real‐time PCR, Western blot analysis, and a dual luciferase reporter gene show that HMGA1 is a target gene of miR‐26a‐5p. Thus, overexpression of miR‐26a‐5p could be a novel therapy to improve CME‐induced myocardial damage.
Drying of cellulose nanocrystal gel beads using supercritical carbon dioxide
Authors: Li Yiwen , Jiang Hua , Han Binbin , Zhang Yang
Published: January 2019

BACKGROUND

The effects of the conditions for the supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) drying of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) wet gel were investigated on the residual solvent content, the shrinkage and the microstructure of the ensuing aerogel.

RESULTS

The scCO2 drying of CNC wet gel could be divided into a spillage phase and an extraction phase. In the first phase, just a very short time after the beginning of drying, shrinkage occurred and more than half of the solvent was removed. No further shrinkage was observed thereafter, but the solvent continued to be exponentially removed. Increasing pressure, temperature and time were favorable for solvent removal and the reduction of aerogel shrinking. The shrinkage increased the pore size inside the aerogel and made the outer surface of the CNC aerogel much denser than its interior. To preserve the original microstructure of the wet gel, the optimal drying was performed at 11.04 MPa and 40 °C for 120 min. At these conditions, the shrinkage ratio was only inversely proportional to the CNC content in the wet gel.

CONCLUSION

CNC aerogel was obtained with a shrinkage ratio of 3.1%, a surface area of 387 m2 g−1 and an average pore size of 7.2 nm using 3.0% (w/w) CNC wet gel. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
The microstructure of buccal cavity and alimentary canal of Siganus rivulatus: Scanning electron microscope study
Authors: Sayed Alaa El‐Din H. , Mahmoud Usama M. , Essa Fatma
Published: January 2019

The microstructure of the oral cavity and alimentary canal of herbivorous fish Siganus rivulatus collected from the Red Sea were investigated by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that S. rivulatus has three types of teeth, tri‐cusped, bi‐cusped, and papilliform. A taste bud (Type I) was recorded in the oropharyngeal cavity. Characteristic styles of microridges on the cell's surface inside the buccal cavity were recorded. Also, the distribution of the mucous cells in the lining of the mouth cavity, alimentary canal was observed. Mucosal folds along the distinct parts of alimentary canal, showed characteristic pattern which was complex in the intestinal mucosa. The results concluded that there are characteristic microstructures according to feeding habitat compared with other bony fishes.
Relative expression of three key genes involved in the hormonal cycle of the freshwater amphipod, Gammarus pulex
Authors: Gismondi Eric , Joaquim‐Justo Célia
Published: January 2019

Ecdysteroids and sesquiterpenoids are the two groups of hormones controlling molt and growth processes in amphipods, and are mostly represented by ecdysone (i.e., 20‐hydroxyecdysone) and methyl farnesoate (MF), respectively. The endocrine system responsible for their syntheses is located in the cephalothorax and is composed of three main organs: the X‐organ/sinus gland complex (XO), the Y‐organ (YO) and the mandibular organ. Ecdysone synthesis is negatively controlled by the molt‐inhibiting hormone (MIH) produced by XO, and its signal is mediated through the ecdysteroid receptor (EcR); whereas the MF production is limited by the farnesoic acid O‐methyltransferase enzyme (FAMeT). As little is known on MIH, EcR, and FAMeT in amphipods, this study focused on the evaluation of the expression variations of the gene of these three proteins in Gammarus pulex, during the embryonic development and the molt cycle of females. Results highlighted the presence of ecr and famet genes from the first stages of the embryogenesis, suggesting key roles in the embryo development. The mih gene was only measured from Stage 3 of embryogenesis, probably related to the gastrulation and the cephalothorax development. Regardless of the gene, a strong overexpression was also measured at the hatch time. Besides, differential expression levels of mih, ecr, and famet genes through the molt cycle were observed. The highest expressions of the three genes were measured at the premolt stage, confirming key roles of MIH and EcR in the ecdysteroid pathways, and also suggesting the involvement of the FAMeT enzyme during the ecdysis in G. pulex.
Synthesis and Herbicidal Activity of 1,2,4‐Triazole Derivatives Containing a Pyrazole Moiety
Authors: Mu Jin‐Xia , Zhai Zhi‐Wen , Tan Cheng‐Xia , Weng Jian‐Quan , Wu Hong‐Ke , Duke Stephen O. , Zhang Yong‐Gang , Liu Xing‐Hai
Published: January 2019

A series of triazole derivatives containing a pyrazole moiety were synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HRMS. The herbicidal activities of these compounds were tested against lettuce and bentgrass. Most of the tested compounds were moderately herbicidal activity against lettuce and bentgrass. Among them, compounds 6f and 6g had the highest herbicidal activity (80% inhibitory) against lettuce and bentgrass.
A comprehensive and user‐friendly framework for 3D‐data visualisation in invertebrates and other organisms
Authors: Semple Thomas L. , Peakall Rod , Tatarnic Nikolai J.
Published: January 2019

Methods for 3D‐imaging of biological samples are experiencing unprecedented development, with tools such as X‐ray micro‐computed tomography (μCT) becoming more accessible to biologists. These techniques are inherently suited to small subjects and can simultaneously image both external and internal morphology, thus offering considerable benefits for invertebrate research. However, methods for visualising 3D‐data are trailing behind the development of tools for generating such data. Our aim in this article is to make the processing, visualisation and presentation of 3D‐data easier, thereby encouraging more researchers to utilise 3D‐imaging. Here, we present a comprehensive workflow for manipulating and visualising 3D‐data, including basic and advanced options for producing images, videos and interactive 3D‐PDFs, from both volume and surface‐mesh renderings. We discuss the importance of visualisation for quantitative analysis of invertebrate morphology from 3D‐data, and provide example figures illustrating the different options for generating 3D‐figures for publication. As more biology journals adopt 3D‐PDFs as a standard option, research on microscopic invertebrates and other organisms can be presented in high‐resolution 3D‐figures, enhancing the way we communicate science.
Comparative morphology of cheliceral muscles using high‐resolution X‐ray microcomputed‐tomography in palpimanoid spiders (Araneae, Palpimanoidea)
Authors: Wood Hannah M. , Parkinson Dilworth Y.
Published: January 2019

Spiders are important predators in terrestrial ecosystems, yet we know very little about the principal feeding structures of spiders, the chelicerae, which are functionally equivalent to “jaws” or “mandibles” and are an extremely important aspect of spider biology. In particular, members of Palpimanoidea have evolved highly unusual cheliceral morphologies and functions, including high‐speed, ballistic movements in mecysmaucheniid spiders, the fastest arachnid movements known thus far, and the elongated, highly maneuverable chelicerae of archaeids that use an attack‐at‐a‐distance strategy. Here, using micro‐Computed‐Tomography scanning techniques, we perform a comparative study to examine cheliceral muscle morphology in six different spider specimens representing five palpimanoid families. We provide a hypothesis for homology in palpimanoid cheliceral muscles and then compare and contrast these findings with previous studies on other non‐palpimanoid spiders. We document and discuss two sets of cheliceral muscles in palpimanoids that have not been previously observed in other spiders or which may represent a position shift compared to other spiders. In the palpimanoids, Palpimanus sp., Huttonia sp., and Colopea sp. showed similar cheliceral muscle anatomy. In Eriauchenius ranavalona, which has highly maneuverable chelicerae, some of the muscles have a more horizontal orientation, and there is a greater degree of cheliceral muscle divergence. In Zearchaea sp. and Aotearoa magna, some muscles have also shifted to a more horizontal orientation, and in Zearchaea sp., a species with a ballistic, high‐speed predatory strike, there is a loss of cheliceral muscles. This research is a first step toward understanding cheliceral form and function across spiders.
Modeling of circular fractal antenna using BFO‐PSO–based selective ANN ensemble
Authors: Pattnaik Suman , Pattnaik Shyam Sundar , Dhaliwal Balwinder Singh
Published: January 2019

Accurate design of miniaturized antenna is constrained by the limited well‐formulated exact mathematical expressions. Demands for smart devices with features like portability, implantability, and configurability have further placed bigger challenges in front of the antenna design engineers or scientists. As a part of the search for various solutions, many innovative approaches have been proposed by various authors in different literatures. Application of soft computing is also another design approach to accurate design of fractal antenna. Here, the authors have attempted to propose a better solution to miniaturized antenna and its design. A fractal antenna based on circular outer geometry has been proposed as a solution to the search of miniaturized antennas, and a particle swarm optimization–based selective artificial neural networks ensemble is developed, which is employed as the objective function of a bacterial foraging optimization algorithm leading to a hybridized algorithm. The developed hybrid algorithm is utilized to develop the proposed antenna at 2.45 GHz. A good agreement of the simulated, desired, and experimental results validates the proposed design approach.
Snow cover trends in Finland over 1961–2014 based on gridded snow depth observations
Authors: Luomaranta Anna , Aalto Juha , Jylhä Kirsti
Published: January 2019

Snow conditions in high‐latitude regions are changing in response to climate warming, and these changes are likely to accelerate as the warming proceeds. Here, we analyse daily gridded snow depth, temperature and precipitation data from Finland over the period 1961–2014 to discover the ongoing changes in monthly average snow depths (SN) and several snow‐related indices. Our results indicate that regional differences of changes in snow conditions can be relatively large, even within such a small district as Finland. Moreover, the interannual variation of the various snow indices was found to be larger in southern Finland than in northern Finland. The largest decrease in snow depth occurred in the southern, western and central parts of Finland in late winter and early spring. This decrease was driven by increasing mixed and liquid precipitation and, especially in spring, increasing temperature. In northern Finland, the decreasing trend of snow depth was most evident in spring, but no change occurred during winter months, although the amount of solid precipitation was found to increase in December–February. In the same months, temperature and the amount of mixed and liquid precipitation increased, likely counteracting the effects of the increasing solid precipitation on snow depth. The annual maximum snow depth that typically occurs in March was found to decrease in over 85% of Finland's area, most strongly in western coastal areas. In almost half of Finland's area, this decrease occurred despite increasing solid precipitation. Our findings highlight the complexity of the responses of snow conditions to climatic variability in northern Europe.
Methodological application of quantile mapping to generate precipitation data over Northwest Himalaya
Authors: Devi Usha , Shekhar Manorama S. , Singh Gyan P. , Rao Nalamasu N. , Bhatt Uma S.
Published: January 2019

Continuous high quality data are critical for weather and climate investigations. Numerous data gaps exist particularly over mountainous regions which limits the ability to construct climatologies and perform trend analysis. This study addresses the issue of sparse precipitation data over Northwest Himalaya (NWH) and fills data voids by applying the quantile mapping (QM) method. QM is applied to observed winter precipitation for a period of 25 years (1991–1992 to 2015–2016) to construct a continuous reliable data set. The first 20 years (1991–1992 to 2010–2011) are used for training and the remaining 5 years (2011–2012 to 2015–2016) are used for validation. In total, 10 stations are available for this study and each one is considered serially as a reference to generate daily precipitation values at the other stations. The mean precipitation of NWH region is constructed by considering the mean of all the stations. Standard statistical measures like root mean square errors, standard deviation, skill score and its decompositions are applied to evaluate the generated datasets. Based on statistical analysis, the Kanzalwan station, located in Great Himalaya range, is one of the best performing reference stations for generating precipitation values over NWH. The statistical measures of this station show the highest skill scores, lowest root mean square error and lowest standard mean errors for all winter months except January. This study provides a successful application of QM to generate precipitation data for climate analysis over the complex terrain of the Himalaya region.
Assessing precipitation concentration in the Amazon basin from different satellite‐based data sets
Authors: Zubieta Ricardo , Saavedra Miguel , Espinoza Jhan Carlo , Ronchail Josyane , Sulca Juan , Drapeau Guillaume , Martin‐Vide Javier
Published: January 2019

Daily precipitation concentration in the Amazon basin (AB) is characterized using concentration index (CI), which is computed from HYBAM Observed Precipitation (HOP) data set, for 1980–2009 period. The ability of four satellite precipitation data sets (TMPA V7, TMPA RT, CMORPH and PERSIANN) to estimate CI is evaluated for 2001–2009 period. Our findings provide new information about the spatial irregularity of daily rainfall distribution over the AB. In addition, the spatial distribution of CI values is not completely explained by rainfall seasonality, which highlights the influence of different weather systems over the AB. The results of rainfall concentration indicate that the distribution of daily rainfall is more regular over northwest (northern Peru) and central Andes. Conversely, Roraima region and a large area of Bolivian Amazon register the highest irregularity in the daily rainfall. Bolivian Amazon also represents regions where the large percentage of total rainfall arises from extreme events (>90th percentile). Heavy rainfall episodes over Roraima region are induced by humidity influx come from Caribbean region, while heavy rainfall events over Bolivian Amazon and Andes region are induced by the northwards propagation of cold and dry air along both sides of Andes Mountains, but only propagate in all tropospheric levels for the Andes. The results also show that PERSIANN and TMPA7 data sets better estimates the daily precipitation concentration for whole AB, but with a relative error 8%. CI estimated from satellites does not agree well with HOP over the Andes and northern Peruvian Amazon. On the other hand, the temporal variability of CI can partly be detected using CMORPH and TMPAV7 data sets over the Peruvian Andes, and central and southern Brazil. Errors in CI estimating might be related to inaccurate estimation of daily rainfall. Finally, we conclude that satellite‐based precipitation data sets are useful for analysing rainfall concentration in some regions of AB.
Pressurized liquid extraction of cyclitols and sugars: optimization of extraction parameters and selective separation
Authors: Al‐Suod Hossam , Ratiu Ileana‐Andreea , Górecki Ryszard , Buszewski Bogusław
Published: January 2019

Cyclitols and sugars were obtained as a mixture from Medicago sativa L., in a comparative study by using maceration, and pressurized liquid extraction, as a modern and green extraction techniques. The influence of extraction parameters including: extraction temperature, time and number of cycles on the content of sugars and cyclitols was investigated based on response surface methodology. The highest total amount of sugars and cyclitols (62.27 ± 2.30 and 50.35 ± 0.77 mg/g of dry material, respectively) was obtained when extraction was performed at 88°C, for 22 min, in two cycles. The methodology used involved extraction, purification, selective separation (using yeast and anion exchange resin) and derivatization, followed by gas chromatography ‐mass spectrometry analysis. The use of yeast treatment realized an effective fractionation of cyclitols and sugars, which allowed the removal of most sugars. The involvement of anion exchange resin after yeast allowed the removal of sugar alcohols and lactose, together with other sugar traces remained and to obtain a solution containing six cyclitols. The recrystallization of dry residue after solvent evaporation, from ethanol, allowed us to obtain 14.65 mg of white pure crystals identified with NMR spectroscopy, liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry, gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, optical rotation and melting point as analysis D‐pinitol.
Utility of Fetal Cardiac Axis and Cardiac Position Assessment in Predicting Neonatal Respiratory Morbidity in Fetal Congenital Lung Lesions
Authors: Tuzovic Lea , Copel Joshua A. , Stitelman David H. , Levit Orly , Bahtiyar Mert Ozan
Published: January 2019

Objectives

To assess the diagnostic performance of the fetal cardiac axis (CA) and/or cardiac position (CP) versus the congenital pulmonary malformation volume ratio (CVR) in predicting any and severe neonatal respiratory morbidity in fetal congenital lung lesions.

Methods

This work was an 11‐year retrospective cohort study. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of CA and/or CP assessment in prediction of respiratory morbidity were calculated before 24 weeks’ gestation and between 24 and 32 weeks and compared to CVR cutoffs obtained from the literature.

Results

Fifty‐three patients were included. CA and/or CP abnormalities were present in 45% and 38% of patients before 24 weeks and between 24 and 32 weeks and were significantly more common in left‐ versus right‐sided lesions (60% versus 17%; P = .003). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of an abnormal CA and/or CP for any and severe respiratory morbidity were 0.67, 0.61, 0.33, and 0.86 and 0.8, 0.58, 0.17, and 0.97 before 24 weeks and 0.75, 0.73, 0.45, and 0.91 and 0.8, 0.67, 0.20, and 0.97 between 24 and 32 weeks, respectively. An abnormal CA and/or CP had higher sensitivity for any respiratory morbidity compared to the CVR at 0.5 and 0.8 cutoffs both before 24 weeks and between 24 and 32 weeks (P < .05).

Conclusions

An abnormal CA and/or CP before 24 weeks and between 24 and 32 weeks has higher sensitivity for the detection of any respiratory morbidity at birth compared to the CVR at both 0.5 and 0.8 cutoffs. A normal CA and CP have a high negative predictive value for excluding any respiratory morbidity at birth both before 24 weeks and between 24 and 32 weeks.
Population‐based study of congenital heart disease and revisits after pediatric tonsillectomy
Authors: Miller Rebecca , Tumin Dmitry , McKee Christopher , Raman Vidya T. , Tobias Joseph D. , Cooper Jennifer N.
Published: January 2019

Objective

Accurate assessment of risk factors such as congenital heart disease (CHD) can aid in risk stratification of children presenting for surgery. Risk stratification is especially important in tonsillectomy ± adenoidectomy (T/A), a common pediatric procedure that is usually performed electively, but that has a high rate of adverse events. In this study, we examined the association of CHD with revisits after T/A.

Methods

We identified children who underwent T/A at hospitals and hospital‐owned facilities during 2010 to 2014 using the State Inpatient Databases and State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases of Florida, Georgia, Iowa, New York, and Utah. We evaluated the association between CHD severity and the occurrence of an unplanned hospital readmission or ED visit within 30 days following discharge using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

The analysis included 244,598 patients, of whom 858 had minor or major CHD. In multivariable analysis, CHD was not associated with an increased risk of 30‐day revisits (minor OR = 1.1; 95% CI: 0.8, 1.5; P = .65; major OR = 1.2; 95% CI: 0.9, 1.6; P = .34). Other comorbidities, including chromosomal anomalies (OR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.2, 1.6; P < .001), congenital airway anomalies (OR = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.7; P = .03), and neuromuscular impairment (OR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.2, 1.7; P < .001) predicted an increased likelihood of revisits.

Conclusion

Neither minor nor major CHD was independently associated with an increased risk of 30‐day revisits among children undergoing T/A. Other characteristics, particularly non‐cardiac comorbidities, socioeconomic status, and geographic region may be of greater utility for predicting revisit risk following pediatric T/A.

Level of Evidence

2b
Effects of the number of advertised brands in a choice set: A metacognitive process
Authors: Chang Chingching , Chang Wei‐Shan , Yu Wan‐Yun
Published: January 2019

When product shelves feature more advertised brands, such that the choice set likely contains some familiar options, this subjective experience of familiarity could influence consumers' evaluations of chosen products and shopping experiences, through a metacognitive process. The findings of this study suggest that (a) a product shelf displaying some advertised brands, as opposed to no advertised brands, generates greater subjective familiarity, more favorable attitudes toward the purchased items, more shopping satisfaction, and greater intentions to revisit the store; and similarly, (b) a product shelf displaying more, as opposed to fewer, advertised brands generates greater subjective familiarity, more favorable attitudes toward the purchased items, more shopping satisfaction, and greater intentions to revisit the store. These outcomes result from a three‐step metacognitive process, whereby the subjective familiarity triggered by the presence of advertised brands influences judgments, through the effect of shopping pleasure. These results are robust for high‐ and low‐involvement products, as well as in contexts in which the prices of the advertised brands are higher than, lower than, or the same as those of the nonadvertised brands.