bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aerosol radiative effects from observations and modelling over the Yangtze River Basin, China from 2001 to 2015
Authors: Yu Lan , Zhang Ming , Wang Lunche , Qin Wenmin , Li Junli
Published: February 2019

In this study, a quantitative assessment of clear‐sky aerosol direct radiative effects (ADREs) at the surface over the Yangtze River Basin (YRB), China was conducted based on Mesoscale Atmospheric Global Irradiance Code (MAGIC) radiation code (direct method) and ground‐based measurements (indirect method). For the direct method, The ADRE at the surface was calculated using MAGIC radiation code with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and interim ECMWF Re‐Analysis (ERA‐INTERIM) integrated water vapour as input. Results showed that the multi‐year average ADRE ranged from −39.29 to −1.95 W/m2 with mean values of −18.19 ± 1.44 W/m2. High ADRE (larger than −34 W/m2) occurred in Sichuan Basin, Central Hubei Province and Yangtze River Delta. The seasonal ADRE was high in spring (−23.05 ± 13.48 W/m2) and low in winter (−14.24 ± 8.51 W/m2). Generally, an increasing trend (0.27 W/m2 per year) of ADRE was found from 2001 to 2010 and a decreasing trend (−0.72 W/m2 per year) from 2011 to 2015. The water vapour radiative effect (WVRE) was calculated using MAGIC radiation code and the multi‐year average value was −52.59 ± 1.45 W/m2, which indicated the attenuation of clear‐sky radiation in YRB due to water vapour was stronger than the aerosols. However, the trends of water vapour effects were 0.03 W/m2 per year during 2001–2010 and −0.37 W/m2 per year during 2011–2015, which were much smaller than the trends of ADRE. For the indirect method, the clear‐sky ADRE at sites was calculated using the solar radiation observations. The variations of annual average ADRE obtained by above methods gave good match. An obvious increasing trend (−0.71 W/m2 per year) of aerosol radiative cooling effect was found in Central Hubei Province from 2001 to 2010 and an obvious decreasing trend (3.23 W/m2 per year) in Sichuan Basin from 2011 to 2015. The determination coefficient (R2) between ADRE trends and clear‐sky solar radiation trends is 0.874, indicating that the trends of clear‐sky solar radiation were mainly determined by the trends of ADRE.
Management of intussusception in patients with melanoma
Authors: Perez Matthew C. , Sun James , Farley Clara , Han Dale , Sun Alexander H. , Narayan Deepak , Lowe Michael , Delman Keith A. , Messina Jane L. , Gonzalez Ricardo J. , Sondak Vernon K. , Khushalani Nikhil I. , Zager Jonathan S.
Published: February 2019

Background

Increased cross‐sectional imaging for surveillance of metastatic melanoma has led to more diagnoses of asymptomatic intussusception.

Methods

We performed a multi‐institutional retrospective review of patient records with a history of metastatic melanoma and a diagnosis of intussusception. Patients were divided into three groups: 1) asymptomatic patients without current evidence of melanoma (no evidence of disease [NED]); 2) asymptomatic intussusception and known active metastatic melanoma; 3) symptomatic intussusception and known active metastatic melanoma; the number of patients requiring surgery and intraoperative findings were recorded.

Results

We reviewed 73 patients diagnosed with intussusception from 2004 to 2017. Among asymptomatic patients with NED (n = 16), 14 spontaneously resolved and 2 underwent pre‐emptive surgery without abnormal intraoperative findings. Of asymptomatic patients with active metastatic disease (n = 32), 25 were initially observed and 7 underwent pre‐emptive surgery and 9 of the 25 initially observed patients required surgery for development of symptoms. In this group, all 16 patients undergoing surgery (50% of the group) had intraoperative findings of intussusception and/or metastatic intestinal melanoma.. All symptomatic patients with metastatic melanoma (n = 25) underwent surgery; all had intraoperative findings of intussusception and/or metastatic melanoma except 1 (Meckel's diverticulum).

Conclusion

Asymptomatic patients with NED do not require surgery and intussusception will likely resolve spontaneously. Asymptomatic patients with known metastatic melanoma may be initially observed, but a low threshold for surgery should be maintained. Symptomatic patients with known metastases should undergo surgery.
Therapeutic potential of growth differentiation factors in the treatment of degenerative disc diseases
Authors: Hodgkinson Tom , Shen Bojiang , Diwan Ashish , Hoyland Judith A. , Richardson Stephen M.
Published: February 2019

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a major contributing factor to chronic low back pain and disability, leading to imbalance between anabolic and catabolic processes, altered extracellular matrix composition, loss of tissue hydration, inflammation, and impaired mechanical functionality. Current treatments aim to manage symptoms rather than treat underlying pathology. Therefore, IVD degeneration is a target for regenerative medicine strategies. Research has focused on understanding the molecular process of degeneration and the identification of various factors that may have the ability to halt and even reverse the degenerative process. One such family of growth factors, the growth differentiation factor (GDF) family, have shown particular promise for disc regeneration in in vitro and in vivo models of IVD degeneration. This review outlines our current understanding of IVD degeneration, and in this context, aims to discuss recent advancements in the use of GDF family members as anabolic factors for disc regeneration. An increasing body of evidence indicates that GDF family members are central to IVD homeostatic processes and are able to upregulate healthy nucleus pulposus cell marker genes in degenerative cells, induce mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into nucleus pulposus cells and even act as chemotactic signals mobilizing resident cell populations during disc injury repair. The understanding of GDF signaling and its interplay with inflammatory and catabolic processes may be critical for the future development of effective IVD regeneration therapies.
Synthesis and antiwear properties of dicarboxylic acid derivatives containing dialkyl dithiophosphate groups
Authors: Sim Dea Seon , Kim Young‐Wun , Joeng Noh‐Hee , Kang Ho‐Cheol
Published: February 2019

The use of lubricants has grown more widespread with industrial development. Lubricants usually contain additives with heavy metals such as zinc and molybdenum, increasing the emission of heavy metal contamination of soil and ocean. This study synthesised antiwear additives without heavy metal components in a simple and efficient manner by using alkane diacid derivatives produced from biomass and dithiophosphate instead of petroleum‐based compounds. A four‐ball wear test was performed to examine tribological performance in relation to changes in the alkyl chain length of the diacid and dithiophosphate of the synthesised antiwear additive, and the results were compared with the performance of zinc dialkyl‐dithiophosphorus (ZDDP), an antiwear additive that contains heavy metals. The tribological performance of the antiwear additives produced from synthesised dialkyl carboxylic acid derivatives was analysed based on the measurements of wear scar diameter. The wear scar diameter was 0.48 mm for the synthesised antiwear additive, whereas the ZDDP at a concentration of 0.05% gave a diameter of 0.82 mm. In the case of the synthesised antiwear additive, tribological performance did not improve for concentrations higher than 0.05%. An analysis of the carbon chain length of the dialkyl dithiophospate and dicarboxylic acid showed that the wear scar diameter was 0.72 mm when the alkyl chain length of R1 was 4. This diameter dropped below 0.48 mm when the alkyl chain length was greater than 8. When the number of carbons of dicarboxylic acid moiety was increased from 4 to 11, the antiwear performance improved slightly, with the wear scar diameter decreasing from 0.52 to 0.48 mm.
Simultaneous Deconvolution of the Bivariate Molecular Weight and Chemical Composition Distribution of Ethylene/1‐Hexene Copolymers
Authors: Hornchaiya Chat , Anantawaraskul Siripon , Soares João B. P. , Mehdiabadi Saeid
Published: February 2019

The bivariate molecular weight and chemical composition distribution (MWD×CCD) of ethylene/1‐hexene copolymers can be measured using TREF×GPC cross fractionation characterization (CFC). In this work, the experimental MWD×CCD of ethylene/1‐hexene copolymers made with a Ziegler–Natta catalyst under different polymerization conditions are measured by CFC and deconvoluted to identify the minimum number of site types present in the catalyst. Blends of ethylene/1‐hexene copolymers produced with a metallocene catalyst with known MWD×CCD are used to validate the proposed technique. This is a powerful methodology to better understand the nature of active sites on multisite catalysts, and can be beneficial for the development of copolymers with precisely controlled microstructures.
Simultaneously Improving the Thermal, Flame‐Retardant and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Resins Modified by a Novel Multi‐Element Synergistic Flame Retardant
Authors: Li Zhinong , Chen Mingfeng , Li Shanshan , Fan Xianmou , Liu Canpei
Published: February 2019

To obtain epoxy resins with satisfactory thermal, flame retardant, and mechanical properties, a novel multi‐element synergistic flame retardant (PPVSZ) is synthesized through the reaction between PH of 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO) and CC of polysilazane (PVSZ) and utilized as a multi‐element synergistic flame retardant for epoxy resins. The flame retardant mechanism is explored by XPS and SEM, confirming that the excellent flame‐retardance efficiency owes itself to an optimal flame retardant way which jointly exerts the flame‐retardant effects in the gaseous and condensed phase. The thermal properties deduced from DSC, TGA, and DMA, indicate the glass transition temperature, maximum weight loss rate, and char yields at 700 °C for EP‐2 increase by about 5.0 °C, 8.4 °C and 8.8%, respectively. Furthermore, mechanical properties such as impact strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength are also increased by 45.38%, 14.16%, and 17.43%, respectively, which show that the incorporation of PPVSZ does not deteriorate the mechanical properties of modified resin. All the results demonstrate that epoxy resins modified by PPVSZ not only have good effect on the flame retardance, but also have good improvement on thermal and mechanical properties, indicating the potential for applications in many fields requiring fire safety.
The EC‐LQO five‐factor framework: An alternative lens for business model innovation in highly knowledge‐intensive industries
Authors: Downs James B. , Hossfeld Oliver , Velamuri Vivek K.
Published: February 2019

Growing technological complexity continues to drive firms to interact with the external innovation environment to achieve firm success. However, industries' complexities and the business model concept's underlying ontology have limited research on modeling the key factors that enable this interface. In this study, results of an empirical analysis of a unique dataset of 102 biopharmaceutical companies broadly support the EC‐LQO five‐factor framework as a useful tool to guide business model innovation for highly knowledge‐intensive environments.
Machine learning for automated quality assurance in radiotherapy: A proof of principle using EPID data description
Authors: El Naqa Issam , Irrer Jim , Ritter Tim A. , DeMarco John , Al‐Hallaq Hania , Booth Jeremy , Kim Grace , Alkhatib Ahmad , Popple Richard , Perez Mario , Farrey Karl , Moran Jean M.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Developing automated methods to identify task‐driven quality assurance (QA) procedures is key toward increasing safety, efficacy, and efficiency. We investigate the use of machine learning (ML) methods for possible visualization, automation, and targeting of QA, and assess its performance using multi‐institutional data.

Methods

To enable automated analysis of QA data given its higher dimensional nature, we used nonlinear kernel mapping with support vector data description (SVDD) driven approaches. Instead of using labeled data as in typical support vector machine (SVM) applications, which requires exhaustive annotation, we applied a clustering extension of SVDD, which identifies the minimal enclosing hypersphere in the feature space defined by a kernel function separating normal operations from possible failures (i.e., outliers). In our case, QA test data are mapped by a Gaussian kernel to a higher dimensional feature space and then the minimal enclosing sphere was identified. This sphere, when mapped back to the input data space along the principal components, can separate the data into several components, each enclosing a separate cluster of QA points that could be used to evaluate tolerance boundaries and test reliability. We evaluated this approach for gantry sag, radiation field shift, and [multileaf collimator (MLC)] offset data acquired using electronic portal imaging devices (EPID), as representative examples.

Results

Data from eight LINACS and seven institutions (n = 119) were collected. A standardized EPID image of a phantom with fiducials provided deviation estimates between the radiation field and phantom center at four cardinal gantry angles. Deviation measurements in the horizontal direction (0°, 180°) were used to determine the gantry sag and deviations in the vertical direction (90°, 270°) were used to determine the field shift. These measurements were fed into the SVDD clustering algorithm with varying hypersphere radii (Gaussian widths). For gantry sag analysis, two clusters were identified one of which contained 2.5% of the outliers and also exceeded the 1 mm tolerance set by TG‐142. In the case of field shifts, SVM clustering identified two distinct classes of measurements primarily driven by variations in the second principal component at 270°. Results from MLC analysis identified one outlier cluster (0.34%) along Leaf offset Constancy (LoC) axis that coincided with TG‐142 limits.

Conclusion

Machine learning methods based on SVDD clustering are promising for developing automated QA tools and providing insights into their reliability and reproducibility.
Convolutional neural network‐based approach for segmentation of left ventricle myocardial scar from 3D late gadolinium enhancement MR images
Authors: Zabihollahy Fatemeh , White James A. , Ukwatta Eranga
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Accurate three‐dimensional (3D) segmentation of myocardial replacement fibrosis (i.e., scar) is emerging as a potentially valuable tool for risk stratification and procedural planning in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. The main purpose of this study was to develop a semiautomated method using a 3D convolutional neural network (CNN)‐based for the segmentation of left ventricle (LV) myocardial scar from 3D late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance (LGE‐MR) images.

Methods

Our proposed CNN is built upon several convolutional and pooling layers aimed at choosing appropriate features from LGE‐MR images to distinguish between myocardial scar and healthy tissues of the left ventricle. In contrast to previous methods that consider image intensity as the sole feature, CNN‐based algorithms have the potential to improve the accuracy of scar segmentation through the creation of unconventional features that separate scar from normal myocardium in the feature space. The first step of our pipeline was to manually delineate the left ventricular myocardium, which was used as the region of interest for scar segmentation. Our developed algorithm was trained using 265,220 volume patches extracted from ten 3D LGE‐MR images, then was validated on 450,454 patches from a testing dataset of 24 3D LGE‐MR images, all obtained from patients with chronic myocardial infarction. We evaluated our method in the context of several alternative methods by comparing algorithm‐generated segmentations to manual delineations performed by experts.

Results

Our CNN‐based method reported an average Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and Jaccard Index (JI) of 93.63% ± 2.6% and 88.13% ± 4.70%. In comparison to several previous methods, including K‐nearest neighbor (KNN), hierarchical max flow (HMF), full width at half maximum (FWHM), and signal threshold to reference mean (STRM), the developed algorithm reported significantly higher accuracy for DSC with a P‐value less than 0.0001.

Conclusions

Our experimental results demonstrated that our CNN‐based proposed method yielded the highest accuracy of all contemporary LV myocardial scar segmentation methodologies, inclusive of the most widely used signal intensity‐based methods, such as FWHM and STRM. To our knowledge, this is the first description of LV myocardial scar tissue segmentation from 3D LGE‐MR images using a CNN‐based method.
U‐Net based deep learning bladder segmentation in CT urography
Authors: Ma Xiangyuan , Hadjiiski Lubomir M. , Wei Jun , Chan Heang‐Ping , Cha Kenny H. , Cohan Richard H. , Caoili Elaine M. , Samala Ravi , Zhou Chuan , Lu Yao
Published: February 2019

Objectives

To develop a U‐Net–based deep learning approach (U‐DL) for bladder segmentation in computed tomography urography (CTU) as a part of a computer‐assisted bladder cancer detection and treatment response assessment pipeline.

Materials and methods

A dataset of 173 cases including 81 cases in the training/validation set (42 masses, 21 with wall thickening, 18 normal bladders), and 92 cases in the test set (43 masses, 36 with wall thickening, 13 normal bladders) were used with Institutional Review Board approval. An experienced radiologist provided three‐dimensional (3D) hand outlines for all cases as the reference standard. We previously developed a bladder segmentation method that used a deep learning convolution neural network and level sets (DCNN‐LS) within a user‐input bounding box. However, some cases with poor image quality or with advanced bladder cancer spreading into the neighboring organs caused inaccurate segmentation. We have newly developed an automated U‐DL method to estimate a likelihood map of the bladder in CTU. The U‐DL did not require a user‐input box and the level sets for postprocessing. To identify the best model for this task, we compared the following models: (a) two‐dimensional (2D) U‐DL and 3D U‐DL using 2D CT slices and 3D CT volumes, respectively, as input, (b) U‐DLs using CT images of different resolutions as input, and (c) U‐DLs with and without automated cropping of the bladder as an image preprocessing step. The segmentation accuracy relative to the reference standard was quantified by six measures: average volume intersection ratio (AVI), average percent volume error (AVE), average absolute volume error (AAVE), average minimum distance (AMD), average Hausdorff distance (AHD), and the average Jaccard index (AJI). As a baseline, the results from our previous DCNN‐LS method were used.

Results

In the test set, the best 2D U‐DL model achieved AVI, AVE, AAVE, AMD, AHD, and AJI values of 93.4 ± 9.5%, −4.2 ± 14.2%, 9.2 ± 11.5%, 2.7 ± 2.5 mm, 9.7 ± 7.6 mm, 85.0 ± 11.3%, respectively, while the corresponding measures by the best 3D U‐DL were 90.6 ± 11.9%, −2.3 ± 21.7%, 11.5 ± 18.5%, 3.1 ± 3.2 mm, 11.4 ± 10.0 mm, and 82.6 ± 14.2%, respectively. For comparison, the corresponding values obtained with the baseline method were 81.9 ± 12.1%, 10.2 ± 16.2%, 14.0 ± 13.0%, 3.6 ± 2.0 mm, 12.8 ± 6.1 mm, and 76.2 ± 11.8%, respectively, for the same test set. The improvement for all measures between the best U‐DL and the DCNN‐LS were statistically significant (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Compared to a previous DCNN‐LS method, which depended on a user‐input bounding box, the U‐DL provided more accurate bladder segmentation and was more automated than the previous approach.
ENU‐induced mutant allele of Dnah1, ferf1, causes abnormal sperm behavior and fertilization failure in mice
Authors: Hu Jianjun , Lessard Carl , Longstaff Charles , O'Brien Marilyn , Palmer Kristina , Reinholdt Laura , Eppig John , Schimenti John , Handel Mary Ann
Published: February 2019

Given attention to both contraception and treatment of infertility, there is a need to identify genes and sequence variants required for mammalian fertility. Recent unbiased mutagenesis strategies have expanded horizons of genetic control of reproduction. Here we show that male mice homozygous for the ethyl‐nitroso‐urea‐induced ferf1 (fertilization failure 1) mutation are infertile, producing apparently normal sperm that does not fertilize oocytes in standard fertilization in vitro fertilization assays. The ferf1 mutation is a single‐base change in the Dnah1 gene, encoding an axoneme‐associated dynein heavy chain, and previously associated with male infertility in both mice and humans. This missense mutation causes a single‐amino‐acid change in the DNAH1 protein in ferf1 mutant mice that leads to abnormal sperm clumping, aberrant sperm motility, and the inability of sperm to penetrate the oocyte's zona pellucida; however, the ferf1 mutant sperm is competent to fertilize zona‐free oocytes. Taken together, the various mutations affecting the DNAH1 protein in both mouse and human produce a diversity of phenotypes with both subtle and considerable differences. Thus, future identification of the interacting partners of DNAH1 might lead to understanding its unique function among the sperm dyneins.
In vivo 1H MRS of human gallbladder bile in understanding the pathophysiology of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC): Immune‐mediated disease versus bile acid‐induced injury
Authors: Mohajeri Sanaz , Bezabeh Tedros , Ijare Omkar B. , King Scott B. , Thomas Michael Albert , Minuk Gerald , Lipschitz Jeremy , Kirkpatrick Iain , Micflikier Allan B. , Summers Randy , Smith Ian C.P.
Published: February 2019

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) has been considered to be either an “autoimmune disease” or a “bile acid‐induced injury.” In vitro MRS studies on PSC patients have limitations due to the contamination of bile with contrast agent (commonly administered during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) and/or the use of patient cohorts with other diseases as controls. The objective of this study was to quantify biliary metabolites using in vivo 1H MRS and gain insight into the pathogenesis of PSC. Biliary metabolites in 10 PSC patients and 14 healthy controls were quantified in vivo using 1H MRS on a 3 T MR scanner. The concentrations of total bile acids plus cholesterol, glycine‐conjugated bile acids, taurine‐conjugated bile acids, and choline‐containing phospholipids (chol‐PLs) were compared between the two groups. There were statistically significant decreases in the levels of the above mentioned biliary metabolites in the PSC patients compared with controls. The reduction in bile acid secretion in bile of PSC patients indicates accumulation of bile acids in hepatocytes. Moreover, reduction in the levels of chol‐PLs in bile may increase the toxic effects of bile acids. Our findings suggest that the bile duct injury in PSC patients is most likely due to “bile acid‐induced injury.”
Anthraquinone Derivative Reduces Tau Oligomer Progression by Inhibiting Cysteine‐Cysteine Interaction
Authors: Areche Carlos , Zapata Francisca , González Mathias , Díaz Esteban , Montecinos Rubén , Hernández Marcos , Melo Francisco , Cornejo Alberto
Published: February 2019

Tau protein is a natively unfolded protein whose primary role is to participate in axonal transport closely associated with microtubules. Neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease and Tauopathies involved tau protein that is found hyperphosphorylated in vivo; then, tau is detached from microtubules to form toxic aggregates or oligomers, which have a deleterious effect on membranes, triggering an inflammatory response. Considering finding tau inhibitors, we isolated two compounds in the ethyl acetate extract from Xanthoria ectaneoides (Nyl.) Zahlbr; ergosterol peroxide (1) and a new anthraquinone (2). We established the structure through spectroscopic data and biogenic considerations, and we named it “2‐hydroxy‐3‐((8‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxy‐6‐methylanthraquinonyl)oxy)propanoic acid”. This new anthraquinone was evaluated as a tau inhibitor by ThT fluorescence, dot blot assays and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. Our results strongly suggest that this anthraquinone remodels soluble oligomers and diminishes β‐sheet content. Moreover, through the fluorescence labeling of cysteine inside of the microtubule‐binding domain (4R), we showed that this anthraquinone could reduce the oligomers progression by inhibiting cysteine interactions.
Does the Intra‐Atomic Deformation Energy of Interacting Quantum Atoms Represent Steric Energy?
Authors: Symons Benjamin C. B. , Williamson Dominic J. , Brooks Campbell M. , Wilson Alex L. , Popelier Paul L. A.
Published: February 2019

We show that the mutual, through‐space compression of atomic volume experienced by approaching topological atoms causes an exponential increase in the intra‐atomic energy of those atoms, regardless of approach orientation. This insight was obtained using the modern energy partitioning method called interacting quantum atoms (IQA). This behaviour is consistent for all atoms except hydrogen, which can behave differently depending on its environment. Whilst all atoms experience charge transfer when they interact, the intra‐atomic energy of the hydrogen atom is more vulnerable to these changes than larger atoms. The difference in behaviour is found to be due to hydrogen's lack of a core of electrons, which, in heavier atoms, consistently provide repulsion when compressed. As such, hydrogen atoms do not always provide steric hindrance. In accounting for hydrogen's unusual behaviour and demonstrating the exponential character of the intra‐atomic energy in all other atoms, we provide evidence for IQA's intra‐atomic energy as a quantitative description of steric energy.
The use of Facebook in the recruitment of foster carers: A dialogic analysis
Authors: Stringfellow Rachel , Keegan Brendan , Rowley Jennifer
Published: February 2019

Social media is becoming increasingly important for communication and community building, yet research on the use of social media by non‐profit organisations is limited and largely restricted to content analysis of social media comments. This article contributes to addressing this research gap, through a survey‐based study of the perspectives of key informants in U.K. Local Authority fostering teams on their use of social media. Specifically, it examines the extent to which the Facebook activity of local authority fostering teams is aligned with the principles of successful social media engagement, as represented by dialogic strategies and outcomes. A questionnaire on the use of Facebook was circulated to all local authority fostering teams in England. Findings suggest that although there is progress, many teams are at an early stage in their social media journey and that there is considerable variation between agencies. The limited evidence of engagement in relation to dialogic principles suggests that there is some adoption of a strategic approach. In particular, of the three dialogic principles associated with successful online engagement, two (updating and community building) were applied by about half of local authority fostering teams and the third (engagement) by just over a quarter.
Recent Advances in Pathology: the 2019 Annual Review Issue of The Journal of Pathology
Authors: Herrington C Simon , Poulsom Richard , Coates Philip J
Published: February 2019

In this Annual Review Issue of The Journal of Pathology, we present 15 invited reviews on topical aspects of pathology, ranging from the impacts of the microbiome in human disease through mechanisms of cell death and autophagy to recent advances in immunity and the uses of genomics for understanding, classifying and treating human cancers. Each of the reviews is authored by experts in their fields and our intention is to provide comprehensive updates in specific areas of pathology in which there has been considerable recent progress. Copyright © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simple approach to developing high‐efficiency neutron shielding composites
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Zhang Xianlong , Guo Shaoyun
Published: February 2019

Three distributions of boron nitride (BN) particles were designed: random, oriented, and periodic. The BN particles in multilayered high‐density polyethylene/boron nitride (HDPE/BN) composites were oriented along the extrusion direction and arranged regularly, and the BN/HDPE layers containing oriented BN particles exhibited periodic distribution in multilayered HDPE/(HDPE/BN) composites. Compared to the random distribution of BN particles, these structures could help reduce neutron transmittance and improve the linear and mass attenuation coefficients. Moreover, the neutron shielding efficiency could rapidly improve as the number of layers of the multilayered composites increased. Meanwhile, the crosslinking effect of the HDPE matrix caused by secondary radiation could be weakened as the number of layers of the multilayered composites increased. This study also introduced a novel idea for designing neutron shielding materials. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E348–E355, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Unravelling the Interplay between Genetic and Environmental Contributions in the Unfolding of Personality Differences from Early Adolescence to Young Adulthood
Authors: Kandler Christian , Waaktaar Trine , Mõttus René , Riemann Rainer , Torgersen Svenn
Published: February 2019

In two studies, we examined the genetic and environmental sources of the unfolding of personality trait differences from childhood to emerging adulthood. Using self–reports from over 3000 representative German twin pairs of three birth cohorts, we could replicate previous findings on the primary role of genetic sources accounting for the unfolding of inter–individual differences in personality traits and stabilizing trait differences during adolescence. More specifically, the genetic variance increased between early (ages 10–12 years) and late (ages 16–18 years) adolescence and stabilized between late adolescence and young adulthood (ages 21–25 years). This trend could be confirmed in a second three–wave longitudinal study of adolescents’ personality self–reports and parent ratings from about 1400 Norwegian twin families (average ages between 15 and 20 years). Moreover, the longitudinal study provided evidence for increasing genetic differences being primarily due to accumulation of novel genetic influences instead of an amplification of initial genetic variation. This is in line with cumulative interaction effects between twins’ correlated genetic makeups and environmental circumstances shared by adolescent twins reared together. In other words, nature × nurture interactions rather than transactions can account for increases in genetic variance and thus personality variance during adolescence. © 2019 European Association of Personality Psychology
The role of trait emotional intelligence in quality of life, anxiety and depression symptoms after surgery for esophageal or gastric cancer: A French national database FREGAT
Authors: Baudry Anne‐Sophie , Anota Amelie , Mariette Christophe , Bonnetain Franck , Renaud Florence , Piessen Guillaume , Christophe Veronique ,   and the FREGAT Working Group
Published: February 2019

Objective

The main objective was to test the indirect effects of emotional competence (EC) after diagnosis (T1) on the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) after surgery (T2) of esogastric cancer patients via fewer anxiety and depression symptoms (T2).

Methods

Data were collected from 30 French centers via the clinicobiological database French EsoGastric Tumors (FREGAT). Two hundred and twenty‐eight participants completed a self‐reported questionnaire at T1 and T2, assessing their EC (Profile of Emotional Competence (PEC)), HRQoL (EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire‐Core (QLQ‐C30)), and anxiety and depression symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)). Regression analyses were used to test the direct effects of intrapersonal and interpersonal EC on their anxiety/depression symptoms and HRQoL at T1 and T2. The PROCESS Macro in SPPS v.22 with bootstrap methods was used to test the indirect effects of intrapersonal and interpersonal EC at T1 on HRQoL at T2 via anxiety and depression symptoms.

Results

EC predicted fewer anxiety and depression symptoms of patients at T1 and T2 and better HRQoL at T1. EC at T1 also predicted a better HRQoL at T2 via fewer anxiety and depression symptoms at T2.

Conclusions

Patients who tended to use their EC in daily life could be more effective in regulating the emotional impact of the cancer diagnosis and surgery. This explains why they reported fewer anxiety and depression symptoms, which in turn enabled a better perceived HRQoL after surgery. Therefore, reinforcing the use of patients' EC in daily life following their diagnosis could decrease their emotional distress and, in this way, improve their HRQoL in the preoperative and postoperative stages.
Water and energy transfer modeling in a permafrost‐dominated, forested catchment of Central Siberia: The key role of rooting depth
Authors: Orgogozo Laurent , Prokushkin Anatoly S. , Pokrovsky Oleg S. , Grenier Christophe , Quintard Michel , Viers Jérôme , Audry Stéphane
Published: February 2019

To quantify the impact of evapotranspiration phenomena on active layer dynamics in a permafrost‐dominated forested watershed in Central Siberia, we performed a numerical cryohydrological study of water and energy transfer using a new open source cryohydrogeology simulator, with two innovative features: spatially distributed, mechanistic handling of evapotranspiration and inclusion of a numerical tool in a high‐ performance computing toolbox for numerical simulation of fluid dynamics, OpenFOAM. In this region, the heterogeneity of solar exposure leads to strong contrasts in vegetation cover, which constitutes the main source of variability in hydrological conditions at the landscape scale. The uncalibrated numerical results reproduce reasonably well the measured soil temperature profiles and the dynamics of infiltrated waters revealed by previous biogeochemical studies. The impacts of thermo‐hydrological processes on water fluxes from the soils to the stream are discussed through a comparison between numerical results and field data. The impact of evapotranspiration on water fluxes is studied numerically, and highlights a strong sensitivity to variability in rooting depth and corresponding evapotranspiration at slopes of different aspect in the catchment.
Design, synthesis, and bioactivities of tasiamide B derivatives as cathepsin D inhibitors
Authors: Li Zhi , Bao Keting , Xu Hao , Wu Ping , Li Wei , Liu Jian , Zhang Wei
Published: February 2019

Cathepsin D (Cath D) is overexpressed and hypersecreted by malignant tumors and involved in the progress of tumor invasion, proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis. Cath D has been considered as a potential target to treat cancer. Our previous studies revealed that tasiamide B derivatives TB‐9 and TB‐11 exhibited high potent inhibition against Cath D and other aspartic proteases, but their molecular weights are still high, and the role of each residue is unknown yet. Based on this, two series of tasiamide B derivatives have been designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against Cath D/Cath E/BACE1. Enzymatic assays revealed that the target compound 1 with lower molecule weight showed good inhibitory activity against Cath D with IC50 of 3.29 nM and satisfactory selectivity over Cath E (72‐fold) and BACE1 (295‐fold), which could be a valuable template for the design of highly potent and selective Cath D inhibitors.
Suppression of Propionibacterium acnes‐stimulated proinflammatory cytokines by Chinese bayberry extracts and its active constituent myricetin in human sebocytes in vitro
Authors: Chen Kuan‐Chun , Yang Chao‐Hsun , Li Ting‐Ting , Zouboulis Christos C. , Huang Yu‐Chun
Published: February 2019

Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc. (Myricaceae), known as Chinese bayberry, is traditionally used as folk medicine in Asian countries. The interaction of Propionibacterium acnes signalling with sebocytes is considered important in the pathogenesis of acne. In the present study, extracts and active compounds of Chinese bayberry were used to determine chemical antioxidant activity and anti‐inflammatory effects in P. acnes‐stimulated human SZ95 sebocytes. A high‐performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection system was used to analyse the phenolic composition of bayberry extracts. Accordingly, the flavonols, myricitrin and myricetin, were found to be abundant in the unhydrolysed and hydrolysed extracts of Chinese bayberry fruits, respectively. The anthocyanin cyanidin‐3‐glucoside was also predominantly found in the unhydrolysed extracts. Quantification of human inflammatory cytokines indicated that cell‐free extracts of P. acnes stimulated IL‐8 and IL‐6 production, which was inhibited by myricetin, rather than its glycoside or anthocyanin. Myricetin also exhibited inhibitory effects in P. acnes‐stimulated gene expression of Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 2 and protein phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase. In conclusion, myricetin shows a suppressive effect on P. acnes‐induced cytokine production through regulation of the TLR and mammalian target of rapamycin pathways. Myricetin goes beyond previous research findings to potentially modulate inflammatory signalling in human sebocytes. These results will be valuable in developing anti‐inflammatory agents against skin acne.
Testosterone for depression?
Authors: Price Lawrence H.
Published: February 2019

There is an intrinsic appeal to the notion that testosterone might improve depressive symptoms in men. It is, after all, a natural substance — less need to worry that it is some exotic molecule cooked up by an anonymous medicinal chemist in some mega‐conglomerate corporate pharmaceutical lab — and we tend to associate it, at least in the popular imagination, with vigor, vitality, and, well, hardy manliness. And I haven't included in that list of imagined attributes its alluring mystique as a possible elixir of youth.
The effect of continuously updating control chart limits on control chart performance
Authors: Huberts Leo C.E. , Schoonhoven Marit , Does Ronald J.M.M.
Published: February 2019

An open topic within statistical process monitoring is the effect on control chart properties of updating the control chart limits during the monitoring period. The challenge is to use the correct data for updating the control limits as in‐control data could be incorrectly classified as out of control and therefore not used for re‐estimating the parameters, and out‐of‐control data could be classified as in control and therefore used for re‐estimating. In the present article, we study the effect of updating the Shewhart, cumulative sum, and exponentially weighted moving average control chart limits. We simulate different scenarios: the monitoring data could be in or out of control, and the practitioner may or may not be able to find out whether the process is indeed out of control when the control chart gives a signal. The results reveal that the variation in the performance of the conditional control charts decreases significantly as a result of updating the control chart limits when the updating data are in control and also when the updating data are out of control and the practitioner is able to classify correctly data samples that produce a signal. However, when a practitioner is not able to classify a signal correctly, the advisability of updating depends on the type of control chart and the level of data contamination.
The task demands‐resources method: A new approach to human reliability analysis from a psychological perspective
Authors: Wu Zekun , Pan Xing , Zhao Xianheng , Jiang Yuhang
Published: February 2019

This study proposes a new approach to human reliability analysis (HRA) by introducing the occupational stress model in human resources management. Most existing HRA methods are restricted to a given set of risk factors in the task context, which are often called performance shaping factors (PSFs), and they are built on the causal relationship between PSFs and human performance, with little concern for the psychological factors that drive human behavior. We argue that a well‐developed occupational stress model that incorporates comprehensive working conditions and focuses on psychological factors offers us a new perspective to evaluate human reliability. The proposed approach, namely, the task demands‐resources (TD‐R) method, considers that the PSFs, in the task context, can be categorized into two different groups: task demands and task resources. These two PSF groups can both motivate and stress the operators during the task, thereby influencing their performances. Based on the theoretical framework of the TD‐R method, we also designed a probabilistic model linking motivational intensity to human error probability (HEP) under different stress levels. A human reliability experiment has been conducted to validate the effectiveness and flexibility of the TD‐R method. The experiment results showed that the TD‐R method could produce a meaningful explanation for the operators' performances and provide a quantification result for HEP.
Simultaneous determination of three organotin pesticides in fruits and vegetables by high‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Ma Youning , Chen Mingxue , Mou Renxiang , Cao Zhaoyun
Published: February 2019

Rationale

The presence of organotins in the environment affects food safety, making it important to monitor the levels of organotin pesticides (OTPs) in fruit and vegetable samples.

Methods

In the present study, a simple and low cost method for simultaneous determination of three OTPs (azocyclotin, fenbutatin oxide and triphenyltin hydroxide) in vegetable and fruit samples was developed and validated, based on solid‐phase extraction and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

Results

Extraction with acetonitrile containing 0.2% formic acid positively affected the recoveries of the three OTPs. Moreover, the simultaneous purification of the three OTPs was the most efficient using mixed‐mode cation‐exchange cartridges and 5.0% ammonium hydroxide in methanol as eluent, and, in this case, mild matrix effects (−9.3% to 21.6%) were obtained for the three OTPs monitored. The developed method reached limits of quantification of 1 μg kg−1, and linearity was satisfactory, with correlation coefficients >0.995. A fortification study showed that when spiked at 1.0–50.0 μg kg−1 the mean trueness values were from 72.3 to 110.0% in all matrices (three vegetables and three fruits). The intra‐day precision was <14.1%, and the inter‐day precision (n = 11) was <18.2%.

Conclusions

The proposed method was successfully applied to the simultaneous analysis of three OTPs in vegetables and fruits.
The impact of intermediate‐head navigation locks on downstream fish passage
Authors: Vergeynst Jenna , Pauwels Ine , Baeyens Raf , Coeck Johan , Nopens Ingmar , De Mulder Tom , Mouton Ans
Published: February 2019

Navigation in inland waterways is increasingly important worldwide and so is inherently the construction and use of navigation locks. However, the impact of navigation locks on downstream migrating fish is rarely documented. In Belgium, the Albert Canal connecting the Meuse River to the Scheldt Estuary may offer migration opportunities for European eel (Anguilla anguilla) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), two critically endangered species. During their downstream migration phase (respectively silver eels and salmon smolts), both species have to pass five intermediate‐head navigation locks before reaching the estuary. Previous research showed that silver eel escapement is largely unsuccessful and that eels are delayed extensively at the navigation lock complexes. To get a better understanding of the mechanisms behind these failures and delays, we tagged and released 62 silver eels and 44 salmon smolts in the vicinity of one navigation lock complex of the canal. This paper reports the mechanisms behind the previously perceived delay, the route choices to pass the complex, and the risks involved. Of the 65% tagged eels and 73% tagged smolts that succeeded to pass the complex, respectively, 20% and 41% needed more than one trial to pass the complex. Moreover, 52% of all trials were via intakes of the lock filling system, at least four smolts (17%) died after intake passing, and about 30% of both intake‐passing smolts and eels stopped migrating after passage. Therefore, intermediate‐head navigation locks are a potential threat to downstream migrating fish, which requires more research to fully investigate its impact.
A Phase I Study to Assess the Safety and Cancer-Homing Ability of Allogeneic Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Men with Localized Prostate Cancer
Authors: Schweizer Michael T. , Wang Hao , Bivalacqua Trinity J. , Partin Alan W. , Lim Su Jin , Chapman Carolyn , Abdallah Rehab , Levy Oren , Bhowmick Neil A. , Karp Jeffrey M. , De Marzo Angelo , Isaacs John T. , Brennen W. Nathaniel , Denmeade Samuel R.
Published: February 2019

Animal models show that systemically administered bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) home to sites of primary and metastatic prostate cancer (PC)—making them candidates to selectively deliver cytotoxic agents. To further assess this potential as a cell-based therapeutic vehicle, a phase I study testing homing of systemically infused allogeneic MSCs preprostatectomy was conducted. The primary objective was to assess safety and feasibility and to determine if MSCs accumulate within primary PC tissue. MSCs were quantified using beads, emulsion, amplification, magnetics digital polymerase chain reaction (limit of detection: ≥0.01% MSCs) to measure allogeneic MSC DNA relative to recipient DNA. MSCs were harvested from healthy donors and expanded ex vivo using standard protocols by the Johns Hopkins Cell Therapy Laboratory. PC patients planning to undergo prostatectomy were eligible for MSC infusion. Enrolled subjects received a single intravenous infusion 4–6 days prior to prostatectomy. The first three subjects received 1 x 106 cells per kilogram (maximum 1 x 108 cells), and subsequent four patients received 2 x 106 cells per kilogram (maximum 2 x 108 cells). No dose-limiting toxicities were observed and all patients underwent prostatectomy without delay. Pathologic assessment of prostate cores revealed ≥70% tumor involvement in cores from four subjects, with benign tissue in the others. MSCs were undetectable in all subjects, and the study was stopped early for futility. MSC infusions appear safe in PC patients. Although intended for eventual use in metastatic PC patients, in this study, MSCs did not home primary tumors in sufficient levels to warrant further development as a cell-based therapeutic delivery strategy using standard ex vivo expansion protocols. Stem Cells Translational Medicine  2019;8:441–449