bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of bicarbonate, phosphate and other anions in saliva by capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection in diagnostics of gastroesophageal reflux disease
Authors: Dosedělová Věra , Ďurč Pavol , Dolina Jiří , Konečný Štefan , Foret František , Kubáň Petr
Published: November 2019

Bicarbonate and phosphate constitute major salivary buffering components, and their importance consists in the neutralization of acidic gastric contents during reflux episodes. In this work, capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector was applied for the analysis of bicarbonate, phosphate, and another inorganic (chloride, nitrite, nitrate, sulfate, thiocyanate) and organic anions (acetate, butyrate) to evaluate their levels in saliva. The background electrolytes of different composition and pH between 6.02–9.41 were assessed for the bicarbonate and phosphate determination by comparison of the real analyses of a model solution with the simulation by PeakMaster software. The optimized background electrolyte was composed of 10 mM 2‐(N‐morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid, 20 mM arginine, and 30 µM cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, pH 8.95. Using this BGE, the anion levels were compared in saliva from 20 patients suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and saliva from 12 healthy subjects. Bicarbonate levels were significantly elevated in saliva from GERD patients suggesting the possible applicability of bicarbonate as a biomarker in non‐invasive diagnostics of GERD by CE‐C4D.
Nonlinear reaction–diffusion process models improve inference for population dynamics
Authors: Lu Xinyi , Williams Perry J. , Hooten Mevin B. , Powell James A. , Womble Jamie N. , Bower Michael R.
Published: November 2019

Partial differential equations (PDEs) are a useful tool for modeling spatiotemporal dynamics of ecological processes. However, as an ecological process evolves, we need statistical models that can adapt to changing dynamics as new data are collected. We developed a model that combines an ecological diffusion equation and logistic growth to characterize colonization processes of a population that establishes long‐term equilibrium over a heterogeneous environment. We also developed a homogenization strategy to statistically upscale the PDE for faster computation and adopted a hierarchical framework to accommodate multiple data sources collected at different spatial scales. We highlighted the advantages of using a logistic reaction component instead of a Malthusian component when population growth demonstrates asymptotic behavior. As a case study, we demonstrated that our model improves spatiotemporal abundance forecasts of sea otters in Glacier Bay, Alaska. Furthermore, we predicted spatially varying local equilibrium abundances as a result of environmentally driven diffusion and density‐regulated growth. Integrating equilibrium abundances over the study area in our application enabled us to infer the overall carrying capacity of sea otters in Glacier Bay, Alaska.
Can inpainting improve digital terrain analysis? Comparing techniques for void filling, surface reconstruction and geomorphometric analyses
Authors: Crema Stefano , Llena Manel , Calsamiglia Aleix , Estrany Joan , Marchi Lorenzo , Vericat Damià , Cavalli Marco
Published: November 2019

The investigation of form and processes in geomorphology and ecology is highly dependent on topographic data: a reliable digital terrain representation is in fact a key issue across environmental and earth sciences. In many cases, the processing of high‐resolution topographic data (e.g., light detection and ranging (LiDAR), structure from motion) has to face issues such as void filling, vegetation/feature removal and interpolation accuracy that are usually related to (i) intrinsic limitations of the adopted technology, (ii) local conditions affecting the survey or (iii) specific design scenario. In this paper, we develop a methodology to test the accuracy of an image inpainting algorithm to fill data voids in complex mountain areas. The devised experiment exploits the availability of a high‐resolution, LiDAR‐derived digital terrain model and the inpainting approach accuracy is checked against some widely used interpolation techniques (natural neighbor, spline, inverse distance weighting, kriging). In order to better mimic the actual surface texture, a methodology to introduce local topographic variability to the interpolated surface is also presented. The results show a better performance of the inpainting algorithm especially in the case of complex and rugged topography. Two examples showing an effective usage and accuracy of the proposed technique are reported, highlighting the drawbacks that a poor surface representation can introduce. The whole procedure is made freely available within a Matlab® script with the addition of sample files. ©2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. ©2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling and Forecasting of Energy Demands for Household Applications
Authors: Salam Md. Abdus , Yazdani Md. Gholam , Wen Fushuan , Rahman Quazi Mehbubar , Malik Owais Ahmed , Hasan Syeed
Published: November 2019

Energy use is on the rise due to an increase in the number of households and general consumptions. It is important to estimate and forecast the number of houses and the resultant energy consumptions to address the effective and efficient use of energy in future planning. In this paper, the number of houses in Brunei Darussalam is estimated by using Spline interpolation and forecasted by using two methods, namely an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model and nonlinear autoregressive (NAR) neural network. The NAR model is more accurate in forecasting the number of houses as compared to the ARIMA model. The energy required for water heating and other appliances is investigated and are found to be 21.74% and 78.26% of the total energy used, respectively. Through analysis, it is demonstrated that 9 m2 solar heater and 90 m2 of solar panel can meet these energy requirements.
Neuroimaging features of whole‐brain functional connectivity predict attack frequency of migraine
Authors: Mu Junya , Chen Tao , Quan Shilan , Wang Chen , Zhao Ling , Liu Jixin
Published: November 2019

Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by attacks of moderate or severe headache accompanying functionally and structurally maladaptive changes in brain. As the headache days/month is often measured by patient self‐report and tends to be overestimated than actually experienced, the possibility of using neuroimaging data to predict migraine attack frequency is of great interest. To identify neuroimaging features that could objectively evaluate patients' headache days, a total of 179 migraineurs were recruited from two data center with one dataset used as the training/test cohort and the other used as the validating cohort. The guidelines for controlled trials of prophylactic treatment of chronic migraine in adults were used to identify the frequency of attacks and migraineurs were divided into low (MOl) and high (MOh) subgroups. Whole‐brain functional connectivity was used to build multivariate logistic regression models with model iteration optimization to identify MOl and MOh. The best model accurately discriminated MOh from MOl with AUC of 0.91 (95%CI [0.86, 0.95]) in the training/test cohort and 0.79 in the validating cohort. The discriminative features were mainly located within the limbic lobe, frontal lobe, and temporal lobe. Permutation tests analysis demonstrated that the classification performance of these features was significantly better than chance. Furthermore, the indicator of functional connectivity had a higher odds ratio than behavioral variables with implementing a holistic regression analysis. The current findings suggested that the migraine attack frequency could be distinguished by using machine‐learning algorithms, and highlighted the role of brain functional connectivity in revealing underlying migraine‐related neurobiology.
The surgical treatment of cerebrospinal fistula: Qualitative and quantitative analysis of indications and results
Authors: Iavarone Alessandra , Luparello Paolo , Lazio Maria Silvia , Comini Lara Valentina , Martelli Federica , De Luca Oliviero , Santoro Giovanni Paolo , Santoro Roberto , Alderotti Giammarco , Mannelli Giuditta
Published: November 2019

Cerebrospinal fistula might occur in different ways. CSF closure techniques have undergone significant evolution that has led to the consolidation of the transnasal endoscopic approach. Despite the existence of multiple publications, meaningful information is still lacking in clinical practice and the literature about the ideal method, material, and timing for repair of CSF. The purpose of this review was to summarize the success rate of endoscopic CSF leak repair as well as whether specific techniques or materials influence the primary success rate through a review of the latest advancements in endoscopic CSF management published in the past 10 years. The principles of multilayer reconstructions and the routine use of vascularized flaps in expanded endonasal surgery have reduced postoperative CSF leaks' failure rates between 5% and 10% (4% in this meta‐analysis). Effective endoscopic anterior skull base (ASB) closure may be achieved by multiple reconstructive techniques, which should be tailored case by case according to the patient and defect conditions.
Analysis of skin dose distribution for the prediction of severe radiation dermatitis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with concurrent chemo‐radiotherapy
Authors: Bonomo Pierluigi , Talamonti Cinzia , Desideri Isacco , Marrazzo Livia , Pezzulla Donato , Rampini Andrea , Bertocci Silvia , De Majo Roberta , Gasperi Chiara , Curion Assunta Simona , Lastrucci Luciana , Dominici Luca , Pallotta Stefania , Livi Lorenzo , Caini Saverio
Published: November 2019

Background

We investigated whether the pattern of intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) dose distribution to the skin can be correlated with the development of G3/G4 radiation dermatitis (RD).

Methods

A frequency‐matched cohort analysis was perfomed on patients treated with IMRT and concurrent cisplatin or cetuximab. Risk ratios were obtained by fitting Poisson regression models.

Results

The incidence of G3/G4 RD was 41.1% in 90 patients included (50% vs 36.6% in the cetuximab and cisplatin cohorts, respectively). In multivariate analysis, PS ≥ 1 and weight loss at RT completion >10 kg were the only factors that retained significance. The best dosimetric predictive accuracy was provided by 19.9 cc and 5.8 cc of skin ring 2 mm V50 and V60, respectively (AUC: 0.61 for both).

Conclusion

Along with clinical factors, the pattern of dose distribution to a ring structure localized 2 mm below the patient's surface may help predict the development of severe RD.
Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of malignant tumors involving pterygopalatine fossa
Authors: Woo Hyun‐Jae , Hwang Peter H. , Kaplan Michael J. , Choby Garret
Published: November 2019

Background

To identify the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of malignancies involving the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF).

Methods

Fifty‐seven patients who underwent curative surgery for malignant tumor involving PPF were reviewed.

Results

The rates for three‐year local control (LC), five‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) and five‐year overall survival (OS) were 55.4%, 34.5%, and 52.7%, respectively. Perineural invasion (PNI) of the maxillary nerve with facial numbness (symptomatic V2 PNI) (P = .04) and cranial involvement (P = .03) were predictors for poor OS. Symptomatic V2 PNI was also a significant predictor for poor LC (P = .05) and DFS (P = .03). Within the subgroup analysis of patients with pathologically confirmed V2 PNI, asymptomatic V2 PNI patients had significantly better LC (71.2% vs 31.8%, P = .05) and DFS (43.8% vs 17.3%, P = .05) compared to symptomatic patients.

Conclusion

Malignant tumors involving the PPF have diverse pathologies and a poor prognosis. Symptomatic V2 PNI may be an independent poor prognostic factor.
Deficiency in Embryonic Stem Cell Marker Reduced Expression 1 Activates Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase Kinase 6–Dependent p38 Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase Signaling to Drive Hepatocarcinogenesis
Authors: Luk Steve T. , Ng Kai‐Yu , Zhou Lei , Tong Man , Wong Tin‐Lok , Yu Huajian , Lo Chung‐Mau , Man Kwan , Guan Xin‐Yuan , Lee Terence K. , Ma Stephanie
Published: November 2019

Background and Aims

Embryonic stem‐cell–related transcription factors are central to the establishment and maintenance of stemness and pluripotency, and their altered expression plays key roles in tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a malignancy with no effective treatment. Here, we report on the embryonic stem cell marker, reduced expression 1 (REX1; also known as zinc finger protein 42), to be selectively down‐regulated in HCC tumors.

Approach and Results

Deficiency of REX1 in HCC was attributed to a combination of hypermethylation at its promoter as well as histone modification by methylation and acetylation. Clinically, hypermethylation of REX1 was closely associated with neoplastic transition and advanced tumor stage in humans. Functionally, silencing of REX1 potentiated the tumor‐initiating and metastasis potential of HCC cell lines and xenografted tumors. Lentivirus‐mediated Rex1 ablation in liver of male immunocompetent mice with HCC, induced by hydrodynamic tail vein injection of proto‐oncogenes, enhanced HCC development. Transcriptome profiling studies revealed REX1 deficiency in HCC cells to be enriched with genes implicated in focal adhesion and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. From this lead, we subsequently found REX1 to bind to the promoter region of mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase 6 (MKK6), thereby obstructing its transcription, resulting in altered p38 MAPK signaling.

Conclusions

Our work describes a critical repressive function of REX1 in maintenance of HCC cells by regulating MKK6 binding and p38 MAPK signaling. REX1 deficiency induced enhancement of p38 MAPK signaling, leading to F‐actin reorganization and activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2–mediated oxidative stress response, which collectively contributed to enhanced stemness and metastatic capabilities of HCC cells.
Pre‐training interventions to counteract seductive details in virtual reality training programs
Authors: Howard Matt C. , Lee Juseob
Published: November 2019

We propose that (a) certain aspects of virtual reality (VR) training programs are seductive details, (b) these seductive details prompt trainee distraction and/or cognitive overload, and (c) pre‐training interventions can benefit learning from VR training programs by targeting these mechanisms. In Study 1, we apply a meta‐cognitive strategy pre‐training intervention, which targets distraction, and a habituation pre‐training intervention, which targets cognitive overload. Habituation had no effect, whereas meta‐cognitive strategies worsened learning. Qualitative results indicated the meta‐cognitive strategy intervention prompted trainees to become more cognitively engaged in the distracting seductive details of the VR training program. In Study 2, we tested an alternative pre‐training intervention, attentional advice, to reduce distraction and increase learning. The attentional advice pre‐training intervention was successful, as trainees demonstrated greater learning when provided attentional advice. Together, all proposals were supported. VR can contain seductive details that cause distraction, and attentional advice can improve learning by reducing distraction.
Addressing burnout in clinical pharmacy: What can we learn from other health care disciplines?
Authors: Haase Krystal K.
Published: November 2019

Burnout is a growing concern across health care disciplines. Burnout is a prolonged response to persistent work‐related stressors and includes elements of exhaustion, depersonalization, and perceived ineffectiveness. The body of literature exploring the causes and consequences of burnout has grown substantially. Rates of burnout in clinical pharmacists are similar to those reported for other health care professionals. However, many aspects of burnout have not been adequately characterized in clinical pharmacists. This manuscript outlines key findings from the literature on burnout in other health care disciplines and establishes relevant connections to clinical pharmacy. Burnout has negative consequences related to personal well‐being and is linked to stress‐related health outcomes. Burnout is associated with increased job turnover, decreased productivity, and quality concerns, including both patient safety and satisfaction. A variety of factors contribute to the development of burnout, including provider characteristics, practice specialization, type and quantity of work expectations, work environment, social and organizational support, and reward. Interventions that focus on individual providers have been shown to modestly improve burnout. Interventions that emphasize organizational change may have a more significant impact, and several groups have outlined organization‐focused strategies to improve well‐being in the workplace. Such strategies include enhancing communication, promoting true collaboration and community, addressing staffing shortages, empowering employee decision‐making, and developing and promoting institutional values. Best practices for improving well‐being within an organization include a multidisciplinary, multimodal approach that is supported by both resources and leadership engagement.
LncRNA PCED1B‐AS1 activates the proliferation and restricts the apoptosis of glioma through cooperating with miR‐194‐5p/PCED1B axis
Authors: Yang Jinghui , Yu Duo , Liu Xueshibojie , Changyong E. , Yu Shan
Published: November 2019

Glioma with poor prognosis is accepted as a lethal, malignant intracranial tumor among central nervous system diseases. It has been frequently exhibited that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert indispensable functions in glioma through regulating gene expression through various molecular mechanisms. To unveil a novel lncRNA functioning in glioma, we browsed the cancer genome atlas dataset and chose the lncRNA PC‐esterase domain containing 1B antisense RNA 1 (PCED1B‐AS1) for further investigations. Loss‐of‐function experiments depicted that the proliferation ability was restrained and apoptosis ability was induced in glioma cells by PCED1B‐AS1 silencing and this phenomenon was also observed when PCED1B was knocked down. In view of the position of PCED1B‐AS1 in the cytoplasm, we produced the Venn diagram and discovered one shared microRNA of PCED1B‐AS1 and PCED1B. The competing endogenous RNA network formed by PCED1B‐AS1, miR‐194‐5p, and PCED1B was attested by mechanism assays. Rescue experiments reconfirmed that miR‐194‐5p suppression or PCED1B overexpression neutralized the obstructive impacts of PCED1B‐AS1 silence on proliferation and the promoting effects of PCED1B‐AS1 silence on apoptosis. The modulation mechanism of the PCED1B‐AS1/miR‐194‐5p/PCED1B axis in glioma was investigated and affirmed, which supports researchers with a new insight into the therapy of patients with glioma.
Retracted: Silence of cZNF292 suppresses the growth, migration, and invasion of human esophageal cancer Eca‐109 cells via upregulating miR‐206
Authors: Liu Zengjia , Hu Guiju , Zhao Yan , Xiao Zuorun , Yan Mingzhe , Ren Mei
Published: November 2019

Circular RNA (circRNA) cZNF292 has been previously revealed as a circular oncogenic RNA. This study attempted to illustrate the functions of cZNF292 in human esophageal carcinoma Eca‐109 cells. Eca‐109 cells were transfected with the short hairpin RNA specific against cZNF292 (sh‐cZNF292) and/or miR‐206 inhibitor. cZNF292 and miR‐206 expression was examined by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Cell counting kit‐8 and flow cytometry were performed for detecting cell growth including cell viability as well as apoptosis. Various kinds of factors, which are involved in cell development including proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were determined by western blot analysis. Besides, the activation of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) and PI3K/AKT signaling was measured by western blot analysis. It was found that cZNF292 silencing decreased Eca‐109 cell viability and induced apoptosis. In the meantime, cZNF292 silencing inhibited cell migration and invasion. cZNF292 silencing upregulated miR‐206 expression. And miR‐206 downregulation impaired the suppressive effects of cZNF292 silence toward Eca‐109 cell growth, migration, and invasion. cZNF292 silencing activated AMPK signaling and inactivated PI3K/AKT signaling also via regulating miR‐206. In conclusion, silencing of cZNF292 abated growth, migration, and invasion of Eca‐109 cells by upregulating miR‐206, which subsequently modulated AMPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.
RNA sequencing profiling reveals key mRNAs and long noncoding RNAs in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Ke Zun‐Ping , Xu Ying‐Jia , Wang Zhang‐Sheng , Sun Jian
Published: November 2019

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are an emerging class of RNA species that could participate in some critical pathways and disease pathogenesis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of lncRNAs in atrial fibrillation (AF) is still not fully understood. In the present study, we analyzed RNA‐seq data of paired left and right atrial appendages from five patients with AF and other five patients without AF. Based on the gene expression profiles of 20 samples, we found that a majority of genes were aberrantly expressed in both left and right atrial appendages of patients with AF. Similarly, the dysregulated pathways in the left and right atrial appendages of patients with AF also bore a close resemblance. Moreover, we predicted regulatory lncRNAs that regulated the expression of adjacent protein‐coding genes (PCGs) or interacted with proteins. We identified that NPPA and its antisense RNA NPPA‐AS1 may participate in the pathogenesis of AF by regulating the muscle contraction. We also identified that RP11 − 99E15.2 and RP3 − 523K23.2 could interact with proteins ITGB3 and HSF2, respectively. RP11 − 99E15.2 and RP3 − 523K23.2 may participate in the pathogenesis of AF via regulating the extracellular matrix binding and the transcription of HSF2 target genes, respectively. The close association of the lncRNA‐interacting proteins with AF further demonstrated that these two lncRNAs were also associated with AF. In conclusion, we have identified key regulatory lncRNAs implicated in AF, which not only improves our understanding of the lncRNA‐related molecular mechanism underlying AF but also provides computationally predicted regulatory lncRNAs for AF researchers.
Exploring beta amyloid cleavage enzyme‐1 inhibition and neuroprotective role of benzimidazole analogues as anti‐alzheimer agents
Authors: Gurjar Archana S. , Solanki Vivek S. , Meshram Ankita R. , Vishwakarma Suchita S.
Published: November 2019

Beta amyloid cleavage enzyme‐1 (BACE1) is the key enzyme involved in Aβ peptide formation in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. We intend to target this enzyme by exploring benzimidazole analogues against BACE1 as potential anti‐Alzheimer agents. Docking studies were performed to determine the hydrogen bond interactions between the designed molecules and the target protein's active site. Research indicates the relationship between oxidative stress and Aβ effect in precipitating neurodegeneration; hence, the series was also studied in vitro to ascertain its neuroprotective role by performing the lipid peroxidation assay. In silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion studies were undertaken to assess the drug‐like suitability of the analogues. To judge the effect of the synthesized analogues on central nervous system (CNS), toxicity and memory model studies were conducted on mice. Thus, overall results showcase analogues 11 and 14 as the most promising ones with the dual role of BACE1 inhibition and neuroprotection, along with memory retention.
AMPKα promotes basal autophagy induction in Dictyostelium discoideum
Authors: Maurya Ranjana , Kumar Rakesh , Saran Shweta
Published: November 2019

Autophagy is a degradation process, wherein long‐lived proteins, damaged organelles, and protein aggregates are degraded to maintain cellular homeostasis. Upon starvation, 5′‐AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) initiates autophagy. We show that ampkα− cells exhibit 50% reduction in pinocytosis and display defective phagocytosis. Re‐expression of AMPKα in ampkα− cells co‐localizes with red fluorescence protein‐tagged bacteria. The ampkα− cells show reduced cell survival and autophagic flux under basal and starvation conditions. Co‐immunoprecipitation studies show conservation of the AMPK–ATG1 axis in basal autophagy. Computational analyses suggest that the N‐terminal region of DdATG1 is amenable for interaction with AMPK. Furthermore, β‐actin was found to be a novel interacting partner of AMPK, attributed to the alteration in macropinocytosis and phagocytosis in the absence of AMPK. Additionally, ampkα− cells exhibit enhanced poly‐ubiquitinated protein levels and allied large ubiquitin‐positive protein aggregates. Our findings suggest that AMPK provides links among pinocytosis, phagocytosis, autophagy, and is a requisite for basal autophagy in Dictyostelium.
Catalytic hydrolysis of cellulose to total reducing sugars with superior recyclable magnetic multifunctional MCMB‐based solid acid as a catalyst
Authors: Li Heng‐Xiang , Shi Wen‐Jing , Zhang Xiaohua , Liu Puxu , Cao Qing , Jin Li'e
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Effective cellulose hydrolysis has a huge potential for producing high value‐added biomass‐based platform chemicals, such as glucose, hydroxymethylfurfural, levulinic acid, and total reducing sugars (TRS). Particularly, a magnetic multifunctional solid acid catalyst (Fe3O4/Cl–MCMB–SO3H) was synthesized by loading the active groups on the magnetic mesocarbon microbead (MCMB) derived from the co‐calcination of coal tar pitch and ferroferric oxide, which was applied as a catalyst in the conversion of cellulose into TRS.

RESULTS

Given the superior properties of MCMB, a novel magnetic MCMB‐based solid acid with cellulose‐binding domain (–Cl group) and catalytic domain (–SO3H group) was successfully prepared. Results indicated that this catalyst exhibited superior catalytic activity, recyclability and regenerability, and easy separation from the reactant. The acidic densities of –SO3H and –Cl in Fe3O4/Cl–MCMB–SO3H reached 1.77 and 1.32 mmol/g, respectively. The 68.6% TRS yield can be obtained from cellulose at 140 °C for 3 h in distilled water by using Fe3O4/Cl‐MCMB‐SO3H as the catalyst. The TRS yield still reached 61.1% after the catalyst was used six times. Importantly, through catalyst regeneration, the –SO3H density and TRS yield still reached 1.69 mmol/g and 67.3%, indicating that the catalyst exhibited excellent regenerability.

CONCLUSION

Such multifunctional magnetic catalyst would be a promising catalyst in the conversion of cellulose into biofuels, which was attributed to the efficient catalytic performance, magnetism, and excellent recyclability and regenerability. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Human Placenta Blood Flow During Early Gestation With Pseudocontinuous Arterial Spin Labeling MRI
Authors: Liu Dapeng , Shao Xingfeng , Danyalov Alibek , Chanlaw Teresa , Masamed Rinat , Wang Danny J.J. , Janzen Carla , Devaskar Sherin U. , Sung Kyunghyun
Published: November 2019

Background

Noninvasive measurement of placental blood flow is the major technical challenge for predicting ischemic placenta (IPD). Pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) MRI was recently shown to be promising, but the potential value in predicting the subsequence development of IPD is not known.

Purpose

To derive global and regional placental blood flow parameters from longitudinal measurements of pCASL MRI and to assess the associations between perfusion‐related parameters and IPD.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

Eighty‐four women completed two pCASL MRI scans (first; 14–18 weeks and second; 19–24 weeks) from prospectively recruited 118 subjects. A total of 69 subjects were included for the analysis, of which 15 subjects developed IPD.

Field Strength/Sequence

3T/T2‐weighted half‐Fourier single‐shot turbo spin‐echo (HASTE) and pCASL.

Assessment

Four perfusion‐related parameters in the placenta were derived: placenta volume, placental blood flow (PBF), high PBF (hPBF), and relative hPBF. The longitudinal changes of the parameters and their association with IPD were tested after being normalizing to the 16th and 20th weeks of gestation.

Statistical Tests

Comparisons between two gestational ages within subjects were performed using the paired Wilcoxon tests, and comparisons between normal and IPD groups were performed using the unpaired Wilcoxon tests.

Results

The difference between the first and second MRI scans was statistically significant for volume (156.6 cm3 vs. 269.7 cm3, P < 0.001) and PBF (104.9 ml/100g/min vs. 111.3 ml/100g/min, P = 0.02) for normal subjects, indicating an increase in pregnancy with advancing gestation. Of the parameters tested, the difference between the normal and IPD subjects was most pronounced in hPBF (278.1 ml/100g/min vs. 180.7 ml/100g/min, P < 0.001) and relative hPBF (259.1% vs. 183.2%, P < 0.001) at 16 weeks.

Data Conclusion

The high perfusion‐related image parameters for IPD were significantly decreased from normal pregnancy at 14–18 weeks of gestation.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy Stage

1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:1247–1257.
Antecedents and consequences of collective psychological ownership: The validation of a conceptual model
Authors: Giordano Ana Paula , Patient David , Passos Ana Margarida , Sguera Francesco
Published: November 2019

We investigate team member feelings of collective psychological ownership (CPO) over teamwork products, the psychological paths that lead to it, and its impact on team workers' evaluations of team effectiveness, turnover intentions, and intentions to champion teamwork products. We focus on the teamwork product as an important target of ownership feelings, building on theories of self‐extension, psychological ownership, and team emergent states. In Study 1, we validate measures for three ownership activating experiences (OAE) that have been proposed as paths to CPO (control over, intimate knowledge regarding, and investment in the teamwork product) using two samples of individual team workers (n = 210 and n = 140). In Study 2 (n = 183) and Study 3 (n = 200), we use surveys and a multiwave design to show that team workers' feelings of CPO mediate the relationship between investment in and intimate knowledge regarding the product and team effectiveness evaluations, team turnover intentions, and intentions to champion the work product. In Study 4 (n = 48 teams), CPO was predicted by the ownership activating experiences, at the team level. This research additionally highlights the benefits to organizations of creating conditions for the emergence of employee feelings of shared ownership over teamwork products.
Subjective time in organizations: Conceptual clarification, integration, and implications for future research
Authors: Tang Shi , Richter Andreas W. , Nadkarni Sucheta
Published: November 2019

Despite the rapid growth of organizational research on subjective time, the extant literature is fragmented due to a lack of conceptual clarification and integration of temporal constructs. To address this fragmentation, we synthesize temporal research from both organizational behavior and adjacent disciplines (i.e., strategy, entrepreneurship, and organizational theory) and introduce a framework that allocates temporal constructs according to their basic conceptual nature (trait–state) and level of analysis (individual–collective). We employed the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count text analysis to determine the trait–state property of the constructs and a coding method to determine their level of analysis. This framework categorizes four generic types of subjective time: individual temporal disposition, individual temporal state, collective temporal state, and collective temporal disposition. We clarify the conceptualizations of the temporal constructs belonging to each of the four archetypes of subjective time and review their key findings in the organizational literature. Based on this integrative framework, we identify critical knowledge gaps in the current state of research and chart a future agenda with specific suggestions.
Modelling the vegetation response to the 8.2 ka bp cooling event in Europe and Northern Africa
Authors: Li Huan , Renssen Hans , Roche Didier M. , Miller Paul A.
Published: November 2019

The 8.2 ka bp cooling event is assumed to be the most clearly marked abrupt climate event in the Holocene at northern mid‐ to high latitudes. In this study, we simulate the vegetation responses to the 8.2 ka bp climate change event over Europe and Northern Africa. Our results show that all dominant plant functional types (PFTs) over Europe and North Africa respond to these climate changes, but the magnitude, timing and impact factor of their responses are different. Compared with pollen‐based vegetation reconstructions, our simulation generally captures the main features of vegetation responses to the 8.2 ka bp event. Interestingly, in Western Europe, the simulated vegetation after perturbation is different from its initial state, which is consistent with two high‐resolution pollen records. This different vegetation composition indicates the long‐lasting impact of abrupt climate change on vegetation through eco‐physiological and ecosystem demographic processes, such as plant competition. Moreover, our simulations suggest a latitudinal gradient in the magnitude of the event, with more pronounced vegetation responses to the severe cooling in the north and weaker responses to less severe cooling in the south. This effect is not seen in pollen records. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Quaternary Science Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A review of the applications of Raman spectroscopy for breast cancer tissue diagnostic and their histopathological classification of epithelial to mesenchymal transition
Authors: Sabtu Siti Norbaini , Abdul Sani S.F. , Bradley D.A. , Looi L.M. , Osman Z.
Published: November 2019

Breast cancer is one of the leading cancers in women worldwide. Notwithstanding the clear advances being made in treatment, early diagnosis of the disease can certainly be expected to reduce morbidity and mortality. With increasing evidence of the role of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumour progression, early detection of this phenomenon is suggested to be important given that the majority of breast cancer deaths are due to tumour invasion and metastasis. Although histopathology and biomedical imaging techniques continue to be used as standard procedures in breast cancer diagnosis, these techniques have a number of disadvantages, including being time‐consuming, the imaging in particular having attendant limited resolution, sensitivity, and specificity, leading to results that are prone to errors in human interpretation. Due to its rapidity and high specificity, Raman spectroscopy has emerged as a diagnostic tool for breast cancer, useful in identifying malignancy of breast cells, correlated with the EMT phenotype, expressed at the molecular level. Detailed biochemical information from tissue biopsies can also be provided from use of this technique. The use of Raman spectroscopy in breast cancer investigations over the past 10 years and more, including in the study of EMT, is reviewed in the present work also listing the corresponding Raman peaks reported in the literature in seeking to better facilitate identification of peaks of interest.
Experimental investigations on the regeneration of desulfurized 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate [Bmim][FeCl4] and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium thiocyanate [Bmim][SCN] ionic liquids: A raman spectroscopic study
Authors: Ullah Sami , Bustam Mohamad Azmi , Al‐Sehemi Abdullah G. , Assiri Mohammed Ali , Gonfa Girma , Mukhtar Ahmad , Ayoub Muhammad , Ahmad Tausif
Published: November 2019

The room temperature and task‐specific ionic liquids nowadays have been investigated widely for the removal of sulfur compounds from the natural gas streams. However, the major challenge is the recovery of the desulfurized ionic liquids, which need some significant developments. In this study, two magnetic ionic liquids including the 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate [Bmim][FeCl4] and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium thiocyanate [Bmim][SCN] were investigated for their interaction with the sulfur‐rich compound, that is, dibenzothiophene. The ionic liquids samples were desulfurized and then regenerated with the co‐solvent hexane. The samples were characterized and investigated with the analytical techniques including the Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible absorption analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and detailed analysis by Raman spectroscopy. The desulfurization results demonstrated that there is no significant influence of the dibenzothiophene molecules on the basic structures of ionic liquids. The regeneration results revealed that the high polarity of the co‐solvent hexane successfully dissolve the dibenzothiophene and efficiently separated from the ionic liquids. Hence, the work present here in this study could be applied for the extractive removal of sulfur compounds from ionic liquids for their regeneration using high polarity co‐solvent hexane.
Joint synthesis of conditionally related multiple outcomes makes better use of data than separate meta‐analyses
Authors: Anwer Sumayya , Ades A.E. , Dias Sofia
Published: November 2019

Background

When there are structural relationships between outcomes reported in different trials, separate analyses of each outcome do not provide a single coherent analysis, which is required for decision‐making. For example, trials of intrapartum anti‐bacterial prophylaxis (IAP) to prevent early onset group B streptococcal (EOGBS) disease can report three treatment effects: the effect on bacterial colonisation of the newborn, the effect on EOGBS, and the effect on EOGBS conditional on newborn colonisation. These outcomes are conditionally related, or nested, in a multi‐state model.

This paper shows how to exploit these structural relationships, providing a single coherent synthesis of all the available data, while checking to ensure that different sources of evidence are consistent.

Results

Overall, the use of IAP reduces the risk of EOGBS (RR: 0.03; 95% Credible Interval (CrI): 0.002–0.13). Most of the treatment effect is due to the prevention of colonisation in newborns of colonised mothers (RR: 0.08, 95% CrI: 0.04–0.14). Node‐splitting demonstrated that the treatment effect calculated using only direct evidence was consistent with that predicted from the remaining evidence (p = 0.15). The findings accorded with previously published separate meta‐analyses of the different outcomes, once these are re‐analysed correctly accounting for zero cells.

Conclusion

Multiple outcomes should be synthesised together where possible, taking account of their structural relationships. This generates an internally coherent analysis, suitable for decision making, in which estimates of each of the treatment effects are based on all available evidence (direct and indirect). Separate meta‐analyses of each outcome have none of these properties.
Cumulative risk assessment of phthalates in edible vegetable oil consumed by Chinese residents
Authors: Xiang Wei , Gong Qin , Xu Jian , Li Kailong , Yu Fengxiang , Chen Ting , Qin Si , Li Can , Wang Fangbin
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Phthalates have been widely used as plasticizers in various industries and are widely focused on in the international community as a result of their reproductive toxicity. Exposure of Chinese residents to phthalates via edible vegetable oil occurs often. In the present study, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to detect the two main phthalates bis(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) in four major edible vegetable oil sources: an edible oil blend, soybean oil, peanut oil and rapeseed oil (a total of 1016 samples), as collected throughout China. Furthermore, cumulative risk assessment was used to estimate the reproductive health risk to Chinese residents caused by the phthalates that come from edible vegetable oils.

RESULTS

Both phthalates were detected in four major edible vegetable oil sources. The phthalate with the highest detection rate was DBP (13.48%), followed by DEHP (7.78%). The results of the cumulative risk assessment showed that the hazard indices of these two phthalates in edible vegetable oils were less than 1, except in soybean oil. Nevertheless, the two phthalates had the lowest detection rates in soybean oil, which were 1.94% (DEHP) and 5.16% (DBP). In China, contamination levels of phthalates in the soils where oil crops are cultivated have a great influence on the phthalate concentrations in edible vegetable oils.

CONCLUSION

It is recommended that Chinese residents who are consuming soybean oil choose well‐known brands and regularly change their brand of consumption. The phthalates in edible vegetable oils pose a relatively small reproductive health risk to Chinese residents. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Temperature and pH growth profile prediction of newly isolated bacterial strains from alkaline soils
Authors: Šovljanski Olja , Tomić Ana , Pezo Lato , Markov Siniša
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Soil microorganisms can form complex and varied communities which interact with each other in many different ways depending on environmental conditions. These microbial diversities are accompanied by different metabolic paths and adaptability reflected even in extreme environments. In recent decades, the biodiversity of microbes in extreme environments has been in scientific focus because such specifically adapted bacteria can improve bioremediation processes in industrial and agricultural applications. Instead of the time‐consuming process of identification of new bacterial strains from habitats rich in microbiota, artificial neural networks have been proposed as a mapping model for resolving the problem of prediction of microbial behaviour.

RESULTS

The occurrence and diversity of alkaliphilic sporogenic bacteria in alkaline soils were investigated. For this purpose, soil samples were collected from various locations: leached soil from the Danube river, cement factory wastewater accumulation, deposit of limestone near the Bešenovo lake and the Beli Majdan cave in the Fruška gora mountain. According to the obtained results, two empirical models were developed that gave a good fit to experimental data and were able to predict successfully the pH and temperature growth profiles of the natural isolates. The artificial neural network models showed a reasonably good predictive capability (overall R2 for temperature growth profile was 0.727, while the overall R2 for pH growth profile was 0.906).

CONCLUSIONS

The developed mathematical models provided adequate precision for practical study in the microbiology laboratory and scale‐up processes for a wide range of laboratory and industrial applications, where specifically adapted microbial communities are needed. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Aqueous extract from leaves of Ludwigia hyssopifolia (G. Don) Exell as potential bioherbicide
Authors: Mangao Arnoldus M , Arreola Sheryl Lozel B , San Gabriel Elgin V , Salamanez Kevin C
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Ludwigia hyssopifolia (G. Don) Exell, one of the problem weeds in some rice‐producing countries, was studied to determine its allelopathic potential based on the effects of aqueous extracts of its tissues (leaves, roots and stem) on seedling growth of selected weeds and rice. The major phenolic compound of its leaves was also isolated and characterized.

RESULTS

L. hyssopifolia aqueous leaf extract showed significant inhibition of shoot growth and biomass accumulation of weeds (Amaranthus spinosus L., Dactyloctenium aegyptium L., Cyperus iria L.) while maintaining less adverse effects on rice (crop) compared to other aqueous extracts of roots and stem. Phytochemical screening showed that phenols, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins and coumarins are found in its leaf aqueous extract. The Folin–Ciocalteu method revealed that its leaves contain 26.66 ± 0.30 mg GAE g−1 leaf. The extract was then acid‐hydrolyzed to liberate the phenolics (25 mg phenolics g−1 leaf). The major compound was isolated via preparative thin‐layer chromatography using formic acid–ethyl acetate–n‐hexane (0.05:4:6) solvent system. It had maximum UV absorption at 272 nm while its Fourier transform infrared spectrum revealed phenol, carboxylic acid and ether functionalities. This also had similar chromatographic mobility when run together with syringic acid in two‐dimensional paper chromatography and thin‐layer chromatography.

CONCLUSIONS

L. hyssopifolia has potential allelopathic activity and its leaf aqueous extract showed the highest phytotoxic activity (P ≤ 0.05) indicating its potential as a bioherbicide. The most probable identity of the major phenolic compound is syringic acid. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Trace analysis of rimantadine in human urine after dispersive liquid liquid microextraction followed by liquid chromatography–post column derivatization
Authors: Zacharis Constantinos K. , Tzanavaras Paraskevas D.
Published: November 2019

The first dispersive liquid liquid microextraction scheme followed by liquid chromatography‐post column derivatization for the determination of the antiviral drug rimantadine in urine samples is demonstrated. The effect of the type and volume of organic extraction solvent, type and volume of disperser solvent, sample pH, ionic strength, extraction time, and centrifugation speed on the extraction efficiency were studied. Rimantadine and the internal standard (amantadine) were chromatographed using a reversed phase monolithic stationary phase with a mixture of equal volumes of methanol and phosphate buffer (pH = 3) as mobile phase. On‐line post‐column derivatization of the analyte was performed using a “two‐stream” manifold with o‐phthalaldehyde and N‐acetyl‐cysteine at alkaline medium. Under the optimized extraction conditions, the enrichment factor of rimantadine was 58. The linear range was 5–100 µg/L with correlation coefficient r of 0.9984 while the limit of detection achieved was 0.5 µg/L. The within‐day and between‐day precision for the tested concentration levels were less than 14.3% and the mean recoveries obtained from the spiked samples were ranged between 87.5 and 113.9%. The main advantages of the proposed method are the simplicity of operation, rapidity, low cost, and low limit of detection of the analyte.