bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
02.04: Experimental and numerical analyses of butt‐welded S460 joints
Authors: Wudtke Idna , Sirtl Christin , Kraus Matthias
Published: September 2017

For the development of reliable calculation approaches regarding the load bearing capacity of welded steel components, knowledge about stress‐strain relations in the weld and the heat affected zone is required. A three dimensional stress state, particularly in case of highly divergent material properties in the spatially concentrated areas of welded connections, mainly influences the response of the structure. This paper presents the experimental and numerical study of single‐pass butt‐welded joints under tensile loading. Furthermore, it depicts the determination of material properties in the weld and heat affected zone by means of miniature tensile tests. Miniature specimens are taken from the base material, the weld and the heat affected zone of connections with matching base and filler material by water jet technology. The varying material ductility, yield stress and ultimate strength, are illustrated experimentally depending on the origin of the miniature specimen (weld, heat affected zone, base material) and using a modified single‐pass butt‐welded joint under tensile load. The stress‐strain‐curves obtained by means of miniature tensile tests are used for the numerical simulation of a welded connection under tensile loading. The comparison of numerical results of welded connections with local strain measurements shows good agreement.
03.05: Experimental investigations on semi‐continuous encased composite joints
Authors: Duarte da Costa Job , Obiala Renata , Odenbreit Christoph
Published: September 2017

This article is not available for publication.
03.14: Steel connections with thermal barrier for nearly zero‐energy buildings (NZEB)
Authors: Larbi A. Ben , Couchaux M. , Bouchaïr A.
Published: September 2017

This paper summarises the results of a study assessing the thermal and mechanical performances of two solutions of thermal breaks for external steel structures (balconies, passageways …) attached on a façade with external thermal insulation. The first solution is composed of a PVC plate and an acoustic insulation between the end‐plates of the attached beams and the support (floor slab, concrete wall …). The second one is composed of a PVC plate between a saddle and the support and an acoustic insulation under the beam flange. This solution should be used only in the case of a steel structure with supporting elements (columns, cables…) as it does not transfer bending moments. The thermal performances were evaluated by numerical simulations. They showed a reduction by 30 to 65% of the thermal bridge at the attached steel structure connections. The rate of reduction depends on the configuration of thermal break (thickness of insulation, anchor bolts…). As deformable layers are used, between the steel plates and the facade support, the thermal breaks are unconventional steel connections with mechanical performances to be deeply investigated. Thus, an experimental program including static and cyclic tests is performed on various configurations of end‐plates and saddle with thermal breaks to evaluate their mechanical behaviour considering the stiffness and the resistance.
In‐Situ and Real‐time Monitoring of Mechanochemical Preparation of Li2Mg(NH2BH3)4 and Na2Mg(NH2BH3)4 and Their Thermal Dehydrogenation
Authors: Biliškov Nikola , Borgschulte Andreas , Užarević Krunoslav , Halasz Ivan , Lukin Stipe , Milošević Sanja , Milanović Igor , Novaković Jasmina Grbović
Published: September 2017

For the first time, in situ monitoring of uninterrupted mechanochemical synthesis of two bimetallic amidoboranes, M2Mg(NH2BH3)4 (M=Li, Na), by means of Raman spectroscopy, has been applied. This approach allowed real‐time observation of key intermediate phases, and a straightforward follow‐up of the reaction course. Detailed analysis of time‐dependent spectra revealed a two‐step mechanism through MNH2BH3⋅NH3BH3 adducts as key intermediate phases which further reacted with MgH2, giving M2Mg(NH2BH3)4 as final products. The intermediates partially take a competitive pathway toward the oligomeric M(BH3NH2BH2NH2BH3) phases. The crystal structure of the novel bimetallic amidoborane Li2Mg(NH2BH3)4 was solved from high‐resolution powder diffraction data and showed an analogous metal coordination to Na2Mg(NH2BH3)4, but a significantly different crystal packing. Li2Mg(NH2BH3)4 thermally dehydrogenates releasing highly pure H2 in the amount of 7 wt.%, and at a lower temperature then its sodium analogue, making it significantly more viable for practical applications.
Insight into the Activation of In Situ Generated Chiral RhI Catalysts and Their Application in Cyclotrimerizations
Authors: Thiel Indre , Horstmann Moritz , Jungk Phillip , Keller Sonja , Fischer Fabian , Drexler Hans‐Joachim , Heller Detlef , Hapke Marko
Published: September 2017

We report a detailed study concerning the efficient generation of highly active chiral rhodium complexes of the general structure [Rh(diphosphine)(solvent)2]+ as well as their exemplary successful utilization as catalysts for cyclotrimerizations. Such solvent complexes could likewise be prepared from novel ammonia complexes of the type [Rh(diphosphine)(NH3)2]+. A valuable, feasible approach to generate novel chiral RhI complexes was found by in situ generation from Wilkinson's catalyst [RhCl(PPh3)3] with chiral P,N ligands. The generated catalysts led to moderate to good enantioselectivities and excellent yields in the cyclotrimerizations of triynes, showcasing their usefulness in the synthesis of axially chiral benzene derivatives.
Mild Decarboxylative C−H Alkylation: Computational Insights for Solvent‐Robust Ruthenium(II) Domino Manifold
Authors: Kumar N. Y. Phani , Rogge Torben , Yetra Santhivardhana Reddy , Bechtoldt Alexander , Clot Eric , Ackermann Lutz
Published: September 2017

Computational studies on decarboxylative C−H alkenylations provided key insights into the solvent‐robust nature of C−H activation/decarboxylation domino reactions. These properties were exploited for ruthenium(II)‐catalyzed C−H alkylations by a decarboxylative process with ample scope under copper‐free and silver‐free reaction conditions.
Formation and Photodynamic Behavior of Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Nanosheet–Fullerene Inorganic/Organic Nanohybrids on Semiconducting Electrodes
Authors: Baek Jinseok , Umeyama Tomokazu , Choi Wookjin , Tsutsui Yusuke , Yamada Hiroki , Seki Shu , Imahori Hiroshi
Published: September 2017

Composite films that consisted of C60 and well‐exfoliated nanosheets of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), such as MoS2 or WS2, with a bulk heterojunction structure were easily fabricated onto a semiconducting SnO2 electrode via a two‐step methodology: self‐assembly into their composite aggregates by injection of a poor solvent into a good solvent with the dispersion, and subsequent electrophoretic deposition. Upon photoexcitation, the composites on SnO2 exhibited enhanced transient conductivity in comparison with single components of TMDs or C60, which demonstrates that the bulk heterojunction nanostructure of TMD and C60 promoted the charge separation (CS). In addition, the decoration of the TMD nanosheets with C60 hindered the undesirable charge recombination (CR) between an electron in SnO2 and a hole in the TMD nanosheets. Owing to the accelerated CS and suppressed CR, photoelectrochemical devices based on the MoS2–C60 and WS2–C60 composites achieved remarkably improved incident photon‐to‐current efficiencies (IPCEs) as compared with the single‐component films. Despite more suppressed CR in WS2–C60 than MoS2–C60, the IPCE value of the device with WS2–C60 was smaller than that with MoS2–C60 owing to its inhomogeneous film structure.
Chirality sensing with stereodynamic copper(I) complexes
Authors: De los Santos Zeus A. , Legaux Nicholas M. , Wolf Christian
Published: September 2017

Three Cu(I) complexes derived from stereodynamic diphosphine ligands were synthesized and used for chirality sensing. The coordination of diamines and amino acids to these complexes generates distinct circular dichroism signals. The chiroptical sensor response allows determination of the absolute configuration and the enantiomeric excess of the analyte at low concentrations. This method is operationally simple, fast, and attractive for high‐throughput sensing applications.
The prognostic significance of lung function in stable heart failure outpatients
Authors: Plesner Louis Lind , Dalsgaard Morten , Schou Morten , Køber Lars , Vestbo Jørgen , Kjøller Erik , Iversen Kasper
Published: September 2017

Background

This study investigated the impact on all‐cause mortality of airflow limitation indicative of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or restrictive spirometry pattern (RSP) in a stable systolic heart failure population.

Hypothesis

Decreased lung function indicates poor survival in heart failure.

Methods

Inclusion criteria: NYHA class II‐IV and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 45%. Prognosis was assessed with multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Two criteria of obstructive airflow limitation were applied: FEV1/FVC < 0.7 (GOLD), and FEV1/FVC < lower limit of normality (LLN). RSP was defined as FEV1/FVC > 0.7 and FVC<80% or FEV1/FVC > LLN and FVC <LLN.

Results

There where 573 patients in the cohort (85% of eligible patients in study period). Median follow‐up was 4.7 years and 176 patients died (31%). Age, NYHA class, smoking, body mass index and LVEF were independent prognostic factors (p<0.01). Obstructive airflow limitation increased mortality using both criteria (HRGOLD 2.07 [95% CI 1.45–2.95] p<0.01 and HRLLN 2.00 [1.40–2.84] p<0.01) and was an independent marker when using LLN criteria (HR 1.74 [1.17‐2.59] p=0.006). RSP was independently associated with mortality when defined as FVC < LLN (HR 1.54 [1.01–2.35] p=0.04) but not as FVC < 80%. Multivariate hazard ratios for a 10% decrease in predicted value of FEV1 or FVC were 1.42 (p<0.001) and 1.33 (p<0.001) in patients exhibiting airflow obstruction, and 1.36 (p=0.031) and 1.38 (p=0.041) in RSP.

Conclusions

Presence of obstructive airflow limitation indicative of COPD or RSP were associated with increased all‐cause mortality, however only independently when using the LLN definition.
Safety‐net versus private hospital setting for brain metastasis patients treated with radiosurgery alone: Disparities in follow‐up care and outcomes
Authors: Diao Kevin , Sun Yanqing , Yoo Stella K. , Yu Cheng , Ye Jason C. , Trakul Nicholas , Jennelle Richard L. , Kim Paul E. , Zada Gabriel , Gruen John P. , Chang Eric L.
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone is an increasingly accepted treatment for brain metastases, but it requires adherence to frequently scheduled follow‐up neuroimaging because of the risk of distant brain metastasis. The effect of disparities in access to follow‐up care on outcomes after SRS alone is unknown.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 153 brain metastasis patients treated consecutively with SRS alone from 2010 through 2016 at an academic medical center and a safety‐net hospital (SNH) located in Los Angeles, California. Outcomes included neurologic symptoms, hospitalization, steroid use and dependency, salvage SRS, salvage whole‐brain radiotherapy, salvage neurosurgery, and overall survival.

RESULTS

Ninety‐three of the 153 patients were private hospital (PH) patients, and 60 were SNH patients. The median follow‐up time was 7.7 months. SNH patients received fewer follow‐up neuroimaging studies (1.5 vs 3; P = .008). In a multivariate analysis, the SNH setting was a significant risk factor for salvage neurosurgery (hazard ratio [HR], 13.65; P < .001), neurologic symptoms (HR, 3.74; P = .002), and hospitalization due to brain metastases (HR, 6.25; P < .001). More clinical visits were protective against hospitalizations due to brain metastases (HR, 0.75; P = .002), whereas more neuroimaging studies were protective against death (HR, 0.65; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

SNH patients with brain metastases treated with SRS alone had fewer follow‐up neuroimaging studies and were at higher risk for neurologic symptoms, hospitalization for brain metastases, and salvage neurosurgery in comparison with PH patients. Clinicians should consider the practice setting and patient access to follow‐up care when they are deciding on the optimal strategy for the treatment of brain metastases. Cancer 2018;124:167‐75. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
A modified reporting approach for thyroid FNA in the NIFTP era: A 1‐year institutional experience
Authors: Mito Jeffrey K. , Alexander Erik K. , Angell Trevor E. , Barletta Justine A. , Nehs Matthew A. , Cibas Edmund S. , Krane Jeffrey F.
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

The reclassification of noninvasive follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma as noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary‐like nuclear features (NIFTP) has created diagnostic and management issues for thyroid fine‐needle aspiration (FNA). In response to these challenges, the authors' laboratory adopted a NIFTP policy including 1) stringent criteria (requiring pseudo‐inclusions, papillae, and/or psammoma bodies) for a malignant diagnosis of papillary carcinoma to limit false‐positive results due to NIFTP and 2) the use of explanatory notes in cases with cytomorphologic features suggestive of possible NIFTP to encourage lobectomy over thyroidectomy. This study examined the effects of this policy on FNA classification and subsequent surgical management.

METHODS

All thyroid FNAs performed at Brigham and Women's Hospital (n = 1300) during a 1‐year period were evaluated for changes in the use of diagnostic categories, explanatory NIFTP notes, and surgical follow‐up in comparison with historical controls.

RESULTS

The use of specific Bethesda categories did not significantly change. Only a single case of NIFTP was mistakenly classified as malignant. NIFTP was seldom suspected prospectively (17 of 1300; 1.3%); when NIFTP was suspected, cases were reported as suspicious for a follicular neoplasm/follicular neoplasm (n = 10) or suspicious for malignancy (SUS; n = 7). Five of the 7 SUS cases (71%) underwent partial thyroidectomy, compared to 19% of those classified as SUS without an explanatory NIFTP note (P < .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Thyroid FNA reporting modifications due to NIFTP affect only a small subset of specimens. When NIFTP is suspected, an explanatory note promotes limited surgical excision. More stringent criteria for malignancy affect few cases while potentially limiting false‐positive diagnosis due to NIFTP. Cancer Cytopathol 2017;125:854–64. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Fine‐needle aspiration of lipoblastoma: Cytological, molecular, and clinical features
Authors: Ferreira Joana , Esteves Gonçalo , Fonseca Ricardo , Martins Carmo , André Saudade , Lemos Maria Manuel
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Lipoblastomas are rare, benign adipocytic tumors that present mostly during infancy. In about 70% of cases, these tumors carry abnormalities in chromosome 8, mainly leading to rearrangements of the PLAG1 gene.

METHODS

We report a series of histologically proven lipoblastomas with previous fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) cytology from 9 patients (n = 10 samples) and describe their clinical, cytological, and molecular features.

RESULTS

Our cohort included 5 boys and 4 girls (median age, 2.5 years [range, 10 months to 13 years]) who presented with soft tissue masses in the thorax (n = 3), abdomen (n = 2), axilla (n = 2), and thigh (n = 2). In 1 patient, the FNA diagnosis was inconclusive due to hypocellularity, and in another patient a diagnosis of benign lipomatous tumor was made. In the remaining 8 samples (one of which confirmed relapse), a correct preoperative FNA diagnosis was rendered. Smears were hypo‐ to moderately cellular and contained fragments of mature adipose tissue with thin branching vessels admixed with some lipoblasts in a myxoid matrix. Spindle cells and naked oval nuclei with no atypia were observed in the background. Of the 4 patients tested for PLAG1 rearrangement using FISH probes, 3 harbored this alteration (1 was made on a FNA smear and 1 was made in a tumor imprint). All the patients are alive and well, except for 1 patient with a retroperitoneal tumor who, after an initial incomplete excision, died of local disease progression.

CONCLUSION

FNA, especially if used together with molecular biology techniques (eg, PLAG1 FISH analysis), is a reliable and accurate diagnostic tool. Cancer Cytopathol 2017;125:934‐9. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Using ProteomeScout: A Resource of Post‐Translational Modifications, Their Experiments, and the Proteins That They Annotate
Authors: Mooradian Arshag D. , Held Jason M. , Naegle Kristen M.
Published: September 2017

Post‐translational modifications (PTMs) of protein amino acids are ubiquitous and important to protein function, localization, degradation, and more. In recent years, there has been an explosion in the discovery of PTMs as a result of improvements in PTM measurement techniques, including quantitative measurements of PTMs across multiple conditions. ProteomeScout is a repository for such discovery and quantitative experiments and provides tools for visualizing PTMs within proteins, including where they are relative to other PTMS, domains, mutations, and structure. ProteomeScout additionally provides analysis tools for identifying statistically significant relationships in experimental datasets. This unit describes four basic protocols for working with the ProteomeScout Web interface or programmatically with the database download. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An efficient network‐side path protection scheme in OFDM‐based elastic optical networks
Authors: Dao Hai , Morvan Michel , Gravey Philippe
Published: September 2017

Elastic optical networks (EONs) based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technologies are seen as a promising solution for next‐generation optical transport networks to support the rapidly growing and heterogeneous traffic. In EONs, the elastic bandwidth allocation and modulation format agilities combined with reconfiguration capabilities pave the new way for leveraging the network efficiency. In this paper, we recast the network‐side path protection in EONs considering the opportunities and challenges enabled by the flexible operation of OFDM technologies. For the first time, we propose to take advantages of the reconfiguration capabilities of OFDM transponders for adapting to transmission condition variations when switching from the working to protection path in network‐side protection. The idea is inspired by the observation that in reach‐diverse networks, the transmission margin between the working path and protection path of a connection might be large enough, and thus, the most spectrum‐efficient modulation format for each path could be separately tailored, rather than imposed by a common one based on the worse condition as with current fixed transmission technologies. We formulate survivable transparent network designs for both dedicated and shared path protection in the form of integer linear programming model taking into account our proposal for enabling different transmission operations between working and protection mode. Numerical results based on extensive simulations on a realistic network topology, COST239, are presented to highlight the benefits of our proposal compared to conventional approaches in terms of spectrum efficiency for un‐capacitated scenarios and improvements in blocking ratio for capacitated scenarios.
GABA type a receptor trafficking and the architecture of synaptic inhibition
Authors: Lorenz‐Guertin Joshua M. , Jacob Tija C.
Published: September 2017

Ubiquitous expression of GABA type A receptors (GABAAR) in the central nervous system establishes their central role in coordinating most aspects of neural function and development. Dysregulation of GABAergic neurotransmission manifests in a number of human health disorders and conditions that in certain cases can be alleviated by drugs targeting these receptors. Precise changes in the quantity or activity of GABAARs localized at the cell surface and at GABAergic postsynaptic sites directly impact the strength of inhibition. The molecular mechanisms constituting receptor trafficking to and from these compartments therefore dictate the efficacy of GABAAR function. Here we review the current understanding of how GABAARs traffic through biogenesis, plasma membrane transport, and degradation. Emphasis is placed on discussing novel GABAergic synaptic proteins, receptor and scaffolding post‐translational modifications, activity‐dependent changes in GABAAR confinement, and neuropeptide and neurosteroid mediated changes. We further highlight modern techniques currently advancing the knowledge of GABAAR trafficking and clinically relevant neurodevelopmental diseases connected to GABAergic dysfunction. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 78: 238–270, 2018
Codeine influences the serum and urinary profile of endogenous androgens but does not interact with the excretion rate of administered testosterone
Authors: Lehtihet M. , Andersson A. , Börjesson A. , Schulze J. , Rane A. , Ericsson M. , Ekström L.
Published: September 2017

Today's doping tests involve longitudinal monitoring of urinary steroids including the testosterone glucuronide and epitestosterone glucuronide ratio (T/E) in an Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). The aim of this study was to investigate the possible influence of short‐term use of codeine on the urinary excretion of androgen metabolites included in the steroidal module of the passport prior to and after the co‐administration with testosterone. The study was designed as an open study with the subjects being their own control. Fifteen healthy male volunteers received therapeutic doses of codeine (Kodein Meda) for 6 days. On Day 3, 500 mg or 125 mg of testosterone enanthate (Testoviron®‐Depot) was administered. Spot urine samples were collected for 17 days, and blood samples were collected at baseline, 3, 6, and 14 days after codeine intake. The circulatory concentration of total testosterone decreased significantly by 20% after 3 days' use of codeine (p = 0.0002) and an atypical ABP result was noted in one of the subjects. On the other hand, the concomitant use of codeine and testosterone did not affect the elevated urinary T/E ratio. In 75% of the individuals, the concentration of urinary morphine (a metabolite of codeine) was above the decision limit for morphine. One of the participants displayed a morphine/codeine ratio of 1.7 after codeine treatment, indicative of morphine abuse. In conclusion, our study shows that codeine interferes with the endogenous testosterone concentration. As a result, the urinary steroid profile may lead to atypical findings in the doping test.
Reading Comprehension Difficulties in Chinese–English Bilingual Children
Authors: Tong Xiuhong , McBride Catherine , Shu Hua , Ho Connie Suk‐han
Published: September 2017

The co‐occurrence of reading comprehension difficulties for first language (L1) Chinese and second language (L2) English and associated longitudinal cognitive–linguistic correlates in each language were investigated. Sixteen poor comprehenders in English and 16 poor comprehenders in Chinese, 18 poor readers in both, and 18 children with normal performance in both were identified at age 10. The prevalence rate for being poor in both was 52.94%, suggesting that approximately half of children who are at risk for Chinese reading comprehension difficulty are also at risk for English reading comprehension difficulty. Chinese word reading, phonological, and morphological awareness were longitudinal correlates of poor comprehension in Chinese. English word reading and vocabulary were longitudinal correlates of poor comprehension in English. Chinese phonological awareness was an additional correlate of poor comprehension in English. Moreover, poor comprehenders in both Chinese and English showed slower rapid automatized naming scores than the other groups. Findings highlight some factors that might be critical for reading comprehension in L1 Chinese and L2 English; fluency is likely to be a critical part of reading comprehension across languages. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exchange of genetic information between therian X and Y chromosome gametologs in old evolutionary strata
Authors: Peneder Peter , Wallner Barbara , Vogl Claus
Published: September 2017

Therian X and Y sex chromosomes arose from a pair of autosomes. Y chromosomes consist of a pseudoautosomal region that crosses over with the X chromosome and a male‐specific Y‐chromosomal region that does not. The X chromosome can be structured into “evolutionary strata”. Divergence of X‐chromosomal genes from their gametologs is similar within a stratum, but differs among strata, likely caused by a different onset of suppression of crossing over between gametologs. After stratum formation, exchange of information between gametologs has long been believed absent; however, recent studies have shown limited exchange, likely through gene conversion. Herein we investigate exchange of genetic information between gametologs in old strata that formed before the split of Laurasiatheria (cattle) from Euarchontoglires (primates and rodents) with a new phylogenetic approach. A prerequisite for our test is an overall preradiative topology, that is, all X‐chromosomal gametologs are more similar among themselves than to Y‐chromosomal sequences. Screening multiple sequence alignments of the coding sequences of genes from cattle, mice, and humans identified four genes, DDX3X/Y, RBMX/Y, USP9X/Y, and UTX/Y, exhibiting a preradiation topology. Applying our test, we detected exchange of genetic information between all four X and Y gametologs after stratum formation.
Evolutionary divergence in life history traits among populations of the Lake Malawi cichlid fishAstatotilapia calliptera
Authors: Parsons Paul J. , Bridle Jon R. , Rüber Lukas , Genner Martin J.
Published: September 2017

During the early stages of adaptive radiation, populations diverge in life history traits such as egg size and growth rates, in addition to eco‐morphological and behavioral characteristics. However, there are few studies of life history divergence within ongoing adaptive radiations. Here, we studiedAstatotilapia calliptera, a maternal mouthbrooding cichlid fish within the Lake Malawi haplochromine radiation. This species occupies a rich diversity of habitats, including the main body of Lake Malawi, as well as peripheral rivers and shallow lakes. We used common garden experiments to test for life history divergence among populations, focussing on clutch size, duration of incubation, egg mass, offspring size, and growth rates. In a first experiment, we found significant differences among populations in average clutch size and egg mass, and larger clutches were associated with smaller eggs. In a second experiment, we found significant differences among populations in brood size, duration of incubation, juvenile length when released, and growth rates. Larger broods were associated with smaller juveniles when released and shorter incubation times. Although juvenile growth rates differed between populations, these were not strongly related to initial size on release. Overall, differences in life history characters among populations were not predicted by major habitat classifications (Lake Malawi or peripheral habitats) or population genetic divergence (microsatellite‐basedFST). We suggest that the observed patterns are consistent with local selective forces driving the observed patterns of trait divergence. The results provide strong evidence of evolutionary divergence and covariance of life history traits among populations within a radiating cichlid species, highlighting opportunities for further work to identify the processes driving the observed divergence.
Inferring detailed space use from movement paths: A unifying, residence time‐based framework
Authors: Kapota Dror , Dolev Amit , Saltz David
Published: September 2017

The residence time is the amount of time spent within a predefined circle surrounding each point along the movement path of an animal, reflecting its response to resource availability/quality. Two main residence time‐based methods exist in the literature: (1) The variance of residence times along the path plotted against the radius of the circle was suggested to indicate the scale at which the animal perceives its resources; and (2) segments of the path with homogeneous residence times were suggested to indicate distinct behavioral modes, at a certain scale. Here, we modify and integrate these two methods to one framework with two steps of analysis: (1) identifying several distinct, nested scales of area‐restricted search (ARS), providing an indication of how animals view complex resource landscapes, and also the resolutions at which the analysis should proceed; and (2) identifying places which the animal revisits multiple times and performs ARS; for these, we extract two scale‐dependent statistical measures—the mean visit duration and the number of revisits in each place. The association between these measures is suggested as a signature of how animals utilize different habitats or resource types. The framework is validated through computer simulations combining different movement strategies and resource maps. We suggest that the framework provides information that is especially relevant when interpreting movement data in light of optimal behavior models, and which would have remained uncovered by either coarser or finer analyses.
Ecological response hides behind the species abundance distribution: Community response to low‐intensity disturbance in managed grasslands
Authors: Komonen Atte , Elo Merja
Published: September 2017

Land‐use and management are disturbance factors that have diverse effects on community composition and structure. In traditional rural grasslands, such as meadows and pastures, low‐intensity management is maintained to enhance biodiversity. Maintenance of road verges, in turn, creates habitat, which may complement traditional rural grasslands. To evaluate the effect of low‐intensity disturbance on insect communities, we characterized species abundance distributions (SAD) for Carabidae, Formicidae, and Heteroptera in three grassland types, which differed in management: meadows, pastures, and road verges. The shape of SAD was estimated with three parameters: abundance decay rate, dominance, and rarity. We compared the SAD shape among the grassland types and tested the effect of environmental heterogeneity (plant species richness) and disturbance intensity (trampling in pastures) on SADs. The shape of SADs did not differ among the grassland types but among the taxonomic groups instead. Abundance decay rate and dominance were larger for Formicidae, and rarity smaller, than for Carabidae and Heteroptera. For Carabidae and window‐trapped Heteroptera, rarity increased with increasing plant species richness. For Formicidae, dominance increased with trampling intensity in pastures. Although the SAD shape remained largely unchanged, the identity of the dominant species tended to vary within and among grassland types. Our study shows that for a given taxonomic group, the SAD shape is similar across habitat types with low‐intensity disturbances resulting from different management. This suggests that SADs respond primarily to the intensity of disturbance and thus could be best used in monitoring communities across strong disturbance and environmental gradients. Because taxonomic groups can inherently have different SADs, taxon‐specific SADs for undisturbed communities must be empirically documented before the SAD shape can be used as an indicator of environmental change. Because the identity of the dominant species changes from management type to another, the SAD shape alone is not an adequate monitoring tool.
Bcl‐3 induced by IL‐22 via STAT3 activation acts as a potentiator of psoriasis‐related gene expression in epidermal keratinocytes
Authors: Tohyama Mikiko , Shirakata Yuji , Hanakawa Yasushi , Dai Xiuju , Shiraishi Ken , Murakami Masamoto , Miyawaki Saori , Mori Hideki , Utsunomiya Ryo , Masuda Kana , Hashimoto Koji , Sayama Koji
Published: September 2017

IL‐22 induces STAT3 phosphorylation and mediates psoriasis‐related gene expression. However, the signaling mechanism leading from pSTAT3 to the expression of these genes remains unclear. We focused on Bcl‐3, which is induced by STAT3 activation and mediates gene expression. In cultured human epidermal keratinocytes, IL‐22 increased Bcl‐3, which was translocated to the nucleus with p50 via STAT3 activation. The increases in CXCL8, S100As and human β‐defensin 2 mRNA expression caused by IL‐22 were abolished by siRNA against Bcl‐3. Although CCL20 expression was also augmented by IL‐22, the knockdown of Bcl‐3 increased its level. Moreover, the combination of IL‐22 and IL‐17A enhanced Bcl‐3 production, IL‐22‐induced gene expression, and the expression of other psoriasis‐related genes, including those encoding IL‐17C, IL‐19, and IL‐36γ. The expression of these genes (except for CCL20) was also suppressed by the knockdown of Bcl‐3. Bcl‐3 overexpression induced CXCL8 and HBD2 expression but not S100As expression. We also compared Bcl‐3 expression between psoriatic skin lesions and normal skin. Immunostaining revealed strong signals for Bcl‐3 and p50 in the nucleus of epidermal keratinocytes from psoriatic skin. The IL‐22‐STAT3‐Bcl‐3 pathway may be important in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
Benzyl Dihydrazone versus Thiosemicarbazone Schiff Base: Effects on the Supramolecular Arrangement of Cobalt Thiocyanate Complexes and the Generation of CoN6 and CoN4S2 Coordination Spheres
Authors: Mahmoudi Ghodrat , Zaręba Jan K. , Gurbanov Atash V. , Bauzá Antonio , Zubkov Fedor I. , Kubicki Maciej , Stilinović Vladimir , Kinzhybalo Vasyl , Frontera Antonio
Published: September 2017

In this study, we examine the coordination chemistry of benzyl dihydrazone and thiosemicarbazone Schiff bases featuring different chelation modes, steric bulk, and reactivities towards cobalt(II) thiocyanate. The tetradentate benzyl dihydrazone ligands coordinate to the Co(SCN)2 fragment to form CoN6 coordination spheres (1–3), whereas the thiosemicarbazone ligands provide CoIII complexes featuring CoN4S2 coordination spheres (4 and 5) and charge‐balancing anions {SCN– and [Co(SCN)4]2– for 4 and 5, respectively}. Hirshfeld surface (HS) analysis revealed a substituent effect that results in an increasing number of H···H contacts in the order –H < –CH3 < –Ph (1–3, respectively). The H bonding in 4 and 5 as well as the associated energies were computed by the DFT approach, and these interactions appear to be crucial for the formation of the supramolecular systems. The DFT study also suggested that the H‐bonded dimers in 5 are examples of the recently described “antielectrostatic” H bonds.
Improving Inhibitory Control Abilities (ImpulsE)—A Promising Approach to Treat Impulsive Eating?
Authors: Preuss Hanna , Pinnow Marlies , Schnicker Katja , Legenbauer Tanja
Published: September 2017

Although there is preliminary evidence that inhibitory control training improves impulsive eating, less is known about the effects on eating behaviour and weight loss in clinical samples. Sixty‐nine treatment‐seeking adults with obesity (binge‐eating disorder 33.3%; other specific feeding and eating disorders 40.6%) were randomly blockwise allocated to ImpulsE, an intervention to improve inhibitory control and emotion regulation abilities or a guideline‐appropriate cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)‐based treatment as usual. Self‐reported and performance‐based impulsivity, eating disorder pathology and BMI were compared at baseline (T1), post‐treatment (T2) and 1‐ or 3‐month follow‐up. ImpulsE led to better food‐specific inhibition performance (p = .004), but groups did not differ regarding improvements in global Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE‐Q) score at T2. At 3‐month follow‐up, binge eaters benefited most from ImpulsE (p = .028) and completers of ImpulsE demonstrated a significantly greater weight reduction (p = .030). The current findings propose ImpulsE as a promising approach to treat obesity, illustrating acceptability and additional benefits for course of weight. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Neural mechanisms of motion perceptual learning in noise
Authors: Chen Nihong , Lu Junshi , Shao Hanyu , Weng Xuchu , Fang Fang
Published: September 2017

Practice improves our perceptual ability. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this experience‐dependent plasticity in adult brain remain unclear. Here, we studied the long‐term neural correlates of motion perceptual learning. Subjects’ behavioral performance and BOLD signals were tracked before, immediately after, and 2 weeks after practicing a motion direction discrimination task in noise over six daily sessions. Parallel to the specificity and persistency of the behavioral learning effect, we found that training sharpened the cortical tuning in MT, and enhanced the connectivity strength from MT to the intraparietal sulcus (IPS, a motion decision‐making area). In addition, the decoding accuracy for the trained motion direction was improved in IPS 2 weeks after training. The dual changes in the sensory and the high‐level cortical areas suggest that learning refines the neural representation of the trained stimulus and facilitates the information transmission in the decision process. Our findings are consistent with the functional specialization in the visual cortex, and provide empirical evidence to the reweighting theory of perceptual learning at a large spatial scale. Hum Brain Mapp 38:6029–6042, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microstructural white matter alterations in patients with drug induced parkinsonism
Authors: Lee Yoonju , Ho Choi Yong , Lee Jae Jung , Lee Hye Sun , Sohn Young H. , Lee Jong‐Min , Lee Phil Hyu
Published: September 2017

Drug‐induced parkinsonism (DIP) is the second most common etiology of parkinsonism. And yet, there is little information on structural imaging in DIP to elucidate the accurate underlying pathomechanisms. To investigate microstructural white matter (WM) in patients with DIP using diffusion tensor image and to determine its relationship to severity of parkinsonian motor symptoms and cognitive function. A total of 42 patients with DIP, 65 with Parkinson's disease, and 33 control subjects were recruited from a movement disorders outpatient clinic. We performed comparative analysis of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values among groups using tract‐based spatial statistics. Correlation analysis between WM integrity and parkinsonian motor symptoms and cognitive performance was also performed in DIP patients using voxel‐wise statistical analysis. DIP patients had significantly lower FA and higher MD values over widespread WM areas than control subjects. The patients with DIP had poor cognitive performance relative to control subjects, which correlated well with WM properties. Additionally, the parkinsonian motor symptoms were negatively correlated with FA values. In contrast, exposure time to the offending drugs prior to the development of parkinsonism or duration of parkinsonism showed no significant association with FA or MD values. The present study demonstrates that disruption of the WM microstructure is extensive in patients with DIP, and it is correlated with clinical parameters of parkinsonism and cognitive performance. This suggests that DIP may be reflective of underlying abnormality of microstructural WM. Hum Brain Mapp 38:6043–6052, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reduced Serum IGF-1 Associated With Hepatic Osteodystrophy Is a Main Determinant of Low Cortical but Not Trabecular Bone Mass
Authors: Liu Zhongbo , Han Tianzhen , Werner Haim , Rosen Clifford J , Schaffler Mitchell B , Yakar Shoshana
Published: September 2017

Hepatic osteodystrophy is multifactorial in its pathogenesis. Numerous studies have shown that impairments of the hepatic growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 axis (GH/IGF-1) are common in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and chronic cholestatic liver disease. Moreover, these conditions are also associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) and greater fracture risk, particularly in cortical bone sites. Hence, we addressed whether disruptions in the GH/IGF-1 axis were causally related to the low bone mass in states of chronic liver disease using a mouse model of liver-specific GH-receptor (GHR) gene deletion (Li-GHRKO). These mice exhibit chronic hepatic steatosis, local inflammation, and reduced BMD. We then employed a crossing strategy to restore liver production of IGF-1 via hepatic IGF-1 transgene (HIT). The resultant Li-GHRKO-HIT mouse model allowed us to dissect the roles of liver-derived IGF-1 in the pathogenesis of osteodystrophy during liver disease. We found that hepatic IGF-1 restored cortical bone acquisition, microarchitecture, and mechanical properties during growth in Li-GHRKO-HIT mice, which was maintained during aging. However, trabecular bone volume was not restored in the Li-GHRKO-HIT mice. We found increased bone resorption indices in vivo as well as increased basal reactive oxygen species and increased mitochondrial stress in osteoblast cultures from Li-GHRKO and the Li-GHRKO-HIT compared with control mice. Changes in systemic markers such as inflammatory cytokines, osteoprotegerin, osteopontin, parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin, or carboxy-terminal collagen cross-links could not fully account for the diminished trabecular bone in the Li-GHRKO-HIT mice. Thus, the reduced serum IGF-1 associated with hepatic osteodystrophy is a main determinant of low cortical but not trabecular bone mass. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Renoprotective effects of montelukast in an experimental model of cisplatin nephrotoxicity in rats
Authors: Gad Amany M. , El‐Raouf Ola M. Abd , El‐Sayeh Bahia M. , Fawzy Hala M. , Abdallah Dalaal M.
Published: September 2017

Renal toxicity is one of the most severe complications that can occur with cisplatin (CIS) administration in cancer patients. Montelukast (ML) renoprotective outcome contrary to CIS‐drawn nephrotoxicity remains obscure. Therefore, adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were orally given ML (10 and 20 mg/kg/day) 5 days before and after single CIS (5 mg/kg; i.p.) treatment. ML returned blood urea nitrogen, as well as serum creatinine and gamma glutamyl transferase that were elevated by CIS to normal level. The improved kidney function tests corroborated the attenuation of CIS renal injury at the microscopical level. It also reduced serum/renal nitric oxide and renal hemeoxygenase‐1. Meanwhile, ML hindered the raised levels of serum endothelin‐1, serum and renal tumor necrosis factor‐α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1. These effects were associated by deceased caspase‐3 expression in kidney after ML treatment. In conclusion, ML guards against CIS‐induced nephrotoxicity via anti‐inflammatory and antiapoptotic properties.
Curcumin alleviates IL‐17A‐mediated p53‐PAI‐1 expression in bleomycin‐induced alveolar basal epithelial cells
Authors: Gouda Mahesh M. , Prabhu Ashwini , Bhandary Yashodhar P.
Published: September 2017

Bleomycin‐mediated inflammatory pathway is known to play an important role in the up regulation of oxidative stress. IL‐17A is a pro‐inflammatory cytokine involved in the modulation of fibrosis. The complex underlying mechanism for the said phenomenon remains unclear. This newly defined investigation was designed to understand the changes associated with 1L‐17A mediated up‐regulation of p53 and PAI‐1 expression and the role of curcumin in attenuating this process. A549 cells were treated with bleomycin (BLM) and IL‐17A to induce the inflammatory response in vitro. Curcumin, a known anti‐inflammatory bioactive compound was administered as an intervention. Cytotoxicity in the treatment groups was assessed using Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Cell migration was evaluated using scratch assay. Protein expressions were studied using Western blot analysis for the downstream effector molecules of IL‐17A mediated inflammatory pathways. In MTT assay, BLM treatment showed cytotoxicty upto 88% at a concentration of 1000 μM after 48 h of treatment. Cell migration assay results revealed that curcumin blocked the migration of cells to the area of the scratch. BLM treatment to the cells significantly induced the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐17A, which in turn modulated p53‐PAI‐1 expression. Bioactive compound curcumin showed anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic activity. Curcumin also regulated the BLM and IL‐17A mediated changes in p53–PAI‐1 expression. Curcumin has the ability to regulate inflammatory cytokines during BLM‐induced injury and their effect on p53‐PAI‐1 expression. It can be used as a potential anti‐inflammatory and anti‐fibrinolytic component for intervening the epithelial cell damage.Very little information is provided till date on the inflammatory mechanism controlling the fibrinolytic system in acute lung injury (ALI). Damage to alveolar epithelial cells during ALI is important in the development of pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Most forms of ALI are characterized by defective alveolar fibrinolysis, inflammation, and fibrotic lesions. Recent reports show that alveolar epithelial cells express uPA, uPAR, and p53‐mediated changes inhibit epithelial cell viability contributing to ALI. Thus, the roles of pulmonary epithelial cells in the inflammatory cascades activated after noninfectious injury, and the key signaling mediators of this process were actively investigated in this study. This investigation revealed that curcumin is an effective inhibitor of BLM‐induced inflammation, apoptosis, and migration of basal alveolar epithelial cells. These results throw an insight into the possibility of developing curcumin as a novel therapeutic for ALI.
Synthesis and evaluation of 68Ga‐HBED‐CC‐EDBE‐folate for positron‐emission tomography imaging of overexpressed folate receptors on CT26 tumor cells
Authors: Choi Pyeong Seok , Lee Jun Young , Park Jeong Hoon , Kim Sang Wook
Published: September 2017

The 68Ga is a positron‐emitting radionuclide that can be combined with bifunctional chelating agents and bioactive substances for use as positron‐emission tomography (PET) diagnostic agents. The HBED‐CC is an acyclic chelating agent that is rapidly labeled with 68Ga under mild conditions. To target cancer cells, bioactive substances can be conjugated to the carboxyl terminus of HBED‐CC. Because folic acid strongly binds to folate receptors that are overexpressed on the surfaces of many types of cancer cells, it was coupled with HBED‐CC through a small polyethylene glycol‐based linker (EDBE) to generate an active, receptor‐selective targeting system. The HBED‐CC‐EDBE‐folate (HCEF) precursor was readily labeled with 68Ga in 5 minutes at room temperature (98% radiochemical yield; 99% radiochemical purity after isolation). In cellular uptake tests, higher uptakes of 68Ga‐HCEF were observed for the CT26 and KB cell lines (which express folate receptors) than for the A549 cell line (which does not). Finally, in vivo micro‐PET measurements over 2 hours of binding in BALB/c mice into which CT26 tumors had been transplanted showed the selective accumulation of 68Ga‐HCEF in the folate receptor‐expressing CT26 tumors. These results confirmed the potential of 68Ga‐HCEF as a PET diagnostic agent for tumors that express folate receptors.