bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Study of Plato’s and Jane Austen’s Concept of Love in Pride and Prejudice
Authors: Sha’bäni Maryam , Harehdasht Hossein Aliakbari , Naseri Fahimeh
Published: March 2020

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice demonstrates the encounter of the two ruling faculties of human beings: reason and passion. The characters of this novel who are mostly young people are involved in the matters of heart and mind, seeking love and affection from their beloved ones while simultaneously burdened by the codes of manners and mannerisms of their society. Although many studies have been conducted on the subject of marriage and love on Austen’s novels, the nature of this love has not been given its proper attention. A comparative study of Plato’s concept of love and that envisaged in Jane Austen’s novel clarifies a lot of things among which we can refer to their difference in the extent of realism as the former depicts love in its ideal form and the latter in its practical sense. Serving as a means to deepen the readers’ understanding, this essay introduces a new perspective to Austen studies by examining Platonic concepts of love in Pride and Prejudice in the light of the information gleaned from Plato’s two famous works that directly deal with the concept of love: Phaedrus and Symposium. The study shows that despite being Platonic in her approach to love, Austen differs from Plato in that she tries to confine love to decorum under the veil of social relationships which bespeaks of the fact that Austen’s time in early Victorian period gives priority to the practice of love in a real context over intellectual concern for what it might mean or might not.
Acoustic Prepositional Deletion in the Quran: The Case of إلى , ilā. A Constructional Grammar Approach
Authors: Mjali Mbaideen Adnan , Binti Aladdin Ashinida , Ho-Abdullah Imran , Khawaldah Mohammad
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the linguistic phenomenon of Acoustic Prepositional Deletion (APD) ( نزع الخافض سماعيا , nazʿi al-khāfiḍ smaʿyan) in the Quran. It mainly addresses deleting thepreposition إلى , ilā from some verses of the Quran despite being preceded by an intransitive verb. Thestudy applies the perspective of Cognitive Linguistic (CL) theory and its relevant approaches to the analysis of the data included. Construction Grammar (CxG) is mainly used to examine to what extent the (non)existence of an element (i.e. preposition) of a particular construction may lead to the alternation of the spatial relationships existing between its elements, and what consequences may appear due to the manipulation of the existing relationships. The study finds that APD results in new partially or totally different, opposite or negative, abstract or manner spatial relationships between the construction entities which in turn result in different semantic conceptualization of these relationships. It also finds out that the degree of loyalty to the spatial scene in the Target Text (TT) varies from partially loyal to disloyal. This validates Croft’s (2001-2017) hypothesis that meaning is both construction and language specific.
The Impact of Implementing Graphic Organizers on Improving EFL Students’ Reading Comprehension of Narrative Texts and Motivation
Authors: Albufalasa Mervat
Published: March 2020

This research investigated mainly the effectiveness of implementing graphic organizers (GOs) on improving EFL students’ reading comprehension of narrative texts and motivation. EFL learners may face many difficulties when they analyze literary texts in terms of comprehending the story line with all its elements of fiction. The study was conducted on EFL students enrolled in a literature course at a university level. The data were collected using a mixed-method approach including quantitative data employing reading tests and questionnaires, and qualitative data using class observation. The study implemented three cycles, each one utilized a particular method of teaching short stories. The results show that the students’ performance was significantly higher when the EFL learners used graphic organizers to comprehend the story line of short stories when compared to using the story grammar (SG), more specifically the linear pattern. Students’ motivation was also enhanced in relation to reading and learning English literature. They developed more self-confidence and trusted their abilities to do well in literature classes. Their language anxiety was decreased as they improved in understanding narrative texts and were able to perform better in class activities. They also exerted effort to participate and were willing to work independently on reading tasks. All of this resulted in enhancing their motivation.
Once Upon A Time: A Framework for Developing Creative Writing in ESP and EAP
Authors: Ata Alkhaldi Ali
Published: March 2020

Creativity is useful for enriching the quality of learning (Maley, 2015). Using English for creative learning purposes is essential for studying on various university degree courses. Writing is potentially considered as the most important skill although it is a difficult skill for Second Language (SL) learners to master (Nunan, 1999). One of the possible reasons for this is that it has not been well-emphasized and developed in English language materials (Alkhaldi, 2014; Tomlinson, 2015). This study focuses on writing, particularly, creative writing in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses. The main purpose of an ESP course and EAP course is to improve traditional and technical writing skills for students, and this might be at the expense of creative writing. This study explores creative writing and its possible challenges. It also discusses the significance of creativity, creativity and the language learner, creativity and motivation, creative writing, and the role of creative writing in ESP/EAP. Finally, it elaborates and recommends a systematic, principled framework based on a review of the related literature for developing creative writing in ESP/EAP courses.
Interference of Phonological Aspects of Emphatic Consonant Sounds from Arabic into English Consonant Sounds for Sudanese University Students of English
Authors: Alteyp Alwasila Alteyp Osman
Published: March 2020

This study investigates why SUSE substitue the English consonant sounds /t/, /d/, /s/, /z /and /ð/ by the emphatic Arabic sounds /s/, /t/, /d/, and /ð/ in English words. The sample of this study is a group of Sudanese university students majoring in English. The first data collection tool is a test. This test contains a sample of words that contain the problematic sounds; these words have been observed to contain /ʌ/, /ə/ and /ɒ/. The second CAH is used to compare the articulation of the problematic sounds in both languages in addition to the emphatic sounds in Arabic. The most important results are as follows. First, some distinctive features of the English vowel sounds are shared by distinctive features of the emphatic Arabic sounds. Second, because of their absence in Arabic, the English vowels /ʌ/, /ə/ and /ɒ/ regressively and progressively influence the English sounds /t/, /d/, /s/, /z/ and /ð/ and change their quality to the emphatic Arabic sounds) /s/, /t/, /d/, and /ð/).
Development of Literary Forms in Theater and Novel during the Victorian Era
Authors: Jamil Shahwan Saed , Said Shahwan Tasneem Rashed
Published: March 2020

Appropriate understanding and embracing of the literature in the 19th century in Britain, should be considered so crucial when it comes to writing of novel and the same as to that of theater. Although Radcliff & Mattacks (2009) point out the changes experienced in theatre during the Victorian era, this research further explains the role of human activities in influencing changes in literary forms. There are a number of factors that are seen to be taking place at this particular period, lack of some basic understanding hindered the whole concept of writing. This period was commonly referred as the Victorian era and novel writing were considered to be on the lead when it came to literary genre. Most of the novels at this particular period were published in three volumes, several developments are clearly observed by introduction of other styles such as the satire writing. The women are now given equal opportunities and their work is being acknowledged without any challenges. On the other hand, the 19th century makes a great impact on the theatre; this can be illustrated by the number of developments that were involved. This stage was identified as the revolving stage and these changes were observed as from the 1896. This paper presents the major activities that took place in the 19th century in Britain that took place in the writing of the novel, the impact that it had on the novelist and so is that on the theater. This paper goes on to present the kind of society that existed in this era, the cultures and their way of life which includes the division of classes among the people of Britain.
Ooctonus vulgatus(Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), a potential biocontrol agent to reduce populations ofPhilaenus spumarius(Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae) the main vector ofXylella fastidiosain Europe
Authors: Mesmin Xavier , Chartois Marguerite , Genson Guénaëlle , Rossi Jean-Pierre , Cruaud Astrid , Rasplus Jean-Yves
Published: March 2020

As a vector ofXylella fastidiosa(Wells, 1987) in Europe, the meadow spittlebugPhilaenus spumarius(Linnaeus, 1758) (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae) is a species of major concern. Therefore, tools and agents to control this ubiquitous insect that develops and feeds on hundreds of plant species are wanted. We conducted a field survey ofP. spumariuseggs in Corsica and provide a first report ofOoctonus vulgatusHaliday, 1833 (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae) as a potential biocontrol agent ofP. spumariusin Europe. To allow species identification, we summarized the main characters distinguishingO. vulgatusfrom other European species ofOoctonusand generatedCOIDNA barcodes. Parasitism rates were variable in the four localities included in the survey but could reach 69% (for an average number of eggs that hatched per locality of 109). Based on the geographic occurrences ofO. vulgatusobtained from the literature, we calibrated an ecological niche model to assess its potential distribution in the Holarctic. Obviously, several questions need to be addressed to determine whetherO. vulgatuscould become an effective biocontrol agent ofP. spumariusin Europe. So far,O. vulgatushas been reared only fromP. spumariuseggs, but its exact host-range should be evaluated to ensure efficiency and avoid non-target effect. The top-down impact of the parasitoid on vector populations should also be assessed on large data sets. Finally, the feasibility of mass rearing should be tested. We hope this report serves as a starting point to initiate research on this parasitoid wasp to assess whether it could contribute to reduce the spread and impact ofX. fastidiosain Europe.
Meta-SourceTracker: application of Bayesian source tracking to shotgun metagenomics
Authors: McGhee Jordan J. , Rawson Nick , Bailey Barbara A. , Fernandez-Guerra Antonio , Sisk-Hackworth Laura , Kelley Scott T.
Published: March 2020

Background

Microbial source tracking methods are used to determine the origin of contaminating bacteria and other microorganisms, particularly in contaminated water systems. The Bayesian SourceTracker approach uses deep-sequencing marker gene libraries (16S ribosomal RNA) to determine the proportional contributions of bacteria from many potential source environments to a given sink environment simultaneously. Since its development, SourceTracker has been applied to an extensive diversity of studies, from beach contamination to human behavior.

Methods

Here, we demonstrate a novel application of SourceTracker to work with metagenomic datasets and tested this approach using sink samples from a study of coastal marine environments. Source environment metagenomes were obtained from metagenomics studies of gut, freshwater, marine, sand and soil environments. As part of this effort, we implemented features for determining the stability of source proportion estimates, including precision visualizations for performance optimization, and performed domain-specific source-tracking analyses (i.e., Bacteria, Archaea, Eukaryota and viruses). We also applied SourceTracker to metagenomic libraries generated from samples collected from the International Space Station (ISS).

Results

SourceTracker proved highly effective at predicting the composition of known sources using shotgun metagenomic libraries. In addition, we showed that different taxonomic domains sometimes presented highly divergent pictures of environmental source origins for both the coastal marine and ISS samples. These findings indicated that applying SourceTracker to separate domains may provide a deeper understanding of the microbial origins of complex, mixed-source environments, and further suggested that certain domains may be preferable for tracking specific sources of contamination.
Protective Effect of Andrographolide in 3-Nitropropionic Acid Induced Huntington Disease and Associated Neurodegenerative Changes in Rats
Authors: Bhatia Guneet , Kumar Abhitinder , Kaur Narinder , Khan Wasi Uzzaman , Khan Masih Uzzaman , Dhawan Ravi Kumar , Bhatia Nitish
Published: March 2020

Aims: Oxidative stress and activation of pro-apoptotic mediators have been associated with the pathogenesis of Huntington’s disease. Andrographolide (ANDRO) is a well-known antioxidant and inhibitor of pro-apoptotic mediator, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB).

Study Design: The present study was hence designed to evaluate the effect of ANDRO in Huntington’s disease.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, Khalsa College of Pharmacy, Amritsar, India between March 2018 and July 2018.

Methodology: Five groups (n=6) of Sprague dawley rats were used. Normal group animals were kept untreated. The control group was administered 3-Nitro propionic acid (3-NP) for seven days. The three treament groups received 3-NP followed by ANDRO intraperitoneally for seven days. On 8th day, behavioral and coordination parameters were evaluated using multiple tests. Oxidative stress and anti-oxidant enzyme levels in brain tissue were also evaluated. Brain tissues were also evaluated using Haematoxylin-eosin staining.

Results: Administration of 3-NP resulted in motor incoordination and muscle weakness as indicated by behavioral tests. Biochemically, there was an increase in the oxidative stress and depletion of free radical scavenging. Histopathologically, there was severe neuronal degeneration and neural tissue apoptotic changes in the rat striatum. ANDRO administration resulted in significant decrease in the muscle incoordination in the behavioral tests and also decreased prooxidative biochemical changes. Brain tissues of the ANDRO treated animals showed protection against neuronal damage and neurodegeneration.

Conclusion: The results indicate that the use of ANDRO may afford protection against Huntington’s disease associated muscle incoordination and subsequent neurodegeneration. Present study provides a lead for further investigation of role of NF-kB inhibitors in Huntington’s disease and possible development of low-cost natural medication.
Causes of Hospitalization and Predictors of Mortality among Adult HIV Positive Patients at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi
Authors: Echekwube Patrick Ojojarumi , Iwuozo Emmanuel Uzodimma , Sagay Helen
Published: March 2020

Introduction: HIV/AIDS is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Africa, opportunistic infections are the leading causes of morbidity among HIV patients and there is need to establish the causes of morbidity and/or mortality among the patients in our environment.

Methods: This was a retrospective study in which the case files of adult HIV positive patients admitted from January 2018 to December 2018 were retrieved. Their socio-demographic profile, HIV stage at admission, outcomes and other relevant information were extracted. The Center for Disease Control staging for HIV was used for the study.

Results: A total of 94 patients were enrolled into the study. At admission, most of the patients, 57(61%) were in CDC Stage B while the remaining patients were in stage C. Pulmonary tuberculosis was responsible for most of the admissions.

The total number of deaths were 27 giving a mortality ratio of 28.7%; 9 (33%) of them were in stage B and the remaining 18 (67%) were in stage C. The predictors of mortality were male sex, short duration of admission, substance use and referral from non-specialist centres.

Conclusion: The major disease cause of morbidity among PLHIV in Makurdi is Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Male sex, substance use, referral from non-specialist centres and short duration of admission were significant predictors of mortality. All stakeholders involved in HIV care should intensify efforts at early HIV diagnosis, scale up HAART where necessary and implement task shifting at non-specialist centres to improve treatment outcomes.
Intermolecular Electrophilic Bromoesterification and Bromoetherification of Unactivated Cyclopropanes
Authors: Leung Vincent Ming‐Yau , Gieuw Matthew H. , Ke Zhihai , Yeung Ying‐Yeung
Published: March 2020

1,3‐difunctionalization of cyclopropane is an useful organic transformation. The corresponding 1,3‐difunctionalized products are synthetic synthons and building blocks in many organic syntheses. Many existing ring‐opening difunctionalization methodologies rely primarily on the use of donor−acceptor cyclopropanes, while the difunctionalization of unactivated cyclopropanes is less exploited. In this research, 1,3‐bromoesterification and 1,3‐bromoetherification of unactivated cyclopropanes were successfully achieved using N‐bromosuccinimide as the brominating agent with high yields and regioselectivity.

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Synthesis of [3.4]‐Spirooxindoles through Cascade Carbopalladation of Skipped Dienes
Authors: Azizollahi Hamid , Pérez‐Gómez Marta , Mehta Vaibhav P. , García‐López José‐Antonio
Published: March 2020

A synthetic route to [3.4]‐spirooxindoles based on cascade carbopalladation reactions of 1,4‐dienes is described. While carbopalladation of alkenes have been used to access mainly [4.4]‐ or [4.5]‐spirocycles, 4‐exo‐trigcarbopalladation has not been yet applied to the synthesis of relevant [3.4]‐spirooxindole scaffolds bearing a cyclobutyl ring. In addition, the cascade reaction generates an exocyclic double bond that can serve as a platform to further diversify the substitution pattern of the spirooxindole nuclei.

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Copper‐Catalyzed Cyanoalkylative Aziridination of N‐Sulfonyl Allylamines
Authors: Ha Tu M. , Guo Weisi , Wang Qian , Zhu Jieping
Published: March 2020

Reaction of N‐arylsulfonyl allylamines with alkyl nitriles in the presence of di‐tert‐butyl peroxide (DTBP) and a catalytic amount of copper salt afforded homologated aziridines in 43–86% yield. A sequence involving addition of the in situ generated cyanomethyl radical to the double bond followed by a copper‐mediated intramolecular C−N bond formation accounted for the reaction outcome. 2,3‐Disubstituted allylamines were converted to trisubstituted aziridines in a stereoselective manner. Starting from enantioenriched allylamines, chiral aziridines were obtained diastereoselectively.

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Transfer hydrogenation via generation of hydride intermediate and base‐free alcohol oxidation activity studies on designed ruthenium complexes derived from NNN pincer type ligands
Authors: Singh Prasoon Raj , Maji Ankur , Singh Ovender , Singh Udai P. , Ghosh Kaushik
Published: March 2020

Ruthenium complexes(1–3) have been synthesized using pincer‐type ligands L1 = (E)‐2‐((2‐phenyl‐2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)hydrazono)methyl)pyridine, L2 = (E)‐2‐(1‐phenyl‐2‐(1‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)ethylidene)hydrazinyl)pyridine, L3 = (E)‐2‐(phenyl(2‐phenyl‐2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)hydrazono) methyl)pyridine. The molecular structures of all the complexes 1, 2 and 3 were determined by using single crystal X‐ray diffraction. These complexes showed excellent catalytic activities such as transfer hydrogenation and alcohol oxidation. Theoretical calculations have been performed to understand the electronic properties of all the complexes using B3LYP as a function and LANL2DZ as a basis set.
Gas–liquid two‐phase flow characteristics of the jet vortex drainage gas production tool based on computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Liang Huizhen , Miao Wei , Huang Changcheng , Zhao Binjie , Song Hao
Published: March 2020

This study is aimed at the problems of traditional vortex tools in gas wells, including notable pressure losses and short effective distances. An organic combination of jet vortex drainage and gas production tools was designed and installed without additional power equipment. Based on the liquid film force balance model, gas–liquid two‐phase flow and turbulence models of the jet vortex tool were established with UG and Fluent flow simulation software. The gas–liquid mixture was analyzed before and after the jet vortex tool, and the flow trajectory, pressure loss, liquid volume fraction change, and change rate were examined. According to the simulation results, the comprehensive influence of each structural parameter on the effective working distance was optimized, and optimal structural parameters of the jet vortex tool were obtained. The results indicate that the jet vortex tool reduces the critical liquid‐carrying flow rate and pressure loss and increases the axial and initial velocities of the gas and liquid phases, combined with swirl tool distance model, the effective flow distance is increased correspondingly, and the liquid‐carrying capacity of the gas well is improved.
Visible‐Light‐Promoted Selenylative Spirocyclization of Indolyl‐ynones toward the Formation of 3‐Selenospiroindolenine Anticancer Agents
Authors: Zhou Xiu‐Jie , Liu Hao‐Yang , Mo Zu‐Yu , Ma Xian‐Li , Chen Yan‐Yan , Tang Hai‐Tao , Pan Ying‐Ming , Xu Yan‐Li
Published: March 2020

A metal‐free and efficient visible‐light‐induced spirocyclization of indolyl‐ynones with diselenides at room temperature under air atmosphere to prepare 3‐selenospiroindolenines in moderate to good yields has been developed. The resulting products were tested for in vitro anticancer activity by MTT assay, and compounds 3 c and 3 e showed potent cancer cell‐growth inhibition activities.
Declarative Memory and Structural Language Impairment in Autistic Children and Adolescents
Authors: Anns Sophie , Gaigg Sebastian B. , Hampton James A. , Bowler Dermot M. , Boucher Jill
Published: March 2020

Two experiments tested the hypothesis that a plausible contributory factor of structural language impairment in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is impaired declarative memory. We hypothesized that familiarity and recollection (subserving semantic and episodic memory, respectively) are both impaired in autistic individuals with clinically significant language impairment and learning disability (ASDLI/LD); whereas recollection is selectively impaired in autistic individuals with typical language (ASDTL). Teenagers with ASDLI/LD (n = 19) and primary school age children with ASDTL (n = 26) were compared with teenagers with learning disability (LD) (n = 26) without autism, and primary school aged typically developing (TD) children (n = 32). Both experiments provided strong support for the hypothesized links between declarative memory processes and lexical‐semantic facets of language in the two autistic groups, but not in the TD group. Additional findings of interest were that declarative memory processes and lexical‐semantic knowledge were also linked in the LD group and that the ASD groups—and to a lesser extent the LD group—may have compensated for declarative memory impairments using spared visual‐perceptual abilities, a finding with potential educational implications. Relative difficulties with familiarity and recollection in ASDLI/LD and LD may help explain structural language impairment, as investigated here, but also the broader learning disabilities found in these populations. Autism Res 2020. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1947‐1958. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

Language impairment and learning disability affect 45% of the autistic population yet the factors that may be contributing to them is remarkably under‐researched. To date there are no explanations of the lexical semantic (word meaning) abnormalities observed in ASD. We found that declarative memory is associated with lexical semantic knowledge in autism and learning disability but not in typical development. Difficulties with declarative memory may also be compensated for using visual‐perceptual abilities by autistic and learning‐disabled adolescents, which has positive implications for educationalists.
Effect of mindfulness meditation protocol in subjects with various psychometric characteristics at high altitude
Authors: Bhanushali Disha , Tyagi Rahul , Limaye (Rishi Nityapragya) Nitin , Anand Akshay
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Incidence of high altitude‐related sickness is increasing due to more number of people visiting the areas of high altitude which may result in life‐threatening conditions including acute mountain sickness (AMS), high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), and High‐altitude pulmonary hypertension (HAPH). We hypothesized that an advanced yoga regimen may be beneficial in dealing with the physiology of acclimatization.

Methods

Anthropometric, Biochemical, and Psychological assessments were carried out in 48 participants before and after the advance meditation program (AMP) in the experimental group. Individuals with an age range of 20–65 years with no comorbidities were included in the study. Participants were exposed to AMP for 4 days. All assessments were carried out at the baseline and after the course. Prakriti was constituted for all participants using a standard questionnaire. The study was carried out after obtaining the written informed consent as per the guidelines outlined by the Institute Ethics Committee.

Results

Po2 and glucose levels were found significantly reduced along with changes in the Happiness index, anxiety, and mental well‐being. However, participants with lowered Po2, after 4 days of mindfulness intervention, showed a positive outcome measured by the established scales of anxiety, happiness, and information processing. Psychometric or Prakriti wise analysis revealed that subject with “Pitta” constitution exposed to high altitude and advance meditation showed changes in more parameters than “Vatta” or “Kapha” Constitution.

Conclusions

Advance meditation in the high altitude zone confers biochemical and neuro‐cognitive benefits. Molecular studies may require to understand the role of hypoxic condition in improving the disease state.
Functional informed genome‐wide interaction analysis of body mass index, diabetes and colorectal cancer risk
Authors: Xia Zhiyu , Su Yu‐Ru , Petersen Paneen , Qi Lihong , Kim Andre E. , Figueiredo Jane C. , Lin Yi , Nan Hongmei , Sakoda Lori C. , Albanes Demetrius , Berndt Sonja I. , Bézieau Stéphane , Bien Stephanie , Buchanan Daniel D. , Casey Graham , Chan Andrew T. , Conti David V. , Drew David A. , Gallinger Steven J. , Gauderman W. James , Giles Graham G. , Gruber Stephen B. , Gunter Marc J. , Hoffmeister Michael , Jenkins Mark A. , Joshi Amit D. , Le Marchand Loic , Lewinger Juan P. , Li Li , Lindor Noralane M. , Moreno Victor , Murphy Neil , Nassir Rami , Newcomb Polly A. , Ogino Shuji , Rennert Gad , Song Mingyang , Wang Xiaoliang , Wolk Alicja , Woods Michael O. , Brenner Hermann , White Emily , Slattery Martha L. , Giovannucci Edward L. , Chang‐Claude Jenny , Pharoah Paul D. P. , Hsu Li , Campbell Peter T. , Peters Ulrike
Published: March 2020

Background

Body mass index (BMI) and diabetes are established risk factors for colorectal cancer (CRC), likely through perturbations in metabolic traits (e.g. insulin resistance and glucose homeostasis). Identification of interactions between variation in genes and these metabolic risk factors may identify novel biologic insights into CRC etiology.

Methods

To improve statistical power and interpretation for gene‐environment interaction (G × E) testing, we tested genetic variants that regulate expression of a gene together for interaction with BMI (kg/m2) and diabetes on CRC risk among 26 017 cases and 20 692 controls. Each variant was weighted based on PrediXcan analysis of gene expression data from colon tissue generated in the Genotype‐Tissue Expression Project for all genes with heritability ≥1%. We used a mixed‐effects model to jointly measure the G × E interaction in a gene by partitioning the interactions into the predicted gene expression levels (fixed effects), and residual G × E effects (random effects). G × BMI analyses were stratified by sex as BMI‐CRC associations differ by sex. We used false discovery rates to account for multiple comparisons and reported all results with FDR <0.2.

Results

Among 4839 genes tested, genetically predicted expressions of FOXA1 (P = 3.15 × 10−5), PSMC5 (P = 4.51 × 10−4) and CD33 (P = 2.71 × 10−4) modified the association of BMI on CRC risk for men; KIAA0753 (P = 2.29 × 10−5) and SCN1B (P = 2.76 × 10−4) modified the association of BMI on CRC risk for women; and PTPN2 modified the association between diabetes and CRC risk in both sexes (P = 2.31 × 10−5).

Conclusions

Aggregating G × E interactions and incorporating functional information, we discovered novel genes that may interact with BMI and diabetes on CRC risk.
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 gene amplification and protein expression in human lung cancer
Authors: Elakad Omar , Lois Anna‐Maria , Schmitz Katja , Yao Sha , Hugo Sara , Lukat Laura , Hinterthaner Marc , Danner Bernhard C. , von Hammerstein‐Equord Alexander , Reuter‐Jessen Kirsten , Schildhaus Hans‐Ulrich , Ströbel Philipp , Bohnenberger Hanibal
Published: March 2020

Background

Targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) is a potential treatment for squamous cell lung cancer (SQCLC). So far, treatment decision in clinical studies is based on gene amplification. However, only a minority of patients have shown durable response. Furthermore, former studies have revealed contrasting results regarding the impact of FGFR1 amplification and expression on patient's prognosis.

Aims

Here, we analyzed prevalence and correlation of FGFR1 gene amplification and protein expression in human lung cancer and their impact on overall survival.

Materials & Methods

FGFR1 gene amplification and protein expression were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 208 SQCLC and 45 small cell lung cancers (SCLC). Furthermore, FGFR1 protein expression was analyzed in 121 pulmonary adenocarcinomas (ACs). Amplification and expression were correlated to each other, clinicopathological characteristics, and overall survival.

Results

FGFR1 was amplified in 23% of SQCLC and 8% of SCLC. Amplification was correlated to males (P = .027) but not to overall survival. Specificity of immunostaining was verified by cellular CRISPR/Cas9 FGFR1 knockout. FGFR1 was strongly expressed in 9% of SQCLC, 35% of AC, and 4% of SCLC. Expression was correlated to females (P = .0187) and to the absence of lymph node metastasis in SQCLC (P = .018) with no significant correlation to overall survival. Interestingly, no significant correlation between amplification and expression was detected.

Discussion

FGFR1 gene amplification does not seem to correlate to protein expression.

Conclusion

We believe that patient selection for FGFR1 inhibitors in clinical studies should be reconsidered. Neither FGFR1 amplification nor expression influences patient's prognosis.
Mitochondrial apoptosis and curtailment of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α/fatty acid synthase: A dual edge perspective of gamma linolenic acid in ER+ mammary gland cancer
Authors: Roy Subhadeep , Singh Manjari , Rawat Atul , Kumar Dinesh , Kaithwas Gaurav
Published: March 2020

Gamma linolenic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid having selective anti‐tumour properties with negligible systemic toxicity. In the present study, the anti‐cancer potential of gamma linolenic acid and its effects on mitochondrial as well as hypoxia‐associated marker was evaluated. The effect of gamma linolenic acid was scrutinised against ER + MCF‐7 cells by using fluorescence microscopy, JC‐1 staining, dot plot assay and cell cycle analysis. The in vitro results were also confirmed using carcinogen (n‐methyl‐n‐nitrosourea) induced in vivo model. The early and late apoptotic signals in the conjugation with mitochondrial depolarisation were found once scrutinised through mitochondrial membrane potential and life death staining after gamma linolenic acid treatment. Gamma linolenic acid arrested the cell cycle in G0/G1 phase with the majority of cell populations in the early apoptotic stage. The translocation of phosphatidylserine was studied through annexin‐V FITC dot plot assay. The markers of cellular proliferation (decreased alveolar bud count, histopathological architecture restoration and loss of tumour micro‐vessels) were diminished after gamma linolenic acid treatment. Gamma linolenic acid ameliorates the biological effects of n‐methyl‐n‐nitrosourea persuading the mitochondrial mediated death pathway and impeding the hypoxic microenvironment to make a halt in palmitic acid synthesis.

Significance

The present study elaborates the effect of gamma linolenic acid on mammary gland cancer by following mitochondrial‐mediated death apoptosis pathway. Gamma linolenic acid also inhibits cell‐wall synthesis by the curtailment of HIF‐1α and FASN level in mammary gland cancer.
In silico analysis of DYNLL1 expression in ovarian cancer chemoresistance
Authors: Berkel Caglar , Cacan Ercan
Published: March 2020

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal gynecological cancer and chemoresistance is responsible for the treatment failure and unfavorable clinical outcome in this disease. The deletion of DYNLL1 was reported to result in increased chemoresistance in BRCA1‐mutant high‐grade serous ovarian carcinoma cells. Considering its role in chemoresistance, a better understanding of DYNLL1 expression is needed to develop novel strategies in the treatment of OC. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the differential expression of DYNLL1 in OC with respect to cell types, chemosensitivity profiles, certain drug treatments, and cancer progression. DYNLL1 levels were analyzed using expression profiling data sets from Gene Expression Omnibus and quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction in R. We found that the level of DYNLL1 was higher in OC histotypes compared with normal ovarian cells. DYNLL1 expression is decreased in OC cells of epithelial type; but, it is increased in OC cells of stromal type, compared with matched control cells. Chemoresistant OC cells were shown to have lower DYNLL1 expression than chemosensitive OC cells. Carboplatin and NSC319726 treatments resulted in slightly decreased DYNLL1 expression and DYNLL1 levels were decreased in the course of cancer progression in OC epithelial cells. The results suggest that changes in DYNLL1 expression in OC might be cell‐type dependent and lower DYNLL1 levels may be associated with increased chemoresistance in OC. Although further studies are needed, certain drugs and cancer progression may lead to lower DYNLL1 levels, possibly resulting in increased chemoresistance. Therefore, it can be stated that DYNLL1 might be an important player in OC progression and chemoresistance.
Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding atrial fibrillation among neurologists in central China: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Shen Jing , Xia Yuanpeng , Cao Shiyi , Lu Zuxun , He Quanwei , Li Man , Wang Hong , Bi Ying , Chen Shaoli , Hu Bo , Cao Fei
Published: March 2020

Background

Physicians' knowledge and practice of atrial fibrillation (AF) are determinants of the efficacy of thromboprophylaxis.

Hypothesis

This study aimed to investigate physicians' knowledge, attitude, and practice toward AF, to analyze the influencing factors, and to provide data to support departments that develop health policies.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was carried out from October 1, 2016, to March 31, 2018. A standard‐structured anonymous questionnaire was completed by each participant through face‐to‐face interviews.

Results

A total of 611 doctors from 38 hospitals were responded to this survey. The mean of the total score of the questionnaire was 21.59 ± 3.559 (total score of the questionnaire was 36), and the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, and practice were 6.86 ± 1.70, 6.13 ± 1.35, and 8.59 ± 2.21, respectively. The doctor' s knowledge, practice scores, and total scores were positively correlated with the education level and the workplace. The influencing factors that affect doctors' knowledge, attitudes, and practice scores including education level, professional title, working years, hospital grade, and hospital location.

Conclusions

There was still a big gap in neurologists' knowledge and practice about AF. It is necessary to strengthen the continuous improvement of doctor training to improve the management of AF.
H2O2‐Responsive Nanogel for Enhancing Chemodynamic Therapy
Authors: Yang Yuling , Lin Yuhong , Jiang Lili , Han Wen , Wang Min , Lu Chunhua , Yang Huanghao
Published: March 2020

As a typical chemodynamic therapy (CDT), the Fenton reaction holds great promise in cancer therapy for its effective generation of the cytotoxic hydroxyl radical (.OH) in situ which induces cancer cell apoptosis. However, the tumor microenvironment is insufficient to meet the optimal conditions for Fenton reaction, which greatly reduces the rate of Fenton reaction and the therapeutic effect of CDT, thereby hindering its application in cancer therapy. Herein, a novel biocompatible nanogel comprised of ferroferric oxide modified β‐cyclodextrin (Fe3O4@β‐CD), glucose oxidase (GOX), and ferrocene (Fc) was fabricated using the host‐guest self‐assembly method for synergistic tumor therapy (Fe3O4−GOX nanogel, FGgel). In the tumor microenvironment, the intratumoral hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) could oxidize Fc, leading to the disintegration of the FGgel and the release of GOX. Subsequently, the released GOX could catalyze glucose to produce gluconic acid and promote the production of H2O2. Meanwhile, in acidic conditions, F3O4 served as the Fenton reagent to convert excessive H2O2 into highly toxic .OH which finally induces tumor cell apoptosis. Extensive in vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed that FGgel can effectively inhibit tumor cell growth with high tumor specificity and good biocompatibility. The excellent anticancer efficiency of FGgel indicates that it is an ideal H2O2‐activated nanosystem. As an excellent platform to harness the highly toxic reactive oxygen species in nanomedicine for specific cancer therapy, this strategy may open new doors for further development of progressive therapeutic systems.
Real‐time analysis of switchable nanocomposites of magnesium pyrophosphates and rolling circle amplification products
Authors: Minero Gabriel Antonio S. , Fock Jeppe , Tian Bo , Rizzi Giovanni , Neumann Felix , Madaboosi Narayanan , Nilsson Mats , Fougt Hansen Mikkel
Published: March 2020

Rolling circle amplification (RCA) is a robust isothermal nucleic acid amplification method producing nanocomposites of DNA and inorganic magnesium pyrophosphate precipitates. Although the conformation and structure of such nanocomposites impact applications, most studies of them have been performed at the end‐point after exposure to a treatment. Here, we use real‐time optomagnetic measurements of the hydrodynamic size of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to study the growth of RCA products grafted onto MNPs as well as the effect of post‐RCA temperature annealing and chemical treatment. As a key result, we show that secondary structures in the RCA products trap and partially protect magnesium pyrophosphate precipitates and that these are reversibly released upon heating above a characteristic temperature defined by the sequence of the RCA product. These findings provide a deeper mechanistic understanding of the synthesis and structure of DNA nanocomposites, which impacts applications of DNA nanocomposites in sensing and drug delivery.
Drought response and minimal water requirements of diploid and interploid St. Augustinegrass under progressive drought stress
Authors: Meeks Meghyn , Chandra Ambika
Published: March 2020

St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze] is a popular shade‐tolerant turfgrass but has a higher water use rate compared with other warm‐season turfgrasses. In an effort to improve drought resistance in St. Augustinegrass, the Texas A&M turfgrass breeding program has used embryo rescue technology and developed interploid (polyploid × diploid) hybrids to facilitate the combination of desirable traits from across ploidy levels. In this study, we determined the drought response and minimal water requirements of eight diploid and 18 interploid hybrids compared with ‘Floratam’, ‘Palmetto’, ‘Raleigh’, and ‘TamStar’ during ∼90 d of dry‐down under a rainout shelter in 2015 and 2016. Digital images of percentage green cover were taken weekly and entries with green cover ≤50 ± 1% were supplied with 2.54 cm of water. Genotypic differences were observed, but overall, interploids demonstrated better drought response than diploids, as indicated by longer days to reach 50% green cover and a turfgrass quality of 5.0. Nine interploid hybrids, including TamStar, did not require any water to maintain above 50% green cover in both years as compared with Floratam, Raleigh, and Palmetto. Our results also show that minimum turfgrass quality of 5.0 was not maintained at the 50% green cover threshold and that 75–80% green cover more accurately represents the minimum quality for future drought evaluations in our geographic conditions.
Pairing Cross‐Linked Polyviologen with Aromatic Amine Host Structure for Anion Shuttle Rechargeable Batteries
Authors: Cadiou Vincent , Gaillot Anne‐Claire , Deunf Élise , Dolhem Franck , Dubois Lionel , Gutel Thibaut , Poizot Philippe
Published: March 2020

Electroactive organic compounds could bring new chemical opportunities to further improve existing electrochemical energy‐storage technologies as they can be prepared from less‐limited resources and potentially at low environmental footprint. Among the current explored research fields, the anion–ion cell configuration appears poorly investigated although quite promising to promote the fabrication of molecular (metal‐free) rechargeable batteries. Herein, we report the synthesis and the electrochemical behavior of both Mg/Li salts of 2,5‐(dianilino)terephthalate (MgDAnT and Li2DAnT) and cross‐linked polyviologen (c‐PV2+) that can reversibly uptake/extract anions at different working potentials, enabling the assembly of full anionic organic batteries. The reversible anion ingress in MgDAnT is however accompanied by solvent co‐insertion from the electrolyte that provokes an overpotential effect during the first charge. Full anionic batteries pairing Li2DAnT with c‐PV2+ were assembled giving rise to 0.7 V as output voltage with a specific capacity of 50 mAh per gram of Li2DAnT.
Molecular dynamics investigation of soliton propagation in a two‐dimensional Yukawa liquid
Authors: Donkó Zoltán , Hartmann Peter , Masheyeva Ranna U. , Dzhumagulova Karlygash N.
Published: March 2020

We investigate via molecular dynamics simulations the propagation of solitons in a two‐dimensional many‐body system characterized by Yukawa interaction potential. The solitons are created in an equilibrated system by the application of electric field pulses. Such pulses generate pairs of solitons, which are characterized by a positive and negative density peak, respectively, and which propagate into opposite directions. At small perturbation, the features propagate with the longitudinal sound speed, from which an increasing deviation is found at higher density perturbations. An external magnetic field is found to block the propagation of the solitons, which can, however, be released upon the termination of the magnetic field and can propagate further into directions that depend on the time of trapping and the magnetic field strength.
Lithium treatment in the era of personalized medicine
Authors: Rybakowski Janusz K.
Published: March 2020

In 1949, an Australian psychiatrist, John Cade, reported on the antimanic efficacy of lithium carbonate, which is regarded as an introduction of lithium into contemporary psychiatry. Since the 1960s, lithium has been a precursor of mood stabilizers and has become first‐choice drug for the prevention of affective episodes in mood disorders. For nearly four decades, lithium has also been used for the augmentation of antidepressant drugs in treatment‐resistant depression. The knowledge of clinical and biological factors connected with the capability of long‐term lithium treatment to prevent manic and depressive recurrences makes an important element of the personalized medicine of mood disorders. Excellent prophylactic lithium responders can be characterized by distinct mood episodes, with full remissions between them, the absence of other psychiatric morbidity, and the family history of bipolar illness. In recent years, many other clinical and biological factors connected with such a response have been identified, helping to select the best candidates for lithium prophylaxis. The antisuicidal effect of lithium during its long‐term administration has been demonstrated and should also be taken into account as the element of personalized medicine for the pharmacological prophylaxis of patients with mood disorders. Several studies pertaining to personalized medicine were also dedicated to lithium treatment of acute mood episodes. Lithium still has a value in the treatment of mania and bipolar depression. However, it seems that the more important indication would be the augmentation of antidepressant drugs in treatment‐resistant depression. The factors connected with the efficacy of lithium in these conditions are reviewed.
Photoelectrochemical‐assisted Batch Injection Analysis (PEC‐BIA) of Glucose Exploiting Visible LED Light as an Excitation Source
Authors: Carvalho Soares Leonardo , Costa dos Santos Clenilton , de Cássia Silva Luz Rita , Santos Damos Flávio
Published: March 2020

This work describes the development of a novel method for glucose determination exploiting a photoelectrochemical‐assisted batch injection analysis cell designed and constructed with the aid of 3D printer technology. The PEC‐BIA cell was coupled to a LED lamp in order to control the incidence of light on the Cu2O/Ni(OH)2/FTO photoelectroactive platform. The electrochemical characteristics of Cu2O/Ni(OH)2/FTO photoelectroactive platform were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, amperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The PEC‐BIA cell presented linear response range, limit of detection based on a signal‐to‐noise ratio of three, and sensitivity of 1–1000 μmol L−1, 0.76 μmol L−1 and 0.578 μA L μmol−1, respectively. The PEC‐BIA method presented a mean value of the recovery values of 97.0 % to 102.0 % when it was applied to glucose determination in artificial blood plasma samples which indicates the promising performance of the proposed system to determine glucose.