bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure and function of dual‐source cholinergic modulation in early vision
Authors: Krueger Juliane , Disney Anita A.
Published: December 2018

Behavioral states such as arousal and attention have profound effects on sensory processing, determining how—even whether—a stimulus is perceived. This state‐dependence is believed to arise, at least in part, in response to inputs from subcortical structures that release neuromodulators such as acetylcholine, often nonsynaptically. The mechanisms that underlie the interaction between these nonsynaptic signals and the more point‐to‐point synaptic cortical circuitry are not well understood. This review highlights the state of the field, with a focus on cholinergic action in early visual processing. Key anatomical and physiological features of both the cholinergic and the visual systems are discussed. Furthermore, presenting evidence of cholinergic modulation in visual thalamus and primary visual cortex, we explore potential functional roles of acetylcholine and its effects on the processing of visual input over the sleep–wake cycle, sensory gain control during wakefulness, and consider evidence for cholinergic support of visual attention.
Security analysis of an ultra‐lightweight RFID authentication protocol for m‐commerce
Authors: Aghili Seyed Farhad , Mala Hamid
Published: December 2018

Nowadays, many people perform their commercial activities, such as electronic payment and electronic banking, through their mobile phones. Mobile commerce (m‐commerce) refers to manipulating electronic commerce (e‐commerce) by using mobile devices and wireless networks. Radio‐frequency identification (RFID) is a technology which can be employed to complete payment functions on m‐commerce. As an RFID subsystem is applied in m‐commerce and supply chains, the related security concerns are very important. Recently, Fan et al. have proposed an ultra‐lightweight RFID authentication scheme for m‐commerce (ULRAS) and claimed that their protocol is efficient enough and provides a high level of security. In this paper, we show that their protocol is vulnerable to secret disclosure and reader impersonation attacks. Finally, we improve it to a protocol that is resistant to the attacks presented in this paper and the other known attacks in the context of RFID authentication. We further analyze the security of the improved protocol through the Burrows–Abadi–Needham logic (BAN‐logic). Moreover, our proposed improvement does not impose any additional workload on the RFID tag.
Design aids for unreinforced masonry under bending compression – Part 1: Basics
Authors: Gunkler Erhard
Published: December 2018

The semi‐probabilistic safety concept of divided safety factors for action and resistance of DIN EN 1990 [1] led in Germany to a comparison of resisting bending moments and normal forces with the corresponding acting section forces and moments in the structural design of masonry building elements.

Regarding the material properties for masonry under bending compression, fully plastic material behaviour is assumed in DIN EN 1996‐1‐1/NA [2]. The use of a stress block has been introduced as a material law, which results in the reduction factor ϕ for the determination of the loadbearing capacity of the section. This describes the ratio of the normal force resistance of the reduced (due to the bending effect) part of the design section under compression and the resistance value related to the total area.

Building on this, design aids are presented here, which are comparable with the ν tables (called ϕ table here) and the ”general structural design program“ of massive building, since common mechanical basics permit this.

The user‐friendly handling of the design diagram and design tables is demonstrated through examples in the second part of the scientific paper [3] and the relation to the calculation approaches of DIN EN 1996‐1‐1/NA [2] is made clear. The relation to the reduction factor ϕm, which takes into account the effects of second order theory, is also described in [3], like the use of the reset rule for masonry sections with normal forces acting with large load eccentricities.
Application of the Extrapolation standard DIN EN 15080‐12
Authors: Maruhn Liliia , Rünger Carsten
Published: December 2018

For highly insulated clay masonry units, fire resistance is verified in the course of the approval procedure through fire tests according to harmonised European standards. The fire resistance class in the relevant national technical approval is then based on these tests. Classification according to these testing standards in combination with the extrapolation standard DIN EN 15080‐12 represents a justifiable option for the fire resistance classification of masonry walls according to harmonised European standards.

In this paper, the extended scopes of application of the extrapolation standard are presented through the example of tests on precision clay masonry.
The QTc interval and risk of cardiac events in bulimia nervosa: A long‐term follow‐up study
Authors: Frederiksen Tanja C. , Christiansen Morten K. , Østergaard Pernille C. , Thomsen Per H. , Graff Claus , Clausen Loa , Jensen Henrik K.
Published: December 2018

Objective

An association between bulimia nervosa (BN) and prolonged corrected QT interval (QTc) in the electrocardiogram has been suggested, but results of previous studies are conflicting, and the risk of cardiac events in patients with BN has yet to be investigated.

Method

We estimated mean QTc interval and relative risk of borderline (QTc >440 ms) and prolonged QTc (QTc >460 ms) between adult women with BN (N = 531) and healthy controls (N = 123). In follow‐up analyses, we investigated the risk of a primary endpoint (syncope, ventricular tachycardia, and cardiac arrest) and all‐cause mortality in patients with BN (N = 702) compared with a population‐based cohort derived from the Danish Civil Register (N = 7,020).

Results

Mean QTc did not differ between patients with BN and controls. Relative risk of borderline prolonged QTc was 2.3 (p = 0.28). The number of patients and controls with prolonged QTc was small, and the risk did not differ between patients with BN and controls. Median follow‐up was 10.6 years. Although there appeared to be increased risks after 5 years of follow‐up, long‐term risks of the primary endpoint (Hazard ratio [HR] = 1.4, p = 0.37) and all‐cause mortality (HR = 1.7, p = .28), respectively, were not increased in patients with BN compared to a population‐based cohort.

Discussion

Mean QTc did not differ between patients with BN and healthy controls, and the risk of prolonged QTc was not increased in patients with BN. There was no difference in the long‐term risk of cardiac events, and long‐term all‐cause mortality did not differ significantly between patients with BN and a population‐based cohort.
Sulfidation of Magnetite Nanoparticles – Following the Polysulfide Pathway
Authors: Bendt Georg , Saddeler Sascha , Schulz Stephan
Published: December 2018

The in‐situ sulfidation of sub‐10 nm sized Fe3O4 and partial‐substituted CoxFe3–xO4 (x = 0.25–0.75) nanoparticles by hot‐injection of sulfur dissolved in oleylamine (OA) is strongly time‐ and temperature dependent. Fe3O4 nanoparticles are completely converted within 5 minutes into Fe3S4 nanoparticles with preservation of the spinel structure at 250 °C, whereas higher reaction temperatures and prolonged reaction times result in additional sulfur uptake and formation of pyrite FeS2 nanoparticles. The formation of the cubic (Co,Fe)S2 phase was observed in sulfidation reactions of CoxFe3–xO4, even with low Co substitution levels (x = 0.25). The chemical composition, morphology, and phase purity of the resulting nanoparticles were investigated by EDX, XRD, TEM, and XPS.
Raman and Fluorescence Imaging of Polyoxometalate Composite Agarose Films
Authors: Nogueira Helena I. S. , Bornes Carlos , Fateixa Sara , Trindade Tito
Published: December 2018

Composite agarose films were prepared with EuIII containing polyoxometalates, in particular the organic‐inorganic hybrid [Eu(W5O18)2(pic)4]13– (Hpic = 3‐hydroxypicolinic acid) and a Mo blue EuIII derivative. The latter compound shows interesting EuIII based photoluminescence properties, described for a molybdenum blue compound for the first time. Imaging of optical properties and morphology of the films was explored by Raman and fluorescence measurements in a confocal microscopy system, together with the AFM profile. Raman and fluorescence imaging are powerful tools for the characterization of the films, in particular their chemical composition and homogeneity at the micrometric scale.
Scalable Synthesis of Tetrapodal Octaamine
Authors: Ahmad Ishfaq , Mahmood Javeed , Baek Jong‐Beom
Published: December 2018

An effective and high‐yielding synthesis of an air stable tetrapodal octaamine, a rigid shape‐persistent molecule with four ortho‐phenylenediamine moieties is reported. It can be potentially transformed into a wide range of benzimidazole, benzotriazole, and pyrazine derivatives for practical applications.
Passive sampling of pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls along the Quequén Grande River watershed, Argentina
Authors: Silva-Barni María Florencia , Smedes Foppe , Fillmann Gilberto , Miglioranza Karina Silvia Beatriz
Published: December 2018

Water monitoring is of great importance, especially for water bodies in agricultural or industrial areas. Grab sampling is a widely used technique for aquatic monitoring but represents only a snapshot of the contaminant levels at a specific point in time. Passive sampling, on the other hand, is an integrative technique that provides an average concentration of contaminants representative of its deployment period. Thus, the current contamination by organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and some currently used pesticides was assessed along the Quequén Grande River watershed (Argentina) using the integrative silicone rubber passive sampling technique in a year-long study. Silicone rubber samplers were deployed at 6 sampling sites selected according to different land uses (agricultural–livestock production, agricultural and urban activities) during 3 periods in 2014 and 2015. The organochlorine pesticides were dominated by endosulfan (sum of α-, β-endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate = 0.15–23.4 ng/L). The highest endosulfan levels were registered during the pesticide application period (December–March), exceeding the international water quality guidelines for protecting freshwater biota (3 ng/L). Compared with previous reports, no reductions in endosulfan levels were observed at the Quequén Grande River watershed. These results would suggest the illegal use of remaining stocks because water sampling was carried out after endosulfan was banned in Argentina. Chlorpyrifos was the second major pesticide found in water (0.02–4.3 ng/L), associated with its widespread usage on soybean crops. A reduction in levels of legacy pesticides (heptachlors, DDTs, dieldrin, and chlordanes) was evident compared with previous reports from 2007. Levels of PCBs were very low, indicating that probably only minor diffuse sources were still available along the Quequén Grande River watershed. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:340–349. © 2018 SETAC
ERBB2 mutation frequency in lobular breast cancer with pleomorphic histology or high‐risk characteristics by molecular expression profiling
Authors: Christgen Matthias , Bartels Stephan , Radner Martin , Raap Mieke , Rieger Luisa , Christgen Henriette , Gluz Oleg , Nitz Ulrike , Harbeck Nadia , Lehmann Ulrich , Kreipe Hans
Published: December 2018

HER2‐positive breast cancer is defined by amplification or overexpression of the HER2/ERBB2 oncogene and accounts for about 15% of breast cancer cases. Somatic mutation of ERBB2 is an alternative mechanism, by which activation of HER2 signaling can occur. ERBB2 mutation has been associated with invasive lobular breast cancer (ILBC). This study investigates the frequency and phenotype of ILBC harboring mutated ERBB2. The ERBB2 mutation status was determined by next generation sequencing and/or pyrosequencing in n = 106 ILBCs, including n = 86 primary or locally recurrent tumors and n = 20 metastases from visceral organs, soft tissue, or skin. Immunohistochemical characteristics were determined using tissue microarrays. This series was enriched for ILBCs with pleomorphic histology and/or high‐risk expression profiles (Oncotype DX, recurrence score RS > 25). Nearly all specimens were E‐cadherin‐negative (99%), estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive (92%), and lacked ERBB2 overexpression (96%). ERBB2 mutations (p.V777L, p.L755S, p.S310F) were identified in 5/106 (5%) cases. ERBB2‐mutated cases included 2/86 (2%) primary tumors and 3/20 (15%) metastases (P = 0.045). ERBB2‐mutated cases were associated with loss of ER (2/7, 29%, P = 0.035) and histological grade 3 (4/34, 12%, P = 0.023), but not with solid growth (3/31, 10%, P = 0.148) or pleomorphic histology (2/27, 7%, P = 0.599). No ERBB2 mutation was detected in ILBCs with RS > 25 (0/22, 0%). In 10 patients with multiple matched specimens (n = 25), the ERBB2 mutational status was always concordant. In summary, a small subset of ILBCs harbors potentially actionable ERBB2 mutations. In ERBB2‐mutated ILBCs, no association with pleomorphic histology was found.
Socioeconomic disparities in a population of patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for benign disease
Authors: Wu Tara J. , Ha Patrick K. , El‐Sayed Ivan H. , George Jonathan R. , Heaton Chase M. , Ryan William R. , Russell Marika D.
Published: December 2018

Background

This study examines the effect of insurance status (as a measure of socioeconomic status) on patient with benign thyroid disease.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed among 60 patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disease. Univariate and multivariable analyses examined the relationship between insurance status and thyroid volume (sum of the left and right lobe volumes).

Results

Twenty‐eight (47%) patients were considered of underinsured/uninsured status, and 32 (53%) patients were considered of private/government/military insurance status. Median pathologic whole thyroid volume was 66 mL (range, 2‐855). After multivariable linear regression, underinsured/uninsured status was the only significant predictor of larger volume (correlation coefficient [r] = 118; 95% CI, 42 to 194; P = .003), after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and presence of concomitant thyroid disease and compressive symptoms.

Conclusion

Patients of underinsured/uninsured status suffered more severe disease presentations at time of thyroidectomy, as measured by larger thyroid volumes.
Stereotactic Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a Histopathological Study in Explanted Livers
Authors: Bale Reto , Schullian Peter , Eberle Gernot , Putzer Daniel , Zoller Heinz , Schneeberger Stefan , Manzl Claudia , Moser Patrizia , Oberhuber Georg
Published: December 2018

This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of three‐dimensional (3D)‐navigated multiprobe radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with intraprocedural image fusion for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by histopathological examination. From 2009 to 2018, 97 patients (84 men, 13 women; median age, 60 years; range, 1‐71) were transplanted after bridging therapy of 195 HCCs by stereotactic RFA (SRFA). The median interval between the first SRFA and transplantation was 6.8 months (range, 0‐71). The rate of residual vital tissue (RVT) could be assessed in 188 of 195 lesions in 96 of 97 patients by histological examination of the explanted livers using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Tdt‐mediated UTP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL) stains. Histopathological results were compared with the findings of the last computed tomography (CT) imaging before liver transplantation (LT). Median number and size of treated tumors were 1 (range, 1‐8) and 2.5 cm (range, 1‐8). Complete radiological response was achieved in 186 of 188 nodules (98.9%) and 94 of 96 patients (97.9%) and complete pathological response in the explanted liver specimen in 183 of 188 nodules (97.3%) and 91 of 96 patients (94.8%), respectively. In lesions ≥3 cm, complete tumor cell death was achieved in 50 of 52 nodules (96.2%). Residual tumor did not correlate with tumor size (P = 0.5). Conclusion: Multiprobe SRFA with intraprocedural image fusion represents an efficient, minimally invasive therapy for HCC, even with tumor sizes larger than 3 cm, and without the need of a combination with additional treatments. The results seem to justify the additional efforts related to the stereotactic approach.
Spatial and temporal responses of metastatic renal cell carcinoma lesions to sequential treatments over a 10‐year period
Authors: Kobayashi Hirohito , Takagi Toshio , Iizuka Junpei , Yoshida Kazuhiko , Kondo Tsunenori , Tanabe Kazunari
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Survival among patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma has been prolonged with advancements in treatment; however, its cure remains challenging. We describe three patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who showed long‐term survival and discuss their response to sequential therapy.

Case presentation

Three patients underwent radical nephrectomy and subsequent treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. They received cytokine therapy, target therapy, and an immuno‐oncology drug. Metastatic growth patterns based on computed tomography scans were plotted using a line or bar graph to visualize the response to sequential therapy, and the numbers of International Metastatic renal cell carcinoma Database Consortium risk score were also calculated.

Conclusion

The metastatic lesions responded differently to the administered drugs, and the sum of the axis of measurable metastasis is valuable to get an overview of treatment. Furthermore, having the same or lower International Metastatic renal cell carcinoma Database Consortium risk score during sequential therapy, and long duration of each target therapy contributed to prolonged survival.
Photofunctionalizing effects of hydroxyapatite combined with TiO2 on bone regeneration in rabbit calvarial defects
Authors: Kim Shin‐Young , Bark Chung Wung , Van Quy Hoang , Seo Seung‐Jun , Lim Jae‐Hong , Lee Jae‐Mok , Suh Jo‐Young , Lee Youngkyun , Um Heung‐Sik , Kim Yong‐Gun
Published: December 2018

The hydrophilicity of bone graft material generally used as a carrier can play an important role in regulating bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) expression at the bone graft site. The hydrophilicity, altering physicochemical properties, and enhancing biological capabilities, can be increased via surface modification through ultraviolet (UV) photofunctionalization and the effect on de novo osteogenesis could be further improved. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of UV‐irradiated TiO2‐coated hydroxyapatite (HA) in combination with rhBMP‐2 on bone regeneration in rabbit calvarial defects.

The hydrophilicity of HA and TiO2‐coated HA pellets was evaluated by measuring the contact angle of water droplets with UV irradiation. To compare de novo osteogenesis in rabbit calvarial defects, the rabbits were segregated into four different groups: negative control, HA, TiO2‐coated HA, and TiO2‐coated HA with UV; histomorphometric analysis and micro‐computed tomography (μCT) imaging were performed after 4 and 8 weeks.

In vivo analysis revealed that de novo osteogenesis occurred on the critical size defects in all groups and was significantly increased in the TiO2‐coated HA with UV group than in other groups (p < 0.05). The present results indicate that UV photofunctionalization promotes de novo osteogenesis. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1953–1959, 2019.
A four‐gene signature predicts the efficacy of paclitaxel‐based neoadjuvant therapy in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative breast cancer
Authors: Li Zhi , Zhang Ye , Zhang Zhe , Zhao Zhenkun , Lv Qingjie
Published: December 2018

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is the major preoperative treatment of breast cancer (BC) with negative human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and the efficacy of NAC and the optimization of regimen are under intensive research. The current study aimed to define the predictive biomarkers for paclitaxel (PTX) response in NAC of HER2‐negative BC. Data from GSE25065, GSE26065, GSE41998, as well as drug sensitivity data of breast and ovarian cancer cell line from NCI60, were used. Through logistic regression, COX regression, and correlation analysis with bootstrapping, we found that four genes (CDK8, FAM64A, MARC2, and OCEL1) were associated with drug sensitivity of PTX. The four gene “≥3” model had the best classification accuracy. Subgroup analysis found that the model performed well in the hormone receptor positive, HER2‐negative subgroup and did not perform well in the triple‐negative subgroup. Decision curve analysis showed that the model could enhance the predictive effect of clinical features. Subsequent gene set enrichment analysis, network analysis showed that these genes may be related to the cell cycle, mitosis and other pathways. The current study demonstrated the promising potential of the novel four‐gene signature as a predictive biomarker for pathological complete response of HER2‐negative BC patients and indicated the drug sensitivity of PTX.
Yak OXGR1 promotes fibroblast proliferation via the PI3K/AKT pathways
Authors: Wang Qi , Zhang Quanwei , Zhang Yong , Zhao Xingxu
Published: December 2018

Oxoglutarate receptor 1 (OXGR1), as one of the intermediates in G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs), plays a crucial role in the citric acid cycle receptor of α‐ketoglutarate and metabolism. GPCR can control the cell proliferation by regulating the downstream signaling of G protein signaling pathways. The PI3K/AKT pathway transmits the downstream signals of GPCRs and receptor tyrosine kinases. However, the speciﬁc role of
OXGR1 promoting cell proliferation and differentiation are still unknown. In current study, the over‐expression vector and knockdown sequence of yak
OXGR1 were transfected into yak fibroblasts, and the effects were detected by a series of assays. The results revealed that
OXGR1 expression in yak lung parenchyma tissue was significantly higher than that of other tissues. In yak fibroblasts, the upregulated expression of
OXGR1 resulted in activating the
PIK3CG (downstream signal) of the PI3K/AKT1 pathway that can upregulated the expression of proliferation genes (
CDK1, PCNA, and
CyclinD1) and promote cell proliferation. Conversely, the downregulated expression of
OXGR1 inhibited cell proliferation via PI3K/AKT1 pathway. Cell cycle and cell proliferation assays demonstrated that over‐expression of
OXGR1 can enhanced the DNA synthesis and promoted yak fibroblasts proliferation. While the conversely, knockdown of
OXGR1 can decreased DNA synthesis and inhibited cell proliferation. These results illustrated that changes of
OXGR1 expression can trigger the fibroblasts proliferation via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which indicating that
OXGR1 is a novel regulator for cell proliferation and differentiation. Furthermore, these results provide evidence supporting the functional role of GPCRs‐PI3K‐AKT1 and
OXGR1 in cell proliferation.
RETRACTED: Downregulation of fibroblast growth factor 5 inhibits cell growth and invasion of human nonsmall‐cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Zhou Yanjuan , Yu Qiuhua , Chu Ying , Zhu Xiaobo , Deng Jianzhong , Liu Qian , Wang Qiang
Published: December 2018

The morbidity and mortality rates of nonsmall‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have increased in recent years. We aimed to explore the biological role of fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5) in NSCLC. We first established that the expression of FGF5 was increased in NSCLC tissues compared with the normal adjacent tissues. The expression of FGF5 was also increased in NSCLC cell lines. The effect of FGF5 silencing on cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of H661 and CALU1 cells was then examined. Downregulation of FGF5 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced G1 phase cell cycle arrest compared with the negative control small interfering (siNC) groups. Cell apoptosis was promoted by siFGF5 treatment. Cell migration and invasion of H661 and CALU1 cells with siFGF5 transfection were markedly diminished compared with the siNC groups. In addition, migration and invasion‐associated proteins (E‐cadherin, matrix metalloproteinase‐2 [MMP‐2], and MMP‐9) and epithelial mesenchymal transition markers (N‐cadherin, vimentin, snail, and slug) were also regulated by FGF5 siRNA treatment. Gene set enrichment analysis on The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset showed that the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) cell cycle and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathways were correlated with FGF5 expression, which was further confirmed in NSCLC cells by Western blot analysis. Our results indicated that FGF5 silencing suppressed cell growth and invasion via regulation of the cell cycle and VEGF pathways. Therefore, FGF5 may serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for NSCLC.
alpha1A‐adrenoceptor is involved in norepinephrine‐induced proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells via CaMKII signaling
Authors: Luo Qian , Wang Xiaoyan , Liu Ruxia , Qiao Hui , Wang Peng , Jiang Chao , Zhang Qianlong , Cao Yonggang , Yu Hang , Qu Lihui
Published: December 2018

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease of the pulmonary vasculature characterized by excessive proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Some studies have demonstrated the sympathetic nervous system is activated in PAH and norepinephrine (NE) released is closely linked with its activation. However, the subtypes of adrenoreceptor (AR) and the downstream molecular cascades which are involved in the proliferation of PASMCs are still unclear. In this study, adult male Wistar rats were exposed to chronic hypoxia and PASMCs were cultured in hypoxic condition. Significant upregulation of α1A‐AR was identified by Western blot analysis or immunofluorescence in all of the pulmonary arteries, lung tissues, and cell hypoxic models. Western blot analysis, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence were applied to detect the roles of α1A‐AR in NE mediated proliferation of PASMCs. We revealed 5‐methylurapidil (5‐MU) reversed NE‐induced upregulation of PCNA, CyclinA and CyclinE, more cells from G0/G1 phase to G2/M+S phase, enhancement of the microtubule formation. In addition, we found calcium/calmodulin(CaM)‐dependent protein kinase type II (CaMKII) pathway was involved in α1A‐AR‐mediated cell proliferation. [Ca2+]i measurements showed that an increase of [Ca2+]i caused by NE or/and hypoxia could be blocked by 5‐MU in PASMCs. Western blot analysis results demonstrated the augmentation of CaMKII phosphorylation level was caused by hypoxia or NE in pulmonary arteries, lung tissues, and PASMCs. KN62 attenuated NE‐induced proliferation of PASMCs under normoxia and hypoxia. In conclusion, those results suggested NE which stimulated α1A‐AR‐mediated the proliferation of PASMCs, which may be via the CaMKII pathway, and it could be used as a novel treatment strategy in PAH.
Long noncoding RNA HAND2‐AS1 inhibits cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in esophagus squamous cell carcinoma by regulating microRNA‐21
Authors: Yan Yusheng , Li Shaobin , Wang Suihai , Rubegni Pietro , Tognetti Linda , Zhang Jiaqing , Yan Lu
Published: December 2018

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) HAND2‐AS1 is a well‐characterized tumor suppressor in several types of malignancies, while its role in esophagus squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is unknown. In this study, we found that lncRNA
HAND2‐AS1 was downregulated, while
microRNA‐21 (
miRNA‐21) was upregulated in tumor tissues than in adjacent healthy tissues of ESCC patients. Expression levels of lncRNA
HAND2‐AS1 and
miRNA‐21 were significantly and inversely correlated in tumor tissues but not in healthy tissues. Plasma levels of lncRNA
HAND2‐AS1 were lower in ESCC patients than in healthy controls, and downregulation of plasma lncRNA HAND2‐AS1 distinguished early stage ESCC patients from healthy controls. lncRNA
HAND2‐AS1 overexpression resulted in downregulation of
miRNA‐21 in cells of ESCC cell lines and inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.
miRNA‐21 overexpression failed to affect lncRNA
HAND2‐AS1 expression but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effect of lncRNA
HAND2‐AS1 overexpression on cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Therefore, lncRNA
HAND2‐AS1 may inhibit cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in ESCC by regulating
miRNA‐21.
Immune associated LncRNAs identify novel prognostic subtypes of renal clear cell carcinoma
Authors: Khadirnaikar Seema , Kumar Pranjal , Pandi Sathiya N. , Malik Rohit , Dhanasekaran Saravana M. , Shukla Sudhanshu Kumar
Published: December 2018

Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (KIRC) is a significant cause of cancer‐related deaths. Here, we aim to identify the LncRNAs associated with the immune system and characterise their clinical utility in KIRC. A total of 504 patients’ data was used from TCGA‐GDC. In silico correlation analysis identified 143 LncRNAs associated with immune‐related genes (r > 0.7, P < 0.05). K‐means consensus method clustered KIRC samples in three immune clusters, namely cluster C1, C2, and C3 based on the expression of 143 immune‐related LncRNAs. Kaplan‐Meier analysis showed that C3 patients survived significantly worse than the other two clusters (P < 0.0001). A comparison of TCGA miRNA, mRNA cluster with immune cluster showed the independence and robustness of immune clusters (HR = 2.02 and P = 2.12 × 10−8). The GSEA and CIBERSORT analysis showed high enrichment of poorly activated T‐cells in C3 patients. To define LncRNA immune prognostic signature, we randomly divided the TCGA sample into discovery and validation sets. By utilising multivariate Cox regression analysis, we identified and validated a seven LncRNA immune prognostic signature score (LIPS score) (HR = 1.43 and P = 2.73 × 10−6) in KIRC. Comparison of LIPS score with all the clinical factors validated its independence and superiority in KIRC prognosis. In summary, we identified LncRNAs associated with the immune system and showed the presence of prognostic subtypes of KIRC patients based on immune‐related LncRNA expression. We also identified a novel immune LncRNA based gene‐signature for KIRC patients’ prognostication.
Twelve‐year Follow‐up of A Large Italian Family with Atypical Phenotypes of DYT1‐dystonia
Authors: Magrinelli Francesca , Bacchin Ruggero , Tinazzi Michele , Gambarin Mattia
Published: December 2018

Background

A heterozygous mutation in the TOR1A gene (DYT1) accounts for isolated dystonia typically presenting during childhood or adolescence, with initial involvement of one limb, spreading rapidly to other limbs and the trunk, sparing craniocervical muscles. However, atypical phenotypes, regarding age at onset, site of presentation, and spreading have been reported.

Methods and Findings

In 2006, we described a large Italian family showing atypical phenotypes and intrafamilial clinical variability of DYT1‐dystonia. The current article reports on a 12‐year follow‐up of this family, focusing on disease onset in three previously asymptomatic DYT1 mutation carriers, and the reassessment of initially affected individuals.

Conclusions

The new cases confirm the intrafamilial phenotypic heterogeneity of DYT1‐dystonia. Moreover, this case series highlights that symptoms in atypical phenotypes seem not to spread significantly and in the long term, rarely worsen. Prolonged follow‐up of DYT1‐positive pedigrees may expand the clinical spectrum of DYT1‐dystonia.
Differentially fed CP antenna with quasi‐self‐complementary semicircular‐ring structure
Authors: Lee Ching‐Her , Hong Wan‐Chu , Chen Wen‐Jie , Hsu Chung‐I G.
Published: December 2018

This article presents a new design of a common‐mode suppressed differentially fed circularly polarized (CP) antenna using a quasi‐self‐complementary (QSC) structure. The antenna radiating element consists of a semicircular‐ring radiating patch and its complementary radiating slot counterpart. The design idea for producing CP radiation is based on field orthogonality of the QSC structure. For better impedance matching, a fan‐shaped notch (stub) around the feeding position was cut from (implemented in) the semicircular radiating patch (slot). In addition, to improve the axial ratio, a QSC semielliptical structure is embedded in the central area of the antenna. For the designed differentially fed CP antenna, measurement shows that the differential‐mode (DM) operating band with return loss >10 dB covers 4.76‐6.38 GHz. The measured DM 3‐dB axial‐ratio band is 4.95‐5.43 GHz. Also, very good common‐mode (CM) suppression is observed with the measured CM reflection coefficient >−1.21 dB in 4.50‐6.5 GHz.
Investigation of “Zn2+ salt‐bondings” cross linked ENR with shape memory effect via ionic interactions
Authors: Zhang Yake , Li Hao , Li Caili , Chen Xian , Lesser Alan
Published: December 2018

In this article, the method of using zinc ionomer as the vulcanizing agent and the addition of metal salt to form Zn2+ salt‐bondings is proposed. The formation of Zn2+ salt‐bondings in the elastomer causes further self‐aggregation of ion pair Zn2+, resulting in ionic cross linking network. This cross‐linking is very effective in increasing the strength of rubber. Additionally, dissipated energy during the loading‐unloading process also increases, and more importantly, Tg increases with the higher cross‐link density. The tunable and comparatively broad tanδ peak makes such materials potentially useful in the fabrication of damping material with multishape memory properties. Therefore this study opens up an efficient and easy way to improve the performance of rubber and functional applications. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E367–E374, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Visualization analysis of reciprocating‐screw plastication process of glass fiber‐reinforced resins in a glass‐inserted heating cylinder
Authors: Ma Sai , Shibata Kazuyuki , Yokoi Hidetoshi
Published: December 2018

One challenge in injection molding of long fiber‐reinforced resins is minimizing the fiber breakage during resin plastication and resin flow into a mold. Such fiber breakage reduces the strength of the molded product. Reciprocating plastication is subjected to periodic positional fluctuations of the screw and cylinder in the molding cycle. In this study, visualization experiments were conducted on the reciprocating plastication of long glass fiber (GF)‐reinforced polypropylene with 50 wt% GF. It was found that: (1) temporary voids form in the resin during the metering process, and the pellets rotate from an orthogonal to parallel orientation in the flight direction; (2) length of the weight‐averaged fiber temporarily decreased in the middle stage of the injection process; (3) length of the weight‐averaged fiber was most strongly influenced by the waiting time; and (4) for constant waiting time, the fiber breakage could be minimized by lowering the rotation speed, lowering the back pressure, and shortening the charge stroke. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:846–853, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
PPICurator: A Tool for Extracting Comprehensive Protein–Protein Interaction Information
Authors: Li Mansheng , He Qiang , Ma Jie , He Fuchu , Zhu Yunping , Chang Cheng , Chen Tao
Published: December 2018

Protein–protein interaction extraction through biological literature curation is widely employed for proteome analysis. There is a strong need for a tool that can assist researchers in extracting comprehensive PPI information through literature curation, which is critical in research on protein, for example, construction of protein interaction network, identification of protein signaling pathway, and discovery of meaningful protein interaction. However, most of current tools can only extract PPI relations. None of them are capable of extracting other important PPI information, such as interaction directions, effects, and functional annotations. To address these issues, this paper proposes PPICurator, a novel tool for extracting comprehensive PPI information with a variety of logic and syntax features based on a new support vector machine classifier. PPICurator provides a friendly web‐based user interface. It is a platform that automates the extraction of comprehensive PPI information through literature, including PPI relations, as well as their confidential scores, interaction directions, effects, and functional annotations. Thus, PPICurator is more comprehensive than state‐of‐the‐art tools. Moreover, it outperforms state‐of‐the‐art tools in the accuracy of PPI relation extraction measured by F‐score and recall on the widely used open datasets. PPICurator is available at https://ppicurator.hupo.org.cn.
Photochemical generation of 9‐Fluorenyl radicals
Authors: Duffy Ian R. , Leigh William J. , Afifi Hanan , Ebead Abdelaziz , Fournier René , Lee‐Ruff Edward
Published: December 2018

A series of 9H‐fluorenols and 9H, 9′H‐bifluorenyls were irradiated in less polar solvents giving photoproducts derived from their corresponding 9H‐fluorenyl radicals. These transient species were directly observed by laser flash photolysis and their UV/visible spectra compared with those of their corresponding cations. Theoretical calculations (density functional theory [DFT]) of these intermediates indicate their destabilizing nature in similar fashion to the antiaromatic character of the corresponding cations.
The influence of intrinsic folding mechanism of an unfolded protein on the coupled folding‐binding process during target recognition
Authors: Xiong Junwen , Gao Meng , Zhou Jingjing , Liu Sen , Su Zhengding , Liu Zhirong , Huang Yongqi
Published: December 2018

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are extensively involved in dynamic signaling processes which require a high association rate and a high dissociation rate for rapid binding/unbinding events and at the same time a sufficient high affinity for specific recognition. Although the coupled folding‐binding processes of IDPs have been extensively studied, it is still impossible to predict whether an unfolded protein is suitable for molecular signaling via coupled folding‐binding. In this work, we studied the interplay between intrinsic folding mechanisms and coupled folding‐binding process for unfolded proteins through molecular dynamics simulations. We first studied the folding process of three representative IDPs with different folded structures, that is, c‐Myb, AF9, and E3 rRNase. We found the folding free energy landscapes of IDPs are downhill or show low barriers. To further study the influence of intrinsic folding mechanism on the binding process, we modulated the folding mechanism of barnase via circular permutation and simulated the coupled folding‐binding process between unfolded barnase permutant and folded barstar. Although folding of barnase was coupled to target binding, the binding kinetics was significantly affected by the intrinsic folding free energy barrier, where reducing the folding free energy barrier enhances binding rate up to two orders of magnitude. This accelerating effect is different from previous results which reflect the effect of structure flexibility on binding kinetics. Our results suggest that coupling the folding of an unfolded protein with no/low folding free energy barrier with its target binding may provide a way to achieve high specificity and rapid binding/unbinding kinetics simultaneously.
Co‐occurrence of V1016I and F1534C mutations in the voltage‐gated sodium channel and resistance to pyrethroids in Aedes aegypti (L.) from the Colombian Caribbean region
Authors: Maestre‐Serrano Ronald , Pareja‐Loaiza Paula , Gomez Camargo Doris , Ponce‐García Gustavo , Flores Adriana E
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

Knockdown resistance is conferred primarily by non‐synonymous mutations that reduce pyrethroids binding to voltage‐gated sodium channels. In 2014, kdr mutation V1016I in Aedes aegypti populations resistant to pyrethroids was reported for the first time in Colombiα, in 2016 another kdr mutation, F1534C, and in 2018 the mutation V419L. Nine populations of A. aegypti, previously characterized as being resistant to λ‐cyhalothrin, deltamethrin, cyfluthrin and permethrin, were used for this study. Genomic DNA was used to determine genotypes by allele‐specific PCR for mutations V1016I and F1534C, and to determine their association with pyrethroid resistance.

RESULTS

All the populations analyzed showed both mutations, with allelic frequencies of 0.07–0.35 for I1016 and 0.47–0.88 for C1534. A percentage of co‐occurrence of mutant homozygotes I1016/C1534 of 5.3% was detected. A significant positive correlation was found between the frequency of the genotype I1016 and the resistance to permethrin, λ‐cyhalothrin and cyfluthrin, but not to deltamethrin; on the other hand, the correlation was not significant for the C1534 genotype and the four pyrethroids evaluated. No significant correlation was found between the frequencies of the mutations V1016I and F1534C.

CONCLUSIONS

Both mutations V1016I and F1534C are present in A. aegypti populations of the Colombian Caribbean, and although the frequency of F1534C exceeds V1016I, the latter was correlated to resistance to pyrethroid insecticides. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Relativistic effects on the ring current strengths of the substituted borazine: B3N3H6 (X=H, F, Cl, Br, I, At)
Authors: Rabanal‐León Walter A. , Tiznado William , Alvarez‐Thon Luis
Published: December 2018

In this study, we report about the relativistic effects on the aromaticity of borazine, B3N3H6, and their halogenated derivatives (B3N3F6, B3N3Cl6, B3N3Br6, B3N3I6, and B3N3At6), via the magnetically‐induced current density method. All‐electron density functional theory calculations were carried out using the four‐component Dirac‐Coulomb hamiltonian, including scalar and spin‐orbit relativistic effects. Ring current strengths were obtained by numerical integration over the current flow. These values were compared to the spin‐free (scalar relativistic) and nonrelativistic values, to assess the corresponding contributions to aromaticity. It was found that in B3N3I6 and B3N3At6 there exists a significant spin‐orbit influence, in line with the expected relativistic effects associated to the heavy elements, iodine, and astatine.

Borazine, B3N3H6, is known to be slightly aromatic, but much less aromatic than benzene. The application of an external magnetic field induces a current density, that accounts for the delocalization and mobility of electrons in a molecule. Using this theoretical method, the aromaticity of the derivatives B3N3X6(X = H, F, Cl, Br, I, At) was investigated. The inclusion of heavy elements requires a relativistic treatment where the spin‐orbit coupling must be included. The figure shows the three‐dimensional pathways of the current density flow in B3N3At6.
An average case analysis of the minimum spanning tree heuristic for the power assignment problem
Authors: Graaf Maurits , Boucherie Richard J. , Hurink Johann L. , van Ommeren Jan‐Kees
Published: December 2018

We present an average case analysis of the minimum spanning tree heuristic for the power assignment problem. The worst‐case approximation ratio of this heuristic is 2. We show that in Euclidean d‐dimensional space, when the vertex set consists of a set of i.i.d. uniform random independent, identically distributed random variables in [0,1]d, and the distance power gradient equals the dimension d, the minimum spanning tree‐based power assignment converges completely to a constant depending only on d.
Pattern formation using polystyrene benzaldimine self‐assembled monolayer by soft X‐ray
Authors: Channapura Halappa Chandrashekhar , Park So‐Jin
Published: December 2018

A nanopatterning fabrication by soft X‐ray generated chemical construction of a polystyrene benzaldehydeimine monolayer has been carried out from the polystyrenebezaldehyde resin with (3‐aminopropyl) triethoxysilane for the first time. The molecular layer was exposed to soft X‐rays; the involved chemical modification on the monolayer was analyzed by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy‐attenuated total internal reflectance and contact angle measurement. As a result, we could confirm that the imine monolayer was cleaved upon the soft X‐ray irradiation, leaving the hydrophobic part, the imine functionality was changed into a new nonhydrolysable, and the hydrophilic amine functionality was established from the unexposed imine monolayer through acid hydrolysis. This above phenomenon is used for the patterning of self‐assembled monolayers. The microscope images revealed patterns as small as ≤52.4 nm with regular height and phase variations.
Effects of Coincident Site Lattice Grain Boundaries and Ordered Structures on Mechanical Properties of High Silicon Steel
Authors: Cai Guojun , Huang Yanru
Published: December 2018

The coincident site lattice (CSL) grain boundaries and ordered structures of high silicon steel are investigated through different warm rolling reductions. The results reveal that the plastic deformation ability of Fe–6.9 wt%Si warm‐rolled sheet mainly depends on the total content of special ∑CSL boundaries and antiphase domain of ordered structures. With the increase of rolling reductions from 65% to 86%, the superdislocation glide behavior of warm‐rolled sheets is changed into the single dislocation glide, as well as the fragmentation behavior of ordered structures at different rolling reductions causes a decrease in the sizes of antiphase domains. While the sharp and homogeneous distribution of γ‐orientation texture is beneficial to obtain a large fraction of ∑CSL boundaries that have great contribute to high resistance to the initiation and propagation of cracks. In the three‐point bending tests, the values of fracture deflection improves from 3.5 mm to 12.1 mm, and the mixed fracture mode of inter‐and trans‐granular is transformed into quasi‐cleavage fracture mode, which indicates the high rolling reduction is conducive to the improvement of plastic deformation ability.
In this issue of Weather
Authors: Galvin Jim
Published: December 2018

We begin the last issue of 2018 with an account of severe surface icing, due to freezing rain, in the Czech Republic in 2014. This phenomenon is difficult to forecast, given the critical balance between surface (and ground) temperatures and the warm advection that is bringing rain, rather than snow. The paper by P. Zahradníček and his co‐authors ‘The December 2014 glaze event in the Czech Republic: predictability and impacts’ portrays this well, beginning on p. 375.

Our 24th annual review of climate from the Hadley Centre at the Met Office begins on p. 382. ‘Global and regional climate in 2017’ by John Kennedy and his co‐authors shows how warm and wet much of the globe remained last year, despite the absence of El Niño conditions.

On p. 394, Ian Strangeways’ paper ‘William Henry Dines – a blue plaque commemoration’ gives us an account of the celebration of the addition, earlier this year, of a sign marking the life and work of a pioneer in meteorology in Benson (Oxfordshire).

Smog events – now largely absent in Europe and North America – are becoming an increasing hazard in the development world as cities grow and more people need to travel. The effects of a smog event in a northeastern Indian city are given by Sunil Gupta and Suresh Elumalai in ‘Adverse impacts of fog events during winter on fine particulate matter, CO and VOCs: a case study of a highway near Dhanbad, India’ on p. 396.

On p. 402, our last paper moves on to consider the details and effects of one of last year's damaging North Atlantic hurricanes as it affected Puerto Rico: ‘Hurricane Maria: 12 hours that changed the history of a country’ by Rafael Mendez Tejeda.