bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
3D Printed Disposable Wireless Ion Sensors with Biocompatible Cellulose Composites
Authors: Kim Taeil , Bao Chao , Hausmann Michael , Siqueira Gilberto , Zimmermann Tanja , Kim Woo Soo
Published: December 2018

As the wireless communication technologies are becoming more crucial for internet‐of‐things (IoT) electronic devices, sensors have also been equipped with wireless data collection. A conventional way to make wireless sensor systems is to develop active sensor devices with silicon‐based chip technologies integrated with an amplifier, a battery, a converter, among others. However, it is difficult to generate disposable inexpensive flexible sensors with all these rigid components. Here, 3D printed disposable wireless ion selective sensor systems with unique form factors, high sensitivity, and flexibility are reported. A 3D printable conductive ink is designed and optimized with cellulose nanofibers by addition of silver nanowires for sustainable and biocompatible sensor applications. Polyimide film which has high surface hydrophobicity is used as a substrate for better resolution of printing. The 3D printed wireless sensor system includes inductor–capacitor circuits, and ion selective membrane electrodes, which can detect quantitative ion concentrations selectively. The change of ion concentrations is detected by measuring the magnitude of S11, reflective coefficient at the resonant frequency of 2.36 GHz using a vector network analyzer. The demonstrated sensitivity is 3.4%/ m for ammonium ion (NH4+).
Association of low‐frequency genetic variants in regulatory regions with nonsyndromic orofacial clefts
Authors: Shaffer John R. , LeClair Jessica , Carlson Jenna C. , Feingold Eleanor , Buxó Carmen J. , Christensen Kaare , Deleyiannis Frederic W. B. , Field L. Leigh , Hecht Jacqueline T. , Moreno Lina , Orioli Ieda M. , Padilla Carmencita , Vieira Alexandre R. , Wehby George L. , Murray Jeffrey C. , Weinberg Seth M. , Marazita Mary L. , Leslie Elizabeth J.
Published: December 2018

Genome‐wide scans have shown that common risk alleles for orofacial clefts (OFC) tend to be located in noncoding regulatory elements and cumulatively explain only part of the heritability of OFCs. Low‐frequency variants may account for some of the “missing” heritability. Therefore, we scanned low‐frequency variants located within putative craniofacial enhancers to identify novel OFC risk variants and implicate new regulatory elements in OFC pathogenesis. Analyses were performed in a multiethnic sample of 1,995 cases of cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P), 221 cases with cleft palate (CP) only, and 1,576 unaffected controls. One hundred and nineteen putative craniofacial enhancers identified from ChIP‐Seq studies in craniofacial tissues or cell lines contained multiple low‐frequency (0.01–1%) variants, which we genotyped in participants using a custom Illumina panel. Two complementary statistical approaches, sequence kernel association test and combined multivariate and collapsing, were used to test association of the aggregated low‐frequency variants across each enhancer region with CL/P and CP. We discovered a significant association between CP and a branchial arch enhancer near FOXP1 (mm60; p‐value = .0002). Additionally, we observed a suggestive association between CL/P and a forebrain enhancer near FOXE1 (hs1717; p‐value = .001). These findings suggest that low‐frequency variants in craniofacial enhancer regions contribute to the complex etiology of nonsyndromic OFCs.
Copper‐Catalysed Multicomponent Syntheses of Heterocycles
Authors: Cherian Reeba Mary , Harry Nissy Ann , Saranya Salim , Rohit K. R. , Anilkumar Gopinathan
Published: December 2018

Heterocycles cover a wide range of organic compounds and are ubiquitous in different areas of life sciences and technology. Multicomponent syntheses of heterocycles are very advantageous in comparison with the classical methods of heterocycle synthesis. In this review, copper‐catalysed multicomponent reactions used for the synthesis of heterocycles published between 2004 and 2018 are summarised.
Enhanced Electroreduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol Using Zinc Dendrites Pulse‐Deposited on Silver Foam
Authors: Low Qi Hang , Loo Nicholas Wei Xian , Calle‐Vallejo Federico , Yeo Boon Siang
Published: December 2018

The electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) can dynamise the carbon cycle by lowering anthropogenic CO2 emissions and sustainably producing valuable fuels and chemical feedstocks. Methanol is arguably the most desirable C1 product of CO2RR, although it typically forms in negligible amounts. In our search for efficient methanol‐producing CO2RR catalysts, we have engineered Ag‐Zn catalysts by pulse‐depositing Zn dendrites onto Ag foams (PD‐Zn/Ag foam). By themselves, Zn and Ag cannot effectively reduce CO2 to CH3OH, while their alloys produce CH3OH with Faradaic efficiencies of approximately 1 %. Interestingly, with nanostructuring PD‐Zn/Ag foam reduces CO2 to CH3OH with Faradaic efficiency and current density values reaching as high as 10.5 % and −2.7 mA cm−2, respectively. Control experiments and DFT calculations pinpoint strained undercoordinated Zn atoms as the active sites for CO2RR to CH3OH in a reaction pathway mediated by adsorbed CO and formaldehyde. Surprisingly, the stability of the *CHO intermediate does not influence the activity.
Speckle observations with PISCO in Merate (Italy): XVI. Astrometric measurements of visual binaries in 2015, and new orbits for DUN 5, ADS 5958, 6276, 7294, 8211, and 13169
Authors: Scardia M. , Prieur J.‐L. , Pansecchi L. , Argyle R. W. , Zanutta A. , Aristidi E.
Published: December 2018

We present relative astrometric measurements of visual binaries, made in 2015, with the speckle camera PISCO of the 102‐cm Zeiss telescope of Brera Astronomical Observatory, Merate, Italy. Our observing list contains orbital couples as well as binaries whose motion is still uncertain. We obtained 196 new measurements of 173 visual binary stars, with angular separations in the range 0″.27–11″.3, and an average accuracy of 0″.019. The mean error on the position angles is 0°.6. Most of the position angles were determined without the usual 180° ambiguity with the application of triple‐correlation techniques and/or by inspection of the long integration files. We present new revised orbits for DUN 5, ADS 5958, 6276, 7294, 8211, and 13169, partly derived from PISCO observations. The corresponding estimated values for the masses of those systems are compatible with the spectral types. We also computed new rectilinear elements for ADS 4841 for which the physical connection is doubtful from our (and other recent) observations.
Vanadium Oxide Nanosheets for Flexible Dendrite‐Free Hybrid Aluminium‐Lithium‐Ion Batteries with Excellent Cycling Performance
Authors: Gong Xuefei , Chen Jingwei , Li Shaohui , Mohrhusen Lars , Al‐Shamery Katharina , Lee Pooi See
Published: December 2018

Aluminum (Al)‐ion batteries can be an attractive alternative to lithium‐ion batteries because of low costs, high volumetric capacities and dendrite‐free formation when Al is used as anode. However, there are limited cathode materials for Al‐ion batteries that can deliver satisfactory electrochemical performance, especially cycling stability. The major reason for that is the sluggish kinetics of ion intercalation/deintercalation, resulting from large coulombic attraction between Al3+ and cathodes. Herein, a concept of hybrid Al−Li‐ion batteries is proposed to circumvent the poor Al3+ ions insertion/extraction kinetics in Al‐ion batteries, and maintain the dendrite‐free characteristics of Al‐ion batteries. The high volumetric capacity (32.5 mAh/cm3 at 100 mA/cm3, based on the total volume of cathode), enhanced rate capability (21.5 mAh/cm3 at 1000 mA/cm3) and excellent cycling performance (70.1 % retention after 3000 cycles) have been achieved in the hybrid Al−Li‐ion battery composed of vanadium oxide nanosheets on carbon fibers as cathode and Al as anode in a mixed [EMIM][Cl]/AlCl3/LiCl electrolyte. Combining with the good flexibility of cathode and anode, the hybrid Al−Li‐ion battery maintains structural and capacity stability under different bending angles. This study unveils a safe, cost‐effective and flexible hybrid Al−Li‐ion battery that presents highly competitive advantages among various energy storage devices.
Systematic review of endovascular intervention and surgery for common femoral artery atherosclerotic disease
Authors: Jia X , Sun Z D , Patel J V , Flood K , Stocken D D , Scott D J A
Published: December 2018

Background

Endovascular intervention has emerged as a potential alternative to open surgery in treating common femoral artery (CFA) atherosclerotic disease. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the safety and efficacy of both techniques.

Methods

Thirteen electronic databases from 1980 to 3 January 2018 were searched. Study quality was assessed using the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Interventional Procedure Programme quality assessment tool. Safety and efficacy outcome measures were analysed.

Results

Thirty-one studies reporting 813 endovascular procedures and 3835 endarterectomies were included. Only two small RCTs have been reported. The methodological quality of available studies was generally low and follow-up short. Safety endpoint assessment revealed a similar risk of wound haematoma for endovascular intervention and endarterectomy (5·5 (95 per cent c.i. 0·2 to 17·2) versus 3·9 (1·7 to 6·9) per cent respectively), a lower risk of wound infection with endovascular procedures (0 versus 5·9 (3·4 to 9·0) per cent) and a lower risk of wound lymph leakage (0 versus 5·7 (3·3 to 8·6) per cent). Efficacy endpoint assessment at 1 year identified that endovascular intervention had a lower primary patency rate than endarterectomy (78·8 (73·3 to 83·8) versus 96·0 (92·2 to 98·6) per cent respectively), a higher revascularization rate (16·0 (6·1 to 29·4) versus 5·8 (1·0 to 14·2) per cent) and a similar amputation rate (2·7 (1·2 to 4·8) versus 1·9 (0·7 to 3·8) per cent).

Conclusion

Endovascular intervention of CFA disease appears to reduce the risk of wound complications but is associated with a lower patency rate and increased rates of subsequent revascularization procedures. Standardization of the endovascular technique and quantification of the proportions of patients suitable for either technique are required.
Systematic review of management of incidental gallbladder cancer after cholecystectomy
Authors: Søreide K , Guest R V , Harrison E M , Kendall T J , Garden O J , Wigmore S J
Published: December 2018

Background

Gallbladder cancer is rare, but cancers detected incidentally after cholecystectomy are increasing. The aim of this study was to review the available data for current best practice for optimal management of incidental gallbladder cancer.

Methods

A systematic PubMed search of the English literature to May 2018 was conducted.

Results

The search identified 12 systematic reviews and meta-analyses, in addition to several consensus reports, multi-institutional series and national audits. Some 0·25–0·89 per cent of all cholecystectomy specimens had incidental gallbladder cancer on pathological examination. Most patients were staged with pT2 (about half) or pT1 (about one-third) cancers. Patients with cancers confined to the mucosa (T1a or less) had 5-year survival rates of up to 100 per cent after cholecystectomy alone. For cancers invading the muscle layer of the gallbladder wall (T1b or above), reresection is recommended. The type, extent and timing of reresection remain controversial. Observation time may be used for new cross-sectional imaging with CT and MRI. Perforation at initial surgery had a higher risk of disease dissemination. Gallbladder cancers are PET-avid, and PET may detect residual disease and thus prevent unnecessary surgery. Routine laparoscopic staging before reresection is not warranted for all stages. Risk of peritoneal carcinomatosis increases with each T category. The incidence of port-site metastases is about 10 per cent. Routine resection of port sites has no effect on survival. Adjuvant chemotherapy is poorly documented and probably underused.

Conclusion

Management of incidental gallbladder cancer continues to evolve, with more refined suggestions for subgroups at risk and a selective approach to reresection.
3,6‐Dihydroxyflavone: A Potent Inhibitor with Anti‐Inflammatory Activity Targeting Toll‐like Receptor 2
Authors: Balasubramanian Pavithra K. , Kim Jieun , Son Kkabi , Durai Prasannavenkatesh , Kim Yangmee
Published: December 2018

Toll‐like receptors are membrane‐bound proteins which plays a vital role in the regulation of innate immune response which is involved in various inflammatory disorders. 3,6‐Dihydroxyflavone (3,6‐DHF) is a known chemo preventive agent which is used in the treatment of various cancers including breast cancer and an effective JNK kinase inhibitor which can efficiently block the TLR2‐mediated signaling pathways. In this current study, we have explored inhibition of 3,6‐DHF in TLR2/TLR1 heterodimerization. We stimulated HEK cells by Pam3CSK4 which specifically induced inflammation through TLR2/TLR1 binding. Secretion of the inflammatory cytokine in Pam3CSK4‐induced HEK293‐hTLR2 cells was considerably reduced by 3,6‐DHF, implying that 3,6‐DHF inhibited Pam3CSK4‐induced TLR2/TLR1 signaling specifically. In addition, 3,6‐DHF did not cause severe cytotoxicity against human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells at high concentration up to 100 μM. The binding affinity of 3,6‐DHF to TLR2 and TLR1 was explored with 10−5 affinity using bio‐layer interferometry and molecular docking studies identified the important active site residues that participate in the inhibition of TLR2/TLR1 heterodimerization. Our results showed that 3,6‐DHF inhibits TLR2‐mediated inflammatory signaling by direct binding and the insights in designing more potent drug candidates by targeting the interacting crucial active site residues in TLR2/TLR1.
Fluorescing Isofunctional Ribonucleosides: Assessing Adenosine Deaminase Activity and Inhibition
Authors: Ludford Paul T. , Rovira Alexander R. , Fin Andrea , Tor Yitzhak
Published: December 2018

The enzymatic conversion of isothiazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidine‐based adenosine (tzA) and 2‐aminoadenosine (tz2‐AA) analogues to the corresponding isothiazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidine‐based inosine (tzI) and guanosine (tzG) derivatives is evaluated and compared to the conversion of native adenosine to inosine. Henri–Michaelis–Menten analyses provides the foundation for a high‐throughput screening assay, and the efficacy of the assay is showcased by fluorescence‐based analysis of tzA conversion to tzI in the presence of known and newly synthesized inhibitors.
Trans‐apical systemic tricuspid valve‐in‐ring replacement
Authors: Ghobrial Joanna , Reemtsen Brian , Levi Daniel S. , Aboulhosn Jamil
Published: December 2018

Transcatheter valve replacement offers a safe and effective alternative to traditional surgical techniques in patients with congenital heart disease, especially those at high surgical risk. The most common causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with D‐transposition of the great arteries status post Senning or Mustard repair is severe tricuspid valve (TV) regurgitation. Replacement of the systemic TV may be useful in those without severe systemic ventricular dysfunction. We present a case of a patient with D‐loop transposition of the great arteries status post Mustard repair and TV ring placement with subsequent severe systemic TV regurgitation, at high surgical risk, who underwent a transcatheter valve replacement via a trans‐apical approach using an Edwards Sapien XT valve.
Polymyositis with antisynthetase syndrome presented with lobular panniculitis: A case report
Authors: Rungcharunthanakul Amornrat , Sampattavanich Nattaporn
Published: December 2018

Key Clinical Message

Panniculitis is rarely seen in polymyositis. To the best of our knowledge, we report the first case of panniculitis which precedes the antisynthetase syndrome.
Discovery of a Fischer‐Tropsch Hybrid Reaction: Hydrogenation of Methylformate to Long‐Chain Hydrocarbons with Anderson‐Schulz‐Flory Chain Length Distribution
Authors: Iablokov Viacheslav , Kruse Norbert
Published: December 2018

We report on the formation of chain‐lengthened hydrocarbons through hydrogenation of methyl formate over a Co/MgO heterogeneous catalyst and provide time‐dependent product spectra through Chemical Transient Kinetics. The results bear striking similarities with the CO hydrogenation over the same catalyst under essentially identical reaction conditions. Accordingly, hydrocarbons are mainly composed of straight paraffins besides smaller amounts of iso‐products and olefins. The kinetic analysis demonstrates methyl formate to undergo dissociative chemisorption and reaction rather than hydrogenation as a molecule. The initiation of C2+ hydrocarbon chain lengthening occurs time‐delayed and is correlated with gaseous CO and CO2 formation. Straight paraffins appear sequentially with about 1…2 s time increments between successive homologues. The chain growth follows polymerization‐type kinetics according to Anderson‐Schulz‐Flory, similar to the Fischer‐Tropsch reaction of CO hydrogenation.
Sweet Potato Bioethanol Upgrade Using Organic and Inorganic Dehydrating Agents
Authors: Silva Joab V. , Pardilhó Sara L. , Almeida Manuel F. , Alvim-Ferraz Maria C. , Dias Joana M.
Published: December 2018

Glycerol, ethylene glycol, and quicklime were used as alternative dehydrating agents to obtain anhydrous bioethanol from sweet potato. The assay conditions were standardized using high bioethanol grades. For organic reagents, three volumetric ratios were studied whereas for quicklime, five concentrations were evaluated. Quicklime led to the highest bioethanol purity of 99.4 °GL, followed by glycerol and ethylene glycol, reaching 96.9 and 96.6 °GL, respectively. Glycerol and ethylene glycol were reused for 4 cycles with negligible loss of efficiency; however, the yield decreased by up to 8 %.
Octacarbonyl Anion Complexes of the Late Lanthanides Ln(CO)8− (Ln=Tm, Yb, Lu) and the 32‐Electron Rule
Authors: Jin Jiaye , Pan Sudip , Jin Xiaoyang , Lei Shujun , Zhao Lili , Frenking Gernot , Zhou Mingfei
Published: December 2018

The lanthanide octacarbonyl anion complexes Ln(CO)8− (Ln=Tm, Yb, Lu) were produced in the gas phase and detected by mass‐selected infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in the carbonyl stretching‐frequency region. By comparison of the experimental CO‐stretching frequencies with calculated data, which are strongly red‐shifted with respect to free CO, the Yb(CO)8− and Lu(CO)8− complexes were determined to possess octahedral (Oh) symmetry and a doublet X2A2u (Yb) and singlet X1A1g (Lu) electronic ground state, whereas Tm(CO)8− exhibits a D4h equilibrium geometry and a triplet X3B1g ground state. The analysis of the electronic structures revealed that the metal‐CO attractive forces come mainly from covalent orbital interactions, which are dominated by [Ln(d)]→(CO)8 π backdonation and [Ln(d)]←(CO)8 σ donation (contributes ≈77 and 16 % to covalent bonding, respectively). The metal f orbitals play a very minor role in the bonding. The electronic structure of all three lanthanide complexes obeys the 32‐electron rule if only those electrons that occupy the valence orbitals of the metal are considered.
Substitution‐Inert Polynuclear Platinum Complexes Act as Potent Inducers of Condensation/Aggregation of Short Single‐ and Double‐Stranded DNA and RNA Oligonucleotides
Authors: Malina Jaroslav , Farrell Nicholas P. , Brabec Viktor
Published: December 2018

Compounds condensing DNA and RNA molecules can essentially affect important biological processes including DNA replication and transcription. Here, this work shows with the aid of total intensity light scattering, gel electrophoresis, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) that the substitution‐inert polynuclear platinum complexes (SI‐PPCs), particularly [{trans‐Pt(NH3)2(NH2(CH2)6‐ NH3+)}2‐μ‐{trans‐Pt(NH3)2(NH2(CH2)6NH2)2}]8+ (Triplatin NC), exhibit an unprecedented high potency to condense/aggregate fragments of DNA and RNA as short as 20 base pairs. SI‐PPCs condensates are distinctive from those generated by the naturally occurring polyamines (commonly used DNA compacting/condensing agents). Collectively, the results further confirm that SI‐PPCs are very efficient inducers of condensation of DNA and RNA, including their short fragments that might have potential in gene therapy, biotechnology, and bionanotechnology. Moreover, the data confirm the structural advantages of the phosphate clamp, with a well‐defined rigid DNA recognition motif in initiating condensation and aggregation phenomena on oligonucleotides.
Modellierung und Simulation von Vollmantelzentrifugen als ein Aspekt der voranschreitenden Digitalisierung in der Fest/Flüssig‐Trennung
Authors: Hammerich Simon , Gleiß Marco , Nirschl Hermann
Published: December 2018

Im Zuge der Initiative Industrie 4.0 erhöht sich der Digitalisierungsgrad auch in der Prozessindustrie. Eine enge Verknüpfung von Analyseverfahren und dynamischer Prozessmodelle erlaubt die Optimierung der Prozesskontrolle und Steuerung auch in der industriellen Trenntechnik. Zu diesem Zweck müssen mathematische Modelle zur Beschreibung der Prozessebene in Echtzeit bekannt sein. Im Bereich der Fest/Flüssig‐Trennung erzwingt die voranschreitende Digitalisierung die Entwicklung von numerischen Methoden und von Short‐cut‐Modellen zur Vertiefung des Prozessverständnisses und der besseren Auslegung der Anlagen. Aufgelöste Strömungssimulationen dienen hier als Unterstützung zu Experimenten und zur Ableitung geeigneter Short‐cut‐Modelle. Am Beispiel von Vollmantelzentrifugen wird die Entwicklung dynamischer Prozessmodelle und deren Anwendung beschrieben.
Thrombo‐embolic complications in takotsubo syndrome: Review and demonstration of an illustrative case
Authors: Y‐Hassan Shams , Holmin Staffan , Abdula Goran , Böhm Felix
Published: December 2018

Thrombo‐embolism is one of the serious complications of takotsubo syndrome (TS) in addition to heart failure, pulmonary edema, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, life‐threatening arrhythmias, left ventricular outlet tract obstruction, mitral regurgitation, cardiac rupture, and death. The most common cardio‐embolic events in TS are cerebral, renal, and peripheral embolism. Approximately, one‐third of patients with left ventricular thrombus (LVT) in TS develop embolic complications. Cardio‐embolism in TS may occur with or without the presence of detectable LVT. In the present report, the thrombo‐embolic complications in TS with the emphasis on the association of TS to both acute coronary syndrome (ACS) including coronary embolism and ischemic stroke including cerebral embolism are reviewed. This serious complication is elucidated by demonstration of the case of a 67‐year‐woman with mid‐apical TS complicated by LVT, left anterior descending artery (LAD) and left middle cerebral artery (segment M2) thrombo‐embolic occlusions. The cerebral artery thrombotic occlusion was treated successfully with endovascular thrombectomy with complete resolution of the neurological deficits. There was spontaneous recanalization of the apical LAD occlusion verified by cardiac computed tomography angiography.
Development of an entirely remote, non‐physician led hypertension management program
Authors: Fisher Naomi D.L. , Fera Liliana E. , Dunning Jacqueline R. , Desai Sonali , Matta Lina , Liquori Victoria , Pagliaro Jaclyn , Pabo Erika , Merriam Mary , MacRae Calum A. , Scirica Benjamin M.
Published: December 2018

Background

Hypertension remains poorly controlled on the population level. National rates of control, even when defined leniently by BP < 140/90 mm Hg, are only ~50%. As growing healthcare costs coincide with tighter blood pressure (BP) targets, innovative management programs are needed to maximize efficiency of care delivery and optimize control.

Hypothesis

We aimed to develop a remote, navigator‐led hypertension innovation program that would leverage algorithmic care pathways, home BP measurements and patient coaching to allow rapid and complete medication titration.

Methods

A multidisciplinary group of clinical experts from subspecialties and primary care collaborated to develop an evidence‐based clinical algorithm, designed to be automated and administered by non‐licensed patient navigators. In the development stage, a prospective pilot cohort of 130 patients was managed by nurse practitioners and pharmacists to ensure efficacy and safety. Patients with clinic BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg were enrolled and given a Bluetooth‐enabled BP device. Home BPs were transmitted automatically into the electronic medical record. Medication titrations were performed by phone at biweekly intervals, based upon weekly average BP, until home BP was controlled at <135/85 mm Hg.

Results

Eighty‐one percent of all enrolled, and 91% of those patients who regularly measured home BP achieved goal, in an average of 7 weeks. Control was reached similarly across races, genders, and ages.

Conclusions

A home‐based BP control program run by non‐physicians can provide efficient, effective and rapid control, suggesting an innovative paradigm for hypertension management. This program is effective, sustainable, adaptable, and scalable to fit current and emerging national systems of healthcare.
A Ternary Pt/Au/TiO2‐Decorated Plasmonic Wood Carbon for High‐Efficiency Interfacial Solar Steam Generation and Photodegradation of Tetracycline
Authors: Wang Minmin , Wang Ping , Zhang Jie , Li Chuanping , Jin Yongdong
Published: December 2018

A ternary Pt/Au/TiO2 nanoparticle (NP) decorated plasmonic wood carbon has been successfully fabricated by a simple two‐step calcination method. The as‐prepared Pt/Au/TiO2 NP‐decorated wood carbon showed an interfacial solar steam generation efficiency up to 90.4 %. Furthermore, the floating system exhibits an excellent photodegradation of tetracycline (TC; 40 mg L−1). Up to 94 % degradation was achieved after 80 min of continuous light irradiation (λ>420 nm) with the assistance of solar steam process. The photocatalysis is promoted by the introduction of Pt/Au nanocomponents, which suppress the recombination of electron–hole pairs generated on TiO2 and facilitate electron transfer. High‐performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was employed to identify the reaction products of the photocatalytic system and a mechanistic insight was also provided. The as‐prepared three‐dimensional plasmonic wood carbon has a high photocatalytic performance. Such wood carbon‐based system is recyclable and scalable for practical and versatile solar‐driven clean water generation.
Simultaneous Purification of Round and Elongated Spermatids from Testis Tissue Using a FACS‐Based DNA Ploidy Assay
Authors: Struijk R.B. , De Winter‐Korver C.M. , van Daalen S.K.M. , Hooibrink B. , Repping S. , van Pelt A.M.M.
Published: December 2018

Spermiogenesis is the final phase of spermatogenesis during which post‐meiotic haploid round spermatids (rSpt) differentiate into elongated spermatozoa and includes several critical cell‐specific processes like DNA condensation, formation of the acrosome, and production of the flagellum. Disturbances in this process will lead to complications in sperm development and subsequently cause infertility. As such, studying spermiogenesis has clinical relevance in investigating the etiology of male infertility and will improve our scientific understanding of male germ cell formation. Here, we were able to purify round spermatid and elongated spermatid fractions from a single cryopreserved human testicular tissues sample with an efficiency of 85.4% ± 4.9% and 97.6% ± 0.6%, respectively. We confirmed the cell types by morphology and immunohistochemistry for histone H4 and PNA protein expression. The purity was measured by manual counting of histone H4 positive (round) and negative (elongated) spermatids in both sorted 1 N cell fractions. This method can be applied to both human and rodent studies. Especially in studies with limited access to testicular tissue, this method provides a reliable means to simultaneously isolate these cell types with high purity. Our method allows for further investigation of germ cell development and the process of spermiogenesis in particular, as well as provides a tool to study the etiology of male infertility, including morphological and biochemical assessment of round and elongating spermatids from subfertile men. © 2018 The Authors. Cytometry Part A published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
Diagnostic clues indicating tall cell variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma in fine needle aspiration
Authors: Tanaka Aki , Hirokawa Mitsuyoshi , Higuchi Miyoko , Suzuki Ayana , Yamao Naoki , Hayashi Toshitetsu , Kuma Seiji , Miyauchi Akira
Published: December 2018

Background

The definition of tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (TCV‐PTC) depends on the articles, and the defined cytological findings characteristic of TCV‐PTC have not yet been fully analyzed. This study aimed to establish the cytological characteristics of TCV‐PTC.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the smears of 19 TCV‐PTC and 50 conventional PTC (C‐PTC) cases.

Results

Palisaded pattern with the nuclei locating at the base of tall columnar carcinoma cells was seen in 94.7% of TCV‐PTCs, and the incidence was significantly higher than that of C‐PTCs (P < .0001). The palisaded pattern tended to appear at the periphery of the cell clusters. Isolated tall columnar carcinoma cells were present in 89.5% of TCV‐PTCs. The incidence was significantly higher than that of C‐PTC (P = .0001). Tombstone appearance was identified in 78.9% of TCV‐PTCs, but not in C‐PTCs. Spindle‐like carcinoma cells with tapering cytoplasmic end appeared in 68.4% and 12.0% of TCV‐PTC and C‐PTC, respectively (P < .0001). The cytoplasm of TCV‐PTC was densely stained and its cell border was distinct. Cytoplasmic elongation toward an outside of the cell clusters was observed in 89.5% of TCV‐PTCs.

Conclusion

It is the most important to identify the presence of the tall columnar carcinoma cells on the cytological preparations, in order to distinguish TCV‐PTC from C‐PTC. We propose five cytological findings indicating TCV‐PTC, (1) palisaded pattern, (2) tall columnar cells with the heights of at least three times their widths, (3) tombstone appearance, (4) spindle‐like carcinoma cells, and (5) cytoplasmic elongation.
Biocatalytic synthesis of diaryl disulphides and their bio‐evaluation as potent inhibitors of drug‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Saima  , Soni Isha , Lavekar Aditya G. , Shukla Manjulika , Equbal Danish , Sinha Arun K. , Chopra Sidharth
Published: December 2018

Staphylococcus aureus is a WHO Priority II pathogen for its capability to cause acute to chronic infections and to resist antibiotics, thus severely impacting healthcare systems worldwide. In this context, it is urgently desired to discover novel molecules to thwart the continuing emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Disulphide containing small molecules has gained prominence as antibacterials. As their conventional synthesis requires tedious synthetic procedure and sometimes toxic reagents, a green and environmentally benign protocol for their synthesis has been developed through which a series of molecules were obtained and evaluated for antibacterial activity against ESKAPE pathogen panel. The hit compound was tested for cytotoxicity against Vero cells to determine its selectivity index and time‐kill kinetics was determined. The activity of hit was determined against a panel of S. aureus multi‐drug resistant clinical isolates. Also, its ability to synergize with FDA approved drugs was tested as was its ability to reduce biofilm. We identified bis(2‐bromophenyl) disulphide (2t) as possessing equipotent antimicrobial activity against S. aureus including MRSA and VRSA strains. Further, 2t exhibited a selectivity index of 25 with concentration‐dependent bactericidal activity, synergized with all drugs tested and significantly reduced preformed biofilm. Taken together, 2t exhibits all properties to be positioned as novel scaffold for anti‐staphylococcal therapy.
The Bogert effect revisited: Salamander regulatory behaviors are differently constrained by time and space
Authors: Farallo Vincent R. , Wier Rebecca , Miles Donald B.
Published: December 2018

The use of behavior to buffer extreme environmental variation is expected to enable species to (a) extend the breadth of environments they inhabit beyond that predicted from climatic data and (b) diminish the negative effects of broad scale and chronic disturbances such as climate change. The term Bogert effect refers to behavioral compensation entailing microhabitat selection to maintain performance across a gradient of environmental conditions resulting in evolutionary inertia of physiological traits. Here, we compare microhabitats used by plethodontid salamanders distributed along an elevational gradient to determine whether there is behavioral compensation that buffers them from deleterious temperatures and moisture levels. Overall, salamanders preferred cooler and more mesic environments and occupied microhabitats that maintained constant moisture conditions at both high‐ and low‐elevation sites. Our results suggest that salamanders use microhabitats to regulate temperature and moisture levels, which is consistent with the Bogert effect. Maintenance of more moist conditions may help buffer these species from rising temperatures but only in suitable high‐elevation environments that are likely to disappear over the next century. We conclude that behavioral regulation of temperature and moisture is a potential mechanism for the Bogert effect in plethodontid salamanders.
Bombus terrestris in a mass‐flowering pollinator‐dependent crop: A mutualistic relationship?
Authors: Knapp Jessica L. , Becher Matthias A. , Rankin Charlotte C. , Twiston‐Davies Grace , Osborne Juliet L.
Published: December 2018

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) rely on an abundant and diverse selection of floral resources to meet their nutritional requirements. In farmed landscapes, mass‐flowering crops can provide an important forage resource for bumblebees, with increased visitation from bumblebees into mass‐flowering crops having an additional benefit to growers who require pollination services. This study explores the mutualistic relationship between Bombus terrestris L. (buff‐tailed bumblebee), a common species in European farmland, and the mass‐flowering crop courgette (Cucurbita pepo L.) to see how effective B. terrestris is at pollinating courgette and in return how courgette may affect B. terrestris colony dynamics. By combining empirical data on nectar and pollen availability with model simulations using the novel bumblebee model Bumble‐BEEHAVE, we were able to quantify and simulate for the first time, the importance of courgette as a mass‐flowering forage resource for bumblebees. Courgette provides vast quantities of nectar to ensure a high visitation rate, which combined with abundant pollen grains, enables B. terrestris to have a high pollination potential. While B. terrestris showed a strong fidelity to courgette flowers for nectar, courgette pollen was not found in any pollen loads from returning foragers. Nonetheless, model simulations showed that early season courgette (nectar) increased the number of hibernating queens, colonies, and adult workers in the modeled landscapes. Synthesis and applications. Courgette has the potential to improve bumblebee population dynamics; however, the lack of evidence of the bees collecting courgette pollen in this study suggests that bees can only benefit from this transient nectar source if alternative floral resources, particularly pollen, are also available to fulfill bees’ nutritional requirements in space and time. Therefore, providing additional forage resources could simultaneously improve pollination services and bumblebee populations.
Grazing buffers the effect of climate change on the species diversity of seedlings in an alpine meadow on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wang Duo‐Bin , Wang Xin‐You , Wu Yuan , Lin Hui‐Long
Published: December 2018

Climate change predominated by warming over the past decades has affected plant biodiversity, distribution, and ecosystem functioning in alpine grasslands. Yet, little is known about the interactive effect of climate change and grazing on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Here, we conducted a vegetation translocation experiment (ten soil‐vegetation blocks were translocated from high‐altitudinal site 3,245 m to low‐altitudinal site 3,045 m) combined with grazing treatment in an alpine meadow on the Tibetan Plateau. The results showed that (a) translocation induced effect of climate change from harsh, high‐altitudinal site to benign, low‐altitudinal site significantly promoted species richness, and density of asexual and sexual seedling, with an increase in the proportion of asexual recruitment to sexual recruitment; (b) grazing decreased the proportion of asexual seedling to sexual recruitment within community, led to a shift in the dominant plant functional groups from graminoids and legumes to forbs; and (c) grazing partly offset the increased species richness of seedling, but not seedling density, induced by climate change. These findings suggest that moderate grazing may buffer the effect of climate change on the plant community composition, and thus, functional role in alpine meadows. Further understanding the influence of climate change on grassland ecosystems needs to consider the non‐additive effect of grazing and climate change to sustainability of grassland services.
The effect of bromocriptine on left ventricular functional recovery in peripartum cardiomyopathy: insights from the BRO‐HF retrospective cohort study
Authors: Tremblay‐Gravel Maxime , Marquis‐Gravel Guillaume , Avram Robert , Desplantie Olivier , Ducharme Anique , Bibas Lior , Pacheco Christine , Couture Etienne , Simard François , Poulin Anthony , Malhamé Isabelle , Tran Dan , Rey Evelyne , Tournoux François , Harvey Luc , Sénéchal Mario , Bélisle Pierre , Descarries Laurence , Farand Paul , Pranno Nicolas , Diaz Ariel , Afilalo Jonathan , Ly Hung Q. , Fortier Annik , Jolicoeur Etienne Marc ,   on behalf of the BRO‐HF investigators
Published: December 2018

Aims

Bromocriptine is thought to facilitate left ventricular (LV) recovery in peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) through inhibition of prolactin secretion. However, this potential therapeutic effect remains controversial and was incompletely studied in diverse populations.

Methods and results

Consecutive women with new‐onset PPCM (n = 76) between 1994 and 2015 in Quebec, Canada, were classified according to treatment (n = 8, 11%) vs. no treatment (n = 68, 89%) with bromocriptine. We assessed LV functional recovery at mid‐term (6 months) and long‐term (last follow‐up) and compared outcomes among groups. Women treated with bromocriptine experienced better mid‐term left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) recovery from 23 ± 10% at baseline to 55 ± 12% at 6 months, compared with a change from 30 ± 12% at baseline to 45 ± 13% at 6 months in women treated with standard medical therapy (P interaction < 0.01). At long‐term, a similar positive association was found with bromocriptine (9% greater LVEF variation, P interaction < 0.01). In linear regressions adjusted for obstetrical, clinical, echocardiographic, and pharmacological variables, treatment with bromocriptine was associated with a greater improvement in LVEF [β coefficient (standard error), 14.1 (4.4); P = 0.03]. However, there was no significant association between bromocriptine use and the combined occurrence of all‐cause death and heart failure events (hazard ratio, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.15 to 9.31), using univariable Cox regressions based over a cumulative follow‐up period of 285 patient‐years.

Conclusions

In women newly diagnosed with PPCM, treatment with bromocriptine was independently associated with greater LV functional recovery.
An update of molecular pathology of bone tumors. Lessons learned from investigating samples by next generation sequencing
Authors: Baumhoer Daniel , Amary Fernanda , Flanagan Adrienne M.
Published: December 2018

The last decade has seen the majority of primary bone tumor subtypes become defined by molecular genetic alteration. Examples include giant cell tumour of bone (H3F3A p.G34W), chondroblastoma (H3F3B p.K36M), mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (HEY1‐NCOA2), chondromyxoid fibroma (GRM1 rearrangements), aneurysmal bone cyst (USP6 rearrangements), osteoblastoma/osteoid osteoma (FOS/FOSB rearrangements), and synovial chondromatosis (FN1‐ACVR2A and ACVR2A‐FN1). All such alterations are mutually exclusive. Many of these have been translated into clinical service using immunohistochemistry or FISH. 60% of central chondrosarcoma is characterised by either isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) 1 or IDH2 mutations distinguishing them from other cartilaginous tumours. In contrast, recurrent alterations which are clinically helpful have not been found in high grade osteosarcoma. High throughput next generation sequencing has also proved valuable in identifying germ line alterations in a significant proportion of young patients with primary malignant bone tumors. These findings will play an increasing role in reaching a diagnosis and in patient management.
Heteroatom effects toward isomerization of intermediates in Wittig reactions of non‐stabilized phosphonium ylides bearing a phosphaheteratriptycene skeleton with benzaldehyde
Authors: Uchiyama Yosuke , Kuniya Suguru , Watanabe Ryo , Ohtsuki Takemaru
Published: December 2018

Isomerization of intermediates, cis‐ and trans‐1,2‐oxaphosphetanes, in Wittig reactions of non‐stabilized phosphonium ylides bearing a phosphaheteratriptycene skeleton containing group 14 (PhSi, PhGe, PhSn, n‐BuSn) and 15 (P, As, Sb, and Bi) elements with benzaldehyde (PhCHO) was investigated by variable‐temperature (VT)31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy. The isomerization from the cis‐1,2‐oxaphosphetane to the trans‐form occurred at lower temperatures as the row number of the same group elements increases. Wittig reactions under the same conditions gave the (Z)‐olefin as a major product in the cases of period 3 elements (PhSi and P) and the (E)‐olefin as a major product in the cases of elements from period 4 and below (PhGe, PhSn, n‐BuSn, As, Sb, and Bi). The selectivity of olefin formation is considered to depend on the isomerization temperature of the intermediates, because each olefin must be obtained from the corresponding 1,2‐oxaphosphetane. The VT‐31P{1H} NMR spectra showed that the cis‐1,2‐oxaphosphetanes were the kinetic products in the first step of Wittig reactions and the trans‐forms were the thermodynamically stable products formed by isomerization from the cis‐forms via ring‐opening and ring‐closing reactions of phosphonium ylides with PhCHO. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that cis‐1,2‐oxaphosphetanes were less stable than the trans‐forms by ~2 kcal/mol, supporting thermodynamically favorable isomerization from cis‐forms to trans‐forms, as observed by VT‐31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy. Heteroatoms at the bridgehead position of the phosphaheteratriptycene skeleton significantly affected the isomerization temperature as well as the phosphorus‐31 signals in the 31P{1H} NMR spectra, which were observed at lower field as row number of the same group element increases.
Exploring human resource development research themes: A keyword network analysis
Authors: Yoo Sangok , Jang Soebin , Byun Sang Won , Park Sunyoung
Published: December 2018

This study aimed to explore human resource development (HRD) research themes by investigating the relationships among keywords in articles published in the four primary HRD journals between 2010 and 2017. We identified 29 core keywords and then explored the characteristics of these keywords within a keyword network structure. For example, leadership and leadership development were identified as dominant keywords in HRD research. Furthermore, our analysis revealed four cohesive subgroups (i.e., factions) and identified keywords that played “central connector” roles and “boundary spanner” roles, within each subgroup. Specifically, subgroup 1 consisted of keywords connected to leadership and leadership development. Subgroup 2 included keywords related to traditional HRD practices and organizational outcomes, such as training and development and engagement, respectively. Subgroup 3 mostly consisted of keywords pertinent to critical HRD, such as gender and diversity. Subgroup 4 included other emerging keywords including virtual HRD. Through this study, HRD scholars and practitioners may better understand the roles of influential keywords, and their inter‐relationships among key research themes in HRD research.
Relationship of DNA methylation to mutational changes and transcriptional organization in fusion‐positive and fusion‐negative rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Sun Wenyue , Chatterjee Bishwanath , Shern Jack F. , Patidar Rajesh , Song Young , Wang Yonghong , Walker Robert L. , Pawel Bruce R. , Linardic Corinne M. , Houghton Peter , Hewitt Stephen M. , Edelman Daniel C. , Khan Javed , Meltzer Paul S. , Barr Frederic G.
Published: December 2018

Our previous study of DNA methylation in the pediatric soft tissue tumor rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) demonstrated that fusion‐positive (FP) and fusion‐negative (FN) RMS tumors exhibit distinct DNA methylation patterns. To further examine the significance of DNA methylation differences in RMS, we investigated genome‐wide DNA methylation profiles in discovery and validation cohorts. Unsupervised analysis of DNA methylation data identified novel distinct subsets associated with the specific fusion subtype in FP RMS and with RAS mutation status in FN RMS. Furthermore, the methylation pattern in normal muscle is most similar to the FN subset with wild‐type RAS mutation status. Several biologically relevant genes were identified with methylation and expression differences between the two fusion subtypes of FP RMS or between the RAS wild‐type and mutant subsets of FN RMS. Genomic localization studies showed that promoter and intergenic regions were hypomethylated and the 3′ untranslated regions were hypermethylated in FP compared to FN tumors. There was also a significant difference in the distribution of PAX3‐FOXO1 binding sites between genes with and without differential methylation. Moreover, genes with PAX3‐FOXO1 binding sites and promoter hypomethylation exhibited the highest frequency of overexpression in FP tumors. Finally, a comparison of RMS model systems revealed that patient‐derived xenografts most closely recapitulate the DNA methylation patterns found in human RMS tumors compared to cell lines and cell line‐derived xenografts. In conclusion, these findings highlight the interaction of epigenetic changes with mutational alterations and transcriptional organization in RMS tumors, and contribute to improved molecular categorization of these tumors.