bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of native and introduced birds in transmission of avian malaria in Hawaii
Authors: McClure Katherine M. , Fleischer Robert C. , Kilpatrick A. Marm
Published: March 2020

The introduction of nonnative species and reductions in native biodiversity have resulted in substantial changes in vector and host communities globally, but the consequences for pathogen transmission are poorly understood. In lowland Hawaii, bird communities are composed of primarily introduced species, with scattered populations of abundant native species. We examined the influence of avian host community composition, specifically the role of native and introduced species, as well as host diversity, on the prevalence of avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum) in the southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus). We also explored the reciprocal effect of malaria transmission on native host populations and demography. Avian malaria infection prevalence in mosquitoes increased with the density and relative abundance of native birds, as well as host community competence, but was uncorrelated with host diversity. Avian malaria transmission was estimated to reduce population growth rates of Hawai‘i ʻamakihi (Chlorodrepanis virens) by 7–14%, but mortality from malaria could not explain gaps in this species’ distribution at our sites. Our results suggest that, in Hawaii, native host species increase pathogen transmission to mosquitoes, but introduced species can also support malaria transmission alone. The increase in pathogen transmission with native bird abundance leads to additional disease mortality in native birds, further increasing disease impacts in an ecological feedback cycle. In addition, vector abundance was higher at sites without native birds and this overwhelmed the effects of host community composition on transmission such that infected mosquito abundance was highest at sites without native birds. Higher disease risk at these sites due to higher vector abundance could inhibit recolonization and recovery of native species to these areas. More broadly, this work shows how differences in host competence for a pathogen among native and introduced taxa can influence transmission and highlights the need to examine this question in other systems to determine the generality of this result.
Preparation of Multi‐Spin Systems: A Case Study of Tolane‐Bridged Verdazyl‐Based Hetero‐Diradicals
Authors: Votkina Darya E. , Petunin Pavel V. , Zhivetyeva Svetlana I. , Bagryanskaya Irina Yu. , Uvarov Mikhail N. , Kazantsev Maxim S. , Trusova Marina E. , Tretyakov Evgeny V. , Postnikov Pavel S.
Published: March 2020

Iodine‐ and ethynyl‐containing 'Kuhn'‐verdazyls, oxoverdazyls, and nitronyl nitroxides were investigated as building blocks for the preparation of multi‐spin systems via the Sonogashira reaction, and, as a result, eleven diradicals were prepared with fair yields. The reactivity of the building blocks indicates that oxoverdazyl iodides are effective starting components for the synthesis of diradicals via the Sonogashira coupling. The described one‐step protocol allows combining different spin units, thereby facilitating the design of tolane‐bridged diradicals and screening of their properties. The novel compounds were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, UV/Vis and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Although the electrochemical investigation and electronic spectra showed a negligible influence of radical moieties on each other, ESR data revealed a strong exchange interaction between two unpaired electrons. The prepared verdazyl‐nitronylnitroxide diradicals have high stability at storage and hold promise for further investigation and application.
Regio‐ and Stereoselective Synthesis of 1,1‐Diborylalkenes via Brønsted Base‐Catalyzed Mixed Diboration of Alkynyl Esters and Amides with BpinBdan
Authors: Liu Xiaocui , Ming Wenbo , Luo Xiaoling , Friedrich Alexandra , Maier Jan , Radius Udo , Santos Webster L. , Marder Todd B.
Published: March 2020

The NaOtBu‐catalyzed mixed 1,1‐diboration of terminal alkynes using the unsymmetrical diboron reagent BpinBdan (pin = pinacolato; dan = 1,8‐diaminonaphthalene) proceeds in a regio‐ and stereoselective fashion affording moderate to high yields of 1,1‐diborylalkenes bearing orthogonal boron protecting groups. It is applicable to gram‐scale synthesis without loss of yield or selectivity. The mixed 1,1‐diborylalkene products can be utilized in Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions which take place selectivly at the C–B site. DFT calculations suggest the NaOtBu‐catalyzed mixed 1,1‐diboration of alkynes occurs through deprotonation of the terminal alkyne, stepwise addition of BpinBdan to the terminal carbon followed by protonation with tBuOH. Experimentally observed selective formation of (Z)‐diborylalkenes is supported by our theoretical studies.
Volatility and jump risk in option returns
Authors: Guo Biao , Lin Hai
Published: March 2020

We examine the importance of volatility and jump risk in the time‐series prediction of S&P 500 index option returns. The empirical analysis provides a different result between call and put option returns. Both volatility and jump risk are important predictors of put option returns. In contrast, only volatility risk is consistently significant in the prediction of call option returns over the sample period. The empirical results support the theory that there is option risk premium associated with volatility and jump risk, and reflect the asymmetry property of S&P 500 index distribution.
Ventral hippocampus inactivation enhances the extinction of active avoidance responses in the presence of safety signals but leaves discrete trial operant active avoidance performance intact
Authors: Çavdaroğlu Bilgehan , Toy Jeffrey , Schumacher Anett , Carvalho Gabriel , Patel Mihilkumar , Ito Rutsuko
Published: March 2020

The acquisition of active avoidance (AA) behavior is typically aided by the presence of two signals—the warning signal, which predicts the future occurrence of an aversive event (e.g., shocks), and the safety signal, which is presented upon successful avoidance of oncoming shocks. While the warning signal could be conceived to act as a Pavlovian fear cue, and is likely mediated by brain areas that underlie Pavlovian fear cue conditioning, the neural substrates underlying safety signaling are less clear, largely due to the unavailability of AA tasks that are devoid of an explicit warning signal. The present study sought to investigate the role of the ventral hippocampus (VH) in safety signaled AA performance acquired without an explicit warning signal, using a novel discrete trial paradigm. Adult male Long Evans rats were divided into two groups and trained to acquire AA responses with, or without a safety signal. Analysis of the acquisition and stable state performance data revealed that the availability of a safety signal alone did not improve the acquisition or performance of AA responses. Furthermore, post‐training, reversible VH inactivation did not impact stable state avoidance behavior. However, extinction of avoidance responses was facilitated in the group trained with a safety signal, and this effect was further potentiated by VH inactivation. Additional elevated plus maze (EPM), light–dark box, and locomotor tests demonstrated that VH inactivation reduced anxiety without affecting locomotor activity. Taken together, these results demonstrate the importance of VH in the extinction of persistent pathological avoidance behavior when safety is signaled.
2,2′,4,4′,5‐Pentabromodiphenyl ether induces lipid accumulation throughout differentiation in 3T3‐L1 and human preadipocytes in vitro
Authors: Armstrong Laura E. , Akinbo Stephen , Slitt Angela L.
Published: March 2020

Flame retardants, specifically polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), are chemical compounds widely used for industrial purposes and household materials. NHANES data indicate that nearly all Americans have trace amounts of PBDEs in serum, with even higher levels associated with occupational exposure. PBDEs are known to bioaccumulate in the environment due to their lipophilicity and stability, and more importantly, they have been detected in human adipose tissue. The present study examined whether the PBDE congener, BDE‐99 (2,2′,4,4′,5‐pentabromodiphenyl ether; 0.2‐20 μM), enhances the adipogenesis of mouse and human preadipocyte cell models in vitro via induced lipid accumulation. 3T3‐L1 mouse preadipocytes and human visceral preadipocytes demonstrated enhanced hormone‐induced lipid accumulation upon BDE‐99 treatment. In addition, BDE‐99 (20 μM) induced preadipocyte differentiation and lipid development in nondifferentiated human preadipocytes. BDE‐99, the second most abundant congener in human adipose tissue, increased total lipids in differentiating adipocytes and therefore showed a potential role in the regulation of adipogenesis. This warrants more research to further understand the impact of lipophilic persistent pollutants on adipose tissue homeostasis.
Surface coating on solidified water‐based drilling waste materials and its mechanism for resource reuse
Authors: Huang Weian , Lei Ming , Li Gongrang , Wang Yongchao , Du Kun , Chen Weiqing , Qiu Zhengsong
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND

Stabilization/solidification treatment has been used as the final step for water‐based drilling waste materials (WBDWMs) worldwide; however, solidified WBDWMs possess potential secondary leaching pollution and environmental adaptability problems. The objective of this study is to develop a surface coating technology for deeply treating solidified WBDWMs.

RESULTS

The mechanical, wettability, durability and environmental protection properties of uncoated and coated solidified WBDWMs were conducted in this work. Test results showed that after surface coating the solidified WBDWMs exhibited remarkable water‐proof performance, water absorption rate decreased from 0.06489 to 0.0314 mm min−1/2 and surface contact angle increased from 36.25° to 65°, resulting in the reduction of strength loss rate from 59% to 16% after 1‐day soaked in water. Moreover, after immersed in 10% hydrochloric acid (HCl), 10% sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and 10% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for 7 days, both external and internal structures remained intact and strength loss rates were below 50%. Furthermore, environmental performances related to the leachate of coated WBDWMs achieved PRC national Grade I discharging standard and contents of heavy metal ions were too low to be detected. Microcosmic tests showed that the high strength of solidified WBDWMs was mainly from mechanical interlocking of hydration products.

CONCLUSION

Based on the surface coating treatment, a sealed hydrophobic layer tightly bonded to substrate can be formed, which prevented degradation of strength when exposed to harsh environment and leaching of inside contaminants. Therefore, the application of surface coating can enhance durability and environmental performances of WBDWMs for better reuse. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Conservation and divergence in sorgoleone production of sorghum species
Authors: Besançon Thierry E. , Dayan Franck E. , Gannon Travis W. , Everman Wesley J.
Published: March 2020

Sorgoleone‐358 is an important allelochemical of the oily droplets exuded from root hairs of various species in the Sorghum genus. Due to its hydrophobic nature, sorgoleone‐358 can be strongly adsorbed onto soil organic matter, resulting in increased sorgoleone soil persistence. Because of the herbicidal activity of sorgoleone on many small‐seeded weeds, concerns have been raised that sorghum residues may have a detrimental effect on emergence of wheat used as a double crop in the southeastern United States. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate root exudate production and its sorgoleone‐358 content for 36 cultivated sorghum cultivars as well as eight shattercane [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ssp. arundinaceum (Desv.) de Wet & Harlan] accessions and one johnsongrass [S. halepense (L.) Pers.] accession. Using a capillary growing mat system, root exudate was extracted with dichloromethane and subjected to chromatography analysis to determine sorgoleone‐358 content. Root biomass of 7‐ to 12‐d‐old seedlings averaged 18.8 mg g−1 seed, and root exudate production ranged from 0.2 and 4.8 mg g−1 root fresh weight (RFW). The amount of sorgoleone produced varied greatly among sorghum accessions. Sorgoleone‐358 amount in the root exudate averaged 0.5 mg g−1 RFW and varied from 0.13 to 1.05 mg g−1 for shattercane cultivar S7 and cultivated sorghum cultivar 992123, respectively. Regarding volume of root biomass, sorgoleone‐358 levels averaged 0.49 mg g−1 (range, 0.06–1.46 mg g−1) for sorghum cultivar AAS3479 and shattercane cultivar S2, respectively. Segregation of commercial sorghum cultivars according to their maturity group did not show any difference in root biomass and dry extract production, but early‐maturing cultivars produced on average 18% less sorgoleone‐358 compared with medium‐ and late‐maturing cultivars. These results suggest that sorgoleone production may be genetically constitutive because sorghum growing conditions were identical across cultivars.
Combination with portosystemic shunt occlusion and antiviral therapy improves prognosis of decompensated cirrhosis
Authors: Tamai Hideyuki , Minamiguchi Hiroki , Ida Yoshiyuki , Shingaki Naoki , Muroki Tokuro , Maeshima Shuya , Shimizu Ryo , Okamura Junpei , Koyama Takao , Nakao Taisei , Sonomura Tetsuo
Published: March 2020

Background and Aim

Portosystemic shunt occlusion using endovascular treatment can transiently improve liver function in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. In recent years, viral hepatitis can be easily controlled. The present study aimed to clarify the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment in decompensated cirrhotic patients, and to elucidate whether viral treatment improves the prognosis after shunt occlusion.

Methods

Among 98 cirrhotic patients who received portosystemic shunt occlusion from January 2007 to June 2016, we retrospectively analyzed 61 decompensated cirrhotic patients.

Results

Forty‐five patients had viral hepatitis. Recovery rates of liver function to Child A within 6 months in viral hepatitis, non‐viral hepatitis, and overall were 78% (35/45), 81% (13/16), and 79% (48/61), respectively. Recovery rates according to baseline Child‐Pugh score were as follows: score 7, 88% (15/17); score 8, 89% (24/27); score 9, 69% (9/13); and score ≥ 10, 0% (0/4). Three‐year reprogression rates to decompensated cirrhosis for non‐virus, non‐sustained viral negativity (SVN), and SVN groups were 23 100, and 0%, respectively (P < 0.01). Three‐year survival rates for those were 63, 62, and 91%, respectively (P < 0.01). Eight‐year survival rate for SVN group was also 91%. Multivariate analysis revealed age, baseline ammonia level, baseline Child class, and SVN as independent contributors to survival.

Conclusions

SVN in patients with viral hepatitis appears prerequisite to maintaining recovered liver function by shunt occlusion and to improving prognosis. Combination therapy with shunt occlusion and antiviral treatment should be considered as a first‐line treatment for decompensated cirrhotic patients with viral hepatitis and large portosystemic shunt growth.
PPAR gamma targeted molecular docking and synthesis of some new amide and urea substituted 1, 3, 4‐thiadiazole derivative as antidiabetic compound
Authors: Vaishnav Yogesh , Dewangan Dhansay , Verma Shekhar , Mishra Achal , Thakur Alok Singh , Kashyap Pranita , Verma Santosh Kumar
Published: March 2020

The PPAR‐γ agonist enhances the insulin sensitivity and avoids the disorganized hyperglycemic by promoting the insulin guided cellular uptake of blood glucose. Therefore, in the present work PPAR‐γ has chosen as the target for the molecular docking study to design an effective agonist of the same. By this research work an effort has been made to prepare amide and urea series of 1, 3, 4‐thiadiazole derivatives as 4‐substituted‐N‐(5‐(4‐(1‐piperidino)1‐piperidinyl)‐1,3,4‐(2‐thiadiazolyl)benzamide (4a‐f) and 1‐(4‐substitutedphenyl)‐3‐(5‐(4‐(1‐piperidino)1‐piperidinyl)‐1,3,4‐(2‐thiadiazolyl)urea (6a‐f). Both the docking score as well as the pharmacological animal study data has been suggested that the electron donating group containing compound 4f and 6f are most potent molecules for the antidiabetic activity close to the standard drug pioglitazone. It was further observed that the unsubstituted aromatic ring containing derivatives have also considerable effect (4a and 6a) than the electron withdrawing containing derivatives. After the comparison of biological data for amide and urea series, it was concluded that the urea (6a‐f) series is more effective than the amide series.
Paeonol ameliorates murine alcohol liver disease via mycobiota-mediated Dectin-1/IL-1β signaling pathway
Authors: Wu Jiadi , Wu Daqiang , Ma Kelong , Wang Tianming , Shi Gaoxiang , Shao Jing , Wang Changzhong , Yan Guiming
Published: March 2020

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is caused by long-term consumption of alcohol and has become an important social and medical problem. Intestinal fungal flora (mycobiota) play an important role in ALD, so we used the mycobiota as an entry point to explore the mechanism of action of Paeonol against ALD. Here, we found that Paeonol is effective against ALD inflammatory lesions and relieves liver fat lesions. Furthermore, we found that after the treatment of Paeonol, the fungal dysbiosis is improved, and the fungal abundance is reduced, and the translocation of β-glucan to the liver and its mediated Dectin-1/IL-1β signaling pathway is blocked. Our study shows that paeonol ameliorated acute ALD-related inflammatory injury to the liver by alleviating intestinal fungal dysbiosis and inhibiting the mycobiota-mediated Dectin-1/IL-1β signaling pathway.
Direct‐acting antiviral agents in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C—Real‐life experience from clinical practices in Pakistan
Authors: Mushtaq Saima , Mansoor Atika , Umar Muhammad , Khan Amjad , Siddiqi Saima , Manzoor Sobia
Published: March 2020

This study aims to evaluate the clinical effectiveness in terms of sustained virological response (SVR), predictors of SVR and safety of available second‐generation generic direct‐acting antivirals in Pakistani chronic hepatitis C patients. This is a retrospective study conducted in multiple centers of Pakistan from January 2015 to January 2019. The samples include patients infected with chronic hepatitis C virus, regardless of virus genotype, cirrhosis, or prior treatment. A total of 993 patients were included in the present study, with the majority receiving sofosbuvir with daclatasvir (95%), sofosbuvir with daclatasvir and ribavirin (4%), and sofosbuvir with ribavirin (1%). There were 96% cases of chronic hepatitis, 3% cases compensated cirrhosis, and 1% cases of decompensated cirrhosis. Genotype 3 (99.6%) was the most common genotype. Overall SVR after 12 weeks was 98% for all treatment regimens. High SVR12 was observed with sofosbuvir in combination with daclatasvir (98.5%), then sofosbuvir in combination with daclatasvir and ribavirin (90.2%) and sofosbuvir in combination with ribavirin (75%). SVR rates were high in chronic hepatitis C patients (98.2%) as compared with cirrhotic patients (92.1%) and it was high in treatment‐naive (98.8%) then interferon experienced patients (90.1%). In multivariate binary logistic regression analysis, patients’ education status, treatment strategy, viral load, and alanine aminotransferase had a statistically significant association with SVR at 12 weeks. No major adverse events occurred which required treatment discontinuation. Generic oral direct acting antiviralss (sofosbuvir with daclatasvir) achieved higher SVR12 rates and were well tolerated in this large real‐world cohort of genotype 3 infected patients.
Biological and structural effects after intraosseous infiltrations of age‐dependent platelet‐rich plasma: An in vivo study
Authors: Delgado Diego , Garate Ane , Sánchez Pello , Bilbao Ane Miren , García del Caño Gontzal , Salles Joan , Sánchez Mikel
Published: March 2020

Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) is an increasingly widespread treatment for joint pathologies. Its characteristics and administration route are variables that may influence the clinical outcome. The aim of this in vivo study was to analyze in aged rats the biological and structure effects of intraosseous infiltrations of two different types of PRP obtained from young and old donors. During 6 months intraosseous infiltrations were performed and 4 days after the last infiltration, animals were sacrificed, and bones were extracted for micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) and histological analysis. Molecular composition of the PRP of aged donors presented higher levels of proinflammatory molecules. The histological studies showed a greater cellularity of bone marrow in groups treated with PRP. Concerning micro‐CT analysis, young PRP showed a better femoral bone structure according to values of percentage of trabecular bone, trabecular space, trabecular density, and subchondral bone plate volume. In summary, this study has demonstrated that intraosseous infiltrations of PRP from young donors prevent from age‐related bone degeneration. This treatment could stimulate the biological processes that maintain homeostasis and bone structure and avoid osteoarticular pathologies.
Digitalization and the inception of concentric strategic alliances: A case study in the retailing sector
Authors: Galera‐Zarco Carlos , Opazo‐Basáez Marco , Marić Josip , García‐Feijoo Maria
Published: March 2020

Firms in multiple sectors are incorporating information technology (IT) partners to gain digital capabilities, improve their operations, and offer new value propositions. The deployment of digitalization in well‐established firms from traditional sectors enables the creation of specific strategic alliances (concentric) with IT providers. However, establishing these particular strategic alliances with an IT provider raises tensions and reconsiderations both at the internal level and within the alliance as a consequence of the profound organizational challenges that both digitalization and a strategic alliance imply. This study analyzes how digitalization influences the emergence of these new strategic alliances, highlighting the process and key factors that have contributed to its success at our unit of study in the retailing sector.
Frameworks for innovation, collaboration, and change: Value creation wheel, design thinking, creative problem‐solving, and lean
Authors: Lages Luis F. , Ricard Antonin , Hemonnet‐Goujot Aurélie , Guerin Anne‐Marie
Published: March 2020

The value creation wheel (VCW) is the decision‐making meta‐framework recommended to address innovation, collaboration, and change challenges in formal relationships. The VCW can integrate, complement, or be joined with other frameworks, tools, and theories to address the challenges of formal relationships. The VCW's ability to incorporate intra‐ and interorganizational insights emerging from internal and external stakeholders is especially useful in solving the challenges of collaborative arrangements. VCW solutions are often more realistic than Design Thinking, Creative Problem‐Solving, and Lean because they accommodate the views of various stakeholders about ideas and filters, and because key decision makers must be involved in the main stages of the decision‐making process.
Enantiomeric analysis of simendan on polysaccharide‐based stationary phases by polar organic solvent chromatography
Authors: Cheng Lingping , Cai Jianfeng , Fu Qing , Ke Yanxiong
Published: March 2020

Herein, the enantiomeric separation of simendan by high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection using polysaccharide‐based chiral stationary phases in polar organic mode is described. Three chiral columns (Chiralpak AD‐H, Chiralcel OD‐H, and Chiralpak AS) were screened using pure methanol and acetonitrile without additives under isocratic conditions. A reversed elution order was observed on the Chiralpak AD‐H column when the methanol content in the mobile phase (methanol–acetonitrile mixtures) was above 10%, whereby levosimendan eluted prior to dextrosimendan. Further, it was found that increasing temperature effectively improved the enantioresolution on the Chiralpak AD‐H column. Van't Hoff analysis was performed to evaluate the contribution of enthalpy and entropy to the chiral discrimination process. The best enantioseparation (α = 3.00, Rs = 12.85) was obtained on the Chiralpak AD‐H column with methanol as the mobile phase at 40°C. Thus, a quantitative method for the resolution of dextrosimendan was established and validated, which could be used as a reference for the determination of dextrosimendan in levosimendan products.
Synthesis of Glutamic Acid Derived Organogels and their Applications in Dye Removal from Aqueous Medium
Authors: Sar Pintu , Roy Saswati Ghosh , De Priyadarsi , Ghosh Sipra
Published: March 2020

To develop glutamic acid derived cross‐linked polymeric organogels for dye adsorption from aqueous media, dimethyl 2‐(methacrylamido)pentanedioate (Glu‐MAC) is polymerized using diethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross‐linker via the reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) technique to synthesize cross‐linked polymeric organogels with pendant glutamate moieties. The mechanical properties of organogels are examined by rheological study. The organogels exhibit higher value of storage modulus (G′) than the loss modulus (G′′) within the linearity limits of deformation, and strong dependence of G′ values on the extent of cross‐linking in the gel matrix. Field emission scanning electron microscopy shows porous structure of the gel matrix, therefore, organogels are able to exhibit swelling behaviors in organic solvents such as dichloromethane, N,N‐dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, acetone, and methanol. Dye adsorption properties of these organogels are investigated using different aqueous dye solutions, such as crystal violet (CV), malachite green (MG), rhodamine‐B, and uranine. The gels show high dye adsorption capacities (≥97%) toward cationic dyes like CV and MG.
Dualities and envelopes of one‐parameter families of frontals in hyperbolic and de Sitter 2‐spaces
Authors: Chen L. , Pei D. H. , Takahashi M.
Published: March 2020

We consider envelopes of one‐parameter families of frontals in hyperbolic and de Sitter 2‐space from the viewpoint of duality, respectively. Since the classical notions of envelopes for singular curves do not work, we have to find a new method to define the envelope for singular curves in hyperbolic space or de Sitter space. To do that, we first introduce notions of one‐parameter families of Legendrian curves by using the Legendrian dualities. Afterwards, we give definitions of envelopes for the one‐parameter families of frontals in hyperbolic and de Sitter 2‐space, respectively. We investigate properties of the envelopes. At last, we give relationships among those envelopes.
Long noncoding RNA RP11‐626G11.3 promotes the progression of glioma through miR‐375‐SP1 axis
Authors: Zhang Yahui , Mou Chengzhi , Shang Miaomiao , Jiang Meng , Xu Chunyang
Published: March 2020

Gliomas are the most common malignant tumor in the central nervous system and are also one of the leading causes of death in cancer patients. Recently, mounting evidence suggested that both long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs play important roles in the proliferation and invasion of cancers, including gliomas. However, the role of lncRNA RP11‐626G11.3 in glioma‐genesis is still uncovered. Results indicated that lncRNA RP11‐626G11.3 was up‐regulated in glioma tissues and cell lines, moreover, its overexpression positively correlated with the poor prognosis and advanced pathological stages. Gain and loss of functional experiments demonstrated that lncRNA RP11‐626G11.3 promoted the proliferation and invasion of glioma cells in vitro. The knockdown of lncRNA RP11‐626G11.3 repressed the tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, lncRNA RP11‐626G11.3 positively regulated the SP1 expression via competitively sponging with miR‐375. Overall, our study shows that lncRNA RP11‐626G11.3 promotes glioma progression by sponging miR‐375 to regulate SP1 expression, which may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for glioma.
Altered Cerebello‐Motor Network in Familial Cortical Myoclonic Tremor With Epilepsy Type 1
Authors: Wang Bo , Wang Jue , Cen Zhidong , Wei Wei , Xie Fei , Chen You , Sun Haiyang , Hu Yunsong , Yang Dehao , Lou Yuting , Chen Xinhui , Ouyang Zhiyuan , Chen Si , Wang Haotian , Wang Lebo , Wang Shuang , Qiu Xia , Ding Yao , Yin Houmin , Wu Sheng , Zhang Baorong , Zang Yu‐Feng , Luo Wei
Published: March 2020

Background

Intronic pentanucleotide insertion in the sterile alpha motif domain‐containing 12 gene was recently identified as the genetic cause of familial cortical myoclonic tremor with epilepsy type 1.

Objectives

We thereafter conducted a multimodal MRI research to further understand familial cortical myoclonic tremor with epilepsy type 1.

Methods

We enrolled 31 patients carrying heterozygous pathogenic intronic pentanucleotide insertion in the sterile alpha motif domain‐containing 12 gene and 31 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. We compared multimodal MRI metrics, including voxel‐based morphometry, fractional anisotropy of diffuse tensor imaging, frequency‐dependent percent amplitude fluctuation, and seed‐based functional connectivity of resting‐state functional MRI.

Results

Significant decreased gray matter volume was found in the cerebellum. Percent amplitude fluctuation analysis showed significant interaction effect of “Frequency by Group” in three regions, including the vermis VIII, left cerebellar lobule VIII, and left precentral gyrus. Specifically, the lowest‐frequency band exhibited significant increased percent amplitude fluctuation in patients in the two cerebellar subregions, whereas the highest‐frequency band exhibited decreased percent amplitude fluctuation in the precentral gyrus in patients. Discriminative analysis by support vector machine showed a mean accuracy of 82% (P = 1.0–5). An increased functional connectivity between vermis VIII and the left precentral gyrus was found in patients with familial cortical myoclonic tremor with epilepsy type 1. A positive correlation between the percent amplitude fluctuation in the left cerebellar lobule VIII and duration of cortical tremor was also found.

Conclusion

The cerebellum showed both structural and functional damages. The distinct change of spontaneous brain activity, that is, increased ultra‐low‐frequency amplitude in the cerebellum and the decreased higher‐frequency amplitude in the motor cortex, might be a pathophysiological feature of familial cortical myoclonic tremor with epilepsy type 1. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Delineation of musculocontractural Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome caused by dermatan sulfate epimerase deficiency
Authors: Lautrup Charlotte K. , Teik Keng W. , Unzaki Ai , Mizumoto Shuji , Syx Delfien , Sin Heng H. , Nielsen Irene K. , Markholt Sara , Yamada Shuhei , Malfait Fransiska , Matsumoto Naomichi , Miyake Noriko , Kosho Tomoki
Published: March 2020

Background

Musculocontractural Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome (mcEDS) is a rare connective tissue disorder caused by biallelic loss‐of‐function variants in CHST14 (mcEDS‐CHST14) or DSE (mcEDS‐DSE), both of which result in defective dermatan sulfate biosynthesis. Forty‐one patients with mcEDS‐CHST14 and three patients with mcEDS‐DSE have been described in the literature.

Methods

Clinical, molecular, and glycobiological findings in three additional patients with mcEDS‐DSE were investigated.

Results

Three patients from two families shared craniofacial characteristics (hypertelorism, blue sclera, midfacial hypoplasia), skeletal features (pectus and spinal deformities, characteristic finger shapes, progressive talipes deformities), skin features (fine or acrogeria‐like palmar creases), and ocular refractive errors. Homozygous pathogenic variants in DSE were found: c.960T>A/p.Tyr320* in patient 1 and c.996dupT/p.Val333Cysfs*4 in patients 2 and 3. No dermatan sulfate was detected in the urine sample from patient 1, suggesting a complete depletion of DS.

Conclusion

McEDS‐DSE is a congenital multisystem disorder with progressive symptoms involving craniofacial, skeletal, cutaneous, and cardiovascular systems, similar to the symptoms of mcEDS‐CHST14. However, the burden of symptoms seems lower in patients with mcEDS‐DSE.
Systematic feasibility analysis of performing elastography using reduced dose CT lung image pairs
Authors: Hasse Katelyn , Hsieh Scott S. , O'Connell Dylan , Stiehl Bradley , Min Yugang , Neylon John , Low Daniel A. , Santhanam Anand P.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Elastography using computer tomography (CT) is a promising methodology that can provide patient‐specific regional distributions of lung biomechanical properties. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of performing elastography using simulated lower dose CT scans.

Methods

A cohort of eight patient CT image pairs were acquired with a tube current–time product of 40 mAs for estimating baseline lung elastography results. Synthetic low mAs CT scans were generated from the baseline scans to simulate the additional noise that would be present in acquisitions at 30, 25, and 20 mAs, respectively. For the simulated low mAs scans, exhalation and inhalation datasets were registered using an in‐house optical flow deformable image registration algorithm. The registered deformation vector fields (DVFs) were taken to be ground truth for the elastography process. A model‐based elasticity estimation was performed for each of the reduced mAs datasets, in which the goal was to optimize the elasticity distribution that best represented their respective DVFs. The estimated elasticity and the DVF distributions of the reduced mAs scans were then compared with the baseline elasticity results for quantitative accuracy purposes.

Results

The DVFs for the low mAs and baseline scans differed from each other by an average of 1.41 mm, which can be attributed to the noise added by the simulated reduction in mAs. However, the elastography results using the DVFs from the reduced mAs scans were similar from the baseline results, with an average elasticity difference of 0.65, 0.71, and 0.76 kPa, respectively. This illustrates that elastography can provide equivalent results using low‐dose CT scans.

Conclusions

Elastography can be performed equivalently using CT image pairs acquired with as low as 20 mAs. This expands the potential applications of CT‐based elastography.
Joint multi‐contrast variational network reconstruction (jVN) with application to rapid 2D and 3D imaging
Authors: Polak Daniel , Cauley Stephen , Bilgic Berkin , Gong Enhao , Bachert Peter , Adalsteinsson Elfar , Setsompop Kawin
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To improve the image quality of highly accelerated multi‐channel MRI data by learning a joint variational network that reconstructs multiple clinical contrasts jointly.

Methods

Data from our multi‐contrast acquisition were embedded into the variational network architecture where shared anatomical information is exchanged by mixing the input contrasts. Complementary k‐space sampling across imaging contrasts and Bunch‐Phase/Wave‐Encoding were used for data acquisition to improve the reconstruction at high accelerations. At 3T, our joint variational network approach across T1w, T2w and T2‐FLAIR‐weighted brain scans was tested for retrospective under‐sampling at R = 6 (2D) and R = 4 × 4 (3D) acceleration. Prospective acceleration was also performed for 3D data where the combined acquisition time for whole brain coverage at 1 mm isotropic resolution across three contrasts was less than 3 min.

Results

Across all test datasets, our joint multi‐contrast network better preserved fine anatomical details with reduced image‐blurring when compared to the corresponding single‐contrast reconstructions. Improvement in image quality was also obtained through complementary k‐space sampling and Bunch‐Phase/Wave‐Encoding where the synergistic combination yielded the overall best performance as evidenced by exemplary slices and quantitative error metrics.

Conclusion

By leveraging shared anatomical structures across the jointly reconstructed scans, our joint multi‐contrast approach learnt more efficient regularizers, which helped to retain natural image appearance and avoid over‐smoothing. When synergistically combined with advanced encoding techniques, the performance was further improved, enabling up to R = 16‐fold acceleration with good image quality. This should help pave the way to very rapid high‐resolution brain exams.
An AI‐based model for describing cyclic characteristics of granular materials
Authors: Zhang Pin , Yin Zhen‐Yu , Jin Yin‐Fu , Ye Guan‐Lin
Published: March 2020

Modelling cyclic behaviour of granular soils under both drained and undrained conditions with a good performance is still a challenge. This study presents a new way of modelling the cyclic behaviour of granular materials using deep learning. To capture the continuous cyclic behaviour in time dimension, the long short‐term memory (LSTM) neural network is adopted, which is characterised by the prediction of sequential data, meaning that it provides a novel means of predicting the continuous behaviour of soils under various loading paths. Synthetic datasets of cyclic loading under drained and undrained conditions generated by an advanced soil constitutive model are first employed to explore an appropriate framework for the LSTM‐based model. Then the LSTM‐based model is used to estimate the cyclic behaviour of real sands, ie, the Toyoura sand under the undrained condition and the Fontainebleau sand under both undrained and drained conditions. The estimates are compared with actual experimental results, which indicates that the LSTM‐based model can simultaneously simulate the cyclic behaviour of sand under both drained and undrained conditions, ie, (a) the cyclic mobility mechanism, the degradation of effective stress and large deformation under the undrained condition, and (b) shear strain accumulation and densification under the drained condition.
The relationship between liver triglyceride composition and proton density fat fraction as assessed by 1H MRS
Authors: Hamilton Gavin , Schlein Alex N. , Wolfson Tanya , Cunha Guilherme M. , Fowler Kathryn J. , Middleton Michael S. , Loomba Rohit , Sirlin Claude B.
Published: March 2020

The aim of this study was to estimate parameters determining liver triglyceride composition (TC) using 1H MRS and to assess how TC estimability is affected by proton density fat fraction (PDFF) in adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this prospective single‐site study, 199 adults with known or suspected NAFLD in whom other causes of liver disease were excluded underwent two 1H MRS STimulated Echo Acquisition Method (STEAM) sequences at 3 T. A respiratory‐gated water‐suppressed free breathing sequence (TE 10 ms, 16 signal averages) was used to assess TC in terms of the number of double bonds (ndb) and methylene‐interrupted double bonds (nmidb), and a single breath‐hold‐long TR, multi‐TE sequence (TR 3500 ms), which acquired five single average spectra over TE 10‐30 ms, was used to estimate liver PDFF. Ndb and nmidb estimability was qualitatively assessed for each case and summarized descriptively. The consistency of ndb and nmidb estimation was examined using ROC analysis. The relationship between ndb and nmidb values and PDFF was presented graphically. Quality‐of‐fit of ndb and nmidb versus PDFF was evaluated by Pearson‐r correlation. A significance level of 0.05 was used. In 263 1H MRS examinations performed on 199 adult participants, ndb and nmidb were successfully estimated in 7/53 (13.2%) examinations with PDFF < 4%, 13/30 (43.3%) examinations with PDFF between 4% and 7%, 33/41 (80.5%) examinations with PDFF between 7% and 10%, and 124/139 (89.2%) examinations with PDFF > 10% (maximum PDFF 38.1%). Liver TC could be estimated consistently for PDFF > 6.7%. Both ndb and nmidb decreased with increasing PDFF (ndb = 2.83‐0.0160·PDFF, r = ‐0.449, P < 0.0001); nmidb = 0.75‐0.0088·PDFF, r = ‐0.350, P < 0.0001). In a cohort of adults with known or suspected NAFLD, liver TC becomes more saturated as PDFF increases.
Robust network function virtualization
Authors: Lin Tachun , Zhou Zhili
Published: March 2020

Network function virtualization (NFV) enables on‐demand network function (NF) deployment providing agile and dynamic network services. Through an evaluation metric that quantifies the minimal reliability among all NFs for all demands, service providers and operators may better facilitate flexible NF service recovery and migration, thus offering higher service reliability. In this paper, we present evaluation metrics on NFV reliability and solution approaches to solve robust NFV under random NF‐enabled node failure(s). We demonstrate how to construct an auxiliary NF‐enabled network and its mapping onto the physical substrate network. With the constructed NF‐enabled network, we develop pseudo‐polynomial algorithms to solve the robust NF and SFC s − t path problems: subproblems of robust NFV. We also present approximation algorithms for robust NFV with the SFC‐Fork as the NF forwarding graph. Furthermore, we propose exact solution approaches via mixed‐integer linear programming under the general setting. Computational results show that our proposed solution approaches are capable of managing robust NFV in a large‐size network.
Vertebral haemangioma in a Roman period skeleton from the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt
Authors: Molto Joseph E. , Chhem Rethy , Maxwell Jay , Teeter Mathew A. , Sanchez Jose , Holdsworth Dave
Published: March 2020

A 50‐ to 65‐year‐old female, from the Roman period Kellis 2 (K2) cemetery in the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt, shows macroscopic and imaging evidence of a vertebral haemangioma (VH). The centrum of the 12th thoracic vertebrae has an expanded and lysed cortex and thickened vertical trabeculae—producing the pathognomonic “corduroy” radiological sign. Additionally, the first lumbar vertebrae shows early changes of haemangioma that are not obvious macroscopically but clear on the X‐ray and the microcomputed tomography (μCT) imaging. VHs are relatively common (>10%) benign vascular tumours in extant adult populations. Its rarity in antiquity can be explained by the fact that in most archaeological samples, haemangiomas would not be macroscopically visible because the destruction and expansion of the cortex only occurs in advanced cases (usually in older individuals). In archaeological populations, older individuals (60+), though present, are much less common, and hence, the prevalence of VHs would be much lower than that reported in modern clinical samples. We posit that in order to determine the approximate prevalence of VHs in antiquity, a systematic radiographic study of an entire adult archaeological population sample is required. A caveat to this problem is that radiological diagnosis is difficult unless at least one third of the centrum is involved, and the classic radiological signs are manifested. A review of case studies suggest that X‐rays from T4 to L4 would include ~95% of the potential cases of VHs, and if a portable μCT unit can be developed, the natural history of VHs will be better established.
The CD151‐midkine pathway regulates the immune microenvironment in inflammatory breast cancer
Authors: Hayward Steven , Gachehiladze Mariam , Badr Nahla , Andrijes Regina , Molostvov Guerman , Paniushkina Liliia , Sopikova Barbora , Slobodová Zuzana , Mgebrishvili Giorgi , Sharma Nisha , Horimoto Yoshiya , Burg Dominic , Robertson Graham , Hanby Andrew , Hoar Fiona , Rea Daniel , Eckhardt Bedrich L , Ueno Naoto T , Nazarenko Irina , Long Heather M , van Laere Steven , Shaaban Abeer M , Berditchevski Fedor
Published: March 2020

The immune microenvironment in inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is poorly characterised, and molecular and cellular pathways that control accumulation of various immune cells in IBC tissues remain largely unknown. Here, we discovered a novel pathway linking the expression of the tetraspanin protein CD151 in tumour cells with increased accumulation of macrophages in cancerous tissues. It is notable that elevated expression of CD151 and a higher number of tumour‐infiltrating macrophages correlated with better patient responses to chemotherapy. Accordingly, CD151‐expressing IBC xenografts were characterised by the increased infiltration of macrophages. In vitro migration experiments demonstrated that CD151 stimulates the chemoattractive potential of IBC cells for monocytes via mechanisms involving midkine (a heparin‐binding growth factor), integrin α6β1, and production of extracellular vesicles (EVs). Profiling of chemokines secreted by IBC cells demonstrated that CD151 increases production of midkine. Purified midkine specifically stimulated migration of monocytes, but not other immune cells. Further experiments demonstrated that the chemoattractive potential of IBC‐derived EVs is blocked by anti‐midkine antibodies. These results demonstrate for the first time that changes in the expression of a tetraspanin protein by tumour cells can affect the formation of the immune microenvironment by modulating recruitment of effector cells to cancerous tissues. Therefore, a CD151‐midkine pathway can be considered as a novel target for controlled changes of the immune landscape in IBC. © 2020 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Illness uncertainty, coping, and quality of life among patients with prostate cancer
Authors: Guan Ting , Santacroce Sheila Judge , Chen Ding‐Geng , Song Lixin
Published: March 2020

Objective

Illness uncertainty is a significant source of psychological distress that affects cancer patients' quality of life (QOL). Mishel's uncertainty in illness theory (UIT) proposes that illness uncertainty influences an individual's use of coping strategies, and directly and indirectly influences their QOL. This study tested the relationships depicted in the adapted UIT in cancer patients.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study is a secondary analysis of the baseline data from a randomized clinical trial (N = 263 prostate cancer patients). Patients were diagnosed with localized (64.6%), biochemical recurrent (12.6%), or advanced (22.8%) prostate cancer. Uncertainty, coping (avoidant and active coping strategies), and QOL (physical and mental well‐being) were measured using the Mishel's uncertainty of illness scale, Brief COPE, and the Medical Outcomes Study 12‐item short form (SF‐12), respectively. We used path analysis to achieve the research aim.

Results

Patients' illness uncertainty directly, negatively influenced their physical well‐being (P < .001) and mental well‐being (P < .05). Patients' illness uncertainty was positively related to their avoidant coping strategies (P < .001). Patients' active and avoidant coping strategies influenced their mental well‐being (P < .001). Uncertainty also negatively influenced mental well‐being through avoidant coping strategies. The model had excellent fit to the data.

Conclusions

Our findings have indicated the potential of improving QOL by decreasing illness uncertainty and reducing avoidant coping strategies. Future research is needed to better understand the complex relationships between illness uncertainty, coping strategies, and domains of QOL among patients with different types of cancer using longitudinal research.