bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bowman's topography for improved detection of early ectasia
Authors: Chandapura Rachana , Salomão Marcella Q. , Ambrósio Renato , Swarup Rishi , Shetty Rohit , Sinha Roy Abhijit
Published: June 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether OCT topography of the Bowman's layer and artificial intelligence (AI) can result in better diagnosis of forme fruste (FFKC) and clinical keratoconus (KC). Normal (n = 221), FFKC (n = 72) and KC (n = 116) corneas were included. Some of the FFKC and KC patients had the fellow eye (VAE‐NT) with normal topography (n = 30). The Scheimpflug and OCT scans of the cornea were analyzed. The curvature and surface aberrations (ray tracing) of the anterior corneal surface [air‐epithelium (A‐E) interface in OCT] and epithelium‐Bowman's layer (E‐B) interface (in OCT only) were calculated. Four random forest models were constructed: (1) Scheimpflug only; (2) OCT A‐E only; (3) OCT E‐B only; (4) OCT A‐E and E‐B combined. For normal eyes, both Scheimpflug and OCT (A‐E and E‐B combined) performed equally in identifying these eyes (P = .23). However, OCT A‐E and E‐B showed that most VAE‐NT eyes were topographically similar to normal eyes and did not warrant a separate classification based on topography alone. For identifying FFKC eyes, OCT A‐E and E‐B combined performed significantly better than Scheimpflug (P = .006). For KC eyes, both Scheimpflug and OCT performed equally (P = 1.0). Thus, OCT Topography of Bowman's layer significantly improved the detection of FFKC eyes.
Correlations of severity of asthma in children with body mass index, adiponectin and leptin
Authors: Ma Chunli , Wang Yujun , Xue Man
Published: June 2019

Background

This study aims to investigate the correlations of asthma in children with body mass index (BMI), adiponectin, and leptin.

Methods

A total of 122 children with asthma in our hospital from January 2017 to February 2018 were randomly selected and divided into control group (normal) and observation group (BMI > 28 kg/m2) according to BMI. BMI, adiponectin, and leptin levels between the two groups were measured and compared, and correlations of disease grade with BMI, adiponectin, or leptin were analyzed. Moreover, risk factors for asthma in children were also identified.

Results

Body mass index, leptin level, forced vital capacity (FVC), FVC%, and forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1)/FVC in observation group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05), while the adiponectin level, forced expiratory capacity in 1s (FEC1), and FEV1% in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group (P < 0.05). The amount of severe patients in observation group was much larger than that in control group. The severity of disease was positively correlated with BMI and leptin and negatively correlated with adiponectin. BMI, adiponectin, and leptin were identified as risk factors for asthma in children.

Conclusion

Adiponectin, leptin, and BMI are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma in children, suggesting they might be therapeutic targets for clinical treatment.
Prognostic value of the tumor‐specific ceRNA network in epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Li Gailing , Han Liping , Ren Fang , Zhang Ruitao , Qin Guijun
Published: June 2019

Epithelial ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer‐related death worldwide. Growing evidence indicates that multiple complex altered pathways play important regulatory roles in the development and progression of a variety of cancers, including epithelial ovarian cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. First, we identified differentially expressed messenger RNAs (mRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and microRNAs (miRNAs) in epithelial ovarian cancer by comparing the expression profiles between epithelial ovarian cancer samples and normal tissue samples in different GEO datasets. Then, GO‐ and KEGG‐pathway‐enrichment analyses were applied to investigate the primary functions of the overlapped differentially expressed mRNAs. Moreover, the primary enriched genes were used to construct the signal‐network with Cytoscape software. In addition, we integrated the relationship among lncRNAs‐miRNAs‐mRNAs to create a competing endogenous RNA network. Finally, mRNAs that were associated with patient prognosis in epithelial ovarian cancer were selected using univariate Cox regression analysis. A total of 2,225 mRNAs, 336 lncRNAs, and 14 miRNAs were shown to be differentially expressed in epithelial ovarian cancer compared with normal tissues. The dysregulated mRNAs were primarily enriched in cell division and signal transduction, according to Gene Ontology, whereas, according to KEGG, they were primarily enriched in metabolic pathways and pathways in cancer. A total of 10 mRNAs were associated with patient prognosis in ovarian cancer. This study identifies a novel lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA network, which may suggest potential molecular mechanisms underlying the development of epithelial ovarian cancer, providing new insights for survival prediction and interventional strategies for epithelial ovarian cancer.
Retracted: Chemoresistance in gastric cancer is attributed to the overexpression of excision repair cross‐complementing 1 (ERCC1) caused by microRNA‐122 dysregulation
Authors: Song Ai‐Ling , Zhao Lei , Wang Yan‐Wei , He Dong‐Qiang , Li Yu‐Min
Published: June 2019

MicroRNAs are deemed as key regulators of gene expression. In particular, the elevated expression of excision repair cross‐complementing 1 (ERCC1) significantly reduced the effectiveness of gastric cancer treatment by cisplatin (CDDP)‐based therapies. In this paper, qRT‐PCR and western blot were adopted to measure miR‐122 and ERCC1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in all samples. Luciferase assay was carried out to verify the role of ERCC1 as a target of miR‐122. The CCK‐8 assay was carried out to study the effect of ERCC1 and miR‐122 on cell survival and apoptosis. The results demonstrated that miR‐122 expression was reduced in cisplatin‐resistant gastric cancer. Using bioinformatic analysis, miR‐122 was shown to target the 3′‐UTR of human ERCC1. A dual‐luciferase assay demonstrated that miR‐122 downregulated ERCC1 expression, while the mutations in ERCC1 3′‐UTR abolished its interaction with miR‐122. Transfection of miR‐122 mimics decreased the levels of ERCC1 mRNA and protein expression, while the transfection of miR‐122 inhibitors increased the levels of both ERCC1 mRNA and protein expression. Furthermore, we found that overexpressed miR‐122 promoted the proliferation of MKN74 cells and reduced their apoptotic by targeting ERCC1. In addition, the levels of miR‐122 and ERCC1 were negatively correlated in gastric cancer samples. In summary, the reduced miR‐122 expression may play an essential role in the induction of cisplatin‐resistance by increasing ERCC1 expression.
MicroRNA‐200c promotes osteogenic differentiation of human bone mesenchymal stem cells through activating the AKT/β‐Catenin signaling pathway via downregulating Myd88
Authors: Xia Peng , Gu Rui , Zhang Wei , Shao Liwei , Li Fang , Wu Changyan , Sun Yifu
Published: June 2019

During the human bone formation, the event of osteogenic differentiation of human bone mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) is vital, and recent evidence has emphasized the important role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs. This study aims to examine the potential effects of miR‐200c in osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs and understand their underlying mechanisms. HBMSCs were obtained via human bone marrow. During osteogenic induction and differentiation, cells were transfected with different plasmids with the intention of investigating the roles of miR‐200c on osteogenic differentiation, calcium salt deposition, alkaline‐phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralized nodule formation, osteocalcin (OCN) content, and proliferation of osteoblasts. Following transfection, dual luciferase reporter gene assay was conducted so as to explore the correlation between miR‐200c and Myd88. Moreover, the AKT/β‐Catenin signaling pathway was blocked with an AKT/β‐Catenin inhibitor, AKTi, to investigate its involvement. The hBMSCs were successfully isolated from human bone marrow. Myd88 was determined as a target gene of miR‐200c. Gain and loss‐of‐function assays confirmed that overexpression of miR‐200c, or silencing of Myd88 promoted osteogenic differentiation, increased calcium salt deposition, ALP activity, mineralized nodule formation, and enhanced the proliferation of osteoblasts following osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs. Meanwhile, the downregulation of miR‐200c has been shown to have the opposite effect. Furthermore, these findings showed that the miR‐200c overexpression activated the AKT/β‐Catenin signaling pathway by targeting Myd88. To sum up, the miR‐200c upregulation induces osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs by activating the AKT/β‐Catenin signaling pathway via the inhibition of Myd88, providing a target for treatment of bone repair.
Cx32 mediates norepinephrine‐promoted EGFR‐TKI resistance in a gap junction‐independent manner in non‐small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Xie Jie , Wang Xiyan , Ge Hui , Peng Fuhua , Zheng Ningze , Wang Qin , Tao Liang
Published: June 2019

The second‐generation EGFR‐TKI Afatinib is an irreversible ErbB family blocker used to treat patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Unfortunately, resistance to this drug develops over time, and patients are always under great psychological pressure. A previous study showed that chronic stress hormones participate in EGFR‐TKI resistance via β2‐AR signaling via an IL‐6 dependent mechanism. Our study further explores a novel potential underlying mechanism. In the present study, we show that the stress hormone norepinephrine (NE) promotes Afatinib resistance by upregulating Cx32 expression. Furthermore, we, for the first time, find that Cx32 is a target gene for transcription factor CREB and NE enhances Cx32 mRNA expression by activation of CREB. We also demonstrate that Cx32 promotes Afatinib resistance by decreasing the degradation of EGFR‐TKI resistance‐associated proteins (MET, IGF‐1R) and by increasing their transcription levels. Together, these results reveal that the stress hormone NE accelerates Afatinib resistance by increasing the expression of Cx32, which augments MET and IGF‐1R levels in cancer cells and provides a promising therapeutic strategy against EGFR‐TKI Afatinib resistance in NSCLC.
Crossing Bridges: Assembling Culture into Brands and Brands into Consumers' Global Local Cultural Lives
Authors: Price Linda L. , Coulter Robin A.
Published: June 2019

Fournier and Alvarez (2019—this issue) and Batra (2019—this issue), respectively, offer interpretive and psychological perspectives on how brands acquire cultural meanings. In this commentary, we discuss the opportunities for leveraging these two perspectives, and use an assemblage theory lens to uncover the dynamics of how cultural models articulated through cultural myths, metaphors, ideologies, and cultural objects circulate through the brand assemblage and through the consumer assemblage. We offer a bridge‐crossing approach to research opportunities bringing both a socio‐historical‐cultural approach and psychological approach to understand how cultural meanings are assembled into brands and how consumers assemble brands into their lives.
Removing NOx, CO and HC from automobile exhaust based on chemical looping combustion
Authors: Wu Yongjian , Luo Chunhuan , Wu Wei , Su Qingquan
Published: June 2019

Background

To meet more stringent automobile exhaust emission standards without using platinum group metal three‐way catalysts (TWCs), two nonprecious metal oxide oxygen carriers, Cu10/Al90 and Ni10/Al90, were investigated for the simultaneous and thorough removal of nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) from automobile exhaust.

Results

In oxidation reactions of the reductive oxygen carriers with NO, the reductive oxygen carriers were converted to the oxidative oxygen carriers and NO was simultaneously reduced to N2. Then, the oxidative oxygen carriers were regenerated to the reductive oxygen carriers with reducing gases, including CO, H2 and HC. At the same time, CO was converted to CO2, H2 was converted to H2O, and HC was converted to CO2 and H2O. The simultaneous removal of NOx, CO and HC could be achieved based on a chemical looping combustion mechanism. Compared with Ni10/Al90, Cu10/Al90 exhibited better performance for removing NO, CO and C3H6 from simulated automobile exhaust. However, the reductive Ni10/Al90 had an excellent steam reforming catalytic activity and was capable of converting residual C3H6 in the exhaust to harmless H2 and CO2.

Conclusion

Based on these findings, a novel chemical looping combustion process is proposed, in which the first oxygen carrier‐filling layer based on Cu10/Al90 removed NOx, CO and HC simultaneously, and the second oxygen carrier‐filling layer based on Ni10/Al90 removed residual NO and C3H6. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Filling the complexity gaps for colouring planar and bounded degree graphs
Authors: Dabrowski Konrad K. , Dross François , Johnson Matthew , Paulusma Daniël
Published: June 2019

A colouring of a graph is a function such that for every . A ‐regular list assignment of is a function with domain such that for every , is a subset of of size . A colouring of respects a ‐regular list assignment of if for every . A graph is ‐choosable if for every ‐regular list assignment of , there exists a colouring of that respects . We may also ask if for a given ‐regular list assignment of a given graph , there exists a colouring of that respects . This yields the ‐Regular List Colouring problem. For , we determine a family of classes of planar graphs, such that either ‐Regular List Colouring is ‐complete for instances with , or every is ‐choosable. By using known examples of non‐‐choosable and non‐‐choosable graphs, this enables us to classify the complexity of ‐Regular List Colouring restricted to planar graphs, planar bipartite graphs, planar triangle‐free graphs, and planar graphs with no ‐cycles and no ‐cycles. We also classify the complexity of ‐Regular List Colouring and a number of related colouring problems for graphs with bounded maximum degree.
Effect of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery program on pancreaticoduodenectomy: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hwang Dae Wook , Kim Hwa Jung , Lee Jae Hoon , Song Ki Byung , Kim Myeong‐Hwan , Lee Sung Koo , Choi Kyu Taek , Jun In‐Gu , Bang Ji‐Yeon , Kim Song Cheol
Published: June 2019

Background

This study aims to investigate the noninferiority of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

Methods

In this single‐center trial, we randomly assigned 276 adult patients who underwent open PD into ERAS and conventional groups with 138 patients in each, from 2015 through 2017. The primary endpoint was the incidence of overall morbidity until postoperative 3 months. The secondary endpoints were in‐hospital or 30‐day mortality, postoperative length of stay (LOS), nutritional status and overall hospital costs.

Results

Overall morbidity was reported in 64 patients (52.0%, ERAS group) and in 68 patients (54.8%, conventional group) (risk difference [RD] −2.81 percentage points (pp); 90% two‐sided confidence interval −13.24 to 7.63). Mortality did not occur in any patients. The two groups did not differ significantly in median postoperative LOS (both 11 days; RD −8.46 pp), body mass index (22.4 ± 2.75 vs. 22.4 ± 2.65 kg/m2; RD −3.48 pp), Patient‐Generated Subjective Global Assessment score over 4 (45 [40.5%] vs. 50 [43.1%] patients; RD −2.56 pp), and median overall hospital cost (15.61 vs. 16.04, ×106 KRW; RD −6.08 pp).

Conclusions

Even in PD, modified ERAS protocol was not inferior to conventional protocol, while reducing treatment burden.
Relationship between the ablation index, lesion formation, and incidence of steam pops
Authors: Mori Hitoshi , Kato Ritsushi , Sumitomo Naokata , Ikeda Yoshifumi , Goto Koji , Tanaka Sayaka , Asano So , Tahara Mai , Nagase Takahiko , Iwanaga Shiro , Muramatsu Toshihiro , Matsumoto Kazuo
Published: June 2019

Background

The ablation index (AI) is reported to be useful for a durable pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). However, there have been no studies investigating the relationship between the power, contact force (CF), AI, and steam pops.

Methods

Using an in vitro model, ablation energy was delivered until a steam pop occurred and the time to the steam pop and AI when the steam pop occurred were measured. The experiment was performed with a combination of various powers (20, 30, 40, and 50 W) and contact forces (CFs) (10, 30, and 50 g) 20 times for each setting. The analysis consisted of two protocols. The first protocol was a comparison between the ablation power and several parameters under the same CF (10, 30, and 50 g). The second protocol was a comparison between the CF and several parameters under the same power (20, 30, 40, and 50 W). The correlation between the lesion formation and ablation parameters was evaluated.

Results

The AI value when steam pops occurred varied depending on the ablation settings. All AI median values were <500 under an ablation power of 50 W. On other hand, the median ablation time up to the steam pop was more than 46 seconds, but all median values of the AI were more than 550 under an ablation with 20 W.

Conclusions

The AI cannot predict steam pops. A low power and long duration ablation could obtain a high AI value. However, high‐power ablation could not obtain a high AI value because of an early occurrence of steam pops.
Suboptimal biventricular pacing. What is the mechanism?
Authors: Tan Vern Hsen , Yeo Colin , Wong Kelvin
Published: June 2019

Suboptimal biventricular pacing has deleterious effects on patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy. We describe a unique case of suboptimal biventricular pacing and our approach to overcome it.
The SAFRAN daily gridded precipitation product in Tunisia (1979–2015)
Authors: Tramblay Yves , Feki Haifa , Quintana‐Seguí Pere , Guijarro José A.
Published: June 2019

A new high‐resolution (5 km) gridded daily precipitation dataset for Tunisia between 1979 and 2015 is introduced. This product combines 960 rain gauges with the SAFRAN analysis to produce the precipitation gridded data. A validation approach on two different datasets reveals that the SAFRAN analysis outperforms other standard interpolation methods such as Inverse Distance, Nearest Neighbors, Ordinary Kriging or Residual Kriging with altitude. When compared to EOBS, a widely used gridded dataset over Europe, a strong negative bias in EOBS precipitation is found. However due to the aridity and the low density of rain gauges in south Tunisia, results in this region must be analyzed with care. The SAFRAN product could be useful for various purposes such as climate model evaluation, climate studies, hydrological modelling to support the planning and management of surface water resources in Tunisia.
Change in the spatiotemporal pattern of snowfall during the cold season under climate change in a snow‐dominated region of China
Authors: Bai Lei , Shi Chunxiang , Shi Qingdong , Li Lanhai , Wu Jing , Yang Yanfen , Sun Shuai , Zhang Feiyun , Meng Junyao
Published: June 2019

The spatiotemporal pattern of precipitation is significantly changing with global climate change. Snowfall is a solid phase of precipitation and an important water resource. With two gridded data sets of APHRO (Asia Precipitation‐Highly‐Resolved Observational Data Integration Towards Evaluation of Water Resources) and CN05.1, this study analyses the changes in the spatiotemporal pattern of snowfall in a snow‐dominant region of China from 1961 to 2015. The results indicate the significant increasing trend of winter snowfall in horizontal and altitude dimension in snow‐dominant regions, but the winter snowing season length shortened. For the frequency of snowfall intensity level, light, and heavy snowfall and snowstorms increased, but moderate snowfall showed no change. However, the intensity of extreme snowfall in once‐in‐a‐century was decreasing in all of the snow‐dominant regions. In the altitude dimension, the increasing trend in snow‐dominant conditions was not uniform, which may be related to change in air temperature and water vapour through the vertical atmospheric levels. The upwards trend in snowfall may be caused by the increase of atmospheric water content rather than the change of snowy weather conditions. In addition, the change values of climate indices can also contribute to snowfall increasing in snow‐dominant regions.
Alteration of phenolic profiles and antioxidant capacities of common buckwheat and tartary buckwheat produced in China upon thermal processing
Authors: Liu Yongxiang , Cai Chunzhi , Yao Yiliang , Xu Baojun
Published: June 2019

BACKGROUND

Buckwheat products are receiving increasing attention because of their high nutritive values and significant health‐promoting properties. In the present study, 15 buckwheat products grown in different parts of China were investigated. Representative common or tartary buckwheat samples were further subjected to soaking, roasting, microwave cooking, boiling and steaming treatments. Colorimetric analyses and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses were performed to determine the phenolic profiles and antioxidant capacities of the raw and thermally processed buckwheat samples, respectively.

RESULTS

Tartary buckwheat exhibited a remarkably higher total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 2‐diphenyl‐1‐picryhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) compared to common buckwheat, although there were no significant differences between their 2,2′‐azino‐di‐(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonic acid) (ABTS) free radical scavenging capacity. All thermal treatments, particularly microwave cooking, contributed to the greatest losses of phenolics and antioxidant capacities in the common buckwheat samples, whereas boiling and steaming usually resulted in the lowest losses. For the tartary buckwheat samples, all thermal treatments (except roasting), especially boiling and steaming, led to significant increases in TPC, TFC, DPPH free radical scavenging activity, FRAP and ABTS free radical scavenging capacity. However, HPLC analyses indicated that all thermal treatments, especially microwave cooking, gave rise to the greatest losses of the total content of 14 phenolic acids and three flavonoids, whereas boiling led to the lowest losses.

CONCLUSION

Both steaming and boiling treatments are recommended when preparing common or tartary buckwheat food products because they can minimize thermal degradation or promote their phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities to the greatest extent. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Benzenedicarboxylic acid upregulates O48814 and Q9FJQ8 for improved nutritional contents of tomato and low risk of fungal attack
Authors: Ahmad Aqeel , Akram Waheed , Shahzadi Iqra , Wang Rui , Hu Du , Bashir Zoobia , Jaleel Waqar , Ahmed Shakeel , Tariq Wajeeha , Li Guihua , Wu Tingquan , Ahmad Yasin Nasim , Shafique Shazia
Published: June 2019

BACKGROUND

Tomato is an important food item and a cocktail of phytonutrients. In the current study, metabolites from a non‐pathogenic fungal speciesPenicillium oxalicumhave been exploited to obtain nutritionally augmented tomato fruits from the plants to better withstand againstAlternaria alternatainfection.

RESULTS

Initially, bioactivity‐guided assay and chromatographic analyses identified the bioactive metabolites ofP. oxalicum[benzenedicarboxylic acid (BDA) and benzimidazole]. Then, ≥3 times elevated quantities of vitamins and other nutritional elements (protein, fat, fibers, and carbohydrates) were achieved by the foliar application of BDA. The maximum increase (625.81%) was recorded in riboflavin contents; however, thiamine showed the second highest enhancement (542.86%). Plant metabolites analysis revealed that jasmonic acid contents were boosted 121.53% to significantly enhance guaiacyl lignin defenses along with the reduction in coumarin contents. The protein profile analysis explored three most actively responding protein species toward BDA applications, (i) palmitoyltransferase protein Q9FLM3; (ii) serine/threonine‐protein kinase O48814; and (iii) E3 ubiquitin‐protein ligase Q9FJQ8. The O48814 improved plant defenses; whereas, Q9FJQ8 protein was negatively regulating cysteine‐type endopeptidase activity and assisted plant to resist schedule alterations. Tomato cultivar with more active innate metabolism was found to be more responsive toward BDA. Furthermore, the bioactive compounds were enriched by using the two‐step extraction method of ethyl acetate and chloroform, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Penicillium oxalicuma non‐pathogenic fungal species, produced BDA, induced nutritional contents in tomato and protected it againstAlternaria alternata. The current study is the first report on the bioactivity of BDA and benzimidazole concerning the nutritional enhancement and plant defense improvement. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Fermentation capacities of fructan‐ and pectin‐rich by‐products and purified fractions via an in vitro piglet faecal model
Authors: Uerlings Julie , Bindelle Jérôme , Schroyen Martine , Richel Aurore , Bruggeman Geert , Willems Els , Everaert Nadia
Published: June 2019

BACKGROUND

Dietary strategies such as the inclusion of prebiotics have been suggested for modulating intestinal microbiota. In piglets, this strategy could result in a reduction of post‐weaning‐associated disorders and the use of antibiotics. To date, mainly purified fractions have been tested for their prebiotic effects at weaning while trials of potential health‐promoting effects of products and corresponding by‐products remain rare. In this study, fructan‐ and pectin‐based ingredients have been tested in a two‐step in vitro model for their fermentation kinetics as well as for their short‐chain fatty acid production and microbiota profiles in fermentation broth as indicators for their prebiotic activity.

RESULTS

Chicory root, in contrast to chicory pulp, exhibited an extensive and rapid fermentation similar to inulin and oligofructose, although butyrate levels of root and pulp did not reach those of the purified fractions. Chicory pulp showed higher relative levels of Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Clostridium cluster IV and butyryl‐CoA:acetate‐CoA transferase gene abundance compared to chicory root. Sugar beet pulp, orange and citrus by‐products displayed extensive gas fermentation patterns, equivalent to those of purified pectin, and revealed an elevated butyrate production compared to purified pectin. Moreover, several orange and citrus by‐products displayed significantly higher relative levels of Bifidobacterium spp. in comparison to purified pectin.

CONCLUSIONS

Chicory root and pulp as well as orange and citrus by‐products appear to be promising ingredients for piglet diets for modulating intestinal fermentation for health purposes. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Impacts of arterial ischemia or venous occlusion on vascularized groin lymph nodes in a rat model
Authors: Tinhofer Ines E. , Yang Chin‐Yu , Chen Courtney , Cheng Ming‐Huei
Published: June 2019

Background

Reported ischemia time of vascularized lymph nodes was 5 hours. This study investigated the effects of arterial ischemia and venous occlusion on vascularized lymph node function in rats.

Methods

Bilateral pedicled groin lymph node flaps were raised in 27 Lewis rats. Femoral artery and vein were separated and clamped for 1, 3, 4, or 5 hour(s). Lymph node flap perfusion and drainage were assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry and indocyanine green lymphography. Histologic changes were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin stain, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end‐labeling (TUNEL), and glutathione assays.

Results

Perfusion units of 2.84 ± 1.41, 2.46 ± 0.64, 2.42 ± 0.37, and 2.01 ± 0.90 were measured in arterial ischemia groups, and 1.71 ± 0.45, 2.20 ± 0.98, 1.49 ± 0.35, and 0.81 ± 0.20 in venous occlusion groups after 1, 3, 4, and 5 hours of clamping, respectively. Lymphatic drainage showed mean latency periods of 5.33 ± 0.88, 9.00 ± 3.21, 10.00 ± 2.08, and 24.50 ± 11.50 seconds in arterial clamping groups, and 25.00 ± 3.61, 26.00 ± 3.06, 23.33 ± 4.41, and 152.00 ± 0 seconds in venous clamping groups, respectively. Severe medullary and cortical congestion and hemorrhage on histology and cell damage by glutathione levels and TUNEL assay were found after 4 hours of venous clamping.

Conclusions

Arterial ischemia and venous occlusion impact the function and viability of vascularized lymph node flaps differently. The critical venous occlusion time was 4 hours.
Temporal variability of soil organic carbon in paddies during 13‐year conservation tillage
Authors: Qi Jian‐Ying , Wang Xing , Zhao Xin , Pu Chao , Kan Zheng‐Rong , Li Chao , Liu Peng , Xiao Xiao‐Ping , Lal Rattan , Zhang Hai‐Lin
Published: June 2019

Decreasing temporal variability of soil organic carbon (SOC) can avoid its temporary loss, which is positive to SOC accumulation and mitigation of climate change. Thus, this study was designed to analyze the temporal variability of SOC stock during 13‐year tillage practices and its driving factors in rice paddies of Southern China. Four tillage practices were studied: no‐till (zero‐tillage) with residues retained on the soil surface (NTS, conservation tillage), rotary tillage with incorporated residues (RTS), moldboard plow tillage with incorporated residues, or with residues removed. The SOC stock at 0–30 cm soil depth varied widely between 2007 and 2017, partly due to the annual temperature and precipitation variations. The temporal variation of SOC was lower under NTS than other tillage practices (p < .05). This was associated with the lower variation of heavy SOC and mineral associated SOC as well as with lower (p < .05) potential mineralizable carbon under NTS. Despite SOC saturated in all treatments, NTS increased (p < .05) the SOC content by 12.1%–35.3% at 0–5 cm soil depth. Thus, NTS in double rice paddies has been proved to be a promising option to maintain high levels of soil C accumulation with low temporal variability, especially at the upper 0–5 cm depth.
Graft‐Versus‐Tumor Effect in Major Histocompatibility Complex–Mismatched Mouse Liver Transplantation
Authors: Yu Dongdong , Wang Lidong , Wu Tianchun , Zhang Yaohui , Tian Yang , Wang Yan , Cui Chenwei , Li Hui , Zhang Jinhua , Zhou Lin , Yan Sheng , Zheng Shusen
Published: June 2019

Liver transplantation (LT) is currently considered an important method in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and an alternative treatment for other liver malignancies. Here, we demonstrated that the graft‐versus‐tumor (GVT) effect exists in allogeneic liver transplantation (allo LT). Recipient‐derived T cells played a critical role in the GVT process of allo LT, as demonstrated by extensive infiltration and significant activation of recipient T cells in the tumor after surgery. Moreover, this process was related to donor‐derived T/B cells by improving the immune microenvironment in the tumor, as demonstrated by elevated levels of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), IL‐6, IL‐16, chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 10 (CXCL10), and CXCL11 and decreased levels of IL‐10 and IL‐4 at tumor sites. Additionally, tacrolimus (FK506) treatment inhibited the GVT effect on allo LT. Donor liver‐derived T/B cells infiltrate extrahepatic tumors to trigger a strong T‐cell‐mediated immune response and thus improve the tumor immune microenvironment.
The BRadykinesia Akinesia INcoordination (BRAIN) Tap Test: Capturing the Sequence Effect
Authors: Hasan Hasan , Burrows Maggie , Athauda Dilan S. , Hellman Bruce , James Ben , Warner Thomas , Foltynie Thomas , Giovannoni Gavin , Lees Andrew J. , Noyce Alastair J.
Published: June 2019

Background

The BRadykinesia Akinesia INcoordination (BRAIN) tap test is an online keyboard tapping task that has been previously validated to assess upper limb motor function in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Objectives

To develop a new parameter that detects a sequence effect and to reliably distinguish between PD patientsonandoffmedication. In addition, we sought to validate a mobile version of the test for use on smartphones and tablet devices.

Methods

The BRAIN test scores in 61 patients with PD and 93 healthy controls were compared. A range of established parameters captured number and accuracy of alternate taps. The new velocity score recorded the intertap speed. Decrement in the velocity score was used as a marker for the sequence effect. In the validation phase, 19 PD patients and 19 controls were tested using different hardware including mobile devices.

Results

Quantified slopes from the velocity score demonstrated bradykinesia (sequence effect) in PD patients (slope cut‐off −0.002) with 58% sensitivity and 81% specificity (discovery phase of the study) and 65% sensitivity and 88% specificity (validation phase). All BRAIN test parameters differentiated betweenonandoffmedication states in PD. Differentiation between PD patients and controls was possible on all hardware versions of the test.

Conclusion

The BRAIN tap test is a simple, user‐friendly, and free‐to‐use tool for the assessment of upper limb motor dysfunction in PD, which now includes a measure of bradykinesia.
Technical Note: Quality assurance and relative dosimetry testing of a 60Co total body irradiator using optical imaging
Authors: Tendler Irwin I. , Bredfeldt Jeremy S. , Zhang Rongxiao , Bruza Petr , Jermyn Michael , Pogue Brian W. , Gladstone David J.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The aim of this study was to create an optical imaging‐based system for quality assurance (QA) testing of a dedicated Co‐60 total body irradiation (TBI) machine. Our goal is to streamline the QA process by minimizing the amount time necessary for tests such as verification of dose rate and field homogeneity.

Methods

Plastic scintillating rods were placed directly on the patient treatment couch of a dedicated TBI 60Co irradiator. A tripod‐mounted intensified camera was placed directly adjacent to the couch. Images were acquired over a 30‐s period once the cobalt source was fully exposed. Real‐time image filtering was used; cumulative images were flatfield corrected as well as background and darkfield subtracted. Scintillators were used to measure light‐radiation field correspondence, dose rate, field homogeneity, and symmetry. Dose rate effects were measured by modifying the height of the treatment couch and scintillator response was compared to ionization chamber (IC) measurements. Optically stimulated luminesce detector (OSLD) used as reference dosimeters during field symmetry and homogeneity testing.

Results

The scintillator‐based system accurately reported changes in dose rate. When comparing normalized output values for IC vs scintillators over a range of source‐to‐surface distances, a linear relationship (R2 = 0.99) was observed. Normalized scintillator signal matched OSLD measurements with <1.5% difference during field homogeneity and symmetry testing. Beam symmetry across both axes of the field was within 2%. The light field was found to correspond to 90 ± 3% of the isodose maximum along the longitudinal and latitudinal axis, respectively. Scintillator imaging output results using a single image stack requiring no postexposure processing (needed for OSLD) or repeat manual measurements (needed for IC).

Conclusion

Imaging of scintillation light emission from plastic rods is a viable and efficient method for carrying out TBI 60Co irradiator QA. We have shown that this technique can accurately measure field homogeneity, symmetry, light‐radiation field correspondence, and dose rate effects.
Laborautomatisierung: Kollisionen vermeiden
Authors: Ehrensberger Christian
Published: June 2019

Wenn Mensch und Roboter zusammenarbeiten, könnten sich Produktion oder Analytik weiter automatisieren lassen. Planungsprogramme helfen, die optimalen Abstände zu finden, damit das Zusammenspiel gefahrlos und auf möglichst kleiner Fläche abläuft.
Was die Farben verraten
Authors: Schulenburg Yasmine
Published: June 2019

Mit IR‐Mikrospektroskopie an historischen Farbstoffgebinde lässt sich Chemie‐ und Sozialgeschichte nachvollziehen.
Strukturen, Zusammensetzung, Mechanismen
Authors: Kunkel Nathalie , Clemens Oliver
Published: June 2019

Im Jahr 1932 entdeckt, diente das Neutron schon bald der Untersuchung diverser Verbindungen. Was tut sich derzeit bei der Neutronendiffraktion an den internationalen Großforschungseinrichtungen?
Feststoffe in Schwerelösung
Authors: Kamps Sebastian
Published: June 2019

Unlösliche Kunststoff‐ oder Mineralienpartikel lassen sich über ihr Sedimentationsverhalten trennen. Dabei hilft eine Lösung mit einstellbarer Dichte.
Bilanzen 2018: Die Gerätebranche
Authors: Zbikowski Frauke
Published: June 2019

Bis auf wenige Ausnahmen stiegen bei den größten Herstellern von Labor‐ und Analysentechnik im vergangenen Jahr die Umsätze. Trotz der Unsicherheiten durch den Handelskonflikt zwischen den USA und China sowie durch den Brexit rechnet die Branche mit weiter wachsenden Umsätzen.
Über den Trend vom Molekül zum System
Authors: von Delius Max
Published: June 2019

Gewisse Materialeigenschaften ergeben sich erst aus dem Zusammenspiel verschiedener Komponenten, und dynamische molekulare Netzwerke können sich an ihre Umgebung anpassen. Eine Besonderheit sind emergente Systeme, also solche Systeme, deren Eigenschaften sich nicht aus den Eigenschaften der Einzelkomponenten ableiten lassen.
Wertschöpfungsketten steuern
Authors: Dietrich Yorck
Published: June 2019

Statistische Modelle unterstützen Unternehmen dabei, Entscheidungen zu treffen. Häufig tagende Abstimmungsrunden werden so überflüssig.
Trendbericht Technische Chemie
Authors: Deutschmann Olaf , Dittmeyer Roland , Grunwaldt Jan‐Dierk , Kolb Gunther , Löbbecke Stefan , Wehinger Gregor D.
Published: June 2019

Chemie 4.0 und Diesel‐Fahrverbot – die technische Chemie setzt zunehmend auf modulare Anlagen auf Basis von Mikroverfahrenstechnik und Flow Chemistry, um die Produktion von Chemikalien flexibler zu gestalten. Zudem forciert sie die Anstrengungen in der Emissionskontrolle, insbesondere in der Abgasnachbehandlung von Verbrennungsmotoren.
52. DGMS‐Jahrestagung gemeinsam mit DPG‐Frühjahrstagung in Rostock
Authors: Gross Jürgen H.
Published: June 2019

Mitte März 2019 tagte die DPG‐Frühjahrstagung der Sektion Atome, Moleküle, Quantenoptik und Plasmen (SAMOP) gemeinsam mit der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Massenspektrometrie (DGMS) an der Universität Rostock. Die rund 350 DGMS‐Teilnehmer hatten für die viertägige Veranstaltung über 60 Vorträge und knapp 130 Poster mitgebracht. Neunzehn Hersteller präsentierten Massenspektrometer, Zubehör und Software an ihren Firmenständen und boten eigene Veranstaltungen am. Für den Sonntagnachmittag vor der Tagung hatten Fachgruppen der DGMS schon vier dreistündige Workshops vorbereitet.
Über Fluoreszenzexperimente mit Alltagsprodukten
Authors: Ducci Matthias
Published: June 2019

Badezusätze enthalten oft Fluorescein, aus dem sich ein Reagenz für einen Blutnachweis herstellen lässt. Dabei reagieren die ebenfalls in den Produkten enthaltenen Azofarbstoffe, was zu überraschenden Effekten führt.
Bilanz 2018: Wacker Chemie
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: June 2019

Der Münchner Wacker‐Konzern investierte im Jahr 2018 kräftig. Die Umsätze der Chemiegeschäfte stiegen, die mit Polysilicium sanken.
Bilanz 2018: Fresenius
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: June 2019

Das Unternehmen Fresenius setzte im Jahr 2018 mehr um als im Vorjahr, aber weniger als erwartet: Die Produktion verkaufte sich gut, die Kliniken dagegen waren nicht ausgelastet.
Bilanz 2018: Boehringer Ingelheim
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: June 2019

Bei Boehringer Ingelheim stiegen im Jahr 2018 die Umsätze. Das umsatzstärkste Medikament brachte aber weniger als im Jahr zuvor.
Bilanz 2018: Celanese
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: June 2019

Der Chemiekonzern Celanese verkaufte im Jahr 2018 größere Mengen zu höheren Preisen als im Vorjahr und kaufte andere Unternehmen.
Interview mit Lena Daumann: "Auf die Lernstile gehe ich ein"
Authors: Zbikowski Frauke
Published: June 2019

Lena Daumann lehrt bioanorganische Chemie an der Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität München und setzt auf Interaktion mit den Studierenden. Nun hat sie dafür den Ars‐Legendi‐Fakultätenpreis erhalten.
Printenmädchen, Karl und Supermarket Lady
Authors: Bong Barbara
Published: June 2019

Die GDCh veranstaltet das Wissenschaftsforum Chemie 2019 in Aachen. Die Lage der Stadt am Dreiländerpunkt passt zum Motto „Chemie – das gemeinsame Element“.
Hochschulpakt neu aufgelegt
Authors: Zbikowski Frauke
Published: June 2019

Drei Bund‐Länder‐Vereinbarungen sehen 160 Milliarden Euro bis 2030 für akademische Forschung und Lehre vor, kürzen aber den Qualitätspakt Lehre.
Kooperation statt Freiheit
Authors: Zbikowski Frauke
Published: June 2019

Der Vertrag zwischen Boehringer‐Ingelheim‐Stiftung und Uni Mainz schränkt die Forschungsfreiheit ein, schreibt ein Gutachter.
Nitrogen‐doped carbons derived from poly(ionic liquid)s with various backbones and cations
Authors: Sun Rui , Meek Kelly M , Ho Hoi Chun , Elabd Yossef A
Published: June 2019

In this study, poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) with various backbone/cation pairings (backbones – ethyl methacrylate, styrene; covalently attached cations – butylimidazolium, trimethylammonium, butylpyrrolidinium) were successfully synthesized as carbon precursors. Pyrolysis of PILs produced carbons with sheet‐like structures with a metallic luster in contrast to the powder form of carbons produced from polyacrylonitrile. The results also show that cation type has a significant impact on surface area, graphitic content, graphitic nitrogen content, nitrogen retention, carbon yield and surface chemistry of the PIL‐derived carbons. The design of nitrogen‐doped carbons based on a diverse set of PILs with various cation and polymer backbone chemistries may be an effective strategy to optimize carbon properties for subsequent application in energy storage devices. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Modeling post‐translational modifications and cancer‐associated mutations that impact the heterochromatin protein 1α‐importin α heterodimers
Authors: Zimmermann Michael T. , Williams Monique M. , Klee Eric W. , Lomberk Gwen A. , Urrutia Raul
Published: June 2019

Heterochromatin protein 1α (HP1α) is a protein that mediates cancer‐associated processes in the cell nucleus. Proteomic experiments, reported here, demonstrate that HP1α complexes with importin α (IMPα), a protein necessary for its nuclear transport. This data is congruent with Simple Linear Motif (SLiM) analyses that identify an IMPα‐binding motif within the linker that joins the two globular domains of this protein. Using molecular modeling and dynamics simulations, we develop a model of the IMPα‐HP1α complex and investigate the impact of phosphorylation and genomic variants on their interaction. We demonstrate that phosphorylation of the HP1α linker likely regulates its association with IMPα, which has implications for HP1α access to the nucleus, where it functions. Cancer‐associated genomic variants do not abolish the interaction of HP1α but instead lead to rearrangements where the variant proteins maintain interaction with IMPα, but with less specificity. Combined, this new mechanistic insight bears biochemical, cell biological, and biomedical relevance.
An analytical study of the atmospheric boundary‐layer flow and divergence over an SST front
Authors: Ayet Alex , Redelsperger Jean‐Luc
Published: June 2019

We present an analytical model reproducing literature‐based numerical simulations of the Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer (MABL) over a Sea‐Surface Temperature (SST) front, with wind blowing from the cold to the warm side. Turbulence is parametrized through a varying diffusion coefficient with two critical features: it is parabolic in the vertical and its mean value is decoupled from the MABL height (unlike an Ekman layer model). These two novel features are found essential to recover the internal structure of the MABL from numerical simulations. Different dynamical regimes are obtained and interpreted through non‐dimensional numbers characterizing the relative importance of terms driving the momentum equation.

A closed‐form expression of the vertically integrated wind divergence in the MABL is then obtained. The resulting divergence is linearly linked to the SST Laplacian and to the downwind SST gradient. This shows that the response of the MABL wind divergence to an SST front is highly dependent on its spatial scale. The coupling coefficients vary with the ratio of MABL height to turbulence strength, i.e. the inverse Ekman number. We further show different regimes in the rate of variation of the coupling coefficients, depending on the Ekman number value. This can result in qualitatively different vertical winds, having potential implications for the coupling of the MABL with the free troposphere.
Impacts of future urban expansion on urban heat island effects during heatwave events in the city of Melbourne in southeast Australia
Authors: Imran Hosen M. , Kala Jatin , Ng Anne W. M. , Muthukumaran Shobha
Published: June 2019

The city of Melbourne in southeast Australia is planning to expand urban areas substantially by the year 2050 and this expansion has the potential to alter the Urban Heat Island (UHI), that is, higher temperatures in urban areas as compared to surrounding rural areas. Moreover, Melbourne has been experiencing more frequent heatwaves for last two decades, and the intensity and duration of heatwaves is expected to increase in the future, which could exacerbate the UHI. This study evaluates the potential impacts of future urban expansion on the urban meteorology in Melbourne city during four of the most severe heatwave events during the period 2000–2009. Urban expansion is implemented as high‐density urban with a high urban fraction of 0.9 to investigate the maximum possible impact. Simulations are carried out using the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with the Single‐Layer Urban Canopy Model with current land‐use and future urban expansion scenarios. Urban expansion increases the near‐surface (2‐m) UHI (UHI2) by 0.75 to 2.80 °C and the skin‐surface UHI (UHIsk) by 1.9 to 5.4 °C over the expanded urban areas during the night, with no changes in existing urban areas. No substantial changes in UHI2 and UHIsk occur during the day over both existing and expanded urban areas. This is largely driven by changes in the storage heat flux, with an increase in storage heat at night and a decrease during the day; that is, excess storage heat accumulated during the day is released at night, which causes a slower decrease of near‐surface temperature and increase in the UHI. Urban expansion did not affect human thermal comfort (HTC) in existing urban areas and there were no marked differences in HTC between existing and expanded urban areas.