bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potentiating bioactivity of BMP‐2 by polyelectrolyte complexation with sulfonated polyrotaxanes to induce rapid bone regeneration in a mouse calvarial defect
Authors: Terauchi Masahiko , Inada Takasuke , Kanemaru Tomoki , Ikeda Go , Tonegawa Asato , Nishida Kei , Arisaka Yoshinori , Tamura Atsushi , Yamaguchi Satoshi , Yui Nobuhiko
Published: January 2017

Bone reconstruction is a challenging issue in the regeneration of surgically removed bone and disease‐related bone defects. Although bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) has received considerable attention as a bone regeneration inducer, a high dose of BMP‐2 is typically required due to its short life‐time under in vivo conditions. We have proposed a method to enhance the osteogenetic differentiation ability of BMP‐2 in vitro that is based on supramolecular polyelectrolyte complexation with sulfonated polyrotaxanes (PRXs) consisting of sulfopropyl ether (SPE)‐modified α‐cyclodextrins threaded along a poly(ethylene glycol) chain capped with terminal bulky stopper molecules. In this study, we evaluated the in vivo bone regeneration ability of the SPE‐PRX/BMP‐2 complexes in a mouse calvarial defect model in comparison to free BMP‐2 and heparin/BMP‐2 complexes. The regenerated bone area was determined by X‐ray computed microtomography, and the mice implanted with sulfonated PRX/BMP‐2 complexes exhibited rapid and significant bone regeneration compared to those implanted with free BMP‐2 and heparin/BMP‐2 complexes. We concluded that the sulfonated PRX/BMP‐2 complexes are a promising candidate for clinical bone regeneration. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1355–1363, 2017.
Surface‐bound collagen 4 is significantly more stable than collagen 1
Authors: Stynes Gil D. , Kiroff George K. , Page Richard S. , Morrison Wayne A. , Kirkland Mark A.
Published: January 2017

Collagen 1 (C1) is commonly used to improve biological responses to implant surfaces. Here, the stability of C1 was compared with collagen 4 (C4) on a mixed macrodiol polyurethane, both adsorbed and covalently bound via acetaldehyde glow discharge polymerization and reductive amination. Substrate specimens were incubated in solutions of C1 and C4. The strength of conjugation was tested by incubation in 8Murea followed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays to measure residual C1 and C4. The basal lamina protein, laminin‐332 (L332) was superimposed via adsorption on C4‐treated specimens. Keratinocytes were grown on untreated, C1‐treated, C4‐treated, and C4 + L332‐treated specimens, followed by measurement of cell area, proliferation, and focal adhesion density. Adsorbed C4 was shown to be significantly more stable than C1 and covalent conjugation conferred even greater stability, with no degradation of C4 over twenty days in 8Murea. Cell growth was similar for C1 and C4, with no additional benefit conferred by superimposition of L332. The greater resistance of C4 to degradation may be consequent to cysteine residues and disulphide bonds in its non‐collagenous domains. The use of C4 on implants, rather than C1, may improve their long‐term stability in tissues. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1364–1373, 2017.
Bioactive tricalcium silicate/alginate composite bone cements with enhanced physicochemical properties
Authors: Xu Chen , Wang Xiaoya , Zhou Jie , Huan Zhiguang , Chang Jiang
Published: January 2017

Previous studies have shown that tricalcium silicate bone cements possess good bioactivity and appropriate degradation rate. However, they also showed some weaknesses such as poor washout resistance, formability and injectability, which have seriously hindered their clinical applications. The purpose of this study was to develop a new type of bone cements—tricalcium silicate/sodium alginate (C3S/SA) composites by utilizing the interaction of Ca ions with SA molecules, in which an interpenetrating double‐network of calcium hydrate silicate (CSH) and alginate hydrogel was formed to enhance the washout resistance, formability, injectability and compressive strength of C3S. The results confirmed that the washout resistance, formability and injectability of C3S could indeed be greatly enhanced by the introduction of SA. In addition, the compressive strength of the C3S/SA composite cement with an optimum composition could reach 54 MPa, which was significantly higher than that of C3S (i.e., 35.3 MPa). Moreover, the C3S/SA composite cements retained the bioactivity of C3S, such as the activity to induce apatite formation in simulated body fluid and to promote cell proliferation. All these results indicate that the C3S/SA composite cements hold great promise as a new type of bone repair materials for further in vitro and in vivo studies. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 237–244, 2018.
Optimized performance of the integrated hepatic cell‐loaded cryogel‐based bioreactor with intermittent perfusion of acute liver failure plasma
Authors: Damania Apeksha , Kumar Anupam , Sarin Shiv K. , Kumar Ashok
Published: January 2017

Acute liver failure (ALF) plasma has cytotoxic effects on the cell‐loaded bioreactor in bioartificial liver support systems due to the presence of innumerable hepatotoxic compounds that adversely affect the morphology and functionality of the cells. We have designed a hybrid bioreactor that integrates a hepatic cell‐loaded cryogel disc and an activated carbon cloth in one compact unit, with potential application as a bioartificial liver support. In this article, we assess the performance of this integrated hybrid cryogel‐based bioreactor in a perfusion‐based culture system and analyze its functionality and longevity in the presence of intermittent exposure to ALF plasma. The bioreactor maintained functionality in terms of glucose consumption and albumin synthesis for up to 40 days under perfusion. Additionally, intermittent perfusion of plasma from rodent models of ALF resulted in a decrease in viability and functionality only after the second spike of plasma, with the bioreactor maintaining its functionality even after the first spike. Similar results were obtained with patient plasma indicating the potential to reuse the bioreactor for multiple sessions of liver dialysis. Collectively, these results suggest the potential of the integrated cryogel‐based bioreactor to be used at most twice before being disposed of. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 259–269, 2018.
DelPhiForce, a tool for electrostatic force calculations: Applications to macromolecular binding
Authors: Li Lin , Chakravorty Arghya , Alexov Emil
Published: January 2017

Long‐range electrostatic forces play an important role in molecular biology, particularly in macromolecular interactions. However, calculating the electrostatic forces for irregularly shaped molecules immersed in water is a difficult task. Here, we report a new tool, DelPhiForce, which is a tool in the DelPhi package that calculates and visualizes the electrostatic forces in biomolecular systems. In parallel, the DelPhi algorithm for modeling electrostatic potential at user‐defined positions has been enhanced to include triquadratic and tricubic interpolation methods. The tricubic interpolation method has been tested against analytical solutions and it has been demonstrated that the corresponding errors are negligibly small at resolution 4 grids/Å. The DelPhiForce is further applied in the study of forces acting between partners of three protein–protein complexes. It has been demonstrated that electrostatic forces play a dual role by steering binding partners (so that the partners recognize their native interfaces) and exerting an electrostatic torque (if the mutual orientations of the partners are not native‐like). The output of DelPhiForce is in a format that VMD can read and visualize, and provides additional options for analysis of protein–protein binding. DelPhiForce is available for download from the DelPhi webpage at http://compbio.clemson.edu/downloadDir/delphiforce.tar.gz © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improved workflow for quantifying left ventricular function via cardiorespiratory‐resolved analysis of free‐breathing MR real‐time cines
Authors: Wu Yin , Wan Qian , Zhao Jing , Liu Xin , Zheng Hairong , Chung Yiu‐Cho , Chen Yucheng
Published: January 2017

Purpose

To evaluate the feasibility of a proposed cardiorespiratory‐resolved analysis in left ventricular (LV) function quantification from real‐time cines in a cohort of cardiac patients.

Materials and Methods

Electrocardiograph (ECG)‐free free‐breathing real‐time cine imaging based on the balanced steady‐state free precession technique was performed on short‐axis slices of 20 cardiac patients at 3T. K‐means cluster segmentation was used to delineate the endocardial contours, from which the LV centroid and cavity area were determined. Respiratory and cardiac signals were respectively resolved from the filtered LV centroid displacement and time‐varied LV cavity area to identify end‐expiratory end‐diastolic (ED) and end‐systolic (ES) images. The obtained LV cavity areas and derived volumetric function indices, including ED volume (EDV), ES volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), and ejection fraction (EF), were compared with those measured from manual analysis using two‐tailed paired Student's t‐tests, linear regression analyses, and Bland–Altman plots. Interobserver variability was calculated.

Results

The LV cavity area was strongly correlated between the proposed and conventional manual methods (r > 0.87) for three representative slices at the base, middle ventricle, and apex. The average differences between the two methods were 0.66 ± 3.22 mL for EDV, –0.02 ± 2.68 mL for ESV, 0.67 ± 3.73 mL for SV, and 0.17 ± 2.30% for EF. All paired measures exhibited strong correlations (r > 0.96) without significant differences (P = 0.38–0.98). Acceptable interobserver variability (0.19–3.55%) and strong correlations (r > 0.96) were shown for all measures between the two observers.

Conclusion

The proposed method is feasible for efficient measurement of LV function from real‐time cines.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;46:905–914
Demethylating and anti‐hepatocarcinogenic potential of hesperidin, a natural polyphenol of Citrus juices
Authors: Fernández‐Bedmar Zahira , Anter Jaouad , Alonso‐Moraga Angeles , Martín de las Mulas Juana , Millán‐Ruiz Yolanda , Guil‐Luna Silvia
Published: January 2017

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a neoplasia representing the fifth most common malignancy worldwide and the third cause of death from cancer. Diets with high content in fruits and vegetables are widely recommended for their health‐promoting properties, among them, the protection against diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Hesperidin is the most important phenol in the orange fruit with well‐known health benefits. Diet components have been used as possible modulator agents of DNA methylation in cancer cells and epigenetic therapy against their harmful effects could be a potential tool in chemotherapy. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the methylation patterns induced by hesperidin in HL60 cell line as an in vitro model in order to analyze its chemopreventive effects in epigenetic cancer therapies. A parallel in vivo pilot experience using a rat diethyl nitrosamine hepatocarcinogenesis‐induced model was carried out to validate the therapeutic efficacy of this orange flavonol. Results showed that: (i) Hesperidin is cytotoxic in a dose‐dependent manner and the IC50 was 12.5 mM; (ii) Hesperidin exerts a significant hypomethylating effect on the LINE‐1 sequence (up to 47% hypomethylation at 12.5 mM) and on the ALU‐M2 repetitive sequences (up to 32% at 6 mM) in HL60 tumor cells. (iii) Hesperidin does not affect the rat body and liver weight and it is able to reduce the diethyl nitrosamine‐induced nodules at 1,000, 500, and 250 ppm. In conclusion, hesperidin could be proposed as a candidate molecule in chemoprevention in epigenetic therapy purposes.
Advanced glycation end products stimulate gene expression of fibroblast growth factor 23
Authors: Bär Ludmilla , Wächter Kristin , Wege Nicole , Navarrete Santos Alexander , Simm Andreas , Föller Michael
Published: January 2017

Scope

Osteoblasts produce fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), a hormone inhibiting renal phosphate reabsorption and the formation of biologically active vitamin D, calcitriol. FGF23‐deficient mice age rapidly and develop age‐associated diseases at least in part due to massive calcification. Elevated FGF23 serum levels are detected in patients suffering from acute and chronic renal, cardiovascular, inflammatory, and metabolic diseases. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are sugar‐modified proteins, nucleic acid, and lipids which contribute to these disorders. Here, we studied the significance of AGEs for the generation of FGF23.

Methods and results

As AGE sources, bread crust extract (BCE) and ribose‐modified bovine serum albumin (r‐BSA) were used. UMR106 osteoblast‐like cells were exposed to BCE and r‐BSA, and Fgf23 transcripts were determined by qRT‐PCR. UMR106 cells express the receptor for AGEs, RAGE. BCE and r‐BSA were powerful stimulators of Fgf23 transcription. NFκB inhibitor wogonin and store‐operated calcium entry (SOCE) antagonist 2‐APB attenuated the r‐BSA and BCE effects on FGF23 synthesis.

Conclusion

Sources of AGEs induce the transcription of Fgf23 in UMR cells. At least in part, the effect is mediated through up‐regulation of NFκB and subsequent SOCE. AGE‐induced FGF23 production may contribute to increased FGF23 serum levels observed in chronic disease.
An observational study of Australian private practice physiotherapy consultations to explore the prescription of self‐management strategies
Authors: Peek Kerry , Carey Mariko , Mackenzie Lisa , Sanson‐Fisher Robert
Published: February 2017

Objective

The aim of the study was to explore the types of self‐management strategies prescribed; the number of strategies and the overall length of time allocated to self‐management prescription, by consultation type and by injury location, in physiotherapy consultations.

Methods

A cross‐sectional, observational study of 113 physiotherapist–patient consultations was undertaken. Regression analyses were used to determine whether consultation type and injury location were associated with the number of strategies prescribed and the length/fraction of time spent on self‐management.

Results

A total of 108 patients (96%) were prescribed at least one self‐management strategy – commonly exercise and advice. The mean length of time spent on self‐management was 5.80 min. Common injury locations were the neck (n = 40) and lower back (n = 39). No statistically significant associations were observed between consultation type or injury location for either outcome (number of strategies and the length/fraction of time allocated to self‐management prescription).

Conclusion

Physiotherapists regularly spend time prescribing self‐management strategies such as exercise, advice, and the use of heat or ice to patients receiving treatment linked to a range of injury locations. This suggests that self‐management is considered to be an important adjunct to in‐clinic physiotherapy. The practice implications of this are that clinicians should reflect on how self‐management strategies can be used to maximize patient outcomes, and whether the allocation of consultation time to self‐management is likely to optimize patient adherence to each strategy.
Synthesis of allyl end‐block functionalized poly(ε‐caprolactone)s and their facile post‐functionalization via thiol–ene reaction
Authors: Truong Thuy Thu , Thai Son Hong , Nguyen Ha Tran , Vuong Vinh‐Dat , Nguyen Le‐Thu T.
Published: January 2017

A simple and facile strategy for the functionalization of commercial poly(ε‐caprolactone) diols (PCLs) with pendant functionalities at the polymer chain termini is described. Well‐defined allyl‐functionalized PCLs with varying numbers of allyl end‐block side‐groups were synthesized by cationic ring‐opening polymerization of allyl glycidyl ether using PCL diols as macroinitiators. Further functionalization of the allyl‐functionalized PCLs was realized via the UV‐initiated radical addition of a furan‐functionalized thiol to the pendant allyl functional groups, showing the suitability for post‐modification of the PCL materials. Changes in polymer structure as a result of varying the number of pendant functional units at the PCL chain termini were demonstrated. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 928–939
Nonmonotonic swelling of agarose‐carbopol hybrid hydrogel: Experimental and theoretical analysis
Authors: Hamzavi Nader , Dewavrin Jean‐Yves , Drozdov Aleksey D. , Birgersson Erik
Published: January 2017

A hybrid gel is synthesized by physical mixing of agarose and carbopol and an interpenetrating network of Agarose‐Carbopol (AC) hybrid gel is observed by atomic force microscopy. This hybrid gel exhibits pH‐responsiveness and mechanical stability as well as tunable swelling. These hydrogels depict a nonmonotonic swelling behavior as a function of pH. In particular, the equilibrium degree of swelling increases with pH of bath solution until its maximum value around pH = 
, followed by a decrease at higher pH values. The degree of swelling is increased by the concentration of carbopol when the concentration of agarose is low [
], or decreased by the concentration of agarose when
is high [
]. A physics‐based model is also adapted to characterize the swelling‐shrinking behavior of different compositions of AC gels. This swelling‐shrinking behavior of AC hydrogels will have potential applications in smart hydrogel‐based devices. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 444–454
Liquid crystal elastomer actuators: Synthesis, alignment, and applications
Authors: Kularatne Ruvini S. , Kim Hyun , Boothby Jennifer M. , Ware Taylor H.
Published: January 2017

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are a unique class of materials which combine rubber elasticity with the orientational order of liquid crystals. This combination can lead to materials with unique properties such as thermal actuation, anisotropic swelling, and soft elasticity. As such, LCEs are a promising class of materials for applications requiring stimulus response. These unique features and the recent developments of the LCE chemistry and processing will be discussed in this review. First, we emphasize several different synthetic pathways in conjunction with the alignment techniques utilized to obtain monodomain LCEs. We then identify the synthesis and alignment techniques used to synthesis LCE‐based composites. Finally, we discuss how these materials are used as actuators and sensors. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys.2017,55, 395–411
Multiscale modeling reveals inhibitory and stimulatory effects of caffeine on acetaminophen‐induced toxicity in humans
Authors: Thiel C , Cordes H , Baier V , Blank LM , Kuepfer L
Published: January 2017

Acetaminophen (APAP) is a widely used analgesic drug that is frequently co‐administered with caffeine (CAF) in the treatment of pain. It is well known that APAP may cause severe liver injury after an acute overdose. However, the understanding of whether and to what extent CAF inhibits or stimulates APAP‐induced hepatotoxicity in humans is still lacking. Here, a multiscale analysis is presented that quantitatively models the pharmacodynamic (PD) response of APAP during co‐medication with CAF. Therefore, drug‐drug interaction (DDI) processes were integrated into physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models at the organism level, whereas drug‐specific PD response data were contextualized at the cellular level. The results provide new insights into the inhibitory and stimulatory effects of CAF on APAP‐induced hepatotoxicity for crucially affected key cellular processes and individual genes at the patient level. This study might facilitate the risk assessment of drug combination therapies in humans and thus may improve patient safety in clinical practice.
Electronic properties of 1T‐MoS2 nanoribbon and its homojunction nanoribbon
Authors: Fei Jing , Meng Lijun , Nie Tiaoping , Luan Yanhua
Published: February 2017

The electronic structure and magnetic properties of the pure 1T phase MoS2 (1T‐MoS2) nanoribbons and its hybrid homojunction nanoribbons with 2H‐phase MoS2 (1T/2H homojunction) have been investigated using first‐principles calculations. A structural transition from 1T to ZT phase has been confirmed for both zigzag and armchair ribbons. The pure 1T zigzag MoS2 nanoribbon shows ferromagnetic and metallic feature regardless of width. In contrast, the magnetism of zigzag 1T/2H homojunction ribbons depends strongly on the width. Armchair ribbons and 1T/2H junctions are nonmagnetic and semiconducting, but bandgap oscillation is stronger than that of 2H‐MoS2 ribbon. The bandgaps of 1T armchair ribbons with the width parameter Na = 3n + 1 converge to a constant of ∼0.43 eV as the ribbon gets wider. Moreover, the oscillation behavior is also observed after H‐saturation at the edges. Interestingly, the H‐saturation armchair ribbons with Na = 4n + 3 show larger bandgaps than the adjacent ribbons. Additionally, the bandgap of armchair homojunction displays irregular oscillating behavior in our calculation. Our results will be useful for practical applications of MoS2‐based electronic device in the near future.
Rain retrieval from dual‐frequency radar Doppler spectra: validation and potential for a midlatitude precipitating case‐study
Authors: Tridon F. , Battaglia A. , Luke E. , Kollias P.
Published: January 2017

A recently developed technique retrieving the binned raindrop size distributions (DSDs) and air state parameters from ground‐based Ka and W‐band radars Doppler spectra profiles is improved and applied to a typical midlatitude rain event. The retrievals are thoroughly validated against DSD observations of a 2D video disdrometer and independent X‐band observations. For this case‐study, profiles of rain rate, R, mean volume diameter and concentration parameter are retrieved, with low bias and standard deviations. In light rain (0.1 < R < 1 mm h−1), the radar reflectivities must be calibrated with a collocated disdrometer which introduces random errors due to sampling mismatch between the two instruments. The best performances are obtained in moderate rain (1 < R < 20 mm h−1) where the retrieval is providing self‐consistent estimates of the absolute calibration and of the attenuation caused by antenna or radome wetness for both radars.
In situ observations of wintertime low‐altitude clouds over the Southern Ocean
Authors: Ahn Eunmi , Huang Yi , Chubb Thomas H. , Baumgardner Darrel , Isaac Peter , de Hoog Mark , Siems Steven T. , Manton Michael J.
Published: January 2017

Cloud droplet concentration (Nd), effective radius (reff) and liquid water content (LWC) measured by a DMT CAPS and an SEA WCM‐2000 of wintertime low‐altitude clouds over the Southern Ocean (SO) are presented for 20 flights taken over 3 years (June–October, 2013–2015). Such clouds have been reported to have the lowest Nd on record (10–40 cm−3) from the Southern Ocean Cloud Experiment (SOCEX I) field campaign in 1993. Of the total 20 357 one‐second records spent in cloud, 38.5% were found to contain ice crystals, primarily in mixed‐phase clouds (36.7%). Ice was observed at some point during 19 of the 20 missions. The droplet spectra and temperature range suggest these clouds were often ideal for the Hallett–Mossop ice multiplication process.

The average Nd and reff for liquid clouds were 28 (±30) cm−3 and 12.5 (±2.9) µm, which are consistent with those from SOCEX I. Forty‐nine percent of all liquid cloud samples were observed to be drizzling with an average drizzle rate of 0.733 mm h−1. As drizzle samples were commonly in the neighbourhood of mixed‐phase or non‐drizzling clouds, it was rare to observe solid patches of drizzle of greater than 10 s. On average, drizzling clouds had lower Nd and greater reff and LWC than those of non‐drizzling clouds. Distinct observations of non‐drizzling clouds with relatively high Nd (∼89 cm−3), small reff (∼8.5 µm) and low LWC (∼0.173 g kg−1) were noted for two flights. An initial examination of the local environment and synoptic meteorology for these flights failed to identify any particular forcing that may have led to these unique microphysical properties, although these were the only observations of closed mesoscale cellular convection. This research highlights that greater variability exists in the microphysics of wintertime clouds over the SO, when a wider range of synoptic meteorology is investigated.
SETUP in secret sharing schemes using random values
Authors: Olimid Ruxandra F.
Published: February 2017

Secret sharing schemes divide a secret among multiple participants so that only authorized subsets of parties can reconstruct it. We show that secretly embedded trapdoor with universal protection attack can be embedded in secret sharing schemes that employ enough randomness to give the attacker an overwhelming advantage to access the secret. In case of ideal schemes, a coalition of a few participants (within at least one is the attacker) can succeed the attack, while in case of non‐ideal schemes, the attacker's knowledge can be enough to reveal the secret. We exemplify the attack against Shamir's threshold scheme, which is the most well known and used secret sharing scheme. Finally, we consider some prevention techniques against the proposed attack. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sexual Distress and Sexual Problems During Pregnancy: Associations with Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction
Authors: Vannier Sarah A. , Rosen Natalie O.
Published: January 2017

Introduction

Sexual problems are common during pregnancy, but the proportion of pregnant women who experience sexual distress is unknown. In non-pregnant samples, sexual distress is associated with lower sexual and relationship satisfaction.

Aim

To identify the proportion of women experiencing sexual distress during pregnancy and to compare the sexual and relationship satisfaction of women who report sexual distress during pregnancy with that of women without distress.

Methods

Two-hundred sixty-one pregnant women completed a cross-sectional online survey.

Main Outcome Measures

Women completed validated measurements of sexual functioning (Female Sexual Function Index; score < 26.55 indicates a sexual problem), sexual distress (Female Sexual Distress Scale; score ≥ 15 indicates clinically significant distress), sexual satisfaction (Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction), and relationship satisfaction (Couples Satisfaction Index).

Results

Overall, 42% of women met the clinical cutoff for sexual distress. Of sexually active women (n = 230), 26% reported concurrent sexual problems and distress and 14% reported sexual distress in the absence of sexual problems. Sexual distress and/or problems in sexual functioning were linked to lower sexual and relationship satisfaction compared with pregnant women with lower sexual distress and fewer sexual problems.

Conclusion

Sexual distress is common during pregnancy and associated with lower sexual and relationship satisfaction. Health care providers should ask pregnant women about feelings of sexual distress. Identifying pregnant women who experience sexual distress and referring them to appropriate resources could help minimize sexual and relationship problems during pregnancy.
How to play the triangle game
Authors: Crilly Tony
Published: February 2017

We are given n sticks of lengths 1, 2, 3, …, n and three are selected at random. Which selections enable a triangle to be formed?

This question can be written in the form of a game: you win if a triangle can be formed from the three numbers interpreted as side lengths, you lose if they do not.

We let ℕn = {1, 2, 3, …, n}, and see there are two variants of the game:

•

From ℕn draw at random three numbers sequentially. At each stage do not replace the drawn number.

•

From ℕn a number is drawn at random and is recorded. In three stages three numbers are drawn. Replace the number at each stage.
A Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Genetic Variants Associated with Mathematics Ability
Authors: Chen Huan , Gu Xiao-hong , Zhou Yuxi , Ge Zeng , Wang Bin , Siok Wai Ting , Wang Guoqing , Huen Michael , Jiang Yuyang , Tan Li-Hai , Sun Yimin
Published: February 2017

Mathematics ability is a complex cognitive trait with polygenic heritability. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) has been an effective approach to investigate genetic components underlying mathematic ability. Although previous studies reported several candidate genetic variants, none of them exceeded genome-wide significant threshold in general populations. Herein, we performed GWAS in Chinese elementary school students to identify potential genetic variants associated with mathematics ability. The discovery stage included 494 and 504 individuals from two independent cohorts respectively. The replication stage included another cohort of 599 individuals. In total, 28 of 81 candidate SNPs that met validation criteria were further replicated. Combined meta-analysis of three cohorts identified four SNPs (rs1012694, rs11743006, rs17778739 and rs17777541) of SPOCK1 gene showing association with mathematics ability (minimum p value 5.67 × 10−10, maximum β −2.43). The SPOCK1 gene is located on chromosome 5q31.2 and encodes a highly conserved glycoprotein testican-1 which was associated with tumor progression and prognosis as well as neurogenesis. This is the first study to report genome-wide significant association of individual SNPs with mathematics ability in general populations. Our preliminary results further supported the role of SPOCK1 during neurodevelopment. The genetic complexities underlying mathematics ability might contribute to explain the basis of human cognition and intelligence at genetic level.
Understanding cancer complexome using networks, spectral graph theory and multilayer framework
Authors: Rai Aparna , Pradhan Priodyuti , Nagraj Jyothi , Lohitesh K. , Chowdhury Rajdeep , Jalan Sarika
Published: February 2017

Cancer complexome comprises a heterogeneous and multifactorial milieu that varies in cytology, physiology, signaling mechanisms and response to therapy. The combined framework of network theory and spectral graph theory along with the multilayer analysis provides a comprehensive approach to analyze the proteomic data of seven different cancers, namely, breast, oral, ovarian, cervical, lung, colon and prostate. Our analysis demonstrates that the protein-protein interaction networks of the normal and the cancerous tissues associated with the seven cancers have overall similar structural and spectral properties. However, few of these properties implicate unsystematic changes from the normal to the disease networks depicting difference in the interactions and highlighting changes in the complexity of different cancers. Importantly, analysis of common proteins of all the cancer networks reveals few proteins namely the sensors, which not only occupy significant position in all the layers but also have direct involvement in causing cancer. The prediction and analysis of miRNAs targeting these sensor proteins hint towards the possible role of these proteins in tumorigenesis. This novel approach helps in understanding cancer at the fundamental level and provides a clue to develop promising and nascent concept of single drug therapy for multiple diseases as well as personalized medicine.
Unraveling the evolutionary dynamics of ancient and recent polyploidization events in Avena (Poaceae)
Authors: Liu Qing , Lin Lei , Zhou Xiangying , Peterson Paul M. , Wen Jun
Published: February 2017

Understanding the diversification of polyploid crops in the circum-Mediterranean region is a challenging issue in evolutionary biology. Sequence data of three nuclear genes and three plastid DNA fragments from 109 accessions of Avena L. (Poaceae) and the outgroups were used for maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses. The evolution of cultivated oat (Avena sativa L.) and its close relatives was inferred to have involved ancient allotetraploidy and subsequent recent allohexaploidy events. The crown ages of two infrageneric lineages (Avena sect. Ventricosa Baum ex Romero-Zarco and Avena sect. Avena) were estimated to be in the early to middle Miocene, and the A. sativa lineages were dated to the late Miocene to Pliocene. These periods coincided with the mild seasonal climatic contrasts and the Mediterranean climate established in the Mediterranean Basin. Our results suggest that polyploidy, lineage divergence, and complex reticulate evolution have occurred in Avena, exemplifying the long-term persistence of tetraploids and the multiple origins of hexaploids related to paleoclimatic oscillations during the Miocene-Pliocene interval in the circum-Mediterranean region. This newly-resolved infrageneric phylogenetic framework represents a major step forward in understanding the origin of the cultivated oat.
Nanofiber multilayer membranes with tailored nanochannels prepared by molecular layer-by-layer assembly for high throughput separation
Authors: Rajesh Sahadevan , Zhao Yong , Fong Hao , Menkhaus Todd J.
Published: January 2017

An electrospun nanofiber multilayer membrane with excellent separation efficiency designed by uniformly distributing the organosilicate LAPONITE® nanoplatelets in between the polyamide selective layer by molecular layer-by-layer assembly (mLbL).
Duplication of Drosophila melanogaster mitochondrial EF-Tu: pre-adaptation to T-arm truncation and exclusion of bulky aminoacyl residues
Authors: Sato Aya , Suematsu Takuma , Aihara Koh-ki , Kita Kiyoshi , Suzuki Tsutomu , Watanabe Kimitsuna , Ohtsuki Takashi , Watanabe Yoh-ichi
Published: January 2017

Translation elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) delivers aminoacyl-tRNA (aa-tRNA) to ribosomes in protein synthesis. EF-Tu generally recognizes aminoacyl moieties and acceptor- and T-stems of aa-tRNAs. However, nematode mitochondrial (mt) tRNAs frequently lack all or part of the T-arm that is recognized by canonical EF-Tu. We previously reported that two distinct EF-Tu species, EF-Tu1 and EF-Tu2, respectively, recognize mt tRNAs lacking T-arms and D-arms in the mitochondria of the chromadorean nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. C. elegans EF-Tu2 specifically recognizes the seryl moiety of serylated D-armless tRNAs. Mitochondria of the enoplean nematode Trichinella possess three structural types of tRNAs: T-armless tRNAs, D-armless tRNAs, and cloverleaf tRNAs with a short T-arm. Trichinella mt EF-Tu1 binds to all three types and EF-Tu2 binds only to D-armless Ser-tRNAs, showing an evolutionary intermediate state from canonical EF-Tu to chromadorean nematode (e.g. C. elegans) EF-Tu species. We report here that two EF-Tu species also participate in Drosophila melanogaster mitochondria. Both D. melanogaster EF-Tu1 and EF-Tu2 bound to cloverleaf and D-armless tRNAs. D. melanogaster EF-Tu1 has the ability to recognize T-armless tRNAs that do not evidently exist in D. melanogaster mitochondria, but do exist in related arthropod species. In addition, D. melanogaster EF-Tu2 preferentially bound to aa-tRNAs carrying small amino acids, but not to aa-tRNAs carrying bulky amino acids. These results suggest that the Drosophila mt translation system could be another intermediate state between the canonical and nematode mitochondria-type translation systems.
Oxytocin: its role in benign prostatic hyperplasia via the ERK pathway
Authors: Xu Huan , Fu Shi , Chen Yanbo , Chen Qi , Gu Meng , Liu Chong , Qiao Zhiguang , Zhou Juan , Wang Zhong
Published: January 2017

The aim of the present study was to evaluate oxytocin and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and study the cell signalling mechanism. Investigation was performed in patients about the correlation between oxytocin level and BPH. Mice were injected with oxytocin or oxytocin antagonist for 2 weeks and the prostate morphology was studied after their sacrifice. Furthermore, in vitro experiments were performed to evaluate the oxytocin effect through the MEK/ERK/RSK pathway. Oxytocin was significantly elevated in the serum and prostate tissue of patients with BPH, and a positive correlation with prostate volume indicated. In the animal experiments, prostate enlargement was observed in the oxytocin-treated group, whereas oxytocin antagonist reduced prostate hyperplasia. The in vitro study confirmed this result and also revealed activation of the MEK/ERK/RSK pathway. Oxytocin is highly expressed in the serum and prostate tissue of patients with BPH. In addition, oxytocin aggravates BPH and the oxytocin-induced proliferative effect on prostatic cells is mediated through the MEK/ERK/RSK pathway, at least partly. Thus, the hypothalamic regulation may be involved in development of BPH, which may open a new door to more medications for BPH in the future.
Spaceborne SAR attitude steering method for smart imaging mode
Authors: Yang Wei , Ma Xiao‐Cong , Liu Wei , Chen Jie
Published: January 2017

The current spaceborne synthetic aperture radar systems are operated to illuminate the scene along the satellite flying direction. However, in many cases, the interested areas are not parallel to the flying direction, so an innovative smart imaging mode is acquired, which can be employed for illuminating scene along a given direction. A novel three‐axis attitude steering method is proposed for smart imaging mode. First, mathematical model of the attitude steering is built by considering the restrictive conditions of zero‐Doppler centroid requirement and the position of interested area. Then, an iterative optimisation algorithm is designed to calculate the three‐axis steering angles. Finally, experiment results using the satellite tool kit tool validate the proposed methods well, especially in the case of coastline imaging.
Circular polarised antenna fabricated with low‐cost 3D and inkjet printing equipment
Authors: Jun S. , Sanz‐Izquierdo B. , Heirons J. , Mao C.X. , Gao S. , Bird D. , McClelland A.
Published: January 2017

The fabrication of a patch antenna using low‐cost 3D printing equipment is presented. The circular polarised patch antenna is manufactured by combining inkjet printing and stereolithography technology. The substrate has been fabricated by curing photosensitive resin while the patch element of the antenna has been inkjet printed using silver ink. The printed antenna satisfies the required reflection coefficient, axial ratio and radiation pattern at 1575 MHz. The aim is to demonstrate an inexpensive technology that could be used for the fabrication of antennas on customised 3D printed substrates. The performance of the antenna is summarised through simulations and experimental results.
Reliable NoC design with low latency and power consumption
Authors: Yan Fengxia , Gao Jianliang
Published: January 2017

Reliability has become one of the most crucial issues in network‐on‐chip (NoC). But how to keep low latency and power consumption when achieving reliability is still a curial challenge. A novel scheme for reliable NoCs is proposed. In the scheme, header flit is protected from router to router and data is protected from end to end. To implement the scheme, a new header protection buffer in routers is designed, which can check the timing errors and tolerate the soft errors simultaneously. Instead of checking on each router, data packet is only decoded and checked on receiver's network interface. In this way, the scheme ensures reliable transmission with low latency and power consumption. Experimental results show the feasibility of the proposed scheme in terms of power consumption, latency and area cost.
PVA/HAp composite with pork bone precursor obtained by electrospinning
Authors: Ruiz‐Santos Rosalía , Monreal‐Romero Humberto , Chacon‐Nava José Guadalupe
Published: January 2017

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/hydroxyapatite (HAp) composite fibres were obtained using femur pork bone as a precursor. The fibres were prepared by the electrospinning technique using as a vehicle a solution of PVA at 10 and 15% weight. Scanning electron microscope images showed that the average diameter of the PVA fibre and PVA/HAp composite fibres does not change significantly. Using PVA (10% wt), composite fibres of cylindrical shape with a small quantity of HAp could be observed. However, an increase in PVA content to 15% wt produces higher suspension and larger amounts of HAp particles incorporated into the composite fibre. The composite fibres were characterised through X‐ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. Some of the advantages of obtaining HAp composite fibres using pork bone by electrospinning are quick production, economy, and the non‐use of chemical precursors in its production.
Thickness‐dependent photoelectrochemical property of tin disulphide nanosheets
Authors: Fang Jiaxin , Chen Mengna , Fang Zhen
Published: January 2017

IV–VI group compounds are excellent candidates for optoelectronics. Here, a solvothermal controlled synthesis of SnS2 nanosheets with different thickness is reported. The bandgap of nanosheets with thickness of 15 nm was estimated as 2.0 eV which is quite suitable for visible light harvesting. The nanosheets show about 180 times photoinduced current compare with the 35 nm nanosheets and fast response time of 4.9 ms, indicating that the SnS2 nanosheets are potential materials for high‐performance photodetectors.
Strain‐induced gradient crystalline evolution mechanism of Ti‐6.5Al‐3.5Mo‐1.5Zr‐0.3Si during ultrasonic impacting and rolling process
Authors: Liu Yu , Xue Guilian , Zhao Xiaohui
Published: January 2017

This study investigates the gradient crystalline evolution mechanism of titanium alloy Ti‐6.5Al‐3.5Mo‐1.5Zr‐0.3Si during ultrasonic impacting and rolling process (UIRP). Microscopic observations indicated that dislocation movement is quite active at the early stage of plastic deformation, but twinning soon dominates the plastic deformation in the following long period of time. The very high energy density provided by the UIRP generates a surprisingly large number of epitaxy stacking faults despite the high energy they require. The actual atomic layers present a topological structure, facilitating the conversion between intrinsic stacking faults and epitaxy stacking faults, promoting the generation of twins, partial dislocations, and their intersection. After grains are refined to nano‐scale, dislocation slip again becomes the main deformation mode. In addition, beamlike secondary α ‐phase and laminar secondary α ‐phase were observed precipitating in β ‐substrate. These secondary α ‐phases could reduce the dislocation slip resistance and improve the elongation, thus contributing to improve the plasticity of alloy.
Assessment of the potential of a range of microhabitats for use as seed production areas in moderately degraded rangelands in semiarid Australia
Authors: Bean Judith M. , Melville Gavin J. , Hacker Ronald B.
Published: January 2017

Previous studies in mulga country with hard-setting red earth soils in north-west New South Wales, Australia, have demonstrated that small fenced seed production areas on local high points can contribute to regeneration of native perennial vegetation, and increases in the soil seedbank, on surrounding slopes. In this study the potential of seven microhabitats in this environment, each replicated twice, for use as seed production areas was assessed indirectly by a study of their functional characteristics and vegetation dynamics. Indices of landscape function (stability, infiltration and nutrient cycling) were determined for each of the 14 sites at the time of fencing and at the end of the study, over 2 years later, by determining the extent and surface characteristics of 53 surface types (in total) along three parallel transects within each site. Variation in establishment and survival of ground storey species among surface types was examined by co-ordination of all plants within belts centred on the line transects. At the start of the study landscape function indices for the ‘rocky ridge with rock outcrop’ microhabitat were not significantly higher than all, or some, other microhabitats. By the end of the study two of the three indices for this microhabitat were significantly higher than for all other microhabitats. This microhabitat also favoured the establishment and survival of the pastorally preferred species Monachather paradoxus Steud and Thyridolepis mitchelliana (Nees) S.T. Blake but did not favour establishment and survival of the pastorally unpreferred species Aristida jerichoensis (Domin) Henrad and Austrostipa variabilis (Hughes) S.W.L. Jacobs and J. Everett. This microhabitat was characterised by extensive areas of ‘water catchment’ surface types associated with in-situ rock outcrop, which facilitated the observed vegetation dynamics. This ‘rocky ridge with rock outcrop’ microhabitat occurs on local high points in the landscape and is readily recognised. It is therefore ideally suited for use as fenced seed production areas to assist rangeland regeneration.
YAP–IL-6ST autoregulatory loop activated on APC loss controls colonic tumorigenesis
Authors: Taniguchi Koji , Moroishi Toshiro , de Jong Petrus R. , Krawczyk Michal , Grebbin Britta Moyo , Luo Huiyan , Xu Rui-hua , Golob-Schwarzl Nicole , Schweiger Caroline , Wang Kepeng , Di Caro Giuseppe , Feng Ying , Fearon Eric R. , Raz Eyal , Kenner Lukas , Farin Henner F. , Guan Kun-Liang , Haybaeck Johannes , Datz Christian , Zhang Kang , Karin Michael
Published: January 2017

Significance

Current therapy for advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) is unsatisfactory and CRC remains a major cause of cancer-related deaths. Thus, novel and ubiquitously acting oncogenic mediators that are amenable to pharmacological targeting need to be identified. We found that loss of
adenomatous polyposis coli
(
APC
), which is mutated in the majority of human CRC, results in up-regulation of the signaling protein IL-6ST/gp130. This results in activation of Src family kinases (SFKs), YAP, Notch, and STAT3, which are simultaneously activated in 64% of human CRC. In addition to better explaining how APC loss initiates colorectal tumorigenesis, we show that combined treatment with SFK and JAK inhibitors results in regression of established colorectal tumors in mice.
Thermodynamics of manganese oxides: Sodium, potassium, and calcium birnessite and cryptomelane
Authors: Birkner Nancy , Navrotsky Alexandra
Published: January 2017

Significance

Manganese oxides with layer and tunnel structures occur widely in the natural environment and inspire technological applications. In addition to having variable compositions, these structures often are found as small particles (nanophases). This study explores, using experimental thermochemistry, the role of composition, oxidation state, structure, and surface energy in the thermodynamic stability of synthetic birnessites and cryptomelane. These quantitative thermodynamic findings help explain and support qualitative observations of phase-transformation patterns gathered over the past five decades.