bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new fast real‐time PCR method for the identification of three sibling Apodemus species (A. sylvaticus, A. flavicollis, and A. alpicola) in Italy
Authors: Sozio Giulia , Curini Valentina , Pascucci Ilaria , Cammà Cesare , Di Domenico Marco
Published: April 2018

The identification of field mice Apodemus flavicollis, Apodemus sylvaticus, and Apodemus alpicola represents a challenge for field scientists due to their highly overlapping morphological traits and habitats. Here, we propose a new fast real‐time PCR method to discriminate the three species by species‐specific TaqMan assays. Primers and probes were designed based on the alignment of 54 cyt‐b partial sequences from 25 different European countries retrieved from GenBank. TaqMan assays were then tested on 133 samples from three different areas of Italy. Real‐time PCR analysis showed 92 samples classified as A. flavicollis, 13 as A. sylvaticus, and 28 as A. alpicola. We did not observe any double amplification and DNA sequencing confirmed species assignment obtained by the TaqMan assays. The method is implementable on different matrices (ear tissues, tail, and blood). It can be used on dead specimens or on alive animals with minimally invasive sampling, and given the high sensitivity, the assay may be also suitable for degraded or low‐DNA samples. The method proved to work well to discriminate between the species analyzed. Furthermore, it gives clear results (amplified or not) and it does not require any postamplification handling of PCR product, reducing the time needed for the analyses and the risk of carryover contamination. It therefore represents a valuable tool for field ecologists, conservationists, and epidemiologists.
Parallel Multipopulation Differential Evolutionary Particle Swarm Optimization for Voltage and Reactive Power Control
Authors: YOSHIDA HOTAKA , FUKUYAMA YOSHIKAZU
Published: April 2018

This paper presents parallel multipopulation differential evolutionary particle swarm optimization (DEEPSO) for voltage and reactive power control (VQC). The problem can be formulated as a mixed integer nonlinear optimization problem and various evolutionary computation techniques have been applied to the problem including PSO, differential evolution (DE), and DEEPSO. Since VQC is one of the online controls, speed‐up of computation is required. Moreover, there is still room for improvement in solution quality. This paper applies parallel multipopulation DEEPSO in order to speed up the calculation and improve solution quality. The proposed method is applied to IEEE 30, 57, and 118 bus systems. The results indicate that the proposed method can realize fast computation and minimize more active power losses than the conventional evolutionary computation techniques.
Early identification of acute heart failure at the time of presentation: do natriuretic peptides make the difference?
Authors: Möckel Martin , von Haehling Stephan , Vollert Jörn O. , Wiemer Jan C. , Anker Stefan D. , Maisel Alan ,   on behalf of the BACH study group
Published: April 2018

Background

The early identification of patients with acute heart failure (AHF) is challenging as many other diseases lead to a clinical presentation with dyspnea.

Aim

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of natriuretic peptides at common HF study cut‐offs on the diagnosis of patients with dyspnea at admission.

Methods and results

For this post hoc analysis, we analysed n = 726 European Union (EU) patients from the prospective BACH (Biomarkers in Acute Heart Failure) study. Cut‐offs were 350 ng/L (BNP), 300 pmol/L [pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide (proANP)], and 1800 ng/L (NT‐proBNP). These cut‐offs had equivalent 90 days' mortality in the EU cohort of BACH. We analysed the effect of selection using these cut‐offs on the prevalence of the gold standard diagnoses made in the BACH study and the respective mortality. The prevalence of AHF is increased from 47.5 to 75.6% (NT‐proBNP criteria) up to 79.7% (BNP criteria). With the use of the proANP criteria, 90 days' mortality of patients with AHF rose from 14 to 17% (P = 0.029). In the group with no‐AHF diagnoses, mortality rose from 10 to 25% (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The prevalence of patients with the gold standard diagnoses of AHF among those presenting with dyspnea to the emergency department is significantly increased by the use of natriuretic peptides with common cut‐offs used in prospective HF studies. Nevertheless, in the selected groups, patients with no AHF diagnosis have the highest mortality, and therefore, the addition of a natriuretic peptide alone is insufficient to start specific therapies.
Synthesis and Electrochemical Behavior of Ferrocenyl‐Functionalized Metallocenes M(η5‐C5H5)2(EFc)2 (M = Ti, Zr; E = O, S, Se)
Authors: Frenzel Peter , Korb Marcus , Hildebrandt Alexander , Lang Heinrich
Published: April 2018

Metallocenes [Ti](Cl)(OFc) (4) and [M](EFc)2 {[M] = M(η5‐C5H5)2; M = Ti: 5a, E = O; 5b, E = S; 5c, E = Se. M = Zr: 6, E = O; Fc = Fe(η5‐C5H4)(η5‐C5H5)} were prepared by the treatment of [M]Cl2 (1, M = Ti; 2, M = Zr) with FcOLi (3), or by the reaction of FcELi (8a, E = S; 8b, E = Se) with 1. The solid‐state structures of the metallocenes 4, 5a,b, and 6 are reported. The electrochemical (4, 5a,b,c) and spectroelectrochemical (in situ UV/Vis/NIR) [5a, Fc2E2 for comparison; E = S (9), Se (10)] behavior is discussed. All Ti compounds show irreversible TiIV/TiIII reduction processes at Epc = –1520 to –2100 mV. Reversible Fc redox processes are characteristic for 4 (E1°′ = –308 mV) and 5a (E1°′ = –429, E2°′ = –142 mV). For 5b three processes at E1°′ = –151, E2°′ = 87, and E3°′ = 369 mV are found. In multicyclic CV studies it could be shown that after TiIV/TiIII reduction the Ti–S bonds in 5b were cleaved resulting in the formation of Fc2S2 (9), which shows two separate reversible redox processes at E1°′ = 64 and E2°′ = 366 mV for the Fc groups. However, metallocene 5c decomposes in solution producing 10. UV/Vis/NIR studies on 5a, 9, and 10 indicate significant electrostatic interaction among the Fc/Fc+ groups as oxidation progresses.
The role of system identity threat in conspiracy theory endorsement
Authors: Federico Christopher M. , Williams Allison L. , Vitriol Joseph A.
Published: April 2018

Conspiracy theories (CTs) about government officials and the institutions they represent are widespread, and span the ideological spectrum. In this study, we test hypotheses suggesting that system identity threat, or a perception that society's fundamental, defining values are under siege due to social change, will predict conspiracy thinking. Across two samples (N = 870, N = 2,702), we found that system identity threat is a strong predictor of a general tendency toward conspiracy thinking and endorsement of both ideological and non‐ideological CTs, even after accounting for numerous covariates. We also found that the relationship between system‐identity threat and conspiracy‐theory endorsement is mediated by conspiracy thinking. These results suggest that conspiracy‐theory endorsement may be a compensatory reaction to perceptions that society's essential character is changing.
Carbon‐nanotube Modified Screen‐printed Electrode for the Simultaneous Determination of Nitrite and Uric Acid in Biological Fluids Using Batch‐injection Amperometric Detection
Authors: Caetano Larissa P. , Lima Ana P. , Tormin Thiago F. , Richter Eduardo M. , Espindola Foued S. , Botelho Françoise V. , Munoz Rodrigo A. A.
Published: April 2018

A portable electroanalytical system applied for rapid and simultaneous determination of uric acid (UA) and nitrite (NIT) in human biological fluids (urine, saliva and blood) is reported. The system is based on batch‐injection analysis with multiple‐pulse amperometric (BIA‐MPA) detection using screen‐printed electrodes (SPEs) modified with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes. Sample dilution in optimized electrolyte (0.1 mol L−1 Britton‐Robinson buffer pH 2) followed by injection of 100 μL on the electrode surface using an electronic micropipette is performed. UA is detected at +0.45 V and both UA+NIT at +0.70 V. Linear calibration plots for UA and NIT were obtained over the range of 1–500 μmol L−1 with detection limits of 0.05 and 0.06 μmol L−1, respectively. For comparison, a differential‐pulse voltammetric (DPV) method was optimized, and linear calibration plots for UA and NIT were obtained over range of 1–30 μmol L−1 and 1–40 μmol L−1 with detection limits of 0.1 and 0.3 μmol L−1, respectively. BIA‐MPA is highly precise (RSD<1.3 %), fast (160 h−1) and free from sample‐matrix interferences as recovery values ranged from 77 to 121 % for spiked samples (short contact time of sample aliquot with SPE). Contrarily, recovery tests conducted using DPV did not provide adequate recovery values (>150 %), probably due to the longer contact time of the SPE with the biological samples during analysis leading to a severe interference of sample matrices.
Miniaturization of the microsuspension Salmonella/microsome assay in agar microplates
Authors: Zwarg José Ricardo R. M. , Morales Daniel A. , Maselli Bianca S. , Brack Werner , Umbuzeiro Gisela A.
Published: April 2018

The Salmonella/microsome assay (Ames test) is the most widely used mutagenicity test for the evaluation of pure chemicals and environmental samples. There are several versions of protocols available in the literature, including those that reduce the amount of sample needed for testing with liquid and agar media. The microsuspension version of the Salmonella/microsome assay is more sensitive than the standard protocol. It is performed using 5‐times concentrated bacteria and less sample and S9 mixture, but still uses conventional Petri dishes (90 × 15 mm). It has been extensively used for environmental sample testing, including in effect‐directed analysis (EDA). The objective of this study was to miniaturize the microsuspension assay using 12‐well microplates instead of the conventional plates. For validation of this miniaturization, thirteen mutagenic compounds were tested using three Salmonella strains that were selected based on their different spontaneous reversion frequencies (low, medium, and high). The conditions of the miniaturized procedure were made as similar as possible to the microsuspension protocol, using the same testing design, metabolic activation, and data interpretation, and the tests were conducted in parallel. The miniaturized plate assay (MPA) and microsuspension procedures provided similar sensitivities although MPA is less laborious and require less sample and reagents, thereby reducing overall costs. We conclude that the MPA is a promising tool and can be particularly suitable for environmental studies such as EDA or monitoring programs. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 59:488–501, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessment of a panel of cellular biomarkers and the kinetics of their induction in comparing genotoxic modes of action in HepG2 cells
Authors: Kopp Benjamin , Dario Morgane , Zalko Daniel , Audebert Marc
Published: April 2018

One major challenge for in vitro genotoxicology is the determination of the genotoxic mode of action of tested compounds. The quantification of the phosphorylation of the histones H3 (pH3) and H2AX (γH2AX) allows an efficient discrimination between aneugenic and clastogenic compounds. However, these two biomarkers do not permit to deduct the specific mechanisms involved in the action of clastogenic compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate other possible cellular biomarkers allowing differentiating clastogenic properties. For this purpose, we analyzed γH2AX and pH3 plus six other biomarkers involved in the DNA damage signaling pathway in HepG2 cells treated with nine clastogens exhibiting different mechanisms of action, as well as one aneugen. All compounds were tested at various concentrations and with kinetics of 2, 6, 24 and 48 hr. Our results demonstrate the activation of the investigated biomarkers by the tested compounds in a time and concentration dependent manner. Notably, we observed for some nondirect genotoxic clastogens, notably dNTPs pool imbalance inducers, a different kinetic of DNA damage induction compared with direct genotoxins (oxidative stress). However, no specific biomarker signature of mechanisms of clastogenic action could be specified. Multiparametric analysis demonstrates a strong correlation between γH2AX and p‐p53(S15) for clastogen compounds. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 59:516–528, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessment of bagasse and trash utilization for ethanol production: A case study in india
Authors: Vikash Payala Venkat , Mandade Prasad V. , Shastri Yogendra
Published: April 2018

Retrofitting existing sugar mills to produce ethanol from sugarcane bagasse provides a significant opportunity in India to meet the nation's liquid transportation fuel demands. Utilization of sugarcane trash in the sugar mill can enhance the economic feasibility of this approach. This work developed an optimization model to determine the optimal distribution of bagasse and trash for ethanol production while simultaneously ensuring energy sufficiency of the sugar mill. A superstructure of sugar mill integrated with a second generation ethanol facility along with trash utilization and lignin valorization processes is developed. The model determines the break‐even selling price (BESP) of ethanol by optimizing the distribution of bagasse and trash subjected to the mass and energy balance constraints and cost functions. The application of the model for a sugar mill with a throughput of 150 Mg (Mega grams)/h of sugarcane showed the ethanol BESP to be Rs. 63/L when trash and lignin was available along with bagasse for heat production. Trash retention on farm increased the BESP to Rs. 117/L, indicating the economic value of trash utilization. However, on‐farm trash retention led to about 82% savings in GHG emissions due to reduced fertilizer use. Lignin valorization was found to be economically infeasible. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1901–1907, 2018
Organic pollutants removal performance and enhanced mechanism investigation of surface‐modified steel slag particle electrode
Authors: Wang Zhaoyang , Li Junfeng , He Xinlin , Yang Guang , Qi Jingyao , Zhao Chun
Published: April 2018

Steel slag particle electrode was surface modified by metals to improve their catalytic activity. The modification metals were selected by a group of Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation experiment, Mn was proved to be the most appropriate metal for surface modification among three metals. Mn was loaded on the particles via an ultrasound impregnation‐calcination process. The resulting samples were utilized in a three‐dimensional electrode system for RhB degradation. RhB removing influence factors and reaction kinetics were investigated, result showed that the best condition for RhB degradation is: 5 V applied voltage, 15 g dosage of particle electrode, 0.15 mol/L electrolyte concentration, 5 mg/L initial RhB concentration, and pH value 6. The change of the content of Fe element was also monitored by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The adminicular evidence for the occurrence of electro‐Fenton was displayed and the enhanced mechanism was proposed. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: S7–S14, 2019
Accumulation and sublethal effects of triclosan and its transformation product methyl-triclosan in the earthworm Eisenia andrei exposed to environmental concentrations in an artificial soil
Authors: Chevillot Fanny , Guyot Mélanie , Desrosiers Mélanie , Cadoret Nicole , Veilleux Éloïse , Cabana Hubert , Bellenger Jean-Philippe
Published: April 2018

Municipal biosolids are increasingly used as a low-cost fertilizer in agricultural soil. Biosolids are contaminated by low concentrations (nanograms per gram dry wt range) of a large variety of organic contaminants, such as triclosan. The effect of exposure to low concentrations of organic contaminants on soil biota remains largely undocumented. We evaluated the sublethal effects of triclosan on the earthworm Eisenia andrei using an artificial soil amended with a nominal concentration of triclosan of 50 ng g−1 dry weight soil. Using a 56-d reproduction test, we monitored the effect of triclosan exposure on adult earthworm survival, growth, and reproduction. The bioaccumulation of triclosan in earthworm tissue (adults and juveniles) and degradation of triclosan were monitored. The genotoxicity of triclosan was evaluated using a comet assay (DNA damage) on adult earthworm coelomocytes. Exposure to a low concentration of triclosan had no significant effects on adult earthworm survival and DNA damage but significantly stimulated growth (p < 0.05) by 2-fold compared with controls. It also significantly affected E. andrei reproduction parameters (p < 0.05), as evidenced by an increase in the number of cocoons and juveniles and a decrease in the mean dry weight of juveniles. The bioaccumulation of triclosan in earthworms was moderate (bioaccumulation factor ∼2). In biosolid-borne trials, the bioaccumulation of methyl-triclosan in earthworm tissues was higher than that of the parent compound triclosan. We conclude that exposure to low concentrations of triclosan in artificial soil can significantly affect the growth and reproductive performance of earthworms (i.e., E. andrei). More research is required with natural soils to assess triclosan bioavailability for earthworms. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1940–1948. © 2018 SETAC
Volatility jumps and macroeconomic news announcements
Authors: Chan Kam F. , Gray Philip
Published: April 2018

While prior literature documents a link between macroeconomic news and price jumps, this paper demonstrates two channels through which economic announcements also manifest in volatility jumps. First, there is a strong coincidence of volatility jumps with scheduled announcements. Second, the mean jump size is an asymmetric function of the news surprise, with bad news resulting in larger jumps than good news. Furthermore, realized volatility (RV) and option‐implied volatility (IV) behave very differently over the days surrounding announcements. RV increases sharply on announcement days, while IV tends to decline consistent with the resolution of heightened uncertainty embedded in option prices.
Experimental investigation of CO2 absorption enthalpy in conventional imidazolium ionic liquids
Authors: Hu Yi , Li Xiaoshan , Liu Ji , Li Liwei , Zhang Liqi
Published: April 2018

Ionic liquids (ILs) have elicited considerable attention in the field of gas absorption and separation due to their unique properties. In addition to absorption capacity and absorption rate, absorption enthalpy is an important indicator for sorbent evaluation. In this work, the absorption enthalpy of CO2 in several kinds of ILs was measured directly using a Calvet calorimeter. The effects of anions, cationic alkyl chain length, and temperature on absorption properties were discussed. Results showed that anions influenced CO2 absorption enthalpy considerably. 1‐Butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate presented the most appropriate enthalpy for CO2 absorption compared with the other ILs investigated with different chain lengths. Absorption enthalpy was dependent on temperature, and the isosteric absorption enthalpy decreased with an increase in temperature. This work provides a useful basis for the appropriate selection of alternative forms of IL sorbents for post‐combustion CO2 capture technology. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Geochemistry and chronology of the granites in Alasituo, west Tianshan Orogen: Implications for a magma mixing origin
Authors: Han Yixiao , Liu Yunhua , Zhou Saifang , Teng Fei , Wei Juzhen , Tian Runqing
Published: April 2018

There are intense magmatic activities in the Alasituo integrated gold exploration area, west Tianshan Orogen. On the basis of field characteristics, geochemistry features, and chronology in Alasituo, the formation mechanism of complex granite rocks was explored. The intrusive rocks are divided into 3 parts: a silicic endmember, a mafic endmember, and intermediate rocks. Mafic microgranular enclaves, as well as spotted structure, silicic veins intruding mafic rocks and plagioclase xenocrysts, developed in rocks. Under the microscope, there are many unbalanced mineral combinations, needle‐like apatites, and poikilitic structures. Futhermore, there is an obvious linear trend between the mafic endmember samples, intermediate samples, and the silicic endmember samples in Harker diagrams. All samples were evolved from magma mixing in TFe2O3‐MgO diagram. The trace element concentrations of intermediate rocks have the transitional features of both silicic and mafic endmember rocks. The above characteristics show that rocks have experienced low degree and uneven physical and chemical magma mixing. The silicic endmember rocks have a high content of K2O + Na2O, Zr, Nb, Y, and REE; high Ga/Al ratios, and; low content of Sr, Eu, Ti, and P, which have the characteristics of A‐type granites with a crustal source. The high content of MgO, TFe2O3, and low K2O/Na2O in mafic endmember rocks indicate a mantle source. The LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb zircon age of the granodiorites is 350.3 ± 3.0 Ma. Combined with regional geological background and geochemical characteristics, the intrusive rocks were formed when the thinning lithosphere triggered mafic magma underplating, heating upper crust granites, and causing them partial melt.
Different brain networks underlying intelligence in autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Pua Emmanuel Peng Kiat , Malpas Charles B. , Bowden Stephen C. , Seal Marc L.
Published: April 2018

There has been sustained clinical and cognitive neuroscience research interest in how network correlates of brain‐behavior relationships might be altered in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders. As previous work has mostly focused on adults, the nature of whole‐brain connectivity networks underlying intelligence in pediatric cohorts with abnormal neurodevelopment requires further investigation. We used network‐based statistics (NBS) to examine the association between resting‐state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) connectivity and fluid intelligence ability in male children (n = 50) with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD; M = 10.45, SD = 1.58 years and in controls (M = 10.38, SD = 0.96 years) matched on fluid intelligence performance, age and sex. Repeat analyses were performed in independent sites for validation and replication. Despite being equivalent on fluid intelligence ability to strictly matched neurotypical controls, boys with ASD displayed a subnetwork of significantly increased associations between functional connectivity and fluid intelligence. Between‐group differences remained significant at higher edge thresholding, and results were validated in independent‐site replication analyses in an equivalent age and sex‐matched cohort with ASD. Regions consistently implicated in atypical connectivity correlates of fluid intelligence in ASD were the angular gyrus, posterior middle temporal gyrus, occipital and temporo‐occipital regions. Development of fluid intelligence neural correlates in young ASD males is aberrant, with an increased strength in intrinsic connectivity association during childhood. Alterations in whole‐brain network correlates of fluid intelligence in ASD may be a compensatory mechanism that allows equal task performance to neurotypical peers.
The impact of the legalisation of abortion on birth outcomes in Uruguay
Authors: Antón José‐Ignacio , Ferre Zuleika , Triunfo Patricia
Published: April 2018

This study investigates the short‐term impact on the quantity and quality of births of an abortion reform in Uruguay that legalised termination of pregnancy until the 12th week of pregnancy in the short run. We employ a differences‐in‐differences approach, comprehensive administrative records of births, and a novel identification strategy based on the planned or unplanned nature of pregnancies that came to term. Our results suggest that this policy change has led to an 8% decline in the number of births from unplanned pregnancies, driven by the group of mothers aged between 20 and 34 years old who have secondary education. This decline has triggered an increase in the average quality of births in terms of more intensive prenatal control care and a lower probability of births among single mothers. Furthermore, we document a positive selection process of births because of the reform, as adequate prenatal control care and Apgar scores rose among the affected demographic group.
Pretreatment neurocognitive function and self‐reported symptoms in patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer compared with noncancer cohort
Authors: Bernstein Lori J. , Pond Gregory R. , Gan Hui K. , Tirona Kattleya , Chan Kelvin K. , Hope Andrew , Kim John , Chen Eric X. , Siu Lillian L. , Razak Albiruni R. Abdul
Published: April 2018

Background

Newly diagnosed patients with head and neck cancer may be at risk for impaired neurocognitive function (NCF) due to disease, treatment, and lifestyle factors.

Methods

Eighty pretreatment patients with head and neck cancer and 40 control patients without cancer completed assessment of NCF and self‐reported cognition, fatigue, and mood. Blood samples to evaluate organ reserves, hormones, and cytokines were collected.

Results

Patients experienced worse symptoms of cognitive dysfunction, fatigue, and anxiety than controls. In contrast, NCF was equivalent for patients and controls. Using published norms as comparison, groups had similar high rates of impairment in performance (9/80 patients and 3/40 controls scored in the abnormal range).

Conclusion

Pretreatment patients with head and neck cancer reported cognitive disturbance. The frequency of impaired performance, albeit high, was consistent with the literature demonstrating false‐positive “abnormal” neuropsychological test performance is not uncommon. Inclusion of a noncancer patient control cohort is essential because using solely normative data as a comparison may foster erroneous interpretation.
Impact of prior cancer history on the overall survival of patients newly diagnosed with cancer: A pan‐cancer analysis of the SEER database
Authors: Zhou Huaqiang , Huang Yan , Qiu Zeting , Zhao Hongyun , Fang Wenfeng , Yang Yunpeng , Zhao Yuanyuan , Hou Xue , Ma Yuxiang , Hong Shaodong , Zhou Ting , Zhang Yaxiong , Zhang Li
Published: April 2018

The population of cancer survivors with prior cancer is rapidly growing. Whether a prior cancer diagnosis interferes with outcome is unknown. We conducted a pan‐cancer analysis to determine the impact of prior cancer history for patients newly diagnosed with cancer. We identified 20 types of primary solid tumors between 2004 and 2008 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Demographic and clinicopathologic variables were compared by χ2 test and t‐test as appropriate. The propensity score‐adjusted Kaplan‐Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the impact of prior cancer on overall survival (OS). Among 1,557,663 eligible patients, 261,474 (16.79%) had a history of prior cancer. More than 65% of prior cancers were diagnosed within 5 years. We classified 20 cancer sites into two groups (PCI and PCS) according to the different impacts of prior cancer on OS. PCI patients with a prior cancer history, which involved the colon and rectum, bone and soft tissues, melanoma, breast, cervix uteri, corpus and uterus, prostate, urinary bladder, kidney and renal pelvis, eye and orbits, thyroid, had inferior OS. The PCS patients (nasopharynx, esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, lung, ovary and brain) with a prior cancer history showed similar OS to that of patients without prior cancer. Our pan‐cancer study presents the landscape for the survival impact of prior cancer across 20 cancer types. Compared to the patients without prior cancer, the PCI group had inferior OS, while the PCS group had similar OS. Further studies are still needed.
Herbal medicine containing aristolochic acid and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Chen Chi‐Jen , Yang Yao‐Hsu , Lin Meng‐Hung , Lee Chuan‐Pin , Tsan Yu‐Tse , Lai Ming‐Nan , Yang Hsiao‐Yu , Ho Wen‐Chao , Chen Pau‐Chung ,   The Health Data Analysis in Taiwan (hDATa) Research Group
Published: April 2018

It was suspected that aristolochic acid‐induced mutations may be associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV), playing an important role in liver carcinogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the use of Chinese herbs containing aristolochic acid and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among HBV‐infected patients. We conducted a retrospective, population‐based, cohort study on patients older than 18 years who had a diagnosis of HBV infection between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2010 and had visited traditional Chinese medicine clinics before one year before the diagnosis of HCC or the censor dates. A total of 802,642 HBV‐infected patients were identified by using the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. The use of Chinese herbal products containing aristolochic acid was identified between 1997 and 2003. Each patient was individually tracked from 1997 to 2013 to identify incident cases of HCC since 1999. There were 33,982 HCCs during the follow‐up period of 11,643,790 person‐years and the overall incidence rate was 291.8 HCCs per 100,000 person‐years. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were 1.13 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11–1.16), 1.21 (95% CI, 1.13–1.29), 1.37 (95% CI, 1.24–1.50) and 1.61 (95% CI, 1.40–1.84) for estimated aristolochic acid of 1–250, 251–500, 501–1,000 and more than 1,000 mg, respectively, relative to no aristolochic acid exposure. Our study found a significant dose–response relationship between the consumption of aristolochic acid and HCC in patients with HBV infection, suggesting that aristolochic acid which may be associated with HBV plays an important role in the pathogenesis of HCC.
Expression of scavenger receptor MARCO defines a targetable tumor‐associated macrophage subset in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: La Fleur Linnéa , Boura Vanessa F. , Alexeyenko Andrey , Berglund Anders , Pontén Victor , Mattsson Johanna S.M. , Djureinovic Dijana , Persson Johan , Brunnström Hans , Isaksson Johan , Brandén Eva , Koyi Hirsh , Micke Patrick , Karlsson Mikael C.I. , Botling Johan
Published: April 2018

Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) are attractive targets for immunotherapy. Recently, studies in animal models showed that treatment with an anti‐TAM antibody directed against the scavenger receptor MARCO resulted in suppression of tumor growth and metastatic dissemination. Here we investigated the expression of MARCO in relation to other macrophage markers and immune pathways in a non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cohort (n = 352). MARCO, CD68, CD163, MSR1 and programmed death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, and associations to other immune cells and regulatory pathways were studied in a subset of cases (n = 199) with available RNA‐seq data. We observed a large variation in macrophage density between cases and a strong correlation between CD68 and CD163, suggesting that the majority of TAMs present in NSCLC exhibit a protumor phenotype. Correlation to clinical data only showed a weak trend toward worse survival for patients with high macrophage infiltration. Interestingly, MARCO was expressed on a distinct subpopulation of TAMs, which tended to aggregate in close proximity to tumor cell nests. On the transcriptomic level, we found a positive association between MARCO gene expression and general immune response pathways including strong links to immunosuppressive TAMs, T‐cell infiltration and immune checkpoint molecules. Indeed, a higher macrophage infiltration was seen in tumors expressing PD‐L1, and macrophages residing within tumor cell nests co‐expressed MARCO and PD‐L1. Thus, MARCO is a potential new immune target for anti‐TAM treatment in a subset of NSCLC patients, possibly in combination with available immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Assessing Environmental Impacts of Groundwater Irrigation Using the Life Cycle Assessment Method: Application to a Tunisian Arid Region
Authors: Pradeleix Ludivine , Bouarfa Sami , Bellon‐Maurel Veronique , Roux Philippe
Published: April 2018

Groundwater irrigation is an opportunity to improve yield, but it also brings about a variety of environmental impacts that go beyond the most noticeable impact of water depletion. In this paper, a multi‐criteria environmental impact assessment based on life cycle analysis (LCA) is conducted at the regional level on the Kairouan Plain (Tunisia) where groundwater withdrawals for irrigation purposes are constantly increasing. At this regional level, we have addressed impacts of both groundwater pumping and cropping practices. The diversity of farming and cropping systems was also accounted for.

Results highlight that the main processes contributing to the impacts on resources—when overlooking impacts on water depletion—are: energy used for groundwater pumping (23%), fertilization (30%), i.e. road transportation of manure (21%), ammonium nitrate manufacturing (9%), and also the manufacturing of irrigation pipes (13%). However, the specific impacts of freshwater depletion on natural resources are by far the most severe when accounted for in the method. Indeed, it is essential that these impacts on freshwater depletion be fully accounted for in this water‐scarce context, especially given the increasing water scarcity predicted by climatic models. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mutations That Alter the Carboxy-Terminal-Propeptide Cleavage Site of the Chains of Type I Procollagen Are Associated With a Unique Osteogenesis Imperfecta Phenotype
Authors: Cundy Tim , Dray Michael , Delahunt John , Hald Jannie Dahl , Langdahl Bente , Li Chumei , Szybowska Marta , Mohammed Shehla , Duncan Emma L , McInerney-Leo Aideen M , Wheeler Patricia G , Roschger Paul , Klaushofer Klaus , Rai Jyoti , Weis MaryAnn , Eyre David , Schwarze Ulrike , Byers Peter H
Published: April 2018

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic bone disorder characterized by fractures, low bone mass, and skeletal fragility. It most commonly arises from dominantly inherited mutations in the genes COL1A1 and COL1A2 that encode the chains of type I collagen. A number of recent reports have suggested that mutations affecting the carboxyl-terminal propeptide cleavage site in the products of either COL1A1 or COL1A2 give rise to a form of OI characterized by unusually dense bones. We have assembled clinical, biochemical, and molecular data from 29 individuals from 8 families with 7 different mutations affecting the C-propeptide cleavage site. The phenotype was generally mild: The median height was ∼33th centile. Eighty percent of subjects had their first fracture by the age of 10 years, and one-third had a femoral or tibial fracture by the age of 25 years. Fractures continued into adulthood, though rates varied considerably. Healing was normal and rarely resulted in long bone deformity. One-third of subjects older than 15 years had scoliosis. The teeth and hearing were normal in most, and blue sclerae were not observed. Other features noted included fibro-osseous dysplasia of the mandible and Achilles tendon calcification. The mean spinal bone mineral density Z-score was +2.9 (SD 2.1) compared with –2.2 (0.7) in subjects with COL1A1 haploinsufficiency mutations. Bone mineral density distribution, assessed by quantitative backscattered electron imaging in bone showed higher levels of mineralization than found in any other disorder. Bone histology showed high trabecular volume and increased cortical thickness, with hyperosteoidosis and delayed mineralization. In vitro studies with cultured skin fibroblasts suggested that these mutations interfere with processing of the chain in which the sequence alteration occurs, but the C-propeptide is eventually cleaved (and detectable in blood), suggesting there are alternative sites of cleavage. The precise mechanism of the bony pathology is not yet clear. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Hemoglobin S monitoring on TOSOH G8 in hemoglobin A1c mode in case of urgent red blood cell exchange
Authors: Van Aelst Sophie , Claerhout Helena , Nackers Elke , Desmet Koen , Kieffer Davy
Published: April 2018

Background

Pre‐ and post‐transfusion hemoglobin S (HbS) levels are used to document the efficacy of red blood cell exchange (RCE) in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). In case of urgent RCE a 24/7 short turn‐around time (STAT) analysis, with the ability to identify and quantify HbS, is warranted. The use of TOSOH G8 (Tosoh Europe) is evaluated for this purpose, using the variant HbA1c mode.

Methods

Analytical performance of the HbS analysis on TOSOH G8 in variant HbA1c mode was evaluated, including assessment of imprecision and linearity for HbS. In addition, a comparison study between TOSOH G8 and Minicap Flex Piercing (FP) system CZE (Sebia) using 32 HbS samples (HbS range: 9%‐93%) was carried out to evaluate analytical and clinical concordance.

Results

Total HbS imprecision was 1.77% and 0.31% for a sickle cell trait and a sickle cell anemia sample, respectively. An acceptable linearity (HbS range: 6%‐88%) was observed (R2 > .99). Passing‐Bablok regression analysis showed a significant proportional bias; however, a good analytical concordance (r > .95) was found. Our results suggested that TOSOH G8 underestimated HbS results compared with those of Minicap FP system (mean difference: −3.54%), especially in samples with a high HbS concentration.

Conclusion

Hemoglobin S results obtained with TOSOH G8 in variant HbA1c mode are clinically acceptable to monitor urgent RCE. The observed underestimation will not alter clinical decision‐making.
Gender differences in social anxiety disorder
Authors: Asher Maya , Aderka Idan M.
Published: April 2018

Objective

 Despite the ample literature on gender differences in anxiety and mood disorders, gender differences in social anxiety disorder (SAD) have received little empirical attention. The aim of the present study is to examine gender differences in 12‐months prevalence, patterns of comorbidity, clinical presentation, subjective distress and functional impairment, age of onset, and treatment seeking, and discuss their clinical implications.

Method

We used data from the National Comorbidity Survey‐Replication (NCS‐R; n = 652, 63.3% women) to examine gender differences.

Results

Main findings highlighted that compared with men, women are more likely to have SAD, to have a more severe clinical presentation of the disorder and to have greater subjective distress. Women are more likely than men to have comorbid specific phobia, generalized anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, whereas men are more likely to have comorbid substance abuse disorders and conduct disorder.

Conclusions

Greater SAD prevalence and severity among women can have implications for assessment (e.g., potentially setting gender‐specific cutoffs) and treatment (e.g., guiding exposures) of SAD.
RRM2 promotes the progression of human glioblastoma
Authors: Li Chao , Zheng Jingfang , Chen Si , Huang Bin , Li Guosheng , Feng Zichao , Wang Jiwei , Xu Shujun
Published: April 2018

Glioblastoma pathogenesis is related to multiple processes that affected by dozens of regulatory factors, but the potential underlying factors regulating glioblastoma progression remains unclear. The goal of this research was to determine how the ribonucleotide reductase M2 subunit (RRM2) influenced proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis of human glioblastoma cells. The level of proliferation of human glioblastoma cells was measured through CCK8, colony formation assay and immunofluorescence stains. Flow cytometry (FCM), wound healing, and transwell assays were conducted to detect cell apoptosis, migration, and invasion. Apoptotic level of cells and invasion‐related expression of protein were measured by Western blot. Xenograft tumor model was established to confirm effect of RRM2 on the proliferation of human glioblastoma cells in vivo. Silencing RRM2 inhibited proliferation, invasion, and migration of glioblastoma cells whereas enhanced apoptosis rate. Overexpressing RRM2 promoted proliferation, migration and invasion but suppressed apoptosis. In vivo, Overexpressing RRM2 accelerated the tumor growth in glioblastoma cells. The present study illustrated that RRM2 was overexpressed in human glioblastoma cells. RRM2 promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion but inhibited apoptosis of human glioblastoma cells.
Celastrol reverses palmitic acid (PA)‐caused TLR4‐MD2 activation‐dependent insulin resistance via disrupting MD2‐related cellular binding to PA
Authors: Zhang Xue , Wang Ying , Ge Hui‐ya , Gu Yi‐jun , Cao Fan‐fan , Yang Chun‐xin , Uzan Georges , Peng Bin , Zhang Deng‐hai
Published: April 2018

Elevated plasma statured fatty acids (FFAs) cause TLR4/MD2 activation‐dependent inflammation and insulin tolerance, which account for the occurrence and development of obesity. It has been confirmed that statured palmitic acid (PA) (the most abundant FFA) could bind MD2 to cause cellular inflammation. The natural compound celastrol could improve obesity, which is suggested via inhibiting inflammation, yet the detailed mechanism for celastrol is still unclear. As celastrol is reported to directly target MD2, we thought disrupting the binding between FFAs and MD2 might be one of the ways for celastrol to inhibit FFAs‐caused inflammation and insulin resistance. In this study, we found evidence to support our hypothesis: celastrol could reverse PA‐caused TLR4/MD2 activation‐dependent insulin resistance, as determined by glucose‐lowering ability, cellular glucose uptake, insulin action‐related proteins and TLR4/MD2/NF‐κB activation. Bioinformatics and cellular experiments showed that both celastrol and PA could bind MD2, and that celastrol could expel PA from cells. Finally, celastrol could reverse high fat diet caused hyperglycemia and obesity, and liver NF‐kB activations. Taking together, we proved that celastrol could reverses PA‐caused TLR4‐MD2 activation‐dependent insulin resistance via disrupting PA binding to MD2.
Current approaches for the treatment of male infertility with stem cell therapy
Authors: Pourmoghadam Zahra , Aghebati‐Maleki Leili , Motalebnezhad Morteza , Yousefi Bahman , Yousefi Mehdi
Published: April 2018

Infertility is the inability to conceive after having regular unprotected sexual intercourse for more than 12 months and it can be caused by reproductive problems of men, women, or both, but sometimes the cause of infertility is unknown. At least 30 million men around the world suffer from infertility, most of whom are in Africa and Eastern Europe. Since infertility problems can have devastating emotional effects on couples as well as negative effects on the society, treatment of infertility is very important, as a result of which many studies have been carried out in this field and many treatments have been proposed. Recently, due to several advances in infertility treatments, more than 80% of infertile couples now have children. Among these treatments, stem cells as undifferentiated cells and because of their self‐renewing and high differentiating potential have been considered by researchers. This review explained different types of male infertility and various therapies, with emphasis on stem cells therapy.
Artemisia annua organic solvent extract, processed by supercritical CO2
Authors: Baldino Lucia , Reverchon Ernesto
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

Artemisia annua L. extraction is traditionally performed using hexane; the process is simple, but not selective. In this work, a strategy to concentrate artemisinin and the other similar active principles in the final extract is proposed, combining cheapness of maceration and selectivity of SC‐CO2 processing.

RESULTS

Hexane extraction produced a solid, waxy extract with a yield of 3.3% w/w with respect to the starting vegetable material. Then, SC‐CO2 processing of this solid extract was performed operating at 0.8 kg h−1 SC‐CO2 flow rate and at different operative parameters. Very selective conditions were found operating at 90 bar and 50°C, obtaining a final product containing more than 71% w/w of active compounds (artemisinin, artemisin and dehydroartemisinin).

CONCLUSION

Using this approach, a product more than 2.6 times richer in artemisinin than the one obtained by conventional techniques and about 2 times richer than direct CO2 extraction, was obtained. Another relevant result is that the overall process scheme is cheaper than direct CO2 extraction, since a high pressure extractor about 20 times smaller can be used, to process the waxy product obtained by hexane extraction. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
RETRACTED: Estrogen‐regulated expression of P450arom genes in the brain and ovaries of adult female Indian climbing perch, Anabas testudineus
Authors: Pal Puja , Moulik Sujata Roy , Gupta Shreyasi , Guha Payel , Majumder Suravi , Kundu Sourav , Mallick Buddhadev , Pramanick Kousik , Mukherjee Dilip
Published: April 2018

Cytochrome P450arom (CYP19), a product of cyp19a1 gene, catalyzes the conversion of androgens to estrogens and is essential for regulation of reproductive function in vertebrates. In the present study, we isolated partial cDNA encoding the ovarian (cyp19a1a) and brain (cyp19a1b) P450arom genes from adult female perch, Anabas testudineus and investigated their regulation by estrogen in vivo. Results demonstrated that cyp19a1a and cyp19a1b predominate in ovary and brain respectively, with quantity of both attuned to reproductive cycle. To elucidate estrogen‐regulated expression of cyp19a1b in brain and cyp19a1a in ovary, dose‐ and time‐dependent studies were conducted with estrogen in vitellogenic‐stage fish in the presence or absence of specific aromatase inhibitor fadrozole. Results demonstrated that treatment of fish with 17β‐estradiol (E2; 1.0 μM)) for 6 days caused significant upregulation of cyp19a1b transcripts, aromatase B protein, and aromatase activity in brain in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Ovarian cyp19a1a mRNA, aromatase protein, and aromatase activity, however, was less responsive to E2 than brain. Treatment of fish with an aromatase inhibitor fadrozole for 6 days attenuated both brain and ovarian cyp19a1 mRNAs expression and stimulatory effects of E2 was also significantly reduced. These results indicate that expression of cyp19a1b in brain and cyp19a1a in ovary of adult female A. testudineus was closely associated to plasma E2 levels and seasonal reproductive cycle. Results further show apparent differential regulation of cyp19a1a and cyp19a1b expression by E2/fadrozole manipulation.
Variability in vertebral numbers does not contribute to sexual size dimorphism, interspecific variability, or phenotypic plasticity in body size in geckos (Squamata: Gekkota: Paroedura)
Authors: Kratochvíl Lukáš , Kubička Lukáš , Vohralík Martin , Starostová Zuzana
Published: April 2018

Body size is a fundamental trait correlated with nearly every aspect of animal life. It is influenced by numerous genetic and non‐genetic factors. Despite its central importance, proximate mechanisms of intra‐ and interspecific variability in body size are still not well understood even in such a largely studied group as reptiles. For our study, we concentrated on the gecko species Paroedura picta. We investigated whether differences in sexual size dimorphism and in final and asymptotic snout‐vent length (induced by a range of incubation and rearing temperatures) are correlated with differences in the number of presacral vertebrae. Moreover, we tested whether changes in this number were associated with evolutionary changes in sexual size dimorphism and body size in the genus Paroedura. We found that the variation in the number of presacral vertebrae is very limited both intra‐ and interspecifically, ranging between 26 and 28 vertebrae with most individuals possessing the modal number of 27. We conclude that changes in the number of vertebrae do not contribute to developmental plasticity or evolutionary changes in body size nor, in contrast to some other squamate lineages, to sexual size dimorphism.