bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Making sense of medieval mouths: Investigating sex differences of dental pathological lesions in a late medieval Italian community
Authors: Trombley Trent M. , Agarwal Sabrina C. , Beauchesne Patrick D. , Goodson Caroline , Candilio Francesca , Coppa Alfredo , Rubini Mauro
Published: March 2019

Objectives

Bioarchaeological investigations of sex‐based differences in the prevalence of dental pathological lesions, particularly caries, have drawn considerable attention, and out of this work, two dominant models have emerged. Traditionally, the first model interprets sex‐related patterns in caries as a product of gendered differences in diet. A more recent model interprets a generally higher propensity for caries prevalence in females in light of reproductive ecology. To test the hypothesis that females have higher risk of caries in accordance with reproductive ecology, we examined and analyzed caries prevalence and other potentially synergistic oral pathological lesions in a late medieval (A.D. 1300–1500) Italian archaeological sample.

Materials and methods

We examined sex‐ and age‐related prevalence in caries and other oral pathological lesions in a late medieval Italian skeletal assemblage excavated from Villamagna consisting of 38 females and 37 males (n= 1,534 teeth). We examined age‐ and sex‐related patterns in six dental traits: antemortem tooth loss, caries, calculus, periapical inflammation, tooth wear, and periodontitis.

Results

Significant age‐related increases in antemortem tooth loss, caries, calculus, and tooth wear were observed in both males and females. However, there was a lack of expected sex differences in oral pathological lesions, with instead older males exhibiting significantly more antemortem tooth loss and corrected caries than females.

Discussion

Results are discussed in relation to the ethnohistoric context of medieval rural dietary practices as well as biomedical salivary literature, which suggest that dietary changes throughout the life course may have facilitated trade‐offs that buffered females from higher rates of dental pathological lesions.
Olive Oil Processing: Current Knowledge, Literature Gaps, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Kalogianni Eleni P. , Georgiou Despoina , Hasanov Jahongir H.
Published: March 2019

Olive oil quality is determined through a series of steps starting from the olive oil tree and ending to the consumer. Among these steps, olive oil processing plays a decisive role in determining quality. This work reviews current olive oil‐processing technology and compares available technologies for the unit operations involved. Furthermore, for each unit operation involved in olive oil processing, the effect of process variables on the parameters determining olive oil quality is presented and discussed. Process efficiency and environmental impact are also presented and discussed for specific unit operations. Through this review, the gaps in current knowledge are highlighted. Finally, future perspectives on olive oil processing and further research required for olive oil quality optimization are presented.
Phosphorylated sodium alginate/APP/DPER intumescent flame retardant used for polypropylene
Authors: Pallmann Johanna , Ren Yuan‐Lin , Mahltig Boris , Huo Tong‐Guo
Published: March 2019

Flame‐retardant polypropylene (FR‐PP) materials are realized by use of natural‐sourced flame‐retardant materials. Phosphorylated sodium alginate, ammonium polyphosphate, and dipentaerythritol are used to create an intumescent flame retardant (IFR). This realized flame retardant is embedded into polypropylene (PP) through melt blending method. The components, chemical structures, thermal properties, and degradation mechanisms of the samples are characterized by infrared spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and cone calorimeter test. The results indicate that an effective IFR is obtained due to gas phase and condensed phase synergistic flame‐retardant ability during combustion and degradation of FR‐PP. This work presents a facile method for preparing FR‐PP with efficient flame retardancy. This study is a first proof of concept for an innovative flame retardant, which could find application in future in the fields of automotive industry and the construction of electronic devices. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47794.
Enhancement of near‐infrared up‐conversion and blue down‐conversion luminescence in LuNbO4:Yb3+,Tm3+ with Ga3+ and Ta5+ substitutions
Authors: Im Min Hyuk , Kim Young Jin
Published: March 2019

Under a 980‐nm excitation, the up‐conversion (UC) spectra of LuNbO4:Yb3+,Tm3+ powders exhibited predominantly near‐infrared bands (~805 nm) of Tm3+ through an energy transfer process from Yb3+ to Tm3+. Regarding the down‐conversion (DC) luminescence of the powders, the photoluminescence excitation spectra consisted of a broad charge transfer band (270 nm) due to [NbO4]3− and sharp band (360 nm) of Tm3+, while the corresponding emission spectra exhibited a blue emission at 458 nm. Upon substitution of Ga3+ and Ta5+ for Lu3+ and Nb5+, respectively, both UC and DC luminescence properties were significantly enhanced. For the Ga3+ substitution, the increased emission intensity could be explained by the crystal field asymmetry surrounding the Tm3+ ions induced by the large difference in ionic radius between Ga3+ and Lu3+. For the Ta5+ substitution, we believe that an M′‐LuTaO4 substructure was formed in the host, which led to the formation of a TaO6 octahedral coordination instead of a NbO4 tetrahedral coordination. Consequently, the crystal symmetry of the local structure was modified, and thus the UC and DC luminescence properties were enhanced. The dual‐mode (UC and DC) luminescence demonstrates that LuNbO4:Yb3+,Tm3+ has a great potential in the fields of temperature sensing probes, anti‐counterfeiting, and bioapplications.
Laser‐Assisted Lip Repositioning With Smile Elevator Muscle Containment and Crown Lengthening for Gummy Smile: A Case Report
Authors: Ganesh Balaji , Burnice Nalina Kumari C. , Mahendra Jaideep , Vijayalakshmi Rajaram , K. Anil Kumar
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Treating the patients with excessive gingival display to provide a pleasant smile is a challenge to the periodontist. Gummy smile can be due to excessive vertical bone growth, dentoalveolar extrusion, short upper lip, upper lip hyperactivity, or altered passive eruption. Gummy smile associated with hyperactivity of smile elevator muscles can be treated by surgical techniques like lip repositioning, botulinum toxin injection, lip elongation with rhinoplasty, detachment of the lip muscles, and myectomy. Regardless of the technique used, to achieve a predictable result with long‐term stability limiting upper lip movement when the patient smiles, firm muscle containment is imperative.

Case Presentation

The case report describes the excessive gingival display having a multifactorial etiology in a 25‐year‐old female patient. Altered passive eruption in upper anterior teeth was treated by crown lengthening followed by management of hyperactive lip using a diode laser‐assisted lip repositioning along with traction and muscle containment. Excellent and predictable results were obtained after a 1‐year follow‐up without the relapse of gummy smile.

Conclusions

The case report showed an excellent result when treated by a combined approach of an innovative procedure with laser‐assisted lip repositioning aimed at maintaining the traction and containment of the smile elevator muscles along with crown lengthening procedure by gingivectomy.
Peripheral Giant Cell Granuloma Associated With Periodontal Intrabony Defect
Authors: Moreno Rodríguez Jose A.
Published: March 2019

Introduction

The peripheral giant cell granuloma (PGCG) is associated with periodontal bony lesions in several situations and excision results in a soft papilla defect and an intrabony defect without soft tissue protection.

Case Presentation

A PGCG associated with loss of periodontal support is described. Following the lesion excision, a specific flap design outlining a surgical papilla in the adjacent area was proposed. The aim of this flap design was to obtain an optimal condition for periodontal regeneration, to treat the lesion excision associated with soft tissue defect, and to avoid a second surgical area. Complete periodontal defect resolution without soft tissue contraction or lesion recurrence was obtained at 2‐year follow‐up.

Conclusion

Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent greater loss of periodontal attachment.
Screening for Improved Nerve Agent Simulants and Insights into Organophosphate Hydrolysis Reactions from DFT and QSAR Modeling
Authors: Mendonca Matthew L. , Snurr Randall Q.
Published: March 2019

The effective detoxification of chemical warfare agents, specifically nerve agents, is a pressing issue in the modern world. Due to the high toxicity of these molecules, simulants are often used in experiments as substitutes for the agents. However, there is little reason to believe that the current simulants used in the literature are optimal predictors of nerve agent reactivity. Density functional theory calculations were performed on the alkaline hydrolysis of over 100 organophosphate molecules to identify improved simulants for the G‐series nerve agents soman and sarin, based on low toxicity and similarity to nerve agent hydrolysis energetics and degradation mechanism. This screening highlighted 5 molecules that have nearly identical reaction barriers to the actual agents, while being far less toxic. Quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models were also derived to determine the most significant molecular descriptors for describing the hydrolysis free energy barriers of these reactions. The optimal QSAR model was subjected to a thorough statistical analysis and validation procedure to confirm its predictive capacity, showing excellent quantitative and ranking accuracy. It was further shown that the model trained on G‐series agents can reliably predict energetics for other organophosphate classes as well, including VX. Through these computational insights, experimentalists may be aided in accurately and safely studying these reactions with less toxic simulants.
Picosecond Switchable Azo Dyes
Authors: Garcia‐Amorós Jaume , Maerz Benjamin , Reig Marta , Cuadrado Alba , Blancafort Lluís , Samoylova Elena , Velasco Dolores
Published: March 2019

Azo dyes that combine electron‐withdrawing thiazole/benzothiazole heterocycles and electron‐donating amino groups within the very same covalent skeleton exhibit relaxation times for their thermal isomerization kinetics within milli‐ and microsecond timescales at room temperature. Notably, the thermal back reaction of the corresponding benzothiazolium and thiazolium salts occurred much faster, within the picosecond temporal domain. In fact, these new light‐sensitive platforms are the first molecular azo derivatives capable of reversible switching between their trans and cis isomers in a subnanosecond timescale under ambient conditions. In addition, theoretical calculations revealed very low activation energies for the isomerization process, in accordance with the fast subnanosecond kinetics that were observed experimentally.
A high‐efficient fast‐transient boost converter with adaptive on‐time controlled and zero‐current–detection techniques
Authors: Chen Jiann‐Jong , Hwang Yuh‐Shyan , Chen Cheng‐Tang , Ku Yitsen
Published: March 2019

A high‐efficient fast‐transient boost converter with adaptive on‐time controlled and zero‐current–detection techniques is presented in this paper. The adaptive on‐time controlled technique can rapidly reach desired output voltage in two to three switching cycles. The proposed boost converter uses a zero‐current–detector to detect and prevent the negative inductor current issue that can decrease the light‐load power consumption and increase the light‐load efficiency. Therefore, this new configuration accelerates transient response and improves light‐load efficiency of the boost converter. The proposed boost converter has been fabricated with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) 0.18‐μm Complementary Metal‐Oxide‐Semiconductor (CMOS) 1P6M technology, and the chip area is only 1.148 × 1.187 mm (including personal assistant devices [PADs]). The input voltage range is from 0.5 to 1 V, and the output voltage is 1.8 V. The measured transient response time is about 2 and 3 μs, when the load current is changed from 5 to 300 mA and from 300 to 5 mA, respectively. The converter's operating frequency is 1 MHz, the maximum output current is 300 mA, and the peak power efficiency is 91.6% under 200‐mA load current. The experimental results confirm that the light‐load efficiency of the converter can be increased 11%.
Feasibility of conducting a randomized clinical trial using family‐based treatment for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
Authors: Lock James , Sadeh‐Sharvit Shiri , L'Insalata Alexa
Published: March 2019

Treatments for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) lack strong empirical support. There is a critical need to conduct adequately powered studies to identify effective treatments for ARFID. As a first step, the primary aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of conducting a randomized clinical trial (RCT) comparing Family‐based Treatment for ARFID (FBT‐ARFID) to usual care (UC). The primary outcomes were recruitment, attrition, suitability, and expectancy rates. The secondary aim was to assess changes in percent estimated body weight, eating related psychopathology, and parental self‐efficacy from baseline to end of treatment/UC period in both groups. Recruitment rates were 1.87 per month; 28 children with ARFID and their families were randomized and attrition rate was 21%. Therapeutic suitability and expectancy rating suggested that FBT‐ARFID was acceptable to families. Effect size (ES) differences on measures of weight and clinical severity were moderate to large, favoring FBT‐ARFID over UC. Parental self‐efficacy improvement also demonstrated a large ES favoring FBT‐ARFID, which was correlated with improvements in ARFID symptoms. There is a research gap between our knowledge base on how to treat children with ARFID and clinical need. The data presented suggest that an RCT comparing FBT‐ARFID and UC is feasible to conduct.
Growth Stimulation Effects of Environmentally Realistic Contaminant Mixtures on a Marine Diatom
Authors: Moeris Samuel , Vanryckeghem Francis , Demeestere Kristof , Huysman Steve , Vanhaecke Lynn , De Schamphelaere Karel A.C.
Published: March 2019

To estimate mixture effects caused by the high number of chemicals simultaneously present in the environment, methods for routine effect assessment of environmentally realistic contaminant mixtures are needed. We repeatedly exposed the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum to SpeediskTM passive sampler extracts and observed statistically significant growth stimulation up to 6 and 7% for samples from inside and outside the harbor of Zeebrugge, respectively. These effects were found at summed contaminant concentrations (159–166 ng L–1) that were within a 1.1- to 2.4-fold range of those observed in grab water samples taken during sampler deployment. These stimulatory effects were confirmed in 2 independent tests with extracts stored for <1 or 8 mo that had undergone limited sample handling, whereas no effects were observed for extracts that had been stored for 16 mo that had undergone repeated handling (notably repeated freezing and thawing) before biotest spiking. Targeted analysis by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography was performed to quantify 88 personal care products (n = 8), pesticides (n = 28), and pharmaceuticals (n = 52). Among these compounds, multivariate statistical analysis put forward the β-blocker atenolol as explaining most of the observed variation in mixture composition between the growth-stimulating and no effect–causing extracts. However, when tested individually over the entire concentration range present in the extracts, atenolol did not have any effect on P. tricornutum, suggesting that nontargeted substances in the extracts may have contributed to the observed stimulatory effects. Nevertheless, the present study shows that exposure to contaminant mixtures at environmentally realistic concentrations can lead to small but significant growth stimulation effects on the marine diatom P. tricornutum. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1313–1322. © 2019 SETAC
Therapeutic efficacy of regional and systemic chemotherapy in advanced maxillary sinus cancer
Authors: Yi Keun‐Ik , Kim Sung‐Dong , Mun Sue Jean , Roh Hwan‐Jung , Cho Kyu‐Sup
Published: March 2019

Background

To compare the efficacy of regional chemotherapy through the superficial temporal artery and systemic chemotherapy in patients with advanced maxillary sinus cancer.

Methods

Nine of 22 patients with over TNM stage III maxillary sinus cancer received regional chemotherapy and 13 received systemically. The change of tumor volume, the degree of response according to the tumor location, and side effects after chemotherapy were analyzed.

Results

Tumor volume reduction was significantly higher in the regional than systemic chemotherapy. Tumor response to chemotherapy was greater in regional than systemic chemotherapy in most maxillary sinus wall. The tumor response in anterior, posterior, and lateral wall of maxillary sinus was greater more than two times in the regional than systemic chemotherapy. There were no severe side effects related to regional chemotherapy.

Conclusion

Regional chemotherapy was superior to systemic chemotherapy regarding tumor volume reduction, especially located in the anterior, posterior, and lateral wall of maxillary sinus.
Sex Differences in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: State of the Art and Identification of Research Gaps
Authors: Lonardo Amedeo , Nascimbeni Fabio , Ballestri Stefano , Fairweather DeLisa , Win Sanda , Than Tin A. , Abdelmalek Manal F. , Suzuki Ayako
Published: March 2019

Despite tremendous research advancements in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), our understanding of sex differences in NAFLD remains insufficient. This review summarizes the current knowledge on sex differences in NAFLD, identifies gaps, and discusses important considerations for future research. The prevalence and severity of NAFLD are higher in men than in women during the reproductive age. However, after menopause, NAFLD occurs at a higher rate in women, suggesting that estrogen is protective. Sex differences also exist for the major risk factors of NAFLD. In general, animal models of NAFLD recapitulate the sex differences observed in patients, with more severe steatosis and steatohepatitis, more proinflammatory/profibrotic cytokines, and a higher incidence of hepatic tumors in male than female subjects. Based on computer modeling, female and male livers are metabolically distinct with unique regulators modulating sex‐specific metabolic outcomes. Analysis of the literature reveals that most published clinical and epidemiological studies fail to examine sex differences appropriately. Considering the paucity of data on sex differences and the knowledge that regulators of pathways relevant to current therapeutic targets for NAFLD differ by sex, clinical trials should be designed to test drug efficacy and safety according to sex, age, reproductive stage (i.e., menopause), and synthetic hormone use. Conclusion: Sex differences do exist in the prevalence, risk factors, fibrosis, and clinical outcomes of NAFLD, suggesting that, while not yet incorporated, sex will probably be considered in future practice guidelines; adequate consideration of sex differences, sex hormones/menopausal status, age, and other reproductive information in clinical investigation and gene association studies of NAFLD are needed to fill current gaps and implement precision medicine for patients with NAFLD.
Replacement of an Indole Scaffold Targeting Human 15‐Lipoxygenase‐1 Using Combinatorial Chemistry
Authors: Prismawan Deka , van der Vlag Ramon , Guo Hao , Dekker Frank J. , Hirsch Anna K. H.
Published: March 2019

Human 15‐lipoxygenase‐1 (15‐LOX‐1) belongs to the class of lipoxygenases, which catalyze oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic and linoleic acid. Recent studies have shown that 15‐LOX‐1 plays an important role in physiological processes linked to several diseases such as airway inflammation disease, coronary artery disease, and several types of cancer such as rectal, colon, breast and prostate cancer. In this study, we aimed to extend the structural diversity of 15‐LOX‐1 inhibitors, starting from the recently identified indolyl core. In order to find new scaffolds, we employed a combinatorial approach using various aromatic aldehydes and an aliphatic hydrazide tail. This scaffold‐hopping study resulted in the identification of the 3‐pyridylring as a suitable replacement of the indolyl core with an inhibitory activity in the micromolar range (IC50=16±6 μm) and a rapid and efficient structure–activity relationship investigation.
Fibulin‐7 is overexpressed in glioblastomas and modulates glioblastoma neovascularization through interaction with angiopoietin‐1
Authors: de Vega Susana , Kondo Akihide , Suzuki Mario , Arai Hajime , Jiapaer Shabierjiang , Sabit Hemragul , Nakada Mitsutoshi , Ikeuchi Tomoko , Ishijima Muneaki , Arikawa‐Hirasawa Eri , Yamada Yoshihiko , Okada Yasunori
Published: March 2019

Glioblastoma (GBM) is pathologically characterized by highly malignant neoplastic cells, focal necrosis and aberrant blood vessels composed of disorganized endothelial cells and pericytes. The recent cancer microarray database revealed upregulation of fibulin‐7 (Fbln7), a member of the fibulin family, but provided no information on the tissue localization or biological function. In the present study, we demonstrated that Fbln7 is markedly overexpressed by the GBM tissue among astrocytic tumors, and immunolocalized mainly to endothelial cells and pericytes of the glomeruloid and hypertrophied microvessels. The production of Fbln7 by endothelial cells and pericytes was confirmed in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human brain vascular pericytes (HBVP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulated the Fbln7 expression in HUVEC. Fbln7 bound to angiopoietin‐1, but not angiopoietin‐2 or Tie2 receptor, through interaction between the N‐terminal portions of Fbln7 and angiopoietin‐1, and it blocked phosphorylation of Tie2 receptor in HUVEC. In a coculture assay using HUVEC and HBVP, multilayered and irregular‐shaped tube‐like structures of HUVEC were induced by treatment with a high concentration of VEGF. This was accompanied by Fbln7 overproduction by HUVEC and angiopoietin‐1 expression by HBVP. The production of aberrant VEGF‐induced tube‐like structures was attenuated by treatment with antibody or synthetic peptides specific to the Fbln7 N‐terminal domain or knockdown of Fbln7. These data demonstrate that Fbln7 is overexpressed by endothelial cells and pericytes of the abnormal microvessels in GBM, and suggest that Fbln7 may contribute to the aberrant vessel formation by modulation of the angiopoietin‐1/angiopoietin‐2‐Tie2 axis.
C3‐Symmetrical π‐Scaffolds: Useful Building Blocks to Construct Helical Supramolecular Polymers
Authors: Dorca Yeray , Matern Jonas , Fernández Gustavo , Sánchez Luis
Published: March 2019

In this review, we highlight some relevant examples of C3‐symmetrical molecules that have been reported to form supramolecular polymers and helical aggregates. In particular, the number and type of non‐covalent forces are key to bias the supramolecular polymerization leading from a simple isodesmic or cooperative mechanism to a more complex self‐assembly process, i. e. pathway complexity. Furthermore, the attachment of stereogenic centres at the peripheral side chains of the C3‐systems provokes efficient transfer and amplification of chirality phenomena when directional and specific non‐covalent interactions operate. Interestingly, the incorporation of hydrophilic side chains induces the formation of organized aggregates in aqueous media with potential biomedical applications. Overall, the examples shown in this review on C3‐symmetrical scaffolds illustrate the relevance of this molecular shape in the development of functional supramolecular structures.
An exploration of the interrater agreement of visual analysis with and without context
Authors: Ford Andrea L.B. , Rudolph Brenna N. , Pennington Brittany , Byiers Breanne J.
Published: March 2019

Visual analysis is integral to the analysis of single‐case experimental design (SCED) data. Previous studies have shown that many factors may influence the interrater agreement (IRA) of visual analysis. One factor that has received little direct attention is the impact of contextual information. In the current study, authors of recently published SCED studies were asked to make judgments regarding functional relations based on published datasets that met criteria for design quality. Respondents were randomly assigned to view graphs with or without contextual information and the degree of interrater agreement was compared. Results revealed that contextual information had no impact on IRA for decisions of a functional relation. IRA was high across both groups for 6 of the 7 datasets examined. Implications and recommendations based on these results are discussed.
Hip simulator testing of the taper‐trunnion junction and bearing surfaces of contemporary metal‐on‐cross‐linked‐polyethylene hip prostheses
Authors: Bhalekar Rohan M. , Smith Simon L. , Joyce Thomas J.
Published: March 2019

Adverse reaction to metal debris released from the taper‐trunnion junction of modular metal‐on‐polyethylene (MoP) total hip replacements (THRs) is an issue of contemporary concern. Therefore, a hip simulator was used to investigate material loss, if any, at both the articulating and taper‐trunnion surfaces of five 32‐mm metal‐on‐cross‐linked‐polyethylene THRs for 5 million cycles (Mc) with a sixth joint serving as a dynamically loaded soak control. Commercially available cobalt–chromium–molybdenum femoral heads articulating against cross‐linked polyethylene (XLPE) acetabular liners were mounted on 12/14 titanium (Ti6Al4V) trunnions. Weight loss (mg) was measured gravimetrically and converted into volume loss (mm3) for heads, liners, and trunnions at regular intervals. Additionally, posttest volumetric wear measurements of the femoral tapers were obtained using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The surface roughness (Sa) of femoral tapers was measured posttest. After 5 Mc, the mean volumetric wear rate for XLPE liners was 2.74 ± 0.74 mm3/Mc. The CMM measurements confirmed material loss from the femoral taper with the mean volumetric wear rate of 0.045 ± 0.024 mm3/Mc. The Sa on the worn area of the femoral taper showed a significant increase (p < 0.001) compared with the unworn area. No other long‐term hip simulator tests have investigated wear from the taper‐trunnion junction of contemporary MoP THRs. © Crown Copyright. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials 108B:156–166, 2020.
Histological analysis of biocompatibility of different surgical adhesives in subcutaneous tissue
Authors: Lacerda‐Santos Rogério , Roberto Berthiene M. S. , de Siqueira Nunes Bruna , Carvalho Fabiola G. , dos Santos Antonielson , Dantas Antônio F. M.
Published: March 2019

The focus of this study was to test the hypothesis that there would be no difference between the biocompatibility of cyanoacrylate‐based adhesives in rat subcutaneous tissues. In total, 60 male Wistar rats were used, and divided into four groups (n = 15): Group C (control, PVA‐polyvinyl alcohol sponge), Group NO (N‐butyl‐2‐octylcyanoacrylate), Group NH (n‐hexyl‐cyanoacrylate), and Group EC (Ethyl‐cyanoacrylate). The animals were sacrificed after time intervals of 7, 15, and 30 days and tissues were analyzed under optical microscope as regards the events of inflammatory infiltrate, edema, necrosis, granulation tissue, giant cells, young fibroblasts, and collagen formation. The results were statistically analyzed by the Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn tests (p < .05). Significant inflammatory infiltrate was shown for all the adhesives in the time intervals of 7 (p = .004) and 15 days (p = .003). In the time interval of 30 days, moderate inflammatory infiltrate was observed in Groups NH and EC, with significant difference from Control (p = .001). The quantity of collagen fibers in all the experimental groups showed significant difference compared with Control in the time intervals of 7 (p = .002) and 15 days (p = .001), at 30 days only Group EC showed a smaller quantity of collagen fibers in comparison with Control (p = .001). The hypothesis was rejected. The adhesive N‐butyl‐2‐octylcyanoacrylate had less influence on the inflammatory intensity of multinucleated giant cells. Ethyl‐cyanoacrylate demonstrated the lowest level of biocompatibility among the adhesives, but its use in clinical practice may be promising for coaptation of smaller edges of superficial tissue.

Surgical adhesives were shown to be feasible for clinical use in substitution of conventional suturing. Ethyl‐cyanoacrylate should be used with caution due to its greater influence on tissues.
Cilostazol against 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid‐induced colitis: Effect on tight junction, inflammation, and apoptosis
Authors: Al‐Kishali Hiba A , Abd El Fattah Mai A , Mohammad Waleed A , El‐Abhar Hanan S
Published: March 2019

Background

Inflammatory bowel diseases are immunologically mediated disorders of gastrointestinal tract, characterized by dysregulated immune responses that result in a chronic intestinal inflammation. The antiplatelet cilostazol (CS), a phosphodiesterase‐III inhibitor, exerted a beneficial effect on several models of gastrointestinal diseases; however, the full mechanism of action in this context has not been unveiled.

Aim

The current study aimed to elucidate the potential role of CS in a 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)‐induced colitis model.

Methods

Male Wistar rats were divided into a sham group and groups treated with sulfasalazine (500 mg/kg), CS (50 and 100 mg/kg), and a combination (sulfasalazine/CS 50 mg/kg). All treatments were administered orally 15 days, with TNBS rectal administration on the 11th day.

Results

TNBS‐produced colitis manifested as a decrease in the epithelial junctional adhesion molecule‐A (JAM‐A) and as an increase in trefoil factor‐3, ulcerative area, and colon mass index, parameters that collaborate with the gross macroscopic changes in colon tissue. In addition, TNBS increased hemeoxygenase‐1, nuclear factor‐kappa B, P‐selectin, and myeloperoxidase, as well as the apoptotic ratio of Bax/Bcl‐2. Administration of CS alone, especially at the high dose level, attenuated the severity of TNBS‐induced colitis in a sulfasalazine‐comparable manner. In addition, a better effect was mediated by the combination regimen, which succeeded in normalizing most of the measured parameters.

Conclusion

CS protected the colon against TNBS through its anti‐inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects along with maintaining cellular tight junctions (TJs). Furthermore, CS can be beneficial as an add‐on drug with the conventional treatments of colitis.
Does Public Health Insurance Increase Maternal Health Care Utilization in Egypt?
Authors: Rashad Ahmed Shoukry , Sharaf Mesbah Fathy , Mansour Elhussien Ibrahim
Published: March 2019

This paper assesses the impact of the national health insurance on the utilization of maternal health care services in Egypt using propensity score matching. The results suggest that health insurance has a strong and robust positive impact on most of the maternal health care indicators. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of meteorological variables and heat fluxes from atmospheric reanalysis and objective analysis products over the Bering Sea
Authors: Kong Bin , Liu Na , Lin Lina , He Yan , Wang Yingjie , Pan Zengdi
Published: March 2019

Surface meteorological variables and heat fluxes in the Bering Sea obtained from Chinese Arctic buoys and U.S. National Data Buoy Center buoys are compared with seven products. The seven products comprise six reanalysis products, that is, the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Interim Reanalysis (ERA‐Interim), Japanese 55‐year Reanalysis (JRA‐55), Modern Era Retrospective‐analysis for Research and Applications Version 2 (MERRA2), National Center for Environmental Prediction‐National Center for Atmospheric Research Reanalysis 1 (NCEP1), the National Centers for Environmental Prediction‐Department of Energy Reanalysis 2 (NCEP2), and Arctic System Reanalysis Version 2 (ASR2), and one objective analysis product, that is, Objectively Analyzed Air‐Sea Fluxes (OAFlux). The best estimates of the air temperature and specific humidity is obtained by JRA‐55, of the sea surface temperature by ERA‐Interim, MERRA2, and ASR2, and of the wind speed by ERA‐Interim. Shortwave radiation is overestimated by all of the products. Longwave radiation is significantly underestimated by all of the products except for ASR2 in the Bering Sea. In terms of the turbulent heat fluxes, the products can be divided into two classes. ERA‐Interim, JRA‐55, MERRA2, and ASR2 obtain better estimates of the latent heat flux (LHF) and sensible heat flux (SHF) compared with NCEP1, NCEP2, and OAFlux.

We investigate two possible causes of the discrepancy in the turbulent heat fluxes obtained by the buoy and reanalysis products, that is, the bulk algorithm and meteorological variables. The algorithm is not the dominant cause of the discrepancy between the turbulent heat fluxes obtained by the buoy and reanalysis products in the Bering Sea. Among the meteorological variables, the difference in specific humidity contributes the largest root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) of LHF between buoy and all reanalysis products, and the difference in air temperature contributes the largest RMSE of SHF.
Near‐zero humidities on Ben Nevis, Scotland, revealed by pioneering 19th‐century observers and modern volunteers
Authors: Burt Stephen , Hawkins Ed
Published: March 2019

The weather on Ben Nevis—the highest mountain in the British Isles at 1345 m above mean sea level—sometimes shows episodes of remarkably low relative humidity (RH) with few precedents anywhere else in the British Isles. We are able to quantify this for the first time using a high‐quality series of hourly dry‐ and wet‐bulb observations, made on the summit. These observations were made between 1883 and 1904, but have only just become available to modern science, thanks to thousands of volunteers who worked to rescue this unique and exemplary data set from published volumes. Careful examination and analysis of the original observations using modern psychrometric theory revealed several occasions where we are confident that the summit RH fell close to zero as a result of anticyclonic subsidence. Three case histories are examined in some detail. The 19th‐century Ben Nevis humidity records are also compared with contemporary automatic weather station data from two high‐altitude Scottish mountain sites.
Reducing the carbon footprint per unit of economic benefit is a new method to accomplish low‐carbon agriculture. A case study: adjustment of the planting structure in Zhangbei County, China
Authors: Wang Zhan‐biao , Zhang Ji‐zong , Zhang Li‐feng
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

The development of low‐carbon agriculture is promising for mitigating climate change. This study used adjustments to the planting structure in Zhangbei County, China, as an example to evaluate whether the carbon footprint per unit of economic benefit is a suitable indicator of low‐carbon agriculture and to determine if low‐carbon agriculture is not necessarily low‐input non‐intensive agriculture.

RESULTS

The results showed that total greenhouse gas emissions increased; therefore, the adjustments to the planting structure were ostensibly not a low‐carbon process. However, if we obtain the same economic benefit as the actual distribution of the planting industry by adopting the scenario of planting only grain crops, then the annual greenhouse gas emissions would be 1608.00 × 103 t CO2eq, and 5769.94 × 103 ha of farmland would be required. However, if we adopt the scenario of planting only vegetable crops, then only 82.52 × 103 ha of farmland would be required, and the annual greenhouse gas emissions would be 323.52 × 103 t CO2eq.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated that the carbon footprint per unit of economic benefit is a suitable indicator to assess agricultural sustainability and that intensive agriculture with high input and high output is a form of low‐carbon agriculture if the carbon footprint per unit of economic benefit is low. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Textural and sensorial quality protection in frozen dumplings through the inhibition of lipid and protein oxidation with clove and rosemary extracts
Authors: Huang Li , Ding Bo , Zhang Huan , Kong Baohua , Xiong Youling L
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

Oxidation is a major reason for nutritional and quality loss of dumplings during frozen storage. The addition of spice extracts in frozen dumplings may limit and inhibit oxidative impairments. In this study, the antioxidant effects of clove extract (CE) and rosemary extract (RE) and their influence on sensory and quality attributes of the meat‐based filler in frozen pork dumplings stored at −18 °C were investigated.

RESULTS

CE and RE significantly suppressed lipid and protein oxidation in terms of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances and protein carbonyls (P < 0.05) formation. During frozen storage up to 180 days, the dumpling samples with antioxidants had a significantly higher breaking strength and lower cooking loss (P < 0.05) compared with the control, and the effect of RE was stronger than that of CE. Sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that samples with antioxidants had reduced protein crosslinking, hence less aggregation. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis proved that the dumplings with antioxidants during storage had a higher thermal stability than those of the control. Based on dynamic rheological testing, the addition of RE to dumpling fillers was more effective in enhancing the gelling capacity of myofibrillar protein compared to the control. Sensory panel results confirmed significant positive effects of both spice extracts on oxidative stability (reduced rancidity) and palatability (texture and juiciness) of dumplings.

CONCLUSION

The addition of phenolic‐rich CE and RE in dumpling processing is an excellent approach for the inhibition of sensory and quality deterioration associated with oxidation during frozen storage. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Three dimensional m‐quasi Einstein manifolds with degenerate Ricci tensor
Authors: Kim Jongsu , Shin Jinwoo
Published: March 2019

In this article we give a classification of three dimensional m‐quasi Einstein manifolds with two distinct Ricci‐eigen values. Our study provides explicit description of local and complete metrics and potential functions. We also describe the associated warped product Einstein manifolds in detail. For the proof we present a Codazzi tensor on any three dimensional m‐quasi Einstein manifold and use geometric properties of the tensor which help to analyze the m‐quasi Einstein equation effectively. A technical advance over preceding studies is made by resolving the case when the gradient of the potential function is not a Ricci‐eigen vector field.
Obstructions to deforming curves on a prime Fano 3‐fold
Authors: Nasu Hirokazu
Published: March 2019

We prove that for every smooth prime Fano 3‐fold V, the Hilbert scheme of smooth connected curves on V contains a generically non‐reduced irreducible component of Mumford type. We also study the deformations of degenerate curves C in V, i.e., curves C contained in a smooth anticanonical member of V. We give a sufficient condition for C to be stably degenerate, i.e., every small (and global) deformation of C in V is contained in a deformation of S in V. As a result, by using the Hilbert‐flag scheme of V, we determine the dimension and the smoothness of at the point [C], assuming that the class of C in is generated by together with the class of a line, or a conic on V.
Network basis of the dysexecutive and posterior cortical cognitive profiles in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Lang Stefan , Hanganu Alexandru , Gan Liu Shi , Kibreab Mekale , Auclair‐Ouellet Noémie , Alrazi Tazrina , Ramezani Mehrafarin , Cheetham Jenelle , Hammer Tracy , Kathol Iris , Sarna Justyna , Monchi Oury
Published: March 2019

Background

The dual syndrome hypothesis of cognitive impairment in PD suggests that two cognitive profiles exist with distinct pathological mechanisms and a differential risk for further cognitive decline. How these profiles relate to network dysfunction has never been explicitly characterized.

Objective

First, to assess intranetwork functional connectivity while considering global connectivity, and second, to relate network connectivity with measures of the dysexecutive and posterior cortical profiles.

Methods

Eighty‐two subjects with idiopathic PD and 37 age‐matched controls underwent resting‐state functional MRI and comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Intranetwork and global connectivity was compared between groups. Measures of the dysexecutive and posterior cortical profiles were related to network connectivity while considering demographic and disease‐related covariates.

Results

PD subjects show decreased connectivity within several cortical networks. However, only the sensorimotor network displayed a loss of connectivity independent of the observed decreased global connectivity. The dysexecutive factor was independently related to increased motor severity, less education, and decreased connectivity in the sensorimotor network. The posterior cortical factor was related to increased age, less education, decreased connectivity in the central executive network, as well as increased connectivity in the temporal network.

Conclusions

Our results provide evidence supporting a network‐specific process of degeneration in the sensorimotor network which contributes to the dysexecutive cognitive profile. In contrast, connectivity of the temporal and central executive network is related to the posterior cortical profile, representing a distinct network signature of this syndrome. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Effects of Sleeve Gastrectomy on Blood Pressure and the Renal Renin–Angiotensin System in Rats with Diet‐Induced Obesity
Authors: Yoshida Yuichi , Gotoh Koro , Masaki Takayuki , Ozeki Yoshinori , Tokoro Masanori , Kudo Akiko , Ozaki Takashi , Okamoto Mitsuhiro , Chiba Seiichi , Watanabe Kiminori , Ohta Masayuki , Inomata Masafumi , Shibata Hirotaka
Published: March 2019

Objective

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has been reported to decrease blood pressure (BP), although the reason has not been revealed. The present study aimed to establish the reason why SG decreases BP.

Methods

Male Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to surgical (sham operation or SG) and dietary interventions (fed a normal diet or high‐fat diet ad libitum or fed by pair‐feeding [PF]). Systolic BP (SBP), urinary sodium excretion, and endocrine parameters were examined 4 weeks after surgery.

Results

Both SG and PF rats had reduced body weight compared with SO rats fed normal diet or high‐fat diet ad libitum. SG rats exhibited a reduction in SBP compared with PF, which was associated with a reduction in renal renin, angiotensin II, and catechol‐O‐methyltransferase levels (P < 0.01 for each). SG increased plasma cholecystokinin (CCK) levels compared with PF (P < 0.0001 for each), whereas glucagon‐like peptide 1 and peptide YY were not changed in fasting. Exogenous administration of CCK reduced renal catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (P = 0.0233), renin (P < 0.0001), and angiotensin II (P < 0.0001) levels and SBP (P = 0.0053).

Conclusions

SG reduced SBP, at least in part, through suppression of sympathetic nerve action by elevation of CCK, which was followed by suppression of the intrarenal renin–angiotensin system.
Poly(vinyl alcohol)‐controlled synthesis of monodispersed crosslinked poly(methyl methacrylate) microparticles with significantly improved mechanical properties
Authors: Kao Yu‐Chen , Chen Chun‐Hua , Whang Wha‐Tzong , Chen Yi‐Chun , Chen Kai‐Chi
Published: March 2019

A facile synthesis concept focusing on the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) concentration induced interfacial energy effects in seed swelling polymerization was realized for the successful fabrication of a series of monodispersed poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microparticles with four crosslinking agents, 2,2‐bis[(methacryloyloxy)methyl]butyl methacrylate, 1,2‐ethanediyl bis(2‐methylacrylate), 1,3‐divinylbenzene and 1,2‐ethanediyl diacetate. We revealed a special role of PVA in regulating the diffusion of crosslinking agents as well as the swelling degree of latex seeds and, more noticeably, the consequent improved mechanical properties of the crosslinked PMMA microparticles formed. The highest recovery rate obtained from the PMMA microparticles with 0.6 wt% PVA approached 67%, which is higher than or comparable to reported values. This work not only developed a new facile synthesis approach for producing highly uniform tough crosslinked PMMA microparticles for more potential applications but also provided valuable insights into fundamental aspects of seed swelling polymerization. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Multivariate analyses of root phenotype and dynamic transcriptome underscore valuable root traits and water‐deficit responsive gene networks in maize
Authors: Zhang Xia , Pang Junling , Ma Xuhui , Zhang Zhaoyang , He Yuting , Hirsch Candice N. , Zhao Jun
Published: March 2019

Root system architecture (RSA) plays a vital role in plant adaptation and productivity under water‐deficit environments. In this study, we use two maize inbreeds to investigate root phenotypic and early transcriptional responses to water‐deficit stress. As evidenced by improved survival rate and photosynthetic efficiency at early seedling and late vegetative stage, CIMBL55 was characterized as a tolerant genotype versus sensitive SHEN5003. Image‐based root phenotyping revealed that drought tolerant cultivar had notably different RSA features from drought sensitive cultivar including larger root size, longer root length, and more number of lateral roots and seminal roots. Dynamic transcriptome investigations on primary and seminal root integrating differential gene expression, temporal gene co‐expression, and weighted gene co‐expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed a high degree of genotype‐ and root type‐specificity in response to PEG‐induced water deficit. The higher drought tolerability of CIMBL55 versus SHEN5003 can be attributed to the enhanced expression of genes associated with antioxidant defense and a higher proportion of water‐deficit responsive genes. Upon water deficit, seminal roots exhibited more dramatic transcriptional changes than the primary root, and a more exclusive functional association with stress response. Genome‐wide WGCNA identified system‐level functionality of genes associated with specific root traits. Multiple root‐specific and root‐predominant hub genes were identified with functions involved in transcriptional regulation, root development, and drought response. Conclusively, integrated root phenotypic and transcriptomic analyses identified important root system architectures and water‐deficit responsive gene networks in maize. Findings will serve a valuable resource that merits in‐depth functional analyses toward a better understanding of RSA‐associated drought tolerance in maize.