bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BET inhibitor JQ1 suppresses cell proliferation via inducing autophagy and activating LKB1/AMPK in bladder cancer cells
Authors: Li Feng , Yang Chao , Zhang Hai‐Bao , Ma Jianbin , Jia Jing , Tang Xiaoshuang , Zeng Jin , Chong Tie , Wang Xinyang , He Dalin , Guo Peng
Published: June 2019

Aim

JQ1, a BET bromodomain inhibitor, is a promising therapeutic approach for bladder cancer (BC). Our study aimed to determine whether autophagy is induced by JQ1 and its potential role toward proliferation in BC.

Methods

Cell proliferation was determined by methylthiazolyldiphenyl‐tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, cell counting assay, and colony formation assay. Autophagosomes and autolysosomes were observed by transmission electron microscopy and mRFP‐EGFP‐LC3 fluorescence assay. 3‐MA, BAFA1, NH4Cl, and siATG5 were used to inhibit autophagy. AMPK siRNA was used to knock down AMPK. T24 xenograft model in mice was chosen to perform in vivo studies. Autophagy markers LC‐3B and p62, p‐AMPKα, p‐ACC, p‐ULK1, p‐mTOR and p‐LKB1 were determined by western blot in vitro studies and by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in vivo specimens.

Results

We found that BC cell proliferation was suppressed by JQ1; moreover, JQ1 induced the accumulation of autophagosomes and autolysosomes, and autophagy flux, and the growth suppression capacity of JQ1 was attenuated by autophagy inhibitors. Furthermore, we found that JQ1 induced the phosphorylation of AMPKα, and AMPKα knockdown attenuated autophagy induction and anti‐proliferation effect induced by JQ1 in BC cells, indicating that autophagy induced by JQ1 is dependent on AMPKα. Through endogenous immunoprecipitation analysis, we found that JQ1 dramatically increased the interaction between LKB1 and AMPKα, which may lead to more AMPK activation. Proliferation inhibition, autophagy induction, and LKB1/AMPK activation capacities of JQ1 were further confirmed in vivo.

Conclusions

Taken together, our results demonstrate that autophagy is induced by JQ1 through activation of LKB1/AMPK pathway, and the autophagy induced by JQ1 positively contributes to the inhibition of BC cell proliferation. These findings provide a novel point of view to understand the mechanism of how targeting BET bromodomain suppress cancer cell growth and suggest that targeting BET bromodomain might be a potential approach to treat BC in the future.
A case of robotic assisted percutaneous coronary intervention of the left main coronary artery in a patient with very late baffle stenosis after surgical correction of anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery
Authors: Hirai Taishi , Jacob Dany , Main Michael L. , Grantham J. Aaron
Published: June 2019

A 34‐year‐old woman with history of surgical correction (Takeuchi procedure) of anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) presented with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction of 48% and severe ischemia quantified as 21% by stress Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan. A coronary angiogram revealed ostial 90% stenosis of the left main coronary artery (LMCA). A guidewire (Sion Blue, Asahi Intecc USA, Inc., Santa Ana, CA) was navigated robotically and after pre‐dilation with 3.5 × 15 mm cutting balloon, the lesion length was measured by marking the distal end of the lesion with the balloon marker and withdrawing back robotically to the ostium of the LMCA. A 3.5 × 16 mm drug‐eluting stent was deployed robotically after intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) with good results. The main advantage of robotic percutaneous coronary intervention includes the precise measurement and positioning of the stent. Since the guide catheter and balloon can be adjusted without guide catheter and device interaction, precise placement of stent is possible by advancing the device distal to the lesion, positioning the guide catheter just proximal to the proximal edge of the stent and pulling the guidecatheter and device back as a unit. Final IVUS after post‐dilation with 4.0 noncompliant and 5.0 compliant balloon revealed precise placement at the ostium and full stent expansion.
Successful surgical case of refractory chronic expanding intrapericardial hematoma treated with preoperative coil embolization of the feeding vessels
Authors: Nakae Masaro , Mizoguchi Hiroki , Yoshitatsu Masao , Toda Koichi , Sawa Yoshiki
Published: June 2019

Complete surgical resection of chronic expanding intrapericardial hematoma was often difficult because of the severe adhesion. Preoperative coil embolization of the feeding vessels can prevent recurrent expanding of the residual hematoma and would achieve good results.
Separation of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine enantiomers using a polysaccharide‐based chiral column: A normal phase liquid chromatography–high‐resolution mass spectrometry approach
Authors: Karakka Kal Abdul Khader , Karatt Tajudheen K. , Sayed Ramy , Philip Moses , Meissir Samir , Nalakath Jahfar
Published: June 2019

Chiral considerations are found to be very much relevant in various aspects of forensic toxicology and pharmacology. In forensics, it has become increasingly important to identify the chirality of doping agents to avoid legal arguments and challenges to the analytical findings. The scope of this study was to develop an liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LCMS) method for the enantiomeric separation of typical illicit drugs such as ephedrines (ie, 1S,2R(+)‐ephedrine and 1R,2S(−)‐ephedrine) and pseudoephedrine (ie,R,R(−)‐pseudoephedrine andS,S(+)‐pseudoephedrine) by using normal phase chiral liquid chromatography–high‐resolution mass spectrometry technique. Results show that the Lux i‐amylose‐1 stationary phase has very broad and balancing‐enantio‐recognition properties towards ephedrine analogues, and this immobilized chiral stationary phase may offer a powerful tool for enantio‐separation of different types of pharmaceuticals in the normal phase mode. The type of mobile phase and organic modifier used appear to have dramatic influences on separation quality. Since the developed method was able to detect and separate the enantiomers at very low levels (in pico grams), this method opens easy access for the unambiguous identification of these illicit drugs and can be used for the routine screening of the biological samples in the antidoping laboratories.
Single Atom Alloy Preparation and Applications in Heterogeneous Catalysis
Authors: Han Jianyu , Lu Jianmin , Wang Min , Wang Yehong , Wang Feng
Published: June 2019

There have been remarkable progresses in manipulating heterogeneous catalysts' nanostructures in the past decade. The concept of single atom alloy (SAA) was firstly proposed in 2012 when researchers successfully stabilized single Pd atoms on the Cu(111) surface. However, earlier work in 2009, which focused on replacing one Au atom with a Pd atom in thiolate protected Au25 nanoclusters, could also be considered as the pioneer work of single atom alloy. Both kinds of single atom alloys exhibited the potential of maximum utilization of scarce elements and attractive catalytic performances. The well‐defined structures of SAA catalysts make accurate modeling possible, which further realizes the rational design of single atom alloy catalysts. In this review, we summarize the research trajectory of single atom alloys as well as recent achievements in this field. We also introduce several commonly adopted characterization methods for SAA catalysts such as scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), temperature programmed reaction (TPR), extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra, matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrum (MALDI‐MS) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Through discussing recent progresses in SAA catalysts, we propose that future researches in this filed should be focused on exploring new kinds of metal nanocrystals and controlling the nanostructure of SAA even more precisely.
Characteristics of long‐term survivors with multiple myeloma: A National Cancer Data Base analysis
Authors: Hsieh Ronan W. , Go Ronald S. , Abeykoon Jithma P. , Kapoor Prashant , Kumar Shaji K. , Gertz Morie A. , Buadi Francis K. , Leung Nelson , Gonsalves Wilson I. , Kourelis Taxiarchis V. , Warsame Rahma M. , Dispenzieri Angela , Lacy Martha Q. , Kyle Robert A. , Rajkumar S. Vincent , Paludo Jonas
Published: June 2019

Background

There exist insufficient data characterizing patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who experienced prolonged survival. A population‐based analysis of long‐term survivors was conducted to investigate the roles of sociodemographic factors and upfront stem cell transplantation (SCT).

Methods

The National Cancer Data Base is a US cancer database of approximately 34 million patients from >1500 cancer centers. Patients with MM were identified using the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD‐O) code 9732 from January 2004 to December 2006 and were divided into 4 groups based on overall survival (OS). Sociodemographic characteristics, treatment facility, and use of SCT were recorded. The univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using multiple logistic regression and Pearson chi‐square tests.

Results

A total of 26,986 patients with MM were identified. The median OS was 2.74 years. The majority of patients were male (54%), white (77%), insured (93%) and otherwise healthy (78%), lived in a metropolitan area (82%), were of high income (66%) and educational (58%) levels, and received treatment at nonacademic facilities (63%). Upfront SCT was used in 10% of patients. One in 6 patients (16%) were long‐term survivors (group 4). When comparing group 4 (OS of ≥8.22 years) with the other groups (OS of <8.22 years), young age, female sex, high income and educational levels, residence in a rural area, insured status, no comorbidity, receipt of upfront SCT, and treatment at high‐volume facilities were associated with long‐term survival.

Conclusions

Key differences in sociodemographic characteristics, patient volume at treatment facilities, and upfront SCT were associated with long‐term survival. Improvements in health care access and health literacy, upfront SCT, and treatment at high‐volume facilities might prolong patient survival.
A First‐in‐Human Phase 1 Randomized Single and Multiple Ascending Dose Study of RPh201 in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Hazan Zadik , Adamsky Konstantin , Lucassen Andre , Levin Leonard A.
Published: June 2019

RPh201 is a drug extracted from gum mastic that has been studied for its anti‐inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Preclinical studies of RPh201 demonstrated neuroprotective and neuroenhancing effects. Toxicology studies in animals did not reveal safety concerns or genotoxic effects. This single‐center, phase 1, randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐masked study in healthy volunteers assessed the safety and tolerability of RPh201, and determined the highest tolerated dose. There were 2 parts: a single ascending dose (SAD) stage, followed by a multiple ascending dose (MAD) stage. Three dosing arms were included in each stage (5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg). Safety data in the lower dosing arms were evaluated before higher doses were initiated. Eighteen participants were randomized in the SAD stage: 12 to RPh201 (4 at each dose) and 4 to placebo. Twenty‐one participants were randomized in the MAD stage, of which 13 received RPh201. All 18 participants in the SAD stage completed treatment. Sixteen of the 21 participants in the MAD stage completed treatment. The most frequently reported adverse events were local injection site pain and erythema. No deaths or adverse events related to changes in vital signs or electrocardiograms were reported. No occurrences of suicidal behavior or ideation were reported.
On communication efficient dataflow computing in software defined networking enabled cloud
Authors: Li Yuepeng , Zeng Deze , Zheng Long
Published: June 2019

Dataflow computing has become a promising computing paradigm as an alternative to traditional control‐centric computing paradigm to facilitate big data processing. Big data process often happens in cloud computing environment as the datacenter provisions a large amount of resource. Dataflow computing, as a data‐centric computing paradigm, requires the dataflows to be shuffled among different codelets (ie, data processing units) deployed in the datacenter servers. It is significant to well schedule the dataflow transferring for communication efficiency. It is highly regarded that the datacenter network shall be managed by software defined networking (SDN) technology for flexibility consideration. In SDN managed datacenter, a dataflow requires a forwarding rule in the forwarding table of each switch on its routing path. However, the SDN switches are limited in the forwarding table size. This introduces an unignorable issue in the codelet deployment problem. Therefore, we are motivated to take such forwarding table size constraints into the problem of dataflow codelet deployment in the datacenters managed by SDN. In particular, we aim at minimizing the communication cost efficiency while guarantee the dataflow computing performance at the same time. The communication cost minimization problem is formulated into an integer linear programming form, which is relaxed to design a heuristic algorithm. The experiment results show that our relaxation algorithm can significantly improve the communication cost efficiency via ingenious codelet placement.
Tantalum ion acceleration in laser‐generated plasma and dependence on the pulse duration
Authors: Torrisi L. , Cutroneo M. , Torrisi A.
Published: June 2019

The laser irradiation of tantalum targets is presented for different pulsed laser intensities ranging from 1010 up to about 1018 W/cm2 and pulse durations from 9 ns up to 40 fs. The results show that the produced non‐equilibrium plasma accelerates Ta ions in the backward direction from values of the order of keV up to values of about 5 MeV. In thin foils, the forward plasma, developed behind the target along the direction of incoming laser, at intensities of about 1016 W/cm2 and 300 ps pulse duration, accelerates Ta ions at energies of the order of 4.6 MeV and produces charge states up to about 40+. For fs lasers at intensities of the order of 1018 W/cm2, only proton acceleration occurs up to 2.1 MeV while no Ta ions are accelerated, due to the reduced duration of the electric field and to the too high inertial mass of the Ta ions.
Managed spring runoff to improve nursery floodplain habitat for endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow
Authors: Valdez Richard A. , Haggerty Grace M. , Richard Kenneth , Klobucar Deanna
Published: June 2019

Water managers in New Mexico, USA, stored water in El Vado Reservoir and coordinated releases into the Chama River that augmented the runoff of the Rio Grande, resulting in a discharge >1,500 ft3/s (42.5 m3/s) for 35 days (May 17 to June 20, 2016) at Albuquerque. The managed runoff inundated over 400 ha of previously restored floodplains in the Middle Rio Grande, thereby providing spawning and nursery habitat for the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus, RGSM). Spawning began April 9 at annual cumulative degree‐days of 717, during daily increases in discharge of 200–300 ft3/s (5.7–8.5 m3/s), and hatch dates were normally distributed over 53 days (April 11 to June 3). RGSM were 73% of larvae collected in six restored floodplain sites and found in shallow water (mean = 19.6 cm), low velocity (mean = 3.9 cm/s), near vegetative cover, and with 75% within 1 m of the water's edge. Declining proportions of early to late larval phases and a near absence of juveniles indicate a gradual departure from floodplains as postflexion mesolarvae and metalarvae 14–22 days post hatch (dph), with most leaving by the juvenile stage 40 dph. The annual RGSM October census showed an increase of 0.16 to 7.20 fish/100 m2 from 2015 to 2016, indicating that the managed runoff resulted in a positive population response. This study showed that constructing floodplains and managing river and reservoir operations to inundate those floodplains during and after RGSM spawning can provide nursery habitat that improves reproductive success and recruitment.
Stable and Fast Lithium–Sulfur Battery Achieved by Rational Design of Multifunctional Separator
Authors: Song Chengwei , Peng Chengxin , Bian Zihao , Dong Fei , Xu Hongyi , Yang Junhe , Zheng Shiyou
Published: June 2019

Lithium–sulfur (Li‐S) battery is considered as one of the most promising candidates for future portable electronics and electric vehicles due to high energy density and potentially low cost. However, the severe polysulfides shuttling in Li‐S battery always causes low Coulombic efficiency, capacity fading, and hindering its practical commercialization. Herein, a dual‐functional PEI@MWCNTs‐CB/MWCNTs/PP (briefly denoted as PMS) separator is assembled through Langmuir–Blodgett–Scooping (LBS) technique for improvement of Li‐S battery performance, that is, rational integrating conductive MWCNTs multilayer on a routine PP separator with polyethyleneimine (PEI) polymer. Owing to “proton‐sponge”‐based PEI feature with the abundant amino/imine groups and branched structures, the PMS separator can provide strong affinity to immobilize the negatively charged polysulfides via electrostatic interaction. Simultaneously, incorporated with the conductive MWCNTs multilayers for the electron transportation, the Li‐S cells assembled with PMS separators achieve exceptional high delivery capacity, good rate performance (~550 mAh g−1 at a current density of 9 A g−1), and stable cycling retention (retention of 84.5% at a current density of 1 A g−1) even over 120 cycles, especially in the case of high‐loading sulfur cathode (80 wt% of S content). This multifunctional separator with dual‐structural architectures via self‐assembly LBS method paves new avenues to develop high‐performance Li‐S batteries.
Flow characteristics and dynamic responses of a parked straight‐bladed vertical axis wind turbine
Authors: Kuang Limin , Su Jie , Chen Yaoran , Han Zhaolong , Zhou Dai , Zhao Yongsheng , Jiang Zhiyu , Bao Yan
Published: June 2019

With the development of urbanization and the application of renewable energy, wind turbine is becoming an important approach for wind energy reservation and utilization. This study provides a numerical investigation on understanding the surface pressure distribution, flow characteristics and dynamic responses of a parked straight‐bladed vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT), which is helpful for its design. Together with the two‐way coupling method between simulation platforms such as STAR‐CCM+ and ABAQUS, the SST k‐ω turbulence model is used to obtain the surface pressure and surrounding flow of the VAWT, and the finite element method is used to obtain the dynamic responses of its structural components. The results show that the contours of the pressure distribution on the windward surface of the VAWT are similar even under a few different conditions, and the deformation of the VAWT can lead to changes in surface pressure; the turbulent flow characteristics and the wake effect become more obvious as the wind velocity increases; the blades and support arms of the VAWT need to be reinforced during the design, and the effect of the parked condition on the dynamic responses of the VAWT can be neglected. The two‐way coupling method as well as the numerical simulation results is expected to provide references for the design of VAWTs subjected to coming wind action.
Silting patterns in the reservoirs of small‐ and medium‐sized earthen check dams in humid subtropical monsoon regions
Authors: Kang Ranbir S. , Chacko Elizabeth , Kaur Dhian , Viadero Roger
Published: June 2019

Silting of reservoirs is a ubiquitous process whenever water is impounded. Despite substantial work on the rates of silting, the spatial pattern of silting in reservoirs is not clearly understood. While it is anticipated that the variability of silting increases with decreasing reservoir size, not much is known about siltation in subtropical humid regions affected by monsoon rainfall. This paper presents the initial results of geomorphic analysis of six earthen check dams in the Shiwalik foothills of the Himalayas (India) in areas that are inhabited by high proportions of disempowered populations. These check dams include three small‐sized dams (Dhamala‐II, Rel Majra and Sukhomajri‐II) and three medium‐sized dams (Bunga‐I, Parachh‐II and Siswan). Field data were collected from each reservoir. The methods used included spatial interpolations of bed depth and silt thickness in each reservoir, Structure from Motion photogrammetry to extract multiple channel cross‐sections from photographic scans along tributary mouths, texture analysis of bed and bank materials, and visual observations of hill slopes around the check dams. Based on this study, silt tended to concentrate either in the middle portion of the reservoir or near the dam; however, silt accumulation did not always occur along the dam or in the deepest portion of the reservoirs. Areas located downstream from these check dams are heavily used for various human activities and the channel network has almost been eliminated. While these earthen check dams may be cost‐effective tools for water conservation in economically marginalized areas, if abandoned, these structures may pose a physical hazard to downstream communities. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrating structure‐from‐motion photogrammetry into rock weathering field methodologies
Authors: Mol Lisa , Clarke Lucy
Published: June 2019

Despite recent rapid advances in the field of structure‐from‐motion (SfM) photogrammetry, the use of high‐resolution data to investigate small‐scale processes is a relatively underdeveloped field. In particular, rock weathering is rarely investigated using this suite of techniques. This research uses a combination of traditional non‐destructive rock weathering measurement techniques (rock surface hardness) and SfM to map deterioration and loss of cohesion of the surface using three‐dimensional data. The results are used to interpret weathering behaviour across two different lithologies present on the site, namely shale and limestone. This new approach is tested on seven sites in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, where active weathering of a rock surface was measured after 13 years of exposure to extreme temperature regimes and snow cover. The surface loss was quantified with SfM and combined with rock surface hardness measurement distributions extrapolated in geographic information system (GIS). The combined results are used here to quantify the difference in response of both lithologies to these extreme temperatures. This research demonstrates the potential for further integration of SfM in rock weathering research and other small‐scale geomorphological investigations, in particular in difficult field conditions where portability of field equipment is paramount. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microfibrillar‐associated protein 4 in serum is associated with asthma in Danish adolescents and young adults
Authors: Hoffmann‐Petersen Benjamin , Suffolk Raymond , Petersen Jens Jakob Herrche , Petersen Thomas Houmann , Arendt Kirsten , Høst Arne , Halken Susanne , Sorensen Grith Lykke , Agertoft Lone
Published: June 2019

Background

Microfibrillar‐associated protein 4 (MFAP4) is an extracellular matrix protein belonging to the fibrinogen‐related protein superfamily, which plays multifaceted roles in innate immunity and normal endothelial function. It has been proposed that MFAP4 promotes the development of asthma in vivo and proasthmatic pathways of bronchial smooth muscle cells in vitro. The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of serum MFAP4 in adolescents and young adolescents with persistent asthma.

Methods

Prospective, observational study including adolescents and young adults (age 11‐27 years) previously diagnosed with asthma during childhood 2003 to 2005 (0‐15 years) at the four pediatric outpatient clinics in the Region of Southern Denmark (n = 449). Healthy controls were recruited at follow‐up (n = 314). Detection of serum MFAP4 was performed by AlphaLISA technique.

Results

Current asthma was associated to a 14% higher mean level of serum MFAP4 compared with controls (expβ 1.14, 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.05‐1.23) and a 6% higher mean level compared with subjects with no current asthma (expβ 1.06, 95% CI, 0.99‐1.13). No association was found at follow‐up between serum MFAP4 and self‐reported atopic symptoms (other than asthma), Asthma Control Test‐score, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), nor to flow rate at 1 second, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory flow 25% to 75%, response to short‐acting beta 2 agonist or mannitol.

Conclusions

We found a significantly higher mean level of serum MFAP4 in adolescent and young adults with mild to moderate asthma compared with healthy controls but no association to FeNO and lung function nor to the response to short‐acting beta 2 agonist or mannitol. The result supports the hypothesis that MFAP4 plays a role in the pathogenesis of asthma although the marker did not demonstrate any obvious potential as an asthma biomarker in adolescents and young adults with asthma. To understand the possible proasthmatic functions of MFAP4, further investigation in specific asthma phenotypes and the underlying molecular mechanisms is warranted.
Determination of optical parameters of the porcine eye and development of a simulated model
Authors: Regal Simon , O'Connor Denise , Brige Pauline , Delattre Roger , Djenizian Thierry , Ramuz Marc
Published: June 2019

The eye is a very sophisticated system of optical elements for the preeminent sense of vision. In recent years, the number of laser surgery to correct the optical aberration such as myopia or astigmatism has significantly increased. Consequently, improving the knowledge related to the interactions of light with the eye is very important in order to enhance the efficiency of the surgery. For this reason, a complete optical characterization of the porcine eye is presented in this study. Kubelka‐Munk and Inverse Adding‐Doubling methods were applied to spectroscopy measurement to determine the absorption and scattering coefficients. Furthermore, the refractive index has been measured by ellipsometry. The different parameters were obtained for the cornea, lens, vitreous humor, sclera, iris, choroids and eyelid in the visible and infrared region. Thereafter, the results are implemented in a COMSOL Multiphysics® software to create an eye model. This model gives a better understanding of the propagation of light in the eye by adding optical parts such as the iris, the sclera or the ciliary bodies. Two simulations show the propagation of light from the cornea to the retina but also from the sclera to the retina. This last possibility provides a better understanding of light propagation during eye laser surgery such as, for example, transscleral cyclophotocoagulation.

Figure: Eye simulation models allow the development of new laser treatments in a simple and safe way for patients. To this purpose, the creation of an eye simulated model based on optical parameters obtained from experimental data is presented in this study. This model will facilitate the understanding of the light propagation inside the porcine eye.
Assessing the development and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis using multiparametric photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging
Authors: Guo Heng , Wang Qin , Qi Weizhi , Sun Xun , Ke Bowen , Xi Lei
Published: June 2019

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), characterized by polyarthritis, is a chronic, systemic and inflammatory autoimmune disease. In this study, we developed a dual‐modality multiparametric photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging technique, and successfully derived multiple parameters such as relative concentration of total hemoglobin (CHbT), ratio of angiogenesis, joint size and area of synovia to assess the development and treatment of RA. We established a model of adjuvant arthritis using a total number of 15 rats and randomly divided them into three groups: (a) targeted group in which the rats received targeted antirheumatic drugs; (b) nontargeted group in which the rats were treated with nontargeted antirheumatic drugs; (c) control group. We longitudinally monitored the joints of the rats in all three groups for up to 20 days and carried out quantitative analysis to evaluate the development and treatment of RA based on the derived parameters. The results suggest that the proposed dual‐modality imaging technique is able to assess the effectiveness of the RA treatment using quantitative hemodynamic and morphological parameters. To show the clinical feasibility of this technique, we performed in vivo joint studies of health volunteers to visualize both structures and inside hemodynamics of the distal interphalangeal joint.
Quantitative assessment of microenvironment characteristics and metabolic activity in glioma via multiphoton microscopy
Authors: Fang Na , Wu Zanyi , Wang Xingfu , Lin Yuanxiang , Li Lianhuang , Huang Zufang , Chen Yupeng , Zheng Xianying , Cai Shanshan , Tu Haohua , Kang Dezhi , Chen Jianxin
Published: June 2019

Tumor microenvironment and metabolic activity in gliomas are the important biomarkers to evaluate the progression of gliomas. Many evidences have suggested that the targeting of metabolic activity and tumor microenvironment simultaneously can be more effective to take the tumor therapy. Therefore, the noninvasive, accurate assessment of tumor microenvironment and metabolic activity is quite important in clinical practice. Multiphoton microscopy (MPM), based on two‐photon‐excited fluorescence and second harmonic generation was performed on unstained glioma tissues. With our combined image analysis approaches, our research findings indicate that MPM is able to qualitatively and quantitatively describe the microenvironment characteristics in gliomas, such as collage deposition in extracellular matrix, lymphocyte infiltration and tumor angiogenesis, etc. Meanwhile, the metabolic activity can also be quantitatively evaluated by optical redox ratio, NADH and FAD intensity. With the microendoscope and fiberscope are portable, MPM technique can be used to perform in‐vivo studies and clinical examinations in gliomas.
Interaction of fibroblasts and induced pluripotent stem cells with poly(vinyl alcohol)‐based hydrogel substrates
Authors: Sanguinet Eduardo de O. , Siqueira Nataly M. , Menezes Felipe de C. , Rasia Gisele M. , Lothhammer Nívia , Soares Rosane M. D. , Meirelles Flávio V. , Bressan Fabiana F. , Bos‐Mikich Adriana
Published: June 2019

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide a promising means of creating custom‐tailored cell lines for cellular therapies. Their application in regenerative medicine, however, depends on the possibility that the maintenance and differentiation of cells and organs occur under defined conditions. One major component of stem cell culture systems is the substrate, where the cells must attach and proliferate. The present study aimed to investigate the putative cytotoxic effects of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)‐based matrices on the in vitro culture of mouse fetal fibroblasts. In addition, the PVA‐based hydrogels were used to determine the capacity of bovine induced pluripotent stem cells (biPSCs) to adhere and proliferate on synthetic substrates. Our results show that both cell types interacted with the substrate and presented proliferation during culture. The biPSCs formed new colonies when cell suspensions were placed onto the hydrogel surface for culture. These results may represent a new characterized xeno‐free clinical grade culture system to be widely applied in cell‐based therapies.
Synthesis of α‐Aminonitriles and 5‐Substituted 1H‐Tetrazoles Using an Efficient Nanocatalyst of Fe3O4@SiO2–APTES‐supported Trifluoroacetic Acid
Authors: Fatahi Hosna , Jafarzadeh Mohammad , Pourmanouchehri Zahra
Published: June 2019

Fe3O4@SiO2–APTES‐supported trifluoroacetic acid nanocatalyst was used for the one‐pot synthesis of α‐aminonitriles via a three‐component reaction of aldehydes (or ketones), amines, and sodium cyanide. This method produced a high yield of 75–96% using only a small amount of the catalyst (0.05 g) in EtOH at room temperature. The catalyst was also employed for the synthesis of 5‐substituted 1H‐tetrazoles from nitriles and sodium azide in EtOH at 80°C. The tetrazoles were produced with good‐to‐excellent yields in a short reaction time of 4 h. Both synthetic methods were carried out in the absence of an organic volatile solvent. Because the supported trifluoroacetic acid generated a solid acid on the surface, thus the acid corrosiveness was not a serious challenge. This heterogeneous nanocatalyst was magnetically recovered and reused several times without significant loss of catalytic activity.
Body cavities in bryozoans: Functional and phylogenetic implications
Authors: Shunatova Natalia , Tamberg Yuta
Published: June 2019

Based on morphological evidence, Bryozoa together with Phoronida and Brachiopoda are traditionally combined in the group Lophophorata, although this view has been recently challenged by molecular studies. The core of the concept lies in the presence of the lophophore as well as the nature and arrangement of the body cavities. Bryozoa are the least known in this respect. Here, we focused on the fine structure of the body cavity in 12 bryozoan species: 6 gymnolaemates, 3 stenolaemates and 3 phylactolaemates. In gymnolaemates, the complete epithelial lining of the body cavity is restricted to the lophophore, gut walls, and tentacle sheath. By contrast, the cystid walls are composed only of the ectocyst‐producing epidermis without a coelothelium, or an underlying extracellular matrix; only the storage cells and cells of the funicular system contact the epidermis. The nature of the main body cavity in gymnolaemates is unique and may be considered as a secondarily modified coelom. In cyclostomes, both the lophophoral and endosaccal cavities are completely lined with coelothelium, while the exosaccal cavity only has the epidermis along the cystid wall. In gymnolaemates, the lophophore and trunk cavities are divided by an incomplete septum and communicate through two pores. In cyclostomes, the septum has a similar location, but no openings. In Phylactolaemata, the body cavity is undivided: the lophophore and trunk coeloms merge at the bases of the lophophore arms, the epistome cavity joins the trunk, and the forked canal opens into the arm coelom. The coelomic lining of the body is complete except for the epistome, lophophoral arms, and the basal portions of the tentacles, where the cells do not interlock perfectly (this design probably facilitates the ammonia excretion). The observed partitioning of the body cavity in bryozoans differs from that in phoronids and brachiopods, and contradicts the Lophophorata concept.
Performance of multivariate and multiscalar drought indices in identifying impacts on crop production
Authors: Masud M. Badrul , Qian Budong , Faramarzi Monireh
Published: June 2019

The assessment of drought characteristics often depends on drought indices, geographic location, hydro‐climatic condition, and timescale. In this study, we examined the spatiotemporal characteristics of drought events using the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and the Multivariate Standardized Drought Index (MSDI). We developed a novel framework using hydro‐climatic variables from a high‐resolution process‐based hydrologic model to understand factors that alter drought indices at various timescales, and their impact on crop yields in a large agricultural region of western Canada. These indices were used to quantify droughts for each month of the year by examining 1–12‐month drought timescales in 2255 sub‐basins, simulated in 17 main river basins across Alberta, for 1981–2017. Temporal variations of the Standardized Yield Residuals Series (SYRS) of three major cereal crops (spring wheat, barley, and canola) were analysed for 1981–2017. Drought characteristics resulting from two indices varied due to differences in the input variables and timescales. The MSDI‐based results showed more frequent droughts during the fall and winter for shorter timescales, while the SPEI‐based results showed more during spring and summer. Comparing drought frequencies at the decadal scale, we found more droughts during 1996–2005 than during 1986–1995 and 2006–2015. The spatial evolution of drought events based on the MSDI showed more sub‐basins with increasing dryness during the study period than did results from the SPEI. The relationship between detrended drought indices and the SYRS varied depending on timescale, geographic location, and growth stage of crops. Overall, both indices performed similarly for agricultural impact assessment; however, the MSDI performed better early in the growing season for wheat and barley, indicating high crop production sensitivity to soil moisture deficiency.
Nonstationarity of summer temperature extremes in Texas
Authors: Carney Meagan , Azencott Robert , Nicol Matthew
Published: June 2019

Modelling seasonal temperature extremes in weather patterns allows for better forecasting and prediction. Analysis of extreme values over a given time period is usually done by fitting a generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution to the maximum values in the data; however, lack of sufficient weather recordings due to missing data or violation of independence assumptions (block maxima should be over a large time interval) may result in a poor fit for the GEV model. Modelling over larger, clustered regions may overcome some of these problems and can provide insight into macroscopic weather and climate changes. In this article, we analyse temperature measurements in July and August taken from stations across Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana. We introduce clustering techniques which group stations by temperature trends and mutual information before performing extreme value analysis on the clusters of time series. This obviates some of the problems commonly encountered in analysing single station weather data. Extreme analysis of the resulting clusters provides compelling evidence of nonstationarity of the distributional parameters in the GEV model and points to an increased likelihood from the period roughly 1980 to present of observing higher extreme temperatures for the months of July and August. We tabulate the probabilities of extreme temperatures in the clusters according to a nonstationary model. Our techniques can be easily adapted to a wide range of climatological problems.
Seasonal patterns of pollen and the use of pollen as a chronometer in the north‐western Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Hu Caili , Ma Yuzhen , Meng Hongwei , Guo Chao , Wang Wei , Li Dandan
Published: June 2019

The use of high‐resolution and highly precise age models is essential for quantitative environmental reconstructions. To assess the reliability of pollen as a chronometer in laminated lake sediments, pollen traps and lake cores, statistical methods were used to study seasonal pollen signals. The results showed that (a) the pollen assemblages from air traps and lake/reservoir surface sediment traps in the north‐western Loess Plateau of China displayed distinct seasonal patterns, which were confirmed by nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS); and (b) The pollen assemblages of the dark and light layers in the Zhenhu Lake cores allowed detection of the seasonality of sediment deposition based on the results of the pollen traps. The NMDS method also showed statistically significant differences between the pollen assemblages of the dark and light layers. Furthermore, instrumental monitoring data and characteristic time markers of historical events (1958 and 2011) were used to cross‐check the chronologies obtained by the pollen assemblages, and the results strengthened the credibility and reliability of pollen as a chronometer.
Raman opalescence of a destabilizing soft mode near the phase transition in quartz monocrystals
Authors: Gorelik V.S. , Pyatyshev A.Yu.
Published: June 2019

A microscopic reason of the opalescence phenomenon observed earlier near the α–β phase transition point at 846 K in crystalline quartz is established. It was shown that the opalescence in quartz crystals is of dynamic nature and results from a sharp increase of Raman scattering spectral intensity (Raman opalescence phenomenon) due to huge fluctuations of the destabilizing soft mode responsible for instability of the crystalline lattice. The Raman opalescence of a destabilizing soft mode is estimated experimentally in the x (zz)y light scattering geometry by recording temperature dependencies of spectral Raman intensity I(ω′,T) (ω′=ω0‐Ω=const) at fixed frequencies ω′. The strong intensity increase of Raman scattering intensity (Raman opalescence) observed at the exact phase‐transition temperature in crystalline quartz is explained by taking into account interaction of the destabilizing soft mode with a low‐frequency high‐finesse oscillator.
Untargeted screening of the bound / free phenolic composition in tomato cultivars for industrial transformation
Authors: Rocchetti Gabriele , Senizza Biancamaria , Putnik Predrag , Bursać Kovačević Danijela , Barba Francisco J , Trevisan Marco , Lucini Luigi
Published: June 2019

BACKGROUND

Tomato is one of the most important agricultural crops and it is characterized by a wide bioactive compound profile. However, little information is reported on its comprehensive polyphenol profile. In this work, 13 commercial tomato cultivars for industrial transformation were screened by ultra‐high‐pressure liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐QTOF‐MS) for both free and bound phenolic profiles. Thereafter, the in vitro antioxidant activity of each cultivar was assessed by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance activity (ORAC) assays. Multivariate statistics, i.e. orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA), were then used to model samples according to their distinct phenolic signatures, thus providing compounds that better discriminated between the distributions of the cultivars that were considered.

RESULTS

More than 350 phenolic compounds could be identified across the samples that were considered: flavonoids (such as flavones and flavanols), hydroxycinnamic acids, lignans, and lower‐molecular‐weight phenolics were the most frequently observed classes of phenolics in tomato berries. Anthocyanins were the most abundant class among bound phenolics (being highest in the Leader F1 and Defender F1 cultivars), followed by tyrosols (mainly in Heinz cultivars). However, flavones and hydroxybenzoic acids were the most represented discriminant phenolics in the bound fraction.

CONCLUSIONS

Untargeted metabolomics allowed significant differences in phenolic composition to be outlined across the tomato cultivars that were analyzed. Such differences were particularly evident regarding the free‐to‐bound phenolic ratio, hence allowing differences in the bioaccessibility of phenolics to be postulated. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Pectin recovery and characterization from lemon juice waste streams
Authors: Dimopoulou Maria , Alba Katerina , Campbell Grant , Kontogiorgos Vassilis
Published: June 2019

BACKGROUND

Pectin characteristics from different parts of lemon fruit (Citrus limon L.) were studied as a basis for assessing their suitability for functional applications. Pectin was extracted from lemon albedo, lemon core parts and membranes, and lemon extract using an aqueous extraction protocol. The composition and structural properties of the isolated pectins were examined by means of complementary analytical methods to assess their molecular characteristics for potential industrial applications.

RESULTS

The isolation protocol yielded pectins that were predominantly composed of galacturonic acid, with differences in the degree of methylation and neutral sugars content, and with low protein content, indicating high‐purity materials. The same extraction protocol resulted in differences in yield and purity between the three different parts of lemon fruit, and in structural variations in the pectin backbone, as evidenced by differences in sugar composition and molecular weight. Solutions of the isolated lemon pectins exhibited pseudoplastic behavior. Macromolecular characterization showed that the lemon extract pectin had the highest molecular weight and hydrodynamic volume, followed by lemon core and lemon albedo pectin.

CONCLUSION

The work demonstrates that pectins with distinct structural properties may be extracted from different parts of lemon wastes and used for different technological purposes. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Metal 3D‐printed catalytic jet and flame ionization detection for in situ trace carbon oxides analysis by gas chromatography
Authors: Gras Ronda , Hua Yujuan , Luong Jim , Qiao Peiqi , Yang Xiuhan Grace , Yang Peilin
Published: June 2019

A gas chromatographic approach for the determination and quantification of trace levels of carbon oxides in gas phase matrices for in situ or near‐line/at‐line analysis has been successfully developed. Catalytic conversion of the target compounds to methane via the methanation process was conducted inside a metal 3D‐printed jet that also acted as a hydrogen burner for the flame ionization detector. Modifications made to a field transportable gas chromatograph enabled the leveraging of advantaged microfluidic‐enhanced chromatography capability for improved chromatographic performance and serviceability. The compatibility with adsorption chromatography technology was demonstrated with in‐house constructed columns. Sustained reliable conversion efficiencies of greater than 99% with respectable peak symmetries were attained at 400°C. Quantification of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide at a parts‐per‐million level over a range from 0.2 ppm to 5% v/v for both compounds with a respectable precision of less than 3% relative standard deviation for peak area (n = 10) and a detection limit of 0.1 ppm v/v was achieved. Linearity with correlation coefficients of R2 greater than 0.9995 and measured recoveries of >99% for spike tests were achieved. The 3D‐printed steel jet was found to be reliable and resilient against potential contamination from the matrices owing to the in situ backflushing capability.
Introducing key microbes from high productive soil transforms native soil microbial community of low productive soil
Authors: Kandasamy Saveetha , Liu Elaine Yi Ran , Patterson Greg , Saldias Soledad , Ali Shimaila , Lazarovits George
Published: June 2019

This study aimed to understand the changes in rhizosphere microbial structure and diversity of an average corn yielding field site soil with the introduced microbial candidates from a high‐yielding site. Soils used in this study were from two growers’ fields located in Dunnville, Ontario, Canada, where one of the farms has an exceptional high corn yield (G‐site soil; ca 20 tons/acre) and the other yields an average crop (H‐site soil; 12 tons/acre) (8 years of unpublished A & L data). In growth room experiments using wheat as the indicator crop, calcium alginate beads with microbes composed of Azospirillum lipoferum, Rhizobium leguminosarum, Burkholderia ambifaria, Burkholderia graminis, Burkholderia vietnamiensis, Pseudomonas lurida, Exiguobacterium acetylicum, Kosakonia cowanii, and Paenibacillus polymyxa was introduced into the soil at planting to the average‐yielding soil. These bacteria had been isolated from the high‐yielding farm soil. Among the nine microbial candidates tested, three (P. polymyxa, E. acetylicum and K. cowanii) significantly impacted the plant health and biometrics in addition to microbial richness and diversity, where the microbial profile became very similar to the high productive G‐site soil. One hundred and forty‐two bacterial terminal restriction fragments (TRFs) were involved in the community shift and 48 of them showed significant correlation to several interacting soil factors. This study indicates the potential of shifting microbial profiles of average‐yielding soils by introducing key candidates from highly productive soils to increase biological soil health.