bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic signal analysis in the basicranium of Ursidae (Carnivora, Mammalia)
Authors: Arnaudo María Eugenia , Toledo Néstor , Soibelzon Leopoldo , Bona Paula
Published: March 2019

Ursidae is a monophyletic group comprised of three subfamilies: Tremarctinae, Ursinae and Ailuropodinae, all of which have a rich geographical distribution. The phylogenetic relationships within the Ursidae group have been underexamined, especially regarding morphological traits such as the basicranium. Importantly, the basicranium is a highly complex region that covers a small portion of the skull, combining both structural and functional aspects that determine its morphology. Phylogenetic hypotheses of the Ursidae (including Tremarctinae) have been made based on morphological characters that considers skull, mandible and teeth features, while specific characters of the auditory region and basicranium have not been taken into account. To do this, we analyse the shape and size macroevolution of the basicranium of Ursidae, testing its morphological disparity in a phylogenetic context, which is quantified by means of the phylogenetic signal. We investigated phylogenetical autocorrelation by shape (depicted by Principal Components Analysis scores from previous published analyses) and basicranium size (depicted by centroid size, CS) using an orthonormal decomposition analysis and Abouheif C mean. The main advantages of these methods are that they rely exclusively on cladogram topology and do not require branch-length estimates. Also, an optimisation of the ancestral nodes was performed using TNT 1.5 software. In relation to the phylogenetic signal, both methods showed similar results: the presence of autocorrelation was detected in PC1 and PC2, while in PC3, PC4 and PC5 and in the size of the basicranium (CS), the absence of autocorrelation occurred. The most significant nodes (where there is autocorrelation) are the basal nodes ‘Ursidae’ and ‘Ursinae-Tremarctinae’. Within this last group, distinctive basicranium morphology is observed, being more conservative in Tremarctinae than in Ursinae. The differences between these subfamilies could be related to historical events involving varying food and environmental preferences. The high phylogenetic signal in the node Tremarctinae probably indicates that the basicranium configuration of these bears was obtained early in their evolutionary history. Finally, our results of the basicranium and skull length ratios indicate that in Tremarctinae, the basicranium size was not determined by phylogeny but instead by other factors, such as adaptive responses to climatic changes and competition with other carnivores.
NAATP releases 3‐year pilot outcomes report
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: March 2019

Last week, the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) released the results of its three‐year Outcomes Pilot Program, in which eight pilot sites tested out a method for a standardized outcomes tracking tool. The project was a success, said NAATP Executive Director Marvin Ventrell on March 12. The project resulted in the Outcomes Measurement Toolkit: The Addiction Treatment Provider Guide to Standardized Outcomes Measurement, which NAATP members can start using now.
Functional Consequences of Keratan Sulfate Sulfation in Electrosensory Tissues and in Neuronal Regulation
Authors: Melrose James
Published: March 2019

Keratan sulfate (KS) is a functional electrosensory and neuro‐instructive molecule. Recent studies have identified novel low sulfation KS in auditory and sensory tissues such as the tectorial membrane of the organ of Corti and the Ampullae of Lorenzini in elasmobranch fish. These are extremely sensitive proton gradient detection systems that send signals to neural interfaces to facilitate audition and electrolocation. High and low sulfation KS have differential functional roles in song learning in the immature male zebra song‐finch with high charge density KS in song nuclei promoting brain development and cognitive learning. The conductive properties of KS are relevant to the excitable neural phenotype. High sulfation KS interacts with a large number of guidance and neuroregulatory proteins. The KS proteoglycan microtubule associated protein‐1B (MAP1B) stabilizes actin and tubulin cytoskeletal development during neuritogenesis. A second 12 span transmembrane synaptic vesicle associated KS proteoglycan (SV2) provides a smart gel storage matrix for the storage of neurotransmitters. MAP1B and SV2 have prominent roles to play in neuroregulation. Aggrecan and phosphacan have roles in perineuronal net formation and in neuroregulation. A greater understanding of the biology of KS may be insightful as to how neural repair might be improved.
Tungsten Trioxide Nanostructures for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting: Material Engineering and Charge Carrier Dynamic Manipulation
Authors: Wang Yidan , Tian Wei , Chen Cheng , Xu Weiwei , Li Liang
Published: March 2019

To address the energy crisis and environmental problems, the applications of solar energy have received intensive attention. Converting solar energy to hydrogen using a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell is one of the most promising approaches to meet future energy demands. As an earth abundant metal oxide, tungsten trioxide (WO3), which has a moderate band gap (2.5–2.7 eV), ideal valence band position, and high resistance to photocorrosion, has been widely utilized in PEC photoanodes. To obtain a WO3 photoanode with high PEC efficiency, tremendous efforts have been made to improve the light absorption capacity, charge carrier dynamics, and oxygen evolution activity. In this report, the recent advances in WO3 photoanode optimization, including morphology design, dopants doping, heterojunction fabrication, and surface modification are summarized. In this review, these developments and representative applications of WO3 photoanodes in unassisted water splitting devices are also discussed. Finally, perspectives on the significant challenges and future prospects for the development of WO3 photoanodes for PEC water splitting are provided.
Oriented 3D Magnetic Biskyrmions in MnNiGa Bulk Crystals
Authors: Li Xiyang , Zhang Shilei , Li Hang , Venero Diego Alba , White Jonathan S , Cubitt Robert , Huang Qingzhen , Chen Jie , He Lunhua , van der Laan Gerrit , Wang Wenhong , Hesjedal Thorsten , Wang Fangwei
Published: March 2019

A biskyrmion consists of two bound, topologically stable, skyrmion spin textures. These coffee‐bean‐shaped objects are observed in real space in thin plates using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (LTEM). From LTEM imaging alone, it is not clear whether biskyrmions are surface‐confined objects, or, analogous to skyrmions in noncentrosymmetric helimagnets, 3D tube‐like structures in a bulk sample. Here, the biskyrmion form factor is investigated in single‐ and polycrystalline‐MnNiGa samples using small‐angle neutron scattering. It is found that biskyrmions are not long‐range ordered, not even in single crystals. Surprisingly all of the disordered biskyrmions have their in‐plane symmetry axis aligned along certain directions, governed by the magnetocrystalline anisotropy. This anisotropic nature of biskyrmions may be further exploited to encode information.
Synergistic Engineering of Defects and Architecture in Binary Metal Chalcogenide toward Fast and Reliable Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Luo Dan , Li Gaoran , Deng Ya‐Ping , Zhang Zhen , Li Jingde , Liang Ruilin , Li Matthew , Jiang Yi , Zhang Weiwei , Liu Yangshuai , Lei Wen , Yu Aiping , Chen Zhongwei
Published: March 2019

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have great promise to support the next‐generation energy storage if their sluggish redox kinetics and polysulfide shuttling can be addressed. The rational design of sulfur electrodes plays key roles in tacking these problems and achieving high‐efficiency sulfur electrochemistry. Herein, a synergetic defect and architecture engineering strategy to design highly disordered spinel Ni–Co oxide double‐shelled microspheres (NCO‐HS), which consist of defective spinel NiCo2O4–x(x= 0.9 if all nickel is Ni2+and cobalt is Co2.13+), as the multifunctional sulfur host material is reported. The in situ constructed cation and anion defects endow the NCO‐HS with significantly enhanced electronic conductivity and superior polysulfide adsorbability. Meanwhile, the delicate nanoconstruction offers abundant active interfaces and reduced ion diffusion pathways for efficient Li–S chemistry. Attributed to these synergistic features, the sulfur composite electrode achieves excellent rate performance up to 5 C, remarkable cycling stability over 800 cycles and good areal capacity of 6.3 mAh cm−2under high sulfur loading. This proposed strategy based on synergy engineering could also inform material engineering in related energy storage and conversion fields.
Enantioselective Synthesis of Nine‐ to Eleven‐Membered Cyclic Polyphenylenes Containing Heteroatoms by Catalytic Intramolecular [2+2+2] Cycloaddition
Authors: Shibata Takanori , Fusamae Toru , Takano Hideaki , Sugimura Natsuhiko , Kanyiva Kyalo Stephen
Published: March 2019

Rh‐catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular reactions of triynes consisting of 1,6‐diyne and 1,10‐diyne moieties tethered by sulfur or oxygen and ortho‐phenylene moieties proceeded to give chiral tetrabenzoheteronines possessing a nine‐membered ring system as [2+2+2] cycloadducts. In the reaction of triynes consisting of 1,6‐diyne and 1,11‐diyne moieties, sulfur‐tethered substrates gave chiral metacyclophanes with an eleven‐membered ring system, whereas an oxygen‐ and sulfur‐tethered substrate afforded a tetrabenzo‐1,4‐oxathiecine with a ten‐membered ring system. The mechanisms of the different reaction pathways depending on the heteroatom of the tether are discussed.
Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones using Ru(0) nanoparticles modified by Chiral Thiones
Authors: Din Reshi Noor U. , Senthurpandi Dineshchakravarthy , Samuelson Ashoka G.
Published: March 2019

The catalytic asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of acetophenone in isopropanol by Ru(0) nanoparticles (NPs) obtained by the in‐situ reduction of Ru (II) half‐sandwich complexes of chiral 2‐oxazolidinethiones and 2‐thiozolidinethiones was examined and compared with the catalytic activity of Ru(0) NPs formed in‐situ by the reduction of [Ru(p‐cymene)(Cl)2]2 in presence of optically active ligands such as (S)‐4‐isobutylthiazolidine‐2‐thione, (S)‐4‐Isopropyl‐2(−2‐pyridinyl)‐2‐oxazoline, (8S, 9R)‐(−)‐cinchonidine, (S)‐leucinol, (S)‐phenylalaninol, and (S)‐leucine. Three of the best catalytic systems were then examined for ATH of thirteen aromatic ketones with different electronic and steric properties. A maximum of 24% ee was obtained using NPs generated from the Ru (II) half‐sandwich complex with (S)‐4‐isobutylthiazolidine‐2‐thione in the TH of acetophenone. The NPs were characterized by TEM and DLS measurements. Kinetic studies and poisoning experiments confirmed that the reaction is catalyzed by the chiral NPs formed in‐situ. Complete characterization of the complexes, including the X‐ray crystallographic characterization of two complexes, was also carried out.
Diesel Precursors Via Catalytic Hydrothermal Deoxygenation of Aqueous Canola Oil Emulsion
Authors: Ndubuisi Richard U. , Sinichi Sayeh , (Cathy) Chin Ya‐Huei , Diosady Levente L.
Published: March 2019

Aqueous extraction for protein isolation from oilseeds is a promising alternative to the conventional hexane‐based solvent extraction widely used in the industry. However, during aqueous extraction, a stable oil‐in‐water emulsion is produced that results in decreased oil yield. We demonstrated the conversion of this aqueous extract into renewable hydrocarbons on 20%w/w Ni/C at 315 °C and at an initial hydrogen headspace pressure of 1.95 MPa. Moderate yield (>50%) and selectivity (~70%) of hydrocarbons within the diesel range were obtained within 12 hours of reaction without additional external hydrogen input. It was also shown that a prolonged experimental run at 305 °C can result in near‐complete conversion of triacylglycerol oil into diesel‐range hydrocarbons (70%) and oxygenates (9%) with selectivity of ~80%. Although the study demonstrates for the first time the possibility of integrating aqueous extraction of protein with renewable diesel production in a hydrothermal medium, the limitations and challenges experienced during this initial study justify additional work that is presently underway.
Zebrafish Model for Nonsyndromic X‐Linked Sensorineural Deafness, DFNX1
Authors: DeSmidt Alexandra A. , Zou Bing , Grati M'hamed , Yan Denise , Mittal Rahul , Yao Qi , Richmond Michael T. , Denyer Steven , Liu Xue Zhong , Lu Zhongmin
Published: March 2019

Hereditary deafness is often a neurosensory disorder and affects the quality of life of humans. Only three X‐linked genes (POU class 3 homeobox 4 (POU3F4), phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase 1 (PRPS1), and small muscle protein X‐linked (SMPX)) are known to be involved in nonsyndromic hearing loss. Four PRPS1 missense mutations have been found to associate with X‐linked nonsyndromic sensorineural deafness (DFNX1/DFN2) in humans. However, a causative relationship between PRPS1 mutations and hearing loss in humans has not been well studied in any animal model. Phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase 1 (PRS‐I) is highly conserved in vertebrate taxa. In this study, we used the zebrafish as a model to investigate the auditory role of zebrafish orthologs (prps1a and prps1b) of the human PRPS1 gene with whole mount in situ hybridization, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, phenotypic screening, confocal imaging, and electrophysiological methods. We found that both prps1a and prps1b genes were expressed in the inner ear of zebrafish. Splice‐blocking antisense morpholino oligonucleotides (MO1 and MO2) caused exon‐2 skip and intron‐2 retention of prps1a and exon‐2 skip and intron‐1 retention of prps1b to knock down functions of the genes, respectively. MO1 and MO2 morphants had smaller otic vesicles and otoliths, fewer inner ear hair cells, and lower microphonic response amplitude and sensitivity than control zebrafish. Therefore, knockdown of either prps1a or prps1b resulted in significant sensorineural hearing loss in zebrafish. We conclude that the prps1 genes are essential for hearing in zebrafish, which has the potential to help us understand the biology of human deafness DFNX1/DFN2. Anat Rec, 303:544–555, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy
Clinical outcomes and patterns of care in the treatment of carcinosarcoma of the breast
Authors: Kennedy William R. , Gabani Prashant , Acharya Sahaja , Thomas Maria A. , Zoberi Imran
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Carcinosarcoma of the breast is a rare yet highly aggressive tumor accounting for <1% of all breast cancers, for which guidance on optimal management and prognosis are sparse. The purpose of this study was to investigate population‐based treatment patterns and overall survival (OS) outcomes in patients with this diagnosis.

Materials and Methods

We queried the National Cancer Database for patients diagnosed with carcinosarcoma of the breast. All patients included were treated with surgery in the form of mastectomy or lumpectomy, with or without chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Patients with metastatic disease were excluded. Kaplan‐Meier analysis was used to estimate OS. Univariate and multivariable Cox analyses were used to determine predictive factors of OS.

Results

A total of 329 patients from 2004 to 2012 were identified. Median age at diagnosis was 58 years (range, 24‐90). Patients had T1 (21%), T2 (44%), T3 (25%), or T4 disease (10%). Most patients were node‐negative at diagnosis (77%). Breast conservation surgery was utilized in 33% of patients. Chemotherapy was used in 66% of patients. Less than half (44%) of patients received radiation therapy to a median dose of 50.4 Gy (range 35‐56 Gy), with a median 10 Gy boost used in 76%. With a median follow‐up of 40.0 months, 3‐ and 5‐year OS for all patients was 74% and 60%, respectively. Kaplan‐Meier estimates revealed the 3‐yr OS was 80% in patients receiving chemotherapy vs 59% without chemotherapy (P < 0.001). The 3‐yr OS was 82% in patients receiving RT vs 66% without RT (P = 0.001). On multivariable analysis, OS was significantly influenced by Charlson‐Deyo comorbidity index, insurance status, clinical T stage, surgical margin status, and treatment group, with trimodality therapy (HR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.27‐0.78; P = 0.004) and surgery plus CT (HR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.33‐0.90; P = 0.02) being associated with the greatest OS. Logistic regression revealed only younger patients were more likely to receive trimodality therapy.

Conclusions

Carcinosarcoma of the breast is associated with relatively poor rates of OS. The addition of CT and RT to surgery improves OS. Trimodality therapy and surgery plus CT were associated with the greatest OS compared to surgery alone.
Detection of the clarithromycin resistance of Helicobacter pylori in gastric mucosa by the amplification refractory mutation system combined with quantitative real‐time PCR
Authors: Zhang Xiao‐Yan , Shen Wei‐Xiang , Chen Chun‐Feng , Sheng Hai‐Hui , Cheng Hong , Li Jiang , Hu Fulian , Lu Da‐Ru , Gao Heng‐Jun
Published: March 2019

The goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of detecting Helicobacter pylori clarithromycin resistance in gastric mucosa using the amplification refractory mutation system combined with quantitative real‐time PCR (ARMS‐PCR). Gastric mucosal specimens (150) were collected from patients who were unsuccessfully treated for H. pylori eradication. Each specimen was divided into 2 samples. One sample was used to extract genomic DNA and detect any gene mutations of H. pylori produced by ARMS‐ PCR. Sequencing was used to assess the accuracy of this method. The other sample was used to culture H. pylori. The E‐test minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was used to assess clarithromycin resistance. The results were compared with a paired chi‐square test to validate the coincidence rate among the 3 methods. The coincidence rate between the sequencing and ARMS‐PCR results was 98.7%, thus verifying the accuracy of ARMS‐PCR. E‐tests detected 144 clarithromycin resistance cases, including 45 sensitivity cases; the resistance rate was 70%. The coincidence rate between the results of the E‐test and ARMS‐PCR was 97.1%, and no significant difference between the 2 methods was observed. ARMS‐PCR is a simple and fast method that has high sensitivity and specificity and can be used to detect the clarithromycin resistance of H. pylori in gastric mucosa. ARMS‐PCR is expected to be used to study drug resistance mechanisms and use in assays of individual therapies for H. pylori eradication.
Learn how SAFETY Act can help protect athletics venues
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: March 2019

ATLANTA — The stadiums and arenas where your school holds its sporting events and other large gatherings may be particularly vulnerable targets of potential terrorist activity, according to security experts. And that leaves your students, staff, and visitors exposed to significant safety risks and your school and department liable for hefty financial and punitive damages.
Biocatalysis Fueled by Light: On the Versatile Combination of Photocatalysis and Enzymes
Authors: Seel Catharina J. , Gulder Tanja
Published: March 2019

Enzymes catalyze a plethora of highly specific transformations under mild and environmentally benign reaction conditions. Their fascinating performances attest to high synthetic potential that is often hampered by operational obstacles such as in vitro cofactor supply and regeneration. Exploiting light and combining it with biocatalysis not only helps in overcoming these drawbacks, but the fruitful liaison of these two fields of “green chemistry” also offers opportunities to unlock new synthetic reactivities. In this review we provide an overview of the wide variety of photo‐biocatalysis, ranging from the photochemical delivery of electrons required in redox biocatalysis and photochemical cofactor and reagent (re)generation to direct photoactivation of enzymes enabling reactions unknown in nature. We highlight synthetically relevant transformations such as asymmetric reactions facilitated by the combination of light as energy source and enzymes’ catalytic power.
Oral lipoma: Case report and review of literature
Authors: Dehghani Nima , Razmara Farnoosh , Padeganeh Tahereh , Mahmoudi Xaniar
Published: March 2019

Key Clinical Message

Lipoma is a benign neoplasm that primarily affects the middle‐aged individuals and has a rare oral cavity occurrence. Given its noninvasive behavior and low recurrence rate, surgical conservative management should be regarded as the best therapeutic option. This paper highlights two patients along with their improved conditions following the treatment.
An On‐Demand, Selective Hydrogenation Catalysis over Pt−Fe Nanocatalysts under Ambient Condition
Authors: Yang Chengyong , Bai Shuxing , Feng Yonggang , Huang Xiaoqing
Published: March 2019

The selective hydrogenation of organic compounds with multiple unsaturated bonds is of significant for fine chemicals, while simultaneously achieving high selectivities of different potential products is still great challenge. Herein, we have successfully designed a nanocatalysis system, which can serve as a control switch of selective α, β‐unsaturated aldehydes hydrogenation towards potential products in a highly on‐demand fashion. We demonstrate that the PtFe nanospheres (NSs) represent excellent selectivity (>92.8 %) to unsaturated alcohols with high conversion (>99.7 %), due to the higher electron density of the active Pt atoms. When introducing AlCl3, the selectivity of saturated aldehydes enhances to 97.1 % at 95.8 % conversion, owing to synergy between PtFe NSs and AlCl3. Finally, the PtFe−A NSs generated by etching away the Fe can promote the selectivity saturated alcohols (>99.7 %) with the highest activity, on account of more exposed active sites after the chemical etching. Significantly, the developed nanocatalysis system can also exhibit high activity/selectivity for other typical α, β‐unsaturated aldehydes as well as excellent stability after consecutive reactions. This work provides a guideline for the rational design highly active and selective Pt‐based nanocatalyst.
Building a Cocrystal by Using Supramolecular Synthons for Pressure‐Accelerated Heteromolecular Azide–Alkyne Cycloaddition
Authors: Meng Xiao , Chen Changqing , Deng Xinyuan , Wang Zhangyuan , Chen Qi , Ma Yuguo
Published: March 2019

Facilitated by the supramolecular synthons of carboxylic acids and amides through cooperative hydrogen‐bonding and arene–perfluoroarene interactions, the azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction between two different molecules in a cocrystal was achieved. This reaction could be accelerated by pressure using a common hydraulic press equipment with excellent regioselectivity to yield 1,4‐triazole products. The absence of decarboxylation side reactions in the products in the solid state demonstrated that this strategy can provide a green synthetic route for products not directly accessible by traditional syntheses in solution.
Metal–Organic Framework (MOF)‐Derived Carbon‐Mediated Interfacial Reaction for the Synthesis of CeO2−MnO2 Catalysts
Authors: Song Lianghao , Xu Tiantian , Gao Daowei , Hu Xun , Li Cuncheng , Li Shun , Chen Guozhu
Published: March 2019

CeO2‐based catalysts are widely studied in catalysis fields. Developing one novel synthetic approach to increase the intimate contact between CeO2 and secondary species is of particular importance for enhancing catalytic activities. Herein, an interfacial reaction between metal–organic framework (MOF)‐derived carbon and KMnO4 to synthesize CeO2−MnO2, in which carbon is derived from the pyrolysis of Ce‐MOFs under an inert atmosphere, is described. The MOF‐derived carbon is found to restrain the growth of CeO2 crystallites under a high calcination temperature and, more importantly, intimate contact within CeO2/C is conveyed to CeO2/MnO2 after the interfacial reaction; this is responsible for the high catalytic activity of CeO2−MnO2 towards CO oxidation.
Enzymatic One‐Step Reduction of Carboxylates to Aldehydes with Cell‐Free Regeneration of ATP and NADPH
Authors: Strohmeier Gernot A. , Eiteljörg Inge C. , Schwarz Anna , Winkler Margit
Published: March 2019

The direct generation of aldehydes from carboxylic acids is often a challenging synthetic task but undoubtedly attractive in view of abundant supply of such feedstocks from nature. Though long known, biocatalytic carboxylate reductions are at an early stage of development, presumably because of their co‐factor requirement. To establish an alternative to whole‐cell‐based carboxylate reductions which are limited by side reactions, we developed an in vitro multi‐enzyme system that allows for quantitative reductions of various carboxylic acids with full recycling of all cofactors and prevention of undesired over‐reductions. Regeneration of adenosine 5′‐triphosphate is achieved through the simultaneous action of polyphosphate kinases from Meiothermus ruber and Sinorhizobium meliloti and β‐nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide 2′‐phosphate is reduced by a glucose dehydrogenase. Under these conditions and in the presence of the carboxylate reductases from Neurospora crassa or Nocardia iowensis, various aromatic, heterocyclic and aliphatic carboxylic acids were quantitatively reduced to the respective aldehydes.
Rhodium(III) Complexes Featuring Coordinated CF3 Appendages
Authors: Emerson‐King Jack , Prokes Ivan , Chaplin Adrian B.
Published: March 2019

The synthesis and characterisation of a homologous series of rhodium 2,2′‐biphenyl complexes featuring intramolecular dative bonding of the nominally inert and weakly coordinating trifluoromethyl group are described. Presence of these interactions is evidenced in the solid state using X‐ray diffraction, with Rh−F contacts of 2.36–2.45 Å, and in solution using NMR spectroscopy, through hindered C−CF3 bond rotation and the presence of time‐averaged 1JRhF and 2JPF coupling.
Prediction of painful temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis in juvenile patients using bone scintigraphy
Authors: Lee Yeon‐Hee , Hong Il Ki , Chun Yang‐Hyun
Published: March 2019

The study aims to evaluate whether bone scintigraphy is effective in diagnosing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA) in juvenile patients. A retrospective study was conducted with 356 consecutive patients with TMJ–OA who were clinically assessed according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders. Patients were assigned to three groups based on their ages: Group 1: aged 12–16 years; Group 2: aged 17–19 years; and Group 3: aged 20 years. Additionally, we performed qualitative and quantitative analyses of bone scintigraphy images for the TMJ uptake ratio of the involved joint. The diagnostic rate of TMJ–OA (n = 356, 100%), and the overall presence of subjective pain (n = 282, 77.3%) was closest to the results of bone scintigraphy (n = 333, 91.2%). In addition, reported TMJ pain was significantly associated only with the results of bone scintigraphy and not with the results of panoramic radiography or cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in all age groups. With CBCT as the reference standard, the optimal cutoff values of the uptake ratio for the diagnosis of TMJ–OA were 2.171 and 2.017 in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P value < 0.05). Our results suggest that bone scintigraphy can be considered a useful modality for diagnosing TMJ–OA in juvenile patients.
Creation and circuit implementation of two‐to‐eight–wing chaotic attractors using a 3D memristor‐based system
Authors: Zhong Xiaoyun , Peng Minfang , Shahidehpour Mohammad
Published: March 2019

This paper constructs a three‐dimensional (3D) memristor‐based system for creating multiwing chaotic attractors. A second‐degree polynomial memristance function and a sixth‐order exponent internal state memristor function with one parameter are employed, and the complexity of attractors is increased. A detailed analysis on dynamical behaviors of the proposed system are described, such as the bifurcation diagrams, finite‐time local Lyapunov exponents, time series, phase portraits, and Poincaré maps. By adjusting the design parameters, the system displays two‐to‐eight–wing chaotic attractors, especially the five‐wing and seven‐wing attractors, which have never been found in the known systems. Further, we provide the calculation formula of the number of wings in the system, discuss the distribution of the involving inner holes on the plane, and design an electronic circuit to realize the proposed system. The experimental results of the circuit implementation agree with the numerical simulations on Matlab well. It indicates the potential engineering applications for various chaos‐based information systems.
Enantioselective disposition of (R,R)‐formoterol, (S,S)‐formoterol and their respective glucuronides in urine following single inhaled dosing and application to doping control
Authors: Jacobson Glenn A. , Hostrup Morten , Narkowicz Christian K. , Nichols David S. , Walters E. Haydn
Published: March 2019

Formoterol is a long‐acting beta2‐adrenoceptor agonist (LABA) used for the treatment of asthma and exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction. Formoterol is usually administered as a racemic (rac‐) mixture of (R,R)‐ and (S,S)‐enantiomers. While formoterol is restricted by the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA), inhalation of formoterol is permitted to a predetermined dose (54 μg/24 hours) and a urine threshold of 40 ng/mL. However, chiral switch enantiopure (R,R)‐formoterol is available, effectively doubling the therapeutic advantage for the same threshold. The aim of this study was to investigate whether formoterol exhibits enantioselective urinary pharmacokinetics following inhalation. Six healthy volunteers were administered a 12 μg inhaled dose of rac‐formoterol. Urine was collected over 24 hours and analyzed by enantioselective ultra‐performance liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC−MS/MS) assay. Total (free drug plus conjugated metabolite) median (min‐max) rac‐formoterol urine levels following inhalation were 1.96 (1.05–13.4) ng/mL, 1.67 (0.16–9.67) ng/mL, 0.45 (0.16–1.51) ng/mL, 0.61 (0.33–0.78) ng/mL, and 0.17 (0.08–1.06) ng/mL at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours, respectively, well below the 2019 urine threshold. The proportion of conjugation differed between enantiomers with glucuronide conjugation much greater for (R,R)‐formoterol (around 30%–60% of total) compared to (S,S)‐formoterol (0%–30%). There was clear evidence of inter‐individual enantioselectivity observed in the ratios of (R,R):(S,S)‐formoterol, where (S,S)‐ was predominant in free formoterol, and (R,R)‐ predominant in the conjugated metabolite. In conclusion, rac‐formoterol delivered by inhalation exhibits enantioselective elimination in urine following single‐dose administration. Enantioselective assays should be employed in doping control to screen for banned beta2‐agonist chiral switch products such as (R,R)‐formoterol, and total hydrolyzed rac‐formoterol is warranted to account for inter‐individual differences in enantioselective glucuronidation.
Triangular and Prism‐Shaped Gold‐Zinc Oxide Plasmonic Nanostructures: In situ Reduction, Assembly, and Full‐Range Photocatalytic Performance
Authors: Bottega‐Pergher Bruno , Graus Javier , Bueno‐Alejo Carlos J. , Hueso Jose L.
Published: March 2019

Gold‐based nanocatalysts have been traditionally selected for multiple homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions of interest involving redox processes. Likewise, greener routes involving more efficient reactors and the use of inexpensive and nature‐mimicking excitation sources have boosted the research on photocatalysts that can drive these chemical reactions upon excitation with multiple wavelength sources beyond the UV range. In the present work we report on a multi‐step synthesis approach that enables the in situ generation of triangular and prism‐shaped gold nanostructures with a localized surface plasmon resonance effect and their direct assembly onto a ZnO nanostructured semiconductor support. Different LED excitation sources in the whole UV/Vis‐NIR range have been systematically selected to activate these hybrid materials in the selective reduction of p‐nitrophenol (4‐NP), a well‐known contaminant by‐product. While ZnO becomes preferentially active in the UV window, the anisotropic shape of these gold plasmonic nanostructures helps to broaden the photocatalytic response of ZnO towards the visible and NIR range, being especially active under 460 nm blue light irradiation and expanding their potential application in multiple solar‐driven catalytic processes of interest for decontamination and upgrading of toxic chemicals.
A synopsis of Ocotea (Lauraceae) from the Reserva Natural Vale, Linhares, Espírito Santo, Brazil
Authors: de Moraes Pedro Luís Rodrigues , Vergne Matheus Carvalho
Published: March 2019

In the first treatment of this series, twenty‐one species of 12 genera of Lauraceae (excluding Ocotea) were reported for the Reserva Natural Vale. In the present treatment, thirty‐two species of Ocotea are reported from the area. Descriptions, an identification key, commentary and illustrations of the species are presented. Pistillate flowers of Ocotea aniboides and O. kostermansiana are described for the first time, and lectotypes are designated for six names: Aydendron nitidum, Ocotea glaziovii, O. kostermansiana, Oreodaphne maranhana, Oreodaphne pallida, and Oreodaphne spectabilis.
Effect of silkworm peptide on inducting M1 type polarization and Th1 activation via TLR2‐induced MyD88‐dependent pathway
Authors: Zhu Guanglai , Gui Zhongzheng
Published: March 2019

The aim of this study was to explore immune activity and molecular mechanism of silkworm peptide. The cell subsets induced by silkworm peptides were detected by flow cytometry. The IFN‐γ and IL‐4 levels in CD4+ cells were measured by ELISA. TLR2 mRNA expression in mouse CD4+ T cells was detected by qRT‐PCR. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of MyD88 and p‐IκB. The growth rate of Lewis lung cancer xenografts in mice of the medium‐dose group was significantly reduced, and the tumor volume was significantly smaller than that of the control group on the 14th day. The relative vitality values of spleen lymphocytes in the medium‐dose and high‐dose groups were higher than the control group. The IFN‐γ levels in the medium‐dose and high‐dose groups were significantly higher than the control group. The levels of IL‐4 were no significant change among different groups. Compared with the control group, different doses of silkworm peptide groups could increase the levels of NO, IL‐6, IL‐12, and IL‐1β. Compared with the control group, the protein expression levels of MyD88 and p‐IκB in 10 μg/ml group and 20 μg/ml groups were significantly increased compared with the control group. Silkworm peptide could induce Th1 activation and M1 type polarization, which was dose‐dependent and was relative to the effect of silkworm peptide on inhibiting tumor growth. Silkworm peptide could directly induce M1 type polarization and Th1 activation via TLR2‐induced MyD88‐dependent pathway in vitro.
Higher order genomic organization and epigenetic control maintain cellular identity and prevent breast cancer
Authors: Fritz A.J. , Gillis N.E. , Gerrard D.L. , Rodriguez P.D. , Hong D. , Rose J.T. , Ghule P.N. , Bolf E.L. , Gordon J.A. , Tye C.E. , Boyd J.R. , Tracy K.M. , Nickerson J.A. , van Wijnen A.J. , Imbalzano A.N. , Heath J.L. , Frietze S.E. , Zaidi S.K. , Carr F.E. , Lian J.B. , Stein J.L. , Stein G.S.
Published: March 2019

Cells establish and sustain structural and functional integrity of the genome to support cellular identity and prevent malignant transformation. In this review, we present a strategic overview of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms including histone modifications and higher order chromatin organization (HCO) that are perturbed in breast cancer onset and progression. Implications for dysfunctions that occur in hormone regulation, cell cycle control, and mitotic bookmarking in breast cancer are considered, with an emphasis on epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cell activities. The architectural organization of regulatory machinery is addressed within the contexts of translating cancer‐compromised genomic organization to advances in breast cancer risk assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and identification of novel therapeutic targets with high specificity and minimal off target effects.
Episodic density, subsyndromic symptoms, and mood instability in late‐life bipolar disorders: A 5‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Strejilevich Sergio , Szmulewicz Alejandro , Igoa Ana , Marengo Eliana , Caravotta Pablo , Martino Diego
Published: March 2019

Objectives

Characterization of clinical course in old age bipolar disorder (OABD) is scarce and based solely on episode density (ED). The aim of this study was to explore mood instability (MI) and subsyndromal symptomatology (SS) in a prospective cohort of OABD. Further, we contrasted these measures with a cohort of young age bipolar disorder (YABD).

Methods

Life charts from weekly mood ratings were used to compute the number of weeks spent with subsyndromal symptoms (SD), the ED, and the MI during follow‐up for a cohort of OABD (N = 38) that excluded late onset BD. Linear and logistic regression models were fitted to compare the clinical course of OABD with a cohort of YABD (N = 52) and to explore the relationship between these measures and functional outcomes.

Results

Median follow‐up was 5 years (IQR: 3.6‐7.9). OABD (61.6 years, SD: 8.3) spent 15%, 6%, and 3% of their follow‐up with depressive, manic, and mixed symptoms, respectively, and suffered 4.2 mood changes per year (SD: 2.6). No significant differences between OABD and YABD regarding ED or MI emerged in multivariate analysis, while a higher subsyndromal manic symptom burden was observed in OABD (β coefficient: 3.79, 95%CI: 0.4‐7.2). Both SS and MI were associated with functional outcomes in OABD.

Conclusions

The course of illness throughout OABD was similar to the one observed in YABD except for a higher subsyndromal manic burden. This study extended the association of MI and SD with global functioning to the late‐life BD.
Test–retest reproducibility of white matter parcellation using diffusion MRI tractography fiber clustering
Authors: Zhang Fan , Wu Ye , Norton Isaiah , Rathi Yogesh , Golby Alexandra J. , O'Donnell Lauren J.
Published: March 2019

There are two popular approaches for automated white matter parcellation using diffusion MRI tractography, including fiber clustering strategies that group white matter fibers according to their geometric trajectories and cortical‐parcellation‐based strategies that focus on the structural connectivity among different brain regions of interest. While multiple studies have assessed test–retest reproducibility of automated white matter parcellations using cortical‐parcellation‐based strategies, there are no existing studies of test–retest reproducibility of fiber clustering parcellation. In this work, we perform what we believe is the first study of fiber clustering white matter parcellation test–retest reproducibility. The assessment is performed on three test–retest diffusion MRI datasets including a total of 255 subjects across genders, a broad age range (5–82 years), health conditions (autism, Parkinson's disease and healthy subjects), and imaging acquisition protocols (three different sites). A comprehensive evaluation is conducted for a fiber clustering method that leverages an anatomically curated fiber clustering white matter atlas, with comparison to a popular cortical‐parcellation‐based method. The two methods are compared for the two main white matter parcellation applications of dividing the entire white matter into parcels (i.e., whole brain white matter parcellation) and identifying particular anatomical fiber tracts (i.e., anatomical fiber tract parcellation). Test–retest reproducibility is measured using both geometric and diffusion features, including volumetric overlap (wDice) and relative difference of fractional anisotropy. Our experimental results in general indicate that the fiber clustering method produced more reproducible white matter parcellations than the cortical‐parcellation‐based method.
New neurons restore structural and behavioral abnormalities in a rat model of PTSD
Authors: Schoenfeld Timothy J. , Rhee Diane , Martin Laura , Smith Jesse A. , Sonti Anup N. , Padmanaban Varun , Cameron Heather A.
Published: March 2019

Post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with anxiety, memory impairments, enhanced fear, and hippocampal volume loss, although the relationship between these changes remain unknown. Single‐prolonged stress (SPS) is a model for PTSD combining three forms of stress (restraint, swim, and anesthesia) in a single session that results in prolonged behavioral effects. Using pharmacogenetic ablation of adult neurogenesis in rats, we investigated the role of new neurons in the hippocampus in the long‐lasting structural and behavioral effects of SPS. Two weeks after SPS, stressed rats displayed increased anxiety‐like behavior and decreased preference for objects in novel locations regardless of the presence or absence of new neurons. Chronic stress produced by daily restraint for 2 or 6 hr produced similar behavioral effects that were also independent of ongoing neurogenesis. At a longer recovery time point, 1 month after SPS, rats with intact neurogenesis had normalized, showing control levels of anxiety‐like behavior. However, GFAP‐TK rats, which lacked new neurons, continued to show elevated anxiety‐like behavior and enhanced serum corticosterone response to anxiogenic experience. Volume loss in ventral CA1 region of the hippocampus paralleled increases in anxiety‐like behavior, occurring in all rats exposed to SPS at the early time point and only rats lacking adult neurogenesis at the later time point. In chronic stress experiments, volume loss occurred broadly throughout the dentate gyrus and CA1 after 6‐hr daily stress but was not apparent in any hippocampal subregion after 2‐hr daily stress. No effect of SPS was seen on cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus, but the survival of young neurons born a week after stress was decreased. Together, these data suggest that new neurons are important for recovery of normal behavior and hippocampal structure following a strong acute stress and point to the ventral CA1 region as a potential key mediator of stress‐induced anxiety‐like behavior.
Regulatory roles of long noncoding RNAs implicated in cancer hallmarks
Authors: Wang Jun , Zhang Xuan , Chen Wen , Hu Xiang , Li Jing , Liu Changning
Published: March 2019

Cancer cells acquire numerous biological properties (designated “cancer hallmarks”), such as cell survival and energy metabolism, that facilitate tumor growth and metastatic dissemination during development. To date, eight hallmarks of cancer have been identified that provide a logical framework for understanding the remarkable diversity of neoplastic diseases, as proposed by Douglas Hanahan and Robert A. Weinberg. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), a category of transcripts widely demonstrated to exert significant regulatory effects on biological processes, have attracted considerable research attention due to their association with the occurrence and development of cancer. The mechanisms by which lncRNAs exert their functions require elucidation to optimize their potential utility as alternative biomarkers and therapeutic targets during tumor occurrence and progression. In this review, we have discussed recent research progress on lncRNAs involved in various cancer hallmarks and their related mechanisms of action, with a view to providing an updated picture of their immense therapeutic potential in the fight against cancer.
Molecular characterization and expression profile of an alternate proliferating cell nuclear antigen homolog PbPCNA2 in Plasmodium berghei
Authors: Pradhan Sabyasachi , Kalia Inderjeet , Roy Sourav Singha , Singh Om P. , Adak Tridibes , Singh Agam P. , Dhar Suman K.
Published: March 2019

Proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is the processivity factor for various DNA polymerases and it functions in response to DNA damage in eukaryotic system. Plasmodium falciparum contains two PCNAs, while PCNA1 has been attributed to DNA replication, the role of PCNA2 has been assigned to DNA damage response in erythrocytic developmental stages. Although a recent transposon mediated knockout strategy qualified pcna2 as a nonessential gene in Plasmodium berghei, a conventional homologous recombination‐based knockout strategy has not been employed for this gene yet. Moreover, the cellular dynamics of PCNA2 in extraerythrocytic stages still remain elusive in Plasmodium. We attempted multiple times to knock out PbPCNA2 from the parasite genome using homologous recombination strategy without much success. However, we were able to generate PbPCNA2‐GFP tagged transgenic parasites confirming that the pcna2 locus is amenable to genetic manipulation. The GFP‐tagged parasites showed similar growth phenotype, compared to wild‐type parasites, in both erythrocytic and sporogonic cycle, suggesting that tagging had no effect on parasite physiology. PbPCNA2 expression was also observed during the sporogonic cycle in midgut oocyst and salivary gland sporozoites. The PbPCNA2 expression was upregulated in the presence of DNA damaging agents like hydroxyurea and methyl methanesulphonate. Our inability to knock out PCNA2 suggested its essentiality in the parasite development and elevated expression during DNA damaging condition hint at a critical role of the protein in parasite physiology. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 71(9):1293–1301, 2019
Preliminary investigation of honey‐doped electrospun scaffolds to delay wound closure
Authors: Hilliard Genevieve , DeClue Cory E. , Minden‐Birkenmaier Benjamin A. , Dunn Andrew J. , Sell Scott A. , Shornick Laurie P.
Published: March 2019

Manuka honey is an ancient remedy to improve wound healing; however, an effective delivery system is needed to facilitate extended release of honey into wounds. We developed an electrospun dermal regeneration template consisting of a poly (ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) scaffold embedded with 1%, 5%, 10%, or 20% manuka honey. In vitro studies demonstrated that honey PCL scaffolds were not toxic to macrophages, and they allowed for macrophage infiltration into the scaffolds. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a marker of angiogenesis, was released by macrophages cultured with scaffolds and macrophage/scaffold conditioned media promoted endothelial cell tube formation in an angiogenesis assay. In a full thickness murine wound model, the scaffolds prevented rapid wound contraction. In vivo, cells infiltrated the scaffolds by post‐wounding day 7, but the honey scaffolds did not affect collagen deposition at that time. In summary, preliminary studies investigating the effect of honey on tissue repair show that scaffolds prevent rapid wound contraction, allow for cell infiltration, and promote angiogenesis. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B:2620–2628, 2019.
Helping Those Who Help Themselves: Does Counseling Enhance Retention?
Authors: Lockard Allison J. , Hayes Jeffrey A. , Locke Benjamin D. , Bieschke Kathleen J. , Castonguay Louis G.
Published: March 2019

This study examined how academic distress changed over the course of counseling and predicted retention. The sample comprised students receiving services at the campus counseling center (n = 404), students from a psychology department subject pool (n = 311), and students from the general campus population (n = 75,748). The analyses performed included t test, analysis of covariance, chi‐square test, and logistical regression. The results suggested that students whose academic distress did not decrease had lower retention rates than both clients whose academic distress improved and the general student body.