bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuroanatomical correlates of food addiction symptoms and body mass index in the general population
Authors: Beyer Frauke , García‐García Isabel , Heinrich Matthias , Schroeter Matthias L. , Sacher Julia , Luck Tobias , Riedel‐Heller Steffi G. , Stumvoll Michael , Villringer Arno , Witte A. Veronica
Published: February 2019

The food addiction model suggests neurobiological similarities between substance‐related and addictive disorders and obesity. While structural brain differences have been consistently reported in these conditions, little is known about the neuroanatomical correlates of food addiction. We therefore aimed to determine whether symptoms of food addiction related to body mass index (BMI), personality, and brain structure in a large population‐based sample. Participants of the LIFE‐Adult study (n = 625; 20–59 years old, 45% women) answered the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) and further personality measures, underwent anthropometric assessments and high‐resolution 3T‐neuroimaging. A higher YFAS symptom score correlated with higher BMI, eating behavior traits, neuroticism, and stress. Higher BMI predicted significantly lower thickness of (pre)frontal, temporal and occipital cortex and increased volume of left nucleus accumbens. In a whole‐brain analysis, YFAS symptom score was not associated with significant differences in cortical thickness or subcortical gray matter volumes. A hypothesis‐driven Bayes factor analysis suggested a small, additional contribution of YFAS symptom score to lower right lateral orbitofrontal cortex thickness over the effect of BMI. Our study indicates that symptoms of food addiction do not account for the major part of the structural brain differences associated with BMI in the general population. Yet, symptoms of food addiction might explain additional variance in orbitofrontal cortex, a hub area of the reward network. Longitudinal studies implementing both anatomical and functional MRI could further disentangle the neural mechanisms of addictive eating behaviors.
Heme‐Derived Bilins
Authors: Takemoto Jon Y. , Chang Cheng‐Wei T. , Chen Dong , Hinton Garrett
Published: February 2019

Living things on Earth depend on heme – the iron‐cyclic tetrapyrrole complex that harnesses iron's oxidizing powers. Heme is toxic, but Nature has evolved ways to control it. One way is breaking it with heme oxygenase which lowers its levels and begins the formation of linear tetrapyrroles called bilins. Bilins occur in many variations, often colorful, sometimes in abundance, and in animals, plants and microbes. Contrary to early notions, bilins are not only waste products of heme degradation. They are increasingly appreciated for their diverse roles such as sensing and gathering light, regulating growth and aging, responding to inflammatory conditions, and influencing behavior. The diverse functions of bilins are exploited with discoveries and uses of bioactive bilins for salutary benefits in medicine and agriculture. Opportunities for finding new bioactive bilins and applications will grow as knowledge of bilin biology and capabilities for producing bilins continue to expand.
Maternal death reviews: A retrospective case series of 90 hospital‐based maternal deaths in 11 hospitals in Indonesia
Authors: Baharuddin Mohammad , Amelia Dwirani , Suhowatsky Stephanie , Kusuma Ary , Suhargono Mohammad Hud , Eng Benjamin
Published: February 2019

Objective

To determine the factors contributing to hospital‐based maternal deaths in Indonesia, given most women deliver with skilled birth attendants and in health facilities.

Methods

A retrospective review of case records examined quality of care issues related to maternal mortality in hospital settings. The review abstracted information from blinded medical records of 90 women who died in 11 hospitals from January to June 2014. Specialists from the Indonesian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology reviewed abstracted records to determine causes of death and identify contextual factors for these deaths.

Results

Seventy‐five of the 90 maternal deaths (83%) reviewed were due to direct obstetric causes. Severe pre‐eclampsia and eclampsia combined were the leading direct cause of death (42%). Human resource/health worker factors were more frequently identified than supply, facility, or infrastructure factors. Ninety percent of maternal deaths were classified as preventable.

Conclusion

The review exercise yielded useful information on factors contributing to preventable maternal mortality in hospitals in Indonesia. Results helped focus quality improvement efforts and increased awareness of the value of routine, in‐depth facility‐based maternal death reviews.
Hesperidin modulates dextran sulfate sodium‐induced ulcerative colitis in rats: Targeting sphingosine kinase‐1‐ sphingosine 1 phosphate signaling pathway, mitochondrial biogenesis, inflammation, and apoptosis
Authors: Shafik Noha M. , Gaber Rasha A. , Mohamed Darin A. , Ebeid Abla M.
Published: February 2019

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder interfering with life quality. A total of 60 male Wistar rats were divided into four equal groups: Control (group I), hesperidin only (group II), UC untreated (group III), and UC treated with hesperidin (group IV). Hesperidin had modulatory effects on UC pathogenesis, which might be through alleviating colonic sphingosine phosphate phosphatase 2 messenger RNA expression and sphingosine kinase‐1 levels, thus suppressing the subsequent downstream inflammatory and apoptotic cascades represented by decreased macrophage inflammatory protein‐1α and enhancement of B‐cell lymphoma 2 immunohistochemistry expression. Also, it improved mitochondrial biogenesis by increasing the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma‐coactivator 1‐α level. It successfully restored redox potential as evidenced by marked alleviations of the nitric oxide and peroxynitrite levels, increasing total antioxidant capacity, and activating the superoxide dismutase enzyme. Also, hesperidin alleviated the UC disease activity index and improved the histopathological picture. These findings may offer a new therapeutic strategy for UC treatment.
Comparison and cost analysis of three protocols for mobilization and apheresis of haematopoietic progenitor cells
Authors: López‐Castaño Francisco , Manresa Pablo , Díaz Vanesa , Arranz Eva , López Javier , Pérez María , Alda Olga , Hernández Luis
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Autologous bone marrow transplantation is a component of the malignant hemopathy therapy. The preferred mobilization and collection method is apheresis. The aim of this study is to compare three protocols analyzing the effect of plerixafor, higher dose of G‐CSF and large volume leukapheresis (LVL).

Materials and methods

A retrospective cohort study including 119 patients referred for mobilization. Three protocols were compared: (a) G‐CSF 10 μg/kg/day subcutaneous (sc) × 4 days mobilizing 1 to 1.5 blood volumes. (b) G‐CSF 10 μg/kg/day sc × 4 days + plerixafor 0.24 mg/kg/day sc preventively or as a rescue agent mobilizing 1 to 1.5 blood volumes. (c) G‐CSF 20 μg/kg/day sc × 4 days ± plerixafor 0.24 mg/kg/day sc preventively or as a rescue agent mobilizing 3 to 4 blood volumes.

Results

The average number of days of apheresis was reduced to 1.37 with protocol 3. The average cost per patient was reduced by 67% compared with protocol 2 and increased by only 5% compared with protocol 1, reducing the failure rate to 0%.

Conclusion

Adding preemptive or rescue plerixafor (protocol 2) to G‐CSF 10 μg/kg/day alone (protocol 1) did not improve the days of apheresis nor the number of CD34+ cells collected but had higher cost and failure rate. Using LVL, plerixafor and G‐CSF 20 μg/kg/day (protocol 3) decreased the number of sessions to 1.37, reduced the failure rate to 0% and led to a significant increase in the number of CD34+ cells collected without toxicity and with a similar cost to protocol 1.
Overexpression of Hsc70 promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion of human glioma cells
Authors: Sun Guan , Cao Ying , Xu Yitian , Huai De , chen Ping , Guo Jun , Li Min , Dai Yuyu
Published: February 2019

Migration and invasion are often recognized as the main reasons for the high recurrence and death rates of glioma and limit the efficacy of surgery and other antitumor therapies. In this study, we found over activation of heat shock cognate protein 70 (Hsc70) in human glioma specimens, which was closely related to glioma grade. We investigated whether Hsc70 induced the migration and invasion of glioma cells. Wound healing and transwell migration assay were used to determine the migration and invasion ability of human glioma U251 and U87 cells, in which the expression of Hsc70 was knocked down by small interfering RNA. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the expression of FAK‐Src signaling in malignant glioma cells. The results showed that Hsc70 deficiency significantly retarded migration and invasion and reduced the phosphorylation of FAK, Src, and Pyk2 in U251 and U87 cells. Overall, our results indicate that the migration and invasion capacity of human brain glioma cells is at least partly induced by Hsc70‐dependent activation of FAK‐Src signaling.
AP‐1 and Mitf interact with NFATc1 to stimulate cathepsin K promoter activity in osteoclast precursors
Authors: Pang Manhui , Rodríguez‐Gonzalez Maria , Hernandez Mireya , Recinos Claudia Carolina , Seldeen Kenneth Ladd , Troen Bruce Robert
Published: February 2019

Cathepsin K (CTSK) is a secreted protease that plays an essential role in osteoclastic bone resorption and osteoporotic bone loss. We have previously shown that activator protein 1 (AP‐1) stimulates CTSK promoter activity and that proximal nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1)‐binding sites play a major role in the stimulation of CTSK gene expression by receptor activator of NFκB ligand (RANKL). In the present study, we have extended these observations and further dissected the effects of transcription factors involved in the regulation of CTSK gene expression. Our aim was to investigate the cooperative interplay among transcription factors AP‐1, microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (Mitf), and NFATc1, and the consequent regulatory effects on CTSK transcription. Experiments were carried out in RAW 264.7 cells, which can be readily differentiated to osteoclasts upon RANKL stimulation. Our data show that AP‐1, Mitf, and NFATc1 are capable of independently stimulating CTSK promoter activity. A combination of any two factors further enhances CTSK promoter activity, with the combination of AP‐1 (c‐fos/c‐jun) and NFATc1 inducing the largest increase. We further identify a synergistic effect when all three factors cooperate intimately at the proximal promoter region, yielding maximal transcriptional upregulation of the CTSK promoter. RANKL induces temporal localization of AP‐1 and NFATc1 to the CTSK promoter. These results suggest that the interaction of multiple transcription factors mediate a maximal response to RANKL‐induced CTSK gene expression.
Diversity of probiotic adhesion genes in the gastrointestinal tract of goats
Authors: Subramaniyan Vishnupriya , Gurumurthy Kalaichelvan
Published: February 2019

Gastrointestinal (GI) microflora is an important system in the host, as it has both pathogenic and probiotic bacteria. Most of the studies were focused on the human gut microflora and the available information on the intestinal microflora of goats was limited. This urged the need to inspect the impacts of the goat's gut microflora. Metagenomic investigation of probiotic bacteria in the GI tract of goat is one of the challenging streams because of the less available data of the uncultivable bacteria. In our report, comparative analysis of metagenomic and enrichment samples of goat intestinal content was done and this approach will be helpful in analyzing the identification of uncultivable and cultivable probiotic bacteria. This study mainly focused on three key probiotic adhesion genes, such as EF‐Tu, mapA, and mub. The GI of four different goats were investigated for these genes. The data from this study showed that there is a wide diversity of these genes among goat intestinal samples.
Frontline Science: Mast cells regulate neutrophil homeostasis by influencing macrophage clearance activity
Authors: Jachetti Elena , D’Incà Federica , Danelli Luca , Magris Raffaella , Dal Secco Chiara , Vit Filippo , Cancila Valeria , Tripodo Claudio , Scapini Patrizia , Colombo Mario Paolo , Pucillo Carlo , Frossi Barbara
Published: February 2019

The receptor tyrosine kinase cKit and its ligand stem cell factor are essential for mast cells (MC) development and survival. Strains with mutations affecting the Kit gene display a profound MC deficiency in all tissues and have been extensively used to investigate the role of MC in both physiologic and pathologic conditions. However, these mice present a variety of abnormalities in other immune cell populations that can affect the interpretation of MC-related responses. C57BL/6 KitW-sh are characterized by an aberrant extramedullary myelopoiesis and systemic neutrophilia. MC deficiency in KitW-sh mice can be selectively repaired by engraftment with in vitro-differentiated MC to validate MC-specific functions. Nevertheless, the impact of MC reconstitution on other immune populations has never been evaluated in detail. Here, we specifically investigated the neutrophil compartment in primary and secondary lymphoid organs of C57BL/6 KitW-sh mice before and after MC reconstitution. We found that, albeit not apparently affecting neutrophils phenotype or maturation, MC reconstitution of KitW-sh mice restored the number of neutrophils at a level similar to that of wild-type C57BL/6 mice. In vitro and ex vivo experiments indicated that MC can influence neutrophil clearance by increasing macrophages’ phagocytic activity. Furthermore, the G-CSF/IL-17 axis was also influenced by the presence or absence of MC in KitW-sh mice. These data suggest that MC play a role in the control of neutrophil homeostasis and that this aspect should be taken into account in the interpretation of results obtained using KitW-sh mice.
Human neutrophils activated via TLR8 promote Th17 polarization through IL-23
Authors: Tamassia Nicola , Arruda-Silva Fabio , Wright Helen L , Moots Robert J , Gardiman Elisa , Bianchetto-Aguilera Francisco , Gasperini Sara , Capone Manuela , Maggi Laura , Annunziato Francesco , Edwards Steven W , Cassatella Marco A
Published: February 2019

Human neutrophils contribute to the regulation of inflammation via the generation of a range of cytokines that affect all elements of the immune system. Here, we investigated their ability to express some of the members of the IL-12 family after incubation with TLR8 agonists. Highly pure human neutrophils were thus incubated for up to 48 h with or without R848, or other TLR8 agonists, to then measure the expression levels of transcripts and proteins for IL-12 family member subunits by RNA-seq, reverse transcription quantitative PCR, and ELISA. We show a TLR8-mediated inducible expression of IL-12B and IL-23A, but not IL-12A, mRNA, which occurs via chromatin remodeling (as assessed by ChIP-seq), and subsequent production of IL-23 and IL-12B, but no IL-12, proteins. Induction of IL-23 requires endogenous TNF-α, as both mRNA and protein levels were blocked in TLR8-activated neutrophils via a TNF-α-neutralizing Ab. We also show that supernatants from TLR8-activated neutrophils, but not autologous monocytes, induce the differentiation of Th17 cells from naïve T cells in an IL-23-dependent fashion. This study unequivocally demonstrates that highly pure human neutrophils express and produce IL-23, further supporting the key roles played by these cells in the important IL-17/IL-23 network and Th17 responses.
Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping as a quantitative imaging biomarker for prediction of immunohistochemical receptor status, proliferation rate, and molecular subtypes of breast cancer
Authors: Horvat Joao V. , Bernard‐Davila Blanca , Helbich Thomas H. , Zhang Michelle , Morris Elizabeth A. , Thakur Sunitha B. , Ochoa‐Albiztegui R. Elena , Leithner Doris , Marino Maria A. , Baltzer Pascal A. , Clauser Paola , Kapetas Panagiotis , Bago‐Horvath Zsuzsanna , Pinker Katja
Published: February 2019

Background

Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping is one of the most useful additional MRI parameters to improve diagnostic accuracy and is now often used in a multiparameric imaging setting for breast tumor detection and characterization.

Purpose

To evaluate whether different ADC metrics can also be used for prediction of receptor status, proliferation rate, and molecular subtype in invasive breast cancer.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

In all, 107 patients with invasive breast cancer met the inclusion criteria (mean age 57 years, range 32–87) and underwent multiparametric breast MRI.

Field Strength/Sequence

3 T, readout‐segmented echo planar imaging (rsEPI) with IR fat suppression, dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) T1‐weighted imaging, T2‐weighted turbo‐spin echo (TSE) with fatsat.

Assessment

Two readers independently drew a region of interest on ADC maps on the whole tumor (WTu), and on its darkest part (DpTu). Minimum, mean, and maximum ADC values of both WTu and DpTu were compared for receptor status, proliferation rate, and molecular subtypes.

Statistical Tests

Wilcoxon rank sum, Mann–Whitney U‐tests for associations between radiologic features and histopathology; histogram and q‐q plots, Shapiro–Wilk's test to assess normality, concordance correlation coefficient for precision and accuracy; receiver operating characteristics curve analysis.

Results

Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status had significantly different ADC values for both readers. Maximum WTu (P = 0.0004 and 0.0005) and mean WTu (P = 0.0101 and 0.0136) were significantly lower for ER‐positive tumors, while PR‐positive tumors had significantly lower maximum WTu values (P = 0.0089 and 0.0047). Maximum WTu ADC was the only metric that was significantly different for molecular subtypes for both readers (P = 0.0100 and 0.0132) and enabled differentiation of luminal tumors from nonluminal (P = 0.0068 and 0.0069) with an area under the curve of 0.685 for both readers.

Data Conclusion

Maximum WTu ADC values may be used to differentiate luminal from other molecular subtypes of breast cancer.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:836–846.
Identification of human parvovirus B19 among measles and rubella suspected patients from Cuba
Authors: de los Ángeles Ribas María , Tejero Yahisel , Cordero Yanislet , Pérez Daileny , Sausy Aurélie , Muller Claude P. , Hübschen Judith M.
Published: February 2019

Between September 2014 and December 2015, 298 sera from rash and fever patients from all over Cuba were investigated for specific IgM antibodies against measles, rubella, dengue, human parvovirus B19 (B19V) and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6) using a commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits. B19V IgM positive and equivocal samples were investigated by a polymerase chain reaction and genotyping. No measles, rubella or dengue cases were detected. HHV6‐IgM antibodies were confirmed in 5.7% and B19V‐IgM antibodies in 10.7% of the patients. A total of 31.3% of the B19V cases were between 5 and 9 years old and 34.4% were 20 years and older. The only B19V sequence obtained belonged to genotype 1a. Diagnosis was established for only 16% of the rash and fever patients, suggesting that other diseases such as Zika or Chikungunya may play a role.
Periphytic diatom colonization and litter decomposition in an intermittent stream of South India
Authors: Arulraj Moses Sam , Anbalagan Sankarappan , Vijayan Suruliyandi
Published: February 2019

We examined the dynamic of periphytic diatom colonization and litter decompositional pattern in an intermittent stream of South India. Litter bags containing 5 g of fresh fallen leaves (belongs to five different species of angiosperms) were fixed in the five stream pools and they were collected after 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of incubation. This experiment showed the diversity, richness, and abundance of diatoms developed on leaf litter. In total, 131 µl−1 cells of diatoms under four species in three families were collected from decomposing leaves in benthic area of stream pools. During experiment, 142 µl−1 cells representing 11 taxa in 10 families were observed in litter bags. The colonization of epiphytic diatom was rapid in early stage of litter decomposition. The higher number of colonization made by Asterionella and Stenopterobia found in litter bags of all experimental weeks. These findings suggest that the rapid microbial colonization (ephiphytic algae) was occurred in the early stage of litter decomposition in an intermittent tropical stream and a comprehensive ecological investigation in perennial natural streams in India is needed.
Splitting nitrogen applications improves wheat storage protein composition under low N supply
Authors: Rossmann Anne , Pitann Britta , Mühling Karl-Hermann
Published: February 2019

For the baking quality of wheat flours, the composition and concentration of grain protein are crucial. It is common practice to use late nitrogen (N) application to increase grain protein concentration (GPC) and hence, improve baking quality. However, the use of N fertilizer—particularly shortly before harvest—involves environmental risks. With the suitability of GPC as a parameter for baking quality predictions being more and more questioned, there are further investigations needed considering not only the GPC but also the composition of grain protein. Gluten protein composition varies depending on genotype and environmental factors, such as weather conditions and fertilization rate. To examine whether the effect of a split N application varies under different amounts of total N supply, this study investigates the effects of split nitrogen application on grain protein concentration and composition of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. JB Asano) at four different N fertilization levels (0.8; 1.0; 1.2, and 1.4 g N pot−1) in a pot experiment. The GPC was affected by both, N fertilization level and split N application. In this experiment, the minimum GPC of 13%, which is required for class A wheat varieties, was only achieved when N supply was moderate (at least 1.2 g N per pot). Considering the storage protein composition, the split N application influenced the proportion of α‐/β‐gliadins and γ‐gliadins, the alterations being inconsistent. The ratio of high molecular weight (HMW) to low molecular weight (LMW) glutenin subunits was increased by the split N application only at the lowest N fertilization level. It is concluded that splitting N fertilization into three doses and hence applying one dose of N late in the season can still be a useful approach to improve GPC as well as protein composition – especially when the total N supply is low.
Size dependence of metabolism within marine picoplankton populations
Authors: Casey John R. , Björkman Karin M. , Ferrón Sara , Karl David M.
Published: February 2019

Cell size is broadly applied as a convenient parameterization of ecosystem models and is widely applicable to constrain the activities of organisms spanning large size ranges. However, the size structure of the majority of the marine picoplankton assemblage is narrow and beneath the lower size limit of the empirical allometric relationships established so far (typically >1 μm). We applied a fine‐resolution (0.05 μm increments) size fractionation method to estimate the size dependence of metabolic activities of picoplankton populations in the 0.10–1.00 μm size interval within the surface North Pacific Subtropical Gyre microbial assemblage. Group‐specific carbon retained on each filter was quantified by flow cytometric conversion of light scatter to cellular carbon quotas. Median carbon quotas were 25.7, 22.6, and 5.9 fg C cell−1 for populations of the picocyanobacterium Prochlorococcus, high‐scatter heterotrophs, and low‐scatter heterotrophs, respectively. Carbon‐specific rates of primary production as a function of cell size, using the 14C method, and phosphate transport, using 33P radiotracers, resulted in negative power scalings (b) within populations of Prochlorococcus and heterotrophs of b = −1.3 and b = −1.1, respectively. These findings are in contrast to the positive empirical power scaling comprising the broader and larger prokaryote category (b = 0.7) and point to within‐population variability in cell physiology and metabolism for these important microbial groups.
Sorafenib in Hepatopulmonary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Trial
Authors: Kawut Steven M. , Ellenberg Susan S. , Krowka Michael J. , Goldberg David , Vargas Hugo , Koch David , Sharkoski Tiffany , Al‐Naamani Nadine , Fox Alyson , Brown Robert , Levitsky Joshua , Oh Jae K. , Lin Grace , Song Nianfu , Mottram Carl , Doyle Margaret F. , Kaplan David E. , Gupta Samir , Fallon Michael B.
Published: February 2019

The tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib improves hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) in an experimental model. However, the efficacy and adverse effect profile in patients with HPS are unknown. We aimed to determine the effect of sorafenib on the alveolar‐arterial oxygen gradient (AaPO2) at 3 months in patients with HPS. We performed a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled parallel trial of sorafenib in patients with HPS at 7 centers. A total of 28 patients with HPS were randomized to sorafenib 400 mg by mouth daily or a matching placebo in a 1:1 ratio. We found no statistically significant difference in the median change in AaPO2 from baseline to 12 weeks between the patients allocated to sorafenib (4.5 mm Hg; IQR, –3.8 to 7.0 mm Hg) and those allocated to placebo (–2.4 mm Hg; IQR, –4.8 to 8.2 mm Hg; P = 0.70). There was also no difference between the groups in terms of degree of intrapulmonary shunting by contrast echocardiography. Sorafenib significantly reduced circulating levels of angiogenic markers, including vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (P < 0.01) and TIE2‐expressing M2 monocytes (P = 0.03), but it reduced the mental component scores of the Short Form 36 (P = 0.04), indicating a worse quality of life. In conclusion, sorafenib did not change the AaPO2 or other disease markers at 3 months in patients with HPS. Alternative antiangiogenic therapies or treatments targeting other pathways should be investigated.
Re‐examining the effects of aging on household recycling behavior: A study in France
Authors: Guiot Denis , Malas Ziad , Urien Bertrand
Published: February 2019

While age is the variable most often used to explain household recycling behavior, research findings reveal only limited or contradictory effects. This study demonstrates the utility of several additional variables related to age in regard to explaining the effect of aging on household recycling behavior. These variables are generativity, available time, and perceived skills. By drawing on the theory of planned behavior, this paper offers a model that clarifies how age indirectly influences household recycling behavior. The model is tested on a stratified sample, and the results are analyzed through mediation tests and structural equation modeling. While aging is associated with lower levels of enthusiasm for recycling, more skills and available time allow recycling to be accomplished with increased ease. Finally, the results enable an explanation of the previous contradictory results about age effects and lead to managerial and societal recommendations on how household recycling can be effectively promoted.
Mathematical modeling of the dynamics of the bladder cancer and the immune response applied to a patient: Evolution and short‐term prediction
Authors: Burgos‐Simón Clara , García‐Medina Noemí , Martínez‐Rodríguez David , Villanueva Rafael‐Jacinto
Published: February 2019

Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignant diseases in the urinary system and a highly aggressive neoplasm. The prognosis is not favorable usually, and its evolution for particular patients is very difficult to find out. In this paper, we propose a dynamic mathematical model that describes the bladder tumor growth and the immune response evolution. This model is customized for a single patient, determining appropriate model parameter values via model calibration. Due to the uncertainty of the tumor evolution, using the calibrated model parameters, we predict the tumor size and the immune response evolution over the next few months assuming three different scenarios: favorable, neutral, and unfavorable. In the former, it is not expected any trace of the cancer in the middle of September 2018 (after 16 mo). In the neutral scenario, at the same date, a 7‐ to 8‐mm tumor is expected. In the worst case, a 40‐mm tumor is expected. The patient was cited on 10 September 2018 to check the tumor size, and according to the doctors, there was no sign of recurrence. It seems that we are in the favorable scenario. The patient will be called again for follow‐up in mid‐2019.
Robust Markers of Coffee Consumption Identified Among the Volatile Organic Compounds in Human Urine
Authors: Mack Carina I. , Egert Björn , Liberto Erica , Weinert Christoph H. , Bub Achim , Hoffmann Ingrid , Bicchi Carlo , Kulling Sabine E. , Cordero Chiara
Published: February 2019

Scope

The human volatilome has gained high interest for the discovery of potential biomarkers of diseases. However, knowledge about the diet as a crucial factor affecting the volatilome is scarce. Therefore, the search for disease biomarkers, as well as the potential use of volatiles as dietary markers is so far limited. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of the diet with the urinary volatilome with the special task to find potential markers of coffee consumption in 24 h urine samples from the Karlsruhe Metabolomics and Nutrition (KarMeN) study.

Methods and results

Acidified urine samples are analyzed using an approach combining headspace solid phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) sampling with untargeted GC×GC‐MS. Overall, 138 reliably occurring volatiles are detected. To account for the unequally concentrated urine samples, results of six different commonly used normalization methods are compared. Statistical analysis evidences six potential markers of coffee consumption, the most promising being 3,4‐dimethyl‐2,5‐furandione. A correlation analysis between the 24 h dietary recall data and the urinary volatilome reveals further promising associations.

Conclusion

The human urinary volatilome is highly affected by the diet, enabling access to a high level of information about potential diet‐related biomarkers. Therefore, it is a very promising source for further investigations on dietary markers.
Compact size of a Wilkinson power divider using impedance coordinate tracking based on T‐shaped line
Authors: Yoon Ki‐Cheol , Chung Taishin , Kim Kwang Gi , Yoo Heon
Published: February 2019

This article presents the compact size of the Wilkinson power divider using T‐shaped line through the impedance coordinate tracking progress at Smith‐chart. After the series line impedance, electrical length, and stub impedance were calculated, the T‐shaped line was designed through the impedance coordinate tracking in the Smith‐chart. This reduced the entire size of the proposed power divider by an average of 4.81 times (79.2%) more than conventional structure. The experimental results of the S21, S31, and S11 are 3.06 dB, 3.08 dB, and 25.04 dB at center frequency of 2.318 GHz, respectively. The experimented S‐parameter difference between S21 and S31 is 3.0 dB. This proposed Wilkinson power divider can be applied to mobile communications and wireless medical communication systems.
Synergistic effect of double percolated co‐supportive MWCNT‐CB conductive network for high‐performance EMI shielding application
Authors: Ravindren Revathy , Mondal Subhadip , Nath Krishnendu , Das Narayan Ch.
Published: February 2019

The recent development in telecommunication technology has led electromagnetic interference (EMI) to a serious threat to both electronic devices and living beings. In this work, we designed a highly efficient EMI shielding material by taking advantage of both carbonaceous hybrid filler and double percolation phenomenon. Here, a flexible, lightweight microwave absorbing conductive polymer composite was fabricated by employing poly (ethylene‐co‐methyl acrylate) and ethylene octene copolymer (EMA/EOC) binary blend as the matrix and multiwall carbon nanotube carbon black (MWCNT/CB) hybrid filler as the conductive moiety. We investigated the effect of MWCNT content in the hybrid composite on mechanical, thermomechanical, electrical, and shielding efficiency. A total EMI shielding efficiency of −37.4 dB in the X band region was attained with 20 wt% hybrid filler containing 50 wt% MWCNT along with promising mechanical properties.
Poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogel: from a brittle material to a nanofilled semi‐interpenetrating polymer network with potential application in wound dressings
Authors: Ruiz‐Galindo Oscar , Zizumbo‐López Arturo , Licea‐Claveríe Angel , Pérez‐Sicairos Sergio
Published: February 2019

In this work we report the photopolymerization of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) together with a hydrophilic chitosan derivate (carboxymethyl‐chitosan) to yield a semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (semi‐IPN) that was filled with poly(N‐vinylcaprolactam)/poly(ethylene glycol methacrylate) core–shell nanogels in order to enhance the mechanical properties of the resulting hydrogels. The mechanical properties of the nanofilled semi‐IPNs were found to be more suitable for wound dressing applications than the PHEMA hydrogel as described by dynamic mechanical analysis in dry form and submerged in water. This was evidenced by a higher Young's modulus and higher elongation at break in the semi‐IPNs compared to blank PHEMA hydrogels. Furthermore, when the hydrogels were filled with nanogels, there was an elongation at break similar to that of skin with only a slightly lower Young's modulus. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
A new insight to explore the regulation between S‐nitrosylation and N‐glycosylation
Authors: Du Hu , Chen Lichao , Zhan Ni , Mu Jinye , Ren Bo , Zuo Jianru
Published: February 2019

Nitric oxide (NO) is a signal molecule in plants and animals. Arabidopsis GSNO reductase1 (AtGSNOR1) catalyzes metabolism of S‐nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) which is a major biologically active NO species. The GSNOR1 loss‐of‐function mutant gsnor1‐3 overaccumulates GSNO with inherent high S‐nitrosylation level and resistance to the oxidative stress inducer paraquat (1,1′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bipyridinium dichloride). Here, we report the characterization of dgl1‐3 as a genetic suppressor of gsnor1‐3. DGL1 encodes a subunit of the oligosaccharyltransferse (OST) complex which catalyzes the formation of N‐glycosidic bonds in N‐glycosylation. The fact that dgl1‐3 repressed the paraquat resistance of gsnor1‐3 meanwhile gsnor1‐3 rescued the embryo‐lethal and post‐embryonic development defect of dgl1‐3 reminded us the possibility that S‐nitrosylation and N‐glycosylation crosstalk with each other through co‐substrates. By enriching glycoproteins in gsnor1‐3 and mass spectrometry analysis, TGG2 (thioglucoside glucohydrolase2) was identified as one of co‐substrates with high degradation rate and elevated N‐glycosylation level in gsnor1‐3 ost3/6. The S‐nitrosylation and N‐glycosylation profiles were also modified in dgl1‐3 and gsnor1‐3. Thereby, we propose a linkage between S‐nitrosylation and N‐glycosylation through co‐substrates.
An integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis of the Cucurbita pepo nectary implicates key modules of primary metabolism involved in nectar synthesis and secretion
Authors: Solhaug Erik M. , Roy Rahul , Chatt Elizabeth C. , Klinkenberg Peter M. , Mohd‐Fadzil Nur‐Aziatull , Hampton Marshall , Nikolau Basil J. , Carter Clay J.
Published: February 2019

Nectar is the main reward that flowers offer to pollinators to entice repeated visitation. Cucurbita pepo (squash) is an excellent model for studying nectar biology, as it has large nectaries that produce large volumes of nectar relative to most other species. Squash is also monoecious, having both female and male flowers on the same plant, which allows comparative analyses of nectary function in one individual. Here, we report the nectary transcriptomes from both female and male nectaries at four stages of floral maturation. Analysis of these transcriptomes and subsequent confirmatory experiments revealed a metabolic progression in nectaries leading from starch synthesis to starch degradation and to sucrose biosynthesis. These results are consistent with previously published models of nectar secretion and also suggest how a sucrose‐rich nectar can be synthesized and secreted in the absence of active transport across the plasma membrane. Nontargeted metabolomic analyses of nectars also confidently identified 40 metabolites in both female and male nectars, with some displaying preferential accumulation in nectar of either male or female flowers. Cumulatively, this study identified gene targets for reverse genetics approaches to study nectary function, as well as previously unreported nectar metabolites that may function in plant‐biotic interactions.
Lung cancer mortality clusters in urban and rural areas of Shandong Province, China: A spatial scan statistical analysis
Authors: Fu Zhentao , Li Yingmei , Chu Jie , Sun Jiandong , Lu Zilong , Zhang Jiyu , Chen Xianxian , Zhang Gaohui , Xue Fuzhong , Guo Xiaolei , Xu Aiqiang
Published: February 2019

Objective

To detect the spatial distribution and high‐risk clusters of lung cancer mortality for the years 2011–2013 in Shandong Province, China. The urban–rural differences in the spatial distribution and clusters of disease mortality were also examined.

Methods

Lung cancer mortality data were obtained from Shandong Death Registration System during 2011–2013, and were adjusted with the underreporting rate. The purely spatial scan statistics method was carried out using a discrete Poisson model.

Results

Seven significant spatial clusters of high mortality of lung cancer were detected in Shandong Province at the county level, mainly in the eastern, northern, central, and southwestern regions. The spatial distributions were different between urban and rural populations. Population aging influenced the distribution of lung cancer clusters for the urban and rural eastern region residents.

Conclusions

This study provided evidence for the presence of clusters of lung cancer mortality in Shandong, China, and found urban–rural differences in the clusters, which might be helpful in developing effective strategies to control lung cancer in different areas.
Interplay Between Relaxation and Resonance in Ultrasound Attenuation by the Cubic Crystal ZnSe:Cr
Authors: Baryshnikov Kirill , Averkiev Nikita , Bersuker Isaac , Gudkov Vladimir , Zhevstovskikh Irina , Sarychev Maksim , Zherlitsyn Sergei , Yasin Shadi , Korostelin Yuri
Published: February 2019

Resonance ultrasound attenuation, albeit broadened, is observed in doped cubic crystal ZnSe with a part of the Zn2+ ions substituted by magnetic anisotropic Cr2+ ions. In the tetrahedral selenium environment the latter form a T term Jahn–Teller (JT) center with a T⊗e JT problem and three equivalent distortions along the three tetragonal axes. In sufficiently strong magnetic fields (B > 4 T) applied along the [001] direction the degeneracy of the ground state is removed, and the ultrasound wave propagating along [110] and polarized along (at T = 1.3 K) does not interact with the center, its impurity attenuation being reduced to zero. By comparison, this allows to estimate the contribution of the Cr centers to the attenuation of ultrasound in the ZnSe:Cr crystal in zero magnetic field. The experimental data revealed a strong dependence of the attenuation on the ultrasound frequency, evidencing for the resonance nature of the attenuation: there is no frequency dependence in relaxational attenuation with the relaxation time much larger than the period of the ultrasonic wave. The resonance attenuation is attributed to transitions between the ground state energy levels, split by spin‐orbital interaction. The high sensitivity of the resonance absorption on the ultrasound power is also discussed.
Comparison of the Mermin and Penn models for inelastic mean‐free path calculations for electrons based on a model using optical energy‐loss functions
Authors: Da Bo , Shinotsuka Hiroshi , Yoshikawa Hideki , Tanuma Shigeo
Published: February 2019

We present detailed comparisons of calculated inelastic mean‐free paths (IMFPs) of electrons with energies up to 10 keV from the full Penn algorithm (FPA) model and the Mermin model using prototypical Drude‐type energy‐loss functions (ELFs). From systematic comparisons of IMFPs obtained from the prototypical ELFs using these two models, we obtain evidence that supports the Mermin model as the more reasonable model for electron IMFP calculations than the FPA model. The deviations between these two models are mainly because of finite plasmon lifetimes and show a strong dependence on the width of the ELFs and electron energy. For instance, the theoretical description of the ELF based on the Mermin model predicts lower values for the IMFPs than those obtained by the FPA approach in most cases. As for those prototypical ELFs with neither very sharp nor very broad structures that describe the ELF of actual materials, the Mermin IMFPs are smaller than the FPA IMFPs by about 5% for energies between 1 and 10 keV. We also found that over the 130 to 10 keV range, the modified Bethe equation fits IMFPs calculated with both algorithms within a 1% relative difference.
Estimation of sensitivity and specificity of multiple repeated binary tests without a gold standard
Authors: Wang Chunling , Hanson Timothy E.
Published: February 2019

A model for multiple diagnostic tests, applied repeatedly over time on each subject, is proposed; gold standard data are not required. The model is identifiable with as few as three tests, and correlation among tests at each time point in the diseased and nondiseased populations, as well as across time points, is explicitly included. An efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo scheme allows for straightforward posterior inference; sample R code is available in the Supporting Web Materials for this paper. The proposed model is broadly illustrated via simulations and an analysis of scaphoid fracture data from a prospective study. In addition, omnibus tests constructed from individual tests in parallel and serial are considered.
Study on the Influence of FeTi‐Addition on the Inclusion Population in Ti‐Stabilized ULC Steels and Its Consequences for SEN‐Clogging
Authors: Dorrer Philipp , Michelic Susanne K. , Bernhard Christian , Penz Alexander , Rössler Roman
Published: February 2019

During the continuous casting of Ti‐stabilized ULC/IF steel grades clogging of the submerged entry nozzle (SEN) is frequently observed. A new statistical evaluation indicates that increasing Ti/Al‐ratios in these steels lead to an increase in the occurrence of clogging and its intensity. Investigations of samples of two TiULC heats, taken at the RH‐degasser, show a remarkable increase of inclusions due to FeTi‐addition. The presence of Ti‐bearing alumina particles contrary to the thermodynamical expectations, indicate that their formation takes place as a consequence of FeTi‐addition. Laboratory‐scale experiments confirm the formation of alumina inclusions containing traces of Ti. Their size is found to be significantly smaller compared to pure alumina inclusions. Rising numbers of small inclusions within the steel are suspected to accelerate the buildup of clogging deposits. Two mechanisms are proposed to explain the formation of these particles. On the one hand ferrotitanium acts as a source of oxygen, resulting in the formation of new inclusions during dissolution. On the other hand, the modification of preexisting deoxidation products in regions with high Ti‐contents may play a role.
Study of Molecular Inclusion Complex Formation of Amylose With Indomethacin
Authors: Marinopoulou Anna , Christofilos Dimitrios , Arvanitidis John , Raphaelides Stylianos N.
Published: February 2019

Amylose or pea starch‐indomethacin systems are prepared using two different methods: The alkaline method, where the samples are prepared by mixing alkaline aqueous solutions of glucan and indomethacin at pH 12, and the sonication method, where the samples are prepared at pH 7 by mixing a glucan aqueous solution with indomethacin dispersed in water in the presence of cholate salts using sonication. The aim is to assess whether V‐amylose complexes can be formed with the drug indomethacin as the guest molecule. Experimental techniques, such as Raman Spectroscopy, X‐ray Diffraction, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Optical Microscopy, and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy, verify the presence of the drug molecules in the examined systems. The results indicate that the sonication method is more effective for the complex preparation. However, even in this case, a very limited complexation is achieved. The bioavailability of the systems is evaluated using in vitro methods, simulating gastric, and intestinal conditions. It is shown that the systems matrix provided only limited protection to indomethacin molecules up to their release in the small intestine. Thus, it is concluded that indomethacin molecules are rather physically entrapped within the amylose or starch matrix than in the interior of the amylose helices.
Dust induces lung fibrosis through dysregulated DNA methylation
Authors: Zhang Na , Liu Keliang , Wang Kai , Zhou Ci , Wang Hejing , Che Shuangshuang , Liu Zhihong , Yang Huifang
Published: February 2019

Pneumoconiosis is a serious occupational disease that often occurs to coal workers with no early diagnosis and effective treatment at present. Diffuse pulmonary fibrosis is the major pathological change of pneumoconiosis, and its mechanism is still unclear. Epigenetics is involved in the development of many diseases, and it is closely associated with fibrosis. In this study, we investigated whether DNA methylation contributes to the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis in pneumoconiosis. By exposure to coal dust or silica dust, we established the models of coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP), which showed an increased expression of COL‐I, COL‐III. We further found that DNMT1, DNMT3a, DNMT3b, MBD2, MeCP2 protein expression changed. Pretreatment with DNMT inhibitor 5‐aza‐dC reduced expression of COL‐I, COL‐III, and reduced pulmonary fibrosis. In summary, our results showed that DNA methylation contributes to dust‐induced pulmonary fibrosis and that it may serve as a theoretical basis for testing DNA methyltransferase inhibitors in the treatment of CWP.
Influence of model parameters on the design of large diameter monopiles for multi‐megawatt offshore wind turbines at 50‐m water depths
Authors: Njomo‐Wandji Wilfried , Natarajan Anand , Dimitrov Nikolay
Published: February 2019

Relevant modelling approaches towards the design of a large diameter monopile for 10 MW offshore wind turbines at 50‐m water depths are considered to evaluate their respective impacts on the structural integrity. The analysed models or model parameters include soil‐structure interaction, construction errors, and damping. The study is conducted on a reference structure verified with respect to fatigue, ultimate (strength, stability, and soil capacity), and serviceability limit states after fully coupled load simulations. Models and their parameters are carefully obtained in line with the case in hand. Perturbation analysis is used to assess the impact of the soil model, the geometric imperfections, and the damping on the structure safety and robustness. Results show that all of them significantly influence the fatigue lifetime, the geometric imperfections and the soil model impact the ultimate stresses, and the soil model affects the deformations of the final design, from which guidance on the optimal selection of these parameters leading to material savings is made.