bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differentiation ofBifidobacterium longumsubspecieslongumandinfantisby quantitative PCR using functional gene targets
Authors: Lawley Blair , Munro Karen , Hughes Alan , Hodgkinson Alison J. , Prosser Colin G. , Lowry Dianne , Zhou Shao J. , Makrides Maria , Gibson Robert A. , Lay Christophe , Chew Charmaine , Lee Pheng Soon , Wong Khai Hong , Tannock Gerald W.
Published: May 2017

Background

Members of the genusBifidobacteriumare abundant in the feces of babies during the exclusively-milk-diet period of life.Bifidobacterium longumis reported to be a common member of the infant fecal microbiota. However,B. longumis composed of three subspecies, two of which are represented in the bowel microbiota (B. longumsubsp.longum;B. longumsubsp.infantis).B. longumsubspecies are not differentiated in many studies, so that their prevalence and relative abundances are not accurately known. This may largely be due to difficulty in assigning subspecies identity using DNA sequences of16S rRNAortufgenes that are commonly used in bacterial taxonomy.

Methods

We developed a qPCR method targeting the sialidase gene (subsp.infantis) and sugar kinase gene (subsp.longum) to differentiate the subspecies using specific primers and probes. Specificity of the primers/probes was tested byin silico,pangenomic search, and using DNA from standard cultures of bifidobacterial species. The utility of the method was further examined using DNA from feces that had been collected from infants inhabiting various geographical regions.

Results

A pangenomic search of the NCBI genomic database showed that the PCR primers/probes targeted only the respective genes of the two subspecies. The primers/probes showed total specificity when tested against DNA extracted from the gold standard strains (type cultures) of bifidobacterial species detected in infant feces. Use of the qPCR method with DNA extracted from the feces of infants of different ages, delivery method and nutrition, showed that subsp.infantiswas detectable (0–32.4% prevalence) in the feces of Australian (n = 90), South-East Asian (n = 24), and Chinese babies (n = 91), but in all cases at low abundance (<0.01–4.6%) compared to subsp.longum(0.1–33.7% abundance; 21.4–100% prevalence).

Discussion

Our qPCR method differentiatesB. longumsubspecieslongumandinfantisusing characteristic functional genes. It can be used as an identification aid for isolates of bifidobacteria, as well as in determining prevalence and abundance of the subspecies in feces. The method should thus be useful in ecological studies of the infant gut microbiota during early life where an understanding of the ecology of bifidobacterial species may be important in developing interventions to promote infant health.
On the use of a snow aridity index to predict remotely sensed forest productivity in the presence of bark beetle disturbance
Authors: Knowles John F. , Lestak Leanne R. , Molotch Noah P.
Published: May 2017

We used multiple sources of remotely sensed and ground based information to evaluate the spatiotemporal variability of snowpack accumulation, potential evapotranspiration (PET), and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) throughout the Southern Rocky Mountain ecoregion, USA. Relationships between these variables were used to establish baseline values of expected forest productivity given water and energy inputs. Although both the snow water equivalent (SWE) and a snow aridity index (SAI), which used SWE to normalize PET, were significant predictors of the long‐term (1989–2012) NDVI, SAI explained 11% more NDVI variability than SWE. Deviations from these relationships were subsequently explored in the context of widespread forest mortality due to bark beetles. Over the entire study area, NDVI was lower per unit SAI in beetle‐disturbed compared to undisturbed areas during snow‐related drought; however, both SAI and NDVI were spatially heterogeneous within this domain. As a result, we selected three focus areas inside the larger study area within which to isolate the relative impacts of SAI and disturbance on NDVI using multivariate linear regression. These models explained 66%–85% of the NDVI and further suggested that both SAI and disturbance effects were significant, although the disturbance effect was generally greater. These results establish the utility of SAI as a measure of moisture limitation in snow‐dominated systems and demonstrate a reduction in forest productivity due to bark beetle disturbance that is particularly evident during drought conditions resultant from low snow accumulation during the winter.
Possible precursory signals in damage zone foreshocks
Authors: Savage Heather M. , Keranen Katie M. , P. Schaff David , Dieck Caitlin
Published: May 2017

Foreshocks may provide a precursory signal of an impending earthquake, but their role in nucleation of the main shock is unclear. One way to further our understanding of foreshock failure mechanisms is to determine where they occur in the fault zone. However, earthquake locations commonly include uncertainties large enough to allow rupture on either the main fault interface or on subsidiary fractures within a surrounding damage zone. Here we obtain precise earthquake locations, with ~10 m uncertainty, for foreshocks and aftershocks of an Mw 5.0 near Prague, OK, USA. Repeating earthquakes imply that some precursory slow slip occurred before the main shock. In addition, we show that foreshocks initially rupture faults and fractures throughout the 300 m thick fault damage zone and later localize onto a narrower zone (<100 m thick) nearer the main shock hypocenter. Focal mechanisms corroborate that foreshocks occur in the surrounding damage zone as well as on the main shock rupture interface. These results highlight that earthquake nucleation is most likely a complex feedback between frictional failure processes on the fault interface and deformation in the surrounding damaged rock, rather than simply nucleation on a single surface.
Predictors of Hospitalization, Length of Stay, and Cost of Care Among Adults With Dermatomyositis in the United States
Authors: Kwa Michael C. , Ardalan Kaveh , Laumann Anne E. , Silverberg Jonathan I.
Published: May 2017

Objective

To determine the prevalence and risk factors for hospitalization with dermatomyositis and assess inpatient burden of dermatomyositis.

Methods

Data on 72,651,487 hospitalizations from the 2002–2012 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a 20% stratified sample of all acute‐care hospitalizations in the US, were analyzed. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification coding was used to identify hospitalizations with a diagnosis of dermatomyositis.

Results

There were 9,687 and 43,188 weighted admissions with a primary or secondary diagnosis of dermatomyositis, respectively. In multivariable logistic regression models with stepwise selection, female sex (logistic regression: adjusted odds ratio 2.05 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.80, 2.34]), nonwhite race (African American: 1.68 [1.57, 1.79]; Hispanic: 2.38 [2.22, 2.55]; Asian: 1.54 [1.32, 1.81]; and multiracial/other: 1.65 [1.45, 1.88]), and multiple chronic conditions (2–5: 2.39 [2.20, 2.60] and ≥6: 2.80 [2.56, 3.07]) were all associated with higher rates of hospitalization for dermatomyositis. The weighted total length of stay (LOS) and inflation‐adjusted cost of care for patients with a primary inpatient diagnosis of dermatomyositis was 80,686 days and $168,076,970, with geometric means of 5.38 (95% CI 5.08, 5.71) and $11,682 (95% CI $11,013, $12,392), respectively. LOS and costs of hospitalization were significantly higher in patients with dermatomyositis compared to those without. Notably, race/ethnicity was associated with increased LOS (log‐linear regression: adjusted β [95% CI] for African American: 0.14 [0.04, 0.25] and Asian: 0.38 [0.22, 0.55]) and cost of care (Asian: 0.51 [0.36, 0.67]).

Conclusion

There is a significant and increasing inpatient burden for dermatomyositis in the US. There appear to be racial differences, as nonwhites have higher prevalence of admission, increased LOS, and cost of care.
Reductive Trapping of [(OC)5W–W(CO)5]2− in a Mixed‐Valent SmII/III Calix[4]pyrrolide Sandwich
Authors: Deacon Glen B. , Guo Zhifang , Junk Peter C. , Wang Jun
Published: May 2017

Reduction of tungsten hexacarbonyl by the divalent samarium(II) complex [Sm2(N4Et8)(thf)4] ((N4Et8)4−=meso‐octaethylcalix[4]pyrrolide) in toluene at ambient temperature gave the remarkable heteronuclear mixed‐valent samarium(II/III)/tungsten complex [{(thf)2SmII(N4Et8)SmIII(thf)}2{(μ‐OC)2W2(CO)8}], which features the trapping of a rare [W2(CO)10]2− anion with an unsupported W−W bond.
An Organoruthenium Anticancer Agent Shows Unexpected Target Selectivity For Plectin
Authors: Meier Samuel M. , Kreutz Dominique , Winter Lilli , Klose Matthias H. M. , Cseh Klaudia , Weiss Tamara , Bileck Andrea , Alte Beatrix , Mader Johanna C. , Jana Samir , Chatterjee Annesha , Bhattacharyya Arindam , Hejl Michaela , Jakupec Michael A. , Heffeter Petra , Berger Walter , Hartinger Christian G. , Keppler Bernhard K. , Wiche Gerhard , Gerner Christopher
Published: May 2017

Organometallic metal(arene) anticancer agents require ligand exchange for their anticancer activity and this is generally believed to confer low selectivity for potential cellular targets. However, using an integrated proteomics‐based target‐response profiling approach as a potent hypothesis‐generating procedure, we found an unexpected target selectivity of a ruthenium(arene) pyridinecarbothioamide (plecstatin) for plectin, a scaffold protein and cytolinker, which was validated in a plectin knock‐out model in vitro. Plectin targeting shows potential as a strategy to inhibit tumor invasiveness as shown in cultured tumor spheroids while oral administration of plecstatin‐1 to mice reduces tumor growth more efficiently in the invasive B16 melanoma than in the CT26 colon tumor model.
(NHC)NiH‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Regio‐ and Diastereoselective Cross‐Hydroalkenylation of Endocyclic Dienes with α‐Olefins
Authors: Lian Xiaoyan , Chen Weihao , Dang Liang , Li Yuchen , Ho Chun‐Yu
Published: May 2017

Highly selective cross‐hydroalkenylations of endocyclic 1,3‐dienes at the least substituted site with α‐olefins were achieved with a set of neutral (NHC)NiIIH(OTf) catalysts and cationic NiII catalysts with a novel NHC ligand. Under heteroatom assistance, skipped dienes were obtained in good yields, often from equal amounts of the two substrates and at a catalyst loading of 2–5 mol %. Rare 4,3‐product selectivity (i.e., with the H atom at C4 and the alkenyl group at C3 of the diene) was observed, which is different from the selectivity of known dimerizations of α‐olefins with both acyclic Co and Fe systems. The influence of the various substituents on the NHC, 1,3‐diene, and α‐olefin on the chemo‐, regio‐, and diastereoselectivity was studied. High levels of chirality transfer were observed with chiral cyclohexadiene derivatives.
The Practical Sense of Protection: A Discussion Paper on the Reporting of Child Abuse in Africa and whether International Standards Actually Help Keep Children Safe
Authors: Walker‐Simpson Karen
Published: May 2017

International child protection standards aim to ensure that non‐governmental organisations ‘do no harm’ but the current approach to reporting abuse may actually leave children unprotected and, in some cases, expose them to greater risk. This discussion paper gives voice to concerns raised by local practitioners in Africa and places them within the context of available research in order to stimulate a debate aimed at enhancing the impact of current safeguards. Drawing on systems theory and the work of Pierre Bourdieu, the article illustrates how the current model of reporting often fails to take into account the significant disconnect between formal and informal protection mechanisms, as well as the unpredictability of individual decision‐making. Examples from research and practitioner experience illustrate how reporting procedures may provide a route to protection which is impractical and undesirable to local people, and may ultimately be unhelpful to local practitioners. The article calls for further research to inform changes to the current approach and for a review of funding requirements in order that local organisations have greater scope to engage communities in the co‐creation of procedures, thereby indigenising responses to ensure that they are realistic and genuinely respond to the specificities of children's lives.

‘The current approach to reporting abuse may actually leave children unprotected’

Key Practitioner Messages

Formal reporting procedures may actually offer routes to protection that are inaccessible or unacceptable to local people.

Reporting procedures should be developed with a much greater participation of local people.

There is a need for investment in piloting and implementing locally led approaches to capacity building.

The engagement of donors is critical in order to develop a new approach to evaluating ‘child safe’ organisations.

‘Procedures should be developed with a much greater participation of local people’
Application of Surface Click Reactions to Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) Biosensing
Authors: Yaakov Noga , Chaikin Yulia , Wexselblatt Ezequiel , Tor Yitzhak , Vaskevich Alexander , Rubinstein Israel
Published: May 2017

Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) spectroscopy is an effective tool for sensitive, affordable, and label‐free biosensing. LSPR transducers based on nanoparticulate Au films have been applied to biosensing of receptor–analyte interactions, employing primarily thiolated receptors for constructing biorecognition interfaces on nanostructured Au surfaces. This popular method suffers from a major drawback, that is, the need to prepare a thiolated receptor for each system used, which is typically synthetically complex and time‐consuming. Herein, we present an alternative approach based on the click reaction between azide and terminal alkyne, which avoids the need to synthesize thiol‐derivatized receptors and is applicable to the heterogeneous morphology of LSPR transducers. The receptors are tethered with an alkyne group, which is considerably simpler than thiolation, while producing a stable product. The transducer surface is modified with a layer of a commercial long‐chain thiol–azide molecule, then clicked with an alkyne‐dertivatized receptor to produce the biorecognition interface. This method is employed for immobilization of four different alkyne‐bearing receptor molecules on Au nano‐island film based LSPR transducers, followed by testing of their performance in biorecognition of specific analytes using LSPR and FTIR spectroscopies. The results establish the usefulness of click chemistry for the preparation of biorecognition interfaces on nanostructured LSPR transducers.
Multivalency To Inhibit and Discriminate Hexosaminidases
Authors: Alvarez‐Dorta Dimitri , King Dustin T. , Legigan Thibaut , Ide Daisuke , Adachi Isao , Deniaud David , Désiré Jérôme , Kato Atsushi , Vocadlo David , Gouin Sébastien G. , Blériot Yves
Published: May 2017

A set of multivalent polyhydroxylated acetamidoazepanes based on ethylene glycol, glucoside, or cyclodextrin scaffolds was prepared. The compounds were assessed against plant, mammalian, and therapeutically relevant hexosaminidases. Multimerization was shown to improve the inhibitory potency with synergy, and to fine tune the selectivity profile between related hexosaminidases.
Mechanism‐Driven Approach To Develop a Mild and Versatile C−H Amidation through IrIII Catalysis
Authors: Hwang Yeongyu , Park Yoonsu , Chang Sukbok
Published: May 2017

Described herein is a mechanism‐based approach to develop a versatile C−H amidation protocol under IrIII catalysis. Reaction kinetics of a key C−N coupling step with acyl azide and 1,4,2‐dioxazol‐5‐one led us to conclude that dioxazolones are much more efficient in mediating the formation of a carbon−nitrogen bond from an iridacyclic intermediate. Computational analysis revealed that the origin of higher reactivity is asynchronous decarboxylation motion, which may facilitate the formation of Ir‐imido species. Importantly, stoichiometric reactivity was successfully translated into catalytic activity with a broad range of substrates (18 different types), many of which are regarded as challenging to functionalize. Application of the new method enables late‐stage functionalization of drug molecules.
Investigation of a solution‐mediated phase transformation of pranlukast DMF solvate to hemihydrate
Authors: Hong Minghuang , Chen Jingyan , Zhou Hui , Xu Hao , Ren Guobin
Published: May 2017

Pranlukast is a potent selective cysteniyl leukotriene receptor antagonist to treat bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis, which exists in several crystal forms. In this work, solution‐mediated phase transformation process from Pranlukast DMF solvate to the hemihydrate form was studied by using the focused beam reflectance measurement probe combined with powder X‐ray diffraction. The influence factors such as temperature, solvent composition, amount of added solid, and stirring rate were investigated. Results showed that higher temperature, larger mole fraction of water, lower amount of added solid, and faster stirring rate could accelerate the solution‐mediated phase transformation process.
Coordination of Piano‐Stool Complexes to a Hydrogen‐Bonded Rosette‐Type Assembly
Authors: Zhang Fan , Therrien Bruno
Published: May 2017

A new melamine (ME)–barbituric acid (BA) rosette‐type system has been prepared and characterized. The introduction of a pyridyl group on the barbituric acid moiety allows coordination of metal ions at the periphery of the ME3·BA3 rosette. Reactions of 1.5 equiv. of [Ru(cym)Cl2]2 (cym = p‐cymene) or [M(Cp*)Cl2]2 (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl; M = Rh, Ir) with the rosette afford the corresponding ME3·[BA{Ru(cym)Cl2}]3 and ME3·[BA{M(Cp*)Cl2}]3 assemblies. The neutral metal‐containing rosettes ME3·[BA{Ru(cym)Cl2}]3 and ME3·[BA{Rh(Cp*)Cl2}]3 can also be obtained by adding the mononuclear complexes [BA{Ru(cym)Cl2}] and [BA{Rh(Cp*)Cl2}] to N,N′‐bis(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)melamine in chloroform. In addition, the triphenylphosphine derivatives [Ru(cym)(PPh3)Cl2] or [M(Cp*)(PPh3)Cl2] react with ME3·BA3 in the presence of silver triflate to generate the ionic rosette‐type assemblies ME3·[BA{Ru(cym)(PPh3)Cl}+]3·3CF3SO3– and ME3·[BA{M(Cp*)(PPh3)Cl}+]3·3CF3SO3–, respectively.
Tetrahydrofuran Formation through Intramolecular Iodoetherification: Mechanistic Insights into the Neighbouring‐Group Participation of an Ester
Authors: Veiga Nicolás , Ramos Juan C. , Seoane Gustavo , Brovetto Margarita
Published: May 2017

During the iodoetherification of chiral and conformationally restricted 3‐butenyl carbinols to give 2,5‐disubstituted THFs, the presence of an ester in the side chain exerts a profound effect on the chemo‐ and diastereoselectivity of the reaction. When submitted to standard iodoetherification conditions, ester‐containing substrates gave diastereomeric mixtures of THFs, together with variable amounts of iodohydrins. Conversely, when the ester group was reduced to an alcohol or ether, the corresponding trans‐THFs were obtained more quickly, with complete diastereoselectivity and without contamination by the iodohydrin. In this paper, the mechanistic details of the iodoetherification of protected 3‐butenyl carbinols are revealed. The results show that the carbonyl group decreases the nucleophilicity of the acetonide oxygen atoms, and stabilizes the reactants by a carbonyl–iodonium through‐space interaction. Additionally, it promotes the formation of a stable seven‐membered‐ring carboxonium intermediate, causing an increase in the activation barriers and a decrease in the reaction diastereoselectivity compared to the non‐ester analogues.
Pedological investigation of an early Bronze Age site in southern Italy
Authors: Vingiani Simona , Minieri Luciana , Albore Livadie Claude , Di Vito Mauro A. , Terribile Fabio
Published: May 2017

Archaeological excavations over the last 40 years in Campania (southern Italy) confirm intense human occupation since the early Bronze Age (EBA). A pedological analysis of a ∼9 m deep pedostratigraphic sequence at Palma Campania (Naples) provides insights into fertility, rates of soil formation, and environmental conditions over the past 10 kyr. Fourteen volcanic soils formed in parent materials from Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei volcanic eruptions were analyzed. Results show that soils differ markedly in terms of thickness, andic properties, chemical fertility, and degree of development. Chemical properties, along with specific soil micromorphological features (such as silt coatings, laminar structure, iron segregations), are interpreted in terms of pedogenetic processes and used to reconstruct past environmental conditions. The degree of soil development, evaluated on the basis of organic matter content and some andic properties, proved more indicative of climate and geomorphological stability than duration of pedogenesis. Since the excavation also revealed an extensive EBA paleosurface and soil, targeted analyses were carried out to gain a better understanding of the impact of human activities and domestic animals on soil properties.
Müller glial cell reactivation in Xenopus models of retinal degeneration
Authors: Langhe Rahul , Chesneau Albert , Colozza Gabriele , Hidalgo Magdalena , Ail Divya , Locker Morgane , Perron Muriel
Published: May 2017

A striking aspect of tissue regeneration is its uneven distribution among different animal classes, both in terms of modalities and efficiency. The retina does not escape the rule, exhibiting extraordinary self‐repair properties in anamniote species but extremely limited ones in mammals. Among cellular sources prone to contribute to retinal regeneration are Müller glial cells, which in teleosts have been known for a decade to re‐acquire a stem/progenitor state and regenerate retinal neurons following injury. As their regenerative potential was hitherto unexplored in amphibians, we tackled this issue using two Xenopus retinal injury paradigms we implemented: a mechanical needle poke injury and a transgenic model allowing for conditional photoreceptor cell ablation. These models revealed that Müller cells are indeed able to proliferate and replace lost cells following damage/degeneration in the retina. Interestingly, the extent of cell cycle re‐entry appears dependent on the age of the animal, with a refractory period in early tadpole stages. Our findings pave the way for future studies aimed at identifying the molecular cues that either sustain or constrain the recruitment of Müller glia, an issue of utmost importance to set up therapeutic strategies for eye regenerative medicine.
Multimodal connectivity‐based parcellation reveals a shell‐core dichotomy of the human nucleus accumbens
Authors: Xia Xiaoluan , Fan Lingzhong , Cheng Chen , Eickhoff Simon B. , Chen Junjie , Li Haifang , Jiang Tianzi
Published: May 2017

The subdifferentiation of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) has been extensively studied using neuroanatomy and histochemistry, yielding a well‐accepted dichotomic shell/core architecture that reflects dissociable roles, such as in reward and aversion, respectively. However, in vivo parcellation of these structures in humans has been rare, potentially impairing future research into the structural and functional characteristics and alterations of putative NAc subregions. Here, we used three complementary parcellation schemes based on tractography, task‐independent functional connectivity, and task‐dependent co‐activation to investigate the regional differentiation within the NAc. We found that a 2‐cluster solution with shell‐like and core‐like subdivisions provided the best description of the data and was consistent with the earlier anatomical shell/core architecture. The consensus clusters from this optimal solution, which was based on the three schemes, were used as the final parcels for the subsequent connection analyses. The resulting connectivity patterns presented inter‐hemispheric symmetry, convergence and divergence across the modalities, and, most importantly, clearly distinct patterns between the two subregions. This convergent connectivity patterns also confirmed the connections in animal models, supporting views that the two subregions could have antagonistic roles in some circumstances. Finally, the identified parcels should be helpful in further neuroimaging studies of the NAc. Hum Brain Mapp 38:3878–3898, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Remembering my friends: Medial prefrontal and hippocampal contributions to the self‐reference effect on face memories in a social context
Authors: Yamawaki Rie , Nakamura Kimihiro , Aso Toshihiko , Shigemune Yayoi , Fukuyama Hidenao , Tsukiura Takashi
Published: May 2017

Memories associated with the self are remembered more accurately than those associated with others. The memory enhancement related to the self is known as the self‐reference effect (SRE). However, little is known regarding the neural mechanisms underlying the SRE in a social context modulated by social relationships. In the present fMRI study, we investigated encoding‐related activation of face memories encoded with the self‐referential process in a social context that was manipulated by imagining a person‐to‐person relationship. Healthy young adults participated in the present study. During encoding, participants encoded unfamiliar target faces by imagining a future friendship with themselves (Self), their friends (Friend), or strangers (Other). During retrieval, participants were presented with target and distracter faces one by one, and they judged whether each face had been previously learned. In the behavioral results, target faces encoded in the Self condition were remembered more accurately than those encoded in the Other condition. fMRI results demonstrated that encoding‐related activation in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was significantly greater in the Self condition than in the Friend or Other conditions. In addition, the generalized psycho‐physiological interaction (gPPI) analysis showed that functional connectivity between activation in the hippocampus and the cortical midline structures (CMSs), including the mPFC and precuneus, was significant in the Self but not in the Other condition. These findings suggest that the SRE in a social context could be involved in the interaction between the CMS regions, which are related to the self‐referential process, and the hippocampus related to the memory process. Hum Brain Mapp 38:4256–4269, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Confocal endomicroscopy in diagnosis of intestinal chronic graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Rieger Kathrin , Günther Ute , Erben Ulrike , Kühl Anja , Loddenkemper Christoph , Pezzutto Antonio , Siegmund Britta , Bojarski Christian
Published: May 2017

Graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) is a major complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. High‐resolution in vivo histology of the intestine by confocal endomicroscopy (CEM) detects acute GvHD (aGvHD) with high sensitivity. This pilot study aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of CEM for intestinal chronic GvHD (cGvHD). The study included 20 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and confirmed cGvHD in other organs as well as 20 patients with clinically suspected acute GvHD for control. Confocal endomicroscopy was performed as gastroscopy followed by sigmoidoscopy after intravenous injection of fluorescein (10%) and topical application of acriflavine (0.05%). Histopathology from H&E‐stained biopsy samples throughout the intestinal tract complemented the survey. All histological features of intestinal cGvHD were predominantly mild to moderate. Stroma fibrosis detected by standard histology (16/20 patients) was not seen by CEM. Apoptosis assessed by histology in 12/20 patients was concordant with CEM (8/12 patients). Confocal endomicroscopy revealed esophageal manifestation of cGvHD in 3 patients. For each biopsy site, CEM correlated with intestinal histology (r = 0.64). Classical histology from intestinal biopsy samples taken under CEM monitoring confirmed the final diagnosis of cGvHD. The sensitivity of CEM with 40% in cGvHD was significantly lower compared to 70% in patients with aGvHD. Confocal endomicroscopy detected acute features of cGvHD and contributed to the diagnosis of esophageal cGvHD but failed to display stroma fibrosis in vivo. Although CEM represents a useful noninvasive tool in routine diagnostic of intestinal aGvHD, the method is not sufficient to fully establish the diagnosis of cGvHD within the intestinal tract. Confocal endomicroscopy allowed acquisition of targeted biopsies in patients suspected of having cGvHD.
Retracted: Cyclin D1 Gene Silencing Promotes IL‐1β‐Induced Apoptosis in Rat Chondrocytes
Authors: Zan Peng‐Fei , Yao Jie , Wu Zhong , Yang Yong , Hu Shuo , Li Guo‐Dong
Published: May 2017

This study investigated the effects of cyclin D1 gene silencing on cell proliferation and apoptosis of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β)‐induced osteoarthritis (OA) chondrocytes. Chondrocytes from healthy sprague‐dawley rats were divided into blank, OA model (chondrocytes underwent IL‐1β inducement), OA trial (chondrocytes underwent IL‐1β inducement with cyclin D1‐shRNA treatment), and negative control (NC; chondrocytes underwent IL‐1β inducement and control‐shRNA treatment) groups. Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK‐8 assay, and cell cycle and apoptosis by flow cytometry. qRT‐PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect cyclin D1 and apoptosis‐related factors expression levels. Chondrocyte proliferation increased after 72–96 h after incubation. The OA trial group exhibited reduced cell proliferation at 48, 72, and 96 h after treatment. The OA model, OA trial, and NC groups all contained more cells arrested in G1 phase and had higher apoptosis rates than the blank group. Additionally, the OA trial group contained more cells arrested in G1 phase, with increased apoptosis rates compared to the OA model and NC groups. The OA model group had lowest expression of cyclin D1 whereas the blank group contained the highest among the four groups. qRT‐PCR also showed that the OA model, OA trial, and NC groups all had increased expression levels of Bax and reduced expression levels of Bcl‐2 and P53 compared to the blank group, whereby by the OA group had the most significant change. The combined evidence in our study shows that cyclin D1 gene silencing suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis of rat chondrocytes in IL‐1β‐induced OA. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 290–299, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Visibility of focal liver lesions: Comparison between kupffer phase of CEUS with sonazoid and hepatobiliary phase of gadoxetic acid–enhanced MRI
Authors: Yang Woo Young , Park Hee Sun , Kim Young Jun , Yu Mi Hye , Jung Sung Il , Jeon Hae Jeong
Published: May 2017

Background

To investigate the agreement between Kupffer phase of Sonazoid contrast‐enhanced sonography (CEUS) and hepatobiliary phase of gadoxetic acid–enhanced MRI in the evaluation of focal liver lesions (FLLs).

Methods

One hundred fifty‐four FLLs in 154 patients who underwent both Sonazoid CEUS and gadoxetic acid–enhanced liver MRI were included in this retrospective study. FLL visibility on the Kupffer‐phase images was graded as one (invisible or isoenhancing), two (vaguely visible or vaguely hypoenhancing), or three (clearly visible or clearly hypoenhancing), and that on the hepatobiliary‐phase images of MRI was graded as one (invisible or hyper/isointense), two (vaguely visible or weakly hypointense), or three (clearly visible or strongly hypointense). Pairwise comparison of lesion visibility between the two modalities was performed, and intermodality agreement was assessed.

Results

On Kupffer‐phase CEUS, 31 (20.1%) lesions were invisible, 17 (11.1%) were vaguely visible, and 106 (68.9%) were clearly visible. On the hepatobiliary‐phase MRI, 9 (5.9%) lesions were invisible, 45 (29.2%) were vaguely visible, and 100 (64.9%) were clearly visible. Overall, lesion visibility scores were not significantly different between the two modalities (p = 0.121), but the visibility was significantly better on MRI in smaller lesions. Twenty‐eight lesions (18.2%) showed discrepancy in the visibility on CEUS and MRI, and most of the cases (89.7%) were lesions that were invisible on CEUS but visible on MRI.

Conclusions

The overall visibility of FLLs was comparable between the Kupffer phase of Sonazoid‐CEUS and the hepatobiliary‐phase images of gadoxetic acid–enhanced MRI, with a discrepancy between the two modalities in 18% of the cases. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:542–550, 2017
Acidic electrolysed water delays browning by destroying conformation of polyphenoloxidase
Authors: Sun Jiangping , Wang Meng , Liu Haiquan , Xie Jing , Pan Yingjie , Xu Changhua , Zhao Yong
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

Browning frequently occurs at fruits, vegetables and aquatic products during storage, and it drastically reduces the consumer's acceptability, with considerable financial loss. The objective of this paper was to investigate the effects of acidic electrolysed water (AEW) technology on polyphenoloxidase (PPO), which is an essential enzyme for browning.

RESULTS

AEW ice exhibited a good ability in delaying browning in shrimp. Kinetic study revealed that AEW exhibited the mixed type inhibition of PPO with a Ki value of 1.96 mmol L−1. Moreover, both the circular dichroism spectrum and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses revealed that the α‐helix in PPO decreased whereas random coil increased which indicates that PPO conformation was destroyed.

CONCLUSION

Thus, this paper may provide a deeper understanding of the application of AEW technology for preventing browning in the food industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
On spaces weakly ‐analytic
Authors: Ferrando Juan Carlos , Ka̧kol Jerzy , López‐Pellicer Manuel
Published: May 2017

A subset Y of the dual closed unit ball of a Banach space E is called a Rainwater set for E if every bounded sequence of E that converges pointwise on Y converges weakly in E. In this paper, topological properties of Rainwater sets for the Banach space of the real‐valued continuous and bounded functions defined on a completely regular space X equipped with the supremum‐norm are studied. This applies to characterize the weak K‐analyticity of in terms of certain Rainwater sets for . Particularly, we show that is weakly K‐analytic if and only if there exists a Rainwater set Y for such that is both K‐analytic and angelic, where denotes the topology on of the pointwise convergence on Y. For the case when X is compact, one gets classic Talagrand's theorem. As an application we show that if X is a compact space and Y is a ‐dense subspace, then X is Talagrand compact, i.e., is K‐analytic, if and only if the space is K‐analytic.
The solution of elastostatic and dynamic problems using the boundary element method based on spherical Hankel element framework
Authors: Hamzehei Javaran S. , Shojaee S.
Published: May 2017

In this paper, new spherical Hankel shape functions are used to reformulate boundary element method for 2‐dimensional elastostatic and elastodynamic problems. To this end, the dual reciprocity boundary element method is reconsidered by using new spherical Hankel shape functions to approximate the state variables (displacements and tractions) of Navier's differential equation. Using enrichment of a class of radial basis functions (RBFs), called spherical Hankel RBFs hereafter, the interpolation functions of a Hankel boundary element framework has been derived. For this purpose, polynomial terms are added to the functional expansion that only uses spherical Hankel RBF in the approximation. In addition to polynomial function fields, the participation of spherical Bessel function fields has also increased robustness and efficiency in the interpolation. It is very interesting that there is no Runge phenomenon in equispaced Hankel macroelements, unlike equispaced classic Lagrange ones. Several numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness, robustness and accuracy of the proposed Hankel shape functions and in comparison with the classic Lagrange ones, they show much more accurate and stable results.
Influence of silica nanoparticles combined with zinc phosphinate on flame retardant properties of PET
Authors: Salaün F. , Lemort G. , Butstraen C. , Devaux E. , Capon G.
Published: May 2017

Zinc phosphinate (Exolit OP950), nanosilica particles and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) have been blended and thereafter melt‐spinned to develop a new flame retardant (FR) system for PET textiles. The effects of the two types of nanosilica fillers on the wettability, dispersibility and thermal properties were studied to determine how the degree of hydrophilicity affects the PET matrix. The influence of the blends on thermal transitions has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the thermal stability of the polymer/FR blend composites has been assessed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and cone calorimetry has been used to study the fire reaction. It was noticed that the nanoparticles have a limited influence on the thermal transitions of the PET matrix, but zinc phosphinate acted as a plasticizer and a compatibilizer for the more hydrophobic particles. Thermogravimetric analysis results showed that the addition of silica particles and FR compound improves slightly the thermal stability of the PET systems under nitrogen and air atmospheres. Furthermore, it was noticed that the incorporation of nanoparticles gives almost no improvement in the PET fire reaction from cone calorimeter experiments. However, in the presence of Exolit OP950, the systems acted as FR in PET films and knitted structures. The heat release rate during the combustion decreased, and the thermal behaviors of these structures were closed to those with 10% wt of Exolit OP950. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Time‐varying input delay compensation for nonlinear systems with additive disturbance: An output feedback approach
Authors: Deng Wenxiang , Yao Jianyong , Ma Dawei
Published: May 2017

This paper addresses the output feedback tracking control of a class of multiple‐input and multiple‐output nonlinear systems subject to time‐varying input delay and additive bounded disturbances. Based on the backstepping design approach, an output feedback robust controller is proposed by integrating an extended state observer and a novel robust controller, which uses a desired trajectory‐based feedforward term to achieve an improved model compensation and a robust delay compensation feedback term based on the finite integral of the past control values to compensate for the time‐varying input delay. The extended state observer can simultaneously estimate the unmeasurable system states and the additive disturbances only with the output measurement and delayed control input. The proposed controller theoretically guarantees prescribed transient performance and steady‐state tracking accuracy in spite of the presence of time‐varying input delay and additive bounded disturbances based on Lyapunov stability analysis by using a Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional. A specific study on a 2‐link robot manipulator is performed; based on the system model and the proposed design procedure, a suitable controller is developed, and comparative simulation results are obtained to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed control scheme.
Twin‐screw reactive extrusion for phosphorylation of pea starch with a retained granular identity
Authors: Huo Gang , Donner Elizabeth , Thompson Michael R. , Liu Qiang
Published: May 2017

The present work examines the ability to reactively modify a pea starch by phosphorylation in a twin‐screw extruder without the loss of its granular form, in order to produce a product for functional food uses. This reaction was studied by varying formulation variables of moisture content as well as reactant and sodium sulfate concentration at 95°C and 150 rpm. The modified starch was characterized for its phosphorus content, in vitro digestibility by the Englyst method, thermal gelatinization properties, and pasting behavior. Phosphorus contents of intact starch granules as high as 0.3% were found (close to the 0.4% limit for foods), produced continuously under extrusion conditions corresponding to a residence time of approximately one minute. Higher moisture content and low sodium sulfate concentration favored higher phosphorus content but increased the chances of amylose leaching and agglomerating of the exiting granules. In all cases, the pea starch experienced some change in its gelatinization transition consistent with simultaneous heat‐moisture treatment occurring along with the reaction inside the extruder. The current configuration of the process was not found suitable to major increases in resistant starch content though minor improvements in slowly digestible starch content were reported.
Scanning Electron Microscopy Coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectrometric Analysis Reveals for the First Time Weddellite and Sylvite Crystals on the Surface of Involucral Bracts and Petals of two Xeranthemum L. (Compositae) Species
Authors: Gavrilović Milan , Erić Suzana , Marin Petar D. , Garcia-Jacas Núria , Susanna Alfonso , Janaćković Pedja
Published: May 2017

In this work, weddellite and sylvite crystals are identified for the first time on the involucral bracts and petals of Xeranthemum annuum and Xeranthemum cylindraceum using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectrometric (SEM-EDS) analysis. Well-developed crystals of weddellite (CaC2O4·2H2O) occur in the form of a tetragonal bipyramid (hhl), rarely in combination of a bipyramid and tetragonal prism (h00). Indumentum of involucral bracts of X. cylindraceum consists of nonglandular and glandular trichomes. Sylvite (KCl) crystals are observed only on the petal surface of X. cylindraceum. The crystals of sylvite occur in the form of perfect cubes (hexahedrons), but some crystals are deformed, i.e., partially elongated. Taxonomic significance of investigated microcharacters as well as the use of SEM-EDS analysis in taxonomic studies of plants are discussed.
John Ross and Cultural Encounter: Translating Christianity in an East Asian Context
Authors: Grayson James H.
Published: May 2017

John Ross, a late nineteenth-century missionary of the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland to Manchuria, was the effective founder of the Protestant Church in Korea through his translation of the New Testament into Korean. This article explores his work of translation by looking firstly at general issues in translating biblical texts into Korean, secondly at Ross's principles for translation, and thirdly how Ross actually conducted his translation work on a day-to-day basis. Thorough consideration will be given to the linguistic and social characteristics of the Korean language. The article concludes with an overview of the linguistic, religious and sociocultural effect of the ‘Ross Translation’.
Faith in the Hearing: Gospel Recordings and the World Mission of Joy Ridderhof (1903–84)
Authors: Lenz Darin D.
Published: May 2017

In the mid-1930s Joy Ridderhof, a Quaker missionary, returned from her missionary work in Honduras a physically broken woman. In the process of recovering from malaria and the other illnesses that had not allowed her to remain on the mission field she began a new project that would transform how the gospel message was disseminated around the world. Ridderhof imagined the possibilities associated with proclaiming the message of Jesus through the use of phonograph records for Spanish listeners. The benefit of making sound recordings was quickly recognized by missionaries who were trying to reach largely illiterate and, in some cases, pre-literate populations. Ridderhof was soon asked to expand from her initial foray into Spanish language records to make recordings in other North American indigenous languages and, eventually, languages from around the world. This article analyses how Ridderhof managed this endeavour while embracing new media technologies to bring the sound of the gospel to the people of the world in their native tongue.
Christian Hebraism in Twelfth-Century Rome: A Philologist's Correction of the Latin Bible through Dialogue with Jewish Scholars and their Hebrew Texts
Authors: Champagne Marie Thérèse
Published: May 2017

In mid-twelfth-century Rome, one clerical scholar, Nicolaus Maniacutius, honed his philological skills as he endeavoured to return the text of the Psalter to the original. Maniacutius met the challenge of editing Scripture in an unusual manner as a Christian Hebraist, consulting with Jewish scholars to compare the Vulgate Book of Psalms with the Jews’ Hebrew text. In doing so, he followed the example set by his scholarly predecessor, St Jerome, centuries earlier, as well as his contemporary, Hugh of St Victor. While scholars have acknowledged that Maniacutius consulted with Jews and learned Hebrew, the identity of the one or more Jewish scholar(s) remains obscure. The Sephardic scholar Abraham ibn Ezra lived in Romec.1140–1143, and while there wrote a commentary on the Psalms. Nicolaus also revised the Psalter and wrote of a ‘learned Spanish Jew’. This article explores the phenomenon of Christian Hebraism in mid-twelfth-century Rome through the life and work of Maniacutius, and presents evidence that supports Cornelia Linde's suggestion that Abraham ibn Ezra was the ‘learned Spanish Jew’ with whom Maniacutius worked. In addition, textual evidence supports Maniacutius's work within an informal, cross-confessional discourse community of Jewish and Christian scholars.
Erasmus and the Politics of Translation in Tudor England
Authors: Wooding Lucy
Published: May 2017

Desiderius Erasmus was a significant figure in early sixteenth-century England, and many of his works were translated into English during the reign of Henry VIII. In the process of translation the original intention of these works was subverted as Erasmus's reputation was appropriated by his translators and their patrons for their own purposes. His works were recast in English form to serve a variety of different agendas, from those of Henrician conservatives to Protestants pushing for more radical religious reform. This article looks at some of these translations, showing how they illustrate the variations in religious attitudes during these volatile years and the competing claims for validation. In particular, Erasmus's pronouncements on the importance of Scripture translation were annexed and deployed in the debate over the English Bible, demonstrating how his views about translation were in themselves translated to reflect the political and religious needs of the English situation.
Medizin und Ökonomie widersprechen sich nicht – Managed Care macht es vor
Authors: Huber Felix
Published: May 2017

Zusammenfassung. Die Schweiz ist innerhalb Europas seit 1990 ein Pionierland für Managed Care (MC). Über die Hälfte der Bevölkerung hat heute ein Versicherungsprodukt mit eingeschränkter Arztwahl. Die Modelle zeigen bei den Qualitätsnachweisen und Kosteneinsparungen grosse Unterschiede. Die besten Ärztenetze schneiden bezüglich Qualitätsergebnissen im gesamtschweizerischen Vergleich weit überdurchschnittlich ab. Sie weisen auch die grössten Einsparungen (15 – 20 %) bei den Gesamtkosten nach. Die MC-Ärztenetze haben die Übersicht über die medizinischen Leistungen für ihre Patienten und die daraus entstehenden Gesamtkosten und erachten den Einbezug von ökonomischen Überlegungen beim ärztlichen Handeln als selbstverständlich.