bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Aromatic Amide from the Roots of Zanthoxylum tessmannii (Rutaceae)
Authors: Kenmoe Djeukeu Charlie , Kouam Kenmogne Ariane , Guy Blaise Azebaze Anatole , Belle Ebanda Kedi Philippe , Vardamides Juliette Catherine , Sewald Norbert , Duplex Wansi Jean
Published: March 2019

Phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of the roots of Zanthoxylum tessmannii Zepernick and Timler (Rutaceae) led to the isolation and characterization of one new aromatic amide named tessmamide (1) along with twelve known compounds, N‐benzoyltyramine methyl ether (2), 7,8,9‐trimethoxycoumarin (3), 7,8‐dimethoxycoumarin (4), integrifoliodiol (5), robustin (6), skimmianine (7), lupeol (8), lupenone (9), a mixture of stigmasterol and β‐sitosterol, and a mixture of their glucosides. The structures of all compounds were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses (1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, EI‐MS, and ESI‐MS) and comparison with known analogs. The determination of the radical scavenging activity using the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay gave moderate antioxidant values for the crude extracts of the roots of Zanthoxylum tessmannii (IC50 0.8 mg/mL), tessmamide (1; IC50 31.8 μm), and 7,8,9‐trimethoxycoumarin (3; IC50 29.3 μm), compared to the standard ascorbic acid (IC50 11.6 μm).
Supported Ionic Liquid‐Like Phases (SILLPs) as Immobilised Catalysts for the Multistep and Multicatalytic Continuous Flow Synthesis of Chiral Cyanohydrins
Authors: Peris Edgar , Porcar Raúl , Burguete María Isabel , García‐Verdugo Eduardo , Luis Santiago V.
Published: March 2019

Supported Ionic Liquid‐Like Phases have been found to be efficient organocatalysts for the synthesis of cyanohydrin esters under solvent‐free conditions by an “electrophile‐nucleophile dual activation” based on hydrogen bond formation. The combination of multiple and consecutive multicatalytic steps in a single and integrated cascade process of organocatalytic SILLPs with commercially available supported Candida antarctica lipase type B (CAL‐B) has allowed developing an efficient process for the multicatalytic synthesis of enantiopure cyanohydrins under flow conditions.
A Computational Investigation of OME‐synthesis through Homogeneous Acid Catalysis
Authors: Goncalves Tiago J. , Plessow Philipp N. , Studt Felix
Published: March 2019

The reaction mechanism of the synthesis of OMEs with homogeneous Brønsted acid catalysts from dimethoxy methane and trioxane is studied using MP2, density functional theory and implicit solvation models. Additionally, formaldehyde is considered as a reactant and we find its activation barriers for OME‐formation to be comparable with those for trioxane (around 80 kJ/mol). If trioxane is used as a reactant at room temperature, we find that its direct incorporation is more favorable than its decomposition to formaldehyde followed by stepwise reaction of formaldehyde. This is due to the higher stability of trioxane at room temperature.
Polymeric Donor–Acceptor Heterostructures for Enhanced Photocatalytic H2 Evolution without Using Pt Cocatalysts
Authors: Zang Shaohong , Zhang Guigang , Yang Pengju , Zheng Dandan , Wang Xinchen
Published: March 2019

Polymeric carbon nitride (CN) is a promising material for photocatalytic water splitting. However, CN in its pristine form tends to show moderate activity due to fast recombination of the charge carriers. The design of efficient photocatalytic system is therefore highly desired, but it still remains a great challenge in chemistry. In this work, a pyrene‐based polymer able to serve as an electron donor to accelerate the interface charge carrier transfer of CN is presented. The construction of donor‐acceptor (D–A) heterojunction was confirmed to significantly restrain the charge recombination and, thus, improve the proton reduction process. This study provides a promising strategy to achieve solar H2 production in an efficient and low‐cost manner.
Effective combination of isolated symptom variables to help stratifying acute undifferentiated chest pain in the emergency department
Authors: Zheng Wen , Ma Jingjing , Wu Shuo , Wang Guangmei , Zhang He , Zheng Jiaqi , Xu Feng , Wang Jiali , Chen Yuguo
Published: March 2019

Background

Symptom is still indispensable for the stratification of chest pain in the emergency department. However, it is a sophisticated aggregation of several aspects of characteristics and effective combination of those variables remains deficient. We aimed to develop and validate a chest pain symptom score (CPSS) to address this issue.

Hypothesis

The CPSS may help stratifying acute undifferentiated chest pain in ED.

Methods

Patients with non‐ST segment elevation chest pain and negative cardiac troponin (cTn) over 3 hours after symptom onset were consecutively recruited as the derivation cohort. Logistic regression analyses identified statistical predictors from all symptom aspects for 30‐day acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or death. The performance of CPSS was compared with the symptom classification methods of the history variable in the history, electrocardiograph, age, risk factors, troponin (HEART) score. This new model was validated in a separated cohort of patients with negative cTn within 3 hours.

Results

Seven predictors in four aspects of chest pain symptom were identified. The CPSS was an independent predictor for 30‐day AMI or death (P < 0.001). In the derivation (n = 1434) and validation (n = 976) cohorts, the expected and observed event rates were well calibrated (Hosmer–Lemeshow test P > 0.30), and the c‐statistics of CPSS were 0.72 and 0.73, separately, significantly better than the previous history classifications in HEART score (P < 0.001). Replacing the history variable with the CPSS improved the discrimination and risk classification of HEART score significantly (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The effective combination of isolated variables was meaningful to make the most stratification value of symptoms. This model should be considered as part of a comprehensive strategy for chest pain triage.
Critical questions in ovarian cancer research and treatment: Report of an American Association for Cancer Research Special Conference
Authors: Bast Robert C. , Matulonis Ursula A. , Sood Anil K. , Ahmed Ahmed A. , Amobi Adaobi E. , Balkwill Frances R. , Wielgos‐Bonvallet Monicka , Bowtell David D. L. , Brenton James D. , Brugge Joan S. , Coleman Robert L. , Draetta Giulio F. , Doberstein Kai , Drapkin Ronny I. , Eckert Mark A. , Edwards Robert P. , Elias Kevin M. , Ennis Darren , Futreal Andrew , Gershenson David M. , Greenberg Roger A. , Huntsman David G. , Ji Jennifer Xiao Ye , Kohn Elise C. , Iavarone Claudia , Lengyel Ernst R. , Levine Douglas A. , Lord Christopher J. , Lu Zhen , Mills Gordon B. , Modugno Francesmary , Nelson Brad H. , Odunsi Kunle , Pilsworth Jessica A. , Rottapel Robert K. , Powell Daniel J. , Shen Li , Shih Ie‐Ming , Spriggs David R. , Walton Josephine , Zhang Kaiyang , Zhang Rugang , Zou Lee
Published: March 2019

Substantial progress has been made in understanding ovarian cancer at the molecular and cellular level. Significant improvement in 5‐year survival has been achieved through cytoreductive surgery, combination platinum‐based chemotherapy, and more effective treatment of recurrent cancer, and there are now more than 280,000 ovarian cancer survivors in the United States. Despite these advances, long‐term survival in late‐stage disease has improved little over the last 4 decades. Poor outcomes relate, in part, to late stage at initial diagnosis, intrinsic drug resistance, and the persistence of dormant drug‐resistant cancer cells after primary surgery and chemotherapy. Our ability to accelerate progress in the clinic will depend on the ability to answer several critical questions regarding this disease. To assess current answers, an American Association for Cancer Research Special Conference on “Critical Questions in Ovarian Cancer Research and Treatment” was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 1‐3, 2017. Although clinical, translational, and basic investigators conducted much of the discussion, advocates participated in the meeting, and many presentations were directly relevant to patient care, including treatment with poly adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, attempts to improve immunotherapy by overcoming the immune suppressive effects of the microenvironment, and a better understanding of the heterogeneity of the disease.
Nanocatalysts for Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Ethanol
Authors: Bai Juan , Liu Danye , Yang Jun , Chen Yu
Published: March 2019

The use of ethanol as a fuel in direct alcohol fuel cells depends not only on its ease of production from renewable sources, but also on overcoming the challenges of storage and transportation. In an ethanol‐based fuel cell, highly active electrocatalysts are required to break the C−C bond in ethanol for its complete oxidation at lower overpotentials, with the aim of increasing the cell performance, ethanol conversion rates, and fuel efficiency. In recent decades, the development of wet‐chemistry methods has stimulated research into catalyst design, reactivity tailoring, and mechanistic investigations, and thus, created great opportunities to achieve efficient oxidation of ethanol. In this Minireview, the nanomaterials tested as electrocatalysts for the ethanol oxidation reaction in acid or alkaline environments are summarized. The focus is mainly on nanomaterials synthesized by using wet‐chemistry methods, with particular attention on the relationship between the chemical and physical characteristics of the catalysts, for example, catalyst composition, morphology, structure, degree of alloying, presence of oxides or supports, and their activity for ethanol electro‐oxidation. As potential alternatives to noble metals, non‐noble‐metal catalysts for ethanol oxidation are also briefly reviewed. Insights into further enhancing the catalytic performance through the design of efficient electrocatalysts are also provided.
Co‐adaptation impacts the robustness of predator–prey dynamics against perturbations
Authors: Raatz Michael , van Velzen Ellen , Gaedke Ursula
Published: March 2019

Global change threatens the maintenance of ecosystem functions that are shaped by the persistence and dynamics of populations. It has been shown that the persistence of species increases if they possess larger trait adaptability. Here, we investigate whether trait adaptability also affects the robustness of population dynamics of interacting species and thereby shapes the reliability of ecosystem functions that are driven by these dynamics. We model co‐adaptation in a predator–prey system as changes to predator offense and prey defense due to evolution or phenotypic plasticity. We investigate how trait adaptation affects the robustness of population dynamics against press perturbations to environmental parameters and against pulse perturbations targeting species abundances and their trait values. Robustness of population dynamics is characterized by resilience, elasticity, and resistance. In addition to employing established measures for resilience and elasticity against pulse perturbations (extinction probability and return time), we propose the warping distance as a new measure for resistance against press perturbations, which compares the shapes and amplitudes of pre‐ and post‐perturbation population dynamics. As expected, we find that the robustness of population dynamics depends on the speed of adaptation, but in nontrivial ways. Elasticity increases with speed of adaptation as the system returns more rapidly to the pre‐perturbation state. Resilience, in turn, is enhanced by intermediate speeds of adaptation, as here trait adaptation dampens biomass oscillations. The resistance of population dynamics strongly depends on the target of the press perturbation, preventing a simple relationship with the adaptation speed. In general, we find that low robustness often coincides with high amplitudes of population dynamics. Hence, amplitudes may indicate the robustness against perturbations also in other natural systems with similar dynamics. Our findings show that besides counteracting extinctions, trait adaptation indeed strongly affects the robustness of population dynamics against press and pulse perturbations.
Use of the Palliative Performance Scale to estimate survival among home hospice patients with heart failure
Authors: Masterson Creber Ruth , Russell David , Dooley Frances , Jordan Lizeyka , Baik Dawon , Goyal Parag , Hummel Scott , Hummel Ellen K. , Bowles Kathryn H.
Published: March 2019

Aims

Estimating survival is challenging in the terminal phase of advanced heart failure. Patients, families, and health‐care organizations would benefit from more reliable prognostic tools. The Palliative Performance Scale Version 2 (PPSv2) is a reliable and validated tool used to measure functional performance; higher scores indicate higher functionality. It has been widely used to estimate survival in patients with cancer but rarely used in patients with heart failure. The aim of this study was to identify prognostic cut‐points of the PPSv2 for predicting survival among patients with heart failure receiving home hospice care.

Methods and results

This retrospective cohort study included 1114 adult patients with a primary diagnosis of heart failure from a not‐for‐profit hospice agency between January 2013 and May 2017. The primary outcome was survival time. A Cox proportional‐hazards model and sensitivity analyses were used to examine the association between PPSv2 scores and survival time, controlling for demographic and clinical variables. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted to quantify the diagnostic performance of PPSv2 scores by survival time. Lower PPSv2 scores on admission to hospice were associated with decreased median (interquartile range, IQR) survival time [PPSv2 10 = 2 IQR: 1–5 days; PPSv2 20 = 3 IQR: 2–8 days] IQR: 55–207. The discrimination of the PPSv2 at baseline for predicting death was highest at 7 days [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.802], followed by an AUC of 0.774 at 14 days, an AUC of 0.736 at 30 days, and an AUC of 0.705 at 90 days.

Conclusions

The PPSv2 tool can be used by health‐care providers for prognostication of hospice‐enrolled patients with heart failure who are at high risk of near‐term death. It has the greatest utility in patients who have the most functional impairment.
Low‐complexity and full‐diversity parallel interference cancellation for multiuser wireless relaying networks
Authors: El Astal Mohammed‐Taha , Ismail Amr , Alouini Mohammed‐Slim , Olivier Jan Corne
Published: March 2019

In this paper, the multiuser interference of wireless relaying networks (WRNs) is considered. Two transmission protocols with an interference cancellation scheme are proposed, namely, the concurrentS − R−D‐PICR,D protocol for decode‐and‐forward WRNs and the concurrentS − R − D‐PICD protocol for amplify‐and‐forward WRNs. Unlike the existing protocols, these protocols allow the concurrent transmission in both phases of the transmission, and hence, higher spectral efficiency is offered while maintaining low decoding complexity. The concurrentS − R − D‐PICR,D protocol achieves interference‐free diversity without imposing any condition on the node's antenna number. However and similar to most existing protocols, this protocol requires the channel state information (CSI) of the users‐relay links at the relay. In contrast, the concurrentS − R − D‐PICD protocol achieves a better diversity order, given that the relay's antenna >8, whereas CSI is required only at the destination. Although the diversity's upper bound is not achieved, this protocol uses a simple relay as no CSI or encoding is required at the relay. In addition and unlike the existing protocols, the achievable diversity is determined by both the user's and the destination's antennas, and it is not sacrificed while the number of users is increased. This paper also establishes sufficient conditions for a space‐time block code to achieve the mentioned diversity gain of the proposed protocols.
Electrophysiological investigation of associative and non‐associative memory odours
Authors: Pellegrino Robert , Usik Katerina , Warr Jonathan , Hummel Thomas , Sorokowska Agnieszka
Published: March 2019

As individuals explore their environment, they experience smells and recall memories associated with them. This close relationship between smell and memory has been extensively studied; however, less attention has been paid to the direct comparison of associative and non‐associative memory odours. This study aimed to measure responses to odours related to memories and responses to odours related to none or few memories using electroencephalography. In a within‐subject design, 25 individuals received two food odours (chocolate and apple strudel) while olfactory event‐related potentials (oERP) were recorded. These stimuli were chosen because individuals had an autobiographical memory associated with either one of the odours. Additionally, individuals rated the characteristics of the odours and were tested on their memory capacity. The results indicate that apple strudel, but not chocolate, produced larger oERP amplitudes when associated with a memory. Additionally, the apple strudel odour was found to be less pleasant and familiar than the chocolate odour, and fewer individuals had an association with the apple strudel odour. This indicates that oERP can be used to indicate the strength of odour‐related memories.
Recursion in action: An fMRI study on the generation of new hierarchical levels in motor sequences
Authors: Martins Mauricio J. D. , Bianco Roberta , Sammler Daniela , Villringer Arno
Published: March 2019

Generation of hierarchical structures, such as the embedding of subordinate elements into larger structures, is a core feature of human cognition. Processing of hierarchies is thought to rely on lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC). However, the neural underpinnings supporting active generation of new hierarchical levels remain poorly understood. Here, we created a new motor paradigm to isolate this active generative process by means of fMRI. Participants planned and executed identical movement sequences by using different rules: a Recursive hierarchical embedding rule, generating new hierarchical levels; an Iterative rule linearly adding items to existing hierarchical levels, without generating new levels; and a Repetition condition tapping into short term memory, without a transformation rule. We found that planning involving generation of new hierarchical levels (Recursive condition vs. both Iterative and Repetition) activated a bilateral motor imagery network, including cortical and subcortical structures. No evidence was found for lateral PFC involvement in the generation of new hierarchical levels. Activity in basal ganglia persisted through execution of the motor sequences in the contrast Recursive versus Iteration, but also Repetition versus Iteration, suggesting a role of these structures in motor short term memory. These results showed that the motor network is involved in the generation of new hierarchical levels during motor sequence planning, while lateral PFC activity was neither robust nor specific. We hypothesize that lateral PFC might be important to parse hierarchical sequences in a multi‐domain fashion but not to generate new hierarchical levels.
Motor cortex representation of deep and superficial neck flexor muscles in individuals with and without neck pain
Authors: Elgueta‐Cancino Edith , Marinovic Welber , Jull Gwendolen , Hodges Paul W.
Published: March 2019

Sensorimotor control of neck muscles differs between individuals with and without pain. Differences in the primary motor cortex (M1) maps of these muscles may be involved. This study compared M1 representations of deep (DNF) and superficial (SNF) neck flexor muscles between 10 individuals with neck pain (NP) and 10 painfree controls. M1 organisation was studied using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) applied to a grid over the skull and surface electromyography of DNF (pharyngeal electrode) and SNF. Three‐dimensional maps of M1 representation of each muscle were generated. Peaks in the SNF map that represented the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and platysma muscles were identified. Unique centre of gravity (CoG)/map peaks were identified for the three muscles. In comparison to painfree controls, NP participants had more medial location of the CoG/peak of DNF, SCM, and platysma, greater mediolateral variation in DNF CoG (p = 0.02), fewer SNF and DNF map peaks (p = 0.01). These data show that neck flexor muscle M1 maps relate to trunk, neck, and face areas of the motor homunculus. Differences in M1 representation in NP have some similarities and some differences with observations for other musculoskeletal pain conditions. Despite the small sample size, our data did reveal differences and is comparable to other similar studies. The results of this study should be interpreted with consideration of methodological issues.
Undergraduate Student Research Engagement Through the Open Laboratory Model
Authors: Bridger Amy E. , Ford Ralph M.
Published: March 2019

Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, supports its undergraduate education experience with the transformative Open Lab Model. The Open Lab seeks to embrace the university‐industry partnership as a means for economic and workforce development.
Marital conflict sensitizes mothers to infant irritability: A randomized controlled experiment
Authors: Hibel Leah C. , Buhler‐Wassmann Andrea C. , Trumbell Jill M. , Liu Siwei
Published: March 2019

This study examines the impact of marital conflict and infant irritability on mother's emotional engagement during infant–mother interactions. Mothers (n = 117) were randomized to have either a positive (n = 57) or conflictual (n = 60) discussion with their marital partner. Mothers then interacted with their infants before (freeplay) and after (soothing) an infant‐focused stress task. Only for mothers who engaged in the conflict discussion was infant irritability associated with maternal emotional disengagement during the freeplay task. Conversely, infant irritability was associated with maternal disengagement for all mothers, regardless of marital discussion task, after the infant stressor. The experimental findings suggest marital conflict has an immediate causal influence on parenting, sensitizing mothers to disengage from their fussy infants. However, the challenge of soothing a distressed infant following the infant‐focused stressor may tax the emotional resources of mothers regardless of whether they had a conflictual or positive marital discussion.

Highlights

We examined how the experience of marital conflict and infant irritability impacts maternal behavior.

After randomization into a marital conflict discussion (but not positive discussion), mothers disengaged from infant irritability; after an infant stress-task, all mothers disengaged from infant irritability.

Marital conflict and heightened infant irritability overwhelms maternal resources, encouraging maternal disengagement.
Deregulated GATA6 modulates stem cell‐like properties and metabolic phenotype in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Tan Han‐Wei , Leung Carmen Oi‐Ning , Chan Kristy Kwan‐Shuen , Ho Daniel Wai‐Hung , Leung Ming‐Sum , Wong Chun‐Ming , Ng Irene Oi‐Lin , Lo Regina Cheuk‐Lam
Published: March 2019

Accumulating evidence illustrates the significance of cell plasticity in the molecular biology of liver cancer. Reprogramming of mature parenchymal cells to a less differentiated state by key molecular targets contributes to the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hereby, we investigated the role of GATA6, a transcription factor implicated in hepatocyte lineage specification, in HCC. Our results demonstrated a lower expression of GATA6 in HCC tissues compared to the corresponding nontumoral liver tissues. Moreover, GATA6 underexpression, as observed in about 50% cases in our clinical cohort, was associated with a poorer degree of tumor cell differentiation and worse disease‐free survival outcome. In vitro, silencing of GATA6 in HCC cells augmented cell migration and invasion abilities of HCC cells by activating epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Self‐renewal was also enhanced in vitro. Consistently, in vivo tumorigenicity and self‐renewal was promoted upon GATA6 knockdown. Notably, suppression of GATA6 converts HCC cells to a metabolic phenotype recapitulating stem‐cell state. Expression of glycolytic markers was elevated in GATA6‐knockdown clones accompanied by increased glucose uptake; while overexpression of GATA6 resulted in opposite effects. Further to this, we identified that GATA6 bound to the promoter region of PKM gene and regulated PKM2 transcription. Taken together, downregulation of GATA6 directs HCC cells to glycolytic metabolism and fosters tumorigenicity, self‐renewal and metastasis. GATA6 is a transcriptional regulator and a genetic switch that converts the phenotypic reprogramming of HCC cells. It is a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for liver cancer.
An assessment of the impact of multi‐route co‐exposures on human variability in toxicokinetics: A case study with binary and quaternary mixtures of volatile drinking water contaminants
Authors: Tohon Honesty , Valcke Mathieu , Haddad Sami
Published: March 2019

This study aimed to assess the impact of multi‐route co‐exposures to chemicals on interindividual variability in toxicokinetics. Probabilistic physiologically based pharmacokinetic multi‐route interaction models were developed for adults and four younger subpopulations. Drinking water‐mediated multi‐route exposures were simulated for benzene alone or in co‐exposure with toluene, ethylbenzene and m‐xylene, for trichloroethylene or vinyl chloride (VC), alone and in mixture. These simulations were performed for “low” and “high” exposure scenarios, involving respectively the US EPA's short‐term drinking water health advisories, and 10 times these advisory values. Distributions of relevant internal dose metrics for benzene, trichloroethylene and VC were obtained using Monte Carlo simulations. Intergroup variability indexes (VI) were computed for the “low” (VIL) and “high” (VIH) exposure scenarios, as the ratio between the 95th percentile in each subpopulation over the median in adults. Thus, for benzene, parent compound's area under the curve‐based VIL for single exposures vs. co‐exposures correspondingly varied between 1.7 (teenagers) and 2.8 (infants) vs. 1.9 and 3.1 respectively. VIH varied between 2.5 and 3.5 vs. 2.9 and 4.1. Inversely, VIL and VIH for the amount of benzene metabolized via CYP2E1 pathway decreased in co‐exposure compared to single exposure. For VC and trichloroethylene, similar results were obtained for the “high” exposure, but “low” co‐exposures did not impact the toxicokinetics of individual substances. In conclusion, multi‐route co‐exposures can have an impact on the toxicokinetics of individual substances, but to an extent, that does not seem to challenge the default values attributed to the factors deemed at reflecting interindividual or child/adult differences in toxicokinetics.
Creep, recovery, and stress relaxation behavior of nanostructured bioactive calcium phosphate glass–POSS/polymer composites for bone implants studied under simulated physiological conditions
Authors: Belyamani Imane , Kim Kyoungtae , Rahimi Shahab Kashani , Sahukhal Gyan S. , Elasri Mohamed O. , Otaigbe Joshua U.
Published: March 2019

The creep and recovery and the stress relaxation behaviors of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) binary blends incorporating 30 wt % of a mixture of trisilanolisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) and calcium phosphate glass (CaP‐g) were investigated under simulated physiological and human body temperature conditions. The synergistic effect of PHA and CaP‐g/POSS filler remarkably improved the creep behavior of the PBAT matrix and decreased its residual strain, consequently enhancing its elastic recovery. A considerable increase of the relaxation modulus of the hybrid materials was also observed upon incorporation of PHA and CaP‐g/POSS. The relaxation modulus of the neat PBAT sample increased from ~60 MPa to ~1600 MPa after addition of 30 wt % CaP‐g/POSS and 70 wt % PHA. However, after exposure of the composites to the simulated human body conditions for 14 days, a drop of dynamic mechanical properties of the studied material systems was observed along with formation of a desirable calcium phosphate phase on the material surface. The long‐term (i.e., up to 7 × 105 s) viscoelastic behavior of the studied materials was successfully predicted using the time–temperature superposition principle and the obtained creep strain and the relaxation modulus master curves were satisfactorily fitted to the Findley power law equation and the generalized Maxwell model, respectively. This study demonstrates a facile method for tailoring CaP‐g/POSS bioactive glasses composition for bone‐like apatite formation on biopolymer surfaces. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 2419–2432, 2019.
Analysis of differentially expressed genes in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis by integrated microarray analysis
Authors: Liu Feng‐Qi
Published: March 2019

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) were two major types of joint diseases. This study aimed to explore the mechanism underlying OA and RA and analyze their difference by integrated analysis of multiple gene expression data sets.

Methods

Gene expression data sets of RA and OA were downloaded from The Gene Expression Omnibus. Shared and specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in RA and OA were identified by integrated analysis of multiple gene expression data sets. Functional annotation and protein‐protein interaction (PPI) network construction of OA‐ and RA‐specific DEGs were performed to further explore the molecular mechanisms underlying RA and OA and analyze the mechanism differences between them.

Results

Compared with normal controls, 3757 and 2598 DEGs were identified in RA and OA, respectively. Among them, 2176 DEGs were RA‐specific DEGs and 1017 DEGs were OA‐specific DEGs. Moreover, the expression of 17 DEGs played opposite pattern in RA and OA compared with normal controls. Chemokine signaling pathway and oxidative phosphorylation were significantly enriched pathways for RA‐ and OA‐specific DEGs, respectively. BIRC2 and CSNK1E were respective hub genes of RA‐ and OA‐specific PPI network.

Conclusion

Our findings provided clues for the specific mechanism and developing specific biomarkers for RA and OA.
Identification of esophageal cancer pathway deviation and construction of a diagnosis model using three kernel genes
Authors: Xue Wenhua , Fan Zhirui , Li Lifeng , Yan Dan , Shen Zhibo , Zhai Yunkai , Kan Quancheng , Zhao Jie
Published: March 2019

The purpose of this study is to better understand the role of interleukin 35 (IL35) in esophageal carcinoma by comparing the mRNA level in Barrett's esophageal mucosa and in matched normal squamous mucosa and to understand how the diagnosis model works with two other genes: hepatocyte nuclear factor 1B (HNF1B) and cAMP responsive element binding protein 3‐like 1 (CREB3L1). By comparing carcinoma tissue and normal tissue samples, we extracted all the differentially expressed mRNAs. The bioinformatics analysis resulted in the discovery of three prominent genes. Eventually, the three genes were utilized to train a deep‐learning model. An additional wet experiment was conducted to validate the effect of IL35. All the differentially expressed genes were enriched into nine groups, each of which has specific biological functions. Given that the three significant genes HNF1B, CREB3L1, and IL35 as diagnostic features, a deep‐learning model was constructed, reaching an accuracy of 93% in the training set and 87% in the test set. Our findings suggest that IL35, along with the other two signatures, can distinguish esophageal tumor samples from normal samples precisely.
Integrated anaerobic codigestion system for the organic fraction of municipal solid waste and sewage sludge treatment: an Italian case study
Authors: Moretto Giulia , Ardolino Filomena , Piasentin Alberto , Girotto Luca , Cecchi Franco
Published: March 2019

Background

The production of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) is growing continuously and is often directed to composting, an energy‐consuming approach. This study evaluates the advantages of an integrated treatment of waste and wastewater with the application of anaerobic codigestion technology.

Results

The anaerobic codigestion process was monitored for 24 months in a full‐scale plant with a 2000 m3 digester. Steady‐state conditions were reached with an average biogas production of 1629 m3 day−1 and a specific gas production of 0.51 m3 kgVS−1 in mesophilic temperature range (37 °C). Electric energy coverage was equal to 49%, with a specific revenue calculated equal to 81.7 €/tOFMSW.

Conclusions

It was demonstrated that this technology is convenient from environmental, territorial and economic points of view. The territorial approach of organic waste treatment can be directed into more energy or matter recovery. In both cases this process is applicable and can allow waste valorization through energy production without costly investments. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Tissue Characterization of Atheromatous Plaques: Correlation Between Ultrasound Image and Histological Findings
Authors: Goes E. , Janssens W. , Maillet B. , Freson M. , Steyaert L. , Osteaux M.
Published: March 2019

Fifty‐four atheromatous plaques of carotid arteries, obtained at autopsy, were scanned with a high‐resolution real‐time instrument, then histologically examined. Comparison between atherogenesis assessed first by histology then by ultrasonography allowed us to differentiate young from old plaques. An old plaque is characterized by a dense heterogeneous echo pattern and irregular borders or ulceration.

Previous studies have shown a correlation between the presence of hemorrhage and ulceration of atheromatous plaques in the carotid, and the frequency of cerebral complications. Since these characteristics were mainly found in older plaques, we consider them to be the most important ones clinically.
Color‐Coded Image‐Directed Doppler Sonography Compared with Digital Subtraction Angiography in the Follow‐Up of Percutaneous Vascular Endoprostheses
Authors: Vorwerk Dierk , Guenther Rolf W. , Gehl Hans-Bjoern , Bohndorf Klaus
Published: March 2019

Color‐coded image‐directed Dopplersonography (CCIDS) was used in the follow‐up of self‐expandable vascular endoprosthesesand was compared with the results of digital subtraction angiography and Doppler pressure indices. The stents were implanted in iliac and femoral arteries or hemodialysis fistulae of 26 patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential of the new imaging method to identify local flow patterns inside of vascular endoprostheses.

The stents were identified by sonographyin all cases; laminar flow was represented in CCIDS by homogeneous Doppler signals. In case of a distinctly reduced lumen, intravenous digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and CCIDS were both abletoidentify the stenotic process; however, CCIDS was superior in the demonstration of minute flow irregularities. No different flow patterns were detected in comparing recent with older vascular implants.
Angiosarcoma of the Seminal Vesicle: Early Detection Using Transrectal Ultrasound‐Guided Biopsy
Authors: Panageas Ellen , Kuligowska Ewa , Dunlop Richard , Babayan Richard
Published: March 2019

Imaging of the seminal vesicles was difficult before the development of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The traditional modalities that were used for imaging the seminal vesicles included excretory urograms, cystograms, barium enemas, computed tomography (CT), and seminal vasovesiculography.1 The information provided by these tests was indirect and nonspecific, and often required invasive procedures. Diagnosis could only be made when disease of the seminal vesicles was far advanced and adjacent structures were involved.

The recent advent of TRUS and MRI provides direct visualization of the seminal vesicles. By examining the seminal vesicles in multiple planes using these modalities, it is now possible to identify abnormalities confined to the gland and to accurately predict the extent of disease.2–3

We describe a case of primary seminal vesicle malignancy that was detected and diagnosed by TRUSand TRUS‐guided biopsy at a time when an extensive traditional workup including a pelvic CT scan was negative. An MRI was also obtained, which confirmed the asymmetry of the seminal vesicles without further characterization of the lesion. This is the first reported case of malignancy of the seminal vesicle visualized and diagnosed by TRUS‐guided biopsy.
Ultrasound in Bangladesh
Authors: Taber Muhammad Abu
Published: March 2019

Ultrasonography is becoming important and popular in many branches of medicine and more so in the third world countries. It is relatively cheap, painless, non‐ionizing, provides useful information about a large number of organs, and can be repeated often.

Ultrasound has certain peculiarities which are unique to Bangladesh, as a country and as a nation. We are a thickly populated country situated to the north of Bay of Bengal—about 110 million people spread over an area of 55 thousand square miles. Seventy five percent of our population lives in remote villages. Major cities have large buildings and modern hospitals and clinics; there are huts, thatched houses, streetside quacks, and faith healers in the villages. The aim of Bangladesh health authorities is to t~ke medical aid to the 75% of people who live in ~Illages. Therefore, among all the newer imagIng technologies, ultrasound has made the deepest impact, both in urban and rural Bangladesh, comparing the cost with the valuable information obtained.
The Response of the Portal Vein to an Oral Glucose Load
Authors: Goldberg R. E. A. , Rada C. , Knelson M. , Haaga J. , Minkin S.
Published: March 2019

Changes of total blood flow, velocities, and cross‐sectional area in the portal vein before and after oral glucose administration were studied using image‐directed Doppler ultrasonography. Portal vein cross‐sectional area, flow velocity, and total blood flow increased significantly compared with baseline studies. Relative increase in these values compared with baseline studies (95% confidence intervals) are presented, and future applications of this method are discussed.
Circuit modeling of ultra‐broadband terahertz absorber based on graphene array periodic disks
Authors: Aghaee Toktam , Orouji Ali A.
Published: March 2019

The realization of broadband absorption in the terahertz spectra is of significant interest in advanced terahertz applications. In this work, a novel ultra‐broadband absorber based on the periodic array of graphene disks and graphene continues sheet is proposed. A developed transmission line theory besides the analytical circuit model of graphene disks and graphene continues sheet are exploited to describe the absorber structure by its circuit model. By using three graphene layers and considering impedance matching concept, the normalized bandwidth of 90% absorption is extended up to 121% of the central frequency. Also, the dependence of the absorption spectra on the structure parameters is investigated and analyzed. Moreover, the performance of the device under possible fabrication errors is discussed. In pursuit of evaluating the efficiency, accuracy, and validity of the proposed method, full‐wave numerical modeling is performed by the finite element method. The results show that the proposed circuit approach, in addition to having advantages in terms of computing time and the need for memory resource, is in a good agreement with the full‐wave simulations. Furthermore, the structure of the absorber is relatively simple, and it can be manufactured by chemical vapor deposition techniques.
Low‐Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Relieves Mild and Severe Myelosuppression Induced by Cyclophosphamide in Rabbits
Authors: Liu Baoru , Zhou Weichen , Wu Junru , Chen Wenzhi , Chen Jinyun , Wang Yan
Published: March 2019

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effect of low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on cyclophosphamide (CTX)‐induced rabbit myelosuppression.

Methods

Rabbits (n = 90) were randomly divided into a mild myelosuppression group (n = 40), a severe myelosuppression group (n = 40), and a normal control group (group Cu28; n = 10). The mild and severe myelosuppression models were established by daily ear vein injection of 15‐ and 40‐mg/kg CTX for 4 continuous days, respectively. Then they were randomly divided into LIPUS groups (Au and Bu) and control groups (Ac and Bc). LIPUS was applied once per day for 20 minutes for 7 (Au7 and Bu7) and 28 (Au28 and Bu28) days. Physical conditions, mortality, blood cell counts, and bone marrow proliferation were calculated. Erythropoietin interleukin 3, and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor levels were measured by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect the granulocyte phagocytosis rate. Hematoxylin‐eosin staining was performed to analyze changes of skin and muscle.

Results

Compared with the control group, LIPUS improved the number of peripheral blood cells (P < .05) and bone marrow nucleated cells and reduced the mortality of rabbits with myelosuppression of different degrees. Long‐term treatment for 28 days had no effect on the levels of erythropoietin, interleukin 3, and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor and granulocyte phagocytosis (P > .05). The parts of the skin where LIPUS was applied did not show any burning marks, and the muscle tissue in the path of LIPUS acoustic channels showed no obvious pathologic changes.

Conclusions

Low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound is a safe and effective method to relieve CTX‐induced myelosuppression.
Doxorubicin induces prostate cancer drug resistance by upregulation of ABCG4 through GSH depletion and CREB activation: Relevance of statins in chemosensitization
Authors: Mallappa Sreevidya , Neeli Praveen K. , Karnewar Santosh , Kotamraju Srigiridhar
Published: March 2019

Multidrug resistance mediated by ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters remains a major impediment to cancer chemotherapy. In the present study, we documented that doxorubicin (Dox) or cisplatin‐induced prostate cancer (PCa) chemoresistance is predominantly mediated by the induction of ABCG4 in androgen‐independent PCa cells. Treatment of DU‐145 or PC‐3 cells with Dox significantly enhanced the expression of ABCG4 that resulted in the efflux of intracellular Dox. However, incubation of cells with ABCG4 short hairpin RNA resulted in a significant accumulation of Dox and sensitized cells to Dox‐induced cytotoxicity. Interestingly, simvastatin synergistically potentiated Dox‐induced cytotoxicity by inhibiting ABCG4 in DU‐145 and DU‐145 Doxres cells. Mechanistically, ABCG4 expression was regulated redox‐dependently by intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels. Treatment of cells with
N‐acetylcysteine or simvastatin restored Dox‐induced depletion of GSH levels that in turn inhibited ABCG4 levels. In addition, a reduction in GSH levels by Dox caused a nuclear factor‐κB dependent enhancement of c‐Myc expression, which led to cAMP‐regulatory element‐binding protein (CREB) activation. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that Dox‐induced CREB activation transcriptionally upregulates ABCG4 expression. These results were further confirmed in an in vivo PCa xenograft mice model. Combination of simvastatin and Dox significantly regressed the tumor growth and size with no noticeable Dox‐induced cardiotoxic side effects. Intriguingly, DU‐145 cells with stably depleted ABCG4 levels not only significantly delayed the development of the tumor but also greatly sensitized the tumor to a low dose of Dox that resulted in complete tumor regression. Collectively, this data reinforces a novel function of ABCG4 in Dox‐mediated chemoresistance, and as a potential therapeutic target in drug‐induced PCa chemoresistance.
Improving the absorption of solar cells using antenna‐inspired cavities
Authors: Karaosmanoğlu Barışcan , Tuygar Emre , Topçuoğlu Ulaş , Ergül Özgür
Published: March 2019

We present new types of nanocavities to improve the absorption of solar cells for energy harvesting in wide frequency ranges of the optical spectrum. Using a full‐wave approach, as opposed to the commonly used ray‐based modeling of the light, antenna‐inspired cavities with horn shapes are proposed and introduced. The effectiveness of the designed cavities is demonstrated in comparison to the conventional textures involving inverted pyramids and nanocones. Highly accurate numerical results show that solar‐cell structures with horn‐type cavities can provide excellent absorbance rates, even without using any matching layer.
Diffusion‐weighted MRI of the prostate without susceptibility artifacts: Undersampled multi‐shot turbo‐STEAM with rotated radial trajectories
Authors: Merrem Andreas , Hofer Sabine , Seif Amir Hosseini Ali , Voit Dirk , Merboldt Klaus‐Dietmar , Tan Zhengguo , Frahm Jens
Published: March 2019

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a clinically feasible approach to diffusion‐weighted (DW) MRI of the prostate without susceptibility‐induced artifacts. The proposed method relies on an undersampled multi‐shot DW turbo‐STEAM sequence with rotated radial trajectories and a multi‐step inverse reconstruction with denoised multi‐shot phase maps. The total acquisition time was below 6 min for a resolution of 1.4 × 1.4 × 3.5 mm3 and six directions at b = 600 s mm−2. Studies of eight healthy subjects and two patients with prostate cancer were performed at 3 T employing an 18‐channel body‐array coil and elements of the spine coil. The method was compared with conventional DW echo‐planar imaging (EPI) of the prostate. The results confirm that DW STEAM MRI avoids geometric distortions and false image intensities, which were present for both single‐shot EPI (ssEPI) and readout‐segmented EPI, particularly near the intestinal wall of the prostate. Quantitative accuracy of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was validated with use of a numerical phantom providing ground truth. ADC values in the central prostate gland of healthy subjects were consistent with those measured using ssEPI and with literature data. Preliminary results for patients with prostate cancer revealed a correct anatomical localization of lesions with respect to T2‐weighted MRI in both mean DW STEAM images and ADC maps. In summary, DW STEAM MRI of the prostate offers clinically relevant advantages for the diagnosis of prostate cancer compared with state‐of‐the‐art EPI‐based approaches. The method warrants extended clinical trials.