bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Considerations for the analysis of longitudinal electronic health records linked to claims data to study the effectiveness and safety of drugs
Authors: Lin KJ , Schneeweiss S
Published: February 2016

Health insurance claims and electronic health records (EHR) databases have been considered the preferred data sources with which to study drug safety and effectiveness in routine care. Linking claims data to EHR allows researchers to leverage the complementary advantages of each data source to enhance study validity. We propose a framework to evaluate the need for supplementing claims data with EHR and vice versa to optimize outcome ascertainment, exposure assessment, and confounding adjustment.
Cavitand‐Based Polyphenols as Highly Reactive Organocatalysts for the Coupling of Carbon Dioxide and Oxiranes
Authors: Martínez‐Rodríguez Luis , Otalora Garmilla Javier , Kleij Arjan W.
Published: February 2016

A variety of cavitand‐based polyphenols was prepared from cheap and accessible aldehyde and resorcinol/pyrogallol reagents to give the respective resorcin[4]‐ or pyrogallol[4]arenes. The preorganization of the phenolic units allows intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen bond (HB) networks that affect both the reactivity and stability of these HB‐donor catalysts. Unexpectedly, we found that the resorcin[4]arenes show cooperative catalysis behavior compared to the parent resorcinol in the catalytic coupling of epoxides and CO2 with a significantly higher turnover. At elevated reaction temperatures, the resorcin[4]arene‐based catalyst 3 d displays the best catalytic performance with very high turnover numbers and frequencies, combining increased reactivity and stability compared to pyrogallol, and an ample substrate scope. This type of polyphenol structure thus illustrates the importance of a new, highly competitive organocatalyst design to devise sustainable CO2 conversion processes.
Dust Solitons in Reactive Plasma of a Spherical Glow Discharge
Authors: Sukhinin G. I. , Sakhapov S. Z. , Fedoseev A. V. , Novopashin S. A.
Published: February 2016

The formation of clouds of dust particles at the edge of striations of a spherical discharge in ethanol was observed. Periodically, a dust cloud experienced sudden explosion, split into two clouds, which moved in the opposite directions (to the centre of spherical discharge and to the chamber wall). The velocity of the dust cloud was the exponentially decaying function of time with a surprisingly small damping rate as in the case of dissipative dust solitory waves. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Retain low‐income, first‐generation students by making good habits mandatory
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: February 2016

Mars Hill University in North Carolina was created to provide educational opportunities for students who otherwise wouldn't have them. That was in 1856, and the institution has undergone a few name changes since then.
Lipoblastoma presenting as a rapidly growing paravertebral mass and masquerading as myxoid liposarcoma on fine needle aspiration cytology
Authors: Kalaivani Selvi Subramanian , Pradhan Prita , Rajesh Nachiappa Ganesh , Gochhait Debasis , Barwad Adarsh
Published: February 2016

Lipoblastoma is a peculiar variant of lipoma occurring almost exclusively during infancy and early childhood. It is found most commonly in the upper and lower extremities; less common sites are head and neck, trunk, mediastinum, and retroperitoneum. It has a greater predilection for boys and commonly presents as a slowly growing soft‐tissue mass. We present here the case of a five‐ year old female child with a lipoblastoma presenting as a paravertebral mass in the right lower back which progressed rapidly in the previous six months causing diagnostic difficulty on fine needle aspiration cytology. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:426–429. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An LC‐MS/MS methodological approach to the analysis of hair for amphetamine‐type‐stimulant (ATS) drugs, including selected synthetic cathinones and piperazines
Authors: Lendoiro Elena , Jiménez‐Morigosa Cristian , Cruz Angelines , Páramo Mario , López‐Rivadulla Manuel , de Castro Ana
Published: February 2016

Amphetamine‐type‐stimulants (ATS) are the second most commonly used group of illicit drugs worldwide. However, in the last few years, new psychoactive substances (NPS) with stimulant effects have appeared on the illegal market, which are not detected with traditional analytical methods. A liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method for the determination in hair of classic ATS (amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine and 3,4‐methylenedioxyamphetamine), synthetic cathinones (methylone, methedrone, mephedrone, 3,4‐methylenedioxypyrovalerone, (±)‐4‐fluoromethamphetamine and 4‐fluoromethcathinone), synthetic piperazines (1‐(3‐chlorophenyl)piperazine (mCPP) and 3‐trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine), and medicines (trazodone and phenazone) that produce mCPP as a metabolite, was developed and fully validated. Hair samples (30 mg) were incubated in acid methanol (0.1% HCl) and extracted by a mixed‐mode solid‐phase extraction. Chromatographic separation was performed using an Atlantis T3 (3 µm; 2.1x50 mm) analytical column, and ammonium formate 2 mM pH 3 and acetonitrile as mobile phase. The method was validated, including selectivity (no endogenous or exogenous interferences); linearity (2–20 to 2000–4000 pg/mg); limits of detection (0.2 to 5 pg/mg) and quantification (2 to 20 pg/mg); accuracy (93.4–109.4% of target concentration); imprecision (%CV<11.6%); extraction recovery (40.5–92.1%); matrix effect (24.1–227.2%); process efficiency (9.8–165.7%) and stability in the autosampler (‐14.5% of loss). The method was applied to the analysis of 16 hair samples. Amphetamine (n=7; 69.1–777.1 pg/mg), methamphetamine (n=3; 120.4–1,538.9 pg/mg), MDA (n=2; 27.8–135.4 pg/mg) and MDMA (n=8; 73.4–3,654.5 pg/mg) were found. Moreover, 10 positive results for mCPP were detected (341.7–>4000 pg/mg); however, in all cases trazodone identification (2085.3–>4000 pg/mg) probed a licit origin of mCPP. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Foxa1 is essential for mammary duct formation
Authors: Liu Yi , Zhao Yongbing , Skerry Benjamin , Wang Xiao , Colin‐Cassin Christelle , Radisky Derek C. , Kaestner Klaus H. , Li Zhaoyu
Published: February 2016

The transcription factor forkhead box protein A1 (FOXA1) plays a critical role in the proliferation of human breast cancer cells, particularly estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)‐positive luminal breast cancer cells. However, genetic studies of the requirement for Foxa1 in mammary tumor formation in mice have been hampered by the lack of a conditional gene ablation. We examined three mouse models of mammary‐specific ablation of Foxa1 in ductal epithelial cells to identify the best system for complete and mammary‐specific ablation of Foxa1. We found that MMTV‐Cre and MMTV‐rtTA;Tet‐On‐Cre led to partial deletion of Foxa1 and attenuated mammary duct formation, whereas Krt14‐Cre led to complete ablation of Foxa1 and abolished mammary duct formation, in Foxa1loxP/loxP mice. These results demonstrate that Foxa1 is essential for mammary duct formation, and reveal a series of mouse models in which mammary expression of Foxa1 can be attenuated or completely blocked. Our study also suggests a potentially powerful model for complete ablation of Foxa1 in mammary epithelial cells using Krt14‐driven Cre expression in an inducible manner, such as Krt14‐rtTA;Tet‐On‐Cre. This model system will facilitate further in vivo functional studies of Foxa1 or other factors in mammary gland development and tumor formation and progression. genesis 54:277–285, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Birth dates vary with fixed and dynamic maternal features, offspring sex, and extreme climatic events in a high‐latitude marine mammal
Authors: Rotella Jay J. , Paterson J. Terrill , Garrott Robert A.
Published: February 2016

Reproductive synchrony tends to be widespread in diverse species of plants and animals, especially at higher latitudes. However, for long‐lived mammals, birth dates for different individuals can vary by weeks within a population. A mother's birth timing can reveal useful information about her reproductive abilities and have important implications for the characteristics and survival of her offspring. Despite this, our current knowledge of factors associated with variation in birth dates is modest. We used long‐term data for known‐age Weddell seals in Antarctica and a Bayesian hierarchical modeling approach to study how birth dates varied with fixed and temporally varying features of mothers, whether sex allocation varied with birth timing, and annual variation in birth dates. Based on birth dates for 4465 pups born to 1117 mothers aged 4–31, we found that diverse features of mothers were associated with variation in birth dates. Maternal identity was the most important among these. Unlike most studies, which have reported that birth dates occur earlier as mothers age, we found that birth dates progressively occurred earlier in the year in the early part of a mother's reproductive life, reached a minimum at age 16, and then occurred later at later ages. Birth dates were positively related to a mother's age at primiparity and recent reproductive effort. The earliest birth dates were for pups born to prime‐age mothers who did not reproduce in the previous year but began reproduction early in life, suggesting that females in the best condition gave birth earlier than others. If so, our finding that male pups tended to be born earlier than females provides support for the Trivers–Willard sex‐allocation model. Average birth dates were quite consistent across years, except for 2 years that had notable delays and occurred during the period when massive icebergs were present and disrupted the ecosystem.
Functional homogenization of flower visitor communities with urbanization
Authors: Deguines Nicolas , Julliard Romain , de Flores Mathieu , Fontaine Colin
Published: February 2016

Land‐use intensification and resulting habitat loss are put forward as the main causes of flower visitor decline. However, the impact of urbanization, the prime driver of land‐use intensification in Europe, is poorly studied. In particular, our understanding of whether and how it affects the composition and functioning of flower visitor assemblages is scant, yet required to cope with increasing urbanization worldwide. Here, we use a nation‐wide dataset of plant‐flower visitor (Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera) interactions sampled by citizen scientists following a standardized protocol to assess macroecological changes in richness and composition of flower visitor communities with urbanization. We measured the community composition by quantifying the relative occurrence of generalist and specialist flower visitors based on their specialisation on flowering plant families. We show that urbanization is associated with reduced flower visitor richness and a shift in community composition toward generalist insects, indicating a modification of the functional composition of communities. These results suggest that urbanization affects not only the richness of flower visitor assemblages but may also cause their large‐scale functional homogenization. Future research should focus on designing measures to reconcile urban development with flower visitor conservation.
Docosahexaenoic acid supports feto‐placental growth and protects cardiovascular and cognitive function: A mini review
Authors: Duttaroy Asim K.
Published: February 2016

Docosahexaenoic acid, 22:6n‐3 (DHA), one of the important members of the n‐3 fatty acids, positively affects overall human health. DHA is now regarded as an important dietary ingredient required throughout the life cycle including from early placentation, feto‐placental growth and development to the maintenance of general health. Although DHA can be synthesized in the body from its precursor, alpha linolenic acid, 18:3n‐3 (ALA), but the main effective dietary source of DHA is seafoods. The beneficial effects of DHA on human health are known for long time; only recently the mechanisms of action of DHA and its derivatives at both cellular and molecular levels are emerging. This mini review focuses on the roles of DHA and its metabolites on early placentation, feto‐placental growth and development, cardiovascular disease, immune and cognitive disorders.

Practical applications: This review describes the importance of docosahexaenoic acid in human health. This mini review focuses on the roles of DHA on early placentation, feto‐placental growth and development, cardiovascular disease, immune and cognitive disorders.

Docosahexaenoic acid affects feto‐placental growth and development, brain structure and function, cardiovascular and immune systems. DHA is now regarded as an important dietary ingredient required in early placentation, feto‐placental growth, and development to the maintenance of general health. DHA can be synthesized in the body from its precursor, alpha linolenic acid, 18:3n‐3 but the main effective dietary source of DHA is seafoods. An optimal intake of DHA is especially essential for pregnant mothers to ensure adequate feto‐placental growth and for fetal brain structure and function. DHA is essential for the adult brain, where it impacts the brain's structure and signaling systems. DHA modulates cardiovascular and immune systems via different structural and signaling mechanisms.
Spiroketal Formation by Cascade Oxidative Dearomatization: An Ap­proach to the Phorbaketal Skeleton
Authors: Shirley Harry J. , Bray Christopher D.
Published: February 2016

Addition of PhI(OAc)2 to phenols that have meta‐linked hydroxy ketones results in cascade oxidative dearomatizing spirocyclization to give tricyclic spiroketals. This framework is found in the phorbaketal family of natural products.
Direct Synthesis of Noroxymorph­one from Thebaine: Unusual CeIV Oxidation of a Methoxydiene‐Iron Complex to an Enone‐γ‐Nitrate
Authors: Machara Ales , Endoma‐Arias Mary Ann A. , Císařová Ivana , Cox D. Phillip , Hudlicky Tomas
Published: February 2016

Noroxymorphone was prepared from thebaine in seven operations. The key steps involved the successive N‐ and O‐demethylations of an iron tricarbonyl complex of thebaine followed by the unusual ceric ammonium nitrate oxidation of the methoxydiene moiety to the corresponding enone‐γ‐nitrate during the decomplexation of the iron tricarbonyl functionality.
Does catastrophic thinking enhance oesophageal pain sensitivity? An experimental investigation
Authors: Martel M.O. , Olesen A.E. , Jørgensen D. , Nielsen L.M. , Brock C. , Edwards R.R. , Drewes A.M.
Published: February 2016

Background

Gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a major health problem that is frequently accompanied by debilitating oesophageal pain symptoms.

Objectives

The first objective of the study was to examine the association between catastrophizing and oesophageal pain sensitivity. The second objective was to examine whether catastrophizing was associated with the magnitude of acid‐induced oesophageal sensitization.

Methods

Twenty‐five healthy volunteers (median age: 24.0 years; range: 22–31) were recruited and were asked to complete the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). During two subsequent study visits, mechanical, thermal, and electrical pain sensitivity in the oesophagus was assessed before and after inducing oesophageal sensitization using a 30‐min intraluminal oesophageal acid perfusion procedure.

Results

Analyses were conducted based on data averaged across the two study visits. At baseline, catastrophizing was significantly associated with mechanical (r = −0.42, p < 0.05) and electrical (r = −0.60, p < 0.01) pain thresholds. After acid perfusion, catastrophizing was also significantly associated with mechanical (r = −0.58, p < 0.01) and electrical (r = −0.50, p < 0.05) pain thresholds. Catastrophizing was not significantly associated with thermal pain thresholds. Subsequent analyses revealed that catastrophizing was not significantly associated with the magnitude of acid‐induced oesophageal sensitization.

Conclusion

Taken together, findings from the present study suggest that catastrophic thinking exerts an influence on oesophageal pain sensitivity, but not necessarily on the magnitude of acid‐induced oesophageal sensitization.

What does this study add?

Catastrophizing is associated with heightened pain sensitivity in the oesophagus. This was substantiated by assessing responses to noxious stimulation of the oesophagus using an experimental paradigm mimicking features and symptoms experienced by patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).
Effects of the noncompetitive N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor antagonists ketamine and MK‐801 on pain‐stimulated and pain‐depressed behaviour in rats
Authors: Hillhouse T.M. , Negus S.S.
Published: February 2016

Background

Pain is a significant public health concern, and current pharmacological treatments have problematic side effects and limited effectiveness. N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonists have emerged as one class of candidate treatments for pain because of the significant contribution of glutamate signalling in nociceptive processing.

Methods

This study compared effects of the NMDA receptor antagonists ketamine and MK‐801 in assays of pain‐stimulated and pain‐depressed behaviour in rats. The nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug ketoprofen was examined for comparison as a positive control. Intraperitoneal injection of dilute acid served as an acute visceral noxious stimulus to stimulate a stretching response or depress intracranial self‐stimulation (ICSS) in male Sprague–Dawley rats.

Results

Ketamine (1.0–10.0 mg/kg) blocked acid‐stimulated stretching but failed to block acid‐induced depression of ICSS, whereas MK‐801 (0.01–0.1 mg/kg) blocked both acid‐stimulated stretching and acid‐induced depression of ICSS. These doses of ketamine and MK‐801 did not alter control ICSS in the absence of the noxious stimulus; however, higher doses of ketamine (10 mg/kg) and MK‐801 (0.32 mg/kg) depressed all behaviour. Ketoprofen (1.0 mg/kg) blocked both acid‐induced stimulation of stretching and depression of ICSS without altering control ICSS.

Conclusion

These results support further consideration of NMDA receptor antagonists as analgesics; however, some NMDA receptor antagonists are more efficacious at attenuating pain‐depressed behaviours.

What does this study add

NMDA receptor antagonists produce dissociable effects on pain‐depressed behaviour.

Provides evidence that pain‐depressed behaviours should be considered and evaluated when determining the antinociceptive effects of NMDA receptor antagonists.
The impact of individual cytochrome P450 enzymes on oxidative metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene in human livers
Authors: Šulc Miroslav , Indra Radek , Moserová Michaela , Schmeiser Heinz H. , Frei Eva , Arlt Volker M. , Stiborová Marie
Published: February 2016

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a human carcinogen that covalently binds to DNA after metabolic activation by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. In this study human recombinant CYPs (CYP1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2E1, 3A4, and 3A5) were expressed in Supersomes™ together with their reductases, NADPH:CYP oxidoreductase, epoxide hydrolase and cytochrome b5, to investigate BaP metabolism. Human CYPs produced up to eight BaP metabolites. Among these, BaP‐7,8‐dihydrodiol and BaP‐9‐ol, which are intermediates in BaP‐derived DNA adduct formation, were mainly formed by CYP1A1 and 1B1, and to a lesser extent by CYP2C19 and 3A4. BaP‐3‐ol, a metabolite that is a ‘detoxified’ product of BaP, was formed by most human CYPs tested, although CYP1A1 and 1B1 produced it the most efficiently. Based on the amounts of the individual BaP metabolites formed by these CYPs and their expression levels in human liver, we determined their contributions to BaP metabolite formation in this organ. Our results indicate that hepatic CYP1A1 and CYP2C19 are most important in the activation of BaP to BaP‐7,8‐dihydrodiol, whereas CYP2C19, 3A4, and 1A1 are the major enzymes contributing to the formation of BaP‐9‐ol. BaP‐3‐ol is predominantly formed by hepatic CYP3A4, while CYP1A1 and 2C19 are less active. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 57:229–235, 2016. © 2016 The Authors. Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Permittivity‐Based Microwave Absorption Characteristics of Dongsheng Lignite during Pyrolysis
Authors: Wang Qing‐dong , Wang Guang‐hua , Chen Biao , Wang Shi‐jie
Published: February 2016

The complex relative permittivity of Chinese Dongsheng lignite coal was acquired by testing the parameters S11 and ψS11 and adopting an artificial neural network model for calculation. The curves of relative dielectric coefficient, which vary with the temperature in the pyrolytic reaction process, were used to reflect the microwave absorption characteristics of Dongsheng lignite coal. By combining and analyzing the thermogravimetric curves, it was determined that, with the increasing pyrolysis temperature, the value of the dielectric coefficient ɛ′,ɛ′′ changes for Dongsheng lignite can be separated into three distinct stages: room temperature to 400 °C, 400–700 °C, and 700–800 °C. The microwave absorption ability for lignite enhances quickly in the range of 400–700 °C and reaches a peak value at 700 °C, which has important implications for lignite pyrolysis.
Release of dissolved organic matter from melting ice
Authors: Xue Shuang , Chen Jing , Tie Mei
Published: February 2016

The elution behavior of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from melting ice, as well as the effect of freezing and thawing temperatures on the elution behavior of DOM from melting ice, was evaluated. DOM was fractionated using XAD resins into five fractions: hydrophobic acid (HPO‐A), hydrophobic neutral (HPO‐N), transphilic acid (TPI‐A), transphilic neutral (TPI‐N) and hydrophilic fraction (HPI). The bulk DOM and its five fractions, as well as ultraviolet (UV)‐absorbing substances, trihalomethane (THM) and haloacetronitrile (HAA) precursors, and fluorescent materials in DOM exhibited a first flush behavior during ice melting, i.e., preferential elution with the early melt water fractions; the first flush behavior of DOM was stronger at higher freezing temperatures and/or at lower thawing temperatures, whereas DOM was eluted from the ice more uniformly at lower freezing temperatures and/or at higher thawing temperatures. The higher dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration in ice was, the higher degree of enrichments of DOM within the first melt water fraction was. HAA precursors were more strongly enriched in the early melt water samples than THM precursors during ice melting. The fluorescent materials were released more uniformly over the entire melt period, as compared with the bulk DOM. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 1458–1467, 2016
Interwoven random unitary beamforming for MIMO broadcast channels
Authors: Sattarzadeh Sayed Ata , Olfat Ali
Published: February 2016

We consider a multiple‐input multiple‐output broadcast channel where the transmitter performs unitary beamforming using the channel state information obtained through limited feedback from the receivers. A new feedback structure is proposed which considerably boosts the performance of the system compared with the conventional beamforming techniques like zero forcing beamforming or per user unitary and rate control. Because of the structure of the proposed feedback design, the new scheme is named interwoven random unitary beamforming or IRUB. In IRUB, the multiple‐input multiple‐output channel is in fact continuously decomposed into M orthogonal channels where the signal transmissions over them have timing offsets. User scheduling and beamforming in IRUB is very simple. User selection in IRUB is accomplished only based on the SINR feedbacks, and in each scheduling phase, only the scheduled users are inquired to send their channel direction information to the transmitter. Thereby, the feedback load of the system is considerably reduced. We provide an analysis for the achievable rate and its scaling law for the proposed scheme. Also, a 1‐bit feedback strategy is applied over IRUB to further reduce the total feedback load of the system. We further generalize IRUB for multi antenna receivers. The effectiveness of the IRUB method is validated through simulations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the persistence of mouse urine odour to human observers: a review
Authors: Kwak Jae , Jackson Marcus , Faranda Adam , Osada Kazumi , Tashiro Takuya , Mori Kenji , Quan Ying , Voznessenskaya Vera V. , Preti George
Published: February 2016

To the human nose, mice produce unique, persistent and potent odour which is widely assumed to be derived mainly from their urine. In this review, we discuss why the mouse odour is so potent and long‐lasting to the human nose. Sensory and chemical analyses have revealed that 2‐sec‐butyl‐4,5‐dihydrothiazole (SBT) was the major mousy odorant and present almost exclusively in male urine. It is not depleted from urine even after repeated headspace or solvent extractions since its majority is tightly bound to the major urinary proteins (MUPs) in male mouse urine that serve to control the release. The urinary concentration of SBT is estimated to be around several hundred parts per million when the binding of SBT to MUPs is considered, while its human olfactory threshold is estimated to be approximately at the parts per billion level. Therefore, the strikingly persistent quality of mouse urine odour, mainly contributed by SBT, is explained by its low human olfactory threshold, its presence in urine at a high concentration, and its delayed release by MUPs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Oldest Evidence for Human Habitation in the Baltic Region: A Preliminary Report on the Chronology and Archaeological Context of the Riadino‐5 Archaeological Site
Authors: Druzhinina Olga , Molodkov Anatoly , Bitinas Albertas , Bregman Enno
Published: February 2016

We report the discovery of the oldest evidence for human presence in the southeastern Baltic Sea region. This paper presents an overview of the Riadino‐5 archaeological site in the lower course of the Šešupė River (Kaliningrad Oblast of Russia) and direct infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) ages for the culture‐bearing sediments from the site, which place the time of occupation well within the range of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 (ca 57–26 ka). Luminescence ages were determined using the multiple‐aliquot additive‐dose technique, applied to sand‐sized potassium feldspar. Four of the six IRSL samples from the site come from the cultural deposits, while two are from the surrounding sediments. The luminescence age of the deposits implies that human occupation of the southeastern Baltic Sea region occurred at least between 50 ka and 44 ka during the first half of MIS 3 and the Middle‐Upper Paleolithic.
A longer duration of estrogen deficiency increases fibrosis risk among postmenopausal women with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Klair Jagpal Singh , Yang Ju Dong , Abdelmalek Manal F. , Guy Cynthia D. , Gill Ryan M. , Yates Katherine , Unalp‐Arida Aynur , Lavine Joel E. , Clark Jeanne M. , Diehl Anna Mae , Suzuki Ayako ,   for the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network
Published: February 2016

Postmenopausal women with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis are at an increased risk of hepatic fibrosis compared with premenopausal women. Whether duration of estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal state dictates an individual's fibrosis risk remains uninvestigated. We assessed the associations of age at menopause and time from menopause with fibrosis severity in postmenopausal women with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Data from 488 postmenopausal women with (1) histologic diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and (2) self‐reported information on age at menopause were analyzed. The associations of premature menopause (age at menopause of <40 years) and time from menopause (age at study enrollment ‐ age at menopause, years) with fibrosis severity (stage 0‐4) were assessed using multiple ordinal logistic regression models with and without adjusting for clinical confounders. Among the participants (age at menopause 43.7 ± 8.6 years), women with premature menopause (29.3%) were younger at enrollment (P < 0.001) and used hormone replacement therapy more often (P < 0.003). After adjusting for age at enrollment, race, waist circumference standardized by body mass index, current smoking, current alcohol use, hypertension, diabetes/impaired fasting glucose, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, and hormone replacement therapy, premature menopause was associated with an increased likelihood of having more severe fibrosis (adjusted cumulative odds ratio = 1.9, 95% confidence interval 1.3‐2.7, P = 0.001), while time from menopause was directly associated with an increased likelihood of having more severe fibrosis (adjusted cumulative odds ratio for 5‐year unit = 1.2, 95% confidence interval 1.1‐1.3, P = 0.002). Conclusion: Duration of estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal state confers fibrosis risk among postmenopausal women with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. (Hepatology 2016;64:85–91)
Stereoselective Total Synthesis of Pectinolides A, C, and H
Authors: Ghogare Ramesh Saudagar , Wadavrao Sachin Bibishan , Narsaiah Akkirala Venkat
Published: February 2016

A simple and straightforward stereoselective total synthesis of Pectinolides A, C, and H is described. The synthesis has been started from commercially available (+)‐diethyl l‐tartrate and involves Ohira–Bestmann reaction, Corey–Bakshi–Shibata (CBS) reduction, and Still–Gennari olefination as key steps.
Does elevated peripheral benzodiazepine receptor gene expression relate to cognitive deficits in methamphetamine dependence?
Authors: Veerasakul Siriluk , Thanoi Samur , Watiktinkorn Paritat , Reynolds Gavin P. , Nudmamud‐Thanoi Sutisa
Published: February 2016

Background

Methamphetamine (METH) is a neurotoxin and psychostimulant drug with potent effects on the central nervous system. With chronic METH administration, an inflammatory glial response is observed as a result of METH‐induced neurotoxicity. One inflammatory marker is the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR).

Objective

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether PBR expression is changed in METH dependence and whether the changes relate to cognitive deficits.

Methods

Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction was used to investigate PBR gene expression in blood samples taken from 14 male subjects with METH dependence and 14 controls.

Results

The results showed a significant increase in PBR gene expression in METH dependence, suggestive of a systemic inflammatory response. The increase remained elevated for more than 1 year following abstinence from METH use, but eventually returned to normal. Subjects with elevated PBR also exhibited a deficit in one domain of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test.

Conclusion

The results suggest that systemic inflammatory effects can be associated with chronic METH abuse, and this may relate to the cognitive deficits seen in METH dependence. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Factors affecting channel infiltration of floodwaters in Nahal Zin basin, Negev desert, Israel
Authors: Schwartz Uri
Published: February 2016

Although floods in arid environments have been documented, considerable uncertainties still exist as to the floodwater and in‐channel infiltration relationships. In desert alluvial channels, the prime cause of flood discharge attenuation is water loss by infiltration into the alluvium. The present study documents flows in Nahal Zin, Israel, their infiltration into the channel bed, and the resultant change in the alluvium moisture content. The study uses a systematic combination of two experimental scales, the cross‐section scale and the reach scale. Direct measurements of moisture distribution in the active channel during floods were made using time domain reflectometry. Twelve flow events were recorded. Flow patterns and their respective alluvium moisture content were analysed. A trench was dug in the alluvium for the study of alluvium properties and time domain reflectometry sensor installation. The alluvium was characterized in terms of size distribution and sediment stratigraphy, structure, and composition. Two main alluvial structures (closed and open) affected the advance of the wetting front and water losses. Alluvial units with an open structure (clast‐supported) reached their maximum moisture content faster than closed structure units (matrix‐supported). Small‐sized particles and matrix‐supported layers reduced infiltration rate. The measured velocities of the wetting front were 0.33 and 2.88 m h−1 for small and large floods respectively. The wetting front moved downward. Lateral movement was negligible. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A modified multiple tension upward infiltration method to estimate the soil hydraulic properties
Authors: Moret‐Fernández D. , Latorre B. , Peña‐Sancho C. , Ghezzehei T.A.
Published: February 2016

Determination of saturated hydraulic conductivity, Ks, and the shape parameters α and n of the water retention curve, θ(h), is of paramount importance to characterize the water flow in the vadose zone. This work presents a modified upward infiltration method to estimate Ks, α and n from numerical inverse analysis of the measured cumulative upward infiltration (CUI) at multiple constant tension lower boundary conditions. Using the HYDRUS‐2D software, a theoretical analysis on a synthetic loam soil under different soil tensions (0, 0–10, 0–50 and 0–100 cm), with and without an overpressure step of 10 cm high from the top boundary condition at the end of the upward infiltration process, was performed to check the uniqueness and the accuracy of the solutions. Using a tension sorptivimeter device, the method was validated in a laboratory experiment on five different soils: a coarse and a fine sand, and a 1‐mm sieved loam, clay loam and silt‐gypseous soils. The estimated α and n parameters were compared to the corresponding values measured with the TDR‐pressure cell method. The theoretical analysis demonstrates that Ks and θ(h) can be simultaneously estimated from measured upward cumulative infiltration when high (>50 cm) soil tensions are initially applied at the lower boundary. Alternatively, satisfactory results can be also obtained when medium tensions (<50 cm) and the Ks calculated from the overpressure step at the end of the experiment are considered. A consistent relationship was found between the α (R2 = 0.86, p < 0.02) and n (R2 = 0.97, p < 0.001) values measured with the TDR‐pressure cell and the corresponding values estimated with the tension sorptivimeter. The error between the α (in logarithm scale) and n values estimated with the inverse analysis and the corresponding values measured with pressure chamber were 3.1 and 6.1%, respectively. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risk of prostate cancer in low‐dose aspirin users: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lapi F. , Levi M. , Simonetti M. , Cancian M. , Parretti D. , Cricelli I. , Sobrero A. , Cricelli C.
Published: February 2016

A growing body of evidence indicates that use of low‐dose aspirin (LDA) reduces the risk of certain adenocarcinomas. While there are several and consistent findings on the protective effect of LDA on colorectal and other cancers, few and conflicting evidence is available on prostate cancer (PCa). The aim of this study was to assess whether LDA reduces the incidence rate of PCa. We conducted a nationwide, population‐based, retrospective cohort study by using Health Search IMS Health Longitudinal Patient Database (HSD). Patients with ischemic cardio‐ or cerebrovascular disease (index date) were identified. Time‐dependent multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were adopted to estimate Hazard Ratios (HRs) and related 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of PCa associated with use of LDA. The exposure was lagged by one year to consider the latency of drug effect on the outcome onset. Within a cohort 13,453 patients, the overall incidence rate of PCa was 2.5 per 1,000 person‐years. Use of LDA was associated with a decreased incidence rate of PCa (HR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.48–0.86), which was primarily driven by a frequency of LDA use equal to or higher than twice per week (HR = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.43–0.83). Such an association was more pronounced (HR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.21–0.91) when LDA was used for five or more years. Our findings indicate that LDA use might be associated with a reduction of risk of PCa in patients with cardio‐ or cerebrovascular diseases.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and subsequent risk of solid cancer—A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Behrens Ida , Basit Saima , Jensen Allan , Lykke Jacob Alexander , Nielsen Lars Peter , Wohlfahrt Jan , Kjær Susanne K. , Melbye Mads , Boyd Heather Allison
Published: February 2016

Women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) have higher levels of antiangiogenic growth factors during pregnancy than women with normotensive pregnancies. Since angiogenesis is necessary for solid cancer growth and spread, we hypothesized that women with a history of HDP might have a reduced risk of solid cancers (cancers other than lymphomas, hematologic cancers and nonmelanoma skin cancers) later in life. In a register‐based cohort study of 1.08 million women giving birth at least once between 1978 and 2011, we used Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) comparing solid cancer rates for women with and without a history of HDP. In this cohort, 68,236 women (6.3%) had ≥1 pregnancy complicated by HDP and 42,236 women (3.9%) developed solid tumors during follow‐up. A history of HDP was not associated with a clinically meaningful reduction in the overall rate of solid cancer (HR 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.92–1.00), regardless of HDP severity or time since HDP, nor was there a general tendency toward reduced solid cancer rates across organ sites. A history of HDP was only significantly associated with decreased rates of breast and lung cancers and with increased rates of endometrial and urinary tract cancers. Overall, our results do not support the hypothesis that women with a history of HDP have a reduced overall risk of solid cancer due to a persistent post‐HDP antiangiogenic state or an innate tendency toward antiangiogenesis. Observed associations with specific cancers may instead be due to other pregnancy‐related mechanisms or to residual/unmeasured confounding.
All‐carbon N‐heterocyclic Carbene‐catalyzed (3+2) Annulation using Donor‐Acceptor Cyclopropanes
Authors: Candish Lisa , Gillard Rachel M. , Fernando Jared E. M. , Levens Alison , Lupton David W.
Published: February 2016

Donor‐acceptor cyclopropanes are known to serve as dipole precursors capable of engaging in (3+2) annulations with electron‐deficient π‐systems. In 2013, the reaction of donor‐acceptor cyclopropanes with α,β‐unsaturated acyl fluorides in an all‐carbon (3+2) annulation was discovered. The reaction proceeds in good yields using the IMes NHC to provide diastereomerically pure β‐lactone‐fused cyclopentanes bearing four contiguous stereocentres. Subsequent studies demonstrated that N‐t‐butyl substituted homochiral morpholinone NHCs allowed the reaction to be achieved in up to 98 % ee. In this account, a background to this reaction is introduced, along with a complete account of the strengths, limitations and challenges encountered while developing this chemistry.
Hadwiger's Conjecture for ℓ‐Link Graphs
Authors: Jia Bin , Wood David R.
Published: February 2016

In this article, we define and study a new family of graphs that generalizes the notions of line graphs and path graphs. Let G be a graph with no loops but possibly with parallel edges. An ℓ‐link of G is a walk of G of length in which consecutive edges are different. The ℓ‐link graph of G is the graph with vertices the ℓ‐links of G, such that two vertices are joined by edges in if they correspond to two subsequences of each of μ ‐links of G. By revealing a recursive structure, we bound from above the chromatic number of ℓ‐link graphs. As a corollary, for a given graph G and large enough ℓ, is 3‐colorable. By investigating the shunting of ℓ‐links in G, we show that the Hadwiger number of a nonempty is greater or equal to that of G. Hadwiger's conjecture states that the Hadwiger number of a graph is at least the chromatic number of that graph. The conjecture has been proved by Reed and Seymour (Eur J Combin 25(6) (2004), 873–876) for line graphs, and hence 1‐link graphs. We prove the conjecture for a wide class of ℓ‐link graphs.
Modular diversification of the locomotor system in damselfishes (Pomacentridae)
Authors: Aguilar‐Medrano Rosalía , Frédérich Bruno , Barber Paul H.
Published: February 2016

As fish move and interact with their aquatic environment by swimming, small morphological variations of the locomotor system can have profound implications on fitness. Damselfishes (Pomacentridae) have inhabited coral reef ecosystems for more than 50 million years. As such, habitat preferences and behavior could significantly constrain the morphology and evolvability of the locomotor system. To test this hypothesis, we used phylogenetic comparative methods on morphometric, ecological and behavioral data. While body elongation represented the primary source of variation in the locomotor system of damselfishes, results also showed a diverse suite of morphological combinations between extreme morphologies. Results show clear associations between behavior, habitat preferences, and morphology, suggesting ecological constraints on shape diversification of the locomotor system. In addition, results indicate that the three modules of the locomotor system are weakly correlated, resulting in versatile and independent characters. These results suggest that Pomacentridae is shape may result from the interaction between (1) integrated parts of morphological variation that maintain overall swimming ability and (2) relatively independent parts of the morphology that facilitate adaptation and diversification. J. Morphol. 277:603–614, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Breath‐hold MR measurements of fat fraction, T1, and T2* of water and fat in vertebral bone marrow
Authors: Le Ster Caroline , Gambarota Giulio , Lasbleiz Jérémy , Guillin Raphaël , Decaux Olivier , Saint‐Jalmes Hervé
Published: February 2016

Purpose

To assess the feasibility of measuring the fat fraction, T1 and T2* relaxation times of water and fat signals in vertebral bone marrow using breath‐hold magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gradient echo images of the spine.

Materials and Methods

MRI experiments were performed at 1.5T on eight healthy volunteers (35.1 ± 15.7 years, five men and three women) using two sagittal four‐echo 3D gradient echo volumetric interpolated breath‐hold examination (VIBE Dixon) sequences acquired at two different flip angles (5° and 15°). The water/fat decomposition was performed in the vertebral bodies of L1 to L5 by fitting the signal to a function that depends on the echo time and the flip angle to calculate the fat fraction (FF) and T1 and T2* relaxation times of water and fat signals. Repeatability was assessed by scanning one volunteer six times.

Results

The mean fat fraction over L1 to L5 was 33 ± 8%. The mean T1 and T2* of water and fat signals were respectively T1w = 701 ± 151 msec, T2*w = 13.7 ± 2.9 msec, T1f = 334 ± 113 msec, and T2*f = 11.4 ± 2.7 msec. When considering each vertebra separately, the fat fraction increased from L1 to L5 and the T1w decreased from L1 to L5. The mean coefficients of variation obtained from the repeatability study were 8% (FF), 11% (T1w), 17% (T1f), 8% (T2*w), and 27% (T2*f).

Conclusion

The method introduced in the current study allows for the measurement of the fat fraction and water and fat relaxation times, with a total acquisition time of less than 40 seconds. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:549–555.
Trends in upper tropospheric water vapour over the Tibetan Plateau from remote sensing
Authors: You Qinglong , Jiang Zhihong , Bao Yansong , Pepin Nick , Fraedrich Klaus
Published: February 2016

Water vapour in the upper troposphere is the dominant greenhouse gas and provides a large feedback mechanism for amplifying climate change. However, lack of high elevation observations has limited our understating of its long term variability. In this study, the homogenized time series of the upper tropospheric water vapour (UTWV) brightness temperature (BT) over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) during 1979–2012, developed through inter‐satellite calibration of high‐resolution infrared radiation sounder (HIRS) channel 12 clear‐sky measurements, is examined. The HIRS UTWV BT above the TP is increasing (drying), with an annual rate of 0.6 K decade−1 (p < 0.05), with the largest increases above the western TP. On a seasonal basis, HIRS UTWV BT shows only slight changes during 1979–1995, but rapidly increases from 1996 to 2012. Thus, drying is concentrated during recent decades, consistent with reduced water vapour flux and relative humidity. The time series of HIRS UTWV BT is correlated with a Mongolian geopotential height index at 400 hPa and the South Asian summer monsoon index derived from National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis. Thus atmospheric circulation anomalies are a control of changes in UTWV. In summer, increasing horizontal divergence at 400 hPa has suppressed the upward motion of air from the lower to the upper troposphere, reducing conveyance of sensible heat to the upper troposphere and contributing to the drying observed.
Variation in lipid mediator and cytokine levels during mouse femur fracture healing
Authors: Lin Hsuan‐Ni , Cottrell Jessica , O'Connor J. Patrick
Published: February 2016

Fracture healing is regulated by a variety of inflammatory mediators and growth factors which act over time to regenerate the injured tissue. This study used a mouse femur fracture model to quantify the temporal expression pattern of lipid mediators, cytokines, and related mRNAs during healing. Cyclooxygenase (COX‐1 and COX‐2) and 5‐lipoxygenase (5‐LO) derived lipid mediators, cytokines, and mRNA levels were quantified using mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS), bead‐based multiplex assays (xMAP), and quantitative PCR of cDNA (RTqPCR), respectively. Our analysis found that, the early inflammatory response (between 0 and 4 days after fracture) in the mouse femur fracture model coincided with elevated levels of COX‐derived lipid mediators and inflammatory cytokines but with decreased levels of 5‐LO‐derived lipid mediators. Further, the COX‐derived lipid mediators remained elevated for at least 7 days after fracture, suggesting that the COX‐derived lipid mediators have additional functions during later phases of the fracture healing response. Differences were also found between mRNA levels and corresponding cytokines and lipid mediator levels, supporting a role for post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression. The temporal changes in fracture callus lipid mediator levels and inflammatory cytokines support a general positive role for inflammatory cytokines and COX‐derived lipid mediators on fracture healing and a general negative role for 5‐lipoxygenase derived lipid mediators during the initial stages of repair. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1883–1893, 2016.
Soil warming and liming impacts on the recovery of 15N in an acidic soil under soybean cropping
Authors: Ahmad Waqar , Dijkstra Feike A. , Dalal Ram C. , Singh Balwant
Published: February 2016

Liming has important implications for N dynamics in acidic soils planted with legumes that are not fully understood. We used a 15N tracer (K15NO3) to examine N dynamics in a Chromic Luvisol planted with soybean with and without lime in environmentally‐controlled chambers set at 20°C and 30°C (full factorial design). Liming increased total N and 15N recovery in soybean, but had no effect on microbial recovery. Elevated temperature, increased total plant N, decreased 15N recovery in soybean and microbes, and increased loss of N through leaching. Our results show enhanced uptake of soil mineral N by soybean with liming, thereby reducing N loss from soil, while an increase in temperature from 20°C to 30°C may enhance N loss in these systems.