bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Predicts Severity of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Patients With Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillators
Authors: Sawatari Hiroyuki , Ohkusa Tomoko , Rahamawati Anita , Ishikawa Katsuhiko , Tsuchihashi‐Makaya Miyuki , Ohtsuka Yuko , Nakai Mori , Miyazono Mami , Hashiguchi Nobuko , Chishaki Hiroaki , Sakurada Harumizu , Mukai Yasushi , Inoue Shujiro , Sunagawa Kenji , Chishaki Akiko
Published: May 2016

Background

Implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators (ICD) have provided effective therapy for fatal arrhythmia. However, ICD patients are known to develop psychological problems, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), if they have experienced potentially fatal arrhythmia and ICD shocks. Little is known about the factors influencing PTSD in ICD patients.

Hypothesis

Echocardiographic cardiac‐function parameters might relate to psychological problems, especially PTSD, in ICD patients.

Methods

A total of 128 outpatients with ICD implantation completed the Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES‐R) questionnaire as a measurement of PTSD. Demographic and clinical characteristic data were collected from medical records.

Results

The mean age of the ICD patients was 59 ± 16 years; 103 were male; and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiography was 52.4% ± 18.3%. In the ICD patients, female sex and impaired LVEF were related to lower IES‐R scores or led to PTSD (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively). Impaired LVEF also worsened 2 symptoms of PTSD, intrusion (P = 0.02) and hyperarousal (P = 0.03). In patients with LVEF <35%, there was a significant negative correlation between LVEF level and IES‐R score (P = 0.045).

Conclusions

This study showed that LVEF was related to the severity of PTSD, especially in the ICD patients with LVEF of <35%. We should pay more attention to ICD patients with severely impaired left ventricular function to prevent psychological problems.
Polypharmacology in Drug Development: A Minireview of Current Technologies
Authors: Tan Zhi , Chaudhai Rajan , Zhang Shuxing
Published: May 2016

Polypharmacology, the process in which a single drug is able to bind to multiple targets specifically and simultaneously, is an emerging paradigm in drug development. The potency of a given drug can be increased through the engagement of multiple targets involved in a certain disease. Polypharmacology may also help identify novel applications of existing drugs through drug repositioning. However, many problems and challenges remain in this field. Rather than covering all aspects of polypharmacology, this Minireview is focused primarily on recently reported techniques, from bioinformatics technologies to cheminformatics approaches as well as text‐mining‐based methods, all of which have made significant contributions to the research of polypharmacology.
Design and Development of a Cyclic Decapeptide Scaffold with Suitable Properties for Bioavailability and Oral Exposure
Authors: Fouché Marianne , Schäfer Michael , Berghausen Jörg , Desrayaud Sandrine , Blatter Markus , Piéchon Philippe , Dix Ina , Martin Garcia Aimar , Roth Hans‐Jörg
Published: May 2016

Permeability and oral bioavailability of macrocyclic peptides still represent difficult challenges in drug discovery. Despite the recognized potential of macrocyclic peptides as therapeutics, their use is still restricted to extracellular targets and intravenous administration. Indeed, macrocyclic peptides generally suffer from limited proteolytic stability, high clearance, and poor membrane permeability, and this leads to the absence of systemic exposure after oral administration. To overcome these limitations, we started to investigate the development of a general cyclic decapeptide scaffold that possesses ideal features for cell permeability and oral exposure. On the basis of a rigid hairpin structure, the scaffold design aimed to decrease the overall polarity of the compound, thereby limiting the energetic cost of NH desolvation and the entropy penalty during cell penetration. The results of this study also demonstrate the importance of rigidity for the β‐turn design regarding clearance. To stabilize the scaffold in the desired β‐hairpin conformation, the introduction of d‐proline at the i+1 turn position proved to be beneficial for both permeability and clearance. As a result, cyclopeptide decamers with unprecedented high values for oral bioavailability and exposure are reported herein. NMR spectroscopy conformation and dynamic analysis confirmed, for selected examples, the rigidity of the scaffold and the presence of transannular hydrogen bonds in polar and apolar environments. Furthermore, we showed, for one compound, that its transition from a polar environment to an apolar one was accompanied by an increased molecular motion, revealing an entropy contribution to membrane permeation.
MicroRNA signatures in cytopathology: Are they ready for prime time?
Authors: Beca Francisco , Schmitt Fernando
Published: May 2016

In this issue of Cancer Cytopathology, Mancuso et al evaluate the use of a defined microRNA signature as a prognostic factor in small cell lung cancer. This editorial briefly comments on their article and shares views on the use of microRNA panels in contemporary practice in cytopathology.

See also pages 621‐9.
Noncanonical connections between the subiculum and hippocampal CA1
Authors: Xu Xiangmin , Sun Yanjun , Holmes Todd C. , López Alberto J.
Published: May 2016

The hippocampal formation is traditionally viewed as having a feedforward, unidirectional circuit organization that promotes propagation of excitatory processes. While the substantial forward projection from hippocampal CA1 to the subiculum has been very well established, accumulating evidence supports the existence of a significant backprojection pathway comprised of both excitatory and inhibitory elements from the subiculum to CA1. Based on these recently updated anatomical connections, such a backprojection could serve to modulate information processing in hippocampal CA1. Here we review the published anatomical and physiological studies on the subiculum to CA1 backprojection, and present recent conclusive anatomical evidence for the presence of noncanonical subicular projections to CA1. New insights into this understudied pathway will improve our understanding of reciprocal CA1–subicular connections and guide future studies on how the subiculum interacts with CA1 to regulate hippocampal circuit activity and learning and memory behaviors. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:3666–3673, 2016. © 2016 The Authors The Journal of Comparative Neurology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimal Activation of Porous Carbon for High Performance CO2 Capture
Authors: Lee Ji Hoon , Kwac Kijeong , Lee Hyeon Jeong , Lim Soo Yeon , Jung Dae Soo , Jung Yousung , Choi Jang Wook
Published: May 2016

Various porous materials have shown a great promise as dry sorbents for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture utilizing their large surface areas. Although there have been considerable efforts to find optimal pore size and geometry for a variety of porous materials, systematic experimental study covering various key parameters beside CO2 uptake, such as isosteric heat and selectivity against other gas, is unavailable. Here, we systemically investigate the pore size effect on the CO2 uptake and selectivity for porous activated carbon. We found that at each temperature and pressure, there exists an optimal intermediate activation condition that makes the pore size most appropriate for CO2 uptake and selectivity. Further activation increases the pore size and weakens CO2‐wall interaction. This study provides an important lesson that the pore activation of porous carbon should be controlled at an optimal intermediate point to maximize CO2‐wall interaction.
A Frequency Function and Singular Set Bounds for Branched Minimal Immersions
Authors: Simon Leon , Wickramasekera Neshan
Published: May 2016

We establish a frequency function monotonicity formula for two‐valued C1,α solutions to the minimal surface system on n‐dimensional domains. We also establish the sharp regularity result that such solutions are of class C1, 1/2, and that their branch sets, if nonempty, have Hausdorff dimension equal to n‐2.© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
One‐Pot Synthesis of Icosahedral Silver Nanoparticles by Using a Photoassisted Tartrate Reduction Method under UV Light with a Wavelength of 310 nm
Authors: Xie Zhi‐Xuan , Tzeng Wei‐Che , Huang Cheng‐Liang
Published: May 2016

A photoassisted citrate reduction reaction under blue LEDs is an easy and highly reproducible method to synthesize high‐yield decahedral silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the absence of seeds in the initial photochemical reaction. In this study, icosahedral AgNPs with sizes of 80 to 150 nm could be synthesized by using the photoassisted tartrate reduction method under UV light with a wavelength of λ=(310±12) nm. The product yield of icosahedral AgNPs is higher than 90 %. SAED (selected‐area electron diffraction) patterns and XRD (X‐ray diffraction) spectra show that these AgNPs have multiply twinned structures. High‐resolution TEM and dark‐field TEM show that the facet of the triangular planes of these icosahedral AgNPs is {111}. This is the first report of icosahedral AgNPs synthesized by using a seed‐free photochemical method. SERS (surface‐enhanced Raman scattering) of Crystal Violet (CV) measurements show that the as‐prepared icosahedral AgNP colloids have excellent SERS enhancement factors, which are approximately four and six times the enhancement factors of decahedral AgNP colloids and thermal‐citrate‐reduction AgNP colloids, respectively.
Chemiluminescence and Bioluminescence as an Excitation Source in the Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer: A Critical Review
Authors: Magalhães Carla M. , Esteves da Silva Joaquim C. G. , Pinto da Silva Luís
Published: May 2016

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer is known for its limited number of side effects, and requires light, oxygen and photosensitizer. However, PDT is limited by poor penetration of light into deeply localized tissues, and the use of external light sources is required. Thus, researchers have been studying ways to improve the effectiveness of this phototherapy and expand it for the treatment of the deepest cancers, by using chemiluminescent or bioluminescent formulations to excite the photosensitizer by intracellular generation of light. The aim of this Minireview is to give a précis of the most important general chemi‐/bioluminescence mechanisms and to analyze several studies that apply them for PDT. These studies have demonstrated the potential of utilizing chemi‐/bioluminescence as excitation source in the PDT of cancer, besides combining new approaches to overcome the limitations of this mode of treatment.
Detection of Papillomavirus Gene Expression Patterns in Tissue Sections
Authors: Griffin Heather , Doorbar John
Published: May 2016

Molecular events during the papillomavirus life cycle can be mapped in infected tissue biopsies using antibodies to viral and cellular gene products, or by in situ hybridization approaches that detect viral DNA or viral transcription products. For proteins, ease of immunodetection depends on antibody specificity and antigen availability. Epitopes in formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) samples are often masked by crosslinking and must be exposed for immunodetection. RNA in FFPE material is often degraded, and such tissue must be handled carefully to optimize detection. Viral proteins and viral genomic DNA are both well preserved in routinely processed FFPE samples, with sensitive detection methodologies allowing the simultaneous detection of multiple markers. The combined visualization of nucleic acid and (viral) protein targets, when coupled with image analysis approaches that allow correlation with standard pathology diagnosis, have allowed us to understand the molecular changes required for normal HPV life‐cycle organization as well as deregulation during cancer progression. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A novel cold‐sensitive mutant of ntla reveals temporal roles of brachyury in zebrafish
Authors: Kimelman David
Published: May 2016

Background: With the exception of the head, the vertebrate embryonic body is formed progressively in an anterior‐posterior direction, originating from a posteriorly located bipotential neural‐mesodermal progenitor population. The T‐box transcription factor Brachyury is expressed within the progenitors and is essential for the formation of the posterior mesoderm. A novel cold‐sensitive mutant of Zebrafish Brachyury (ntlacs) is described that allows exploration of the temporal role of this key factor. Results: The ntlacs mutant is used to show that Ntla has an essential role during early gastrulation, but as gastrulation proceeds the importance of Ntla declines as Ntlb acquires a capacity to form the posterior mesoderm. Remarkably, ntlacs embryos held at the nonpermissive temperature just during the gastrula stages show recovery of normal levels of mesodermal gene expression, demonstrating the plasticity of the posterior progenitors. Conclusion: ntlacs is a valuable tool for exploring the processes forming the posterior body since it allows temporally specific activation and inactivation of Brachyury function. It is used here to show the changing roles of Ntla during early development and the dynamics of the neuromesodermal progenitors. Developmental Dynamics 245:874–880, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Distinct IL‐7 signaling in recent thymic emigrants versus mature naïve T cells controls T‐cell homeostasis
Authors: Kim Hye Kyung , Waickman Adam T. , Castro Ehydel , Flomerfelt Francis A. , Hawk Nga V. , Kapoor Veena , Telford William G. , Gress Ronald E.
Published: May 2016

IL‐7 is essential for T‐cell survival but its availability is limited in vivo. Consequently, all peripheral T cells, including recent thymic emigrants (RTEs) are constantly competing for IL‐7 to survive. RTEs are required to replenish TCR diversity and rejuvenate the peripheral T‐cell pool. However, it remains unknown how RTEs successfully compete with resident mature T cells for IL‐7. Moreover, RTEs express low levels of IL‐7 receptors, presumably rendering them even less competitive. Here, we show that, surprisingly, RTEs are more responsive to IL‐7 than mature naïve T cells as demonstrated by markedly increased STAT5 phosphorylation upon IL‐7 stimulation. Nonetheless, adoptive transfer of RTE cells into lymphopenic host mice resulted in slower IL‐7‐induced homeostatic proliferation and diminished expansion compared to naïve donor T cells. Mechanistically, we found that IL‐7 signaling in RTEs preferentially upregulated expression of Bcl‐2, which is anti‐apoptotic but also anti‐proliferative. In contrast, naïve T cells showed diminished Bcl‐2 induction but greater proliferative response to IL‐7. Collectively, these data indicate that IL‐7 responsiveness in RTE is designed to maximize survival at the expense of reduced proliferation, consistent with RTE serving as a subpopulation of T cells rich in diversity but not in frequency.
Separation of dynorphin peptides by capillary electrochromatography using a polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride gold nanoparticle‐modified capillary
Authors: Al‐Hossaini Abdullah M. , Suntornsuk Leena , Lunte Susan M.
Published: May 2016

Dynorphin A (Dyn A) is an endogenous opioid peptide found in blood and central nervous system tissue at very low concentrations. Elevated levels of Dyn A due to different disease states, for example neurodegenerative disease, have been linked to toxic nonopioid activity. CE is a powerful technique that can achieve high‐efficiency separations of charged analytes. However, CE has limited use for the analysis of basic proteins and peptides, due to their adsorption onto the inner surface of the fused silica at pHs below their pI. This adsorption can lead to a loss of efficiency, irreproducibility of migration times, and peak tailing. To obviate this problem, a polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride‐stabilized gold nanoparticle‐coated capillary was investigated for the separation of dynorphin metabolites. The positively charged gold nanoparticles (GNP) minimized unwanted adsorption of the positively charged peptides onto the surface of the fused‐silica capillary. Separation efficiency and resolution for opioid peptides Dyn A (1‐6), Dyn A (1‐7), Dyn A (1‐8), Dyn A (1‐11), and leu‐enkephalin on the GNP‐coated capillary column were evaluated under different experimental parameters. The best separation of Dyn A (1–17) and its fragments was achieved using a BGE that consists of 40 mM sodium acetate buffer (pH 5) containing 5% GNP, a field strength of −306 V/cm, and a 75 μm id capillary. The developed method was applied to the separation of tryptic peptide fragments of dynorphin A (1–17).
Application of taguchi L16 orthogonal array design to optimize hydrazine biosorption by Sargassum ilicifolium
Authors: Tabaraki R. , Nateghi A.
Published: May 2016

In this work, Taguchi L16 experimental design was applied to optimize biosorption of hydrazine by Sargassum ilicifolium in a batch system. Biosorption tests were performed with four factors concentration, pH, biosorbent dosage, and agitation time at four different levels. Optimal experimental conditions were determined by calculated signal‐to‐noise ratios. The best conditions for biosorption of hydrazine were determined by the Taguchi method and desirability approach as initial hydrazine concentration of 135 mg/L, pH = 7.5, biosorbent dose of 0.1 g/L and time 90 min. Furthermore, thermodynamic, isotherm and kinetic studies were performed to explain the biosorption mechanism. The kinetic of hydrazine removal followed the pseudo‐second‐order model. A nonlinear regression was applied to fit the experimental data with several isotherm models. The Redlich–Peterson and Radke–Prausnitz isotherms showed the best concordance as equilibrium models. Nature of possible interactions between the functional groups of S. ilicifolium and hydrazine was confirmed by FTIR spectra of raw and hydrazin‐loaded alga. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 1450–1457, 2016
Improved free energy profile for reduction of NO in cytochrome c dependent nitric oxide reductase (cNOR)
Authors: Blomberg Margareta R. A. , Siegbahn Per E. M.
Published: May 2016

Quantum chemical calculations play an essential role in the elucidation of reaction mechanisms for redox‐active metalloenzymes. For example, the cleavage and the formation of covalent bonds can usually not be described only on the basis of experimental information, but can be followed by the calculations. Conversely, there are properties, like reduction potentials, which cannot be accurately calculated. Therefore, computational and experimental data has to be carefully combined to obtain reliable descriptions of entire catalytic cycles involving electron and proton uptake from donors outside the enzyme. Such a procedure is illustrated here, for the reduction of nitric oxide (NO) to nitrous oxide and water in the membrane enzyme, cytochrome c dependent nitric oxide reductase (cNOR). A surprising experimental observation is that this reaction is nonelectrogenic, which means that no energy is conserved. On the basis of hybrid density functional calculations a free energy profile for the entire catalytic cycle is obtained, which agrees much better with experimental information on the active site reduction potentials than previous ones. Most importantly the energy profile shows that the reduction steps are endergonic and that the entire process is rate‐limited by high proton uptake barriers during the reduction steps. This result implies that, if the reaction were electrogenic, it would become too slow when the gradient is present across the membrane. This explains why this enzyme does not conserve any of the free energy released. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chemical Constituents from Termite‐associated Xylaria acuminatilongissima YMJ623
Authors: Cho Ting‐Yu , Wang Guei‐Jane , Ju Yu‐Ming , Chen Mei‐Chuan , Lee Tzong‐Huei
Published: May 2016

Three previously unreported benzofurans, namely acumifurans A–C (1–3), along with five known compounds, 2‐(isopropyl‐1′‐ol)‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofuran‐5‐carbinol (4), fomannoxin alcohol (5), fomannoxin (6), acremine S (7) and cyclo(L‐Pro‐L‐Leu) (8), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extracts of the fermented broths of termite n est associated Xylaria acuminatilongissima YMJ623. Compound 4, a synthe tic benzofuran analogue of 1–3, was isolated for the first time from natural resources. The str uctures of 1–8 were determined through spectroscopic data analyses. The absolute configurations of 1–4 were established based mainly on ROESY experiment and Mosher’s reaction, and compared the optical rotation data with the literatures. The effects of these compounds on the inhibition of NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐activated murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells were also evaluated. Of the compounds tested, 6 showed a mild NO production inhibitory activity without any cytotoxicity, and its mean maximum inhibition (Emax) at 100 μM was 42.98±0.87 %.
Accelerating the process of solar disinfection (SODIS) by using polymer bags
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Alfaro Sergio , Acevedo Asunción , Figueredo Manuel , Saladin Matthias , Manzano Manuel A
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

Solar water disinfection (SODIS) is a point‐of‐use water treatment that consists of exposing microbiologically‐contaminated water in plastic bottles to sunlight. Replacing bottles with bags can accelerate the SODIS process, reduce the costs of transport and distribution, improve usability and facilitate its promotion, especially in emergencies. This work evaluated the solar disinfection capacity and resistance to deterioration of different polymer bags.

RESULTS

Preliminary disinfection tests with commercial E. coli were performed using bags made of food‐grade polyethylene (PE) along or joined with layers of bio‐oriented polypropylene (PPO), polyamide (PA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The PE bag was the fastest device achieving 6 log‐reduction within 60 min of normalized time. All the tested bags presented better performance than the PET bottles used in the conventional SODIS method. Position of the bags and bottles (vertical/horizontal) had no relevant influence on the disinfection efficacy.

Two improved bags (tap, better seal, volume: 4 L), made of PE and PE joined with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) were tested with simulated field‐conditions water. Both bags reached the detection limit of wastewater derived Enterococcus spp., the PET bottle did not. Ageing tests over 5 months revealed breakages in 100% of the PE bags, while the PE/EVA bags remained intact and disinfected water faster than new PET bottles.

CONCLUSION

This work concludes that the PE/EVA bags are good substitutes for the PET bottles as SODIS containers. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Functional status before and during acute hospitalization and readmission risk identification
Authors: Tonkikh Orly , Shadmi Efrat , Flaks‐Manov Natalie , Hoshen Moshe , Balicer Ran D. , Zisberg Anna
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

Recent efforts to prevent readmissions are increasingly focusing on early identification of high‐risk patients.

OBJECTIVE

To test whether information on functioning during hospitalization contributes to the ability to accurately identify older adults at high risk of readmission beyond their baseline risk.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Internal medicine wards at 2 medical centers.

PATIENTS

Five hundred fifty‐nine community‐dwelling older adults (aged ≥70 years) discharged to their homes.

MEASUREMENTS

Data on unplanned 30‐day readmissions were retrieved from electronic health records. Data on at‐admission activities of daily living (ADL) and in‐hospital ADL decline were collected using validated questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression was used to model the association between functioning and readmission controlling for known risk factors.

RESULTS

Higher in‐hospital ADL decline was significantly associated with readmission (odds ratio for each 10‐point decrease in ADL = 1.32, 95% confidence interval = 1.02‐1.72) but did not contribute to the overall discrimination of the model, as compared with the at‐admission data (C statistic = 0.81 for each model). Identifying high‐risk (10th highest percentile) patients by the at‐admission model did not detect 7/55 (12.7%) of patients who would have been categorized as high risk if risk identification was postponed to the discharge date and included data on in‐hospital ADL decline.

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlights the ability to identify patients at high risk for readmission already early in the index hospitalization using data on functioning, nutrition, chronic morbidity, and prior hospitalizations. Nonetheless, at‐discharge functional assessment can detect additional patients whose readmission risk changes during the index hospitalization. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:636–641. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine
Organ system view of the hepatic innate immunity in HCV infection
Authors: Bang Bo‐Ram , Elmasry Sandra , Saito Takeshi
Published: May 2016

An orchestration of innate and adaptive immunity determines the infection outcome and whether the host achieves clearance or allows the pathogen to establish persistent infection. The robust activation of the innate immune response plays the most critical role in both limiting viral replication and halting the spread of the pathogen immediately after infection. The magnitude of innate immune activation is coupled with the efficient mounting of the adaptive immunity. Although immunity against HCV infection is known to be inadequate as most cases transitions to chronicity, approximately 25% of acute infection cases result in spontaneous clearance. The exact immune mechanisms that govern the infection outcome remain largely unknown; recent discoveries suggest that the innate immune system facilitates this event. Both infected hepatocytes and local innate immune cells trigger the front line defense program of the liver as well as the recruitment of diverse adaptive immune cells to the site of infection. Although hepatocyte is the target of HCV infection, nearly all cell types that exist in the liver are involved in the innate defense and contribute to the pathophysiology of hepatic inflammation. The main focus of this comprehensive review is to discuss the current knowledge on how each hepatic cell type contributes to the organ system level innate immunity against HCV infection as well as interplays with the viral evasion program. Furthermore, this review article also aims to synchronize the observations from both molecular biological studies and clinical studies with the ultimate goal of improving our understanding of HCV mediated hepatitis. J. Med. Virol. 88:2025–2037, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Kinematics of meniscal‐ and ACL‐transected mouse knees during controlled tibial compressive loading captured using roentgen stereophotogrammetry
Authors: Adebayo Olufunmilayo O. , Ko Frank C. , Goldring Steven R. , Goldring Mary B. , Wright Timothy M. , van der Meulen Marjolein C.H.
Published: May 2016

Pre‐clinical studies of post‐traumatic OA have examined the pathways that lead to disease after injury by using surgical models such as the destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) and anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). While the morphological, molecular, and genetic pathways leading to OA have been examined extensively; the effects of these injuries on joint kinematics, and thus disease progression, have yet to be fully characterized. To this end, we sought to understand the kinematics in the DMM and ACLT joints compared to intact joints subjected to controlled tibial compressive loading. We hypothesized that the DMM and ACLT models would result in different patterns of joint instability compared to intact joints, thus explaining the different patterns of OA initiation and severity in these models. Cadaver adult C57BL/6 mice were subjected to either a DMM or ACLT in their right knee joints, while the left limbs remained as intact controls. All limbs were labeled with fiducial markers, and the rigid body kinematics of the tibia and femur were examined using roentgen stereophotogrammetry (RSA) with application of compressive loads from 0 to 9 N. DMM and intact joints demonstrated similar kinematics under compressive loading, in contrast to ACLT joints, which dislocated even before load application. These results demonstrate the importance of rigorous kinematic analysis in defining the role of joint instability in animal models of OA and suggest significant differences in DMM and ACLT joint instabilities in the context of controlled mechanical loading. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:353–360, 2017.
Variation in the chromatographic, material, and chemical characteristics of methacrylate‐based polymer monoliths during photoinitiated low‐temperature polymerization
Authors: Kobayashi Ayumi , Nakaza Takuya , Hirano Tomohiko , Kitagawa Shinya , Ohtani Hajime
Published: May 2016

Both the separation behavior and the structure of a polymer monolith column depends on both the reaction solution composition and the polymerization conditions. In photoinitiated low‐temperature polymerization, polymerization temperature, irradiation intensity, and polymerization time were key factors to control the monolith characteristics. In this study, the effect of polymerization time on the chromatographic, material, and chemical characteristics of poly(butyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate) monoliths was studied using pyrolysis‐gas chromatography, Raman spectroscopy, inverse size exclusion chromatography, scanning electron microscopy, and chromatographic methods. Both butyl methacrylate and ethylene dimethacrylate monomers were incorporated into the monolith as the polymerization time increased, and it resulted in increases in both the flow resistance (decrease in both permeability and total/through pore porosities) and retention factors. The longer polymerization time led to lower relative amounts of free methacrylate functional groups in the monolith, i.e. cross‐linking was enhanced. The increase of the polymerization time from 8 to 12 min significantly reduced the separation efficiency for the retained analyte, whereas an increase in the fraction of the mesoporosity was observed.
Amino Acid Based Hydrogels with Dual Responsiveness for Oral Drug Delivery
Authors: Wang Shiqi , Liu Xiaoxue , Villar‐Garcia Ignacio J. , Chen Rongjun
Published: May 2016

This study reports a series of novel amino acid based dual‐responsive hydrogels. Prepared by a facile one‐pot 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) coupling reaction, the solid content, structure, and mechanical behavior of hydrogels could be easily adjusted by changing the concentrations of the polymers and the crosslinkers. With pH‐responsive anionic pseudo‐peptides as backbones and disulfide‐containing l‐cystine dimethyl ester as crosslinkers, these hydrogels are able to collapse and form relatively compact structure at an acidic pH, while swelled and partly dissociated at a neutral pH. Further addition of dithiothreitol (DTT) facilitated complete degradation of hydrogels. The high loading efficiency, rapid but complete triggered‐release, and good biocompatibility make these hydrogels promising candidates for oral delivery.

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Metabolomic profiling to dissect the role of visceral fat in cardiometabolic health
Authors: Menni Cristina , Migaud Marie , Glastonbury Craig A. , Beaumont Michelle , Nikolaou Aikaterini , Small Kerrin S. , Brosnan Mary Julia , Mohney Robert P. , Spector Tim D. , Valdes Ana M.
Published: May 2016

Objective

Abdominal obesity is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to assess whether metabolomic markers of T2D and blood pressure (BP) act on these traits via visceral fat (VF) mass.

Methods

Metabolomic profiling of 280 fasting plasma metabolites was conducted on 2,401 women from TwinsUK. The overlap was assessed between published metabolites associated with T2D, insulin resistance, or BP and those that were identified to be associated with VF (after adjustment for covariates) measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry.

Results

In addition to glucose, six metabolites were strongly associated with both VF mass and T2D: lactate and branched‐chain amino acids, all of them related to metabolism and the tricarboxylic acid cycle; on average, 38.5% of their association with insulin resistance was mediated by their association with VF mass. Five metabolites were associated with BP and VF mass including the inflammation‐associated peptide HWESASXX, the steroid hormone androstenedione, lactate, and palmitate. On average, 29% of their effect on BP was mediated by their association with VF mass.

Conclusions

Little overlap was found between the metabolites associated with BP and those associated with insulin resistance via VF mass.
A narrative review of the associations between six bioactive components in breast milk and infant adiposity
Authors: Fields David A. , Schneider Camille R. , Pavela Gregory
Published: May 2016

Objective

This narrative review examines six important non‐nutritive substances in breast milk, many of which were thought to have little to no biological significance. The overall objective is to provide background on key bioactive factors in breast milk believed to have an effect on infant outcomes (growth and body composition).

Methods

The evidence for the effects of the following six bioactive compounds in breast milk on infant growth outcomes are reviewed: insulin, leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, interleukin‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐α.

Results

The existing literature on the effects of breast milk insulin, ghrelin, interleukin‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐α and their associations with infant growth and adiposity is sparse. Of the bioactive compounds reviewed, leptin and adiponectin are the most researched. Data reveal that breast milk adiponectin has negative associations with growth in infancy.

Conclusions

There is a need for innovative, well‐designed studies to improve causal inference and advance our understanding in the effects of breast milk and its components on offspring growth and body composition. The recommendations provided, along with careful consideration of both known and unknown factors that affect breast milk composition, will help improve, standardize, and ultimately advance this emergent field.
Reading for Life and Adolescent Re‐Arrest: Evaluating a Unique Juvenile Diversion Program
Authors: Seroczynski A. D. , Evans William N. , Jobst Amy D. , Horvath Luke , Carozza Giuliana
Published: May 2016

We present results of an evaluation of Reading for Life (RFL), a diversion program for nonviolent juvenile offenders in a medium‐sized Midwestern county. The unique program uses philosophical virtue theory, works of literature, and small mentoring groups to foster moral development in juvenile offenders. Participants were randomly assigned to RFL treatment or a comparison program of community service. The RFL program generated large and statistically significant drops in future arrests. The program was particularly successful at reducing the recidivism of more serious offenses and for those groups with the highest propensity for future offenses.
Targeted proteomics coming of age – SRM, PRM and DIA performance evaluated from a core facility perspective
Authors: Kockmann Tobias , Trachsel Christian , Panse Christian , Wahlander Asa , Selevsek Nathalie , Grossmann Jonas , Wolski Witold E. , Schlapbach Ralph
Published: May 2016

Quantitative mass spectrometry is a rapidly evolving methodology applied in a large number of omics‐type research projects. During the past years, new designs of mass spectrometers have been developed and launched as commercial systems while in parallel new data acquisition schemes and data analysis paradigms have been introduced. Core facilities provide access to such technologies, but also actively support the researchers in finding and applying the best‐suited analytical approach. In order to implement a solid fundament for this decision making process, core facilities need to constantly compare and benchmark the various approaches. In this article we compare the quantitative accuracy and precision of current state of the art targeted proteomics approaches single reaction monitoring (SRM), parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) and data independent acquisition (DIA) across multiple liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) platforms, using a readily available commercial standard sample. All workflows are able to reproducibly generate accurate quantitative data. However, SRM and PRM workflows show higher accuracy and precision compared to DIA approaches, especially when analyzing low concentrated analytes.
Incorporation of different conjugated linkers into low band gap polymers based on 5,6‐Bis(octyloxy)‐2,1,3 benzooxadiazole for tuning optoelectronic properties
Authors: Goker Seza , Hizalan Gonul , Kutkan Seda , Arslan Udum Yasemin , Cirpan Ali , Toppare Levent
Published: May 2016

Four new 2,1,3‐benzooxadiazole‐based donor–acceptor conjugated polymers, namely poly{9‐(9‐heptadecanyl)‐9H‐carbazole‐alt‐5,6‐bis(octyloxy)‐4,7‐di(selenophen‐2‐yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole)}(PSBSC), poly{9‐(9‐heptadecanyl)‐9H‐carbazole‐alt‐5,6‐bis(octyloxy)‐4,7‐di(furan‐2‐yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole)}(PFBFC), poly{9,9‐dioctyl‐9H‐fluorene‐alt‐5,6‐bis(octyloxy)‐4,7‐di(selenophen‐2‐yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole)}(PSBSFL), and poly{9,9‐dioctyl‐9H‐fluorene‐alt‐5,6‐bis(octyloxy)‐4,7‐di(furan‐2‐yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole)}(PFBFFL), were synthesized via Stille polycondensation reaction. All polymers were found to be soluble in common organic solvents such as chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, and chlorobenzene. Their structures were verified by 1H‐NMR and the molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The polymer films exhibited broad absorption bands. Among all polymers, photovoltaic cells based on the device structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PSBSC:PC71BM(1:3, w/w)/LiF/Al revealed an open‐circuit voltage of 0.62 V, a short circuit current of 7.63 mA cm−2 and a power conversion efficiency of 1.89%. This work demonstrates a good example for tuning absorption range, energy level, and photovoltaic properties of the polymers with different spacers and donor units can offer a simple and effective method to improve the efficiency of PSCs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 2459–2467
Size‐Controlled Synthesis of Sub‐10 nm PtNi3 Alloy Nanoparticles and their Unusual Volcano‐Shaped Size Effect on ORR Electrocatalysis
Authors: Gan Lin , Rudi Stefan , Cui Chunhua , Heggen Marc , Strasser Peter
Published: May 2016

Dealloyed Pt bimetallic core–shell catalysts derived from low‐Pt bimetallic alloy nanoparticles (e.g, PtNi3) have recently shown unprecedented activity and stability on the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) under realistic fuel cell conditions and become today's catalyst of choice for commercialization of automobile fuel cells. A critical step toward this breakthrough is to control their particle size below a critical value (≈10 nm) to suppress nanoporosity formation and hence reduce significant base metal (e.g., Ni) leaching under the corrosive ORR condition. Fine size control of the sub‐10 nm PtNi3 nanoparticles and understanding their size dependent ORR electrocatalysis are crucial to further improve their ORR activity and stability yet still remain unexplored. A robust synthetic approach is presented here for size‐controlled PtNi3 nanoparticles between 3 and 10 nm while keeping a constant particle composition and their size‐selected growth mechanism is studied comprehensively. This enables us to address their size‐dependent ORR activities and stabilities for the first time. Contrary to the previously established monotonic increase of ORR specific activity and stability with increasing particle size on Pt and Pt‐rich bimetallic nanoparticles, the Pt‐poor PtNi3 nanoparticles exhibit an unusual “volcano‐shaped” size dependence, showing the highest ORR activity and stability at the particle sizes between 6 and 8 nm due to their highest Ni retention during long‐term catalyst aging. The results of this study provide important practical guidelines for the size selection of the low Pt bimetallic ORR electrocatalysts with further improved durably high activity.
Ultrasonic pretreatment improves the high‐temperature liquefaction of corn starch at high concentrations
Authors: Li Caiming , Liu Wenjing , Gu Zhengbiao , Fang Dan , Hong Yan , Cheng Li , Li Zhaofeng
Published: May 2016

The effects of ultrasonic pretreatment on the liquefaction of corn starch at a high concentration were investigated using viscosity and reducing sugar content as the endpoints. The mechanism of the process was also analyzed. The results showed that the viscosity of sonicated starch paste was lower and the reducing sugar content was higher than those of a native control. Therefore, ultrasonic pretreatment could lead to more efficient liquefaction of corn starch at a high concentration. The main reasons are likely to be that ultrasonic pretreatment increase the specific surface area of the starch granules, producing a rough and holey surface, looser granule structure, and lower crystallinity. Also, ultrasonic pretreatment decreases the weight average molar mass, and increases the amylose content. As a result of these changes, the starch granules undergo increased enzymatic degradation during gelatinization. Ultrasonic pretreatment may also directly break starch chains to a certain extent.
Academic Language in Early Childhood Classrooms
Authors: Barnes Erica M. , Grifenhagen Jill F. , Dickinson David K.
Published: May 2016

This article defines academic language by examining the central features of vocabulary, syntax, and discourse function. Examples of each feature are provided, as well as methods of identifying them in oral language and printed text. We describe a yearlong study that found teachers used different types of academic language based on instructional context. Using the results from this study, we present ideas for noticing and teaching academic language through different instructional settings in early childhood classrooms.
Recruitment of breast cancer survivors and their caregivers: implications for dyad research and practice
Authors: Bazzi Angela Robertson , Clark Melissa A , Winter Michael , Tripodis Yorghos , Boehmer Ulrike
Published: May 2016

Breast cancer survivors' informal caregivers experience adverse health outcomes and could benefit from interventions. Studies of caregivers' participation in research, to date, have assumed heterosexuality. The aim of this study is to identify factors associated with caregiver participation among survivors with diversity in sexual orientation. We recruited breast cancer survivors into a telephone survey and asked them to invite a caregiver. Logistic regression identified factors associated with caregivers' participation. Among 297 survivors, 12 (4 %) had no caregivers, 82 (28 %) refused to provide caregiver information, 203 (68 %) provided caregiver contact, and 167 (56 %) had caregivers participate. Caregiver participation was more likely among sexual minority than heterosexual survivors (aOR: 1.89; 95 % CI: 1.08, 3.32), dyads with higher cohesion, and among caregivers who were partners. Caregiver participation was less likely among survivors with lower education and higher comorbidity. Findings provide insight into recruitment of diverse dyads into cancer survivorship research that will ultimately inform intervention design.
The formation of the Eurasian Economic Union: How successful is the Russian regional hegemony?
Authors: Kirkham Ksenia
Published: May 2016

January 2015 witnessed an important step towards further integration in Eurasia, with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) coming into operation. It comprises three members of the former Eurasian Customs Union (CU), Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, plus Kyrgyzstan and Armenia.

Recent debates on Eurasian integration consider the EAEU to be a Russian hegemonic project in the region. However, the potential of this project is yet to be discovered. This article has pioneered in applying the neo-Gramscian approach to analysing the potential for the EAEU as a Russian counter-hegemonic initiative. The neo-Gramscian understanding of hegemony, which constitutes of four core elements, is reflected in the structure of the article: the institutional design, material capabilities (the capitalist system), security invulnerability (geopolitics) and cultural leadership.

The article concludes that Russian regional hegemony has not yet been formed, but has the potential to be completed. Hegemony has been consolidated domestically, and has started outward expansion through the EAEU as its institutional mechanism. However, to succeed with its hegemonic project, the Russian government should not simply copy the EU's institutional design but learn how to present the achievements of integration as successful efforts at creating a strong welfare system that favours key social groups in order to obtain social consent and take cultural leadership.

The novelty of the presentation of hegemony as an evolutionary process, which passes through initial, transitional and conclusive phases of its development, along with the recentness of the EAEU as a topic, could make this article a contribution to Eurasian integration studies.
Esophageal perforation
Authors: Gunasekaran Thirumazhisai S. , Berman James , Lim-Dunham Jennifer E.
Published: May 2016

EoE-Perforation: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is commonly observed in children and young adults. Common manifestations of EoE include dysphagia and food impaction in adolescents and adults, whereas children present with failure to thrive, regurgitation, or heart-burn and abdominal pain. We describe two patients presenting with esophageal perforation and EoE. Diagnosing perforation promptly is critical to minimize and/or to avoid the multitude of complications resulting from esophageal perforation and to treat EoE because if left untreated, this condition may result in the recurrence of perforation, major morbidity, or rarely death.
An adolescent with a phyllodes tumor
Authors: Makhija Deepa , Shah Hemanshi , Bothra Jyoti , Jayaswal Shalika
Published: May 2016

Phyllodes tumors are rare fibroepithelial tumors that account for less than 0.5% of all breast tumors. Presentation in children is even rarer. In this paper, we describe a case of an adolescent with a phyllodes tumor. The rare presentation at this age, its distinguishing features, the preoperative diagnostic difficulties, and the management protocols of this uncommon tumor are highlighted.
Life‐course blood pressure in relation to brain volumes
Authors: Power Melinda C. , Schneider Andrea L.C. , Wruck Lisa , Griswold Michael , Coker Laura H. , Alonso Alvaro , Jack Clifford R. , Knopman David , Mosley Thomas H. , Gottesman Rebecca F.
Published: May 2016

Introduction

The impact of blood pressure on brain volumes may be time‐dependent or pattern‐dependent.

Methods

Of 1678 participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive Study, we quantified the association between measures and patterns of blood pressure over three time points (∼24 or ∼15 years prior and concurrent with neuroimaging) with late life brain volumes.

Results

Higher diastolic blood pressure ∼24 years prior, higher systolic and pulse pressure ∼15 years prior, and consistently elevated or rising systolic blood pressure from ∼15 years prior to concurrent with neuroimaging, but not blood pressures measured concurrent with neuroimaging, were associated with smaller volumes. The pattern of hypertension ∼15 years prior and hypotension concurrent with neuroimaging was associated with smaller volumes in regions preferentially affected by Alzheimer's disease (e.g., hippocampus: −0.27 standard units, 95% CI: −0.51, −0.03).

Discussion

Hypertension 15 to 24 years prior is relevant to current brain volumes. Hypertension followed by hypotension appears particularly detrimental.