bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complex immune responses and molecular reactions to pathogens and disease in a desert reptile (Gopherus agassizii)
Authors: Drake K. Kristina , Aiello Christina M. , Bowen Lizabeth , Lewison Rebecca L. , Esque Todd C. , Nussear Kenneth E. , Waters Shannon C. , Hudson Peter J.
Published: February 2019

Immune function plays an important role in an animal's defense against infectious disease. In reptiles, immune responses may be complex and counterintuitive, and diagnostic tools used to identify infection, such as induced antibody responses are limited. Recent studies using gene transcription profiling in tortoises have proven useful in identifying immune responses to various intrinsic and extrinsic stressors. As part of a larger experiment with Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii), we facilitated the transmission of the pathogenic bacteria,Mycoplasma agassizii(Myag), to naïve adults and measured innate and induced immune reactions over time. Specifically, we evaluated clinical condition, presence of Myag in the nasal/oral cavity, induced antibody responses specific to Myag, and measured molecular reactions (gene transcript profiles) in 15 captive tortoises classified as naïve, exposed, or infected and 14 wild tortoises for comparison. Myag was confirmed inside the nasal/oral cavity in exposed tortoises within 30–60 days of introduction to infected animals, yet we did not detect Myag specific induced antibody responses in these individuals until 420–595 days post exposure. Surprisingly, we found no overall differences in the gene transcript profiles between our experimental treatment groups throughout this study. This work highlights the complexities in assessing immune function and diagnosing pathogen related infections in tortoises and other reptiles.
A temporal beta‐diversity index to identify sites that have changed in exceptional ways in space–time surveys
Authors: Legendre Pierre
Published: February 2019

Aim

This paper presents the statistical bases for temporal beta‐diversity analysis, a method to study changes in community composition through time from repeated surveys at several sites. Surveys of that type are presently done by ecologists around the world. A temporal beta‐diversity Index (TBI) is computed for each site, measuring the change in species composition between the first (T1) and second surveys (T2). TBI indices can be decomposed into losses and gains; they can also be tested for significance, allowing one to identify the sites that have changed in composition in exceptional ways. This method will be of value to identify exceptional sites in space–time surveys carried out to study anthropogenic impacts, including climate change.

Innovation

The null hypothesis of the TBI test is that a species assemblage is not exceptionally different between T1 and T2, compared to assemblages that could have been observed at this site at T1 and T2 under conditions corresponding to H0. Tests of significance of coefficients in a dissimilarity matrix are usually not possible because the values in the matrix are interrelated. Here, however, the dissimilarity between T1 and T2 for a site is computed with different data from the dissimilarities used for the T1–T2 comparison at other sites. It is thus possible to compute a valid test of significance in that case. In addition, the paper shows how TBI dissimilarities can be decomposed into loss and gain components (of species, or abundances‐per‐species) and how a B–C plot can be produced from these components, which informs users about the processes of biodiversity losses and gains through time in space–time survey data.

Main conclusion

Three applications of the method to different ecological communities are presented. This method is applicable worldwide to all types of communities, marine, and terrestrial. R software is available implementing the method.
Poly(I:C) stimulation is superior than Imiquimod to induce the antitumoral functional profile of tumor‐conditioned macrophages
Authors: Maeda Akihiro , Digifico Elisabeth , Andon Fernando T. , Mantovani Alberto , Allavena Paola
Published: February 2019

Macrophage plasticity is the ability of mononuclear phagocytes to change phenotype, function, and genetic reprogramming upon encounter of specific local stimuli. In the tumor microenvironment, Tumor‐Associated Macrophages (TAMs) acquire an immune‐suppressive and tumor‐promoting phenotype. With the aim to re‐educate TAMs to antitumor effectors, in this study, we used two immunestimulatory compounds: the TLR7 agonist Imiquimod (IMQ) and the TLR3 agonist Poly(I:C). To better mimic in vitro the response of TAMs, we used Tumor‐Conditioned Macrophages (TC‐Mϕ) differentiated in the presence of tumor cell supernatants. Our results show that TC‐Mϕ respond differently from conventional M2‐polarized macrophages. Upon stimulation with IMQ, TC‐Mϕ did not upregulate major histocompatibility complex (MHC II) molecules and unexpectedly expressed increased CD206. With both compounds, TC‐Mϕ produced higher levels of inflammatory cytokines than M2 macrophages. IMQ and Poly(I:C) differed in the types of regulated genes and secreted mediators. Reflecting their signaling pathways, only IMQ significantly induced IL‐1β and IL‐6, while only Poly(I:C) stimulated CXCL10, and both upregulated CCL5. Of note, using a novel cytotoxicity assay, Poly(I:C), but not IMQ, was effective in triggering the cytotoxic activity of TC‐Mϕ against cancer cells. Overall, the results demonstrate that Poly(I:C) stimulation of TC‐Mϕ is superior than IMQ in terms of macrophage re‐education toward antitumor effectors.
Syntheses, Structures, and Bonding Analyses of Carbene‐Stabilized Stibinidenes
Authors: Krüger Julia , Wölper Christoph , John Lukas , Song Lijuan , Schreiner Peter R. , Schulz Stephan
Published: February 2019

Reactions of two equivalents of LGa {L = HC[C(Me)NAr]2; Ar = 2,6‐iPr2‐C6H3} with SbX3 (X = Cl, Br) yield double‐inserted products (LGaX)2SbX (X = Cl 1, Br 2), which were isolated at –40 °C. Warming solutions of 1 and 2 to ambient temperature results in intramolecular elimination of LGaX2 and formation of Ga‐substituted stibinidenes L(X)GaSb as reaction intermediates, which were stabilized by coordination of strong σ‐donating carbenes. Four carbene‐stabilized stibinidenes MeCAAC‐SbGa(X)L {MeCAAC = [H2C(CMe2)2NAr]C, Ar = 2,6‐iPr2‐C6H3, X = Cl 3, Br 4} and IDipp‐SbGa(X)L {IDipp = 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene, X = Cl 5, Br 6} were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and the nature of the bonding in 3–6 was further investigated by quantum chemical methods. The studies reveal substantial Sb–Ccarbene π‐backbonding contributions in 3 and 4, whereas the IDipp‐stabilized derivatives 5 and 6 exhibit Sb–Ccarbene single bonds. DFT computations with and without dispersion corrections reveal that dispersion interactions mainly from the bulky aryl groups decisively contribute to the stability of 3–6.
Oxa‐Michael–Michael Reaction of MBH Alcohol and 2‐Arylidene‐1,3‐indanedione: Regioselective Formal [4+2] Cycloaddition towards Tetrahydrospiropyran Scaffolds
Authors: Gudise Veera Babu , Settipalli Poorna Chandrasekhar , Reddy Eeda Koti , Anwar Shaik
Published: February 2019

A regioselective formal [4+2] cycloaddition reaction of nitrostyrene derived MBH alcohol and 2‐arylidene‐1,3‐indanedione resulted in functionalized tetrahydrospiropyran derivatives with excellent chemical yields (up to 93 %). The reaction tolerated various electron rich and electron deficient substituents on the aryl group of 2‐arylidene‐1,3‐indanedione as well as MBH alcohol. The utility of MBH alcohol as an ambident substrate, which is performing the dual role of nucleophile and electrophile with 2‐arylidene‐1,3‐indanediones was successfully demonstrated for 20 derivatives. A single isomer was obtained exclusively in all the products via cascade process which followed an oxa‐Michael–Michael addition sequence using cesium carbonate as base. Control experiments were carried out to understand the mechanistic details of the reaction. These experiments prove that the reaction undergoes a stepwise pathway rather than a concerted mechanism.
Organocatalytic Asymmetric Michael–Acyl Transfer Reaction of α‐Nitroketones with 2‐Hydroxybenzylidene Ketones
Authors: Maity Rajendra , Sahoo Subas Chandra , Pan Subas Chandra
Published: February 2019

An organocatalytic asymmetric cascade Michael–acyl transfer reaction between 2‐hydroxybenzylidene ketones and α‐nitroketones is developed. The 9‐amino(9‐deoxy)‐epi‐hydroquinine catalyst in combination with benzoic acid was found to be the most effective for this reaction and the desired products were isolated in moderate to good yields and excellent enantioselectivities.
[3]Rotaxanes with Mixed Axles: Polyynes and Cumulenes
Authors: Franz Michael , Januszewski Johanna A. , Hampel Frank , Tykwinski Rik R.
Published: February 2019

Tailoring synthetic strategies toward complex, but well‐defined, molecular architectures is an important aspect of Today's organic chemistry. Herein, we present designs to build up [3]rotaxanes of Type 2.1 and Type 3 that feature both a polyyne and a cumulene axle in a single mechanically interlocked molecule. The combination of two sp‐hybridized carbon chains was achieved by functionalization of a phenanthroline‐based macrocycle, which allowed the coupling of two [2]rotaxanes toward Type 3 [3]rotaxanes with two polyynes, two cumulenes, or one polyyne and one cumulene axle. The structures have been established by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopies, as well as high‐resolution mass spectrometry. A [3]rotaxane of Type 3, featuring two [9]cumulene axles, has been assembled and spectroscopically characterized despite expectations that it would be unstable. This represents only the second cumulene rotaxane reported to date. All designs and attempts to form [3]rotaxanes of Type 2.1, which combine a polyyne and cumulene threaded through a single macrocycle, have been unsuccessful.
Fabrication of Hierarchically Structured MOF‐Co3O4 on Well‐aligned CuO Nanowire with an Enhanced Electrocatalytic Property
Authors: Muthurasu Alagan , Kim Hak Yong
Published: February 2019

Engineering appropriate shape and size of three‐dimensional inorganic nanostructures materials is of one the main critical problems in pursuing high‐performance electrode materials. Herein, we fabricate a metal‐organic framework derived cobalt oxide (Co3O4) are grown on copper oxide nanowire (CuO NWs) supported on the surface of 3D copper foam substrate. The highly aligned CuO NWs were prepared by using electrochemical anodization of copper foam in ambient temperature and followed by MOF Co3O4 was grown via a simple in situ solution deposition then consequent calcination process. The obtained binder‐free 3D CuO NWs@Co3O4 nanostructures were further characterized by using X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, electrochemical sensing of glucose was studied by using Cyclic Voltammetry, and chronoamperometry techniques. Interestingly, 3D CuO NWs@Co3O4 electrode exhibits excellent performance for the oxidation of glucose compared with individual entities. The proposed sensor shows wide linear ranges from 0.5 μM to 0.1 mM with the sensitivity of 6082 μA/μM and the lowest detection limit (LOD) of 0.23 μM was observed with the signal to noise ratio, (S/N) of 3. The superior catalytic oxidation of glucose mainly is endorsed by the excellent electrical conductivity and synergistic effect of the Co3O4 and CuO NWs.
Electrocatalysis of Cu−MOF/Graphene Composite and its Sensing Application for Electrochemical Simultaneous Determination of Dopamine and Paracetamol
Authors: Ma Baolong , Guo Hao , Wang Mingyue , Li Li , Jia Xueyan , Chen Huiqin , Xue Rui , Yang Wu
Published: February 2019

A nanocomposite of HKUST‐1 (MOF) and electroreduction graphene oxide (ERGO) is prepared and applied as an electrochemical sensor for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol and dopamine by means of one‐step electrodeposition. The MOF/ERGO composite displays excellent electrochemical catalytic activities towards the paracetamol and dopamine, which is attributed to the synergistic effect of big surface area, porosity and high electrocataytic activity of the MOF and good conductivity of ERGO. The modified electrode could be applied to determine simultaneously paracetamol and dopamine in biochemical samples with wide linear ranges (0.2 μM to 160 μM for paracetamol and 0.2 μM to 300 μM for dopamine) and low detection limits (0.016 μM for paracetamol and 0.013 μM for dopamine). Meanwhile, the proposed sensor still displays high sensitivity, good selectivity and excellent stability.
Discrimination of single‐stranded DNA homopolymers by sieving out G‐quadruplex using tiny solid‐state nanopores
Authors: Si Wei , Yang Haojie , Sha Jingjie , Zhang Yin , Chen Yunfei
Published: February 2019

Nanopore sensor has been developed as a promising technology for DNA sequencing at the single‐base resolution. However, the discrimination of homopolymers composed of guanines from other nucleotides has not been clearly revealed due to the easily formed G‐quadruplex in aqueous buffers. In this work, we report that a tiny silicon nitride nanopore was used to sieve out G tetramers to make sure only homopolymers composed of guanines could translocate through the nanopore, then the 20‐nucleotide long ssDNA homopolymers could be identified and differentiated. It is found that the size of the nucleotide plays a major role in affecting the current blockade as well as the dwell time while DNA is translocating through the nanopore. By the comparison of translocation behavior of ssDNA homopolymers composed of nucleotides with different volumes, it is found that smaller nucleotides can lead to higher translocation speed and lower current blockage, which is also found and validated for the 105‐nucleotide long homopolymers. The studies performed in this work will improve our understanding of nanopore‐based DNA sequencing at single‐base level.
Nontargeted Analysis of a Non-Aqueous-Phase Liquid From a Chemical Manufacturing Site Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Authors: Fallaise Darcy , Konzuk Julie , Cheyne Carol , Mack E. Erin , Longstaffe James G.
Published: February 2019

Non-aqueous-phase liquids (NAPLs), composed primarily of organic solvents and other immiscible liquids, can be found in the subsurface at many industrial sites. The chemical composition of NAPLs is often complex and, in many instances, difficult to fully characterize using conventional analytical techniques based on targeted compound analysis. Incomplete characterization of NAPLs leaves gaps in the understanding of the chemical profile at an impacted site. Previous work has shown that nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy may be able to assist in the improved characterization of complex NAPL samples. In general, NMR spectroscopy provides an unbiased approach for the analysis of organic compounds because different classes of compounds are all treated and analyzed using the same methods. In addition, NMR spectroscopy provides unique structural information that can be used to elucidate unknowns. The present study describes the use of NMR spectroscopy as a nontargeted tool to characterize the composition of NAPLs collected from an impacted site. It is shown that NMR spectroscopy can be a complementary tool to be used in site assessments to help provide improved understanding of NAPL chemistry, leading to the development of improved conceptual site models and improved strategies for remedial and managerial activities at impacted sites. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;00:1–9. © 2019 SETAC

Abstract

NMR Spectroscopy is used to provide a high-resolution molecular map of the contamination found at heavily contaminated sites. These maps can be used to compare contamination profiles to potential source materials.
Effective self‐backhaul scheme for massive MIMO–enabled full‐duplex heterogeneous networks by exploiting NOMA
Authors: Jia Xiangdong , Yang Xiaorong , Xu Wenjuan , Yang Longxiang
Published: February 2019

By integrating full‐duplex (FD) and nonorthogonal multiple‐access (NOMA) techniques for wireless self‐backhaul at small‐cell base stations (SBSs), a novel multitier heterogeneous network (HetNet) is proposed. In the HetNet, NOMA is used at SBSs for combing backhaul and downlink (DL) signals. As a result, at each SBS, the backhaul, uplink transmission, and DL transmission are executed simultaneously, whereas the FD macro base stations (MBSs) communicate with mobile users (MUs) and transceive backhaul signals from associated SBSs by using massive‐MIMO antennas. The simple time‐division duplex is performed for the communications between MBSs and MUs so that a round of communications consists of MBS‐MU‐DL and MBS‐MU‐UL phases. This work particularly focuses on the MBS‐MU‐DL phase. By assuming the HetNet to be fully loaded, this paper first models the distribution of active SBSs and those of the interference received at the different types of receivers. Then, by formulating the received signal‐to‐interference ratios, this paper obtains the coverage probabilities of the MU‐SBS‐MBS uplink backhaul and MU DLs as well as the spectrum and energy efficiencies. The presented simulations and numerical results show that the integration of FD and NOMA at SBSs is an effective solution for creating the backhaul between FD‐SBS and FD‐MBS. It is obtained that when the power‐sharing coefficient allocated for a small‐cell DL is small, the coverage probability of SBS DL transmission increases; otherwise, it decreases. However, the coverage probabilities of the MBS DL and MU‐SBS‐MBS backhaul link monotonically vary with the power‐sharing coefficient. It is also achieved that the power‐sharing coefficient imposes the effect on the energy efficiencies of the MU‐SBS‐MBS backhaul link and MU DL in inverse directions. At the same time, it is found that the achieved energy efficiency gain depends greatly on the resolution of massive‐MIMO antennas.
Melamine cyanurate surface treated by nylon of low molecular weight to prepare flame‐retardant polyamide 66 with high flowability
Authors: Luo Dian , Duan Wenfeng , Liu Yuan , Chen Ning , Wang Qi
Published: February 2019

In the present research, a nitrogen‐based flame‐retardant, melamine cyanurate (MCA) was surface‐treated with low‐molecular‐weight nylon through a solvent process to further improve its flowability and dispersion. The surface energy and flow energy of the modified MCA were investigated. The properties of polyamide 66 (PA66) prepared with surface‐treated and with conventional MCA were evaluated and compared. Because of lower surface energy and flow energy for modified MCA, its agglomeration degree and flow resistance are obviously decreased compared with conventional MCA, thus achieving finer and more homogenous dispersion in the PA66 matrix. Moreover, the low‐molecular‐weight nylon resin encapsulating MCA surface will melt at lower temperature during compounding with PA66; hence, it serves as a lubricant and carrier to further improve the flowability and dispersion of the flame retardants. Based on these advantages, the modified MCA flame‐retardant PA66 achieves much better flame retardancy, flowability, and mechanical properties compared with conventional MCA/PA66 under the same loading level of flame retardant (10 wt%).
Screening of antimicrobial activity of citrus essential oils against pathogenic bacteria and Candida strains
Authors: Mancuso Monique , Catalfamo Maurizio , Laganà Pasqualina , Rappazzo Alessandro Ciro , Raymo Vilfredo , Zampino Daniela , Zaccone Renata
Published: February 2019

Several studies have indicated that plants are good sources of antimicrobial agents and pharmaceuticals. The present study is focused to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of 11 citrus essential oils (EOs) and terpenes (T), against 18 bacterial pathogenic strains and 4 Candida sp. strains. Volatile compounds present in the citrus EOs were determined by a gas chromatography analysis, allowing the identification of 79 components. Results highlights that lemon, bergamot oil and terpene were effective against more than 54.5% of tested bacteria. Candida spp. strains resulted very sensitive to all terpenes and EOs. Gram negative bacteria showed lower sensitivity than Gram positive ones. Among Gram negative, fish pathogens were sensitive to oils, so we suggested their use as possible alternatives in aquaculture farms to prevent bacterial fish diseases. Moreover, results suggested that citrus oils could be a useful tool in the food industry to prolong the shelf‐life.
Price discovery in bitcoin spot or futures?
Authors: Baur Dirk G. , Dimpfl Thomas
Published: February 2019

In December 2017, both the Chicago Board Options Exchange and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange introduced futures contracts on bitcoin. We investigate to what extent they provide useful information for the price discovery of bitcoin. We rely on the information share methodology of Hasbrouck (1995, J Finance, 50, pp. 1175–1199) and Gonzalo and Granger (1995, J Bus Econ Stat, 13, pp. 27–35) and find that the spot price leads the futures price. We attribute this result to the higher trading volume and the longer trading hours of the globally distributed bitcoin spot market, compared to the relatively restricted access to the US‐based futures markets.
The Ediacaran to Early Palaeozoic evolution of the Junggar–Balkhash Ocean: A synthesis of the ophiolitic mélanges in the southern West Junggar terrane, NW China
Authors: Liu Bo , Han Bao‐Fu , Xu Zhao , Ren Rong , Chen Jia‐Fu
Published: February 2019

The southern West Junggar terrane in the south‐western Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is mainly composed of accretionary complexes and characterized by widespread outcrops of ophiolitic mélanges in the Barleik, Mayile, and Tangbale (BMT) areas, representing the site of consumption of the Junggar–Balkhash Ocean. However, due to a lack of comprehensive synthesis of the ophiolitic mélanges, the early evolution of the Junggar–Balkhash Ocean remains poorly understood. This paper first focuses on the little‐known Barleik ophiolitic blocks and associated pillow basalts and then integrates the Barleik, Mayile, and Tangbale ophiolitic mélanges into one model. Mineral and whole‐rock chemistry suggests that the Barleik ophiolitic blocks, including serpentinized dunite, clinopyroxenite, and gabbro, show supra‐subduction zone (SSZ) affinities, as indicated by high Cr# values (76–78) in spinels and strong depletion in Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf, whereas the Barleik pillow basalts are alkaline and have high TiO2 contents (2.82–3.42 wt.%) and Nb–Ta enrichment, similar to ocean‐island basalt (OIB) lavas. Combined with published chronological and chemical data from ophiolites, metamorphic rocks, and arc plutons, we propose that the BMT Ediacaran to middle Cambrian ophiolitic gabbros were formed in a SSZ environment, implying a single Mariana‐type arc system within the Junggar–Balkhash Ocean, which was coeval with an Andean‐type arc system in the Kyrgyz North Tianshan, supporting an archipelagic model for the south‐western CAOB. By contrast, the BMT OIB‐type basalts are early Silurian in age, much younger than the SSZ‐type ophiolites, and can be interpreted as relicts of seamounts. Thus, a model involving the Ediacaran to Ordovician intra‐oceanic subduction and late Silurian to Early Devonian seamount accretion is helpful for clarifying the different components of the accretionary complexes in the southern West Junggar terrane.
Evaluating the organizational structure and specificity of network topology within the face processing system
Authors: Elbich Daniel B. , Molenaar Peter C.M. , Scherf K. Suzanne
Published: February 2019

There is increasing appreciation that network‐level interactions among regions produce components of face processing previously ascribed to individual regions. Our goals were to use an exhaustive data‐driven approach to derive and quantify the topology of directed functional connections within a priori defined nodes of the face processing network and evaluate whether the topology is category‐specific. Young adults were scanned with fMRI as they viewed movies of faces, objects, and scenes. We employed GIMME to model effective connectivity among core and extended face processing regions, which allowed us to evaluate all possible directional connections, under each viewing condition (face, object, place). During face processing, we observed directional connections from the right posterior superior temporal sulcus to both the right occipital face area and right fusiform face area (FFA), which does not reflect the topology reported in prior studies. We observed connectivity between core and extended regions during face processing, but this limited to a feed‐forward connection from the FFA to the amygdala. Finally, the topology of connections was unique to face processing. These findings suggest that the pattern of directed functional connections within the face processing network, particularly in the right core regions, may not be as hierarchical and feed‐forward as described previously. Our findings support the notion that topologies of network connections are specialized, emergent, and dynamically responsive to task demands.
When age does not harm innovative behavior and perceptions of competence: Testing interdepartmental collaboration as a social buffer
Authors: Guillén Laura , Kunze Florian
Published: February 2019

Can older managers overcome stereotypes relating age to low competence? We integrate the literature on age and cognitive ability with research on innovation to explore whether—and if so, when—employees' age harms performance and promotability appraisals made by their supervisors. Multisource, time‐lag data from 305 project managers indicate that the negative stereotypes can be explained through decreased innovative behavior. However, older employees are not always seen as poorer performers with less potential to be promoted due to their reduced innovative behavior. Rather, interdepartmental collaboration moderates these effects. Specifically, older employees with low interdepartmental collaboration are less innovative and receive worse performance and promotability appraisals than younger employees, but the “age handicap” vanishes when older employees collaborate with members of other departments. Organizations should foster formal or informal collaboration among units to prevent negative consequences of an aging workforce.
Women's experience with group prenatal care in a rural community in northern Nigeria
Authors: Adaji Sunday E. , Jimoh Adenike , Bawa Umma , Ibrahim Habiba I. , Olorukooba Abiola A. , Adelaiye Hamdalla , Garba Comfort , Lukong Anita , Idris Suleiman , Shittu Oladapo S.
Published: February 2019

Objective

To assess women's experience of group prenatal care in a rural Nigerian community.

Methods

In an observational study, consenting pregnant women were enrolled in a group prenatal care program based on the CenteringPregnancy model from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011, in Tsibiri, Nigeria. Women were interviewed before joining the group and postnatally. A predesigned pro forma was used to assess group behavior during sessions. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to data.

Results

In total, 161 women enrolled, and 54 of 72 scheduled prenatal sessions took place. The average number of visits was three per woman, with good group interaction and cohesion. Mothers who could mention at least five out of eight danger signs of pregnancy increased from 1.4% (2) to 13.3% (14) (P<0.001, 95% CI 4.28–19.52), while mean knowledge score for danger signs increased from 31% to 47.8% (P<0.001, 95% CI 0.86–2.16). Commitment to birth preparedness plans was impressive. The mothers enjoyed the group sessions and shared the lessons they learned with others.

Conclusion

Group prenatal care was feasible and acceptable to women in the present study setting. Comparative trials would be helpful to demonstrate the benefits of the tested model in low‐income settings.
Rectal cancer: Toward fully automatic discrimination of T2 and T3 rectal cancers using deep convolutional neural network
Authors: Kim Jongin , Oh Ji Eun , Lee Joohyung , Kim Min Ju , Hur Bo Yun , Sohn Dae Kyung , Lee Boreom
Published: February 2019

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy is known to reduce the local recurrence of locally advanced rectal cancer. However, the careful use of preoperative chemoradiotherapy is essential, because unnecessary over‐treatment can result in unintended complications. Therefore, a diagnostic system for distinguishing between T2 and T3 rectal cancers should be developed. According to the diagnostic criteria for rectal cancer, radiologists first identify the locations and the shapes of both the tumor and the rectum from a medical image and then diagnose the T2/T3 rectal cancer by determining whether the tumor passes through the rectal wall or not. We construct two distinct convolutional neural network models to achieve the automated segmentation of each rectum and tumor, respectively. Then, we construct another convolutional neural network model, which uses the output images of segmentation models as input and determines whether the tumor in the input magnetic resonance image is at the T2 stage or at the T3 stage. We evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method based on 290 magnetic resonance images from 133 subjects. The proposed model demonstrates an accuracy of 94%.
E‐government implementation and monitoring: The case of Rwanda's ‘one‐stop’ E‐government
Authors: Bakunzibake Pierre , Klein Gunnar O. , Islam Sirajul M.
Published: February 2019

Taking the case of the “one‐stop” e‐government initiative in Rwanda, the present study aims to find out how the “one‐stop” e‐government initiative is monitored at different government levels and stages and the extent to which the initiative is monitored. Furthermore, the study also aims to identify potential areas for improvement in the monitoring process. An exploratory qualitative study was undertaken in Rwandan agencies. The findings show that the monitoring of the process of implementing and improving one‐stop e‐government is partly formal at central government level and informal at local government level. Furthermore, the focus of the monitoring at the stage of use and maintenance leans more towards the benefits of end users as service consumers than those of the service providers. Incorporating formal methodological approaches at local government level and in all stages of the implementation and improvement process at central government level, as well as paying increased attention to back‐end process performance aspects, could introduce additional improvements into the monitoring practice and, in turn, increase project benefits.
Fra1 Controls Rheumatoid Factor Autoantibody Production by Bone Marrow Plasma Cells and the Development of Autoimmune Bone Loss
Authors: Grötsch Bettina , Lux Anja , Rombouts Yoann , Hoffmann Anna-Carin , Andreev Darja , Nimmerjahn Falk , Xiang Wei , Scherer Hans Ulrich , Schett Georg , Bozec Aline
Published: February 2019

Next to proinflammatory cytokines, autoimmunity has been identified as a key trigger for osteoclast activation and bone loss. IgG-rheumatoid factor (IgG-RF) immune complexes, which are present in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, were shown to boost osteoclast differentiation. To date, the regulation of IgG-RF production in the absence of inflammatory triggers is unknown. Herein, we describe Fra1 as a key checkpoint that controls IgG-RF production by plasma cells and regulates autoimmune-mediated bone loss. Fra1 deficiency in B cells (Fra1ΔBcell) led to increased IgG1-producing bone marrow plasma cells, enhanced IgG-RF production, and increased bone loss associated with elevated osteoclast numbers after immunization. The effect of IgG-RF on osteoclasts in vitro and on osteoclasts associated with bone loss in vivo was dependent on FcγR, especially FcγR3. Furthermore, immunization of WT mice with T-cell-dependent antigens induced a significant and robust decrease in Fra1 expression in bone marrow B cells, which was followed by increased IgG1 production and the induction of osteoclast-mediated bone loss. Overall, these data identify Fra1 as a key mediator of IgG-RF production and autoimmune-mediated bone loss. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Aryl hydrocarbon‐estrogen alpha receptor‐dependent expression of miR‐206, miR‐27b, and miR‐133a suppress cell proliferation and migration in MCF‐7 cells
Authors: Mobini Keivan , Tamaddon Gholamhossein , Fardid Reza , Keshavarzi Majid , Mohammadi‐Bardbori Afshin
Published: February 2019

The underlying functions of miR‐206, miR‐133a, miR‐27b, and miR‐21, and their link to the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathways remain largely unexplored. In this study, we detect the expression of miR‐206, miR‐133a, miR‐27b, and miR‐21 in MCF‐7 through quantificational real‐time polymerase chain reaction assay along with the activation/inhibition of ERα and AhR receptors. Aside from this, cell proliferation and migration as well as AhR‐dependent CYP1A1 enzyme activity were measured. Here, we found that the forced increased expression of miR‐206, miR‐133a, and miR‐27b were closely associated with the suppression of MCF‐7 cell proliferation and migration. The anti‐proliferative‐metastatic effect of miR‐206, miR‐133a, and miR‐27b was probably mediated by targeting the ERα and AhR signaling pathways. Considered together, our study indicated that the overexpression of miR‐206, miR‐133a, and miR‐27b might be potential biomarkers for prognosis and therapeutic strategies in breast cancer.
Integrated network analysis and machine learning approach for the identification of key genes of triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Naorem Leimarembi Devi , Muthaiyan Mathavan , Venkatesan Amouda
Published: February 2019

Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) has attracted more attention compared with other breast cancer subtypes due to its aggressive nature, poor prognosis, and chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment with no other approved targeted therapy. Therefore, the study aimed to discover more promising therapeutic targets and investigating new insights of biological mechanism of TNBC. Six microarray data sets consisting of 463 non‐TNBC and 405 TNBC samples were mined from Gene Expression Omnibus. The data sets were integrated by meta‐analysis and identified 1075 differentially expressed genes. Protein‐protein interaction network was constructed which consists of 486 nodes and 1932 edges, where 29 hub genes were obtained with high topological measures. Further, 16 features (hub genes), 12 upregulated (AURKB,
CCNB2,
CDC20,
DDX18,
EGFR,
ENO1,
MYC,
NUP88,
PLK1,
PML,
POLR2F, and
SKP2) and four downregulated (
CCND1,
GLI3,
SKP1, and
TGFB3) were selected through machine learning correlation based feature selection method on training data set. A naïve Bayes based classifier built using the expression profiles of 16 features (hub genes) accurately and reliably classify TNBC from non‐TNBC samples in the validation test data set with a receiver operating curve of 0.93 to 0.98. Subsequently, Gene Ontology analysis revealed that the hub genes were enriched in mitotic cell cycle processes and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that they were enriched in cell cycle pathways. Thus, the identified key hub genes and pathways highlighted in the study would enhance the understanding of molecular mechanism of TNBC which may serve as potential therapeutic target.
Deterioration of semen quality and sperm‐DNA integrity as influenced by cigarette smoking in fertile and infertile human male smokers—A prospective study
Authors: Ranganathan Parameswari , Rao Kamini Aravind , Thalaivarasai Balasundaram Sridharan
Published: February 2019

In modernized lifestyle smoking is one of the trendy, psychological, and socioeconomic scenarios of young adolescents mainly in the age of the reproductive stage. Based on a number of cigarettes smoked, age, and duration of the smoke, the study aims to search for the profound effects of smoking and its impact on semen parameters, sperm‐DNA integrity, and fragmentation of sperm DNA with cotinine and apoptotic caspase‐3 marker in the seminal plasma of fertile and infertile smokers. To determine oxidative damage by 8‐hydroxy deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) from isolated sperm DNA (steps: reactive oxygen species washing by nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT), sperm lysis, salt digestion, ethanol washing, and finally with high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis). Level of DNA fragmentation (percentage) in native and intact DNA, the activity of caspase‐3 in infertile smokers will be compared with the control group of nonsmokers. Also, the sperm viability was visualized by eosin‐nigrosin and aniline blue staining. Cotinine is one of the best markers of smoking. The cotinine level (2224.24 ± 1.19 *** ng/mL), when abundant it negative correlates with morphology and rapid motility in infertile smokers than nonsmokers. Gel preprogram measured the sperm integrity and was found to be less in smokers than nonsmokers. The spermatic oxidative marker 8‐OHdG was high and gave an R
2 value of 0.9104 with morphology and 0.9007 for rapid motility of infertile sperm, respectively. Infertile smoking subjects (<10 cigarettes/day) had significant changes increase in sperm fragmentation, caspase‐3, and cotinine while negative impact with motility, morphology, and pH of semen compared with fertile, infertile nonsmoking subjects.
The clinical value of hematological markers in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with tocilizumab
Authors: Zhou Li , Xiao Dong‐Mei , Qin Wen , Xie Bin‐Hua , Wang Ting‐Hui , Huang Hua , Zhao Bao‐Jing , Han Xi , Sun Qing‐Qing , Wu Xiu‐Di , Cen Han
Published: February 2019

Background

Emerging evidence indicates that some hematological markers have critical value in evaluating treatment response. This study was performed to determine the clinical value of hemoglobin (Hb), platelet (Plt), neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with tocilizumab (TCZ).

Methods

Fifty‐two RA patients receiving TCZ were recruited and followed for 6 months. The values of abovementioned hematological markers were collected. Clinical disease activity index (CDAI) and disease activity score based on 28 joints (DAS28)‐ESR were calculated. Correlation analysis was conducted by calculating Pearson's correlation coefficient. The change in disease activity between groups according to the baseline level of hematological markers was compared by t test.

Results

Significant correlation between change in NLR (△NLR), change in PLR (△PLR), and change in CDAI (△CDAI) was found (△NLR: r = 0.30, P = 0.03; △PLR: r = 0.31, P = 0.03). The change in Plt (△Plt) was correlated with change in DAS28‐ESR (△DAS28‐ESR) (r = 0.36, P = 8.24 × 10−3). Greater improvement in CDAI was seen in patients categorized into Plt high group (t = 2.06, P = 0.04), NLR high group (t = 2.15, P = 0.04), and PLR high group (t = 2.41, P = 0.02) compared with the contrast group.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that △Plt, △NLR, and △PLR could be used to monitor the clinical response to TCZ. RA patients with high baseline levels of Plt, NLR, and PLR achieved more improvement, indicating these hematological markers might be utilized to guide TCZ treatment.
The identification of new biomarkers for bladder cancer: A study based on TCGA and GEO datasets
Authors: Hu Junyi , Zhou Lijie , Song Zhengshuai , Xiong Ming , Zhang Youpeng , Yang Yu , Chen Ke , Chen Zhaohui
Published: February 2019

Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most common neoplastic diseases worldwide. With the highest recurrence rate among all cancers, treatment of BC only improved a little in the last 30 years. Available biomarkers are not sensitive enough for the diagnosis of BC, whereas the standard diagnostic method, cystoscopy, is an invasive test and expensive. Hence, seeking new biomarkers of BC is urgent and challenging. With that order, we screened the overlapped differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of GSE13507 and TCGA BLCA datasets. Subsequent protein–protein interactions network analysis recognized the hub genes among these DEGs. Further functional analysis including Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analysis and gene set enrichment analysis were processed to investigate the role of these genes and potential underlying mechanisms in BC. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox hazard ratio analysis were carried out to clarify the diagnostic and prognostic role of these genes. In conclusion, our present study demonstrated that ACTA2, CDC20, MYH11, TGFB3, TPM1, VIM, and DCN are all potential diagnostic biomarkers for BC. And may also be potential treatment targets for clinical implication in the future.
Genistein protects intervertebral discs from degeneration via Nrf2‐mediated antioxidant defense system: An in vitro and in vivo study
Authors: Wang Ke , Hu Sunli , Wang Ben , Wang Jianle , Wang Xiangyang , Xu Cong
Published: February 2019

Oxidative stress has been reported to be closely associated with the development of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). IDD is one of the major causes of low back pain. Genistein (GES), one of the main isoflavones of soybean, has been shown to exert multiple biological functions on different diseases. Here, we tested the therapeutic potential of GES for IDD. In vitro experiments, we confirmed GES was nontoxic to rat nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) within the concentration of 100 μM. Furthermore, GES was able to suppress apoptosis in tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)‐treated NPCs. In the aspect of extracellular matrix (ECM), GES not only reduced metalloproteinase‐13 (MMP‐13) and a disintegrin‐like and MMP thrombospondin type 1 motif 5 expression, but also increased aggrecan and type II collagen levels. Also, we found GES might rescue TBHP‐induced NPCs degeneration by enhancing Nrf2‐mediated antioxidant defense system. Silencing Nrf2 partly abolished the protective effects of GES on apoptosis and ECM disruption in TBHP‐treated NPCs. Correspondingly, GES ameliorated IDD in a rat model by preserving morphology of degenerative intervertebral discs and promoting Nrf2 expression. To sum up, our study suggests that GES exerts protective effects in NPCs against degeneration and reveals the underlying mechanism of GES on Nrf2 activation in NPCs.
RETRACTED: Adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate the inflammatory reaction in CLP‐induced septic acute lung injury rats via sTNFR1
Authors: Ding Xian‐Fei , Liang Huo‐Yan , Sun Jun‐Yi , Liu Shao‐Hua , Kan Quan‐Cheng , Wang Le‐Xin , Sun Tong‐Wen
Published: February 2019

We hypothesized that the adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs), which secrete high amounts of soluble molecules, such as soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNFR1), may ameliorate sepsis‐induced acute lung injury (ALI). A total of 120 male adult Sprague–Dawley rats were separated into four groups: the sham control (SC), sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), CLP–ADMSCs, and CLP–sTNFR1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) groups; CLP groups underwent CLP and then received 1 × 106 ADMSCs with or without knockdown of sTNFR1 intravenously at 1 hr after surgery. Rats were killed at 3, 6, 24, and 48 hr after the SC or CLP procedures. 5‐Ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine‐labeled ADMSCs extensively colonized the lungs at 6, 24, and 72 hr after injection. The lung wet/dry (W/D) weight ratios in the CLP group were higher than those in SC group; however, ADMSCs ameliorated the W/D weight ratios following CLP, and this effect was abolished by sTNFR1 siRNA treatment. The levels of serum sTNFR1 and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) were higher in the CLP–ADMSCs group and lower in the SC group than in other groups; interestingly, these levels were higher in CLP and CLP–sTNFR1 siRNA groups than in SC group. Tumor necrosis factor‐α and IL‐6 levels increased significantly after CLP, and ADMSCs could alleviate these changes, but the effect was weakened by sTNFR1 siRNA treatment. The lung cell apoptosis and edema levels were consistent with IL‐6 levels among all groups. Therapeutically administered ADMSCs secrete sTNFR1, which most likely protects against ALI in septic rats by ameliorating inflammation and lung edema.
Long noncoding RNA OIP5‐AS1 acts as a competing endogenous RNA to promote glutamine catabolism and malignant melanoma growth by sponging miR‐217
Authors: Luan Wenkang , Zhang Xuanfeng , Ruan Hongru , Wang Jinlong , Bu Xuefeng
Published: February 2019

The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) OIP5‐AS1 has been considered to promote the growth and metastasis of many human tumors. However, the role of OIP5‐AS1 in melanoma has not been reported. In this study, we found that OIP5‐AS1 levels were significantly elevated in melanoma tissue and that high OIP5‐AS1 expression was an independent risk factor for the poor survival of patients with melanoma. miR‐217 suppressed glutamine catabolism in melanoma cells by targeting glutaminase (GLS), the rate‐limiting enzyme of glutamine catabolism. We also demonstrated that OIP5‐AS1 acted as a sponge of miR‐217 to upregulate GLS expression, thus promoting glutamine catabolism and melanoma growth. Overall, this result elucidates a new mechanism for OIP5‐AS1 in metabolism in melanoma and provides a potential therapeutic target for patients with melanoma.
The clinical significance and prognostic value of Xenopus kinesin‐like protein 2 expressions in human tumors: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Yang Weina , Wan Haiting , Shan Renfeng , Wen Wu , Li Jianfeng , Luo Daya , Wan Ren‐Hua
Published: February 2019

Targeting protein for Xenopus kinesin‐like protein 2 (TPX2) is a microtubule‐associated protein that plays a pivotal part in the formation of spindles. There is accumulating evidence that the expression of TPX2 is upregulated in many kinds of human cancers and that this protein is involved in the occurrence and progression of tumors. The purpose of this meta‐analysis was to investigate the relationship between the overexpression of TPX2 and poor prognosis in cancer patients. A total of 18 eligible studies encompassing 3115 patients were included by searching relevant databases. Hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled under random‐/fixed‐effect models. After calculation, the results showed that patients with increased TPX2 expression had a significantly shorter overall survival (HR = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.70–2.86), and disease‐free survival (HR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.67–2.64). In addition, it was found that increased TPX2 expression was significantly associated with TNM stage (OR = 2.17; 95% CI:1.42–3.32), lymph node metastasis (OR = 2.98; 95% CI: 2.28–3.89), distant metastasis (OR = 2.25; 95% CI:1.03–4.92), and vascular invasion (OR = 2.22; 95% CI:1.26–3.91). Nevertheless, there was no significant correlation between increased expression of TPX2 and either gender, tumor differentiation, or tumor size. Thus, we can come to the conclusion that the overexpression of TPX2 is related to poor clinical outcomes and can be used as a biomarker for the prognosis of patients with cancer.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Pharmacological Evaluation of Some New Pteridine‐Based Heterocycles as Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: El Azab Islam H. , Khalifa Mohamed E. , Gobouri Adil A. , Altalhi Tariq A.
Published: February 2019

Considering pteridine as a worthy structure for improving probes of magnificent therapeutic potentials, some new pteridine conjugates were synthesized by aminomethylation of benzopteridinethione with a variety of primary aromatic amines and formaldehyde solution (37%) through the Mannich reaction. The proposed mechanism of formation of the synthesized compounds was discussed, and the structure of the newly synthesized compounds was elucidated on the basis of their IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectral, and elemental analyses. Furthermore, some selected compounds were evaluated in vitro for their antimicrobial activities; the preliminary data stated that the majority of the tested compounds exhibited significant antimicrobial activity. Analogues 22, 23, 20, 19, 24, and 15 were found to be the most potent against all the tested microorganisms.