bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medical image DENOISING scheme using discrete wavelet transform and optimization with different noises
Authors: Aravindan T.E. , Seshasayanan R.
Published: November 2019

In Medical Image Processing (MIP), the images are influenced by various types of noises. Hence, reducing such noises becomes a crucial issue. The main objective is to denoise the noisy images effectively with reduced computational cost. This paper proposes a denoising technique using Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and Social Spider Optimization (SSO) algorithm. Initially, DWT is applied over various noises over the input medical images. Then, the wavelet coefficients are optimized by applying the SSO algorithm. Finally, the inverse of DWT (IDWT) is applied over the optimized coefficients. The denoised image is obtained, and then, the PSNR evaluation is utilized for finding the superior performance. Experimental results using MATLAB show that the proposed algorithm has better performance when compared with the existing approaches.
Inhibitory Effects of Probenecid on Pharmacokinetics of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate and Emtricitabine for On‐Demand HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis
Authors: Liu Stephanie N. , Gufford Brandon T. , Lu Jessica Bo Li , Bushman Lane R. , Anderson Peter L. , Bergstrom Richard F. , Desta Zeruesenay , Gupta Samir K.
Published: November 2019

In a randomized, crossover pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers (N = 14), a single dose of 2 g probenecid (PRO)‐boosted 600 mg tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/400 mg emtricitabine (FTC) (test (T) +PRO) was compared with the current on‐demand HIV preexposure prophylaxis from the IPERGAY study (a 600 mg TDF/400 mg FTC on day 1 and 300 mg TDF/200 mg FTC on days 2 and 3) (control, C IPERGAY). PRO increased mean single‐dose area under the plasma concentration‐time curve extrapolated to infinity (AUC0–∞,SD) of tenofovir (TFV) and FTC by 61% and 68%, respectively. The TFV‐diphosphate (TFV‐DP) concentrations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were higher (~30%) at 24 hours in T +PRO but then fell significantly lower (~40%) at 72 hours compared with C IPERGAY. The interaction between FTC and PRO was unexpected and novel. Further study is needed to determine if this PRO‐boosted TDF/FTC regimen would be clinically effective.
Can wildland fire management alter 21st‐century subalpine fire and forests in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA?
Authors: Hansen Winslow D. , Abendroth Diane , Rammer Werner , Seidl Rupert , Turner Monica G.
Published: November 2019

In subalpine forests of the western United States that historically experienced infrequent, high‐severity fire, whether fire management can shape 21st‐century fire regimes and forest dynamics to meet natural resource objectives is not known. Managed wildfire use (i.e., allowing lightning‐ignited fires to burn when risk is low instead of suppressing them) is one approach for maintaining natural fire regimes and fostering mosaics of forest structure, stand age, and tree‐species composition, while protecting people and property. However, little guidance exists for where and when this strategy may be effective with climate change. We simulated most of the contiguous forest in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA to ask: (1) how would subalpine fires and forest structure be different if fires had not been suppressed during the last three decades? And (2) what is the relative influence of climate change vs. fire management strategy on future fire and forests? We contrasted fire and forests from 1989 to 2098 under two fire management scenarios (managed wildfire use and fire suppression), two general circulation models (CNRM‐CM5 and GFDL‐ESM2M), and two representative concentration pathways (8.5 and 4.5). We found little difference between management scenarios in the number, size, or severity of fires during the last three decades. With 21st‐century warming, fire activity increased rapidly, particularly after 2050, and followed nearly identical trajectories in both management scenarios. Area burned per year between 2018 and 2099 was 1,700% greater than in the last three decades (1989–2017). Large areas of forest were abruptly lost; only 65% of the original 40,178 ha of forest remained by 2098. However, forests stayed connected and fuels were abundant enough to support profound increases in burning through this century. Our results indicate that strategies emphasizing managed wildfire use, rather than suppression, will not alter climate‐induced changes to fire and forests in subalpine landscapes of western North America. This suggests that managers may continue to have flexibility to strategically suppress subalpine fires without concern for long‐term consequences, in distinct contrast with dry conifer forests of the Rocky Mountains and mixed conifer forest of California where maintaining low fuel loads is essential for sustaining frequent, low‐severity surface fire regimes.
Fate of N additions in a multiple resource‐limited Mediterranean oak savanna
Authors: Morris Kendalynn A. , Nair Richard K. F. , Moreno Gerardo , Schrumpf Marion , Migliavacca Mirco
Published: November 2019

Mediterranean oak savannas, such as Spanish dehesas, are multiple resource‐limited ecosystems found in semiarid regions which are key contributors to interannual variability of the global carbon (C) budget. Interactions between nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycles are expected to play a major role in overall ecosystem function as anthropogenic N deposition shifts ecosystems from N to P limitation, leaving unknown how increased N availability might influence C uptake. Therefore, the fate of N additions in dehesas is important for understanding global C cycling. Using a 15N tracer experiment within fertilized (N or N + P) plots of a Holm oak dehesa, we tested the effects of ecosystem spatial heterogeneity (habitat), P addition, and time on the fate of added N. We expected that open pasture areas would retain more of the added N in biological components due to greater N limitation, that the addition of P would enhance N retention in biological components relative to N alone, and that added N would shift from being within the microbial biomass immediately after addition to being predominantly within plants at the beginning of the following growing season. We found that open pasture plots with N only had the greatest label recovery seven months after the start of the experiment, supporting the idea that open pasture was more N‐limited than under‐canopy areas. However, soil was the largest sink for added N, regardless of habitat, treatment, or time. Our results suggest that abiotic fixation of N may play an important role in modifying the effects of N deposition in dehesas.
Photoactive Porphyrin‐Based Metal‐Organic Framework Nanosheets
Authors: Liu Chenxi , Wang Chiming , Wang Hailong , Wang Tianyu , Jiang Jianzhuang
Published: November 2019

5,10,15,20‐Tetrakis[4′‐(terpyridinyl)phenyl]porphyrin and 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis[4′‐(terpyridinyl)‐1,1′‐biphenyl]porphyrin were used as building blocks for the construction of metal–organic framework (MOF) nanosheets with visible light absorption by utilizing the Langmuir–Blodgett technique. Moreover, the MOF‐nanosheet‐modified ITO electrodes were placed into liquid junction solar cells, and the photoconversion efficiencies of these cells were evaluated upon visible light irradiation. In the present work, the layer number of the nanosheets and the inclusion of C60 as guest have been demonstrated to be responsible for improved cell photoelectrical conversion by enhancing absorption and charge transfer, respectively.
Isolation of enriched small RNA from cell‐lysate using on‐chip isotachophoresis
Authors: Khnouf Ruba , Han Crystal M. , Munro Sarah A.
Published: November 2019

In spite of the growing interest in the roles and applications of small RNAs (sRNAs), sRNA isolation methods are inconsistent, tedious, and dependent on the starting number of cells. In this work, we employ ITP to isolate sRNAs from the cell‐lysate of K562 (chronic myelogenous leukemia) cells in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mesofluidic device. Our method specifically purifies sRNA of <60 nucleotides from lysate of a wide range of cell number spanning from 100 to 1 000 000 cells. We measured the amount of sRNA using the Agilent Bioanalyzer and further verified the extraction efficiency by reverse transcription quantitative PCR. Our method was shown to be more efficient in sRNA extraction than commercial sRNA isolation kits, especially when using smaller numbers of starting cells. Our assay presents a simple and rapid sRNA extraction method with 20 min assay time and no intermediate transfer steps.
Site formation processes and urban transformations during Late Antiquity from a high‐resolution geoarchaeological perspective:Baelo Claudia, Spain
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Rodríguez Mario , Brassous Laurent , Rodríguez Gutiérrez Oliva , Martín Peinado Francisco José , Orfila Margarita , Goldberg Paul
Published: November 2019

To understand abandonment processes and secondary uses of public buildings is a key‐challenge to recognize the scope of the urban transformations in Roman cities during Late Antiquity. In this sense, administrative and religious public spaces such as theforaunderwent a great variety of transformations resulting in the genesis of a complex stratigraphy of anthropogenic and natural deposits.Baelo Claudiais a well‐known Roman city located in the Atlantic coast of southern Spain. Recent excavations in theforumhave provided new data that elucidate Late Roman urban transformations. In this study, we use archaeological soil micromorphology, physico‐chemical analyses and geochemistry to investigate site formation processes and to document nontraditional forms of occupation not visible in the macroscopic archaeological record. This methodology allowed for the distinction of several anthropogenic activities such as glass recycling, reflooring practices, plundering of ornamental marbles, middening of organic and penning residues, together with the progressive decay of earth‐based constructions. The complex superposition of site formation processes seen atBaelo Claudiaunderlines the role of micromorphology in the identification of behavioral signatures and its relevance in deciphering urban transformation in Late Antiquity.
Characterization of hippocampal subfields using ex vivo MRI and histology data: Lessons for in vivo segmentation
Authors: de Flores Robin , Berron David , Ding Song‐Lin , Ittyerah Ranjit , Pluta John B. , Xie Long , Adler Daniel H. , Robinson John L. , Schuck Theresa , Trojanowski John Q. , Grossman Murray , Liu Weixia , Pickup Stephen , Das Sandhitsu R. , Wolk David A. , Yushkevich Paul A. , Wisse Laura E. M.
Published: November 2019

Hippocampal subfield segmentation on in vivo MRI is of great interest for cognition, aging, and disease research. Extant subfield segmentation protocols have been based on neuroanatomical references, but these references often give limited information on anatomical variability. Moreover, there is generally a mismatch between the orientation of the histological sections and the often anisotropic coronal sections on in vivo MRI. To address these issues, we provide a detailed description of hippocampal anatomy using a postmortem dataset containing nine specimens of subjects with and without dementia, which underwent a 9.4 T MRI and histological processing. Postmortem MRI matched the typical orientation of in vivo images and segmentations were generated in MRI space, based on the registered annotated histological sections. We focus on the following topics: the order of appearance of subfields, the location of subfields relative to macroanatomical features, the location of subfields in the uncus and tail and the composition of the dark band, a hypointense layer visible in T2‐weighted MRI. Our main findings are that: (a) there is a consistent order of appearance of subfields in the hippocampal head, (b) the composition of subfields is not consistent in the anterior uncus, but more consistent in the posterior uncus, (c) the dark band consists only of the CA‐stratum lacunosum moleculare, not the strata moleculare of the dentate gyrus, (d) the subiculum/CA1 border is located at the middle of the width of the hippocampus in the body in coronal plane, but moves in a medial direction from anterior to posterior, and (e) the variable location and composition of subfields in the hippocampal tail can be brought back to a body‐like appearance when reslicing the MRI scan following the curvature of the tail. Our findings and this publicly available dataset will hopefully improve anatomical accuracy of future hippocampal subfield segmentation protocols.
Exosomal miRNAs as potential biomarkers for acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Su Jia , Li Jiyi , Yu Qinglin , Wang Jingqiao , Li Xiaojing , Yang Jin , Xu Jin , Liu Yahui , Xu Zhifeng , Ji Lindan , Yin Fengying , Chen Xiaomin
Published: November 2019

microRNAs (miRNAs) can be used as biomarkers for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, few reports have focused on the value of exosomal miRNAs in the mechanism of the pathophysiological process from stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) to AMI. Exosomes were isolated via ultracentrifugation after serum samples were collected. The exosomes were then identified by transmission electron microscopy, western blotting, and nanoparticle tracking analysis. The differential expression of miRNAs in exosomes from six AMI and six matching SCAD patients was screened using the Agilent Human miRNA Microarray Kit. Target genes of the candidate miRNAs were predicted via an online miRNA database, Gene Ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses. Further validation was conducted through quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction with 60 exosome samples. The expression of 13 miRNAs was significantly downregulated in the AMI samples compared with the SCAD samples. In addition, we identified various target genes that are mainly involved in the pathways of cardiac rehabilitation and remodelling. Validation of the expression of candidate miRNAs indicated that exosomal miR‐1915‐3p, miR‐4,507, and miR‐3,656 were significantly less expressed in AMI samples than in SCAD samples, and area under the receiver‐operating‐characteristic curve (AUC) analysis showed that the expression of these miRNAs resulted in good predictive accuracy [miR‐1915‐3p (AUC: 0.772); miR‐4,507 (AUC: 0.684); and miR‐3,656 (AUC: 0.771)], suggesting that these serum exosomal miRNAs might be predictive for AMI at an early stage. Hence, exosomal miRNAs might play an important role in the pathophysiology of AMI and could serve as diagnostic biomarkers.
Retracted: Dexmedetomidine alleviates neuropathic pain by regulating JAK/STAT pathway in rats
Authors: Xun Shining , Zheng Rongzhi
Published: November 2019

Neuropathic pain (NPP) is an unfavorable pathological pain with the characteristics of hyperalgesia, allodynia, and spontaneous pain. This study aimed to study the influence of dexmedetomidine (Dex) on NPP. Chronic constriction injury (CCI) was operated to form the NPP rat model. The OX42 and anti‐glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), the nerve growth factors (NGFs), and the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) proteins were separately detected by quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction or Western blot. Inflammatory factors were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The results demonstrated that Dex obviously alleviated CCI‐stimulated mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. Meanwhile, the expressions of interleukin‐1β, tumor necrosis factor‐α, chemokine c‐X3‐c‐motif ligand 1, and C‐C motif chemokine ligand 2 were greatly increased in CCI rats, but these effects were reversed by Dex. In addition, Dex promoted the expressions of NGF, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophins‐3 (NT‐3), and NT‐4 in CCI rats. Moreover, the RNA or protein expression levels of OX42 and GFAP were significantly increased in CCI rats, while Dex inhibited the expressions of OX42 and GFAP. Furthermore, Dex blocked JAK/STAT signaling pathway by decreasing p‐JAK and p‐STAT in CCI rats. Dex had the potential to alleviate NPP by regulating JAK/STAT pathway in CCI rat.
MicroRNA‐598 acts as an inhibitor in retinoblastoma through targeting E2F1 and regulating AKT pathway
Authors: Liu Fengge , Zhang Qi , Liang Yan
Published: November 2019

Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) receive more attention due to their role in the pathogenesis of malignancies. Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most serious and harmful malignant tumor in infants and young children with eye diseases, which often endangers the lives of children. This study was designed to determine how miR‐598 is involved in RB progression. In this study, quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, dual‐luciferase reporter, Cell Counting Kit‐8, and Transwell assays were adopted to detect miR‐598 expression and function in RB. The decreased expression of miR‐598 was identified in RB. Overexpression of miR‐598 suppressed the viability and metastasis of RB cells. Further, E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) is verified as a direct target of miR‐598. Furthermore, E2F1 recovered miR‐598‐mediated‐inhibition of cell viability and metastasis in RB. In addition, miR‐598 was found to promote cell apoptosis and inactivate the protein kinase B (AKT) pathway in RB. miR‐598 suppressed RB cell viability and metastasis through inhibiting E2F1 and inactivating AKT pathway, which may provide a new perspective for RB treatment.
MiR‐3691‐5p is upregulated in docosahexaenoic acid‐treated vascular endothelial cell and targets serpin family E member 1
Authors: Wu Yutang , Chen Zhizhao , Wang Yaoguo , Peng Fangzhan
Published: November 2019

Endothelium, the inner cellular lining of blood vessels, has an important role in the regulation of physiological processes and its dysfunction may initiate cardiovascular complications. Previous investigations have revealed that dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is related to a lower possibility of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Until now, the molecular mechanisms in the biological activities of DHA remain largely unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a vital role in regulating gene expression. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether DHA improves the dysfunction via regulating miRNAs. To understand the protective effects of DHA through modulating miR‐3691‐5p and its target genes for palmitic acid (PAL) induced apoptosis in endothelial cells. The present study demonstrated that DHA upregulated miR‐3691‐5p expression, and downregulated the expression of its target gene serpin family E member 1 (SERPINE1). MiR‐mimics and inhibitors modulation results indicated that miR‐3691‐5p regulates endothelial apoptosis through activating antiapoptotic response which controlled by the STAT3 signaling pathway. In conclusion, we have shown that PAL‐induced apoptosis could be decreased by DHA treatment through miR‐3691‐5/SERPINE1 pathways.
Biochemical properties and progress in cancers of tRNA‐derived fragments
Authors: Ma Zhongliang , Zhou Jinbao , Shao Yang , Jafari Fatemah.A. , Qi Pengfei , Li Yanli
Published: November 2019

tRNA‐derived small RNAs (tRFs), a kind of noncoding RNAs, are generated from transfer RNAs. tRFs have some types according to their source and sizes. They play important roles in cell life and carcinogenesis. In this paper, we review the biogenesis and biological properties. We also focus on current progress of tRFs and some tsRNAs such as tRF‐Leu‐CAG, which have been studied or will be further investigated in tumorgenesis and diagnostic biomarkers in the clinic.
New lower bounds for partial k‐parallelisms
Authors: Zhang Tao , Zhou Yue
Published: November 2019

Due to the applications in network coding, subspace codes and designs have received many attentions. Suppose that and is an ‐dimensional space over the finite field . A ‐spread is a ‐set of ‐dimensional subspaces of such that each nonzero vector is contained in exactly one element of it. A partial ‐parallelism in is a set of pairwise disjoint ‐spreads. As the number of ‐dimensional subspaces in is , there are at most spreads in a partial ‐parallelism. By studying the independence numbers of Cayley graphs associated to a special type of partial ‐parallelisms in , we obtain new lower bounds for partial ‐parallelisms. In particular, we show that there exist at least pairwise disjoint ‐spreads in .
Reference intervals established using indirect method for serum ferritin assayed on Abbott Architect i2000SR analyzer in Chinese adults
Authors: Wang Qing‐ping , Guo Lin‐ying , Lu Zhi‐yong , Gu Jian‐wen
Published: November 2019

Background

Serum ferritin (SF) test has been widely used in clinical practice. However, its reference intervals (RIs) vary depending on the analytical method and ethnic origin. This study was to establish the RIs using indirect method for SF in Chinese adults.

Methods

SF was assayed on Abbott i2000SR analyzer. The SF test results of all health examinees (8913 males aged 18‐93 years and 5397 females aged 18‐90 years) between December 2010 and April 2019 were obtained from our laboratory information system. After Box‐Cox transformation of raw data and exclusion of outliers, parametric and non‐parametric approaches were used to calculate 95% RIs. The correlation between SF levels and ages, and the differences in SF levels between subgroups were also analyzed.

Results

SF levels in females were significantly different from those in males (Z = 88.96, Z* = 23.17; Z > Z*) and showed a weak positive correlation with age (r = .466, P < .0001). The RIs based on parametric approach in males were 66.12‐561.58 µg/L, whereas in all females were 3.59‐269.59 µg/L, females aged <50 years 3.26‐148.02 µg/L and those aged ≥50 years 17.28‐303.27 µg/L. The RIs based on non‐parametric approach in males were 65.00‐571.37 µg/L whereas in all females were 4.00‐254.00 µg/L, females aged <50 years 4.00‐152.00 µg/L and those aged ≥50 years 16.00‐304.05 µg/L.

Conclusions

Our indirect RIs for SF were markedly different from the manufacturer's recommended RIs and might be more suitable for Chinese adults, which would be helpful in interpreting laboratory data and clinical decision‐making.
MiR‐142‐3p functions as a tumor suppressor by targeting RAC1/PAK1 pathway in breast cancer
Authors: Xu Tao , He Bang‐Shun , Pan Bei , Pan Yu‐Qin , Sun Hui‐Ling , Liu Xiang‐Xiang , Xu Xue‐Ni , Chen Xiao‐Xiang , Zeng Kai‐Xuan , Xu Mu , Wang Shu‐Kui
Published: November 2019

MicroRNA‐142‐3p (miR‐142‐3p) was previously investigated in various cancers, whereas, it's role in breast cancer (BC) remains far from understood. In this study, we found that miR‐142‐3p was markedly decreased both in cell lines and BC tumor tissues. Elevated miR‐142‐3p expression suppressed growth and metastasis of BC cell lines via gain‐of‐function assay in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, miR‐142‐3p could regulate the ras‐related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1) expression in protein level, which simultaneously suppressed the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition related protein levels and the activity of PAK1 phosphorylation, respectively. In addition, rescue experiments revealed RAC1 overexpression could reverse tumor‐suppressive role of miR‐142‐3p. Our results showed miR‐142‐3p could function as a tumor suppressor via targeting RAC1/PAK1 pathway in BC, suggesting a potent therapeutic target for BC treatment.
Radiosynthesis and preclinical evaluation of [11C]Cimbi‐701 – Towards the imaging of cerebral 5‐HT7 receptors
Authors: L 'Estrade Elina T. , Shalgunov Vladimir , Edgar Fraser G. , Strebl‐Bantillo Martin G. , Xiong Mengfei , Crestey François , Neelamegam Ramesh , Dyssegaard Agnete , Lehel Szabolcs , Erlandsson Maria , Ohlsson Tomas , Hooker Jacob M. , Knudsen Gitte M. , Herth Matthias M. , Hansen Hanne D.
Published: November 2019

The serotonin 7 (5‐HT7) receptor is suggested to be involved in a broad variety of CNS disorders, but very few in vivo tools exist to study this important target. Molecular imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) would enable an in vivo characterization of the 5‐HT7 receptor. However, no clinical PET radiotracer exists for this receptor, and thus we aimed to develop such a tracer. In this study, we present the preclinical evaluation of [11C]Cimbi‐701. Cimbi‐701 was synthesized in a one‐step procedure starting from SB‐269970. Its selectivity profile was determined using an academic screening platform (NIMH Psychoactive Drug Screening Program). Successful radiolabeling of [11C]Cimbi‐701 and subsequent in vivo evaluation was conducted in rats, pigs and baboon. In vivo specificity was investigated by 5‐HT7 and σ receptor blocking studies. P‐gp efflux transporter dependency was investigated using elacridar. [11C]Cimbi‐701 could successfully be synthesized. Selectivity profiling revealed high affinity for the 5‐HT7 (Ki = 18 nM), σ‐1 (Ki = 9.2 nM) and σ‐2 (Ki = 1.6 nM) receptors. In rats, [11C]Cimbi‐701 acted as a strong P‐gp substrate. After P‐gp inhibition, rat brain uptake could specifically be blocked by 5‐HT7 and σ receptor ligands. In pig, high brain uptake and specific 5‐HT7 and σ‐receptor binding was found for [11C]Cimbi‐701 without P‐gp inhibition. Finally, low brain uptake was found in baboons. Both the specific σ‐receptor binding and the low brain uptake of [11C]Cimbi‐701 displayed in baboon discouraged further translation to humans. Instead, we suggest exploration of this structural class as results indicate that selective 5‐HT7 receptor imaging might be possible when more selective non‐P‐gp substrates are identified.
Off‐line comprehensive two‐dimensional reversed‐phase countercurrent chromatography with high‐performance liquid chromatography: Orthogonality in separation of Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc
Authors: Wang Xiang , Zhao Shanshan , Wang Chaoyue , Sun Wenyu , Jin Yang , Gong Xingchu , Tong Shengqiang
Published: November 2019

Off‐line comprehensive two‐dimensional reversed‐phase countercurrent chromatography with high‐performance liquid chromatography was investigated in separation of crude ethanol extract from traditional Chinese medicinal herb Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc. Two‐dimensional contour plots for countercurrent chromatography with high‐performance liquid chromatography was obtained after comprehensive separation was completed. Total peak capacity was evaluated and approximately 810 peaks were obtained through a comprehensive two‐dimensional separation. A highly orthogonality of 52.23% and a large separation space occupancy of 88.86% were achieved. Meanwhile, it was found that several components could be well separated by countercurrent chromatography while they could not be separated by high‐performance liquid chromatography, and vice versa, which further indicated the orthogonality of the two separation methods. The off‐line comprehensive two‐dimensional countercurrent chromatography with high‐performance liquid chromatography provided a promising and powerful method for separation of complex natural products.
Functional brand qualities and perceived value: The mediating role of brand experience and brand personality
Authors: Coelho Filipe J. F. , Bairrada Cristela M. , de Matos Coelho Arnaldo F.
Published: November 2019

Brand experience and brand personality have become two important theoretical constructs in the branding literature. However, research on the antecedents of these two constructs has been focused on intangible brand characteristics and qualities, underestimating the role of functional features. This study aims to overcome this gap by postulating that two key functional brand qualities, quality and innovativeness, help shape brand experience and personality, which, we ultimately predict, contribute to perceived value. Investments in quality and innovation have grown substantially, but how they materialize in benefits for customers and firms remains unclear. Accordingly, this study provides insights into how firms can engender the characteristics of their offer to build brands that are perceived by consumers as generating a valued brand experience and personality. The results from two samples provide broad support to the proposed model. Both brand quality and innovativeness contribute to brand experience and personality. Moreover, we observe that both brand experience and personality relate to perceived value. Finally, we also determined that brand personality and experience partially mediate the relationship between brand innovativeness and quality and perceived value. Hence, these results provide relevant implications for both theory and the practice of brand management.
Syntaxin 6‐mediated exosome secretion regulates enzalutamide resistance in prostate cancer
Authors: Peak Taylor C. , Panigrahi Gati K. , Praharaj Prakash P. , Su Yixin , Shi Lihong , Chyr Jacqueline , Rivera‐Chávez José , Flores‐Bocanegra Laura , Singh Ravi , Vander Griend Donald J. , Oberlies Nicholas H. , Kerr Bethany A. , Hemal Ashok , Bitting Rhonda L. , Deep Gagan
Published: November 2019

Prostate cancer (PCa) deaths are typically the result of metastatic castration‐resistant PCa (mCRPC). Recently, enzalutamide (Enz), an oral androgen receptor inhibitor, was approved for treating patients with mCRPC. Invariably, all PCa patients eventually develop resistance against Enz. Therefore, novel strategies aimed at overcoming Enz resistance are needed to improve the survival of PCa patients. The role of exosomes in drug resistance has not been fully elucidated in PCa. Therefore, we set out to better understand the exosome's role in the mechanism underlying Enz‐resistant PCa. Results showed that Enz‐resistant PCa cells (C4‐2B, CWR‐R1, and LNCaP) secreted significantly higher amounts of exosomes (2‐4 folds) compared to Enz‐sensitive counterparts. Inhibition of exosome biogenesis in resistant cells by GW4869 and dimethyl amiloride strongly decreased their cell viability. Mechanistic studies revealed upregulation of syntaxin 6 as well as its increased colocalization with CD63 in Enz‐resistant PCa cells compared to Enz‐sensitive cells. Syntaxin 6 knockdown by specific small interfering RNAs in Enz‐resistant PCa cells (C4‐2B and CWR‐R1) resulted in reduced cell number and increased cell death in the presence of Enz. Furthermore, syntaxin 6 knockdown significantly reduced the exosome secretion in both Enz‐resistant C4‐2B and CWR‐R1 cells. The Cancer Genome Atlas analysis showed increased syntaxin 6 expressions associated with higher Gleason score and decreased progression‐free survival in PCa patients. Importantly, IHC analysis showed higher syntaxin 6 expression in cancer tissues from Enz‐treated patients compared to Enz naïve patients. Overall, syntaxin 6 plays an important role in the secretion of exosomes and increased survival of Enz‐resistant PCa cells.
Diffraction by a perfectly conducting wedge illuminated by a complex point source
Authors: Gentili Gian Guido , Pelosi Giuseppe , Righini Monica , Selleri Stefano
Published: November 2019

An elementary dipole in presence of a perfectly conducting wedge radiates a field whose analytic expression can be written in terms of a double infinite series. A dipole located at a point characterized by complex coordinates behaves in the real space as a directive source akin to a Gaussian beam in the paraxial region. In this article, the series solution, originally conceived for a dipole located at a point characterized by real coordinates, is extended to the case of a complex coordinates source, hence providing an analytical solution approximating the problem of a wedge illuminated by a Gaussian beam.
Seltenerdrecycling: Ammoniumchlorid statt Salzsäure
Authors: Lorenz Tom , Jacob‐Seifert Karin , Bertau Martin
Published: November 2019

Feststoffchlorierung überführt universitäre Forschung in den industriellen Alltag und macht so Leuchtstoffe, Permanentmagnete und Akkus kostengünstig recycelbar. Damit würde wirtschaftliches Rezyklieren kein Widerspruch bleiben, sondern Wirklichkeit werden.
"Vom Nutzen des Nutzlosen", Interview mit Susumu Kitagawa
Authors: Zbikowski Frauke
Published: November 2019

Der japanische Chemiker Susumu Kitagawa interessierte sich für die Löcher in einer Struktur und wurde so einer der Erfinder der metal organic frameworks, MOFs.
Eine neue Aufgabe für Laborgeräte
Authors: Ehrensberger Christian
Published: November 2019

Probengeber, Spektrometer, Chromatographen, Thermostate und Datenbanken sollen untereinander so kommunizieren wie Menschen und dabei so präzise und effektiv arbeiten wie Roboter. Damit dies gelingt, müssen sich Anwender und Hersteller dafür öffnen, Daten und Know‐how in eine gemeinsame digitale Infrastruktur einzubringen.
Lothar Meyer – eine Wiederentdeckung
Authors: Kuhn Norbert , Zeller Klaus‐Peter
Published: November 2019

Das von den Vereinten Nationen ausgerufene Internationale Jahr des Periodensystems rückt Dmitri Mendelejews Elementetafel aus dem Jahr 1869 in den Mittelpunkt. Doch es lohnt sich, einen Blick auf den anderen großen Mitbegründer des Periodensystems zu werfen: Lothar Meyer.
Stereozentrum wechsle dich
Authors: Schützenmeister Nina , de Vries Jessica
Published: November 2019

Bei der Totalsynthese von Natur‐ und Arzneistoffen ist die räumliche Orientierung der Moleküle entscheidend. Die Mitsunobu‐Reaktion hat sich bewährt, um chirale, sekundäre Alkohole gezielt in die entsprechenden Enantio‐ oder Diastereomeren zu invertieren. Eine nebenproduktarme und katalytische Reaktionsführung schien unerreichbar – bis jetzt.
Am Anfang war das Narrengold
Authors: Groß Michael
Published: November 2019

Pyrit, also FeS2, ist das häufigste Eisen‐Schwefel‐Mineral in der Erdkruste und wird in Sedimenten laufend neu gebildet. Wie, ist allerdings unklar. Zudem ist es für einige Hypothesen zu einem Urzeitstoffwechsel wichtig und stabilisiert den Sauerstoffgehalt der Atmosphäre. Dass kürzlich Mikroben entdeckt wurden, die Pyrit herstellen, hilft womöglich, alle diese Puzzlesteine zu verbinden.
International Zeolite Conference 2019
Authors: Rabe Timo
Published: November 2019

Mitte Juli fand die 19. internationale Zeolith‐Konferenz in Perth, West Australien statt. Für die sechstägige Veranstaltung hatte die International Zeolite Association (IZA) Forscher und Interessenten aus Unternehmen und Industrie eingeladen, um über Forschungsergebnisse zu porösen Materialien zu sprechen. Dabei ging es nicht nur um Zeolithe, sondern auch um poröse Silicate sowie metallorganische und kovalente organische Gerüstverbindungen. Schwerpunkt war meist die Katalyse im Zusammenhang mit der Raffination organischer Naturstoffe.
Arbeitsklima in Forschung
Authors: Janus Lara
Published: November 2019

Auf Mobbingvorwürfe hat die Max‐Planck‐Gesellschaft mit einer Mitarbeiterumfrage zu den Arbeitsbedingungen reagiert.
Isogeometric topology optimization of anisotropic metamaterials for controlling high‐frequency electromagnetic wave
Authors: Nishi Shinnosuke , Yamada Takayuki , Izui Kazuhiro , Nishiwaki Shinji , Terada Kenjiro
Published: November 2019

This study presents a level set–based topology optimization with isogeometric analysis (IGA) for controlling high‐frequency electromagnetic wave propagation in a domain with periodic microstructures (unit cells). The high‐frequency homogenization method is applied to characterize the macroscopic high‐frequency waves in periodic heterogeneous media whose wavelength is comparative to or smaller than the representative length of a unit cell. B‐spline basis functions are employed for the IGA discretization procedure to improve the performance of electromagnetic wave analysis in a unit cell and topology optimization. Also, to keep the same order of continuity on the periodic boundaries as on other element edges in the domain, we propose the extended domain approach, while incorporating Floquet periodic boundary condition (FPBC). Two types of optimization problems are taken as examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in comparison with the standard finite element analysis (FEA). The optimization results provide optimized topologies of unit cells qualified as anisotropic metamaterials with hyperbolic and bidirectional dispersion properties at the macroscale.
Predictors of perinatal outcome in early‐onset fetal growth restriction: A study from an emerging economy country
Authors: Baião Ana Elisa Rodrigues , de Carvalho Paulo Roberto Nassar , Moreira Maria Elisabeth Lopes , de Sá Renato Augusto Moreira , Junior Saint Clair Gomes
Published: November 2019

What's already known about this topic?

The use of fetal arterial and venous Doppler studies is well acknowledged in the context of fetal growth restriction, with ductus venosus evaluation as the most correlated with fetal acidosis and impending risk of death.

What does this study add?

In a subpopulation of severely growth‐restricted fetuses, the use of z‐score instead of gestational age or fetal weight alone may perform better in a prediction model including biometric and Doppler variables.
Concomitant Use of Quinolones and Stimulants and the Risk of Adverse Cardiovascular Symptoms: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Alrwisan Adel A. , Wei Yu‐Jung J. , Brumback Babette A. , Antonelli Patrick J. , Winterstein Almut G.
Published: November 2019

Objective

To examine whether concomitant use of quinolones and stimulants increases the risk of cardiac events in adults.

Study Design

A retrospective cohort study of privately insured adults using MarketScan® claims data from 2008 to 2015.

Patients

Stimulant (methylphenidate or mixed amphetamine salts) users (18–65 yrs old) with continuous health plan enrollment for the 6 months (baseline) prior to the first dispensation (index date) of oral quinolones or comparators (amoxicillin ± clavulanate or azithromycin).

Outcomes Definition

(1) Cardiac symptoms (palpitation, tachycardia, or syncope); (2) cardiac arrhythmias (ventricular arrhythmias, paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia, or cardiac arrest).

Analysis

Baseline covariates adjustment was through inverse probability of treatment weighting. Adults were followed until the antimicrobial therapy ended. The hazard of cardiac events in stimulant‐quinolones–exposed adults was compared to those who were treated with stimulant‐comparator antibiotics using a weighted Cox regression model. Several sensitivity analyses were performed to challenge the results robustness.

Results

The study cohorts comprised 390,490 stimulants users who initiated either quinolone or amoxicillin, and 387,574 patients receiving stimulants who initiated quinolone or azithromycin. The unadjusted incidence rate for cardiac symptoms in stimulant‐quinolones users was 471 cases/10,000 patient‐years, and it was 244 cases/10,000 patient‐years in patients exposed to stimulant‐amoxicillin; whereas the unadjusted incidence rate for cardiac symptoms was 728 and 358 per 10,000 patient‐years for stimulant‐quinolones and stimulant‐azithromycin cohorts, respectively. Compared to stimulant‐amoxicillin use, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for cardiac symptoms with stimulant‐quinolones use was 1.61 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30–1.98). The HR for cardiac symptoms for patient exposed to stimulant‐quinolones was 1.69 (95% CI, 1.32–2.13) when compared to stimulant‐azithromycin. The sensitivity analysis findings were consistent with the primary analysis. A few patients across the study comparison groups developed cardiac arrhythmias.

Conclusion

Concomitant use of stimulants and quinolone was associated with an increased hazard of cardiac symptoms in comparison to concomitant use of stimulants and amoxicillin or azithromycin, but there was no apparent difference in cardiac arrhythmias.
A structural determinant of mycophenolic acid resistance in eukaryotic inosine 5′‐monophosphate dehydrogenases
Authors: Freedman Rebecca , Yu Runhan , Sarkis Alexander W. , Hedstrom Lizbeth
Published: November 2019

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is a potent natural product inhibitor of fungal and other eukaryotic inosine 5′‐monophosphate dehydrogenases (IMPDHs) originally isolated from spoiled corn silage. MPA is produced by the filamentous fungi Penicillium brevicompactum, which contains two IMPDHs, PbIMPDHA and PbIMPDHB, both of which are MPA‐resistant. The MPA binding sites of these enzymes are identical to MPA‐sensitive IMPDHs, so the structural determinants of resistance are unknown. Here we show that a single residue, Ser267, accounts for the MPA resistance of PbIMPDHA. Substitution of Ser267 with Ala, the residue most commonly found in this position in eukaryotic IMPDHs, makes PbIMPDHA sensitive to MPA. Conversely, Aspergillus nidulans IMPDH becomes MPA‐resistant when the analogous Ala residue is substituted with Ser. These substitutions have little effect on the catalytic cycles of either enzyme, suggesting the fitness costs are negligible despite the strong conservation of Ala at this position. Intriguingly, while only 1% of fungal IMPDHs contain Ser or Thr at position 267, these residues are found in the IMPDHs from several Aspergillus species that grow at the low temperatures also favored by Penicillium. Perhaps Ser/Thr267 is an evolutionary signature of MPA exposure.
Extraction of Switching Parameters for Sr‐Doped YMnO3 Thin Film
Authors: Rathod Kunalsinh N. , Gadani Keval , Boricha Hetal , Sagapariya Khushal , Vaisnani Ajay , Dhruv Davit , Joshi Ashvini D. , Singh Jitendra P. , Chae Keun H. , Asokan Kandasami , Solanki Piyush S. , Shah Nikesh A.
Published: November 2019

Herein, the bipolar resistive switching of Y0.95Sr0.05MnO3 (YSMO) film grown on a Si substrate by pulsed laser deposition is reported. The mixed valent state of Mn ions with the presence of oxygen vacancies is confirmed by near‐edge X–ray absorption fine structure. The temperature‐dependent mobility and other switching parameters are extracted using Murgatroyd expression and a space charge–limited mechanism in the high‐resistance state. The YSMO thin film shows better resistive switching as the switching layer (a layer close to a positively biased electrode) thickness decreases. The bipolar resistive switching of the film suggests a strong dependence on localized switching thickness and temperature.
Field Manipulation of Infrared Absorption Properties in Thin Films
Authors: Hinrichs Karsten , Rappich Jörg , Shaykhutdinov Timur
Published: November 2019

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is a sensitive technique for fast and comprehensive analyses of organic and hybrid organic–inorganic materials, surfaces, and thin films. For interpretation of reflection and absorption IR spectra of thin films, vibrational bands in unpolarized IR spectra are often directly inspected. This approach can lead to misinterpretations. Herein, the influence of anisotropy and oscillator strength on the frequency and shape of observed vibrational bands in IR spectra of thin films is investigated. IR ellipsometric, polarization‐dependent reflectance spectra and polarization‐dependent atomic force microscope–IR spectroscopy (AFM–IR) nanopolarimetric absorption measurements of an about 84 nm thick anisotropic polyimide film (PI‐2611) are compared. The s‐ and p‐polarized spectra are used for separation of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane absorption components. The far‐field spectra are interpreted by analytical modeling. In detail, the frequency range of bands related to antiphase and in‐phase C═O stretching vibrations of the imide rings is investigated. For the antiphase C═O vibration as a relatively strong oscillator, the manipulation of absorption by the incident radiation‐induced electric fields in direction normal to the surface can be revealed in p‐polarized reflectance spectra and is identifiable in the p‐polarized IR nanopolarimetric absorption spectra.
Targeted ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric quantification of methylated amines and selected amino acids in biofluids
Authors: Roggensack Tim , Merz Benedikt , Dick Niels , Bub Achim , Krüger Ralf
Published: November 2019

Rationale

Methylated amino compounds and basic amino acids are important analyte classes with high relevance in nutrition, physical activity and physiology. Reliable and easy quantification methods covering a variety of metabolites in body fluids are a prerequisite for efficient investigations in the field of food and nutrition.

Methods

Targeted ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric (UHPLC/MS) analysis was performed using HILIC separation and timed ESI‐MRM detection, combined with a short sample preparation. Calibration in urine and blood plasma was achieved by matrix‐matched standards, isotope‐labelled internal standards and standard addition. The method was fully validated and the performance was evaluated using a subset from the Karlsruhe Metabolomics and Nutrition (KarMeN) study.

Results

Within this method, a total of 30 compounds could be quantified simultaneously in a short run of 9 min in both body fluids. This covers a variety of free amino compounds which are present in very different concentrations. The method is easy, precise and robust, and has a broad working range. As a proof of principle, literature‐based associations of certain metabolites with dietary intake of respective foods were clearly confirmed in the KarMeN subset.

Conclusions

Overall, the method turned out to be well suited for application in nutrition studies, as shown for the example of food intake biomarkers in KarMeN. Application to a variety of questions such as food‐related effects or physical activity will support future studies in the context of nutrition and health.
Modulating effects of a decoction of a traditional Japanese herbal formula, hochuekkito (with Hedysari radix and Atractylodis rhizoma), on the local mucosal immune system of aged mice
Authors: Kajita Mieko , Saso Kayako , Tanaka Yosuke , Nagai Takayuki , Kiyohara Hiroaki
Published: November 2019

Aim

Hochuekkito is generally considered to express its clinical effects through modulation of the immune system. The formula using Hedysari radix and Atractylodis rhizoma as the component herbs, also has been used clinically as hochuekkito, but its immunopharmacological activity has not been clarified.

Methods

Decocted extracts (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg) were given to BALB/c mice intranasally immunized with influenza split vaccine, and influenza virus‐specific antibody titers were measured on ELISA together with transcriptome analyses with mRNA from uterus and lung.

Results

Hochuekkito at lower doses (0.1 and 0.5 g/kg) increased influenza virus‐specific antibody titers in nasal washes, bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF), genital washes and feces. The higher dose (1 g/kg) of the extract, however, did not induce further increase of the antibody titer in BALF and genital washes. Furthermore, the extract inversely decreased the antibody titers in sera dose dependently. On transcriptome analysis, the 1 g/kg extract upregulated mRNA expression of co‐inhibitory receptors Pd‐1 and Lag3 in uterus but not in the lung. Meanwhile, the extract induced upregulation of the mRNA expression of marker molecules (CD163 and galectin‐1) related to M2 macrophages in lung.

Conclusions

Hochuekkito with Hedysari radix and Atractylodis rhizoma modulates systemic and local mucosal immune systems in different ways. The formula encourages induction and recruitment of regulatory T lymphocytes and M2 macrophages in genital tract and lung, respectively, at the higher dose.
Cow Care and the Ethics of Care
Authors: Valpey Kenneth R.
Published: November 2019

To examine broadly Hindu ethics with respect to animals, this chapter considers how the dharma-bhakti polarity of values might be constructively applied. The key aim is to suggest a complementarity between bhakti and the contemporary (Western) “ethics of care” thought stream applied to animal ethics. Further, the practical application of ethics of care in bhakti calls for a consideration of an expanded understanding of “citizenship,” as proposed by Sue Donaldson and Will Kymlicka, rooted in a non-exploitative pursuit of ahimsa—nonviolence—as an ideal toward which human society must purposefully aim. The political framework in which such citizenship might function is “dharma-based communitarian” in character, currently being implemented (in very small scale) in “anticipatory communities” in which cow care is a key element.