bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolomic analysis of raw Pinelliae Rhizoma and its alum‐processed products via UPLC–MS and their cytotoxicity
Authors: Sun Li‐Ming , Zhang Bo , Wang Yu‐Chen , He Hao‐Ke , Chen Xiao‐Guang , Wang Su‐Juan
Published: October 2018

Alum‐processing is a traditional method to attenuate the toxicity of Pinelliae Rhizoma (tubers of Pinellia ternate, PT). The present study aimed at investigating the chemical and cytotoxic changes during alum processing. Metabolomic profiles of raw and alum‐processed PT were studied based on ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with Orbitrap mass spectrometry. More than 80 chemicals in positive MS mode and 40 chemicals in negative MS mode, such as organic acids, amino acids, glucosides and nucleosides, were identified after multivariate statistical analysis, including principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least‐square discriminant analysis. Almost all of the identified chemical markers were significantly decreased ~10‐ to 100‐fold after alum processing. Meanwhile, the correlations between the chemical markers were assimilated to a positive coefficient from disorderly distribution during the processing. Raw PT extracts could inhibit the proliferation of human carcinoma cells (HCT‐116, HepG2, and A549) at the rate of 40.5, 24.8 and 31.6% more strongly than processed PT. It was concluded that the alum processing of PT could decrease the number of actively water‐soluble principles at the same time as decreasing toxicity. Given the water‐insoluble property of toxic calcium oxalate raphides in PT, we suggest that a more scientific processing method should be sought.
Caralluma fimbriata extract activity involves the 5‐HT2c receptor in PWS Snord116 deletion mouse model
Authors: Griggs Joanne L. , Mathai Michael L. , Sinnayah Puspha
Published: October 2018

Introduction

In Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS), nonprotein coding small nucleolar (sno) RNAs are involved in the paternally deleted region of chromosome 15q11.2‐q13, which is believed to cause the hyperphagic phenotype of PWS. Central to this is SnoRNA116. The supplement Caralluma fimbriata extract (CFE) has been shown to decrease appetite behavior in some individuals with PWS. We therefore investigated the mechanism underpinning the effect of CFE on food intake in the Snord116del mouse. Experiments utilized appetite stimulants which included a 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) 2c receptor antagonist (SB242084), as the 5‐HT2cR is implicated in central signaling of satiety.

Methods

After 9‐week chronic CFE treatment (33 mg or 100 mg kg−1 day−1) or placebo, the 14‐week‐old Snord116del (SNO) and wild‐type mice (n = 72) were rotated through intraperitoneal injections of (a) isotonic saline; (b) 400 mg/kg of 2‐deoxyglucose (2DG) (glucose deprivation); (c) 100 mglkg beta‐mercaptoacetate (MA), fatty acid signaling; and (d) SB242084 (a selective 5HT2cR antagonist), with 5 days between reagents. Assessments of food intake were from baseline to 4 hr, followed by immunohistochemistry of neural activity utilizing c‐Fos, neuropeptide Y, and alpha‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone within hypothalamic appetite pathways.

Results

Caralluma fimbriata extract administration decreased food intake more strongly in the SNO100CFE group with significantly stimulated food intake demonstrated during coadministration with SB242084. Though stimulatory deprivation was expected to stimulate food intake, 2DG and MA resulted in lower intake in the snord116del mice compared to the WT animals (p = <0.001). Immunohistochemical mapping of hypothalamic neural activity was consistent with the behavioral studies.

Conclusions

This study identifies a role for the 5‐HT2cR in CFE‐induced appetite suppression and significant stimulatory feeding disruptions in the snord116del mouse model.
Chinese steamed bread: Packaging conditions and starch retrogradation
Authors: Liu Yu , Wang Xiaolong , Li Xiaoping , Ma Zhen , Liu Liu , Hu Xinzhong
Published: October 2018

Background and objectives

The starch retrogradation of Chinese steamed bread (CSB) under different packaging conditions (sealed package [SP], vacuum package [VP], and thermal‐vacuum package [T‐VP]) was compared in the present study. Parameters including moisture content, moisture migration, starch granule structure, and starch retrogradation were monitored by NMR, SEM, XRD, and FT‐IR.

Findings

During storage, T‐VP steamed bread kept higher water content and had longer shelf life compared to SP and VP. T‐VP hindered the interactions among water molecules, gluten, and starch, thus relatively increasing the mobility of water molecules represented by T23 in NMR tests compared to SP. T‐VP decreased the speed of CSB starch granules getting narrowing in SEM, maintaining a good taste of steamed bread. Results from FT‐IR and XRD suggested a lower retrogradation rate of CSB starch with T‐VP as compared to SP and VP, and the retrogradation of CSB starch was affected by free water during storage.

Conclusions

Thermal‐vacuum package could delay the speed of water desorption, blocked the interaction among water molecules, gluten and starch and slowed the adhesion between starch granule, thus retard starch retrogradation of CSB.

Significance and novelty

Thermal‐vacuum package technology as an anti‐retrogradation packaging system for CSB preservation could extend the shelf life of CSB for at least 84 days at room temperature.
Exfoliating Polyoxometalate‐Encapsulating Metal‐Organic Framework into Two‐Dimensional Nanosheets for Superior Oxidative Desulfurization
Authors: Xu Lili , Wang Yang , Xu Tingting , Liu Shengjun , Tong Jing , Chu Runrun , Hou Xudong , Liu Bo
Published: October 2018

We report the exfoliation of two‐dimensional polyoxometalate‐encapsulating MOF (POM−Co‐MOF) into atomically thick nanosheets for highly efficient desulfurization application. Two‐dimensional layer‐structured MOF [Co2(H2O)4(BTX)3][PMo12O40] (BTX=1,4‐Bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene) is featured with Keggin‐type POM wrapped in MOF skeleton via coordinating to cobalt with terminal oxygen. Wet ball‐milling and sonication assisted top‐down exfoliation in acetonitrile successfully delaminates POM‐MOF into nanosheets, which creates more accessible active sites and efficiently decreases the restriction of mass transfer during the reaction, and thus enhances the desulfurization efficiency. In comparison with bulk POM‐MOF, delaminated nanosheets exhibit a 14‐fold higher desulfurization efficiency via monitoring dibenzothiophene oxidation process (TON value of ca. 400) using H2O2 as oxidant. Meanwhile, POM−Co‐MOF nanosheets also show superior desulfurization performance in model oil system.
Electrodeposition of Ag onto Au(111) from Deep Eutectic Solvents
Authors: Ceblin Maximilian U. , Zeller Sven , Schick Benjamin , Kibler Ludwig A. , Jacob Timo
Published: October 2018

Silver electrodeposition onto Au(111) has been studied as a function of composition of deep eutectic solvent (DES) type III and IV. The electrochemical investigations were performed by using cyclic voltammetry and in‐situ electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance experiments. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with Auger spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize the deposited metal overlayers. Silver deposition from DES type III shows several analogies to the electrocrystallization from aqueous solutions, such as the presence of underpotential deposition. It is shown that the hydrogen‐bond donor exerts a strong influence on the silver growth mode and on the structure of the metal deposits. In addition, the hydrogen‐bond donor turns out to exert a rather strong influence on the plating process during silver deposition from DES type IV.
Competitive Anodic Oxidation of Methyl Paraben and Propylene Glycol: Keys to Understand the Process
Authors: Dionisio Dawany , Motheo Artur J. , Sáez Cristina , Cañizares Pablo , Rodrigo Manuel A.
Published: October 2018

This work focuses on the competitive oxidation of two very different molecules, when they underwent electrochemical oxidation with diamond electrodes. To shed light on the mechanisms of this competitive oxidation, solutions containing methyl paraben and propylene glycol at different ratios are electrolyzed (using sulfate or chloride supporting electrolytes). Results obtained pointed out that removal of both species can be easily attained by the electrochemical process, being promoted the mineralization by the action of the sulfate derivative products and the formation of chlorinated hydrocarbons by the action of chlorine oxidants, although the mechanisms of the oxidation do not depend on the primary anion contained in the waste. The higher the concentration of species to be oxidized, the higher is the amount of intermediates and the slower is the mineralization the ratio influences. An important outcome is that there is a limit concentration in each one organic compound interferes on the degradation of a pollutant. Thus, the interference effect of PG on MeP oxidation was only observed for low MeP/PG ratios.
London Dispersion Interactions in Pnictogen Cations [ECl2]+ and [E=E]2+ (E=P, As, Sb) Supported by Anionic N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes
Authors: Ho Luong Phong , Nasr Alexandre , Jones Peter G. , Altun Ahmet , Neese Frank , Bistoni Giovanni , Tamm Matthias
Published: October 2018

Several pnictogen dihalide complexes of the type (WCA‐IDipp)EX2 (E=P, As, Sb; X=Cl, Br) that bear an anionic N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand with a weakly coordinating borate moiety (WCA‐IDipp, WCA=B(C6F5)3, IDipp=1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene) were prepared by salt metathesis reactions between the respective pnictogen trihalides EX3 and the lithium salt (WCA‐IDipp)Li⋅toluene. Two‐electron reduction of the dihalides (WCA‐IDipp)EX2 with 1,3‐bis(trimethylsilyl)‐1,4‐dihydropyrazine or elemental magnesium afforded the dipnictenes (WCA‐IDipp)2E2, which display typical element‐element double bonds as observed in diaryldiphosphenes, ‐arsenes and ‐stibenes. To provide an insight into the factors contributing to the structural stability of the pnictogen dihalide and dipnictene compounds, quantum chemical calculations were performed at the domain‐based local pair natural orbital coupled‐cluster (DLPNO‐CCSD(T)) level. A local energy decomposition (LED) analysis of the interaction between the carbene and the pnictogen dihalide or dipnictene moiety demonstrates that London dispersion is an essential factor for the stabilization of these compounds.
Electrochemical Oxidative C—H Sulfenylation of Imidazopyridines with Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Yuan Yong , Cao Yangmin , Qiao Jin , Lin Yueping , Jiang Xiaomei , Weng Yaqing , Tang Shan , Lei Aiwen
Published: October 2018

Summary of main observation and conclusion

Selective oxidative C—H sulfenylation of imidazopyridine heterocycles is achieved using an undivided electrolytic cell. The reaction avoids the use of stoichiometric amount of external chemical oxidant and produces hydrogen gas as the only byproduct. Both aryl and aliphatic thiols demonstrate good reactivity for C—S bond formation.
Association of galectin‐3 with markers of myocardial function, atherosclerosis, and vascular fibrosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Anyfanti Panagiota , Gkaliagkousi Eugenia , Gavriilaki Eleni , Triantafyllou Areti , Dolgyras Panagiotis , Galanopoulou Vasiliki , Aslanidis Spyros , Douma Stella
Published: October 2018

Background

Galectin‐3 has emerged as a promising novel biomarker of cardiovascular fibrosis in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Hypothesis

We investigated whether galectin‐3 correlates with markers of vascular fibrosis, subclinical atherosclerosis, and cardiac function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a disease accompanied by high cardiovascular risk.

Methods

RA and non‐RA individuals underwent applanation tonometry, carotid ultrasound, and impedance cardiography, to obtain markers of arterial stiffness, subclinical atherosclerosis, and myocardial function, respectively. Cardiovascular risk was estimated from the Framingham Heart Study. Serum levels of galectin‐3 were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Galectin‐3 was elevated in RA patients (n = 85) compared to controls (n = 39), but this difference was no longer significant after adjustment for the presence of cardiovascular comorbidities. In the univariate analysis, galectin‐3 significantly correlated with markers of vascular stiffness (including pulse wave velocity, central blood pressure, central and peripheral pulse pressure, and total arterial compliance); atherosclerosis (carotid intima‐media thickness); myocardial blood flow (cardiac output, stroke volume) and contractibility (acceleration and velocity index); systemic vascular resistance, and estimated cardiovascular risk. Multivariate analysis models revealed an independent association between galectin‐3 and both cardiac output (β = −0.274, P = 0.039), as well as systemic vascular resistance (β = 0.266, P = 0.039).

Conclusions

In a relatively well‐controlled cohort of RA patients with low‐grade systemic inflammation and long‐standing disease, serum galectin‐3 might be useful as a marker of cardiac function and cardiovascular fibrosis.
Orally Effective Aminoalkyl 10H‐Indolo[3,2‐b]quinoline‐11‐carboxamide Kills the Malaria Parasite by Inhibiting Host Hemoglobin Uptake
Authors: Mudududdla Ramesh , Mohanakrishnan Dinesh , Bharate Sonali S. , Vishwakarma Ram A. , Sahal Dinkar , Bharate Sandip B.
Published: October 2018

A series of indolo[3,2‐b]quinoline‐C11‐carboxamides were synthesized by incorporation of aminoalkyl side chains into the core of indolo[3,2‐b]quinoline‐C11‐carboxylic acid. Their in vitro antiplasmodial evaluation against Plasmodium falciparum led to the identification of a 2‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)ethanamine‐linked analogue {2‐bromo‐N‐[2‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)ethyl]‐10H‐indolo[3,2‐b]quinoline‐11‐carboxamide (3 g)} (IC50=1.3 μm) as the most promising compound exhibiting good selectivity indices against mammalian cell lines. The kill kinetics on erythrocytic‐stage parasites revealed that 3 g caused complete killing of only the trophozoite‐stage parasites. Mechanistic studies showed that 3 g targets the food vacuole of the parasite and inhibits hemoglobin uptake, β‐hematin formation, and the basic endocytic processes of the parasite. Analogue 3 g was found to be orally bioavailable, and its curative antimalarial studies at 50 mg per kg p.o. against a Plasmodium berghei (ANKA)‐infected mouse model revealed that mice treated with 3 g showed 27–35 % suppression of parasitemia with an increase in life span relative to untreated, control mice. Thus, the present work demonstrated a proof of concept for the oral efficacy of indolo[3,2‐b]quinoline‐C11‐carboxamides.
Highly stable and Active Cu1/CeO2 Single‐Atom Catalyst for CO Oxidation: A DFT Study
Authors: Qin Lan , Cui Yun‐Qi , Deng Tao‐Li , Wei Fu‐Hua , Zhang Xiang‐Fei
Published: October 2018

We carried out density functional theory simulations to examine the stability and CO oxidation activity of single Cu atoms supported on CeO2(111). Both the strong binding energy and high activation energy for Cu single atom diffusion indicate a high stability of the Cu1/CeO2 single‐atom catalyst. Electronic structure analysis verifies the formation of Cu+ cation due to electron transfer. The frequency analysis further corroborates that the experimentally observed IR bands around 2114–2130 cm−1 of CO adsorption at the boundary of Cu/CeO2 correspond to Cu+‐carbonyl species. Cu1/CeO2 single‐atom catalyst displays a promising catalytic activity for CO oxidation via Mars van Krevelen mechanism.
A Critical View of Microbial Fuel Cells: What Is the Next Stage?
Authors: Mateo Sara , Cañizares Pablo , Fernandez‐Morales Francisco Jesus , Rodrigo Manuel A.
Published: October 2018

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have garnered interest from the scientific community since the beginning of this century and this has caused a considerable increase in the scientific production of MFCs. However, the ability of MFCs to generate power has not increased considerably within this timeframe. In recent years, the power generated by MFCs has remained at an almost contact level owing to difficulties in the scale‐up of the technology and thus the application of MFCs for powering systems with high energy demands will not be fully developed, at least within a short temporal horizon. Scale‐up by increasing the size of the electrodes has failed, because of the wrong assumption that a linear function describes the relationship between the amount of power generated by a MFC and its size. However, more efficient energy generation upon working with small MFCs has been described. This has led to a new approach for scaling up on the basis of miniaturization and replication. Then, MFCs can be connected electrically in series to increase the overall potential and in parallel to increase the overall current. However, cell‐voltage reversal and ionic short‐circuit issues must be solved for this approach to be successful. Nowadays, the applicability of MFC technology in wastewater treatment does not make any sense in light of the power levels reached, despite the fact that MFCs were seen as a paramount opportunity less than a decade ago. However, MFCs can be used for wastewater treatment with coupled energy generation, as well as for other technologies such as biosensors and biologically inspired robots.
Sixth‐order differential Sallen‐and‐Key switched capacitor LPF using a‐IGZO TFTs
Authors: Wadhwa Nishtha , Bahubalindruni Pydi Ganga , Chapagai Kamal , Goes Joao , Deb Sujay , Barquinha Pedro
Published: October 2018

This paper presents sixth‐order fully differential active low pass RC and switched‐capacitor (SC) filters using N‐type IGZO thin‐film transistors for flexible wearable continuous health monitoring systems. As a first step, a low‐gain amplifier using a diode‐connected load and a fully differential amplifier is designed with positive feedback based on capacitor bootstrapping. These amplifiers present a gain around 5.03 and 40 dB, respectively, whereas their respective GBW product are around 450 and 200 kHz. Then these amplifiers are employed to realize biquads, with which a sixth‐order Sallen‐Key low‐pass RC and SC filters are implemented. The SC filter realized with low‐gain DDA has shown a simulated THD of −30.9 dB, SFDR of 30.1 dB, and a power consumption of 456 μW. On the other hand, the SC filter presents a THD of −31.4 dB, SFDR of 32.2 dB, and a power consumption of 573 μW with high‐gain differential difference amplifier (DDA) when a power supply of 10 V is used. Circuit simulations have been carried out in Cadence Virtuoso using in‐house IGZO TFT models.
Interlaboratory comparison of the TransFix®/EDTA Vacuum Blood Collection tube with the 5 mL Cyto‐Chex® BCT
Authors: Harrison Daniel , Ward Rosalie , Bastow Sarah , Parr Andrew , Macro Susan , Wallace Paul K.
Published: October 2018

Background

An interlaboratory study was performed to compare the performance of the 3 mL TransFix®/EDTA Vacuum Blood Collection Tube (TVT), with the 5 mL Cyto‐Chex® BCT tube (BCT). Both devices are intended for collection and storage of whole blood specimens for immunophenotyping of leukocytes by flow cytometry for up to 14 days.

Methods

One site in the United States and two in the United Kingdom tested samples from 10 HIV positive patients and four healthy subjects for a total of 42 samples. From each subject, three blood samples were collected: a BD 4 mL K3EDTA Vacutainer (Vacutainer), a TVT, and a BCT. At all sites, samples were analyzed on a BD FACS Canto II flow cytometer for a full lymphocyte subset count within 6 h of collection (all devices) and on Day 11 and Day 15 (TVT and BCT only). Data obtained from the Vacutainer were used as the control data set with which TVT and BCT data were statistically compared.

Results and Conclusions

Statistical concordance was demonstrated for both devices in relation to cell absolute count recovery. For cell marker signal, both devices exhibited a significant decrease in mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) for the detection of lymphocyte subsets and their target markers. There was a marked increase in autofluorescence observed for BCT stabilized lymphocytes whereas values for the TVTs were comparable to the control. There were eight instances of statistical equivalence between the level of antibody autofluorescence observed in the control tube and the TVT across both patient cohorts, versus two for the BCT. © 2018 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Evaluation of mathematical models to estimate end‐to‐end traffic in a backbone network
Authors: Emami Mohsen , Akbari Reza , Zamani Ali
Published: October 2018

End‐to‐end network traffic analysis is one of the most important factors in design, development, and traffic engineering of large‐scale backbone networks. Despite the importance of end‐to‐end traffic, it is not applicable to measure it directly using protocols such as NetFlow in large‐scale networks due to high computational cost. One technique to tackle this problem is estimating end‐to‐end traffic using easily measured neighboring link loads. Tomography model relates these two parameters with linear equations. In this way, the problem turns into an inverse problem. Since the number of link loads is usually smaller than the number of end‐to‐end flows in a computer network, traffic matrix estimation is considered to be an ill‐posed problem. In this paper, we propose two different methods for estimation of end‐to‐end traffic matrix by means of link load measurements. One of the methods deploys Kalman filter and the other is developed based on Tikhonov regularization with respect to the existence of temporal autocorrelation among traffics. We also propose a best estimation model based on least squares, which explores the temporal autocorrelation in end‐to‐end traffics. This model is used as the best estimator and has been compared with other methods. We have evaluated the efficiency of the proposed methods using real datasets from Abilene and GÉANT backbone networks. It is worth noting that the proposed methods in this paper also can be used in any inverse problem with temporal autocorrelation
Adaptive envelope process and minimum service curve applied to resource block allocation in the LTE downlink
Authors: Abrahão Diego Cruz , Vieira Flávio Henrique Teles
Published: October 2018

In this work, we propose a resource allocation algorithm for the LTE downlink that makes use of an adaptive multifractal envelope process and a minimum service curve. The proposed scheduling algorithm aims to improve some network parameters while guaranteeing a maximum delay to the user by considering the following information: backlog, channel condition and user traffic behavior. In order to estimate the maximum network delay, we propose an adaptive minimum service curve for the LTE network that can be used for admission control purposes in the resource allocation algorithm. The performance of the proposed scheduling algorithm is compared to those of several scheduling schemes known in the literature through computational simulations of the LTE downlink. In order to develop a new adaptive envelope process and to precisely describe network flows, we propose an adaptive algorithm to estimate the parameters of the Multifractal Wavelet Model (MWM). The proposed envelope process is compared to the main traffic model based envelope processes known in the literature. Simulations of the LTE downlink considering AMC (Adaptive Modulation and Coding) are carried out showing the efficiency of the proposed resource allocation approach that considers adaptive estimation of network traffic parameters.
A retrospective analysis of the performance of the RosettaGX® Reveal™ thyroid miRNA and the Afirma Gene Expression Classifiers in a cohort of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules
Authors: Walts Ann E. , Sacks Wendy L. , Wu Howard H. , Randolph Melissa L. , Bose Shikha
Published: October 2018

Background

Molecular tests are increasingly used to triage cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules for surgery and/or follow‐up. We retrospectively compared the performance of the Afirma Gene Expression Classifier (AGEC) with that of the more recently developed RosettaGX® Reveal™ miRNA Classifier (Reveal) in a cohort of Bethesda III–V thyroid FNAs with surgical follow‐up.

Design

Eighty‐one samples (54 Bethesda III, 26 Bethesda IV, 1 Bethesda V) with available AGEC (74 AGEC‐SUSP and 7 AGEC‐BENIGN) and surgical pathology results were studied from three academic centers. Reveal was performed in a blinded fashion.

Results

The final diagnoses were benign/NIFTP (n = 63) and malignant (n = 18). The overall “correct” rate was 64.2% for Reveal and 28.4% for AGEC (P = 1.4e‐6). The specificity of Reveal was 60.3%, compared with 9.5% for AGEC (P = 2.1e‐9). Among the 18 malignant cases, 77.8% and 94.4% were correctly classified as suspicious by Reveal and AGEC, respectively (P = 0.2). In the FLUS and the FN group, the specificity of AGEC was lower than the specificity of Reveal. Whether the 7 NIFTP in our study were considered benign or malignant, specificity and PPV of Reveal were higher than those of AGEC. Reveal also outperformed AGEC in correctly classifying the 26 benign Hürthle lesions studied (P = 7.6e‐5).

Conclusion

Reveal outperformed AGEC in this cohort, whether NIFTP is considered benign or malignant, and in Hürthle lesions. Reveal has the potential to reduce the number of unnecessary resections in patients with indeterminate thyroid cytology. Based on our findings and the practical advantages offered by Reveal methodology, large prospective studies are warranted. Diagn. Cytopathol.
Developmental Maturation of Functional Coupling Between Ventilatory Oscillators in the American Bullfrog
Authors: Trask William M. , Baghdadwala Mufaddal I. , Wilson Richard J. A.
Published: October 2018

Many vital motor behaviors – including locomotion, swallowing, and breathing – appear to be dependent upon the activity of and coordination between multiple endogenously rhythmogenic nuclei, or neural oscillators. Much as the functional development of sensory circuits is shaped during maturation, we hypothesized that coordination of oscillators involved in motor control may likewise be maturation‐dependent, i.e., coupling and coordination between oscillators change over development. We tested this hypothesis using the bullfrog isolated brainstem preparation to study the metamorphic transition of ventilatory motor patterns from early rhythmic buccal (water) ventilation in the tadpole to the mature pattern of rhythmic buccal and lung (air) ventilation in the adult. Spatially distinct oscillators drive buccal and lung bursts in the isolated brainstem; we found these oscillators to be active but functionally uncoupled in the tadpole. Over the course of metamorphosis, the rhythms produced by the buccal and lung oscillators become increasingly tightly coordinated. These changes parallel the progression of structural and behavioral changes in the animal, with adult levels of coupling arising by the metamorphic stage (forelimb eruption). These findings suggest that oscillator coupling undergoes a maturation process similar to the refinement of sensory circuits over development.
Age‐specific and context‐specific responses of the medial extended amygdala in the developing prairie vole
Authors: Hiura Lisa C. , Kelly Aubrey M. , Ophir Alexander G.
Published: October 2018

The social needs of organisms change as they mature. Yet, little is known about the mechanisms that subserve processing social interactions or how these systems develop. The medial extended amygdala (meEA) is comprised of the medial bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTm) and the medial amygdala (MeA). This neural complex holds great promise for understanding how the social brain processes information. We assessed expression of the immediate early gene cFos and the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) at three developmental time‐points (postnatal day [PND] 2, 9, and 21) to determine how developing prairie voles process familial social contact, separation, and reunion. We demonstrate that (1) BSTm cFos responses were sensitive to separation from family units at PND 9 and PND 21, but not at PND 2; (2) MeA cFos responses were sensitive to reunion with the family, but only in PND 21 pups; (3) BSTm TH neurons did not exhibit differential responses to social condition at any age; and (4) MeA TH neurons responded strongly to social contact (remaining with family or following reunion), but only at PND 21. Our results suggest that the sub‐units of the meEA become functionally responsive at different developmental time points, and are differentially activated in response to distinct social contexts. Overall, our results support the notion that interconnected regions of the meEA follow divergent developmental timelines and are sensitive to distinct properties of social contexts.
Patterns of weight control behavior persisting beyond young adulthood: Results from a 15‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Haynos Ann F. , Wall Melanie M. , Chen Chen , Wang Shirley B. , Loth Katie , Neumark‐Sztainer Dianne
Published: October 2018

Objective

Dieting and unhealthy weight control behaviors have been associated with negative outcomes. Most research has examined the prevalence of these behaviors in adolescence and young adulthood. Less is known about whether they persist further into adulthood. We examined patterns of weight control behaviors beyond young adulthood using data from 1,455 males and females participating in Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults), a 15‐year population‐based, longitudinal study.

Method

Participants completed surveys assessing dieting, high‐frequency dieting (i.e., 5+ times/year), unhealthy weight control (e.g., fasting), and extreme weight control (e.g., vomiting) at each 5‐year assessment (Waves 1–4). Longitudinal logistic regression models tested trends in weight control behaviors across the waves. Likelihood of persisting or discontinuing each behavior from Wave 3 to Wave 4 was examined through cross tabulations.

Results

Between Waves 3 and 4 in adulthood, dieting increased for both genders (Women: p < .001; Men: p = .004) and high‐frequency dieting (p < .001) and unhealthy weight control behaviors (p = .011) increased for men. For both genders, dieting and unhealthy weight control patterns initiated in prior to young adulthood were more likely to persist than cease in adulthood (ps < .001).

Discussion

Weight control behaviors continue to be prevalent in adulthood, and to especially increase among men. Research is needed to understand the consequences of weight control behaviors in different life stages; however, the results suggest that interventions to decrease unhealthy weight management practices may be needed well into adulthood.
Changes Occurring in the Volatile Constituents of Flaxseed Oils (FSOs) Prepared with Diverse Roasting Conditions
Authors: Wei Changqing , Zhou Qi , Han Bo , Chen Zhuo , Liu Wenyu
Published: October 2018

The roasting process is the most significant factor in forming the final flavor character of FSO. A wide variety of volatile constituents in FSO prepared from flaxseeds that were roasted at different temperatures are evaluated by head‐space solid phase micro‐extraction (HS‐SPME) coupled with GC‐MS. There are 69 volatile constituents that are tentatively identified, and the sensory variance analysis indicates that all of the FSO samples gives comparable intensity values for the “oily” and “herbaceous”aroma descriptors, and the odor profiles of the FSO samples differed significantly with regards to the “roasted” and “almond” aromas (p < 0.05). The principal component analysis (PCA) of the volatiles showed the first principal component (PC‐1) and the second principal component (PC‐2) express 84 and 9% of the volatile component variability in the FSO, respectively, which can clearly differentiate FSOs prepared from different roasting conditions. Additionally, the loadings plot further shows that the RFSO correlated more with three groups of volatile constituents according to the degree of roasting (with the total numbers and numbers of specific compounds between brackets): aldehydes (19:2, (E, E)‐2,4‐pentadienal, (E, E)‐2,4‐heptadienal), ketones (9:3,2‐hexanone, (E)‐3‐octen‐2‐one, 5‐methyl‐2(5H)‐furan‐one), and heterocyclic compounds (11:4, 2,3‐dimethylpyrazine, trimethylpyrazine, 2‐ethyl‐furan, 2‐ethyl‐6‐methylpyrazine).

Practical Applications: Monitoring of the roasting process is an unavoidable task to obtain the desired volatiles and taste to ensure RFSO quality constant at an industrial level. In general, the most adopted indicator to control the degree of roasting in industry is visual inspection, which may not be accurate for the quality evaluation because RFSO presented the same average color value although they are derived from different roasted degree. Different resources will imply in variable volatile constituents for the same type of flaxseeds. It is therefore known that FSOs produced from different roasting processing may be differentiated by their volatile constituents. The results show that the major volatile constituents can be used as chemical markers to distinguish different processed RFSO by the PCA method.

The roasting process contributes the most in forming the final flavor character of flaxseed oils (FSOs). By increasing the roasting temperature, the color of FSOs changed gradually from light yellow (0–40 min) to brown (40 min) and finally to deep‐brown (50 min). A wide variety of volatile compounds in FSOs are evaluated and compared with those of unroasted FSO by HS‐SPME‐GC‐MS and sensory variance. The sensory variance analysis indicates that the odor profiles of FSO samples differed significantly with regards to the “roasted” and “almond” aromas (p < 0.05). PCA analysis can clearly differentiate FSOs prepared from different roasting conditions.
Pd‐Catalyzed Regioselective Direct Double C–H Arylation of 6,7‐Benzindoles
Authors: Li Ping‐Gui , Yang Youqing , Zhu Shuai , Li Hong‐Xi , Zou Liang‐Hua
Published: October 2018

A palladium‐catalyzed protocol for the first direct diarylation of 6,7‐benzindoles with aryl iodides at the C4 and C5 positions was developed. The key to this strategy was the employment of pivaloyl as the directing group at the C3 position and the blocking effect at the C6 and C7 positions. The reaction proceeded very well, providing a series of diarylated 6,7‐benzindoles without prefunctionalization at the reactive sites. Several examples on the unexpected monoarylation of 6,7‐benzindoles at the C5 position were also presented.
Toxic and Genotoxic Effects of Silver Nanoparticles in Drosophila
Authors: Alaraby Mohamed , Romero Sara , Hernández Alba , Marcos Ricard
Published: October 2018

The in vivo model Drosophila melanogaster was used here to determine the detrimental effects induced by silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exposure. The main aim was to explore its interaction with the intestinal barrier and the genotoxic effects induced in hemocytes. The observed effects were compared with those obtained by silver nitrate, as an agent acting via the release of silver ions. Larvae were fed in food media containing both forms of silver. Results indicated that silver nitrate was more toxic than AgNPs when the viability “egg‐to‐adult” was determined. Depigmentation was observed in adults including those exposed to nontoxic concentrations, as indicative of exposure action. Interestingly, AgNPs were able to cross the intestinal barrier affecting hemocytes that show significant increases in the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Additionally, significant levels of genotoxic damage, as determined by the comet assay, were also induced. When the expression of different stress‐response genes was determined, for both AgNPs and silver nitrate, significant upregulation of Sod2 and p53 genes was observed. Our results confirm for the first time that in an in vivo model as Drosophila, AgNPs are able to cross the intestinal barriers and produce primary DNA damage (comet assay) via oxidative stress induction. In general, the effects induced by silver nitrate were more pronounced than those induced by AgNPs what would emphasize the role of silver ions in the observed effects. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 60:277–285, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A large‐scale spatio‐temporal binomial regression model for estimating seroprevalence trends
Authors: Self Stella C. Watson , McMahan Christopher S. , Brown Derek A. , Lund Robert B. , Gettings Jenna R. , Yabsley Michael J.
Published: October 2018

This paper develops a large‐scale Bayesian spatio‐temporal binomial regression model to investigate regional trends in antibody prevalence toBorrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Our model uses Gaussian predictive processes to estimate the spatially varying trends and a conditional autoregressive scheme to account for spatio‐temporal dependence. A novel framework, easily scalable to large spatio‐temporal data, is developed. The proposed model is used to analyze about 16 millionB. burgdorferiantibody Lyme tests performed on canine samples in the conterminous United States over the sixty‐month period from January 2012 to December 2016. This analysis identifies areas of increasing canine Lyme disease risk; prevalence of infection is getting worse in endemic regions and increases are also seen in non‐endemic regions. Because Lyme disease is zoonotic, affecting both humans and dogs, the analysis also serves to pinpoint areas of increasing human risk.
Food addiction and preoperative weight loss achievement in patients seeking bariatric surgery
Authors: Guerrero Pérez Fernando , Sánchez‐González Jéssica , Sánchez Isabel , Jiménez‐Murcia Susana , Granero Roser , Simó‐Servat Andreu , Ruiz Ana , Virgili Nuria , López‐Urdiales Rafael , Montserrat‐Gil de Bernabe Mónica , Garrido Pilar , Monseny Rosa , García‐Ruiz‐de‐Gordejuela Amador , Pujol‐Gebelli Jordi , Monasterio Carmen , Salord Neus , Gearhardt Ashley N. , Carlson Lily , Menchón José M. , Vilarrasa Nuria , Fernández‐Aranda Fernando
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Evidence suggests that food addiction (FA) is prevalent among individuals with obesity seeking bariatric surgery (BS), but there is no evidence about whether FA is a predictor of weight loss (WL). We aimed to analyse the prevalence of FA in patients with obesity seeking BS and to examine whether FA could predict WL following dietary intervention before surgery.

Method

The study included 110 patients with obesity who underwent a dietetic intervention. Assessment included endocrinological variables, a semistructured interview to rule out mental disorders, and Yale Food Addiction Scale version 2.0 (YFAS 2.0).

Results

In our sample, the prevalence of FA was 26.4%. Those who met YFAS 2.0 criteria showed less WL after dietetic intervention and regain weight during dietary intervention.

Conclusions

FA appears to be prevalent in obesity. Our findings confirmed a lower WL throughout dietary intervention before surgery in patients who fulfilled baseline criteria for FA. Future interventions should include multidisciplinary intervention to maximize WL before and after BS.
Attention and foresight in organizations
Authors: Schoemaker Paul J. H.
Published: October 2018

The challenges of dealing with the future include its vast scope, in time and breadth, as well as its deep uncertainty. In an age when organizational attention is increasingly limited, deciding how much to focus on the future is a central leadership challenge. At one extreme, a firm can devote massive efforts to rigorous analyses of trends and uncertainties to narrow the range of possible outcomes; at the other, it can do very little of this, wait to see what happens, and then improvise as needed. A wide range of postures exists between these two extremes, reflecting the complexity of issues involved, the firm's strategy plus the costs and benefits of a focus on the future versus the present.
Is function in instrumental activities of daily living a useful feature in predicting Alzheimer's disease dementia in subjective cognitive decline?
Authors: Roehr Susanne , Riedel‐Heller Steffi G. , Kaduszkiewicz Hanna , Wagner Michael , Fuchs Angela , van der Leeden Carolin , Wiese Birgitt , Werle Jochen , Bickel Horst , König Hans‐Helmut , Wolfsgruber Steffen , Pentzek Michael , Weeg Dagmar , Mamone Silke , Weyerer Siegfried , Brettschneider Christian , Maier Wolfgang , Scherer Martin , Jessen Frank , Luck Tobias
Published: October 2018

Objective

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), the earliest symptom in preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD), is insufficient to identify individuals at risk for AD dementia. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether function in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) contributes to identification.

Methods

We analysed data of cognitively unimpaired participants of the prospective German Study on Ageing, Cognition, and Dementia in Primary Care Patients (AgeCoDe) and its extension, the Study on Needs, Health Service Use, Costs and Health‐related Quality of Life in a Large Sample of Oldest‐old Primary Care Patients (AgeQualiDe), collected over 10.5 years. Development of AD dementia was quantified as incidence rates (IRs) per 1000 person‐years. Cox regression was used to assess the association of SCD and IADL function in regard to incident AD dementia.

Results

Of 1467 included individuals, 792 (54.0%) reported SCD at baseline. Impaired IADL were present in 50 (3.4%) individuals. IR for AD dementia was highest in individuals with SCD and impaired IADL (49.7; 95% CI, 24.8‐99.3). Unadjusted and adjusted Cox analyses revealed an increased AD dementia risk for individuals with SCD and impaired IADL (uHR = 6.1; 95% CI, 2.9‐13.0; P < 0.001; aHR = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.1‐5.7; P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Consistent with the SCD concept, IADL function was largely well preserved in the majority of individuals with SCD. However, if difficulties in IADL were present, risk for AD dementia was increased. Therefore, screening for IADL impairment could serve as an economically viable indicator to assess AD dementia risk above and beyond SCD.
Water table dynamics in a constructed wetland, Fort McMurray, Alberta
Authors: Spennato Haley M. , Ketcheson Scott J. , Mendoza Carl A. , Carey Sean K.
Published: October 2018

Surface mining in northern Alberta transforms wetlands and forests into open pits, tailings ponds, and overburden. As part of their license to operate, mine operators are required to reclaim this altered landscape to a predisturbance capacity. In 2012, Syncrude Canada Limited constructed one of the first of two reclaimed wetlands, the Sandhill Fen Watershed (SFW), to evaluate wetland reclamation strategies. SFW is a 52‐ha system atop soft‐tailings that includes an inflow/outflow pump system, underdrains, upland hummocks, and a fen lowland. In this study, water table dynamics of the fen lowland were evaluated in the 2 years following commissioning (2014–2015) to assess whether this newly constructed watershed has hydrological conditions that facilitate hydric soils with water table regimes similar to reference systems. Results indicate that the location and hydrophysical properties of placed materials control water table responses to both water management and precipitation. This differential water table response in the SFW lowland drove lateral fluxes between adjacent landforms, suggesting periods of intermittent water supply from uplands to wetlands along hummock margins. As in natural systems, the lowland fen exhibited several lateral flow reversals over the 2 years depending upon water level. Water tables on‐average were greater than those observed in natural analogues. Comparison during these first 2 years following commissioning contribute to the increasing insight as to how construction and management practices support reclamation postmining.
Tail dependence networks of global stock markets
Authors: Wen Fenghua , Yang Xin , Zhou Wei‐Xing
Published: October 2018

The Pearson correlation coefficient is used by many researchers to construct complex financial networks. However, it is difficult to capture the structural characteristics of financial markets that have extreme fluctuations. To solve this problem, we resort to tail dependence networks. We first build the edge information of the stock network by adopting Pearson's correlation coefficient and the symmetrized Joe–Clayton copula model, respectively. By using the planar maximally filtered graph method, we filter the edge information, obtain Pearson's correlation coefficient and tail dependence network, and compare their efficiencies. The community structure of the constructed networks is investigated. We find that the global efficiency of tail‐dependent networks is higher than that of the Pearson correlation networks. Further analysis of the nodes in the upper‐ and lower‐tail dependence networks reveals that the European markets are more influential than Asian and African markets during a booming market and a recession market. In addition, different cliques are found in the two tail dependence networks. The finding indicates that financial risks will impact geographically adjacent markets.
Detection of the T cell activation state using nonlinear optical microscopy
Authors: Gavgiotaki Evangelia , Filippidis George , Zerva Ioanna , Kenanakis George , Archontakis Emmanuel , Agelaki Sofia , Georgoulias Vasilios , Athanassakis Irene
Published: October 2018

The ability to monitor the activation state of T‐cells during immunotherapy is of great importance. Although specific activation markers do exist, their abundance and complicated regulation cannot definitely define the activation state of the cells. Previous studies have shown that Third Harmonic Generation (THG) imaging could distinguish between activated versus resting microglia and healthy versus cancerous cells, mainly based on their lipid‐body profiles. In the present study, mitogen or antigen‐stimulated T‐cells were subjected to THG imaging microscopy. Qualitative and quantitative analysis showed statistically significant increase of THG mean area and intensity in activated versus resting T‐cells. The connection of THG imaging to chemical information was achieved using Raman spectroscopy, which showed significant differences between the activation processes and controls, correlating of THG signal area with cholesterol and lipid compounds, but not with triglycerides. The obtained results suggested a potential employment of nonlinear microscopy in evaluating of T‐cell activation, which is expected to be largely appreciated in the clinical practice.
Accurate color imaging of pathology slides using holography and absorbance spectrum estimation of histochemical stains
Authors: Zhang Yibo , Liu Tairan , Huang Yujia , Teng Da , Bian Yinxu , Wu Yichen , Rivenson Yair , Feizi Alborz , Ozcan Aydogan
Published: October 2018

Holographic microscopy presents challenges for color reproduction due to the usage of narrow‐band illumination sources, which especially impacts the imaging of stained pathology slides for clinical diagnoses. Here, an accurate color holographic microscopy framework using absorbance spectrum estimation is presented. This method uses multispectral holographic images acquired and reconstructed at a small number (e.g., three to six) of wavelengths, estimates the absorbance spectrum of the sample, and projects it onto a color tristimulus. Using this method, the wavelength selection is optimized to holographically image 25 pathology slide samples with different tissue and stain combinations to significantly reduce color errors in the final reconstructed images. The results can be used as a practical guide for various imaging applications and, in particular, to correct color distortions in holographic imaging of pathology samples spanning different dyes and tissue types.