bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating an owner‐to‐worker training intervention in California nail salons using personal air monitoring
Authors: Quach Thu , Von Behren Julie , Nelson David O. , Nguyen Tuan N. , Tsoh Janice , Le Minhthu , Fu Lisa , Beckman Stella , Reynolds Peggy
Published: August 2018

Background

Chemicals in nail products have been linked to numerous health concerns.

Methods

We recruited Vietnamese‐American nail salon owners and workers in California and randomized salons into an intervention or control group. Owners in the intervention group received training and then provided education to workers in their salons on best practices to reduce workplace chemical exposures. Methyl methacrylate (MMA), toluene, and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) were measured using personal air monitors worn by workers during the work‐shift.

Results

We enrolled 77 salons (37 intervention and 40 control) and 200 workers. There was no significant intervention effect between the two groups. However, MMA and TVOCs were higher for workers who used gel polish and acrylic nails as well as in busy salons.

Conclusions

Although the intervention did not show reductions in chemical levels, identifying worker tasks and salon characteristics that predict chemical levels can inform future interventions to reduce exposures.
Put the Sun in the Tank: Future Developments in Sustainable Energy Systems
Authors: Schlögl Robert
Published: August 2018

The conversion of energy systems toward sustainable solutions has been progressing for several years. The effect on protecting the climate can now be estimated through new projections and is presented here for the European Union. The results are compared to the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and show that additional, new and qualitative measures must be taken.
Tethered hydrophilic polymers layers on a polyamide surface
Authors: Moses (Varin) Kari J. , Kim Soomin , Bilal Muhammad , Cohen Yoram
Published: August 2018

Modification of the hydrophilicity of a polyamide surface with tethered poly(acrylic acid), poly(vinylsulfonic acid), or poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) was accomplished by atmospheric pressure plasma surface activation, followed by free radical graft polymerization with vinyl monomers. Surface activation was more effective with He relative to H2 plasma leading to thicker grafted polymer layers of higher surface density. The thickness and surface roughness of the tethered layers were up to ~9.7 nm and ~3.6 nm, respectively. Upon surface modification, the free energy of hydration decreased (25–51%) and the polar component of the surface energy increased (by a factor of 3.0–6.5); the above indicating increased hydrophilicity of the modified surface which also correlated with the tethered polymer layer thickness and surface roughness. The present study suggests that surface hydrophilicity tuning is feasible through the combination of surface chemistry, plasma surface treatment, and graft polymerization conditions. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46843.
Thickness‐dependent microstructural and electromechanical properties in polyurethane films obtained by polymer solution casting
Authors: Wongtimnoi K. , Cavaillé J.‐Y. , Chenal J.‐M. , Guiffard B. , Bogner A. , Seveyrat L.
Published: August 2018

Electroactive polymers (EAPs) are promising materials for actuation and energy harvesting applications. Among the EAPs, polyurethane (PU) material is of considerable interest given its high values of deformation under an electric field. The electromechanical properties were found to be dependent on the processing technique and the thickness of the film. To understand this relationship, a comprehensive study was carried out on polyether‐based thermoplastic PU elastomer films elaborated by solution casting with thicknesses between 12 and 220 μm. Microstructural, dielectric, mechanical, and electrostriction studies were conducted. Thin films present a lower strain for a given electric field compared to thick films. The films exhibit a structural gradient along the thickness direction: a fast evaporation in the upper part of the film close to the interface with air inhibits the phase separation but a more favored one in the lower part. This is consistent with the modeling based on the gradient of dielectric constant and the experimental, mechanical, and dielectric characterizations. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 46981.
The use of a surface active agent in the protection of a fusion protein during bioprocessing
Authors: Blas Peter , Tolner Berend , Ward John , Chester Kerry , Hoare Mike
Published: August 2018

The bioprocessing of a fusion protein is characterised by low yields and at a series of recovery and purification stages that leads to an overall 90% loss. Much of this apparent loss is due to the denaturation of a protein, missing a vital affinity ligand. However, there is evidence of the protection of degradation products which occurs in the presence of shear plus air/liquid interfaces. This study seeks out to characterise the loss and use ultra‐scale‐down studies to predict its occurrence and hence shows these may be diminished by the use of protective reagents such as Pluronic F68.
Structural and Mutagenesis Studies of the Thiamine‐Dependent, Ketone‐Accepting YerE from Pseudomonas protegens
Authors: Hampel Sabrina , Steitz Jan‐Patrick , Baierl Anna , Lehwald Patrizia , Wiesli Luzia , Richter Michael , Fries Alexander , Pohl Martina , Schneider Gunter , Dobritzsch Doreen , Müller Michael
Published: August 2018

A wide range of thiamine diphosphate (ThDP)‐dependent enzymes catalyze the benzoin‐type carboligation of pyruvate with aldehydes. A few ThDP‐dependent enzymes, such as YerE from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (YpYerE), are known to accept ketones as acceptor substrates. Catalysis by YpYerE gives access to chiral tertiary alcohols, a group of products difficult to obtain in an enantioenriched form by other means. Hence, knowledge of the three‐dimensional structure of the enzyme is crucial to identify structure–activity relationships. However, YpYerE has yet to be crystallized, despite several attempts. Herein, we show that a homologue of YpYerE, namely, PpYerE from Pseudomonas protegens (59 % amino acid identity), displays similar catalytic activity: benzaldehyde and its derivatives as well as ketones are converted into chiral 2‐hydroxy ketones by using pyruvate as a donor. To enable comparison of aldehyde‐ and ketone‐accepting enzymes and to guide site‐directed mutagenesis studies, PpYerE was crystallized and its structure was determined to a resolution of 1.55 Å.
Tyramine Functionalized Graphene: Metal‐Free Electrochemical Non‐Enzymatic Biosensing of Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Sapner Vijay S. , Chavan Parag P. , Digraskar Renuka V. , Narwade Shankar S. , Mulik Balaji B. , Mali Shivsharan M. , Sathe Bhaskar R.
Published: August 2018

We report here non‐enzymatic electrochemical biosensing of H2O2 using a highly stable, metal‐free, tyramine functionalized graphene (T‐GO) based electrocatalytic system. The surface functionalization of tyramine on graphene was carried out chemically. The obtained sheets were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) as well as X‐ray photoelectron (XP), Raman, FT‐IR and UV‐visible spectroscopy. More significantly, the combined results from morphological and structural studies show the formation of a few layers of graphene with effective large‐scale functionalization by tyramine. As a metal‐free electrocatalyst, the as‐synthesized T‐GO shown good electrocatalytic activity towards reduction of H2O2 with a sensitivity of 0.105 mM/cm2 confirmed by combined results from cyclic voltammetric (CV) and linear sweep voltammetric (LSV), and amperometric (i–t) measurements. The lower onset potential (−0.23 mV vs SCE), lower detection limit, wider concentration range (10 mM to 60 mM) with higher electrochemical current and potential stability demonstrated the potential of our non‐enzymatic and cost‐effective T‐GO based electrocatalytic system towards reduction of hydrogen peroxide.
Rational Design of Supramolecular Dynamic Protein Assemblies by Using a Micelle‐Assisted Activity‐Based Protein‐Labeling Technology
Authors: Sandanaraj Britto S. , Reddy Mullapudi Mohan , Bhandari Pavankumar Janardhan , Kumar Sugam , Aswal Vinod K.
Published: August 2018

The self‐assembly of proteins into higher‐order superstructures is ubiquitous in biological systems. Genetic methods comprising both computational and rational design strategies are emerging as powerful methods for the design of synthetic protein complexes with high accuracy and fidelity. Although useful, most of the reported protein complexes lack a dynamic behavior, which may limit their potential applications. On the contrary, protein engineering by using chemical strategies offers excellent possibilities for the design of protein complexes with stimuli‐responsive functions and adaptive behavior. However, designs based on chemical strategies are not accurate and therefore, yield polydisperse samples that are difficult to characterize. Here, we describe simple design principles for the construction of protein complexes through a supramolecular chemical strategy. A micelle‐assisted activity‐based protein‐labeling technology has been developed to synthesize libraries of facially amphiphilic synthetic proteins, which self‐assemble to form protein complexes through hydrophobic interaction. The proposed methodology is amenable for the synthesis of protein complex libraries with molecular weights and dimensions comparable to naturally occurring protein cages. The designed protein complexes display a rich structural diversity, oligomeric states, sizes, and surface charges that can be engineered through the macromolecular design. The broad utility of this method is demonstrated by the design of most sophisticated stimuli‐responsive systems that can be programmed to assemble/disassemble in a reversible/irreversible fashion by using the pH or light as trigger.
Surface Modification on Pd‐TiO2 Hybrid Nanostructures towards Highly Efficient H2 Production from Catalytic Formic Acid Decomposition
Authors: Liu Panyiming , Cai Zijian , You Yang , Huang Hao , Chen Shuangming , Gao Chao , Qi Zeming , Long Ran , Zhu Junfa , Song Li , Xiong Yujie
Published: August 2018

Metal‐containing nanocrystals with well‐designed surface structures represent a class of model systems for revealing the fundamental physical and chemical processes involved in heterogeneous catalysis. Herein it is shown how surface modification can be utilized as an efficient strategy for controlling the surface electronic state of catalysts and, thus, for tuning their catalytic activity. As model catalysts, the Pd‐tetrahedron–TiO2 nanostructures, modified on the surface with different foreign atoms, showed a varied activity in the catalytic decomposition of formic acid towards H2 production. The catalytic activity increases with a reduction in the work function of modified atoms; this reduction can be well explained by a surface polarization mechanism. In this hybrid system, the difference in the work functions of Pd and modified atoms results in surface polarization on the Pd surface and, thus, in the tuning of its charge state. Together with the Schottky junction between TiO2 and metals, the tuned charge state enables the promotion of catalytic efficiency in the catalytic decomposition of formic acid to H2 and CO2.
Contrasting Synergistic Heterobimetallic (Na–Mg) and Homometallic (Na or Mg) Bases in Metallation Reactions of Dialkylphenylphosphines and Dialkylanilines: Lateral versus Ring Selectivities
Authors: Stevens Michael A. , Hashim Fairuz H. , Gwee Eunice S. H. , Izgorodina Ekaterina I. , Mulvey Robert E. , Blair Victoria L.
Published: August 2018

A series of dialkylphenylphosphines and their analogous aniline substrates have been metallated with the synergistic mixed‐metal base [(TMEDA)Na(TMP)(CH2SiMe3)Mg(TMP)] 1. Different metallation regioselectivities for the substrates were observed, with predominately lateral or meta‐magnesiated products isolated from solution. Three novel heterobimetallic complexes [(TMEDA)Na(TMP)(CH2PCH3Ph)Mg(TMP)] 2, [(TMEDA)Na(TMP)(m‐C6H4PiPr2)Mg(TMP)] 3 and [(TMEDA)Na(TMP)(m‐C6H4NEt2)Mg(TMP)]  4 and two homometallic complexes [{(TMEDA)Na(EtNC6H5)}2] 5 and [(TMEDA)Na2(TMP)(C6H5PEt)]2 6 derived from homometallic metallation have been crystallographically characterised. Complex 6 is an unprecedented sodium‐amide, sodium‐phosphide hybrid with a rare (NaNNaP)2 ladder motif. These products reveal contrasting heterobimetallic deprotonation with homometallic induced ethene elimination reactivity. Solution studies of metallation mixtures and electrophilic iodine quenching reactions confirmed the metallation sites. In an attempt to rationalise the regioselectivity of the magnesiation reactions the C−H acidities of the six substrates were determined in THF solution using DFT calculations employing the M06‐2X functional and cc‐pVTZ Dunning's basis set.
Back Cover: Asymmetric Synthesis of the Ring A Substructure of Genkwadane A (Chin. J. Chem. 9/2018)
Authors: Feng Jing , Yin Hongli , Man Yi , Fu Shaomin , Liu Bo
Published: August 2018

The back cover picture shows Genkwadane A was isolated from the flower buds of Daphne genkwa which shows bioactivity against HeLa, HepG2, HT‐1080, MCF‐7, A549, U‐937, K562 and HL60 cell lines. It is the first time that a daphnane diterpenoid bearing a 1,10‐double bond was isolated. In this paper, B. Liu and co‐workers report asymmetric synthesis of the ring A substructure of genkwadane A in 10 steps from D‐tartrate derivative. More details are discussed in the article by Liu et al. on page 831–836.

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Optimal design of fractional delay FIR filter using cuckoo search algorithm
Authors: Kumar Manjeet
Published: August 2018

The conventional gradient‐based optimization methods are not sufficient to optimize nonlinear, multimodal, and nonuniform objective functions of fractional delay FIR (FD‐FIR) filters, and the objective function cannot converge to the global minimum solution. So a population‐based meta‐heuristic optimization algorithm called as cuckoo search algorithm (CSA) has been implemented in the design of optimal FD‐FIR filter. Cuckoo search algorithm is based on lifestyle and unique parasitic behavior in egg laying and breeding of some cuckoo species along with Lévy flight behavior of some birds and fruit flies. To attain a balance between exploration and exploitation in the search space, different set of control parameters is tested by simulation. Extensive simulations were performed to ensure how CSA exploits in the design of optimal FD‐FIR filter. A quantitative assessment of the proposed CSA‐based method is accomplished using several performance metric such as magnitude error, convergence rate, and optimal solution. The simulation results reveal the advantages of the proposed FD filter using CSA compared with the FD filter designed using evolutionary algorithm like genetic algorithm and conventional FD filter design methods such as Lagrange, discrete Hartley transform, discrete Fourier transform, discrete cosine transform, and radial basis function methods.
Altered gray matter volumes in language‐associated regions in children with developmental language disorder and speech sound disorder
Authors: Kurth Florian , Luders Eileen , Pigdon Lauren , Conti‐Ramsden Gina , Reilly Sheena , Morgan Angela T.
Published: August 2018

Developmental language disorder (DLD) and speech sound disorder (SSD) are common, and although scientific evidence for structural and functional alterations in DLD/SSD is accumulating, current neuroimaging studies provide an incongruent picture. Here, we hypothesized that children affected by DLD and SSD present with gray matter (or gray matter asymmetry) aberrations in brain areas associated with language processing compared to typically developing (TD) children. To assess this hypothesis, we enhanced MRI‐based information with microscopically defined cytoarchitectonic probabilities of Broca’s area (BA 45, BA 44) as well as an auditory area (TE 3.0). We detected a larger rightward gray matter asymmetry in BA 45 in children with DLD (n = 13) and with SSD (n = 18) compared to TD children (n = 18), albeit only on a trend level. Interestingly though, we observed significantly larger gray matter volumes in right BA 45 in DLD compared to SSD children (and also compared to TD children).
Consider best practices for the accommodation of a modified attendance policy
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: August 2018

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — When students enroll in in‐person programs, it might seem like common sense that they will attend. But how many absences does it take to make a fundamental alteration to a program? How can you reasonably accommodate students who have disabilities that might sometimes make it impossible for them to get to class — or for whom class attendance might sometimes make their condition worse?
Consider your communication strategies for clear meaning
Authors: Gaddy Stephanie
Published: August 2018

As a disability services provider, you probably use communications shortcuts to ease your workload. For example, you might send a quick text message instead of engaging in a lengthy phone call or send an email to update a student instead of having a long, formal meeting.
Social anxiety and eating disorder comorbidity and underlying vulnerabilities: Using network analysis to conceptualize comorbidity
Authors: Levinson Cheri A. , Brosof Leigh C. , Vanzhula Irina , Christian Caroline , Jones Payton , Rodebaugh Thomas L. , Langer Julia K. , White Emily K. , Warren Cortney , Weeks Justin W. , Menatti Andrew , Lim Michelle H. , Fernandez Katya C.
Published: August 2018

Objective

Eating disorders (EDs) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) are highly co‐occurring. This comorbidity is extremely relevant, given that individuals with comorbid ED‐SAD are less likely to seek and/or benefit from ED treatment.

Method

We used network analysis to conceptualize ED‐SAD comorbidity in a sample of 2,215 participants with a primary diagnosis of ED, SAD, or no known diagnosis. We used novel network analyses methods to select symptoms for our models, identify potential illness pathways (i.e., bridge symptoms) between disorders and underlying vulnerabilities (e.g., perfectionism, social appearance anxiety), and to compare across sample types (e.g., clinical vs. nonclinical). We also tested several novel network analyses methods aimed at the following methodological concerns: (a) topological concerns (i.e., which items should be included in NA models), (b) how to use empirical indices to quantify bridge symptoms and (c) what differences in networks across samples mean.

Results

We found that difficulty with drinking beverages and eating in public were bridge symptoms between ED and SAD. We also found that feeling nervous about one's appearance was a bridge symptom.

Conclusions

We identified public eating and drinking as bridge symptoms between EDs and SAD. Future research is needed to test if interventions focused on public eating and drinking might decrease symptoms of both EDs and SAD. Researchers can use this study (code provided) as an exemplar for how to use network analysis, as well as to use network analysis to conceptualize ED comorbidity and compare network structure and density across samples.
Changing profile of eating disorders between 1963 and 2004 in a Japanese sample
Authors: Nakai Yoshikatsu , Nin Kazuko , Noma Shun'ichi , Teramukai Satoshi , Fujikawa Kei , Wonderlich Stephen A.
Published: August 2018

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate possible changes in the demographic and clinical characteristics of Japanese patients with eating disorders using a consecutive series of patients who presented at Kyoto University Hospital between 1963 and 2004. We also studied cultural factors related to eating disorders over time.

Method

We completed a retrospective review of a cohort of patients using a checklist based on the DSM‐5 diagnostic criteria. Patients seen from 1963 to 1974 (Period I, n = 26), 1975 to 1984 (Period II, n = 97), 1985 to 1994 (Period III, n = 540), and 1995 to 2004 (Period IV, n = 700) were compared.

Results

In this study, patients with restrictive eating appeared in the early 1960s. Patients with binge eating and purging behaviors appeared in the mid‐1970s and thereafter increased over time. The number of patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa dramatically increased in Period III. The proportion of patients with binge eating increased, while the proportion of patients with restrictive eating decreased over time. All patients with anorexia nervosa in the 1960s had fat phobia and disturbed body image, but none of them reported dieting for slimness.

Discussion

The prevalence and clinical characteristics of patients with eating disorders significantly changed across the four time periods. In terms of cultural factors, present findings suggest that factors beyond industrialization, modernization and westernization may be necessary for the development of eating disorders, and these factors may change with the times.
Seedling growth responses to species‐, neighborhood‐, and landscape‐scale effects during tropical forest restoration
Authors: Charles Lachlan S. , Dwyer John M. , Smith Tobias J. , Connors Sophie , Marschner Petra , Mayfield Margaret M.
Published: August 2018

Central to the success of restoration plantings within abandoned pastures is the appropriate selection of species that can establish and grow rapidly to form canopies to suppress grasses. However, species selection can be difficult, largely due to combinations of biotic and abiotic factors operating across multiple spatial scales that can affect seedling growth rates. Using a large replicated restoration experiment in Australia's Wet Tropics, we evaluated seedling growth rates of 24 native rainforest species commonly used in local restoration efforts over the first 31 months post‐planting. We investigated the influence of landscape, site, and planting conditions on early‐stage seedling growth and whether functional traits and surrounding neighborhood density and composition explain variation in seedling growth rates. Seedling growth rates were influenced by numerous stem‐, species‐, plot‐, and climate‐level factors, with the strength of these effects strongly dependent on the size of the seedling. Specifically, species with low wood densities and larger seeds grew faster. In response to plot‐scale and climate factors, larger seedlings consistently displayed faster growth, demonstrating the benefits of initial seedling size for seedling success. Our study highlights that early‐stage seedling growth can be influenced by many factors, operating across multiple spatial scales. Importantly, we demonstrate that planting larger seedlings may improve seedling growth and that developing strategies to increase the survival of fast‐growing low wood density species is crucial for ensuring that plantings can achieve canopy closure quickly, improving early to mid‐term trajectories of tropical forest recovery.
Personality in faces: Implicit associations between appearance and personality
Authors: Jones Alex L. , Tree Jeremy J. , Ward Robert
Published: August 2018

How accurate are the spontaneous trait inferences made to faces? Here we measured implicit associations between facial appearance and personality traits, using faces conveying objective appearances of Extraversion and Agreeableness. In the standard or “uncrossed” conditions of Experiment 1, we found that descriptions of high and low Agreeableness and Extraversion were spontaneously and accurately associated with their objective trait appearance. In Experiment 2, to test the specificity of this effect, we “crossed” the Implicit Association Tests, pairing faces conveying high and low Extraversion with words describing characteristics of high and low Agreeableness, and the reverse. We found evidence for associations specific to objective appearance of Agreeableness, and a general halo effect relating to Extraversion. We conclude that spontaneous assessment of personality from faces can be accurate, and can be based on trait‐specific as well as general visual cues.
The world may not be just for you but you'd better not say it: On the social value of expressing personal belief in a just world
Authors: Alves Hélder Vinagreiro , Pereira Cícero Roberto , Sutton Robbie M. , Correia Isabel
Published: August 2018

The expression of personal belief in a just world (PBJW) has been discussed as a criterion of excellence in social judgments. In four experimental studies we hypothesized and found that targets who express high versus low PBJW are judged as more: (i) deserving of success and (ii) suited to socio‐organizational expectations. The four studies show that suitability to socio‐organizational expectations mediates the relation between PBJW expressed and success deservingness, even after controlling for judgments of likability, status, rationality, optimism, and targets as victims. Studies 2 and 3 show this pattern occurs regardless of target performance appraisal. Study 4 indicates that expressing low PBJW decreases the social value of individuals, but expressing high PBJW does not increase it. We discuss the impact of PBJW expression on people's lives, namely on upward social mobility of members of low‐status groups, and the influence of the negativity bias on judgments caused by PBJW expression.
Hedging systematic risk in the commodity market with a regime‐switching multivariate rotated generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity model
Authors: Lien Donald , Lee Hsiang‐Tai , Sheu Her‐Jiun
Published: August 2018

In this paper, a regime‐switching multivariate rotated BEKK generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH; RS‐MRBEKK) model for optimal futures hedging is proposed. The basic structure of the RS‐MRBEKK model is to rotate returns with spectral decomposition and fit the rotated returns with a Markov regime‐switching BEKK covariance structure that is computationally attractive for modeling higher‐dimensional regime‐switching GARCH dynamics. The empirical results reveal that adding additional commodity index futures to capture the commodity price comovement under regime switching improves hedging performance. The more parsimonious RS‐MRBEKK is statistically no worse than the conventional nonrotated regime‐switching BEKK, illustrating the usefulness of RS‐MRBEKK in higher‐dimensional hedging applications.
The Role of Faculty in Sophomore Success
Authors: Schreiner Laurie A. , Tobolowsky Barbara F.
Published: August 2018

The vital role faculty play as learning facilitators, advisors, and mentors is pivotal to sophomore success.
Platelet count and platelet‐lymphocyte ratio as prognostic markers for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Meta‐analysis
Authors: Takenaka Yukinori , Oya Ryohei , Kitamiura Takahiro , Ashida Naoki , Shimizu Kotaro , Takemura Kazuya , Yamamoto Yoshifumi , Uno Atsuhiko
Published: August 2018

Background

Thrombocytosis is associated with the prognosis of various types of cancer. The purpose of this study was to quantify the prognostic impact of platelet count and platelet‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

We systematically searched electronic databases and identified articles reporting an association between platelet count or PLR and HNSCC prognosis. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall survival (OS) were extracted, and the pooled HRs were estimated using random effect models.

Results

Eight studies that enrolled 4096 patients and 9 studies that enrolled 2327 patients were included in the platelet count and PLR analyses, respectively. A platelet count greater than the cutoff value was associated with poor OS (HR 1.81; 95% CI 1.16‐2.82) and any PLR greater than the cutoff value was associated with poor OS (HR 1.64; 95% CI 1.13‐2.37).

Conclusion

Elevated platelet count and PLR are associated with poor prognosis in patients with HNSCC.
Spatially distributed tracer‐aided modelling to explore water and isotope transport, storage and mixing in a pristine, humid tropical catchment
Authors: Dehaspe Joni , Birkel Christian , Tetzlaff Doerthe , Sánchez‐Murillo Ricardo , Durán‐Quesada Ana María , Soulsby Chris
Published: August 2018

Rapidly transforming headwater catchments in the humid tropics provide important resources for drinking water, irrigation, hydropower, and ecosystem connectivity. However, such resources for downstream use remain unstudied. To improve understanding of the behaviour and influence of pristine rainforests on water and tracer fluxes, we adapted the relatively parsimonious, spatially distributed tracer‐aided rainfall–runoff (STARR) model using event‐based stable isotope data for the 3.2‐km2 San Lorencito catchment in Costa Rica. STARR was used to simulate rainforest interception of water and stable isotopes, which showed a significant isotopic enrichment in throughfall compared with gross rainfall. Acceptable concurrent simulations of discharge (Kling–Gupta efficiency [KGE] ~0.8) and stable isotopes in stream water (KGE ~0.6) at high spatial (10 m) and temporal (hourly) resolution indicated a rapidly responding system. Around 90% of average annual streamflow (2,099 mm) was composed of quick, near‐surface runoff components, whereas only ~10% originated from groundwater in deeper layers. Simulated actual evapotranspiration (ET) from interception and soil storage were low (~420 mm/year) due to high relative humidity (average 96%) and cloud cover limiting radiation inputs. Modelling suggested a highly variable groundwater storage (~10 to 500 mm) in this steep, fractured volcanic catchment that sustains dry season baseflows. This groundwater is concentrated in riparian areas as an alluvial–colluvial aquifer connected to the stream. This was supported by rainfall–runoff isotope simulations, showing a “flashy” stream response to rainfall with only a moderate damping effect and a constant isotope signature from deeper groundwater (~400‐mm additional mixing volume) during baseflow. The work serves as a first attempt to apply a spatially distributed tracer‐aided model to a tropical rainforest environment exploring the hydrological functioning of a steep, fractured‐volcanic catchment. We also highlight limitations and propose a roadmap for future data collection and spatially distributed tracer‐aided model development in tropical headwater catchments.
Taurine abrogates mammary carcinogenesis through induction of apoptosis in Sprague‐Dawley rats
Authors: Vanitha Manickam Kalappan , Anandakumar Pandi , Sakthisekaran Dhanapal
Published: August 2018

Breast cancer is one of the most severe problems in oncology. Taurine is a sulfur‐containing amino acid with vital biological functions. The current study was intended to investigate the abnormalities in the expression of apoptosis‐associated proteins that lead to the progression of 7,12‐dimethyl benz[a]anthracene (DMBA)–induced breast cancer and to expose the protective effect of taurine on it. Rats were induced with DMBA by gastric intubation to induce breast cancer. Breast cancer–bearing animals were posttreated with taurine. The breast tumors induced by DMBA, analyzed in the current study, were characterized by increased protein/DNA expression of Bcl‐2 associated with downregulation in the expression of p53, Bax, and caspases. Taurine treatment reverted all the above changes induced by DMBA and inhibited the development of rat breast carcinoma through its ability to induce apoptosis.
Study on the levels of glycosylated lipoprotein in patients with coronary artery atherosclerosis
Authors: Luo Wei , He Yong , Ding Fei , Nie Xin , Li Xiao‐Ling , Song Hao‐Lan , Li Gui‐Xing
Published: August 2018

Background

The main risk factors for atherosclerosis patients are not fully explicated. The aim of this study was to analyze the levels of blood lipid and glycosylated lipoprotein in patients with coronary artery atherosclerosis and healthy individuals and to study the relationship between the glycosylated lipoprotein and atherosclerosis.

Methods

The study involved 200 patients diagnosed with myocardial infarction caused by coronary atherosclerosis as case group and 230 healthy individuals as control group. We analyzed and contrasted the levels of blood lipid and glycosylated lipoprotein between the different groups. In addition, we investigated the correlation between glycosylated low‐density lipoprotein (G‐LDL) and glucose levels.

Results

There is no statistical difference between the level of TG in case group and control group. The level of CHOL, HDL‐C, and LDL‐C in case group is significantly lower than that in control group (3.90 [3.23, 4.42] vs 5.16 [4.86, 5.77] [mmol/L]; 1.09 [0.83, 1.38] vs 1.46 [1.15, 1.80] [mmol/L]; 2.22 [1.68, 2.81] vs 2.95 [2.60, 3.27] [mmol/L]) (P < 0.05). The level of GLU, HbA1c, G‐HDL, and G‐LDL in case group is significantly higher than that in control group (7.10 [5.68, 9.27] vs 4.84 [4.68, 5.07] [mmol/L]; 6.8 [6.3, 7.4] vs 5.9 [5.6, 6.1] [%]; 30.08 [25.04, 40.17] vs 22.95 [18.14, 27.06] [ng/mL], 6.26 [4.95, 7.50] vs 3.61 [2.66, 5.15] [ng/mL]) (p < 0.05). The level of G‐LDL in patients with coronary atherosclerosis was relevant with the level of GLU and HbA1c (r = 0.625, 0.706, P < 0.05), and there was no relevance with LDL‐C (r = 0.331, P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Hyperlipidemia is not an important cause of coronary atherosclerosis. High glucose levels and glycosylated lipoprotein are of high importance in the development and progression of coronary atherosclerosis.
FAME‐04: A Phase 1 trial to assess the safety, acceptability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of film and gel formulations of tenofovir
Authors: Bunge Katherine E , Dezzutti Charlene S , Hendrix Craig W , Marzinke Mark A , Spiegel Hans M L , Moncla Bernard J , Schwartz Jill L , Meyn Leslie A , Richardson‐Harman Nicola , Rohan Lisa C , Hillier Sharon L
Published: August 2018

Introduction

Fast‐dissolving vaginal film formulations release antiretroviral drugs directly into vaginal fluid and may be as efficient at drug delivery yet more acceptable to women than gels. In this Phase 1 vaginal film study, the safety, acceptability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of two doses of tenofovir (TFV) film and TFV 1% gel were compared to corresponding placebo formulations.

Methods

Seventy‐eight healthy HIV negative women were randomized to self‐insert daily vaginal film (10 mg TFV, 40 mg TFV or placebo) or 4 mL of vaginal gel (TFV 1% [40 mg] or placebo) for seven days. Grade 2 and higher adverse events (AEs) related to study product were compared across study arms using Fisher's exact test. Plasma TFV concentrations were measured before and 2 hours after last product use. Paired cervical and vaginal tissue biopsies obtained 2 hours after the last dose were measured to determine tenofovir diphosphate (TFV‐DP) concentrations and exposed to HIV in an ex vivo challenge assay. Acceptability was assessed through questionnaire.

Results

There was only one grade 2 or higher related AE, the primary endpoint; it occurred in the placebo gel arm. AEs occurred in 90% of participants; the majority (91%) were grade 1. AEs were similar across study arms. TFV concentrations in plasma and TFV‐DP concentrations in cervical and vaginal tissues were comparable between 40 mg TFV film and the TFV gel groups. There was a significant relationship between reduced viral replication and TFV‐DP concentrations in cervical tissues. Film users were less likely to report product leakage than gel users (66% vs. 100%, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Films were safe and well tolerated. Furthermore, films delivered TFV to mucosal tissues at concentrations similar to gel and were sufficient to block HIV infection of genital tissue ex vivo.
Detection of hypermethylated genes as markers for cervical screening in women living with HIV
Authors: Kremer Wieke W , Van Zummeren Marjolein , Novianti Putri W , Richter Karin L , Verlaat Wina , Snijders Peter JF , Heideman Daniëlle AM , Steenbergen Renske DM , Dreyer Greta , Meijer Chris JLM
Published: August 2018

Introduction

To evaluate the performance of hypermethylation analysis of ASCL1, LHX8 and ST6GALNAC5 in physician‐taken cervical scrapes for detection of cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 3 in women living with HIV (WLHIV) in South Africa.

Methods

Samples from a prospective observational cohort study were used for these analyses. Two cohorts were included: a cohort of WLHIV who were invited for cervical screening (n = 321) and a gynaecologic outpatient cohort of women referred for evaluation of abnormal cytology or biopsy proven cervical cancer (n = 108, 60% HIV seropositive). Cervical scrapes collected from all subjects were analysed for hypermethylation of ASCL1, LHX8 and ST6GALNAC5 by multiplex quantitative methylation specific PCR (qMSP). Histology endpoints were available for all study subjects.

Results

Hypermethylation levels of ASCL1, LHX8 and ST6GALNAC5 increased with severity of cervical disease. The performance for detection of CIN3 or worse (CIN3+) as assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (AUC) was good for ASCL1 and LHX8 (AUC 0.79 and 0.81 respectively), and moderate for ST6GALNAC5 (AUC 0.71). At a threshold corresponding to 75% specificity, CIN3+ sensitivity was 72.1% for ASCL1 and 73.8% for LHX8 and all samples from women with cervical cancer scored positive for these two markers.

Conclusions

Hypermethylation analysis of ASCL1 or LHX8 in cervical scrape material of WLHIV detects all cervical carcinomas with an acceptable sensitivity and good specificity for CIN3+, warranting further exploration of these methylation markers as a stand‐alone test for cervical screening in low‐resource settings.
Late Devensian deglaciation of south‐west Wales from luminescence and cosmogenic isotope dating
Authors: Glasser N. F. , Davies J. R. , Hambrey M. J. , Davies B. J. , Gheorghiu D. M. , Balfour J. , Smedley R. K. , Duller G. A. T.
Published: August 2018

The Welsh Ice Cap was a dynamic component of the last British–Irish Ice Sheet at the Last Glacial Maximum, but there are few chronological constraints on the pace and timing of deglaciation. This paper presents new geomorphological and geochronological evidence that constrains the timing of the separation of the Welsh Ice Cap from the Irish Sea Ice Stream and the subsequent deglaciation of south‐west Wales; and allow these to be assessed in the context of late Pleistocene climatic events. Luminescence ages from glacial outwash sediments south of Cardigan demonstrate that the Irish Sea Ice Stream was receding by ∼26.7 ka. The subsequent recession of the Welsh Ice Cap is documented by cosmogenic ages from landforms and sediments in the Aeron and Teifi valleys and upland areas. Deglaciation of the Cambrian Mountains was underway by ∼19.6 ka. Cross‐valley moraines and associated deglaciation deposits show that minor re‐advances interrupted the recession of the Aeron Glacier twice, and the Teifi Glacier on at least 12 occasions. By ∼14.9 ka, the Aeron valley was probably ice‐free, but the northwards withdrawal of the Teifi glacier had halted in the Tregaron area. The final rapid recession of this glacier into the uplands of central Wales was completed during the Windermere Interstadial (13.5 cal ka BP) when, in common with much of the UK, the whole of Wales is believed to have become ice‐free. There is no evidence that the Cambrian Mountains contained ice‐free enclaves at the Last Glacial Maximum, as has been previously suggested. The new ages presented here support suggestions that there was rapid change in the configuration of the Welsh Ice Cap between 20 and 17 ka as upland areas became exposed and there was increasing topographic control on patterns of ice discharge.
An HPLC–MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of luteolin and its major metabolites in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Shi Fuguo , Pan Hong , Lu Yuanfu , Ding Li
Published: August 2018

A selective and accurate HPLC‐MS/MS method was established to simultaneously quantify luteolin and its active metabolites (diosmetin, chryseriol, and luteolin‐7‐O‐glucuronide) in rat plasma. The analytes were separated on a C18 column with a mobile phase of water containing 0.5% formic acid and acetonitrile under gradient elution to shorten the total chromatographic run time and increase the resolution of diosmetin and chryseriol. A triple quadruple mass spectrometer coupled with an electrospray ionization source in the negative ion mode was used to detect the analytes. The multiple reaction monitoring transitions were of m/z 284.9→132.9 for luteolin, m/z 298.9→283.9 for diosmetin and chryseriol, m/z 461.1→284.9 for luteolin‐7‐O‐glucuronide, and m/z 300.9→150.9 for the internal standard. The method was linear within the concentration ranges of 0.06–90 μg/mL for luteolin, 0.03–12 μg/mL for diosmetin, 0.015–4.8 μg/mL for chryseriol, and 0.06–60 μg/mL for luteolin‐7‐O‐glucuronide. The intra‐ and interday precisions were all within 6.0%. Accuracy ranged from −3.2 to 6.4%. The matrix effect and instability were not observed during bioanalysis. This method was used to study the pharmacokinetic characteristics of luteolin and its metabolites in rats after treatment with luteolin.
Donor Dopamine Does Not Affect Liver Graft Survival: Evidence of Safety From a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Benck Urs , Jung Matthias , Krüger Bernd , Grimm Anja , Weiss Christel , Yard Benito A. , Lehner Frank , Kiessling Anja , Fischer Lutz , Gallinat Anja , Kleespies Axel , Lorf Thomas , Sucher Robert , Mönch Christian , Scherer Marcus N. , Rahmel Axel , Schemmer Peter , Krämer Bernhard K. , Schnuelle Peter
Published: August 2018

Treatment of donation after brain death (DBD) donors with low‐dose dopamine improves the outcomes after kidney and heart transplantation. This study investigates the course of liver allografts from multiorgan donors enrolled in the randomized dopamine trial between 2004 and 2007 (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00115115). There were 264 hemodynamically stable DBDs who were randomly assigned to receive low‐dose dopamine. Dopamine was infused at 4 μg/kg/minute for a median duration of 6.0 hours (interquartile range, 4.4‐7.5 hours). We assessed the outcomes of 212 liver transplantations (LTs) performed at 32 European centers. Donors and recipients of both groups were very similar in baseline characteristics. Pretransplant laboratory Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score was not different in recipients of a dopamine‐treated versus untreated graft (18 ± 8 versus 20 ± 8; P = 0.12). Mean cold ischemia time was 10.6 ± 2.9 versus 10.1 ± 2.8 hours (P = 0.24). No differences occurred in biopsy‐proven rejection episodes (14.4% versus 15.7%; P = 0.85), requirement of hemofiltration (27.9% versus 31.5%; P = 0.65), the need for early retransplantation (5.8% versus 6.5%; P > 0.99), the incidence of primary nonfunction (7.7% versus 8.3%; P > 0.99), and in‐hospital mortality (15.4% versus 14.8%; P > 0.99). Graft survival was 71.2% versus 73.2% and 59.6% versus 62.0% at 2 and 3 years (log‐rank P = 0.71). Patient survival was 76.0% versus 78.7% and 65.4% versus 69.4% at 1 and 3 years (log‐rank P = 0.50). In conclusion, donor pretreatment with dopamine has no short‐term or longterm effects on outcome after LT. Therefore, low‐dose dopamine pretreatment can safely be implemented as the standard of care in hemodynamically stable DBDs.
Supramolecular Peptide/Polymer Hybrid Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Radvar Elham , Azevedo Helena S.
Published: August 2018

Peptides and polymers are the “elite” building blocks in hydrogel fabrication where the typical approach consists of coupling specific peptide sequences (cell adhesive and/or enzymatically cleavable) to polymer chains aiming to obtain controlled cell responses (adhesion, migration, differentiation). However, the use of polymers and peptides as structural components for fabricating supramolecular hydrogels is less well established. Here, the literature on the design of peptide/polymer systems for self‐assembly into hybrid hydrogels, as either peptide‐polymer conjugates or combining both components individually, is reviewed. The properties (stiffness, mesh structure, responsiveness, and biocompatibility) of the hydrogels are then discussed from the viewpoint of their potential biomedical applications.
Riluzole and edaravone: A tale of two amyotrophic lateral sclerosis drugs
Authors: Jaiswal Manoj Kumar
Published: August 2018

Over the past decades, a multitude of experimental drugs have been shown to delay disease progression in preclinical animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) but failed to show efficacy in human clinical trials or are still waiting for approval under Phase I–III trials. Riluzole, a glutamatergic neurotransmission inhibitor, is the only drug approved by the USA Food and Drug Administration for ALS treatment with modest benefits on survival. Recently, an antioxidant drug, edaravone, developed by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma was found to be effective in halting ALS progression during early stages. The newly approved drug edaravone is a force multiplier for ALS treatment. This short report provides an overview of the two drugs that have been approved for ALS treatment and highlights an update on the timeline of drug development, how clinical trials were done, the outcome of these trials, primary endpoint, mechanism of actions, dosing information, administration, side effects, and storage procedures. Moreover, we also discussed the pressing issues and challenges of ALS clinical trials and drug developments as well as future outlook.
One spatial variable thermoelastic transmission problem in viscoelasticity located in the second part
Authors: Zennir Khaled , Feng Baowei
Published: August 2018

We consider in this article a one spatial variable transmission problem in mixed type I and type II thermoelastic system with infinite memory acting in the second part. The main contributions are to show that the infinite memory lets our problem dissipative and that the t−1 is the sharp decay rate. That is to show that, for this types of materials, the dissipation produced by the viscoelastic part is not strong enough to produce an exponential decay of the solution even that the infinite memory satisfies assumptions (8) and (9).
Exponential stability of the nonlinear transmission acoustic problem
Authors: Aliev Akbar B. , Isayeva Sevda E.
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we consider a mixed problem for the nonlinear wave equations with transmission acoustic conditions, that is, the wave propagation over bodies consisting of two physically different types of materials, one of which is clamped. We prove the existence, uniqueness, and exponential stability of global solutions for this problem.