bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Specific connections of the interpeduncular subnuclei reveal distinct components of the habenulopeduncular pathway
Authors: Quina Lely A. , Harris Julie , Zeng Hongkui , Turner Eric E.
Published: April 2017

The habenulopeduncular pathway consists of the medial habenula (MHb), its output tract, the fasciculus retroflexus, and its principal target, the interpeduncular nucleus (IP). Several IP subnuclei have been described, but their specific projections and relationship to habenula inputs are not well understood. Here we have used viral, transgenic, and conventional anterograde and retrograde tract‐tracing methods to better define the relationship between the dorsal and ventral MHb, the IP, and the secondary efferent targets of this system. Although prior studies have reported that the IP has ascending projections to ventral forebrain structures, we find that these projections originate almost entirely in the apical subnucleus, which may be more appropriately described as part of the median raphe system. The laterodorsal tegmental nucleus receives inhibitory inputs from the contralateral dorsolateral IP, and mainly excitatory inputs from the ipsilateral rostrolateral IP subnucleus. The midline central gray of the pons and nucleus incertus receive input from the rostral IP, which contains a mix of inhibitory and excitatory neurons, and the dorsomedial IP, which is exclusively inhibitory. The lateral central gray of the pons receives bilateral input from the lateral IP, which in turn receives bilateral input from the dorsal MHb. Taken together with prior studies of IP projections to the raphe, these results form an emerging map of the habenulopeduncular system that has significant implications for the proposed function of the IP in a variety of behaviors, including models of mood disorders and behavioral responses to nicotine.
Effective sparse representation of X‐ray medical images
Authors: Rebollo‐Neira Laura
Published: April 2017

Effective sparse representation of X‐ray medical images within the context of data reduction is considered. The proposed framework is shown to render an enormous reduction in the cardinality of the data set required to represent this class of images at very good quality. The goal is achieved by (1) creating a dictionary of suitable elements for the image decomposition in the wavelet domain and (2) applying effective greedy strategies for selecting the particular elements, which enable the sparse decomposition of the wavelet coefficients. The particularity of the approach is that it can be implemented at very competitive processing time and low memory requirements.
Simple and Effective Catalyst Separation by New CO2‐Induced Switchable Organocatalysts
Authors: Großeheilmann Julia , Kragl Udo
Published: April 2017

CO2‐induced switchable tertiary amine‐based organocatalysts were investigated for an efficient catalyst and product separation by its different partitioning between an organic and carbonated water phase. In this case study, the switching ability of eight tertiary amine‐based catalysts between the organic and water phase by addition or removal of CO2 was investigated. Here, the catalyst switched both nearly completely (99.9 %) into the aqueous phase by addition of CO2 and effectively back into the organic phase (99.3 %) by expelling CO2. With this technique, the organocatalyst was successfully recovered and reused twelve times without significant loss of activity (up to 90 % enantiomeric excess) for the asymmetric nitroaldol (Henry) reaction. After the first catalyst switch, evaporation of the solvent affords the product in 98 % purity without any further purification steps.
Time‐assisted authentication protocol
Authors: Bilal Muhammad , Kang Shin‐Gak
Published: April 2017

Authentication is the first step toward establishing a service provider and customer association. In a mobile network environment, a lightweight and secure authentication protocol is one of the most significant factors to enhance the degree of service persistence. This work presents a secure and lightweight keying and authentication protocol suite termed time‐assisted authentication protocol (TAP). The TAP improves the security of protocols with the assistance of time‐based encryption keys and scales down the authentication complexity by issuing a reauthentication ticket. While moving across the network, a mobile customer node sends a reauthentication ticket to establish new sessions with service‐providing nodes. Consequently, this reduces the communication and computational complexity of the authentication process. In the keying protocol suite, a key distributor controls the key generation arguments and time factors, while other participants independently generate a keychain based on key generation arguments. We undertake a rigorous security analysis and prove the security strength of TAP using communicating sequential processes and rank function analysis.
Remodeling of peripheral nerve ensheathment during the larval‐to‐adult transition in Drosophila
Authors: Subramanian Aswati , Siefert Matthew , Banerjee Soumya , Vishal Kumar , Bergmann Kayla A. , Curts Clay C.M. , Dorr Meredith , Molina Camillo , Fernandes Joyce
Published: April 2017

Over the course of a 4‐day period of metamorphosis, the Drosophila larval nervous system is remodeled to prepare for adult‐specific behaviors. One example is the reorganization of peripheral nerves in the abdomen, where five pairs of abdominal nerves (A4–A8) fuse to form the terminal nerve trunk. This reorganization is associated with selective remodeling of four layers that ensheath each peripheral nerve. The neural lamella (NL), is the first to dismantle; its breakdown is initiated by 6 hours after puparium formation, and is completely removed by the end of the first day. This layer begins to re‐appear on the third day of metamorphosis. Perineurial glial (PG) cells situated just underneath the NL, undergo significant proliferation on the first day of metamorphosis, and at that stage contribute to 95% of the glial cell population. Cells of the two inner layers, Sub‐Perineurial Glia (SPG) and Wrapping Glia (WG) increase in number on the second half of metamorphosis. Induction of cell death in perineurial glia via the cell death gene reaper and the Diptheria toxin (DT‐1) gene, results in abnormal bundling of the peripheral nerves, suggesting that perineurial glial cells play a role in the process. A significant number of animals fail to eclose in both reaper and DT‐1 targeted animals, suggesting that disruption of PG also impacts eclosion behavior. The studies will help to establish the groundwork for further work on cellular and molecular processes that underlie the co‐ordinated remodeling of glia and the peripheral nerves they ensheath. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 1144–1160, 2017
Protracted and asynchronous accumulation of PSD95‐family MAGUKs during maturation of nascent dendritic spines
Authors: Lambert Jason T. , Hill Travis C. , Park Deborah K. , Culp Julie H. , Zito Karen
Published: April 2017

The formation and stabilization of new dendritic spines is a key component of the experience‐dependent neural circuit plasticity that supports learning, but the molecular maturation of nascent spines remains largely unexplored. The PSD95‐family of membrane‐associated guanylate kinases (PSD‐MAGUKs), most notably PSD95, has a demonstrated role in promoting spine stability. However, nascent spines contain low levels of PSD95, suggesting that other members of the PSD‐MAGUK family might act to stabilize nascent spines in the early stages of spiny synapse formation. Here, we used GFP‐fusion constructs to quantitatively define the molecular composition of new spines, focusing on the PSD‐MAGUK family. We found that PSD95 levels in new spines were as low as those previously associated with rapid subsequent spine elimination, and new spines did not achieve mature levels of PSD95 until between 12 and 20 h following new spine identification. Surprisingly, we found that the PSD‐MAGUKs PSD93, SAP97, and SAP102 were also substantially less enriched in new spines. However, they accumulated in new spines more quickly than PSD95: SAP102 enriched to mature levels within 3 h, SAP97 and PSD93 enriched gradually over the course of 6 h. Intriguingly, when we restricted our analysis to only those new spines that persisted, SAP97 was the only PSD‐MAGUK already present at mature levels in persistent new spines when first identified. Our findings uncover a key structural difference between nascent and mature spines, and suggest a mechanism for the stabilization of nascent spines through the sequential arrival of PSD‐MAGUKs. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 1161–1174, 2017
Pten facilitates epiblast epithelial polarization and proamniotic lumen formation in early mouse embryos
Authors: Meng Yue , Cai Kathy Q. , Moore Robert , Tao Wensi , Tse Jeffrey D. , Smith Elizabeth R. , Xu Xiang‐Xi
Published: April 2017

Background: Phosphatase and tensin homologue on chromosome 10 (Pten), a lipid phosphatase originally identified as a tumor‐suppressor gene, regulates the phosphoinositol 3 kinase signaling pathway and impacts cell death and proliferation. Pten mutant embryos die at early stages of development, although the particular developmental deficiency and the mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Results: We analyzed Pten mutant embryos in detail and found that the formation of the proamniotic cavity is impaired. Embryoid bodies derived from Pten‐null embryonic stem cells failed to undergo cavitation, reproducing the embryonic phenotype in vitro. Analysis of embryoid bodies and embryos revealed a role of Pten in the initiation of the focal point of the epithelial rosette that develops into the proamniotic lumen, and in establishment of epithelial polarity to transform the amorphous epiblast cells into a polarized epithelium. Conclusions: We conclude that Pten is required for proamniotic cavity formation by establishing polarity for epiblast cells to form a rosette that expands into the proamniotic lumen, rather than facilitating apoptosis to create the cavity. Developmental Dynamics 246:517–530, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Correlating species and spectral diversities using hyperspectral remote sensing in early‐successional fields
Authors: Aneece Itiya P. , Epstein Howard , Lerdau Manuel
Published: April 2017

Advances in remote sensing technology can help estimate biodiversity at large spatial extents. To assess whether we could use hyperspectral visible near‐infrared (VNIR) spectra to estimate species diversity, we examined the correlations between species diversity and spectral diversity in early‐successional abandoned agricultural fields in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of north‐central Virginia at the Blandy Experimental Farm. We established plant community plots and collected vegetation surveys and ground‐level hyperspectral data from 350 to 1,025 nm wavelengths. We related spectral diversity (standard deviations across spectra) with species diversity (Shannon–Weiner index) and evaluated whether these correlations differed among spectral regions throughout the visible and near‐infrared wavelength regions, and across different spectral transformation techniques. We found positive correlations in the visible regions using band depth data, positive correlations in the near‐infrared region using first derivatives of spectra, and weak to no correlations in the red‐edge region using either of the two spectral transformation techniques. To investigate the role of pigment variability in these correlations, we estimated chlorophyll, carotenoid, and anthocyanin concentrations of five dominant species in the plots using spectral vegetation indices. Although interspecific variability in pigment levels exceeded intraspecific variability, chlorophyll was more varied within species than carotenoids and anthocyanins, contributing to the lack of correlation between species diversity and spectral diversity in the red‐edge region. Interspecific differences in pigment levels, however, made it possible to differentiate these species remotely, contributing to the species‐spectral diversity correlations. VNIR spectra can be used to estimate species diversity, but the relationships depend on the spectral region examined and the spectral transformation technique used.
Psoriatic cutaneous inflammation promotes human monocyte differentiation into active osteoclasts, facilitating bone damage
Authors: Raimondo Annunziata , Lembo Serena , Di Caprio Roberta , Donnarumma Giovanna , Monfrecola Giuseppe , Balato Nicola , Ayala Fabio , Balato Anna
Published: April 2017

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthropathy that can be associated with focal bone erosions. Psoriasis usually precedes the psoriatic arthritis onset by an average of 10 years, but this relation is not yet fully elucidated. Pro‐inflammatory cytokines, such as IL‐33, OPN, IL‐17, and TNF‐α are involved in both psoriasis and PsA pathogenesis as well as in bone homeostasis. In this study, we have demonstrated that IL‐33, OPN, IL‐17, and TNF‐α induced the release of a wide range of pro‐osteoclastogenic factors from the skin, such as RANKL, that promote monocyte differentiation in osteoclasts. The addition of osteoprotegerin, a RANKL inhibitor, to monocyte cultures treated with supernatant from stimulated skin did not completely deplete osteoclast formation, suggesting that skin produced several additional pro‐osteoclastogenic mediators, which could act in a RANKL‐independent manner. Moreover, we have found that RANKL serum levels as well as osteoclast number and activity in psoriatic patients with and without arthritis, was influenced by severity of cutaneous disease. Our data demonstrate that psoriatic cutaneous inflammation contributes to bone damage.
Exploring Structure–Property Relationships of Silver 4‐(Phenylethynyl)pyridine Complexes
Authors: Knichal Jane V. , Gee William J. , Cameron Christopher A. , Skelton Jonathan M. , Gagnon Kevin J. , Teat Simon J. , Wilson Chick C. , Raithby Paul R. , Burrows Andrew D.
Published: April 2017

Silver(I) salts demonstrate a strong preference for forming linear complexes when reacted with 4‐(phenylethynyl)pyridine (pep). The packing of these complexes was found to be strongly influenced by the counteranions, namely PF6–, BF4–, NO2–, NO3–, MeCO2–, CF3CO2–, MeSO3–, Tos– and SCN–. This study evaluates a family of twelve solid‐state structures that exhibit varying metal‐to‐ligand ratios, [Ag(pep)2][PF6]·MeCN, [Ag(pep)2][PF6], [Ag(pep)2][BF4], [Ag(pep)2][Ag(NO2)2], [Ag(pep)2][NO3]·2H2O, [Ag(pep)2][Ag(NO3)2], [Ag(pep)2(MeCO2)]·3H2O, [Ag(pep)2][CF3CO2], [Ag(pep)2][CF3SO3], 2{[Ag(pep)2][Tos]}·pep and [Ag(pep)(SCN)]. This family has enabled general trends and noteworthy packing‐induced structure–property relationships to be elucidated. Highlights include two instances of single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal transformations, one of which occurs with a colour change. This change in crystal colour has been further explored using first‐principles computational modelling.
Comparison of Intramolecular and Intermolecular Ammonium and Phosphonium Borohydrides in Hydrogen‐, Proton‐, and Hydride‐Transfer Reactions
Authors: Lathem A. Paige , Rinne Benjamin L. , Maldonado Marc A. , Heiden Zachariah M.
Published: April 2017

In this computational study, the thermodynamics of H2, proton, and hydride transfer from 13 ammonium borohydride and six phosphonium borohydride intramolecular and intermolecular frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) was probed to gain insight into whether intramolecular or intermolecular amine‐containing FLPs are preferred to phosphine‐containing FLPs in FLP‐catalyzed hydrogenation reactions. H2, hydride, and proton transfer from intramolecular ammonium borohydrides was, on average, 2.6 kcal/mol, 0.7 kcal/mol, and about 3.8 pKa units, respectively, less likely than from intramolecular phosphonium borohydrides. Using the thermodynamic quantities for H2, hydride, and proton transfer to eight probe substrates, intramolecular phosphonium borohydrides were found to be thermodynamically preferred to intramolecular ammonium borohydrides in catalytic hydrogenation reactions.
K2S2O8‐Promoted Direct C–H Phosphorylation of (Benzo)thiazoles
Authors: Lin Weidong , Su Feng , Zhang Hui‐Jun , Wen Ting‐Bin
Published: April 2017

The direct phosphorylation of (benzo)thiazoles with various H‐phosphine oxides was realized by using K2S2O8 as the oxidant. A series of 2‐phosphoryl (benzo)thiazoles were obtained in moderate to good yields.
(±)‐Hippolide J – A Pair of Unusual Antifungal Enantiomeric Sesterterpenoids from the Marine Sponge Hippospongia lachne
Authors: Jiao Wei‐Hua , Hong Li‐Li , Sun Jia‐Bao , Piao Shu‐Juan , Chen Guo‐Dong , Deng Hai , Wang Shu‐Ping , Yang Fan , Lin Hou‐Wen
Published: April 2017

A pair of enantiomeric sesterterpenoids, (±)‐hippolide J (1a and 1b), were isolated from the marine sponge Hippospongia lachne collected from the South China Sea. The racemic mixture was resolved into a pair of enantiomers, (–)‐1a and (+)‐1b, by chiral HPLC separation. The structures of the enantiomers were determined through ESI‐HRMS and NMR spectroscopic analysis, and their absolute configurations were determined by comparison between the calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Hippolide J (1) features an unusual bicyclo[4.2.0]octene core and contains three functional groups, namely, a hydroxymethyl group, an α,β‐unsaturated γ‐lactone fragment, and a characteristic prenyl side‐chain. The evaluation of the antifungal activity of (–)‐1a and (+)‐1b revealed that both show potent antifungal activity against three strains of hospital‐acquired pathogenic fungi, namely, Candida albicans SC5314, Candida glabrata 537, and Trichophyton rubrum Cmccftla, with MIC50 (minimum concentration to give 50 % inhibition) values of 0.125–0.25 µg/mL.
Silver‐Catalyzed Direct C6–H Arylation of Purines and Purine Nucleosides with Arylboronic Acids
Authors: Tian Miao , Yu Mingwu , Shi Tingting , Hu Junbin , Li Shunlai , Xu Jiaxi , Chen Ning , Du Hongguang
Published: April 2017

A practical and operationally simple protocol for the assembly of 6‐aryl‐substituted purines through the direct C6–H arylation of purines and 8‐azapurine and purine nucleosides from arylboronic acids was developed. This reaction was performed under ambient conditions with ammonium persulfate as the oxidant in the presence of silver(I). The reaction was found to be regioselective with the arylation occurring predominantly at the C6 position, and a large variety of functional groups, including halides, esters, hydroxy groups, and heterocycles, were tolerated.
A highly sensitive capillary electrophoresis immunoassay strategy based on dual‐labeled gold nanoparticles enhancing chemiluminescence for the detection of prostate‐specific antigen
Authors: Li Shuting , Shi Min , Zhao Jingjin , Zhang Liangliang , Huang Yong , Zhao Shulin
Published: April 2017

An enzyme and antibody dual labeled gold nanoparticles enhancing chemiluminescence strategy was developed for highly sensitive CE immunoassay (IA) of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA). In this work, gold nanoparticles were labeled with horseradish peroxidase and antiprostate specific antigen‐antibody, and used as the marker (Ab*). After PSA (antigen, Ag) was added into the system, a noncompetitive immune reaction was happen between Ab* and Ag to form an immune complex (Ag–Ab*). Subsequently, the obtained Ag–Ab* and unreacted Ab* were separated by CE, and the chemiluminescence intensity of Ag‐Ab* was used to estimate PSA concentration. The calibration curve showed a good linearity in the range of 0.25–10 ng/mL. Based on a S/N of 3, the detection limit for PAS was estimated to be 0.092 ng/mL. Proposed CE method was applied for PSA quantification in human serum samples from healthy volunteers and patients with prostate cancer. The obtained results demonstrated that the proposed CE method may serve as an alternative tool for clinical analysis of PSA.
Zeolitic imidazolate framework 8 (ZIF‐8) reinforced macroporous resin D101 for selective solid‐phase extraction of 1‐naphthol and 2‐naphthol from phenol compounds
Authors: Qiang Yin , Wang Wei‐Feng , Dhodary Basanta , Yang Jun‐Li
Published: April 2017

Macroporous resin has been attracting intensive attention due to its critical role in separation and purification of natural products. Herein, a zeolitic imidazolate framework 8 reinforced macroporous resin D101 was prepared via a room temperature growth method and used for dispersive SPE of 1‐naphthol and 2‐naphthol. The parameters affecting the adsorption and desorption efficiency such as the sample pH, adsorbent amount, extraction time, desorption solvent, and desorption time were investigated. The as‐prepared adsorbent showed selectivity for 1‐naphthol and 2‐naphthol compared to other phenols. Under the optimum dispersive SPE conditions, the detection of 1‐naphthol and 2‐naphthol coupled with a CZE method was conducted and the LODs for 1‐naphthol and 2‐naphthol were 1.37 and 1.43 ng/mL, respectively. Moreover, the results of urine sample analysis showed the spiked recoveries to be in the range of 96.2–106.9%. This study indicated that D101@ZIF‐8 (where ZIF is zeolitic imidazolate framework) is a promising selective adsorbent for the analysis of 1‐naphthol and 2‐naphthol in urine samples.
Von Vertrauen und von Grenzen …
Authors: Strohschneider Peter
Published: April 2017

So bedeutsam moderne Forschung auch ist — sie hat Grenzen. Was an diesen geschieht, bestimmt nicht nur das wissenschaftliche Arbeiten selbst. Hier wird auch über das gesellschaftliche Vertrauen entschieden, ohne das es Wissenschaft und Forschung nicht geben kann. Bemerkungen zur Verleihung der diesjährigen Leibniz‐Preise und aus gegebenem Anlass.
High number of kinome‐mutations in non‐small cell lung cancer is associated with reduced immune response and poor relapse‐free survival
Authors: Helland Å. , Brustugun O. T. , Nakken S. , Halvorsen A. R. , Dønnem T. , Bremnes R. , Busund L. T. , Sun J. , Lorenz S. , Solberg S. K. , Jørgensen L. H. , Vodak D. , Myklebost O. , Hovig E. , Meza‐Zepeda L. A.
Published: April 2017

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related death, and the past years’ improved insight into underlying molecular events has significantly improved outcome for specific subsets of patients. In particular, several new therapies that target protein kinases have been implemented, and many more are becoming available. We have investigated lung cancer specimens for somatic mutations in a targeted panel of 612 human genes, the majority being protein kinases. The somatic mutation profiles were correlated to profiles of immune cell infiltration as well as relapse‐free survival. Targeted deep sequencing was performed on 117 tumour/normal pairs using the SureSelect Human Kinome kit (Agilent Technologies), with capture probes targeting 3.2 Mb of the human genome, including exons and untranslated regions of all known kinases, kinase receptors and selected cancer‐related genes (612 genes in total). CD8 staining was determined using Ventana Benchmark. Survival analyses were performed using SPSS. The number of mutations per sample ranged from 0 to 50 (within the 612 genes tested), with a median of nine. The prognosis was worse for patients with more than the median number of mutations. A significant correlation was found between mutations in one of selected DNA‐repair genes and the total number of mutations in that tumour (p < 0.001). There was a significant inverse correlation between the number of infiltrating stromal CD8+ lymphocytes and the presence of EGFR mutations.
Obstetrician perceptions of the causes of high cesarean delivery rates in Turkey
Authors: Küçük Mert
Published: April 2017

Objective

To assess obstetricians’ perceptions surrounding cesarean delivery rates in Turkey.

Methods

The present cross‐sectional descriptive study was performed between May 1 and June 30, 2016. Practicing obstetricians with contact details known by the researchers and those attending a conference in Turkey were asked to complete a self‐administered questionnaire that collected demographic data and information on participants’ opinions, beliefs, knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to cesarean delivery.

Results

There were 100 obstetricians who responded to the survey. Awareness of high cesarean delivery rates was reported by 96 (96%) participants and 95 (95%) respondents said they were supportive of efforts to reduce it. There were 60 (60%), 83 (83%), and 100 (100%) participants aware of associations between high cesarean delivery rates and increased maternal and infant mortality; increased risk of uterine rupture; and increased risk of placenta previa, placenta accreta, and emergency cesarean hysterectomy, respectively. The most commonly reported reason for high cesarean delivery rates was high compensation costs during medical litigation legal proceedings, reported by all 100 (100%) participants.

Conclusion

Participants were generally aware of the risks associated with high cesarean delivery rates. The results suggest that the greatest concern among obstetricians who perform cesarean deliveries was malpractice litigation.
Molecular Interaction of Anti‐Diabetic Drugs With Acetylcholinesterase and Sodium Glucose Co‐Transporter 2
Authors: Shakil Shazi
Published: April 2017

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are the two disorders which are known to share pertinent pathological and therapeutic links. Sodium glucose co‐transporter‐2 (SGLT2) and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are established inhibition targets for T2DM and AD treatments, respectively. Reports suggest that anti‐diabetic drugs could be used for AD treatment also. The present study used molecular docking by Autodock4.2 using our “Click‐By‐Click”‐protocol, Ligplot1.4.3 and “change in accessible surface area (ΔASA)‐calculations” to investigate the binding of two investigational anti‐diabetic drugs, Ertugliflozin and Sotagliflozin to an established target (SGLT2) and a research target (human brain AChE). Sotagliflozin appeared more promising for SGLT2 as well as AChE‐inhibition with reference to ΔG and Ki values in comparison to Ertugliflozin. The ΔG and Ki values for “Sotagliflozin:AChE‐binding” were −7.16 kcal/mol and 5.6 μM, respectively while the same were found to be −8.47 kcal/mol and 0.62 μM, respectively for its interaction with SGLT2. Furthermore, “Sotagliflozin:SGLT2‐interaction” was subjected to (un)binding simulation analyses by “Molecular‐Motion‐Algorithms.” This information is significant as the exact binding mode, interacting amino acid residues and simulation results for the said interaction have not been described yet. Also no X‐ray crystal is available for the same. Finally, the results described herein indicate that Sotagliflozin could have an edge over Ertugliflozin for treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Future design of drugs based on Sotagliflozin scaffolds for treatment of Type 2 and/or Type 3 diabetes are highly recommended. As these drugs are still in late phases of clinical trials, the results described herein appear timely. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3855–3865, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
APN/CD13 is over‐expressed by Psoriatic fibroblasts and is modulated by CGRP and IL‐4 but not by retinoic acid treatment
Authors: Gerbaud Pascale , Guibourdenche Jean , Jarray Rafika , Conti Marc , Palmic Patricia , Leclerc‐Mercier Stéphanie , Bruneau Julie , Hermine Olivier , Lepelletier Yves , Raynaud Françoise
Published: April 2017

Psoriasis vulgaris is a common skin inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent flare episodes associated with scaly well‐demarcated skin plaques. Skin biopsies from psoriatic patients with high PASI score (22.67 ± 8.67) and from HD were used to study APN/CD13. APN/CD13 is over‐expressed in LP and nLP compare to HD skins and fibroblasts. This over‐expression is positively correlated with specific enzymatic activity enhancement. However, discrepancies between APN/CD13 expression in LP and nLP prompt us to focus our study on APN/CD13 modulation. Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide (CGRP), a neuropeptide, positively modulated expression and activity of APN/CD13. CGRP consistently induced IL4 secretion, which is also involved in the increase of APN/CD13 expression and activity, which is significantly reversed using IL‐4 blocking antibody. Surprisingly, retinoic acid altered the APN/CD13 enzymatic activity only in nLP fibroblasts without modification of APN/CD13 expression. APN/CD13 is over‐expressed on psoriatic fibroblasts and exerted high level of activity compare to HD fibroblasts. Taken together, several factors such as CGRP and IL‐4 acted on positive regulation of APN/CD13 expression and activity. This study highlighted the interest of APN/CD13 as a new potential target, which should be investigated in psoriasis.
Synthesis of 2,3‐Disubstituted 5‐Iodo‐1H‐Pyrrolo[2,3‐b]pyridines via Fischer Cyclization
Authors: Alekseyev Roman S. , Amirova Sabina S. , Terenin Vladimir I.
Published: April 2017

A simple and convenient procedure for the preparation of some unknown 2,3‐disubstituted 5‐iodo‐1H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐b]pyridines from readily available starting materials by Fischer indole cyclization in polyphosphoric acid is described. The present methodology provides an alternative synthetic approach to the synthesis of 5‐iodo‐7‐azaindole scaffold. All synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, MS, 1H and 13C NMR, and elemental analysis.
Evaluation of MRI for diagnosis of extraprostatic extension in prostate cancer
Authors: Krishna Satheesh , Lim Christopher S. , McInnes Matthew D.F. , Flood Trevor A. , Shabana Wael M. , Lim Robert S. , Schieda Nicola
Published: April 2017

Purpose

To assess the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose extraprostatic extension (EPE) in prostate cancer.

Materials and Methods

With Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, 149 men with 170 ≥0.5 mL tumors underwent preoperative 3T MRI followed by radical prostatectomy (RP) between 2012–2015. Two blinded radiologists (R1/R2) assessed tumors using Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI‐RADS) v2, subjectively evaluated for the presence of EPE, measured tumor size, and length of capsular contact (LCC). A third blinded radiologist, using MRI‐RP‐maps, measured whole‐lesion: apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mean/centile and histogram features. Comparisons were performed using chi‐square, logistic regression, and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

The subjective EPE assessment showed high specificity (SPEC = 75.4/91.3% [R1/R2]), low sensitivity (SENS = 43.3/43.6% [R1/R2]), and area‐under (AU) ROC curve = 0.67 (confidence interval [CI] 0.61–0.73) R1 and 0.61 (CI 0.53–0.70) R2; (k = 0.33). PI‐RADS v2 scores were strongly associated with EPE (P < 0.001 / P = 0.008; R1/R2) with AU‐ROC curve = 0.72 (0.64–0.79) R1 and 0.61 (0.53–0.70) R2; (k = 0.44). Tumors with EPE were larger (18.8 ± 7.8 [median 17, range 6–51] vs. 18.8 ± 4.9 [12, 6–28] mm) and had greater LCC (21.1 ± 14.9 [16, 1–85] vs. 13.6 ± 6.1 [11.5, 4–30] mm); P < 0.001 and 0.002, respectively. AU‐ROC for size was 0.73 (0.64–0.80) and LCC was 0.69 (0.60–0.76), respectively. Optimal SENS/SPEC for diagnosis of EPE were: size ≥15 mm = 67.7/66.7% and LCC ≥11 mm = 84.9/44.8%. 10th‐centile ADC and ADC entropy were both associated with EPE (P = 0.02 and < 0.001), with AU‐ROC = 0.56 (0.47–0.65) and 0.76 (0.69–0.83), respectively. Optimal SENS/SPEC for diagnosis of EPE with entropy ≥6.99 was 63.3/75.0%. 25th‐centile ADC trended towards being significantly lower with EPE (P = 0.06) with no difference in other ADC metrics (P = 0.25–0.88). Size, LCC, and ADC entropy improved sensitivity but reduced specificity compared with subjective analysis with no difference in overall accuracy (P = 0.38).

Conclusion

Measurements of tumor size, capsular contact, and ADC entropy improve sensitivity but reduce specificity for diagnosis of EPE compared to subjective assessment.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:176–185.
Efficient Krylov‐based 3D FVTD schemes with adaptive domain decomposition for graphene and nanostructured EMC components
Authors: Kantartzis N. V. , Zygiridis T. T. , Tsiboukis T. D.
Published: April 2017

The rigorous design of arbitrarily shaped graphene and nanocomposite structures in realistic electromagnetic compatibility applications is presented in this paper by means of a combined finite‐volume time‐domain methodology. The new 3D formulation proposes a set of adjustable‐order derivative approximators in general curvilinear coordinates and an adaptive domain decomposition to attain effective field flux representations of electromagnetic fields in areas with subwavelength attributes or infinitesimally thin wiring. Also, a fully passive reduced order macromodelling scheme, based on the Krylov truncation, is developed for the significant decrease of the state‐space transfer matrix order, particularly when finite graphene sheets are to be analyzed. A key asset is that the necessary basis for the Krylov space is retrieved from a framework of weighted Laguerre functions, which do not require laborious orthogonalizations. Hence, highly accurate and economical discretizations with minimized dispersion errors are obtained. Numerical outcomes, addressing elaborate comparisons with reference data, from various nanostructured electromagnetic compatibility arrangements, certify the benefits of the featured technique, accelerated via graphics processing units and unveil its applicability.
Synonymous codon usage of genes in polymerase complex of Newcastle disease virus
Authors: Kumar Chandra Shekhar , Kumar Sachin
Published: April 2017

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is pathogenic to both avian and non‐avian species but extensively finds poultry as its primary host and causes heavy economic losses in the poultry industry. In this study, a total of 186 polymerase complex comprising of nucleoprotein (N), phosphoprotein (P), and large polymerase (L) genes of NDV was analyzed for synonymous codon usage. The relative synonymous codon usage and effective number of codons (ENC) values were used to estimate codon usage variation in each gene. Correspondence analysis (COA) was used to study the major trend in codon usage variation. Analyzing the ENC plot values against GC3s (at synonymous third codon position) we concluded that mutational pressure was the main factor determining codon usage bias than translational selection in NDV N, P, and L genes. Moreover, correlation analysis indicated, that aromaticity of N, P, and L genes also influenced the codon usage variation. The varied distribution of pathotypes for N, P, and L gene clearly suggests that change in codon usage for NDV is pathotype specific. The codon usage preference similarity in N, P, and L gene might be detrimental for polymerase complex functioning. The study represents a comprehensive analysis to date of N, P, and L genes codon usage pattern of NDV and provides a basic understanding of the mechanisms for codon usage bias.
Antioxidant activity, polyphenolic contents and essential oil composition of Pimpinella anisum L. as affected by zinc fertilizer
Authors: Tavallali Vahid , Rahmati Sadegh , Bahmanzadegan Atefeh
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

The antioxidant activity and essential oil content of plants may vary considerably with respect to environmental conditions, especially nutrient availability. Among micronutrients, zinc (Zn) is needed by plants in only small amounts but is crucial to plant development. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Zn fertilization on the antioxidant activity, polyphenolic contents and essential oil composition of Pimpinella anisum fruit.

RESULTS

Foliar application of Zn fertilizer considerably increased the number of detected essential oil components from 27 to 45. Zinc application at a rate of 0.2% (w/v) significantly enhanced the levels of β‐bisabolene, germacrene D, n‐decane and α‐zingiberene, whereas the opposite trend was observed for (E)‐anethole and geijerene. Application of 0.2% Zn considerably increased the levels of phenolic compounds, with chlorogenic acid showing the highest content among eight phenolic compounds detected in treated plants. The maximum antioxidant activity was achieved through application of 0.2% Zn fertilizer.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicated that the quality and quantity of anise fruit essential oil components were significantly altered by application of low levels of Zn. After foliar application of Zn, polyphenolic contents as well as antioxidant activity of anise fruit increased. Using Zn fertilizer is an efficient method to improve the pharmaceutical and food properties of anise fruit. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
All solution‐processed white quantum‐dot light‐emitting diodes with three‐unit tandem structure
Authors: Zhang Heng , Wang Siting , Sun Xiaowei , Chen Shuming
Published: April 2017

Quantum‐dot light‐emitting diodes (QLEDs) are promising candidates for next generation displays. White QLEDs which can emit red, green and blue colors are particularly important; this is because the combination of white QLEDs and color filters offers a practical solution for high‐resolution full‐color displays. In this work, we demonstrate all‐solution processed three‐unit (red/green/blue) white tandem QLEDs for the first time. The white tandem devices are achieved by serially connecting the red bottom sub‐QLED, the green middle sub‐QLED and the blue top sub‐QLED using the inter‐connecting layer (ICL) based on ZnMgO/PEDOT:PSS heterojunction. With the proposed ICL, the two‐unit tandem QLEDs exhibit a high current efficiency of 22.22 cd/A, while the three‐unit white QLEDs exhibit evenly separated red, green and blue emission with a CIE coordinate of (0.30, 0.44), a peak current efficiency of 4.75 cd/A and a high luminance of 4206 cd/m2. Displays based on the developed white QLEDs exhibit a wide color gamut of 114% NTSC. This work confirms the effectiveness of the proposed ZnMgO/PEDOT:PSS ICL and the feasibility of making all‐solution processed tandem white QLEDs by using the proposed ICL.
Juvenile greater sage‐grouse survival, movements, and recruitment in Colorado
Authors: Apa Anthony D. , Thompson Thomas R. , Reese Kerry P.
Published: April 2017

Juvenile survival and recruitment has not been studied extensively for greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). Because there is scant information on this vital rate, the implications of management actions on specific population demographics remain unknown. We re‐captured, radio‐marked, and monitored the survival and recruitment of 183 domestically hatched and wild‐hatched juvenile sage‐grouse from 1 September to 31 March 2005–2008 at 2 study areas in northwest Colorado, USA: Axial Basin and Cold Springs Mountain. Juvenile females had higher survival than juvenile males, and survival for each was higher in Axial Basin compared to Cold Springs Mountain. Domestically hatched juveniles had comparable survival to wild‐hatched juveniles. We documented differences in survival between adult females and juveniles from September to March. Juvenile survival was lowest during September and October, coinciding with brood independence and movements to winter range and integrated flocks. Average survival from hatch to recruitment into the natal breeding population (Mar) varied between areas. Our findings provide an estimate of juvenile survival and recruitment so managers can better understand and model sage‐grouse population dynamics. We recommend long‐term (≥3 yr) research to better understand spatial and temporal variation in demographic rates. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Survival of white‐tailed deer neonates in Louisiana
Authors: Shuman Rebecca M. , Cherry Michael J. , Simoneaux Taylor N. , Dutoit Elizabeth A. , Kilgo John C. , Chamberlain Michael J. , Miller Karl V.
Published: April 2017

Changing predator communities have potential to complicate management focused on ensuring sustainable white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations. Recent research reported that predation on neonates by coyotes (Canis latrans) and bobcats (Lynx rufus) can limit recruitment. However, no research has been conducted in areas of the southeastern United States with 3 sympatric neonate predators such as coyote, American black bear (Ursus americanus), and bobcat. Our objectives were to estimate neonate survival rates, identify causes of neonate mortality, and determine which biological and landscape characteristics were related to neonate survival. During 2013–2015, we captured 70 neonates with the aid of vaginal implant transmitters on Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern Louisiana, USA. We monitored neonates every 8 hours until 6 weeks of age and daily until 12 weeks of age, and assigned cause of death from field and DNA evidence. Survival of neonates to 12 weeks was 0.271 (95% CI = 0.185–0.398). Of 51 mortalities, 45 (88%) were attributed to predation, 4 (8%) to starvation, 1 (2%) to other causes, and 1 (2%) to unknown causes. We used an information‐theoretic approach to compare Cox proportional hazards models containing various combinations of biological and habitat covariates. Our best‐supported model contained sex, mass at birth, distance to cropland, young reforestation (planted 2000–2009), and old reforestation (planted 1980–1989). Based on hazard ratios, survival was 81% higher for males than females, and survival increased 81% with every 1‐kg increase in birth mass. Survival increased 8% for every 100‐m increase in distance from cropland or young reforestation, and decreased 11% with every 100‐m increase in distance from old reforestation, which may be a result of spatial variation in predator distribution. Our results emphasize the importance of site‐specific monitoring of neonate recruitment rates in areas with burgeoning predator communities. We conclude, however, that although predation pressure was high, survival rates were similar to those observed in 2‐predator systems in the region, suggesting the possibility that an upper limit to predation rates may exist for white‐tailed deer neonates. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Cause‐specific neonatal mortality of white‐tailed deer in Wisconsin, USA
Authors: Warbington Camille H. , Van Deelen Timothy R. , Norton Andrew S. , Stenglein Jennifer L. , Storm Daniel J. , Martin Karl J.
Published: April 2017

Species’ population dynamics are tied to neonatal survival. White‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawn survival varies according to spatially explicit patterns of natural (e.g., starvation, predation) and human‐caused mortalities (e.g., vehicle collision). Our objective was to compare fawn survival under different, though representative, ecological conditions in Wisconsin USA. We identified 2 ecologically distinct study areas: the northern forest (NF) and the eastern farmland (EF). Beginning in May (2011–2013), we fitted fawns in both areas with radio‐collars and tracked their survival daily until 31 August of the capture year. We obtained daily weather data for each study area to model weather effects on survival. We captured 89 (NF), and 139 (EF) fawns, and observed 42 (NF) and 43 (EF) mortalities. Predation mortality was higher than other mortality causes in the NF, and mortality due to natural causes other than predation was higher for fawns in the EF. Female fawns had higher survival than males, and fawns in 2011 in the NF had lower survival than fawns in 2012 or 2013. During the first 40 days of life, occurrence of precipitation associated with a threefold increase in daily hazard of death in the EF, but effects of daily low temperatures were trivial. In the NF, precipitation had little effect, but a decrease in daily low temperature by 0.56°C increased the daily hazard of mortality by 5%. Because risks facing fawns vary with ecological context, understanding specific factors that affect fawn survival is important for predicting local outcomes of white‐tailed deer management. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Surgical repair of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks: A systematic review
Authors: Lobo Brian C. , Baumanis Maraya M. , Nelson Rick F.
Published: April 2017

Objectives

To review the safety and efficacy of surgical management for spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks of the anterior and lateral skull base.

Data Sources

A systematic review of English articles using MEDLINE.

Review Methods

Search terms included spontaneous, CSF, cerebrospinal fluid, endoscopic, middle fossa, transmastoid, leak, rhinorrhea. Independent extraction of articles by 3 authors.

Results

Patients with spontaneous CSF leaks are often obese (average BMI of 38 kg/m2) and female (72%). Many patients also have obstructive sleep apnea (∼45%) and many have elevated intracranial pressure when measured by lumbar puncture. In addition to thinning of the skull base, radiographic studies also demonstrate cortical bone thinning. Endoscopic surgical repair of anterior skull base leaks and middle cranial fossa (MCF) approach for repair of lateral skull base leaks are safe and effective with an average short‐term failure rate of 9% and 6.5%, respectively. Long‐term failure rates are low. One randomized trial failed to show improved success of anterior leak repairs with the use of a lumbar drain (LD) (95% with vs. 92% without; P = 0.2). In a large retrospective cohort of MCF lateral skull base repairs, perioperative LD use was not necessary in >94% of patients.

Conclusions

Spontaneous CSF leaks are associated with female gender, obesity, increased intracranial hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea. Endoscopic repair of anterior skull base leaks and MCF or transmastoid approaches for lateral skull base leaks have a high success rate of repair. In most cases, intraoperative placement of lumbar drain did not appear to result in improved success rates for either anterior or lateral skull base leaks.

Level of Evidence

2a, Systematic Review.
The release of microRNA‐122 during liver preservation is associated with early allograft dysfunction and graft survival after transplantation
Authors: Selten Jasmijn W. , Verhoeven Cornelia J. , Heedfeld Veerle , Roest Henk P. , de Jonge Jeroen , Pirenne Jacques , van Pelt Jos , Ijzermans Jan. N. M. , Monbaliu Diethard , van der Laan Luc J. W.
Published: April 2017

Early allograft dysfunction (EAD) after liver transplantation (LT) is associated with inferior graft survival. EAD is more prevalent in grafts from donation after circulatory death (DCD). However, accurate prediction of liver function remains difficult because of the lack of specific biomarkers. Recent experimental and clinical studies highlight the potential of hepatocyte‐derived microRNAs (miRNAs) as sensitive, stable, and specific biomarkers of liver injury. The aim of this study was to determine whether miRNAs in graft preservation fluid are predictive for EAD after clinical LT and in an experimental DCD model. Graft preservation solutions of 83 liver grafts at the end of cold ischemia were analyzed for miRNAs by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Of these grafts, 42% developed EAD after transplantation. Results were verified in pig livers (n = 36) exposed to different lengths of warm ischemia time (WIT). The absolute miR‐122 levels and miR‐122/miR‐222 ratios in preservation fluids were significantly higher in DCD grafts (P = 0.001) and grafts developing EAD (P = 0.004). In concordance, the miR‐122/miR‐222 ratios in perfusion fluid correlate with serum transaminase levels within the first 24 hours after transplantation. Longterm graft survival was significantly diminished in grafts with high miR‐122/miR‐222 ratios (P = 0.02). In the porcine DCD model, increased WIT lead to higher absolute miR‐122 levels and relative miR‐122/miR‐222 ratios in graft perfusion fluid (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively). High miR‐122/miR‐222 ratios in pig livers were also associated with high aspartate aminotransferase levels after warm oxygenated reperfusion. In conclusion, both absolute and relative miR‐122 levels in graft preservation solution are associated with DCD, EAD, and early graft loss after LT. As shown in a porcine DCD model, miRNA release correlated with the length of WITs. Liver Transplantation 23 946–956 2017 AASLD.