bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional evaluation of transposable elements as enhancers in mouse embryonic and trophoblast stem cells
Authors: Todd Christopher D , Deniz Özgen , Taylor Darren , Branco Miguel R
Published: April 2019

Transposable elements (TEs) are thought to have helped establish gene regulatory networks. Both the embryonic and extraembryonic lineages of the early mouse embryo have seemingly co-opted TEs as enhancers, but there is little evidence that they play significant roles in gene regulation. Here we tested a set of long terminal repeat TE families for roles as enhancers in mouse embryonic and trophoblast stem cells. Epigenomic and transcriptomic data suggested that a large number of TEs helped to establish tissue-specific gene expression programmes. Genetic editing of individual TEs confirmed a subset of these regulatory relationships. However, a wider survey via CRISPR interference of RLTR13D6 elements in embryonic stem cells revealed that only a minority play significant roles in gene regulation. Our results suggest that a subset of TEs are important for gene regulation in early mouse development, and highlight the importance of functional experiments when evaluating gene regulatory roles of TEs.
Identification of optimal endogenous reference RNAs for RT-qPCR normalization in hindgut of rat models with anorectal malformations
Authors: Long Caiyun , Xiao Yunxia , Li Siying , Tang Xiaobing , Yuan Zhengwei , Bai Yuzuo
Published: April 2019

Background

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a sensitive method for quantifying mRNA abundance. With relative expression analysis, however, reliable data output is dependent on stably expressed reference genes across the samples being studied. In anorectal malformations (ARMs), there is limited data on the selection of appropriate reference genes.

Purpose

This study was aimed to investigate the optimal reference genes for PCR in ARM rat models.

Methods

We selected 15 commonly used reference genes (Rps18, Actb, B2m, Gapdh, Ppia, Hprt1, Pgk1, Ywhaz, Tbp, Ubc, Rps16, Rpl13a, Rplp1, Sdha, and Hmbs) as candidate reference genes and detected their mRNA expression in ARM samples by RT-qPCR. The expression stability and variability of these transcripts were subsequently evaluated using four methods (geNorm, NormFinder, comparative ΔCt, and BestKeeper).

Results

The abundance of the candidate reference genes was qualified by RT-qPCR and the cycle threshold (Ct) values ranged between 14.07 (Rplp1) and 21.89 (Sdha). In the overall candidate genes, different variations existed across the different algorithms. A comprehensive analysis revealed that Rpl13a ranked first among the relatively stable genes, followed by Ywhaz, Rps18, Sdha, and Hmbs.

Conclusions

The most stable reference genes for RT-qPCR were Rpl13a, Ywhaz, and Rps18 in ETU-induced ARMs in rat fetus. This study provided a foundation for reference gene selection for future gene expression analyses.
Diagnosis of water circulation in an estuary: A case study of the Jamapa River and the Mandinga lagoons, Veracruz, Mexico
Authors: Gonzalez-Vazquez Jose Antonio , Hernández-Vivar Erika , Rojas-Serna Claudia , Del-Valle-Morales Jair
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this study was to analyze water circulation in an estuary located in Boca del Río, Veracruz, Mexico. The diagnosis is based on the most representative flux records for the Jamapa River during the dry and rain seasons, that is, April and September, respectively. Tidal conditions, temperature, and water density were taken into account. For the diagnosis, a three-dimensional model (Delft3D) was applied. The seasonal circulation governing the estuary was evaluated using barotropic and baroclinic pressure levels. During the dry season, estuarine circulation was governed by the tides, and water circulation in the Mandinga lagoons was induced by baroclinic conditions. During the rainy season, the estuarine system was governed by discharge from the Jamapa River, and water circulation in the Mandinga lagoons is influenced by barotropic gradients.
Bibliometric analysis for Ciencias Marinas 45 years after its inception
Authors: Huerta Miguel Angel , De Jesus Melba , Cabello-Pasini Alejandro
Published: April 2019

To evaluate the growth of our journal, Ciencias Marinas, over the years since its inclusion for indexing in 2 major international databases, we performed a joint analysis of 8 bibliometric indicators: impact factor, source normalized impact per paper (SNIP), CiteScore, SCImago Journal Rank (SJR), cites per document, total cites, percent international collaboration, and h-index. In general, 6 of the 8 indicators suggest that growth for Ciencias Marinas can be qualified somewhere between satisfactory and good. The other 2 indicators, SNIP (1999–2017) and SJR (2010–2017), did not show significant changes for the time period analyzed.
Monitoring the effect of habitat loss on life-cycle aspects of the Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae in a semi-urban landscape
Authors: Thomson Chris N.
Published: April 2019

Long-term monitoring of the Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae in a semi-urban landscape before, during and after large-scale habitat removal identified a positive response in breeding activity in the short-term and a change in prey selectivity. Over the longer term, the loss in habitat had a negative impact on site fidelity. A pair of Masked Owls exhibited high fidelity to a particular breeding territory before and during the removal of large areas of habitat within this territory. Breeding success occurred over two consecutive seasons during the removal of known habitat and other disturbance events at which time the pair and their offspring were observed to exploit disturbed habitat and newly created forest edges in search of prey. Breeding activity was supported by an increased dietary focus on introduced rodents and other mammals displaced during habitat clearing. Fidelity to the breeding territory became more irregular post-disturbance and after two years the territory appeared to be abandoned. This response may suggest that the cumulative loss of habitat for established pairs as a result of urban expansion is likely to adversely affect reproductive success and site fidelity in the longer term.
Raynaud’s Disease and Clinical Challenges: A Minireview of Literature with a Spotlight on Acupuncture
Authors: Qureshi Naseem Akhtar , Sharma Sheelaj , Guru Rahul , Kahlenberg Andrea , Alharbi Mohammed Khulaif
Published: April 2019

Background: Primary Raynaud’s disease preferentially afflicts women with 5% prevalence rate reported in general population, manifests triphasic color phenomenon along with paresthesia involving distal digits and toes and triggered by severe cold and stress.

Objective: This review critically describes several perspectives of Raynaud’s diseases with a focus on medical acupuncture.

Methods: Electronic searches of relevant data prior to 2019 published in PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases were made using the Boolean operators and keywords. Finally, 32 articles that addressed specifically Raynaud’s disease and acupuncture were retained for this minireview.

Results: Raynaud’s disease classified into primary and secondary is poorly understood phenomenon, lacks standard care and, hence, needs patient-centered holistic approach. Evidently, medical acupuncture with safe clinical profile has been effectively used as an alternative therapy in Raynaud’s disease. Outcome results with the use of conservative approaches, modern therapies, behavioral interventions and medical acupuncture vary considerably across the board and primary RD carries better prognosis than secondary RD.

Conclusion: Both Raynaud's disease phenomena are complex conditions; need individualized treatment approach including surgical in refractory cases and further rigor studies to unravel their pathophysiology pathways and standardized interventions.
Maximum Contact Time of “Piatã Grass” Brachiaria brizantha (Poaceae) Seeds with Fertilizer for Germination
Authors: Avelino Anne Caroline Dallabrida , Faria Dayana Aparecida de , Cabral Carlos Eduardo Avelino , Abreu Joadil Gonçalves de , Camili Elisangela Clarete , Sales Kyron Cabral , Bungestab David
Published: April 2019

Data regarding the mixing of palisade grass seeds with fertilizers are scarce and contradictory. The aim of this study was to evaluate the maximum contact time without significant damage on physiological quality of Piatã grass seeds when mixed with 05:25:15 NPK fertilizer. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with six treatments and four replications. Treatments consisted of six contact times of the seeds with the fertilizer: 0, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours. The variables following variables were evaluated: water content, germination percentage, first germination count, seed viability, eletrical conductivity, accelerated aging, emergence percentage and emergence speed index. Except for the water content, there was an effect of the fertilizer contact times with the seeds over all variables. There was a decreasing linear effect of the contact time of the seeds with the fertilizer for all variables, except for electrical conductivity. The average water content of 10.09% was observed. After 120 hours of the fertilizer/seeds mixture, a reduction of 36.4% was observed in germination, of 36.7% in the first germination count, of 25.0% in seed viability, and of 65.0% in the germination of seeds subjected to the accelerated aging. There was an increase of 170.0% in the electrical conductivity of the Piatã grass seeds. The minimum standard of 60% germination, viability or emergence, required for the commercialization of forage seeds, should be maintained to ensure the ideal forage population in the establishment of the crop. Based on the emergence and viability tests, the commercialization levels can be maintained by performing the fertilizer/seeds mixture up to 63 hours before sowing. After 63 hours of seed and fertilizer mixing, a reduction of the initial vigor of the seeds can be observed, although not compromising the crop establishment or causing degradation of soil. Therefore, Piatã grass seeds can be mixed with the 05:25:15 NPK fertilizer up to 63 hours before sowing.
THE DISPOSITION EFFECTS ON THE FINANCIAL CRISIS OF THE INDONESIAN CAPITAL MARKET
Authors: Armansyah Rohmad Fuad
Published: April 2019

Disposition effects can be positive but can also have a negative impact on capital market activity. Positive if the behavior of selling or holding the assets is done after obtaining enough information on the investments, so that the market becomes dynamic, in the contrary, it will be negative if the behavior of selling / holding the assets by investors on the basis of not wanting to lose or because of the expectations in the future could lead to destruction or financial crisis. These behavior in some research causing the market unstable while other did not find disposition appear in their market. This research is to examine whether there is a behavior of the disposition effect before the crisis, during the crisis, and after the financial crisis of 2013 on the Indonesian capital market. The data of LQ45 group companies are used in this study with 810 obser-vations as the data of disposition effect base on investor trading through brokerage firm. The results show that there is no disposition effect behavior in financial crisis especially as what happened in Indonesia in 2013
THE STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL AND MEDUIM ENTERPRISES (SMEs) OF ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SERVICE IN PHUKET
Authors: Sawangchai Anusara , Prasarnkarn Hiran , Chanrawang Noppadol , Hancharoen Wanida , Somwaythee Pipop
Published: April 2019

This research aims to study the problematic conditions of small and medium enterprises, of hotels and food services, to provide a strategy for the development of small and medium enterprises, by providing hospitality and food services in Phuket by using integrated quantitative research which is divided into two phases. The first phase is a study of current problems of small and medium enterprises, accommodation and food services. The second phase is a strategy for the development of small and medium enterprises, accommodation and food services in Phuket by using qualitative research. Pieces of data were collected by the expert in-depth interview. Representatives from all sectors, local and national academics were to summarize information about strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and barriers to SWOT Analysis to find the right strategy and stage the forum. The participant were involved to present a draft strategy for the development of small and medium enterprises in Phuket accommodation and food service industry. The analysis of the data in the first phase of the questionnaire was using the statistical programme to distribute the frequency as a percentage value, average standard deviation and analysis of data in phase 2 by content analysis
CAUSAL OR EFFECTUAL? AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURIAL BEHAVIOR AND DECISION-MAKING LOGIC
Authors: Banikema Annie , Tite Thrycia
Published: April 2019

Basing on the principle of causation vs effectuation, we try in this research to undersantand women’s entrepreneurial process and their decision-making logic in the process of entrepreneurial action. Specifically, we seek (1) to understand under what conditions female entrepreneurs mobilize effectual rationality or causal rationality to make decisions and act and (2) to explain the preference for causal or effectual behavior among female entrepreneurs. Research method includes a qualitative approach, through In-depth and semi-structured interviews. Those were conducted with 10 female entrepreneurs, at different stage of their entrepreneurial process, and analyzed through a content analysis. Consistent with existing literature, our results highlight variables that can potentially influence the use of effectual or causal logic: Entrepreneurial expertise and entrepreneurial uncertainty. More interesting this research points out the link between entrepreneurial mo-tivations and the type of decision-making logic used by female entrepreneurs
Controlling Injection Barriers for Ambipolar 2D Semiconductors via Quasi‐van der Waals Contacts
Authors: Wang Junjun , Wang Feng , Wang Zhenxing , Cheng Ruiqing , Yin Lei , Wen Yao , Zhang Yu , Li Ningning , Zhan Xueying , Xiao Xiangheng , Feng Liping , He Jun
Published: April 2019

Barriers that charge carriers experience while injecting into channels play a crucial role on determining the device properties of van der Waals semiconductors (vdWS). Among various strategies to control these barriers, inserting a graphene layer underneath bulk metal may be a promising choice, which is still lacking experimental verification. Here, it is demonstrated that graphene/metal hybrid structures can form quasi‐van der Waals contacts (q‐vdWC) to ambipolar vdWS, combining the advantages of individual metal and graphene contacts together. A new analysis model is adopted to define the barriers and to extract the barrier heights in ambipolar vdWS. The devices with q‐vdWC show significantly reduced Schottky barrier heights and thermionic field emission activation energies, ability of screening the influence from substrate, and Fermi level unpinning effect. Furthermore, phototransistors with these special contacts exhibit enhanced performances. The proposed graphene/metal q‐vdWC may be an effective strategy to approach the Schottky–Mott limit for vdWS.
Risk calculator for predicting postoperative pneumonia after gastroenterological surgery based on a national Japanese database
Authors: Takesue Yoshio , Miyata Hiroaki , Gotoh Mitsukazu , Wakabayashi Go , Konno Hiroyuki , Mori Masaki , Kumamaru Hiraku , Ueda Takashi , Nakajima Kazuhiko , Uchino Motoi , Seto Yasuyuki
Published: April 2019

Background

The aim of the present study was to develop a risk calculator predictive of postoperative pneumonia in patients undergoing gastroenterological surgery.

Methods

We analyzed data from 382 124 patients undergoing eight main gastroenterological surgeries between 2011 and 2013 using the National Clinical Database in Japan. A risk model was developed using multivariate logistic regression analysis with patient data from 2011 to 2012 (n = 247 604) and validated using data from 2013 (n = 134 520).

Results

Pneumonia was observed in 11 105 patients (2.9%). After the input of significant primary disease and surgical procedures, 18 patient characteristics including gender, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sepsis, and need for any assistance in the activities of daily living, six laboratory parameters, and two intraoperative factors were used for risk calculation. Area under the receiver‐operating characteristic curve was 0.822 (95% confidence interval, 0.817‐0.826) in the derivation group and 0.826 (0.819‐0.832) in the validation group.

Conclusion

The risk calculator accurately predicted the occurrence of pneumonia following gastroenterological surgery.
A novel de novo PDGFRB variant in a child with severe cerebral malformations, intracerebral calcifications, and infantile myofibromatosis
Authors: Guimier Anne , Gordon Christopher T. , Hully Marie , Blauwblomme Thomas , Minard‐Colin Véronique , Bole‐Feysot Christine , Nitschké Patrick , Oufadem Myriam , Boddaert Nathalie , Sarnacki Sabine , Amiel Jeanne
Published: April 2019

The spectrum of clinical consequences of variants in the Platelet derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRB) gene is wide. Missense variants leading to variable loss of signal transduction in vitro have been reported in the idiopathic basal ganglia calcification (IBGC) syndrome Type 4. In contrast, gain‐of‐function variants have been reported in infantile myofibromatosis, Penttinen syndrome, and Kosaki overgrowth syndrome. Here, we report a patient harboring a novel postzygotic variant in PDGFRB (c.1682_1684del, p.[Arg561_Tyr562delinsHis]) and presenting severe cerebral malformations, intracerebral calcifications, and infantile myofibromatosis. This observation expands the phenotype associated with PDGFRB variants and illustrates the wide clinical spectrum linked to dysregulation of PDGFRB.
Intra‐arterial infusion of fasudil hydrochloride to treat post‐traumatic cerebral vasospasm
Authors: Murakami Tomoaki , Kajikawa Ryuichiro , Nakamura Hajime , Nishida Takeshi , Yoshimura Kazuhiro , Yoshihara Tomoyuki , Tsuruzono Koichiro , Wakayama Akatsuki , Kishima Haruhiko
Published: April 2019

Background

The effect of intra‐arterial infusion of fasudil hydrochloride in patients with post‐traumatic cerebral vasospasm remains unclear. Here we report a case of intra‐arterial infusion of fasudil hydrochloride for post‐traumatic cerebral vasospasm.

Case presentation

A 47‐year‐old man was transferred to our hospital with a fractured skull and traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. As rhinorrhea of cerebrospinal fluid had not improved, repair surgery was carried out on day 4. Aphasia appeared on day 13. Magnetic resonance imaging and angiography showed an ischemic region in the left temporal lobe and vasospasm of the left middle cerebral artery. We immediately carried out angiography and diagnosed severe vasospasm of the M1 region of the left middle cerebral artery. After placing a microcatheter into the proximal middle cerebral artery, we injected fasudil hydrochloride intra‐arterially. Vasospasm improved and aphasia resolved.

Conclusion

In this case, intra‐arterial infusion of fasudil hydrochloride was effective against post‐traumatic cerebral vasospasm.
Fabrication and characterization of electrospun Plantago major seed mucilage/PVA nanofibers
Authors: Golkar Pooran , Kalani Sahar , Allafchian Ali Reza , Mohammadi Hassan , Jalali Seyed Amir Hossein
Published: April 2019

Electrospinning is a well‐known technique for producing nanofibers using synthetic and natural polymers like mucilage. In this study, Plantago major Mucilage (PMM) was blended with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a nontoxic adding agent, in order to produce electrospun nanofiber. Electrospinning parameters (voltage, tip‐to‐collector distance, feed rate, and PMM/PVA ratio) were optimized and solution properties were analyzed. The morphology of nanofibers was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). Mechanical strength of nanofibers was determined, and cell viability on nanofibers was discussed by MTT assay. The results of SEM indicated that the PMM/PVA (50/50) nanofibers obtained with average diameter of 250 nm. Viscosity, electrical conductivity, and surface tension of PMM/PVA solution were 550 Cp, 575 μS/cm, and 47.044 mN/m, respectively. FTIR and XRD results verified the exiting PMM in produced nanofibers and no chemical reaction between PMM and PVA. Improvement in mechanical strength and cell viability of nanofibers by adding PMM to PVA nanofibers indicated the potential application of PMM‐based nanofibers for medical and food industries. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47852.
Die Neuausgabe der ISO/IEC 17025 und die Konsequenzen für Prüfstellen
Authors: Zeman Oliver , Schwenn Michael , Petricevic Duro
Published: April 2019

Kurzfassung

Das Institut für Konstruktiven Ingenieurbau verfügt seit Mitte der 1990er‐Jahre über ein eigenes mechanisches Prüflabor. Seit 2006 ist diese Prüfstelle nach ISO/IEC 17025 für eine Reihe von Prüfnormen aus dem Bereich der Befestigungstechnik nach dem österreichischen Akkreditierungsgesetz bei der Akkreditierung Austria akkreditiert, womit regelmäßig die Überprüfung der Fachkompetenz und des Vorhandenseins eines funktionierenden Qualitätsmanagementsystems durch unabhängige Sachverständige erfolgt. Im Zuge der Überführung der Normen der Reihe ISO 170xx (für Inspektions‐, Zertifizierungs‐, Kalibrier‐ und Prüfstellen relevant) durch eine neue Normengeneration wurde als eine der letzten Normen auch die ISO 17025 „Anforderungen an Prüf‐ und Kalibrierlaboratorien“ grundlegend verändert. Die unterschiedlichen Ansätze in der Gewährleistung der Kompetenz einer Prüfstelle und die Anforderungen an die Rückführbarkeit von Prüfergebnissen werden in diesem Beitrag gezielt herausgearbeitet. Anhand der Prüfstelle am Institut für Konstruktiven Ingenieurbau wird gezeigt, wie die Transformation von der ISO/IEC 17025:2005 in die ISO/IEC 17025:2017 eine qualitativ hochwertige Prüfarbeit sicherstellt.
Die praktische Umsetzung von neuen ressourceneffizienten Bauverfahren als Katalysator für Innovation im konstruktiven Ingenieurbau
Authors: Kromoser Benjamin , Kollegger Johann
Published: April 2019

Kurzfassung

Die Bauindustrie ist nach wie vor von konservativen Prozessen und Bauweisen geprägt. Neue Entwicklungen mit optimierten Arbeitsabläufen, neuen Materialien und Bauverfahren, die ökologische und ökonomische Vorteile mit sich bringen, werden nur langsam angenommen. Grund dafür sind u. a. eine zunehmend dichtere und unflexiblere Normungsstruktur, die neue Entwicklungen nur bedingt berücksichtigt, und eine zunehmend geringere Bereitschaft Verantwortung in der Gesellschaft zu übernehmen. In Österreich konnten dem internationalen Trend entgegenwirkend in den vergangenen Jahren innovative Bauverfahren in großem Maßstab erstmals praktisch angewandt werden. Durch ausgewählte Versuchsprogramme in Kombination mit numerischen Berechnungsmethoden, die durch die stetige Weiterentwicklung eine genauere Beurteilung der Tragwerke vor Baubeginn ermöglichen, kann die notwendige Vorarbeit geleistet und ein hohes Sicherheitsniveau gewährt werden. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird anhand von zwei ausgewählten Beispielen, der Egg‐Graben‐Brücke im Großarltal im Bundesland Salzburg und der Wildbrücke AM2 in Wiederndorf im Bundesland Kärnten, der Weg von der Entwicklung bis zur erstmaligen praktischen Anwendung beschrieben.
Forschungsbauwerk zur Untersuchung von Murgängen und deren Einwirkung auf Schutzbauwerke
Authors: Nagl Georg , Kaitna Roland , Hübl Johannes
Published: April 2019

Kurzfassung

Alpine Regionen sind unterschiedlichsten Naturgefahrenprozessen ausgesetzt, wie Murgängen, Rutschungen, Steinschlag und Lawinen. Murgänge definieren sich als langsam bis schnell fließende Suspension aus Wasser, Feststoffen und Wildholz, die sich dann entwickeln, wenn in kurzer Zeit große Geschiebemengen verfügbar werden . Die Kombination von hohen Geschwindigkeiten von bis zu 20 m/s und die Eigenschaft, große Blöcke zu transportieren, gefährden Infrastruktur und menschliches Leben. Für die Dimensionierung von Schutzbauwerken gegen diese Naturgefahr benötigt man realistische Bemessungswerte der auftretenden Kräfte. Zu diesem Zweck wurde im Jahr 2016 ein Forschungsbauwerk im Gadriabach in Südtirol errichtet. Das gesamte Bauwerk ist mit über 50 Sensoren ausgestattet, die die Erfassung der Einwirkungen sowie den weiteren Verlauf der Kräfte ermöglichen. Zusätzlich werden auch die für die Bemessung notwendigen Prozessparameter, wie z. B. Dichten, Fließhöhen und Geschwindigkeiten, ermittelt. In den ersten zwei Betriebsjahren wurden drei Murgänge mit Fließhöhen von 1 bis 2 m erfolgreich detektiert und gemessen. Die dabei gewonnenen Ergebnisse sollen mithelfen, die Entwicklung in der Dimensionierung von Schutzbauwerken zu verbessern.
Ultraschalluntersuchungen zur Identifikation von Schwerlastankern
Authors: Hofmann Jan , Laumann Sebastian
Published: April 2019

Kurzfassung

In nahezu allen Bereichen des Bauwesens werden Bauteile durch Befestigungsmittel miteinander verbunden oder es muss an bestehenden Bauteilen bzw. Bauwerken etwas befestigt oder nachträglich angefügt werden. Häufig sind keinerlei Aufzeichnungen oder andere Informationen über die im Tragwerk verbauten Befestigungsmittel verfügbar. Dabei spielt z. B. insbesondere die Kontrolle der vorhandenen Verankerungstiefe oder die Identifizierung des Dübels selbst eine entscheidende Rolle, ob der Dübel weiterverwendet werden kann oder ggf. ausgebaut werden muss. Im Folgenden wurde eine Auswahl von drei verschiedenen, jedoch von der Bauart ähnlichen, drehmomentkontrolliert spreizenden Dübeltypen mittels Ultraschall untersucht. Die Versuche zeigen, dass anhand der messbaren Reflexionen die Verankerungstiefe ermittelt werden kann. Des Weiteren ist es möglich, anhand eines Referenzbilds auch zwischen unterschiedlichen Dübeltypen unterscheiden zu können. Dadurch kann mittels Kerben in verschiedenen Tiefen und Abständen eine Codierung des Dübels erfolgen, sodass dieser anschließend mit Ultraschallmessungen identifiziert werden kann.
Synthesis and Bioactivities Evaluation of Novel Anthranilic Diamides Containing N‐(tert‐Butyl)benzohydrazide Moiety as Potent Ryanodine Receptor Activator
Authors: Zhou Yunyun , Wei Wei , Zhu Liangliang , Li Yuxin
Published: April 2019

Summary of main observation and conclusion

Anthranilic diamides have been proven to be a class of efficacious and safe insecticides targeting ryanodine receptors (RyRs) during the last decade. In order to develop innovative scaffolds with high insecticidal activity, two series of N‐pyridylpyrazole derivatives containing N‐(tert‐butyl)benzohydrazide substructures were designed and synthesized. Their insecticidal activities against oriental armyworm (Mythimna separata) and diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) were evaluated. Preliminary bioassay results revealed that some of the new compounds exhibited good insecticidal activity against the oriental armyworm and diamondback moth. The mode of action of these compounds were verified using calcium‐imaging technique and the results showed that some new compounds could effectively modulate the insect cytosolic Ca2+ level, and break the cellular calcium homeostasis, indicating some of these compounds were potent activators of the RyRs.
Chiral Frustrated Lewis Pairs Catalyzed Highly Enantioselective Hydrosilylations of Ketones
Authors: Liu Xiaoqin , Wang Qiaotian , Han Caifang , Feng Xiangqing , Du Haifeng
Published: April 2019

Summary of main observation and conclusion

A highly enantioselective Piers‐type hydrosilylation of simple ketones was successfully realized using a chiral frustrated Lewis pair of tri‐tert‐butylphosphine and chiral diene‐derived borane as catalyst. A wide range of optically active secondary alcohols were furnished in 80%—99% yields with 81%—97% ee's under mild reaction conditions.
Quantitative Phase Imaging Flow Cytometry for Ultra‐Large‐Scale Single‐Cell Biophysical Phenotyping
Authors: Lee Kelvin C.M. , Wang Maolin , Cheah Kathryn S.E. , Chan Godfrey C.F. , So Hayden K.H. , Wong Kenneth K.Y. , Tsia Kevin K.
Published: April 2019

Cellular biophysical properties are the effective label‐free phenotypes indicative of differences in cell types, states, and functions. However, current biophysical phenotyping methods largely lack the throughput and specificity required in the majority of cell‐based assays that involve large‐scale single‐cell characterization for inquiring the inherently complex heterogeneity in many biological systems. Further confounded by the lack of reported robust reproducibility and quality control, widespread adoption of single‐cell biophysical phenotyping in mainstream cytometry remains elusive. To address this challenge, here we present a label‐free imaging flow cytometer built upon a recently developed ultrafast quantitative phase imaging (QPI) technique, coined multi‐ATOM, that enables label‐free single‐cell QPI, from which a multitude of subcellularly resolvable biophysical phenotypes can be parametrized, at an experimentally recorded throughput of >10,000 cells/s—a capability that is otherwise inaccessible in current QPI. With the aim to translate multi‐ATOM into mainstream cytometry, we report robust system calibration and validation (from image acquisition to phenotyping reproducibility) and thus demonstrate its ability to establish high‐dimensional single‐cell biophysical phenotypic profiles at ultra‐large‐scale (>1,000,000 cells). Such a combination of throughput and content offers sufficiently high label‐free statistical power to classify multiple human leukemic cell types at high accuracy (~92–97%). This system could substantiate the significance of high‐throughput QPI flow cytometry in enabling next frontier in large‐scale image‐derived single‐cell analysis applied in biological discovery and cost‐effective clinical diagnostics. © 2019 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Regional Differences in the Contributions of TNF Reverse and Forward Signaling to the Establishment of Sympathetic Innervation
Authors: Erice Clara , Calhan O. Yipkin , Kisiswa Lilian , Wyatt Sean , Davies Alun M.
Published: April 2019

Members of the TNF and TNF receptor superfamilies acting by both forward and reverse signaling are increasingly recognized as major physiological regulators of axon growth and tissue innervation in development. Studies of the experimentally tractable superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons and their targets have shown that only TNF reverse signaling, not forward signaling, is a physiological regulator of sympathetic innervation. Here, we compared SCG neurons and their targets with prevertebral ganglion (PVG) neurons and their targets. Whereas all SCG targets were markedly hypoinnervated in both TNF‐deficient and TNFR1‐deficient mice, PVG targets were not hypoinnervated in these mice and one PVG target, the spleen, was significantly hyperinnervated. These in vivo regional differences in innervation density were related to in vitro differences in the responses of SCG and PVG neurons to TNF reverse and forward signaling. Though TNF reverse signaling enhanced SCG axon growth, it did not affect PVG axon growth. Whereas activation of TNF forward signaling in PVG axons inhibited growth, TNF forward signaling could not be activated in SCG axons. These latter differences in the response of SCG and PVG axons to TNF forward signaling were related to TNFR1 expression, whereas PVG axons expressed TNFR1, SCG axons did not. These results show that both TNF reverse and forward signaling are physiological regulators of sympathetic innervation in different tissues.
An examination of introgression and incomplete lineage sorting among three closely related species of chocolate‐dipped damselfish (genus: Chromis)
Authors: He Song , Robitzch Vanessa , Hobbs Jean‐Paul A. , Travers Michael J. , Lozano‐Cortés Diego , Berumen Michael L. , DiBattista Joseph D.
Published: April 2019

Aim

To determine the impact of ecological and environmental histories on the evolution of coral reef damselfishes at two adjacent marine biogeographic suture zones.

Location

Indo‐West Pacific, notably including two suture zones: Socotra and Christmas and Cocos/Keeling Islands.

Taxon

Chromis dimidiata, Chromis margaritifer, and Chromis fieldi.

Methods

We utilized a combination of nuclear and mitochondrial genetic markers in addition to visual abundance survey data of these fishes.

Results

Despite genetic patterns consistent with incomplete lineage sorting and relatively low genetic differentiation among the three studied Chromis species, there is evidence of hybridization between C. margaritifer and C. fieldi at Christmas Island based on molecular and visual identification. Introgression appears to be spreading westwards to other C. fieldi populations based on COI haplotype comparison. Moreover, the genetic distance between C. margaritifer and C. fieldi suggests that Pleistocene sea‐level fluctuations may have contributed to allopatric divergence and secondary contact between these two closely related species.

Main conclusions

Our study highlights that evolutionary processes in coral reef fishes operate differently between suture zones, possibly due to different ecological and environmental predispositions regulating secondary contact of sister species. While secondary contact likely led to hybridization and introgression at Christmas and Cocos/Keeling Islands, none of those processes seem present at Socotra for the chocolate‐dipped damselfish. This difference is likely due to an environmental barrier caused by hydrodynamic regimes in the Gulf of Aden.
Iron‐Doped LiCoO2 Nanosheets as Highly Efficient Electrocatalysts for Alkaline Water Oxidation
Authors: Li Jing , Li Guangshe , Wang Jianghao , Xue Chenglin , Zhang Yuelan , Wu Xiufeng , Meng Lingshen , Li Liping
Published: April 2019

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) plays a crucial role in water splitting, an essential reaction enabling the storage of intermittent energies as hydrogen fuel. However, identifying cheap, abundant, yet effective oxygen evolution catalysts to develop water splitting is still a challenge. Here, Fe‐doped lithium cobalt oxide nanosheets have been synthesized via a soft chemical exfoliation method. Electrochemical tests revealed that the as‐obtained Fe‐doped lithium cobalt oxide nanosheets afforded an overpotential of 343 mV at 10 mA cm–2, a mass activity of 88.34 A g–1, and a relatively small Tafel slope of 37.8 mV dec–1. These parameters are better than those of many reported materials and even better than that of the benchmark IrO2. Such an excellent performance can be attributed to the merits of the special electronic structure feature of surface Co ions, high surface area, active sites, and enriched electrophilicity of non‐lattice oxygen species.
Splinting for the carpometacarpal joint relieves experimental basal thumb pain and loss of pinch strength
Authors: Ooishi Dai , Izumi Masashi , Ueba Hiroaki , Ikeuchi Masahiko
Published: April 2019

Background

Splinting is a quite common intervention for the first carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis, however, underlying mechanisms of biomechanical and analgesic effects has not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to develop an experimental basal thumb pain model and to elucidate the effects of CMC splinting on the pain profile and motor function.

Methods

In 14 healthy subjects, experimental basal thumb pain was induced by hypertonic saline injection into the dorsal radial ligament located on base of the first metacarpal bone. Isotonic saline was injected contralaterally as a control. Two experimental sessions with or without CMC splinting were conducted. Before, during and after injections, tip pinch strength was measured and surface electromyography of the abductor pollicis brevis (APB), first dorsal interosseous (FDI) and extensor pollicis longus (EPL) during tip pinch were evaluated in each session.

Results

Hypertonic saline induced significantly greater pain compared with baseline and isotonic saline (p < 0.01). Following hypertonic saline injection, the tip pinch strength decreased compared with baseline, concomitant with reduction of electromyographical activity of APB and FDI, but not of EPL (p < 0.05). The CMC splinting significantly improved the experimental pain, loss of pinch strength and inhibited intrinsic muscle activity compared with bare hand (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

A novel experimental model mimicking the first CMC joint pain was developed. The CMC splinting relieved the basal thumb pain and augmented pinch strength as well as intrinsic muscle activity. This study provides new insights into the pain relief and pinch strength improvement by splinting for painful CMC joint disorders.

Significance

Newly developed experimental basal thumb pain model decreased tip pinch strength approximately 50%, concomitant with the reduction of intrinsic muscle activities. Splinting for the first carpometacarpal joint significantly improved experimental pain, loss of pinch strength and inhibited intrinsic muscle activity compared with bare hand.
The staining efficiency of cyanine dyes for single‐stranded DNA is enormously dependent on nucleotide composition
Authors: Han Xutiange , Wang Erchi , Cui Yixiao , Lin Yikai , Chen Hui , An Ran , Liang Xingguo , Komiyama Makoto
Published: April 2019

The staining of nucleic acids with fluorescent dyes is one of the most fundamental technologies in relevant areas of science. For reliable and quantitative analysis, the staining efficiency of the dyes should not be very dependent on the sequences of the specimens. However, this assumption has not necessarily been confirmed by experimental results, especially in the staining of ssDNA (and RNA). In this study, we found that both SYBR Green II and SYBR Gold did not stain either homopyrimidines or ssDNA composed of only adenine (A) and cytosine (C). However, these two dyes emit strong fluorescence when the ssDNA contains both guanine (G) and C (and/or both A and thymine (T)) and form potential Watson‐Crick base pairs. Interestingly, SYBR Gold, but not SYBR Green II, strongly stains ssDNA consisting of G and A (or G and T). Additionally, we found that the secondary structure of ssDNA may play an important role in DNA staining. To obtain reliable results for practical applications, sufficient care must be paid to the composition and sequence of ssDNA.
Power allocation for multisource, multidestination cooperative vehicular networks under an outage probability constraint
Authors: Zhou Di , Qiu Bin , Chen Yuanfang , Xiao Hailin , Alam Muhammad
Published: April 2019

In multisource, multidestination vehicular networks, vehicles equipped with wireless communication devices are capable of sharing data with each other as well as relaying data using roadside infrastructures. Therefore, low‐power wireless communications play a critical role in improving the performance of transportation systems. To substantially reduce the power consumption of the transportation systems, a new power allocation strategy operating with an amplify‐and‐forward and hybrid decode‐amplify‐forward (AF‐HDAF) protocol is proposed and analyzed. The cooperative manners of the employed relay nodes in the AF‐HDAF strategy are manipulated, relying on the smartly designed forward strategies of the cooperative nodes. Furthermore, based on an outage probability constraint, the optimal power allocation that minimizes the sum power consumption is investigated. Numerical results confirm the validity of the proposed theoretical analysis, showing that the performance of the proposed power allocation scheme can be substantially improved by implementing the proposed AF‐HDAF protocol.
Toward neuroimaging‐based network biomarkers for transient ischemic attack
Authors: Lv Yating , Han Xiujie , Song Yulin , Han Yu , Zhou Chengshu , Zhou Dan , Zhang Fuding , Xue Qiming , Liu Jinling , Zhao Lijuan , Zhang Cairong , Li Lingyu , Wang Jinhui
Published: April 2019

Stroke is associated with topological disruptions of large‐scale functional brain networks. However, whether these disruptions occur in transient ischemic attack (TIA), an important risk factor for stroke, remains largely unknown. Combining multimodal MRI techniques, we systematically examined TIA‐related topological alterations of functional brain networks, and tested their reproducibility, structural, and metabolic substrates, associations with clinical risk factors and abilities as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. We found that functional networks in patients with TIA exhibited decreased whole‐brain network efficiency, reduced nodal centralities in the bilateral insula and basal ganglia, and impaired connectivity of inter‐hemispheric communication. These alterations remained largely unchanged when using different brain parcellation schemes or correcting for micro head motion or for regional gray matter volume, cerebral blood flow or hemodynamic lag of BOLD signals in the patients. Moreover, some alterations correlated with the levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (an index related to ischemic attacks via modulation of atherosclerosis) in the patients, distinguished the patients from healthy individuals, and predicted future ischemic attacks in the patients. Collectively, these findings highlight the emergence of characteristic network dysfunctions in TIA, which may aid in elucidating pathological mechanisms and establishing diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for the disease.
p300 Acetyltransferase Is a Cytoplasm‐to‐Nucleus Shuttle for SMAD2/3 and TAZ Nuclear Transport in Transforming Growth Factor β–Stimulated Hepatic Stellate Cells
Authors: Wang Yuanguo , Tu Kangsheng , Liu Donglian , Guo Luyang , Chen Yunru , Li Qing , Maiers Jessica L. , Liu Zhikui , Shah Vijay H. , Dou Changwei , Tschumperlin Daniel , Voneschen Luke , Yang Rendong , Kang Ningling
Published: April 2019

Nuclear translocation of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2/3 (SMAD2/3), core transcription factors of transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) signaling, is critical for hepatic stellate cell (HSC) differentiation into metastasis‐promoting myofibroblasts. SMAD2/3 have multiple coactivators, including WW domain‐containing transcription regulator protein 1 (WWTR1 or TAZ) and p300 acetyltransferase. In the nucleus, TAZ binds to SMAD2/3 to prevent SMAD2/3 nuclear export. However, how TAZ and SMAD2/3 enter the nucleus remains poorly understood because neither contains a nuclear localization signal (NLS), an amino acid sequence tagging proteins for nuclear transport. p300 is an NLS‐containing large scaffold protein, so we hypothesized that SMAD2/3 and TAZ may undergo nuclear import through complexing with p300. Coimmunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and nuclear fractionation assays revealed that TGF‐β1 promoted binding of SMAD2/3 and TAZ to p300 and that p300 inactivation disrupted TGF‐β1‐mediated SMAD2/3 and TAZ nuclear accumulation. Deleting the p300 NLS blocked TGF‐β1‐induced SMAD2/3 and TAZ nuclear transport. Consistently, p300 inactivation suppressed TGF‐β1‐mediated HSC activation and transcription of genes encoding tumor‐promoting factors, such as connective tissue growth factor, Tenascin C, Periostin, platelet‐derived growth factor C, and fibroblast growth factor 2, as revealed by microarray analysis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation‐real‐time quantitative PCR showed that canonical p300‐mediated acetylation of histones also facilitated transcription in response to TGF‐β1 stimulation. Interestingly, although both TGF‐β1‐mediated and stiffness‐mediated HSC activation require p300, comparison of gene expression data sets revealed that transcriptional targets of TGF‐β1 were distinct from those of stiffness‐p300 mechanosignaling. Lastly, in tumor/HSC coinjection and intrasplenic tumor injection models, targeting p300 of activated‐HSC/myofibroblasts by C646, short hairpin RNA, or cre‐mediated gene disruption reduced tumor and liver metastatic growth in mice. Conclusion: p300 facilitates TGF‐β1‐stimulated HSC activation by both noncanonical (cytoplasm‐to‐nucleus shuttle for SMAD2/3 and TAZ) and canonical (histone acetylation) mechanisms. p300 is an attractive target for inhibiting HSC activation and the prometastatic liver microenvironment.
Impaired Chylomicron Assembly Modifies Hepatic Metabolism Through Bile Acid–Dependent and Transmissible Microbial Adaptations
Authors: Xie Yan , Matsumoto Hitoshi , Kennedy Susan , Newberry Elizabeth P. , Moritz William , DeBosch Brian J. , Moley Kelle H. , Rubin Deborah C. , Warner Brad W. , Kau Andrew L. , Tarr Phillip I. , Wylie Todd N. , Wylie Kristine M. , Davidson Nicholas O.
Published: April 2019

The mechanisms by which alterations in intestinal bile acid (BA) metabolism improve systemic glucose tolerance and hepatic metabolic homeostasis are incompletely understood. We examined metabolic adaptations in mice with conditional intestinal deletion of the abetalipoproteinemia (ABL) gene microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (Mttp‐IKO), which blocks chylomicron assembly and impairs intestinal lipid transport. Mttp‐IKO mice exhibit improved hepatic glucose metabolism and augmented insulin signaling, without weight loss. These adaptations included decreased BA excretion, increased pool size, altered BA composition, and increased fibroblast growth factor 15 production. Mttp‐IKO mice absorb fructose normally but are protected against dietary fructose‐induced hepatic steatosis, without weight loss or changes in energy expenditure. In addition, Mttp‐IKO mice exhibit altered cecal microbial communities, both at baseline and following fructose feeding, including increased abundance of Bacteroides and Lactobacillus genera. Transplantation of cecal microbiota from chow‐fed Mttp‐IKO mice into antibiotic‐treated wild‐type recipients conferred transmissible protection against fructose‐induced hepatic steatosis in association with a bloom in Akkermansia and increased Clostridium XIVa genera, whose abundance was positively correlated with fecal coprostanol and total neutral sterol excretion in recipient mice. However, antibiotic‐treated Mttp‐IKO mice were still protected against fructose‐induced hepatic steatosis, suggesting that changes in microbiota are not required for this phenotype. Nevertheless, we found increased abundance of fecal Akkermansia from two adult ABL subjects with MTTP mutations compared to their heterozygous parents and within the range noted in six healthy control subjects. Furthermore, Akkermansia abundance across all subjects was positively correlated with fecal coprostanol excretion. Conclusion: The findings collectively suggest multiple adaptive pathways of metabolic regulation following blocked chylomicron assembly, including shifts in BA signaling and altered microbial composition that confer a transmissible phenotype.