bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unraveling the Photocatalytic Water Dissociation Pathways on Two‐Dimensional Conjugated Polymers
Authors: Wang Lei , Wan Yangyang , Cheng Hao , Qi Zeming , Zheng Xusheng , Wu Xiaojun , Xu Hangxun
Published: September 2019

Understanding the water dissociation pathways on polymer photocatalysts is critically important for developing new conjugated polymers toward solar fuel generation by virtue of their diverse bond‐forming reactions. Until now, the detailed reaction pathways on the surface active sites of polymer photocatalysts still remain unknown. Herein, we employed in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) to unravel the water dissociation pathways on two‐dimensional 1,3‐diyne‐linked conjugated polymers synthesized via oxidative coupling of 1,3,5‐tris‐(4‐ethynylphenyl)‐benzene and 1,3,5‐triethynylbenzene. In addition, we also used quasi in situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near edge X‐ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) to further validate the results obtained from DRIFTS. In this way, several crucial intermediates formed during photocatalytic water splitting were identified and can be correlated to the computational results. It is shown that the water dissociation pathways are different for different polymers, exemplifying the significance of structural control in developing polymer photocatalysts. This study not only provides significant insights into the microscopic processes of the water splitting reaction catalyzed by metal‐free polymer photocatalysts but also offers essential principles for future development of metal‐free polymer photocatalysts toward solar‐to‐chemical energy conversion.
Microalgae as a Feedstock for Sustainable Fatty Acids: Factorial Design Study
Authors: Da Rós Patrícia Caroline Molgero , Menezes Talitha Kühn , Bredda Eduardo Henrique , Silva Messias Borges , De Castro Heizir Ferreira
Published: September 2019

Microalgal oil from Nannochloropsis gaditana cultivated in a laboratory‐scale photobioreactor was submitted to enzymatic hydrolysis using Candida rugosa lipase. A 22 full factorial design was performed to evaluate the effects of the soy lecithin emulsifier concentration and the lipase loading on the formation of free fatty acids. As control, a similar set of reactions was carried out with macaw palm oil. The results showed similar hydrolysis yields for both feedstocks. The highest value was reached when the concentrations of soy lecithin and lipase were taken at their lowest and highest levels, respectively. The hydrolysate from microalgal oil showed that the majority of the fatty acids released by C. rugosa consisted of palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids.
Direct Microwave Conversion from Lignin to Micro/Meso/Macroporous Carbon for High‐Performance Symmetric Supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Xin , Liu Yuchen , Chen Minzhi , Luo Min , Yang Pei , Chen Weimin , Zhou Xiaoyan
Published: September 2019

Enzymatic hydrolysis lignin (EHL) is a common biomass that is difficult to use for the synthesis of porous carbon (PC) via direct microwave heating because it absorbs very little microwave energy. In this study, a novel method was developed to synthesize high‐performance PC directly from EHL using only 8 min of microwave heating. The resulting PC exhibits a high specific surface area of 2482 m2 g−1 and a hierarchical pore distribution with a high mesopore content of 35.6 % and oxygen content of 17.1 %. Nitrogen (as a protecting gas) passes through water molecules provided by steam to absorb microwave energy and acts as a physical porogen to form mesopores. Using solid KOH allows one to bypass the time‐consuming drying process and generate sufficient micropores. Additionally, fast self‐pyrolysis and a high heating rate lead to the generation of both mesopores and macropores in a PC framework. Furthermore, multiple active centers can be formed during microwave heating and subsequently stabilized by oxidation once the PC is exposed to an air atmosphere, resulting in the attachment of oxygen functional groups to the PC surface. Based on these desirable physicochemical characteristics, the PC electrodes fabricated in this study exhibit a high specific capacitance of 338 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and high capacitance retention of 86 % at 10 A g−1. The final PC‐based supercapacitor delivers a maximum energy density of 17.1 Wh kg−1 in a Na2SO4 electrolyte and 8.6 Wh kg−1 in a KOH electrolyte.
Model‐based description of indicator displacement assay sensor arrays for quantitation of mixtures
Authors: Rostami Akram , Karimvand Somaiyeh Khodadadi , Abdollahi Hamid
Published: September 2019

This paper propounds an approach for the simultaneous analysis of colorless analytes using optical sensor arrays. On the basis of the equilibrium law, the principles of indicator displacement assay (IDA)–based sensor arrays that can be utilized for the efficient quantification of analytes in the mixture solutions through multivariate hard modeling approach are discussed in detail. According to these principles, two different sensor array systems are designed for the simultaneous analysis of the analytes with nonselective signal in the mixtures. Each sensor element of the designed sensor arrays consists of a single indicator and receptor but has different equilibrium environmental conditions.

Among all amino acids, only histidine and cysteine reveal significant responses to the Ni‐murexide IDA probe. So, in the first experiment, the Ni‐murexide IDA sensor arrays are applied for the precise and selective quantification of these two amino acids in the mixture solutions. The root mean square error of predictions (RMSEPs) of the prediction dataset obtained by the radial basis function–artificial neural network (RBF‐ANN) model are 3.41% and 4.72% for histidine and cysteine, respectively, in the unknown artificial mixtures. In the second experiment, two metal cations, namely, zinc and cadmium, are simultaneously quantified by another designed IDA‐based sensor array. The metallochromic indicator 4‐(2‐pyridylazo) resorcinol (PAR) is applied in two different equilibrium conditions for each sensor element. The results of predicting these two metals in the unknown mixtures via the RBF‐ANN model are 7.22% and 8.15% for zinc and cadmium, respectively.
Longitudinal monitoring of somatic genetic alterations in circulating cell‐free DNA during treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor–tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Authors: Iwama Eiji , Sakai Kazuko , Hidaka Noriko , Inoue Koji , Fujii Akiko , Nakagaki Noriaki , Ota Keiichi , Toyozawa Ryo , Azuma Koichi , Nakatomi Keita , Harada Taishi , Hisasue Junko , Sakata Shinya , Shimose Takayuki , Kishimoto Junji , Nakanishi Yoichi , Nishio Kazuto , Okamoto Isamu
Published: September 2019

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of liquid biopsy for prediction of the efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)–tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment and for assessment of the changes in genetic alterations during such treatment.

Methods

Plasma samples were prospectively collected from non–small cell lung cancer patients with EGFR‐activating mutations during EGFR‐TKI treatment until disease progression and were analyzed for such mutations with droplet digital polymerase chain reaction and for other somatic alterations with next‐generation sequencing.

Results

One hundred patients, including 87 who were EGFR‐TKI naïve, were enrolled. Median progression‐free survival was significantly shorter for EGFR‐TKI–naïve patients with EGFR‐activating mutations detected in plasma at baseline than for those without them (7.9 vs 19.0 months; P < .001), with the values being significantly longer for initially positive patients who became negative for these mutations at 12 or 24 weeks than for those who remained positive. An increase in the number of alleles positive for EGFR‐activating mutations in plasma during treatment was associated with disease progression, with a hazard ratio of 4.72 (95% CI, 2.07‐10.79; P < .001) for EGFR‐TKI–naïve patients showing an increase within 36 weeks. For 55 patients with available samples, the total number of somatic alterations (other than activating mutations or T790M of EGFR) in plasma was higher at disease progression than at baseline (33 vs 19; P = 0.04).

Conclusion

Liquid biopsy shows potential for prediction of EGFR‐TKI efficacy and elucidation of clonal tumor evolution during targeted therapy.
Liquid biopsy as a follow‐up tool: Comment on longitudinal monitoring of somatic genetic alterations in circulating cell‐free DNA during treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor–tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Authors: Malapelle Umberto , Rolfo Christian ,   on behalf of the International Society of Liquid Biopsy (ISLB)
Published: September 2019

Liquid biopsy in lung cancer is part of the standard of care for the identification of druggable oncogenic drivers. Its use during treatment for real‐time monitoring allows the identification of acquired mechanisms of resistance that can inform further treatment decisions, improving patient therapeutic opportunities.
Inclusiveness and ethical considerations for observational, translational, and clinical cancer health disparity research
Authors: Behring Michael , Hale Kevin , Ozaydin Bunyamin , Grizzle William E. , Sodeke Stephen O. , Manne Upender
Published: September 2019

Background

Although general trends in cancer outcomes are improving, racial/ethnic disparities in patient outcomes continue to widen, suggesting disparity‐related shortcomings in cancer research designs.

Methods

Using convenience sampling, a total of 24 data sources, representing several research designs and 5 high‐burden tumor types, were included for analyses. The percentages of races/ethnicities across each design/tumor type were compared with those of the 2017 US Census data. The authors used a framework based on the Belmont principles to evaluate the ethical strengths and/or weaknesses of each design.

Results

In all designs, white individuals were found to be overrepresented. African American and Asian individuals were underrepresented, and Native Americans had consistently poor or no representation. In general, ethical concerns varied according to the study design. Clinical trials were high with regard to respect for persons and beneficence but low for equitable subject selection related to the inclusion of race/ethnicity. Observational study designs were more inclusive for race/ethnicity compared with clinical and translational studies, but their clinical usefulness was less.

Conclusions

The authors proposed that ethical concerns should vary according to the study design. Because observational designs have strengths in inclusiveness for race/ethnicity, their clinical usefulness can be improved by extending the Learning Health System in hospital catchment populations, the use of health records linked to biospecimens, and minority oversampling. Likewise, minority enrollment into clinical trials can be improved through Learning Health System linking and by using National Cancer Institute–mandated Community Outreach and Engagement Cores. This will allow precision medicine for otherwise overlooked minority subgroups.
Coupled sensory interneurons mediate escape neural circuit processing in an aquatic annelid worm, Lumbriculus variegatus
Authors: Lybrand Zane R. , Martinez‐Acosta Veronica G. , Zoran Mark J.
Published: September 2019

The interneurons associated with rapid escape circuits are adapted for fast pathway activation and rapid conduction. An essential aspect of fast activation is the processing of sensory information with limited delays. Although aquatic annelid worms have some of the fastest escape responses in nature, the sensory networks that mediate their escape behavior are not well defined. Here, we demonstrate that the escape circuit of the mud worm, Lumbriculus variegatus, is a segmentally arranged network of sensory interneurons electrically coupled to the central medial giant fiber (MGF), the command‐like interneuron for head withdrawal. Electrical stimulation of the body wall evoked fast, short‐duration spikelets in the MGF, which we suggest are the product of intermediate giant fiber activation coupled to MGF collateral dendrites. Since these contact sites have immunoreactivity with a glutamate receptor antibody, and the glutamate receptor antagonist 6‐cyano‐7‐nitroquinoxaline‐2,3‐dion abolishes evoked MGF responses, we conclude that the afferent pathway for MGF‐mediated escape is glutamatergic. This electrically coupled sensory network may facilitate rapid escape activation by enhancing the amplitude of giant axon depolarization.
A Fluorescent False Neurotransmitter as a Dual Electrofluorescent Probe for Secretory Cell Models
Authors: Pandard Justine , Pan Na , Ebene Dina H. , Le Saux Thomas , Ait‐Yahiatène Eric , Liu Xiaoqing , Grimaud Laurence , Buriez Olivier , Labbé Eric , Lemaître Frédéric , Guille‐Collignon Manon
Published: September 2019

A dual electrofluorescent probe (FFN42) belonging to the fluorescent false neurotransmitter family was rationally designed for investigating cell secretion. This probe, which comprises a coumarin core with one amino and two hydroxy groups, is very promising due to its electroactive and fluorescent properties. The optimal excitation and emission wavelengths (380 nm and 470 nm respectively) make this probe adapted for use in fluorescence microscopy. FFN42 has a quantum yield of 0.18, a molar absorption coefficient of 12000 M−1cm−1 and pKa values of 5.4 and 6.7 for the hydroxy groups. The electroactivity of FFN42 was evidenced on carbon fiber and ITO electrodes at relatively low oxidation potentials (0.24 V and 0.45 V vs Ag/AgCl respectively). Epifluorescence observations showed that FFN42 accumulated into secretory vesicles of PC12 and N13 cells. Toxicity tests further revealed that FFN42 had no lethal effect on these cells. Amperometric data obtained on carbon fiber electrodes proved that the probe is released by N13 cells.
The underestimated problem of oral Candida colonization—An observational pilot study in one nursing home
Authors: Kottmann Hannah Elisa , Derman Sonja Henny Maria , Noack Michael Johannes , Barbe Anna Greta
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Older people are at increased risk of intraoral yeast colonization. In this observational case series, we assessed Candida colonization among nine nursing home residents to investigate possible correlations with their individual characteristics, general health parameters, and oral care. We also described the effect of professional dental cleaning (PDC) including prosthesis cleaning on colonization cases.

Materials and methods

General clinical and oral health was assessed in nine residents, and samples were taken from six oral mucosa sites or prosthetic surfaces. PDC was performed to achieve macroscopically clean results, and residents were re‐examined 2 weeks later.

Results

We found that six residents were intraorally colonized with Candida albicans; four also had Candida glabrata. Prostheses were particularly infected. Dementia, multimorbidity, and presence of prostheses reduced oral hygiene ability; requiring assistance for oral hygiene care was a risk indicator for Candida colonization. PDC reduced C. albicans (at the expense of increased C. glabrata) but was not optimal for maintaining Candida reduction.

Conclusion

In this pilot study, Candida colonization is prevalent among nursing home residents, especially those with cognitive impairment, multimorbidity, or reduced oral hygiene capacity. Potential negative effects on general health necessitate diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines. PDC alone did not maintain the reduction in Candida colonization; additional methods for daily oral care are necessary.
Energy consumption optimization for self‐powered IoT networks with non‐orthogonal multiple access
Authors: Li Xi , Luo Changqing , Ji Hong , Zhuang Yuandong , Zhang Heli , Leung Victor C.M.
Published: September 2019

Energy harvesting (EH) has been considered as one of the promising technologies to power Internet of Things (IoT) devices in self‐powered IoT networks. By adopting a typical harvest‐then‐transmit mode, IoT devices with the EH technology first harvest energy by using wireless power transfer (WPT) and then carry out wireless information transmission (WIT), which leads to the coordination between WPT and WIT. In this paper, we consider optimizing energy consumption of periodical data collection in a self‐powered IoT network with non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA). Particularly, we take into account time allocation for the WPT and WIT stages, node deployment, and constraints for data transmission. Moreover, to thoroughly explore the impact of different multiple access methods, we theoretically analyse and compare the performance achieved by employing NOMA, frequency division multiple access (FDMA), and time division multiple access (TDMA) in the considered IoT network. To validate the performance of the proposed method, we conduct extensive simulations and show that the NOMA outperforms the FDMA and TDMA in terms of energy consumption and transmission power.
Bat algorithm–based beamforming for mmWave massive MIMO systems
Authors: Shahjehan Waleed , Riaz Asad , Khan Imran , Sadiq Ali Safaa , Khan Suleman , Khan Muhammad Khurram
Published: September 2019

In this paper, an optimized analog beamforming scheme for millimeter‐wave (mmWave) massive MIMO system is presented. This scheme aims to achieve the near‐optimal performance.by searching for the optimized combination of analog precoder and combiner. In order to compensate for the occurrence of attenuation in the magnitude of mmWave signals, the codebook‐dependent analog beamforming in conjunction with precoding at transmitting end and combining signals at the receiving end is utilized. Nonetheless, the existing and traditional beamforming schemes involve a more difficult and complicated search for the optimal combination of analog precoder/combiner matrices from predefined codebooks. To solve this problem, we have referred to a modified bat algorithm to find the optimal combination value. This algorithm will explore the possible pairs of analog precoder/combiner as a way to come up with the best match in order to attain near‐optimal performance. The analysis shows that the optimized beamforming scheme presented in this paper can improve the performance that is very close to the beam steering benchmark that we have considered.
Changes in seasonal precipitation distribution but not annual amount affect litter decomposition in a secondary tropical forest
Authors: Yu Shiqin , Mo Qifeng , Li Yingwen , Li Yongxing , Zou Bi , Xia Hanping , Li Zhi'an , Wang Faming
Published: September 2019

In the tropics of South China, climate change induced more rainfall events in the wet season in the last decades. Moreover, there will be more frequently spring drought in the future. However, knowledge on how litter decomposition rate would respond to these seasonal precipitation changes is still limited. In the present study, we conducted a precipitation manipulation experiment in a tropical forest. First, we applied a 60% rainfall exclusion in April and May to defer the onset of wet season and added the same amount of water in October and November to mimic a deferred wet season (DW); second, we increased as much as 25% mean annual precipitation into plots in July and August to simulate a wetter wet season (WW). Five single‐species litters, with their carbon to nitrogen ratio ranged from 27 to 49, and a mixed litter were used to explore how the precipitation change treatments would affect litter decomposition rate. The interaction between precipitation changes and litter species was not significant. The DW treatment marginally accelerated litter decomposition across six litter types. Detailed analysis showed that DW increased litter decomposition rate in the periods of January to March and October to December, when soil moisture was increased by the water addition in the dry season. In contrast, WW did not significantly affect litter decomposition rate, which was consistent with the unchanged soil moisture pattern. In conclusion, the study indicated that regardless of litter types or litter quality, the projected deferred wet season would increase litter decomposition rate, whereas the wetter wet season would not affect litter decomposition rate in the tropical forests. This study improves our knowledge of how tropical forest carbon cycling in response to precipitation change.
Glucose triggers strong taxon‐specific responses in microbial growth and activity: insights from DNA and RNA qSIP
Authors: Papp Katerina , Hungate Bruce A. , Schwartz Egbert
Published: September 2019

Growth of soil microorganisms is often described as carbon limited, and adding labile carbon to soil often results in a transient and large increase in respiration. In contrast, soil microbial biomass changes little, suggesting that growth and respiration are decoupled in response to a carbon pulse. Alternatively, measuring bulk responses of the entire community (total respiration and biomass) could mask ecologically important variation among taxa in response to the added carbon. Here, we assessed taxon‐specific variation in cellular growth (measured as DNA synthesis) and metabolic activity (measured as rRNA synthesis) following glucose addition to soil using quantitative stable isotope probing with H218O. We found that glucose addition altered rates of DNA and rRNA synthesis, but the effects were strongly taxon specific: glucose stimulated growth and rRNA transcription for some taxa, and suppressed these for others. These contrasting taxon‐specific responses could explain the small and transient changes in total soil microbial biomass. Responses to glucose were not well predicted by a priori assignments of taxa into copiotrophic or oligotrophic categories. Across all taxa, rates of DNA and rRNA synthesis changed in parallel, indicating that growth and activity were coupled, and the degree of coupling was unaffected by glucose addition. This pattern argues against the idea that labile carbon addition causes a large reduction in metabolic growth efficiency; rather, the large pulse of respiration observed with labile substrate addition is more likely to be the result of rapid turnover of microbial biomass, possibly due to trophic interactions. Our results support a strong connection between rRNA synthesis and bacterial growth, and indicate that taxon‐specific responses among soil bacteria can buffer responses at the scale of the whole community.
Associative and Proton Transfer Effects on the Voltammetric Behaviour of Chemically Grafted Films Bearing Nitrophenyl Groups
Authors: Ramírez‐Delgado Vanessa , Morales‐Martínez Daniel , González Felipe J.
Published: September 2019

The spontaneous decomposition of 4‐nitrophenyldiazonium tetrafluoroborate in acetonitrile solution was used to modify glassy carbon electrodes with films bearing nitrophenyl groups. The modification procedure was performed by dipping non‐connected electrodes into the nitrophenyldiazonium solution. When these modified electrodes were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile containing traces of water over a wide potential scale, only one reduction wave and two oxidation peaks were observed, which is atypical considering the reversible behaviour of the reduction of nitrobenzene in acetonitrile, however in acetonitrile containing a lower concentration of water, two consecutive reduction waves appear in the same potential scale. The difference between both behaviours is consistent with the presence of water trapped into the film structure, which promotes electron and proton transfer reactions that yield nitrosobenzene as product in surface. The trapping of water inside the film structure is justified by the capability of the nitrophenyl groups to interact with water by surface hydrogen bonding interactions.
CE‐MS with electrokinetic supercharging and application to determination of neurotransmitters
Authors: Wells Shane S. , Dawod Mohamed , Kennedy Robert T.
Published: September 2019

Electrokinetic supercharging (EKS) is known as one of the most effective online electrophoretic preconcentration techniques, though pairing with it with mass spectrometry has presented challenges. Here, EKS is successfully paired with ESI‐MS/MS to provide a sensitive and robust method for analysis of biogenic amines in biological samples. Injection parameters including electric field strength and the buffer compositions used for the separation and focusing were investigated to achieve suitable resolution, high sensitivity, and compatibility with ESI‐MS. Using EKS, the sensitivity of the method was improved 5000‐fold compared to a conventional hydrodynamic injection with CZE. The separation allowed for baseline resolution of several neurotransmitters within 16 min with LODs down to 10 pM. This method was applied to targeted analysis of seven biogenic amines from rat brain stem and whole Drosophila tissue. This is the first method to use EKS with CE‐ESI‐MS/MS to analyze biological samples.
Full–Life Cycle Toxicity Assessment of Sediment-Bound DDT and Its Degradation Products on Chironomus dilutus
Authors: Ma Ping , Li Huizhen , You Jing
Published: September 2019

Because of its hydrophobicity and persistence, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is ubiquitous in sediments and poses significant risk to benthic organisms. Therefore, it is imperative to evaluate the long-term toxicity of DDT. However, limited information is available on its chronic toxicity to benthic invertebrates. Full–life cycle toxicity of sediment-bound DDT to Chironomus dilutus was assessed. Median lethal concentrations (with 95% confidence limits) of DDT and its degradation products (DDX) to C. dilutus were 334 (165–568), 21.4 (11.2–34.3), and 7.50 (4.61–10.6) nmol/g organic carbon after 10-, 20-, and 63-d exposure, respectively. In addition, median effect concentrations of DDX were 20.0 (15.0–25.3), 7.13 (4.10–10.5), and 8.92 (3.32–15.1) nmol/g organic carbon for growth, emergence, and reproduction, respectively. A toxicity spectrum was established to visually summarize chronic effects of DDX to midges. In addition, DDT degraded to dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) during sediment aging, and their toxicity differed from that of the parent compound. Predicted toxic units of DDX in porewater were utilized to distinguish between toxicity from DDT and that of DDD and DDE. The results showed that DDD was the main contributor to the toxicity in C. dilutus. To improve the accuracy of sediment risk assessment of DDT, the composition of DDX should be considered. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2698–2707. © 2019 SETAC

Abstract

Full–life cycle toxicity testing of sediment-bound DDT to Chironomus dilutus. Chronic toxicity spectrum was established for endpoints of lethality, growth, emergence, and reproduction. DDD = dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE = dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT = dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; E = emergence; EC5 and EC50 = 5% and 50% effective concentrations, respectively; G = growth; LC5 and LC50 = 5 and 50% lethal concentrations, respectively; R = reproduction.
Time‐series momentum in China's commodity futures market
Authors: Ham Hyuna , Cho Hoon , Kim Hyeongjun , Ryu Doojin
Published: September 2019

This study examines the time‐series momentum in China's commodity futures market. We find that a time‐series momentum strategy outperforms classical passive long and cross‐sectional momentum strategies in terms of the Sharpe ratio, risk‐adjusted excess returns, and cumulative returns. The time‐series momentum strategy with a 1‐month look‐back period and a 1‐month holding period exhibits the best performance. We observe clear time‐series momentum patterns and find that the time‐series momentum strategy is effective in the Chinese commodity futures market. However, the momentum lasts for less time in China than in the United States because China's futures market seems to have a greater number of speculative investors.
Valuing health using EQ‐5D: The impact of chronic diseases on the stock of health
Authors: Sánchez‐Iriso Eduardo , Errea Rodríguez Maria , Cabasés Hita Juan Manuel
Published: September 2019

Chronic diseases strongly affect individuals' health status. In aggregate terms, this impact is reflected by the stock of health, which measures the amount of health of a population in a given period of time.

The objectives of this study were to measure the relative burden of chronic illnesses by assessing health‐related quality of life using the EQ‐5D‐5L instrument, to rank diseases according to their associations with the stock of health, and to calculate the stock of health of the Spanish population and the amount of health loss attributable to each chronic disease from a social perspective.

Data were gathered from the Spanish Health Survey (ENSE 2011–2012, N = 20,587). A population weighted least squares model was used.

Chronic diseases represent 19.19% of the stock of health losses in Spain compared with a country free from those diseases. In Spain, the stock of health in 2011 was 31.86 million units on the visual analog scale.

The diseases with the strongest impact in terms of loss of stock of health at the individual level were mental illness and embolism, stroke, or cerebral hemorrhage. Collectively, the diseases with the largest impact included osteoarthritis, arthritis, or rheumatism; chronic back pain; and high blood pressure.
Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibition Protects From Liver Injury in Mouse Models of Sclerosing Cholangitis
Authors: Tardelli Matteo , Bruschi Francesca V. , Fuchs Claudia D. , Claudel Thierry , Auer Nicole , Kunczer Victoria , Baumgartner Maximilian , A.H.O. Ronda Onne , Verkade Henk Jan , Stojakovic Tatjana , Scharnagl Hubert , Habib Aida , Zimmermann Robert , Lotersztajn Sophie , Trauner Michael
Published: September 2019

Background and Aims

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) is the last enzymatic step in triglyceride degradation, hydrolyzing monoglycerides into glycerol and fatty acids (FAs) and converting 2‐arachidonoylglycerol into arachidonic acid, thus providing ligands for nuclear receptors as key regulators of hepatic bile acid (BA)/lipid metabolism and inflammation. We aimed to explore the role of MGL in the development of cholestatic liver and bile duct injury in mouse models of sclerosing cholangitis, a disease so far lacking effective pharmacological therapy.

Approach and Results

To this aim we analyzed the effects of 3,5‐diethoxycarbonyl‐1,4‐dihydrocollidine (DDC) feeding to induce sclerosing cholangitis in wild‐type (WT) and knockout (MGL−/−) mice and tested pharmacological inhibition with JZL184 in the multidrug resistance protein 2 knockout (Mdr2−/−
) mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis. Cholestatic liver injury and fibrosis were assessed by serum biochemistry, liver histology, gene expression, and western blot characterization of BA and FA synthesis/transport. Moreover, intestinal FAs and fecal microbiome were analyzed. Transfection and silencing were performed in Caco2 cells. MGL−/− mice were protected from DDC‐induced biliary fibrosis and inflammation with reduced serum liver enzymes and increased FA/BA metabolism and β‐oxidation. Notably, pharmacological (JZL184) inhibition of MGL ameliorated cholestatic injury in DDC‐fed WT mice and protected Mdr2−/−
mice from spontaneous liver injury, with improved liver enzymes, inflammation, and biliary fibrosis. In vitro experiments confirmed that silencing of MGL decreases prostaglandin E2 accumulation in the intestine and up‐regulates peroxisome proliferator–activated receptors alpha and gamma activity, thus reducing inflammation.

Conclusions

Collectively, our study unravels MGL as a metabolic target, demonstrating that MGL inhibition may be considered as potential therapy for sclerosing cholangitis.
Comparative analysis of two different types of fills used in wet cooling tower for higher‐scale water with conventional film type fill
Authors: Raj Gaurav , Chandra Prakash , Pathak Piyush Kumar
Published: September 2019

In the present study, an induced draft wet cooling tower has been experimentally investigated using film, glass, and ball fills. Film fills are used only in industry where scaling is less or low‐scale process water is used because of clogging of fills. Whereas, glass fills and ball fills are used for higher‐scale water. The main objective of this study is to investigate the performance and compare the result of film fills with glass fills and ball fills and also predict the loss as compared to film fills when glass and ball fills were used for high‐scaling water under such environmental conditions and different ratio of water to air flow and water inlet temperatures. Various performance parameters are analyzed for each of the fills and it was found that tower characteristics of film fills are 18.56% and 15.59% more than that of glass and ball fills, respectively, at water inlet temperature of 43°C and water‐to‐air flow ratio of 0.62. Moreover, exergy destruction was also calculated for each of the fills and it was observed that film fills destruct less exergy as compared with glass and ball fills.
Life Cycle Air Emissions External Costs Assessment for Comparing Electric and Traditional Passenger Cars
Authors: Girardi Pierpaolo , Brambilla Cristina , Mela Giulio
Published: September 2019

This study compares the environmental air emissions external costs of electric, gasoline, and diesel private passenger cars during their entire life cycle. The results provide the decision makers with a complementary and unconventional interpretation of the results of an ISO 14040–compliant life cycle assessment (LCA). Indeed, LCA results are often difficult to communicate and to be understood by the general public; on the other hand, an environmental external costs evaluation, where a single monetary value synthesizes the environmental impacts, can be easily understood, communicated to the broad public, and compared with taxes, incentives, and other economic tools. In the present study, we demonstrate that it is possible to carry out the application of a damage factor to the physical inventory flow. The application of this methodology to an Italian context leads to the conclusion that if we compare the 3 types of vehicles—electric, diesel, and gasoline—of an average midsize car (e.g., Volkswagen Golf), the electric version produces less external cost than the traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, considering both air pollution and climate change. The total life cycle air emissions externalities are 12.07 €/1000 km for the electric version, 21.30 €/1000 km for the gasoline vehicle, and 24.25  €/1000 km for the diesel vehicle. At the same time, the electric vehicle produces less external cost related to the air emissions considering both the entire life cycle and only the processes that occur in Italy. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;00:1–11. © 2019 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC)
Progranulin autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis and autoimmune connective tissue disorders: A preliminary study
Authors: Klemm Philipp , Assmann Gunter , Preuss Klaus‐Dieter , Fadle Natalie , Regitz Evi , Martin Thierry , Pfreundschuh Michael , Thurner Lorenz
Published: September 2019

Objective

The present study aimed to investigate progranulin autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis and autoimmune connective tissue disorders. Progranulin is a physiologic tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist. Progranulin antibodies decrease progranulin levels.

Methods

Serum samples of 123 patients with systemic sclerosis and various autoimmune connective tissue disorders (Sjoegren's syndrome [SjS], mixed connective tissue disorder, polymyositis [PM] and dermatomyositis [DM], antiphospholipid syndrome [APLS], and undifferentiated connective tissue disease [UCTD]) were tested for progranulin antibodies using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Progranulin antibodies were found in 34 of 123 (27.6%) patients at least once during their disease. In detail, 2 of 8 (25%) patients with limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis, 10 of 31 (32.3%) patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis, 9 of 22 (40.9%) patients with SjS, 1 of 3 (33.33%) patients with mixed connective tissue disease, 4 of 33 (12.1%) patients with DM or PM, 6 of 15 (40%) patients with APLS, and 2 of 11 (18.2%) patients with UCTD were positive for progranulin antibodies during the course of disease.

Conclusions

Progranulin antibodies are frequently present in patients with systemic sclerosis and other autoimmune connective tissue disorders. Despite the lack of specificity for a given autoimmune disease, progranulin antibodies might not only indicate a potential subtype but also play a pathogenic role in patients with autoimmune connective disorders. Given the important role of TNF‐α in inflammatory processes in autoimmune connective tissue disorders, progranulin antibodies might support the proinflammatory environment by neutralizing the TNF blocker progranulin.
Effects of treatment with gold nanoparticles in a model of acute pulmonary inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide
Authors: dos Santos Haupenthal Daniela Pacheco , Mendes Carolini , de Bem Silveira Gustavo , Zaccaron Rubya Pereira , Corrêa Maria Eduarda Anastácio Borges , Nesi Renata Tiscoski , Pinho Ricardo Aurino , da Silva Paula Marcos Marques , Silveira Paulo Cesar Lock
Published: September 2019

The bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a highly toxic molecule derived from the outer membrane of gram‐negative bacteria. LPS endotoxin affects the lungs and is used as a model of acute pulmonary inflammation affecting the cellular morphology of the organ. Previously, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been shown to demonstrate anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative activity in muscle and epithelial injury models. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the intraperitoneal treatment using GNPs on the inflammatory response and pulmonary oxidative stress induced by LPS. Wistar rats were divided into four groups (N = 10): Sham; Sham + GNPs 2.5 mg/kg; LPS; and LPS + GNPs 2.5 mg/kg. Treatment with LPS upregulated the levels of markers of cellular and hepatic damage (CK, LDH, AST, and alanine aminotransferase); however, the group treated with only GNPs exhibited no toxicity. Treatment with GNPs reversed LPS‐induced changes with respect to total peritoneal leukocyte count and the pulmonary levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IFN‐γ and IL‐6). Histological analysis revealed that treatment with GNPs reversed the increase in alveolar septum thickness due to LPS‐induced fibrosis. In addition, treatment with GNPs decreased production of oxidants (nitrite and DCFH), reduced oxidative damage (carbonyl and sulfhydryl), and downregulated activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Treatment with GNPs did not showed toxicity; however, it exhibited anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative activity that reversed morphological alterations induced by LPS.
A siRNA‐based method for efficient silencing of PYROXD1 gene expression in the colon cancer cell line HCT116
Authors: Shabani Samira , Mahjoubi Frouzandeh , Moosavi Mohammad A.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the biological function of pyridine nucleotide‐disulfide oxidoreductase domain 1 (PYROXD1), a recently discovered protein, in colon cancer cell line HCT116.

Methods

The small interfering RNA (siRNA) was designed rationally on the basis of the target sequence against PYROXD1. Relative PYROXD1 mRNA levels were measured by a quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Flow cytometry was performed to monitor tumor cells proliferation and apoptosis after siRNA transfection.

Results

Knockdown of PYROXD1 arrested the cell cycle, and induced late apoptosis in colon cancer cell line HCT116

Discussion

Taken together, these results revealed the critical roles of PYROXD1 in regulating cell cycle and apoptosis and possibly will signify its therapeutic potential for targeting colorectal cancer models.
Dahuang Zhechong pill attenuates CCl4‐induced rat liver fibrosis via the PI3K‐Akt signaling pathway
Authors: Gong Zhenghua , Lin Jiayu , Zheng Jie , Wei Liya , Liu Li , Peng Yanzhong , Liang Weicheng , Hu Guoxin
Published: September 2019

It is well characterized that activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) exert critical functions in accelerating the progression of liver fibrosis. Previous studies have indicated that Dahuang Zhechong pill (DHZCP), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is capable of inactivating HSCs and thus attenuate the formation of liver fibrosis in rats. However, pharmacological mechanisms of DHZCP in alleviating liver fibrosis remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the antifibrotic role of DHZCP through inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)‐protein kinase B (Akt) pathway. DHZCP was found to significantly suppresses extracellular matrix formation and immune cell infiltration, thus alleviating liver fibrosis symptoms in the in vivo model. Moreover, DHZCP reduced serum levels of transforming growth factor β1 and tumor necrosis factor‐α in rats with liver fibrosis. DHZCP treatment remarkably downregulated protein levels of PI3K and phosphorylated Akt, as well as fibrosis markers. In vitro experiments further demonstrated that DHZCP markedly suppressed HSCs proliferation by downregulating PI3K/Akt, which exerted a synergistic effect with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. To sum up, our results confirmed that DHZCP exerted an antifibrotic effect in the animal model through inactivating the PI3K/Akt pathway, thus protecting rats from liver injury.
Interpretation and Automatic Generation of Fermi‐Orbital Descriptors
Authors: Schwalbe Sebastian , Trepte Kai , Fiedler Lenz , Johnson Alex I. , Kraus Jakob , Hahn Torsten , Peralta Juan E. , Jackson Koblar A. , Kortus Jens
Published: September 2019

We present an interpretation of Fermi‐orbital descriptors (FODs) and argue that these descriptors carry chemical bonding information. We show that a bond order derived from these FODs agrees well with reference values, and highlight that optimized FOD positions used within the Fermi‐Löwdin orbital self‐interaction correction (FLO‐SIC) method correspond to expectations from Linnett's double‐quartet theory, which is an extension of Lewis theory. This observation is independent of the underlying exchange‐correlation functional, which is shown using the local spin density approximation, the Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof generalized gradient approximation (GGA), and the strongly constrained and appropriately normed meta‐GGA. To make FOD positions generally accessible, we propose and discuss four independent methods for the generation of Fermi‐orbital descriptors, their implementation as well as their advantages and drawbacks. In particular, we introduce a re‐implementation of the electron force field, an approach based on the centers of mass of orbital densities, a Monte Carlo‐based algorithm, and a method based on Lewis‐like bonding information. All results are summarized with respect to future developments of FLO‐SIC and related methods. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Computational Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of clinical characteristics of 92 patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: A single institution experience in China
Authors: Fu Rong , Li Liyan , Li Lijuan , Liu Hui , Zhang Tian , Ding Shaoxue , Wang Guojin , Song Jia , Wang Huaquan , Xing Limin , Guan Jing , Shao Zonghong
Published: September 2019

Objectives

We performed a retrospective analysis to investigate the clinical characteristics and therapeutic strategies of Chinese paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) patients, and assessed the efficacy and safety of glucocorticoid in PNH patients.

Methods

The clinical data of 92 PNH cases in our hospital were analyzed, including clinical manifestation, laboratory examination, treatment efficacy, and survival.

Results

The main clinical manifestations of these patients included hemoglobinuria, anemia, fatigue, dyspnea, headache, abdominal pain, and erectile dysfunction. Glucocorticoid is still the first‐line treatment for PNH patients to control hemolytic attack, and the short‐term remission rate (12 months) is 79.01% (64/81). Meanwhile, the overall survival (OS) of 10 years after diagnosis was estimated as 70.77% (46/65). Moreover, Cox proportional risk model for multivariate analysis showed that the increase in LDH multiple, thrombosis complications, and complicated with bone marrow failure were the independent adverse prognostic factors affecting the survival of PNH patients.

Conclusion

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria patients in mainland China have various clinical features, while lower incidences of thrombosis and renal damage. Thrombosis and bone marrow failure are two complications with worse prognosis.
Contribution of genetic polymorphism of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase on the effect of methotrexate in ectopic pregnancy patients
Authors: Deng Jie , Chen Li , Xue Heng , Zeng Fan‐Xiang , Niu Pei‐Guang , Shi Dao‐Hua
Published: September 2019

Background

Methotrexate (MTX) is the prior drug in ectopic pregnancy (EP). However, approximately 10% of patients suffer from failure by MTX therapy. Reduced folate carrier 1 (RFC1), methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) are involved in the transport and effects of MTX in vivo. In the present study, we aim to investigate the relationship between the genetic polymorphisms of RFC1, MTHFR, and DHFR and the clinical efficacy of MTX in tubal pregnancies.

Methods

100 patients of EP were enrolled in this study. Polymorphisms of RFC1 G80A, MTHFR C677T, and DHFR A‐317G were genotyped. β‐hCG level was detected in day 0, 4, and 7 after MTX injection. Association of MTX efficacy and genetic polymorphisms was analyzed.

Results

Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase C677T was associated with MTX treatment (P = .017). The success rate of first MTX injection was superior in patients with harboring mutation allele of MTHFR gene than that in patients with wild‐type gene (P = .001). However, there was no significant association between the polymorphisms of RFC1 G80A, DHFR A‐317G, and surgical treatment (P = .709 and .476, respectively). In addition, β‐hCG level decrement was not significantly changed by MTX injection with different polymorphisms of RFC1, MTHFR, and DHFR on either day 4 (P = .214, 0.197 and 0.270, respectively) or day 7 (P = .172, .554, and .726, respectively).

Conclusion

Our results suggested that the reliable indicator was polymorphism of MTHFR C677T in failure by MTX injection.
Working with gender‐expansive clients in psychotherapy
Authors: Brewster Melanie E. , Motulsky Wei , Glaeser Elizabeth
Published: September 2019

Gender expansive individuals of all ages are at an elevated risk for mental and physical health problems compared not only to the general population, but also to lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. Yet mental healthcare providers tend to be underprepared to provide services to this population, which is due in part to the dearth of scholarship on how to provide competent care to gender‐expansive people. The present article introduces themes and terminology crucial to working with this population, as well as three case studies—two individuals and one family—highlighting the nuances inherent in workng with gender expansive clients. We conclude by offering ways to conceptualize each case, and by highlighting certain areas that we believe deserve specific considerations from care providers.