bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Double‐Pulse Electrodeposition of CuGaS2 Photovoltaic Thin Film
Authors: Andrade Marcos A. S. , Gromboni Murilo F. , Soares Leandro L. , Mascaro Lucia H.
Published: March 2019

CuGaS2 photovoltaic thin films were prepared on fluorine‐doped tin oxide substrates using a double‐pulse electrodeposition approach. The environmentally friendly one‐step electrochemical deposition was performed under aqueous medium conditions, using Na2S2O3 as the sulfur source, with no additional step of sulfurization. The composition of CuGaS2 films was improved in double‐pulse electrodeposition mode. At lower duty cycle, θ=25 %, with the largest applied anodic potential time, highly pure and stoichiometric CuGaS2 films were electrodeposited through a one‐step method.
Fault detection based on improved local entropy locality preserving projections in multimodal processes
Authors: Guo Jinyu , Wang Xin , Li Yuan
Published: March 2019

Recently, local modelling methods have drawn increasing attention for fault detection in industrial processes. However, current local modelling adopts the basic multivariate statistical process monitoring method without deep mining the internal statistical information of the process data. Locality preserving projection (LPP) is a typical local fault detection method. However, industrial processes typically have complex multimodal characteristics. In these situations, the traditional LPP method performs poorly due to its assumption that the process data are Gaussian and unimodal. To improve fault detection performance of LPP in multimodal industrial processes and mine the internal system information, this paper proposes a new fault detection method based on improved local entropy LPPs (ILELPPs). ILELPP first eliminates the multimodal and non‐Gaussian characteristics of the original data using the improved local entropy method. Then, LPP is applied to the preprocessed data, neglecting the influences of multimodal and non‐Gaussian characteristics. A multimodal numerical example and an industrial application in a semiconductor manufacturing process are used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method has better fault detection performance than the LPP, global entropy LPP, and local entropy LPP methods.
High cystatin C levels predict long‐term mortality in patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing late percutaneous coronary intervention: A retrospective study
Authors: Chen Yuewu , Fan Yan , Men Min , Shen Guidong , Ma Aiqun
Published: March 2019

Objectives

Late percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), defined as time of PCI > 7 days from symptom onset, is a common practice with clinical benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of admission cystatin C (cys C) level on long‐term mortality in STEMI patients receiving late PCI.

Methods

Medical records of STEMI patients who were hospitalized between 2009 and 2011 from eight PCI‐capable hospitals in Northwest China were retrospectively analyzed. Cys C level ≥ 1.105 mg/L was considered as the best predictor of long‐term mortality based on the receiver‐operating characteristic analysis. Patients were followed up by phone or face‐to‐face interviews, and the long‐term mortality was obtained by reviewing medical records.

Results

The final analysis included 716 STEMI patients who received late PCI and had available cys C levels prior to PCI, and 524 were assigned into the high cys C group and 192 the low cys C group. Patients were followed up for an average length of 40.37 months. Compared with the low cys C group, the high cys C group had a higher long‐term all‐cause mortality (10.4% vs 2.9%, P < 0.001) and a higher cardiac mortality (6.8% vs 2.1%, P = 0.004). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high cys C level was an independent predictor for both long‐term all‐cause mortality and cardiac mortality.

Conclusions

High cys C level at admission is an independent predictor of long‐term mortality in STEMI patients undergoing late PCI.
Stimuli‐Responsive Copolymer and Uniform Polymeric Nanoparticles with Photochromism and Switchable Emission
Authors: Wang Sheng , Li Teng , Zhang Xiaoduo , Ma Liangwei , Li Chenpeng , Yao Xuyang , Cao Derong , Ma Xiang
Published: March 2019

An efficient approach to make a fluorescent polymer both photoswitchable and stimuli‐responsive was successfully developed by rationally introducing a photochromic bisthienylethene derivative (BTE) and fluorescent 4‐dicyanomethylene‐2,6‐distyryl‐4H‐pyran derivative (DPC) units in the side chains via copolymerization. Benefiting from the reversible photocyclization of BTE and the intermolecular Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) effect from DPC to the closed form of BTE, the emission signatures of the polymer both in solution in organic solvents and in thin films could be tuned by the alternating irradiation of ultraviolet and visible light. Moreover, uniform polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) with reversibly photoswitchable fluorescence properties were synthesized using a facile one‐step mini‐emulsion polymerization. This polymer could act as a smart material for photoresponsive polymer illuminants and offers new platform for multifunctional molecular switching and multi‐responsive materials.
A Facile and Controllable Method to In Situ Synthesize Stable Hydrophobic Vaterite Particles
Authors: Dang Haichun , Xu Zhaozan , Chen Zishan , Wu Weiling , Feng Juan , Sun Yiyi , Jin Fengchi , Li Jiang , Ge Fan
Published: March 2019

The applications of hydrophobic vaterite in various fields have been limited by its thermodynamic instability and complex preparation methods. A facile batch, green, rapid, and controllable method is proposed to prepare stable hydrophobic vaterite microparticles with the presence of stearic acid (SA) via in situ synthesis. A possible formation process of SA‐modified calcium carbonate (CaCO3) particles is proposed. Hydrophobic vaterite is prepared by mixing calcium chloride and sodium carbonate aqueous solutions in the presence of SA within 1 min by high shearing stirring. The hydrophobic vaterite particles show more uniform morphology and particle size than that without SA. Interestingly, the hydrophobic vaterite particles exhibit sumac‐fruit‐like morphology consisting of spherical nanoparticles. The hydrophobicity of CaCO3 particles is enhanced significantly by 1% SA addition. Vaterite is stabilized by SA and vaterite content in CaCO3 particles is significantly enhanced from 35% to 97% based on the analysis of X‐ray diffraction data. CaCO3 particles without SA translate into rhombohedron completely after 24 h of incubation, while the sumac‐fruit‐like morphology of hydrophobic vaterite particles shows no obvious change after 96 h of incubation. No obvious phase transformation of the hydrophobic vaterite particles is found after 72 h of incubation, indicating high stability of the hydrophobic vaterite.
Surface Characteristics of Polished YAG Laser Crystal
Authors: Xie Ruiqing , Zhao Shijie , Liao Defeng , Chen Xianhua , Wang Jian , Xu Qiao , Zhao Huiying , Jiang Zhuangde
Published: March 2019

Compared with ordinary optical glass, it is much more difficult to achieve high‐precision and ultra‐smooth surface processing on laser crystal materials. In order to improve the processing technology of large‐size Y3Al5O12 (YAG) laser crystal components, the surface characteristics of polished YAG crystal are studied. First, the surface mechanical properties of polished YAG crystal are investigated by nanoindentation technology, and the machinability of the crystal is basically evaluated. Then, the characteristics of surface flatness, defects, and surface roughness related to processing requirements of crystal components are further studied. The experimental results show that the high flatness, low defect density, and super smoothness of the surface of YAG crystal material can be obtained by optimizing the polishing process, that is, using a three‐step polishing method combining Al2O3 abrasive and the composite tin polishing plate.
Redox‐Neutral Decarbonylative Cross‐Couplings Coming of Age
Authors: Zhao Qun , Szostak Michal
Published: March 2019

Major progress has recently been made in the challenging redox‐neutral decarbonylative cross‐coupling of carboxylic acids. For example, the use of acid fluorides as effective cross‐coupling partners has been found to enable control of the decarbonylation selectivity and facilitates challenging Pd0‐catalyzed nucleophilic trifluoromethylation and exogenous base‐free Suzuki cross‐coupling reactions. In another recent advance, the use of acid chlorides in room temperature difluoromethylation and direct decarbonylative cross‐coupling of carboxylic acids allows these classical substrates to be used as aryl electrophiles in cross‐coupling reactions. Further challenges that are yet to be addressed in redox‐neutral decarbonylative cross‐couplings are also briefly summarized.
Highly Efficient Oxidation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5‐Furandicarboxylic Acid with Heteropoly Acids and Ionic Liquids
Authors: Chen Ruru , Xin Jiayu , Yan Dongxia , Dong Huixian , Lu Xingmei , Zhang Suojiang
Published: March 2019

2,5‐Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is regarded as an important bioderived substitute for petrochemically derived terephthalic acid (PTA), which is widely applied in the polymer industry. This work delineates the base‐free oxidation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to FDCA in an ionic liquid/heteropoly acid (IL–HPA) catalytic system. HPAs displayed high activity for selective oxidation; their active center (Mo/V) was activated by O2 and transformed from oxygen single and double bonds to epoxy groups, resulting in an FDCA yield of 89 % for HPMV6 (HPM=H3PMo12O40) in the presence of [Bmim]Cl (1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride) under optimized reaction conditions. The high solubility of imidazole ILs for FDCA improved the affinity of HMF and the active centers of the catalyst and protected the furan ring from oxidative cleavage. Furthermore, multiple hydrogen bonds simultaneously formed between the electronegative anions and hydroxy protons of HMF, as well as the hydrogen atoms of the imidazole rings and hydroxy groups, promoting the transformation to aldehyde groups. Various starting materials were studied, and a moderate FDCA yield was obtained from glucose. This work provides an interesting IL–HPA catalytic system for the base‐free synthesis of FDCA from accessible monosaccharides and illustrates the great potential of FDCA production from renewable carbohydrates.
Sarcomatoid carcinoma in cytology: Report of a rare entity presenting in pleural and pericardial fluid preparations
Authors: Basu Atreyee , Moreira Andre L. , Simms Anthony , Brandler Tamar C.
Published: March 2019

Sarcomatoid carcinoma is rarely found in pleural or pericardial fluid, with very few cases published to date. Here, we describe a 59‐year‐old female who presented with cough persisting for 5 months. Chest CT scan revealed a 6.0 cm cavitary mass in the left lung base with bulky mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. An additional 1.2 cm right adrenal mass was seen and was suspicious for metastatic disease. The patient developed dyspnea, tachycardia, pleuritic chest pain and generalized weakness and was admitted to the hospital. She was found to have pleural and pericardial effusions, which were drained and sent to cytology. The fluid revealed enlarged highly pleomorphic malignant cells, some displaying multinucleation with irregular nuclear borders, coarse chromatin and prominent nucleoli. Tumor cells were positive for CK7 and Vimentin and negative for MOC‐31, Ber‐EP4, B72.3, Sox10, Melan‐A, TTF‐1, Napsin‐A and CK20. A concurrent surgical biopsy of the tumor mass displayed immunopositivity for AE1/AE3 and CAM5.2. The tumor was negative for p40, TTF‐1, calretinin, D2‐40 and STAT6. A diagnosis of sarcomatoid carcinoma with giant cells and spindle cells was rendered. Sarcomatoid carcinomas of the lung are very uncommon consisting of 1% of non‐small‐cell lung carcinomas and are even more unusual in cytology specimens. Despite its rarity, it is important to keep this entity in mind in the differential diagnosis of a fluid specimen with bizarre nuclear atypia and the above staining pattern.
Cerebrolysin improves peripheral inflammatory pain: Sex differences in two models of acute and chronic mechanical hypersensitivity
Authors: Morales‐Medina Julio C. , Flores Gonzalo , Vallelunga Annamaria , Griffiths Natalie H. , Iannitti Tommaso
Published: March 2019

Chronic inflammatory pain is a major health problem worldwide with high prevalence in women. Cerebrolysin is a multimodal neuropeptide preparation that crosses the blood brain barrier and displays neuroprotective properties in aging and disease. Previously, we showed that cerebrolysin reduced mechanical allodynia in a model of persistent inflammation and pain. We aim to build upon the findings of our previous study by investigating the response to acute administration of cerebrolysin in two models of peripheral inflammation and assessing sex differences. We utilized the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) that produces maximal oedema and mechanical allodynia within days and carrageenan that produces similar effects within hours. Cerebrolysin reversed the mechanical allodynia in both sexes in CFA‐treated rats. On the other hand, in rats treated with carrageenan, cerebrolysin was only effective in reducing mechanical allodynia in female rats. In conclusion, the present study shows that cerebrolysin effects may be sex‐specific depending on different mechanisms that are at play in these two models of peripheral inflammatory pain. Further investigations are required to determine the factors contributing to sex differences.
Microbiota of newborn meconium is associated with maternal anxiety experienced during pregnancy
Authors: Hu Jianzhong , Ly Jenny , Zhang Wei , Huang Yonglin , Glover Vivette , Peter Inga , Hurd Yasmin L. , Nomura Yoko
Published: March 2019

Little is known about whether a mother's psychological state during pregnancy influences her offspring's microbiome. This study examined whether maternal anxiety, depression, and stress during pregnancy is associated with the diversity of meconium microbiome, the first internal discharge, in 75 newborns from an existing birth cohort study. The meconium microbiome was profiled using multibarcode16S rRNA sequencing at V3‐V4 hypervariable region followed by taxonomic assignment to the green gene 16S references at 97% similarity and diversity analysis at the genus level. Results showed that the meconium contained diversified microbiota, and greater pregnancy‐related anxiety was significantly associated with a less diverse meconium microbiota community (p = 0.001). At the specific taxa level, greater pregnancy‐related anxiety was correlated with a lower level of the Enterococcaceae family (p = 2e‐4, Spearman rho = −0.43). These findings support a significant role of prenatal maternal mood in the early‐life bacteria colonization of their offspring.
Habitat usage of Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii), common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), and soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) in a North Wales upland river catchment
Authors: Todd Victoria L. G. , Williamson Laura D.
Published: March 2019

Distributions of Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii), common pipistrelle, (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), and soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) were investigated along and altitudinal gradient of the Lledr River, Conwy, North Wales, and presence assessed in relation to the water surface condition, presence/absence of bank‐side trees, and elevation. Ultrasound recordings of bats made on timed transects in summer 1999 were used to quantify habitat usage. All species significantly preferred smooth water sections of the river with trees on either one or both banks; P. pygmaeus also preferred smooth water with no trees. Bats avoided rough and cluttered water areas, as rapids may generate high‐frequency echolocation‐interfering noise and cluttered areas present obstacles to flight. In lower river regions, detections of bats reflected the proportion of suitable habitat available. At higher elevations, sufficient habitat was available; however, bats were likely restricted due to other factors such as a less predictable food source. This study emphasizes the importance of riparian habitat, bank‐side trees, and smooth water as foraging habitat for bats in marginal upland areas until a certain elevation, beyond which bats in these areas likely cease to forage. These small‐scale altitudinal differences in habitat selection should be factored in when designing future bat distribution studies and taken into consideration by conservation planners when reviewing habitat requirements of these species in Welsh river valleys, and elsewhere within the United Kingdom.
A development of an equilibrium analysis model between electricity retailers under competitive environment
Authors: Sekizaki Shinya , Nishizaki Ichiro , Hayashida Tomohiro
Published: March 2019

This paper provides a novel equilibrium model for analyzing behaviors of the electric retailers under competitive environment. In the deregulated electricity retail market, the retailers purchase the electricity power and sell it to consumers at the competitive prices. According to their risk attitudes, the retailers optimize the selling prices and the purchase allocation between a day‐ahead market and forward contracts. Without the regulation, an equilibrium by those selfish decision‐making processes of multiple retailers would cause an adverse impact on the electricity market and also the power system. From stable and economical viewpoints, it is important to analyze the unfavorable equilibrium. The selfish behaviors of retailers are modeled as an equilibrium problem with equilibrium constraints in this paper and formulated as a mixed integer linear programming problem to obtain a generalized Nash equilibrium by commercial solvers efficiently. Through computational examples, the proposed model and formulation are validated.
Classification of Calendering‐Induced Electrode Defects and Their Influence on Subsequent Processes of Lithium‐Ion Battery Production
Authors: Günther Till , Schreiner David , Metkar Ajinkya , Meyer Chris , Kwade Arno , Reinhart Gunther
Published: March 2019

The production of lithium‐ion cells consists of a series of highly interlinked process steps. Calendering, as the last step of electrode manufacturing, has a significant impact on electrode characteristics. The process primarily aims at enhancing the electrode energy density and hereinafter, minimizing the plastic deformability, improving the conductivity, and determining the pore structure of the electrode. So far, electrode characteristics are mainly investigated regarding the impact on cell quality. However, they also affect their subsequent processabilities in the process chain, which is crucial for cost improvement, for example, by reduction of scrap rates. Herein, a methodical identification, description, and categorization of electrode characteristics is conducted based on a literature review, an expert survey, and operating experience. The methodical classification will provide a basis for the modeling of the interaction between the influencing factors (product properties, process parameters, and machine characteristics) and electrode characteristics during calendering.
Pd/C‐catalyzed reduction of NaHCO3 into formate with 2‐pyrrolidone under hydrothermal conditions
Authors: Zhu Yanjie , Yang Yang , Wang Xiaoguang , Zhong Heng , Jin Fangming
Published: March 2019

Conversion of CO2 into useful chemicals has been regarded as one promising method to mitigate the problem of global warming. However, developing an efficient method for CO2 reduction with facile hydrogen source is still a great challenge. In this study, a new and straightforward method to convert NaHCO3, a model compound of CO2 in basic solution, into formate with 2‐pyrrolidone, a model compound of protein‐containing biomass, as the reductant on a Pd/C catalyst in water was proposed. Results showed that a formate yield up to 30% from bicarbonate was successfully obtained over the Pd/C catalyst, and the Pd/C catalyst exhibited good catalytic activity and stability. Detailed studies revealed that the propanol generated from the decomposition of 2‐pyrrolidone under hydrothermal conditions acted as the actual reductant and hydrogen source for the bicarbonate reduction to formate. Since 2‐pyrrolidone can be readily generated from the proteins contained in biomass, the present research provides a promising technology of NaHCO3 reduction with biomass as the hydrogen source and the renewable energy input, thus it is green, sustainable, and promising for practical application.
Dynamics of salt marsh margins are related to their three‐dimensional functional form
Authors: Evans Ben R. , Möller Iris , Spencer Tom , Smith Geoff
Published: March 2019

The three‐dimensional configuration of sedimentary landforms in intertidal environments represents a major control on regional hydrodynamics. It modulates the location and magnitude of forces exerted by tidal currents and waves on the landform itself and on engineered infrastructure such as sea walls or coastal defences. Furthermore, the effect is reflexive, with the landforms representing an integrated, long‐term response to the forces exerted on them. There is a strong reciprocal linkage between form and process (morphodynamics) in the coastal zone which is significantly lagged and poorly understood in the case of cohesive, vegetated sediments in the intertidal zone. A method is presented that links the geometric properties of the tidal flat–salt marsh interface to the history and potential future evolution of that interface. A novel quantitative classification scheme that is capable of separating marsh margins based on their functional form is developed and is applied to demonstrate that relationships exist between landform configuration and morphological evolution across a regional extent. This provides evidence of a spatially variable balance between self‐organized and external controls on morphodynamic evolution and the first quantitative basis for a quick assessment procedure for likely future dynamism. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Examination of Exposure Routes of Fluvalinate to Larval and Adult Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)
Authors: Fulton Corie A. , Huff Hartz Kara E. , Reeve John D. , Lydy Michael J.
Published: March 2019

Fluvalinate has been extensively used in the United States to combat honey bee colony loss due to Varroa destructor mites. Our objectives were to investigate the extent of fluvalinate contamination in commercially available wax and to define exposure pathways to larval and adult honey bees. All the commercial wax tested contained elevated fluvalinate concentrations, indicating a need for regulation of the sources of wax being rendered for resale. Based on the negative logarithm of the partition coefficient between wax and pollen (–0.54), it is evident that fluvalinate has the potential to actively transfer from the contaminated wax into hive matrices. This was confirmed by adding fluvalinate-dosed wax, fluvalinate-impregnated strips, or a combination of the 2 to hives. Larvae and adult bees were checked for fluvalinate exposure using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. Larvae had detectable concentrations of fluvalinate in all treatments. Bioaccumulation in adult bees was significantly affected by the interaction between treatment type and application time. In other words, residues from hives that only had fluvalinate-dosed wax were comparable to residues in hives that were actively being treated, suggesting that transfer of fluvalinate from wax into adult bees was an important exposure route. In conclusion, exposure of fluvalinate from contaminated wax and treatment strips to honey bees needs to be considered when the risk for colony loss in hives is being evaluated. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1356–1363. © 2019 SETAC
Correlation of Immune Markers With Outcomes in Biliary Atresia Following Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy
Authors: Kim Sehee , Moore Jeffrey , Alonso Estella , Bednarek Joseph , Bezerra Jorge A. , Goodhue Catherine , Karpen Saul J. , Loomes Kathleen M. , Magee John C. , Ng Vicky L. , Sherker Averell H. , Smith Caroline , Spino Cathie , Venkat Veena , Wang Kasper , Sokol Ronald J. , Mack Cara L. ,   The Childhood Liver Disease Research Network
Published: March 2019

Biliary atresia is a progressive fibroinflammatory cholangiopathy of infancy that is associated with activation of innate and adaptive immune responses targeting bile ducts. A recently completed multicenter phase I/IIA trial of intravenous immunoglobulin in biliary atresia did not improve serum total bilirubin levels at 90 days after hepatoportoenterostomy or survival with the native liver at 1 year. A mechanistic aim of this trial was to determine if the peripheral blood immunophenotype was associated with clinical outcomes. Flow cytometry of peripheral blood cell markers (natural killer [NK], macrophage subsets, T‐ and B‐cell subsets, regulatory T cells), neutrophils, and activation markers (clusters of differentiation [CD]38, CD69, CD86, human leukocyte antigen‐DR isotype [HLA‐DR]) was performed on 29 patients with biliary atresia at baseline and at 60, 90, 180, and 360 days after hepatoportoenterostomy. Plasma cytokines and neutrophil products were also measured. Spearman correlations of change of an immune marker from baseline to day 90 with change in serum bilirubin revealed that an increase in total bilirubin correlated with 1) increased percentage of HLA‐DR+CD38+ NK cells and expression of NK cell activation markers CD69 and HLA‐DR, 2) decreased percentage of regulatory T cells, and 3) increased interleukin (IL)‐8 and associated neutrophil products (elastase and neutrophil extracellular traps). Cox modeling revealed that the change from baseline to day 60 of the percentage of HLA‐DR+CD38+ NK cells and plasma IL‐8 levels was associated with an increased risk of transplant or death by day 360. Conclusion: Poor outcomes in biliary atresia correlated with higher peripheral blood NK cells and IL‐8 and lower regulatory T cells. Future studies should include immunotherapies targeting these pathways in order to protect the biliary tree from ongoing damage.
Telemedicine: An Evolving Field in Hepatology
Authors: Piao Cindy , Terrault Norah A. , Sarkar Souvik
Published: March 2019

Healthcare delivery has been dramatically changing in recent times with advances in technology. One area of expansion has been the use of telemedicine due to progression in communication technologies. Telemedicine offers the opportunity to overcome barriers of access, improve patient satisfaction, improve healthcare outcomes and streamline communication between patients and providers. The primary modalities of telemedicine can be grouped into categories of ‘remote monitoring,’ ‘store and forward’ and ‘interactive telemedicine.’ These modalities of telemedicine have been practiced and explored within the scope of hepatology such as in liver transplantation, hepatocellular carcinoma and management of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). There are numerous telemedicine‐based CHC management studies and programs that have developed in New Mexico, the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as globally in Australia and Canada. In Northern California, the University of New Mexico telemedicine‐based model of ‘ECHO’ has been extended to develop community‐based champions to screen‐link‐treat CHC patients with the goal to eliminate hepatitis C. Despite the advantages to telemedicine, there are still many barriers to seamless integration due to reimbursement and up‐front cost. Nevertheless, it remains an essential part in providing world‐class care to liver patients across geographic and economic barriers.
Lipocalin‐2 Protects Against Diet‐Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Targeting Hepatocytes
Authors: Xu Yanyong , Zhu Yingdong , Jadhav Kavita , Li Yuanyuan , Sun Huihui , Yin Liya , Kasumov Takhar , Chen Xiaoli , Zhang Yanqiao
Published: March 2019

Hepatocytes are the major source of hepatic lipocalin‐2 (LCN2), which is up‐regulated in response to inflammation, injury, or metabolic stress. So far, the role of hepatocyte‐derived LCN2 in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unknown. Herein we show that overexpression of human LCN2 in hepatocytes protects against high fat/high cholesterol/high fructose (HFCF) diet–induced liver steatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by promoting lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and inhibiting de novo lipogenesis (DNL), lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis. LCN2 fails to reduce triglyceride accumulation in hepatocytes lacking sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1. In contrast, Lcn2−/−
mice have defective lipolysis, increased lipid peroxidation and apoptosis, and exacerbated NAFLD after being fed an HFCF diet. In primary hepatocytes, Lcn2 deficiency stimulates de novo lipogenesis but inhibits FAO. Conclusion: The current study indicates that hepatocyte LCN2 protects against diet‐induced NAFLD by regulating lipolysis, FAO, DNL, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis. Targeting hepatocyte LCN2 may be useful for treatment of NAFLD.
Expanding the carbo‐Benzene Chemical Space for Electron‐Accepting Ability: Trifluorotolyl/Tertiobutyl Substitution Balance
Authors: Chammam Marwa , Caballero‐Quintana Irving , Barreiro‐Argüelles Denisse , Amargós‐Reyes Olivia , Aidibi Youssef , Kauffmann Brice , Duhayon Carine , Maldonado José‐Luis , Ramos‐Ortíz Gabriel , Maraval Valérie , Chauvin Remi
Published: March 2019

With the view to altering the lipophilicity and electron accepting ability of the tetraphenyl‐carbo‐benzene scaffold, peripheral fluorination of the C18 ring through aromatic linkers was envisaged from the C18Ph6 and o‐tBu2C18Ph4 references, by replacement of two Ph substituents with two p‐CF3‐C6H4 counterparts (FTol). The synthesis relied on a [8+10] macrocyclization involving a common bis(trifluorotolyl)‐tetraynedione, followed by reductive aromatization of the resulting [6]pericyclynediols. While p‐FTol2C18Ph4 proved to be hardly tractable due to an extremely low solubility, p‐FTol2‐o‐tBu2C18Ph2 could be extensively studied by X‐ray crystallography, NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, voltammetry, STM imaging of monolayers, and AFM imaging of binary films with P3HT or PC71BM fabricated by spin‐coating for organic photovoltaic cells and J−V curve measurement thereof. The electronic and polarity properties are correlated with moderate but consistent electron‐withdrawing effects of the CF3 groups, in agreement with the DFT‐calculated frontier orbitals and multipole moments. The results provide guidelines for optimization of fluorinated carbo‐benzene targets.
Effect of β3‐Amino Acids on the Performance of the Peptidic Catalyst H‐dPro‐Pro‐Glu‐NH2
Authors: Schnitzer Tobias , Wennemers Helma
Published: March 2019

The effect of β3‐amino acids on the conformation and catalytic performance of the peptidic catalyst H‐dPro‐Pro‐Glu‐NH2 was investigated. Analogues of the peptidic catalyst bearing instead of the α‐amino acids the respective β3‐amino acids were prepared and their reactivity and stereoselectivity was investigated in conjugate addition reactions of aldehydes to nitroolefins. Additional computational studies provided insights into the preferred conformations of the peptidic catalysts. The results show that conformational flexibility at the N‐terminus has a severe effect on the stereoselectivity but is tolerated at the C‐terminus.
Conceptual Framework for Assessing Ecosystem Health
Authors: Harwell Mark A , Gentile John H , McKinney Larry D , Tunnell John W , Dennison William C , Kelsey R Heath , Stanzel Kiersten M , Stunz Gregory W , Withers Kim , Tunnell Jace
Published: March 2019

Over the past century, the environment of the Gulf of Mexico has been significantly altered and impaired by extensive human activities. A national commitment to restore the Gulf was finally initiated in response to the unprecedented Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. Consequently, there is a critical need for an assessment framework and associated set of indicators that can characterize the health and sustainability of an ecosystem having the scale and complexity of the Gulf. The assessment framework presented here was developed as an integration of previous ecological risk– and environmental management–based frameworks for assessing ecosystem health. It was designed to identify the natural and anthropogenic drivers, pressures, and stressors impinging on ecosystems and ecosystem services, and the ecological conditions that result, manifested as effects on valued ecosystem components. Four types of societal and ecological responses are identified: reduction of pressures and stressors, remediation of existing stressors, active ecosystem restoration, and natural ecological recovery. From this conceptual framework are derived the specific indicators to characterize ecological condition and progress toward achieving defined ecological health and sustainability goals. Additionally, the framework incorporates a hierarchical structure to communicate results to a diversity of audiences, from research scientists to environmental managers and decision makers, with the level of detail or aggregation appropriate for each targeted audience. Two proof-of-concept studies were conducted to test this integrated assessment and decision framework, a prototype Texas Coastal Ecosystems Report Card, and a pilot study on enhancing rookery islands in the Mission-Aransas Reserve, Texas, USA. This Drivers–Pressures–Stressors–Condition–Responses (DPSCR4) conceptual framework is a comprehensive conceptual model of the coupled human–ecological system. Much like its predecessor, the ecological risk assessment framework, the DPSCR4 conceptual framework can be tailored to different scales of complexity, different ecosystem types with different stress regimes, and different environmental settings. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;15:544–564. © 2019 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC)
Meds‐to‐Beds: The impact of a bedside medication delivery program on 30‐day readmissions
Authors: Lash David B. , Mack Angela , Jolliff Jeffrey , Plunkett Joshua , Joson Jeremiah L.
Published: March 2019

Background

In order to reduce Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)‐directed readmission penalties and improve patient discharge care, a bedside discharge medication delivery service was developed.

Objective

To evaluate the impact of a bedside discharge medication delivery and pharmacist consultation service (Meds‐to‐Beds; MtB) on 30‐day readmission rates at an academic hospital.

Methods

The pharmacist‐led MtB program was established in September 2016. Unplanned 30‐day readmission data and other disease severity indicators were retrospectively collected from September 2015 to January 2017. Readmission data were compared for patients discharged prior to availability of the MtB program vs patients who participated in the program.

Results

A total of 174 MtB patients and 170 control patients were included. There were significantly fewer 30‐day readmissions in the MtB group (n = 14, 8.0%) compared with the control group (n = 28, 16.5%, P = 0.02). MtB participation was found to decrease the odds of a 30‐day readmission (odds ratio = 0.40, 95% confidence interval 0.190, 0.843, P = 0.016).

Conclusions

A care transition program in the form of a bedside medication delivery and pharmacist consultation service was associated with a lower likelihood of 30‐day hospital readmission.
Activation of the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor is involved in glyphosate‐induced renal proximal tubule cell apoptosis
Authors: Gao Hui , Chen Jing , Ding Fan , Chou Xin , Zhang Xiaoyan , Wan Yi , Hu Jianying , Wu Qing
Published: March 2019

Glyphosate‐based herbicides have been used worldwide for decades and have been suggested to induce nephrotoxicity, but the underlying mechanism is not yet clear. In this study, we treated a human renal proximal tubule cell line (HK‐2) with glyphosate for 24 hours at concentrations of 0, 20, 40 and 60 μm. Glyphosate was found to reduce cell viability and induce apoptosis and oxidative stress in a dose‐dependent manner. Because the chemical structures of glyphosate and those of its metabolite AMPA are similar to glycine and glutamate, which are agonists of the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR), we investigated the potential role of the NMDAR pathway in mediating the proapoptotic effect of glyphosate on proximal tubule cells. We found that NMDAR1 expression, as well as intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, increased after glyphosate treatment. Blocking NMDAR attenuated glyphosate‐induced upregulation of [Ca2+]i and ROS levels as well as apoptosis. Meanwhile, inhibition of [Ca2+]i reduced glyphosate‐induced ROS and apoptosis, and inhibition of ROS alleviated glyphosate‐induced apoptosis. In mice exposed to 400 mg/kg glyphosate, the urine low molecular weight protein levels started to increase from day 7. Upregulation of apoptosis and NMDAR1 expression in renal proximal tubule epithelium and an imbalance of oxidant and antioxidative products were observed. These results strongly suggest that activation of the NMDAR1 pathway, together with its downstream [Ca2+]i and oxidative stress, is involved in glyphosate‐induced renal proximal tubule epithelium apoptosis.
Refractive index measurement using single fiber reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Xu U. , Faber Dirk J. , Post Anouk L. , van Leeuwen Ton G. , Sterenborg Henricus J. C. M.
Published: March 2019

A method using single fiber reflectance spectroscopy to measure the refractive indices of transparent and turbid media over a broad wavelength range is presented and tested. For transparent liquid samples, the accuracy is within 0.2%, and the accuracy increases with increasing wavelength. For liquid turbid media, the accuracy is within 0.3% and increases with decreasing wavelength. For solid turbid samples, such as human skin, the accuracy critically depends on the optical contact between the fiber and sample surface. It is demonstrated that this technique has the potential to measure refractive indices of biological tissue in vivo.
In vivo evaluation of an electrospun gelatin nonwoven mat for regeneration of epithelial tissues
Authors: Strassburg Sandra , Caduc Madeline , Stark Gerhard Bjoern , Jedrusik Nicole , Tomakidi Pascal , Steinberg Thorsten , Simunovic Filip , Finkenzeller Günter
Published: March 2019

One major objective in epithelial tissue engineering is to identify a suitable biomaterial that supports epithelial tissue formation. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to elucidate a novel electrospun gelatin nonwoven mat (NWM) for epithelial tissue engineering purposes in vivo. This NWM was seeded with either human gingival keratinocytes (GK, in coculture with gingival fibroblast) or human skin epithelial keratinocytes (EK, in coculture with skin dermal fibroblasts). These constructs were ex vivo cultured for 4 days before subcutaneous implantation into athymic nude mice. After 7 days, the constructs were explanted and investigated by immunohistology. Our results show that GK form a stratified epithelium on the surface of the NWM, mostly independent of a fibroblastic counterpart. Like native mucosa, the regenerated epithelium showed expression of epidermal growth factor receptor, cytokeratin‐14 and ‐1, and involucrin. Only the expression of the basement membrane constituent laminin 5 was more pronounced in cocultures. Comparing GK and skin EK, we found that skin EK form a less developed epithelial tissue. Furthermore, the NWM allows not only for epithelial tissue formation by GK, but also for infiltration of human fibroblasts and mouse immune cells, thus representing a biomaterial with potential regenerative capacity for oral mucosa tissue engineering applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 1605–1614, 2019.
Compromised Exercise Capacity and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Murine (oim) Mouse Model
Authors: Gremminger Victoria L , Jeong Youngjae , Cunningham Rory P , Meers Grace M , Rector R Scott , Phillips Charlotte L
Published: March 2019

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heritable connective tissue disorder that most often arises from type I collagen—COL1A1 and COL1A2—gene defects leading to skeletal fragility, short stature, blue-gray sclera, and muscle weakness. Relative to the skeletal fragility, muscle weakness is much less understood. Recent investigations into OI muscle weakness in both patients and mouse models have revealed the presence of an inherent muscle pathology. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for OI muscle weakness is critical, particularly in light of the extensive cross-talk between muscle and bone via mechanotransduction and biochemical signaling. In the following study we initially subjected WT and oim/oim mice, modeling severe human OI type III, to either weight-bearing (voluntary wheel-running) or non-weight-bearing (swimming) exercise regimens as a modality to improve muscle strength and ultimately bone strength. The oim/oim mice ran only 35% to 42% of the distance run by age- and sex-matched WT mice and exhibited little improvement with either exercise regimen. Upon further investigation, we determined that oim/oim gastrocnemius muscle exhibited severe mitochondrial dysfunction as characterized by a 52% to 65% decrease in mitochondrial respiration rates, alterations in markers of mitochondrial biogenesis, mitophagy, and the electron transport chain components, as well as decreased mitochondrial citrate synthase activity, relative to age- and sex-matched WT gastrocnemius muscle. Thus, mitochondrial dysfunction in the oim/oim mouse likely contributes to compromised muscle function and reduced physical activity levels. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Salubrinal, a novel inhibitor of eIF‐2α dephosphorylation, promotes erythropoiesis at early stage targeted by ufmylation pathway
Authors: Chen Fanghui , Xing Chaofeng , Zhang Wei , Li Jun , Hu Tianxiang , Li Lian , Li Honglin , Cai Yafei
Published: March 2019

Ufmylation was proved to play a crucial role in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) survival and erythroid differentiation, ufmylation deficiency induces acute anemia and lethality of embryos and adults in mouse models. To screen some compounds to rescue phenotypes induced by gene deletion, in this study, we used DDRGK1F/F; CreERT2 conditional knockout mice, DDRGK1F/F; CreERT2 bone marrow (BM) and fetal liver cells (FL), Uba5, and DDRGK1 knockdown human CD34 cell in vivo and in vitro, we found salubrinal, a novel inhibitor of eIF‐2α dephosphorylation, promoted erythropoiesis at early stage, and partly rescued the acute anemia induce by DDRGK1 deficiency through upregulation of ufmylation and erythroid transcription factors. In phenylhydrazine (PHZ)‐induced hemolytic anemia mice, interestingly, salubrinal could significantly improve hemocrit and red blood cell (RBC) indices of the mice treated with PHZ via upregulation of ufmylation. Its novel function was verified to attenuate unfolded protein response (UPR) and cell death programs, and to keep endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis in HSCs. Taken together results, it suggested that salubrinal may be a promising antianemic agent targeted by ufmylation.
Hybrid fiber alterations in exercising seniors suggest contribution to fast‐to‐slow muscle fiber shift
Authors: Moreillon Maxime , Conde Alonso Sonia , Broskey Nicholas T. , Greggio Chiara , Besson Cyril , Rousson Valentin , Amati Francesca
Published: March 2019

Background

Human skeletal muscle is composed of a functional and metabolic continuum of slow (Type I) and fast fibers (IIa and IIx). Hybrid fibers co‐expressing different myosin heavy chains are also present and seem to be more prominent in aging muscle. Their role is debated; hybrid fibers were reported either in a transitional state, between slow and fast fibers, or as fixed individual entities. This study examined the fate of hybrid fibers with an endurance exercise intervention in an elderly sedentary population.

Methods

Twenty‐two sedentary healthy elderly men and women underwent a 16‐week supervised endurance exercise intervention. Eighteen endurance‐trained age‐ and gender‐matched volunteers served as controls. Fiber type distribution was determined by immunohistochemistry on vastus lateralis muscle biopsies pre‐intervention and post‐intervention.

Results

A total of 13840 fibers were analyzed. At baseline, a Type II dominant fiber profile was observed compared with the control group, with more Type IIa (P = 0.0301) and Type IIx fibers (P = 0.0328). Hybrid fibers represented almost 5% of total muscle fibers in both groups. There was no significant difference between groups (I–IIa, P = 0.6719 and IIa–IIx, P = 0.0998). Intervention triggered qualitative dynamics towards an increase in Type I, and decrease in Type II fibers, paralleled by an increase in I–IIa hybrids (P = 0.0301).

Conclusions

The present study is, to our knowledge, the first to examine hybrid muscle fiber type adaptations to an endurance exercise intervention in the elderly. Hybrid fiber proportions did not differ between chronic sedentary state and chronic endurance‐trained state. Exercise intervention increased Type I–IIa hybrid fibers along with shift dynamics in other fiber types suggesting the contribution of hybrid fiber to a fast‐to‐slow fiber type transition, eventually serving as intermediate reservoir from one monomorphic myosin heavy chain expressing fiber type to another. This finding favours the transitional theory regarding hybrid muscle fibers and exercise, crucial to understanding reversible mechanisms of sarcopenia and development of prevention measures.
The relationship between genetic counseling student self‐efficacy and clinical training
Authors: Owens‐Thomas Elizabeth , Wusik Katie , He Hua , Yager Geoffrey , Atzinger Carrie L.
Published: March 2019

Clinical experience is an important part of the training required in genetic counseling graduate programs, but little evidence exists for the number of clinical cases a student may need in order to confidently perform skills. The purpose of this study was to further describe the relationship between genetic counseling student self‐efficacy and the number of core cases students log during their training. In this study, second year genetic counseling students nearing the end of their training completed a questionnaire that included the Genetic Counseling Self‐efficacy Scale (GCSES) and questions related to the students' clinical experiences. Genetic counseling student self‐efficacy was found to be positively associated with the number of core cases the student accumulated during training, with a plateau in GCSES scores between 80 and 100 core cases. These data suggest that 50 cases may not be enough for the average student, but over 100 may be more than needed in order to feel confident in their skills. Genetic counseling programs may benefit from increased flexibility in clinical training to meet the different needs of their trainees. Further studies characterizing the relationship between genetic counseling student self‐efficacy and clinical competency, and well as the effectiveness of clinical training by genetic counseling programs, may aid in better understanding the clinical training specifications that best meet the needs of genetic counseling trainees.