bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rhodium‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Multiaryl‐substituted Naphthols via a Removable Directing Group
Authors: Wang Lianhui , Yu Yunliang , Yang Mengqi , Kuai Changsheng , Cai Dingding , Yu Jinfeng , Cui Xiuling
Published: August 2017

Arene homologation employing internal alkynes as coupling partners and 2‐pyridyloxyl as directing group through dual C−H bond functionalization was accomplished using (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)‐rhodium(III) chloride dimer as a pre‐catalyst. This protocol proved tolerant of synthetically valuable functional groups, and provided an expeditious access to highly congested naphthalene derivatives in moderate to good yields. Furthermore, the pyridyl moiety could be removed to furnish the versatile (OH)‐free naphthols.

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Fractal Electrochemical Microsupercapacitors
Authors: Hota Mrinal K. , Jiang Qiu , Mashraei Yousof , Salama Khaled N. , Alshareef Husam N.
Published: August 2017

The first successful fabrication of microsupercapacitors (μ‐SCs) using fractal electrode designs is reported. Using sputtered anhydrous RuO2 thin‐film electrodes as prototypes, μ‐SCs are fabricated using Hilbert, Peano, and Moore fractal designs, and their performance is compared to conventional interdigital electrode structures. Microsupercapacitor performance, including energy density, areal and volumetric capacitances, changes with fractal electrode geometry. Specifically, the μ‐SCs based on the Moore design show a 32% enhancement in energy density compared to conventional interdigital structures, when compared at the same power density and using the same thin‐film RuO2 electrodes. The energy density of the Moore design is 23.2 mWh cm−3 at a volumetric power density of 769 mW cm−3. In contrast, the interdigital design shows an energy density of only 17.5 mWh cm−3 at the same power density. We show that active electrode surface area cannot alone explain the increase in capacitance and energy density. We propose that the increase in electrical lines of force, due to edging effects in the fractal electrodes, also contribute to the higher capacitance. This study shows that electrode fractal design is a viable strategy for improving the performance of integrated μ‐SCs that use thin‐film electrodes at no extra processing or fabrication cost.
Gender Differences in Language of Standardized Letter of Evaluation Narratives for Emergency Medicine Residency Applicants
Authors: Li Simiao , Fant Abra L. , McCarthy Danielle M. , Miller Danielle , Craig Jill , Kontrick Amy
Published: August 2017

Objective

While gender differences in language for letters of recommendation have been identified in other fields, no prior studies have evaluated the narrative portion of the emergency medicine (EM) standardized letter of evaluation (SLOE). We aim to examine the differences in language used to describe male and female applicants within the SLOE narrative.

Methods

Invited applicants to a 4‐year academic EM residency program within a single application year with a SLOE were included in the sample. Exclusion criteria were SLOE of applicants from non–Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) schools or first rotation SLOE not available for download. Data were collected on applicant gender, age, rotation grade, Alpha Omega Alpha designation, and medical school rank. The previously validated Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) program was used to analyze frequency of words within categories relevant to letters of recommendation. Descriptive statistics, t‐tests, and chi‐square tests were employed in analysis.

Results

Of 1,025 applicants within a single application year, 265 were invited to interview; 237 applicants had a first rotation SLOE available for analysis. There were no differences between male and female applicants for baseline characteristics. The median word count per SLOE narrative was 199; within the LIWC dictionary and user‐defined categories, words within the categories of affiliation and ability appeared more frequently for female applicants.

Conclusions

Our results with respect to the SLOE narrative reinforce prior research that letters of recommendation for female applicants highlight communal characteristics of teamwork, helpfulness, and compassion. Contrary to prior research, ability words highlighting intelligence and skill appeared with greater frequency for female applicants. No pervasive differences were found in other word categories. In this sample, the standardized format of the SLOE resulted in letters that were relatively free of gender bias.
Experiments on breakup of bubbles in a turbulent flow
Authors: Vejražka Jiří , Zedníková Mária , Stanovský Petr
Published: August 2017

The breakup of air bubbles in a turbulent water flow is studied experimentally. Water flows from a nozzle array, generating intense turbulence, and then flows downward through a cell. The velocity field is measured by PIV, and the local dissipation rate is estimated using a large‐eddy PIV technique. Bubbles (1.8 to 5 mm) are injected in the bottom of the cell and rise toward the region of intense turbulence, where they break. The time spent by bubbles in various zones without breaking and the number of breakups are evaluated, providing information about the breakup frequency. The number of daughter bubbles and their size distribution are determined. The number of daughters depends on a Weber number
, where ϵ is the turbulent energy dissipation rate, D′ is the mother particle size, ρ and σ are the liquid density and surface tension. The daughter size distribution is a function of their number. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 740–757, 2018
Housing and Child Welfare: Emerging Evidence and Implications for Scaling up Services
Authors: Fowler Patrick J. , Farrell Anne F. , Marcal Katherine E. , Chung Saras , Hovmand Peter S.
Published: August 2017

Highlights

A review of housing interventions reveals systemic constraints for scale‐up in child welfare.

Current practices that target highest risk families may diminish effectiveness and increase demand.

Scale‐up provides opportunities to better coordinate housing services with the child welfare system

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A distinctive histidine residue is essential for in vivo glycation‐inactivation of human CD59 transgenically expressed in mice erythrocytes: Implications for human diabetes complications
Authors: Sahoo Rupam , Ghosh Pamela , Chorev Michael , Halperin Jose A.
Published: August 2017

Clinical and experimental evidences support a link between the complement system and the pathogenesis of diabetes complications. CD59, an extracellular cell membrane‐anchored protein, inhibits formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC), the main effector of complement‐mediated tissue damage. This complement regulatory activity of human CD59 (hCD59) is inhibited by hyperglycemia‐induced ɛ‐amino glycation of Lys41. Biochemical and structural analyses of glycated proteins with known three‐dimensional structure revealed that glycation of ɛ‐amino lysyl residues occurs predominantly at “glycation motives” that include lysyl/lysyl pairs or proximity of a histidyl residue, in which the imidazolyl moiety is ≈ 5Å from the ɛ‐amino group. hCD59 contains a distinctive Lys41/His44 putative glycation motif within its active site. In a model of transgenic diabetic mice expressing in erythrocytes either the wild type or a H44Q mutant form of hCD59, we demonstrate in vivo that the His44 is required for Lys41 glycation and consequent functional inactivation of hCD59, as evidenced using a mouse erythrocytes hemolytic assay. Since (1) the His44 residue is not present in CD59 from other animal species and (2) humans are particularly prone to develop complications of diabetes, our results indicate that the Lys41/His44 glycation motif in human CD59 may confer humans a higher risk of developing vascular disease in response to hyperglycemia.
Bone morphogenetic protein 2 controls iron homeostasis in mice independent of Bmp6
Authors: Canali Susanna , Wang Chia‐Yu , Zumbrennen‐Bullough Kimberly B. , Bayer Abraham , Babitt Jodie L.
Published: August 2017

Hepcidin is a key iron regulatory hormone that controls expression of the iron exporter ferroportin to increase the iron supply when needed to support erythropoiesis and other essential functions, but to prevent the toxicity of iron excess. The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)‐SMAD signaling pathway, through the ligand BMP6 and the co‐receptor hemojuvelin, is a central regulator of hepcidin transcription in the liver in response to iron. Here, we show that dietary iron loading has a residual ability to induce Smad signaling and hepcidin expression in Bmp6‐/‐ mice, effects that are blocked by a neutralizing BMP2/4 antibody. Moreover, BMP2/4 antibody inhibits hepcidin expression and induces iron loading in wildtype mice, whereas a BMP4 antibody has no effect. Bmp2 mRNA is predominantly expressed in endothelial cells of the liver, where its baseline expression is higher, but its induction by iron is less robust than Bmp6. Mice with a conditional ablation of Bmp2 in endothelial cells exhibit hepcidin deficiency, serum iron overload, and tissue iron loading in liver, pancreas and heart, with reduced spleen iron. Together, these data demonstrate that in addition to BMP6, endothelial cell BMP2 has a non‐redundant role in hepcidin regulation by iron.
Dolichol kinase deficiency (DOLK‐CDG): Two new cases and expansion of phenotype
Authors: Rush Eric T. , Baker Craig V. , Rizzo William B.
Published: August 2017

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDGs) are a group of genetic diseases caused by mutations in genes that are necessary for the addition of oligosaccharides to acceptor proteins or lipids. An early step in this process requires dolichol kinase (DK) to catalyze the formation of dolichyl phosphate, which acts as a membrane anchor for initial attachment of sugar residues that are subsequently built up to oligosaccharides and transferred to acceptor proteins and lipids for further processing. Biallelic mutations in DOLK, the gene for DK, result in human in a CDG with variable symptoms, ranging from nonsyndromic dilated cardiomypopathy to severe multiorgan involvement. We report two female siblings with novel compound heterozygous mutations in DOLK: c.951C>A (p.Tyr317Ter) and c.1558A>G (p.Thr520Ala). Both patients presented in the neonatal period with severe ichthyosis, unusual distal digital constrictions and dilated cardiomyopathy which resulted in death. Histology of the skin showed lipid droplet accumulation in the stratum corneum and keratinocytes, which suggests defective epidermal lipid metabolism. These patients represent an earlier and more severe form of DOLK‐CDG (CDG‐1m) with a striking presentation at birth that expands the known phenotypic spectrum.
Stakeholders in psychiatry and their attitudes toward receiving pertinent and incident findings in genomic research
Authors: Sundby Anna , Boolsen Merete W. , Burgdorf Kristoffer S. , Ullum Henrik , Hansen Thomas F. , Middleton Anna , Mors Ole
Published: August 2017

Increasingly more psychiatric research studies use whole genome sequencing or whole exome sequencing. Consequently, researchers face difficult questions, such as which genomic findings to return to research participants and how. This study aims to gain more knowledge on the attitudes among potential research participants and health professionals toward receiving pertinent and incidental findings. A cross‐sectional online survey was developed to investigate the attitudes among research participants toward receiving genomic findings. A total of 2,637 stakeholders responded: 241 persons with mental disorders, 671 relatives, 1,623 blood donors, 74 psychiatrists, and 28 clinical geneticists. Stakeholders wanted both pertinent findings (95%) and incidental findings (91%) to be made available for research participants. The majority (77%) stated that researchers should not actively search for incidental findings. Persons with mental disorders and relatives were generally more positive about receiving any kind of findings than clinical geneticists and psychiatrists. Compared with blood donors, persons with mental disorders reported to be more positive about receiving raw genomic data and information that is not of serious health importance. Psychiatrists and clinical geneticists were less positive about receiving genomic findings compared with blood donors. The attitudes toward receiving findings were very positive. Stakeholders were willing to refrain from receiving incidental information if it could compromise the research. Our results suggest that research participants consider themselves as altruistic participants. This study offers valuable insight, which may inform future programs aiming to develop new strategies to target issues relating to the return of findings in genomic research.
A new CUL4B variant associated with a mild phenotype and an exceptional pattern of leukoencephalopathy
Authors: Weissbach Susann , Reinert Marie‐Christine , Altmüller Janine , Krätzner Ralph , Thiele Holger , Rosenbaum Thorsten , Nürnberg Peter , Gärtner Jutta
Published: August 2017

Cabezas type of X‐linked syndromic intellectual disability (MRXSC; MIM300354) is a rare X‐linked recessive intellectual disability characterized primarily by intellectual disability, short stature, hypogonadism, and gait abnormalities. It is caused by a wide spectrum of hemizygous variants in CUL4B. In a 10‐year‐old boy with an exceptional leukoencephalopathy pattern, we identified a new missense variant p.Leu329Gln in CUL4B using “Mendeliome” sequencing. However, his phenotype does not include the severe characteristics currently known for MRXSC. We discuss the divergent phenotype and propose a potential connection between the different CUL4B variants and corresponding phenotypes in the context of the current literature as well as 3D homology modeling.
Cystic kidneys in fetal Walker–Warburg syndrome with POMT2 mutation: Intrafamilial phenotypic variability in four siblings and review of literature
Authors: Nabhan Marwa M. , ElKhateeb Nour , Braun Daniela A. , Eun Sungho , Saleem Sahar N. , YungGee Heon , Hildebrandt Friedhelm , Soliman Neveen A.
Published: August 2017

Walker–Warburg syndrome (WWS) is a severe form of congenital muscular dystrophy secondary to α‐dystroglycanopathy with muscle, brain, and eye abnormalities often leading to death in the first weeks of life. It is transmitted in an autosomal recessive pattern, and has been linked to at least 15 different genes; including protein O‐mannosyltransferase 1 (POMT1), protein O‐mannosyltransferase 2 (POMT2), protein O‐mannose beta‐1,2‐N acetylglucosaminyltransferase (POMGNT1), fukutin (FKTN), isoprenoid synthase domain‐containing protein (ISPD), and other genes. We report on a consanguineous family with four consecutive siblings affected by this condition with lethal outcome in three (still birth), and termination of the fourth pregnancy based on antenatal MRI identification of brain and kidney anomalies that heralded proper and deep clinical phenotyping. The diagnosis of WWS was suggested based on the unique collective phenotype comprising brain anomalies in the form of lissencephaly, subcortical/subependymal heterotopia, and cerebellar hypoplasia shared by all four siblings; microphthalmia in one sibling; and large cystic kidneys in the fetus and another sibling. Other unshared neurological abnormalities included hydrocephalus and Dandy‐Walker malformation. Whole exome sequencing of the fetus revealed a highly conserved missense mutation in POMT2 that is known to cause WWS with brain and eye anomalies.In conclusion, the heterogeneous clinical presentation in the four affected conceptions with POMT2 mutation expands the current clinical spectrum of POMT2‐associated WWS to include large cystic kidneys; and confirms intra‐familial variability in terms of brain, kidney, and eye anomalies.
The facial morphology in Down syndrome: A 3D comparison of patients with and without obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Jayaratne Yasas S. N. , Elsharkawi Ibrahim , Macklin Eric A. , Voelz Lauren , Weintraub Gil , Rosen Dennis , Skotko Brian G.
Published: August 2017

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs at a high prevalence in patients with Down syndrome (DS). A polysomnogram, which is often cumbersome and challenging, remains the gold standard method of diagnosing OSA. OSA in patients with DS is often attributed to skeletal and soft‐tissue structural alterations that are characteristic of the DS phenotype; as such, we hypothesized that assessing anthropometric facial measurements may be predictive of OSA in patients with DS. We used the 3dMDface sterophotography system to capture and create 3D facial images, and we subsequently identified facial landmarks using a single, experienced investigator and utilizing proprietary software to calculate inter‐landmark distances and angles. We compared our findings with similar data for neurotypically developing participants. We further compared the findings in participants with DS with and without OSA. Participants with DS had maxillomandibular hypoplasia with smaller ear, nose, and eye measurements compared to neurotypically developing peers. We found no statistically significant differences in 3D photogrammetric measurements between participants with DS with or without OSA.
Prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in Angelman syndrome
Authors: Glassman Laura W. , Grocott Olivia R. , Kunz Portia A. , Larson Anna M. , Zella Garrett , Ganguli Kriston , Thibert Ronald L.
Published: August 2017

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurogenetic disorder characterized by intellectual disability, expressive speech impairment, movement disorder, epilepsy, and a happy demeanor. Children with AS are frequently reported to be poor feeders during infancy and as having gastrointestinal issues such as constipation, reflux, and abnormal food related behaviors throughout their lifetime. To assess the prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders in individuals with AS, we retrospectively analyzed medical records of 120 individuals seen at the Angelman Syndrome Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital and 43 individuals seen at the University of North Carolina Comprehensive Angelman Clinic. The majority of patients’ medical records indicated at least one symptom of gastrointestinal dysfunction, with constipation and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) the most common. Other gastrointestinal issues reported were cyclic vomiting episodes, difficulty swallowing, excessive swallowing, and eosinophilic esophagitis. Upper gastrointestinal symptoms such as GERD, swallowing difficulties, cyclic vomiting, and eosinophilic esophagitis were more common in those with deletions and uniparental disomy, likely related to the involvement of multiple genes and subsequent hypotonia. The frequency of constipation is consistent among all genetic subtypes while early feeding issues appear to mainly affect those with deletions. Caregivers and healthcare providers should be aware of the high prevalence of these issues, as proper treatment may improve not only gastrointestinal dysfunction but also sleep and behavioral issues.
The role of IQSEC2 in syndromic intellectual disability: Narrowing the diagnostic odyssey
Authors: Helm Benjamin M. , Powis Zoe , Prada Carlos E. , Casasbuenas‐Alarcon Olga L. , Balmakund Tonya , Schaefer G. B. , Kahler Stephen G. , Kaylor Julie , Winter Susan , Zarate Yuri A. , Schrier Vergano Samantha A.
Published: August 2017

While X‐linked intellectual disability (XLID) syndromes pose a diagnostic challenge for clinicians, an increasing number of recognized disorders and their genetic etiologies are providing answers for patients and their families. The availability of clinical exome sequencing is broadening the ability to identify mutations in genes previously unrecognized as causing XLID. In recent years, the IQSEC2 gene, located at Xp11.22, has emerged as the cause of multiple cases of both nonsyndromic and syndromic XLID. Herein we present a case series of six individuals (five males, one female) with intellectual disability and seizures found to have alterations in IQSEC2. In all cases, the diagnostic odyssey was extensive and expensive, often including invasive testing such as muscle biopsies, before ultimately reaching the diagnosis. We report these cases to demonstrate the exhaustive work‐up prior to finding the changes in IQSEC2 gene, recommend that this gene be considered earlier in the diagnostic evaluation of individuals with global developmental delay, microcephaly, and severe, intractable epilepsy, and support the use of intellectual disability panels including IQSEC2 in the first‐line evaluation of these patients.
Progressive macrothrombocytopenia and hearing loss in a large family with DIAPH1 related disease
Authors: Ganaha Akira , Kaname Tadashi , Shinjou Ayano , Chinen Yasutsugu , Yanagi Kumiko , Higa Teruyuki , Kondo Shunsuke , Suzuki Mikio
Published: August 2017

In this study, we describe a Japanese family with progressive hearing loss and macrothrombocytopenia. Using next‐generation and Sanger sequencing analyses, we identified a heterozygous variant in exon 27 of the DIAPH1 gene (NM_005219), c.3637C>T, p.R1213X. All patients in the family had sensorineural hearing loss and macrothrombocytopenia. None of the patients exhibited a tendency to bleed. No pathogenic variants were found in the MYH9 gene. Hearing loss began with high‐frequency loss during early childhood and progressed to severe hearing loss involving all frequencies. Analyses of the mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width indicated that the macrothrombocytopenia is progressive in patients with DIAPH1 related disease.There are no reports describing progressive macrothrombocytopenia in patients with pathogenic variants of DIAPH1. Thus, progressive macrothrombocytopenia may be a novel feature of deafness patients with pathogenic variants in DIAPH1.
Chemotaxis‐Guided Hybrid Neutrophil Micromotors for Targeted Drug Transport
Authors: Shao Jingxin , Xuan Mingjun , Zhang Hongyue , Lin Xiankun , Wu Zhiguang , He Qiang
Published: August 2017

Engineering self‐propelled micromotors with good biocompatibility and biodegradability for actively seeking disease sites and targeted drug transport remains a huge challenge. In this study, neutrophils with intrinsic chemotaxis capability were transformed into self‐guided hybrid micromotors by integrating mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with high loading capability. To ensure the compatibility of neutrophil cells with drug‐loaded MSNs, bacteria membranes derived from E. coli were coated on MSNs in advance by a camouflaging strategy. The resulting biohybrid micromotors inherited the characteristic chemotaxis capability of native neutrophils and could effectively move along the chemoattractant gradients produced by E. coli. Our studies suggest that this camouflaging approach, which favors the uptake of MSNs into neutrophils without loss of cellular activity and motility, could be used to construct synthetic nanoparticle‐loaded biohybrid micromotors for advanced biomedical applications.
Deuterium‐ and Tritium‐Labelled Compounds: Applications in the Life Sciences
Authors: Atzrodt Jens , Derdau Volker , Kerr William J. , Reid Marc
Published: August 2017

Hydrogen isotopes are unique tools for identifying and understanding biological and chemical processes. Hydrogen isotope labelling allows for the traceless and direct incorporation of an additional mass or radioactive tag into an organic molecule with almost no changes in its chemical structure, physical properties, or biological activity. Using deuterium‐labelled isotopologues to study the unique mass‐spectrometric patterns generated from mixtures of biologically relevant molecules drastically simplifies analysis. Such methods are now providing unprecedented levels of insight in a wide and continuously growing range of applications in the life sciences and beyond. Tritium (3H), in particular, has seen an increase in utilization, especially in pharmaceutical drug discovery. The efforts and costs associated with the synthesis of labelled compounds are more than compensated for by the enhanced molecular sensitivity during analysis and the high reliability of the data obtained. In this Review, advances in the application of hydrogen isotopes in the life sciences are described.
Regio‐ and Stereoselective Chlorocyanation of Alkynes
Authors: Barrado Alejandro G. , Zieliński Adam , Goddard Richard , Alcarazo Manuel
Published: August 2017

A variety of terminal and internal alkynes were converted regio‐ and stereoselectively into (Z)‐3‐chloroacrylonitriles by treatment with BCl3 in the presence of stoichiometric amounts of imidazolium thiocyanates. These products could be readily functionalized to provide useful building blocks, thus demonstrating the synthetic value of the method. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest initial activation of the cationic thiocyanate by the Lewis acid, followed by electrophilic attack of the alkyne. The syn addition of a chloride to the vinyl cation intermediate and final elimination of the thiourea unit afford the desired chloroacrylonitriles.
Anionic Palladium(0) and Palladium(II) Ate Complexes
Authors: Kolter Marlene , Böck Katharina , Karaghiosoff Konstantin , Koszinowski Konrad
Published: August 2017

Palladium ate complexes are frequently invoked as important intermediates in Heck and cross‐coupling reactions, but so far have largely eluded characterization at the molecular level. Here, we use electrospray‐ionization mass spectrometry, electrical conductivity measurements, and NMR spectroscopy to show that the electron‐poor catalyst [L3Pd] (L=tris[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]phosphine) readily reacts with Br−ions to afford the anionic, zero‐valent ate complex [L3PdBr]−. In contrast, more‐electron‐rich Pd catalysts display lower tendencies toward the formation of ate complexes. Combining [L3Pd] with LiI and an aryl iodide substrate (ArI) results in the observation of the PdIIate complex [L2Pd(Ar)I2]−.
Self‐assembling chitosan hydrogel: A drug‐delivery device enabling the sustained release of proteins
Authors: Kiene Klara , Porta Fabiola , Topacogullari Buket , Detampel Pascal , Huwyler Jörg
Published: August 2017

The development of a self‐assembling hydrogel, prepared from maleimide‐modified and thiolated chitosan (CS), is described. Under mild reaction conditions, the natural CS polymer was coupled with either maleimide or sulfhydryl moieties in a one‐step synthesis. Subsequently, these CS polymers spontaneously formed a covalently crosslinked CS hydrogel when mixed. The three‐dimensional network structure was visualized with scanning electron microscopy. The swelling and degradation behavior was evaluated, and viscosity measurements were conducted. The gel was loaded with the model protein albumin, and prolonged release was achieved. These properties were preserved after lyophilization and rehydration. This makes the hydrogel a promising scaffold for biological wound dressings for the treatment of chronic wounds. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45638.
Differential Distribution of Renal Nerves in the Sympathetic Ganglia of the Rat
Authors: Maeda Seishi , Fujihira Mayumi , Minato Yusuke , Kuwahara‐Otani Sachi , Tanaka Koichi , Hayakawa Tetsu , Yagi Hideshi
Published: August 2017

The renal nerve plexus comprises efferent and afferent fibers. It controls urine production and bodily fluid homeostasis. Efferent fibers to the kidney include sympathetic nerve fibers from their main ganglia, the prevertebral suprarenal ganglia (SrG), and the paravertebral sympathetic chain ganglia (ChG). In the present study, we examined topological innervation from these ganglia to the renal parenchymal segments of the left kidney of the rat. Fluoro‐Gold was injected into the rostral or caudal poles of the left kidney. Approximately 50% of the cells in the SrG of rats injected in the rostral pole were labeled, while 60% of the cells in the ChG T13 of rats injected in the caudal pole were labeled. In addition, we performed dual‐probe retrograde tracing of the nerves using two kinds of fluorescent‐conjugated cholera toxins (f‐CTbs) injected into the rostral and caudal poles of the left kidney. The cells labeled with each f‐CTb were distributed differently in the left SrG and the lower ChGs; no dual‐labeled cells were found in these ganglia. Anterograde tracing with pCAGGS‐tdTomato vector transfected into the left SrG showed that tdTomato‐labeled nerve varicosities extended to the cortical arterioles and urinary tubules. Immunohistochemistry revealed that they were positive to tyrosine hydroxylase and synaptophysin, suggesting that they possessed sympathetic nerve endings. Our results show that renal efferent nerves in the SrG may control the rostral part of the kidney and innervate the multiple effectors in the cortex. Anat Rec, 300:2263–2272, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Novel dissection of the central nervous system to bridge gross anatomy and neuroscience for an integrated medical curriculum
Authors: Hlavac Rebecca J. , Klaus Rachel , Betts Kourtney , Smith Shilo M. , Stabio Maureen E.
Published: August 2017

Medical schools in the United States continue to undergo curricular change, reorganization, and reformation as more schools transition to an integrated curriculum. Anatomy educators must find novel approaches to teach in a way that will bridge multiple disciplines. The cadaveric extraction of the central nervous system (CNS) provides an opportunity to bridge gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, and clinical neurology. In this dissection, the brain, brainstem, spinal cord, cauda equina, optic nerve/tract, and eyes are removed in one piece so that the entire CNS and its gateway to the periphery through the spinal roots can be appreciated. However, this dissection is rarely, if ever, performed likely due to time constraints, perceived difficulty, and lack of instructions. The goals of this project were (i) to provide a comprehensive, step‐by‐step guide for an en bloc CNS extraction and (ii) to determine effective strategies to implement this dissection/prosection within modern curricula. Optimal dissection methods were determined after comparison of various approaches/tools, which reduced dissection time from approximately 10 to 4 hours. The CNS prosections were piloted in small group sessions with two types of learners in two different settings: graduate students studied wet CNS prosections within the dissection laboratory and medical students used plastinated CNS prosections to review clinical neuroanatomy and solve lesion localization cases during their neurology clerkship. In both cases, the CNS was highly rated as a teaching tool and 98% recommended it for future students. Notably, 90% of medical students surveyed suggested that the CNS prosection be introduced prior to clinical rotations. Anat Sci Educ 11: 185–195. © 2017 American Association of Anatomists.
High Order in a Self‐Assembled Iridium(III) Complex Gelator Towards Nanostructured IrO2 Thin Films
Authors: Scarpelli Francesca , Ionescu Andreea , Aiello Iolinda , La Deda Massimo , Crispini Alessandra , Ghedini Mauro , Brunelli Elvira , Sesti Settimio , Godbert Nicolas
Published: August 2017

The preparation and characterization of a new metallogelator based on the IrIII discrete cyclometalated complex [(ppy)2Ir(bpy)](CH3CH2OCH2CO2) are reported, where H(ppy) is 2‐phenylpiridine and bpy is 2,2′‐bipyridine, which is used as an ancillary ligand. The compound is able to self‐assemble in water in a range of concentrations between 3 % and 6 % w/w, creating a luminescent ordered supramolecular gel. The gel and xerogel architectures were investigated through polarized optical microscopy (POM), SEM and TEM microscopies coupled with powder X‐ray diffraction. The gel supramolecular organization is characterized by columnar tetragonal strands, already present at high dilution conditions, of cations surrounded by counteranions. These strands, in turn, are self‐assembled in an oblique columnar cell upon gelification. The xerogel thin films obtained upon complete dehydration maintained the gel supramolecular order and can be used as a precursor for the preparation of nanostructured IrO2 thin films.
Tailoring Hierarchical Zeolites with Designed Cationic Surfactants and Their High Catalytic Performance
Authors: Zhang Kai , Li Chao , Liu Zewei , Wang Min , Yan Xin , Xi Hongxia
Published: August 2017

Three hierarchical porous zeolites (H‐*BEA, H‐MTW, and H‐*MRE) were successfully synthesized with the assistance of designed cationic surfactants under hydrothermal synthesis conditions. The as‐synthesized zeolite samples can be easily regulated by changing the number of long hydrophobic n‐alkyl chains. Also, we investigated the relationship between the length of the surfactant and the formation of the microporous structure of the zeolite. Furthermore, the alkylation of benzene with propene was performed as a probe reaction to evaluate the catalytic performance of the synthesized hierarchical zeolites. The resulting materials were characterized by using a complementary combination of techniques, that is, X‐ray powder diffraction, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, 28Si and 27Al MAS NMR spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis, and computer simulation. These analysis results indicated that quaternary ammonium surfactants acted as organic structure‐directing agents (OSDAs) in the formation of these hierarchical zeolite samples, whether the surfactant had long hydrophobic tail groups or not. The simulation results indicated that the organic molecules with no long hydrophobic chain could lead to the synthesis of zeolite through charge control, and the hydrophobic molecules with long hydrophobic chains could form zeolites through orbital control. These hierarchical zeolites showed improved catalytic activity towards the industrially relevant alkylation of benzene with propene compared with conventional zeolites with the same frameworks. More importantly, the success of using quaternary ammonium surfactants with no hydrophobic n‐alkyl tail group in the synthesis of hierarchically structured mesoporous zeolites provides a new pathway for the synthesis of hierarchical porous materials by a soft‐templating method.
Desired Compensation Adaptive Repetitive Control of Electrical‐Optical Gyro‐Stabilized Platform with High‐Precision Disturbance Compensation
Authors: Wu Yuefei , Yue Dong
Published: August 2017

In this paper, the influences of unknown disturbances are first analyzed, and the structural properties of the disturbances are given. By appropriately applying Fourier series approximation, a novel continuously differentiable nonlinear friction model is synthesized by modifying the traditional piecewise continuous LuGre model, then a desired compensation version of the proposed adaptive repetitive controller is developed for precise tracking control of servo systems to compensate for spatial periodic disturbance and random disturbance. To further reduce noise sensitivity and improve tracking accuracy, the desired compensation robust control term is also constructed to effectively attenuate the effect of approximation errors, and thus a theoretically asymptotic tracking performance is achieved by the proposed controller, which is very important for the high accuracy tracking control of servo systems. Extensive comparative experimental results are obtained to verify the high‐performance nature of the proposed control strategies.
Sticking with it: Psychotherapy outcomes for adults with autism spectrum disorder in a university counseling center setting
Authors: Anderberg Emily , Cox Jonathan C. , Neeley Tass E. Shannon , Erekson David M. , Gabrielsen Terisa P. , Warren Jared S. , Cline Jared , Petersen Devin , South Mikle
Published: August 2017

Young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience high rates of comorbid mental health concerns in addition to distress arising from the core symptoms of autism. Many adults with ASD seek psychological treatment in outpatient facilities in their communities that are not specifically geared toward individuals with ASD. However, few studies have looked at the effectiveness of standard psychotherapeutic care in adults with ASD. This study aimed to discover how individuals with ASD fare in psychotherapy within a college counseling setting, compared to their neurotypical peers. Clients with ASD (n = 76) or possible ASD (n = 91) were retrospectively identified from counseling center case notes. Data from the Outcome Questionnaire‐45 (OQ) were retrieved for each therapy session as a measure of client distress. Clients with ASD showed no difference in level of distress at intake compared to their neurotypical peers (n = 21,546), and improved about the same amount from pre‐ to post‐treatment. However, students with ASD stayed in treatment for significantly more sessions than neurotypical clients, and took significantly longer to achieve maximum improvement on OQ reports. Results are discussed with implications for university and other community based treatment settings. Autism Res 2017, 10: 2048–2055. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

This study aimed to discover how individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) fare in psychotherapy within a university counseling setting, compared to their neurotypical peers. Clients with ASD showed no difference in level of distress at intake compared to their neurotypical peers, and improved about the same amount from pre‐ to post‐treatment. However, students with ASD stayed in treatment for significantly more sessions than neurotypical clients, and took significantly longer to achieve maximum improvement on Outcome Questionnaire‐45 reports.
Production and perception of emotional prosody by adults with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Hubbard Daniel J. , Faso Daniel J. , Assmann Peter F. , Sasson Noah J.
Published: August 2017

This study examined production and perception of affective prosody by adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Previous research has reported increased pitch variability in talkers with ASD compared to typically developing (TD) controls in grammatical speaking tasks (e.g., comparing interrogative vs. declarative sentences), but it is unclear whether this pattern extends to emotional speech. In this study, speech recordings in five emotion contexts (angry, happy, interested, sad, and neutral) were obtained from 15 adult males with ASD and 15 controls (Experiment 1), and were later presented to 52 listeners (22 with ASD) who were asked to identify the emotion expressed and rate the level of naturalness of the emotion in each recording (Experiment 2). Compared to the TD group, talkers with ASD produced phrases with greater intensity, longer durations, and increased pitch range for all emotions except neutral, suggesting that their greater pitch variability was specific to emotional contexts. When asked to identify emotion from speech, both groups of listeners were more accurate at identifying the emotion context from speech produced by ASD speakers compared to TD speakers, but rated ASD emotional speech as sounding less natural. Collectively, these results reveal differences in emotional speech production in talkers with ASD that provide an acoustic basis for reported perceptions of oddness in the speech presentation of adults with ASD. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1991–2001. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

This study examined emotional speech communication produced and perceived by adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically‐developing (TD) controls. Compared to the TD group, talkers with ASD produced emotional phrases that were louder, longer, and more variable in pitch. Both ASD and TD listeners were more accurate at identifying emotion in speech produced by ASD speakers compared to TD speakers, but rated ASD emotional speech as sounding less natural.
TssA: The cap protein of the Type VI secretion system tail
Authors: Zoued Abdelrahim , Durand Eric , Santin Yoann G. , Journet Laure , Roussel Alain , Cambillau Christian , Cascales Eric
Published: August 2017

The Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a multiprotein and mosaic apparatus that delivers protein effectors into prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. Recent data on the enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) T6SS have provided evidence that the TssA protein is a key component during T6SS biogenesis. The T6SS comprises a trans‐envelope complex that docks the baseplate, a cytoplasmic complex that represents the assembly platform for the tail. The T6SS tail is structurally, evolutionarily and functionally similar to the contractile tails of bacteriophages. We have shown that TssA docks to the membrane complex, recruits the baseplate complex and initiates and coordinates the polymerization of the inner tube with that of the sheath. Here, we review these recent findings, discuss the variations within TssA‐like proteins, speculate on the role of EAEC TssA in T6SS biogenesis and propose future research perspectives.
Trends in indications, complications and outcomes for venous resection during pancreatoduodenectomy
Authors: Kleive D , Sahakyan M A , Berstad A E , Verbeke C S , Gladhaug I P , Edwin B , Fosby B , Line P-D , Labori K J
Published: August 2017

Background

Pancreatoduodenectomy with superior mesenteric–portal vein resection has become a common procedure in pancreatic surgery. The aim of this study was to compare standard pancreatoduodenectomy with pancreatoduodenectomy plus venous resection at a high-volume centre, and to examine trends in management and outcome over a decade for the latter procedure.

Methods

This retrospective observational study included all patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy with or without venous resection at Oslo University Hospital between January 2006 and December 2015. Trends were evaluated by assessing preoperative clinical and radiological characteristics, as well as perioperative outcomes in three time intervals (early, intermediate and late).

Results

A total of 784 patients had a pancreatoduodenectomy, of whom 127 (16·2 per cent) underwent venous resection. Venous resection resulted in a longer operating time (median 422 versus 312 min; P = 0·001) and greater estimated blood loss (EBL) (median 700 versus 500 ml; P = 0·004) than standard pancreatoduodenectomy. The rate of severe complications was significantly higher for pancreatoduodenectomy with venous resection (37·0 versus 26·3 per cent; P = 0·014). The overall burden of complications, evaluated using the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI), did not differ (median score 8·7 versus 8·7; P = 0·175). Trends in venous resection over time showed a significant reduction in EBL (median 1050 versus 375 ml; P = 0·001) and duration of hospital stay (median 14 versus 9 days; P = 0·011) between the early and late periods. However, despite an improvement in the intermediate period, severe complication rates returned to baseline in the late period (18 of 43 versus 9 of 42 versus 20 of 42 patients in early, intermediate and late periods respectively; P = 0·032), as did CCI scores (median 20·9 versus 0 versus 20·9; P = 0·041).

Conclusion

Despite an initial improvement in severe complications for venous resection during pancreatoduodenectomy, this was not maintained over time. Every fourth patient with venous resection needed relaparotomy, most frequently for bleeding.
Particle–mesh coupling in the interaction of fluid and deformable bodies with screen space refraction rendering
Authors: Chan Ka‐Hou , Ke Wei , Im Sio‐Kei
Published: August 2017

On the basis of the smoothed particle hydrodynamics and finite element method (FEM) model, we propose a method integrating several improvements for the real‐time simulation of fluid interacting with deformable bodies. We improve the particle neighbor search in smoothed particle hydrodynamics, so that the predefined scene containers are no longer needed. This improvement can also be applied to the simulation of fluid interacting with other materials, such as rigid and soft bodies. We also propose a two‐way coupling method for fluid and deformable bodies, where the particle–mesh interaction is obtained by the ray‐traced collision detection method instead of the proxy/ghost particle generation. By using the forward ray‐tracing method for both velocity and position, we are able to calculate the coupling forces based on the conservation of momentum and kinetic energy in the particle–mesh interaction. We use the screen space fluid rendering for fluid, and on the basis of that, we introduce a screen space refraction rendering method to improve the refraction effect. We implement our method in NVIDIA CUDA and OptiX to make use of the full computational power of a graphics processing unit. The simulation results are analyzed and discussed to show the efficiency of our method.
Rubber Seed Oil as a Novel Substrate for Polyhydroxyalkanoates Accumulation in Bacillus cereus
Authors: Kynadi Anna S. , Suchithra T. V.
Published: August 2017

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), the microbial polymers that can be used as biodegradable alternatives for conventional plastics are not commercialized due to the high cost of suitable substrates. A comparative study is conducted to conclude that rubber seed oil is most effectively utilized by Bacillus cereus to accumulate PHA up to 524.0 ± 2.1 mg g−1 of cell dry weight and exhibits a final yield of 1.80 ± 0.06 g L−1. This is the first report on the use of rubber seed oil, which has negligible industrial relevance, for PHA accumulation.
Trifluoromethyl Oxetanes: Synthesis and Evaluation as a tert‐Butyl Isostere
Authors: Mukherjee Paramita , Pettersson Martin , Dutra Jason K. , Xie Longfei , am Ende Christopher W.
Published: August 2017

The synthesis of a new trifluoromethyl oxetane was developed using a Corey–Chaykovsky epoxidation/ring‐expansion reaction of trifluoromethyl ketones. The reaction was shown to proceed under mild conditions and displays a broad substrate scope. The trifluoromethyl oxetane was also evaluated as a tert‐butyl isostere in the context of the γ‐secretase modulator (GSM) program. We demonstrate that the trifluoromethyl oxetane‐containing GSM has decreased lipophilicity, improved lipophilic efficiency (LipE) and metabolic stability relative to the corresponding tert‐butyl GSM analogue, thus highlighting several benefits of trifluoromethyl oxetane as a more polar tert‐butyl isostere.
Tight temporal coupling between synaptic rewiring of olfactory glomeruli and the emergence of odor‐guided behavior in Xenopus tadpoles
Authors: Terni Beatrice , Pacciolla Paolo , Masanas Helena , Gorostiza Pau , Llobet Artur
Published: August 2017

Olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) are chemoreceptors that establish excitatory synapses within glomeruli of the olfactory bulb. OSNs undergo continuous turnover throughout life, causing the constant replacement of their synaptic contacts. Using Xenopus tadpoles as an experimental system to investigate rewiring of glomerular connectivity, we show that novel OSN synapses can transfer information immediately after formation, mediating olfactory‐guided behavior. Tadpoles recover the ability to detect amino acids 4 days after bilateral olfactory nerve transection. Restoration of olfactory‐guided behavior depends on the efficient reinsertion of OSNs to the olfactory bulb. Presynaptic terminals of incipient synaptic contacts generate calcium transients in response to odors, triggering long lasting depolarization of olfactory glomeruli. The functionality of reconnected terminals relies on well‐defined readily releasable and cytoplasmic vesicle pools. The continuous growth of non‐compartmentalized axonal processes provides a vesicle reservoir to nascent release sites, which contrasts to the gradual development of cytoplasmic vesicle pools in conventional excitatory synapses. The immediate availability of fully functional synapses upon formation supports an age‐independent contribution of OSNs to the generation of odor maps.