bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CD200 included in a 4‐marker modified Matutes score provides optimal sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: D'Arena Giovanni , Vitale Candida , Rossi Giovanni , Coscia Marta , Omedè Paola , D'Auria Fiorella , Statuto Teodora , Valvano Luciana , Ciolli Stefania , Gilestro Milena , Molica Stefano , Bellesi Silvia , Topini Giuseppe , Panichi Valentina , Autore Francesco , Innocenti Idanna , Musto Pellegrino , Deaglio Silvia , Laurenti Luca , Del Vecchio Luigi
Published: March 2018

CD200, a transmembrane type Ia glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, has been shown to have a differential expression in B‐cell neoplasms. Here, we retrospectively assessed the diagnostic relevance of CD200 on 427 patients with B‐cell chronic neoplasms in leukemic phase (median age, 69 y; range, 35‐97 y). The final diagnosis based on the investigator's assessment was chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) in 75% of cases and non‐CLL in 25% of cases. Sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of CLL (vs non‐CLL) were calculated for the following markers: CD200, CD5, CD22, CD23, CD79b, FMC7, and SmIg. CD23 was the only marker without a statistically significant difference between the investigator assessment and the flowcytometric analysis. The other markers were unable—when individually evaluated—to discriminate between CLL and non‐CLL, requiring the integration into a scoring system. The modified score no. 1 (addition of CD200) showed superimposable sensitivity and specificity compared with the Matutes score. The substitution of CD79b (modified score no. 2), surface membrane immunoglobulins (SmIg) (modified score no. 3), and CD79b and FMC7 (modified score no. 4) with CD200 showed that only the modified score no. 4 had both higher sensitivity and higher specificity compared with standard Matutes score. In conclusion, this work defines a simplified score, compared with the classical Matutes score, for the differential diagnosis of chronic B‐cell leukaemia—which only requires 4 markers instead of 5 (CD5, CD23, CD200, and SmIg).
Human serum and milk albumins are metal‐dependent DNases
Authors: Soboleva Svetlana E. , Guschina Tat'yana A. , Nevinsky Georgy A.
Published: March 2018

It is known that that human serum albumin (HSA) and alpha‐lactalbumin (LA) possess DNA‐binding sites. Electrophoretically homogeneous HSA and LA containing no canonical enzymes were isolated from human sera and milk. Here we have analyzed for the first time the possibility of DNA hydrolysis by these proteins. It was shown that HSA possesses metal‐dependent DNase activity, while LA cannot hydrolyze DNA. Several rigid criteria have been applied to show that DNase activity is an intrinsic property of HSA from human sera and milk. HSA preparations were inactive after their dialysis against EDTA or in the presence of EDTA, but were activated after addition of several external metal ions: Mn2+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+. The best activation of HSA preparations was observed in the presence of two metal ions: Mg2++Ca2+ > Mn2+ + Ca2+ ≥ Mn2+ + Mg2+. In contrast to DNases having only one pH optimum, HSA preparations demonstrated two well‐pronounced optima at pH 5.7–5.9 and 6.9–7.1 as well as a weak optimum at pH 8.4–8.6. These results demonstrate the diversity of HSA in the DNA hydrolysis at various pHs and in activation by various metal cofactors. Possible reasons for the diversity of HSA preparations are discussed. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(6):501–510, 2018
Effect of histone deacetylase inhibitor on epithelial‐mesenchymal transition of liver fibrosis
Authors: Ramzy Maggie M. , Abdelghany Hend M , Zenhom Nagwa M. , El‐Tahawy Nashwa F.
Published: March 2018

Liver fibrosis is an excessively reversible wound healing process and the fibrotic disorder is the activation of hepatic stellate cell that requires extensive alterations in gene expression. As reversible deacetylation of histone proteins modulate gene expression, we examined the effect of valproic acid (VPA) as selective histone deacetylase inhibitor on CCl‐4 induced liver fibrosis. Thirty rats were divided into three equal groups; control group, fibrotic group and VPA‐treated group. The rats were sacrificed after 6 weeks of liver fibrosis induction. The histopathological effect on liver tissue was examined. The expression of α‐SMA and Smad‐4 mRNA and serum levels of TGF‐β1, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase were determined. Treatment of rats with VPA attenuated carbon tetrachloride‐induced liver fibrosis. Moreover, α‐SMA and Smad‐4 expression was repressed under VPA treatment and both serum TGF‐β1 and liver enzymes were significantly decreased. The histone deacetylase inhibitor‐1 VPA inhibits the epithelial–mesenchymal transition and affects hepatic stellate cell activation during liver fibrosis through downregulation of Smad4 and α‐SMA expression which may serve as a promising agent in liver fibrosis treatment. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(6):511–518, 2018
How Is Adolescent Bone Mass and Density Influenced by Early Life Body Size and Growth? The Tromsø Study: Fit Futures—A Longitudinal Cohort Study From Norway
Authors: Evensen Elin , Skeie Guri , Wilsgaard Tom , Christoffersen Tore , Dennison Elaine , Furberg Anne‐Sofie , Grimnes Guri , Winther Anne , Emaus Nina
Published: March 2018

The effect of birth weight and childhood body mass index (BMI) on adolescents’ bone parameters is not established. The aim of this longitudinal, population‐based study was to investigate the association of birth weight, childhood BMI, and growth, with adolescent bone mass and bone density in a sample of 633 adolescents (48% girls) from The Tromsø Study: Fit Futures. This population‐based cohort study was conducted in 2010–2011 and 2012–2013 in Tromsø, Norway. Bone mineral content (BMC) and areal BMD (aBMD) were measured at total hip (TH) and total body (TB) by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) and converted to internal Z‐scores. Birth weight and childhood anthropometric measurements were retrospectively obtained from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway and childhood health records. Associations between birth weight, BMI, and growth were evaluated by fitting linear mixed models with repeated measures of BMC and aBMD at ages 15 to 17 and 18 to 20 years as the outcome. In crude analysis, a significant positive association (p < 0.05) with TB BMC was observed per 1 SD score increase in birth weight, observed in both sexes. Higher rate of length growth, conditioned on earlier size, from birth to age 2.5 years, and higher rate of weight gain from ages 6.0 to 16.5 years, conditioned on earlier size and concurrent height growth, revealed stronger associations with bone accrual at ages 15 to 20 years compared with other ages. Compared with being normal weight, overweight/obesity at age 16.5 years was associated with higher aBMD Z‐scores: β coefficient (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 0.78 (0.53, 1.03) and 1.08 (0.85, 1.31) in girls, 0.63 (0.42, 0.85) and 0.74 (0.54, 0.95) in boys at TH and TB, respectively. Similar associations were found for BMC. Being underweight was consistently negatively associated with bone parameters in adolescence. In conclusion, birth weight influences adolescent bone mass but less than later growth and BMI in childhood and adolescence. © 2018 The Authors. JBMR Plus Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Molecular Phenotyping of Telomerized Human Bone Marrow Skeletal Stem Cells Reveals a Genetic Program of Enhanced Proliferation and Maintenance of Differentiation Responses
Authors: Twine Natalie A , Harkness Linda , Adjaye James , Aldahmash Abdullah , Wilkins Marc R , Kassem Moustapha
Published: March 2018

Long‐term in vitro expansion of bone marrow stromal (skeletal) stem cells (also known as human mesenchymal stem cells [hMSC]) is associated with replicative senescence and impaired functions. We have previously reported that telomerization of hMSC through hTERT overexpression led to bypassing a replicative senescence phenotype and improved in vitro and in vivo functions. However, the molecular consequence of telomerization is poorly characterized. Thus, we compared the molecular phenotype of a well‐studied telomerized hMSC (hMSC‐TERT) cell line with primary hMSC. At a cellular level, both cell populations exhibited strong concordance for the known hMSC CD markers, similar responses to osteoblast (OB) differentiation induction, and formed heterotopic bone in vivo. Overall gene expression was highly correlated between both cell types with an average Pearson's correlation coefficient (R2) between the gene expression of all primary hMSC and all hMSC‐TERT samples of 0.95 (range 0.93–0.96). Quantitative analysis of gene expression of CD markers, OB cell markers, and transcription factors (TF) showed a high degree of similarity between the two cell populations (72%, 77%, and 81%, respectively). The hMSC‐TERT population was enriched mainly for genes associated with cell cycle and cell cycle signaling when compared with primary hMSC. Other enrichment was observed for genes involved in cell adhesion and skeletal system development and immune response pathways. Interestingly, hMSC‐TERT shared a telomerization signature with upregulation of cancer/testis antigens, MAGE, and PAGE genes. Our data demonstrate that the enhanced biological characteristics of hMSC after telomerization are mainly due to enhanced expression of cell proliferation genes, whereas gene expression responses to differentiation are maintained. © 2018 The Authors. JBMR Plus Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
SB‐216763, a GSK‐3β inhibitor, protects against aldosterone‐induced cardiac, and renal injury by activating autophagy
Authors: Zhang Yi‐De , Ding Xiao‐Jun , Dai Hou‐Yong , Peng Wei‐Sheng , Guo Nai‐Feng , Zhang Yuan , Zhou Qiao‐Ling , Chen Xiao‐Lan
Published: March 2018

Cardiovascular and renal inflammation induced by Aldosterone (Aldo) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and renal fibrosis. GSK‐3β contributes to inflammatory cardiovascular and renal diseases, but its role in Aldo‐induced hypertension, and renal damage is not clear. In the present study, rats were treated with Aldo combined with SB‐216763 (a GSK‐3β inhibitor) for 4 weeks. Hemodynamic, cardiac, and renal parameters were assayed at the indicated time. Here we found that rats treated with Aldo presented cardiac and renal hypertrophy and dysfunction. Cardiac and renal expression levels of molecular markers attesting inflammation and fibrosis were increased by Aldo infusion, whereas the treatment of SB‐216763 reversed these alterations. SB‐216763 suppressed cardiac and renal inflammatory cytokines levels (TNF‐a, IL‐1β, and MCP‐1). Meanwhile, SB‐216763 increased the protein levels of LC3‐II in the cardiorenal tissues as well as p62 degradation, indicating that SB‐216763 induced autophagy activation in cardiac, and renal tissues. Importantly, inhibition of autophagy by 3‐MA attenuated the role of SB‐216763 in inhibiting perivascular fibrosis, and tubulointerstitial injury. These data suggest that SB‐216763 protected against Aldo‐induced cardiac and renal injury by activating autophagy, and might be a therapeutic option for salt‐sensitive hypertension and renal fibrosis.
Identification of differentially regulated deceitful proteins in SH‐SY5Y cells engineered with Tet‐regulated protein expression system
Authors: Kanli Aylin , Kasap Murat , Yoneten Kubra K. , Akpinar Gurler , Gulkac Mehmet Dogan
Published: March 2018

Tetracycline regulated protein expression in mammalian cells is a powerful tool to predict the physiological function, cellular localization, and stability of a protein. In addition, to predict metabolic networks affected by the expression of wild‐type or mutant forms of proteins, researchers generally produce a single mammalian cell clone that can express the protein of interest under tetracycline control and study the changes occurring in overall proteome before and after expression of a protein of interest. One limitation of tetracycline regulated clonal cell creation, however, is that it sometimes creates clones with changed protein levels even without the expression of the protein of interest due to the nonspecific insertion of the gene encoding the protein of interest into the genome or disruption of a metabolic pathway due to insertional silencing or activation. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the limitation of tetracycline regulated gene expression by creating clonal cell lines expressing the wild‐type or the mutant forms of Fat mass and obesity‐associated protein. Comparative proteome analysis of the protein extracts by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled to MALDI‐TOF/TOF revealed the presence of eight proteins subjected to differential regulation even in the absence of induction. The identified proteins were 14‐3‐3 protein Epsilon, Vimentin, Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K, Tubulin beta‐2C chain, Heat shock protein HSP 90‐alpha, Heat shock protein HSP 90‐beta, Alpha‐enolase, TATA‐binding protein‐associated factor 2N. An ultimate care should be taken to prevent reporting of deceitful proteins generated from studies utilizing tetracycline regulated gene expression systems.
Noncanonical Hox, Etv4, and Gli3 gene activities give insight into unique limb patterning in salamanders
Authors: Bickelmann Constanze , Frota‐Lima Gabriela Neiva , Triepel Sandra Karla , Kawaguchi Akane , Schneider Igor , Fröbisch Nadia Belinda
Published: March 2018

Limb development in salamanders is unique among tetrapods in significant ways. Not only can salamanders regenerate lost limbs repeatedly and throughout their lives, but also the preaxial zeugopodial element and digits form before the postaxial ones and, hence, with a reversed polarity compared to all other tetrapods. Moreover, in salamanders with free‐swimming larval stages, as exemplified by the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), each digit buds independently, instead of undergoing a paddle stage. Here, we report gene expression patterns of Hoxa and d clusters, and other crucial transcription factors during axolotl limb development. During early phases of limb development, expression patterns are mostly similar to those reported for amniotes and frogs. Likewise, Hoxd and Shh regulatory landscapes are largely conserved. However, during late digit‐budding phases, remarkable differences are present: (i) the Hoxd13 expression domain excludes developing digits I and IV, (ii) we expand upon previous observation that Hoxa11 expression, which traditionally marks the zeugopodium, extends distally into the developing digits, and (iii) Gli3 and Etv4 show prolonged expression in developing digits. Our findings identify derived patterns in the expression of key transcription factors during late phases of salamander limb development, and provide the basis for a better understanding of the unique patterning of salamander limbs.
Prospective study of the relationship between patient falls and caregiver burden in home health care: A pilot study
Authors: Cho Tetsutaro , Nakajima Toru , Ueno Yoichi , Kato Koki , Sato Kotaro
Published: March 2018

Aim

To investigate the relationship between caregiver burden and patient falls, and the incidence of falls in patients receiving home health care.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted on patients receiving home health care provided by 3 home‐care support clinics and their primary caregivers from November 2015 to February 2016. Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed on the Burden Index of Caregivers (BIC) and the presence of falls.

Results

Of the eligible 114 subjects, 47 were included in the final analysis. Nineteen subjects (40.4%) reported falls in the 3‐month observation period. The incidence of falls was 1120 per 1000 person‐years. The unadjusted hazard ratios for BIC score, patient gender (female), fall assessment score, and lack of physical barriers within the home were 1.46, 1.39, 0.52, and 0.52, respectively, and differences were not statistically significant. Adjusted hazard ratios were 1.56, 1.44, 0.65, and 0.62, respectively, and were also not statistically significant.

Conclusion

The incidence of falls was found to be roughly 5 times more than that in the general community elderly population. No causal relationship was found between caregiver burden and patient falls.
Frontline Science: Characterization of a novel mouse strain expressing human Siglec-8 only on eosinophils
Authors: O’Sullivan Jeremy A , Wei Yadong , Carroll Daniela J , Moreno-Vinasco Liliana , Cao Yun , Zhang Fengrui , Lee James J , Zhu Zhou , Bochner Bruce S
Published: March 2018

Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin (Siglec)-8 is a human cell surface protein expressed exclusively on eosinophils, mast cells, and basophils that, when engaged, induces eosinophil apoptosis and inhibits mast cell mediator release. This makes Siglec-8 a promising therapeutic target to treat diseases involving these cell types. However, preclinical studies of Siglec-8 targeting in vivo are lacking because this protein is only found in humans, apes, and some monkeys. Therefore, we have developed a mouse strain in which SIGLEC8 transcription is activated by Cre recombinase and have crossed this mouse with the eoCre mouse to achieve eosinophil-specific expression. We confirmed that Siglec-8 is expressed exclusively on the surface of mature eosinophils in multiple tissues at levels comparable to those on human blood eosinophils. Following ovalbumin sensitization and airway challenge, Siglec-8 knock-in mice generated a pattern of allergic lung inflammation indistinguishable from that of littermate controls, suggesting that Siglec-8 expression within the eosinophil compartment does not alter allergic eosinophilic inflammation. Using bone marrow from these mice, we demonstrated that, during maturation, Siglec-8 expression occurs well before the late eosinophil developmental marker C-C motif chemokine receptor 3, consistent with eoCre expression. Antibody ligation of the receptor induces Siglec-8 endocytosis and alters the phosphotyrosine profile of these cells, indicative of productive signaling. Finally, we demonstrated that mouse eosinophils expressing Siglec-8 undergo cell death when the receptor is engaged, further evidence that Siglec-8 is functional on these cells. These mice should prove useful to investigate Siglec-8 biology and targeting in vivo in a variety of eosinophilic disease models.

We have developed a novel eosinophil-specific Siglec-8 knock-in mouse strain that facilitates the in vivo study of Siglec-8 targeting and biology.
Characterization of a chimeric chemokine as a specific ligand for ACKR3
Authors: Ameti Rafet , Melgrati Serena , Radice Egle , Cameroni Elisabetta , Hub Elin , Thelen Sylvia , Rot Antal , Thelen Marcus
Published: March 2018

Chemokines, small chemotactic cytokines, orchestrate cell migration by binding to their cognate chemokine receptors. While chemokine-mediated stimulation of typical G-protein-coupled chemokine receptors leads to cell migration, binding of chemokines to atypical chemokine receptors (ACKRs) does not induce canonical signaling. ACKRs are considered important chemokine scavengers, that can create gradients which help direct cells to sites of inflammation or to their immunological niches. Synthetic chemokines have been used in the past to study and decode chemokine-receptor interactions. Characterizing specific chemokine-ACKRs interactions is challenging because the chemokines bind multiple receptors; for example, the ACKR3 ligands CXCL12 and CXCL11 bind to the canonical receptors CXCR4 and CXCR3, respectively. Here, we present the engineering of a chemokine-like chimera, which selectively binds to ACKR3. The addition of a ybbR13 tag at the C-terminus allows site specific enzymatic labeling with a plethora of fluorescent dyes. The chimera is composed of the N-terminus of CXCL11 and the main body and C-terminus of CXCL12 and selectively interacts with ACKR3 with high affinity, while not interfering with binding of CXCL11 and CXCL12 to their cognate receptors. We further provide evidence that the chimera can be used to study ACKR3 function in vivo.

The chimeric chemokine CXCL11_12 is a selective high affinity ligand for the typical chemokine receptor ACKR3.
Irrigation and Zn fertilizer management improves Zn phyto‐availability in various rice production systems
Authors: Rehman Hafeez ur , Rasool Faiz , Awan Masood Iqbal , Mahmood Athar , Wakeel Abdul , Hajiboland Roghieh
Published: March 2018

Zinc (Zn) is an important micronutrient for rice (Oryza sativa L.) production and its deficiency has been observed in various production systems. High grain Zn concentration is equally important for high rice yield and human health. In this work, the effects of Zn fertilization on seedling growth, grain yield, grain Zn concentration, and their association with root traits were studied under alternate wetting and drying (AWD), aerobic rice (AR), system of rice intensification (SRI), and continuous flooding (CF). Zinc fertilization (15 kg ha−1) improved nursery seedlings chlorophyll and Zn concentrations, root length, and number of roots with highest values observed in CF. At harvesting, maximum plant height, panicle length, total and panicle bearing tillers, and kernel yield were found with Zn addition in AWD and CF rice systems. Mid season drainage provided at maximum tillering and Zn fertilization increased its concentration in leaves, culms, panicles, and grains under CF and AR at physiological maturity. Most of Zn applied was allocated into culms and panicles, nevertheless, a significant increase in grain Zn concentration was also observed in all production systems. Association of leaf Zn with grain Zn concentration was stronger than with culm and panicle Zn. The results indicate that Zn application after rice nursery transplanting is more important for grain Zn enrichment in all rice systems than for increase in grain yield in all systems except AWD where grain yield was also increased. More grain yield in CF and AWD as compared to SRI and AR can also be attributed to decreased spikelet sterility and to better Zn phyto‐availability in these rice systems at physiological maturity.
Infrared and confocal Raman spectroscopy to differentiate changes in the protein secondary structure in normal and abnormal thyroid tissues
Authors: Téllez Soto Claudio A. , Medeiros‐Neto Lázaro P. , dos Santos Laurita , Santos André B.O. , Ferreira Isabelle , Singh Priyanka , Canevari Renata A. , Martin Aírton A.
Published: March 2018

Thirty thyroid samples of normal and abnormal tissues were analyzed by infrared and confocal Raman Spectroscopy. We studied the Amide I (1,720–1,580 cm−1) spectral region in order to determine different components of the proteins' secondary structure in the samples. Peak positions of the Amide I bands were determined using the second derivative and Fourier self‐deconvolution of infrared and Raman spectra. We obtained band areas corresponding to β‐turn, 310‐helix, α‐helix, β‐sheet, β‐turns, and side chains for the infrared and confocal Raman spectra by Gaussian fitting. Using the second derivative of the infrared and Raman spectra, we demonstrated the consistency of the vibrational assignments because compounds of low symmetry without an inversion center present coincident bands that differ only in intensity; hence, the infrared procedures to identify and assign the bands of the proteins' secondary structure in the Raman spectra are valid. The results obtained are supported by vibrational theory and indicate that infrared and confocal Raman spectroscopy are important, useful, and fast tools to identify changes in the proteins' secondary structure in normal tissues, goiter, and follicular and papillary thyroid carcinomas.
Theoretical methods for calculations of optical phonons in BiOBr: Analysis and correction of propagated errors
Authors: Ferrer Mateus M. , Rodrigues João Elias F.S. , Almeida Marcio A.P. , Moura Francisco , Longo Elson , Pizani Paulo S. , Sambrano Julio R.
Published: March 2018

Theoretical and experimental methods were employed to investigate the vibrational modes of BiOBr. Wavenumber prediction and assignments of the infrared and Raman modes were performed using density functional theory and lattice dynamics calculations. The theoretical models were directly compared with the experimental results of particles fabricated using the microwave‐assisted hydrothermal method and results reported in literature. The simulation results of the structure parameters, band gap, and vibrational modes are in agreement with the corresponding experimental values. The proposed models and calculations provided detailed insights into the vibrational modes and enabled to determine propagated assignment errors in results reported in the literature.
Effect of SO2 on sugars, indicators of Maillard reaction, and browning in dried apricots during storage
Authors: Hamzaoğlu Fatmagül , Türkyılmaz Meltem , Özkan Mehmet
Published: March 2018

Background

The effect of sulfur dioxide (SO2) concentration was determined on sugars and indicators in the Maillard reaction (MR), and on browning, in sulfured, dried apricots (SDAs) during storage at 4, 20 and 30 °C for 379 days.

Results

As SO2 concentration increased, the content of reducing sugars involved in the MR also increased. The preventive effect of SO2 on the MR could not result from the binding of SO2 to reducing sugars. Before storage, furosine was detected in the non‐SDAs but 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) was not detected. Even the lowest SO2 concentration (451 mg kg−1) was sufficient to prevent the formation of furosine and HMF during drying of apricots.

Conclusion

Formation of furosine and HMF in all samples during storage at 20 and 30 °C for 379 days indicated that SO2 could not prevent the first and intermediate stages of MR in SDAs during storage. Thus, the main prevention effect of SO2 on browning in SDAs occurred during drying, not storage. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Full color quantum dot light‐emitting diodes patterned by photolithography technology
Authors: Ji Tingjing , Jin Shuang , Zhang Heng , Chen Shuming , Sun Xiao Wei
Published: March 2018

Quantum dot light‐emitting diodes are promising candidates for next generation displays. For display application, a pixel consists of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) side‐by‐side sub‐pixels, which thereby requires a high resolution patterning of the light‐emission layers. In this work, the quantum dot (QD) light‐emitting layers are fine patterned by using the photolithography and the lift‐off techniques. To facilitate the lift‐off process, reverse photoresist AZ5214E is used because of its special inverted trapezoidal structure after developing. To prevent the QDs being washed off during the lift‐off process, the ZnMgO layer is treated by the hydrophobic material hexamethyldisilazane. With hexamethyldisilazane treatment, the adhesion between the QDs and the ZnMgO is effectively improved. As a result, side‐by‐side R/G/B QD with pixel size of 30 μm × 120 μm is successfully achieved. After patterning, the R, G, and B‐quantum dot light‐emitting diodes exhibit a maximum current efficiency of 11.6 cd/A, 29.7 cd/A, and 1.5 cd/A, respectively. This work confirms the feasibility of patterning QDs by using the photolithography and the lift‐off techniques.
Intraoperative identification and definition of “functional” lymphatic collecting vessels for supermicrosurgical lymphatico‐venous anastomosis in treating lymphedema patients
Authors: Yang Johnson Chia‐Shen , Wu Shao‐Chun , Chiang Min‐Hsien , Lin Wei‐Che , Hsieh Ching‐Hua
Published: March 2018

Background

For current lymphatico‐venous anastomosis (LVA), the identification of “functional” lymphatic collecting vessels (LCVs) is mainly based on indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography. However, some of the non‐ICG enhanced LCVs utilized for LVA were found to have visual lymphatic flow.

Objectives

Should non‐ICG enhanced, but flow‐positive LCVs be considered functional as well?

Methods

A retrospective study with 56 consecutive lymphedema patients (8 male/48 female) received LVA. LCVs were observed after ICG injection, before/after LVAs were performed. ICG enhancement and lymphatic flow in the LCVs were recorded and grouped as: Group A: all LCVs ICG(+) and flow(+); Group B: all LCVs ICG(+) and some were flow(+); Group C: some ICG(+) and some flow(+) LCVs; Group D: all LCVs ICG(−)but all flow(+); and Group E: all LCVs were both ICG(−) and flow(−).

Results

A total of 366 LCVs were identified, averaging 8.2 LVAs, 6.5 LCVs, and 4.7 veins per patient. A total of 33 LVAs were performed with 27 LCVs with no ICG enhancement from 7 patients (Group D). These patients were satisfied with their lymphedema improvements.

Conclusion

Lymphatic flow‐positive but non‐ICG enhanced LCVs, should also be considered as functional, thereby maximizing the number of functional LCVs for LVA.
Ultralarge Nanosheets Fabricated by the Hierarchical Self‐Assembly of Porphyrin‐Ended Hyperbranched Poly (ether amine) (TPP–hPEA)
Authors: Wang Ruiqing , Tao Tao , Su Zhilong , Ma Xiaodong , Jiang Xuesong , Xu Hongjie , Yin Jie
Published: March 2018

An ultralarge sheet with remarkable lateral dimensions of 10 µm × 10 µm–20 µm × 20 µm is fabricated by the hierarchical self‐assembly of porphyrin‐ended hyperbranched poly(ether amine) (tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP)–hPEA) in solution. The obtained TPP–hPEA amphiphiles can self‐assemble from ultrathin single‐layered nanosheets with a thickness of 4 nm to ultralarge multilayered nanosheets with thicknesses from 30 to 70 nm. The lateral dimensions increase from 2 × 2 µm to 5 × 5 µm, and eventually to 10 × 10 µm. In‐situ dynamic light scattering and UV–vis spectroscopy studies suggest a hierarchical growth self‐assembly mechanism with a self‐assembly process that relies on π–π stacking. This 2D self‐assembly method provides a significant potential guide for the preparation of ultralarge nanosheets in solution.
Microbial diversity of thermophiles with biomass deconstruction potential in a foliage‐rich hot spring
Authors: Lee Li Sin , Goh Kian Mau , Chan Chia Sing , Annie Tan Geok Yuan , Yin Wai‐Fong , Chong Chun Shiong , Chan Kok‐Gan
Published: March 2018

The ability of thermophilic microorganisms and their enzymes to decompose biomass have attracted attention due to their quick reaction time, thermostability, and decreased risk of contamination. Exploitation of efficient thermostable glycoside hydrolases (GHs) could accelerate the industrialization of biofuels and biochemicals. However, the full spectrum of thermophiles and their enzymes that are important for biomass degradation at high temperatures have not yet been thoroughly studied. We examined a Malaysian Y‐shaped Sungai Klah hot spring located within a wooded area. The fallen foliage that formed a thick layer of biomass bed under the heated water of the Y‐shaped Sungai Klah hot spring was an ideal environment for the discovery and analysis of microbial biomass decay communities. We sequenced the hypervariable regions of bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA genes using total community DNA extracted from the hot spring. Data suggested that 25 phyla, 58 classes, 110 orders, 171 families, and 328 genera inhabited this hot spring. Among the detected genera, members of Acidimicrobium, Aeropyrum, Caldilinea, Caldisphaera, Chloracidobacterium, Chloroflexus, Desulfurobacterium, Fervidobacterium, Geobacillus, Meiothermus, Melioribacter, Methanothermococcus, Methanotorris, Roseiflexus, Thermoanaerobacter, Thermoanaerobacterium, Thermoanaerobaculum, and Thermosipho were the main thermophiles containing various GHs that play an important role in cellulose and hemicellulose breakdown. Collectively, the results suggest that the microbial community in this hot spring represents a good source for isolating efficient biomass degrading thermophiles and thermozymes.
Endpoint regularity criterion for weak solutions of the 3D incompressible liquid crystals system
Authors: Men Yueyang , Wang Wendong , Wu Gang
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we consider the endpoint case regularity for the 3D liquid crystals system. We prove that if
, then weak solution (v,d) is smooth, and our main observation is that the condition
is not necessary in this situation. The proof is based on the blow‐up analysis and backward uniqueness for the parabolic operator developed by Escauriaza‐Seregin‐S̆verák.
Pullback exponential attractors for evolution processes with the difference of 2 solutions lacking smoothing property
Authors: Li Xiaojun
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we construct the pullback exponential attractors for evolution processes in which the difference of 2 solutions lacks the smoothing property. To do this, by the uniform squeezing property of the corresponding discrete process, we add the points to the pullback attractor such that every new set of it has the finite fractal dimension and pullback exponentially attracts every bounded subset of the phase space. As the applications, we establish the existence of pullback exponential attractors for non‐autonomous reaction‐diffusion equation without any restriction on the growing order of nonlinear term and non‐autonomous strongly damped wave equation in
with critical nonlinearity.
The Effect of Residence Time Distribution on the Slurry‐Phase Catalytic Ethylene Polymerization: An Experimental and Computational Study
Authors: Casalini Tommaso , Visscher Frans , Tamaddoni Maryam , Friederichs Nicolaas , Bertola Francesco , Storti Giuseppe , Morbidelli Massimo
Published: March 2018

This work is focused on the development and validation of a model accounting for the impact of the reactor residence time distribution in well‐stirred slurry‐phase catalytic polymerization of ethylene. Particle growth and morphology are described through the Multigrain model, adopting a two‐site model for the catalyst and a conventional kinetic scheme. Particle size distribution and polymer properties (average molecular weights and polydispersity) are computed as a function of particle size through a segregated model, assuming that neither breakage nor aggregation occur. Reactors are modeled by means of fundamental mass conservation equations. The model is applied to a system constituted by a series of two ideal continuous stirred tank reactors, where the synthesis of polyethylene with bimodal molecular weight distribution is performed, employing the initial catalyst size distribution as the only adjustable parameter. The model provides insights at the single particle scale for each specific size, thus highlighting the inhomogeneity which arises from the synergic effects of chemical kinetics and residence time distributions in both reactors. The satisfactory agreement between model results and experimental data, in terms of particle size distribution and average molecular weights, confirmed the suitability of the model and underlying assumptions.
Prospective Open‐label Trial of Early Concomitant Vasopressin and Norepinephrine Therapy versus Initial Norepinephrine Monotherapy in Septic Shock
Authors: Hammond Drayton A. , Ficek Oktawia A. , Painter Jacob T. , McCain Kelsey , Cullen Julia , Brotherton Amy L. , Kakkera Krishna , Chopra Divyan , Meena Nikhil
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Delays in achieving target mean arterial pressure (MAP) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with septic shock. This trial was conducted to test the hypothesis that early concomitant treatment with vasopressin and norepinephrine reduces the time to achieve and maintain target MAP compared with initial norepinephrine monotherapy.

Methods

A single‐center prospective open‐label trial was conducted in patients with septic shock between November 2015 and June 2016 at a medical intensive care unit in an academic medical center. Initial norepinephrine monotherapy was initiated between November 2015 and February 2016. Between March and June 2016, vasopressin was initiated within 4 hours of norepinephrine. The primary outcome was time to achieving and maintaining MAP of 65 mm Hg for at least 4 hours that was compared between groups using the Student t test and examined using the Kaplan‐Meier curve (Clinical Trials registration: NCT02454348).

Results

Eighty‐two patients were included (41 in each group). Patients treated with early concomitant vasopressin and norepinephrine more frequently had a positive culture (59% vs 37%, p=0.05) and grew nonlactose fermenting gram‐negative bacilli (34% vs 10%, p=0.01) compared with patients treated with norepinephrine monotherapy, respectively. The median time to achieve and maintain MAP occurred faster in the early concomitant vasopressin and norepinephrine group, at 5.7 hours (interquartile range [IQR] 1.7–10.3 hrs), compared with 7.6 hours (IQR 3.6–16.7 hrs, p=0.058) in the norepinephrine group. Durations of therapy for norepinephrine or vasopressin, amount of norepinephrine received in the first 24 hours, norepinephrine dosage when MAP was achieved and maintained, maximum norepinephrine dosage, and mortality were similar between groups.

Conclusion

Patients treated with early concomitant vasopressin and norepinephrine achieved and maintained MAP of 65 mm Hg faster than those receiving initial norepinephrine monotherapy, suggesting that overcoming vasopressin deficiency sooner may reduce the time patients spend in the early phase of septic shock.
Cost‐Effectiveness Analysis of Sacubitril/Valsartan for the Treatment of Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction in the United States
Authors: Zueger Patrick M. , Kumar Varun M. , Harrington Rachel L. , Rigoni Gianna C. , Atwood Alicia , DiDomenico Robert J. , Touchette Daniel R.
Published: March 2018

Objective

Sacubitril/valsartan (SAC/VAL) has been shown to reduce mortality and hospitalization in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) compared with enalapril but at a substantially higher cost. This study evaluates the cost‐effectiveness of SAC/VAL versus enalapril in patients with HFrEF over a 5‐year time horizon from the U.S. payer perspective.

Methods

A cohort‐based Markov model was developed to compare costs and quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) between SAC/VAL and enalapril in patients with HFrEF over a 5‐year time horizon. Markov states included New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (II‐IV) and death. Treatment discontinuation, HF‐related hospitalizations, and NYHA class progression were modeled as transition states based on data from the PARADIGM trial. Other probabilities, costs, and utilities were obtained from published literature and public databases.

Results

In the base case analysis, SAC/VAL cost more than enalapril ($81,943 vs $67,287) and was more effective (2.647 QALYs vs 2.546 QALYs), resulting in an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of $143,891/QALY gained. At a willingness to pay (WTP) of $100,000/QALY, SAC/VAL was cost‐effective up to a cost of $298/month. Results were most sensitive to SAC/VAL cost, SAC/VAL mortality benefit, and NYHA progression probability. SAC/VAL had a 10% and 52% probability of being cost‐effective at WTP thresholds of $100,000/QALY and $150,000/QALY, respectively.

Conclusions

SAC/VAL is associated with clinical benefit and may be cost‐effective compared with the current standard of care over realistic treatment durations from the payer perspective. Results of this analysis can inform discussions on the value and position of SAC/VAL in the current market.
Effect of Alcohol Carbon Chain on Enthalpy of Combustion and Ignition Delay Time for Gelled Hypergolic Propellant System
Authors: Shoaib Muhammad N. , Jyoti Botchu V. S. , Baek Seung Wook , Huh Jeongmoo
Published: March 2018

Study conducted for this paper was to understand the effect on a) enthalpy of combustion and b) ignition delay for gelled hypergolic propellants for the alcohol family, when carbon chain length is varied from ethanol to heptanol. Gel propellant formulated from the alcohol family, ethanol to heptanol, using organic gel with least weight percent added was 2 wt% by weight of the gelling agent. It was observed that the enthalpy of combustion of only pure ethanol gel fuel shows a marked increase in energy with respect to pure liquid and metalized gelled ethanol. Whereas, in the case of other alcohol fuel from propanol to heptanol, the enthalpy of combustion of both gel and metalized gel case is lower with respect to their respective liquid state. Hypergolicity of the formulated gel propellant were achieved using two catalyst CCAT (Copper (II) chloride) and MCAT (Manganese (II) acetylacetonate) with Hydrogen Peroxide (Purity>90 %). The ignition delay time of the formulated gel system with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of catalyst was also investigated and it was observed that the ignition delay time of the all the investigated gels (both pure and metalized) were lower with MCAT with respect to CCAT. The delay time increases for both the catalysts with formulated gel alcohol fuel with increasing carbon chain. At the same time with increase in carbon chain and decrease in vapor density of the fuel, the respective investigated fuel in liquid phase were not hypergolic in the presence of MCAT and CCAT catalyst except for propanol and butanol, which showed hypergolicity only with CCAT.
Atmospheric boundary‐layer characteristics from ceilometer measurements. Part 1: A new method to track mixed layer height and classify clouds
Authors: Kotthaus Simone , Grimmond C. Sue B.
Published: March 2018

The use of Automatic Lidars and Ceilometers (ALC) is increasingly extended beyond monitoring cloud base height to the study of atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) dynamics. Therefore, long‐term sensor network observations require robust algorithms to automatically detect the mixed layer height (ZML). Here, a novel automatic algorithm CABAM (Characterising the Atmospheric Boundary layer based on ALC Measurements) is presented. CABAM is the first non‐proprietary mixed layer height algorithm specifically designed for the commonly deployed Vaisala CL31 ceilometer. The method tracks ZML, takes into account precipitation, classifies the ABL based on cloud cover and cloud type, and determines the relation between ZML and cloud base height. CABAM relies solely on ALC measurements. Results perform well against independent reference (AMDAR: Aircraft Meteorological Data Relay) measurements and supervised ZML detection. AMDAR‐derived temperature inversion heights allow ZML evaluation throughout the day. Very good agreement is found in the afternoon when the mixed layer height extends over the full ABL. However, during night or the morning transition the temperature inversion is more likely associated with the top of the residual layer. From comparison with SYNOP reports, the ABL classification scheme generally correctly distinguishes between convective and stratiform boundary‐layer clouds, with slightly better performance during daytime. Applied to 6 years of ALC observations in central London, Kotthaus and Grimmond (), a companion paper, demonstrate CABAM results are valuable to characterise the urban boundary layer over London, United Kingdom, where clouds of various types are frequent.
Solvent composition dependent signal reduction of molecular ions generated from aromatic compounds in (+) atmospheric pressure photoionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Lee Seulgidaun , Ahmed Arif , Kim Sunghwan
Published: March 2018

Rationale

The ionization process is essential for successful mass spectrometric (MS) analysis because of its influence on selectivity and sensitivity. In particular, certain solvents reduce the ionization of the analyte, thereby reducing the overall sensitivity in atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI). Since the sensitivity varies greatly depending on the solvents, a fundamental understanding of the mechanism is required.

Methods

Standard solutions were analyzed using a (+)‐APPI Q Exactive ion trap mass spectrometer (Thermo Scientific). Each solution was infused directly into the APPI source at a flow rate of 100 μL/min and the APPI source temperature was 300°C. Other operating mass spectrometric parameters were maintained under the same conditions. Quantum mechanical calculations were carried out using the Gaussian 09 suite program.

Results

Density functional theory was used to calculate the reaction enthalpies (∆H) of the reactions between toluene and other solvents. The experimental and theoretical results showed good agreement. The abundances of analyte ions were well correlated with the calculated ∆H values. Therefore, the results strongly support the suggested signal reduction mechanism. In addition, linear correlations between the abundance of toluene and analyte molecular ions were observed, which also supports the suggested mechanism.

Conclusions

A solvent composition dependent signal reduction mechanism was suggested and evaluated for the (+)‐APPI‐MS analysis of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) generating mainly molecular ions. Overall, the evidence provided in this work suggests that reactions between solvent cluster(s) and toluene molecular ions are responsible for the observed reductions in signal.
Ion trajectory simulations of a conical octopole ion guide and its comparison with a parallel one in chemical ionization mass spectrometric applications
Authors: Shao Qiduo , Zhao Jun
Published: March 2018

Rationale

Focusing and transmission are important characteristics of ion transportation in mass spectrometric applications. An ion guide device is an essential component in a mass spectrometer, especially when chemical ionization is employed. We present a conical octopole ion guide and its comparison with a parallel counterpart for simulating the ion trajectories through the ion guide and the quadrupole mass analyzer.

Methods

Ion trajectory simulations using SIMION 8.0 were performed to evaluate the performance of both conical and parallel octopole ion guides and the overall ion transmission through combining the octopole ion guide and the quadrupole mass analyzer in the mass spectrometer. Through the simulations, parameters that control the ion guide were optimized for the focus and transport of weakly bonded cluster ions, including the DC bias voltage, the frequency and the amplitude of the sine wave applied to the guide.

Results

The results from ion trajectory simulations showed that the ion beam can be highly focused from initially 10 mm down to 2 mm in diameter for the conical octopole ion guide. The transmission efficiencies are dependent on the mass of the ion, the frequency and amplitude of the radiofrequency waveform applied to the octopoles. The simulated overall transmission efficiencies of the conical ion guide are consistent with the observed sensitivities from the previously reported calibration experiments in the low‐mass region but are much higher than those in the high‐mass region (i.e., masses greater than 400 amu).

Conclusions

The simulations showed that the conical octopole ion guide can efficiently transport ions with high focusing through differentially pumped vacuum chambers. However, the overall transmission efficiencies of the conical octopole ion guide are in general lower than the parallel one when combined with the quadrupole mass analyzer based on the assumed exponential pressure gradient along the axial of the octopole ion guide.
Inhibition is associated with metabolic syndrome and depression through inflammation
Authors: Murdock Kyle W. , LeRoy Angie S. , Fagundes Christopher P.
Published: March 2018

Inhibition is the ability to stop one's self from responding, or paying attention, to tempting/distracting stimuli or thoughts. Those with poor inhibition are at greater risk of depression and a variety of diseases of older adulthood than those with better inhibition. Inflammation may be a mechanism underlying these links. A total of 840 participants from the Midlife in the United States study completed a neuropsychological measure of inhibition, a self‐report measure of depressive symptoms, and a blood draw. Results indicated that poor inhibition was associated with high interleukin‐6 (IL‐6). Inhibition was indirectly associated with metabolic syndrome incidence and depressive symptoms through IL‐6. Findings suggest that IL‐6 may be a mechanism linking inhibition with metabolic syndrome and depression.