bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microglia changes associated to Alzheimer's disease pathology in aged chimpanzees
Authors: Edler Melissa K. , Sherwood Chet C. , Meindl Richard S. , Munger Emily L. , Hopkins William D. , Ely John J. , Erwin Joseph M. , Perl Daniel P. , Mufson Elliott J. , Hof Patrick R. , Raghanti Mary Ann
Published: August 2018

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), the brain's primary immune cells, microglia, become activated and are found in close apposition to amyloid beta (Aβ) protein plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT). The present study evaluated microglia density and morphology in a large group of aged chimpanzees (n = 20, ages 37–62 years) with varying degrees of AD‐like pathology. Using immunohistochemical and stereological techniques, we quantified the density of activated microglia and morphological variants (ramified, intermediate, and amoeboid) in postmortem chimpanzee brain samples from prefrontal cortex, middle temporal gyrus, and hippocampus, areas that show a high degree of AD pathology in humans. Microglia measurements were compared to pathological markers of AD in these cases. Activated microglia were consistently present across brain areas. In the hippocampus, CA3 displayed a higher density than CA1. Aβ42 plaque volume was positively correlated with higher microglial activation and with an intermediate morphology in the hippocampus. Aβ42‐positive vessel volume was associated with increased hippocampal microglial activation. Activated microglia density and morphology were not associated with age, sex, pretangle density, NFT density, or tau neuritic cluster density. Aged chimpanzees displayed comparable patterns of activated microglia phenotypes as well as an association of increased microglial activation and morphological changes with Aβ deposition similar to AD patients. In contrast to human AD brains, activated microglia density was not significantly correlated with tau lesions. This evidence suggests that the chimpanzee brain may be relatively preserved during normal aging processes but not entirely protected from neurodegeneration as previously assumed.
Morphological and hemodynamical alterations in brachial artery and cephalic vein. An image‐based study for preoperative assessment for vascular access creation
Authors: Aristokleous Nicolas , Houston J. Graeme , Browne Leonard D. , Broderick Stephen P. , Kokkalis Efstratios , Gandy Stephen J. , Walsh Michael T.
Published: August 2018

The current study aims to computationally evaluate the effect of right upper arm position on the geometric and hemodynamic characteristics of the brachial artery (BA) and cephalic vein (CV) and, furthermore, to present in detail the methodology to characterise morphological and hemodynamical healthy vessels. Ten healthy volunteers were analysed in two configurations, the supine (S) and the prone (P) position. Lumen 3D surface models were constructed from images acquired from a non‐contrast MRI sequence. Then, the models were used to numerically compute the physiological range of geometric (n = 10) and hemodynamic (n = 3) parameters in the BA and CV. Geometric parameters such as curvature and tortuosity, and hemodynamic parameters based on wall shear stress (WSS) metrics were calculated with the use of computational fluid dynamics. Our results highlight that changes in arm position had a greater impact on WSS metrics of the BA by altering the mean and maximum blood flow rate of the vessel. Whereas, curvature and tortuosity were found not to be significantly different between positions. Inter‐variability was associated with antegrade and retrograde flow in BA, and antegrade flow in CV. Shear stress was low and oscillatory shear forces were negligible. This data suggests that deviations from this state may contribute to the risk of accelerated intimal hyperplasia of the vein in arteriovenous fistulas. Therefore, preoperative conditions coupled with post‐operative longitudinal data will aid the identification of such relationships.
A coupled approach for fluid saturated poroelastic media and immersed solids for modeling cell‐tissue interactions
Authors: Rauch Andreas D. , Vuong Anh‐Tu , Yoshihara Lena , Wall Wolfgang A.
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we propose a finite element–based immersed method to treat the mechanical coupling between a deformable porous medium model (PM) and an immersed solid model (ISM). The PM is formulated as a homogenized, volume‐coupled two‐field model, comprising a nearly incompressible solid phase that interacts with an incompressible Darcy‐Brinkman flow. The fluid phase is formulated with respect to the Lagrangian finite element mesh, following the solid phase deformation. The ISM is discretized with an independent Lagrangian mesh and may behave arbitrarily complex (it may, eg, be compressible, grow, and perform active deformations). We model two distinct types of interactions, namely, (1) the immersed fluid‐structure interaction (FSI) between the ISM and the fluid phase in the PM and (2) the immersed structure‐structure interaction (SSI) between the ISM and the solid phase in the PM. Within each time step, we solve both FSI and SSI, employing strongly coupled partitioned schemes. This novel finite element method establishes a main building block of an evolving computational framework for modeling and simulating complex biomechanical problems, with focus on key phenomena during cell migration. Cell movement is strongly influenced by mechanical interactions between the cell body and the surrounding tissue, ie, the extracellular matrix (ECM). In this context, the PM represents the ECM, ie, a fibrous scaffold of structural proteins interacting with interstitial flow, and the ISM represents the cell body. The FSI models the influence of fluid drag, and the SSI models the force transmission between cell and ECM at adhesions sites.
Noniterative design of IIR multiple‐notch filters with improved passband magnitude response
Authors: Nikolić Saša , Krstić Ivan , Stančić Goran
Published: August 2018

A noniterative method for the all‐pass–based design of infinite impulse response multiple‐notch filters is proposed. This method ensures that specifications regarding positions of notch, left‐ and right‐hand cutoff frequencies, are exactly met, leading to a symmetric magnitude response about notch frequencies. Passband magnitude response can be improved by increasing the order of the corresponding all‐pass filter.
A novel switching boost inverter applied to photovoltaic power generation system
Authors: Liu Shuo , Wang Yunhao , Yang Liyong
Published: August 2018

This paper presents a new topology of the input current continuous switch boost inverter (ICCSBI) and a perturbation observation with hysteresis comparator method. Because the traditional inverter needs to join the dead time to avoid short circuit, the dead time will cause distortion of the output current. And the traditional inverter is not suitable for photovoltaic power generation because it is a buck converter. The ICCSBI structure improves the booster circuit, which refers to the Z‐source inverter. It can get higher voltage than traditional inverter. Meanwhile, the ICCSBI not only retains the advantages of the Z‐source inverter but also reduces the number of passive components. In addition, the hysteresis band comparator is added to the perturbation observation method to make the system better robustness at the maximum power point of the photovoltaic system. In the photovoltaic system, to ensure the output current stable, the current control method is added to the ICCSBI. Finial, the experimental results are presented to demonstrate the new topology and control method.
No evidence forMHC‐based mate choice in wild giant pandas
Authors: Yu Lijun , Nie Yonggang , Yan Li , Hu Yibo , Wei Fuwen
Published: August 2018

Major histocompatibility complex genes (MHC), a gene cluster that controls the immune response to parasites, are regarded as an important determinant of mate choice. However,MHC‐based mate choice studies are especially rare for endangered animals. The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), a flagship species, has suffered habitat loss and fragmentation. We investigated the genetic variation of threeMHCclassIIloci, includingDRB1,DQA1, andDQA2, for 19 mating‐pairs and 11 parent‐pairs of wild giant pandas based on long‐term field behavior observations and genetic samples. We tested four hypotheses of mate choice based on thisMHCvariation. We found no supporting evidence for theMHC‐based heterosis, genetic diversity, genetic compatibility and “good gene” hypotheses. These results suggest that giant pandas may not useMHC‐based signals to select mating partners, probably because limited mating opportunities or female‐biased natal dispersal restricts selection forMHC‐based mate choice, acknowledging the caveat of the small sample size often encountered in endangered animal studies. Our study provides insight into the mate choice mechanisms of wild giant pandas and highlights the need to increase the connectivity and facilitate dispersal among fragmented populations and habitats.
No evidence for trade‐offs in plant responses to consumer food web manipulations
Authors: Seabloom Eric W. , Borer Elizabeth T. , Kinkel Linda L.
Published: August 2018

Plants face a range of trade‐offs as they attempt to maximize their fitness within a complex web composed of competitors, mutualists, and herbivores. In addition to growth–defense and competition–defense trade‐offs, plants must balance their response to a wide range of potential enemies including pathogens and vertebrate and invertebrate herbivores. We tested for trade‐offs in plant species’ responses to different types of consumers using a foodweb manipulation experiment in which we selectively excluded large vertebrate herbivores and removed foliar fungi, soil fungi, and insects from natural and experimentally planted grassland communities. We found no evidence for trade‐offs in the ability of plants to defend themselves against different sets of consumers, although plants varied widely in their responses to removal of different consumer groups. In addition, the species‐level responses to consumer removal in monoculture were uncorrelated with each species’ response in more diverse communities, highlighting the important role of local context (e.g., competition and apparent competition) in determining the effects of consumers. Plants must balance their allocation of energy among a wide variety of tasks including growing, competing for limited resources, and defending themselves against an array of potential enemies. We found that while plant species differed greatly in their response to the removal of consumers, species that were susceptible to the effects of one consumer group (e.g., insect herbivores) also were susceptible to other consumer groups (e.g., fungal pathogens). This suggests that plants differ in their overall allocation to defense, but defense investment can proffer protection against a wide array of natural enemies. We also found that plant responses to consumers depended on the diversity of the surrounding plant community, suggesting that among‐plant interactions can alter their susceptibility to the impacts of consumers.
Disentangling nutritional pathways linking leafcutter ants and their co‐evolved fungal symbionts using stable isotopes
Authors: Shik Jonathan Z. , Rytter Winnie , Arnan Xavier , Michelsen Anders
Published: August 2018

Leafcutter ants are the ultimate insect superorganisms, with up to millions of physiologically specialized workers cooperating to cut and transport vegetation and then convert it into compost used to cultivate co‐evolved fungi, domesticated over millions of years. We tested hypotheses about the nutrient‐processing dynamics governing this functional integration, tracing 15N‐ and 13C‐enriched substrates through colonies of the leafcutter ant Atta colombica. Our results highlight striking performance efficiencies, including rapid conversion (within 2 d) of harvested nutrients into edible fungal tissue (swollen hyphal tips called gongylidia) in the center of fungus gardens, while also highlighting that much of each colony's foraging effort resulted in substrate placed directly in the trash. We also find nutrient‐specific processing dynamics both within and across layers of the fungus garden, and in ant consumers. Larvae exhibited higher overall levels of 15N and 13C enrichment than adult workers, supporting that the majority of fungal productivity is allocated to colony growth. Foragers assimilated 13C‐labeled glucose during its ingestion, but required several days to metabolically process ingested 15N‐labeled ammonium nitrate. This processing timeline helps resolve a 40‐yr old hypothesis, that foragers (but apparently not gardeners or larvae) bypass their fungal crops to directly assimilate some of the nutrients they ingest outside the nest. Tracing these nutritional pathways with stable isotopes helps visualize how physiological integration within symbiotic networks gives rise to the ecologically dominant herbivory of leafcutter ants in habitats ranging from Argentina to the southern United States.
Root imaging showing comparisons in root distribution and ontogeny in novel Festulolium populations and closely related perennial ryegrass varieties
Authors: Humphreys Mike W. , Doonan John H. , Boyle Roger , Rodriguez Anyela C. , Marley Christina L. , Williams Kevin , Farrell Markku S. , Brook Jason , Gasior Dagmara , Loka Dimitra , Collins Rosemary P. , Marshall Athole H. , Allen Debbie K. , Yadav Rattan S. , Dungait Jennifer A. J. , Murray Phil , Harper John A.
Published: August 2018

The incorporation of new sophisticated phenotyping technologies within a crop improvement program allows for a plant breeding strategy that can include selections for major root traits previously inaccessible due to the challenges in their phenotype assessment. High‐throughput precision phenotyping technology is employed to evaluate root ontogeny and progressive changes to root architecture of both novel amphiploid and introgression lines of Festulolium over four consecutive months of the growing season and these compared under the same time frame to that of closely related perennial ryegrass (L. perenne) varieties. Root imaging using conventional photography and assembled multiple merged images was used to compare frequencies in root number, their distribution within 0–20 and 20–40 cm depths within soil columns, and progressive changes over time. The Festulolium hybrids had more extensive root systems in comparison with L. perenne, and this was especially evident at depth. It was shown that the acquisition of extensive root systems in Festulolium hybrids was not dependent on the presence of an entire Festuca genome. On the contrary, the most pronounced effect on root development within the four Festulolium populations studied was observed in the introgression line Bx509, where a single small genome sequence from F. arundinacea had been previously transferred onto its homoeologous site on the long arm of chromosome 3 of an otherwise complete L. perenne genome. This demonstrates that a targeted introgression‐breeding approach may be sufficient to confer a significant improvement in the root morphology in Lolium without a significant compromise to its genome integrity. The forage production of Bx509 was either higher (months 1–3) or equivalent to (month 4) that of its L. perenne parent control demonstrating that the enhanced root development achieved by the introgression line was without compromise to its agronomic performance.
Incorporation of CO2 into carbonates through carboxylation/hydration reaction
Authors: Li Jing‐Yuan , Zhao Qing‐Ning , Liu Ping , Zhang Deng‐Song , Song Qing‐Wen , Zhang Kan
Published: August 2018

In recent years increasing attention has been given to the efficacious synthesis of organic carbonates from sustainable CO2. The carboxylation/hydration reaction of alcohols with CO2 stands out for its environmentally friendly and economic features. However, it faces several substantial challenges such as thermodynamic limitations, low catalytic efficiency, and product selectivity. In this article, recent advances in the development of catalytic methods for the synthesis of organic carbonates through carboxylation/hydration reaction of alcohols with CO2 are summarized. Catalytic schemes (metal and metal‐free catalysis), water‐dehydration strategies, and catalytic mechanisms are also discussed in detail. The review covers the carbonylation cyclization of various alcohols and the equivalent of CO2, i.e. urea. Finally, an overview is provided of the recent breakthrough in the development of thermodynamically favorable processes involving alcohols and CO2. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonnavigational spatial memory performance is unaffected by hippocampal damage in monkeys
Authors: Basile Benjamin M. , Hampton Robert R.
Published: August 2018

Evidence that the hippocampus is critical for spatial memory in nonnavigational tests is mixed. A recent study reported that temporary hippocampal inactivation impaired spatial memory in the nonnavigational Hamilton Search Task in monkeys. However, several studies have documented no impairment on other nonnavigational spatial memory tests following permanent hippocampal lesions. It was hypothesized that transient, but not permanent, hippocampal disruption produces deficits because monkeys undergoing transient inactivation continue to try to use a hippocampal‐dependent strategy, whereas monkeys with permanent lesions use a nonhippocampal‐dependent strategy. We evaluated this hypothesis by testing five rhesus monkeys with hippocampal lesions and five controls on a computerized analogue of the Hamilton Search Task. On each trial, monkeys saw an array of squares on a touchscreen, each of which “hid” one reward. Retrieving a reward depleted that location and monkeys continued selecting squares until they found all rewards. The optimal strategy is to remember chosen locations and choose each square once. Unlike the inactivation study, monkeys with hippocampal damage were as accurate as controls regardless of retention interval. Critically, we found no evidence that the groups used different strategies, as measured by learning rates, spatial search biases, perseverative win‐stay errors, or inter‐choice distance. This discrepancy between the effect of inactivations and lesions may result from off‐target effects of inactivations or as‐yet‐unidentified differences between the physical and computerized tasks. Combined with previous evidence that hippocampal damage impairs navigational memory in monkeys, this evidence constrains the role of the hippocampus in spatial memory as being critical for navigational tests that likely involve allocentric spatial memory but not nonnavigational tests that likely involve egocentric spatial memory.
The expression of the distal dystrophin isoforms Dp140 and Dp71 in the human epileptic hippocampus in relation to cognitive functioning
Authors: Hoogland Govert , Hendriksen Ruben G. F. , Slegers Rutger J. , Hendriks Marc P. H. , Schijns Olaf E. M. G. , Aalbers Marlien W. , Vles Johan S. H.
Published: August 2018

Dystrophin is an important protein within the central nervous system. The absence of dystrophin, characterizing Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), is associated with brain related comorbidities such as neurodevelopmental (e.g., cognitive and behavioural) deficits and epilepsy. Especially mutations in the downstream part of the DMD gene affecting the dystrophin isoforms Dp140 and Dp71 are found to be associated with cognitive deficits. However, the function of Dp140 is currently not well understood and its expression pattern has previously been implicated to be developmentally regulated. Therefore, we evaluated Dp140 and Dp71 expression in human hippocampi in relation to cognitive functioning in patients with drug‐resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and post‐mortem controls. Hippocampal samples obtained as part of epilepsy surgery were quantitatively analyzed by Western blot and correlations with neuropsychological test results (i.e., memory and intelligence) were examined. First, we demonstrated that the expression of Dp140 does not appear to differ across different ages throughout adulthood. Second, we identified an inverse correlation between memory loss (i.e., verbal and visual memory), but not intelligence (i.e., neither verbal nor performance), and hippocampal Dp140 expression. Finally, patients with TLE appeared to have similar Dp140 expression levels compared to post‐mortem controls without neurological disease. Dp140 may thus have a function in normal cognitive (i.e., episodic memory) processes.
Implications of the noncoding RNAs in rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis
Authors: Mousavi Mohammad Javad , Jamshidi Ahmadreza , Chopra Arvind , Aslani Saeed , Akhlaghi Massoomeh , Mahmoudi Mahdi
Published: August 2018

Epigenetics refers to a set of regulatory mechanisms that affect gene expression, while the original sequence of the DNA remains unchanged. Because the advance of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been gradually highlighted in the regulation of numerous cellular processes. A bulk of studies has identified that ncRNAs might be divided into several subtypes. On the one hand, investigations have disclosed the role of these molecules in normal physiological conditions of the cells. On the other hand, there is sufficient evidence that ncRNAs participate in the pathogenesis of diseases. Through this review article, we attempted to gain a comprehensive understanding of the role of ncRNAs, long ncRNAs, miRNAs, and other subtypes in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Research demonstrated aberrant expression of several miRNAs in various cell and tissue types of patients with RA in comparison to the healthy individuals as well as in animal studies. Furthermore, plausible molecular mechanisms of alterations in ncRNAs expression has been discussed in causing the disease state. These alterations seem promising to be used as biomarkers in RA diagnosis. Alternately, they might be targeted by drugs to interrupt inflammation and other disease complications to treat patients with RA.
H19 regulates the proliferation of bovine male germline stem cells via IGF‐1 signaling pathway
Authors: Lei Qijing , Pan Qin , Li Na , Zhou Zhe , Zhang Juqing , He Xin , Peng Sha , Li Guangpeng , Sidhu Kuldip , Chen Shulin , Hua Jinlian
Published: August 2018

Self‐renewal and differentiation of male germline stem cells (mGSCs) provide the basic function for continual spermatogenesis. Studies of in vitro culture of germline stem cells are important and meaningful for basic biological research and practical application. Growth factors, such as GDNF, bFGF, CSF1, and EGF, could maintain the self‐renewal of mGSCs. Insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1), an important growth factor, and its pathway have been reported to maintain the survival of several types of stem cells and play important roles in male reproduction. However, the mechanism through which the IGF‐1 pathway acts to regulate the self‐renewal of mGSCs remains unclear. We analyzed the effect of IGF‐1 on the proliferation and apoptosis of bovine mGSCs. We evaluated the expression profile of long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) H19 in bovine and mouse tissues. Moreover, we investigated whether LncRNA H19 could regulate the IGF‐1 pathway. Results showed that IGF‐1 could activate the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK signaling pathways, and the IGF‐1 pathway played an important role in regulating the proliferation and apoptosis of bovine mGSCs. The proliferation rate of mGSCs decreased, whereas the apoptosis rate of mGSCs increased when the IGF‐1 receptor (IGF‐1R) was blocked using the IGF‐1R‐specific inhibitor (picropodophyllin). LncRNA H19 could regulate the IGF‐1 signaling pathway and, consequently, the proliferation and apoptosis of mGSCs. The number of cells in the seminiferous tubule decreased when H19 was interfered by injecting a virus‐containing supernatant. Hence, LncRNA H19 participated in the regulation of the proliferation and apoptosis of mGSCs via the IGF‐1 signaling pathway.
Anticancer effects of echinacoside in hepatocellular carcinoma mouse model and HepG2 cells
Authors: Ye Ying , Song Yanan , Zhuang Juhua , Wang Guoyu , Ni Jing , Xia Wei
Published: August 2018

Echinacoside (ECH) is a phenylethanoid glycoside extracted from a Chinese herbal medicine, Cistanches salsa. ECH possesses many biological properties, including anti‐inflammation, neural protection, liver protection, and antitumor. In the current study, we aimed to explore the effects of ECH on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that ECH could attenuate diethylnitrosamine (DEN)‐induced HCC in mice, and exerted antiproliferative and proapoptotic functions on HepG2 HCC cell line. ECH exposure in HepG2 cells dose‐dependently reduced the phosphorylation of AKT (p‐AKT) and enhanced the expression of p21 (a cell cycle inhibitor) and Bax (a proapoptotic protein). Furthermore, ECH significantly suppressed insulin‐like growth factor‐1‐induced p‐AKT and cell proliferation. These data indicated that phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling was involved in the anti‐HCC activity of ECH. Gene set enrichment analysis results revealed a positive correlation between the PI3K pathway and triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) expression in HCC tissues. ECH exposure significantly decreased TREM2 protein levels in HepG2 cells and DEN‐induced HCC. Furthermore, ECH‐mediated proliferation inhibition and AKT signaling inactivation were notably attenuated by TREM2 overexpression. In conclusion, ECH exerted its antitumor activity via decreasing TREM2 expression and PI3K/AKT signaling.
Inhibition of JNK and p38 MAPK‐mediated inflammation and apoptosis by ivabradine improves cardiac function in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Zuo Guangfeng , Ren Xiaomin , Qian Xuesong , Ye Peng , Luo Jie , Gao Xiaofei , Zhang Junjie , Chen Shaoliang
Published: August 2018

Inflammation plays a critical role in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), which has been identified as a major predisposing factor for heart failure in diabetic patients. Previous studies indicated that ivabradine (a specific agent for heart rate [HR] reduction) has anti‐inflammatory properties, but its role in DCM remains unknown. This study investigated whether ivabradine exerts a therapeutic effect in DCM. C57BL/6J mice were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes; then administered with ivabradine or saline (control). After 12 weeks, the surviving mice were analyzed to determine the cardioprotective effect of ivabradine against DCM. Although treatment with ivabradine did not affect blood glucose levels, it attenuated tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β, and interleukin‐6 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, inhibited c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) activation, reduced histological abnormalities, myocardial apoptosis and collagen deposition, and improved cardiac function in the diabetic mice. Interestingly, the anti‐inflammatory and antiapoptotic properties of ivabradine, but not its inhibitory effect on JNK and p38 MAPK, were observed in high‐glucose‐cultured neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes. Attenuating inflammation and apoptosis via intramyocardial injection of lentiviruses carrying short hairpin RNA targeting JNK and p38 MAPK validated that the anti‐inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects of ivabradine were partly attributed to JNK and p38 MAPK inactivation in diabetic mice. In summary, these data indicate that ivabradine‐mediated improvement of cardiac function in STZ‐induced diabetic mice may be partly attributed to inhibition of JNK/p38 MAPK‐mediated inflammation and apoptosis, which is dependent on the reduction in HR.
Pulsed electromagnetic fields promote bone formation by activating the sAC–cAMP–PKA–CREB signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Yuan‐Yuan , Pu Xiu‐Ying , Shi Wen‐Gui , Fang Qing‐Qing , Chen Xin‐Ru , Xi Hui‐Rong , Gao Yu‐Hai , Zhou Jian , Xian Cory J. , Chen Ke‐Ming
Published: August 2018

The application of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis has long been an area of interest. However, the clinical application of PEMFs remains limited because of the poor understanding of the PEMF action mechanism. Here, we report that PEMFs promote bone formation by activating soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), and cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB) signaling pathways. First, it was found that 50 Hz 0.6 millitesla (mT) PEMFs promoted osteogenic differentiation of rat calvarial osteoblasts (ROBs), and that PEMFs activated cAMP–PKA–CREB signaling by increasing intracellular cAMP levels, facilitating phosphorylation of PKA and CREB, and inducing nuclear translocation of phosphorylated (p)‐CREB. Blocking the signaling by adenylate cyclase (AC) and PKA inhibitors both abolished the osteogenic effect of PEMFs. Second, expression of sAC isoform was found to be increased significantly by PEMF treatment. Blocking sAC using sAC‐specific inhibitor KH7 dramatically inhibited the osteogenic differentiation of ROBs. Finally, the peak bone mass of growing rats was significantly increased after 2 months of PEMF treatment with 90 min/day. The serum cAMP content, p‐PKA, and p‐CREB as well as the sAC protein expression levels were all increased significantly in femurs of treated rats. The current study indicated that PEMFs promote bone formation in vitro and in vivo by activating sAC–cAMP–PKA–CREB signaling pathway of osteoblasts directly or indirectly.
A preliminary study of the potential role of Malaysian community pharmacists in type 2 diabetes medicines management clinics
Authors: Sahudin Shariza , Hussain Mumtaz , Yahaya Farah
Published: August 2018

Background

A substantial proportion of Malaysians with type 2 diabetes do not take medication as prescribed and despite the availability of diabetes medication therapy adherence clinics services within government hospitals, many patients do not benefit. Community pharmacists are in an ideal position to play an important role in providing adherence clinics within primary care.

Aim

This preliminary study explores the knowledge, awareness and attitude of independent community pharmacists in Selangor, Malaysia with respect to the management of diabetes with a particular emphasis on the level of service provision within their local communities and their readiness to offer new services.

Method

A pre‐validated questionnaire was distributed to 46 independent pharmacies in Selangor, Malaysia.

Results

The pharmacists recruited for the study demonstrated a good awareness of diabetes and its management, with many engaging with customers and providing diabetic screening services; however, they generally expressed a lack of opportunity to practise their skills.

Conclusion

Community pharmacists appear to possess the skills required to expand their roles in primary care, and must take steps to establish clear working relationships with other healthcare professionals and improve their visibility within their communities.
Predictors of Invasive Breast Cancer in Patients With Ductal Carcinoma In Situ in Ultrasound‐Guided Core Needle Biopsy
Authors: Shin Yoon Joo , Kim Sun Mi , Yun Bo La , Jang Mijung , Kim Bohyoung , Lee Soo Hyun
Published: August 2018

Objectives

To determine predictors of invasiveness of lesions with US‐guided biopsy‐confirmed ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), focusing on US features, including shear wave elastography (SWE).

Methods

From January 2015 to September 2016, a total of 80 lesions with US‐guided biopsy‐confirmed DCIS were detected in patients who underwent preoperative mammography, B‐mode US, and SWE. Data were retrospectively reviewed from clinical records, pathologic reports, and imaging assessments. Imaging data included mammographic findings, B‐mode US findings based on the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS), and the mean and maximum elasticity values on SWE. The final BI‐RADS assessment, including the degree of elasticity of the mass, was evaluated. Continuous variables were examined by an independent t test, and categorical variables were examined by the Fisher exact test. The independent factors for predicting a histologic upgrade were evaluated by a multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Among the 80 lesions, 27 (33.8%) showed an invasive component after surgical excision. None of the BI‐RADS US descriptors, which include shape, orientation, margin, and echogenicity, showed a significant correlation with the rate of a histologic upgrade to invasive cancer. However, the BI‐RADS assessment category (P = .015) and nuclear grade (P = .005) were significantly correlated with invasiveness of the mass. The maximum stiffness value was lower in the pure DCIS group (119.04 vs 85.33 kPa; P = .041).

Conclusions

The BI‐RADS category based on US findings, maximum stiffness value on SWE, and nuclear grade of DCIS are predictive of invasive components in DCIS.
Modeling of elementary reactions and kinetics of radical‐initiated methyl methacrylate polymerization in the presence of ferrocene
Authors: Ulitin N. V. , Tereshchenko K. A. , Friesen A. K. , Shiyan D. A. , Takhautdinova A. V. , Kolesov S. V. , Khursan S. L.
Published: August 2018

On the basis of quantum chemical modeling, a kinetic scheme of methyl methacrylate polymerization initiated by benzoyl peroxide in the presence of ferrocene was proposed. The process runs by mechanism, which includes the reactions of free radical polymerization, and the reactions leading to formation and operability of two type coordination active sites that are capable of converting into each other. On the basis of the proposed scheme, a kinetic model was developed. This model quantitatively described the following: the experimentally determined time dependences of the methyl methacrylate conversion, the conversion dependencies of the number‐average and weight‐average molar masses of poly(methyl methacrylate), the stereoregularity values of poly(methyl methacrylate), and the time dependencies of the methyl methacrylate conversion upon its polymerization on poly(methyl methacrylate) macroinitiators obtained in radical‐initiated polymerization in the presence of ferrocene. As a result of solving the inverse kinetic problem, the parameters of temperature dependences of the reaction rate coefficients of the proposed kinetic scheme were found.
PYGRID: A software development and assessment framework for grid‐aware software defined networking
Authors: Samir Mohamed , Azab Mohamed , Rizk Mohamed R. M. , Sadek Nayera
Published: August 2018

The Internet of Things (IoT) envisions to connect Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to the Internet to facilitate efficient resource management in smart cities. Smart grid is the evolutionary approach towards a more dynamic, situation‐aware, and elastic power systems in smart cities. However, due to the huge scale, heterogeneity and complexity of the many interconnected cyber and physical devices, current network and security technologies are incapable of best serving these needs. Destructive attacks targeting these components such as Denial of Service (DoS) may fully use grid structure and disrupt its crucial service. Recent researches offer the use of modern Software Defined Networking (SDN) to solve synonymous Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) network and security challenges. These researches noted the lack of an adequate platform to simulate grid systems network infrastructure. Therefore, in this paper, we present PYGRID, a software development and assessment framework for grid‐aware SDN. Additionally, a top level SDN application is developed in SDN‐enabled smart grid network to demonstrate the effectiveness of such merger and to mitigate DoS attacks. PYGRID is developed using PYTHON, an OSI‐approved open source language considering standard client and server industrial communication protocols. IEEE 14‐bus power system is adopted to demonstrate the potent and effectiveness of the proposed solution. We conducted multiple experiments to validate the developed framework over 14‐bus system using PYPOWER. To the best of our knowledge, the resulted platform may be considered the first completely open source implementation of a secure SDN enabled smart grid simulator.
Does the engaged public's evaluation of networking practices matter? The effects of polarized attitudes and the reputation of networking on individuals' word‐of‐mouth behaviors
Authors: Kim Jisu , Park Keonyoung , Rim Hyejoon
Published: August 2018

The study examines the influence of individuals' attitudes and the perceived organization's ability to network with its stakeholders on their positive and negative word‐of‐mouth (WOM) behaviors. The study also examines how these relationships differ between the general and engaged public, taking the organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) as a case study. The results show that individuals' attitudes toward PETA predict positive and negative WOM behaviors regardless of their previous engagement in PETA. Yet the influence of the perceived reputation of PETA's networking with other stakeholders on positive or negative WOM behaviors displayed different patterns between the general and the engaged public. For the engaged public, the idea that PETA has a good relationship with its members is considered more important than outreach to nonsupporters. In addition, how individuals perceive characteristics of stakeholders or their influence on organizations influences the relationship between the perceived reputation of networking and the engaged public's negative WOM behaviors.
Clinical experience with sex chromosome aneuploidies detected by noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT): Accuracy and patient decision‐making
Authors: Ramdaney Aarti , Hoskovec Jennifer , Harkenrider Jacqueline , Soto Eleazar , Murphy Lauren
Published: August 2018

Objective

The objectives of the study are to assess the accuracy of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs) and to investigate patient decision‐making in clinical practice.

Study design

This is a retrospective cohort study review of positive NIPT results for SCAs from January 2013 to September 2017.

Results

Of the 136 positive NIPT results for SCAs, 73 (53.7%) were positive for 45,X, 62 (45.6%) were a sex chromosome trisomy, and 1 was a sex chromosome tetrasomy. Of the 134 viable pregnancies, 46 (34.3%) elected to pursue prenatal diagnosis. Fewer women underwent invasive prenatal testing when counseled regarding a positive NIPT for monosomy X in the presence of suggestive ultrasound findings (4/23; 17.4%) compared with those who had a positive NIPT result without ultrasound findings (24/46, 52.2%). Abnormal karyotypes consistent with the NIPT result were confirmed in 30/64 (46.9%). Even in the context of ultrasound abnormalities, there was not 100% concordance.

Conclusions

The majority (88/134; 65.7%) of patients in our cohort declined prenatal diagnosis even in the presence of associated ultrasound findings. Comprehensive pretest and posttest counseling is recommended and should address the importance of confirmatory testing and benefits of early diagnosis. Practice guidelines are needed to address provider responsibilities about postnatal testing.
Constructing a Data‐Driven Society: China's Social Credit System as a State Surveillance Infrastructure
Authors: Liang Fan , Das Vishnupriya , Kostyuk Nadiya , Hussain Muzammil M.
Published: August 2018

Big data technologies have been adopted by both the public and private sectors to develop and expand surveillance capacities. This article traces the institutional processes and political‐economic interests of the public and private stakeholders involved in the construction of China's Social Credit System (SCS), which is currently on track for full deployment on 1.4 billion citizens by 2020. The SCS aims to centralize data platforms into a big data–enabled surveillance infrastructure to manage, monitor, and predict the trustworthiness of citizens, firms, organizations, and governments in China. A punishment/reward system based on credit scores will determine whether citizens and organizations are able to access things like education, markets, and tax deductions. While the SCS is widely described by the Western news media as a means of “big brother” or political control, we find that it is a complicated system that focuses primarily on financial and commercial activities rather than political ones. This article presents a framework for understanding state surveillance infrastructures by exploring how various government agencies are cooperating to establish this centralized data infrastructure with the aim of scoring credit, and discussing the distinct but interconnected processes of data collection, data aggregation, and data analytics.
Effects of endophytic fungi in Mongolian pine on the selection behavior of woodwasp (Sirex noctilio) and the growth of its fungal symbiont
Authors: Wang Li‐Xiang , Ren Li‐Li , Liu Xiao‐Bo , Shi Juan , Wang Jing‐Zhen , Luo You‐Qing
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

The European woodwasp, Sirex noctilio, is a global invasive pest, attacking a wide variety of pine species by inoculating spores of a symbiotic fungus (Amylostereum areolatum) at oviposition. The woodwasp larvae depend on the growth of the symbiotic fungus to feed. The relationship among host endophytic fungi, symbiotic fungus and woodwasp remain elusive. Here, the effects of endophytes in Mongolian pine on the growth of Amylostereum areolatum and the selection behavior of female woodwasp were investigated by quantifying the mycelium growth rates and olfactometry assays.

RESULTS

The endophytic plant fungi, Trichoderma harzianum, Phlebiopsis gigantea, T. viride and T. atroviride, completely killed the mycelia of Amylostereum areolatum. Mycelium fermentation broth of Chaetomium globosum inhibited the growth of the symbiont. Moreover, we observed that volatiles of Ophiostoma minus and Aspergillus niger (acetophenone, acetylacetone, hexadecane, phenylethyl alcohol, and isopropyl myristate) had repellent effects on adult female woodwasp. While volatiles of Amylostereum areolatum ((–)‐globulol, 2‐hexene, cycloprop[e]indene‐1a,2(1H)‐dicarboxaldehyde, terpene and cyclopentanone) had a significant attractiveness to adult female woodwasp.

CONCLUSIONS

Some species of the host endophytic fungi had a significant negative effect on the growth and development of woodwasps, which could be useful in the monitoring and effective management of woodwasps. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of glucoraphanin and sulforaphane against chemotherapy‐induced neuropathic pain: Kv7 potassium channels modulation by H2S release in vivo
Authors: Lucarini Elena , Micheli Laura , Trallori Elena , Citi Valentina , Martelli Alma , Testai Lara , De Nicola Gina Rosalinda , Iori Renato , Calderone Vincenzo , Ghelardini Carla , Di Cesare Mannelli Lorenzo
Published: August 2018

The beneficial effects of isothiocyanate‐based compounds, as well as their safety, have been shown in neuropathological disorders, such as neuropathic pain. Aim of the present work was to study the efficacy of the glucosinolate glucoraphanin (GRA) and the derived isothiocyanate sulforaphane (SFN), secondary metabolites occurring exclusively in Brassicales, on chemotherapy‐induced neuropathic pain. Mice were repeatedly treated with oxaliplatin (2.4 mg kg−1 ip) for 14 days to induce neuropathic pain. GRA and SFN effects were evaluated after a single administration on Day 15 or after a daily repeated oral and subcutaneous treatment starting from the first day of oxaliplatin injection until the 14th day. Single subcutaneous and oral administrations of GRA (4.43–119.79 μmol kg−1) or SFN (1.33–13.31 μmol kg−1) reduced neuropathic pain in a dose‐dependent manner. The repeated administration of GRA and SFN (respectively 13.31 and 4.43 μmol kg−1) prevented the chemotherapy‐induced neuropathy. The co‐administration of GRA and SFN in mixture with the H2S binding molecule, haemoglobin, abolished their pain‐relieving effect, which was also reverted by pretreating the animals with the selective blocker of Kv7 potassium channels, XE991. GRA and SFN reduce neuropathic pain by releasing H2S and modulating Kv7 channels and show a protective effect on the chemotherapy‐induced neuropathy.
A new approach to design efficient univariate control charts to monitor the process mean
Authors: Nawaz Tahir , Raza Muhammad Ali , Han Dong
Published: August 2018

Designing of efficient control charts for monitoring manufacturing processes and identifying assignable cause of variations is of constant interest in statistical process control. The present study incorporates neoteric ranked set sampling to design more efficient Shewhart, cumulative sum, and exponentially weighted moving average control charts for monitoring the mean of normal process. Using Monte Carlo simulations, the performance of the proposed charts is evaluated and compared with competing control charts on the basis of average run length and standard deviation of the run length for detection of shift of a specific magnitude. The extra quadratic loss is used to assess the overall performance of the control charts to detect shifts of various magnitudes. To further support the findings, a simulation study is carried out which revealed the supremacy of the proposed control charts over the existing charts. A real data set from a combined cycle power plant is used to demonstrate the application of the proposed control charts.
X‐ray‐induced reduction of a surfactant/polyoxotungstate hybrid compound
Authors: Colusso Aaron V. , McDonagh Andrew , Cortie Michael B.
Published: August 2018

We investigate the spontaneous reduction of a photochromic surfactant/polyoxotungstate hybrid during repeated X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) scans and show how this effect may confound attempts to use soft X‐rays to characterise materials of this nature. The W4f core‐level spectra revealed a progressive increase of W5+ and W4+ species at the expense of W6+ as irradiation time increased. The samples developed a blue colour attributed to the presence of W4+ and/or W5+. The progressive photoreduction is also associated with a shift of the W6+ peak within the W4f spectrum to lower binding energies. This work highlights the need to consider inadvertent changes in oxidation state during X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterisation of samples containing photoreducible transition metals.
Magnesium‐Engineered Silica Framework for pH‐Accelerated Biodegradation and DNAzyme‐Triggered Chemotherapy
Authors: Yu Luodan , Chen Yu , Lin Han , Gao Shanshan , Chen Hangrong , Shi Jianlin
Published: August 2018

Inorganic nanocarriers have shown their high performance in disease theranostics in preclinical animal models and further great prospects for clinical translation. However, their dissatisfactory biodegradability and pre‐drug leakage with nonspecificity to lesion sites significantly hinders the possible clinical translation. To solve these two critical issues, a framework‐engineering strategy is introduced to simultaneously achieve enhanced biodegradability and controllable drug releasing, based on the mostly explored mesoporous silica‐based nanosystems. The framework of mesoporous silica is engineered by direct Mg doping via a generic dissolution and regrowth approach, and it can transform into the easy biodegradation of magnesium silicate nanocarriers with simultaneous on‐demand drug release. Such magnesium silicate nanocarriers can respond to the mild acidic environment of tumor tissue, causing the fast breaking up and biodegradation of the silica framework. More interesting, the released Mg2+ can further activate Mg2+‐dependent DNAzyme on the surface of hollow mesoporous magnesium silicate nanoparticles (HMMSNs) to cleave the RNA‐based gatekeeper, which further accelerates the release of loaded anticancer drugs. Therefore, enhanced anticancer efficiency of chemotherapeutic drugs assisted by the biodegradable intelligent HMMSNs is achieved. The high biocompatibility of nanocarriers and biodegradation products is demonstrated and can be easily excreted via feces and urine guaranteeing their further clinical translation.