bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
All-cause and cardiovascular mortality risk after surgery versus radioiodine treatment for hyperthyroidism
Authors: Giesecke P , Frykman V , Wallin G , Lönn S , Discacciati A , Törring O , Rosenqvist M
Published: November 2017

Background

Little is known about the long-term side-effects of different treatments for hyperthyroidism. The few studies previously published on the subject either included only women or focused mainly on cancer outcomes. This register study compared the impact of surgery versus radioiodine on all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a cohort of men and women.

Methods

Healthcare registers were used to find hyperthyroid patients over 35 years of age who were treated with radioiodine or surgery between 1976 and 2000. Comparisons between treatments were made to assess all-cause and cause-specific deaths to 2013. Three different statistical methods were applied: Cox regression, propensity score matching and inverse probability weighting.

Results

Of the 10 992 patients included, 10 250 had been treated with radioiodine (mean age 65·1 years; 8668 women, 84·6 per cent) and 742 had been treated surgically (mean age 44·1 years; 633 women, 85·3 per cent). Mean duration of follow-up varied between 16·3 and 22·3 years, depending on the statistical method used. All-cause mortality was significantly lower among surgically treated patients, with a hazard ratio of 0·82 in the regression analysis, 0·80 in propensity score matching and 0·85 in inverse probability weighting. This was due mainly to lower cardiovascular mortality in the surgical group. Men in particular seemed to benefit from surgery compared with radioiodine treatment.

Conclusion

Compared with treatment with radioiodine, surgery for hyperthyroidism is associated with a lower risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the long term. This finding was more evident among men.
An unusual urinary tract infection in a healthy young man
Authors: Kobe Yoshiro
Published: November 2017

Key Clinical Message

Appearances are deceptive. Prejudice sometimes will betray us. The key to making a diagnosis of infection with unknown focus is a focused interview and thorough physical examination. No special medical care is needed for transgender individuals, although medical staff should be aware that some individuals might have special requirements.
Acute total occlusion of the left main coronary artery treated with percutaneous intervention and simultaneous implantation of intra‐aortic balloon pump
Authors: Kanic Vojko , Vokac Damijan , Granda Samo
Published: November 2017

Key Clinical Message

Electrocardiographic findings at first medical contact and direct transfer to the catheterization laboratory are important in acute total occlusion of the left main coronary artery. Simultaneous emergency angioplasty and intra‐aortic balloon pump implantation might be beneficial in overcoming the patient's most critical hemodynamic instability.
Cyanide‐Assembled d10Coordination Polymers and Cycles: Excited State Metallophilic Modulation of Solid‐State Luminescence
Authors: Belyaev Andrey , Eskelinen Toni , Dau Thuy Minh , Ershova Yana Yu. , Tunik Sergey P. , Melnikov Alexei S. , Hirva Pipsa , Koshevoy Igor O.
Published: November 2017

The series of cyanide‐bridged coordination polymers [(P2)CuCN]n(1), [(P2)Cu{M(CN)2}]n(M=Cu3, Ag4, Au5) and molecular tetrametallic clusters [{(P4)MM'(CN)}2]2+(MM′=Cu26, Ag27, AgCu8, AuCu9, AuAg10) were obtained using the bidentateP2and tetradentateP4phosphane ligands (P2=1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene;P4=tris(2‐diphenylphosphinophenyl)phosphane). All title complexes were crystallographically characterized to reveal a zig‐zag chain arrangement for1and3–5, whereas6–10possess metallocyclic frameworks with different degree of metal‐metal bonding. The d10–d10interactions were evaluated by the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) computational approach. The photophysical properties of1–10were investigated in the solid state and supported by theoretical analysis. The emission of compounds1and3–5, dominated by metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions located within {CuP2} motifs, is compatible with thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) behaviour and a small energy gap between theT1andS1excited states. The luminescence characteristics of6–10are strongly dependent on the composition of the metal core; the emission band maxima vary in the range 484–650 nm with quantum efficiency reaching 0.56 (6). The origin of the emission for6–8and10at room temperature is assigned to delayed fluorescence. AuCu cluster9, however, exhibits only phosphorescence that corresponds to theoretically predicted large value ΔE(S1−T1). DFT simulation highlights a crucial impact of metallophilic bonding on the nature and energy of the observed emission, the effect being greatly enhanced in the excited state.
Syntheses of Amino‐Substituted Iridabenzofurans and Subsequent Selective N‐Functionalisation
Authors: Frogley Benjamin J. , Perera Lakshika C. , Wright L. James
Published: November 2017

The first examples of amino‐substituted fused‐ring metallabenzenes, the cationic iridabenzofuran [Ir(C7H4O{NH2‐2}{OMe‐7})(CO)(PPh3)2][O3SCF3] (5) and neutral analogue Ir(C7H4{NH2‐2}{OMe‐7})Cl(PPh3)2 (6), can be prepared by reduction of the corresponding nitro‐substituted iridabenzofurans with zinc and concentrated hydrochloric acid. N‐functionalised derivatives of 5 and 6 are formed through alkylation, sulfonylation or acylation. Thus, consecutive treatments with methyl triflate and base gives the corresponding trimethylammonium‐substituted iridabenzofurans while sulfonamide derivatives are formed with p‐toluenesulfonyl chloride. N‐Acylation of 5 or 6 with acid chlorides, however, selectively form either amide or imide products depending on the charge on the metal and the steric size of the acid chloride. Cationic 5 gives amide substituted products regardless of the conditions whereas neutral 6 rapidly undergoes di‐N‐acylation with excess benzoyl chloride under mild conditions to give the imide‐substituted product Ir(C7H4O{N[C(O)Ph]2‐2}{OMe‐7})Cl(PPh3)2 (13). Selective mono‐acylation of 6 can be achieved with one equivalent of benzoyl chloride or with excess of the sterically congested pivaloyl chloride.
Di(1‐naphthyl) methanol ester of carboxylic acids for absolute stereochemical determination
Authors: Zhang Jun , Sheng Wei , Gholami Hadi , Nehira Tatsuo , Borhan Babak
Published: November 2017

The absolute stereochemistry of chiral carboxylic acids is determined as a di(1‐naphthyl)methanol ester derivative. Computational scoring of conformations favoring either P or M helicity of the naphthyl groups, capable of exciton‐coupled circular dichroic coupling, leads to a predicted stereochemistry for the derivatized carboxylic acids.
In Situ Hybridization: Fruit Fly Embryos and Tissues
Authors: Wilk Ronit , Hu Jack , Krause Henry M.
Published: November 2017

It is well known that transcript localization controls important biological processes, including cell fate determination, cell polarity, cell migration, morphogenesis, neuronal function, and embryonic axis specification. Thus, the sub‐cellular visualization of transcripts in ‘their original place’ (in situ) is an important tool to infer and understand their trafficking, stability, translation, and biological functions. This has been made possible through the use of labeled ‘anti‐sense’ probes that can be readily detected after hybridization to their ‘sense’ counterparts. The following is a series of protocols for conducting in situ hybridization in Drosophila (fruit fly) embryos or tissues. Probe‐detection methods include a relatively simple alkaline phosphatase reaction, as well as higher‐resolution and higher‐throughput versions using fluorescence‐conjugated tyramide labeling. New modifications that enhance probe penetration and detection in various tissues are also provided. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Molybdenum Doping Augments Platinum–Copper Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalyst
Authors: Luo Yun , Kirchhoff Björn , Fantauzzi Donato , Calvillo Laura , Estudillo‐Wong Luis Alberto , Granozzi Gaetano , Jacob Timo , Alonso‐Vante Nicolas
Published: November 2017

Improving the efficiency of Pt‐based oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts while also reducing costs remains an important challenge in energy research. To this end, we synthesized highly stable and active carbon‐supported Mo‐doped PtCu (Mo‐PtCu/C) nanoparticles (NPs) from readily available precursors in a facile one‐pot reaction. Mo‐PtCu/C displays two‐to‐fourfold‐higher ORR half‐cell kinetics than reference PtCu/C and Pt/C materials, a trend that was confirmed in proof‐of‐concept experiments by using a H2/O2 microlaminar fuel cell. This Mo‐induced activity increase mirrors observations for Mo‐PtNi/C NPs and possibly suggests an emerging trend. Electrochemical‐accelerated stability tests revealed that dealloying was greatly reduced in Mo‐PtCu/C in contrast to the binary alloys PtCu/C and PtMo/C. Supporting DFT studies suggested that the exceptional stability of Mo‐PtCu could be attributed to oxidative resistance of the Mo‐doped atoms. Furthermore, our calculations revealed that oxygen could induce segregation of Mo to the catalytic surface, at which it effected beneficial changes to the surface oxygen adsorption energetics in the context of the Sabatier principle.
Anonymous and expeditious mobile user authentication scheme for GLOMONET environments
Authors: Gope Prosanta , Islam SK Hafizul , Obaidat Mohammad S. , Amin Ruhul , Vijayakumar Pandi
Published: November 2017

The Global Mobility Network (GLOMONET) is rapidly becoming important as well as a popular feature in today's high‐performance network. The legal mobile users enjoy life using the ubiquitous services via GLOMONET. However, because of the broadcast nature of the wireless channel, providing user authentication along with the privacy and anonymity of the users in GLOMONET is indeed a challenging task. In this article, we come up with a secure and expeditious mobile communication environment using symmetric key cryptosystem to ensure mobile users' anonymity and privacy against eavesdroppers and backward/forward secrecy of the session key. Our scheme can also protect numerous security threats, like man‐in‐the‐middle attack, known session key attack, lost smartcard attack, and forgery attack. Furthermore, we put forward a new technique named as “friendly foreign agent policy,” where many foreign agents can make different groups among themselves and perform important responsibilities to authenticate a legitimate mobile user without interfering his or her home agent even though the mobile user moves to a new location, covered by a new foreign agent (belongs to the same group). Security and performance analyses show that the proposed scheme is secure and more efficient as compared with other competitive schemes for GLOMONET environments.
Drug residues in used syringes in Switzerland: A comparative study
Authors: Lefrançois Elodie , Augsburger Marc , Esseiva Pierre
Published: November 2017

Harm reduction services, including needle‐exchange programmes, have been implemented in Switzerland for over 20 years. Their main aim is to lessen the negative social and/or physical consequences associated with illicit drug consumption and, therefore, improve prevention messages. To this end, knowledge of illicit drug consumption practices is necessary. Periodic self‐report surveys are the primary source of data for monitoring drug users’ behaviour. Analysis of residual content of used syringes can bring further and objective knowledge about consumed products through analytically confirmed data.

Used syringes were sampled in 2 syringe‐exchange facilities in Lausanne. These structures are a bus where the users bring back their syringes (ABS) and an automatic injecting kit dispenser (AIKD). Once syringes were collected, a validated gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) method was implemented in order to detect drugs (licit or illicit) contained in the residual content of used syringes.

Cocaine was the most common drug detected alone (39% in ABS and 31% in AIKD), followed by the simultaneous detection of heroin and cocaine (12% and 17%) and heroin and midazolam (12% and 17%). The differences between the illicit drugs distribution of used syringes collected in AIKD and ABS were not statistically significant.

Analysis of residual content of used syringes as a monitoring tool is an original approach that has already led to a better understanding of the habits of drug‐injection users. Over the long term, this approach is a powerful tool to track and detect new consumption practices in a quasi‐real‐time.
Pten regulates neural crest proliferation and differentiation during mouse craniofacial development
Authors: Yang Tianfang , Moore Matthew , He Fenglei
Published: November 2017

Background: The phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome TEN (Pten) is implicated in a broad range of developmental events and diseases. However, its role in neural crest and craniofacial development has not been well illustrated. Results: Using genetically engineered mouse models, we showed that inactivating Pten specifically in neural crest cells causes malformation of craniofacial structures. Pten conditional knockout mice exhibit perinatal lethality with overgrowth of craniofacial structures. At the cellular level, Pten deficiency increases cell proliferation rate and enhances osteoblast differentiation. Our data further revealed that inactivating Pten elevates PI3K/Akt signaling activity in neural crest derivatives, and confirmed that attenuation of PI3K/Akt activity led to decreased neural crest cell proliferation and differentiation both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions: Our study revealed that Pten is essential for craniofacial morphogenesis in mice. Inactivating Pten in neural crest cells increases proliferation rate and promotes their differentiation toward osteoblasts. Our data further indicate that Pten acts via modulating PI3K/Akt activity during these processes. Developmental Dynamics 247:304–314, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mitochondrial DNA of pre‐last glacial maximum red deer from NW Spain suggests a more complex phylogeographical history for the species
Authors: Rey‐Iglesia Alba , Grandal‐d'Anglade Aurora , Campos Paula F. , Hansen Anders Johannes
Published: November 2017

The major climatic oscillations that characterized the Quaternary had a great influence on the evolution and distribution of several species. During cold periods, the distribution of temperate‐adapted species became fragmented with many surviving in southern refugia (Iberian, Italian, and Balkan Peninsulas). Red deer was one of the species that contracted its original range to southern refugia. Currently, two main lineages have been described for the species: western and eastern. We have analyzed fossils pre‐dating the last glacial maximum (LGM) from Liñares cave (NW Spain) that belongs to the peripheral range of the western clade, and fossils from the Danish Holocene belonging to the central part of the same clade. Phylogenetic analyses place our samples in the western clade. However, some specimens from Liñares represent an early split in the tree along with other pre‐LGM western samples from previous studies. Despite low bootstrap values in the Bayesian phylogenies, haplotype networks connect these foreign haplotypes to the eastern clade. We suggest a mixed phylogeographical model to explain this pattern with range expansions from the east during the expansion phase after the cold periods in marine isotope stage 3. We find slight isolation by distance in post‐LGM populations that could be a consequence of the recolonization from southern refugia after the LGM.
Fungi, feather damage, and risk of predation
Authors: Al Rubaiee Zaid , Al Murayati Haider , Nielsen Jan Tøttrup , Møller Anders Pape
Published: November 2017

Predation is a powerful selective force with important effects on behavior, morphology, life history, and evolution of prey. Parasites may change body condition, health status, and ability to escape from or defend prey against predators. Once a prey individual has been detected, it can rely on a diversity of means of escape from the pursuit by the predator. Here we tested whether prey of a common raptor differed in terms of fungi from nonprey recorded at the same sites using the goshawk Accipiter gentilis and its avian prey as a model system. We found a positive association between the probability of falling prey to the raptor and the presence and the abundance of fungi. Birds with a specific composition of the community of fungi had higher probability of falling prey to a goshawk than individual hosts with fewer fungi. These findings imply that fungi may play a significant role in predator–prey interactions. The probability of having damaged feathers increased with the number of fungal colonies, and in particular the abundance of Myceliophthora verrucos and Schizophyllum sp. was positively related to the probability of having damaged feathers. In addition, we found a significant correlation between the rate of feather growth of goshawk prey with birds with more fungi being more likely to be depredated. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that survival and feather quality of birds are related to abundance and diversity of fungi.
Phoretic Poecilochirus mites specialize on their burying beetle hosts
Authors: Nehring Volker , Müller Josef K. , Steinmetz Nadine
Published: November 2017

Recurring species interactions can cause species to adapt to each other. Specialization will increase the fitness of symbionts in the coevolved association but may reduce the flexibility of symbiont choice as it will often decrease fitness in interactions with other than the main symbiont species. We analyzed the fitness interactions between a complex of two cryptic mite species and their sympatric burying beetle hosts in a European population. Poecilochirus mites (Mesostigmata, Parasitidae) are phoretic on burying beetles and reproduce alongside beetles, while these care for their offspring at vertebrate carcasses. While Poecilochirus carabi is typically found on Nicrophorus vespilloides beetles, P. necrophori is associated with N. vespillo. It has long been known that the mites discriminate between the two beetle species, but the fitness consequences of this choice remained unknown. We experimentally associated both mite species with both beetle species and found that mite fitness suffered when mites reproduced alongside a nonpreferred host. In turn, there is evidence that one of the beetle species is better able to cope with the mite species they are typically associated with. The overall fitness effect of mites on beetles was negative in our laboratory experiments. The Poecilochirus mites studied here are thus specialized competitors or parasites of burying beetles.
Evolution of a complex phenotype with biphasic ontogeny: Contribution of development versus function and climatic variation to skull modularity in toads
Authors: Simon Monique Nouailhetas , Marroig Gabriel
Published: November 2017

The theory of morphological integration and modularity predicts that if functional correlations among traits are relevant to mean population fitness, the genetic basis of development will be molded by stabilizing selection to match functional patterns. Yet, how much functional interactions actually shape the fitness landscape is still an open question. We used the anuran skull as a model of a complex phenotype for which we can separate developmental and functional modularity. We hypothesized that functional modularity associated to functional demands of the adult skull would overcome developmental modularity associated to bone origin at the larval phase because metamorphosis would erase the developmental signal. We tested this hypothesis in toad species of theRhinella granulosacomplex using species phenotypic correlation pattern (P‐matrices). Given that the toad species are distributed in very distinct habitats and the skull has important functions related to climatic conditions, we also hypothesized that differences in skull trait covariance pattern are associated to differences in climatic variables among species. Functional and hormonal‐regulated modules are more conspicuous than developmental modules only when size variation is retained on species P‐matrices. Without size variation, there is a clear modularity signal of developmental units, but most species have the functional model as the best supported by empirical data without allometric size variation. Closely related toad species have more similar climatic niches and P‐matrices than distantly related species, suggesting phylogenetic niche conservatism. We infer that the modularity signal due to embryonic origin of bones, which happens early in ontogeny, is blurred by the process of growth that occurs later in ontogeny. We suggest that the species differing in the preferred modularity model have different demands on the orbital functional unit and that species contrasting in climate are subjected to divergent patterns of natural selection associated to neurocranial allometry and T3 hormone regulation.
A Study on Influence of Ramp Event of Aggregated Power Output of Photovoltaic Power Generation on Electric Power System Frequency
Authors: KATO TAKEYOSHI , MANABE YUSUKE , FUNABASHI TOSHIHISA , MATSUMOTO KAZUYA , KURIMOTO MUNEAKI , SUZUOKI YASUO
Published: November 2017

This paper examines the influence of aggregated power output fluctuation of photovoltaic power generation system (PVS) on the power system frequency focusing on ramp events of aggregated PVS power output. A numerical simulation model of economic load dispatching control (EDC) and load frequency control (LFC) is used together with a PVS power output forecasting model and a unit commitment (UC) scheduling model developed in our preceding study. As a result, in the case of ramp event with long duration and high ramp rate, the frequency violation occurs when the power output of controllable generators with high load‐following capability reaches to upper/lower limit even if the power output of low load‐following capability generators is still available. If the load dispatching scheme is tentatively changed from the conventional EDC using an equal incremental fuel cost rule to, for example, a dispatching policy based on the capacity without the consideration of fuel cost, the aggregated load‐following capability can be kept, avoiding the frequency violation.
Politics of Energy Transitions: A decade after Nigeria's biofuels crusade, a tale of non‐commercialization and lost opportunities
Authors: Osunmuyiwa Olufolahan
Published: November 2017

There is a growing literature on the politics of sustainability transitions and its correlation with policy changes at the national level. This paper contributes to this debate by taking stock of energy transition processes in Nigeria's biofuels sector. It explores the socio‐economic externalities that influenced the biofuels policy, how this policy process was negotiated and why it failed. Based on expert interviews and document analysis, it was observed that a drop in oil production and the need for economic diversification (GDP growth) created a favourable condition for the development of biofuels in 2005. However, the biofuels policy was insufficiently articulated when the window of opportunity opened. In the last 10 years, fluctuations in oil prices and changes in government have closed the window of opportunity for biofuels. Taken together, the results suggest that to successfully engineer transition, policy processes of this nature require a re‐articulation of vision based on emerging externalities. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Development and Validation of the Written Communication Assessment of the HEIghten® Outcomes Assessment Suite
Authors: Rios Joseph A. , Sparks Jesse R. , Zhang Mo , Liu Ou Lydia
Published: November 2017

Proficiency with written communication (WC) is critical for success in college and careers. As a result, institutions face a growing challenge to accurately evaluate their students' writing skills to obtain data that can support demands of accreditation, accountability, or curricular improvement. Many current standardized measures, however, lack the ability to balance authenticity (i.e., requiring students to produce a sample of writing) with psychometric quality. To this end, we discuss the development of a newly developed measure, the WC assessment of the HEIghten® outcomes assessment suite, and present pilot test results based on a sample of 985 test takers from 33 higher education institutions. Overall, we found that the measure includes well‐functioning items (i.e., highly discriminating and lacking gender‐differential item functioning), an essay task that can be reliably scored by combining human scores with scores provided by an automated algorithm, evidence to support reporting separate selected‐response and essay scores to individuals and institutions, and adequate convergent validity evidence. Such results suggest that the HEIghten WC assessment demonstrates promise in providing institutions with a time‐ and cost‐efficient measure of WC that may allow for actionable data to drive decision‐making and improve teaching and student learning.
Petrogenesis and tectonic significance of Paleoproterozoic granitic rocks of the southeastern Liaodong Peninsula, Northeast China
Authors: Wang Chaoyang , Meng En , Li Yanguang , Li Zhuang , Yang Hong , Cai Jia , Ji Lei
Published: November 2017

Geochronological, geochemical, and isotopic studies were carried out on the Paleoproterozoic granitic rocks, widely exposed on the southeastern Liaodong Peninsula in Northeast China, in order to determine their ages and petrogenesis and further to provide constraint on the tectonic nature of the north segment of Paleoproterozoic Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt. The zircons from the monzogranitic gneisses, magnetite‐bearing granitic gneisses, biotite‐monzogranitic gneisses, and amphibole‐bearing granitic gneisses fall into two groups, namely, magmatic and metamorphic. U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic data show that the magmatic zircons have peak ages of ~2,194, 2,485–2,603, and 2,951 Ma, and these age groups yield εHf values of +0.86 to +9.29, −3.04 to +3.70, and −2.86 and TCDM model ages of 2.19–2.67, 2.76–3.21, and 3.56 Ga, respectively, whereas the metamorphic zircons have a peak age of 1,910 Ma, εHf values of −7.71 to −2.02 and +0.69 to +7.63, with the corresponding TCDM model ages of 2.72 to 3.01 Ga and 2.08 to 2.52 Ga, respectively. Most of these granitic rocks are characterized by depletion in elements such as Nb, Ta, P, Ti, and peraluminous and belong to the high‐ to medium‐K calc‐alkaline series, suggesting I‐type granites, whereas a few samples have high contents of SiO2, alkalis, and TFe2O3 and are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous, which show typical features of A‐type granites. We consider these granitic rocks were emplaced at 2,194 Ma and modified by a regional metamorphic event at 1,910 Ma. The parental magma was originated mainly from the partial melting of Neoarchean–Paleoproterozoic juvenile crustal materials. Taking into account the regional geology, we consider these granitic rocks were formed in relation to subduction at an active continental margin. A crustal growth event took place at 2.5–2.2 Ga and a metamorphic event at ~1.9 Ga.
Lower middle Darriwilian (Ordovician) graptolites and index conodonts from the Central Precordillera of San Juan Province, Argentina
Authors: Serra Fernanda , Feltes Nicolás A. , Ortega Gladys , Albanesi Guillermo L.
Published: November 2017

This study includes 3 localities from the Jáchal area in the Central Precordillera of San Juan Province, from north to south: the Oculta creek, Las Aguaditas creek, and Cerro La Chilca sections. We deal with the graptolite faunas and conodont index species recorded from units that overlie the carbonate San Juan Formation, spanning the lower part of the Los Azules, Las Aguaditas, and Gualcamayo formations in their respective areas. The index graptolites and associated species are reported, which enable the recognition of the Levisograptus dentatus Zone in the Central Precordillera. The presence of graptolites in the limestones from the top of the San Juan Formation at the Cerro La Chilca section is documented for the first time. The record of representatives of the Lenodus variabilis, Yangtzeplacognathus crassus, Eoplacognathus pseudoplanus, Histiodella, and Periodon lineages recognized in these units, linked with respective graptolite zones, provide precise information for global correlation purposes. The use of conodont and graptolite zones from different areas of the Central Precordillera enables the verification of the diachronous contact between the San Juan Formation and overlying units, which spans the lower to middle Darriwilian, in our investigated sections and classical localities previously documented.
Dynamic mechanism of tectonic inversion and implications for oil–gas accumulation in the Xihu Sag, East China Sea Shelf Basin: Insights from numerical modelling
Authors: Hu Mengying , Li Sanzhong , Dai Liming , Suo Yanhui , Guo Lingli , Somerville Ian , Liu Ze , Ma Fangfang
Published: November 2017

The East China Sea Shelf Basin (ECSSB) lies at the south‐eastern margin of the Eurasian Plate and was affected by the subduction of the Pacific Plate and the Philippine Plate. It experienced and recorded multistage tectonic inversions in the Cenozoic, especially in the Xihu Sag. In an attempt to investigate the evolution and mechanism of tectonic inversion, this paper presents numerical simulation results by the finite element method to the Xihu Sag. Combined with comprehensive structural analyses of seismic profiles, this paper determines the structural geometry of the sag for establishing a viscoelastic geologic model including six‐layer strata and nine major faults. Simulation results show that the boundary conditions of transtension and transpression control the inversion process that propagates from east to west, and the distribution of low compressive stress displays certain correlations with the distribution of oil deposits. Based on quantitative analysis of the vertical displacement field of the Xihu Sag, this paper identifies a tectonic inversion process, which indicates that the western part of the sag uplifts and the eastern part subsides during the first‐stage inversion; whereas the western part subsides and central‐eastern parts uplift during the second and third stages. The formation of the tectonic inversion is controlled by the adjustment of the stress field from dextral transtension to sinistral transpression caused by the change of subduction rates and direction of the Pacific Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate.
Late Miocene magnetostratigraphy of Jianzha Basin in the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau and changes in the East Asian summer monsoon
Authors: Fu Chaofeng , Qiang Xiaoke , Xu Xinwen , Xi Jianjian , Zuo Jun , An Zhisheng
Published: November 2017

Jianzha Basin is located in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau (NETP) and contains a thick sequence of Cenozoic sediments that are an archive of information about the growth of the Tibetan Plateau and the evolution of the arid environment of the interior of Asia. Here, we present magnetostratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental records from a 361‐m‐thick sequence of Late Cenozoic eolian Red Clay and intercalated fluviolacustrine deposits in the Jianzha Basin. The magnetostratigraphic results show that the sediments have recorded a continuous geomagnetic polarity sequence from C5r.3r to C3r, spanning the interval from 11.8 to 5.8 Ma in the Late Miocene. There are two intervals of rapidly fluctuating sedimentation rates between ~10 and ~6 Ma, which we interpret as a response to a series of uplifts and expansions to the north and to the east in the NETP. The fluctuations in Rb/Sr ratio and magnetic susceptibility before ~8.57 Ma reflect intensified East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) precipitation which resulted from the growth of the NETP. From ~8.57 to ~7.21 Ma, the EASM was impacted by global cooling and ice build‐up in the Northern Hemisphere in addition to the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) in the Late Miocene. From ~8.57 to ~7.21 Ma, there is a lack of coherency between the fluctuations in MS and Rb/Sr ratio; however, subsequently, there is significant coherency between the Rb/Sr ratio and the deep‐sea oxygen isotope record present. This suggests that from ~8.57 Ma, the eolian Red Clay sediments in the Jianzha Basin were significantly affected by the addition of dust derived from the deforming and uplifting areas of the TP.
High proportions of dementia among SLE patients: A big data analysis
Authors: Gendelman Omer , Tiosano Shmuel , Shoenfeld Yehuda , Comaneshter Doron , Amital Howard , Cohen Arnon D. , Amital Daniela
Published: November 2017

Objective

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting a wide range of systems including the peripheral and central nervous system. Cognitive impairment leading to dementia is one of the harmful central nervous system afflictions of SLE. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of SLE with dementia.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted using Clalit Health Care database, the largest health maintenance organization in Israel with more than 4.4 million enrollees. Systemic lupus erythematosus patients were compared in a 1:5 ratio to age‐ and sex‐matched controls. Chi‐square and t tests were used for univariate analysis, and a logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis.

Results

The study included 4886 SLE patients and 24 430 age‐frequency‐ and sex‐frequency‐matched controls without SLE. The proportion of dementia was higher among SLE patients compared to controls (1.56% and 0.51%, respectively; P < .001). This finding was consistent across all age groups by univariate analysis. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, SLE was significantly associated with dementia (odds ratio = 1.51, 95% confidence interval, 1.11‐2.04).

Conclusion

Systemic lupus erythematosus is significantly associated with dementia. This finding should give rise to search for SLE in patients with an ambiguous cause for dementia, especially those with an early onset cognitive decline.
Oxidative Hydrophenylation of Ethylene Using a Cationic Ru(II) Catalyst: Styrene Production with Ethylene as the Oxidant
Authors: Jia Xiaofan , Gary J. Brannon , Gu Shaojin , Cundari Thomas R. , Gunnoe T. Brent
Published: November 2017

The complex [(MeOTTM)Ru(P(OCH2)3CEt)(NCMe)Ph][BAr′4] (MeOTMM=4,4’,4’’‐(methoxymethanetriyl)‐tris(1‐benzyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole), BAr′4=tetrakis[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate) is used to catalyze the hydrophenylation of ethylene to produce styrene and ethylbenzene. The selectivity of styrene versus ethylbenzene varies as a function of ethylene pressure, and replacing the MeOTTM ligand with tris(1‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methanol reduces the selectivity toward styrene. For styrene production ethylene serves as the oxidant to produce ethane, as determined by both 1H NMR spectroscopy and GC‐MS. The Ru(III/II) potentials of [(MeOTTM)Ru[P(OCH2)3CEt](NCMe)Ph][BAr′4] (0.86 V) and [(HC(pz5)3)Ru[P(OCH2)3CEt](NCMe)Ph][BAr′4] (0.82 V) (HC(pz5)3=tris(5‐methyl‐pyrazolyl)methane) are nearly identical. Since catalytic conversion of ethylene and benzene by [(HC(pz5)3)Ru[P(OCH2)3CEt](NCMe)Ph][BAr′4] is known to selectively produce ethylbenzene, the formation of styrene using [(MeOTTM)Ru[P(OCH2)3CEt](NCMe)Ph][BAr′4] is attributed to the substituents on the triazole rings of the MeOTTM ligand.
Circulating progenitor cells in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Sandesara P. B. , Ramjee V. , Ghasemzadeh N. , Guo Y. , Bhatia N. , Li Q. , Vaughn L. , Nell‐Dybdahl C. , Waller E. K. , Mahar E. A. , Brigham K. , Wilson P. W. F. , Quyyumi A. , Le N.‐A. , Sperling L. S.
Published: November 2017

Objective

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disease with very high levels of circulating low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels that leads to accelerated atherosclerosis. Lipoprotein apheresis is an effective treatment option for patients with FH and results in reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Circulating progenitor cells (CPCs) are markers of overall vascular health and diminished levels have been associated with decreased reparative potential and worse outcomes. We assessed the short‐term change in CPC levels following a single lipoprotein apheresis session in FH patients who are already on stable lipoprotein apheresis therapy. We hypothesized that in addition to a reduction in atherogenic lipids, the cardiovascular benefit from lipoprotein apheresis therapy is mediated by enhanced vascular reparative capacity through mobilization of CPCs.

Methods

Eight FH patients (1 homozygous and 7 heterozygous) on stable lipoprotein apheresis therapy for at least three months had CPCs measured at baseline (prior to apheresis) and two hours after apheresis. Results were compared with data from age‐matched hyperlipidemic (HLP) patients on statin therapy and healthy volunteers.

Results

FH patients had higher baseline circulating levels of CD34+/CD133+ and CD34+/CD133+/CXCR4+ cells compared to HLP and healthy subjects. There was no significant change in CPCs after apheresis in FH patients.

Conclusions

FH patients had higher CPC counts at baseline compared to age‐matched HLP and healthy controls, suggesting activation of reparative mechanism in this high risk population. Larger studies are needed to better characterize differences in CPC counts between FH subjects and HLP patients over time.
Effects of XIST/miR‐137 axis on neuropathic pain by targeting TNFAIP1 in a rat model
Authors: Zhao Ying , Li Sen , Xia Nin , Shi Yan , Zhao Chang‐Ming
Published: November 2017

Non‐coding RNAs have been reported to participate in the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain. The objective of our study was to investigate the biological role of XIST in neuropathic pain development. In our study, we identify and validate that lncRNA XIST was markedly increased and miR‐137 was significantly decreased in chronic constriction injury (CCI) rats. XIST silencing alleviated pain behaviors including both mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in the CCI rats. XIST was predicted to interact with miR‐137 by bioinformatics technology and dual‐luciferase reporter assays confirmed the correlation between XIST and miR‐137. miR‐137 was negatively modulated by XIST and upregulation of miR‐137 greatly reduced neuropathic pain development in CCI rats. Moreover, we observed that tumor necrosis factor alpha‐induced protein 1 (TNFAIP1) was enhanced in CCI rats and 3′‐untranslated region (UTR) of TNFAIP1 was exhibited to be a target of miR‐137 by bioinformatics prediction. TNFAIP1 can act as a crucial inflammation regulator by activating NF‐kB activity. Overexpression of miR‐137 significantly suppressed TNFAIP1 both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, upregulation of XIST reversed the inhibitory role of miR‐137 in neuropathic pain development by inhibiting TNFAIP1. In conclusion, our current study indicates that XIST can positively regulate neuropathic pain in rats through regulating the expression of miR‐137 and TNFAIP1. Our results imply that XIST/miR‐137/TNFAIP1 axis may serve as a novel therapeutic target in neuropathic pain.
Fatty acid elongase7 is regulated via SP1 and is involved in lipid accumulation in bovine mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Chen Si , Hu Zhigang , He Hua , Liu Xiaolin
Published: November 2017

Fatty Acid Elongase 7 (ELOVL7) is the newly discovered protein on human that catalyzes the rate‐limiting step towards the synthesis of very long‐chain fatty acids and exhibits the highest activity toward C18: 3 (n‐3) acyl‐CoAs, which is the precursor of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20: 5n‐3). However, in ruminants, an overall understanding of ELOVLs gene family and the transcriptional regulation of ELOVL7 remain unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the transcriptional regulation and the influence of bovine ELOVL7 in bovine mammary epithelial cells (bMECs). Quantitative real‐time PCR analysis demonstrated that ELOVLs gene family had differential expression patterns in bMECs, and bovine ELOVL7 was expressed in a tissue‐specific manner, which was high in kidney, followed by in abdominal fat and in bMECs. Promoter analysis of bovine ELOVL7, including bioinformatics analyzes, dual‐luciferase reporter assays, protein pull‐down assay, Western blot assay, over‐expression and RNA interference assay, have independently and synthetically demonstrated that transcription factor Sp1 (SP1) specifically interacted with the GC‐box at −143 to −128 base pair on ELOVL7 promoter. Furthermore, the exogenous α‐linolenic acid (ALA, 18: 3n‐3), strengthened the binding of SP1 to the ELOVL7 proximal promoter, resulting in the accumulation of lipid droplets in bMECs. In conclusion, these data suggest that the transcription of bovine ELOVL7 is affected by the binding of SP1 and the treatment of ALA, moreover, enlightening us the profound role of SP1 in modulating lipid synthesis of the mammary gland in cattle.
Potential roles of metalloproteinases of endometrium‐derived exosomes in embryo‐maternal crosstalk during implantation
Authors: Latifi Zeinab , Fattahi Amir , Ranjbaran Ali , Nejabati Hamid Reza , Imakawa Kazuhiko
Published: November 2017

During embryo implantation, crosstalk between the endometrial epithelium and the blastocyst, especially the trophoblasts, is a prerequisite for successful implantation. During this crosstalk, various molecular and functional changes occur to promote synchrony between the embryo and the endometrium as well as the uterine cavity microenvironment. In the past few years, growing evidence has shown that endometrium‐derived exosomes play pivotal roles in the embryonic‐maternal crosstalk during implantation, although the exact mechanism of this crosstalk has yet to be determined. The presence of metalloproteinases has been reported in endometrium‐derived exosomes, implying the importance of these enzymes in exosome‐based crosstalk. Thus, in this review, we describe the potential roles of the metalloproteinases of endometrium‐derived exosomes in promoting embryo attachment and implantation. This study could provide a better understanding of the potential roles of exosomal metalloproteinases in embryo implantation and pave the way for developing novel exosome‐based regulatory agents to support early pregnancy.
Optimal extent of surgery for early gallbladder cancer with regard to long‐term survival: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Lee Hongeun , Kwon Wooil , Han Youngmin , Kim Jae Ri , Kim Sun‐Whe , Jang Jin‐Young
Published: November 2017

Background

The optimal surgical extent for T1 gallbladder cancer (GBC) remains controversial. Simple cholecystectomy is routinely performed for T1 GBC while several guidelines recommend extended cholecystectomy for T1b GBC. However, evidence regarding the optimal surgical extent for T1 GBC is lacking. This study aims to systematically evaluate the optimal surgical extent for early GBC with regard to long‐term survival.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search in MEDLINE was performed to identify studies with histologically proven GBC and survival data. A total of 22 articles with a total of 2,578 patients were included in the final analysis. Dichotomous data regarding cancer‐related death in all T1, T1a, and T1b GBC cases were extracted. Risk ratios, risk differences, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled.

Results

The risk ratio between simple and extended cholecystectomy in T1 GBC patients was 1.06 (95% CI 0.97–1.16); T1a, 0.82 (95% CI 0.70–0.96); and T1b, 1.06 (95% CI 0.93–1.22). No significant difference was found according to the extent of surgery in all T1 or T1b GBC cases (P = 0.17 and P = 0.36, respectively). Simple cholecystectomy had significantly lower cancer‐related death in T1a GBC patients (P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Simple and extended cholecystectomy showed comparable survival outcomes in T1 GBC patients.
Comparison of surgical outcomes between open and robot‐assisted minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Kim Hyeong Seok , Han Youngmin , Kang Jae Seung , Kim Hongbeom , Kim Jae Ri , Koon Wooil , Kim Sun‐Whe , Jang Jin‐Young
Published: November 2017

Background

Robot surgery is a new method that maintains advantages and overcomes disadvantages of conventional methods, even in pancreatic surgery. This study aimed to evaluate safety and benefits of robot‐assisted minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy (robot PD).

Methods

This study included 237 patients who underwent PD between 2015 and 2017. Demographics and surgical outcomes were evaluated.

Results

Fifty‐one patients underwent robot PD and 186 underwent open PD. Robot PD group had younger age (60.7 vs. 65.4 years, P = 0.006) and lower body mass index (22.7 vs. 24.0, P = 0.007). Robot PD group had lower proportion of patients with firm or hard pancreatic texture (15.7% vs. 38.2%, P = 0.004) and smaller pancreatic duct size (2.3 vs. 3.3 mm, P = 0.002). Two groups had similar operation time (robot vs. open: 335.6 vs. 330.1 min) and complications (15.7% vs. 21.0%), including postoperative pancreatic fistula rate (6.0% vs. 12.0%). Robot PD group had lower postoperative pain score (3.7 vs. 4.1 points, P = 0.008), and shorter postoperative stay (10.6 vs. 15.3 days, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Robot PD is comparable to open PD in early outcomes. Robot PD is safe and feasible and enables early recovery; indication for robot PD is expected to expand in the near future.
N‐acetylcysteine attenuates the cuprizone‐induced behavioral changes and oligodendrocyte loss in male C57BL/7 mice via its anti‐inflammation actions
Authors: Zhang Lin , Xu Shuqin , Huang Qingjun , Xu Haiyun
Published: November 2017

Previous animal studies have linked white matter damage to certain schizophrenia‐like behaviors in cuprizone (CPZ)‐exposed mouse. Mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and oligodendrocyte loss coexist in the brain of such mice. The aim of this study was to examine effects of the antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) on CPZ‐induced behavioral changes and concurrent oligodendrocyte loss, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation in these animals. Male C57BL/6 mice were given intraperitoneal saline or NAC at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks; animals were fed a CPZ‐containing diet (0.2%, w/w) during days 5–14. During days 15–17, the mice were examined in open‐field, social recognition, and Y‐maze tests (1 test per day). Six mice in each group were then used for biochemical and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay analyses, while the remaining animals were used for immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining. The mice exposed to CPZ for 10 days showed significantly lower spontaneous alternation in the Y‐maze, lower activity of total superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, but higher levels of malondialdehyde in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, elevated concentrations of interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α in the brain regions mentioned above and caudate putamen, and a decreased number of mature oligodendrocytes, but increased number of microglia in all the brain regions examined. These changes, however, were not seen or effectively alleviated in NAC‐treated mice at all three doses. These results demonstrate that NAC protected mature oligodendrocytes against the toxic effects of CPZ, likely via its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory actions.