bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ttc39c is upregulated during skeletal muscle atrophy and modulates ERK1/2 MAP kinase and hedgehog signaling
Authors: Hayes Caleb S. , Labuzan Sydney A. , Menke Jacob A. , Haddock Ashley N. , Waddell David S.
Published: June 2019

Tetratricopeptide repeat domain containing 39c (Ttc39c) is expressed in skeletal muscle and is transcriptionally activated in response to neurogenic atrophy in mice. Expression analysis using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blots revealed that Ttc39c is expressed in both proliferating and differentiated muscle cells, peaking during early differentiation and then decreasing as cells progress further through the differentiation process. To further analyze the transcriptional regulation of Ttc39c, promoter fragments of the gene were cloned and fused with the secreted alkaline phosphatase reporter gene. The Ttc39c reporter plasmids were then transfected into cultured mouse muscle cells and found to have transcriptional activity. Furthermore, overexpression of MyoD and myogenin resulted in significant transcriptional repression of the Ttc39c reporter genes. To determine subcellular localization, an expression plasmid with the Ttc39c complementary DNA fused with green fluorescent protein was transfected into muscle cells and analyzed by confocal fluorescent microscopy showing that Tct39c localizes exclusively to the cytoplasm of cultured cells. To assess potential function in muscle, Ttc39c was overexpressed leading to vitiated muscle cell differentiation, impaired ERK1/2 MAP Kinase and Hedgehog signaling, and increased expression of IFT144 and IFT43, which are part of the IFT‐A complex involved in retrograde transport in primary cilia. Interestingly, Ttc39c knockdown also resulted in inhibition of muscle cell differentiation and impaired Hedgehog and MAP Kinase signaling but did not affect IFT144 or IFT433 expression. The results of this study demonstrate that muscle cell differentiation is sensitive to abnormal Ttc39c expression and that normal Ttc39c expression appears to be necessary for proper MAP Kinase and Hedgehog signal transduction in developing muscle cells.
Characterization of Krt19CreERT allele for targeting the nucleus pulposus cells in the postnatal mouse intervertebral disc
Authors: Mohanty Sarthak , Pinelli Robert , Dahia Chitra Lekha
Published: June 2019

Intervertebral disc degeneration and associated back pain are relatively common but sparsely understood conditions, affecting over 70% of the population during some point of life. Disc degeneration is often associated with a loss of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. Genetic mouse models offer convenient avenues to understand the cellular and molecular regulation of the disc during its formation, growth, maintenance, and aging. However, due to the lack of inducible driver lines to precisely target NP cells in the postnatal mouse disc, progress in this area of research has been moderate. NP cells are known to express cytokeratin 19 (Krt19), and tamoxifen (Tam)‐inducible Krt19CreERT allele is available. The current study describes the characterization of Krt19CreERT allele to specifically and efficiently target NP cells in neonatal, skeletally mature, middle‐aged, and aged mice using two independent fluorescent reporter lines. The efficiency of recombination at all ages was validated by immunostaining for KRT19. Results show that following Tam induction, Krt19CreERT specifically drives recombination of NP cells in the spine of neonatal and aged mice, while no recombination was detected in the surrounding tissues. Knee joints from skeletally mature Tam‐treated Krt19CreERT/+; R26tdTOM mouse show the absence of recombination in all tissues and cells of the knee joint. Thus, this study provides evidence for the use of Krt19CreERT allele for genetic characterization of NP cells at different stages of the mouse life.
Copper promotes the migration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via Rnd3‐dependent cytoskeleton remodeling
Authors: Chen Xi , Hu Jun‐Gen , Huang Yi‐Zhou , Li Shun , Li Sheng‐Fu , Wang Min , Xia Hong‐Wei , Li‐Ling Jesse , Xie Hui‐Qi
Published: June 2019

The motility of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is highly related to their homing in vivo, a critical issue in regenerative medicine. Our previous study indicated copper (Cu) might promote the recruitment of endogenous MSCs in canine esophagus defect model. In this study, we investigated the effect of Cu on the motility of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and the underlying mechanism in vitro. Cu supplementation could enhance the motility of BMSCs, and upregulate the expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (Hif1α) at the protein level, and upregulate the expression of rho family GTPase 3 (Rnd3) at messenger RNA and protein level. When Hif1α was silenced by small interfering RNA (siRNA), Cu‐induced Rnd3 upregulation was blocked. When Rnd3 was silenced by siRNA, the motility of BMSCs was decreased with or without Cu supplementation, and Cu‐induced cytoskeleton remodeling was neutralized. Furthermore, overexpression of Rnd3 also increased the motility of BMSCs and induced cytoskeleton remodeling. Overall, our results demonstrated that Cu enhanced BMSCs migration through, at least in part, cytoskeleton remodeling via Hif1α‐dependent upregulation of Rnd3. This study provided an insight into the mechanism of the effect of Cu on the motility of BMSCs, and a theoretical foundation of applying Cu to improve the recruitment of BMSCs in tissue engineering and cytotherapy.
Keeping It Real: How Perceived Brand Authenticity Affects Product Perceptions
Authors: Cinelli Melissa D. , LeBoeuf Robyn A.
Published: June 2019

This article examines the effects of firm motivation (an intrinsic or extrinsic interest in their product) on perceptions of brand authenticity and anticipated product quality. Specifically, studies 1 and 2 show that an intrinsic motivation increases authenticity perceptions which, in turn, increase perceived product quality, even for negatively regarded products. Studies 3a and 3b demonstrate that motivation affects perceived product quality (through perceived authenticity) by influencing deliberate attribute‐level inferences consumers make about the product, and Study 4 demonstrates that the positive effect of intrinsic motivation (through authenticity) disappears in the presence of objective product attribute information, when such inferences are no longer necessary. These findings suggest that authenticity perceptions are malleable, and they shed light on the mechanism through which brand authenticity leads consumers to anticipate that a brand's products will be higher in quality.
Locomotor correlates of the scapholunar of living and extinct carnivorans
Authors: Dunn Rachel H. , Cooper Candice , Lemert Joshua , Mironov Natalie , Meachen Julie A.
Published: June 2019

The relationship of carpal morphology to ecology and habitat is under studied in carnivorans and more generally in mammals. Here, we use 3D‐scanning techniques to assess the usefulness of a carpal bone, the scapholunar, in carnivorans to reflect ecology and habitat, and to reconstruct the ecology of five extinct carnivorans from two fossil sites: Rancho La Brea and Natural Trap Cave. We 3D‐scanned scapholunars and measured articular surface areas and angles between articular facets using GeoMagic and Rhino 3D‐software. We analyzed the difference in these metrics using multivariate analysis of variance and discriminant function analysis. Results show that the scapholunar reflects ecological signal, with clear groupings of cursorial carnivorans and grappling/climbing carnivorans; however, phylogenetic signal was also present in the results with hyaenids, canids, and large felids in distinct morphospaces. Extinct speciesMiracinonyx trumani(American cheetah) andSmilodon fatalis(sabertooth cat) showed surprising results withM. trumanigrouping with pantherines instead ofAcinonyxorPuma, suggesting it runs but still retains the ability to grapple prey.S. fatalisgroups with pantherines, but also shows some unique adaptations, suggesting it had a different range of wrist motion than living cats. Overall, the scapholunar is a good indicator of ecology and functional morphology and can be another tool to use in modern and fossil carnivorans to reconstruct extinct ecologies and locomotor behaviors.
Surgical management of primary colonic lymphoma: Big data for a rare problem
Authors: Maguire Lillias H. , Geiger Timothy M. , Hardiman Karin M. , Regenbogen Scott E. , Hopkins Michael Benjamin , Muldoon Roberta L. , Ford Molly M. , Hawkins Alexander T.
Published: June 2019

Background and Objectives

Primary colonic lymphoma (PCL) is rare, heterogeneous, and presents a therapeutic challenge for surgeons. Optimal treatment strategies are difficult to standardize, leading to variation in therapy. Our objective was to describe the patient characteristics, short‐term outcomes, and five‐year survival of patients undergoing nonpalliative surgery for PCL.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort analysis in the National Cancer Database. Included patients underwent surgery for PCL between 2004 to 2014. Patients with metastases and palliative operations were excluded. Univariate predictors of overall survival were analyzed using multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis.

Results

We identified 2153 patients. Median patient age was 68. Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma accounted for 57% of tumors. 30‐ and 90‐Day mortality were high (5.6% and 11.1%, respectively). Thirty‐nine percent of patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. For patients surviving 90 days, 5‐year survival was 71.8%. Chemotherapy improved survival (surgery+chemo, 75.4% vs surgery, 68.6%; P = .01). Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with overall survival after controlling for age, comorbidity, and lymphoma subtype (HR 1.27; 95% CI, 1.07‐1.51; P = .01).

Conclusions

Patients undergoing surgery for PCL have high rates of margin positivity and high short‐term mortality. Chemotherapy improves survival, but <50% receive it. These data suggest the opportunity for improvement of care in patients with PCL.
Poaching lowers elephant path tortuosity: implications for conservation
Authors: Ihwagi Festus W. , Skidmore Andrew K. , Wang Tiejun , Bastille‐Rousseau Guillaume , Toxopeus Albertus G. , Douglas‐Hamilton Iain
Published: June 2019

Poaching is the most immediate threat to African elephants (Loxodonta africana). Several continental‐wide surges in poaching have occurred since the latter half of the twentieth century, and the latest surge occurred from 2007 to 2012. The behavioral responses of elephants to poaching risk has not been studied widely because of a lack of high‐resolution movement data collected simultaneously with verified causes of mortality. We managed to collate 2 such datasets from 2004 to 2013. We studied the spatial‐temporal changes in movement behavior of 11 elephants in their core areas. Past studies have focused on elephant movement along corridors. We tested for the effect of poaching risk on their path straightness (i.e., tortuosity) while controlling for other environmental and human activities in the landscape using a set of generalized linear mixed models. To test for temporal variation of tortuosity, we used a time‐series linear model. Elephants turned less frequently while they were in poaching locations and at times with a high level of poaching activity, even though their speed did not change. The variation of tortuosity is a good indicator of differences in poaching risk as perceived by the elephants, which could complement patrol‐based anti‐poaching efforts by wildlife managers, especially in remote, inaccessible landscapes. © 2019 The Authors.The Journal of Wildlife Managementpublished by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society
Impact of perioperative pain management protocol on opioid prescribing patterns
Authors: Thuener Jason E. , Clancy Kate , Scher Maxwell , Ascha Mustafa , Harrill Katrina , Ahadizadeh Emily , Rezaee Rod , Fowler Nicole , Lavertu Pierre , Teknos Ted , Zender Chad
Published: June 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the impact of preoperative education, patient risk stratification, and a postoperative pain management protocol for common head and neck procedures on opioid prescribing patterns and postoperative pain reporting.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

A postoperative pain management protocol was developed and implemented for patients undergoing head and neck surgical procedures. Medical charts were queried and postoperative patient satisfaction surveys were administered. Opioid prescribing patterns were evaluated in cohorts of patients undergoing procedures with anticipated mild pain (e.g., thyroidectomy, parotidectomy, lymph node biopsy) before and after the implementation of the protocol. Postoperative patient surveys were analyzed in the postimplementation group.

Results

A total of 302 patients were included for analysis. One hundred fifty‐four patients and 148 patients underwent surgery before and after the implementation of the protocol, respectively. There was a decreased incidence of oxycodone‐containing prescriptions (83% to 26%), and tramadol became the most common discharge medication (70%). There was a significant decrease in the total number of pills prescribed after the implementation of the protocol (34.71 to 25.36, P < .001). Ninety percent of patients reported high satisfaction (≥8) with pain management.

Conclusions

This study shows that a comprehensive pain management protocol can significantly reduce the amount and potency of opioid pain medication prescribed after head and neck procedures while maintaining high patient satisfaction.

Level of Evidence

4

Laryngoscope, 130:1180–1185, 2020
Listening to air–water gas exchange in running waters
Authors: Klaus Marcus , Geibrink Erik , Hotchkiss Erin R. , Karlsson Jan
Published: June 2019

Air–water gas exchange velocities (k) are critical components of many biogeochemical and ecological process studies in aquatic systems. However, their high spatiotemporal variability is difficult to capture with traditional methods, especially in turbulent flow. Here, we investigate the potential of sound spectral analysis to inferkin running waters, based on the rationale that both turbulence and entrained bubbles drive gas exchange and cause a characteristic sound. We explored the relationship betweenkand sound spectral properties using laboratory experiments and field observations under a wide range of turbulence and bubble conditions. We estimatedkusing flux chamber measurements of CO2exchange and recorded sound above and below the water surface by microphones and hydrophones, respectively. We found a strong influence of turbulence and bubbles on sound pressure levels (SPLs) at octave bands of 31.5 Hz and 1000 Hz, respectively. The difference in SPLs at these bands and background noise bands showed a linear correlation withkboth in the laboratory (R2= 0.93–0.99) and in the field (medianR2= 0.42–0.90). Underwater sound indices outperformed aerial sound indices in general, and indices based on hydraulic parameters in particular, in turbulent and bubbly surface flow. The results highlight the unique potential of acoustic techniques to predictk, isolate mechanisms, and improve the spatiotemporal coverage ofkestimates in bubbly flow.
Does Donor Allograft Microsteatosis Matter? Comparison of Outcomes in Liver Transplantation With a Propensity‐Matched Cohort
Authors: Croome Kristopher P. , Lee David D. , Croome Sarah , Nakhleh Raouf E. , Abader Sedki Senada Peter , Livingston David , Yataco Maria , Taner C. Burcin
Published: June 2019

It has been suggested that microsteatosis does not negatively impact graft survival following liver transplantation (LT). The present study represents the largest series on donor livers with significant microsteatosis and investigates the impact of microsteatosis on perioperative factors such as postreperfusion syndrome (PRS), early allograft dysfunction (EAD), and postoperative renal dysfunction. Clinical outcomes of all patients undergoing LT with donor livers with isolated microsteatosis (≥30%; n = 239) between 2000 and 2017 were compared with a propensity score–matched cohort of patients undergoing LT with donor livers with no steatosis (n = 239). Patients in the microsteatosis group had a higher rate of PRS (33.1% versus 24.2%; P = 0.03), EAD (38.2% versus 23.0%; P < 0.001), and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) requirement following LT (10.9% versus 3.6%; P = 0.002) than the no steatosis group. No difference in patient (P = 0.33) or graft survival (P = 0.18) was observed between the 2 groups. On multivariate regression, livers with microsteatosis had an increased risk of graft loss with retransplant recipients (hazard ratio [HR], 1.59; P < 0.001), increasing Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (HR, 1.13; P = 0.01), and organs from donation after circulatory death donors (HR, 1.46; P = 0.003). In conclusion, recipients of donor livers with significant microsteatosis are at an increased risk of PRS, EAD, and postoperative renal dysfunction requiring CRRT. Livers with significant microsteatosis should be avoided in retransplant recipients and in recipients with high biological MELD scores. Once appropriately selected recipients of these livers are able to overcome the initial perioperative implications of using these donor livers, longterm patient and graft survival is similar to recipients receiving grafts with no steatosis.
Dementia with lewy bodies: GBA1 mutations are associated with cerebrospinal fluid alpha‐synuclein profile
Authors: Lerche Stefanie , Machetanz Gerrit , Wurster Isabel , Roeben Benjamin , Zimmermann Milan , Pilotto Andrea , Preische Oliver , Stransky Elke , Deuschle Christian , Hauser Ann‐Kathrin , Schulte Claudia , Lachmann Ingolf , Waniek Katharina , Gasser Thomas , Berg Daniela , Maetzler Walter , Brockmann Kathrin
Published: June 2019

Background

Patients with dementia with Lewy bodies reveal a variable pathology including alpha‐synuclein, amyloid‐beta, and Tau. Mutations in GBA1 are specifically associated with synucleinopathies. PD patients with GBA1 mutations show reduced CSF levels of total alpha‐synuclein.

Objective

Whether GBA1 mutations are associated with a CSF alpha‐synuclein profile in dementia with Lewy bodies.

Methods

Screening of the GBA1 gene and single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in SNCA rs356220, APOE rs429358, and MAPT rs1052587 as well as CSF levels of total alpha‐synuclein, amyloid‐beta1‐42, total‐Tau, phospho‐Tau, and neurofilament light chain were assessed in 100 dementia with Lewy bodies and 39 controls cross‐sectionally.

Results

Severity of GBA1 mutations was associated with a younger age at onset and higher prevalence of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. CSF levels of total alpha‐synuclein were lowest in DLBGBA_pathogenic compared to DLBGBA_mild and DLBGBA_wildtype.

Conclusion

Similar to PD, pathogenic GBA1 mutations seem to be associated with CSF alpha‐synuclein profiles in dementia with Lewy bodies. That might be useful for patient stratification for specific alpha‐synuclein–lowering compounds. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Optimized quantification of spin relaxation times in the hybrid state
Authors: Assländer Jakob , Lattanzi Riccardo , Sodickson Daniel K. , Cloos Martijn A.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The optimization and analysis of spin ensemble trajectories in the hybrid state—a state in which the direction of the magnetization adiabatically follows the steady state while the magnitude remains in a transient state.

Methods

Numerical optimizations were performed to find spin ensemble trajectories that minimize the Cramér‐Rao bound for ‐encoding, ‐encoding, and their weighted sum, respectively, followed by a comparison between the Cramér‐Rao bounds obtained with our optimized spin‐trajectories, Look‐Locker sequences, and multi‐spin‐echo methods. Finally, we experimentally tested our optimized spin trajectories with in vivo scans of the human brain.

Results

After a nonrecurring inversion segment on the southern half of the Bloch sphere, all optimized spin trajectories pursue repetitive loops on the northern hemisphere in which the beginning of the first and the end of the last loop deviate from the others. The numerical results obtained in this work align well with intuitive insights gleaned directly from the governing equation. Our results suggest that hybrid‐state sequences outperform traditional methods. Moreover, hybrid‐state sequences that balance ‐ and ‐encoding still result in near optimal signal‐to‐noise efficiency for each relaxation time. Thus, the second parameter can be encoded at virtually no extra cost.

Conclusions

We provided new insights into the optimal encoding processes of spin relaxation times in order to guide the design of robust and efficient pulse sequences. We found that joint acquisitions of and in the hybrid state are substantially more efficient than sequential encoding techniques.
The contribution of land tenure diversity to the spatial resilience of protected area networks
Authors: De Vos Alta , Cumming Graeme S.
Published: June 2019

The relationship between diversity and resilience is relatively well‐established for ecological systems, but remains much less explored for socio‐economic systems. Institutional diversity can have particular relevance for protected areas, whose managerial responses to environmental change depend on their legal basis, ability to make and enforce rules and socio‐political acceptance and endorsement.

Protected area expansion strategies are increasingly turning to private land conservation to increase the configuration and connectivity of national protected area networks. Yet, we know little about the relative role of privately owned protected areas in protecting threatened and poorly protected (under‐represented) habitats, and in the overall connectivity of the national protected area network.

We present an empirical assessment of protected area tenure diversity across South Africa.

Privately owned protected areas comprise 25.58% (2,878,422.26 ha) of the area of the total protected area estate.

Private nature reserves emerged as the dominant protected area type in under‐represented and threatened habitats, protecting, on average, 32%, 38% and 41%, respectively, of poorly protected, threatened and endangered vegetation classes.

Private nature reserves had the largest overall effect, compared to other protected area types, on connectivity within the national network. A spatially randomized comparison showed that privately owned protected areas are overdispersed and more strategically positioned to connect other types of protected areas than would be expected by chance from their extent and abundance.

Our results suggest that privately owned protected areas enhance the resilience of the national protected area network, making it more extensive and better‐connected, with greater levels of habitat redundancy. More generally, our analysis highlights the potentially valuable role of institutional diversity in building resilient habitat networks for biodiversity conservation.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Time to onset in statistical signal detection revisited: A follow‐up study in long‐term onset adverse drug reactions
Authors: Scholl Joep H.G. , van Hunsel Florence P.A.M. , Hak Eelko , van Puijenbroek Eugène P.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

In a previous study, we developed a signal detection method using the time to onset (TTO) of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The aim of the current study was to investigate this method in a subset of ADRs with a longer TTO and to compare its performance with disproportionality analysis.

Methods

Using The Netherlands's spontaneous reporting database, TTO distributions for drug—ADR associations with a median TTO of 7 days or more were compared with other drugs with the same ADR using the two‐sample Anderson–Darling (AD) test. Presence in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) was used as the gold standard for identification of a true ADR. Twelve combinations with different values for the number of reports and median TTO were tested. Performance in terms of sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) was compared with disproportionality analysis. A sensitivity analysis was performed to compare the results with those from the previous study.

Results

A total of 38 017 case reports, containing 32 478 unique drug—ADR associations. Sensitivity was lower for the TTO method (range 0.08‐0.34) compared with disproportionality analysis (range 0.60‐0.87), whereas PPV was similar for both methods (range 0.93‐1.0). The results from the sensitivity analysis were similar to the original analysis.

Conclusions

Because of its low sensitivity, the developed TTO method cannot replace disproportionality analysis as a signal detection tool. It may be useful in combination with other methods.
Properties of microinjection‐molded polypropylene/graphite composites
Authors: Zhou Shengtai , Hrymak Andrew N. , Kamal Musa R. , Jiang Renze
Published: June 2019

In this study, polypropylene (PP) composites filled with two different types of graphite particles, that is, flake‐shaped synthetic graphite (SG) and low‐temperature expandable graphite (LTEG), were prepared by melt blending, followed by microinjection molding (μIM). The microparts had three consecutive zones with decreasing thickness along the flow direction (FD). Results showed that, in addition to the larger particle size, the in situ exfoliation of LTEG during melt processing is crucial to the overall enhancement of electrical conductivity when compared with their SG‐containing counterparts, as corroborated by morphology observations. Moreover, the preferential alignment of conductive particles favors the construction of conductive pathways along the FD. The melting and crystallization behavior for PP, PP/LTEG, and PP/SG materials, and samples from each section of the corresponding microparts were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry. Results indicated that both the addition of graphite particles and the typical thermomechanical history of μIM (i.e., high shearing and cooling rates) experienced in different sections of the three‐step microparts influence the melting and crystallization behavior of the composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:1560–1569 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Cervical Rotator Muscle Activity With Eye Movement at Different Speeds is Distorted in Whiplash
Authors: Bexander Catharina S.M. , Hodges Paul W.
Published: June 2019

Background

People with whiplash‐associated disorders (WADs) report difficulty with quick head movements and cervicoocular dysfunction. Changes in coordination between eye movement and neck muscle activity may be involved.

Objective

To examine whether activity of superficial and deep neck muscles increases with eye movement when the head is held in a fixed position, whether this differs between directions and speed of eye movement, and whether this is modified in WAD.

Design

Convenience case series with unmatched controls.

Setting

Research laboratory.

Participants

Nine individuals with chronic WAD grade II and 11 pain‐free controls.

Methods

Electromyography (EMG) was recorded from muscles that could act to rotate the neck to the right (right obliquus capitis inferior [OI], multifidus [MF], splenius capitis [SC], and left sternocleidomastoid [SCM]) with intramuscular or surface electrodes in 9 WAD participants and 11 pain‐free controls. Eyes were rotated without head movement to track slow and medium‐speed targets to the right or left, and as fast as possible (FP).

Main Outcome Measurements

Amplitude of EMG.

Results

In controls, SCM and SC EMG increased with right gaze (all P’s < .03). EMG of the deep OI muscle increased in both directions (P < .001). WAD involved counterintuitive greater activity of SCM with left rotation across speeds of eye movement (SC with slow movement, P < .036), decreased OI EMG with gaze left (P < .019), and no change in MF EMG (P < .6) in either gaze direction. For FP tasks, EMG of all muscles was greater than slower speeds in controls (all P’s < .0001), but not WAD (all P’s > .33).

Conclusions

Coordination between neck muscle activity and eye movements with increasing speed is modified in WAD. Contrasting changes are present in deep and superficial neck muscles with implications for neck function that may explain some common WAD symptoms.

Level of Evidence

IV
Synthesis and crystallization behavior of rigid copolyesters with biphenyl‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate and 2,6‐naphthalenedicarboxylate in the main chain
Authors: Edling Hans Eliot , Vincent Matthew , Marand Hervé , Talley Samantha J. , Barr Kevin , Moore Robert B. , Turner S. Richard
Published: June 2019

Structurally rigid copolyester thermoplastics were synthesized from 1,4‐cyclohexanedimethanol and the diesters dimethyl biphenyl‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate and dimethyl 2,6‐naphthalenedicarboxylate (DMN) via conventional melt transesterification. Conventional differential scanning calorimetry (CDSC) showed all compositions to exhibit multiple endotherms upon heating. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction analysis showed copolyester compositions to exhibit the crystalline structure of either the homopolyester Poly(1,4‐cyclohexylenedimethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) (PCN) or the homopolyester Poly(1,4‐cyclohexylenedimethylene 4,4′‐bibenzoate) (PCB), but not both simultaneously. Further thermal analysis using CDSC and fast DSC investigated the origin of the multiple endotherm behavior. While three endotherms are observed for low heating rates, the upper two endotherms appear to merge at heating rates about 1–5 °C s−1 and a single endotherm remains above heating rates about 10–50 °C s−1. While the behavior of the upper two endotherms is undeniably consistent with the mechanism of melting–recrystallization–remelting (MRR), we suggest that the low endotherm is likely associated with the melting of constrained secondary crystals, although MRR effects cannot be ruled out. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 973–980
Outcome of Botulinum Toxin‐A intraprostatic injection for benign prostatic hyperplasia induced lower urinary tract symptoms: A prospective multicenter study
Authors: Moussa Ayman S. , Ragheb Ahmed M. , Abdelbary Ahmed M. , Ibrahim Rabie M. , El Adawy Mahmoud S. , Aref Ahmad , Assem Ahmed , Elfayoumy Hany , Elzawy Faysal
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Our aim was to determine the factors predicting the outcome of intraprostatic injection of Botulinum Toxin‐A (BTX‐A) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)‐induced lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and to evaluate its efficacy and safety.

Methods

Between September 2016 and May 2018, 45 Egyptian patients, with BPH‐induced LUTS were included; the indication was a failure of medical treatment, unfit, or refusing surgical intervention. Measurements of prostate size by TRUS, total PSA level before and 12 weeks after injection. IPSS, uroflow, and postvoiding residual urine (PVR) were measured before injection, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks postinjection. 100 U BTX‐A vial was diluted with 10 mL of saline then injected into the transition zone at base and midzone of the prostate by TRUS.

Results

The mean patients' age was 64.4 ± 6.6 years. Mean baseline IPSS 24.06 decreased to 18.75 at 2 weeks and progressively decreased to 16.37 at 12 weeks (P < 0.001), Q
max of 9.08 mL/s. increased to 10.44 at 2 weeks and 11.44 at 12 weeks (P < 0.001), mean prostate volume was 67.44cc; decreased to 66.06cc (P < 0.001) at 12 weeks and mean residual urine was 82.62 mL and decreased to 57.66 mL at 12 weeks.

Discussion

Intraprostatic injection of BTX‐A as modality treatment of LUTS/BPH significantly improve IPSS, Q
max, PVR, and decrease prostate volume. We can suspect better results with this line of treatment in patients with IPSS ≤ 22 and Q
max ≤ 10 mL/min and prostate volume ≤ 56.5cc.
Silver Nanocluster Anchored TiO2/Nb2O5 Hybrid Nanocomposite as Highly Efficient and Selective Visible‐Light Sensitive Photocatalyst
Authors: Goswami Tapas , Reddy K. Mohan , Bheemaraju Amarnath
Published: June 2019

It is of great interest to find a suitable modification of noble metal nanocluster (NC) with an aim to get a profound change in physical and chemical properties. In the present study, a new class of hybrid nanomaterials were successfully synthesized by anchoring Ag nanocluster with TiO2/Nb2O5 nanocomposite. Two synthetic strategies have been carried out to prepare these. Two steps synthetic strategy was found to efficiently decorate TiO2/Nb2O5 with silver nanocluster whereas one step synthesis produced Ag/TiO2 nanocluster with negligible Nb2O5 content. The as‐prepared materials were characterized by HRTEM, EDAX, FTIR, Raman and XRD. Visible light photocatalytic activities of the as‐synthesized hybrid nanomaterials were investigated for the degradation of some of the potentially hazardous organic dyes (Malachite green and Methyl orange). We observed much greater photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite for the degradation of Malachite green when silver nanocluster is anchored to the TiO2/Nb2O5 as compared to the same materials with negligible Nb2O5 content. Such observations indicate that the loading of Nb2O5 in hybrid nanocomposite allowed the selective enhancement of the photocatalytic degradation of Malachite green.
Interactions of Polyproline II Helix Peptides with Iron(III) Oxide
Authors: Loney Charles N. , Perez Bakovic Sergio I. , Xu Cheyan , Graybill Ashley , Greenlee Lauren F. , Renner Julie N.
Published: June 2019

Interactions of a peptide with polyproline II helical secondary structure with maghemite (iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3) surfaces were characterized using a variety of surface techniques. A quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation was used to measure the hydrated mass and thickness (92 ± 29 ng/cm2 and 0.89 ± 0.27 nm, respectively) of a layer which formed after a sensor coated with Fe2O3 was exposed to the peptide in aqueous solution. The analysis revealed that the peptide formed a stable thin layer on the sensor. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy of the monolayer were employed to study the relationship between the metal and the peptide. Finally, Fe2O3 nanoparticles were incubated with the peptide, and analysis of the settling and particle size revealed that the presence of the peptide reduced the occurrence of large aggregates in solution.
Fostering Critical Thinking in Pre‐K
Authors: Wellberg Jennifer
Published: June 2019

Voices From the Classroom essays share readers’ reflections on teaching experiences, advice for new teachers, and perspectives on current issues.
Stealing Sentences to Improve Student Writing
Authors: Jozwiak Davina
Published: June 2019

Voices From the Classroom essays share readers’ reflections on teaching experiences, advice for new teachers, and perspectives on current issues.
Ever Wonder Why?
Authors: Cozart Terri James
Published: June 2019

Voices From the Classroom essays share readers’ reflections on teaching experiences, advice for new teachers, and perspectives on current issues.
Rapid prototyping and 3D printing of antarctic seal flipper tags
Authors: Frankfurter Greg , Beltran Roxanne S. , Hoard Matthew , Burns Jennifer M.
Published: June 2019

Recent miniaturization of biologging devices has enabled widespread efforts to document the vertical and horizontal movements of pinnipeds; however, the attachment methods have been slower to evolve. We used rapid prototyping to develop a novel, adaptable flipper tag that could be used to deploy a biologging tag on seals that would remain attached through the annual molt cycle. The prototype flipper tag was designed using three‐dimensional (3D) modeling software and produced using 3D printing. Two tags were deployed on adult, female Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, during the Austral Summer 2015. One animal did not return to the study area. The other tag was successfully recovered after 341 days. Upon tag removal, the flipper holes were well‐healed with no evidence of pressure necrosis or irritation. This tag will provide opportunities to gain insight about animal behaviors during the annual molt, when annual hair loss precludes instrument attachment by glue. The rapid expansion of 3D printing design, material, and manufacturing tools has enabled the development of new tools for wildlife studies. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
A modified biopsy needle with pole for repeatable tissue extraction from free‐ranging crocodiles
Authors: Barrow Daniel , Halford Andrew R.
Published: June 2019

Biopsy sampling is a powerful tool for furthering our understanding of animal populations. Knowledge of diets and trophic energy flows, genetic structure and connectivity between populations, and uptake of environmental contaminants can all be elucidated through analysis of animal tissues, which is particularly useful for animals that are elusive and difficult to observe. Crocodylians are an aquatic group for which biopsy sampling is an appropriate tool; however, sample collection usually requires undertaking the arduous and dangerous process of capturing individual crocodiles. We describe a biopsy system that employs a modified version of a standard biopsy needle and pole kit to consistently extract crocodile tissue with greatly reduced effort and increased safety. This system takes advantage of the behavioral trait of crocodiles to “freeze” under the glare of a high‐powered spotlight, enabling an approach to within a few meters. We field‐tested the system in 2 remote river systems in northwestern Australia, during July–August 2015, collecting tissue samples from 69 crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus; size range = 0.9–4.4 m total length) with approximately 95% success. The pole biopsy system increases sample collection efficiency by removing the need to handle individual crocodiles. Moreover, this decreases stress on the crocodile population and significantly reduces the number of field crew required. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Quantum Regge trajectories and the Virasoro analytic bootstrap
Authors: Collier Scott , Gobeil Yan , Maxfield Henry , Perlmutter Eric
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Every conformal field theory (CFT) above two dimensions contains an infinite set of Regge trajectories of local operators which, at large spin, asymptote to “double-twist” composites with vanishing anomalous dimension. In two dimensions, due to the existence of local conformal symmetry, this and other central results of the conformal bootstrap do not apply. We incorporate exact stress tensor dynamics into the CFT2 analytic bootstrap, and extract several implications for AdS3 quantum gravity. Our main tool is the Virasoro fusion kernel, which we newly analyze and interpret in the bootstrap context. The contribution to double-twist data from the Virasoro vacuum module defines a “Virasoro Mean Field Theory” (VMFT); its spectrum includes a finite number of discrete Regge trajectories, whose dimensions obey a simple formula exact in the central charge c and external operator dimensions. We then show that VMFT provides a baseline for large spin universality in two dimensions: in every unitary compact CFT2 with c > 1 and a twist gap above the vacuum, the double-twist data approaches that of VMFT at large spin ℓ. Corrections to the large spin spectrum from individual non-vacuum primaries are exponentially small in

$$ \sqrt{\ell } $$

ℓ

for fixed c. We analyze our results in various large c limits. Further applications include a derivation of the late-time behavior of Virasoro blocks at generic c; a refined understanding and new derivation of heavy-light blocks; and the determination of the cross-channel limit of generic Virasoro blocks. We deduce non-perturbative results about the bound state spectrum and dynamics of quantum gravity in AdS3.
Euclidean wormholes and holography
Authors: Betzios P. , Kiritsis E. , Papadoulaki O.
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Asymptotically AdS wormhole solutions are considered in the context of holography. Correlation functions of local operators on distinct boundaries are studied. It is found that such correlators are finite at short distances. Correlation functions of non-local operators (Wilson loops) on distinct boundaries are also studied, with similar conclusions. Deformations of the theory with multi-trace operators on distinct boundaries are considered and studied. As a consequence of these results, the dual theory is expected to factorize in the UV, and the two sectors to be coupled by a soft non-local interaction. A simple field theory model with such behavior is presented.
Islam as the source of inspiration for my art
Authors: Esa Sulaiman
Published: June 2019

After six years of formal art training in Europe, I returned home in the late 1960s very much influenced by modern western art and its secular utopian worldview. However, when viewed from a religious perspective, modern art evidenced the process of secularization and humanization. Local scholars lamented such art could led to the gradual loss of the nation's tradition which is steeped in spirituality. To them, Western-trained Malaysian artists’ works are a reflection of a captive mentality glorifying art that is spiritually debilitating, sociologically alienating and psychologically corrupting. Concerned with such phenomenon in Malaysia's post-Independence period, the government convened the National Cultural Congress (1971), to harness the cultural power in fostering unity in her multicultural society. Among the three resolutions recommended, one was Islam, as Malaysia's official religion, it would play a vital role in the formulation of a national cultural identity. In view of this historic event, I made a u-turn denouncing modern art, ingrained in me for decades, and made Islam as the raison d‘être of my art by responding to the challenges of NCC. This paper therefore, will extrapolate my five-decade artistic trajectory from Western-centric art period to Malay-Islamic art from 1970s -2018.
Inflammation, insulin resistance and neuroprogression in depression
Authors: Leonard Brian E. , Wegener Gregers
Published: June 2019

Chronic low-grade inflammation has been observed in major depression and other major psychiatric disorders and has been implicated in metabolic changes that are commonly associated with these disorders. This raises the possibility that the effects of dysfunctional metabolism may facilitate changes in neuronal structure and function which contribute to neuroprogression. Such changes may have implications for the progress from major depression to dementia in the elderly patient. The purpose of this review is to examine the contribution of inflammation and hypercortisolaemia, which are frequently associated with major depression, to neurodegeneration and how they detrimentally impact on brain energy metabolism. A key factor in these adverse events is insulin insensitivity caused by pro-inflammatory cytokines in association with desensitised glucocorticoid receptors. Identifying the possible metabolic changes initiated by inflammation opens new targets to ameliorate the adverse metabolic changes. This has resulted in the identification of dietary and drug targets which are of interest in the development of a new generation of psychotropic drugs.
Correction: DLPFC transcriptome defines two molecular subtypes of schizophrenia
Authors: Bowen Elijah F. W. , Burgess Jack L. , Granger Richard , Kleinman Joel E. , Rhodes C. Harker
Published: June 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
FGF1ΔHBS ameliorates chronic kidney disease via PI3K/AKT mediated suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation
Authors: Wang Dezhong , Jin Mengyun , Zhao Xinyu , Zhao Tianyang , Lin Wei , He Zhengle , Fan Miaojuan , Jin Wei , Zhou Jie , Jin Lingwei , Zheng Chao , Jin Hui , Zhao Yushuo , Li Xiaokun , Ying Lei , Wang Yang , Zhu Guanghui , Huang Zhifeng
Published: June 2019

Currently, there is a lack of effective therapeutic approaches to the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) with irreversible deterioration of renal function. This study aimed to investigate the ability of mutant FGF1 (FGF1ΔHBS, which has reduced mitogenic activity) to alleviate CKD and to study its associated mechanisms. We found that FGF1ΔHBS exhibited much weaker mitogenic activity than wild-type FGF1 (FGF1WT) in renal tissues. RNA-seq analysis revealed that FGF1ΔHBS inhibited oxidative stress and inflammatory signals in mouse podocytes challenged with high glucose. These antioxidative stress and anti-inflammatory activities of FGF1ΔHBS prevented CKD in two mouse models: a diabetic nephropathy model and an adriamycin-induced nephropathy model. Further mechanistic analyses suggested that the inhibitory effects of FGF1ΔHBS on oxidative stress and inflammation were mediated by activation of the GSK-3β/Nrf2 pathway and inhibition of the ASK1/JNK signaling pathway, respectively. An in-depth study demonstrated that both pathways are under control of PI3K/AKT signaling activated by FGF1ΔHBS. This finding expands the potential uses of FGF1ΔHBS for the treatment of various kinds of CKD associated with oxidative stress and inflammation.
miR-21 promotes NLRP3 inflammasome activation to mediate pyroptosis and endotoxic shock
Authors: Xue Zhenyi , Xi Qing , Liu Hongkun , Guo Xiangdong , Zhang Jieyou , Zhang Zimu , Li Yan , Yang Guangze , Zhou Dongmei , Yang Huiyun , Zhang Lijuan , Zhang Qi , Gu Chao , Yang Juhong , Da Yurong , Yao Zhi , Duo Shuguang , Zhang Rongxin
Published: June 2019

miR-21 is aberrantly expressed, and plays a role in various types of tumors and many other diseases. However, the mechanism of miR-21 in LPS-induced septic shock is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of miR-21 in LPS-induced pyroptosis and septic shock. Here, we show that miR-21 deficiency inhibited NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1 expression, as well as inflammasome activation in myeloid cells from both mice and humans. We found that the NF-κB pathway was regulated by miR-21, and that A20 was a direct target of miR-21. Furthermore, miR-21 deficiency inhibited the ASC pyroptosome, which restrained caspase-1 activation and GSDMD cleavage, thereby preventing LPS-induced pyroptosis and septic shock. miR-21 deficiency resulted in an increase in A20, which led to decreased IL-1β production and caspase-1 activation. Caspase-1-mediated GSDMD cleavage was consequently decreased, which prevented pyroptosis in LPS-induced sepsis in mice. Our results demonstrate that miR-21 is a critical positive regulator of the NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasomes in pyroptosis and septic shock via A20. In addition, by analyzing published miRNA expression profiles in the Gene Expression Omnibus database, we found that the miR-21 levels in peripheral blood from patients with septic shock were elevated. Thus, miR-21 may serve as a potential treatment target in patients with septic shock.