bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enjeux éthiques des tests anténataux à l’époque contemporaine : L’apport d’une approche conséquentialiste
Authors: Gaille Marie
Published: March 2019

Le fœtus vivant est un « objet d’étude » relativement récent pour la médecine : depuis les années 1960. La mise en place de techniques de tests prénatal de dépistage et de diagnostic proposé aux couples ou aux femmes enceintes, afin de détecter in utero des maladies particulièrement graves incurables au moment du diagnostic et d’origine génétique, a suscité une réflexion éthique toujours présente. Jonathan Glover apporte à cette réflexion une contribution de premier ordre. Elle donne notamment toute sa place à l’examen des conséquences directes et « latérales » dans l’évaluation éthique d’une pratique. Après avoir présenté dans un premier temps le questionnement de Glover sur la pratique du diagnostic prénatal, élaboré sur plusieurs décennies, cette contribution aborde le moment de l’histoire du diagnostic prénatal dans lequel nous sommes à présent caractérisé par une pratique dite « non invasive » du diagnostic prénatal et par l’avènement d’une médecine génomique. Dans ce second moment, la démarche gloverienne attentive aux conséquences d’une pratique est reprise afin d’appréhender les enjeux propres de la période contemporaine et souligner que l’absence d’invasivité éthique ne met pas fin aux questionnements éthiques.
H.L.A. Hart et J. Glover : un point de vue utilitariste contre la peine de mort
Authors: Nayfeld Nicolas
Published: March 2019

Dans cet article, je reviens sur les origines du chapitre sur la peine de mort de Questions de vie ou de mort de J. Glover, à savoir un article de 1957 de Hart, Murder and the Principles of Punishment : England and the United States. Dans cet article, Hart défend, comme Glover, l’abolition de la peine de mort en s’appuyant sur une stratégie utilitariste consistant, notamment, à renverser le fardeau de la preuve : tant que nous n’aurons pas la preuve que la peine de mort permet de sauver davantage de vies que la prison, nous ne serons pas autorisés à y recourir, dans la mesure où elle est prima facie un mal plus grand que la prison. En effet, elle cause un préjudice plus important, elle est davantage coûteuse et elle n’est pas rémissible. Plus de cinquante ans après la publication de cet article, nous n’avons toujours pas la preuve d’une plus grande efficacité de la peine de mort. Certaines études suggèrent même que la peine de mort pourrait être nocive et avoir un effet de brutalisation. Tout au long de l’article, j’explore les forces et les faiblesses de l’approche utilitariste de la sanction pénale, que j’oppose, suivant Hart et Glover, à deux autres approches : l’approche pacifiste et l’approche rétributiviste.
Conséquentialisme et recours collectif au raisonnement éthique : Remarques sur la valeur de la vie, sur la dignité et sur l'approche de la mise en débat chez J. Glover
Authors: Picavet Emmanuel Bernard
Published: March 2019

En partant d’une lecture des Questions de vie et de mort de Jonathan Glover, l’article aborde les présupposés généraux impliqués dans les conceptions de la dignité de la vie. La compatibilité (ou non) avec un point de vue conséquentialiste permet de clarifier le sens qui est accordé à des seuils dans la comparaison intra personnelle entre les états du monde. Ces thèmes sont ensuite traités dans la perspective du dialogue lié à l’appréciation collective des orientations pratiques.
Entretien avec Peter Singer sur Jonathan Glover et l'éthique du faire-mourir
Authors: Basse Benoît
Published: March 2019

Dans le cadre de ce numéro spécial consacré à Jonathan Glover, nous avons demandé à Peter Singer de revenir sur l’influence qu’a pu exercer sur lui l’ouvrage Questions de vie ou de mort, ainsi que le séminaire de Glover à Oxford auquel Peter Singer assista à la fin des années soixante. L’un des arguments récurrents de Peter Singer réside dans la critique de la distinction traditionnelle entre les actes et les omissions. Mais Glover n’est sans doute pas étranger à cette remise en cause, même si les deux penseurs ne semblent pas vouloir en tirer exactement les mêmes conséquences. L’enjeu s’avère être le suivant : de quoi sommes-nous réellement responsable et quel est le degré d’exigence auquel doit s’élever la morale?
Component-oriented acausal modeling of the dynamical systems in Python language on the example of the model of the sucker rod string
Authors: Kopei Volodymyr B , Onysko Oleh R , Panchuk Vitalii G
Published: March 2019

As a rule, the limitations of specialized modeling languages for acausal modeling of the complex dynamical systems are: limited applicability, poor interoperability with the third party software packages, the high cost of learning, the complexity of the implementation of hybrid modeling and modeling systems with the variable structure, the complexity of the modifications and improvements. In order to solve these problems, it is proposed to develop the easy-to-understand and to modify component-oriented acausal hybrid modeling system that is based on: (1) the general-purpose programming language Python, (2) the description of components by Python classes, (3) the description of components behavior by difference equations using declarative tools SymPy, (4) the event generation using Python imperative constructs, (5) composing and solving the system of algebraic equations in each discrete time point of the simulation. The classes that allow creating the models in Python without the need to study and apply specialized modeling languages are developed. These classes can also be used to automate the construction of the system of difference equations, describing the behavior of the model in a symbolic form. The basic set of mechanical components is developed — 1D translational components "mass", "spring-damper", "force". Using these components, the models of sucker rods string are developed and simulated. These simulation results are compared with the simulation results in Modelica language. The replacement of differential equations by difference equations allow simplifying the implementation of the hybrid modeling and the requirements for the modules for symbolic mathematics and for solving equations.
colocr: An R package for conducting co-localization analysis on fluorescence microscopy images
Authors: Ahmed Mahmoud , Lai Trang Huyen , Kim Deok Ryong
Published: March 2019

Background The co-localization analysis of fluorescence microscopy images is a widely used tech- nique in biological research. It is often used to determine the co-distribution of two proteins inside the cell, suggesting that these two proteins could be functionally or physically associated. The limiting step in conducting microscopy image analysis in a graphical interface tool is the selection of the regions of interest for the co-localization of two proteins.

Implementation This package provides a simple straight forward workflow for loading fluorescence images, choosing regions of interest and calculating co-localization statistics. Included in the package is a shiny app that can be invoked locally to select the regions of interest where two proteins are interactively co-localized.

Availability colocr is available on the comprehensive R archive network, and the source code is available on GitHub as part of the ROpenSci collection, https://github.com/ropensci/colocr. Keywords: R package, co-localization, image-analysis, fluorescence microscopy, statistics
PREVENTIVE CAMPAIGN AGAINST GAS RELEASE AND FIRE IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Authors: POKORNÝ JIRI , KRATOCHVÍLOVÁ DANUŠE
Published: March 2019

Three serious accidents connected to gas releases happened in the territory of the Czech Republic during 2013. Sixpeople died in them, dozens of people were injured and the damagesamounted to more than 4 million euro. These accidents were the stimulus for the establishment of the preventive campaign. Its aim is to explain to people the risks in their homes, especially the threats of dangerous gas and fire, and to suggest protective measures. The preventive campaign is realized by the Czech Fire Officer Association, which is a constituent of the Federation of the European Union Fire Officer Association, and in collaboration with the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic. As part of the campaign, a website has been created as a comprehensive base of information for both laymen and experts. Other steps have been taken gradually. The objective of these steps is to boost awareness in the population of the Moravian and Silesian Region as well as other regions in the Czech Republic.
Key words:preventive campaign, gas release, fire
ENVIRONMENTAL CAPACITY: NEOTERIC APPROACH IN SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Authors: Vasovic Dejan , Takic Ljiljana , Ristic Goran
Published: March 2019

Forecasting changes in the environment, creating preventive actions and defining the corresponding measures are in the focus of contemporary scientific researches in the area of sustainable environmental management.An essential part of preventive thinking is consideration of the concept of environmental capacity.The aim of this study is to examine determinants of environmental capacity, vulnerability and resilience based on the principles of sustainable development.The study is based on observing relevant components and structure of the environmental capacity, vulnerability and resilience concept.In that sense, this paperwork represents an assay to highlight the basic attributes of the abovementioned concept, and to identify the specific linkages between them.
Key words: environmental capacity, determinants, management.
The transcriptomic response to a short day to long day shift in leaves of the reference legume Medicago truncatula
Authors: Thomson Geoffrey , Taylor James , Putterill Joanna
Published: March 2019

Photoperiodic flowering aligns plant reproduction to favourable seasons of the year to maximise successful production of seeds and grains. However understanding of this process in the temperate legumes of the Fabaceae family, which are important both agriculturally and ecologically, is incomplete. Previous work in the reference legume Medicago truncatula has shown that the FT-like gene MtFTa1 is a potent floral activator. While MtFTa1 is upregulated by long-day photoperiods (LD) and vernalisation, the molecular basis of this is unknown as functional homologues of key regulatory genes present in other species, notably CONSTANS in A. thaliana, have not been identified. In LD MtFTa1 maintains a near constant diurnal pattern of expression unlike its homologue FT in A. thaliana, which has a notable peak in expression at dusk. This suggests a different manner of regulation. Furthermore, M. truncatula possesses other FT-like genes such as two LD induced MtFTb genes which may also act in the regulation of flowering time. MtFTb genes have a diurnal pattern of expression with peaks at both four and sixteen hours after dawn. This study utilises RNA-Seq to analyse the transcriptome of M. truncatula leaves to identify genes which may regulate or be co-expressed with these FT-like genes following a shift from short-day photoperiods to inductive long-days. Specifically this study focuses on the first four hours of the day in the young leaves, which coincides with the first diurnal peak of the FTb genes. Following differential expression analysis at each timepoint, genes which alter their pattern of expression are distinguished from those which just alter their magnitude of expression (and those that do neither). It goes on to categorise these genes into groups with similar patterns of expression using c-means clustering and identifies a number of potential candidate photoperiod flowering time genes for future studies to consider.
Identification of key genes, pathways and potential therapeutic agents for liver fibrosis using an integrated bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Zhan Zhu , Chen Yuhe , Duan Yuanqin , Li Lin , Mew Kenley , Hu Peng , Ren Hong , Peng Mingli
Published: March 2019

Background

Liver fibrosis is often a consequence of chronic liver injury, and has the potential to progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Despite being an important human disease, there are currently no approved anti-fibrotic drugs. In this study, we aim to identify the key genes and pathways governing the pathophysiological processes of liver fibrosis, and to screen therapeutic anti-fibrotic agents.

Methods

Expression profiles were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by R packages (Affy and limma). Gene functional enrichments of each dataset were performed on the DAVID database. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by STRING database and visualized in Cytoscape software. The hub genes were explored by the CytoHubba plugin app and validated in another GEO dataset and in a liver fibrosis cell model by quantitative real-time PCR assay. The Connectivity Map L1000 platform was used to identify potential anti-fibrotic agents.

Results

We integrated three fibrosis datasets of different disease etiologies, incorporating a total of 70 severe (F3–F4) and 116 mild (F0–F1) fibrotic tissue samples. Gene functional enrichment analyses revealed that cell cycle was a pathway uniquely enriched in a dataset from those patients infected by hepatitis B virus (HBV), while the immune-inflammatory response was enriched in both the HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) datasets, but not in the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) dataset. There was overlap between these three datasets; 185 total shared DEGs that were enriched for pathways associated with extracellular matrix constitution, platelet-derived growth-factor binding, protein digestion and absorption, focal adhesion, and PI3K-Akt signaling. In the PPI network, 25 hub genes were extracted and deemed to be essential genes for fibrogenesis, and the expression trends were consistent withGSE14323(an additional dataset) and liver fibrosis cell model, confirming the relevance of our findings. Among the 10 best matching anti-fibrotic agents, Zosuquidar and its corresponding gene target ABCB1 might be a novel anti-fibrotic agent or therapeutic target, but further work will be needed to verify its utility.

Conclusions

Through this bioinformatics analysis, we identified that cell cycle is a pathway uniquely enriched in HBV related dataset and immune-inflammatory response is clearly enriched in the virus-related datasets. Zosuquidar and ABCB1 might be a novel anti-fibrotic agent or target.
Aqueous Stable Gold Nanostar/ZIF‐8 Nanocomposites for Light‐Triggered Release of Active Cargo Inside Living Cells
Authors: Carrillo‐Carrión Carolina , Martínez Raquel , Navarro Poupard María F. , Pelaz Beatriz , Polo Ester , Arenas‐Vivo Ana , Olgiati Alessandro , Taboada Pablo , Soliman Mahmoud G. , Catalán Úrsula , Fernández‐Castillejo Sara , Solà Rosa , Parak Wolfgang J. , Horcajada Patricia , Alvarez‐Puebla Ramon A. , del Pino Pablo
Published: March 2019

A plasmonic core–shell gold nanostar/zeolitic‐imidazolate‐framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) nanocomposite was developed for the thermoplasmonic‐driven release of encapsulated active molecules inside living cells. The nanocomposites were loaded, as a proof of concept, with bisbenzimide molecules as functional cargo and wrapped with an amphiphilic polymer that prevents ZIF‐8 degradation and bisbenzimide leaking in aqueous media or inside living cells. The demonstrated molecule‐release mechanism relies on the use of near‐IR light coupled to the plasmonic absorption of the core gold nanostars, which creates local temperature gradients and thus, bisbenzimide thermodiffusion. Confocal microscopy and surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) were used to demonstrate bisbenzimide loading/leaking and near‐IR‐triggered cargo release inside cells, thereby leading to DNA staining.
Metallfreie Tandem‐Umlagerung/Lactonisierung: Zugang zu 3,3‐disubstituierten Benzofuran‐2‐(3H)‐onen
Authors: Santi Micol , Ould Darren M. C. , Wenz Jan , Soltani Yashar , Melen Rebecca L. , Wirth Thomas
Published: March 2019

Hier wird eine neuartige metallfreie Synthese von 3,3‐disubstituierten Benzofuran‐2(3H)‐onen durch Reaktion von α‐Aryl‐α‐diazoacetaten und Triarylboranen vorgestellt. Zunächst wurden Triarylborane bei α‐Arylierungen von α‐Diazoacetaten untersucht, in Gegenwart eines Heteroatomsubstituenten in ortho‐Position erfährt das intermediäre Borenolat jedoch eine intramolekulare Umlagerung und bildet ein quartäres Zentrum. Die Zwischenprodukte cyclisieren unter Bildung von wertvollen 3,3‐disubstituierten Benzofuranonen in guten Ausbeuten.
Ultrahigh‐Loading Zinc Single‐Atom Catalyst for Highly Efficient Oxygen Reduction in Both Acidic and Alkaline Media
Authors: Li Jia , Chen Siguo , Yang Na , Deng Mingming , Ibraheem Shumaila , Deng Jianghai , Li Jing , Li Li , Wei Zidong
Published: March 2019

Atomically dispersed Zn–N–C nanomaterials are promising platinum‐free catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, the fabrication of Zn–N–C catalysts with a high Zn loading remains a formidable challenge owing to the high volatility of the Zn precursor during high‐temperature annealing. Herein, we report that an atomically dispersed Zn–N–C catalyst with an ultrahigh Zn loading of 9.33 wt % could be successfully prepared by simply adopting a very low annealing rate of 1° min−1. The Zn–N–C catalyst exhibited comparable ORR activity to that of Fe–N–C catalysts, and significantly better ORR stability than Fe–N–C catalysts in both acidic and alkaline media. Further experiments and DFT calculations demonstrated that the Zn–N–C catalyst was less susceptible to protonation than the corresponding Fe–N–C catalyst in an acidic medium. DFT calculations revealed that the Zn–N4 structure is more electrochemically stable than the Fe–N4 structure during the ORR process.
Development of Triglyceride Certified Reference Materials in Human Frozen Serum Using Isotope Dilution‐Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Lee Sun Young , Kim Kwonseong , Kwon Hyun Soo , Kim Young Eun , Kim Ki Young , Jeong Ji‐Seon , Oh Han Bin , Kim Tae Young , Hong Jongki , Kang Dukjin
Published: March 2019

Certified reference materials (CRMs), KRISS CRM 111‐01‐010 and 111‐01‐011, were first developed in Korea to provide SI‐traceability in the measurement of triglycerides (TGs) in human frozen serum. For absolute TG quantification in KRISS CRMs, isotope dilution‐liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (ID‐LC–MS/MS) was used. Both certification and short‐term stability assessment of TG in KRISS CRMs were performed for each of 10 and eight selected units. The TG certified values and expanded uncertainties in KRISS CRMs were as follows: 0.608 ± 0.025 mmol/kg for CRM 111‐01‐010 and 1.825 ± 0.072 mmol/kg for CRM 111‐01‐011. The short‐term TG stability results were not significantly changed relative to the certified values, and therefore both KRISS CRMs were stable during the monitoring period at each temperature. Based on our experiments, the developed KRISS CRMs can provide accurate, precise, and reproducible TG measurements in human frozen serum for clinical laboratories with SI‐traceability.
The potential role of auditory prediction error in decompensated tinnitus: An auditory mismatch negativity study
Authors: Mohebbi Mehrnaz , Daneshi Ahmad , Asadpour Abdoreza , Mohsen Samer , Farhadi Mohammad , Mahmoudian Saeid
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Some tinnitus subjects habituate to their tinnitus but some others do not and complain of its annoyance tremendously. Normal sensory memory and change detection processes are needed for detecting the tinnitus signal as a prediction error and habituation to tinnitus. The purpose of this study was to compare auditory mismatch negativity as the index of sensory memory and change detection among the studied groups to search for the factors involving in the perception of tinnitus and preventing habituation in decompensated tinnitus subjects.

Methods

Electroencephalography was recorded from scalp electrodes in compensated tinnitus, decompensated tinnitus, and no tinnitus control subjects. Mismatch negativity was obtained using the oddball paradigm with frequency, duration, and silent gap deviants. Amplitude, latency, and area under the curve of mismatch negativities were compared among the three studied groups.

Results

The results showed lower mismatch negativity amplitude and area under the curve for the higher frequency deviant and for the silent gap deviant in decompensated tinnitus group compared to normal control and compensated tinnitus group.

Conclusions

This study revealed a deficit in sensory memory and change detection processing in decompensated tinnitus subjects. This causes persistent prediction errors; tinnitus signal is consistently detected as a new signal and activates the brain salience network and consequently prevents habituation to tinnitus. Mismatch negativity is proposed as an index for monitoring tinnitus rehabilitation.
Effect of sulfur dioxide and lactic acid in steeping water on the extraction of anthocyanins and bioactives from purple corn pericarp
Authors: Li Qian , Singh Vijay , de Mejia Elvira Gonzalez , Somavat Pavel
Published: March 2019

Background and objectives

Purple corn can be an economical source of anthocyanins, a natural alternate to synthetic FD&C Red 40 dye in foods. The effects of steeping purple corn pericarp in wet milling chemicals, namely sodium metabisulfite and lactic acid, and milling on the extraction of anthocyanins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins were studied.

Findings

Steeping water with 2,000 ppm SO2 contained total monomeric anthocyanins (TA) equivalent of 20.5 ± 1.5 mg cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside (C3G)/g pericarp, higher than using only water (7.1 ± 0.6 mg C3G/g pericarp). In the treatment with SO2 and 5,000 ppm lactic acid, TA concentration was 22.9 ± 0.2 mg C3G/g pericarp. This was due to increased extraction of C3G and condensed forms of anthocyanins. Polyphenols and tannins were higher in SO2 treatments while flavonoid concentration was not different. Chroma was positively correlated with anthocyanins (r = 0.999) and tannins (r = 0.994). Ball milled pericarp fractions yielded the highest amount of anthocyanins.

Conclusions

Anthocyanin recovery from purple corn pericarp can be significantly increased using a milling step prior to SO2‐based extraction.

Significance and novelty

A novel method for increasing anthocyanin yields from purple corn is proposed.
Effect of Helical Surface Disc Turbulators on Heat Transfer and Friction Factor Characteristics in the Annuli of a Double‐Pipe Heat Exchanger
Authors: Yadav Saurabh , Sahu Santosh K.
Published: March 2019

The heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics in annuli of a double‐pipe heat exchanger (DPHE) using helical surface disc turbulators (HSDTs) are experimentally investigated. The effect of a helical surface disc turbulator is studied for three pitch ratios, three diameter ratios, and varying Reynolds numbers. Water flows in the inner tube and air through the annulus. The tests are conducted for air with uniform wall temperature condition. The heat exchanger with the least pitch ratio and least diameter ratio was found to exhibit the highest Nusselt number and pressure drop. The thermal performance factor turned out to be greater than unity for all cases. Correlations were developed for Nusselt number, friction factor, and thermal performance.
Estimation of Kinetics for Batch Cooling Crystallization by Focused‐Beam Reflectance Measurements
Authors: Unno Joi , Kawase Hiroki , Kaneshige Reiya , Hirasawa Izumi
Published: March 2019

Numerical simulation of the seeded batch cooling crystallization process of active pharmaceutical ingredients was performed. Crystal size distribution was observed by focused‐beam reflectance measurements and concentration by simultaneous Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. First, kinetic parameters were estimated. Nucleation rate coefficient and order were estimated from the linear regression equation between cooling rate and metastable zone width. The remaining parameters were estimated from the evaluation function. Then, the numerical simulation was performed by utilizing the method of moments. Finally, observed data were compared with simulated data. The simulated values of mean mass size corresponded reasonably with the observed ones.
Synthesis and Characterization of Sodium Dithionate and its Dihydrate
Authors: Schindler Manon , Couvrat Nicolas , Cartigny Yohann , Brandel Clément , Coquerel Gérard
Published: March 2019

Sodium dithionate (Na2S2O6) was synthesized and characterized by complementary solid‐state analyses. The obtained results enabled to describe the dehydration and decomposition phenomena under heating and reversible hydration and dehydration phenomena at relative humidity. The important role of water in the dihydrate crystalline structure is highlighted by dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, and structural description.
A Mixed‐Anion System Consisting of a Germyl Anion and Anions Delocalized on Conjugated Carbon Ring Skeletons
Authors: Fujimori Shiori , Mizuhata Yoshiyuki , Tokitoh Norihiro
Published: March 2019

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Norihiro Tokitoh at Kyoto University. The image depicts a mixed‐trianion system based on a 9‐germaanthracene skeleton. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201900699.
Cobaltaelectro‐Catalyzed C−H Activation with Carbon Monoxide or Isocyanides
Authors: Sau Samaresh Chandra , Mei Ruhuai , Struwe Julia , Ackermann Lutz
Published: March 2019

Electrochemical oxidative C−H/N−H activations with isocyanides have been realized with a versatile cobalt catalyst. The widely applicable cobalt catalysis manifold further enabled electrooxidative C−H/N−H carbonylations with carbon monoxide under ambient conditions. The C−H functionalizations were efficiently realized with ample scope and outstanding functional group tolerance in a user‐friendly undivided cell setup.
Thermolytic Reagents to Synthesize 5′‐ or 3′‐Mono(thio)phosphate Oligodeoxynucleotides or 3′‐modified oligodeoxynucleotides
Authors: Madaoui Mimouna , Meyer Albert , Vasseur Jean‐Jacques , Morvan François
Published: March 2019

Methylthioethanol and 2,2′‐thiodiethanol were derivatized into cyanoethyl‐phosphoramidites and solid support and were used to synthesize 5′‐, 3′‐monophosphate or 5′‐, 3′‐monothiophosphate oligonucleotides by thermolytic treatment followed by ammonia. The corresponding 2,2′‐thiodiethanol solid support was also used to release fully protected oligonucleotides from solid support without ammonia treatment, to monitor the oligonucleotide elongation on solid support by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry without any prior chemical treatment or to synthesize 3′‐pentynyl oligonucleotides in combination with a modified phosphoramidite where the cyanoethyl group was replaced by a pentynyl one.
Effect of the rearing system on the color of four muscles of suckling kids
Authors: Ripoll Guillermo , Alcalde María Jesús , Argüello Anastasio , Córdoba María de Guía , Panea Begoña
Published: March 2019

Most suckling kids are raised on farms for cheese production, and many goat farmers rear kids with milk replacers. The aim of this work was to study the influence of the use of milk replacers on the color of four muscles. A total of 246 suckling kids of eight breeds were slaughtered to achieve carcasses of 5 kg. The color of the biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and longissimus thoracis muscles was measured with a spectrophotometer, and CIELab coordinates were registered. In addition, the pH of longissimus thoracis was measured. The effect of the rearing system (RS) on the color of the studied muscles is strongly modulated by breed. In general terms, there are two groups of kids according to the color of meat. The first group has great lightness and hue angle including Malagueña, Palmera, and Tinerfeña fed natural and artificial milk. The second group with great redness includes Retinta, Payoya, and Verata fed natural and artificial milk together with Florida fed natural milk and Cabra del Guadarrama fed milk replacers. Hence, farms should consider selecting a breed and RS together. Most of the kid meat with high pH comes from kids raised on milk replacers. Because artificial RSs use very early weaning, which might induce a high pH and dark meat, two artificial rearing strategies can be proposed. The first strategy is to choose less sensitive breeds that produce meat with a normal pH. The second strategy is to restrict suckling of natural milk but minimize separation from the mother.
Surgical consensus guidelines on sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in patients with oral cancer
Authors: Schilling Clare , Stoeckli Sando J. , Vigili Maurizio G. , de Bree Remco , Lai Stephen Y. , Alvarez Julio , Christensen Anders , Cognetti David M. , D'Cruz Anil K. , Frerich Bernhard , Garrel Renaud , Kohno Naoyuki , Klop Willem Martin , Kerawala Cyrus , Lawson Georges , McMahon Jeremy , Sassoon Isabel , Shaw Richard J. , Tvedskov Jesper F. , von Buchwald Christian , McGurk Mark
Published: March 2019

Background

The eighth international symposium for sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in head and neck cancer was held in 2018. This consensus conference aimed to deliver current multidisciplinary guidelines. This document focuses on the surgical aspects of SNB for oral cancer.

Method

Invited expert faculty selected topics requiring guidelines. Topics were reviewed and evidence evaluated where available. Data were presented at the consensus meeting, with live debate from panels comprising expert, nonexpert, and patient representatives followed by voting to assess the level of support for proposed recommendations. Evidence review, debate, and voting results were all considered in constructing these guidelines.

Results/Conclusion

A range of topics were considered, from patient selection to surgical technique and follow‐up schedule. Consensus was not achieved in all areas, highlighting potential issues that would benefit from prospective studies. Nevertheless these guidelines represent an up‐to‐date pragmatic recommendation based on current evidence and expert opinion.
Tracheostomy scar management by repositioning platysma muscle and applying an acellular dermal substitute
Authors: Ha Jeong Hyun , Kim Sang Wha
Published: March 2019

Background

A depressed tracheostomy scar can be esthetically unacceptable. We describe a new technique for managing tracheostomy scars using platysma muscle repositioning and the application of an acellular dermal substitute.

Methods

Seventeen patients with depressed tracheostomy scars were identified for scar management. The time between tracheostomy tube removal and scar management was 29 months. Before and after the surgery, the scar was rated using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS).

Results

After surgery, tracheal tug was eliminated in all patients and the appearance of the scar was much improved. The mean total VSS score improved from 8.265 to 2.324 (P < 0.0001). The follow‐up period was 33.3 months.

Conclusions

The management of tracheostomy scars by repositioning platysma muscle and applying an acellular dermal substitute is simple and efficient. The technique recovers the lost deep tissue volume, corrects tracheal skin tug, and enables tension‐free skin closure to restore the normal contour of the neck.
Hydroperoxyditerpenoids from Octocorals
Authors: Sheu Jyh‐Horng , Peng Bo‐Rong , Fang Lee‐Shing , Hwang Tsong‐Long , Su Jui‐Hsin , Wu Yang‐Chang , Sung Ping‐Jyun
Published: March 2019

The structures, names, bioactivities, and references of 75 marine diterpenoids from octocorals possessing a hydroperoxy group, including 46 cembranes, 8 eunicellins, 5 briaranes, 5 dolabellanes, 4 germacranes, 3 xenicins, 2 caryophyllanes, 1 decalin, and 1 pseudopterosin, are summarized in this review article. All the hydroperoxyditerpenoids mentioned in this review were isolated from octocorals from Alcyonacea (Briareum excavatum, Briareum polyanthes, Briareum violaceum, Briareum sp., Cespitularia sp., Cladiella tuberculosa, Cladiella sp., Clavularia inflata, Klyxum simplex, Lemnalia sp., Lobophytum crassum, Lobophytum sp., Nephthea pacifica, Sarcophyton cherbonnieri, Sarcophyton crassocaule, Sarcophyton glaucum, Sarcophyton mililatensis, Sarcophyton trocheliophorum, Sarcophyton sp., Sinularia arborea, Sinularia erecta, Sinilaria flexibilis, Sinularia gibberosa, Sinularia manaarensis, Xenia umbellata) and Gorgonacea (Astrogorgia sp., Eunicea calyculata, Eunicea pinta, Eunicea succinea, Eunicea sp., Pseudopterogorgia sp.). Among these isolates, 41 compounds exhibited potential biomedical activities, including cytotoxicity, antimalarial activity, anti‐inflammatory activity, and antibacterial activity.
Improvisational Teaching as Being With: Cultivating a Relational Presence Toward Justice‐Oriented Literacies
Authors: Zapata Angie , Van Horn Selena , Moss Daryl , Fugit Misha
Published: March 2019

The authors (two classroom teacher researchers and two university researchers) explore the potential of improvisational teaching for justice‐oriented literacy instruction with adolescent youths. In the aftermath of racial unrest and student activism at the University of Missouri and when faced with the emerging confusions among students in response to global humanitarian crises, the two teachers encountered tensions and emerging justice‐oriented literacies through a relational presence in the classroom. Guided by the scholarship on improvisational planning and teaching, the authors explore how teachers’ being with the major resources in the room produce generative literacy sites of critical discussion, reading, writing, and making as acts of creative resistance and solidarity. Throughout the article, the authors juxtapose the two teaches’ feelings and voices to amplify their differences and their affectual responses to encountered tensions to evoke new conditions of possibilities for justice‐oriented literacy education.
Role of HGF/c‐Met in the treatment of colorectal cancer with liver metastasis
Authors: Yao Jian‐feng , Li Xiao‐jun , Yan Li‐kun , He Sai , Zheng Jian‐bao , Wang Xiao‐rong , Zhou Pei‐hua , Zhang Li , Wei Guang‐bing , Sun Xue‐jun
Published: March 2019

The system of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor c‐Met plays a critical role in tumor invasive growth and metastasis. The mortality rate of colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies, is increased by it gradual development into metastasis, most frequently in the liver. Overexpression of c‐Met, the protein tyrosine kinase receptor for the HCF/scatter factor, has been implicated in the progression and metastasis of human colorectal carcinoma. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of c‐Met in CRC liver metastasis and illustrate the clinical impact of regulating HGF/c‐Met signaling in patients with CRC liver metastasis. We found that (I) higher levels of c‐Met expression (mRNA and Protein) in CRC liver metastasis than primary CRC by assessing the patient tissue samples; (II) a positive correlation of c‐Met expression with tumor stages of CRC liver metastasis, as well as c‐Met expression in CRC, live metastasis concurred with regional lymph node metastasis; (III) the clinical impact of downregulation of HGF/c‐Met signaling on the reduction of proliferation and invasion in CRC liver metastasis. Therefore, we demonstrate that the regulation of HGF/c‐Met pathways may be a promising strategy in the treatment of patients with CRC liver metastasis.
Protective effect of daidzein against streptozotocin‐induced Alzheimer's disease via improving cognitive dysfunction and oxidative stress in rat model
Authors: Wei Jie , Yang Fenggang , Gong Chuanbao , Shi Xingyuan , Wang Guangliang
Published: March 2019

Oxidative stress is performing an essential role in developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), and age‐related disorder and other neurodegenerative diseases. In existing research, we have aimed at investigating the daidzein (4′,7‐dihydroxyisoflavone) effect (10 and 20 mg/kg of body weight), as a free radical scavenger and antioxidant in streptozotocin (STZ) infused AD in rat model. Daidzein treatment led to significant improvement in intracerebroventricular‐streptozotocin (ICV‐STZ)‐induced memory and learning impairments that was evaluated by Morris water maze test and spontaneous locomotor activity. It significantly restored the alterations in malondialdehyde, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione levels. In addition, histopathological observations in cerebral cortex and hippocampal areas confirmed the neuroprotective effect of daidzein. These outcomes provide experimental proof showing preventive effect of daidzein on memory, learning dysfunction and oxidative stress in case of ICV‐STZ rats. In conclusion, daidzein offers a potential treatment module for various neurodegenerative disorders with regard to mental deficits like AD.
Finite‐Temperature Dimer Method for Finding Saddle Points on Free Energy Surfaces
Authors: Zhang Huan , Qiu Lili , Hu Dan
Published: March 2019

The dimer method and its variants have been shown to be efficient in finding saddle points on potential surfaces. In the dimer method, the most unstable direction is approximately obtained by minimizing the total potential energy of the dimer. Then, the force in this direction is reversed to move the dimer toward saddle points. When the finite‐temperature effect is important for a high‐dimensional system, one usually needs to describe the dynamics in a low‐dimensional space of reaction coordinates. In this case, transition states are collected as saddle points on the free energy surface. The traditional dimer method cannot be directly employed to find saddle points on a free energy surface since the surface is not known a priori. Here, we develop a finite‐temperature dimer method for searching saddle points on the free energy surface. In this method, a constrained rotation dynamics of the dimer system is used to sample dimer directions and an efficient average method is used to obtain a good approximation of the most unstable direction. This approximated direction is then used in reversing the force component and evolving the dimer toward saddle points. Our numerical results suggest that the new method is efficient in finding saddle points on free energy surfaces. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prognostic and diagnostic significance of circRNAs expression in lung cancer
Authors: Huang Xin , Zhang Weiyue , Shao Zengwu
Published: March 2019

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have spurred considerable interest in numerous tumors. We aimed to investigate the clinical, prognostic, and diagnostic roles of circRNAs in human lung cancer. We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus, CBM, and the Cochrane Library databases up to July 24, 2018. Eligible studies about the relationship between circRNAs expression and clinical, prognostic, and diagnostic outcomes in patients with lung cancer were in our study. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were to investigate clinical parameters, and hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs to estimate overall survival (OS). A total of 23 relevant studies were eligible, with 15 on clinicopathological features, 14 on prognosis, and six on diagnosis. For clinical features, high expression of oncogenic circRNAs was remarkably related to poor clinical parameters. Whereas, the results of tumor‐suppressor circRNAs were the complete opposite. For the prognostic roles, oncogenic circRNAs had an unfavorable impact on overall survival (OS: HR = 3.24, 95% Cl: 2.70–3.77), and elevated level of tumor‐suppressor circRNAs was correlated with longer survival (OS: HR = 0.57, 95% Cl: 0.43–0.70). For the diagnostic values, the pooled result showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86, with 77% sensitivity and 81% specificity in distinguishing patients with lung cancer from healthy ones. The above results suggested that circRNAs have the potential to be novel indicators for prognostic and diagnostic evaluation of patients with lung cancer.
Increased IGF2BP3 expression promotes the aggressive phenotypes of colorectal cancer cells in vitro and vivo
Authors: Xu Weimin , Sheng Yaru , Guo Yuegui , Huang Zhenyu , Huang Yiji , Wen Dongpeng , Liu Chen‐Ying , Cui Long , Yang Yili , Du Peng
Published: March 2019

Previous literatures reported insulin‐like growth factor‐2 messenger RNA‐binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) is a poor prognostic marker for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. However, basic research on the effect and biological role of IGF2BP3 in CRC was still scare. Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were used to examine IGF2BP3 expression level in tumors and paired normal tissues from CRC patients. Tissue microarrays with 192 CRC patients were subjected to immunohistochemical staining to analyze the prognostic value of IGF2BP3. Proliferation assays, migration assays, and xenograft tumor formation in nude mice were performed to assess the biological role of IGF2BP3 in CRC cells. IGF2BP3 expression was significantly upregulated in tumor tissues compared with the matched normal tissues both in messenger RNA and protein level and was associated with worse prognosis. IGF2BP3 knockdown made cell cycle arrest to impair the proliferation ability of CRC cells and further inhibited the xenograft tumor growth in nude mice, also inhibited the migration ability of CRC cells via inducing epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Therefore, the research demonstrated that increased IGF2BP3 expression promoted the aggressive phenotypes of CRC cells. Targeted IGF2BP3 could be a novel and effective gene therapy for CRC patients to make a better prognosis.
Microscopic and phytochemical techniques as a tool for authentication of herbal drug chiraita: Swertia cordata (G. Don) C.B. Clarke
Authors: Rashid Sofia , Ahmad Mushtaq , Zafar Muhammad , Sultana Shazia , Ahmad Sidra Nisar , Yaseen Ghulam , Ozdemir Fethi Ahmet , Afza Rabia
Published: March 2019

Swertia cordata (G. Don) C.B. Clarke is one of the potential medicinal plants extensively used in eastern traditional medicine such as Unani, Ayurveda, Siddha, and in traditional Tibetan and Chinese medicine. S. paniculata is the common adulterant of S. cordata at herbal shops and markets but S. paniculata is also used in number of herbal formulations. The present study was conducted to use microscopic, pharmacognostic, and phytochemical techniques as a tool for the authentication of herbal drug chiraita (S. cordata). In herbal markets, mixing, adulteration, and use of spurious materials as substitute have become a major concern for herbal practitioners, local user, and industry for reasons of safety and efficacy. Therefore, authentication of medicinal plants is of utmost importance at each level of drug research. In the present study, anatomical features of two species showed a great diversity, as irregular epidermal cells and nonglandular, unicellular trichomes were found in S. cordata while in S. paniculata epidermal cells were hexagonal in shape and trichomes were A‐shaped. Antioxidant activity of two species showed a great variation where IC50 value recorded for S. cordata was 208 μg/mL, while for S. paniculata IC50 was 624 μg/mL. The study can serve as an important source of information to achieve the authenticity and to evaluate the quality and purity of the plant material in accordance to WHO guidelines. As this species is greatly exploited, so conservation is highly recommended.
Impact of the physical environment on patient outcomes of genetic counseling: An exploratory study
Authors: Morris Emily , Best Jacob , Inglis Angela , Austin Jehannine
Published: March 2019

The psychology literature shows that the physical space in which counseling sessions are conducted influences outcomes of the interaction. However, this phenomenon has not been quantitatively explored in genetic counseling (GC). Through retrospective review of naturalistic data from a psychiatric GC clinic (where data on patient outcomes are routinely tracked from pre‐ to 1 month post‐appointment using the Genetic Counseling Outcome Scale (GCOS, empowerment) and the Illness Management Self Efficacy Scale (IMSES), we tested the hypotheses that patients seen in comfortably furnished counseling (C‐type) rooms would have greater increases in (a) empowerment and (b) self‐efficacy after GC than patients seen in medically oriented (M‐type) rooms. We matched each patient with complete GCOS and/or IMSES who was seen in a C‐type room between February 2012 and December 2017 to four M‐type room controls where possible. We used t tests to compare change in outcome scale scores between groups. There were no significant differences in change in scores between patients seen in M‐type (GCOS n = 84, IMSES n = 56) and C‐type rooms (GCOS n = 22, IMSES n = 18) (p = 0.241, d = 0.26, and p = 0.602, d = 0.14, respectively). The effect sizes we demonstrate allow estimation of sample size calculations for the design of future prospective studies.
The arousal effect of hyperbaric oxygen through orexin/hypocretin an upregulation on ketamine/ethanol‐induced unconsciousness in male rats
Authors: Bian* Hetao , Huang* Lei , Li Bo , Hu Qin , Liang Xiping , Tang Jiping , Zhang John H.
Published: March 2019

Approaches that facilitate the recovery from coma would have enormous impacts on patient outcomes and medical economics. Orexin‐producing neurons release orexins (also known as hypocretins) energy‐dependently to maintain arousal. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) could increase ATP levels by preserving mitochondrial function. We investigated, for the first time, the arousal effects of HBO and orexins mechanisms in a rat model of unconsciousness induced by ketamine or ethanol. A total of 120 Sprague‐Dawley male rats were used in this study. Unconsciousness was induced either by intraperitoneal injection of ketamine or ethanol. The HBO treatment (100% O2 at 3 ATA) was administered immediately after unconsciousness induction for 1 hr. SB334867, orexin‐1 receptor (OX1R) inhibitor, or JNJ10397049, orexin‐2 receptor (OX2R) inhibitor was administered 30 min intraperitoneally before unconsciousness induction. Loss of righting reflex test (LORR) and Garcia test were used to evaluate the unconsciousness duration and neurological deficits after recovering from unconsciousness, respectively. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure brain tissue ATP and orexin A levels. Ketamine or ethanol injection resulted in LORR immediately and neurological deficits 6 hr after unconsciousness induction. HBO treatment significantly reduced the LORR duration, improved Garcia scores and unregulated ATP and orexin A levels in the brain tissue. Administration of OX1R inhibitor or OX2 R inhibitor abolished arousal and neurological benefits of HBO. In conclusion, HBO exerted arousal‐promoting effects on unconscious rats induced by ketamine or ethanol. The underlying mechanism was via, at least in part, ATP/orexin A upregulation. HBO may be a practical clinical approach to accelerate unconsciousness recovery in patients.