bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxidation Mechanism of Fluorescein at Glassy Carbon Electrode
Authors: Queiroz Nathalia L. , Nascimento José A. M. , Nascimento Maysa L. , Nascimento Valberes B. , Oliveira Severino Carlos B.
Published: August 2016

This study investigates redox properties of fluorescein (FLSC), a fluorescent tracer with many applications in several areas, markedly in biochemical research and health care diagnosis, on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) at a wide interval of pH by using voltammetric techniques. Three peaks were observed at different potentials. The investigation revealed that FLSC is irreversibly electroxidized under a diffusion‐controled and pH–dependent process. The oxidation process in acid and physiological media occurs in two consecutive steps with formation of a main electroactive oxidation product in acid medium. Both oxidation steps involve the transfer of one electron and one proton, corresponding to the oxidation of phenolic groups with formation of ortho‐quinone derivatives, which are reversibly reduced to form catechol derivatives, and/or polymeric products. One electron and one proton are removed from the phenolic group at the position C6’ at the first step and at position C3’ at the second step. The diffusion coefficient of FLSC was assessed in pH=7.0 phosphate buffer (9.77×10−5 cm2 s−1). A differential pulse voltammetric method for determination of FLSC in physiological medium was also proposed.
Fueling the future with biomass: Processes and pathways for a sustainable supply of hydrocarbon fuels and biogas
Authors: Junne Stefan , Kabisch Johannes
Published: August 2016

Global economic growth, wealth and security rely upon the availability of cheap, mostly fossil‐derived energy and chemical compounds. The replacement by sustainable resources is widely discussed. However, the current state of biotechnological processes usually restricts them to be used as a true alternative in terms of economic feasibility and even sustainability. Among the rare examples of bioprocesses applied for the energetic use of biomass are biogas and bioethanol production. Usually, these processes lack in efficiency and they cannot be operated without the support of legislation. Although they represent a first step towards a greater share of bio‐based processes for energy provision, there is no doubt that tremendous improvements in strain and process development, feedstock and process flexibility as well as in the integration of these processes into broader supply and production networks, in this review called smart bioproduction grids, are required to make them economically attractive, robust enough, and wider acceptance by society. All this requires an interdisciplinary approach, which includes the use of residues in closed carbon cycles and issues concerning the process safety. This short review aims to depict some of the promising strategies to achieve an improved process performance as a basis for future application.
Biotechnological valorization of proteases: From hyperproduction to industrial exploitation—A review
Authors: Kamal Shagufta , Rehman Saima , Iqbal Hafiz M. N.
Published: August 2016

From the last few years, due to the inadequacies of, in practice, physiochemical methods, growing scientific awareness, increasing ecological/environmental concerns, and legal boundaries, many industries are currently pursuing enzyme‐based approaches for developing green chemistry technologies. Proteases, responsible for proteolysis, are vitally important for life and engaged with vast industrial applications as they are eco‐friendly in nature. According to the bioinformatics, protease constitutes approximately 2% of the total human genome, whereas extracellular protease is a highly exploitable enzyme in various industries due to its robust nature, and commercially available with the trade name of Savinase, subtilisin Carlsberg, and subtilisin BPN′. Genetic modifications and immobilization revealed a novel protease production strategy with superior catalytic efficacy and improved constancy toward pH or temperature. A vast literature exists on biological activities of protease but only a few reports are available on the nutritional effects and the physiochemical parameters for fermentative production of protease, which offers new possibilities and potentials to fulfill the industrial demands of enzymes. This article focuses on the updated tidings on nutritional effects, physiochemical parameters, biochemical aspects, and strain improvement methodologies for hyperproduction of protease. This article also addresses existing challenges and tentative solutions for successful utilization of protease for industrial applications. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 511–522, 2017
Analytical and numerical assessments of local overpressure from hydrogen gas explosions in petrochemical plants
Authors: Bang Boohyoung , Park Hyunsu , Kim Jonghun , Al‐Deyab Salem S. , Yarin Alexander L. , Yoon Sam S.
Published: August 2016

Accurate prediction of pressure rise is important for safety assessments of a petrochemical plant in the event of an explosion accident. The sudden pressures arising from gas explosions at various hydrogen concentrations in air have been predicted analytically and numerically. These solutions were compared against experimental data. The analytical solution, based on the self‐similar solution for pointwise strong explosions in an open space, which assumed no energy loss and premixed fuel‐air mixture, reasonably predicted the explosive‐ignition detonation case while the numerical solutions were more suitable to model spark‐ignition deflagration cases that accounted for the effect of turbulence arising from three‐dimensionality and presence of obstacles in the computational domain. Comparison of both analytical and numerical results against experimental data indicates that their differences are within a 30% margin. The analytical model presented herein can be useful for field engineers who want conservative estimates of the overpressure resulting from explosive‐ignition detonation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CFD analysis of smoke backlayering dispersion in tunnel fires with longitudinal ventilation
Authors: Gannouni Soufien , Ben Maad Rejeb
Published: August 2016

In a longitudinally ventilated tunnel fire, the backlayering flow propagated in the opposite direction to the air current is the most fatal contaminations to users which are blocked upstream of the fire. In the present paper, numerical simulations were conducted using Fire Dynamic Simulator, which is based on large eddy simulations to estimate the backlayering arrival time in a longitudinally ventilated tunnel fire. The effect of a vehicle obstruction on the backlayering arrival time will be also investigated. For this, a vehicle model occupying about 31% of the tunnel cross section is simulated upstream of the fire source with its location relative to the tunnel floor is varied. The numerical investigation shows that the inertia and the buoyancy forces produced by ventilation and fire, respectively, affect the backlayering spread. The backlayering arrival time increases with the longitudinal ventilation velocity while it decreases with the fire heat release rate. When a vehicle obstruction existed within the tunnel, the numerical results show an increase of backlayering arrival time. This increase is significantly more important with the fire distance when the vehicle obstruction approaches the tunnel floor. Two correlations are developed, with and without obstruction in the tunnel, to predict the backlayering arrival time against the distance to fire. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cortisol Induces Reactive Oxygen Species Through a Membrane Glucocorticoid Receptor in Rainbow Trout Myotubes
Authors: Espinoza Marlen B. , Aedo Jorge E. , Zuloaga Rodrigo , Valenzuela Cristian , Molina Alfredo , Valdés Juan A.
Published: August 2016

Cortisol is an essential regulator of neuroendocrine stress responses in teleosts. Cortisol predominantly affects target tissues through the genomic pathway, which involves interacting with cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptors, and thereby, modulating stress‐response gene expressions. Cortisol also produces rapid effects via non‐genomic pathways, which do not involve gene transcription. Although cortisol‐mediated genomic pathways are well documented in teleosts, non‐genomic pathways are not fully understood. Moreover, no studies have focused on the contribution of non‐genomic cortisol pathways in compensatory stress responses in fish. In this study, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) skeletal myotubes were stimulated with physiological concentrations of cortisol and cortisol‐BSA, a membrane‐impermeable agent, resulting in an early induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This production was not suppressed by transcription or translation inhibitors, suggesting non‐genomic pathway involvement. Moreover, myotube preincubation with RU486 and NAC completely suppressed cortisol‐ and cortisol‐BSA‐induced ROS production. Subcellular fractionation analysis revealed the presence of cell membrane glucocorticoid receptors. Finally, cortisol‐BSA induced a significant increase in ERK1/2 and CREB phosphorylation, as well as in CREB‐dependent transcriptional activation of the pgc1a gene expression. The obtained results strongly suggest that cortisol acts through a non‐genomic glucocorticoid receptor‐mediated pathway to induce ROS production and contribute to ERK/CREB/PGC1‐α signaling pathway activation as stress compensation mechanisms. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 718–725, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
HOGA1 Gene Mutations of Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 3 in Tunisian Patients
Authors: M'dimegh Saoussen , Aquaviva‐bourdain Cécile , Omezzine Asma , Souche Geneviéve , M'barek Ibtihel , Abidi Kamel , Gargah Tahar , Abroug Saoussen , Bouslama Ali
Published: August 2016

Background

Primary hyperoxaluria type 3 (PH3) is due to mutations in the recently identified 4‐hydroxy‐2‐oxoglutarate aldolase (HOGA1) gene. PH3 might be the least severe form with a milder phenotype with good preservation of kidney function in most patients. The aim of this study was to report three PH3 cases carrying mutations in HOGA1.

Materials and Methods

Genetic analysis of HOGA1 was performed in patients with a high clinical suspicion of PH after sequencing of AGXT and GRHPR genes, which was negative. Also, a complete AGXT/GRHPR MLPA was performed in these patients in order to detect large deletions/insertions.

Results and Discussion

Two different HOGA1 gene mutations were identified: the p.Pro190Leu in a homozygous state and the p.Gly287Val in two patients in homozygous and heterozygous carriers. The median age at onset of clinical symptoms was 3.93 years. Most of the patients had a positive family history for recurrent urolithiasis. The p.Pro190Leu mutation was reported with impaired renal function at follow‐up; however, the p.Gly287Val was presented with normal renal function. All patients were presented with urolithiasis, but only one had a nephrocalcinosis.

Conclusion

This study expanded the number of PH3 patients from 63 to 66 cases. The p.Pro190Leu and the p.Gly287Val mutations found in this study can provide a first‐line investigation in Tunisian PH1 patients.
Effect of the Hemochromatosis Mutations on Iron Overload among the Indian β Thalassemia Carriers
Authors: Nadkarni Anita H. , Singh Aradhana A. , Colaco Stacy , Hariharan Priya , Colah Roshan B. , Ghosh Kanjaksha
Published: August 2016

Background

Hereditary hemochromatosis is a disorder of iron metabolism characterized by increased iron absorption.HFE gene mutations C282Y and H63D are responsible for the majority of hereditary hemochromatosis cases.

Methods

We tried to look at the effect of HFE mutations on the iron status. A total of 100 β thalassemia traits (BTT) with 100 normal individuals were screened for the C282Y and H63D mutations using PCR‐RFLP. The serum ferritin levels were determined using ELISA kit.

Results

We did not find the C282Y mutation in our study group. The allelic frequencies for H63D mutation did not differ significantly between β‐thalassemia traits (8.5%) and normal controls (9%). ΒΤΤ with H63D genotype of H/D (143.16 ± 80.3 ng/ml) and D/D (504 ng/ml) showed higher ferritin levels as against H/H genotype (88.64 ± 92.43 ng/ml). The statistically significant difference was observed in the mean serum ferritin levels among the individuals showing H/H and D/D genotypes (P < 0.002) and H/D and D/D genotype (P < 0.01) in both the groups.

Conclusion

This suggests that iron load in BTT tends to aggravated with the co‐inheritance of the H63D mutation. The mutant H63D gene showed the presence of haplotype 6 which is reported in the European population suggesting a common origin.
Synthesis and Characterization of Novel N‐(Phenyl, Benzyl, Hetaryl)‐2‐([1,2,4]Triazolo[1,5‐c]Quinazolin‐2‐ylthio)Acetamides by Spectral Data, Antimicrobial Activity, Molecular Docking and QSAR Studies
Authors: Antypenko Lyudmyla M. , Kovalenko Sergiy I. , Los' Tetyana S. , Rebec' Oksana L.
Published: August 2016

Enduring the novel effective antimicrobial agents search, N‐(phenyl, benzyl, hetaryl)‐2‐([1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐c]quinazolin‐2‐ylthio)acetamides were synthesized, evaluated for structure (LC‐MS, IR, 1H‐NMR spectra and elemental analysis), and investigated for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Cronobacter sakazaki, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumonia, and antifungal – against Candida albicans. N‐(4‐Fluorophenyl)‐2‐([1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐c]quinazolin‐2‐ylthio)acetamide 3e had the best minimum inhibition zones against S. aureus and E. faecalis and 3‐{[([1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐c]quinazolin‐2‐ylthio)acetyl]amino}benzoic acid 3k – against E. coli, still in lower concentration, than references. By the means of in silico molecular docking into the active sites of E. faecalis dihydrofolate reductase and Enterobacter cloacae MyrA, the possible activity mechanism was suggested. The quantitative structure–activity relationship model for antimicrobial activity prediction was calculated.
One‐pot Synthesis of Novel Spirooxindoles as Antibacterial and Antioxidant Agents
Authors: El‐Hashash Maher A. , Rizk Sameh A.
Published: August 2016

The regioselective spiroindoline derivatives were afforded via multi‐componant reaction. Its process was one of the green chemistry (simplicity, mild conditions, and atomic economy). The electron repelling and attracting groups affected on reactivity of the azomethine ylides (increase EHOMO value). All compound structures were confirmed by spectroscopic data and elemental analysis. The antibacterial and antioxidant activities for these synthesized compounds could be investigated; the highly antioxidant activity was observed with compounds, which proved to possess high HOMO values, and the highly antibacterial activity was observed against S. aureus, B. cereus, S. marcesens, and P. mirabilis, which proved to possess low HOMO values.
Conventional and Microwave‐assisted Total Synthesis, Antioxidant Capacity, Biological Activity, and Molecular Docking Studies of New Hybrid Compounds
Authors: Demirci Serpil , Mermer Arif , Ak Gokhan , Aksakal Fatma , Colak Nesrin , Demirbas Ahmet , Ayaz Faik Ahmet , Demirbas Neslihan
Published: August 2016

Thiomorpholine was converted to the corresponding 1,3,4‐oxadiazole (4), arylidenehydrazide (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e), and 1,2,4‐triazole (7a and, 7b) derivatives via the formation of hydrazide (3). Compounds 4 and 7 were next converted to the corresponding Mannich bases containing piperidin, β‐lactam, fluoroquinolone, piperazine, or morpholine core. Conventional and microwave‐assisted methods were used for all syntheses. The effect of acid catalyst on Mannich reactions was also investigated. All the newly synthesized compounds were screened for their antimicrobial, antiglucosidase, antilipase, anti‐urease, and antioxidant activities. Most exhibited good–moderate antibacterial and/or antifungal activity. Docking of some of the synthesized compounds into the active sites of lipase, α‐glucosidase, and urease was carried out in order to predict the binding affinities and noncovalent interactions stabilizing the enzyme–ligand complexes. Docking results complemented well the experimental results on inhibitory effects of compounds. Higher binding affinities were observed for active compounds in contrary to inactive ones.
Staging liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B with T1 relaxation time index on gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI: Comparison with aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index and FIB‐4
Authors: Yang Li , Ding Ying , Rao Shengxiang , Chen Caizhong , Wu Lifang , Sheng Ruofan , Fu Caixia , Zeng Mengsu
Published: August 2016

Purpose

To assess the accuracy of the T1 relaxation time index on gadoxetic acid‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for staging liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB), in comparison and combination with the aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4).

Materials and Methods

A retrospective study of gadoxetic acid‐enhanced T1 mapping and serum biochemical tests was performed on 126 CHB patients who underwent gadoxetic acid‐enhanced 1.5T MRI, and the histological score used as the gold standard. The reduction rate of T1 relaxation time before and 20 minutes after gadoxetic acid injection (ΔT1, ΔR1%), the contrast uptake rate (KHep), APRI, and FIB‐4 were calculated. The diagnostic efficacy of ΔT1, ΔR1%, KHep, APRI, and FIB‐4 for predicting stage 2 or greater (≥S2), stage 3 or greater (≥S3), and stage 4 (S4) was compared.

Results

ΔT1 (r = −0.513, P < 0.001), ΔR1% (r = −0.626, P < 0.001), KHep (r = −0.527, P < 0.001), APRI (r = 0.519, P < 0.001), and FIB‐4 (r = 0.476, P < 0.001) correlated significantly with fibrosis stages. Areas under the curves (AUCs) of ΔR1% for detecting ≥S2, ≥S3, and S4 were 0.849, 0.827, and 0.809, which were greater than that of APRI (0.763, 0.745, 0.787) and FIB‐4 (0.727, 0.738, 0.772), but significant difference was found only in discriminating ≥S2 between ΔR1% and FIB‐4 (P = 0.027). The combination of all five indices performed best, with AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.860, 87.21%, and 72.50% for diagnosing ≥S2, 0.878, 82.81%, and 85.48% for ≥S3, and 0.867, 80.00%, and 83.95% for S4.

Conclusion

The gadoxetic acid‐enhanced T1 relaxation time index appears to be superior to APRI and FIB‐4 for predicting hepatic fibrosis. The combined use of gadoxetic acid‐enhanced T1 mapping, APRI, and FIB‐4 may be more reliable for staging liver fibrosis in CHB.

Level of Evidence: 4

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:1186–1194
Investigation of hippocampal substructures in focal temporal lobe epilepsy with and without hippocampal sclerosis at 7T
Authors: Santyr Brendan G. , Goubran Maged , Lau Jonathan C. , Kwan Benjamin Y.M. , Salehi Fateme , Lee Donald H. , Mirsattari Seyed M. , Burneo Jorge G. , Steven David A. , Parrent Andrew G. , de Ribaupierre Sandrine , Hammond Robert R. , Peters Terry M. , Khan Ali R.
Published: August 2016

Purpose

To provide a more detailed investigation of hippocampal subfields using 7T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the identification of hippocampal sclerosis in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

Materials and Methods

Patients (n = 13) with drug‐resistant TLE previously identified by conventional imaging as having hippocampal sclerosis (HS) or not (nine without HS, four HS) and 20 age‐matched healthy controls were scanned and compared using a 7T MRI protocol. Using a manual segmentation scheme to delineate hippocampal subfields, subfield‐specific volume changes and apparent transverse relaxation rate (
) were studied between the two groups. In addition, qualitative assessment at 7T and clinical outcomes were correlated with measured subfield changes.

Results

Volumetry of the hippocampus at 7T in HS patients revealed significant ipsilateral subfield atrophy in CA1 (P = 0.001) and CA4+DG (P < 0.001). Volumetry also uncovered subfield atrophy in 33% of patients without HS, which had not been detected using conventional imaging.
was significantly lower in the CA4+DG subfields (P = 0.001) and the whole hippocampus (P = 0.029) of HS patients compared to controls but not significantly lower than the group without HS (P = 0.077, P = 0.109). No correlation was found between quantitative volumetry and qualitative assessment as well as surgical outcomes (Sub, P = 0.495, P = 0.567, P = 0.528; CA1, P = 0.104 ± 0.171, P = 0.273, P = 0.554; CA2+CA3, P = 0.517, P = 0.952, P = 0.130 ± 0.256; CA4+DG, P = 0.052 ± 0.173, P = 0.212, P = 0.124 ± 0.204; WholeHipp, P = 0.187, P = 0.132 ± 0.197, P = 0.628).

Conclusion

These preliminary findings indicate that hippocampal subfield volumetry assessed at 7T is capable of identifying characteristic patterns of hippocampal atrophy in HS patients; however, difficulty remains in using imaging to identify hippocampal pathologies in cases without HS.

Level of Evidence: 2

J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;45:1359–1370
Misdiagnosed epigastric mass: Ectopic liver
Authors: Altay Cetin Murat , Hacifazlioglu Cigdem , Topcuoglu Osman Melih , Kul Melahat , Uysal Ramadan Selma
Published: August 2016

We discuss an ectopic liver misdiagnosed as an abdominal mass and the importance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in liver positional anomalies. A solid midline mass midline adjacent to the liver was found in a 45‐year‐old female at an external center during an ultrasound investigation conducted for occasional abdominal pain of many years. The patient was referred to us for MRI. MRI revealed a solid epigastric lesion adjacent to the liver but unrelated to the liver parenchyma. The mass was of similar intensity as the liver in all sequences and in postcontrast dynamic phases following hepatospecific contrast material administration. We also observed contrast material excretion into the solid lesion from the biliary ducts in the hepatobiliary phase. The lesion was diagnosed as ectopic liver tissue with these findings.

Level of Evidence: 5

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:761–763.
Renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava involvement: Prognostic effect of tumor thrombus consistency on cancer specific survival
Authors: Mager Rene , Daneshmand Siamak , Evans Christopher P. , Palou Joan , Martínez‐Salamanca Juan I. , Master Viraj A. , McKiernan James M. , Libertino John A. , Haferkamp Axel ,   On behalf of the International Renal Cell Carcinoma‐Venous Thrombus Consortium, Haferkamp Axel , Capitanio Umberto , Carballido Joaquín A. , Chantada Venancio , Chromecki Thomas , Ciancio Gaetano , Daneshmand Siamak , Evans Christopher P. , Gontero Paolo , González Javier , Hohenfellner Markus , Huang William C. , Koppie Theresa M. , Libertino John A. , Espinós Estefanía Linares , Lorentz Adam , Martínez‐Salamanca Juan I. , Master Viraj A. , McKiernan James M. , Montorsi Francesco , Novara Giacomo , O'Malley Padraic , Pahernik Sascha , Palou Joan , Moreno José Luis Pontones , Pruthi Raj S. , Faba Oscar Rodriguez , Russo Paul , Scherr Douglas S. , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Spahn Martin , Terrone Carlo , Tilki Derya , Vázquez‐Martul Dario , Donoso Cesar Vera , Vergho Daniel , Wallen Eric M. , Zigeuner Richard
Published: August 2016

Background

Renal cell carcinoma forming a venous tumor thrombus (VTT) in the inferior vena cava (IVC) has a poor prognosis. Recent investigations have been focused on prognostic markers of survival. Thrombus consistency (TC) has been proposed to be of significant value but yet there are conflicting data. The aim of this study is to test the effect of IVC VTT consistency on cancer specific survival (CSS) in a multi‐institutional cohort.

Methods

The records of 413 patients collected by the International Renal Cell Carcinoma–Venous Thrombus Consortium were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent radical nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy. Kaplan–Meier estimate and Cox regression analyses investigated the impact of TC on CSS in addition to established clinicopathological predictors.

Results

VTT was solid in 225 patients and friable in 188 patients. Median CSS was 50 months in solid and 45 months in friable VTT. TC showed no significant association with metastatic spread, pT stage, perinephric fat invasion, and higher Fuhrman grade. Survival analysis and Cox regression rejected TC as prognostic marker for CSS.

Conclusions

In the largest cohort published so far, TC seems not to be independently associated with survival in RCC patients and should therefore not be included in risk stratification models. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:764–768. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mussels blow rings: Jet behavior affects local mixing
Authors: Nishizaki Michael , Ackerman Josef Daniel
Published: August 2016

Benthic suspension feeders such as dreissenid mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and D. rostriformis bugensis) are often found in remarkably dense aggregations (i.e. > 105 mussels m− 2), which is surprising, given their high clearance rates and limited mixing within the benthic boundary layer. Results from flow visualization in flow chamber experiments indicate that there is indeed limited mixing around mussel aggregations at low flows and that siphonal jets can increase mixing around and above these aggregations. Using particle image velocimetry (PIV) to further investigate the underlying hydrodynamics of these jets, we characterized differences in velocity and vorticity among four siphonal behaviors (e.g., slow flux, streaming, exhalant jets, and inhalant jets), including both continuous and pulsatile jets, the latter of which generate free vortex rings. Incorporating these hydrodynamic characteristics into a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model revealed that siphonal jets increased mixing, expressed as vertical diffusivity in the benthic boundary layer. These differences were most pronounced at slow vs. fast cross‐stream velocities, but those differences diminished several body lengths (i.e. 10−1 m to 10−2 m) downstream. The results from PIV measurements and CFD modeling suggest that benthic suspension feeders can influence patterns of local mixing, which would affect mass transport and biogeochemical processes in the near‐bed region. This underscores the need for physical‐biologically linked models to incorporate the behavior of benthic suspension feeding invertebrates.
A whole‐lake experiment confirms a small centric diatom species as an indicator of changing lake thermal structure
Authors: Saros Jasmine E. , Northington Robert M. , Anderson Dennis S. , Anderson Nicholas John
Published: August 2016

In many lakes across the Northern Hemisphere, paleolimnological records have revealed that the relative abundances of the small centric diatom, Discostella stelligera, changed over the past century, with these widespread shifts attributed to climate change. Specifically, small‐scale experiments and current spatial distribution patterns suggested that this species is more abundant when lake mixing depths are shallower, but a direct test of this hypothesis at the whole‐lake scale was lacking. We conducted a whole‐lake mixing manipulation in a remote arctic lake that normally has relatively shallow thermal stratification and abundant D. stelligera populations during the summer. We employed a “Before‐After‐Control‐Impact” design using an experimental lake and a control lake. Lake thermal structure and diatom populations were monitored in both lakes in summer 2013 without manipulating either lake, and again in summer 2014 when the experimental lake was manipulated to achieve deeper mixing depths. The abundance of D. stelligera declined during the manipulated period of deeper mixing in 2014, while it increased during the same time frame in the control lake. The same pattern was not observed for the four other diatom taxa found in both lakes in both years. Our results confirm the use of D. stelligera as an indicator of changing lake thermal structure, and suggest that the broader application of this tool to lake sediment records will yield greater insight into longer‐term variability in the response of lake ecosystems to climate.
Nonlinear anisotropic elliptic equations in with variable exponents and locally integrable data
Authors: Mokhtari Fares
Published: August 2016

In this paper, we prove existence and regularity results for weak solutions in the framework of anisotropic Sobolev spaces for a class of nonlinear anisotropic elliptic equations in the whole
with variable exponents and locally integrable data. Our approach is based on the anisotropic Sobolev inequality, a smoothness, and compactness results. The functional setting involves Lebesgue–Sobolev spaces with variable exponents. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blow‐up phenomena in the model of a space charge stratification in semiconductors: analytical and numerical analysis
Authors: Korpusov Maxim Olegovich , Lukyanenko Dmitry V. , Panin Alexander A. , Yushkov Egor V.
Published: August 2016

The initial‐boundary value problems for a Sobolev equation with exponential nonlinearities, classical, and nonclassical boundary conditions are considered. For this model, which describes processes in crystalline semiconductors, the blow‐up phenomena are studied. The sufficient blow‐up conditions and the blow‐up time are analyzed by the method of the test functions. This analytical a priori information is used in the numerical experiments, which are able to determine the process of the solution's blow‐up more accurately. The model derivation and some questions of local solvability and uniqueness are also discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Personal goals and expectations of OAB patients in the UK
Authors: Rantell Angie , Cardozo Linda , Khullar Vik
Published: August 2016

INTRODUCTION

In clinical practice and in research patient‐centred outcomes are often utilised to help improve communication between patients and clinicians and to help manage expectations from treatment. However, many of these goals are generic and do not adequately capture the details of day to day life that bother patients the most and that they hope will improve with therapy. This study aimed to understand what are the goals of patients with overactive bladder symptoms in the UK who were taking part in a clinical trial and to assess goal achievement.

METHODS

This was a qualitative analysis of the patients goals recorded using the Self‐Assessment Goal Achievement (SAGA) Questionnaire during the UK study assessing flexible dose fesoterodine in adults (SAFINA) trial. Free text patient goals were completed at baseline and an assessment of achievement was performed at the end of treatment. Grounded theory was used to develop themes and sub themes.

RESULTS

Three hundred and thirty‐one patients completed the trial and 1137 open ended goals were set. Six themes emerged from the data including, OAB, other LUTS and finishing the task in hand with multiple subthemes noted.

CONCLUSIONS

By assessing and understanding what is important to the patient, it may help to tailor patient care and treatment and improve patient satisfaction.
Smoking and prevalence of nocturia in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a post‐hoc analysis of The Dogo Study
Authors: Furukawa Shinya , Sakai Takenori , Niiya Tetsuji , Miyaoka Hiroaki , Miyake Teruki , Yamamoto Shin , Kanzaki Sayaka , Maruyama Koutatsu , Tanaka Keiko , Ueda Teruhisa , Senba Hidenori , Torisu Masamoto , Minami Hisaka , Onji Morikazu , Tanigawa Takeshi , Matsuura Bunzo , Hiasa Yoichi , Miyake Yoshihiro
Published: August 2016

Aims

No evidence exists regarding the association between smoking status and nocturia among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We evaluated this association among Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by post‐hoc analysis.

Methods

Study subjects were 817 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Study subjects were considered to have nocturia if they answered “once or more” to the question: “Within one week, how many times do you typically wake up to urinate from sleeping at night until waking in the morning?” We used the following three outcomes: (1) nocturia was ≥1 voids per night; (2) moderate nocturia was ≥2 voids per night; and (3) severe nocturia was ≥3 voids per night. Adjustments were made for age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, dyslipidemia, stroke, glycated hemoglobin, current drinking, use of anti‐hypertensive agent, use of insulin, use of oral anti‐hyperglycemic agent, and diabetic retinopathy.

Results

The prevalence values of one void per night, two voids per night, and three or more voids per night were 39.5%, 27.1%, and 14.8%, respectively. Current smoking was independently inversely associated with severe nocturia compared with never or former smoking; the adjusted PR was 0.47 (95%CI: 0.25–0.89). Among the 443 patients who had ever smoked, compared with former smoking, current smoking was independently inversely related to severe nocturia; the adjusted PR was 0.44 (95%CI: 0.24–0.82).

Conclusions

In Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, current smoking may be independently inversely associated with severe nocturia.
Laparoscopic sacral colpopexy: how to place the posterior mesh into rectovaginal space?
Authors: Lizee Daphné , Campagna Giuseppe , Morciano Andrea , Panico Giovanni , Ercoli Alfredo , Gadonneix Pierre
Published: August 2016

Aims

Laparoscopic sacral colpopexy (LSC) for pelvic prolapse is a complex procedure, characterized by an anterior mesh suspension to the sacral promontory and a posterior tension‐free mesh fixation.

Methods

Totals of 150 age‐BMI and parity matched consecutive POP patients were selected from our Diaconesses Hospital database among women who underwent a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH) plus sacral colpopexy (LSC) from June 2005 to March 2010. We analyzed two group of LSC populations, according to different tension‐free apical fixation of the posterior mesh: Promontory (P) group and Utero‐Sacral (US) group. Studied endpoints were the anatomical and functional results linked to these different tension‐free posterior mesh placements.

Results

Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. No differences in terms of anatomical and functional outcomes were observed between the groups. Pelvic organ mobility at rest versus under Valsalva highlighted a significant reduction of median differential vaginal apex only in the P population (preoperative: 30 mm and 32 mm; postoperative: 8 mm and 24 mm; for P and US, respectively; P < 0.01). No differences were found in terms of intra‐ or post‐operative complications.

Conclusions

Uterosacral tension‐free fixation of posterior mesh during LSC could be considered a simple procedure and guarantees a more physiological movement of the pelvic organs if compared with promontory suspension.
Towards More Rigorous Personality Trait–Outcome Research
Authors: Mõttus René
Published: August 2016

Much of personality research attempts to identify causal links between personality traits and various types of outcomes. I argue that causal interpretations require traits to be seen as existentially and holistically real and the associations to be independent of specific ways of operationalizing the traits. Among other things, this means that, to the extents that causality is to be ascribed to such holistic traits, items and facets of those traits should be similarly associated with specific outcomes, except for variability in the degrees to which they reflect the traits (i.e. factor loadings). I argue that, before drawing causal inferences about personality trait–outcome associations, the presence of this condition should be routinely tested by, for example, systematically comparing the outcome associations of individual items or facets, or sampling different indicators for measuring the same purported traits. Existing evidence suggests that observed associations between personality traits and outcomes at least sometimes depend on which particular items or facets have been included in trait operationalizations, calling trait–level causal interpretations into question. However, this has rarely been considered in the literature. I argue that when outcome associations are specific to facets, they should not be generalized to traits. Furthermore, when the associations are specific to particular items, they should not even be generalized to facets. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Personality Psychology
Causal Unity of Broader Traits is an Illusion
Authors: Asendorpf Jens B.
Published: August 2016

Mõttus alerts us to the widespread predictive heterogeneity of different indicators of the same trait. This heterogeneity violates the assumption that traits have causal unity in their developmental antecedents and effects on outcomes. I would go a step further: broader traits are useful units for description and prediction but not for explaining personality development and personality effects. In most cases, the measured trait indicators are closer to relevant causal mechanisms, and within a network perspective on personality, broader traits as entities with causal potential can be dismissed completely. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Personality Psychology
Rising High or Falling Deep? Pathways of Self–Esteem in a Representative German Sample
Authors: Mund Marcus , Neyer Franz J.
Published: August 2016

In many longitudinal studies, self–esteem has been shown to increase up until around age 50 or 60 and to decrease thereafter. These studies have also found substantial inter–individual differences in the intra–individual development of self–esteem. In the current study, we examined whether this variation in change could be attributed to underlying latent classes of individuals following different trajectories of self–esteem development over time. By applying general growth mixture modelling to data from the representative German pairfam study (N = 12 377), four latent classes of self–esteem development across five years were extracted. Based on their mean levels, trajectories, and variability, individuals in the latent classes could be described as having (a) constant and stable high self–esteem (29.00% of the sample), (b) constant but variable moderate self–esteem (31.69%), (c) increasing and stabilizing self–esteem (15.13%), and (d) decreasing and variable self–esteem (24.18%). Furthermore, these latent classes differed in accordance with findings of prior research on self–rated, partner–rated, and objective correlates of the domains of health and well–being, partner relationships, and occupational status. Thus, the current study shows that inter–individual variation in intra–individual change in self–esteem is not random but reflects specific individual trajectories, or pathways, of self–esteem. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Personality Psychology
Still Doing Fine? the Interplay of Negative Life Events and Self–Esteem during Young Adulthood
Authors: Tetzner Julia , Becker Michael , Baumert Jürgen
Published: August 2016

This longitudinal study investigated the bidirectional relationship between negative life events and self–esteem during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood (N = 2272). Drawing on theories of human development over the lifespan and just–world theory, we analyzed age–graded changes in self–esteem and their interplay with negative life events at three measurement points over a 12–year period. We addressed both the short–term and the longer term effects of single as well as multiple negative life events on changes in self–esteem (socialization effects). We further investigated whether the pre–event level of self–esteem affected the likelihood of negative life events occurring (selection effects) and, finally, whether it had protective effects in terms of helping people adjust to negative events. Latent change models yielded four main findings: (i) self–esteem increased during young adulthood; (ii) socialization effects were observed over shorter and longer timespans, but (iii) selection effects were only found for multiple negative life events, with low self–esteem predicting a high number of negative life events; (iv) high pre–event self–esteem acted as a protective factor, attenuating declines in self–esteem after experience of multiple negative life events. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Personality Psychology
Comparison of [11C]TZ1964B and [18F]MNI659 for PET imaging brain PDE10A in nonhuman primates
Authors: Liu Hui , Jin Hongjun , Yue Xuyi , Han Junbin , Yang Hao , Flores Hubert , Su Yi , Alagille David , Perlmutter Joel S. , Tamagnan Gilles , Tu Zhude
Published: August 2016

Phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) inhibitors show therapeutic effects for diseases with striatal pathology. PET radiotracers have been developed to quantify in vivo PDE10A levels and target engagement for therapeutic interventions. The aim of this study was to compare two potent and selective PDE10A radiotracers, [11C]TZ1964B and [18F]MNI659 in the nonhuman primate (NHP) brain. Double scans in the same cynomolgus monkey on the same day were performed after injection of [11C]TZ1964B and [18F]MNI659. Specific uptake was determined in two ways: nondisplaceable binding potential (BPND) was calculated using cerebellum as the reference region and the PDE‐10A enriched striatum as the target region of interest (ROI); the area under the time–activity curve (AUC) for the striatum to cerebellum ratio was also calculated. High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of solvent‐extracted NHP plasma identified the percentage of intact tracer versus radiolabeled metabolites samples post injection of each radiotracer. Both radiotracers showed high specific accumulation in NHP striatum. [11C]TZ1964B has higher striatal retention and lower specific striatal uptake than [18F]MNI659. The BPND estimates of [11C]TZ1964B were 3.72 by Logan Reference model (LoganREF) and 4.39 by simplified reference tissue model (SRTM); the BPND estimates for [18F]MNI659 were 5.08 (LoganREF) and 5.33 (SRTM). AUC ratios were 5.87 for [11C]TZ1964B and 7.60 for [18F]MNI659. Based on BPND values in NHP striatum, coefficients of variation were ~10% for [11C]TZ1964B and ~30% for [18F]MNI659. Moreover, the metabolism study showed the percentage of parent compounds were ~70% for [11C]TZ1964B and ~50% for [18F]MNI659 60 min post injection. These data indicate that either [11C]TZ1964B or [18F]MNI659 could serve as suitable PDE10A PET radiotracers with distinguishing features for particular clinical application.
Cinnamaldehyde, Carvacrol and Organic Acids Affect Gene Expression of Selected Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Markers in IPEC‐J2 Cells Exposed to Salmonella typhimurium
Authors: Burt Sara A. , Adolfse Simone J.M. , Ahad Dina S.A. , Tersteeg‐Zijderveld Monique H.G. , Jongerius‐Gortemaker Betty G.M. , Post Jan A. , Brüggemann Holger , Santos Regiane R.
Published: August 2016

Essential oils and organic acids are used as feed additives to improve health status and reduce colonization with pathogens. Although bactericidal in vitro, concentrations achieved in the animal gut are probably not lethal to pathogens. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cinnamaldehyde, carvacrol and cinnamic, lactic and propionic acids on the ability of Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 (ST) to invade intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC‐J2) and on the expression levels of immune related genes in the cells. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and non‐inhibitory concentration (NIC) were determined and influence on the invasion capacity of ST was investigated. The structure of fimbriae and flagella was analysed by electron microscopy, and expression levels of HSP70, IkBa, IL‐8 and IL‐10 in the IPEC‐J2 cells were carried out by q‐PCR. Cinnamaldehyde, carvacrol and cinnamic and propionic acids inhibited ST invasion but not cell viability, bacterial viability and motility or the development of flagella. Propionic acid and cinnamaldehyde in combination with cinnamic acid caused structural impairment of fimbriae. Cinnamaldehyde up‐regulated expression of HSP70 irrespective of the presence of organic acids or ST; exposure to carvacrol induced HSP70 only in the presence of propionic acid and ST. © 2016 The Authors. Phytotherapy Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Folic Acid and Grape Seed Extract Prevent Azathioprine‐induced Fetal Malformations and Renal Toxicity in Rats
Authors: El‐Ashmawy Ibrahim M. , Bayad Aida E.
Published: August 2016

Azathioprine (AZA) is an important drug commonly used in the therapy of the autoimmune system disorders. It induces many hazard effects that restrict its use. The present study was designed to investigate the influence of AZA on the fetal development and renal function and its co‐administration with either folic acid (FA) or grape seed extract (GSE). The effects of administration of GSE or FA on AZA toxicity by gavage simultaneously for 4 weeks were studied by determining the changes in kidney histology, the glutathione level (GSH), and lipid per oxidation content as malondialdehyde in the kidney tissue. Additionally, their effects on the fetal development were investigated. Azathioprine induced a renal damage as indicated from the pronounced changes in histological structure, a significant increase in serum urea and creatinine, and malondialdehyde content in the kidney tissue. Meanwhile, the GSH activity was significantly decreased. Co‐treatment with GSE significantly minimized the previously mentioned hazard effects of AZA by ameliorating the antioxidant activity. At this point, FA induced a nonsignificant protective activity. The results also revealed that administration of FA or GSE at 6th to 15th day of gestation did not altered fetal development. While, AZA administration clearly disturbed fetal development as indicated from a significant decrease in fetal weights. Furthermore, co‐administration of both drugs significantly minimized similarly the hazards of AZA on the fetal development. It may be concluded that GSE and FA are a useful remedies. Maternal administrations of either both are protective agents against AZA‐induced fetal malformations. Grape seed extract was more active than FA in potentiating the antioxidative defenses for controlling AZA‐induced oxidative renal damages. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Activity‐Based Instructional Framework for Transforming Authentic Modeling Practices into Meaningful Contexts for Learning in Science Education
Authors: PRINS GJALT T. , BULTE ASTRID M. W. , PILOT ALBERT
Published: August 2016

One of the challenges of science education is to integrate activities, content, and tools in a meaningful manner. One way to address this challenging goal is the transformation of authentic scientific practices into contexts for learning, in line with sociocultural activity theory. In this respect, authentic scientific practices are interpreted as the totality of human work situated in society. Within such authentic scientific practices, the activities, content, and tools are connected logically and the relevance is clear among its participants. This study presents an activity‐based instructional framework that assists educational designers in transforming authentic scientific practices for the population of students in science education. The activity‐based instructional framework has been dialectically constructed with the design and classroom enactment of a curriculum unit based on an authentic chemical modeling practice. The curriculum unit was developed through a participatory design process that took teachers’ expertise into account. The pedagogical decisions were abstracted in design guidelines. The curriculum unit was implemented multiple times in classroom to evaluate the design guidelines. Research data were collected by means of audio‐taped discussions, completed worksheets, and written questionnaires. The findings supported the potential of transforming authentic scientific practices to achieve meaningful science education.