bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonequivalent modulation of corticospinal excitability by positive and negative outcomes
Authors: Suzuki Makoto , Hamaguchi Toyohiro , Matsunaga Atsuhiko
Published: December 2017

Objective

The difference between positive and negative outcomes is important in trial‐and‐error decision‐making processes and affects corticospinal excitability. This study investigated corticospinal excitability during the performance of trial‐and‐error decision‐making tasks with varying competing behavioral outcomes.

Methods

Each trial began with one of five colored circles presented as a cue. Each color represented a different reward probability, ranging from 10% to 90%. The subjects were instructed to decide whether to perform wrist flexion in response to the cue. Two seconds after the presentation of the cue, a reward stimulus (picture of a coin) or penalty stimulus (mauve circle) was randomly presented to the subject. If the picture of a coin appeared, the subjects received the coin after the experiment if they had performed wrist flexion, but not if they had not performed wrist flexion. If a mauve circle appeared, a coin was deducted from the total reward if the subjects had performed wrist flexion, but not if they had not performed wrist flexion. One second after the reward or penalty stimulus, transcranial magnetic stimulation was delivered to the primary motor cortex at the midpoint between the centers of gravity of the flexor carpi radialis (agonist) and extensor carpi radialis (antagonist) muscles.

Results

Cumulative wrist flexions were positively correlated with reward probabilities. Motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes in agonist muscles were significantly higher when wrist flexion incurred a penalty than when it incurred a reward, but there was no difference in the MEP amplitudes of antagonist muscles.

Conclusion

Positive and negative behavioral outcomes differentially altered behavior and corticospinal excitability, and unexpected penalties had a stronger effect on corticospinal excitability for agonist muscles.
The Role of Green Collaborative Strategies in Improving Environmental Sustainability in Supply Chains: Insights from a Case Study
Authors: Carballo‐Penela Adolfo , Mateo‐Mantecón Ingrid , Alvarez Sergio , Castromán‐Diz Juan Luis
Published: December 2017

This article aims to quantify to what extent collaborative strategies are more effective than internal or organization‐level actions to green supply chains. In this regard, the impact of decisions made at different stages of a supply chain in a product's carbon footprint is quantified. Organizational and product carbon footprints are calculated using the Compound Method Based on Financial Accounts (MC3). The results underline that concentrating reduction efforts in some stages of the supply chain is more effective than implementing individual actions by the participants. Collaboration among the participants is needed to decide what practices are implemented, at what stage they are needed and how they are to be implemented. This article adds to the literature on supply chains and sustainability. Previous research suggests that collaborative strategies have great potential for reducing the carbon footprint of products, while indicating the need for empirical research to support this statement. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Antibiotic Algae by Chemical Surface Engineering
Authors: Kerschgens Isabel P. , Gademann Karl
Published: December 2017

Chemical cell‐surface engineering is a tool for modifying and altering cellular functions. Herein, we report the introduction of an antibiotic phenotype to the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by chemically modifying its cell surface. Flow cytometry and confocal microscopy studies demonstrated that a hybrid of the antibiotic vancomycin and a 4‐hydroxyproline oligomer binds reversibly to the cell wall without affecting the viability or motility of the cells. The modified cells were used to inhibit bacterial growth of Gram‐positive Bacillus subtilis cultures. Delivery of the antibiotic from the microalgae to the bacterial cells was verified by microscopy. Our studies provide compelling evidence that 1) chemical surface engineering constitutes a useful tool for the introduction of new, previously unknown functionality, and 2) living microalgae can serve as new platforms for drug delivery.
Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of Furfural to Furfuryl Alcohol with Recyclable Al–Zr@Fe Mixed Oxides
Authors: He Jian , Li Hu , Riisager Anders , Yang Song
Published: December 2017

A series of magnetic, acid/base bifunctional Al–Zr@Fe3O4 catalysts were successfully prepared by a facile coprecipitation method and utilized in the catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) of furfural to furfuryl alcohol with 2‐propanol as hydrogen source. The physicochemical properties and morphologies of the as‐prepared catalysts were characterized by various techniques, including XRD analysis, N2 physisorption, vibrating sample magnetometry, thermal gravimetry analysis, X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy, NH3/CO2 temperature‐programmed desorption, SEM, and TEM. The Al7Zr3@Fe3O4(1/1) catalyst with a Al3+/Zr4+/Fe3O4 molar ratio of 21:9:3 was found to exhibit a high furfuryl alcohol yield of 90.5 % in the CTH from furfural at 180 °C after 4 h with a comparatively low activation energy of 45.3 kJ mol−1, as calculated from the Arrhenius equation. Moreover, leaching and recyclability tests confirmed Al7Zr3@Fe3O4(1/1) to function as a heterogeneous catalyst that could be reused for at least five consecutive reaction runs without significant loss of catalytic activity after simple recovery by an external magnet. Notably, the catalyst proved also efficient for hydrogenation of other biomass‐derived furanic aldehydes.
Stereoselective Ring‐Opening of gem‐Difluorocyclopropanes: An Entry to Stereo‐defined (E,E)‐ and (E,Z)‐Conjugated Fluorodienes
Authors: Specklin Simon , Fenneteau Johan , Subramanian Parthasarathi , Cossy Janine
Published: December 2017

The ring‐opening of gem‐difluorocyclopropyl acetaldehydes producing selectively (E,E)‐ and (E,Z)‐conjugated fluorodienals is described. Two stereo‐divergent methods are presented to access both stereoisomers from a common precursor, in high yield and selectivity. The mechanistic aspect of these transformations is discussed.
Stable ZnI‐Containing MOFs with Large [Zn70] Nanocages from Assembly of ZnII Ions and Aromatic [ZnI8] Clusters
Authors: Hu Huan‐Cheng , Cui Ping , Hu Han‐Shi , Cheng Peng , Li Jun , Zhao Bin
Published: December 2017

Two unique ZnI‐containing MOFs {[ZnI8ZnII3(H2O)x(HL)12](OH)2⋅13 H2O}n (x=6, 1; x=2, 2) (HL=tetrazole monoanion) with high‐nuclearity Zn‐cages were prepared successfully. These Zn‐cages are constructed from [ZnI8] clusters with multi‐centered ZnI−ZnI bonds and ZnII ions. [ZnI8] clusters in 1 and 2 display Oh and D4h symmetry, respectively. Importantly, eight [ZnI8] clusters and six ZnII ions form a large [Zn70] nanocage in 1. To our knowledge, this is the first MOF based on polynuclear Zn‐cages consisting of ZnI and ZnII ions. Compared with reported ZnI‐species, 1 and 2 display high thermal and solvent stabilities. Theoretical investigations based on DFT calculations uncover that effective 4s‐4s orbital overlap and electron delocalization through these a1g+t1u molecular orbitals on [ZnI8] clusters lead to considerable aromatic stabilization, which can explain well the intrinsic stability of 1 and 2. Interestingly, 1 can behave as a luminescent probe to detect the toxic CrVI ions in aqueous.
Mechanochemical Preparation of Stable Sub‐100 nm γ‐Cyclodextrin:Buckminsterfullerene (C60) Nanoparticles by Electrostatic or Steric Stabilization
Authors: Van Guyse Joachim F. R. , de la Rosa Victor R. , Hoogenboom Richard
Published: December 2017

Buckminster fullerene (C60)′s main hurdle to enter the field of biomedicine is its low bioavailability, which results from its extremely low water solubility. A well‐known approach to increase the water solubility of C60 is by complexation with γ‐cyclodextrins. However, the formed complexes are not stable in time as they rapidly aggregate and eventually precipitate due to attractive intermolecular forces, a common problem in inclusion complexes of cyclodextrins. In this study we attempt to overcome the attractive intermolecular forces between the complexes by designing custom γ‐cyclodextrin (γCD)‐based supramolecular hosts for C60 that inhibit the aggregation found in native γCD‐C60 complexes. The approach entails the introduction of either repulsive electrostatic forces or increased steric hindrance to prevent aggregation, thus enhancing the biomedical application potential of C60. These modifications have led to new sub‐100 nm nanostructures that show long‐term stability in solution.
Efficient resolution of venlafaxine and mechanism study via X‐ray crystallography
Authors: Liu Zhi‐Jin , Liu Han , Chen Xuan‐Wen , Lin Min , Hu Yu , Tuo Xun , Yuan Zhong‐Yi , Sun Xiao‐Xia
Published: December 2017

Numbers of resolving factors were investigated to improve resolution of venlafaxine 1. An effective resolving agent, O,O′‐di‐p‐toluoyl‐(R, R)‐tartaric acid 2, was screened using similar method of ‘Dutch resolution’ from tartaric acid derivatives. The resolution efficiency was up to 88.4%, when the ratio of rac‐1 and 2 was 1:0.8 in THF with little water (10:1 v/v). Enantiomerically pure venlafaxine was prepared with 99.1% ee in 82.2% yield. The chiral resolution mechanism was first explained through X‐ray crystallographic study. One diastereomeric salt with well solubility forms a columnar supramolecular structure as the acidic salt (R)‐1·2, while the other diastereomeric salt with less solubility forms a multilayered sandwich supramolecular structure by enantio‐differentiation self‐assembly as the neutral salt 2(S)‐1·2. The water molecules play a key role in the optical resolution, as indicated by the special structures of the diastereomeric salts.
Organische Leuchtdioden im Chemieunterricht
Authors: Banerji A. , Dörschelln Jennifer , Schwarz Daniela
Published: December 2017

Die vorgestellten didaktischen Entwicklungen zu konjugierten Polymeren und der Elektrolumineszenz in organischen Leuchtdioden sollen Lehrkräfte dabei unterstützen, Zukunftstechnologien in ihren Unterricht einzubinden. Dabei bietet der Kontext Smartphone‐Display einen Lebensweltbezug für die Lernenden und kann dazu genutzt werden, Lehrplaninhalte wie Energiestufen‐/ Orbitalmodell, Polymere, Farbigkeit oder Elektrochemie anwendungsbezogen und motivierend zu vermitteln. Der Bau einer Low‐cost‐OLED gelingt mit etwas Übung selbst im Schülerexperiment.
Patient‐reported outcomes enhance the survival prediction of traditional disease risk classifications: An international study in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Efficace Fabio , Cottone Francesco , Abel Gregory , Niscola Pasquale , Gaidano Gianluca , Bonnetain Franck , Anota Amelie , Caocci Giovanni , Cronin Angel , Fianchi Luana , Breccia Massimo , Stauder Reinhard , Platzbecker Uwe , Palumbo Giuseppe A. , Luppi Mario , Invernizzi Rosangela , Bergamaschi Micaela , Borin Lorenza , Di Tucci Anna Angela , Zhang Huiyong , Sprangers Mirjam , Vignetti Marco , Mandelli Franco
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Current prognostic systems for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are based on clinical, pathologic, and laboratory indicators. The objective of the current study was to develop a new patient‐centered prognostic index for patients with advanced MDS by including self‐reported fatigue severity into a well‐established clinical risk classification: the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS).

METHODS

A total of 469 patients with advanced (ie, IPSS intermediate‐2 or high‐risk) MDS were analyzed. Untreated patients (280 patients) were recruited into an international prospective cohort observational study to create the index. The index then was applied to an independent cohort including pretreated patients with MDS from the Dana‐Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts (189 patients). At baseline, patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire‐Core 30 (EORTC QLQ‐C30).

RESULTS

A new prognostic index was developed: the FA‐IPSS(h), in which FA stands for fatigue and h for higher‐risk. This new risk classification enabled the authors to distinguish 3 subgroups of patients with distinct survival outcomes (ie, risk‐1, risk‐2, and risk‐3). Patients classified as FA‐IPSS(h) risk‐1 had a median overall survival (OS) of 23 months (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 19‐29 months), whereas those with risk‐2 had a median OS of 16 months (95% CI, 12‐17 months) and those with risk‐3 had a median OS of 10 months (95% CI, 4‐13 months). The predictive accuracy of this new index was higher than that of the IPSS alone in both the development cohort as well as in the independent cohort including pretreated patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The FA‐IPSS(h) is a novel patient‐centered prognostic index that includes patients' self‐reported fatigue severity. The authors believe its use might enhance physicians' ability to predict survival more accurately in patients with advanced MDS. Cancer 2018;124:1251‐9. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
StackSync: Attribute‐based data sharing in file synchronization services
Authors: Sánchez‐Artigas Marc , Cotes Cristian , Rodriguez Marc R. , García‐Lopez Pedro
Published: December 2017

Personal Cloud (PC) storage services such as Dropbox or Google Drive have become increasingly popular in the last few years. Unfortunately, these services are still not secure. Even assuming “perfect” data confidentiality, securely sharing a folder in these services is still an issue, and this without mentioning the fact that the existing sharing mechanisms are typically too coarse‐grained by operating at the folder level. This is insufficient in many real situations where it is more natural to grant or deny access to files based on arbitrary user attributes and selected attributes of the file. In this research, we explore these issues and show that fine‐grained access control with strong privacy guarantees is practical in the PC. To investigate the potential practicality, we took our fully fledged open source implementation of a PC system and extended it to support fine‐grained private data sharing through attribute‐based encryption. The result was the first design and implementation of a file synchronization service, called StackSync, where the user retains complete control over his or her own data when sharing it. Never before, attribute‐based encryption had been implemented and tested on a real PC service. Our results show that StackSync is both secure and efficient for the PC.
Long term (4 years) improved insulin sensitivity following islet cell transplant in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Rydzon Brett , Monson Rebecca S. , Oberholzer Jose , Varady Krista A. , Bellin Melena D. , Danielson Kirstie K.
Published: December 2017

Background

Impaired insulin sensitivity (IS) predicts complications and mortality in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Insulin sensitivity improves shortly after islet cell transplant for T1D, yet long‐term changes in IS and associated factors such as patient characteristics, transplant factors, clinical management, and IS‐related biomarkers are unknown.

Methods

Up to 9 years (mean 4) of longitudinal data were available on 22 adults (18 female) with T1D who received 1 to 3 transplants in Phase 1/2 or 3 clinical trials (2004‐2014). Metabolic testing posttransplant estimated IS by the Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA‐IR; 111 observations) and the Simple Index of Insulin Sensitivity (SIis; 95 observations).

Results

Simple Index of Insulin Sensitivity significantly increased the first year posttransplant (P = .02), then stabilized (P = .39); HOMA‐IR remained stable posttransplant (P = .92). Adjusting for age and BMI, higher SIis was associated with lower HbA1c following transplant (P = .03). Greater IS as measured by lower HOMA‐IR and higher SIis was associated with lower fasting C‐peptide (both P ≤ .04) and also with higher exenatide dose (both P ≤ .01). More islets transplanted were associated with higher SIis (P < .0001). Lower leptin at transplant predicted lower HOMA‐IR and higher SIis after transplant, and lower bone marker receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand predicted lower HOMA‐IR (all P ≤ .01).

Conclusions

Insulin sensitivity measured by SIis was improved several years following transplant, while IS measured by HOMA‐IR did not worsen. Higher exenatide dose, more islets transplanted, and diet and exercise (lowering leptin and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand) may improve IS, which may enhance glycaemic control and lower metabolic demand on transplanted islets. Long‐term clamp studies are needed to confirm these results.
Evaluation of olfaction and taste function in type 2 diabetic patients with and without peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Yazla Semih , Özmen Süay , Kıyıcı Sinem , Yıldız Demet , Haksever Mehmet , Gencay Sündüz
Published: December 2017

Aims

Olfaction and gustation in patients with diabetes mellitus have great significance on quality of life, and their impairment may result in possible hazards. A limited number of studies have been performed to determine the alteration of both gustatory and olfactory function in type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).

The aim of this study was to determine whether type 2 diabetic patients, with and without DPN, exhibit major olfactory and gustatory dysfunction using validated and dependable techniques.

Methods

An observational‐analytical case‐control study was conducted. Sixty patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 30 healthy control subjects with a mean age of 57.1 ± 8.4 were included in the study. Patients with T2DM were recruited from the endocrinology outpatient clinic. After clinical evaluation and electromyography examination, patients with T2DM were divided into the 2 groups, with and without DPN. After a 10‐hour fasting period, blood samples were taken for the measurement of serum creatinine, lipids, and HbA1c. For the quantitative assessment of olfactory function, all participants underwent butanol threshold test and odour identification test. Gustatory function was tested administering a whole‐mouth above‐threshold test using sucrose solutions.

Results

The control subjects showed significantly higher Sniffin' sticks and butanol threshold scores than the diabetic patients without DPN (P = .001 and P = .009). No significant difference was found in the gustatory function test between these 2 groups (P = .116). Diabetic patients with DPN had lower Sniffin' sticks scores, butanol threshold scores, and higher sucrose thresholds compared to the controls (P < .001, P < .001, and P = .002). There were no significant differences between diabetic patients with or without DPN regarding Sniffin' sticks scores, butanol threshold, and sucrose thresholds (P = .302, P = .181, and P = .118).

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study demonstrates that T2DM is associated with olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The fact that there was no difference between the diabetic patients with and without DPN elicits the idea of central neuropathy. This novel finding might facilitate the addition of olfactory and gustatory tests to the methodological spectrum of afferent pathway investigations.
The gut microbiota: An emerging risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease
Authors: Ascher Stefanie , Reinhardt Christoph
Published: December 2017

Commensal gut microbiota have recently been implicated in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cerebrovascular disease. Atherosclerotic plaque formation depends on the colonization status of the host. In addition to host nutrition and the related microbiota‐dependent metabolic changes, activation of innate immune pathways triggers the development of atherosclerosis and supports arterial thrombosis. Gnotobiotic mouse models have uncovered that activation of Toll‐like receptor‐2 by gut microbial ligands supports von Willebrand factor‐integrin mediated platelet deposition to the site of vascular injury. Depending on nutritional factors, the microbiota‐derived choline‐metabolite trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO) increases atherosclerotic plaque size, triggers prothrombotic platelet function and promotes arterial thrombus growth. Hence, the composition of the commensal microbiota is an emerging risk factor for CVD. Here, we provide an overview on microbiota‐dependent pathomechanisms that drive the development of CVD and arterial thrombosis.
Reagentless Microsensor Based on Conducting Poly(3‐aminophenylboronic Acid) for Rapid Detection of Microorganisms in Aerosol
Authors: Andreev Egor A. , Komkova Maria A. , Shavokshina Vera A. , Presnov Denis E. , Krupenin Vladimir A. , Karyakin Arkady A.
Published: December 2017

We report on microsensor for direct detection of microorganisms in aerosol. Microsensor is based on interdigitated ultramicroelectrodes modified with electropolymerized 3‐aminophenylboronic acid (3‐APBA). Appearance of Penicillium chrysogenum in aerosol as well as further increase of its concentration lead to poly(3‐APBA) conductivity increase found by impedance spectroscopy. According to Raman spectroscopy data, the presence of microorganism affects polymer conductivity similarly to binding of glucose to polymer which results in self‐doping phenomenon. The elaborated detection technique is 100 times faster comparing to agar plate cultivation: it requires less than 20 minutes for analysis. Dynamic range of microsensor includes the upper limit for non‐contaminated air in Russian hygienic standard (500 colony‐forming units per cubic meter). The first reported reagentless detection of Penicillium chrysogenum in aerosol by conductivity increase reveals a prospect for creation of a promising alternative to conventional techniques for detection of microorganisms.
Reconstructing relational information
Authors: Horecka Kevin M. , Dulas Michael R. , Schwarb Hillary , Lucas Heather D. , Duff Melissa , Cohen Neal J
Published: December 2017

Hippocampal involvement in learning and remembering relational information has an extensive history, often focusing specifically on spatial information. In humans, spatial reconstruction (SR) paradigms are a powerful tool for evaluating an individuals' spatial‐relational memory. In SR tasks, participants study locations of items in space and subsequently reconstruct the studied display after a short delay. Previous work has revealed that patients with hippocampal damage are impaired both in overall placement accuracy as well as on a specific measure of relational memory efficacy, “swaps” (i.e., when the relative location of two items is reversed). However, the necessity of the hippocampus for other types of spatial‐relational information involved in reconstruction behaviors (e.g., where in the environment and relative to which other items an item was located) have not yet been investigated systematically. In this work, three patients with hippocampal damage and nine healthy matched comparison participants performed an SR task. An analysis framework was developed to independently assess three first‐order types of relations: (1) memory for the binding of specific item identities to locations, (2) memory for arrangement of items in relation to each other or the environment bounds, regardless of memory for the item identity, and (3) higher‐order, compound relational errors (i.e., errors involving multiple pieces of relational information). Reconstruction errors were evaluated to determine the degree to which patients and comparisons differed (or not) on each type of spatial‐relational information. Data revealed that the primary group difference in performance was for identity‐location information. However, when the locations of items were evaluated without regarding the identities, no group difference was found in the number of item placements to studied locations. The present work provides a principled approach to analysis of SR data and clarifies our understanding of the types of spatial relations impaired in hippocampal damaged.
Emotion awareness and somatic complaints in preadolescence: The mediating role of coping strategies
Authors: Mazzone Angela , Camodeca Marina
Published: December 2017

Somatic complaints are frequent among preadolescents with impaired emotion awareness and maladaptive coping strategies. In addition, coping strategies in response to stressful events have been suggested to affect the association between emotion awareness and somatic complaints. However, empirical support for this assumption is missing. In this study, we examined the extent to which emotion awareness and coping contributed uniquely to somatic complaints and the indirect effect of emotion awareness on somatic complaints through coping strategies, among preadolescent boys and girls. Self‐reports were administered to 265 preadolescents (137 boys; Mage = 12.04) to investigate somatic complaints, emotion awareness, and coping strategies to deal with peer victimization. A subsample (N = 97) was assessed after a 12‐month time‐span. Cross‐sectional results indicated that more somatic complaints were associated with less emotion awareness and problem‐solving and with more internalizing and externalizing coping. Poor emotion awareness was indirectly associated with somatic complaints through internalizing for boys and through distraction, externalizing, and internalizing for girls. Emotion awareness was longitudinally associated with somatic complaints through distraction for boys. Overall, findings suggested that less emotion awareness was associated with more maladaptive coping strategies, which in turn contributed to more somatic complaints. Implications for research and intervention are discussed.

Highlights

The present study investigated the associations between somatic complaints, emotion awareness, and coping strategies among preadolescent boys and girls.

Self‐report data were collected. Results showed that poor emotion awareness was indirectly associated with somatic complaints through internalizing for boys and through distraction, externalizing, and internalizing for girls.

Improving emotion awareness and effective coping strategies may reduce somatic complaints among preadolescents and offer them a better social and psychological adjustment.
Tracking of Areal Bone Mineral Density From Age Eight to Young Adulthood and Factors Associated With Deviation From Tracking: A 17-Year Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Yang Yi , Wu Feitong , Winzenberg Tania , Jones Graeme
Published: December 2017

We have previously shown that bone mineral density (BMD) tracks strongly from age 8 to 16 years. This study aimed to describe whether this strong tracking continued to age 25 years and describe factors associated with deviation from tracking. Ninety-nine participants were followed from age 8 to 25 years and 197 participants from age 16 to 25 years. Outcomes measured were BMD at the spine, hip, and total body (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry [DXA]). Other factors measured were anthropometrics, inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) use, history of being breastfed, sports participation, fitness (by physical work capacity [PWC170]), lean mass (LM), and fat mass (FM) (by DXA). There was moderate to strong tracking of BMD from age 8 to 25 years (correlation coefficients: males, 0.59 to 0.65; females, 0.70 to 0.82) and strong tracking from age 16 to 25 years (males, 0.81 to 0.83; females, 0.84 to 0.88) after adjustment for change in body size. From age 8 to 25 years, 54% to 56% of participants kept their BMD tertile position. PWC170 at age 8 years, relative and absolute change in LM, and sports participation at age 25 years predicted males would improve their tertile position or remain in the highest tertile of spine or hip BMD. However, relative and absolute change in FM had the opposite association in males while absolute change in FM predicted positive deviation in females. From age 16 to 25 years, LM, PWC170, sports participation at age 16 years, and change in LM, PWC170, and sports participation at age 25 years predicted positive deviation in males. LM at age 16 years was positively associated and PWC170 negatively associated with positive deviation in females. BMD tracks from childhood to early adulthood in both males and females. There appears to be greater capacity to alter tracking before age 16 years. Increasing LM in both sexes and improving fitness and sports participation in males during growth might be effective strategies to improve BMD in early adulthood. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Metformin inhibits tumorigenesis in HBV‐induced hepatocellular carcinoma by suppressing HULC overexpression caused by HBX
Authors: Jiang Zhen , Liu Haichao
Published: December 2017

We aimed to understand whether metformin imposes the inhibitory effect on the HBV‐associated tumorigenesis by regulating the HULC and its downstream signaling pathway. Luciferase assay, RT‐PCR, and Western‐blot, MTT and flow cytometry analysis were performed to understand and the mechanism, by which metformin enhance the inhibitory effect on the HBV‐associated tumorigenesis by regulating the HULC and its downstream signaling pathway. HBX promoted viability of three types of cell lines, while metformin inhibited apoptosis of above two cells. ZEB1 was a direct downstream of miR‐200a, which was further confirmed that miR‐200a reduced luciferase activity of wild‐type but not mutant ZEB1 3′UTR, and HULC was bound to region of miR‐200a‐3p using alignment prediction, but can't affect ZEB1 level. HULC transcription ability, HULC, ZEB1, and p18 levels were much higher in cell treated with HBX, while notably lower in cell treated with metformin, furthermore miR‐200a level in cell showed an opposite trend as HULC, ZEB1, and p18 levels. HULC siRNA and miR‐200a had no effect on HULC transcription ability, but decreased HULC, ZEB1, and p18 levels, and increased miR‐200a expression. HBV (+) HCC +metformin exhibited a higher survival ratio and a lower recurrence rates than HBV (+) HCC group, HBV (−) HCC displayed an even higher survival ratio and an even lower recurrence rates than HBV (+) HCC + metformin groups. This study indicated that metformin imposed inhibitory effect on the HBV‐associated HCC by negatively regulating the HULC/p18/miR‐200a/ZEB1 signaling pathway.
Combination of TNM staging and pathway based risk score models in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Zhou Yang‐Yang , Kang Yan‐Ting , Chen Chao , Xu Fan‐Fan , Wang Hao‐Nan , Jin Rong
Published: December 2017

Due to the complexity and heterogeneity of gastric cancer (GC) in individual patient, current staging system is inadequate for predicting outcome of GC. Comprehensive computational and bioinformatics approach may triumph for the prediction. In this study, GC patients were devided according to stage and treatment: curative surgery plus chemoradiotherapy in stage II, curative surgery plus chemoradiotherapy in stages III, and IV, unresectable metastatic gastric cancer. The training sets were downloaded from GEO datasets (GSE26253 and GSE14208). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to explore enriched difference between recurrence and nonrecurrence. The core enrichment genes of enriched pathways significantly associated with recurrence or progression were identified using Cox proportional hazards analysis. Thereafter, the risk score models were externally validated in independent datasets‐GSE15081 and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We generated respective risk score models of patients in different stages and treatment. A five‐gene signature comprising FARP1, SGCE, SGCA, LAMA4, and COL9A2 was strongly associated with recurrence of patients with curative surgery plus chemoradiotherapy in stage II. A six‐gene signature consisting of SHH, NF1, AP4B1, COMP, MATN3, and CCL8 was correlated with recurrence of patients with curative surgery plus chemoradiotherapy in stages III and IV. And a four‐gene signature composing of ABCC2, AHNAK2, RNF43, and GSPT2 was highly related to progression of patients with unresectable metastatic GC. Taking into consideration TNM stage and gene signature reflecting recurrence or progression, the risk score models significantly improved the accuracy in predicting outcome of GC.
Tendon explant cultures to study the communication between adipose stem cells and native tendon niche
Authors: Costa‐Almeida Raquel , Berdecka Dominika , Rodrigues Márcia T. , Reis Rui L. , Gomes Manuela E.
Published: December 2017

Poor clinical outcomes of tendon repair, together with limited regenerative capacity of the tissue, have triggered the search for alternative regenerative medicine strategies. Human adipose‐derived stem cells (hASCs) are being investigated as a promising cell source in contributing for tendon repopulation and reconstruction. However, the mechanisms involved in a potential beneficial effect in tendon regeneration are still to be uncovered. To gain further insights on the bi‐directional crosstalk occurring between stem cells and the native tendon niche, it was used an indirect (trans‐well) system for co‐culturing human tendon explants and hASCs. The maintenance of tissue architecture was studied up to 14 days by histological techniques. The secretion of MMPs was evaluated at day 3. The behavior of hASCs was assessed regarding cell elongation and extracellular matrix (ECM) production. The paracrine communication enhanced collagenolytic activity of MMPs in co‐cultures at day 3, in comparison to hASCs alone or tendon explants alone, suggesting that ECM remodeling is triggered early in culture. Moreover, hASCs were spontaneously more elongated in co‐cultures and the deposition of collagen type III and tenascin‐C by hASCs in co‐culture was observed at a lower extent after 7 days, in comparison to hASCs alone, being lately recovered at day 14. Overall, explant co‐cultures established herein may constitute a tool for replicating the first steps in tendon healing and help uncovering the bi‐directional communication occurring between hASCs and the native tendon niche.
Protective effect of HSP27 in atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease by inhibiting reactive oxygen species
Authors: Zhang Hong‐Li , Jia Kai‐Ying , Sun Da , Yang Min
Published: December 2017

Objective

To clarify the mechanism of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) as a diagnostic biomarker in coronary heart disease (CHD) and atherosclerosis (AS).

Method

Expressions of HSP27 in patients with CHD and healthy controls were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and the expressions of HSP27 in aortas of patients with CHD and healthy controls were measured by immunohistochemistry. Receiver operating characteristic curve was applied to assess the diagnostic performance of HSP27 in CHD. ApoE−/− mice were included and accordingly grouped. The expressions of HSP27 in AS plaque were measured by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis. AS plaque was observed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. DHE was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in aortas. The expressions of mitochondrial apoptosis‐related proteins were measured by Western blot analysis. Cell apoptosis was determined by TUNEL staining.

Results

HSP27 was highly expressed in patients with CHD than in healthy controls (
P < 0.01). In comparison to the normal group, the model group had increased the relative positive area of HSP27 and higher expressions of HSP27, Bax, caspase‐3, and apoptosis index (AI) but decreased Bcl‐2 expression in AS plaque, as well as larger plaque areas and elevated ROS levels in the aorta (all P < 0.05). The HSP27‐small interfering RNA group had increased expressions of Bax, caspase‐3, and AI but decreased Bcl‐2 and HSP27 expressions in AS plaque, as well as larger plaque areas, the relative positive area of HSP27 and higher ROS levels in aorta when compared with those in the model group (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

HSP27 exerts its protective role by suppressing ROS and AS progression by inhibiting mitochondria apoptosis pathway in CHD.
Blocking structures in finite projective planes
Authors: Aguglia Angela , Cossidente Antonio , Pavese Francesco
Published: December 2017

Exploring the classical Ceva configuration in a Desarguesian projective plane, we construct two families of minimal blocking sets as well as a new family of blocking semiovals in PG(2, 32h). Also, we show that these blocking sets of PG(2, q2), regarded as pointsets of the derived André plane , are still minimal blocking sets in . Furthermore, we prove that the new family of blocking semiovals in PG(2, 32h) gives rise to a family of blocking semiovals in the André plane as well.
Synthesis of stable isotope‐labeled nasturlexins and potential precursors to probe biosynthetic pathways of cruciferous phytoalexins
Authors: Pedras M. Soledade C. , To Q. Huy
Published: December 2017

The syntheses of perdeuterated phytoalexins nasturlexins A and C, and putative biosynthetic precursors, including phenylethyl isothiocyanates and phenylethyl dithiocarbamates, using commercially available [2,3,4,5,6‐D5]phenylalanine, [2,3,4,5,6‐D5]nitrobenzene, and [2,3,4,5,6‐D5]benzaldehyde are described. In addition, application of an efficient deuterium‐hydrogen exchange transformation to nonlabeled starting materials allowed access to new deuterated compounds, including 3‐hydroxyphenylethyl glucosinolate.
Dissecting and analyzing key residues in protein‐DNA complexes
Authors: Kulandaisamy A. , Srivastava Ambuj , Nagarajan R. , Gromiha M. Michael
Published: December 2017

Protein‐DNA interactions are involved in various fundamental biological processes such as replication, transcription, DNA repair, and gene regulation. To understand the interaction in protein‐DNA complexes, the integrative study of binding and stabilizing residues is important. In the present study, we have identified key residues that play a dual role in both binding and stability from a nonredundant dataset of 319 protein‐DNA complexes. We observed that key residues are identified in very less number of complexes (29%) and only about 4% of stabilizing/binding residues are identified as key residues. Specifically, stabilizing residues have higher preference to be key residues than binding residues. These key residues include polar, nonpolar, aliphatic, aromatic, and charged amino acids. Moreover, we have analyzed and discussed the key residues in different protein‐DNA complexes, which are classified based on protein structural class, function, DNA strand, and their conformations. Especially, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Arg, and Lys residues are commonly found in most of the subclasses of protein‐DNA complexes. Further, we analyzed atomic contacts, which show that polar‐nonpolar is more enriched than other types of contacts. In addition, the charged contacts are highly preferred in protein‐DNA complexes compared with protein‐protein and protein‐RNA complexes. Finally, we have discussed the sequence and structural features of key residues such as conservation score, surrounding hydrophobicity, solvent accessibility, secondary structure, and long‐range order. This study will be helpful to understand the recognition mechanism and structural and functional aspects of protein‐DNA complexes.
Reproducibility of relaxometry of human lumbar vertebrae at 3 Tesla using 1H MR spectroscopy
Authors: Neumayer Bernhard , Widek Thomas , Stollberger Rudolf , Scheurer Eva
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

MR spectroscopy is widely used for fat fraction quantification of human lumbar vertebrae. However, the measurements need to be corrected for relaxation effects.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the reproducibility of relaxometry in human lumbar vertebrae required for the correction of fat fraction measurements using magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 3 Tesla. Such information provides error estimates and guidance regarding reliability for future studies.

STUDY TYPE

Prospective.

SUBJECTS

Forty‐six healthy volunteers (22 female [f], 24 male [m]) participated in this study.

FIELD STRENGTH

All subjects underwent three consecutive multi‐TE/multi‐TR MR spectroscopy measurements at 3 Tesla.

ASSESSMENT

A total of 2580 spectra of lumbar vertebrae L2 and L3 of 43 subjects (21f, 22m) were quantified using jMRUI software. Data were exported and mono‐exponential fits were applied to the signals of water and fat compartments to derive relaxation times and calculate the fat fraction corrected for relaxation effects. Finally, relaxation times and fat fraction results of repeated measurements were analyzed for reproducibility.

STATISTICAL TESTS

Reproducibility was evaluated by calculating the coefficient of variation (CV). Influences of volunteer age and sex were tested by analysis of covariance.

RESULTS

The CV for all calculated parameters ranged between 1.22% (T2 of the fat compartment) and 3.02% (T1 of the fat compartment). Relaxation times and fat fraction were statistically different for female and male volunteers (P < 0.01) and relaxation times of the water compartment showed significant (P < 0.01) correlation with the fat fraction.

DATA CONCLUSION

Based on repeated acquisitions using the measurement parameters applied in this study, magnetic resonance spectroscopy allowed a reproducible calculation of the fat fraction corrected for relaxation effects. T1 of the water compartment showed high reproducibility and correlation with the fat fraction. It, therefore, might be considered as a parameter linked to the composition of the water compartment and patient health.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017.
The precise subcellular localization of Dlg in the Drosophila larva body wall using improved pre‐embedding immuno‐EM
Authors: Gan Guangming , Zhang Chenchen
Published: December 2017

Discs‐large (Dlg) plays important roles in nerve tissue and epithelial tissue in Drosophila. However, the precise positioning of Dlg in the neuromuscular junction remains to be confirmed using an optimized labeling method. In this study, we improved the method of pre‐embedding immunogold electron microscopy without the osmic tetroxide procedure, and we found that Lowicryl K4M resin and low temperature helped to preserve the authenticity of the labeling signal with relatively good contrast. Dlg was strongly expressed in the entire subsynaptic reticulum (SSR) membrane of type Ib boutons, expressed in parts of the SSR membrane of type Is boutons, weakly expressed in axon terminals and axons, and not expressed in pre‐ or postsynaptic membranes of type Is boutons. In muscle cells and stratum corneum cells, Dlg was expressed both in the cytoplasm and in organelles with biomembranes. The precise location of Dlg in SSR membranes, rather than in postsynaptic membranes, shows that Dlg, with its multiple domains, acts as a remote or indirect regulator in postsynaptic signal transduction.
Time of observation adjustments to daily station precipitation may introduce undesired statistical issues
Authors: Oyler Jared W. , Nicholas Robert E.
Published: December 2017

Interstation observations of daily precipitation are often temporally misaligned due to differences in station time of observation. Several time of observation adjustment methods have historically been applied to improve interstation temporal alignment, but the efficacy of such adjustments has not been fully tested. Here, we examine the ability of several time of observation adjustments to improve observation compatibility under three different adjustment scenarios: adjusting morning observations to midnight, adjusting afternoon observations to midnight, and adjusting afternoon observations to morning. We find that all adjustment methods provide necessary improvements to the temporal alignment of daily precipitation observations, especially with respect to morning versus midnight time of observation totals. However, for a majority of the adjustments, improved temporal alignment comes at the cost of significantly altering observed precipitation intensity, frequency, and extremes. We also find adjustments have the potential to overcorrect and increase both general and extreme event spatio‐temporal coherence.
The 7 C's of Creativity
Authors: Lubart Todd
Published: December 2017

This paper presents a framework for conceptualizing work on creativity in terms of 7 C's. These are: Creators, Creating, Collaborations, Contexts, Creations, Consumption, and Curricula. The content of these thema are described and situated with respect to previous proposals.
PhDs in business: Nonsense, or opportunity for both?
Authors: Couston Alexandra , Pignatel Isabelle
Published: December 2017

The potential value of a PhD holder to the prosperity of an employing company and, by extension, to the country in which the firm is located, is recognized in principle. Yet this recognition does not always translate into practice. Interviews with managers from private companies, journalists specializing in higher education, young PhD graduates, institutional members, and researchers from the public sector in France highlight some of the reasons why this might be so. Corporate recruitment practices, universities’ resistance to change, and the ambitions of the PhD students themselves are identified as impediments to the hiring of PhDs in the private sector. Developing a professional doctorate program, improving the dissemination of information about the value of a PhD degree, and developing and leveraging PhD graduates’ networks may help boost the number of PhDs in the business arena.
Pathology of retroperitoneal sarcomas: A brief review
Authors: Renne Salvatore L. , Iwenofu O. Hans
Published: December 2017

Sarcomas represent a highly heterogeneous group of tumors as reflected in the significant overlap between their histologic phenotypes between the different types, posing diagnostic challenges for the pathologist. Definitive tumor classification is increasingly important because of prognostication and emergence of targeted therapies for some of the sarcoma types. In this review, we highlight pertinent pathologic and molecular aspects of sarcomas common in the retroperitoneum, relevant to the surgical oncologist.
Dynamic evaluation of a trilobal capillary‐channeled polymer fiber shape for reversed phase protein separations and comparison to the eight‐channeled form
Authors: Wang Lei , Stevens Kathryn A. , Haupt‐Renaud Paul , Marcus R. Kenneth
Published: December 2017

A new, trilobal‐shaped capillary‐channeled polymer fiber is under development to address the issues of poor A‐term performance of the previous eight‐channeled form. The trilobal geometry should provide better packing homogeneity due to the fewer potential orientations of the symmetric fiber geometry. Comparisons of separation efficiency and peak shape were made between the two fiber shapes through several dynamic parameters. Column hydrodynamics were investigated with two marker compounds, uracil and bovine serum albumin, with van Deemter plots of those two compounds revealing differences in the packing qualities between the different fiber shapes. Parametric fitting to the van Deemter, Knox, and Giddings equations provides insights into the column physical structures. Separation quality for both shapes was evaluated across differences in fiber packing density, gradient rate, and mobile phase linear velocity for the reversed phase separation of a four protein mixture, containing ribonuclease A, cytochrome c, lysozyme, and myoglobin. The results of this study lay the ground work for future efforts in the use of trilobal fibers for the separation of biomacromolecules.