bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of gelatin‐based biodegradable hydrogel nanocomposite and their application as drug delivery agent
Authors: Bakravi Asghar , Ahamadian Yashar , Hashemi Hamed , Namazi Hassan
Published: January 2018

In this work, gelatin was chemically cross‐linked using epichlorohydrin. Then, a series of gelatin‐based hydrogel nanocomposites containing CuO nanoparticles were prepared by immersion of gelatin hydrogel in CuCl2 solution with different concentrations. Gelatin was chosen, due to its cheapness, nontoxicity, and biocompatibility. The structure and morphology of hydrogel nanocomposites were characterized by a number of techniques such as FT‐IR, XRD, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Then, swelling behavior of synthesized hydrogel nanocomposites in distilled water and different saline solutions was investigated. Their sensitivity to pH, biodegradability, and gel content was determined. Moreover, the water uptake and shrinking kinetics of hydrogel nanocomposites were evaluated. Finally, they were used as drug delivery agent, and the different concentrations effect of CuO nanoparticles present within the hydrogel nanocomposites compared with neat hydrogel on mentioned tests was studied.
Structure and Charge Transport Anisotropy of Polythieno[3,4‐b]‐Thiophene‐co‐Benzodithiophene (PTB7) Oriented by High‐Temperature Rubbing
Authors: Biniek Laure , Hamidi‐Sakr Amer , Grodd Linda , Escoubas Stéphanie , Dappe Yannick J. , Grigorian Souren , Schmutz Marc , Brinkmann Martin
Published: January 2018

Structure determination in high performance polymer semiconductors such as polythieno[3,4‐b]‐thiophene‐co‐benzodithiophene (PTB7) is essential to establish proper structure–property correlations. A combination of high‐temperature rubbing and isothermal crystallization leads to oriented and crystalline films of face‐on oriented PTB7 crystals. Electron diffraction indicates that crystallinity is marginal in the rubbed films but develops upon postrubbing annealing at T ≥ 250 °C. The best oriented and crystalline PTB7 films have a dichroic ratio of 12 for UV–vis absorption. The hole mobilities are improved by a factor of six along the rubbing direction over nonaligned films (µ// = 5.8 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1 vs µ⊥ = 3.1 × 10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1). Structural analysis yields three possible models that share similar structural features, however; namely (i) PTB7 chains form a layered packing such as poly(2,5‐bis(3‐dodecyl‐2‐yl)thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene) with π‐stacked backbones alternating with layers of strongly interdigitated alkyl side chains, (ii) the PTB7 chains adopt a nonplanar zigzag conformation, and (iii) PTB7 chains show a mixed stacking of thieno[3,4‐b]thiophene and benzodithiophene blocks. Overall, these results highlight the key role played in polymer semiconductor crystals by the steric constraints due to the branched alkyl side chains interdigitation on the π‐stacking of conjugated backbones.
Cranial measures and ancient DNA both show greater similarity of Neandertals to recent modern Eurasians than to recent modern sub‐Saharan Africans
Authors: Relethford John H. , Smith Fred H.
Published: January 2018

Objectives

Ancient DNA analysis has shown that present‐day humans of Eurasian ancestry are more similar to Neandertals than are present‐day humans of sub‐Saharan African ancestry, reflecting interbreeding after modern humans first left Africa. We use craniometric data to test the hypothesis that the crania of recent modern humans show the same pattern.

Materials and Methods

We computed Mahalanobis squared distances between a published Neandertal centroid based on 37 craniometric traits and each of 2,413 recent modern humans from the Howells global data set (N = 373 sub‐Saharan Africans, N = 2,040 individuals of Eurasian descent).

Results

The average distance to the Neandertal centroid is significantly lower for Eurasian crania than for sub‐Saharan African crania as expected from the findings of ancient DNA (p < 0.001). This result holds when examining distances for separate geographic regions of humans of Eurasian descent (Europeans, Asians, Australasians, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders). Most of these results are also seen when examining distances partitioning size and shape variation.

Discussion

Our results show that the genetic difference in Neandertal ancestry seen in the DNA of present‐day sub‐Saharan Africans and Eurasians is also found in patterns of recent modern human craniometric variation.
Assessment of compatibilization efficiency of SEBS in the PP/PS blend
Authors: Zhao Xueyan , Huang Yajiang , Kong Miqiu , Yang Qi , Li Guangxian
Published: January 2018

The compatibilization efficiency of styrene–ethylene/butylene–styrene (SEBS) triblock copolymer in immiscible polypropylene (PP)/polystyrene (PS) 20/80 blends was evaluated in terms of not only morphology, but also rheology and fractionated crystallization behavior. Besides varying SEBS loading, four different mixing protocols were used to vary SEBS dispersion state. PP2/PS/SEBS blend, prepared by two‐step method mixing PS and SEBS primarily, presents the largest droplet size (1.278 μm) at the critical compatibilizer concentration (CCC = 1 wt %). However, the CCC of blends prepared by the other protocols is 2 wt %. And at the CCC, PP/PS2/SEBS (two step method mixing PP and SEBS primarily) shows the smallest droplet size (0.908 μm), followed by PP/PS/SEBS (one step method). The rheology and crystallization behavior of PP/PS blends could also be utilized to assess the compatibilization efficiency of SEBS, but only in the case of mixing under the same protocol and the content of SEBS below a CCC. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46244.
The State of Tobacco Control in ASEAN: Framing the Implementation of the FCTC from a Health Systems Perspective
Authors: Amul Gianna Gayle Herrera , Pang Tikki (Pangestu)
Published: January 2018

Using a tobacco control framework that combines demand‐reduction and selected supply‐reduction measures according to a health system's building blocks, this article aims to assess the state of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control implementation in ASEAN countries from a health systems perspective. Results show that more ASEAN member states are showing leadership in adopting effective policies in the MPOWER suite of interventions such as raising taxes on tobacco, establishing smoke‐free areas and implementing graphic health warnings. However, effective enforcement of these policies is hampered by the lack of policies to protect public health measures from tobacco industry interference. ASEAN faces three challenges to control and reduce tobacco use: tackling the increasing burden of disease from tobacco use, tobacco industry interference and the need for better governance based on stronger political will and commitment. ASEAN member states need to further invest and innovate on tobacco control and promoting healthy lifestyles in order to achieve the SDG target on tobacco control.
Bilateral branch pulmonary artery valve implantation in repaired tetralogy of fallot
Authors: Bansal Neha , Kobayashi Daisuke , Forbes Thomas J. , Du Wei , Zerin Jeffrey M. , Joshi Aparna , Turner Daniel R.
Published: January 2018

Background

Transcatheter, bilateral branch pulmonary artery (PA) valve implantation is a novel treatment for patients with severe pulmonary insufficiency and oversized right ventricle (RV) outflow tract. There is scarce data on efficacy and safety of this approach.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of 8 patients with repaired tetralogy of fallot (TOF) who underwent bilateral branch PA valve implantation. Demographics, echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, and axial imaging data were reviewed. Variables were compared by a paired sample t‐test.

Results

All patients were adult sized (weight 43–99 kg) with oversized RV outflow tract not suitable for conventional transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation. Staged bare metal PA stenting followed by valve implantation (interval 3–5 months) was technically successful in 7 patients with one stent embolization. In another patient, proximal stent migration prevented placement of bilateral pulmonary valve stents. There were a total of 14 valved branch PA stents placed (Melody valve n = 9, Sapien XT n = 2, Sapien 3 n = 3). In the 7 patients undergoing successful branch pulmonary valve placement, at median follow up of 10 months (range 3 months to 6 years), 13 (93%) valves had none/trivial insufficiency on echocardiography. Prevalve and postvalve implantation cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in five patients showed significant reduction of indexed RV end‐diastolic volume (152 ± 27 to 105 ± 15 mL/m2, P < .001).

Conclusions

Transcatheter, bilateral branch PA valve implantation was technically feasible with satisfactory efficacy and safety in patients with repaired TOF, severe pulmonary insufficiency, and oversized RV outflow tracts. Elimination of pulmonary insufficiency with this method resulted in reduced RV end‐diastolic volume. This approach can be offered as an alternative to surgery, particularly in patients considered high risk for standard surgical placement and who are not candidates for the newer self‐expanding valve prosthesis for placement in RV outflow tracts larger than 30 mm diameter.
2‐Iodoxybenzoic Acid Synthesis by Oxidation of 2‐Iodobenzoic Acid at a Boron‐Doped Diamond Anode
Authors: Bystron Tomas , Horbenko Anastasiia , Syslova Kamila , Hii King Kuok (Mimi) , Hellgardt Klaus , Kelsall Geoff
Published: January 2018

For the first time, the electrochemical synthesis of 2‐iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX), a benign, well‐established, popular and highly selective oxidising agent, is described. The objective of the work was to investigate the possibility of generating IBX electrochemically in aqueous solutions by using boron‐doped diamond anodes. In 0.2 M H2SO4 aqueous solution, 2‐iodobenzoic acid (IBA) was found to be oxidised at potentials >1.6 V vs. SCE, initially to 2‐iodosobenzoic acid (IsBA), which was oxidised to IBX at potentials >1.8 V vs. SCE. Reductions of IBX to IsBA and IsBA to IBA occurred at similar potentials of ca. −0.7 V vs. SCE. The voltammetry results were confirmed by performing a series of batch electrolyses at different electrode potentials. Thus, depending on the electrode potential chosen, IBA can be oxidised anodically either to IsBA or IBX with 100 % overall selectivity. The only side‐reaction was O2 generation, but charge yields did not decrease below 55 % even at conversions >95 %.
Pulsed Electrodeposition of Highly Porous Pt Alloys for use in Methanol, Formic Acid, and Glucose Fuel Cells
Authors: Frei Maxi , Köhler Christian , Dietel Lisa , Martin Julian , Wiedenmann Felix , Zengerle Roland , Kerzenmacher Sven
Published: January 2018

We demonstrate an electrodeposition process for the fabrication of highly porous PtCu alloy anodes. In the fabrication process, Pt and different amounts of a second noble metal (Pd, Ru, Au) are repeatedly co‐deposited with Cu from an aqueous electrolyte, followed by selective dealloying of Cu. In this way, highly porous PtCu alloys with roughness factors ranging from 400 to 4000 can be obtained. In all cases, both noble‐metal partners are present on the electrode surface, whereas the majority of copper is likely buried underneath. In addition, we can show that H desorption and CO stripping yield substantially different roughness factors, even when applied to PtCu anodes. Hence, when using or comparing results from different stripping methods, a calibration is required. Compared to PtCu anodes, small additions of Ru (ca. 3 at% Ru) lead to significantly enhanced catalytic activity for the electro‐oxidation of formic acid and methanol, whereas Au‐rich PtCu−Au alloys (ca. 75 at% Au) exhibit significantly improved electrocatalytic activity for glucose oxidation. In some cases, large variations impede the identification of significant differences in electrocatalytic activity. To reduce process variability and to increase the specific surface area, further optimization of the fabrication process is required. Similarly, the deposition of defined alloy compositions will require further investigation, as the composition of electrolyte and deposited alloy do not directly correspond.
Leadership, Recognition and Well‐Being: A Moderated Mediational Model
Authors: Gilbert Stephanie L. , Kelloway E. Kevin
Published: January 2018

Considerable data has linked transformational leadership to employee well‐being, but little research has focused on how transformational leaders influence employee well‐being. In the current study, we examine whether transformational leaders engage in more recognition of employee efforts and whether that recognition is associated with enhanced well‐being. We further examined whether transformational leaders give employees recognition in a manner that increases the association between recognition and well‐being. With these two objectives, we test a moderated mediated model using survey data involving employees from a large health‐care organization. The results suggest that transformational leaders provide more recognition to individual employees. Moreover, recognition is more strongly related to well‐being when leaders are seen as transformational. Copyright © 2018 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How Owners Matter? An Examination of Ownership Type in Corporate Disaster Relief Giving
Authors: Gao Yongqiang , Hafsi Taïeb
Published: January 2018

Little research has investigated the effect of ownership identity (or type) and corporate philanthropy experience on giving. In this research, relying on legitimacy theory, we first assess the effect of ownership identity on corporate philanthropy (CP) in the context of the 2008 earthquake in China. Then we explore moderation effects of firms' prior CP experience and size as proxies for perceived legitimacy on owners' efforts at increasing giving and legitimacy. We find that state and CEO ownership are deterrents, while non‐SOE and institutional ownership enhances giving probability and amount. In addition, there is evidence that firm size and prior CP weaken the effects of institutional ownership on CP. This study provides a complete assessment of owner behaviour. Copyright © 2018 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the Synthesis of Chocolate Flavonoids (Propanols, Butanals) in the Interstellar Medium
Authors: Abplanalp Matthew J. , Góbi Sándor , Bergantini Alexandre , Turner Andrew M. , Kaiser Ralf I.
Published: January 2018

Complex organic molecules are ubiquitous in star‐ and planet‐forming regions as well as on comets such as on 67P/Churyumov‐Gerasimenko, but their origins have remained largely unexplained until now. Here, we report the first laboratory detection of distinct C3H8O (propanol, methyl ethyl ether) and C4H8O (n‐butanal, i‐butanal) isomers formed within interstellar analog ices through interaction with ionizing radiation. This study reveals that complex organics with propyl (C3H7) and butyl (C4H9) groups can be synthesized easily in deep space and may act as key evolutionary tracers of a cosmic ray driven non‐equilibrium chemistry in low temperature interstellar ices at 10 K. These processes are of vital importance in initiating a chain of chemical reactions leading to complex organics—some of which are responsible for the flavors of chocolate—not only in the interstellar medium, but also on comet 67P/Churyumov‐Gerasimenko.
Newborns are sensitive to the correspondence between auditory pitch and visuospatial elevation
Authors: Walker Peter , Bremner James Gavin , Lunghi Marco , Dolscheid Sarah , D. Barba Beatrice , Simion Francesca
Published: January 2018

Amodal (redundant) and arbitrary cross‐sensory feature associations involve the context‐insensitive mapping of absolute feature values across sensory domains. Cross‐sensory associations of a different kind, known as correspondences, involve the context‐sensitive mapping of relative feature values. Are such correspondences in place at birth (like amodal associations), or are they learned from subsequently experiencing relevant feature co‐occurrences in the world (like arbitrary associations)? To decide between these two possibilities, human newborns (median age = 44 hr) watched animations in which two balls alternately rose and fell together in space. The pitch of an accompanying sound rose and fell either congruently with this visual change (pitch rising and falling as the balls moved up and down), or incongruently (pitch rising and falling as the balls moved down and up). Newborns' looking behavior was sensitive to this congruence, providing the strongest indication to date that cross‐sensory correspondences can be in place at birth.
Ghosts of mother's past: Previous maternal stress leads to altered maternal behavior following a subsequent pregnancy in rats
Authors: Kan Janice M. , Richardson Rick
Published: January 2018

A rodent model was used to explore whether mothers that experienced a postnatal stressor in the past (i.e., daily separations from her previous litter) exhibited altered maternal behavior during a typical, subsequent rearing experience. Stress‐naïve female rats were bred and then separated from their pups (maternal separation) or remained with their pups (standard‐rearing). After those pups were weaned, mothers were bred again with all pups from the subsequent litter being standard‐reared. In the first week of life, various maternal behaviors directed towards these subsequent offspring were observed, including levels of nursing and pup retrieval. After weaning, mothers were tested for anxiety‐like behavior, as well as memory on the object‐recognition and object‐placement tasks. The results show that previously stressed mothers retrieve their offspring significantly faster compared to mothers with no stress history, which may reflect a more “overprotective” mothering style. No other differences on maternal care were observed. Also, while previously stressed mothers were no more anxious than control mothers, they had impaired spatial memory on the object‐placement task. This was not due to a general memory impairment as mothers performed equally on the object‐recognition task, suggesting that previous maternal stress has specific effects on hippocampal‐dependent tasks. That is, stress exerts lasting effects on types of behavior that are proposed to be beneficial to mothers and their offspring (i.e., efficient foraging and navigation abilities). Taken together, these results provide evidence that stress has specific and persistent effects on caregivers.
Zinc Ferrite Anchored Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for High‐Performance Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Raut Shrikant S. , Sankapal Babasaheb R. , Hossain Md. Shahriar A. , Pradhan Subrata , Salunkhe Rahul R. , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: January 2018

Recently, thin‐film supercapacitors have received much interest because they can achieve both high energy densities and high power densities, which make them suitable for practical applications. Here, thin films consisting of zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) anchored on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNT) were prepared through a simple and inexpensive “successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR)” method. This method has the advantage of direct electrode formation without the use of any binder. The synergy of the composite electrode (ZnFe2O4–CNT) yields a high specific capacity of 217 mAh g–1 at 5 mV s–1, which is realized by contributions from the inner and outer active surfaces of the hybrid ZnFe2O4–CNT electrode. Furthermore, a solid‐state symmetric device exhibits a highest specific energy of 12.80 Wh kg–1 and a specific power of 377.86 W kg–1, which clearly demonstrates that our hybrid ZnFe2O4–CNT electrode is promising and innovative for energy‐storage applications.
One‐Pot Synthesis of Highly Fluorescent Carbon Dots from Spinach and Multipurpose Applications
Authors: Ren Guojuan , Tang Mingyu , Chai Fang , Wu Hongbo
Published: January 2018

Highly fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) have been prepared from natural spinach by a hydrothermal method. In this work, we have demonstrated that the CDs have a high quantum yield of 53 %, and exhibit special responses to 2‐nitrophenol (2‐NP) and 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP). Solutions of the CDs showed clear fluorescence quenching in the presence of 2‐NP and 4‐NP; the detection limits of 2‐NP and 4‐NP were 1.06 and 0.50 µm, respectively. Simultaneously, the color changed from colorless to yellow, visible to the naked eye. More importantly, spinach, as a carbon source, is much more eco‐friendly than other organic dyes and organic solvents used for biosensors. Biological studies indicated that the CDs exhibit high fluorescent contrast and low toxicity in cells. Overall, the CDs prepared in this work can be used for fluorescent ink, biosensors, and bioimaging.
Organotin‐Functionalized Crown Ethers as Ditopic Hosts for Lithium Salts: Synthesis, Structures and Complexation Studies of X3SnCH2[16]‐crown‐5 (X = I, Br, Cl)
Authors: Arens Verena , Naseer Muhammad Moazzam , Lutter Michael , Iovkova‐Berends Ljuba , Jurkschat Klaus
Published: January 2018

The syntheses of the organotin‐substituted crown ethers X3SnCH2[16]‐crown‐5 (2, X = I; 3, X = Br; 4, X = Cl), and the organostannate complex Ph4P[4·Cl] are reported. These compounds are characterized by 1H, 13C, and 119Sn, NMR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. The solid‐state structure of 2 is characterized by two intramolecular O→Sn interactions, whereas 3 and 4 each contain one intra‐ and one intermolecular O→Sn interactions involving crown ether and water oxygen atoms. The tin atoms are six‐coordinate showing each a distorted octahedral environment. NMR spectroscopic studies indicate that hexacoordination is retained in solution. The compounds 3 and 4 are ditopic hosts for LiBr and LiCl, and have the ability to solubilize these salts in acetonitrile. The preferred selectivity of these compounds containing [16]‐crown‐5 moieties (known to be selective for sodium salts), towards lithium salts is credited to the increased Lewis acidity of the tin atom and hence the strong intramolecular O→Sn interactions.
Clinical course and prognostic factors across different musculoskeletal pain sites: A secondary analysis of individual patient data from randomised clinical trials
Authors: Green D.J. , Lewis M. , Mansell G. , Artus M. , Dziedzic K.S. , Hay E.M. , Foster N.E. , van der Windt D.A.
Published: January 2018

Background

Previous research has identified similar prognostic factors in patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions regardless of pain presentation, generating opportunities for management based on prognosis rather than specific pain presentation.

Methods

Data from sevenRCTs (2483 participants) evaluating a range of primary care interventions for differentMSKpain conditions were used to investigate the course of symptoms and explore similarities and differences in predictors of outcome. The value of pain site for predicting changes in pain and function was investigated and compared with that of age, gender, social class, pain duration, widespread pain and level of anxiety/depression.

Results

Over the initial three months of follow‐up, changes in mean pain intensity reflected an improvement, with little change occurring after this period. Participants with knee pain due to osteoarthritis (OA) showed poorer long‐term outcome (mean difference in pain reduction at 12 months −1.85, 95%CI−2.12 to −1.57, compared to low back pain). Increasing age, manual work, longer pain duration, widespread pain and increasing anxiety/depression scores were significantly associated with poorer outcome regardless of pain site. Testing of interactions showed some variation between pain sites, particularly for kneeOA, where age, manual work and pain duration were most strongly associated with outcome.

Conclusions

Despite some differences in prognostic factors for trial participants with kneeOAwho were older and had more chronic conditions, similarity of outcome predictors across regionalMSKpain sites provides evidence to support targeting of treatment based on prognostic factors rather than site of pain.

Significance

Individual patient data analysis of trials across different regional musculoskeletal pain sites was used to evaluate course and prognostic factors associated with pain and disability. Overall, similarity of outcome predictors across these different pain sites supports targeting of treatment based on prognostic factors rather than pain site alone.
Fly‐Ash Incorporated Slurry and Fixed‐Bed Approach for Heterogeneous Solar Photo‐Fenton Degradation of Isoproturon
Authors: Verma Anoop , Kaur Gurpreet , Bansal Palak , Gupta Saurabh , Kumar Sangal Vikas
Published: January 2018

The study presented the potential use of fly‐ash (FA) as an iron source to study photo‐Fenton degradation of isoproturon (IPU) both for slurry as well as fixed‐bed approach. Generally, metal oxide compounds, i.e., iron in FA combine with H2O2 to form a Fenton‐like reagent and produce hydroxyl radicals. The degradation rate was found to be strongly dependent on FA dosage, amount of H2O2, pH and initial concentration of IPU. Solar photo‐Fenton process at optimized conditions (FA 5.0 gL−1; H2O2 0.34 gL−1; pH 2) yielded 91.12% degradation of IPU. Recycling studies were performed by separating the used FA from the treated solution of IPU. However, a decrease in efficiency of FA for the treatment of IPU was observed due to surface fouling. To further envisage the field‐scale applications of FA for waste‐water treatment, FA beads were prepared to carry out the fixed‐bed photo‐Fenton studies for the degradation of IPU. FA beads were found to be stable or durable enough even after 10 recycles and yielded 65% degradation of IPU after 3 h of solar irradiation at an optimized dose of H2O2, i.e., 0.34 gL−1. A tentative degradation pathway for IPU has also been proposed after carefully identifying the intermediates through GC‐MS analysis. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1901–1907, 2018
A systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy of automated tests for cognitive impairment
Authors: Aslam Rabeea'h W. , Bates Vickie , Dundar Yenal , Hounsome Juliet , Richardson Marty , Krishan Ashma , Dickson Rumona , Boland Angela , Fisher Joanne , Robinson Louise , Sikdar Sudip
Published: January 2018

Objective

The aim of this review is to determine whether automated computerised tests accurately identify patients with progressive cognitive impairment and, if so, to investigate their role in monitoring disease progression and/or response to treatment.

Methods

Six electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane, Institute for Scientific Information, PsycINFO, and ProQuest) were searched from January 2005 to August 2015 to identify papers for inclusion. Studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of automated computerised tests for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early dementia against a reference standard were included. Where possible, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and likelihood ratios were calculated. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool was used to assess risk of bias.

Results

Sixteen studies assessing 11 diagnostic tools for MCI and early dementia were included. No studies were eligible for inclusion in the review of tools for monitoring progressive disease and response to treatment. The overall quality of the studies was good. However, the wide range of tests assessed and the non‐standardised reporting of diagnostic accuracy outcomes meant that statistical analysis was not possible.

Conclusion

Some tests have shown promising results for identifying MCI and early dementia. However, concerns over small sample sizes, lack of replicability of studies, and lack of evidence available make it difficult to make recommendations on the clinical use of the computerised tests for diagnosing, monitoring progression, and treatment response for MCI and early dementia. Research is required to establish stable cut‐off points for automated computerised tests used to diagnose patients with MCI or early dementia.
Targeting of miR‐31/96/182 to the Numb gene during head and neck oncogenesis
Authors: Chou Chung‐Hsien , Tu Hsi‐Feng , Kao Shou‐Yen , Chiang Chun‐Yu Fan , Liu Chung‐Ji , Chang Kuo‐Wei , Lin Shu‐Chun
Published: January 2018

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This study investigates whether miR‐31, miR‐96, and miR‐182 are involved in targeting Numb during HNSCC.

Methods

The expression of miR‐31/96/182 in tumor tissues was analyzed. Reporter assay, knockdown, expression, and oncogenic analysis were carried out in cell lines.

Results

Upregulation of miR‐31/96/182 was detected in tumor tissues. In addition, advanced tumors showed higher expression levels of these miRNAs. The expression of these miRNAs was upregulated after treatment with areca ingredients (P < .01 or P < .001). These miRNAs directly targeted the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) sequence of the Numb gene. An increased migration and invasion of HNSCC cells was associated with the exogenous expression of miR‐31/96/182 (P < .01 or P < .001), and this was reverted by expression of Numb.

Conclusion

This study provides new evidence demonstrating that there is frequent and concordant upregulation of miR‐31, miR‐96, and miR‐182 during HNSCC and these miRNAs co‐target Numb.
Noninvasive, Quantitative Assessment of Liver Fat by MRI‐PDFF as an Endpoint in NASH Trials
Authors: Caussy Cyrielle , Reeder Scott B. , Sirlin Claude B. , Loomba Rohit
Published: January 2018

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, and the progressive form of this condition, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), has become one of the leading indications for liver transplantation. Despite intensive investigations, there are currently no United States Food and Drug Administration–approved therapies for treating NASH. A major barrier for drug development in NASH is that treatment response assessment continues to require liver biopsy, which is invasive and interpreted subjectively. Therefore, there is a major unmet need for developing noninvasive, objective, and quantitative biomarkers for diagnosis and assessment of treatment response. Emerging data support the use of magnetic resonance imaging–derived proton density fat fraction (MRI‐PDFF) as a noninvasive, quantitative, and accurate measure of liver fat content to assess treatment response in early‐phase NASH trials. In this review, we discuss the role and utility, including potential sample size reduction, of MRI‐PDFF as a quantitative and noninvasive imaging‐based biomarker in early‐phase NASH trials.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide.(
1
) NAFLD can be broadly classified into two categories: nonalcoholic fatty liver, which has a minimal risk of progression to cirrhosis, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the more progressive form of NAFLD, which has a significantly increased risk of progression to cirrhosis.(
4
) Over the past two decades, NASH‐related cirrhosis has become the second leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States.(
5
) For these reasons, pharmacological therapy for NASH is needed urgently. Despite intensive investigations, there are currently no therapies for treating NASH that have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration.(
6
)
Candidate biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of drug‐induced liver injury: An international collaborative effort
Authors: Church Rachel J. , Kullak‐Ublick Gerd A. , Aubrecht Jiri , Bonkovsky Herbert L. , Chalasani Naga , Fontana Robert J. , Goepfert Jens C. , Hackman Frances , King Nicholas M. P. , Kirby Simon , Kirby Patrick , Marcinak John , Ormarsdottir Sif , Schomaker Shelli J. , Schuppe‐Koistinen Ina , Wolenski Francis , Arber Nadir , Merz Michael , Sauer John‐Michael , Andrade Raul J. , van Bömmel Florian , Poynard Thierry , Watkins Paul B.
Published: January 2018

Current blood biomarkers are suboptimal in detecting drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) and predicting its outcome. We sought to characterize the natural variabilty and performance characteristics of 14 promising DILI biomarker candidates. Serum or plasma from multiple cohorts of healthy volunteers (n = 192 and n = 81), subjects who safely took potentially hepatotoxic drugs without adverse effects (n = 55 and n = 92) and DILI patients (n = 98, n = 28, and n = 143) were assayed for microRNA‐122 (miR‐122), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), total cytokeratin 18 (K18), caspase cleaved K18, glutathione S‐transferase α, alpha‐fetoprotein, arginase‐1, osteopontin (OPN), sorbitol dehydrogenase, fatty acid binding protein, cadherin‐5, macrophage colony‐stimulating factor receptor (MCSFR), paraoxonase 1 (normalized to prothrombin protein), and leukocyte cell‐derived chemotaxin‐2. Most candidate biomarkers were significantly altered in DILI cases compared with healthy volunteers. GLDH correlated more closely with gold standard alanine aminotransferase than miR‐122, and there was a surprisingly wide inter‐ and intra‐individual variability of miR‐122 levels among healthy volunteers. Serum K18, OPN, and MCSFR levels were most strongly associated with liver‐related death or transplantation within 6 months of DILI onset. Prediction of prognosis among DILI patients using the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease was improved by incorporation of K18 and MCSFR levels. Conclusion: GLDH appears to be more useful than miR‐122 in identifying DILI patients, and K18, OPN, and MCSFR are promising candidates for prediction of prognosis during an acute DILI event. Serial assessment of these biomarkers in large prospective studies will help further delineate their role in DILI diagnosis and management.
Inactivation of nucleus reuniens impairs spatial working memory and behavioral flexibility in the rat
Authors: Viena Tatiana D. , Linley Stephanie B. , Vertes Robert P.
Published: January 2018

The hippocampal formation (HF) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) play critical roles in spatial working memory (SWM). The nucleus reuniens (RE) of the ventral midline thalamus is an important anatomical link between the HF and mPFC, and as such is crucially involved in SWM functions that recruit both structures. Little is known, however, regarding the role of RE in other behaviors mediated by this circuit. In the present study, we examined the role of RE in spatial working memory and executive functioning following reversible inactivation of RE with either muscimol or procaine. Rats were implanted with an indwelling cannula targeting RE and trained in a delayed nonmatch to sample spatial alternation T‐maze task. For the task, sample and choice runs were separated by moderate or long delays (30, 60, and 120 s). Following asymptotic performance, rats were tested following infusions of drug or vehicle. Muscimol infused into RE impaired SWM at all delays, whereby procaine only impaired performance at the longest delays. Furthermore, RE inactivation with muscimol produced a failure in win‐shift strategy as well as severe spatial perseveration, whereby rats persistently made re‐entries into incorrect arms during correction trials, despite the absence of reward. This demonstrated marked changes in behavioral flexibility and response strategy. These results strengthen the role of nucleus reuniens as a pivotal link between hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in cognitive and executive functions and suggest that nucleus reuniens may be a potential target in the treatment of CNS disorders such as schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, addiction, and obsessive‐compulsive disorder, whose symptoms are defined by hippocampal‐prefrontal dysfunctions.
In situ measurements of wind‐driven salt fluxes through constructed channels in a coastal wetland ecosystem
Authors: Manda Alex K. , Reyes Enrique , Pitt James M.
Published: January 2018

A suite of instruments was deployed in a coastal wetland ecosystem in the Albemarle estuarine system, North Carolina (USA), to characterize wind‐driven transport of saltwater through a constructed (man‐made) channel. Flow velocity, electrical conductivity, and stage were measured in a representative channel over a 2‐month period from May to July 2014, during which 4 wind tides were observed. Collected data show that thousands of metric tons of salt were advected through the channel into coastal wetlands during each event, which lasted up to 4 days. The results reveal that as much as 36% of advected salts accumulated in the wetlands, suggesting that the cumulative effects of these events on the health of coastal wetlands in the Albemarle system may be substantial due to the abundance of constructed channels and the frequency of wind‐driven tidal events. This study is the first to quantify wind‐driven salt fluxes through constructed channels in coastal wetland settings.
Evapotranspiration is resilient in the face of land cover and climate change in a humid temperate catchment
Authors: Hamilton Stephen K. , Hussain M. Z. , Lowrie Christopher , Basso B. , Robertson G. P.
Published: January 2018

In temperate humid catchments, evapotranspiration returns more than half of the annual precipitation to the atmosphere, thereby determining the balance available to recharge groundwaters and support stream flow and lake levels. Changes in evapotranspiration rates and, therefore, catchment hydrology could be driven by changes in land use or climate. Here, we examine the catchment water balance over the past 50 years for a catchment in southwest Michigan covered by cropland, grassland, forest, and wetlands. Over the study period, about 27% of the catchment has been abandoned from row‐crop agriculture to perennial vegetation and about 20% of the catchment has reverted to deciduous forest, and the climate has warmed by 1.14 °C. Despite these changes in land use, the precipitation and stream discharge, and by inference catchment‐scale evapotranspiration, have been stable over the study period. The remarkably stable rates of evapotranspirative water loss from the catchment across a period of significant land cover change suggest that rainfed annual crops and perennial vegetation do not differ greatly in evapotranspiration rates, and this is supported by measurements of evapotranspiration from various vegetation types based on soil water monitoring in the same catchment. Compensating changes in the other meteorological drivers of evaporative water demand besides air temperature—wind speed, atmospheric humidity, and net radiation—are also possible but cannot be evaluated due to insufficient local data across the 50‐year period. Regardless of the explanation, this study shows that the water balance of this landscape has been resilient in the face of both land cover and climate change over the past 50 years.
Latina mothers' emotion socialization and their children's emotion knowledge
Authors: Pintar Breen Alyssa I. , Tamis‐LeMonda Catherine S. , Kahana‐Kalman Ronit
Published: January 2018

We investigated whether “supportive” and “nonsupportive” dimensions of emotion socialization, commonly identified in studies of European American mothers, were applicable to a low‐income sample of Mexican and Dominican immigrant mothers (N = 112) in the United States, and if so, whether these dimensions related to child emotion knowledge. Exploratory factor analysis was applied to an adapted version of a widely used questionnaire of maternal responses to children's negative emotions (The Coping with Children's Negative Emotions Questionnaire, CCNES; Fabes, Eisenberg, & Bernzweig, ). Children's (mean age = 5.08 years, SD = .11) emotion knowledge was assessed through play‐based vignettes and a task in which children labelled the emotions on pictures of faces. A two‐factor solution on the CCNES aligned with the “supportive” and “nonsupportive” dimensions of prior studies. Mothers' supportive responses related to greater child expressive emotion knowledge. Nonsupportive responses did not relate to child expressive emotion knowledge. The benefits of supportive emotion socialization seen in European American families generalize to Latina American immigrant mothers, but the negative effects of what is considered to be “nonsupportive” in European American mothers might not apply.

Highlights

Do the terms “supportive” and “nonsupportive” emotion socialization represent Latina immigrant mothers, and do these dimensions of parenting relate to their children's emotion language?

Mothers reported on their emotion socialization practices while children's emotion language was assessed with a play‐based task. We found that mothers' responses represented “supportive” and “nonsupportive” dimensions and that only supportive responses, not nonsupportive, predicted better emotion language among children.

Perhaps “nonsupportive” emotion socialization may operate differently among Latino American families than compared to European American families; the interpretation of what is “nonsupportive” among Latino families merits further study.
Biomechanical analysis of decellularized dermis and skin: Initial in vivo observations using optical cohesion tomography and vibrational analysis
Authors: Shah Ruchit G. , DeVore Dale , Silver Frederick H.
Published: January 2018

Measurement of the mechanical properties of skin in vivo has been complicated by the lack of methods that can accurately measure the viscoelastic properties without assuming values of Poisson's ratio and tissue density. In this paper, we present the results of preliminary studies comparing the mechanical properties of skin and scar tissue measured using a technique involving optical cohesion tomography (OCT) and vibrational analysis. This technique has been reported to give values of the modulus that correlate with those obtained from tensile measurements made on decellularized dermis (Shah et al., Skin Res Technol 2016;23:399–406; Shah et al., J Biomed Mater Res Part 2017;105:15–22). The high correlation between moduli measured using vibrational studies and uniaxial tensile tests suggest that the modulus can be determined by measuring the natural frequency that occurs when a tissue is vibrated in tension. The results of studies on glutaric anhydride treated decellularized dermis suggest that vibrational analysis is a useful technique to look at changes in the properties of skin that occur after cosmetic and surgical treatments are used. Preliminary results suggest that the resonant frequency of scar tissue is much higher than that of adjacent normal skin reflecting the higher collagen content of scar. OCT in concert with vibrational analysis appears to be a useful tool to evaluate processes that alter skin properties in animals and humans as well to study the onset and pathogenesis of skin diseases such as cancer. This technique may be useful to evaluate the extent of wound healing in skin diabetic ulcers and other chronic skin conditions, scar tissue formation in response to implants, and other therapeutic treatments that alter skin properties. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1421–1427, 2018.
Sauchinone prevents IL‐1β‐induced inflammatory response in human chondrocytes
Authors: Gao Yanjun , Zhao Hongyu , Li Yang
Published: January 2018

Sauchinone is one of the active lignan isolated from Saururus chinensis, which has been considered to possess various pharmacological activities, such as antitumor, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anti‐inflammatory effects. However, the functional roles of sauchinone in interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β)‐stimulated human osteoarthritis (OA) chondrocytes are still unknown. Thus, in this study, we investigated the anti‐inflammatory effects of sauchinone in IL‐1β‐stimulated chondrocytes. Our results demonstrated that sauchinone significantly attenuated NO and PGE2 production, as well as inhibited iNOS and COX‐2 expression in IL‐1β‐stimulated OA chondrocytes. In addition, sauchinone efficiently inhibited IL‐1β‐induced MMP‐3 and MMP‐13 release in human OA chondrocytes. Furthermore, sauchinone significantly attenuated the activation of NF‐κB in human OA chondrocytes. In conclusion, we showed for the first time that sauchinone inhibited inflammatory response in IL‐1β‐stimulated human chondrocytes probably through inhibiting the activation of NF‐κB signaling pathway. These data suggest that sauchinone may be a potential agent in the treatment of OA.
Useful information provided by graphic displays of automated cell counter in hematological malignancies
Authors: Gupta Monica , Chauhan Kriti , Singhvi Tanvi , Kumari Manisha , Grover Rajesh Kumar
Published: January 2018

Background

Automated cell counters have become more and more sophisticated with passing years. The numerical and graphic data both provide useful clues for suspecting a diagnosis especially when the workload is very high.

Aim

We present our experience of useful information provided by graphic displays of an automated cell counter in hematological malignancies in a cancer hospital where a large number of complete blood count (CBC) requests are received either before or during chemotherapy. This study was conducted to assess the usefulness of hematology cell counter, viz. WBC‐Diff (WBC differential), WBC/BASO (WBC basophil) and IMI (immature myeloid information) channel scatter plots, and the flaggings generated in various hematological malignancies.

Material & methods

The graphic displays have been compiled over a period of 1 year (October 2015‐September 2016) from blood samples of various solid and hematological malignancies (approximately 400 per day) received for routine CBC in the laboratory. Approximately 50 000 scattergrams have been analyzed during the study period. The findings were confirmed by peripheral blood smear examination.

Results

The scattergram analysis on XE‐2100 is very sensitive as well as specific for diagnosing acute leukemia, viz. acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia; chronic myeloproliferative disorders, viz. chronic myeloid leukemia; and chronic lymphoproliferative disorder especially chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Conclusion

It is suggested that the laboratories using the hematology analyzers be aware of graphic display patterns in addition to flaggings generated which provide additional information and give clue toward the diagnosis even before peripheral smear examination.
Cytological studies on the infection of rice root by Ustilaginoidea virens
Authors: Yong Mingli , Liu Yijia , Chen Tianqi , Fan Linlin , Wang Zhengyi , Hu Dongwei
Published: January 2018

In recent years, false smut disease of rice has been one of the most important diseases of cultivated rice in China. Ustilaginoidea virens is an ascomycete fungal pathogen that causes false smut in rice. There is always controversy about whether the pathogen can infect the rice root and cause the occurrence of false smut, mainly due to lack direct cytological evidence. In our study, we observed the cytological structure of rice root invaded by U. virens. The results showed that U. virens could attach to the surface of young roots and penetrate into the intercellular space of the root epidermis. The cellulose microfibrils in root epidermal cell wall are very loose and soft, and their structural features are similar to filaments of rice. After the fungus infected the roots, a large number of fungal secretions were accumulated outside of the cell walls. At 40 days, the fungus began to degrade, but pathogens still had not infected the sclerenchyma, in which the cells are arranged densely and the cell walls are thicker. U. virens could not cross the sclerenchyma layer into the endodermis and phloem of the root. To some extent, the U. virens infection affected the leaf and root growth of the rice. After inoculation, there was no fungal mycelium found in transverse sections of the rice young stem. These results suggested that root colonization of U. virens does not lead to systemic invasion in rice.