bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cerebral Open Flow Microperfusion to Monitor Drug Transport Across the Blood‐Brain Barrier
Authors: Hummer Joanna , Altendorfer‐Kroath Thomas , Birngruber Thomas
Published: May 2019

Drugs for neurological diseases have to cross the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) to induce their therapeutic effect. In vivo drug quantification in the brain is challenging, because invasive methods damage the BBB and measurement results may be confounded by drug leakage from the blood into the brain through the disrupted BBB. Cerebral open flow microperfusion (cOFM) is an in vivo sampling technique that allows BBB healing and re‐establishment after probe implantation and before sampling is performed. It therefore provides the opportunity to sample compounds in cerebral interstitial fluid with an intact BBB. This article comprehensively describes the experimental setup and procedures, perfusate requirements, critical parameters, common problems that may occur, and their causes and solutions. Typical results from a cOFM sampling experiment are presented and discussed. This protocol provides a tool for performing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies in mouse or rat brain with an intact BBB. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Combined effects of elevated CO2 concentration and Wolbachia on Hylyphantes graminicola (Araneae: Linyphiidae)
Authors: Su Qichen , Wang Xia , Ilyas Naila , Zhang Fan , Yun Yueli , Jian Chen , Peng Yu
Published: May 2019

The increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in atmosphere is not only a major cause of global warming, but it also adversely affects the ecological diversity of invertebrates. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of elevated CO2 concentration (ambient, 400 ppm and high, 800 ppm) and Wolbachia (Wolbachia‐infected, W+ and Wolbachia‐uninfected, W−) on Hylyphantes graminicola. The total survival rate, developmental duration, carapace width and length, body weight, sex ratio, net reproductive rate, nutrition content, and enzyme activity in H. graminicola were examined under four treatments: W− 400 ppm, W− 800 ppm, W+ 400 ppm, and W+ 800 ppm. Results showed that Wolbachia‐infected spiders had significantly decreased the total developmental duration. Different instars showed variations up to some extent, but no obvious effect was found under elevated CO2 concentration. Total survival rate, sex ratio, and net reproductive rate were not affected by elevated CO2 concentration or Wolbachia infection. The carapace width of Wolbachia‐uninfected spiders decreased significantly under elevated CO2 concentration, while the width, length and weight were not significantly affected in Wolbachia‐infected spiders reared at ambient CO2 concentration. The levels of protein, specific activities of peroxidase, and amylase were significantly increased under elevated CO2 concentration or Wolbachia‐infected spiders, while the total amino content was only increased in Wolbachia‐infected spiders. Thus, our current finding suggested that elevated CO2 concentration and Wolbachia enhance nutrient contents and enzyme activity of H. graminicola and decrease development duration hence explore the interactive effects of factors which were responsible for reproduction regulation, but it also gives a theoretical direction for spider's protection in such a dynamic environment. Increased activities of enzymes and nutrients caused by Wolbachia infection aids for better survival of H. graminicola under stress.
Crop identity and memory effects on aboveground arthropods in a long‐term crop rotation experiment
Authors: Meyer Michael , Ott David , Götze Philipp , Koch Heinz‐Josef , Scherber Christoph
Published: May 2019

Agricultural landscapes are globally dominated by monocultures under intensive management. This is one of the main reasons for biodiversity loss and insect population decline in many regions all over the world. Agroecosystem biodiversity in these areas can be enhanced by cropping system diversification, such as crop rotations. Yet, long‐term studies on effects of crop rotations on aboveground agrobiodiversity are lacking. We set up a 10‐year long‐term crop rotation experiment in Central Germany and monitored the temporal dynamics of aboveground arthropods over a full cultivation period to investigate influence of current and preceding crop identity and cropping system diversification on activity density, species richness, and community structure. We found that species composition was strongly influenced by currently grown crop although effect on arthropods varied between species groups. Especially, winter oilseed rape strongly affects arthropod community structure. Interestingly, we were also able to show an influence of the preceding crops, indicating an ecological memory effect in the aboveground arthropod community. Our results show that crop identity of both currently and previously grown crops in crop rotations may lead to an increase in arthropod activity density and changes in species composition. Diversified crop rotations including appropriate crops can be an easily implemented tool to increase arthropod biodiversity and biomass at large spatial and temporal scales, particularly in areas dominated by a single crop (e.g., wheat, maize). Our results may help to design optimized crop rotations for large‐scale enhancement of insect biodiversity in agroecosystems.
Does fluctuation of meteorological conditions across years influence stand transpiration of Tectona grandis plantation?
Authors: Siddiq Zafar , Tomlinson Kyle W. , Zhu Shi‐Dan , Cao Kun‐Fang
Published: May 2019

Tectona grandis (teak) is widely planted as high‐quality timber in the seasonal tropics, yet detailed data on its seasonal water use and the effect of climatic fluctuations on its transpiration behaviour are limited. We measured sap flux density (SFD) using Granier's sap flow sensors for three wet and two dry seasons in the years 2012, 2014, and 2015 (wet season only) in 7 to 14 trees and made a calibration of Granier's equation for teak to calculate SFD for estimating whole‐tree water consumption and stand‐level transpiration. We also characterized the effects of daily rainfall, vapour pressure deficit, and photosynthetically active radiation on the daily SFD of individual trees. We found a large fluctuation in rainfall in the wet seasons of 2012 to 2015 (1,159 mm in 2012, 778 mm in 2014, and 727 mm in 2015). Total wet and dry season stand‐level transpiration were 824 and 501 mm in 2012 and 446 and 214 mm in 2014, respectively, whereas the wet season transpiration of 2015 was 358 mm. Namely, reduced wet season rainfall reduced the total stand‐level transpiration of teak at the study site. Most variations in daily SFD were due to differences in meteorological conditions, that is, day‐time mean vapour pressure deficit, photosynthetically active radiation, and daily rainfall associated with the seasons of particular year. We also established models to estimate the stand‐level transpiration of a teak plantation. The findings of the present study could be useful for forestation program and hydrological management in tropical regions with seasonal drought.
Toward an optimal quantitative design method integrating user‐centered qualitative attributes
Authors: Bertheaux Cyril , Toscano Rosario , Fortunier Roland , Borg Céline
Published: May 2019

The determination of product features, which can be seen as design specifications, is a crucial problem that must be carried out upstream to quickly validate the product configuration according to some attributes in relation to the user perception. To this end, the design methods must evolve toward an analysis compatible with various kind of data that can be qualitative or quantitative. In this paper, a new approach is introduced able to take into account various kind of information in order to determine some quantitative design specifications in accordance with the users perception. This is done through a mathematical formulation that exploit different types of data coming from sensory analysis and physical quantities. This mathematical formulation is then used in an optimization procedure that takes into account a preference order over the sensory attributes. The solution of this optimization problem gives thus the best user‐centered specifications that must be used for the conception of the final product.
GABAergic‐astrocyte signaling: A refinement of inhibitory brain networks
Authors: Mederos Sara , Perea Gertrudis
Published: May 2019

Interneurons play a critical role in precise control of network operation. Indeed, higher brain capabilities such as working memory, cognitive flexibility, attention, or social interaction rely on the action of GABAergic interneurons. Evidence from excitatory neurons and synapses has revealed astrocytes as integral elements of synaptic transmission. However, GABAergic interneurons can also engage astrocyte signaling; therefore, it is tempting to speculate about different scenarios where, based on particular interneuron cell type, GABAergic‐astrocyte interplay would be involved in diverse outcomes of brain function. In this review, we will highlight current data supporting the existence of dynamic GABAergic‐astrocyte communication and its impact on the inhibitory‐regulated brain responses, bringing new perspectives on the ways astrocytes might contribute to efficient neuronal coding.
The effect of psychological distance on young children's future predictions
Authors: Mazachowsky Tessa R. , Koktavy Christine , Mahy Caitlin E.V.
Published: May 2019

The current study examined the impact of psychological distance on children's performance on the pretzel task. In this task, children eat pretzels (inducing thirst) and then are asked to reason about future preferences (pretzels or water). Children typically perform poorly on this task, indicating a future preference for water over pretzels, potentially due to conflicting current and future states. Given past work showing that children's future reasoning is more accurate for another person, we asked 90 thirsty 3‐ to 7‐year‐olds to reason about their own and an experimenter's future preference. Results showed that thirsty children had more difficulty predicting their own future preference compared with the experimenter's. Thirstier children were more likely to predict a future preference for water. Thirst interacted with age when making a future choice for the experimenter. How psychological distance might boost episodic foresight and possible reasons for children's poor pretzel task performance are discussed.

Highlights

Does psychological distancing improve children's ability to make accurate future predictions when current and future states conflict?

Using the Pretzel task, thirsty children were less accurate when predicting their own future preferences compared with the future preferences of another person.

Psychological distancing may help children overcome their current state to reason more accurately about the future.
Future of Systems Engineering
Authors: Watson Michael D.
Published: May 2019

Systems engineering has evolved as a practice‐based discipline with a matured set of processes covering the life cycle of the system. The engineering basis is however tenuous, as we cannot always ensure the system will be successful. All engineering disciplines start in practice and, over time, evolve with the discovery of the underlying scientific principles that provide a solid foundation for the discipline. Systems engineering is following a similar course, with the recognition that it is also a sociological endeavor integrating, coordinating, and facilitating all the engineering disciplines. As a direct step from the systems engineering heuristics, a set of systems engineering principles emerged that incorporate the engineering basis and the sociological basis and are broader than system principles, that is, principles that define how a system functions. Systems scientists researched the mathematical basis of systems engineering for some time. Recent work has begun to show that mathematical category theory is the basis for defining systems. The future of systems engineering intertwines the scientific/mathematical engineering basis, system modeling advances, and advancements in technological and sociological practices to advance the ability of systems engineering to define systems, shorten design analysis cycles, validate systems, and effectively operate and maintain systems.
Systems Principles, Systems Science, and the Future of Systems Engineering
Authors: Rousseau David , Calvo‐Amodio Javier
Published: May 2019

The rise of complexity in engineered systems is radically increasing the risks in complex systems engineering projects. This rise is a challenge for systems engineering, which is still based on heuristics and not yet grounded in a general theory of systems. Such a theory is needed if systems engineering is to improve its methods, processes, and tools systematically. This article reviews ongoing initiatives to develop this foundation.
Value Engineering as a Specialty for Systems Engineering: Exploring Opportunities
Authors: de Graaf Robin , van der Linde Gido , de Jong Hein , Vogt Berber
Published: May 2019

Value Engineering is a so‐called specialty engineering activity within Systems Engineering according to the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook [INCOSE, 2015], but what makes Value Engineering a ‘specialty,’ and what can it offer Systems Engineers? In this article three Value Engineering concepts are described, which are the pillars of Value Engineering: 1) the definition of value, 2) the use of multi‐disciplinary workshops, and 3) the application of function diagramming with the FAST method. Each of these concepts is explained and ideas are put forward how to incorporate them in more commonly used Systems Engineering processes. Our findings show that Systems Engineering and Value Engineering are not mutually exclusive, but offer outstanding concepts to improve designers’ goals. With this article, we hope to inspire the Systems Engineering and Value Engineering communities to further explore and experiment together.
Label‐free multi‐parametric imaging of single cells: dual picosecond optoacoustic microscopy
Authors: Liu Liwang , Plawinski Laurent , Durrieu Marie‐Christine , Audoin Bertrand
Published: May 2019

Advances in microscopy with new visualization possibilities often bring dramatic progress to our understanding of the intriguing cellular machinery. Picosecond optoacoustic micro‐spectroscopy is an optical technique based on ultrafast pump‐probe generation and detection of hypersound on time durations of picoseconds and length scales of nanometers. It is experiencing a renaissance as a versatile imaging tool for cell biology research after a plethora of applications in solid‐state physics. In this emerging context, this work reports on a dual‐probe architecture to carry out real‐time parallel detection of the hypersound propagation inside a cell that is cultured on a metallic substrate, and of the hypersound reflection at the metal/cell adhesion interface. Using this optoacoustic modality, several biophysical properties of the cell can be measured in a noncontact and label‐free manner. Its abilities are demonstrated with the multiple imaging of a mitotic macrophage‐like cell in a single run experiment.
RNA‐Seq analysis and functional characterization revealed lncRNA NONRATT007560.2 regulated cardiomyocytes oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by high glucose
Authors: Yu Manli , Shan Xinghua , Liu Yu , Zhu Jiaqi , Cao Qingxin , Yang Fan , Liu Yang , Wang Guokun , Zhao Xianxian
Published: May 2019

Hyperglycemia in diabetic patients would cause cardiomyocytes oxidative stress and apoptosis due to the excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, leading to progressive deterioration of cardiac structure and function. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play essential roles on controlling oxidative stress and apoptotic activity. In the present study, RNA sequencing was used to detect the differentially expressed lncRNAs during high glucose‐induced cardiomyocytes oxidative stress and apoptosis. A total of 306/400 lncRNAs were identified as differentially expressed, including 156/198 lncRNAs with increased expression and 150/202 lncRNAs with decreased expression at 24 hours/48 hours after high‐glucose stimulation respectively. Among these dysregulated lncRNAs, 45 lncRNAs were consistently differentially expressed in cardiomyocytes at both two time points after high‐glucose stimulation. Twenty lncRNAs were upregulated and 25 lncRNAs were downregulated at both 24 hours and 48 hours, respectively. The top three upregulated lncRNAs, NONRATT029805.2, NONRATT007560.2, and NONRATT002486.2 were selected for functional studies to determine the role in oxidative stress‐related apoptosis. The results showed that inhibition of non‐ratt007560.2 could abate the formation of ROS and reduce apoptosis, suggesting NONRATT007560.2 might play critical roles in the development of cardiomyopathy. The dysregulated lncRNAs might participate in regulating cardiomyocytes oxidative stress and apoptosis. These findings would be important theoretical and experimental basis for investigation on diabetic cardiomyopathy pathogenesis
Synthesis, spectral characterization, and biological evaluation of imidazole‐substituted pyridine‐2‐amine and benzo‐substituted imidazole‐2‐amine
Authors: Mahaboob Basha Shaik , Varalakshmi Mavallur , Thaslim Basha Shaik , Venkataramaiah Chintha , Syed Shafi Suban , Naga Raju Chamarthi , Rajendra Wudayagiri
Published: May 2019

A series of new imidazole‐substituted pyridine‐2‐amine and benzo‐substituted imidazol‐2‐amine 3–12 were synthesized by treating various amines 1(a–d) with alkyl/aryl isothiocyanate 2(a‐c) at 60–90°C in isopropyl alcohol without using any catalyst with high yields. The structures of all the newly synthesized compounds were characterized using IR, NMR (1H, 13C), mass, and elemental analyses. All the newly synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities to understand their biological potency. All the title compounds exhibited good antioxidant and antimicrobial activities in vitro when compared to the standard drugs.
Synthesis and characterization of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles using the hydrothermal method as magnetic catalysts for electrochemical detection of norepinephrine in the presence of folic acid
Authors: Safaei Mohadeseh , Beitollahi Hadi , Shishehbore Masoud Reza
Published: May 2019

In this article, we present a simple and efficient method to synthesize a magnetic NiFe2O4 nanocatalyst under hydrothermal conditions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses confirmed the synthesis of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles. These nanoparticles showed satisfactory catalytic activity for determination of norepinephrine (NE) in the presence of folic acid (FA) using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) methods. Differential pulse voltammetry peak currents of NE increased linearly with their concentrations in the range of 1.0 × 10−7–5.0 × 10−4 M, and the detection limit for NE was 2.3 × 10−8 M, respectively. The modified electrode displayed strong function for resolving the overlapping voltammetric responses of NE and FA into two well‐defined voltammetric peaks. In the mixture containing NE and FA, the two compounds can well separate from each other with a potential difference of 510 mV between NE and FA, which was large enough to determine NE and FA individually and simultaneously. Additionally, the prepared electrochemical sensor demonstrated a practical feasibility for real sample determination.
Autophagy and senescence: A new insight in selected human diseases
Authors: Rajendran Peramaiyan , Alzahrani Abdullah M , Hanieh Hamza N , Kumar Sekar Ashok , Ben Ammar Rebai , Rengarajan Thamaraiselavan , Alhoot Mohammed A
Published: May 2019

Senescence and autophagy play important roles in homeostasis. Cellular senescence and autophagy commonly cause several degenerative processes, including oxidative stress, DNA damage, telomere shortening, and oncogenic stress; hence, both events are known to be interrelated. Autophagy is well known for its disruptive effect on human diseases, and it is currently proposed to have a direct effect on triggering senescence and quiescence. However, it is yet to be proven whether autophagy has a positive or negative impact on senescence. It is known that elevated levels of autophagy induce cell death, whereas inadequate autophagy can trigger cellular senescence. Both have important roles in human diseases such as aging, renal degeneration, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the relevance of senescence and autophagy in selected human ailments through a summary of recent findings on the connection and effects of autophagy and senescence in these diseases.
Is complete stone removal for choledocholithiasis always necessary in extremely elderly patients?
Authors: Okuda Naoko , Sugimoto Shinya , Nakamura Haruka , Hisada Hirohisa , Temma Taishi , Hashimoto Yuki , Hayashi Satoshi , Ito Tatsuya , Takami Mayuko , Oyamada Jun , Kamei Akira
Published: May 2019

Background and Aim

Endoscopic stone removal has some complications. Although the life expectancy of elderly patients has increased dramatically worldwide, little information is available on the necessity of complete endoscopic stone removal in extremely elderly patients. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of complete endoscopic stone removal in extremely elderly patients.

Methods

All extremely elderly patients (>90 years) who underwent endoscopic stone removal for choledocholithiasis at our hospital between January 2012 and January 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. The included patients were divided into complete stone removal and incomplete stone removal groups. Complication rate, overall survival (OS), and disease‐specific survival (DSS) rates were compared between the two groups.

Results

Overall, 73 patients were included in this study. The median number of stones was one (range, 0–10) and two (range, 1–12) (P = 0.043), while the median diameter of the largest stones was 9 (range, 0–27) and 14 (range, 5–46) mm (P = 0.001) in the complete and incomplete stone removal groups, respectively. During the follow‐up period, OS was 60% and 39% and DSS was 95% and 97% in the complete and incomplete stone removal groups, respectively. Kaplan–Meier analysis found no significant difference in OS and DSS between the two groups (P = 0.052 and P = 0.646, respectively).

Conclusion

Complete stone removal might not always be necessary in extremely elderly patients aged ≥90 years.
Increased cerebral blood flow with increased amyloid burden in the preclinical phase of alzheimer's disease
Authors: Fazlollahi Amir , Calamante Fernando , Liang Xiaoyun , Bourgeat Pierrick , Raniga Parnesh , Dore Vincent , Fripp Jurgen , Ames David , Masters Colin L. , Rowe Christopher C. , Connelly Alan , Villemagne Victor L. , Salvado Olivier ,   for the Australian Imaging Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) Research Group
Published: May 2019

Background

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is an emerging MRI technique for noninvasive measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF) that has been used to show hemodynamic changes in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease (AD). CBF changes have been measured using positron emission tomography (PET) across the AD spectrum, but ASL showed limited success in measuring CBF variations in the preclinical phase of AD, where amyloid β (Aβ) plaques accumulate in the decades prior to symptom onset.

Purpose

To investigate the relationship between CBF measured by multiphase‐pseudocontinuous‐ASL (MP‐PCASL) and Aβ burden as measured by 11C‐PiB PET imaging in a study of cognitively normal (CN) subjects age over 65.

Study Type

Cross‐sectional.

Population

Forty‐six CN subjects including 33 with low levels of Aβ burden and 13 with high levels of Aβ.

Field Strength/Sequence

3T/3D MP‐PCASL.

Assessment

The MP‐PCASL method was chosen because it has a high signal‐to‐noise ratio. Furthermore, the data were analyzed using an efficient processing pipeline consisting of motion correction, ASL motion correction imprecision removal, temporal and spatial filtering, and partial volume effect correction.

Statistical Tests

General Linear Model.

Results

In CN subjects positive for Aβ burden (n = 13), we observed a positive correlation between CBF and Aβ burden in the hippocampus, amygdala, caudate (P < 0.01), frontal, temporal, and insula (P < 0.05).

Data Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study using MP‐PCASL in the study of AD, and the results suggest a potential compensatory hemodynamic mechanism that protects against pathology in the early stages of AD.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:505–513.
Ion mobility‐mass spectrometry for the separation and analysis of procyanidins
Authors: Rue Emily A. , Glinski Jan A. , Glinski Vitold B. , van Breemen Richard B.
Published: May 2019

Procyanidins are polymeric flavan‐3‐ones occurring in many plants with antioxidant and other beneficial bioactivities. They are composed of catechin and epicatechin monomeric units connected by single carbon‐carbon B‐type linkages or A‐type linkages containing both carbon‐carbon and carbon‐oxygen‐carbon bonds. Their polymeric structure makes analysis of procyanidin mixtures always difficult. Evaluation of procyanidins according to degree of polymerization (DP) using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is time‐consuming and at best has resolved polymeric families up to DP‐17. To expedite studies of procyanidins, the utility of positive ion electrospray ion mobility‐mass spectrometry (IM‐MS) was investigated for the rapid separation and characterization of procyanidins in mixtures. Applying IM‐MS to analyse structurally defined standards containing up to five subunits, procyanidins could be resolved in less than 6 ms not only by degree of polymerization but also by linkage type. A‐type procyanidins could be resolved from B‐type and both could be at least partially resolved from mixed‐type procyanidins of the same DP. IM‐MS separated higher order procyanidins with DP of at least 24 from extracts of cranberry. As DP increased, the abundances of multiply‐charged procyanidins also increased. During IM‐MS of ions of similar m/z, the ion drift times decreased inversely with increasing charge state. Therefore, IM‐MS was shown to separate mixtures of procyanidins containing at least 24 interconnected subunits in less than 16 ms, not only according to DP, but also according to linkage type between subunits and charge state.
Software for designing rigorous and replicable preclinical research: The Experimental Design Accelerator
Authors: Malin David H. , Hetherington Scott A. , Nghiem Duyen M. , Ward Christopher P. , Kelling Nicholas , Izygon Jonathan J. , Harrison‐Walker L. Jean , Campbell Joseph R. , Hughes Ryan , Buras William R.
Published: May 2019

In recent years, there have been concerns about research practices in basic and preclinical biomedical research. There have been problems with non‐replicable results, and experimental designs lacking internal validity or external or translational validity. The Experimental Design Accelerator (XDA) is Internet‐based, interactive software designed to help those trying to design, conduct and document rigorous, replicable and relevant experiments. It leads the investigator step‐by‐step through a series of decisions that will define the experimental design. It provides background regarding the significance of each decision and the advantages and disadvantages of each possible choice. For example, it leads the researcher to address issues such as choosing a research model, developing testable hypotheses, identifying extraneous variables, dealing with random and systematic error, picking appropriate sample size and picking appropriate statistical analyses. There are also sections to help conduct the experiment consistent with its design and to document the study to facilitate accurate replication. Helpful features include access to an online statistics book and provisions for rapid contact with consulting experts. A number of potential uses for such novel interactive software tools will be discussed.
The role of inflammation and the gut microbiome in depression and anxiety
Authors: Peirce Jason M. , Alviña Karina
Published: May 2019

The study of the gut microbiome has increasingly revealed an important role in modulating brain function and mental health. In this review, we underscore specific pathways and mechanisms by which the gut microbiome can promote the development of mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. First, we review the involvement of the stress response and immune system activation in the development of depression and anxiety. Then, we examine germ‐free murine models used to uncover the role of the gut microbiome in developing and modulating pertinent activity in the brain and the immune system. We also document multiple pathways by which stress‐induced inflammation harms brain function and ultimately affects mental health, and review how probiotic and prebiotic treatments have shown to be beneficial. Lastly, we provide an overview of gut microbiome‐derived compounds (short‐chain fatty acids, tryptophan catabolites, microbial pattern recognition) and related mechanisms (vagal nerve activity and fecal microbiota transplants) involved in mediating the influence of the gut microbiome to mental health. Overall, a picture of the gut microbiome playing a facilitating role between stress response, inflammation, and depression, and anxiety is emerging. Future research is needed to firmly establish the microbiome's causal role, to further elucidate the mechanisms by which gut microbes influence brain function and mental health, and to possibly develop treatments that improve mental health through microbiotic targets.
Robust opposite‐changing tendency between the thermal advection damping by mean current and thermo‐dynamical damping of ENSO Feedback in a changing climate
Authors: An Soon‐Il , Heo Eun Sook
Published: May 2019

The tropical Pacific climate state response to both the 21st‐century greenhouse gas forcing and orbital forcing on a glacial–interglacial timescale tends to resemble either an El Niño‐ or La Niña‐like pattern. This study reveals that so long as an El Niño‐ or La Niña‐like change in the tropical climate state occurs, changes in two important negative feedback components of the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) system, dynamical damping by mean thermal advection (MA) and thermo‐dynamical damping (TD), largely offset each other. For example, under the El Niño‐like condition, weaker trade winds due to a relaxed zonal sea surface temperature (SST) gradient reduce the mean zonal and meridional currents in the equatorial Pacific oceanic mixed layer, causing a reduction in MA, while wider expansion and enhanced activity of climatological convective clouds due to a warmer ocean surface intensifies negative SST‐cloud‐shortwave feedback. As a result, a change in ENSO activity in changing climate is mainly ruled out not by the change in negative feedback effect, but by the change in positive feedback effect.
A new homogenized daily data set for temperature variability assessment in Italy
Authors: Fioravanti Guido , Piervitali Emanuela , Desiato Franco
Published: May 2019

We present a new data set of quality‐controlled and homogenized daily maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) temperature for Italy. The data set includes 144 Tmax and 139 Tmin long‐term series, covering the period 1961–2017. First, the paper provides a description of data sources and quality controls implemented for the detection of erroneous daily observations. Next, the temperature records used for this work are introduced. Following strict data continuity and completeness requirements, we identified more than 500 time series with at least 20 years of valid data (raw data set), which were spatially partitioned using a hierarchical clustering approach. For each cluster, the time series homogeneity was assessed using two different statistical automatic approaches: ACMANT and Climatol. The results of the homogenization process are illustrated only for the long‐term series subset. Both homogenization methods revealed the presence of non‐climatic discontinuities in most of the temperature series. Although Climatol detected a slightly lower number of breakpoints than ACMANT, the two methods are in good agreement with respect to the statistics which describe the number and timing of the breakpoints. Since no metadata are available, the plausibility of the homogenized time series was evaluated using different statistical measures: RMSE, Spearman correlation coefficient and trends estimation. Our results show that the homogenized data sets are more spatially coherent than the raw time series. In particular, the analysis of the annual temperature trends shows more realistic and reliable climatic patterns when the homogenized data sets are considered. For our data, the homogenization process only marginally changes the annual and seasonal warming trend values found for the area‐averaged anomaly raw series. The Tmax and Tmin homogenized data set will be regularly updated and is intended to be used for a variety of climate studies that require data at daily resolution, as the analysis of climate extremes.
The robustness of the skewness as an early warning signal for abrupt climate change
Authors: Xie Xiao‐Qiang , He Wen‐Ping , Gu Bin , Mei Ying , Wang Jinsong
Published: May 2019

As a dynamical system approaches its critical threshold, the probability density distribution of the system will change significantly. Therefore, it is possible to present an early warning signal based on the changing skewness before reaching the critical threshold. Based on a zero‐dimensional climate model and several typical fold models, this paper systematically studies the influence of noise and missing data on the performance of the skewness coefficient as an early warning signal of an abrupt climate change. The results in three types of fold models show that the skewness coefficient has anti‐noise ability to some extent, but strong noise will significantly reduce the magnitude of the skewness coefficient and the time for early warning will also be shortened. In some cases, strong noise even will lead to the result that the skewness does not work in warning an impending abrupt change. However, the influence of strong noise on skewness is insignificant in the zero‐dimensional climate model. Therefore, the influence of strong noise needs to be considered in the practical application of the skewness coefficient as an early warning signal of an abrupt change. In addition, the results of all the models also indicate that different degrees of the missing data have no statistically significant effect on the warning performance of the skewness coefficient, even when the length of the missing data is up to 20% of the total sample size used in the present paper.
Ketorolac usage in tonsillectomy and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty patients
Authors: McClain Kathleen , Williams Amy M. , Yaremchuk Kathleen
Published: May 2019

Objective

Postoperative pain for tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) can be severe. Ketorolac is a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug that can be administered for analgesia in these patients. In the literature, ketorolac has been associated with an increased risk of hemorrhage after tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy. Many other surgical fields have successfully utilized this medicine for postoperative pain control without increased incidence of hemorrhage. The goal of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of ketorolac after tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy or UPPP in adults on postoperative hemorrhage rates.

Methods

Adult patients older than 18 years of age who underwent tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy and UPPP between 2013 and 2018 were assessed to determine hemorrhage rates. Hemorrhage rates were assessed based on patients presenting to the emergency department with complaint of hemorrhage.

Results

There was no significant difference between groups in the postoperative hemorrhage rates (P = .331) or the method of hemorrhage control.

Conclusion

Ketorolac did not increase postoperative hemorrhage rates in patients posttonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy or UPPP.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:876–879, 2020
Factors affecting completion of sleep studies in pediatric patients with sleep‐disordered breathing
Authors: Kohn Jocelyn L. , Rubin Samuel J. , Patel Jay , Dia Reem , Levi Jessica R. , Cohen Michael B.
Published: May 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

To determine demographic factors associated with failure to complete ordered polysomnograms (PSGs) in pediatric patients with sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB).

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

This study was conducted at an urban safety‐net hospital and included 829 patients with SDB, ages 0 to 18 years, for whom PSGs were ordered during a 1‐year time period. Factors including age, race, language, and insurance status were reported for each patient. The data were reviewed by univariate and multivariate analyses to determine factors associated with failure to complete the PSGs.

Results

Of 829 patients, 200 (24%) failed to complete the PSGs. By univariate analysis, age was the only significant factor affecting completion (P < .01), with toddlers having the highest rate of completion (81%) and teenagers the lowest (68%). Primary language and insurance type were not significantly associated with completion rate. Hispanics were more likely than non‐Hispanic whites to complete the PSGs (81% vs. 70%), but this did not achieve statistical significance. By multivariate analysis, the teenage group remained significantly less likely to complete sleep study than toddlers (P = .04). There was again no statistically significant difference for race by multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Among pediatric patients with SDB, age is a significant factor affecting completion of PSGs. Racial minorities and non–English‐speaking patients were not less likely to complete PSGs. Other demographic factors do not appear to be associated with completion of PSGs.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:E258–E262, 2020
Overwinter survival of crustacean diapausing cysts: Brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) in Great Salt Lake, Utah
Authors: Belovsky Gary E. , Perschon Clay , Larson Chad , Mellison Chad , Slade Jennifer , Mahon Heidi , Appiah‐Madson Hannah , Luft John , Mosley Ryan , Neill John , Stone Kyle , Kijowski Ashley , Van Leeuwen James
Published: May 2019

Survivability of diapausing (cryptobiotic) life stages over time in nature, beyond maximum observed time for viability, is not well understood. Because these life stages are an adaptation to overcome harsh conditions, survivability over time is assumed to be high. Brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) diapausing eggs (cysts) permit overwinter survival to initiate the population each spring. An experiment was designed to examine overwinter survival of brine shrimp cysts for 17 yr in Great Salt Lake (Utah, U.S.A.). Initial hatchability entering the winter (17.8–78.8%) and overwinter survivability (9.9–65.9%) of cysts varied dramatically among years. Better maternal nutrition increased initial hatchability. Overwinter survival of cysts decreased in part because some cysts hatch when it is too cold for the hatchlings to feed (0.8–39.4% among years), so they starve. However, overwinter cyst survival decreases the most with warmer waters in winter, and with better maternal nutrition, as both factors lead to diapause being easier to break. Annual variation in initial hatchability and survival is shown to be important to Great Salt Lake brine shrimp populations. Therefore, cryptobiotic life‐stage ecology needs to be better understood, as these life stages may have highly variable hatchability and survivability with normal environmental stresses.
VAC14 Gene‐Related Parkinsonism‐Dystonia With Response to Deep Brain Stimulation
Authors: de Gusmao Claudio M. , Stone Scellig , Waugh Jeff L. , Yang Edward , Lenk Guy M. , Rodan Lance H.
Published: May 2019

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Simultaneous measurement of refractive index and temperature based on asymmetrical Fabry‐Perot interferometer
Authors: Wu Yue , Li Hong , Yan Guang , Meng Fanyong , Zhu Lianqing
Published: May 2019

We propose an asymmetrical Fabry‐Perot interferometer (AFPI) based on fiber Bragg gating (FBG) with low reflectivity and a segment of single‐mode fiber (SMF). The AFPI occurs in the narrow bandwidth of FBG. The theoretical analysis of measurement for refractive index (RI) and temperature is explained in detail, and experimental results are consistent with the theory. As the temperature and RI of environment change, the peak wavelength and the extinction ratio of the interferometer show different trends, and the measurement of RI and temperature simultaneously can be achieved. The fiber sensor has the RI sensitivity of 33.55 dB/RIU in the range from 1.333 to 1.413 and temperature sensitivity is 9 pm/°C in the range from 10°C to 70°C.
Influence of guided waves in bone on pulse‐inversion contrast‐enhanced ultrasound
Authors: Wang Diya , Zhang Xinyu , Sang Yuchao , Qu Zhen , Su Qiang , Zhao Jing , Wan Mingxi
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Guided waves generated from bone cortex inevitably act on microbubbles flowing through skeletal muscle capillaries in contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and might influence the image quality. However, the action mechanism underlying the guided waves influence is still unknown, especially under contrast pulse‐inversion transmission mode. This study aimed to clarify the influence of guided waves on pulse‐inversion CEUS, which was investigated via in vitro infusion experiments.

Method

Tibia guided waves were detected at pulse‐inversion transmission and then characterized by using a short‐time Fourier transform energy distribution. Using results at normal incidence as a baseline, the influence of guided wave dispersion on the contrast and resolution of pulse‐inversion CEUS was investigated at an oblique incidence through continuous microbubbles infusion experiments in a vessel–tibia flow phantom.

Results

Frequency‐dispersive property of tibia guided waves was observed at phases 0° and 180°, which improved the contrast of CEUS and reduced its resolution. Pulse‐inversion CEUS balanced the contrast enhancement and resolution degeneration induced by guided waves. By contrast, contrast‐to‐tissue ratio of pulse‐inversion CEUS increased by up to 109.1 ± 13.2% (P < 0.05) due to guided waves and its resolution was up to 0.9 ± 0.1 times that of baseline.

Conclusions

Alterations of contrast and resolution in pulse‐inversion CEUS induced by guided waves might provide an additional assessment for the capillary perfusion in the skeletal muscle near the bone cortex.
Direct Economic Impact of Fish Diseases on the East Mississippi Catfish Industry
Authors: Peterman Mark A , Posadas Benedict C
Published: May 2019

The objectives of this effort were to identify basic descriptors of the east Mississippi (MS) catfish industry, identify prevalent diseases affecting this region, and determine the direct economic impacts of these diseases representing the 2016 production season. Data from east MS catfish operations were collected over a 3-month period during the late spring through early summer of 2017. A 95% confidence interval (CI) with finite correction was used to make inferences on the population. The number of operations (115) and number of hectares used for catfish production (4,900 ha) were identified by personal communications and confirmed by satellite imagery. Producers were surveyed a second time by e-mail (29.6% response) to identify basic industry descriptors, the most predominant catfish diseases of east MS, and their respective direct economic impact. The top-three diseases, as reported by producers, were virulent Aeromonas hydrophila, the “other” disease category, and Flavobacterium columnare. Producers were surveyed a third time by e-mail (34% response) to identify the mean (±95% CI) of regional catfish production (8,070 ± 783 kg/ha). Foregone sales loss attributed to catfish disease was reported as the sum of fish loss ($10 million) and production loss ($4.3 million). Foregone income loss resulted from the increased expenditures associated with catfish disease and included medicated feed ($1.9 million), chemical applications ($0.6 million), and miscellaneous ($0.1 million). The total direct economic impact of catfish diseases for the 2016 east MS production season was reported as the sum of foregone sales and foregone income and totaled $16.9 million.
Loss of Rab25 promotes the development of skin squamous cell carcinoma through the dysregulation of integrin trafficking
Authors: Jeong Haengdueng , Lim Kyung‐Min , Kim Kwang H , Cho Yejin , Lee Buhyun , Knowles Byron C , Roland Joseph T , Zwerner Jeffrey P , Goldenring James R , Nam Ki Taek
Published: May 2019

Rab25 can function as both a tumor suppressor and a tumor promoter across different tissues. This study sought to clarify the role of Rab25 as a tumor suppressor in skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Rab25 loss was closely associated with neoplastic transition in both humans and mice. Rab25 loss was well correlated with increased cell proliferation and poor differentiation in human SCC. While Rab25 knockout (KO) in mice did not induce spontaneous tumor formation, it did significantly accelerate tumor generation and promote malignant transformation in a mouse two‐stage skin carcinogenesis model. Xenografting of a Rab25‐deficient human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT, also elicited neoplastic transformation. Notably, Rab25 deficiency led to dysregulation of integrins β1, β4, and α6, which matched well with increased epidermal proliferation and impaired desmosome–tight junction formation. Rab25 deficiency induced impairment of integrin recycling, leading to the improper expression of integrins. In line with this, significant attenuation of integrin β1, β4, and α6 expression was identified in human SCCs where Rab25 was deficient. Collectively, these results suggest that loss of Rab25 promotes the development and neoplastic transition of SCC through dysregulation of integrin trafficking. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation of liquid crystalline polymer networks containing a cinnamyl group in the main chain with tunable thermal actuation behavior
Authors: Li Hang , Yang Rong , Peng Yating , Cao Hongwei , Li Jinchun
Published: May 2019

A series of liquid crystalline copolyesters (LCPs) with different concentrations of a photocrosslinking moiety have been synthesized by random polycondensation with 4,4′‐bis(6‐hydroxyhexyloxy)biphenyl, 2‐phenylsuccinic acid, and 4‐(6‐hydroxyhexyloxy)cinnamic acid (6HCA). Multifunctional monodomain liquid crystal networks (LCNs) with considerable and tunable actuation behavior are obtained by postphotocrosslinking. The influence of the photocrosslinking moiety on the phase transition behavior of the LCP and actuation behavior of the LCN has been investigated. The results suggest that incorporating 6HCA suppresses the smectic phase of the LCP and decreases the nematic‐isotropic phase transition temperature. Moreover, the starting actuation temperature of the LCN decreases from 55 to 40 °C as the 6HCA reached 50%. In addition, the actuation force and storage modulus of the LCN actuators are enhanced by incorporating a high concentration of 6HCA. A 1.64 MPa contractile force can be achieved, and it can lift burdens 1300 times heavier than its weight when 50% 6HCA is incorporated into the LCP. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 904–911