bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of miniprobe sonography in the local staging of earlier stage upper gastrointestinal epithelial neoplasm: A four‐year experience in a single center
Authors: Hsu Wen‐Hung , Kuo Chao‐Hung , Wu Meng‐Chieh , Su Yu‐Chung , Chen Chiao‐Yun , Wang Jaw‐Yuan , Shih Hsiang‐Yao , Lu Chien‐Yu , Wu Deng‐Chyang , Yu Fang‐Jung
Published: June 2018

Miniprobe endoscopic ultrasound (miniprobe EUS) has been used as the staging tool in upper gastrointestinal neoplasms, including esophageal cancer and gastric cancer. Staging results have a strong impact on the decision as to whether a patient should undergo endoscopic treatment, surgery alone, or neoadjuvant therapy. This retrospective study was conducted to analyze the accuracy of miniprobe EUS in staging of gastric cancer and esophageal cancer.

From January 2007 to August 2011, 71 patients who underwent EUS with 12‐MHz miniprobe for staging of esophageal cancer or gastric cancer before endoscopic submucosal dissection or surgical esophagectomy, or gastrectomy plus lymphadenectomy, were included.

Seventy‐one consecutive patients, 35 with esophageal cancer and 36 with gastric cancer, were included in this study. In the 35 esophageal cancer cases, 22 patients underwent surgical esophagectomy plus lymphadenectomy and 13 patients underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection. Postoperatively, 20 patients were staged as having T1 cancers (57.1%), eight patients T2 (22.9%), six patients T3 (17.1%), and one patient T4 (2.9%). The accuracy of miniprobe EUS to the T stage was 91.4% for T1, 71.4% for T2, 80% for T3, and 82.9% for T4, respectively. Positive lymph nodes were diagnosed histologically in four patients among 22 extensive esophagectomy patients (18.2 %). The accuracy of miniprobe EUS for the diagnosis of lymph node was 50% for esophageal cancer. Among the 36 gastric cancer patients, 32 underwent surgical gastrectomy plus D2 lymphadenectomy and four underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection. Postoperatively, 24 patients were staged as having T1 cancers (66.7%), nine patients T2 (25.0%), two patients T3 (5.6%), and one patient T4 (2.7 %). The accuracy of miniprobe EUS relative to the T stage was 66.7% for T1, 55.6% for T2, 91.7% for T3, and 97.2% for T4, respectively. Positive lymph nodes were diagnosed histologically in eight patients among 32 gastrectomy plus lymphadenectomy. The accuracy of miniprobe EUS for the diagnosis of lymph node was 61% for gastric cancer.

The diagnostic accuracy of miniprobe EUS in patients with esophageal cancer was reliable in T1 cancer. However, the lymph node was frequently overstaged. In gastric cancer, the overall accuracy of T‐staging was lower than esophageal cancer and frequently overstaged. Besides, gastric metastatic lymph node was easily missed by miniprobe EUS.
Erweiterung des synthetischen Potenzials von Sesquiterpencyclasen zur Erzeugung von nichtnatürlichen Terpenoiden
Authors: Oberhauser Clara , Harms Vanessa , Seidel Katja , Schröder Benjamin , Ekramzadeh Kimia , Beutel Sascha , Winkler Sven , Lauterbach Lukas , Dickschat Jeroen S. , Kirschning Andreas
Published: June 2018

Die Substratflexibilität von acht rekombinant erzeugten Sesquiterpencyclasen wurde unter Anwendung von sechs neuen Heteroatom‐modifizierten Farnesylpyrophosphaten untersucht. Als Ergebnis werden sechs neue makro‐ oder tricyclische, Heteroatom‐modifizierte Sesquiterpene beschrieben. Die GC‐O‐Analyse zeigte, dass das tricyclische Tetrahydrofuran etherische, pfeffrige und campherartige Geruchsnoten aufweist.
Synergistic Catalysis for the Umpolung Trifluoromethylthiolation of Tertiary Ethers
Authors: Xu Wentao , Ma Junyang , Yuan Xiang‐Ai , Dai Jie , Xie Jin , Zhu Chengjian
Published: June 2018

The first transition‐metal‐free, site‐specific umpolung trifluoromethylthiolation of tertiary alkyl ethers has been developed, achieving the challenging tertiary C(sp3)–SCF3 coupling under redox‐neutral conditions. The synergism of organophotocatalyst 4CzIPN and BINOL‐based phosphorothiols can site‐selectively cleave tertiary sp3 C(sp3)–O ether bonds in complex molecules initiated by a polarity‐matching hydrogen‐atom‐transfer (HAT) event. The incorporation of several competing benzylic and methine C(sp3)−H bonds in alkyl ethers has little influence on the regioselectivity. Selective difluoromethylthiolation of C−O bonds has also been achieved. This represents not only an important step forward in trifluoromethylthiolation but also a promising means for site‐selective C−O bond functionalization of unsymmetrical tertiary alkyl ethers.
A Two‐Dimensional Hole‐Transporting Material for High‐Performance Perovskite Solar Cells with 20 % Average Efficiency
Authors: Ge Qian‐Qing , Shao Jiang‐Yang , Ding Jie , Deng Li‐Ye , Zhou Wen‐Ke , Chen Yao‐Xuan , Ma Jing‐Yuan , Wan Li‐Jun , Yao Jiannian , Hu Jin‐Song , Zhong Yu‐Wu
Published: June 2018

A readily available small molecular hole‐transporting material (HTM), OMe‐TATPyr, was synthesized and tested in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). OMe‐TATPyr is a two‐dimensional π‐conjugated molecule with a pyrene core and four phenyl‐thiophene bridged triarylamine groups. It can be readily synthesized in gram scale with a low lab cost of around US$ 50 g−1. The incorporation of the phenyl‐thiophene units in OMe‐TATPyr are beneficial for not only carrier transportation through improved charge delocalization and intermolecular stacking, but also potential trap passivation via Pb–S interaction as supported by depth‐profiling XPS, photoluminescence, and electrochemical impedance analysis. As a result, an impressive best power conversion efficiency (PCE) of up to 20.6 % and an average PCE of 20.0 % with good stability has been achieved for mixed‐cation PSCs with OMe‐TATPyr with an area of 0.09 cm2. A device with an area of 1.08 cm2 based on OMe‐TATPyr demonstrates a PCE of 17.3 %.
RGB‐Color Intensiometric Indicators to Visualize Spatiotemporal Dynamics of ATP in Single Cells
Authors: Arai Satoshi , Kriszt Rókus , Harada Kazuki , Looi Liang‐Sheng , Matsuda Shogo , Wongso Devina , Suo Satoshi , Ishiura Shoichi , Tseng Yu‐Hua , Raghunath Michael , Ito Toshiro , Tsuboi Takashi , Kitaguchi Tetsuya
Published: June 2018

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) provides energy for the regulation of multiple cellular processes in living organisms. Capturing the spatiotemporal dynamics of ATP in single cells is fundamental to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying cellular energy metabolism. However, it has remained challenging to visualize the dynamics of ATP in and between distinct intracellular organelles and its interplay with other signaling molecules. Using single fluorescent proteins, multicolor ATP indicators were developed, enabling the simultaneous visualization of subcellular ATP dynamics in the cytoplasm and mitochondria of cells derived from mammals, plants, and worms. Furthermore, in combination with additional fluorescent indicators, the dynamic interplay of ATP, cAMP, and Ca2+ could be visualized in activated brown adipocyte. This set of indicator tools will facilitate future research into energy metabolism.
Single‐Step Construction of the anti‐Deoxypropionate Motif from Propylene: Formal Total Synthesis of the Cuticular Hydrocarbons Isolated from Antitrogus parvulus
Authors: Murayama Toshiki , Nozaki Kyoko
Published: June 2018

Reported herein is the single‐step construction of an anti‐configured deoxypropionate motif by syndiospecific propylene oligomerization catalyzed by a Cs‐symmetric zirconocene complex. After oligomerization, oxidation of the oligomers by oxygen afforded oligopropylene alcohols in a single step. This strategy was applied to the single‐step preparation of rel‐(2R,4S,6R,8S)‐2,4,6,8‐tetramethylundecan‐1‐ol, the racemic mixture of the synthetic fragment of the cuticular hydrocarbons isolated from the cane beetle Antitrogus parvulus.
Positioning Patients Undergoing Orthopedic Procedures
Authors: Bulatovic Anamari
Published: June 2018

Positioning patients for orthopedic procedures can be a daunting experience for nurses because of the wide variety of orthopedic procedures and available positioners. Understanding what to use for a particular procedure can help perioperative nurses feel more confident and allow them to provide the safest patient care possible. This knowledge also helps avoid workflow delays because of missing or incorrect equipment. Educators or senior staff nurses can provide access to information and education that will help ensure that nurses provide efficient, safe care for patients undergoing orthopedic procedures. Training should begin in the employee orientation phase and be provided when new additions or modifications to positioning policies occur. The educator should validate staff member competency on a regular basis to help ensure the correct equipment is used and to disseminate knowledge regarding any changes or upgrades to positioners.
Design of integral spreadsheet calculator for engineering applications
Authors: Dinçkal Çiğdem
Published: June 2018

Although Newton‐Cotes integration formulas in engineering have been the subject of the study for a long time, the improvement in formulations is still object of interest. In this sense, design of calculators based on these formulations becomes significant. The purpose of this paper is to design an integral calculator for any engineering problems. Since the integral calculator, easy‐to‐understand and use, is aimed to be employed by any kind of users. Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the programming language of Excel. Excel spreadsheet with VBA is preferred for this purpose. In this study, a user interface input form is introduced. This form is composed of the embedded algorithm. This algorithm includes not only rules and formulations of each Newton‐Cotes such as Composite Trapezoidal rule, Simpson's rules, Boole's rules, and Gauss Legendre formulations with 2, 6, 10, 16, and 24 points and exact result of any integral (if it exists) with computed true percent relative error for comparison purposes. This calculator is tested for civil, mechanical, and chemical engineering applications. The results and screenshots for each application obtained from calculator are presented. The present study allows design of an integral spreadsheet calculator for any integral given. If exact result of the integral cannot be obtainable, the calculator can perform only integral calculations numerically without exact solution and computed true percent relative error. Otherwise, user can solve the integrals completely with this tool easily and accurately again but this time by both numerically and analytically with true percent relative error calculations.
A computer‐assisted instructional method based on machine learning in software testing class
Authors: Zheng Wei , Bai Yutong , Che Haoxuan
Published: June 2018

With the development of computer technology, the old and outdated teaching cases cannot meet requirements on teaching currently. Therefore, in order to solve this problem, we need to rebuild the teaching content and teaching cases. Moreover, in the traditional classroom teaching, each student gets the same practice content, which is not pertinent. In order to solve these two problems, we propose a new method called Software Testing Computer Assistant Education (STCAE), which is based on machine learning, information retrieval, and natural language processing technology. STCAE has three steps: First, STCAE uses NLP to extract the text features from the classified bug reports in the database and to classify all the samples. Second, STCAE scores these bug reports according to the corresponding weight model. Third, STCAE updates the ratings based on the feedbacks of teachers and students on the case. In constructing STCAE, we consider the interactive, creative, pertinent, and error‐correcting capabilities thoroughly in teaching needs, overcoming the four shortcomings of traditional CAI. In addition, we build Software Testing Computer Assistant Education System (STCAES) under STCAE and introduce STCAES into daily teaching. All the achievements in the new course shows that STCAE has achieved great success in practical classroom teaching.
Problem based learning associated to the development of games for programming teaching
Authors: Martins Valéria F. , de Almeida Souza Concilio Ilana , de Paiva Guimarães Marcelo
Published: June 2018

The programming teaching faces serious challenges all over the world. Many students end up abandoning the Computer Science courses in their freshman years because they are not able to understand the concepts taught in introductory courses. On the other hand, the development of games is an opportunity for the students to perform an actual activity of the career and hence it may serve as an incentive to their motivation, commitment, and proactivity. This article describes a teaching approach based on the Problem Based Learning (PBL) methodology, which is associated to the development of educational games to drive the programming teaching in an introductory and practical course of programming teaching. The article presents details on the approach and how it was conducted in a case study with 30 students. The article also comprehends the approach's assessment, as well as the results got through the evaluation survey with students and teachers.
Modeling, simulation, and implementation issues of CPGs for neuromorphic engineering applications
Authors: Korkmaz Nimet , Öztürk İsmail , Kiliç Recai
Published: June 2018

Neuromorphic engineering is a discipline used to develop hardware, which can mimic the characteristics and abilities of biological systems by investigating their physiological structures and data transfer mechanisms. The recent studies about the neuromorphic systems mostly consist of robotic applications whose designs are inspired by Central Pattern Generators (CPGs). CPGs are special neural networks which can produce coordinated rhythmic activity patterns and these rhythmic movements are modeled mathematically, tested with simulation programs and verified by hardware implementations. A reconfigurable hardware platform (Field Programmable Gate Array “FPGA”) is compatible with numerical simulation tools, allows software control over hardware, has a user‐friendly interface and allows real time modifications. Thus, recently, it is preferred in CPG based robotic applications. In this study, the details of the modeling, simulation and implementation stages of several CPG structures are introduced by using a digital reconfigurable hardware platform. In order to show the conceptual learning achievements of these stages and to assess the contribution to the modeling, simulation and implementation skills of the students, a training course has been planned for the undergraduate students at Erciyes University. This process has been held in an educative manner supported by a survey and an experimental examination, so that this training course has been evaluated by the trainees in terms of the advantage, practicality, and challenge.
Vessel stability experiences with a remote laboratory for training based on IMO STCW training code
Authors: Velasco Francisco J. , Vega Luis M. , Revestido Herrero Elías , Lastra Francisco J.
Published: June 2018

The standards of the International Maritime Organization recommend the introduction of distance learning and web‐based learning in training and certification for seafarers. Following these suggestions, the present work describes a Remote Laboratory that use in scale models of ships, which satisfy these requirements. The instrumented in scale ship acquires data of its movements, which are interpreted in stability terms. By using this Remote Laboratory, students are instructed online in the study of ships stability. The developed experiences have been positively valued by the students as an improvement in their learning process.
A digital technology‐based introductory biology course designed for engineering and other non‐life sciences STEM majors
Authors: Kohn Cory , Wiser Michael J. , Pennock Robert T. , Smith James J. , Mead Louise S.
Published: June 2018

STEM education reform stresses the importance of a comprehensive understanding of science fundamentals and the development of science and engineering practices. As such, many engineering students must complete a core set of courses, including biology; however, this course is often designed for life sciences majors. One solution to this mismatch is to create an introductory biology course targeted to non‐biology STEM majors that introduces students to biology through a computational lens. Avida‐ED is a digital evolution software platform in which populations of digital organisms undergo actual—not simulated—evolutionary change, making evolution come alive through its observation in action. Integrating Avida‐ED provides a unique and novel approach to engaging engineering students in biological concepts within a computational environment, allowing them to exercise science and engineering practices in an authentic research experience. The design of this one‐semester course, “Integrative Biology: From DNA to Populations,” including its incorporation of a digital evolution lab, creates a way for computational science and engineering students to engage with biology within a context that is familiar and interesting.
SAIL—Software system for learning AI algorithms
Authors: Draskovic Drazen , Cvetanovic Milos , Nikolic Bosko
Published: June 2018

Artificial intelligence (AI) comprises a large spectrum of groups of algorithms: heuristic algorithms for search and planning, formal methods for representation of knowledge and reasoning, algorithms for machine learning and many more. Since these algorithms are complex, there is a need for a system which would enable their application both in everyday work and education processes. This paper describes a software system for learning AI algorithms called SAIL (Software System for AI Learning), which can be used both on computers and mobile devices. The paper gives examples of lab exercises and self‐study tasks that through graphic representation and detailed procedures help students master this area. Students can enter their examples into the system and obtain correct solutions for those examples. At any point when an example is simulated, a student can proceed to the next step or go back to the previous one, save the current simulation as a file, or print the detailed procedure as a task solution. SAIL helps lecturers go through the syllabus more efficiently and improve class material, while at the same time it helps students get a better grasp of implemented algorithms. SAIL can also benefit software engineers, who can select and simulate an adequate algorithm to solve a specific problem. The results of the SAIL system are verified within the AI introductory course at the School of Electrical Engineering University of Belgrade and they are presented in this paper.
Gamifying research in software engineering
Authors: Nowostawski Mariusz , McCallum Simon , Mishra Deepti
Published: June 2018

It is a non‐trivial task for research‐centric courses in the software engineering curriculum to compete and engage students on the same level as the practical, software development courses. Practical software development courses and projects are inherently motivating to students, as they provide necessary elements such as agency, relatedness, and the strong sense of competence upon completing software engineering tasks. In contrast, reading research articles and technical white papers feels dry and non‐engaging. Nevertheless, a well‐balanced MSc programme curriculum covers both, learning through construction and practical courses as well as research courses. The main motivation for the development of game‐centric approaches to the research aspects of curriculum is to improve students’ interest and engagement with those courses. In this paper, we present the methodology and initial evaluations from three gamification strategies used in the Master's degree programme. These are: the game of reading and discussing research articles (GoRaD), the game of arguing and counter‐arguing, and combining research and practice. The paper presents our experimentation and initial evaluations of the use of those strategies, as well as plans for future development and enhancements.
An educational tool to improve understanding of structural dynamics through idealization of physical structure to analytical model
Authors: Sonparote Ranjan S. , Mahajan Suryakant K.
Published: June 2018

An innovative computer‐aided educational tool for structural dynamics entitled “SDET” is developed to help students understand the idealization of the physical structure into a single‐degree‐of‐freedom (SDOF) system with five predefined example templates. The SDOF system then can be analyzed for a different combination of initial conditions and loadings using SDET. This tool can enhance the teaching/learning process leading to increase in engineering judgment and physical understanding of mathematical concepts involved in the subject.
Preoperative skeletal muscle index vs the controlling nutritional status score: Which is a better objective predictor of long‐term survival for gastric cancer patients after radical gastrectomy?
Authors: Zheng Zhi‐Fang , Lu Jun , Xie Jian‐Wei , Wang Jia‐Bin , Lin Jian‐Xian , Chen Qi‐Yue , Cao Long‐Long , Lin Mi , Tu Ru‐Hong , Zheng Chao‐Hui , Huang Chang‐Ming , Li Ping
Published: June 2018

Skeletal muscle index (SMI) and the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score are useful for evaluating nutritional status, which is closely associated with cancer prognosis. This study compared the prognostic value of these indicators in patients with gastric cancer (GC) after radical gastrectomy (RG). We retrospectively enrolled 532 patients between 2010 and 2011. SMI was measured via CT images to determine low SMI. The CONUT score was calculated based on serum albumin, total lymphocyte count, and cholesterol. Patients were grouped according to SMI and the CONUT score based on previous research. Spearman's correlation coefficient, the Kaplan‐Meier method, and Cox regression were used. There was no significant correlation between SMI and the CONUT score. Five‐year overall survival (OS) and recurrence‐free survival (RFS) in patients with low SMI were significantly worse than those in patients with high SMI (P < .001). The normal nutrition group had better OS and RFS than did the light and moderate or severe malnutrition groups (P < .05), but the OS and RFS were not significantly different between the light and moderate or severe malnutrition groups (P = .726). Univariate analysis showed that SMI and the CONUT score were associated with OS and RFS, but only SMI remained prognostic in multivariate analysis. Preoperative SMI based on CT images is a more objective predictor than the CONUT score of long‐term survival in GC after RG, but this finding must be confirmed by prospective trials.
In Vivo Incorporation of Azide Groups into DNA by Using Membrane‐Permeable Nucleotide Triesters
Authors: Tera Masayuki , Glasauer Stella M. K. , Luedtke Nathan W.
Published: June 2018

Metabolic incorporation of bioorthogonal functional groups into cellular nucleic acids can be impeded by insufficient phosphorylation of nucleosides. Previous studies found that 5azidomethyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine (AmdU) was incorporated into the DNA of HeLa cells expressing a low‐fidelity thymidine kinase, but not by wild‐type HeLa cells. Here we report that membrane‐permeable phosphotriester derivatives of AmdU can exhibit enhanced incorporation into the DNA of wild‐type cells and animals. AmdU monophosphate derivatives bearing either 5′‐bispivaloyloxymethyl (POM), 5′‐bis‐(4‐acetoxybenzyl) (AB), or “Protide” protective groups were used to mask the phosphate group of AmdU prior to its entry into cells. The POM derivative “POM‐AmdU” exhibited better chemical stability, greater metabolic incorporation efficiency, and lower toxicity than “AB‐AmdU”. Remarkably, the addition of POM‐AmdU to the water of zebrafish larvae enabled the biosynthesis of azide‐modified DNA throughout the body.
Quality prediction via semisupervised Bayesian regression with application to propylene polymerization
Authors: Sun Yuanmeng , Liu Xinggao , Zhang Zeyin
Published: June 2018

Statistical learning techniques are widely used for quality prediction in polymerization processes during the last decades. However, compared to operation variables, quality variables of polypropylene process are usually difficult to acquire resulting from the absence of measuring units. A semisupervised Bayesian regression method is therefore presented to improve the prediction accuracy by sufficient usage of unlabeled sampling data for melt index prediction in polypropylene processes. The developed model consists of Bayesian inference to predict quality variables and neighborhood kernel density estimation for finding relationships between unlabeled data and labeled samples, which takes advantages of a probability framework with iterative maximum likelihood techniques for parameter estimation and a sparse constraint for avoiding overfitting. The quality prediction regression method is compared with published models by applying to a real dataset of industrial propylene polymerization. The experiment results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed semisupervised Bayesian method.
Developing a ridge estimator for the gamma regression model
Authors: Algamal Zakariya Yahya
Published: June 2018

The ridge regression model has been consistently demonstrated to be an attractive shrinkage method to reduce the effects of multicollinearity. The gamma regression model is a very popular model in the application when the response variable is positively skewed. However, it is known that multicollinearity negatively affects the variance of maximum likelihood estimator of the gamma regression coefficients. To address this problem, a gamma ridge regression model has been proposed. In this study, a new estimator is developed by proposing a modification of Jackknife estimator with gamma ridge regression model. Our Monte Carlo simulation results and the real data application suggest that the proposed estimator can bring significant improvement relative to other competitor estimators, in absolute bias and mean squared error.
Injectable Oxygen: Interfacing Materials Chemistry with Resuscitative Science
Authors: Peng Yifeng , Kheir John N. , Polizzotti Brian D.
Published: June 2018

Intravascular oxygen delivery holds great potential to treat numerous hypoxic conditions and emergencies, including pulmonary disorders, hypoxic tumors, hemorrhagic shock, stroke, cardiac arrest and so on. Tremendous effort has been made in the past to find material solutions for the development of intravenous oxygen carriers and have ranged from blood substitutes to microbubbles with limited success. This paper highlights previous and recent progress in perfluorocarbon‐emulsions and microbubbles as intravenous gas carriers, including concerns over their long‐term stability, in vivo safety profiles, and oxygen transport efficacy. Their use as potential resuscitative therapeutics for treating various types of cardiac arrest is also discussed.
Expression and Purification of Recombinant Proteins Using the Baculovirus System
Authors: Murphy Cheryl Isaac , Piwnica‐Worms Helen , Grünwald Stefan , Romanow William G. , Francis Nicole , Fan Hua‐Ying , Marr Sharon
Published: June 2018

This article describes how to analyze protein expression in cells infected with recombinant baculovirus on a small scale for optimizing protein production, how to maximize and scale up recombinant protein production, and how to purify recombinant proteins. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Metal‐Free Synthesis of Furocoumarins: An Approach via Iodine‐Promoted One‐Pot Cyclization between 4‐Hydroxycoumarins and Acetophenones
Authors: Pham Phuc H. , Nguyen Que T. D. , Tran Nhu K. Q. , Nguyen Vu H. H. , Doan Son. H. , Ha Hiep Q. , Truong Thanh , Phan Nam T. S.
Published: June 2018

A transition metal‐free approach was developed to achieve substituted furocoumarins via an iodine‐promoted one‐pot cyclization between 4‐hydroxycoumarins and acetophenones. High yields of furocoumarins were achieved in the presence of NH4OAc as an additive, while neither acidic nor basic additives were effective. The reaction would proceed via a 5‐exo‐tet cyclization but not an O‐alkylation. The fact that commercially available starting materials could be used without the need of a transition metal catalyst could be a significant advantage.
AHNS Series: Do you know your guidelines? Principles for treatment of cancer of the paranasal sinuses: A review of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines
Authors: Byrd J. Kenneth , Clair Jon Mallen‐St. , El‐Sayed Ivan
Published: June 2018

This article is a continuation of the “Do You Know Your Guidelines” series. This was launched as an initiative of the American Head and Neck Society to increase the awareness of current best practices pertaining to head and neck cancer. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for managing cancer of the paranasal sinuses are reviewed in a systematic fashion. These guidelines outline the workup, treatment, and surveillance of patients with cancer of the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses.
CAREGIVER SENSITIVITY AND CONSISTENCY AND CHILDREN'S PRIOR FAMILY EXPERIENCE AS CONTEXTS FOR EARLY DEVELOPMENT WITHIN INSTITUTIONS
Authors: Hawk Brandi N. , Mccall Robert B. , Groark Christina J. , Muhamedrahimov Rifkat J. , Palmov Oleg I. , Nikiforova Natalia V.
Published: June 2018

The current study addressed whether two institution‐wide interventions in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, that increased caregiver sensitivity (Training Only: TO) or both caregiver sensitivity and consistency (Training plus Structural Changes: T+SC) promoted better socioemotional and cognitive development than did a No Intervention (NoI) institution during the first year of life for children who were placed soon after birth. It also assessed whether having spent less than 9 versus 9 to 36 months with a family prior to institutionalization was related to children's subsequent socioemotional and cognitive development within these three institutions. The Battelle Developmental Inventory (J. Newborg, J.R. Stock, L. Wnek, J. Guidubaldi, & J. Svinicki, 1988) was used to assess the socioemotional and cognitive functioning of children in NoI (n = 95), TO (n = 104), and T+SC (n = 86) at two to three time points during their first 6 to 12 months of residency. Results suggest that improving caregiver sensitivity can improve the cognitive development of infants in the first year of institutionalization whereas improving caregiver consistency in addition to sensitivity is more beneficial for socioemotional development than is sensitivity alone. Similarly, for children in T+SC, longer time with a family prior to institutionalization (consistent caregiver, unknown sensitivity) was associated with better socioemotional, but not cognitive, baseline scores and more rapid cognitive than socioemotional development during institutionalization. These results suggest caregiver sensitivity is more highly related to cognitive development whereas caregiver consistency is more related to socioemotional development in the first years of life.
OBSERVATION AND COMPARISON OF MEALTIME BEHAVIORS IN A SAMPLE OF CHILDREN WITH AVOIDANT/RESTRICTIVE FOOD INTAKE DISORDERS AND A CONTROL SAMPLE OF CHILDREN WITH TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Aldridge Victoria K. , Dovey Terence M. , El Hawi Nicole , Martiniuc Antonie , Martin Clarissa I. , Meyer Caroline
Published: June 2018

Despite widespread use of behavioral observations to evaluate child feeding behaviors in research and clinical practice, few studies have comprehensively characterized mealtimes or identified features that differentiate children with and without disordered feeding; these were the aims of the current study. Mealtime observations were conducted for 18 children with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and 21 typically developing children. Observations were coded inductively, and associations between disorder and observed mealtime actions were examined. Most behaviors were observed across both clinical and nonclinical mealtimes, and many did not differ in frequency between children with and without ARFID. However, significant group differences were observed in the frequencies of behaviors relating to food intake, visual and physical engagement with feeding, and movement during mealtimes. The comparability of behaviors across clinical and nonclinical groups suggests that eating behaviors exist on a continuum from “normal” to “abnormal,” with group differences relating to frequency rather than type of behavior. The behavioral differences observed in this study suggest that identification of children with ARFID should focus on child engagement with food and restlessness during mealtimes. Reliance on emotional and escape‐maintained behaviors will lead to underrecognition of families in need of clinical support.
Mir‐1287 suppresses the proliferation, invasion, and migration in hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting PIK3R3
Authors: Lu Junhao , Tang Licheng , Xu Yuqiang , Ge Kuikui , Huang Jinjiang , Gu Meigang , Zhong Jiang , Huang Qingshan
Published: June 2018

Mature microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small noncoding RNA molecules involved in regulation of post‐translational gene expression. Although aberrant levels of miRNAs have been found in various tumor tissues, their importance in tumor development and the molecular basis of their regulatory role remain unclear. Our bioinformatic analysis on The Cancer Genome Atlas database and microarray‐based comparison of miRNA in different cell lines revealed that the level of mir‐1287 is suppressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. When upregulated, mir‐1287 can reduce the tumorigenesis phenotypes of HCC cells in several in vitro models. We further found that mir‐1287 directly targets messenger RNA encoding PIK3R3, which is a tumor‐promoting factor acting in several pathways linked to tumorigenesis. Our study suggests that aberrant suppression of mir‐1287 is potentially responsible for the development of HCC, and miRNA‐based strategies may be developed for efficient detection and treatment of HCC.
Acrolein‐induced atherogenesis by stimulation of hepatic flavin containing monooxygenase 3 and a protection from hydroxytyrosol
Authors: Wu Xiaoyue , Li Chaofeng , Mariyam Zahula , Jiang Pan , Zhou Ming , Zeb Falak , Haq Ijaz ul , Chen Aochang , Feng Qing
Published: June 2018

Acrolein, a highly toxic α, β‐unsaturated aldehyde, promotes the progression of atherosclerosis in association with inflammatory signaling pathway and reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) process. Additionally, hepatic flavin containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by regulating cholesterol metabolism. Hydroxytyrosol (HT), as a major phenolic compound in olive oil, exerts anti‐inflammatory and anti‐atherogenic activities in vitro and animal models. The current study was designed to evaluate whether FMO3 participated in pro‐atherogenic process by acrolein and HT showed protective effect during this process. Here, endothelial cells and macrophage Raw264.7 cells were used as the cell models. Following oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (OX‐LDL) treatment, acrolein exposure promoted foam cells formation in macrophage Raw264.7 cells. The expression of FMO3 and inflammatory makers such as phospho‐NF‐κB, IL‐1β, TNFα as well as IL‐6 were significantly increased. However, ATP‐binding cassette transporters subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1), a major transporter in RCT process, was repressed by acrolein. In addition, FMO3 knockdown could suppress inflammatory markers and promote ABCA1 expression. Hydroxytyrosol (HT) was observed to reduce lipid accumulation, FMO3 expression as well as inflammatory response. Moreover, it promoted ABCA1 expression. Therefore, our findings indicated that acrolein‐enhanced atherogenesis by increasing FMO3 which increased inflammatory responses and decreased ABCA1 in vitro can be alleviated by HT, which may have a therapeutic potential for the treatment of atherosclerosis.
NLRP3 inﬂammasome mediates chronic intermittent hypoxia‐induced renal injury implication of the microRNA‐155/FOXO3a signaling pathway
Authors: Wu Xu , Chang Su Chi , Jin Jifu , Gu Wenyu , Li Shanqun
Published: June 2018

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), as the foremost pathophysiological change of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), contributes to continued deterioration in renal function. Nucleotide‐binding domain like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a multiprotein complex that triggers innate immune responses to infection and cell stress through activation of caspase‐1 and maturation of inflammatory pro‐interleukin‐1β cytokine. Emerging evidence indicates that inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome ameliorates renal injury. Nevertheless, it is uncertain whether NLRP3 inflammasome participates in CIH‐induced renal injury. The molecular mechanisms modulating NLRP3 inﬂammasome activation remain to be elucidated. Compared with wild‐type mice, NLRP3 knockout mice dramatically protected them from kidney injury, as indicated by the restoration of creatinine levels, lessened histopathological alterations, and the suppression of macrophages inﬁltration stained with F4/80. NLRP3 deﬁciency notably reversed CIH‐induced oxidative stress (malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase), concomitantly with the abrogated apoptosis‐related proteins and proinflammatory signaling pathway. Consistently, NLRP3‐deﬁcient tubular cells remarkably inhibited reactive oxygen species generation and NLRP3 inﬂammasome activation. Furthermore, our study revealed that microRNA‐155 (miR‐155) was augmented in the renal tissue and HK‐2 cells exposed to CIH. In addition, we investigated the role of miR‐155 in the regulation of NLRP3 inﬂammasome. Inhibition of miR‐155 suppressed the CIH‐induced NLRP3 inﬂammasome activation in renal tubular cells, whereas overexpression of miR‐155 promoted oxidation and enhanced NLRP3 pathway. Collectively, we demonstrated that miR‐155 might be a positive‐regulator of NLRP3 pathway by inhibiting the targeted FOXO3a gene. These results established a link between the miR‐155/FOXO3a pathway and the NLRP3 inﬂammasome, suggesting pharmacological blockage of NLRP3 as a potential therapeutic strategy for OSA‐associated chronic kidney disease.
Only a subpopulation of mouse sperm displays a rapid increase in intracellular calcium during capacitation
Authors: Luque Guillermina M. , Dalotto‐Moreno Tomas , Martín‐Hidalgo David , Ritagliati Carla , Puga Molina Lis C. , Romarowski Ana , Balestrini Paula A. , Schiavi‐Ehrenhaus Liza J. , Gilio Nicolas , Krapf Dario , Visconti Pablo E. , Buffone Mariano G.
Published: June 2018

Mammalian sperm must undergo a functionally defined process called capacitation to be able to fertilize oocytes. They become capacitated in vivo by interacting with the female reproductive tract or in vitro in a defined capacitation medium that contains bovine serum albumin, calcium (Ca2+), and bicarbonate (HCO3−). In this work, sperm were double stained with propidium iodide and the Ca2+ dye Fluo‐4 AM and analyzed by flow cytometry to determine changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in individual live sperm. An increase in [Ca2+]i was observed in a subpopulation of capacitated live sperm when compared with noncapacitated ones. Sperm exposed to the capacitating medium displayed a rapid increase in [Ca2+]i within 1 min of incubation, which remained sustained for 90 min. These rise in [Ca2+]i after 90 min of incubation in the capacitating medium was evidenced by an increase in the normalized median fluorescence intensity. This increase was dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and, at least in part, reflected the contribution of a new subpopulation of sperm with higher [Ca2+]i. In addition, it was determined that the capacitation‐associated [Ca2+]i increase was dependent of CatSper channels, as sperm derived from CatSper knockout (CatSper KO) or incubated in the presence of CatSper inhibitors failed to increase [Ca2+]i. Surprisingly, a minimum increase in [Ca2+]i was also observed in CatSper KO sperm suggesting the existence of other Ca2+ transport systems. Altogether, these results indicate that a subpopulation of sperm increases [Ca2+]i very rapidly during capacitation mainly due to a CatSper‐mediated influx of extracellular Ca2+.
Effects of experimental light at night on extra‐pair paternity in a songbird
Authors: de Jong Maaike , Lamers Koosje P. , Eugster Mark , Ouyang Jenny Q. , Da Silva Arnaud , Mateman A. Christa , van Grunsven Roy H.A. , Visser Marcel E. , Spoelstra Kamiel
Published: June 2018

Light pollution is increasing worldwide and significantly affects animal behavior. In birds, these effects include advancement of morning activity and onset of dawn song, which may affect extra‐pair paternity. Advanced dawn song of males may stimulate females to engage in extra‐pair copulations, and the earlier activity onset may affect the males’ mate guarding behavior. Earlier work showed an effect of light at night on extra‐pair behavior, but this was in an area with other anthropogenic disturbances. Here, we present a two‐year experimental study on effects of light at night on extra‐pair paternity of great tits (Parus major). Previously dark natural areas were illuminated with white, red, and green LED lamps and compared to a dark control. In 2014, the proportion of extra‐pair young in broods increased with distance to the red and white lamps (i.e., at lower light intensities), but decreased with distance to the poles in the dark control. In 2013, we found no effects on the proportion of extra‐pair young. The total number of offspring sired by a male was unaffected by artificial light at night in both years, suggesting that potential changes in female fidelity in pairs breeding close to white and red light did not translate into fitness benefits for the males of these pairs. Artificial light at night might disrupt the natural patterns of extra‐pair paternity, possibly negates potential benefits of extra‐pair copulations and thus could alter sexual selection processes in wild birds.
Facile Synthesis of Pyrazolo[3,4‐c]pyrazoles Bearing Coumarine Ring as Anticancer Agents
Authors: Gomha Sobhi M. , Abdel‐aziz Hassan M. , El‐Reedy Ahmed A. M.
Published: June 2018

In the present study, 2‐(2‐oxo‐2H‐chromene‐3‐carbonyl)‐5‐phenyl‐2,4‐dihydro‐3H‐pyrazol‐3‐one was prepared and reacted with various hydrazonoyl halides to give a series of 2‐(2‐oxo‐2H‐chromene‐3‐carbonyl)‐5‐phenyl‐4‐((2‐phenylhydrazono)methyl)‐2,4‐dihydro‐3H‐pyrazol‐3‐one in good yield. Cyclization of the latter hydrazone with POCl3 yielded the respective 3‐(3‐phenyl‐ 4,6‐disubstituted‐1,6‐dihydropyrazolo[3,4‐c]pyrazole‐1‐carbonyl)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐ones. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidences and their alternative syntheses. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antitumor activities against hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line and the results revealed promising activities of compounds 4e, 4c, and 4d with IC50 equal 0.92 ± 0.22, 1.43 ± 0.19, and 2.17 ± 0.21 μM, respectively.
Raman microscopy as a tool to discriminate mineral phases of volcanic origin and contaminations on red and yellow ochre raw pigments from Pompeii
Authors: Marcaida Iker , Maguregui Maite , Morillas Héctor , Veneranda Marco , Prieto‐Taboada Nagore , Fdez‐Ortiz de Vallejuelo Silvia , Madariaga Juan Manuel
Published: June 2018

Raman microscopy is a molecular technique that is able to detect compounds that are present in the samples at minor/trace levels thanks to the precise focusing on particles of interest. The detection will also depend on the Raman scattering of the measured compound. Moreover, due to the nondestructive character of the measurements, this technique is one of the most used when samples under study belong to the arts and archaeological fields. Among the different archaeological sites in the world, Pompeii is one of the most important ancient cities. In this work, Raman microscopy—supported by X‐ray diffraction—has been used to detect traces of mineralogical phases of volcanic origin and contaminations in red and yellow ochre pigments. These samples were buried for thousands of years and recovered from the archaeological site of Pompeii in their original bowls. On the one hand, regarding the characteristic mineral phases of volcanic origin, the obtained results showed the presence of langite [Cu4 (SO4)(OH)6·2H2O], jarosite [KFe3 (SO4)2(OH)6], atacamite [Cu2Cl (OH)3], and anatase (β‐TiO2), a polymorph of titanium oxide found in igneous rocks. On the other hand, contamination compounds such as Egyptian or Pompeian blue (CaCuSi4O10) and huntite [Mg3Ca (CO3)4] were also identified. Some of the compounds identified by micro‐Raman spectroscopy could not be detected using X‐Ray diffraction and vice versa. Therefore, it was corroborated the necessity of using more than one unique technique in order to obtain a complete information about the molecular composition of the ochre pigments under study.
Effects of three different stunning/slaughtering methods on physical, chemical, and sensory changes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Concollato Anna , Dalle Zotte Antonella , Vargas Sheyla C , Cullere Marco , Secci Giulia , Parisi Giuliana
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

Electrical stunning (E) and asphyxia in the air (A) are two common stunning/killing methods for fish. However, they can stress the fish and affect flesh quality, so an alternative should be found. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of carbon monoxide asphyxia (CO) compared to E and A on the evolution of post rigor mortis changes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillets related to chemical, textural, and sensorial properties during storage time.

RESULTS

Fish fillets from the E group showed a higher pH (P < 0.05) than the A ones, both at time of rigor resolution (TRR0) and from TRR4 until TRR7 (7 days after rigor resolution, which corresponded to 10 days post mortem), with the CO group being always intermediate. The CO treatment ensured that the fillets showed the lowest yellowness index (b*), even if only at TRR2 and TRR5. Lipid oxidation and texture profile analyses were unaffected. Sensory analysis revealed that the CO fillets had the lowest odor intensity and the highest juiciness scores (P < 0.05). The sensory descriptors resulted the most discriminant variables of the fillets obtained from the differently stunned animals, as resulted by the canonical discriminant analysis.

CONCLUSION

The carbon monoxide stunning/slaughtering method could be applied to rainbow trout without detrimental effects on physical, chemical, or sensory characteristics of the fish flesh. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Discrete fracture analysis using locally refined T‐splines
Authors: Chen L. , Verhoosel C. V. , de Borst R.
Published: June 2018

Locally refined T‐splines are used to model discrete crack propagation without a predefined interface. The crack is introduced by meshline insertions in the locally refined T‐mesh, which yields discontinuous basis functions. To implement the method in existing finite element programs, Bézier extraction is used. A detailed description is given as to how the crack path is inserted and how the domain is reparameterized after insertion. The versatility and accuracy of the approach to model discrete crack propagation without the crack path being predefined is demonstrated by two examples, namely, an L‐shaped beam and a single‐edge notched beam. When the crack approaches the physical boundaries, limitations to reparameterization arise, as will be discussed at the hand of a double‐edge notched specimen.