bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of resection margin status on recurrence and survival in pancreatic cancer surgery
Authors: Tummers W S , Groen J V , Sibinga Mulder B G , Farina-Sarasqueta A , Morreau J , Putter H , van de Velde C J , Vahrmeijer A L , Bonsing B A , Mieog J S , Swijnenburg R J
Published: March 2019

Background

The prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is poor and selection of patients for surgery is challenging. This study examined the impact of a positive resection margin (R1) on locoregional recurrence (LRR) and overall survival (OS); and also aimed to identified tumour characteristics and/or technical factors associated with a positive resection margin in patients with PDAC.

Methods

Patients scheduled for pancreatic resection for PDAC between 2006 and 2016 were identified from an institutional database. The effect of resection margin status, patient characteristics and tumour characteristics on LRR, distant metastasis and OS was assessed.

Results

A total of 322 patients underwent pancreatectomy for PDAC. A positive resection (R1) margin was found in 129 patients (40·1 per cent); this was associated with decreased OS compared with that in patients with an R0 margin (median 15 (95 per cent c.i. 13 to 17) versus 22 months; P < 0·001). R1 status was associated with reduced time to LRR (median 16 versus 36 (not estimated, n.e.) months; P = 0·002). Disease recurrence patterns were similar in the R1 and R0 groups. Risk factors for early recurrence were tumour stage, positive lymph nodes (N1) and perineural invasion. Among 100 patients with N0 disease, R1 status was associated with shorter OS compared with R0 resection (median 17 (10 to 24) versus 45 (n.e.) months; P = 0·002), whereas R status was not related to OS in 222 patients with N1 disease (median 14 (12 to 16) versus 17 (15 to 19) months after R1 and R0 resection respectively; P = 0·068).

Conclusion

Although pancreatic resection with a positive margin was associated with poor survival and early recurrence, particularly in patients with N1 disease, disease recurrence patterns were similar between R1 and R0 groups.
Self‐reported navigation ability is associated with optic flow‐sensitive regions’ functional connectivity patterns during visual path integration
Authors: Zajac Lauren , Burte Heather , Taylor Holly A. , Killiany Ronald
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Spatial navigation is a complex cognitive skill that varies between individuals, and the mechanisms underlying this variability are not clear. Studying simpler components of spatial navigation may help illuminate factors that contribute to variation in this complex skill; path integration is one such component. Optic flow provides self‐motion information while moving through an environment and is sufficient for path integration. This study aims to investigate whether self‐reported navigation ability is related to information transfer between optic flow‐sensitive (OF‐sensitive) cortical regions and regions important to navigation during environmental spatial tasks.

Methods

Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to define OF‐sensitive regions and map their functional connectivity (FC) with the retrosplenial cortex and hippocampus during visual path integration (VPI) and turn counting (TC) tasks. Both tasks presented visual self‐motion through a real‐world environment. Correlations predicting a positive association between self‐reported navigation ability (measured with the Santa Barbara Sense of Direction scale) and FC strength between OF‐sensitive regions and retrosplenial cortex and OF‐sensitive regions and the hippocampus were performed.

Results

During VPI, FC strength between left cingulate sulcus visual area (L CSv) and right retrosplenial cortex and L CSv and right hippocampus was positively associated with self‐reported navigation ability. FC strength between right cingulate sulcus visual area (R CSv) and right retrosplenial cortex during VPI was also positively associated with self‐reported navigation ability. These relationships were specific to VPI, and whole‐brain exploratory analyses corroborated these results.

Conclusions

These findings support the hypothesis that perceived spatial navigation ability is associated with communication strength between OF‐sensitive and navigationally relevant regions during visual path integration, which may represent the transformation accuracy of visual motion information into internal spatial representations. More broadly, these results illuminate underlying mechanisms that may explain some variability in spatial navigation ability.
Cross‐linked enzyme aggregates of recombinant Candida antarctica lipase B for the efficient synthesis of olvanil, a nonpungent capsaicin analogue
Authors: Diaz‐Vidal Tania , Armenta‐Perez Vicente Paul , Rosales‐Rivera Luis Carlos , Mateos‐Díaz Juan C. , Rodríguez Jorge A.
Published: March 2019

Despite the proven therapeutic role of capsaicin in human health, its usage is still hampered by its high pungency. In this sense, nonpungent capsaicin analogues as olvanil are a feasible alternative to the unpleasant sensations produced by capsaicin while maintaining a similar pharmacological profile. Olvanil can be obtained by a lipase‐catalyzed chemoenzymatic process. In the present work, recombinant Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) was expressed in Pichia pastoris and subsequently immobilized by cross‐linked enzyme aggregate (CLEA) methodology for the synthesis of olvanil. The CALB‐CLEAs were obtained directly from the fermentation broth of P. pastoris without any purification step in order to assess the role of the contaminant proteins of the crude extract as co‐feeders. The CALB‐CLEAs were also bioimprinted to enhance the catalytic performance in olvanil synthesis. When CALB was precipitated with isopropanol, the obtained CALB‐CLEAs exhibited the highest activity in the synthesis of olvanil, regardless of the glutaraldehyde concentration. The maximum product synthesis was found at 72 hr obtaining 6.8 g L−1 of olvanil with a reaction yield of 16%. When CALB was bioimprinted with olvanil, the synthesis was enhanced 1.3 times, reaching 10.7 g L−1 of olvanil at 72 hr of reaction with a reaction yield of 25%. Scanning electron microscopy images indicated different morphologies of the CLEAs depending on the precipitating agent and the template used for bioimprinting. Recombinant CALB‐CLEAs obtained directly from the fermentation broth are a suitable alternative to commercial enzymatic preparations for the synthesis of olvanil in organic medium.
Chemical and Electrochemical Lithiation of van der Waals Tetrel‐Arsenides
Authors: Mark Justin , Hanrahan Michael P. , Woo Katherine E. , Lee Shannon , Rossini Aaron J. , Kovnir Kirill
Published: March 2019

Lithiation of van der Waals tetrel‐arsenides, GeAs and SiAs, has been investigated. Electrochemical lithiation demonstrated large initial capacities of over 950 mAh g−1 accompanied by rapid fading over successive cycling in the voltage range 0.01–2 V. Limiting the voltage range to 0.5–2 V achieved more stable cycling, which was attributed to the intercalation process with lower capacities. Ex situ powder X‐ray diffraction confirmed complete amorphization of the samples after lithiation, as well as recrystallization of the binary tetrel‐arsenide phases after full delithiation in the voltage range 0.5–2 V. Solid‐state synthetic methods produce layered phases, in which Si‐As or Ge‐As layers are separated by Li cations. The first layered compounds in the corresponding ternary systems were discovered, Li0.9Ge2.9As3.1 and Li3Si7As8, which crystallize in the Pbam (No. 55) and P2/m (No. 10) space groups, respectively. Semiconducting layered GeAs and SiAs accommodate the extra charge from Li cations through structural rearrangement in the Si‐As or Ge‐As layers and eventually by replacement of the tetrel dumbbells with sets of Li atoms. Ge and Si monoarsenides demonstrated high structural flexibility and a mild ability for reversible lithiation.
Manganese(III) Porphyrin‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenation of Alcohols to form Imines, Tertiary Amines and Quinolines
Authors: Azizi Kobra , Akrami Sedigheh , Madsen Robert
Published: March 2019

Manganese(III) porphyrin chloride complexes have been developed for the first time as catalysts for the acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling of alcohols and amines. The reaction has been applied to the direct synthesis of imines, tertiary amines and quinolines where only hydrogen gas and/or water are formed as the by‐product(s). The mechanism is believed to involve the formation of a manganese(III) alkoxide complex which degrades into the aldehyde and a manganese(III) hydride species. The latter reacts with the alcohol to form hydrogen gas and thereby regenerates the alkoxide complex.
Rapid Access to Oxa‐Bridged Bicyclic Skeletons through Gold‐Catalyzed Tandem Rearrangement Reaction
Authors: Zhang Jiantao , Liao Zhehui , Chen Lianfen , Zhu Shifa
Published: March 2019

A gold (I)‐catalyzed reaction of enyne‐ethers to rapidly construct oxa‐bridged compounds via a tandem 1,2‐acyloxy migration/intramolecular oxonium formation/1,2‐rearrangement process was reported. The reaction was shown to be robust with a wide range of substitution patterns tolerated to provide the corresponding oxygen‐containing bridged products in good to excellent yields.
Colourful questions of an Indian village
Authors: Smith Dianne
Published: March 2019

How we understand and recall colour in the environments we encounter is reliant on the context. Drawing on a repeated experience of the author in a rural Indian village, a number of questions were raised regarding visual distinctiveness and its impact on the identity of place embedded in the memories of the village. A photographic walk‐through was undertaken to determine the existing colour palette and its relationship to the character of the memories of the village. Combined with observations and theory drawn from the literature, it is proposed that considering the experience from a pluralist perspective enables insights to emerge. In this case, colour moments and colour contrast are key attributes of memories and identity construction for the village visitor.
Dennd1a, a susceptibility gene for polycystic ovary syndrome, is essential for mouse embryogenesis
Authors: Shi Jingjing , Gao Qing , Cao Yongzhi , Fu Jiang
Published: March 2019

Background

The DENND1A has been identified as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for small GTPase Rab35, which functions in endocytic trafficking to mediate the recycling of selective cargos. Genetic alterations within the DENND1A gene have been implicated in human disease such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the role of DENND1A in developmental and reproductive processes is largely unknown.

Results

Using Dennd1a gene knockout mice, we uncovered that homogeneous Dennd1a−/− mutants died around embryonic day (E) 14.5. The brain of Dennd1a−/− embryos exhibited defects, partially attributed to the dysregulation of cell division and survival in the telencephalon. The transcription of Fgf8 mRNA was ectopically elevated in the dorsal midline of telencephalon, concomitant with a decrease of active β‐catenin and Axin2 in the brain of Dennd1a−/− embryos. During liver morphogenesis, the ablation of Dennd1a impaired hepatic cell proliferation, the differentiation of hepatocyte, and hepatic hematopoiesis. In addition, loss of Dennd1a also affected the development of primordial germ cells.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that Dennd1a, a susceptibility gene for PCOS, is essential for embryogenesis, probably through the mediation of endocytic recycling of selective cargos that are involved in cell signaling crucial for the development of multiple embryonic organ systems.
Mice conditionally expressing RET(C618F) mutation display C cell hyperplasia and hyperganglionosis of the enteric nervous system
Authors: Okamoto Mitsumasa , Yoshioka Yuta , Maeda Kosaku , Bito Yuko , Fukumoto Takumi , Uesaka Toshihiro , Enomoto Hideki
Published: March 2019

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) develops from hyperplasia of thyroid C cells and represents one of the major causes of thyroid cancer mortality. Mutations in the cysteine‐rich domain (CRD) of the RET gene are the most prevalent genetic cause of MTC. The current consensus holds that such cysteine mutations cause ligand‐independent dimerization and constitutive activation of RET. However, given the number of the CRD mutations left uncharacterized, our understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms by which CRD mutations lead to MTC remains incomplete. We report here that RET(C618F), a mutation identified in MTC patients, displays moderately high basal activity and requires the ligand for its full activation. To assess the biological significance of RET(C618F) in organogenesis, we generated a knock‐in mouse line conditionally expressing RET(C618F) cDNA by the Ret promoter. The RET(C618F) allele can be made to be Ret‐null and express mCherry by Cre‐loxP recombination, which allows the assessment of the biological influence of RET(C618F) in vivo. Mice expressing RET(C618F) display mild C cell hyperplasia and increased numbers of enteric neurons, indicating that RET(C618F) confers gain‐of‐function phenotypes. This mouse line serves as a novel biological platform for investigating pathogenetic mechanisms involved in MTC and enteric hyperganglionosis.
The relationship between body mass index, body dissatisfaction, and eating pathology in sexual minority women
Authors: Jones Cherrelle L. , Fowle Jillianne L. , Ilyumzhinova Rimma , Berona Johnny , Mbayiwa Kimberley , Goldschmidt Andrea B. , Bodell Lindsay P. , Stepp Stephanie D. , Hipwell Alison E. , Keenan Kate E.
Published: March 2019

Objective

Eating pathology is more prevalent among women compared to men, but prevalence and correlates associated with eating pathology likely vary among subgroups of women. This study examines prevalence and correlates of restrictive and weight control‐related eating pathology in sexual minority women.

Method

Data were collected from the Pittsburgh Girls Study (PGS). Participants reported on sexual orientation, and race, and body mass index (BMI) was derived from interviewer collected height and weight. Participants completed the Body Image Measure and the Eating Attitudes Test‐26.

Results

Sexual minority women reported higher BMIs [F (1, 862) = 14.69, p < .001], higher levels of body dissatisfaction [F (1, 960) = 3.12, p < .01], and higher levels of eating pathology [F (1, 950) = 14.21, p < .001] than heterosexual women. Body dissatisfaction mediated the relationship between BMI and eating pathology, and levels of associations were not attenuated by sexual minority status. Race moderated the association between sexual orientation and eating pathology; compared to all other groups, White sexual minority women had the highest level of eating pathology.

Discussion

Results indicate that White sexual minority women have higher levels of eating pathology than Black sexual minority women and both Black and White heterosexual women. Future studies that draw from larger and more diverse, community‐based samples are needed.
A Computational Study of Model Parent Systems and Reported Aza‐(Iso)Nazarov/Aza‐(Iso)Piancatelli Electrocyclic Reactions
Authors: González‐Pérez Adán B. , Villar Pedro , de Lera Angel R.
Published: March 2019

Structural variants of the (iso)‐Nazarov and aza‐(iso)Nazarov electrocyclic reactions, including monofunctional and difunctional pentadienyl cations with permutations of the heteroatom‐containing functional groups have been computationally studied at the ωB97XD/Def2TZVPP(SMD, THF)//ωB97XD/Def2TZVP level of theory. The relative location of two heteroatoms at either odd‐ or even‐numbered positions of the conjugated pentadienyl cation, including the Piancatelli and iso‐Piancatelli reactions and their variants, determines the feasibility of their rearrangement. In particular 4πe–‐electrocyclic reactions of formal enamines/protonated ketones are more favorable than those of the alternative enols/iminium ions. Both the classical aza‐Piancatelli and the aza‐iso‐Piancatelli electrocyclizations are highly favored. The key electrocyclic aza‐iso‐Piancatelli and aza‐Piancatelli steps of the few experimental systems successfully reported show activation energies that are in agreement with those of the simple model systems. On line with the computational predictions, the stabilization of the intermediates are key to ensure the success of these concerted electrocyclizations due to the positional location of the two heteroatoms and other factors (such as the release of strain of reacting allenes).
Thermal design and optimization of lithium ion batteries for unmanned aerial vehicles
Authors: Ma Yanjun , Chiang Sum Wai , Chu Xiaodong , Li Jia , Gan Lin , Xu Chengjun , Yao Youwei , He Yanbing , Li Baohua , Kang Feiyu , Du Hongda
Published: March 2019

In this article, a novel lithium ion batteries thermal design to manage ultrahigh thermal shock of a commercial small four‐rotor electric unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is developed and optimized. The cooling relies on internal heat pipe and convective cooling of UAV body, so that the heat generated by the battery can reach exterior cooling through a dedicated thermal path. The thermal management system is passive and requires no additional energy consumption. Finite element simulation is established to model the system and advanced thermal materials, and the system is optimized by response surface method in a dual objectives approach: minimizing maximum battery temperature and weight of the UAV. Simulation results show that the new passive cooling system can keep the temperature of the lithium ion battery within a reasonable range. The effects of convective heat transfer coefficient, discharge rate, and fuselage thermal conductivity were studied. After optimizing the system, the highest temperature of battery discharging at 3C rate can be kept no more than 36°C in the cost of 32.18 g weight increment.
Resource allocation in RF energy harvesting‐assisted underlay D2D communication
Authors: Yu Shuo , Ejaz Waleed , Guan Ling , Anpalagan Alagan , Rizvi Imran A.
Published: March 2019

Device to device (D2D) communication is capable to address the increasing demand for data rates in fifth generation (5G) and beyond networks. However, D2D communication is usually convoluted with interference scenarios since both D2D users and cellular users share the same spectrum resources. Furthermore, D2D systems can trace back to limited battery life. The battery life problem is becoming more challenging with the exponential increase of devices in the future networks. Therefore, efficient resource allocation schemes need investigation to offer better quality of service for both cellular and D2D users under the constraints of interference and energy. In this paper, we address these two problems (interference and energy) simultaneously by efficiently allocating resources in energy harvesting‐assisted underlay D2D communication. We propose a deterministic model in which D2D users harvest energy only when required. We propose a resource allocation scheme, which jointly allocate resources and transmit power. We formulate an optimization problem with an objective to maximize sum throughput of D2D system while satisfying constraints on quality of service, power, and interference. To solve the problem, we adopt the nonlinear optimization by mesh adaptive direct search algorithm to obtain the suboptimal solution. We show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme in comparison with existing algorithms through simulation results.
An evaluation of force terms in the lattice Boltzmann models in simulating shallow water flows over complex topography
Authors: Li Shaotian , Li Yineng , Zeng Zeyu , Huang Ping , Peng Shiqiu
Published: March 2019

Proper approximation of the force terms, especially the bed slope term, is of crucial importance to simulating shallow water flows in lattice Boltzmann (LB) models. However, there is little discussion on the schemes of adding force terms to LB models for shallow water equations (SWEs). In this study, we evaluate the performance of forcing schemes coupled with different LB models (LABSWE and MLBSWE) in simulating shallow water flows over complex topography and try to find out their intrinsic characteristics and applicability. Three cases are adopted for evaluation, including a stationary case, a one‐dimensional tidal wave flow over an irregular bed, and a steady flow over a two‐dimensional seamount. The simulating results are compared with analytical solutions or the results produced by the finite difference method. For LABSWE, all the forcing schemes, except for the weighting factor method, fail to produce accurate solutions for the test cases; this is probably due to the mismatch between the bed slope term in source terms and the quadratic depth term of the equilibrium distribution functions in these forcing schemes. For MLBSWE, all the forcing schemes are capable of simulating flows over the complex topography accurately; furthermore, those schemes taking into account the collision effect τ to eliminate the momentum induced by forces provide more accurate solutions with quicker convergence as the lattice size decreases. In this view, MLBSWE can bring more flexibility in treating the force terms and thus can be a better tool to simulate shallow water flows over complex topography in practical application.
Reliable local dynamics in the brain across sessions are revealed by whole‐brain modeling of resting state activity
Authors: Donnelly‐Kehoe Patricio , Saenger Victor M. , Lisofsky Nina , Kühn Simone , Kringelbach Morten L. , Schwarzbach Jens , Lindenberger Ulman , Deco Gustavo
Published: March 2019

Resting state fMRI is a tool for studying the functional organization of the human brain. Ongoing brain activity at “rest” is highly dynamic, but procedures such as correlation or independent component analysis treat functional connectivity (FC) as if, theoretically, it is stationary and therefore the fluctuations observed in FC are thought as noise. Consequently, FC is not usually used as a single‐subject level marker and it is limited to group studies. Here we develop an imaging‐based technique capable of reliably portraying information of local dynamics at a single‐subject level by using a whole‐brain model of ongoing dynamics that estimates a local parameter, which reflects if each brain region presents stable, asynchronous or transitory oscillations. Using 50 longitudinal resting‐state sessions of one single subject and single resting‐state sessions from a group of 50 participants we demonstrate that brain dynamics can be quantified consistently with respect to group dynamics using a scanning time of 20 min. We show that brain hubs are closer to a transition point between synchronous and asynchronous oscillatory dynamics and that dynamics in frontal areas have larger heterogeneity in its values compared to other lobules. Nevertheless, frontal regions and hubs showed higher consistency within the same subject while the inter‐session variability found in primary visual and motor areas was only as high as the one found across subjects. The framework presented here can be used to study functional brain dynamics at group and, more importantly, at individual level, opening new avenues for possible clinical applications.
Using stable isotopes of surface water and groundwater to quantify moisture sources across the Yellow River source region
Authors: Kuang Xingxing , Luo Xin , Jiao Jiu Jimmy , Liang Sihai , Zhang Xiaolang , Li Hailong , Liu Junguo
Published: March 2019

Characterization of stable isotope compositions (δ2H and δ18O) of surface water and groundwater in a catchment is critical for refining moisture sources and establishing modern isotope–elevation relationships for paleoelevation reconstructions. There is no consensus on the moisture sources of precipitation in the Yellow River source region during summer season. This study presents δ2H and δ18O data from 111 water samples collected from tributaries, mainstream, lakes, and groundwater across the Yellow River source region during summertime. Measured δ18O values of the tributaries range from −13.5‰ to −5.8‰ with an average of −11.0‰. Measured δ18O values of the groundwater samples range from −12.7‰ to −10.5‰ with an average of −11.9‰. The δ18O data of tributary waters display a northward increase of 1.66‰ per degree latitude. The δ18O data and d‐excess values imply that moisture sources of the Yellow River source region during summertime are mainly from the mixing of the Indian Summer Monsoon and the Westerlies, local water recycling, and subcloud evaporation. Analysis of tributary δ18O data from the Yellow River source region and streamwater and precipitation δ18O data from its surrounding areas leads to a best‐fit second‐order polynomial relationship between δ18O and elevation over a 4,600 m elevation range. A δ18O elevation gradient of −1.6‰/km is also established using these data, and the gradient is in consistence with the δ18O elevation gradient of north and eastern plateau. Such relationships can be used for paleoelevation reconstructions in the Yellow River source region.
A murine model of cutaneous aspergillosis for evaluation of biomaterials‐based local delivery therapies
Authors: Tatara Alexander M. , Watson Emma , Albert Nathaniel D. , Kontoyiannis Panayiotis D. , Kontoyiannis Dimitrios P. , Mikos Antonios G.
Published: March 2019

Cutaneous fungal infection is a challenging condition to treat that primarily afflicts immunocompromised patients. Local antifungal therapy may permit the delivery of high concentrations of antifungals directly to wounds while minimizing systemic toxicities. However, the field currently lacks suitable in vivo models. Therefore, a large cutaneous wound was created in immunosuppressed mice and inoculated with Aspergillus fumigatus. We fabricated biodegradable polymer microparticles (MPs) that were capable of locally delivering antifungal and characterized in vitro release kinetics. We compared wound bed size, fungal burden, and histological presence of fungi in mice treated with antifungal‐loaded MPs. Mice with a cutaneous defect but no infection, mice with infected cutaneous defect but no treatment, and infected mice treated with blank MPs were used as controls. Infection of large wounds inhibited healing and resulted in tissue invasion in an inoculum‐dependent manner. MPs were capable of releasing antifungals at concentrations above A. fumigatus Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for at least 6 days. Wounds treated with MPs had significantly decreased size compared with no treatment (64.2% vs. 19.4% wound reduction, p = 0.002) and were not significantly different from uninfected controls (64.2% vs. 58.1%, p = 0.497). This murine model may serve to better understand cutaneous fungal infection and evaluate local biomaterials‐based therapies. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 1867–1874, 2019.
Application of bacterial cellulose experimental dressings saturated with gentamycin for management of bone biofilm in vitro and ex vivo
Authors: Junka Adam , Bartoszewicz Marzenna , Dziadas Mariusz , Szymczyk Patrycja , Dydak Karolina , Żywicka Anna , Owczarek Artur , Bil‐Lula Iwona , Czajkowska Joanna , Fijałkowski Karol
Published: March 2019

Bacterial cellulose is one of the most promising polymers of recent years. Herein, we present a possibility of BC application as a carrier of gentamycin antibiotic for the treatment and prevention of bone infections. We have shown that BC saturated with gentamycin significantly reduces the level of biofilm‐forming bone pathogens, namely Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and displays very low cytotoxicity in vitro against osteoblast cell cultures. Another beneficial feature of our prototype dressing is prolonged release of gentamycin, which provides efficient protection from microbial contamination and subsequent infection. Moreover, it seems that bacterial cellulose (BC) alone without any antimicrobial added, may serve as a barrier by significantly hampering the ability of the pathogen to penetrate to the bone structure. Therefore, a gentamycin‐saturated BC dressing may be considered as a possible alternative for gentamycin collagen sponge broadly used in clinical setting. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 108B:30–37, 2020.
Adding Marrow Adiposity and Cortical Porosity to Femoral Neck Areal Bone Mineral Density Improves the Discrimination of Women With Nonvertebral Fractures From Controls
Authors: Zebaze Roger , Osima Marit , Bui Minh , Lukic Marko , Wang Xiaofang , Ghasem-Zadeh Ali , Eriksen Erik F , Vais Angela , Shore-Lorenti Catherine , Ebeling Peter R , Seeman Ego , Bjørnerem Åshild
Published: March 2019

Advancing age is accompanied by a reduction in bone formation and remodeling imbalance, which produces microstructural deterioration. This may be partly caused by a diversion of mesenchymal cells towards adipocytes rather than osteoblast lineage cells. We hypothesized that microstructural deterioration would be associated with an increased marrow adiposity, and each of these traits would be independently associated with nonvertebral fractures and improve discrimination of women with fractures from controls over that achieved by femoral neck (FN) areal bone mineral density (aBMD) alone. The marrow adiposity and bone microstructure were quantified from HR-pQCT images of the distal tibia and distal radius in 77 women aged 40 to 70 years with a recent nonvertebral fracture and 226 controls in Melbourne, Australia. Marrow fat measurement from HR-pQCT images was validated using direct histologic measurement as the gold standard, at the distal radius of 15 sheep, with an agreement (R2 = 0.86, p < 0.0001). Each SD higher distal tibia marrow adiposity was associated with 0.33 SD higher cortical porosity, and 0.60 SD fewer, 0.24 SD thinner, and 0.72 SD more-separated trabeculae (all p < 0.05). Adjusted for age and FN aBMD, odds ratios (ORs) (95% CI) for fracture per SD higher marrow adiposity and cortical porosity were OR, 3.39 (95% CI, 2.14 to 5.38) and OR, 1.79 (95% CI, 1.14 to 2.80), respectively. Discrimination of women with fracture from controls improved when cortical porosity was added to FN aBMD and age (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve [AUC] 0.778 versus 0.751, p = 0.006) or marrow adiposity was added to FN aBMD and age (AUC 0.825 versus 0.751, p = 0.002). The model including FN aBMD, age, cortical porosity, trabecular thickness, and marrow adiposity had an AUC = 0.888. Results were similar for the distal radius. Whether marrow adiposity and cortical porosity indices improve the identification of women at risk for fractures requires validation in prospective studies. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
New Executive Compensation Rules
Authors: Dennis‐Escoffier Shirley
Published: March 2019

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) made several changes to the rules affecting employee compensation for publicly held corporations and private companies. These changes include both good news and bad news. On the positive side, TCJA added a new provision under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 83(i) allowing employees of private companies to make an election to defer the recognition of income for up to 5 years from certain stock options and restricted stock plans. Unfortunately, this good news is offset by the changes made to IRC Section 162(m) which limits deductibility of compensation in excess of $1 million for publicly traded corporations. The TCJA expanded the definition of employees who are subject to the $1 million limitation and the types of compensation affected, including repealing the performance‐based exception. As a result, the types of strategies that corporations used to avoid this deduction limit in prior years may no longer work. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Phthalhydrazide immobilized on MCM‐41 as a potent and recoverable catalyst for the synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinolines
Authors: Akrami Sedigheh , Farahi Mahnaz
Published: March 2019

We present a study on the synthesis, characterization, and application of phthalhydrazide‐functionalized MCM‐41 (P‐MCM‐41) as a novel and efficient heterogeneous basic catalyst. The described catalyst was fully characterized via various techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR). P‐MCM‐41 efficiently catalyzed the four‐component reaction of arylaldehydes, Meldrum's acid, alkyl isocyanides, and isoquinoline in CHCl3 to prepare pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinolines in good yields.
An efficient asymmetric synthesis of (4R,8R)‐4,8‐dimethyldecanal, the most active component of natural Tribolure
Authors: Shi Jianmin , Wei Liang , Liu Lu , Tang Meng , Zhang Tao , Bai Hongjin , Du Zhenting
Published: March 2019

An asymmetric synthesis of (4R,8R)‐4,8‐dimethyldecanal, the most active component of natural tribolure, was achieved through an asymmetric methylation as a key step and chiral‐pool strategy. Natural tribolure is a mixture of four stereoisomers, (4R,8R)/(4R,8S)/(4S,8R)/(4S,8S), and their ratio is 4/4/1/1. However, the (4R,8R)‐isomer is the most active one. Based on a chiral‐pool strategy, we used a recycled chiral molecular (R)‐4‐(Benzyloxy)‐3‐methylbutanal that we exploited in our previous article. After executing a C5 + C5 + C2 synthetic plan, the target molecule was obtained in nine linear steps and in 36.8% overall yield.
From the hospital to the clinic: The impact of mindfulness on symptom reduction in a DBT partial hospital program
Authors: Mochrie Kirk D. , Lothes John , Quickel Emalee J. W. , St. John Jane , Carter Carlie
Published: March 2019

Objective

Preliminarily findings suggest dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)‐informed partial hospital (PH) programs can reduce patient symptoms. The present study assessed changes in various mental health symptoms as well as mindfulness skill acquisition in relation to these outcomes in a DBT‐informed PH program.

Method

Participants included 212 adults, ages 18–66 (Mean = 35.63, Standard Deviation = 12.39). The sample was predominantly female (N = 140, 66.00%) and Caucasian (N = 185, 87.30%).

Results

Findings showed significant symptom reduction (i.e., depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and degree of suffering) from intake to discharge. Overall mindfulness skill acquisition significantly increased from intake to discharge, and specific scales of mindfulness acquisition accounted for significant proportions of the variance in symptom reduction for depression and anxiety.

Conclusions

Mindfulness skill acquisition may be a mechanism by which DBT impacts symptom reduction in PH settings. Future studies might examine mindfulness practice to determine optimum doses.
Expression of potassium channels is relevant for cell survival and migration in a murine bone marrow stromal cell line
Authors: Silva Henrique B. , Rodrigues Deivid C. , Andrade Raiana , Teixeira Gabriel H. G. S. F. , Stelling Mariana P. , Ponte Cristiano G. , Nascimento José H. M. , Campos de Carvalho Antonio C. , Medei Emiliano
Published: March 2019

S17 is a clonogenic bone marrow stromal (BMS) cell line derived from mouse that has been extensively used to assess both human and murine hematopoiesis support capacity. However, very little is known about the expression of potassium ion channels and their function in cell survival and migration in these cells. Thus, the present study was designed to characterize potassium ion channels using electrophysiological and molecular biological approaches in S17 BMS cells. The whole‐cell configuration of the patch clamp technique has been applied to identify potassium ion currents and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) used to determine their molecular identities. Based on gating kinetics and pharmacological modulation of the macroscopic currents we found the presence of four functional potassium ion channels in S17 BMS cells. These include a current rapidly activated and inactivated, tetraethylammonium‐sensitive, (IKV) in most (50%) cells; a fast activated and rapidly inactivating A‐type K
+ current (IK
A‐like); a delayed rectifier K
+ current (IK
DR) and an inward rectifier potassium current (IK
IR), found in, respectively 4.5%, 26% and 24% of these cells. RT‐PCR confirmed the presence of mRNA transcripts for the alpha subunit of the corresponding functional ion channels. Additionally, functional assays were performed to investigate the importance of potassium currents in cell survival and migration. 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide analyses revealed a reduction in cell viability, while wound healing assays revealed reduced migration potential in cells incubated with different potassium channel blockers. In conclusion, our data suggested that potassium currents might play a role in the maintenance of overall S17 cell ionic homeostasis directly affecting cell survival and migration.
Cadmium induces cell centrosome amplification via reactive oxygen species as well as endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway
Authors: Zhang Rui Kai , Wang Pu , Lu Yu Cheng , Lang Lang , Wang Lan , Lee Shao Chin
Published: March 2019

There is evidence that cadmium can initiate carcinogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. There is also evidence that moderate centrosome amplification can initiate tumorigenesis. The present study investigated whether cadmium could trigger cell centrosome amplification, and examined the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that cadmium was able to cause cell centrosome amplification at the subtoxic concentrations, in a dose‐dependent manner. It could cause centrosome amplification via the signaling of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Proteomic analysis revealed that cadmium caused differential expressions of three proteins, which included HSPA1A which is associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Western blot analysis confirmed that cadmium upregulated HSPA1A. Further analyses showed that cadmium upregulated Bip and decreased the phosphorylation of ASK1 as well as increased the phosphorylation of MKK7 and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinases (JNK). Knockdown of JNK2 using small interfering RNA inhibited the cadmium‐induced centrosome amplification but not the level of ROS. N‐acetylcysteine did not inhibit the cadmium‐activated ER stress pathway. In conclusion, our results suggest that cadmium can induce cell centrosome amplification via ROS as well as ER stress through the Bip–TRAF2–ASK1–MKK7–JNK signaling route, in parallel. More studies are required to clarify whether centrosome amplification underlies cadmium‐induced carcinogenesis.
Synthesis of stable isotope–labeled chloroquine and amodiaquine and their metabolites
Authors: Wu Ruilian , Williams Robert F. , Silks L.A. “Pete” , Schmidt Jurgen G.
Published: March 2019

Anti‐malaria drugs chloroquine and amodiaquine and their metabolites were synthesized to incorporate 13C and 15N starting from U‐13C–labeled benzene to give M + 7 isotopomers. Chloroquine and its metabolites were prepared from 7‐chloro‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinolin‐4‐one through an aryl substitution with the corresponding amines; and the amodiaquine and its metabolites were prepared from 4,7‐dichloroquinoline in a similar fashion.
Impact of urease and nitrification inhibitor on NH4+ and NO3− dynamic in soil after urea spring application under field conditions evaluated by soil extraction and soil solution sampling
Authors: Kirschke Tobias , Spott Oliver , Vetterlein Doris
Published: March 2019

The application of mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizers is one of the most important management tools to ensure and increase yield in agricultural systems. However, N fertilization can lead to various ecological problems such as nitrate () leaching or ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions. The application of N stabilizers (i.e., inhibitors) combined with urea fertilization offers an effective option to reduce or even prevent N losses due to their regulatory effect on ammonium () and release into the soil. The present field experiment therefore aimed at soil N speciation dynamics after urea spring fertilization (225 kg N ha−1) in the presence of a urease inhibitor (UI), a nitrification inhibitor (NI), both inhibitors (UI+NI) or when no inhibitor was applied at all. The study focused on the distribution of N species among soil matrix and soil solution. Plant cultivation was completely omitted in order to avoid masking soil N turnover and speciation by plant N uptake and growth dynamics.

Application of UI clearly delayed urea hydrolysis in the top soil, but a complete hydrolysis of urea took place within only 10 days after fertilization (DAF). Nitrification was significantly reduced by NI application, leading to higher and lower concentrations in treatments with NI. Due to sorption of to the soil matrix a significantly larger fraction of was always detected in the soil extracts compared to soil solution. However, while in soil extracts the impact of NI application was less apparent and delayed, in soil solution a quick response to NI application was observed as revealed by significantly increased soil solution concentrations of . Because of the “asymmetric” soil phase distribution soil solution was predominant over only initially after fertilization even in inhibitor treatments (≈ 8 to 10 DAF). Nevertheless, inhibitor application tended towards closer ratios of to concentration in soil solution and hence, might additionally affect concentration dependent processes like plant N uptake and root development. Despite cold spring conditions urea application along with UI and/or NI did not indicate a limited supply of plant available and .
Prognostication in oncology
Authors: Fahy Bridget N.
Published: March 2019

Prognostication involves formulation and communication about the expected course of the disease and is unique in surgical oncology because of the need to incorporate patient, procedural, and cancer‐related factors. Several tools and techniques are available to assist physicians in formulating prognosis on the basis of these factors. Use of established communication techniques are effective in discussing prognosis. In situations with prognostic uncertainty, use of the best case/worst case/most likely case or time‐limited trial of therapy can be helpful.
Diagnostic Yield and Accuracy of Bedside Echocardiography in the Emergency Department in Hemodynamically Stable Patients
Authors: Balderston Jessica R. , Gertz Zachary M. , Brooks Sean , Joyce J. Michael , Evans David P.
Published: March 2019

Objectives

The goal of this study was to determine the diagnostic yield of focused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS) in hemodynamically stable patients in the emergency department and secondarily to confirm the accuracy of these studies when compared to formal echocardiography.

Methods

All hemodynamically stable adult patients who had an emergency physician–performed FOCUS examination completed over a 1‐year period were identified using our electronic ultrasound database. Hemodynamic stability was defined as presenting systolic blood pressure higher than 90 mm Hg and not requiring any form of positive pressure ventilation.

Results

There were 1198 FOCUS examinations performed: 976 in hemodynamically stable patients who were included in our analysis. Twenty‐seven percent of patients had new findings, including 154 (16%) new diagnoses of reduced left ventricular function, 105 (11%) new pericardial effusions, and 44 (5%) new diagnoses of RV dilatation. Dyspnea as an indication for the FOCUS examination was the strongest predictor of a positive study. Of patients included, 28% underwent formal echocardiography within 2 days and were analyzed for concordance with regard to left ventricular function and the presence of pericardial effusion. Of 270 studies, 208 were accurate, and 62 were inaccurate, for raw agreement of 77% (κ = 0.53). When stratified by sonographer experience, there was no impact on accuracy.

Conclusions

Focused cardiac ultrasound in the emergency department for hemodynamically stable patients revealed new findings in 27% of studies, with a modest correlation with formal echocardiography. In stable patients, FOCUS has the potential for rapid diagnosis of cardiac disease, particularly in patients with dyspnea.
Pretreatment of ankle nerve block provides better postoperative analgesia than peri‐incisional local anesthetic infiltration in hallux valgus correction surgery
Authors: Su Miao‐Pei , Huang Peng‐Ju , Tseng Kuang‐Yi , Shen Ya‐Chun , Chen Po‐Nien , Cheng Kuang‐I
Published: March 2019

Adequate postoperative analgesia after hallux valgus (HV) correction surgery improves early mobilization and decreases hospital stay. Peripheral nerve block and peri‐incisional local anesthetic (LA) infiltration are both widely used for pain management in orthopedic surgeries. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic effects between the ankle block and peri‐incisional infiltration technique in patients undergoing HV correction surgery. Ninety patients scheduled for hallux valgus correction surgery were randomly allocated into three groups. In group N, patients were pretreated with tibial and peroneal nerve blocks with 8‐10 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine before surgery. In group P, patients received the same LA for peri‐incisional infiltration preoperatively. In group C, patients underwent surgery without regional analgesic pretreatment. All patients had intravenous fentanyl patient control analgesia as part of multimodal postoperative pain management. Fentanyl consumption, rest and moving pain scale, and adverse effects were evaluated at postoperative 6 h (Poh6), Poh12, Poh 24, and Poh36, respectively. Patients receiving bilateral feet surgeries were excluded in this study. Seventy‐five patients were enrolled into final analysis. The patients in group N expressed lower resting and moving pain scores at Poh6, but the pain scores turned similarly among the three groups following Poh12 and then. The total fentanyl consumption was significantly less in group N than in group P. The postoperative activities and mood disturbance were not significantly different between groups after Poh12 and then. We conclude that ankle block is better than peri‐incisional LA infiltration in HV correction surgery in pain relief and fentanyl consumption.