bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prohibitin 1 suppresses liver cancer tumorigenesis in mice and human hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma cells
Authors: Fan Wei , Yang Heping , Liu Ting , Wang Jiaohong , Li Tony W.H. , Mavila Nirmala , Tang Yuanyuan , Yang JinWon , Peng Hui , Tu Jian , Annamalai Alagappan , Noureddin Mazen , Krishnan Anuradha , Gores Gregory J. , Martínez‐Chantar Maria L. , Mato José M. , Lu Shelly C.
Published: December 2016

Prohibitin 1 (PHB1) is best known as a mitochondrial chaperone, and its role in cancer is conflicting. Mice lacking methionine adenosyltransferase α1 (MATα1) have lower PHB1 expression, and we reported that c‐MYC interacts directly with both proteins. Furthermore, c‐MYC and MATα1 exert opposing effects on liver cancer growth, prompting us to examine the interplay between PHB1, MATα1, and c‐MYC and PHB1's role in liver tumorigenesis. We found that PHB1 is highly expressed in normal hepatocytes and bile duct epithelial cells and down‐regulated in most human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). In HCC and CCA cells, PHB1 expression correlates inversely with growth. PHB1 and MAT1A positively regulate each other's expression, whereas PHB1 negatively regulates the expression of c‐MYC, MAFG, and c‐MAF. Both PHB1 and MATα1 heterodimerize with MAX, bind to the E‐box element, and repress E‐box promoter activity. PHB1 promoter contains a repressive E‐box element and is occupied mainly by MAX, MNT, and MATα1 in nonmalignant cholangiocytes and noncancerous tissues that switched to c‐MYC, c‐MAF, and MAFG in cancer cells and human HCC/CCA. All 8‐month‐old liver‐specific Phb1 knockout mice developed HCC, and one developed CCA. Five‐month‐old Phb1 heterozygotes, but not Phb1 flox mice, developed aberrant bile duct proliferation; and one developed CCA 3.5 months after left and median bile duct ligation. Phb1 heterozygotes had a more profound fall in the expression of glutathione synthetic enzymes and higher hepatic oxidative stress following left and median bile duct ligation. Conclusion: We have identified that PHB1, down‐regulated in most human HCC and CCA, heterodimerizes with MAX to repress the E‐box and positively regulates MAT1A while suppressing c‐MYC, MAFG, and c‐MAF expression; in mice, reduced PHB1 expression predisposes to the development of cholestasis‐induced CCA. (Hepatology 2017;65:1249‐1266).
Long‐term outcome in liver transplantation candidates with portopulmonary hypertension
Authors: Savale Laurent , Sattler Caroline , Coilly Audrey , Conti Filoména , Renard Sébastien , Francoz Claire , Bouvaist Hélène , Feray Cyrille , Borentain Patrick , Jaïs Xavier , Montani David , Parent Florence , O'Connell Caroline , Hervé Philippe , Humbert Marc , Simonneau Gérald , Samuel Didier , Calmus Yvon , Duvoux Christophe , Durand François , Duclos‐Vallée Jean Charles , Sitbon Olivier
Published: December 2016

Portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH) is diagnosed in 2‐6% of liver transplantation (LT) candidates. We studied outcomes of candidates for LT suffering from PoPH. Data were collected retrospectively from a prospective registry. Pulmonary hemodynamic variables were collected at the time of PoPH diagnosis, at last evaluation before LT, and within 6 months and beyond 6 months after LT. Forty‐nine patients (35 males, 48 ± 8 years) were analyzed (median Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score 20). At baseline, mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was 44 ± 10 mm Hg (range 26‐73 mm Hg), cardiac index was 3.5 ± 0.9 L/min/m2, and pulmonary vascular resistance was 5.6 ± 2.8 Wood units. Hemodynamic reassessment performed in 35 patients who were treated with pulmonary arterial hypertension–targeted therapies before LT resulted in significant decreases in both mPAP (36 ± 7 versus 47 ± 10 mm Hg, P < 0.0001) and pulmonary vascular resistance (3.0 ± 1.4 versus 6.1 ± 3.1 Wood units, P < 0.0001). Fourteen patients (29%) died without having had access to LT. Thirty‐five patients underwent LT and were followed up for a median of 38 months. Eight patients (23%) died after LT including 5 due to PoPH (after 1 day to 6 months). Among survivors (n = 27), all patients treated with intravenous epoprostenol were weaned off post‐LT, and endothelin receptor antagonist or phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors were continued in 15/27 patients (55%). At last evaluation, 20/27 patients (74%) had mPAP <35 mm Hg and 8 of them (30%) had mPAP <25 mm Hg. Overall survival estimates after LT were 80%, 77%, and 77% at 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years, respectively. Conclusion: Stabilization or reversibility of PoPH seems to be an attainable goal using the combination of pulmonary arterial hypertension–targeted therapies and LT in patients who are transplantation candidates. (Hepatology 2017;65:1683‐1692).
Relationship between venetoclax exposure, rituximab coadministration, and progression‐free survival in patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia: demonstration of synergy
Authors: Freise Kevin J. , Jones Aksana K. , Menon Rajeev M. , Verdugo Maria E. , Humerickhouse Rod A. , Awni Walid M. , Salem Ahmed Hamed
Published: December 2016

Venetoclax is indicated at a dosage of 400 mg daily (QD) for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with 17p deletion who have received at least 1 prior therapy. Ongoing trials are evaluating venetoclax in combination with CD20 targeting monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab. The objective of this research was to characterize the relationship between venetoclax exposures and progression‐free survival (PFS) and to evaluate the effect of rituximab coadministration on PFS in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) CLL/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). A total of 323 patients from 3 clinical studies of venetoclax, with and without rituximab coadministration, were pooled for the analyses. A time‐variant relative risk survival model was used to relate plasma venetoclax concentrations and rituximab administration to PFS. Demographics and baseline disease characteristics were evaluated for their effect on PFS. A concentration‐dependent effect of venetoclax on PFS and a prolonged synergistic effect of 6 cycles of concomitant rituximab were identified. The 17p deletion chromosomal aberration was not identified to affect the PFS of patients treated with venetoclax. A venetoclax dose of 400 mg daily QD was estimated to result in a substantial median PFS of 1.8 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7‐2.1), whereas the addition of 6 cycles of rituximab was estimated to increase the median PFS to 3.9 years (95% CI, 2.8‐5.6). The analysis demonstrates a concentration‐dependent effect of venetoclax on PFS and also a synergistic effect with rituximab. Combining venetoclax with the CD20 targeting monoclonal antibody rituximab in R/R CLL/SLL patients provides substantial synergistic benefit compared with increasing the venetoclax monotherapy dose.
Self‐assembled arginine‐rich peptides as effective antimicrobial agents
Authors: Mi Gujie , Shi Di , Herchek Whitney , Webster Thomas J.
Published: December 2016

Bacteria can adapt to their ever‐changing environment to develop a resistance to commonly used antibiotics. This escalating evolution of bacteria coupled with a diminished number of effective antibiotics has caused a global healthcare crisis. New antimicrobials and novel approaches to tackle this problem are urgently needed. Antimicrobial peptides are of particular interest in this endeavor due to their broad spectrum antimicrobial properties as well as ability to combat multi‐drug resistant bacteria. Most peptides have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions that enable them to be soluble in an aqueous solution, yet can insert into and subsequently disintegrate lipid rich membranes through diverse mechanisms. In this study, a novel class of cationic nanoparticles (formed by the self‐assembly of an amphiphilic peptide) were shown to have strong antimicrobial properties against gram‐positive bacteria, specifically Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with minimal toxicity to human dermal fibroblasts. The particular self‐assembled structure tested here included an arginine rich nanoparticle (C17H35GR7RGDS or amphiphilic peptide nanoparticles, APNPs) which incorporated seven arginine residues (imparting a positive charge to improve membrane interactions), a hydrophobic block which drove the self‐assembly process, and the presence of an amino acid quadruplet arginine‐glycine‐aspartic acid‐serine (RGDS) which may render these nanoparticles capable of attracting healthy cells while competing bacterial adherence to fibronectin, an adhesive protein found on cell surfaces. As such, this in vitro study demonstrated that the presently formulated APNPs should be further studied for a wide range of antibacterial applications where antibiotics are no longer useful. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1046–1054, 2017.
Association between AXL, Hippo Transducers, and Survival Outcomes in Male Breast Cancer
Authors: Di Benedetto Anna , Mottolese Marcella , Sperati Francesca , Ercolani Cristiana , Di Lauro Luigi , Pizzuti Laura , Vici Patrizia , Terrenato Irene , Shaaban Abeer M. , Humphries Matthew P. , Sundara‐Rajan Sreekumar , Barba Maddalena , Speirs Valerie , De Maria Ruggero , Maugeri‐Saccà Marcello
Published: December 2016

Male breast cancer (MBC) is an uncommon malignancy. We have previously reported that the expression of the Hippo transducers TAZ/YAP and their target CTGF was associated with inferior survival in MBC patients. Preclinical evidence demonstrated that Axl is a transcriptional target of TAZ/YAP. Thus, we herein assessed AXL expression to further investigate the significance of active TAZ/YAP‐driven transcription in MBC. For this study, 255 MBC samples represented in tissue microarrays were screened for AXL expression, and 116 patients were included. The association between categorical variables was verified by the Pearson's Chi‐squared test of independence (2‐tailed) or the Fisher Exact test. The relationship between continuous variables was tested with the Pearson's correlation coefficient. The Kaplan–Meier method was used for estimating survival curves, which were compared by log‐rank test. Factors potentially impacting 10‐year and overall survival were verified in Cox proportional regression models. AXL was positively associated with the TAZ/CTGF and YAP/CTGF phenotypes (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). Patients with TAZ/CTGF/AXL‐ or YAP/CTGF/AXL‐expressing tumors had inferior survival compared with non‐triple‐positive patients (log rank P = 0.042 and P = 0.048, respectively). The variables TAZ/CTGF/AXL and YAP/CTGF/AXL were adverse factors for 10‐year survival in the multivariate Cox models (HR 2.31, 95%CI:1.02–5.22, P = 0.045, and HR 2.27, 95%CI:1.00–5.13, P = 0.050). Nearly comparable results were obtained from multivariate analyses of overall survival. The expression pattern of AXL corroborates the idea of the detrimental role of TAZ/YAP activation in MBC. Overall, Hippo‐linked biomarkers deserve increased attention in this rare disease. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 2246–2252, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A cautionary note on the computation of daily mean temperatures and their trends
Authors: Saurral Ramiro I.
Published: December 2016

There are different methodologies to compute daily mean temperatures (DMT), including averaging the 24‐hourly temperature values, readings at specific times throughout the day or simply averaging the minimum and maximum daily temperatures. This study provides an intercomparison of some of such methods applied to six meteorological stations in Argentina with continuous hourly measurements for a period of more than 24 years. Results show that differences arising from the various methodologies are largely dependent on the local weather conditions, particularly those related to cloud cover and wind intensity, while the role of air moisture is less important.

Furthermore, trends derived from DMT estimates using different methodologies are found to be highly sensitive to the chosen method. In fact, statistically insignificant trends could be significant should other methodologies to calculate DMT had been used. This result could be of importance for diverse scientific areas such as agriculture or climate warming studies.
A map of Pleistocene aeolian deposits in Western Europe, with special emphasis on France
Authors: Bertran Pascal , Liard Morgane , Sitzia Luca , Tissoux Hélène
Published: December 2016

The Land Use and Cover Area frame Statistical survey (LUCAS) database on topsoil properties in Europe was used to map aeolian deposits. The points which satisfy the grain‐size criteria of coversands, loess and transitional facies were extracted from the rasters of predicted soil texture established by kriging of the LUCAS data by Ballabio et al. (). A comparison with already available maps, derived from a conventional field approach, shows a good fit in most of the tested areas. The new map, however, suggests a greater extension of loess, which seems related to the inclusion of thin loess covers, usually omitted by conventional mapping, and the presence of previously unmapped areas due to lack of survey or misinterpretation. The main source of aeolian particles corresponds to glacio‐fluvial sediments at the margin of the Scandinavian and Alpine ice sheets. Coversands and loess form a broad band across northern Europe, and in the Rhône, Rhine and Danube valleys. Large areas on the outskirts of these deposits also received a significant loess contribution, which has been reworked in slope deposits. Conversely, southern Europe is characterized by much less loess accumulation. The Atlantic coast has transgressive dune fields that penetrate inland to varying degrees.
Sedimentary response of lake El Tobar, Spain, to climate: lake level changes after the Maunder Minimum
Authors: López‐Blanco Charo , Andrews Julian , Dennis Paul , Miracle María Rosa , Vicente Eduardo
Published: December 2016

Lake level reconstructions from a littoral core in lake El Tobar, Spain, are presented for the last 350 years. These are based on plant macrofossils and stable isotopes from lacustrine carbonates. Our data suggest five episodes of advance and regression of the shoreline coupled with changes in water retention in the lake. A low lake level and high water renewal episode at ca. AD 1650–1715 is indicated by oxidized facies with abundant remains from terrestrial/marsh plant macrofossils and low δ18O and δ13C values. A fluctuating lake level episode at ca. AD 1715–1772 during changing climatic conditions in the Little Ice Age (LIA) caused periods of erosion and sediment deposition that intermittently blocked the lake outlet, resulting in more positive δ18O and δ13C values. The lake became progressively more closed with increased level in the wet years at the end of the LIA (ca. AD 1772–1850). During the Dalton Minimum, δ13C values reached a minimum, indicating low productivity, but increased after this with development of submerged Chara. From ca. AD 1850 to 1960 lake levels were high but are marked by changes in marsh communities, mainly the shift from Juncus to Typha (ca. AD 1850–1960) predominance, which indicates low and high levels, respectively.
Optically stimulated luminescence ages for human occupation during the penultimate glaciation in the western Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Nian Xiaomei , Li Feng , Chen Fuyou , Zhang Weiguo , Zhao Yuchao , Zhou Jing , Gao Xing
Published: December 2016

The chronology of few Palaeolithic sites in the Loess Plateau of China has been well investigated for the Middle Pleistocene. In this study, the Yangshang Palaeolithic site with significant archaeological remains, located in Gansu Province of the western Chinese Loess Plateau, was dated using blue‐stimulated optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) techniques on eight medium‐grained (45–63 µm) quartz and polymineral samples through the Palaeolithic sequence. Except for one sample from the upper cultural layer (55 ± 3 ka), age estimates obtained by quartz OSL dating exceed its upper datable limit, and so an elevated temperature post‐IR IRSL SAR protocol was used on 45–63 μm polymineral grains to derive a numerical chronology for the site. The luminescence ages of seven samples from six cultural layers lie between 104 ± 5 and 220 ± 11 ka; for the three main cultural layers the results varied from 149 ± 9 to 186 ± 10 ka, consistent with the presently observed stratigraphy. The dating results shown that early hominins may have occupied this region in the western Loess Plateau of China during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 7, early glacial MIS 6 and early interglacial MIS 5, reflecting their ability to adapt to variable environments.
Reconstructing a millennial‐scale record of flooding in a single valley setting: the 2011 flood‐affected Lockyer Valley, south‐east Queensland, Australia
Authors: Croke Jacky , Thompson Christopher , Denham Robert , Haines Heather , Sharma Ashneel , Pietsch Timothy
Published: December 2016

This paper reconstructs past flooding from a range of settings in Lockyer Creek, a key tributary of the mid‐Brisbane River, which experienced extreme flood events in AD 2011 and AD 2013. Optically stimulated luminescence samples (n = 110) were collected from alluvial material preserved in within‐channel benches and floodplains. Age distributions from material in the bedrock reaches confirm an event ∼ 300 years ago which stripped the valley alluvium to bedrock. In the unconfined reaches floodplain deposits indicate lateral stability over the past 6000 years. Marked differences in the inundation patterns of the AD 2011 event highlighted changes in downstream channel geometry. The age distribution of alluvium in reaches not inundated during AD 2011 was older, ∼12 000 years, with no preserved evidence of deposition during the past 1000 years. A relatively continuous record of floodplain deposition in reaches which were inundated in AD 2011 identifies a major peak in flood activity also around 300 years ago (∼AD 1730) with five additional peaks occurring at approximately AD 1962, AD 1897, AD 1300, AD 550 and 5400 BC. The main climatic driver of changes in flooding over this timescale is oscillations in El Niño Southern Oscillation and although proxy records are scarce for this region, some correlations with high‐resolution records of rainfall variability are apparent.
Production of oridonin‐rich extracts from Rabdosia rubescens using hyphenated ultrasound‐assisted supercritical carbon dioxide extraction
Authors: Yang Yu‐Chiao , Lin Pei‐Hui , Wei Ming‐Chi
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND

Among active components in Rabdosia rubescens, oridonin has been considered a key component and the most valuable compound because it has a wide range of activities beneficial to human health. To produce a high‐quality oridonin extract, an alternative hyphenated procedure involving an ultrasound‐assisted and supercritical carbon dioxide (HSC‐CO2) extraction method to extract oridonin from R. rubescens was developed in this study. Fictitious solubilities of oridonin in supercritical CO2 (SC‐CO2) with ultrasound assistance were measured by using the dynamic method at temperatures ranging from 305.15 K to 342.15 K over a pressure range of 11.5 to 33.5 MPa.

RESULTS

Fictitious solubilities of oridonin at different temperatures and pressures were over the range of 2.13 × 10−6 to 10.09 × 10−6 (mole fraction) and correlated well with the density‐based models, including the Bartle model, the Chrastil model, the Kumar and Johnston model and the Mendez‐Santiago and Teja model, with overall average absolute relative deviations (AARDs) of 6.29%, 4.39%, 3.12% and 5.07%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Oridonin exhibits retrograde solubility behaviour in the supercritical state. Fictitious solubility data were further determined and obtained a good fit with four semi‐empirical models. Simultaneously, the values of the total heat of solution, vaporisation and solvation of oridonin were estimated. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Atmospheric Chemistry of α‐Diketones: Kinetics of C5and C6Compounds with Cl Atoms and OH Radicals
Authors: Bouzidi H. , Djehiche M. , Coddeville P. , Fittschen C. , Tomas A.
Published: December 2016

Carbonyls play an important role in atmospheric chemistry due to their formation in the photooxidation of biogenic and anthropogenic volatile organic compounds and their high atmospheric reactivity. The Cl‐initiated kinetics of two α‐diketones (2,3‐pentanedione (PTD) and 2,3‐hexanedione (HEX)) have been determined as well as the OH + HEX rate constant using atmospheric simulation chamber experiments and the relative rate method. Up to three different reference compounds were used to assess robust results. The following rate constants (in cm3molecule−1s−1) have been obtained at 298 K:k(Cl + PTD) = (1.6 ± 0.2) × 10−11,k(Cl + HEX) = (8.8 ± 0.4) × 10−11, andk(OH + HEX) = (3.6 ± 0.7) × 10−12with a global uncertainty of 30%. The present determinations of Cl‐ and OH‐ reaction rate constants for HEX constitute first measurements. Using the present measurements, a recently improved structure–activity relationship for Cl + ketone reactions has been updated by introducing anF(–COCO–) factor of 8.33 × 10−4. Atmospheric lifetime calculations indicate that chlorine‐initiated oxidation may be a significant α‐diketone sink in the marine‐boundary layer or in places where high Cl concentrations may be found.
Deformable broadband metamaterial absorbers engineered with an analytical spatial Kramers‐Kronig permittivity profile
Authors: Jiang Wei , Ma Yungui , Yuan Jun , Yin Ge , Wu Wenhui , He Sailing
Published: December 2016

Electromagnetic (EM) materials with perfect absorption have long been investigated for their important applications in many practical technologies. The trial‐and‐error method has been mostly employed to achieve this target, either by varying the constituent compositions for traditional natural material absorbers or by running computer simulations for general metamaterial (MM) absorbers. In this work, the authors propose a new method with analytical guidance to build omnidirectional perfect absorbers inspired by the recently proposed spatial Kramers‐Kronig (KK) nonreflecting dielectric profile. The subtle combination of the spatial and time dispersions in the metamaterial‐engineered KK profile gives the desired broadband response property. More importantly, these features remain invariant when the sample is uniformly compressed or stretched with large thickness change, i.e., this particular broadband absorber is deformable, which has been firstly reported in the literature. The current results will pave a new way to design high‐efficiency EM absorbers that could also be extended in general to manipulate waves for other fields or applications.

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An application of group theory in confidential network communications
Authors: López‐Ramos Juan Antonio , Rosenthal Joachim , Schipani Davide , Schnyder Reto
Published: December 2016

A new proposal for group key exchange is introduced which proves to be both efficient and secure and compares favorably with state of the art protocols. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New insights into the antiangiogenic and proangiogenic properties of dietary polyphenols
Authors: Diniz Carmen , Suliburska Joanna , Ferreira Isabel M.P.L.V.O.
Published: December 2016

Polyphenols can be found in natural products of plant origin, including vegetables, fruits, and beverages. A large number of these plant origin compounds are an integral part of the human diet and in the past decade evidence has shown their beneficial properties in human health, by acting in several cell signaling pathways. Among other beneficial effects, polyphenols have been associated with angiogenesis. Increasing evidence highlighting the ability of dietary polyphenols to influence angiogenesis by interfering with multiple signaling pathways is debated. Particular emphasis is given to the mechanisms that ultimately may induce the formation of capillary‐like structures (by increasing endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and invasion) or, conversely, may inhibit the steps of angiogenesis leading to the inhibition/regress of vascular development. Dietary polyphenols can, therefore, be viewed as promising nutraceuticals but important aspects have still to be further investigated, to deep knowledge concerning their concentration‐mediated effects, effect of specific polyphenols, and respective metabolites, to ensure their appropriate and effective usefulness as proangiogenic or antiangiogenic nutraceuticals.
Effect of calcitonin on cultured schwann cells
Authors: Yan Ji‐Geng , Zhang Lin‐Ling , Agresti Michael A. , Shen Fengyi , Matloub Hani S. , Yan Yuhui , Li Jifeng , Gu Yu‐Dong , Logiudice John A. , Havlik Robert
Published: December 2016

Introduction: After nerve injury, calcium concentrations in intranerve fibers quickly increase. We have shown that functional recovery of injured nerves correlates with calcium absorption. A slight increase in calcium reduces the number of Schwann cells present. Calcitonin therapy greatly improves regeneration by accelerating calcium absorption. We examined the effect of adding calcitonin to higher concentration calcium media on cultured Schwann cells. Methods: The cells, isolated from intact sciatic nerves, were cultured with normal or higher concentration calcium media with or without calcitonin. Schwann cells were incubated with anti–S‐100, goat–anti‐mouse, and propidium iodide and then viewed through fluorescent light and phase‐contrast microscopy for observation and analysis. Results: The cells in each calcitonin‐containing medium showed many Schwann cells, however, the cells in the higher concentration calcium media showed fewer and more defective Schwann cells. Conclusion: These results show that calcitonin protects against the harmful effects of excessive calcium encountered in peripheral nerve injury. Muscle Nerve 56: 768–772, 2017
A multiscale modeling of permeability in a multi‐porosity porous medium using smoothed particle hydrodynamics
Authors: Xu Wentao , Fish Jacob
Published: December 2016

An upscaling approach for multi‐porosity media is developed and demonstrated on a three‐scale porous medium. The three‐scale porous medium problem is analyzed using the so‐called MultiSPH approach, which is a sequential smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) solver at multiple scales. By this approach, upscaling introduces drag forces on the SPH particles at coarser scales. The resulting permeabilities obtained by the MultiSPH approach are validated against available analytical solutions for simple microstructures. For complex microstructures, the MultiSPH approach is validated against detailed single‐scale SPH simulations and experimental data. Sensitivities of fluid–structure interaction on the permeability is investigated. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New Insights into Mesolithic Human Diet in the Mediterranean from Stable Isotope Analysis: The Sites of Campu Stefanu and Torre d'Aquila, Corsica
Authors: Goude G. , Willmes M. , Wood R. , Courtaud P. , Leandri F. , Cesari J. , Grün R.
Published: December 2016

Mesolithic human remains are rare in the archaeological record of the French Mediterranean. Only the island of Corsica has so far produced relatively well‐preserved burials, and recent archaeological excavations have brought to light new Mesolithic human remains. The site of Campu Stefanu, located in Sollacaro in the southeast of the island, contained a collective burial of seven to eight individuals in a previously unobserved funerary context. A re‐evaluation of collections in regional museums yielded the remains from another Mesolithic individual from the site of Torre d'Aquila, excavated at Pietracorbara, in the northern part of the island, at the beginning of the 1990s. These two discoveries presented the rare opportunity to obtain new radiocarbon dates and paleodietary insights from this crucial time period using stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N) on collagen. From Campu Stefanu, one individual had sufficient collagen preserved for radiocarbon dating, revealing that it is the oldest Mesolithic human known on the island, dated to 10216–9920 cal. BP. At Torre d'Aquila, radiocarbon dates indicate that the individual belonged to a younger Mesolithic phase than Campu Stefanu, dated to 9903–9596 cal. BP. δ13C and δ15N isotope ratios are similar between the Campu Stefanu and Torre d'Aquila individuals and indicate a diet dominated by the consumption of terrestrial animal protein and a lack of marine resources. These findings are in contrast with the previous results from two other Mesolithic individuals from Corsica from the sites of Araguina Sennola and Monte Leone, for which about 25–30% of the consumed proteins came from a marine diet. The dietary variability recorded in Corsica is consistent with results obtained from Mesolithic human remains of Sicily and the Iberian Peninsula. We can hypothesise, that despite the nomadic lifestyle, the distance to the sea played a major role in Mesolithic food choices in Corsica. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Termination of pregnancy due to renal tract abnormalities: survey of 97 fetuses from a single medical center
Authors: Melcer Yaakov , Kaplan Gaby , Ben‐Ami Ido , Bahat Hilla , Neheman Amos , Galoyan Narine , Maymon Ron
Published: December 2016

Objective

The article aimed to assess the spectrum of fetal renal tract abnormalities as a major finding leading to termination of pregnancy (TOP).

Method

The study population included all pregnant women with singleton pregnancy who underwent TOP in our institute because of fetal renal tract indications between 1998 and 2015. We specifically excluded TOPs performed because of multiple pregnancies, multisystem defects, abnormal karyotype and chromosomal or genetic defect not related to renal tract abnormalities. The patients were stratified into late TOP (≥24 weeks' gestation) and early TOP (<24 weeks' gestation).

Results

There were 97 (3.5%) cases of TOP because of fetal renal abnormalities and are the subjects of this study. Of these cases, 19 (19.6%) were at ≥24 weeks' gestation. Renal cystic disease was the leading indication for late TOP compared with early TOP group (31.8% vs 21.8%, respectively, p = 0.001). Routine prenatal care raised suspicion of abnormalities in 11 (50.9%) cases, and diagnosis was established by additional tests. Abnormal findings were either missed in one (5.3%) case or developed later in two (10.5%) cases. No routine prenatal screening was performed in the remaining five (26.3%) cases.

Conclusions

We found a different distribution for fetal renal tract abnormalities leading to late versus early TOP. As many of renal tract malformations could have been diagnosed earlier (~32%), timely scanning may reduce the need for late TOPs in some cases. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effectiveness and Safety of Tigecycline Compared with Other Broad‐Spectrum Antimicrobials in Abdominal Solid Organ Transplant Recipients with Polymicrobial Intraabdominal Infections
Authors: Liebenstein Tyler , Schulz Lucas T , Viesselmann Chris , Bingen Emma , Musuuza Jackson , Safdar Nasia , Rose Warren E.
Published: December 2016

Study Objective

Because patients with abdominal solid organ transplants (SOTs) are at increased risk of polymicrobial intraabdominal infections (IAIs) following transplantation, the objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness and adverse event profile of tigecycline with those of other broad‐spectrum therapies for polymicrobial IAIs in this population.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Large academic medical center with multiple outpatient clinics.

Patients

A total of 81 adult SOT recipients were included who were treated for confirmed or suspected polymicrobial IAIs from 2007–2012. Of these patients, 27 received tigecycline and 54 received comparator therapy with a broad‐spectrum β‐lactam (e.g., piperacillin‐tazobactam, cefepime, or meropenem) with or without glycopeptide or lipopeptide gram‐positive therapy (vancomycin or daptomycin) (comparator group). Patients in the comparator group were matched to tigecycline‐treated patients based on transplant type (kidney, combined kidney‐pancreas, combined kidney‐liver, or solitary pancreas) in a 1:2 ratio (tigecycline‐to‐other broad‐spectrum antibiotics).

Measurements and Main Results

Data on patient demographics, comorbidities, and clinical variables were collected and compared by using bivariate analyses. Clinical outcomes—clinical cure, improvement or failure, and disease recurrence—as well as death within 1 year were analyzed by bivariate analyses and logistic regression. Clinical cure was lower in the tigecycline group versus the comparator group (40.7% vs 72.2%, p=0.008), but cure combined with improvement was similar between the two groups (85.2% vs 88.9%, p=0.724). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that treatment with comparator antibiotics increased the odds of cure (odds ratio [OR] 1.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15–12.27) and reduced the odds of treatment failure (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.07–4.55) and death within 1 year (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.22–2.86); however, patients receiving comparator antibiotics were more likely to have disease recurrence (OR 1.45, 95% CI 0.33–6.36). Patients receiving tigecycline experienced a higher rate of adverse events than those receiving comparator antibiotics (29.6% vs 9.3%, p=0.026).

Conclusion

Patients receiving tigecycline were less likely to achieve optimal clinical outcomes and had more adverse events. Alternative regimens should be selected over tigecycline for the treatment of polymicrobial IAIs in abdominal SOT recipients until additional studies are completed to examine its role in this population.
Differential proteomic analysis of white adipose tissues from T2D KKAy mice by LC‐ESI‐QTOF
Authors: Ke Ming , Wu Hanyan , Zhu Zhaoyang , Zhang Chi , Zhang Yongqian , Deng Yunlin
Published: December 2016

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has become a worldwide increasingly social health burden for its high morbidity and heightened prevalence. As one of the main tissues involved in uptake of glucose under the stimulation of insulin, WAT plays very important role in metabolic and homeostasis regulation. We performed a differential proteomics study to investigate alterations in epididymis fat pad of high fat diet fed T2D KKAy mice compared to normal fed C57BL/6J mice, by 18O‐labeling relative quantitative technique. Among 329 confidently identified proteins, 121 proteins showed significant changes with CV ≤ 20% (fold changes of >2 or <0.5 as threshold). According to GO classification, we found that altered proteins contained members of biological processes of metabolic process, oxidative stress, ion homeostasis, apoptosis and cell division. In metabolic, proteins assigned to fatty acid biosynthesis (FAS etc.) were decreased, the key enzyme (ACOX3) in β‐oxidation process was increased. Increased glycolysis enzymes (ENOB etc.) and decreased TCA cycle related enzymes (SCOT1 etc.) suggested that glucose metabolism in mitochondria of T2D mice might be impaired. Elevated oxidative stress was observed with alterations of a series of oxidordeuctase (QSOX1 etc.). Besides, alterations of ion homeostasis (AT2C1 etc.) proteins were also observed. The enhancement of cell proliferation associated proteins (ELYS etc.) and inhibition of apoptosis associated proteins (RASF6 etc.) in WAT might contributed to the fat pad and body weight gain. Overall, these changes in WAT may serve as a reference for understanding the functional mechanism of T2D.
Is Regional Income Inequality Associated With the Individual Health of Older Adults? Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Kim Jin
Published: December 2016

This research examined the association between regional income inequality and the individual health of older adults. Individuals ages 50 and older were drawn from the 1996 to 2012 waves of the Health and Retirement Study to estimate panel data regression models to assess the respective impacts of household income ratios of the 90th to 10th percentiles as well as the 50th to 10th percentiles on the number of doctor‐diagnosed health conditions, controlling for regional fixed effects, time fixed effects, and individual characteristics. The findings revealed that in regions with greater 50/10 income ratios, older adults experience fewer doctor‐diagnosed health conditions. Namely, a one‐unit increase in the 50/10 income ratio was significantly associated with a 9.1 percent decrease in the number of doctor‐diagnosed health conditions. The research also revealed that in regions with greater within‐group income inequality, that is, inequality as measured within the same marital status reference group, older adults still experience fewer health conditions. Thus, in light of prior studies on the topic that either support the connection between greater income inequality and worse individual health or oppose this connection altogether, the findings suggest that greater income inequality at the regional level may be linked with better individual health.
Has Globalization Failed to Alleviate Poverty in Sub‐Saharan Africa?
Authors: L'Huillier Barbara M.
Published: December 2016

This article reviews the arguments surrounding globalization and the business model that it promotes and its effects on world poverty, with a particular focus on sub‐Saharan Africa. Globalization, supported by modern technology, involves the elimination of trade barriers that had previously restricted transnational corporations and banking institutions access to Third World markets and resources. The processes of globalization are geared toward a global culture that promotes a change in traditional export/import patterns in favor of what the world market demands. However, it is these market forces and economic objectives that are driving the growing inequality within and between nations, resulting in billions of people living in varying states of poverty. The people and institutions who adopt and promote this business approach do not play nice—as can be attested by the millions who are trapped in poverty in sub‐Saharan Africa and the rest of the world. This article argues that an equitable global market based on the globalization business model is an unattainable utopia.
Indebtedness, Socioeconomic Status, and Self‐Rated Health: Empirical Evidence From Greece
Authors: Kyriopoulos Ilias‐Ioannis , Zavras Dimitris , Charonis Antonis , Athanasakis Kostas , Pavi Elpida , Kyriopoulos John
Published: December 2016

Greece has been facing a massive economic downturn during the last several years, which has several implications for living standards. This study aims to examine the relationship between several variables and self‐rated health (SRH), focusing on the impact of household indebtedness on health. Our empirical strategy is based on an ordered logistic regression in which SRH is the dependent variable, whereas several demographic and socioeconomic variables, as well as the percentage of income used for bill payments, and the frequency of reporting difficulties regarding bill payments are used as regressors. The coefficients of gender, subjective social status (SSS), age, and of the two variables regarding bill payments were statistically significant. Specifically, high‐SES, male, and younger individuals were found to have a higher probability of reporting better SRH in Greece. Moreover, our findings suggest that individuals who pay a high percentage of their income to bills and those who face difficulties to cover the bill expenses have a lower probability of rating their health as good or very good. However, the effect of indebtedness on health constitutes a new finding for the Greek population. Given that household indebtedness and difficult socioeconomic conditions are quite prevalent in Greece, targeted social policy measures could constitute one of the responses toward a looming health crisis.
Comparison of Commercially Available and Synthesized Titania Nano‐Additives in Composite HTPB/AP Propellant
Authors: Demko Andrew R. , Allen Tyler W. , Thomas James C. , Johnson Mitch , Morrow Gordon R. , Reid David L. , Seal Sudipta , Petersen Eric L.
Published: December 2016

This study presents a comparison of commercially available titania nano‐particles produced using electric wire explosion with nano‐particles manufactured by the authors using a sol‐gel synthesis process. For the present study, 20‐nm titania was purchased off‐the‐shelf. It was determined to be rough spheres of 20 nm forming large, micron‐sized agglomerates, whereas particles synthesized using the sol‐gel process were found to be fundamentally 10 nm but with sub‐micron agglomerations thereof. The nano‐titania was added to 80% AP monomodal propellants at 0.3% and 1.0% by mass. Additional, 85% bimodal‐AP mixtures were made, comparing commercial titania to the laboratory‐synthesized particles at 1.0% by mass. Another set of samples compared a method of pre‐mixing the synthesized additives directly into the binder material at 0.3% by mass of laboratory titania; two additional pre‐mixed titania batches at 0.5% by mass were doped with either Fe or Cu into the nanocrystals. All propellants were tested up to 13.8 MPa at 3.8 MPa increments. Dry powder laboratory additives show a 60‐to‐100% increase in burning rate over the baseline samples with no catalyst and a 20‐to‐30% increase over the commercial nano‐particles. Pre‐mixed additives were found to produce similar burning rate increases but with lower concentrations required. This latest generation of particle synthesis techniques was further demonstrated in this study to have great potential for future propellant catalyst development.
Recommended management of thyroid disorders
Authors: Weetman Anthony
Published: December 2016

Most cases of primary hypothyroidism can be managed in general practice but thyrotoxicosis requires referral for an accurate diagnosis before treatment can be commenced. This review discusses the recommended management of thyroid disorders with a focus on autoimmune and iatrogenic hypothyroidism and Graves' disease.
NICE multimorbidity guideline: coping with complexity in care
Authors: Barnett Nina , Payne Rupert , Rutherford Alaster
Published: December 2016

The NICE guideline Multimorbidity: Clinical Assessment and Management was published in September, offering an opportunity to optimise the care of patients with multiple long‐term health conditions. This article provides a summary of the guidance and illustrates some of the issues raised with two clinical case studies.
Optimization of CVD parameters for graphene synthesis through design of experiments
Authors: Papon Remi , Pierlot Christel , Sharma Subash , Shinde Sachin Maruti , Kalita Golap , Tanemura Masaki
Published: December 2016

The optimization process of the desired size and quality of graphene domains is usually very difficult due to the numerous interdependent parameters in chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Here, the method so‐called “designs of experiments” is applied to estimate the relative importance and value of some of these parameters and their interactions for the CVD growth of graphene on Cu foil using waste plastic as a solid source. We found that the growth temperature, time, rate of heating, and preannealing time of the substrate influence significantly graphene growth. In particular, the growth time and rate of increasing of the carbon source temperature appear as the main factors for the growth of graphene domains, where the manipulation of only these two parameters could dramatically change the size of crystals. Thus, our experiment shows that for synthesis of larger graphene domains using waste plastic not only do the growth parameters of Cu substrate influence graphene growth but also the carbon source rate of heating.
Electron Transfer Mediated by Surface‐Tethered Redox Groups in Nanofluidic Devices
Authors: Steentjes Tom , Sarkar Sahana , Jonkheijm Pascal , Lemay Serge G. , Huskens Jurriaan
Published: December 2016

Electrochemistry provides a powerful sensor transduction and amplification mechanism that is highly suited for use in integrated, massively parallelized assays. Here, the cyclic voltammetric detection of flexible, linear poly(ethylene glycol) polymers is demonstrated, which have been functionalized with redox‐active ferrocene (Fc) moieties and surface‐tethered inside a nanofluidic device consisting of two microscale electrodes separated by a gap of <100 nm. Diffusion of the surface‐bound polymer chains in the aqueous electrolyte allows the redox groups to repeatedly shuttle electrons from one electrode to the other, resulting in a greatly amplified steady‐state electrical current. Variation of the polymer length provides control over the current, as the activity per Fc moiety appears to depend on the extent to which the polymer layers of the opposing electrodes can interpenetrate each other and thus exchange electrons. These results outline the design rules for sensing devices that are based on changing the polymer length, flexibility, and/or diffusivity by binding an analyte to the polymer chain. Such a nanofluidic enabled configuration provides an amplified and highly sensitive alternative to other electrochemical detection mechanisms.
Self‐Supporting GaN Nanowires/Graphite Paper: Novel High‐Performance Flexible Supercapacitor Electrodes
Authors: Wang Shouzhi , Sun Changlong , Shao Yongliang , Wu Yongzhong , Zhang Lei , Hao Xiaopeng
Published: December 2016

Flexible supercapacitors have attracted great interest as energy storage devices because of their promise in applications such as wearable and smart electronic devices. Herein, a novel flexible supercapacitor electrode based on gallium nitride nanowire (GaN NW)/graphite paper (GP) nanocomposites is reported. The outstanding electrical conductivities of the GaN NW (6.36 × 102 S m−1) and GP (7.5 × 104 S m−1) deliver a synergistically enhanced electrochemical performance that cannot be achieved by either of the components alone. The composite electrode exhibits excellent specific capacitance (237 mF cm−2 at 0.1 mA cm−2) and outstanding cycling performance (98% capacitance retention after 10 000 cycles). The flexible symmetric supercapacitor also manifests high energy and power densities (0.30 mW h cm−3 and 1000 mW cm−3). These findings demonstrate that the GaN/GP composite electrode has significant potential as a candidate for the flexible energy storage devices.
Berechnung des wirtschaftlichsten Gitters eines speichernden Wärmeaustauschers
Authors: Rummel Kurt , Schefels Gerhard
Published: December 2016

Beispiel für die Berechnung des billigsten Gitters für einen gegebenen Hochofenwinderhitzer. Ergebnis eines Rechenbeispiels für den Einfluß von Kanalweite, Strömungsgeschwindigkeit, Rauheit der Heizfläche und Zonenunterteilung auf die Kosten des Winderhitzerbetriebes je Stunde.
Die Aederung des Ferrits
Authors: Ammermann Elfriede , Kornfeld Heinz
Published: December 2016

Bisherige Arbeiten über die Aederung des Ferrits. Gründe gegen die Erklärung der a‐Aederung als Ausscheidungen von Eisenoxydul, wie es L. Northcott annimmt. Festhalten an der Ansicht, daß die Aederung des Ferrits auf Grenzwirkungen zwischen zwei in ihrer Orientierung wenig voneinander abweichenden Kristallteilchen zurückzuführen ist.
Wärmeinhalt und spezifisches Volumen der Eisen‐Kohlenstoff‐Legierungen
Authors: Tammann Gustav , Bandel Gerhard
Published: December 2016

Zusammenstellung des Schrifttums über Wärmeinhalt, spezifische Wärme, Dichte und spezifisches Volumen der Eisen‐Kohlenstoff‐Legierungen und deren Aenderung bei Umwandlungen und beim Schmelzen. Raumschaubilder über die Abhängigkeit des Wärmeinhaltes und des spezifischen Volumens von Kohlenstoffgehalt und Temperatur. Die γ‐Mischkristalle sind nach ihren Gitterparametern Einlagerungsmischkristalle. Einfluß des Druckes auf die Schmelz‐ und Umwandlungstemperaturen von Eisen‐Kohlenstoff‐Legierungen.